Ninjago: Heart of the Storm (Slow Editing) (Re-Write)

Chapter Fourteen: Windy Energy

The morning sky shimmered in the rich shades of sapphire, violet, magenta, and gold shimmered and shined, like a giant rainbow had blanketed across the sky, and had stretched out over the land. As the sun started to rise, it had caught the colors of a blazing, aflame ember as it rise in the east. The faint outline of the moon was in a pale circle of silver, glowing faintly in the dawning sky.
A little cluster of light rain clouds had passed through the passing evening, dampening the ground and filling the air with the scent of fresh rain. The distant mountains were delicately sprinkled with the fading mist from the rain, like faint white frosting on cake slices.
But in the depths of the forest, the branches rocked to the silent rhythm of the breeze and leaves were carried off by the wind, spinning and twirling like tiny dancers as they fell. The sound of the birds could be heard in the morning. There was grassy field spotted with colorful flowers. A creek could be seen bubbling in the glade. A few woodland critters could been scampering through the clearing as they returned home. Some foxes went into a burrow. A couple of deer could be seen as they bounded away. Some squirrels and chipmunks were scattered about, grabbing their acorns to stash inside their tree homes and went into hiding. From above the birds started flying back to their nests. It was calm and peaceful around them in the gentle forest clearing.
Audra stepped out of the spreading shadows of the forest with casual feline grace and casual elegance. She looked around curiously, clearly searching for a certain someone in the depths of the forest.
"Snap!" Her ears perked up at the sound. She looked around warily and took in the surroundings around her, searching for her friend.
And at that moment, that's when Audra was unexpectedly gets tackled down to the grassy ground by an unknown force. She yelped in surprise. But when she looked at her back, Audra relaxed when she saw Lloyd on the ground next to her.
"Lloyd." Audra chuckled softly as she gazed at him.
Lloyd's breath was hitched in his throat when he and her briefly locked eyes. Lloyd had seen many girls, but not like her; the others were quick to judge him for his past mishaps and playing with his heart. This girl was definitely attractive, but unlike some he had came across, she wasn't jumping to any sudden conclusions immediately. Her eyes were... very distracting, like pools of pure water. Lloyd felt something pounding in chest as he continue to watch her the same way that he did when he first met his first crush on Harumi. But he was scared. What if the same thing happened again? He's not sure Audra also has the same feelings towards him. But he knew he has to be brave to ask.
In Audra's mind, the Ninja are have become a second family to her. But Lloyd is a completely different story. Every time they spend their time together, Audra felt her heart become warm at the sight of him. She feels happier whenever she's near Lloyd as they talked, practiced, hangout, or worked together. She started to feel a little shy and relaxed around Lloyd while the other Ninja, the two Ninja Masters, and Misako all knew what she was feeling. She wondered if Lloyd feels the same way about her as she does about him.
"Finally caught you." Lloyd smiled warmly at her. "And it only took four months."
"I told you that catching me wasn't easy," Audra said with a smile.
"Not that you made it easy on me," replied Lloyd warmly.
"So, the Green Ninja won our little bet." She smiled softly. "Let's rest for a bit. We don't usually get to sit and relax much."
Lloyd nodded as the two of them both walked to the creek and sat down next to each other. "But I love going running with you. Keeps me on my feet and I'm able to spend time with you."
"I enjoy our time together as well Lloyd," said Audra.
"Do you miss your home?" Lloyd asked her.
"Sometimes." Audra shrugged.
"Do you want to return?" Lloyd asked her.
Audra hummed thoughtfully. "I guess."
"To stay?" asked Lloyd.
"To visit," Audra replied. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, um, just curious." Lloyd rubbed the back of his neck in nervous embarrassment.
"Besides, I'll miss you too much." Audra nudged him playfully.
"You'd miss me?" Lloyd asked, surprised.
"Of course." Audra nodded with a warm smile.
"I'd miss you too," admitted Lloyd softly. "I'm really happy you came. I've really loved having you around."
"The same to you." Audra gave Lloyd an endearing smile as she looked at the boy she cared for so much, his presence giving her an instant sense of happiness. Lloyd couldn't help, but feel himself melt a bit under such a loving expression from his crush, and not just that, his cheeks began to heat up again as well.
"Hey, uh." Lloyd struggled to string his words together. It felt like his heart was pounding against his chest, and his thoughts were racing at a million miles an hour. "I actually had something I wanted to talk to you about. It's why I asked you out here today."
Audra's smile had faded a bit, and she started looking up at the Green Ninja with a confused and concerned expression, unsure what had him so nervous. "Sure Lloyd. What's up?"
"It's something I've been hiding since we met." Lloyd looked down at the smooth waters of the creek, as if he was gathering his inner strength. "Something to do with you."
Audra blinked in surprise. "With me?" She mentally cringed at the sound of it. "Not sure if I like how that sounded."
"Don't worry," Lloyd assured her gently. "It's nothing bad."
Audra titled her head curiously at him. "Then, what is it?"
"I've been hiding that... well... that I like you." He ducked his head, his light blonde hair falling around him to shield his face, his cheeks heating up.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Audra asked, both curious and confused.
"Because of how things ended with Harumi." He hung his head with shame. "I got my heart broken by her." His bright green eyes bearing a saddened gaze many could associate with a broken heart. "I trusted her, I cared for her and it ended up being my downfall. I just..." He ducked his head, his light blonde hair falling around him to shield his face, clearly sad and confused over her.
"You were afraid I would break your trust and hurt you like she did?" Audra asked him curiously.
Lloyd fiddled with his hands nervously. "Well... umm..." He glanced downwards ashamed and regretful, making Audra frowned in concern of her companion. "Yes."
"Lloyd, I promise not to do what Harumi done." Audra's eyes softened as she gazed at him and gently held his hand. "I'd never purposely hurt you." Then, she did suddenly something that surprised even herself. Before she knew what was happening, her lips met his left cheek. Lloyd's eyes widened, but didn't move due to his amazed shock.
Audra realized what she had done and her eyes too widened. "I-I'm... I'm sorry." She placed a hand over heart and felt it hammering within her chest. She could barely understand her actions. She did care about Lloyd; that was no lie. He was so kind to her and helped her through so much... But what in the name of Ninjago caused her to kiss him?
What was this feeling?
Meanwhile, Lloyd sat there on the ground, shocked. A hand was placed over the spot where Audra kissed him as his mind raced to explain what had happened. Lloyd was stunned and could feel his heart going into an excited frenzy in his chest.
"Well, if it's okay with you... maybe we could try, dating?" Lloyd suggested, but then became flustered when he remembered they were on a date right now. "I'm mean— I know we're having an outing right now! I just, I meant, you know—" Lloyd stopped his ramblings when he heard Audra laughed again.
"I would love to call you my boyfriend Lloyd Garmadon," said Audra happily as she gently took his left hand with her right hand, while smiling up at a flustered Lloyd.
"And I would love to call you my girlfriend Audra Valiente," Lloyd added, gently squeezing Audra's hand that he was holding onto.
For a while neither of them spoke, nor did they move, they just stared at each other. Audra finally broke the silence by leaning against his side with a peaceful smile as she gazed at the sunrise. Lloyd smiled softly at Audra and gently wrapped his arm around her waist while she leaned against his chest.