Flames of the Past #7: Seeds of Deceit (Ninjago Fanfiction)

Chapter 16

A few hours had passed since the team left to rescue Lloyd. Skylor was still awake as she sat beside Kai, refusing to leave him alone. Her eyes were growing blurry as she tried to keep reading her book, and eventually she set it down. She stretched her arms over her head. She knew she should get some rest, but with Kai still unconscious and the rest of the ninja out battling Chester, she didn't think she'd be able to sleep. She hoped the team would find Lloyd quickly and come out okay, but knowing how powerful Chester and the Sons of Darkness had become, she worried for them.

Still, she tried to hold onto hope. Her hair had been released from her ponytail and she draped it over her shoulder, threading her fingers through the tangles. The ninja had done things like this several times before. They knew what they were doing.

A soft whimper broke her thoughts. Alarmed, Skylor looked at Kai to see the red ninja stir in his sleep. Anticipation pounded in her chest. She leaned closer and rested a steady hand on Kai's arm, silently willing him to open his eyes.

The red ninja let out a couple coughs as he groped into consciousness. He shifted upward and wearily blinked open his eyes. He seemed to struggle focusing his vision for a while before he glanced up at Skylor. She stared back at him, and a weak smile crossed his face. "H-hey, Princess," he rasped out.

Relief crashed down at Skylor. A huge smile broke onto her face and tears filled her eyes as she breathed out, "Kai!"

She lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. Kai locked one of his arms around her, pulling her tighter into the embrace. He steadied his breathing pattern as he pressed his face into her hair, relishing the familiarity of her presence. Eventually, she drew away again and gazed into his brightening green eyes. "We thought you'd never wake up," she admitted hoarsely.

Kai's eyes traveled downward, and he drew his hand off of her. For a moment, he didn't respond. "Is it true?" he finally said. "Is what Cole said about Lloyd and the clone true?"

Abruptly, Skylor pulled back. She got off the bed and sat on the chair again, turning her face away. "Yes, it's true," she puffed, frustration lining her voice.

Kai didn't pay much attention to her as he thought everything over. He felt so stupid. He told Lloyd he trusted him, and then he'd assumed his brother had turned so easily? "I'm a horrible brother," he groaned out, wiping his hands down his face. "The clone tricked me so easily and now Sleete has Lloyd! It's all my fault."

"Is Lloyd the only person you're thinking about right now?" Skylor snapped, folding her arms across her chest.

Kai glanced at her, slightly confused. "What are you talking about?" he stuttered.

"You decided to give up after Lloyd hurt you, and didn't even think about anyone else?" Skylor shot back. "You didn't even think about me!"

Kai's eyes rounded. He hadn't known she cared so much. "Skylor, I... I didn't mean to get you so upset," he rasped.

Skylor only pouted, refusing to look at him.

"Skylor," Kai cooed with a soft smirk, moving to find her eyes.

Skylor turned farther away. "No," she huffed.

Kai reached out to place a hand on her arm. "Skylor, come on," he tried again.

She tugged away from him, pouting again.

Kai stared at her in disbelief, then sat back with a heavy sigh. He collected his thoughts for a few minutes before saying, "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking about you when I thought Lloyd turned on me." He looked away, struggling to put his feelings into words. "Lloyd's just... He and Nya have been my only family since I lost my parents. I love them so much, and I never want anything to happen to them." He half-smiled. "I learned a long time ago that Nya was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, but Lloyd... He needed me, and I actually needed him, too." Kai gazed into the distance, remembering the early years he'd spent with the young green ninja. "He taught me how to be happy, and how to find the bright side of horrible situations. We became best friends, and I swore I would always keep him safe. So when he turned the first time..."