NINJAGO: Amateurs of Adulthood .2

U2

"I just...feel bad, is all." Kane said with an awkward grin

"And, why do you think that is? I mean, the situation you're describing sounds very high stress. Being manipulated by a villain and all." Mr. Greene, the ninja's private therapist, spoke calmly

"I know...it's just, it could've all been avoided if I just listened, you know? Like, I wouldn't feel this bad about the whole thing." The blonde shrugged

"Bad how?" Mr. Greene asked

"...I feel stupid, Mr. Greene. Really fucking stupid..."

Kane took a deep breath in before sighing a heavy sigh as he left the therapist's office. Once again, he learned nothing. Gained nothing. But still, he took it in stride and tried to keep a positive attitude about the situation.

After Arachnae's venom wore off, all that was left was Kane and the weight of what he had done. Betraying his family was already too much to bear, but finding out he had become a threat to Ninjago was crushing. I mean, he was supposed to protect these people, but instead, he ended up being the one to bring danger to them. Finally, there was one more thing that itched at Kane. It clawed at his intestines and threatened to pour out of his mouth in a loud, bitter wail.

Why him?

There are three other ninja who attend that school, so why him? It's totally selfish and Kane really hated himself for thinking it; but really: why him? Did he look gullible? Easy to persuade and trap in a snare? Did he walk in a way that made him seem unsure of himself? As if, had you corrected him, he would stand to attention and carry himself in the way he had been told?

Did he look easy?

Kane's fists tightened before relaxing as his father pulled up in front of the office.

"Hop in!" Kai called out to his son with a smile

Kane walked up to the black Cadillac, subconsciously admiring the bright red flame decals on the side as he did every time he saw this car, before sliding into the passenger seat with a small grunt.

"Hey, Dad." The blonde smiled briefly

"Hey, Candy Kane. How'd it go?" Kai grinned as he moved his gear shift and began driving again

Kane smiled softly at the nickname his grandfather used to call him before speaking up.

"Same as always." The teen shrugged

Kai looked at his son from the corner of his eye before reaching out to pat the boy on the shoulder.

"It's not your fault, Kane."

"...Thanks, Dad."

The rest of the drive home was quiet. And so was the rest of the day. And the rest of the week. People seemed to be walking on eggshells around Kane; constantly reassuring him that in was okay, but still making him feel as though it wasn't. People would look at him with pity in their eyes, flinch when he turned too fast, they would watch their words carefully around him, and God forbid someone mention spiders. He was just so over it. He wanted everything to go back to normal.

And maybe it would.

It was a Wednesday and Kane sat in the living room with his uncle, Lloyd, switching through the TV channels after school looking for something to entertain himself when he heard the older ninja's wristband go off. Lloyd perked up upon hearing the sound and swiped up on the hologram, catching Kane's attention.

"Hello, ninja." Pixel started

"Hey, Pixal! What's up?" Lloyd asked as he sat up from his slot on the couch