Taking Control. (a Ninjago fanfic)

Chapter 86- Faltered

N Y A

I'd forgotten what peace sounded like.

Not the fake kind, not the "things are quiet because something's lurking in the shadows" kind. Real peace. Laughter carried across the camp, the smell of food wafted from the cookfires, the kids still jumped around causing mischief and teasing Kai.

It was... good. Really good.

Jay had been glued to my side most of the day — not in the anxious, fidgeting way he sometimes got after battles, but in that soft way where he just wanted to be near. His hand brushed mine more than once, and I didn't pull away. Every time he cracked some quiet joke under his breath, I found myself smiling before I even realized it.

And Rue... Rue had slipped back into her role so naturally it was like she'd never left. She greeted elders with that calm respect, crouched down to listen when kids tugged at her hands, settled arguments between hunters with a steady voice. She was their chief — and seeing it in motion made me realize just how much she cared.

So it wasn't surprising that by nightfall, when Lloyd, Jay, Rue and I sat cross-legged near one of the smaller fires, conversation came easy.

"Your tribe's incredible," Lloyd said, leaning back on his hands. His hair caught the firelight, blonde-tinted gold. "I mean, we've traveled a lot, but this... it's different. Everyone looks out for each other."

Rue smiled, eyes on the fire. "Thanks, Lloyd. We try our best, and I'm so happy that you guys are enjoying your stay!"

Jay gave a low whistle. "Well, you've got that right. But the bugs here alone nearly ate me alive on the way in." He scratched at his ankle for emphasis.

I nudged him with my knee. "They probably just thought you were dessert."

Rue laughed, soft and musical, while Jay pointed at me like he'd been betrayed. "Oh, real supportive, Nya. Honestly..."

"Shut up, Zaptrap," I said, smirking. "Whining about mosquito bites after all that's happened? Wow."

Lloyd snorted into his cup. Rue raised her brows, grinning.

Jay sighed dramatically, slumping against me. "Brutal. Heartless. My suffering is endless."

I rolled my eyes, but didn't move away when his shoulder rested against mine.

For a while, it was light. Easy. The kind of conversation we didn't get much anymore. Rue asked a million more questions about the world outside the jungle, because she didn't get much of a chance to explore when she came with us— we talked about how she could come and visit and we'd show her all the exciting things to see. After all, her life was very different to ours.

"But when I do come, you need to teach me how to use that glowing thingy, ok?"

Jay laughed. "What, a phone?"

She nodded eagerly. "Yes! They're so interesting, it just doesn't make any sense! How does some-"

Mid-sentence, Rue's voice faltered.

"-one.."

Her expression shifted.

Her eyes widened, like she'd seen something none of us could.

The smile that was plastered on her lips slowly faded away.

"Rue?" I asked, immediately straightening, an uneasy feeling blossoming in my chest.

Her body went rigid. The veins beneath her skin stood out dark and sharp, spiderwebbing up her arms toward her neck.

Then she screamed.