Taking Control. (a Ninjago fanfic)

Chapter 95- Bruised lightning

Z A N E

I woke to the sound of birds.

That was the first thing I noticed—
not the crackling of a morning fire,
not the hushed talk of early wakers,
not the crack of branches or the hum of cooking vegetables.

Just... birds.

Soft ones.
Peaceful ones.
Familiar ones.
Ones that meant I was home.

The second thing I noticed was that my systems were fully recharged, my joints didn't ache, and my processors weren't running emergency diagnostics.
A rare, wonderful combination.

I slid out of bed quietly, pulling on my gi top, and padded into the hallway.

The monastery was warm in the morning light.
Golden.
Still.
Calm.

The kitchen door was open.

I stepped inside.

Pixal stood at the counter, hair pinned back, sleeves rolled up, stirring something in a big pot. Wu sat nearby, sipping tea with both hands cupped around the mug, eyebrows relaxed for once.

When they saw me, both of their faces softened at exactly the same time.

"Good morning, Zane," Pixal said, turning fully toward me.

"Ah," Wu smiled, "The early bird arrives."

I didn't bother hiding my own smile.

I walked straight to Pixal and wrapped my arms around her.
She let out a breath—not startled, not surprised, simply relieved—and held me back just as tightly.

"You're feeling ok?" she whispered into my shoulder. "Clean and well rested?"

"Yes, much better. It is good to be back," I murmured. "I missed you."

Her hand slid up my back, gentle and grounding. "As I missed you."

Wu cleared his throat. "If you two are finished embracing, breakfast is almost prepared?"

Pixal didn't let go. "Almost."

I stayed where I was for several more seconds, memorizing the feeling.

Eventually we separated, though I kept one hand resting atop hers.

The kitchen filled gradually.

Cole stumbled in first, hair sticking in four different directions. "Morning," he mumbled, immediately reaching for the nearest pot.

Pixal smacked his hand lightly. "No. Sit."

Cole obeyed instantly. "Yes ma'am."

Kai followed, wide awake but still looking like he hadn't fully won the war against sleep.

He sniffed the air. "Is that food?"

Wu frowned. "I should hope so."

Kai pointed at Wu. "Sensei, with all due respect, I've had your tea soup disaster—"

"I was experimenting," Wu grumbled.

"You made dishwater."

Lloyd entered mid-sentence, choking on a laugh. "Morning—oh wow, Kai's already bullying?"

"Someone has to," Kai muttered.

Jay wandered in last, hair damp from a shower and sticking to one side, looking both awake and confused about being awake.

"Good morning Jay. Feeling ok?" I asked.

"Feeling clean," Jay muttered.

He dropped into the seat beside Cole and immediately stole a pancake.