Ninja Apocalypse

22: Find the Ones You Love (edited)

Rex was flying low, making sure the X Mech running below could keep pace. How do we find your friends? Crick asked Nya 'The High Shaman was last with your team-mates, The Masters of Earth, Fire and Ice; I left them at the scene of the blast'

'To find me...' Nya said. She sat on the platform and let the Mech run on autopilot. The barren wasteland sped past as she looked up at Rex cruising above.

'Would you know where they would have gone?' Crick answered.

'Well that's easy' Ronin replied but Nya cut in.

'I think I can answer for myself Ronin! Crick, they've probably gone back to the Temple on the floating Island'

'Nope!' Ronin answered back 'I forgot to tell you. The Island was destroyed in the blast'

Suddenly Nya didn't feel like sniping at Ronin and all he heard was sudden intake of breath 'I... I'm sorry Nya I shouldn't have just blurted that out' and they stayed silent until Ronin broke the silence again 'But! I've a spectral reading for each of you so I know where you are at all times. So it'll be easy to find them'

'What?' Nya whispered

Ronin shrugged 'Needs must and sometimes only a certain group of Ninja will can tend to my needs. So...'

'So you've known where they are this whole time... and where I was?'

'Sure'

Nya was dumbfounded 'Sooo... you came to find me on purpose?'

'Sure'

'I don't know what to make of that'

'When the chips are down you find the ones you love'

'...Er, say that again. I think my comm's are faulty?'

'Don't get all worried sweetheart. The boys were together and I could see you'd split so probably needed company and here I am'

Nya was so surprised at Ronins confession she didn't know what to say and on Airship Rex, Crick looked at Ronin, who nervously folded his arms and leant back in his seat. Crick was new to the vague and conflicting emotions of humans but was aware that this was an important admission and though it seemed difficult for him, Crick watched him try to uncomfortably explain '...you are all my family... or, as close as I'll come to one'

'I... I had no idea, I thought you didn't need anyone?' Nya said with obvious confusion; Ronin was continually surprising her and he lapsed into silence. Perhaps he had said all he could. Whatever, Nya was grateful for his solidarity to them all and for watching out for her and had to say something 'Ronin...' she sighed trying to find the right words '...you are tied to us in so many ways, both good and lets face it, bad, but you are part of out lives... and you always pull through for us. After some of our encounters I never thought I would say this but, we're family and... I love you' Ronins silence was almost unbearable.

Shakily, Ronin began to reply 'Go on, get off Nya, I know I'm irresistible but really, that's a cheap trick'

'Ronin...' Nya rolled her eyes and whispered 'here it comes...'

'Girly, I am too much for you to handle, you're just gonna have to stick to yer ghostly boyfriend 'cause right now we've got more important things to pursue'

The intimate moment was too much for Ronin and Nya laughed quietly 'Oh Ronin, you never give a girl a break' and fell back in to their sarcastic banter. She sighed 'so where are they then?'

'Borg Tower. Your ex is with them, safe and well. But I'm not picking up as many bodies as I should. How many serpentine did you say there were Crick?'