Writing Challenge Book [Complete]

The Kids Aren't Alright // Kai x Zane

For CreggsAndBacon 's Writing Challenge (I saw that you aren't writing any more Ninjago stories ☹️; are you still going to read these?).

Pairings: Opposite (main), Bruise (mentioned)

Setting: after Season 3 but slightly AU

The Kids Aren't Alright

Sitting at the desk in his small untidy room, the Master of Fire was looking at an old picture. The photo showing him and his team had been taken after the 'defeat' (as they had thought) of the Overlord. Everyone was smiling.

But although they had just won another battle, Kai did not feel like smiling at all today.

"Oh, Zane." He gently stroked the Nindroid's handsome face on the picture with the tip of his finger. "Why did you have to do it?" He asked. "We could have found another way..."

But deep inside, Kai knew that there had been no other way out.

This time, the Ninja had been defeated, and only Zane's sacrifice had saved them and all of Ninjago. But Kai didn't feel saved, he just felt empty.

And to make things worse, Sensei Wu's Academy was empty as well.

Following the loss of Zane, Sensei Wu had given everyone time off and many students had gone home after the funeral to spend time with their families. And those that had stayed had been almost unbearably quiet and well behaved; in times lie this not even the worst of the bad boys felt like pranking their teachers or each other. Oh, how Kai wished for any kind of distraction...

And it was not only the students who had left.

Lloyd was staying with his parents now. Nya was spending more or less every waking (and sometimes even the non-waking ones) moment at the Samurai X cave, turning her grief into creativity.

Having lost one of their closest friends had made Cole and Jay realise how much they needed one another, and they had immediately switched from fighting to comforting each other, and the two best friends had once again become inseparable. Kai even suspected that the black and blue Ninja were secretly dating now - just like he and Zane had been.

And as happy as he was for his teammates, this made Kai feel even more alone.

The only person that he regularly talked to right now was PIXAL. The female android had become a good friend to both him and Zane. Both Nindroids had made him see the good side of technology.

The Master of Fire recalled the time when they had first met Cyrus Borg's female assistant. 

"Zane has an admirer." Jay had exclaimed, not aware that the white Ninja's biggest admirer was standing right next to him. And Kai had immediately considered PIXAL a rival.
But she had turned out to be more like an honorary little sister to Zane - and the only one who knew about and supported Kai and Zane's relationship. And she would regularly call to talk to the red Ninja.

But at the moment, she was very busy helping Mr Borg rebuild his company. And Kai was alone.

He looked out of his window. Despite the warm weather, it had taken a few days for the snow to melt away, but now it was gone. In the courtyard, a few of the children who had stayed were digging a hole in the ground. Kai recognised Brad Tudabone, Lloyd's friend, and even Gene among them.

This usually meant that they were up to no good. And it finally provided the Master of Fire with something to do.

He got up and left his room to walk outside.

"What are you doing?" He asked in a rather harsh voice, startling the kids.

They shot around to look at their young teacher.

"Hello Mr Kai." Gene blushed. "We-we are making a little memorial for Mr Zane, Sensei Wu has given us his permission."

Kai took a step closer and noticed a few items, including the hacked remote control, had been placed inside the hole.

He swallowed hard. "Th-that's a lovely idea." He said. "I am sure he would have liked that."

The fearless Ninja could feel tears prickling in his eyes, so he quickly turned away. "Keep going." He told the children.

"Uhm, Mr Kai?" Brad asked shyly.

"Yes?" Kai answered, his back still turned towards them.

"What were Mr Zane's favourite flowers?" The black haired boy wanted to know. "You know, to plant some of them on top."

Kai smiled. "Roses." He replied. "He especially loved white and red roses."

Instead of returning to his room, Kai sat down on a bench and watched the children finishing their work.

"I wish you could see how much you have affected all of us, my love." He whispered, looking up at the sky. "Even our students are now trying to do something good for you. These kids surely aren't alright."

And neither am I.