Tiny Troubles

Part 18

Previously on Tiny Troubles...

Cole, secure in Jay's arms, briefly looked up and stared at the red ninja. He slowly waved his hand, quietly saying, "Bye, Kai."

"Bye Cole," Kai replied back, equally soft. "Be brave."

Cole nodded before lowering his hand and burying his face in Jay's chest. The blue ninja gently rubbed Cole's back as he left the room, murmuring soothing words in the little ninja's ear. Cole barely listened, too consumed in his worry and fear.

He has to be okay. Kai won't die, he'll be fine, hewon'tdiehewon'tdiehewon't die...

~~~~~~

Part 18

It was a long, long wait.

The food offered at the hospital was bland so nobody ate much. Cole at first refused to eat anything, but after much coaxing by his teammates, the little ninja finally consumed some food.

After the rather dismal lunch, everyone retreated to the waiting area. There, they settled down and waited for Kai to get out of surgery. Zane picked up a scientific magazine and began to read it, though he would occasionally glance up at a nearby clock. Nya began pacing up and down the room, occasionally sitting down for a few minutes before sighing and going back to pacing. Lloyd idly watched a program on a nearby TV, his mind far away. Jay held Cole, hugging the little ninja close to him while soothingly rubbing his back. He tried to get Cole to laugh or even smile by telling a few jokes or making silly faces, but the little ninja's face remained twisted into a worried frown.

The hours ticked by slowly. The longer they waited, the more anxious Cole became. He could hear the rain tapping out a rapid staccato rhythm on the roof while thunder quietly rumbled in the distance. It reminded too much of that one night, all those years ago...

Cole fiercely shook his head. Stop that, he told himself. Kai's gonna be fine, you have to be brave, he's going to make it, this isn't like that one time, it won't be like that...

Movement out of the corner of his eye made Cole look up. A doctor wearing scrubs entered the waiting room, a serious look on his face. At first, Cole thought he was here for someone else...until he looked over and started making his way towards them.

Cole's heart plummeted. No....no....

"Are you lot waiting for a Kai Smith?" the doctor asked once he reached them.

"We are," Zane asked, putting down his magazine.

"Is my brother okay?" Nya asked, pausing in her pacing.

The serious look on the doctor's face didn't fade and Cole felt his heart rate start to pick up. No, no, no.

"Well, there was more damage than what we first expected..."

No, no, nononono...

"But, Kai should make a full recovery," the doctor finished, a small smile appearing on his face.

There was a great sigh of relief and even a few cheers. "Thank goodness," Nya gasped, sinking into a nearby chair. "That idiot is soooo gonna get it for worrying me."

Cole remained frozen in Jay's lap, still comprehending the doctor's words.

Kai's....alive? He's okay?

The little ninja looked at the doctor's face, searching for any signs of deception. But there was none to be found.

Kai's....alive. He's alive. He'salivehe'salivehe'sokay...