Ninjago: Samurai I

Chapter 5: Questions and Diversions

Sighing from waiting for breakfast about to be served, Cliff quickly grabbed a blue t-shirt from his bedroom floor, placed the book on his bed and came down to where his mother, Nya, had just finished some waffles, which were Cliff's favourite. The moment he sat down, Cliff looked at the doorway. "Where's dad and Joan?" He asked as Nya had just finished the last waffle.

"Your father got called into work and Joan's out checking a disturbance at the Domu Library." She replied.

The front door was then heard slamming as they both look to see Joan, still in her gi, as she came into the kitchen and sat down. "That damn samurai did it again." She said.

"Joanie Maya Walker, what did I say about the 'D' word?"

"Sorry, mom. That samurai just did Spinjitzu as well."

"He did?"

"Wow, makes me want to be one too." Cliff said, lying about his involvement.

"Don't." Joan replied, annoyed before preparing to change the subject. "Where is it, Cliff?"

Cliff knew what she was talking about, but immediately lied. "Where is what?"

"You were the last person to sign the book out. Where is it?"

"What book are you talking about?"

"'Ninjago, Pirate Era.'"

"I checked out many books. Excuse me for not studying more like a good son."

Immediately angered by his sarcastic antics, completely unaware that he really was lying, Joan forced Cliff's chair back, knocking his maple syrup coated waffles onto his clothes and causes him to groan before she picked her up and forced her to a wall, ignoring her bewildered mother. "'That book that you signed out to borrow contained information on Nadakhan the Djinn! WHERE IS IT?!"

"I already told you, I checked out many books."

She soon noticed the thermal pack on his wrist and grabbed it, causing him to groan from the pain. "How did you hurt that?"

"In my sleep!" He lied to keep up appearances.

"You're him, aren't you?! You're the samurai!"

"I'm not!"

"ADMIT IT, RIGHT NOW!"

"JOANIE MAYA WALKER!" Nya yelled as she came up to them and forced her away from Cliff.

"Clean up this mess and go to your room!" She tossed a cloth into her hands and Joan immediately went to clean up her mess while turning to her son. "Want me to get you some more waffles?"

"No thanks, mom." He said as he soon left the kitchen. "I going to get changed and get ready for work." Even though he was 14 years old, destined to be a Ninja next year, Cliff had a part time job, working as a busboy and cashier on Tuesday mornings at his uncle Kai and aunt Skylor's restaurant, Master Chen's, alongside his cousins, Max and Lara, and would also work during holidays. But after putting on his work shirt and putting on some grey jeans, there was a knock at the door. "It's open."

Cliff puts on grey sneakers as Acronix, back in his Xentimu disguise, came in. "Clifton Walker?" He asked.

"Yes, Detective Xentimu?" Cliff met Xentimu a few times, either from when Joan and the Ninja helped in some of their cases, and when Damon's father was being arrested for attempting to mutilate his father.

"I just wanted to ask you a few questions, regarding a book that you checked out of the Domu Library just last night."

"Please be quick, I have to get to work."