Darkness Returns

Chapter 2: Quiet

Authors Notes: Keep in mind that the ninja are adults in this. Or Cole and Zane wouldn't have been able to decide they could adult and parent a child on their own...plus get married in the end during the first part.

Please Read and Review

Darkness Returns

Chapter 2

Quiet

The temple still smelled of new wood, and fresh paint. Ronin was sure all the furniture that graced the floors was brand new and not antique. Much to his discontent he rather hoped to steal something good when their back was turned. Ah well. Probably was all destroyed when the snakes attacked the first time. Oh well. No real loss. He still got free food out of the deal.

A shadow that seemed to be searching. He turned just a little. The place didn't seem to be well off enough to carry ghosts...would it? The word ghost still made him flinch a little. He turned just in time to see a lock of red hair shrink beyond a door. He turned to look into the room and spotted a very malnourished little girl.

"Uh...I don't think the ninja like when people go snooping around their stuff." Ronin wasn't aware of Kairi and the ninja's connection. Automatically assuming she had just wandered in to look around.

Kairi looked up at him for a moment. Wow he was tall, not as tall as Zane.

"I'm lost." She admitted. She figured it would be best to get it out in the open. Perhaps this man would help her find her parents? Or at least back to a place she knew of.

"Lost huh?" He reached down to pick her up. She gasped hearing his arm wiring as he did. He watched the shocked look of her. "Uh yeah. I lost that...long ago." He admitted. The kid looked afraid. He just chuckled and ran his arm in a circle to show her it didn't hurt and it worked like a normal arm.

"Yeah it looks scary. But it doesn't hurt me at all anymore." He knocked on the shoulder getting a loud 'tink' noise. "How about we go find the ninja huh? They'll help you." Mostly because he didn't want to be bothered with a little girl being lost and looking for their parents. She nodded, taking his human hand and walking along with him.

Going back the way they came Ronin found his way back into the entrance hall.

"Got a lost kid here." He called out. Cole chuckled as he looked at Kairi's embarrassed red face.

"Daww kiddo, you get a bit turned around in the house huh?" He picked her up and ran his hand over her back reassuringly. Kairi seemed to melt into his arms. She found herself to be a bit tired.

"Your dad's in the kitchen cooking dinner. No going to sleep just yet." Jay booped her nose from behind Cole. Kairi rubbed her nose and yawned.

"Wait...what?" Ronin looked around.

"Ah Ronin...I thought you already knew. Cole and Zane adopted a daughter." Dareth said, helping them unload the bed frame.

"Adopted a...what?" Ronin looked at the little girl.

"Zane and I will be getting married at summers end too." Cole said rubbing the little girls back.

"You're just comfy Cole. She falls asleep almost instantly as you pick her up." Echo said looking up at the tiny helper bot as it whistled. It was time for dinner.

"Oh thank you! I am starving after all that work." For once Dareth put together a decent work day. Mostly driving a truck. But anything heavy he got out and helped with.

Nya looked up after putting the plates and utensils down on the table.

"Oh no...did she not make it to dinner? Poor baby." She ran her fingers over the little girls cheeks. Her little eyes slowly opened tiredly. "You gonna eat?" Nya kindly asked her. Kairi allowed a slight nod before letting Nya pull her from her Papa and deposit her down onto the pillow. She leaned a little heavily on the table and looked on as a feast was laid out in front of them. So many different foods.

"Why so much?" She whispered to Cole. Cole chuckled.

"Celebrating sweetheart. First night in our new home." She watched Zane bring in a large rack of ham and place it in the middle of the table. Her mouth dropped open.

"Wow..."

"Don't think she's ever seen something that big before." Dareth chuckled, spooning her some potatoes and passed the plate over to her.

Her eyes grew wide as they just kept giving her food. Corn, beans, salads, soups, rice, fish...all kinds of food. She'd burst if she ate it all. But she managed to eat the majority before leaning on the table full and feeling like she'd burst.

"Wow where did she hide all that food." Ronin chuckled, shoving another piece of chicken into his mouth.

"She will most definitely sleep well tonight." Zane sipped his tea. A special blend he made for himself that had a bit of oil in it. He'd need to oil his joints before bed. All that hard lifting made his limbs grind a bit.

Nya however was left at the temple to clean, unpack, and cook. To Kairi that was kind of horrible. At least until she kept watching over the last three days, and the way Jay, and Kai treated her. Jay and Nya had been married now for at least a year or so. At least that's what Kairi assumed. Time was a bit weird. It wasn't an unusual sight to see a married couple expecting children. They were adults after all. But she was also advised to stay away from her if she could.

Why?

Mood swings. She hadn't gotten mad at her yet. But she's snapped at the boys some for not picking up something, doing their chores, or just playing video games. Kairi didn't want any of that mess.

"Kairi? Do you want some dessert?" Nya asked. Kairi looked up and smiled kindly.

"No thank you Aunt Nya. I don't think I could eat another bite. Your cooking was so good." Nya blushed and smiled.

"Why thank you Kairi." Nya put the pie in the middle of the table for the boys to attack. Of course Cole had room for some.

"I'll take her to bed then." Zane picked her up and kissed the top of Coles head as they walked.

A chorus of good nights echoed after them as the pair left the room. Zane could hear the hard foot falls of Cole chasing them.

"You can tell." Cole said looking back at the room. "Those two hide it well. But you can tell those two are together."

"Yes...I saw as well. They were holding hands under the table." The relationship between Dareth and Ronin was a secret one, but they knew they didn't have to hide it there. Especially after Cole and Zane came out with their relationship.

"Does that mean Uncle Dareth and Ronin are going to get married too?" Kairi's tender voice asked.

"I wouldn't assume as much just yet. But they are affectionate toward one another as Cole and I are to one another." Zane explained walking into a room that had yet to be unpacked.

"So...boyf...friends?" The relationships were still new grounds for her. But she was learning well.

"Correct."

"Now...get some sleep, small fry. We'll be in the room across from yours alright?" Cole dug around in a box and pulled out a nighty. "Here ya go."

"Thank you." Kairi threw her shoes by the door. Zane leaned down kissing the top of her head. Cole did the same before rubbing it in. Kairi giggled, running her fingers through her hair. She watched them leave the room and close the door. Pulling off her clothes she climbed in bed and sighed. The bed was twice as big as her old one. So much more room to grow. Her eyes fluttered closed. Much too tired to get back up and put on her nighty. Sleeping in her day clothes seemed to be the plan. She was asleep moments later