Heiress (A Ninjago Fanfic)

Chapter 16

Ko

. . .

"I'd like to go somewhere before I come on board with you."

She watched his brows go up before typing something in. "Alright. Where to?"

"The orphanage." He began following her as they walked. "Before you came, our Silver visited that place almost every week. The children deserved to know what happened to him."

After reading it, he nodded grimly, then stuffed his hands into the pocket of his hoodie. When he came back to her that morning, his clothes surprised her. From the status on his badge, she'd thought he would come in more plain and studious clothes. With glasses. Of course, Hiroto and the other Silvers she'd met might have influenced her way of thinking. But him showing up in a hoodie and jeans was a nice change from all the conservative and ridiculous looks she was so used to from the other Silvers.

They could be fashionable if they wanted to, but for some reason, they'd all decided on the one look that made them look like old businessmen who'd love to talk about the good old days. She couldn't help but think that it was probably just an inside joke to mess with everyone. Or that they'd all somehow lost a bet with a Silver from another district.

Whatever it was, she was glad Hiroto never dressed like that. Seeing him in a plaid yellow and red dress shirt with neon green flower print and baby blue trousers would have been enough reason to pour bleach on her eyes.

Hiroto. Thinking about him now stirred up a mix of emotions. And despite how kind and generous Malik had been, she still wished that her own Silver was there standing next to her. She glanced up at him. "Aren't you hot in that?"

"A little. Excuse me."

He whipped off his hoodie causing her to jump a little as they neared the orphanage. She smiled to herself. Hiroto would have gone wide-eyed at the sight of him. She reckoned he'd never seen someone dressed in a very loose tank top with a pair of black and red earbuds draped around his neck underneath.

The stark contrast would have been so different from what he was used to, with his sheltered childhood in a wealthy family.

Malik coughed a little, snapping her out of the daze. She quickly turned and continued walking as he shoved his phone into her hand. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, sorry," she hastily typed in. "It's just that wherever I go, I'm always reminded of my Silver."

"I wish I'd gotten there sooner."

"No, it's okay. If you don't mind me saying, you remind me a lot of him. Personality, wise, I think you two have a lot in common."

His lips twitched up. "I'm honored. What would make you say that?"

"You've both been very kind and generous to me. If there's anything I can do to pay you back, just let me know."

"There's no need. Losing someone is hard, so don't worry about it."

"Have you ever lost someone?" It was a small question, But it was enough to make him nod and look away. Deciding not to push it any further, she swallowed a half formed reply as they stopped in front of a door.

The orphanage. "I'd like you to meet them. If you will."

"I know what your Silver was trying to do. And I'm honored to be considered, but I'm not competent enough to protect them. I'm sorry."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't even defend my own camp. How can I keep these children safe?"

"You were the first Silver they saw when the danger came to this town, and as of now, you are the only one they will trust."