On a String

Chapter 7

Jay was obviously surprised by the answer. "Where'd you learn this stuff? You come back, and it's like you know absolutely everything! I think even Sensei Wu's learning from you!"

Kai shook his head, and had Jay been able to see his team mate's face through the darkness, there would be only one word he'd use to describe the look in Kai's eyes.

Haunted.

"You don't want to know," the words were spoken so brokenly that Jay flinched even though he wasn't the one who had said them.

What had happened to his friend?

"I'm sorry, Kai," Jay sighed. "We never should have sent you on that mission. We never should have let you do it by yourself. Just remember, I'm not going to let it happen again. We're a team. You're safe here,"

"Thanks, Jay," Kai replied, his voice slow, but steady. "That's what I needed to hear," he sounded heartfelt. (But the darkness hides everything. The blackest of lies are the ones which camouflage the best after night falls... when you can't see anything...).

Had Jay been able to see his face he would have known that Kai was lying. The red Ninja knew that he wasn't safe here. But all the same, he appreciated Jay's effort to make things right - apologizing and offering comfort often were often difficult things to do, after all.

But they were fooling themselves if they thought they were safe here. Kai knew that- but Jay didn't. So it was up to Kai to protect his friends.

"Do you want me to stay with you out here?" Jay asked, interrupting Kai's thoughts.

"No, get some rest," Kai answered. He had to protect them. Had to protect them. That meant Jay should go inside where it was safer (please, don't leave me here!) and Kai would stay outside. It was the way things had to be. (Please don't leave! pleasepleaseplease) He had a duty to look after everyone- he had the skills, he knew what they were up against and none of this would have happened if he hadn't decided to go on that mission.

"Yeah, you're teaching us tomorrow, so that's probably a good idea." Jay joked, thinking everything was fine but not knowing just how much his lighthearted comment contrasted with the atmosphere of Kai's mind.

Completely relaxed, the blue Ninja stood up and sauntered away, leaving Kai sitting alone in the darkness.

Don't leave me here.

=The Next Morning=

In the training room under the Bounty's main deck, Kai frowned at the group standing in front of him. This was really unfair. Why did he have to teach all the lessons? All he wanted to do was learn. Not learn on the job or make up stuff on the spot or learn things the hard way. Simply learn from a trusted teacher.

Trust is overrated! How many times have I told you? Some instinct rebuked harshly and Kai resolved to not pay any more attention to it. Stop wanting things you can't have! Toughen up already!

Shut up! I'm ignoring you! He argued back.

("Toughen up, weakling," a thud and then sososo much pain and he was swimming in it and drowning in it and dying in it and-)

Focus! No more arguing!

Massaging one temple in an effort to dispel his growing headache, Kai turned to face the group. "Uh, right. Line up," upon his instruction, Lloyd, Jay, Nya, Zane and Cole hurriedly got into some sort of straight formation, confusion etched on their faces. Sitting quietly at the back of the room, Sensei Wu watched on with interest.