On a String

Chapter 9

("Nowhere to run!")

Kai panicked as Cole's arms closed around him unexpectedly. His eyes (which had NOT been crying. He did NOT show weakness) flicked open and he stiffened.

Trapped.

Cole had, Cole had... trapped him.

(Arms pinned down, struggling against the chains as-)

But he just couldn't find the strength to push Cole away.

Because when the one person you thought you could trust turns against you, even fighting for survival seems pointless.

Please,pleaseletgo!

Everything was falling.

(On the way down...)

The grip didn't tighten, and Kai realized in surprise that his arms were still free; Cole hadn't tied them up.

What was, what was...?

What was going on?

Cole's arms were wrapped around his shoulders, but they weren't exerting any pressure. The gesture wasn't threatening. They were simply... there.

Cole was hugging him.

Why?

He didn't like this. Cole was too close.

(Close enough to hurt him)

"It's okay to lean on me, Kai," Cole spoke reassuringly.

But Kai ignored it. (Block it out. Wash it all away). Cole was just saying that.

Didn't mean it.

No.

...Right?

Kai trembled with indecision.

The hurt and helplessness grew.

Cole's arms remained around him.

Would... would Cole really not ask any more questions?

Would he support him?

Was... was this sincere?

Would he be...safe? After so much hurt and lost and alone and hopeless and controlled and pain and, and...

Hesitantly, Kai leant forward.

Further, further... until there was just the smallest amount of space separating them.

And then his head touched Cole's shoulder and the dam broke.

"What do you guys want for lunch?" Cole asked, strolling casually into the living room with Kai following him quietly. Everyone looked up in surprise, taking in the dark patch on Cole's shoulder and the red rims underneath Kai's eyes.

Kai looked away, refusing to meet anyone else's gaze. When their scrutinizing continued, Kai shuffled closer to Cole.

For the audience of Ninja (and a Samurai), it was hard not to miss the 'I'm here. It's okay' look Cole sent Kai, or the way Kai's shoulder's sagged with relief when he saw it.

"Uh, anything you're making will be fine," Jay said awkwardly.

Nya shrugged. "If you're struggling for ideas, a salad would be nice,"

Lloyd jumped at that. "Nya, you don't need a salad! You don't carry all the weight in the relationship! You're not fat! I told you! It was all a mistake!"

Nya gave a small smirk. "It's not for me, Lloyd," Despite her own red rimmed eyes, she grinned wickedly as the green Ninja sighed with relief. "It's for you!"

"Hey, wait, what? That's not fair!" Lloyd groaned, slumping back onto the wooden floor. "I hate lettuce!"

Lloyd's dislike for vegetables was legendary.

Cole turned to look at Kai with a grin. "Reckon we should add tomatoes as well?"

"Carrots, too," Kai nodded.

Cole almost choked. Quickly covering up his shock, he grinned. "Sounds like a plan." He replied, leading the way to the kitchen.

Was it just his imagination, or had Kai's eyes shown a small spark of... amusement?

[...The planet we live on is not formed only from earth. Under the crust lies a hot, molten mix of fire, rock and metal.

Fire and Earth.

Two different elements working together under the surface- away from human eyes, allowing life to exist.

Without the molten mixture there would be no magnetic field. No magnetic poles. Compasses would be useless and many would lose their way.

Without the molten mixture, there would be no surface for the continents to rest on and everything would collapse in on itself. Everything would fall.

Isn't it odd how two elements that balance each other out are required for life? For Fire destroys the face of the Earth and when Earth is thrown on a Fire, the flames become suffocated.

Yet both elements rely on each other to survive and to allow others to survive.

Working together, they are unstoppable.

Fire and Earth...]