Chapter Text
Kai always hated the idea of soulmates. He did not want his sister to be wrapped up in some random person, that could potentially undo his years of raising her due to their nearly entirely absent parents. At the same time, he always thought that it would be inevitable that Nya would meet her soulmate. He remembered when she turned thirteen, and how excited she was when she wrote to them at first. On her arm, she wrote a simple “Hello!” with a smiley face. Kai appreciated the giddy look on her face, and the flapping of her hands when her soulmate eventually responded. Nya was probably the thing that kept him going.
Oh, his soulmate? Kai does not like to think about them. Every night they write goodnight to each other, all written at different times due to sleeping habits onset by responsible, or irresponsible parents. The blue one writes first, then the white, then Kai. He wakes up with a black goodnight scrawled hastily on Kai’s forehead each day. He honestly does not know what to make of the fact he has three different soulmates, but he could not be more sick of them. He would just be working on his dumb English essay that he had been working (procrastinating) on for the past few days, when a conversation about the quality of the Emoji Movie would burst out on his arm. The blue one insisting it was of high quality, while the white one actually was sensible and said it was a big advertising campaign. The black one would just offer witty commentary here and there. Kai never joined in their conversations, the only reason they know he is still around are his nightly well wishes.
“You’re going to have to talk to them eventually Kai.” Nya said one day, when the lunchroom was just as full as it always was. Kai could not even focus on Nya, the noise was like a low rumble of thunder, save for some kids doing various activities, like slapping each other with banana peels. You know, usual teenage things, “It’s been what? Four years? Do they even know you exist?”
“Uh? Yeah they do. I say things sometimes.” Kai insisted, playing with the mashed potatoes and creamed corn on his tray. He was not feeling hungry.
“Yeah, ‘Sometimes'.” Nya rolled her eyes, “Kai, do you even know one of their favorite shows?” Nya said as she shoveled some of Kai’s corn in her mouth. Kai remained silent, not caring enough to lie, “Your silence speaks volumes.”
“It’s not my fault I don’t know! They’ve never mentioned it.” Kai snapped, pouting before slapping Nya’s spoon away from his food, “Hey! You know that’s mine.”
“You weren't eating it, so I helped myself.” Nya smirked. And so the conversation moved to normal sibling bickering. There was one thing Kai knew about them, they lived relatively close. Now weather that was the same town, or same state, he did not know. He only knew they were close because he saw the blue one talking about his football team. It filled him with a nervous energy to know that they must be that close to him.
Once school was over, and he was back at their small apartment, he quickly called his parents.
“Hey mom.” Kai said, once she picked up.
“Oh! Kai, how are you? It’s so good to hear from you.”
Kai smiled. She was always so happy to hear from him, even if he called her every day. She always sounded surprised and happy, “I’m well. Mom, when will you and Dad be home?” He asked, nervously tapping his foot, “I have a big game on Saturday, and… It would be awesome if you came.”
“Kai, sweetie, you know we won't be back until the week after next. I’m sorry, but we just can’t make it.”
His heart sank. Kai knew they would not be back for a while, but he still held onto the small glimmer of hope that maybe she could come, “Alright…”
“Oh! And Kai, did you try for that martial arts school in Ninjago City? Your dad and I really think it could be helpful for you to expand your social life.”
“Mom, you know I have enough friends as is.” Kai laughed nervously as he said that. His friends consisted of Nya, and Lloyd, some kid in math class a few grades below him.
“Oh I know sweetie, but I still think it would be good for you.” There was some muffled talking on the other end, presumably his father, “I gotta run Kai. Thanks for calling! I love you!”
“I love-” The call is dead sound rang, “You too…” sighing, Kai hung up the phone and turned around to be face to face with Nya. He screamed in shock as she laughed,
“Kai, I packed your duffle bag for the school, and you can take the bus, classes start in an hour so you should get going.” She shoved the bag at his chest, as Kai grimaced.
“Nya, you know I don’t want to go, right?” Kai said as he slowly pushed the bag and Nya’s hands away, “I only signed up to make dad happy, so I’m not gonna go until he comes home.” He crossed his arms, “And that’s final.” Nya pouted, holding the bag tightly,
“Please?” Nya looked up at him with wide puppy eyes, “I’ll do your homework if you go.” She smirked as she said that. Bribery was one way to unlock Kai’s heart. He sighed, taking the bag. Nya, despite being a year younger, was without a doubt, the smarter of the two. Kai would not even argue with her on that one.
“See you in a few hours sis!” Kai called over his shoulder, as he quickly ran out the hall and out of the complex. Once he reached the bus stop he just stood there and waited. As much as he did not want to go, he knew that his dad would eventually find out anyways, and that would only cause more trouble than what Kai was willing to deal with.
Once Kai was on the bus, he noticed people having various conversations on their smartphones, with each other, or with their soulmates. Kai was stuck standing, watching a girl a few years older than him write on her arm. The way her glitter pen sparkled in the dim afternoon sun and artificial light in the bus. Kai did not care for what she was writing, but he did care about the fact she was contacting the person. They must be lucky, having a soulmate who actually talks to them. Kai sighed, rolling up his long sleeves.
Truth is, he hates having multiple soulmates, and the bad social stigma around them. The ink is a pain to wash off, and they just will not stop talking. He glanced at the conversation between the blue pen and black pen.
“Dude my fucking Mom wants to drive me to senior prom, whenever that happens. I think I might die.”
“May you rest in peace.”
“SHOULDN’T YOU CARE MORE ABOUT THIS I'M YOUR HECKING SOULMATE!!”
“I got two more.”
“RUDE!!!!!!!!” an angry face followed, and then not legible scribbles after.
Kai stifled a laugh. There was one thing he could admit, their bickering was rather funny. He sighed, suddenly very aware of the people around him and hastily put his sleeve back down.
Once the bus arrived in the city, Kai started to track the route through all of the grid streets. He had only been there a few times with his dad, but he could remember the way there pretty well. It was close to a pizzeria he liked to go to as a kid. The air grew colder as the time went on, due to his sidetracking, he was five minutes late to the class. Kai immediately went to apologize when he entered,
“Sensei I’m so sor-” Suddenly, a kid landed on the mat only a few feet away. Some other kids were staring at the kid, others were staring at Kai, “I-Is this a bad time?” he joked, about to back out when an old man approached him.
“You’re late. No matter, get changed. Cole, get up. We will try again.” He was Wu. One of the two brothers than ran the dojo. Kai met him a few times, and Garmadon was in charge of the more experienced kids. Cole, the kid who landed in front of him groaned, getting up and getting into a fighting stance across from another kid.
Kai quickly ran into the locker room and got changed into his gi that Nya packed. Thank god, Kai thought, she brought the one with sleeves. Kai quickly returned to the main area and stood in line, next to some kid with brown hair. “He’s pushing him too hard…” the boy thought aloud. He looked about Kai’s age, maybe a little younger, he could not really tell. Cole, the boy from before, was frowning at Wu, but reluctantly got back in line. Whatever the two of them were doing, Cole had lost.
“Now then,” Wu had approached the whole class. The students of varying heights and ages looked to him, all attentive and interested. Except for Kai. Kai was looking miserable and like he did not want to be here, so like he always looked. “Today we have a new student. His name is Kai. I do hope you all can give him a warm welcome.” The students all turned to Kai. He was greeted with various eyes. Cold and bright blue ones, strong and defiant brown ones, deep and sad black ones as well.
“Yo.” Kai said, giving them a friendly smirk. The brown haired kid next to him stifled a laugh at his informality,
“Tell us about yourself, Kai.” Wu insisted, causing Kai to shrug.
“Well… I’m a junior in high school, quarterback on the Meadowbrook high school team. I uh… am tired?” Kai shrugges again, “I’m not that interesting, sorry…” A few people nodded, as if sympathetic or understanding. Kai was glad to not be the only boring one there.
One of the younger students, who had a bit too many freckles on his face and black hair cut in a bowl cut walked up to him, “Have you found your soulmate yet?” He quickly ran to Kai’s sleeves and started to roll them up, going on about how it would be strategically beneficial if he found his soulmate. Kai yanked his arm away, stumbling backwards as Wu put his staff down in between the two of them.
“We do not discuss such things here. The dojo is a place of focus on the art. I would have expected more from you, Brad.” Sighing, the old man shook his head and began to teach the lesson. Eventually, they had to spar, mimicking the strategy that was just demonstrated for them. Kai got paired up with the person next to him.
“The name’s Jay. It’s nice to meet you Kai.” Jay said before smiling wide. He had crooked teeth, some freckles, and a notch in his right eyebrow, “Now get ready to meet your match.” His eyes opened and stared intensely at Kai, getting into a defensive position. He had heterochromia, Kai noticed. His left eye was a sad blue, and his right eye was almost an amber color. Kai smirked, getting in a similar position as Jay.
“We’ll see.”