Chapter Text
"Guys, come quick! A shooting star!"
Kai, Jay, and Nya sprung up off the couch and darted toward the sound of Lloyd's voice. Cole and Zane weren't far behind. They gathered on the upper deck of the bounty, where the green ninja was staring up at the sky, eyes filled with a childlike glow. It hadn't been that long since he was a child, after all.
"Make a wish," he told his friends.
Jay turned to his dark-haired girlfriend. "You know, it's tradition to kiss under a shooting star," he joked.
Nya hit him playfully. "You wish, Bluebell." Regardless, she leaned up and pressed their lips together.
Kai glared at the blue ninja, feeling a sense of protectiveness for his little sister. However, he knew she was in good hands—Jay would never hurt her, and everyone knew it.
He was jolted out of his thoughts by his young friend's voice.
"Did you make a wish, Kai?" Lloyd asked.
The master of fire laughed slightly. "No, not yet," he replied.
Lloyd tilted his head. "Why not?"
Kai shrugged. "I don't know," he answered. "I guess it's because I have my sister, I have my team, and I'm not sure what else I want."
The blonde's eyes glinted mischievously. "What about a girlfriend?"
"Uh…" Kai began, blushing. "I-I guess." He glanced back to where his sister was leaning on the railing, Jay's arms wrapped around her waist and his chin rested on her black hair. "Yeah, that'd be nice."
Lloyd nodded, looking a bit disappointed. "It would, huh?" He said, his voice a bit softer than before. "N-Not that I've thought much about that kind of stuff…" He trailed off, blushing after looking at the red ninja. It was too dark to notice, though.
"Well, who doesn't want that?" Kai asked absent-mindedly. I don't, he thought. I don't want a girlfriend. I haven't for years. He sighed. But, whatever. It's not like I can tell anyone I'm more into guys.
He once again fixed his brown eyes on Nya and Jay. They look so happy. I wish I could find that kind of happiness. But with the right person. With someone like... He glanced at the green ninja, who had returned to gazing up at the clear, starry night sky. ...Lloyd. Someone like Lloyd. He shook his head quickly. What am I thinking? There's no way he likes guys. He searched through his mind for a new topic. "Hey, Zane and Cole! You guys have been pretty quiet. What're you up to?" He blurted out.
The black and white ninjas looked up at Kai, a bit surprised by his outburst.
"Um, we've just been watching the stars," Cole replied, confused.
"Yes," Zane added. "The sky is quite beautiful tonight."
"Really?" Kai inquired. "No kissing or anything?" He laughed awkwardly. "'Course not. Cause it's weird if guys do that, right?"
Lloyd spoke up. "I don't think there's anything wrong with that," he said. His tone was somewhat defensive. "You like who you like and nobody can tell you otherwise."
Kai was taken aback by the kid's words. "You really think that?" He was both surprised and relieved that such a young person would have that opinion, and not just think it was totally weird and gross.
He nodded. "Absolutely."
A thought hit Kai like a ray of sunlight. Is he...like me? He wondered. "Why do you say that?" He asked casually.
"I don't know," Lloyd answered. "It just doesn't seem wrong to me. I don't know for sure what my preference is, but I'm kinda partial to guys, considering I've grown up with them and all. Then again, it's not like I have much to go off of, y'know?"
Kai's jaw dropped. He wasn't the only one. All four others had turned to look at the teenager, more curious than surprised.
"Wait, you're not straight?" Kai asked.
"I don't think so," he replied. "But I don't really know. Why?"
"I'm just surprised, that's all," he replied. "I didn't know someone your age could be so mature."
Lloyd laughed. "Well, I kinda had to grow up fast," he reminded him.
Kai nodded. "That's true." He looked back up at the moonlit sky. I wish to fall in love, he said in his mind, feeling slightly awkward about it, but knowing it was what he really wanted.
Kai rolled over on the hard floor of the deck. Why did Lloyd have to suggest sleeping up here? He wondered, annoyed. He personally hadn't loved the idea, because he hated sleeping on the ground. But something had pushed him to agree, something he couldn't quite explain. It was as if he was being subconsciously drawn to the green ninja, not wanting to leave his side. He tried to fall asleep, but his thoughts were plagued with images of Lloyd, and he couldn't get the kid out of his head. He sighed, opening his eyes and staring at the stars once more. Do I...like Lloyd?
The red ninja stretched and stood up. He looked around at his friends, sound asleep on the wooden deck, with blankets scattered about. Jay was holding Nya, and though Kai's usual brotherly protectiveness kicked in, he couldn't help feeling happy for his little sister. He also noticed that Cole and Zane were a little closer than usual. He had never really thought much about it, but for some reason, the idea of the two together seemed almost normal to the fire wielder. The last person his eyes fell on was the first one they normally - instinctively - sought out. Lloyd was lying on his back, on the upper portion of the deck. He was still clearly in sight, but separated from his teammates. Kai quietly crept over until he stood a few inches away from the energy ninja. He could tell he was awake, as his green eyes were open, taking in his peaceful surroundings.
"Hey, buddy," Kai whispered. He sat down on the deck next to Lloyd.
The green ninja looked up at him and smiled. "You couldn't sleep either?"
Kai nodded. "This deck is far too hard for my liking. What about you?"
"It's definitely not the most comfortable," he agreed. "Really, I just didn't want to go to sleep. Everything's so pretty and peaceful, for once." He sighed. "I wish it would stay this way."
"I get what you mean," Kai said. "It's been a rough year. For all of us, but especially for you. And not all that long ago, you were just a kid." He thought for a moment. "How...how are you doing with all of that?"
Lloyd sighed. "Um...I'm alright," he answered. "It's weird. That Tomorrow's Tea didn't just age me physically, but mentally as well. I think the best way I can describe it is...it's like I just skipped a handful of years. I'm not a kid in a young adult's body—I'm just a young adult now. Like I blacked out for those years in between, but woke up with the wisdom and maturity I would've gained had I been awake the whole time. Does that make sense?
Kai nodded. "Yeah, I think I get it. But I'd imagine it's still hard to deal with."
"This is who I am now," Lloyd continued. "I'm a ninja, that's what matters. In just a short while, I'm gonna have to fight my father." He turned his green gaze back on the brunet. "It's for the best, Kai. Everything I was before the Tea...I have to ignore it. Otherwise, I'll never fulfill my destiny as the green ninja."
The red ninja was silent for a minute, lost in thought. He's not a kid anymore, he reminded himself. That makes everything I want so much… He lifted his brown eyes to where another shooting star was passing overhead. So much more possible.