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Upon entering the team-appointed living room, Kai found two figures illuminated by the colorful lights of -what he been told- a Ninja Fighter game, shining blindingly from their barely operating second-hand television, like a headlight in the dimly lit space.
Apparently, on one random day, Jay just popped it out of nowhere, saying it was for free, and got it working somehow with all those wires and a game console and everything.
Although Kai never really had a tv growing up, he could tell that only the faint power of the first spinjitzu master was keeping the thing together, but it was better than nothing. Fixing that junk with Jay was what got Nya into this tech stuff in the first place, -which is great, don't get Kai wrong, since his sister never had a great number of hobbies, and he was happy for her- but it wasn't really his thing at all.
On the other hand, the rest of the group had been using it non-stop lately which is a bit concerning, but as long as they don't skip training or turn blind, they are allowed to have 'fun' for all he cares.
Anyway, he shouldn't get distracted any longer, because he came here with a purpose, concerning their mysterious flatmate.
Well, he's not here, is he?
Just like Kai to the oblivious gaming duo, who didn't even notice him come in..
"Has anyone seen Lloyd?" he asked the black and blue ninjas sprawled across the couch.
"The little guy? Can't say I have.." replied Cole while rapidly pressing attack combos on his beat-up controller.
"Jay?"
"What? Can't you see I'm focusing right now??" growled back the master of lightning.
"Where's the kid?"
"I got no clue- ask Zane, he knows everything- thanks for checking in- call when dinner's ready- Bye!" -muttered Jay with one breath, as he slammed the sliding door in Kai's face.
"Rude."
Kai felt himself getting riled up by his teammate's uncaring behavior, but he couldn't afford to get angry right now, not when a - 5? 6? Just how old exactly?- kid was missing who knows where-
To the kitchen Kai went, where he found the ice ninja rolling some delicious sushi in that atrocious pink apron of his, while quietly humming a song, waay to cheerful and upbeat for his character.
"Um, hey Zane, have you seen Lloyd around?" -Kai questioned today's chef, a bit reluctantly, not wanting to interrupt to his gentle, practiced, repetitive movements.
"Good evening, Kai. I seen him leave towards the courtyard approximately 20 minutes ago, when I began preparing today's evening meal." sounded the white ninja's a bit monotone, almost robotic voice that he makes while he's in hyperfocus.
"Thanks, dude. Um, keep up the good work.. I guess?"
"You are welcome." he replied, still focusing on the food rather than meeting Kai's eyes.
It was about time Kai left.
Where?
As further away from the kitchen and living room as possible.
That's right, he was heading towards the garden.
Even though he had been living with them for months now, he couldn't really explain why, but he just can't seem to be able to shake a certain amount of awkwardness between him and his teammates.
Well, for one, he's not really used to the crowd.
In the past, it's just always been Nya and him against the whole world, where all he 'played' with was hot metal, being the successor of the Four Weapons Blacksmith shop since the tender age of 10.
He didn't have much experience dealing with kids his age, not to mention teenagers, who's childhoods weren't ripped away from them.. like his and his sister's was.
Two; while focusing on food and survival, especially in an isolated village like Ignacia, it's no surprise someone wouldn't be up to date with modern technology.
And three; the other 3 in his team were trained together from day one, while he joined roughly a month later, but that one month feels like ages sometimes.
It's not necessarily about the fighting part, but rather, how much better the others seem to know and get each other.
Kai is a bit doubtful that they will ever be able to make up for that lost time.
God, he was so bad at this.
How will they ever defeat the evil lurking in Ninjago, if they can't even function as a proper team because of him.
Sometimes it feels like he's just dragging everybody down, even though he's trying his best.
He didn't ask to be a ninja.
Everything was just the fine the way it was before he moved up here.
As Kai's eyes got blurry, he felt some weight on his right shoulder.
It was Lloyd, damn that little brat.
At some point in his spiral, he must've found him and joined him on the roof -facing the sunset above the gates-, and said some of these things out loud, considering Lloyd's empathetic gaze, and childish attempt of support.
Damn, that sweet little brat.
"I'm sorry. I'm not sure what's gotten into me." Kai muttered, with a pitiful attempt at composing himself by wiping his tears.
What was he doing?
He can't show weakness to anyone, because the moment he does, it'll be all over for him.
The little guy tugged on his sleeve.
When turned to meet his gaze, he saw; he was offering a tissue.
At that moment he realized.
He's been looking for the kid because he was concerned for him.
He felt responsible for a random kid he barely knew anything about.
Why?
Maybe because he saw a part of his own younger self in him.
Someone who wasn't all broken by the laws of our cruel world.
Someone he needed to protect.
Someone other then his sister and himself.
"Thanks, green bean." he smiled, as he playfully ruffled the kid's hair.
That's right. Kai wasn't alone anymore.
He could depend on these people.
It'll sure take a lotta time to truly understand what that means, but he has to try.
For her sister, and... his brothers?
Damn, it sounds so unreal to think that out loud.
Sigh...
"Alright then. How about we go and have some of Zane's delicious sushi before Cole eats it all?" offered Kai, while he stood up with a mischievous grin in an effort to hide his reddened eyes.
Lloyd nodded, returning the smile, now letting go of Kai's sleeve.
For a moment, Kai could've sworn the kiddo made a noise. - Wasn't he mute? - But alas, there was no time to worry about his deepest feelings possibly getting leaked out to the public, since he had to race a certain little gremlin all the way to the dining room.
"Wait up! That head start was no fair!" he screamed after him, but the little guy was long gone.