***Finally, a chapter. I had a super long shift at work today, and I really wanted to write some Jaya scenes (also, I had the MOST HILARIOUS idea for another AU), but here we go. I like this. There's plot, there's cuteness...I'm happy.***

***(Kai's POV)***

I drive home in shock. Ronin? He and I haven't really spoken since Nya and I left for Ninjago City, but...how could he keep this a secret?

And Nya – why didn't she tell me any of this? I mean, she at least could've mentioned that Ronin was present at our parents' death, even if she wasn't willing to confess the whole story.

Skylor's parting words ring in my head: "Cut her some slack, Kai. And don't you dare tell her I read your mind. When she's ready, she'll discuss things with you."

Of course, my departure ended in an argument with Skylor. As always.

I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever be on the same side. It stinks, given that I really -

Just as I pull into the blacksmith's shop, I realize I forgot something.

My little sister.

I hit my head against the steering wheel and throw the car in reverse.

Stupid me. Stupid brain, for keeping these memories locked away. Stupid Ronin, for not caring enough to tell me.

Stupid Nya, for...

Oh, who am I kidding? I want to blame her, but I just can't.

Suddenly, my car collides with something. My foot slams on the brake pedal, and I mutter a curse.

I should've waited for Skylor to read my memory another night.

I put the vehicle in park and climb out to assess the damage.

I do a double-take.

The back of my junk car has an entirely new dent, but...

There's nothing around for me to have hit.

I shake my head. Maybe Skylor somehow jumbled my memories when she read my mind. That could mean I'd forget a dent in the car.

But...the force of the impact was real, and that was just a moment ago.

As I bend closer to the bumper, I see a piece of paper. Huh. Maybe one of the guys left it there, and I just didn't notice it earlier.

I squint at the scrawl.

Stay out of this. Don't think I don't know who you are.

- Your friend

Um, my friends typically don't say stuff that cryptic.

I think hard. Jay doesn't have good handwriting, and Cole's is even worse. But this script – I've never seen it before.

Maybe Skylor wrote the note? But she seems like the kind of person to have immaculate writing. She also doesn't seem like the kind of person to write something weird like that.

I shake off the chill racing down my spine and climb back in the car.

At the monastery, Nya is waiting on the front steps, face in her hands. Lloyd is sitting next to her, trying to show her something on his phone.

As soon as I get out, she jolts up and comes running toward me.

"Where were you?" she screeches. "I texted you at least ten times, and I even tried calling you twice! I was worried sick something horrible had happened to you!"

I roll my eyes, still upset she's kept a whole part of our lives a secret. "I needed to talk with someone, Sis. Calm down."

"Calm down?" Nya shouts. "You left me here for three hours without any communication whatsoever!"

I cringe. It must've taken longer than I thought for Skylor to read my memory.

Nya hugs her arms around herself. "You always want to know where I am at every second, but somehow, that rule doesn't apply to you!"

Anger rises up in my chest. "Watch it, Sis. I raised you for four years, so of course, I'm going to be overprotective."

"Okay, sure. But trust is a wind that blows both ways!" She swipes under her eye.

"Don't cry, Nya," I sigh. I've never known what to do with her sorrow. In fact, I haven't really had to deal with her tears since our parents died. I think Nya just learned not to cry, since it didn't do her any good.

"I have ample reason to cry!" she fumes. "I thought something horrible had happened to you, and I wasn't there to help you through it!"

"I don't need you to help me!" I growl. "You didn't help me when our parents died!"

Her face pales. "I did, too, help you. And don't bring them into this, Kai. This isn't about them."

"Tell me how, exactly, you made things better when I lost Mom and Dad. I can't think of a single thing. All I remember is the little girl who needed someone to raise her. Do you recall that? You didn't even help me set up our new home when we got to Ninjago City. You left me alone!"

She hangs her head. "You're right, Kai. I – "

Suddenly, she marches right up to me. "No. You're wrong. I did a whole lot more for you than you even know."

"Oh, great. I see Skylor's lessons have once again lead to blatant rebellion."

"Only because you believe lies! Kai, I stayed beside you for three days when you were in the hospital, so scared the doctors would say I'd lose you. Even when they told me you were just sedated, I still shook with fear as I held your hand all night. And when you woke up and had to deal with all the grief of our parents' death, I was there to comfort you."

I breathe slowly. "No, you weren't. You just curled up in the corner whenever I shook my fist or yelled for them in the middle of the night."

"Are you kidding me?" she laughs humorlessly. "I couldn't fix that you were sad and hurt. You know what I did try to fix? Your heart. You needed something else to focus on, and I became that. I turned into the girl who needed you to raise her."

I'm speechless as she wraps her arms around me, so short her head barely reaches my chest. "I love you, Kai Smith." Then, she lets go and stalks off to sit in our scrap vehicle.

I look up to see Lloyd staring at us, eyes wide.

"That's new," he muses.

I nod. "Tell me about it."

I swallow back so many emotions and trudge after her. The ground scuffs under my feet as I walk.

I open my door, and it creaks, alerting the whole monastery to my presence.

Nya barely looks up. "I brought you a plate of leftovers from dinner, by the way. I wasn't sure if you'd eaten yet, and you've had a long day."

I climb into the torn seat and close my door. "Thanks, Sis." I don't bother starting the car.

After a few minutes, she looks over at me. "So...any thoughts?"

I shake my head miserably. "Not really. Um, except...I'm sorry for what I said back there."

She nods. "Yeah, whatever. It's fine."

"Maybe we do need each other, you know?"

She stiffens a little. "Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, that would kind of explain why I'm so overprotective of you."

She tilts her head to the side, pondering this. "You know, I'm not going to just excuse your behavior, but you might be right."

"I'll try to be better about answering your messages."

"Good. And you won't freak out if I'm out of your sight for more than ten minutes anymore?"

I hold up my hands. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down. Let's go with one step in the right direction per day."

She beams at me. "Then you'll let me go to the midnight beach party with Skylor tomorrow?"

"What?"

***(Skylor's POV)***

I can still feel the blood on my forehead. I can't breathe. I'm stuck in a car. Nya's next to me.

She calls out for her dad, but only a weak answer comes.

The vehicle suddenly topples, and I fall out. The drop to the ground isn't bad.

It's what comes next that is.

Kai's horrible screams.

I try to locate the sound, try to find him in the dark, try to take the pain away.

And I finally find him, laying in the grass, when –

Ping!

I shake my head, surfacing from the dream I was just overwhelmed by.

What was that noise?

Ping!

I realize it's my phone, and I sigh in relief. I pick it up, the bright screen flashing on. I squint.

A message from Kai?

Kai: What did you promise my sister

Kai: There will be no beach party

I groan. Stupid boy.

Skylor: What kind of idiot texts a girl in the middle of the night just because he's upset about some party that hasn't even happened yet?

Kai: That was a long text

I roll my eyes and decide to call him.

He picks up on the first ring. "Skylor, my sister is not allowed to go with you to the beach party." He hangs up.

I huff and call him again.

"Skylor, I already – "

"Shut up and listen, Kai. You woke me up at" – I look down at my phone – "three in the morning to talk about this."

"I couldn't sleep."

"Thanks to you, now I can't, either."

"Sorry to interrupt your sweet dreams," he says sarcastically. Then, with a hint of mischief in his tone, he asks, "Was I in them?"

"No," I lie. "And I don't have sweet dreams. Sweet dreams are for babies. I dream about Kung Fu matches, where I star as Chuck Norris."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then the Backstreet Boys show up. Whatever." He sighs. "So, now that we're both awake..." He doesn't finish.

I frown. "Kai? Are you there?"

"Um, yeah. So I was wondering...and this in no way means I forgive you for the beach party thing...but, uh, would you up for a late-night rendezvous?"

I moan, even as my heartrate speeds up. "What about your sister?"

"She can – hey!"

I suddenly hear Nya's voice. "Yeah, Kai, what about your sister?"

There are rustling and muffled voices from the other end of the phone, but the siblings' conversation is pretty easy to understand.

"What are you doing up?" Kai asks.

"I could ask you the same thing! I was fast asleep, but then I heard you talking. You do remember we share a room, right?"

I can't help but chuckle.

"Stay out of this, Skylor," Kai growls into the phone.

"I think going out at this time of night sounds like great fun," says Nya.

"Not now, Sis," Kai replies. "I'm too sore. I was training all day, remember?"

She scoffs. "Oh, so you can go hang out with Skylor, but not me?"

I cut in. "She's got a point, Hair Gel." Though spending some alone time with Kai doesn't sound all that bad.

"Where are we going?" Nya asks excitedly.

"We're all going back to sleep," Kai sasses. "Good night, Sis."

She sighs heavily.

"Anyway, I'd better get off," Kai tells me. "And even if you supposedly don't have them...sweet dreams. I hope I show up at some point."

"Uh-huh. Only as the axe murderer."

"Whatever, Skylor. Good night."

"Wait – Kai."

There's a long pause at the other end. "Yes?"

"The beach party – you know you can come, too, right? Nya wouldn't get into any trouble with both of us watching her."

A female voice whispers through Kai's side of the phone. "I wouldn't get into any trouble without both of you watching."

"Hey," I tease. "I thought you were supposed to be the nice one."

"I'm finding that being snarky is much more fun." She laughs a little. "Good night, Skylor."

"Good night, Sis," I smile.

"Okay, hanging up now," Kai groans. "Why do girls talk so much? It's like – "

I hang up before he finishes, giggling to myself.

Unfortunately, Kai's conversation keeps me up. He thought of me in the middle of the night! I mean, he only texted me to chastise me about what I'm doing to his sister, but still.

I feel a piece of my heart warn me. I don't want to get too wrapped up in someone like Kai. He's not interested in any serious relationships, and I've already been broken once.

But the bigger part of me, the healed part, says I should go for it with Kai. If he gives me a chance, I will definitely give him one. I haven't met anyone quite like him.

As I'm thinking, my phone buzzes yet again.

I frown and look down.

Kai: My sister's fast asleep. I'll pick you up next to the book shop on Fourth Street in twenty minutes.

Skylor: Who's the one sending long texts now?

Kai: *hot winky face*

Skylor: You didn't even put an emoji in there

Kai: I didn't need to. I already have you wrapped around my finger

Skylor: Like a boa constrictor

Kai: ...

Kai: Will you be there?

Skylor: See you in fifteen

I silently climb out of bed and change out of my pajamas. I opt for a dark sweatshirt and jeans, pulling my hair back into a ponytail. Then, I open my window, letting in the balmy night air.

I slip my legs out onto the roof, using the power of gravity to slowly descend onto the ground.

Then, realizing I only have a few minutes, I use the element of speed to book it to Fourth Street.

Once I arrive, the only sounds I hear are the occasional dog bark and rumbling of a vehicle. I typically don't hang out on this side of the city. It's a little quieter than the rest. A little...shadier.

I resist the fear that threatens to tighten my throat at that notion. Instead, I find a park bench to sit on.

***MUSIC CUE***

I hear Kai's car before I see it. It's not exactly in the best shape, so it's pretty noisy.

He pulls up alongside the sidewalk, rolling down his window. "Hey, Beautiful. Need a lift?"

I roll my eyes. "You don't know how often I get that question, and my answer is always the same."

He smirks. "But I'm special?"

"Whatever helps you sleep at night." I come toward the vehicle, but he quickly hops out and walks around to the passenger side. He gallantly opens my door.

I roll my eyes. "Do you always pull these kinds of stunts on the first date?"

He chuckles. "Sweetheart, no girl's ever gotten to second date status."

I glare at him, crossing my arms. "It's Skylor, not 'Sweetheart'. I'm not some sappy Valentine."

"Eesh! Touchy, are we?"

I can't help but smile a little. "Loser." I teleport into the passenger seat.

He huffs. "Show off."

Once we're safely in the car, he pulls back onto the road. He turns on some soft country music.

I wrinkle my nose. "What are we listening to?"

"Oh, please, Prissy Pants. This is one of the best styles of music ever created."

"Only if it's opposite day."

He laughs. "So, are we agreed this is a date?"

I think for a moment. "Maybe. Are you seeing any other girls at the moment?"

His mouth opens, then closes . "I like to keep my options open."

"Right." I lean back against my seat. "I'm not really interested in something as casual as that."

"Well...how about tonight, it's just us? I won't mention or even think about any other girls."

"Hmm. Why would you do that for me?"

He clucks his tongue. "Skylor, I know you like me. I just want you to experience what one date is like with the real Kai Smith. And if that means not flirting with other girls for a few hours...I think I can make the sacrifice."

I smirk. "Oh, Kai, you are so hopelessly enthralled with me."

"Am not."

"Are, too!"

He sighs. "I think you're hot, and that you're a good kisser. Well, I mean, you were four years ago."

"Nah. You like more than that about me. What is it?"

"Skylor, I can't even have a conversation with you without starting a fight. I think we should stick with me thinking you're gorgeous. And kissing. We should definitely kiss."

"Uh-huh. I don't want to kiss you, Kai Smith."

He gawks. "Of course, you do. You love the very idea of it. You get this dreamy look in your eyes." He pats my hand. "I get it."

"Right. Well, I don't really want to kiss you, just for the sake of kissing, so...you can scratch that off our to-do list."

 He sighs. "Fine. But is this a date?"

"Why is it important?"

"Because if I don't get this straight with you, you'll go tell all the other girls that you went out with me, and I'll be clueless. Some girls just get carried away."

"For sure." I elbow him. "Quit the macho for one moment, Kai. Why is it so important that we classify this as a date, or just...a weird friendly outing at three thirty in the morning?"

He gets quiet. "Because you're something else, Skye. I can't get you out of my head, even though you're horrendously annoying and in the process of ruining my pride. And I think some crazy part of me won't be satisfied until I at least try a date."

I grin. "I knew it!"

"Okay, great. Emotional sharing time is over. Is this a date?"

"Well, golly, Kai...why not? I'll give it a shot."

"Because I'm irresistible?" he asks, taking a winding street.

"Nope. Because you obviously long for me in your deepest dreams, and - "

"Would these dreams be the ones where you pretend to be Chuck Norris?"

"Yes," I nod emphatically. "And you swoon when I come out and serenade you with music by the Backstreet Boys."

I realize I have no idea where we are.

I clear my throat. "Kai, if the intent here is to cause me to think you're a serial killer, you're making good progress."

He laughs. "Darn. She's onto me."

"You know, Jay told Cole today that using bad language is a sign of poor grammar skills."

I jump. Kai swerves into the other lane.

He lets out an expletive. "Nya Smith, what do you think you're doing in here?"

She tsks. "There you go, popping off another one."

"You scared the life out of me," I sigh.

"How did you even get in here?" Kai exclaims.

Nya shrugs. "Well, now that I'm training to be a ninja, I'm supposed to be sneaky."

"You were asleep!" Kai cries.

"Oh, puh-lease. Of course, I wasn't. I know you all too well, Kai: you wanted to hang out with Skylor, without your pesky little sister coming along. And Skylor" – she turns to me – "no offense, but I know you really like Kai."

He pumps his fist in the air. "Aww, yeah! I thought so!" Then, he frowns. "Wait. What do you mean, 'no offense'?"

I blush in the dark of the car. "You both clearly are out of your heads."

Kai rests his arm behind my seat. "Hate to disappoint you, but Nya being with us kind of ruins our intended make-out session at the water tower."

"Good," I deadpan.

"Eww!" Nya scrunches up her nose. "Kai, is that all you ever think about? Besides, we can still do something fun together. There's truth or dare, playing cards, Never Have I Ever – "

Kai sighs miserably. "And remember, Skye: She acts this way because of you."

***Voila. I thought there were a lot of mixed feelings in this chapter...but that's okay. Hope ya like :) ***