The Flame And The Dragon Chapter 22

Mikey violence

Like Father Like Son belongs to @eternalglitch​

I take commissions!

I guess the other ice spitter is Garmadon, right? But are you going to seriously kill Wu? Well, rather, are you going to make Garmadon kill Wu? I mean, if you didn't watch the show, the good ice-spitter is actually Drago's ice-spit son.

No I didn't know that but it doesn't matter. And I have something else in mind, you'll just have to wait and see. 😉

UPDATED Ninjago Ship List

B!=Bizarro

IE!=Ice Emperor

Bruise or Geode- Cole x Jay

Plasma- Jay x Kai

Techno- Jay x Zane

Lava- Kai x Cole

Opposite- Zane x Kai

Glacier- Cole x Zane

Polyninja- Zane x Cole x Jay x Kai

Greenflame- Kai x Lloyd

Jaya- Jay x Nya

Pixane- Pixal x Zane

Samurai- Pixal x Nya

Ice Samurai- Nya x Pixal x Zane

Future- Cyrus x Acronix

AmberPhoenix- Skylor x Nya

Llorumi- Lloyd x Harumi

Kailor- Kai x Skylor

Coliel- Cole x Seliel

Heavy Metal- Cole x Zane x Pixal

Moss- Cole x Lloyd

Unique or Popsicle- Lloyd x Zane

Mountain- Kai x Zane x Cole

Scruff- Dareth x Ronin

Garsako- Garmadon x Misako

Wusako- Wu x Misako

Outdated- Cryptor x Zane

Blizzard- Zane x Morro

Destiny- Kai x Morro

Hailstorm- Jay x Cole x Zane

Crystal- Morro x Cole x Zane

Spirit- Morro x Cole

Conya- Cole x Nya

Greenwind- Lloyd x Morro

ElectricStorm- Jay x Morro

Thinkfast- Neuro x Griffin

Ronya- Ronin x Nya

Citrus- Morro x Echo Zane

Greenwisp- Lloyd x Jay

Forgiven- Brad x Lloyd

Morrumi or JadeStorm- Morro x Harumi

Survival- Vinny x Garmadon

AmberPrincess- Skylor x Harumi

GarmaClouse- Garmadon x Clouse

Cryxal- Cryptor x Pixal

Sunshine- Cole x Ultra Violet

Golden Matter- Overlord x Lloyd

User-Friendly- Zane x Overlord

Cake- Cole x cake

ForeverAlone- Wu x tea

Tea- Wu x Mistaké

GarmaKai- Garmadon x Kai

SnakeGlacier- “Snake Jaguar” x Cole

SnakeBlizzard- “Snake Jaguar” x Morro

Dark History- Garmadon x Krux

Inventor- Cyrus x Dr. Julien

Self-Centered- Dareth x Garmadon

Loulien- Lou x Dr. Julien

YingYang- Overlord x First Spinjitzu Master

Ash- Garmadon x Ray

Spell- Master Chen x Clouse

SmokeShade- Ash x Shade

Nightshade- Tox x Chamille

ResonatedGravity- Jacob x Gravis

Dumbass- Jay x Kai x Cole

PolyPonytail- Nya x Pixal x Skylor

Geostorm- Jay x Nya x Cole

Braincell- Nya x Zane

Gunpowder- Kai x Ash

JetFaith- Jet Jack x Faith

Riptide- Nya x Ultra Violet

Ore- Karlof x Cole

Eyepatch- Clutch x Ronin

Supernatural- Snek!Jay x Ghost!Cole x Zane x Anacondrai!Kai

Iceberg- Zane x Nya x Cole

Violent- Harumi x Ultra Violet

Snakecell- Nya x “Snake Jaguar”

DarkThinking- Shade x Neuro

Steampunk- Jay x Echo Zane

TheyDeservedBetter- Show!Garmadon x Koko

GreenCheer- Movie!Lloyd x Movie!Chen I really don’t like this ship tho

Blue- Nya x Jay x Zane

VioletSnake- Ultra Violet x “Snake Jaguar”

GarmaChen- Garmadon x Master Chen

Hurricane- Nya x Morro

JadedSnake- “Snake Jaguar” x Harumi

StolenData- Skylor x Pixal

PlayDate- Nya x Dogshank

Sleet- Kai x Zane AND Zane x Nya (Nya and Kai are both dating Zane; they’re not dating each other)

Slush- Kai x Nya x Zane (this is an incest ship that @dynamicdragonite said they intended the name to be for, as they ship it and got rather upset when they found out I was using it for a healthy platonic ship.)

S’mores- Dareth x Zane

Chaos- B!Kai x B!Cole x B!Jay x B!Zane

DarkPlasma- B!Kai x B!Jay

DarkGlacier- B!Cole x B!Zane

DarkLava- B!Kai x B!Cole

DarkGeode- B!Jay x B!Cole

DarkTechno- B!Zane x B!Jay

DarkOpposite- B!Kai x B!Zane

StoneCold- B!Zane x Cole

BlackIce- Zane x B!Zane

Virus- Zane x B!Jay

GreasedLightning- B!Jay x Jay

Fireworks- B!Jay x Kai

Trojan- B!Zane x Jay

Avalanche- Zane x B!Cole

Magma- B!Kai x Cole

Obsidian- Cole x B!Cole

Inferno- Kai x B!Kai

Eruption- B!Cole x Kai

Pyrotechnic- B!Kai x Zane

Frostbite- B!Zane x Kai

BlackLightning- B!Cole x Jay

Aftershock- B!Jay x Cole

FireStarter- B!Kai x Jay

Blizzaro- B!Zane x Morro

IceStorm- Zane x Nya x Morro

LightningFast- Jay x Griffin

DryIce- IE!Zane x Kai

HowlingWind- Morro x Bansha

Arson- B!Jay x B!Cole x B!Zane x Kai

BrainFreeze- Neuro x Zane

Skeleton- Morro x Ghoultar

Eclipse- Kai x Shade

ThunderSnow- Morro x Jay x Zane

Hellstorm- Kai x Zane + Zane x Morro (they’re both in love with Zane)

TropicalStorm- Jay x Nya x Morro

Turquoise- Harumi x Nya

Holly- Lloyd x Akita

Fog- Nya x Shade

Corrupted- Staff!Kai x IE!Zane

Never- Zane x Vex

ATTENTION THE RATING HAD GONE DOWN!!!!!

Let's keep in the top 10 so they flim can succeed!!

The Flame and the Dragon Ch 7

Chapter 7: The Master

"What the hell were you thinking!" A voice rang in Nya's head as she felt herself slowly regaining consciousness. She tried to shake the weariness from her mind and focus on the different voices echoing around her.

"Well, we weren't leaving them to freeze to death out in the rain all night." A soft voice argued.

"Yeah, and it's hard to ignore two people who suddenly dropped on your doorstep." A third voice with a laid back, casual tone to it added. The first voice shrieked in frustration.

"I don't care! I understand you guys wanted to help the poor things, really I do, but think about home! What do you think he's gonna do when he comes downstairs, finds us taking care of two strangers who are currently sitting on his favorite couch, after having trespassed! He isn't going to consider you're good deed!"

"Then don't tell him, Zane." A fourth, female voice entered, heavy with a hissing sound.

"Don't encourage them, Tox!" The first voice, Zane, scolded the woman, Tox.

"Come on Zane, we can't just leave them out in the storm? I mean we could just..." The soft voice argued timidly, pausing as if to ponder his options. "Just let them stay here the night and let them leave before he wakes up? The Master will never know."

"Jay..." Zane addressed the boy to who the diffident voice belonged too. "Look me in the eye and tell me you actually believe that will work?"

"Oh for FSM's sake, Zane." The unidentified voice howled, followed a stomping foot. "What do you suggest we do?" He challenged. Silence soon followed, allowing Nya time to recover and force her eyes to open. Haziness filled her vision as lights suddenly filled them but she blinked them away and sat up. Relieved to find Lloyd next to her. He was fast asleep, breathing normally, and wrapped in a warm blanket, and his clothes, hair, and skin bone dry.

She couldn't help but smile at how cute he looked sleeping.

She looked down at herself, not only to find she was no longer on the cobblestone path but a soft leather couch, covered by a thick fur blanket. The rainwater has been stripped to the last drop from her clothes, hair, and skin, much to her shock, though she refused to complain. Nya shook away the last waves of sleep and turned to thank their caretakers. But when she turned to the source of the voices she found not people, but four creatures standing in a circle.

One was a troll, one was a white yeti, and one was a green naga.

The last was a creature she didn't recognize. Its body was composed of lightning and with the form of a white and blue fox. Lloyd stirred awake, cutely rubbing his eyes, and shook his head adjusting to the light. The blue fox gently strolled over to Lloyd. It started climbing up the couch like a cat and perched itself on the headrest before cutely holding out a small paw for the boy to shake.

"Hi there, I'm Jay." It smiled and Lloyd's reaction was that of a wound-up spring. The small boy screamed and jumped and fell backward all in one motion, his hand missing the couch and fell into nothing causing him to crash to the floor in a heap. His eyes bulged out of his skull when the furry creature looked over the edge of the couch.

"You okay?" Jay asked.

"A talking fox?" Lloyd muttered from the floor, his voice speaking automatically, shaking. Nya was clearly frozen from shock.

"I'm not a talking fox! I'm a raijū!" Jay stomped his foot, rising to his feet insulted. He growled when he heard the troll and naga snickering, threatening to burst into laughter. Lloyd repositioned himself onto his knees just in time to meet toxic green eyes. The green naga smiled brightly.

"Hey! Name's Tox, what's yours? And before you ask, I'm a naga."

"I'm... Lloyd." He replied, momentarily forgetting to breathe, but answered nonetheless, before turning his he'd to his sister. She was frozen on the couch, with Jay floating around her head on a ball of electricity, waving his blue paws in front of her face.

"Hello? Is she mute?"

"She's in shock, you idiot!" The troll howled. "I'm Ronin, by the way."

"So who are you?" Lloyd smiled at the quiet yeti.

"I am Zane, a yeti with the power to control the element of ice," Zane explained, holding out a clawed hand to Lloyd. Lloyd shook the yeti's claw.

"I'm Lloyd and that's my big sister Nya." She smiled at his elder sibling. Though shock was evident all over her face, Nya held up a hand and waved.

"Oh for the love of FSM." Ronin smacked his forehead before a brilliant glow surrounded his body. A second later, the troll vanished and the light expanded until a tall human man stood in its place. He had wavy brown hair, dark brown eyes with the beginning of a beard on his face. He wore a dark cyan jumper with light brown pants and a large red hat. His arms crossed over his chest as he turned to the siblings.

"Is this better?" He asked but Nya fell out of her seat, still in shock.

"Perhaps this will help?" Zane suggested and a flash of turquoise and in place of the slender, white yeti stood a tall, strongly-built boy, around Ronin's height. He had platinum blonde, almost snowy white, hair that stood up straight in something like a crew cut and bright icy blue eyes. He wore white pants and shoes with a long-sleeved, cyan blue shirt under a navy blue knitted vest. The newly turned man offered a hand to the youngest Smith who was still on the floor.

Lloyd took it without thinking unable to take his eyes off the white-haired man standing before him.

Lloyd's eyes darted to Zane, then Jay, then Ronin and Tox. Tox and Jay looked at the other and smiled, before answering his unasked question. Jay landed on the floor, bathed in a navy blue light, before the blue fox he once was transformed into his true form. He was a young man with reddish-brown curly hair with brown eyebrows and light freckles. He usually wore a blue jacket with a white stripe over a white t-shirt and blue pants with an orange wooly scarf.

Despite his mature features his large, dark blue eyes and mischievous smile radiated innocence and youth.

They all looked to the naga. Tox smiled and a light green flash was the only warning anyone had before in the green naga's place stood a small, petite, almost delicate girl who was around Nya's age. She had long green hair tied back into a ponytail similar to Nya's with sickly, pale, yellowish skin and bright green eyes. Around her neck was a black, studded choker. She was wearing a ripped green tank top that was cut short to reveal her stomach and black, torn-up jeans.

Even though all of them were in human form they still had a few tell-tale signs that they weren't fully human.

Tox still had snake eyes and Ronin's ears were pointed and he had fangs poking out of his mouth. Zane still had a cold air around him and every time he exhaled the siblings could see his breath. Jay's limbs occasionally twitched with electricity.

"I'm sorry if I sound rude, but you three know they can't stay here! It's bad enough you even brought them inside!" Zane suddenly glared, dragged them back to the issue at hand.

"We didn't mean to intrude," Nya explained, "I just needed to find Lloyd shelter from the storm, we'll leave in the morning."

"Hell no!" Jay cut him off. "You're not intruding at all! Zane is just worried about the Master that's all, but he's asleep, just let us warn him quickly that you're here, and then—"

Suddenly an earth-shattering roar echoed through the castle shaking everyone within it to their knees. A tremor ran through Nya's body and Lloyd threw himself in his sister's arms, shaking in fear. The master was awake, and he was furious with the four creatures. A sharp gust of wind roared through the castle, silencing all the candles and shrouding everything in darkness. Despite the fear wracking their bodies the four creatures moved to hide their guests as best they could.

It was a vain attempt to hold their master's anger.

All four of them shook in fear. They knew full well the Master would never harm them, but just his presence alone was intimidating.

"Nya, I'm scared." Lloyd trembled as he tried to hide in his sister's coat.

"Shh, it'll be alright, I've got you." Nya soothed in a vain attempt to calm him down. But she screamed when suddenly a loud gust of wind like the beat of giant wings followed by the loud thump of someone landing behind him before the siblings or the creature could react, and then suddenly she came face to face with two blazing green eyes with black slits, not human, almost like a dragon's. Kai stories flashed in Nya's mind like old photographs.

Stunned mystification caused her eyes to bulge.

"That's not possible," She muttered as her mind began spinning and her body felt faint, but she stood her ground. She couldn't show fear with Lloyd in her arms. The master glared at her, those impossibly green eyes bore into her terrified ocean eyes like piercing arrows. Then he chuckled, a low callous laugh.

"Is that all you can do?" He spoke in a dark, humorous hiss. His green eyes aligned with the fire of hurt and rage that seemed so much older and deeper than his youth. "Stare at me, like I'm some kind of monster."

"It's our fault, not theirs! We're the ones who brought them here!" Jay, who had always been outspoken, tried in vain to defend them but the master's loud growl soon silenced him. Even Zane, who was one of the few who could speak to the master freely, shivered at his temper.

"We mean no harm," Nya replied. "My brother and I just needed shelter from the storm." She explained. The eyes left her and the moment they did, Nya felt as if some enchantment upon her had broken, until she realized the master has not even noticed Lloyd until that point. Before she could speak another world, Lloyd's screamed pierced the night, followed by Nya's when she felt Lloyd ripped from her arms. Something cold and metallic, wrap around her arm, prying them apart harshly.

"Please don't hurt my brother!" She screamed, without thinking. The master's eyes bulged in both horror and confusion before bitterness and humor once again filled them. Harsh laughter spilled from the master's lips shaking everyone to the core.

"Of course that would be your first assumption, too bad; I was going to be lenient, but since it seems you don't know how to hold your tongue, I suppose you'll need a harsher lesson." The master spoke arrogantly, in a tone that froze Nya's core, she couldn't see Lloyd in the darkness but could hear his tears and trembling. Each one ripped another piece of her apart.

"Zane, put them to bed, now." He ordered, glaring at Ronin, Jay, and Tox. Zane reluctantly nodded and obeyed. Eyes wide, the trio moved to flee, but Zane caught them before they could escape. In a flash of light, the boys and Tox human forms vanished and the three creatures fell to the floor. Again they attempted to make a dash for the nearest door, but the Zane caught them in ice before they could escape. They struggled if only to help their new friends.

The master simply snorted at their efforts.

"That's all they'll ever see me as." He muttered in a harsh voice, ceased all of their strugglings. The tone he said it in made it impossible to tell if he was speaking to the siblings or the other four creatures. "They'll only see me as a... a monster" He hissed in a voice of rage and bitterness, before scolding harshly at the trio's loud protests.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" He commanded before flying away dragging his thrashing and screaming prisoners with him, towards the tower. Guilt and remorse poisoned the four creatures. Even Jay could no longer struggle as Zane brought them upstairs to the room they shared for as long as they could remember. The guilt and harshness of their master's tone hurt more than the extremely light punishment ever could. Even worse were Lloyd's screams of terror echoing through the castle until the loud clang of the tower door slamming shut replaced it.

A gloom once again settled over the castle as their master retreated brokenly to his only sanctuary.

A silent shiver of hope was tearing thread by thread that they would ever be free. Or the master's true love would ever come to free their prince from the undeserving and unspeakable fate that was sure to come the following spring...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Brotherly Advice

Cole had to face it, making out with someone was not the worst thing the staff had caught him doing, but that didn't make him or Kai feel any better. Harumi had already left with little Nelson, trying to salvage the boy's remaining innocence while they still could. Shade groaned, crossing his arms with mock annoyance, completely unaffected by Cole's incensed glare. After he had heard Neuro screaming, he took a risk and abandoned his post in the kitchen.

He was shocked to find Neuro and their friends screaming along with Kai and Cole who were both in an awkward position on the bed.

It didn't take him long to figure out what had happened. Neuro just slouched in his seat and pressed his fingers to his lower temple. Across from them, Cole was growling like a caged beast. Jay, Echo, Tox, and Ronin all looked at the floor or off into space, unable to look anyone in the face without blushing. Kai buried his mortified face in his hands, refusing to even meet the perverse chef's smirk. After the incident, Kai had practically kicked everyone out of his room, grabbed the clothes they had bought him, and locked himself in the bathroom.

Though he could still feel the chill of his recent illness, Kai felt an instant relief being fully clothed.

If he simply been naked when everyone arrived he wouldn't have worried. He would have changed into the clothes just as calmly as he had since the day he arrived. However, being caught with his captor, the very Master of the Castle no less, in such a compromising position that shattered the youth's entire demeanor. Though he might be naïve in matters of seduction, he didn't deny that he had enjoyed his time with Cole before they had been interrupted.

Now Kai just wanted to curl up and hide until he forgot this was over.

Despite the thick sweater, warm overcoat, pants, gloves, and socks, Kai felt naked and exposed in front of everyone's awkward eyes. Unable to take anymore, he stood on wobbly legs and headed back to bed. He almost groaned when he saw everyone was still here. He might hide in the library until everyone forgot about this. He wouldn't delude himself into thinking there was any chance Shade wouldn't tell the whole castle about this if they didn't already know.

Shade interrupted, scooping up the abandoned teapot, poured the dark green liquid into a cup, and shoved it into Kai's hands.

"I fixed this for you and you better drink the whole pot while it's still hot 'cause I'm not bringing you another one." He warned and Kai opened his mouth to protest but after a hard look from Cole and Shade and looks of concern from the boys, he sipped the hot tea. Heat immediately filled his being but he grimaced and stiffened at the strange combination of bitter, mint, and sweetness crafting an unpleasant blend. He gasped after swallowing a large gulp and shuddered.

"What's in this?" He asked, pleadingly. The chef plopped onto the edge of Kai's bed, ignoring the teen's disgruntled scowl.

"Just something that should knock that chill right out of your system, and you better drink all of it, or you'll just break my heart." He shrugged as he refilled Kai's cup with a wink. Kai sank into the pillows and downed the cup quickly. His mouth and throat burned from the hot liquid and he felt heat suddenly flood into his system but the bland taste in his mouth made him feel sick.

"Ugh, this tastes awful."

"Most things that are good for you are awful, like staying in bed and getting plenty of sleep." Cole teased lightly. Kai glared and opened his mouth to protest but was instantly silenced when Cole tilted his chin and kissed his cheek. Kai forgot to breathe. For a moment, he forgot everyone else was there. Cole stepped away and fished the comforter off the floor and draped it over Kai's body that was now propped against the pillows. He then took a thicker fur blanket Harumi had left out from the previous night and added that as well until his flame was safely tucked beneath the warmth.

"I'll be checking on you every so often, so don't even think of getting up." He warned, kissing Kai's forehead and ushered his staff out the door. Neuro smirked and dragged Shade behind him back to the kitchen before he faded. Jay, Tox, Ronin, and Echo were not far behind him. Once gone, Cole handed Kai a second teacup. "Make sure you drink that as well, I don't want you dehydrating either; I'll ask Neuro to fix you something but I have no doubt the whole house will know you're awake by the time I get downstairs." He chuckled.

Monetarily breaking his trance, Kai shook his head and pulled on the neck of his thick sweater suddenly feeling very hot.

"Can I at least open the curtain? Get some light in here? It's too stuffy," He complained; the thick air felt hot and bothersome. Cole pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

"I'll put the fire out, but that's all; your immune system is still too weak, and the last thing I want is you catching pneumonia, too." He said as he got up and opened the fireplace across from Kai's bed. With a flap of his wings, the air blew out the flames. The resulting back wave sent a refreshing wind across Kai's front.

"Thank you." He said but glared at the teacup.

"Glaring at it won't make it go away you know," He chuckled and Kai growled in response.

"I really think this is all too much," He sighed as h looked away with a turn of his nose and set the tea on the nightstand.

"Maybe, but I don't like taking chance with someone I care about." He smiled warmly as he removed himself from the fireplace and swept to his flame's side and kissed his forehead. Before Kai could answer, the prince pulled away and left the room, a small smile on his face and he closed the door. Kai touched the cheek Cole had kissed and hissed at how cold his fingertips felt. A sudden lump in his throat made him cough violently until he grabbed the tea and downed as much of it as he could without coughing.

Maybe the tea wasn't such a bad idea.

Kai grimaced and set the empty cup next to the still steaming teapot. Kai pulled off the thick sweater, leaving himself in just his shirt, and gently tossed it to the end of the bed. Then he settled down beneath the thick covers and lied on his flat stomach. He rubbed his shoulders more out of confusion than cold. That had been the first time Cole had shown him any open displays of affection, let alone in front of his staff. Before, anything they had done together had been in the shelter of the library or Cole's room.

The most open they had gone was probably the dining room or outside, but even then it was only when Cole was positive they were alone.

Kai assumed that was for the sake of the servants. It must have been uncomfortable seeing their Lord partake in such open displays of affection, let alone with another person, no matter how much they encouraged it. A flush of heat darkened Kai's face when memories of that morning flashed before his mind. Embarrassment flooded his being at the memory of being caught. What they were about to do suddenly hit him with the blunt force of a sledgehammer.

He buried his face in his pillow dug one hand beneath the pillows, and another through his sweaty bangs.

Shade's bitter tea was working after all, and the crimson blush of the morning's events only made his body heat up unnaturally fast. He didn't know what he was going to do. The brunette released a muffled moan and collapsed as if sleep would erase all his confusion...

****************

True to his word, Kai had obeyed Cole's orders and reluctantly remained on bed rest until Neuro and Echo firmly agreed that he was fully recovered, but by the end of the week, the lack of movement and being trapped in his room had driven Kai to the last of his nerves. He would have left the room if he didn't fear the wrath of the gossiping staff. That and he was worried Cole would get upset if he disobeyed him again. Fortunately, despite Cole's insistence that Kai needed as much rest as possible, Kai had had lots of company since the entire castle had been more than ecstatic when Shade flooded the staff with news of his awakening.

That and the buzzing with gossip about what had occurred in his room after Cole had forbidden the chef from speaking a word.

Ultra Violet and Harumi had come to check up on him occasionally while Neuro and Shade would bring him food. Echo would check his health and on more than one occasion Nelson would be with him, making sure Kai ate or drank all of his medicine he had been given, though most of the time he would just talk to him. Kai had been extremely grateful for the conversations since on more than one occasion he swore he would go insane from lying in bed all day.

Thankfully the boy didn't seem to affect by seeing Cole and Kai making out.

When the brunette thought about it, with what that child and everyone also had been through, seeing two people kissing would be the least of their trauma. Nelson was not much older than Lloyd and Kai could cry at the thought of his little brother and sister going through anything like that. Then again, he could cry just thinking about them at all. He hoped that they were settling into their new normal, without him. Perhaps if things keeping going well for him and Cole, Kai might be able to convince the prince to let him visit them from time to time.

But with what happened the last time Cole thought he would leave, Kai didn't think it would be wise to ask.

That didn't mean he didn't miss them every minute of every day since he was imprisoned in this castle. He also missed the boys always barging into his room asking to play games. He didn't blame them for keeping their distances at first, knowing full well he wouldn't be able to look either one of them in the eyes without blushing. Fortunately, however, on an occasion when the staff was currently occupied, they had been charged with keeping Kai entertained as it was Jay's profession.

That didn't mean it was uncomfortable at first.

After a few awkward stares and embarrassing questions, they confirmed that he was fine. The four servants were happy to finally see with their own eyes that Kai was alright. They were so happy that they all sprang onto his bed and hugged him tightly. Kai thought he would burst, but he just laughed and didn't complain. For the rest of the afternoon, they had done nothing but play games. Since then the quartet made it their personal job to see that Kai was kept happy and entertained while he recovered.

During their time together, Kai admitted that he had been scared about doing the deed with Cole.

He did care about Cole, more than he had anyone other than his siblings, but he wasn't ready for that stage of a relationship. Maybe when he was a little older and dated Cole a little longer he would be ready. They would have to see how things played out between them. However, it didn't solve one problem that had been on Kai's mind for well over a week. Cole hadn't come to see him since the morning he had awakened...

****************

Cole sighed happily as he walked down a familiar hallway, a large bouquet of bright, crimson red roses and Griffin's newest lace creation tucked securely under his arm. His razor-sharp claws were extremely careful not to damage the delicate red petals. Once he concluded that the lace was simply for decorative persons and that the tailor was not attempting anything, he had gladly agreed to bring it to Kai. He had felt insanely giddy when Echo had come back from his daily check-up on Kai.

He confirmed that Kai was finally healthy enough to be up and about but that it was still best he remain indoors and continue to dress appropriately for the Winter to be safe.

Griffin, in his excitement, presented Cole with a new outfit he and the girls had been stitching in their spare time while the others kept Kai company. But at the same time, part of him felt extremely nervous. An emotion previously deemed unthinkable for the Dragon Lord. Yet for all his confidence and arrogance, Cole honestly felt like he had rather face an army than carry on down the hallway to his captive's bedroom. But still, he pressed on.

After all, it would be the first time he had seen him since the morning he and Kai almost slept together.

At least he believed that was the modern term for what it was. The memory made him growl in anger and shame at his own stupidity. How could he allow himself to lose control so easily? In this form with its superior strength, sharp claws, rough scales, and powerful muscle structure he could have easily damaged or severely hurt Kai with his brutality. Never mind the fact that Kai had just woken up from a coma and was recovering from freezing death.

Both of which Cole had caused thanks to his own paranoia.

Cole paused for a bit to cover his face, but his sharp claws gently poked his skin causing him to pull back. He glared at it with a mixture of hatred and disgust. He didn't have fingers, just curved claws that furled and unfurled according to his whim. His palms and hand was nothing more than a paw coated in rough scales and soft underpads. His scaled tail twitched almost arrogantly at his side. His disappointed wings hung limply about his back and he exhaled an exasperated sigh.

He had been very grateful Jay and the others had taken the liberty to keep him informed on Kai's reaction and feelings about what happened between them.

He knew he shouldn't have been surprised by them though. Kai was roughly the same age he was when he had first become interested in physical intimacy. Over the years, curiosity and loneliness had compelled the young king to seek relationships that branched beyond emotional commitments. It didn't surprise him Kai had the same urges. But Cole had to keep reminding himself that Kai was still young, compared to him. He was young enough to be his grandson, even if Cole's personality hadn't evolved much beyond his twenty-one years.

It didn't surprise him that giving himself to someone probably still scared Kai.

Again, he was grateful the others had taken upon themselves to keep Kai company and trusted him with the information they had received. Cole wasn't naïve. He knew even without his dragon form he was an intimidating figure. With it, it only made things more difficult. He knew even if his and Kai's relationship had been healthy and prosperous, and built on their mutual affection and trust in one another rather than the lust for physical contact, the desire was still there.

The emotional attachment only made the need much stronger, and that much more terrifying.

But it didn't change the fact that Kai was still human and he was a dragon and the physical difference created another problem. Cole wasn't about to deny that he wanted Kai, but he had known for a while it was much deeper than lust. He wanted Kai in a way he had never wanted anyone or anything else. Want couldn't even begin to describe what he had felt. Need didn't sound right either. He wanted Kai in mind, body, and soul, but at the same time, he had also wanted Kai to want him in the same way.

Just being near Kai was enough to heighten all of Cole's senses.

Kai's smiles and laughs and clever wit were enough to make him smile, even laugh for the first time in decades. Kai's fiery spirit and temper both challenged and delighted him at every turn, but Kai's kindness and gentle, fun-loving nature never ceased to amaze him, and though his hot-headedness and obstinacy annoyed him to the bitter end, there was simply nothing to dislike about his flame. The fact that Kai was by far the most beautiful person he had ever met.

He possessed gorgeous amber eyes that left him breathless with every gaze was only a bonus.

His flawlessly tanned skin looked like it had been carved by the very sun and glowed in the right light. Kai truly was a gem, and in the past, Cole's arrogant self would have said such a gem should only be his, but now he wondered if he even deserved the right to call Kai his. Not when he had taken so much from him. Not when there was so much he couldn't give him, even if Kai willingly gave him everything. Kai deserved so much more than what Cole could give him.

He deserved everything.

He deserved to live his life as free as a bird. He should be surrounded by everyone that cared about him. To be loved by someone who could love him more than anything else until the end of time. Not a prisoner to the man who tore him away from everything in hopes of using him to break the curse still looming over his head. Even if Kai did return Cole's feelings it wouldn't change anything. Cole swore that come spring the cruel mistress known as fate would return to reap his soul.

Kai deserved better than that.

"Are those for Kai?" A familiar voice suddenly asked and Cole was immediately taken out of his depressing thoughts by the innocent question, but the tone held ulterior motives. Cole stopped and followed the voice of his Steward. Zane leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed over his chest. Instead of his stoic expression, he sported a sharp, proud smile and confidence, almost arrogant eyes. Cole matched the steward's smirk with one of his own.

"As a matter of fact, yes they are, I thought he'd enjoy them, and Griffin was just begging me to let him try them on," Cole said with a confident flare and continued his quest. Zane didn't answer. Instead, he waited. When Cole walked past him he finally replied.

"He's pretty spoiled for a prisoner." He said, causing Cole to stop in his tracks, and whirled around.

"I beg your pardon," He spoke dangerously low. Zane's expression faded in an instant. His neutral mask returned.

"I'm only stating a fact."

"You dare jest about this?!" Cole accused, exasperated.

"I never jest." Zane cut him off and turned around to meet Cole's dangerous eyes with his own grave icy ones. "Think about it Cole, even though no one would dare even think of him as such, and he possesses an extraordinary amount of freedom, he is technically still your prisoner." He explained. Cole wanted to scream, protest, yell, and scold and dismiss his steward in a way that would ensure he never dared to disrespect him again.

Instead, he was silenced by his own anger.

Not at his steward, but at himself. There was no denying the truth in the man's words. He had just confirmed it not moments before. But hearing it from someone else, having that fact that the boy he dared call his own was, in reality, his captive, sent him into such a state of anger and remorse he couldn't speak. His body could only shake in fury. Zane said nothing to that but waited patiently for his Master to regain control of the emotion raging within him.

He watched Cole's trembling paw move to cover his face and run a hand grip his raven locks.

He watched Cole exhale and his posture become that of a man graciously accepting defeat.

"What would you have me do then, Zane? Though I am bitter to admit it, you're correct, Kai is still my prisoner, so how do you suppose I go about fixing it?" He asked.

"I thought that would be obvious; how else? Set him free." Zane chuckled. The words hit Cole like a hurricane knocking him off his feet. Each word dropped like a stone in a well. He had to set Kai free? Send him back to where he came from, away from his side, possibly forever? The thought clutched at his heart like a deathly cold hand squeezing the breath from his body, filling him with a viperous terror he couldn't see.

"How can you even suggest that? You were the one who suggested he might be my key and now you're telling me to send him away" Cole asked, his words were all breath. Zane raised an eyebrow, unaffected by the prince's outburst.

"You misunderstand, I said you should set him free not send him away."

"There's a difference?" Cole hissed.

"Let me finish; first, you should set him free, assure him that he is no longer a prisoner, then ask him to stay with you." He asked but Cole was dumbfounded. "Ask him to stay, not as a prisoner, or captive, or hostage or guest or even as the key; simply because you want him to stay with you, not out of any obligation, but out of his own free will," Zane answered his master's unasked question, his confident smirk more evident.

"You think I should ask him to remain with me, purely because I don't ever want to be parted from him?" Cole asked, bewildered.

"Don't you?"

"More than anything."

"I'm glad." Zane smiled as he removed himself from the pillar and leaned forward against the banister of the hallway. "Everyone in this castle cares for you Cole, we more than just respect you as our Master, we all want you to be happy and Kai makes you happy, and I have little doubt that he's the one for you; all you have to do is accept it and we'll accept you," Zane spoke with the purest of loyalty. Cole nodded, grateful for his Steward's words.

"And what of you, Zane?" He asked, his turn to flash the smirk of a cat with all the cream. Zane's eyes narrowed.

"I don't know what you're talking about," He replied, but in his voice, it was a lie.

"Come now, Zane, I know you're not naïve, nor are you oblivious, I severely doubt you haven't noticed your own brother's intrigue?" He smirked but Zane said nothing, choosing to close his eyes. His face was a cross between a pout of annoyance and a scowl of defeat. "How long have you known?" Cole asked, crossing his arms.

"I've known before he did." He answered, knowing it didn't exactly answer the question. A chuckle escaped him. "Back when they were too young to know what it was they were feeling; ironic how romantic feelings are obvious to everyone but those experiencing them."

"Perhaps, but perhaps that's the nature of love, it doesn't see with the eyes," Cole smirked as he leaned against the banister, next to Zane.

"That's true." Zane agreed though he sounded reluctant. Cole gave him a sympathetic smile.

"You do know no one can love him more than Jay does, I think that is more than clear."

"He's the one for Echo," Zane admitted, grudgingly. "I've known that for a while, too."

"You know he's not the child he used to be, Echo, I mean, I remember when he used to be a timid little boy who would follow you everywhere but was always exceedingly shy around you; I always thought that was because you acted more of a father to him than a brother, but not everyone has chosen to remain stoic this last century as I have, some of us have used this time to mature, evolve, and become stronger," Cole explained.

"Yes, Echo doesn't need a father anymore, he needs a brother and not one to take care of him, he has Jay for that, and he's mature enough now to know exactly what that means and what it entitles and to be completely honest," Zane spoke like he was irritated but there was legitimate respect and pride in his voice. "I truly do believe Jay is the one for him, and that just annoys me even more!" He growled as he gripped the banister. Cole couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh come now, Zane, you knew Echo would grow up eventually? That's no reason to treat Jay like he's trying to take Echo away from you."

"He is!" Zane snapped, before regaining his composure. "In a matter of speaking." He sighed and Cole laughed again.

"It's no wonder they've found it impossible to tell you?" He asked with another light laugh and Zane snorted.

"I really do hate being right sometimes." He huffed as he regained his composure and lifted himself to meet the prince. "So, will you be taking my advice then?" He asked and Cole remained still. His face neutral and his eyes betraying no emotion.

"I'm not sure." He replied and it was Zane's turn to smile.

"Do you doubt he will say yes?" He asked, catching Cole off guard. He pondered them for a moment, then turned on his heels and continued towards Kai's room.

"I appreciate your assistance, Zane." He called over his shoulder.

"That is my profession." The Steward nodded as he watched Cole disappear down the hall. A moment later, Cole found himself strolling down a familiar hallway. Zane's words continued to run around in his head. He smiled when he found himself outside Kai and room and shifted his clothed burden to open the door. He already knew Kai's answer...

Here’s a several part text post meme bc it’s all from the same post lol-

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Life of a High School Vampire One-Shots 2 Job Interview

Requested by: N/A

SUMMARY: A stilted interviewer gets a lesson in job skills when Kai handles a role-play phone call.

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Kai sat stiff as a statue as he watched the HR interviewer read through his CV. The corners of the paper were slightly burnt from his last job back when he was still living with his parents, but you could still read what it said. He had to get a job in order to pay rent for his dorm room so he applied for the first job the school threw at him. It was a job as one of the assistants for Fred Finely. He was a five-time award-winning reporter in downtown Ninjago City who had a team of assistants to help him.

He would only have to work evenings and weekends, so that meant it wouldn't interfere with his studies.

When he started looking for a job he was told it helped if he did some research on his potential employer, but Kai felt he might have gone a bit overboard. As the interviewer read through his CV, she kept giving him odd glances that slightly unsettled the vampire teen. He tried not to let it show.

"So your last job was at a bakery?" She asked, slightly confused. "What happened?"

"Fired."

"And what was the cause of your termination?"

"The fire." He replied, but he said it in such a nonchalant way that she didn't take him seriously. She shrugged it off and would contact his previous employer later.

"So this isn't just like a normal assistant's job, Fred Finely's office is like high-volume." She explained and he nodded in understanding. "He will jump down your throat if you drop one call; are you even confident in your phone skills?" She asked in a slightly supercilious way that really irritated him. It also didn't help that he didn't understand what she meant when she said Mr. Finely would jump down his throat.

"So long as Mr. Finely is down my throat he doesn't remove my vocal cords and sell them on the black market."

"Mr. Finely does not appreciate sarcasm." She glared.

"A healthy set of vocal cords can sell for upwards of thirty thousand dollars and in this economy that is nothing to joke about." He frowned. He didn't think he was being sarcastic, but obliviously the interviewer didn't think so.

"It's also imperative that Mr. Finely's assistant be able to work long nights."

"Oh that won't be a problem, I'm a night person." He replied, barely suppressing a smirk.

"The thing about this job is that it's important for you to be able to think on your feet." She said, with another condescending tone. "I think we should do a little phone test."

"Sure."

"Okay, let's say that Mr. Finely is in a meeting with an A-list client, and he's told you to hold all of his calls." She suggested and then pretended to be a ringing phone with her right hand. Kai was caught off guard by this, but quickly recovered and copied the motion with his left hand.

"Mr. Finely office." He said, playing along.

"This is Mrs. Finely, I need to speak to my husband immediately!" She exclaimed in a high-pitched, over-exaggerated, whiny voice that sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Kai.

"He's in a meeting madam Finely, may I take a message?"

"Oh no, you pull him out if that meeting now you-"

"What will that accomplish Mrs. Finely?" Kai asked, stunning the lady for a moment. To be honest, he just wanted her to stop talking in the ridiculous voice but he was already too far gone to back out now. "Wielding power over your husband won't save your marriage, it will only make him feel smothered which will inevitably lead him to smother you with a pillow in your sleep, but being smothered in your sleep isn't the worst way to die."

"W-What's... the worst way t-to die?" She asked in a shaky voice. Kai almost licked his lips as he eyed her neck, able to hear her thundering, terrified heart from where he was sitting.

"It's in the top ten behind painkiller overdose and accidental death from autoerotic asphyxiation, but it is one that will leave you with unfinished business, which will force you to be stuck on Earth haunting your husband for as long as he lives and we both know that with his new vegan diet and exercise routine Mr. Finely most likely had twenty years left in him; do you really want to be stuck in limbo for twenty years Mrs. Finely?"

"No, I don't." She whimpered in a weak and petrified voice.

"Excellent, I'll leave word that you called." He finished before he lowered his hand and silently stared at the interviewer. She was almost completely frozen. The only movement or sounds she made were the slight movement of her chest rising as her heartbeat a million miles per hour. They sat there in silence, staring each other in the eye until she finally looked away and cleared her throat.

"Okay... can you start Monday night?"...

The Flame and the Dragon Chapter 23

Chapter 23: The Temptations Of Hope

Cole angrily paced around his room as the clock struck twelve. The only lights in the room were the moonlight reflecting off the untouched, white snow and the purple flame coming from the now almost completely melted red candle. His instincts warned him not to feel for Kai. Life was so much simpler before he came along, before Cole and the others dared to hope. Cole sighed tiredly as he slumped into a torn-up armchair. He had thought Kai was the one.

He didn't know why he continued to torment himself.

His eyes fell on the candle and an enraged growl bubbled in his throat. That was the symbol of his curse, and it needed to be destroyed and end these adolescent notions of love and redemption. It would end all of his pain forever. Cole growled and raised his arm to smash the weakening flame. Just as he was about to destroy it, a couple of cinders flew from the flame. Cole watched as it landed next to the gift, which Kai left for Cole next to the bed.

The prince's eyes widened in shock, recognizing the small, nice handwriting on the gift's little label.

The hybrid carefully picked up the lovely wrapped gift as if it was made of glass. He quickly ripped off the wrapping paper and was surprised to see it was a book Kai had written just for him. Without really thinking about it, Cole sat back down and started reading the story Kai had made. The incredibly detailed story inside talked about an enchanted castle and how the master seemed as cold as winter. His cries echoed through the stone wall of the castle, and though he was surrounded by servants, he was all alone.

It went on to say that thanks to that simple act of kindness, he knew someone cared.

Even though he didn't read much, even before he was cursed, Cole knew this was an amazing story. It ends it all off, Kai wrote about how that time of year was spent exchanging humble gifts, but the greatest gift that anyone received was the gift of hope. As Cole finished the book and put it down, he contemplated what the book meant by hope. Once he had hope that was hope to break the spell. But as the years passed, that hope had started to fade until it was almost nonexistent.

That is until Kai suddenly forced his way into his life and that hope burned brightly for the first time since he was first cursed.

Then Kai tried to leave the castle, despite his promise, and almost drowned in a freezing lake. It wasn't just the fact that Kai left, but also that he almost lost his life again because Cole wasn't there to protect him. Despite his anger, Cole still loved and cared deeply for Kai. He didn't want to see the teen get hurt and if that meant he had to lock Kai in a cell then so be it. It was probably the safest place for Kai since Cole was certain that he had just blown any chance with the brunette and any hope of breaking this curse.

As soon as that thought entered his mind, however, his mother's voices echoed through his very soul.

She used to say that regardless of how desperate things may seem, remember, people could always have hope. All of a sudden, Cole realized his idiocy and what he had done to Kai in his blinding anger. He promised himself there and then that he would do his best job to find the perfect way to beg for Kai's forgiveness if the begging wasn't enough in itself. He knew it was going to be hard, but he was ready for that. With that in mind, Cole stood up from his chair and bolted out of the room towards the dungeons.

He failed to see the enraged shadow made of dark magic scowling at his retreating form.

This was not part of his plan...

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He growled in rage as he watched the dragon prince flee to attempt to make up with Kai through his purple crystal ball. Despite all Cole had done, he knew that the brunette loved the hybrid and would forgive him. The man snarled as he ran his hand through his raven hair, pacing around as he tried to find a way to stop this from happening. He stared out of the small, empty window of his hideout in the ghost town of Kilmarnock hundreds of miles from any civilization.

What was once a wide avenue that led to Kilmarnock was unrecognizable as nature had begun reclaiming the now unused area.

The crisp and clean-looking town now looked more like a jungle as trees and gardens grew beyond their now unkempt boundaries. Many doors had collapsed as the rot was eating away their edges. The open doorways that were once perhaps very welcoming were now an eerie and unwelcoming sight. Broken cars and rusty pieces of metal littered some of the larger driveways, stripped from all but their most useless parts. Kilmarnock, once rich with life, hopes, dreams, and aspirations was now partially reclaimed by nature.

The sounds of insects, winds, and creaking wood of trees which were once drowned out by the sounds of people had returned as the dominant sounds once more.

The clock tower was somehow still rich with sounds, but it wasn't its bells and gears as those had stopped working a long time ago. It was a flock of crows that had made this once great pillar their new home. No matter how you looked at it this town was an eerie sight to behold. Lives forgotten, perhaps completely ruined and there was barely anything to show for it. But even though everything may seem like it was lost forever there was still a silver lining.

While this town was no longer home to the families that lived here, it was now home to families of wild animals.

The enchanted candle would flicker out any day now, and Kai had yet to proclaim his love for Cole. He couldn't afford for Cole to suddenly find the key to ending his curse and everyone's suffering. He saw red as he thought about what this could mean for his revenge when Kai and Cole made things up and confessed their love for each other. The prince got the one he loves and his curse would be broken, and then it was a happy ending for everyone.

The enchantment will be lifted, and that stuck-up brat and his family's suffering would fade into the background.

He refused to let them get off that easily. He used his magic to set the cauldron bubbling and boiling and opened his spellbook. He flipped through a dozen pages until he finally found exactly what he was looking for. He ran around his hovel, searching for the needed ingredients. These included red and white rose petals, pearly white swan and dove feathers, maple leaves, and a bright red apple. He threw them all into the black cauldron and the liquid inside turned a stunning crimson red.

"I call the darkness unto me, from deepest depths of earth and sea, from ancient evils unawoken, break that what can not be broken." He chanted loudly before grabbing another set of ingredients. These included a dead raven, a red poppy, blood of a black cat, and a human skull. "To blackest night I pledge my soul I crush my heart to burning coal, to summon forth a deathly power, to see my hatred foe devoured!" He bellowed and suddenly a blast of black smoke shot out of the cauldron.

It filled the room in a matter of seconds before it shot out the window like a bolt of lighting.

He cackled loudly as he watched the dark magic travel straight to Cole's castle, standing out against the white fluffy clouds like blood on a white wedding dress. They couldn't fall in love if they were dead...

Past Lives Chapter 5

A week passed since Mystake adopted me from the pet store and that creepy tea lady showed no sign that she knew who I was. She hadn't given me a new name or called me by my old one. I tried talking to her, even though it only came out as little meows, and she just smiled at me and started petting me. It was really nice living with her. She provided me with toys, food, special milk for cats, and a warm cushion next to the counter to nap on.

Every customer who saw me thought I was adorable and would always pet and play with me while they waited for Mystake to pack their teas.

Some people only came into the store just to see me and give me treats. Yep, this was a nice life for a cat. Unfortunately, it wasn't as perfect as it first appeared. I know some of the strays I saw would kill to be in my spot, but all I wanted was to be with my family. My human family. Sadly I didn't know where they were, using a flying boat almost all the time didn't help either. I did get a break, however. During my time as a kitten I learned that the guys had rebuilt the monastery but even though I knew the way there, I couldn't go.

I had to stay inside because I hadn't had my shots or been fixed yet.

Despite all the toys, I quickly found myself being bored from having to stay inside all the time. It didn't help matters that a few stay cats would often stop by and prowl on the street in plain view of me. I have no idea what they wanted, but the way they look at me creeps me out. The weekend rolled around and I heard Mystake talking to a regular about how the shop would be closed down while she was away. The customer had asked her what she was going to do with me and that old woman just smiled and said it was taken care of.

She better not try and leave me in one of those kennels or I'll shred her ugly curtains.

It would probably be an improvement and would be great for my claws. After a few hours of napping on the couch in the down room, I absentmindedly noticed the door to the tea shop open. I barely paid attention to Mystake as she spoke. Instead, my attention was drawn to the window and the bird that was flying around outside it. I kept my eyes trained on the bird while licking my lips. It was like I was completely powerless to resist the flapping wings of a stupid bird.

I could hear someone saying something to Mystake, but I was now batting the window trying to get at the bird.

There was a small gap between the couch and the window, however, making me have to lean across to reach the glass. Leaning too far, I toppled onto the floor. It is officially a lie. Cats do not always land on their feet. This caused me to finally snap out of that trance that horrid bird had placed on me and realized I knew the voice of the new customer. Like a bullet, I shot out the backroom and into the store, almost running into the customer's leg.

I immediately recognized the long white beard.

"SENSEI!" I meowed loudly, but of course, Master Wu didn't understand me.

"Hello, there little one." He greeted me with a small smile as he bent down and started petting me. He must have been here to buy some tea, judging by the four boxes of teas waiting on the counter. It was then I saw how tired and sad he looked. That made sense. I did die and I remembered how we were all depressed when Zane died. "I was not aware you adopted a cat." He said to the old lady as he picked me up so I could see her. More importantly, I could see her smile.

The same smile she had when she was about to put a bitchy Karen in their place.

That smile told me she was planning something.

"He is not mine."

"Really? Then who does he belong to?" Master Wu asked as he started scratching under my chin, causing me to start purring loudly.

"He's yours."

"EXCUSE ME?!" He cried, almost dropping me.

"HEY! WATCH IT!" I hissed angrily as I dug my claws into his hand that was holding me. This caused him to put me down but I remained close, almost sitting on his foot, staring up at him with my big green eyes.

"Mystake, I can not take this animal! The Ninjas are not in the best place at this moment to take care of this kitten."

"That is not a problem; cats can bathe themselves and will keep your new monastery rodent-free." She explained. Yeah, rats were a bit of the problem back when we all lived at the monetary all those years ago. I vividly remember waking up to the sound of Cole and Jay shrieking at the sight of a rat in the bathroom. "Cats are also more low-maintenance and independent as they mature."

"Yeah Master Wu! I'm independent!" I meowed as I made to run and jump on my cushion, only to trip and fall over. Fuck these damn little legs and paws! Thankfully neither human seemed to notice.

"I'm sorry, but none of us are mentally ready to care for this infant creature, not so soon after... Kai..." He trailed as he slightly lowered his head and closed his eyes tightly. I instantly regretted hissing at him. I looked around and brought my sensei a small bell ball Mystake had bought me to play with. I started batting it around and tried to look as cute as possible to cheer him it. It seemed to work because he let out a weak laugh after a few minutes.

"Owning a cat can bring unconditional love and companionship and can be an extremely rewarding relationship." She continued. "Having a feline friend can also help to relieve stress and improve your heart health." She finished and I could almost hear the gears turning in Master Wu's mind. After a few minutes, Master Wu looked at me, sighed, and looked back at Mystake.

"Very well; I will adopt this kitten."...