I'm not dead! I am so sorry for saying I'll write, then not doing it! I've been super busy! It's been nearly a year oops 🥴 I finished my schooling, started my dream job and life is honestly going great! I haven't had much inspiration but I will do my best to finish this book!

Anyway sorry for the delay hope you enjoy this chapter!

"Kai Smith this is (y/n) (l/n)..." The brunette looked up his eyes meeting hers and suddenly he felt shy. His usual cocky, confident self seemed to crumble within just a gaze. The feeling new. It was all surreal. Here was this alluring young woman, a hero, but he could tell that fear laced her expression. He couldn't blame her for that. Fear was common place to Ninjago all thanks to the Cities Ripper; and now she was the main target. That's not easy to cope with.
"I don't know what to say," Kai managed to stutter out.

Maybe that was a little stupid of him to start out with, but truly for once he didn't have a word that would flow out of his mouth.
(Y/n) gulped. "You don't have to say anything; really."

She really hadn't seen anyone so breath taking and finally seeing him in person seemed to trigger even more nerves. She didn't feel like a hero. She was back here with him as damsel in distress. How she longed to actually be able to fly under the radar for good.  She didn't ask for any of this, but she couldn't stay mad. He seemed so grateful.

Kai smiled slightly. Gently he took her chin and made her look up at him. "Yeah I do. You saved my life, you risked everything and got me to the hospital. You asked for nothing in return and even went as far as too pay for my hospital bills. You are an angel.." he blushed and coughed immediately. "Sorry that was weird to say."

(Y/n) blushed. "I think it's sweet honestly. I'm not sure I deserve the title though. I'm glad to have helped you. You've done so much for Ninjago throughout the years. Nothing can repay that"

"Well now you are just deflecting my compliments," Kai teased and smiled, "but thank you, truly from the bottom of my heart."

"Your welcome really. Looks like you'll be able to return the favor anyhow. Home doesn't seem like an option till this man is arrested.."

Kai nodded. He could tell the poor girl already suffered so much trauma. He felt bad being the reason she was in this mess anyhow. At the very least he could now be there to protect her and help her through it. "We will get him. I won't ever let him touch you. I promise you that." She was honestly stunning. Her beautiful (h/c) hair tucked behind her ears, and her bright (e/c) eyes. Kai felt he could get lost simply in the complexities of the swirling tones of (e/c) in her eyes. Not only that, now they showed hope; he liked that much better then the fear she carried initially.
"Well thank you. Maybe I can help you guys figure out this mystery. A new pair of eyes can help. I want him gone as much as you all."

"That would be great. I get discharged from the hospital soon. I'll go over the files with you when we reach the monastery. My teammate Jay will want to help."

(Y/n) nodded gently and smiled weakly. "Great." She never was one that could talk easily to new people, specially not famous ones. Being more of the Lone Ranger type and all it was hard to make new friends. Friends that would last that is. She could make the casual small talk, but who couldn't do that? She never considered herself special for that reason; then here comes this boy treating her like she was some precious gem. It was unnatural territory to her. Yet, she couldn't say she didn't like it.

Kai smiled at her. Sure the silence was awkward, but she didn't seem the type to receive flirting well so he figured he'd have to actually be himself. A terrifying feat, for sure. Never had a girl received his cocky, confident, teasingly self well. At least he knew she couldn't run. "Hey (y/n)..." his voice trailing off. "Want to maybe tell me about yourself and what you are passionate about? Might be best we get the small talk out of the way" his words inviting to her ears. Bingo. Small talk; what she was best at.

•

The time had arrived for Kai to be discharged. It had been nearly a week since the doctors had promised  he could leave the hospital but they kept pushing it back. The team surely was ready to leave the cramped room; being forbidden from wandering at anytime specially alone really gets to anyone.

Kai's body still ached and squirmed under too much harsh movement although laying in a hospital bed all day every day wasn't doing any good either. His muscles were stiff and sore, but the pain not as prominent.  He winced slightly as he stood up. "Whoa, whoa, whoa easy tiger. Not the best idea to jump right back into things. Don't want to tear your incisions. Small movements. Start slow." Jay muttered as he rolled his eyes. He knew his friend was stubborn annoyingly so, but he wasn't going to let him win this round. "Here." He gave him a cane that would help support him a bit better. Kai gave him a look and Jay simply shrugged.

"It's for the best, don't worry you're perfect bad boy imagine won't be ruined by one day of having to walk in the shoes of an 80 year old," (y/n) chimed in as she leaned against the door frame. Surprisingly as her and Kai had been talking more and more throughout the week she began to actually feel comfortable. A rare occurrence that shocked her when the realization had settled. She wouldn't complain, being comfortable around someone who quite literally resembled a Greek god was a blessing and miracle in itself. Kai sneered at her and chuckled. "Hey, I think your just jealous of my stylish accessory. It's here for the taking. I don't really need it that much. Maybe I can get by with an escort, keep the record clean you know?"

"Hm, chances are low anyone would want to drag your butt around all day. What a daunting task, specially since it's someone who is way to cocky for his own good. I know I'd rather pull all my hair out strand by strand instead"

Jay smirked, laughing. "I like her, let's keep her. Shut you up every once in a while." He chided following behind a slow speechless Kai. Jay whined as Kai tripped him slightly. "Least I'm not a baby, and can take a little bit of teasing"

(Y/n) giggled as a full blown argument had arose between the two each boy trying to out do the other with their mean comebacks. She hadn't gotten to know the others much, but if she was honest she could get used to being around them. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad as she thought and maybe just maybe.. it was a blessing he stumbled on her door that horrible night. A small smile planted its self on her face as she walked the long corridors of the hospital toward Cole who was waiting to take them all home.

"Well, it's nice to see those two acting more like themselves. I haven't seen them smile in a long time. You've got something special" (Y/n) jumped not noticing the old man who had made himself comfortable and in stride next to her. "My apologies didn't realize how quiet I am," Wu said kindly leading his pupils out safely.

"No, it's not your fault I suppose I got lost in thought. Are you serious though? That's sad to hear... thank you for having me and allowing me to be in your home. I've felt safe... it's been nice"

"Of course my child, you are welcome by us all. Your safe with us, no way would we nor Kai let you face this alone. You did a good thing." She scoffed and got in the car. "You all chalk it up to be this huge deal.. it was my adrenaline that did most the work. I hardly remember the night at this point."

Wu chuckled. "Stop selling yourself short, not everyone would do what you did. Specially with the risk it poses. We are grateful." A simple nod is all the girl gave. She didn't receive compliments well in fact she hardly got them. It's hard when you work a normal desk job in a little cubicle not much human contact happens there. Besides she wasn't quite the social butterfly, until you took the time to know her that is.

Her eyes met Kai's as he was helped into the car. He winked at her playfully and got buckled in. Jay sitting next to him as Cole made the drive toward the monastery. "How are you feeling old man?" She looked at him teasingly. "I feel so great, so loved with all these compliments." Kai joked. (Y/n) smiled proudly. "Oh good you definitely should, they come straight from my heart."

"Glad to know you're saving the kindest things for me sweetheart."

It had slipped. Kai had felt so embarrassed and didn't want to say anything else. The damage was done, now he wished he could crawl in a hole and disappear. Now she would think he liked her already, which to be fair he did but he wouldn't even admit that to himself let alone to the girl he had just met a week prior.
"You flatter yourself to much" (y/n) said going along with it. She was blushing slightly but no harm in a friendly nickname right? 
"Maybe."

Jay rolled his eyes and Cole laughed. "You two are like a married couple already." Cole joked looking at them through the mirror. Both faces a red as Kai's Gi. "Leave the two alone," Wu chimed in as the car stopped. "Now help (y/n) get settled in and Kai go rest up a bit don't exert yourself too much."

As the ninja settled back home and (y/n) in her new home the city was quiet and still. Something that hadn't happened in a months. It was an uneasy quiet as if it were a scary movie where a jump scare awaited in the shadows. It seemed the Ripper was having a vacation from murder. Concerned the ninja still had no new developments. Neither the police even with this peace period. Ninjago was at a stand still waiting for the next attack or the next clue.

A note. Neatly placed with eerily nice handwriting decorating the front.

"(Y/n)..."