I wrote this at one in the morning fueled by pure spite. Apparently, that works really well as a motivator. Fools! They only make me stronger.

Thank you all so much for the reviews and support! It really means a lot!

Lloyd fought to put one foot in front of the other. He didn't know where he was, he didn't know why, and he didn't know how he got here. All he did know was that he hurt. Everywhere. His stomach demanded food, his throat water, and there were a multitude of bruises and scrapes along decorating his body. He had been wandering this snow-laden forest forever and the dappled trees still stretched out before him. Where was he going? Why?

He couldn't remember if it was bad to eat snow. He was so thirsty. Or maybe he could just find a nice soft pile to lay on. Taking a nap would be nice. He'd be rested and could finally find his way out of the forest. There was something in the back of his mind that told him going to sleep would mean death, so he didn't. That didn't stop it from being a tantalizing option - maybe as a last resort?

Lloyd tripped. He threw his hands out - why wasn't he wearing gloves? - to try and catch himself. The snow burned the scrapes littering his hands and whatever he had hit had left his foot throbbing. Ignoring the pain, Lloyd brushed away the snow. Something silver gleamed in the sunlight and he couldn't help a gasp. He hurriedly dug around the object, revealing a knife hilt. The blade itself was stabbed into the ground. Lloyd wrapped his fingers around the hilt and gave it a tug. The knife easily came free.

Thick black leather was wrapped around the hilt. Intricate silver patterns had been etched into the leather. The blade was free of rust. Lloyd ran a finger down the edge and nearly dropped it when it easily sliced into his skin. Sticking the bleeding finger in his mouth, Lloyd studied the etchings. What did they mean? If he squinted, the sweeping lines almost looked like words. He couldn't understand them. Maybe they were some foreign text?

A shuffling noise a few feet ahead startled Lloyd. Without thinking, he stuffed the knife into one worn boot. He felt the tip nick his ankle, but ignored it. He had to get away from whatever was coming towards him. Lloyd scrambled to his feet and turned on his heel to run when a voice called out to him.

"Hello? Is someone there?"

Lloyd froze. Why did it feel so strange to hear someone's voice? It didn't sound right, almost out of place in the calm forest. His hesitation gave the stranger enough time to push their way through the brush. When kind eyes landed on him, Lloyd stiffened. He backed away when the stranger stepped closer.

"What are you doing out here all alone, child? Are you lost?" The stranger had a gentle voice, like a spring breeze. They didn't appear threatening. Elderly with long gray hair pulled back and those kind brown eyes. They had a basket carefully balanced in one arm while the other held a blanket.

Lloyd couldn't get his throat to cooperate. He wanted to talk to this kind stranger, but he was scared. The stranger didn't seem to mind the small head shake as an answer. "I have no desire to harm you. Can you tell me your name? Maybe we can find where you came from."

His name was Lloyd, he was sure of it. He had a family. A mother, a father, a sister, and lots of brothers. But then why didn't that seem right? Lloyd shrugged, face drawn in confusion. He wished he could remember why he was in the forest.

"My name is Yu," the stranger said. They offered Lloyd a smile. "Are you hungry?" Lloyd's vigorous nod made them laugh. "Follow me, then. We can find you someplace nice and warm instead of this dreary forest."

Lloyd stuck to Yu's side. It felt safer to be by them. As they walked, Yu chattered about their surroundings. Lloyd couldn't help but smile. Yes, Yu was safe. The cold seemed to be kept at bay and even the stinging from his hands had mellowed.

He yelped as he tripped. Yu put a hand on his shoulder, asking if he was alright. Lloyd lifted himself up. When saying he was fine didn't work, Lloyd waved a hand and gave them a smile. A flash of color caught his attention. There was something red on his hands. He tried to wipe it off in the snow. Some of it came off, but more of the color spread back across his palms.

Lloyd could only watch in horror as it began to inch up his arms. Warmth suddenly spread across his chest. Red was bleeding through the front of his shirt. Lloyd whipped his head around to ask for help. Yu was still crouched next to him, but they only seemed confused at Lloyd's panic. Didn't they see this?

A metallic smell hit him. No, no, no. It was blood. There was blood dripping from his hands. It was staining the snow and spreading out around him. Why wasn't Yu helping him? He needed help, please. The blood had reached his elbows.

"Please," Lloyd croaked. His throat screamed at him, but he needed help. He tried to meet Yu's eyes. "Please."

They ignored him. Lloyd lurched forward, surprising them when he fell against them. He grit his teeth and stared up at their face. "Please-"

Kai's lifeless eyes were staring down at him.

Lloyd's scream echoed through the cave. He could feel Morro panic as his control was wrenched away. Ignoring the ghost, Lloyd stared down at his hands. A small bruise was forming on one wrist, but there were no blood. There was no blood staining his gi. There was no blood. It was nothing more than a horrible nightmare. Except...e

Except Kai really was dead. Lloyd buried his face in his hands. Kai was dead and it was his fault. He killed Kai.

Morro finally got a hold of Lloyd and took back control. Anger swirled around him. What do you think you're doing? Stay out of my head.

Morro's angry words were largely ignored. Lloyd's consciousness had been swallowed by guilt and pain.

Nya watched as Kai fiddled with the bed remote. He had been dreadfully bored the last few days. No one dared try to sneak him out of his room. The nurse Kai had been assigned was kind, but downright terrifying when it came to his patients resting. They were honestly lucky that he had agreed to speak to the doctor about letting Kai out earlier than planned. Of course, that didn't stop Kai from complaining every couple of minutes.

Jay was leaning against her shoulder, out cold. He had his feet propped up on an empty chair. Cole was sitting in the seat closest to Kai, mainly because Jay had stolen his chair. He snatched the remote from Kai and held it just out of his reach with a laugh.

"Cole," Zane scolded from his spot by the window, "you'll made Kai tear his stitches again."

"Yeah, man, give it back." Kai made a gimme motion. Cole rolled his eyes but gave it over. "You're depriving me of my only entertainment, you cruel being."

"There's a TV," Nya said.

"With four channels and they all suck."

Cole leaned back in his chair. "You're so picky." Kai smacked him.

"The nurse said you could leave tomorrow morning if you did not do anything stupid." Zane watched the two ninja with an amused smile.

"He did not say that," Kai grumbled. He didn't see Cole come in to poke him on the nose.

"Not in those words, no," Zane admitted, "but it was implied."

Kai threw his arms in the air when everyone laughed. "Just a few days ago you were willing to do anything I asked! How could you do this to me?"

Nya hid her smile behind a hand. Her movement jostled Jay awake and he flailed off his chair. His puzzled face made the room erupt into laughter again. It was nice to have them all smiling and laughing, even with the threat of Morro hanging over their heads. For a few moments, they were someplace safe. Kai was alive. Things didn't look so bad.

Of course, it wouldn't last. Nya had seen the strange look crossing Kai's face when he thought no one was watching. She was his little sister, she knew him better than anyone else. Kai was angry and hurting. It wasn't a huge leap to realize he was worried for Lloyd. They were all scared for him. While Kai was still in surgery, they had all agreed not to mention it until Kai was recovering.

When the nurse came to usher everyone out, Nya hesitated. She met Jay's eyes. He gave her a gentle smile and nodded. He'd get her a moment alone with Kai. Sure enough, the moment Jay was outside the room, he began yapping. Cole's exasperated groan mimicked the nurse's. Nya waited a second to be sure that everyone was distracted before claiming the chair next to her brother's bed.

"Are you okay?" Kai's voice was full of worry. Always the protective older brother.

"Yeah." Nya shot a glance at the door before continuing. "Are you, though?"

"I got stabbed, sis."

"That's not what I meant."

Kai lowered his eyes. "Figured. It's nothing, okay? Not a big deal."

"Except it is," Nya said. "You're upset about something. Is it Lloyd?"

It took all of her self control to not hit Kai when he just shrugged. She settled for a glare until he sighed. "Yes, I'm worried about Lloyd."

"We're going to get him back."

Kai was silent, focusing on running his fingers along one of the blanket's seams. Nya took his hands in hers and gave them a squeeze. "We will. I promise."

"How do you know?" Kai snapped. He jerked his hands away. "I promised Lloyd that I'd look after him. I promised that I'd be there. Look what's happened. Promises mean nothing."

Oh. "It's not your fault, Kai." Nya frowned when Kai fully turned away from her. She reached after him, to try to do something - anything to comfort him. "None of this was your fault, okay? None of us blame you for this and Lloyd isn't going to blame you either. If anyone, it's Morro's fault."

"Or Sensei's for not telling us about him."

Nya couldn't really disagree with Kai's point, but there was something dangerous about the way her brother had said it. "Maybe, but he's helping us now. He wants Lloyd back just as much as we do."

A shout from outside startled them. Nya's time was running out.

Kai suddenly sagged back. "I keep seeing his face whenever I close my eyes. His eyes were sort of hazy when Morro was controlling him, but just before...you know," Kai gestured at his side, "Lloyd's eyes were clear."

Nya's heart dropped. "You mean, Lloyd stabbed you."

"Uh, what? Oh, no. No! That's not what I meant!" Kai grabbed Nya's arms. "No, Lloyd wouldn't do something like that. He'd never purposely hurt one of us. I think he tried to stop Morro and took control somehow."
"But it was too late."

"Yeah. I saw Lloyd's eyes clear and he looked so scared, but then after that I just remember being in pain."

Nya looked thoughtful. "Okay. What does that mean?"

"Lloyd broke Morro's control back at the shop too. I thought Morro was going to kill me. So maybe Lloyd can take over when there's a strong enough motivator?"

"Great," Nya said, "I'll go tell the guys to throw themselves into mortal danger around Morro."

Kai frowned. "You know they'd do anything to save him. He's our little brother and it's our job to protect him. I may have failed, but they won't. Besides, what else do we have?"

The room's door was thrown open. Zane poked his head in and behind him were Jay and Cole arguing. He gave the siblings a tired smile. "My apologies, but the staff are requesting that we leave. Preferably before Jay and Cole make a mess."

Kai grabbed hold of his sister's hand when she stood. A small, but genuine smile played on his lips. Nya leaned down to kiss his forehead, much to Kai's dismay. "We'll get him back. I'm sure Misako and Master Wu will have a lead for us tomorrow."

"Night, sis."

"Goodnight."