Reader Key:

(Y/N) = Your Name.

(N/N) = Your Nickname.

(H/L) = Hair Length.

(H/C) = Hair Colour.

(E/C) = Eye Colour.

Author's Note: This will be slowly updated as not to give away something in the main story.

(Third Person P.O.V)

______ Echo ______

After what seemed like forever, hours upon hours, (Y/N) finally woke up with a start. She was exhausted and could barely keep her eyes open, her mind thick with the fog of forced sleep.

She laid herself down and closed her eyes again as her mind pained her. When she heard the door open.

(Y/N) sat back up and the door creaked as it opened further. There was a long pause, almost as if to see if it would wake her up or not. Then Zane stepped into the room.

"(Y/N) it is good to see you awake." Zane said in a cheery tone and coming to her bedside with a tray of drinks complemented a small plate of bread.

Zane was delighted to see her awake (Y/N)'s breathing had been surprisingly soft in her sleep, even in her sleep her face had shown exhaustion and dehydration.

Zane had tried to focus more on the more protective emotions inspired by (Y/N)'s vulnerable form, rather than studying the curve of her sun-dried lips. This was infinitely more difficult than he had imagined.

"I trust you are better?" Zane asked taking a seat on the chair next to her bed and brushed some of the stray strands of (Y/N)'s hair. The tray now sitting on the bedside table.

"I'm a little sore." (Y/N) admitted with a croaky voice. "Tired but nothing I haven't been through before."

Her comment caused a spike of complicated emotions in the nindroid, which was coupled with a frown on his face. "I trust your similar symptoms were caused by a different set of circumstances." Zane commented in a serious tone.

(Y/N) grinned a little at that comment. The skin on her lips splitting slightly as she did. "Yeah. Training can be intense." (Y/N) chuckled. Even though her voice still strained from her dry throat. It was clear her words were fraught with hidden meaning.

Zane gave her a measuring look as though doubting (Y/N)'s statement. Eventually, though, he nodded.

(Y/N) inclined her head towards the bedside table. "What's all that?" (Y/N) asked. "I surmised that you might be hungry or thirsty. So I brought you food and drink." Zane stated with a warm and comforting smile.

"That's..." Sweet. (Y/N) thought. "...appreciated." Was what she said out loud. (Y/N) tried to suppress the amusement she felt at that thought. Zane held up a cup of water for her to drink. (Y/N) took a careful sip before guzzling it down.

"Easy." Zane said trying to get (Y/N) to slow down. "Sorry, thirsty." (Y/N) commented still with a small teasing smile on her face.

"Understandable." Zane stated taking the cup back and replacing it with a new one. "But also fortunate as I have made some electrolyte solution that should help." Zane added in his own sweet way.

"Electrolyte solution?" (Y/N) asked having never heard that term before. "To function correctly, your body needs both water and electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and chloride." Zane explained to her.

(Y/N) glanced at the strange liquid in the cup that Zane had given her; it was an orange colour with what looked like crystalised chunks floating around in the concoction.

(Y/N) then studied Zane's face for any signs of deception. Zane just continued to stand there completely innocent-faced giving her a reassuring smile.

(Y/N) warily dipped her finger into the liquid then brought it to her lips and licked it. It didn't taste nice but there were no adverse effects. (Y/N) took a tiny sip at first then swallowed the rest.

Zane gave her a sweet smile. (Y/N) had grown to trust him, despite their initial adversarial encounter and Zane could not help but count this as an accomplishment. Zane let out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding in.

"Are you ready to let me assist with you?" Zane asked and held out his hand and after a moment (Y/N) nodded and slowly took the offered hand. The nindroid smiled as he helped (Y/N) shifted out from underneath her sheets, Zane being very careful not to jostle her too much as he picked her up.

(Y/N) was gently secured in Zane's arms as if she was something fragile that might break in (Y/N)'s grasp. (Y/N) was completely unprepared for being so carefully touched. And the almost tender way Zane was holding her in place, made her freeze.

(Y/N)'s face was tucked against Zane's shoulder as Zane carried her over to the bathroom. Then to the tub. Zane carefully placed her on the edge of the tub then bent over the rim to turn on the water taps rapidly filling tub before he checked the temperature.

(Y/N) was enjoying the feeling of the cold tiles on her feet instead of ruff and slightly scolding sand.

Zane carefully handed her a simple grey yuami-gi. (Y/N) inspected the item of clothing. It was clear to Zane that she'd never seen one in her life. "It's a yuami-gi. You wear it. They are specifically designed for bathing." Zane explained as he watches her examine the garment.

"Ok." (Y/N) said with a shrug and went to change. "Wait!" Zane squeaked, quickly covering his eyes as he did. (Y/N) stopped. "What?" (Y/N) innocently questioned. Obviously unsure what was wrong.

"L-let me leave f-first." Zane stuttered completely red-faced. "Call me in once you've changed." Zane called out once he closed the door. (Y/N) just shrugged and went back to changing.

Once she was properly changed she called out to the nindroid. "Zane?" (Y/N) called out again. "Coming." Zane replied stepping back into the room wearing his beach clothing.

(Y/N) didn't understand why Zane insisted on this clothing but she assumed it must be a ninja thing. And didn't press it any further.

Zane stopped short of reaching her. His eyes wandering over (Y/N)'s damaged body. He took in the endless pattern of purple and yellow bruises that adorned her body, every bruise in different stages of healing.

Zane paused, his eyes locked on to her right arm. "(Y/N) I didn't know you had a birthmark." Zane stated his eyes still glued onto the dragon-shaped birthmark.

(Y/N) instinctively moved to hide her birthmark. "It's nothing to be ashamed of." Zane said reaching forward to stop her from hiding it.

"You're not upset about it?" (Y/N) asked genuinely confused by Zane's reaction.

"Why would I be upset?" Zane asked in a way that reminded her of Echo. (Y/N) bit her lip before speaking. "W-where I'm from... Dragons are considered evil by people." (Y/N) struggled to explain this once again to an inquisitive nindroid. "So being born with this meant I was born evil." (Y/N) mumbled fidgeting slightly at the almost identical expressions that Zane shared with his brother.

Zane grabbed her hand. "(Y/N)." Zane said with a reassuring smile. "Dragons aren't considered evil here. You have nothing to fear. No one will harm you over this, I assure you." Zane promised her. (Y/N) wanted to believe him but... past experiences had taught her differently.

"Why are you doing this?" (Y/N) asked, half suspecting it was out of some misplaced guilt.

"You endured so much." Zane explained. "It is my duty and privilege to see to your needs." Zane continued giving her one of his sweet smiles. But (Y/N) was not convinced. "So it was misplaced guilt." (Y/N) thought to herself.

"So I hope you will allow me to assist you." Zane said turning off the tap and testing the water.

"I've always been pretty self-reliant. Sorry?" (Y/N) explained and apologised not really sure on how to respond to that. Zane briefly cupped (Y/N)'s cheek. "There is no need to be sorry. Now, please, enter the water. It will make you feel better." Zane softly pleaded.

It sounded like a damn good idea to (Y/N) so she didn't resist and went to climb into the tub. Zane let out a horrified gasp once (Y/N) turned her back to the nindroid. "What?" (Y/N) asked quickly turning back around to face Zane causing her to lose balance. Zane quickly divided and caught her before she could hit the tiled floor.

"Are you ok?" Zane asked putting her onto her feet. "I'm ok. Are you ok? You gasped." (Y/N) pointed out to the nindroid.

"Your back." Zane stated still in shock over what he'd seen. "My back?" (Y/N) questioned with a raised eyebrow. (Y/N) tried to look back and couldn't see anything. "There are scars on your back." Zane quickly explained. "Scars?" (Y/N) asked again. Zane nodded and quickly showed her using the bathroom mirror and one of Kai's hand mirrors that the ninja of fire used for his hair.

Sure enough, Zane had been telling the truth. There were scars down her back to old to have been caused by Echo but old enough to be horrifying on someone so young.

(Y/N) just shrugged. "Don't remember." (Y/N) calmly commented. "Don't remember?" Zane questioned further. It was hard to believe someone wouldn't remember something so horrifying.

"What? They're just scars. Not like I started to grow fish scales or something." (Y/N) said with an air of indifference.

Zane raises an eyebrow at her, probably in response to the tease in her voice. But choose not to press the subject any further with (Y/N) not wanting to force her when she was already uncomfortable and was trying her hardest to trust someone especially in her weakened state.

(Y/N) climbed over the edge, finding that the tub was quite deep. (Y/N) sank onto one with a groan of relaxation. The warm water was just what her body needed right now. "I knew that you would find it relaxing." Zane replied with a gentle smile. (Y/N) thought that the nindroid's face looked a little wistful.

Feeling guilty at allowing Zane to assist in her care. (Y/N) turned to Zane and asked. "Join me?" As she held up a hand to the nindroid. "There's plenty of room for two." She offered trying to make it less awkward for them both.

Zane hesitated a moment and then climbed in after (Y/N). "Perhaps it will not be so difficult to assist you as I originally thought." Zane stated with a chuckle.

After Zane got in and settled, (Y/N) immediately slid closer and again rested her head against Zane's chest.

Zane was barely able to breathe. He shivered and forced himself to stay calm, but could not resist the temptation to run his fingers through (Y/N)'s slightly damp hair as he clutched her closer.

He was uncomfortably aware, however, that (Y/N) still looked troublingly unwell. He realised that he was upset by her condition. He was also frustrated that his own brother had helped contribute to this.

Zane resolved to enjoy the closeness despite his frustration. Who knew when he would again have such an opportunity? It was the opening he'd been looking for to talk to her.

"What happened?" Zane quietly asked. After a moment of silence, Zane spoke again. "I know what Lloyd says happened but I wish to know about what you experienced on the island." Zane hesitated for a moment. "Did he... did he hurt you?"

(Y/N) turned her head to look at Zane, brow furrowed at the worried expression on Zane's face. (Y/N) figured that Zane was talking about Echo. "He didn't." (Y/N) responded.

"He may have been acting irrationally when Lloyd arrived but he was pleasant and treating my injuries. Something about Lloyd frightened him it was as though Echo thought he was some kind of threat. He never acted that way before." (Y/N) answered honestly.

(Y/N) kept her head on Zane's chest. She was having trouble looking at the ninja of ice. He acted so much like his brother and had so many similar mannerisms. It was too hard. (Y/N) couldn't look at the nindroid while she made her next comment.

"He's dead, isn't he? Your creator I mean." Her words made Zane take a sharp breath. That made it clear that she'd made a correct assumption. That also explained why Zane was with him quizzing him on his brother. Zane and Echo creator was no longer amongst the living.

"I'm sorry for your loss." (Y/N) said, knowing her words were inadequate but needed to say something anyway. "He obviously meant a lot to you." 'Too the both of you.' Is what she meant to say. But Echo wasn't here to hear her say it.

"Thank you." Zane responded. "I will miss him greatly."

They both sat quietly in the bath before Zane picked up a sponge and began sponging (Y/N)'s back for her. (Y/N) shuttered a little but otherwise said nothing.

Zane swept his gaze over (Y/N)'s back again only much, much more slowly this time, almost lingering.

Zane wondered how he and his brothers had never noticed how delicate (Y/N) truly was before. She hid it so well. So was always so strong in front of Lloyd, protecting him from any perceived threat or danger the green ninja attracted.

(Y/N) tried to suppress a shiver as the water trickled down her back.

"You don't have to look after me." (Y/N) said feeling compelled to say it. As Zane braved rubbing (Y/N)'s arms with the bath sponge then holding her closer.

The sudden shock of cold fingertips against her birthmark made her shiver. "There is something there." Zane mentioned, still running his hand over the birthmark.

Although Zane couldn't see it there was definitely something there, just not visible to the naked eye.

"Something there?" (Y/N) said wincing at the strange sensation. "Do you mind if I scan your birthmark?" Zane politely asked, still running his cold hand over the birthmark completely unaware of (Y/N)'s pained expression.

"I don't think that's a good idea." (Y/N) warned still biting her lip from the uncomfortable expression. "Do you mind if I ask why?" Zane questioned. The sensation became too much for her so (Y/N) quickly removed Zane's hand.

"It hurt." (Y/N) admitted out loud to Zane. "What hurts?" Zane asked startled by (Y/N)'s reaction, was there a hidden injury he hadn't noticed. "Your hand. It made it hurt." (Y/N) said protectively clutching her right arm.

"I'm sorry. That was not my intent." Zane quickly apologised for causing (Y/N) unintended pain.

"It was as if my nerves were on fire." (Y/N) said out loud. It was not to upset Zane more of describing an unpleasant response. Her eye transfixed on the area within her birthmark that was burning into her skin.

"It was as if it knew you were too close. And was hurting me because of it." (Y/N) said through clenched teeth.

"Knew?" Zane asked trying to understand. What knew? (Y/N) responded with a nod. "I don't know how. Or why it feels like that. But it just does." (Y/N) tried to explain still clutching her forearm. Zane could sense that it was difficult for her to describe.

"I see." Zane said trying to move the conversation on in hopes of getting more information out of her.

"Don't do this." She said shaking her head. "What specifically is it you wish me to cease?" Zane asked. (Y/N) couldn't think beyond the hands that had caused the sudden branding like burning her skin.

"Don't act like you give a brick about me, not when we both know you don't." (Y/N) said shaking her head again. "(Y/N)-" Zane began to speak. "Just don't." (Y/N) quietly interrupted. "You're only doing this because you feel guilty."

"You believe I seek some sort of redemption in the form of care." Zane questioned. "Well, why else would you possibly waste your time on me?" (Y/N) pointed out. "I don't want anything from you." Zane said honestly.

"That's a lovely fairytale." (Y/N) said, with a snort. She knew better than to believe. No one actually wanted to (Y/N) around just for her. They wanted a weapon to fight their battles for them.

Zane seemed completely perplexed. "Why do you doubt my affection for you?" Zane questioned. (Y/N) bit her lip as her own painful memories involuntarily came back to warn her of the dangers of trusting others.

"And for the record (Y/N) I am not offering my help, my care, of any kind, just because I see you weakened." Zane said. (Y/N) frowned, considering so much and continuing to let Zane hold her. Suspicion still flitted through her mind.

"I care for you, (Y/N). Genuinely. There is no pity in my mind." Zane said with a warm smile. "You've been put through all kinds of trauma, thanks to recent events." Zane said stepping out of the bath. "You have actually remained very strong throughout." Zane complemented.

(Y/N) shrugged. "I'm fine, Zane. I'll get over it." (Y/N) said out loud. "Besides I need to get on with things." (Y/N) said dismissively as she took Zane's offered hand to help her step over the rim of the tub.

Once they were both standing they both stood there for a moment, eyes almost level and only inches apart. Under Zane's intense scrutiny, (Y/N) had to fight the urge to scuff her foot against the floor like a guilty little kid. Zane reluctantly let go of (Y/N)'s hand and handed her a towel to dry herself off.

"There are some dry clothing and a bathrobe sitting folded by the sink for you to change into." Zane mentioned before stepping out for a moment for her to change in private.

Zane closed the door with a soft click and turned around. He was not surprised to see Lloyd waiting in the hallway. Lloyd momentarily held his hand out from his side then let it fall back to his side. Lloyd hesitated an unguarded worried expression on his face.

"Is she really going to be okay?" Lloyd softly asked. His eyes flicking to the door then back to Zane. "She's getting there." Zane assured his friend. Lloyd gave a nod that he understood but his facial expression was troubled.

(Y/N) came out of the bathroom with a bathrobe wrapped around her. (Y/N) shivered so Zane pulled the bathrobe further around for her. "Allow me. It is best that you remain properly clothed as you'll need help regulating your body temperature." Zane said with a small smile.

"I won't disagree." (Y/N) mentioned, still shivering slightly. Her body couldn't make up its mind if it was hot or cold. Zane smiled as he finished helping her tighten the cloth belt of the bathrobe and silently deciding that she would be better off getting back into her bed.

"Oh... Lloyd..." (Y/N) said seeing Lloyd standing there awkwardly in the hallway. "Hey, (Y/N)." Lloyd said still quite awkwardly. They hadn't really talked since that day or about what had happened on the bounty.

"Are you okay?" Lloyd asked worried that she was still violently ill and suffering heatstroke and dehydration.

"Fine." (Y/N) grunted in a short reply and Zane went to carry her in his arms.

"Can I ask you something?" (Y/N) asked Lloyd as Zane pulled her comfortably against his chest to ensure her safety.

"Yes." Lloyd answered simply. He was hesitant, almost afraid of what she would ask him.

"Where's Echo?" (Y/N) asked the green ninja.

"I left him at the lighthouse." Lloyd admitted. "You left him there? Alone?" (Y/N) said completely horrified at the thought of Echo being left alone at the lighthouse. Lloyd saw the glance (Y/N) sent his way.

"I didn't have a lot of time, alright? And unless you think I should have dragged him along with us while I took care of you." Lloyd loudly objected. Not knowing why she was so horrified at the thought of Lloyd leaving him behind.

"Leaving him at the lighthouse was the best idea I had. I don't know if you were alright so I had to move quickly." Lloyd added. But it only led to (Y/N) getting more worked up.

"Oh, brick, Echo." (Y/N) gasped in realisation. "(Y/N)." Zane said trying to calm her down. Not wanting her to agitate her illness any further. But it seemed a futile effort.

"Oh Echo. I'm so, so sorry." (Y/N) began muttering to herself. "(Y/N)?" Lloyd tried. "Zane, what's wrong with her?" Lloyd questioned the ice ninja. "I don't know." Zane commented. But began picking up a weird energy signal coming from the area around (Y/N)'s birthmark.

(Y/N) grimaced in pain. "Get out of my way! I'm going back for him!" (Y/N) ordered, shoving Zane to get him to let her go. The strength of the shove was a surprise for the nindroid given (Y/N)'s weakened state causing him to lose his grip and balance causing Zane to both fall and drop (Y/N).

This gave her the opportunity to make it past Lloyd and escape Zane's grasp before they could quickly recover.

"(Y/N)." Zane called out after her a note of desperation in his voice as he kicked his legs out in the air to hop back onto his feet. But (Y/N) wasn't listening. Her mind was laser-focused on finding Echo. Taking long strides covering the distance down the hallway in seconds. And heading straight for the front door of the now newly renamed Wu's Academy.

It was like she couldn't get away from here fast enough. "(Y/N)!" Lloyd shouted after her. (Y/N) didn't answer. Lloyd had just enough time to catch an expression of confusion on Zane's face, clearly, even he didn't understand what (Y/N) was doing. That made two of them.

Zane stared after her retreating figure, uncertain as to why his throat suddenly felt tight.

"(Y/N) stop! What will going back there do? For either of you!?" Lloyd demanded trying to stop her from leaving academy grounds.

(Y/N) stopped a couple of footsteps outside the door, every muscle in her body tense as she turned around. "I died!" (Y/N) screamed at him. Lloyd froze, his eyes widened.

"What?!" Lloyd gasped in horror and Zane froze besides him. The nindroid's words abandoning him at that moment.

Zane could see she was ready to fight or flight at the slightest provocation, even as her eyes narrowed assessing them. Zane raised his hands up in surrender, the movement deliberately slow, so as not to startle her. (Y/N) watching him out of the corner of her eye but not saying anything about it.

There was a short pause before she spoke again. "I died." (Y/N) said in a sombre tone. She heard Lloyd suck in a breath. Lloyd screwed his eyes shut. He didn't want to think about this. Zane braced himself for something truly horrible, but (Y/N)'s next words shocked him to his core.

"I was under the water... It felt so peaceful... It felt so nice and comforting... So I went to sleep..." (Y/N) explained to a horrifying pair.

"Then something had my hand... And when I next woke up Echo had resuscitated me and was carrying me back to the lighthouse..." (Y/N) explained. Her throat closed up and found she couldn't bear to continue this line of conversation.

"And you LEFT him there!" (Y/N) said sharply. Lloyd flinched. The blond's eyes widened and his lower lip wobbled a bit. Tears in the corners of his eyes.

"But-" Lloyd tried to say only to be cut off.

"I don't want to hear it." (Y/N) hissed dangerously. This frightened the green ninja. (Y/N) had never raised her voice like this at him before. It was as though she now saw Lloyd as an enemy.

"Now. Either get out of my way or help." (Y/N) said with determination in her eyes.

Author Notes:

1.) Thank you for reading. Don't neglect to check out all the stories connected to this story. Bizarro Ninja X Reader, Ninjas vs Nexo Knights, Morro's Wish, Alternate and Echo Zane X Reader.

2.) In some prefectures of Japan, including Tokyo, where nude mixed bathing is banned, people are required to wear swimsuits or yugi (for men) or yuami-gi (for women). For the use in Onsen the Japanese name for a hot spring; the term also extends to cover the bathing facilities and traditional inns frequently situated around a hot spring.

3.) As usual, please excuse me for any spelling or grammar mistakes that might be in the chapter. Either way, I hope that you guys enjoyed it nonetheless. Seriously, thank you so much! And to those that actually took their time to read this story.