Lloyd shivered, pulling his green gi tighter around his thin frame. The heat emanating from the volcano below couldn't penetrate the chilling wind that whistled through the volcanic rock formations. He huddled closer to Kai, whose fiery red... fire seemed to emanate a faint warmth.

"Okay," Kai declared, his voice gruff with the cold, "whoever finds shelter first gets bragging rights." He scanned the desolate landscape, his eyes searching for any sign of a cave or overhang.

Cole, ever the pragmatist, knelt down and started sifting through the volcanic ash. "Forget bragging rights," he muttered. "We need to find something, anything, that can offer some protection. And maybe some firewood while we're at it."

They continued their search in silence, the only sounds the howling wind and the crunch of volcanic ash beneath their feet. Just as Lloyd felt his hope start to dwindle, a glint of metal caught his eye. He pointed towards a rocky outcrop a few meters away.

"Hey, guys! Look!" Lloyd exclaimed, a flicker of excitement breaking through the cold despair.

Kai and Cole followed his gaze, their eyes widening in recognition. Embedded in the rock face, glinting defiantly in the harsh sunlight, was a familiar silver sword.

"Nya's sword!" Kai exclaimed, his voice laced with a mixture of relief and concern. "Lloyd, you're sure?"

Lloyd nodded, running towards the embedded weapon. "Positive. She must have been here!"

Suddenly, a blur of blue streaked across the ashen sky, landing with a metallic thud beside them. Zane, his usually emotionless face etched with worry, addressed them in a clipped tone.

" Me, Jay and Nya have located a cave" he announced. "Unfortunately, Nya is not in good health. She appears to have contracted some sort of respiratory illness due to the volcanic ash exposure."

Kai's face contorted in shock. "My sister is sick?! In this... this..." He sputtered, unable to find the words to describe the desolate, treacherous landscape that surrounded them.

"We need to get back to her," Lloyd stated, his voice firm despite the tremor of fear running through him. "She can't stay up there alone, not with the storm approaching."

Cole, ever the voice of reason, interjected. "Hold on, Lloyd. It's a blizzard brewing out there, not a picnic. We need a plan. Zane, can you scan the area for any signs of shelter closer to Nya's location?"

Zane's eyes narrowed as he activated his visor. "There is a possibility... a small cave not far from where I left the couple."

A flicker of hope ignited in Kai's eyes. "Then that's where we're going. We need to get Nya out of this weather and get her some help." The he paused. " And make sure Jay's not freaking out."

Without further ado, the four ninja set off, the approaching storm a dark, ominous cloud hanging in the sky. They moved with a renewed sense of purpose, the icy wind whipping at their backs, but their hearts burning with the determination to reach their teammate and friend.

______________________

" Jayyyyyyyyyyyy, we're hoooome!" Kai called into the cave.

There was no answer. Nya, though, was peacefully eating soup.

" Nya!" Kai yelled, running to her.

Nya looked up. " Kai!" She yelled back, enveloping her brother in a big bear hug.

"I was so worried! Zane told us you were sick..."

His voice trailed off as Nya winced slightly at the crushing embrace. A playful smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Easy there, Kai. I'm alright, see?" She gestured to the empty soup bowl. "Thanks for the soup, Zane."

Zane gave her a curt nod. "Glad it helped. Your recovery is our top priority."

Kai, finally releasing his sister from his hold, turned towards the cave entrance. A shiver ran down his spine as he saw Jay framed against the backdrop of the raging storm, his brown hair plastered to his forehead and a look of pure terror etched on his face.

"Jay!" Kai bellowed over the wind. "Get in here, you blockhead!"

Jay sprinted towards the cave, his face a mask of relief as he finally reached them. He collapsed onto the ground next to Nya, burying his face in her shoulder.

"Oh, Nya," he mumbled, his voice thick with emotion. "I was so scared. I thought..." He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Nya reached out and patted his shaking arm with a comforting hand. "Hey," she said softly. "I'm okay now. Thanks to Zane and all of you for finding us."

A warm smile spread across Zane's metallic face. "The credit for locating the cave system goes to me," he stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Cole, who had just finished stoking the fire, chuckled. "Easy there, Zane. We all played a part. Now, how about we let Nya rest and figure out the next steps when the storm clears?"

(Yeah yeah I know it's been a year and more since I updated this old thing)