Nightmares are dreams that nobody wants to have, right?

Well that's not the exception for Kai. For as long as he can remember, he has always had nightmares. Since he lost his parents, the nightmares manifested themselves in fear of being abandoned and left alone in the world.

Being abandoned by everyone Kai knew was the greatest fear of him, to think that he had been useless and a failure with everyone was one of his greatest weaknesses.

He grew up and was raised with the idea that he should be strong and useful enough to the people around him, as was the case with Nya, and after becoming a ninja he made sure that he was useful to the team. He did not give up in fights, or in helping his friends with their problems, besides thinking that he did not need anyone to help him or protect him, he had to grow up and take care of himself, and nothing mattered to him more than taking care of Nya.

But with each passing day, the nightmares were increasing, after ending an epic battle, the nightmares of losing someone of his friends haunted him every night. But it was something that he didn't talk to anyone, he didn't tell Nya, or Lloyd, or Skylor, or any of his friends. All this nightmare stuff was private to him and no one else.

Knowing that the nightmares would still remain in his mind, he tried at first to take sleeping medications, but none of that worked, the nightmares were still there, he even tried to drink Sensei Wu's magic teas, they worked for a while, but his The effect was not lasting, the nightmares still returned.

The only times he relaxed was when Nya slept next to him, since he knew that she was safe, the same with Lloyd, and that sometimes he would watch over his friends while they slept, and they made sure they were safe. they were still okay. Those were the only times that Kai slept peacefully, and that he knew his family was not in danger.

But the nightmares kept increasing every time they faced a dangerous enemy, sometimes in his dreams he saw over and over again Nya being pushed away from him, Wu being eaten by the Great Devourer, Lloyd losing the battle against the Great Tyrant, Zane dying in an explosive mode, Chen hurting Skylor, Garmadon being corrupted again by evil, Lloyd being possessed by Morro, his parents being destroyed by Krux and Acronix, his friends being tormented For mysterious enemies, to the onis destroying Ninjago and all those images were repeated again in his mind and Kai felt that he would go crazy if he did not stop those nightmares once and for all.

He had a lot to do with failing his family, and it was something that he is not going to be able to overcome. It was what he feared most in life, failing his family and friends.

And lately, things have been getting worse and worse.

- Hey, Kai, are you okay? You look very tired - Cole said as he saw the Red Ninja half asleep on the sofa in the monastery game room.

- Yes yes I'm fine. I just... -he yawned as he stretched out on the couch - I stayed up at night doing...some things -

- Having a lack of efficient sleep could not be a good thing for your health, Kai. Maybe you should take a good rest for today, maybe try to get some sleep - Zane says while scanning the status of his friend in red.

Just thinking about going to sleep made Kai's spine tingle, as that meant going back to nightmares again - No, it's okay, Zane, I feel fine - he insisted to his nindroid friend as he showed him a forced smile - I don't feel so tired anyway -

- Really? - Jay questions as he approaches Kai to look at him more closely - Your face seems like you haven't slept in millennia, Kai - he says while touching Kai's face with his index finger, much to Kai's annoyance. If only Jay wasn't his sister's boyfriend right now.

- Hey - she said as she removed Jay from the front - I told you I'm fine. Why do they worry so much? Not that they were my surrogate mothers - he replied half sarcastic as he received more looks from them than he did with him.

- We may not be your "surrogate mothers", but still we worry, brother - Nya says as she stands next to her brother.

- Hey, hey, calm down, will you? Just for having a sleepless night does not mean that I am very tired now, I assure you, I'm fine, there is no reason to worry - I assure you as he got up from the sofa and left the room - Come on, "moms", you have to go out to train otherwise Sensei Wu will punish us with more extra training -

Just when Kai left the room Lloyd had arrived with them and he could see the worried looks his friends made with Kai.

- Um...what did I miss? - He asks somewhat confused when looking at everyone.

-Kai - Cole confirms - Today he woke up somewhat tired, it was as if he had had a bad night -

- He said he stayed up doing some things, but he didn't tell us "what" exactly - Jay said.

- Scan his physical state, and I managed to see that his mental and physical state were not very good to say, that is due to the recurrent lack of sleep - Zane replied when he saw the images of the scans and studies in his sight by Kai.

- Well, sometimes you wake up tired, right? But if he was like this, why didn't they tell him to go rest? We can continue with the training without him, and I'm sure Uncle Wu will understand - Lloyd said as he continued to look at everyone.

-We told him - Cole affirms - But you know how he is, he is very stubborn -

- I have known Kai for a long time, and I know when he is not well, I fear that this affecting him will do more harm, he has already been like this since last week, and I am reoccupying myself with him more and more. But it bothers me that he doesn't tell any of us -

- That's Kai for you - Jay says as he leaves the room with the others.

- Hey - Lloyd starts by stopping Nya - I know Kai hasn't looked good for a few days, but you know how he is, he doesn't let his feelings or emotions show much, if he wants to talk, you have to let him drink his time, and when he's ready, he'll talk to us. You will see that very soon he will return to do the person of before - he says, trying to sound good so that Nya feels good for Kai.

- I know, but I'm afraid this is keeping it forever. I just want him to be okay, it's the only thing I wish for him -

- I know he will be fine, you just have to give him his space -

Making that clear, they all completed their training with his sensei, then completed their daily patrol around Ninjago city. After completing their day, night fell and everyone was in their rooms sleeping peacefully, all except a certain Red Ninja, who rolled several times on his bed while the sweat slid down his forehead and let out slight uncomfortable moans.

In a quick movement, he jumped up from his bed and began to breathe heavily as he sat slowly on his bed, he slowly caught his breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead, letting out a long sigh, he looked at his watch he saw that it was the 2:30 in the morning, it was still late, surely Kai knew that the others were still sound asleep.

He had the same nightmare as always, he must be used to all this by now.

Getting up from his bed she left his room and began to check all the rooms just to make sure they were okay, he could see that his friends were okay, Nya was sleeping peacefully just like Lloyd.

What Kai did not know is that when he closed Lloyd's door, the young Green Ninja woke up and saw someone close the door on him.

Kai's heart relaxed knowing that at least his brothers were fine, but not wanting to go back to his room, he went to the living room and sat on the sofa, he could turn on the TV and not sleep for the rest of the night, but He knew that television might bore him and he would fall asleep again, and it was something he did not want to do now.

Sighing heavily he touched the fountain of his nose and leaned back on the sofa - Heavens...this shouldn't be happening -

- Kai? - A voice was heard at the entrance of the room. This surprised Kai, and seeing that it was Lloyd he relaxed a bit.

- Lloyd? What are you doing awake at this time? Shouldn't you be sleeping, young man? - Seeing his honorary younger brother was something that Kai was not expecting, since in the past Kai and the others had given Lloyd a very stable sleep schedule for the young Green Ninja.

- Well, I saw that you were in my room at the beginning and I assumed that something was wrong. Are you okay? - He asks as he sits next to Kai.

- Y-Yes, if I'm fine, I just had...some insomnia -

Saying that, Kai could see how Lloyd looked at him with some suspicion, should he tell him the truth? Maybe it's a bad idea, the boy had already been through a lot, and more because of his supposed reunion with his grandfather in the afterlife, maybe it's better not to tell Lloyd about his nightmares. Kai didn't want the boy to have any more problems on his mind.

- Hey, it's okay if you don't want to tell me. I understand it, it's just that we've all been worried about you that, I'm afraid you don't want to tell us, I think maybe you don't trust us anymore. I know you don't like to share your emotions or feelings with others, but still, you know that I and the others are here for you, okay? -

Hearing that, Kai thought how much he has been holding back his problems with others, he thought he was protecting them, but it was the opposite, he was only worrying them more. Maybe hiding the nightmares from him was hurting himself as well as others.

Seeing Lloyd's emerald eyes made him realize his mistake, part of the fact that he couldn't resist that look from his younger brother.

Kai took a deep breath and looked into Lloyd's eyes - I know this must have been said a long time ago, I should have even said it to Nya, but I didn't have the strength to do it, I didn't want anyone to worry about something so childish, I...I have been having nightmares... and many, since I can remember. But lately they got worse and worse and I...I...I don't know what to do anymore -

- Have you had nightmares and haven't told anyone? - Asked surprised, but also in a worried way, Lloyd as he looked at Kai.

- Yes... Yes, I know it sounds childish and silly but lately they have been affecting me a lot, I have secretly taken medications to sleep better, I even took Wu's teas to at least sleep better and without dreams, they worked for a while, but the nightmares still came back and I don't know what to do anymore. Even now I fear going back to sleep -

By taking a good look at Kai, Lloyd did not know what to say, he knew that Kai grew up without receiving the help of someone who at least took care of him in his childhood, all those who had by his side sometimes abandoned him, and maybe it is something with him. that he had to face at such a young age. It was pretty much the same thing Lloyd went through, and he knew it very well.

- Hey, what you're feeling now isn't childish at all, we've all had nightmares, but you...you really don't look very good. I know you don't like to talk about it, but I know what it feels like not to sleep with nightmares haunting your mind, after what happened with Morro, you see a lot of bad memories of his possession, but at least you and the others helped me to overcome it -

- I know, but my case is different, all this started since Krux took my parents, and they increased every time we beat a crazy villain, the only thing that reassured me was knowing that at least you were okay. But ... I don't even know what it's like to have a good Mr. Lloyd, I've had many nightmares that even terrify sleeping, and they are almost always the same nightmares -

- I think he should have told us about this a long time ago, don't you think? - Says Lloyd.

- Yes, I think you're right - Kai admits harshly - But...I'm supposed to be the Red Ninja, Lloyd, I'm the Master of Fire, I shouldn't be afraid of some silly nightmares, I'm supposed to be strong for him! team! If any of you are in trouble, I will not hesitate to help and protect you, I am Nya's older brother, I must be strong for her. I became a Ninja just so I could keep her safe, I saved you a number of times, I forged the golden weapons again myself so I could defeat the Onis, and even when I thought we lost Cole, I was willing to jump into it. the dark cloud and retrieve it. I have won hundreds of battles, Lloyd...but the battle I can never win is with myself, because no matter how hard I try, the nightmares of fear of losing all of you and failing, is what scares me the most in the whole world -

Lloyd's eyes widened when he heard all that from Kai, I never imagine that his best friend was going through all this, if he had only noticed it for a long time, maybe this would not be hurting Kai much. All this time living and growing with him, and she never realized his suffering. Since he was a child, Lloyd always wanted to be like the ninjas, but more like Kai, he was one of the ninjas that I admire the most, since he liked to see how Kai was one of the strongest fighters of the team, in addition to being the bravest of all. He had admired him so much since he was little that he was proud to call him "big brother."

Kai had helped him so much that now it was Lloyd's turn to help him.

- You know? - Lloyd begins calmly as he sat next to him - I still remember that you protected me from the imaginary monsters that lurked in my closet or under my bed, and even from my nightmares, you always let me sleep next to you and I was no longer afraid, for u was with you and the boys -

- I find it curious that you still remember him - he said, looking at him and showing a bitter smile - After all, I was the one who taught you to be brave, right? Now look at me, being afraid of some simple nightmares - he passed a maso through his tousled hair and looked away - I'm not as brave as you and others think... -

- Either true, he has done a lot for us, you have saved and protected us in many situations. You are one of the bravest people I know - says Lloyd, showing him a smile.

- I'm sorry, Lloyd, I know I should have talked about this with some of you a long time ago but... - the words stuck in his throat - It's just that... - tried to say it, but couldn't.

- Kai? - Lloyd seems even more concerned about Kai.

Sighing, look at Lloyd again - Every night...I have the same dream...all this happens with the simple fact that I...couldn't...save you, Skylor, my parents and our other friends...you were all gone and I...I...I was left alone, with no one by my side, everything turned to ashes, Ninjago was destroyed and I couldn't do anything to prevent it. Feeling like I had failed all of you and Ninjago is my biggest nightmare -

Lloyd bit his lower lip upon hearing this - Hey, we're all still here, and we're not going anywhere, everything is fine - he said as he placed his hand on Kai's shoulder - We are all fine, me, Nya, Jay, Cole, Zane, Sensei Wu, your parents, Skylor, our friends, we are all fine, and so is Ninjago. You do not have to be afraid -

- I know, but what I fear most is that all this will come true one day, it is the same dream, but with different circumstances, what if it comes true? What if my dreams were the warning of something? This has already happened many times with Zane, and I don't know if you have had prophetic dreams, but honestly, I feel worried about all this -

- Hey, none of that is going to happen, they are just dreams, Zane's is something different, and I don't remember having dreams that show the future or something like that, but I know that's not going to happen. All that just happens in your mind, nothing is real, okay? -

- Why so sure? - She asks as she raises one of her eyebrows with Lloyd.

- Because even if you think that you cannot save us, I will continue to trust you.

Showing a sarcastic little smile, Kai looked back at Lloyd - You shouldn't be able to trust me that much, dwarf. I'm not someone to be trusted, but, thanks for the trust - Lloyd knew that what Kai said was already sarcasm, but even so he feels good to see a small smile on Kai. But from one moment to another he felt Kai's hand ruffling his hair.

- Hears! - Lloyd laughs as he removes Kai's hand from his hair - No one is going to ruin my hair -

- Wow, it seems that someone inherited my stubbornness to have good hair -

- What can I say? Sometimes I like to look cool -

Very soon Lloyd noticed how tired Kai was now, he could see how tired and exhausted he was, barely and now he hates keeping his eyes open. But the fact was that even Kai didn't want to sleep, he was still afraid that nightmares would appear in his dreams. But seeing that at least Lloyd was still next to him reassured him enough, that was the only thing that seemed to calm his heart.

"They are fine" Kai repeated mentally in his mind over and over again to avoid worrying more.

- Wait - Lloyd gets up from his place and picks up a blanket that was nearby on one of the tables in the room - Here you go - Lloyd places the blanket around Kai as he sits closer to the Red Ninja - Why don't you try to sleep now? don't worry, I'll be here with you all night if need be -

Just seeing Lloyd's confident smile, Kai felt sure that nothing bad would happen, he slowly settled into Lloyd's lap, who had no trouble letting his friend snuggle close to him, Lloyd tucked him in a little better with the blanket and began to gently rub Kai's back. Slowly, but surely, his eyelids were closing little by little.

Soon enough, Kai fell back into a deep sleep.

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Kai woke up once again startled as he tried to find out where he was, it was not long before he remembered that he had stayed in the living room next to Lloyd, who also woke up and soothed him by gently rubbing his back.

- Hey, calm down, Kai. Everything is fine, we are all fine, you are safe. Go back to sleep, okay? - Says Lloyd as he showed a sincere smile to his friend.

Kai, knowing that everything was fine, went back to sleep peacefully, again he plunged back into the world of dreams, Lloyd was satisfied to see his brother asleep again.

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As soon as the day arrived, everyone had gotten up to start their new day, but when they got to the living room they were surprised to see Lloyd sitting on the couch still in his pajamas and with Kai lying on his lap sound asleep and without any inconvenience. It looked like he was having a peaceful sleep, and it was a relief to see that his friend in red was finally sleeping well in a long time. Even Nya felt good seeing how her older brother looked so peaceful sleeping, that worry that she felt in her chest had finally faded.

Lloyd signaled everyone to be quiet so he wouldn't wake Kai. The boys listened to Lloyd and slowly left the room without making much noise, seeing that Kai was sleeping well made everyone rejoice.

Finally, after a long time, the Red Ninja, Master of Fire, had a good sleep and without any nightmares this time.