CG250: Here's a special surprise for you, @Theblackorb9. Happy 100 followers!!!  (Literally a special!)  💖💙🧡🐔

"You're wrong about me, Master Wu!  I can still be the Green Ninja!"  Morros' shouts bring you running to Master Wus' room.  You see Morro standing there, his fists clenched, and you silently will him not to start a fight with your beloved Master.  "I'll train more!"  He begs.

Wu sighs sadly.  "I'm sorry, Morro.  The Golden Weapons have spoken."

Morros' eyes harden, and he quivers with rage.  "THEN I REFUSE TO LISTEN!!!"  He bellows.  He grabs the bamboo doors and rips them off of their hinges, then throws them onto the floor.  He stomps to the now-doorless doorway and turns to face Wu again for a moment.  "Y-You made me believe!"  His lip trembles, and his eyes are filled with unshed tears that threaten to spill over at any moment.  He whirls around again and quickly runs off, dabbing at his eyes with the sleeve of his gi as he starts to sob.

You are about to run after him when Wu touches your arm lightly and shakes his head.  "You must give him a moment.  He's had quite an unpleasant shock."  He casts a pitying look over towards the empty doorway.

"Maybe you could manage to speak with him, Master."

"I can only speak with those who are willing to listen, YN.  And at the moment, I do not believe that he would listen to me, though you may have better luck."

"Why would I have better luck?  He's changed.  Ever since you told him that he might have been the Green Ninja, he's become so arrogant.  He's hurt the others during training-"

"-But he's only hurt you once, without meaning to.  Remember, YN?"

You do.  "Yes, of course I remember.  H-He had accidentally cut a gash in my arm, and then he spent the rest of the day fussing over me.  He insisted that I should stay still, and then he cleaned and bandaged it himself.  He never hurt me again after that.  I just don't understand why, when he's so aggressive with everyone else.  Unless..."  Master Wu nods encouragingly at you and smiles, his eyes twinkling with knowing.  "Oh, my First Spinjitzu Master!"  You mutter.  "Do you mean to tell me that-?"

"YN, anyone with half an eye can see that Morro is very, very fond of you!"

You blush.  "-And I rather like him myself.  But what can I do?"

"Go.  Speak to him.  Perhaps you can make him see sense."

You bow to him.  "Yes, Master Wu.  I'll do what I can."  You turn to go.

"YN?"

"Yes, Master?"

"You are an excellent student."  He tells you fondly.

"Thank you, Master!"  You smile happily at him and continue to Morros' room.

Once there, you are startled to hear Morro crying.  You knock on his door softly.  "Morro?"

"Go away, YN.  I don't want you to see me like this."  He sniffs.

"Nonsense!  Just, please let me in, I'm worried about you."  The crying abruptly stops, and the door unlocks and swings open.  Morro peers out at you with puffy red eyes.

"Y-You w-were w-worried ab-bout m-me?"  He stammers.

"Of course I was, you dolt!  I happen to like you very much!"  You move past him and plunk yourself down onto his bed.  After a moments' hesitation, he closes the door and sits down next to you.

"I-I'm sorry that you had to witness my tantrum, YN.  I-It's just-  I thought that I would finally be somebody, a-and then M-Master-"  A fresh tear rolls down his cheek, and you instinctively reach over and brush it off with your fingertips.  He leans towards you and closes his eyes, pressing his cheek against your fingers.  He seems to be greatly comforted by this simple act, so you remain this way for a minute or two.

"Do you want to talk about it?"  You ask gently.

Morro glances up at you, looking conflicted.  "I don't want you to think that I'm weak."

"I won't, believe me."

"Alright, then."  He takes a shaky breath.  "When my parents passed, I had no choice but to hit the streets.  I was so... alone.  I had to steal to survive, and everyone hated me because I was a thief, and ragged, and-"  His voice cracks here, and he swallows before continuing.  "-The townsfolf finally had enough of me and all but chased me away.  T-They drove me out.  I had nowhere to go, and no one to turn to.  So I went up the mountain in desperation.  I was so starved that I ate Master Wus' refuse, and I was glad for it!  When he saw me, I thought that he would send me away for sure, but instead, he invited me into his monastery and fed me.  Nobody had been so kind to me since my..."  He trails off and looks down.

CG250: I was hoping I'd have more time, but...  Wow!  You did it!  I decided to publish this now, but I'll continue it!  (Obviously, or I'd never hear the end of it!)  With love, Blade!  🔪