Y/N's POV 

"Hey, Nya, do you have a moment?" I ask, poking my head around the corner. Her bedroom door is wide open, and she sits on the bed, cleaning off a sword. 

"Of course, Y/N. Come in." She motions me inside, setting aside the weapon. I flop on the bed and close my eyes. Nya and I have been friends since the day we met. We took off, finding similarities and things to talk about instantly. We'd have our girl talk, anywhere from ranting to crying to weapons to boys. She'd talk to me about my brother Jay, and yeah, sometimes I did ask her about Kai. We would never spill each other's secrets. 

"So, what's bothering you?" Another thing about her is that even though she isn't a nindroid and can scan me like Zane or Pixal, she typically understands my emotional states. 

"It's Harumi. She's so confusing. She'll either be so mean and awful, then she'll be on the verge of almost being just a little nice but shut off again. This job is near impossible. Like I even got her clothes and stuff. Literally basically all the essentials and she can't even say thanks. There's no way I'll ever be able to get her to talk about the Sons of Garmadon or any valuable information. Sure, I hate her, but I have tried so hard to push my emotions down that it's not like I'm abusing her in any sort of way. She's so lucky the people who have hurt her have taken her in, anyways!" I spit angrily. 

"Is that what you're really angry about?" Nya asks, placing a hand on my shoulder. I shake my head. Sure, that's upsetting me, but I could have ranted to anyone about this. There's a reason I came to Nya specifically. 

"I feel so useless, running back and forth and watching Harumi while you guys are out there fighting a real enemy. I feel like. . . Like I'm not as important." I sniffle. "I've always been the add-on. Even you found something in being Samurai X and now you're the water ninja. But here I am, with no powers and no use." I slouch, a tear running down my cheek. 

"I know anyone can say this, but Y/N Walker, you are very important here. What you do doesn't define your use. It's who you are." Nya looks me in the eyes. "I struggled with my identity and worth for so long--and honestly, sometimes I still do. I always felt like the insignificant girl, Kai's sister, Jay's girlfriend, but then I was Samurai X. I had something. Just as I settled into that role, it was ripped like a rug out from under me. All of a sudden, I'm supposed to be this water ninja. It was such a shock to me. I didn't feel like I could be, but I am. But I was constantly reminded of Samurai X, and it took forever for me to move on from that. Sometimes I still miss those days, but I've found satisfaction in who I am now."

"Yeah. The master of water, an amazing fighter who has amazing powers and can stop evil with her amazing powers." I say dryly. 

"No." In surprise, my eyes flash open. "Huh?"

"I am the water ninja, but I'm something even greater than that. I am a girl who is willing to stand up for herself and what she believes. I'm a fighter, inside and out. I am a strong person who knows who she is and that she is valued by her friends and family. That's what counts, Y/N. Not if you can fight of villains. Not if you have powers. And definitely not how useless or useful you think you are." 

I blink. "Wow. . . You're right, Nya. Thank you so much." We hug. She was like my sister, and one day she would be my sister-in-law, anyways. "Uh, one more question." 

"Shoot." 

"It's about Kai. . ." I trail off. Yeah, I hadn't really decided who I liked the most. Kai, Cole, and even Lloyd were on my list. 

"I can see it." She winks, and I smile. "On a more serious note, I'm sure you'll figure it out."

"With Kai? I sure hope so. I wonder what he--" 

"I meant Harumi." Nya giggles. "I'm sure you'll figure out how to get the job done. You always do." My cheeks turn pink. "Yeah, okay--thanks again, Nya." I walk out. Guess it's time to go check on the princess. 

Harumi's POV

I hear a knock at the door. "Come in." I call. It's no surprise it's Y/N. I don't get any other vistitors besides her now that Sensei and Misako are off doing something to fix that stupid Steep Wisdom shop. Y/N is holding what appears to be a piece of round meat sandwiched between two pieces of bread. There's lettuce and tomato and cheese on it, and condiments in little cups on the side. A cheeseburger. I hadn't had one since, well, since before my parents died. The castle cooks never made such messy foods, and when I was working with the Sons of Garmadon, we didn't typically get fast food. I see there's also fries and a cup of ice cold water. 

"A little late for lunch and too early for dinner. . . So a linner!" Y/N hands it to me with a grin. My confused look makes her add, "A mix of lunch and dinner?" She sips her water, sitting down in the chair. 

"Oh. . . Well thanks." Y/N chokes a little on her water as she hears my awkward politeness. "Oh umm, you're welcome!" She wipes water from her mouth with the sleeve of her hoodie. She's dressed in a pair of leggings and a hoodie, her hair up. "I know this is just your second day here, but I hope you're not too upset about your current state. The handcuffs you were brought in with left some marks, didn't they? How are your wrists feeling?" 

I'm surprised by the question, about how close she's paying attention to me, but why should I be? She's been nothing but kind for as long as I've been here, even though I know she hates me still. I wouldn't blame her if she never forgave me. "Better, I suppose." I reply, glancing down at the marks that were fading away. 

"That's good." She responds. "Let me know if you need anything else. I can't promise I can get you everything you want or need, but I'll do my best. Do you want me to leave you alone for a while or stay while you eat?" 

"You can do whatever you want, can't you?" I ask, an eyebrow arched. She nods, "Yeah, but I'm asking you what you want." I ponder this for a moment. Then I sigh. "You might as well stay. It's your job, isn't it?" Plus, it did get a bit lonesome without her. . . Even if she could be very annoying. 

"Okay." Y/N nods. "Why don't we start again? What's your favorite color? If you remember, mine is F/C(s)."

"Purple and green." I reply begrudgingly, biting into my burger. She nods. "Do you like to read?" I nod and add, "Only specific genres, though. Action and horror, some romance, a little bit of sci-i or fantasy if it's good." 

"That's cool." Y/N nods. "I could try to find you some books to pass the time, if you'd like." I nod again, nibbling on a fry. Y/N seems pleased at my current behavior. Part of me is happy but the other part of me stirs up my pride inside. I try to shove it down, telling myself getting books would be of my personal gain, anyways. 

"I'm also trying to figure out how and when you'd be able to leave this room. It's got to get boring in here." Y/N tells me, but I would prefer this stark room in contrast to the palace I grew up in any day. "There's not many places to go now though, I mean, we're on a flying ship." She gives me a smile, and my stomach does a flip. I shouldn't be receiving this kind behavior. I don't deserve it, I think. So I nod again. 

"Did you like it?" She nods to my plate, which I realize is empty. I guess I ate faster than I thought. "Mhmm." I reply as I sip the last of the water. 

"This is for you." I almost choke as she hands me a bell. "Ring it if you need something. Please don't overuse it. You know, if you need water or if you're hungry or want company." She tells me, and I know if I abuse this privilege it will be revoked. 

"I'm glad we've reached an understanding." Y/N smiles, and honestly, I'm glad too. 

That was when we heard the explosion. 

(1,493 words! Haha, hoped you liked the cliffhanger! The picture is supposed to be Nya lol since she's in this chapter a lot--I messed up on some of the skin and I lost my colored pencil eraser so I couldn't make it perfect sorry :( Til next time my little flames! -Ash)