(WARNING: Contains things that may be triggering to certain viewers, inclusive of, but not limited to, mild violence and implied abuse.)

Y/N's POV 

"Are you sure that's what happened?" Kai asks. 

"Yeah Y/N a lot of things were going on at the time." Jay crosses his arms. 

"Anyone could've mistaken it." Cole tells me. 

"It sounds highly unlikely that Harumi would save your life." Zane adds. 

I put my hands on my hips. "I'm sure of it! She literally jumped in front of me and told the attacker that he'd have to go through her to kill me!" 

"Maybe it was code." Cole says thoughtfully. "She could be signalling she is working undercover for them." 

"Ha! Thought of that one yet?" Jay agrees. 

"But then she shot him. How would that signal 'allies'? Thought of that yet?" I shoot back. 

"Y/N does make a good point." Zane analyzes. We were on a break from salvaging what we could from the Desinty's Bounty. Lloyd, Pixal, and Nya had gotten back to work, not wanting to hear us argue in circles, and Misako and Wu were watching Harumi for now. Later, they'd have to go back to Steep Wisdom, and Jay and I would head to the junkyard for parts. We were supposed to be working but here we are, bickering like babies. 

"Well, the important thing is that Y/N is alive." Kai brings a voice of reason to try and end the argument, but I am in no mood to close this case yet. Not until I make a point. The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them. "No--the important thing is that you need to accept Harumi isn't the world's worst person! She's been through stuff too and can still choose to do good if she wants! She saved me, and it was a conscious decision. I don't care what you say, she saved my life!" I storm off, heated up. 

"Didn't go well in there, did it?" Nya asks, and I cross my arms. "They just can't accept she saved me! I know what I saw!" 

"I know." She comforts me. "I still haven't forgiven her, but I'm grateful she saved you." 

"You believe me?"

"Of course." Nya turns to her work. "You're smart and sensible, I can trust that what you say you saw really happened. You're honest and have a good perception of things that go on." 

I smile, my steam slowly leaving. "Thanks, Nya. You're a real one." 

"No problem Y/N. Anytime." 

\/\/\/\/\/\

"C'mon Y/N, it's time to go." Jay tells me, and I just nod. I haven't forgiven him yet. I mean, he's my brother, I should look past this stuff, but I can't shake off the fact they just won't believe me. It really bothers me. He sighs. "Listen, if it's about--"

I cut him off. "I get it. It's hard to look past a person who has done a bunch of horrible things but she really did save me. I don't care what you think. I know what I saw and experienced." 

"I was going to say. . . I believe you, and I'm sorry for not sticking up for you earlier." Jay rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. "Just, be safe, okay?" He pulls me into a hug, and I can't help immediately forgiving him. "Okay." I whisper. We get into a large truck-like vehicle designed for carrying big loads, and we're off to the junkyard. 

As soon as we walk inside, we're embraced. "Oh, Ed, I told you he'd visit with Y/N." Edna beams, and Ed smiles. "Good to see you sport, you too sweetheart." I smile at the people who took me in. They're like my parents now. "It's great to see you guys again, too. I've missed you." 

"Me too." Jay nods, "But--" 

"Aww, did you hear that Ed? They miss us." Ed pulls Edna in for a side hug as they gaze at us. "Yes I did Edna. But I think Jay has something to say?"

"Yes, I--" 

"And how's Nya, honey?" Edna jabbers on, and I bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing. Jay's face turns red, and he glares at me. "She's fine, mom, but--" 

"What about you Y/N? Found Mister Perfect yet?" Now it's my turn to blush and glare at Jay. "No, I--" 

"Well, I'm sure you will, honey. I remember when Ed and I met--" 

"Mom!" Jay says. "Sorry, but we're on a bit of a tight schedule. See, there was this whole attack thing and we need some spare parts to repair the Bounty." 

"Oh, we've got some of those, don't we, Ed?" Edna asks. 

"We sure do, sweetie." Ed nods, "Help yourselves." 

We collect everything we need and load it onto the truck. We bid goodbye to Ed and Edna and drive back to the Bounty. We unload, and I decide to check on Harumi. Since Master Wu and Misako are off again, I wonder who's been taking care of her. 

But nothing could prepare me for what came next. 

Harumi is still in the cave, but she's gagged and bound with ropes that tie her hands behind her back and hold her feet together. "Harumi!" I gasp, looking around for something sharp. I find one of the ninja's knives in a pile and grab it, rushing to where she was. I cut the gag and ropes deftly. "What happened? Are you okay?" I note scrapes on both knees and a bruise under her right eye. 

"I was going to walk out to stretch my legs--your S-Sensei said I didn't have to stay in here. I was going to help r-rebuild the ship, I grabbed some tool, trying to figure out how to work it. . . Then they came at me, they yelled and bound me, they didn't listen to what I was trying to say. . . Oh Y-Y/N. . ." Tears spill down Harumi's cheeks. I pull her in for a hug. "Oh I'm sorry. . . I'm so sorry, Ru--" I hold her close. I was about to say "Rumi", but I thought that would bring back too many memories, so I shorten the nickname to my own liking. 

"It's going to be okay. I won't let anyone else hurt you." I pull back to examine her again. I wash out the scrapes in her knees real quick, which actually look deeper than they appear to be, and bandage them because being out here in the open could give them infection. I fight the urge to cry, because it wasn't fair, what the ninja had done. "Who did it?"

"I-I don't think they meant to hurt me, just bind me up." She whispers, like a child who was defending abusive parents. It almost looks like she is in a different place, now.

"Okay, but which of the ninja did it to you?" 

"It wasn't the ninja." She whispers softly, and suddenly I'm confused. "It was them. They were right there, all over again. . ." She shudders. 

"Who? Who was there?" I demand. I need to know. Harumi's eyes are glazed over, and she seems to be looking far beyond what I can see. Her voice is calm now, as it speaks familiar words. 

"The people who raised me. The Royal Family, the Emperor and Empress." 

(1,204 words! Today's chapter picture is not Ninjago I'm aware. . . But I wanted to share that beautiful moment ;) Get why her nickname is Ru, for R U Mine? Lame I know, lol. Cliffhanger again--next chapter is roleplay. Later flames! -Ash)