Unintentional

Chapter 9: Brothers and Sisters

The tense atmosphere that Vania's death created had sustained through the hours that followed the separation of the ninja. It was simply too quiet. But maybe that was for the best. 

Nya's sobs had gradually faded into soft sniffles, Cole had been silently stroking Vania's hair, and Kai had stared out into the trees, flames dancing on his cold fists. The master of fire had tried to ignore the strange feeling that had been creeping up on him for the past hour, though he was now ready to embrace it. He stood up and walked over to Cole. 

"Cole. Can we talk?" The master of earth nodded and gestured for Kai to sit down next to him. Cole kept his eyes on Vania, fearing that if he looked at Kai, he would start crying again. Kai crouched down next to his friend and stared at the lifeless body of the queen of Shintaro. He felt tears form in his eyes, but he shook them away and tried to be strong. For Cole.

"Look, Cole, I just wanted to say that I- I'm here for you. And I'll always be."

"Thanks." Cole smiled gratefully, though he still didn't look up at his friend.

"And, er, I don't really know how to say this, but I feel like you're more of a brother to me than anyone else. More than Jay, and he's my brother-in-law. We've gone through a lot together, and separately, and you've handled it so well. You're my best friend, and I want you to know that we're in this together. The pain, the loss, the grief; I'll be next to you as we get through it all. You are so strong, you know that? I'm sorry that Vania didn't get to spend more time with an amazing person like you." Cole looked at Kai, surprised, and ultimately decided to give him a hug. 

"Thanks, Kai. I'm so lucky to have a brother like you." He saw Nya walking up behind her brother, and he quickly pulled out of Kai's arms.

"Oh, um, hi Nya," Cole said quietly. He looked down at Vania and remembered how the blast of water that had knocked her over. No, don't think about that. It was your own fault, Cole thought to himself. Not Nya's. She hit her, but you pushed her over the edge. Still, Cole had an uncomfortable feeling that the death of his crush was because of the master of water's actions. Nya's eyes filled with tears as she saw Cole avert his gaze and sit down.

"Cole," she blurted out. "Cole, I'm so- I'm so sorry. It was all my fault, I know it. I lost control of my powers, and- and I'm sorry that I did. I'm a terrible ninja and a horrible sister. I'll never forgive myself and you don't have to either. I can't believe- I can't- I can't believe I killed her..." Nya's voice cracked and she broke down. She fell to the ground, her hands over her face, crying hysterically. A moment later, she felt someone wrapping their strong arms around her. She looked up, tears blurring her vision, and saw Cole pick her up and place her in his lap.

"Shhhh, it's okay," he whispered, rocking Nya back and forth in his arms. 

"No," Nya cried, burying her head into Cole's chest. "It's not. It's not fair! You lost so much, and- and I'm usually the one messing it up for you. I'm so sorry, Cole. You can be angry with me. I deserve it more than anyone else in the world." 

"No, you don't," Cole said comfortingly. "You don't deserve anything but happiness. You don't have to worry about me. It was my fault. I knocked her over the edge. I have to deal with what comes with that, and I will. I've done it before, and I'll do it again. You've never done anything wrong to me on purpose, Nya. It has always been an accident, and that happens. It isn't your fault at all. I'll never be mad at you for anything, and like Jay said, I'll make sure no one blames you for anything. Remember when Jay found his true potential? That day, I said I wished I had a sister like you. Now I have one. You're the best sister anyone could ask for, and Kai is lucky as heck to have grown up with you."

Nya sniffed and looked up at Cole, a soft smile on her lips. Cole wiped away her tears with his fingers and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"It's going to be okay in the end," he whispered. "As long as I have my sister and my brothers, I'll be fine."