Where did it all go Wrong?

Chapter 12

(The Ninja go hunting, and Kai notices there seems to be something up with Ranger...
Also, it's been a while since I've done any archery, so please correct me if I get any terms wrong. Enjoy!)

Zane breathed deeply, he slowly reached behind him and pulled out an arrow from his quiver, his body shaking slightly with anticipation. Without the bow, it was just a twig, but when combined it could became a deadly weapon.

Zane nocked the arrow with practiced ease and carefully drew the bowstring, the two limbs curving like a towering wave as it approached the shoreline, rolling in on itself. The dark coloured hen feather tickling his face as he tightly held the grip. He licked his lips cautiously, looking down the broadhead arrow as he focused on his unknowing target. He waited silently until the beast was within range and he had a clear shot. He let the arrow fly, the twang of the bowstring reverberated up his arm, filling him with euphoria.

It whistled slightly as it cut through the air, rustling the leaves as it passed. The arrow hit its mark, the creature's pupils dilated as it realised it didn't have time to run, it's breathing quickened, it's chest rising and falling at a rapid pace and it's ears twitching nervously as it watched. A few moments later, the arrowhead pierced through the animal's fur and tore at it's flesh, drawing dark, crimson liquid that soaked it's pelage as it collapsed to the ground and slowly pooled under it's body.

Zane smiled innocently as the ninja looked between a one-living stag and him, who looked as if he didn't even think twice about murdering such a beautiful creature. The ninja shared a look of concern and shock. They knew what happened when someone hunted, and they were well prepared, but seeing it in reality wasn't something any t.v. show could shine a light on.

"Now I have demonstrated, would you like to have a go?"

They gulped simultaneously at Zane's question before Kai arose, albeit a little shakily,

"I-I'll have a go. I'm the one who wanted to go hunting in the first place." He chuckled nervously as he clutched his own bow in a death grip and approached Zane.

...

Kai was then taught the basics of archery, the foot positions, where to hold the bow and where to hold the string as he drew it. Kai had a bit of trouble getting the arrow to stay put without it veering off to the side, but Ranger calmly instructed Kai through.

"Kai, you must calm down." Ranger said around half an hour later as the fourth animal escaped, "You are an elemental master, like your element you should be strong and unyielding. The fire inside is pent up like a tiger in a zoo. As you release that arrow, feel the wrath and fury of your flames fly as well. Let the arrow be your anchor and the creature, your ocean." Kai let Ranger's words sink in, feeling a new sense of motivation.

A large, brown hare hopped out from a nearby bush, sniffing the air. The tangy aroma of blood drifted on the breeze, but seeing the sheer amount of berries on the bush ahead, it threw caution to the wind and made a daring hop forward.

Kai's heart was doing the conga as he spotted the mammal. He followed Ranger's instructions thoroughly as he aimed the bow at his target. He could feel his muscles burn as he remained with the string pulled, and finally he released. His eyes widened in glee as his arrow hit the bullseye. He fist pumped the air in triumph and Ranger praised him.

Kai couldn't keep grinning all the way back to their current abode. He felt so proud of himself at being able to achieve such a feat.

Unfortunately, the other ninja didn't really think it was suitable to drag a lifeless giant hare and a stag back into the village, so they had to abandon the animal corpses in the forest. But not before Ranger had brutally ripped the arrows out of the dead bodies and put them in his quiver in case they needed it in the future. They had all turned away as Ranger did so, and he still winced at the memory as he travelled back to his room.

It was around ten o'clock at night when they had finally returned, and Kai collapsed on his bed, eager for sleep's welcoming embrace.

It didn't come.

The small clock on his bedside table ticked away, the shorter hand passing by eleven, twelve and one. Smacking his chapped lips together, he decided to get a glass of water from the kitchen downstairs.

The floorboards creaked as he tiptoed into the hall, the artificial lights making Kai's eyes water as he tried to silently pass by Ranger's bedroom.

He could hear a piteous cry coming from inside, and it wrenched at Kai's heart. Forgetting about his mission to obtain a glass of water, he approached Ranger's door and twisted the knob.

The light from the hallway cast into the room, revealing a curled up Ranger in green pyjamas Lloyd had lent him the night before. The boy cried out in his sleep as he clutched tightly onto something. Kai got closer, putting a comforting hand on Ranger's shoulder.

This seemed to help, as his shoulders relaxed and his face looked slightly less taught. His hand loosened just enough for Kai to see what Ranger was holding. It was a scrunched up piece of paper with symbols painted onto its surface. The page seemed to glow with an ominous blue light.

'The symbols and light look familiar. It almost reminds me of-'

Ranger's eyes snapped open, revealing an expression of livid rage. Kai's eyes met his and quickly looked back down at Ranger's now empty hand in bewildered. Ranger's eye twitched and Kai could have sworn his eyes seemed to glow, with what Kai assumed as anger, in the dim light.
Ranger growled,

"Get. Out. Now!"

Kai ran, his body shaking as he locked his door behind him. Now he was sure he wasn't going to get any sleep.

...

Zane snarled as he thought of what had transpired a few minutes ago. It had been dangerously close. Was there a chance Kai had realised he had the scroll?

Zane sneered, 'Unlikely. They may have elemental powers, but the group are thicker than a pile of rocks. They don't hold a candle to my superior knowledge.'

Then, Zane's vision fuzzed slightly and he groaned, knowing what was to come. He thought of the only thing he could do beforehand, and quickly out his plan into action.

A minute later, Zane blinked in confusion. Unaware of anything that had happened since he had arrived back at the hotel. Zane lay back onto his pillows,

'Strange,' he said internally, checking through his systems to see the problem, 'it seems I've been locked out of my own memory banks...' Try all he might, Zane couldn't break the brilliantly coded firewall.

A firewall in his own mind that he couldn't crack? The last time that happened, it was bad news. He thought back to the Ninjigma Puzzle that had contained a piece of the Overlord.
He sighed, maybe it would be best not to have the possibility of releasing another incarnation of evil. Especially at this time of night, he was exhausted.

Zane blinked a few times before his breathing deepened, indicating he had finally drifted off to sleep.