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The team were in one of those post-big-battle moods where they really didn't have the motivation to train and instead spent their time lounging around the monastery playing video games, eating junk food, and relaxing, either by sleeping or soaking in the hot tub.
Wu was getting after them to do literally anything else. It was Jay who suggested ice skating. He'd directed his suggestion at Nya and definitely hadn't meant for the rest of the ninja to tag along but it happened anyway.
The indoor rinks were too crowded so they went to the lake instead. It was only autumn, too early for the lake to be frozen, but with the master of ice around that wasn't a problem. The group dawned their skates and set out on the ice. Jay and Nya skated hand-in-hand, turning it into a whole figure skating routine. Zane and Lloyd chose to show off as well and would forever deny using their powers to cheat. At first, Cole hung back with Kai, trying to help him stay on his feet. Kai almost falls and Cole rushed to catch him. Kai pulled away from him with a mumbled thanks before telling him he didn't need help. The master of earth hesitantly left but still watched him out of the corner of his eye.
Kai saw just as good on ice skates as he was on rollerblades. It was all he could do to keep himself from falling. He wished he hadn't pushed Cole away but he wasn't about to admit that. So he carefully skated in the same spot back and forth and in a small circle. He almost slipped and stomped his foot in frustration which actually did cause him to fall. Groaning Kai tried to sit up. The ice creaked under him and he froze it was gonna break. The ice was gonna break and he'd be plunged into the cold water underneath. The ice creaked again and he realized with a start that his body temperature had risen, he was gonna melt the ice if wasn't careful.
Slowly Kai tried to slide over the ice to the shore, to safety. This proved to be a bad idea as the ice broke under his weight and still too high body heat. Kai barely had time to scream before he was underwater. Kai struggled, trying to get to the surface but he was panicking and he hadn't taken a breath so his lungs were already burning with the need to enhale. He held his breath for as long as he could but he was getting weaker and the surface was getting further and further away. Finally, he gave in and took a breath. The water rushed into his lungs and he choked. He struggled with renewed vigor but the surface didn't seem to get any closer. Black flooded the edge of his vision. He was going to die. The black completely consumed his vision and he lost consciousness.
~
Kai was coughing before he even registered that he was awake, alive. Someone turned him on his side, a hand rubbed his back, and there were voices, muffled but clearly relieved. When he stops coughing he rolled onto his back and opened his eyes. Cole's face was the first thing Kai focused on but it only took a second to realize the rest of the team was there too. Cole said something but Kai's ears must still be full of water because he can't hear him. His jaw and up to his ears hurt a lot too.
He pushed himself into a sitting position. Zane's voice broke through whatever was preventing him from hearing telling him to take it easy, Kai waved him off, he didn't want to lay on the ground all day. Cole rushed to help him when he tried to stand and this time he didn't push him away. “We should probably get you back to the monastery,” Cole said.
~
The drive back was full of the ninja sending different glances at Kai. Cole, Lloyd, and Nya’s were concerned, Jay’s was guilty, and Zane’s were casual, the type he always sent his teammates after something happens, as if he were making sure whoever it was was fine but wasn’t particularly worried that they weren't. Kai mostly ignored them all, his chest hurt, he was tired and cold and he just wanted to go to his room cuddle up with blankets on his bed and forget any of this happened. At least his jaw and ears didn’t hurt anymore. But he couldn't help but look over at Jay, he had no idea why he would be feeling guilty, it wasn’t his fault.
When they got back to the monastery Kai felt even more exhausted, he’d gotten used to climbing the steps up the mountain but apparently almost drowning made it a lot more difficult. Kai made a beeline for the bedroom where he quickly changed. Before he could get into bed, however, Jay appeared in the doorway. He nervously played with his hands until Kai rolled his eyes, “you can come in, it's your room too.” Jay nodded but didn't move. Kai sighed, and walked over to him, he put a hand on his shoulder to make Jay look at him, “I’m fine. I don't know why you're feeling guilty about this but it wasn't your fault.”
“But I was the one who suggested we go ice skating in the first place,” Jay argued.
“Yeah, but you didn't even mean for it to be all of us so, no, not your fault. Stop beating yourself up about it, ok?” Kai gave him a reassuring smile which Jay, thankfully, returned.
After Jay left Kai practically jumped into his bed, pulling the blanket around his shoulders. Cole entered the room then carrying a steaming mug of what Kai hoped was hot chocolate. He handed Kai the mug and carefully settled down next to him. “Are you sure you’re ok?” Cole asked.
Kai chucked, “I'm fine, Cole. Just a little cold.” Cole hummed and wrapped his arms around the fire ninja. Kai happily drank his hot chocolate and cuddled against Cole’s chest. Yeah almost drowning sucked but the aftermath wasn’t so bad.