The Crazy Art Called Love

1 | Palace Problems

Just to be clear, I'm tweaking the plot so if you guys find Master Wu and Pixal, that is completely intentional to fit the story line. Carry on!

++++++++++++

~~Harumi's POV~~

I wave goodbye to Vania who just dropped me off in front of my adoptive parent's house. Yes, my adoptive parents, not mine. See I was adopted by the Royal Family of Ninjago when my real mother and father passed away a few years ago. Of course, not many knew of our existence, and no one knew I was the princess, but that was not the case inside the palace. Everyone has a role to play and a role to fulfill. I, for one, am not doing my share for many reasons.

"Princess Harumi. What on earth are you doing out here?" Hutchins, the royal adviser, was now standing in front of the palace doors with his arms behind his back. His facial expression showed that he was truly disappointed in me. Like everyone in this family is.

"I was coming back from the library with a friend." I lied through my teeth, now grateful that I changed clothes in Vania's car.

But what choice did I have? It's not like they would ever let me go to the beach. And if I wanted a chance to live a normal life, sneaking out is the best I could do.

"You know the rules, Princess. You are not to leave this palace without any guards." He recited the phrase from the same paragraph the Emperor and Empress had me memorize throughout my childhood.

"I know. I'm sorry." I quickly place a sorry expression on my face and said those words as best as I could. Hutchins sighs and I knew I had won over his pity. "I won't do it again, I promise."

"Very well, Princess. Please follow me into the castle. Your mother and father have some news they would like you to hear." Hutchins turned around and I followed without another word.

It was probably another proposition to get me to marry a suitor that they would pick out. Is it not enough that they have my life in control that they need to choose who I'm going to be spending the rest of it with too?

I reached my bedroom and make myself look decent for the Emperor and Empress which meant I had to hide my face with some paint and wear a long, itchy, gown that fits their expectations.

"This is going to be a long day." I sigh to myself and plaster a fake smile. The sooner I get this over with, the better.

Then I can finally text that cute boy I met at the beach. The mere thought of him made my heart flutter as the memories of today's events replayed in my mind. I meant what I said. He is cute.

"Harumi? Are you ready?" Hutchins asks from outside my bedroom door and I make my way towards him.

"Of course." The smile on my face was a façade. I did not want to talk with them at all, let alone discuss my future. I'm a teenager for goodness sake! I want to live.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hello, Harumi." The Empress greets me and I bow to her and then to the Emperor. "I heard you went to the library unsupervised today. Is that true?"

"Yes, Mother but--." I was quickly cut off by my adoptive father.

"No but's, Harumi. You are a princess and it is far time you act like one." His voice was stern and cold. Just like him.

"Yes, Father. I apologize." I bow my head once more and wait for them to speak to me.

It's one of the things I have learned while living here. Only speak when spoken to.

"I know you are wondering why we have called you in for today. And that is because we would like to discuss another potential husband for you." The Emperor really does not believe in slowing the blow.

"He is from a good family. He is polite and I know he can change that rebellious attitude of yours." The Empress continued. "I just know he would be a great addition to ours."

"Mother, I am perfectly capable of handling myself. I do not need a husband to fix me." I stated with carefully picked out words. I tried to not show my annoyance to their insistence as best as I could.

"Ah yes. But you will be Empress someday, and an Empress needs an Emperor." My adoptive Father explained. I knew it was all lies to get me to agree with them.

"I refuse to accept him!" I protested. The anger built up inside me and I held myself from releasing it onto them. "Or anyone else you try to give my hand to."

"Harumi, dear, we are only worried about your future." My adoptive mother tries to soothe me but it doesn't work. She's not my real mom.

"You are only worried about your image!" I snapped and immediately wanted to take it back when I saw the look on the Emperor's eyes.

"He will be joining us for supper this Friday. Do not be late. Or there will be serious consequences." The Emperor instructed and I opened my mouth to protest but I did not want to worsen my situation any further. I simply nodded and bowed to them. "You are dismissed."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Wow. Even my father would never do that to me." Vania commented from my phone.

We were currently on a video chat and I had caught her up with all the details that had just happened. Vania was a princess too, of Shintaro actually. And I was lucky I had someone like her that I can trust.

"That is what makes him different from my real dad. He would have told me to live my life and if I find love, they would support me no matter what." I sighed at the memory of my parents. Why did they have to leave me too soon? "How did your father react when you got home?"

"He was actually pretty happy that I was taking the time to get to know the places of Ninjago. He says it was an educational benefit but in my opinion, it is more about the fun I get to have with you!" She beamed and smiled which was really contagious so it made me smile too.

"Lucky!" I joke with a slight hint of jealousy.

"So, when are we going to discuss the cute guy who rescued you from the zip line?" Vania teased and I knew I was not going to be able to avoid this discussion.

"What is there to talk about?" I ask innocently.

"Oh come on, Rumi! I saw the way you looked at him and how he looks at you. And to think you two met in a cute way. That would be a great story to tell your future children." She got really excited at the topic which made me blush.

Kids? With Lloyd? Nuh-uh it's way too early for that. But not entirely impossible. Vania just likes getting ahead of herself.

"He's cute." I say slowly since I did not know how to answer her question. "I got his number and I would probably text him when I get the chance."

"Why not try calling now?" Vania suggested and my eyes trailed to the contacts of my phone.

"Maybe tomorrow. I wouldn't want him to think I'm clingy."

The idea was tempting but I knew better than that. Besides, I would have the whole day to talk to him whenever I wanted to.

"You're not clingy, Rumi." The door opened behind Vania but I couldn't quite see what was going on. "I have to go but I'll talk to you again later okay? Don't worry about your parents too much I'm sure they'll come around." She smiled before ending our video chat.

"Maybe when pigs start to fly." I sigh to myself and lie down on my bed.

It was bigger than what I was used to and I would rather live in the cramped apartment with my real family rather than this huge palace with no one to find comfort in but myself.

It didn't take a long time for me to fall asleep. Dreaming of the crazy things I plan to do tomorrow.

~~Lloyd's POV~~

Monday. Nothing to despise about the day but when your Uncle/Sensei wakes you up at 5 in the morning to do get some exercise, then maybe there is a reason to hate it. I got out of the bathroom after brushing my teeth and washing my face.

My whole body longed for more time to sleep but you could never get any proper rest if you're the savior of Ninjago. I walk into the courtyard where we usually have our morning exercises. There were blue mats laid out on the floor and I took a seat on the one next to Zane.

"Good morning, Lloyd." He greeted me with a smile which I returned.

"Good morning, Zane. Where are the others?" I turned my head from left to right and notice that we were missing 4 members.

"They will arrive shortly." Zane closed his eyes and meditated.

It was like he had predicted the situation because after a few seconds, the rest of the team came toppling over the door. I laughed at the sight and watched them pry themselves out of the doorway. Soon after, Master Wu joined us and began to demonstrate the poses we were going to be doing.

"Alright, stretches. First, the swooping crane." Master Wu had instructed and we immediately followed his pose.

"Pst. Lloyd!" I hear a whisper over to my left and I try not to let it break my focus. "Lloyd!"

I let out an annoyed sigh and turn my head towards Kai.

"What?" I whispered back.

"Did that girl text you yet?" He asked the second I gave him my attention. This again? They've been bothering me about it for a few days now and I was getting a little tired of it.

"No." I respond with one word, not wanting to keep the conversation any longer.

"Why don't you do it?" He suggests.

"I didn't get her number. Only she has mine." I explained. But I have to admit, I did constantly check my phone just in case she left a text. Why did I even care about this?

"Next, a tree pose." I heard Master Wu say and I immediately changed my form.

"Well I hope she calls soon." Kai admitted rather excitedly and I gave him a smug look before turning my focus back to Sensei who was walking towards us, his staff in his hand.

"What is so important that you two need to discuss during exercise?" He hit Kai's head then mine before looking between us for an answer.

"Nothing, Master Wu." I rubbed the now sore spot and sighed when he decided to walk back to the center. I shot a glare at Kai before returning my focus on the stretches.

After stretching it was endurance where Master Wu made us climb the stairs of the monastery. And believe me when I say that the mountain of impossible heights really challenges your will to carry on.

I was half way up with the team when I heard my phone ring from my pocket. All heads turned in my direction.

"What?" I asked. Maybe playing clueless would get them to leave me alone.

"Your phone rang." Jay answered.

"Aren't you going to check it?" Cole asked.

"Ooh maybe it's from that girl!" Jay added and started jumping up and down.

"If I check it would you guys leave me alone already?" I wagered a deal and they all nodded before I took my phone out of my pocket.

The lock screen was a picture of me and my father back when he was still here. There are times I miss him so much that it hurts.

My father was one of the people I could depend on but his teachings will live on in me. I make sure of that. Below the lock screen was a notification of a text message from an unknown number.

xxxxxxxxx : Hey!

I unlock my phone and reply to it. Even with my eyes on the screen I could see the ninja leaned forward to try and take a peek of what I was doing.

Me: Who is this? How do you have my number?

xxxxxxxxx: Don't be silly, Lloyd. It's meee Harumi.

I smiled at the mention of her name and immediately save her number into my phone.

"Ha! It was her." Jay exclaimed proudly from my reaction.

"Pay up, Cole." Kai demanded and placed his hand out.

"If only it lasted a little longer." Cole huffed and pulled a coupon from his pocket.

"You were making bets on me?" I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms. My phone still in my hand.

"Not on you. On the girl. How long it would take before she couldn't resist to text you." Nya explained with a sigh before placing a few coins on her brother's hand.

I turn my attention back to my phone.

Me: Sorry. I never really got your number.

Harumi: Can you pick me up?

Me: What's going on? Are you in trouble?

Harumi: I wouldn't put it that way.

Me: Harumi, what are you up to this time?

Harumi: I can't stand my parents and I would like to go cliff jumping.

Me: Are you crazy? That is dangerous, Harumi!

Harumi: I'll have you to rescue me, right?

Harumi: That is, if you want to come with me.

This girl immediately knew how to push my buttons and I knew I had no choice but to accompany her.

"You seem in distress, Master Lloyd. Is there a problem?" Zane asked, clearly studying my expression.

I place a hand on my head and rub my temples.

"I need to go." Was all I said before running up the stairs and towards the monastery.

If I was going to make sure she doesn't accidentally dangle from her feet again, I had to leave now.

"Lloyd? Where are you going?" I heard Jay call from the bottom of the steps where we were all standing.

"Probably to visit his new girl." Cole teased and a series of 'ooh's' echoed through the mountain. I ignored their teases and continued climbing the steps.

"Master Wu! May I be excused for the rest of today's training." I said quickly before bending down to catch my breath.

"Is there an emergency?" He asked while sipping his tea.

How am I supposed to explain that a girl I just met wants to go and do something dangerous?

"A friend of mine is going cliff diving and I have a feeling they would get themselves into trouble." I tried to hide the fact that it was Harumi.

Knowing my uncle, he might not approve of letting me go if it was to meet a girl.

"Very well." He nodded and that was all I needed to rush down the steps once more and called my car. It was a gift from Nya and Pixal for my birthday.

Me: I'm coming. Send me the address.

Harumi: Yaay!! See you, Lloyd!

She replied almost instantly and I locked the navigation for my car. Why was I doing this? Was I worried she might die? Yes.

But why am I racing through Ninjago to pick up her up when she is perfectly capable of taking care of herself? Ninja instincts probably.