The Crazy Art Called Love

13 | The Night Market

~~Lloyd's POV~~

It was around 7:30 in the evening and the team was preparing to go to the night market. Apparently the news was everywhere but since they were all going on dates, Rumi and I don't have to be worried about being interrupted.

"Who are you taking, Cole?" Jay asked as he fixed his polo, and I noticed the question made Cole freeze.

We were all cramped inside the bathroom because there was only one mirror in the monastery and it happened to be placed in here. Kai was combing his hair, Zane was trying on some perfume Nya insisted that Pixal would like, Cole was brushing his teeth, and I was making sure I looked decent.

"Who are you taking, Jay?" He brought the question back which made me raise an eyebrow.

"Nya, of course!"

"Oh, well me too."

"What?"

"Nothing, gotta go. Bye!"

Cole sprinted out the door leaving all of us confused. After various attempts of trying to get out the door, we were now gathered in the courtyard.

"He's hiding something." Nya declared before placing on a pair of shoes.

"Definitely." Kai nodded as he took out his phone. "Well I have to go too. See you all there!"

"According to my research there would be different kinds of vendors from all around Ninjago. I suggest we keep our guards up in case there are any thieves." Zane informed us and walked out of the monastery with Pixal.

"So, are you meeting up with Harumi?" Nya teased and I smiled.

"I'm picking her up right now. Enjoy your date guys." I called before racing down the steps and towards my car.

Master Wu and my mom had also decided to go down to the market after my mom convinced him they would have tea. My uncle would go anywhere as long as you mentioned they would have the kinds of tea he needed.

Ninjago city was packed with Christmas lanterns and decorations. There were wreaths on every door and a few Santa Claus impersonators which gave me a sense of excitement. I parked my car in an alleyway where it was usually hidden before scaling the side of a building to get to the roof.

I had one goal and that was to get Rumi out of the palace without any of the guards noticing. It may be against the law but it's a good thing I'm a ninja.

I pulled out my phone the second I got near the building. It was a huge palace surrounded by a wall which protects it from the outside. I can't see from the inside but I knew it was going to be just as fancy as the outside.

Me: I'm here. Which one's your room?

Rumi: I'll head to the balcony. See if you can spot me.

I looked up and saw her waving her hand a few stories up. I smiled and made my way towards the place. There were a few guards at my feet which I easily jumped over.

The next pair of guards were on the roofs which meant they could easily spot me if I continued through the top. I jumped down to the gardens and ran past another set. Wow, this place has really high security.

Once I reached below Harumi's balcony, I threw a rope over. I felt it tighten which means she must have caught it. I climbed up and was met by the beautiful princess of Ninjago City.

"Hey! That was impressive." She greeted me with one of her smiles as I climbed over the railing.

She wore a jade green shirt under her grey hoodie and a pair of jeans. I have never seen her dress more casual. It was definitely not princess-like.

"The security is pretty high but nothing I can't handle." I smirked and tugged on the rope. "Where did you learn how to tie it like that?"

"I have my ways, Greenie."

"Well then, Rumi. Are you ready?"

I held out the rope which she took in her hand.

"More than I'll ever be."

We ran through the palace gardens, occasionally ducking past guards, over the rooftops, until we made it to the outside of the palace walls.

"I don't understand how you manage to do that every day." I chuckled as we now walked in a normal pace.

"If you want something, you do everything in your power to get it." She shrugged but the words stuck in my mind.

We entered the streets of the city where the citizens of Ninjago crowded every inch of the road. It was a good thing they blocked the routes before letting this event happen.

"Wow." Harumi gasped from beside me as we reached the start of the night market.

There were different kinds of stalls which sold all sorts of things. Many people were lining up for hot chocolate to deal with the cold weather and I made a mental note to get some with Rumi later. Lanterns and street lamps lit up the pavement for everyone to see.

"Come on! I wanna try out everything." She grabbed my hand and began dragging me through the crowd of people.

I smiled at her excitement and let her explore what she wanted to see. We stopped in front of a stall that sold clothes and accessories. Harumi was attracted to a particular shirt.

"I can't believe you have your own merchandise." She laughed and held it up. A red tint covered my cheeks.

It was a green ninja shirt where my face was plastered in the center.

"Please, put it down." I placed my head in my hands.

"Why? I'm getting one!" She declared.

"No you're not."

"Watch me."

Harumi took out some money and I grabbed her hand before she could get it.

"Why don't we just get something together?" I offered to try and divert her attention somewhere else. This was getting embarrassing.

"Ooh, how about these?" She held up two hoodies each with half of the yin-yang symbol. Was she indirectly trying to get me to ask her to be my yang? Or was that all in my head?

I shook the thought away. No. We're just friends who are fake dating for the sake of shutting up our families. That's probably why she chose that. Right?

"You know, if we want to convince people we are dating." She grinned but I could tell that there were some pieces of that sentence she did not say out loud.

"We'll take it." I told the seller which made Harumi squeal in delight before handing it over to the saleslady. I went to get my wallet but she stopped me.

"Nope. My idea, my payment."

I was about to protest but she quickly handed over the money. I grabbed the bag with the clothes and let her drag me around the streets once more.

"It suits you." I laughed when she tried on a pair of funny glasses.

"Not as much as these fit you!" Harumi placed one on my face and we both turned to the mirror laughing.

I pulled out my phone to capture the moment as we continued to play around with the disguises at the stall. The seller didn't mind at all because she recognized who I was and that attracted plenty of customers for her already.

"Smile!" I wrapped an arm around Harumi's shoulder and held out my phone. We did a few silly faces before placing the glasses back. I think I just found my new wallpaper.

"I'm hungry." She complained after we visited more stalls. I had three bags in my hand while she carried another two. Who knew the princess was so keen on shopping?

"Come on, there's a place we could get some dumpling soup." I grabbed her hand and this time it was my turn to drag her around.

Once we've had our fill, I could tell Harumi had her energy back. We continued to wonder around the streets of never ending stalls until we encountered a carnival game where you would throw darts at a balloon.

"That looks fun." Harumi beamed as she watched a group of friends compete for a prize.

"Wanna give it a try?" I held out a coin and she smiled.

I stared in shock with my mouth agape as Harumi effortlessly popped five balloons with only 3 darts. I could tell that even the person who owned the store was surprised. He handed us a stuffed toy of Harumi's choosing before we went our way.

"How—what? Huh?" I threw my arms in the air.

"I told you it was fun." She laughed and hugged the bear.

"You'd make a good ninja, Rumi."

"Aww, thank you, Lloyd. That means a lot coming from the Green Ninja."

Why does she always get me so flustered all the time? It's better I turn into a tomato so I could just be a blushing mess.

"We should get going." I cleared my throat and dragged her somewhere else.

We ended up in front of a photo booth machine that was placed on the side of the streets.

"I don't think we can fit." Harumi laughed. We were both cramped inside the machine along with all our bags and the giant bear.

We couldn't just leave it all outside and risk losing it to thieves. Harumi thought for a moment before placing her bear on the floor.

"Much better."

"How does this work?" I played around with the buttons and the machine just started working. "There we go."

Our pictures got more crazy than the last. From sweet smiles to full on funny faces and sabotaging each other. I have never had more fun like that in my life!

Harumi really makes me feel more human than anyone ever has. Without thinking, I kissed her cheek as the last photo snapped.

"What was that for?" Harumi touched her cheek where my lips were. I could see a smile on her face which was enough to tell me she liked it.

"Just a thank you." I rubbed the back of my neck, a habit I developed when I was nervous.

"For what?"

"For making me feel normal. Every time I'm with you, I forget all my troubles. Like I'm not the Green Ninja."

"You make me feel normal too, Lloyd. I'm not a princess in your eyes. I'm just, Rumi." She smiled and I stared in her eyes.

We inched closer and I didn't realize our faces were almost touching. Her lips were right there. Why was so I drawn towards her? Why was I giving into this? None of those questions mattered to me right now. I closed my eyes as my heart began to race faster than ever before.

"Hey!" A voice called from behind me which made us jump apart.

I turned around and Harumi looked past my shoulder to see who interrupted us. I didn't want to admit I was furious. Why would I be? It's not like I was about to kiss the girl I've spent most of my time with. No. Why would I be mad?

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" Kai covered his eyes and closed the curtain of the booth. "I didn't see anything I promise."

"It's fine, Kai. Nothing is happening." I responded and looked towards Harumi before pressing my hand to my lips to tell her to keep it a secret. She giggled and nodded in understanding.

"Are you sure?" He took a peak and we both nodded. "Good! 'Cause Skylor here wanted to know if you'd like to continue going around with us."

"How did you even know we were in here?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Please, I could recognize your green pants anywhere."

I got our stuff and the strip of photos we took before heading out the booth. Harumi followed after and I introduced her to Kai.

"Kai, Skylor, this is Harumi. My—." I looked at her for a moment. "My girlfriend."

"It's nice to finally meet you, Harumi. I'm Kai. Red ninja. Master of Fire? Probably doesn't need any more introduction." Kai showed off before shaking her hand which I rolled my eyes to.

"Stop it you're scaring her." Skylor swatted his arm before smiling at Harumi. "Sorry about him, I'm Skylor."

"I know you! You're the owner of my favorite noodle store!" Harumi beamed excitedly.

"Well, thank you. I'm glad to finally meet you."

"Likewise, Skylor, Kai." She nodded to the both of them and we all started walking.

~~Harumi's POV~~

If I wasn't beside Skylor right now talking about the stuff Lloyd and I bought, I would probably be back in the photo booth kissing the Green Ninja. I'm not saying I'm happy we were interrupted but I was a little glad we were. I don't know if I could stop myself if my feelings for him develop further.

It's true. I'm falling for Lloyd Garmadon. And being introduced as his girlfriend earlier just felt so right no matter how fake it was. But if I want to continue being friends with him, then I have to hide these feelings.

I've lost too much in my life already and if my crush on him would just end up ruining our friendship, then I don't want to risk it. I'm grateful I could call him my friend. Even if a part of me wants more.

"How long have you two been dating?" Skylor asked as the boys went to buy some hot chocolate. We were sat on a small round table by the side of all the commotion.

"Oh you know, just a few weeks ago." We never really worked out our stories so I made a note to tell him what I'm telling Skylor.

"Did it start when I caught Lloyd waiting outside my store with his car?" She smirked.

"Hmm, no. That was just the first time we went out together. Although we do meet up outside your restaurant plenty of times so I'm not sure which one you're pertaining to." I giggled.

"I see, so you've been out a lot?"

"Well we have our days."

"Where do you go?"

Skylor and I conversed for a while. She was so sweet and I knew she was someone I could count on.

"I can see why he likes you, Harumi. You're a great girl just please don't hurt him. He's already been through a lot." Skylor placed a hand on my shoulder.

"I would never want to do that. Even if it's the last thing I do." I nodded and she smiled. I wasn't faking anything because that promise is true for me.

"Whatcha talking about?" Kai asked as he joined us with a cup of hot chocolate in either of his hands.

"Oh you know, girl talk." Skylor winked at my direction and I laughed.

"Yep." I agreed before talking the drink Lloyd offered me.

"Have you heard from the others?" He asked Kai after taking a sip of the hot chocolate.

"Nothing yet. I still haven't seen Cole after he left."

"What do you mean left?" Skylor joined in the conversation.

"He just straight on took off before all of us. It was like he was in a hurry for something." Lloyd shrugged and I thought for a moment.

"Maybe he's meeting up with someone." I teased and side-eyed the boy beside me which made Kai choke on his drink.

"Cole? Meet a girl? Nuh-uh he would have told us first."

"I didn't say it was a girl."

For the rest of the night, Lloyd and I joined Skylor and Kai in exploring what was left of the market. We both felt like third and fourth wheels on their date because the couple could not keep their hands off each other.

When Skylor got some foam on her mouth, Kai quickly wiped it with a tissue which made Lloyd and I look at each other before giggling to ourselves.

"It's cold." I complained and brought my hands to my arms.

Even though it doesn't snow that much during Christmas, it was still freezing. And my hoodie was definitely not doing the trick.

"Here. Wear it." Lloyd dug into one of the bags in his hand and pulled out the matching sweaters we just bought.

I took in from his hands and quickly doubled my layers. Once I was done, I looked over to see he wore his too.

"Trying to match with me, Greenie?" I kept a cool smirk on my face but in the inside, I was excited.

"Isn't that the point of these?" He laughed which made Kai and Skylor turn around.

"You two look so cute! I want one." Skylor commented before snapping a quick photo of us on her phone.

"We'd look awesome in matching shirts, Sky." Kai wrapped and arm around her shoulder and that was how we ended up checking out every clothing stall we could find.

While they tried on different kinds of clothes to find the perfect one, Lloyd and I played around with the stuff we could see.

"Put this on." He wrapped a green scarf around my neck and then placed a beanie on my head. "Perfect! You are now a snowman."

"I feel ridiculous." I muttered under the scarf.

"Don't be silly. You're adorable!" He took a second to realize what he just said so I tried to make him feel comfortable.

"Thanks, Greenie." I winked and laughed.

"Mr. Green Ninja, there have been rumors spreading about you having a girlfriend. Is this true?" A crowd of journalists approached us which made me hide my face further.

This can't be good. I quickly turned around and tried to act like I was just another one of the customers at the stall.

"Is she here with you tonight?"

"There have been sightings of you with a girl in various places of Ninjago. What can you say about that?"

"If you don't mind. I'd like you all to please leave me alone. My private life is not something I would like to share to the media, so please, take a step back." Lloyd announced and discreetly held my hand under the bags I was carrying.

"Mr. Green Ninja—." A reporter tried to push but Kai stepped in front of us.

"Why focus on the Green Ninja when you can have, the Master of Fire and his amazing girlfriend." He grabbed Skylor's hand which was the perfect distraction for Lloyd and I to escape.

I took off the scarf and bonnet before we got further from the stall and placed it back.

"It's a good thing I placed those on you. The Emperor and Empress would definitely kill me if they found out about tonight." He rubbed the back of his neck as we continued walking.

"Thank you, really. And remind me to pay Kai and Skylor back for covering for us."

"That won't be necessary, Rumi."

"I insist." I smiled and looked down at our still intertwined hands. I guess he never noticed, or maybe he just didn't want to let go.

"Come on, we need to get you home."

"Really? It's still so early, Lloyd." I pouted and he looked me in the eye.

"Rumi, it's already 2 in the morning." Wow. I really did not realize that time would just fly by when you're having fun. But I didn't want this to end just yet, no matter how tired I was feeling.

"But—."

"I'll see you again, tomorrow okay?"

"I can't. Hutchins is going to test me tomorrow for everything that I've learned from his previous lectures." I looked down and sighed as I remembered my duties.

"Let me guess, you didn't study?" He raised an eyebrow but I could see a hint of teasing behind it.

"I did! It's just hard to focus that's all."

"A better reason to get you home, princess."

"Fine. But I'm calling you tomorrow." I crossed my arms which made him laugh.

"You got it."

As we left the streets and made our way back to the palace, I could feel my eyelids grow heavier with each passing step. But I couldn't just leave Lloyd to carry everything.

I then spotted a small family just a few blocks away from the palace. They were gathered around a bin which held a small fire to collect some warmth.

I looked down at the bags in my hands. All filled with clothes I know I would never wear anyways. The main reason I bought them, was just in case we stumbled upon some homeless people. So I did exactly what I planned.

"Excuse me?" I said to try and get their attention. It worked and they all turned around to face me.

"Take this. It can help keep you and your family warm for the winter." I held out a bag to the mother.

"My dear, thank you." She responded and took the bag with trembling hands.

"Merry Christmas." I greeted before walking back to Lloyd who wore a proud smile on his face.

"It seems you've got this princess thing under control after all." He nudged my shoulder and I laughed.

"It was the least I could do, Lloyd." I began to yawn so I hugged the bear I won.

I walked for what felt like a few minutes before I drifted into a nap. I couldn't stay awake any longer. Just when I thought I would hit the ground a pair of arms was wrapped around my shoulders and beneath my legs.

"I got you, Rumi." I could hear Lloyd whisper before a blast of wind hit the side of my face. We must be on the rooftops.

After that, it was all a blur as I drifted to sleep in Lloyd's arms. It was filled with muscle but comfy at the same time. I felt something on my forehead for a few seconds before it was gone. Maybe it started raining.