I don't remember what inspired me to write this, but whatever.

I'm Not Sick

"Get up." Sensei Wu ordered. His pupil nodded obediently, scrambling to his feet once again as his opponents attacked. The children from the village were slow and clumsy compared to the young ninja they fought. Usually he would have no trouble defeating them. Perhaps he was distracted. The middle-aged man sighed as Morro was knocked to the ground yet once again. Perhaps meditation would help his concentration.

"Alright, that is enough for now." Wu said gently, stepping forward and offering the black-haired child a hand up. "Run along, children." The blond man shooed the children away towards the gates and they skipped away, chattering and giggling amongst themselves.

"Sorry, Sensei." The eight-year-old boy apologized as he let Wu pull him to his feet.

"There is nothing to apologize for." Wu gave his pupil an encouraging smile as he led him back to the Monastery. "Your balance is off. Would you like to meditate with me before the noon meal?"

"Yes, Sensei." Morro nodded, trailing along behind his guardian as he led him to his dojo.

"Good." Morro had occasionally come and meditated with him before, and it seemed to have benefited him. It was good for him to learn how at such a young age, like he and Garmadon had. Perhaps he would grow up to be a sensei just like he had. As Wu began to light the candles around the room, he heard a cough behind him. When he turned to look for the source, all he saw was Morro, sitting innocently on the floor with his legs crossed. Maybe he'd imagined it. The sensei lit the final candle and sat down across from his pupil, crossing his legs and closing his eyes as he rested his hands on his knees. He heard faint shuffling as Morro copied his pose across from him, then the room was silent except for the crackling of the candle flames. Then Morro coughed again. Wu opened his eyes as the black-haired boy coughed a third time, trying to muffle the sound with his sleeve. "Morro? Are you alright?" the blond man asked in concern.

"I'm fi-" Morro's voice was raspy, and he coughed again to clear his throat. "I'm fine."

"You don't sound "fine"." Wu stood up, crossing the room and kneeling next to his pupil as he placed his palm on the small boy's forehead. He felt abnormally warm. "Come with me. I need to check your temperature."

"I don't need it. I'm fine." Morro argued as Wu pulled him to his feet and led him out of the room. "I don't have time for this. I need to be training."

"Morro, were you hiding your illness from me?" the blond man stopped and turned around, looking his pupil in the eye. The black-haired child averted his gaze, staring at the floor.

"I'm not sick." he mumbled.

"If you say so." Sensei Wu started walking again, locating a thermometer and trying to take the young ninja's temperature with it.

"I'm not sick." Morro insisted again, pushing the medical instrument away from him.

"Then this will only prove you right. Hold still." The older man pushed the glass tube into Morro's mouth, and the child glared at the floor angrily while it registered. "You are sick." Wu said at last, reading his student's temperature off the instrument. 102 degrees. "You have a high fever, and you need to be resting/"

"I don't have time to rest!" the black-haired boy argued, standing up from the stool Wu had placed him on. "If I'm going to be the green ninja, I need to train!"

"You will not be any less of the green ninja if you rest and let yourself heal. Come." Wu took his pupil by the wrist, pulling him towards his room.

"But-" Morro started, but stopped abruptly as a coughing fit overtook him. Wu stopped and knelt next to his student, patting his back gently as the boy coughed harshly into his hands, almost doubling over as he gasped for breath. When his coughing finally stopped, he straightened up halfway, meeting his guardian's eyes guiltily as he panted softly for breath.

"Are you still going to argue with me?" Wu asked gently. Silently, Morro shook his head. "Good. Come on. You're going to rest now." the small boy nodded, letting his sensei lead him through the halls by the hand. When they reached his room, Morro climbed into his bed without complaint, letting Wu tuck him in. "I will make you some tea. Do not leave your bed." The blond man ordered before leaving the room. Ten minutes later, when he returned with two cups of tea, Morro was lying on his side, staring listlessly at the wall. "How do you feel?" the older man asked gently.

"…my chest hurts…: the black-haired boy mumbled, not looking up from the wall. "…a-and it hurts to talk."

"Then you need not talk. Drink this." Wu held out the teacup and his student sat up, taking it with a nod of thanks. They drank their tea in silence for the next few minutes, before Morro spoke up timidly.

"I... I did know I was sick. I'm sorry." He apologized in a small voice.

"It is alright. I forgive you." Wu smiled, reaching out and smoothing down his pupil's disheveled hair.

"B-back when I was out on my own, I-I couldn't let people know I was sick." The small boy stuttered, trying to excuse his actions. "They'd know I was weak."

"You do not need to worry about that here." Wu assured him. "What's important is that you rest, so that you can heal as fast as possible. Are you tired?"

"Yeah."

"Finish your tea, then I will leave you to rest. If you need anything, just call for me."

"Okay. Thanks, Sensei." Morro smiled faintly, then held out his empty teacup. Wu took it, standing up and returning his student's smile before leaving the room. As he rinsed out the ceramic cup, the blond man wondered what Morro was sick with. He hoped it wasn't anything dangerous. If Morro had hidden it for too long, it could already have permanently damaged him. He could only hope that wasn't the case. For now, all he could do is let him sleep.

I'll probably continue this... it wasn't a very good ending...

Hope you enjoyed!

~FFF