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It was cold.
Morro, as a ghost, couldn't feel the chill of the air, but he could pick up on the context clues by the way everyone was bundled up. There were times where he would walk past them and they would awkwardly offer him scarves or coats, but he politely rejected them each time. He didn't want them to waste anything on him, especially when he couldn't even feel the cold in the first place. He knew why they did it.
It was awkward to have him around, and they were just trying to pretend nothing happened.
While he found it endearing, a part of him was extremely frustrated at the notion. He wanted them to acknowledge what he did. He wanted them to be angry. He wanted them to just… treat him how he treated them.
Instead, they were polite and wore smiles around him at all times.
The ghost was staring over the edge of The Bounty, looking down into the glistening water below the ship. The Bounty flew steady, the wind was calm and the waves were small. Morro could see fish swim below the surface. He watched the shadows, a small smile planted on his lips.
He always enjoyed nature. Sure, living in the wild as a kid with no help was scary. He was brutalized and hurt multiple times throughout his life, but it just made him respect it that much more. The beauty and sheer power it held was always a sight to behold.
Morro looked over his shoulder, noticing Master Wu before he had a chance to walk up beside him, and stared at his former teacher.
"I made no sound. I'm impressed you knew I was here." Wu spoke softly. "Come inside with me, I'd like to speak with you." Wu added, stepping back a bit and turning around to walk back into The Bounty. He didn't spare a glance to Morro.
The ghost gulped, and followed after his former sensei. Well, his new sensei too now, trailing behind with heavy steps.
Wu led him to a room, with the door left ajar. Inside the room next door were all the other ninja, bundled up and laughing with one another. Jay and Cole were gaming against each other, an occasional exasperated groan coming from Jay whenever Cole won a battle.
"Please, take a seat." Wu extended his hand over to a chair across the table.
Morro blinked before bowing his head and obeying, pulling the chair out and flopping down into it. He adjusted himself so he was comfortable and then turned all his attention to Wu.
Wu, who was also seated now, was staring into Morro's eyes. The ghost could feel himself start to fidget. He averted his gaze downwards, not quite wanting to meet Wu's.
"How long do you plan to punish yourself?" Wu asked simply. His tone was smooth and held little emotion in it, but he seemed a bit saddened.
"What are you talking about?" Morro asked with a tilt of his head, feigning ignorance.
"We can all see what you're doing, Morro. You're distancing yourself. You want them to be angry at you. You're refusing to let them build a connection with you. You're part of the team now, Morro. They want to be your friend. They want to be your family." Wu gently explained.
The troubled teen looked over his shoulder back at the ninja and watched them for a minute.
Nya was sitting beside Kai on the couch, sharing some cookies and hot chocolate between them. Lloyd was sitting with Zane and the two of them seemed to be playing chess or some kind of similar game, Morro wasn't really sure. He looked back over to Wu when Jay let out a shout of excitement and Cole began to chuckle loudly.
"I haven't been pushing them away." Morro argued.
"They've been trying to connect with you, and you keep rejecting everything they offer."
"I don't need scarves." Morro raised an eyebrow. "It seems pointless to wear one."
"Morro. It isn't about the scarves or coats. It's the thought behind them. They're peace offerings, an olive branch. The ninja are extending their friendship to you. Their hospitality." Wu smiled a bit. "You're viewing it cynically, but it's a gesture of kindness, and you know that."
"What makes you think that I do?" Morro asked, he put his elbows on the table and leaned closer to Wu. He kept a straight face as he did so.
"Because you knew what I was talking about." Wu smiled warmly. "Just let your walls down. Enjoy your time with the ninja. They're your family now too."
Morro frowned a bit but let out a defeated sigh. "Fine. I'll try." He mumbled under his breath, slumping back down into his chair.
"That's all I can ask for." Wu leaned back and put on a straight face once again. "You are dismissed, Morro. I expect to see some changes."
Morro rolled his eyes but stood up. He bowed to Wu and then left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.
He sighed and turned around. None of the ninja paid him any mind as they continued to have their own fun. Morro could feel his chest tightening and after standing there for a solid minute, just listening to their chatter and joy, he bit the bullet and walked up behind the couch. He gently knocked against the back of the couch to announce his presence.
They barely paid him any mind but he could hear Cole hum in acknowledgement.
"What are you playing?" Morro asked, leaning against the frame and watching the television. There were a lot of colors and flashing lights. It was hard to keep track of what was happening, but Jay and Cole seemed to be masters at the game. He could hear them frantically smashing against the buttons and as they tried to get the upper hand against one another.
"A game." Jay answered shortly as he continued to stare at the screen. Morro frowned a bit but Cole was already elbowing Jay.
Jay groaned out in pain slightly and dropped his controller to rub his side.
"We're playing a fighting game. Basically, we just fight until one person is standing. It's very competitive." Cole explained to Morro. "But it’s also really easy to play. Do you want to try?" He offered with a smile, extending the controller over to Morro.
Morro stared at it quizzically before shaking his head. "No thanks. Can I just watch for now?" He asked.
"Oh, absolutely! Jay, scoot over! Morro you can come sit between us! I'll teach you how to play." Cole shoved Jay lightly and patted the spot beside him. Morro hesitated for a second before he shrugged his shoulders and phased through the couch. He pulled himself out of the couch and solidified himself once again before he seated.
"That is so smart." Cole whispered. "Why didn't I ever think of that?"
"Probably because you were used to being a human before becoming a ghost?" Morro awkwardly answered.
Lloyd hopped off the arm of the couch and clasped his hands together. "I'll get some blankets! Zane, can you please make some hot chocolate?"
Zane squinted his eyes. "When it's cold outside, it's actually recommended to drink or eat cold things to help your body acclimate to the temperature."
"Zane… shut up." Kai laughed. "It's the aesthetic." He added while pulling a hand through his hair.
Nya raised a brow at her brother, unimpressed by his antics before she got up. "I can help Zane with the hot chocolate. Maybe you can make some ice sticks for everybody." She added as she walked towards Zane and patted his shoulder. "That way everyone is happy."
"I'll eat an ice stick!" Cole volunteered happily. "I don't mind being chilly. If anything it sounds like fun. Like eating ice cream in December. Just an enjoyable thing to do to freak people out." Cole added with a laugh. Zane and Nya both rolled their eyes but left towards the kitchen.
Morro stared at Cole quizzically. "Does that really freak people out?" He asked with a tilt of his head.
"Yeah, people are always like 'you're gonna catch a cold' or something stupid like that. I also eat bananas with the peel on to scare people." Cole answered. He extended a hand forward and placed it on Morro's shoulder. "It's to assert dominance."
Morro frowned a bit and raised an eyebrow at Cole who just started to laugh. "Don't stress, Morro. I'm just pulling your leg. Now come on! Let me show you how to beat Jay."
"Don't talk about me like that!" Jay argued. "I'll beat you this round." He added under his breath. "I was just going easy on you." He added in a louder voice. He held his head high and he elbowed Morro in the side. "Listen to me, Morro. I'll show you how it's truly done." He spoke with a grin.
Morro looked between the two ninja and his expression must have revealed his stress because Lloyd chimed in. "Don't listen to either of them, just watch them play and ask questions." Lloyd had returned with some blankets and began to drape them over Cole, Jay, and Morro.
Morro just smiled at Lloyd weakly before his gaze dropped back down to his hands, which began to fidget restlessly.
Lloyd sat down on the floor next to Kai and wrapped them both up in a blanket and got comfortable. Kai lit his hands ablaze briefly, but was smacked by Lloyd who began to lecture him about setting the blanket on fire.
Cole took note of Morro's fidgeting and awkwardly moved over a bit more so Morro could have a bit more room.
They all sat in silence for a bit longer until Zane and Nya returned. Zane shoved the stick of ice in Cole's face before they began to hand out the hot chocolate.
Morro's brows furrowed a bit when Nya gave him one. She didn't even seem to notice anything until Lloyd whispered something into her ear.
She spun around and covered her mouth with her hands. "Oh I'm so sorry, Morro! I didn't mean it like that or anything. It's just… easier to pretend you're a human." She apologized sincerely to the ghost.
Morro just waved her off and shrugged. "It's fine. It happens." Was what he responded with. He was still holding the drink though, the warmth bringing back memories of when he was alive.
Zane reached his hand out and froze Morro's drink solid. "I hope you have the ability to still lick things." He laughed slightly.
Morro stared at the cup before he hesitantly lifted it to his lips. He stuck his tongue out and licked it awkwardly.
The Ninja seemed to find his hesitation amusing and chuckled at the ghost's antics. "I'm not sure if you can taste it or not, but the sentiment is there." Zane explained with closed eyes.
Morro pulled the mug back and stared down at his hands. He could feel the cold nipping at his fingers. It was the one thing he never understood about his ghostly body. He couldn't feel temperatures, except for in his hands.
He looked up again and inhaled deeply. "I don't mean to be needy, but do any of you happen to have some gloves?" Morro asked. "I can feel the cold in my hands sometimes." He admitted shamefully. "It's okay if you don't though."
Jay jumped up immediately and clapped his hands together. "Yes! I knitted gloves for everyone this year and made you a pair. Wait right here!" Without any other words, Jay darted out of the room and ran towards his bedroom in the bounty.
"So it was just my fire you could feel?" Kai asked, turning to face the man. "I thought it was weird that I burned you. I was hopeful, but I didn't expect it." Kai looked at Morro expectantly, clearly hoping for an explanation.
Morro looked over his shoulder to the room that Wu was in. The Sensei was drinking tea and watching the team interact. When Morro made eye contact with him, it was like the world froze and time slowed.
Wu slowly nodded his head and Morro turned his attention to Kai. "Some of my nerves are still intact. It depends on how the ghost died or how the damage done to their body before they died that affects their ghost form." Morro answered, fidgeting with the cold mug slightly. He brought the cold chocolate to his lips again and licked it before lowering it again. "It works the same way with our senses." He added. "My tastebuds weren't damaged, so I can taste everything just fine. I am sensitive to heat and the cold though from caves."
"But you always told us you don't need scarves or coats." Lloyd frowned. "If you're sensitive to it, then why don't you accept the gifts?"
"I'm sensitive to it, but it won't kill me twice." Morro shrugged. "It's just uncomfortable."
When he finished that statement, Jay was rushing back into the room at full speed. Kai jumped out of the way of the man and rolled his eyes in annoyance as Jay nearly collided with him.
Jay shoved his handcrafted gloves into Morro's face and grinned. "I hope you like them!"
Morro tentatively took them and phased into them, flexing his fingers slightly as he examined them slowly. They became a ghostly green as his body accepted the new accessory. He looked at Jay, and then gave him a genuine smile. "Thank you."
It seemed like such a small word, but all the ninja could feel their hearts swell in happiness. Morro had finally accepted their olive branch.