Ahh, it feels so good to finally be updating this adorable story. My heart is so full and warm after rereading this whole fic:)

Enjoy the adorableness! XD

Chapter 4: You're My Hero

("Sometimes being a brother

is even better than being a

superhero."

~ Marc Brown)

Jay knocked on the door to the boys' room. He had heard sniffling noises coming from inside, so he wondered if the little boy had gone in there. "Kai, are you in there?"

"No."

"Okay. Should I go look for Kai somewhere else?"

"No! I mean...you should go look for Kai in this bedroom. I think he's in here," Kai said. "I mean...no one's in here! Ugh, Jay…" Kai said, exasperated.

"Soooo...can I come in, then?"

"I guess."

Jay reached forward and gripped the doorknob, turning it tentatively. He was surprised it was unlocked. When he walked in the room, Kai was sitting on Cole's bed, with a face smudged with tears and a head full of unruly hair. He was wearing a giant black t-shirt about eight sizes too big for him that reached past his feet. The boy's hands were nearly covered in the long black sleeves, but he still managed to grip something tightly in his hands.

Jay held his breath when he saw what the item was. The scythe of quakes. Cole's scythe.

"Hey, buddy," Jay started quietly. He didn't want to say something wrong and set Kai off again. "You like Cole's scythe, huh?"

"No…" Kai muttered. "I mean, kind of. But...what I really like is...is my big brother."

Jay sighed. Maybe he wasn't as cut out to have this talk with Kai as he thought. But no, he would keep going. He had to show Lloyd he could do this. Plus, Kai needed him.

"I know. I like Cole too." Jay sat on the edge of the bed as near to Kai as he dared. "But you know what? I like you. No, I love you. So does Lloyd and most of all, Cole. He didn't mean to yell at you. He's just scared."

"Cole is scared?" Kai questioned with wide eyes. "What is he scared of? He never gets scared!"

"Well, he's scared for you. He worried that something would happen to you if you ever became a ninja. That's why he was upset. Because he was scared." Jay hoped this made sense in Kai's six-year-old mind.

"So...Cole's not mad?" Kai's eyes were pleading up at Jay.

"No. He's not mad," Jay assured him. "In fact, he was bawling like a baby because he was so upset about what he did." Kai giggled at this part. "And someone who is mad doesn't cry, right?"

Kai nodded his head. "Right." His happiness was beginning to be restored. "Can I go see Cole?"

There was a noise by the door. Jay looked up and saw the ninja of earth was already standing there.

"I think he came to see you," Jay said. He stood up, feeling proud of his work. "All yours, buddy," he whispered to Cole as he left the room.

Cole walked further into the room. He had an apologetic expression on his face.

"Kai?" Cole came over and sat down on the bed. He noticed almost immediately the shirt and scythe. But, he didn't mention them.

"Yeah, Cole?" Kai, though sounding eager, was also nervous.

"I'm real sorry, bro. I didn't mean to yell at you."

"I know. Jay told me that you weren't mad."

"Did he?" Cole asked.

"Yeah. He said you were scared. But, I didn't believe him at first."

"Why not?"

"'Cause you're not scared of anything!" Kai said.

Cole laughed. "That's actually not true, Kai. I'm scared of things."

"Like me getting hurt?" Kai suggested. Cole nodded.

"That's my biggest fear.

"You don't need to worry about me! I'm a big boy now," Kai said. But he sounded so childlike it was adorable.

"Why do you have my scythe and shirt, big boy?" Cole asked gently.

"'Cause you're my hero," the answer was short, but an answer that Cole would

remember all of this life. "And I want to be just like you."

"Thanks, buddy." Cole ruffled his hair.

Kai was silent for a moment. "Sorry you were crying like a baby because of me."

Cole's eyes widened. "What? Who told you that?"

"Jay," Kai said seriously. He didn't know the danger of what he'd just said.

Cole was about to call out to Jay, and then beat his guts, when he changed his mind. He could do that later.

"It's...it's okay, Kai. It wasn't because of you. It was because of me. I thought you were scared of me…"

"Well…I was at first. Then, I got excited. I got to see how you acted against monsters! I found out one of the reasons you win every time you fight bad guys!" Kai said, enthusiastically.

"What? How did you manage that?" Cole was honestly confused.

"Because I just realized you're awesome! Monsters would be scared of you... but I know you never mean to do anything to hurt me. But, you do hurt bad guys so...I just figured it out!"

Cole shook his head, laughing. "You make no sense, sometimes, bozo."

"I know. I'm just like you!"

"Course you are, kid. And I love you."

"And I love you too." Kai moved the scythe from his hands, and gave Cole a hug. "I forgive you too, just so you know."

"Thanks, buddy."

They sat there for a moment.

"Can we go eat breakfast now?" Kai questioned. "My tummy's growling."

Cole smiled. "Sure. Why don't we go make some pancakes?"
Kai's eyes lit up. "Really? I can help you cook? You've never let me do that!"

"Yeah, I know. But, today is a special day. And I want your help." Cole stood up off the bed, then leaned down so Kai could climb on his back.

Kai decided not to question it anymore. In excitement, he clambered up and clung to Cole's neck. "Okay! Let's go!" He pointed a finger in the air towards the kitchen.

Cole zoomed out of the room, Kai squealing and laughing in delight.