Before you read this chapter, make sure you've read the previous two, just in case of confusion. I updated twice yesterday, so the story didn't go back up to the top of the feed. Just a little PSA. Like I said in the chapter before, reviews have been low, and I just wanna know what you guys are thinking about the story so far, so feedback is greatly appreciated. Enjoy!

Today was the day.

The day that Jason said his goodbyes and departed back to his home.

Despite no one really getting along with him, everyone still wished him well and safe travels. The brunet remained leant against the wall of the control room, phone in hand and a bored expression on his face. He watched silently as the elder was gifted with hugs and handshakes, as if the man had one an award.

He'd already given a hug, so he had stepped aside.

He noticed that Cole had distanced himself also, busying himself with an ice-pop.

The raven was staring into space, subconsciously sucking on the frozen treat as he completely zoned out. He watched in amusement as some of the juice trailed out of the corner of his mouth and down his chin, a quick shove back into reality. Cole wiped his mouth with his sleeve as he made sure no one had noticed.

The two locked eyes from across the room.

Kai smirked as the latter's face darkened. It wasn't long before Kai was leant next to him, nodding towards Jason. "You not gonna say bye?"

"I, uh, I already have." Cole stammered, finishing off the ice-pop and licking the stick clean. He raised a brow when given a puzzled look. "What?"

"N-Nothing." Kai licked his lips as he changed the subject, too disturbed by the way his friend had licked the wooden stick. "You should really go and say something-"

"No." His voice was more stern now. "I told you we've already spoken. Now drop it."

Oh damn.

The Fire Master raised his hands in defence, laughing hastily. "Okay, wow, chill out-"

"Cole!" The short boy flinched at the man's sudden appearance, inhaling. "Not gonna say goodbye?"

Kai furrowed his brows in confusion, sending the raven a bewildered glance. He watched as Jason whispered something into Cole's ear, before placing his arm over his shoulders. "I think I left some stuff in Cole's room." He addressed the brunet with a smile. The two walked out of the control room, the Earth Master staring back at Kai with an unreadable expression.

Jason left about an hour later.

As soon as the door had closed Kai had dashed into the bedroom of the Earth Master, swinging open the door.

Cole was sat on his bed, head buried in a book and a packet of crisps next to him. He glanced up from his book and met the elder's wide eyes with an irritated glare. "Do you mind?"

"An hour." Kai breathed, letting himself inside and closing the door. He climbed onto the bed and sat with crossed legs. "Who takes an hour look for something."

"He couldn't find his tripod-" The raven hesitated abruptly.

"Tripod?"

"Y-Yeah, he wanted to get some shots of the landscape and stuff."

"Oh. That makes sense." Suddenly he furrowed his brows, lips pursing into a firm line. "Why would he have it in here?"

Cole simply pointed to his bedroom window, eyes flickering back down to his book. He placed a crisp in his mouth and chewed it slowly.

Silence.

"What's worrying you?"

"Huh?"

"You've kinda been isolating yourself lately."

"And?"

"I dunno, it's kinda concerning me a bit?" Kai ran a hand through his hair. "Ever since the slumber party thing you've pretty much disappeared. You don't even wanna play video games?"

"I was busy…" Cole muttered, not looking up from his book. "Sorry for not procrastinating like the rest of you."

The brunet nodded. "It's like you've been avoiding everyone." He stared at the younger with curious eyes, shuffling forwards slightly. "It's about what I said isn't it? About you being gay?"

The book slammed shut.

Angrily, the Earth Master growled. "Get out."

"What?"

"I said get out, Kai. Now." He continued to death-stare the taller male until he reached the door, his expression softening slightly. "Don't pull that crap again."

Kai nodded. There was no point arguing with him.

"Oh, um, question." Cole raised his voice urgently, halting the brunet's movements. "You still have Jason's number, don't you?"

"Uh, yeah? Why, exactly?"

The Earth Master shifted his gaze downwards to his fingers and they fiddled. "N-No reason. You can go now."

Jay and Kai leant against the rails of the deck, both holding calm, yet pondering expressions.

Kai was the first to speak. "I'm worried about Cole."

Jay inhaled and exhaled heavily, a sad smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, me too."

"How come?" The Fire Master wasn't expecting his friend to agree with him, so this was quite surprising.

"So you know Nya's lent me some books on mental health 'n stuff? Well some parts are eerily similar to Cole's new behaviour. To start off," He stuck out his thumb, signaling the first reason. "he's become really adamant that no one goes in his room when he's having personal conversations. Second of all, he's comfort eating."

The brunet raised a brow, thinking back too his recent interactions with him. He was always eating.

"When a person is lacking confidence or is feeling mentality unwell, some people go to food as their coping mechanism. I'm guessing that the whole attack has left him slightly traumatized." Jay gestured to his arm. "I got shot and I'm feeling fine."

"Bare in mind we didn't see the fight he was a part of in the back—"

"Oh!" Quickly the shorter male fished out his phone and got up a website, his stare scanning over the page as he read from it. "It says on Kiss's website that in a 'private' room, customers can receive some 'personal treatment' with whatever dancer they have put their name down for." He looked up from the screen. "So that means whoever was in the room was causing the fight."

"D'you reckon Cole was the dancer in that room?"

"Most likely. The guy probably recognised him and took him as an 'easy target'."

Kai nodded in agreement, his mind wondering off to more inappropriate ideas. "What d'you think he was wearing? Probably some killer heels with a whip or something~"

Jay scrunched up his face in disgust. "Well that's one way to come out, I guess."

"I'm not gay." Truth.

"You're bi?"

"No, Jay. I'm straight." Lies. "I'm just going off of what the dancers where wearing the other times I've been in there. Sheesh."

"Huh, okay okay." He grinned smugly to himself, although still unsure whether he was being lied to or not. Nevertheless, he continued the original conversation. "What did Cole say to you this morning, then? After Jason had left?"

"He told me to get out." Kai snorted in amusement at the memory. "Although, he did ask if I had Jason's contact on my phone. When I asked why, he brushed it off."

"Bet you they're hiding something." He muttered determinedly. "Do they recognise each other?"

"Nope."

"Oh. I mean, the door is always locked when they have conversations." The brunet mused, tapping his foot. "Don't quote me on this, but what if I were to guess that they did more than talking?"

"What's that s'posed to mean?" Kai knew exactly what the Lightning Master was suggesting, and it was unfortunately plausible.

"Ever since Jason arrived Cole's been avoiding him when he's with us, but always goes off when they're alone. The first night when you guys all got smashed in the kitchen? You don't know what went on whilst you passed out. From what I've heard Jason was sober, and Cole was off his head — it makes sense that he wouldn't remember anything the next morning." He stared at the elder with an oddly mischievous glint n his eyes, a proud smirk appearing on his face. "I should really be a detective!"

Kai was at a loss for words. In the span of a minute, the least intelligent ninja had just explained an unseen event that had been happening in front of their very eyes, as if it were nothing.

He was legitimately in shock.

"Jesus Christ, Jay. It's at times like this that I'm thankful for you're nosiness!"

"I'm taking that as a compliment!" Jay smiled.