Epilogue: … To prepare for one's Future!

Kai nearly jumped out of his seat when the bell rang again, once again signaling the end of a class period. Kai frowned as he realized that he had spent his entire free hour going down memory lane and not preparing for his next class. Sighing, he straightened out his desk as he wondered about what Jay had said about teaching the true story behind the Phantom Thief. The classroom door banged open as the stream of students began to flood through the door.

Kai watched them sit down, even as he weighed his options. Technically, it was all up to him on who knew the truth behind the Phantom Thief…whether he liked it or not. The final bell rang, loud and clear, sending the last of the stragglers to hurry into the room. "Alright class. Today's lesson is on the Phantom Thief. Any questions before I start the video?"

A groan escaped the class, even as a single hand shot up into the air. "Mr. Kai? Why do we have to learn about the Phantom Thief when he has never been seen, and he hasn't done anything in years? And we don't know anything about him!"

Kai looked from the lesson manual on his desk in front of him, to the board with the required questions, and then some, written on it. Jay's words floated around in his head, almost sounding as if he were mocking the retired red ninja. I wouldn't mind knowing why the governor had to make that a lesson…using only the knowledge that the public knows. Do you think you can teach them the true story of the Phantom Thief? Determination flooded him as he slammed the manual shut, startling his students. "Actually…us ninja know a lot about him. Like where he is as we speak… what he had for breakfast this morning. What he is wearing. Hopes, dreams, dislikes, and likes. His favorite songs…his name. We know a lot more than what the emperor or the rest of the public does on him."

Gasps rippled through the group, even as Kai started the projector. "You see, the story of the Phantom Thief actually begins when a young five year old boy wakes up to find his parents missing…and his baby sister crying with hunger." He turned the video on, watching his young past self steal the food he desperately needed. "He resorted to stealing out of necessity. He needed the food for his younger sister. He never once really thought much of his own needs, reason why he is so skinny in all of these videos." Pausing, Kai took a deep breath as he looked straight at each of his students memorizing their amazed looks. "He always felt guilty about taking the food from others, and sometimes he would steal over the counter medication for when his sister would get sick. But never more than what he needed. About three years ago, that all changed." Kai fought back tears, his thankfulness over this last part, a bit more overwhelming than he would like to think. "He made friends…ones that weren't just friends. They were a family. They provided housing and food that he didn't have to steal for both him and his sister. They also had steady jobs with these friends. Things that should have been his parents' worry that ended up as his own were finally gone." Kai took a deep breath, steadying himself. "And I can tell you right now… everyone knows who he is." Kai's characteristic smirk flashed across his face. "After all, I am a ninja now and we can't seem to avoid the news for some reason." Gasps rippled through the class, before questions flooded forth.

Kai grinned as he turned the projector off, glad that he actually for once listened to Jay. Teaching the true story instead of the theories behind his past, as if they were someone else's felt good. Really really good.

~After School Hours~

"Hey Jay! So what did you want my help with?" Kai walked into the garage, eyeing the sparring bot that Jay was mending at the moment.

Jay noticed what he was looking at, and nervously chuckled. "Uh…not this. You see I was thinking about…well um…do I have your permission to propose to Nya?" Jay blurted out, anxiety flooding him.

Kai quirked his eyebrow upwards, puzzled by why he would ask that kind of question. "Jay…you're like a brother to me. Marrying Nya would make it official. Of course I don't mind if you ask her!" Pausing, he plopped down next to Jay, a huge grin on his face. "So...do you have a ring already?"

Jay gulped, before pulling out a simple ring. It was a simple gold band, with a crystal blue gemstone instead of a diamond. "Is it too much? Or too little? What if she hates it?!"

Kai laughed at that, placing a firm but gentle hand on his back. "Jay, chill. It's you. She'll love it no matter what. So, what was your plan anyways?"

Jay shrugged, looking highly impish. "Well, I might have sent an email to Mr. Borg's office asking for a tour of his building…and I was planning on popping the question right afterwards, in front of the building! I mean… um…yeah. It's not romantic or anything…but still. It's worth it. She's amazing and I want to spend the rest of my life with her."

"Go for it…" Kai slapped him on the back, a grin on his face.

A/N: Done! Uh, keep reading if you want a little extra to the story. I will be placing it on the bottom. I really hope you all liked this story!

Review!

SkyTalon

~After Season Three… but before Season Four. ~

Kai punched the punching bag a smidgen too hard, sending it flying away on fire. Ok, maybe he should tone down the whole elemental power thing. Glancing around the gym, he sighed as he realized that no one he knew that he actually cared about was there. It felt strange, knowing that Zane was gone forever. And that Jay and Nya have broken up…and Jay was fighting with Cole. Their little family was all broken up and he did not know what to do about it! Growling in frustration, he stormed off, slamming the gym's door shut behind him.

Stomping his way down the street, he didn't notice until too late someone else that apparently was in a similar mood as him. It was when he crashed into said person, that he couldn't help but think that maybe he needed to be the big brother for once and see what is going on in his mind.

"Jay?" Kai reached a hand out to pull his fellow ninja back up to his feet.

Jay swatted his hand away, anger dancing in his eyes. "Go away! It's all your fault!"

Kai drew his eyebrows together, confused. "What was all my fault?"

Jay reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring that he had never had the chance to present to Nya. "She left me! You gave me your word that she wouldn't…and then she did!" Jay broke down in tears, allowing the ring to slip from his fingers.

Kai quickly caught it, rolling it around between his fingers. "Jay…keep it. Don't give up on her. Please? She is just really confused about her feelings right now. Besides that, age wise you would have to wait for oh, about two more years before you could even get married. Maybe this was for the best." Apparently that was the wrong thing to say, since Jay broke down even some more. Kai growled as he nearly punched the younger ninja. "Oh! Come on! I'm trying to be all Zane here and help you Jay! Give Nya time! I know she cares a lot about you…why else would she change her favorite color to match yours if she didn't?!"

Jay gasped at that, his eyes widening in surprise. "She did what?!"

Kai sucked in a deep breath, even as he grabbed Jay's hand and pressed the ring into it. "She never liked blue. She always liked maroon. That is why she is always wearing it! Maroon and gold. Then she met you and totally changed her mind about blue. It wasn't an ok color anymore. It was her favorite. It still is her favorite. She will come along Jay. Just be patient."

A/N: Done! For real this time. It just occurred to me that with everything that happened in the third season, that Jay's little proposal would have been shoved the back burner…and that was going to cause a whole new level of problems.

SkyTalon