Chapter 10: Is This Love?

Cole held in a frustrated growl as he tried to figure out exactly what was wrong with him. Whenever he was close to the human omega he got some weird shake or shiver that he just couldn't ignore, no matter how hard he tried. Even though he didn't want to admit it, Cole now knew it was amazing that someone in his life might really care for him. He hadn't felt that since he lived with his parents. With Kai, however, it felt very different.

Whenever the human prince was near he made Cole warm and happy inside.

The alpha bear hybrid could hardly speak whenever Kai said something to him. At first, he thought these feelings were wrong and weak, but he soon realized they felt too strong and right. Cole had no idea he could feel this way. All the way to King Nadakhan's castle Cole just kept asking himself the same question.

Is this love?...

Unbeknownst to Cole or Nya and Jay, Kai was having very similar feelings around the alpha bear hybrid as well. Kai blushed as he thought about when he was around Cole. The prince had never felt his heartbeat so fast in all his life. He kept thinking of Cole first and of himself last, something he hadn't done since he and Nya were locked away in that tower. For most of his young, short life, Kai had been putting his sister's happiness above his own.

Now all he could think about is how happy he wanted Cole to be.

At first, Kai felt like he was going insane. For the very first time, there was actually something in his life that was way better than a dream about him and Nya being rescued from that dreaded tower. He honestly didn't know that he could feel this way about anyone before he'd met Cole. Whenever Cole smiled at him Kai would start to get a little dizzy and starry-eyed. For the rest of the journey, the prince could only ask himself the same question.

Is this what love felt like?...

There it is guys, your future awaits you." Cole sighed, a hint of sadness in his voice as they walked out of the forest and to the top of the hill just as the grand kingdom of Djinjago appeared in the distance, King Nadakhan's castle standing tall and proud over everything, almost touching the white, fluffy sky. Kai and Nya's eyes widened when they finally saw Kai's future home.

"That's Djinjago?" The brunette prince asked, not taking his eyes off the castle.

"Um, I, uh, I guess we better move one." Cole forced out, but it was clear that neither he nor Kai wanted to go yet.

"Sure." Nya sighed and they all started walking towards the distant kingdom.

"But, Cole?" Kai suddenly said and they all looked at him expectedly, but he couldn't find the right words. "I'm- I'm worried about Jay!" He suddenly exclaimed and quickly rushed over to the confused cat hybrid.

"What?" Cole asked as Nya and Jay looked between them in confusion.

"Um...he looks sick! Maybe we should spend the night so he can rest." The brunette suggested, trying to give the alpha bear hybrid a hint that he didn't want to rush getting to King Nadakhan's castle. Nya saw this and sent her brother a glare, but said nothing yet.

"Oh yeah! You don't look so good, Jay." Cole replied, finally getting the message. Jay looked back and forth between the alpha and omega, completely confused.

"What are you guys talking about? I feel totally fine." He reassured.

"Who's hungry? I'll get some dinner." Cole suddenly smiled and hurried away.

"I'll go get the firewood," Kai added with a happy smile of his own and ran off in the other direction. Jay just stayed where he was, completely lost, as Nya glared daggers at her brother and Cole's retreating forms...

It was almost sunset when everyone had somewhat settled down for the night. The group had found a calm field in front of an old windmill for shelter They had a strong fire going and Nya had left the boys alone to go gather more food. Kai smiled as he and Cole chowed down on some big tasty rats that Cole had managed to catch. They had cooked them on the warm campfire the prince had made.

"This stuff is really good, our father made me and Nya eat nothing traditional Japanese foods when we were living with him and Mom." He added with a sad sigh. He and Nya rarely talked about their parents. They really missed their mother and father but Kai knew that once he was married to King Nadakhan they would all be reunited once again.

"I guess I'll be dining a little differently tomorrow night." He sighed and looked back up at the castle.

"Maybe you can come and visit me sometime," Cole suggested. "I'll cook all kinds of stuff for you."

"I'd like that." Kai smiled and Cole nervously gulped down the food in his mouth, blushing slightly. Kai chuckled then turned to Jay, who had fallen asleep not too long ago. "Do you think it was fair to confuse Jay like that?" He asked, guilt clear on his face. Cole smiled softly and took hold of the prince's warm hand. The human omega looked at the black bear hybrid with those bright amber eyes and smiled back.

"I think it was worth it," Cole said as he and Kai slowly leaned closer together. "Prince Kai, you know I would never do anything to hurt you." He whispered.

"And I don't want to hurt you so...we...need to..sto..." He trailed off as he and Cole's lips were almost touching. However, before they could actually kiss Jay suddenly appeared in between them with his usually goofy grin. Both Cole and Kai jumped back in a second, blushing brightly, just as Nya returned. She took one look at the scene and knew what was going on. Jay, however, was completely oblivious.

"Man, the sunset from up here looks totally awesome guys!" He exclaimed and pointed to the setting sun in the distance.

"Sunset? Oh, no!" Kai cried as he stood up in a panic, getting concerned looks from the two hybrids.

"It's very late, we should be getting some sleep." Nya agreed and she began to lead her brother to the abandoned windmill.

"Wait a minute, I see what's going on here," Jay said, causing the siblings to pale slightly. "You're afraid of the dark, aren't you?" He smiled and they both visibly relaxed.

"Yes! Yes, that's it." Kai laughed.

"You know, we'd better go inside." Nya urged. Kai didn't have a chance to say anything else before his sister quickly dragged him toward the windmill and slammed the creaky door shut. Now they were alone, Jay looked back and forth from the windmill and then to Cole. As soon as he saw the lovestruck expression on the alpha's face, his eyes widened when he realized something.

"Oh, now I see what's going on now!" He grinned.

"What are you talking about?" Cole growled.

"I know you and the prince are totally into each other."

"Your mad!" Cole snapped, causing Jay to jump back slightly out of fear. "I'm just bringing him and his sister back to King Nadakhan." He glared but with a sad look in his eyes.

"Come on Cole, man up and go in there and tell him how you feel."

"There's nothing to tell!" He growled at him and began sulking away. "I'm gonna get some more firewood." He mumbled. Jay casted a look at the pile of firewood that Kai had gathered and sighed. There was still plenty there...