Hey guys I'm back! This chapter is kind of off topic (a lot). But this chapter will show what happened in his past! (Or at least what I think happened in his past! Anyways hope you enjoy!

Cole raced into the bounty now carrying Kai bridal style. He race down the stairs to the basement where the ship's infirmary was located. The other's followed Cole not far behind.

-FAST FORWARD!-

Cole, Zane, and Nya had managed to get Kai cleaned up and bandaged. His wounds turned out to be less minor than they had previously thought. The only serious wound that he had obtained was a stab wound to the abdomen which Nya quickly took care of with a mysterious poultice which Zane nor Cole could name. After they were done Cole picked Kai up and carried him to his room. The others followed him quietly. He gently laid him on the bed and pulled the covers up to his chin.

"I'll stay with him" Cole whispered to the others.

Zane and Nya nodded and turned to walk out the door shooting worried glances towards Kai.

After the door shut softley behind the two Cole began assessing his surroundings. He had never actually been in Kai's room other than to tell him important info on the enemy or to wake him up for breakfast. He began walking around the room with curiosity looking at things here and there. It was a simple room really. A bed, small closet, a bed-stool with a small lamp sitting on it, a dresser, and a small desk with a chair. To the right there was a door leading to a small bathroom.

What surprised Cole is how clean Kai's bedroom was. He expected it to be the messiest out of the four, but it was actually quite the opposite. Zane's room was the only one that was tidier than Kai's.

'Or maybe not" he thought as he once again looked towards the closet.

He walked over and silently opened the closet doors to find all of his past ninja gi's along with a few pairs of causal shirts, pants and a suit with a tie. Below the closed 3 pairs of shoes were neatly lined up against the wall. A pair of Kai's ninja boots, a pair of casual shoes, and a pair of black dress shoes.

Something caught Cole's eye. Stacked in the corner were two boxes. One was labeled weapons. But the other it was labeled memories. Kai had never mentioned his younger life nor his parents. Cole knew what he was about to do was wrong but he tossed the thought aside and slid the box out onto the floor.

He sat down on the soft carpet and opened the box. There were many pictures and articles about the team, which Cole gently set aside. Something once again caught his eye. About halfway through the box he found a book. Not just an ordinary, book but a scrapbook.

Cole gently wiped the thick layer of dust off the front and back of the book. The cover of the book read 'Family is Forever.' He gently opened the cover of the book. Cole felt as if he had found a hidden treasure. The memories locked away inside the mind of a fiery teen that he had come to know. The memories that were never spoken about, never mentioned, were finally uncovered.

The first picture was of young boy with spiked hair playing the piano. Cole soon realized this was Kai. In the next was a young girl (obviously Nya) getting a piggy-back ride from Kai. On and on Cole flipped through the pages of time bringing back the hidden memories of Kai's past.

He suddenly stopped as he saw another picture. This one was of Kai sitting on someone's shoulder. Kai looked exactly like a younger version of this stranger. The only difference was that this stranger had black hair, while Kai had brown.

Kai was smiling from ear-to-ear showing the camera every tooth. Cole realized that Kai had never been as happy before than when he was in this picture. Not when had discovered his true potential. Not even when he saw his sister again after the defeat of the overlord. Then it clicked in Cole's mind.

This was Kai's father.

The question that invaded Cole's mind was why wasn't he as happy now then he was then?

Then the answer popped into Cole's head. It was because something had happened to his parents.

Cole began rapidly flipping through pages before he suddenly stopped. His trembling hand reached up to touch not a picture, but a newspaper article. Cole began to read:

Kato and Kari Smith of Ignacia were killed yesterday May 23rd after their house caught fire. The cause of this fire was unknown. Their bodies were recovered from the scene. They are survived only by their son Kai Smith of Ignacia and their daughter Nya Smith of Ignacia. Kai is nine and Nya is seven. There whereabouts are unknown. Witnesses say while the hosue was still ablaze they saw the siblings run out of the hand in hand. Witnesses say after the fire the children were nowhere to be found. Locals have decided to form a search party tomorrow at noon. The visitation of Kato and Kari will be held on the tomorrow from six to eight. The service will be held on the 26th at 2:30.

Cole finished reading as tears threatened to spill from his eyes. He looked at the photo on the left of the page opposite to the article. It looked to have been taken hours or days before the fire.

It was a picture of a young Kai and Nya sitting side by side looking at the camera with toothy grins. Kai's father and what looked to be his mother stood behind them smiling as well. A cake with a number 9 candle on it was seat in front of Kai on what looked to be a kitchen table along with a sword that his family had probably given to him as a gift.

Cole looked at the sword closer. Engraved in the blade were the words 'Family is Forever.' The same message as the title of the scrapbook. Cole realized this was the same sword Kai took with him on almost all mission's, the one he always trained with, the one that he took with him almost everywhere. Cole's once again teared up as he read the curvy neat handwriting on the bottom of the picture.

May 23rd! Happy 9th birthday Kai! We love you!

Now Cole realized why Kai loved that sword so much. It was the last thing his parent's had given him. It was the only thing to remember them bye.

All of Kai's secrets of his past were now unlocked. Now Cole realized why when the ninja tried to celebrate Kai's birthday every hear he would just shake his head and walk off. Why he never wanted to mention his past. Jay had always complained about Kai being so overprotective. The reason for this was that she was the only one that he had left. He couldn't save the ones he love. He couldn't protect them. This is why he had made it his personal job to protect anyone he cared about. Not just including Nya, but the whole team.

Cole now realized why when Kai first joined the ninja team he didn't try to get closer to them. Didn't try to get to know them. Why it took so long for Kai to open up to his own team. Why it took so long to trust his teammates. Cole knew how much Kai had loved his parents based on his toothy grin in every picture. When he parents had died Kai must have felt so alone. He didn't understand what had happened. He probably thought that his parents had abandoned him. The reason he pushed everyone away was because he was afraid that we would leave him. Abandon him just like his parents. Never to come back.

Kai was afraid to be hurt like he had so many years before.. He was terrified of being hurt by the ones he loved the most.

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I know I enjoyed writing it! If you cried (even though you probably didn't) tell me Please! Review, Follow, and Favorite! Don't forget to add constructive criticism! Thanks guys! See you next time!