Kai had trouble waking up the next morning. His head hurt and her felt tired out. As soon as pulled pushed the blanket off of him he began to shiver.

What's wrong with me? he thought.

His answer came with a tickle in his throat. Kai tried to cough it out but the cough only flared it into a sore throat.

Just great, he thought, I've caught Cole's cold.

Groaning he got up, dressed and headed to the bathroom. After using the restroom, brushing his teeth, and combing his hair, he took a good look in the mirror. He had to hide his illness from the others, or they'd make him stay in bed too. Kai couldn't stay in bed now. Not with his sister needing his help.

Kai wasn't very flushed, but he was pale. His eyes looked relatively normal though. He pulled on his mask and smiled. It hid enough of his face to look normal.

Now for his voice. Kai cleared his throat and said, "Samurai and ninja."

He smiled again. He didn't sound horse or stuffed up.

He rarely coughed or sneezed even when he was sick, which gave him further protection. His cold was well hidden.

He quickly went to join the others.

"You're finally awake!" Jay exclaimed, "We thought you'd be up early since it was your sister who needs help."

"Sorry," Kai apologized, "How's…a-choo! Excuse me. How's Cole?"

"His fever has gone down a lot," said Zane, "but he's congested making his other symptoms a bit worse. He'll have to stay behind on this one."

Kai nodded. He may have to help his sister, but there was no reason Cole couldn't rest.

"Cole said he'd heard the other day of a small gang of bandits in the area that has robbed several places in the village already," said Jay, "We should track them down first. Chances are they're the culprits."

"Let's go then!" Kai declared.

"Aren't you going to eat, Kai?" Jay asked.

"I'll eat a big lunch. Nya needs me now," said Kai.

This was half of the truth. Kai did want to hurry and get his sister's bracelet back, but he also didn't want to take off his mask and give away his condition.

"Okay then, your stomach." said Jay.

He headed out of the dojo. Kai was about to follow him when Zane blocked the door looking Kai squarely in the eyes.

"Zane, what are you doing? We have to go." said Kai trying to get around him.

"You're not well," said Zane bluntly.

Kai's eyes widened. He'd completely forgotten about Zane's gift.

"I'm not as bad as Cole is," Kai protested, "I can help."

"You need to rest. I sense you have a fever," Zane told him.

"Nya's my sister, Zane," said Kai firmly, "And that bracelet was our mother's. I can't just let this one go. It's all Nya has from her."

Zane's gaze softened. He was silent for a moment.

Then he said, "At least keep your mask on to help prevent it from spreading."

"I was planning on doing that anyway," said Kai, "Please don't tell Jay."

"I won't so long as you don't get worse," said Zane.

Zane let Kai past, and Kai headed to his dragon.

The ninja of ice has an easily melted heart. Who knew? he thought.

Kai's dragon seemed to also notice Kai's condition. It wined when Kai came in and nuzzled him a bit.

Am I hiding this worse than I thought? Kai asked himself.

Zane must have over heard, because he answered in a whisper, "Dragons, like other animals, have a mild sixth sense."

Kai nodded a thanks to Zane and climbed on.

He stroked his dragon's neck, "Don't worry. I'll be okay."

The dragon wined again but took off along with Zane's dragon catching up with Jay.

Now to find that bracelet.