The bonded pair sat on a picnic blanket, soaking in the beautiful amber light of late afternoon. They were situated on what was affectionately known as Huoban Hill, which was just outside of the Kyoboku Forest. Zane sat as still as he possibly could, wings outstretched in a precise pose. Kai had been drawing his yokai appendages for a while now, often asking him to change the way they were folded. The only anomaly was the slight stirring of the breeze over his feathers.

"There," the human grinned. He moved back over to his partner and knelt beside him, displaying the sketchbook with pride. "What do you think?" The falcon had believed that he had only been studying his wings, but his entire torso was captured as well. His facial features were drawn in a manner that made him look like a professional model.

"You drew me far too beautiful," Zane chuckled. "This cannot be me."

"But it is," insisted Kai. "It's what you look like to me." The partial bird felt his cheeks flush, and he looked away in order to hide his flustered appearance. The flattery was so unlike him, he was usually so standoffish and even a tad indignant, at times. He turned back to his companion, who was grinning at him with a quirked brow. The hunter's cream-colored poet shirt had small roses and poppies embroidered around the loose collar, and the strings that laced it up in the front had little amber-tinted beads on the end. The grass was tinged golden by the sun's rays, and the fading daylight formed a halo over Kai's chocolate brown hair. His green eyes appeared to light up as they met the half-beast's. Butterflies and other small creatures fluttered low above the hilltop. Birds sang their day-ending tunes. Everything was perfect.

"You look cute when you're embarrassed," the hunter told him. Zane flinched, feathers puffing out for a moment before retracting. His soul partner laughed and set his materials off to the side. "Adorable."

"I... I..." the bird tried to form a sentence. It took him a few seconds to find his tongue again. "You really mean that?"

"Of course. I mean, you always look cute, but-"

"Oh my stars," Zane mumbled into his palms. He had to cover his face, seeing as he was grinning like an idiot. Kai deftly pulled his hands away, still bearing that charming smile.

"See?" he said, muttering low to the falcon. "You're adorable." The winged beast was about to speak, but then Kai pushed him backwards so that he was lying on his back. The human followed suit, pressing his hands into the blanket on both sides of Zane's head as he loomed over him.

"What are you doing?" the half-bird questioned.

"Isn't it obvious?" his life partner smirked. "I wanna kiss you." The yokai's heart skipped a beat. He could not mean that, it was impossible. However, judging by his alluring expression, the way he was slowly leaning down, and how he was looking for a good vantage point, Kai was not lying. Zane stifled the urge to bite his cheek out of anxiety. He had been longing for this, and it was finally happening.

They were so close now, he could feel the stir of his sweetheart's breath against his slightly parted lips. Less than an inch remained-

A white hot light forced him to wake from the dream with a jolt. Zane growled and sat up, looking over at the pendant on the bedside table with malice. Not wishing to disturb the sleeping boy beside him, the yokai snatched the communication crystal and exited the bedroom.

"Hello?" he grumbled as he closed the door behind him.

"Zane, I messed up!" Cole's voice immediately lit up on the other end.

"Cole?" the bird yawned. He looked at the clock in the living room. "You know it is three forty-seven in the morning, right?"

"I know, I'm sorry, but I need your help!" the bear fretted. Zane sat down on the couch, wondering what had the normally stoic beast so worked up. "Look, just... Long story short, Jay and I got into a big fight, I scared him really bad, and now he's gone!" The falcon raised his brows, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"What do you mean by 'gone'?" he asked.

"Exactly what it means!"

"Where did he go?"

"Well, that's..." His friend took in a deep sigh, which was muffled by the distance from the stone. "Kai's sister and this blond boy broke into our house, but that's not even the worst part! They tied up Jay and tried to suffocate him! Obviously I wanted to save him, but he wouldn't let me hurt them because they said they were Kai's family, and then he wanted to have them stay over until we could get you and Kai to come over and sort all this out! Well, I wasn't about to just let those two sleep in our house! So I told them to leave, but then Jay got all worried and angry and I said some things that I never should've said and I scared him really bad because I'm a stupid predator and I couldn't control my instincts, and-!"

"Wait, you said Kai's... his sister? His family?"

"Yes!" Cole yelled frantically. "And they're coming to take Kai away from you! I never should've given them directions, I'm sorry!" Zane gasped, clutching a hand to his chest. He looked over at the door he had come through. Coming to take him away?

"No, they can't do that," he muttered, fear stricken.

"Jay went after them! He's gonna get himself killed!" the bear told him, clearly panicking. The falcon considered his options, and although he wanted to keep Kai safe, he also wished to meet his family. All mates sought the approval of their significant other's parents and siblings, and this was the perfect opportunity.

"You should probably hide Kai, or at the very least don't take your eye off of him," said Cole.

"I'll be sure to keep him safe, but... Perhaps this is a good time to receive his family's blessings?" Zane mumbled.

"What?" the black-haired beast roared in surprise. "They don't wanna make peace with you! They're just going to take Kai away from you! They're humans Zane, and I've seen what they're capable of! You need to stay alert and defend your bond!"

"But..." The partial bird trailed off, knowing that Cole was telling the truth. Although he did not want to admit it, his partner's village would probably hunt Zane down if it meant they could bring his husband back home. "You're right. I'll watch over Kai and keep my crystal on me just in case Jay calls. I hope you find him."

"Thanks, Zane. You're a saint. I'll keep you updated, especially if I get Jay back."

"Alright. Get some rest, Cole. You cannot continue to track him all night." There was a small laugh on the other end which sounded like it was born from hysteria.

"Fat chance," the bear chuckled. "I'm not losing Jay. Not now, not ever. I love him too much for that. Talk to you later."

"Goodbye." Zane could hardly get the word out before the pendant stopped glowing. His connection with his friend was severed, leaving him in stunned silence. The clock ticked on the wall, wind whispered past the trees, and the falcon was terrified. What could he possibly do? He had no intention of losing his fluffy human, yet he felt that the appeasement of his sibling was necessary.

He slunk back to their room after a few minutes of thought, hazy with a feeling of dread. He opened the bedroom door and stared into the space for a moment, unable to fully admire the way that the moonbeams lit up his sleeping partner. Zane set the pendant on the nightstand and sat back down on the mattress. Although Kai preferred to sleep with his back to the winged yokai, tonight he had turned on his other side. The serenity on his face helped offset the avian boy's worry. The hunter's breath was even and his chest rose and fell rhythmically. Whether or not he was having a dream, Zane did not know, but he at least appeared peaceful. The falcon reached out a trembling hand and moved a few warm brown locks out of his eyes, which were shut in a relaxed manner that hinted at deep sleep. His fingers lingered over his cheekbone, running softly down the smooth expanse. He had only met him a little less than a week ago, but he knew his heart would break if Kai were to leave.

Zane pulled the covers back over himself and let warmth envelope him, but sleep did not come easy. He tried not to toss and turn because he wanted to let his partner rest. His eyes were wide open and his feathers were beyond ruffled. Over and over, he assured himself that Kai would be alright, and yet he could not find solace. He wanted nothing more than to return to the aura of security and romance of his previous dream. However, all that greeted him was a singular, mocking nightmare full of darkness and cold. Before he knew it, morning began to warm the color of the light that splashed over the walls.

Kai let the remnants of his dream gradually leave his system. For the life of him, he could not remember what it was. All that he could salvage was the image of a golden hill. It left him feeling rather unsatisfied, as he felt like he had missed out on something when he woke up. He slowly blinked until the room focused, and found that Zane was already gone. He stood up and helped make the bed, feeling that his partner's side was still slightly warm from his body heat.

A welcoming breakfast was waiting for him as usual when he walked out of the room. Zane, however, was standing over by the kitchen counter, half-asleep as he put away cooking utensils. The enticing meal on the table was the exact opposite of how his winged companion looked. His eyes were partially closed and dark underneath, obviously from a fitful night. His usually perfect hair stuck out in odd directions, becoming increasingly disheveled as the falcon ran a shaky hand through it. His posture was distorted as he fought the desire to collapse right on the stove.

"Zane?" Kai said as he stepped towards the yokai. "Are you okay?" The bird turned and gave him the saddest smile he had ever seen.

"I'm alright, darling," he replied groggily. The hunter gave him a sharp look, unsure if his husband even caught the glare that was sent his way. "Do you... Do you want some coffee?"

"Uh, sure," the human answered. He was going to sit down, but then flinched when he saw Zane beginning to pour the beverage at least six inches from the mug. Kai sighed in relief when he saw that the pot had absolutely nothing in it, but was still nervous for the health of the bird. He gingerly grabbed the cup and the pot before he broke something. "How 'bout I make the coffee?"

"Would you?" Zane sidled up to him and hugged him from behind, shocking the brown-haired boy. "That would be lovely. Thank you, darling." Kai cleared his throat at the name and even tried to shake him off, but then surrendered when he realized that it was better for the falcon to lean against him than crash into the floor. It was difficult to brew the drink with someone hanging on him. He completed the task and slowly ushered Zane into a chair before taking out additives.

"What do you like in your coffee?" Kai asked.

"Two spoonfuls of sugar," his soul partner replied. The hunter nodded and poured the sweet substance in, stirring sluggishly as he thought. Through his spiritual connection, he could tell that Zane felt like death. If he was trying to hide this fact, he was not doing a very good job. Finally, he set the warm mug down in front of him. "You're too kind, darling." A third offense, and Kai was more than on edge at that point. Zane tilted back to give him a kiss on the cheek, but his companion turned his head so that his lips just barely grazed his jaw. The half-beast did not seem disappointed in the slightest, however.

"Are you sure you're fine?" Kai inquired, trying to keep annoyance out of his tone. Zane took his hand in both of his in response, taking a deep breath with that dazed smile he had been wearing. "Zane, focus. Are you feeling sick?"

"No, not sick, darling."

"Nickname," the huntsman warned, causing the yokai to laugh weakly.

"Sorry," he stated, yawning once more. Kai broke away from the contact and sat down in his own spot. It did not take long for them to finish breakfast, and when Zane stood to clean the dishes, he insisted that he sit back down. "There's no need to worry about me, darling."

"Nickname, Zane," Kai growled. Instead of acknowledging the advisory, the falcon simply reached one hand towards his face. "What are you-?"

"You have some jam on your cheek," Zane informed him, wiping away the strawberry jelly with his thumb. The action was so tender, it made Kai's skin crawl. "Oh dear!" The falcon jumped away, staring at the clock.

"I should have woken up sooner," the beast muttered hurriedly. "Apologies, darling, but I'm off to work." Zane rushed back over to him and gave him a peck on the forehead. Kai wanted to bristle because of the constant nickname, but was too focused on his husband, who was lumbering towards the door. He swore that the tall blond was about to pass out and fall off the edge of the platform, so Kai darted out the door and caught him before he could take off.

"Oh no you don't!" he shouted, tugging his partner back inside. "You're not going to work today."

"But I-"

"No 'but's. You're barely able to stand, let alone fly," grumbled Kai. "I'm not gonna let you keel over mid-flight. Now go lay down."

"But Pixal won't know where I am."

"I'll call her."

"Do you know how to use the crystal?" The hunter paused. He had no clue how to even start. He was human, and was not accustomed to magical items like he was. "I'll take your look of confusion as a no." Zane pulled the pendant from around his neck and handed it to him.

"Well, you have not met her, so you would not be able to contact her. The pendant works like this: if you meet someone, you can register their soul in your available contacts, which you access by connecting your own spirit to the stone. Then, you can search for their own soul link and activate their pendant." The bird's explanation was rather torpid, but Kai still understood it. Zane wrapped his hand around the crystal, then opened it again to reveal a bright violet glow.

"Zane? Where are you?" said a woman's voice. The human was impressed, marveling at the object.

"Kai wants me to stay home today," said the beast. "I'll be back tomorrow, I'm sure of it."

"Ooh, has he warmed up to you already?" Pixal's tone swiftly turned elvish. "Are you taking the day off to nest? Or have you already nested and you're recuperating? Oh, you have to tell me everything!"

"Aha! No no, nothing like that!" Zane suddenly went red and turned around, full of a sudden adrenaline rush. He pulled the necklace closer to his lips. "He's standing right here."

"Oh really? Hello Kai!"

"Hi," said the human, grinning. "Zane's really tired, and I don't want him falling asleep in the air."

"Tired?" The woman giggled mischievously. "Were you lying to me, Zane? As your best friend, I demand to know!"

"Goodbye, Pixal," the falcon sighed with self-pity.

"Goodbye. Don't exert too much energy," she signed off with a playful quality. The yokai put the chain around Kai's neck when the light faded, losing his energy and returning to his almost lethargic state. They walked back to the bedroom, with the brunet mostly propping up his partner.

"Let's get you to bed," Kai instructed him. He sat Zane down and got him some water, setting it aside just in case he needed it. "I'll go wash the dishes." He turned to leave, but felt a hand on his forearm hold him in place. Turning back, he found his bonded mate looking up at him dreamily.

There was a long pause of silence, and it allowed Kai to fully examine him. Just what had caused him to be so restless? The poor thing was in such dire need of sleep, and the hunter could not imagine that a simple nightmare could have kept him up. Zane was too mature for that. His expression showed his defeat, and the dull lighting made him appear possessed.

"I'm glad that I was paired with you," Zane whispered. The human was close enough that he could easily maneuver his arm. Suddenly his expression turned from devastated to kind and even somewhat alluring. He drifted his hand down Kai's arm and gingerly took him by the hand. He pulled it up to his lips and lazily pressed a kiss to the back of his hand, then turned it over and pressed two slow pecks to his inner wrist. "You're a godsend, darling. An angel."

"Wh- I-I..." Kai could not form any words, feeling heat rush to his face. That was the single most suave thing he had ever experienced, and Zane was not even trying. He was in a delirious mindset, yet he somehow managed to pull that off. He let his fingers slip out and all but ran to the exit. "I'll, uh... Dish... Wash dishes- bye."

He bolted for safety, trying not to show his flustered condition as he closed the door without looking back. He slowly made his way into the kitchen and leaned his forearm against a wall, holding up the hand that had been kissed. His skin tingled, his blood roared in his ears, his heart beat so strongly he thought it would kill him, he felt unbelievable dizzy. Something seemed off whenever he looked at his hand directly, like he was proud of what had just happened. Kai could not even begin to comprehend why he felt like this, and he did not know if he even wanted to.

He finally moved over and grabbed the dirty plates and glasses, washing them off in a distant stupor. The sensation of his husband's lips against his skin in such a beguiling manner felt so right to him, yet somehow deep down he believed that the action somehow went past his boundaries. Sure, Zane had not actually kissed him on the mouth, as Kai preferred, but he had still managed to reduce the huntsman down to a woozy mess. He dried his hands off and attempted to steady his breathing.

Oh my god, what did he do to me? he asked himself, staring once more at his wrist. C'mon, Kai, get a grip!

He flinched when the pendant suddenly started to glow bright royal blue on his chest. The human grasped the stone and searched for a connection, as Zane told him. He was happy that he at least knew who it was. Jay's soul was reaching out to the crystal, and Kai was ready to answer it. Anything to get his mind off the kisses. He breathed out slowly, and felt a little spark somewhere inside him that he could not place. This had to be the connection that Zane had explained to him.

"Hello?" he said, keeping his face a little ways away from the pendant.

"Zane?" Jay's voice sounded befuddled. "I know I chose the right contact..."

"It's Kai, actually," the human replied. "Zane's resting, so I figured I should take his calls for him."

"Oh, this is perfect!" the rabbit gasped. "Hold on, there's someone here that wants to talk to you." The hunter waited, praying that Cole was not the person that the yokai was referring to.

"Kai? It's Nya! Lloyd's here with me, too!" The familiar voice of his sister made him jump, joy crackling through his system like fireworks.

"Nya!" he nearly shouted, but then remembered to stay quiet so that Zane could sleep. "Where are you?"

"We're about three days out from Kyoboku, according to our map," the huntress responded with a happy tone. "Thank god you're okay! We'll be there soon to rescue you, just hold tight. This'll be so much easier. I mean, at first we were gonna call your kidnapper and demand that they bring you home, but now we can just sneak you out!" Kai's pulse rocketed, realizing that he could finally go home. He envisioned the village, and the fresh morning scents that came along with it.

"Wait. I thought you said that you were just gonna visit him," said a distanced Jay. "He can't leave Zane, and Kai doesn't need to be rescued." The hunter's heart slammed into his stomach. How could he forget, even for that blissful moment, about Zane? He had not even thought about his bonded partner until the yokai mentioned his name.

"Well, he's going to," Nya continued. "I'm not letting my brother live in yokai territory against his will. He's a human, he belongs back home with us. Besides, you don't wanna stay there, do you, Kai?"

"Actually..." he stopped himself, wondering why he almost disagreed with that. Of course he wanted to go back home. He had never wanted to be taken from his village, he had never wanted to be practically forced into a marriage with a yokai, and he certainly had never wanted to be almost killed by Cole. To the beasts that lived in this part of Ninjago, he was just a human invading their land. He was unwanted. "I don't wanna be here for longer than I have to... But I..." He stopped, thinking about Zane again.

"I have to tell Zane about this. He didn't kidnap me on purpose. He was just looking for a bonding partner and thought I was a yokai, so he-"

"Kai, you were still kidnapped!" the huntress cut him off. "Don't tell him anything. Don't even tell him that I talked to you. This call didn't happen."

"Zane's not a bad guy, sis," Kai assured her. "He's been nothing but kind to me ever since he brought me here. Plus, he's... kinda my husband."

"He's your what?" Nya screeched. "You married him? You married a yokai? Kai, he abducted you for god's sake! You only met him a few days ago! No... did he force you to marry him? What has he done to you?"

"He hasn't done anything bad, don't worry," the huntsman tried to console his sibling. He decided it was best to go outside, just in case he started to yell. "He's really nice to me."

"Oh my lord you have stockholm syndrome," the young woman growled.

"Kai, are you really married to a yokai?" Lloyd's curious voice suddenly lit up in the pendant. The brunet rolled his eyes and opened the door that led to the porch.

"Yeah, I am," he sighed. "It's not as bad as you think, though. He respects my boundaries, he cooks for me, he's gotten me everything I've asked for or needed..."

"I oughta marry a yokai, too!" the sage laughed. "Wh- Hey!"

"Lloyd, this isn't the time for jokes," Nya warned her companion. "Kai, just expect us there in three days. Maybe more, maybe less, we don't know. But be prepared to run just in case Lloyd can't figure out this teleportation spell."

"I'm working on it!" the young blond whined in the background. "Translating this stuff is hard!"

"In any case, you need to be ready to go when we get there. We brought your bow and arrows just in case there's a struggle-"

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Kai interrupted Nya. "You don't have to kill him! I already told you that Zane's a nice guy, and... I'm actually kinda happy here! I mean, I wanna go back home and forget this ever happened, but..." He stopped talking, trying not to let all the confusing thoughts scramble in his head any more than they already had. He did not want Zane to die, by any means, and would hate to leave him alone.

"Can't we just bring him with us?" he tentatively asked. "He won't cause any trouble." He waited for a response, and heard a disappointed sigh.

"No. Don't tell Zane we called," Nya finally said. "Goodbye Kai. We'll see you in three days."

"Nya, wait!" It was too late, the crystal was already dim again. A part of him wanted to tell Zane right away, yet he knew that he should not disturb him when he was so desperate for a nap. He also had to consider what his sister had told him: he had to keep everything a secret. He really did want to go back home. However, the knowledge that he might break Zane's heart was ever-present. He could not do that to him. He could not just leave. Kai let his mind go over all the new information.

He could just keep quiet and hope that Zane would not be utterly shattered if he escaped with Nya and Lloyd. He could also tell his partner and hope that he did not fly him off to another remote spot. How would the two villagers even make it up the tree, anyway? There was that teleportation spell, but how far could it reach? Kai shook his head and went back inside, wondering how in the world he was going to fix this web of messes he had caught himself in.

Jay was rather comfortable. He was in his fauna form, resting on top of Nya's pack and watching the sunset-tinted snow go by beneath him. The pair had convinced him to go with them so that they would have an ambassador of sorts when they finally met up with Zane. Besides that, yokai territory was unfamiliar to them, and even if Cole gave them directions and helpful pointers, it did not hurt to have a guide with them every step of the way.

"How ya doing back there, Jay?" the huntress asked. He startled at the sudden voice, ears perking and tail twitching just once. In reply, he squeaked in a neutral tone. While he had the body of a rabbit, he could not speak, so he resorted to animalistic sounds instead. "You need any food, little guy? We can stop if you do." His nose wrinkled at the words 'little guy', but he still complied, crawling so that he could put his front paws on her shoulder and shaking his head so she could see. Nya nodded back, and reached up to pet him behind the ears.

"I can see why Cole loves to snuggle you all the time," she chuckled. "You're really soft." He was always prideful of his natural, satiny fur. Every time that he went into his fauna form he made sure to clean himself and smooth out any rumpled areas so that he could always have a pristine white coat. When he was in his yokai embodiment, he would constantly run his hands over his ears or tail when he was bored or lying around. It was relaxing, and kept those areas perfectly tended to. Cole liked to help him with that as well, often stroking his ears while they cuddled. His tail was usually only taken care of when there was some flirting involved.

The bunny started to mope, wondering when he would get to see Cole again. He had gotten three messages already, but had not let them play because he was scared of what he would hear. Apprehension had always been his mortal enemy. He was afraid of seeing his mate in his predatory state. Not once, throughout the entire time they had been bonded, had he aimed those black eyes and sharp fangs at him. He had never gotten so angry with the smaller yokai. Jay had tried so hard to appease him, whether it was with a hushed tone or with the physical contact that he knew usually calmed the bear down, but nothing had worked. He had even said, "Cole... you're scaring me." He had meant it, but he had not expected him to take it so personally. When the predator ran off, the rabbit felt his heart crumble. Then, he heard the tree snap in half and fall after a snarl. He was terrified of the wrath he was bound to face, and he fled.

Now, however, all Jay wanted to do was run all the way back home and bury himself in his mate's embrace, to press his ear against his chest just so he could hear his heartbeat and feel his warmth. He had only been gone for about a day, but he felt as if he had been separated from Cole for a lifetime. He moved back to his previous position and put his muzzle between his paws. He really did miss the big lug. It was never his intention to stay away from him for so long, but when Nya and Lloyd needed his help, he felt obligated to assist.

"Nya, I uh... I need to take a break," Lloyd piped up. "Gotta relieve myself." The huntress nodded and reached over her shoulder, tapping Jay on the back. The rabbit pulled his head back up and held on tight as Nya set the bag down. He hopped a little ways away and changed back into his partial human form. The glow on his chest pulsated, showing that he still had those messages to listen to.

"Yeah, I need to do something real quick too," he mumbled, walking about thirty yards away before sitting on a log. He pulled the pendant up and stared at the color. It was the rich, shifting charcoal black that could only belong to the bear. He was nervous, but he had to listen.

The first message crushed him. It was full of such potent regret which made him so desperately want to reach through the stone and hold his partner close. He wanted to assure Cole that everything was fine, and that he forgave him. Jay could hardly hold back tears when he started the second message.

"Jay, this is starting to freak me out. You shouldn't have been able to get that far away from me, considering that humans need more rest than we do. I need you to answer me, because I know you're alive and okay, but you're also stressed out and I... I feel awful because I know that I caused that. I'll try and catch up with you tonight. I love you." He had not met up with them last night, and because of the winter weather it was safe to assume that Cole had fallen asleep. It was just his bear tendency. The third message was much shorter, yet even more somber.

"Oh my god, it's already almost noon! I was so close, I figured I could just rest a little... Jay, I'm on my way." There was a deep breath on the other end, accentuating the bear's dejection. "I love you." The last sentence finally wrung a sob out of him. Cole's tone made him seem utterly overrun with sadness. He was usually terse with him, but in this sorrowful light he just sounded hopeless. Jay felt the overpowering urge to run back the way he had come. The longing to console his mate consumed him.

He tore off his glove and held his hand up, staring at his ring as it glinted in the sunlight. The severe angles that formed the dragon in the center gave way to a surprisingly detailed mountainscape. In the center on the back, the kanji for strength was etched. He had gained that ring at his forging ceremony, and he had made a promise when it appeared on his finger. He told himself that he would love, cherish, and keep his new mate forever near him. How could he have gone back on that promise? How could he leave Cole to suffer?

"Jay, let's go!" Nya's voice called to him through the trees. The yokai dried his tears, put his glove back on, and went back into his fauna form, swiftly bounding back towards the human duo. "Cole said that we could be having a little trouble around here if we had to take the other trail. Could you lead us through this town?" Jay sprung back into his yokai body, holding out his hand for Lloyd to put his map in. It was true. They had taken a little detour because of a blocked passage about three or so miles back, and were headed straight for a yokai town that was a little infamous for having thieves and gypsies. The half-bunny was torn. He needed to usher these humans to safety, but he was also concerned for his soul partner.

"Y-Yeah," he finally pressed out. Cole could surely last another day without him, right?

"Alright then, let's head out," Lloyd beamed, slipping his pack on again. Jay adjusted his infinibag and trekked onward.

Hold on a little longer, Cole, he said to himself, heart aching. I'll be back before you know it.