Author's Note/Disclaimer: Still don't own Ninjago.

Cole! Yay! This was actually the first chapter I wrote in this mess, but it's fourth in the chronology, so it goes here. Takes place during The Royal Blacksmiths. I just imagine there was some travel time between deciding to head to Cole's dad's place and when they actually arrived there, so that's where this fits in. The conversation Cole and Zane ended up having is what sparked the idea to turn this into a chaptered story. Originally, it was just an excuse to write a story about Cole reading certain types of books. Hee.

Also, this is the last chapter I already had written. Updates are going to slow down now since I still have to write the next three. The epilogue is already done, but I can't post that yet for obvious reasons.

Chapter Four: Cole

He wasn't sure how late it was. The sun had set hours ago, and yet here he was, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. He sat up and glanced about at the others, all of whom seemed to be sleeping peacefully. A small smile crossed his face when he noticed that, even in his sleep, Kai tended to scowl. Perhaps not all of them were peaceful after all.

Leaning over the side of his bunk, he checked up on Jay. The blue ninja was shuffling and muttering something in his sleep. He wasn't sure when Jay had started sleeping with his golden weapon, but it was cute in a strange way. He wasn't about to tell anyone he thought that, however.

Shaking his head, he turned to regard Zane. The white ninja was always a little odd, but the recent discovery of his origins explained quite a bit of his bizarre behaviour. He wasn't sure if Zane even needed to sleep, or if he just did it because it made him seem more human.

With a sigh, Cole pulled his attention away from the others, laying back down in an attempt to claim sleep. Five minutes passed, then ten, then half an hour before he finally gave up. Rolling carefully out of bed so as not to wake the others, Cole proceeded to leave the bedroom. At least, he thought he managed to get out without being noticed.

Zane opened one eye, watching Cole leave. Sitting up, he cocked his head in curiosity.

X X X

The Destiny's Bounty rocked gently in the night breeze, gliding along on autopilot towards Cole's hometown. Luckily for Cole, it wasn't rough enough to trigger his motion sickness. Either way, it didn't really matter. He made his way to the upper deck after retrieving a small pack from his secret hiding place. Secret because, if Jay ever found out what he kept in it, he would never hear the end of it.

Climbing onto the roof above the Bounty's cockpit, Cole sat down cross legged and, for a moment, looked about at the scenery in the bright moonlight. It was hard to believe all the trouble going on in the world when everything was currently so calm.

He grew bored of the view quickly, and reached into his bag, pulling out a book. Locating his bookmark, he flipped it open and proceeded to read by the glow of the moon.

"What are you doing, Cole?"

"Agh!"

The sudden question startled him so much he nearly unbalanced and fell off the roof, dropping his book. After taking a few seconds to calm his racing heart, he turned towards the source of the question. Zane stood on the deck, looking up at him with an expression of sheepishness.

"Sorry, I did not mean to startle you."

"S'okay." Cole shook his head, a crooked smile crossing his face. "Man, you're made of metal. How is it that you can be so quiet?"

Missing the joke entirely, Zane shrugged. Cole couldn't help chuckling. No matter what, Zane would always be Zane, he was sure of it. He gestured to Zane to join him, the white ninja taking him up on the offer. A moment later, the two sat in silence on the roof.

"You never answered my question," said Zane eventually.

"Oh, yeah." Cole stared up at the stars, thinking over his reply. "Couldn't sleep," he said finally.

"Is that all?"

Cole studied Zane for a moment. Was he just imagining the accusing tone in the white ninja's voice? Zane wasn't that perceptive, was he?

Don't be stupid. Cole thought to himself. Of course he is! "If you really must know, I'm not looking forward to tomorrow," he said aloud.

"Why is that? Do you not wish to see your father?" Zane sounded legitimately curious, and it made Cole feel bad. He knew Zane would love another chance to talk to his own father, but the old man had passed away a while ago. He supposed Zane couldn't understand giving up a chance like that while he still had it.

Cole sighed. "I do, it's just … I've been lying to him for so long. He's going to be so angry."

"So you are scared."

"What?! No! Well, maybe. Look, I love my dad, really. But…" Cole paused to think for a moment. "Look at it this way. Do you remember ever disappointing your father?"

Zane had to stop and think about it. After a while, he nodded slowly. "Yes, actually. I had left the house on my own without permission once, and gotten lost. Thinking back on it now, I was lucky that my falcon found me and led me home before I attracted the attention of the treehorns. I could have been destroyed." He stared out across the landscape, and Cole had the distinct impression that he was looking towards the Birchwood forest. "Father was very angry with me. He'd been worried, but he was relieved that I was okay."

"I imagine you felt terrible about letting him down like that. So can you understand now why I'm not looking forward to this reunion?"

"Yes, I believe I can." Zane looked over to Cole, his expression a mix of seriousness and worry. "I know it is not really my place to tell you what you should and should not do, but I believe this could be a chance for you to set things right. Perhaps you aren't following in his footsteps as he would have wished, but surely he would be proud of you for what you have accomplished?"

Cole looked away. "Yeah, well, you don't know my dad."

"No, I suppose not."

The conversation seemed to just stop, leaving behind an awkward silence. Cole fiddled with his hands as Zane looked about. Neither of them knew what to say next.

Eventually, Zane spotted the book Cole had dropped earlier. Leaning forward, he picked it up. His intention was to return it to Cole, but then the cover caught his eye. Raising an eyebrow, he studied the image. A shirtless man was embracing a woman, her long hair blowing in a breeze against the backdrop of a sunset on a tropical island.

Confused, he held the book out to Cole. "What is this?"

Cole's reaction left him even more confused. The black ninja let out a strange, strangled squawk and snatched the book from Zane's hand, his face turning bright red. "Nothing, never mind!"

Suddenly, memories clicked into place in Zane's head, and he knew what he'd been looking at. "That was a romance novel, wasn't it? I didn't know you liked romance stories."

Cole sighed. There was no denying it now. "Well, I do. Just, don't tell the others, alright? Especially not Jay. He'd never shut up about it."

"Of course. Though I don't understand how it's something to be ashamed of."

Cole couldn't help snorting. "Tell Jay something you'd rather no one knows, and then you'll understand."

"I don't think I'd want to do that," said Zane. A small smile crossed his face. "I believe I see what you mean."

"Good." Cole yawned before packing his book away into its bag. "I think it's time for me to try to get some sleep. Goodnight, Zane."

With that, Cole leapt from the roof to the deck and headed below. Zane watched him go before turning to watch the stars.