The next morning – around 6am – Zane and Pixal sat opposite one another on their bed, connected by a cable plugged into the ports on the back of their necks. They sat in silence, as Zane accessed Pixal's operating system and activated a handful of updates that she had ignored in the midst of his hallucination issues.

"You have quite a backlog." Zane said.

Pixal didn't respond.

"Is there a reason why you did not take care of these?" He probed.

She looked away from him.

"Darling, please speak to me."

"How can you be so concerned about me when I was such a brute yesterday?" She squeaked.

"It was an isolated incident," He insisted, placing his hand over hers. "it only happened because the auditory hallucinations I was enduring were affecting you subconsciously; this is what led to the tipping point you experienced."

"I shall apologize to everyone individually," She declared. "such behaviour is unacceptable."

"I cannot blame you for your reaction, not when I would have done the same," He assured her. "if I had found out that someone else's actions were causing you to hurt yourself, I too would have exploded."

"Perhaps we should go on a short reprieve away from the temple..." She suggested.

"Are you feeling confined?"

"No, but I have caused a lot of trouble," She mentioned sadly. "I cannot help but feel that I should vacate the area for a few days."

"You cannot run away from your mistakes," He cupped her cheek in his hand and tilted her head up. "did I ever tell you the many ridiculous things I did in my first days here?"

"I do not recall…" She said, her interest piqued.

"I had little social awareness, so I often did things like walk into the bathroom when it was engaged, eat the last pudding cup without saying anything, and laugh at the saddest part of whatever movie we were all watching," He detailed. "I also had limited spatial understanding and often took over the training area back at the monastery, but the one thing that the others still occasionally tease me about, was the time I wore a pink frilly apron while preparing dinner."

Pixal couldn't help but giggle in response, as she tried to imagine Zane in something so silly.

"There's my darling's beautiful smile," Zane leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I am sure Sensei would allow you to skip training for a couple of days if you are still feeling low."

"I will take some time off, but I will remain in the temple," Pixal compromised. "I could do with a little more rest."

"The updates are complete," He announced, removing the cable from her neck, and retracting it into his own. "from now on, we will not allow them accumulate in that manner, alright?"

Pixal nodded in agreement. Zane stood up and tucked her back into bed, pulling the covers up to her shoulders. He beamed at her lovingly as she closed her eyes, then he walked over to their bedroom door, and left her to sleep in peace. As he shut the door behind him, he was surprised to see Kiku waiting for him in the hallway; and doubly surprised to see her wearing one of Kai's uniforms.

"Good morning." He said plainly, still annoyed at her.

"Good morning," She nervously replied. "um, how's Pixal doing?"

"She is feeling unwell," He responded as he began to walk away. "so, she is taking a few days off from training."

"Oh, okay… um, how are you today?" She asked, tottering after him.

"I am fine, although, I am curious to know if Kai is aware that you are wearing his clothes." He stated, looking her up and down.

"Yeah, he let me borrow them because I forgot my gym gear," She chuckled. "he said it suited me, what do you think?"

"I think you should stop trying so hard to get along with me when it has not even been 24 hours since you got here," He bluntly stated. "please respect my temporary desire for space."

"Of course, I'm sorry." She mumbled sadly.

She followed behind him at a distance, as he walked to the kitchen. Fortunately for Kiku, there were other people there already, and she made a beeline for an empty seat next to Kai. The fire ninja smiled at her and ruffled her hair when she sat beside him. Zane walked over to where Nya was making hot drinks.

"Want one?" Nya asked.

"Yes please."

"Where's Pixal this morning?"

"Resting; she is not feeling quite right." He explained.

"I'm not surprised really," Nya shrugged. "she didn't seem herself after all that… kerfuffle yesterday."

"Between you and I," Zane lowered his voice to a whisper. "I had to talk her down from wanting to leave the temple."

"What?" Nya gasped.

"Not permanently, but she is ashamed of how she lost control," Zane mentioned. "she said she felt like she needed to vacate for a few days."

"She's not the first, and she won't be the last, to lose control in some meaning of the word," Nya brushed off this concern. "just look at my brother."

Zane glanced over at Kai, who was cheerily chatting away to Kiku as though they had been friends for years.

"I've never seen him relax so quickly around someone so new – he's lost control of his usual nonchalant demeanour."

"Evidently he is always a fool for a pretty face," Zane chuckled. "regardless of whether that face is human or not."

"Are you complimenting her?" Nya grinned.

"A compliment? No, it is a fact – Mr Borg said that Kiku and her sisters are an extension of my darling Pixal, so naturally, they are pretty," Zane smirked as Nya made him a latte. "though not nearly as beautiful as my wife is."

"You're so sappy, you know that?" She winked at him.

"Surely you, of all people on the team, understand the all-consuming blizzard that is love." He countered.

"Yes," She sighed wistfully, gazing at Jay as he yawned. "though in my case it's more like a lightning bolt from the blue."

Cole sat on the other side of Kai and nudged him in the ribs with his elbow. Kai looked at him with one eyebrow raised, silently questioning this action. Cole mockingly batted his eyes at Kai.

"Hey Flower, would you mind getting me a coffee?" Kai said to Kiku.

"Of course!" She happily got up and approached Nya with a smile.

Once she was out of earshot, Kai turned to Cole with a bemused expression.

"What's your deal?" He asked.

"I could ask you the same thing," Cole whispered. "she's been here five minutes, you're already in each other's pockets and now she's wearing your clothes – spill."

"I lent them to her because she forgot to pack her workout stuff."

"Really?" Cole made a deadpan face at Kai. "She's wearing your clothes despite the fact there's another girl in the temple she could've asked to borrow from… Give it up, dude."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Kai denied.

"And what's with the nickname?" Cole probed.

"Her name means 'chrysanthemum' you brick head," Kai hissed. "a chrysanthemum is a flower, no?"

"Her name is 'Kiku'; it literally means 'to listen'," Cole corrected him. "why are you so chummy with her already?"

"I'm just trying to make her feel welcome," Kai insisted. "first Zane didn't want her here, then Pixal didn't want her here; just because she's only with us temporarily, doesn't mean I can't be polite about it."

Cole pondered this for a moment, before he realised that Kai was right for once.

"Here we are," Kiku beamed as she passed Kai a mug of strong coffee. "I didn't know how you like it so hopefully it's alright."

Kai took a speculative sip.

"It's perfect," He smiled. "just what I needed on such a cold day."

Kiku giggled.

"Oh, I should have asked if you wanted a drink," Kiku noted, smiling at Cole. "did you want anything?"

"I'm good thanks." Cole smiled back.

"He's already had three," Kai joked. "if he has any more, he'll be having chest pains."

"How nice it is to see everyone awake and ready for practice," Wu began, looking around and noticing one individual missing. "no Pixal this morning?"

"She is not feeling well, Sensei," Zane elaborated. "I completed her updates this morning, but she was still a little 'off', so I left her to sleep."

"Perhaps it's for the best," Wu admitted. "I was considering giving her a few days off in light of recent events."

"Thank you for understanding." Zane bowed.

"Kiku, you may observe today's practice if you prefer, but you are welcome to join in at the higher level if you choose." Wu offered.

"I can keep an eye on her if you like Sensei." Kai volunteered.

"How kind of you to offer," Wu smiled and turned to Kiku. "if it is helpful for you to shadow Kai, by all means do so."

"Thank you, sir," Kiku bowed her head and glanced at Kai. "and thank you for looking after me."

"No worries." Kai grinned and ruffled her hair again.

As everyone stood up to go and start their training session, Lloyd collared Zane and waited for everybody else to leave the room.

"Are you okay with that?" Lloyd asked, referring to Kai and Kiku's more than friendly interactions.

"How do you mean?" Zane baited.

"Kiku's still in the doghouse with you and Pixal, but Kai's acting like nothing happened," Lloyd explained. "do you want me to say something? Is it bothering you?"

"Only slightly," Zane admitted. "regardless of my own misgivings, someone has to help her acclimate to her new surroundings; if Kai wishes to do so, that is fine with me."

"I think he's doing more than helping her 'acclimate'," Lloyd sneered. "she's wearing one of his uniforms."

"Apparently, she forgot her workout clothes," Zane clarified. "but again, if Kai is happy to keep her amused, I'm not going to interfere."

"How's Pixal doing now?"

"Better than she was, but she is still tired..."

"And you're still worried, am I right?" Lloyd hinted.

"I am calmer than I was, but yes, I am concerned," Zane noted. "it has been a tough couple of weeks for both of us."

"The only way is up, my friend," Lloyd reassured. "hopefully, today's training will be a good chance to work off some stress."

"That was so much fun!" Kiku squeaked as practice was dismissed for the day.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," Kai chuckled. "you did really well."

"Really?" She smiled at him.

"Yeah, you've got good rhythm."

"Thanks!"

Kiku didn't know that it would be enjoyable to learn these skills manually, so she was relieved when much of it came to her quite easily. Kai had to correct her on stance a few times, but otherwise she did great on her own. Although, she felt kinda bad; Kai was so busy making sure she was okay that he didn't get to do much of what the others were doing. He seemed happy enough helping her out, but the guilty feeling lingered regardless.

"So, what do you do once training is over?" Kiku wondered.

"Our time is our own after practice," Kai explained. "sometimes we play video games, or watch movies…"

"I'm gonna get changed, anyone need anything from upstairs?" Cole openly asked.

Kai lowered his voice to a whisper.

"And some of us have people to see." Kai winked and gave Kiku a gentle nudge.

"Could you check on Pixal for me?" Zane requested. "I will be there in a moment, but if you're going up now, I would appreciate if you could see if she's awake yet."

"Sure thing." Cole smiled as he bolted up the stairs and approached the closed door of Zane and Pixal's room.

He gently knocked on the door but got no response. He knocked a little harder.

"Hey, Pixal," He said in a hushed tone. "you awake?"

He pressed his ear to the door and heard some movement, so he knocked again.

"Pix, it's me, Cole," He informed her. "I'm gonna come in, okay?"

No response, yet again, but he took a deep breath and opened the door. For the sake of her modesty, he covered his eyes with his hands and slowly peeked between his fingers.

Phew…

Cole was relieved to see that Pixal was fully dressed, but the relief was short-lived. She was shifting incessantly in her sleep, and her face was marred by fear, as if she were having a nightmare. He knelt beside the bed and ever so delicately, jostled her arm with his hand. She instantly woke up and jumped towards him, knocking him backwards. Her shaky hands gripped the lapels of his gi, and she whimpered loudly as she nuzzled into his chest.

"It's okay, Pix, you're awake now." Cole smiled, sitting up.

Pixal looked up and realised that the person she was latched onto was not her husband. In her panicked awakening, she had mistaken Cole for Zane and leapt into his arms without thinking.

"I am so sorry!" She stammered in embarrassment and quickly let go of him. "I did not know it was you!"

"Don't worry about it, looks like you were having a pretty bad dream," He turned toward the open door and shouted: "HEY ZANE! PIXAL'S AWAKE!"

"I do not dream; it must have been some kind of malfunction." She speculated.

Zane soon appeared, having heard a thud, followed by Cole's slightly panicked yelling.

"Darling," Zane said as he approached them. "what happened?"

"Angel…" Pixal sighed and reached out for him from her place in Cole's lap.

"She's pretty shaken up," Cole mentioned, helping her to her feet. "I think she had a nightmare."

"Thank you for comforting her," Zane nodded appreciatively at Cole as he pulled Pixal into a warm hug. "this has not happened before."

"It's probably just stress." Cole offered.

"But I do not possess the ability to dream," Pixal refuted. "neither do I typically react to stress."

"Well, yesterday was way more stressful than normal…" Cole mentioned as he stood up.

"I agree, this is hardly a typical situation." Zane stated.

"I am sorry that I advanced on you," Pixal apologised to Cole sheepishly. "in my haste I thought you were Zane."

"No problem, anytime," Cole grinned. "I'll uh, leave you two alone."

The earth ninja left the room and went to his own; he had a date with Jasper this evening and he wanted to freshen up before he left. Zane stroked Pixal's hair as he held her close.

"Are you alright?" He wondered.

"I am mildly startled, but beyond that, I am feeling better." She replied.

"Good." He sighed.

"How was training?"

"Fairly standard, aside from the new starter," Zane rolled his eyes. "she knows how to fight, I know that she knows how to fight, but Kai was babysitting her the entire time."

"He is becoming strangely attached to her," Pixal added. "it is most peculiar."

"I am not surprised, she is based on your blueprints, and you are beautiful beyond compare," Zane murmured. "it figures that even as a pale imitation, she would attract male interest."

"Oh Zane," She blushed furiously. "again, with your brazen flattery."

"You adore how I flatter you, be honest." He smirked, kissing her lips softly.

"I cannot deny it," She giggled. "you know how to make someone feel loved."

"Are you feeling well enough to come downstairs with me?"

Pixal hesitated.

"I would prefer to remain here." She insisted.

"Do you want me to be with you?" He hinted.

She nodded and sat down on the bed.

"Alright, we will stay here for now," He agreed. "but perhaps later you can come down, the others have been asking after you."

"It is kind of them to be concerned." She smiled.

He sat beside her and put his arm around her shoulder. She leaned into him, and as he comfortingly rubbed her back, she soon fell asleep in his arms.

"Is she okay?"

Zane looked over at the door, to see Cole standing there in a fresh set of clothes.

"She is… getting there." Zane smiled.

Cole smiled back at Zane then went downstairs. He patted his pockets to make sure he had everything, as he muttered a checklist under his breath.

Phone, keys, wallet…

"Where ya goin'?" Kiku asked.

"To meet my girlfriend," Cole replied, looking up from what he was doing. "where's Kai? I'm surprised he left you on your own."

"He's gone to get changed, I said I'd wait down here," Kiku mentioned. "I'm trying to give him at least some privacy."

"Sharing a room is difficult when you're not in a relationship, huh?" Cole baited.

"It's not so bad," Kiku turned away as her cheeks pinked. "I'm just relieved to have a friend... How's Pixal?"

"She was having a nightmare when I went up, and I woke her up, but she's gone back to sleep now," Cole answered, trying to stay neutral. "I think doing all those updates at once has thrown her off balance."

"Cole, do you dislike me?" She bluntly questioned.

"What makes you think that?" Cole deflected.

"Nothing! I just know I made a right mess when I got here and I'm trying to make up for it," Kiku paused. "but Zane is still really distant, and I haven't seen Pixal since last night; despite my bungling introduction, she's my sister and I want to spend time with her."

Cole sighed.

"Listen, the best thing you can do right now is give them a bit of space," Cole suggested, putting his hand on her shoulder. "they'll open up on their own, you'll see – it's not like you don't have time, you're gonna be here for a few months."

"Flower, I'm done changing if you-" Kai paused as he came down the stairs and saw Cole touching Kiku's arm. "is everything okay?"

"Of course, I was just asking Cole's advice about something." Kiku beamed.

"Uh huh." Kai responded, glancing at Cole oddly.

"Well, I better get going or I'll be late meeting Jasper," Cole excused himself. "don't wait up for me!"

Cole sauntered out the front door, casually shutting it behind him.

"Translation: I might be getting some." Kai laughed and raised his eyebrows.

"Getting some what?" She queried, tilting her head.

"You know..." He smirked.

Kiku continued looking at him with a confused expression.

"You don't know..." He hesitated.

How much did she understand about human relationships? Or humans in general? She was much more casual and self-aware than the other sentient droids he knew, but the last thing he wanted was a 'where do babies come from?' situation if he said the wrong thing.

"Uh, how do I put this?" Kai scratched his head. "Do you know what an innuendo is?"

"Ohhh, I know about those! The lab technicians were always coming up with funny ones," Kiku exclaimed. "here's one I heard last week; 'there once was a couple of rockers, who went out with a girl with big-"

"NO!" He interrupted, a little too loudly. "No, that's a limerick, but you're on the right track."

"Oh, wait..." She pondered for a moment. "is 'getting some' the same thing as 'doing it'?"

Kai blushed at her asking so bluntly.

"I'll take that as a yes," She grinned as her eyes lit up. "wait a minute... are Cole and Jasper 'doing it'?"

"Probably," He stammered bashfully. "I mean, they've been going out long enough."

Kiku giggled coquettishly, and her facial circuits began to glow. She tried to hide her face with one hand and waved the other at Kai demurely. Now that she fully understood, she was even more flustered than him. It wasn't long before her infectious laughter got to him, and he started laughing along with her.

"Wow, I'm learning so much and it's only my first day," Kiku stated excitedly. "I can't wait to tell Pixal about all this stuff!"

"About that… maybe you could keep it secret when I tell you about non-ninja related things?" Kai advised. "You know, in case Sensei doesn't approve."

"I hadn't thought of that..." Kiku admitted.

"And if you do tell Pixal, be careful how you word it," Kai added. "I know what'll happen if you go up to her and say, 'Hey sis, Kai was talking to me about 'doing it'."

"Pfft…" Kiku giggled again, before offering her hand to him. "okay, so it's a deal yeah? You teach me everything you know, and if it's not ninja-related, I won't tell anyone else."

"Deal," He smiled and shook her hand.

"Awesome," She grinned. "hey, since you're teaching me so much, how about I show you how to use my aerial hoop?"

"Nah, it's okay, I prefer watching you on it."

"Aw, c'mon; it'll be fun, I promise!" Kiku pleaded. "And who knows, it might impress that girl you were interested in!"

Kiku winked as she tilted her head from side to side, and a wide grin swept across her face. Somehow, Kai doubted that learning to do aerial tricks would impress Skylor all that much, but Kiku really wanted to teach him it, and they were gonna be roomies until July at least. It couldn't hurt to do some things that she wanted if it kept their relationship amicable.

Relationship…? He thought to himself as he felt his cheeks heat up.

"No need to be embarrassed, everyone's gotta start somewhere!" She insisted, grabbing his hand, and dragging him upstairs.

As they got to the top of the staircase, Kiku took a brief glance in the direction of Zane and Pixal's room, hoping to see them – but the door was closed. She hoped that Cole was right; that they would come around and warm up to her eventually, sooner rather than later.