"So about your sister"
Kai gave Jay the most deadpanned expression he could muster, before dropping the bomb.
"Dude" He starts, curtly "She's twelve"
Cole, who had been drinking some tea Master Wu made earlier had been listening intently along Zane, just to start coughing as the tea had clearly gone down the wrong path.
Whether out of surprise or laugh Kai can't tell.
Zane just blinks while Jay gets red on the face,eyes wide with panic and somehow choking on air.
"Oh my gosh" He starts, tone a pitch higher, completely embarrassed. "I'm so sorry, forget I said anything, don't tell her okay? She's good, I mean, she's not good in physical aspects, wait no, I didn't call her ugly, I'm sure she's pretty, pretty like a doll okay? I don't mean-"
Kai rolls his eyes, tired, he just wants to get this done so Nya and him can go back to Ignacia, ignoring one of his new teammates who is apparently dying and the other one who is still rambling he gets up.
He had heard Wu go to his room a few minutes ago so it should be safe for him to go to bed too, the sooner they can get going the better. Nya's waiting for him.
"Hey, but wait, how old are you?"
By the time Cole finishes the question Kai is nowhere to be seen.
The Earth elemental sighs as he drinks his tea, this is going to be a long travel.
Kai refuses to tell them their age, actually, he refuses to tell them much other than angry quips, snarks, comebacks and complains, is driving everyone crazy.
Well... Everyone but Wu, apparently he seems to know how to wrangle Kai just fine.
It doesn't surprise Cole, he's the Sensei after all.
Still, that doesn't mean he has to like it, and is notorious the others aren't that happy with the arrangement. Not even Zane.
So, Kai is annoying to them, they're annoying to him, which makes him act like what can only be described as a feral cat.
Honestly Cole thinks is funny but this is doing absolutely nothing to help with their teamwork.
On the contrary, this probably makes Kai have an excuse to run off every single time to do things by himself.
Well, whatever, is not like he's good company anyways.
"Don't you think we're being too mean?"
He's asked by Jay on one of the many days they spend traveling through the forest, both had been sent to get some firewood, using that time to chat without fear of being eavesdropped.
Cole shrugs, because he really doesn't care.
"Well, he's rude, he kinda deserves it"
Jay kicks dead leaves while looking down, his voice is slightly lower and mutters.
"It's just.. he seems lonely"
Cole blinks, because he knows Jay finds Kai as annoying as him and he's sure Zane does too.
"So? If he is then his attitude isn't helping him, at all"
"Yeah but-"
"Chill Jay, let him be, he's made clear he doesn't want anything with us, let's just rescue his sister so he can leave"
Jay doubts, midway through the firewood he was picking as if weighting what Cole has just said before finally letting out a heavy sigh.
"Yeah you're right"
Cole hums and continues working on getting firewood but at the back of his mind he can't help but repeat what Jay has said to him.
"He seems lonely"
And Cole thinks that maybe, just maybe, they should be a little more friendly.
When they get back and Kai scowls at them his frown comes back.
This proves himself right because Kai keeps on digging his own grave.
That night Jay decides to disregard Coles words from earlier, they're sitting in front of a fire, Master Wu has already fallen asleep across them and Kai is...
Kai is in a far away part of the camp, as far as possible from them without leaving the designated area and on a moreless difficult spot to find, which Cole also notices.
"Kai" Groans the older teen "Find another spot because if something happens no one is going to help you"
Kai scowls and doesn't move, defiance on his eye, Jay can clearly see he doesn't like being ordered around, on the other hand he's acting like a toddler.
But he does seem lonely, so Jay speaks up.
"Hey Kai" He tries a softer tone, Kai glares at him, expecting him to repeat what Cole just said, the fire reflected on those seafoam green eyes appearing as if they're burning themselves. "Wanna come here? Is warmer y'know"
And he sees Kai stop, for a moment he seems surprised, before he frowns and scowls. He hugs his knees close to his chest and rests his chin in them. "I'm fine"
And Jay hums, and turns around to keep talking to the other two, who are looking at him weird, he just shrugs.
He almost misses it but he sees Kai get up and move to a more visible spot, below the creaking fire and the voice of the other two chatting the night away there's a small "Thank you" that reaches him.
If he wants Kai to soften he might just have to keep trying then.
"Damn it Kai why can't you just follow orders?!"
Kai hisses and bares his teeth but doesn't say anything.
Cole doubles down.
"What are you? A toddler? All you have to do is do as you're told"
Kai glared from his spot besides Jay, both had been making a fireplace when Cole had come by, deciding to pick up a fight with Kai about something as simple as the foraged food the fire elemental gathered earlier.
"So? I did"
"You brought us flowers"
"Dandelions and Daisies are perfectly edible food"
"First, I don't believe you and second, even if they were, that's not near enough for all of us"
Kai doesn't feel like fighting, maybe he was getting tired of the fights or he was Just fed up with the team because he suddenly got up ignoring Jay protests.
"Fine! Sorry" He mutters that last part before storming off.
"Hey! Where do you think are you going?!"
"Firewood" He shots back but doesn't bother to look back.
Cole ignores Jay disapproving glare.
When Zane later confirms what Kai told him Cole at least has the decency of looking so the earth elemental ends apologizing to Kai tonce the others are distracted.
"Is fine" Guarded eyes look at him, Kai huggs his kness tighter from his spot against an old dead tree.
"Do you want to come near the fire with us?"
"No"
He turns around, showing him his back.
Cole lets him be.
"Kai"
"Uhm"
"Might you perhaps know how to start a fire?"
iKai looks up to Zane from his spot pn the bare dirt floor, eyes alert and distrustful. As if he's expecting something from Zane.
"Maybe... I thought you knew how to?"
"I'm having a bit of a difficult time" Admits Zane, a bit embarrassed. "Would you mind helping me?"
Kai gets up and scoffs, calmly walking over to help.
"I've got it dude"
Zane smiles warmly and gratefully at Kai once the new fire is started and Kai, faintly, smiles back.
"You know, for a sixteen year old you're very childish"
Kai frowns at Cole.
Cole maintains his gaze.
"Go fuck yourself"
The earth ninja scoffs mockingly "Aren't you lovely? Your parents must love you"
The fire elemental flips him off before snarling at him, unusual large fangs glistening as they reflect the near fire as their owner gets up and walks off to join Jay.
"Aren't you too old to be acting like that?"
"What?"
Cole turns around, surprised.
He finds himself face to face with Zane.
"Railing up Kai like that"
"I don't know what you mean"
Zane blinks, eyes hardening slightly before repeating his question.
"Aren't you too old to be acting like that?"
Cole shrugs, obviously bothered by the question and the Ice elemental blinks again.
"That question bothered you"
"I just don't think age has to do with anything" He knows damn well it does, because Cole is the oldest and the most mature out of everyone, he's not railing Kai just because... right? That would mean lowering his standards as low as the other teen.
"Yet you keep it bringing up with Kai"
"Well, he acts like a child"
"And you act just like him"
"Are you calling me childish?" Cole glared.
"The time with the flowers-"
"Well I apologized"
"Not only that" Zane sighs "You're antagonizing him constantly"
"He keeps antagonizing us"
"He does not, not maliciously at least"
"I'm sure he does, he knows damn well what he's doing, picking up fights with everyone"
"Just give him time"
"We've given him enough time"
Zane glares at him.
"Okay okay, I will"
Zane nods before getting up and walking towards their backpacks.
"Hey Kai, let's forage"
"No. Fuck off"
"Not a question"
Kai sighed, hitting his head against the tree he currently was using as support before getting up and following Cole.
They're getting closer to the mountains and the vegetation is starting to become scarce, much to Kai's annoyance, he takes his time foraging and even seems to start humming despite Coles presence.
He doubts when picking a few flowers and Cole, through his periphery can't help but feel a pang of regret.
It disappears once Kai and Cole unite their piles and Kai notices daisies and dandelions on Cole's. There's the ghost of a smile and a shine of gratitude on Kai's eyes.
For some reason it makes the earth elemental mirror that small smile.
Jay sits besides Kai one night, Cole and Zane are already sleeping by the fire.
The Fire elemental casts a glance to him but doesn't move from his usual position of him hugging his
"Can you tell me more about her?"
Kai frowns, eyeing him.
"Just, talk about her" He repeat softly. "You don't talk much but is obvious she's very important to you"
The other teen raises and eyebrow.
"But of course, she's my sister"
Jay shrugs slightly, a logging expression on his face.
"I'm an only child, I wouldn't know"
Kai hums, before turning his face towards were the fire is, even if it's too far he seems comfort in just looking at it.
"Well, she's amazing" He starts and can see Jay watching him intently, with curiosity dancing on his eyes. "She's very intelligent, like, incredibly intelligent, she can read all this complicated stuff, she can build like, machines, she can fix almost everything too, she has a book where she sketches future projects you know? I've seen it, there's robots and big machines and-"
Kai doesn't notice he's rambling, he talks and talks about his sister, not once being interrupted by Jay who listens to everything, is funny, really, Jay is usually the one that rambles.
He goes on about her accomplishments, her projects and just... Nya being Nya.
Maybe is a bit reckless but everything else is drown out as he talks, at least until there's a heavy weight on his shoulder and sees Jay, closed eyes and even breathing Kai realizes he might've gone a bit overboard.
Technically he knows he should be a bit offended about this, he talked too much the other felt asleep (and is he drooling? Ugh)
But as he looks up at the now silent night sky he can't bring himself to care.
Kai and Zane lock gazes for a bit, the fire elemental is on his usual far away spot, Zane knows the possibility is low but makes a sign for Kai to come closer.
The teen blinks, unsure for a moment, before getting up and sitting on a closer spot to them.
"Hey Kai, I don't wanna be rude but how old are you"
"Old enough to kick your ass, why?"
"I mean, it's just that you're so small and thin, you look like a- AH?!"
"Kai we need Jay alive!"
"Okay Cole!"
"Uhm, how's weather?"
Cole frowns at Kai. Kai blinks at him, silently asking him to go align with it.
"A bit cold" He shrugs.
"Cold indeed"
Kai sits besides Cole without another word, warming both of them.
"You're very short and thin Kai, you should eat more"
"I don't know if you've noticed but we don't have a lot of food"
Zane passes him another apple. Kai tries to give it back, the ice elemental pushes his hand away.
"But this is yours-" He protests.
"I can assure you I've had my fill"
"Thanks Zane" he mutters.
Kai feels like crying.
"Why does the damn Shurikens have to be on a fucking snowy mountain?"
"They're literally called the Ice Shurikens, what were you expecting? A sunny beach?"
"I wish"
"... Kai you're trembling"
"No shit Sherlock"
"C'me here"
"What-"
"Let's keep warm, shall we?"
Kai smiled faintly, leaning onto the side hug.
"Thank you Cole"
"Do you guys think Kai and Master Wu are okay?" Jay whispers and they're lead outside the forest.
"I hope so"
Jay looks down, before looking back on teary eyes.
Cole bumps their shoulders friendly, Zane does the same from his opposite side.
"I'm sure we will find them soon" Says Zane.
"They'll be fine Jay, we're all gonna be fine"
As he walks through the damn Volcanoe Kai is surprised about the sudden feeling of loneliness that erupts inside him.
He hasn't notice it hadn't been there since he met the guys.
He curses himself and continues his path. He has to find Nya.
"So... Who are these people?'"
"Oh, they're my friends"
"Your friends?"
"Yeah"
Kai doesn't notices but Nya does, she can tell all the other three boys are smiling behind their masks.
As they walk through the forest Nya learns that Cole is sixteen-soon to be seventeen, Zane doesn't seem too sure when he says seventeen and Jay is sixteen since two months ago... apparently.
She laughs a little because that makes Kai the youngest of the boys. And by a considerable amount.
"Youngest?" Parrots Jay "When is your birthday Kai?
"June"
Jay frowns.
"But that would make you older than me, mine is in March"
Nya scoffs, before looking at Kai, one eyebrow lifted and slightly surprised.
"Three weeks and you never told them?"
Kai shrugs, because in his opinion is not even that important.
"Uh, what?" Cole asks, sure they still know close to nothing about them but if even Nya is mentioning it then it must really be something.
"His age"
Jay looks back, careful of not tumbling down as they keep on walking through the forest.
"Isn't he sixteen?"
Nya shakes her head.
"Fifteen?" joins Zane.
Nya shakes her head again, a smile splitting her face.
"He's fourteen"
There's complete silence in the forest for a few moments, before a very loud collective scream scares all the birds away withing a 10km ratio.
"WHAT?!"