Cole wakes up, a weariness still clinging to his mind. He opens his eyes, seeing the first traces of dawn trickle through the window. He is not normally one to wake so early, so he rolls over and tries to go back to sleep.

"Cole, are you awake?"

Cole frowns, looking up to see Kai sitting beside his bed. "Um, I guess? Why are you awake?"

"Watching you." Kai explains, like it is the most natural thing in the world.

"That's not creepy at all…"

"Dude, you had another seizure."

Oh. There is a sinking feeling in Cole's stomach as he tries to remember. He had felt pretty terrible when he went to bed, but he was at the temple, so he was safe here right? He had another weird dream, what was it about again? He sits up and sees other sleepy anxious faces slowly wake up and look at him, woken by the sound of their voices.

"What do you remember?" asks Kai.

Cole doesn't like the way they are looking at him. This one had to have been bad. He clutches at his chest realising the deepstone was gone, had that caused it? He scrunches closed his eyes, trying to remember.

"Cole?" Kai's voice trembles with worry.

"Yeah, sorry." Cole opens his eyes again, taking a deep breath. "I, um, just trying to remember… I was having a weird dream. It was so cold, I think Yang was there…"

"You remember Yang?" asks Jay eagerly.

Cole looks at him with confusion. "You saw Yang?" Was that why there was such tension in the room? Yang had finally made an appearance? But then why take off the deepstone? Why wasn't anyone else wearing it? Jay looks away guiltily. "Can someone please just tell me what's going on?"

The ninja cast glances at each other, having a silent argument about who will be the one to speak up. In the end Zane breaks the silence. "You had a seizure, longer than normal, which ceased after removing your deepstone vest. Yang then possessed you. Told us you have trapped him here with magic you do not understand. You regained consciousness briefly before falling asleep. I did not see any ghosts enter or leave your body the entire time. We believe Yang is trapped in your head, and that is the reason you can't leave the temple."

Cole stares at him blankly, trying to process everything he just said. "Wait, hold up, I must have misheard you, because it sounded like you said Yang is in my head?"

"That is the current theory, yes." confirms Zane calmly.

Cole looks around at the other faces, all staring, all waiting to see how he will react. Rage coils inside him. "In my head, like the whole time since the eclipse?"

Nya shrugs. "Probably?"

"That's ridiculous, why haven't I felt him, his emotions or whatever? You said they leak through?" He gestures towards Jay and Lloyd who squirm uncomfortably.

"Yeah," admits Lloyd, "but this wasn't, it didn't look like a normal possession… it might work differently?"

"Right, and if he's in my head, then why isn't he possessing me all the time?" Cole laughs nervously, "How can we even stop him if I can't wear deepstone!" He raises a hand into his hair. This was bad. This was very very bad.

Kai reaches out a hand to his shoulder. "Hey. It's ok."

Cole knocks it away. "No. It's not."

Kai sighs. "Ok, fine. It's not. But you're ok. We'll figure this out. The more we know, the easier that will be, right?"

Cole nods tentatively. "Right."

"Maybe he's not possessing you all the time because he can't." suggests Nya hopefully.

"But if he doesn't glow or whatever, how do we know it isn't Yang just acting like Cole?" asks Jay.

That sinking feeling flows through Cole once more. They couldn't tell? Yang could take me over at any time and the team wouldn't even notice?

"Not helping Jay…" says Nya.

"I'm just saying!"

"I need some air." says Cole, getting to his feet and making his way out of the room. He needed to process away from the scrutiny of his friends. Thankfully he doesn't hear anyone follow him as he makes his way downstairs. I guess Yang can't kidnap me if he can't leave the temple…

He goes outside, needing to feel that comforting connection to the earth. There wasn't much of it on the small island, but it was at least something. His bare feet soaking up the feeling of strong solid certainty. He sits down under one of the few trees, looking out at the scenery. Mountains today. At least his moving prison was able to give him some variety when it came to views.

He sinks his head onto his knees, remembering why he had stormed out. Yang possessed me… At least now he knew he wasn't going crazy. Waking up in strange places, with different books… that was Yang. It had to be.

Something clicks in his head, he had never been much of a bookworm before, but had been reading a stupid amount ever since they got here… was that Yang? His emotions leaking through? Subtly controlling him, conditioning him to behave a certain way?

Cole groans, leaning back against the tree, wrapping arms around himself. That was somehow worse than a straight possession. If he couldn't trust his own thoughts, his own feelings. If he couldn't separate himself from Yang. "Fuck." He mutters. "How the fuck did this happen?!"

The tree offers no answers. He half expects to hear Yang's voice in his head, but it doesn't work that way. Jay couldn't hear his voice, just feel his feelings. The only times he had spoken to Yang was in those weird dreams… wait, were all of them real? Have I been speaking to Yang this whole time? He groans again, glad Misako had made him record them. He needed to add in the recent one too. More of it was coming back to him, but the act of remembering was hard, brain rattled from the seizure. He gets back up again and heads towards the library.

When Cole gets to the library he sees Lloyd already there, writing in his journal.

"Oh, hey." says Cole, slumping into his normal seat. "I, um, need that." Cole gestures to the book.

"Right. Of course. I'm just trying to write down what Yang said, before I forget." Lloyd finishes scrawling the line he was working on, then pauses, chewing on the end of the pen. He adds one more line before passing the book over to Cole.

Cole reads through the conversation, which has a bit more detail than Zane's summary. "He thinks I did this?"

Lloyd shrugs, passing the pen over to Cole. "Or he's just trying to throw us off…"

Cole sighs. "You really need to stop chewing on these…" He turns the page and starts to write.

Lloyd stays in the room. Fidgeting, glancing at Cole occasionally as he writes. "Um, are you ok?" Lloyd asks tentatively.

"Of course not." mutters Cole, getting slightly annoyed at the kid. He was trying to focus.

"I'm sorry." Lloyd's voice cracks, and Cole realises he's going to need to finish the journal later.

Cole puts down the pen with a sigh. "Why are you sorry?"

"I told you to wear the vest… that seizure was really bad… I did that to you."

Cole shuffles over to the kid, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "You didn't do this. I don't blame you." Lloyd leans into the embrace, not sure what else to say. Cole sighs. "I should have noticed there was something wrong with the vest. You said it was meant to be heavy, but it was like my mind was being weighed down… I got so tired, I felt sick, I thought I was just getting a cold. It's not your fault I didn't notice."

Lloyd looks up at him with a frown. "You should have said something!"

Cole shrugs, pulling away. "Yeah, probably. Sorry."

"Don't you start apologising!"

"Why, apparently it's all my fault…" Cole thinks bitterly back on Yang's words.

"I don't trust him." snaps Lloyd. "I trust you. We all do."

Cole bites at his lip. "I'm scared. I'm scared Yang will take control and I won't be able to stop him. What if he's planning something?"

"Then we'll stop him." says Lloyd firmly. "Researching exorcism is actually much easier than mysterious location based curses."

"See? So it's a good thing I wore the vest." Cole wasn't sure if he agreed with the statement, the seizures were not fun. But he wanted Lloyd to believe it. He wanted Lloyd to get over his feelings and get back to work looking for a solution. Cole grabs the journal and pen. He needs to go somewhere else. Somewhere he wouldn't be interrupted.

This is how Cole finds himself on the roof of the temple. He used to spend a lot of time relaxing on the roof back at the monastery. He had finished writing out the new dream and was now flicking back through the old ones, re-reading everything with a new lens.

Yang is in my head.

Yang had tried to communicate with him before, and he'd ignored it. Thought it was a dream, thought it wasn't real. "Shit… we really are all morons."

Cole eventually reaches the start of the journal, the first dream he had after waking up. "This isn't the beginning…" Yang had spoken to him before that, on the day of the departed, the day of the eclipse. Cole turns to find a blank page and starts writing out everything that happened that day. So much had happened since then, so it was hard to remember it perfectly. All the memories from his time as a ghost felt a little hazy, no smells or touches to help trigger them. He had to paraphrase some of it. Crossed out sections a couple of times as he remembered further details. He racked his brain looking for clues, furious at Yang's accusation.

How, how could I have caused this?

He didn't complete any ritual, he didn't wield the Yin blade… much. But the more he thought back on that day, the more concerned he was that Yang was right, that this was somehow his fault.

'I don't trust him.' Cole remembers Lloyd's words. Lloyd was right, they had no reason to trust Yang. The dreams, his so called messages, could all just be a ploy to send them down the wrong track.

Cole runs both hands through his hair. He hated this. He hated this so much. It felt like he was an unreliable witness in his own trial. Corrupted by Yang. Corrupted by the curse.

He slams shut the book, and wonders if these feelings of frustration and suspicion were his own emotions, or if they were leaking through from Yang.

I can't even trust myself.

Cole eventually climbs down off the roof. He goes to return the journal to Lloyd, then proceeds to move into the bedroom. Lying face down on his futon, stuck in his own head. His thoughts spiral around and around second guessing every action, every emotion, absolutely everything since the day of the eclipse.

What was me and what was Yang?

Eventually he was dissociating. Like he used to do back when he was a ghost. Completely out of touch with his surroundings. Nothing felt real. Everything was wrong. So when someone touches his shoulder, it once more feels like a branding iron.

Cole jerks away violently, rolling over to try and see his attacker, blinking when he sees Jay, crouched on the ground next to him, eyes full of fear and worry. Cole sighs, forcing his body to relax.

"Cole?" croaks Jay.

Shit, he thinks I'm Yang. "Yeah, sorry… you startled me."

"We're about to have dinner…" Jay says nervously.

"I'm not hungry." Cole rolls over, turning away from Jay.

"You haven't eaten all day."

Cole's stomach betrays him giving a small growl. "If I go to dinner, people are going to want to talk about it."

Jay doesn't speak immediately. A speechless Jay… "We need to talk about it eventually."

"Everything I need to say is in the journal," snaps Cole, "just, leave me out of it."

"Cole…" the pity lacing Jay's voice is thick.

Cole turns to face him. "You can't trust me!" The fear in Jay's eyes is back. "You know it. You're possibly the only one here who realises how screwed I am!" Cole gestures wildly as he speaks then turns away again, collapsing back down onto the bed.

An awkward silence settles over the room. Jay not correcting Cole's statements. "I, um, I'll bring you something to eat." says Jay, utterly defeated.

Cole feels tears in his eyes as he hears Jay leave the room.

My best friend is scared of me.

Jay struggles every step back to the dining room. He had been chosen to fetch Cole as 'the one most likely to be able to get him to come down'. But he had failed, frozen, unable to say anything, because when he looked at Cole, he saw Yang. He saw Yang calling them morons. Yang controlling his friend. Yang would come back. Whatever was holding him at bay wouldn't last forever. And then he would look at Cole, and his friend would be gone.

Jay knew what it felt like to be backseat driver in his own mind. He knew what it was like, waiting for it to happen again, knowing it was inevitable. His gut does somersaults at the memories. But this was Cole! He felt like he had just abandoned his best friend, left him upstairs alone in his own personal hell. Ran out of the burning building, leaving him behind to the flames.

Maybe he just needs some space? Jay tries to convince himself, knowing it was a lie to cover his own cowardice. Cole was right. They couldn't trust him, not while Yang was in his head. And Jay didn't want to be there when he came out again.

Jay pauses at the entrance to the dining room, shame coursing through him as he tries to build up the courage to open the door. I failed. I failed my mission, and I failed Cole.

After a minute the door slides open, Nya standing on the other side.

"Jay! I was just coming to check on you, how long have you been standing there?" She says with surprise, then frowns, lifting a hand to his face. "You're crying…" she adds softly, running her fingers across his cheek.

"So, he's not coming down then?" asks Lloyd from inside.

Jay shakes his head, running a sleeve over his face before being led by Nya back to the table.

"I'm starting to think we should have sent Zane." says Kai, arms crossed over his chest, looking at Jay with one eyebrow raised as he comes in.

"Someone should take him some food." sniffles Jay. "He's hungry, but he doesn't want to talk about it. And I… I can't."

Zane gets up. "I will do it." He takes Cole's plate and heads upstairs.

"What exactly did he say?" asks Lloyd, confused by Jay's reaction.

"He wants us to figure it out without him, he said we shouldn't trust him."

"Well that's stupid." says Kai.

"Is it?" snaps Jay. "I don't want to be that guy, but are we even safe? Sure Yang isn't going to kill Cole, he needs him to stay alive, but what about us?" Jay's breathing is too rapid, his senses on high alert.

"Jay, breathe, it's ok, Cole's not going to hurt us." Nya's hand makes its way into his own.

"Yeah, we really should have sent Zane." says Kai.

"Fuck, I'm a terrible friend." Jay bends over clutching at his hair with his free hand. Kai uncrosses his arms, put on edge by Jay's mini meltdown.

"Jay's right that we need to be wary." says Lloyd glumly, as Zane renters the room. "I was thinking of setting up a watch." Zane sits down on the other side of Jay, casually placing a box of pills between them.

Jay had been working with his therapist on his aversion to the medications. His desire to prove he was making progress was a tiny bit stronger than his desire to throw the packet at Zane's head. He reaches down, popping one out and then casually slips it into his mouth before skulling the rest of his water. Everyone else knew exactly what was going on, but they weren't going to say anything, impressed that Jay hadn't already bolted.

"A watch?" asks Nya, trying to pull attention away from Jay. "Like, day and night?"

Lloyd nods. "Night is what I am most worried about. He thinks Yang has been possessing him in his sleep."

"Why only then?" asks Kai, unable to keep himself from glancing at Jay. Jay was still clutching Nya's hand like a lifeline. Leg bouncing away. Breath coming too quick.

Lloyd shrugs. "I have two theories. One, he isn't strong enough to fight Cole for control. Or two," Lloyd pauses, looking at Jay with a sigh, "he was doing it for the same reason Cole was possessing Jay at nighttime, he didn't want to be found out."

Jay draws in a stuttering breath. Nya frowns, giving his hand a comforting squeeze. "And since we found him out…" she adds dryly. "He has no reason to hide anymore."

"So I'm really hoping it's option one." interrupts Lloyd.

"I can assist with surveillance." says Pixal over the speaker.

Lloyd nods. "Thanks Pix, but I think we need someone else too, someone with a physical presence. Your cameras don't reach everywhere."

"Understood."

"It is easy for me to reschedule downtime." says Zane. "I can assist with nights."

"Yeah, whatever." says Kai. "Sign me up."

Nya glances towards Jay, then back to Lloyd. "I think we might need the night off."

Lloyd nods. "Ok, Zane and Kai, you share tonight. I'll make a roster going forwards."

"And what exactly do we do?" asks Kai.

Lloyd sighs, "Just keep an eye on him I guess? Write down anything unusual that he does. Don't let him build a weapon of mass destruction, or set up any weird rituals?"

"Great. This is going to be so fun." Kai's voice is laced with heavy sarcasm.

Cole's empty plate is sitting by the door when Lloyd, Kai and Zane enter the bedroom later that night.

Cole doesn't turn to face them.

Lloyd is the first to speak. "Cole… we um, need to set some ground rules."

So they finally realised I am a threat. Cole turns, sitting up, noticing Jay and Nya weren't there. He is both disappointed and relieved, that he wouldn't need to see that fear again. "What did you have in mind?" he asks dryly, leaning on the wall, waiting for his sentencing.

Lloyd gets the others to sit, it felt wrong speaking to Cole from so high up while he was sitting on the floor.

"A watch. Someone with you at all times, keeping an eye on you in case Yang comes back."

In case… Cole scoffs. He was coming back. It was only a matter of time. "That's it? No chains? No vengestone? Just a buddy system?" Cole's voice is bitter and sharp.

"Cole… We're not going to chain you up. I think you're going through enough." Lloyd was too soft. Too young. Or was that Yang, trying to poison his trust in his friends? Cole drags a hand up into his hair.

"Dude, are you ok?" asks Kai with concern, now understanding Jay's reaction a little more.

Cole forces himself to take a breath and lower the hand. "No books." he says, ignoring Kai's question.

"What?" asks Lloyd with confusion.

"Why do you think I've been reading so much since I got here? Yang wants me to. He's been using his feelings to guide me or something. He's looking for something. So no books."

Lloyd wrings his hands, casting glances between Kai and Zane. Kai shrugs, Zane looks stoic as ever.

"Do you think Yang wants to be trapped in your head?" Lloyd asks gently.

"No." mutters Cole.

"Ok, so do you think what he's looking for could be a way out? He might want to help?"

Cole stares at Lloyd with stunned outrage. "Are you fucking kidding me!? Just earlier today you told me you don't trust him, now you want his help with research?"

Lloyd backtracks. "Fine, if it will make you feel better, no books."

Cole stares for a moment longer before getting up and heading to the door. "Where are you going?" asks Zane.

"To make some coffee." says Cole. He couldn't trust himself to sleep with these idiots in charge.

"I'll take first shift." says Kai before following Cole.

Kai follows Cole to the kitchen and watches him make a very strong coffee. "Sooo…" he pauses, looking for a reaction in Cole, but Cole seems determined to ignore his presence. "What's the game plan, you just going to stay awake forever?"

Cole lets out the the tiniest of huffs. "Not really planning that far ahead." he mutters.

"Sure." says Kai with a shrug. If Cole wanted to stay up all night, that was fine with him. Would make the watch less dull at least. Maybe he just needed a bit of time to think it all through.

They ended up putting on a movie. Jay had picked up some fresh ones from the city, and Nya had finally gotten the TV working, relocated from the bounty. Cole barely noticed when Kai swapped out with Zane, and suddenly there was daylight creeping through the shutters.

A small sense of accomplishment flows through him, he had made it through the night without giving Yang an opening, but it was quickly replaced by fear. Kai was right, he wasn't going to be able to stay awake forever.

Nya swaps with Zane over breakfast, watching with concern as Cole makes himself another coffee. "Did you sleep at all?"

"No." Cole limits himself to the bare minimum responses. The worst thing about being babysat, was he couldn't get any alone time. He understands it, but doesn't want to be stuck in social mode 24/7. There was an anger bubbling below the surface that he couldn't shake, and the lack of sleep was making it harder to manage.

Thankfully Nya gets the message, instead communicating with Zane through a mixture of raised eyebrows and shrugs. Jay doesn't come down for breakfast, and a knot twists in Cole's stomach.

My best friend doesn't want to be around me.