Heaven Met Earth With A Kiss (Reuploaded From an Older Account)

Starlit Dawn

Watching the dawn fade into existence really was a sight to behold. A certain black haired ninja lay eagle spread on the deck of the Bounty, his strong arms securely tucked behind his head. Cole greeted the infant sun like an old friend as it shed the velvet covers of the previous starry night. Deep violets and dusty lavenders with waning pinpricks of starlight blended seamlessly into the bright oranges and yellows of the morning. Lazy clouds peppered the sky around the red-orange sun, like a fog of sleep clearing before an unfocused eye.

It was in these moments that Cole truly felt at ease. The autumn breeze teased at the dark, silken locks as newborn rays gently caressed his face. He could see a few stray leaves being carried along, as green gave way to the fiery colors of the fall. Autumn was his season after all, and the earth ninja felt closest to his element during this time. The world was once again beginning the three month preparation to return to the chrysalis of winter. He laid there, reveling in the beauty and calm, and Cole allowed himself to just be.

Morning had always calmed him, giving peace before the full start of his day. All the ninja brothers rose early, but Cole rose the earliest by far. It was his time. He didn't have to be Cole, leader of the four ninja, aid and protector to the Green Ninja, Master of Earth. He could just be Cole, the guy who liked to watch the sun wake up.

Besides, Cole had needed this sort of peace and calm lately, especially when his thoughts strayed towards a particular member of his team. Jay was his best friend. He was his opposite really, and balanced the earth user's weaknesses with his own strengths. Where Cole had trouble putting his feelings into words, Jay could speak his mind. The reverse was true as well, as Cole's natural calm and level headedness was a welcome contrast to Jay's sporadic thought process.

His best friend. Those three words summed up everything that Jay was to him, and everything that he had almost lost. Nya came between them, and though she never had caused the rift herself, her indecisiveness had widened it greatly. To be honest, Cole had never looked at Nya that way until the opportunity had presented itself. He was... well... flattered.

No one had picked him before. He was stoic by nature, a man of not too many words. Most women stayed away, intimidated by his presence. It didn't matter if he was attractive if his very personality was so off putting. So when Nya expressed her feelings, despite being with Jay, Cole had simply been swallowed by the infatuation and didn't even think about his friend. Cole didn't even attempt to respect the relationship that Jay and the sole female on the Bounty had. Was I really that shallow ? Did I really almost throw away years of friendship for a girl that I had never even liked? She ended up rejecting us both in the end anyway because of the way we acted.

Truth was, Cole didn't care about Nya, especially after he and Jay finally forgave each other. Though, what did Cole really have to forgive? Jay had been in the right to protect his relationship. He had been in the right when he told Cole to back off. So what did Cole really have to forgive when he had been in the wrong? He had always been in the wrong.

Aren't I supposed to be the leader? Cole had never felt more unworthy of being called a leader than at that moment. Sensei Wu was their mentor, the wise man they came to with the problems they couldn't solve on their own. The elder, in all his wisdom, had appointed Cole to do the same when he could not. A leader was supposed to put others before himself by building them up. He had selfishly pursued Nya, and tore Jay down as a result. Cole knew Jay struggled with his confidence. It was such an issue, that it had been blocking him from his true potential. In his bullheadedness, Cole had all but torn what little confidence Jay maintained asunder.

He remembered the egotistical thoughts that he had about Jay during the Tournament of Elements. Though it would've gone unvoiced if Neuro hadn't said anything, Cole still had the audacity to think Jay wouldn't last long in a fight against him. They had both been side by side during their teacher's grueling training sessions, and the lightning ninja had kept up with him step for step.