Previously on Tiny Troubles...

"Zane's right, Cole," Kai said. "You're too young to train with us."

Cole threw his fork down on his plate. "This so unfair!" He exclaimed, quickly slipping out of his chair and stomping out of the room. "Just because I'm currently a kid doesn't mean that I can't be a ninja! I'm gonna take a walk in the woods until you guys stop being such jerks!"

"Cole, come back!" Kai cried out. He jumped out of his chair and tried to grab the annoyed black ninja. But Cole saw the grab coming and dodged it, taking off faster than most of them thought possible.

....

Cole felt a smile tug at his lips. It wasn't climbing a tree, but it was still fun.

The young black ninja dropped to his knees, not caring that his pants were getting more mud on them. He needed more rocks to skip.

~~~~

Part 6

Skip, skip, skip, skipskipskip splash!

"Hah! New record!" Cole exclaimed, jumping up in excitement.

He wasn't sure how long he had been skipping rocks in the creek, but he didn't really care. He was having a blast, trying to see how many times he could skip a stone across the surface of the water before it sank. It was surprisingly fun.

But now, he was having a hard time finding good skipping rocks. Plus, the knees of his pants were covered with wet mud.

I should probably head back, Cole thought, staring at the calm waters of the brook. The others are probably worried about me.

The thought of his teammates, however, sent a small surge of anger through Cole. Well, they kind of deserve it for treating me like a kid!

Almost the instant he had that thought, Cole regretted thinking it. He really couldn't blame his friends, heck if this had happened to one of the others he'd probably act the same way.

"Ugh," he groaned, rubbing at his temples. "Being a kid is making me act like one..."

The sound of a bird calling out made the ninja-turned kid look up. Scanning the tops of the trees, Cole soon spotted the bird that had made the sound...a very familiar bird.

Cole scowled at the black falcon that stared back at him with golden eyes. "If Zane sent you, tell him to mind his own business," he said, glaring at the bird.

Zane's falcon simply cocked its head to the side, as if it was confused.

"Don't give me that look," Cole replied. "I know you can understand me. You can understand Zane just fine."

The falcon just blinked at him.

Cole rolled his eyes. "Whatever," he grumbled, turning around and walking away from the robotic bird. "Just leave me alone."

He walked maybe five feet away before the falcon called out and flew near him, brushing his nose with its wing before perching in a little tree.

Cole let out a little sneeze as the falcon's wing tickled his nose. "I said "leave me alone", not "come follow me"," he complained, glaring at the bird. "Go on, shoo! Take a hike!"

He waved his arms around, hoping to maybe to convince the bird to fly away. But the falcon just tilted its head to side and let out a soft caw!

Cole thought it looked amused at his actions.

That made him dislike it even more.

"I said leave. Me. Alone!" He growled, turning around and storming off in the opposite direction.

It was silent for a few moments and Cole sighed as he believed that the falcon had finally gotten the hint and had flown off.

Then the robotic bird flew in front of him, and Cole felt his agitation nearly hit the roof.

"AGH! Why can't you take a hint, ya stupid bird!" he yelled, glaring at the falcon.

The falcon just looked at him. Cole was tempted to find the nearest object and throw it at the bird.

Then, the falcon did something that surprised the young black ninja.

The robotic bird slowly started circling around him before swooping right at him. Acting on an instinct, Cole quickly threw up his arm, allowing the falcon to land gently on his shoulder.

The falcon made an odd cooing noise before gently pulling at Cole's bangs with its beak. Cole couldn't help but giggle. "Okay, okay, I get it, you're sorry," he laughed, gently petting the falcon on its head. "I'm sorry for yelling at you."

The falcon seemed pleased with Cole's apology—that, or it liked the fact that Cole was petting it. It let Cole scratch its head for a few more seconds before it took off into the sky, calling out to the young black ninja.

Cole let out a little laugh. "Okay, I'll follow you," he called back, jogging in the same direction as the falcon. "Just don't tell Zane where you're taking me."

~~~~

Zane's falcon kept a nice pace that Cole was able to follow as it guided him out of the forest. Cole instantly knew that he was heading in the direction of the Bounty but he allowed the falcon to lead him to the ship anyways. As fun as playing in the woods had been, he was getting kinda tired and really wanted a hot shower to get rid of all the mud.

And maybe some lunch. He was starving.

When the little ninja could see the ship, he slowed down and called out to the falcon, "Hey, I know that you are Zane's, but can you please not tell him and the others that I'm back yet? I kinda want some more time to myself." And so that none of them can embarrass me more, went unsaid but the falcon seemed to understand him since it flew back into the woods.

No one was training on the deck so sneaking into the ship was easy at first for Cole. He crept through the entrance and snuck his way towards the bedroom. It was fairly easy until he got to the rec room. Zane was sitting on the couch reading a book, though thankfully his back was towards Cole. All Cole had to do was sneak past him and he'd be home free.

Cole quietly and carefully tip-toed his way across the room, taking peeks at his older teammate to make sure that he hadn't been seen or heard. But Zane kept his focus on his book, the only audible sound being him turning a page.

Almost there, almost there, Cole mentally chanted. Just a few more steps and...

"And where, do you think you're going?" Zane suddenly asked, not even turning around.

"AH!" Cole shrieked, jumping in the air. "Zane, what the—how'd you—DON'T DO THAT!"

Zane's lips twitched but he managed to hold back a smile. "I apologize for frightening you, Cole," he said, standing up and setting his book down. "But you should know better than to try and sneak by me. Especially after what happened this morning."

"Not my fault you guys were being jerks," Cole grouched before wincing and adding, "Though...I'm sorry for running away like that."

Zane smiled. "Apology accepted," he replied. "And I am sorry for making feel upset enough to run away this morning."

Cole smiled back. "It's okay." He then frowned as a thought came to him. "Though you didn't have to send the falcon after me. I knew my way back."

Zane's smile grew slightly sheepish. "Actually, my feathered friend found you by accident," he admitted. "Though I did use my Falcon Vision to ensure that you were safe."

"Oh," Cole replied, now feeling kind of bad for yelling at the falcon.

Zane chuckled at the guilty expression on Cole's face. "Do not feel bad, it would be easy to assume that I sent the falcon."

Cole smiled and sheepishly rubbed the back of his head...only to cringe as he felt the dried mud in his hair. "Er, I should probably shower and get all of this mud off," he said. Suddenly, his stomach let out a low rumble that made Zane laugh and Cole blush. "And maybe eat something..." the black ninja muttered.

Zane shook his head in amusement. "There are some sandwiches in the kitchen," he said, gesturing for Cole to follow him. "Come, I will help you get lunch."

Cole grinned at the prospect of getting food in his empty stomach. "Sounds like a plan," he cheered, walking after Zane. Excited and feeling the slightest bit childish, the little ninja quickly sprinted in the direction of the kitchen. "Race ya to the kitchen!"

He heard Zane laugh and start to run after him. "You cannot win this race, my friend!" the Ninja of Ice declared.

He was proven wrong a minute later when Cole got to the kitchen first.

Though Cole had the sneaking suspicion that Zane let him win.

----

Happy Friday, y'all! :D

So, yay! Cole came back and made up with Zane. And the falcon is being its awesome self. 

But up next, it's bath time for lil' Cole! I wonder how well that's going to go...