It had been a month since Cole came to the monastery and frankly, it was nice. Cole was teaching Zane how to play video games and the wonders of sweets. Sure, Zane was still nervous around Cole but each day was getting better and better. Soon, Zane could talk with Cole just as if he had known him his entire life.

"So, Zane, what were your parents like?" Cole asked hoping to get to know Zane better. "Well... they're gone."

"...oh... sorry, Zane. My mom passed away as well. How did it happen?" Cole asked. Zane stayed silent and it pretty much answered Cole's question. "Oh... Sorry, Zane. How could you trust humans after that?"

"I don't hate humans. I just have a hard time trusting them. I have met a few nice humans like you and Sensei but I don't hate humans. Yes, they took my parents from me but I promised my mother that no matter what, I would help and protect everyone. No matter what."

"Wow. That's always good to see. I have a feeling that you're going to be a great addition to the team." Zane nodded. "Thank you. Do you know when Sensei Wu is going to return with our new teammate?"

"No, why?" Zane stayed silent as he stared at the floor since he was a bit nervous to tell him what he had planned. "Zane, I don't think you should hide yourself every time someone new comes. You're never going to overcome your fear of humans unless you show yourself without fear, besides, I don't think you fear humans." Zane looked at Cole curiously. "I think you're scared of showing people that you're a hybrid. You should embrace it. I promise to protect you from everyone and anyone who tries to hurt you." Zane smiled at him and said, "Thank you."

"Whoa! This place is huge! Considering where I come from, this place is way bigger than it looks!" A loud voice said causing Zane and Cole to turned their heads at the voice. "Come on, let's go meet our new teammate."

"I'll join you in a minute." Cole nodded and left the room to meet the new teammate.

Cole went to the main room and saw Sensei Wu with a red-haired guy with a blue t-shirt and black jeans. "Cole, this is Jay. He will be joining you and Zane. I'll leave you all to get to know each other." Then Sensei Wu left to meditate.

"I'm Jay, Jay Walker. My name is pun like jaywalker except my parents taught me all about road safety so I've never jaywalked before, heh. So, since there are three of us, we'll need a team name, like the three musketeers, or the three blind mice except we're not blind or mice or mouse hybrids."

'Jay sure can talk,' Cole thought to himself. "Jay, I'm sure Zane is in the kitchen making something. He's a pretty great cook. Would you like to meet him?" Cole asked interrupting Jay as he was talking. "Sure, if we're going to be a team of three, then I'll have to meet our third teammate." The two went to the kitchen and found Zane making some fruit tarts. Jay was impressed and in awe but Cole just stared at his friend with a touch of sadness. Zane was wearing his human disguise with his ears covered with bandages, claws cut, sunglasses and his tail hidden. 'Oh, Zane.'

"Hi, I'm Jay Walker. You must be Zane!" Jay said excitedly. Zane looked at Jay and Cole after he poured the dough into the pan. "Hello, Yes, I am Zane. You must be our new teammate."

"Are those fruit tarts?" Jay asked obviously hungry. "Yes, it is a recipe I found that I am trying to improve, it should be done in an hour or so? Would you like to help me?" Jay nodded happily. "Of course!"

"Cole, in the meantime, could you bring Jay's things to his room? You and I can give him a tour after we finish the fruit tarts?" Cole nodded. "Sure, are you sure things are going to be okay in here?" Cole asked hesitantly as he was about to leave. "Yes, we will be fine. Jay and I can talk as we are making the tarts."

"Okay, if you say so..." Then Cole left, leaving Jay and Zane by themselves.

It was quiet between the two until Jay asked, "So, why do you wear those sunglasses? Are you color-blind?"

"Not exactly. It's difficult to explain."

"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. My parents always told me to never judge a book by its cover."

"Really?"

"Yeah. They always told me to be kind to everyone no matter who or what they are."

"Even hybrids?" Zane asked hoping that Jay would confirm his thought on what Jay thought of hybrids.

"Yeah, course, my parents didn't really tell me much about them growing up. I mean, I knew about them and, sure, I thought that they were weird but my parents told me that they were just like everyone else. They have hopes, dreams, and goals."

"That's... really great to hear, Jay."

"Why? Are you a hybrid?" Zane nodded and proceeded to remove his sunglasses, bandages, and he even unwrapped his tail from his waist. "Whoa! That's so cool! What's it like being a hybrid? Do you have cat-like instincts? Can you meow, purr, and growl like a cat?" Jay kept asking questions about being a hybrid until Zane put up his hand. "Jay, please. One question at a time. I am not a cat hybrid. I am a snow leopard hybrid. I can't say what it is like being a hybrid since I have never been human."

"Oh, sorry. It's just, I've never met a hybrid before. My parents told me about them and like I said earlier, they always taught me to be kind to everyone, no matter what they look like."

"Thank you. It makes me feel better to know that there are some humans who are kind to hybrids."

"No problem. We're teammates and no matter what, we always stick together." Zane nodded in agreement. "Right."

Cole returned later to find Jay and Zane enjoying the finished fruit tarts at the table. He was also relieved that Zane revealed his hybrid form. "I see you showed your true self, Zane," He said as he entered the room.

"Yes."

"Yeah, we've just been talking. These fruit tarts are so good! You've got to try one, Cole!" Jay said excitedly. Cole walked over the table and sat down. He grabbed a fruit tart and started to eat one. "These are good. Zane, you have the making of a great chef." Zane smiled at that. "Thanks."

"We are differently a team of three and no one can separate us!" Jay said excitedly. 'If all humans are like Jay, Cole, and Master Wu, then I don't think I'll have anything to worry about.

That's it for how Zane met the other ninja and Master Wu. Sorry, this chapter took so long. I was having trouble deciding how I want Zane to meet Jay. See Y'all in Rise of the Snakes. Bye!

PS, the poll for if the mailman should be a hybrid is posted. Please vote and if you want him to be a hybrid, PM me your suggestions or comment on one of the Zane hybrid fics.