When Cole awoke he was alone in the room. A bowl of hot ramen was by the sleeping pallet with a note.

The ramen is yours if you want it. It's past lunchtime.
We'll be downstairs when you're ready to talk with us again.
-Nya

Cole took the ramen gratefully. He was hungry.

As he ate he began planning his next move. He knew two things:

One, He didn't want the others to get further involved. He wanted to face his mother himself.

Two, the others wouldn't let him.

Cole couldn't blame them for that. They were a team. But as a team, Cole had dragged them down. His mother made that clear. Now he needed to set things right.

When he finished he set the bowl aside and checked his ninja suit. It was still slightly damp, but he'd have to risk it. He couldn't move very well in Kai's clothes.

After he changed he quietly opened the window and jumped out catching the window across the way with his hands. Then he let himself drop from the other window, landing harmlessly on his feet.

Cole stood and looked around. It seemed the festivities from that morning had quieted down.

Good, he thought, I'll find her easily now.

Cole darted down the streets on the village going this way and that.

At last he spotted her leaning against one of the buildings muttering. To anyone who didn't know her she would look like she head mental issues, and not the good kind.

"Enough is enough," Cole declared, "This ends today."

Cole's mother looked up and gave a nasty smile, "So you survived the river, huh? Tough kid. But then, you always were the stubborn kind."

"Look, I don't care if you like me or not. My friends are more of my family then you will EVER be. But you can't pick on me anymore. Nor can you hurt my team." Cole said angrily.

"Why? Because you've done them enough harm?" his mother asked.

Without warning she grabbed Cole by the neck. Cole struggled to breathe.

"I know your type," she said, "from the moment you were born you've ruined the lives and dreams of those around you. How do you know you haven't done the same for your so called team?"

Suddenly her arms were hit by the flat of a blade causing her to let go of Cole.

Cole dropped to the ground coughing. He looked up. Kai had his blade up to his mother's throat.

"Because we say so!" Kai said angrily.

Zane put his shurikan to the other side of her throat.

"Cole is a great leader. It is you who ruins lives," he said.

The chain of Jay nunchucks went around her throat, not choking her but trapping her.

"Cole is one of the best friends we could ask for. That's why we helped him track down you," he said.

"Us, on the other hand, do have the power to ruin your life," Nya said walking up to the scene, "I'll make it simple for you. Leave town now and continue your freedom. Continue hurting Cole, and we hand you over to the authorities, and your freedom truly is out the window."

The others took their weapons off her. Cole's mother glared at her son than ran off.

Jay walked over to Cole and helped him to his feet.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah…" said Cole, "How did you know I was in trouble?"

"Zane of course," Jay smiled, "He sensed you were in danger and lead us here. Besides we somewhat saw it coming. It was easy to tell what your mom was saying was getting to you. You've been depressed all morning. Not that we blame you."

"Thanks Zane…Thanks all of you…" Cole said humbly.

"Anytime," Zane replied.

"Did…you guys really mean what you said to her?" Cole asked.

"Of course," Kai said, "Look just forget about your mom. She has you pegged all wrong. We know the real you. And we'll be here to remind you anytime you need it."

Cole smiled. Hearing that meant a lot to him. He had made mistakes in the past, but he was who he wanted to be: a loyal friend, and a team player.

Suddenly the wind changed slightly and Cole shivered hard.

Nya frowned and put a hand on the arm of his ninja outfit.

"Still wet," she said, "Are you trying to catch a cold? Let's get you back indoors"

Footnote to Fighter Girl and Just Laugh: Thanks for the request you two. Given how little about Cole's past is revealed on the show, it was good to be able to stretch some ideas about his origins.