The next day, after training Jay approached Cole as the training equipment was put away.

"Come on a dragon ride with me?" he asked, "I want to talk."

Cole nodded and the two got on their dragons. The dragons took off into the sky.

"We can't go far. We don't want to miss lunch" Jay said.

The two simply circled the rice fields of the nearby village.

"What did you want to talk about?" Cole asked, hoping to finally get some answers.

"Listen Cole…I can't tell you why we were avoiding you without the others, but on behalf of all of us, I want to apologize. We didn't mean to hurt your feelings, and we hope today we can make it up to you." Jay said.

Cole could tell by Jay's tone that he meant it.

"So, you guys still want me on the team?" Cole asked.

"Of course we do," Jay replied, "You're our leader, and you're always there to remind us that we're a team. Plus you add a lot of muscle to our group…"

For once Cole didn't stop Jay's babbling. It felt good to be complimented like that after the past few days of feeling unwanted.

"Thanks Jay," Cole said once he finally finished.

Jay smiled, "Anyway we're all really sorry. After yesterday we realized how badly we handled the situation. I guess that's why we need a leader like you."

Cole laughed a bit, "Anyway lets head back, I'm so hungry I could eat a whole boar."

Jay nodded, "Lunch should be ready."

The two headed back and headed inside. Jay followed Cole into the dining room. Cole opened the door.

"SURPRISE!"

Cole jumped back startled at Kai, Nya, Zane, and Sensei's shouts. Then he stared in awe. The room was decorated in his favorite colors. On the table was yakitori and daifuku for dessert. Cole's favorite foods. There was also a pile of presents.

Cole stared in shock.

"Happy birthday, Cole!" Jay said finally breaking the silence.

"My birthday…man the days really do get lost up here. I completely forgot!" Cole said still amazed.

The others laughed. Time did seem to have a way of getting away from you when you were a ninja in training.

Cole stared at all the preparations and things started to click in his head, "This is why you 3 were avoiding me wasn't it?"

"Of course. We didn't want to ruin the surprise," Kai smiled.

"So…when you weren't dragon flying with me?" Cole asked.

"Making plans for this without you overhearing us," Zane explained.

"And going to the village?" Cole asked.

"Buying presents and supplies," Nya explained, "They also took a turn running the shop so I could get you a present too despite the helmet sale."

Cole continued to look around the room smiling.

"Okay," he finally said, "Enough taking it in. I'm starving!"

"Glad your appetite's back," said Zane serving up the skewered meat for everyone.

The yakitori and daifuku was cooked to perfection. Cole's presents were well thought out and fit his personality perfectly. There was also music and dancing including Sensei Wu dancing with his beard as he had done on their first adventure and making everyone laugh. Cole even stepped out of the spot light for a bit to let Jay and Nya have a slow dance together.

Cole felt completely better after the party. He knew he was still welcome with his friends. His team.

Footnote to Ninjagolover: Thanks for the idea. Gave me a great chance to learn more about ancient japan. BTW send some thanks to awyeah21 as well for helping me come up with a plot. :-)