Where did it all go Wrong?

Chapter 15

(*Holds up hands in surrender* I admit, I'm weak for the Glacier ship, but as it's not a main ship in this fic, I'll take what I can get with cute, fluffy scenes ;-;
Also *slams hands onto table* Zane needs an animal companion. So here. )

Cole walked closely behind Ranger, while the others lagged slightly behind. They were currently traversing through a lush valley, filled with green fields and herds of deer. Cole could see the sun still rising The earth ninja picked up the pace, and walked side by side with the Auris hunter,

"So, Ranger," Cole said, attempting to strike up a conversation, "what's your family like?"

"I'm afraid I don't understand..."

"You know what I-" Cole looked at Ranger's expression and realised Ranger really didn't know, "Okay then...have you got any siblings?"

Ranger smiled lightly and looked into Cole's hazel eyes, "Yes, I have."

"Cool, do you have any brothers?"

Ranger nodded, "Quite a few, yes."

"Sisters?"

"I have one sister."

"Are your Brothers and Sisters nice?" Cole asked curiously.

"They are the very best," Ranger beamed, "They are always their to pick me up when I'm down, they make me smile even when I'm in the foulest of moods, and they have saved me many times..." his expression turned somber, "but I believe I did something I shouldn't have, and I don't know whether they would forgive me or not."

"Oh..." Cole patted him lightly, "Well, if they have half a brain, they would forgive you no matter what."

"Really?" Ranger asked hopefully as he stumbled over a stone, too focused on the conversation,

"Yeah, of course they would," Cole paused, "What were their names?"

Ranger unexpectedly burst out laughing, he held onto a conveniently placed tree for support, his chest heaving and his face reddening as he chuckled heartily, "Cole, I don't think you would believe me if I told you," Cole raised an eyebrow and Ranger continued, "either that, or you'd probably hate me."

"We wouldn't-"

"Yes you would." Ranger closed his eyes and sighed quietly before opening them and regaining a wide smile, "Now come, Cole. I have something I would like to show you." Ranger grabbed onto Cole's muscular arm and dragged him up a steep dirt path that had been roughly carved into the mountainside, leaving the other ninja down below. The pair stumbled over loose clumps of grass and pebbles before finally reaching a levelled out piece of land at the top.

Cole went slack jawed as he saw the view. You could see everything from up here, the faint silhouette of Ninjago City, The Mountain of a Million Steps, the 'lost' city of Ouroboros, Jamanakai near the Mountains of Impossible Height, the Sea of Sand, the Monastery and even Birchwood forest way in the distance. The Earth ninja was in awe, his eyes sparkled slightly with unshed tears.

Up there, it was like looking down on the world, he couldn't express the jumbled feelings that were racing through his body, but when his and Ranger's eyes met, a mutual understanding passed between the two, he knew that Ranger felt the same way. Cole offered him a watery smile and gave him a hug, as if they used to be the best of friends and were seeing each other again for the first time. Cole let out a small, silent chuckle and smiled widely into Ranger's furry cloak. Cole breathed in deeply, inhaling Ranger's scent. He smelt of the earth, which Cole naturally liked, and of the sweet, sugary berries one would pick on a beautiful spring morning, he could also pick up hints of leather and the slightly sour, acrid smell of sweat that clung to his body, but somehow it seemed to contribute nicely to his naturally alluring scent.