Sibling Rivalry- Part 2

The great Swallow walked back onto the bridge with his head down and quietly sat down in his seat. Ken, as always, was the first to notice the sulking nature of his little comrade.

He assumed that Jinpei was upset by the latest catastrophe and worried about the little girl. Placing his hand on Jinpei's shoulder, he reassured him, "Don't worry, Jinpei, that little girl is in good hands. Jun will take care of her."

Jinpei only nodded in reply. It was no use. If Jinpei didn't understand what he was feeling, how could Ken? Jinpei continued to stay unusually quiet during the ride home. He was trying to make sense of his unusual sadness.

Upon returning to Crescent Coral, Jun scurried over to the hospital wing to have Kami examined. The other team members reported to Dr. Nambu, and met Jun in the waiting room afterward. Jun sat on a couch, rubbing her forehead nervously.

Ken plopped down next to her. "What did the doctor say?"

"They haven't come out yet… I'm worried, Ken, she was really in deep shock…"

Ken gave the back of her neck a light squeeze. "I'm sure she'll be ok…"

Joe, Ryu, and Jinpei sat down on the couch across from them. Ryu spoke up. "That girl was mighty little, how old is she, anyway?"

"I don't know, but she appears to be no more than three…" Jun looked down. "Shetoldme her name is Kami…"

The exam room door opened suddenly and a doctor walked into the waiting room.

"She's going to be fine…a few cuts and bruises…but I think she'll heal better in a home environment rather than here in this sterile setting…she's been through an awful lot…"

Jun's eyes lit up. "She can stay with me…"

Ken and the others looked surprised. "Jun… are you sure? I mean, you have a business, and Jinpei, and what if we get called on a mission?"

"It will be fine…Jinpei will help me, right Jinpei?" She looked over at her astonished little brother. His mouth gaped open. "And if we get called on a mission, someone here at the base can watch her until I get back…"

Joe grinned, "You've got it all figured out don't you…didn't you get your fill of babies with this little guy over here?" He tousled Jinpei's hair.

Jinpei growled and raised his fist at Joe, "I'm not a baby, you moron!"

"See? Didn't I do a great job raising him?" Jun laughed and the rest of the team joined in.

The doctor interrupted the little "family" moment. "We can only release her to you if Dr. Nambu gives it the ok, Jun."

"I'll find out, right away…" Jun turned on her heels and disappeared down the hallway, headed to Nambu's office.