Kotetsu was laying in the water inside the large aquarium where they had a good foot and a half of water by where the human children could play with the fish. Only three years ago they had let him swim into the little place for the children to pet him.

Sometimes he even took a nap while all the hands were petting him. After a while, he learned smaller ones likes to yank hair. So, when they did He easily took their hands off slowly before moving away from a little.

Some of the humans who were grown like Ben like to ruffle his head. Sometimes a bit too hard because they mistake him to be what they called a 'dog'. WHoever 'dog' was they must like their heads pet hastily.

The old ones must have been his favorites. They would sit on a chair next to the small pool running their hands over his head, back and sometimes under his chin. They also talked to him a lot. Not much he understood but he would respond depending on the tone of their voices. Maybe he did something right because they all left happy.

At the moment Kotetsu was laying sideways with his head on an old woman's lap as she pet his head speaking softly about something or others when there was a chatter of excitement. OPening one sleep eye he thought of going to see what it was but then again…. Just a little while more… besides his friend smelled like she wasn't going to be around much longer and he was going to miss her since she often came to see him.

Getting hungry Kotetsu heading down to his little cave to gather some snacks he had hidden in a little net. Ben had given him the tiny net to keep a few tasty fish in. Taking two out he quickly killed them before eating them.

Swimming back up to the surface to see what was going on with he noticed they were struggling with a tank. Frowning he wondered if he was going in there. After all, he was just in the Med tank just a few moons ago getting a checkup.

Peeking out he saw something inside it. Curious about what could be inside he swam over to the edge to try to take a closer look. A light purple and white tail caught his attention. Wait… was that… someone like him?!

Chipping excitedly he got the attention of the humans who noticed him. One of them tried to shoo him away, another laughed before they kept moving.

Following them as much as he could Kotetsu was started to get disappointed when little kid music started playing. Kids. The kids were here! Happily swimming off to go see them he was surprised that the door to the petting tank was closed.

Whining he could see all the kids on the other side looking for him. Whining louder he tapped on the glass trying to get it to open. Instead, there was a small sound of beeps that meant Ben wanted to see him.

COnfused Kotetsu decided to go see what was going on. Hopefully, it as the little room again because that was horrible. Swimming over to the tube that leads to his inside tank be popped up calling out happily.

"There you are, Tiger," Ben greeted before kneeling down to pet him. "How've you've been today?"

Purring happily as he was pet under the chin he noticed that tank again. Letting out a curious noise Ben stood up chuckling.

"One of your friends came in today…. But he's still pretty young... So, I"m going to need you be nice."

They wheeled the tank over to the shallow pool with the whirling on a glass being shut out keep either mer from leaning. A good six feet deep and a twenty feet long they were carefully dumping the new Mer in but the fear was clear as the new one jumped from the tank to the water trying to flee.

The little mer ended up curling into a ball at the bottom in the far left side of the pool. Curious to see what in the world this new friend was Kotetsu swam over slowly looking at the trembling mer who jumped looking at him before looking away.

Meanwhile Ben was watching them closely. They had a few sedatives on hand that would be easy if they needed it but other then that they hoped that even though Tiger had rarely seen another Mer, save for ones they showed him on waterproof tablets.

Tiger made a few handwaves before swimming over to the door trying to get out. DIsappointed Ben told them to open the door. He didn't need a fight. However only a minute or two later Tige returned with his little toy going over to the scare Mer nudging him with the toy.

Slowly the other Mer looked over before taking the little tiger slowly before looking sadly at Tiger as if he was crying before Tiger swim slowly away from the little mer following him. Seeing that it seemed fine Ben had them open the little glass door letting both of them out.

"Origami and Tiger as getting along well," Ben noted as he watched the cameras as the new Mer, Named Origami, followed Tiger around almost as if afraid he'd vanish if they were separated. "According to the file Origami was the youngest at the old place… abused so he probably feels safer with someone older around him."

"Dr. Jackson, we have news that the others are on their way over soon," Spoke Dr. Saito as he turned window on the tablet. "Another young one… they call her Dragon."

"I heard there was a female one… but they can't figure out if she's a child or a teen…. Remember how long it took for Tiger to get older?"

"Sometimes I think he never grew up," Dr. Saito laughed before looking at the camera where Tiger was in the petting pool getting pet by some kids, Origami just peeking out of the water through the little tunnel looking scared about going over, but not wanting to let the other out of his sight and he noticed that the new mer had something familiar in his mouth. "Hey, he still hasn't let go of Tiger's little Tiger"

"I think we might have to get one for him to play with," Ben zoomed in a bit. "It looks like it's helping him like it helped Tiger. Alright, I got the report or the boss so I'll leave you to it."

"See you later,"

Kotetsu was asleep in the cave he now shared with the new Mer, who's named was Ivan, and the young Mer had said that his humans were horrible to him. It sadden Kotetsu that Ivan was so scared of humans that even the little ones frightened him.

"They're not so bad," Kotetsu comforted in their now shared cave as he held Ivan in a tight hug. "Ben is the best human you can know. I've known him my whole life. He gave me this,"

Ivan looked at the little thing he had been carrying around. It brought him comfort for some unknown reason. Still in fear the human's cameras that turned towards them he tried to get closer to Kotetsu whimpering.

"Hey, I know, come with me to see Ben. You'll see how nice he is." Kotetsu let go before swimming out of the cave. "Come on, I'll show you,"

"I don't know,"

"I promise, it's all going to be okay."

Unsure Ivan followed the older Mer old hoping he was right. After all, he did take him into his home. They swam back to the indoor room that he had arrived in. Kotetsu popped his head out of the water calling for the human.

It took a few minutes before Ben came walking out. "Tiger, what's wrong, boy?"

Happily seeing the human Kotetsu waited until he was kneeling on the deck so he could be pet for a minute before looking back to Ivan who looked like he was extremely nervous. Motion for him to swim over.

Slowly Ivan made his way over sticking close to Kotetsu before wincing as the man's hand came to rest on his head. Eyes tight Ivan was ready for a hit or hair yanking but was surprised to feel fingers running through his hair, behind his ears, and under his chin.

"Well, you were just nervous about your new home, huh?" Ben chuckled before petting the new Mer a little more. "I bet you want a treat? Here, you go,"

Ivan looked the little piece of food, not sure what it was but it was really tasty. Taking it under the water to eat it. Popping back up he was giving a little toy like Kotetsu. This one looked a bit strange. Taking it he saw on the things arm, the pressure feeling good on his teeth.

Happily playing with it he hadn't noticed when Ben left. Going under the water he decided to play around with the toy when he finally noticed that Kotetsu was missing. Looking around suddenly feeling alone Ivan was about to panic when he remembers that the doors that opened for the humans to be in the shallow water had opened.

Swimming off he headed to the opening to watch the older Mer being pet by the little humans. They all looked so excited to see him. Still not ready Ivan hung back waiting.

"Who's a good, boy? WHo's my favorite? You are! Yes, you are!"

Kotetsu currently was having his face squeezed together by an energetic woman who often came to see him around this time. She always did this so he didn't mind...plus she always brought this really good tasty fish.

"Oh, yes, you are, you are, you are!" The woman squealed before finally letting him go. "I got you something! Yes, i did!"

"Mrs. William," Ben greeted as he walked over petting the mer's head. "It's been three months already?"

"It has, Mr. Jason," She grabbed Tiger's face again. "I could wait to see this cutie pie again."

Mewling happily as she waved for them to hand over the big tasty fish Tiger let out a call for Origami to come towards them. Picking up one she gave it to Tiger who happily took it swimming away. She was surprised but smiled when she saw him hand it off to his little friend before returning.

"Well, you're sweet," She squeezed his face again before giving him the other fish. "Go enjoy my lovely!"

"Who was that?"