Clay sighed as he left the hospital… he was supposed to stay with Anna for a few days because everyone thought that he would be better off there then with the temptation to go after Shin-Gong-Wu.
Clay arrived and Anna showed him into the guest room and in the back of the closet that he was wondering what was in it.
He pulled it out and she told him he could open it, not knowing what was inside.
Clay pulled out a simple wig and Anna covered her mouth, she didn't know that was in there.
"Anna, is somethin' wrong?"
"No, Clay," Anna replied.
"Anna, you look like ya just saw a ghost," Clay replied.
Anna gave a defeated sigh, "Okay, if you want to know the truth that is a remnant from the months I spent battling Leukemia."
"Oh… I… I'm not sure what to say," Clay said and sat by Anna's side and placed his right hand on her back to comfort her, then hugged her.
"Clay, I haven't had any problems from the disease in two years, but I have to get tested every month to make sure it hasn't come back… and so far it hasn't."
Clay wanted so bad to tell Anna that it never would but he could tell she wasn't feeling right and he feared that it might be returning.
Raimundo sighed it wasn't the same without Clay there.
"I hope clay gets better soon…"
Meanwhile, Anna was calming down when the phone rang.
She grabbed the hall phone.
"Hello?"
"Anna, this is Dr. Wilson regarding your blood test," the doctor said, "I think you need to come down here as soon as you can."
"Okay, I'll tell my mom," Anna sighed she was so screwed and she knew it. She told her mother and Clay and they all headed down to the doctor's office.
Clay sat in the waiting room hoping against all hope that this didn't mean the doctor thought Anna was relapsing.
Anna came out tears poring down her cheeks.
"Anna, what's wrong?" Clay asked as he hugged her near.
"The Leukemia is back!" she cried.
"Hush now…" he whispered as he gently escorted her to a private spot.
"Anna, I don't know if this is a good time for me to ask you this?"
"Just ask Clay!" she snapped.
"I wanted to know if you wanted to go out with me some time."
Anna froze.
"You want to go out with me…" Anna paused, "there is a chance this could kill me Clay, and you're still willing to go out with me?"
"Of course, Anna, you can't help that you ended up with cancer, and why should you be punished for it?" he paused, "Only a slime would dump a girl 'cause of somethin' she can't help"
"You have a point," Anna wiped her tears and hugged Clay and felt him return the embrace.
Clay smiled, as he knew that this was going to be good for Anna, to be with someone through the process.
Clay and Anna left the doctors office knowing that she would have to tell their friends about it.
They arrived at her house and found Dojo there waiting.
Anna dove to hide behind Clay.
"Now come on out here girl, he ain't gonna hurt you" Clay said as he realized Anna had hid.
"What is he?"
"I'm a dragon" Dojo said "that's Anna?"
"Yes, Dojo."
Anna came out and looked at the small dragon.
"Well, you're kinda cute… once I get over the fact that you remind me of a snake,"
"I'm not a snake, I'm a dragon,"
"That has been established." Anna giggled and Dojo shot up to wrap around Clay's cowboy hat.
"Well what are you doin' here little buddy."
"I thought I'd pick you up because everyone is kinda downcast without you around."
"Okay, but Dojo, I don't think I should leave Anna… she's not well."
"Well then she can come too," Dojo said.
"How will you take us any where when you're the size of a lizard."
They headed outside and Dojo jumped from Clay's hat and turned huge.
"… Okay…"
"Your standard Dojo comes in two sizes, compact and larger than life," Dojo laughed. "Climb on you two, and hold on for the ride."
"Okay, I'm a bit nervous."
"Don't be… and if you do get scared hold onto me," Clay said.
"Don't worry, I will."
Dojo took off and Anna buried her face in Clay's back.
"Calm down girl, your not gonna fall off."
"Did I forget to mention I'm afraid of heights?"
"Yeah, you did kinda neglect that little detail," Dojo said.
They arrived at the park and Anna was formally introduced to Omi, the only of the quartet she hadn't formally met yet.
"Well, Clay you said something was wrong with Anna, what is it?"
"I think she needs to say this," Clay said.
"Anna, what is it?" Kimiko asked.
"I… I have Leukemia…"
To Be Continued…