Disclaimer - If you recoginize it, then I do not own it.

Thank you to Tezi, Butterfly Ishida, lalalalala2, CORN- The OTHER White Meat, FlamesOfFury & blackangelz23 for reviewing.

Chapter Eleven - Hope At Last!

It was nice to wake up in his own bed but not to the ringing of a phone. Hiro groaned as he heard the phone continue to ring. He cracked open his eyes to see his clock read eight. He hated being woke early especially when he didn't have to work. Since grandpa or his father made no effort to answer the phone, he groaned as he reached for it. It was way too early to deal with anything.

"Moshi Moshi," he greeted, his voice heavy with sleep. "Good Morning, Hiro," Mr. Dickerson replied in a way too perky voice. "I would say the same, Stanley," Hiro remarked with a yawn, "but I wouldn't mean it. Is there any particular reason why you are calling so early?" "Well, yes, there is," the elderly chairman informed, "there is something that I wanted you to hear."

His end went quiet until Hiro heard loud laughter and someone yell, "Johnny, what the hell happened to you? You're as bald as an onion!" A few profanities followed as did the sound of someone running for their life. It then dawned on Hiro, who the voice belonged too. "STANLEY!" he shouted as he heard the phone move again.

"Yes, Hiro," the chairman replied with a chuckle. "Was that Enrique?" he ask with his fingers crossed. "Yes, it was," the elderly man informed as Hiro sighed with relief, "when we woke up this morning or should I say when he woke us up, he was back to his normal fifteen-year-old self. He was furious that he was wearing SpongeBob Squarepants pajamas but otherwise is perfectly fine." "YES!" Hiro shouted, thinking his problems were over, "this means the change isn't permenant & the spell is wearing off! Thank the gods!"

He jumped up on his bed and was acting very unlike himself. I guess being around the chibified bladers was changing him from a stern coach into a much happy and lenient person. He then remembered that he had shouted in the phone. "Gomennasai," he apologized, "I didn't mean to yell into the phone." "It is perfectly all right," Stanley added with another chuckle, "I don't blame you for being so enthusiatic. I am quite relieved as well."

Hiro was about to run from the room and check on his two bladers when he heard the pitter patter of little feet. His door opened to reveal a still minaturized version of Tyson & Brooklyn along with Cosmo, who followed his new master everywhere. "Heard screaming," Tyson explained, "thought the monsters under the bed got ya so brought Cosmo for protection." Hiro should have sighed in frustration but knew that his luck wasn't that good. If they were comparing the power of the bit beasts, Tyson and Brooklyn would be the last ones to change back; definitely not the first.

Hiro had forgotten that the phone was still in his hand as he heard laughter eminent from the other end. "Disappointed," Mr. Dickerson's voice added with a good-natured chuckle, "I figure that my two will turn back before yours. I felt the same way when I first saw Enrique. I went to see if Kai and Tala had changed back as well." "My luck is never that good," Hiro grumbled, "I am not going to get a break from this. They are going to torture me until the very end."

When he said that, Brooklyn joined him on the bed as he stood in front of him with Tyson and Cosmo watching from the side. Hiro stroked Brooklyn's cheek as the chibi giggled from the affection, jumped up and tackled him. Hiro had been somewhat prepared as he fell back with the giggling chibi on top of his chest who rubbed his nose lovingly against his own. "That not fair," Tyson protested as Hiro heard laughter from the phone again, "why he get all your love and attention?" "I'll call you back in a little while, Hiro," Mr. Dickerson stated, "since it sounds like you have your hands quite full at the moment."

When the line went dead with the chairman's laughter, Hiro let the phone slip from his hand onto the floor and wrapped his arms around Brooklyn, who was content laying with him. Tyson just stood there watching with his arms crossed over his chest in a cute pout. "Hero mine," Brooklyn sighed with contentment, "daddy yours, Ty-Ty." Hiro had to muffle his laughter in Brooklyn's hair since he was still calling their father by that title. They had thought he had done it the day before to get what he had wanted but he hadn't stopped using the term.

It was then that they realized Brooklyn saw all of them as his family so they did not try and dissuade the name anymore. Besides, his father had grown quite fond of Brooklyn in their short time together and said that he didn't mind having three sons instead of two. He had a feeling that Brooklyn was going to become a permenant part of their lives from their relationship and he couldn't deter true love. "Tyson," a sleepy voice called as Bruce appeared in the doorway wearing pajamas, "oh there you are. Was that the phone, Hiro?"

"Yeah, dad it was," he replied, yawning, "it was Stanley and he called with good news. Enrique has turned back." "That is welcome news indeed," Bruce exclaimed with a smile, "it means that the spell the bit beasts cast is wearing off but you do realize that Tyson and Brooklyn are going to be the last bladers who will change back?" "Yeah, I know," Hiro informed with a sigh, "I'm going to visit sometime this afternoon and see what he remembers from the experience." "What you talking about, Hero?" Tyson ask as he and Brooklyn looked confused at the two of them.

Hiro could have hit himself for speaking of the subject in front of them. They had no or little clue to what had happened to them. "It was nothing, Tyson," he reassured, "you'll understand later." The two chibis shrugged as Cosmo darted from the room barking as Tyson followed hot on his heels. "Do you want some breakfast, Brooklyn?" Bruce ask, going to take the chibi from Hiro's arms but he shook his head no. "Satisfied with Hero," he replied as he started to drift back to sleep, "eat later, dada."

Both men couldn't help but chuckle at the affectionate term and how cute he sounded when saying it. Bruce kissed the tot on the back of the head before leaving the two of them alone. Hiro was glad that he had woken up earlier to take care of his morning problem. He was going to try a meditation technique that Zeus recommended to help control those feelings and thoughts until his boyfriend was back to his normal age since he didn't mind if Brooklyn slept with him. Looking down at the tot cradled in his arms, he couldn't help but think that one day he was going to have to become a father.

Even though he got irritated at times, he was going to miss the moments like this. The innocent affection and attention, Brooklyn gave him now was different than the way he behaved as a teen. He may be annoying at times but still he was enjoying every minute of it. "I am going to miss this," he sighed, "but my Brookie is sweet at any age." He closed his eyes, keeping his arms wrapped around the toddler as he drifted off back to sleep.

"Hero," someone called as he woke up to see Tyson standing beside of his bed and shaking him slightly, "Hero, wake up. Phone for ya." Hiro yawned as Brooklyn stirred as well. His clock now read eleven as he cursed. He liked to sleep in but not this late.

He took the phone from Tyson with one hand while cradling the sleepy Brooklyn with the other. "Yes," he stated, yawning. "Greetings again, Hiro," Mr. Dickerson stated, "Judy insisted that I call you since she is taking the kids to the park. I had to come into the office so I was unable to attend. We thought you might want to talk with Enrique about his transformation." "Yes, I would like that a lot," Hiro yawned, "what time?" "They shall be there around one," Stanley informed, "and will bring a late lunch so just bring the family."

"That will work nicely," Hiro admitted, ignoring the family comment, "See you then." The phone went silent as he handed it back to Tyson. "What Mr. D want?" he ask with wide brown eyes. "Do you want to go to the park?" Hiro ask as Tyson jumped up and down with excitement, "I take that as a yes." "I tell daddy!" Tyson shrieked, running out of the room in a rush and forgetting the cordless phone. Hiro wondered why his phone hadn't rung but remembered that he had dropped it before and had no idea of where it had landed.

"Wakie, wakie, Brookie," he called, shaking Brooklyn slightly as he yawned and started to wake up, "You definitely won't need a nap today. Are you interested in a late breakfast?" "Me guess," he whispered with a shrug as Hiro gave up trying to wake him before he rose and carried him to the kitchen. Grandpa and Bruce were sitting at the table sipping tea and looking at a morning paper as he nodded to both men. "There are some fresh muffins in the oven," Bruce stated, "that I bought from the bakery. I warmed them up and made certain that they didn't have any nuts in them."

"Brook's only allergic to peanuts," Hiro yawned, sitting the chibi in a chair, "he can eat the others with no problem." Hiro wasn't that hungry as he took one of the large muffins and cut it in half. He set half of it in front of Brooklyn along with some rice milk but the chibi picked over it. Hiro had to drink two cups of coffee before he completely woke up. "Are you interested in going to the park, dad?" Hiro ask as Bruce nodded.

"Of course, I will go," Bruce replied, sipping his tea, "and I believe dad is going as well." "Gotta enjoy the kids while they are this size," Grandpa remarked with a smile, "wouldn't miss it but I guess Cosmo has to go as well." Hiro knew from the dark expression that grandpa wasn't too fond of the puppy but at least his father was taking care of it like he had promised. "Aren't you hungry, tenshi?" Hiro ask as Brooklyn shook his head no. "Not hungry," he replied, "eat later."

Hiro had a funny feeling that something was wrong with him as he brushed his hair away from his eyes. His skin was a little warm to the touch but he thought nothing more of it since Brooklyn jumped down from his chair the moment Tyson entered the room with Cosmo. He giggled happily as the puppy licked him on the face making Hiro cringe from all of the germs that had just been spread from the dog slobber. He definitely would have to clean him up before they went anywhere. Brooklyn didn't laugh however when Cosmo got really excited and jumped on the small tot, causing him to fall since he was almost as small as the dog.

He landed on his rear with an "Ouchie" as he threatened to burst into tears but only sniffled. He then glared at Cosmo, who backed off and whined. All three of the men noticed the odd behavior on part of the puppy but didn't say anything. "Let's get dressed," Hiro suggested, picking Brooklyn up and taking him back to Tyson's room to get some clothes. He stopped by the bathroom first to clean off the dog germs and then dressed him in a blue sailor outfit since it wouldn't show as much dirt as the white.

He sat down in the floor and started to play with Tyson's blocks while he went to dress. Hiro had almost forgotten about a certain bit beast when he walked out the door but found the black blade. "Zeus," Hiro called, focusing on the bitchip, "are you interested in coming out today?" A yawn and groan was heard coming from the beyblade as the Greek god woke up. "I am not interested in going to the park," he stated with fatigue in his voice, "I am still recovering from yesterday's activities."

Hiro chuckled since Kai had kept him busy all afternoon. He had spent the entire afternoon and most of the evening playing with the chibis and he had been thoroughly exhausted when he had disappeared back into his bit chip later that night. He had muttered something about not coming out for Brooklyn ever again but Hiro knew that was a vow that he would be unable to keep. He was too protective of his blader and he wouldn't be able to refuse his pleas. "Well enjoy your day off then," Hiro mused as he put the blade back in his drawer as his clothes muffled Zeus' snores.

At least Brooklyn wouldn't try to launch his blade like Tyson had if he found it. Hiro had no idea where grandpa had hidden Dragoon after Tyson had destroyed a wall in the dojo a few days before. Brooklyn was still playing with the blocks as he entered the room, grabbed him from behind and swung him into the air. To his surprise, Brooklyn didn't laugh or giggle but had a dark expression on his face. "Brookie, are you all right?" Hiro ask from his somber mood, "Is there something wrong?"

"Don't feel wike playing airplane," he shrugged at Hiro and yawned, "still a little sleepy." Hiro's eyes narrowed at him as he was going to ask something else but was interrupted by his father, who was asking if they were ready to leave for the park. "Hiro, are you and Brooklyn ready to go?" he called. "We ready, daddy," Brooklyn replied, wiggling out of his grasp and running from the room. Whatever was wrong with him was obviously not serious from the way he was acting but Hiro was concerned from his sudden mood changes.

Hiro followed to find the rest of them were waiting. Tyson had Cosmo on a leash while Grandpa was dressed in shorts and a pink Hawaiian shirt. His dad was attired in khaki shorts, a white shirt with a jacket over it. Since the park wasn't that far and it was a nice day, it was decided that they would walk or at least four of them would walk while one of them was carried. Bruce had Brooklyn sitting on his shoulders as Hiro pouted. He had offered to carry Brooklyn but he had refused in favor of his daddy.

"You are too old to sulk, Hiro," Bruce remarked with a laugh as they walked into the park. The others hadn't arrived yet since they were nowhere in sight. Hiro groaned since there were several other children playing on the equipment. He wasn't certain how their chibis would react to strangers. Tyson let Cosmo off of his leash as the puppy chased him and tackled him on the grass.

Brooklyn looked uncertain at the children he didn't know and refused to leave them as they sat down at a picnic table. "Brooklyn," Bruce remarked as the chibi on his lap looked at the other children with apprehension, "why don't you go and make some new friends?" "No," he whined, hiding his face in Bruce's shirt, "want Kai, Tala, Rei or Mystel. Don't wike strangers." "They won't be strangers if you introduce yourself," Bruce suggested, "that is the way you make friends."

"Don't wanna," he pleaded, "don't make me, daddy." "I'm not going to make you do anything that you don't want too," he reassured, calming Brooklyn with a soft tone of voice, "If you would prefer, you can just sit here with us until your playmates arrive." Brooklyn nodded, then sniffled as Hiro looked green with jealously. Now, he was jealous of his father since Brooklyn seemed to prefer his care over his own. "Hiro, why don't you go and swing with Brooklyn," Bruce suggested as his eldest son scowled at him.

"You want me to do what?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow. "Go push him on the swings," Bruce remarked but it sounded more like an order. "Now?" Hiro ask. "You played with him a few days ago, homme," Grandpa added, "what is the difference now?" "There are more people here," Hiro whined, "I don't mind playing with him if no one else is around. I don't want to get hit on by those women. It was bad enough dealing with them when I went to the mall."

"Pwease Hero," Brooklyn begged, tugging on his shirt, "me wanna swing." Hiro couldn't resist those chibi eyes of his as he sighed and rose. He picked Brooklyn up in his arms and walked to the swings but he started to squirm. "Me wanna swing with you," he protested, "not by self." Hiro gritted his teeth together, noticing they were attracting the attention of several of the women, who had to be single from the way they were watching, smiling and eventually waving.

He reluctantly sat down on the swing with Brooklyn in his lap. The chibi sighed contently as he snuggled against his chest and wrapped his arms around him tightly. As he pumped his legs, Hiro noticed that Tyson was talking to one of the other boys and it had to revolve around Cosmo since the two seemed to be pointing at him. Grandpa and his dad had retreated to a table that was in the shade but where they could watch them clearly. His dad just waved at him with a smile, making Hiro hate him even more.

They swung for a few more minutes until they saw the arrival of Judy and the others. Mr. Dickerson of course was not among them or was several of the teens including Robert, Johnny, Michael and Lei. Hiro didn't think much of their MIA status as he stopped and Brooklyn came back to life. "Kai!" he shouted, running to his friends, "Tala!" Brooklyn glomped Kai, who didn't push him away then moved onto Tala, Rei and Mystel. Hiro briefly wondered what the older Kai would think of the affection. Well, that would have to wait until they had turned back to their normal ages.

Speaking of which Enrique was walking beside of Hillary and seemed to be trying to pick her up. "This was somewhat cute when you were a chibi," Hillary snapped with a glare, "but now it is just pathetic. Find another girl who will fall for your sweet talk like Bianca or Rosetta for instance. Why don't you fly them in from Italy?" "I don't like them like I do you," Enrique remarked, frustrated that he was getting nowhere with the brunette, "they are just flings. I really like you."

Hillary hmphed and walked away from him to chat with Emily, Mathilda and Mariah in the shade. Kenny was missing since he had to help in his family's noodle restaurant along with Daichi, who had agreed to help since he would get a free meal of all-he-could-eat. Bryan and Spencer had went to see an action movie, leaving the others to care for the chibis. Enrique sighed sadly as he watched Hillary walk away. "Enrique," Hiro called, "may I have a word with you?"

"Sure," he replied, glumly, "I don't think I will ever understand girls. The ones that only like you for your money are easy to catch but the one that you like for who they are is impossible to lure. Do you have any advice?" Hiro gaped since he didn't have any experience with the opposite sex. "Sorry about that," he replied with a sheepish grin, "I forgot that you prefer the same sex instead of the opposite. What do you want to talk about?"

Hiro looked to make certain that Brooklyn was playing before sitting down at a picnic table with the blond Italian, who kept sending little glances to Hillary. "I was wondering about your chibi experience," Hiro began, "do you remember what happened?" "My memories are a still bit fuzzy," he admitted as his eyes kept wandering to Hillary, "but Dr. Judy believes that they will eventually meld together. It's like I have two different sets of memories for that age and I have to say that my time here was a lot more fun than my original childhood. My parents and nanny didn't give me as much freedom as all of you did. I had to act and behave in a certain way because of my family's reputation. Running rampant was not acceptable in their house."

Enrique grinned as Hiro thought over what he had said. He smiled when he looked toward the play fort where Brooklyn was running about with his friends. He made a promise to himself to lighten up and make Brooklyn's remaining days as a chibi enjoyable. When he saw Cosmo run past in pursuit of Tyson, who was screaming because the puppy wanted the candy that he had stashed in his pocket and Max, who was trying to save him, he wondered if his father had taken the same vow. Tyson's childhood had been difficult since their father had left after the death of their mother. He had loved her so much that he couldn't deal with her loss, leaving them with grandpa and taking off to immerse himself in his work. Hopefully, he would be able to right a wrong as well.

Not long after, they called everyone together for lunch as Judy set a special container aside that was for Brooklyn. The reason being was the others were eating peanut butter and jelly so she had made a banana sandwich especially for him that was cut in small pieces and kept separate because of his allergies. At least the smell of peanuts did not make him sick as he sat down inbetween Tala and Rei and ate happily. When they were finished, the chibis went back to playing, leaving the adults to clean up and just watch. Well, some of them were watching them play but the girls were sitting under a shade obviously gossiping and looking at fashion magazines.

Rick was sitting with his back against a tree with his eyes closed and earphones in his ears. Enrique kept looking at Hillary but his attention would return to his portable DVD player and the movie that he was watching. Romero was sitting beside of him and watching it as well. Hiro watched as Brooklyn ran past with Tala in pursuit giggling happily. None of the bladers were associating with the other children on the playground but ignoring them.

Miguel was playing with Raul which was odd since he mainly stayed around Garland. That was explained after they saw Garland and Julia on a see-saw together. Kai, Tala, Brooklyn, Rei and Mystel were playing tag while Max and Tyson were playing with Cosmo. Tyson was quite fond of the puppy which made Hiro smile. He hadn't seen his little brother that happy in quite a while. Kevin and Oliver were on the swings together as he saw the green-haired chibi smiling brightly at his playmate. Those two were so cute together as Kevin said something that made his companion laugh.

After a while, Judy called the chibis back for a snack. "Come and get it!" she called as she waved a juice box in the air. All of them came to collect the cookies and apple juice that she had brought. Brooklyn and Mystel had carrots since they weren't as fond of sweets as the others were. They went back to the sandbox to enjoy their snack as Rei and Mystel had to make a trip to the bathroom with Mathilda.

Kai and Tala left him alone for only a few moments to trade their vanilla cookies with Garland and Miguel, who had chocolate. It only took a few moments for several of the other chibis on the playground to take advantage of the lone chibi sitting in the sandbox. Brooklyn was happily digging in the sand, ignoring everyone around him while he waited for his friends to return. Three of the larger children saw an opportunity and decided to take advantage of it. Unfortunately for them, they had no idea of what messing with Brooklyn would cost them.

"Hey kid," a voice snapped as Brooklyn looked up to see a much larger boy standing over him. "Hi," Brooklyn greeted, shyly as he remembered what Bruce had told him, "wanna play? Don't think friends mind?" "Me play with you?" the older boy smirked, "don't think so. I want your snack."

"Me gladly share," Brooklyn giggled as he held out his bag of carrots, "me don't mind." "Don't want that yucky food," the bigger boy snapped, slapping Brooklyn's hand and making him drop his snack in the sand, "you have got to have something bettah." Brooklyn's eyes teared as he looked at the older boy, who was larger and who had two big friends. "Me don't have anytwing else," Brooklyn remarked as the larger boy grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and lifted him off the sand. A hand slapped him hard across the face as Brooklyn let out a cry.

"Sorwy," he apologized as the tears rolled down his cheeks. "That was a big mistake," another voice growled as Kai stood behind them with his arms crossed and a chibi death glare fixed on his face, "apologize now." "Why?" the bigger boy ask as he dropped Brooklyn in the sand and confronted Kai. He was bigger than Kai was but he was not alone. "I suggest you apologize ta Brookie," Tala added as he stood beside of Kai with the same expression on his face, "or we will make you."

"You and what army?" the bully teased as he smirked. "All of us," Garland added as he stepped into place beside of Tala along with Miguel and Julia. "You are a big baby," the bully teased, looking at Brooklyn, "if you have to have your girlfriend defend you." "She not my girlfriend!" Brooklyn defended shrilly as he jumped to his feet from the insinuation and stomped but cowered back when the older boy threatened him again. The older boy pushed him back onto the ground and kicked sand in his face as he started to cry harder.

Brooklyn didn't see what happened next but the adults and teens did. Kai growled and jumped on the bigger boy, kicking and hitting the bully with his legs and fists. Tala took care of one of his friends, who had him in a headlock but a bite from his sharp teeth made the bigger boy let go and start crying himself. Julia stomped on the other boy's foot as Garland and Miguel took care of the last bully with a punch from each of them. By that time, the adults arrived and were trying to separate the fighting chibis.

Hiro grabbed Brooklyn to prevent him from being trampled by the others. Bruce, who was a lot bigger than Kai had a time separating the two still fighting chibis. He got kicked in the leg from the bully while he lifted Kai off of him. Judy managed to grab Tala, who was grinning from his well placed bite. Romero made Garland and Miguel back off along with Julia. The boy's mother was crying her eyes out and cursing the chibified bladers with every breath.

"Madam," Bruce stated, throwing the woman a glare to shut her up and then turned to Kai, "why did you do this?" "Those brats beat up my baby," she snapped as she comforted her whimpering son, "they should be locked away in a kennel. They are not children; they're animals." "HE STARTED IT!" Kai yelled, fighting Bruce's hold, "HE HIT BROOKIE!" "It's true, dad," Hiro added, showing him the bruise on Brooklyn's cheek from where he had been hit as the chibi was trying to rub the sand out of his eyes, "he picked on someone smaller than himself. Kai and the others were just defending Brooklyn and those three are bigger than them."

"Well, I never," the woman snapped as she herded the three bullies away. She continued to rant and curse as she led them away. Kai was still fighting Bruce and was murmuring something in Russian at the woman that they didn't understand. Hiro was glad that he didn't speak Russian since he knew that whatever was being said was not at all nice or appropriate. Bruce finally set Kai on the grass after he had calmed down as he stood still with his arms crossed against his chest.

"Fighting is not acceptable," Judy started to lecture as four of them lowered their heads with shame, "but next time, bite and hit harder. Show those bullies that picking on Brookie is not acceptable at any cost." Most of the males gasped and their mouths dropped open with surprise at Judy's remark. The chibis cheered as Mystel and Rei appeared with Mathilda since they had went to the bathroom and had missed the battle. "What happen?" Rei ask, looking at Brooklyn, who was still sniffling in Hiro's arms to the others.

"Now go back to playing," Judy ordered with a smile as she walked away, leaving the males except Hiro stunned. He wouldn't have been able to punish them either since it was his charge that had been bullied. "Kai," he whispered as the dual-hair looked up at him, "I owe you one." Kai smiled as he nodded as Hiro carried Brooklyn back to the picnic table where he had been sitting before and grabbed the bag that grandpa had brought. He made a trip to the bathroom to change Brooklyn's clothes and wash the sand off his face. His father offered but this was something he had to do. His dad needed to spend more time with Tyson while he needed to care for Brooklyn.

"Why kids so mean?" Brooklyn ask as he sat on the counter after being changed and cleaned. "Some are just that way," Hiro replied with a shrug, "they think they have a right since they are bigger but in actuallity it is just low self-esteem. Picking on someone else makes them feel better." "Me wouldn't do that," Brooklyn added, swinging his legs as Hiro put everything back in the bag, "that not wright." "No, it is not, tenshi," Hiro remarked, "you are lucky to have friends that will stand up for you."

"Me very lucky," Brooklyn smiled and laughed as he clapped his hands, "couldn't ask for bettah friends. Kai, Tala, Rei and Mystel the best. We friends forevah. Nevah be apart." "I hope so, tenshi," Hiro whispered as his charge continued to praise the others, "for your sake, I hope so."

AS

R & R