Chapter 2

New Allies, Old Enemy

Kayura led the girls to the door of a beautiful two story house. Just as she was about to knock they all heard a loud growl come from inside. Midget and Munchkin look at each other and grin at the sound that just erupted. They know all too well what that sound came from.

"Their reactions should be interesting," stated Munchkin, "don't you think, Midget."

"Yes indeed I do," she replied. The two were being helped by two of the guys in the weird armor. Munchkin was helped by the one in green, and Midget by the one in black.

Just then the door suddenly opened, revealing five guys, a brown haired woman, and a white tiger. As the tiger stepped out the other girls backed up while Munchkin and Midget squealed with delight and reached out to pet him. Surprised looks appeared on the faces of everyone else.

"Ryo, how are you," Kayura asked neutrally, trying not to start an argument.

"Fine, and you," Ryo replied, just a little puzzled.

"What are you guys doing here and who are they," asked Kento bluntly.

"We are here to drop off some cargo," Dais snapped irritably.

"Hey, watch what you're saying, loser," Penny snapped back, offended. "It's not like it's our fault we're here! We were doing fine without you!"

"Quiet Penny, they did help get us out," said Jaya tiredly.

"Please just stop it. We are all tired," Sara pointed out in a weary tone.

"Mia, may we come in," asked Kayura. She looked down to see Sage and Cye helping Midget and Munchkin to stand. Ryo and Rowen then moved everyone out of the way and followed them into the living room. They helped Sage and Cye settle the two girls on the couch comfortably. The other three girls trailed after them and sat in the chairs next to their friends, while everyone else sat on the floor.

"So I ask again, why are you here, and who are they," Kento asked Kayura.

"I will explain later, first lets introduce ourselves and get these two some help," she stated.

"I am Mia Koji, and this is my place," said the girl with brown hair.

"I am Rowen Hashiba," the boy with blue hair told them, examining them curiously.

"I am Sage Date," the boy with blonde hair announced, looking the girls over.

"I am Cye Mouri," the boy with light brown hair informed them, smiling shyly.

"I am Kento Rei Faun," said the boy with gray hair.

"And I am Ryo Sanada," the black haired boy stated, watching them with interest. "I assume you already know the names of the others, and so do we so you five next."

"I am Sara Jennings," replied the light blonde headed girl, eyeing Sage.

"I am Penny Wood," the girl with strawberry blonde hair told him, boldly examining all of them.

"I am Jaya Maxwell." answered the dark brown haired girl, her smile tinged with shyness.

"I am Midget," the girl with blue-black hair announced gravely.

"And I am Munchkin," said the girl with black hair, "and yes Midget and Munchkin are the only names we have. It is a long story, but we are to tired to explain right now."

"Are you two OK," asked Ryo.

Everyone looked to the two girls, who then looked to each other. Munchkin then stood up and started to say, "Yeah, w-e-'-r-e.. Ughhh..," she then clutches her chest and falls, but before she hit the ground Ryo caught her. At the same time Midget grabs her chest and whispers, "M-u-n-c-h-k-i-n," then slumps into Rowen's waiting arms.

"We better help them. Bring them to my room," said Mia. The two boys then carried them to Mia's room and set them on her bed. Midget then began to stir and awoke to see everyone looking at her.

"What happened," she asked.

"You passed out after whispering something we couldn't understand," Rowen said.

She turns her head and looks at her friend and asks, "Is she going to be OK?"

"Sage, will you look at her," Ryo asked worriedly. Then he turned around and posed his next question to Kayura. "What happened to her?"

"I am not exactly sure," Kayura replied, frowning. "Ask one of the other girls."

"This big ugly guy in black armor was squeezing her around the chest," Jaya replied in an anxious tone.

"She could have some cracked or broken ribs," Sage stated calmly.

"Mia, you will have to check, we will leave," Cye quietly said. "We'll get some food for the others. Rowen, will you help Midget?"

"FOOOOD!!!!" yelled Kento.

Oh great thought all of the guys, with a little groan from each.

"Yeah sure. Are you ready," Rowen asked Midget in a soft voice.

"Uh, sure," she replied dazedly.

Her eyes were a little unfocused, so Rowen gently helped her up and walked her down stairs. Her arm was around his shoulder and his around her waist. Jaya went to her other side and helped her out the same way.

In the dining room the girls were explaining what happened to them earlier. Midget sat quietly watching the stairs, waiting for news. She was so worried that she didn't notice Rowen staring at her. He was thinking that for some reason the first time he saw Midget he got this strange feeling. And he just can't stop worrying about her. With what everyone else was saying, these girls are special somehow. Special enough for Talpa to want them, anyways.

On the other side of the table Ryo was doing the same. Only he was thinking about Munchkin. I wonder what is so special about these five girls that Talpa tried to kidnap them.

Mia walked in with a sad face and said, "She has a huge bruise across her chest and it does seem like she has a couple of broken ribs."

"She must be strong, because she didn't complain a bit on the way here," stated Kayura.

"She has always kept her pain to herself," Midget said quietly, rising. She headed for the stairs with Ryo and Rowen right behind her.

"We have to take her to the hospital," Sara said, looking very worried.

"Yeah, lets hurry," Jaya exclaimed, jumping to her feet.

Running up stairs Penny yelled, "Well, what are you waiting for? Help us."

They all enter the room and walk toward the bed. All of a sudden Munchkin starts to cough up blood. At the sight of her coughing the four girls immediately run to her side to look her over. Unknown to the girls, their foreheads start to glow. Each with a different color and a symbol. The other guys stare incredulously at the girls as Kayura names them off by color and name: Munchkin, in maroon is Friendship; Midget, in silver is Love; Sara, in yellow is Kindness; Penny, in mahogany is Independence; and Jaya, in teal is Truth.

Midget then laid her hand on Munchkin's chest and began to whisper something. They both began to glow a bright white. The light slowly faded after a few minutes, leaving Midget to exhausted to stay up. Rowen caught her before she fell and placed her on the bed. Sage then walked over to Munchkin and checked her. After a moment he called the others outside. He said, "She healed her almost completely, I-I can't believe it."

To be continued....