Chapter 3

Eiji smiled as he and Ash walked around the museum. The rest of the gang were outside at the park playing since they got caught messing around. Eiji was looking at some of the fossils as Ash was reading the museum map.

"I'm glad we weren't caught with them, they always mess around." Ash chuckled.

"Are they always getting into trouble?" Eiji asked.

"Sometimes. It's quite funny to see how they get kicked out each time. But they make sure to never destroy anything from here. I guess that's why they haven't been banned yet." Ash chuckled.

"It would be a shame to have these things destroyed. This is so amazing though." Eiji smiled as he explored.

Ash smiled as he read the map, "There's going to be a Japanese exhibit this weekend if you want to come with me to see it."

"Really? Yeah, that would be fun." Eiji smiled as he went up to him, "What are they showing?"

"Some art, relics, and things from an old emperor." Ash said.

"That's amazing. At what time?" Eiji asked.

"Around nine a.m. We should meet up for breakfast before the exhibit." Ash looked at him.

"Sure where should we meet up?" Eiji asked with a smile.

"We can meet in front of the museum if you want. From there I can take us to a shop I know." Ash said.

"Great then, I'll be in your care." Eiji smiled brightly making Ash blush a bit.

"Right come on let's finish up so the dummies outside don't break anything." Ash walked ahead as he tried to calm down his blush.

Eiji looked a bit confused but followed Ash as they explored the museum.

"Man they sure are taking forever." Sing sighed as he leaned on a tree.

"Who's fault is it that we got kicked out, again?" Yut-Lung asked.

"Shorter started it." Sing pouted.

"Ah ah ah don't blame me this time, that was all you." Shorter snickered, "Right Cain?"

"Shorter is right Sing." Cain chuckled.

Sing blew a raspberry at them and pouted while they laughed.

"Where did Michael and Skipper run off to?" Yut-Lung asked as he looked around.

"They were playing around the statue." Shorter said as he looked around.

"Come on Sing let's go look for them before they get into trouble." Cain said as he walked towards the statue.

Sing groaned but followed as Shorter and Yut-Lung stood there.

"If they don't come back in ten then we'll go look as well." Shorter said as he looked around.

"They can't be far. They're probably back with their fish friends." Yut-Lung said.

"Maybe but Ash told Jessica we'd watch them." Shorter said. "It'd be bad if Michael got separated from Skipper. Remember last time he got lost?"

"That was when he just came from California. I'm sure he knows his way by now." Yut-Lung said.

"Maybe but you never know. He's always with Skipper or Ash." Shorter said.

"Have faith in Michael plus I'm sure Skipper wouldn't leave him alone. They're fine Shorter." Yut-Lung put his hand on Shorter's shoulder.

"Yeah I know." Shorter said.

"Well don't you two look cute together." They heard someone say. They turned to the voice and saw a tall handsome man with shoulder length dark brown hair.

"Blanca." Yut-Lung quickly moved his hand away and went up to him, "What are you doing here?"

"Just going to the library to study. Saw Cain and Sing walking around. Then I noticed you two." Blanca said.

"Did you see Skipper or Michael?" Shorter asked.

"I didn't. I didn't go around the lake so they might be there." Blanca said.

"They were supposed to be playing where we could see them but we don't know where they went." Shorter said.

"I guess Ash is around then?" Blanca asked.

"Yes, he's currently in the museum with Eiji." Shorter said.

"Eiji?" Blanca asked.

"He's a new transfer student from Japan." Yut-Lung said.

"We were supposed to show him around but like always we get kicked out of the museum so Ash is doing that while we watch the kids." Shorter said.

"I'm sure the boys are fine." Blanca said as he looked at his watch, "I have some time I'll go look to see if they're at the lake."

"I'll go with you Blanca." Yut-Lung went up to him.

"You sure?" Blanca asked. "I don't wanna keep you from Shorter." He smirked.

"Stop it Blanca." Yut-Lung hit him lightly.

"Come on Blanca we both know he likes Ash." Shorter snickered.

"Shorter." Yut-Lung glared at a smirking Shorter.

"Is that right?" Blanca chuckled.

"I do not. Come Blanca." Yut-Lung started to walk towards the lake. Blanca chuckled as he followed Yut-Lung.

Shorter snickered as he looked around. He noticed a few people going into an alleyway. 'Was that Arthur's crew? They normally don't come here.' He walks over and peeks in. His eyes widened as he saw Skipper holding a shaking Michael.

"What do you want Arthur?" Skipper glared at a tall spiked blonde haired guy with blue eyes.

"I told you, I just want to know where Ash is." Arthur smirked.

"You want to hurt Ash." Michael said, "We won't let you hurt him."

"Well since you don't want us to hurt Ash, maybe you can take his beating for him." Arthur smirked.

"Touch us and Ash will hurt your other hand too." Skipper smirked.

"Why you little shi-" Arthur started before he noticed Shorter. "Shorter."

"Skipper, Michael come on I'm taking you home." Shorter said.

"Shorter." Michael smiled.

"Where is Ash Shorter, if you're around then he's close by." Arthur smirked as he snapped his finger. One of the guys with short reddish hair and dark skin grabbed Michael and pulled him away from Skipper. He pointed a knife at Michael's neck.

"Michael! Let him go Wookie!" Skipper glared.

"Come on Arthur you don't wanna do that." Shorter said.

"Bring me Ash." Arthur smirked, "We'll return the kid afterwards."

"Fat chance, Michael like we practice!" Skipper smirked as Michael bit Wookie's hand hard causing him to let Michael go. Michael quickly ran to Skipper as Shorter took the opportunity to punch Arthur square in the face. Arthur fell to the ground as Shorter quickly picked Michael and Skipper up.

"Stay away from us Arthur!" Shorter yelled as he ran off back to the museum to see Blanca, Yut-Lung, Cain, and Sing were standing at the entrance.

"Why is Shorter running?" Sing asked.

"A game?" Blanca asked.

"Shit Arthur is back." Cain said as he spotted Arthur, Wookie, and a few other members following Shorter.

"Not again." Yut-Lung sighed.

"Not again what?" Ash asked as he and Eiji came out.

"Arthur is chasing Shorter and the boys. Come on we better run too." Blanca said.

"Run?" Eiji looked confused.

"Shit, I'll explain on the way come on." Ash grabbed Eiji's arm as they all started to run when Shorter caught up to them.

"What happened?" Cain asked as he took Michael from Shorter's arm.

"Arthur ganged up on us. Coward tried to hurt Michael but Michael bit Wookie's hand!" Skipper smiled.

"Hey great job little man." Cain said as Michael blushed a bit.

"I just did what Skipper showed me." Michael smiled.

"We can talk more later, we'll lose them at the zoo!" Ash said as they ran.