Obake was in the waiting room of Saga Regional Hospital, along with Tadashi and Naoki. The air in the room was tense. While it was noted they had gotten there in time to help the boy they had rescued it was still nerve racking to say the least.

Obake was taking his anxiousness out on a rubix cube, finding multiple ways to solve it.

Last time I ever did this was when I was the one waiting for treatment…

Obake frowned a bit at remembering those times.

It wasn't a good time for him… and it wasn't a good time for his family.

Money was always tight… but then again, I never wouldn't have met Kim if I hadn't gone in for those treatments.

Obake shook his mind of it, focusing on the rubix cube.

It was another hour before Shaylin and Kim entered, relieved looks on their faces.

Obake, Tadashi and Naoki stood.

"How is he?" Obake asked.

"And who is he?" Tadashi added.

"His name is Mateo Gonzales, 16 years old. He's doing okay now. We got him rehydrated and he's eating now. He was suffering from severe malnourishment but we were able to correct it. He'll be okay. He should be able to go home tomorrow."

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness." Obake smiled a little. "Well done, Darling."

Kim smiled, going to his side.

"You're the one who found him."

"Just doing my job… Has his family been contacted yet?"

"They're here now actually." Shaylin chuckled. "Boy's got a little sister who has refused to let go of him since she got here."

"That sounds familiar." Tadashi chuckled. "I remember Lily being the same way when I came home pretty banged up from a night out."

"Oh, that was quite the night."

"Is it okay if we speak with him?" Obake asked.

"I'm okay with it. But you'll have to ask the family too." Kim shrugged. "They seem pretty chill. Besides, I think they'd like to meet the guys who found their son. He's been missing for over a month now."

"Let's try then."

"You two go on ahead." Naoki held up his phone, showing he had a message from Lance. "I need to go check on my daughter."

Obake smiled, noting what was on the message.

"Her vitals are picking up. Get your butt over here now."

"Very well. Let us know how things go later."

"Will do." Naoki grinned, heading for the door. "Good luck with the boy."

"Thank you. Same to you."

Now, let's see how he's doing...

They soon arrived at Mateo's room.

Sure enough, Kim was absolutely right about Mateo's sister being stuck to him. A little girl who looked no older than 4 was cuddled into his side, a content look on her face.

Beside his bed, a couple sat next to each other, keeping close to their son.

Obake gave a gentle knock on the door, alerting them to his and Tadashi's presence.

"Evening." Obake started. "We wanted to see how your son was doing. We were the ones that rescued him." He gave a bow. "Bob Aken, and my friend here is Tadashi Hamada."

Tadashi gave a bow as well.

"Pleasure to meet you both."

The couple gave a bow.

"Pleased to meet you, as well. Thank you so much for saving our son. I'm Arturo and this is my wife, Kaya."

"And I'm Satsuki!"

All looked to the bed, Mateo was resting in, seeing the girl was now sitting up, a grateful look in her eyes.

"Thank you for saving Nii-san!"

Obake and Tadashi chuckled at this.

"You're very welcome. We couldn't leave him where he was."

Mateo looked at them, bowing his head.

"Seriously. I really thought I was a goner back there."

"You're safe now."

Obake and Tadashi's eyes widened as something appeared in the room.

That something… being a horse that had a black pelt and has blue flowing main and was wearing a mask that was various shades of blue.

The horse nuzzled Mateo, Mateo returning the gesture.

"I'm just glad you're okay too, Moryvn." Mateo whispered.

"Uh…"

"What the…?"

The family took note of the reactions Obake and Tadashi were having.

"... Tell us honestly. Do you see a horse in the room?" Kaya asked.

"Yes!" They both responded, bewildered looks in their eyes.

"Is it blue?" Satsuki asked.

"Y-Yeah."

"Oooo! You two have the sight then!"

"The what…?"

Mateo gave a sheepish look.

"Eh, Sats, not everyone is familiar with our culture."

"Oooh right." She giggled. "These are normies that just happen to be able to see spirits. Neat!"

"E-Eh?" Obake looked at the horse with a stunned look. "... I'm not sure whether or not to be offended as a scientist."

"I mean, to be fair, Bob, this is the least weird thing… but still strange."

Satsuki giggled, hugging her brother again.

"Yup, normies alrighty!"

Mateo gave a chuckle.

"Usually it's rare we meet normies who can see spirits but hey, first time for everything."

"Honestly, this is the first time we've… actually seen it." Obake replied, shaking his head. "I think I'd remember something like… this."

"Same here."

"Well, you also gotta have an open mind. Some people just block out anything strange and pretend it didn't happen."

"Well… after what we saw back in the theater I think we're pretty open minded." Tadashi looked at Mateo carefully. "So… care to explain the whole Ayakashi thing?"

Mateo looked to his parents who gave him a nod of approval.

"What you saw back there was what our people call a "Guardian Form". Our people being known as the Memoria Coven. Our job is to look out for spirits in the world and bring them peace if they are unsettled. We also are just guardians of this world in general, making sure things stay in order and… keep people safe. We are spiritually sensitive and have companions that allow us to take our forms. Mine is Moryvn here. He allows me to become Ayakashi by combining souls with him. Reason I look older as Ayakashi. And… that's all there is to it. Oh! And I'm not the only one out there. Coilin and Drake were telling the truth when he said there were others like me."

"Including us." Kaya gave a gentle look. "We trust you two keep our coven's job a secret. Reason we do not hesitate to tell you all this."

"We'll keep it quiet, promise." Obake gave a gentle look in return. "I'm a father myself. I don't want to put anyone else with a family in danger."

"And we thank you for that… you brought our son back to us." Kaya ruffled Mateo's hair up a little. "He's our only son."

"And he's the best brother ever!" Satsuki added on.

"Though if you guys ever need help I'd be more than willing." Mateo's look turned serious. "I heard you mention someone those guys were working for. Is she still an active threat?"

"Yes." Obake's look turned dark. "My team and I are working to stop her at all costs. Those two men we took out are the last of her outside research team. Our next step it to go right to her. What that will entail, we're not sure but at least we know that her resources outside of San Fransokyo have been snuffed out."

"Then I want to help." Mateo sat up. "I don't want anyone else going through what I did."

Obake smirked.

"You want to fight?"

"That's my job as a guardian. I may be young but I'm just as capable as Mom and Dad or any other members of our coven." Mateo grinned. "I can handle it. Right Morvyn?"

Moryvn nodded.

"He most certainly can. Though… are Arturo and Kaya okay with this?"

Mateo looked to them. They had concern in their features but understanding mixed in as well as they looked back their son. They looked at him for a moment before looking to Obake and Tadashi.

"We don't want anyone else to end up like our son. If Mateo assisting your team means this won't happen to others like us… we'll allow it. And we also offer our help as well."

"Thank you." Obake's gaze softened, taking a business card out of his pocket, giving it to Arturo. "Please, register yourselves at this server. It'll allow you to contact us at any time with no problems… and no outsiders except those under my coalition."

Arturo looked at the card, giving a nod.

"We'll keep in contact then. For now… we need a good rest."

"And you may have that." Obake looked to Mateo. "We look forward to working with you, Mateo. Feel better soon."

"Thanks." Mateo smiled. "And… thank you again for saving me."

Obake gave a nod, signaling for Tadashi to follow him out.

"Rest well."

Obake and Tadashi headed out of the room, making their way for a resting area.

Obake sighed as he sat down, running a hand through his hair.

"I'm looking forward to this nightmare being over."

Tadashi frowned, sitting across from him, leaning his head back.

"You and me both… I swear, the more we turn up about what Liv is up to, the more worried I get about how Hiro and the others are doing in San Fransokyo."

"They're capable, I assure you of that. Hiro wouldn't go charging into danger."

Tadashi raised an eyebrow.

"At least, not right into the lion's den."

The look stayed the same.

"Oh come now, he wasn't that bad, was he?"

"Eh. Borderline. He got me arrested once, remember? But I get what you mean. He's a smart kid and my friends will look out for him."

"Exactly… The most we can do right now is just hope things are alright."

"... Hey… Bob… Maybe a small favor?"

"Hm?"

"Just… could you go check on him? You're the best at keeping to the shadows. Just… You know. Make sure things are in control for him?"

Obake gave a smile.

"I'll do that tomorrow. Will that give you peace of mind?"

Tadashi smiled, nodding.

"Yes."

"Then consider it done."