Chapter 4: Revelation

We just got back from the huge fight we had and boy were the guys tired. But what surprised us more was the fact that Len and Aya were in fact related in some way and I have a feeling that tonight, we're going to get some answers.

We were in the dining hall and for once Anna was generous enough to order a couple of double cheeseburgers, a whole bunch of fries and onion rings. The guys were eating a whole lot and Aya was sent to her room. She passed out just after she cried her heart out and so we decided it was a good idea to let her rest for a while. After Yoh scarfed down his share, he opened up the topic before picking up another one.

"So I guess the two of you go way back huh, Len?" he then took a bite of his food with a grin.

"Hm… You could say that." Len held the burger in his hand and stared at it. There was nostalgia in his eyes; it looked like he was remembering things from his past.

"Mind telling us the whole story there, Lenny?" Trey leaned over the table in curiosity.

Without the sentimental look leaving his face, he looked at Trey and then back at the burger again, caressing the wrapper covering half of it.

"Come on, short pants." Ryu begged "Don't tell me you're going to give us the cold shoulder and leave all of us hanging, are you?"

"It looks like Master Len is too busy recalling the memories both he and my Master have shared in the past." A soft and mature voice responded "I would be pleased to satisfy your questions with answers."

"That's more like it…" Ryu nodded satisfied with what he just heard. "And when has your voice become so lovely and pleasant to the ears?"

We all sat up straight and exchanged glances—'cept for Len. We realized that the voice didn't belong to anyone of us… Or at least to the people we know.

"Who… said that?" I asked confused.

"Over here." there it was again. We turned to look at the lobby entrance for the dining room and we found Fenris in her huge form looking at us. We blinked and stared at her for a while.

"Nah." I laughed "We must be hearing things."

"Probably it's because of all the burgers we ate…" Trey leaned back and gave his full belly a pat.

"I don't think the food you just ate had anything to do with what you're hearing." The voice laughed.

It took us a long while before finally realizing that the voice actually came from…

"FENRIS!?" Everyone except for Len and Anna were shocked.

Fenris's eyes closed and it looked like she was smiling. "The one and only." She nodded.

"You can talk!?" I excitedly walked up to her smiling like an idiot.

"Yes, I can." She paused "Only when I'm in my true form though."

"Wow!" I gawked "Hey, how come you didn't talk when we first met you at the park?"

"You don't expect me to trust people that easily after just being attacked by those puppets now, would you?" she tilted her head proving her point.

"Oh, right." I bumped my fist sideways on my palm "You have a point there."

She then looked at Yoh and bowed apologetically "Forgive me for leaving my mark on your arm…"

"Heeheehee" Yoh laughed and placed his hand on the back of his head "It's no biggie, it's only natural to be scared after what you guys went through that night." He then leaned on the table with both his arms. "So, is it okay if we ask how you guys are related?"

I sat near Fenris's huge head as she nodded and everyone turned their attention to her.

"It was years ago when my Master was no more than seven years old. She used to be this rowdy and loud little girl who was full of energy. I kept her company during those days and we would play 'til our hearts content near the river." She crossed her large paws as she continued "She was the offspring of a couple from the long lines of protectors the Tao family had hired and very much well trusted for years."

"Looks like Lenny had a baby sitter…" Trey teased and Anna pinched his ears "Quiet, ice breath." "Ow, ow, ow!"

"Master Len, as charming as he is…" we all tried to conceal our laughter "Wasn't that much capable of making friends or producing relationships as a child." Len flinched and his hold on the burger in his hand tightened and his face flushed red. Again, we all did our best to stop from giggling. "Because of this, Master Len's mother and my Master's parents discussed and agreed that they would have the both of them meet and become friends; at the same time, be Master Len and Lady Jun's protector."

"What…" Trey asked chuckling "…What happened? Why'd you guys separate? Aren't you guys supposed to go wherever Len goes?"

Fenris looked down and breathed deeply "Sadly, their uncle was not very fond of the relationship that developed between My Master, Master Len and Lady Jun. He feared that we would have been nuisances and would lower their chances of winning the tournament."

"So…" I blinked "Is that why those zombie dolls were after you? They wanted to kill you?" my voice panicked a little.

"Indeed." She looked at me with her big blue eyes "He thought that we would only interfere with his 'plans' for their future."

"What has happened to the rest of your tribe?" Ryu asked leaning closer.

"They are living peaceful in a forest far away and hidden from civilization. But…" Her eyes looked up at the second floor "Master Aya desperately wanted to find Master Len and Lady Jun. We left the tribe and travelled here. Regrettably if we set foot anywhere near the Tao's territory, we will be chased off and killed instantly."

"From Len's home, you were chased all the way here?" Yoh questioned shocked and Fenris nodded in reply.

"My uncle forced her and the rest of her tribe to separate from us." Len grunted and we all turned towards him. Fenris agreed and continued "Yes, his uncle banished every single one of us." She extended her neck and her nose was able to nudge Len's cheek. "We, the protectors, always formed a bond with whoever we were assigned to protect and it was especially hard on my Master to have left both of you."

Len calmed down and turned his head slightly to look at Fenris "It was especially hard for both my sister and I…" he then gently caressed her furry cheek "The two of you… Were very important to the both of us and it was very painful to have been separated from you all those years."

"Wow… You dudes had it rough." Trey stood up and walked over to Fenris "Cory here would feel the same way. The situation was different… But having to leave a home is… Just not cool" "Ruuuu…" Cory nodded, flew over to Fenris's head and lay on in between hear ears; cuddling her.

"I can agree." Amidamaru floated beside Yoh with his arms crossed "Being torn apart from someone you hold dear can be excruciatingly painful."

"It is like… being kicked out of your sacred hang." Ryu croaked while covering his eyes with his arm holding back the tears.

Fenris raised her head, making Cory slip and slide towards her nose. Fenris closed her eyes smiling at Cory and she smiled back. She then looked at everyone in the room "But if it wasn't for what happened, my Master wouldn't have met you and we wouldn't have found Master Len." She bowed her head "For that, I thank you."

Trey smiled as he placed his hands on his hips, Yoh straightened up but his arms still on the table and grinned, Ryu placed his finger under his nose, smiled and sniffed, Tammy who was silently listening to the whole story, tears had already flowed from her eyes and she smiled softly, Anna with her arms crossed and her eyes closed, smiled contentedly, Amidamaru, Tokageroh, Bason, nodded with a smile, Ponchi and Conchi cried like babies, I smiled widely and Len… smiled softly as he reached out and placed his hand on her head.

"Don't worry, Fenris" Yoh reassured "The two of you, will be safe with us!"

"And it would be awesome to have you on our team!" I added enthusiastically.

"Yeah, dude!" Trey grinned widely "It's like we're a complete set already! There's Wind, Thunder, Ice, Earth and Fire!" an idea then struck him "Hey I know! We could…"

"I am not going to go with your idea of wearing ridiculous outfits, Trey." Len interrupted now with his arms crossed and eyes closed.

"Aww, come on!" Trey whined "it'll be fun!"

"I said, no." Len glared at him.

"Tch…" Trey turned his back on him placing his hands on his head "No wonder you couldn't make any friends, you're too uptight."

"I dare you to say that again." A vein popped up on Len's forehead as he clenched his fist.

Trey faced him, pulling his lower eyelid down with one finger and sticking his tongue out "So much for Mr. 'charming'" he teased.

"You want to have a go?" Len stomped his feet on the table, raised his fist and challenged.

"Bring it on!" Trey accepted.

We all laughed as the two of them went on with their silly fight and we had an amazing and fun dinner together.

After dinner, everyone agreed to stay for the night. I stayed in the smaller dining room with the TV where Anna usually watches her soaps, with Ryu and Trey. Yoh was staying in his room and as usual, Tammy, Anna and Aya slept in separate rooms.

Len stayed inside Aya's room offering to watch over her for the night. It wasn't a bad idea, considering that they were longtime friends and they could really use the quality time together.

Len sat beside her as she lay sleeping in her futon. Fenris was now in her cub form and was sleeping on her stomach. Len watched her feeling all warm and nostalgic inside. I was surprised Len had this side of him, make that… Most of us were.

His eyes softened and he smiled gently as he brushed of a strand of hair that was covering her face. Bason, in his ball form floated beside him and watched with a smile. "I can see that you very much missed her, Master Len."

Len flinched and he blushed, he turned to look the other way hoping to hide his embarrassment. "I don't know what you're talking about." He stuttered "I'm only watching over her just in case she needs medical attention."

Bason blinked and laughed heartily "What's so funny!?" Len reacted abruptly turning his head to look at Bason revealing his flushed face. Boy how I wish I would've seen that.

"I'm just so happy for you, Master Len." He smiled "I remembered how crushed you were when she left; she was your only friend at the time."

Len stared at Bason he then turned to look at the sleeping girls face again. The gently expression returned and he nodded "Yes… But don't forget Bason…"

Bason looked at him in curiosity "What is it, Master Len?"

Len looked at him smiling softly "You're my friend, too."

Bason's heart was touched and tears formed in the corners of his eyes "Master Len…"

It was shocking to have heard that the girl we just saved went through a whole lot of tough times and we didn't know Len had a soft side up 'til now. But tonight, everything had a happy ending. Len was reunited with a friend and the rest of us made a new one! Looks like we have a whole new addition to our team, I wonder what kind of adventures we'll have with her on our side.