And see Mako in his most vulnerable and desperate point in all the time he's had to put up with Sage.

Chapter 3: Frustration with Sage

A few minutes later, Mako was sitting in the bedroom, visibly frustrated with Sage and also with himself because he felt like there was a loss of control on dealing with Sage because as much as Mako disciplines him a lot, it always turns into an argument every single time and Sage was close to winning the fight, despite the fact that Sage would always lose the argument and end up in a losing battle that neither of them could win. Mako covered his hands with his face because it's always the same thing day in and day out that Sage completely took a dump on Mako's authority because he's getting older and still feels like he's the same person in a new environment that he's never grown accustomed to.

At some point, Sage will be turning 18 soon and that he'll live his life the same way he's been living since they brought him out of South China and into their home...in which has turned to battleground between the old life and new life since then. Sage has been the hardest person to deal with because his belief of being a streetfighter still stands and it annoys Mako to no end.

"What am I gonna do with him? It's like...I've got no other options. Sage has always gotten himself in trouble before, but he sees it as no big deal. Saka, if you were here, you'd know what to do." Mako said, looking at the ceiling.

"Dad?"

Mako looks up and sees a very concerned Max coming in the room and he sits up and said, "Hi, son."

Max was a little worried about his dad from the looks of him laying in bed with his hands over his head and that determines that something wrong and he sat down next to him and asked, "You okay?"

"No. I'm just frustrated." Mako replied.

This was something new to Max because he could never see Mako be frustrated about anything before and he assumed that he might've been in trouble for something and he asked, "Was it something I did?"

"What? No...no, no, no. Not at all. I'm not frustrated at you. Just with Sage...and myself." Mako replied.

"Why?" asked Max.

Mako sighed heavily and he scratched the back of his head and asked, "Max...do you think I'm a good father?"

That was a surprising question that Mako could ask Max and the white tiger cub replied, "I know you're a good father. You're an awesome father. Why?"

"Well...I'm starting to question if I'm trying to teach Sage right from wrong and to get him to understand that the life he used to live is not the same thing here. Sometimes I feel like I'm failing him as a father and I'm trying to help him leave behind the life he used to be in, but it's like it's a struggle for me to get that message across." Mako added.

Max blinked his eyes a few times and he said, "I think Sage's trying to push your buttons...as he always pushes everyone else's. But it's not really your fault."

"I know it's not my fault, but still...I feel like I'm going nowhere with him. I mean...yeah, I'm a great father to all of my kids and they turned out very well. So...why am I not getting the same success I have for Sage?" Mako asked.

"You know it's a process, right? I think Sage needs guidance. He just needs to take it seriously so that way, he'll come to terms with the fact that this is not South China anymore and that he'll stop streetfighting or engage in streetfighting. Someone has to push him into being a better person." Max answered.

Mako was still amazed by how wise Max has gotten well beyond his 10 years of life and he said, "You never cease to amaze me. I know I have never failed you."

"You never could." Max said, smiling.

Max reached out to hug his adopted father and Mako felt like he needed that more than anything else and everything Max has said always puts a little glimmer seed of hope on someone and plants it inside of them so it'll grow and that's what it feels like for Mako each time he hears Max speak.

"How are you so good at easing everyone's burdens?" asked Mako.

"I don't know." Max replied, innocently.

It's the son's turn to comfort his father and give him some advice. Stay tuned for more coming up next!

Voice of Max: Ben Diskin