And the orphans get to see how this family functions.

Chapter 15: Extended Family

As Okinawa and most of his friends settle themselves in Mako's place, Max hangs around with Mokani and Hachiko and the two felines were still not sure what to make of this family and considering the fact that they were volunteering at the Jade Palace made them wonder if this could be fate for a family like this; giving and helping others that are in dire need of help. Hachiko looked at Max for a second and asked, "How come you guys volunteered at that palace?"

"We just wanted to help out the kung-fu warriors a little bit. It was nothing we couldn't handle." Max replied.

"But still...do you guys do this every year?" asked Mokani.

"We live for volunteer work. My dad calls it a Bushido-Akio tradition that happens not just the holidays, but all year long. We volunteer at the orphanage, noodle shops and pretty much everything you can ever think of." Max answered.

Both of them could never get those thoughts wrapped around their heads and Max seemed different from all the other adopted kids they came across and Hachiko said, "Bet it's all fun, huh?"

"Yeah, it is. We like making the most of it, but the end result is awesome...knowing that you've helped out someone who's down on their luck or is struggling with something feels good in the end." Max said.

Minutes later, Hachiko was hanging around the room by himself and he started thinking about this family for a while and he figured that they're good people and have huge hearts to give, but in the back of his mind, he's thinkng that he'll be sent back to the orphanage and that's the one major thing he's scared about all the time and always thought about; thinking what if they don't like him or accept him or if he's not good enough for this family. He's been through that line before and he doesn't want to come cross it again.

He lets out a few sighs and asked himself, "Will I ever be good enough for any family? Who would accept me because of everything I have? Or everything I am?"

He's never felt this insecure in his life, but when he takes a look at himself...all he sees are a whole lot of imperfections and flaws that are right in front of him and those thoughts of what the kids at the orphanage said about him and it's like everything they said...it stuck to him in his head as if they're right and as a result...it just really made him feel like he sees a monster inside of him.

"Hachiko?"

Hachiko perked his ears up and sees Samurai standing there and he asked, "What do you want?"

"I just came to see if you're doing okay." Samurai replied.

Hachiko lets out a big sigh and he replied, "I'm fine."

But Samurai sees it a whole lot differently and figures there's something wrong with him and he comes in the room and said, "You wanna talk about it?"

"No, I don't. It's none of your concern." Hachiko stated.

Samurai could tell that there's something wrong with him and is hiding it from him and Sam knows that he can't fool anyone and he said, "All righty. If you say so."

He remained at the side of the bed for a while, knowing fully intent that he's gonna stick around in silence until Hachiko reveals his problem and 5 minutes go by and Hachiko was surprised that Samurai is still there and he finally lets his guard down, turns to Samurai and replied, "I'm scared."

"Scared of what?" asked Samurai.

"Of going back to the orphanage. I always felt like I was never gonna be adopted because I'm a lynx cat. Kids make fun of me because of my black tuft hair on my ears, my short tail and whiskers on my face. And they tell me I'll never have a family because of those things I have. What if they're right? What if I'll never have a family?" Hachiko explained, before breaking down in tears.

Samurai couldn't believe that those were what's bothering him and it just hurts for him to see him so scared and alone at the same time and he said, "That's not true. Everyone's got something and so what if others don't like you for it? You don't have to carry all of this burden on your own and rather than carrying it, you should let someone carry those for you."

"I just don't want to be a burden to anyone." Hachiko said, tearfully.

"And you won't be." Samurai added.

Samurai quickly gave Hachiko a hug and the lynx wanted to shove him off, but the overwhelming embrace overtook him and Hachiko accepted the hug and just cried on Samurai's shoulder and Samurai told him, "A family will adopt you. You just gotta believe in it."

They were unaware that Mokani was watching the whole thing right in front of him and he was tearing up as well and the thought of that shifted a little bit on what he thought before and for the first time...there was hope.

Nothing like a little encouragement and advice to help Hachiko, but will it help Mokani? Find out next!