For the first 2 months, the boys did one performance a day (again they had the option to knock or kill their opponent, but in situations where one fighter had to take on multiple animals, knocking was not always an option.)

They lived in the arena, eating, sleeping and training alongside all the other experiments, with the use of lots of 'Hyper Endorphin Fragrance' an aerosol based pain killer. Rin was happy to have them back in her life. She stayed with Sunny, even though their rooms were less like 'rooms' and more like cells. Just like when they were little, she slept in his bed, holding his hand as he until he felt asleep. He talked about how excited he was; when their 2 months of "performances" were over they would be sent out on actual IGO assignments, traveling the world, putting to use everything they had learned.

It made Rin sad to know their time together would not last but no matter what, she loved Sunny and if he had a chance to be truly happy she needed to be supportive. But they were not all happy.

One day she ventured to find Toriko, his match had ended badly. He had been put up againt 2 high levels monster and for the first time ever- had to kill one so the other could survive. This left him with a scar below his eye and an angry disposition. "I can't wait to get out of here!" He shouted at the wall as he was sent back to his cell. He had refused medical attention or even food.

"Toriko.." Rin approached with caution.

"Rin!" he answered happily as if nothing was wrong. "Rin! I haven't seen you since I got here!" he threw his arms around her. "you look so grown up!- didn't I tell you, the next time we met you'd be a super genius."

His happiness was so beautiful, but her eye went straight to his scar. "I'm… sorry…"

"Don't be- you have amazing skills, and someday, when you run this place- you'll have the power to make things better." He said, confidently.

After the two months were up, just as Sunny said- they all went their separate ways taking cases for the IGO. Zebra, Sunny, Toriko and Coco were the next hottest thing; single warriors who could take down massive creatures that usually required an army- and the fact they were all young teen idol-looking boys didn't hurt. They would disappear for days at a time them come back with creatures that previously had only been seen in books. They were on the covers of magazines, interviewed on TV. They were stars, they were loved.

And yet, after 2 years of doing assignments for the IGO (some specifically requested by Ichiryu as tests.) Sunny started to get lonely and depressed. He was famous throughout the land for his talent, skill and unique appearance. Hordes of fans, and even celebrities wanting to be seen with him, but no one actually wanted to be his friend. They would gather when he returned with a rare animal; snapping pictures. He loved making a grand entrance, but the emotional high was as fleeting as the moment itself.

He had lost touch with his teammates and his sister. Sometimes he would see others bringing creatures. He wants to say hello or even ask to go to lunch but they all seemed happier on their own- and he didn't want to appear needy, so he would simply sulk away, to await his next assignment.

Coco never stayed in one place long; he hated being seen, much less in the spotlight. Word spread of his fortune telling powers, so for the most part he did that- seeing the fates of people from the comfort of his own home. He took assignments when he wanted to, but more often than not he went out on his own, to test his skills in ways that actually made sense to him.

Toriko came back the most, he always seemed to crave new challenges, new opportunities to try food from new distant lands. He always made sure to say hello so Sunny. Even if Sunny seemed egger to leave, he just assumed it was because Sunny was as excited to get back to training and assignments as he was.

As for Zebra, after a while he stopped coming back. There were rumors he was killing for fun and wiped out several dozen species, and that there was a bounty on his head. This was somewhat upsetting to Sunny. Zebra was never the sanest person, but he was not a criminal. This life of solitude drove him to insanity- or at least that was Sunny's opinion.

He decided to take some time off. Tucking his hair under a coat and covering his head with a hat, he went to visit his mother's grave.

Since, as a child, he could not pay for a proper burial, her grave was just a number in a public grave for the homeless and poor. He had the number memorized; it was a comfort to know where he could find her.

"why did you never pay for her body to be moved from this place?" said a familiar voice.

"what?" Sunny turned around. No one had ever dared ask him that question.

It was the pink haired woman, but this time he knew her name- Setsuno, one of the most famous chefs in the world and the former partner of a legendary hunter. "is it because this is where you can find her?"

"I guess…" he said, facing the grave. He had more than enough money to move her body to a more respectable location, but for whatever reason he never did. Actually he had a reason; he hated the idea of his mother's body being exhumed then transferred. After all her soul was already far gone from this world there was no reason to move what was left behind.

"wait-why are you here?" He suddenly realized she must have had followed him or tracked him down. He turned to face her, full of anger (how dare she follow him to his mother's grave!)- But seeing her face took him back to that moment when he was 7.

"I keep in contact with all of Ichiryu's boys- even Zebra," She said in her soothing voice.

Even Zebra? Now he knew she was lying. "WHY?!" Sunny asked he started to stomp away; he didn't want her to see him get emotional.

"There are skills that only can be done as a team; but first you need to be the strongest you can be, as individuals. It can be a lonely road, but someday you will all be reunited- So I'm just here to make sure the 4 little boys with so much potential don't lose their way." She fished around in her purse for a business card.

"Meet me here in 3 days at 2pm," she said placing the card in Sunny's hand. She then skipped away, without anything further- she knew he would make it, and they would have plenty of time to talk then.