~Chapter Nine~

Miki's breath was shallow as he saw the tiny owl turn into a little boy. He looked about five.

*They're like me…* He thought.

The little one had a slash across his shoulder, around it bruised and black.

Miki swallowed. They were like him.

The little one looked up fearfully at the girl. She picked him up, holding him closer.

She spoke softly this time. "It's okay, Daigo."

Daigo cuddled closer, burying his nose into her shoulder.

Miki stepped closer, ignoring the transformation of the grizzly bear and his low growl.

Daigo looked at him, his gaze softening. He reached out, the girl eyeing them suspiciously.

"Out." The Daigo said softly.

The girl gave Miki a scowl, but reluctantly let him hold Daigo.

"Hello." Daigo said once he reached Miki.

"Hey." Miki whispered to him, looking to the scowling girl. "I'm not going to hurt you." He said softly to her.

The other boy walked closer to her, standing close to the girl.

"Hurt us? Oh, geez, we're not scared of you. Why would be scared of just skin and bones?" The other boy snapped.

The girl looked at him and murmured something Miki couldn't make out.

"I-I am called Miki." Miki spoke, breaking up their conversation.

"Sure, Miki. Why have you come here? To spy? Is that even your real name?" The boy glared at him.

"It is my real name, yes, I'm not a spy. I'm... like you." Miki glared back at him.

Daigo looked from the person who was speaking to the next.

"Like what? What animal?" The boy challenged.

"Just let him do it." The girl said, rolling her eyes.

"Great! Now we have someone that fell for him!" The boy groaned.

"What?" Miki said.

"Just change into one." The girl said, glaring at the the grizzly.

Miki set the confused Daigo down.

He concentrated hard, finally changing into a wolf. He swished his tail and held his chin high, giving the grizzly a smirking look.

He morphed back.

"Okay, okay, you win." The grizzly said.

"Now can we get along and not be idiotic?" The silver haired girl said.

The boy rolled his eyes. "I'm called Enzo."

"Oaka." The girl said.

Miki nodded politely.

Daigo reached for Miki again. Miki picked him up.

"Great. Now we have two people that just LOVE him." Enzo grumbled.

Miki laughed and walked towards the arena's bleachers.