By the time they made it to the burger place, Ruu was already there. He had thankfully gotten a booth for everyone, so there was plenty of space to fit four.

"About time you made more friends. Again, really sorry with how finnicky and closed off he can seem. On the inside, he is just a big...well, a small warm softie".

"Ah, it's no problem".

"I will keep that in mind".

"Ruu!" Bell pleaded while Maze and Toko just gave their acknowledgements.

Toko however just couldn't help staring at Ruu.

"Hmmm".

Ruu just looked at him questioningly, because Toko wasn't hiding it all that well. Maze eventually just elbowed him a bit.

"Sorry, it's just...have we met before?"

"My family runs a bookstore in the Underground. We carry a good supply of rare books. Perhaps, you are a book lover?"

"I do visit a lot of bookstores" Toko said somewhat evasively. Maze and Bell just looked at him, and then each other, and then giggled.

"We have known you for only today and we can already tell..."

"...you are a massive book lover".

"Well I mean, there are just so many greats. And only a handful get the attention they truly deserve you know?!"

Maze had been well read on what they were looking into, but it was Toko who kept referencing and pulling up obscure books and volumes. He knew exactly where to look, and what would help understand which. Maze was actually quite grateful since it made things a lot easier on him.

Either way, they continued to eat and introduce themselves and chat. The various shows they were interested in, the latest comics, some really great video games coming out or just came out, and more. As well as a few tales.

"And thats how we got more comfortable skinny dipping and sleeping in the nude".

"That seems so unlikely and yet, I have had similar things happen to me. You can never underestimate the power of forming a bond of trust with a friend. Bullies are assholes everywhere though".

"It really is quite pleasant really, just being so free. Bullies however yeah, I have had to deal with them as well" Toko mentioned. None of the boys were tall, or really even average, and they could be mistaken as being younger than they were. So it seems they were able to sympathize with each other about dealing with bullies.

That was when Ruu's phone beeped.

"Ah, looks like I am needed. You have my contact info, so chat later?"

"Sure thing".

"Sounds good".

"Talk later, Ruu!"

Ruu ended up leaving first, likely having work of some kind.

"So Toko, that staring...you sure you dont have a crush on Ruu?"

"I do not!" Toko denied. "I just didn't realize id meet that bookstore clerk around here. Now that I think about it, the few times I have been there, I only ever saw him at the counter".

"Ah! Me too! He was here though, so someone must have been running the place, but still!"

Maze laughed a bit. "Maybe he has like, a secret twin brother? Oh! Maybe secret triplicates!"

"I think I would have picked up on that" Bell pointed out.

"Maybe...he is also a supernatural?"

"That not a single one of us was able to sense?" Maze questioned, doubting Toko's theory.

"I mean, there are many capable of that. A number of Bloodlines, Vampires especially".

"So what, you are saying he is The Bat?" Maze asked, but Bell shook his head.

"No way. I saw him and The Bat at the same time once. They cannot be the same person".

"Damn. It would have explained why Toko felt he was familiar as well".

Maze clicked his tonuge, but Toko just shrugged.

"I mean, we already established that. In any case, now that it is just us...can we just talk about what happened back there?"

They thought back to what had happened before...

"Bell!"

Bell rushed forward, taking out the knife and slashing up at top speed. They might not seem like much, but then he summoned countless lightning bolts, as well as freezing the floor.

"Toko!"

Toko suddenly jumped in, and seemed to create a large number of Bells all of a sudden. It was tjust too much too quick.

And when all these time clones came in, Toko looked back.

"Maze!"

Maze then rushed forward, and fired off a burst attack. Countless shots at everyone. The ninjas were suddenly caught in a continuous chain team attack set up by those three, and with all the attacks coming this way, they were soundly defeated.

...no matter how they looked at it, the way it happened was strange. It was good, but strange.

They had all seen almost this golden thread connecting them all. And then, once they got themselves all in place, as well as the enemy all grouped up in one area, they were able to pull that off. A synced consecutive chain attack, that allowed them to work together with scary levels of precision and deliver massive final blows against the enemy. It was like they knew what each other was thinking, even if they were not reading each other's minds.

It was related to what Ruu said in his story. About how important it was to have trusted bonds. They just sort of trusted each other and clicked, and they were able to pull it off. They didn't really understand quite how they managed to however.

"Hmmmm".

Toko looked to be deep in thought, so the other two looked towards him hoping for an insight.

"It's possible its related to that earlier power we mentioned, about being able to sense and see things and having perception beyond the norm. It is said some Foxkin have been able to adjust the odds of fate to bring about miracles, but only when it has been 'properly built up and only to bring about a future that is possible'. Honestly though, that involves some heavy paraphrasing and assumptions. But it could work".

"...we only just met today though, and I only have known Maze for a week, so would that really be enough?"

"Its possible it was fluke also, or someone else was interfering. But it is true we should get to know each other...alright, I will come over for a sleepover as well!"

"I should warn you my building's AC system has been acting up lately".

Toko hesitated for a bit, but then let out a sigh.

"That...is fine. Ruu made a wonderful point with his story. Anyways, I need to have someone make sure my place is secure. That guy clearly knew my route and routine, so I need to have someone check that out first".

He isn't saying anything, but...I think perhaps the fact someone came after him today after he just made new friends rattled him a bit.

Bell could understand the feeling. Either way, they decided to stick together.

----------------------------------------

At the same time this discussion was going on, a shadowed figure was following Ruu.

That bounty seems to be good friends with this brat. I was watching them talk so merrily with their guards down at that burger place. I knew if that brat was a local, he would be there eventually. But to think the Blue Card Hunter was there as well. And that other brat gave me bad vibes too. But if I take a hostage, I can manipulate them and get the upper hand. Hehehe...

The depicable bounty hunter followed Ruu as he entered a side street, and then an alley. Seeing an opportunity to grab the boy, the hunter quickly followed him, slinking into the alley with a dirty and dark grin on his face, thinking about all that money.

And yet, the next moment, he felt a powerful kick right into his gut, and lower, that caused him to fall backwards. As for his asailant, it was of course Ruu. The man tried to pull out a gun, but Ruu took out a taser stick and tased his leg, jolting him so that he would fumble and drop the gun. He moved in for the knockout, but the man suddenly threw up some powder right into Ruu's face, causing him to stumble backwards.

However, Ruu quickly pressed something in his pocket, and suddenly whatever that something was, made a lot of noise, with it saying various words like "warning" and "danger" and "call 911", as well as shining lots of lights. Ruu tried running away now, although whatever that powder or gas was it seemed to have drugged him, so he was having trouble. However, the attention he was getting no doubt had local police and security already on their way.

What Ruu had activated was what was known as an Emergency Beacon. It was a safety measure for him or anyone else who had one to only use in case of an emergency, and would not only make a lot of noise and lights, but it would send a signal on emergency frequencies and even alert every cop and security robot in the area. It was a sort of thing that criminals would want to flee from immediately.

Ruu forced his body to move forward, dealing with his sudden sluggishness.

What the hell was in that powder?!

It was clearly a drug, and a heavy one for it to work this effectively. Ruu had pretty high tolerances and willpower, so it took a lot to affect him. He stumbled forward anyways. The Bounty Hunter apparently had recovered enough to get back up, as he was still chasing towards Ruu despite the beacon he still had. Ruu was heading back towards a main road. He would have thought already what he had done was enough, but he could hear the man coming after him. His leg was still quite dull from the shock, but Ruu would be incapable of outrunning him.

As the man got close however, a swarm of bats came and attacked him. They attacked and knocked away his weapons, and their wings were sharp enough to even cut through the metal and wound his skin.

"Tsk, the Bat? I thought for sure he would watch the other three, just how many bats does he have?"

Ruu didn't look back, instead heading towards the street. And yet, suddenly a ribbon seemed to come out of nowhere and tie itself around Ruu, even leaving a nice little bow on it.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

The bats immediately went to attack, but then suddenly a cloth was thrown over them, and they disappeared completely when a man in a magicians outfit wearing a top hat pulled it away.

"Oh fuck, not this psychopath".

The man recognized him instantly. The troublemaker known as The Madhouse. A truly depraved person who is said to no longer have his sanity, having traded it for magical power. Someone who takes pleasure in embarrassing people and making them suffer through his madness, someone who has repeatedly caused everyone trouble. Supposedly he used a Wishgranter to become like this, so perhaps this was a side effect of the wish that was granted. Someone who has killed many, many people because of his games.

"Come on now. You don't usually go after bounties, so why are you here now?"

"Why, I just thought that those collection of boys looked so interesting and cute, that I would try to collect them all. After all, there are so many interesting things about them. I can tell each one has their secrets, even this boy here".

It wasn't lost on the man that this boy had spotted him despite his expert ability to tail people, and even managed to fight back quite a bit.

"Tsk. I don't suppose you are just going to let me go, huh?"

"Now now, what fun would that be? First, let us have fun in my fantastical funhouse! Beware the mirrors though, because you never know what part of you might be reflected within them..." the magician said with an insane, depraved smile, as a cloth fell over the bounty hunter as well. But it never reached its destination, as it was suddenly torn in half, and a figure covered in bandages and wearing heavy clothes slammed him into the ground. "Oh, its Phantom".

Suddenly the magician was no longer there, and instead standing on a rooftop, watching the two of them.

"I must say Phantom, I did not expect to see you here. Did someone hire you to protect this boy, or perhaps...were you hired to come after me for something I have already done?"

Phantom said nothing, and just charged right for him. Ribbons shot out of his sleeve, and attempted to entangle Phantom, only for him to either use them as footholds or break through them with ease. Madhouse unleashed a white dove at him, which suddenly quintupled in size, but that was not enough to stop him as he grabbed on, moved himself over it, and landed on the rooftop next to Madhouse.

Madhouse looked back at the alley, and then finally looked displeased.

"Curses, you dragged me into a Boundary. Me, and the Bounty Hunter there, but not the child somehow" he lamented. That meant by now, the authorities were likely already in the real alleyway, and his opportunity for fun and mischief had passed. "Well played, Phantom. Although, I am still not sure how you have managed this, seeing as how I cannot sense any supernatural energy about you at all, but all the same. I suppose I will have to make my move next time".

The magician threw something down onto the ground, and it detonated, releasing a huge ton of smoke and smog. Phantom attempted to follow through, only to discover he was a bit sluggish as the magician was able to escape.

The Bounty Hunter had long since fled too, having no desire to face either monster. Between Phantom and Madhouse, he wasn't sure which was stronger, but both were far more dangerous than he was.

----------------------------------------

By the time Bell had heard of it, it was already nighttime. He, Maze, and Toko had already changed out of their clothes and put them in the laundry, so they had to hurrily put on some of Bell's instead, since they couldn't just show up at the hospital naked or only in the oversized T shirts Bell loves so much. Thankfully they were roughly the same size, and Bell's clothes were easy to fit into. Clearly it was with future growth in mind, although Maze couldn't help but wonder if it was also related to him wanting to actually grow bigger and taller as well.

Leaving that aside however, they managed to make it to the hospital where Ruu had been taken too. Maze and Toko could barely keep up with a frantic Bell who went around checking all over to see where Ruu was, rather than just asking, before they heard familiar shouting in the distance.

"I already peed in a cup three times! Just let me get out of here damnit!"

They recognized that voice from earlier, and saw a rather peeved Ruu stuck in a hospital bed, looking quite annoyed.

"Ruu! What happened?! Are you okay?!"

"Bell! Gee, I told them they didn't need to call. I am fine. Perfectly fine, except for the fact I am naked in this bed and they wont give me my clothes or let me leave" Ruu complained, seeming quite animated. Bell looked around, and Ruu sighed. "If you are looking for my family, I am afraid you just missed them. Isn't that right, Kidnapper Warden Nurse person?"

The nurse just sighed, as he was clearly exasperated by what was going on.

"Whatever you got dosed with is still unknown, we cant even identify all the elements in it somehow. Its far too dangerous for you to leave the hospital before we identify what it is. But...yes, his family did show up. His mother was...well, ahem. She was very clear on making sure we helped her son, and his father.....his father..."

"Uhg, see what I am dealing with? He can't even remember my father properly".

"Honestly, he didn't really stand out aside from the fact he looked so short and young for someone his age, although he certainly had to work decades on his glare. I don't think I have ever been more terrified by a parent before. Anyways, they ended up going with the cops to answer some questions, you just missed them".

Bell was visibly saddened he had once again missed his chance to meet Ruu's family. Also concerned for Ruu of course, but given how lively he was, that had waned quite a bit.

"Right, so get me my clothes. Or at least something to put on".

"You never know, that could happen again. Or you might have a fainting spell, or some other bad part".

"Wait, incident?"

The moment Bell asked that, Ruu sent out a glare.

"Nothing! Everything here at the hospital has just been annoying and boring and fine! Nothing happened!"

"If you must know, the poison is making it difficult for him to control his bladder. Thats why he isn't wearing a hospital gown right now, we are getting a new one after the last one was ruined".

"Shut up, stupid nurse!"

"Wait wait, poison?!"

Toko sensed what was about to happen, and he and Maze quickly grabbed the nurse's attention and made him turn away, although he remained in the room still to keep conversing, the two boys made sure his back was turned so that Bell and Ruu had some level of privacy for their friendship moment.

The word poison drew Bell's attention most of all. He ran over and jumped on the bed, basically kneeling so his legs were on either side of Ruu's, and giving him a hug.

"You will be okay right? It isn't lethal? Are you in pain? Should I get you a book?"

Toko reacted to the word book and started to look through his backpack.

"Bell! Bell! I am fine! This is weird, so please stop!"

"I just learned you nearly died!"

"It was a non-lethal poison! Listen, either get me clothes or get naked yourself, it's weird when its only one of us!"

Bell was still new to battles and supernatural stuff, he was a young boy just barely in the double digits of age. So he didn't have the mental capacity to properly listen to everything Ruu said, retorting only to the first part. "Do non-lethal poisons even exist?!"

"Technically, I suppose they would just be considered drugs or medicine, but really its all the same. It was very strong and unusual though".

The nurse seemed to realize he had made a wrong word choice there.

"In any case, it was clear someone tried to abduct him. Probably related to all those other child abductions of late, so you should all be careful. Coming here alone at night was dangerous".

"We came together!"

"Ruu, you can sleep at my house from now one".

"They better find those bastards".

Maze, Bell, and Toko all had their own responses to this.

"Well, its not like I exactly remember what happened, but they found me in an alleyway, so apparently I probably just took a shortcut I shouldn't have. Although, I am quite careful. Probably why I got away".

"Did you taser him?" Bell asked.

"...I also vaguely remember kicking someone in a...precarious spot".

"That would do it".

"Ouch".

"I know he was kidnapping you, but wow".

Bell, Maze, and Toko all had their own reactions to that news, being boys themselves.

"Anyways, wanna help me take this guy down and help me escape from this evil nurse's clutches?"

Bell finally let go of Ruu, letting Ruu see the tears that had streamed down his face.

"Are you really all better".

"Yes. My parents visited me, I am all fine now, we can just leave".

"...why are your parents related in that?"

"Would they have left if I was in a bad state?"

"That...is a good point".

Bell couldn't argue against such an ironclad point. It was true, even if he had never actually met them yet. There was a lingering part of him that wanted to run after them to meet them, even if they were busy answering the police's questions.

It would have still been a nice opportunity despite the circumstances involved, but Bell would have to shelve that for now.

"What sort of poison or such was it?"

"I am not sure, but it hit me almost instantly, and it seemed to sap my energy and also make me incredibly dizzy. Not only that...I cant remember anything afterwards, so I think I must have passed out instantly. I have to admit...my legs are still numb, so it is kind of difficult to walk. Although, the smell was quite distinct".

"The smell?"

"Yeah. It was like rose petals, and honey. Although it's possible I just hallucinated that too".

"Too?"

"Yeah. It seems like I am seeing things, unless you suddenly produced fox ears and tails".

The emotional shock and worry had been so much, that Bell had been unable to maintain his own suppression has his emotions burst forth. That was why Maze and Toko had actually made the nurse look away, using the pretext of letting them have some privacy for their intimate friendship moment. Ruu didn't seem too flustered by what he saw, probably because he thought it was a hallucination.

The nurse nearly turned back himself, but Maze had taken something out and made it so the Nurse could only focus on the light he was holding. It must have been some sort of magical device, because he had completely made sure to draw the nurse into it so he didn't realize Bell was transformed.

However, Ruu seemed to already be falling back asleep again, having apparently used all of his energy with the nurse before and then with Bell right now, the stress that had kept him going was dissipating.

"...don't worry too much Bell. Right now, you look...much like...mom..."

Ruu had ended up falling asleep, so Bell just fixed his covers.

"Sleep tight Ruu".

Bell said that, as he finally got off the bed. He engaged his suppression again, which let Maze release the nurse from the hypnosis.

"Thanks Maze".

"Yeah. I doubt he will remember much of that if the drug is still in his system, but at the very least, from what I can tell he will make a full recovery. Although, I am a bit concerned with what he said about the smell".

"What do you mean, Maze?" Bell asked.

Maze looked through his phone, checking through his notes. "There is a bounty hunter known for using a drug with that smell to capture targets. He has also often used hostages to get the targets to submit with his demands and make things easier for him. His drug is known for smelling like rose petals and honey, and its magically enhanced, so it would work even on us".

Toko and Maze quickly dragged Bell into an empty room as his suppression failed again, with him being overcome with anger and malice, as well as despair.

"So this bastard was after me then?"

"Probably. Listen Bell, this isn't your fault".

"It is though".

Bell blamed himself a lot for this. He felt incredibly guilty, he dragged in Ruu, a normal person, into his mess. Simply being friends with him put Ruu in danger. Did that mean he was putting Toko and Maze in danger too? Perhaps, it would have been better off if...

Suddenly, a screaming pain burst across his cheek, as Maze pulled his hand away.

"Don't you dare think like that. Don't try to deny it. You were thinking it would have been better off if you died in that accident as well".

"This is all because of me though!"

Toko shook his head.

"No. From everything you told me, none of it is your fault. You didn't make the choice to murder that guy. You didn't choose to witness it happen in a public place. You didn't choose to fall into those ruins, nor activate the ritual site. You didn't choose to have a bounty placed on you, and you didn't choose to involve others".

"But I chose to talk with Ruu and still be friends with him..."

"That is not a choice" Toko corrected. "Leaving aside you were already friends with him, the idea of choosing to disconnect from friends is conceptually wrong. They are friends. You naturally drift to each other and apart from each other depending on compatibility, and you and Ruu are highly compatible. Who knows, maybe he might be your future boyfriend".

"...no, I am not like that" Bell said, although Toko's joke did help cheer him up a bit. "Still..."

Maze shook his head. "Friends are precious. Never apologize for that".

"The only one at fault is the asshole who placed the bounty and was messing with that place. Not to mention those who go around murdering others".

Bell nodded and thanked Maze and Toko, feeling at least somewhat better. That said...guilt hadn't been the only thing he had been feeling. There was plenty of rage and anger built up as well.

"...Maze, who is this guy?"

"Paul Bloom. He has gone after many bounties, and equally caused many problems. Murder, assault, illegal use of chemicals, and those are just some of the normal world crimes. Regarding the world within the world, he is also suspected and wanted for a number of paranatural ones as well. Magical experimentation on minors, illegal handling of supernatural artifacts, raising and breeding magical flora illegally, among others".

Bell looked a bit confused. "Wait, you can breed plants? Isn't that an animal thing?"

"No, the term can apply to plants as well. There is even cross-breeding...anyways, that is getting off track. Overall, this is a very bad guy. His bounty is so high, we could easily use the money to furnish your sanctuary and get some of the things that either you will need or just find incredibly useful".

"And we can make sure he never hurts Ruu again".

"Yeah, this guy...at the very least, he would go to jail for a few decades".

"Then let's get it done" Bell said, as he and Toko started to leave while Maze looked back at his phone before heading out.

----------------------------------------

At the same time, The Merchant was entertaining a new visitor.

"I must say, I did not expect you to come and visit yourself, Stone Cold Gaze. Or perhaps you would prefer you other title, Gorgon".

The woman from the lawfirm stepped out of the shadows, and approached him.

"But I am sure you know why I am here".

"You know very well that information is no longer available".

"Tsk. Fine then. In that case, about the other two matters".

She tossed over a bag of gold coins. The merchant looked at it briefly, and nodded.

"The clash that everyone felt? Phantom and Madhouse fought, even if ever so briefly. The Bat seemed to have been involved as well".

"Those three fought? And the city is still intact?"

"It seems that Phantom chased away Madhouse, or just made him lose sight of his objective. The Bat barely involved himself, using mainly his familiars. And Phantom appeared to be targeting Madhouse, which honestly does not surprise me at all".

"Figures. Lots of people hate him".

Even as much as the Gorgon knew the Merchant would never give her the first thing she asked for, no matter what, and dealt with people that she hated, it seemed to not reflect in her dealings with The Merchant himself. As annoying as his principles were, she had used them to her own gain as well. And he provided many services she found useful to her as well.

"And the final part?"

"The bounty for that one girl? Apparently, she is approaching the city, if not already arrived. Some gang with serious firepower tried to get her, but she completely trounced them all".

He pulled up her bounty. It was even higher than Bell's, and after this report came in, it got even higher.

"This one...is far too dangerous to ignore".

The Merchant looked at the profile. "She might even be more of a magnet for trouble than the boy. Seems like quite the storm is coming into the city".

Those ominous words lingered in the air, as the two of them concluded their business.