Tiger made his way down the hill, a wild grin on his face. He could feel a large influx of ki in the near distance.

‘Finally, it’s been so long…’

He was roaring with laughter as the children followed him down towards the upcoming caravan.

They waited by the road outside the gates beside a couple of guards. Harold stood beside them, poking and prodding the children with his sheathed sword when they walked onto the road.

Tiger stepped beside the guard.

“I thought you were leaving.”

“I am.” Tiger bared his teeth into a wide grin. “I was just waiting…”

It was then the caravan stopped, about fifty feet away. The guards descended upon it like flies to fruit. A noble climbed out, a princely fellow. Behind him another figure came out, with silver hair that was slicked back.

Tiger walked forward to meet Wolf.

One of the guards tried to stop him, but Tiger had already started running. The noble’s guards grabbed their weapons.

“Wolf!” Tiger roared, causing several of the guards to freeze in place.

Wolf stepped forward and met Tiger. “Tiger.” They met each other with a fist to the face. Neither winced.

Tiger kept roaring with laughter before finally embracing his old friend, slapping him across the back several times before letting him go.

“Wolf! It’s been a while, eh?” Tiger was still grinning like an idiot.

“Yes. It has.” Wolf bowed his head.

“Tea?” Tiger offered as he pulled out a bowl from his bag that was filled with tea. A trail of steam escaped the lid when he opened it.

“Yes. Thank you.” Wolf took the tea and began to sip on it as the pair walked.

Harold stopped them with a hand on their shoulder.

“Excuse me, I can’t-”

“Harold, that man is a guest of mine, would you mind leaving him be?” The noble was sweating again, wide eyed at Harold. “We were in a spot of trouble before he arrived, he saved us.” He gave Harold a look.

The look was the same kind of look, despair and frustration, that one would give a man who was trying to get them all killed. Harold let the pair go.

“If that’s the case, then I apologise.”

“Of course.” Wolf bowed his head, taking another sip of tea.

Wolf and Tiger both walked into town, followed by some of the children. One tugged at Wolf. He turned down to face the child, who was bonked by Tiger upside the head.

“Oi! Garr! Let him go.” Tiger ruffled the boys hair.

“Is this your friend?” Garr rubbed the top of his head.

“Yeah, this is Wolf. Wolf, this is Garr. He’s a bit of a trouble maker, and not that bright.”

“I’m not a trouble maker!” Garr frowned, crossing his arm.

“Go bother someone else, I’ve got to catch up wit-”

“I’m not not bright!” Garr punched Tiger’s leg and then ran off.

“Eeeh?” Tiger turned and then ran after Garr. “You brat! Get back here!” Garr ran between various people and eventually lost Tiger, or rather Tiger managed to chase him off quickly enough, so he returned to Wolf.

“…” Wolf stared silently.

“Well, he’s brighter than Bok at least.” Tiger chuckled.

Wolf merely sipped his tea.

The pair eventually arrived at the orphanage as Wolf finished the tea.

“Tiger-”

“Hey Auntie, I’m off.” Tiger turned to Wolf. “Alright, lets head out.”

Wolf stared at him as he walked off.

Auntie came out and then threw a ladle at Tiger’s head.

“Ow!” Tiger rubbed his head and turned back to see Auntie who came with large spoon and started to strike him with it, though not harshly. “Ah! Ow! Auntie!” Tiger dared not to use Iron Body.

Auntie gave him a few more for good measure. “What do you think you’re doing? Leaving just like that?”

“I said goodbye. Ow!”

“You call that a goodbye?” Auntie tugged on his ear and pulled him inside.

Wolf followed.

She made tea for the pair of boys as Tiger rubbed his arm where she had struck him.

“You’re Tiger’s friend?”

“Yes.” Wolf replied. He thanked her for the new cup of tea and took a sip. It was strongly flavoured with herbs.

“Like that other friend?”

“…” Wolf turned to look at Tiger.

“Ah, right, kind of?” Tiger rubbed the back of his head and chuckled.

Auntie frowned. “You look injured as well. Did the two of you already fight?”

Wolf shook his head. “No. I don’t intend to fight Tiger.” He looked at Tiger once more.

“Yeah…” Tiger sighed and shrugged. “He took the ring.” Tiger muttered and shrugged.

Wolf frowned.

Auntie took a sip of her tea. “I can’t tell you to stay, Tiger… but I will tell you this… I won’t forgive you if you die.”

Tiger laughed. “Don’t worry, Auntie! Nothing can kill me!” Tiger flexed.

Auntie reached for the spoon. Tiger quickly excused himself to get some honey. She sighed.

There was an awkward silence between the pair.

“Please… look after Tiger.” She bowed her head to Wolf. “I haven’t known him for as long as you… but he’s one of my children…”

Wolf bowed his head in return. “Yes.” He replied back.

“Thank you.” Auntie wiped away a stray tear with her scarf.

When Tiger came back he was struck by a flying spoon.