Ryu's POV

The sound of cicadas mixing with the singing of the birds during the day is just so calming, i lay down on the grass and stare at the blue sky. The soft breeze gently caress my fur, after a few minutes i sat back up and then grabbed a flat rock beside me and throws it at the lake making three bounces until the rock finally sink down to the lake.

"This place brings back so much memories" i smiled and then looked at my reflection on the water "this is the place where i first met him"

~~Flashback~~

I was walking around the forest on my own trying to explorers it, i  walk through the bushes and goes deeper into the forest. I then start going to random directions, after a few minutes of  walking without any clue where i am going i then realized, i'm lost. I look around trying to find way out but all i can see is big and tall trees.

"M-mommy..d-daddy.." my eyes starts getting blurry, ready to cry when suddenly i hear some rustling from the bushes "h-hello?" I tried getting closer to the bush and suddenly a something pops out of the bushes, making me fall on my butt and then run away "w-wait! I'm lost please help me!" I stand up and chased after the figure. I ran through every bushes and kept on chasing him "please wait!" I jumped out of the bushes and started looking around trying to find him but instead i found a really beautiful lake "woah!" I dusted myself and starts walking around the lake "this place is so pretty" i looked at my reflection on the water, suddenly a fish appeared and pops its mouth out making me chuckled. I tried taking a closer at the fish but suddenly my hand slipped and i fall into the lake "help!!.." i tried screaming for help while kicking my feet and moving hands so that I don't drown, i tried kicking my feet even harder and tries to get some air at the same but ended up making me swallow some of the water, i choked and i start to feel my feet and hands getting tired "p-please..help me!"

"Quick grab my hand!" A boy suddenly appeared out of nowhere and reaches his hand out to me, i tried to grab his hand but it's no use as I don't have any more energy left, my feet stopped moving and i slowly sinks down to the lake, suddenly i felt a hand grabbing mine and pulled me back up, i immediately gasp for air as he helped me to get back on the surface. I lay down on the ground while still trying to catch my breath. "You alright?" He asked and i nod my head

"Y-yes..t-thank you for saving me!" I said

"No problem, also what are you doing here all alone near the lake?" He asks

"I was trying to explore the forest but then i got lost, i then tried going to random directions but ended up getting more lost, but then i heard some noises from the bushes and I thought that i could ask them for help so I started chasing them" i explained to him and he nod his head

"So you thought that they could help you?" He asks and i nod my head "what if it's wasn't a person and an wild animal instead? You could get hurt"

"I-i never thought about it..." my vision starts getting blurry "I'm sorry!!" With that i then starts crying

"H-hey it's alright! No need to cry, i'll help you get out of here 'kay?" He said trying to calm me down

"Y-you will?" I asks with my teary eyes and he nod

"Yes" he said and i wipe my tears, he then pulls out his hand "hold my hand!" I hold his hand and then we both start walking in the forest while holding each other's hands.

~~Time Skip~~

After about a half of an hour walking we finally managed to get out of the forest

"There you go" he said

"Waahh! Thank you!" I immediately jump towards him and hugs him tightly

"No problem lil buddy" he said with a smile while patting my head, suddenly my heart starts beating like crazy and my face felt really hot and tail starts wagging like crazy. "Well i better go home now, bye!" He waves goodbye and then walks away

"B-bye.." i waved back while still confused on what's going on with me.

~~End of Flashback~~

I let out a chuckle while still staring at my reflection on the water "man, who would've thought being lost and almost get drowned would make you met your soulmate?" I smiled, i then stood up and stretches my body "gaah! It's getting late now i better get home now" i then starts walking back home. After a few minutes of walking i finally arrived in front of my house, i grab the house key from my pocket and start unlocking the door.

"Hey Ryu!" My ears perks up and i turn my head and saw Ayumi and the others and they are holding a lot of groceries

"Oh hey guys" i greeted them

"Where have you been? We tried coming to your house earlier but you weren't home" Izumi said

"Oh sorry, i was just getting some fresh air earlier" i said, suddenly my phone rang, i grabbed and answered it "hello?. . .yes this is Darky Ryu. . . Wait what?! Are you serious?!. . . . Y-yes i'll immediately be on my way, thank you so much!" I ended the call and immediately opens the door and dashes in and grab my car key. Once i got the key i walk out and locks the door again.

"What's going on Ryu?" Jiro asks confused

"Just get in!" i get in and immediately starts the car  "just put the groceries at the back hurry!" They all do as i said and puts all their groceries at back of the car, once they've put on their seatbelts i immediately steps on the gas and drives away.

After a few minutes of driving we finally arrived at the hospital, we all got out of the car and immediately runs to the elevator, we pressed the button and the elevator finally opens and we all get inside, once the doors is closed i then pressed the 3rd floor button

"Just what's going on here?" Jiro asks confused

"You'll see" i said with a huge smile on my face tail wagging like crazy. The elevator then stopped and the doors opened. "Just follow me!" I walked out of the elevator and they all just followed me, i then saw Hiro's parents and a doctor standing in front of Hiro's room, we all immediately run towards them. "Is he in there?" I asks the doctor

"Yes he's in there, you all can go and check if you want...but-"

"Thank you! We will!" I then open the door and there i saw Hiro sitting on his bed while looking outside of the window, Ayumi and the others gasped "H-Hiro..." he turn his head and look at us, we all immediately runs towards him and hugs him tightly

"Hiro!! We missed you!!" We all said while hugging him tightly and crying a little

"Babe i've missed you so much! I'm really sorry that I couldn't protect you that day!" I said while holding him tightly

"I-i'm really glad you guys came here to see me but....who are you people?"