The little boy

Hikaru POV

It's been 5 years now since I've been in Heart Kingdom. Now I have reached stage 0 and have full grasp of my magic skills and new spells. Since I have reached 0 stage and helped Heart Kingdom a lot, we decided that I would go back to Clover Kingdom and when needed Heart Kingdom can call me over.

So in a week I'll be heading out and be going back home.

So today I'm doing rounds and saying goodbyes and telling citizens that I'll be leaving. The people here are so kind and thoughtful, they have been so welcoming on my first day here.

Today I'm walking around town strolling along with Gadjah. We walk around waving at the people. I decide to speak up "Hey Gadjah, I don't think I was able to fully thank you for everything that you've done for me." I say and smile thankfully in his direction. He nods his head "I haven't done much. A lot if it was your own hard work with us spirit guardians guiding you." he responds. I look up at him who now has a scare that goes down his cheek. I reminisce about how he got that but smile at him.

I giggle a bit at his honesty. "Hmm. Gadjah... But ya know I wouldn't be able to do it without your help. Just accept it!" I smile at him. "Plus, I want to thank you for helping me take care of Lance." I smile just thinking about that boy.

Gadjah smiles just so slightly. "It's no problem. I'll be looking after him once your gone." I smile back at him. "Thanks Gadjah, I'll be in touch with you guys often. I'll give you a transponder device, once I get back home."

As we walk I reminisce of my stay here. It then drifts off to how I met Lance.

FLASHBACK

I was doing my regular round, until I saw a tornado pop up destroying the forest area in the North, I ran there quickly to solve the problem before it could cause any other damage. When I got there I witnessed a small child in this forest by himself running away from this magic tornado. I quickly ran and scooped him up into my arms.

"Earth Magic: Shield of Golem" Soil raised and protected us from the impact. I then flipped to another page in my grimoire. "Earth Magic: Wrath Compression" A bunch of soil shot up and hit the tornado breaking its spin and slowing the wind down.

Once the wind completely slowed down a gust of wind shot out blowing the trees and us. I held onto the boy tighter and braced for impact. "Earth Magic: Cradle of Spring" a wall of grass curves and catches us softening the impact.

I looked down into my arms and see the boy unconscious. I lay the boy down on my lap waiting for him to wake up. 'He looks to be around the age of 5. What is a small boy like this doing all the way out here?' I ask myself.

Soon the boy breaks up. She jumps out of my lap. "Where am I?! What happened to the tornado!...My house!" I then runs in the direction of where his house was supposed to be. I chase after him calling out "Boy! Wait it's not safe!"

The little boy finally stops and falls down onto his knees. I finally catch up to him and see what's in front of him.

A little house, well what seems to be left of it. It was torn and wood pieces were scattered every where. I bend down to the boy and hug him. In response the boy grabs onto my clothes tighter and cries more. I wait till he stops until I ask my questions.

Soon after the boy sniffles and calms down. I push him away from me and get a good look at him. A little boy with crazy unkempt brown hair, wearing torn up clothes. "Little boy are you alright?" I ask. He nods his head rubbing his eyes. "Is this your home?" he nods again.

"Was your parents inside? Did they run away along with you?" I ask. This time he squeaks out an answer. "I don't have parents. All I know was that I was here and I only had that little house. I would go out and get berries and food from the forest." he explained.

My heart clenched. I continue to ask him "So you've been out here all this time? By yourself? Does no one come here?" I ask.

He nods his head 'yes'.

'I never knew that there was a little house out here. Maybe Lolopechka might now about it., since she oversees the land.'

I talk to the little boy "Boy do you have a name?" I ask sweetly wondering if he called himself anything, doing so I smile at him.

His eyes get wider and shakes his head "I don't have one miss..."

I hum. "Would it be okay if I call you Lance?" I ask him. His face gets brighter and smiles brightly "Yes! That's fine! My name is Lance!" I smile sweetly seeing him like this.

"Well since you don't have a home...why don't you come with me and we'll get you all cleaned up!" I say. He shakes his head 'yes'.

"Oh did you have anything you needed from there?" I ask pointing at his house. He shakes his head "no' . I take his hand and lead him back to my place.

We arrive at my place and I tell him to get cleaned up in the shower. I leave my place get him new clothes and accessories.

I get back and place the clothes outside the bathroom door. I knock on it and say "Lance I'll leave your new clothes outside the door. I'll be in the living room." I then walk away to the living room.

Minutes later Lance comes in with his new clothes which is badge shorts with a white T-shirt. I look at him and smile. "Lance come here." I motion him over. He slowly makes his way over to me. I pat the couch signalling to sit beside me.

"Lance, my name is Hikaru. It is nice to meet you." I rub his head. He smiles at this action and looks at me with sparkling eyes. "It's nice to meet you too, Hikaru nee-san!!" I smile brightly after hearing this. 'That's so cute~' I think.

"Well, Lance. Since your all cleaned up. Let' go meet my friend and fiqure out where you'll be staying." I say to him, his face slightly droops down sadly but goes back up again when I pick him up. "Let's go shall we!" I exit my house and make my way to Lolopechka.

"Lolopechka, it's Hikaru. I need to discuss something with you." I say and hear a "Come in"

I enter with Lance in my arms, he looks every where looking astounded at the blue light shinning. I see Lolopechka and wave. "Lolopechka earlier when there was a magic tornado in the Northern part of the forest I found this little boy. He was running away from it and I saved him. Then found out that his home got destroyed." I informed her.

"I see...well we can't possibly leave the little boy back in the forest. We'll need to find him a new home. Maybe we'll have the Geods' family take him in." Once Lance heard of a family taking him in, he shook his head frantically, squirming in my arms. I look at him.

"What's wrong Lance?" I say worriedly. His eyes get watery and says "I don't want to gooo! I want to stay with you Hikaru nee-san!" My eyes widen then soften at his words. I then look at Lolopechka to see what she says.

Lolopechka giggles and pats Lance's head. "Yes that is fine with me. As long as Hikaru is fine with it as well." She says and looks at me.

I laugh a little and find them both staring at me. "Yes I would be fine with that. Lance you can come and stay with me." I say sending them a grin.

Lance's arms raise and wraps around me, doing so he hugs me. I giggle at this action, not experiencing this before. "Yes lets go home!" I look at Lolopechka and send her a warm smile and mouth "Thank you, I'll see you again tomorrow"

With that I leave with Lance and head back home.

Since then Lance has been living with me, helping me around the house and watching me train with the spirit guardians at times. We have gotten really close and that at times he calls me mom. The first time he did it I was so surprised and taken back. But brushed it off and snuggled and hugged Lance. 'Aw he's so adorable.' Though I have noticed at times he only calls me mom in front of certain people. But he is not my son but it's so cute!

A lot of times Gadjah would help me watch Lance when I was busy and help training him with his magic.

Years have gone by with us together and it was like we were a little family. It was so cute.

Present

"Here Gadjah, this is the transponder. With this I can talk to you and Lance anytime."

I also gave one to Lolopechka and the other spirit guardians if they ever needed something. I also taught and gave one to Lance in case of emergencies.

"GADJAH-SAN!" I hear Lance yell running out of his room into the living room.

Gadjah bends down and pets Lance's head. "Hi Lance." Gadjah says. "Hi Gadjah-san! What are you doing here today!?" Lance asks excitedly. Gadjah lifts up the transponder to show him. Lance nods his head in understanding. Gadjah gets back up and heads to the door.

"Thank you, I'll see you tomorrow Gadjah." I say and wave. He leaves and I close the door. I look down and see Lance staring at me. I tilt my head to the side. "Yes Lance?" I ask him.

"Mom are you leaving?" he asks. I look at him sadly and bend down wiping the little tears at his eyes. "Yes Lance, I'll be leaving in about a week. I have to go back to my country." Now Lance sobs and looks at me sadly. "Why Hikaru nee-san?! You don't like me anymore?! Are you trying to get rid of me!?" I shake my head.

I grab and pull Lance into a hug. "No! Lance, I love you with all my heart. I just have to go back to my country to do my job. I'll be back and make visits. Plus you still have Gadjah, Lolopechka, the people, and the other spirit guardians here. I'll also call you often and talk to you on the transponder."

His sniffles die down and looks at me. "But Mom...I want to go with you! I'll be on my best behavior! I won't do anything!" I sigh and look down at him. "We'll see okay? I'll be really busy once I get there and won't have as much time to spend with you. Plus I need permission to see if you can come to Clover, I still haven't gotten word yet. Also you'll be able to get stronger and have fun here with your friends." I say.

Lance looks at me "But mom, it doesn't matter! All of that doesn't matter unless your not here with me!" He says. 'My heart hurts!' I say to myself.

"Hey let me try and get in contact with Clover okay? Let's put you to sleep."