Transferred and Transformed

What Goes Up Comes Down

The weeks leading up to their departure had flown by and by the last day the four amigos had packed up, spent time with friends and Denali's family, and made sure to eat at each of their favorite restaurants at least 3 times. They drove through their home town and for a few moments, they saw what their town really had to offer. 

They visited their childhood playground and after spending hours reliving their favorite childhood memories, they stopped by the mall for a mini shopping spree and food. Lena looked over at her friends and thought back to when she had first met each of them, a distant but fond memory clouding her mind. She had just turned 8 and was overly shy when it came to new people. 

Denali was a few months older than her and had seen her almost immediately when the younger girl peeked her head into the classroom, her tail tucked between her legs and ears flat against her head. Denali was intrigued by the wolf girl and had quickly made her way over to Lena, careful to approach calmly as not to startle her. 

She greeted her, "Hi, my name is Denali. It's nice to meet you, what is your name?" she offered her hand out to shake. She was enveloped in a warm feeling when Lena placed her slightly larger hand in hers, gently shaking it. 

The wolf girl smiled softly and opened her mouth to speak, her canines peaking out, "My name is Lena, it's nice to meet you too. You have animal features like me, what's your quirk? Mine is Lycanthrope!" she gushed, her shyness quickly dissipating as a warm and comforting feeling radiated off of Denali. 

     "That's so cool and mine is called Neko!" Denali gushed. The two became fast friends after learning of each other's quirks and bonding over the animalistic side in them. It wasn't long before they met the boys and grew a close friendship with them as well. Benny was playing with two other kids when Lena had asked to join them in their activities and the girl had been rude  and pushed her, saying 'they didn't play with mutts'. 

Benny, feeling his protectiveness kick in, helped Lena up and turning to the girl, he scolded her for her actions. She stuck her tongue out, walking away with a snooty huff and his eyes darkened a bit. He felt energy leave his body as he activated his quirk and the girl's eyes quickly filling with tears as Lena's hurt emotions flowed within her and her previous annoyed emotions transferred to Lena. 

The girl ran off crying and the boy backed away slowly before running off as well and Benny turned towards Lena checking her for any marks or bruises from her fall. That day Lena learned about his quirk, his protectiveness and his morals. She joined asking for friends and in turn gained a brother which was something she had never had being an orphan with no siblings. 

Peering down at them from up in a tree were Denali and Ric, a young boy just a month older than Denali that had glued himself to her ever since she defended him from bullies. Proud smiles adorned their faces as they hopped down and joined their new friends and from there on out a strong familial-like friendship bloomed and flourished beautifully.

Lena was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of fingers snapping in her left ear and she looked over, dazed. Ric chuckled before placing a hand on her shoulder, peering at her from under his twists.

     "You good there, fam? You were off in another world, care to share about the adventure?" Benny asked, a goofy smile adorning his lips. Denali laid across Lena's lap as she played with the curls splayed on the bench, her cat instincts kicking in as she found something to toy with. Lena giggled and looked off at the sun setting over the houses in the neighborhood and breathed a sigh of both contentment and anticipation. 

     "I was just remembering the day that I met each of you, that's all. One of my few fond memories from childhood, I guess," Lena replied, smiling softly as she reached down and plucked a leaf from Denali's shirt. They collectively watched the sunset all cuddled up to one another before heading back to Denali's house, the drive back a quiet but comfortable ride as lo-fi tunes played through the radio.

Denali's parents had made a farewell feast and everyone's favorite foods were displayed on the grand dinning table when the kids walked in, the 5 youngsters already sitting at the table waiting to dig in. 

     "We are going to miss you all like crazy. Make sure to call me as soon as you four land, please! Let me know when you get to the school safely as well and once you're settled into your dorms!" Greta, Denali's mother, chirped as she was sitting down at the table. Mark, her husband, joined and called the four to sit down as well and they spent the rest of the night laughing at memories, enjoying not just the food but each other's company. 

 Once dinner was done, the four retired to Denali's room and they sat on the two bunk beds whispering their late night thoughts and feelings about the trip. Worries, excitements, hopes and dreams filled the air before they all drifted to sleep, anticipation for the morning laying heavy in each of their hearts.

The morning flew by in a flash as they bustled around getting ready and after hopping into Greta's van, Denali's dad and 5 younger siblings waved them off. The four teens sighed and looked at one another, Benny's face nearly ready to break from the huge smile on his face and Ric laughing at Denali's giddy bouncing. Lena giggled at their antics before looking out the window as the town zoomed by, the library, the school, the playground, the mall, and the town hall all fading away like an already distant memory. 

She hadn't expected to feel homesick before even fully leaving home but this was where she grew up. Sure, it was only a year she would be spending away but a lot can happen in that time and who's to say if she even decided to come back after graduation. The future was full of mystery but she was determined to make the most of it and as she leaned her head on Denali's shoulder, she put in her headphones and dozed off to the melodies. They arrived at the airport and she was lightly shaken awake by Denali moving for her bag. 

Sitting up and rubbing her eyes, Lena looked around the airport in slight awe having never been before and each of them took turns being squeezed to death by Greta. Ric handed Lena her suitcase and carry on she brought before leading the way to the desk and an hour and a half later they sat on the plane, comfy in their seats as they chatted about what to do when they landed, where to go first and who to talk to. Before long, the plane took off, they were in the air, and Lena went back to her nap while Denali read and the boys watched a movie on Benny's laptop. Japan, here goes nothing.

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