I don't own Danny Phantom.

Need

'Here I am again,' Ember thought wryly.

She was lying boredly on a hammock below the deck of Youngblood's ship, her attire that of a pirate's once more and her guitar leaning against the post by her head. She had been drifting through the Ghost Zone, not interested in going to the human world to be sent back by that Phantom brat but too bored to return to her lair.

While contemplating what to do, she had caught sight of the ship and felt a need to go to it. She really didn't understand the need, but it didn't feel unnatural like mind control or hypnotizing. It was just a small tug in her mind, a want to run with the only other ghost she knew that disliked adults as much as she did.

But also…

She liked Youngblood. He could be a bit of a brat at times, but his games were funny and he wasn't afraid to ask her to make him songs.

He had good leader potential for one so young, and his apathy and dislike for rules made him enjoyable to be around.

His bird was okay; a little stuck-up, into posh and proper and junk, but he cared for Youngblood, and didn't mind Ember, so she didn't mind him.

But also…

Her thoughts were interrupted as the young ghost on her mind phased into her cabin, eyes downcast and eyelids drooping. His skeletal bird was perched on his shoulder and offered her a nod before looking at his master worriedly.

"What's up, Baby Face? You seem off."

Youngblood looked up at her nickname for him, before gripping at his clothes and looking down. "I kept getting nightmares about how I died."

Ember sat up at that and looked at the child more closely. "I see." While ghosts didn't need to sleep often, they did usually as a habit from their human lives. Ember watched Youngblood for a little longer, before he stuttered something about not knowing why he told her and moved to leave.

"Hold up, Pirate Boy." Youngblood looked back at her, and the pop star opened her arms a little to him. "If you want, you can spend the night with me."

The boy seemed to think about it, looking uncertain at first, then nodded and tackle-hugged her in the stomach. She exhaled quickly at the impact, before ignoring it and pulling the boy closer. His skeletal assistant took flight before he got caught in the crossfire. The blue flames of her hair cocooned around her as she laid on her side, Youngblood curled against her, shivering as he was gently warmed by the heat as well.

It didn't take long for the small captain to fall asleep, and Ember took a moment to stare at his face. All of the things she had said earlier were good reasons for her to stay with Youngblood.

But also…

But she also felt this part of her, her physically and for all intents and purposes dead heart tugging at her, pulling for her to comfort Youngblood; to help him. To not abandon him like his parents had in the living world.

Maybe it was maternal instincts; maybe it was a ghost survival mechanism. It really didn't matter, she decided, as Youngblood whimpered and curled closer to her. He was a kid, and he needed her.

And it was possible that she needed him too.

I've recently been craving Danny Phantom, and this popped to mind as I was reading some Ember-centric stories (well, as centric as I could find). I thought a little family fluff thing would be kinda cute.

For anyone who reads my other stories: I am sorry I haven't updated, I've been going through a slight writer's block. I'm hoping this and few more small stories might help break it.

Please review.

Ja ne!