So I've been on a major writers block for my first fanfic "A Curse Bestowed", to not even start it. So I've taken a different approach. Yesterday (May 31st, 2009) was Banjo-Kazooie's 11th anniversary and I decided to celebrate it. I've had an idea that I mashed up in my head in two nights and I came up with this. Thankfully, I mashed it up into one good story, because I was actually considering making several short stories and publishing them, which would get tedious. Anyway, in a desperate attempt to pay homage to this game, I started another fanfic where I will not really revise. I will just write like I normally do and not go over it like what I've been doing with "A Curse Bestowed". I'm a really stubborn perfectionist sometimes, but I'm letting this one go freely. It's a rather interesting story, and I will have another part up FOR SURE sometime this week. Hopefully I will, at least. I have 3 projects due, a big test and a couple of exams that await me in the following month, but I'll be writing plenty over in the summer.

Also, I haven't given up completely on "A Curse Bestowed". I just think that it can wait. If you haven't read the prelude (Yes, I've only gotten that far...) then I suggest you read it.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything mentioned on this fanfic, but I own the fanfic itself. All characters, places, etc. are owned and trademarked by Rare. Everything else is by me.

Don't forget to read and review!

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Ghosts of a Haunted Past

"Happy Birthday, Kazooie!" Banjo shouted with a smile stretched across his face. He had set an appetizing looking cake down on the table with the candles already lit as Kazooie finished coming back indoors from her morning flight around Spiral Mountain. Banjo had hoped to have surprised her but to his disappointment Kazooie really didn't seem too acknowledge the hard work he had put into keeping the cake a secret. He had worked so hard early in the morning quietly baking the cake as to not wake her up. Then he had to find a good place to hide it so that she wouldn't notice it, although she probably already had judging from the looks.

Kazooie just looked at Banjo with a depressed face and quietly said to him, "Thanks, Banjo, but I don't eat cakes. I eat bird seeds."

"Aww, c'mon Kazooie! It's okay to take a bite, even if it does mean sticking your beak in and getting your face dirty. After all, it IS your birthday." The Honey Bear said, trying to cheer Kazooie up, although his attempts proved useless as the only response he got from the breegull was a cold turn away as she walked in the other direction into the familiar blue backpack and covered the flap over her head.

Banjo felt something that made him get a little cold. He felt alone and exposed. He was used to being next to his companion at all times, but today he felt rejected. Unwanted. Although this hadn't been the first time she had done this, he gotten into quite a few arguments before, but one thing struck Banjo in question every year. Why was she always like this during her birthday? He knew it had something to do long before they even met. She always had something on her mind for her birthday. She never celebrated. For the first few years Banjo had known her, she even refused to tell him her birthday.

Could it be she was shy? Or maybe she wasn't very fond of celebrating, fond of those feelings you get when open a present from someone to find something you've always wanted for a long time to be finally yours. She probably wasn't very fond of saying 'Thank you.' like good kids are supposed to be taught to do as proper etiquette, or manners. Banjo knew she would never do that, but he still pondered about what was on her mind. It was something long before even him and Kazooie met. It sounded a bit absurd, but despite Banjo knowing Kazooie for most of her life, he still didn't know why she reacted in this way.

The backpack hanging on the coat rack swayed a bit from side to side as a ruffling sound inside the bag could be heard. Banjo snapped out of his thoughts as soon as he heard it and looked at the backpack. His senses came rushing back to him. It was all quiet except for the constant soothing noise coming from the refrigerator that sat nearby. He looked over to the clock that hung over his bed. He had been sitting at the table in his train of thought for nearly fifteen minutes. He glanced at the backpack that housed the red bird. 'Had she already fallen asleep?' Banjo thought. After watching the bag, he had finally decided that he wanted some answers.

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"Psst, Kaz? Hey... Kazooie? Are you awake?" Banjo whispered gently as he nudged the backpack a little bit. He could feel something inside there as he pushed the backpack hung on the coat rack that sat just next to the window. Outside it was getting cloudy and the sun could barely send a small stream of sunlight through the clouds that gathered over Spiral Mountain.

The backpack swayed a bit more as slow rustling movement sounds could be heard. Kazooie peaked her head out of the backpack slightly lifting up the flap that covered her shelter and revealing her green eyes as she peered outside. She could clearly see Banjo sitting on the side of his bed looking back at her. Kazooie didn't feel like talking so she cut to the chase.

"Banjo, what do you want?" She asked in an irritated voice. She had been enjoying a short but peaceful nap only to be interrupted by the stupid honey bear.

"I brought some cake, in case you wanted some. I cut them into small square chunks so you don't have to stick your face in them when you try to eat." Banjo replied, trying not to push Kazooie over the edge. He knew that if one slight thing made Kazooie snap, he would have to wait until next year for some answers, although Kazooie was on the edge all the time on her birthday.

Kazooie looked over at what Banjo was holding to see small equally cut chunks of cake on a small plate. Her stomach growled. She had realized she hadn't eaten any breakfast, so she quietly opened the flap on the backpack and stretched her wings out and hovered out and next to Banjo. Banjo, himself, had a slice of cake that rested on his plate which he held. He placed Kazooie's plate on the bed and Kazooie went in front of the plate and quietly ate the chunks of cake. Banjo watched her eat some before helping himself to some. He took a fork and cut a piece off before impaling it with a fork and putting it in his mouth. The flavor ran through his body. He remembered what kind of cake he made. It was a fruit cake made with some of the best apples, melons, and grapes. Banjo had gone to a large extent to find all the ingredients. He even had to steal some oranges from Conga's fruit tree at Mumbo's Mountain. He wondered if all that ape does is just stand on that small lone tree doing nothing but keeping on the look out for people who would try to take his oranges.

Before long, he and Kazooie were finished eating and Banjo placed the plates next to the sink to tend to later in the dishwasher. He came back and sat the bed and lied down and decided ask since Kazooie looked a lot less stressed.

"So, Kazooie," Banjo began. "I was wondering if... you could tell me why you're always so depressed on your birthday."

"Banjo, that's none of your business." She quickly snapped.

"Kazooie, please. We've known each other for most of our lives. Why can't you tell me?"

"Because," Kazooie started. She stopped there and the whole house lay silent. She didn't know what to say, and wished that she had never even said anything. Now she was caught in mid-sentence, trying to think of something to say to keep Banjo from asking but nothing came to mind.

"Because...?" Banjo tried to push an answer out of Kaz.

Kazooie sighed. "Do you really want to know?"

"Please, Kazooie. It's okay to tell me what ever is on your mind."

"Alright," Kazooie said in defeat. "I'll tell you."

She decided to tell him. Besides, they've known each other for so long. Banjo might as well just know about it. Nothing could save her from the ghosts that haunted her memory, but maybe with someone else by her side, she could face them together.

"It all happened when I was younger..." Kazooie began.

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The next part is where it gets interesting. I'm sorry, but I rushed the ending a little because I wanted to play some Guitar Hero. Don't hate me!

Don't forget to leave a review. Any helpful and supportive criticism is greatly appreciated. Good or bad, as long as it's an honest opinion, I respect it. Oh yeah, and Happy 11th Anniversary, Banjo-Kazooie!