I don't own Danny Phantom. Or Final Fantasy, who I happened to borrow one of their characters.

Just to give you a heads up, this is not a slash thing. Purely father/son. Later I will get Dani into the equation. I'll also be switching views. Read and enjoy! And sorry it's a short chapter. I'll try to make it longer, but it looks so much longer when it's in word document form!

***Danny's POV***

So here I was, staring out the window of an old, rusty car cruising down the highway to Wisconsin. My jeans rubbed uncomfortably against the hot leather as I squirmed, trying to find a happy place. My black hair squished against the window as I let my head fall, giving up trying to be comfortable. The girl driving sighed and once again tried to start a conversation.

"So…Danny. How again do you know Vlad Masters?" Her blond hair bobbed as she tried to glimpse me in the rearview mirror. I sank lower in my seat, my blue eyes still glaring out the window. I didn't answer. She was a cop, and she was THERE when I explained everything. Over, and over and over again. I know she was just trying to be nice. But yeah, I really wasn't in the mood.

She sighed and decided to echo my silence. Thank god. Then again, why should I? After everything I've just been through. I glanced at my old white T with the red logo, now sickening me. Everything right now made me want to puke. My eyes closed as my mind escaped the confines of the melting car, but to a place much, much worse.

I was sitting in a pile of rubble. Dust floated and as I gained my hearing back, I could make out the distant sound of sirens. But I didn't care. I didn't even think of the hell that would be explaining later to the cops how I was so close to the blast and yet, by a freak accident, had survived. My mind was numb along with my body. I couldn't even see the bloody mess my knees were. I couldn't think. They were right there. Just now, I could see them right there. And then…gone? Just gone? Where did they go?

For a second I didn't understand. I was in shock. Then Dan came gliding up behind me, crackling with evil laughter. Maybe I should have jumped up, kicked his ass with anger but…I didn't understand. How could they just be gone? I couldn't even say goodbye. Tears streamed down my face. My mom, dad, jazz, tucker! Gone. I did this. If I hadn't…It seemed so stupid to me know. Everything was tumbling and twisting and I felt bile in my throat. Dan said something and left, abruptly. Left me alone, with nothing but the smell of blood. Gone. That's all that was left. Blood that misted through the air along with that stupid sauce.

I was numb, looking at the space where just a moment ago, my family and my best friend had stood, hoping on me. I was just not fast enough…I felt a body come up behind me. A voice came through the air but I didn't know what he said. He put a hand on my shoulder as my voice choked out. Mom. Dad. Jazz. Tucker. I was being lifted and I noticed a crowd. People surrounding me as I broke down in the cop's arms. Even Dash's sympathetic face.

My family. Gone. What was I going to do now? I should have saved myself the trouble and let the rocks hit me. Gone. Where would I go? What was I going to do? Who would take care of me? I had no family except my crazy aunt in the woods. I sobbed. What was I thinking about? Why was I so calm about it? My parents, my sister, gone. How could I even live knowing, I failed them. Some hero. Danny Phantom. I was just a stupid kid playing a stupid game that ended up with my family and my best friend, who might as well been my family, dead. They were dead because I was an idiot. And Mr. Lancer. He cared, that's why he was there. He was dead because he didn't want me to end up flipping burgers for a living.

I was lost. Nowhere, no one, no how I could continue. I curled up on the seat. I heard the sound of a car starting, and then the comforting rhythm of the movement. Where was I going? And why did I care? I bit my lip, tasting blood. I probably looked horrible too. I started to feel my body again. My knees hurt, my stomach ached and so did my head. I was tired. The movement of the car lulled me to sleep and I embraced the darkness, letting it flow through me as a release to reality.

The days were a blur. I wasn't banged up too bad so thankfully no doctors discovered my secret. Again I wondered why I cared. I was at the hospital, then at the police station. I told them what happened with an empty voice. Numb, the whole world didn't matter anymore. I remembered my aunt coming, telling me she was sorry and she'd be here for the funeral but she simply couldn't take me. She wished me luck. A little late, I thought.

There was a will. A man with a stiff suit came in with a briefcase and read out that everything went to me. The house, the ghost hunting equipment, the portal, everything. I couldn't live there on my own, I remembered saying. I didn't even know if I could be there anymore. The man continued to read. I was going to live with Vlad, who was second on the list of people who should take care of me until I was eighteen. I was surprised to see I didn't care.

I vaguely remembered Clockwork, and his story. I wasn't going to rip the human out of me, I promised myself. I was just going to live, live a dull, empty existence.

I went home, with that cop girl supervising me. I changed my clothes and took a shower so I wasn't so grimy anymore. I looked in the mirror. Dark circles under my eyes and a dull look in them too. I still didn't care. I packed my clothes, my toothbrush, and toothpaste. Hairbrush, underwear, swimsuit, and posters. I crammed my space shuttles into the bundle without even looking. I put Jazz's hair band, dirty and barely a scrap of material, safely into my pocket. I was surprised when I woke up, holding it in a tight grip. Apparently, I had taken it from the pile that once was Nasty Burger. I also tucked away Tucker's PDA.

Before I left, I went into my parent's room. I was looking for something, wanting some little thing to take with me. I grabbed a picture Dad had forced us all to take together, even tucker, on a camping trip. Just then, my ghost sense went off. I looked downstairs to see the cop rummaging through the fridge. She wouldn't notice if I went away for a while, right? I put my arms into the air, not even shouting out my "battle cry". Nothing happened. I couldn't go ghost. I briefly wondered why when I realized it was for the best. No more 'saving' the town. I just ended up damaging things anyway. The town hated me, so they would be better off without my meddling. Right?

Ignoring the ghost battle outside, I went to my mom's jewelry box. She never wore the stuff, but she still kept…aha. I pulled out a silver-chained necklace with a small heart on it. I had bought it when I was 12, and I was so proud when dad offered to pay me to do chores, so I could buy it for mother's day. I knew it was stupid, but I wanted it close. So I put it on and tucked it under my shirt. Who cares if it was girly?

I had my stuff. My bags and I went into the back as we sped off towards Wisconsin.

So here I was. Better off dead, and speeding towards my arch enemy's house. I wonder how Vlad and I were going to possibly live in the same house. I mean sure, sometimes I had thought about going to stay with him. Another part of me that still believed he could be MAYBE a little nice. But no. After all that happened I don't think he even HAS a human heart anymore. I wonder what will happen when he finds out I can't be his evil apprentice, that I have no powers anymore.

I scratched at the itchy bandages on my knees. It's been a week since the explosion. Live is a blur but I'm sure living with the fruit loop will do something to distract me. If only make me want to commit a homicide.

***Vlad's POV***

I scratched Maddie's ears as she purred. Well, at least one of us is happy. I was sitting in the front hall on a small couch, watching the window for the dreaded arrival of Daniel. Don't get me wrong I was extremely excited when I got the call announcing I would be his guardian. I was also extremely nervous. I've been away from work for about a week, so instead of my normal suit I was wearing a simple pair of black slacks and a white long sleeved shirt. Simple, meaning expensive and elegant, yet plain.

Edmund, the butler, came around the corner holding my tea and a platter of milk for Maddie. I took a sip as briefly took my eyes away from the window. And Maddie…Not the cat, no. Though I'm sure Daniel will be delighted to hear I finally got a cat. But Maddie, the love of my life. Gone. She was dead…It took me a while to absorb the fact. I took my week of mourning while I could get it. I'm sure Daniel will be even worse off than me.

I shook my head. Despite the pain in my heart, I simply could not allow myself to be distracted. I needed to put all my energy to Daniel. He was probably in pain, and felt all alone. His family and his friend, dead. That's it, they were simply gone. I had to show him, make him know I was still here. I cared, and I would not let him get hurt. I can never replace his mother and father in his heart now, but maybe I can have a bit of my own.

Besides that, he needed to be taken care of. I can probably take the next few days off work, and maybe I can tailor my schedule so I can spend time at home. I'll make sure he gets enough to eat, and after a while, when he's ready, he can go to school again. Even though he might hate me, and would never come to me willingly, I could show him. I'll do anything to gain his trust.

My dear Maddie. I sighed. If there was anything I could do for you while you were alive, I would do it in a heartbeat. And I know now, the best way to honor you is to take care of Daniel. I finished my tea while staring at the floor. I do really care for the boy anyway. And this situation with the explosion and all…made me put a lot of things into perspective. I nodded. I'll do better. I promise Maddie.

I thought more of the little badger. He probably felt a lot of guilt, this whole thing with Dan. I couldn't help but feel a little proud at how powerful he'd become, but I got a shock when I realized how…evil he was. How mad and filled with hate. No matter how my life had turned out, I could not let that eat away at Daniel.

I visibly jumped when I heard the car come. There was a flurry of motion as the maids and hired work scurried around the premises. I had told them everything, and to be prepared when Daniel arrived. I opened the door to see the small boy struggle to pull a huge bag from the back seat. I was stunned to see him so…empty. He was usually so filled with such life and wit. Well, it was only to be expected.

I walked down to the car slowly, conscious of my own red eyes. Hopefully he wouldn't notice. I had to appear strong before the boy after all. He barely lifted his head as he heard me approach. The dark circles under his eyes gave my heart a pang. I would rather see him happy and hating me then sad and here at my mansion.

I stunned myself with that conclusion. So much has changed… A blond woman stepped from the car. She walked briskly up to me as I stood awkwardly a few feet from Daniel, who was currently staring at the ground. She straightened her blouse and coughed, holding out her hand. I shook it, finally taking my eyes off of Daniel.

"Nice to finally meet you Vlad Masters." She smiled a fake smile.

I nodded. "And you are…."

"Julie Prescott. Please, don't hesitate to call me with any problems. I often work with traumatized and grieving members of the force, so..."

"Thank you. For bringing him all the way out here. It means a lot to me."

Julie coughed nervously. "No problem. If you don't mind me asking, is he usually so…quiet?"

My brows furrowed. Quiet? No not at all. It worried me more to see that besides Daniel taking his bag out of the car, he seemed to be completely unaware of his surroundings. "No. But I'm sure he'll…warm up. Maybe you could come in for tea?" I chuckled nervously. I had no idea how to handle this! "You could tell me how to best…help Daniel."

She smiled a real smile this time. "I would be glad to come back some other time, but for now, maybe it would be good for Daniel to get acquainted with his new home."

"House." We jumped as Daniel spoke hoarsely.

"Daniel?" I questioned.

"It's not my home." He still stared blankly at the ground, so he could not see me flinch at that sentence. True it's not his home, but I did hope he could one day call it that. He bit his lip, apparently gathering courage to say something else. "And it's Danny."

Julie and I looked to each other. She gave me an encouraging look, so I went and crouched next to the small boy.

"Daniel." He didn't respond. "Please look at me." I even surprised myself at the sound of my own emotion leaking into the sentence. It seemed to surprise him too, because he did look up. And he was visibly startled at my appearance. Apparently I looked like I hadn't gotten any sleep the last few days. "It's true; it's not your home. And I can never hope to replace it, but I would like you to consider my mansion as your own." He blinked, apparently more surprised. I repressed a chuckle and stood, facing Julie. "I hope you don't mind if I do contact you again."

She shook her head. "Please do so! Oh and Vlad." She moved in closer. "You'll do fine, I can tell. Just make sure to let him know what you're really feeling, okay?" She moved away.

I blushed. Wow, I blushed! "T-thank you for the advice." I stuttered! What is wrong with me today? I briefly considered sleep deprivation.

"See you, Danny." Julie smiled and got back into the car. "Give him a chance." She said, obviously speaking to Daniel about me. I sputtered as she drove away and stared at her dust cloud.

"Wow she smiles a lot." I looked down to see Danny giving me a weird look. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

He shook his dark hair. "No you Fruit loop. You blushed. And stuttered." He spoke quietly. Apparently I wasn't the only one who had noticed.

"Well." I really didn't have anything to say. I was just glad Daniel decided to talk. And call me a Fruit loop. I was actually glad for once he called me that. "Come on. And leave your bag, Edmund will get it." I put a hand on his shoulder as Daniel grabbed a picture of him and his family to bring with him. We stood in the driveway for a moment, like a picture from time itself.

He sighed and started to walk towards the mansion. I smiled and practically ran to catch up. "I got a cat." A slightly confused look crossed his face before it disappeared. Wow this was gonna be hard. I'll work hard then, I promised Maddie. I'll work hard every single day to try to get a single emotion to play out on the boys face.

After all, I was his guardian now. I smiled, and just because I like saying it I'll say it again.

I'm his guardian now.