Author's Note: To anyone who's reading this, thank you so much for following through. I wasn't really pleased with the last chapter, but i think this one is a little better, though that isn't saying much. I'd love it if you could review.

Chapter 2

Wow, this passenger's seat must be really comfy.Ah, I sighed, this is the good life.Oh wait, these feel like arms.

Ninja skills activate. I flipped out of the dark strangers arms, grabbed his legs and flipped him head over heels. My next move was to sit on him, and pin him down, allowing for no movement whatsoever. I looked down at my victim and instead of seeing the look of terror that would have satisfied me, I saw a single raised eyebrow. He was amused. Amused. I was shocked, a little offended, but mostly confused. I looked around as if my surroundings held all the answers.

Before I could open my mouth to say anything, a golden blur hit me and knocked me over. Instead of letting my ninja skills take over, I smiled. "Ella," I breathed.

Apparently I wasn't quiet enough, because a deep voice behind me laughed and said, "She flips the guy who tries to gallantly carry her inside, but not the person who tackles her to the ground."

Everyone laughed, so I picked myself and Ella up off the ground and grinned, "Aw come on, who could ever imagine hurting this little ball of dough," I said squeezing Ella's cheeks between my index finger and thumb as she blushed furiously.

"Max," Ella whined, "I'm beginning to wonder why I was so excited that you were coming back. Wait, why are you back already?" She asked innocently.

I froze. Everyone wore identical confused expressions, even Grace, so I guess none of them knew. What could I say, 'sorry Ella, the person you love more than anyone else, and haven't seen for the last 5 months just died'? I don't think so. I settled for, "We'll talk about it later Ells."

Her face crumpled as the realization must have hit her. I pulled into a big bear hug and patted her back while she cried, right in the front yard. I murmured comforting things and took the opportunity to look over her shoulder and take in my surroundings as well. Oh yeah, I'm an awesome multitasker.

The guy I had released my ninja skills on had gotten up and dusted himself off. He was now looking at me with a new respect. I smirked at that. I also saw confusion in his dark eyes, and I really couldn't blame him. He thought he was carrying an innocent, sleeping girl. He was trying to do the right thing, but instead he got a face full of their freshly mowed grass for his troubles. To top it all off, Ella had just had a random mental breakdown after tackling this strange girl to the ground. It was a lot to take in.

Also standing there with his mouth open in shock was a tall blond boy with milky blue eyes. He towered over even the man I presumed to be the father figure of the house. He had to be at least 6'3". I think he was the one who mocked the dark haired one for getting flipped by me.

A dark skinned girl was standing next to him, looking like she was bursting with questions for me, but also wanting to comfort Ella, as well as wanting to bombard her mom with questions. Just thinking about all of that made me dizzy.

A little boy with curly blond hair looked up at me in awe, also unable to say anything. He stood maybe up to the tall blond one's hip. He was holding another little girl's hand. They looked like they could be siblings, but for the most part, none of the other kids appeared to be related at all.

The one who I thought had to be Grace's husband was dark haired and dark eyed, much like the boy who had been trying to carry me. He looks like he could be the dark haired one's father, but not any of the others.

Finally Grace stepped in and said gently, "Kids, maybe you should go inside and do something else while the Ella and her sister get packed." She turned to me and said, "We'll let you two be alone for a minute, and do introductions at dinner, alright?"

I nodded my assent, and picked up a still crying Ella, heading towards the door of the two story house. The only problem was that the two tallest ones, blond and dark haired, were blocking the way. I cleared my throat loudly and gave them each pointed looks.

"Do you need some help?" The dark one asked not unkindly.

I glared. Of course I am capable of carrying my sister up one flight of stairs. And honestly, I didn't really want to make friends with any of these people. I was only here for Ella, and because it's what mom wanted. "I can take care of this just fine, thank you," I said curtly.

"So you can carry two suitcases, a backpack, and your sister up a flight of stairs?" The blond one asked, one eyebrow raised.

Oh. I sighed, "I guess you can take my bags up to Ella's room," I relented.

They both rolled their eyes at the same time. Creepy. I also noticed that something seemed wrong with the blond one's eyes for some reason, but quickly dismissed the thought. There's no need to get curious about these people already.

"My name's Iggy, and this is Fang, by the way. He doesn't talk much," the blond one said, trying to start a conversation as they led me to Ella's room. I tried to coax Ella out of her fetal position in my arms.

"So this family has a thing for nicknames, huh? Well, I'm Maximum, but you can call me Max."

"Will Ella be okay?" Iggy asked concern evident in his milky eyes. There it was again, why do his eyes look so strange?

I snapped back to attention immediately. "Eventually," I answered shortly, hoping to avoid further interrogation. My eyes flicked over to the dark haired one, Fang.

''Hmm, your mom also told me that you don't talk much," I remarked, steering the conversation back to him.

He shrugged, "I don't waste words, where words are not necessary."

"That's deep," Iggy remarked approvingly. "Well, here's your stop. Are you sure there's nothing we can do for you or Ella?"

I laughed; of course Ella's already got them wrapped around her finger. "She's already grown on you hasn't she?" I said, more than I asked as I tugged Ella tighter, now giving her more of my attention.

Gosh, I wish I could hear the thoughts going through her head right now. Her mother had sent her away to live with seven strangers, leaving me behind. I knew that had to be hard for Ella, and now, right when she was starting to get comfortable, I come in a ruin everything for her.

I sat with Ella, murmuring things I hoped were comforting, occasionally singing lullabies our mother had sung to us. I guess somewhere in there we both drifted off, Ella in my arms.