I do not own Vlad, Dany Phantom, RWBy or any other properties mentioned.

I do not own Danny Phantom, RWBY or Hitman reborn for that matter. I just enjoy writing. Enjoy.

Chapter 7

I don't know what I was thinking. I paced the floors of my kitchen in a worried step. Keeping an eye on both the stove and oven. A blue and white striped apron adorned my front while a chef's hat worked to keep My hair out of any food. His Bunny slippers set a soft Pit Pad on the floor as I paced.

"Why did I ever agree to this? Why did I even suggest it?" I said into the air, wondering if perhaps I should see a doctor about all these mood swings. They could just not be natural.

Yesterday after going to the guild for a new job I suddenly got the idea to host a party for everyone to watch the latest Tournament when Atari hyped it up so much that nearly the whole guild was invited.

"Curse that kelp headed dog boy," I said as I put a chicken into one of my ovens.

The other tenants did not mind and even said they would join in. At this rate, the pool area might become too small. Curse that flea-bitten mongrel and his overdramatic idealism. Now he had all of twenty-four hours to clean the place and cook up some food. I already had a new projector I built and patented that I could use on the wall. Since for some unknown reason no one bothered to make a decent on in Remnant.

If it as going to host a party, even if unwillingly, then I was damn well going to make it a success.

But the ordure's still needed soaking, the chicken needed roasting, the Whole pig needed to be thrown into an underground oven pit and roasted for the night with a herbal glaze while the pastry still needed time to cook properly.

By the time night fell I had my hands elbow deep in a mix of cookie dough. Thanking whatever god was out there for Halfa Strength. Otherwise, I might have lost the battle with my own ingredients.

But I had to admit, this was exciting.

It had been years since I had to cook like this. When I still had my mansion/castle I had hosted parties, dances, and balls. And while I had help cleaning the place I did all the cooking on my own. It filled me with pride when a person was in the middle of a conversation then took a bite of my food and suddenly could no longer concentrate on talking. The sounds of many forks and spoons on dinner plates being the only sound at the table.

Then they would ask who the chef was and when he told them he cooked it himself they praised his cooking. It was one of the best parts of being Vlad masters. The sheer joy I would feel was overwhelming, in comparison to most of his days.

I felt compelled to do something after Atari and Jacob went to all the trouble of Helping me out of my funk and even trusting me with parts of their story. It was the least I could do and seemed like fun.

… …. ..

"Vlad this party is Epic, How on Remnant did you do all this in one day?" asked Atari his normal cowboy getup replaced with a more relaxed t-shirt and jeans combo showing his support for Mrs. Nikos. Heck, this might be the first time he had seen any of the Guild without their battle clothes.

Even Axe forwent her topmost armors to show of the enviable six-pack she had with a crop top. Seriously you could cut diamonds on these abs.

The mouse was playing some of the games I had scattered about while Jacob had taken one bite of my pancake bites and stood frozen for a few minutes now. There was a line of frozen people for various foods, only their mouths moving at times.

A lot of other teams were here as well as all the receptionists. At this point, they just closed the guild for a day and called it a holiday. Only a few barebone crews going out for emergencies.

"Gosh V man you have got to give me the recipe for those cheese Casseroles. I took one bite and felt like my whole bodies glowed." Said, Jessica, as she and Rebecka walked up to us. Both wearing sundresses that were making people turn heads.

"Of course, but if you want something really good then I should try the Cheese Ravioli with onion and spice. I only wish I had more time to prepare the food. Had I a week I could have made it even better." Half the heads that were in attendance and all the heads that had the food swiveled to me and I could feel a pressure from them. Jessica said "Dude if you don't agree to cook for Christmas or so help me Omi you will have a riot on your hands. "said the manic women as she grabbed my color with surprising strength as Rebecka tried to pry her off me.

"Sorry about that Vlad, she really likes her food. I'm sure the only reason she is not two hundred pounds heavier is the fact she is ridiculously picky about her food." Quipped the Lizard Faunus. Her companion not disagreeing with her at all. "How did you learn to cook so well anyway? In my experience I find men and more accurately hunters can't so much as boil water without blowing up a kitchen." She thought back to all those times the break room exploded when some idiot thought he could heat up water faster with fire dust.

"Oh, well before becoming a hunter there was this girl I really liked." Ok, I was obsessed but I was still coming to terms with that and would deal with it in my own time. "While it was not meant to be, I still loved her. And I order to impress her I learned all I could about cooking. So that I could make her favorite foods for her." I could not look any of them in the eye as I said all that embarrassingly.

"Ow, my Omi. You're a romantic." Squealed Rachel and Jessica. Few men were true romantics and would go that far for someone they loved to let alone liked. All the women in the vicinity suddenly perked up and started to pay more attention to our conversation.

"Yes, well I could not let her cook on her own. The last time I heard she tired cooking she somehow brought the Sausages and Eggs to life only to have them stage a war with the toast." I said to the shock of everyone else.

"She could not have been that bad." Said Atari.

"The Sausages turned into the Atlassian legionnaires and started to pillage the Eggs." I recounted how the great breakfast food was had begun. "Alas it was not to be, she found love in the hands of another while I was left in the hospital, in a coma." Many of the women and a fair few men shared a knowing look with each other.

We swapped stories about disastrous cooking accidents as everyone sat around the projector. Getting ready to watch the show.

"Hey Vlad, allow me to formally introduce to you, my lovely Wife and Kids. Jade, meet Vlad Masters. Jack and Jill This is your uncle Vlad." Jade was a tall and strong woman. Her shoulders on par with her husbands and when I shook her hand there was an underlying strength. She had jet black hair and forest green eyes that almost seemed to sparkle. A small scar ran down from the corner of her mouth to the bottom of her jaw gave her an intimidating edge.

However, his kids were adorable. Hyperactive little brats that were bouncing from game to game, losing most of them to the more experienced hunters while winning a few of the other kids that were here. They both had black cat ears and big bushy wolf tails. A set of fangs adorned the boy while the girl had razor sharp Claws. While both seemed to bicker, it was not nearly as bad as most siblings.

"Wow, we got an uncle now. Cool. What does an uncle do?" Asked Jack, still too young to understand what an uncle is. After explaining that they would be seeing Vlad a lot more often they all sat down to watch the latest tournament.

The whole group was enraptured as they watched each new contestant fighting style. Some acutely taking notes while others placed bets on who would win. Top picks were a man named the Bulldozer, who wielded a massive sword. A speedy woman by the name of Winter Shnee and another man called Whirlwind who used whirlwinds as his attack.

In the end, Mrs. Shnee won by freezing the air around her, making Whirlwind far less effective and then causing said Whirlwind to crash into Bulldozer. Then used Fire Dust to blow them up and into a wall. The size of the hole spoke just how impressive the girl was.

The party went off without a hitch and everyone was happy. No random dust explosions. No food coming to life. No ghost attacks during the main event. It was rather peacefully and I felt content.

This was what normal life was like? Hanging out with friends, talking about anything and everything. Getting to know all the others in the guild. Taking blackmail photos of Atari when he Tried to use my plant as a bathroom? Something in me changed that day. A spot in my heart once dwelled utter coldness and iron now had a thin ray of sunshine. It would take far more to unfreeze the glassier that was his heart. But today marked the day that a small fire began to burn.

…. …. …

The next week I walked into the Atlas Hunters Guild Building. Affectionately dubbed Jack Frost. After an old tale of a young man who braved the winter snows to save a village from an evil sorceress. He saves the village but was cursed to always bring the winter snow threw out the world.

It was a nice tail and encompassed how we lived most of our lives. Danger filled but ever seeking.

"Hey, VLAD" Jessica called me over to the well-loved Receptionist desk and briskly walked over to her. A grin was plastered on her face. All but vibrating in contained excitement. Not wanting the Cute Blond to work herself in a tipsy (again) he walked over.

"What's u…" He couldn't even finish before an envelope was thrust in front of his face. Grabbing the thing he carefully opened it while Jessica began to hyper talk. "Oh, this is so exciting, you got personally picked out for a Mission by someone. Do you know how rare that is? And it's a multilayer mission as well." She gushed as he pulled out the files form the envelope. People all over straining to get some more gossip.

Multilayer missions being several missions that are tied together.

Looking over the files I felt various alarm bells ringing. 5 Grimm exterminations, 2 Infiltrations and then I had to reach a certain location to see the actual head. This was clearly a test. But the question was a test for what?

Was I willing to play to this Pied piper toon?

Perhaps the most important question is, what was I being tested for?

Deciding he might as well go for it he accepted the quest. If this was a test for something good then he would not mind. But if this was just some elaborate trap so someone could Analyze his abilities. Then they would learn just why everyone fears ghosts.

"I'll take it. The first quest is a solo mission up on Mount Vesu, Killing a fifty foot nevermore." The hall gaped. Fifty feet nevermore were ancient and hard as balls to kill. Last time one was spotted it took a warship to bring it down. How was anyone expecting one lone Huntsman to kill it? "Well, I am feeling just suicidal enough to try. See you all in a week."

He left before anyone could process this and stop him from killing himself. This was insanity, this was madness, this was Vlad Masters.

…. . ….

Omak.

Babysitting.

I stared down at the two little kids now in my home. Atari and his wife Jasmine needed a day out and he was their first choice for a babysitter. I honestly have no idea how this happened. I just opened the door and Atari jumped in with a quick speech about how he was the best uncle ever and then promptly told him he was babysitting. In about five seconds.

Then Jack and Jill had walked in, looking less frazzled as they were used to their father's antics and stupidity.

"Soooo. Anyone hungry?" I asked hoping that I could somehow use that as a way to escape.

They both shook their heads no. Still looking up at him with those big wide eyes. Eyes that were both cautious and nervous. Their posture was frigid and their hair was on end. Probably still not used to me without their parents here.

Resigning myself to a night of awkwardness I said. "Alright, I got no idea what I'm doing here. What do you two want to do?"

They both looked at each other and did that creepy twin thing where they silently talk to each other. They both looked at me and smiled saying "Do you play any card games?" I raised an eyebrow.

Half an hour later you can find us around my dining room table with the two teaching me how to play Remnant the card game. "So, the two hunters can combine to form an A team card to be stronger?" He asked as they felt out their respective decks.

It was a rather clever game really. It featured the most prominent members of society as well as the many dangers in a fun and interesting way. "Yes, like Winter Shnee and Crow Bagmen can combine into a seven-rank card but only after three terns, 'they don't like each other'. Or Good witch and Port can combine to become an eight-star team. "Said, Jill, as she looked over at my wall clock. "Oh, oh. It's six. We got to get started on our homework." Her ears flattened down onto her head and her tail extended above their head for a second. Jack gave a similar reaction but stuck his tung out as well.

"Do we have too?" Said, Jack, as he inevitably went for his backpack.

"Got to, its due tomorrow and mom and dad will kill us if we don't get it done." They whipped out their homework as I looked at what they had to do. I will admit that for kids they were doing well. But unable to keep from letting such obvious mistakes go I said. "You need to move the two on the other side of the equation so that it balance's out," I interjected after the second time he got the equation wrong. Jack an Jill looked up and scooted over so that I had room to move in.

For the next out, I tutored them in their math, science, and literature. I was trash in history but could still double check that and especially liked helping with science.

"Wow, how do you know so much about chemi... shemis... The wired stuff." Asked jack. Putting his books away.

"Chemistry and I used to be a scientist. I love science. Figuring out the wonders of the world, trying to make something new on my own. Inventing, innovating and creating. There is just no other feeling like figuring out something no one has ever seen before." I smile down at them as I made my way to my basement. "Come downstairs kids, but don't touch anything. It can be really dangerous."

Leading the kids down to the basement I kept an eye on them as they ran around the room. Keeping them away from anything too dangerous.

"Wow what is this stuff?" asked Jill, a twinkle of curiosity shining on her face.

"This is my lab. A place I tinker and invent. It's where I made my signature spear and created my own high-tension wires. Jack Do Not press that button or we will all be covered in acid." I said just as Jack was about to press a bad button. "I keep that I case I need to melt something down really quickly. Say a blob suddenly gains sentience. Do you to want to see my latest project?"

They nodded and I took them to a small section where I had a few Soler panels being made. "This my little friends is a Soler panel. When it's complete it should power the whole building. The heat that comes from Soler rays transfers the heat into a high-pressure stream and then I use that to get kinetic energy. It's a minor version now but should power the house for a good few months on its own. At the very least it should be able to provide emergency power. Dust is nice and all but the price has been steadily climbing and I wanted to lower my energy bill." I explained going into some of the more technical details.

Most flew over their heads but a few things stuck. Like heat retention and the Laws of thermodynamics. But I could tell I was losing them.

"Now who wants to help me whip up a batch of fake, foul-smelling puck to dump on your father when he comes back." When I saw the predatory grins crawl up their faces I knew that Atari was going to have a terrible day tomorrow.

Later we all watched a movie called Frozen, (Your guess on how Disney off all things got on remnant is as good as mine.) before they dozed off after the end. It was rather adorable. They both curled up like little kittens and I had to squash a rather unmanly urge to squeal and get a camera. Actually, I did and figured that blackmail was always nice.

I laid a soft blanket on them then proceeded to cook up some breakfast. Knowing Atari, he did something stupid and will be in late. He may be responsible most of the time but get him going and he regresses back into a teenager.

It was in the early hours of the morning, that Atari walked in with a hangover. "Morning light why do you hurt me so." He said as he tried to shove his face into his cowboy hat.

"It's your own fault, you should know your limits. Get off my table and go to the bathroom. I don't want your stomach acid anywhere near my kitchen. And feel free to taste some toilet water while you're at it, I'm sure it will be a major improvement on the current state of your breath. By Pariahs bearded ass, I can see fumes wafting from your mouth." I said to him, maybe with more venom than necessary.

"And theirs the grouchy Vlad we know and love. Good to have you back, partner. You've been almost, dare I say it Kind the last few weeks. What changed?" Atari got up from his chair and was about to move closer but I gave him a look that forestalled that. Seeing that I was not taking any shit he lifted his hands and made his way to my bathroom. If the sounds of retching were any indication then, non-to soon.

Was he right? Have I been kinder in the last few weeks? Hmm, can't remember. Perhaps a good long meditative session was in order.

If this persists I'll have to run some tests. Mabey, I was regaining my humanity and this was a side effect? Nah.

"I set breakfast on the table and smirked as I went into the Livingroom. Thankfully I put in soundproof walls, so this would disturb only those lazy bones on the couch. I hefted a whistle that sounded like all the bells of Notre Dame were in one room. Shaking the furniture and causing Jill to fly up onto the ceiling and embed herself up there with her claws. While Jack just rolled off the couch.

"Time for breakfast, go wash up and then we can eat!" I said to them as they calmed down. I made a conscious effort to be nicer. They did not deserve my ire for no reason. Both now looked at the whistle in my hands like it housed the devil itself. Jack got up and went to the bathroom only to come out again. "Uncle Vlad, why is dad passed out in your toilet?" he asked.

I looked over his shoulder and said "Huh, make sure he can breathe then wash your hands kido, I'm sure he'll be fine. Also Now is the perfect time to set those Little Smell bombs." Jack Grinned as Jill dropped off the ceiling to watch.

If this was what being an uncle was like that it might not be so bad.

Hope You all enjoyed this new chapter, it was a pleasure writing it.

The Big Pickle - Yes I thought it was a bit much as well but I do have a plan for Clockwork and Vlad. The Relationship will be really complex and I might just make a whole spin-off if people like it.

Greer123- Thankx, the inspiration wrote itself, then I got writer's block and had to take a hammer to paper.(Even shed some tears on the depression chapter. But don't tell anyone that.