Chapter 9 Day for the Demon

It was Thanksgiving and vacation weekend for operatives. The Mage de were stronger and Zabuza was granted permission to proceed with his demon transformation, which he spent 12 hours after in recovery. The only catch was that he had to do the paperwork, which most fell on Haku, who was happy for the distraction because it eased his worry slightly. With the 19-page packet completed both got a taste of why Ambrosia seemed slightly tired constantly, because she had to oversee much more to keep Ouros Ops running as the boss. For Zabuza he felt it was a small price to become a demon and pills from Dr. Bhesaj numbed his headache from the new white horns. They were a few inches above his new pointed ears, curved outward in an S formation and extended 11 inches from the back of his head to dull points. He tied his head scarf to rest behind one horn and then knotted it under the other once he didn't have to worry about the scarf causing his horns to become uneven.

Nikki, Gaia, and Kisame visited regularly, Gaia was finally able to stay longer because she was previously busy with her girlfriend and family visiting. Thanks to her new status as the North American Dragon's interdimensional representative, and Bethany's royal status in her dimension, they were given a feast with leftovers that could last until Christmas frozen. When they asked about Nikki she said. "Nobody visits and Mom's usually sick or tired for Thanksgiving or Christmas." Most of the food was ready made. Cranberry sauce in a can for mom, microwaved mac and cheese and vegetables, chicken in a plug in cooker, frozen rolls in muffin tins and Nikki's specialty sweet potatoes that this year tasted like gingerbread. She brought some over to eat in pies with Vanilla ice cream while they played Five Night's at Freddy's 2 and watched theory videos.

Her pet Shimi, a large black and white cow cat with a pink nose was being pet by Kisame while her mother's cat grey and white, model thin, cat Wendy was back home. They were in the citadel with their pajama's on. Nikki wore a honeydew green pajama set with small navy dots, pink and white skull and crossbones arm warmers, a pink and black headband and a white shirt with Edward Scissorhands's face. The green button up shirt was worn as a jacket and tied under her breasts. Haku wore a white deep V with a grey wolf half tucked into grey cuffed sweatpants. Zabuza wore a black tank top that said "You'd be surprised how much I can do" on the front and "in the bed" on the back with monochrome plaid pants and a white drawstring. Kisame's purple tank said "Run if I'm awake before noon." with navy sweatpants and Gaia wore a knee length pink night gown bubble sleeves with white hearts on top of matching capris.

For the first time Thanksgiving was fun and a time for family. Gaia's family didn't try impressing people or pretending to be cutting edge by accepting who or how Gai loved. Nikki wasn't alone or glued to a computer after cooking during the parades. Kisame had honesty, acceptance and friendship. Zabuza could finally stop running and doing demeaning thug for hire jobs to support their revolution and make a difference without extreme acts. Finally, Haku was happy for almost all of the above, no demeaning work, actual friends, no pretending or isolation on the run. They were people that felt incomplete together in the puzzle of life.

Zabuza, Rydia and Gaia's lives changed greatly, everything action took more care. Gaia's study group thought she was a government spy and that she didn't deserve such a high status. Involuntary actions like sneezing caused her wings to flutter which could cause her to knock things over, bump her head on the ceiling or make more dust.

Zabuza's diet was limited because as a new demon he was highly sensitive to salt and salty food made him ill. His horns sometimes hooked on and pick objects up plus sleeping was a struggle. If he didn't poke holes in pillows his horns scraped the walls if he tossed and turned.

Finally, when Rydia showered, the water level would push her up since she could walk on water, which made diving or swimming risky. A few times she crashed into water as if it were ice. Eating produce could be frustrating for the vegetarian because she could replenish plants and a ripe or rotten, soft fruit could turn rock hard and inedible. The worst part was her skin becoming very slippery which could result in clothes almost falling off, clinging oddly, being damp or uncomfortable in general. In these trying times Haku Nikkia and Kisame spent their time trying to help any way they could. It was easy for Haku to be there for Zabuza because it was natural to him, Nikki took more missions with Gaia and Rydia seemed to soften up towards Kisame, almost developing feelings for him.