Supernatural: Chronicles of the Order 3

Chapter 14: The Great Melon Caper

(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Supernatural because it belongs to Eric Kripke and Warner Bros. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for graphic violence, adult content, and adult language.)

It had been four days since we left Vanizia as we were back in Winchester Castle where Kanto Village was. As usual, we had our work cut out for us as we even had guests that came and went. As for me, however, I was back in the secret place where I planted the many fruits and vegetables in which I noticed something that was planted somewhere near one of the trees. I saw a patch of watermelons growing as they were taking their time into becoming ripe for the picking. I even noticed some cantaloupes and honeydews growing in a colorful spectacle of melon greatness there. It wasn't long until I saw Reiko coming here with the twins in tow as they were dressed in their summer clothing, for they never came here until now.

"There's a mess again," I said as I noticed several Korean melons blending in with the other ones.

"Sammy, I was the one who planted those things before we left for Wall Keep," said Reiko.

"We have the standard melons, complete with a few sprites and sugar ones. Even though some of them aren't ripe, they need to mature the moment they become harvested for a decent fruit to snack on."

"It's been days since we left Vanizia, but at least I picked out some things for us."

"I know, but-" I heard something rustling in the bushes as I had a feeling that something was hidden there. "We're not alone here."

I sensed something wrong as I began to walk towards the bushes. It wasn't long until I found a strange creature in an odd mask hiding there as it took off with one of the ripened melons. It was bizarre, but I never expected something to occur before as it was a strange notion that crept into my home the moment I came back here...

Shigeru and Futaba arrived here in Kanto Village as they were there for a visit. After a week of my absence, they were most likely to be coming here not only to see what was done here, but to visit the castle before going back to Ippei's place soon enough. It was at that moment that they noticed several people gathering for the Festival of Lanterns that occurred once every June. Speaking of June, Shigeru was dreading the moment of his own birthday coming towards him as he didn't let it bother him too much, for he was most likely to be having cake all around him when he was stopping here.

"So, this is Kanto Village," said Futaba as she noticed the buildings all in place and in good condition. "I bet that Sam lives here in the castle at the end of it."

"Kanto Village was once burnt to the ground by Severin a few months back," said Shigeru. "Luckily, it was rebuilt and more robust than ever, I can tell you that."

"I bet that the master and mistress of the castle must have been getting used to being home after having a vacation a week ago."

"It's ironic that Sam and his family took a week off in Vanizia, but after coming back home, they're back to business as usual. It's been hectic so far. With Dean and his crew on a mission, Sam's stuck with his duties into looking into all sorts of lore that pops up here. There was even a monster that came here last Christmas that was worshipped by two people in ugly sweaters."

"This town has a lot of perks, but it's more like home the moment you see the people caring about this place."

"By the way, we're going towards the castle, so we can be ready to greet Sam there after spending a week over in Vanizia. Besides, he's got all that summer to recover from his surgery after what he went through."

Both Shigeru and Futaba were on their way towards the castle as they were most likely to be greeting me anyway. Still, work and family were the norm, but there would also be something mysterious that would be hiding in hindsight sooner or later...

After looking at the melon patch that Reiko planted, we were in the backyard as I had a very ripe watermelon in my hands. By the time I went inside, I was in the kitchen as I set down the juicy watermelon that was picked from the cornucopia of melons that shined on so far. With the summer heat getting a bit monotonous, it was also a great time for melons that grew in the secret place as I was happy that they were there. Just as I was about to get a knife to cut it with, I heard someone coming into the house from the front as I went out of the kitchen. By the time I answered it, I saw someone dressed in a kimono and funny mask as it scurried off towards the kitchen where the watermelon was at. By the time I caught up to it, I saw the stranger try to steal the watermelon as he was caught red-handed at the last minute.

"Whoever or whatever you are, back away from the watermelon," I said.

I saw the stranger take off its mask as it revealed to be a Karasu-Tengu due to the appearance of a crow who changed into a human. The intruder was a short man as he even had a mustache with a bald head to match his personality. I never expected him to be here as I had a feeling that he would make off with the watermelon that was on the counter sooner or later.

"Aw, cripes," said the Karasu-Tengu as he was caught in the act. "Can't you allow a guy to get a big juicy watermelon like the one you carted in?"

"You shouldn't invade other people's homes like that."

"Wait..., I know about you from Myrna and Polk from the waterfall place on the outside of the garden here. Weren't you the one who took that Cat Sidhe boy when his mama died?"

"Yes, but I'm the one in charge of this castle here."

"Then I know you as Sam Winchester who once put an end to the one who killed some of the Terrans who live in my village of Glass Creek. After I fled with my family, I found a safe haven here in the secret place in this castle just to get away from the Blood Knight who once razed the village next to it to the ground."

"Kuroichi!"

I heard a voice coming from the front as I noticed another Karasu-Tengu sprint in here as it removed its mask, only to reveal the form of a short woman dressed in a kimono. From the look on her face, she was looking for the one who was trying to make off with the watermelon that I picked from the garden earlier. Both folk were most likely to be staying put as they were considered to be refugees who fled Severin's wrath the moment their town had turned into a bloodbath. I also sensed that both Karasu-Tengu were even care-worn as they were mainly living off of scraps from onlookers and bystanders who travelled on the roads. In their predicament, they had nowhere to go since they fled Glass Creek as they were also more than likely to be living here from now on.

"We've been far away from Glass Creek to flee the slaughter there and you creep off to steal that young man's watermelon," said the other Karasu-Tengu as she was ready to take her husband out of here. "You're lucky that you didn't get killed after what we went through, but you're not gonna be freeloading from that man in his castle!"

"But, Wakana…," said Kuroichi. "It's been weeks since we saw a juicy watermelon and that one is fit to eat after our melon patch got trampled to death by those demons."

"There's no need to worry about it," I said as I grabbed a knife and cutting board to cut the watermelon with. "There's plenty more of those melons that my wife planted before we left for Wall Keep nearly three months ago. Besides, we have a selection of them."

I began to cut the watermelon into slices as it was ripe and juicy on the inside. The notion of melons brought back memories to me as I loved getting into them when I was younger back then. I was even grateful that I picked a big one as it was ready to eat, for it was something that was planted in the messy garden that I made before leaving to Gehenna long ago. By the time I finished cutting up the watermelon, I noticed Dirk coming into the kitchen as he was wet from swimming in the pond near the castle. It was at that moment that he saw Kuroichi and Wakana up close as he remembered them very well since he first saw them long ago.

"Kuroichi and Wakana Tsukiboshi…," he said as he was astonished to see them here. "It's been years since you visited Mom and me."

"Little Dirk Matheson," said Wakana. "You've gotten a bit bigger the last time I saw you."

"You came all the way from Glass Creek just to snag a watermelon. No wonder everyone calls you the Melon Bandits. By the way, how's Koji, Rikichi, and Mahori doing? Are they okay?"

"Koji..."

Wakana broke down crying as she felt the heartache in which she lost something precious during the struggle. I sensed that she lost one of her children the moment she dragged Kuroichi and fled Glass Creek as she felt the grief that ensnared her. I had seen many moments of grief in which the death of either a parent or a child caused the worst in all of us, for this was just a bitter taste of what happened when Severin came to Glass Creek and caused such slaughter.

"You lost someone, didn't you?" I said as I comforted Wakana.

"Koji…, was our oldest son and he was the best melon grower that surpassed us," she said.

"Did something happen to Koji?" asked Dirk.

"Koji…, was killed by that mess of demons who caused slaughter in Glass Creek," said Kuroichi. "I tried to get him to come with us, but he refused to leave the melon patch that we worked hard for, only to suffer the wrath of those soldiers whose eyes flashed black."

"I'm sorry for your loss," I said. "It's hard for anyone to suffer grief like that."

"All I'm hoping for is that we have a better outcome here," said Kuroichi. "As for Rikichi and Mahori, they fled elsewhere from the wrath of demons whose flag bore a terrible of mark on it."

"You and your family were victims of the Army of Cain, weren't they?" said Dirk. "Those asshats! They had no right to kill people for no reason when Severin took charge in his campaign of terror, but we can't just sit back and feel sad. As for Koji's memory, we'll all go to Kripke Shrine and take some melons for prayer there, are we good?"

Both Kuroichi and Wakana agreed as they were most likely to be honoring the memory of their dead son who lost his life in the tragic bloodbath that occurred. Still, they had their pieces of watermelon that I gave to them as they tasted the love that was made for it to grow during our short exodus to Wall Keep nearly three months ago. I was also on hand to make sure that the two Karasu-Tengu refugees were welcome here after what they went through while fleeing Glass Creek. It was the least I can do for them after all that tragedy that occurred from Severin's tantrum so far…

Shigeru and Futaba were at the front gate as they noticed the two Karasu-Tengu refugees sitting on the porch eating their pieces of watermelon. As for Shigeru, on the other hand, he knew them very well as the Melon Bandits due to their passion for growing their prized crop, only to have it destroyed at the hands of Severin and the Army of Cain. He never expected Kuroichi and Wakana to come here, but they had no other choice in the matter after what they went through.

"Looks like the Melon Bandits escaped the slaughter from the Army of Cain after all," he said.

"Not all of us," said Kuroichi sadly. "Koji didn't make it when those demons came into our town and killed him, along with the melon patch we grew over the years. After the slaughter in Glass Creek, Rikichi, Mahori, and their families fled with Koji's widow and children, only to remain in hiding for the time being. It's sad, but the sight of melons was a godsend to me and Wakana when we made it here into the messy garden and that's where we stayed at."

"You're lucky that you didn't get caught by Chief Tamahori or else he would nail your asses."

"Where are the rest of your family?" asked Futaba.

"They ran away into the Saburo Mountains to get away from the slaughter," said Wakana. "Even after that dastardly Army of Cain was defeated and Severin getting his due, there are those hooligans who think they're better than all of us because they think they serve a higher purpose for the Terran race who live here on this planet."

"I heard from Ellen and Jo about the Elect and what they do, but their efforts have been halted for the time being since one of them was killed at the hands of Castiel."

"I also have a feeling that those awful hooligans would cause harm to the Destiny of Worlds if we don't band together and fight them at their own game."

"Don't worry; you're not alone because we can't sit this one out."

It wasn't long until Shigeru and Futaba noticed me with some freshly picked cantaloupes in my hands as they were ripe and ready to eat. Still, I had to greet everyone as I set the cantaloupes down on the porch and was ready to welcome Shigeru and Futaba after their walk through Kanto Village. It was a time for family to get here as I even noticed Reiko carrying the twins in their stroller in which they were up and alert. We were all here as we had so much on our plates, for there were new additions to our family and friends here as well.

"I was starting to worry about you since you left Vanizia four days ago," said Shigeru.

"I've been home after that," I said.

"Anyway, we're gonna have to go over to Chugoku anyway and that's where the Le Guin Mountains are."

"It's good of you and Futaba to come here," said Reiko as she had the twins in tow.

"Oh, take a look at those handsome little men there," she said as she saw them in all their glory. "Aren't you two the cutest things I ever saw? They sure grew the last time I saw them, but they're getting to look a lot like their mother."

"One of them's a baby Sam there," said Shigeru.

"Kuroichi, look at those little darlings," said Wakana as she stared at my sons so readily. "They are beautiful with their mother's ears."

"They're Half-Elves, but they're legacies here, I can tell you that," he said. "I had a feeling that those two little stinkers will someday grow up and be handsome young men with all the perks and smarts of both Winchester and Mitani families."

I was glad to have Shigeru and Futaba here as I was also grateful that I was home to carry on my business as usual. On a whim, I decided to go towards the shed where the Impala once stayed in as I opened it up. To my shock, I saw a bumper crop full of melons that were growing out of control inside of the shed as I had a feeling that Reiko's green thumb went too far. There were plenty of watermelons, Korean melons, cantaloupes, honeydews, sprite melons, and sugar melons. The shed was overwhelmed with melons as some of them were ripe for the picking while the rest of them had a little while to grow. It wasn't long until Shigeru came towards the shed as he saw the melons on display that became very monotonous due to the overplanting that took place the moment we all left for Wall Keep nearly three months ago.

"Dean's gonna be pissed when he finds the Impala's den littered with melons," he said.

"Then we're gonna have to pick them anyway," I said.

"You should see them, Sam. There are even cantaloupes put in there as well."

I went into the shed as I saw the massive bunches of melons growing like weeds as I noticed a hole in the ceiling. I had a feeling that the shed's roof was leaking as I even noticed the source of the bumper crop of melons due to the pouches of seeds that germinated with such a potent punch. Still, the seeds were old with age as I had a feeling that they have sprouted due to what went on for a while now. When I looked at the bags of seeds that were kept, I noticed them to be some that were collected by me before being taken to Gehenna all those years ago as I saw all of the melons that have sprouted all over the place in the shed.

"Well, did you find the cause of the bumper crop in here?" asked Shigeru.

"I remember collecting melon seeds after getting some from Dad before he passed away," I said as I picked a cantaloupe off of one of the vines. "I must've had a bunch to start something that came into fruition, but the seeds may have been infused by the raw power that I had in order to grow rapidly in the shed like that."

"I bet that it comes to all those sex romps in the ruins that caused your raw power to bring things into the open like that."

"Look on the bright side. At least we won't have to worry about food for a while."

"Tell that to the Melon Bandits. Those Karasu-Tengu once had a business selling melons in their hometown until Severin and his Army of Cain faction went in and slaughtered most of the townsfolk there."

GOBBLE! MUNCH!

Shigeru heard the sound of munching as he went further into the bumper crop of melons to see what was hiding in the shed. When he got to the source, he noticed a small Cat Sidhe girl hiding in here as she was eating pieces of a honeydew. The girl was young as she had teal hair and hazel eyes while she wore a pastel green dress with a bell collar around her neck, but she was dirty and covered in numerous marks and scratches that screamed red flags. When we approached her, she was starting to get scared as she feared the presence of demons all over the place.

"You're sure healthy for a little kid," said Shigeru.

"Go away! You're a demon, I know it!" cried the Cat Sidhe girl.

"We're not here to hurt you, but we're not demons," I said.

"Are you sure?"

"If we were demons, then we would flash black eyes by now," said Shigeru.

"Where did you come from?" I asked.

"I came all the way from Bilbo," said the Cat Sidhe girl.

"Bilbo? That's one of the farming towns up north in the central region that became a bloodbath at the hands of Severin and his Army of Cain faction," said Shigeru.

"Do you know where your parents are?" I asked.

"No...," said the Cat Sidhe girl. "They sent me in a boat down the river before they got killed." Tears streamed down her dirty cheeks as she felt sad all of a sudden. "I miss my mommy and daddy!"

"You're not alone here," said Shigeru. "As soon as we get you inside, we'll have you cleaned up, alright?"

The Cat Sidhe girl agreed as she finished up her honeydew and came along with us out of the shed. She wasn't alone this time as she was a refugee just like the two Karasu-Tengu who fled the slaughter from their own hometown as well. It was a time for welcoming those without a home to return to as I was willing to do my best into making sure that they were alive and safe while living here in the castle...

Later on in the day, Reiko was busy cleaning up the Cat Sidhe girl that was found in the shed earlier as she was making sure that our latest refugee was cleaned up. The little girl was in the tub as she was relaxing in the bubble bath that kept her calm after what she went through. By the time Reiko finished up with her, she drained the bathtub as she grabbed a towel to scoop her up out of. It was also at that moment that she noticed the Cat Sidhe girl dress up in the spare clothes that were in one of the guest rooms as she looked like a princess in that pastel blue yukata.

"Do you feel better now?" asked Reiko.

"I miss my mommy and daddy," answered the Cat Sidhe girl.

"What happened to them?"

"They were killed by that meanie and his army when they came to Bilbo. They didn't show anything but to hurt people."

"By the way, my name's Reiko and I'm the lady and mistress of this castle. What's your name?"

"My name is Carly. My mommy and daddy were farmers until that meanie came in and killed everyone in Bilbo."

"I'm so sorry..."

"I came down the river and was guided by the Melon Goddess the whole time. If it wasn't for Her guidance, I wouldn't be alive today."

"Is there a Melon Goddess?"

"She protected me and gave me some melons while I was floating down the river to this village, only to be led here into a place where Her blessings were overwhelmed inside."

Reiko never expected to hear about a Melon Goddess before as she was most likely to be telling me the moment I came into the bathroom to check on our latest refugee. I noticed Carly sitting near the squat toilet as she was newly cleaned and dressed after going through a rough patch while hiding out in the shed the whole time. To my curiosity, I began to examine the little refugee as I noticed some welts on her back in which reminded me of what I went through the moment Severin subjected me to such torture a year ago. It was a mental scar that scared me as I felt the same fear engulf me the moment I was taken towards the Executioner's Grounds last year.

"Mister..., is something wrong with me?" asked Carly.

"Those welts on your back..., who did that to you?" I asked.

"It was that meanie who came to Bilbo. He had this whip and he began to hurt me really badly for no reason. My daddy got mad when he took me from him and put me in a boat to sail down the river. That was when I saw him killed by that meanie along with my mommy."

"I'm so sorry about that..."

"It's okay, Mister..."

"There's no need to worry anymore," said Reiko. "You're safe and that's all that matters. Besides, there had been a lot of melons to last us until the fall, so there's no need to worry."

"Reiko, the Melon Bandits are wanting to cook dinner," said Dirk as he came into the bathroom.

It was at that moment when Dirk noticed Carly here as she was the latest refugee to come here to the castle. He had a feeling that our newest arrival would be a bit of trouble, but he was used to it after hearing about what happened in the town she was in. Still, he had to make due of the situation at hand as he saw Carly still sad with tears in her eyes.

"Hey, there's no need to be like that," he said as he saw her fidgeting with the bell collar around her neck. "I heard about what happened to your folks when that asshat, Severin, came in and killed most of the townsfolk there in Bilbo."

"I can't go back there, anyway, but at least I'm here where it's safe," answered Carly.

"Come on, we've got all day to prepare for dinner," I said. "Besides, with this village good as new, along with the rest of the ones that were put under the wringer, recovery takes time and effort to pull through and bounce back."

I left the bathroom as Reiko, Dirk, and Carly followed me out. We went downstairs towards the kitchen as we saw Herschel at work getting dinner started. It was also at that moment that Kuroichi and Wakana were there to help as they were on hand into making grilled fish and eel that have been recently bought at the fish market earlier. It was also at that moment that Carly smelled the scent of grilled mackerel and salmon as she was starting to get hungry. The smell of the fish was more than enough to keep her happy after sailing down the river from Bilbo three months ago, for it reminded her of the cooking that her parents made for her.

"We're having fishies for dinner," she said.

"And hold the mackerel," said Kuroichi.

"What's wrong with mackerel?" asked Wakana as she was getting testy towards him.

"Mackerel's a fish that wards us from things, but-"

"You're gonna eat the damn thing whether you like it or not!"

"There's always the salmon on display," said Herschel as he was setting up the grilled eel. "After all this, we're gonna be steeped into melons after having a bunch growing in the shed."

"It's strange that we got those melons, but at least we won't have to worry about sweet things to eat."

"That is so true," said Dirk. "I can go for melons any day."

"For starters, you can't be snacking on too much melons or it will spoil your dinner," I said.

And so, we were all there as a family as we had three refugees that were most likely to stay here in the castle. As for me, however, I was grateful that the new arrivals were safe from harm's way as they were always welcome here after what happened to them in their respected homes. It was the least I could do as I couldn't let them be homeless after what I saw earlier, for they needed all the support they could get so far…

Shigeru and Futaba were outside as they were gazing at the dusk sky, where many fireflies were buzzing all over the place. After seeing the activity that went on in the castle, they were most likely to be wanting to take back the Kingdom by the River as they had a long way to go so far. Still, both of them stayed at Ippei's for a while, but they were visiting the castle as they were also not getting enough of the melon debacle that went on here. By the time they saw me go outside, they were keeping an eye on me as they saw me head straight to the shed where the bumper crop of melons were at. After staying put briefly, they saw me come out of there as I had my hands full of a strange melon that had never been seen before until now.

I had my hands full with the ripe round melons as they were a dark green when I came over and set them down on the porch. They were the strangest melons that ever came here as I saw Shigeru pick one of them up. Of all the watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydews that ever graced this turf, the one that I picked was the strangest one so far, for it wasn't from Alecrast at all as it came from one of the planets in the Ashizoka System.

"This melon's not from around here," said Shigeru.

"I know, but seeing it in the shed has gotten nostalgic for some reason," I said as I got out a knife to cut one of the melons. "I know these melons so far because I saw my father come back with them during his hunting mission to Orianthis at the time."

"Are you telling us that the strange melon came from there?" asked Futaba.

"Yes, but the melon that came out of the shed is called a zekrit, which is known for its delicious red texture."

I used a knife to cut at one of the strange melons that I found in the shed as I delicately cut it open, only to reveal a pod of seeds in the center. It was like before as I marveled at the red melon dressed in green skin as I cut the rest of it into slices. When I tried a slice of the zekrit, I remembered it so clearly as the melon itself tasted sweet and was juicy like a watermelon. It wasn't long until Shigeru and Futaba tried a slice of it as they found the taste of the zekrit to be amazing in which it was a feast for the eyes so far.

"This is very good," said Futaba.

"Of all the strangest things to see in the shed, this melon takes the cake," said Shigeru.

"I bet that no one else here knows about this one."

"Dean and I knew about it when our dad came back with a few of them just for us," I said. "Although, Dean wasn't too fond of it, but I took charge and decided to chow down on some of the zekrit slices that were put in front of us after dinner. The taste of them was out of this world, but I couldn't get enough of them at the time."

"For starters, Sam, a zekrit can be used for medical purposes, such as boosting metabolism and using its outer skin to treat erectile dysfunction," said Reuben as he was at the front gate.

"Hey, this rare find came out of the shed," said Shigeru.

"I know all about the zekrit because it can be used for a lot of things in which is like a natural Viagra for those who suffer from erectile dysfunction. It can also be used to boost ovulation in a woman as well, too. The Orianthans praise it as a wonder melon that is blessed by God in which it can have its perks."

Reuben's advice and words of information was something that I never expected to hear as I was staring at the zekrit that I sliced up into pieces. It was something that had a lot of perks as I was more than glad that it grew here on Alecrast of all places. As for Reuben, on the other hand, he was most likely to confiscate the tasty melon as he was about to get more than he bargained for. I didn't want him to get the melons just yet, but I also had a feeling that I was going into the crosshairs of the Medical Corps with all the knowledge about what I found in the shed earlier.

"If you're here to confiscate the zekrits from the shed, it's not gonna be easy," I said.

"I'm not here for the melons, I'm here to escort you to your next mission," answered Reuben.

"Is it about going to Chugoku?"

"The Le Guin Mountains, which borders the capital of Chekiang, is home to the Skyward Temple in which the second lantern has to be lit."

"I'm well aware of that, but I've got some people who are staying here after what they went through."

"So, you're taking in refugees now..."

"Of course he is," said Shigeru. "Those Karasu-Tengu who fled Glass Creek got their home trashed by that asshat, Severin."

"Don't forget Carly," said Futaba. "That little Cat Sidhe girl sailed all the way from Bilbo, but she was hidden here all healthy due to the melons she snacked on in the shed."

It wasn't long until we saw the little girl come outside as she saw the zekrits that I picked earlier. When she saw the last slice of the melon on a plate, she grabbed it as she nibbled on it. She loved the taste of the melon as she was happy that she hid in the shed without any of us knowing it. By the time she finished up the slice, she was ready to throw away the skin into the compost bin until Reuben caught her. He didn't want the zekrit's skin and rind to go to waste as he took it away from Carly's small hands.

"Mister, that's compost!" she yelled.

"No, this isn't compost; this is medicine that can be useful," answered Reuben.

"Melon rinds can't be used as medicine!"

"This rind can be useful to treat cases of erectile dysfunction in men. It can't just go to waste like that."

Reuben fished out a plastic bag as he put the zekrit rind in it. As a member of the Medical Corps, he didn't want any form of beneficial plant to be going to waste so far. Still, Carly was disappointed that she didn't throw away the rind into the compost bin as she wanted to tell me about it, but she would be further put through the microscope of Reuben's strict form of protocol from the Medical Corps. She viewed him to be someone who collects garbage as she saw him place the zekrit rind into a medical box.

"You like collecting trash, don't you, mister?" she said.

"That zekrit rind can be used for medicinal purposes," said Reuben.

"You're a garbage man."

Reuben walked towards Carly as he stood still with such a steely demeanor.

"Don't call me a garbage man," he said in a cold voice. "I'm a member of the Medical Corps and I've studied many medicinal plants and fruit in the medical books long before you were born, so I suggest that you get your head out of your ass and listen to reason for once."

"Hey, ease up on the kid," said Shigeru as he saw Carly run to his side.

"Food, resources, and even living beings can go to waste, but medicine will never be one of them."

"You can't just pounce on a little girl like that," said Futaba. "Besides, aren't you and Paninya expecting a girl of your own?"

"We are, but all we're hoping for it to break the stigma of having girls around in my mom's side of the family. As for the situation into preserving any form of medicinal plants and fruits, we need all we can in the Medical Corps."

"Dinner!"

The sound of Reiko's voice was heard as Shigeru and Futaba gathered up Carly and went inside of the main house. As for me, however, I wasn't too happy with Reuben earlier due to his behavior towards the little girl I found in the shed. I never saw him behave like that to someone so young before as I didn't want him to do that again, especially when it came to him and Paninya expecting a little girl of their own.

"You're still standing," said Reuben.

"I'm not too happy with you," I said.

"Don't get too pissy with me 'cause I might put duct tape and safety pins into you."

"I heard what you said to Carly, Reuben. She was only throwing away any form of biodegradable waste from fruits and vegetables. And telling her to get her head out of her ass and listen to reason is over the top coming from you, who is going to be a father to a baby girl."

"The skin and rinds from a zekrit have medicinal benefits, or do you even notice?"

"According to Dad, the zekrit is just a melon like all the rest."

"You and Dad are the same in which the both of you believe the Medical Corps to be intrusive, but things are changing for the better."

"Reuben…, my advice to you is to be kinder to your children, regardless of gender. As for the zekrit rinds, I'll try to save them as much as I can so you wouldn't have to fly off the handle. By the way, we're having fish and grilled eel for dinner. You're welcome to come into the house to get something to eat, but try to be sensitive around Carly."

Reuben reluctantly agreed as he followed me into the main house. When we went into the dining room, dinner was already served as we all had our fill of food. Even Kuroichi and Wakana were there tasting the fish as they noticed Herschel eating the mackerel that was seasoned so well, which was a godsend to one of the Karasu-Tengu refugees, that is. With Carly getting into her meal that was on her plate, she was sitting next to Reuben as he was embarrassed by my words of warning earlier. Still, he didn't want to lash out as he remained calm towards her. When he saw the welts on her back beneath her yukata, he felt sorry for her as he wanted to apologize to her for his actions over the zekrit rind that he confiscated earlier.

"Hello, Mr. Garbage Man," said Carly as she finished up her fish.

"I'm a member of the Medical Corps," answered Reuben. "I also take it that a Cat Sidhe girl like yourself came a long way here from where you originally came from, didn't you?"

"I came from Bilbo…, but my mommy and daddy are dead. That meanie and his army with black eyes killed them and hurt me with his whip. When they sent me down the river, they ended up being killed by him. When I sailed down the river, I was guided by the Melon Goddess when She told me that I would be safe here in this castle."

"I'm sorry about flying off the deep end earlier."

"It's okay, Mister."

"My name's Reuben Winchester and I'm a member of the Medical Corps in which I might be able to give you a decent checkup after dinner. It's the least I can do for you so you would be healthy after what you went through."

"After this, I wanna try some more zekrits when I get done with my dinner."

Reuben never expected Carly to be more open as he was noticing her to be more open after what she went through. As for the rest of us, we were happy without any more conflict as we all ate our dinner, for it was something that was used to us the moment we welcomed the refugees who fled the slaughter that was caused by Severin's Army of Cain faction nearly three months ago...

Later on in the evening, I was looking at the seed pod that I took out of the zekrit as I took an old scalpel and cut into it. When the pod opened up, I saw lots of seeds as I was ready to store them for next year's harvest. Even though I had my fill of melons, I didn't get enough of the zekrits that I found in the shed earlier. By the time I placed the seeds in a jar, I noticed Reuben coming outside as he noticed me putting up the seed pod I found in the zekrit earlier. Still, he was dead set on collecting any zekrit rind so it didn't go to waste, but he even noticed me to have a green thumb in the family, despite the fact that I made a mess with any form of seed that I came across.

"You sure have a hand with the seeds you collected," he said.

"I may have a green thumb in the family, but the shed's gonna have to be cleaned out the moment Dean comes back with the Impala," I said.

"By the way, I check up on Carly and it seems that she isn't malnourished due to all the melons that she ate, which is very healthy for a five-year-old her age."

"I'm glad that she's okay, but she's a refugee like Kuroichi and Wakana, who fled their own town during Severin's reign of terror."

"Sam, are you willing to go towards Chugoku tomorrow?"

"I'm ready to go there right now, for the second lantern must be lit or else the Elect will gather up their strength to put me under the bus."

"Still, you're gonna have to go towards Clavell Valley if you're gonna get there towards the Chugoku capital of Chekiang, where the Le Guin Mountains are. Also, the Elect now have a new ally in the form of the Children of Azazel, so I suggest that you watch your back. That's what I heard from Castiel, but he slew one of the Elect while you and Reiko were on vacation. Still, you need to be careful or else there will be no hope left into stopping such a combined force like that."

I had a feeling that the Elect and the Children of Azazel would end up causing trouble for me as I had to be careful. As for today's debacle with the melons, I had three refugees that were staying here as they had nowhere to go right now, for they were also part of my family as well...

To be continued...