Alright! This is finally the culmination of all these angst and drama. Hope somehow half will be satisfied (Yes, you know what I mean). Please read to the end to get what you people had been coming for over a year.
Whew! Had to get that out of the way. Anyway, enjoy.
Disclaimer: See the first page. Guess the alluded episodes if you like.
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[Loose End Found]
Part 3
"I should have known…" The air became cold as they met the judging glare of the offended party. And this time… no one is leaving unscathed.
"I guess I was right; you are still all the same. Still can't help but meddle." Though the tone was icy, Lincoln's stare was calculative and held a hint of approval. This causes the tension to uncomfortably rise. "But as a shinobi, I should give points for being wary of a stranger you let into your home."
"Stop, Lincoln! Please stop talking like that! You are not a stranger! You lived here!" Their father tried to emotionally reach him but was frozen in place by an unseen force.
"Nothing here will threaten you. You're no longer in danger." Mom tried with a softer tone, though was equally unsuccessful.
"Sorry. Force of habit after the life I left behind." Their brother may appear sheepish by scratching his head, but it did not sit well that it sounded sarcastic… almost mocking.
Tiredly sighing, Lincoln resumed criticizing himself. "Then again, the civilian life had made me very careless in this new territory. You could say I thought I could let my guard down."
The masked 'boy' looked over to find the accessory to this crime still on. "And I forgot how advanced the technology here were… Still going to kick myself later for not anticipating the possible threats-…" He stopped when someone pushed herself to the forefront.
"If it's about all those embarrassing videos I took of you, I'll get rid of them!" Luan even kneeled and folded her hands to sell the pledge. The ninja didn't look impress.
"Don't-." *CRASH!* What he was about to say was interrupted when a computer came crashing before him. They all found the culprit as Lisa was gasping after exerting such effort.
"They're inconsequential. Anything prior his disappearance holds no leverage." Which holds true as they thought the 'man' was matured enough to ignore childish moments of his youth. "But I now destroyed any evidence since your return." Lisa tried to appeal. However, the leveled stare she got meant that it wasn't enough.
"The physical evidence, yes. But I have to disagree." And by that alone the little genius knows she lost any chances to appease for reparation. "Lisa… You're a smart girl. Answer me this: When is a threat no longer a threat?"
The riddle sent chills down their collective spines once the girl produced one cold plausible answer. "When there is no more threat."
She doesn't know what her male sibling was doing to appear larger than life, but the heavy stare was becoming oppressing. "The harsh life of a shinobi fostered that mindset to protect those that matters to us… even before they come to fruition." Lisa fearfully deduced what was being left unsaid.
All instincts were screaming to run or hide from this dominating presence. "And as the best among the rank, it was my former job to terminate them by any means necessary." Tears started to well as she wonders: Was this the fear for one's life?
That deathly pressure was lifted when Lincoln averted that fierce gaze, the steel in his eyes softened to something more neutral. "But I do not like to stain my hands anymore, especially from my own blood."
"Luan." The girl stiffened at the call. "Just as I was about to say earlier: don't erase those videos yet. You might want something to remember Lincoln." The way he said it forebode nothing good.
"But… you are Lincoln." Leni sadly tried reassuring. She reached for him before he was engulfed by smoke.
Once it cleared, they were met with a face that haunted them ever since. "No. Lincoln was your brother." The buck-toothed 'boy' asserted.
"You were looking for an innocent, lively boy that was lost to you. He was lost months ago when he selfishly took advantage of you. For what? Just for a moment of peace." Even without the mask, his unscarred face barely expressed any emotion other than a cold frown.
"In turn, he got lost trying to prove his worth and regret. He got lost in an unforgiving world where he has to lose his innocence to survive. He grew up to be a battle-hardened soldier who lose more than he gained." They cried as each accusation coming from the 'youth's' mouth pierced their heart, widening the void made by their own selfishness.
"I'm not that boy…" And with that fact, the disguise was shed to be the bloody figure they found on their doorsteps that dark and stormy night.
"I am a monster that hides behind a mask of humanity. Accepting the darkness and wading through a sea of blood that new generations may know peace and light." Lucy hid her face as the imagery became too vivid for her impressionable mind.
"So how can you say that you accept this dark entity into your perfect world of light?" His posture slumped a bit, like a weight became too great. And with a soft voice, they heard Lincoln's pleading doubt. "How can you say that you want the boy named Lincoln back after you left him?"
No one can answer as grief froze them in place. "I had hope that I would be accepted. But I was only fooling myself…, hoping that my own family won't betray me again." Luna tried approaching but reluctantly stopped when her bro took a step back.
Whatever sympathy he briefly showed was locked away as that hardened gaze was directed at them. "And you are all fooling yourself that you can stop me."
"Please! We're sorry!"
"Don't leave again, bro!"
"Lincoln! Let us help you!"
"Tell us what to do! We'll do anything!"
"Can you bring back the years I lost?" That impossible request silenced them. "Can you bring back the time I could have spent with my family and friends? Can you bring back the time I can prove my worth to my love ones?" They frighteningly took a step back when manic desperation slipped into his slowly elevating voice.
Regaining some semblance of control, the former commander breathed deeply before meeting their terrified gaze once more. "But how about something simpler…"
Lisa felt that heavy gaze again as he made his demand. "Can you send me back to the place where through blood, sweat and tears I have forged bonds with my precious people?" Not only was she quiet with uncertainty, she shared with the family's realization about something they neglected to take into consideration. That the ninja had left a life and people he grew up with.
The silence only confirmed the impossible. "Then there's nothing you can do… Just like I am nothing like Lincoln anymore." He said sounding so defeated
Their parents were next to be judged. "I will look past another broken promise as this may make things obviously clear. I hope you can fulfill my one favor for all of them." They can only silently swear as they felt immeasurable shame for failing him again.
"I wished we had parted on better terms as I wanted to no longer bear anymore heartaches. I had made my peace as I had already forgiven you a long time ago. But now…" Sparks danced around his clenched fist, seemingly like the anger was trying to escape its tight-lid prison.
"I should have rid my emotions so that I will no longer feel the sting of betrayal." His pained expression shifted when he felt something on his foot. They all now put their hope on the baby clinging on the man's leg.
The masked warrior gently scooped her up and sadly smiled. "Sorry, Lily-imouto. But I have to go. Know that Ni-na always loved you." Lincoln didn't know to whom he handed his youngest sister as the man turned his back to them.
"I think I have already overstayed my welcome. And even though you all betrayed me again…," They somehow heard something like gentleness as he said his parting words. "I hope good fortune will bless your future… unlike mine."
"Goodbye." …Kakashi softly bid. But he was stopped as someone buried her face on his back.
"NO! Lincoln, I'm sorry! I'm sorry for everything! Please, don't leave us!" The broken voice of his eldest sister cried out as she tightly embraced him.
Lori thought she got through when he gently squeezed her arm. "I'm sorry… But Lincoln…, your brother…, is gone." He sadly said before vanishing into thin air. Lori harshly fell when she lost her hold but painfully raised her head towards the open door.
"Lincoln?! LINCOLN!" The desperate cry was for the brother she failed to cherish 'til it was too late.
For a son who can never find his way home.
For a once lively soul who lost his spark for living.
For the heartbreaking beginning of a bad end in the Loud House.
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If you combined all the sisters' gathered imaginations at that moment, it would have made a very compelling and tragic foretelling. Thus, when the hand was slowly reaching for his face, Lori recognized it as her prediction she didn't like coming true. What the blonde did to hopefully stall if not prevent what she envisioned shocked everyone still.
On her hands and knees, Lori cared not if tears are mixing with the dirt as her head touched the floor. She forgot what this form was but knows that it was literally to grovel and beg.
"Lori, what are-." Lincoln's worry was interrupted by a loud wail.
"Lincoln, I'm sorry I meddled again!" She wasn't the only one as many soft confessions were heard in the background. Still, the firstborn tearfully carried on.
"I disrespected your privacy, again! I even dragged the family to spy on you! I'm the one to blame!" Now this triggered the rest to loudly apologize at the same time. So confusing that it warranted a sharp whistle to silence everyone. The only noise loud enough was the girl crying at his feet.
"Lori, get up." He got down to help her up, but she immediately latched on with vice-like grip. But the disguised ninja still consoled the heartbroken young woman. "It's okay. You didn't mean any harm."
"But I did!" He waited as her sniffles became controllable. "I was mean to you! I used my age as an excuse to abuse you! I may have even disowned you from the family! How can you be okay with this?!"
Lincoln adjusted to a more comfortable position without relinquishing his sister's hold. Breathing deeply to gather his thoughts, he tried to console. "Where I ended up, I had witnessed many terrible things done out of pure malice and greed." It was off to a good start (Note: Sarcasm).
But the sole son still did his best to be gentle with the truth. "But what you have done, while sometimes childish and selfish, are tolerably not so bad in comparison. Though they are not without consequences, I believe you are all good kids and have time to learn from your mistakes." His tolerance for trouble had become so high after dealing with many extreme and difficult cases.
"I had forgiven all of you a long time ago. And you-… you all apologizing proves that you deserved it." Lori was thankful yet so devastated that her brother was literally more mature to even give then a second chance.
"But you don't trust us?" Lucy softly asked. They waited for his answer with lingering dread.
"No…, not yet. I probably don't trust you with my things after someone spilled juice on my book." The attempt in humor was enough to lighten the air as everyone gave an embarrassed laugh.
The loosening tension forced him to fall softly onto his back. But Lori still didn't let go as she stared up at her now taller brother. "Fair enough. But can you give us a chance to earn it back?"
She became worried when Lincoln averted his gaze towards the ceiling. "How can you trust this stranger to be your long-lost brother?" The blonde heard the doubt he tried to hide in his tired indifference.
Unlike before, eldest child won't give up now. "Then can you stay so that we can proved that we have changed… hopefully for the better?"
Now there's that famous Loud stubbornness. If only he can share in her optimistic perseverance. "I came back changed too. For better or worse is still up for debate. I'm not sure I deserved a special treatment for also giving you so much trouble."
Now they were at an impasse, both sides claiming to be at fault. But Lori felt he deserved this reassurance after all the loneliness they imagined him experiencing.
The Jounin felt a shift and found the girl's closer gaze steeled with a certain kind of resolve reserved for the likes of his ototo. "You called us gems of untapped potentials. If we are gems, you're… you're like a lump of coal."
"LORI!" The family incredulous shouted.
"Let me finish!" She fiercely scolded before softening again her features. "While we were flaunting ourselves, we never appreciated that you have always been there to take care of us… To help us be the best that we can be… To keep us warm and cozy."
"We never realized that you were burning out just to help us. We never knew how hard we were pressuring you until it was too late." Even when her voice cracked, Lori persevered to tell her heartfelt apology. "We are sorry… I am sorry for never seeing sooner how special and valuable you are to us."
"It is our fault for all the heat and pressure. But somehow, it indirectly made you to be the strongest and most precious thing on Earth: A diamond." Lisa felt the need to correct, but thought otherwise as her sister was, as they say, on a roll.
Wiping her eyes, Lori hoped that his quiet focus meant that he was taking her words to heart. "You are that and more. You were… are kind."
"And fashionable." Leni cheerfully piped in.
"Rockin'!" Because Luna can't describe him enough.
"Funny." And 'exciting' if Luan can add.
"Tough!" Lynn Jr. would know firsthand.
"Deep." A soul unlike any other that Lucy would ever meet.
"Friendly." Lana scolded herself for not understanding him sooner.
"Loyal." Lola primly supplied an original yet regal character.
"Smart." This time Lisa admitted without any reluctance.
"Reliable." But Lynn Sr. promised to also be there to support him.
"Brave." Rita can't be any prouder for her son.
"You're Yincoln Youd." Lily innocently reassured her favorite brother.
"You're all that. You have been so strong for so long… both as Lincoln and Kakashi." His eyes widen a bit as she acknowledged his other name.
"You shouldn't be alone. Please…, let us help you. I may not understand what you have been through, but I want to help in any way I can. Like you have always done for us." She earnestly offered. As the silence stretched, Lori silently felt like she had failed again. The sad blonde was about to reluctantly surrender before he softly called.
"Lori… I don't know if I can be Lincoln again…" This time she did not turn away… to finally see the lost child behind the man who had been through so much. Then for the first time…, a feeling of hope was reignited as a soft gaze was directed at her. "But is it okay if I can be your brother?"
Fresh tears welled as Lori buried her face again, weeping out muffled 'yes' amongst the more coherent affirmations of her-… their family. All may have not noticed, including the man himself, but a lone tear slid unknowingly down his scarred eye. The only one who saw it was filled with unimaginable warmth… knowing that her beloved brother is slowly opening the walls of his heart.
"Well, what are you all waiting for?! Get your butts here and help me hug him!" And they all piled up on the weary warrior, grabbing as much as they can to try giving their comfort. Some wept harder, now out of joy when strong arms held them closer.
But there were still things he is not ready to share…, not yet. There are still issues that are not easily resolved…, not by a long shot. But they can finally start mending things. And this time… they'll do it together as a family.
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When nature called for Lynn Sr. in the middle of the night, he almost lost it when all the rooms upstairs were found empty. He rushed down to alert his wife before almost stumbling into something heart-warming.
It appears at some point when they fell asleep, their children decided to have a sleep-over in the living-room. But what lightened his heart was his son's tranquil slumber in the center of all those who love him. Ever since Lincoln returned a changed… man, he can't help but feel how distant the middle-child was despite being so close. Now even with that mask, his face and whole being seem relaxed… and for a moment, finally at peace.
The whole ordeal may have exhausted them if they were not awakened by his heavy footfalls. Lily almost stirred before Lori instinctively rocked the basket the youngest was in. It is both impressive and weird that his third daughter was able to snore a short lullaby from her spot on his shoulder. Lisa was mumbling something from behind Luna's hand. But other than that, the little scientist's rest was not disturbed.
Lucy claimed her favored spot on her brother's chest with an arm keeping her secured. Lynn took up the space on his side unaware that a foot is so close to her face... Oh wait, he should be more worried that limb might get chomped on.
The elder Lynn remembered his prankster of a daughter joking that being this close to him might 'cost an arm and a leg'. And it looks like Luan got the space at his feet because Leni snuggled an arm. She wasn't alone down there though as Lana and Lola accompanied her. It has been so long since he had seen the twins sharing the same sleeping space. The Loud father really wished he had a camera.
He softly tiptoed towards the garage. After fumbling for the switch, Lynn found what he was looking for. He has to admit: Lucy is a professional. With Lori's candles and Leni's decorations, what was an embodiment of loss now appears as a commemoration of life. He wasn't sure if cookies and smoothies are proper but Lincoln seemed to allow it.
Lynn got on his knees and tried to copy what his son did, also praying that he didn't incite anything bad. "Uh… hello, Mr. Sakumo. Sorry about the mess. Lincoln- I mean Kakashi, said this is only temporary 'til we find a more secure place." The shrine remained silent but it did not deter him from pouring out his heart.
"I just want to say… Thank you. Thank you for taking care of Lincoln." And he meant it. Because for a short time, someone took care of him when they didn't.
"I- I don't know what Lincoln may have said about why he left. But we didn't mean for all this to happen. To abandon him in his great time of need." Tears began to gather as he recalled his greatest failing as a father.
"But we can't change the past. All we can do now is pick-up the pieces and move forward. I promise to make things right with him. We all will." And even if his son's more independent now, Lynn made a promise for himself that he will support him… and every one of his family. "I- I hope in time, we can finally mend our broken bonds. And show Lincoln how much he truly means to us."
It took all his willpower to not scream when he felt a sudden chill. But it eased when he felt a shifting warmth on his shoulder… like a reassuring pat. Lynn no longer held back his tears when he felt like being entrusted something of immeasurable importance. But this is his-… their son; of course, Lincoln is as much valuable as all of his precious ones.
But most of all… He's finally home.
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Author's Note (Extra Long):
Finally! This felt like a whole season and we can finally move on to some wholesome episodes/chapters.
Now if you are still confused by the contrasting portions of the story, it is something like what happened in the episode: S1 E11a The Butterfly Effect. But instead of Lincoln, you have the gathered imaginations of the sisters picturing the worst-case scenario aka: Lincoln leaves for good. Now this came to be as some may like an alternative ending like recent themes. So, if you want the bad ending, you can stop at the first part. I'm continuing with the good ending. But that doesn't mean everything is fixed. Healing is a long and sometimes difficult process. And this gives chances for each character to spend time and properly apologize to Lincoln.
So, you can say this ends the introductory part of a wayward warrior acclimating to a different and peaceful lifestyle. But let's see what we can do from here on out. Ideas and suggestions will be taken into consideration. Keyword: Consideration.
And some other things:
-In case of an actual Halloween episode, what would Lincoln/Kakashi dress-up as? I had an ironic idea where he goes as a scarecrow. And after borrowing Lucy's scythe, wondered why kids are running away and calling him the 'Harvester'. So not to be left out; his family and friends other than canon costumes.
-How about man's best friend? Old or new pack? Ja ne.
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OMAKE
Optional Skit (Depending on the mood. If you want something to lighten it, go ahead. But if you somehow liked the heavy feeling, come back later. But this is the last time I'm putting this label. Enjoy.)
"So… Why Kakashi?" Luan curiously asked while leaning over the couch.
Lincoln lowered the volume of the tv as he went into lecture-mode. "Where I ended up, the language was predominantly Asian, a bit leaning towards Japanese. So, they also have the common problem of pronouncing the 'L', though newer generations are able to adjust. Since my name begins with said letter, Tou-san suggested an alias of sort to make it easier."
"I thought 'Kakashi' sounded cool… before he said that it means 'scarecrow' due to my skinniness." Though Luan tried holding it in, other hidden giggles were heard.
"But I countered that 'this scarecrow has more brains than average'. Unsurprisingly, he didn't get the reference." The mask seemed to fail in hiding his sulking as Luan fell and added to the laughing heap behind the couch.