A longer chapter but I wanted to do some character development with Zack. I think I did fairly well in keeping him true to himself but seeing him grow up is important.

Mother

Zack had awakened early. His mind was racing at all the things that were sure to come after he had finished dressing. He stared down at his bandages in the thought of should he wear them or should he show her that he was somewhat comfortable in his skin. The three people in his life had made it a point to make him feel comfortable in his skin. Gray often coaxed him to show a little more skin and to accept that what it was is what it was. Sam gave his scars a thorough once over and closed up the ones that never seemed to heal. Ray had tried to close them herself but without the special thread, Sam had, they constantly reopened. The wounds had since healed up nicely as she slathered antibiotics on it to keep infection away. When she had done the procedure, she had commented on how resilient his skin and body were from the last time she had seen him. There was never any pity in her eyes just understanding. Then there was Ray. Of course, she had seen him naked. But she never made him feel any less ugly or ungodly in her eyes. He chuckled lightly at how she kissed his scars all of the time. None of them had made him feel disgusted by his skin. But he was. So in annoyance, he wrapped his arms and legs but left his face open to the air.

"She doesn't get to take that." He hissed staring at himself in the mirror.

He walked into the kitchen to prepare himself a bowl of cereal. Nothing hot sounded good to him like normal. No, a bowl of Fruit Loops would definitely hit the spot. He poured the cereal and milk into the bowl and was fully prepared to eat until he realized he didn't have a spoon. Moving over to the counter, he paused at the sight of the spoon. His reflection stared back at him in the dim room from the clouds covering the sky still. How was he going to end that woman's life? Would he slit her throat and watch her gag on her own blood? Would he just stab her over and over while looking into her eyes so he could watch the life leave them? He frowned at the image. Or would he just chop her head off and let it roll around on the floor? Clenching the spoon, he moved back to his cereal. Aggressively eating the bowl before him, his mind tried to picture her face but couldn't. Every time he had seen her, she had that look of pure hatred on her face. Good, he hated her too. She was supposed to care for him, to make him feel safe, and to allow him to be a child. But she didn't. Instead, she stole his childhood by letting her boyfriend do the things he did. She robbed him of the innocence he was supposed to have. And instead of addressing the issue, she sold him to a couple that killed children for a living. What the fuck kind of mother allowed their only flesh and blood to rot? All he ever wanted was for her to love him and she never did.

But there was someone who did. And he wanted to relish in the idea of her watching Sam love him. He wanted to burn it into her retinas that he had made something of himself and was surrounded by powerful people. He hoped it hurt for her to see him in his adult form and not recognize him. He doubted he would recognize her at first either. Humming at the thought, he poured himself another bowl. That woman would stare at him as she had in the past. This time though, her eyes wouldn't faze them. He hadn't seen those eyes in about twenty years. He doubted they still had the same effect that they used to. What kind of dumb shit would come out of her mouth? Would she beg him for forgiveness? A scoff escaped him. That bitch only begged for dick and money. Would she cry? Not that it would solve anything for him but her crying was something he had enjoyed more than he thought. Any kind of pain on her face was going to be worth it in his eyes.

"Zack?"

Another thing, would she call him Isaac like that fucking old man did? That wasn't who he was anymore. And the only reason he didn't correct that bastard like he no doubt would the bitch, was that he genuinely thought that he was a good person. That bastard had told him that his name was all that he had in the world. It was Zack now and that bitch better come fucking correct with it or he didn't know what he would do in that regard. Damn it, Sam was right. He was just looking for any excuse to just gut the fuck out of her just because. Talking seemed useless. How did one speak to the person that they hated the most? Did he have to be polite? Like did he start out cussing her out? Or did he just like slap her? He groaned there were so many decisions. Could he just stab her in a greeting and watching her bleed slowly as he and Ray-

"Zack,"

Hands grabbed his face to make him focus.

His eyes stared at Ray staring intently at him.

Damn. How was he going to introduce that bitch to his brat? She was fucking his and if she said one wrong thing to her, there would be hell to pay. He wanted to rub her it in that whore's face like there was someone who actually loved him. Oh, how delicious it would be too able to show her that he did all of this on his own. He got a woman to love him and he didn't even have to trick her! In fact, she was the one who had fallen by herself. It wasn't till much later that he realized his own feelings about her. She had stuck by his side through all of the ugly they endured. She didn't falter at his face or his skin when the bandages were removed. But fuck him if she wasn't the most beautiful girl on the whole shitty planet. Then he got a mother! A real one! She had taught him things he never expected to know. Like what the fuck would he know about fucking dancing? But he could though! He fucking could dance! And her willingness to work on his temper with him made it easier. She was just as hot-headed if not more as he was but the calm she had in battle was something he admired and wanted for himself. Perhaps, he should talk to her about it. He grimaced. She was a sadist and would make him learn the hard way. Maybe he should ask that old man of his. Yeah… he got to rub it in her face that he had an actual father too. He hoped it hurt. Like that damned man who had blazed his skin was nothing in comparison to this old man. The patience and guidance he received whether he asked for it or not was given to him all in the name of love and correction. And he did feel like he knew a little more about life now that he had been surrounded by them. But back to the task of control on one's temper. That old man had gone up against those bastards in the building with ease. What the fuck was the magic spell used to be able to look death in the face with nothing on one's face. It seemed like that was something that came to them with ease. He knew both of them had killed more than he has as they had been alive a lot longer. All of their souls were tainted red with the blood of those lives taken. And he never felt more at home or at peace with his life.

Wrapping his arm around Ray, he sat up from leaning back in the chair. He pulled her down into his lap, ignoring her words completely as the realization had slapped him hard in his brain. Peace. He was at fucking peace with his life. For the first time since he had known better, there was peace. And it felt so damned good. His eyes looked down at the platinum blonde in his arms frowning at him in confusion. She was the start of it all. Peace. Resting his chin on her head, he was content to breathe in her peace some more. She had sighed but said nothing more as it would continue to fall on death ears. In his heart, he had come to terms with the questions he had asked himself all morning. That bitch didn't get to take anything from him. His annoyance turned to excitement as he nodded firmly in his decision. Before he dealt with her, he would deal with everyone around him.

"Ray,"

Ray moved her head to look up at him. "Yeah?"

"I love you, you short ass brat."

Ray's eyes widened before she smiled. "I know."

"Thanks for being my peace and taking care of me all these years." He whispered nuzzling into her hair.

Ray bit her bottom lip. Somehow those five words were starting to make her teary-eyed. "You're welcome…" her shaky breath allowed her to say.

"I mean it. Thank you."

A few tears slid down her face. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. "I love you, Zack."

…

Zack drove in the storm slowly. He was in no rush to get to the destination. Plus speeding in this weather was like asking God to die. Ray was in the passenger seat holding his hand as she sang whatever song was on the radio. He liked this. Just holding her hand and listening to her sing. That must be what love feels like. Slowly, he pulled into Sam's driveway only to park. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door to get out, moving at his own pace. Ray rushed by him to get out of the rain. Not him though, his steps were slow. He even allowed himself to look at the water bouncing off the grass in a steady rhythm. It was kind of relaxing. Before he knew it, he was in the house. He guessed zoning out included walking without being fully aware. It happened, he shrugged to himself. Zack made his way into the living room, his eyes looking for the old man or his mom. Either was fine in who he found first.

"Hey old man!" he called standing by the window to continue to watch the rainfall.

"Isaac?" he heard coming from the kitchen.

Zack turned to see his old man wiping his hands on the towel from the kitchen. He must have been doing the dishes from his and Sam's breakfast. Making his way over to the older man, he placed his hand on his shoulder. "I need to talk to you and mom. But since I haven't seen her bitch ass yet, I'll talk to you first."

Gray raised a brow. Mom? When did he start calling her mom? "Okay, what is it we are talking about, Isaac?"

Zack took a deep breath. "I just want to say… thank you."

Gray cocked his head to the side, his surprise barely being concealed by his eyes. "For?"

Zack rubbed the back of his head. Damn this was easier when he said it to Ray. But fuck it; he was this far into it now. He had no choice but to finish because he wasn't a pussy. With another deep breath, he focused on his words. "Thank you for being… my old man. I never asked you too or wanted you too but I'm glad you fucking did man. I have learned a lot more than I put off and shit. But it does make me want to be better at whatever I fucking choose. And I want to be the best killer this damned world has ever seen…" He paused. He felt like he was getting really girly and sentimental. The rainbow was rising in his throat but he swallowed it back down. He had to say this. It was important for him to get it out. But fuck him if it didn't make him want to hurl. "I want to be the best damned killer that you can be proud of. So in saying all those gross damned words, I will say this final thing. Thank you for being my peace."

Gray, who had been listening intently, was flabbergasted at the words coming out of the younger boy's mouth. He could only blink for a second before he pulled him into a tight hug. He didn't say anything to Isaac and Isaac didn't try to remove him. Now that didn't mean that he got a full hug back but the fact that he allowed him to hug him was big in itself.

"You are my son, Isaac. That fact is unchanging no matter what." He whispered into the younger boy's ear. "Blood doesn't matter when you care. And I very much do care for you, Isaac."

Zack nodded. "I'm aware old man."

Gray smiled softly. "Good." He let him go and took a step back. "Your mother is upstairs doing her make up."

Zack nodded again turning to head up the stairs.

"Oh, and Isaac," Gray called.

"What?" Zack paused at the steps.

"Thank you for being my peace."

Zack looked over his shoulder for a moment before shaking his head and walking up the stairs. His peace huh? He never considered the fact that people thought he was peaceful. How could they? He was loud and brash. His vocabulary mostly consisted of foul words that were often returned to him in different ways but he knew no other way to express himself without them so he continued to use them. Ray had gone over the basic emotion spectrum with him but a lot of times he couldn't identify what he was feeling so he resorted to anger. And that made him feel better. Anger was familiar; he knew what that was and how to deal with it. But sadness? Fuck was he going to do with that?

Before he had recognized where he was, he was in her room. His eyes looked at the area where she had once lain bleeding out. He shook his head as he continued on. The bathroom was off to the side. There she stood talking animatedly with his woman about something or another. They were laughing and talking about something he didn't really care to tune in for. He only came here to speak his part. But it was so perfect. To see his mom and his woman conversing with ease, he had never thought this would be his life.

"Oi son-kun, what are you doing up here?" Sam's voice had cut through his thoughts with ease.

He focused on her words. "I need to talk to you."

Ray stood up. "I'll be down the stairs waiting on you, Zack." She called moving out of the bathroom and room.

Sam turned back to the mirror as she finished her eyelids. "So what's up? Come have a seat so I can hear you better."

Zack did as he was told and took the seat Ray had been sitting on to watch her paint her face with ease. He was lost in the motions as she added black, red, and white. It matched the red suit she was attired in. She even wore a tie.

"So…" She asked blending her eyelids together.

"I'll get to it in a moment. But I somehow am really interested in this process."

She laughed softly, the vibrations filled his chest. "Whatever you say, son-kun."

After her eyelids were perfect, she moved on to the lipstick. He watched the color start to explode on her lips with ease. "You are my mom, right?" he asked still watching the process.

"Fucking duh," she answered once she was done with the first coat.

Zack nodded his eyes on the black lipstick to go on the corners of her mouth. "Right, duh." A deep breath escaped him. He just had to do this. He had done it twice already. What was so hard about telling her? "Oh fuck it," He growled. "Sam, I wouldn't choose anyone over you to be my mom. I'll kill anyone who thinks they can touch you. I never thought you would be this important to me. In fact, I thought you were just another bitch that Ray knew. But now that we are here, you are someone who has taught me important shit. I…" He stood up, his eyes on his bandaged hands. "Thank you for teaching how to have peace and for becoming my peace. I'll never not kill anyone for you."

There was silence.

Zack looked up wondering why the fuck she hadn't said anything to him. Was she deaf or some shit? But when he looked up at her, she looked like she was trying so hard not to cry. A laugh escaped him as he continued to watch her. The face was of someone who did care about him. He wanted to remember it forever honestly.

"You asshole!" She punched him lightly in the chest. "I just did my makeup and here you are trying to make me cry."

He held his chest in the area she had hit him. It didn't hurt.

"Come here."

Zack walked over to her open arms where he knelt down to lay his head on her shoulder. She squeezed him tightly as she remained trying to fight back the tears.

"You are my kid. Like I've told your goofy ass a million times, you're my son. And you have been my son for years. Being your mother has been the most fulfilling thing. I'll never not protect you from all the dangers of the world. If I have to lose my eyes again, my arms, my legs, hell even my life for you to live then so be it. You are mine." She whispered in his ear.

He closed his eyes as he continued to rest on her. "Yeah, yeah… yours."

…

Zack sat on the couch watching the rain continue to fall. This was it. In less than a few minutes, she would be here. Surprisingly all the nerves from this morning had died off. He sat there completely calm and comfortable. Ray was in his lap resting her head on his shoulder while she read a book she had brought from home. His arm was wrapped around her as his head rested on the back of the couch. What was this, the calm before the storm? Would he just break out into an intense rage and kill her? No, he didn't feel that. In fact, he didn't feel anything but peace. The sound of his mom's heels clicking as she walked into the living room filled his ears. She moved to the edge of the couch where his head rested.

"She's pulling up now."

He nodded.

"Remember, we are all here for you son-kun. Say the word and I'll end her."

Again he nodded.

She pressed a kiss to his forehead before she turned and called her guards to the house.

His eyes closed as he took a deep breath for what was to come. She was here. It was now or never.

"Welcome to Sire Winters' Estate." The new guard at the door spoke up while bowing slightly.

"Thank you for having me." The voice he heard made him sigh.

Ray squeezed his hand. "It's gonna be alright."

He nodded at her.

"Sire Winters will be with you momentarily, for now, please wait here." The butler nodded standing in front of her to keep her from entering into the house.

Sam walked out of her study slowly, Gray behind her. "Ah, I see my guest has arrived."

"Sir," the butler bowed.

"Thank you, Martin. I shall take it from here."

Sam stood in front of the sun-kissed lady with ease. The polite smile on her face was forced as she stared the woman up and down. This was who had hurt her baby. The short bob she had didn't suit her but who was she to judge. A blue dress clothed her skinny body. That must run in the family seeing as Zack was also slim. Big brown eyes stared at her in wonder. Taking a deep calming breath, she extended her hand out to her. "I'm Snow. You spoke with me over the phone."

"Misaki," she shook her head barely.

"This is my husband, Gray." Sam introduced grabbing Gray's hand.

"Pleasure." His voice was hard.

"Oh my, he must be of the silent type." Misaki nodded taking in Gray's hard eyes.

Sam placed a kiss on his cheek while whispering something quickly. "Not that silent at night." She smirked.

Misaki turned red. "Oh…"

Gray wrapped his arm around her waist. "Perhaps you would like to meet our kids."

"Oh um, actually I was hoping to get right into the topic of our meeting." She spoke up quickly.

"Oh, it'll be real quick. They are just in the room behind us." Sam smiled leaning her head on Gray's shoulder.

"Very well." Misaki sighed.

"Great!" Sam nodded starting to walk.

Gray kept up with her as he held onto her waist. He whispered something back into her ear which she nodded back to. They stopped in front of the couch where Zack and Ray were. She looked down at their son and nodded.

Misaki stopped at the edge of the room.

"This is our lovely daughter, Rachel." Gray introduced smoothly.

Ray stood up from Zack. Her eyes met the woman that had caused it all with ease. There was not an emotion on her face as she was used to having to hide how she truly felt. She quickly dismissed her as trash. They didn't even need to speak.

"Hello," Misaki nodded.

She nodded to her as she went to stand next to Sam and Gray.

"And this is our son, Zack."

Zack rose as he slipped his hands into his pockets. "Hello." His eyes met her with ease as he looked down his nose at her.

She went to respond before her eyes widened. A gasp escaped her as she took a step back. Her hands covered her mouth as tears started to come to her eyes. "Isaac?" she whispered.

Zack cocked his head to the side. "The name is Zack now. And has been for more than ten years."

"Misaki-chan, please have a seat in the chair. Tea will be served momentarily." Sam nodded gesturing at the chair directly in front of Zack.

Misaki slowly took it. Her eyes were on the man in front of her. He continued to just simply stare at her with his hands still in his pockets. It was like he was sizing her up for a moment before he smirked at her. Sitting back on the couch, he allowed his arms to stretch on the edge of the couch. His eyes closed but the smirk never left his mouth.

"Would you like two or three cubs in your tea madam?" Martin asked bending to the side of her.

"Three is fine." She nodded taking the cup from his hands.

"Very well." Martin nodded and handed the rest of the cups to the other three in the room.

"So, I hear you were looking for me. Why?" Zack asked cutting into her thoughts.

Misaki placed her tea down on the table next to her chair. Her hands folded in her lap as she took a deep breath. "I saw your face in the news a couple of years ago with a girl. In fact, that girl over there."

"Oh? You mean my woman?" Zack asked his tone completely carefree as he continued to smirk.

"Woman?"

"Ray," he called.

Ray stood up from the couch only to walk beside him.

Zack grabbed her hand. Reaching up, he pulled her head down gently into a kiss before parting with her. She kissed his forehead only to go back to Sam and Gray who watched silently.

"I see." Misaki nodded slowly.

"What do you really want, bitch?" Zack asked sitting up to lean on his knees.

"Bitch?"

"Would you prefer whore?"

"You better watch your tone. I am your mother!" Misaki cried indignantly.

"No, you haven't been my mother since I was what? 9?" Zack chuckled darkly, sitting up. "You met my mom. She's sitting over there with my old man."

"Isaac, you must understand-"

"The name is Zack, bitch. I'm not going to tell you again. Get it fucking right or else." He growled.

"Son-kun, patience," Sam spoke up softly.

"Of course." He nodded sitting back. "So you saw us on the news then what?"

Misaki shook her head. "They said they were putting you to death. I was horrified by the things I heard you had done or they had linked to you. But I thought I should at least get to see you one last time. Now, I just want to be your mom."

"Once again, I already got one. She's sitting over there." he pointed to the side of him without looking. "You want to be my mom again because you fucking saw me about to get the death penalty? What kind of bullshit is that?"

"Isaac you must understand-"

"Understand what?! What?! That you didn't ever give a damn about me when I was a kid? Or when you sold me to your piece of shit of a boyfriend's sibling to kill me?!" He yelled standing. His hands went into his pockets. "It was easy to walk away huh? Pretend I didn't exist so you could live your whore lifestyle?" he shook his head. "Why the fuck am I even here? I don't got shit else I wanna talk to you about."

"Isaac please." She begged.

"My name is Zack, cunt."

Her mouth got tight for a moment. "Cunt? You little bastard! I have been nothing but a good mother to you. I traveled all the way here just to see you but you can't acknowledge the sacrifice I've made because of what happened almost twenty years ago?! You're dumber than I thought."

"Good to me?! Good to me?! Bitch, what the actual fuck are you talking about? Do you think you really did something by trying to find me? You're out of your fucking mind!"

"Zack," Ray called softly.

"Isaac," Gray spoke after.

He looked over his shoulder at the two staring at him in concern. They looked like that at any moment they would intervene. But Sam sat there with her arms folded. She nodded for him to continue going. A curt nod was his response as he turned back around to face the woman that had started this all.

"What the fuck do you really want man? I'm really tired of looking at your bitch ass face."

"Just let me explain, please. That's all I ask for."

"You have five minutes."

Misaki sighed looking at her hands. "I shouldn't have sold you, I know it was wrong. But I knew you couldn't stay with us any longer. He would have killed you and I know he would have. So I thought if I gave you up and let you get raised by a married couple, that you would somehow turn out all right, even with all that happened to you." She paused lifting her eyes up to stare at her only born. "Forgive me. I was young and impressionable. You needed a real mother and I couldn't give that to you. But I'm here now, ready and willing to give this a chance."

Zack scoffed softly but didn't say anything.

Misaki really stared at him for a long while. "You still wear the bandages?"

"Personal choice. All the burns are healed." He answered letting his eyes look to the window.

"Can I see them?"

His eyes cut to hers. "No."

"Why not?"

"Because then you'll want to touch me and I don't want you anywhere near me foreal. I don't trust myself with what I might do." He rolled his neck.

Misaki sipped her tea slowly. "Did you really do all the things they accused you of?"

"I sure the fuck did." He laughed loudly. "My first victims were that bitch and her husband. They made me bury the other kids they had killed. But it gets worse from there. I stayed with an old man after that incident and these pieces of shit murdered him for his pocket change. He was blind or some shit, I can't remember. But he was nice. So I killed them too." His eyes moved to his hands. "Then I met the woman behind us. She found me. But I didn't stay with her because she was nice to me and I knew I would kill again. And I did many times, over and over. It felt good. I was good at it and still am. I lose no sleep over any lives I've taken. It is what it is." He sat back. "I'm a killer. That's who, what, and how I choose to be."

Misaki placed her hand on her mouth. "Isaac," she whispered. Her eyes watered. "Just tell me, you forgive me for not being a proper mother please."

Zack cocked his head to the side. "Forgive you?"

"Yes, I need it. I really need it. I want to be in your life again. I can do this now."

He stood up from the couch once more. His hands slipped in his pockets. "My forgiveness huh?" a soft laugh escaped him. "This morning I wondered what I would do when I saw you. Would I attack you? Gut you? Slice you? Yell at you? Dismember you? Shit, whatever I could imagine to have come across my mind did. But now that I'm looking at you, I don't feel like doing any of that shit. There would be no satisfaction in me killing you. But you asking me for my forgiveness was one thing I didn't think I would ever hear the way I just have."

"Isaac," she called. "Do you forgive me?" her voice was a timid whisper.

Zack took a step closer. He stared down in her eyes unwavering. "I don't." He spoke calmly and clearly. "And I never will. Live with the guilt of what you have and could have done." And with that, Zack turned and walked out to the back patio.

Misaki was left to sit there as tears streamed from her eyes. "I just wanted him to say he forgave me before I died." She whispered.

"Cancer has taken over hasn't it?" Sam asked as she stood up from Gray's lap.

"I'm in stage 4 of terminal brain cancer. They don't give me long." She sobbed softly.

Sam nodded standing beside her. "I'll take care of your hospice as needed. But you need to understand one thing. My son is off-limits to you from now on."

Misaki looked up at Sam, tears still streaming. "Take care of him for me, please."

"Of course."