The Samurai Poet speaking. I was reading some of the reviews, and yes, some history of Sadie will be added somewhere in either this chapter or the next one I write. And yes, I will try my best to make this long and post as soon as possible… Which means it will be around 1,000 words and posted in about four to five days (starting from the second of December).

… As if I need anything else to drive me insane besides Crimson Fears. I swear I'll kill that woman.

--

As soon as he pushed the door open, Hunter knew that this was one of the days that he should've been early. Customers moved in what seemed to be herds, and he noticed that Blake was one of the two that were currently working. The Thunder moved discreetly through the store and into the back, in which after he stashed his jacket, he met a disgruntled Kelly.

Surprisingly, she had only gave him a disappointed and angry look and pointed him to the register. The blonde thanked his stars and went to the counter, surprised to already see people waiting. The customers in actuality were just one group, and as soon as he gave them their receipt and said the normal formalities, he ran quickly into the back and grabbed a cup of coffee.

He drank the scalding hot liquid as fast as he possibly could. He had come in much later than normal… his shift was over in an hour, and he planned to make every cent possible. Overloading his system with caffeine whenever viable, he made it through the drawn out minutes.

--

Hunter had sneaked out of the sports store as fast as he could, knowing that his child was waiting for him at home. As he looked around the parking lot, he spotted his bike, but decided not to use it yet.

The Thunder checked to see if his keys were still in his pocket as he walked down the shopping district and found the familiar small grocery store. He grabbed a hand basket and walked quickly through the halls, a large container of pork that was considerably cheap caught his eye and he took it.

He continued on, grabbing such necessities as bread and cheese, a half-gallon of milk and fruit-O's, powdered baby milk and some diapers just to be safe. The Thunder moved to the front, in which the same girl seemed to be. Her bracelets clanked as she greeted him cheerfully, and his items were being rang up. The delicate beep made him nod off into another reverie.

Sadie had aroused him in his intoxicated state, and he couldn't help but to say yes as her hands pushed him closer to her body. Her scent seemed to make him ecstatic, the fragrance of flowers and her own musk made it hard to deny her as she took off his clothes. All he wanted was to feel her surround him, and stain himself with her misplaced love.

"Sir, are you okay?"

Hunter had come out of his dream quickly as the cashier firmly shook him with one hand. He stumbled back and pushed his hair out of his face. "… Yeah… I'm okay." – he had said without convincing himself – "I'm just a little tired, that's all."

She smiled softly as she pointed to the total on the screen. He caught this gesture immediately, and pulled out several bills to give her. She made change quickly, and wished him well. The Thunder had taken his bags and thanked her, and as soon as he made it back to Storm Chargers' parking lot, he secured his baggage on the motorcycle and sped off.

--

Hunter unlocked the door and closed it warily. He walked quickly into the kitchen and put his groceries in the appropriate places, wondering how he should cook the meat. The Thunder moved into the dining room and living room with no sign of the two girls. He went into his room, and there to his surprise he saw his Cam with his baby Gabriel.

The two slept peacefully; the Samurai kept his glasses on out of habit as he protectively curled around the small child. Hunter looked at his clock, but instead of displaying the time, it showed a folded piece of paper entitled to him. He took it out of curiosity, and on closer inspection, noticed that it was Tori's handwriting.

'Cam had came over in an attempt to find out what was going on with you, and he saw the baby. I'm so sorry he had t find out this way, but he didn't seem as upset as you and I presumed he would. I tried to call you at work, but Kelly said you had customers and that everyone was really busy. Cam had decided to help me take care of Gabbie while you were out, and I hope that its okay with you. I'll try to be back soon or at least see you at training, something family related came up, and I'm needed.'

A movement caught his eye, and the ninja looked over to see that the Samurai had woken, his glasses moved to his lap as he rubbed his eyes. As if on cue, the little girl woke up, and she started to whine. The blonde put the note onto the nightstand and retrieved his child. Gabriel cried out loudly, and Cam motioned to take the child. Hunter did as the older man wanted, and the cries died out almost instantly.

"I bet this wasn't the way you wanted me to find out."

The Thunder sat down beside the Samurai, resting his head in his hands. "… I really didn't want you to find out." Cam busied himself with playing with the small girl's hands, and she let out content squeals. "If it makes you feel better, Tori told me everything you told her, so you don't have to explain… I guess she found it appropriate."

Hunter was caught speechless. Tori assumed that he would find it difficult to tell the man that he'd been with for the longest about his drunken affair. He said nothing, but looked at the older man who seemed genuinely fond of the small girl. He had tried to stumble out some kind of explanation, but the Samurai's lips pressed lightly on his open ones. "… Don't worry about it. I think she's adorable… and I'd be more than willing to help." Cam smiled and gave the taller man another chaste kiss. "It does hurt a little, but your child is more important.

… Tori told me that you were watching your baby, working, and training. I know from seeing you at the Academy that you put in long hours of training… and I know by the bags under your eyes that you're about to collapse at any given moment." The blonde laughed as the Samurai rubbed his thumb over the skin under one of his eyes. Gabriel protested, and Cam had to move his free hand back to the bundle.

"Get in this bed and go to sleep. There is no way I can allow you to train in this condition."

Hunter laughed as the Samurai moved off of the bed to allow him to lie down under the covers. Sleep hit him almost instantly, and he had dreamed of Sadie again.