Eve: Hey guys!
Mike: Yeah, sup?
Eve: Inform me when they answer you.
Mike:... anyway!
Eve: Sorry I have not posted in a while. I'm working on creating a game for this part of the story, It'll give more info. However, my multiple attempts at a DHTML game failed and I'm working with tables and text now. It'll be a while, but I'm trying my hardest what with school and blah, and all.
Mike: So...
Eve: So this chapter is extra long, also, the web site is being revamped-
Mike: Shut it with the vampire jokes and just put in a plug for your stories on fictionpress.
Eve: My stories?
Mike: Yeah, Those Who Defy Their Destiny and the sequel, Blood of Midnight.
Eve: There will be no plug. *grinning*
Mike: Good. Anyway... you tricked me
Eve: On with the fic!
****
James entered the room and looked around in disbelief. This room was different from all the rest. It had a huge mirror covering one wall, then TV monitors faced so that if you sat infront of them the picture would surround your entire field of vision. It had artificial lights and white walls, but then James saw a bookshelf. A metal bookshelf and a little table littered with paper and crayons. Also there was a bed under the mirror. James took a step and his foot hit something, he looked down to see a little toy raccoon. Sirius, Remus, and Peter soon followed James into the room. He knelt down and picked up the toy. She had to be here somewhere. A noise to his left made James jump and his head snapped over in the direction it had come from. The girl was huddled on the other side of the bed, she had peeked out, but jerked back the moment they had turned towards her. James stood up and rushed over. She pressed herself against the wall and curled up as tightly as she could. But she was not attacking, and she wasn't using that shield on them; so, James guessed it was as good a chance as any to free this girl from Takai's control and find out where Kira had been taken.
"It's okay" James comforted, kneeling infront of her. He reached for the helmet and she tried to move away. James took hold of the clasps as gently as he could and pressed to release them. The locks whirred and spun. James lifted the helmet off her head and threw it behind him, to Peter. The girl had her eyes closed and her head turned, and then she opened one eye. That amethyst colored eye caught sight of James and the other eye quickly opened. She blinked as if trying to make sure he was really there. Her greatly afraid stature and pose relaxed slightly and she stared is disbelief.
"Kira" James smiled and held back tears as he saw his darling daughter. Kira leapt forward, throwing her arms around him.
"Daddy!" She cried. James wrapped his arms around her, not wanting to let her go for fear that this might not be real.
"It's okay. Everything is okay. You're safe now" James promised.
The three other marauders glowed with pride at the scene and the love. No matter what anyone did to her she remembered her father. And that father would have done anything for her.
"Hello, Kira" Cota chimed over the intercom. Kira looked at the security camera with a bewildered look on her face. Then smiled slightly and waved.
"So, I'd say the mission was a huge success" Sirius grinned.
"Yeah" Peter and Remus grinned.
"I hate to be the kill joy of this evening... morning, but we gotta go. NOW!" Cota announced.
"Right" Sirius grabbed the file of the wall and stuffed it into a bag. James picked Kira up into his arms and headed for the door. Remus and Peter followed in the back. They all made their way down the hall and paused at the doorway to the warehouse-like room. James set Kira down and she punched in a code, opening the door. They walked through and saw that the monster was awake, and five feet from them. James pushed Kira behind him and she grabbed onto his cloak.
"Right then, wands out, d'ya think?" Sirius grinned, all too happily.
Kira shook her head in protest. The beast roared loudly and Peter ducked.
"What do you suggest we do?" He squeaked. "Walk right by?"
Kira nodded.
"It's worth a try" Remus shrugged.
Sirius went first, then James, with Kira at his side, then Remus, then Peter. Kira watched the creature and her eyes shone; it looked at her, turned, and exited to the gateway. Kira smiled and they headed up the stairs. She was slow at moving, but she knew her way around better then anyone else. James had one hand protectively over his daughter and the other firmly on his wand. They reached the lift and Kira punched in a code. James heard the lift and took a few steps back, his eyes drifting over to the door No name had came out of before. Kira whimpered softly and James forgot any curiosity and hugged her. It didn't matter anymore, all that mattered was that she was safe. James looked down at Kira, her eyes sparkled and seem to say 'I knew you'd come for me someday.' He smiled and the lift beeped. Everyone entered the lift and, with a silent prayer, Remus tapped the button. The lift moved and they all breathed out a sigh of relief. When they reach the second floor, Sirius leapt from the closed area and landed in attack formation with Remus and James, who had done it accidentally as a reflex. Peter hid behind the child, actually he just stood there behind Kira and beamed at his comrades. Kira carefully stepped across the elevator threshold, she was unsteady and limped as she followed along. When there didn't seem to be any danger, Peter came out and tried to act like he was guarding, not hiding. Very cautiously the marauders and little Kira traveled down each hallway. Then-
"LORD JAMES IT'S A TR-!!!"
"There they are!"
"We have them surrounded!"
"Go! Go! Go!"
"Everyone in position!"
"Fire at will!"
"Don't hit the ANGEL!"
Before our heroes had anytime to react they found themselves surrounded. James covered Kira, who was clutching his leg and peering out from behind his cloak at the attackers. She was shaking and James prepared to attack. His cloak was special; it would block most of their weaker attacks so Kira was safe, for now. The enemy fired the first shot and James moved to shield Kira. The little girl's eyes were wide in terror as she clutched her father for dear life. Sirius dealt the next blow and the room became a blur of lights and people shouting spells. One of the attacks hit James and forced him to the ground. Kira scrambled out of the way so she wouldn't be landed on and was grabbed by one of the attackers. James leapt to his feet and the man that had grabbed Kira, took off running. He threw the little girl over his shoulder and powered down the hall. He was soon being followed by a pissed off stag. Moments later it was a pissed off stag and a fanatical dog who wanted blood to paint the walls! Okay, so he just wanted to kill the guy, but doesn't the other way sound better? Remus stayed with the other attackers as Peter hid. Cota hacked into the security lasers and seemed to think that this was a very fun video game as he shot them down at random moments, and after a while began announcing his score. The hostage taker ran down a marble floor and could here his attackers behind him, there seemed to be four of them, running in pretty good unison. When he turned around he saw the real story and let out a yelp as something pricked him in the butt. More guards showed up, followed by more, and more, and- (Mike: get on with it!) The first guard ran through them and continued on his way, leaving his comrades to deal with the animals. He skidded around another corner and suddenly his load was a light lighter. He stopped and looked back to see that Kira had grabbed onto the threshold and was dangling 6 feet off the ground. The man started back for her, cursing, when-
"Seventeen!" He heard someone yell.
"twenty!" Someone else yelled.
"Nineteen" The first voice called. "Twenty!...... Twenty-one"
"You win, for now" Sirius announced as James and himself apeared at the other end of the hall. The hostage taker jumped forward and tried to grab Kira; he received a swift kick for his troubled and went down as he heard his nose break. Sirius cheered and James caught Kira as she fell into his arms. Remus and Peter soon apeared, along with a gloating voice from a security camera. They moved as quickly as they could once they reached the first floor, then Kira stopped. James looked back when he felt her let go of his cloak. She was staring at an alcove they hadn't seen before. James walked over to her and followed her gaze. There stood Dima, she smiled and tilted her head south, to the exit. Kira had a look on her face that James didn't think a little girl could get. It was like most of her desperately wanted to leave this horrible place, yet there was a small part of her that didn't want to loose something, or someone. Dima shook her head and turned around. "Good bye, Kira Te-... Kira Potter" And with that, she was gone. James heard a siren and Kira jumped. She was terrified and everyone was caught off balance, as an earthquake seemed to be shaking the building. James held Kira tightly against him as the building shook. They saw a smaller room to the right, with Cota's help, and ducked into it. They held their ground as the minutes ticked by, but then they had no choice. They had to run. The alarm wasn't shutting off, and Cota couldn't make it shut off. Sirius went first, then James, then Remus, followed closely by Peter. They ran for the exit as fast as their legs would carry them. A light flashed and Kira and James were thrown into another hallway. Kira was the first to move, her eyes flashed and the red laser dimmed. The next blast only sent a cut across Sirius's hand. Kira shook James and he opened his eyes and grabbed his arm. Sirius was there in a flash. James stood up with Sirius's help, but his arm was bleeding badly, a few inches below the shoulder. Remus tore off some of his cloak and used it as a bandage for the wound.
"I'm okay, let's just get the he- lets get out of here" He had actually seen Lily's face scowling at him as he almost said hell infront of his dearest daughter. They saw the exit and thundered up the stairs at maximum speed. Peter leapt out as the door slammed shut and locked with a click. They were all breathing hard and slowly backing away from the base. James heard a whinny and turned around to see Cota mounted on Pat, with the rest of the horses ready and waiting. He looked down at his little daughter.
"Are you okay?" He asked as he saw that there was blood dripping from her leg"
"Kira nodded and her eyes said what she always did when she got hurt, 'I'm fine.' She smiled weakly up at him and gradually closed her eyes. Safe and warm in her father's arms.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////
"Sir, I just saw Kira, she has made it to the exit," Dima stated, smiling slightly.
"...Maybe they can" Irving mused.
"I think so" Dima smiled.
"... That girl needs a lot of love... but I think she'll get it where she is" Irving smiled at Dima. They had saved the Angel. They had tried their hardest to be her friends, so she'd trust them. So that when he told her, her daddy was coming she'd be ready to fight against Takai's control.
"They got her, it's Game Over"(Mike: Ha... ha...) Takai's assistant, the man that had stabbed James, whimpered.
"Stupid fool! This isn't the end, it is but a grand beginning" Takai stared at the test tube containing James's blood. "Blood of the father, same blood in the girl"
"...So what?" The assistant asked. He had just figured that if they had Kira's blood, and James's blood they could make another Angel, but he was beginning to doubt it.
"Imbecile! The ANGEL is strong, but because she has that wizard's blood she has a bind to him."
"I know that sir. That is why creating another ANGEL won't work. If you give it this blood combination it'll be weak against-"
"Do you really think he'd hurt one of my ANGELs? No, he believes they can be 'saved.' Kira won't hurt another ANGEL because she is one and the mom won't because she feels the same way as the dad"
"Yes, but like I said. You lost control of this ANGEL when she saw her father. If we make another one then there is a chance she'll try to destroy us for-"
"That have a son, you fool. Do you really think they will tell him that his sister was created in a lab? To be a tool for Voldemort? No, they'll keep the 'she's adopted' story"
"I keep telling you. The ANGEL will be too strong-"
"How do you kill an angel?"
"... I don't know"
"You give it a weakness" He sneered at the test tube of James's blood, then at the blood they had taken from Kira. "We will control the ANGEL. And this one will never escape"
However, miles away there were six people who had a different opinion. Kira was asleep, leaning against Cota. James's shoulder was hurt and Remus was trying to cure it. They didn't want to scare Kira. So Cota had taken her and Pat was giving the smoothest ride a magical horse can. It was like a large boat on a calm sea. Sirius had a smug grin on his face and Yuki, his horse, was strutting along. They both seemed very pleased with the mission. Peter was staring at James and Remus. The marauders, Cota, and Kira traveled under a silent night's sky, on a trail that seemed golden as it lead them safely home. It had already been decided that Sirius, Remus, and Peter would be staying at James and Lily's house for the night, and some of the morn- and most of the morning.
"Whoa" Cota stopped, hits shoulder and arm was numb, it was freezing cold, he was worried about his little adopted sister, but- "Does anyone else smell that?" He also knew there was one thing that made most of those problems go away.
"What?" Peter squeaked, paranoid.
"What is it?" Sirius asked, calmly.
"... Why it's" Remus began.
"Coffee" Cota smiled, afraid that cheering would wake Kira up.
"Right, that reminds me. I signed you up for C.A.A" James sneered.
"Coffee addicts anonymous... ha, ha" Cota replied.
"James, not to abandon the joke, but..." Sirius started.
James laughed. "Where is it coming from?" He looked over to see a familiar 'that is my point' look coming from Cota. There wasn't anything around them for miles. "Okay... that's strange"
"What? The fact that the kid is better at this then us?" Peter asked, receiving glared from his comrades.
"No! That... forget it, let's just go home" Sirius sighed.
"And forget about the invisible coffee shop, I think not" Cota stated.
"Sure, we'll just keep Kira out in the cold for another hour as we search for an enchanted coffee shop" Remus smiled.
All hopes of finding this magical Starbucks was abandoned and the marauders turned homeward. Yes, there were a few songs about homeward bound, I wish I was, hoooomewaaard bound. But Peter shut up soon enough as his teammates sped up to get out of hearing range. Anyway! BACK TO THE PLOT. (Mike: Awww) Our hero's turned onto Godrics Hollow and shifted into returning champion mode. Each of the tired souls perked up and sat quite proudly, mounted upon their gallant steeds. All except Kira, who was half asleep and Peter who is a WORM!!! (Mike:...anger management much? Eve: Shut up, worm!...Sorry. Mike: Yeah, I know :-D) Anyway, the champions strutted down the lane in perfect formation, heads held high and a song of victory in their hearts. All except Kira who was half-asleep and Peter who is a WORM! James, a valiant leader, with a fearless expression on his face. He smiled back at his friends, mission accomplished and relief in their tired bones. All except- (Mike: ENOUGH!)
"James, Cota!" Lily burst from the house, tears of joy in her eyes as the marauders dismounted. (Eve:*thinking* All except...worm!) James was immediately hugged by Lily, and bit his lip in an effort to contain the pain of his shoulder still being cut open. Sirius wrapped his arms around Lily and James, smiled and said-
"So, now that we got out of the lab with infected animals, who wants to shower before any more greetings are made?" Lily responded to this by hitting him. "Okay, okay. A bit worried were ya?"
"What are the odds of you laying down with me and Kira still on you?" Cota asked hopefully as Pat swayed back and forth in hope of someone petting him. "I'll buy you a salad if you lay down... I'll give you the salad too... I'll never make you carry my guitar again..." Cota tried. Dumbledore somehow got out of the house and among the group without being seen or heard. For he now stood at Cota's side.
"Bribing your horse?" Albus asked.
"I, uh, if he lays down it'll be easier to get Kira off" Cota lie- explained.
Kira, hearing her name, blinked and looked up at Cota. Dumbledore lifted her off the horse and set her on the ground. Kira stood awkwardly, her leg hurting and her tiredness getting the best of her. Remus was quick to pick her up again and charter her towards the house. Cota stayed on the horse. Dumbledore smiled up at him, and waited.
"Um..." Cota started.
"Coming inside?" Dumbledore asked as James was hauled into the house by Lily, who had discovered his wound, and Sirius who was cracking up. And Peter who was- (Mike: A worm? Eve: ...Yeah... *looks away*)
"...no" Cota replied. Not wanting to admit exactly why he wasn't getting off. He couldn't dismount because his shoulder had locked into place and he knew he'd lose his balance.
Dumbledore gave a knowing smile and Cota pretended to be very interested in Pat's left front leg. That would be the point that Derek showed up. And with Derek, always came-
"Pizza!" Derek.
"Thank Merlin!" Lily.
"Thank Quiditch!" James.
"...." Kira.
"Thank card board pizza boxes" Remus, being a smart a$$.
"Thank- Whoever-gets-to-it-first-gets-dibs!" Sirius, all in one quick breath.
"You move, I'll petrify you" James, through a smile before Sirius could lunge for the pizza.
"Drat!" Sirius.
"Thank... are we still thanking?" Worm.
"Kira!" Trinidy. "And pizza.... KIRA!"
"Hey, Derek" Cota greeted, thanking distractions.
Derek smiled back as he tossed one pizza to Sirius and one to Lily. One look at Cota explained the situation.
"Are we still going to check Pat's hoof?" He asked, covering.
"Yeah" Cota nodded, thanking his, now, very best friend. Dumbledore accepted this excuse and turned to go inside before Sirius did his normal routine of hording food. He did this during the Order meetings too. That was why he had very little food in his house, but never went hungry, that and James. Derek climbed of his horse and strode over to Cota.
"My friend, you do realize that this is the reason you weren't supposed to ride" Derek smiled.
"Are you going to lecture me, or help me?" Cota asked.
Derek put one foot back, braced himself and said- "I'm here for ya" Cota swung his leg over and immediately toppled backward. Derek caught him and fell backwards a short distance. "Fun, why don't we dismount this way more often?" Derek laughed.
"Sorry" Cota smiled as they stood up. Derek helped him rearrange the sling and then they headed inside. Derek revealing another pizza box from his saddlebag, he had shrunken it and now resized it. They headed into the house to find the only sign of true bliss they'd seen in the house ever since Kira had been taken.
"I swear, nothing bad can ever last with this group" Derek smiled.
"...We ran out of coffee once" Cota admitted.
"You lie" Derek laughed.
In the celebration only one person noticed that Kira was acting strangely. She wouldn't open her mouth, she was very still, and seemed confused. Lily was looking at the bruises on her daughter and using a special remedy to disinfect any cuts. Dumbledore knew for a fact that that stuff stung, yet Kira was staring at a wall. She didn't move, she just stared as Lily fussed over each mark with growing hatred. James was quite sure she'd like to reach her arm down Takai's throat and pull him inside out.
"I'll hurt him for doing this to you" Lily was saying. "I'll-... Kira?" Lily had also noticed the change.
Kira's head turned towards Lily, but her eyes remained on the wall. Lily quickly lead Kira into the master bedroom and away from all the noise of the celebration. Dumbledore followed and James tried, but Lily told him to go bandage the cut. "Kira? Kira sweetie? Look at me" Kira's eyes traveled to Lily, Kira smiled weakly and tried to say something, but no sound came. Lily stared into her daughter's eyes and let out a startled gasp, then quickly wrapped her arms around Kira. "Oh, baby" She shuddered. "What did they do to you?"
When Lily looked into Kira's eyes, she didn't see happiness. She saw what Kira had been through and it scared her. She hated to admit it, but it made her feel distant, like for a moment she was afraid of her own daughter.
"It's alright, Lily" Dumbledore said, comfortingly. "She'll be okay" Dumbledore sounded confident, but the sparkle in his eyes seemed to be acknowledging something. He had known from the beginning that this little girl would need more love then most parents can give. However, he'd seen that every movement Lily and James ever made around their children reflected love. They never walked past their children with out giving a warm smile, never turned their heads to talk to someone else when their child needed comforting. It was as if their child was their best friends and no one was more important. So he had though Kira would be okay.
But, he also knew that they had to keep up a distance in public. They had to keep up the 'she's just staying with us for a while. Her parents will come soon' story. That was important untill things died down and Kira's presence was accepted. People had to look at Kira and think 'oh yes, Lily and James are watching her' not 'she doesn't look like anyone I've seen... hmmm.' It was already agreed that Harry would be told that his sister was from a different country and had been rescued. Simple as that. Dumbledore knew the importance of this and drove it into James and Lily's minds all the time.
He loved Kira and Harry, but he also knew that she'd only be safe once everyone accepted her. Untill then, she was only visiting. Dumbledore watched as the tinny girl drifted asleep in her mother's arms. The poor thing had been through enough. And Albus was driven to make sure this never happened again. He knew he had to concentrate more on Harry, so he could keep up a public appearance of not knowing how long Kira would be staying with the Potters. "Everything will be fine, dear. Just give it some time" Albus spoke calmingly. Lily nodded and James burst into the room, a very hastily done bandage was tied around his arm. Albus took this time to remind them of the story, and why it was important. They knew it and agreed.
"Don't worry. You're safe" James whispered as he carried Kira up the stairs to her room. "You're safe with us"
Mike: Yeah, sup?
Eve: Inform me when they answer you.
Mike:... anyway!
Eve: Sorry I have not posted in a while. I'm working on creating a game for this part of the story, It'll give more info. However, my multiple attempts at a DHTML game failed and I'm working with tables and text now. It'll be a while, but I'm trying my hardest what with school and blah, and all.
Mike: So...
Eve: So this chapter is extra long, also, the web site is being revamped-
Mike: Shut it with the vampire jokes and just put in a plug for your stories on fictionpress.
Eve: My stories?
Mike: Yeah, Those Who Defy Their Destiny and the sequel, Blood of Midnight.
Eve: There will be no plug. *grinning*
Mike: Good. Anyway... you tricked me
Eve: On with the fic!
****
James entered the room and looked around in disbelief. This room was different from all the rest. It had a huge mirror covering one wall, then TV monitors faced so that if you sat infront of them the picture would surround your entire field of vision. It had artificial lights and white walls, but then James saw a bookshelf. A metal bookshelf and a little table littered with paper and crayons. Also there was a bed under the mirror. James took a step and his foot hit something, he looked down to see a little toy raccoon. Sirius, Remus, and Peter soon followed James into the room. He knelt down and picked up the toy. She had to be here somewhere. A noise to his left made James jump and his head snapped over in the direction it had come from. The girl was huddled on the other side of the bed, she had peeked out, but jerked back the moment they had turned towards her. James stood up and rushed over. She pressed herself against the wall and curled up as tightly as she could. But she was not attacking, and she wasn't using that shield on them; so, James guessed it was as good a chance as any to free this girl from Takai's control and find out where Kira had been taken.
"It's okay" James comforted, kneeling infront of her. He reached for the helmet and she tried to move away. James took hold of the clasps as gently as he could and pressed to release them. The locks whirred and spun. James lifted the helmet off her head and threw it behind him, to Peter. The girl had her eyes closed and her head turned, and then she opened one eye. That amethyst colored eye caught sight of James and the other eye quickly opened. She blinked as if trying to make sure he was really there. Her greatly afraid stature and pose relaxed slightly and she stared is disbelief.
"Kira" James smiled and held back tears as he saw his darling daughter. Kira leapt forward, throwing her arms around him.
"Daddy!" She cried. James wrapped his arms around her, not wanting to let her go for fear that this might not be real.
"It's okay. Everything is okay. You're safe now" James promised.
The three other marauders glowed with pride at the scene and the love. No matter what anyone did to her she remembered her father. And that father would have done anything for her.
"Hello, Kira" Cota chimed over the intercom. Kira looked at the security camera with a bewildered look on her face. Then smiled slightly and waved.
"So, I'd say the mission was a huge success" Sirius grinned.
"Yeah" Peter and Remus grinned.
"I hate to be the kill joy of this evening... morning, but we gotta go. NOW!" Cota announced.
"Right" Sirius grabbed the file of the wall and stuffed it into a bag. James picked Kira up into his arms and headed for the door. Remus and Peter followed in the back. They all made their way down the hall and paused at the doorway to the warehouse-like room. James set Kira down and she punched in a code, opening the door. They walked through and saw that the monster was awake, and five feet from them. James pushed Kira behind him and she grabbed onto his cloak.
"Right then, wands out, d'ya think?" Sirius grinned, all too happily.
Kira shook her head in protest. The beast roared loudly and Peter ducked.
"What do you suggest we do?" He squeaked. "Walk right by?"
Kira nodded.
"It's worth a try" Remus shrugged.
Sirius went first, then James, with Kira at his side, then Remus, then Peter. Kira watched the creature and her eyes shone; it looked at her, turned, and exited to the gateway. Kira smiled and they headed up the stairs. She was slow at moving, but she knew her way around better then anyone else. James had one hand protectively over his daughter and the other firmly on his wand. They reached the lift and Kira punched in a code. James heard the lift and took a few steps back, his eyes drifting over to the door No name had came out of before. Kira whimpered softly and James forgot any curiosity and hugged her. It didn't matter anymore, all that mattered was that she was safe. James looked down at Kira, her eyes sparkled and seem to say 'I knew you'd come for me someday.' He smiled and the lift beeped. Everyone entered the lift and, with a silent prayer, Remus tapped the button. The lift moved and they all breathed out a sigh of relief. When they reach the second floor, Sirius leapt from the closed area and landed in attack formation with Remus and James, who had done it accidentally as a reflex. Peter hid behind the child, actually he just stood there behind Kira and beamed at his comrades. Kira carefully stepped across the elevator threshold, she was unsteady and limped as she followed along. When there didn't seem to be any danger, Peter came out and tried to act like he was guarding, not hiding. Very cautiously the marauders and little Kira traveled down each hallway. Then-
"LORD JAMES IT'S A TR-!!!"
"There they are!"
"We have them surrounded!"
"Go! Go! Go!"
"Everyone in position!"
"Fire at will!"
"Don't hit the ANGEL!"
Before our heroes had anytime to react they found themselves surrounded. James covered Kira, who was clutching his leg and peering out from behind his cloak at the attackers. She was shaking and James prepared to attack. His cloak was special; it would block most of their weaker attacks so Kira was safe, for now. The enemy fired the first shot and James moved to shield Kira. The little girl's eyes were wide in terror as she clutched her father for dear life. Sirius dealt the next blow and the room became a blur of lights and people shouting spells. One of the attacks hit James and forced him to the ground. Kira scrambled out of the way so she wouldn't be landed on and was grabbed by one of the attackers. James leapt to his feet and the man that had grabbed Kira, took off running. He threw the little girl over his shoulder and powered down the hall. He was soon being followed by a pissed off stag. Moments later it was a pissed off stag and a fanatical dog who wanted blood to paint the walls! Okay, so he just wanted to kill the guy, but doesn't the other way sound better? Remus stayed with the other attackers as Peter hid. Cota hacked into the security lasers and seemed to think that this was a very fun video game as he shot them down at random moments, and after a while began announcing his score. The hostage taker ran down a marble floor and could here his attackers behind him, there seemed to be four of them, running in pretty good unison. When he turned around he saw the real story and let out a yelp as something pricked him in the butt. More guards showed up, followed by more, and more, and- (Mike: get on with it!) The first guard ran through them and continued on his way, leaving his comrades to deal with the animals. He skidded around another corner and suddenly his load was a light lighter. He stopped and looked back to see that Kira had grabbed onto the threshold and was dangling 6 feet off the ground. The man started back for her, cursing, when-
"Seventeen!" He heard someone yell.
"twenty!" Someone else yelled.
"Nineteen" The first voice called. "Twenty!...... Twenty-one"
"You win, for now" Sirius announced as James and himself apeared at the other end of the hall. The hostage taker jumped forward and tried to grab Kira; he received a swift kick for his troubled and went down as he heard his nose break. Sirius cheered and James caught Kira as she fell into his arms. Remus and Peter soon apeared, along with a gloating voice from a security camera. They moved as quickly as they could once they reached the first floor, then Kira stopped. James looked back when he felt her let go of his cloak. She was staring at an alcove they hadn't seen before. James walked over to her and followed her gaze. There stood Dima, she smiled and tilted her head south, to the exit. Kira had a look on her face that James didn't think a little girl could get. It was like most of her desperately wanted to leave this horrible place, yet there was a small part of her that didn't want to loose something, or someone. Dima shook her head and turned around. "Good bye, Kira Te-... Kira Potter" And with that, she was gone. James heard a siren and Kira jumped. She was terrified and everyone was caught off balance, as an earthquake seemed to be shaking the building. James held Kira tightly against him as the building shook. They saw a smaller room to the right, with Cota's help, and ducked into it. They held their ground as the minutes ticked by, but then they had no choice. They had to run. The alarm wasn't shutting off, and Cota couldn't make it shut off. Sirius went first, then James, then Remus, followed closely by Peter. They ran for the exit as fast as their legs would carry them. A light flashed and Kira and James were thrown into another hallway. Kira was the first to move, her eyes flashed and the red laser dimmed. The next blast only sent a cut across Sirius's hand. Kira shook James and he opened his eyes and grabbed his arm. Sirius was there in a flash. James stood up with Sirius's help, but his arm was bleeding badly, a few inches below the shoulder. Remus tore off some of his cloak and used it as a bandage for the wound.
"I'm okay, let's just get the he- lets get out of here" He had actually seen Lily's face scowling at him as he almost said hell infront of his dearest daughter. They saw the exit and thundered up the stairs at maximum speed. Peter leapt out as the door slammed shut and locked with a click. They were all breathing hard and slowly backing away from the base. James heard a whinny and turned around to see Cota mounted on Pat, with the rest of the horses ready and waiting. He looked down at his little daughter.
"Are you okay?" He asked as he saw that there was blood dripping from her leg"
"Kira nodded and her eyes said what she always did when she got hurt, 'I'm fine.' She smiled weakly up at him and gradually closed her eyes. Safe and warm in her father's arms.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////
"Sir, I just saw Kira, she has made it to the exit," Dima stated, smiling slightly.
"...Maybe they can" Irving mused.
"I think so" Dima smiled.
"... That girl needs a lot of love... but I think she'll get it where she is" Irving smiled at Dima. They had saved the Angel. They had tried their hardest to be her friends, so she'd trust them. So that when he told her, her daddy was coming she'd be ready to fight against Takai's control.
"They got her, it's Game Over"(Mike: Ha... ha...) Takai's assistant, the man that had stabbed James, whimpered.
"Stupid fool! This isn't the end, it is but a grand beginning" Takai stared at the test tube containing James's blood. "Blood of the father, same blood in the girl"
"...So what?" The assistant asked. He had just figured that if they had Kira's blood, and James's blood they could make another Angel, but he was beginning to doubt it.
"Imbecile! The ANGEL is strong, but because she has that wizard's blood she has a bind to him."
"I know that sir. That is why creating another ANGEL won't work. If you give it this blood combination it'll be weak against-"
"Do you really think he'd hurt one of my ANGELs? No, he believes they can be 'saved.' Kira won't hurt another ANGEL because she is one and the mom won't because she feels the same way as the dad"
"Yes, but like I said. You lost control of this ANGEL when she saw her father. If we make another one then there is a chance she'll try to destroy us for-"
"That have a son, you fool. Do you really think they will tell him that his sister was created in a lab? To be a tool for Voldemort? No, they'll keep the 'she's adopted' story"
"I keep telling you. The ANGEL will be too strong-"
"How do you kill an angel?"
"... I don't know"
"You give it a weakness" He sneered at the test tube of James's blood, then at the blood they had taken from Kira. "We will control the ANGEL. And this one will never escape"
However, miles away there were six people who had a different opinion. Kira was asleep, leaning against Cota. James's shoulder was hurt and Remus was trying to cure it. They didn't want to scare Kira. So Cota had taken her and Pat was giving the smoothest ride a magical horse can. It was like a large boat on a calm sea. Sirius had a smug grin on his face and Yuki, his horse, was strutting along. They both seemed very pleased with the mission. Peter was staring at James and Remus. The marauders, Cota, and Kira traveled under a silent night's sky, on a trail that seemed golden as it lead them safely home. It had already been decided that Sirius, Remus, and Peter would be staying at James and Lily's house for the night, and some of the morn- and most of the morning.
"Whoa" Cota stopped, hits shoulder and arm was numb, it was freezing cold, he was worried about his little adopted sister, but- "Does anyone else smell that?" He also knew there was one thing that made most of those problems go away.
"What?" Peter squeaked, paranoid.
"What is it?" Sirius asked, calmly.
"... Why it's" Remus began.
"Coffee" Cota smiled, afraid that cheering would wake Kira up.
"Right, that reminds me. I signed you up for C.A.A" James sneered.
"Coffee addicts anonymous... ha, ha" Cota replied.
"James, not to abandon the joke, but..." Sirius started.
James laughed. "Where is it coming from?" He looked over to see a familiar 'that is my point' look coming from Cota. There wasn't anything around them for miles. "Okay... that's strange"
"What? The fact that the kid is better at this then us?" Peter asked, receiving glared from his comrades.
"No! That... forget it, let's just go home" Sirius sighed.
"And forget about the invisible coffee shop, I think not" Cota stated.
"Sure, we'll just keep Kira out in the cold for another hour as we search for an enchanted coffee shop" Remus smiled.
All hopes of finding this magical Starbucks was abandoned and the marauders turned homeward. Yes, there were a few songs about homeward bound, I wish I was, hoooomewaaard bound. But Peter shut up soon enough as his teammates sped up to get out of hearing range. Anyway! BACK TO THE PLOT. (Mike: Awww) Our hero's turned onto Godrics Hollow and shifted into returning champion mode. Each of the tired souls perked up and sat quite proudly, mounted upon their gallant steeds. All except Kira, who was half asleep and Peter who is a WORM!!! (Mike:...anger management much? Eve: Shut up, worm!...Sorry. Mike: Yeah, I know :-D) Anyway, the champions strutted down the lane in perfect formation, heads held high and a song of victory in their hearts. All except Kira who was half-asleep and Peter who is a WORM! James, a valiant leader, with a fearless expression on his face. He smiled back at his friends, mission accomplished and relief in their tired bones. All except- (Mike: ENOUGH!)
"James, Cota!" Lily burst from the house, tears of joy in her eyes as the marauders dismounted. (Eve:*thinking* All except...worm!) James was immediately hugged by Lily, and bit his lip in an effort to contain the pain of his shoulder still being cut open. Sirius wrapped his arms around Lily and James, smiled and said-
"So, now that we got out of the lab with infected animals, who wants to shower before any more greetings are made?" Lily responded to this by hitting him. "Okay, okay. A bit worried were ya?"
"What are the odds of you laying down with me and Kira still on you?" Cota asked hopefully as Pat swayed back and forth in hope of someone petting him. "I'll buy you a salad if you lay down... I'll give you the salad too... I'll never make you carry my guitar again..." Cota tried. Dumbledore somehow got out of the house and among the group without being seen or heard. For he now stood at Cota's side.
"Bribing your horse?" Albus asked.
"I, uh, if he lays down it'll be easier to get Kira off" Cota lie- explained.
Kira, hearing her name, blinked and looked up at Cota. Dumbledore lifted her off the horse and set her on the ground. Kira stood awkwardly, her leg hurting and her tiredness getting the best of her. Remus was quick to pick her up again and charter her towards the house. Cota stayed on the horse. Dumbledore smiled up at him, and waited.
"Um..." Cota started.
"Coming inside?" Dumbledore asked as James was hauled into the house by Lily, who had discovered his wound, and Sirius who was cracking up. And Peter who was- (Mike: A worm? Eve: ...Yeah... *looks away*)
"...no" Cota replied. Not wanting to admit exactly why he wasn't getting off. He couldn't dismount because his shoulder had locked into place and he knew he'd lose his balance.
Dumbledore gave a knowing smile and Cota pretended to be very interested in Pat's left front leg. That would be the point that Derek showed up. And with Derek, always came-
"Pizza!" Derek.
"Thank Merlin!" Lily.
"Thank Quiditch!" James.
"...." Kira.
"Thank card board pizza boxes" Remus, being a smart a$$.
"Thank- Whoever-gets-to-it-first-gets-dibs!" Sirius, all in one quick breath.
"You move, I'll petrify you" James, through a smile before Sirius could lunge for the pizza.
"Drat!" Sirius.
"Thank... are we still thanking?" Worm.
"Kira!" Trinidy. "And pizza.... KIRA!"
"Hey, Derek" Cota greeted, thanking distractions.
Derek smiled back as he tossed one pizza to Sirius and one to Lily. One look at Cota explained the situation.
"Are we still going to check Pat's hoof?" He asked, covering.
"Yeah" Cota nodded, thanking his, now, very best friend. Dumbledore accepted this excuse and turned to go inside before Sirius did his normal routine of hording food. He did this during the Order meetings too. That was why he had very little food in his house, but never went hungry, that and James. Derek climbed of his horse and strode over to Cota.
"My friend, you do realize that this is the reason you weren't supposed to ride" Derek smiled.
"Are you going to lecture me, or help me?" Cota asked.
Derek put one foot back, braced himself and said- "I'm here for ya" Cota swung his leg over and immediately toppled backward. Derek caught him and fell backwards a short distance. "Fun, why don't we dismount this way more often?" Derek laughed.
"Sorry" Cota smiled as they stood up. Derek helped him rearrange the sling and then they headed inside. Derek revealing another pizza box from his saddlebag, he had shrunken it and now resized it. They headed into the house to find the only sign of true bliss they'd seen in the house ever since Kira had been taken.
"I swear, nothing bad can ever last with this group" Derek smiled.
"...We ran out of coffee once" Cota admitted.
"You lie" Derek laughed.
In the celebration only one person noticed that Kira was acting strangely. She wouldn't open her mouth, she was very still, and seemed confused. Lily was looking at the bruises on her daughter and using a special remedy to disinfect any cuts. Dumbledore knew for a fact that that stuff stung, yet Kira was staring at a wall. She didn't move, she just stared as Lily fussed over each mark with growing hatred. James was quite sure she'd like to reach her arm down Takai's throat and pull him inside out.
"I'll hurt him for doing this to you" Lily was saying. "I'll-... Kira?" Lily had also noticed the change.
Kira's head turned towards Lily, but her eyes remained on the wall. Lily quickly lead Kira into the master bedroom and away from all the noise of the celebration. Dumbledore followed and James tried, but Lily told him to go bandage the cut. "Kira? Kira sweetie? Look at me" Kira's eyes traveled to Lily, Kira smiled weakly and tried to say something, but no sound came. Lily stared into her daughter's eyes and let out a startled gasp, then quickly wrapped her arms around Kira. "Oh, baby" She shuddered. "What did they do to you?"
When Lily looked into Kira's eyes, she didn't see happiness. She saw what Kira had been through and it scared her. She hated to admit it, but it made her feel distant, like for a moment she was afraid of her own daughter.
"It's alright, Lily" Dumbledore said, comfortingly. "She'll be okay" Dumbledore sounded confident, but the sparkle in his eyes seemed to be acknowledging something. He had known from the beginning that this little girl would need more love then most parents can give. However, he'd seen that every movement Lily and James ever made around their children reflected love. They never walked past their children with out giving a warm smile, never turned their heads to talk to someone else when their child needed comforting. It was as if their child was their best friends and no one was more important. So he had though Kira would be okay.
But, he also knew that they had to keep up a distance in public. They had to keep up the 'she's just staying with us for a while. Her parents will come soon' story. That was important untill things died down and Kira's presence was accepted. People had to look at Kira and think 'oh yes, Lily and James are watching her' not 'she doesn't look like anyone I've seen... hmmm.' It was already agreed that Harry would be told that his sister was from a different country and had been rescued. Simple as that. Dumbledore knew the importance of this and drove it into James and Lily's minds all the time.
He loved Kira and Harry, but he also knew that she'd only be safe once everyone accepted her. Untill then, she was only visiting. Dumbledore watched as the tinny girl drifted asleep in her mother's arms. The poor thing had been through enough. And Albus was driven to make sure this never happened again. He knew he had to concentrate more on Harry, so he could keep up a public appearance of not knowing how long Kira would be staying with the Potters. "Everything will be fine, dear. Just give it some time" Albus spoke calmingly. Lily nodded and James burst into the room, a very hastily done bandage was tied around his arm. Albus took this time to remind them of the story, and why it was important. They knew it and agreed.
"Don't worry. You're safe" James whispered as he carried Kira up the stairs to her room. "You're safe with us"
