Give Me Something Good To Eat

When her fellow Pre-Brats found her, Hotaru was laying her head on the conference table looking like she hadn't had enough sleep. Diana quietly walked up to the younger girl to feel her forehead only to turn back and shrug at the others. Jace bent down a little so he could see more or less eye to eye with Hotaru. He ended up putting his head on the table in order to do so.

"What's up Firefly?" Jace asked.

Zack added, "You look like someone dragged you through h-"

Both Dana and Diana gave Zack the look.

"Never mind…" Zack turned away just so he didn't have to look at them.

Hotaru mumbled, "My Uncle Duo took me and my family shopping for Halloween costumes for me."

"Halloween fun!" Diana clapped, "Funny, we were coming here to talk to you about that."

"Geez, you didn't already get a costume did you?" Zack asked, "I mean, we had this really great idea, well several and we wanted to give you the final vote."

"No, it was a disaster," Hotaru shook her head.

"Disaster?" echoed the Pre-Brats.

Zack mused, "Well… we all did agree that if Mr. Maxwell had a middle name it would be disaster…"

"It couldn't have been that bad," Diana replied.

"You weren't the one put into a fluffy unicorn costume!"

Zack coughed, "Unicorn! Aww… Our little Firefly-"

Hotaru glared at him.

"As inherited her daddy's glare," Zack finished.

The others snickered at Zack as he backed up away from Hotaru. Taking a seat at the conference table two chairs away from her. Diana and Dana decided to place themselves between the two while Jace took the head of the table. Everyone turned to him expecting something out of their fearless leader.

"Well…" Jace said slowly, "It's almost Halloween again, which means…"

"Time to plan the party!" Zack shouted.

Dana bonked him on the head, "Every year Hotaru we come up with a theme to dress up to."

"Last year we were the Scoobies from an old Earth cartoon called Scooby Doo," Diana explained, "The year before that it was Lord of the Rings, and so forth. Sometimes we even just all dressed up in a theme like old Earth monsters or something."

Zack leaned back in his chair, "Now there is five of us, which just means more fun!"

"Don't even get into that," Dana warned, "We don't need Mr. Yuy on our heels thank you. I value my life!"

"Aww… Come on it can't be that bad," Zack whined halfheartedly as he poked Dana.

Dana swatted his hand off, "So anyhow Hotaru-chan what do you think?"

"Sounds good," Hotaru mused, "Better than going costume shopping again."

Jace nodded, "Our first idea was…"

"Fantasy!" Diana clapped, "I would be a lady-in-waiting."

Zack sighed, "Jace figured the guys would be knights or bodyguards or something."

"Me, I would be a merc," Dana smirked, "and Hotaru would be our princess."

"No," Hotaru stated, "I got put into a princess costume. Too frilly. No."

Jace grinned, "Don't worry, we figured that a frilly princess wouldn't be you. My mom makes the costumes and she's been dying to make one for a little girl. You could be the princess of…"

"Darkside," Zack suggested.

"Crystalise," Diana suggested.

Hotaru looked at all of them thoughtfully, "If I have to be a princess, then I would rather be the princess of Saturn."

"Saturn?" everyone else in the room echoed.

"Uh huh…" Hotaru nodded, "Saturn is my favourite planet and that's what I would rather be princess of."

Jace asked, "What gave you that idea?"

"My dolls," Hotaru explained.

All the Pre-Brats had been over to Hotaru's at least one by now and had seen her famous doll collection. A collection of dolls that Hotaru named after planets and Earth's moon. They were a royal court Hotaru claimed, she even went as far as to cut and dye one of the dolls' hair blue.

"Anyhow," Jace continued, "I have a few more plans as well."

Dana chuckled, "Now this is just asking for trouble."

"But isn't the Pre-Brats always suppose to get into trouble anyways?" Hotaru asked innocently.

"Good point!" Zack crowed, "So, give it to us o'fearless leader."

Jack leaned forward with a sly grin on his face, "Here's the plan…"

Another day came and went, and during that time Hotaru convinced Duo that she could come up with her own costume. The guys somewhat lighten the load of her school work since Hotaru was not only ahead, but with Halloween coming up it was really hard to get a seven year old to sit down for more than ten minutes. Previous years before Hotaru ever came into their lives Halloween was more or less a peaceful time of year. The only person that ever excited about it was Duo whom would buy tons of candy whether or not he would be able to give it all away. In fact the afternoon of Halloween Hotaru watched her uncle pour out bag after bag of candy he brought a week in advance.

"Uncle Duo…"

"What's up Hotaru?"

Hotaru eyed the vast amounts of candy uncertainly, "Are you sure you need this much candy?"

"Of course Taru-chan!" Duo exclaimed, "That's why kids come here every year."

Heero and Trowa came in after another of their secret missions, though with Hotaru around these days all missions were secret since they rather not Hotaru find out about how much danger they get into regularly. They came in just in time to see little Hotaru craning her neck up to the counter where the unstable growing mountain of candy was being created.

"Uh Uncle Duo…"

"Just a moment Hotaru."

"But Uncle Duo…"

"Not now Hotaru, Uncle Duo is busy."

"But Uncle Duo…"

"Taru, just wait."

"But Uncle Duo, I think that mountain is going to-"

Without any proper warning the mountain of candy toppled over and started a candy-slid down to where Hotaru was standing underneath it all. Heero took one great leap so he was quickly at Hotaru's side. With no effort Heero grabbed Hotaru out of the way of the falling candy. Just in time as the candy created another pile where Hotaru once stood. The former Perfect Soldier lifted Hotaru up so that she was holding onto his shoulders before glaring at Duo.

"Why is it when I leave her with you for a only a few hours she somehow manages to get into trouble?" Heero asked.

Duo laughed, "Come on Heero, it wouldn't have hurt her. Most kids like the idea of being buried in candy."

"Duo…"

"Come on, she's fine aren't you Hotaru?"

Hotaru chirped, "I'm fine daddy, see?" she laid her head on his shoulder lovingly.

Trowa shook his head, "Duo isn't there anything else you should be doing?"

Duo looked thoughtful for a minute, "Hmm… Let's see… I don't think… Wait a minute! I remember, I forgot to decorate the front yard!"

Hotaru whispered into Heero's ear, "Daddy, I'm afraid."

Of course Hotaru wasn't really afraid, she could never be around Duo Maxwell, but his out going natural was really a bit too much for Hotaru. Hotaru was becoming, despite her love of childish fun was a lot like Heero. She preferred quiet, unless it was the playing of her own violin or listening to music.

Heero smirked, "You can't be afraid of Duo, he's nothing."

"But he's the God of Death."

Heero sighed, "Yes, but you're my daughter and we're not afraid of Death, he runs from us."

Hotaru giggled, "Why is it the God of Death is afraid of you? You're a human."

"Because around me he's human too."

Duo interrupted their little chat, "Come on Hotaru! Let's decorated the front yard!"

"Coming Uncle Duo!" Hotaru kissed Heero on the cheek before squirming her way down to the ground.

The two men watched as the child and the big over grown child ran out of the kitchen completely forgetting the piles of candy on the counter and floor. Trowa watched Heero out of the corner of his eye. Heero had this looking of contentment on his face, the kind no one would have ever thought to see on Heero's face at all. This child was doing Heero a world of good, now the question was could they do her any good in return.

"You've changed," Trowa commented.

Heero answered, "I know, and I wouldn't change that at all."

Duo lunged a huge cardboard box out into the yard where all the other neighbours were watching. Every year Duo put up incredible amounts of decorations, only this was the first year he got help doing it. Hotaru half crawled into the box only to pull out a string of lights that were in the shape of small skeletons.

"What are these?" Hotaru held them above her head.

Duo looked up, "Those are lights, just hang them on the trees Hotaru."

Hotaru gathered up the skeleton lights wrapping them around herself so she could gather more into her arms. It came to the point one would question whether she was decorating herself or the trees. Meanwhile Duo took up a shovel and proceeded to dig a few 'graves' around the front yard. Inside the house Quatre watched as Hotaru ran among the trees tossing up little lights as she went. She giggled as her hair trailed behind her in a picture of pure innocence.

Later that night Hotaru was busy zooming around the house like a busy little bee. No one knew what she and the other Pre-Brats were planning. All they did know was that Jace had taken her to his home earlier for her costume. Hotaru zipped from room to room pestering everyone. Trowa was peacefully reading when Hotaru came bounding into the room.

"Uncle Trowa!"

Trowa looked up in time to see Hotaru give him a running jump as she landed in his lap. She hugged him around the waist, and though she wasn't squeezing the life out of him (since it would take someone a lot stronger than Hotaru to do that) it was quite clear the training was taking its toll on her. Her hugs were a lot tighter than he remembered them.

"Yes Hotaru?"

Hotaru looked up at him with innocent looking eyes, "Can I bring Neo and Shadow with me for trick or treat? Daddy said I had to ask you because you're the one helping me train them."

It was true in more ways than one; Heero was just as bad with dogs as he use to be bad with kids. The training of the two dogs went to Hotaru who in turn, turned to Trowa for help. Given that Trowa could tame lions two hyper dogs weren't really a challenge.

"I suppose so, since they are well behaved," Trowa answered.

Besides the fact the little terrors were hyper has five year olds on a sugar high the dogs were actually be best trained in the neighbourhood. Whether or not this was because they adored their little mistress was questionable.

Hotaru hugged him again, "Thank you Uncle Trowa!"

Her hugs had indeed gotten tighter than the last time he remembered.

Relena was in the study finishing up some paperwork when Hotaru came rushing in. Hotaru ran around the desk to give Relena a huge hug reserved only for family.

"Mommy…"

Relena absently patted her on the head, "Do you need anything sweetie?"

"Can I borrow some of your jewelry?"

"What for?"

"It's a surprise…" Hotaru put a finger to her lips.

Relena bent down, "Yes, but I need to know what you're going to use my jewelry for."

Hotaru had this thoughtful look on her face as she thought on what Relena had said. It took a lot to not just yell out cute in front of her since Hotaru was trying to be serious. Then carefully Hotaru stood on her tiptoes and whispered into Relena's ear.

Relena's eyes widen in surprise, "I thought you didn't want to be a princess Hotaru."

"It was just the dress," Hotaru told her, "I like the dress Jace's mommy made for me. It's pretty and not white or pink. It's my favourite colour."

"Ah… So I guess I should help you then," Relena rose from her sit, "Come on, I'll help you and then you can surprise your Daddy and Uncles."

Hotaru face beamed at the idea.

The neighbourhood darkens under the dying sun of reds and oranges. As things became dark the stars started to appear one by one just like the lights of the jack-o-lanterns started to wink to life. Cloth ghosts swayed in the wind along with the clattering of plastic skeletons. Dry autumn leaves tumbled across the streets pushed by the cold Halloween wind. Tonight witches will ride free, ghosts will haunt, wolves will howl, ghouls will rise from the grave and an entourage fit for a princess will march.

Ding Dong!

Duo heaved the large bowl of candy on his shoulder before opening the door.  There before him were four people. The girl with long flowing blue hair done up in a medieval style was clearly Diana. She was holding a wagon that was painted black and so that it wouldn't break the rules of having things that could be seen in the dark for their safety it was decorated with shining silver dots that were stars and a planet with rings that was also made out of silver. Before him were two boys, clearly just by Diana being there Duo knew who.

"Jace! Zack! What are the Pre-Brats doing here?" Duo grinned.

Jace pulled back his homemade cloak, "Why else? To get our youngest Pre-Brat."

As if the thought of Hotaru had summoned her she appeared on the stairs like she had been conjured out of thin air. Duo knew better though, he had been teaching Hotaru how to walk quietly, like a mouse. The only person she hadn't been able to sneak up on was Heero, but Duo figured give the girl time. All eyes were on Hotaru who looked like she was about to burst with happiness. She wore a dark purple dress with long sleeves, which looped around the middle finger. It wasn't frilly; it was flowing in layers like a dark waterfall. The only piece of jewelry she wore was a silver tiara, which looked a lot like the one Relena use to wear when she was Queen of the World. Hotaru hiked up her dress so she could merrily skip down the steps.

Jace gave a mocking bow, "We are here and ready princess."

Hotaru giggled, "Don't be silly, you shouldn't have to bow."

"Hey!" Zack exclaimed, "We're your knights, well the guys anyways. Let us have our fun, but aren't we missing something?"

Hotaru nodded, her head bobbing up and down so quickly it was a wonder why it didn't come off. She turned and gave a sharp whistle. Out into the front hall came Neo and Shadow just as content with their tongues rolling out in a doggy grin. They too were bedecked and costumed for the event. Cloths of dark purple were draped over their backs, straps from the cloth wrapped around their chest and stomachs kept the things from falling off.

Duo looked at his niece, "I hope you aren't hitching those two to the wagon."

Hotaru winked, "I won't tell if you won't."

"Your Dad will kill me but…" Duo looked at the Brats and then at the dogs before looking back at Hotaru, "What the heck, he's been threatening to kill me for years and hasn't done it yet."

Zack ushered Hotaru outside, "Come on before Mr. Maxwell changes his mind."

Author Notes: More cute stuff and less funny stuff, sorry people, but I've learnt something valuable a long time ago. If you think you should stop, then stop or else you're just babbling and it won't make sense. I lost the train of thought on this chapter and well I feel that it should end… the chapter I mean.

On another note I nearly didn't get this one done. Partly because I needed to drag my ass away from Windwaker for starters and I've been writing something else for a friend of mine. No, it isn't a story that'll be posted, but you should check it out. It's at the place is a site for an RPG club that I've been in for the past three years. If any of you read Wing School you might recognize some of the characters by name. Well, just two really, but other than that well… Please, check it out. Actually my stuff, since it is for the light side probably isn't up yet, but Francis (the guy who made the site) did a really good job I think should be shown off.