So this chapter is probably the first one that I've made a pretty drastic change to. I took out the drama with Mavis lying to Danny about spending time with Johnny and the whole kiss scene with Mavis and Johnny in the original writing of this story. If you do want to see what this chapter was before, feel free to check out the original version of this story and let me know how you feel about my removing of the drama. I honestly felt that it was a bit too much in addition to the whole Danny-not-having-his-memory thing and the Danny and Mavis romance with Vlad watching the hotel from the woods.

Also this is a pretty short chapter but I promise I'll make up for it in the next chapter!

Chapter 8: Seeking answers

Not a few hours later, Danny found himself walking along the halls, ignoring the heads calling out 'Do not disturb' as he passed them. He stared at the floor as he walked, his thoughts on the interaction he had just experienced with the other ghost. Vlad had been waiting for him in the trees. He hadn't attacked this time around but he had said that the red haired boy definitely wasn't his and how he wasn't a monster. Something about how he had said it made Danny believe him not that he knew why but maybe it was just the fact that the man hadn't bothered to move to attack him or even stop him as he took off to head back to the castle.

Something Vlad had said gave a name to the red haired girl who seemed to be a part of Danny's past. Jazz. Who she was, he had no idea, but he knew he was a few steps closer now and was determined to find out more. As the conversation with Vlad replayed in his head, Danny became translucent and didn't seem to notice as he had begun walking through the walls of the rooms, no longer in the halls.

Danny flew through the clouds, knowing he was far out of sight of the hotel but he'd worry about that later. Currently, he was watching the white cape of none other than Vlad Plasmius himself. Flying down to where the elder ghost had disappeared into the trees, Danny found himself alone. The other ghost had disappeared completely.

"Why Daniel, it must be a special occasion for you to come looking for me." Vlad said, appearing behind the teen.

Danny turned and took a few steps back as he tried to ignore the feeling in his stomach that was telling him to run. To get as far away from the elder ghost in front of him as he could.

"You knew me. When I was alive." Danny stated, his voice sounding more brave than the feeling in his stomach was letting him feel.

"More like when you were half alive, but yes. I knew you. You were quite the annoying little thorn in my side, you know." Vlad explained, beginning to circle the teen.

Danny turned with him, not taking his eyes off of the elder ghost.

"So I was a hero?"

Vlad gave him a curious look before grinning.

"Well, yes and no. You tried to be a hero. In some cases, you were. However, you were weak. Unable to defend yourself, you were seen as a criminal by everyone. Your neighbors. Your classmates." Vlad grinned. "Even your friends and... Family."

Danny's eyes widened at the word, a sharp pain making itself known in his head.

"Once they found out about what you were, they turned on you, causing you to come to me for help."

Danny shuddered at the memory before finally being brought back to the present, blinking at a familiar small hand waving in front of his face. Looking up, he blinked at the sight of his Aunt Sally giving him a concerned look.

"Danny? Are you alright, hun?" she asked. "You've been giving quite a few monsters here quite the scare. You can't go phasing through the walls."

Realizing where he was standing, which was in the hallway that led out to the patio, not remembering exactly how he had ended up here when he had been walking along the third floor halls. He gave an embarrassed smile and rubbed the back of his neck shyly, avoiding his aunt's eyes.

"Yeah, Aunt Sally. I'm fine." he said. "Sorry. I guess I just got lost in thought and didn't look where I was going."

A sweet smile spread across the rag doll woman's face, a glint sparking in her eye made Danny blush.

"Thinking about that young lady again?" she asked, knowingly.

Danny sputtered.

"What? I-I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Oh? That's too bad." Sally shrugged, her smile growing devious and teasing. "You're not the first one I've found lost in their thoughts."

Danny could feel his cheeks growing warmer at the implication. Mavis had been thinking about him? Butterflies formed in his stomach at the thought of being on the vampiress' mind. Sally reached forward and set her hands on her son's shoulders.

"Now, don't think I haven't noticed how you get around her. You've opened up to her faster than anyone else I've seen you meet since you've become a part of our family." Sally said, frowning slightly as her son flinched at the word.

She kissed his forehead motherly as she pulled him closer so his head was resting on her chest, her arms wrapped around him in a hug.

"Although it pains me to see my baby run off with another girl, I know she'll be good for you." Sally said, softly. "Just don't go forgetting about Jack and I."

Danny smiled at his aunt as he pulled out of the hug, his arms hanging at his sides as Sally's hands came to rest on his shoulders. He always enjoyed this motherly side of her. Sally and Jack had helped him through so much since he came to Halloween town. Their teasing and loving moments were what had helped him push away his bad memories and learn how to be happy again.

"Thank you, Aunt Sally. For being patient with me." He said as his aunt pulled him closer and placed a kiss in his hair.

"Anything for my baby." she whispered into his hair before letting him go and holding him at arms length again.

"Now, Jack planned out an itinerary to spend the day with you." She explained, smiling. "You know him, always needed to plan for everything but he wants to have a fun day with you. You need to meet him in the main entrance of the hotel in one hour. He said he wants to explore the forest with you before heading into town. You have enough time to get something to eat and some warm clothes. If you need me, I'll be here with direct orders from Jack to relax for the day. You two have fun, sweetheart."

Danny nodded, excited for what his uncle had planned for him. Sending his aunt a wave, he took off, flying through the halls and being mindful to stay in the halls this time.

Meanwhile, Mavis was busy pacing her room. She had some thinking to do. A little over an hour ago, she had been caught by Sally finding her lost in thought as she walked along the walls of the hallway. Then, not half an hour later, the white haired ghost boy had strolled through her room, walking right through the wall and scaring the vampiress half to death at his sudden appearance. She had noticed how his eyes had been narrowed in thought and though she did try to follow him, she had been cut off when his mom found him instead.

Then she listened to them talk.

He had been thinking about her. And he knew she had been thinking about him. She felt her cheeks heat up. Mavis wasn't sure if those in Halloween town understood the importance of the zing. Mrs. Sally knew that the two held some kind of feelings for each other. But to tell him so openly, was something Mavis' heart wouldn't let her do.

Plopping down on a lounge chair that sat in the corner of her room, Mavis thought back to when she had been hanging out with Johnnystein in the music lounge while Danny was out for his flight. She had asked him if he could teach her how to write music and he had asked her if she sang.

"What gave you that idea?"

Johnny shrugged and smiled at her.

"Just your voice. I've met quite a few singers and I can tell when someone has good vocals. I've been working on this one song and I wanted to know if you'd sing it for me."

Danny had mentioned it to her before about being a good singer. She leaned back in the cushions on the chair and stared up at the ceiling in thought.

Maybe she should sing at her birthday party.

But she'd need help.