Rise or Fall

by Heiress Mellie

First Class: Charles and Erik have accepted their roles as guardians and headmasters over the young mutants but there is still work to be done for the greater than typical family. This is a familial and discipline, including spanking, centered fiction.

316. Chapter 316 Infamy

Rise or Fall

Chapter 316

NOTE: Best wishes to all the back-to-school fam members! Not to be an uncool nuisance, but I have an assignment for all of you. Please do read, think, review. Please do NOT read, react, review. Please do enjoy!

Still very much left in a state of disbelief at merely beholding his private bathroom, the Irish singer fully indulged in the euphoria within the shower. The stream of moderately cool water cleansed his entire frame of residual night sweat. When the watery exhilaration ended, he performed regular maintenance of drying, combing, and overall nurturing his ash blonde locks. He reduced facial hair to stubble and splashed himself with aftershave inspired by the tropics.

Maneuvering around his sleep chamber in pants, undershirt, and socks, for the time being, he crossed continents by shuffling through his most recent postcards. Trick almost heard the gaiety in his daughter's voice over the upcoming castle touring with her geography class. He also crystal clearly envisioned the inevitable credit bills from Galway to Cork that would soon arrive as his next mail greeting. After all, what self-respecting Irish lass would disrespect her own culture by not personally funding the university tuition for every clothing merchant's children? At the postcard of Jasmine posed with two of their cousins and a horde of classmates, Trick kissed the glossy image.

When he held up one depicting the spectacular Mahon Falls, his initial smile faded. The half a dozen cards fell from his suddenly limp hand. He covered his ears, which did nothing to silence the wails echoing throughout his mind.

"Get away! Get away from me!" Able to see nothing on either side of himself, the short legs sped ahead to dodge the relentless encroachers. Taking a stumble over a stone, he did not register the resulting gash on his leg. More blood escaped the wound as he struggled to crawl away with a cry of, "No, no, no, no!"

Kicking in every direction, Trick found himself on his bedroom floor. Shakily sitting up, he could not recall falling in the first place. Desperate eyes going to his night table, he gripped the heavy circle of gold to hurriedly wear around his neck. After clutching the medallion for several seconds, he began restacking his strewn postcards.

II

Jogging up the steps two at a time, the self-satisfied young Cyclops slipped the sheets of filled paper under the loft door. With victorious grandeur in his feet, he descended with equal vigor.

Upon bumping into the presently far sunnier Summers, Alex cautioned, "Watch it, Twinkle Toes Twerp."

Scott counter-teased, "I'm gonna be taller than you."

Alex mimicked the singsong tone with, "And I'll always be older than you." He tussled the cheeky one's hair. "Sabretooth got you doing calisthenics this early?"

"Nope. Dri had them all in bed as soon as Angel got home. For that sorority deal at WU." Scott then wondered, "Why didn't you ever pledge? You practically had those fraternities licking your boots."

"Not me," Alex disagreed. "They wanted the blonde dripping in a fortune of school merchandise. Lee and Jam are the real claims to fame. And all your praise on the Jaguars; your ROTC awards? That's a legit accomplishment."

As they started walking, Scott tucked himself under his brother's arm and held onto his wrist. "You made MVP before I could hardly lift a bat, you're the Sultan of Surfing, and they plucked your shady delinquent butt up to be the first X-Kid turned instructor pre-Lee."

"Yeah?" Giving him a strong squeeze, Alex challenged, "Let's see what I've taught you."

As soon as they reached the main level, the pair hurried out of the nearest side door. They broke into full sprints across the vast property. The steadily rising sent a ray over Alex's eyes and gave Scott's shades a brief blazing effect. Pigeons made haste for the safety of the sky to get out of their path. In a tree some yards away, a woodpecker ceased drilling into a trunk to curiously observe the speeding mammals. Soon, the run grew into a chase and to no surprise on his part, Scott attempted to elude a tag pat from his brother.

At the fighting stance the brunette went into, Alex started swinging at him. "Arm's up, squirt."

"No," a dry-toned Scott continuously blocked him, "really? Here I thought we were practicing the waltz."

"Not trying to hear about your personal pukey time with Becky." Alex sent out his leg.

"Says the guy with the firehose on standby." Dropping to the ground, Scott smirked, "By the way, how is Holly?"

"A whole lot cuter than you." Alex went down to body-slam him. "Don't even think about it." He spared one hand to pin him at his forehead. "Not sinking your teeth into me, shrimp."

"Ugh," Scott scowled in disgust, "talk about pukey…" Despite his brother's weight, he managed to lift his right knee with enough force to jab him in the lower belly.

When Alex pulled back his other hand to go to the afflicted spot, Scott managed to first crawl then roll away. However, the momentum lasted hardly seconds before he felt the back of his yellow X t-shirt yanked.

"Let's see," Alex mused, "wet willy or kisses…"

"Kiss this." Scott flung a clump of dirt at him.

"Ah!" Alex managed to shut his eyes, but still had to dust it off his face. "You're a little puss ball, you know that?"

"What?" Scott replied innocently. "God made it."

"And you," Alex brought his knuckles into the boy's hair for a noogie, "just to be a pain in my crack."

They stayed out another twenty minutes before starting for the house again. Naturally, they raced back. They first went to the kitchen for water bottles and for Alex to quickly wash his face. Made aware of Scott's apparently empty stomach as well as his own, Alex grabbed bananas for them both. On the way to the Havok Hovel, the space's owner made fast work of devouring his in order to take one of his pills. He equally rushed to swallow it, not caring for Scott or any of the youngsters to so much as glance at the bottles containing the caplets.

Done with his banana, Scott proposed, "Bag and weights," as he sunk the peel into the waste can.

"We'll go at the bag, but no lifts until you get some real food in you," Alex determined. "Then, I need to shower and get rolling."

On their way to the private gym, Scott spotted the outfit safeguarded in plastic and suspended from a hanger on the bathroom door. "Really? You figured out what professional means?" He zeroed in one accessory. "Is that a tie? Erik cram his foot up your butt or what?"

"Keep your eyes in your head, Sergeant Summers." Alex gave him a somewhat gentle shove towards the gym. "Those things are lethal. Now, get your gloves on so I can kick your butt- all two inches of it."

Giving him a half-hearted sneer, Scott zipped off to accessorize his fists.

IIIIIII

Before the blue irises revealed themselves to the new day, the equally sensitive ears picked up on the serene hum of his wife. Needing to raise his head only slightly, Logan observed her at the edge of the bed with her back turned. With the lullaby echoing from her, Kayla fed a suckling Mira her morning milk. To his left, Logan received his own snuggling companion at the older brunette girl still dosing while nestled against his side.

"Mornin', J- K. Kyra." Inwardly cursing himself for his near whispered slip, Logan left a kiss on Kiki's forehead. He gave her delicate frame his pillow before going to see the other two. "How's my little porker this mornin'?"

Shooting him quick dagger eyes, Kayla consoled Mira with, "Don't you listen to him, beloved." She caressed their daughter's cheek. "It isn't your fault you'll soon be saddled with your mother's hips."

"Baby bearin' hips," Logan added importantly. "She should be so lucky." The Veteran next found himself blinding by bitty palms. "Ah, sneak attack!" He made a show of lightheartedly trying to shake the short interloper off his person. "Goin' overboard…"

Letting himself fall off the mattress, Logan landed on his limbs while Kiki stayed secured to his back. Her giggles filled his ears along with the rest of the suite. Kayla looked on at her husband rising to spin vigorously while keeping his grasp firm on the fledgling mutant's ankles.

"Ma," the eldest Howlett child's voice preceded his entry, "Toad tried to munch my nipple clean off."

Giving into laughter, Kayla directed, "Bring him here, Coco." She addressed her younger son with, "You just wake up a little fox, don't you?"

Todd gave their mother a massively giddy grin as Cody situated him on her free leg.

Catching the play taking place right near the bed, Todd waved and squeaked, "Dada!"

"Let Mama feed you first," Logan promptly instructed. "Tryin' to get your brother to spring a leak…"

With a snicker, Cody seated himself right next to Kayla to keep Todd appeased for the time being.

II

When the marginally awake child rolled to one side, his body absorbed the noticeable emptiness on the large bed. With the majority of himself still locked in the dream state, he immediately experienced alarm.

"… Daddy…?"

Head up before the rest of his tall frame did likewise, the metal wielder left his mug and book on his small circular table.

Crossing the room, Erik hurriedly placed himself on the side of the mattress. "Shh," not wanting to jar him too swiftly, his hand went to the youngster's left cheek, "boychick. I'm here."

Tommy opened his eyes, still able to make out the man's face despite his fuzzy morning vision. "Hey."

"Hey," Erik mimicked him in jest, using his free hand to lace fingers with the Irish lad. "How did you sleep."

"Okay." The response came out in something of a moan as Tommy rubbed his eyes clear.

With a little smile at the adorability, Erik mentioned, "I heard you a few times last night. Not to mention a jab or six from that bony elbow of yours."

Tommy laughed softly. "Sean says I turn into Muhammed Ali in my sleep."

"The champ should be so spry," Erik remarked, igniting instant delight. "Any nightmares last night?"

"Not really." Tommy darted his eyes about. "More like weird dreams. Not monster flick stuff."

Having suspected as much, Erik determined, "We'll have to watch what you read so close to bedtime, especially with the intensity of these historic texts."

Tommy formed a slight smirk. "Won't that kinda talk get you booted out of the Headmasters Club?"

An unmoved Erik simply replied, "My Fatherhood Association comes first." Tommy lost his comical expression and reached for him. Erik lifted him off the bed. "I enjoy seeing taking such an interest in difficult subjects. Asking questions many lads your age can't even consider. I simply don't want your dreams plagued."

Tommy absently kneaded fingers against the man's shirt. "… Are yours still?"

"Not as prevalent as before but yes," Erik answered him solemnly.

"Wish I could chuck 'em out for you."

"You already do," Erik informed importantly. "And so much more for me, boychick." He hefted the boy a bit to briefly connect their noses. "Do you know what you can do for me right now?"

"What?" Tommy asked keenly.

"Rid yourself of that toxic wasted inside your mouth." With a playful thump to his bottom, Erik placed him on his feet. "Go brush your teeth. I'll be in the kitchen concocting something to keep them from rotting."

"Aw," Tommy mock sulked, "how else are we gonna pester Hank?" Upon having his shoulders gripped, the child tried to fend off the miniature shark bite attack Erik applied to his neck.

After he succeeded in sending the ten-year-old into another laughing spell, Erik said, "Behave," glibly.

Watching the man as he retrieved his morning tea, Tommy spotted the book from their reading session the previous night right next to the mug.

II

On departure from his bathroom, the youngest instructor remained in place to take in the sight on the made bed. The equally long-haired, brown-eyed being of the female variety sat with legs folded and attention buried in protected plastic pages.

"… Were you always there?"

"Deep within the squishiest portion of heart," Melissa spoke without averting her attention, "yeah, sure."

"Ah," Leon surmised, "so, that hot poker sensation isn't due to violent indigestion."

Melissa looked up as he moved across the floor. "Been pilfering my conditioner again, pretty boy?"

Slipping on a grey X top, Leon merely countered, "This from the notorious shirt-snatcher."

Currently wearing a red WU tee with her black track pants, Melissa responded with a flippant, "Your point?"

"Pretty sure the point is sticking out of your head. Weird since you'd think it'd have enough empty space up there."

"Really? Here I thought it was crammed up your ass."

"It didn't have enough room up your bony one."

Melissa bobbed her head towards the coffee maker. "Witches brew is warm."

Dropping to a single knee, Leon bowed his head. "My devotion to you transcends time and space, most magnanimous cheesehead."

Melissa rolled her eyes. "I bet you say that to all the damaged broads."

"Yes," Leon popped up to make a path for the pot, "but you're still Top 10- possibly Top 5."

"Nowhere near," Melissa denied.

Adding the sacred substances of cream and sugar, Leon brought up, "How was the big grad party last night? Any nonsensical square hats thrown in the air?"

"No, but it took a few of us to keep Brenda from blasting off, she was so jazzed," Melissa recollected then considered, "Ever notice how she can still fly with both feet on the ground?"

Leon sipped his welcomed caffeine and theorized, "She's from whatever conglomeration it took to create Cody and Tommy."

On such cue, the knock took both within the room by surprise for a brief moment. "Tommy who?"

Melissa remarked, "The size of this place and you people still have a homing beacon on each other."

"The co-dependent lifestyle choice is a preciously sick thing." Leon opened the door, allowing the blue-eyed boychick entry.

"What are you doing?" Noticing Melissa, Tommy cheerfully greeted, "Hi, Missy," then reiterated his suspicious, "What are you doing?"

"Plotting diabolically," Melissa told him.

"Cool." Tommy gazed up at Leon and pointed out his cup. "Can I have some?"

Leon shrugged, "Sure," and lowered the coffee to his level, "if you want to stay short forever."

Tommy promptly backed away. "Never mind." Now interested in what Melissa held, he scuttled over to join her on the bed. "This is yours, Lee?"

"Since I swiped it and all, yes," Leon answered coolly.

Tommy eyed one black and white photograph closely due to it taking over nearly a full page. "Which one's you?"

Going to see what he referred to, Leon looked at the trio of male youths contained between a beaming man and woman. "None. Those are my parents with my cousins." He pointed out the boys. "The little one's Jared, that's Shane, and their older brother, David. They liked to call him Top Shot."

Curiosity evident, Tommy inquired, "How come?"

XXXXX

December 4th, 1941

Even through the sufficiently padded ear guards, unseen miniature explosions reverberated throughout the isolated room with every expelled bullet. When the majority of the clay targets became a little more than debris, the broad-shouldered graying blonde made his presence known again.

Switching on the light, he directed, "Weapons down."

As if handling a live grenade, the youngest placed his on the table with quivering palms. To his left, the older teenager nonchalantly laid his down. The tallest of the three did the same, but with some longing evident in his features.

"Hot damn, Dave." With his chest vibrating in amusement, the elder present strolled over to clap his shoulder. "Quit treating that son of a bitch like it's a woman."

"No pretty face on the planet can satisfy like a pistol, Ross." With a kiss to the barrel, he laid the firearm down with the others.

"Kid, I don't know where in the hell you come from." Ross marveled on what remained of the targets before them. "I've got guys on the beat who'd kill for your speed and accuracy."

David said, "Keep that in mind right around May. I can't wait to bag this degree already."

"Unless you choke at the last minute," quipped Shane.

Sending his middle brother a look, David came back with, "If I've gone this long without choking you, last exams will be cake."

Turning to the cheeky high-schooler, Ross advised, "Try putting your money where your mouth is. You're not at the Top Shot's level, but it'll be worth your while to look into the academy after graduation yourself."

Shane nearly scoffed, "If it was that easy, the Top Shot here'd be in blue already. Our uncle won't let us commit to anything like that without at least two years of college." He felt the smaller body wordlessly attach himself to his side and Shane left his arm around him.

To the unassuming youngster, Ross recalled, "Tomorrow's your big event, right?"

When Jared only nodded, David elaborated, "He's joining this one," he lightly nudged Shane, "in National Honors."

Shane shrugged. "Not like I'm the president or anything; not even VP."

"You're in. That's the part that counts," Ross pointed out before addressing Jared again. "And you're far better off with a book in your hand than a firearm. While you're shaking in your shorts, your opponent'll have that gun out of your hands and a full clip emptied in your yellow belly."

At Jared's downcast eyes, Shane reasoned somewhat irritably, "He's not even fifteen yet. Give him a break."

A more reverent David said, "I'm working with him."

Accepting that, Ross secured all weaponry while the younger males returned their ear and eye protection. Once finished locking everything away, Ross started them out of the lower level range.

Letting his brothers walk ahead, David requested covertly, "Please don't mention these little field trips to my uncle. Especially bringing along Jared."

"Believe me, I got enough parents breathing down my neck with kids with actual rap sheets," Ross assured. "Seth's a nice guy, but I'll never get where he's coming from. I started showing Randy the ins and outs of a gun when he was seven."

"My father used to take me shooting as well. My uncle believes in the martial arts as a defense, but hates the glorification of offense," David explained.

"That's an educator for you. Alright," Ross moved on, "I need to get ready for this shift." He spoke louder towards the other two. "You boys take care. Good luck tomorrow."

"Bye," returned Shane and Jared piped up, "Thank you."

X

When the plastic serving baskets arrived on the circular table, the teenagers appeared ready. The aroma alone activated salivation over the thick hamburgers surrounded by French fries.

"Here we go." The petite waitress presented their chocolate milkshakes lastly. "Been a long time since I spied you boys in here."

Shane claimed, "We're big-time bachelors now."

Turning to David, she surmised, "Your folks still out of town?"

"You know it," confirmed David uninhibitedly. "Thanks, Carol."

"Secret's safe with me." She left them with a wink before going to pick up her next order.

While taking a particularly lengthy sip of the creamy chocolate beverages, Shane zeroed in on the scowls from across the diner.

He addressed the familiar assortment of males with, "Staring contest or do our faces just ring your chimes?"

One shot back, "How'd you like a fist in your face?"

"Shane," David muffled his mouth a moment to keep him from retorting, "no. Keep your eyes in your head and eat."

"They started it," Shane emphasized.

"Forget them," David reiterating, keeping his voice low. "They're just trying to get a rise out of me. Half the guys from my graduating class still have a chip on their shoulders because their parents lost their college funds in the Crash. That's not even counting the dropouts."

Shane scoffed indifferently. "How's that your problem? Remember what Mom used to call the stock market? Elite gambling."

Jared had to stop drinking his milkshake as he laughed at the recollection.

David smiled his way then returned attention to Shane again. "The point is, ignore them and they won't go away, but you'll get under their skin like rusty razors."

Enjoying that visual, Shane then brought up, "You really think you'll get on the force? Coloreds on the LAPD—"

"We are not coloreds," David nearly seethed. "And Ross knows at least two of them on the force."

Shane put forth, "You know Ross is only propping you up because Randy shipped out to the University of Chicago."

"Joke's on him," Shane smirked. "Last I heard from him, he was up to his crotch in snow."

X

Stirred by intangible forces unknown, the youth clicked on his night lamp before taking leave of his bed then quarters. Maneuvering through the 1.5 story residence, he found his way inside the seldom filled workspace on the primary level. The radiation from the green desk lamp created a warm glowing effect around the mostly wooden room.

Swaying his head to clear it, David spotted the silent figure with restless brown eyes directed at him. "What are you doing out of bed, Jarry Berry?"

Walking towards him, Jared sat down on and made a recliner of his eldest sibling before answering, "Can't sleep anymore."

David maintained an arm around his middle. "Still nervous about tomorrow?"

Jared stared ahead at nothing in particular. "I just wish Oji and Oba were going to be there."

"I know, Otouto." David spoke to him in a near whisper, pressing gentle lips to his temple briefly. "They had to book for the honeymoon well before they knew you made it in so Oji could settle things at the school ahead of time."

Jared echoed him with, "I know," and got a good look at his book. "What are you studying, Ani?"

"Criminal Psychology." At his brother's peaked interest, David promptly dragged the textbook out of his reach. "This chapter is not for your eyes." He rubbed his arm while resuming his reading. "If you go to sleep, you can do my homework for me tomorrow."

With a small smile, Jared kept his head on his chest and lowered his eyelids once more.

XXX

December 5th, 1941

Shortly before six PM, the auditorium became a packed house of well-dressed eager attendees. After allowing a ten minute grace for last-minute arrivals, Vice-Principal Harris took to the podium. He wore a black robe, the older seated students on the stage donned gold, and the inductees amongst them had on navy blue. Volunteer students distributed vibrant yellow roses to the various families present. When the lights dimmed, the on-lookers faded into blurs. Vice-Principal Harris promptly started things off.

As the man and ensuring others after him spoke, the voices bled together into nonsense in Jared's ears. Darting his eyes side to side, he thought perhaps the other inductees felt much the same way. He focused better when it came time to place attention on the illumination process. The sticks of wax lined the table on stage.

Despite witnessing Shane take to his feet, Jared very nearly blanked out through his own introduction of, "It is my esteemed pleasure to present to you, Jared Osaka."

Somehow ordering his limbs into movement, Jared came to stand alongside his brother. When the clapping hands settled down, Shane handed him the butane lighter.

Despite initial dry-mouth, Jared recited, "I light the blue candle for scholarship," he lit the designated wick, "with a solemn vow to represent my school with intelligence and growing wisdom." At his portion being over, he resumed normal breathing and felt Shane's hand on his lower back.

When the remainder of the ceremony concluded, new members, as well as the upperclassmen, found themselves bombarded merely seconds off stage. With Jared already overwhelmed, Shane kept them attached to each other as they attempted to locate David among the crowd. At the sight of a pale yellow rose that pointed directly at them, Jared's legs became rigid over the ecstatic figure who held it.

"… Oba?" Upon realizing his eyes deceived him not, he dashed into the woman's embrace. "Aunt Hana!"

Shane went to the suit adorned gentleman with her. "Oji!"

With a hearty chuckle, Seth patted his back. "Congratulations," he reached to draw in Hana and Jared, "musokos."

Shane shook his head at the plural and said of Jared, "It's his night," then glanced over at the self-satisfied older one. "You knew they'd be here, didn't you?"

David impishly claimed, "I'm under direct orders to deny any knowledge of these events."

"Principal Osaka!"

"Mr. Osaka's back!"

At the all-too-eager teenagers ready to welcome the returning official, Vice-Principal Harris hastily intervened. "Take it easy, everyone. Permit the man a few minutes with his family."

One thin boy still beseeched, "Principal Osaka," he indicated his camera, "just a couple for the paper?"

Agreeing straightaway, Hana and Seth stood on either side of their nephews. With Jared properly positioned in the center, a bright flash preceded their capture on film.

XXXXX

When Leon ceased speaking and brought a hand to his head so abruptly, Tommy vexed, "What's the matter, Lee?"

"It's telepathic network," came the reassurance from Leon. "Becky's reciting some old proverb about clean hands being a good way to get fed."

Tommy grinned upon remembering. "We're getting Jew food. I still want to pour sugar on something to see Hank's eyes beast out."

"Do not make a habit of summoning that side of him," Leon strongly advised then turned to the lady present. "Coming?"

Melissa came back with a vague, "I should really get to—"

"You're coming," Leon cut into her poor attempt at deflection.

Melissa followed him up with pupils rolling. "Fine, but I am not participating in any singalongs."

Leon peered back at her. "You're convinced we're nothing but a marathon of Make Room for Daddy, aren't you?"

"Hey," Tommy hurried up excitedly, "I met him you know." Stopping suddenly, he turned back long enough to grab the photo album.

II

At the multitude of sounds emitting from the kitchen, Maya took a moment to peek inside. She witnessed the bustle of activity in the forms of Scott and Becky arranging fixed dishes onto the island. They also guarded a sitting Alex against so much as the thought of cuisine assistance. Frank worked between his mother and Erik at the stove.

Stepping inside fully, Maya's hands went to her hips and she cheerfully greeted, "Good morning, everybody."

They all paused productivity to take in her sapphire sheath dress and hair styled into voluptuous curls.

Becky voiced their mutual sentiment with, "You look fantastic, Gorge."

"Thanks, Gorge," returned the bumptious older girl.

"What are you made of, kid?" came from Alex. "How are you up before ten after hitting the city last night?"

An equally marveled Scott tacked on, "And looking like a million bucks."

"No way am I letting Sean marry Marilyn Munster just to wake up to Lily," Maya responded matter-of-factly.

Erik asserted, "In terms of folklore, I always considered you more along the lines of Gretel. Or Thumbelina," taking satisfaction in her resulting unamused expression.

Frank put forth airily, "I wouldn't mind waking up next to Lily Munster." At all eyes zeroing in on him, he ricocheted the attention with, "Scott, quit talking mannish. We're, like, five years old."

The other Eye Screamer merely shook his head.

Ever delighted by her son's comedic timing, Alana told Maya, "We have a few things ready to go if you're hungry, honey."

"Oh, don't worry about me," Maya turned down. "I fixed breakfast for Sean and me over an hour ago. Just checking to see if Wolverine's specialty tea is…" Telekinetically getting the closest refrigerator open, Maya next made the full pitcher float in her direction. She touched the plastic sides and smiled brightly. "Nice and chilled, yes."

An astonished Alana mentioned, "It was spotless by the time we got in here. How are you standing?"

"Sean has rehearsal for a venue three hours away," Maya informed, summoning two glasses from an overhead cabinet. "This is the very least I can do." She turned to go with that, but reacted to those who made their entry to her exit, specifically the other M. "You're down here?"

"You look like that in the morning?" Melissa came back with. "That's it. I'm keeping a Bible under my pillow."

"I have twelve in my collection if you need one." Maya knelt to leave a butterfly kiss on Tommy's cheek as she told him, "We're in the studio if you need us."

"Gotcha," Tommy said after her before going to attach himself to Erik's right leg.

Peering down at the lad, the Headmaster matched blue eyes with him. "I have a proposition for you… if you be so daring."

"What is it?" Tommy wanted to know.

"Try a little bit of this and if you don't like it, I owe you a dollar."

Finding that proposal familiar, Frank looked on.

"Really? What if I like it and still say it's crummy?"

"I trust you." Erik retrieved a smaller wooden spoon to present the boy with a portion from the pot he stirred. "Do you trust me?"

"More than anything," vowed Tommy, receiving Alex and Leon's eyes along with Becky's smile.

Lowering to get in better proximity of him, Erik coached, "Blow on it now." At the vigor in Tommy's puffs, the metal wielder snorted. "Are you a banshee as well?"

With a little snicker, Tommy devoured the spoonful of the golden sticky substance and promptly hummed, "Mmmmm- what is this stuff?"

"Puree corn and cauliflower." At the revulsion that came over the youngster's face, the quipping Erik gave the real answer. "Marmalade. Prepared with honey instead of sugar."

"So good," Tommy commended wholeheartedly.

Erik tickled his nose. "I knew I could take you at your word."

Alana addressed the younger woman present. "I don't believe we've met. Not formally."

Melissa faced her with a moderate expression. "Saw you at the party. I know there were a lot of kids there, but I was the one busy being non-existent." She used her head to indicate Frank. "You're the chandelier's mom, right?"

"Alana," the redhead stretched a benign hand forward. "Also, yes, but I prefer to call him my personal aurora." Frank moved to lean against his mother's side and she patted his wrist as she spoke. "It's Melissa?" She nodded in reply. "So, you're the—"

"Free-roaming mutated nutjob and treacherous black widow luring Leon astray?" Melissa interjected glibly.

"… The one who took a bullet for Kayla and the twins," an unmoved Alana concluded.

Melissa blinked stiffly. "Yeah… just the once."
"And always a privilege to meet another asylum alumna."

At last shaking hands with her, Melissa asked, "Is there anything I can help with to draw attention away from my monumental idiocy?"

"You can lay off the school speak," Alex said in a show of sympathy. "The GEDs are over. They can't hurt us anymore."

Finding jest in the statement, Melissa went after Alana into the pantry. As she did, she caught something in Leon's gaze but kept her own forward for the time being.

After listing spices to be gathered, Alana started on a high shelf. "She just made three."

"What?" Melissa looked her way in puzzlement.

"My baby girl," the female elder clarified, absently stroking a label. "If she'd made it out of that maternity ward. April- three years, seven weeks, and two days old."

"… My daughter's supposed to be four this year." Melissa toyed with the loose portion of her hair. "This summer actually."

"Who you were when the others met you, whatever you did," Alana spoke doggedly, "was merciful compared to what I would've done with your powers."

Melissa could only regard her mutely.

Landing on a new page, Tommy wondered, "What's… oh-gee mean?"

Seeing where he currently positioned himself, Scott pulled the younger boy up by his left arm. "It means oh, gee whiz, better keep your hide off the floor before Charles wallops you on it."

Finally taking note of what Tommy occupied himself with, Erik asked with mock woe, "'Oh, gee'? What book do you have there?"

"Mine." Coming closer, Leon slid a finger across the word the little boy previously inquired about. "O-ji means uncle. Oba means aunt."

"Oh." Tommy turned to Erik again. "Do you speak Japanese, too?"

"No, only a bit of rusty Mandarin Chinese," Erik answered. "European tongues are my area. Logan is well-versed in Japanese."

"That's right. Cody said he and Sabretooth liked it over there." Tommy placed focus on the album again. "What's judo mean?"

XXXXX

December 6th, 1941

Upon heavy contact with the mat, only sharper irises resulted on the teenager's obstinately stony countenance. At having both his arms seized for pinning, Shane acted on his opportunity to jerk his midsection upward. The stomach throw flipped David off and over him. Both on their feet again in nearly synchronized motion, they charged like twin bulls. Once they met in the center, all of Shane's speed had to go into dodging the series of punches aimed at him. Unsure whether to fault it on dizziness or not, the fists moved at such a rate they blurred in Shane's sight. Inhaling sharply when he had to absorb a few strikes, he raised his right foot to attack David's left thigh. Before his brother could regain himself, Shane rammed his chest with his shoulder. Using both arms to coil David's right one, Shane executed half a spin before flinging the taller one off. David used one palm to keep his impact with the wall mild.

Both also clad in ivory judogis with gazes fixed on the duo, Jared sat on the lower steps close to their uncle's leg.

Neither participant made a sound louder than the intake of air before Seth decreed, "Sore made." He shifted his position in Shane's direction. "Yusei gachi."

First bobbing his head, the named victor went into a full bow, "Arigatou gozaimasu, Oji," and again towards David. "Doumo arigatou, Ani."

"Yoku yattane, Otouto," commended David, also dipping at the waist.

Developing a wide smile, Seth put forth, "I see none of you have dedicated the last two weeks to bodily idleness."

Shane shook his head firmly. "Not this close to competition."

David asserted, "This has all been a walk in the park compared to what's ahead at the academy."

Though Seth's countenance displayed approbation, he still vexed, "So much so soon coupled with your studies. I worry you're burning the candle at both ends. Your aunt feels the same."

"We can't deny it, Oji," admitted David. "However, it's worthless to delay at this point. It's not going to get easier for either of us."

Seth wistfully stated, "You two together are the embodiment of how I saw Silas growing up. Equal parts magnificence, ambition, and lunacy." Jared's laughter billowed throughout the space and Seth shifted eyes over to him. "How fortunate I am to have my own doppelganger."

A giddy grin sliding across his face, Jared next peered up at who journeyed down the basement steps. "Oba."

Taking a moment to send her fingers through his hair, Hana faced the other males. "I hate to intrude—"

"Do not let that stop you," Seth promptly encouraged.

With radiance about her features, Hana requested, "Would you strapping gents mind lending me a hand up here?"

X

With another few seconds of precision fueled adjustment, Jared managed to get the large wreath hung in proper position. Attached to the thick white exterior door, the green decoration with gold and purple flower buds framed the wooden year-round "Kazoku" carving.

"Shane," Seth's voice sounded from the roof he and David attempted to festoon with illumination, "could you bring up another box of nails? Check in the shed."

With Shane winding lights around their fence, Jared volunteered, "I'll get them, Oji."

"No, Jarry Berry," Seth automatically declined. "Let Shane do it. If you're finished with the door, go help your aunt."

"Yes, Oji." Jared started through the front door while Shane went around back to the toolshed. He followed the warmth and aroma echoing from the kitchen. "Aunt Hana?"

Glancing up from where she sorted baked goods, Hana said sunnily, "Marvelous timing." She showed him the plates of chocolate chip and gingerbread cookies. "They just cooled off. Leave… at least a few crumbs for the big boys."

Taste buds sufficiently ignited, "Thank you, Oba," Jared hastily devoured one of each. He carried the remainder into the living room and Hana brought the milk.

Beneath the central light fixture, the massive noble fir only missed touching the ceiling by half a foot or so. Getting situated at the coffee table, Hana and Jared began rummaging through the two boxes of ornaments and various décor.

When she opened a tin container, Hana swooned over its contents. "These are beautiful." She gingerly grasped the embroidered snowflakes of differing design.

Seeing what she meant, Jared explained, "Mama made those for us. For our first Christmases after each of us were born. That's David," he pointed out the ice blue, "Shane," the mint green, "and this one's me," in pearl white.

Hana insisted, "I could never weave together anything so stunning." Carefully leaving them in the tin for the time being, she looked at the boy beside her. "I exhausted enough steel will yesterday, trying not to blubber. Just seeing you two on that stage together…"

Mildly bashful, Jared said, "I can't believe you canceled the rest of your trip. You didn't have to."

"When we found out about this, we were ready to charter a hot air balloon if necessary. Though, admittedly, I might have been a tad self-motivated to get our first Christmas together underway." Hana crowned her head with an unburied red and white hat.

Jared gave off a chortle. "Me, too. As neat as it was to be inducted, I'm glad the ceremony is over."

Hearing the front door swing open along with the hastened footsteps, they peered up from their ornamental excavation.

"Oba, Otouto," Poking his body halfway into the room, David ushered, "we're all set up. Come see."

Needing no further prodding, Jared and Hana arose to comply.

Out front, the three joined Shane and Seth where they stood before the house. When he saw his wife, Seth promptly stretched his hand out to her. Hana linked with him then latched on tighter by wrapping both her arms around his right. Jared stood right in the middle of their lineup between her and Shane.

With a glint in his eyes, Seth nudged them all with, "Ready." At the spirited responses, he merged the plug with its extension outlet.

The fusion brought grand brilliancy to their entire yard. The glowing icicles circled all around the Spanish tiled roof. Even brighter multicolor filled the bushes and wound along the fence.

Though her enamored countenance already answered, Seth still inquired, "Well?" to his wife.

"Seth..." She pulled on his arm ardently. "It's absolutely glorious, thank you. The prettiest display I've ever seen."

"Best on the block," Shane hid not a trace of his hauteur, "as always."

"Shane, it's a job well done, but let's not be needlessly competitive," Seth light reproved.

"Oji's right," David supported, "our pathetic opponents need our sympathy."

Jared and Shane both snorted and Seth eyed them with blithe disapproval.

Amused herself, Hana considered something and asked their nephews, "Have you boys ever built a gingerbread house?"

"Not since these two," David indicated his brothers, "were knee-high."

Shane added, "With us, it was more like a gingerbread demolition."

A delighted Hana said, "I'm sure your technique's improved since then. I used to construct whole villas for my little gingerbread citizens to live in."

Jared echoed her term in great humor. "Gingerbread citizens?"

"With a gingerbread mayor," Hana further detailed. "I was what one might call a rather… fanciful child."

"A conclusion I never would have reached otherwise," Seth quipped.

Hana hugged his arm closely as she proposed, "We should try our hand at a gingerbread train; at least five or six cars long."

"A gingerbread train?" Jared's expressed reflected disbelief as well as intrigue. "Is that even possible?"

"Well, let's see," Seth spoke reflectively, "when your dad was a toddler, the first successful aircraft took off. If the Wright brothers can pioneer a flying machine, I think the Osakas can take a whack at an edible one."

Jared proved sufficiently enthused. "Yes!"

Touching a tender hand to his back, Hana next brought up, "For now, we have villages of gingerbread and chocolate chip in the living room. Not to mention, a tree I'm sure is feeling pretty neglected right now."

Using the arm she held to slip around her as they walked, Seth led their precession inside.

Sliding his hands into his jacket pocket, Shane mused, "Traveling cross-country must have been a nightmare before they worked out all the kinks of air travel."

"Oh, we managed." With droll to his tone, Seth further reminisced, "Though, I often yearn for the bygone days of the Pegasus-drawn carriage."

XXX

December 7th, 1941

Hail! the Heaven-born
Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the Son of earth,
Born to give them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

When the final carol came to an end, Reverend Watanabe did not prolong his closing address and prayer. Once dismissed, the congregation dispersed in various directions for multiple activities.

The older Osakas divided to talk to different adults. Seth and Hana found themselves particularly bombarded by those wanting to hear about their trip. Managing to inch away, Shane guided the way to the stage with Jared at his heels. They found a few obstacles in their way of people praising them for their honors. Shane expressed gratitude and begged their pardon as graciously as he could muster to keep them going. Jared stayed quietly attached to him from the back like escorted royalty.

When he got them to their intended objectives of the Sato sisters, Shane spoke directly to the oldest. "You were amazing in that last number, Aimi." He made sure to tack on, "You weren't bad, either, kid," to the younger female also cloaked in orchid and gold robe.

With a far from flattered face, Chea replied, "Well, gee whiz, you don't have to gush that hard," before directing a far gladder gaze at her own classmate. "What'd you think, Jarry?"

Jared pressed hard on the balls of his feet, collecting his words, "F-fantastic; loved it. Both of you."

Aimi appeared skeptical. "You could really hear us with the whole choir?"

As if it should be so obvious, Shane simply reasoned, "You were the best parts."

"And who do we have here?" The quad of youngsters raised eyes at the arrival of the genial woman in jade tea dress with matching gloves. "Why, I believe it's our very own honorees. Congratulations, boys."
Jared responded with an automatic, "Thank you, Mrs. Sato."

"Thank you so much, ma'am." Shane next put forth, "And I wanted to ask, Mrs. Sato, is your family free to have Sunday supper at our house? Aunt Hana invited you."

Chea instantly beseeched, "Can't we, Mom, please?"

Aimi pointed out, "Jared and Chea need to work on their lines for the pageant and I need Shane." She rapidly added, "We're studying for exams."

"We have your grandmother to look in on later today." Playing in both her daughters' long hair, Mrs. Sato determined, "We'll have to ask your father, but Grandmother will understand if you two want to accept Mrs. Osaka's invitation."

Gripping their composure due to the spiritual setting, the girls declared their thanks in abundance. Shane gave Jared a nudge and shared a sly visage with him.

The majority of the youth membership flocked outside to the building's patio area connected to the wide parking lot. At the temperature increase of at least five degrees from that morning, the children made quick work of shedding their jackets and light sweaters. Jared, Chea, and some of the ninth-graders helped the grammar-schoolers with pageant decorations. Jared noticed David perched on the hood of their car, in proximity to no one yet keen eyes seemingly fixed on all.

Noticing the glued cotton balls meant to replicate frigid moisture, Shane chortled. "These sets get more authentic every year, don't they? If so much as a spec of snow hits LA, it's not Christmas. It's the Second Coming."

Seated beside him on one of the smooth black benches, Aimi giggled. "I know." Looking from the decorators to him, she mentioned, "Chea's never even seen snow. I only saw it in passing when we drove through Idaho, but I was four or five. Barely remember."

"Been around three years for me," Shane recollected. "Uncle Seth used to take us skiing up north. Things have been hectic around the house, but I know he'll want to show Aunt Hana. Maybe she can talk your folks into letting you and Chea come with us for a couple days."

Instantly enamored by the suggestion alone, Aimi only wondered, "Your aunt and uncle won't mind us horning in?"

"By then I'll have my black belt in judo on top of our whole honoree detail," Shane reasoned quite swaggeringly. "They'll be so over the moon, they'll probably let us go to Holland by helicopter."

Across the way, David and Jared met eyes and appeared to entertain the same jest filled musings.

Close to a half an hour later, the adult members started filing from the church. Those who did not make an automatic path towards their cars, paused to continue small groups of chatter. David waved at his aunt and uncle. As he slid off the hood, he caught sight of the familiar incoming patrol vehicle. When the pair of men came to a stop, David headed their way to greet Ross. However, he rapidly stilled when multiple LAPD wagons also rolled up. David moved back several paces so as not to be a distraction to the presumed narcotics raid. Confusion showered on him when Ross and the rest of the uniformed men exited their cars only to stiffly stare.

Quiet sweeping across the congregation along with bewilderment, many instinctively went to their children and younger family members. A few whispers spread with several wondering if a gas leak or other need to mass vacate the neighborhood had occurred.

Upon his nephew going forward again, Seth reproached, "David, come here to us," maintaining arms around Hana, Shane, and Jared.

"Wait, Oji, please." Eyes ahead, David called to, "Ross!"

"What're we waiting on here, Cap?" Ross' lieutenant wanted to know.

Ross answered desolately, "A reason not to eat my gun,' then barked, "Get back," when David attempted to step out of the lot. "Seal the exits! No one gets in or out! Burgh, Danvers, Johnson, clear out whoever's left inside. I want a man at every door."

With the steadily rising panic of all those around him, David inwardly forced back a dizzy spell. "Ross, talk to me. What is going on?"

Ross only ordered, "Go to your family," and reiterated to the rest, "all families to the right, singles to the left, move!"

Due to so many clutching their children already, it took only seconds to comply with the division. Unable to spread his arms any further, Seth gripped David by his sleeve to keep their unit locked. Shane kept a firm grasp on Jared while David positioned himself in front of them, leaving Jared sandwiched between them.

Of the building murmurs, the lieutenant belted out, "Quiet down," clear across the lot. "When you hear your last name, you are to surrender to police custody. If you do not hear your name, you are cleared to exit." He began to read from the sheet he carried. "Akiya, Aoki, Chibu, Fujita, In…" He paused with a scratch to his sideburn. "Good Lord, how do you pronounce some of these?"

From anxious to bored countenance, Shane piped up, "Graduating beyond the eighth grade is a great start." The lieutenant's fiery scowl only amplified his self-satisfaction, but the icy berate from his uncle into his ear caused a shiver straight down his spine.

"Excuse me, officers," spoke a fair-haired freckled man with arm linked to his wife's, "why are you only naming the Asian members?"

Aware of those already mentioned, Reverend Watanabe noted dourly, "Our Japanese members. Is that correct, officers?"

"Look," Ross spoke with some degree of placidness, "we can all make this process a whole lot easier on all of us if everyone present of Japanese origin, immigrant and natural, cooperates with police. We can get this whole thing settled in just a few hours. I'm sure we'd all like to get to our Sunday meals, am I right?"

"I will cooperate." Reverend Watanabe made a path for the horde of policemen. "I'm certain the other gentlemen of my congregation are willing to do the same. But please, let the women take the children home."

Ross slowly shook his head. "Only ages eighteen and under are permitted to go."

At that, Seth promptly ordered, "Shane, take Jared home."

"What?" reacted the former teen while the latter grabbed Hana's arm.

"Mom, you don't have to go with them," Chea insisted, fingers laced with hers.

"Chea," Mr. Sato chided due to her projected tone then informed the officers, "My wife is Cambodian, but I will go with you."

The lieutenant shot that down with, "So long as she's walking around with your name, mister, she may as well have been born right in the heart of Tokyo."

"It's okay, girls." Mrs. Sato gave Chea and Aimi a hug and reassuring smile. "Hurry on and try to reach your grandmother's home on the telephone. Aimi, prepare pasta with fresh veggies for you and your sister."

"Yes, Mama," Aimi understand, arm going around Chea's shoulders.

"We'll see them home," vowed Shane. "Right, Jared?"

Accepting a peck to his wrist from Hana, Jared softly concurred, "Yes, of course," before stepping back.

"Come here, boys." Seth ushered them along with Hana into a shared embrace. "We'll see you tonight."

Hana added brightly, "I'm glad I stocked up on cheese and cold cuts yesterday."

It took a few minutes for full organization with several arranging care for their much smaller children with the available teenagers and other members.

Ross then announced, "The kids will be under police escort. Upon arrival, they will grant us immediate access to search the dwellings."

This additional information caused an entirely new flood of shock and incomprehension over the gathered.

X

Amidst the chaos their domicile had so unexpectedly been morphed into, Jared managed to relish in one thought. He very much looked forward to Hana reaming out the uniformed officials for their uncalled for clutter. With that musing in mind, he headed for and quickly reached the doorway of the master bedroom. He reacted to the sight in revulsion, specifically one man pawing through a drawerful of delicate garments.

"What do you think you're doing?" the livid boy demanded. Entering purposefully, he attempted to shut the door with no regard for the officer's fingers present. "Pervert! Keep out of my aunt's things."

The officer retorted, "If you don't keep out of our way—"

"Montgomery," Ross stepped into the room, "cool it on the kid and do your job. Jared, keep from underfoot until we get out of here."

With an accusatory gesture at Montgomery and the other officer now scanning the closet, Jared emphasized, "They're going through my aunt's underwear. We're not even supposed to get into their stuff without permission."

"It's all a precaution," Ross tiredly attempted to placate. "No one's trying to feel up anything of your aunt's."

"Ross!"

Eyes cast towards the heavens, the captain uttered, "What now?" He turned around to see the agitated teenager making a path for him.

"I got this for my sixteenth birthday." Shane clutched the dominantly wooden device. "No way are your little boys in blue getting their paws on it."

The officer behind him snatched him by the arm. "You want to discuss this down at the station? If left up to me, that's where you'd all be."

Before Shane could fire back at him, Ross got between them. "Leave the kids to me. Go, now." When his men resumed his duties, he attempted to ease the radio out of the owner's grip. "I'll get this back to you, I promise. Don't make this harder than it needs to be, kiddo."

Recoiling from him, Shane regarded him incredulously. "We're making it harder?" Jared came to stand alongside him. "You're the ones who invaded our church and took away crying kids' parents. And now you're rounding up every other Jap in the neighborhood. What is going on here, Ross?"

Taking time to breathe in and out steadily, Ross eventually replied, "… Pearl Harbor was bombed early this morning."

Jared recognized the name as, "The military base? Isn't that in Hawaii?"

"It was," Ross answered pointedly. "It was completely demolished. Reports are still coming in, but we're talking over two thousand deaths so far, including dozens of civilians."

While Jared grew visibly sickened, a blasé Shane pressed, "And?"

Blue eyes darkening at the flippant tone, Ross echoed, "And?"

"And what does this have to do with us?" Shane questioned impatiently. "Last I checked, California's safe and sound in-between earthquakes."

"… All the honors in the world and you're a real little dumb-shit when you want to be. You want to know what this has to do with you? Who woke up and decided to fuck with us just for the hell of it?" To the taken aback pair, Ross fervently informed, "Japan."

X

So intense did the absurdly quiet environment become, the disconcerted youth felt nearly devoured by it. Fed up with tossing about on his mattress, Shane left his bed and started for the door. When he reached the wood, he summoned every discipline of control to keep from sending his fist through it. Seeing the partial light on, he headed across the way.

"Jarry?" Peeking into the other room, Shane discovered the desk lamp on, but the bed empty. "Jared?" He checked their shared bathroom, David's bedroom, and lastly the master.

When the kitchen and other common spaces came up empty as well, he decided to inspect the exterior of the home. Initially, he thought to look out back first until something towards the front caught his eye. Stepping out onto the lawn, he located the youngest resident sitting in the grass with his posture rigid and the multi-color lights flashing at him.

"Jared," Shane addressed with a unique combination of relief and supreme infuriation, "it's a quarter to midnight. What do you think you're doing out here?"

"… We forgot to turn them on."

Shane walked closer towards him. "What?" With the modest chill in the air, he removed his robe to place around him.

"The lights." Jared tapped the cords. "They weren't even plugged in. Oji, Oba, and Dave might've passed right on by our house."

"… Yeah. Knew you were the real genius around here." Shane lowered to help him up. "Come on. Let's go in." Both flinched at the presence of the approaching squad car and Shane forced Jared behind him until he recognized, "Ross."

"Top Shot," Jared grinned over the passenger.

"We're good here," David told the captain. "Thanks again, Ross." When the car continued on its way, David jogged straight to his brothers. "What are you two doing up?" To Jared, he specifically said, "This is becoming a habit with you."

Jared cared nothing about the mild scold as he latched on.

Attaching himself to David's other available side, Shane wanted to know, "Are you okay?"

Jared asked louder, "Where are Oji and Oba?"

David only answered, "We're all fine," as he started prodding them towards the inside. "We'll talk in the morning."

"Dave," Shane kept both feet firmly planted as he reiterated Jared's question, "where are they?"

With a small sigh, David responded, "They haven't been cleared yet."

A flabbergasted Jared attempted with great difficulty to grasp the situation. "What does that mean?"

"The police think it's really suspicious that Uncle Seth cut their honeymoon so short right before all this happened."

"What?" Shane's level of disbelief would have resulted in laughter if not for the consuming fury in his veins. "We've never even been to Hawaii. They were in Mexico for Christ's sake!"

"Get inside," David ordered, pushing them to do so with a lesser degree of gentleness. He guided them into the living room, where he settled in the large chair. Jared took his lap over and Shane sat on the right arm to better peer into his face. "Look, they're operating under this theory that the bombers were a load of Japanese illegals being housed by their American relatives."

Shane's frustration saw no relief as he next reasoned, "Grandma and Grandpa were our only immigrant relatives. I hardly remember them and Jarry's never met them at all."

"It's a long and moronic process to weed out the bad eggs, Shane," David tiredly tried to get across.

Shane demanded, "Why the hell isn't Ross helping us? Too busy coming into our house, touching—"

"He's the reason I'm home right now, so try showing some damn gratitude!" Inwardly rebuking himself from the expressions he created on their faces, David shook his head. "Look, I'm sorry." He held Jared tighter and turned to Shane again. "As horrible as this whole day has been, it's nothing compared to how rattled they are over in Hawaii. They're terrified. The whole country is."

His own uncertainty evident, Jared inquired feebly, "What's going to happen to us now?"

"Nothing, Jarry." Clutching him and giving his right arm to Shane, David reiterated dogmatically, "Nothing…"

XXXXX

An enthused squeal of, "Uncree," signaled the giddy tot's rapid entrance. "Up, up, up."

With a radiance activating within him, Erik stooped to collect the bitty boy. "Is this high enough?" He stood with him and hoisted him closer towards the ceiling. "What about this?"

Absolutely delighted, Brian waved his arms about.

Initially standing back so his wife could go in ahead of him, Charles observed them with false dismay. "Heaven help us should he develop flight…"

Lowering Brian to hold to his shoulder, Erik assured, "I'll teach him every step of the way."

Charles quipped, "And you believe that to be a comforting thought, brother?"

"On that note, good morning, all." Emma made her way around to pat Scott's shoulder and send fingers through Becky's hair. Her train of sight landed on the other maiden present. "Melissa."

The wordless Acolyte did little more than bob her head when the razor sharp blue irises focused in on her.

Only Scott's voice carried a more jagged edge as he piped up, "Uh, hello! Yes, baby cute; new this is not. Lee," he addressed his newest instructor, "so they just rode up on churches without warrants?"

"From what I've gathered," Leon replied listlessly. "Some sources more zealous than others."

"I'm sorry," interjected Charles, looking between the individuals present. "We seemed to have walked in on the middle of something. What, may I ask?"

A slightly surprised Melissa asserted, "Didn't you have a clue or twelve before you even came in here?"

"What reason would we have to unless one of you projected into us?" Emma countered with affable plainness. "You really have nothing to fret in terms of us bombarding your rather elusive mind."

Alana covertly translated, "She doesn't think you're the brightest bulb."

Melissa remarked, "That might be progress from how she usually sees me."

Tommy explained, "Lee's been telling us about his family after the harbor."

"Felt like the entire country went into a deafening panic for weeks," Alana reminisced, freshening up her coffee. "Those of us living on the east coast…" She smiled sardonically. "We had no idea of the atrocities being committed right here at home."

Speaking with great caution, Charles put forth, "Perhaps this is a bit much for the children…"

Becky frowned at his objection. "Uncle Charles."

"God, seriously?" Scott threw his head back in aggravation. "What exactly are you going to tell this kid about the day he was born?" He pointed out Brian with his thumb. "After the stork brought him down on a rainbow beam, we all took a field trip to the pony store and had dinner with Goldilocks?"

Alex turned to Leon to state, "Your student's becoming the master of the reality sucker punch."

Leon right away insisted, "He came this way. He's had me taking notes."

Frank brought a jovial arm around Scott as he commented, "When Charles' Kids learn to talk."

"And talk back." Erik gave Scott a brief look before facing his brother. "I don't believe there's any harm being done here, Charles."

The Professor in turned asked Leon, "Did you want us to step out before you go on?"

"No," came the near instantaneous response, which seemed to jar Leon himself for a moment. "Some of you have heard it already, anyway." He shared a glance with Emma as he grew recollective again.

XXXXX

December 8th, 1941

School plummeting straight to last priority generated a far more explosively bizarre atmosphere than anything from the previous day. When sleep, at last, graced the Osaka household, wakefulness proved slow to act likewise.

With all three having huddled together in David's bedroom, opening his eyes to the two barren spots created brief panic in the ninth-grader. Jared's heart rate resumed normalcy as well as soared when his nose detected the undeniable aroma of cooked food. He almost fell over his slippers trying to get into them on his way from the room. He picked up on voices the closer he neared the kitchen.

"… Yesterday- December 7th, 1941- a date which will live in infamy- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

Jared's contentment faded with his arrival. David stood at the stove, attempting to fix fried egg sandwiches with bacon. At the table, Shane mindlessly munched on the edible portions of brunch.

He only looked away from the electronic when he noticed the last to join them. "Our radios cleared before Oji and Oba."

David glanced over his shoulder with a pleasant expression. "Hungry?"

Despite the "no" booming through his head, Jared nodded absently and fetched a plate.

Shane heightened the stereo's volume.

"Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippines."

Brunch selection in place, Jared took the chair near him.

"Last night, Japanese forces attacked Wake Island. And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island."

Jared ceased chewing when swallowing became non-optional. Shane eyed him closely, but did not receive the chance to ask anything as Jared spat the contents of his mouth back onto the plate. While Shane rubbed his back, David acted swiftly to fill a water glass.

"… I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."

XXXXX

With a wistful smile in place, Alana stated, "Seems like that speech was chiseled in the heart of every kid in school, from Boy Scouts to numskulls. I still remember your father boasting what every girl wants to hear on Date Night," she looked in Frank's direction as she quoted, "'We're going to war, baby'. Where you get your romantic charisma remains a mystery."

Frank dipped his head in a chortle.

"How old did you have to be to enlist?" Becky asked. "Without a draft notice I mean."

"Sixteen," Leon answered her, "with a handy forgery. Or parental consent, whichever was easier to come by."

"Sixteenth is nothing," Scott scoffed, heading for the primary refrigerator. "If we were in a World War One situation, I could sign up right now, even with these eyes probably."

With a hand going to her hip, Emma raised an eyebrow. "Could you now?"

With an angelic expression, Scott amended, "In theory," then retrieved the open milk bottle. "But I've been thinking, with everything Leon's saying, this whole thing is sounding more and more suspicious to me."

"Yeah, me, too," Tommy strongly seconded. He next artlessly wondered, "How come?"

Standing by Becky as he poured himself a glass, Scott brought up, "Remember our reading in Mr. A's class? The Japanese immigrants were already going through a big hassle with farmers and such."

"Especially after the stock market," Becky further recalled. "I never really thought about it before. It seemed like life was a nightmare for everybody back then."

"True, but Pearl Harbor is starting to sound really convenient," Scott put forth.

Frank touched on that with, "Scott, seriously? You're getting into this conspiracy jive? Every time something bad happens to us, it's always our own fault, right? We just deserve to suffer?"

"What?" Scott gaped his way. "Come on, man, give me a little more credit than that. I'm just saying the hateful scum bags finally had an excuse to take the gloves off."

Leon said, "If containment is any indication."

Melissa met eyes with him.

Charles focused on Erik, who engaged in a contest of coos with Brian.

XXXXX

December 11th, 1941

Block to block, the anticipation-turned-anxiety caused a haze effect throughout the environment. Despite the lack of rain, the mist of cataclysmic proportions still made sight and sound arduous. Many homes had not turned on their holiday lights, some reflected incomplete decorating projects, and others had foregone displays altogether. The boy stared so despondently at the numerous vacancies, he hardly detected the expressions of certain residents. Those who shared his features exchanged gazes of desolation and the occasional feeble smile with him. Others lacking in silky black hair and almond-shaped eyes used their irises as ammo to shoot daggers at him from a distance.

Hardly able to absorb the abrupt forceful palms pressing into his back, Jared found himself face down on the pavement. Portions of his exposed skin scraped on impact, he initially faulted his own absentmindedness until he attempted to rise. The figures of three of his schoolmates lingered over him with their shadows eclipsing his entire form.

"Mother fucking nip. My dad's got to go back to combat because of you."

"My brother got leave for Christmas. Now, they're shipping him home from Hong Kong on one leg."

Experiencing a queasiness in his belly, Jared only managed to utter, "What?" He released a heavy groan when the third boy stomped on his ankle.

"My folks were right. None of this would've happened if we didn't let you nips in our neighborhood; running our schools."

The throbbing in Jared's chest overpowered the one in his pained leg. "… I'm sorry."

"Hey."

The boy in the center of the trio cried out and nearly went down when he received the whack from the oversized branch. The others with him developed immediate apprehension at the six-foot ash blonde presently towering them.

"Got two options for you," he offered. "Run home or crawl there on busted kneecaps. Personally, I really hope you lean towards that second thing." All three disappointed him as they took off and scattered at the end of the block. With an eye roll, he accused, "pussies," before reaching to assist the fallen youth. "Jare', you okay?"

Fully taking him in, Jared recognized, "Randy Kendall?"

The older male gave him a hand along with a breezy smile. "Good to see you, kiddo."

X

Making haste from the kitchen, David returned to the living room with the relief aid. He rushed to where Jared sat at the middle of the sofa with his right leg propped. His scratched cheek and hands had been cleaned already.

"Here we go, Jarry Barry." David eased the loaded ice bag onto the bruised portion of the teen's ankle.

"Thank you, Ani." Jared leaned on him comfortably.

Giving him his arm, David acknowledged, "I need to be thanking you, man. I don't know where my head is."

"On the important," said Randy matter-of-factly. "Here I planned on coming home to surprise my folks and everybody for the holidays. Drove right into Holly Jolly Hell."

A pensively pacing Shane stilled to demand, "Who were those guys? My class, yours, sophomores?"

"Shane, just forget it, okay?" requested Jared. "I'm sick and tired of trouble."

"I'm sick and tired of bullshit," Shane countered. "Now, fess up or do I need to bump off every guy in school?"

David jumped on that with, "You better watch your mouth and calm down. Neither one of you is setting foot outside this house until I give the OK."

Shane regarded him in woeful incredulity. "The law's against us, the president's against us, now, some clowns put their hands on our little brother and we're the ones locked up?"

"You think I don't want to unload a whole clip in those little punks?" David came back with. "The country's in a state of panic, Shane. Just because we're labeled the enemy doesn't mean we have to live up to the title."

An unconvinced Shane claimed somberly, "This wouldn't be happening if Dad was still alive. He wouldn't just tell us to bow and bear it like you."

Jared's eyes enlarged while David shot back, "What did you just say?"

"You still think you're one of them, don't you?" Shane smiled without jest. "Still think you're going to stand among LAPD's finest? Be their little house nip?"

"Go to your room, Shane," David ordered next. "Because I'm about two seconds away from embarrassing you." When the teenager in question turned to go, David prompted, "What do you say, Otouto?"

With clear bubbling rage making his shoulders twitch, Shane still responded, "Yes, Ani."

Somewhat satisfied, David granted, "Go on," and Shane wasted no time in trekking to his quarters. David reacted to Randy suddenly rising with a heavy countenance in place. "We scared you off that easily? We've gone harsher than that during backyard campouts."

"Don't I know it?" Randy lost the minimal trace of humor as he explained, "Guess I'm just in a hurry to pay my old man a visit."

"Isn't he on duty?" Jared brought up.

"Yes." Randy asked of David, "Coming?"

X

In mere days' time, the usually humdrum station had become one of many circus tents throughout the Los Angeles precincts. That Thursday proved no different concerning people traffic. Very little of it accounted for actual criminal activity. Ross darted from man to man with his individual squad members like a rapid-fire pinball. His most confounded exasperation came in the forms of the duo trailing his every step. It induced déjà vu of them doing the same years back, eager to follow the burly man into his garage or toolshed.

Collecting a file from one officer, Ross ordered yet again, "Go home to your mother, Ran."

"Will do, Dad," Randy guaranteed. "As soon as the Osakas are ready to go."

"Which was Sunday," David tacked on pointedly.

"Look, what fairy wings and wand are you two expecting me to sprout out of my ass?" Ross flipped through some documents. "We're completely backed up around here. And this may not be the Ritz, but Seth and Hana are doing a whole lot better than some people. I made sure they got all the change of clothes and food you boys brought in."

Randy remarked wryly, "Living in the lap of indoor slave luxury."

Veering around, Ross set him with a steamed glower. "Don't give me any of that sly lip of yours, Randy. You don't have a clue about all the hell this whole thing has been. You think I got a rise out of snatching up our neighbors?" To David, he said directly, "You need to be thanking your lucky stars. I've got at least ten suspects getting shipped over to North Dakota and New Mexico indefinitely."

"Suspects?" echoed Randy bitterly. "Pretty sure the word you're looking for is "citizens", Dad. Last I checked, it took a whole lot more than looking like the enemy to qualify as one."

"You think you know who our enemies are, college boy?" Ross countered. "Because I don't. You can't deny how shady it looks with the Osakas popping back into town."

Ready to expel flames from his mouth at that point, David emphasized, "To attend Jared's National Honors ceremony! You know that, Ross. Or was that whole thing orchestrated, too?"

Ross answered frankly, "I really don't know at this point."

Giving his friend an apologetic gaze, the countenance Randy aimed at his father appeared far less encouraging. "There are two things we know for sure, Dad. One, Germany and Italy are after our heads now. Two," his expression further darkened, "who the "Kendalls" really are… or were, anyway."

Entire brow growing acidic, Ross seized both by the arms.

"Hey, Ran, you're home." At the less than enthusiastic bunch, the lieutenant inquired, "Everything okay, cap?"

"Just need to have a chat with my boy and his buddy," Ross replied affably. Until they reached his office, he did not loosen his vice grip. When he finally did, he immediately shut the door and closed the blinds hanging from it. "Have you lost your damn mind? This place is practically plastered with FBI." He looked to reach for his son's throat, but settled for a fistful of his shirt front. "We do not talk about…"

At the older male's trailing, Randy nonchalantly informed, "Drop the cryptic routine, old man. We've been best friends since seventh grade. You seriously think Top Shot's not in the know?"

David chimed in with, "For over five years now. Never mentioned it or the fact that you let a bunch of green kids on the range. You don't trust a lot of people, but my family's never given you a reason to add us to that list. Seems the real question is, can we trust you?"

Reacting to his father's silence, Randy put forth, "Quid pro quo, Dad." He smirked slightly. "There I go being a college boy again."

Nostrils flaring, Ross crossed his hands as his head sunk into thought.

X

Slowly easing his way to the bedroom door across from his own, Jared rapped on it shyly. "Ani?"

He heard the distant reply of, "It's open, Otouto." When his brother stepped in, Shane's focus remained on the uninteresting ceiling. "Sure you want to hang around me? Risk bad-boy-by-association."

Jared offered a tiny smile. "I'll take my chances."

When he came to join him on the bed, Shane sat up. "How are you feeling?"

"My leg's okay." Jared touched two fingers to the still marginally tender spot. "Just wish I could go five minutes without feeling like I swallowed a python."

"You're barely keeping food down." At the younger boy's surprised eyes, Shane informed, "I went through the same thing after Mom and Dad. Tummy aches aren't exactly what a guy wants to broadcast."

Jared ceased talking and his line of sight lingered on the end table's framed wedding photograph. Shane did not press the issue and only dwelled in the meditative silence with him.

"Shane, Jared, boys, where are you?"

Matching twin grins forming, the summoned pair recognized, "Oji," and did not delay their eyes confirming what their ears heard.

At the front of the house, Hana let her jacket drop into her husband's grasp to free her arms. "Boys!" When the adolescent pair reached her clutch, she ranged back and forth between pecking their cheeks and inspecting them. "Are you alright? Have you—" She pinpointed the healing yet somewhat still fresh scratches on Jared. "What happened?" She brought two fingers to his jaw. "Did you fall?"

Jared nodded. "Mmhmm. My own fault."

Shane reflected disdain for the choice of words until David's return from the living room with a wide box distracted him.

"Everything so far, Uncle Seth."

"Excellent." Seth started peering through the artifacts within. "Start on the bedrooms while I dismantle the basement."

Jared voiced his and Shane's mutual question. "What's going on?"

"Is this…?" Reaching into the box, Shane gawked at the former door sign.

With a high degree of melancholy, Seth told them, "It has to go. Along with every shred of propaganda."

"Propaganda?" Shane held high the "Kouchi" sign. "Dad carved this himself. It's been in the family longer than I have. And look at this," he gestured at the knick knacks. "Grandma and Grandpa brought these over on the boat."

"They are dust-collectors," Seth refuted. "Nothing more than nuisances to your aunt's housekeeping."

"You have to understand, boys," Hana gently urged them. "Ross came through for us, but this matter is anything but resolved. There are eyes and ears everywhere. Under no circumstances can we show even a fragment of loyalty to those terrorists. Otherwise, we'll lose much more than a few heirlooms."

Forlornly but dutifully, Jared replied, "Yes, Oba."

"Yes, Oji," added Shane.

"We must have no more of that, my boys." Seth placed his gaze on each of the youths individually as he pronounced, "We are Americans and will carry ourselves as such. Speak in correct English. If I hear a single syllable uttered in the language of our enemies, in or out of this house, I will punish you. Do you understand me?"

Voices doleful, the trio of lads chorused, "Yes, Uncle."

XXXXX

In order to continue cuisine preparation, Erik transferred Brian to Emma's hold. She sat at the table with him to cheer his light fussing while Becky warmed a portion of his refrigerated purees.

Returning to the tale at hand, Scott summarized, "So, they were in the clear and towed the line. And still, they got grief?"

"Animosity lightened up somewhat or at least became relatively bearable. Likely due to the astronomical increase in serotonin levels generated by the holiday season." Leon made a hypnotic path for another cup of coffee. "What the vernacular refers to as the Christmas spirit."

"Jesus' joy juice distracted them from Satan's sweet & sour sauce for a while," Frank decoded.

"Oh, gotcha," Tommy comprehended.

"Or as I like to call it," Leon raised his mug to his lips, "the calm before the apocalypse."

XXXXX

February 19th, 1942

Seth and particularly Hana making a colorful entrance into the kitchen made Jared peer up from the realms of geometry and environmental science. She carried with her the large crystal vase previously the center display of the living room mantle. It contained her affectionately dubbed "posy plethora". Jared's pink chrysanthemums, red and yellow Inca lilies selected by David, white camellias from Shane, and the amaryllis Seth had managed to track down in the same crimson as their wedding flowers.

Of the bright Valentine buds, Jared remarked gladly, "I can't get over how fresh cut they still look."

"The magic is all in the givers," Hana said with an air of mysticism. She went to the counter to change their water and begin snipping the base of every stem.

"My, my," folding his suit jacket over his arm, Seth came to stand between the chairs of the high-schoolers with faces all but hidden by the stack of books, "I've never seen you two so engrossed in your studies. With midterms still weeks away at that." He applied an approving pat to Shane's shoulder. "You should really consider running for Honors Society office next year."

Shane responded, "Might as well," with a bit of a shrug. "Nothing but spare time without judo."

Exchanging a quick look with Hana, Seth knelt near the morose young man's chair. "Have you thought more about taking up karate over the summer?"

"I don't think so, Uncle." Shane reeled in another book. "Really not trying to start over after all these years."

Hana brought up gaily, "I volunteered for the committee for the spring dance next month. Why don't you ask Aimi out to that?" She made sure to mention, "And Chea, of course."

Jared could not help a bashful smile. "I was thinking about it. Not sure, though."

Shane told them, "Their parents really don't like them out in the evening anymore."

"Let your aunt and I handle them," Seth reassured. "We'll make it a full night for you kids. Mrs. Sato can sign up as another chaperone. I'll have the car washed and waxed then it's yours for the evening."

Jared's countenance overflowed with excited intrigue.

Shane's features perked some as well. "Really? All ours?"

An uninhibited Seth simply replied, "You're more than old enough now."

Shane looked in his brother's direction next. "Do you want to?"

Beaming, Jared nodded eagerly.

Hana also smiled as she continued trimming the flowers. "Right after dinner, I'll phone—"

"Uncle, Auntie!" came David's grave bellow. "Quickly, come here."

Seth started out rapidly. Hana only took time to place the rest of her bouquet in the vase before catching up with her husband. Shane and Jared eyed each other briefly then emptied the kitchen with their hastening forms.

"… all around campus. You didn't see them?"

"We were at the PTA meeting," they heard Hana explain. "We were so relieved to get out for dinner, we didn't notice. Or they hadn't reached our part of town yet."

David made known, "Well, they're plastered across the entire neighborhood now."

Making it to the living room with the rest, Shane inquired, "What's going on?"

"What's that, Uncle Seth?" Jared asked of the parchment in the man's hands.

With a slow, mystified shake of his head, Seth insisted, "This has to be an elaborate ruse. Someone's idea of a sick prank."

"Yes," David pointed to the presidential signature, "his."

Seth startled them all when he hardly took the time to get the front door open before dashing out of it.

Jared stooped to pick up the sheet he discarded, only growing more confounded. "What does this mean?"

With only a fast read over his shoulder, Shane felt the incensed blaze ignite throughout his every organ. "… Cripple-dick bastard!"

Hana made a move to reach for the livid teenager, but whipped her head over at the wordless noise that overtook his outcry. Jared's jaw drop upon seeing David's now blood- drizzling fist planted in the doorway wall.

Glancing about in every possible angle, Seth could face neither tree, street light, nor mailbox without finding duplicate pages. Spotting the one on the far left side of his fence, he snatched and crumpled it in a single motion.

"Seth?"

Veering at the petitioner, he locked riled near-black eyes with his wife's stanch medium brown. From the base of his feet up to his shoulders, the tremors began. His vision and reflexes remained active only enough to watch her unswerving path towards him and catch her in a shivering, dismal clutch.

XXXXX

WESTERN DEFENSE COMMAND AND FOURTH ARMY
WARTIME CIVIL CONTROL ADMINISTRATION

INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL PERSONS OF

JAPANESE

ANCESTRY

Living in the Following Area:

Finished reading through the seemingly endless words in smaller print, Tommy passed the flyer to Scott. Adjusting his red glasses, the optical mutant studied every letter keenly. He raised it slightly when Becky and Frank moved to either side of him to view it as well.

A disheartened Becky reacted, "You keep something like this in your photo album?"

"Jared's album," corrected Leon. "I just swiped it."

Patting his pants pocket, Frank felt the coin inside.

Scott appeared ready to exhale smoke from his nostrils. "Your mom and dad…"

Leon concluded facetiously, "Two among the millions of nameless, faceless bodies. No more or less."

Taking two platters at once, Melissa asked the elders present, "Dining room?"

Erik requested, "Living room, please."

"Yes, the children are likely circling the telly as we speak." Charles also added, "Thank you, Melissa."

As she, Emma, and Becky helped carry out as well, Alana directed, "Don't let that sauce overheat."

Frank nodded and stepped over to supervise the sweetened pot.

Once the rest finished reading the flyer, Tommy carefully refolded and tucked it back inside its transparent page.

"And to where are you fleeing?" Erik asked the suddenly sprinting youth.

Tommy slowed and tapped the album. "Gonna put this back before I grubby it up."

Erik's head bop of approval acted as his cue to continue out of the eater. Tommy made it to the second level shortly and ceased his pace only when he reached Leon's suite. Easing onto the side of the bed, he flipped through the book again until he landed on the depiction of the euphoric newlyweds.

"You're not nameless," Tommy addressed the photograph, "or faceless. I see you; all of you. I know what they did to you and Lee. Now, just wait until they see what I do to them."

Gingerly closing the memento book, Tommy laid it amongst the pillows. On his way out of the room, he considered the numerous food items he could dunk into marmalade. He even briefly toyed with adding orange juice to the realm of possibilities.