Please know this has strong themes. This is a mature series, if you had not already known that. (Why I constantly warn, not sure, but I do) Beware younger viewers. Read at your own caution/risk- or read something else. Thank you.
The H.A.:
As a week goes by the girls still can't help but feel things aren't right. However, what is most heavily on their minds that they haven't talked about with the boys is the issues regarding their families. Kendall hasn't brought it up with Linnie, when they would talk on the phone, and Jackie hasn't even dared discuss it with her mom either. Although, with her mom being as tired as she is from work, she isn't sure she should either way. The girls, though want answers, but are unsure how to go about it.
They also know there are things they don't like with the missions their friends are going on. They don't like that the others are risking their lives for them. Especially Kendall, since that's what she tried to avoid for so long. But, she knows bringing that up might be a bit touchy, plus she also realizes this is a completely different subject matter entirely. Although, that still doesn't help. The girls were beside themselves, being they had no idea what to think or do.
When that Saturday rolled around, their friends met at Kick's place, however the girls asked if they could stay at Kendall's. The boys were unsure, but since Loraina and the others thought it was going to be a short meeting, they considered it would be fine for the girls to be at Kendall's for a bit, which left the boys to agree. While the others had their meeting, this was the girls' opportunity to get some answers. They could finally get something off their chests that had been bugging them. They snuck out the back of Kendall's house, heading down the path she use to go down to get away when she was absent from school. The girls saw the abandoned building, walking a bit past it to see a small little patch of trees and bushes with a table. They saw two girls waiting there as they walked over.
"Kendall, Jackie." Haley greeted them.
"Glad to see the bloodsuckers aren't around." Julie had to say. Haley gave her a look as did Kendall and Jackie.
"We like it if you didn't call our boyfriends or friends that." Jackie folded her arms.
"They're your boyfriends?" Julie raised an eyebrow. "Surprising, given who they are."
"Julie enough." Haley rolled her eyes, before letting out a breath.
"Is she always like this?" Kendall asked.
"More or less." Haley replied. "You can say us hunters and vampires don't really….get along." She tried to find the right words.
"That is putting it lightly." Julie commented.
"However, how about we put that aside?" Haley said. "I'm glad you girls called." She smiled. "You girls wanted to find out more about your heritage, your backgrounds, your families…"
"Not quite." Kendall interrupted. Haley and Julie had a curious look.
"Then why'd you call?" Julie questioned.
"You mentioned our mothers." Jackie brought up. "Not that we care about our fathers…but…"
"You do, or you don't want to know?" Haley quirked an eyebrow at them.
"It's….not that we don't want to know…we just….like we said." Kendall glanced away, holding her arm, still not liking the subject matter. Julie and Haley sat on the table top staring at the girls. "You mentioned our mothers, and it peaked our interest…being that my mom is….she's gone…"
"Your mom was a wonderful person." Haley told her. "Even more she and your mother were both amazing huntresses…or rather were before they left."
"What do you mean left?" Jackie inquired.
"Your mothers were powerful, strong and part of well….strong bloodlines that were hard to come by in the hunters. In fact, we're still trying to learn more about them since you two are the last links we have." Haley explained. "However, let's just say, though, they had a sympathy for the…other kind."
"For super naturals?" Kendall gathered.
"You can say." Julie responded. "It was…unnatural." The girls rolled their eyes at that.
"You girls have to understand, even back in your mothers' childhood, having such, emotions for them, was frowned upon. And it still is." Haley clarified for them. "But they also didn't like many of the teachings and traditions the hunters had, which led them into the many decisions they made." She breathed.
"Again, what do you mean by that?" Kendall stared at her.
"Your mothers were never meant to be here in Mellowbrooks." Julie chimed in. "Let alone go through what they went through." She had a disapproving and disappointed look.
"I feel like we keep asking this…" Jackie was wanting to know more.
"I think it's best you girls sit down." Haley suggested. "A lot of this stuff, especially dealing with your mothers….your parents." She got up off the corner of the table. "Is difficult and you both should be sitting down." The girls sat on the bench, still keeping their eyes on the two.
"Explain." Kendall told them.
"Your mothers were in arranged marriages with your fathers." Haley started. "Your fathers were high ranking hunters that were hand-picked to be with your mothers, however your mothers fought against tradition. Very hard against it." She further explained. "Your mother especially Jackie." Jackie kept listening as she didn't know what to think about this. "Granted, when your mothers were forced into the ceremonies of their young betrothals, well…we, or rather the hunters, weren't expecting them to…well run…"
"Run?" Jackie repeated confused.
"Yes, run." Julie said. "Both your mothers ran, which caused your fathers to chase."
"How old were our mothers?" Kendall questioned.
"It was before they were in middle school." Haley replied.
"They got married…"Jackie was beside herself.
"Again, this is tradition and our way Jackie." Haley wanted to remind her. "And I will remind you this was a different kind of marriage then what you're thinking."
"When you say marriage, there's only one type..." Jackie countered.
"Not quite." Julie argued, interrupting her. "For the hunters, there's two, one when we're young and another when we reach maturity, in which case we become eligible to actually be able to settle and have children with one another." She told her.
"One can say the first marriage is more or less a promise of faithfulness." Haley tried to help elaborate. "A way of loyalty, between you and your soon to be…ah….partnered parent…spouse…when you both become older." She was trying to find the right words. "However, it's a simple marriage of promise to be faithful, nothing more." She assured. "The second marriage is the one you are thinking about that is more, of a modern marriage."
"Are all hunter's marriages like this?" Kendall was just as surprised to hear about this.
"Not all, just the more…high ranked ones." Haley stated. "Or ones that will be most notable."
"However, that doesn't mean lower ranks and mid ranks don't also partake in arrange marriages." Julie shrugged. "They just don't necessarily need to." She spoke. "And again, not all are like this in all the ranks." She explained. "Just your mothers… because of their lineage…their family line, well pure and fine blood, plus skill rather…. well they were set to have it."
"Joyous." Jackie didn't like hearing this at all.
"Now, as I was saying." Haley wanted to get back onto topic. "Your mothers ran." She reminded. "To which your mother came here." She directed her attention to Kendall. "And your mother, well…" She breathed. "She kept being on the run." Jackie looked down. "It's the reason why you never…well you kept moving a lot. She was on the run from the hunters…and at many points, your father."
"My father…what?" Jackie let out, completely unsure what to think about this now as she looked at her.
"Your father at some point found your mother…and things happened." Haley swallowed. "Things we couldn't interfere with because of hunter code."
"Hunter code?" Kendall inquired.
"Hunter's live by many codes." Haley responded, feeling a bit uneasy about this topic, but knowing she needed to discuss it with them and tell them.
"Yeah tell me about it, wish some of them weren't there in regards to some things, especially with those…" Julie had a side comment.
"Julie shut it." Haley had a pointed look. She let out a breath. "But yes, we live by many codes and one of those codes involves not interfering with the marriages of other hunters." She continued. Julie glanced at her sister with that knowing she was having a hard time.
"What?" Kendall couldn't believe that.
"It's just how it is." Haley breathed out again, as this was hard to discuss. She glanced at Julie briefly who gave her an encouraging nod, before she spoke any further. Both looking at the girls. "We don't like it either. And sadly until a crime is committed in our jurisdiction or something, like what happened is done, then and only then, can we do something. But until then, we can't interfere."
"So you….you let my mother…." Kendall hated this even more.
"Kendall, please understand, we couldn't do anything." Haley tried to tell her. "We never wanted anything to happen to your mother." She assured. "To either of your mothers." She also glanced at Jackie.
"What do you mean by that?" Jackie stared at her. "What happened to my mother?"
"Your mother sadly was forced into the second marriage with your father against her will." Haley looked down. "He kidnapped her, and….let's just say when your mother was finally able to escape, she was seven months pregnant with you." Jackie started to have a few tears run down her cheeks.
"My mom never told me…" Jackie was quiet.
"That's because your mother loves you and probably wanted to keep this all from you." Haley told her.
"You're lying to me…my mom she wasn't….I'm not…." Jackie was breathing heavy. Kendall grabbed her hand knowing this was not easy, for either of them. In fact she brought her close, hugging her, trying to comfort her, while Jackie was trying not to cry.
"Jackie, I'm sorry you have to hear this." Haley was saddened to by this. "But I'm not lying." She affirmed. "Your mom probably is protecting you like she has been doing since you were born."
"If I was born out…why didn't…." Jackie didn't know what to think anymore.
"Maybe because she saw a light in you..." Haley tried to help. "Maybe because you gave her hope when she was lost…." She thought. "I….I don't know." She breathed. "I can't answer this question as I am not sure…" She reasoned. "She only ever kept in contact with one person, and that was your mother." She glanced at Kendall.
"My mother?" Kendall asked.
"Yes, both of your mothers were close, given they grew up together, ran away together." Haley responded. "However, when they separated, they kept in constant contact." She informed.
"How do you know this?" Jackie was still unsure what to think anymore, her voice starting to tremble.
"Letters, emails, phone calls, all of it." Julie replied. "We were able to intercept, or duplicate them, to keep tabs on your mothers." She continued.
"That's probably how my father found them…how my father….you did this…the hunters…you guys…" Jackie started to accuse.
"Jackie hold on." Haley halted her. "Yes, we duplicated and intercepted things, however, remember we never interfered." She reminded. "And more to it, there was never any locations in these messages."
"So don't blame us." Julie added. "Your father, admittedly was…he was an awful man." She admitted. "Both of them were."
"Was?" Jackie repeated the word.
"Yes, was." Haley nodded. "Your father is no longer alive." She notified. Jackie and Kendall didn't say anything to that. "I'm sure you're probably not sadden by that. I don't blame you." Haley breathed. "You should know though, he was killed."
"By bloodsuckers." Julie added.
"That so…" Jackie still didn't feel saddened by this.
"Yes." Haley replied. "He was in a fight with one." She mentioned. "And as you can probably assume it ended with him losing his life."
"Who started the fight" Jackie couldn't help but have an attitude with the way she said that.
"Whether or not that matters…" Haley spoke.
"Oh I think it does." Jackie fired back.
"Kinda clear who you want to side with." Julie noticed.
"No, it's kinda clear that you hunters are nothing more than…" Jackie started to shoot back with as much fire.
"Okay enough." Haley intervened. She gave her sister another warning glance. "Jackie we know that what happened in the past hurts…but you have to know we never meant for any of it to happen." She assured. "Or rather the society never meant for any of it to happen."
"And yet it still happened…" Jackie mumbled out. The sisters just let out sighs with that.
"Is that the same for my mother as well?" Kendall couldn't help but feel the same way as Jackie.
"Yes…" Haley breathed. "None of this…none of it was meant to happen." Her voice was quiet. "But try to understand, we held to tradition and code."
"Yes and those codes and traditions led to our mothers…led to everything happening." Kendall countered.
"Maybe so." Haley admitted. "However, you girls cannot deny your history, your family…."
"You are not our family." Kendall argued abruptly. Haley and Julie were shocked by that. "My family is with the Buttowski's. With Jackie…with my friends…with my sister Linnie, and that's it."
"Same." Jackie agreed. "Our families are with each other." She told them.
"You would be families with those…" Julie raised an eyebrow.
"Julie." Haley gave her another look.
"What?" Julie also glanced at her sister. "It's just unbelievable is all." She commented. "I mean do you even know them? Know anything about them?" She glanced back at the girls.
"We know they're always there for us." Kendall responded.
"Always willing to protect us." Jackie added.
"They have always saved us." Kendall defended them. "That's more than we can say about you all." She stared at them. "Plus we trust them."
"Do you?" Julie questioned. The girls narrowed their eyes at that. Haley rolled her eyes at her sister.
"Forgive my sister, she's…." She let out a heavy sigh.
"You both seem to have your reservations against vampires." Jackie noticed.
"We're hunters." Julie spoke.
"And?" Kendall countered, needing a better reason.
"What my sister means is, it's a long history." Haley clarified. "A very long history."
"One, I wonder if you two know?" Julie brought up. The girls had inquisitive and suspicious expressions. "Although, I'm sure you must know about that."
"Julie…" Haley felt like she was at her wits end with her sister.
"No..." Jackie glanced. "What does she mean by that?"
"You're boyfriends would know." Julie replied. "I mean, surely you know all about them right?"
"We know enough." Kendall folded her arms. Haley looked at them with that now.
"Do you know about their families?" Haley genuinely asked.
"We know that their pures." Jackie informed.
"Oh really?" Julie was intrigued now. "They told that?"
"Like I said they're honest." Kendall told the girls.
"And they told you everything about their families, their past and even our….history…" Haley had to inquire, as she finished the question pointing at her sister and herself. Kendall and Jackie looked at each other. Julie had a smirk.
"They didn't." Her voice was quiet.
"We grew up with them." Jackie argued. "What's left to know?"
"Besides they explained what they could when we asked." Kendall added.
"Oh…" Julie was being aloof now. The girls didn't like that.
"But they didn't mention anything about the other pure bloods, or did they?" Haley stared at them.
"We know there are six families, three of them are here." Kendall stated.
"And the other three?" Haley questioned. The girls didn't know as they glanced at each other again.
"You don't know." Julie concluded. "They didn't tell you."
"We didn't ask, I'm sure if we did they would tell us." Jackie fired back. "Plus what's it matter?"
"It matters in a way, because there is many things you still don't know." Haley now thought about it. "Like I can assume they didn't tell you everything regarding the pure bloods. Especially the more, juicer information on pure bloods and vampires." She informed. "And even more about the history with us and them…or shall I say the hunters and vampires."
"This history coming from you I can only presume, might be biased." Kendall assumed.
"You don't think it will be on their side?" Julie countered.
"We'll take our chances." Jackie spoke. "Besides you guys haven't really done anything to earn any trust."
"Be that as it may, can you say you fully trust your friends and boyfriends completely now?" Haley inquired. "Especially knowing they might be hiding more from you."
"They'll be honest with us." Kendall argued.
"Will they?" Julie raised an eyebrow. The girls glared. Haley gave her a look.
"Allow me to leave you with this." Haley commented. "You might think you know them, however they have known about the hunters and the dangers around you girls for many years." She informed them. "Can you honestly say that you trust that?" She asked genuinely again. "Should you have to ask if they're your friends and boyfriends, or shouldn't they just tell you?" She raised an eyebrow. "Like we did with your hunting familial background." She brought up. The girls did slight glances at each other with that. "Think about it." The two got up starting to walk away.
"Wait." Kendall got up from the bench, leaving Jackie sitting for a second, the sisters halting. Haley turned to face Kendall. "Why did you come to find us?" Kendall wondered. "What was your purpose of coming here?"
"Our purpose?" Haley repeated.
"You said you were on business." Kendall recalled. "What was it?"
"I see…" Haley realized what she was getting at. Kendall kept her eyes on them, as did Jackie as she got up now. "One part of the business was to recruit you girls for the H.A." She answered.
"The H.A huh?" Kendall questioned.
"Yes." Julie nodded. "I mean you girls have to wonder a bit why you can do things others can't, don't you?" She chimed in. "I mean to survive attacks from vampires, plus sadly…the abuse you endured…."She looked down. The girls swallowed.
"What are you…" Kendall was trying to keep her breathing calm.
"Think about it, you're both not like normal humans, plus let's face it you two aren't even like us hunters either." Julie said. "The fact you can stump your mind reading friends, can make it so no one can manipulate you, plus more." She was amazed. "You girls have to know there is something more about you." Jackie and Kendall didn't know what to think about this. "I mean for us hunters we normally have to wear things or train for years on end to be able to mind block someone or not be able to be manipulated without a jewels help, but for you girls…" She pointed, still impressed. "You don't need anything. It's just natural. Even the jewelry you wear, doesn't block anything it's just heirlooms from your mothers' blood lines." The girls looked at their stuff. "You two are truly impressive."
"You girls, let's just say have the hunters' aspects." Haley tried to help explain as well. "The skill, flexibility, will to survive, fighting, your uniqueness." She told them "All of it." She continued. "And with proper training you can hone those attributes and be true huntresses." She continued to elaborate. "You both have amazing attributes that has not been seen in, well ever, in our generation. But with the pure blood rushing through your veins, along with everything else, you girls would make for remarkable huntresses."
"Like we want to be?" Jackie was quiet as she stared at them, not believing this, as she tried to grasp it.
"I'm sure it's hard to hear." Haley was positive of this. "In fact I'm positive." She breathed. "But you're both under the age of 24 and can easily do it." She smiled. "In fact you're under the age of 21, which is even better, so if you wanted to, the H.A. can train you girls." She offered. "If you chose to do it."
"Does…does my…" Kendall began.
"It's only you two." Haley interrupted, knowing what she was going to say. "Your sister Linnie sadly doesn't have the skills you possess. None of them." She added. "We hoped maybe she might, but she doesn't. And even if she did, she is far too old now, and has her own life." She mentioned.
"Not to mention, of what we've seen, sometimes the hunting blood, genes, attributes, and whatever one wishes to call them, skip a… line. So Linnie seems to be lucky in that department being she can live in her normal world with her "normal" human husband." Julie brought up.
"So her husband isn't…" Kendall was curious.
"No. He's a completely normal human." Haley assured. "As is his family." She spoke. "Plus as per hunter code, the family she is close to here that are hunters can never mention anything about our world, so she is safe." Kendall felt better about that.
"I don't understand…you said my mom was on the run… how…" Kendall just thought of that.
"Gradually they came here." Haley answered. "Staying in neighboring cities, just to keep tabs, especially when things got…bad." She let out a sigh. "However, as mentioned before, code is code, but as you can bet because of how your mother was with supernaturals, running away, and the other stuff, it caused rifts. Especially since the family is all on your father's side, and very distantly on your mother's." She reminded. Kendall had a hard look. "Although that doesn't mean anything was right. And things will be dealt with."
"And how's that?" Kendall asked.
"Our second order of business is to bring your father to a hunters' prison, where…well let's just say he'll pay for his crimes. Severely." Haley responded. Jackie glanced at Kendall, grabbing her arm, holding her close as well, to comfort her.
"When….when are you doing this?" Kendall remained neutral, but wanted to know.
"We have to finish the paper work which will take quite a few weeks and then he'll be transferred soon after." Haley spoke. "Then you never have to see him again." Kendall did a slight glance away before closing her eyes and nodding. "It's the point the hunters are here and handling him now."
"Right…" Kendall was quiet.
"Is that all you girls are here for?" Jackie questioned.
"We would like to look into the attacks that have been happening, given we know they're vampire attacks." Julie folded her arms.
"Seeing as we know it could raise the attention of other copy cats, or even raise the attention of those in a few other countries, say like London." Haley mentioned. "Especially with our wide spread system."
"London…" The girls whispered.
"However, we'll let your boyfriends handle it." Julie had a sly expression. Haley just rolled her eyes again. The girls gave Julie a look with that.
"Either way, if we need to, we'll help, but our hands our rather tied." Haley reminded her sister.
"Let me guess code?" Kendall assumed.
"Not quite." Haley spoke, something hinting in her tone. The girls had a curious look with that, before they looked at each other. "Anything else we can tell you?"
"No…" Jackie replied. "Personally I think it's best we get going."
"I agree." Kendall said. Haley nodded at them.
"The offer to join the H.A will still stand." She told them.
"Trust us we won't take it." Jackie commented.
"Maybe not…." Haley understood why. "But maybe in the future." She hoped.
"Doubt it." Kendall let out.
"Just know, if you have any more questions." Haley told them. "We're a call away." She affirmed. "And we will answer them."
"Let's hope your boyfriends and friends can be as trusting and forthcoming." Julie quipped. The girls glared at her for that. Haley smacked her arm.
"Julie!" She harshly scolded, before letting out a frustrated sigh. "Please get home safe. It's still dangerous, even in the day." She told the girls. They nodded.
"We'll be fine." They turned, walking away heading back to Kendall's while the sisters went the opposite direction.
The girls were able to sneak back into Kendall's place. Kendall was able to see that it still seemed the meeting was going on over at Kick's place. Jackie was still beside herself with everything they were told and wasn't sure what to do with the information. Kendall grabbed them both a water, hoping that might help, given that both their minds were racing. Jackie sat on the couch.
"Does….does my mom hate me…?" Jackie couldn't help but question aloud.
"Jackie I'm sure she doesn't." Kendall assured. "Those girls….we just….we'll…." Kendall let out a breath not sure how to answer.
"What if she does though?" Jackie wondered.
"She doesn't." Kendall glanced at her.
"But…" Jackie tried to counter.
"Jackie." Kendall grabbed her hands after putting both of their waters down. "We're….we're going to find out more….the truth…somehow." Kendall replied. "And not from them….just….we have to stay calm okay." She tried to comfort her. Jackie just slowly nodded. Both letting out a few breaths. "I'm….I'm going to go grab a deck a card….make it look like we were playing cards…" She let out, still trying to think, and breathe. Jackie trying to do the same. "In the meantime, you….go try and clean up a bit…okay?" She wiped a few tears from Jackie's cheeks. Jackie nodded.
They both got up, Jackie heading to the bathroom seeing she needed to wash her face and make it look like she wasn't just upset nor crying. Kendall in the meantime found a card deck and just set up a simple card game, so that when the boys came in they have an alibi. Then knew it was bad to lie, but until they got this all figured out, they thought this was the best temporary solution.
When the boys came in they were surprised to see the girls playing the card game but asked to join in. Jackie though, still couldn't focus, especially with what was on her mind. The boys didn't think the meeting would take as long as it would, however the girls didn't mind. Being that everyone was tired for various reasons, they decided to play only one last round of their card game before watching some films. The boys reported that there wasn't anything special to report, or anything particularly interesting for the girls. And with their minds racing, they wouldn't be able to focus, either way.
To be continued…
L: Ummm…..uh….okay….um….wow….please tell me there's more.
S: You know there is always more.
L: Good, I need it. Please continue.
S: When don't I continue?
L: Do you need a list?
S: Nvm…. Anyway thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed. As noted this is an M-rated fic, so as always beware. (Don't like don't read, etc.) Also thank you Toonguy for allowing me to use your OC's!
L: Yes, thank you.
S: We shall see you all soon.
Both: Please keep safe! Bye!
