I was with my friends and we were walking the girls' home. Maria wasn't here this time because Ayanna had decided to be an idiot and decide that she needed her and that Maria had to stay home. I hated when my mom did that so I can just imagine how she felt, not liking her mother much anyway. But then, I had Mikael to deal with as well as Esther.

"So why don't I walk you to your house Crystalia?" I asked as I helped her off of Speedy Star.

"Really? Crystalia? You have known me for about three years Niklaus. You should know my name by now. It's Crystal. Crystal Hailing. Why do you insist on calling me Crystalia?"

"Hey don't get mad love, I just think that the name Crystalia is mystical. And unique. Like you."

"Of course. Expect the son of a witch to be attracted to 'mystical' names."

"Hey you leave Nik alone. He's not a witch kid. He's a warrior brat." Replied Carr. Everyone began to laugh.

"Real nice guys. I'm not a brat." I complained.

"Yeah? Well then why do I hear other parents complaining about your behavior?" replied Kyle.

"You guys leave Niky alone. At least he knows how to take people off his trail. You guys are trying to teach him how to train his parents. You boys are equal."

"So you want me to walk you home Crystalia? It's getting late. It's dark out and we'll get in more trouble the longer we stay out. I want to make sure that your dad doesn't piss off like.. others."

"No because I accidently let slip to my dad about our 'adventures' and he doesn't like you all that much Nik. So no. I'll go by myself." She said and picked up her dress, prepared to leave but she turned back around to me and kissed me deeply. She used one of her hands to hold the back of my head and the other to touch my cheek. She kissed me deeply. I returned the kiss, putting my hands in her hair and pulled her closer to make the kiss more passionate. The kiss lasted for about a few seconds before she turned and picked up her dress and headed to her front door. I felt defeated. Adults were always the victors…

I watched as she headed to her house and her dad came out. He saw her, grabbed her and she made a few protests. I aimed to walk over there but Kyle stopped me saying that she'd be in more trouble if I did go over there. So I let him treat her that way, promising myself that I would give her a better time the next time I see her.

"We have to get home." Carr said after a few minutes of just staring at my house.

"You're right." We answered and we got back on our horses. I looked to see that Cynthia and Olivia had gone home too. I egged Star to make a route for home. First I'd take my friends home. Then I would make my way home too. To be scolded by my parents.

We made our way back to the village and we took Carr home first. We said our hesitant goodbyes and I led Kyle to his house. We stopped to talk for a minute.

"Are you sure that you want me to go home? We could always tell your parents you got lost and I had to come help you."

"Yeah. Like they're going to believe that. Even if they did believe it I'd get scolded even more for going somewhere new without anyone to guide me. You know my mother hates when I go somewhere unfamiliar without supervision."

"How about we tell them that we got in a fight and that we had to rough up a few blokes."

"And we got out of it without a scratch on our clothes? You know me. I'll come up with some excuse. I always do, and it almost always works." I told him, hoping I would come up with one they might believe.

We said our goodbyes and I headed home, quickly trying to think up an excuse. Ayanna asked for me? No Esther was best friends with her. Ask her, answer is no, I'm in trouble. Yeah but she wouldn't find that out until morning… I discarded it. If she'd asked for me she would have asked mom first.

I reached home without coming up with an acceptable excuse. I reluctantly put Speedy Star back in his stable. Black Diamond snorted scoldingly at us. I ignored him and took care of Star slowly and finally hugged him and told him to wish me good luck. He neighed encouragingly to me and I kissed him between his eyes and locked him in his pen. Well it was finally time to face my parents. I gulped and stood tall, and walked casually inside the house and of course the first voice I heard was mothers' and I was jumped by Rebekah. She dragged me inside and sat on me.

"Rebekah go back to your room. I need to speak with Niklaus." I cringed at my mother's tone. Rebekah gave me a sad face, kissed my cheek and reluctantly went back to our room. I sat up and just stared at my mother.

"Niklaus do you even know what color the sky is?"

"It depends. What time do you mean?" I asked, knowing EXACTLY what she meant but denying any possibility that I was in the wrong.

"It is dark outside. What does that mean Niklaus? What does night mean?"

"It means that I am supposed to already be inside the house." I said standing up finally.

"Yes Niklaus. And when did you come home?" I cringed again.

"After dark… so many people come home bef- after dark."

"You are to come home before dark Niklaus. I am very disappointed in you. You should be ashamed of yourself. Did you think about what could possibly going through my mind when you didn't return home with your other siblings?"

"I didn't but I'm sure you began to plan out this lecture you're giving me." I said thoughtlessly, was Father even going to make an appearance like he always did? And when are Finn and Elijah going to lecture me? Or are they?

The instant I thought that Mikael came in. Just great. More lecturing. Mikael came in looking pissed as hell. I, for a slight second, wanted to run to Elijah for protection, however I would stand my ground.

"NIKLAUS! Where have you been?"

I cringed. Now would be a great time for an excuse otherwise he'd beat me senseless. I quickly tried to think of one but none came to mind. Great. I'm doomed.

"ANSWER ME NIKLAUS!"

"I was playing with my friends in a race. We got lost and we found ourselves on someone else's' property and we had to fight to get away. By that time we went even farther than we'd thought so we had to find our way home. So we just returned from that woeful event. I'm sorry father."

Mother came closer and inspected my clothing. Of course. She shook her head and looked like she wanted to put me in the corner. She just whispered to Mikael and left her bedroom. I couldn't wait to get this over with.

Mikael glared at me and then he dragged me over to his chair. He sat down and placed me over his lap. I couldn't reach ether end. This was probably his favorite part. Making me feel helpless. He started in hard and heavy on my bottom. I yelped at every swat until I actually began to cry.

"Niklaus you should know better. What made you think we wouldn't notice your missing?"

"I don't know sir. I'm sorry. Please stop! I promise I'll never do it again." He went on for about three more rounds and then stood me up.

"Get to bed boy before I decide more is in order. You should be ashamed of yourself Niklaus. We thought you'd been hurt bad. Or worse. Now get going."

"Yes sir." I went to my room. I laid between Kol and Rebekah. Rebekah showed me that she'd woke Kol and Elijah too.

"So what happened mate?" Kol asked.

"Yeah. You can tell us." Rebekah said, rubbing my back.

"I was playing in the woods. What do you think happened? I was with my friends."

"Did it have anything to do with a certain pretty little lady?" she asked. Suddenly the door opened and we laid down, pretending to be asleep. It was mom and dad.

They came in and kissed us all on the forehead, Esther kissing me twice, they whispered to our 'sleeping' bodies a good night. They left after staring at us and then closed the door again.

"Elijah." I whispered. "Elijah next time can you help me come up with an excuse? Or you Kol? I know I'm not supposed to ask questions like that but that whip bloody hurts."

"Niklaus go to sleep. It's past nine."

"But Lijah. I really want to talk to you." I whiningly whispered. No response so he was playing that game. Fine. Let him win. I felt a tear fall down my face and into the part of the pillow I was lying on. "I love you Eli. Good night." He at least repeated that to me. Kol hit me. I stiffened. Finn was budging.

"You guys go to sleep before Father comes and beats all of you."

"Yeah. Says the kid who does EVERYTHING he's told. You'd probably even jump off a building if dad asked you to."

"Niklaus be quiet. You're such an idiot."

"Ooh. Finn just broke one of mothers' rulesss." Beky taunted.

I laughed and taunted him even more. "OOPS. You better apologize before mommy decides to spank you. Or worse yet. Decide to you put you in time out for months."

Kol took his turn by saying "Or worse yet, Father decides to do it, he hits harder remember."

Then Elijah interrupted. "Will you three just go to bed? Before you attract unwanted attention. Niklaus you of the three should be reluctant to misbehave, after having been disciplined already."

I slightly blushed. How dare he say in front of Finn. "I'll have you know that it didn't even bother me. Besides Finn would probably get it just as bad as me seeing as he is the obedient brat." I said and Beky could hardly stifle her laughter. She cuddled into my chest and I wrapped my arms around her.

"No that would be an easier way to keep me out of trouble Niklaus."

Kol repeated what I said. "Be quiet, you obedient brat before you get a whippin'."

I began to laugh myself and covered my mouth. Rebekah however started laughing like a hyena. Suddenly our door opened. We were too late to try and pretend to be asleep. Thankfully it was mom.

"You children go to sleep before Mikael wakes up. I understand that you kids need to comfort your brother but sleep is also important. Tomorrow I'll send you kids out to do something together."

"Mom, Niklaus is making fun of me." Finn whined. I gaped. Though I knew I couldn't deny it this time. She looked to me and gave me a disapproving look. I squirmed and turned to wriggle my face into Kol's chest.

"Niklaus you know better. Please don't make me discipline you. Now you kids go to sleep." She said before gently closing the door. I turned to glare at Finn.

"You'll regret that Finn." I felt a smack to the back of my head. "OW! Lijah." I whined.

"Go to sleep." I grumbled and put my head back on Kol's chest.

Like that we fell asleep and I knew tomorrow I'd have to watch my behavior around BOTH my parents. Finn laid on one side, Kol beside him, me beside Kol, Rebekah beside me and Elijah beside her. Rebekah usually slept beside me but sometimes she would be forced to lie beside one of the others. She and I were real close. I usually got her away from our boring house when no one would.

Rebekah hated the chores that mom would give her and the learning that she was given. She wished that mom was more like Ayanna in the fact of teaching her magic as well. But not keeping her away to teach her. She thought that the learning we did was better but I told her otherwise. Well the bow and arrow and the sword were fun yes, but nothing else. So she'd teach me to cook and I'd teach her how to use the sword. Of course she was a girl so instead I used sticks. Long ones. Like staffs but medium sized.

So that is basically what goes on at my house. But like everyone else, every day is different. Different days, different tasks, different people and different orders.

(Sorry for the title. Couldn't come up with anything better. Sorry I took so long to post these chapters but I have been sick. I am going to try to make better time and update all stories at once. So maybe you can expect a weekly update for all of them?)