Dad was sitting in one of our recliners while the 3 teens were sitting on the couch and the guy that looked dad's age stood next to them.
"What's up dad? Why the long face?" I sat in the recliner next to his. Of course, being the klutz I am, I managed to send the seat flying back into the lay down position. I continued the conversation normally, as I always did when something weird was happening.
"You never bring people home from work. So what's the occasion?" I gave him an opening to spit out what ever was causing him so much stress.
"You're engagement." I looked over to him for a second. He wouldn't meet my gaze.
"PFFFTTT! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." I howled with laughter and could hear Dae and Flem snickering in the kitchen. As I quieted down I flipped the chair back up into the sitting position.
"Seriously, dad. That was a really bad joke. You're going to have to try harder if you want me to believe you." I grinned over at him. He looked at me with tears in his eyes. My breath halted. He wasn't lying. I thought with a cold realization.
"Dad, kitchen." I said firmly and pulled him into the kitchen. He looked ready to break down.
"Woah! Mr. T you look awful!" Dae said. He could be a little dense sometimes. I shoved him and Flem into the living room.
"You two, stay out here and 'entertain' our 'guests' while I have a word with my father." I scowled coldly. They nodded. Dae and Flem had both seen me when I was angry like this and knew not to mess with me. As they turned to the guests and started talking loudly about stupid shit I turned back to my now weeping father.
"Dad, tell me what's going on." I pleaded with him. He looked into my eyes.
"Rae what I'm about to tell you will seem odd and hell even completely made up, but you have to believe me. I would never lie to you like this… do you understand me?" He had a look on his face so serious that I knew he was telling the truth. I nodded and he continued. He started explaining to me the different ninja nations and how they were kept hidden from the general public as a way to save the old culture. It seemed like everything I knew was a lie. Extra countries, a different world, ninja's, magic powers called chakra. My head was spinning with it all. It was some time later when he finished.
"Dad, why are you telling me this, and what does it have to do with me?"
"Raeven, when you were born, you're mother promised you to the Kazekage. I fought so hard and have been able to keep you this long because they found no use in you, but now, he wants you to marry his youngest son, and I can't say no."
"Why not dad? Just tell them I'm not interested." I huffed.
"Baby listen," He took me into his arms, his head resting on my shoulder. "You have to be brave, you have to do this. If you don't they'll kill you and Rae, you're the only thing I have left in this life. If I give you to them, at least I know you're safe and I can still visit you. Please don't take my sunshine away." I noticed the last line. It was from a song he sang to me all the time when I was upset. I pushed him away and for a second he looked terrified.
"Dad, it'll be okay." I smiled up at him. "I'll go, and so help me god I'll make them so miserable, they'll have to send me back!" He laughed at this.
"That's the girl I raised!" We were enjoying our father daughter moment when screams and crashing objects could be heard from the living room. I sighed. Storming into the room I noticed that chaos had ensued, probably at the fault of my two best friends.
"Daemeon Sabaestian Elliot and Michael Lucifer Kerry!" I bellowed. The chaos stopped and the two mischief-makers took their seats at record speed. I observed the room. A growling emo kid with red hair; I say kid, but I knew he was my age and probably taller than me, but he looked like a brat to me, a blushing blonde wearing a dress with fishnets, an out of breath cat looking weirdo with his face painted up and a furious looking grown up with bronze skin and a white cloth hanging in front of half his face. Not to mention all the broken furniture in the living room.
"Rae, we swear we didn't start it!" Flem broke out.
"Yeah! They were giving us the evil eye!" Dae shouted.
"Probably didn't help that you were hitting on the blonde." Flem commented. Dae blushed and laughed.
"Enough!" I cried out regally. I loved acting so I was constantly being far more dramatic than necessary, but it was fun!
"The only reason I have entered this room was to discover who my husband is to be so that we may began baby making immediately!" I struck a determined pose.
"Excuse me, but I think you mean whom!" Dae commented.
"Um, I think the bigger question is, what the hell are you talking about?" I looked down at Flem. "Eep!" He shut up quickly. I walked over to the tan guy and glared up at his still very shocked face.
"You!" I pointed, finger pressing on his nose.
"Names!" I pointed to the three on the couch. The tan guy cleared his throat and bowed.
"My name is Baki. And those on the couch, are siblings, Temari," The blonde nodded. "Kankuro," The creepy face painted guy smiled creepily. "And Gaara." No reaction. None, zip, nada. Baki cleared his throat once more.
"Gaara will be your husband." He looked really nervous and I noticed the red head twitch.
"Goth!"
"Emo!"
"Raccoon."
"Punk."
"HARDCORE!"
Oh for the love of kitty cats. I glared at Dae and Flem. The looked upset almost.
"Don't give me that look Rae!" Flem pouted.
"Yeah, just because he's already your… fiancé" He shuddered saying the word "Doesn't mean he's spared from the criticism we give all the guys who want to date you." Dae said triumphantly. His smirk disappeared when he realized his mistake. I never knew they did this. I never knew that scrutinized all my boyfriends before I got to date them. I glared so hard at Dae that it looked like he was shrinking.
"YOU DO WHAT!" I yelled so loud I thought I heard glass cracking. Dae backed away a little. I was FURIOUS. I grabbed the two by the back of their swimming trunks and dragged them upstairs. Wailing and pleading they kicked and screamed all the way up to my room. I dropped them on the floor. Winking, I began packing a bag as they caught on. They continued their cries and plead for mercy and even started making thwacking noises, all with smiles on their faces. They knew I'd never beat them up, but they loved to give everyone the impression I did, sadistic bastards.
A tear rolled down my cheek as they quieted down. I picked up my favorite picture of us. We were all going to this party our sophomore year and dressed in matching top hats and tux's. It was the best party ever. Flem came over and hugged me. Dae did the same. I cried a little more.
"Listen, lets keep them waiting a little longer and do one last game on the 64. Mario cart, rainbow level, no cheating." Flem said as he pulled out the ancient gaming system.
"Yeah. Thank you. You guys are the best." We played and played and eventually things got a little out of hand.