A very Katty Christmas; part 4, the last chapter

Then she winked and as suddenly as she came she was gone.

Yugito Nii was back now saying, "Dammit! I Hate it when she does that!' 'She puts my nice and neat hair down EVERY TIME!' 'I swear she does it on PURPOSE!"

While I can almost hear my mom laughing her ass off as Yugito was ranting.

Yugito got serious again and said, "Whatever she said to you is yours and her business; not mine."

I said, "Okay.' 'If you don't mind I'll be going now."

Yugito said, "It's fine. I need to concentrate back on yoga anyway."

I left and there they were sitting together playing 'rocks' with cards ...

(The name always changes with whatever you are using for example; if you were using spoons in the middle it would be called 'spoons' I suggest you look it up if you don't know the rules. It's a fun game. :])

Apparently... Hama just got four of the same kind first then he grabbed one of the rocks and Luna noticed it first but Gaara got to it first by using his sand to block Luna from getting it.

Luna was the first to notice my presence because Nichole demanded a rematch with just Gaara and they were about to start it when Luna said, "Hey Kat."

I said, "Well... I'm back. From visiting my mom..."

Nichole said, "Stop stating the obvious! What did you learn about yourself?"

I said, very moodily, "I don't want to talk about it." I was too busy brooding on who could my father be. I know it Could Not be Hama... WAY too young. It wasn't Killer Bee because it was one of his friends... What about the guide...? I know nothing about him but he seems the right age... I'll ask him and see if he knows my father.

Hama said, "KAT! HELLO? YOU THERE?"

I said, while being snapped from my thoughts, "Huh?" Boy... that was smart; I thought sarcastically.

Hama said, "What I said was would you like to have dinner with me?" He is blushing; "Www..what I meant to ask is would your group would like to have dinner with me?"

Nichole jumped in and said, "We'll be glad too." Since I was blushing as well... I wasn't expecting That to be said.

Gaara just shrugged and said, "Whatever." Secretly I think that on in the inside he was saying YAY LUNCH!

Hama said, "So... want to go to Ikkaku's ramen shop?"

I wondered if it was as good as Ichiraku's ramen shop... so I said, "Shure. Sounds good..." I thought; who knows maybe I would meet my father there. Or maybe I'll get lucky and find Hotaka there.

*20 minutes of hiking Everywhere to find Ikkaku's we arrived*

I said, "This wasn't what I expected."

It made me think of Ichiraku's but this one was more of a restaurant than a booth.

There was a couple of tables open so we took one and a waiter said, "What do you want to drink?"

Hama said, "How about Melon-cream soda?"

I said, "That will be fine. I never had anything like that in the U.S. before."

Hama said, "I won't be so eager to try unknown sodas from foreign countries if I was you. One time I got to go to Italy and I tried a soda called The Beverly and it was the WORST drink Ever! Don't Ever try it."

Meanwhile the waitress took everyone's drink orders and then left to get other people's orders.

I said, "Okay..." Got me a little nervous on how it would taste... and now it's too late to change my mind. Guess all I could do was wait then.

*10 minutes later*
Nichole said, "Isn't that Hotaka?"

Hama said, "Yes, it is. Hotaka! Over here!"

Hotaka paused at the door and turned to look at me for the first time. He stared at me and I wonder what he saw because his jaw dropped open. Then he practically ran to the table, he said, "It's you!"

I said, "Of course, it's me... who else could it be?"

Hotaka said, "You look just like your mother when she was your age."

I said, "You knew my mother?"

Hotaka said, "Of course! She was my best friend's wife after all."
*you heard surprised gasps from me and Nichole*

I said, when I got over the shock of he knew my dad, "Wait... was? They are no longer married?"

Hotaka said, "Oh... so you don't know then.." I sensed there is something important he is not telling me... but what?

Hotaka said, "Once you are done eating I need to talk to you... alone."

*10 minutes later*
I said, "I'm done... That was good ramen."

Then I tried to pay for my meal the Owners came and said, "Don't worry about it. We went to your Dad's wedding... We are sorry what happened."

I have no idea what they meant by that but I said, "Thank you." anyway. I looked at Nichole and said, "Meet up with you later." Then followed Hotaka out the door.

*20 minutes later*

I said, "Hotaka... where are we going? You also haven't explained anything this entire time!"

Hotaka sighed then said, "I will tell you when we get there." Then didn't say another word.

I said, while trying to find out where we was going, "That was the last house..."

*5 minutes later*
We arrive at a graveyard... Hotaka said, "We are here."

I said, "Okay... explain why we are here."

Hotaka said, while his expression is thinking on how to put it..., "You know the wedding vow of 'Till death do us part?I nodded confirming that I knew that saying. He continued, Well your father parted..."

I find myself blinking back tears that I didn't know that I was expecting my father in frount of me...

Hotaka said, "I'm sorry." He patted my shoulder akwardly trying to calm me down a little.

I cried for about 5 minutes then when I found my voice again I said, "How did he die..?"

Hotaka sighed then said, "I'm sure you know this story pretty well since you have that headband on your forehead... but I will tell it to you anyway... you deserve to know what had happened that night in Kohana." Then he sat down.

Hotaka said, "You might want to sit down for this... it is a long story." I sit down then nod at him to continue, he said, "This was only a month after you was born... Your father, Rikiya Masahiro and I was sent on a mission to help our allies at the time, Kohana. They was having trouble with the local demon and your Dad vollunteered to help get the demon under control... I went with him because he is my adopted brother." I looked at him curiously but kept my mouth shut knowing he would explain later.

He continued, "We went to Kohana and that night something very bad fox demon went on a rampage... I was holding one of the ropes meant to keep the Demon in check when suddenly the rope broke and I was thrown into the air and landed right under his giant paw... Your father pushed me aside and took my place..." now he is the one who needed comfort. "I should be the one that is buried here not him..." He tears up, "I'm sorry..." I don't know if he is talking to me anymore...

I put my arm around him, I said, "I forgive you and I am sure my father forgives you too, Uncle Hotaka."

Hotaka perked up, "Uncle Hotaka... I never thought I would hear those words... Thank you, Katelin..."

I said while trying to have a lighter mood, "I'm called Kat... So what was my dad like?"

Hotaka said, "It suits you. Well he was both the bravest and kindest man I had ever met... his favourite color was blue and hated spicy things except Italian food... he always loved Italian spices. He also always had a thing for cats..."

He laughs but," I think you would know that by now... Lets see... he was adopted into my family when I was four and out of nowhere this baby showed up on my Mom's doorstep... she took him in and raised him as her own when she read on the note that This is Frank Schuniman, his heritage is West German... His family can not feed him so when I saw you was a great mother... I decided you was the right woman to entrust him to... With all the hope and love and regret in my heart, Debrah Schuniman P.s. when he is an adult and knows about us tell him that we would always be looking for him." I didn't know this but years later I found out Debrah had died a few days after she wrote that letter."

I said, "That is a sad story..."

Hotaka said, "Yeah... it is. Not all stories have happy endings..." ruffles the top of my head affectionately, "But you got me out of the deal."

I said, "Six months ago I just had my adopted parents and my friends... now I have two mom's, two dad's, my friends, and an uncle... I'm lucky so many people love me."

Hotaka said, "We should be heading back... Then you can meet my son... he is only a year or two older than you. I think you would like him... Plus I have something for you at my house that you can keep. Hell, you can even stay the
night if you and your friends want to."

I said, "And now a cousin I didn't know about... Well, first we have to find them."

Hotaka said, "Don't worry, I think they are with Hama. I also just happen to know where he lives."

*later at Hama's house*

Hama said, "Hey Kat."

Nichole said, "'So... what did you learn?"

I really look at her for the first time on how she would react if she knew her father killed mine... I decided not to tell her right now... then I said, "Well, I have an uncle and a cousin I didn't know about..."

Hama said, "So... he told you."

I said, "... Wait. You Knew!?"

Hama said, "Well... it's kind of obvious that you are my cousin. You have his eyes even though his was brown.'"

Hotaka said, "Surprise... Hama is your cousin."

I said, "... Wait, you have different last names."

Anna walked in and said, "That would be my fault... I kept my maiden name and gave Hama my name."

I said, "... So you are my aunt...?"

Hotaka said, "Yes, my wife the feminist." Anna gave him a dirty look and he continued, "It's one of the many reasons I married her."

Anna said, "My husband... the smooth-talker, knows how to get himself out of trouble."

Hotaka kisses her and said, "Damn right I do."

Hama said, "Not at the table... we have guests."

I try not to laugh but it's so obvious that they are still in love after all those years together that I realize That is what I want to be like when I am married... a high order but I don't come cheap.

Anna looks at me strangely and said, "Why so quiet, Katelin?"

I said, "... Huh?" Snapped back to reality, "I was just thinking..."

Hotaka said, "Well I'll be a monkey's uncle... "

I immediately interjected teasingly and said, "Does that make me a monkey?"

Hotaka laughs and said, "I guess that does. Well, you may look more like your mom but there is definitely Rikiya in your mannerisms. He used to think like that all the time, lost in his own thoughts and he didn't have a clue what you said until you repeat it. He also was very witty and had a sense of humor to him."

He laughs, "That got him into trouble sometimes but I always got him out of it."

I laugh and I said, "I didn't realize before where I got it... My adopted parents never got my jokes."

Hotaka said, "He always had a particular sense of humor."

Hama just sat there all quiet trying to get to know me.

I said, all serious again, "What is it that you want to give to me?"

Hotaka said, "Oh... yes. I almost forgot. Hang on a minute and let me get it."

*a couple of minutes later he came back with a bible and another notebook*

Hotaka said, "I believe he wanted you to have this... after he died I visited your Mom and asked her if she wanted them and she said, 'No. Because she didn't want Matatobi reading and pawing through her things.' So I kept them hoping that I could one day give them to you. One is his bible, it was in the basket my Mom had found so many years ago... The other is his personal diary... he wrote all the important things in his life in there. You will get to know him better that way... I know it's alot to take in but I hope you will read both of them."

I said, with my voice full of emotion, "Thank you, Uncle Hotaka." Then I took them and when I got the bible a photo fell out in the floor... I picked it up and looked at the photo of a guy about 20 years old with straight dark brown hair that stops just at his ear level smiling big and holding a sandy blond haired haired infant with cat ears and the infant is holding his finger with her entire little fist. I start to cry again... the times I had with my father was precious and far too few. I turn it over just to see if there is something on the back and it had elegant handwriting on the back of it that said To my Dear Sister, Love Frank and an address in Berlin, Germany on it.

Nichole saw me and said, "What's wroung Kat?" I placed the photo right side up in her hands. "It's a baby photo with you and your dad...'

Hama said, "I didn't even know he had a journal..."

Hotaka said, "That is because it wasn't ours to read. I haven't even read it."

I said,"I have another aunt... Look on the back."

Nichole flipped it over and said, "She lived in Berlin but that was about 16 years ago... -In April 21 I would be 16-

I said, "There is still a chance that she might be living there..."

Nichole sighed and said, "Okay... But we have to see what Lady Tsunade says."

I said, "Oh..."

Hotaka said, "What is your plans for Christmas, Kat? Well at Christmas dinner the Raikage invites you to join him. I would like to spend Christmas Morning with you... that is if you want, so what are your plans for Christmas lunch?"

I laugh, "It seems most of my day tommorow is already planned for me. But for Lunch I will spend it with my Mom... Nichole and Gaara can join me too if they want..."

Nichole said, "Spasabo but I will pass."

I look at her curiously and ask, "What does Spasabo mean?"

Nichole laughs a little, then said, "It means Thank You in Russian..."

I turn my head sideways, and asked, "Since when did you learn Russian?"

Nichole said, "Nyet. I only know a few words, I have a Russian penpal."

I asked, "Since when did you have a Russian penpal?"

Nichole said, "Since I got an email a few weeks back congratulating our success in Kohana's version of Friday the Thirteenth... My penpal's username is Podsolnechnik_in_snow. He is 23 and sunflowers is his favourite flower. His dream is to live in a warm place surrounded by sunflowers. That is all he told me for now. He just says one thing about himself every week and I just recieved the last one yesterday."

I said, "Aww... man." For some strange reason this Russian penpal of hers interests me... Sunflowers are my favourite flower too. That must be why I am so interested in him... or at least that is what I keep telling myself.

Nichole sees I am interested in her penpals and so continues, "I have another Penpal in America whose username is 25cms...He still has not told me why he has that username... he just said it was a Private Joke."

I said, "I wonder what the joke is.."

Nichole shrugs then said, "My last Penpal lives in Tokyo and his username is Nikuagua... He keeps on referring himself as an old man but he looks 20. He also enjoys hotsprings..."

Nichole said, "Well that is all my Penpals and what I know about them."

I thought, 'Ever since this trip I feel like I do not love Kiba anymore... I don't even think about him and the mission he is on... I don't even remember what his mission was even about... This is a bad sign... I won't break up with him though for a week, just in case my feelings change.'

Nichole said, "Earth to Kat! I just asked you if you wanted to be a Penpal too?"

I said, "Umm... maybe later."

Nichole shrugged then said, "Suit yourself."

Hotaka said, "Well it's getting late and it gets pretty freaking cold in a tent in the mountains... do you guys want to stay the night?"

Nichole and I said, "That would be wonderful! Thank you."

Hotaka said, "Don't think I didn't notice you Kazekage... My house is your house." Then he left to get blankets and pillows.

Hama said, "Goodnight Cuz." Then ruffles my hair and leaves.

I find a comb then start combing it the way I wanted while blushing that I had to do this twice today for the same reason!

Anna said,"Goodnight everyone."then she left.

Nichole said, "I'm sorry..." For a second there I panicked thinking she knew that her dad killed mine then I thought 'How can she know about that?' Then I relaxed and said, "For what?"

Nichole not being an idiot said, "Do you think I am a Baka!? I could tell when you are hiding something from me!"

I say, "Okay... Gaara, do me a favor and please leave the room for now...? Nichole can tell you what happened later."

Gaara said, "Okay..." then he left.

Nichole said, "Tell me everything that happened today. No exceptions!"

I sigh then randomly thought, 'this is what Hotaka must have felt like when I asked him almost the same question.' "Okay, I will start when I met my Mom in the meadow... she told me when she met my dad, then told me her special ability..."

Nichole said, "Which was...?"

I continued, "She had nine lives but over time she used them all but two... When my father died she used one of the two left... she brought him back from the dead."

Nichole said, "Wow... That's an awesome power."

I said, "It is... but she is now on her last life so if she gives her life away... she dies."

Nichole, "That is intense..."

I said, "Tell me about it... Then a few months after that she was discovered as the nebi and shortly after that went into labor... she had me then was put into a prison for a couple of hours then she excaped and brought me to my adopted parents then she got caught and forced in a 2 year old Yugito... A month passed then my Uncle and my father went to Kohana to..." I am choking on emotion..

Nichole said,"To what?"

I clear my throat then said,"To help Kohana control Nine Tails..." "My Uncle was holding one of the ropes and fell right in front of Nine Tails and just when he was about to be crushed... my dad took his place..." I start crying... then said, "I'm so sorry Nichole!"

Nichole said, "..." ,too shocked to say anything, she just hugs me and tries to calm me down.

I cry until I run out of tears then said, "That is why I didn't want to tell you at first... I didn't know how you would have reacted."

Nichole said, "This doesn't change our friendship, does it?"

I say, " No."

She said, "Good. Then best friends till the end, da?"

I said, "Da!" ^-^

Hotaka walked in with the blankets and pillows while Hama had the mattresses in the floor.

Hama said, "You girls ready to go to sleep? Because everything is set up for you."

Nichole said, "Spasabo. We will be soon."

*The next morning at 6:30*

Nichole said, "Wake up, Kat!"

I jump up and said, "WHAT!?"

Nichole said, "It's Christmas... and we all have presents under the tree."

I said, "I'm awake!

* we go into the livingroom where everyone is in their Pjs and waiting to open presents*

Hama said, "Kat is up! Can we open presents now?"

Hotaka laughs and said, "Let the games begin!"

Nichole, Gaara, and I look at him wondering what he was meant by that.

Anna said, "Our family tradition is to have a contest who could unwrap the first present the fastest and if they win, I make thier favourite meal for breakfast... Last year I made sushi. So try to win!"

I said, " Sounds fun! I am game!"

*5 minutes later we have a clear winner with Nichole, who had help unwrapping with Gaara's sand*

Nichole said, "Blueberry waffles posholista?"

Anna said, "You won so we will have blueberry waffles."

I look at my present and it was a diamond tiara... I said, "Is this really mine?"

Hotaka said, "Yes... It was your Grandmother's... she used it on her wedding day and it's been a family tradition for the girls to wear it since then. Your Aunt and your Mother wore it on their wedding days and now it is yours."

I am trying not to cry as I say, "It's beautiful."

Anna said, "Just try to keep it in the family, Sweetheart."

I say, "I am honored and I will."

Hotaka said, "I knew you would."

I say, "Your turn, Nichole."

Nichole said, "I have more kunai and some letter bombs."

Anna said, "You never know when you might need that."

Nichole said, "So true."

Hotaka said, "Gaara... Your turn."

Gaara said, "I've never had a Christmas present before..." He thought: Not from strangers anyway...

Hotaka said, "Really?"

Gaara nodded and said, "Da." Then he looked at it and it was a first aid kit... "..."

Nichole, Anna, Hama, Hotaka, and me burst out laughing.

Hotaka said, "It was a gag gift... but you could use it on someone else around you."

Gaara said, "A gag gift that is useful... cool." "Thank you."

Anna said, "You are welcome."

Hotaka said, "Anna... it is your turn."

Anna said, "I got a new whip! Thanks!" "The old one was getting unraveled."

Hama said, "My turn!" "I got nunchucks! Thanks Dad!"

Hotaka said, "You're welcome." "Now it is my turn... a guitar?"

Anna said, "I remember the days you played it for me... and I would like to hear you play it again."

Hotaka said, "I haven't held one of these things in years..." while he is tuning the guitar up.

Then he started a few notes and he said, "Still got it!" Then he did a few more notes and sang, "In the dark there is a highway... cool wind in my hair..., and the smell of colitas rising in the air... Up ahead in the distance... I saw a shimmering light... my eyes grew weary and my sight grew dim... had to stop for the night."

Anna, Hotaka, Nichole, Hama, and me chorused, "And I heard voices calling from far away... Welcome to the Hotel California!"

Hotaka laughed and continued the song.

*after the song*

I said, "That was wonderful!"

Hotaka said, "Thank you!"

Anna looks at him and thinks; The last time he played guitar was the night before Kat's Dad died... I missed him playing but now it seems he stopped blaming himself for Rikiya... I think Kat said something to him that made him his old self again... Thank you, Kat

I say, "Okay... now that is out of my system... can we have breakfast now?"

Anna said, "You guys continue with the songs while I make breakfast okay?"

Hotaka said, "Okay then." He plays till the food is done.

Anna said, "Breakfast." Then we ate and I feel glad I have such a wonderful family.

* 2 hours later we already opened all our presents; I wear my Mom's silver wedding ring with the diamond in the shape of a heart now on my left ring finger* *I also got my Mom's wedding dress and a family photo of my grandparents, my uncle, and my dad.*

I said,"Thank you for having us over."

Hotaka said,"You're welcome."

Nichole said,"After we have dinner at the leader of this village, we need to be leaving. The sooner we leave, the sooner we get home."

Hotaka said, "I understand. Thank you for being our guests."

I say, "You're welcome."

*I pack my stuff up then leave to find my mom*

*right before noon*

I said, "I want to have lunch with you, is that okay?"

Yugito said, "It's fine with me."

I said, "Thanks."

Yugito said, "I'm thinking sushi... what do you think?"

I say, "That sounds good."

*1 hour later*

I say, "Thanks Yugito. I learned several things about mom today." *she had told me Mom's likes and dislikes.*
"Yugito tell Mom that I know what happened."

Yugito said, "Okay. Bye now... If that is all you want to say."

I said, "Goodbye." I think; she is nice.

*I bought some Sunflowers then walked back to see my dad's grave*

I say, as I set down the flowers on his grave, "Hey Dad.. I don't know if you like Sunflowers or not but I think they are happy. I know that I haven't seen you in a long time but, I just want you to know that I love you. I will miss having you in my life. I'm sorry that you missed out but, you are in a better place now, surely... I told myself that I won't cry... I'm breaking that promise." I wept silent tears as I said, "I miss you, very much."

Nichole ran and found me, "Kat! It's the Akatsuki! They are after your Mom!"

I said, as I wiped my tears away from my face, "Right now?" Then I ran after Yugito's scent.
*soon we caught up with Gaara*

"Just a little farther...", Nichole said as we was running around to catch up with them.

I said, "No! This can't be happening! Not now!"

Gaara said, "Patience, we'll catch them soon."

Nichole said, "Well... she is in a bag."

I think; under different circumstances I would have laughed at a cat in a bag. But now in not the time to laugh.

*30 minutes later*

Nichole said, "Dammit! We lost Hiden and Kakuzu!"

*an hour later*

I suddenly hear a screaming in my head along with these words, "Kat.. Forgive me." Then all was silent.

I said, "Mom!" I start crying... "She-She's gone."

The End...

I will start a sequel to this but it's going to be a Naruto x Hetalia crossover. Called Kat in the big world. It's going to be set in a week after this one. Plan on more randomness and laughs! And plot twists... dun dun dun

Me- I think this is The Longest Chapter I had Ever written! Wow...

Nichole-Am I going to be in the sequel?

Me- Of course!

Amber-Me too?

Me- Da! But most of time your going to be on missions with Ryuu.

Amber-Awww...

Me- Don't worry. You are invited to my next karaoke party!

Amber-Yay! Karaoke parties are awesome!

Me- Anyway please review! See you next time!