Hey bros! I'm back! SUMMMMMMMMMMERRRRR!

It was dark. Painfully dark, actually. So, maybe I had expected being kicked out of my house by my own parents, but this was a little sad. Ren had stayed behind, locking herself in the bathroom and barricading the door for extra precautions. That, I had expected. It was totally Ren. But, what I hadn't expected was to be totally marooned by my own parents. Marooned and abused. It hadn't be the first time they hit me actually and I didn't care. I even fought back at one point otherwise I would have been some weak little girl. This time I didn't fight back, I deserved this beating actually. I let my mother slap me. I let my father throw the vase. I let them yell and scream, I let Ren cry and wail. I pressed a palm to my eye, suppressing the tears. Had I ever thought of how she'd feel? Maybe she felt the burden of how irresponsible she would consider herself when I was punished for something she'd think so small and childish? Maybe she would try and do something rash like go yell at them for a change? Maybe she felt more like a burden then a sister to me? Oh God.

I groaned inwardly and set myself at a steady pace down the sidewalk. No limp in my step as there should be; no hesitation. It wasn't my parent's fault. It wasn't hers. I had started it all. And for good reasons no doubt. Cold, biting wind scraped against my burning, probably flaming, cheeks and pushed past my drawn hair. There were no stars in the sky, the lights from the city blocking it out.

"Where am I going?" I mumbled, pulling out my cellphone and glancing at the time. One-thirty. Woo fucking hoo. At least everyone was asleep. Things could've been worse? Shoving my hands into my pockets, I crossed the street tentatively and fingered the switchblade in my pocket. Yup, switchblade. Do you really expect me to run out into the streets this late without something to defend myself from those lunatics. I'd be damn lucky not to run into anyone familiar.

The trees seemed to sway with a gentle manner, bending unnaturally and curving with grace. Their shadows showed the opposite, bending roughly and unnaturally in the other direction. They seemed to laugh. Multicolored leaves swirled around the unnatural surface of the pavement. Some would think it pretty right? The reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. However, have they ever thought it sad? Even though the colors are nice and it set some kind of mood for everyone, the leaves are dying and falling off the limbs and branches to make some kind of natural compost for the ground and other surrounding plants. Whatever.

Parks are out of the question…Hadder doesn't particularly, well, maybe. There's always Corpus? What about the twins? No, Corpus has his own family issues and the twins are tight on money, staying for a few days with any of them is out of the question. I'm pretty sure Hadder wouldn't mind, his mom is always welcoming us over, despite her drastic OCD. He lives pretty far though. But I need a place to stay. It'd have to work.

So, I set my own stride and kept watch, making sure to avoid direct turns around the corners and walking by the more shrouded areas where fuck knows who could be crouching ready to jump you and take your shit. Think about it, ok?

I glanced over my shoulder and almost jumped off the sidewalk away from the albino cat that sprinted past, brushing its tail against my leg. I watched as it padded a few more feet to spin around and sit itself in the middle of the road.

"The fuck?" I mumbled. If it stays there it's going to get hit, funny thing, I felt no remorse of worry for it. I only felt the desperate need to go pet it. What? Wait, pet a strange cat? That screams Concussion. So I ignored the feeling. Wouldn't you? I would laugh if you didn't, but I think I can change my mind. Especially when the thing starts sprinting back at you for trying to walk away. The urge to scream was great when I felt it sprinting for me and in a panic I started running too. Where the fuck was I going?
Trees and houses, cars and street lights blurred at my sides as my boots slammed down on the sidewalk, my breath coming in irregular strokes. The thing wasn't small now, it was humungous. Giant even. Not a cat!
"NOT A CAT!" I screamed, not caring at this point if anyone would come reprimand me. "HELP!" no one came no one opened their door, no one even looked out the windows. Behind me, it growled and pounced, striking me in the back and sending me skidding on my elbows and knees. I winced and flipped around, arms behind me with my palms on the cement. The thing loomed over me, green eyes seeming to match ones of a real cat and clumped up fur caked with blood and dirt. The thing's ears seemed to point backwards, reminding me of an elfs. It opened its jaws and breathed on me. Hard.

I held back a grimace of disgust as the smell hit my nose. Do you remember that smell when you leave the burner on and nothing but this gas is exploding from the stove? That rancid smell of old milk? Good, now recall the last time you experienced the smell of dead, rotting, stale flesh surrounded by cloves of garlic and fresh urine. Now try throwing up in the amount of time you have left.

I opened my mouth to scream, to yell, to cry out, anything else but to focus on the thing above me, but it cut me off. It lunged forward, jaws open, snake like tongue flinging out to taste, bloodied, matted fur bristling. I braced for impact, pain, the tearing of flesh and the cracking of limbs, that supposed 'life flashing before my eyes' moment. Then I sat up with a gasp. I sat up. Sat up. Up. Confused? Me too.

I opened my eyes and was rewarded with the familiar setting of my bedroom walls covered with pictures. I raised my hand and wiped the cold sweat from my upper brow, cringing when my fingers brushed past the bandages.

"It was a nightmare." I mumbled, fisting my hands in my hair.

"Just a nightmare." I choked. Nightmares can go fuck a toad, they suck. It was so real though, how could it be fake? I jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder, then tried to scream when another hand clasped around my mouth.

"Calm down, girl. What is wrong with you?" he spoke, tracing my chin with his thumb in an attempt to calm me down. I shoved his hand out of the way and dragged my knees up to my chest. "What happened." Of course he'd be the only one I know to transform a question into a demand. "Nothing, go back to bed." I muttered, shrugging him off. He took a seat on the edge of my bed next to my hips and shook his head. "If you don't mind, I'd like to ask again." So it was a question? Again, I shook my head.
"Curiosity killed the cat." I retorted with a smirk.

"The cat has nine lives." He retorted, rubbing his face with his hand tiredly.

"It's the first time I've had a decent sleep in months, so if you're going to wake me up every night I want to know the suitable reason as to why that is." He deadpanned. With a laugh I stole a glance at the other members sharing the room. Hidan was wiped out, totally dead to the world, silent. Kakuzu was also silent, his breathing steady. He was one of those few people who looked really calm while asleep, his body still and unmoving and not a limb out of place. Zetsu was on guard duty so he was nowhere to be seen and Tobi was up and running.

"They're both asleep and Zetsu is currently patrolling the front yard underground." He said smoothly, scratching the back of his neck. I nodded in understanding.

"It was just a nightmare." I told him quietly. Understanding, he nodded.

"It wasn't that bad though, it wasn't real." Again, he nodded, but with a smirk, he added, "Scared of an illusion is only something the weak do." With a twitch of the eye and a frown, I slapped his arm annoyingly. "That's not funny. I hate cats." He smirked and leaned forward, kissing my forehead.

"Go to bed." He commanded, pushing my back lightly. With a groan I complied.

"You ninja are the worst." I grumbled as I hitched the covers up to my neck and got comfortable.

"That's not what your sister said." He muttered. When he looked at my shocked expression he replaced his expression of amusement with one of confusion.

"What?"
"My sister? Really? You couldn't have gone with something like your mom?"
"Excuse me?" He looked rather amused.

"You don't know what I'm talking about, do you?"
"Actually, I stole your computer and went on that 'Gaia' site that you seem to favor much and used your character. People from your world have rather foul mouths." I frowned at him but he didn't seem finished. "And their sexual references never cease to amuse me. Do people always strip in front of their cars while chatting to all the onlookers like they're family?" I nodded at him.

"People on the internet don't think they'll get in trouble for smaller things like that." He raised an eyebrow at me and laid down in the vacant spot to my left, head next to mine.

"There's worse?" he asked. I could feel his curiosity peaking with every second.

"Yeah. There's porn and gambling, pedophiles, stalkers, mass murderers, the insane in general." I replied, closing my eyes and relaxing into the pillows.

"And what do you suppose people do for fun besides that, 'E-bay'?" I laughed.

"A ton of stuff. I'll tell you over breakfast, but for now I think we should sleep. You look pretty fucking tired even without the bags under your eyes I'm sure you would." He glared at me, but it softened ever so slightly at my half lidded eyes and tired smirk.

"Goodnight, woman." He said before slipping his mask on and adjusting his oversized t-shirt.
"Call me Jeen, Madara."

It was the screaming from downstairs that woke me up, not the light snoring that sounded pretty damn loud so up close to my ear. I opened my eyes and squirmed, blinking away the lingering sleep and lifted myself to sit up. Unfortunately, I knew I wasn't going to go anywhere any time soon.

"Tobi." I whispered smoothly, turning in his arms.

"Tobi, wake up." The man's eyes opened immediately, his body tensing. Cautiously, I encircled his waist with my arms.

"Is this…..alright?" He relaxed, but only slightly and with a nod, he closed his eyes again. I smiled and tightened my grip on him. At least he was showing some emotion. It was certainly better than nothing and it made me feel like he cared. Fuck this sentimental stuff, it's to girly.

"Alright, UP YOU LAZY ASSHOLES!" I screamed, jumping up suddenly and shocking Madara slightly. Hidan jumped with a start while as Kakuzu just blinked angrily. He scratched his head and glared at me, eyes popping out and bloodshot (LOL).

"Fuck you, you fucking cunt! Go back to sleep and stay that way you bitch! LET US GET MORE THAN SEVEN HOURS OF SLEEP!" Hidan screamed, throwing his pillow at my head with his chakra and reaching for another. It smacked me right across the head and I fell backwards, slamming into the mattress. With a stream of curses and tensing of muscles, I jumped back up and pounced on said Jashinist, clawing and biting at every opening available. He wanted to fight back, he really wanted to fight back, but the fact that I was already injured and that Pein-Sama strictly told them no violence caused him to re-think. So he just settled for yelling out and cursing in pain, even though he silently did love it. Crazy son of a bitch. That's when Deidara burst in through the door and slammed it into the wall.

"Shut the fuck up, un! It's too early for this bullshit!" We stood silent for a few minutes. Deidara didn't really curse this early. He barely talked either. Either he was really, really tired or he was just straight up pissed off. "Either tone it down, un, or I will blast you and this entire building to the sky. Leader's orders or not!" He slammed the door again and once his footsteps were heard on the steps we resumed our bickering, volume toned all the way down.

It was around eight in the morning. Everyone was at the table, left over pancakes on their plates along with the easy to make bacon and glasses of coffee, orange juice, milk, or whatever the hell they wanted that morning. Kisame, Deidara, and Hidan were the only ones who looked insanely tired besides myself. Itachi and Kakuzu looked normal, but stayed eerily silent. Tobi was still overly hyper, but I think only I could notice the lag in his steps and his reluctance to speak. Pein, Konan, Sasori, and Zetsu were the only ones who attempted small talk. Very small talk. Very. Good mornings and hellos and good night sleeps were exchanged before the devouring of breakfast.

Answer: MULAN! my own opinion sorry _

QotC: Have you ever had an anxiety attack? If so, what was your worst thought that you remember?

SotC: Children of Darkness

SO! I GRADUATED FRIDAY! I would have posted sooner but I got REALLYREALLY sick. Like, really omega sick. I won't go into details because of how disgusting it is, but whatever. This is the first chapter on my very own laptop! :D

When did you guys graduate from middle school?

Have a good beginning of summer bros! By the way! Go onto Youtube and type in 'Pewdiepie'. He is absolutely amazing I love the shit out of him!

Read and Review and Rest in bed because I will see you next chapter.

-TotF