Tloj: Happy birthday to meee! Happy birthday to meee! Happy birthday, dear Tlojie, Happy birthday to me! I'm baaaaack! :D So HTK and I finally picked up, and we managed to get a few chapters knocked down. Enjoy!

Someone owns people. If you need help, feel free to ask. :)

We teleport back to the house, and I lead them down to Antonio's secret base.

I catch sight of Millie in her new costume, "Hey Hero, what do you think?"

"You're going in a superhero costume?" I blink.

She spins on her heels, and she's in her normal clothes. "Just wanted to show off a bit."

I chuckle. "Antonio, you're rubbing off on her."

"Good. Maybe she'll pick up laservision." Antonio smirks.

"Probably not, but I got the next best thing," she chuckles, and nods to the princesses.

"Hopefully not his kid yet." I smirk. "So where's the vehicle, bro?"

Antonio presses a button, and a white van comes from the ground. "I modified the interior a bit."

Millie smirks, and lifts a purple metal backpack off a bench, slipping it on. "Alright, who's driving?"

"I will." Antonio hops in the driver's seat. I open the backseat, and to my amusement, the back seat is a game room, the walls lined with chairs.

"Oh, sweet." Julie-Su whistles. "Hey sis, I challenge you to a game of Eight-Ball!"

"Challenge accepted!" Mom smiles, stepping in.

Shade chuckles, and follows them. Millie makes her way to the shotgun seat.

I turn and give Sarah a hug. "Take care of Mom and Aether, okay?" I smile.

She nods, and pulls my head down so she can kiss me.

I give her the kiss before stepping into the backseat and closing the door.

"Next stop: Mobotropolis!" Antonio presses a button.

An exit opens in front of us, and Antonio hits the gas.

"Back to adventure!" He whoops.

...

*Cinder POV*

I grind my teeth as we ride in the trailer of Spike's truck. He, and Smoke are in the cabin singing "Witchdoctor" at the top of their lungs while the rest of us are jostled about. I've seen Seis' face go into Jane's chest at least three times already.

Not that he seems to mind; in fact, he looks like he's waiting to do it a fourth time.

Chaos blinks. "Does this happen every time?"

"I think so," I growl, glaring at Sies. It's pigs like him that remind me why I loathe men.

"So, you run a dojo. What's that like?" Chaos asks.

"My students strive each day to become the strongest, and occasionally a new girl comes to the dojo to learn."

"Wow." He smiles, impressed. "Can you imagine yourself still doing that in a hundred or so years?"

"If I live that long, yes I can. I supose you could say that it's my calling."

"Impressive. Maybe I could help you sometime?" He tilts his head.

"I fail to see how," I say in a low voice.

He blinks. "Why not? I know ancient echidnaen fighting techniques. I'm not just some powerhouse water god."

I blink in surprise, "Truly? Then perhaps we could learn together. I haven't taught any of my students those techniques so I'm a bit rusty myself."

"I can teach you a few things when we have time. Shouldn't be anything you don't know." He smiles.

I nod with my own smile, and chuckle when Jane finally slaps Sies.

"Ow." He takes a shot of alcohol.

Chaos snickers. "Ah, the charm of men. Or should I say none-charm?"

"Agreed," I sigh, and then I catch myself leaning on Chaos. I freeze, unsure of what to do.

He wraps an arm around me with a chuckle. He pauses. "Is this a show of affection? I'm not sure if I'm doing this right..."

I nod, and eye his arm. I feel my face growing hotter ever so slightly.

"So hypothetically, since this is a sign of affection, how would it be responded to?" He tilts his head curiously.

"I... um..." I do not think that last word has ever escaped my lips since I was a puggle. Slowly I take his hand in my own.

He looks at my eyes out of the corner of his own, unsure of how to respond. "What do I do now?"

"I... am not sure. This is my first attempt at a real romance."

"You either kiss, or you say you like each other or something." Seis states.

"Could you please butt out? We were having a moment." Chaos states.

Seis blinks. "Uh... sure?"

"Thank you." Chaos turns his attention back to me.

I frown, and sigh. Sies has all but killed the moment.

I think to myself what I would like him to do... and then I carefully take his other arm, and wrap it around me too.

Chaos blinks and smiles. "I think this is a hug, right?"

I nod, and smile as I close my eyes. This is what I want, someone to hold me in a warm embrace, a pair of arms I can feel safe in.

He places his head on my shoulder and closes his eyes happily.

We're shaken apart by a rough landing, and I glare at the cabin, more ticked off than I can remember being in a long time.

Chaos laughs. "I'll hug you more later. Looks like we're here!"

"Ugh, finally. I'm almost out of vodka." Seis stands and walks to the door.

I take the bottle from him, and smash it over his face, making him fall backwards as I hop out of the trailer.

Chaos laughs and hops out as well.

June steps out and starts typing on her laptop with one hand. "Do you need coordinates to find Counterpunch?"

Smoke climbs out of the cabin, "Just tell me how much control he has over the city."

"Control? He's a black market info dealer. He doesn't have control, he has connections." June says, looking up at him.

"Just like me," Smoke says, and pulls down the bottom half of his hood to peck her on the cheek with a wink.

She blushes and sputters, trying very hard to focus on her computer screen.

Smoke laughs, and I cross my arms.

Spike frowns, "So what's the plan?"

"In short... we gonna break some shit." Smoke pulls a grenade from his pocket, "If this guy is anything like me he'll wanna know what's what in his town, military or no. We shouldn't let him know about June, which a smart guy might be able to figure out if we have his coordinates. No, we draw him out with some fun."

"That's... not a wise move. While he deals primarily in information, his brother deals with weapons." June frowns.

"Which mean little to us," I say. "Poisoned Rose kills everyone in its path."

Spike whispers to Smoke, "Imagine if mom used guns."

I feel a little pride as I watch the both of them pale.

"I mean like, he has access to weapons of mass destruction. Bombs, grenades, hydrogen bombs, nukes!" June shivers. "I don't want to die..."

Smoke rubs her back, "Good thing we brought a god then, huh? And what kind of guy would nuke his own brother in the first place?"

June says nothing else, typing away.

"Juuune," Smoke prompts. "What aren't you telling me?"

She blushes, looking at him."It's just... I only know about his brother because Counterpunch told Galvix about him. I have no info on him at all. He is a complete wild card."

"I see... then I guess I'd better take care of this myself. No one would waste resources like an army on one guy, plus Counterpunch knows me from a while back. Can you tell me where one of his informants are?"

"That's another thing. His network is completely off record. It was the only way Galvix could get him to work for Fear." She types again. "I can give you an appointment by saying you're Galvix... that's the only sure way you'll find him today. If not... He shows up every once in a while at the Extreme Gear shop down the road."

Smoke nods, "He probably has guys at the shop... Alright, set up the appointment. I'll take Spike with me for backup."

I frown, "Why not the three?"

Smoke rolls his eyes, "Because you're not even supposed to be here Cinder."

"Okay... it's set." She looks up with a frown. "Be careful, he doesn't stand for bullshit."

"Trust me, I know." Smoke snorts a laugh, "But he knows how I am too. This will either be a meeting between old friends, or hell in a handbasket."

"I vote the second one," Spike purrs.

"He expects Galvix and I to be there... should I come too?" June asks shyly.

Smoke mulls it over, "Depends, what's his opinion on Lien-Da?"

"I'm... not sure. He made it clear that as long as he's getting paid for his info, he doesn't give a damn about who's paying him." She frowns.

Smoke nods with a sigh, "Then better you stay out of sight for now. If he asks I'll say I've got you hostage until I'm sure he's still got a sliver of the morality I knew him for."

She nods.

"What about the rest of us?" Seis grunts. "Stay with the truck, or look around?"

"Go ahead, and look around," Smoke suggests.

"Thanks." He turns and walks away, muttering, "Where the hell is Atom Smasher?"

Chaos looks at me. "I can teach you some moves now."

"Bow chicka bow-wow," Smoke quips, and Spike tilts his head questioningly.

Chaos punches Smoke from across the sidewalk with a liquid fist, bringing his hand back and changing it back into flesh. "Sorry, I don't know why, but I felt like punching you." Chaos apologizes.

Smoke rubs his face, "Ah, what the hell dude? Can't a guy make jokes about a childhood friend?"

"Like I said, I just felt like punching you." Chaos shrugs. "Sorry."

"Oh yeah?" Smoke tosses him something before turning back to June, "So where's the meeting?"

I stare as it rolls by our feet, and pull Chaos away as it explodes into yellow smoke.

"The top of Circ de Soleanna in two hours." June says.

Smoke nods, "Let's go Spike."

I glare as the two of them retreat, "I regret the day Smoke learned to make Stink Bombs."

Chaos smiles. "Oh well. Shall I teach you?"

"To make stink bombs?"

"What? No! The echidnaen techniques. I don't know how to make stink bombs." Chaos chuckles.

I smile, "Well... perhaps another time. At the moment there is a beautiful city around us with a few hours to kill."

"Oh, right!" He looks around. "Maybe I can find some better clothes!"

"Please do," I mutter as I toss his hat back into the truck.

"Ooh! Tropical boutique! That's a fancy word for clothes! I think..." He walks into a clothes store.

I follow him, and sigh. It's too hot for my coat so I remove it, showing only my halter top as I glance around.

He walks up to me wearing a straw hat, flip-flops, and a cyan tropical shirt with green leaves, pulling on some yellow gloves. "How's this- ah..." He pauses midsentence, staring at me with an open mouth.

I blink, "That's... quite the interesting choice of clothing."

He jolts, resuming his easy smile. "Thank you. You look... beautiful without your coat."

I look down, "Thank you..."

This is how I usually dress... Is it really so provocative?

"You look so different without the coat." He says. "I... don't suppose you can pay for this stuff? I don't have money."

I nod, and walk over to the counter, "How much for his clothes?"

"One hundred thirty rings." The clerk rings it up.

I frown, seems a high price for a shirt, and a hat. Still, I fish out the rings for the clothes.

The cashier gives me my change. "Thank you, please come again!"

Chaos smiles. "Thank you."

I nod, and hold my coat over my shoulder with a few fingers. "You're welcome."

He opens the door for me, and looks around. "Where do you want to go?"

I think, "I'm actually a bit hungry, you?"

"I don't need to eat to survive. All the same, I'm curious about eating. Normally I perform some kind of osmosis, so it will be interesting." Chaos nods.

"I see," I reply, not really understanding, and looking around. I spot a cafe over a canal, and head for it.

He takes my hand and hums, looking around and taking in the sights.

I leap over the canal to get to the other side. I suppose I should have given him warning first.

He flails and liquidizes, landing on the other side in a puddle before reforming, a blush on his face as he embarrassedly fixes his hat.

I smile, "Apologies."

"It's okay." He smiles. He offers his hand again.

I take it, and we make our way to an empty table.

Tloj: Aw... happy couplingness! :3 Tune in next chappie when they have their meal... and other stuff happens too, I dunno, I just write it. :P

Oh, and here's a plot bunny I have, so vote yay or nay to change the outcome: Hero's part echidna, which means he could be polygamous. I feel kinda bad tossing Shade aside a few chapters back, so what do you guys think? Shade the second wife, or no? Be sure to review, every vote counts! Especially since there's only like ten people reading this. :P