It took them two days to get to Bobby's and in that time Bobby himself made sure it really was Hayate.
Hayate was firmly scolded for going anywhere near the two women, even if they had taken care of her when her parents died. The fact she had managed to attract a Trickster (who was nice enough to return her home unharmed) also got her in trouble.
Sam however, when told by Zafira what the Trickster had told him rather cryptically, felt vindicated that his belief in angels wasn't entirely wrong.
"So let me get this straight. A pair of cats, like Zafira over here, managed to knock you out and took you back to your home in Japan?" said Dean.
Hayate had waited until everyone was at Bobby's before she told them the full story, or what she remembered.
"I think they're after Reinforce," said Hayate.
"Who?"
"The book. She didn't have a proper name so I gave her one," explained Hayate.
"That makes sense. The Book is a unison device primarily, so it's possible it's name was lost when it was possessed. Hayate could theoretically give the device a new name if she was bonded to it," said Signum.
"What's a unison device?" asked Dean.
Signum took out the strange dagger-like necklace from around her neck.
To the shock of the hunters, the dagger turned into a rather impressive sword that looked like it had a gun system attached.
"This is my device, Laevantien. It is what's known as an Intelligent Device. It's primary function is to make it easier for me to cast spells when active."
The sword returned back into it's dagger form.
"The Book however is something slightly different. It's primary function is to bond with it's partner and when active, to merge with them, sometimes changing physical details. They are much harder to find because they require more advanced programming and manufacturing processes. It is entire possible that the original identifying data for the book was lost when it was possessed. Hayate could rename it after the spirit was removed."
"...Is it possible to get one of those devices?" asked Sam.
"Not on Earth. And it would be unwise for one of us to take you to an Administered world considering we are a bit well known to the TSAB."
"TSAB?"
"The Time-Space Administration Bureau. We've had run-ins with them in the past, most of which did not end well. If we were to show up on an Administrated world they would know that the Book was active again and come after Hayate. I suspect these... familiars... that took Hayate back to Uminari might belong to someone from that group."
"I think I remember this weird event in Uminari shortly before I left the first time. Something about a giant tree in the city and some weird light show," said Hayate.
"It's not uncommon for Mages to visit non-administered worlds for vacation. Maybe one accidentally set off another Lost Logia," said Shamal.
"Lost Logia?"
"Artifacts from worlds that have been destroyed. The Book of Darkness, or Reinforce I suppose, is classed as one. It's considered very dangerous to the Bureau," explained Signum.
"Wait, so these guys would come after Hayate even though she's never done anything to them?"
"I remember them mentioning how the book wasn't awake yet. I don't think they know that the spirit was exorcised from it, or that it's almost complete," said Hayate.
"Wait, almost complete?!" said Signum. This was news to her.
Hayate brought out the book, and the Wolkenritter's jaws dropped when they saw that almost every page was filled. Hayate handed it over to Shamal who counted it.
"One hundred thirteen pages are left blank. Hayate, how did you get this many so quickly?"
"Reinforce knows Loki from before, and he agreed to let me absorb most of his core. Most of it came from him...it's also why I took an extra two days to get back."
"Loki, as in the Trickster?" said Bobby.
"What happens when the book is filled?" asked Sam.
"We don't know," said Signum.
"Most of the time our masters use us to finish the last pages. Then we get summoned back in the hands of a new one," said Vita.
"Well that's not happening this time," said Hayate.
"Absolutely not," agreed Sam.
"Which reminds me, I brought something back for all of you," said Hayate. She brought out the suitcase Loki had shrunk, which had grown without warning overnight.
"What's that?"
"Souvenirs."
Inside was clothes for Shamal, Vita, Signum and even some for Zafira. For her uncle she brought several books on Japanese legends. Bobby got some new reference material to work with. As for Dean?
"What are these?" asked Dean, picking up what appeared to be slips of paper and a book on how to make more.
"Talismans. I figured since you're all Omnyouji you might find it easier to use these rather than use up all the salt you seem to carry everywhere."
Bobby, who had been taking a drink of coffee when she said that, started choking.
"You alright?" asked Sam.
"I'm fine," said Bobby, once he cleared his throat, before he turned his attention to Hayate, "And what makes you think we're Omnyouji?"
Hayate gave him a look that was very descriptive.
"The salt, the weapons, all those weird books? Not to mention the fact that you have a panic room made of iron with occult symbols lined with salt and what appeared to be some sort of satanic circle?" she listed on her fingers.
Bobby snorted.
"Seems your kid is smarter than you are Dean. Then again she does take more after Sam," said Bobby.
"What's an Omnyouji?"
"It's the Japanese version of a hunter. Should have known she'd figure it out once I caught her borrowing books from my collection. How long have you known?"
"I didn't figure it out until they showed up. After that I started to put things together and figured out you were trying to keep the fact you hunt spirits and demons from me. I just didn't say anything," said Hayate.
Dean looked rather upset his kid knew what he did for a living.
"Relax idjit. Omnyouji is considered an acceptable career in Japan...there are entire families dedicated to being hunters. How much do you know?"
"Mostly that Aunt Ellen runs a bar for people like you but they're on strict orders not to mention it," said Hayate.
"Hayate, despite what you might think we are not going to drag you into our lifestyle. We might prepare you just in case, but if you want to be a hunter it'll have to wait until you're thirteen at least. And we won't be training you how to handle a gun until you're old enough to understand the danger. Knives are acceptable, but guns are not until you hit puberty," said Dean firmly.
Hayate nodded. She knew what a gun looked like and Ellen had made a point to put all fire arms well out of reach for her, as well as put a lock on them. Knives were far less dangerous than a gun was for someone as young as she was.
"If you want to learn more about the supernatural things we go after, you can ask us. But aunt Ellen is still under orders to keep details about the hunts they go on quiet around you. The last thing we need is for you to get nightmares," said Sam.
Sam could tell Hayate would be able to handle learning about what they hunted better than he had initially. Probably because of the culture she originated from. Japan was filled with stories of spirits, demons and gods. However reading about monsters and coming face-to-face with one were two entirely different things. And hearing first hand accounts of hunts could give her nightmares, which Dean was determined to avoid.
"Until we find out what those cats want, you are not to go anywhere without one of the knights with you. Which means, Vita, that next time you send Shamal or Zafira to find Jo," said Dean.
Vita looked away. She had gotten chewed out by Signum, Ellen and Dean when they found out why Hayate had been left alone long enough to be grabbed. She was not going to let it happen again if she could help it.
A month passed, and things seemed to go back to normal.
However that was just an illusion. Hayate was in her room with Vita and Zafira, crutches by her bed in case she felt like walking.
For the most part she could now forgo the wheelchair entirely. She hadn't felt the need to find a seat after walking too long in several days now. The doctors told her she would make a full recovery in a month or so.
She was almost finished with her math homework when she heard two familiar voices below.
"Aria and Lotte," she said.
"The familiars?" asked Vita. Hayate nodded.
Head's up. The familiars have shown up in the bar, Vita said telepathically to the others.
I see them. Seems they're trying to masquerade as Child Services... won't they be in for a nasty shock, said Signum with a growl.
Ellen saw the discreet hand signal from Shamal across the room, and knew that the two before her were trouble.
"Can I help you?"
"Ma'am, we're from the Child Protection Agency," said Aria. She brought out an official looking badge that Ellen knew was fake. A very convincing fake, but a fake nonetheless.
"What's this about?"
"We've had reports concerning a girl in this establishment. Apparently someone saw the child being served alcohol," said Lotte.
Ellen barely refrained from snorting. She was the bartender and none of the idiots who came here would be stupid enough to serve Hayate alcohol. She would skin them alive if they tried and they knew it.
"Can I see your badge?" asked Ellen.
Lotte handed hers over, and was surprised when Ellen grabbed the phone.
"What are you doing?"
"Calling the local Child Protection Agency field office. Shouldn't be to hard to confirm your story," said Ellen flatly.
They had shown up shortly after Hayate had come to live in the Roadhouse, mostly to insure that she was in a safe environment considering she was up for a green card. Ellen had gotten a letter stating that she was an acceptable foster parent to Hayate, but that they would make sporadic visits at least twice a year.
Hayate had gotten her green card a week ago. She officially had duel citizenship in Japan and America.
Seeing the panic in the familiar's eyes, they quickly found themselves surrounded by several guns of varying makes and models. All aimed at them.
"Next time you try to impersonate someone official, don't try it around people who use fake government ID's regularly," said Ellen dryly.
"Or so close to when a child was kidnapped," said Signum with a growl.
Seeing the alarm grow in their eyes, Signum knew that they were shocked to see the Blazing General so early. The book wasn't supposed to be awake for another week at least.
"Signum? Is everything alright down there?" called Hayate.
Aria and Lotte turned to see... Hayate in crutches? That was impossible.
"It's fine Hayate. These two were just leaving," said Signum.
"Oh. Okay. Aria, Lotte, next time you see your Master tell him I don't appreciate being used," said Hayate annoyed.
"Now, get out of here before we skin and salt your furry hides," growled Ellen. She did not appreciate someone trying to kidnap a child from her home.