Chapter Eight: But why?
~ Amaya's POV ~
After getting my ass handed to me (twice) I was finally getting the kids to bed. Analia and Ariel had thankfully left after Ariel had finished beating us black and blue. It was not fun to be beaten by Ariel. The smallest witches are often the scariest.
I winced as I sat down a little too hard. My butt hurt, but so did my legs.
"Are you going to tell us more about Naruto?" Keira asked as soon as she was settled in hugging Beauty and Sparkle.
"Alright." I relaxed as much as I could before I started. "Where were we..."
"Can I ask a question before you start?" Memphis asked.
"Go for it." I said nodding my head. Memphis took a while to organize his thoughts but thankfully he managed to produce a question before I ended up going to sleep.
"Why did Itachi kill his family?"
"Well at first everyone thought he did it to 'test his strength' but after a while, a long while, everyone figured out that Itachi had been ordered to kill his family. Only he didn't kill them all, he only killed the ninja's. Tobi killed everyone else."
"But why?" Keira asked. "Why kill your whole family? You and Ana only fight because your sisters and it's what you do but you wouldn't kill each other." I nodded.
"You have a point. I do wish I could kill Analia but then I'd be lonely and stuck with Ariel who would kill me." I held up my hand to stop Keira. "But Itachi killed his family because his family was planning a coup de teat. A coup is a political overthrow, I suppose. The Uchiha weren't happy with how things were running and the fact that no Uchiha was ever Hokage. So, they planned to start a war that would divide Konoha and cause a civil war. Itachi did what he thought was right and killed his family so they wouldn't be remembered as power hungry Uchiha. Instead, he chose to become the Uchiha family murderer and to leave his home."
"So, he was a hero?" Keira asked, confused. I smiled.
"Yeah, I suppose he is."
"But he didn't kill his brother." Memphis said.
"Would you kill Keira?" I asked him. "If I were in Itachi's place I wouldn't be able to kill either of you. I love you brats too much to hurt you."
"But why couldn't Sasuke see that?" Keira asked.
"Because Itachi played his part well." I answered. "I'll admit I thought Itachi was a bad guy too. Until I learned about the reasons why. Remember the first lesson I thought you." I said before they could start talking. "There's always two sides to a story. Itachi taught me that."
"So Sasuke hated his brother?" Memphis asked. I nodded. He hugged Oreo closer to him.
"If you did that, I could never hate you." Keira said firmly.
"Well thankfully we'll never have to go through that." I answered cheerfully. "Any more questions?"
"Who's Tobi?" Memphis asked. "Is he really Madara?"
"I'm not giving out spoilers. Mystery is what keeps you two interested."
"What? But-" I laughed, wincing and internally crying at the pain in my sides.
"Ah... One more question, think carefully." Keira asked right away.
"Does Kyuubi have a real name?" I raised an eyebrow. "I asked Sanaa at school since she knows Japanese, and she said Kyuubi was like a number. I don't think Kyuubi is a good name so does he have a real name?"
"What is it with you two and names?" I asked, amused. "Your like Rumplestiltskin."
"Who?" Memphis asked. I shook my head.
"Never mind. He does have a name, but I don't think he would want me to tell you two." Kit jumped up and started to purr loudly. "What, you think I should tell them Kit?" He meowed. "Fine, but I'm blaming you if this comes back to bite me in the ass. Kyuubi's real name is Kurama."
"Kurama?" Memphis asked trying it out. Keira pondered that before nodding her head.
"It's a better name than Kyuubi." She announced. I snorted.
"If you say so brat." I chuckled. "Now no more questions, let me get on with this story-telling."
"We were at the part where Naruto and his team were going to infiltrate Oro-kaka's hideout." I had to laugh at their nickname for Orochimaru.
"Alright then. After Naruto, Sakura and Yamato had finally tracked down Orochimaru, Kabuto and Sai's chakra signature to an underground base..."
I kissed my brats on their foreheads before making sure they were comfortable along with the few cats who were sleeping. Of course, as usual I made sure there was nothing in the room besides me and the usual number of brats before putting up the protection shield. (After a couple of years in this business you get suspicious of your own shadow.)
Dark Knight, Scarecrow, and Cutie were the only ones who followed me as I made my way downstairs to take another aspirin. I mentally wished the worse luck on Ariel as I felt my muscles flinch at the brief contact with Scarecrows fur.
"I really need to get new friends." I sighed as I sank down onto the couch. "Preferably some non-violent ones."
Cutie meowed as Scarecrow and Dark Knight started their purr machines. I sighed.
"Thanks boys." The purring thankfully increased as I felt Cutie gently playing with my hair. (Have a cat do this to you. It feels so nice and relaxing.) My eyes were already closed, and the verge of sleep was right there.
I could still feel Cutie playing with my hair, but it felt... Different. Like someone's fingers were gently running through my hair and massaging my scalp. I moved slightly to get whatever was doing that to keep doing that.
"Don't stop..." I murmured softly.
"It would help if you stopped moving Amaya." That was a males voice, and one I didn't recognize. I cracked open an eye to see a red-haired man with light purple eyes looking at me. My body didn't respond when I screamed at it to move, to get away from this man. I didn't know him, nor did I trust him. Instead, I was frozen to the couch.
"You know she won't stop moving until you actually start to purr." My eyes moved down to see a white-haired man gently rubbing my right palm. What? My eyes darted down further to see a dark-haired male with long black hair tied at the nape of his neck massaging my sore calves.
"She should have run for cover when she had the chance. Her muscles haven't been used for something this strenuous in a while." He murmured softly staring back at me with dark eyes.
"Who the hell are you?" I asked as my body jerked away from them.
"We won't hurt you." The red-haired male murmured in my ear as I twitched.
"Unfortunately, we're too small to do any harm." The white-haired male answered happily. He turned to show me he only had one eye. "I'm surprised she even went to sleep after a week of pushing us away."
"It must be a mental block." The dark-haired male said. "I don't think Amaya interacts well with males." I glared at him as I finally recognized these people. They were anime characters!
"I figured that out after hearing her reaction to Victor. I wonder if this will put a bent in our plans." Kakashi said.
"She trusts us in this form." Nagato said not stopping his playing of my hair. I hadn't realized it, but I'd unconsciously been relaxing again.
"I guess it's a good thing we can't turn back then. Who knows what she might do to us."? Kakashi said.
"It would be amusing to see how she reacts to you Kakashi." Itachi said. Kakashi chuckled.
"Nagato would probably kill me, wouldn't you?" Kakashi asked.
"No. I think she can manage you." Nagato smirked. Itachi suddenly stiffened making me tense. "Itachi?"
"Someone's coming." Itachi said. Just as he'd said, a knock started to sound on the door sounding very urgent.
I gasped, jerking to my feet as the door really was being pounded on. Holy Goddess. I looked back at the couch to see Cutie, Dark Knight and Scarecrow picking themselves up from where I'd accidentally tossed them when I'd gotten up.
"Sorry about that." I muttered still trying to wake up. (Why did everyone have to come calling when I'd finally had the most peaceful nap in a long time?)
The knocking on the door persisted. I got off the couch to answer the door before Keira or Memphis heard and came down to investigate on why I was just standing there looking dazed. (Not that I'd tell them I'd just dreamed about Kakashi, Nagato, and Itachi. They'd call Analia and Ariel).
"I'm coming." I called softly before yanking the door open. "Why the hell would you wake me at this hour you-" On the doorstep, looking very burnt and disheveled, stood an old friend, Jack Frost. (I'm serious that's his real name.) "Jack?" I asked. He smiled his familiar mischievous smile. One that promised you wouldn't like what he was planning.
"Long time no see huh, Aya?" I just blinked.
"Jack?"
"Don't tell me you've forgotten me?" He grinned looking tired. "Mind if I come in?" I blinked again before my fist was in his gut.
"Can you come in?" I raged. "After two years that's all you have to say?" Jack gasped.
"I'm sorry Aya! Really, I am!"
"Like hell you are!" I hissed. "What happened to you? I thought you were dead! Everyone thinks you're dead. After two years and this, this is how you decide to announce that your alive? You stupid, moronic, ice-loving, asshat!" With every name I had smacked him as hard as I could. If I punched him I had no doubt he'd be unconscious for a week, and I wanted answers now.
"Amaya I'm really sorry! I didn't think everyone would think I was dead. Honestly, I thought everyone knew where I'd gone!" Jack protested. I glared at my 'once best friend'.
"And where would that be Jack? Cause if you were in hell I recommend you go back before Haddock finds out your alive and well." I hissed referring to his boyfriend of... Well before he left, three years. Jack winced.
"It's... A long story. Can I come in? I don't want you or this guy to get a cold." That was when I saw the child strapped to Jacks back. Dammit, now I felt bad for the kid.
"You have ten minutes." I growled. Jack practically ran inside as I closed the door. Jack didn't waste any time to put the child, a baby really, on the Ottoman close to the fire. The cats I noticed were giving Jack some distance. Whether it was because I was doing so or because of something else, I didn't know.
"Hey little guy, you're all right now. I promise nothing bad will happen to you. Your safe." The baby warbled and cooed.
I narrowed my eyes as I caught the magical signature that the child was putting out. The magic in the child was far greater than what was considered normal. It was as powerful as me, and it was only a baby!
"Jack." I snapped. "What, exactly, is that?" Jack sighed before standing up. His hooded eyes didn't exactly make it easy to see what he was thinking, not that anyone but Haddock had ever known what Jack thought.
"That is a baby. A seven-month-old child to be precise." I narrowed my eyes.
"You know what I mean." Magic crackled from my fingertips. "That child is not a witch." He laughed humorlessly.
"You always were good at sensing that stuff huh? Fine, Jay is an Elemental." I froze.
"What?" I breathed. Jack held up his hands to stop me from falling, talking, over-reacting? I couldn't tell.
"It's not as bad as you think, really Aya! Jays only a Love Elemental." Jack insisted. It took everything I had not to yell at him.
"And that makes him safe?" I asked in growing anger, fear, and suspicion. "Love is not something you play around with Jack. Love is dangerous."
"Jays only a baby! He doesn't know about this stuff!"
"Jack, a Fire elemental, a three-year-old Elemental, caused the Medieval Ages! There's a reason the Elementals are taught by their own kind in their dimension!"
"I couldn't exactly take him home when demons killed his family!" Jack argued. "Hell, I didn't even know he was an Elemental until I'd picked him up!"
"So, you brought him to me? I can't do anything for him Jack! I'm not a Dimensional Witch! I can't make portals."
"But you have something that can work!" Jack insisted. I caught his reference and shook my head.
"I haven't used that thing in four years Jack! I don't have the power to make it work. Not since... That incident."
"What if we combined our power?" Jack asked desperately.
"I'm not using that thing for an Elemental! They mess with the balance. And if I do help you, you know that Elementals are 'kill on sight'." Jack groaned running a hand through his white hair. "I can't take the chance Jack. I have my siblings to look after."
"... What happened to the girl who would do anything to feel free and powerful? What happened to the witch who defied authority?" Jack asked finally. "This kid is all alone in this world. I can't leave him only to die just because of a few mistakes from other Elementals." Jack met my eyes. "If this kid were anyone else I know you'd risk everything just to get him home to his family. Just like I know that you'd do anything to get your family home safely." I really hated it when feelings of guilt crowded in to help someone.
"... The only way that thing will work is if three witches of equal power come together. Analia and Ariel aren't exactly equal to me in power." I stated finally. Dammit, but he was right.
"What if I-"
"Has to be witches. I can't see you going around spreading the news that your alive." I said dryly. Jack thought on it for a while.
Meanwhile the Elemental began to cry. I looked over at it to see Cutie and Dark Knight gazing at it curiously. Jack walked over to Jay to pick him up. Jay only cried louder. I looked upstairs, briefly casting a Silencing spell.
"What's wrong little guy? You aren't hungry are you?" Jack asked. I watched as his train briefly ran unhindered for five minutes before dying a spectacular death. Jay's crying had only gotten louder.
"Oh, for the Goddess' sake Jack." I finally burst out. I held out my arms for Jay. Jack gladly handed him over to me. I briefly checked him over before figuring out what was wrong. Jay was teething. "This child's pain is heard loud and clear down to the gum, but now I pray for this pain to go numb." Jay stopped screaming his head off as I rocked him slowly.
He still fretted but thankfully that was fixed with a small lullaby.
After ten minutes Jay was sound asleep on my shoulder.
"You know, you're good at that mothering thing." Jack stated as I put Jay down in the crib Jack had conjured. I glared at him.
"I hope you've figured something out. I can't keep singing to him whenever he gets fussy." Jack grinned.
"Oh, I have. I've just got to run and see an old friend and ask him for a favor. But I'll need you to take care of Jay until he comes."
"Excuse you? Do I look like a free babysitting service? I have my own brats." Jack raised an eyebrow. "You know what I mean."
"Oh, come on Amaya. It'll only be for a few days. I can get the portal and take him home and you never have to see us again and no one will ever know." Jack said like it was the perfect plan. Admittedly it was but something was nagging me.
"And Haddock?" I asked softly. Jack tensed.
"He's better off thinking I'm dead." Jack whispered. I looked at Jay before looking at the the fuzzballs I'd come to call mine. I sucked in a breath.
"I'll make you a deal Jack." I spoke. "I'll take care of Jay while you get a portal to take him home. But" I made sure he was meeting my eyes. "I want you to go see Haddock and tell him you're alive."
Jack's shoulders slumped. "I can't... What if... What if he hates me?" I didn't let that deter me.
"Haddock loves you Jack." I spoke. "Goddess knows why but that boys been in love with you since he first saw you. The only reason he'd be mad is the fact that you came to see me first." I could clearly see the indecision in him. "Everyone else thinks you're dead Jack. Haddock is the only person who still thinks you're alive."
"I... I... I can't." He whispered.
"Can't or won't?" Jack didn't raise to the bait. "You know, I never thought you'd be such a coward in the face of love Jack. I don't know what you've been through, but I know you're still Jack." Nothing. "You once told me that Haddock was the only reason you didn't let the ice freeze your heart. And while you two might have gone through a few crazy woman, Elise, and Andrea, I know that you two are crazy about each other. You've survived Elise and her sister, me, your parents, Haddock's parents, and even a few dumb idiots, but you're going to give up just because of fear? Who are you and what the hell have you done to Jack Frost?"
"... I never thought I'd hear you giving this sort of speech." Jack finally said. I rolled my eyes.
"Trust me this speech is killing me on the inside." I admitted. "But seriously Jack, Haddock will only be happy that your alive." I grinned wickedly. "He might even dump that stupid blond he's been seeing."
"What?" Jack snapped as his head came up. His magic flared dangerously almost causing him to light up.
"Names Vivienne. Nice girl, nice attitude, fun personality if you know what I mean." Jack was already at the door.
"Deal. I'll be back in three days!" He shouted before slamming the door. I snickered before plopping down beside Cutie and Scarecrow. "Little advice boys, never, ever mess with a witches mate. They're very possessive."
I didn't even feel bad at having Jack wake Haddock up. They'd be busy for a while if you know what I mean.
I looked back at Jay to see him sleeping peacefully.
"I suppose this brat will be with us for a few days." I picked him up before collapsing his crib. "I should get some sleep. I'll probably need it in the next few days."
Scarecrow and Dark Knight meowed.
GM NASAI: I will die on the OTP hill that is for HiJack/FrostCup.