Chapter Seventeen: This Is Halloween
~Amaya's POV~
It started with a knock.
I know I should have been a bit more observant but my attention was mainly on Halloween. With the ninja being here I almost forgot. And one thing you absolutely did not do, was forget about Halloween. The Pumpkin King, Headless Horseman, and every other 'bad' creature coming out on that night was half of the problem. The other half was the thinning of the veil between life and death. Ghosts were more substantial and didn't like being ignored.
Anyway, the knocking on the door should have warned me to at least sense something; the person's magic signature, being one. But like I said, my mind was occupied. (But honestly I had nearly given myself a brain tumor by smashing my head in the wall for this. I should have expected it.)
"Were you expecting an older woman to come by?" Nagato asked when I came into the living room. I blinked, thinking about it. It's true that with all the commotion from the weekend I had probably forgotten to call Andromeda back. (I better do that unless I want her knocking on our door. Maybe this was her.)
"Uh... You guys should go upstairs." I said, wincing. "It might be my boss." Nagato and Itachi nodded.
"Akatsuki, upstairs."
"Team 7, move." In a flash all thirteen ninja were gone from the livingroom. I gulped before moving to open the door.
I expected to see the purple eyes of Andromeda and her righteous anger of not being called back, but instead I was met with the blank gaze of the scariest thing in the world. My aunt.
"Oh sh*t." I muttered.
"You little girl, are in a heap of trouble." I yelped as I ducked a spell coming at me. My aunt kicked the door open. "AMAYA!"
"I'm sorry!" I yelled as I dodged another flying spell followed by a punch to my head.
"SORRY?! You left my kids to BIANCA!"
"It was short notice!" I yelped jumping over the couch. "You have every right to be angry at me-"
"YOU THINK?!" The couch exploded. I kicked the coffee table up to get hit by the next spell. I really needed to get an indestructible coffee table.
"-but killing me won't solve your problems!" I yelled as the glass fell. I suffered a kick to the stomach before ducking the punch that would have definitely singed my skin. (Wikka's had a tendency to fight like Tsunade. They laced whatever magic they could in their hits while also carrying a backup of potions.)
"Why would you accept a mission?" I punched her in the chest before sweeping low, for her legs. She jumped up before trying to stamp on my leg. "I trusted you to watch the kids!"
"How was I supposed to know Ariel was a fake? It felt like her!" I cried. My head snapped back to avoid the heels. Those things hurt and left a hell of a mark.
"What was your first lesson?" My aunt yelled before throwing a potion. I dodged it only for the pillow behind me to turn into a fish.
"A fish? Hell no!" I yelled before I was flying through the air and into the stairs.
"Never trust anyone!" My aunt reprimanded. I shifted to avoid the pink potion. "Now stop moving so I can punish you properly." I shifted out of my grasshopper mode.
"You're as sadistic as my mother!" I said. My aunt grinned slightly before throwing a series of potions at me. "No~" I yelled as a yellow one hit me.
I instantly felt my voice get higher as I felt my voice dying. I clutched at my throat in fear as my voice dried up.
"No more talking for six hours." My aunt stated firmly. I glared at her and opened my mouth to silently cuss her out. Not a sound came out but it helped my aggravation. She threw another potion. "No more shifting either."
Great. Well at least it was better than the time she taught me to swim. She threw me in the pool and left me there! It was a good thing I knew Morse code. Hell it was even better the ninja-
I flinched as another hit came at me. I was pretty sure this one wasn't as violent but that didn't stop the three hands of my familiars.
Crap.
Kakashi had my aunts wrist, Nagato was holding her other hand as Itachi was standing in front of me.
"Who the-"
"It would be in your best interest of you did not harm Amaya again." Nagato said coldly. My aunts eyes narrowed. I quickly tapped Itachi on the shoulder before moving in between my three idiots. (They'd moved up on my list for this act, but it would have been nice if they'd interfered sooner.) I shook my head at Nagato and Kakashi before looking at Itachi. I wasn't sure of they understood sign language so I turned to the one person I knew would understand me. My aunt.
'Auntie, please don't hurt them. They're just idiots, protective idiots, but idiots nonetheless.'
"You know them?" My aunt asked in bewilderment.
'Yes but the point is, please don't kill them! Or try to. They aren't exactly friendly to people they think is hostile.'
"I'm not hostile." My aunt snapped.
'You took away my voice.' I stamped my foot. I know, it shocked me to. 'But that's beside the point.'
"Why they are even here?" My aunt asked suspiciously.
"The reason we're here isn't important. Amaya is only helping us get home." Kakashi said. I nodded at that.
"What happened to Amaya's voice?" Itachi asked softly. If I didn't know better I would have said it was dangerous. Hell it was sexy, but I got what he was saying underneath the tone. I tried to wave it off but my aunt answered him.
"I took her voice away for a few hours." I smacked my head.
"You what?" Nagato asked. I shook my head clapping my hand to get their attention.
'That is not the point right now you idiots!" I gestured wildly. 'I can deal with not talking. But please don't make me take yours either.'
"What are you saying?" Kakashi asked. I deadpanned. They could understand signs when they were in battle but they didn't know it? Well then again it was probably a different dialect.
"She said 'that's not the point idiots. I can deal with not talking but please shut up before I take your voice.'" My aunt translated. I nodded at that. "Would you care to explain why you have three men in the house while my children are out?"
'... The way you phrased that was just so... Wrong." I signed after a pause. 'I can understand since Itachi is hot but Kakashi and Nagato are a little older. And probably virgins.' My aunt snorted. 'But I really am trying to help them get home.'
"So why don't you just take them to the airport? It can't be that hard for you to forge papers."
'Yeah that's not the problem. These guys are... From a whole 'nother place.'
"Where the planet Hottie?" I grinned. This is why I loved my aunt. Smartass comments just ran in the family.
'That does hold some merit.' I said glancing at the three confused men. 'But no.' I sighed seeing the living room trashed. 'Would you please put my house back in order? The mess is bugging me.'
"Are you going to explain everything?" My aunt asked sternly. I raised an eyebrow. "Don't give me that look Amaya. I helped raise you. I can tell when you're lying." That was probably true. I looked at Kakashi.
'It's not mine to tell. You can ask Kakashi? I don't... I don't want them to get in trouble with the Elders. They're... Not exactly good guys. Well Kakashi is but Nagato...' I trailed off, uncertain. My aunt nodded in understanding.
"Fine." She waved her hand making everything that had been destroyed come together and fix itself. I nodded in approval as the damn coffee table was fixed. Why was it always that one that was always destroyed? "Now would you three boys like to explain to me what you're doing in my home? And why my niece is trying to lie on your behalf?"
I shot her a glare.
"Would you be able to keep our secret?" Nagato asked folding his arms.
'I haven't told the Elders. You know their rules on 'heroes' and 'villains'. Unfortunately, most of these guys fall under the 'villains' category.' I signed. My aunt nodded.
"Whatever you're doing here I would appreciate it if I could understand. From the way you three seem a bit too comfortable means you've probably been here or you live here." My aunt shot me a look.
'It's a long story.' I signed looking at Nagato. It really was his call but I did want to tell my aunt. She was cool, she would understand. Nagato seemed to read my face as he relaxed slightly.
"Fine. We aren't exactly sure how we came here but Analia and Ariel are helping Amaya find a way to get Kakashi and his team home. We would go with them but my group and I are dead in our world."
"How many are in your group?" My aunt asked all business.
"In Akatsuki, there are nine. In Kakashi's group there are four."
"So only four of you would actually leave." My aunt murmured. "If you don't mind me asking, in your world, what were you considered as?"
'They were the bad guys who hunted down the demons that were sealed in the innocent people.' I signed.
"Akatsuki originally worked for peace but after a time we were corrupted." Nagato explained. "We were controlled by a man who hid behind a mask and told us his name was that of a powerful dead shinobi."
'Ninja.'
"You're ninja?!" My aunt snarled. Oh great. I leapt in front of them to sign as fast as I could before my aunt would attack them. (Ninja, at least from what I understand, killed my aunt's baby sister when she was nine. In fact I'm pretty sure that was the only reason my aunt was born.)
'Not the ninja you're thinking of auntie. These guys are good! They don't kill for hire. They only kill to survive. They aren't mercenaries.'
"You know maybe I should have just taken my kids with me." My aunt growled. "They would have been safer with me." I flinched at that implication.
"They are safe with Amaya." Itachi said. "I do not know where you have been but it was likely to have been dangerous and no place for a children like Keira and Memphis to grow and learn."
"I'm not talking to you." My aunt snarled. "This isn't any of your business."
"No but you did make this our problem." Kakashi stated boredly. "From what I understand, anyone who threatens our witch is a danger to us as well and the urge to protect is strong."
"What?" My aunt asked, surprised.
'They came here as kittens.' I signed. 'Keira and Memphis found them. I didn't want to take them in but they asked you and I guess you said yes to them which made me have to accept them. I got a bad feeling before I left on the Disturi mission and made Kakashi, Itachi, and Nagato my familiars. They didn't transform until the Disturi attacked and by then they had already accepted the contract.'
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Trust my own kids to have done something like this." My aunt sighed closing her eyes to think this through. Itachi and Nagato pulled me back slightly to cover me. I gave them a dry glare but they were focused on my aunt. I didn't have to turn my head to see Kakashi had my back. (After five years of my work, I finally trusted someone other than Analia and Ariel to do that.) It made me feel safe. "…I trust you and your team have this handled?"
'Yes.' I nodded. My aunt nodded weakly.
"I'm not saying I trust you." She glanced at the ninja. "But it's obvious that you care about Maya to some degree." I grinned seeing Itachi and Nagato nod their heads. "Maya, you're on your own with this. I won't tell the Elders but once you send whoever back, I trust you to be able to handle the heat."
'Seriously?' I asked in disbelief. I had actually expected her to do something like rant and destroy the ninja.
"Yes. But I hope you also know that in light of the demon attack I'm going to be staying with my kids for a few days." I nodded knowing Kisame and Kakuzu wouldn't like that. Meh, they'd just have to deal with it. (Although the kids would probably throw a tantrum. Keira had almost started crying when I told Kakuzu he could sleep in the attic with Kisame.)
"Would you bring your children back once you leave on another mission?" Nagato asked. My aunt's eyes narrowed.
"Why do you care?"
"Memphis and Keira seemed to have bonded with my two subordinates. They threw a tantrum last night just because Amaya suggested they might want some leg room." I just know I heard amusement in Nagato's voice!
"Maya?" I shrugged.
'I wasn't about to get in between Keira and Kakuzu once Keira started to spit fire. I was almost pulled into the Shadow realm because your son wanted his 'sharky'.' I shuddered.
"They've developed their powers?" My aunt asked in surprise. Her widened eyes let me see the joy and pride in her eyes that was shadowed by regret.
'Not fully.' I shrugged. 'Can you please give me my voice back?' I pleaded.
"It's a six hour spell. You'll get your voice back when the kids get out of school. You don't have to pick them up. Tim and I will take care of them until the day before Halloween."
'Will you get their costumes then?' I signed. 'I kind of forgot about Halloween with these guys here.' My aunt sighed.
"You'd better explain to them about the holiday and what to expect. Unless you want them to lose their head like you did." I threw my hands up.
'THAT WASN'T MY FAULT! I DIDN'T KNOW MY MOTHER AND FATHER HAD ALREADY LEFT THE BALL! AND IF YOU REMEMBER YOU AND UNCLE TIM WERE LEAVING WHEN YOU SAID MY PARENTS WERE STILL IN THE DAMN HALL!'
"I didn't know they'd already left." My aunt argued back. "If I had known I would have taken you with us."
'WELL IT'S ALL WELL AND FINE NOW.' I tried to growl. Nothing. Instead I pushed away from my protectors to argue with my aunt. (For witches who have peace, you'd think we'd be a bit more like a pacifist.) 'I STILL HAVE THE SCAR!'
"What do you expect? The Headless Horseman doesn't use a butter knife. Be glad the Pumpkin King hadn't found you." I shuddered. Not going to argue that one. "Besides, what does it matter you're alive aren't you?"
'Yeah, after ten hours!'
"You've survived worse. Besides you weren't even awake for those ten hours." My aunt chuckled as I tried to smack her head.
'That's not the point.'
"Aw, I'm sorry you big baby." My aunt grabbed me in a big hug and continued to baby talk me as I struggled. "Did the big baby want me to kiss her boo-boo?"
'DON'T YOU DARE!' I tried to scream as my aunt continued.
"Tickle-me-this, tickle-this-now, tickle-her-till-she's-as-red-as-a-cow!" I dropped to the ground, convulsing and jerking every which way.
"Amaya!" I ignored Itachi as he knelt down. I was shaking and 'screaming' too much.
"What did you do to her?" Nagato snarled.
"Oh relax. She'll stop laughing in a minute."
"She's laughing?" Kakashi asked as I jerked and grabbed my stomach as the tears came out of my eyes. I probably would have screamed bloody murder if I'd been able to.
"A little tickling spell I used to use on her when she was a child. She'll survive. Now you three-" I was in too much 'pain' to listen to anymore. I opened my mouth trying to scream, laugh, and shout.
Not so much as a whisper escaped me.
Oh my family was psychotic.
Three days later
"When are the kids coming home?" Kisame asked for the millionth time. I sighed once again. I was so tempted to kick him off the floor where he'd sprawled out a few hours ago. The only reason I didn't was because I kind of felt sorry for the 'kicked puppy' look he'd been wearing for the past two days.
"Children need their parents Kisa. Two nights with their parents is hardly enough time." I said tiredly.
"Their mother said she'd bring them back before Halloween. Which will probably be later today." Nagato said once again. I kind of enjoyed the twitch of his eyebrow.
"Will you just shut the f*ck up fish face. The brats will be back and you and Kakuzu can spoil them with attention again." Hidan grumbled. I had to find it amusing that out of everyone, only Hidan, Kisame, Nagato and Itachi were with me in the Library. Itachi and Nagato were in here because they were keeping an eye on me and there were books in here. Kisame was in here because his partner was. And Hidan was here because he'd found the book on Voo-doo. (Which scared me quite a bit since it was almost his entire fighting style.)
I, on the other hand, was doing as much paperwork as I could. I supposed that was a good thing since the kids weren't here to interrupt. I really missed them.
"They'll be back soon." Itachi murmured. I glanced at him to see he was still reading Harry Potter. (Sasori must have finished it.) I nodded not moving as I stared out the window to the garden.
Distantly I could see Kakuzu, Kakashi, and Konan were sparing in the meadow. I had asked them to not do any lasting damage. Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Yahiko were playing Halo 3. Sasori was in the kitchen working on some concoctions Hidan and Deidera had called dinner. Deidera was listening to whatever music he could find on YouTube.
It was still busy but without the kids it felt, different here.
"Now I remember why I never stayed here before the brats came." I murmured.
"What?" Nagato asked.
"It's too quiet and cold without them. I got used to hearing their feet and their arguing."
"They'll be back soon." Itachi murmured. I sighed.
"I hope so. Kisame's getting annoying."
"Mufhh mmuu." Kisame's muffled voice came making me smile slightly. My gaze slid to Hidan who looked very into his book.
"Don't you already fight with Voo-doo?" I asked curiously. Hidan looked at me over the book.
"No. What I do is controlling someone. Whatever I do to myself they repeat. But this Voo-doo stuff is more interesting. I can actually kill people by just getting their hairs or a piece of clothing and doing whatever I want to the doll."
"Isn't masochism apart of your religion?" I asked, confused.
"Of course it is."
"So why are you learning about Voo-doo?"
"So I can kill the people who aren't worth my f*cking time." I suppose that kind of made sense. Oh who am I kidding, Hidan never made much sense. I shook my head instead and went back to my paperwork. Oh what I wouldn't do to just forget this stuff. Thankfully I only had one… more… write the name… and… done!
I grinned and sat back, massaging my hand as it throbbed. I couldn't stop myself from cracking my knuckles.
The laptop chimed.
"Hmm..." I clicked 'answer'. Analia and Ariel popped up on the screen along with Haddock and Sera. "Hey guys." I waved.
"Finally someone rational." Haddock said.
"We're rational too Haddock." Ariel argued.
"You are but Ana definitely is not." Sera said. "Now can we all continue this? My lunch hour is almost over."
"Yeah my uncle is going to get suspicious if he doesn't see me working soon."
"What are you guys fighting about now?" I asked giving a warning glance to the four ninja to stay quiet.
"I want to ask a question but we need to talk about Halloween." Haddock said. "What are you going as?"
"Same thing I usually go as." I said, shrugging.
"You cannot go as a witch." Ariel grumped. "The Pumpkin King said if you did that this year he was going to drag you to his caves."
"Oh right… damn." I muttered knowing Hidan was snorting at me. "Then I guess I'm going as a slut." Nagato and Itachi shot me a glare while Hidan started to roar with laughter. "I hate the stupid TV. It won't turn off and the volume is going out of control." I said throwing a pen at Hidan.
"Call Garrett, he could use some social time with a girl." Haddock said. "It'll get me away from his brooding. And you are not going as a slut. That's just degrading."
"I already have a brooding cat, a few actually; I do not need a human brooding." I said. "And I was a slut for a few missions. I wasn't half bad at it."
"Seriously?" Sera asked. I ignored the stares I was getting from the guys.
"Believe it sister. The manager from the pole dancing bar actually offered her a full-time job." Analia said.
"Wow." Haddock murmured. "I'm seeing you in new light."
"So am I." Kisame muttered. I briefly shot him a glare before returning my attention to the laptop.
"So why didn't you go that route?" Sera asked. "Not that I'm saying you should." She added hastily.
"I had a problem with the guys who wouldn't keep their hands to themselves." I said distantly. "Well that and I ended up killing a whole coven who tried to make me a blood whore."
"That I can believe." Haddock said. "But being a slut, witch, and gypsy is out. Choose something else."
"Then I'm out of ideas." I said.
"Why don't you go as a fairy? Or an angel? You can shift halfway can't you?" Ariel asked.
"I can but… shifting halfway is wrong." I answered, resisting the urge to shudder. "It doesn't feel natural to me."
"So why don't you just attend the Masquerade Ball?" Sera asked. "All you'd need is a killer dress with a good neckline and a mask."
"Can't. The kids are coming back today and I always take them trick-or-treating." I answered. "Plus a few guys I know from Japan are visiting me and they said they would be honored to see how we trick-or-treat in the United States."
"Go as a dragon!" Haddock said. "T and I are going as Dragon riders."(1)
"Uh no. Your brother actually is a dragon and Halloween is the beginning of mating season. I am not laying an egg." I argued. "Let alone choosing a scaly lizard for a mate."
"Because she's already got a tall, dark and handsome fellow waiting in her future. Isn't that right dearie?" Analia crooned in a sweet voice. Sera and I laughed while Haddock and Ariel just shook their heads.
"Take the tourist psychic crap and shove it." Haddock said.
"What are you guys going as?" I asked.
"Dragon rider." Haddock answered.
"Tsunade." Analia answered.
"The Human Torch or Ghost Rider." Ariel shrugged.
"A pixie." Sera chimed.
"Well I feel like an idiot." I said. "Fine, I'll go as a fairy or angel. Depending on my mood."
"I'll send you the dress that would go with your wings." Ariel said. "I have two that would go best with either of your wings."
"I do have some clothes you know." I answered dryly.
"Knowing you it'll look like Lara Croft. No, you are not fighting this year." Ariel commanded. "I forbid you from all violence for Halloween, all day and all night!"
"Whatever." I said. My internal radar pinged, my brats... "What question did you want to ask Haddock?"
"In a hurry?"
"Yes actually I am." I answered. "Now ask."
"Fine. Between Naraku and Danzo who would you kill?"
"Danzo." I got up ready to make a break for it. Haddock stopped me by quickly another question.
"Best friend, Sebastian or Goku?"
"Goku. Can you hurry this up?" I asked seeing an SUV coming.
"Who would you f*ck? Madara or Aishin?"
"Drunk or sober?" I asked.
"Both."
"Madara."
"Mar-i-age? Itachi or Sesshomaru?"
"Itachi." I answered shuddering. Sesshomaru was hot but, my cousin was really territorial.
"Last question. Who would win in a fight? Ichigo or Vegeta?" I snorted.
"Vegeta. Hands down. Now I really got to go."
"See ya babe!" Analia called. I half waved before closing the laptop.
"Would you really marry Itachi?" Nagato asked. I stared at him in amazement.
"Between him and Sesshomaru, there is no question. I'm not suicidal enough to steal my cousin's husband thank you very much." I grinned looking at Kisa. "The kids are back." He jack-knifed to his feet an instant behind me. I was at the door before he could catch up to me.
When I wrenched open the door Keira was getting out of the SUV. She smiled at me and waved before looking to the side.
"KAKU!" She yelled running over to him.
"KISA!" Memphis yelled running to him. Kisame shot past me and grabbed my squishy in a bear hug. I rolled my eyes. A flash of reddish brown hair caught my eyes as my sister jumped out of the SUV looking very much bruised. Her usual black shorts and tank top were replaced with jeans and a plain black shirt, and she was actually wearing shoes!
"What is she doing here?" I asked as my aunt walked up the steps. My uncle Tim watched as his children were hugged/hugging potential lethal men who did not look human in the least. "Hey uncle!" I waved. He nodded. (My uncle never really was one for too many words.)
"Melody tagged a ride when I ran into her yesterday. Her pack threw her out after she defended a vampire. Someone named Erik?" My aunt said coming up the stairs before my sister. I nodded seeing my sister limp up the stairs.
"I know, I know. You're not happy to see me right now after the last family reunion." Mel grumbled coming to a stop before me. "But I have nowhere else to go and you are family." I didn't say anything. "You're always spouting stuff about how family sticks together and I figured you would forgive me and Dom for fighting about that lighter."
"… Family does stick together." I said sternly feeling my aunt's eyes on me. "You should know that the house is full right now though." Mel rolled her eyes.
"I'll sleep on the floor in front of the fire like a dog then. Hell I'll even sleep outside. I just need a place I feel safe enough to sleep so I can recover. I can leave after that-"
"No you won't." I said. Mel glared up at me. "You're staying here." Her eyes widened. "Your wolf accepted my wolf and told you to come here." She averted her eyes. "No matter how much you deny it I know you're hurting after being kicked out of your pack. A werewolf needs family. Dom may be in the forests doing whatever elves do but I am an Animorphi and my wolf is enough." I placed a hand on my sisters shoulder feeling her muscles twitch. "You're my sister Mel. I'm sorry for the way things ended last time but that's in the past."
"You sure you want me around?" Mel asked hollowly. I smiled ruffling her reddish brown hair.
"As much as it pains me, you're my baby sister. And what kind of person would I be if I just threw you out on the streets like a mutt? See, I'm the kind of person who, when a friend is in trouble, I help. That's just who I am."
"Oh shut up." Mel muttered rolling her eyes. I still caught the relief in her eyes though.
"Good, nice to see you two being civil again." My aunt cut in. I noted that Mel needed to eat something as her clothes looked a bit too baggy on her when she walked past me to sit beside my aunt on deck.
"Family is family." I shrugged. "No matter how much we may want to kill each other, Mel is the only sister I'll ever get. Now why do you look like you want to kill Kisame?" My aunt sighed.
"I was going to keep them for one more night but Memphis started to cry for his 'sharky'." My aunt said. "Tim and I decided to be smart and bring them back." I snorted.
"Why are they here anyways?" Mel asked eyeing Kakuzu with distrust. (Ah, another men hater. The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree does it? I think that's the phrase.)
"Mmm… I'll let Nagato and Kakashi tell you themselves." Mel frowned.
"Kakashi… Wasn't he on that Japanese show you, Analia and Ariel watched on behalf of the Elders?"
"That's the one." I answered. "But you really should let Nagato and Kakashi explain to you. I'd rather explain it all in one sitting."
"… Have they been listening?" My aunt asked.
"You mean the ninja?" I asked seriously. She nodded. "Don't worry about them so much auntie. Just because they're ninja doesn't mean that they're going to go on a killing spree and slaughter us all in the night. Besides, Naruto would never allow that."
"Naruto?" I jerked my head to the side as Naruto started yelling.
"YOU CHEATED YOU STUPID TEME!"
"He's the loudmouth blond. He and Nagato are cousins but even if they weren't Naruto wouldn't allow anything to happen to Keira and Memphis." Melody snorted at the 'loudmouth' comment but kept silent. I noticed that she had bruises on her arms and legs that didn't look like they were healing as fast as they should have been. She must not have been hunting.
"I don't know about them Amaya." My aunt admitted. "Leaving my children in the hands of ninja?" She looked at Keira who was showing Kakuzu a book about Faeries. (They're much more… vicious than Fairies.) Memphis on the other hand was being tossed in the air by Kisame. I watched as my uncle's body stiffened every time Memphis yelled in happiness.
"You know I would never allow anything to happen to my siblings." I murmured glancing at Mel out of the corner of my eye. "Memphis and Keira have those two wrapped around their fingers. I trust Kakuzu and Kisame to not hurt them."
She nodded. "I worry about them though. It's a mother's instinct to make sure her child is always protected."
"Oh don't worry." I said waving it off. "I pity the poor fool who tries to hurt those two. I'm pretty sure everyone else would kill them several times over just for making them cry."
"Can I meet them? The other ninja?" I stared at Melody warily. "What? I just want to make sure that they aren't brainwashing you."
"Who would dare to brainwash me?" I asked mockingly before gesturing her to follow me. "But I suppose it wouldn't hurt. You want uncle to come too?" I asked my aunt as she followed. My aunt sighed.
"That man is so overprotective I wouldn't be surprised if he kept a very good eye on those two." I smiled knowing that was true. The front door was still open when we entered the living room to see Team 7 and Nagato still playing.
"-come on! You're worse than a girl teme!" Naruto baited.
"Shut. Up. Dobe." Sasuke growled.
"Naruto stop it." Sakura chided.
"Guys." I called. Yahiko pressed 'pause'. The four ninja turned seeing my aunt and sister beside me. "This is my aunt, Lisa. She's also Memphis and Keira's mother and my surrogate mother figure. And this is Melody, she's my sister."
"Hello." Yahiko said smiling happily.
"Oh, it's nice to meet you Lisa-san, Melody-san." Sakura said as her eyes widened. She immediately got up and half-bowed in greeting. My aunt nodded but my sister just looked weirded out.
"It's just Mel. And you don't have to be so formal." Mel said. I smiled as Sakura nodded in understanding.
"Hn." Sasuke tilted his head in greeting. Naruto smiled.
"Hi!" He jumped over the couch before putting his hands in his jean pockets. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. Don't mind the teme, he's always like that, that's Sasuke by the way. The girl is Sakura and the carrot top is Yahiko."
"Carrot top?" Yahiko growled under his breath.
"What do you expect? This is Naruto?" Sasuke muttered getting up and surveying my family members.
"Hello Naruto." My aunt said.
"Hello." Mel held out her hand. I'd explained to Naruto about how we greeted people here but I didn't really expect him to do it. He reached out trustingly and shook Mel's hand. I watched her face as she stiffened.
"Mel." I snapped breaking her hold on Naruto. Naruto stared at me in confusion but I was too busy watching Mel as her eyes stayed glued to Naruto. My sister may have been a werewolf but her sixth sense was strong enough to pick up a person's energies. It wasn't very stable but she could catch a little snippet of someone's 'deeds'.
"Sorry." Mel said looking away and dropping her hand.
"Uh, it's okay." Naruto said confused. Mel nodded but didn't look at him directly. I sighed.
"Maybe you should go lie down?" She met my eyes.
'No.'
'You look like you're about to drop.'
'I'm fine.' Her eyes conveyed. Well tried to anyways. (It never ceased to amaze me that we could communicate like this. No words, just looks.)
'Go to sleep. Recover your strength. You're too thin.'
'Amaya!' I narrowed my eyes as a growl slipped out of my throat.
'Now!' Mel's eyes shifted slightly but I saw the moment her wolf gave up. Her eyes darkened and she slumped.
"Fine. I'll see you guys later." I watched her make her way up the stairs, well not before waving good-bye to the ninja. I sighed once I was sure she was safely upstairs.
"My sister will be the end of me."
"What do you expect? You're the Firstborn." My aunt snorted. "If your siblings don't kill you they aren't doing their job right."
"Didn't you want to meet the ninja?" I asked.
"I'm trusting you to not get my kids killed tomorrow." My aunt said when she and my uncle were finally about to leave. I was seriously tempted to just have Sasori escort' them to their car after my aunt gave my familiar's the third degree about her kids.
"What do you take me for? I've had a year's worth of a clean record." I argued.
"Just making sure." She said before calling to the brats. "Keira! Memphis!" They stopped playing with Kakuzu and Kisame to run to their mother.
"Are you leaving now?" Keira asked.
"I'm sorry honey. But mama needs to go back to work now. You remember what I told you about my work?" They nodded. "I know you don't like it but it's something that you'll do when you're older."
"Like when we're Mayas age?" Memphis asked.
"Yes." My aunt whispered. I looked away to give them a moment. My eyes landed on Itachi who returned my gaze. I didn't see sympathy, life I would've seen from everyone else. Itachi seemed to know exactly how it felt (not that I should be surprised) and had accepted this way of life. That kind of made me feel a little better.
With my sister in the house I needed a lot of patience and strength. Especially since Memphis and Keira were back. Ooh, and let's not forget the fact that ninja were living with us from now on. Life just kept getting more and more complicated didn't it?
"What is the point of this holiday?" Sasori asked from the couch. He had chosen to stay along with Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, Konan, Nagato, and Kakashi. I think it had something to do with putting on a costume that had Sasori backing away.
"To have as much fun as possible." I said picking at the dress Ariel had lent me. Why the hell did she have something so uncomfortable? "To get as many treats as possible otherwise you're just asking for the Pumpkin King to kill you."
"You mean the costumes don't do that, un?" Deidera asked picking at his hair now that I had finally managed to tie it back like Itachi's. Deidera was going as a Succubus (I know I can't believe he went along with it), Hidan was going as, what else, a demon, Itachi was going as a vampire (all he'd had to do was put the fangs in and wear a black cloak). Kisame was going as batman (Memphis had talked him into that one), Kakuzu was going as himself (nothing Keira had said had changed that), and I was going as a faerie. Sadly everyone else had chosen to sit out of this. Not that I blamed them but Halloween was actually pretty fun if you did it right.
"So where do we go to get candy, yeah?" Deidera asked.
"I want to fu-freaking get this sh-shtick going." Hidan said. I snickered knowing that he wouldn't dare cuss out loud after Keira had said 'fuck' this morning. Kakuzu and Kisame had taken Hidan to the woods and had come back covered in blood. (Not that I allowed Keira or Memphis to see that.)
"We have to wait." Keira said, I have to admit she was a pretty little kitty. Memphis was running around like the Joker dressed in purple.
"For what?" Kakuzu asked. I saw the black smoke rising from the floors.
"Grab the kids." I snapped a second before we all phased through the floor into a portal, curtesy of Analia. I landed on the asphalt like a pro. Kisame, Kakuzu and Itachi landed pretty much the same way. Deidera and Hidan barely managed to catch themselves.
"Aw, Sasori didn't come?" I turned my attention to see Analia as Tsunade. In fact I'm pretty sure that the only way she looked exactly like Tsunade was because she was wearing a glamour along with the clothes. Ariel on the other hand was dressed in black leather and her hair and face was on fire.
"Nice effects." Hidan commented seeing the flames. He reached out like an idiot. "They look so real."
"They are real." Ariel said as Hidan yelped, jerking his hand back.
"Nice going idiot." Kakuzu muttered putting Keira down. We were on the outskirts of a small town full of humans who looked like they were just beginning as well. The kids would all run through the town until they either ran out of houses or ran out of energy. Other families arrived and within ten minutes everyone was impatient to begin.
"You want to do the speech?" Analia asked me. I shrugged.
"Why not." I walked forward leaving the others behind until I stood under a random streetlight. Everyone stopped talking as I raised my hand.
"Witches and shifters, ghosts and elves,
Sprites and gnomes from the Fae realm,
Tonight they fly here and there,
Yes, up and down and everywhere.
For this one night in all the year
We rule the earth and bring great fear."
A few laughs and whoops of joy sounded.
"Ride the wind, ride the broom,
For tonight we are as bright as the moon.
No fear for us, no fear for you,
Beware the ones who shout "Boo".
The shadows grow and seep,
But we all know the ones who creep.
Beware them but remember to have fun,
For this night has just begun!"
I finished the rhyme to listen to the shouts and the cheers. I turned to the town and drew back my arm like I was holding a bow and arrow. I released the magic I had gathered in my hand.
"Let the fun begin!" I yelled. Above the orange firecracker exploded into the shape of a pumpkin that started to laugh. The children yelled the loudest and like a gun, they were off. The teenagers were after them and their parents and guardians followed at a slower pace while laughing and spreading as much magic as they wanted.
I waited a moment for my group.
"Nice rhyme." Itachi commented.
"We do it every year." I said. "It's the truth and everyone knows it." I looked around seeing that everyone had taken off after the kids.
"We should catch up to the kids." Itachi murmured.
"I know, but I don't know about you, but I really don't want to go anywhere near those vicious, ruthless, monsters we call children." He chuckled. "Halloween is the night where everyone goes a little overboard."
"And what about you?" He asked staring at me as we came to a park. Kids were yelling and shouting 'Trick-or-Treat!' I met his dark eyes and raised an eyebrow.
"You really want to see me go overboard?"
"You don't already?" I snorted.
"Oh, Itachi you have a lot to learn about witches."
"I'd rather learn about you." He answered. I met his eyes and cocked my head. He didn't elaborate, not that I was expecting him to. The longer we stared at each other, the longer I became aware of him. I could actually smell his scent. (Oh how I would have just loved to wrap my arms around him.)
I leaned forward slowly. I didn't waver even when my eyes darted to his mouth and then back up. Something made me think that if we kissed he wouldn't fight, and neither would I. The energy around us became unusually warm as he leaned forward slightly. My heart thudded painfully against my chest as I gently touched his chest.
Before our lips touched something flashed in front of my eyes.
A boy's face that was set in a smirk. 'I love you.' He mouthed. Fear crawled up my spine as I shook that image away. I was still positioned to kiss Itachi but his eyes had caught the shift in me.
"If you want to learn about me, then you're going to have to try much harder than that, 'Tachi." I leaned back into the cool air half kicking myself for my stupidity and half yelling about how much I wanted to kiss him. 'What the f*ck am I doing!' I mentally yelled as I physically turned away.
'What did it look like dumbass? You were about to kiss the sexy Uchiha.' A voice that sounded very much like Analia said. I ignored that voice and continued walking to where I could feel Keira and Memphis' magic signatures. I didn't turn to see if Itachi was following me. Chances were he was.
I caught sight of the kids, Kisame, Kakuzu, Hidan and Deidera. But someone had caught sight of me first.
"Something wrong?" I looked to the side to see Ariel. I looked around in defense only to see that Itachi had gone over to see the others as Ariel walked beside me.
"Ariel, when did I become so complicated and messed up?" I sighed.
"In my opinion you've always been complicated and messed up." I felt my shoulders drop in defeat. "But if you're asking about relationship wise, then I suppose you became an old shrew after the incident with him." I sighed not feeling like flinching or getting mad. My anger had run its course and if I was honest with myself then I had already gotten over that incident a while ago. (At least I hoped so.)
"I want to." I murmured looking at Itachi as Keira jumped on his shoulders like anime character. "He was my anime crush, still is in fact."
"Then what's holding you back?" Ariel asked as if she was asking about the weather.
"I don't know." I grumbled running a hand over the wings I still had out.
"If Madara was here I wouldn't hold back." Ariel joked. I looked at her, deadpan.
"Madara isn't here. And if he was I can bet that everyone would have killed him just for breathing." She shrugged like it didn't matter.
"So what are you going to do about your relationship troubles? You somehow always end up with the worst luck in that department."
"Then I guess I should just give up huh?" I snapped.
"No." Ariel said placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "If you give up then what does that say about me and Ana? If you give up then we're doomed to be spinsters." I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile.
"Thank you for choosing to be abstinent." Ariel snorted.
"I'm twenty. I still have a few years before I stop getting horny at the sight of hot guys who don't wear shirts."
"Like Hidan?" I asked.
"Hidan's in a relationship with his religion. Plus he died and he's sort of a douche. I want an Uchiha or a Uzumaki."
"There's an Uzumaki back at my house." I offered.
"Nah, Konan's got dibs." I snickered at that image.
"The kids look like they're almost ready to go home." I looked to see Keira and Memphis were running on steam as they neared the last house on the block. It amazed me that they could run on high at home but they tired out faster in the real world. (No wonder their teachers never complained about Memphis' energies.)
"I'm surprised. I kind of expected Halloween to end like the others usually did."
"You jinxed it." Analia yelled right beside me. I flinched away from her yell. "What is wrong with you? You don't say anything like that until we're home! Then at least no one would dare to attack!"
"What's she talking about, un?" Deidera asked as he and the others came back to us.
"Amaya jinxed us." Analia said pointing an accusing finger at me. "We're all going to die!"
"Will you shut up!" I snapped smacking her head. "You'll scare the kids."
"M-Maya?" I looked up at Keira who was seated on Kakuzu's shoulders. (Ah, how cute!) She was looking behind me as her face paled. Since everyone but Analia, Ariel and I could see whatever was behind us I sighed.
"There's something behind us, isn't there?" Ariel asked.
"What the f*ck is that?" Hidan asked. Kakuzu didn't even smack him for his language. Which was a very bad sign indeed. I turned around as slowly as I could while backing into the ninja. (Even my world scared me sometimes.)
A pale face scrunched up in a smile set on a clean skull wearing a black tux greeted me.
"Hello Amaya… long time no see." He grinned, not that he ever stopped considering his head was a skull.
"Jack." I said feeling his smile grow. I backed right into Itachi and, kiss or no, awkwardness or no, his arm came around me. Analia backed into Kisame while Ariel backed into Hidan. You did not turn your back to Jack, not unless you wanted to die.
"Ah, and I see you have friends." He pushed off from the tree he was leaning against. Vaguely I noticed that we were all alone on the street now. I could still hear other children but they were probably done with this street.
"Who the f*ck are you?" Hidan asked rudely. I shuddered as Jack's eyes went reddish in warning. Not that Hidan heeded it, or even knew what it was.
"I should introduce myself, we must be polite. My name is Jack, I am the Pumpkin King." He bowed slightly. "And you are?"
"Hidan." Hidan snarled. Though why he would be this upset didn't register. Itachi's arms tightened as Jack chuckled and turned his head to me.
"Your friend certainly doesn't seem to know me. Why is that?"
"He's not from around here." Analia answered in my place. Jack looked at her.
"Really? And I suppose they," he pointed to everyone else, "Don't know who I am either?" I heard Keira whimper in fear as Jack's eyes landed on her. Jack had that effect. It was worse than the Disturi. Simply because he knew exactly how to scare you, and he didn't even need to try. Kakuzu did manage to grab Keira and hold her safe.
"Analia." I murmured. "Get the kids." Jack tutted.
"Oh, but children do need to learn to fear me. We wouldn't want any child repeating your mistake, right Analia?" I felt her flinch.
"You f*cker!" Hidan yelled before, I swear I had no idea how the hell he even had it, he swung a scythe! Jack moved back, not because he would've died if Hidan had actually hit him, but more out of fear his suit would be ruined. (Been there done that, not going to repeat).
"Analia!" I snapped. Black smoke engulfed us but only Kisame, Kakuzu, the kids, and Analia were able to teleport. "Sh*t." I yelled seeing the smoke disappear. I turned back to see Hidan swinging his scythe with a crazy maniac smile on his face.
"Are you alright?" Itachi asked in my ear.
"Yeah." I nodded not looking away from Hidan as he cackled.
"What's wrong you bony f*cker? Scared I might f*ck you up sh*t face?"
"That is an insult to Chucky's son." Ariel gasped as she and Deidera came up beside me and Itachi. "Let's just be glad that the Headless Horseman isn't here."
"Yeah then we'd really be in trouble." I muttered before slapping my mouth. Ariel, I had seen, had done the same. Behind us a horse whinnied making Jack and Hidan stop their little dance and turn. "We really need to stop jinxing this night."
"DUCK!" Ariel yelled from somewhere. I didn't hesitate before a gust of wind blew above my head and the tree I was hiding behind bowed as the trunk snapped.
"Sh*t!" I yelled as it fell. I heard Hidan laughing again as Jack yelled out.
"Will you stop moving!? It would be much easier if you would hold still and let me do this." My head popped up to watch the three-way fight that had been going on for five minutes now. Jack was trying to get Hidan with his maniacal Pumpkins and the shadows but Hidan was avoiding them by dodging the Headless Horseman's swungs.
"F*ck that!" Hidan yelled swinging his scythe in an arch. Jack, like a spider, jumped back and laughed before he was forced to stop and duck the Headless Horseman's sword. Hidan twisted his body around and swung at the Headless Horseman making the 'man' jump off his horse and back onto his feet once again.
"Hidan. You are nuts." I muttered before I had to move to avoid the demon horse from stomping me to death. That damn horse was like a bloodhound. It never stopped to let any of us try to help Hidan. Not that I would have gone up against Jack. He was insane!
I saw Hidan slash Jack's suit again before he twirled and cut into the Headless Horseman. Not that it did anything since they were all immortal. I jumped into a tree and climbed to the top before the horse could reach me.
"Hey." I turned around to see Ariel in the tree beside me. "I was wondering when you were going to come up here."
"Sorry, the tree I was in was smashed." I snapped. A yell made me look back in time to see the Headless Horseman cut Hidan's head off.
"Hidan!" I yelled. Not out of fear, more like annoyance that he had let that happen. The Headless Horseman took Hidan's head and put it on his after knocking his pumpkin head off.
"Would you stop smashing my pumpkin?!" Jack yelled in annoyance. "You have how many heads in Hell?"
"Oh shut up!" Hidan yelled. The Headless Horseman stopped as Jack looked at him in surprise. Hidan's eyes were open and glaring. "YOU STUPID MOTHERF*CKER! I'LL KILL YOU FOR CHOPPING MY HEAD OFF YOU STUPID SH*T FACE!"
"You're still alive!" Jack asked.
"NO SH*T SHERLOCK!" Jack 'crawled' forward and grabbed Hidan's head. Well he tried to. The Headless Horseman still had a good grip on it.
"I just want to see. I'll give him back!" Jack argued as they started to play tug of war. The demon horse neighed in annoyance as he reared up, trying to help his master. Jack was too quick and the horse ended up hitting Hidan's face.
"OW YOU STUPID PILE OF HORSE SH*T!" Hidan yelled. I had to admit that I was torn between laughing and face-palming.
"Let go Headless!" Jack yelled.
"WOULD SOMEONE HIDING IN THE TREES GET ME THE F*CK OUT OF THEIR HANDS! BEFORE I F*CKING KILL YOU ALL IN YOUR SLEEP YOU SPINELESS BAGS OF SH*T!" Hidan yelled.
"Think he's talking to us?" I asked.
"Nah, Itachi and Deidera can get him."
"You mean if we even want to, un." I turned to the side to see Deidera and Itachi on the ground with their arms folded.
"Oh you two are alive." I said in relief.
"What do you expect? We're not all idiots like Hidan, yeah."
"That's good to know." Ariel said. "Hey look, Analia's trying to open the portal again!" Indeed black smoke was coming out from where Hidan's body was. It fell into the portal.
"Get to the portal. I'll get Hidan's head." Itachi ordered.
"Good luck man." Ariel said before we launched ourselves out of the tree.
"Oi, you're going to kill yourselves, un!" Deidera yelled. I landed in a roll before getting up and running.
"F*CK YOU GUYS! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE WITH THESE C*NTS!" Hidan yelled. I didn't hear any more from him as I fell into the portal.
GM NASAI: MERRY CHRISTMAS! I have given up on making these 5,000 words or less. It just keeps getting longer and longer. Oh well, you all probably think it's a good thing so if it makes you all happy enough to not hunt me down then so be it. I hope you all appreciate this extra long chapter I wrote just for you all. Because I was seriously going through a bit of a writer's block. I was actually debating whether or not I should update this week... But in the end my love of my readers overwhelmed me. Well that and I can't stay away from Fanfic for long.
(1) Does anyone else see the irony in there?
I wasn't really sure if I wanted to bring in Melody but she was actually the only reason I was able to write this chapter. Trust me I tried. And besides, why not bring in Amaya's family members slowly? I hope you all enjoyed Hidan's head going through tug-of-war. I tried. I really did. But fight scenes were just... scarce for me this week.
Oh and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on any pairings for Analia and Melody. Ariel already has a set paring so she's off limits. Sorry! But anyone else is game. Except for the kids, because that's just... wrong. And I like them having their 'uncles' wrapped around their fingers and being able to help keep Amaya sane.
Eh hem, this Omake is for RandomR15 who requested I write about Naruto's prank. I hope you like it. *.*
Omake!
~Naruto's Prank~
The first thing Naruto was aware of when he woke up was that he was warm and for the first time, there was no one laying beside him. He could still hear people breathing in the same room as him but he could feel the chakra signature that announced that his team were the only ones in here. He stretched his body out like a cat loving the feel of his bones popping.
Naruto's eyes opened as that thought registered. He had a body, he could move. He wasn't a cat anymore. And his team was still asleep.
The familiar fox-like grin was on his face. The one that always warned the villagers and anyone who knew Naruto (which was everyone in the Five Nations now) that he was thinking of something that would hurt. Naruto slowly got up seeing that Sakura was sleeping on the couch and Sasuke was sleeping on the airbed with Kakashi. Naruto couldn't help the evil thoughts that invaded his mind. Really he did try but nothing helped. So he did what he did best, he gave into the urge to be mischievous.
Naruto looked around before going into the kitchen as softly as he could. On the table was a camera that Keira and Memphis had played with. Naruto understood how it worked and thanks to Amaya he knew all the things he could do with it. He walked back into the living room wondering who he should prank when his eyes fell on Sasuke and Sakura.
'Might as well brat. When are you going to get another chance?' Kurama rumbled.
'You just want to get back at Sasuke.'
'And you don't?'
'But he's my friend.'
'So give him special treatment.' Naruto grinned.
'Alright, but you're healing me from whatever they do to me.'
'Deal. Now get moving brat.' Naruto snickered as he did as told. He poked Sasuke only to have him twitch. He then poked Sakura who only grumbled. Quick as a flash Naruto did a hand seal before two shadow clones appeared. He then used his clones to pick Sakura up before quickly putting her beside Sasuke as 'suggestively' as he could. He then held up the camera and took a picture.
Sasuke twitched but thankfully he didn't wake up. In fact as Naruto watched Sasuke's arm went around Sakura's waist. Naruto couldn't help the laugh as he took another picture. In a last ditch effort, and since they hadn't woken up yet, Naruto moved Sakura's leg so that it wrapped around Sasuke's. Naruto managed to take a picture before he quickly ran into the kitchen to print those.
'You should have used your oroike no jutsu.' Kurama rumbled.
'Nah, I'll save that for another time. Besides,' Naruto shuddered in fear. 'Sakura will kill me for this.'
'You'll survive.'
'Thanks for the confidence.'
'If Madara, Kaguya, Obito, Pein, and the Juunni couldn't kill you then I have no doubt that you're like a cockroach. No matter how hard we hit you, you still won't die!'
'That's not nice!'
'But it is true.'
Naruto grumbled under his breath as he printed the pictures. Just as he grabbed them a familiar yell sounded from upstairs.
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