Chapter Twenty-Six: Cleaning Up

~Amaya's POV~

There are things in life that you tend to take for granted and things you make horrible mistakes about. I know my mistakes have cost me some friends and my bigger mistakes have cost my sanity. Rushing off alone without listening to the voice of reason? That was my biggest mistake. I had acted like a rookie and it had led to me being a demon's plaything for three days. I may have been able to tough it out but the things demon's do to a persons psyche were plain cruel.

I would never forget losing a friend to a Disturi attack (not Bianca since I loathed her entirely), nor would I ever forgive myself if I ever got any of the Akatsuki in trouble. I had made my last mistake by not talking to anyone or getting opinions or even listening to reason. I had rushed. I believe we all know where that led.

Now here I was tying my hair into a braid and getting ready for my mothers funeral. Although since she had been a Dark Witch I'd had to do some grave robbing just to get her bones before the Elders threw them into the ocean. (If anyone got to do anything to my mother's body it was sure as hell going to be me!).

My eye caught the dark pyre with the black shroud on it with the Black family crest emblazoned in silvery blue. A sword crossed with an arrow and a circle behind. This was the worse thing I'd ever had to do. My mother may have been unconventional but she was still my mother. I loved her from the moment I came into the world and that would never change. I suppose it's only right that me and my siblings do this (preferably before the Elders decide to show up in their usual brigade).

Although, it would be beneficial if the Akatsuki and Team 7 helped with the rebuilding of the house. I looked around at the burned, destroyed, and blacked walls and floors that were crumbling away. Magic was holding the house together but it needed to be repaired before it all caved in. (I really wish my mother had gotten rid of Lilith outside. The kitchen, living room, and dining room were all just one room while the floor in the foyer had a big hole in it. The second floors floor was worse as most spells must have been deflected to up here. I sighed, no use crying over spilt milk.

"Maya? Are you okay?" I turned my eyes away from the window to look at the child with sad brown eyes staring at me. Her black dress and styled hair didn't match the look she was giving me.

"Hey baby girl." I straightened my posture and but a smile on my face. "Are you ready?" She nodded but kept looking at me.

"Maya?"

"Hmm?" She tilted her head in an undeniably cute way.

"Why are you sad?" I sighed letting the façade go.

"It's a sad day Keira." She held out her arms to me. Despite her height and age I couldn't resist picking her up. My injuries tingled but they wouldn't open again thank's to the Healers good work.

"Don't be sad." She touched my cheek gently.

"It's kind of hard not to be sweetie." I replied softly. She nodded.

"Auntie Connie is gone," that stung, "But you're still here. So are me and Memphis and Kisa and Kuzu and Tachi and Sori and DeiDei and Naga and Hiko and Konan and Kashi and Naru and Sas and Kura. You're not alone." Despite my will to not let my eyes water the bastards betrayed me and allowed a tear or two to slip.

"It's not the same." She pouted but smiled.

"Then why don't you wait to see Auntie Connie again?" At my bewildered expression she went on. "I overheard Mommy tell Daddy about a spell she used to see her mommy to ask her something. I bet you could use that to see Auntie again."

Oh right. That spell… only problem with that was…

"I can't. Auntie Connie isn't going to the same place Grandma is." Keira shrugged.

"So? Just because they aren't in the same place doesn't mean you can't still find a way to see her. Lost things don't stay lost, not for long. Naru says that determination can do anything."

"You don't actually believe that do you?" I asked quickly wondering what Naruto dared to feed Keira's imagination. Keria shrugged.

"Why not? He helped Tachi bring you back didn't he?"

"You have a point." I muttered giving up. A knock on the door brought us out of our conversation. My grey eyes met pitch black. Yet even if Itachi's eyes were darker than night, I could still see the concern.

"Dom says we need to start now."

"Okay." I tightened my hold on Keira before letting her go. "Go find Kuzu Keira."

"Okay!" She smiled before running off without hesitation, knowing instinctively where Kakuzu was. Itachi came into the room.

"I'm fine." I said before he could ask.

"Being 'fine' does not necessarily mean you're alright." I snorted, walking towards him. He opened his arms knowing I needed the contact. Other people might have wanted isolation after being tortured, but I always had the urge to cuddle up with someone I trusted to not hurt me. Itachi's warm embrace was so much better than my family and friends simply because he radiated different emotions.

"I had to choose to date the walking fortune cookie." I mumbled into his chest. I felt his smirk as he kissed the top of my head.

"You will make it pass this."

"Will I?" I asked blandly. "Because once this is over the Elders will be here and demanding to know why you guys haven't been sent anywhere. And I'll have to send you somewhere since I can't pull the 'good person' routine." Itachi's arms tightened fractionally.

"We'll find a way."

"In fifteen minutes?" I asked. I felt him nod once.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight. You're worse than Naruto and Sasuke." I jerked in surprise before pulling away to glare at Itachi's amused smirk.

"How could I be worse than them? They don't think."

"Exactly."

"Oh shut up Uchiha."

The ceremony wasn't grand or anything. Just some friends and a few family members gathered around the pyre. I held the torch that would lit my mother's body on fire. It burned but I found it to be welcome. It allowed me the knowledge that I was still alive and human. I could feel and wasn't a hollow corpse.

My aunt had arrived a few minutes prior to say the spells and prayers over her sisters body since she was the eldest in the Black line. I may have been the Matriarch but my aunt held the knowledge of the burials that I had yet to learn.

"... Hic ponere precorque ut in altera vita caeli portae evigilans invenit ut familiae in illo quiescat." I walked forward and lowered the torch onto the pyre as instructed. Instantly the dry wood caught fire. In seconds my mother was already being burned. "Fuisti soror optima mater unquam possemus petunt atque amicum induerit . Benedicta sit."

"Benedicta sit." The witches present intoned as the fire jumped higher, getting hotter. The wind started to blow as the lightning overhead rumbled.

"May you find happiness, sister." My aunt prayed. I turned from the pyre to look at Itachi's blank face. His face may have been blank but his eyes held all the sadness and pain I felt inside.

Behind him, I saw three cars driving up the road.

"They're here." I announced loud enough for everyone to hear. As one we turned to face the next obstacle.

Itachi walked beside me protectively making me smile slightly. I really didn't deserve him. (Although considering he murdered his entire family and his lover I guess that evens the field a little. Not that I'd ever done that.) My hand reached out and grabbed his as we stopped in front of the house.

The trucks pulled to a stop in front of us.

"What the f*ck are these jack-offs here for?"

"Hidan, please for the love of the Goddess, do not say anything." I heard Analia threaten.

"He won't." Kakuzu promised. I didn't have to turn to know Hidan's mouth was stitched shut and glaring at Kakuzu.

"Akatsuki, behave." Nagato snapped as the doors to the SUV's opened. From the first car came an old woman with a lot of wrinkles wearing simple clothes that did nothing to hide her true age. Not that she would prefer it any other way. From the second car came a middle-aged woman dressed in elegant clothing that made her look timeless. Finally from the last car came a young woman a few years older than I was wearing regular teen clothes. From the back of the trucks came two Guardians.

"Huh, never would have thought they would bring the full regalia." Ariel murmured beside me. I nodded tightening my hold on Itachi and pushing him behind me slightly. He resisted, naturally, but relented as I squeezed his hand again.

"Bah, been a long time since I've been here on this land." The Crone grumbled as she waved away the Guardians who hovered over her protectively. "Will you step back? You're worse than vultures."

"You know they worry." The Mother chided softly, her eyes scanned our group with a hint of wariness.

"Worry is unnecessary." The Maiden sighed as she walked across the yard, her Guardians trailing after her in a hurry. "Hello Maya!" I ducked my head.

"Maiden Genevieve." She waved off my formality.

"Don't be so stiff." She eyed Itachi behind me. "Do you have a plan?" She whispered. I eyed her cautiously. She caught it and rolled her eyes. "What? Do you think I like tearing lovers apart? I have a heart you know." My widened eyes were quickly lowered as the Mother and Crone stopped in front of me.

"Mother Katherine. Crone Neveah."

"Guardian Black." The Crone nodded before turning her gaze to the ninja. "I was told you'd been harboring criminals."

"They're not all criminals." Analia growled from behind me. The Crone's eerie white eyes locked on her.

"Guardian Ream, Guardian Cloud, you two knew of the ninja Guardian Black was housing?"

"Yes we did." Ariel agreed. From her tone of voice I guessed her diplomatic side had come out. "Before we begin this meeting don't you want to come inside? The clouds look like they're going to let the rains loose any minute."

"Hmph, at least one of you has some common sense." I briefly glared before turning away.

"Nagato, Kakashi." They nodded before the other ninja disappeared. Itachi squeezed my hand before leaving with the rest of them. My aunt ushered her family into the house leaving Nagato, Kakashi, Analia and Ariel with me.

"Where did they go?" Katherine asked in alarm.

"They will be in the backyard staying away from our talks." Nagato answered.

"I trust them to not do anything rash." I said. Nevaeh snorted but followed me inside to the library. The Guardians followed only until the door where they were forced to stop.

"We're only going to be talking in this tiny room. We can protect ourselves." Genevieve sighed.

"But-"

"She's right. What can these ninja do?" Nevaeh asked rhetorically. I resisted telling her they could do a lot in a second but refrained. It wouldn't do to get myself in hot water this early in negotiations.

The door was closed with no further arguments and the Three turned to me.

"I assume that you know why we're here Guardian Black?" The Maiden asked.

"Yes." I nodded.

"And you did not report them?" the Mother asked raising an elegant eyebrow.

"No." I answered. "The ninja were my guests and as such my responsibility." Behind the Mother and Crone I caught Genevieve's eyes. I allowed her magic to reach me.

"If the responsibility is yours then why have you brought your family into this? You had the first authority to report this." The Crone snapped.

"That would have been my doing." Nagato answered. "In order to protect my associates and I, I asked Amaya to keep our existence quiet. We do not have witches where we're from and as such do not possess any knowledge of how dangerous you are. I wanted to be sure before I chose to do anything drastic."

"A very diplomatic and pragmatic answer." Genevieve said.

"And you felt better off with Guardian Black then her superiors?" I ignored the condescending tone as an idea popped into my head. I glanced at Genevieve who nodded and mouthed, 'Good luck'.

"We would have rather played it safe." Kakashi answered.

"I remember my children talking about you Kakashi Hatake." Katherine announced. "If I recall you were a good ninja." Her steely eyes turned to Nagato. "But you and your associates are unknown." Liar!

"Nagato is my friend." I snapped. "He isn't a bad ninja."

"Evil exists in every world where good exists alongside it." Nevaeh spoke.

"What you say is true." Nagato answered. I tightened my hold on the chair. "But isn't also true that even the darkest heart still holds some light? Akatsuki has found it and we wish to continue to stay in it. Mostly."

"Mostly?" Genevieve asked cocking an eyebrow.

"You can't seriously expect Hidan to just lay down and take it. He's still learning." Kakashi announced with an eye smile. I chuckled at the thought of Hidan actually doing that.

"Crone, Mother, Maiden." I addressed straightening to make myself seem more confident. Although I had hope this would work I wasn't being a little too optimistic. "I do believe I have some legitimate information that will probably get me and us out of this."

"Oh?"

"You are aware of the demons that managed to take half of the Guardians hostage along with some Creatures a few days ago right?"

"Yes, what of it?" Neveah barked.

"I request that these ninja be given sanctuary here on the Black family land as a reward for aiding and destroying the demons hideout in Nevada."

"And why would ninja do such a thing?" Katherine asked before Neveah could intervene. Nagato spoke up.

"If I may?" All eyes were on him. "Perhaps I can clarify some things for you." Oh thank you Nagato!

"Hm," Neveah and Katherine exchanged a glance before looking at Genevieve who was already nodding.

"Go on."

"My ninja and I didn't have any choice in coming here to your world. We died and woke up in a box that just so happened to be under that apple tree over there. When we were brought to the house by Keira and Memphis, Amaya choose to accept us into her home. We may have been a little annoying in the beginning but we have worked out any kinks to live peacefully."

"And you haven't killed anyone?" Katherine asked looking at me.

"Believe it or not but I'm more bloodthirsty than they are." I shrugged feeling Kakashi's eye roll even while not looking at him. "The only thing they kill is my love of peace and quiet."

"When Amaya was taken hostage by the demons we left to find her immediately. We have become… quite fond of having her with us." I smiled at Nagato. He was making progress if he called me a friend. Maybe not in so many words but with his history I was going to take it. At the end of his speech the three main 'Elders' looked at each other before speaking.

"…Nevertheless, they're criminals. We've already let Sesshomaru and Go stay; we cannot keep adopting these people."

"I was under the impression that we helped all people." I replied.

"She is right," Katherine was, surprisingly, the one to speak. Who are we to take away people that Guardian Black, the most highly decorated and respected veteran of her generation, has deemed safe? Not to mention her team." A surge of warmth for the Mother filled me. "Not much gets past her team." Katherine admitted. "But it is worrisome that so many ninja would be here. Don't they wish to return home?"

"If I may," I put in quickly. "Team 7 is hell bent on getting home so you shouldn't rule them out just yet. Analia's been working on a way to get them home."

"Wouldn't a simple portal take them home?" Neveah asked gruffly.

"The problem with that is that their story ended a couple of years ago. Sesshomaru's story didn't end until a couple months later."

"That is true. I was a witness to that." She smirked as I snorted. She had bawled so hard I thought she and Ariel were going to use all five of the tissue boxes. It was a close call as they almost made it there.

"We shall discuss this in depth before we give you an answer then." Nevaeh said slowly. The Mother and Maiden nodded. I bowed before going to the door.

"We shall give you the room so you can talk." Nagato and Kakashi followed without a sound. The Guardians on the other side stood straight when I walked out.

"Guardian Black." I blinked at the shorter of the Guardians before nodding in familiarity.

"Hey Hiccup. I didn't know you were on detail." He shrugged clumsily.

"Ah, you know my dad, he uh, nominated me for this. It didn't help that Toothless drags me to training." I nodded choosing to stand by him as Nagato and Kakashi waited patiently.

"Nice man your dad. Always listens." Hiccup rolled his eyes. "So how's Jack?" I asked slyly. Hiccup's cheeks turned pink.

"He's fine. He's taking care of Toothless for me while I'm here."

"You sure that's a good idea?" I asked skeptically.

"No. But what other choice did I have?" Hiccup sighed running a hand through his hair.

"Yeah I know what you mean." I replied softly turning to the door. Hiccup nudged my shoulder.

"They'll let them stay. They let Sesshomaru stay and he's more stoic than the ninja." I felt Kakashi and Nagato's confusion as I snickered.

"True." Hiccup smiled before turning to the door to resume his post.

Nothing was said for the next ten minutes while we all waited. Just as one of the Guardian's was about to reach for the door it opened from the inside.

"We can open the door thank you." Nevaeh grumbled as she came out looking every bit the grumpy grandmother. I straightened, getting in front of Kakashi and Nagato like I was going to protect them. The Crone rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"No need to do that Amaya Black." I regarded her warily. "On behalf of the council and our decision the ninja may stay here with you. But," her stern glare kept my happiness from unleashing, well only slightly. "They stay on your family's land. Once Analia Ream has finished with the portal to take them home then the ninja who wish to return may. When that is done I want you down at HQ to file for the remaining ninja's identities and have files created for them."

"Yes Crone." I bowed my head.

"And please set to work on fixing this manor." Katherine sighed coming out with Genevieve. "It hurts to see this ancestral place look so dilapidated."

"It'll be the first thing I work on."

"As for your mother's bones," Genevieve's voice locked my bones. "She must be buried on hallowed grounds. You might not think of anything happening but we must always be careful. Connie was a powerful witch and her ashes could be used in powerful spells."

"I… understand." Only one condition. It would hurt to bury a free spirit but if it was needed then I would do it.

"And once you're done registering these ninja I expect to see your name on the active duty lists once again. No need to keep baby-sitting your cousins when there are perfect candidates right here."

"Um, I don't think-" I started to explain.

"Those are our conditions if the ninja stay here." Katherine announced happily. "Whether you choose to accept or not is your choice.

"We can handle the children." Nagato's voice answered causing me to wince.

"Yeah I suppose so, but-"

"Good. Our business here is finished." Nevaeh turned to leave, avoiding the holes in the flooring. "Simon, Blake, let's go. I have a lot of catching up to do with the Simpsons."

"Yes ma'am." I blinked in confusion as Katherine and Genevieve shook their heads in bemusement before leaving with the Crone.

"I'll be checking in on you from time to time to." Genevieve put in as she was walking out the door. I gaped as she winked at Kakashi who ignored it; at least I think he did.

When the door was closed I took a second to blink before opening my mouth.

"Huh, I really did not expect that… that…"

"Explanation?" Nagato offered.

"TV series?" Kakashi put in. I just shook my head in amusement.

"I suppose everyone has their quirks."

"So, should we get started on rebuilding this place?" Hidan asked as he materialized in front of us. Everyone else appeared a second later with Itachi by my side who instantly wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed my forehead.

"Oh get a room." Sasuke muttered. I pulled away from Itachi to smirk at Sasuke.

"What good would that do? You'd still be able to hear us." Sasuke's face paled as Sakura and Naruto laughed at him.

"So how long do we have to wait before you're done experimenting?" Kakashi asked Analia, ignoring the teasing of Sasuke. I turned to my friends who seemed to be debating.

"If Ariel's calculations/suggestions are right-"

"Which they will be considering I'm never wrong." I snorted.

"I can think of so many times you've been wrong." She flipped me the finger.

"Go put it up Hidan's ass."

"F*ck you b*tch. No one's putting anything up my ass." Hidan yelled.

"Watch your language!" My aunt's voice yelled from upstairs. Hidan glared up the stairs. "And don't glare at me mister." Hidan's pouty face was priceless.

"The f*ck does she always know?"

"Anyway," Analia continued with a smile, "Give me a month, maybe four weeks, and the portal should be ready by then."

"So after Christmas." I nodded.

"What the hell is Christmas, yeah?" Deidera asked. Analia, Ariel and I shared a look.

"Christmas is…"

"A curse."

"A blessing."

"A TIME TO GET FREE SH*T!" Ariel yelled.

"Ariel!" My aunt's voice came. Ariel winced.

"Sorry!" She called as everyone shook their heads.

"Do you think you can return us in time?" Naruto asked nervously.

"Don't worry Naruto." I said. "You'll get home soon." Although not before I gave him and the others a present. About time they got to spend some time with family, don't you think?

GM NASAI: I actually updated early... Hell must have frozen over. JK

I finished this chapter quicker than all the others and I suppose it's been a while since I updated like this. Back in December I was updating every week. I suppose I'm just excited to actually be done with this story. I will be sad but there's a certain accomplishment an author feels once a story is finished. This will be my second finished story too.

So let me know how everything is going. I'm thinking of going back and redoing some thing so the story will read smoothly. I just feel like I'm being random. Which I probably am. But I digress.

This Omake is dedicated to Arcami.

Omake

The Golden Liquid

"Hidan, what the f*ck are you two doing down here, un?" Deidera called as he saw Hidan drinking from a purple bottle.

"Exploring!" Hidan yelled. "I'm f*cking bored since the brats are here." Deidera rolled his eyes but jumped down the stairs to see what Hidan was ingesting.

"You shouldn't drink any of that stuff, yeah." Deidera said as he noticed three empty purple bottles on the floor. His foot crashed one into the wall. It broke and a golden fume rose from it. "You don't know what could be in there."

"Don't worry you f*cking wuss puss. It's not poison. Actually tastes too f*cking fruity for my taste." Deidera arched his eyebrow with a bland expression on his face.

"Then why are you still drinking it, yeah?"

"Because this sh*t is good!" Hidan handed Deidera an open bottle. Deidera sniffed the bottle cautiously only to smell an odd mixture of grapes, oranges, apples, and peaches. He hesitantly tasted some only to start chugging the whole bottle. "Hah, I told you this sh*t was good. And there's a whole f*cking barrel of it."

"Don't just stand there baka, open it!" Deidera demanded.

...Three hours later...

"Anyone seen Hidan and Deidera?" Kisame asked as he looked around for the blond and baka.

"No." Sasori answered shortly not bothering to look away from the Encyclopedia. Kakuzu didn't bother looking away from the books cover as he switched between glares at the book and the puppet master.

"No." Kisame sighed and wandered into the library where Konan, Yahiko and Nagato sat.

"Have you guys seen Hidan and Deidera?" Kisame asked.

"No." Nagato answered.

"Check the kitchen." Yahiko sighed as he tossed another book into a growing pile on the floor. Konan only shrugged. Kisame sighed before turning away. In the kitchen Itachi was reading a cook book while Naruto was trying one of the ramen packets he'd found.

"Have you two seen Deidera and Hidan?" Kisame asked, not hoping. Itachi looked up and shook his head.

"Nope. But you should check outside." Naruto answered going back into his ramen making. Kisame was starting to get annoyed by this time so he went outside, slamming open the back door.

"Hey," Kisame called. Kakashi looked up from his book as Sasuke and Sakura looked up from training. "Any of you seen Hidan or Deidera?"

"Not since this morning." Sakura answered.

"Hn." Kisame, being fluent in Uchiha, took that as a no. Kakashi only tilted his head to the side.

"Have you asked Naruto? He's a sensor nin." Kisame felt like pushing the Hatake off the railing he was lounging on. Kisame turned quickly. Just as he entered the kitchen to yell at the blond the opening of the basement door smacked him in the face.

"Hey ssshhe-male!" Hidan yelled extra loud as he and Deidera tumbled up from the basement.

"Whassup?" Deidera slurred. Kisame's head peered around the door to yell at the two bakas only to blink in confusion as the two swayed forward like they were... not they couldn't be...

"Are you two drunk?" Naruto asked.

"F*ck... itssss the Kyyubbbbiiii bratz." Hidan slurred. He raised his hand to hit Naruto only to fall on his face. Deidera started laughing so loud he fell beside his idiotic companion.

"What are you- Are you drunk brat?" Sasori asked coming in with Kakuzu, Konan, Yahiko and Nagato. Kakashi, Sasuke and Sakura came in from the back door ready to defend their teammate from the hostile chakra spikes only to freeze in confusion at the laughing Iwa nin.

"Deidera, how did you and Hidan get drunk?" Kisame asked kicking the blond in the head. Deidera stopped laughing to glare goofily at Kisame before answering.

"Thersh *hic* a barrel of *hic* good shtuff down der." He descended into giggles. As one the ninja looked down at the basement floor.

...Two hours later...

"On come on auntie, please bring my squishies back? I can't take the moping from the ninja anymore." I whined as I opened the door.

'I'm trying to get some time with my kids here, thank you very much.' My aunt growled. I groaned and opened my mouth to reply when hysterical laughing froze me in the door. The Akatsuki and Team7 were all laying on the ground laughing and holding their sides while purple bottles laid beside them. The only people not laughing like a maniac was Naruto and Sasori.

"I got to go. The madness has just reached a whole different level." I hung up before my aunt could reply. "What the hell happened?" I yelled over the laughs.

"They got into the basement and started drinking." Sasori said. Well that was understandable since Sasori was a puppet but,

"Why aren't you drunk?" I asked Naruto.

"I can't." He pouted. "Kurama."

"Oh..." right. I groaned looking at the hysterical ninja. "Then you two are going to help me."

"Why?" Sasori asked. I glared at the puppet master so hard he visibly stiffened.

"Because if you don't then the fights that the Golden Flower will bring about is all your fault. The alcohol, this alcohol isn't for humans. It's for gods."

"So what will happen if we don't stop them?" Naruto asked. Just as he asked Sakura stood up. She was visibly shaking. "Uh, Sakura?" The pinkette turned to the youngest laughing Uchiha.

"Sasuke..." She growled. I shivered at the feeling of death. Sasuke only barely stopped laughing in time to see Sakura's fist heading straight towards him. Unfortunately he didn't move in time.

WHACK

He was sent down the hall, crashing through the back wall and out onto the yard.

"YOU LEFT ME!" Sakura yelled and jumped after him.

"YOU F*CKER!" Deidera yelled as he charged at Itachi. Hidan only roared as he and Kakuzu started to fight. Konan, Yahiko and Nagato started to argue with words rather than fists while Kakashi and Kisame giggled pervertedly in a corner with the laptop.

"That, Naruto, that is exactly what will happen." I moaned.