I do not own the rights to Naruto or Marvel

Alexis wasn't one to scare easily, but when three hulking men pulled up in a black van outside her house, fear gripped her. She watched anxiously as they emerged from the vehicle, one of them brandishing a shovel. "Oh shit!" she exclaimed, her heart racing, and immediately sought refuge in the safety of the master bedroom, locking the door behind her.

With trembling hands, Alexis retrieved her cellphone and dialed the number of Khalid's new bodyguard, Agent Barton. He answered the call, but before he could speak, she cut him off. "There are three large men in the yard. I don't know who they are, but they're carrying shovels and other suspicious items. Please send someone quickly," she pleaded, her voice tinged with panic. Uncertain about the identity of these men, but having heard about Khalid's origins from Coulson two weeks ago, she wasn't willing to take any chances. Whoever the Dawn was, they seemed dangerous enough to have eluded SHIELD's detection.

Agent Barton assured her that he was on his way, and Alexis fervently hoped he would arrive swiftly.

Four SHIELD cars sped through the streets, their sirens blaring and lights flashing, as they raced towards Coulson's house with urgency. Clint skillfully navigated through traffic, swiftly changing lanes and overtaking slower vehicles. The synchronized movement of the convoy showcased their training and coordination.

With each passing intersection, the cars accelerated, their engines roaring in unison. Pedestrians and other drivers watched in awe as the convoy tore through the city, leaving a trail of startled onlookers in its wake. The sound of screeching tires and the blaring of horns filled the air as the SHIELD cars pushed the limits of speed and agility.

They were focused, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any potential threats or obstacles. The urgency of the situation fueled their determination, driving them to reach their destination as quickly as possible.

As they approached each intersection, the lead car skillfully cleared the way, using its powerful sirens and flashing lights to command attention and gain priority. The other cars followed closely, maintaining a tight formation, ready to react instantly to any sudden changes in the road or traffic patterns.

The mission was clear - reach Coulson's house swiftly and secure the area. Clint knew the agents inside were prepared for any scenario, their training and experience honed to perfection. They knew that time was of the essence, and failure was not an option.

As the convoy neared Coulson's house, the anticipation reached its peak. Clint pushed his vehicle to the limit, their determination unwavering. The sight of the familiar house came into view, and with a final burst of speed, the SHIELD cars screeched to a halt, agents swiftly exiting the vehicles, ready to face whatever awaited them.

"Khalid, stay put," Clint instructed the child, who simply nodded in response, understanding the seriousness of the situation.

"Rumlow, you take those three on the right side. We'll take the left," Clint commanded, stepping out of the car and locking the door behind him. He swiftly unholstered his gun, preparing for any potential threat.

"Roger!" Rumlow acknowledged, signaling to the other agents to follow him. His 9mm was already in hand, ready for action. Clint and the remaining agents moved towards the left side of the yard, maintaining a cautious approach.

As they passed, Clint noticed that the van appeared to have been freshly painted, raising his suspicions. "This may be a kidnapping attempt," he thought to himself, his mind racing with possible scenarios. He continued to advance, keeping his gun at the ready, scanning the yard for any signs of movement or danger.

As he approached the gate leading to the back, Clint's ears caught the sound of digging. He cautiously reached the edge of the wall and peered over, careful not to expose himself. His eyes focused on three men standing together, engaged in a hushed conversation.

"In position, I see three targets," Clint reported through his communicator, his voice steady and focused.

"Confirmed. One of the assholes has a swastika tattooed on his arm," Rumlow responded, his voice filled with disdain and determination.

"Moving to intercept. Back me up if needed," Clint instructed, his tone commanding and resolute.

"Roger," each agent replied simultaneously, their unity evident in their synchronized response.

Taking a deep breath, Clint stepped out from around the corner, his gun aimed and ready to neutralize any threat. He observed one of the men digging a hole while the other two held onto a thick piece of lumber. Clint took a calculated step closer, his presence now known to the men, before he spoke, his voice firm and authoritative.

"Hands where I can see 'em, boys," Clint commanded loudly, his tone leaving no room for argument. Two of the three intruders froze in response, but the last one made a move towards his waist.

"Ah, ah, we can't have that now, can we?" Rumlow interjected, swiftly placing his gun against the back of the third intruder's head. He lifted the man's shirt to reveal a .38 revolver holstered on his hip, promptly removing it as the other agents closed in, their weapons trained on each suspect.

"Now, tell me why you're here? And who sent you?" Clint demanded, his voice serious and unwavering.

The one who had been holding the shovel spoke up, his voice filled with a mix of fear and uncertainty. "We were told to place this," he pointed towards the giant piece of lumber with his eyes, "and that," he motioned with his elbows towards the life straw doll lying on the ground.

Clint's brow furrowed as he processed the information. Something about the situation didn't add up, and he knew there had to be more to it. He maintained his focus, determined to uncover the truth.

Clint glanced at Rumlow, acknowledging his partner's statement. Despite his dislike for the term, Clint knew there were more pressing matters at hand.

"I understand your fear, but we need to know who sent you," Clint pressed, his voice firm but not devoid of empathy. He could sense the genuine fear in the shovel holder's stammered response.

"I... I can't. If I do, he'll kill all of us," the shovel holder admitted, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and desperation.

Clint exchanged a quick glance with Rumlow, silently communicating their shared concern. It was clear that they were dealing with a dangerous individual or organization, one that instilled enough fear to keep their operatives silent.

Taking a moment to assess the situation, Clint knew they needed to proceed cautiously. He decided to change his approach, attempting to gain the intruders' trust in order to extract valuable information.

"Listen, we're not here to harm you. We want to stop whoever is behind this. If you cooperate, we can offer you protection," Clint offered, his voice laced with sincerity. "Tell us what you can, and we'll do everything we can to keep you safe."

The shovel holder hesitated, his eyes darting between the agents surrounding him. After a tense moment, he finally nodded, a glimmer of hope mixed with apprehension in his eyes.

"Don't do it! That freak in the red mask said he doesn't give second chances," the one with the swastika. "I'd rather go back to jail than deal with him. Remember what he did to Duke."

"Was it a guy in an Oni mask?" Clint heard a young voice ask. He spun around and saw Khalid standing at the back of his fellow agents, holding his wooden tontos in his hands.

"Khalid, I thought I told you to stay in the car," Clint asked stiffly, turning his attention back to the intruders. Khalid ignored him and stepped forward, causing every agent there to tense up. Clint observed the intruders starting to sweat.

"I'll ask you one more time. Was it a guy in an Oni mask?" Khalid asked again, his voice colder this time. Clint was astonished at how each word was laced with a threat.

"Y...yeah," the shovel holder stumbled out. Clint watched as Khalid smiled.

"It's okay, Agent Barton. Master Ogun sent them. This must be the gift he was talking about," Khalid said, turning away. The child left them as if it wasn't his concern anymore.

"So it was Ogun who sent you?" Clint asked. The three intruders nodded their heads. Clint sighed, hating dealing with people like Ogun and Fury sometimes. "Fine, finish what you're doing."

The three intruders smiled upon hearing this. The other agents relaxed a little but still didn't lower their guns.

Clint turned to Rumlow and spoke, "You guys stay and keep an eye on them. When they're done, run their prints and confiscate the firearm. I'm sure he's not supposed to have it if he works for Ogun. I'm going to check on Alexis and the kid."

Ogun stood in the tree and watched the events transpire. He smiled beneath his mask as he sensed his student's intense killing intent towards his three minions. The child was truly a genius, but Ogun knew he was still hiding something. Ogun's telepathy wasn't working on the child, which made him even more interested in him.

"You may be the one to give me the fight I desire. I will make sure your growth isn't hindered," Ogun said softly. He observed as his student obtained the answers the agents needed. As Khalid walked past Agent Barton, he turned his head and smiled brightly at Ogun.

"So you knew I was here. I couldn't hide my excitement," Ogun said, chuckling before he turned around to leave. He made a mental note to intensify the child's training when he returned.

"Mom!"

Alexis heard Khalid calling her, she unlocked the door and saw that Khalid was walking in the hallway with two wooden swords. Alexis swung the door open and ran up to him. She scooped him up.

"Are you okay? Where are your guards?", a concerned Alexis, her eyes darting around. She was prepared to run with her son if need be.

"I'm okay Mom! Master Ogun sent some guy's to set up training dummies for me. And Agent Barton should be coming now.",Khalid said with a beaming smile.

Alexis looked up and saw Agent Barton walking through the door. He glanced around the room before speaking.

"Are you alright, ma'am?" Agent Barton asked her, his hand still on his firearm just in case. However, he didn't expect the angry look from Alexis.

"I thought you were supposed to be protecting him. Why is he in the house before you?" she asked, her tone filled with frustration.

"I instructed him to stay in the car, but he chose to come out after I secured the yard," Agent Barton explained, pointing towards Khalid.

"Oh, really?" Alexis asked sarcastically, before giving her son a smile that promised punishment. "Well, we'll talk about that later."

"The intruders were sent by Khalid's martial arts teacher. He sent them to set up some training equipment for your son. We're running them through the system and will let local law enforcement take it from there," explained Agent Barton.

"What about these?" she asked, pointing at the wooden swords in her son's hands.

"Master Ogun gave them to me," Khalid said excitedly. Alexis pinched the bridge of her nose with her free hand, feeling a mix of concern and frustration.

"When your dad gets back, we need to have a talk about you and this Ogun," Alexis told her son. She was concerned because he didn't have any friends his age. Not only that, but there was a person or organization looking for him.

Alexis wanted her son to have a normal life and friends his age. She had already voiced her concerns to Coulson about Khalid not interacting with kids and the potential effects it could have on him as he grows older. What made it worse for her was that her son was now being trained to fight by a psycho assassin.

Alexis placed her son on the ground. "Go to your room. Wait there until I come to speak about what you did today," she said to him, giving him a stern look.

Khalid pouted a little before answering, "Yes, Mom." Alexis watched as her son went to his room, the two wooden swords making noise as they hit against each other. She turned to Agent Barton and asked, "When will Phil be back?"

Alexis knew her fiancé was sent on a long-term mission, but she always felt safer when he was near.

"I don't know, ma'am. I didn't get any reports on his mission, but I know it's important if Director Fury personally asked him to go," Barton replied. Alexis sighed, hoping that Phil was alright no matter what he was doing.

Coulson observed as the medical team and May were lowered into the cavern. It was already 2 a.m. in Japan, and it must have taken Fury a while to elude the watchful eyes of the WSC. As soon as their boots touched the ground, the medic hurried towards him to commence patching him up. Meanwhile, May stood there in awe, gazing at the colossal face carved into the wall.

"We need to reset the bone, Agent Coulson. It might cause some discomfort," the female medic informed him after examining his foot. He nodded, mentally preparing himself for the impending pain. She began rotating his leg, and Coulson grunted as he felt his bones grinding against each other. After a few minutes, she successfully realigned and wrapped his injured leg, while the other medic had already bandaged his head.

Coulson's attention was drawn to the sound of the crane being lowered once again. He glanced up and saw Fury descending alongside a heavily bearded man whom he didn't recognize. As soon as they reached the ground, the bearded man hurried over to May's side and stared at the wall with a sense of fascination.

"Amazing," the bearded man exclaimed in wonder. Coulson couldn't help but wonder about his identity. He then looked up to find Fury making his way towards them, his movements deliberate and calculated.

"Well, I'll be damned," Fury remarked, his gaze fixed on the intricate carving. "Not even a week, and you two have already stumbled upon one of these hidden villages."

"Fury, I need my team down here immediately. We must commence the excavation without delay!" the bearded man exclaimed with urgency.

"Hold your horses, Dr. Mann. Remember what we discussed," Fury replied, his tone firm and authoritative.

Dr. Mann casually waved at Fury. "Yes, if I come across any text or anything that appears to be of significance, I will hand it over to S.H.I.E.L.D. for further analysis."

Dr. Mann moved closer to the wall and placed his backpack on the ground. He began arranging his equipment and then retrieved a tape recorder from his bag.

"July 21st, 2000. I, J. Vernon Mann, along with several colleagues, have stumbled upon a vast cavern within the Aokigahara Forest. I will commence excavation without the presence of my team," Dr. Mann stated, concluding the recording before proceeding to use a small shovel to carefully dig around the intricate carvings.

Fury observed the archaeologists for a moment before turning his attention to Coulson. "How are you feeling?" Fury inquired.

Coulson's face lit up with a smile. "It feels like I've fallen into the rabbit hole, just like Alice," he remarked playfully. Fury couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's lighthearted comment.

"I'm assembling a team to assist Dr. Mann with the excavation," Fury informed Coulson, gesturing towards the determined man digging fervently. "I want you to stay here and oversee the operation. I'll ensure the safety of your family and make sure you're back in time for the birth of your child."

"Yes, sir. However, I do have one request, sir," Coulson stated, his tone serious.

Curiosity sparked in Fury's eyes. "What is it, Agent Coulson?" he inquired.

"I would like my family to be relocated to New York," Coulson stated firmly.

Fury raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And why is that, Agent Coulson?" he asked.

"I want to move Alexis closer to her parents. Her sister has children around Khalid's age. It would allow him to make friends and attend school in the fall," Coulson responded promptly.

Fury studied Coulson for a moment before giving his response. "Very well, I'll find a suitable house and school for Khalid. I'll make sure they are settled in before the start of the school year," Fury assured him. He already had a specific school in mind for the child.

Coulson nodded gratefully, appreciating Fury's support in this matter. "Thank you, sir. I know they'll be in good hands."

Fury's expression remained calm and composed as he continued, "We can't conceal something of this magnitude for long. One of the members of the WSC is Japanese, and it's likely he already has some knowledge of our discovery. Therefore, our best course of action is to withhold what we already know and proceed with caution."

Coulson understood the reasoning behind Fury's approach and nodded in agreement. "Understood, sir. We'll handle it discreetly and ensure the necessary precautions are taken."

Fury nodded in approval. "Good. Let's focus on the task at hand and gather as much information as we can from this hidden village."

Coulson and Fury turned their attention back to the excavation site, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.

Khalid's POV

I was in the midst of placing my wooden swords down when my door swung open abruptly. Alexis stood there, her face contorted with anger. A chill ran down my spine as I faced her intense glare.

"What were you thinking?!" she exclaimed loudly, striding towards me.

"I was-" I began, but she cut me off.

"That's right, you weren't thinking. Agent Barton specifically instructed you to stay in the car for your own safety. What if those men were here to kidnap you or, worse, harm you?" she continued, her voice filled with frustration. I could see her hands trembling with anger.

"But Mom-" I tried to interject, only to be interrupted once again.

"But nothing! Agent Barton has informed me that you have a week off from training. As a consequence, we're going to New York to stay at my parents' house, and you are not allowed to train while we're there," Alexis declared, folding her arms firmly.

"That's not fair," I protested, feeling a sense of disappointment. This would significantly disrupt my plans for my Ogun-free week, where I had intended to focus on my real workout.

"Life isn't always fair, mister. Now, pack a bag for a week. You're going to be spending time with your cousins," Alexis stated firmly, leaving no room for argument.

"Why there? Why can't I just stay in my room?" I protested, hoping to find a way to continue my training in the time chamber.

"Because you need to have friends your age!" she yelled at me, her frustration evident. However, her words instantly melted away the tension in my body. Her motherly love warmed my heart.

She let out a sigh and spoke more tenderly, "Baby, I want you to have a normal life. Yes, learning to defend yourself is important, but you're only five years old. You spend most of your time with me and your father. And you've been spending too much time with Ogun. I want you to make friends and experience a normal childhood."

Her words resonated with me, and I realized that she was right. As much as I loved my training, I needed to have a balance in my life. Making friends and living a normal life were important aspects of growing up.

I nodded, finally understanding her perspective. "Okay, Mom. I'll pack my bag and get ready to spend time with my cousins," I replied, a sense of acceptance filling me.

"Thank you," she replied softly, planting a gentle kiss on the top of my head. "We leave in an hour, so be ready."

I watched as she turned and left my room. Lost in thought about what she had said, I quickly made my way to the time chamber. Inside, I spotted Iruka, sitting in a meditation position. Instead of interrupting him, I decided to head to the bookcase and gather a few ninjutsu techniques to practice.

"What are you doing?" Iruka asked me, curious about my actions as I selected the materials I needed from the shelf.

"I'm going to train more in the real world. I'll come back when I'm 12 for you to give me the genin exam. Right now, I'm still a kid, so I'll live like one until then. I'll still come here to learn new techniques when I need to," I explained, my pile of books and scrolls steadily growing. As I turned to grab some weapons, I noticed Iruka smiling at me proudly.

"What?" I asked, puzzled by Iruka's gaze

"Nothing, it's just what the First Hokage would have wanted," Iruka answered cryptically. I shrugged my shoulders, not fully understanding his meaning, and proceeded to pick up three ninja pouches. I filled them with kunai and shuriken, adding them to my growing pile of books. Then, I went to the end of the bookshelf and retrieved the rabbit summoning scroll.

"Iruka-sensei, can you turn all these into books and seal them for me?" I asked calmly, bowing respectfully.

"Not a problem," Iruka replied. He performed a series of hand signs before uttering, "Seal."

A massive puff of smoke filled the area, momentarily obscuring my vision. I waved it away, and as the smoke cleared, I saw a small scroll lying on the floor. I picked it up and carefully tucked it into my pocket.

"Thank you, sensei. I'll see you in 7 years," I said, waving goodbye to Iruka.

Without wasting a second, I swiftly returned to the real world and immediately went to pack for the upcoming seven days. I gathered enough clothes for the duration of the trip, including a few extra outfits in case I got dirty. Carefully, I placed the sealed scrolls in the side pocket of my bag. Just as I was about to close my bag, I paused and decided to secure the wooden swords inside as well. With everything packed, I closed my bag and made my way to the front of the house, ready to embark on the journey to my cousins' place.

Clint watched as two of the three goons were being taken away by the local police. He had allowed them to set up the dummy and the large piece of lumber before revealing their true intentions and arresting the two who had outstanding warrants. The third goon was released, but not before one of the agents discreetly placed a tracker on his van. Now, Clint was waiting for Coulson's family to finish packing so he could drive them to the private air strip.

As he stood there, Clint heard footsteps approaching from behind. He turned around and saw Khalid dragging a duffle bag behind him. "Here, let me take that for you, kid," Barton insisted, reaching out to grab the bag. Khalid let go of the bag and headed towards the kitchen. Clint heard the sound of the fridge opening and closing a few moments later.

"Sorry about earlier. I should have stayed in the car. I put myself in danger," Khalid said, returning to the room with a bottle of water in his hand.

"Sorry I got you in trouble, kid," Clint responded, his tone filled with genuine remorse. Khalid took a sip of his water, the tension between them momentarily eased.

"It's understandable, Agent Barton, you are my guard after all. Besides," Khalid replied. "Training and honing your skills is important, but I need to find a balance and learn how to socialize. Also I some friends my age."

Clint smiled encouragingly. "That's the spirit, kid. Trying new things and making friends will open up a whole new world for you. And don't worry about being socially awkward. We all have our quirks. Just be yourself, and people will appreciate you for who you are."

Khalid took another sip of water, feeling a sense of determination. "Thanks, Agent Barton. I'll keep that in mind. Maybe this trip to my cousins' place will be a good opportunity for me to practice socializing."

Clint patted Khalid on the shoulder. "I believe in you, kid. Just take it one step at a time, and you'll do great."

"I'm ready!" Alexis yelled down the hallway, the sound of a rolling bag accompanying her voice. Clint could sense a newfound happiness in her tone, a stark contrast to her earlier anger.

"I'll take those to the car for you guys," Clint offered, reaching out to take Alexis and Khalid's bags. With the bags in hand, he turned and made his way towards the car.

"Thank you, Agent Barton. Come on, Khal, your grandmother is itching to see you," Alexis said, her voice filled with excitement.

"Coming, Mom," Khalid replied in a somewhat indifferent tone, falling in line behind his mother.

As Clint walked out, he instructed one of the other guards to secure the house after they left. He then moved to the car and placed the bags in the trunk. Observing Alexis ensuring that Khalid was securely fastened in his booster seat, Clint closed the trunk and made his way to the driver's seat. Once Alexis was settled in, he started the car and began the journey, relieved to be leaving behind the unsettling presence of Rumlow and looking forward to working with a new team in New York.

Coulson woke up feeling a bit groggy. As he sat up, he noticed that his leg was now in a cast, and a pair of crutches were placed nearby. Looking around, Coulson could hear the sounds of people moving and shouting in both Japanese and English. It seemed like a bustling environment, filled with activity and energy.

Slowly, Coulson swung his legs over the side of the cot and carefully stood up, using the crutches for support. He took a moment to steady himself before making his way towards the source of the commotion, eager to find out more about what was going on.

As Coulson stepped out of his tent, he was greeted by the sight of hundreds of people diligently working to clear dirt and debris. The scene was filled with organized chaos, with Dr. Mann at the forefront, giving out instructions to his team. Coulson observed that they had already cleared one of the outer areas around one of the faces, and they had also opened up the cave. Further away from the mountain, others were engaged in digging.

Not far from the excavation site, Coulson noticed May standing alongside Fury, who appeared to be engaged in a phone conversation. Coulson's curiosity piqued, wondering what they were discussing amidst the ongoing activity.

Using his crutches for support, Coulson made his way towards May and Fury, eager to join in the conversation and gain a better understanding of the situation at hand.

Coulson listened intently as Fury finished his phone call with Secretary Pierce. The mention of Dr. Mann handling the excavation and the promise of a report to be delivered to the Council caught his attention. It seemed that they were making progress in uncovering something significant.

Turning his attention to May, Coulson asked, "How long was I out?"

May smiled at him. "It's a little past noon, so about 8 hours. Dr. Mann has been working tirelessly and has practically single-handedly excavated one of the faces. Additionally, sonar scans have revealed the presence of numerous buried structures."

Fury interjected, "I've received a call from the leaders of Japan, assuring us that they will be given credit for the discovery. However, anything of interest found by Dr. Mann will be kept by us."

Coulson nodded, taking in the information. It seemed that the excavation was progressing well, and the potential for significant discoveries was high. He felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination.

Coulson's expression turned serious as he absorbed the information. The mention of his fiancé taking Khalid to New York and May informing her about the situation made him realize the importance of returning home safely. He understood the gravity of the situation and the need to protect his family.

Fury's next words about Barton reporting Ogun's actions only heightened Coulson's concerns. Ogun's history and his obsession with fighting were well-known, and Coulson knew that he would take Khalid's training personally. The straw doll and large piece of wood sent to his yard were clear messages, indicating that Ogun was ready to challenge Khalid once his training was complete.

Coulson took a deep breath, his mind racing with thoughts of how to handle the situation. Moving his family to New York seemed like the best course of action, ensuring their safety and providing them with the support and resources they would need.

"I appreciate the updates," Coulson said, his voice determined. "I'll make sure to return home as soon as possible, and take the necessary steps to protect our family. Ogun won't get the chance to harm Khalid or anyone else."

"Don't worry, Coulson. I have my eyes on Ogun and the kid. He won't be a problem," said Fury. He was about to speak again when Dr. Mann came running up.

"Fury, this is amazing! These carvings are almost perfectly preserved. Whoever the people were that built them, they were ahead of their time. I believe we can have half the site excavated within a year or two," exclaimed Dr. Mann, brimming with excitement about the potential discoveries he would make.

"That's not a timeline we can work with. What do you need to expedite this process?" asked Fury, still preoccupied with his search for Captain Rogers and the other villages.

"Maybe a few hundred men to help move the dirt. We have hundreds of thousands of pounds to shift. Who knows how far the village extends. It will require a significant amount of manpower," explained Dr. Mann.

"Agent May, contact the academy and instruct them to send every field recruit here. Agent Coulson, there's been a change of plans. You will spend the summer here and then return home to be with your family until the baby is born. I will inform Ogun that his training time with the kid will be shortened," Fury stated firmly.

"Dr. Mann, you will have a minimum of 300 men and women ready to work by tomorrow morning. I need you to establish day and night shifts for the excavation," Fury continued.

The three nodded in agreement. Coulson couldn't help but hope that this excavation would lead to valuable information about Khalid's birth mother and The Dawn. Dr. Mann turned and headed back into the site, while Coulson and the others stood there, witnessing one of the most significant discoveries in history unfolding before their eyes.

Khalid's POV

West Winfields, New York, was a quaint little town. As we drove through, I couldn't help but notice the charming houses nestled on spacious properties. Some houses appeared well-maintained, while others were in need of some TLC. However, what truly captivated me was the breathtaking beauty of the heavily wooded areas. It felt as if I was being engulfed by a sea of lush greenery, completely losing myself in its enchanting embrace as we made our way to Alexis's parents' ranch.

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted as we came to a stop. I looked up and was amazed. Before us stood a magnificent ranch, exuding an air of elegance and tranquility. The sprawling property was adorned with lush green pastures that stretched as far as the eye could see. Nestled amidst the landscape was a charming horse stable, its rustic wooden exterior blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

The stable itself was a sight to behold, a testament to the love and care given to the horses that resided within. Its sturdy structure boasted intricately carved details, showcasing the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into its construction. The scent of fresh hay and the gentle sound of horses neighing filled the air, creating a serene atmosphere that instantly put one at ease.

The horses, with their sleek coats and graceful presence, grazed peacefully in the nearby paddocks. Their powerful yet gentle demeanor was a testament to the bond they shared with their caretakers..

As I took in the sight before me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for the beauty and serenity that this horse ranch embodied.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Alexis asked. I simply nodded my head as she giggled and gently rubbed my head. "Come on, let's go meet your grandparents. Agent Barton will handle the bags."

Alexis reached over and unstrapped me from my booster seat. She tried to pick me up, but I protested, "Mom, I'm a warrior. I'd appreciate it if you stopped treating me like a baby."

"Okay, my little warrior," she said, ruffling my hair once again.

"IS THAT ALEXIS RUSSEL!" an older lady yelled from the porch.

"Mom!" Alexis shouted back in excitement. She ran towards the woman, and they embraced tightly.

The woman's blond hair was neatly tied into a ponytail, complementing her attire of a plain white t-shirt, jeans, and brown western boots. As I observed her closely, I noticed that her face displayed only a few gentle wrinkles, a testament to her graceful aging.

"It's been ages. How have you been, baby?" Alexis's mom asked, pulling back slightly. She continued, "Look at you, you're glowing."

"Mom, stop, you're making me blush," Alexis replied, her tone filled with embarrassment. Her mom then turned her attention towards me, offering a sweet smile.

"And this little cutie must be Khalid," she said, walking towards me. "I'm Mary-Ann Russell. What's your name?"

"My name is Khalid S. Coulson. It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am," I responded, giving a respectful bow. I noticed a peculiar look on her face.

"Don't worry about that, Mom. He learned that from his martial arts instructor," Alexis quickly interjected, waving off the strange expression as if it didn't matter.

Suddenly, I found myself being pulled into a tight hug by Mary-Ann. I struggled against her grip, but my attempts were futile. It felt as if a python had locked onto its prey.

"You are so adorable!" Mary-Ann exclaimed, squeezing even tighter.

"I can't... breathe," I managed to gasp out.

"Oh, sorry!" she quickly apologized, relaxing her grip slightly. However, instead of releasing me, she lifted me up. "Come on, let's go meet your cousins."

Feeling a mix of relief and curiosity, Mary-Ann carried me towards the rest of the family.