JDMichelle2626 - So Lotus will not have a Cyderman character but I will be doing something with her, in later chapters.

This is Lotus

This is Saiki

~Thoughts of others~

Survive The Pet Store - Yamaguchi Family Plus One!

It was a weekday and Lotus was currently home vs being at school, thanks to the magic known as summer break. Lotus left her room going downstairs entering the kitchen with Sir Henry perched on her shoulders.

Violet was in the kitchen a book in one hand a coffee mug in the other.

"Hey there Lotus," Violet greeted, "What are you up to?"

"Sir Henry and I are going out today," Lotus said

"Where are you two headed?" Violet asked

"An exotic pet shop opened up downtown. Sir Henry and I were going to go and see what they had. Maybe get him toys and supplies." Lotus said

"Oh, sounds fun! Now, what outfit are you going to wear?" Violet asked

Before Lotus could even answer Ethan popped up beside the girl startling her.

"Gah! Ethan!"

"Here I picked out two outfits. What do you think Violet?"

Ethan held up two outfits, a light blue shorts romper in one hand and in the other hand he held up some white overalls with a blue shirt.

"I think the romper would be best! It goes well with the nice summer weather but it's also perfect for a shopping trip." Violet said

"Couldn't agree more darling!" Ethan said

"When's the last time I picked out my own clothes?"

Lotus had no issues making it downtown with Sir Henry wrapped around her neck. She feigned ignorance to the stares she got and didn't bother to take her ring off to hear their thoughts.

"Alrighty Sir Henry, looks like we're here."

The two looked up at the store sign blanching a bit.

"This sign is a bit concerning."

The pet store's sign was titled "ExXxtoiic Petz".

"I'm really hoping this is a real pet store and not one of "those" kind of places."

Taking a chance Lotus opened the store's doors and was welcomed by the tinkling of a bell along with the sudden smell of animals that really hit her olfactory senses.

"Yep, definitely a store that sells animals."

"Welcome! Welcome!" A male voice rang out.

Standing behind the counter was a middle-aged man. He was only a few inches taller than Lotus herself, he wore large square glasses that hid his eyes, and his hair was black, styled in a slicked-back black fashion.

"Hello, come in," The man walked from around the counter approaching Lotus. "Greetings new customer. My name is Nise the owner of this fine establishment."

"Hello."

The small greeting was all Lotus could get out before a short hiss sounded next to her.

"Sir Henry?"

Sir Henry was stifling clinging onto Lotus's shoulder, baring his small yet sharp teeth.

"Oh, what's that you got there?" Nise asked

Lotus gave a few strokes to Sir Henry's head petting him, trying to calm the animal down.

"This is Sir Henry, he's my ferret."

"Wow. He's so cute and look at the color of his fur. He's rare." Nise spoke

The man was smiling but something was off about it giving Lotus the creeps.

"Uhh yeah, that he is," Lotus said

"How did he know Sir Henry was a boy? It could have been a guess but something seems really off about this guy."

She took a subtle step back taking Sir Henry off her shoulders holding the animal securely in her arms.

"Ever thought about selling him?" Nise asked

"Selling him? No way." Lotus said

Nise's smile didn't go away, in fact, it only got bigger, further putting Lotus on edge.

"Really? I could pay you a hefty sum for him."

Lotus didn't care for the man's words and shook her head. "No. Sir Henry is a part of my family. He'll never be for sale."

Nise frowned and Lotus caught a glimpse of the man's eyes as she saw something briefly flicker within the dark orbs, but it quickly went away as he put his smile back on.

"Alright then. That's fine. Why don't you go on and take a look around the store? With our grand opening, everything is buy one get one 50% off."

"Thank you."

Lotus waited for the man to go back behind the counter, but he made no move, standing in front of Lotus like some kind of statue.

"Alright sir, I'm just going to look over there," Lotus spoke pointing over her shoulder in a random direction.

"Take your time miss, take your time…."

Lotus quickly skirted around an aisle still feeling the Shop Keep's eyes on her. Sir Henry was still bristling and his sudden change was worrying Lotus. She twisted her ring allowing her mind to be open to others' thoughts so she could communicate with Sir Henry.

"Sir Henry are you okay? I've never seen you so tense before?"

"~It's that man Young Mistress.~"

"Yeah, he does seem a little off."

"~No, Young Mistress it's not that. I've encountered that man before.~"

"You have?"

"~Yes. When I was being transported to this country. I was not brought here on legal terms. The box I was transported in was damaged and that was how I got out. But before then I'm sure I heard this man's voice outside my box.~"

"That guy? Are you sure?"

"~ Positive.~"

"Alright. Let's see what his mind has to say."

Lotus peeked around the corner of the aisle to where the ShopKeep was. The man was behind the counter putting away some products.

"~That little brat!~"

"Rude right off the bat."

"~That's my freaking ferret!~"

"Sir Henry was right."

"~I don't know how she got her hands on him, but I was out of two grand from losing that little rodent.~"

"Two grand!? Sir Henry's worth that much!"

"~No matter I'll get it back.~"

"Like I'm going to allow that. Sir Henry, we need to-Sir Henry?"

Sir Henry had left Lotus's arm while she was in the middle of examining Nise's mind. She looked around but didn't spot the little animal.

"Sir Henry?"

"~Young Mistress over here!~"

Lotus walked down the aisle turning a corner down a second aisle where she found Sir Henry. He was standing on his hind legs using his front paws to gesture at a door. Walking over Lotus could hear several voices filling her head, and the closer she got to the door the more voices started to filter in.

"What is going on in there?"

Lotus looked over her shoulder then quickly opened the door stepping inside.

"Oh my…"

Lotus's eyes widened at the sight before her. The backroom she had entered was filled to the brim with animals. Exotic and rare animals, many of which should not be in a local pet store. The animals were also in poor conditions enclosed in small cages.

"What in the-?"

"~He sent another one in huh?~" A deep male voice scoffed

Lotus turned to her left to see a large canine resting in a cage far too small for it. The cage was so small the animal had to lie down to prevent its head from hitting the top of the cage. From Lotus's guess, the animal appeared to be some kind of wolf with pitch-black fur. The wolf had heterochromia, its left eye was a piercing gold while the right was a deep green. Lotus had to estimate its size, but she was sure if the wolf was out of its cage his head would reach just above her waist. But what Lotus noticed the most was the dog's legs, he only had three. His front left leg was gone from the mid joint down.

Lotus reexamined the canine's words before she spoke. "Another one? What do you mean by that?"

"~Another customer coming to-?! Wait you can understand me?!~" The wolf exclaimed

"Sure," Lotus said

The large dog seemed to narrow its eyes in suspicion.

"~What are you?~"

"I'm a human! I can just read your thoughts then projected my own into yours," Lotus said

*BAM*

"Ah!"

Lotus jumped as another animal threw itself at the bars of its cage right next to her.

"~Then can you understand me!?~"

The animal that had surprised Lotus was an echidna looking at her rather urgently.

"Yes, I can understand you. I can understand any animal." Lotus said

"~You gotta help us then!~"

"Help..." Lotus looked around the room. "These animals…"

"~Figured it out huh?~" The wolf said

"All these animals are here illegally," Lotus said

"~Well look at that she figured it out.~" The wolf said

"So this is what the man was really up to. Sir Henry would have ended up in here had he not escaped."

"So he plans on selling you all huh?" Lotus said

"~He's gonna eat us!~"

"What!"

The wolf rolled his eyes, "~He's not going to eat us. We're going to be sold to the highest bidders. Then whoever buys us gets us. And they may or may not eat us.~"

"That's not any better!"

"Don't worry I'm going to get you all out of here!" Lotus declared

The wolf gave Lotus a look before laying its head back down. "~You do that.~"

"I will do that!" Lotus said

"You'll be doing what now Miss?"

Lotus froze and slowly turned so see Nise standing behind her. He was giving her a smile, that felt all kinds of wrong. He reached behind himself and locked the door.

Lotus's shoulders slumped and she frowned.

"Well…. crap."

Lotus wanted to sigh seeing the man standing before her, blocking her only exit.

"I was so focused on the animals I didn't even notice he had walked in. Man, that guy has quiet footsteps!"

"So young lady what was it you'd say you'd be doing?" Nise asked

"Well, no need to lie now."

"I'm going to help these animals," Lotus said

"Help? Why these animals don't need any help," Nise said

"Oh really? Illegally transporting animals, especially rarer ones is a crime. A serious one at that," Lotus said

Nise raised a brow, "And how do you know about that? Matter of fact how'd you even know about this room?"

"Well, I can't say my ferret tod me. Well then guess it's time for some acting. Time to unleash my inner Kaidou!"

"How do I know this you ask." Lotus gave a sublet chuckle before flipping her hair back. "I know because I am the great and powerful Queen Warrior. I command the animal kingdom, and when I heard my followers crying out for help, I immediately came to their aid. Your misdeeds will not go unpunished as I shall put an end to your evil!" She declared pointing at the man.

". . . ."

The man stared blankly at Lotus. Lotus held her pose but sweatdropped.

"Yeah, that's the reaction I saw coming."

"Alright girly enough playtime. Hand over that rodent and I'll let you go no problems."

"D-Don't take one step closer or you'll regret it!" Lotus said

"Regret it? What are you gonna do huh, Oh Great Warrior Queen?" Nise mocked

"That kind of stung. Is this how Kaidou normally feels? No matter can't drop the act now." Lotus thought

"Take one step closer and I'll unleash the wrath of the Animal Kingdom on you!" Lotus said

"Oh, really?"

Nise sped walked forward grabbing onto one of Lotus's wrists.

"I was gonna let you off easy but now I'm annoyed."

Lotus held back her fear and glared at the man. "Fine, you asked for it."

"What-huh?"

The man paused hearing a rattling noise. The noise only got louder and multiplied all across the room. Doors to all the cages started to shake and vibrate heavily the noise ringing in the air.

"How in the-?!" The man looked to Lotus who was now smirking.

"I warned you," Lotus smirked pulling her wrist out of the man's grip taking a step back.

*BANG*

"Run free my minions!" Lotus laughed throwing her hands up in the air.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!"

Nise screams as all the cages swung open and the animals stampede out. The room was swarmed with animals running rampant.

"Not the birds! Not the birds!" Nise screeched as some birds swooped down pecking at him.

Lotus ran to the door using her powers to kick it open and off the hinges. The once trapped animals flooded into the main area of the shop. Shelves and stands were knocked over, products were trampled, it was utter chaos within the store.

Outside the store

"Do you hear that?"

"What's going on?"

Dozens of people had gathered outside watching the chaos unfold within the shop.

Inside

"AAAAAHHHHH!"

"HAHHAHAHA!"

Lotus was standing on the counter hands on her hips laughing loudly, while Nise was running around screaming doing his best to avoid the angered animals.

The pink-haired girl hopped off the counter running to the back room. Nearly every animal had fled from their cage, only one animal remained in the room.

"Hmmm..."

Lotus ran back out of the room looking around the shop. She ended up grabbing a large white sheet before going back into the other room.

Saiki was home sitting before the TV as the local news came on.

A female reporter came on-screen standing in front of a large crowd.

"In today's news, the police were called to this local pet shop behind me."

The camera panned showing the shop.

"That's a sketchy name for a pet store."

"The police were called after a crowd had gathered in front of the store due to a rather large commotion going on within. It was later discovered that the animals had somehow gotten loose and were running amuck. After some investigation, the police discovered the owner was actually selling and transporting rare animals. All of the animals have been captured and will be sent off to proper facilities.

"Well, that-huh?"

Using his powers Saiki paused the TV, then rewound it. Replaying the scene Saiki saw pink hair drift by in the back scene. Getting closer he was able to make out Lotus running in the background, Sir Henry wrapped her around her neck, while she held something large wrapped in a white sheet, a black tail poking out from it.

Violet was busy typing on her laptop when the front door quickly opened and closed.

"Oh, Lotus home already how was-?"

Violet paused as she looked at her little sister. Lotus seemed a bit disheveled, and she had some bird feathers in her hair, along with a large three-legged wolf in her arms.

"What am I looking at right now?" Violet questioned

After setting the wolf on the couch Lotus explained what had occurred at the pet store.

"How terrible. What a despicable man. He's lucky I wasn't the one who caught him," Violet said

"Yeah, he is lucky."

"I was worried for him. They're sending the animal off to a sanctuary but what if this guy got sent somewhere that couldn't properly care for him?" Lotus said

"Aww, Lotus your so sweet!" Violet cooed

"He needs proper one-on-one care and I thought if anyone could help him get back on his feet it'd be you. What do you think Violet? Can you help him?" Lotus asked

"Hmmm?" Violet hummed putting a hand on her chin studying the animal.

The wolf just looked right back at Violet his ear twitching as his tail flicked back and forth.

"Alright, I'll do it!" Violet declared

"Really!" Lotus said with a bright smile.

Violet nodded her head. "I do love a good challenge. Now, what's his name?"

"I don't know he never told me," Lotus said

"~I do not have one.~"

"He doesn't have one," Lotus repeated

"Then we should name him," Violet said

At that moment Ethan walked in the house.

"Hello gi-!"

"Quick Ethan!" Violet exclaimed pointing at her fiancé, "What's Irish for wolf?"

"Huh? Uhm, mac tíre," Ethan answered confused

"Hmmm, no that won't work," Violet said

"What won't work and why are-what in the world is that!" Ethan shouted pointing at the wolf.

"Another animal Lotus rescued. We're trying to name him," Violet said

"Another one?" Ethan questions

"Here it comes."

Lotus did not need to read Ethan's mind, she braced herself knowing exactly what was going to occur.

"Oh, my poor little Lotus! Are you hurt?" Ethan questioned loudly.

He wrapped the girl in a tight hug comforting her.

"Seriously too tight!"

While Ethan strangled Lotus with worry and affection Violet continued to think of names for the large canine.

"Ah, I know!" Violet exclaimed putting a fist in her palm.

"Huh?" Ethan and Lotus said

"We'll name him Yami!" Violet said

"That is a bit on the nose. But It does kind of fit him," Lotus said

Everyone looked to the wolf how hadn't moved an inch from his spot on the couch.

"He does kind of look like a Yami too," Ethan said

"Then it's decided we shall call him Yami!" Violet said

"Oh, I'll get started on making his collar right away!" Ethan said

"So we've added another member to the family huh?"

Lotus looked to see Sir Henry crawl his way over to Yami. The ferret curled himself atop Yami's body resting. The wolf glanced upwards but didn't make a move.

Lotus smiled to herself, "I don't think that's a bad thing though."