Chapter 23

Ria's POV

So that feeling when you don't know if you're going to shit or piss your pants because you're so fucking terrified? Yeah, feeling that right now. It even worse because I'm in my own freaking house!

We're in the dark, our flashlights aren't working, our cells are barely enough light to see. And there's some lady humming in my house that sure isn't my sister or mother. And to put the cherry on top? We're locked in... locked in, how do you get locked inside your own house??

"So... um... Ria, this may be really fucking weird... but, we heard this same humming at our own house," Daichi whispered to me as the three of us huddled against the unknown.

"How does this help us now?" I asked him in hush urgency as I kept my ear out for the humming again, what the fuck is this lady doing in my house and what is going on here?

"G-Good point..."

I took a deep breath and looked at my phone, "F-Fuck this I'm callin Teme..."

"Whats your boyfriend gonna do?" Daichi asked.

"Dude consider how pissy he's been lately, he'd give any excuse to break something, a door is nothing compared to him."

I heard the humming again and almost dropped the phone, my hand were shaking as I unlocked the screen and tried to get Taro's number up. I looked at my battery and almost screamed seeing that it was draining at an unnatural rate, I had it at full charge only 20 minutes ago, and not it was dropping, 75%, 70%, like some sadistic countdown. I looked at my service bars as I clicked on Teme's contact list. Barely one bar? I usually have about four in any area of the house... I swallowed and only prayed my call would get out.

The line kept cutting out, I heard static as I prayed that he had his phone. I felt tears well up slightly from how scared I was, from how freaked I was, "Teme teme please..." I felt my heart drop when all I heard was static on the other line, was it not going through? Finally I heard Teme's voice.

"This is Taro Uchiha, you know what to do" *beep*

My face paled, voicemail? I took a deep breath, okay fine, Teme was good with his phone, he'll see a missed call and hopefully come to get us. I started spitting out the situation as fast as I could before something else happened.

"T-TEME! I-It's me, and Daichi, a-and Kiseki! W-We're locked in my house there's this lady humming and everything electronic is going crazy! I-I'm freaking out man! I DON'T KNOW WHATS GOING ON WITH MY HOUSE!"

Then that was it, the line went dead. I swallowed only hoping Teme got my message and looked at the twins, "V-Voicemail... I-It didn't even ring but thats okay I left him a message h-he's good with his phone..." at least I hoped he wouldn't see it was from me and ignore it... But then again they were expecting us so he'd see we didn't show up and I left a message... He'd listen to it then... right?

Their faces looked like they could match mine, the color was gone and they both looked freaked, Kiseki more then Daichi. 

"Ideas?" I kinda pleaded at this point.

The twins looked at each other then Daichi nodded, "Uncle, if anyone can get us out of any mess it's him."

Kiseki nodded quickly, "call him, call him!"

Daichi only nodded and quickly took out his phone, I saw him stare at the screen, in a mix of confusion and horror before I saw his fingers dance over the screen the fastest I've ever seen them go. He looked at us in fear as we hear another thump upstairs, I think I heard something shatter, I'm so grounded and it's not even my fault. Daichi took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"Y-You didn't get voicemail too did you?"

He nodded then started speaking into the phone. "U-Uncle! W-We're locked in Ria's house we can't get out and there's someone upstairs. We're really scared, please come as soon as you get this message!"

I took a deep breath, "So... what now?"

"Survive?" squeaked Kiseki.

Daichi and I only sighed, well... that was really all we could do wasn't it?

"I-I'm gonna call Akia real quick," Daichi said dialing up her number as we heard the wood of the stairs straining, like someone was walking down them. 

"I-If you have final words for her get her on the phone now," I whispered. Daichi only nodded and went back to his phone as I pointed the light at the stairs, hearing someone on them but of course not seeing anyone. I grabbed Daichi and Kiseki and dragged them away to another room.

I heard giggling echo throughout the house. Evil giggling, high pitched, almost childish, taunting, the kind of giggles that sent shivers up my spine, making the hairs on my neck standing on end. Kiseki was trembling against me as I heard Daichi mutter on the phone, "I-I'm sorry, I-I love you..." then he took a deep breath. "Okay... I'm good."

The footsteps were following us, and I had no where else to drag the twins to, well except for the basement, but what I know from horror films is basements equal death, so no thanks. I turned around as we reached a corner, dead end. Why did I have to think dead? I took a deep breath and turned around. Well if there were still any color in my face consider it gone.

She had hair as dark as night, her eyes glowed a deep crimson red as her thin pale lips turned back into a smirk. Her skin was like ash and all I could think was 'this is the end'. She cocked her head to the side and came closer and I begged to bring up any knowledge of those supernatural shows that the other's watched, of course me, Daichi, and Kiseki had to be the ones here that couldn't take the show. If only I had listened to their jokes and references, what was it that they talked about the was a barrier?

"Salt! We need salt!" I blurted out making a beeline for the kitchen. The woman turned around, distracted from the twins as I run for the cabinet, I thought those huge bags of salt Mom brought were so weird but not I'm praying that she got another one since my life depended on it. I heard scraping on the ground and glance back to see the woman was moving the table, oh god please not the table if I living through this and the table was damaged Mom would kill me!

I grabbed the bag of salt and threw down a thick line all around myself, praying it would work. I ducked as the table went flying over my head. I'm going to die tonight, by ghost or by my mother I don't know as I saw her precious table smash into pieces. I looked back at the ghost as she came close to me, I breath harder as her ash finger cam closer to grab me, I whimpered and panicked seeing them come close but to my relief her fingers dispelled when the came over the the salt. I heard my heart hammer in my chest as I watched her, terrified for myself, as she frowned and pulled her hand back. 

"R-Ria!" came Daichi's voice.

"Get salt around yourselves!" I yelled, "And and... oh got what else was it Yui and the others talk about?"

"You got the salt Ria!" Kiseki yelled as the woman began advancing on them.

Daichi looked around and quickly took up the poker from the fire, "Iron! It was iron!" He said pointing it at the woman and shoving his twin behind him. Her red eyes flashed seeing the poker and the smirk slipped off her face, her lips curled back revealing her sharp pointy teeth as she went to slash at Daichi but she let out some unearthly shrill when Daichi touched her with the poker. Oh thank god Mom insisted on the real iron ones instead of the steel ones dad thought looked cooler.

"Got over here!" I insisted.

Daichi nodded and he and Kiseki dashed over while the woman was distracted. They dived into the circle to avoid messing up it as we huddled against each other in fear. The woman glared at us, but then I saw her pointy teeth again as the windows opened. Before I could even hope she was letting us go I felt the wind and looked down in horror as I saw our line of defense was growing smaller and smaller. No...

As our line became only a single strand of salt and she advanced I clung to my friends, we put up a good fight... At least we can say we did good for some scared shitless kids.

Suddenly I heard the door break down, I heard heavy footsteps run over and my heart leaped a bit, "T-Teme?" I whispered to myself.

But when some light burst from the man's hand I saw I had the wrong Uchiha, not that I was upset to see Itachi. The woman shrieked as whatever he threw hit her. "Boys!"

"Uncle!" yelled the twins.

"Itachi!"

Itachi looked at us then looked back at the woman, mumbling something under his breath as another light came from his hand and hit the woman. She screamed as she disappeared into a mist.

"What the hell was that?!" I yelled still very freaked out by the experience.

The twin's uncle took a deep breath and looked at us. "Boys... that is a very long explanation..."

Taro's POV

I don't even know why I came here, it's times like these I wonder why I bother being a good person... Then again, I really should be wondering how this freshman got my phone number.

She was busy trying to arouse me, saying she wanted me to be her first time. I had already warned her that I was a bit too distracted to really do anything, probably can't get it up. I even tried to talk her out of it, she didn't want to hook up with some random guy, she wanted to save it for someone special. Of course she took it as rejection, and started crying on the other end of the line.

I really can't stand the sound of a woman crying.

So I caved, told her to meet me outside of the school, I could take care of her before Aika's party.

"Y-You're not really into it are you?" she asked me, bringing my thoughts back to her, I blinked and focused on her face. Between the worry and stress I've been feeling the last couple of weeks he hadn't even twitched when he's usually ready to go at this point. "A-Am I not doing it right? I-I know I'm a bit overweight, is that the problem? Am... am I ugly?" her eyes started tearing up and I froze, "I-I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked you for this."

I shook my head and cupped her face, "No you're not ugly, just got alot on my mind." Her eyes were a pale hazel, her hair was red and frizzy that she attempted to tame into a ponytail, her plump freckled face showed how crushed she was. She wasn't a model, but I'd never call her ugly, she had a good heart. That is what mattered. 

"You didn't want to do this, I shouldn't of pushed, I'm not good enough for you I know that."

"Okay first off never say that," I stated making her look at me, "Never think you're not good enough for something you'll never get anywhere. Second looks aren't everything, I wouldn't bang the school slut if she paid me to do it. She's the ugliest damn thing I've ever had the misfortune to come across." She watched me, seeming surprised at my words. "Look I'm stressed out I told you that, it's not your fault."

"B-But sex is a good stress reliever... So if you're stressed I-I can help."

I just heaved a sigh, "Look... the blood isn't going down there, I got too much on my mind okay? When this Jirou thing blows over I'll probably be more eager."

"You're not just turning me down are you?"

"No... Hell I'd probably owe a huge favor to whoever was able to help me with this mess," I said rubbing my temple. I honestly said this absentmindedly, I didn't think she'd cling onto every word I said.

"... What kind of favor?"

"A big one," I repeated before the idea came to me and I looked at her. My fangirls... they'd really do anything to get a favor from me wouldn't they? I really didn't think of utilizing them until I looked at how this girl seemed to be perfectly willing to do anything for a favor.

"How can I help?"

"You... and anyone else that can, need to help me keep Kairi away from my brother."

"Why?"

"Because..." how do I say Kairi is a manipulative lying bitch without sounding like an asshole? "Because, their relationship is not good for Jirou right now, he's miserable and confused, and she's making it worse by putting that kind of stress on him. He needs to be on his own a bit to recollect who he was."

"You're such a caring brother," she said smiling softly.

"Hm... come on, I'll take you home."

She apparently told her parents that she forgot something at school and asked them to drop her off, so I decided to give her a ride so I'd be back in time for the part. Seems that a ride on my motorcycle cheered her up and assured her that I was not blowing her off. She told me she'd tell the others and not to worry because they'd keep Kairi busy. Well... guess I'm kind of a whore now... But if it helped my brother then it was worth it.

I got back in time to surprise Akia for her party, but I noticed Dobe and the twins weren't there... that was weird, this was their idea... I shrugged it off figuring they had something planned and would arrive later. I saw Kasume and Jirou talking and I felt better, maybe Kasume can make a difference here. But then Akia went into the pool, and I saw something else I had to fix. Damnit Akia...

She had eating problems in the past, we thought she was better but her wet clothes made it evident that she did not have it as controlled as we once thought. I could clearly see her ribs through her clothes and I frowned, oh no I'm dealing with my brother I'm not gonna have her fainting on me. As she made her escape after Amaya fished her out of the pool I followed. Running in the dark when you're upset is the worse thing you can do.

Akia ran out of the school and towards the parking lot, as she got out of my line of sight I sped up until I saw her sobbing in Natsuko's arms. I paused and looked at him, he glanced up at me. I motioned at him, basically 'you got her?' and he gave me a nod patting her back. I nodded at him, gesturing a 'thanks I'll check on her later' he returned the nod and I felt my phone vibrate. I raised my brow, well I can trust Natsuko, I'll give him a call later to see how it turned out. 

Hm a voicemail... funny my phone hadn't rung. I opened it to see it was from Ria, where the hell was that dobe? I sighed softly and played the voicemail.

"T-TEME! I-It's me, and Daichi, a-and Kiseki! W-We're locked in my house there's this lady humming and everything electronic is going crazy! I-I'm freaking out man! I DON'T KNOW WHATS GOING ON WITH MY HOUSE!"

"What?" I muttered to myself. How... No... Ria's house wasn't haunted, at least last I checked. I hurried back to the pool, told Mai to get Jirou home, that there was an emergency and there were to be no detours. I'd give Mom and Dad a call when I found out what was going on. Jirou looked confused but Mai ushered him home.

I drove to Ria's house, I swear to god if that idiot got himself killed on Akia's birthday I'd bring him back just to pop his stupid head off. His phone was dead when I tried it, so was Daichi and Kiseki's. Ria wasn't the most responsible with his phone, but Daichi was, the fact that all their phones were dead told me something was very wrong. I turned the handle and sped off into the night.

When I came upon the house, I saw everything was shut. I've been to Dobe's house enough to know where the back door was as I grabbed my knife from my back packet and ventured forth to the back door that lead into the kitchen. Knife at the ready I opened the door quickly and looked around to see the surprised faces of Daichi, Kiseki, Ria... and Uncle Itachi?

"T-Teme you came!"

"A bit late, but better then never," Daichi commented as I lowered my weapon.

"What the hell is going on here?" I demanded.

"Didn't you listen to my message? There was a ghost lady here! Itachi got her though" Ria commented though he was giving me such a weird look. He looked like he was happy to see me, for whatever reason. I have no idea what goes through his pea brain sometimes.

"I just made her retreat, I don't have the power to destroy a spirit," Itachi comment as he waved his hand over the dining room table and the damage on it began reversing itself. the scratches faded away then the splinters and pieces went flying back into their proper places. I blinked at him.

"Um... Uncle?" I knew Itachi was not our blood uncle, but he was a relative of Dad's, and well we called him uncle since we could talk, it'd be weird to call him anything else. "What are you doing?" I also knew that Ria and the twins didn't know about magic, so what the hell was he doing repairing a table with magic in front of them?

"After the night they had Taro I think they can know the truth. I'm tired of having to hide it from Daichi and Kiseki," Itachi explained.

"The truth?" Daichi and Kiseki asked him simultaneously.

"That you're a ghost fighter?" Ria asked. I smacked my forehead from his stupidity.

"No," Itachi chuckled. I just sighed and came over and started helping him with the table, needless to say they were staring at me. "Look boys, I went through great lengths so your father wouldn't know about this world. And I've erased both of your memories to keep you from it a few times," he looked at Daichi and Kiseki guiltily, "But I can't go on like this anymore, keeping these secrets from you kids, it drove a couple of wedges between me and your father, and I don't think I could handle it if it drove a wedge between me and you boys. So I'll tell you, but you must swear to not to repeat what I've told you."

"Taro you know about this too?" Daichi asked. Almost accusingly, like Itachi and I purposely kept this secret from them. Okay well.. we kinda were...

I nodded, "yeah, my entire family knows, Jirou knew too before his accident, but since he's still a bit fragile we haven't gotten to reintroducing him to it yet."

"About ghosts?"

I'm beginning to think Ria doesn't have a brain.

"Magic dumbass."

"Magic?!"

Kiseki pouted at me, "come on Taro don't be mean this is all new to us too."

Rolling my eyes I directed the conversation to Itachi as I took over repairing the house.

Itachi only sighed and sat down in a chair, "Yes, magic, does exist guys. Ghosts, demons, the supernatural, cryptozoology, the occult, all real. My father taught me just as Taro's father taught him as he was taught. Uchihas have been a part of magic for many generations."

"Why didn't Grandfather teach Dad and Auntie? Why just you?"

"Yeah I mean I don't like knowing ghost are real, but being prepared would have been nice!"

Itachi rubbed his face, "Well..." he was debating on how to start.

"It's a dangerous life, there are people like us who need to fight and defend the sanctity of magic, and the job has a high mortality rate," I intervened, "If your grandfather taught your dad and Amaya's mom, they would have been trained to fight as well."

"Fight?"

"Mortality rate...?"

I glanced at Ria, "My dad was from a family of seven, he's the only one left." Blunt but simple, I saw the color drain from his face as I continued, "Magic isn't all fairies and elves, actually fairies and elves are the most difficult little fuckers to deal with."

"Th-Then why do it?"

"Because someone has to."

Uncle spoke up again, "As I grew up, seeing Madara lose his parents and siblings made me want to keep my own siblings from the world, so I made a deal with my father to prevent them from being in harms way. Only I would know magic, and they'd grow up as normal children."

"If your dad lost so much, then why is he continuing it?" Daichi asked me.

"He promised his father he would keep the traditions, Jirou and I started our training at five years old. Mai started training at seven. My younger siblings, my mother and father agreed that they would know about magic but only get basic defensive training, they won't be trained to fight unless they want to be."

"Whats all this about training and fighting? Fighting what? What are you people?" Ria looked completely bewildered.

"We are called Guardians," Itachi told them, "It's an ancient organization that keeps order in the magical world."

"Like, magic police?"

"A bit."

"So... That's why... Dad and Auntie would be bitter over somethings? Like Dad said you'd promise things then have to reschedule or have to cancel it? Then there was the whole two years you guys didn't talk..." Daichi recalled.

I know he didn't recall it to hurt Itachi but I saw pain in his expression as he nodded his head, Damnit Daichi do you really believe he wants that rubbed in his face?

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell them?"

"Because that was part of the deal, as long as they were safe I didn't care if they hated me. I just wanted them safe."

I could really feel for Itachi in that moment, I knew Jirou wasn't happy with my meddling with him and Kairi, and wouldn't understand I was trying to help, but as long as it makes him safe, I don't really care what he thinks of me. I need to get my brother back.

"Can we at least tell Amaya and the others?" Kiseki asked.

"Not a good idea, you'll believe us cause of whatever you saw, the others well... I don't think it's a good idea," I told him.

At that point we repaired the room and looked through the house to correct any other damage. Daichi followed me upstairs, "Hey Taro?"

"Hm?"

"How was the party? Guess Akia was mad I didn't show up?"

"Um... well... Kinda but," I pondered on how to tell the guy. "We all need to be on top of Akia..."

"Why? Kairi didn't hurt her did she?"

"Not that I could see tonight. Akia is having eating problems again, I'm seeing her as soon as I can I'm not taking this bullshit again, she told me she was fine. She tripped into the pool," I growled. I saw the color on his face drain, felt bad about telling him but someone had to. "Her ribs are showing, like I said I'm seeing her as soon as I can, Natsuda took her home so she's fine right now but I swear to god I'm shoving food down her throat."

"That won't help."

"Leaving her to deal with it on her own has been working so well."

Daichi didn't know exactly how to reply, so I just patted his back, "look she's got us, she'll be okay, just needs a bit of tough love, speaking of tough love I need to check on my siblings."

"Alright, just not... too tough on the love for Akia got it?"

"Please I'm use to dealing with head strong women, probably work out a compromise," I smirked slightly pulling out my phone. There was a flicker of a smile and he shook his head.

"Yeah well if you make any progress, thanks, I'll go charge my phone and try to call her when Uncle takes me home."

"She may not answer," I warned him, "But I'll see you tomorrow, I gotta go."

"Alright, later."

I dialed up Mai to make sure she and the idiot got home okay and made sure Kairi didn't shadow them. I was still miffed that Kairi managed to crash the party but oh well can't bitch over it now. All I know is between Jirou, Akia, and now this ghost mishap, life seems to just keep taking more dumps in my lap then I can clean them up.