372Chapter 14- Always and Forever
New Orleans
1 month after Hayley left Mystic Falls, she could be found at Rousseau's during lunchtime. She and the bartender were having a conversation.
"Third time in here this week.", The bartender, Jane-Anne noted.
"I'm obsessed with the gumbo, Jane-Anne." Hayley admitted.
"You know, ladies in the 9th ward say my sister, Sophie, bleeds a piece of her soul into every dish.", Jane-Anne said. Jane-Anne glanced across the room at her sister, who was working on the other side of the restaurant.
"So, I asked around the Quarter about my family... " Hayley started.
" And?" Jane-Anne asked.
"Nothing. Zero. I can't find a single person who remembers them." Hayley said.
"Because, Hayley, people like you were run out of here years ago.", Jane-Anne said.
"What do you mean, people like me?" Hayley asked, now on edge. Did this bartender know she was a werewolf? Jane-Anne walked around the bar to the other side to stand beside Hayley. Sophie watched them from her spot in the kitchen. Jane-Anne set a map out on the bar.
"In the bayou, they call the werewolves "Roux-Ga-Roux"." She circled a point on the map. "You head out there, you'll find what you're looking for. But be careful. It's the last place you'd ever want to go.", Jane-Anne said. Hayley took the map, nodding at her in gratitude with a smile, and left the bar. Jane-Anne and Sophie exchanged a glance, and Jane-Anne revealed that she had several strands of Hayley's hair in her hand.
Layfette Cemetery
Hayley was driving down a country road; meanwhile, Jane-Anne and Sophie entered the cemetery, in which all the tombs were all above-ground mausoleums.
"Don't do it. Please. What if I'm wrong about her?", said Sophie.
"That's the beauty of you- you're never wrong. She's the only way we're gonna get Naruto back in New Orleans." Said Jane-Anne.
"Can we get someone else to do the spell?" Said Sophie, as she didn't want her sister to die if, or rather, when she got caught.
"Who? Half the witches don't believe you, the other half are too frightened to do anything.", said Jane-Anne.
"Because they know we're gonna get caught, Jane-Anne." Said Sophie.
"We don't have any other options and we're running out of time, Sophie." Said Jane-Anne. They joined hands. Sophie had tears in her eyes. "Now go. You know what you need to do." Sophie nods at her.
Later that night
Jane-Anne was still at the cemetery at night. She had lit several candles and appeared to be preparing a spell, arranging salt in a specific arrangement on a wooden surface. Meanwhile, Hayley parked her car somewhere in the bayou and looked at her map. At the cemetery, Jane-Anne lights another candle, and the map Hayley was holding ignited.
"What the...?" Hayley gasped.
Hayley tossed the flaming paper out of the window. Jane-Anne lifted a smoking goblet to the table; Hayley put her car in reverse but the car started to produce smoke and stopped working.
"You've gotta be kidding me." Hayley said.
Hayley got out of the car. Jane-Anne continued to arrange the salt into patterns on the table. Hayley dialed a number on her cell phone.
"Hello, I'm looking for a tow service?" Hayley said.
Jane-Anne started humming; Hayley's phone produced an ear-piercing noise. She pulled it away from her ear, grimacing in pain, throwing it on the ground and destroyed it, causing the ear splitting noise to stop hurting her sensitive werewolf hearing. As Jane-Anne continued to do her spell, shadowy figures began approaching Hayley, emerging from the trees. At the same moment that Jane-Anne lifted a candle and blew the flame out, Hayley passed out and fell to the ground. Sophie caught her exhausted sister as the others drew closer to Hayley.
Mikaelson Family Mansion
Back in Mystic Falls at the Mikaelson Family Mansion, Elijah had returned from to report that all of Apocrypha's vampires had been successfully unsired, only to instead be updated by Rebekah and Aurora on Naruto' whereabouts.
"New Orleans? Why exactly has our brother gone back to our former home?", Elijah asked.
"Evidently there are witches conspiring against him. So, knowing my husband, this was a mission to silence and slaughter." Aurora said.
Elijah turned to leave. "Where are you going?" Rebekah demanded.
"To find out who's making a move against our brother." Elijah said as he left for New Orleans.
New Orleans
Back in New Orleans, Naruto entered a marketplace and headed towards a particular table where a woman wearing a headscarf sat with a crystal ball and other similar wares. Seeing Naruto, she began packing up her things. Naruto sat down at the woman's table.
"Good afternoon. Got time for one more?" Naruto said in a gentlemanly manner.
"I have nothing to say to you." Agnes said rudely.
"Oh, now that's not very amiable, is it? You don't even know me." Naruto said, pretending to be offended.
"I know what you are. Half-vampire, half-beast. You're a hybrid." Agnes said rudely again.
"I'm the Original Hybrid, actually, but that's part is not important." Naruto said while smiling. Naruto's expression got serious and said, "I'm looking for someone; a witch. Perhaps you might be able to help me find her. Jane-Anne Deveraux."
The woman visibly reacted to the name with worry. "Sorry. I don't know." Agnes lied.
Naruto felt a tingle in the back of his head, which meant his Lie Detection had gone off. Leaning forward, he said, "Well, now that's a lie if I've ever heard one, isn't it?" Naruto took the woman's hand on the table in his, smiling in a menacing way. "Now, you see, I know that you're a true witch amongst this sea of poseurs, so enough with the fabrications. I'm not in a patient mood today."
Agnes withdrew her hand. "Look, us witches don't talk outta school in the Quarter. The vampire won't allow it. Those are the rules. I don't break Marcel's rules." She said.
"Marcel's rules?" Naruto asked, his eyes narrowing. She must be talking about someone else, as his Marcel, his adopted son, was dead. Marcel had been attending a play in the Opera House in 1919 a few weeks after the Originals had left when Mikael burned it down and he had not heard anything since then, so he had assumed Marcel had been killed. "Where do you suppose I might find Marcel?" he asked.
New Orleans Bar
Naruto entered a bar where Marcel was performing a karaoke version of "How You Like Me Now?" by The Heavy on stage. As Marcel sang, Naruto couldn't help but feel happy, angry, and betrayed. He felt happy to see his adopted son was still alive and had not been a victim of Mikael. He was angry, and betrayed because Marcel was alive this whole time and never tried to reach out to Naruto and the others. Marcel finished the song, hopping down from the stage to applause and joined a few companions, one of whom handed him a drink.
Sensing he was being watched, Marcel paused before looking over at Naruto. Marcel's companions noticed the sudden tension.
"Naruto." Marcel said.
"Marcel." Naruto said.
"Must be a hundred years since that nasty business with your papa." Marcel commented.
"Has it been that long?" Naruto asked rhetorically. Naruto and Marcel began to approach one another slowly.
"The way I recall it, he came here looking for you after you left town. Left a trail of dead vampires in his wake." Marcel said.
"And yet how fortunate you managed to survive. Mikael, on the other hand, I recently sent off to hell where he belongs." Naruto said aggressively. Naruto' aggressive tone alerted Marcel's companions to stand and ready themselves for a confrontation. It turned out there were much more than just a few of them, as half the restaurant gets on its feet.
"Well, if I'd known you were coming back in town, if I had a heads-up-" Marcel said but was interrupted.
"What, Marcel!? What would you have done?" Naruto said. Naruto and Marcel were nose to nose, the air thick with tension. Marcel paused before answering.
"I'd have thrown you a damn parade." Marcel said. Marcel's face breaks into a wide grin and he laughs, which Naruto returns and they embrace in a hug. Marcel drew back and placed his hands on either side of Naruto' neck.
"Naruto Mikaelson. My mentor, my savior, my sire, and my father. Let's get you a drink." Marcel said.
In another room a few minutes later, Marcel chuckled and joined Naruto at a small private table, though they were accompanied by a few of Marcel's companions. Marcel poured drinks for Naruto and himself.
"It is good to see you." Marcel said.
"It's good to be back. Although please tell me the current state of Bourbon Street is not your doing." Naruto jokes.
Marcel chuckled. "Something's gotta draw in the out-of-towners, otherwise we'd all go hungry." Marcel said.
Naruto peered out of the corner of his eye at one of the guys flanking the doorway of the room. "I see your friends are day walkers." Naruto commented.
"Yeah, yeah, I shared the secret of your daylight ring with a few buddies. Just the inner circle, though- the family." Marcel said like it was no big deal.
"Tell me though: how did you find a witch willing to make daylight rings?" Naruto asked.
"I got the witches around here wrapped around my finger." Marcel said.
Naruto chuckled. "Is that so? Maybe you can help me out a bit. I came here looking for a witch by the name of Jane-Anne Deveraux. She has some business with me." Naruto said.
Marcel made eye contact with one of his cohorts. "You're looking for Jane-Anne? You probably ought to come with me." Marcel stood up and laughed. "Ha-ha, showtime!"
New Orleans French Quarter
Nighttime
Out on a street at night, a crowd of people began to form; vampires walk along rooftops and jump on cars, setting off alarms. A large group of nightwalkers follow Marcel and Naruto.
"Oh, how's your family?" Marcel asked.
"Their fine, though everyone's off doing their own thing right now." Naruto said. It was only half true, but Marcel didn't need to know that.
"Ah, forget 'em. If your blood relations let you down, you make your own, eh? You taught me that. And what's mine is yours, as always. Even my nightwalkers, the riff-raff." Marcel said. Marcel indicated to the vampires walking along and jumping from the rooftop, then he grabbed a branch off a tree they passed.
"They're not exactly subtle, are they?" Naruto commented. He had gone through a lot of trouble back in the day doing damage control the last time somebody exposed the supernatural world at large to humanity. It was even more imperative now in the modern era, since all it takes is one slip up, somebody posts it online, and then it all goes to hell.
"It's the Quarter. Ain't no such thing as subtle, baby." Marcel replied back. Marcel whistled with his fingers and the crowd cheered. One vampire brings forward Jane-Anne, whose wrists were bound with rope.
"Jane-Anne Deveraux!" Marcel said dramatically. "Give it up for Jane-Anne! Come on, let's hear it! Jane-Anne Deveraux, you have been accused of the practice of witchcraft beyond the bounds of the rules set forth, and enforced, by me. How do you plead?"
He turned abruptly and walked over to Naruto. "Was that convincing? I studied law back in the '50s. Hold that thought." He turned back to Jane-Anne. "Seriously Jane, tick-tock. You know the drill. How do you plead?" He asked.
"I haven't done anything wrong." Jane-Anne denied. The crowd laughed quietly.
"Mm, that's a lie. You know it, I know it, and you hate that I know it. It drives you witches crazy that I'm aware of your every move. That you can't do magic in this town without getting caught." Marcel said as he pulled some leaves off his branch. "So, why don't we just cut to the chase, huh? You tell me what magic you're brewing. I mean, tell me. I'll grant you leniency. Hey, I am, after all, a merciful man."
Naruto and the crowd observed in utter silence. Jane-Anne scoffed, a disgusted look on her face. "Rot in hell, monster.", Jane-Anne said, her voice filled with venom.
Shocked murmuring rumbled through the crowd, while Marcel smiled, though Naruto could tell he didn't like Jane Anne mouthing off to him. "I'll tell you what. I'll give you one more chance... " Marcel said as he started to walk away. Without warning, he swung the branch he'd been holding so fast that he would have sliced open Jane-Anne's neck. Luckily for Jane-Anne, Naruto preferred to hear what she has to say from her own lips. Faster than any of the vampires could follow, he caught the branch before it touched Jane-Anne's neck, snapping the branch in half. Even faster still, Naruto moved behind each vampire present except for Marcel, snapping their necks and moving on to the next, snapping them so fast that the vampires all appeared to have their necks snapped at the same time.
"You should know better than to get between me and my business Marcel." Naruto said as he reappeared behind Marcel after the necks of every other vampire present. As soon as he heard that, he felt a hand on his neck and it was lights out for Marcel as well.
As Naruto let go of Marcel and let him hit the ground hard, Jane-Anne was let out a sigh of relief. She was certain she was going to die when Marcel brought her to 'stand trial'. It would not have mattered much as Sophie was more than capable of continuing the plan in the event of Jane's death but now she was alive and could convince Naruto to help them. Her breath stilled as he approached her. Watching what just happened was a frightening sight to behold. She had only blinked and all the vampires around her had their necks snapped. It really illustrated to her the difference between an Original and a vampire like Marcel. "Now then, my dear. Lets have a chat." Naruto said, and if one were to blink at this moment, the Hybrid and witch would be no where to be seen.
Lafayette Cemetery
Naruto and Jane-Anne reappear in front of the cemetery. "Thank you for that. I was sure I was dead back there." Jane-Anne said as Naruto pulled off the ropes binding her.
"You might still be if I don't like what you have to say," Naruto mentioned as he threw the ropes that once bound her to the ground. "It's very bold of you, 'plotting against me', or so I hear from Katerina."
"I asked her to word it like that." Jane-Anne revealed. "After all, one does not plot openly against Naruto Mikaelson and live to tell about it. Its been so long since someone actually did that, that I figured that you would want to see this in person. And now you're here."
"Fine, you clearly wanted me here in New Orleans, so what do you want?" Naruto questioned.
"To explain that, I'll have to take you to the cemetery." Jane-Anne said as she walked pass the threshold, Naruto following close behind her.
Before Jane-Anne could ask, he explained it to her. "I was invited in centuries ago, plus, out of all of my family, I am the one most trusted by your ancestors." They eventually enter one of the mausoleums, to find Sophie and several witches waiting for them. When Sophie saw Jane Anne was alive and unharmed, she enveloped her in a hug, which was returned back by her older sister. After the two had their moment, Sophie steeled herself and turned to address Naruto.
Sophie began by saying, "You know you're famous in this city? Witches tell bedtime stories about the powerful vampire Naruto. We know Marcel was nothing but an orphan street rat, until you made him what he is. And now he's out of control. He does what he wants, he kills who he wants, and terrorizes us. We are gonna stop him, and you're gonna help us."
Naruto raised an eyebrow before he chuckled, "Right, because threatening the guy you want to help you always works out so well."
"Listen-" Sophie tried to say but Naruto cut her off.
"No, you listen. I'm in a bit of irritable mood right now, because I just found out that the son that I adopted, raised, and thought was dead for a century is alive and never tried to reach out to me. You had better tell me why you tricked me into coming back to this city, or this mausoleum may be in need of a new paint job." Naruto demanded, getting angrier by the moment for what he felt was a waste of his time.
"Naruto," The Tribrid heard. He turned to see Hayley, who had been on and off his mind since that wonderful night almost a month ago. "You need to listen to them."
"Hayley…what are you doing here, little wolf?" Naruto said as he stepped closer to Hayley, eyeing her up and down to see if she was hurt, the witches taking note of this. He turned back to Sophie and Jane-Anne angrily and said, "What are you doing, holding this woman hostage here?"
"Marcel may be able to tell when we are practicing real magic in this town, but as keepers of the balance, we can still know when nature has cooked up something new. For example, my sister has a special gift...of sensing when a girl is pregnant." Jane-Anne said, explaining the situation without actually saying anything.
"Okay?" Naruto said, looking at Hayley.
"Naruto, I know it's impossible..." Hayley tried to say, but she was having a hard of a time understanding this. Naruto stilled, schooling his expression.
"Mr. Mikaelson...Hayley is carrying your child." Jane-Anne said, deciding somebody needed to just say it.
"And look, before you accuse me of sleeping with someone else, I haven't been with anyone since that night with you nearly a month ago." Hayley said, trying to reassure Naruto that she hadn't slept with anyone else. Naruto, even without his werewolf ability to detect lies, knew that everything that had been said was the truth.
Naruto took several moments to himself, nodding his head a few times, taking a deep breath and calmly saying, "Alright, then."
This calm response to what is normally earth-shattering news surprised the witches and the werewolf in attendance. "You seem very calm and unsurprised for finding out that is supposed to be impossible." Jane Anne noted.
"I'm a millenia old, darling. I'm not senile." Naruto said, turning back to the witches. "My body has felt like it's half alive, half dead since I went back to being a hybrid. I knew, or rather suspected, that something like this was possible."
The witches let that sink in for a moment before Sophie continued, "My sister performed the spell she needed to confirm this pregnancy. Because of Jane-Anne, the lives of this girl and her baby are now controlled by us." Sophie said. This was news to Naruto and Hayley. "If you don't help us take down Marcel, so help me, Hayley won't live long enough to see her first maternity dress."
"Wait, what?" Hayley said, shocked and angry. "You're saying that if you die, I die?"
Naruto, who had turned away, turns slowly to face Sophie, his anger barely restrained, his voice frighteningly quiet, his hands clenched so hard that they were starting to bleed. His temper was reaching it's limit and he was one more sniping comment away from erupting into a blind rage. But he knew he couldn't. So, Naruto turned toward Hayley, from whose abdomen he could hear a small but rapid heartbeat. He closed his eyes, listening intently, focusing only on the sound of his childs beating heart, letting the slowly building joy he was starting to feel at finally being a father calm him down.
Finally, Naruto reopened his eyes and said, "Clear the room. I need to speak with her alone." Everyone could tell that it was not a request, so everyone present except Naruto and Hayley cleared out of the room.
Naruto paced back and forth while Hayley sat down. After a few moments of awkward silence, Naruto said, "So, they've been holding you captive here. They haven't been mistreating you, have they?"
"No, they lured me out to the bayou a few nights ago and grabbed me. And they did all these... weird witchy tests. Not that I understand how this could happen. I mean, vampires are dead. They can't have children! " Hayley said.
"Perhaps if you knew my backstory a little better, it might explain how this is possible, little wolf. Here, " Naruto said, sitting down next to Hayley. He reached to touch her temple but she back away slightly.
"What are you doing?" Hayley asked. She may like this 1000 year old hybrid, but she didn't exactly know what he was trying to accomplish right.
"Relax. If you open your mind to me, I can show you my memories." Naruto said. Hayley then let Naruto cup her face as their foreheads touched.
"In the beginning, our family was human... A thousand years ago, now." Naruto began.
FLASHBACK
" Come, Henrik. Our brothers are fighting again." Rebekah said to her younger brother.
"Although our mother, Esther Mikaelson, dabbled in the dark arts, we were actually just a family trying to survive in a time when it was hard to do so. And, for better or worse, we were happy." Naruto narrated.
PRESENT DAY
"That is, however, until one night, our youngest brother was killed by our village's greatest threat." Naruto continued.
FLASHBACK
Klaus came home, carrying Henriks' dead body.
"Mother!" Klaus shouted, desperate for her to help.
PRESENT DAY
"Men that could transform themselves into wolves during the full moon. Our family was devastated, none more than I." Naruto said, causing Hayley to look at Naruto. "Henrik's death was my fault. I was supposed to be watching him that night, but that innate curiosity that all untriggered werewolves have got the better of me and I took him out to watch the wolves transform. The wolves didn't harm me, likely sensing I was one of them, but they tore Henrik to pieces."
"Desperate to protect the rest of us, Mikael forced Esther to call upon her black magic in order to make us stronger." Naruto continued.
FLASHBACK
Mikael was holding a bleeding human in front of Rebekah.
"Drink!" he told Rebekah, which she did.
PRESENT DAY
"Thus, the first vampires were born. But with this speed, this strength, this immortality, came a terrible thirst for human blood. No one felt this hunger more than me. For a time, I drank animal blood. It wasn't as satisfying but it kept the cravings down. But the next full moon came, the urge to feed from a human was too strong to resist."
FLASHBACK
Klaus attacked a human, feeding on that person until they died.
"When I killed for the first time, everyone knew what I truly was." Naruto said.
Klaus realized something was wrong. All of sudden he screams, his bones breaking and resetting themselves. Mikael and Elijah come running toward him.
"Nikalus!" Elijah said, prepared to rush to help his brother.
"What is happening to me?" Klaus screamed in pain.
"Don't!" Mikael said to Elijah holding him back.
"Elijah! It hurts!" Klaus said, before he roared toward the moon as his bones finished breaking themselves.
"He's a beast, an abomination." Mikael said in disgust as soon as he saw Naruto golden eyes, extra set of fangs, and longer veins.
PRESENT DAY
"I wasn't just a vampire." Naruto said.
"You were also a werewolf. That's how the werewolf curse works. It isn't activated until you take a life." Hayley said.
"I was the result of an indiscretion our mother had hidden from us all. An affair, with a werewolf like yourself. " Naruto said, smiling at her.
FLASHBACK
Esther was standing in front of a fire, casting a spell.
"Infuriated by this betrayal, Mikael forced Esther to cast a spell that would prevent me from accessing my werewolf side, denying me any connection with my heritage."
Mikael tried to bind Naruto to a wooden cross, however Naruto was to strong for Mikael.
" Elijah! Elijah, hold him down!" Mikael ordered.
"Brother, please! Don't let them do this to me!" Klaus pleaded with Elijah.
"Do it now, boy! Now!" Mikael ordered again, and this time, Elijah helped to bind Klaus.
"Please, help me!" Klaus pleaded, before a black miasma engulfed his form, sealing access to his werewolf side.
PRESENT DAY
"Your dad was a dick" Hayley said bluntly.
Naruto chuckled a little.
"You know, you and your family are legendary. All the rumors about you controlling how the world runs from the shadows. Your temper is the stuff of legends and you're considered a psycho in some circles... and instead of running for the hills when I had the chance, I ended up sleeping with you. Classic me." She said, though not that she regretted that night.
"Well, after living a thousand years, nobody stays completely sane." Naruto admitted, as those times when he lost his temper, it usually led to a lot of death and destruction. "I've always had a bit of a temper, but ever since I regained my werewolf powers, it feels like my aggression and anger is just off the charts."
After a few moments of silence, Hayley said apologetically, "I'm sorry they told you like that. No one should have to find out they're a parent like that."
"I think I'm the one who should be apologizing. I almost lost my temper back there and slaughtered them. And you would have been an unfortunate casualty as well. Both of you." Naruto said.
"Hey, I'm a werewolf too, I get it. Whenever something pisses you off, you want to rip it to shreds." She said in an understanding way, since she had met other triggered werewolves who still had anger issues.
"Naruto, these witches have more going on than they claim and they can kill me…sorry, us. What do we do?" Hayley said as she placed a hand gently on her stomach, which caused Naruto to place his hand on hers.
"I swear to you, little wolf, they will not harm you." Naruto said, coming up with a plan of his own, as he felt protective of his little wolf. "I'm gonna bring them back in here."
A minute later, the witches were back inside the tomb.
" So, how do you propose this will work?" Naruto asked.
"You'll need to cement your place in Marcel's world. His inner circle, the daywalkers- that's where we begin. They're his friends, his family. We'll be hitting him where it hurts." Sophie said.
"That's fine and all, but there is still the issue of Jane Anne." Naruto said, everyone present turning to Jane Anne, "Marcel nearly executed you and I saved your life. He's probably looking for us right now."
Naruto walked forward, his fangs and claws showing. "Now before you say anything, he's not gonna stop until he has some kind of proof that you are dead. While I'm not going to kill you, I do need some of your blood."
Jane-Anne didn't look comfortable with that, but Marcel needed to be thrown of their trail. "Okay, just…don't take too much." Jane Anne said as she pulled her shirt down a bit to expose her neck more.
"Your cooperation is appreciated but not necessary," Naruto said as he wrapped his arms around Jane Anne and bit her neck, drinking her blood and causing her to moan. His eyes went black for a minute as he read her mind and saw all her memories. He'd have to deal with this later. He purposely spilled most of the blood he drank on his face, before letting go of her and spitting some blood on his hands. He then gave Jane Anne some of his blood.
He made to walk out of the mausoleum, but not before addressing the others. "If anything happens to Hayley while I'm gone, I'll wipe out all of your bloodlines." Seeing them shudder in fear like he expected, Naruto sped off into the night.
New Orleans French Quarter
Naruto arrived at Marcel's place. Marcel and his inner circle had regrouped to brainstorm where Naruto might have taken Jane Anne while the Nightwalkers searched the streets. Marcel saw Naruto and stood up, taking note of his blood soaked appearance.
"Sorry about snapping your neck, son, but like I said, I taught you better than to get between me and my business." Naruto said as he licked the blood off his fingers.
Marcel chuckled nervously, suddenly remembering the times before someone had gotten between Naruto and what he wanted and how those fools had been eviscerated. "Yeah, sorry about that. Got a little caught up in the show and all. So…Jane Anne?"
"Won't bother you again. Dumb bitch that she could plot against me and get away with it. I reminded the witches of New Orleans that one does not plot against me and live to tell the tale." Naruto said.
"The Quarter is your home, but I would like to stay a while, provided that my welcome has not been rescinded." Naruto said. A wide grin spreads across Marcel's face, and his placed his hands on Naruto' neck, chuckling.
Plantation
The Next day
Hayley and Elijah were in a huge, white Plantation house, which was the home that belonged to Marcel's human father formerly before his death. Elijah had arrived last night. Naruto figured Marcel would not think to look here for Hayley. Hayley pulled a sheet off of a crib, coughing because of the dust. Elijah had arrived last night and Naruto had filled him in on what was going on.
"Are you alright?" Elijah asked.
"Just dust. This place is ancient." Hayley commented.
"Yes, it should serve our purposes. It's a sanctuary from our business in the Quarter. Right now, you are easily one of the most important people in this family. You need a good home. So I'm curious... in all this time, has anyone asked you how you feel?" Elijah asked.
"About having a miracle baby or being whatever I am to Naruto Mikaelson?" She asked still not sure what her and Naruto were now but all of it was daunting to her.
"About being a mother." Elijah asked.
"I – I was abandoned when I was born and my adoptive parents kicked me out the second that I turned into a wolf. So... I don't really know how I feel about being a mother because I... I never really had one." Hayley said.
"I will always protect you. You have my word on that." Elijah stated.
Naruto appeared at this moment, leaning on the doorway. "And noble Elijah always keeps his word... Hello little wolf." Naruto said as he flashed a smile at Hayley and tried to not to let his annoyance at Elijah show.
"Is it done?" Elijah asked.
"As a matter of fact, yes. Marcel was only too happy to accept my apology and I remain a welcome guest in the French Quarter. Though, I am concerned about this coven of impudent witches." Naruto said, not admitting openly that he was concerned for Hayley's safety and his child's.
"I believe them to be honorable. They did release Hayley to you. Although, they haven't been entirely forthcoming. Marcel obviously has something that they need. They don't want him dead. There must be a reason why." Elijah said.
Elijah and Naruto walk in another room.
"In addition to the secret weapon he uses to control the witches, Marcel has assembled a small army of vampires. Working together, we can destroy them from the inside." Elijah stated.
"And what of Rebekah and Aurora?" Naruto asked, as he really had no way of really knowing how his wives where going to take it that they didn't get to have his first children.
"They said they'd be along eventually." Elijah said.
"There is something else. They know you are here and after I demonstrated the strength of the Originals to these youngster's, they are more than a bit frightened about having two walking around. I'm gonna need to do something about that." Naruto said.
"And what is it that you need to do?" Elijah said.
"What do you think?" Naruto asked rhetorically, as he pulls out one of his daggers.
"I thought you said the daggers would no longer affect us." Elijah said, filled with unpleasant memories of the daggers.
"They don't. But no one outside of Apocrypha knows that. This dagger has been enchanted to replicate the daggers effects but it's only a one time use. Once it's pulled out, it would have to be enchanted again to be used again." Naruto said as he approached Elijah. "It's only for a bit. I'm assuming he will bring you to wherever he is keeping his secret weapon."
"I won't ask you to do it, but this does need to happen, Elijah." Naruto said as he implied that he would do it himself if Elijah did not. So, Elijah daggered himself, desiccating just like the old days. He put Elijah in his coffin and delivered him to Marcel.
Later that night
"Everything ok?" Naruto asked as he watched from Hayley's bedroom door as she looked up and moved her laptop so that it was on the bedside table and gestured for him to join her on the bed.
"Yeah I'm okay." she said.
"I want you to know that despite my initial reaction, I am happy about this pregnancy and I'm glad it's with you." He said, as he imagined Hayley being a part of his life as they raised their baby together.
"I think I am too, though the whole witch thing still has me concerned." She said thinking about what would happen to her and the baby if Sophie fell and hurt herself or got hit by a bus.
" I won't let anything happen to you... Neither of you." he said pulling her in for a hug as he stroked her hair and gently pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Chapter End