Chapter 7 Jet Pack Blues

Danny ducked under a spinning kick to the head. She grabbed Tadashi's follow-up punch and twisted it behind his back. He grunted in pain. "Good job, Dashi," she panted in his ear. "You almost gave me a workout this time."

He head butted her in the nose, freeing himself from her grip. Blood dripped down her face as she swept his feet out from under him. Tadashi fell hard and Danny pounced, pinning his shoulders to floor. He struggled to get her off him, but gave up after his efforts proved futile.

She leaned down until her face was inches from her boyfriend's. "I win," she smirked as Tadashi blushed under her. "Do I get a prize?"

Not waiting for him to answer, Danny closed the distance between their mouths and kissed him. She couldn't get over how good it felt even after a month of them dating. She let go of his shoulders to run her fingers through his hair and pulled him closer. A tongue pressed against her lips and she eagerly let it in. It hesitantly traced around her mouth and she moaned. Encouraged, Tadashi started a furious tongue battle that Danny was determined to win as well.

An awkward cough sent Danny flying off Tadashi, blushing like mad from being caught. She quickly checked to make sure her clothes were decent before facing the intruder. "Fruitloop."

Vlad stood solemnly in the dojo doorway and closed the door behind him. He was dressed in his usual suit and ponytail, supporting himself on a badger-headed cane that he didn't need. The elder halfa narrowed his eyes at them as they got up, taking in Danny's bloody face and Tadashi's ruffled hair. "Well," he drawled slowly, definitely taking pleasure in their embarrassment. "At least I know why you haven't been able to contact me lately."

Danny's face reddened even deeper. "Get your head out of the gutter, Fruitloop!"

"Ah, how I've missed that childish and immature insult," Vlad leered. "Well? Aren't you going to introduce me to your…friend?" He spat the last word like an insult.

Her eye twitched. "Vladdie," she smirked at his grimace. "This is my friend and boyfriend, Tadashi Hamada. Tadashi, this is my legal guardian and former arch-nemesis, Vlad Masters."

Tadashi stiffened at Vlad's incredibly creepy smile. Danny shuddered; it's been 5 years and the Fruitloop is still crazy. "Daniella, the blood on your face is rather distracting," Vlad sneered. "Please be a dear and wash it off, would you?"

She eyed them both carefully. It should be fairly safe… Vlad wouldn't be stupid enough to attack Tadashi when she was in the other room, would he? Suspicious, Danny went to the bathroom. The quiet murmur of voices reached her ears as soon as the door closed, so Danny hurriedly washed her face before Vlad could scar Tadashi for life. Opening the door a few centimeters, she could hear what was being said.

"And if you ever think about harming her, Mr. Hamada, rest assured that if she somehow leaves you alive, I will not."

"Vlad, considering how everyone in this room has died once already, that's not a very effective threat." Danny said as she reentered the room. Tadashi looked terrified. "Please stop scaring my boyfriend."

"Very well. I'm also here to enquire about your plans for Christmas."

Danny scowled. She still hated Christmas. "I have nothing planned, but if you intend for me to return to Wisconsin, then my schedule's booked."

"How unfortunate. And I was truly looking forward to your presence at the mansion this year."

She narrowed her eyes. What was the nutty cheese head plotting? "Quite. Is that all, Vlad, or are you going to reveal your newest evil plan?"

"Uh…" the bantering opponents turned to Tadashi, who froze under their scrutiny. "Aunt Cass invited you over for Christmas, Danny. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if Mr. Masters came along."

Danny glared at her traitor boyfriend as Vlad smirked triumphantly. "It appears that your friend is useful for something after all," he said as he turned to the door. "I'll see you at Christmas, then…Little Badger."

Vlad disappeared in a swirl of pink smoke, leaving Tadashi staring in shock and Danny seething. "Good job, genius," she snarked. "You just invited Satan to Christmas!"