The Fruit of Tito

Chapter 5: Nanna's Here!

Ann had a look of understanding and frustration at what her husband said. It was true but he didn't have to put it like that and make her upset, but Ann knew how to turn this situation around in her favor.

"Kids come down here!" Ann exclaimed a bit loud to ensure that Tito and Rose heard her. The two came down with Rose leading the way down with them both saying. "Yeah mom?" Ann took a deep breath and prepared herself for what she was about to do. Ann palmed her face and gripped it until her fingers punctured her face; Tito and Rose were both surprised and concerned until they noticed that there was no blood leaking from their mother which just made them mainly confused. Ann's entire body was covered in crystals which was common to see from Ann when she uses her mirage ability, she peeled her face off and soon enough the skin from her limbs and body followed suit and cane right off.

Domo smiled as he saw his wife glow vibrantly. A number of crystals would fly off of Ann and quickly dissipate as soon as they came off. The two siblings looked at each other wondering if they should do something, but seeing a toothy grin from their father was enough to reassure the two that everything was ok. About 30 seconds later the light from Ann started to dim until it was no longer visible; the two siblings gasped in awe and shock from how much their mother had changed.

A plethora of tattoos and body art littered Ann's body and even some parts of her face, most were no doubt gang related. All Tito and Rose could do was gasp and stand there in shock, still processing the information they were seeing. Ann's eyes that were usually closed were now open, revealing a deadly glare that would scare most people, but to Ann that was just her natural look. Even though her face and demeanor looked scary, everyone in the kitchen could still feel Ann's soul that radiated with love for her family that would suffocate them. Ann started to blush a bit due to everyone staring at her and shakily spoke up. "S-so this is what your m-mom really looks like." Tito and Rose embrace their mother; they knew and could tell this was hard for her to do. "Not gonna lie mom, you look pretty damn cool." Ann and Domo chuckled a bit while Rose just rolled her eyes. Domo walked behind his wife and put a hand on her head and said. "See wasn't anything to stress about; gotta have more faith in these two."

As Domo was getting ready to speak again, a jagged blade came rushing towards Rose's face. Before it could make contact a giant ink splotch that spelled out 'STOP' prevented the blade from touching Rose's face; Domo held a small brush that dripped with ink making small 'plip' noises on the hardwood floor. Domo looked a bit annoyed as if he was used to these situations and was tired of it. 'I really wished she didn't have to do this every time she visits. And I don't have Niro with me, but I can't let that be an excuse.' Domo thought while letting out a heavy sigh. He twirled the brush between his fingers sending ink in all directions, the ink vanished as soon as it made contact with a surface. A hearty voice nearly screamed at the family. "YOUNG MISS, HAVE YOU BEEN SLACKING ON YOUR AWARENESS TRAINING?" Rose was surprised but relieved to hear a familiar voice and smiled. "You just got lucky, it won't happen again." Rose responded while getting in a defensive stance, Domo waved at her with his freehand. "No need." Domo said while sighing again, he stopped twirling the paintbrush and began drawing thick lines that shaped the flow of air going backwards. Domo flicked the rest of the dripping ink directly underneath him: he clenched his hand and raised it in the air. As soon as Domo's hand went in the air, the voice called out again.

"Hey! HEY, THAT'S CHEAT-" Domo's hand flew down to his side and a gust of wind accompanied it, the ink that Domo sent across the kitchen flew back to him and started to orbit around his hands. 'I really wish I had Niro with me, I haven't used this technique in ages.' Domo thought. The gust of wind subsided with the last glob of ink to orbit Domo; he dipped his hand in a glob and began painting a hand by using his fingers. Domo was almost out of ink by the time he was at the pinky, and even though Domo's hand was moving at an undetectable speed, it still took him a while to finish the hand. By the time Domo was done he had worked up quite the sweat, he never had an abundant amount of physical stamina. It's why he had to use Nero instead of his family born finger painting technique.

After Domo was finished with the hand he pointed both hands forward and threw them in opposite directions, creating a circle of hands around the family. At this point Domo was drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, Ann had become slightly worried about Domo's physical state. She gave him a 'you know you don't have to do this stare.' He returned it with a 'I know, but I'm going to.' Smile, which Ann returned.

"Painter's Hands: Calamity Ink"

The ink hands flew in the directions they were assigned, leaving ink trails and splotches when they crashed down on a surface, it wasn't long before they found their target and pinned them down. The figure was camouflaged and blended in with the floor until, Ann walked over and placed her fingers on what seemed to be the floor until she jerked get hand back, breaking whatever cloak was on this figure. "You lose this time Ma." Ann said while picking her mother up off of the ground. They weren't mother and daughter by blood but she was the one that thought Ann the mirage ability and looked after her when her real family didn't.
The 55 year old woman looked nowhere near her age, her body was extremely fit barely having any fat or flab. Her face looked quite similar to Ann's in demeanor with hers containing slight wrinkles. She also had a tattoo under her eye saying 'Tera Wish' which undoubtably was her name.

Tera walked up to Domo and shook his hand firmly. "Just had to make sure you still had it." A raspy but sweet voice said to Domo. "Yeah, whatever you say. This little test would've been over if I'd have Nero with me." "True, but~ you have to be ready for all and any circumstances. I'm not gonna lie though, you held your own, but if it was a real fight you would've been dead." Domo huffed and puffed in response with his hands on his hips. "Now you, young lady." Tera said while pointing at Rose. "Need to work on your awareness, you would've been left dead or seriously injured. You have one of the best defensive ability I've ever seen, but it means nothing If you're taken out before you can use it." Rose nodded her head in response. Tera then walked over to Tito to notice that the boy was sleeping, his head bobbing up and down while subtle snores escaped his mouth.

     'While I am impressed he's able to have the composure to sleep in a stressful situation. . .' Tera's thoughts trailed on. 'It's still extremely careless and disrespectful!' She walked closer to the sleeping figure and reached her arm out to wake him up, until she felt a pair of sharp teeth clamping down on her hand. Tera yelled and waved her arm around in an attempt to get the boy off of her hand, and when she finally did she yelled out to him. "Hey! Did you really just bite me in your sleep!?!" Tito looked away from Tera who was yelling at him and smirked, he even snickered at her which only further angered her. "YOU DAMN BRAT!" "Aht aht aht~ "be prepared for any and all situations" right? Old lady Tera." Though she would deny it, this made Tera smile inside even though being fuming on the outside.

     Tito felt weird after biting his grandmother, like he had been struck by lightning and he didn't know how to feel about it, it's not like it felt bad but it definitely didn't feel good. There was a bitter taste in his mouth, similar to coffee which was odd since Tera didn't drink anything besides alcohol and water, but he shouldn't be able to taste what she drinks from biting her. The only other answer was that Tera actually tasted like coffee which would raise more questions. Tito decided to just forget about it and move on, Tera looked at Domo and asked. "So any luck? With you know?" There was a moment of silence before Domo shook his head 'no' and Tera frowned at the response. "Well, awakened or not, your boy can be a tough brat if he really wants to." Tera shot Tito a wink and a thumbs up which he rolled his eyes at and returned the hand gesture.

     Tito pulled out a thin rectangular device that once touched, displayed a holographic screen. Tito saw the time was '3:35' and was worried. "Hey guys, forgot I made plans with someone. I gotta run." Tito exclaimed while running towards the door, everyone wished him well as he closed the door.

{Enter Xo Town}

Xo Town is a small tight knit town where everyone knew everyone and treated each other like family; despite being the poorest part of the kingdom. As Tito was running to his destination a few people waved at him and some even stopped him for a hug which he obliged even though he didn't want to. Soon enough he saw his destination, a busy marketplace with a lot of shop stands and people to accompany them. Tito had to stop running as to not shove or push anybody, but he was fast walking in between people saying 'excuse me' while brushing shoulders. As he got closer to a restaurant called 'Cravings' he slowed down until he completely stopped outside of the shop, breathing heavily. Tito panicked people when a feminine but scruffy voice said.

"You're late."