A/N:...really, Game of Thrones? Really? You're going to do us dirty like that? You're gonna jump the shark like that? I'm taking a break from it starting today, it just feels like the show lost its touch in the last two episodes...

Folks have been saying I'm not going to continue this story.

What say you now?!

I've said time and time again that I strive to update everything as my health/job situation allows and its been...rough as late. Not only am I working two jobs to make ends meet-never let it be said that I'm a quitter-but I haven't been feeling my best for awhile. They say stress is bad for you, but

Remember, I own nothing!

And with that, I hope you remember this...

... A Sage in Oz!

Yes, its short, but with my injury, its the best I can do at the moment.

Trust me, the less said about that the better. Eh, at least I've got a few new facial scars to show off for the girls...

Minor timeskip of about an hour or so, if you've seen the movie...

Fourth wall breaks are obvious and intentional.

"Loyalty cannot be bought. It must be earned...

...and I'd say you've earned it in spades."

~?

Sway A Witch (Interlude)

"Been awhile, hasn't it?"

Theodora felt her entire face darken as the Wizard-sage, she reminded herself-sat beside her. The bed creaked softly beneath their combined weight, but she paid it no mind, her attention was focused wholly on him; on his hand, curling within hers. Her anger was her greatest weakness, her greatest shame. And he'd heard her. Her cheeks burned fiercer than any flame; indeed, they put the very hearth to shame. She didn't trust herself to look away from the crackling fire before them, if only for fear of what she might say.

"You did hear it, then." she groaned.

"I'd be lying I said I didn't." came the rejoinder.

Naruto's slim shadow shifted on the walls as he shrugged, broad shoulders rising and falling in the faint light. She expected him to denounce her for her earlier outburst. To admonish her at the very least, as everyone else had done. Her ill-suited temper had driven a wedge between her and many others in the past. Why would this be any different? Yes, any moment now he would release her hand and walk away, leaving her to stew in her misery-

As such, she was wholly unprepared when he laid his head on her shoulder.

The Red Witch jolted in surprise

Such a simple gesture, yet it rocked her world. Her doubt must've show on her face; because the blond promptly reached up and flicked her forehead. She blinked, flabbergasted by this sudden turn of pace, but when she made a move to rise, to apologize, his hand gently seized her wrist and tugged her back down.

"You really need to stop that!" he hummed against her neck, the words echoing in the silence between them as he threaded his hand through hers once more. "Doubting yourself, I mean. There's nothing wrong with you. So you've got a bit of a temper? I've got one, too. Talking usually helps me wait it out."

The pale ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Just like that?"

He beamed back at her innocently. "What can I say? I'm a people person."

...you're not...angry with me?" she murmurred. "After all this time?"

Naruto frowned. "Why would I be angry? Its not your fault."

Before Theodora could protest, he bent to kiss her lips.

She found her doubts quite occupied thereafter.

Quite occupied indeed.

A/N: Well damn! Felt good to get back to this.

Feels good to wrap it up too, given we've got about one more chapter left. Then onto the epilogue, baby~!

I really feel like this movie didn't get the love it deserved; saw it again the other day and it absolutely blew me away. Its a darn shame we can't get more movies like this; movies that actually make you feel for the characters as if they existed. Granted, there are some, but they're so few and far between. Now that we've gotten this fic up and running again, I hope you'll join me on the journey ahead.

So, in the immortal words of Atlas...

...Review...would you kindly? And enjoy the preview!

(Preview)

Naruto nearly choked on his own spit.

"Where in blazes did that come from?! Not that I mind, but...

Her lower lip trembled and he planted a hand over his mouth to stifle himself.

"Alright, alright!" he laughed. "Don't look at me like that! Gods, you're going to make me melt!"


"Perspective's a funny thing, eh?"

R&R! =D