Aha! I kept my promise! Thanks for all the reviews, pushed me to find extra writing time in my schedule.

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Chapter Twenty Five

Star Struck

………………

"Summer's over in a month, eh?" Sango said as she flipped through the TV channels in Ayame's hotel bedroom. Having Miroku and Inu-Yasha offer to order dinner, Ayame, Sango and Kagome finally had some time to themselves and any minute without male testosterone meant it was time for some girl talk.

"Mmmhm."

Ayame looked to Kagome who was holding a velvet cushion to her stomach and dreamily drawing invisible lines on the fabric.

"It looks like someone still can't believe that she's confessed to a really, really, really, hot guy today."

Kagome turned her head towards Ayame and let out a sigh of frustration. "Why is it that you can always tell what I'm thinking?"

"It's what best friends are for." Ayame giggled and then pulled herself to sit it in front of Kagome. As Sango moved to gather beside her, she finally let out the question that had been plaguing her mind. "So, how'd it happen?"

Kagome shifted uneasily under the gaze of her two friends. "Well… um…" She glanced quickly at the open door. "What if Miroku and Inu-Yasha hear? It'll be embarrassing."

Sango scoffed with a trace of exasperation laced in her voice. "Are you kidding me? Those two are so busy reading the menu; it'd be a miracle if they heard."

"Just close the door."

"Fine." Ayame rolled her eyes and pushed herself off the bed. Tiptoeing across the recently vacuumed carpet floor, she pushed the door shut gently and then turned around to scurry back to the bed. "Now spill it."

Kagome bit her lip as she gathered her thoughts. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she let a smile crease her face. "Well…" Dropping her voice to a whisper, she continued. "We were heading back to the hotel when… Kitty came."

Sango tapped the TV remote on Kagome's thigh to grab her attention. "That blonde?"

Kagome nodded. "Yeah. And she literally pulled Inu-Yasha to herself and pretty much flung herself at him. The next thing I knew, I was walking to the hotel and when I turned around, she was kissing him."

Ayame's mouth dropped open. "That bitch."

"I know, eh? Anyway, when I came back to the room, Inu-Yasha was right behind me and when we got to talking – we started fighting. I don't know how it happened but, I just, told him I liked liked him and then… he kissed me." Kagome buried her face in her hands, her skin blushing the color of roses. "Oh my god, I still can't believe it."

Sango grinned. "That is strangely so romantic."

"Eee!" Ayame squealed. "I can't believe we walked in on that. You should've warned us or something."

"How was I supposed to know he'd kiss me!" Kagome looked up at her friends again.

Sango laughed. "So now you've been in two making out sessions with Inu-Yasha two nights in a row. I need to congratulate you. Even I had my doubts."

Kagome rolled her eyes at Sango. "We did not make out."

Sango put a hand to Kagome's knee and shook her head. "No, no, see – we walked in on you guys. You were making out."

"We were kissing – not making out. Those are two different things." Kagome gestured with her hands. "Kissing is cute and fun and romantic and making out is hot and it's heavy and it's not what we were doing." She explained in a 'matter of fact' way.

"Well… being Inu-Yasha's girlfriend, you better expect a lot of making out."

Ayame opened her mouth to speak but shut it when she heard footsteps approach the door. "Okay, sshh, you guys, they're back."

As if on cue, Sango and Kagome quickly straightened their posture, and feigned the best look of innocence they could muster. As the door opened, Kagome felt her heart jump as she saw Inu-Yasha walk in. Pulling her eyes away from him and back to the television, Kagome inhaled deeply as a wave of nervousness hit her.' Act casual…' Dammit, how was she supposed to act casual now?

Feeling a cramp in her side, Kagome leaned back and stretched her lithe figure.

Inu-Yasha smirked at her. "So, what have you girls been up to?"

"Just gossiping." Kagome teased as Inu-Yasha jumped onto the bed and crawled over to Kagome. Unable to restrain the smile that crossed her face as Inu-Yasha encircled an arm around her waist, she felt the need to strike up a conversation as all eyes in the room fell on them. "So, are we going to watch a movie or what?"

Miroku nodded, distracting the audience to look at him. "Ah, yes! A movie. Let's see, I managed to grab 'House of Wax, Mr. and Mrs. Smith -."

"Let's not watch a movie." Ayame interrupted, "I feel like going out."

Inu-Yasha's interest perked up at this, "You mean… to a club?"

Kagome stiffened at the mere thought of it. "Why can't we just sit and watch a movie?"

Sango nodded. "I agree. Anyways Inu-Yasha, Kagome's not too fond of clubs. Don't force her into anything."

Inu-Yasha opened his mouth to respond but then closed it again, giving up on the conversation.

As the group talked back and forth, Kagome stared out the window. The view from Ayame's bedroom (she had called it out when she first saw it) clearly showed the night sky. The few stars that could be seen in the highly active city were shining brightly in the blanket of purple and black. As she remembered the docks they had passed, a light turned on in her head. "Let's just head off to the beach."

All heads turned to her. "Beach?"

"There's a beach near here?"

Kagome sighed. "Well, there has to be one, doesn't there? I mean – we passed by a few docks. If there's an island a few miles away from here, across from the ocean, why wouldn't there be a beach here?"

Inu-Yasha thought for a moment, before speaking up. "There is one. A few ways off. It's about a ten minute drive. We could check it out. It closes at eleven though. And it's twelve thirty."

Sango nodded slowly. "I like the sound of that. Having a whole beach to ourselves? Not bad."

"But it's closed." Ayame pointed out and folded her arms across her chest.

Miroku grinned as his eyes gleamed. "Well, we can always sneak in. It's not like their actually going to do anything about it. I mean, we have Inu-Yasha with us. He is like god to the average fan girl."

"Exactly." Inu-Yasha flexed his arms and sighed with contempt. "That I am"

Kagome snorted. "Uhuh, sure."

Looking down at her, Inu-Yasha feigned a look of innocence. "What?"

"Nothing, nothing." She gave him a sugary smile. "Let's just eat… and then head out."

x.x

Kagome shivered as she exited the lavish hotel and into the night. The sound of gravel crunching beneath her feet carried on into the air as she skipped down the cobble stones steps and onto the path. The night air was cool, not as warm as the day but not cold either. She was wearing what she had been wearing that day: a black tank top. She had changed her pants however and had decided upon wearing jeans instead of capris. The group had decided to visit the beach and then afterwards going downtown to see the city lights.

Inu-Yasha was walking ahead of all of them, trying to figure out where the chaperone had parked his car in the outdoor parking lot and Miroku was with him, pressing the 'open car door' button on Inu-Yasha's electronic key, hoping it would give them a signal as to where it was parked. And she, well she was with her two friends, who were excited to no ends.

"This is going to be… so much fun." Ayame whispered into Kagome's ear from the left.

Sango nodded. "I mean, a month ago, we were watching Inu-Yasha from the TV screen. And now, we've met him, talked to him alone in a bathroom, slept in his house, teased him, hooked him up with you, and now, are going to go out with him."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "I thought you were over the star struck phase."

"Well, we are." Sango said as she put a finger to her chin. "But… still, if we think back to how we used to stalk his limo. It sends us the chills."

"So true." Ayame sighed. "Damn, those were the days... well, apparently, these are the days but those were the days too – you know what I mean?"

Kagome laughed. "Thank god you two don't scream for him anymore." As the topic proceeded back to Inu-Yasha, Kagome swiftly looked back at him.

If she could get Miroku to walk with Sango or Ayame, then she would finally have some alone time with Inu-Yasha.

She nudged her friends. "Hey, listen. Would it be weird if I walked up to Inu-Yasha and just started talking to him?"

Ayame had to hold back a laugh. "Of course not."

"Kagome, you've got to stop being so tense. He doesn't seem half as nervous as you do." Sango whispered low enough to remain out of the males' ears.

"Well, it's kind of hard to do that when a few hours ago I just became Inu-Yasha's actual girlfriend. I'm dating a celebrity. I mean – that was it. We're dating now. I'm still in shock. I mean, I can't go back to acting casual now. We haven't even talked about this." Kagome looked around the parking lot briefly before looking back at her friends. "This is the point where you two give me advice."

Ayame put her hand on Kagome's shoulder, and looked Kagome directly in the eye. "Just go and talk to him. If Miroku's smart enough, he'll leave. And then… just strike up a conversation about the trees."

"The trees?" Sango remarked dully and pinched Ayame shoulder.

Jerking back her arm to put it by her side, Ayame glared at Sango before softening her gaze at Kagome. "Or something else. Just go."

Receiving a gentle push from both Ayame and Sango, Kagome scuttled forward before taking a deep breath and walking quickly to catch up to Inu-Yasha. As she reached him, she reached out and squeezed his elbow, gaining his attention.

"Hey."

"Hi." Kagome piped sweetly, pushing her hands into her pocket. Looking around Inu-Yasha, she caught Miroku's eye. As soon as she did, she gave Miroku a knowing glance.

At once, he caught on. "Ah. Oh! I… I think I see the car." He raised the key. "Well, I better test the key out then, eh?" Lifting up his lip in a half smile, he winked at Kagome before he ran off towards the parked cars.

Finally alone, Kagome and Inu-Yasha walked in silence to the car where Miroku could be seen running towards. Trying to ignore the over flowing desire to just lean into him, Kagome gulped as she tried to think up of what she should talk about. Mid-panic-thought, Kagome felt a jolt of shock flow through her as she felt Inu-Yasha's warm hand tug her petite one out of her pocket and envelope it in his.

Smiling, Kagome looked up at him and tightened her grip on his hand.

He finally broke the silence. "So, what's up?"

She shrugged. "Just the usual. I'm living in an expensive hotel, about to sneak into a beach and am talking to my boyfriend."

He laughed, his rich voice soothing her nerves. "It's not half bad."

Kagome silently thanked her friends. This wasn't so bad after all. "You know, I actually like this place. I mean…" she froze as she suddenly forgot what she had been supposed to say. "… the trees. I mean, if you listen to them, they're so soothing, right?" Forget the thanks. She was going to kill them.

Inu-Yasha raised an eyebrow. "I know exactly what you're talking about."

Kagome hung her head in defeat as she heard the sarcasm in his voice. Laughing, she shook her head. "Okay, I give up."

Inu-Yasha sent her a confused glance. "Give up on what?"

Kagome pulled her hand out of his grasp and flung them up in the air with frustration. "I have no idea how to act like your girlfriend. I mean, for gods sake – I've only been out on three dates in my entire life." Kagome stopped walking and turned towards him, "And I hate to admit it, but you've been the only guy I've kissed – apart form Kouga who doesn't count as experience because he was drunk. I mean, I'm no good at this. I don't have the experience you do… and I hate all your ex-girlfriends but I know that they're still going to try to win you back even if I'm standing right there, and compared to them – I look like an uncultured klutz. And I -." She stopped as she saw the concern and concentration on Inu-Yasha's face break into comical grin. "What's so funny?"

He kneeled and held onto his knees as he started to laugh. "It's just- ." He began laughing again, oblivious to the change in Kagome's mood. "You -."

"See! You can't even take this seriously." Pouting, Kagome folded her arms across her chest and looked away as Inu-Yasha leaned back up.

Trying to hold back his laughter, Inu-Yasha shook his head. "Oh come on."

"I'm telling you something here, and you're laughing your ass off." Kagome whined and ignored Ayame and Sango's snicker as they passed them quickly.

His eyes gleaming with mischief, he grinned at her. "But you looked so damn cute."

Feeling a blush creep onto her face, Kagome rolled her eyes and tried to calm her heart. "Whatever."

"You did." Inu-Yasha smirked, and pulled her closer by the waist. "And I get what you were saying."

"You do?" Kagome asked quietly as she shyly looked back at up him, distantly feeling his hands soothingly massaging her lower back.

He nodded his head with a thoughtful expression. "And you wouldn't look like an uncultured klutz but more like a… cute uncultured klutz."

Kagome scoffed and tried to pull back but he restrained her by his firm grip on her waist.

"And… the fact that you've never kissed a guy apart from me doesn't bother me a bit," He said with a cocky glint in his eyes.

Just as Kagome was about to reply, a shout was heard from afar.

"I FOUND THE CAR!"

Miroku waved violently at them and then pointed towards the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. "WE'LL BE WAITING!"

Kagome giggled as the shouts of their three friends could be heard as they piled into the silver car. And then, out of no where, the break lights blinked on and the radio blasted through the calm night air.

Inu-Yasha stiffened. "Oh, he better not be messing with the controls."

Kagome tugged his shirt, making him look back at her. "Forget them. As I was about to say, I just don't want this to be… weird."

"It won't be. It'll take getting used to, but that's it." Inu-Yasha said, leaning in slowly for a kiss.

"And," she talked before he could kiss her. "I don't want to be like those couples that make out in front of everybody or call each other snookums or monkey boo and stuff."

He chuckled, "Yes ma'am."

"And just because I happen to be your girlfriend doesn't mean I'm not going to yell at you whenever I find you being a jerk, annoying, rude, or stupid." Kagome said as she moved her hands up his chest and locked them behind his neck.

"I'll try to be a little more civil then, if that's what you want." He pulled her close again when she grinned. "Now that that's settled, can I kiss you?"

"Mmmhm." Kagome answered as Inu-Yasha leaned in and pressed his lips firmly against hers. Leaning forward on her toes to adjust to his height better, she let her eyes flutter shut as she moved her lips against his.

A hot flash brightened the night around them and at once, Kagome and Inu-Yasha parted. Looking to their side, two photographers stood with cameras positioned directly in front of them to get the perfect view.

Inu-Yasha groaned. "Bullshit." Taking Kagome by the arm, he turned her around and headed quickly for the car, ignoring the requests of the photographers.

"If we could have one more pose, sir -."

They were abruptly silenced as security guards came, pulling them away

They were abruptly silenced as buff security guards came, pulling them away from the scene. "This property is off limits. Can I ask you two to please come with -."

"Let us take one more!" Another hot flash burned the air as the camera men struggled to take good shots. Just as the second cameraman was raising his finger to take one last shot, the security guards took a hold of his arms and jerked him back. "Aw man, come on."

"Sir, please be amenable and let us escort you off the grounds." It was more of a demand than a cordial statement. As they tried to protest, a cry was heard as the two photographers were roughly turned around led towards the gates.

Kagome snuck a peek behind her shoulder as she saw the guard drag the two photographers away from them. Shaken, she turned back around and gulped. "Well, that was shocking."

Inu-Yasha fumed, and dug his hands into his jean pockets. "Let's just get to the car."

x.x

Sango took in a deep breath of cool air as she lowered the car window. They were driving past the downtown lights, and the lights past midnight were beautiful. The stores were crowded with teenagers and clubs and restaurants were packed. They were nearing the busy streets of Demon Wood when Inu-Yasha curved and drove down Fifth Avenue and down a quiet neighbor hood. The glow of the street lights shone down on them as Miroku tried to figure out which way the beach was.

"Make a left at the next turn." Miroku said as he tried to figure out the directions on the electronic car map.

"That's the fifth time you've said that." Inu-Yasha muttered as he steered the steering wheel to follow his direction.

Kagome sighed from the passenger seat of the car. "Don't tell me we're lost."

"We're not lost, just a little off-track." Inu-Yasha retorted, accelerating down the empty neighborhood.

The only ones who talked for the next few minutes were Sango and Ayame as Miroku and Inu-Yasha concentrated on the road. Kagome surfed through Inu-Yasha's cell phone, reading the different contacts stored in it. Mid-way through her exploration, the cell phone lit up and a shrill rang rung throughout the car. Reading the caller ID, she raised an eyebrow as she read 'Un-Identifiable'.

"Inu-Yasha… should I pick up?"

Inu-Yasha glanced over at Kagome, "Go ahead."

Clicking the 'receive' button, she pressed the cool piece of metal to her ear. "Hello?" Staring at her shoe on the car mat, Kagome shifted in her seat as she waited for an answer. "Hellooo?"

Inu-Yasha sighed and took the phone from Kagome, flipping it shut. "I've been getting those kinds of phone calls since last night. Someone calls and all I hear is breathing. I've got to change my number."

Kagome felt a chill run down her spine. "That's freaky."

"It could be anyone. Probably prank calls. Don't think too much into it." Giving her a comforting wink, he pocketed his cell phone before turning back to Miroku to gather a new set of directions.

They were just turning the car around when Sango started to tap her feet against the back of Inu-Yasha's seat. "Pull over to a gas station. I need to go to the bathroom."

Miroku groaned. "Sango, can't you see we're lost?"

"Just head back downtown… we can ask someone for directions." Sango whimpered and clamped her legs together.

"We don't need to ask anyone for directions. I think we've got the way figured out this time." Miroku patted Sango's leg and then turned back to Inu-Yasha. "Just keep -."

"Just pull over! There's probably a gas station nearby."

Her whine was unheard as Inu-Yasha's cell phone rang again.

Lolling her head back, Sango rolled her eyes as Inu-Yasha attended the ring. Staring out the window, she watched with boredom as they passed numerous mansions.

Sango lolled her head back, zoning out to look at the passing scenery. The mansions were huge, most of them hidden behind the safety of the lavish trees. They were approaching another intersection when a glimmer of blue caught her eye. Straightening at once, she grabbed Miroku's arm to catch his attention. "Turn right!"

"Huh?" Miroku looked over at her. "The map clearly states -."

"I can see the beach off to the right, idiot!" Sango pointed out from the window, immediately causing Inu-Yasha to jerk the car to the right.

"Miroku, remind me to never take you along to any of my trips." Inu-Yasha drawled out from the front, speeding the car faster.

Kagome breathed out a sigh of relief, pushing a few of her tresses behind her ear. Unbuckling her seat belt as the warm sand of the beach came in view; she sat up straight, anxious to get out. Suddenly, she remembered the phone call Inu-Yasha had just received. "Inu-Yasha, who was it on the phone?"

Inu-Yasha clicked his tongue as he drove past the railings bordering the beach. "The same asshole who's been calling all day."

"Do you think…" Kagome trailed off, stopping herself. There was no possible way it could have been Naraku. He was in jail, on a restraining order and was being watched twenty four seven. Feeling Inu-Yasha's eyes upon her, waiting for her to continue, she shook her head. "Never mind."

He eyes her, shrugging it off after a moment. Slowing down the car as he approached the parking spaces, he pulled the car into the shade of two trees. Pressing the brakes, he parked the car and pocketed the keys. "Well, let's head out then."

It was if everyone let out a unanimous sigh of relief. Pushing open the door, Kagome stepped out into the cool night air. Stretching her lithe frame, she couldn't help but smile as she saw the beach.

The moonlit ocean seemed to sparkle under the moon, and the receding waves were lapping upon the shore. The sand stretched for miles, each grain gold and pure as the next. The air was silent, and the stars above eclipsed the entire night with beauty.

"Wow." Ayame breathed from behind Kagome.

Simply nodding, Kagome was suddenly jerked out of her daze as Sango shook her arm. "As disgusting as it sounds, I'm going to find a place to pee."

Kagome and Ayame laughed.

"Have fun." Ayame laughed, shaking her head as Sango walked back.

Miroku walked to the railings, jumping them to reach the other side. "Well?" He said to the remaining group. "You guys coming or not?"

Inu-Yasha grinned at Kagome, "I'll race you."

Placing her hips, she raised an eyebrow. "You don't think you'll beat me do you? I did after all achieve first place in our school track and field."

"Well, beating you will be just a whole lot sweeter then, wont it?"

Gaping at him, Kagome scoffed. "Fine, first one in the water wins."

x.x

An hour later, Kagome laughed as she snatched Inu-Yasha's cap off from his head. They were soaked from their dip in the ocean, and sand stuck to their legs as they played childishly on the sand. Sango had come back half an hour later and was helping Ayame in giving Miroku – swimming lessons.

As for Kagome and Inu-Yasha, they had drifted off away from the group, deciding a little game of tag wouldn't hurt.

Squealing as Inu-Yasha ran after her, Kagome ran up the sand towards the railings, jumping them so she could use the car as a barrier. Running towards it, she yelled as she saw how dangerously close Inu-Yasha was to her.

Inu-Yasha laughed as he caught on to her arms. Pulling her back, he moved his hands down the soft, fair texture of her arms and grasped her wrists. "I've got you now." He said, and pulled her further back towards him.

Kagome held back a laugh as he pulled her wrists behind her back, disallowing her to move. "Well," She smiled, "What're you going to do?"

He feigned a look of thought. "It depends. You could give it back and I could let you go or…"

"Or what?" Kagome asked playfully, craning her neck upwards just in time to see him smirk.

"Well…" Inu-Yasha leaned his head down and brought his lips dangerously close to her neck. "You'll just have to see." Stepping closer so her back was pulled against his chest, he dipped his head and gave her neck a playful lick. Grinning as he felt a shiver run down her spine, he pressed his lips down to leave hot kisses up the crook of her neck.

Kagome took in a sharp intake of breath as the sensation of his tongue against her skin, most especially her neck, coupled with his breathing that slowly became more labored made her blood throb and her heart race. Unconsciously trying to find away to release her wrists from his tight hold so she could respond, she arched her neck upwards to allow more leeway for his lips.

"Mm, you smell good." He murmured in between open mouthed kisses. He was stunned at the overflowing emotions in himself. His mind swam with a myriad of thoughts, his consciousness nearly disbelieving the fact that this girl was actually his. No longer did he have to stress, and worry about how she felt on what had happened in the past. It hit him like a ton of bricks. She had forgiven him and she wantedhim.

Loosening his grip on her wrists, he turned her around and pressed her up against the car. Immediately, Kagome's petit hands grasped his shirt and tugged him closer. Crushing her lips beneath his own, Inu-Yasha groaned at the intensity.

For an instant, all of Kagome's senses seemed to collide. Dazzled by the feel of his hard body pressed up against hers, she opened her mouth tentatively instantly when she felt his lips trace her tongue. Inu-Yasha's tongue surged between them.

Already week in the knees, a wave of heat washed across Kagome as Inu-Yasha titled her head back to deepen the kiss. Sensitive to the sensations that were surging throughout her, she kissed him back, vehemently sensing the tug at her heart.

Kagome felt his hand move up her back when; suddenly a thought occurred to her. Pushing against him, she cut the kiss short and tried to speak despite her labored breathing. "We're in the public."

Inu-Yasha frowned at the sudden loss of touch, and pressed his forehead against hers. "No ones around."

Kagome drew in a shaky breath. "Let's not forget, you're not exactly what we would call an average nineteen year old. For all we know, someone could be taking hundreds of pictures of us, hm?"

Inu-Yasha thought about this for a second, swiftly sweeping his eyes over their surrounding area. "Seems isolated enough to me."

Kagome let out a smile at his persistence. "Just -."

A shrill ring tone ran through the air, surprising them both at once. Jerking apart, Inu-Yasha swore as he realized it was his cell phone. Glancing at Kagome with a look that sent a solemn apology, he reached into his pocket and flipped open his cell phone. "Whoever this is, would you -."

"Inu-Yasha?"

Inu-Yasha stilled for a moment, recognizing the voice. "Karira?"

"Did I interrupt something?"

Inu-Yasha looked at Kagome, completely dumbfounded. "Uh… hold on." Pulling the cell phone away from his ear, he whispered. "It's my sister… and she doesn't - know."

Kagome widened her eyes, realizing the predicament. "I completely forgot about telling her!" Biting her upper lip as Inu-Yasha grimaced; she put a hand to her forehead. How the hell were their families going to react when they heard that their two children were… dating?

Inu-Yasha pressed the phone to his ear again. "I'm back, and no, you didn't interrupt much."

"Well, don't so pissed off next time you answer. Anyway, Souta fell sick. Caught the cold. We're heading home tomorrow morning. Any chance you'll be back sooner?"

He felt his spirits dampen. "Not sure. I'll see."

"It'll be nice if you could. I don't want to be alone back home. So try to cut your vacation short, alright?"

He sighed. "Sure, Karira."

x.x

The sun was shining brightly through the windows and the liveliness of the hotel was obvious from the hotel activities bustling on outside. The curtains were flapping, the wind breezing a little more as the window panes had been opened widely to invite the morning light.

Kagome looked at her half packed bag, which rested upon a richly decorated bed. Last night had ended quickly. They had gathered the group and had gone back to the hotel to catch a few hours of sleep.

Of course, hearing that her brother caught the cold was enough to convince Kagome to head back earlier. So here she was, folding a red shirt and tucking it in the bag.

It was only seven thirty and they had planned to spend two hours in the hotel spa before they headed back to the villa at ten.

Folding her last shirt, she zipped up her bag pack and put it on the ground, heading to the washroom to change for the day.

If only she knew then what news was in store for her when she got back to the villa.

x.x

Somewhat of a short chapter. Well… it's always calm before the storm. I've been anxious to write the next chapter for a while. So, you can expect a quick update from me in the next few weeks! Review and tell me what you thought of it!