CCNote: Some lovely reviewers have pointed out a mistake I made with Kakashi. I keep meaning to go back and change it before but it kept slipping my damn mind. In the beginning, I planned to use his association with Sasuke as a mentor which he is just introduced in a different way than I initially planned. Good looking out though and reminding me. I'll go in and change that chapter soon.

In other news, I'll be heading back to Paris next week. I hope to update at least once before then but I make no promises. If you wanna see some fun snaps of the trip just message me and I'll add you to my SnapChat.

ANYWAY please enjoy, ignore my terrible terrible mistakes, and don't forget to leave a REVIEW!

A Mother's Intuition

The autumn winds elude me;

for there are no gods,

no Buddhas

(Masoka Shiki)

The Twentieth Fall of the Hato

Uchiha Shiro- West Wing: Patriarch Study

...

It didn't take much to convince the man to show her his burden. In fact, it abysmally evident that Sasuke had been juggling a lot on his own. The sight of his office stabbed at her conscious and Hinata couldn't help but feel ashamed at her own negligence. She was supposed to be helping Sasuke not letting him drown alone among scrolls.

"This is...so much." she breathed and he nodded beside her. "Where did you leave off?"

"Well..." Sasuke trailed off causing Hinata to tear away from the scrolls and stare at him.

He glared at the mountain of work as if it had committed a crime against him but the tips of his ears were pink. That only happened when he was embarrassed about something and it was very very hard to elicit such a reaction. He had clearly been distracted from completing his work but what could have the power to do such a thing? Uchiha Sasuke had a one track mind and was stubborn to a fault.

"Sasuke-" she started but was unceremoniously interrupted.

At that moment a guttural grumble reached her ears but it wasn't from her stomach. It was his. When heard it reminded her that her own body lacked nourishment as well. It was clear that they both had been distracted from taking care of basic needs. Unable to control herself, Hinata let out a huff of amusement which promptly earned Sasuke's ire to be turned on her.

"What is so funny?" he asked tersely, his ears turning even redder.

Hinata covered her hand to hide her smile and waved away his disdain with the other. She then went back to the office door and poked her head out of the door. As always Kakashi was standing opposite the door with a scroll in hand and another guard to his left but he glanced up when Hinata opened the door. She had to wonder if the man ever slept these days.

"Hatake-san." she said guiltily. She didn't want to make him do more work than he already was doing but it couldn't be helped. "Could you please tell the kitchen to bring any leftovers from dinner tonight?"

At the mention of food, Kakashi perked up a bit and nodded his head.

"Of course Uchiha-sama." he replied.

Hinata paused as she watched him begin to walk away, a bothersome nagging feeling in the back of her mind. The man was always around Sasuke. It didn't seem right to work someone so hard.

"Hatake-san wait!" Hinata called out before he could get too far down the hall.

He turned around and glanced curiously between her and the remaining guard as if anticipating an issue. Always alert. Always ready.

"Hatake-san...for tonight...you don't have to come back to your post."

The older man raised a brow at her curious and the other guard also turned the oddest shade of pink at her words. Confused by their reaction, Hinata stammered on.

"It's not that I don't trust you or anything-"

"If privacy is what you require should we position guards..." Kakashi cleared his throat awkwardly. "Further down the hall?"

What? Privacy? Why would they need that...

Suddenly the implication of her words hit her and she felt her entire face go up in flames. No wonder the guard looked as if he were about to explode as well. She started to refute Kakashi's suspicions but all she managed was a squeak before a hand reached from behind her and covered her mouth.

"Leave."

With that, he pulled her back into the room and loudly shut the door. When he released her Hinata immediately covered her eyes with her hands, trying her best to calm the frantic beating of her heart. Did they think-? Did Sasuke want to-

"Are you going to help me or just continue to stand there?" Sasuke asked gruffly, startling Hinata out of her mortification.

"Ah, um yes!" she stammered and nervously shuffled over to the table in the middle of the room.

She grabbed one of the scrolls off of the top of the stack and quickly unfurled it. Inside was a record of all the currently clan member households and the numbers within each. They all needed to be fed and clothed through the winter and into the spring or for however long the District remained closed. With the distraction of work now in the forefront of her mind, Hinata brought the thick scroll to Sasuke.

"When do you plan to distribute rations?" she asked and he peered up from what he was reading.

"There is not enough to go around." he replied flatly.

Hinata bit her bottom lip and glanced down at the names on the scroll.

"We have to give them something...what about our allies?"

The Uchiha were famed for leading the other prominent clans into battle. They were the nation's spearhead but nothing they'd done thus far could have been accomplished without the help of others. However, at the mention allies Sasuke's upper lip curled and he looked away.

"Our allies have ignored every message sent out. All scrolls have been returned without the seals even being lifted."

"Why-"

"Because they are simply waiting for their chance to assume a higher ranking when the Uchiha clan dies out." Sasuke hissed. "We have always been a threat."

"But we aren't."

"That fact doesn't matter. Their perception is otherwise. It always has been."

Threats and perceptions. Hinata knew nothing about the workings of inter-clan politics. Her education had been focused on the clan and only the clan. Sasuke, however, had spent a large chunk of his life in the capital. If he said that the other clans didn't trust them he had to have a reason for it. Anxiously she scanned the names of their clan members and furrowed her brow. These people were innocent. They did not deserve to starve because of the prejudice of others.

"Sasuke we have to do something. What about the Emperor? Can't he help?"

"The Emperor is nothing more than a glorified figurehead. The real power lies with the Shogunate."

"Danzo."

Sasuke nodded, his lips pressed into a tight line. The name of that man sent a chill down her own spine. If the Emperor was of no real help then they would have to appeal to him instead which was probably impossible. Temari had not painted him in a favorable light...

"Wait, Temari-" Hinata gasped. "She...she might know what to do."

At that Sasuke rose to his feet and was already halfway to the door. If Temari had information of value...If she had a way to get the Shogunate to aid their clan. They had to know. It was a long shot but they had to do something.

Anything.

...

Getting their dinner delivered at such a late hour was easy.

Getting Temari to not feel threatened by Sasuke's presence was not.

However part of her freedom hinged on being cooperative. Hinata held the older girl's and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Sasuke would not dare threaten the attendant with her there. Or at least that's what she hoped.

"It's alright Temari." Hinata said softly. "Just tell us what you know."

The blonde pressed her lips in a tight line and frowned.

"I don't know anything for a fact. Only the whispers from others while I was with him. Those could have been lies or the truth. It was hard to tell since Danzo surrounds himself with pawns willing to do whatever he asks out of their own self-interest." she said. "But..."

"But what?" Sasuke growled as she trailed off.

Temari narrowed her eyes at him but refused to continue. Hinata threw him a pleading look. They were going to get nowhere fast if he were to keep up his disdain for her attendant. Begrudgingly the Uchiha rose from his seat at the table, grabbing his plate as he did so.

"Find me when this is over." he said stiffly.

"I will." Hinata replied.

Although she was surprised to see Sasuke leave she was grateful for the departure. Temari visibly relaxed the moment he was gone and grabbed a pickled radish from the tray. She then turned back to Hinata and continued.

"They all agreed that Danzo was not concerned about being without an heir because he already has a son. Or at least that's what they liked to think."

"They were only guessing?" she asked and Temari nodded.

"It was a salacious game they liked to play. Which unfortunate woman had it been? If there was more than one. There were several betting pools that backed different Konoha clans desperate enough to seek Danzo's favor. It was pathetic really."

Hinata nodded along but something didn't sit right. Whether Danzo had an illegitimate child or not didn't matter. If he were supposed to get married to Temari, the only daughter of the ruler of Suna, the issue of an heir would be resolved in due time. As if she could read her mind, Temari let go of her hand and twisted away uncomfortably.

"He never intended to uphold his end of the deal with my father." Temari mumbled. "To Danzo, people are just playthings. Everything and everyone he touches is just a tool."

...It was so cold here.

In Suna, the rays of the sun kissed her skin and heated the stones beneath her feet. If there was a sun in this land it refused to appear before her. No matter how many times she looked out the window all she was met with was darkness. Although its presence would have been welcome, the moon remained hidden behind dark clouds. She missed the clear skies of home. This place would never be home. Across the room, the sound of her door sliding open did not rouse her from her prone position on the bed. She didn't feel like fighting anymore. It only took longer and hurt more to fight. At least if she remained still he would go away quicker.

"What a sad sight." a deep voice sneered from the doorway. "I would have expected better from Suna."

Temari stayed silent. She would not rise to his taunts or play his game. Besides, not doing what Danzo expected was a victory in its own tiny way. If he wanted her to cry she would gouge her eyes out. If he wished for her to scream she would bite off her tongue. She would not give him the satisfaction of thinking she was afraid of him. Not anymore. While he crossed the room, Temari focused on the sight outside. There was a sliver of the moon. It's silver glow felt promising.

Danzo sank onto the futon over her, rough lips kissed her neck and hands immediately sought to untie her obi. He was always rough. One would think he would grow tired of being so belligerent but alas that had yet to happen. Although he was easily able to open her yukata, he quickly became dissatisfied with her reaction. Sneering, he backed away from her and stood.

"You are a dull girl."

The clouds outside moved slightly to the left and revealed just a little more of the moon. Was it full tonight? A bit more of the clouds moved.

"You will still serve a purpose. Gather your things. You will leave in the morning."

'It's full.'...

..."Why are you crying?"

Hinata shook her head and furiously tried to wipe away her shameful tears. She had no right to cry. Temari smiled weakly at her and caressed her cheek despite the wetness.

"You Konoha girls are so emotional. Don't cry."

"Temari-"

"I'm happy to be here. Don't look at me like that. If I wasn't given to Danzo than it would have been to appease a warlord in Suna."

This was likely true but...

"But why is your family coming back for you if they don't care?" Hinata asked and Temari smirked.

"They do care. They care about the deal. There has likely been no aid to rebuild sent to Suna nor any of the trade that was supposed to happen. Your so-called Shogunate is a liar and there is nothing worse than a man who breaks his promises among my people. We always keep our word."

Hinata sniffed and wiped her eyes with the heels of her hand. Her clan had not sent her off to some terrible man. The Uchiha were many things. They were powerful and ruthless but above all they had their honor. Her father wouldn't have let her leave the inner ring if they didn't have that.

"So..." Hinata hiccuped, struggling to regain her composure. "Danzo sent you to us...to me...as a gift? I don't understand."

At this question, Temari let out a slow breath through her nose.

"He is- was- obsessed with Mikoto I suppose. In all of the betting pools, she ranked the highest."

...

"We have begun reinforcing the wall Uchiha-sama and er...Uchiha-sama."

Hinata nodded encouragingly at the skittish man. It wasn't every day that the matriarch of the clan came down to walk among the people. Although Mikoto had been admired it was all from afar. The novelty of her appearance as well as the no-nonsense attitude from Sasuke was enough to make anyone nervous.

"How long will it take to complete a decoy barrier?" Sasuke asked and the man swallowed.

"Another week or two at least sir. We-we-we are short staffed."

Sasuke glared, a quip was surely on the tip of his tongue but Hinata placed a hand on his forearm and smiled.

"Thank you for your hard work. Please continue to do your best." she said and the man turned bright red before bowing profusely.

Hinata smiled politely and allowed Sasuke to lead her away from the worker. Well, her and the eight guards, two attendants, and one ambivalent Kakashi that trailed behind them in an awkward procession. It was not conducive to being approachable but that was the point. The elders refused to allow them to leave the Shiro without necessary precautions and this was the best compromise they could negotiate. They were always being watched while in the Shiro but out here amongst the clan it felt...strange.

Brushing aside her misgivings, Hinata focused on the ground below the wall where they stood. There were women digging a moat around the perimeter of the outer wall and beyond that were older men laying bricks for another wall. As Kakashi had suggested a good offensive strategy was a good defense. With less than the ideal amount of manpower needed to defend the District they needed to optimize the people they did have.

"We do not have another two weeks to wait." Sasuke grumbled as they slowly walked along the wall.

Hinata bit her bottom lip. They really didn't have any time left. After today the elders wished for them to make their way towards the capital. Staying any longer meant running the risk of crossing with the invaders. There was so much left to do.

"Are we ready to leave?" Hinata asked.

Sasuke solemnly nodded his head, turning to look out at the cityscape of the District. At least their departure was on track. Sighing, Hinata took a step to his side, pointedly ignoring the shuffling of their entourage. The District below was teeming with activity. Small children squealed and ran through the streets, unaware of the dangerous just beyond the wall. Even the mothers who were likely informed of the tension still went about their daily duties as normal. Everything was calm. She prayed that it stayed that way. The Uchiha clan was not a threat. If their allies saw this scene they would find it reminiscent with their own people. They wouldn't turn a blind eye.

"Sasuke-"

"Don't." Sasuke grumbled under his breath and began to walk down the length of the wall without waiting for her or the entourage to follow.

Hinata exhaled slowly and allowed him to get some distance between them. She knew that he needed space. She would give him that. As much as he needed because when the time came to fight for his people he would not be far. Turning back to the entourage it only took a dismissive nod in Kakashi's direction for the older man to go after Sasuke. She then brightly smiled at the torn attendants, confusing them further.

"Come, let's go down below." she said.

...

The busy streets of the District cleared the moment Hinata set foot in them. The hanging of laundry was stopped mid pin. Playing ceased as well as the laughter. Instead, everyone bowed lowly as she passed with only the sound of the entourage pounding in her ears. The silence of the people and their steadfast aversion to looking at her directly were unnerving. She'd been near the people before but they'd barely paid her any attention. When their husbands and fathers were returning victorious there was very little room to care about the strange Hyuuga outsider. Although now she held the last name Uchiha just as truly as they did she did not belong. For many of them, she would always be an outsider.

'I don't want to be an outsider.' Hinata thought when her eye caught movement to the right.

A little girl, all skinny limbs and big black eyes, was struggling against her mother's firm hand on her head to remain bowed. She stopped her protest when she noticed that Hinata was watching her and proceeded to unabashedly stare back. Slowly Hinata approached the mother and daughter, drawn in by the child's curiosity. When she was only a few steps away the girl's mouth fell open and she pointed at Hinata's face.

"You can see." she gasped excitedly. "I knew it!"

Hinata paused in her approach and blinked. Of course, she was able to see. Why would anyone think otherwise? Thoroughly excited by her new discovery, the little girl scrambled away from her mother up to Hinata and beamed. Her mother stood from her bow in abject horror at her daughter's behavior but was too afraid to move. Some of the guards from the entourage behind her moved to get in between the two but Hinata stayed them with an open palm. Calmly she stooped down the little girl's level and smiled.

"Why do you think I can't see?" she asked and the girl blushed.

"You don't have black eyes like me." she mumbled shyly. "You have white ones."

Hinata tapped her own chin in fake contemplation and scrunched up her brow.

"Is that so?" she said, earning a giggle from the child. "What should I do to get eyes like your's?"

"Your eyes are pretty don't change them!" the girl replied emphatically and Hinata reached out to pat her head gently.

"You have pretty eyes too."

Upon seeing that the girl was not going to be struck or reprimanded, more children edged closer and closer. After only a few seconds she was swamped with Uchiha clan children. The littlest ones stroked the fine silk of her kimono, unused to such smooth material beneath their fingertips. Others bombarded her with curious questions and laughter.

Is your kimono heavy?

Why are your eyes white?

How old are you?

Is the Commander coming?

How long does it take to do your hair?

Hinata knew that she shouldn't indulge such close proximity and familiarity. However the longer she remained with the children the constantly present ache in her heart stabbed at her just a little less. As she admired a little girl showing off an Uchiha fan she'd stitched herself, a small band of middle-aged women approached nervously. They jostled one another until the most confident of the group stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Uchiha-sama..." she said. "Some of us were about to have tea. Would...would you like to drink with us?"

"R-really?" Hinata gasped before regaining her composure.

She looked back at her entourage now swamped with children pulling at them curiously. They were probably anxious to get her back to the Shiro but...taking a little longer to have tea wouldn't be so bad.

No...it wouldn't be so bad at all.

Smiling, Hinata stood up and folded her hands into the sleeves of her kimono.

"I would be happy to join you."

At her acceptance, the other women chattered together almost as excitedly as the children. Their joy and the small acceptance of her place with them was bittersweet on her tongue. If only she hadn't spent most of her time cloistered away within the Shiro things might have been different. She was used to staying hidden within the Compound. The lives of those outside of the inner ring of the Hyuuga Compound had never fascinated her the way they did her sister. Hanabi would have adored the freedom of movement and the people of the Uchiha District and yet she had only squandered her time. As Hinata allowed herself to be led into one of the small houses she pushed away her insecurities and focused on the here and now.

'If we return...no when we return.' she thought, a seed of resolution taking root in her mind. 'Things will be different.'

...

It was chilly the morning that they left the Shiro behind. Hinata watched it recede from the tiny slated window in the back of her palanquin. The navy blue and crimson structure became smaller and smaller until it was overtaken by the homes in the District. Eventually, those gave way to the District wall. The wall to a moat and then another hastily crafted wall. The sight was a far cry from the proud and intimidating way the Uchihas District had greeted her. That cold winter morning the Uchiha clan feared nothing.

Now, there was so much uncertainty and the only thing they had left to do was fight. After the District was too far to see, she turned around and attempted to sleep. She was unsuccessful although she tried for hours to fall unconscious. The constant rocking of the palanquin and the noise from their large, protective procession was not conducive to sleep.

Sighing at her defeat, Hinata focused on the journey ahead. She'd never imagined going to the Imperial city as a child. Just getting out from behind the Compound walls seemed impossible. Yet here she was, one of the last Hyuuga alive and heading towards a city barely whispered about. Absently Hinata touched her mother's necklace buried beneath the folds of her kimono.

There wasn't much that she knew about the capital or its people. Outside of the heads of allied and enemy clans, Mikoto had not seen it as important to teach her such things. A matriarch's place was with the clan. Sasuke, on the other hand, had been going to the capital as a show of good will since he was a small child. As he grew older he became a representative for the Uchiha to the elite. If there was anyone to ask questions to it would be him. As she resolved to come up with a list of questions, a short horn sounded and the palanquin was lowered to the ground. Shortly after that, the door was opened and Temari poked her head in.

"We are going to take a rest here. Do you need help getting out?"

Hinata smiled and nodded. It would be good to stretch her limbs past the confines of the tiny box she currently resided in. Temari held out her hand and she gladly accepted the help to emerge. Once outside she relished the light, crisp breeze against her face and took a deep breath. She then looked around at the rest of the procession as they all began to rest like dominoes. The horses were unhooked from their wagons to drink from the river and her own pole bearers sighed with happy relief that their burden had been lifted. Up ahead Tenten slowly descended from the back of a wagon with the help of a guard, her free hand protectively guarding her belly. When she safely had two feet on the ground she waddled over to where Temari and Hinata stood with a queasy look on her face.

"Are you alright?" Hinata asked, concerned by the gray pallor of the woman's skin.

"I'm fine, I just wish this road was a lot less shaky." she replied with a weak smile.

Temari rolled her eyes playfully while Hinata nodded understandingly. Taking this journey on foot wouldn't have been easy. Traveling again in a shaky wagon, although not on her feet, was arguably worse. Unfortunately, it couldn't be helped. She was too far along for them risk her tripping and getting hurt.

"How is the baby?" Hinata asked curiously and Tenten's face immediately brightened. She caressed her stomach absently.

"It's been pretty active today." she smiled and took a step closer. "Would you like to touch him?"

Touch him?

Wait...him?

"A boy?" Hinata asked, her eyes widening at the revelation.

Tenten simply shrugged and grabbed Hinata's wrist.

"Neji expected a boy. I think it's a girl but I'll humor him for now." she chuckled as she drew Hinata's hand towards her stomach.

There was no movement but Tenten was extremely warm. She could feel the heat radiating off of the woman through her yukata. In fact, she had no idea what she was supposed to be feeling for. Still, she kept her hand in place.

"How do you know is if it's a boy or girl?"

"Ya know I'm not sure. Mother's intuition I guess."

'Mother's intuition...will I ever feel that?' Hinata thought.

However, she didn't get the chance to delve deeper before a small flutter tingled beneath her palm. At the sensation, Hinata jumped in surprise but didn't remove her hand. When she looked up at Tenten the woman beamed with pride. There was no other way to describe her other than glowing. If only Neji could see her now. A second later the baby moved again and Hinata was entranced.

"He or she will be a strong Hyuuga."

"I hope so." Tenten replied, the worry of an expectant mother finally creeping into her voice.

Temari placed a comforting hand on the brunette's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. Tenten would give birth soon but instead of being alone she would have them.

"Here."

The trio turned in surprise to see Sakura approaching them with skins of fresh water. Hinata gratefully accepted one of them and tried to meet Sakura's eyes but the pink haired woman pointedly avoided her. She had been doing so for weeks...ever since she'd gotten married. Hinata had expected a negative reaction. She didn't expect Sakura to be particularly happy about her marrying Sasuke. Most of the people within the Shiro didn't agree with the arrangement. However, there was nothing that could change what had been done.

Nor did she regret binding herself to Sasuke.

Not when she got to feel Neji's baby kick beneath her palm. Not when Temari got to be her genuine self since she'd first arrived within the District.

Sakura could dislike her all she wanted but the past couldn't be changed. Still...that didn't mean she didn't feel bad for breaking Sakura's heart. Hinata watched her walk away haughtily to the other older attendants and sighed.

"She'll get over it." Temari sniffed and Tenten nodded in agreement.

Hinata bit her bottom lip and looked away from Sakura's retreating back. It didn't look like it at the moment but she prayed Temari was right.

...

As difficult as it was for her to leave the Shiro, traveling was not as terrible as Hinata had thought it would be. Her first time traversing the plains of Konoha were but a distant memory now. There hadn't been much to look at with everything covered in snow. Now that it was Fall it was as if the dreary land had come to life. Vibrant hues of color rushed by as she held onto Sasuke for dear life. It was scary and wonderful all at the same time. Like all good things, however, it came to an end when they reached their stopping point for the night.

It was only a simple travelers' inn bereft of any other patrons outside of themselves. Their front guard had already scouted the place out and paid to make sure the rooms available couldn't be purchased by anyone else and the ones unavailable were made quickly so. It was a bit disappointing since Hinata wanted to see others outside of the clan but she understood the necessity. There were lots of things that were necessary now. From setting up camp around the inn to feeding the horses and men that brought them here.

And... sharing a room with Sasuke was also necessary.

Hinata swallowed thickly as she anxiously paced back and forth in the small room. It was safer to have both of them in the same location at night. There would be less to worry about and their men wouldn't be spread too thin. She also suspected it was to encourage other things but she did her best to focus on more strategic reasons. Or at least she had until confronted with the reality of being alone at night with Sasuke for a second time.

'It's fine.' Hinata thought. 'Everything is fine.'

Although she kept repeating the mantra to herself she'd yet to believe it. Intimacy was not something spoken about extensively in the Compound nor had Mikoto seen to see it as pertinent to inform her further. Everything about the act itself ran counter to the little that she did know.

"That will be all." Sasuke's muffled voice could be heard through the door, causing Hinata to jump in surprise.

Frozen in place, she watched as the door to the room creaked open to reveal her husband. Referring to him as her husband, even within her own mind, was just too strange. He was Sasuke...just Sasuke. The man in question walked into the room and paused midway through closing the door.

"I expected you to be asleep." he said and Hinata stared back at him surprised.

The day had been long and she had retired from her attendants shortly after dinner but that didn't mean she would be sleeping. It was late but just barely so. Had he...had he been avoiding coming to their room? Hinata nervously fidgeted with her fingers beneath the sleeves of her sleeping yukata.

"I'm not tired." she mumbled but she wasn't quite sure if he heard her.

Sasuke looked at her oddly for a moment before turning away and heading towards the already laid out futon. It was really just two futons pushed together and nowhere near the same luxury as what they'd enjoyed in the Shiro but it was good enough for tonight.

Nervously Hinata walked over to the unclaimed side of the futon nearest the window and sat. Tense and anxious she waited for Sasuke to do something but didn't dare initiate the first move. That was not how she'd been instructed.

'It's fine. Everything is fine.'

Intimacy was confusing and weird but not as awful as she'd feared. It could have been worse. Sasuke could have been a demanding man or a purposefully hurtful one. What little experience she did have with him was tolerable. Regardless of his treatment, there was the expectation of producing an heir. Those did not magically manifest themselves in the forest as her childhood scrolls had depicted.

As the silence in the room continued to drag on Hinata chanced a look over at Sasuke only to find him immobile. His back was to her but by the sound of slow, steady breathing she knew he was asleep. Hinata wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed. In either case, producing an heir to the clan was going to be a lot harder than she'd anticipated.

To be continued...

Consider me

As one who loved poetry
And persimmons.

(Masaoaka Shiki)

Story Rec Corner

I haven't read anything too new that's caught my fancy. Instead I've been editing old stories on my computer. Expect updates soon!