Chapter Twenty-Four: Watching, Waiting,
Present Day:
"He is here," Sakura whispered under her breath as she ducked her head down to hide the movements of her lips. There was no telling how far those eyes could read lips from.
Both Kakashi and Naruto looked at her.
"How do you know? I can't sense anyone's chakra except mine and Kakashi's," Naruto noted as his head swiveled around.
Sakura shook her head. "It's not his chakra, it's….I'm not exactly sure, I just...know."
Kakashi looked at her curiously. "Do you know exactly where, or is it just an inclination?" It wasn't that he doubted, he was just intrigued with the idea that Sakura shared a type of connection with Sasuke. If they did, then that would change a lot. He just only hoped Sasuke could prove that he could be trusted.
Sakura lifted her head slightly. "Don't look now, but he is over by the train station. I'm not exactly sure where, but he is in that direction." Despite her words, Naruto's head automatically lifted and spun in the exact direction. Kakashi rolled his eyes and grabbed the top of his head to twist it back around. Naruto gave a sheepish grin as Sakura glared at him.
"He's been following all week," Sakura continued. "I was not sure at first but I am now, it's like the feeling is getting more...insistent."
Kakashi put a thoughtful finger to his lips. If Sasuke had been keeping his distance, that could be a sign he could be trusted. He was doing what he was told, leaving her alone, letting her be. To think he wouldn't check in on her was too much to ask and Kakashi knew that. But that was only if that was what Sasuke was doing.
"We should head now," Kakashi said, looking over to Sai who was walking out of the building that he worked at.
As the other two seraphs departed to greet Sai, Kakashi stood up slowly, and lazily put his hands into his pockets. Walking to the edge of the courtyard, he looked out across the street to where the train station was. It only took a moment before he spotted Sasuke.
Standing in the upper platform, Sasuke leaned against a pillar that supported the overhang that provided shade to the travelers. Sakura had been right. He was here, but still keeping his distance. However there was something that unnerved Kakashi. Sasuke was not trying to hide himself. If anything, Sasuke wanted to be seen. He was sending a message, a challenge.
"Please Sasuke," Kakashi murmured to himself. "Please don't do anything rash."
Sasuke stared back at Kakashi. The tarnished seraph stood with his back straight and arms crossed, as if warning him. Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Since the alleyway, Naruto and Kakashi had been like sentinel, always present and watching from somewhere when he came across Sakura. While to some they may look like guardians, to Sasuke they looked like prison keepers. They were keeping Sakura away from him.
And they had no right.
Sakura was his. And how dare they think he was a danger to her. If anyone was to see that no harm befell her, it was him. He just needed to separate her from their whispering influence to talk to her, to make her understand, and regain what they had been building. Because despite her not having any memories, there was no denying that there had been something there, forming and growing over their short time together.
Unfortunately, having a private moment with her would not be easy with those two constantly around her. He needed to separate them, and keep them separated long enough. But the problem was that there were two of them and only one of him.
Dark clouds rolled overhead as a storm began to muster, causing the daylight to end early as the clouds grew heavier. With one last look at Kakashi, he turned and began to walk away as his hand dug into his pocket.
He pulled the thin rectangle device of the mortals from his pocket. The bright screen illuminated his face as he dragged his thumb up to unlock its screen. Going to his contacts he scrolled down the short list of names and tapped the call icon on the intended name. Holding it to his ear he listened as the line dialed and began to ring. After the sixth ring, of the third redial, it ceased when the other person finally picked up.
"Who the hell is this? Can't you take a hint after the first time you didn't reach me? What do you want so badly you're blowing up my phone," snapped the voice. "I've got a dead body in the middle of myー"
"Suigetsu," Sasuke cut him off. "It's me."
There was a long pause before the voice on the other line spoke again. "Sasuke," he said, his tone changing quickly. While not fearful, there was still an underlying unnerve as he tried to speak casually. "It's been awhile. Thought you had forgotten about me. I would ask how you are doing but I have a feeling you would not be calling to catch up and chat."
"Hn," Sasuke hummed in agreement.
"Then what are you calling for?"
"I have a job for you," Sasuke replied, not willing to outwardly admit he needed assistance. "Find Jugo and Karin then come to New York."
"And what's in this for me?" Suigetsu inquired. "While I have no qualms with the big guy, I don't fancy being around the loud mouth. Honestly you're probably closer to her than me. She certainly seemed attached before, can't imagine her letting you go too far out of her four-eyed sights."
"We split ways decades ago, I don't know where she is." Sasuke quickly answered. "And if you cannot find her fast enough, then forget her. Just bring yourself and Jugo for all I care. So long as you are here in two days."
"Two days! You expect me to be there with Jugo in two days!" Suigetsu protested. "That bird brain is out in the middle of fuck nowhere, playing the jolly green giant with a bunch of monks. Do you have any idea how long it's going to take me to even find him! Not to mention the travel time. I am sure as hell not carrying that mortal's ass halfway across the globe, so that means we would have to fly the other way. On a plane," he said the last word as if it were an abomination. "That means security checkpoints. Do you know how hard it is to get a pocket knife through customs? Now try and imagine a sword the size of a full grown man and get that through. I will tell you, it's not easy," he snarked before continuing. "And then, after getting gods know what, stuck up only gods know where, you have the flight to deal with. Stuck in a tin can for fifteen hours with nothing but crying babies, some strangers sockless feet on your arm rest, and squashed between two people because Jugo insists on sitting at the window. And you tell me I have two days to do that!"
"Sounds like you better get moving," Sasuke replied unsympathetically. "Two days Suigetsu. Be here."
He heard Suigetsu begin his protest again, questioning what exactly was in it for him. But Sasuke was already withdrawing the phone from his ear and pressing the red button that cut off the stream of curses that flowed from the speaker. Tucking his phone into his pocket, Sasuke watched Sakura and Naruto greeting Sai as Kakashi began to walk towards the little group. Walking back to the edge of the platform, Sasuke crouched down and gazed down at the pinkette.
Watching her, seeing her alive and well, it brought peace to him. And soon, he would always have that. He would have his Sakura, and he would not be sharing. Naruto and Kakashi had their chance when they first discovered her, but they lost their privileges to her when they failed to tell him. It was wrong, they had no right to hide her. Sakura belonged to him, she had always belonged to him from the very beginning. And she would soon again.
"...and this is Sakura," Sai introduced.
Sakura gave a warm smile to the young man who had approached them. She extended her hand and shook it, giving him a warm smile as she took in his young face and soft eyes. He looked to be the same age as Sai, give or take a few years. As he released her hand, his eyes ran down her with appraisal and she did her best to keep from squirming under his scrutiny.
After hundreds of years she was still not used to the side effects seraphim had on humans. The supernatural species naturally drew their attention. The attraction worked as part of their influence over mortals. However the look this young man gave her was more than just the usual draw. It was a look of desire, but not in the lustful way that usually came with the inspection of her body. Compared to the other younger students currently present at the art show, who looked at her like a piece of meat, he looked at her as if she were one of the pieces of art on display. And she was not sure how she felt about it. The other men she knew what motivated their looks of desire, but for this one, she was not sure what motivated his appraisal.
"Hello," she greeted.
"It's a pleasure," the young man said. "And what is your medium of art?"
They were currently at an art show that Sai had entered in. Sakura had been adamant that she attend and support him. With everything happening in the recent months, she felt she was truly neglecting Sai and did not want him to feel that she was abandoning him. Fists fight with anger management newbies aside, the last time he had felt she was doing this his lash out was more or less an innocent tantrum. But she worried about what should happen when she was not around to keep him safe or if things went on longer.
Sakura gave out a polite chuckle as she waved her hand. "Oh no I cannot even doodle to save my life, let alone make a canvas come to life." She looped her arm through Sai's. "I am just here to support this artist right here."
The young man nodded and let his brown eyes move to the wall of charcoal drawings and ink paint. "And what an artist he is," he commended in sincerity. Turning to Sai, he tilted his head towards the art display. "Tell me about your work Sai, I would love to hear what inspires such imagery."
As Sai went into details of his work, Sakura watched him with a happy smile as she watched the two boys talk. Sakura had yet to see Sai get truly excited about anything. Passion, yes. Fondness, yes. But never had he expressed excitement. But as she watched him speak with the red head, whose attention was all his and his art, she could not help but feel she was witnessing elation, bordering on excitement on his face. As the pair moved on to a discussion of other types of mediums and arts, Sakura moved on to observe this new acquaintance.
She was not sure what had happened to lead up to Sai bringing the redhead over. And at first she was a little confused and wary by this, but after even just the short interaction, he seemed nice and sincere. His face was innocent and the way he seemed to ignore Sai's social faux pas and accept him as he was, made her warm up to the young man even more. Sai had yet to make any friends but as she watched the pair talk back and forth, she realized that maybe they could move on to such relationships.
"Beautiful," the redhead said as he took Sai's art in again as their conversation died down. "It's truly beautiful."
Sai gave a proud smile then began to look awkward. He looked to Sakura, as if asking her for some kind of guidance as to what to do or say next. Given his earlier accomplishment, Sakura decided to reward him and take over for the time being.
Turning to the redhead she grabbed his attention. "Are you a student here or just an outside participant?"
The redhead's brown eyes fell upon her and for a moment he paused as he gazed at her, a small crumple of confusion furrowing his brow before it was erased as an eased smile came to his face.
He shook his head. "No," he responded. "I am just an artist who likes to appreciate the work and efforts of others."
"Oh," Sakura remarked. "And what kind of art do you do?"
He seemed to ponder for a moment before he opened his mouth, but the opportunity to speak escaped him as an orange blur interrupted. Pushing rudely past the redhead, Naruto intruded into the middle of the three and gave Sai a heavy clap on his back.
"What's up my man, how's the show going?"
Sakura shot him a displeased look as she crossed her arms and moved her attention towards the redhead to give him an apologetic look only to find he was busy looking at Naruto with a curious expression which was nothing out of the ordinary. Naruto was a bit eccentric and always earned curious looks, from both seraphs and mortals, wherever they went. She opened her mouth to apologize but as Kakashi's tall frame appeared behind the short redhead, he beat her to the punch.
"I apologize about that," he said, causing the redhead to turn around to face him. "He is just excited for Ramen after this."
The redhead gave an understanding nod then turned to Sakura. "It seems it is time that I move on," he said.
"Oh no," she protested quickly, not wanting to lose such a potential friend for Sai. "You don't have to go."
The redhead shook his head. "It's all right," he said politely. "I actually have someone to meet up with and I should probably go anyways." He stuck out a hand. "It was lovely meeting you, Sakura." Her name rolled off his tongue with a lingering of intrigue.
Sakura took his hand and shook it. "You too…" she paused for a moment, realizing she had not caught his name. "I'm sorry," she said, her face turning red with embarrassment, "but I seemed to have missed your name."
He gave a smile as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. "Sasori," he said. "My name is Sasori." He handed her the card. "Give me a call, I would love to continue our conversation and get more acquainted-" he sent a nod towards Sai- "with both of you."
Sakura gave him a nod as she took the card and waved him goodbye. She watched his red hair disappear into the crowd before looking down at the small piece of cardstock in her hand. Embossed in red ink was his name. Just the one name, no last name or even an association. She flipped it over to find herself looking at a black scorpion stamped on the back and beneath it a phone number. She flipped it over several times, looking at the single name and emblem until she felt a presence next to her and looked up to see Kakashi standing next to her.
"Well don't you just have a way with the mortal men," he said with a sly grin.
Sakura rolled her eyes. "It's nothing like that," she defended. "He just wanted to meet up again... with the both of us," she added when he gave her a look that suggested this only backed his comment.
This only caused him to raise his eyebrows higher. "The both of you," he said with a sly grin, "...kinky." His eyebrows danced around suggestively which earned him the largest eye roll he had ever witnessed.
His lungs inhaled the breath of damaging chemicals while he savored the lungful of narcotic bliss. If he were human he would be practically unfunctional, but as the drug had a minimal effect on his supernatural physiology, it was nothing but a light high. He let out the lungful in a billowing cloud as he leaned his head back and watched it rise and dissipate into the hazy fog that was forming in the middle of the room.
The door opened and Kakuzu entered. "He is here," he said in a deep grumble.
Madara let out another billowing exhale. "Then let him in," he said calmly. "We've been waiting."
Kakuzu let out a grunt and disappeared outside the heavy metal door before reappearing with the grey haired arrival in tow. Madara gave him a wicked smile.
"Quite a long time for you to finally arrive, what did you do? Travel the mortal way?"
The man adjusted his glasses, the lens glinting in the light. "Forgive me for being cautious in rushing here. I understand Sasuke Uchiha has been lingering in this city and I would rather avoid a reunion with him. I do not think such a meeting would play well in my favor. However I could not avoid such an intriguing invitation from Madara Uchiha, the great Lord of the underworld. Rumor is that you're supposed to be dead. However I never believed them for a minute. How could such a being be erased from existence?"
Madara smirked. "While your flattery is quite eloquent, I am afraid it is not why I requested for you, Kabuto."
"Yes, I gathered that," Kabuto replied. "And why, may I inquire, did you call for me."
Madara leaned forward and stumped out his blunt as he let out a final exhale. "I want to strike a bargain," he said, leaning back as he raised his arms to the back of the couch and lounged.
A glint of intrigue flashed across Kabuto's face before he sobered. "A deal with the devil," he commented casually. "There is a warning that usually comes with such things. Why would I want to run such a risk?"
Madara grinned. "Mortal rumors, I assure you," Madara commented. "And like I said, it is a bargain. I will give you something in return."
"And what if I have everything I ever wanted?"
Madara released a chuckle. "We may not be acquainted well, but I know of you, which is enough to know you desire power. And anyone who desires such a thing and has acquired such a thing, knows you only hunger for more."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses again, an eager look coming to his face. "And you are offering me more?"
Madara's teeth flashed, knowing his bait had been swallowed, now he just needed to reel him in. "Not at the moment, but if all goes according to plan, I will possess the power of not only the statue of the outer paths but the god tree as well. With unlimited power like that, why would I not be willing to share?"
Kabuto licked his lips greedily. To have access to such sources, the things he could do. The experiments would be endless. "And what would you wish for in exchange."
Madara's dark eyes gleamed. "Your help of course when the time comes," he answered. "But also...information."
The spectacled seraph tilted his head thoughtfully. "Information? What kind?"
"My nephew has not been cooperating as I wish," Madara said in a tired voice. "He seems to be lacking in incentive these past few decades, nothing I am offering is tempting him."
"Sasuke is involved?" Kabuto questioned, alarm sounding in his voice as his eyes darted to Hidan in the corner. "You did not tell me he was involved."
A dark chuckle escaped Madara. "Do not worry Kabuto, I did not lure you here on false pretenses as a way to entice my nephew...I already made that offer."
Again Kabuto stiffened with unease and earned a bark of laughter from Madara. Kabuto narrowed his eyes. "I am glad you find amusement with my possible demise."
Madara's laughter slowly died down but the amusement remained. "Don't worry about my nephew, at the moment his vendetta to end you has been put on the back burner, as he has become recently preoccupied with something else."
"What do you mean?" Kabuto asked with intrigue.
"I mean," Madara clarified. "That you do not need worry about my nephew at the moment, and if what you can give me works, I might be able to delay him in becoming fixated on killing you indefinitely."
Kabuto considered this then finally nodded. If he had unlimited power after all of this, he would not need to worry about Sasuke. "Very well, I will do my best to give you the information that would earn such a promise."
Madara smiled. "Excellent," he exclaimed, standing up and moving over to the liquor cabinet. He grabbed a couple of glasses and began to fill them with a rich amber liquid as he spoke. "Long ago, my nephew struck a deal with your old master. Sasuke served him diligently for centuries and proved himself to be everything I always hoped he would be."
Drinks in hand, Madara walked up to Kabuto and offered him one before raising his own to his lips and took a slow sip. Kabuto did not so much as lift his own glass which seemed to amuse Madara.
"Yes, Sasuke certainly pleased my old master." Kabuto agreed, setting his glass on the low table next to him. He pushed his spectacles back up when he looked up to Madara. "But it is no mystery as to what Sasuke did. Everyone knows of his deeds. The blessed curse him, the fallen resent him, and rogues envy him. What information would I hold that you would not already know?"
"How did he do it?" Madara asked. "How did Orochimaru gain such service? Sasuke said he offered something. When Orochimaru couldn't deliver it, he turned on him. So I would like to know, what was so unattainable?"
Kabuto was quiet for a long moment before a chuckle escaped him. And soon the chuckle turned to a boastful laugh.
Madara's hand tightened on his glass. While he enjoyed a good mockery, he did not find humor in people laughing at him. "Is my ignorance so amusing to you?"
Kabuto's laughter slowly died down to a surprised humming of amusement. "Forgive me," Kabuto pardoned. "I do not laugh at you, but the situation. You make it seem as if Sasuke asked god of the gods but I would hardly consider a mortal even a stepping stone to such feats."
Madara's brow crumpled. "A mortal?" he questioned, his tone holding disgust.
Kabuto nodded as he stepped towards the couch to look at the pair of wings displayed above, his body eased and his manors became bolder with his current advantage of knowing something the great demon lord desired.
"When Sasuke came to Orochimaru, the deal he struck was that he would serve my master in exchange for him to resurrect a mortal woman."
"And who was this woman?"
Kabuto shrugged. "She wasn't anyone. At least no one of any importance or significance of the era from what I know"
"You mean to tell me that Sasuke, my nephew, wielder of an advanced Sharingan and descendant of one of the only remaining pure bloodlines, became a servant of a greedy fallen angel...for a mortal?" The contempt and disgust on his face caused Kabuto to lose his earlier ease.
"To bring back a mortal, not quite so simple of a task," Kabuto clarified. "It was not until after her death that Sasuke came to Orochimaru. My master had tried vigorously to get him before but Sasuke hardly batted an eyelash at what was offered him. The only time he even partially seemed to be tempted was when the mortal became sick. He came to Orochimaru for something that would cure her, and it surprised me when Orochimaru gave him the life saving antidote with no strings attached. I questioned my master but when Sasuke came back a year later, with a sharingan far more advanced and offering his services, I understood why."
Madara finished his drink and walked to the window. "You have given me quite a lot to process, Kabuto," he said, staring down into the pit of dancing mortals below. He turned back to look at the seraph. "You may go back to your hiding hole, I will contact you again when I have secured Sasuke's promise not to slit your throat the moment you two are in the same room."
He did not wait for a response before turning back around to look down at the pulsing dance floor. He hardly acknowledged the door being shut, signaling Kabuto's departure as he was lost in his thoughts.
Not many knew the secrets of the Sharingan. His blood line had gone through great efforts to keep it that way. Efforts that made it a mystery to even those who possessed it. But not Madara. Madara knew them all too well. He had obsessed about his lineage which was why this new found information was intriguing.
He had heard that Sasuke had awakened a deeper progression of the ability. He had seen and heard the evidence of the power over the centuries. All that time, Madara had always wondered when and how he had managed to unlock it. If he was correct in understanding, this mortal, this girl that had died centuries ago, had been the catalyst for that. Possibly for everything Sasuke had ever done.
It was both impressive and revolting. To think that Sasuke would sink so low and go through such lengths not for himself, but for a measly mortal, it was rather disappointing. On the other hand, he was impressed on behalf of the mortal. A mortal of such influence on the events that became history was rather impressive. It was all very poetic. But appreciation for poetry would not get Madara what he wanted.
The sound of the door reopening caused him to break from his thoughts and turn to see the face of an older adolescent with fire red hair entering into the room. It took Madara a moment to recognize Sasori's newest form. It was much more impressive than the one the puppet master had been using before. However, the admiration of the puppeteers latest possession was lost by a reminder of why he was here.
Sasuke's reason for lingering had been linked to a pair of mortals. With Kabuto's recent information, Madaras interest in such mortals had increased ten fold. Whatever his nephew's weakness was for mortals, seemed to be his best bet in recruiting him.
"Sasori," Madara greeted. "You have come just in time. Tell me what you have learned of Sasuke's reasons for remaining in the city."
Sasori's face became wistful as he recalled his most recent interaction with the two mortals that he had finally made acquaintance with after observing them for a month. The art show that Sasori had discovered Sai was entering, seemed the perfect opportunity for a casual meeting in which he could get to know him without bringing any suspicion. It had been luck that the blossom of a woman happened to be present as well. Giving him the perfect opportunity to interact with the both of them.
He rather liked Sai. Unlike most of the city slickers that claimed they were artists but focused more on the praise and number of followers, Sai was a true artist. He cared about the story and emotion behind the inspiration than the results. The lack of emotional expression he had in his social skills were found in his art. And what magnificent expressions they were. The emotion that had been portrayed was not something a person could fake. It was real, felt and expressed through the lines and shading that made up the pieces.
"Sasuke's interest is certainly understandable," Sasori said thoughtfully. "Sai, the boy, has quite a gift for the arts. His talents are truly ones to be desired."
"And what about the girl?" Madara asked, nearly impatient. "You said before that it seemed the girl was Sasuke's primary target in your observations."
Sasori's eyes became glazed over as he thought back to the beautiful specimen he would like to possess. She truly was a piece of art worthy of his collection. Fortunately for her, he had been there to collect information, not master pieces.
"Ah, such a lovely girl, with a fitting name," he said wistfully. "And such a curious one at that."
Like any seraph meeting a mortal for the first time, fallen, blessed, or rogue, Sasori had taken the time to look into their souls.
Sai's had been tarnished and spotted darkly, like a rusty metal that had been poorly taken care of and unpreserved. However, it seemed as if there were small spots here and there that kept it from being completely black. Those few spots shone brightly, as if someone had taken a polishing rag and slowly worked the corroded soul until those spots were restored to pristine condition. Most likely a guardian angel was assigned to him and whoever it was, was a master. He had seen enough works of guardians to know that this was the work of someone who truly cared about the individual and not the soul. As an ex guardian angel, he was more than knowledgeable in the art. To answer Sakura's earlier question, regarding his medium of art, preservation was his.
Many times he had seen a soul worked on by a guardian that had no darkness, but the shine was not quite so bright. This was the result of a rushed job and usually did not last as long. It was patch work, throwing coverings over the brokenness instead of fixing it. Restoring a soul was not meant to be done quickly, it took time and patience to achieve such rich luster. Whoever was assigned to this particular mortal was an artist worthy of his acknowledgment to the masterful work. It almost made him think it a sin to try and corrupt such a restoration.
While the mystery guardian's work was commendable, there was something far more curious that he had found when he looked into Sakura's eyes. Or perhaps, not found, was a more accurate description. When Sasori looked into Sakura's eyes, he found himself blocked from her soul. It was a shame too as he had been eager to see what kind of soul she would possess. Such a vessel would surely have an equally unique soul as well. Unfortunately, as he met her vivid green eyes that made him envious of such a color, and began to look past the iris and into her soul, he was met with a seal. And not just any seal, but a powerful and ancient one. One so ancient that he did not even recognize its purpose of placement and function.
He was taken out of his thoughts when Madara posed a question that intruded on Sasori's pondering. "And what makes her so curious?"
"She seems to have something blocking her soul. I tried to look at it but there is a seal within her that kept me from looking past her eyes."
Madara's head cocked to the side in curiosity. "A seal? What kind of seal?"
Sasori shook his head. "I do not know, but it is strong. And she had a pair seraphim over her guardianship."
"Guardian angels are not anything uncommon," Madara remarked, unimpressed as he leaned over and pulled a cigar from a box on the low table in front of the couch.
"Perhaps," Sasori mused. "However the demon eyed archangel and his spawn of the yellow flash's sidekick are certainly not your typical guardians."
Madara paused halfway in lighting his cigar. Setting the lighter down and pulling the cigar from between his teeth, he looked at Sasori with a new found interest. "Kakashi Hatake and Naruto Uzamaki are watching over her?"
Madara leaned back on the couch and looked deep into thought. His hand came up to his chin as he rubbed at it thoughtfully.
"Would you like me to continue to observe them?" Sasori asked after a prolonged silence.
Madara's dark eyes flashed up to the redheaded rogue, for another long moment his face showed nothing, and then it broke into an evil grin. "I think we have gone past observance," he remarked. "You said you have made acquaintance with them?"
Sasori nodded.
"And Kakashi and that boy do not know what you are?"
Sasori shook his head. "No, they have no inclination that I am seraphim," he remarked. That was the advantage of possessing a soul instead of claiming it. The mortal soul shrouded his chakra, making him seem as human as any other mortal in the world. And even if they knew of his existence, they would not know the new face in which he was wearing.
Madara nodded in satisfaction. "Very good," he remarked. "Then bring me the mortals. Use your acquaintanceship, befriend them, and bring them to me."
Sasori nodded and began to make his way towards the door.
"Sasori," Madara called, causing him to turn back around. "Make it soon," Madara commanded. "We are running out of time."
I hope you are all well and safe. Stay healthy both physically and mentally. Reach out to people who need someone to talk to and if you feel you are in need of talking reach out to someone, please! I know if we all take care of each other and be considerate things will get better. If you are in need of someone to chat with but can't think of who please feel free to PM me if you need it! We can go old school and be pen pals! Big thanks to those who are working to aid those who are sick and to make sure that people still have food on the table as well as those who are just plain keeping the world running so others can stay home!
Thank you all for reading and I hope this brought you some entertainment while you social distance. Next chapter will be Ancient Greece which I have mostly written.
Mychie: I know I already PM'd you back but I wanted to say again thank you! It totally made my week to read that :)
Supremebitchin: thank you so much for your kind words. I am certainly doing my best to find time to write
fireshock: if only you could look into my mind it would be like watching this animated, unfortunately we can't so I will just do my best to describe how I see it in my mind!
