A/N: Here's the chapter that gives the pendulum set in motion during the last chapter momentum. Yes it's going to swing back and forth a bit in this chapter. But it will definitely settle on one side. It's a bit lemon scented here, but mostly in remembrances of times lost. As always Hatori is in black, Mayu isn't and Shigure is in his own box.

And I don't own Fruits Basket or the Characters Therein

Shattering Mental Blocks: Mayu Just Can't Understand

After we finished our meal and sat satisfied on the couch, I remembered the note I had stuck in my pocket.

"What's that?"

"Oh, I think Shigure wants to pass on his regards for the night."

I opened the note and found something considerably different. Mayu saw my concern written in my face and said,

"What now?"

"The time has come…" but I paused, not knowing exactly where to start.

Clearly wanting to keep some of the jovial nature of our time together alive she quipped,

"The walrus said, to talk of many things?"

I said to myself, "Yes:

Of dogs,

And dragons,

And wounded souls,

And the never blooming springs,

And why my tears are boiling hot

And whether relationships have wings."

But rather I said,

"Yes, I think it is time to get some things out in the open. Or they will fester."

I then got up, kissed her on the forehead, and walked towards the bedroom

"Wait, where are we going?"

"Shigure's studio."

'Why?"

"I'm not sure, but I'm sure it will all come clear soon enough."

"Or as clear as anything gets with this cursed family,"

I added to myself.

Shigure Interlude.

Walking into my old studio was like walking into a time capsule. I didn't spend much time there after that fateful day. It held too many memories. Plus, the arrival of Tohru , Yuki and Kyo made getting away difficult in recent years. The place was dusty, and generations of spiders had covered the windows with curtains spun from their own silk. The sun was fading in the distance and the same neon signs below added to the palate of colors breaking through the gauze of the webs. The same surreal atmosphere once created by the mist and rain was recreated through the filtering effects of the webs.

The bed where we shared that golden moment in time lay divested of its sheets; its cold metal frame perfectly embodied the emptiness of our relationship that had started with such promise. I once again thought that I could flip Fate on Her triple-headed crown but from deep within me I heard the Dog growl. Rather, I dusted off the chairs, pulled the wine and glasses from my bag, lit the candles as I had long ago let the electric bills lapse, and waited for my guests to arrive.

Mayu Remembers

Tori was silent as he drove. It was getting late, and I didn't want to distract him. I was soon surprised that I recognized the passing scenery. We had arrived in my old neighborhood, the neighborhood where myself, Kana, Tori and Guri called home during our college days. When we passed a café, I had a flash of a memory of a rainy night. I had met Guri at the door of that café. Which meant that the building down the street held his studio. Tori pulled into a spot next to a car that I'd seen Gure drive. We looked at each other as memories began flooding back. I could see the same look of recollection in his eyes. Not only had I met Gure here. I had also met Tori. And from the emotions that hit me like a brick, it had not been a joyous meeting.

Arriving at the door, I hit the buzzer attached to Gure's loft.

The door unlocked and we walked upstairs. I could see that Mayu was caught in the throes of memories rushing back. They returned to me as well. I remembered being here with her the day after I lost Kana. Apparently, that was the day Gure lost Mayu. I had no recollection of being there that day, no recollection of the cold act that had unfolded there. I had numbly performed my duty without any feeling. This was nothing like the other times I had ripped memories from people I cared about. Their memories had a way of imprinting on me, as if I breathed them in once they were atomized by the claws of the Dragon. I felt my old feelings of self-loathing rise again. How could I have auto piloted such a ruthless act?

Shigure sat at a table by candlelight. I heard ghosts of laughter in my head. We had sat at this very table. As I walked around the apartment, my eyes fell on his portrait. I saw him naked before me. And there was the bed. I felt his tongue enter my body. Watched him sketch the curves of my breasts on parchment. Watched his facade of carefree boyishness slip to reveal a man longing for me to see him.

Then I looked at Tori, remembered him sitting where Shigure was. Remembered his blank stare

As he looked into my eyes,

As he touched the sides of my head,

As he mouthed the words "I'm sorry Mayu."

The world had gone blank after that. I had no recollection of why I had come. I robotically went home that night and continued on from there as if the studio never existed.

Everything came flooding back to me all at once: The good, the bad, and the banal. Everything was topsy turvy in my head: two cousins switched places in my mind.

Newly discovered warmth chilled and perceived coolness melted. It was too much.

Too many assumptions were overturned in too short a time.

Memories, too long forgotten, flooded my synapses and caused an overload in my brain.

A bright flash of light streaked behind my eyelids, and I felt myself fall.

I saw her fall and cradled her limp body. After determining she didn't show symptoms of a stroke I lay her down gently and snapped.

"Well, that was a brilliant idea Shigure!"

"I didn't realize…."

"It was too much too soon! The mental blocks all broke at the same time!"

"Will she be ok?"

"She's likely in shock. Which is to be expected."

We sat in silence as I took her pulse once again. It slowly decreased and finally, her breath came with the languid rate of someone fast asleep. As I had caught her as she fell, she escaped physical damage. I was hoping that after a nap she would feel better. If not, I knew a great therapist who treated PTSD.

I turned to Shigure and said,

"Before she wakes up asking questions tell me everything Shigure. And don't sugar coat it."

Shigure Interlude

I let it all pour out:

About that famous night,

About asking Tori to expunge her memories to save her.

About the book and cover.

About my love and loss.

About my willingness to throw it all way to see them happy.

To his credit, he listened to everything without interrupting me once. And his reaction to the book was better than I would have thought.

"Well, that was your experience too. And you fictionalized it. To chastise you would mean that authors across time would need to be chastised for doing exactly as you did. The cover was a bit suspect. But if Mayu approved, what can I say."

Mayu Through the Looking Glass

In my mind I was floating in a void. As I hovered, I heard two voices come out of the darkness. I knew I had to be dreaming as they spoke of curses, and dragons and dogs. And Akito being a God. In my mind their voices warped to the chessmen's voices on my Fisher-Price recording of Alice Through the Looking Glass. A dragon and a dog appeared facing off across a chess board. I stood in the middle, a crown sitting on my head. They spoke of Akito attacking Hatori, wiping minds, and lost loves. And then Shigure said,

"You know I still love her Hatori, but I know the fates always intended you to be together. I concede. I will not step in your way. You are meant for each other."

At that I was blasted back to consciousness. My eyes shot open, and I said,

"You're both absolutely barking mad! Tori, please take me home. Quite possibly you slipped me something years ago that cost me my memories and I'm not happy. I need to sleep this off and if you don't make sense tomorrow, I want nothing to do with you!"

Shigure said,

"There's nothing else but to show her."

He walked over to me and gave me a big hug. I wasn't sure what he thought would happen, but it clearly didn't because he looked shocked when his arms encircled me. He even looked about ready to cry. I thought I heard the low howl of a dog. But there wasn't any grand revelation. So, I gently pushed back from him.

"Seriously. I need to go home. Please start making sense. My brain can't take much more of this. Oh, and as to your book? I'd like to read that as I can't remember anything about that night. My bet is stress caused the blocks. But I'm not ruling out narcotics."

Shigure handed me his manuscript from his bag, and I left with Tori.

It was a quiet ride home.

When we reached my apartment he parked and said,

"I'd like to walk you to your door if I may."

"You may."

Opening the door, he helped me up and led me to my door. Putting his hand on my shoulder, he said

"I know you're going to need some space. You've relived memories that were buried for several years, and you are understandably confused. I will be busy with funeral events for Akito, so I will not bother you unless you want me to."

He looked devastated so I put my hand to his cheek.

"Tori, I still love you. But I don't know what's going on. Whole days are missing from my memories. I need some time to digest all of this. And I need to read Shigure' book. I'd like to at least know what happened."

"I wish I could explain it to you. But some things..,.some things are beyond explanation in normal terms. I am a doctor, and I see myself as a man fully grounded in reality most of the time, so I fully understand that you think this is all brought about by natural causes and I'm sorry. Please know you were not drugged. I believe it was closer to hypnosis."

"Well, whatever it was, I need some time."

I squeezed her hand and walked back to my car. If the sky had opened up and pelted me with ice and snow, I couldn't have felt more like I was in a frozen hell. My head was throbbing from the drop from the highest heights to my lowest lows of emotions within the space of hours. I felt like screaming at Shigure, but then realized none of us knew how the curse worked. Rather, upon returning home I called to see how he was as I knew he was experiencing the feeling of the spiteful Dog giving way.

He immediately asked,

"How is she?"

"Understandably confused. Do you want to come over and talk? You must be feeling a lot of suppressed emotions now."

"I'll bring beer. I think it's going to be a long night. Should I bring Aya?"

"Oh, why the hell not. Misery loves company."

I looked around the room and saw Mayu's nightgown. Could it be possible that only a few hours before I was experiencing absolute bliss?

I put it back into its box, and put it next to her overnight kit, meaning to return it to her when she was ready to talk. Yet another box that held memories. Yet these were still vivid. I hoped that they too would not molder to ashes like the last.

Shigure interlude

I drove back home and picked up Aya. He looked at me and said,

"You look like a beaten dog."

"It's not been a good night. I goofed."

"Whadya do?"

"I brought Mayu and Hatori to the studio. And everything went to hell."

"Oh…..yeah that likely wasn't a good idea without prepping them."

"I also told Tori I was still in love with Mayu but that it's his fate to be with her."

Aya's violet eyes flashed with jealousy, but he only said,

"Fates aren't set in stone Gure. You of all of us should know that."

"Well, they certainly can be influenced. So, let's make this happen for our sake if not theirs. It will never end if the curse remains with any of us. You'll feel such freedom if you let go! I feel it will be a bright future!"
"You're assuming I'm on board with that future."

The ride was silent after that as we both stewed.

But the minute Aya saw Haa-san, I felt the ribbons shift. If I was not mistaken, the Snake's fangs had released just a bit. We sat glumly drinking beer and crashed in the guest room.

Mayu Receives a Visitor

I went through the next few days in a fog. I wasn't sure what I thought. I knew I still loved Tori. But I couldn't reconcile the sudden appearance of memories of a nascent love affair with Shigure. Gure's manuscript remained unread on my bed stand. I wasn't ready to pick it up yet as I was afraid of what it held. I received voice mails, texts, and emails from both Shigure and Tori asking how I was. They said they were in the middle of a cycle of prayers for Akito, but that they would love to see me. I answered their texts that I was fine and was catching up on paperwork, but I wished them well. I just couldn't get by that day when everything came flooding back to me. The situation was unreal. And their explanations were just as unreal. And my rational mind couldn't accept Tori's assertion that some things were beyond rational explanations. And then I received a visit from Ayame.

We moved through the motions of mourning to save face for the family. As members of the family, it was expected. The three of us did our duty. I prayed for Akito to find rest in the afterlife as the mad God had destroyed his solace in life. Shigure and I tried to get a hold of Mayu, but she would not respond. I took a per diem job at the hospital filling in for those on vacations and took as many hours as I could. If I wasn't working, I was at prayer. It went on like this for a while.

Finally, on the eve of our New Year's celebration and end to our period of mourning, Aya stormed into the apartment, took the box holding Mayu's nightgown and left.

Shigure interlude

Life became a dull series of days. Claiming mourning as an excuse, I put off my editor's pleas to celebrate my book as I felt far from celebrating. Rather I spent as much time on one-night stands to quiet the loneliness that consumed me that I could get away with. I took male-presenting lovers exclusively as the feelings I had felt for Mayu were at the forefront of my mind. I didn't want to be brought into a situation where I found something of her in my partner.

After several weeks Aya finally snapped. Looking positively forlorn he bellowed,

"I thought I'd like having Mayu out of the picture but we're back to the way things were before. You're always cruising the clubs and Tori has thrown himself into his work. I never see any of you. And the few days when we do spend together, you're both moping. I just want to shake you all."

"She can't get beyond her missing memories, and I don't blame her. It must sound absolutely mad. She just can't believe what she can't see for herself."

"Well, I'll just have to show her."

"Wait what?"

But he stormed out of the room. A determined snake could not be stopped.

Mayu Meets the Snake, and the Floor, and the Void

I had just gotten home from work when a cab pulled up in front of my building. Aya, carrying two large boxes, got out and went barreling towards me saying.

"I have words for you."

"Why, what did I do!"

"It's what you haven't done. You won't even hear Tori-sama out! Now invite me in."

"I'm not sure that I want to. You're being irrational."

"Well sometimes life isn't rational."

My neighbors were starting to stare so rather than try to deal with their questions I let him in. My eyes went to the boxes. I knew one was my nightgown. But the other?

"Did you fix my dress?"

"No, I need you to come in so I can fix the train. I can't do that without you. We'll talk about the other box later."

"Are you quite alright Aya?"

"Everyone has been dreary since you left. I thought I could keep up the happiness without you, but you took it away."

"I couldn't be there. They were being…"

"Irrational?"

"Yes. They were talking about dragons and dogs and gods, and it didn't make any sense."

"Well. what do dragons, dogs and gods have in common?"

I decided to humor him as talking seemed to calm him a bit.

"Well, the dog and the dragon are zodiac signs. And there is that old story about the God's dinner party for the zodiac animals."

"Correct. And what year is it now?"

"The Year of the Dragon."

"Yes! And what year will it be?"

"The Year of the Snake?"

At that Aya put down the boxes and came rushing at me again. I braced myself and put my hands out to block him. But the minute, he contacted my hands with his shoulders there was a puff of smoke and Aya disappeared. At first, I thought it was a clever trick and that he had somehow ducked behind furniture when I closed my eyes when the smoke billowed into my face.

But I couldn't find him.

Thinking he had left the house I stuck my head out it the door.

From behind me I heard.

"Mayuko, I'm right here."

Turning around, I still couldn't see him.

"Where?"

"Down here!"

Looking down I saw a little snake in a pile of Aya's clothes. As I found the snake adorable rather than frightening, I said

"Clever trick. Where are you Ayame? How did you get the snake in here; was it in the box? And that smoke bomb, is that toxic?"

Then I saw the snake's mouth open, and it said in Aya's voice,

"I am the snake. This is the curse Shigure and Hatori-san were taking about. They're free, but because I haven't let go of things, I'm still in the throes of it."

"How? What? It's a trick. It has to be. There's something in that smoke isn't there?"

"This isn't a trick sweetie."

The snake proceeded to shape itself into figures that spelled out "I am Ayame."

I'd never seen a snake move that much. And while one part of my mind said it was the psychedelic effects of the smoke the other saw the truth. The argument between the two caused everything to seize and overload and I felt faint once again. But this time I had the sense to sit on the floor before I collapsed.

The last thing I heard before it all went black was,

"Oh shit."

When I got a call from Mayu's number I felt excited but decided to play it cool. and answered,

"This is Dr. Sohma."

But it was Ayame who spoke.

"Ummm Hatori-san, I think you might want to come to Mayu's house."

"What did you do?"

"I turned into the snake in Mayu's presence."

"Oh god, did she pass out?"

"I'm afraid so."

Picking up my bag I rushed to her apartment. Ayame was sitting on her couch staring at the floor.

"I'm sorry Tori-san, I thought that if she saw me transform, she'd believe what you were saying and forgive you."

"Is she ok?"

"I didn't want to move her until you saw her. I don't think she hit her head, she kind of flopped to the floor."

I knelt down beside her, checked under her eyelids, checked her pulse and checked for injuries.

She opened her eyes and said,

"We have to stop meeting like this."

"How are you feeling?"

"Well, I just saw Ayame turn into a snake and spell out his name with his body." She looked up. "And now he's sitting on my couch."

"Yes….."

"So it's all true!"

"Yes."

"You turn into…a….."

"A dragon, well a seahorse."

"And Shigure?"

"A dog."

"Are there more of you?"

I stated that every sign of the zodiac plus the cat was represented as I didn't feel comfortable outing them.

"Can I see you turn into a seahorse now?"

"No, the curse has lifted for me and Shigure."

"But not Ayame."

"Apparently not."

"Why?"

"We're not sure but we think it has to do with people outside the family falling in love with us. Or us letting go of something that makes way for others to form a bond with someone else. That's why Shigure has been so intent about getting us together, he was trying to break the curse."

"Wait that means…"

"Yes, Shigure is a well-meaning if manipulative cur at times. He is also being quite selfless for a change, which speaks to his great regard for you."

"I had no idea he was in love with me. And that I was in love with him. Why did you take those memories away?"

Ayame said,

"I'll call a cab. You're going to need some time. I brought you your nightgown back. I also brought you a kimono. If you want to come, we have a New Year's celebration tomorrow. Please come. I think you should be there. Call Kana, she was invited too. You probably don't know how to put on a formal kimono like that. Kana does, she can help you."

"You're right. I've worn a yukata during summer festivals, and somewhere else….oh…."

She was derailed again. But I was a bit more concerned about what Aya had said at that moment. So I asked,

"Is that a good idea?"

"I ran it by Kureno. He didn't have a problem with it. He honestly thinks it might help to bring this to an end by bringing new faces to the compound. Maybe the holdouts would see that things are changing for the good and let things go."

"Do you think they are?"

"I'm getting there."

"Thank you Aya."

He left us alone. I helped Mayu onto the couch and told her my side of the story. Her eyes got large as saucers when I arrived at the part when Akito attacked me and started to cry when I told her how Shigure had asked me to take her memories to protect her from Akito's wrath.

I rose and made her a cup of tea.

When I returned, she turned to me and said,

"I had no idea he felt so deeply. I'm still mad you didn't give me a choice, but I understand, that there were extenuating circumstances. He was hiding everything away to protect me?"

Not particularly wanting to state the Dog's case for him I said,

"I have a feeling you can find his side of the story in his manuscript. Are you feeling ok?"

"Yeah, I didn't hit my head as I felt it coming this time, and the carpet's pretty cushy."

His phone rang.

"I'm sorry Mayu, someone must have called out at the hospital."

"You got a job at the hospital?"

"Yes, filling in hours. Right now, that's what I can handle until Eiji gets his medical degree."

"I'll be fine Tori. Plus, I want to hear Gure's side."

As she seemed much more receptive, I pulled her in close and kissed her, saying,

"I hope to see you tomorrow. After the ceremony we can go walking in the wildflower garden and talk some more."

"I'd like that."

"Call me if you need anything."

Mayu Meets the Dog Headed Knight

After he left, I went and retrieved Gure's manuscript and sat down with my tea and read. The story told the tale of a princess, a dog headed knight and an evil dragon wizard. While it was written as a fairy tale the early half mirrored the events from my newly-revealed memories. Down to the night we spent in his studio. The emotion behind Shigure's words was evident and it caused me great confusion. While it didn't precisely tell me what happened it provided an insight to how he felt. The princess's memories were taken from her by the wizard, and the world was plunged into eternal winter. She was attended by the Dog Headed Knight who remained at her side even though she walked through the world as if asleep. She did not recognize him. These pages ended with the Dog Headed Knight staying silently by the princess' side until his death, loyal until the end.

This ending was crossed out by a different pen, something that caused me to notice something I hadn't before; there were different pens used to write the story, and it was evident that the ending was written at a different point than most of the story. The pages were curling, the ink was fading, and there were tea stains and shopping lists written on the back of the pages as if the pages had sat ignored for a while. There were also tiny drawings in the margins of the text depicting the Sohma family, myself, and Tohru as if the author idly drew them while he wrote. There were a few pristine pages folded behind what I thought was a completed story. These were written with another pen. The ink was crisp as if it had just been written. They contained two separate endings. The first one had a happy ending for the dog headed knight:

The world was icy for several years. While the princess walked the cold, cold world,he was in a deep slumber like the koi in the icy ponds. The Dog Headed Knight wished he could give her the healing kiss that would restore all color to the world, but he knew he must be patient, for reviving her before it was time would cause her heart to freeze.

His patience was rewarded, and the sun returned. The ice covering the koi ponds melted and they jumped out to face the sun and bask in the warmth. The princess rose from her slumber and the knight, seeing that her memories had returned, gave her the healing kiss. All color returned to the earth, and she pledged her love to her faithful dog headed knight for his loyal service. The couple was wed, and the evil Dragon Wizard danced at their wedding in icy shoes.

Mercifully, this ending was crossed out as well as it seemed a bit forced and self-serving. Plus, I didn't like his portrayal of Tori as an evil wizard. I was feeling a bit unsettled by the situation that had revealed itself to me, but I had a feeling that it was not done out of malice. But regardless of that, this ending put my apprehensions in the forefront of my mind so this ending was even more unsettling.

Apparently Shigure agreed with me as the final page included another ending with the words- THIS ONE at the top lay behind the first of the new endings. It spun out the same way as the other stories up until the moment the sun returned. This ending had a cliff hanger that left the reader to wonder who would prevail.

The princess woke from her long slumber to find the wizard and the knight waiting for her. She balked when she saw the Dragon Wizard, but the Dog Headed Knight explained that the wizard was not evil, but rather had protected her from an ancient curse, saying,

"If you had woken too soon your eyes would have fallen on me and you would have fallen instantly in love with me. But the fates seem to say that we were not meant to be together and thus the world might have rebelled and everything might have returned to ice and snow."

"So," the princess said, "I am meant to be with the Dragon Wizard who took my sunshine away?"

The wizard said,

"It is your choice princess; we can give you recommendations, but truly, you must take your own path. You may choose either of us or neither of us. We will not fault you for your choice."

"Well," the Dog Headed Knight said, "it would be nice…"

But he fell silent when the wizard shot him a look.

The princess thanked them and walked away to think, leaving the two to wait upon her answer. Meanwhile the sun continued to bring back color to the world. She was happy to see the sun again, and she knew eventually she would make a choice, but she thought she might sit and watch the dancing koi for a while as their dance was filled with the joy she once had.

There was nothing more. I shuffled the pages to make sure nothing had gotten stuck together by some mysterious substance but there was nothing but the pages I had read. I felt cheated because I wanted to know who the princess chose. I was deeply confused and could have used a bit of guidance at the time. The Spin Doctor's Two Princes echoed in my head. I sat consumed by the depths of my confusion when Shigure called, thus bringing those feelings to a head. He had obviously heard from Tori that I was on speaking terms with them again. I sighed and answered the phone. They were clearly not going to make this easy.

"How are you Mayu?"

"Confused."

"I wish I could help, but I'm afraid Tori would call foul if I did."

Not really wanting to deal with the situation I hand, I turned to the book.

"Yes, both the Dragon Wizard and Dog Headed Knight both have their strengths and weaknesses."

I sensed he was waiting for me to say who I preferred so I derailed the conversation by saying.

"Maybe I want a snake tailor."

He laughed and said,

"Well, I'm not exactly sure what that sentiment would bring about if you made that known. But it might be entertaining to watch. So, I take it that you read my book."

"Yes. Is it meant to be a choose your own adventure?

"Well, that would be a solution, but I think my editor would kill me. She pitched a fit when she reread the book I sent in. She realized I didn't say who the princess chooses, and she's quite angry. I guess she got invested with the plot. She said readers would stalk me to find out who she chooses."

"Does Tori know you cast him as an evil wizard?"

"Yes, he's resigned to that role. He's cast himself in it himself for most of his life. I had hoped he had gotten out of the brooding stage of his life, but last week I got a hefty helping of Haa-san as he was from age thirteen to his early twenties, and I could do without it as he is quite oppressive when brooding. Things were going in the right direction recently and it was quite pleasant before I stuck my oar in. I'm pretty sure you were enjoying it. And I am sorry for that."

I cleared my throat and changed tack.

"Why are the endings so vastly different?"

"I was in a different place when I wrote them. Things have changed since then."

"It's all true, isn't it?"

"As farfetched as it sounds, our family is surrounded by many strange things."

"So, we were lovers?"

"Well, I wouldn't go that far. I certainly was in love with you, and I believe you were getting there. I think that's a past that has moved on.

He paused for a minute until I thought the call had dropped. But then he said,

"Be that as it may, things don't need to be decided in a night. My editor will wait as she loves the book."

Thinking back to his poetry reading I thought to myself,

"I don't think that's the only thing she loves."

"Well goodnight Shigure. When I know the ending of the story, I'll let you know."

"Thank you, and goodnight."

I went to bed just as confused as I had been when I got up. There were still many feelings flowing around me clouding my mind. It didn't help that the two of them conflated in my mind while I slept. They merged, creating one handsome man with manners, refinement, grace and deportment, a strange sense of humor that made me laugh and an artistic bent that allowed me to see myself as beautiful. One gray and one green eye looked back at me from under a mop of grey tinged black hair and elegant dance steps led to long nights in bed after watching my essence captured in graphite. My sleep-deprived mind said, "well I could…..," but I chastised myself for even entertaining that thought, even in a dream.

A/N I'm sorry this chapter ends in a cliff hanger, like Shigure's story, but it was a great place to stop. I promise this will not end as a choose your own adventure :) (Who else put their finger into a nexus point chapter so that you could turn back if you didn't like the ending? - yes, yes I did that :) I can strongly say that there will be a definitive answer at the end of this story. And the answer is definitely not c) All of the above.