Doesn't Matter, In the End
part 2: As I Look Through Water
By Darra aka the RealFolkBluesPT2
Disclaimer: Of course! Its not mines what else can I say!
Slain strolled through the park still clutching onto Keitaro by the neck. He'd been dragging Keitaro for sometime, perhaps 45 minutes. The moon was high in the sky, piece of it was hidden in dark. The blew a little chill and there was silence between the two. Of course Keitaro could hardly if he did in his current predicament. Slain had stopped when he had reached his destination. A reflection of the moon could be seen in the waters of the pond as well as Slains own reflection as he stood at the edge. Slain took one last look at Keitaro. Keitaro was also looking at him. They stared into each others eyes for what seemed the longest time with a silence between them. Only nature was making a noise but it was a little one. Slain then tossed Keitaro into the pond.
There was splash, not a big one though as Keitaro had entered the water. He resurfaced after a few seconds. Keitaro made no attempts to swim back because his body was too sore and he had not the will to. He remained a floating body slowly descending to the bottom. Slain watched him from the shore while he lit his cigaretten in his mouth. Once again they stared into each others eyes, their gazes unaverted. Soon Keitaro was looking at Slain from under the water. Further and further away Slain became but in fact it was Keitaro who moving as he descended. Soon all he could see was water.
'It doesn't matter....' Keitaro said to himself, everything was becoming dark. 'Doesn't matter, in the end......'
....................
"Did you know...."
"?"
"if two people who love one another can enter Tokyo U together.... they will live happily ever after. So when we grow up, lets both go to Tokyo U. Promise me!" a picture of the girl from Keitaro's memories appeared before him, with a joyous look on her face. Then she disappeared into the endless darkness.
"Promise?.... I can't fulfill any promises now. Not even.... to Narusegawa..."
Naru: "Do you promise me Keitaro, we will go to Tokyo U. together?"
"I'm sorry,"
Naru: "Idiot! You've gotten this far why quit now!?!?"
"I'm sorry,... Narusegawa.... but it's not by choice."
Shinobu: "Sempai are you sad?"
"......."
Shinobu: "Sempai are you depressed?"
"I can't tell myself."
Motoko: "Urashima are you happy?"
"....."
Motoko: "Urashima were you happy?"
"I was happy..."
Haruka: "Was your life at Hinata Sou happy?"
"It was.."
Kitsune: "Was it wonderful?"
"It was... Everyday was like a dream, a dream I never wanted to wake up from."
Kaolla: "Then why?"
"I found the dream had to end."
Sara: "Idiot! You should think about the future!"
"I have no future."
Naru: "Idiot! You're not dead yet!!"
"My fate is to end like the butterflies.... the butterflies..." A sudden flashback of memory appeared, in it a small boy and girl stood near a tree, looking up, watching the flock of butterflies fly above them and ascended to the ground. As they watched they could see pieces of the butterflies began to come off and then a flash of light. The flashback ends
Little girl of memories: "Kei-kun!"
Haruka: "Keitaro!"
Sara: "Keitaro!"
Mutsumi: "Keitaro-kun!"
Kitsune: "Keitaro!"
Motoko: "Urashima!"
Kaolla: "Keitaro!"
Shinobu: "Sempai!"
Naru: "KEITARO!!!"
Keitaro's eyes shot wide open as if just waking up. He took a moment to push up his glasses, and look around his surroundings. It was daylight, possibly sometime in the afternoon. He was somewhere on a path in the forest. There was a heavy weight on his shoulders, much larger than Tamago.
"Papa," said a soft voice. Keitaro looked up towards the voices origin.
"What is it Asuka?" He asked his daughter who sat on his shoulders.
"Look!" she joyfully pointing to a small butterfly on the ground. "Isn't it beautiful, papa!" she exclaimed.
"Yes it is," Keitaro replied, He looked to see Naru smiling back at him, and holding onto there son, Shinij's, hand. "yes it is." They continued to walk on with joyous looks on their faces. Keitaro now was observing the happy picture from a distance. Soon this happy picture became distant and faded away into darkness.
Keitaro awoke seeing what he thought to be an unfamiliar ceiling but soon came to realize that it was the ceiling of his room. He was lying down in a futon, his body ached in pain from the beating he had recieved yesterday. He looked around, seeing Slain sitting down nearby, smoking a cigarette, and watching him.
"What... What was that?" Keitaro asked calmly, breaking silence.
"A vision of what is possible, out of many possibilities," Slain replied, exhaling some smoke.
"Possible? It's not possible. Not now," told Keitaro staring up at the ceiling again.
Slain let out a short sigh and said, "You may never know, they might find a cure for the late stages in a few weeks."
Keitaro gave out a slight chuckle, "God would be smiling at me then." he joked.
"So will you tell them now?" Slain asked.
"Yes..," Keitaro replied, "you're right, they should know." Slain smothered his cigarette on the floor then tossed it and stood.
"Get some rest," He said, and began to leave. He was about to go out the door when Keitaro spoke.
"Thank you. Thank you for it all," Keitaro said.
"Your welcome ...though its the first time someone has thanked me for kicking their ass." The two laughed.
"I... almost met him. I almost met Death." Keitaro told.
"You have met Death, you just haven't died." with that said Slain left, closing the door behind him. Keitaro was left alone in the darkness of his room finding himself slowly drifting back to sleep.
Naru toiled on her studies once again. She tried to keep her mind off her mind off of current events by working on her studies yet her mind always came back to the other night. Naru let out a sigh as she gave up on her effort. She just could not get it out of her mind. What troubled her the most was that Keitaro did not care. He had no worry, no concern, no fear. He just did not care.
sfx; "Knock, knock!"
It came from where the hole was in her floor where Liddo-kun sat.
"Narusegawa!" Keitaro called, "Can I come in?"
"Yeah," She replied. The board that covered the hole in floor moved and Keitaro came up from it. He was in his usual attire except wearing no glasses. Keitaro sat down in front of Naru, there was a short silence between.
"So... are you feeling any better?" Naru asked breaking the silence.
"Yeah,... sort of. There's still some soreness from yesterday but not much," Keitaro replied.
"That's good," Naru said with a bit of a smile, "I was a bit worried, we all were, that he might of killed you." Keitaro expression turned serious. He grew somewhat depressed from something Naru said.
"Keitaro?" She said looking at Keitaro confused.
"Narusegawa, there's something I need to tell you," Keirtaro told.
"What is it?" Naru asked. Keitaro pondered how he would tell her about it. Each idea seemed unfavorable until one came into mind that seemed to be okay, so he went with that one.
"Narusegawa!" Keitaro said with determination, he was now standing erect though on his knees. "I must tell you..."
At that moment Tama flew in the room and landed on Keitaro's head. This cause Keitaro to lose his balance and fall forward into Naru. Naru getting a hold of herself, looked down to find Keitaro's head buried in her chest. Her anger soon grew.
"Pervert!" Naru yelled giving him one of her punches and sending him flying across the room. Naru walked over to Keitaro with the look of the devil on her face and cracked her knuckles. Keitaro was on his hands and knees and began to start coughing. As she watched him she prepared to give a second round when she noticed Keitaro was coughing out blood. Her expression soon softened as she took one look at Keitaro then to her fist and back again to Keitaro.
'That never happened before,' Naru thought. Keitaro soon relized someone was watching and looked up.
The two sat in silence across from each other again. They both looked down unable to look at each other and not knowing what to say.
"Keitaro...," Naru said looking up.
"Yeah?"
"What just happen.... what's going on? Does this have to do with the way your acting lately?" She asked in a concerned way. Keitaro let out a sigh realizing he just had to tell her the truth.
"Narusegawa, about a month or two ago I was diagnosed with Lonno's Disease." Keitaro began.
"Lonno's Disease? Whats that?"
Keitaro replied, "Its a rare disease. Not very many people get it."
"And does who do?" She felt a wave of fear soon come over her. Keitaro let another long sigh.
"They're not expected to live long after diagnoses," he told. Shock and fear came over her hearing this.
"You've been keeping this from us the whole time!?" she yelled.
"I'm sorry... I didn't want to burden any of you with my problem,"
"Burden!!.." Naru grabbed him by the shirt and began to shake him furiously, "Idiot! You're the damn manager of this place! How are we supposed to find out?! Find you one morning in your bed dead!!" Naru's tears threatened to peak out but she tried to hold it back. "Tell me there is a cure! TELL ME THERE IS!" Keitaro gave no answer, keeping his eyes averted from Naru's. Naru stopped her shaking and let go of Keitaro.
"How long?" she asked in a much softer voice.
"The doctors told me I have at least 2 months left to live before...," Keitaro trailed off letting Naru draw her own conclusions. "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you first before I go and tell the others." Keitaro got up and left through the hole in the floor. Naru was left alone in her room. Spots on the floor were wet, soon more falling down came to join them.
Elder1: "The truth has been told now the burden has been known."
Elder2: "But is it the truth if only part of the truth has been told?"
Elder1: "Does it matter?"
Shinobu occupied herself by washing dishes. Her mind kept returning to the unsettling news Keitaro had told everyone. Everyone was shocked and surprised to learn that Keitaro-sempai was going to die. Unlike the day before when Keitaro could have been killed by Slain, this news seem to be equal yet bigger, he's now going to die. Tears rolled down Shinobu's cheeks. She could do no more chores as the saddness of it all had taken over her and at the moment she did not know what to do.
The sun rose in the East bringing light to a part of the world. Keitaro awoke and sat up wondering how he should face the others today. Keitaro got dressed and went downstairs. When he got to the dinning room everyone in the dorm was waiting for him. There was definate silence in the room. Keitaro took a seat right away.
"Ah hem, Urashima," said Motoko.
"Yeah?"
"Concerning yesterday, It was very unsettling to hear that you will meet the end of yourself in a very short time. It is also unsettling to learn that you did not tell us of your condition sooner."
"I'm sorry," Keitaro apologize.
"Anyways, we all have talked this is over and decided.."
"Keitaro Be Happy!!" Kaolla interupted Motoko.
"Hey I was just about to finish!" There was a pop, and confettii fell from the ceiling. Kaolla and Sara held up signs with words of inspiration.
"Wh-What is all of this?"asked Keitaro a bit surprised.
"Well Keitaro we're going to make these last months of yours the happiest time you ever experienced," Informed Kitsune.
"Sempai, we will try our best!" exclaimed Shinobu with a smile.
"Yeah!" exclaimed both Sara and Su. Keitaro was a bit surprised by this. He couldn't figure what to say.
"Err... Thank you everyone but you dont..."
"Don't say any more. We're happy to help," Kitsune interrupted. Soon it grew chaotic. Keitaro let out a sigh and a smile soon followed.
Keitaro laid back on his floor with his hands behind his head. He stared at the ceiling and thought about his current situation. He was grateful that they all tried to make him happy for these last months but he didn't want to bother them. The board in his ceiling moved giving a view into another room. Naru came into view, and they both stared at each other through the hole.
"Narusegawa," said Keitaro.
"Keitaro... I'm still mad at you for not telling me," Naru informed.
"I'm sorry...,"
"But," Naru interrupted. "seeing how everyone is trying to do something instead of waiting I find myself wanting to do the same." Keitaro looked at her questionally, wondering where she was getting at.
"That is why Keitaro... I... will...," Naru took a deep breath before finishing. "FROM NOW ON I WILL TRY TO FIND YOU A CURE!!" she yelled in joy.
"Wha-What!!" Keitaro exclaimed, in shock. "Na-Narusegawa! There's no need..."
"Hey, what are you worried about. This way for sure I'll find away to keep you alive and you will be able to keep your promise to me now! So don't worry I'll find one for sure." She gave him one of her best smiles then covered the hole.
"Wait Narusegawa!" Keitaro laid back realizimg he couldn't convice her not to. Looking up he whispered, "You can't Narusegawa because it's too late."
Author notes: You just a bout everyone who writes a fanfic does notes so I wanna do different.
Nyo Dead Speaks... ; In the chapter we'll find out why Keitaro is acting the way he is. So people how did you like it? Please give me review for it. I wanna thank both Dan Canttell and Akal Saris for profreading this for me. I would also like to thank Phi Templar for his review. I really thank you for it. The first like it I gotten for it so far. While talking to Phi online he asked me if Slain's only purpose in this story is just to say hi and kick ass. Well I have to say Slain's purpose is to kick ass and kick more ass, he's good at it. I plan on putting him alot of other stories I'm planning and in them he will do what he's good at kick ass. I'm planning a CardCaptor Sakura fic with Slain in it and he'll kick some ass but don't worry I'll also give him a story it. Well till next time...
part 2: As I Look Through Water
By Darra aka the RealFolkBluesPT2
Disclaimer: Of course! Its not mines what else can I say!
Slain strolled through the park still clutching onto Keitaro by the neck. He'd been dragging Keitaro for sometime, perhaps 45 minutes. The moon was high in the sky, piece of it was hidden in dark. The blew a little chill and there was silence between the two. Of course Keitaro could hardly if he did in his current predicament. Slain had stopped when he had reached his destination. A reflection of the moon could be seen in the waters of the pond as well as Slains own reflection as he stood at the edge. Slain took one last look at Keitaro. Keitaro was also looking at him. They stared into each others eyes for what seemed the longest time with a silence between them. Only nature was making a noise but it was a little one. Slain then tossed Keitaro into the pond.
There was splash, not a big one though as Keitaro had entered the water. He resurfaced after a few seconds. Keitaro made no attempts to swim back because his body was too sore and he had not the will to. He remained a floating body slowly descending to the bottom. Slain watched him from the shore while he lit his cigaretten in his mouth. Once again they stared into each others eyes, their gazes unaverted. Soon Keitaro was looking at Slain from under the water. Further and further away Slain became but in fact it was Keitaro who moving as he descended. Soon all he could see was water.
'It doesn't matter....' Keitaro said to himself, everything was becoming dark. 'Doesn't matter, in the end......'
....................
"Did you know...."
"?"
"if two people who love one another can enter Tokyo U together.... they will live happily ever after. So when we grow up, lets both go to Tokyo U. Promise me!" a picture of the girl from Keitaro's memories appeared before him, with a joyous look on her face. Then she disappeared into the endless darkness.
"Promise?.... I can't fulfill any promises now. Not even.... to Narusegawa..."
Naru: "Do you promise me Keitaro, we will go to Tokyo U. together?"
"I'm sorry,"
Naru: "Idiot! You've gotten this far why quit now!?!?"
"I'm sorry,... Narusegawa.... but it's not by choice."
Shinobu: "Sempai are you sad?"
"......."
Shinobu: "Sempai are you depressed?"
"I can't tell myself."
Motoko: "Urashima are you happy?"
"....."
Motoko: "Urashima were you happy?"
"I was happy..."
Haruka: "Was your life at Hinata Sou happy?"
"It was.."
Kitsune: "Was it wonderful?"
"It was... Everyday was like a dream, a dream I never wanted to wake up from."
Kaolla: "Then why?"
"I found the dream had to end."
Sara: "Idiot! You should think about the future!"
"I have no future."
Naru: "Idiot! You're not dead yet!!"
"My fate is to end like the butterflies.... the butterflies..." A sudden flashback of memory appeared, in it a small boy and girl stood near a tree, looking up, watching the flock of butterflies fly above them and ascended to the ground. As they watched they could see pieces of the butterflies began to come off and then a flash of light. The flashback ends
Little girl of memories: "Kei-kun!"
Haruka: "Keitaro!"
Sara: "Keitaro!"
Mutsumi: "Keitaro-kun!"
Kitsune: "Keitaro!"
Motoko: "Urashima!"
Kaolla: "Keitaro!"
Shinobu: "Sempai!"
Naru: "KEITARO!!!"
Keitaro's eyes shot wide open as if just waking up. He took a moment to push up his glasses, and look around his surroundings. It was daylight, possibly sometime in the afternoon. He was somewhere on a path in the forest. There was a heavy weight on his shoulders, much larger than Tamago.
"Papa," said a soft voice. Keitaro looked up towards the voices origin.
"What is it Asuka?" He asked his daughter who sat on his shoulders.
"Look!" she joyfully pointing to a small butterfly on the ground. "Isn't it beautiful, papa!" she exclaimed.
"Yes it is," Keitaro replied, He looked to see Naru smiling back at him, and holding onto there son, Shinij's, hand. "yes it is." They continued to walk on with joyous looks on their faces. Keitaro now was observing the happy picture from a distance. Soon this happy picture became distant and faded away into darkness.
Keitaro awoke seeing what he thought to be an unfamiliar ceiling but soon came to realize that it was the ceiling of his room. He was lying down in a futon, his body ached in pain from the beating he had recieved yesterday. He looked around, seeing Slain sitting down nearby, smoking a cigarette, and watching him.
"What... What was that?" Keitaro asked calmly, breaking silence.
"A vision of what is possible, out of many possibilities," Slain replied, exhaling some smoke.
"Possible? It's not possible. Not now," told Keitaro staring up at the ceiling again.
Slain let out a short sigh and said, "You may never know, they might find a cure for the late stages in a few weeks."
Keitaro gave out a slight chuckle, "God would be smiling at me then." he joked.
"So will you tell them now?" Slain asked.
"Yes..," Keitaro replied, "you're right, they should know." Slain smothered his cigarette on the floor then tossed it and stood.
"Get some rest," He said, and began to leave. He was about to go out the door when Keitaro spoke.
"Thank you. Thank you for it all," Keitaro said.
"Your welcome ...though its the first time someone has thanked me for kicking their ass." The two laughed.
"I... almost met him. I almost met Death." Keitaro told.
"You have met Death, you just haven't died." with that said Slain left, closing the door behind him. Keitaro was left alone in the darkness of his room finding himself slowly drifting back to sleep.
Naru toiled on her studies once again. She tried to keep her mind off her mind off of current events by working on her studies yet her mind always came back to the other night. Naru let out a sigh as she gave up on her effort. She just could not get it out of her mind. What troubled her the most was that Keitaro did not care. He had no worry, no concern, no fear. He just did not care.
sfx; "Knock, knock!"
It came from where the hole was in her floor where Liddo-kun sat.
"Narusegawa!" Keitaro called, "Can I come in?"
"Yeah," She replied. The board that covered the hole in floor moved and Keitaro came up from it. He was in his usual attire except wearing no glasses. Keitaro sat down in front of Naru, there was a short silence between.
"So... are you feeling any better?" Naru asked breaking the silence.
"Yeah,... sort of. There's still some soreness from yesterday but not much," Keitaro replied.
"That's good," Naru said with a bit of a smile, "I was a bit worried, we all were, that he might of killed you." Keitaro expression turned serious. He grew somewhat depressed from something Naru said.
"Keitaro?" She said looking at Keitaro confused.
"Narusegawa, there's something I need to tell you," Keirtaro told.
"What is it?" Naru asked. Keitaro pondered how he would tell her about it. Each idea seemed unfavorable until one came into mind that seemed to be okay, so he went with that one.
"Narusegawa!" Keitaro said with determination, he was now standing erect though on his knees. "I must tell you..."
At that moment Tama flew in the room and landed on Keitaro's head. This cause Keitaro to lose his balance and fall forward into Naru. Naru getting a hold of herself, looked down to find Keitaro's head buried in her chest. Her anger soon grew.
"Pervert!" Naru yelled giving him one of her punches and sending him flying across the room. Naru walked over to Keitaro with the look of the devil on her face and cracked her knuckles. Keitaro was on his hands and knees and began to start coughing. As she watched him she prepared to give a second round when she noticed Keitaro was coughing out blood. Her expression soon softened as she took one look at Keitaro then to her fist and back again to Keitaro.
'That never happened before,' Naru thought. Keitaro soon relized someone was watching and looked up.
The two sat in silence across from each other again. They both looked down unable to look at each other and not knowing what to say.
"Keitaro...," Naru said looking up.
"Yeah?"
"What just happen.... what's going on? Does this have to do with the way your acting lately?" She asked in a concerned way. Keitaro let out a sigh realizing he just had to tell her the truth.
"Narusegawa, about a month or two ago I was diagnosed with Lonno's Disease." Keitaro began.
"Lonno's Disease? Whats that?"
Keitaro replied, "Its a rare disease. Not very many people get it."
"And does who do?" She felt a wave of fear soon come over her. Keitaro let another long sigh.
"They're not expected to live long after diagnoses," he told. Shock and fear came over her hearing this.
"You've been keeping this from us the whole time!?" she yelled.
"I'm sorry... I didn't want to burden any of you with my problem,"
"Burden!!.." Naru grabbed him by the shirt and began to shake him furiously, "Idiot! You're the damn manager of this place! How are we supposed to find out?! Find you one morning in your bed dead!!" Naru's tears threatened to peak out but she tried to hold it back. "Tell me there is a cure! TELL ME THERE IS!" Keitaro gave no answer, keeping his eyes averted from Naru's. Naru stopped her shaking and let go of Keitaro.
"How long?" she asked in a much softer voice.
"The doctors told me I have at least 2 months left to live before...," Keitaro trailed off letting Naru draw her own conclusions. "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you first before I go and tell the others." Keitaro got up and left through the hole in the floor. Naru was left alone in her room. Spots on the floor were wet, soon more falling down came to join them.
Elder1: "The truth has been told now the burden has been known."
Elder2: "But is it the truth if only part of the truth has been told?"
Elder1: "Does it matter?"
Shinobu occupied herself by washing dishes. Her mind kept returning to the unsettling news Keitaro had told everyone. Everyone was shocked and surprised to learn that Keitaro-sempai was going to die. Unlike the day before when Keitaro could have been killed by Slain, this news seem to be equal yet bigger, he's now going to die. Tears rolled down Shinobu's cheeks. She could do no more chores as the saddness of it all had taken over her and at the moment she did not know what to do.
The sun rose in the East bringing light to a part of the world. Keitaro awoke and sat up wondering how he should face the others today. Keitaro got dressed and went downstairs. When he got to the dinning room everyone in the dorm was waiting for him. There was definate silence in the room. Keitaro took a seat right away.
"Ah hem, Urashima," said Motoko.
"Yeah?"
"Concerning yesterday, It was very unsettling to hear that you will meet the end of yourself in a very short time. It is also unsettling to learn that you did not tell us of your condition sooner."
"I'm sorry," Keitaro apologize.
"Anyways, we all have talked this is over and decided.."
"Keitaro Be Happy!!" Kaolla interupted Motoko.
"Hey I was just about to finish!" There was a pop, and confettii fell from the ceiling. Kaolla and Sara held up signs with words of inspiration.
"Wh-What is all of this?"asked Keitaro a bit surprised.
"Well Keitaro we're going to make these last months of yours the happiest time you ever experienced," Informed Kitsune.
"Sempai, we will try our best!" exclaimed Shinobu with a smile.
"Yeah!" exclaimed both Sara and Su. Keitaro was a bit surprised by this. He couldn't figure what to say.
"Err... Thank you everyone but you dont..."
"Don't say any more. We're happy to help," Kitsune interrupted. Soon it grew chaotic. Keitaro let out a sigh and a smile soon followed.
Keitaro laid back on his floor with his hands behind his head. He stared at the ceiling and thought about his current situation. He was grateful that they all tried to make him happy for these last months but he didn't want to bother them. The board in his ceiling moved giving a view into another room. Naru came into view, and they both stared at each other through the hole.
"Narusegawa," said Keitaro.
"Keitaro... I'm still mad at you for not telling me," Naru informed.
"I'm sorry...,"
"But," Naru interrupted. "seeing how everyone is trying to do something instead of waiting I find myself wanting to do the same." Keitaro looked at her questionally, wondering where she was getting at.
"That is why Keitaro... I... will...," Naru took a deep breath before finishing. "FROM NOW ON I WILL TRY TO FIND YOU A CURE!!" she yelled in joy.
"Wha-What!!" Keitaro exclaimed, in shock. "Na-Narusegawa! There's no need..."
"Hey, what are you worried about. This way for sure I'll find away to keep you alive and you will be able to keep your promise to me now! So don't worry I'll find one for sure." She gave him one of her best smiles then covered the hole.
"Wait Narusegawa!" Keitaro laid back realizimg he couldn't convice her not to. Looking up he whispered, "You can't Narusegawa because it's too late."
Author notes: You just a bout everyone who writes a fanfic does notes so I wanna do different.
Nyo Dead Speaks... ; In the chapter we'll find out why Keitaro is acting the way he is. So people how did you like it? Please give me review for it. I wanna thank both Dan Canttell and Akal Saris for profreading this for me. I would also like to thank Phi Templar for his review. I really thank you for it. The first like it I gotten for it so far. While talking to Phi online he asked me if Slain's only purpose in this story is just to say hi and kick ass. Well I have to say Slain's purpose is to kick ass and kick more ass, he's good at it. I plan on putting him alot of other stories I'm planning and in them he will do what he's good at kick ass. I'm planning a CardCaptor Sakura fic with Slain in it and he'll kick some ass but don't worry I'll also give him a story it. Well till next time...