Hey there. Since I've been denied uploading privileges for a week, I've decided to type out as many chapters as possible. The date of today is 13/01/03. Remember to choose the country that you want her to go to or I'll have to rely on my screwed up logic to do so. Thank you to all of you who bothered to review this fic. I really must make a list of the names I see the most for a fic and on all my fics. I know for sure that Lady Light, Ice Blue Eyes, White Ivy, dreamertwin and this new reviewer, Rheia will appear. I count myself as lucky to have such loyal readers. Don't worry about An Unlikely Bond. As my valentine fic, I'm gonna concentrate on it so that I can complete it. You'll be seeing it updated along with this one and Tainted Innocence.

From Stone to Man

by: Lilaclight

Decisions

The comforting sound of her feet pounding the pavement around the block helped her put things in perspective. In her opinion, there was nothing as soothing and focusing as a paced run around the block. And it was good for the health and keeping fit too. The rush of adrenaline through her system and the feeling of elation that settled over her was like drugs, real addictive. The only thing more addictive was her sculpting.

The rush that she got from seeing what perfection or near perfection that she had created with her own hands, skill, had always been more powerful than anything else. It was what kept her marginally sane in the insane life that was hers. The memories were kept at bay and she had those moments of total absorption in her work to free her soul. That was why the last time she had been on a date was at least almost two years ago. Her work was her passion; there was no room for anything else in her life. She made sure that there was no room.

Smiling politely to the passing couple, she vaguely noted that they were new to the route and had the trim, sleek figure of natural born runners. More people joined the route as the afternoon turned to dusk but she hardly noticed them. Her sole focus was on her fear. The mind numbing, world shattering fear that she might no longer be able to sculpt.

The joyful, careless persona that she adopted in public and portrayed to all of her patrons hid the fragile, loving, emotionally starved, scared little girl that she was inside. Her only confidence was in her talent and the loss of it would destroy her more thoroughly than any man could. Her sculpting was her heart; the only time she allowed her emotions to peek through was when she created those astounding works of art which had set the sculpting segment of the fine art world on fire.

For some inexplicable reason she had been striking a stone wall whenever she tried to reach that inner place where her inspiration came from. The past few weeks had been incredibly frustrating for her as she dug deeper and deeper into her sub-consciousness for answers. It felt as if someone had placed a barrier to prevent her from creating anything. Weeks of insomnia was ready to catch up with her, begging her to discontinue her futile attempts for reclamation. When it was ready to happen it would happen. Or so she comforted herself all the while doubting the truth of her words.

Mulling over the words of her friend and agent, Serenity debated over leaving and staying, her stronger inclination to remain where she was. It was very true that the last time the words vacation and her name were placed in the same sentence was practically unknown but she had not needed one. Leaving meant that she would be venturing forth into the world and traveling again. The harsh reality that it represented had her bemoaning her fate as she sped up her pace to let off more steam.

Her regulated breathing came out in small puffs as the chill in the air increased. Dressed in a pair of gray track suit pants (the long ones) and a sweat soaked white tank top with the Addidas logo on the back not to mention her brand name Air Jordan (is that the right phrase?), she was immune to the chill that was settling over the area together with a fog. Visibility grew shorter and she almost missed the gap that lead to her house before she noticed that there was a fog.

'Where the hell did this fog come from? We're no where near the sea.' she puzzled, happy for the distraction although it did not last long.

'I'm hopeless. First I lose my ability to sculpt the slightest thing and now I lose my sense of direction. What's next? My virginity?' Serenity sighed at that. It really was a quite pitiful that in all her twenty-six years of living that she had never managed to get to fourth base. Jackie would be shocked right down to her pretty celestial clay, or whatever colour she had on at the moment, toes.

'Maybe I should leave, even if it's just to Hawaii. Nice warm climate full of hotties. Jackie would love it. Then again, she did suggest a place for me. It sounded nice and tranquil, no rowdy, uncouth barbarians to disturb me, just the pleasant townsfolk.'

Shaking her head, Serenity made her way up the driveway to her front door and searched under the mat for the key. Whenever she went out she never hid the key the same place twice. Who knew who was watching you? And there was a backup key hidden in the backyard; a backyard that she had little use for except to work occasionally and sleep on the lounge chaise.

'There is nothing left here for you anyway. Without your sculpting there's nothing you can do. The change of scenery might actually help.' a little voice whispered in her head as she opened the door and entered the house.

'What have you got to lose? Do tell for as far as I can see, you already lost it.' the voice further declared.

'Some way to convince me. You'd never make it as a salesperson.' Serenity muttered with a furrowed brow.

'Well neither would you.' the voice retorted and the mental image of a tongue sticking out of a mouth that looked uncannily like hers flashed in her mind.

'Grr.' she growled mentally in hopes of intimidation.

'Won't work sugar. I'd do the same in your spot.' the voice replied flippantly with a touch of smugness in its tone.

'Oh whatever. You're no help at all!' Serenity exclaimed in exasperation. 'I'll make my own decision.'

'Oh really, and what's that?' the voice said dubiously.

'I'm going. I can't stay here. The taint of my recent failure hangs heavy in the air. I'd only be tormenting myself and I am not one for self inflicted torment.' Serenity responded defiantly.

'Excellent! Now tell me this, where are you going to go?' the voice asked.

Serenity came to a standstill in the middle of the kitchen, hands akimbo and scrunched up her face in confusion and annoyance.

'Damn! I have absolutely no idea,' she proclaimed before wincing from the barrage of insults the voice had release upon her.

And we all know why she has no idea, don't we. You guys have to vote for the country she going to and what characters from the anime that you want to show up in the fic. So far I have had votes for Ireland, South America and Greece as well as votes for Duo, Quatre, Rei and Hotaru.

I was going to type up a story idea for you guys but I'm too tired and I have to get ready for school. It's 6:55 over here and it's probably 5:55 or earlier where you guys are unless you're in Europe, Asia and Australia. Then it's later there. Anyways, I have got to go. Expect the story idea in the chapter of another fic.

14/01/03

Due to unforeseen difficulties An Unlikely Bond will be updated late tonight/early tomorrow instead. 10/01/03

Ja ne.