Disclaimer: Based off of characters by the ever-lovable Rumiko Takahshi, which are hers, no copyright infringement is meant, and they are used without permission. This story can be spread around, as long as the author is acknowledged, and it is not sold for profit, either in part or in whole, and all disclaimers are left intact.
Music: 'Until it Sleeps' by Metallica.
The End of the Beginning
By
Lady Mystra
Language Key:
Chinese
() English
[] Radio/Telephone
{} Television
Chapter 3: The End of Innocence
My son,
pay attention to my wisdom,
listen well to my words of insight,
that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;
but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
She gives no thought to the way of life;
her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.
(Proverbs 5:1-6)
So long as the winds stir the waves of my heart...
The wings of hate will never stop beating.
Saburo Anotsu (Blade of the Immortal)
Chinese Embassy (Tokyo):
Behind an oak desk sat a Chinese man in his mid 60's he was wearing a navy blue Armani suit, his head was bent forward while his hands are clasped together in front of his face elbows supported by the desk. His eyes can be seen above his hands looking straightforward there's a window to his back. Shutters slightly open giving him an aura of light, which casts him in a shadow while his eyes are illuminated.
"Did they succeed Witch?"
To his left he could hear footsteps approach. As a figure entered from his left the light revealed a woman who's eyes were emerald in shade piercing the man in cold fury as she approached. Her hair was long and black like the coat of a panther her figure was shapely and her clothes clung to her figure revealing every curve of her body.
"No, General Kung they did not."
Before he could answer she replied, "It would seem we are not the only people looking for the necklace."
"What do you mean?" asked the General.
"There was another person there that interfered with the mercenaries."
"Who was it?" replied the General angrily.
"A young man the same age as the query."
"Of Chinese decent from the visions I had."
"Deunan and Briareos will give us more detailed information when they contact you."
With a wave of his hand he dismisses her.
"Very well you may go," replied the General off handedly.
He swivels his chair around facing the window. The woman did not depart instead her eyes narrowed, glowing red as she continued to stare at his back. The General leaned forward reaching for his throat as if choking. Slowly he rose from his chair, but not on his own power. Still choking as he rose from the chair grasping his neck. He was suspended in the air.
"Don't order me around like a whore or one of your soldiers, General."
"You are easy to replace General, you should do well to remember that."
The General was thrown violently on the ground. He slowly rose shaking his head and clearing his thought's as he grasp for air.
"I will be down stairs getting ready for the trip to the site in Xian, and General do what ever you can to get the necklace, I suggest you give the mercenaries a second chance and if they fail kill them."
"I believe you can handle things on this end am I correct," replied the woman as she narrowed her eyes to him.
"Yes." Said the General
"Good."
With that the woman left her heels clicking on the floor.
-------
He heard booted feet approach him as he was gasping for air.
General are you ok? The general looked up to see his aide, Yung Kun approach. He began to help him get to his feet.
Don't worry Yung it'll take more than that bitch to scare me. Although in his mind he knew better, that the woman had scared him more then he wanted to admit.
Yes sir, replied Kun. Not believing the words of the general.
I don't know what Chan is up to making deals with that Triad bitch.
But he better know what he is doing if he wants my continued support.
The General fixed his suit and sat back down waiting for the call from Briareos and Deunan.
-------
In a van not to far from the embassy two people were discussing their failed mission.
"Bri what do you think will happen?" replied Deunan stone faced. She knew things did not look good.
"I don't know Deunan, this is not good."
"You think they might terminate us." Knowing that they could handle anything.
"The thought has crossed my mind, we should be on guard."
"If things get bad I set up a few outs for us." Reaching for his cell phone Bri started to make the call to the Chinese Embassy.
-------
Chinese Embassy:
A young secretary turns from her work as she hears the phone ring she picks up the phone.
"General Kung's office." answers the secretary.
[This is Briareos Hecatonchires.]
"State your business please," replied the secretary.
[I need to speak to the General.]
"One moment please." She pushed the hold button and pushed the button to the General's phone. The attractive young secretary waited with the phone to her ear for the general to answer.
[What is it?] Stated the General on the line.
"It is Briareos Hecatonchires on line two," replied the secretary.
[Secure this line.] Replied the General.
"Yes, sir," with that she pushed another button.
"The line is secure."
[Send the call through.]
-------
[We failed to retrieve the item.] Briareos answers.
The General sighs at there answer.
[General there has been a obstacle that were not anticipated due to poor intelligence.]
"What obstacle do you speak of?" spoke the General disappointedly.
[There was another opponent who also was hunting for the item in question.]
[He interfered in the recovery of the object, giving the query and the item time to escape.]
[Sources indicate that they are heading for Korea.]
[Advise.]
"Follow them and retrieve the item at all cost."
"Don't fail me again!" Yelled the General and slammed it down on the receiver.
[Yes sir!]
-------
Back at the van Briareos hanged up the phone.
Deunan looks at him "Well?"
"He's giving us another chance," replied Briareos.
"I think were going to need help on this one."
Deunan looks at Briareos and answers. "My sources tell me that they are heading for Seoul."
"If we take a jet we can get a jump on them." Finished Deunan.
Briareos picks up the phone.
"Who you going to call," replied Deunan.
"Sudo and John."
"Who are you going to call?" Deunan looked at him strangely.
"You know Sudo Shihei and John Lee."
"You want to hire Shihei and Lee, do you know how expensive they are."
"Yea, they are but they are the only ones we can get."
"Besides they owe me for helping them on that job in Colombia."
"Very well." replied Deunan as she remembered the two. Sudo was a martial arts master who specialized in ancient weapons and John was a former Triad Assassin and an expert in all small arms especially in pistols.
-------
Tokyo Downtown:
A man was meditating on the balcony of an apartment. Bonsai flora surrounded him as he meditated a sand garden was at his feet. He was seating in a lotus position a crisscross scar adorned the bridge of his nose. The phone rang and a door next to the phone opened and a man dressed in gray slacks and a black silk shirt picks up the phone.
"Hello."
[John is that you, its me Briareos.]
"Hey Briareos what do you want?"
[I need to talk to Sudo, can you get him for me,] replied Briareos.
"Sure Bri." with that John goes outside to where Sudo is meditating.
-------
Sudo picks up he phone and replies. "Bri!"
[You remember that time in Bogotá.]
"Yes, I remember."
[I am calling in a favor; I need you to meet me at Narita Airport.]
"When?"
[As soon as possible.]
[Can you do that Sudo?]
"Do you want me to bring John?'
[Yes, and take what you need.]
[The situation is hot.]
"We will be there in an hour." Bri hangs up the phone turns to Deunan and states
"They will be there in an hour."
"Lets get moving."
"Bri, the news is reporting the incident about the shooting at Haneda?"
"We have to move quickly then."
-------
Chinese Embassy:
In the dark the General turns to his aide.
"Get me Shan Ying." He replies as he rubs his bandaged neck.
"Yes sir."
A few minutes later a young Chinese man with short hair and ponytail walked in. He was dressed in black Chinese robes. In his right hand a string of black beads. He walks in and the General replies,
"You Called?"
"I have a job for you."
"What's the job General?" replied Shan Ying.
The aide comes behind him and hands him a manila envelope.
The General replies, "In there is all the information you need, about the target, the item and anyone who is involved with him."
"There is also a third party involved. "
"He is as skilled as the query and, he is after the item in questioned."
"No matter who retrieves the item terminate all in involved."
He shakes his head and replies, "yes."
With that he turns around and walks out.
The general swivels his chair around to look out the window. "Do you think he will succeed General?"
"Ying has never failed me in any assigned task for to do so would mean death."
-------
Sea of Japan
Ryoga steps out from the back of the plane and closed the curtain behind him. He was now dressed in six pattern desert fatigues. He was wearing khaki shirt reminiscent of the British or Australian design worn during World War II. He wore an A-2 flight jacket. He also had an old World War II Australian slouch hat in his left hand.
"Who are you suppose to be Indiana Jones." replied Ukyo as she snickered at him.
"That's Doctor Jones to you." smirked Ryoga as he spoke in English. Ryoga put on the hat and some Ray-ban aviator sunglasses and posed proudly in front of Ukyo.
"Besides Indiana wore a brown fedora, bull whip and pistol," replied Ryoga as he continued to smirk.
"Oh shut up you jackass," replied Ukyo angrily as she smacked his shoulder.
Ryoga and started to laugh while Ukyo gave him a mean look. After that she gave up and joined him in a good laugh.
-------
Ryoga went to the front of the plane after talking to Ukyo. He sat in the co-pilot seat and put on the headphones that where on the dashboard.
"Thanks," replied Isamu as he put his hat and sunglasses.
"Do you know who those people were, Isamu?"
"Not a clue but they looked professional," replied Isamu as he checked his controls.
"I know plus Tarou was there."
"What do you think they wanted," replied Isamu.
"All I know is that Tarou wanted my necklace." Ryoga pulled out his necklace from his shirt.
"Whoa! That's a nice hunk of rock!" replied, a wide-eyed Isamu.
"I am also concerned that those other people where after it as well."
"We need to be careful from now on," replied Ryoga.
"Yeah, you should watch back where ever you go," Isamu replied.
"Yeah, thanks," replied Ryoga.
He then took off his headphones and headed for the back of the plane to see if Ukyo had finish changing.
-------
Narita Airport:
A young man is boarding a crowded plane carrying a knapsack as he pushed his way to his seat. He stored his pack in one of the overhead compartment as he grumbles about crowded planes.
"Damn, I still can't believe I have to fly on one of these things," grumbled Tarou, as he adjusted his seat to get more comfortable.
"But it is the only way to catch up to pig boy." Tarou leaned back and closed his eyes to sleep but is woken up by a large fat man sitting next to him.
"Sorry did I wake you?" replied the man.
Tarou just moved closer to the window and wondered how he ended up in this situation.
-------
{Flashback Begin}
China:
Tarou walks up to a Chinese style house, as he was doing this he began to wander around.
"Hey old man you in here,"
"I'm right here boy, " replied the old white hair man smoking a pipe from behind.
Tarou yelped, "Don't do that old man." He snapped at the man for sneaking up behind him.
The old man smirked at him. "I knew you would come back."
"Do you require my help or guidance?"
"You know what I need help in old man," replied Tarou.
"Still having trouble with Happosai?" replied the old man with an eyebrow raised.
"Ah shut up old man, can you help me or not?" replied Tarou.
"Yes, I can help you, but what's in it for me," as he blew smoke in his face.
Tarou waved his hands to clear the smoke and throw a pouch to the old man as he caught it effortlessly.
The old man looked inside, "I will not ask where you got them" as he tucked the pouch inside his coat.
"Well can you help me or not," yelled Tarou as the old man contemplated.
He looked at him and motioned him to follow with his hand. Tarou followed the old man growling as they went in the back of the house. Opening a set of double doors, revealed a vast library. They entered the library and the old man directed Tarou to sit down with the wave of his hand. Tarou reluctantly sat down as the old man searched the collection of books. He stopped as he found what he was looking for. He reached in and pulled out a scroll from the shelf.
He replied, "Here we go."
Taking the scroll he went to the nearby table and unraveled the scroll where Tarou was seated. Unraveling the scroll he saw the strange writing as well as drawings. The drawing revealed a necklace with an emerald embedded in a pendant. A red vein divided the emerald.
The old man pointed to the drawing and replied. "This is the stone of 'Shen Long' legend states that the red vein is a drop of his blood.'
"Why would I want to find this Shen Long for?"
"I have enough trouble as it is "
"Because" replied the old man fiendishly.
"Shen Long is the only person on earth that Happosai truly fears."
"Shen Long almost killed him because of a fight for some infraction."
Tarou looked on hopeful and excited on learning of this. " You are not playing with me old man."
"No, at least not this time," replied the old man.
------
China:
Well speak up old man, where do I find the necklace?" replied Tarou.
"Well, if my memory serves me," as he is trying to remember the location in his head. Tarou snarled at this and tossed another pouch to him. The old man picked it up determining the weight of the coins.
"Ah! I remember now it was in Japan he gave it to an ancestral friend. I believe the family name was Hibiki or something like that."
Tarou's eyes is widen as he heard the name of the family. "No way," whispered Tarou as he heard this. He then roared with laughter.
"What's your problem boy?" replied the old man.
"Just give me the location of their ancestral home and mine your own business," snarled Tarou.
"Knowing them the house is empty since they are constantly lost," finished Tarou.
The old man wrote the location on the scroll and handed to him. After he handed him the scroll he bide him good-bye. "Until the next time," replied the smiling old man. "No chance," replied Tarou as he turned his head as he walked out the door. (Flashback End)
-------
Tarou shifts in his seat as he remembers his encounter with the Hibiki.
'Damn the stupid old man, he never warned me about that old man Hibiki was a martial artist master.'
He found out later he sent the necklace to pig boy.
"Now I have to fly to Korea before Ryoga gets there."
'Which meant going by jet.'
Tarou was not fond of airplanes, but he needed to get to Korea before Ryoga which meant going by jet. Tarou smiled as he remembered the aircrew he beat up in order to find out what plane Ryoga was on.
'So he goes and hires a Bush pilot to fly him to Korea.'
'At least this flight will be a lot smoother than that old clunker he's on.'
-------
Sea of Japan:
Ukyo had come out of the back of the plane after changing her clothes. She was dressed in three pattern desert camouflage pants and a brown T-shirt. She was also wearing a G-1 issue leather flight jacket with USN pierced on the wind flap.
"How's the fit " replied Ryoga, as he was looking at Ukyo.
"Okay," she replied. Curious at what was going on she replied.
"What's going on?" asked Ukyo. Ryoga shook his head and answered, "Isamu and I were discussing who those people were at the airport."
"I recognized Tarou but not the other two."
"Wondering why Tarou and those people where there at the airport?" was Ukyo's reply.
"I think they where after the necklace my grandfather gave me."
"They where very skilled Ryoga." replied Ukyo.
"Yes, Isamu agrees he say's they where professional's, probably mercenary's."
"How do they know that you have it?"
"I don't know it has been in my family for along time so I don't know how they would that I have it."
"Either way where going to have to be careful from now on," replied Ukyo.
"Yeah your right," replied Ryoga
"Let's organize our stuff."
"Ok, sugar," finished Ukyo.
-------
Ryoga and Ukyo started packing their new packs and getting it ready for the trip ahead. Ryoga pulled out a photo album and put aside along with a small box.
"What's that Ryoga?" replied Ukyo as she looked over at the photo album.
"Hmm, oh you mean this," replied Ryoga as he picked up the photo album.
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"It's my photo album of the places and people I've met on my journeys."
"Can I see it?"
"Sure knock yourself out." Ryoga hand the album to her and she sat down and opened it. She opened to she saw a picture of a man and a woman who looked to be in their mid-twenties Ryoga was sitting on the woman's lap. She was beautiful, with long black hair and dark green eyes wearing a festive kimono holding him in her lap he was dressed in a sailor suit. Below was another picture of a tall man in a hakama holding Ryoga this time he had a peaceful face and fanged smile. The man had shoulder length brown hair and dark brown eyes; and was nearly as handsome as the woman beside him was beautiful. Another picture showed them together their arms were around each other and they were both smiling radiantly.
"Ryoga is this your mother and father," replied Ukyo smiling at the photo.
"Yes."
"You looked so cute as a baby," teased Ukyo as she showed him the pictures. Ryoga blushed and put his hand behind his head and laughed. "I guess if say so."
"You need to smile more sugar just like in this picture," she pointed to a picture in the book of him smiling in his mother's arms. Ryoga put his hand over it and stood up. "You can look at it all you want I'm going to sleep a little you should to."
"When we reach Mongolia there will be little time for sleep." With that he turn and left for the back of the plane. Ukyo remembered she wanted to ask Ryoga about his changed attitude.
"Ryoga."
"Yeah?"
"What happen to you since the failed wedding."
"We have plenty of time."
Ryoga sighed and looked at Ukyo.
"Now is not the right time Ukyo."
"When then."
"When I'm ready!" yelled Ryoga looking at her with pain etched in his eyes.
Ukyo stepped back a little scared at the look in his eyes.
Ryoga closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry Ukyo, I'm just not ready to talk about it, ok."
"Sure sugar."
"Get some sleep your going to need it later on."
"Yeah I'm sorry sugar." A sad looking Ukyo watched Ryoga walked to the back of the plane.
-------
Ryoga closed the curtain and unbuttoned his shirt. He looked down at a scar made by a bullet just above his heart.
"Never again..."
He lies down on some boxes and pulled a square object from his pack and a set of headphones. He then reached into his pack and pulled out a mini disc and put into the player. Putting the headphones on he listened to the music mumbling the words.
Where do I take this pain of mine
I run but it stays right by my side
So tear me open and pour me out
There's things inside that scream and shout
And the pain still hates me
So hold me until it sleeps
Just like the curse, just like the stray
You feed it once and now it stays
Now it stays
So tear me open but beware
There's things inside without a care
And the dirt still stains me
So wash me until I'm clean
It grips you so hold me
It stains you so hold me
It hates you so hold me
It holds you so hold me
Until it sleeps
So tell me why you've chosen me
Don't want your grip
Don't want your greed
Don't want it
I'll tear me open make you gone
No more can you hurt anyone
And the fear still shakes me
So hold me, until it sleeps
It grips you so hold me
It stains you so hold me
It hates you so hold me
It holds you, holds you, holds you until it sleeps
I Don't want it want it want it want it want it
No
So tear me open but beware
There's things inside without a care
And the dirt still stains me
So wash me 'til I'm clean
I'll tear thee open make you gone
No longer will you hurt anyone
And the hate still shapes me
So hold me until it sleeps
Ukyo heard the singing and went to listen. After awhile she made out the words.
Ukyo then went to the front and lay down to get some sleep. She looked back at the curtain and looked at the photo album she had a worried look on her face.
-------
Japan: Narita Airport
The skies darkened as a storm approached. Several men dressed in black suits and overcoats waited near an executive jet as the flight crew prepared the jet for launch. A man stood near the door of the jet he was dress in a black silk shirt and matching slacks a black cloak adorned his shoulders and a katana was in his hand the scabbard was black with a red dragon design on it. The man's hair was a dark gray and matched the sky up above as it fell over his eyes. He looked to be in his early 20's, but his eyes gave the impression of someone older, for they were hard and cold as ice, the eyes of a killer. The Chinese woman from the Embassy stepped out of a limo and walked to a private plane on the field.
"Did you find who you where looking for, my love?"
"Yes, Mei." replied the man in a raspy yet hard voice.
She went up to him and caressed his cheek and then kissed him on the lips.
"Then you are done and can join me in China," replied Mei as she whispered in his ear.
"No there is one more left after the brother."
"One more, then let your men deal with it and you can join me and my brother at the site in Xian."
"No, I must see this through to the end." Was his reply as he pulled her away from his embrace?
"Very well, who is the last one?"
"Her name is Nodoka Saotome she is the youngest and the last practitioner of her fathers style after her brother."
"When she's dead I will join you."
"Very well my love." replied Mei.
With that they shared a long kiss and she boarded the jet.
-------
A large man came up behind the man. He was dressed in black like the others dark sunglasses rested on his nose.
"Kuroi."
"Yes, master." replied Kuroi
"Do you have the address?"
"Yes," replied Kuroi as answered.
"Ok, I want the rest of you ready at a moments notice will have to move fast so until I contact you stay close."
"It shall be as you say."
"Good." He then began to turn around.
"Master."
"Yes."
"The society has been trying to contact you."
"One thing at a time, I will deal with the society in do time Kuroi." With that said he walked to a limousine.
-------
Tendo Dojo:
Ranma was watching TV with Akane while Nabiki was out on a business meeting of some sort and Kasumi was cleaning the table. Genma and Soun where playing Shogi.
{We interrupt this scheduled program for a special report.}
{We go live to Hanada Airport.}
{I'm Miyuki Kure live at Hanada Airport reporting of a shoot out here, 45 minutes ago a fight broke out and a shoot out commenced. No injures or fatalities have been reported and security footage is being analyzed by the police.}
"Whoa, what do you think Akane?"
"I don't know Ranma." She replied nervously.
"Not a good sign."
"Oh well." Ranma shrugged his shoulders and got up from the floor.
"You want to go to Ucchan's."
"I don't know Ranma she knows about the wedding and you know what happened last time."
"She might not want to see you, especially after you yelled at her and Shampoo," replied a worried Akane.
"Oh come on Ucchan's probably ok by now," replied Ranma naively
"She hasn't been acting that way since the last wedding."
"Ok, but I don't know." Was all Akane could say as she followed Ranma outside.
-------
Ranma and Akane looked at the darkening sky as they walked down the street when they passed by the Nekohanten.
"Ranma look." replied Akane.
"What Akane?"
Akane pointed to a 'For Sale' sign on the window that had the name of a retailer.
"What the..." replied a shocked Ranma.
"They left?"
"I thought that we would have to fight them, because of the wedding." replied Akane.
"I guess not."
Ranma and Akane walked up to Ucchan's and went inside.
"Hey Ucchan..."
Ranma looked around and only saw Konatsu and Nabiki talking at a table.
"She not here Ranma." replied Nabiki.
"Where is she?"
"She left with Ryoga, and it's all your fault," yelled Konatsu as he got into Ranma's face.
"Back off Konatsu." replied Ranma angrily.
"No I will not, you opened your big mouth and look where it got you now.
"I hope Ryoga wipes the floor with you."
"Because you deserve it."
Konatsu went back to the kitchen to finish cleaning up sobbing could be heard in the kitchen.
-------
"Stupid Jerk." whispered Ranma as Konatsu left.
"Why would she leave with pig-boy anyway?"
"To get revenge on you Ranma what else," answered Nabiki smartly.
"Ryoga went to Mongolia to train with some ancient master form what I gathered from Konatsu."
"What...That pig-headed fool." replied Ranma.
Akane looking worried. "What are we going to do Ranma?" She didn't like this Ryoga was her friend, but would he ruin the wedding like last time.
"I don't know train more, don't worry Akane I'll beat him and end this," Ranma cracked his knuckles as he said this.
"By the way Nabiki what are you doing here anyway?"
"Don't sound to confident Ranma this time Ryoga asked for help from Cologne and now there all gone to."
"It doesn't matter I always come out on top in the end."
"No matter what he learns I'll beat him."
"So what are you doing here anyway?" replied Ranma.
"I'm here to handle the expenses on the place."
"The expenses?"
"Yes, Ryoga usually covers his debts in gold or precious gems."
"So I need to exchange them for paper currency."
"Where does he get all this money from?"
"I don't know, but he pays for almost all the damage done in Nerima plus he has lots of credit from me since he keeps paying every time he fights you Ranma."
Ranma looked shocked at Nabiki's answer.
"How long do you think we have before everything comes down on us?" replied Akane.
"A year at the minimum."
"That's how much money Ryoga left so he's preparing for the long haul," answered Nabiki.
"So I don't think he plans on destroying the wedding."
Ranma look at Nabiki and then turn to Akane.
"Lets go home Akane." With that they left running so that they don't get caught in the rain.
-------
Unryuu Farm:
"Akari there's a letter here for you," replied an old man as he wave to the postman.
"Thanks grandpa." answered a young girl with pink streaks in her hair.
She went over to him and retrieved the letter.
"Oh it's from Ryoga!" she replied happy to receive news from him. She ran into the kitchen and opens the letter while getting a glass of water. What she read shocked her.
-------
'Smash!'
Akari's grandfather ran to the sound of glass and saw Akari crying on her knees. A glass smashed on the ground next to her. He went to Akari and tried to rouse her.
"Akari what's wrong?"
Akari just shoved a letter into his face and ran into her bedroom. Taking it from her he began to read.
Dear Akari:
I wrote this letter to tell you that I won't be coming back, things have changed in my life and I don't want you to experience it. The path I now walk is not for you to walk for it will lead to pain, sorrow, hate and maybe death. This is my decision and I will walk it. Find someone else and forget about me, for when I come back from my journey I will not be the man you knew or think you knew. I have made my choice, now you must make your own. Have a good life. Sorry I could not be there for you.
Signed:
Ryoga Hibiki.
P.S.: Don't look for me in Nerima I will not be there for a long time.
-------
"I'm sorry Akari," whispered Akari's grandfather.
"Katsunishiki!" cried out Akari from her bedroom.
The huge pig ran to his mistress. Akari got up and jumped onto the pig.
"Akari where are you going?"
"I'm going to Nerima."
"But Ryoga said he would not be there?"
"I'm not going to look for Ryoga, but I need to see someone else."
With that she left heading for Nerima not worrying about the storm approaching.
-------
A/N: Please Review...
AN: Sorry for the long wait this story is the hardest story for me to write because I'm constantly revising it. So I ask to bare with me please.
