Author's Note: 9/6/04 Sorry about this! SO very sorry. I usually do not make corrections like this until I am completely through with a series, but this was something I couldn't let go for that long. I've made a minor change, you probably won't notice it, it's nothing major...yet lol. Ok, anyway...enjoy!
Author's Note: Hello, how is everyone? Why am I so happy?– because this story is D.O.N.E. :) Expect to see the start of Renkotsu's story next week. I'm kind of excited about that one, because it will be very different from its predecessors. Well... I hope you guys like the conclusion of this story. The feedback has been so WONDERFUL. I don't think I've ever finished a story, much less stories, so quickly, and it's because of the great response :). Thank you so very much!
Reviewer Responses will be at the end :)
Chapter 9
"No! Jakotsu, use the..." Bankotsu watched in horror as Jakotsu tossed his unopened sack of rice candy to the lizard demon that loomed overhead,"...jerky."
The 12 foot demon's yellow eyes followed the sailing sack of sweets, extending its tongue to snag them. Once its attention was off of Bankotsu, Jakotsu sent Jakotsutou spiraling at the beast, letting the blades wrap themselves around it. With one rough tug, the lizard demon was sliced into dainty pieces that rained down upon Bankotsu like hail. Wiping thick green blood from his eyes, Bankotsu glared at Jakotsu, "Thanks."
"No problem, Aniki," Jakotsu said with a smug grin. "Well..." he approached Bankotsu, carefully avoiding puddles of recently spilled monster blood. Looking Bankotsu over and wiping a long finger across his face to remove a streak of filth, he giggled. "You had better change your clothes before the blood dries Aniki and you get all stiff and smelly. Oi-- wait a minute, you cannot! You have no clean clothes!"
Bankotsu was so tempted to hurl a bit of monster muck at him. He pulled a sliver of flesh from his braid ready to take aim, but Jakotsu still held his sword, and Bankotsu did not feel like being chased by an armed Jakotsu. He liked his limbs.
"Ha, ha," Bankotsu grumbled, holding out a hand for Jakotsu to pull him up.
Jakotsu beamed, taking the hand and pulling Bankotsu to his feet. "There is probably a pool of water nearby, since we have come across so many reptile demons. What is your tally for Banryuu? You have not bragged about that in a while."
"Four hundred and eighty-four. It would have been 85 if you had you let me take care of scale face there."
Jakotsu snorted. "Scale face there, would have taken care of you, Bankotsu; how did he manage to get so close? I never even heard him, just turned around and he was there. Did you even know he was behind you until I shouted?"
Bankotsu shuddered, recalling the hot feel of the youkai's breath blowing down on him from overhead, shifting his hair. "No. I didn't."
He really supposed he should be thanking Jakotsu, but... "Did you have to distract it with my candy? Of all the things you could've grabbed... You did that on purpose, didn't you? Oh, just you wait! I'll fix you!"
Jakotsu was rolling his eyes. "Stop being silly, Aniki. I did not give the beast your precious candy on purpose. It was on top of the supplies. I would have given it my yukata, if it had been on top. Anything to get it to look away from you. It was about to take your head off."
Bankotsu stared. Had he really come that close to death? He hadn't been able to actually turn around and see what had been going on over his head. He'd just seen Jakotsu's "Holy shit!" expression and had held still when Jakotsu ordered him to. He had glanced up for a brief second to see the head of the beast very close to his own and then Bankotsu had decided to look forward, watching Jakotsu instead of the teeth coming for him.
Large lizard demons were not very smart, not extremely dangerous, but incredibly fast, apparently very stealthy, and definitely not something one would like to have standing behind him.
"Jakotsu?" Bankotsu began, his eyes watering a bit. "You would have given up your new dress just for me?"
"It is not a dress— oh no! What are you doing Ani– no, do not hug me! Oh yuck!" Jakotsu was rigid in Bankotsu's tight embrace, probably cursing himself for not moving faster, maybe even for not letting the youkai eat Bankotsu.
Bankotsu released Jakotsu, stepping back to admire his handiwork. Now Jakotsu had a Bankotsu sized stain on the front of his blue smock. He grinned. "Oops."
"You... did that... on purpose you little...little... merda! Ooh, I hate you sometimes! You are... are... oh I give up! You make me so mad!" Jakotsu continued to rant and Bankotsu's grin continued to widen.
"Jakotsu?"
"What?!" Jakotsu was sheathing Jakotsutou.
"What's merda mean?"
Jakotsu's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I don't know, but Mama used to say it all the time to Papa. It wasn't nice; he would always get mad and call her a cadela."
"Cadela?"
Jakotsu's angry look faded a bit as he giggled at Bankotsu's butchering of the pronunciation. "It means bitch, Aniki."
Bankotsu laughed. "Really? Give me another word."
"Aniki, I hate this game. We need to find water so I can wash my shirt before the stain sets in!"
Bankotsu sighed, disappointed. He'd thought for sure he was going to be able to weasel some more background information out of Jakotsu this time. "You owe me! You gave that lizard my rice candy! I like them better than those jelly things! You could've given it those, or better yet the jerky!"
"I saved you; you owe me!"
"You got me all dirty!"
"You got me all dirty–on purpose!"
Bankotsu chuckled; yeah, he had.
"Bastardo minúsculo," Jakotsu murmured darkly.
Ooh... he'd really pissed Jakotsu off this time. He entertained thoughts of wrapping his arms around Jakotsu's waist and hugging him from behind, or hopping onto his back.
Nah, instead he gathered up his knapsack and Banryuu and hurried after Jakotsu, who was already leaving him behind.
Four days of traveling had led them to a few demon lairs where they had exercised their skills and swords on new hell beasts determined to have them for lunch. They'd even run across a youkai in human form masquerading as a vendor. Bankotsu had found the products he was selling so amusing they had let him move on without challenging him.
Jakotsu turned out to be right about being close to a body of water. They came to a lake no more than 20 minutes later. Jakotsu wasted no time peeling off his soiled shirt and dunking it into the pool, soaking it through then laying it on the grassy bank while searching his bag for soap.
Bankotsu shook his head, setting down his things and going to the water as well, after finding a small cake of soap. He waded in about waist deep, cringing a bit at the coolness of the water, and began rubbing the soap over his clothes, grimacing as the crust came off in his hands. How gross.
When he was through thoroughly soaping his clothes and rubbing them grime free, he started on his body and hair. He tried not to look at the mess he'd created floating around him in the water. Yuck.
He should have striped. After seeing the crud that had come off of him, he wanted a proper bath. Hm. He struggled to remove his soggy, slippery clothing. Damn, it was times like these that made him wish he wore dresses like Jakotsu, then all he would have to do is pull the sash and he was free.
He tried to imagine himself in a yukata, but stopped at about chest level with no desire to see more. It was too disturbing.
Alright, he'd worked off the pants. Time for the shirt. Of course he had to wear the one that needed to be pulled over his head.
He felt something tickle past his legs and frowned, stilling. The something brushed him again, its touch slick and rubbery. Could it be the monster flesh he'd just scrubbed off? No, there was no way he'd washed anything that large off his body without noticing.
"Jakotsu..." Bankotsu called to the banks, keeping his voice low and calm.
"Hm?"
"Get Jakotsutou out; you might have to save me again."
Jakotsu's dark head rose from his work, a cautious set to his lips. He reached behind him and in one graceful motion had Jakotsutou unsheathed and held at ready. He didn't rise from his sitting position, but his sharp eyes scanned the surface of the lake for suspicious ripples.
Bankotsu growled to himself. He hated being in compromising positions. Next time, he and Banryuu would bathe together. He steeled his body not to flinch as slimy fingers latched themselves around his ankles and pulled. He forced his muscles to go limp. If he let the creature think he wouldn't struggle, he wouldn't have a hard time breaking free later on. He took a deep gulp of air and prepared for submersion. Ai, he hated getting water in his ears.
He opened his eyes once he was completely beneath the surface of the lake and scanned the murky blue water, trying to catch a glimpse of what held him. Whatever it was had a lot of arms...and eyes. This kill wasn't going to be pretty, whether it be he or the monster being dealt the death card.
He let the monster shake him around, his head bobbing back up to the surface secondly. The creature seemed to be pleased that he was submissive and relaxed its hold on him just enough for him to kick free and swim quickly out of range of Jakotsutou when its blades were thrown in the vicinity.
He groaned in frustration as the youkai latched onto his left wrist. He didn't have time for this. Bracing himself for the before, during, and after taste, he sunk his teeth deep into the appendage holding his wrist hostage. The vibrations from the underwater scream the demon emitted nearly submerged Bankotsu again. Freakin' sissy demon.
He kicked again for shore, reaching the banks and scrambling behind Jakotsu to get Banryuu. Jakotsu was retracting his sword. "What did you do to it, Aniki? I think it is
coming to shore."
"Bit it," Bankotsu muttered, spitting and taking a stance with Banryuu.
"Where are your pants?" Jakotsu murmured, sounding amused.
"In the water."
Jakotsu giggled. "All of that candy is making your ass flabby, Aniki."
"Stop looking at my ass and pay attention to the demon!" Bankotsu snapped, self-consciously tugging his shirt down to better cover his behind. "It has 8 arms and..."
"Six arms," Jakotsu corrected smugly.
"You cut off... well, what do you mean what did I do? It's probably coming to shore because of you!" Bankotsu grumbled. Dammit. He'd unbound his hair and the bothersome raven curtain was taking advantage of its temporary freedom by getting in his way every way it possibly could!
The water boiled and bubbled, turning an odd pink color that Jakotsu "ooh"ed over, and slowly the oily-skinned demon surfaced, focusing all eight of its red eyes on them.
"Octopus youkai? I did not know they could get that big or live in lakes. What has it been eating?"
"Probably other octopus youkai," Bankotsu said, trying to blow his bangs from his eyes, but finding that his wet hair was too heavy to be moved by such feeble means. Drats.
"I have clean shot. Do you want me to..." Jakotsu broke off, gaping, as was Bankotsu, as the demon suddenly began to struggle and fight with something neither could see.
"What the hell..." Bankotsu might have suggested demonic possession, but he didn't know if it was possible for demons to possess other demons.
They watched as the demon flailed and yelped as it was slowly shredded into fine pieces. The desecrated creature sank, giving one last moan, into the bloody depths of its algae littered grave.
"Glad I got out before that thing woke up," Bankotsu took a second to slick his bangs back and gather his hair, tossing it behind his back.
"Glad you did too."
"Thought you hated me?"
"Not right now, maybe I will again later on," Jakotsu said softly. "Look Aniki, it is going to show itself."
Bankotsu licked his lips in anticipation. Four hundred and eighty- five, here I come. The beast emerging from the lake turned swamp had a man's shape. Oh man. Youkai that took on human forms were usually very powerful and judging from what it had done to that octopus, Bankotsu was not looking forward to fighting it pants-less with his hair down.
The youkai held something in its hands– or maybe they weren't hands, the fingers were too long, there only appeared to be three of them, and they were pointy. Claws.
Great.
Whatever it had in its clutches was as limp as a... pair of pants. It had his pants! This was an outrage. He snarled audibly, and Jakotsu shot him a look. "Calm down, Bankotsu. Look more closely."
Bankotsu grunted and narrowed his eyes, focusing on the approaching apparition with disdain. Did the demon think it was being funny? He'd get his pants AND the demon's, if it wore any.
His rage dissipated some as he was able to make out distinguishable features such as spiky black hair, familiar spiky black, large, bulky shape...
"It looks like Kaji, Bankotsu."
Kaji? Bankotsu squinted harder. Well, he'd be damned; it was. But he refused to believe that coward Kaji had torn apart such a large youkai like that. It wasn't in his nature... "It can't be Kaji. It has to be No Name."
Where the hell had he come from?
Jakotsu raised a thin eyebrow. "Well," he drawled, "it is a good thing that it is, because he has got your pants."
Bankotsu flushed and Jakotsu snickered evilly. Bankotsu poked Banryuu lightly into the soft ground and leaned on it a bit as Jakotsu put Jakotsutou away and gathered his shirt from the ground.
No Name stopped at knee level in the water, staring at Bankotsu inquisitively. He didn't make a sound and Bankotsu frowned.
"Come out of the water," Bankotsu motioned for No Name to join them on the shore.
No Name blinked and finished his trudge to shore, standing in front of Bankotsu and offering him his pants, which had been an off-white now died pink from exposure to monster crud. He shuddered, shaking his head. "Just toss them back in. I've got another pair in my pack. Thanks though; Jakotsu wouldn't have gotten my pants for me."
Jakotsu snorted at his side. He was taking Bankotsu's hair in his hands and was trying to give it order with his fingers. He'd folded his wet shirt over an arm.
Bankotsu looked No Name up and down as he dripped and panted, seemingly awaiting a verdict.
Verdict? Could he possibly still want to know if Bankotsu was going to induct him? The answer should have been obvious, and Bankotsu didn't want to insult his intelligence by assuming that was why he was there.
"Do you... want something to eat? We were going to have dinner in a bit."
"We were not!"
"Shut up, Jakotsu! If I say we're having dinner..."
"It's ok," No Name spoke, his voice hoarse. "I'm not hungry."
"See, not everyone is as greedy as you, my dear Aniki. Can we move away from the water now? It is starting to smell." Jakotsu was retreating from the pool before he'd finished his sentence, tugging Bankotsu by the hair along with him.
"Itai, Jakotsu!"
No Name still stood on the shore, looking lost, holding Bankotsu's unwanted pants clutched tight in his fist. Bankotsu waved for him to follow as he was dragged away.
He was released under the chilly shade of a large tree where Jakotsu promptly ordered him to sit while he hung his shirt on a low branch. No Name sat directly in front of him, staring... waiting...
He did want Bankotsu to tell him whether or not he'd made it into the group! Bankotsu could see it in his eyes. What to say to him? I was going to let you in, but your other personality decided to show up and ruin my decision?
He liked No Name a lot, but he couldn't trust him, not when one day he could wake and be a totally different person. He could sabotage a mission.
"Bankotsu, here are your other pants. They are so dirty, though. I do not know why you insist on packing dirty clothing. You should have washed them in the last village." Black cloth fell over his face and slid into his lap. He blushed furiously. He'd flashed No Name when he had sat down, but the man's expression hadn't betrayed any feelings of discomfort toward Bankotsu's current state of undress.
Bankotsu shimmied into the pants quickly, not caring that he was wet and causing the fabric to dampen and stick to his skin. It was better than being butt-naked. When he was attired properly, he turned his attention back to No Name, who had been politely looking elsewhere as he changed.
"Well..." Bankotsu began, not really knowing how to start off his rejection speech, so he didn't. "Have you been following us?"
No Name nodded guiltily.
"For how long?"
"A few days," No Name looked at his bloody hands. "I... didn't know how to approach you and was just waiting for something to give me no choice but to. Are....are you all right?"
Bankotsu started. He hadn't been expecting that question or the true concern he saw behind it. "I'm fine. Uh... thank you, by the way."
No Name nodded. "I would have helped sooner, but I wasn't sure if you needed me. Jakotsu was doing a good job on his own at keeping you safe, but then I saw your pants. I thought you might want them. Sorry about getting them so messy. I can replace them, if you wish."
Bankotsu sighed, "It's ok."
They fell silent again, listening to Jakotsu's light humming as he rummaged through his knapsack. Ok, Bankotsu was obviously going to have to say something; the staring match was getting eery.
"Look..." Bankotsu said, shutting his eyes momentarily, "I like you a lot, but..."
"You don't have to try to come up with anything polite to say to me. I know. I... I fell asleep, and when I woke up, I was in a strange bed in a village. Kaji took control again somehow, and though I don't think he'll be waking again anytime soon, I know you won't want to take that chance. I came after you to apologize. You've been so kind, letting me show you what I could do, before you judged me. I don't think many others would have done that for me, or anyone for that matter." No Name spoke, lowering his disheveled head.
Bankotsu shut his mouth. No Name had expressed everything he'd wanted to say and more.
But...
Oh, this was so hard. No Name had been able to track them, not an easy feat, he'd taken down a demon single-handedly, and... and he cared. He'd thought to bring Bankotsu's pants. On the other hand, No Name was unreliable, though...
He did say Kaji was gone for the moment.
He hated making decisions! Was he really cut out to be a leader? Didn't they have to make decisions all of the time, and Bankotsu could barely handle making one after a week of debate?
He covered his eyes with his hands, wracking his brain. What to do?–what to do? Maybe he could give No Name another trial period just to see if Kaji would resurface, or wake up as No Name put it. If he didn't, then Bankotsu would grant him membership. Ai.
In the end, the decision was made for him by Jakotsu, who had come to sit beside Bankotsu with his brush. Taking a handful of Bankotsu's thick hair and pulling his brush through it gently, starting from the bottom, Jakotsu said, "I've thought of a name for you No Name-sama."
"A... a name?" No Name looked genuinely confused. Wasn't this the part where he was told to take a hike? Bankotsu knew that was what he would've been thinking. Bankotsu even shifted his head a bit to look at Jakotsu.
Jakotsu, however, was not paying attention to either one of them. All of his concentration was focused on getting Bankotsu's hair straightened out. "Yes. Aniki suggested that all of our names should end with 'kotsu.' I think it is cute, and it also makes the task of naming members easier for we already have the suffix."
"And the prefix?"
Jakotsu yanked a particularly stubborn knot loose and Bankotsu hissed. "Sui."
"Sleep?" No Name frowned. "Why...?"
"Think about it. Kaji sleeps while you are awake; you sleep while Kaji is awake. It seems to me that your soul does a lot of resting, whether it be half or whole."
"Jakotsu..." Bankotsu's voice was soft but insistent. Look at me. What are you saying?
Gray eyes met his blue ones and smiled. Yes, they said. Let him in.
Bankotsu bit his lip. He'd been willing to give the man another try earlier, so maybe...
Maybe yes.
He used Jakotsu's positive push as the final deciding factor. If No Name didn't work out, the failure would be on both of their shoulders, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. They would just find someone new.
So ok.
He smiled at Jakotsu, lips and eyes both cooperating in the action and Jakotsu dimpled.
"Suikotsu no aniki, I hope you are not too tired from your adventure with the octopus youkai, because we really must find another water hole. You positively reek, and there is no way I am traveling with both you and Oo-Aniki smelling like outhouses and old cabbage."
Jakotsu didn't look at No Name, but Bankotsu did.
The man's beady eyes had gone wide with surprise. In a voice raw with hope he responded, "No, I'm not tired, Jakotsu....no aniki. If you and Bankotsu would have me, I'd gladly walk another day to find a new source of water."
"Then we'd better get going then. It's going to get dark soon, and I will not get into another pool of water that I can't see the bottom of," Bankotsu said matter-of-factly. "Give up on my hair Jakotsu; I'll just have to wash it again."
"But Aniki, it will be twice as hard to comb through if you just let it hang!" Even as he complained, Bankotsu felt Jakotsu releasing his hair.
Bankotsu gave No Name a grin and rose in a single motion, offering a hand down to him. The man's hand was sticky with blood, but the grip was strong. He gave a small pull, trying not to gasp at the weight. This man was heavier than Banryuu! No Name boosted himself up, helping Bankotsu out in getting himself standing.
No Name released his hand, and Bankotsu looked at his now grubby palm then back at No Name. "Suikotsu. You like that name?"
No Name looked thoughtful. "I don't hate it, and as you kept saying, I need a name."
"But if you don't really like it, we can come up with something else. Jakotsu was just making a suggestion..." Bankotsu was saying, but No Name cut him off, shaking his head.
"No, no. Suikotsu... is fine; it suits me, I think," No Name rubbed his chin. "Suikotsu. I can get used to it."
"All right then," Bankotsu patted the man's back. "Suikotsu it is."
Bankotsu and Jakotsu gathered up their belongings. Bankotsu and Suikotsu waited for Jakotsu to pull his shirt over his head, before heading off, walking side by side by side.
"Do you like candy, Suikotsu?" Bankotsu asked, scrounging around in his knapsack as they walked. "I've got milk candy and fruit candy; Jakotsu threw away my rice ones."
Jakotsu glared and Suikotsu chuckled throatily.
"No, I don't like candy, so you don't have to worry about sharing any with me, Oo-Aniki," he said and Bankotsu smiled brilliantly, perfectly even white teeth showing.
This was going to work out even better than he'd thought.
He had drafted his first mercenary AND had candy that he wouldn't have to split with anyone to show for it.
Not bad, Bankotsu. Not bad at all.
"Suikotsu, how did you follow us without us noticing? You couldn't have been more than a day behind us." Jakotsu pondered.
"Yeah, I'd like to know the answer to that too." Bankotsu always made sure they were very careful. Not even a dog demon should have been able to track them.
"I just followed the empty candy sacks."
Empty candy sacks? Bankotsu frowned. He hadn't thrown any candy sacks away; he hadn't finished any.... "Jakotsu!!"
The taller boy was already running away by the time Bankotsu had come to his realization. "Oh no you don't!" Bankotsu tore after him, passing Banryuu off to Suikotsu. "Hold this, will you?"
"Get back here you dress wearing, candy stealing bastard!"
He tossed a glance over his shoulder at Suikotsu, who they were leaving behind to stare after them. The man was laughing. He slung Banryuu over his shoulder with ease and strolled casually in the direction his younger companions seemed to be heading.
This was the start of something grand. Bankotsu was actually looking forward to discovering the next man to populate their circle. Would they find him in the next village or on the road? Maybe the member would find them.
Who knew.
As he gained on Jakotsu, he thought, who cares? For right then, three was more than enough company for him.
The End
Author's Note: Ok, so what's the verdict? Like it? Hate it? Don't care either way? Let me know :)
Reviewer Responses:
Kitsune no hikage: Well I am very glad you did get around to reviewing this story. Your comments were wonderful. Thanks for the information. I have been a little lazy in researching this story. I look up things as I go, but with the milk... I was just like, hmm..I know they have cows in Japan, so I just assumed they were milk cows. Lets just say the milk Bankotsu drank is soy milk lol ;). And the contractions... I didn't think anyone would notice I was trying to take the contractions out of Jakotsu's speech. I just thought to do it in this story actually. I write the majority of it at work and sometimes it's hard to keep track of contraction usage, especially when I'm so used to using them lol. Thanks for the looking out. I'll go back and run a check on both of the stories, and hopefully in the third I won't have the mistakes :). I'm glad you find me funny :) and not corny lol, and I'm glad you agree with the brotherly love concept. I'm not really feeling a romantic relationship between Bankotsu and Jakotsu... we'll see what happens though. Thank you for reviewing and I hope to hear from you again some time! Take care!
TamamoHotomi: Hey Cattico! Kaji is kinda funny and making up stuff for Jakotsu to say to make him blush was fun. Thank you for reviewing and take care! Hope you enjoyed the story!
Lildaemon: :) Yay, people think I'm funny! Sometimes I try to keep comedy out because I think I'm the only one who'll be amused. I'm glad you think Bankotsu is cute. His point of view is fun to do :) Thanks for reviewing girlie! Hope you make it to the next story!
MageofDarkness: Yup, Renkotsu is next. I've actually planned out his story, something I don't usually do, but I had so many ideas I had to write them down before I forgot them. :) Happy somebody liked Jakotsu and Bankotsu's "attractiveness" conversation lol. Yes, I did leave their relationship open for interpretation :). We'll see what happens. Kagome/Bankotsu? Ok...how? Do they even speak to each other in the series? Bankotsu/Kikyo... still yuck, but at least they've conversed lol. Lol, yeah ok, now I'm getting off topic. Yes, Kaji's dilemma does suck. Well, I hope you liked the end of this story and I'll see you again when I start posting the next one! Take care and thank you for reviewing :) :) :)!
Ibara-hime: Lol! You mean you didn't cry for Jakotsu when he died anyway? Now that's mean lol. Aww... you have to cry when he says silly things? Why? And Muhahahahhaa, at ruining your last hope of Bankotsu and Jakotsu being together :) :)!! Lol, j/k. Take care, thanks for reviewing, and I hope you liked the end of the story :). Hopefully I'll see you again for the next!
Yennie-Gurl: Don't you hate when you find something absolutely hilarious, but no one around you has heard the joke and you're trying so hard not to laugh you look stupid, lol? Glad you liked that last chapter, and I hope you like the end. Thanks so much for reviewing and take care! I hope to hear from you on the next story :)
Skittlez: Nah, you can call me Ebs. It's my nickname. I sign all my e-mails, Luv Ebs. Renkotsu and pretty...hmmm.. Lol! Thanks for reviewing girlie. I hope you liked the end of this one and I hope to hear from you on the next story! Take care!
Gerbil: Hehehe, always proud to entertain ;). I'm glad you liked that last chapter and I hope you enjoyed the end. Take care and thanks for reviewing! Hope to hear from you on the next story :)!
Lynxzeo: Lol. I'm glad you thought so :). Well, I hope you enjoyed the end, chic. Thank you for reviewing and take care! Hope to hear from you in the next story :).
Tareacel: Ten minutes, huh? Your butt fell off? Cool. I need to try that. ;) J/K. Glad you found that last chapter amusing. I hope you enjoyed the end! Thanks you so much for reviewing and take care! Hope to hear from you in the next story! :)
Riftwar-Slave: Thankee! Candy is always fun. I hope you liked the conclusion. Thank you for reviewing and take care; I hope to see you again when I start posting the next story :)