Thanks for the reviews! Oh, and I didn't realize that I had written TBC and then put down the April Fools prank. ^^;; April Fools was widely celebrated by a lot of great websites this year and I enjoyed them muchly. I only fell for one, though (the one on Temple O' Trunks, I had completely forgotten the date)! :D 

Chapter Nineteen

* * * * *

"Kai, wake up!"

The slate-haired blader burrowed deeper into the tangle of sheets that he was sleeping with. An annoying hand was shaking his shoulder and an even more annoying voice was yelling at him to wake up.

"C'mon, wake up already! Hello?"

Kai groaned and tried to will the night to come again. He didn't feel like getting up. He longed for his dorm room again, when no one would bother him. Except for Wyatt. And Tyson.

"Ka—"

"What?" Kai growled, turning and looking at Tala in exasperation. The redhead finally stopped and stared.

"It's about time you responded. It's morning. Get your ass out of bed."

"What time is it?"

"Almost nine."

Kai pulled the sheets over his head again. "Go away."

"What? No!"

Kai tried to block out Tala's insistent voice, and after a moment, gave up. With a sigh, he poked his head out. Tala gave him a triumphant grin.

"Ha. I got you to wake up."

"Congratulations," Kai muttered, already in a foul mood. Tala sat down on the edge of the bed and tugged the sheets down slightly.

"And how are you feeling this morning?" Tala asked, his tone light and cheerful. Kai raised his eyebrows.

"Just fine. Why the hell are you so cheery?"

"Well, I've kind of been looking forward for today." Tala distractedly crossed his legs and played with the sheets. "Today's the day. It's now or never. Kind of makes you all tingly, right?"

Kai gave him an incredulous look. "It kind of makes me want to run to the bathroom and vomit. Are you drunk?"

Tala pouted. "No, I am not drunk, Kai."

"Could have fooled me."

"Jackass." Tala reached over and picked up a bottle that was on the table. Kai heard the rattling of pills as Tala popped the lid open and coaxed two onto the palm of his hand. "Here. I swear you will not leave this room until I see you take your meds. I'll force them down your throat if I have to."

Kai muttered under his breath and pushed the sheets and Tala out of his way. Tala laughed as he regained his balance and watched Kai storm to the bathroom.

"I'll be waiting!" he called out in a singsong voice. Kai slammed the door and Tala sprawled out on the bed, crossing his legs again and swinging his foot around. He found it a little strange that he wasn't a nervous wreck. He shrugged and began humming to himself. Apathy did that to a person.

* * * * *

Behind closed doors, Kai gazed at the mirror unseeingly. Tala's chipper attitude had done nothing for his own. He sighed softly and decided that he didn't want to face the day; it held too much risk. His mind dwelled on a million things that could go wrong. He traced a finger down the white porcelain of the sink and considered locking himself in until he starved to death. He was scared. That was the bottom line.

After a moment, he hoisted himself onto the sleek surface beside the basin and crossed his ankles. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back against the mirror and tried to relax. Last night had shaken him enough. In a way, he was glad that the day had come. He was tired of the pain. It was always there, a constant reminder that he had flirted with death. He lifted a hand and brushed a strand of hair away from his face. If by some miraculous fluke they did escape, he could see Tyson again.

Tyson. The name brought on a flood of emotions. For some reason he found himself thinking more and more of their very first kiss. He had been so unwilling to love anyone ever again, but Tyson had completely washed his resolve away. Everything—including his common sense, since he hadn't been able to confess his feelings to Tyson that night—had flown out the window as soon as their lips had touched. He could still remember the feeling. It seemed as if every fiber of his being had been electrified. As if he had been alive for the first time. And when he had told Tyson that he loved him—he had felt the chains fall away from his heavily bound soul.

It was the best feeling in the world. He had thought he loved Rei simply because Rei had thought he loved him, but in reality, the person who cared for him the most had been the one whom he would had never dreamed he would hear the words "I love you" from. It was Tyson, for crying out loud. Kai had always looked upon him as someone to teach, someone to encourage, someone with a lot of potential. Not someone to love.

A small sigh escaped his lips. If going through with Tala's idiotically reckless plan meant seeing Tyson again, then so be it. And if it meant getting his head blown off in the process… well, that was life. His lips curved into a tiny smile. He wasn't afraid of death. He was afraid of dying a slow, painful death, like the ones Ian and Spencer had suffered through. He opened his eyes and remembered that Tala was waiting for him.

"Hey, Kai! Hurry the fuck up in there!" Tala shouted.

Kai ignored him and laced his fingers together, looking down at his hands. They were shaking. Just because he had accepted fate didn't mean that he still wasn't scared senseless. He leaned down and closed his eyes again, resting his forehead against his hands. He was trying to work up his nerve when Tala started banging on the door.

"Hello? How long does it take for you to use the bathroom?"

Kai gritted his teeth in aggravation. "I'm coming," he ground out. Tala stopped and Kai blew out his breath. "Oh, what the hell," he muttered. He slid down and steadied himself and the door opened.

"You didn't lock the door," Tala stated. Kai shrugged and tried to walk past him, but was stopped when Tala thrust a glass of water and two pills into his hands.

"Take. Drink. Right now."

Kai sighed and obediently followed Tala's orders. He lifted the glass to his lips and downed a quarter of the liquid.

"Happy?" Kai asked, placing the glass on the table. Tala smirked.

"Greatly. Anyway, I know you're going to flip out when I tell you this, but I don't think we really have a choice."

Kai looked up, mildly interested. Tala got to his knees beside Kai's bed and pulled out a box from underneath. Kai watched, standing behind the redhead.

"I would tell you to close your eyes but I don't think you'd find it very amusing."

"You're probably right," Kai responded dryly.

He lifted the lid and Kai's breath caught in his throat. He immediately shook his head and felt like kicking Tala.

"No. No way, Tala."

"Kai, we don't have much of a choice."

"No! You're out of your mind!" Kai looked down at the box and shook his head again. Inside were two polished handguns. The mere sight sent shivers down his spine.

"You—"

"We're not going to kill anyone!"

"I never said we were. You have to take one, though. They're good for a bluff."

"Are they loaded?"

"…Yes."

"Bluff my ass!"

"Come on, they'll be useful. This is serious, Kai, and you know I wouldn't give you a fucking gun unless I thought you really needed one."

"I don't really need one. Don't make me a murderer."

"I said use it as a bluff. Are you deaf? I'm not asking you to kill someone!"

"If they're just for a bluff, then explain to me why the hell they're loaded." Kai crossed his arms and glared down at Tala stubbornly.

Tala closed his eyes briefly. Kai obviously didn't want to hear the truth, but what was he supposed to say? "In case of an emergency."

"I am not going to kill anyone."

"Then don't! People survive gunshots, brainiac. You got shot. You're alive."

Kai sighed loudly. He could remember the day they first brought him and Wyatt here. They had indeed shot him, so Kai couldn't argue with Tala there. That had been an entire month ago.

"I still don't want to carry one."

Tala gave him a sad smile. "Tough luck," he said softly.

"I've never shot a gun before. I don't even know how the use the thing," Kai pointed out. Tala picked one up and showed Kai how to turn the safety off and fire the trigger.

"As for aim and precision, you'll have no problem there, Mr. World Champion beyblader," Tala said.

"I'm not the World Champion," Kai said, annoyed. Tala rolled his eyes.

"Same difference. You taught Tyson everything he knows. After all that practice you put in firing your beyblade exactly where you want it to go, aim should be a piece of cake."

"You're talking like I actually agreed to take it."

"You are going to take it." Tala pushed it into his hands. Kai fingered the sleek metal.

"Where am I going to keep it?" Kai asked, his anger dissipating into fear. He found himself constantly reminding himself that Tala knew what he was doing.

"Wherever. Under your jacket. They've never frisked you once and I doubt they're going to start now."

The gun was heavy and made Kai want to throw it out the window. He didn't ever want to shoot anyone, even without the intent to kill. He knew how it felt. Even if he was in an emergency situation, he highly doubted he would ever have the nerve to actually use it. Just to satisfy Tala, he delicately placed it in the inside pocket of his coat and then slipped his own hands into the outside pockets. Kai looked up at Tala afterwards.

"Good little Kai," Tala said as he tossed the box into the garbage can. "Listen, I'll drop the match. You're such a wreck you'd probably set yourself on fire."

"Gee, thanks. What about Wyatt?"

"I'll get the key."

There was a knock at the door and it opened before Kai could get up an answer it. Sam appeared and looked startled to see them ready and waiting.

"It's time to go. Tala, why do you spend all your time here?" Sam asked. Tala shrugged.

"I get lonely. Besides, you know me and Kai go way back, right?" He gave him a grin. Kai forced a half-smile.

"I don't mind," he put in. Sam appeared satisfied and waited outside the door. Kai took a deep breath and Tala walked past him, brushing his arm as he went. The redhead gave him a reassuring look and Kai took another breath, trying to remember how to be a bastard again. He pushed all thoughts of Tyson out of his mind and followed Tala down the hall to the lab. He was aware of Sam walking easily beside him, and suddenly felt guilty. Sam was a nice guy. He didn't deserve anything bad happening to him. He glanced at him sideways and uttered a quick prayer that Sam wouldn't get hurt. Dan, on the other hand, could rot in hell for all he cared.

Boris and the other scientists were opening up the lab door when they got there. When Kai got inside, he sniffed the air. The fumes had died down overnight, but they would be hard to miss. Apparently, the others were noticing, too.

"What is—" Boris was cut off as the entire south side of the lab exploded into flames. Kai stumbled and nearly fell backwards at the force of the angry outburst. He hadn't thought Tala would light the match so soon and was temporarily disoriented. He heard screaming from the scientists in the back, and the flames quickly spread around the room. Tala suddenly appeared and grabbed his wrist, dragging him out of the room. They reached the hallway and Tala closed the door to the lab, sealing it shut.

"Those people are going to die in there!" Kai said, distressed.

"If they can come to their senses they can still get out, which is why we have to move." Tala began running down the hall with Kai at his heels. Kai caught a glimpse of a key ring in Tala's hand. They quickly reached the room Wyatt was being held in and Kai slipped his hand into his pocket. Something was missing.

"My keys! Goddammit!"

"What?" Tala asked, inserting the key into the lock.

"My keys—I left them in my room."

"You can't go back now."

"I have to! The key to Tyson's dorm room is on there and if they get that, who knows what they'll do to him to get me?" Kai said in a rush.

"What? Okay, fine, just hurry up! Do you still have your gun?"

Kai looked down. "I think I dropped it in the lab when the fire started."

"You fucking moron!" Tala abandoned the lock and thrust his pistol into Kai's hands. "Here, take mine."

"I don't—"

"Just go! And hurry!"

Kai turned around and retraced his route to his room. The door was open and everything was the same as he had left it. He ran inside and opened the drawer where he left his keys. With a relieved sigh, he picked them up and turned back around.

"Going somewhere?" a familiar, gravelly voice asked sinisterly. Kai's heart stopped.

"No, no, no, no," Kai whispered. "Fuck, not now…" He turned all the way around and saw Boris sitting in his wheelchair. Half of the chair was charred and melted in some parts, as was half of Boris. Kai cringed at the sight of his arm; the fingers were completely black and the skin on his arm had been burned off. The blood glistened and Kai immediately felt sick. Boris seemed to be oblivious of the pain, though. Soot streaked his clothes. The man licked his lips and smiled at Kai.

"You were in on that little stunt Tala pulled, weren't you, Kai?" he asked conversationally. The gun was inside Kai's coat pocket. His fingers trembled at the thought of pulling it out.

"You can't use me anymore, Boris. You've tried since I was a kid. It didn't work then, and it's not going to work now," Kai managed to say in an even voice.

"Oh, but it almost did. Black Dranzer nearly did the trick. You were so power hungry back then. What happened?" Boris wheeled himself an inch nearer.

"Don't come any closer," Kai ground out. "I swear you'll regret it."

Boris let out a laugh. "It seems like just yesterday you were making threats at me all those years ago. How are your friends? The Blade Breakers. Oh, and how's Tyson doing? I hear your relationship was going wonderfully with him before you came here."

Kai gritted his teeth and held his tongue. Boris went on, each syllable driving a stake through Kai's heart.

"You know, you're never going to be free. You're the only one who can complete my experiment. I'll never stop chasing you, Kai. Never. You don't deserve to have a life, anyway." Another inch.

"Stop! I said don't come any closer."

"I don't care what you say." Two inches.

Kai backed into the dresser. Tala suddenly appeared in the doorway and was shocked to see Boris in the room. He caught Kai's eye and raised his hand in the motion of pulling the trigger of the gun. Kai wondered why Tala couldn't just shoot Boris himself when he remembered that Tala had given him his gun. He took a deep breath and slipped his hand into the inside pocket of his coat.

"If you don't stop right there," Kai said, slowly pulling out the firearm. "I'm going to have to stop you myself."

Boris was surprised to see Kai with a gun, and he stopped. Kai raised it, pointing at Boris' chest. The room was silent for a moment, and then Boris' lips curved upwards into a smile.

"You wouldn't shoot me," he stated, amusement in his voice. Kai's heart sank at the truth of the statement. His hands were shaking so badly that even with his perfect aim he wouldn't be able to hit anything.

"I'm sick of being your toy," Kai spat, his mind racing. "I will not be used." He kept the gun level.

"You don't have a say in the matter," Boris said with a laugh. Kai bit his lip uneasily. Tala was gesturing wildly in the doorway. If he had had his gun, he would have blown Boris' head off as soon as he set his eyes on the man.

"Shoot him," the redhead mouthed.

Kai steadied his grip on Tala's weapon. "Boris, if you let Tala, Wyatt and I go, I'll let you live," Kai proposed, desperately stalling for time. Time for what? Kai asked himself. Nobody's going to come to my rescue!

"Ha! The day you'd ever have the nerve to fire that thing is the day pigs fly."

"I'm serious. I'm not staying here anymore. You can't keep me here." Kai's eyes kept flicking back to Tala and he was surprised Boris didn't take notice and look behind him. Wyatt stood fearfully beside him.

"You're not going to escape. Just give it up." Boris continued moving closer.

"Don't!" Kai felt every muscle in his body tighten. "Stay where you are."

Boris looked straight into the barrel of the gun and smiled cruelly. "Kai, give it up."

Kai tried to stop his hands from shaking. His breath came out raggedly through clenched teeth. "Stop! Oh, God, don't make me a murderer…"

"You're so weak and pathetic. I'm the only one who'll ever really give a damn about you."

"Stop mocking me…"

"Even now, you're so pitiable."

"Leave me alone!"

"If you want me to stop so badly then go ahead and pull that trigger!" 

A single shot cracked the air. Kai shut his eyes, not wanting to see what he had just done. The room was silent, and after a moment, he was forced to crack one eye open. Boris was still in front of him, except now the front of his shirt was beginning to soak itself in blood. He opened his eyes all the way and slowly lowered his weapon. Boris suddenly opened his mouth, but nothing came out but a gurgling sound as blood began to spew forth. The man leaned forward and fell out of his wheelchair. Kai gasped at the sight and his hand flew to his own mouth. The gun slipped out of his fingers and clattered on the hard ground. Boris lay unmoving, his blood pooling out slightly.

Kai felt weak and sank to his knees. It seemed like he couldn't get enough air in his lungs. Shock and disbelief swarmed through his mind.

"He didn't think… he didn't think I would do it… and neither did I…" he uttered, sounding vague and disoriented. He felt like crying because he knew the second he pulled the trigger his life had changed completely.

"Kai!" a voice yelled from somewhere in the hallway. Tala looked toward the sound, only slightly surprised that Kai had just killed Boris right before his eyes. If you asked him, Kai had every right to kill that damned bastard. Wyatt, on the other hand, looked as if he would faint.

Kai raised his eyes at the sound of someone calling his name. He pushed himself to his feet, gazing at the bright red splotch on the floor near Boris' body. His fingers clenched into fists.

"Kai!" The voice was closer now. Kai tore his gaze away from the ground and looked at the door. Tala moved away, peering down the hall.

"Hey, Tala! Wyatt! God, I found you guys!"

Kai's heart froze as he suddenly recognized the voice. He shut his eyes briefly and rubbed them with a hand, feeling a million years older. He had waited so long, spent every waking moment dreaming of him—

Footsteps thumped closer and closer and suddenly he appeared in the doorway. Kai's hand fell away.

"Kai." Tyson's bright face rivaled that of the sun. 

"Tyson…"

Before Kai could blink, Tyson had run across the room and practically jumped into his arms. Kai stumbled backwards and felt his back hit the wall lightly. He was aware of Tyson's breathless nonsensical babbling and couldn't understand most of it, but didn't care. Tyson's arms were locked around his neck tightly. Kai closed his eyes and gently put his arms around Tyson's body, feeling his strength draining out of him steadily.

"Kai, I can't believe it's you! I've missed you so much. God, this feels wonderful," Tyson said, his voice muffled. "I don't ever want to let you go. I want to stay with you forever."

Kai felt his eyes welling up with tears and hugged Tyson closer, knowing it wouldn't last. Not after what he had just done. "It's so good to see you again," Kai said softly. Tyson pulled back some so he could look into Kai's face. He gave him a grin.

"You look so beautiful."

Kai tried to smile at him, but failed miserably. Tyson caught the look of distress on his features and instantly became concerned.

"What's wrong? It's okay, now. Come on, we'll get you out of this horrible place and go home. Everything's going to be fine."

A sob escaped Kai's throat and he buried his face in Tyson's shoulder. His cries were muffled against Tyson's jacket, but Tyson's heart broke anyway. He wrapped his arms around him and tried to be a comfort.

"It's okay, Kai. Everything's okay. We can go home and do anything you want. It's all over," Tyson murmured. "I'm here for you."

Kai shook his head. "It's not okay," he moaned. "Nothing's okay…"

"I know how you feel, Kai. Come on, let's just leave now."

"No, I can't." Kai's sobbing decreased, and he lifted his head slowly. Tyson reached up and wiped a stray tear away from Kai's face with his thumb.

"Why not?"

Kai shuddered and took a deep breath. "Turn around."

Tyson looked puzzled, but turned. He grimaced when he saw Boris' body with blood on the floor beside it. He studied it for a moment, and upon not seeing any breathing, looked at Kai.

"He's dead, isn't he?" Tyson asked. Kai nodded. Tyson shook his head.

"I don't understand. The police will take care of it; we can go home. You need some rest."

"I can't go home." Kai fingers tightened around Tyson's arm.

"Why not?" Tyson spoke in gentle tones, trying his best to soothe his distraught lover.

Kai bit his lip and another sob broke loose. "I…"

"Say it, Kai. This is me you're talking to."

"Tyson, I'm sorry. I killed him."

Tyson's mouth fell open slightly as he stared in shock. His eyes went down to Boris' body again, and then back to Kai. "You?"

Kai nodded, gazing forlornly at the wall. Tala reappeared in the doorway and stayed quiet. Tyson blew his bangs skyward and rubbed his forehead.

"Wow. This is really… shocking. I never would have thought. But it was self-defense, right? No one could blame you."

"Call it what you want. It's still murder."

Tyson was hurt by the coldness in his voice, but he gently flicked a lock of hair away from Kai's gray eyes. "There's a big difference between the two, self-defense and murder. After they hear everything you've gone through, everything Boris tried to do to you and Tala, there isn't a jury in the world that would convict you. You're innocent."

Kai swallowed and put his arms around Tyson again, embracing him closely. His baseball cap brushed his fingers and he felt Tyson return the hold. "I love you, Tyson. No matter what happens, I'll always love you. Don't ever forget that."

"I love you, too, Kai, but what are you trying to say?" Tyson asked, apprehension rising in his chest. Kai sighed and ran his fingers down Tyson's back.

"You have to leave," Kai whispered.

"What? Well, yeah, we both have to leave."

"No, I mean you have to leave. I can't go with you."

Tyson pulled back, looking at Kai. "What? I'm not leaving without you."

"You have to! I can't do this to you…"

"Do what? Kai, I am not leaving without you!"

"You don't understand. I just killed someone. Killed someone! Tyson, you're young, you're bright, you have so much potential in you. I'm a murderer. I'll just drag you down and I'm not going to put you through that. The police will be here soon and you have to leave. I'm not letting you get caught up in this mess."

"You're not a murderer. Kai, I waited so long to see you again! There is no way in hell that I'm going to just walk away and leave you here."

"Tyson, you have to go," Kai said, nearly begging the stubborn boy. "Please."

"I'm not leaving you."

"Please! Tyson, I'm only doing this because I love you too much to put you through all that."

"And I love you too much to just leave you here," Tyson shot back. "Why are you doing this?"

"You have your whole life ahead of you. I don't want to ruin it for you." Kai laced his fingers around Tyson's and squeezed them gently. "Please, Tyson. You have to."

"I'm not leaving you…" Tyson sounded worried, but didn't budge an inch. Kai leaned forward and kissed him deeply, his slender fingers locking tightly around Tyson's. Tyson melted at the feel of Kai's soft lips and realized just how much he had missed his partner. Kai broke it off gently and Tyson's nose brushed against his.

"Kai…"

"Go." Kai pushed him lightly. Tyson shook his head.

"No. I-am-not-leaving."

Kai gave him a sad smile and then glanced up at Tala with a knowing look in his eyes. Tala came forward, sidestepping Boris' body. Tyson glanced at him quickly.

"Go away, Tala. We're busy," Tyson said. Kai looked down, his hands still holding Tyson's.

"No can do, Tyson. We have to go. Now." Tala waited for him to comply.

"I'm not leaving Kai! Why can't you people understand that?"

"Go with him, Tyson," Kai requested softly.

"No!"

Tala reached up and pulled Tyson back by his shoulders. Kai let go of his left hand and Tala grabbed his wrist. Tyson fumed and was tempted to kick Tala into a wall.

"Let go of me! Goddammit, Tala, let go!"

Kai reached forward quickly and gave him one last kiss. With this left hand, he stroked Tyson's face lightly. Tyson shivered at the touch.

"Kai, I can't leave you alone!" He gripped Kai's hand tightly, not willing to ever let go. Kai felt a tear trickling down his face. Letting go was the hardest thing he had ever decided to do, even harder than pulling the trigger on Boris. Tala roughly pulled Tyson away and Kai let out a startled gasp at the abruptness of their hands breaking apart. He took a deep breath and leveled his eyes with Tyson's.

"You can't understand now, not under these circumstances," Kai said. "But I'm doing this because I love you. This is my problem and it would be selfish if I dragged anyone into it."

"But, Kai! You're innocent; you don't have to do anything! I don't want to leave—" Tyson was cut off as Tala dragged him to the door. Kai bit his lip and hugged himself, shaking inside.

"Kai! Wait! Tala, let go of me!" Tyson shouted. Tala grunted at the struggle Tyson was putting up but managed to keep a hold on him. Wyatt moved out of the way, his eyes as wide as saucers.

"No! I'm not leaving him!" Tala and Tyson disappeared out of the door and Kai grimaced when Tyson's shouts turned to screams. He could hear him calling his name still. He wanted badly to cover his ears and drown out the cries, but found himself unable to. He lifted his eyes when he heard Wyatt speak.

"Kai… I hope you know what you're doing," the brown-haired boy said before ducking through the doorway to follow Tala and Tyson. Kai took a shuddering breath and stumbled toward the bed where he had dropped the gun. He dropped to his knees and covered his face with his hands.

"God, what have I done…" he mumbled. Tyson's cries still echoed through his ears. He had wanted so much to just take the easy way out and go home with Tyson, but how long would it be before the police found him anyway? He couldn't bear the thought of putting Tyson's life in danger. He would rather die himself than see Tyson go through any pain.

The shining metal of the gun caught his eye, and he picked up the heavy weapon. He fingered it lightly, looking down at Boris' body. The blood on his shirt was starting to dry and grow stiff. Kai felt physically and emotionally weak, and the gun seemed too heavy for his hand. 

"I hate… myself. I don't do anything but cause pain to everyone around me," Kai said bitterly. "Tyson… I do love you, but if all I do is hurt you…" He blinked and tears spilled down his cheeks. "I'm a fucking murderer. That's no one fit for you… my sweet angel."

He raised the gun to his head and closed his eyes.

* * *

TBC

* * *

Cliffie! Ah, I love these.

Anyway, about The Task of Leadership. UGH. I can't stand even looking at it (well, some parts I can, but the majority). What I really want to do after I finish this fic is rewrite TTOL. I'm not exactly sure if I will, but God knows it needs to be rewritten. That rape scene (if you can even call it that) between Kai and Boris? Forget I ever wrote it. *waves magical wand and brainwashes people* It was just… words cannot describe how ill-placed and horribly written it was! I must have been stoned when I wrote that. So forget it completely. Kai is a virgin in BW! ^^;; Hopefully I can get around to revamping that old ficcie…

So, did you like it? Did you hate it? Well, I'm pretty sure you didn't like the cliffie, but review anyway. :) *smiles* This, by the way, is the longest chapter thus far in this entire fic. ^^ So if you made it through this… kudos!