Happy 1st Birthday, Intervention!

Disclaimer: Yes, in my absence of 5 or so months I've bought the rights to... NOTHING! Heh heh...

Chapter 19

With waning steps, he found his way around the bend of the building. It was dark yet he continued on, his determination urging, demanding him to.

His steps gained in strength as the blood began its rush to aching muscles. He couldn't remember the last time his body was so sore... Even in his days as a hitokiri he hadn't felt such a drag upon his body as he did now. But maybe it wasn't his body that had been exhausted.

Shaking the thoughts from his mind, Kenshin looked off in the distance of the Aoiya's yard and smiled in relief. There the night's breeze made a few garments billow as they hung to dry on a laundry pole, including a pair of white hakumas.

Tightening the blanket he had wrapped around his waist, Kenshin walked forward only to stop in mid-step a second later. What he saw brought back memories, one from a night sometime ago in Tokyo...

Clad in a black-as-night yukata, the young woman made her way to the laundry Kenshin had set in his sights. And there he was, caught up in watching her again as she made her way into his field of vision. Kaoru walked with quiet steps and with gentle hands she gathered the laundry from the pole. Her hair was tied back in a braid that fell over her right shoulder, its color bleeding into that of the dark robe she wore. But still, like the night of his memory, she stood out among the night. And yet again, he was drawn to her just as he was that night...

Yet Kenshin took a step back to think... He was very happy to see her unharmed from the battle sometime ago, but what was this tight feeling in his gut? Was he nervous? This was the first time in a few days since he'd seen her last. The day of the battle he'd seen her face, for a second, before collapsing from exhaustion in her arms.

Realizing one thing, he sighed: her beauty he sorely missed. All in all, his breath was taken away at the sight before him now. Her skin was vibrant, aglow even with the absence of much light.

The breeze picked up a little, causing the rurouni to shiver. Suddenly, his mind was brought to the moment at hand... and what he was missing. His hold on the blanket tightened even more as he moved backwards, away from a potentially embarrassing situation. He wanted to make his retreat as quiet as possible.

As soon as something cracked, snapped under his sandaled feet Kenshin groaned. Why does this always happen? He thought to himself. To his dread, his ears picked up the familiar sound of soft footsteps heading his way. He had nothing to do but stand there, hoping that she wouldn't find him rude for his state of dress (or undress)... Yet the situation was out of his hands. He had woken up without pants, and he wanted them back.

Kaoru titled a head to see a little better as she slowed her step and soon caution eyes gave way to a smile.

"Kenshin? Is that you?" Her voice whispered.

"Y-yes, Miss Kaoru, it is me." He answered with a cough. He had the urge to lift his hand to his mouth and quickly remembered he needed to keep something from falling to the ground. He prayed for her not to notice, but, alas, she did.

Getting a better look, she noticed the gi loosely thrown over his shoulders and something else she didn't expect. With a small giggle, Kaoru spoke to the rurouni and smiled. "I don't know if I should ask, but... why are you wearing a blanket?"

Having the tendency to scratch his neck when nervous or embarrassed, Kenshin held his hands fast to the material he used to cover him.

"Well, I woke up... and found I was missing something." He nodded in the direction of the basket of clothes Kaoru had in her hands.

Realization quickly dawned on her and thankfully the night hid her blush. "Oh, right. Sorry." She picked up the neatly folded hakumas from the top and handed them to him.

"Thank you," he said with a small nod. Turning around he wanted to head back to the room he had woken up in earlier.

"Is that all? I mean, I haven't even seen you these past few days, and that's all I get... a thank you?"

Kenshin turned around, a surprised expression upon his face. "Oro?"

There she stood, one hand resting the basket against her stomach and the other fisted against her hip.

"Not even a hug or a simple 'hello Kaoru'?" Her bare foot tapped the ground in expectation, waiting for Kenshin to answer.

"I was in sort of a hurry to finish dressing, but," he turned so he was facing her completely, "It brightens my heart at seeing you again, Miss Kaoru, that it does."

Her hand slipped from her hip; she brought it back up and held on to the basket, but her eyes never moved. Kenshin's eyes, though partly hidden behind his naturally unruly hair, were holding her in place. His gaze was soft and gentle as he held her own.

"I'll be on my way now... goodnight, Miss Kaoru."

Kaoru remained still as she watched him turn his back and walk away, slowly disappearing into the darkness that claimed him from her sight. There she spoke into the night, her voice alone accompanying the breeze filtering through the trees...

"Just call me Kaoru..."

With the morning dew having risen, the sky was bright and clear of any cloud. It was a beautiful morning. Kenshin's own thoughts were along those lines, finding it much more relaxing to wake up with every piece of clothing where it should be... on his body. He looked over his white hakumas and found the faint traces of a hand print on one of the pant legs.

During his fight with Soujirou he'd been wounded and wiped his bloody hand on his pants. He pulled his gi away enough to see his wound neatly bandaged. Thinking back to that made him wonder about the things he'd missed during his time of recuperation. Kenshin's eyes scanned the area around his futon and found a bowl of fruit and a full cup of water nearby. Someone must have come in while I was asleep... he thought.

Lifting up his blanket, he sighed in relief to see that he was wearing his pants this time, and not just a loin cloth.

The sound of approaching footsteps woke him from his meandering thoughts and he focused his eyes to the door. White fingers quietly wove themselves around the wooden edge, slowly pulling the door open.

First he saw the top of the person's black haired head, followed next by a pair of wide midnight blue eyes... When Kaoru caught sight of Kenshin's smiling form, she relaxed.

"Good morning, Miss Kaoru." Kenshin said while watching her slowly enter the room, her hands folded in front of her.

"Good morning, Kenshin... I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Of course not. Come, sit." He patted the floor beside his futon as he got up, quickly folding the blanket and sheets. Kaoru didn't move.

"Oh, that's okay. I'm just here to bring you your breakfast, that's all." She seemed a little different than normal as her eyes didn't fall to meet those of the rurouni looking at her in mild amusement. Her hands were empty, and apparently the only one noticing this was Kenshin. Finally finding the courage to look at him, despite the shyness that had suddenly overtaken her judgment, Kaoru saw the man's gaze resting on her hands... her empty hands.

Jumping in realization, she ran back outside, quickly picking up the tray that she forgot outside the door.

"Sorry about that." She laughed, embarrassment staining her cheeks in pink. Kenshin sat on top of the bed, watching and admiring her graceful movements as she placed the tray before him. "I don't know what's wrong with me this morning," Kaoru admitted aloud, restraining a gasp as she felt Kenshin place his hand over hers, holding in place as she held the tray.

"It is quite alright, that it is." He held her hand, letting go only when she gave him an understanding smile. Kaoru slightly pulled away and sat on her legs, her eyes bashfully glancing to the side, yet Kenshin's gaze didn't waver.

Breaking the silence was an ear shattering yell coming from outside.

"KAORU! Where did you go to, Ugly?" Kaoru closed her eyes, and Kenshin could see the twitch near her eyebrow at the sound of the young boy's voice.

"Excuse me." Kaoru said politely through clenched teeth. In what Kenshin could tell was the calm before the storm, he watched her as she stood up and walked to the door. Stepping outside, she flashed Kenshin a smile before closing the door.

"There you are, Ugly... Get off your lazy butt and start helping out. Misao told me that there's a lot of work that needs to be done today." Yahiko stood there, fully dressed for work with a white frilly apron wrapped around his skinny body.

Kaoru soon lost the seething anger for a chance to laugh at the picture before her... and she didn't waste any time.

"HAHAHAHAHA!" Kaoru keep herself from doubling over, her hands holding her stomach from how hard she was laughing. Needless to say, the young boy didn't find the situation as amusing.

"Heh heh, yeah... laugh it up." Yahiko said. With a smug smile quickly appearing on his face, he brought something up. "What were you doing in that room anyway, Kaoru...? Isn't that Kenshin's room?"

After rising to stand straight, Kaoru quirked an eyebrow at the boy. "Yes, I brought his breakfast. Why?"

The mischievous young boy's smile widened. He opened his mouth, knowing that what he was about to say would anger his sensei even more. Pausing for a second, his eyes spied movement behind Kaoru but he continued.

"So, why were you in Kenshin's room so early today, huh? You aren't being sinful, now are you?" Just as soon as the words left his mouth Yahiko cried out in pain. "Ow!"

"That's what you get for having your mind in the gutter!" With a satisfied nod, Kaoru spun on her heel to head back to the Kenshin's room... only to bump into someone rather roughly, knocking her flat on her butt. Slowly glancing up from her spot, Kaoru saw white hakumas, a dark red shirt, and the blushing face of a rurouni.

"Here," holding a hand out, Kenshin lifted Kaoru to her feet. "It's all my fault, that it is."

"No, no. I wasn't paying attention," Kaoru insisted, equally flustered from the contact, not to mention Yahiko's earlier obnoxious comment. The said boy stood a few feet away, holding his hands over his grinning mouth, trying to keep the laughter in.

Yet between the man and young woman spread an all too familiar silence. Kaoru bit her lip out of habit, her eyes avoiding Kenshin's due to her present reticent behavior. Yet she wasn't to stay in such a state, and she had Kenshin to thank for that.

Bowing slightly, Kenshin spoke. "Thank you for the meal, Miss Kaoru. It was very good, indeed it was." Lifting his eyes first, Kenshin observed Kaoru's reaction and couldn't help the fluttering in his chest at her blush on his account. What he had been feeling, and thinking over the last day or so made his heart swell in hope...And like countless other situations, he hoped beyond all hope that such a notion would prove true. Could she possibly... Kenshin's thought stopped short as he recognized the figure of Aoshi walking toward him from the distance beyond Kaoru's shoulder.

Kaoru followed Kenshin's gaze and glanced behind her. Aoshi, clothed in a dark blue robe that wrapped around his tall frame, walked on by and kept his eyes on him whom he quickly addressed.

"Battousai, come, let's talk..."

Brushing past the redhead, Aoshi stopped and turned to Kaoru, his crystal blue eyes holding no condescension despite his cool demeanor. "Misao is looking for you. Her and Omasu are in the kitchen and need assistance with preparing the food."

Kaoru simply nodded her head, her mind otherwise busy with wondering what it was the Oniwaban leader wanted with Kenshin. And as far as she could tell, Kaoru knew that Kenshin had questions that he wanted answered... His three days of sleep kept him away from all the changes that occurred around them, some good while others were bad. Some included the much defeated Urakami, the Doshisha, but most prevalent to Kaoru was her current state of mind... and heart. These passed days of silence allowed for many hours of prayer, waiting, and more prayer concerning the direction her heart had been going over the past few weeks.

And that morning of the battle, her heart had been made up... She just wanted to keep focused, praying that the time would come when she would reveal her growing affection to him who had unknowingly stolen her heart. But as it stood, she knew nothing of Kenshin and his feelings toward her. He had kissed her, that night some time ago... yet still...

Turning around, Kaoru cradled her hands to her chest, a sudden look of unease marring her visage. That speck of worry gave way to a flood that invaded her mind, outside doubts turning sweet wishes sour where they stood in her mind. Stop thinking that way, Kaoru, she scolded herself, frowning at the negativity that suddenly pushed the hope she held inside... Hope that Kenshin's reaction to her confession would be positive. I wonder if he could ever love me, if he'd ever see me the way I see him... Yahiko watched as Kaoru became reserved, and he worried over the way her face fell and eyes bowed in a heaviness he didn't understand. Before he could say anything, Kaoru grabbed a handful of her skirt and rushed past him, continuing down the hall toward the kitchen without a look back.

Aoshi, silent and mysterious as ever, couldn't keep Kenshin from reading his emotions, their confliction very unnatural of the Oniwaban leader. Guiding them forward a couple more steps, Aoshi stopped in front of the elder Okina's room.

Throwing a glance over his shoulder, Aoshi asked, "Many things have gone on without you, Battousai."

"I have an ear to listen, Aoshi. Whatever it is that has come up, I'm ready to hear of it." Kenshin answered coolly, his eyes heavy with slight apprehension. With eyes down, Kenshin trailed the taller man as they entered the room, Okina sitting further near the back, steaming green tea awaiting them.

"Ah, Himura. It's good to see you awake. Fairing better, I hope." The old man smiled. Kenshin smiled back and nodded, taking a seat in front of the elder who regarded him carefully, earlier smile soon giving way to a more somber expression.

"Let's get right to it. I'm not one for avoiding things, and I'm sure your curiosity needs rest." Kenshin wasted no time, turning his attention fully to the man next to him, Okina following suit after pouring three cups of tea.

"We've received word that some of the members of the Doshisha's Christian group have come out of hiding. The news of the Urakami's defeat spread around the city and even further, both causing uneasiness among many different groups here in Kyoto. It's causing more of an uproar than we had originally imagined." Aoshi gently raised his cup of green liquid to his lips, eyes slightly closing as the steam lifted heavenward.

"Uproar? What kind of response is that to our actions?" Kenshin tried keeping his growing anger masked and away from his voice, bringing him to take a second to take a breath before continuing. "I mean, we rid the country of the threat of the 4th Urakami... A menacing group such as they shouldn't have been allowed to exist."

"We know that, but there are many others who still don't agree with us. Some people chose to describe the Urakami's arrest as a pity, a mistake, and that Japan should have more groups standing up for the traditions of our land." Okina's words last words became heavy, and he struggled to finish what he had to say. Aoshi sent a subtle look of understanding across the way. When the elder picked up his tea with shaky hands, Aoshi cleared his throat and drew Kenshin's attention back to him once again.

For some reason, Kenshin knew he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear.

"Christians have become more unwelcome around the town due to our interference." The worry creasing the rurouni's brow didn't go unnoticed. Aoshi gave Okina a glance before speaking again. "Many still spout threats, words of vengeance upon them and those taking their side..."

Kenshin couldn't help the disgust that rose to turn his stomach. "It's hard to believe..." He said softly with voice overwhelmed, burdened by the news. With this brought to his attention, he slowly began to fear something. If Okina and Aoshi both called to speak to him, could it be possible that they, too, were threatened? Farther than that, Kenshin's mind took him over the likely event of being told to leave the Aoiya; after all, he and his friends were among the Christians.

"Is something the matter, Himura?" Okina asked. The concern in the old man's voice did nothing to soften the grave expression having settled over the young swordsman's face.

"It just amazes me how easily people resort to hate." Kenshin's answer made the old man nod in agreement while Aoshi remained still, impassive as ever as he drank the remainder of his tea.

Kenshin brought his eyes down and to the full cup of tea in his hands, not wanting to see their faces as he his fear spoke up through his voice. "If our presence here is a burden for you and your house, my group and I will quietly take our leave."

A deep throated chuckle shook Kenshin to look up, his pessimistic outlook giving way to question.

"That's another thing we want to discuss with you. And despite our lack of business, we aren't kicking you out of the Aoiya. Many people have stopped coming once they heard that you and your Christian friends are staying here." Okina wiped a tear from his eye, taking control of his laughter along with a couple breathes of air before addressing the confused look the rurouni now wore. "You know of the Aoiya being the home of the Oniwaban, but it is also home to one of Kyoto's best restaurants." With that last statement, the old man puffed his chest in pride. Kenshin smiled at the elder's delight and saw out of the corner of his eye as Aoshi who simply returned the old man's gaze, and, impassive as ever, began to sip at a second cup of tea.

"I am sorry for your business being affected by all of this. Yet once again, I have cause to thank you for the kindness you've shown me and my company." With that said, Kenshin respectfully bowed. Okina noticed something, as did Aoshi, about the former hitokiri as conversation gave way to silence. The relief could be seen in his face, yet his eyes spoke of a shadow of thought reaching further than the subject at hand. Okina thought to ignore it, not wishing to interfere, yet the Oniwaban leader decided to bring it up with the rurouni later.

All were left to wander among their own thoughts, each occasionally lifting their respective cups to their lips for a drink.

The room spread wide along the length of the wall facing the courtyard. There, evenly spaced, were three small windows that punctured square holes in the side of the wall. In the long kitchen many of the traditional furnishings could be found including the large vases off in one corner, storing various foods, as well as the large kamado taking up space in the adjacent corner near a window. Tables were set in between the three four-legged Ashikanahe, each iron pot used for making a different type of food. Omasu, clad in pretty purple kimono, stood in front of an Ashikanahe preparing some vegetables. Slowly she swayed her head to the song she sung, its sound barely audible over the sizzling of the food. At a table nearby, Kaoru found herself busy with preparing something. Omasu finished up with her cooking and before she walked out of the room she smiled at a lost looking Kaoru, saying, "I think the bowl is over there. Make them however you see fit; I'm sure they'll turn out fine."

A few minutes after she was left alone in the kitchen, Kaoru stopped to quirk an eyebrow at the tray sitting before her. Taking a step back, she rubbed her chin in deliberation, eyes full of scrutiny. Still eyeing the tray, Kaoru walked back and picked up the food in puzzlement. What's wrong with these rice balls? I can't seem to put my finger on it...

"What in the world is that?" The question came from behind her. Turning around, Kaoru saw Misao holding a tray of delicious looking rice balls. The female ninja wrinkled her nose as she saw what Kaoru held in her hands. With a quick look to Misao's tray, Kaoru made a quick comparison. The assistant sensei sighed dejectedly and placed her tray of lopsided rice balls, half of them falling apart, back on the table.

"I guess you can't call them rice balls if they don't look anything like them, right?" Walking to the corner, Kaoru found a stool and plopped herself on it.

Misao frowned and set her food on the table beside Kaoru's. "Hey," she started. "Don't beat yourself over something little like that. It took me years before I learned how to make a proper rice ball." Not expecting the reaction she was to get, Misao bit her tongue when she watched Kaoru's dejected mood get worse. Kaoru shook her head and planted her face in her palms, slowly shaking her head from side to side.

"It's no use! How can I ever be a good wife if I don't know how to cook?"

The braided haired girl wanted to laugh, having no idea where that last statement came from. "What are you talking about? You're not thinking of marriage now, are you? You never told me you were betrothed or anything..."

"That's because I'm not." Kaoru admitted, lifting her face from her hands. Feeling a little sheepish she met Misao's curious gaze.

The younger girl propped her fists against her hips, a mischievous grin splitting her face in half.

"I got it!" She yelled, happy with the way her mind was working. Misao knew what Kaoru was talking about. Man, I know I've got this one right! She thought, her smile never leaving. "You like Himura, don't you?"

Fearing the volume of the girl's voice, Kaoru launched herself off of her stool and covered Misao's mouth.

"Shhh... I don't want the whole neighborhood to know." Kaoru whispered, her face blushing from the truth of the young one's observation. "Is it that obvious?" Kaoru asked, removing her hands from the other's mouth.

"I'm just sharp, that's all." Misao shrugged, linking her hands behind her head. "I can see it in your face whenever he enters the room, and the mere mention of his name lights up your eyes."

Kaoru never knew how transparent her feelings were. Megumi knew of them, and now Misao had figured it out also. If only Kenshin had eyes to see it. Kaoru couldn't help but sulk as she sat back down on the stool. Forget that thought, I just wish I could have talked to him a little longer.

"Stop being so down on yourself, Kaoru." Misao interjected, dispelling Kaoru's mental whine. "Have hope, the guy will come around." Kaoru was surprised at the maturity that the 16 year old possessed, and yet she couldn't help but speculate that the advice wasn't just for her to hear. It sounded as if the young girl was trying to convince herself of the same thing concerning someone else. Despite her age, Misao was in love, but with whom? Kaoru's mind mulled over the possibilities quickly but came up with empty.

"Good morning, ladies." Turning toward the left side of the kitchen, the two young women recognized the lean and lanky form of Sano leaning against the door frame. "What's for breakfast?" He asked, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

"Sadly, you missed out on breakfast." Kaoru said with a smile, thinking that it served him right for always sleeping in. "But I did make some rice balls if you want some." She asked, half hoping that he wouldn't mind eating them. Sano just stared, answering Kaoru's with a blank expression. Slowly, an annoyed twitch began to surface above her left eye... Her cooking wasn't as bad as everyone made it out to be, right? Well, at least she knew, yet again, Sano's opinion on the subject.

Recovering quickly from Kaoru's offer, Sano thought it best to say something. "That's okay, Missy. I-I can wait until lunch is served." Taking slow steps, Sano wore a fake smile as he made his getaway.

Words of comfort wouldn't come to the petite ninja, because in truth, Misao knew Kaoru's cooking was pretty bad. Yet not even a moment later a loud thump resounded as Kaoru stood up, firmly planting her feet on the ground.

"I don't care what Rooster-head has to say, I'm going to make good tasting rice balls even if it kills me!" Pushing up her sleeves, Kaoru stamped over to the bowl of freshly cooked rice. She was bent on proving herself in the kitchen.

It had been over three hours since he left Okina's room and Kenshin found himself pacing about the halls of the building, his body as restless as his overactive mind. The knowledge of the Oniwaban's thoughtfulness warmed his heart, yet the other information imparted his way troubled him greatly. From the way it looked, Christians were to be the target of much hate regardless of what he regardless of his attempts to help. The 4th Urakami was gone, leaderless, and scattered. They no longer posed a threat to these people claiming a different faith. Yet there were still others, many more which stood to take place of the Urakami.

Through it all, a smile, bittersweet, came to his lips.

"I am now one of those claiming that faith." He whispered to himself, his feet still leading him aimlessly around the Aoiya's compound. He laughed softly as he came to realize something... The heaviness of before, the burden that weighed his spirit down during his fight with that confused young Urakami leader, was nothing less than, "

"Kenshin?" His heart fluttered as the soft voice reached his ear, causing him to look up from his musings.

"Well, hello again, Miss Kaoru." Kenshin smiled, silently admiring her how adorable she looked in an apron.

Seeing him again, just after her conversation with Misao, caused an unconscious blush to appear on the young assistant sensei's face. Her thoughts of wanting to see him again were soothed by his presence before her now. It seemed that whenever she wanted to see him, he would suddenly appear. Yet, she had to be honest with herself; she didn't mind how things always ended up working out in her favor. Like the night before... She had a dream about the red haired swordsman and woke up because of it. As she thought to fetch the laundry and get him off her mind, she happened to come across someone outside; none other than the man of her dreams, Kenshin. It struck her as odd that they ended up crossing paths at such a late hour in the night.

Brought back to the moment at hand, Kaoru nervously scratched her chin with a smile.

"Hi," Kaoru managed to say, all other words dead on her tongue. She found herself awkward where she stood, especially after finding thoughts of him still fresh in her mind. He, in return, said nothing as he walked forward, stopping a foot from her. Her breath caught in her throat as he reached a hand and gently caressed her cheek, his thumb sweeping over the skin under her lips.

Her eyes suddenly felt heavy and her face hot from the contact. Yet his touch lasted for a fleeting second, leaving a tingling sensation along the trail he left with his touch...

"Um...You had a piece of rice..." Kenshin motioned to his own chin, showing her the piece of rice he took off with his thumb.

"Oh," she said, her blush increasing from embarrassment. "I guess I better go wash up before lunch." Bowing her eyes, she mumbled, "Excuse me," before turning to walk away.

Kenshin watched this with a desire to kick himself hard. He was the reason for her walking away so quickly.

"Kaoru... wait!" He called out, following her with a few steps before she stopped. Kaoru turned around and found Kenshin looking toward the ground.

"If it's not too much to ask, would you please sit next to me at lunch?" Once he lifted his beautiful violet eyes, Kaoru felt the strength leave her knees. At the same time, she couldn't believe her ears... Her heart thumped in her chest, each second harder than the last. There he held her, having caught her in his gaze with eyes so sincere.

"Y-yes..." She choked out, biting her lip after hearing how shaky her voice was. His smile urged her on. "I would love to Kenshin."

After a short nod, Kenshin watched with a smile as Kaoru did the same and scurried off on her way, her sandals knocking against the wood with her small steps. This chance encounter with her, the woman preoccupying his mind, had compelled him to carry out his overly thought-out plan...

"Courage, Kenshin, courage" he said to himself. His mind brought back the picture of her smile, her silken, raven dark hair, her flawless skin. She was a beauty that shone brighter due to her beauty within, making her far more pure than he ever imagined a person to be. All of these thoughts clouded him over in doubt, in fear... Staring straight ahead, he gave his last audible encouragement.

"All you have to do is open your mouth and ask her..." Now if only such things could be as easily done as they are said...

Okay... I'm done with this chapter! But most importantly, I have brought Intervention back to the world of fan fiction!! Yay! For all of those who've stuck with me over these past few months of silence on my part, I thank you. You all ROCK. So many things have taken place since the last time that I updated this story, most of which I've written about in my livejournal... yet one thing has not changed... This story will have an ending, and I will continue to update as soon as I possibly can.

And reviews... I had 202 the last time I checked, but now it seems the number has died down to 196... That makes me sad (... I'll throw a party when I reach 200 again, yet for now I'm still frowning a bit. And in the next chapter, look for review responses... I can't wait to start talking to you all again!

Anyhoo, take care everyone, and don't forget to review and tell me how you liked this chapter. If it's choppy, I'm sorry. If it's grammatically incorrect, I'm sorry... I know, it certainly is not the best ever, but I'm glad I got something out for you all to munch on for now ... Till later, toodles!

- The Honorable Gucci