Sleeping Beauty Aoshi Style! Chapter 2, a rurouni kenshin fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or Disney's Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty – Aoshi style!

Part I:

A little ray of sun filtered through a crack in the window and warmed Misao's face. Birds cheerfully twittered outside as she opened her eyes, yawned and stretched. She bolted out of bed and looked around angrily when she realized this was not the room in the Aoiya where she had started reading that cursed book. She muttered harsh unladylike curses under her breath as she surveyed her surroundings. Cautiously she made her way to the door and listened carefully through it. She jumped back as some one gave her door a light rap.

"Rose dear! It's time to wake up!" called a cheerful sing-song voice from the other side of the door.

"I'm already awake!" she answered attempting to imitate the tone so as to not raise suspicions.

'Rose! What a corny-ass name!' she thought starting to get more than a little annoyed with this story-hopping! The person to whom the voice belonged to faded as she cheerfully went on her way. She looked around the room for the stupid book which was the cause of all of this madness so she could figure out what the heck was going on and what her role in this next installment was! She found the book sitting on the dresser and snatched it up then stalked over to the window to pull open the shutters so she could see it better.

Once upon a time…the story began with its familiar fairytale catch phrase. She rolled her eyes at the author's severe lack of originality. She quickly scanned the pages catching her self up with the story so far. She found out she was a princess called Aurora who was in hiding with three fairies who were masquerading as simple mortals to protect her from some horrible spell the evil Maleficent cast on her on the day of her birth.

Today was Princess Aurora's sixteenth birthday the day when the spell's effect would expire. The catch-up ended there with a few vague instructions about spending the morning doing her house chores and then most of the afternoon walking in the woods and a small character profile of the princess. Infuriated with the stupid book's annoying ability to only give her up-to-the-minute info she slammed it shut and threw it on the bed then paced the room angrily for a few minutes…

'Stupid book! What's the point of being in a fairytale anyway if you don't get to kiss the prince!' she fumed. Lord Aoshi had been so adamant about not allowing them selves to be caught up in their characters that she had never come even close to a happy ending scenario. She went back and re-read some of the passages taking a minute to read the character profile on Princess Aurora.

She seethed at the description apparently the Princess was a ditzy little creature who was content to spend her days singing and dancing and cheerfully doing chores while daydreaming of some handsome man to come and sweep her off her feet! She rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time! People accused her of being overly cheerful and ditzy but she was not even close to being like this air-headed princess.

At first it seemed obvious Lord Aoshi would be Prince Phillip (to whom Aurora was betrothed at birth) but as she read on the book added that she would go to pick berries in the woods today and Aurora would fall in love with a woodsman which threw her theory out the window! There was no profile on either Prince Phillip or the anonymous woodsman. A most interesting twist this is! She hadn't realized there would be fairytales with love triangles in them!

Suddenly the prospect of living through this fairytale was not so annoying! She wondered which one Lord Aoshi would be and how cute the other guy was as she happily went about her role of cheerfully tiding up her room and getting her chores done. Once done she read the book one more time to see if it had any new information but all it had added since the last time she read it was a character profile of the three fairies in disguise.

"Fine then… be useless!" she growled at the book as she slammed it shut. Disgusted with the selective usefulness of the book she threw it back on the bed and went downstairs to see what would happen next. As she reached the all purpose room downstairs her excellent Oniwaban hearing caught every word of what the three little crazy fairies were up to!

They were trying to plan a surprise birthday celebration for her complete with a three layer cake and a new dress as well as plotting how they were going to get "Rose" out of the house while they prepared. She looked down at the simple dress she was wearing and agreed that it made sense after all her current attire was pretty raggedy and most definitely not fit for a princess!

"Ahem! And what are you three up to?" Misao asked the three disguised fairies cheerfully. All three looked up in surprise and tried to hide the book they were looking at and made a poor attempt to cover up their sneaky intentions.

"Up to!"

They all stammered and stuttered trying to find a way to not let her in on their intentions. Except the one in the blue dress called Meriwether whom after recovering from Misao's sudden appearance turned to grab a basket full of flowers, dumped the flowers and shoved the basket into Misao's hands.

"We want you to pick some berries!" said Meriwether taking away the broom Misao was using.

"That's it berries!" excitedly agreed the one in red called Flora who turned her around and started shoving her towards the door.

"Yes! Lots and lots of berries!" said the one in green called Fauna as Misao allowed herself to be swept out. Meriwether put a plain shawl over Misao's head as they pushed her out the door. Misao just shrugged and cheerfully waved goodbye as the three good fairies bid her to take her time but not to go too far or to speak with strangers. Misao rolled her eyes as she skipped away.

"It's a good thing they're not ninjas! And I thought I wore my feelings on my sleeves!" she commented to herself amused as she put some distance between herself and the house pretending not to know what they were up to! She walked through the forest leisurely and marveled at how beautiful and peaceful it was. She had been through so much in this story-hopping thing that she hadn't realized how exhausted she was and gladly welcomed the quiet reprieve. She closed her eyes for a moment allowing her other ninja senses to guide her through the forest.

In previous story lines she had tried to fight the magical currents that governed each world. Sometimes at great cost to herself and the world she inhabited at the time. Lord Aoshi had lectured extensively on that subject admonishing her to keep from getting carried away no matter the cost.

This time however she decided she would not fight the currents. She would just let herself be swept away by the fairytale and enjoy every minute of peace she would get to spend in this world. Without realizing it songs started forming in her head along with the melodies and a powerful wordless imperative was compelling her to sing.

She did as the wordless order commanded her and was surprised when she heard her voice ring out clear and beautiful. At first it was no more than a few notes strung together in a sweet simple harmony but soon it turned into a nature's symphony as little innocent forest critters came out to harmonize with her as well as keep her company. She smiled and continued walking along the unmarked path in the woods her bare feet seemed to be compelled to follow…

Aoshi blinked in surprised as a slight jolt made him aware of the new world he was in. He quickly assessed his surroundings. He was riding a horse through unfamiliar woods carrying nothing more than a small foreign dagger. His acute ninja senses detected no threats nearby but also made him aware that there was not one person anywhere in the vicinity. This he did not like!

There were no saddle bags on the horse which meant that wherever he came from was not too far for the horse to return to fairly quickly. He searched the few pockets he could see but the magical book that kept throwing them into these strange worlds was not with him which meant Misao had it and he would be riding blind until she showed up. He hated it when that happened!

As he rode on he heard a voice singing softly in the forest. He pulled on the horses reins to stop it and listen to the voice. It seemed to be coming from far away and he wasn't sure whether it would be Misao or not but at least there might be another human being in this place who might be able to give him some information. He urged the horse in the direction the song was coming from but the horse pulled against him and refused to head in the direction Aoshi was steering him.

Again Aoshi pulled on the reins but the strange horse just turned to glare at him in annoyance shook its head and went back to galloping peacefully in the opposite direction. After all he had just been through with this world hopping; he really didn't feel like battling anything right now much less a weird horse with a mind of its own!

"Comply with me horse and I will see that you get a treat!" he said without thinking the horse would actually come to a halt and look up to him hopeful which is exactly what he did! Aoshi seized the opportunity!

"Perhaps an extra bucket of oats or even some carrots?" he tried and just like that the horse whinnied happily and charged through the woods in search of the mysterious voice…

Misao walked happily through the woods allowing the magical currents to guide her. Her hand reached out automatically for the little sweet bluish purple berries. She popped one into her mouth and sighed contentedly at its sweetness. Yes, she was starting to like this world very much! Two little birds flew around her and twittered happily and a new melody formed in her mind.

I wonder…I wonder…why each little bird has a someone… to sing to… sweet things to a gay little lark melody…

And so the song went speaking of a wish for the love of her life to find her with her song and with each note she felt herself sink deeper into Princess Aurora's psyche. Her longing to be loved was not all that different from Misao's own longings. The difference between Aurora and Misao was that Misao harbored little to no illusions that her unrequited love would be returned.

Misao's own life was not a fairytale. Lord Aoshi had made it quite clear in their current adventure he wanted no part of a fairytale. She was doomed to live with her unrequited love buried inside of her forever. She was even starting to contemplate letting Gramps arrange a marriage for her at least that way she would get to have a child before she became too old.

She sighed as her song ended and she spotted a castle far way. She paused by the edge of a cliff to take in the scenery. She knew Aurora would get her wish and be loved by all who come to know her. In that too they were much the same! Everyone Misao knew loved her but they all treated her like a kid. Looking back on her departure from the cabin in the woods she realized Aurora had the same problem. Her three magical caretakers treated her like a fragile little baby!

But Aurora was the star of the story so despite her present loneliness she would get her happy ending! Misao on the other hand would either hop to the next fairytale or go back to Kyoto and back to the same old routine! For all she knew all these stories could be a figment of her imagination and she would wake in her futon at any moment and find she's the only one who was in any of these fantasy worlds! If she tried to tell anybody (other than Mrs. Kate) about them they'd pat her on the head like a little kid and shoo her away! Or worse they would ignore her just like Lord Aoshi.

"Why do they still treat me like a child?" she sighed in frustration as she walked towards a nearby creek. The owl that had accompanied her along with the other little woodland creatures flew in front of her and hooted in a way that seemed to be asking her "Who?". She smiled thinking:

'Boy these critters sure have a mind of their own!' she closed her eyes and searched the magical currents for the appropriate answer but it seems like it was going to let her take this one on her own. She decided to reply to the critters questions by simply reciting the names of her three caretakers knowing this was probably what Aurora would've done.

"Poor Rose never gets to meet anyone!" she blurted out without thinking but this statement seemed to sadden the happy little critters and she was instantly sorry that she had broken the happy mood with her doubts and sorrows. So instead she made up a story which she begun by telling them that she had indeed met someone. Again the Owl hooted excitedly seeming to ask who she was referring to!

"Oh! Just a…prince!" she lied. All the critters twittered excitedly as if they wanted details. So she described the only man she knew to be the closest thing to an actual prince to her: Lord Aoshi. She described fictitious walks in the moonlight and late evening romantic conversation and embellished it with such detail that she began to believe they were real!

"Oh, but what am I saying! That's only in my dreams! Sorry guys…" she apologized turning to all the little critters who had become the most attentive audience she had ever had! They seemed to deflate; they're enthusiasm was sapped away by the sad reality and yet they clustered about Misao as she sat again to hum softly to herself. A little chipmunk settled on her lap as if to offer her comfort. She petted it absently and relaxed again allowing the peace of the forest to seep into her…

Aoshi angrily squeezed water out of his boots. That psychotic horse had run right smack into a tree branch that had it not been for Aoshi's ninja reflexes would've killed him or at least severely injured him. However he was unable to avoid falling into a shallow creek and getting his cape and boots and pants soaked. He set his boots aside and wondered how in the world he was going to find Misao and get on with this adventure. Now the voice had stopped which meant its owner was probably out of his hearing and too far for him to track anymore.

He cast a glance at the horse that was currently drinking from the conveniently placed stream. He supposed he could just let the horse take him back to where this character lived, after all horses always knew their way home. He could sit tight and wait for Misao to show up which he was certain she inevitably would but he hated the thought of going into something without at least having some Intel.

He cast a glance at his horse; it whinnied contritely and stepped towards him trying to offer him some comfort. He sighed but before he could decide on his next course of action his head whipped around just in time to see his cape, hat and boots squirreled away by a small group of forest critters. He bolted up and ran after the little nature thieves unwilling to endure any more humiliation from these stories…

Misao felt the peace of her outing snatched away as all the little woodland creatures suddenly looked up and scattered looking for a place to hide! She looked in the direction the threat was coming mentally preparing for a battle but laughed at the sight that greeted her. The owl had led a little band of critters and stolen (most likely) a hat, cape and boots from somewhere and were cooperating to make the Owl appear like a man.

"Your highness!" she greeted with an exaggerated curtsy. Then informed him in a mock flirty tone that she was not supposed to talk to strangers but that she'd make an exception since they'd met before! She giggled mischievously and closed her eyes allowing herself to be swept away slowly by the magic of this place as she began to sing:

I know you I walked with you once upon a dream! I know you that gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam and I know its true that visions are seldom all they seem but if I know you I know what you'll do you'll love me at once the way you did once upon a dream…

Aoshi arrived at a small clearing just in time to watch the unnaturally self aware non-human band of thieves don the various parts of his outfit that they'd stolen in order to resemble a person. He watched in amusement as they marched awkwardly towards the center of the clearing and that's when he spotted her. He was stunned for a second at how the simple strange dress accentuated the curves she'd acquired in the past few years.

She spotted the impersonator and laughed in that contagious girlish way Misao laughed then curtsied and pretended to flirt with the fake prince. She sang and he instantly realized it was her voice he'd heard earlier. He watched with hungry eyes as she flitted about the clearing flashing shapely calves as her skirt billowed around her. Her dark hair swirled about her head free from its customary braid accentuating her slender neck and perfect skin.

For an instant he was uncertain how to proceed. The logical thing was to announce his presence and for the two of them to figure out what the game plan was but at the same time he felt like he would be a complete ass if he interrupted this moment. So he just watched her dance and sing torn between willingly participating in this fantasy like her and indulge in the new feelings that were bubbling up from inside him and he'd been working hard to hide through each world. As he battled with his uncertainty something strange happened!

Another version of himself appeared next to him. This young man was dressed just as Aoshi was but his hair was a light brown color and his brown eyes were wide open as he stared at Misao's dancing figure in naïve youthful amazement. Unlike Aoshi this man was not paralyzed with indecision he crept forward with the intent of removing the feathery imposter and replacing it.

Aoshi was certain it wouldn't work after all Misao was a ninja and would sense his approach as soon as he was within the boundaries of the clearing. His eyes went wide with shock as the impossible began to unfold and he shuddered as he stepped into the clearing stood in front of Misao and her eyes passed right over the spot he stood in and did not register him at all!

Misao felt Lord Aoshi's presence as he quietly approached the boundaries of the clearing. His presence paused just outside of it…

'He's probably wondering what the hell I'm doing! Well, I'm taking a break that's what I'm doing!' she declared to herself and continued her happy little song and dance. She felt him move again but she ignored him and continued to twirl around her new little friends. Suddenly she felt large hands gently take hold of her wrists which surprised her and a man's deep voice joined in:

…the way you did once upon a dream…

She whirled around in surprise! That voice had not sounded like Lord Aoshi! She had felt his presence she was sure of it! She cast her eyes about the clearing for her little companions and found them all trapped in the cape hanging on a branch. Again she stared at the unfamiliar face in amazement he had released her wrists only to take hold of her hand. She could tell he had no evil intentions as he apologized for startling her so she tried to be polite and not unleash her kenpo on him but she still backed away from him. He would let her pull one hand free only to take the other and he looked at her in a way she'd never been looked at before.

"It's just that you're a…a…" she began but found it difficult to call him freak or psycho. This guy really seemed nice…

"A stranger? But don't you remember we've met before!" he countered bringing her hand close to his lips.

"We have?" Misao asked completely incredulous. Her eyes still cast about the clearing. She could feel Lord Aoshi's presence but she could not see him. She wondered desperately why he remained in hiding.

"You said so before: Once upon a dream!" he replied graciously and as she backed away he began singing a reprise of her song. She shielded herself from him momentarily behind a tree.

"Lord Aoshi! Where are you?" she whispered urgently unaware that Aoshi was standing right in front of her trying to get her to see him. She peeked to one side to check where the guy was and he popped up on the other. She startled a little in girlish fashion. The magical currents of the world began speaking to her in earnest to take this man's hand and dance with him. She became so enraptured by the sound of his voice that she eventually let herself be engulfed by the mysterious and powerful magical current of this world and allowed her self to dance with this stranger.

"No…" Aoshi shook his head in disbelief! It had never occurred to him that Misao would let herself get swept away like this! She had been so diligent on following his commands in this crazy world hopping! But there it was he had finally pushed her to the point where she would just… just…

"No, it's not happening…" he repeated incredulous and yet there it was Misao and 'that guy' were dancing! Their feet moving in perfect synch with each other and whatever symphony that was heard only by the two of them. He ran after them unwilling to leave her alone with him for even an instant. He seethed as the man pulled her close their faces a mere inch or two apart.

She just smiled up at him in this dreamy almost trance-like expression but they stopped short of actually kissing and hand in hand walked towards the edge of a cliff where a stocky tree with a low thick branch provided a perfect spot for a romantic view! Again he ran towards them and watched as she allowed him to pull her into his arms. He listened as he gently asked her for her name she looked up at first a dreamy smile on her face but it was replaced by a sudden confusion. She shook her head…

"I have to go!" she exclaimed suddenly and bolted away from him. Aoshi's pseudo-doppelganger followed her calling out to her begging her to tell him when and where he could see her again. Finally, perhaps seeing that he would not stop following and she could not outrun a horse if he decided to take that route (or at least that's what Aoshi told himself to believe!) she gave him instructions to meet tonight in a cottage in the glen. He stopped and watched her go with a stupid love-struck grin on his young face. Aoshi stepped in front of him burning with rage but the man did not see him. He turned to speak to the horse…

"Samson did you see her? She was…" he began but so awestruck was he that he could not find the words to describe her!

"She is not yours! She will never be! I will not allow it!" Aoshi growled at him but the man registered none of his words.

"Wow! I want to marry her Samson…" he whispered dreamily. That was the final straw! Aoshi reached out to throttle him but his hands passed right through him. In that moment of connection Aoshi felt himself flooded with information about this world! The man he wanted to throttle was called Phillip and he was a prince engaged to some cursed princess named Aurora.

He dismissed that information and concentrated on the other bit. Along with the knowledge of his supposed impending nuptials with King Stephen's daughter had come the memory of the recent dance. He let it sink into him he could actually feel her slender waist as if he had held her himself! He could hear the haunting melody that had compelled Phillip to dance with his Misao. He could feel her soft breath a mere inch away from his face. He was snapped out if his reverie by Phillip who leapt onto his horse and galloped away.

"What's happening?" he asked in the now empty clearing. He walked towards the direction Misao had run towards. As he did he realized he'd finally gotten his wish. He had been taken out of participation from the fairytale. He was no longer obligated by the environment. He could be free now to go and find them a way home. So why did he feel like such a jerk!

He was running now through the forest. He had to get to Misao. He had to say something! He had to make whatever was wrong right! He caught up with her as she arrived at the cottage she described to Phillip but again he realized no one could see him. She was happily receiving gifts from three little old lady's and telling them of her brief encounter in the woods. The happy gift giving soon disintegrated into an argument when Misao was informed that she was Princess Aurora and that she was already otherwise engaged.

"No! It can't be!" she whispered incredulous 'I had forgotten!' she added to herself. To Aoshi's surprise Misao did not scream at them or curse. A tear slid down her face and she bolted up the stairs. Aoshi followed after her and barely made it inside her room before she slammed the door shut.

"No! No!" she kept repeating desperately as she turned the magical book's pages. He read over her shoulder and the page she was on only described that she would have to return to the palace upon which time she would officially be betrothed to Prince Phillip and then be married.

"Oh no! We've turned the book into tragedies!" She slammed the book down on the desk. Horrified she opened the book once more to find that every fairytale in it ended with the tragic death of the main characters and the destruction of everything they cherished. Misao was completely disconsolate! Her racking sobs were painful to watch! Aoshi tried desperately to reach her but to no avail he had been completely shut out!

"It's not gonna go down like that! I will make sure Aurora gets her wish!" she declared to what she thought was an empty room as her sobs slowed.

"I know I'll never get my wish but this is a fairy tale dammit! I've had enough! I'm gonna make sure it ends like it's supposed to! With a "Happily ever After" just before the end!" she affirmed glaring at the offending book. The fairies brought up her new dress and Misao changed into it wordlessly. Aoshi made his way outside feeling absolutely disgusted with him self.

"Why didn't I see it before?" he berated himself as he sat outside the cottage. He had spent the last three years in a state of self condemnation since he returned from Shishio's lair and had completely ignored her. Eventually even the most cheerful and loving of souls will wither under such coldness. The others in the Aoiya had their own share of blame too. They treated her like a little girl when she obviously wasn't.

"I could've stopped it…" he realized sadly. This strange dream or whatever it was gave him a rare insight and it had presented many opportunities for him to allow his feelings a free reign and he had rejected it all. Now he was outside looking in and there was no way he could fix things. His warm and caring Misao had turned into a cold and bitter woman and it was his fault.

"Are you Aoshi Shinomori?" said a prim and proper female voice. Aoshi looked up astonished that he hadn't heard anyone approach and that finally someone could see him! Before him stood a young woman in her early twenties wearing a long dark blue skirt white high collar shirt matching petticoat and an odd pair of lavender shoes with a black hat that had a little yellow flower sticking up from the right side of the hat. Her black hair was tucked up in a tight severe bun in the back of her head. On her right hand she was holding a black umbrella with a parrot head on the handle and a small black purse in the other.

"Are you or are you not Aoshi Shinomori!" the prim young woman repeated starting to sound a bit annoyed at his lack of response. He shook off his surprise and nodded curtly.

"Yes…Who are you?" he returned coldly. The worse possible scenario had happened it couldn't get any worse from here. The young woman finally smiled.

"Ah! Well we better get going then!" she announced cheerfully "come along now! Spit Spot!" she commanded happily. She began to turn and walk away but stopped when Aoshi did not move to follow. He'd had enough too after all!

"Where are we going?" he growled angrily "and you did not answer my first question!" he retorted trying hard not to lose control of his rage.

"Why back to Kyoto of course?" the woman declared unfazed by Aoshi's intimidating figure. "Come along now! Spit Spot!" she commanded yet again sounding a little more forceful this time.

"What will happen to Misao?" he snarled angrily. The woman sighed annoyed.

"She will remain here of course in the world of the book until she has fixed all the fairy tales that are broken! As is her wish!" she replied primly completely immune to Aoshi's wrath apparently.

"Then she will return to Kyoto safely. Correct?" he continued glaring at the woman who seemed more made of ice then him! She sighed again.

"Of course not! She will not return to her world! Once her heart is spent fixing what is broken here there will be nothing left of her. She has a strong heart and when her consciousness fades away that pure energy will become part of the magical currents that govern the world of the book! That is the fate of all those who wish to remain in the book and lose connection to their worlds," she explained with a touch of exasperation in her voice as though he should've known this already. Aoshi stared at her as though she'd suddenly grown a second head.

"Did you not read the introduction to the book? I am sure that it explained quite clearly the rules!" she lectured solemnly. Aoshi shook his head horrified at this new development. Slowly he sank to his knees. His ignorance and neglect would now cause his precious princess to fade away to nothing. He felt like screaming but the scream died in his throat.

"This can't be happening…" he tried to tell him self as he sank deeper into despair.

"Oh dear this is dreadful! No one ever skips the introduction!" she continued with a slightly worried look. She produced a small book from her black bag and leafed through it quickly. She scanned the pages with prim precision. She smiled in satisfaction after apparently locating what she was looking for and read it quickly.

"Fortunately we still have time to fix it!" she declared cheerfully as she snapped her little book closed and put it away. Aoshi looked up hopeful but before he could say anything she was giving orders once again. Aoshi did as he was told without asking why. If he was getting a second chance he wasn't going to waste it!

"Stand up please! Stay very still!" she commanded and produced a measuring tape from her bag.

Hold this please!" she ordered holding one end just above the level of his eyes. He took the tip and she moved the rest of the tape all the way to the ground and then stood and examined the reading with a frown.

"Hmm…let's see: Extremely angsty and broody. Likes to hide real feelings behind a cold façade," she read and gave him an annoyed look as she put her tape away then moved around behind him.

'What the hell kind of measuring tape is that?' Aoshi wondered as he turned his head slightly to see that she was drawing with the tip of her umbrella a box with vertical strips on it. She finished quickly and came back around to face him. He held back on his curiosity. He wanted to know how he could fix things and the sooner she got on with what she was doing the better! Misao was his first priority now…

"When you both arrived on this world your hearts were connected by the magical currents that govern the book! Your resistance to the laws of the book finally severed the connection between you and the book leaving you free to return home," she began.

"But it leaves Misao adrift in this world…" he put in softly.

"Correct! Misao has no desire to return home anymore. Her connection to her home has been severed by you…" she stopped letting her scornful words sink in to him. He looked down at his feet and clenched his fists angrily. He had come back from Shishio's lair to dry her tears and protect her happiness but instead he had done the opposite.

"You can find a way to reconnect her to her world at the end of this tale but only if you put your whole heart into this story!" she continued. He nodded finallyfully understandingwhat he needed to do!

"And I have learned that the woodsman that Aurora - or Misao - met in the clearing is in fact Prince Phillip to whom Aurora is betrothed!" he added recalling the argument from before with the fairies.

"Yes! Phillip is the only one who can break Aurora's curse so in essence whether this fairy tale ends in "Happily ever After" or not is dependent on the choices you make!" she concluded sternly and paused once more to let him assimilate this new information.

"Alright! I'm ready to get back in!" he announced full of purpose determined to make things right! The mysterious woman smiled once more.

"Very well then on the count of three! One, two…" and on three she pushed him lightly with the tip of her umbrella and – POOF – he found himself landing hard on his butt in a most curious place!

In the words of Han Solo: "It's not over yet!"

Thank you for reading! Stay tuned!