Hi, everybody. Sorry for the delay- I have been struggling with this chapter for days. It is very... very... long. Maybe I should have split it into two chapters, but I couldn't find a good place to do that. Now, before you read this... I'm going to apologize. (bows many times) I don't like this chapter. At all. However, it's extremely important for the plot development and potential romance sides of things. The battle scene goes extremely fast and I've been told it's sometimes hard to follow... and the council bit, well... it's complicated. So good luck with it and I hope you can get at least some enjoyment from it... let me know eh:)
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Kikyo stared, panting painfully down at Naraku's dead puppet. Just a few minutes ago it had been frightening, dangerous, but now it was just a mangled mess of swollen slashes and black blood. She looked down at herself and winced. She hadn't fared much better... except that she was alive. She straightened, frowning. She had beat one of Naraku's puppets? By herself? With just a little dagger she kept inside herblouse at all times? Impossible.
And yet, there it lay. She had thought she would die. The roots had just kept coming and her desperate swings rarely penetrated the target. And then, with serious gashes across her forehead and stomach, she had come up with the idea of climbing a tree, and leaping onto the more fragile torso of the puppet. Unfortuneately, she had been winded after her jump and the thing, recovering faster, had immeadiately started strangling her. She rubbed her neck now, already purple and swelling. The thing had been so intent on the strangling thatit had never noticed the little knife in her hand... not, that is, until it was sticking out of its chest.
Kikyo's lip curled. Just what was Naraku up to? Early that morning, Naraku's poisonous insects had showed up at her fire, bearing a short note from their master.
Priestess,
Follow the insects to a clearing in the Shinjuku Forest. Do not get the half-demon involved.
The Naraku
The Naraku? Give me a break, she thought, glaring at the now dead demon puppet she had met upon arrival. A nice greeting it had been, having a root slashed at her head, barely given enough time to duck. Things hadn't looked good for her, what with fighting a sword and all. Cold-hearted, distance fighting with sacred arrows was her thing.
THE Naraku though? Honestly, who did the bastard think he was? Surely there was somebody else in the world with that name... although any parent who gave their kid a name meaning "Hell" seriously deserved to be run through.
"Kikyo."
The priestess spun, leaving the dead puppet at her back to face the new one. She regarded it carefully. As always, it was a complete replica. Same curly hair, same piercing eyes... only this puppet's eyes seemed more intense. More... alive. Kikyo frowned even as her body shivered. Something was different about this one.
And he had yet to transform. In fact, he still wore his baboon cloak, with only his face revealed. And even stranger... instead of his trademark smirk, today he bore a slight grimace. The previous puppet had been grinning, taking obvious pleasure when her blood was spilled.
"Kikyo..." Naraku's copy started, taking a hesitant step forward. Kikyo automatically took a step back and the puppet stopped. The hand he had started to outstretch dropped, and he looked away, jaw twitching. "You failed me."
Kikyo rolled her eyes. "The last puppet and I already went through this." Please, let's just get on with it, she begged silently.
Naraku swept his eyes back to hers. "You know you can never win. The puppets will keep coming... and coming."
Kikyo sighed, and nodded, clenching her fists in front of her chest. "I know. Your master's supply of mignons is quite impressive."
Naraku smirked, but it was sad, self-mocking. "It is, isn't it." With a swift gesture, he threw the cloak off, leaving it to flutter against a nearby tree. "But today is a special day. Today, I will kill you myself."
Kikyo stopped breathing. Naraku?
Ignoring Kikyo, Naraku walked slowly to the side of the thing she had just killed. "Interesting," he murmered.
"You sent a puppet on a suicide mission, just to keep me busy until you got here," she realized out loud. Naraku nodded.
Anger boiled inside Kikyo's stomach. Fine then. But I won't be easy. With a terrific scream, she sprinted at Naraku's unguarded back.
Sparks flew, the metal on metal kind. It was obvious from the start that Kikyo was doomed to fail; Naraku was going easy on her. He had even given her a sword. Sick bastard, she hissed inwardly. He's enjoying this.
Only, he wasn't. Naraku had never been much to show emotion on the outside, but that was simply because he didn't have any. But today, try as he might, he just could not get the corners of his mouth to turn upward. Every one of Kikyo's strained gasps tore at his stomach, leaving him quite ill and even paler than usual. Truth be told, this was the first time in years he himself and left the castle to do the dirty work. I must be quite out of shape, he thought. Remind me not to go up against Sesshomaru myself.
Kikyo had no power compared to either of the dog demon brothers. She should have been dead ages ago, and she knew it. That's it, she thought. I've had enough of your-
A sword lock. Both strained, leaning body strength against their blades.
"You. Bastard," Kikyo hissed, sweating face inches away from Naraku's. "Stop. Playing. Games. With me!"
Naraku shoved her away, immeadiately beginning to circle her. "Games?" He asked thoughtfully, jumping at her only to end up slicing empty air. A strong foot landed in the small of his back, causing him to tumble. He was back on his feet faster than a human eye could follow. Kikyo's downward thrust only penetrated dirt. Quickly, Naraku kickedher borrowed swordso it flew into a bush, disappearing. It was over... she flinched and turned away as a sword handle was thrust towards her chest. Wait... huh?
Kikyo opened her eyes in disbelief to see Naraku offering her a new weapon. Looking up, she saw only impatience in Naraku's eyes. She snarled. What, he wanted more excercise?
She shook her head. "No, Naraku."
Suddenly, her vision was covered by white.
"No more fighting, Kikyo? You want to die now?" Under the baboon cloak she had always hated, Kikyo struggled relentlessly. A sword blade ripped through the fabric, only narrowly missing her arched neck. For a moment after the sword had disappeared again through the hole it had made, all she could do was blink stupidly. Only when the sword plummeted down again, lightly grazing her arm was she able to scream. The noise was muffled against the mutilated fabric, but she knew her assiliant heard it from the increased fever of sword thrusts. Kikyo used the pale shadows through the white haze as her only way of knowing where the blade was coming. Sobbing loudly now, her lungs start aching, in need of oxygen.
"Naraku, stop!" She screamed. "Stop!"
The cloak was ripped away, but Naraku kept his place, hovering in a kneeling position over her stomach. He held his sword over his head, in the position one took before a killing stroke. Kikyo took one last,shuddering breath, holding it and turning her head away. Shaking only slightly, she waited for the oblivion she had once escaped from.
"Naraku!" Inuyasha's harsh voice cut through the clearing. Kikyo's eyes flew open. What was he doing here? Her heart soared-
"She is mine to kill!" Inuyasha shouted at the man on top of her.
- and dropped. Of course. She had "wanted to kill Kagome". She should have known he would come after her.
Naraku growled dangerously, neither finishing the blow or showing any sign of relinquishing his position. "You're too late, Inuyasha."
The sword flew out of his hand just as the point was close enough to Kikyo's throat that she could feel it's coldness. When Naraku leapt away after it, Kikyo used her chance to roll away. It was a good thing too, for in the next moment Inuyasha had plummeted Tetsuiga into the ground that was still warm from her body.
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A triangle of enemies, none allied with the other. Two panting heavily and one not having had enough of a workout yet to even sweat, they eyed each other warily. But before any of them could make the first move, they were interrupted by a strange group of companions bursting noisily out of the surrounding bushes.
"Inuyasha!" Miroku shouted, eyes widening as they rested upon the scene. And what a scene... a dead Naraku puppet, the demon himself, a tattered and torn Kikyo, and of course, Inuyasha. Red and black puddles decorated the little forest clearing hapharzadly. Miroku sighed. Naraku had gotten to Kikyo long before Inuyasha. The girl could barely stand on her feet. She didn't stand a chance.
"Kagome..." the priestess whispered, eyes dazed but clearly settled on Kirara's back. Kagome was perched there, pale, but concious. Blinking the sweat out of her eyes, she slowly managed to raise her head to meet Kikyo's gaze. The effort too much for her in her weak state, she slumped over, hands dropping to Kirara's sides.
Inuyasha's red face practically radiated heat. "Look what you did to her," he hissed at Kikyo.
Kikyo's jaw dropped. "Has your grief twisted your memories, Inuyasha? I never did anything to-"
"You tried to kill her!" Inuyasha screamed, swinging his sword at her face.
Kikyo glared, angry at the lies he was spouting off. "I did nothing," she said coldly. "You interrupted me before I could." Realizing what she had just said, she slapped her hands over her mouth. No, Inuyasha, that's not what I m-
Inuyasha launched himself at the woman, screaming his grief for all to hear. Intermission was over.
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Kagome was losing it, fast. Sango, not able to fight without her boomerang,was watching her, concern in every feature of her face. Is it the stress? The useless demon exterminator wondered, placing a gentle hand to Kagome's wet forehead. She withdrew her hand quickly. Kagome was burning up! Complications from her stomach wound? Sango swivelled her head too quickly, pulling a delicate muscle, but she paid it no mind. Inuyasha was still mindlessly chopping away at the air where Naraku or Kikyo had been tenths of a second before. Miroku wasn't doing much but staring intently at Kikyo. Shippou... where was Shippou? Oh, there. Hopping up and down on a boulder, shouting what he evidently thought were words of encouragement, but sounded like insults to everyone else.
"Inuyasha, you idiot, move faster! There, no there... no... no... BAKA! The little fox demon screamed.
Inuyasha howled and hucked his Tetsuiga at the demon boy. "Dammit, Shippou, go die in a hole!" While the kitsune shook in terror behind the boulder that was serving as a temporary sheath for Tetsuiga, Inuyasha continued to slash with blood-painted claws.
"Shippou!" Sango called. The boy looked up. Seeing a friendly, if not tense, face, the traumatized fox child burst into loud, obnoxious tears.
"Sango!" He sobbed, "Inuyasha tried to kill me!"
It certainly did look that way, Sango thought, but did not voice her opinion. "Shippou, I need you to go get Miroku."
Shippou blinked, then looked to Sango's side, where Kagome was breathing heavily through white lips. Shippou's green eyes widened. "Kagome?" He called uncertainly.
Kagome did not respond. Sango pulled the sick girl to her chest, murmering words of comfort. To Shippou, calling as quietly as she could to avoid disturbing the girl in her arms, she said, "Hurry, Shippou, something's wrong!"
Young as he was, Shippou could see that for himself. Scampering as fast as his little feet would take him, he made his way towards the purple-robed priest. "Miroku, Miroku!" So much distance between them... and a battle to avoid in between. If only Miroku would look up!
But Miroku was off in his own little world of concern. This was wrong. Kikyo may have died once already, but she was a person again. It would be murder. Running his hand through his hair in frustration, he growled, torn on what to do. Dammit, Inuyasha, he swore. If Kikyo had wanted Kagome dead, why had she saved her life first?
He stepped forward, about to intervene when a strong hand with red fingernails clamped over his mouth. "Don't scream," a woman's voice whispered in his ear. Miroku's eyes narrowed in thought; he knew that voice.
"Paguwa?" He tried, but the name didn't come out quite as planned.
"No, you idiot, it's Kagura," she hissed. Miroku had just enough time to roll his eyes when he was pulled behind a tree.
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Panting and heaving, Shippou finally edged around the final shrub to come to where he had seen the priest standing. Only now there was no priest. "Oh no..." Shippou sighed.
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"Okay, wench," Miroku said, business-like. Jumping up and down a bit like the sumaro wrestlers he had seen once, he took what he thought was an impenetrable fighting stance. "Let us begin the bloodshed."
Kagura glared at him coldly. "I'm not here to fight."
"No?" Miroku asked, surprised. He dropped his hands uncertainly. Then a slow grin spread across his face. In a completely different voice, "Oh? Then whatever did you drag me behind a tree for?"
The wind sorceress frowned in confusion at the change in his manner a moment before realization widened her eyes and made her jaw drop in horror. "Oh, gods no." she said, appalled.
Miroku sighed. "Never mind then."
Kagura gritted her teeth. "I'm here to talk."
Miroku's eyebrows shot up into his hair. "Huh?"
Kagura sat on a boulder and motioned for him to the same. Miroku complied, but not before taking a good glance around for a certain little girl with white hair and a dangerous mirror.
Naraku's mignon wasted no time. "I need your help." At Miroku's look of astonishment, she held up a hand to keep him silent. "Let me finish. I've seen the way you look at Kikyo. You don't want her to be killed like this, do you?"
Miroku frowned, mind feverishly working to decode all this behind narrowed eyes. "Yes... I mean, no, I don't think she should be killed here... today."
Kagura smirked. "Neither do I. That is, if she is killed, especially by my master's hands... let's just say I don't think things are going to go very well for me in the near future." Kagura was a smart woman. She had watched Naraku for awhile now, and had finally put two and two together. The only time his carefully built walls collapsed was when Kikyo was involved. The fool was infactuated with the priestess he had murdered fifty years ago. Oh, without irony, the world would be such a boring place.
Miroku raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure I understand..." he said, eyes sliding nervously to the large fan at her side.
Kagura shook her head impatiently. "And you don't need to. All you need to know is that when it comes to Kikyo, we are in agreement."
"I see," Miroku said. "Well then, Kagura, what exactly are you planning?"
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Back at the battle scene, Sango, noticing a decline in the frequency of the breaths going into Kagome's lungs, gave up on her disappearing act boyfriend. Kagome was going to die if something wasn't done.
"Inuyasha!" She screamed. Trapped in a match of strength, Naraku's sword locked against his, Inuyasha automatically turned his head to the call.
"What?" He snapped. "Kinda busy here... Kagome?"
The girl's eyes fluttered for a moment. And then, finally, her strength gave out.
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Naraku watched with interest as Inuyasha ran to the unconcious girl in her friend's arms. That girl was always ruining his battles in some way or other. Something would have to be done about her someday, when this whole business with Kikyo was finished. Speaking of which... he turned to see how the priestess was holding up. Upon the sight, he couldn't help but draw in a quick breath. She was a mess. Her abdomen, upper arms, and forehead were leaking blood by the cupful. Her hair, not only tangled, but also torn out and sliced off in some places. Purple bruises were evident around her neck in a jagged circle where his puppet had tried to choke the breath from her lungs. Naraku turned away. All her wounds were his fault; Inuyasha had not been able to lay a finger, nor his sword on Kikyo's mangled body. Naraku could still feel Kikyo's body squirming desperately beneath his, her sobbing pleas ringing in his ears... he felt sick.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha's concerned voice reached his ears, rescuing him from his tormenting thoughts. He watched as Inuyasha shook the girl, trying fruitlessly to recover her from the depths of unconciousness. Out of the corner of his eye, hesaw Kikyo take a hesitant step forward.
"Stay away!" Sango shrieked, hysteria in her voice. Kikyo froze. Naraku did not miss the pain in her face, but he suspected this was more than physical. She didn't try to kill Kagome, he realized suddenly, a wave of intense nausea spreading through his body. Inuyasha got it wrong. He was wrong. This.. all this... he looked down at his bloodstained hands in muted horror.
He looked up at Kikyo, who was still staring at the girl being cradled in Inuyasha's arms, miserable grief darkening her face. And all of a sudden, he wanted to hold her like Inuyasha was holding Kagome... like Kikyo obviously wished she was being held. He wanted to-
He shook his head vigorously. What the hell! No! Yes, Inuyasha had gotten it very wrong, as he was prone to do... but Kikyo was still useless. Inuyasha would never trust her again. So she had to die, or else she would just cause problems. Really, what was wrong with him today? His time of the month was coming up... Pre-Human Syndrome perhaps?The only thing wrong about the fact her blood covering his hands was that they were really his, not some puppet's. He had wanted to kill her himself out of anger... but that was no longer necessary. He would leave. If Inuyasha couldn't do it in the end, another, stronger puppet would suffice.
He turned to go. Goodbye, Kikyo.
"You bitch, you killed her!" Inuyasha howled from behind. Turning automatically, Naraku's eyes widened as he watched Inuyasha speed towards Kikyo, sword ready. Why wasn't Kikyo moving!
And before he knew it, he was sprinting towards Kikyo, sword also at the ready. But it was aimed at Inuyasha. Later, he would insist he had probably been controlled by some otherworldly... thing. But for right now, all that mattered was that Inuyasha be stopped.
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Behind a bush, two pairs of eyes watched carefully for their moment for heroics. It came.
"Now!" Kagura whispered harshly. Miroku leapt forward, unravelling the beads holding hisrobe over his wind-hole with record speed.
"Wind tunnel!" He shouted, careful to aim the vaccuum only at the priestess. Body already slack, she was lifted off the ground and speeding towards him almost before Kagura was ready. When Kikyo was only a few meters away from Miroku's hand, she acted, swinging her oversized fan in a powerful stroke. The force the fan provided overpowered Miroku's just enough, sending Kikyo flying into a tree just to Miroku's right. Her limp body slid into concealing bushes as Miroku covered his wind tunnel quickly. Inuyasha and Naraku, still disentangling their swords, looked over a moment later.
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha," Miroku lied, concealing the nervous tremor in his voice well. "I just didn't want you to regret killing her later."
But of course, Kikyo was alive, hidden away deep in some natural tunnels under a mountain, not too far away from Naraku's castle. Unconcious now, she would awake eventually to find herself in the care of Kagura mainly, with visits from Miroku as often as he could steal away without suspicion. A strange pair of babysitters, but both intent on keeping her alive, even if for different reasons. Andone of them had something to tell her.
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In a very different cave, deep in an unchartered valley of the Western Lands, a group of seven sat in silence. Seven demons, of various species, but each donning their human form for the sake of avoiding any stereotypical animal complications. In this cave, a far cry from Kikyo's crumbling hideaway, a solemn meeting was underway. The topic was said priestess, and both half-demons that had tried to kill her that day. Particularly the spider-scarred Naraku, the miserable creature that had undermined the council's careful plans since his Onigumo days.
"Council," Lord Kaeru ("frog") groaned, dramatically dropping his suspiciously green mottled head in webbed hands. "We've been at this for too long. Consider, if you will, how long us demons live. Now consider that since the initiation of this council, three original members have died, leaving their places to be filled by their sons." He was interuppted by a short aria of deliberate coughing. Blushing slightly, he nodded in recognition of the only female member of the council. "A thousand pardons, dear Lady Sayonakidori ("nightengale"). Or by their daughters." Face becoming stoic once more, he continued. "My point being, gentlemen and lady... we have failed." The council shifted in their seats, turning to each other's neighbors and muttering excitedly without really listening to what each other was saying.
"I object!" Lord Kani ("crab") rose red-faced, striking the wooden table with a strong hand. "You dare to put down this council's efforts, Kaeru? Perhaps it is because you are one of the sons you spoke of that you could never comprehend the responsibility this council has undertaken!"
Chaos insued. Insults were thrown, of both the somewhat deserved and completely dirty kinds. Only one Lord kept silent. Golden eyes regarded the twisted faces of his fellow demons thoughtfully. As one of the sons Kani had so thoughtlessly insulted, Lord Sesshomaru had every right to be yelling along with the best of them. But he stayed in his seat, clawed fingers interlinked. He would choose to ignore Kani's careless insult... for now. It was in Kani's nature. There was a reason why "crabby" had been named after his kind afterall. But this fight was getting ridiculous. Brawls bored Sesshomaru, and Sesshomaru didn't like to be bored.
"Council," he barked, rising. The irritable noise ceased, relieving his sensitive ears. He allowed himself one satisfied smirked, then began. "This bickering is irresponsible. We have an immeadiate problem to deal with."
Lord Washi ("eagle") was the first to sit with a heavy sigh. "With the utmost respect, Lord Sesshomaru... I agree with Lord Kaeru. We bit off more than we could chew... or more than some of us could chew anyway," he attempted a joke, sharing a small smile with Lord Jwani. Jwani repsonded with a sharp-toothed grin that couldn't help but come off as predetorial. Lord Washi continued. "We have made a mess of things. Priestess Midoriko would be ashamed of what has become of the council she learned from and placed so much faith in. The Jewel of Four Souls was a mistake. We should have foreseen the jealousy it would cause in the weakest of our kind. We should cut our losses and be done this with charade."
Lady Sayonakidori rose gracefully. "Be fair to yourself, the rest of this council, and our fathers, Washi. We could never have predicted the rise of such a devious fiend as Naraku. The Jewel was never meant to be used for whatever twisted plan Naraku has for it. Or," she said, shooting a quick glance at Sesshomaru, "to grant a single half-demon, demon, or human unrivaled power."
"What was our plan for it, really?" Lord Sukanku ("skunk") said moodily, brooding as usual that even human form he smelt too bad to be seated near the rest of the council. He glared back at the confused faces that turned to him.
"Uh, you know what it was..." Lord Nezumi ("mouse") said cautiously. "Even back then, our kind realized our time here was dwindling. Humanity had grown, both in population and intellect. The only thing that hadn't grown with this change was their capacity for kindness, acceptance, and sharing." He dropped his head sadly, lowering his voice as well. "We are a doomed race, my friends, and we knew it long ago."
"And so we throught up the Sacred Jewel," Lord Kani continued, letting the grateful Nezumi sink back into his chair and become quiet once more. "A genius stone, beautiful in it's ability to grant one pure wish. Using this gem, the truest would wish for harmony between the races. Demon and human, living together, producing hanyou children." All eyes shifted to Sesshomaru's father, who had been the first of the council to put this notion into practice. It had been a disaster, both for the parents, and both sons.
"I myself taught Midoriko," Lord Kani recalled, blissful memories easing away the lines in his red face. "A talented priestess she was, and full of more empathy than an entire village of human souls could come up with. She could purify a demon's inner... demons... with a single touch. But she knew as well as anyone that the day would come when she met her match... and then her fate, as it comes to all of us. Together, she and I devised a brillant plan to make even her death count for something. Her soul, combined with the demons', burst through her chest in spherical form. Proof that humans and demons could produce something beautiful together." His eyes saddened. "It came all too soon, I'm afraid. Her death."
"Why didn't we use it then? Right when it was made? Wouldn't that have been the smart thing to do?" Sukanku kept at his questioning.
Kani crossed his arms, uncomfortable. "Sukanku. What is this truly about? You have been a member of this council for forty years. Why the questions now?"
Sukanku smirked. "You are all discussing disbanding this council. Before we do just that, I think we should revisit our reason why we are here in the first place. Without careful consideration, we could very well be making a mistake that will cost our race it's very existence."
Kani considered a moment, then nodded. "We needed a someone sympathetic to both sides. A half-demon, torn between worlds, was the obvious answer."
"But the half-demon would need a good reason to want harmony. And there we had a problem, for most half-demons wanted nothing more than to belong to one side, not be the link between both races."
"And then a candidate with a reason presented itself. Inuyasha, in love with the human priestess Kikyo. He was pure. He was the answer. The plan was to present our propisition just as he was about to use the Jewel, when he was prepared to really go through with it. However..."
"Naraku. And now he's poisoning the shards, who knows what for." The room became quiet. All were remembering the predicaments Naraku's psychotic schemes had placed them in.
Lady Sayonakidori was the first to break the silence, doing so with a gentle sigh. "We can't abandon our goal. However indirectly, the fact is we still bear some responsibility to the fact that Naraku has the power he does. We are tired, but we must see this through."
It took a moment, but then, the others nodded around the table. Sukanku leaned back in his chair, content with his success and planning on slipping off into a daydream for the rest of the meeting.
"Well then," Lord Yagi ("goat") sighed. "Back to our current dilemna. Do we interfere in the well-beings of Kikyo and Kagome as they are the only ones currently able to purify the shards after Naraku has defiled them? Or, considering only Kagome for a moment, do we let her remain in the claws of Inuyasha, who, when considering Kagome's near-death experience, may not be as much a suitable guardian as we once hoped. And as for Kikyo... her life is in evident danger. The monk and the sorceress have surprised us with their teamwork regarding Kikyo's safety, but can we trust two people from such different sides?"
Sesshomaru stirred, drawing all attention to him. "Inuyasha loves Kagome. It was obvious from the first time I saw them together. For now at least, he would rather die than see her killed."
"And Kikyo and Naraku?" Yagi pressed.
Sesshomaru smirked. "About them... we may have another, very interesting problem..."
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And there you have it. Now, I realize that was complicated, so if anyone has any questions, drop me a message. Until next time then... Voldemort's Alisna