Chapter 24. The Diary
The following Sunday, as the sound of several hundreds of young ones between the ages of eleven and eighteen returning to Hogwarts after the Winter Break filled the corridors, McGonagall found some of her favorite students sitting on a table in a corner of the library and buried among books and pieces of parchment; now that Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were two of those students didn't surprise her, what did was the fact that Ronald Weasley was there as well, she'd never known the boy to open a book when not absolutely necessary; it not being yet the first day of the new term, and the fact that what little she could make out of the reading and writing material covering almost every inch of the table was in no way related to the holidays homework made McGonagall wonder what exactly was going on. Her surprise just grew when Naoko Yanagisawa and the former Draco Malfoy, now Long Kido, joined the other three, carrying several more books in their hands.
"Misses Yanagisawa and Granger, Misters Potter, Weasley and M…Kido, could one of you tell me what is going on here?" McGonagall inquired finally.
Hermione didn't even pause in her frenzy as she continued reading through the book in her hands as fast as she could, every so often re-reading some paragraph and taking notes in a nearby notepad, with a pen (since she thought it was easier than using parchment and a quill). Ron himself, to McGonagall's further surprise, seemed to be very focused on reading some notes previously made as he added his own comments in a different color of ink.
"Excuse me…" The Deputy-Headmistress called, wondering if she was being downright ignored, or the teens really hadn't heard her.
"Please forgive their rudeness, McGonagall-sensei." Naoko said softly as she finished organizing the new books in neat piles. "It's likely they haven't actually noticed your presence or that you're calling for them."
"How can that be?" McGonagall asked, confused.
"It happens, they're so focused on their tasks nothing else exists for them right now." Long commented as he too rejoined the group.
While he may still look the same, everything he did showed he was no longer Draco Malfoy, he was Kido Long, though his girlfriend preferred to call him Ryuu, it was sort of a petname; he had left the group again after helping his girlfriend carry some books, only to get several bottles of water, handing one of them to Naoko and leaving the others on a corner of the table.
"What exactly are they…you all so focused on?" McGonagall wanted to know. "And how long have you been at this?"
"To answer the easier question first, we've been at this since we arrived to the castle, right after breakfast." Naoko pointed out. "As for the other question…it's more complicated."
"You see, we don't exactly know what we're looking for." Long tried his best to explain. "We know what he want, what we need, to do, but we don't know how to achieve our goals; that's what we're trying to find."
"And what is this…thing, you're trying to achieve?" McGonagall had a feeling something big was going on, even if she'd no idea what exactly.
"I'm afraid that's a question we cannot answer." Naoko answered softly. "That information is on a 'need to know' basis."
The Scottish woman's brows furrowed as her eyes flashed dangerously. Just who did those teens think they were to keep something from her?
"Please don't take offense, professor…" Harry's voice surprised them all.
It was then that they noticed the trio had finally stopped their frenzy in reading and writing as they turned to look McGonagall, Hermione was even taking a drink from one of the bottles of water while Ron pinched the bridge of his nose with two fingers, obviously stressed out by whatever-it-was he was doing.
"Our refusal to explain things is in no way intended as an offense against you, or anyone else professor." Harry tried to explain as he sighed. "It's just…well, what we hope to achieve is so great, and at the same time so dangerous and complicated…the less people that know about it until we're ready to put things in motion the better."
"Did You-Know-Who attack again while you were in China?" McGonagall asked, seriously.
"He did, but this isn't about that." Hermione decided they could admit that much. "We're also working on that situation. You could say that right now we're trying to fight a war on two fronts, both of which either don't care about the other, only taking us down, or they might, possibly, be working together somehow. I cannot explain things any further professor. Just know that we're doing our very best to make sure things go right."
McGonagall didn't even need to ask what would make things go right, and the mere idea of another faction emerging when they were already in such a precarious situation stressed her out greatly. At the same time, she had a feeling she already knew what that third faction was, she just couldn't place her finger on it.
.-.
It was the next Saturday before any member of the group of teenagers allowed themselves some rest. Ginny had been the one to insist, even if she had did not really know everything her brother and the others were doing and looking for exactly, she knew it was wearing them out, all of the members of the D.A. could see that.
The extraordinary meeting of what was still known as Dumbledore's Army had been held in Potter Manor, a place Harry had only known about since the previous August, after Gringotts had informed him of his change of status, into Lord Potter, upon reaching the age majority in the Magical World. He had still stayed at the Hiiragizawa Mansion, since he preferred to be with all his friends, but hired Dobby to be his elf and make sure Potter Manor would be ready in case it was ever needed. The meeting of the D.A. was held there since the Sorcerers agreed it might not be a very good idea for the members of the group, most who were a bit too curious for their own good, to be set loose on Eriol's home.
The meetings hadn't actually been that long, Harry, Hermione and Ron, acting as leaders, informed everyone of what had happened in the last year and a half, particularly those who had since graduated. They made special emphasis on Draco's change into Long, the trust they had in him, the situation against the DEs and Voldemort (most either couldn't believe or were simply horrified at the fact the madman wasn't actually dead); they also broached the topic of the Ministry, and the disaster that had been their visit that very day.
There was obviously outrage from everyone at the events that had transpired, and at the way Lucius Malfoy, and most likely others behind him, were manipulating the Ministry to their convenience, and Fudge was allowing it!
After revealing that, everyone agreed to do their best to run interference between the Ministry and the group, at least until they found a way to settle matters.
Most of the guests left shortly afterwards, with only a few of the most trusted ones staying behind: Ginny, Fred and George Weasley, their girlfriends Alicia Spinet and Angelina Johnson, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott. With only them remaining Hermione went as far as revealing her half-made plan of either forming a counseling body based on the Eastern Council that would help the Ministry or, the more ambitious plan, downright substituting one form of government for the other. Of course, they all knew it was extremely complicated, as well as dangerous, and those who hadn't known were soon informed; the purebloods in the group had no problem explaining the far-reaching consequences such a coup (because it really couldn't be called anything else) would have, as well as the fate that would befall each and everyone of them if it failed or if they were caught before they could actually do it.
The twins agreed with Long that it would be awesome if they managed it, but they had to be very careful so as not to be caught. Which is why they agreed not to share The Plan with anyone else until they at least had a way to do things.
That was how the main group had ended up buried in books, old parchments and their own notes, with no one actually knowing what they were doing, because not even they knew what they were looking for, only what they wanted to do once they found it. It was a very complicated way of looking something up, but the only one they had, since it wasn't like any of them, even those who were heirs of Ancient and Noble families, could ask an elder how to achieve their goals…
Sakura, Shaoran, Tomoyo, Eriol, Hermione and Harry had gone off in pairs to enjoy of a little date either in Hogsmeade or its vicinity; Ron had chosen to join some of his dormmates in an unofficial game of Quidditch. Long had been all for taking Naoko on a date, but she'd had other plans, and asked him to join her.
The pair found themselves sitting in between the roots of a huge tree by the lake, the farthest they could from the castle, and out of sight of almost anyone unless they were actively searching for them.
"Is everything alright, Naoko?" Long inquired as he watched her attentively.
She was being so quiet, and wouldn't even look him in the eye, even with all the tension of the last week, or of any of the other situations they had found themselves in since getting together, he'd never seen her like that.
"I just…" Naoko's voice broke slightly before she took a deep breath and explained herself. "There's something I need to do, something I've been postponing because I'm afraid…and I want you to be here, to hold me while I do it."
"I'm here for you." Long assured her.
He arranged their positions so he was sitting against the knot that connected several of the roots surrounding them almost in a cocoon, with her sitting between his legs, her back against his chest as he enveloped her almost as securely as the three seemed to be doing.
"What it is you need to do?" Long asked as he got comfortable in their positions.
Naoko didn't answer verbally, just flicked her wrist to call her wand onto her hand, before using it to summon a small green-leather-bound book out of her backpack. The pages looked yellowy and a bit torn on the edges, and still the letters that had been engraved in gold over the side of the book were clearly visible: A.N.D.B. It was a journal.
"Naoko…?" Long asked, wondering what was going on, but not knowing how to ask.
"My parents, my foster-parents I mean, gave me this recently." Naoko elaborated. "While I spent most of the time in China with all of you, you must remember I took off the weekend prior to our return here."
Long nodded.
"I went to Japan, back to Tomoeda, to visit my foster-parents." Naoko went on. "We had a good time. Even if they aren't really my parents, they took care of me for most of my life, I owe them so much…and we still care for each other. Even with everything that has changed since I discovered I was adopted, about my magic, my past; even when so much has changed…that hasn't." she shook her head. "Anyway, they told me they'd been holding onto something, something they had been planning on giving me on my eighteenth birthday…" she sighed. "It wasn't possible since I was here at the time, but they gave it to me that weekend." She signaled to the journal. "They gave me this…it's my birthmother's diary…"
Suddenly everything was clear to Long, why Naoko was so stressed out (aside from the situations with Voldemort and the Ministry) why she hadn't wanted to go elsewhere, why she wanted no one but him there, and especially why she was so afraid. She had been given what might as well be a window into her birthmother's mind, at least for a limited space of time: the possibilities of what she might find there were nearly endless. What if her mother had died in some terrible circumstances? What if, on the other hand, she wasn't dead? Had she given Naoko up to protect her, or just because she didn't want the girl? What about her father? Was he alive? Could she possibly have any family left alive? If so, why hadn't anyone go looking for her thus far? If Naoko found something she liked in that diary, would that change who she was, in essence? And what if she found something she didn't like? What if what she found made her sad, or hurt her? Could she take that risk? Could she not take it?
So many question, no answer to be had, and all Long could do was be there, hold her in his arms, and promise her he would always be there…
After a few deep breaths Naoko finally untied the leather cord that kept the diary closed and set it aside, before opening it to the first page. She instantly noticed something, a few lines into the first paragraph there was a word that seemed to be blurred out, as were some others throughout the page, and in other pages as well.
"Wonder what that's about…" She muttered, mostly to herself.
"Maybe you'll find out once you read it." Long suggested. "Now, a question: do you want me to read this with you, just to stay here and hold you while you read?"
The brunette had to actually stop and think about it, though eventually she nodded.
"I want you to read with me." She decided. "Even if this is a bit personal…I want to be able to talk to you about it. I love you, and want this to be something we share. For that you need to read the diary."
Long smiled softly, something no one could have ever expected from Draco Malfoy, but then again, he wasn't that person anymore. He settled himself a bit more comfortably, laying his chin on Naoko's shoulder so he could read at the same time she did.
Dear Diary, Is that how I'm supposed to begin this? This is a diary I guess, but I just was never interested in keeping one before. I always found the idea of keeping a diary to be tedious and mostly a waste of time. Until today. A few hours ago I learnt I was pregnant, and I found myself wanting to tell my child so much…I don't even know if it'll be a boy or a girl, but I don't care. I'm going to have a baby! I'm so happy right now, and I bet * will be as well. True, he's never exactly talked about having a family, and I know he doesn't exactly like most of the family he does have…but I just know he'll be a wonderful father.
So I decided to do this, to write this, to keep record of everything I want to tell my baby when he or she is born, everything I have to teach him or her. Maybe I'll even let him/her read this someday, so he/she will know how much I loved him/her from the very moment I knew I was pregnant…it's just amazing, to able to love someone so much, even when you've only known about them for an hour or less, but then again, I've always dreamt about being a mother, ever since I was little. Even if I can't remember my mum, I know she was special, she had to have been for dad to love her so much even after all these years…
Anyway, I can't believe I'm digressing so much, particularly in writing. I bet if my husband could see me right now, could hear these words I'm writing he would say… "Naty, darling, you're brilliant, but you're really going to lose yourself in your own thoughts one of these days…" He always says that when we're talking and I begin digressing about anything… And yet, it's not like there's anything wrong about it!
That's it, first lesson I want to teach my baby: ALWAYS BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE, doesn't matter if others believe it's a defect, as long as you're being true to yourself, as long as you're happy with who you are, everything will be alright…
A tear slowly fell down Naoko's cheek, Long saw it but didn't say anything, just waiting for his girlfriend to react to the first entry of the diary; it took a while, but she finally sighed, turning her eyes to the leaves of the tree over them.
"Naoko…?" Long asked softly.
"She loved me…" she whispered in a voice broken by half-drowned sobs. "From the very moment she knew I existed inside her, she loved me…"
Long smiled slightly, glad that, at least one of her girlfriend's fears had been abated. He knew there were a long way to go yet, but then again, with some luck, the rest of the diary might deal with those as well. It took him a second, but he soon noticed Naoko whispering some more, her eyes still to the sky, and when he realized what she was saying he couldn't help but kiss her shoulder and hold her even tighter.
"I am who I want to be mum…" She said barely above a whisper. "And I am happy…" she turned to her boyfriend at the kiss she felt. "Thank you for being here, for sharing this moment with me…"
"Always." Long assured her immediately.
With that the two settled back again and Naoko passed the page to the next entry.
The couple soon discovered that the diary entries weren't daily, some weren't even dated, while others even had other details like: morning, evening, etc; apparently Naoko's birthmother had taken to writing in the diary whenever she thought of something she wanted to remember for her child. Most of the entries were actually short and consisted either of tips for the back-then unborn child, or comments about something or another either her husband, her dad or her friends had done and that she thought her baby should know.
With all the random things Long and Naoko found themselves chuckling from time to time; at times they would also frown, when things related to the War that was going on at the time were mentioned, like the death of some of their friends, or their families; there were also comments that seemed to imply that members of their family, Naty's husband's family in fact were dark and even in league with Voldemort, however, Naoko's own father seemed to have been one of the good guys, and an auror even.
Eventually, a particular entry called Naoko's and Long's attention, it was related to Naty finding out the sex of her baby during her visit to St. Mungo's for her monthly checkup…
I'M HAVING A GIRL! It's official, I just returned from my latest checkup and Healer Turret told me, in just a few months I'm having a baby girl…Wonder what * will say about that? I know he's thrilled at having a child, but what I don't know is how he'll react to that child being a girl. Usually purebloods would rather have a boy first…but then again, he's not like most purebloods, and I myself am the heir of my House even if I'm a girl…I'm sure he'll love the baby as much as I do!
Now, names…names…I hadn't actually thought about it. I guess, in any case, we still have quite some time to decide.
The entry that followed wasn't dated but seemed to continue the same topic, though in this it seemed a decision had been reached.
Naoko, that's the name * chose, he said his sister-in-law suggested it actually, I don't really remember * that much, she was a year below my husband and his friends, and that means two below me…in any case, I think it's a pretty name. * says it's Japanese, and it means 'honest child' or something along those lines…I guess it's something to strive for, something to try and raise our baby girl to be.
I got to choose her middle-name, it'll be Arianna, in honor of dad's sister. Even if I never knew her, I know dad loved her very much, and I think he will like this, having his granddaughter named after his sister…I wonder if Aunt Arianna would have liked it…
So, that'll be her name: Naoko Arianna *…Oh, I can't wait for my baby to be born! It's all going to be absolutely perfect!
Yet more tears fell down Naoko's tears as she and Long finished reading that entry.
It was a few more hours before they reached another entry that touched, this one actually dated: October 12th, 1979:
My baby was born last night, right before midnight, such a beautiful baby, with blue-gray eyes like her daddy and light-brown hair like mine. * actually cried when he held her, I'd never seen him so emotional before…he was just so happy. He asked me if two of his best-friends could be our baby's godparents and I agreed, of the few friends I made while at Hogwarts, some are dead, others ran away when the war got really bad, the only others I would consider asking are Alice and her husband, she was my best-friend in Hogwarts, and my maid of honor when * and I got married, she also is pregnant right now, and I think it would be nice if her child and mine were to grow together, like friends. But then again, * friends are going to have a baby too, the due date seems to be next summer, same as with Alice in fact; then there's my niece, who was born just a little over a month ago.
It's curious, how we're in the middle of a war, and yet that hasn't stopped us from bringing children to this world. Most of us really believe the war will end, that we will be able to give a peaceful world to our children…I truly hope so, the last thing I would like is for my baby girl to ever be in danger because of me, or her dad, or even because of who my father is…it would be absolutely terrible.
About my dad…when I introduced my little Naoko to him, and when I told him her full-name, it was like he spaced out for a moment, and then he smiled, such a sad yet hopeful smile…I wonder if he was remembering his sister, my aunt Arianna. Just like I had hoped, he liked that Naoko would carry on her name, and was sure she would have liked that.
I think my little baby is a second chance, a bringer of hope not just for me and for my dear husband, but also for my father. It's obvious he already loves her deeply, I'm quite sure he'll spoil her as much as possible as she grows up…wish my mom were here to meet her as well…
That was actually the second and last mention Naty ever made about her mother, Long and Naoko both supposed she must have died when Naoko's mom was younger.
"What do you think happened to my grandfather?" Naoko asked unexpectedly. "I mean, since he's not here, since I've never met him?"
"I honestly don't know." Long answered honestly. "I mean the war was at its worst back then. We all know what happened to Tomoyo's dad: Daniel Black, and Harry's parents, and so many others…"
"You think he mi…might have been a casualty of war?" Naoko asked, her voice breaking mid-sentence at the terrible prospect.
"Maybe…it sounds awful, but we already know that too many people died back then." Long admitted soberly.
Naoko had to admit he was right, she didn't like it, but it wasn't like she could do anything about it. The past was the past, over and done for.
There were a few more entries they found interesting, mostly connected to when Naty had introduced her daughter to her friends and those of her husband, her blessing (the magical equivalent of a christening), however, for some reason Naoko's godparents' names didn't appear anywhere.
There were more entries detailing holidays like Christmas, the birth of Alice's son, and then the child of Naoko's godparents, Naty's niece's first birthday, then Naoko's, and so on.
It was evening already, and Long and Naoko had just passed an entry dated on Naoko's second birthday, there actually weren't many pages left in the diary, and suddenly things turned very gloom…
What the hell is wrong with this world? I mean, I know we're at war, we've been at war with He-whose-name-is-to-stupid-to-be-said since we were still at Hogwarts, but for it to have gotten this bad…How is it that no one in the Wizarding World seemed to care about what the Death Eaters were doing to muggles and muggleborns until the first purebloods were hurt or affected? How is it that even when they should be considered as nothing more than monsters, than animals, they're given so many chances? They kill, and yet the aurors don't even try to answer with the same force? I know dad always says we must be forgiving and that everyone deserves a second chance but…how can I even consider giving a second chance to those who've taken so much from me and from others I care for? Dad says it's not good to hate, but how can I not hate those responsible for so much pain?
Lily and James are dead, Voldemort himself attacked their home. They say it was Sirius who revealed the secret of where they were staying, but I know that's not true, he would never do something like that to them, he would never do something like that to me…Little Harry, I don't have the slightest idea of where he might be, though I know he survived the attack, somehow, and that he's somehow seen as the reason why Voldemort's disappeared, at least for the time being. Just how much power is it gonna take to destroy that psychopathic bastard for good?
Alice…my dearest Alice, she isn't dead, but she might as well be; to still exist and yet not be truly alive, I don't know if there could be anything worse than that. At least her child too is alive, my dear godson, my Neville…I'm sure his grandmother, Lady Longbottom will raise him right, I just hope she will allow me to see him once in a while, and for my Naoko to play with him some times…
That's if I ever manage to convince the Ministry to stop being idiots and understand that our family isn't traitors! They shouldn't judge all of us by the actions of a few…
The two teens were absolutely silent. They realized the moment in time they had reached, those few days were considered by some people as the worst ever. The Potters had been attacked, then the Longbottoms, Sirius was imprisoned, the Blacks (Tomoyo's family) were attacked as well, and who knows what else? All in just a week…the young couple had a feeling they were about to discover about yet another terrible event…though one things they didn't understand yet was the close connection Naty seemed to imply she had with Sirius…he had never been named before, Lily, James and Harry neither; and even if they had only connected 'Alice' with Neville's mother in that entry, she'd been mentioned several times in earlier entries.
Hand trembling, Naoko passed to the next page, where the writing seemed to take a rather hysterical tone, some parts were barely legible, and there were blots of ink and such in the page, signaling tears.
Daniel is dead! Sonomi and Tomoyo have been declared as missing, possibly dead as well; and with all of them gone, gone is also the chance of appealing to the Ministry for the obvious injustice they carried against my husband. I cannot even go anywhere public without being harassed, either by morbid people who want to know why Sirius would betray his best friends, what it feels like to be the wife of such a criminal…or even worse, people of the DMLE following me, waiting for me to commit any crime so they can throw me into Azkaban as well. Something tells me they won't wait for much longer, sooner rather than later they'll find an excuse, any excuse to just throw me in there without a trial, after all, didn't they already do that with my husband?
I know dad is doing everything he can to help, but the Wizengamot isn't allowing him to interfere, or even influence decisions in any way, they say he's biased…It's well known his philosophy, the philosophy he made so important through the Order of the Phoenix; I bet most people think he's gone off his rocker and wants to forgive Sirius as well. So they won't see things his way, he won't be able to help. And I have to do something…even if I cannot help my husband right now, I have to at least make sure our daughter will be safe…to think that less than a month ago he turned two…and now I need to find a way to make sure she won't die before she reaches three! I probably could leave her with my dad, or with Aunt Minnie…but what if, through some insanity, the Ministry takes her from them? No, I cannot take that risk, I have to protect my Naoko no matter what. Nothing else matter anymore…
Naoko burst into tears and loud sobs at that point, to think that her mother had loved her that much…enough that even when the world was practically falling all around her all she cared about was protecting her daughter…
She could no longer move, she was trembling so violently Long had to pass the page, to the second to last entry in the diary…there were also so many tears in the brunette's eyes, she asked her boyfriend to read the entry to her, as she could hardly see straight anymore. After making sure that was what she wanted, Long did exactly that:
"I met with Sachiko and Kenji today. We've been friends for several years, since I got lost while in Muggle London. They're Japanese, though Sachiko says they came to London to try luck; she doesn't seem to like it much, but they had little choice. I actually had stopped seeing them for the last few years, since the War hit its worst level yet, they're muggles, and if any Death Eaters, or their sympathizers had seen me with them, they would have been in danger. But today, today I had to see them, they're my last hope…" Long made a pause as he took a deep breath, he had an idea where this was going. "When I explained everything to them they were obviously scared, they had know I was involved in some things I could never explained, but it's not like I could have explained magic to them before. Actually even now I shouldn't have, it goes against the Statute of Secrecy, but it's not like breaking one law will make things any worse than they already are; and they had to understand why what I was asking of them was so important…and they had to understand just how special my Naoko is…I'm asking them to take her. I arranged all the papers in Gringotts yesterday, at the same time I arranged a trust-vault for my daughter, and a muggle account for Sachiko and Kenji with enough money so as not to worry about anything. They will be able to return to Tokyo, raise Naoko there with no trouble, they'll be safe, and everything will be well…The only thing Kenji complained about was the money, said he didn't want any pity, he's a proud man, but he's also sensible, I explained to him I wasn't doing it out of pity, if they're going to help me protect what I love the most, the least I can do is give them a hand. After all, while they aren't poor, they aren't wealthy either, and taking my Naoko in would have meant some serious expenses. Even if I cannot be there for my daughter, I want to make sure she'll be alright." Long shook his head as he heard his girlfriend's sobs, she was suffering so much, yet he had to go on, to finish reading. "In the end they accepted. They just signed the papers, which means Naoko is now their daughter. I've also used a spell, it's special and secret, no one knows about it; in fact Lily and I created it together. I am a Spell-Weaver, and Lily was in the process of becoming one as well; we created a spell that would allow us to hide our children in plain sight. She never had the chance to use it to protect Harry, instead she use her own sacrifice to set him up with a protection that will last for as long as he knows, even if just instinctually, that his mother loved him. I, on the other chance, got to use the spell, now my child is also my secret. No one will know, will truly realize who she is, even if they see her, if they hear their name, only if she ever says her full name before them, if she acknowledges who she is and her desire for those listening her to know, only then will they know the secret. I hope this will be enough to keep my dear one safe." Long made a pause at that point, as he realized how incredible what Naoko's mother had done was, then went on."I decided to finish this entry and leave the diary with them as well, even if worse comes to worst, as I suspect it will, my daughter will have the chance to get to know at least a little about me, through all my comments and rants of the last three years…It's amazing, how the day I found out I was pregnant I was so happy, and so sure the future would be perfect, with my husband, my family and my friends, and now…now it's all falling apart…but Naoko will live, my daughter will be safe, and that's all that matters. Naoko, my little piece of heave, if you're reading this, it means you're now off-age and Sachiko has followed my last will and handed you the diary; it also means, most likely, that the Ministry decided to throw away true justice and they came after me. If I'm dead, don't cry for me my love, if I died, know I did so happy, because I managed to protect what I loved most: you. You are all I could have ever wanted, my beautiful daughter, my Naoko. I will love you forever, no matter if I live or die, I will never stop loving you, never ever. Your mother, Natasha Black…"
The group of teens are working on a plan...and a bomb has just been dropped. More about that (Naoko, her birthparents, her past) to come on the next chapter.
I really have nothing more to say right now, except I hope I didn't confuse too many people with this (if I did hopefully you'll understand things better with what will be explained in the next chapter -which will include more information on who exactly Natasha Black is...-).
Oh, and please, please, leave me reviews! I promise the next update will come in two weeks. I have several chapters written already, but since I'm currently working on two very long papers for school (I'm on the last term before I graduate and earn my Masters' Degree, in Literature), and I also have a power point presentation to work on, I cannot write anymore of Two Roses for the time being, so the chapters I have written already must last until I'm done with school and can finish writing the rest of the chapters for the fic.
Ja ne!
