Fiore Academy
Chapter Nine – Officially a Harem
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail in any shape or form. I am a mere FF writer paying tribute to the world of Hiro Mashima, the rightful owner of Fairy Tail.
Authors' Note – I bet you guys are wondering over the chapter title… at least a few of you right? The reason is, that an anime is tagged 'harem' only when there is three or more girlfriends (or more commonly in anime, three active love interests, since in anime the MP is always either clueless or a pervert… not thinking of High School DxD… nope… not at all ). So far, we have two girlfriends for Natsu; Mirajane and Erza. I wonder who will be the third by the end of this chapter… let's see.
Natsu sat on his couch, twiddling his thumbs, wondering what was taking Mirajane and Erza so long. Half an hour ago, they set out for a walk in the park, promising to meet him back in his room… where they were now was a mystery.
Minutes passed, the ticking of his wall clock placing Natsu on edge. He was three seconds from burning it to a pile of goo when the sound of the door opening stopped him.
Mirajane and Erza walked in, making Natsu sigh in relief.
"Where have you guys been… it's been nearly three quarters of an hour" Natsu asked them as they sat down either side of him, resting their heads on his shoulders.
"Sorry Natsu… we really needed to talk" Mirajane replied as she nuzzled up to his shoulder.
"Yeah? What about?" Natsu asks them.
Little did Natsu know, but Mirajane and Erza had a quick conversation outside his door, deciding not to tell Natsu about Jellal.
"It's nothing to worry about Natsu" Erza sighs, "Just girl stuff".
Natsu frowns before replying, "Okay then… if you say so".
The three sat still on the couch for a few minutes in a comfortable silence, before Mirajane stood up.
"I'm going to make us some tea" Mirajane says, heading for Natsu's kitchen.
"Well that's convenient" Erza mutters.
Natsu turns to her, "What do you mean?"
Erza giggles, "Natsu… most dorm rooms don't even have their own bathroom, let alone a kitchen to make tea".
Natsu looked taken aback, "What? Then… where do you go?"
It was Mirajane who answered from the kitchen, "On every floor there's ten dorm rooms, five on either side… and on one end of the hallway there's the stairs, and on the other, is a kitchen and a large bathroom… that's where we all go".
"Huh" Natsu grunts, "I never knew".
Erza laughs, "I suppose you do live on the top floor of the boy's dormitory… you probably have a good excuse not to have realised".
Natsu nods, and perks up, "Wait a second! There's three hundred students at Fiore Academy".
"Your point?" Erza asks.
"Well if there's ten dorm rooms per floor, that means twenty students live on one floor, right?" Natsu asks and Erza nods.
"And each of the buildings, the boys' and girls' dormitories… has three stories" Natsu continues and Erza nods.
"So, in that case, we should only be able to hold a hundred and twenty students, right?"
Erza shakes her head, "There's actually two buildings per gender Natsu".
Natsu frowns at her, "Really?"
Erza nods, "That's right… you've just never seen it because it's right behind this one… it's the same over at the girls' campus".
Natsu nods, "Still… there's still sixty left over".
Mirajane replied as she brought over a plate of cups and a pot of tea, "There's also another thing to consider Natsu… around a hundred or so students live with family in Academy City… a lot of families do this because that way, they can be closer with their children who are attending the Academy… and also because a student's family gets twenty five percent off rent anywhere in the city, so it's cheap for the entire family" Mirajane finishes off as she pours tea into all three cups.
Natsu nods as he takes a cup off Mirajane, "I see… there's a lot of things I don't know about the Academy I suppose".
Erza nuzzles closer to Natsu's shoulder, "That's what we're here for".
Mirajane had to smile at the sight of Erza being close to Natsu; she may not realise it, but Mirajane thought Erza had already made her decision about Jellal's threat.
The blissful moment however, was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"I wonder who'd be knocking by this late… it's almost ten o'clock" Erza wonders, but Mirajane groans, catching the attention of Natsu and Erza.
"I think I know who" Mirajane sighs, getting up to answer the door.
"Who?" Erza asks.
Mirajane places a hand on the door knob, but before she turns it, she looks over her shoulder and says to Erza, "Competition".
Mirajane opens the door to reveal Hisui, looking angry.
Mirajane was about to greet Hisui, but Hisui gave her no chance; barging into Mirajane's shoulder and knocking her aside, Hisui heads for Natsu and… slaps him.
"Jerk! Baka!" Hisui screams at Natsu's stunned face.
"What did you do that for Hisui!" Erza growled at Hisui, standing up.
"I'd like to know why as well… why are you angry Hisui?" Mirajane asks.
Hisui begins to seethe, "Like you two don't know!" she growls. Hisui places her hands on Natsu's collar and looks straight into his onyx eyes, "Natsu Dragneel! Is it true!? Have you started dating yet another girl!?" Hisui's eyes shift toward Erza.
Natsu shows no reaction, instead he uses one of his hands to softly pry Hisui's hands off him before saying calmly, "I have a suggestion Hisui… calm down, and then we'll talk".
"CALM DOWN!?" Hisui screams at Natsu, "Calm down!? I have every right to do anything but, calm down!".
"Enough Hisui" Natsu raises his voice slightly, seriously. His tone surprises Hisui a little, forcing her temper to cool slightly, "Anything you have to say can be said… but not until you calm down".
Mirajane and Erza looked on in surprise; Mirajane had never seen this side of Natsu before… and Erza thought Natsu could only be this serious when he was fighting. She had to hide a smirk at that thought; in a way… Natsu was fighting.
Hisui takes a few deep breaths before saying, "Better?"
Natsu nods, "That is better… now what is your problem?"
Hisui closes her eyes, before raising her hand to point at Mirajane, "I didn't think that you and Natsu would last… I thought I could wait until the two of you fell out… but now" she turns her hand to Erza, "Now… you're also dating him?" Hisui doesn't wait for an answer from Erza, instead she turns face to Natsu, "How perverted can you be? Having two girlfriends? I can only image the lengths you had to go through to convince these two that is okay".
"If I might speak Hisui?" Natsu asks her, and she nods, "First of all, I wasn't the one who came up with the idea… it was Mira and Erza… second of all… why does this affect you one bit?"
Hisui looked stunned at Natsu's question and immediately began to go red in the face; did she… did she basically just confess to Natsu?
A hand touches Hiusi's shoulder, making her look back at the beautiful face of Mirajane Strauss.
"It's okay Hisui… he needs to know" Mirajane says softly, smiling.
Mirajane knew she may be compromising her relationship with Natsu… but she didn't want to see Hisui get hurt from feelings unsaid.
Hisui nods and takes a deep breath, bracing herself.
"Natsu… we have known each other since we were four… since then we have always been together… it has come to a point where I consider you my second half… the truth is Natsu, I don't consider friendship as the term used to describe our relationship… for my part… I have always had… feelings… for you" Hisui finishes off quietly, red in the face.
Natsu blinks, "What are you saying Hisui?"
Hisui sighs, "Natsu… what I'm saying is… what I'm saying is that for many years I've loved you!" the last bit she screamed out, forcing herself to tell him.
The room became silent for a moment, before Natsu's shock wrecked body had given up and he slumped exhaustedly on the couch, head staring toward the ceiling.
"Natsu? Are you okay?" Erza asks, a little concerned.
Hisui was beginning to cry a little; she hoped that she did not just ruin her relationship with Natsu.
"I'm fine" Natsu says softly, "Just… a little… bit of a… shock is all".
Mirajane frowns, "Well Natsu? What do you think?"
Natsu laughs softly, "Think? Hard to process these thoughts… I'm not sure… what I'm thinking".
Hisui looks up at that; Natsu wasn't angry… he didn't know what to feel.
"Natsu… please… just… tell me the truth" Hisui cries out softly.
Natsu forces his head level so he could look at Hisui's upset face… the face of a girl he had known most of his life… a girl, who had been there when he needed her the most. A girl… who may very well have saved his soul
…...
Twelve years ago, two months after the death of Lady Dragneel, Dragneel Estate Gardens
Natsu, a boy of four, sat in the gardens of his family estate. His body slumped against a tree, staring into the blue sky above, wondering if somewhere in those clouds… his mother was watching him… like she promised she would.
"Excuse me?" a sweet voice spoke in front of him.
Turning his face from the heavens, his stare turned to that of a girl, around his age, with flowing green hair and eyes that sparkled liked emeralds.
"Yeah? What do you want?" Natsu asked roughly.
It had been two months since his mother passed away… and Natsu was still grieving… his attitude had suffered for it.
The girl seems to shy a little, but appears to pick up strength, "I was… just wondering what you were doing".
Natsu blinks at that; no one had asked him, in these months… what he was doing… they all just… avoided him if possible… like plague.
"I'm… just trying to see into the clouds" Natsu replies.
The girl smiles, "Oh yeah? I do that sometimes… to see if my mommy is up there" she says, looking up in the sky.
Natsu gapes at this, "Your mommy? Your mommy is up there too?"
Hisui nods, "Yeah… did you lose your mommy as well?"
Natsu nods and the girl continues, "It's no fun, losing them… but they would want us to have fun, right?"
Natsu looks up at this; fun? He had forgotten… what that felt like…. To have fun.
"I'll tell you what… you want to play?" the girl asks, holding out her hand.
Natsu looks at the hand suspiciously, "What would we play?"
The girl smiles, "How about… tag?"
Natsu couldn't help but smile… tag… it had been a long time since… he played tag.
Gripping her hand and standing up, Natsu says, "My name is Natsu… what's yours?"
The girl smiles, "I'm Hisui… Hisui E. Fiore".
…..
Coming from the memory, Natsu's sight was filled with Hisui's tears. A girl's tears… who had brought him from darkness all those years ago.
Standing up, he wrapped his arms around Hisui, in a close embrace, ceasing her tears immediately.
"I'm sorry Hisui… I don't know if I have the same feelings for you that you do for me… I'll have to think this all over… but please… don't cry" Natsu says softly to Hisui.
Hisui was still a little in shock over Natsu's hug. Nodding, she wipes her tears on Natsu's shoulder and breaks the hug.
"Okay Natsu… I understand" Hisui says softly, beginning to walk to the door.
"Hisui wait!" Natsu calls out when she reaches the door.
Hisui turns toward Natsu, "Yes Natsu?"
Natsu frowns, unsure of himself, "I… I'll try and give you an answer… soon… very soon".
Hisui nods and takes her leave of Natsu's dorm room.
Taking a deep breath, Natsu says, "That was unexpected".
Mirajane smiles, "Not to me".
Natsu looks up at Mirajane with a frown, "Yeah… I suppose you've known her feelings for a while now haven't you… explains a lot".
Mirajane smiles, "Well, it's out in the open now… I don't know about you guys, but I'm tired, so can we go to sleep?"
Natsu and Erza nod, and the three head to the bedroom.
"Oh, and Natsu?" Mirajane says to Natsu as they crawl into bed, "I'm sure Erza doesn't want her first time to be with a guy with mixed feelings going through his head… so you'll have to wait".
Natsu sighs, "Probably best… I'm exhausted and I want to give you a good show Erza".
Erza grunts, "Shut up Natsu… let's just go to sleep already".
Natsu however, took over an hour to fall asleep; It had been a long day… exhausting… but so many questions… so many decisions.
In one day, he had begun being in the middle of a daughter and mother feud which had many questions left unanswered… he had begun a three-way relationship… and he had discovered that his childhood friend, loves him.
…..
The next day found Natsu staring out the window in class as Ur Sensei lectured the class on the Destruction Magical Class; he knew all of it down to the letter already, so he decided to spend the time pondering, over what Hisui had told him the night before.
She loves me? I wonder how long… couple of years? Or so far back to the point where we first met? Natsu thought in his head. The feelings he was having were confusing him, so he didn't hear Ur Sensei's question… it was one of those moments you had a feeling you needed to resume attention to the lesson that made Natsu look forward.
"Sorry Sensei?" Natsu apologised, realising everyone was looking at him.
Ur sighs, "Master Dragneel, I will repeat myself, and don't make me do it again…what are the five main propriety elements of Destruction Magic?"
Natsu smiled; everyone knew this one.
"The answer is; Fire, Water, Air, Earth and Spirit" Natsu answered.
Ur nods, "Very well… and can you name for me, five attribute elements?"
Natsu smiles, "Lightning, Ice, Iron, Light and Darkness".
Ur nods, "Very good… there are many attribute elements out there everyone… to count, there are currently five hundred and thirty-eight of them that have been reported to this day" Ur turns back to the board, "and Master Dragneel, I recommend you pay attention, lest I give you a detention on top of the one I'm giving you now for after school".
Everyone laughs softly at Natsu who just groans in exasperation; what a drag!
…..
When the bell tolled at the end of the school day, everyone immediately left to go to their clubs or other engagements; Natsu meanwhile, remained seated, as he waited for Ur Sensei's instructions for his detention.
When Ur Sensei was finished tidying up her desk from the day's work, she walked over to Natsu and pulled up the chair in front of him.
"Natsu… you're one of the best in the class, and in the subject we're studying, you'd easily be the best" Ur begins softly, "It would be a shame if you didn't pay attention and you lose that title".
Natsu nods, "To be fair Sensei… that will likely not happen until at least the third year".
Ur laughs a little and nods, "Yes, you may be right… at least so far as Destruction Magic goes… but even in the other subjects, your focus is lacking".
Natsu sighs as he leans back on his chair, "I'm sorry Sensei, it's just… I've learnt all this already… I was raised on this stuff, so I find it difficult to concentrate on stuff that is just revision".
Ur frowns, "Tell me Natsu… how did you become so good at controlling your magic?"
Natsu blinks, not sure where this was leading, "I practised".
Ur nods, "Indeed… you practised… and isn't practice just another form of revision?"
Natsu blinks more, "I suppose so".
Ur smiles, having Natsu where she wants him, "So… as I'm sure you know, the more you practice, the better you become, so the more you 'revise', the better you'll become".
Natsu sighs, "I see your point Sensei… but it's still hard to do it… it's one thing to practice at a desk than in the field".
Ur nods, "I see… but I want you to at least try and focus on the lessons more".
Natsu nods, "I will, no arguments there… is there anything else you wanted to talk about?" Natsu asks, suspecting the other reason she'd come to talk to him.
Ur nods, "Yes, and I'm guessing you already know the topic".
Natsu nods and Ur continues, "Listen Natsu… I want to know how Ultear is… how she's feeling after yesterday".
Natsu takes a deep breath, "Well… I haven't seen her since lunch yesterday… but back then, she was more confused than anything… she has a lot of questions… and I share them with her" he adds pointedly to Ur.
Ur frowns and nods, "As I figured… about her father I'm guessing?"
Natsu nods and Ur continues, "Listen Natsu, Ultear's father is a… problematic… topic, and I can't talk to her about it… nor can I tell her my reasons for leaving her, because then I'll have to tell her about her father".
Natsu nods, "I understand Ur Sensei… but you also need to understand, that Ultear wants answers… and one way or another, we're going to get them… not only that, but she deserves them".
Ur places a hand on Natsu's, surprising him, "Please Natsu… convince Ultear not to take things any further… for her sake".
Natsu shakes his head and uses his hand to get Ur's off of him, "I'm sorry Sensei, but even If I wanted to… Ultear will not give up".
Ur sighs, "I feared as much".
Natsu nods, "Okay then… now… what's my detention?"
Ur gets up with another sigh, "Very well… I want you to stare at the board for the next half an hour… hopefully it'll become a habit".
…..
Natsu walked the grounds of the Academy, hands in pockets, thinking things through; his life was a jumble at the moment, with Hisui on one end of the confusing string and Ur and Ultear on the other end.
The sound of smacking bamboo brought him out of his thoughts; he was walking pass the kendo hall.
Walking in the entrance to the hall, Natsu watched as the second-year club members worked on the first years… harshly.
There were ten first years, dressed in protection gear, facing off against a second year each, and the second years were showing no restraint.
Finally, one kid dropped to the ground, panting and groaning.
"Enough! I've had enough!" he called out.
His opponent took off her own helmet to reveal Kagura, Captain of the Kendo Club.
"Enough? You're going to have to do better Harry, if you want to continue on in this club" Kagura spoke with an edge in her voice.
"I'm sorry Captain! But… my legs… they don't want to move… you've been working us ragged!" he exclaimed in protest, making Kagura scoff.
"Get up" Kagura says softly.
Harry shakes his head, tearing up.
"I said get up!" Kagura screams at him, raising her bamboo sword.
Natsu had had enough; leaping to the mats, he stepped between Harry and Kagura.
"Natsu? What are you doing?" Kagura asked, her voice softer and calmer.
"He's had enough Kagura… as have all the others… they need a break" Natsu says.
Kagura blinks, "Natsu… this is my club… they can take a break when I say so".
Natsu shakes his head, "Yes… it is your club Kagura… and these people are your responsibility… how will you feel as a Captain, if one of them broke an arm? Or collapsed from exhaustion?"
Kagura frowns and sighs, "Very well… everyone take a break!" she calls out to everyone.
Natsu nods, "Thank you… take a seat with me?"
Kagura nods, and the pair head to a bench at the edge of the hall where for a minute or so, they sat in silence.
"I hear you've begun dating Erza-nee" Kagura says conversationally.
Natsu nods, "Yeah, only happened yesterday… how did you find out?"
Kagura looks at Natsu with a 'seriously?' face.
"Natsu… I know everything about my nee-chan" Kagura says simply and Natsu nods… and frowns.
"Hang on… I thought you'd be biting my head off by now" Natsu states, baffled by the truth.
Kagura seemed surprised by it too, "Yeah… that is rather strange… I figured nee-chan would one day find a boyfriend… I always said I'd make his life hell… but for some reason… I can't do that you… or rather… I don't want to".
Natsu shakes his head, "Well anyway… they look like they're coming along well in any case" Natsu says, changing the subject and pointing to the first years.
Kagura nods, "They are… but most of them had never wielded even a bamboo sword in their lives before coming to the Academy… their wrists are all stiff".
Natsu nods, "Don't forget about their feet either… they're either moving like they're hopping, or they're not moving at all".
Kagura looks at Natsu, "Natsu… did you by any chance learn Kendo?"
Natsu smiles, "Yeah… it was somewhat of a requirement in my clan".
Kagura nods and stands up, "Everyone… gather round, we're going to have an exhibition match".
Natsu blinks, "Exhibition match? Between who?"
Kagura places her hands on her hips, "Between you and me, Natsu… let's see what the Dragneel Clan is made of".
Natsu was shocked at Kagura's boldness, but all the same… "Okay Kagura… but I haven't practiced Kendo in about two years".
Kagura shrugs as she takes off her protective gear, "That's your fault Natsu… not mine".
Natsu frowns, "Why are you taking your gear off?"
Kagura smiles, "As to that… I want this to feel more real… so no gear… I doubt you'll be able to hit me anyway… and wooden swords instead of bamboo".
Natsu nods and heads over with Kagura to the sword rack. Kagura immediately picks one out, one she seemed familiar with… whereas Natsu brushed his hands along the handles of the dozens of wooden swords, before clasping one that felt right to his hand... experience had told him to always choose a blade with a good grip.
The two met on the mat, with the club members surrounding them. The two raise their swords, both hands on their grips, ready to fight.
"You ready Natsu?" Kagura asks.
Natsu nods, "Sure thing Kagura".
The pair nod to the other, before they begin the match.
The first thing that a swordsman does when facing an opponent one on one, is to test their strength, style and agility... overall, their ability. Kagura and Natsu did not throw all they had into each of the strikes and parries they threw at the other, they went slower than they usually did, in order to read their opponent and their movements.
The second thing is to decide, based on what you learnt of your opponent, whether you'll begin on offence or defence; Natsu took the defence whilst Kagura took the offence.
After that, you begin the dance of blades; whether Natsu being on the defensive waits for an opening for offence, or Kagura takes moments away from offence, to defend herself.
The pair parry and strike with their wooden blades, for what seemed to them a fluid eternity. The world around them made sense in their dance together, all seemed to flow together… and seemed to connect… time seemed to slow and stretch… all that mattered to them was their opponent and the sword they held.
Those around them stood with mouths agape; to the two swordsmen, the strikes were fast, but were able to be seen by the others' keen eyes… but to those watching the fight, all that could be seen was the blur of wooden swords and the fast movements of the two swordsmen… the hum of swishing blades caught their ears, as well as the crack of wood upon wood.
Natsu narrows his eyes, looking for his opening… where the gap in Kagura's defence laid… and Kagura was the same to Natsu; whoever found their opponents' gap first… would be the victor.
It lasted for a fragment of a millisecond, but Natsu found the gap in Kagura's defence… and he struck it the next time it came around.
Kagura's gasps as the breath is knocked from her lungs, and to those watching, their movements had returned to normal so suddenly... it was like whiplash.
A little breathless, Natsu asks, "Have we had enough Kagura?"
Kagura nods, "Yeah… we've had enough" she says, still sucking in air to her winded lungs.
Natsu nods and clasps Kagura's hand; at this moment, those watching began to clap.
Kagura laughs and addresses all of them, "Well now… I hope that fight has taught you all something".
A few of them laugh, making Kagura frown, "What's so funny?"
It was Milliana, the cat girl, who answered, "Captain… what's funny is that you expected us to see anything".
Kagura frowns deeper, "What do you mean?"
"Your movements" another person said, "Were too fast for us to even see".
Kagura's eyes widen at that, "Really?" she turns toward Natsu, "Well Natsu… if you have what it takes to beat me at my best… then I guess you really do deserve to have my Onee-chan".
Natsu laughs, "Yeah… thanks for your permission".
Kagura smiles; she had mixed feelings right then… she was defeated… and only one person had ever done that before.
…..
One year ago, Kendo Hall
Kagura stood alone in the Kendo Hall, wielding her wooden sword, practicing as she always did.
Little did she know, but that she was being watched.
After over an hour of watching, the girl watching Kagura decided to make herself known.
"I see now why Fionna decided you should be Captain, after what happened to her a few weeks ago" the girl said.
Startled, Kagura quickly turns to the girl before her, "Who are you?"
The girl smiles, "Someone who came to see how you were doing, being the new Captain of the Kendo Club… you wield well".
The girl picks up a wooden sword from the rack and says to Kagura, "Fight me".
Kagura blinks, then shakes her head, "No… it wouldn't be fair".
The girl laughs, "Yes… you're right about that".
Something in the girl's tone told Kagura that the girl was saying the opposite of what she had been.
"I'm sorry… I don't mean to be rude, but… I need to practice" Kagura says.
"I'm not giving you a choice" the girl says, and immediately strikes forward.
Her movements were so fast, Kagura had no time to react… and there had been at least twenty metres between the two of them.
Gasping for air, Kagura keels over a little from the strike to her stomach from the girl's sword.
"Will you fight me now?" the girl asks.
Getting her breath back, Kagura stands straight and nods, readying her sword.
It only took three seconds before Kagura was on the ground, with the girl's sword to her throat.
"You fight fiercely… I wish I had seen more" the girl comments softly.
Kagura gets back to her feet, "Again".
This time, it took the girl ten seconds to take Kagura to the ground.
"I see… that is how you become stronger? You fight your opponent… and the more you fight… the more you learn" the girl states.
Kagura picks herself back up again and just says in reply, "Again".
The girl smiles, "Very well".
For hours, the pair traded blows with one another in a dance of blades, a symphony of movement too fast for the untrained eye, before Kagura finally fell for the last time.
"Two minutes" the girl says, "No one has ever lasted that long before… you should feel pride Kagura, Captain of the Kendo Club" the girl walks away and places her sword back on the rack, and begins to leave.
Kagura however held up a hand, "Wait!"
The girl turns back to the bruised and defeated Captain.
"What is your name?" Kagura says, dawning admiration glowing in her eyes for the girl before her.
The girl smiles, "My name is Erza Scarlet".
As it was, that from that day on, Erza had become an older sister to Kagura… the only person she could not defeat.
…..
Kagura smiles inwardly; until now at least, she thought to herself, thinking over the memory.
Kagura looks to one of her club members, "Tell me Joan… how long did Natsu and I fight?"
Natsu turned at this; he too was curious.
Joan looks startled for a second, before replying, "It lasted no more than ten seconds ma'am".
Kagura's eyes widen at that; Natsu finished her quicker than Erza could?
Kagura could not help but look at Natsu, with the same glowing look of dawning admiration she had once felt toward Erza Scarlet.
"Okay everyone… that's enough for today, I'll see you all here tomorrow" Kagura calls out.
Everyone began to leave, including Natsu… but Kagura quickly picked up her things and ran to Natsu's side.
Natsu frowns at her, "What are you doing?"
Kagura shrugs, "Just thought I might hang out is all"
Natsu nods as the pair leave the hall together.
Authors' Note – Great Gods of Olympus! This is the longest chapter that I have ever written on fanfiction! This chapter is literally 5100 words! That's five hundred words more than second place! I do hope you guys appreciate it… It's taken a lot out of me… I might need a day to recover before I begin working on Chapter Ten. In any case, be sure to tell me what you guys all thought about this chapter… lots of plot development… a couple of nice little flashbacks… this may in fact be my favorite chapter for this story that I've written so far. As usual, be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below, and if the comment poses a question, I'll be sure to reply to you guys through PM no matter what.