AN: 1900+ Just, wow! Thanks so much. I have a feeling that it's going to be over 2,000 by the time everyone has finished reading this. Sorry I came up with the last chapter. But Part II should be out shortly. I don't know exactly when. Probably two weeks from now. I know, you guys will be very mad at me at the end, sorry.
And to Me and Gaara 4ever, You're welcome. The sad part about Cordi's and Rox's fight is that my sister and I actually do fight like that. So to my best friends who have seen us fight like that, they read it and just say, "That scene isn't hard to imagine at all." Actually one friend has already said the next time I go over to her house, she's handing my sister their wok and is going to watch.
And to Thomas Drovin, Yes, this brings this part to a close. =.=o I'm already kind of depressed.
And to Repentless Wind, You thought that was a cliffie. Just wait.
And to Azura Soul Reaver, I'm glad you thought so.
And to Gaaras1Girl, You will find out soon.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters etc. You know the drill
Chapter Twenty-one: Saying Goodbye
The ride to Konoha wasn't too long. It was just too quiet. Yes, the dragons made their idle chit-chat. It had been months since Cherokee and Saryu had been with Aleera, and even though they treated her meanly, she was still one of their best friends. Throughout the ride, Aleera was telling her fish tales of "I once ate a deer this big! It was so good!" The other dragons laughed along, enjoying her hyperboles. But the ninjas were eerily quiet the entire way there. Cordi and Gaara didn't say one word to each other. Kankuro didn't talk at all either. He just sat on Saryu's back and pondered everything. He was kind of miffed he was missing the first day of his honeymoon, but he'd survive. Rox was still awkward around Shikamaru about the little tidbit of information he learned about her that morning, as were Ronni and Kiba. Naruto and Hinata were the only ones talking to each other.
As soon as they landed in Konoha, they got off the dragons' backs, letting the dragons fly back to their usual hangout in the forest. Tsunade was waiting for them at the gate, along with Lynne, Fred, Sasuke, and Neji. The girls couldn't help but notice it felt weird that they were all together again. It felt like an ending of a good book, but they all pushed that feeling aside. Cordi was the first one off her dragon to hug Fred and Lynne. It had been so long since she had seen them. They all squealed in their group hug. Ronni and Rox jumped down and joined in the hugging and squealing. Everyone else looked on awkwardly, waiting for them to finish with their excitement. Naruto smiled at the obvious show of friendship. As they broke apart, Cordi sighed, "It's been too long. We should never be apart for this long again." Tears were welling up into her eyes, making the other girls smile, holding tears in their eyes too. They all nodded in agreement, before giving one last hug. The let go of each other, and dried their eyes, to turn to Tsunade, who was waiting to talk to them.
"Alright," Tsunade started." It's good to see you all here. The meeting is tomorrow at nine in the morning. Please be there promptly. I've set up a hotel room for you," she said, pointing to Gaara, Kankuro, and Cordi. "It's complimentary, so don't worry about any bills. Sasuke is going to show you where it is. Remember be at my conference room promptly at nine. I will see you tomorrow." With that, Tsunade puffed to her office (AN: All people who've gotten past Jounin can do it even though she doesn't to it often).
Cordi looked over to see Sasuke leaning against a lamp post. "When did he go good?" Cordi blurted, pointing in his direction. Lynne gawked at her for asking, wanting to knock her block off, but held her fist still.
"About three years ago," Kankuro muttered expressionlessly. It was obvious he didn't really care for the Uchiha.
Cordi bit the inside of her lip and walked over to Sasuke, looking as if she was pondering something. He gave her a confused look until she gave him a firm whack to the back of the head. "That's for being a moron," she stated. Suddenly, Lynne launched on her before she could even see Sasuke's surprised face, banging her on the head with a firm fist. "What the hell Lynne!?" Cordi shrieked, managing to get Lynne off of her.
"Don't hit Sasuke," Lynne snarled, shaking her fist at her best friend. Cordi just gawked at her. Everyone else just gave her an awkward stare.
"Lynne, you've known it's been my life-long goal to hit Sasuke for years for acting like a retard," Cordi stated. "What makes you think that would change?"
"Don't hit Sasuke," Lynne snarled in a more menacing voice, still shaking her fist.
"Ri-ight," Cordi slurred. "Well, thanks, Sasuke, for letting me accomplish my goal. I can now die happy knowing I've hit you."
"You're welcome?" Sasuke asked, his brows furrowed in confusion. The hit to the head didn't hurt as much anymore.
"I should warn you though, if you do go to the dark side again, be forewarned that instead of Naruto being at the battle to bring you back, it will be me – with a shovel – beating the brains out of your skull," Cordi warned, glaring at the grown up Uchiha. He looked back at her with surprised confusion, and maybe a hint of fear, but that was barely shown. She gave him a wink, then started to walk off.
"Hold on," Rox called before everyone decided to split up. "Why don't we get together tonight and hang out?" It was a good idea to break the ice for everyone.
"Well, our suite should be able to fit everyone. How about everyone comes over at nine?" Kankuro asked. Gaara nodded in agreement, showing everyone that he'd allow the small party.
"Yeah. Everyone over at the – wait what hotel?" Ronni asked, turning to Sasuke.
"The Grove Hotel," Sasuke stated in a bored tone.
"Ok. Everyone at the Grove Hotel at nine o'clock," Ronni stated cheerfully, pumping her fist in the air.
"So, how was your mission?" Rox asked Lynne, shifting the subject.
"Yeah, inquiring minds want to know," Cordi laughed. Rox had told her that Lynne and Sasuke were on a mission together when they arrived and Cordi had been curious ever since as to how it went.
"Well," Lynne grinned. "I got to save Sasuke from pirates." She grinned triumphantly. Cordi almost didn't believe it.
"We're leaving," Sasuke growled, turning away from the group and starting to walk down the main street. After that little action, she figured that Lynne's little tale must had been the truth, and she'd have to ask about it later. Gaara and Kankuro had started to follow Sasuke, so she figured that she should leave the group at the gate and follow them.
Nine o'clock rolled around faster than everyone expected. The first guests to arrive were Rox and Shikamaru; then Neji, Lynne, Hinata, and Naruto; then Ronni, Kiba, and Fred; and Sasuke came last by himself. By then, Lynne was already pretty close to hammered and flirting mercilessly with Neji on the couch, which Sasuke was not too pleased with, which he didn't understand. To Saryu, it was obvious that she was ignoring his pleas to cool it with the drinking.
Then around eleven, things started to cool down. So to liven things up again, the still sober Cordi and Rox decided to start up a game of Never-Have-I-Ever. It took a lot of coaxing to get Gaara to play, considering what happened last time, but they managed the task and he joined the circle. Rox decided to start and they would go around clock-wise around the circle. Everyone had some sort of drink in hand. "Never have I ever had sex," Rox smiled, knowing a good half would drink to that. Lynne guzzled her low-ball glass of vodka in a quick chug instantly. When she looked up, she noticed that Cordi was taking a small sip from her glass of red wine. As was Gaara, Kankuro, Shikamaru, Ronni, and Fred. But Cordi was what surprised her the most.
"Cordi!" she yelled, pointing an unsteady finger at the two Cordi's she saw. "You've had sex!" Cordi pursed her lips and nodded. "With a dick?" she asked, as if it wasn't normal. Cordi and Gaara looked at her confused.
"Yeah," Cordi explained, brows furrowed in confusion. "Unless Gaara hasn't told me something," she chuckled, looking at Gaara, whose eyes just widened as the redness in his face became more apparent.
"You shmexed Gaara!?" Lynne nearly shrieked, pointing back and forth between Gaara and Cordi. "When!?"
"Last night, twice," Cordi stated, redness flowing to her cheeks that wasn't from the drinking. She held up two fingers to signify the whole twice bit.
"It's a friends with benefits thing," Ronni hiccupped, earning a glare from Cordi and the Kazekage.
"Let's move on, shall we?" Rox interrupted before something nasty broke out. That nasty being Gaara's legendary temper.
"OH!! OH!!!" Lynne jumped up excitedly, waving her hand around energetically. "MY TURN!! MY TURN!!! Never have I ever – I'm out of drink," she giggled. "I'll be right back." She got up and stumbled over to the counter where the drinks were, and poured herself another glass of vodka, spilling a lot of it on the counter. She didn't really care that she was skipping most of the group. She held up her glass and said, "Never have I ever had sex in the work place." With that she downed that glass, as Gaara, Kankuro, Shikamaru, and Cordi took a sip of their drinks. She turned back to the counter, pouring another glass.
Kankuro eyed Cordi as she set her glass back down. "I thought you said Gaara was your first," He stated, his brows furrowed.
"The Kazekage building's roof counts as the work place," Gaara stated for her, his face turning slightly red. Kankuro just gawked at them, now understanding why Cordi didn't just come down in the clothes she had worn the night before. They had been blown away.
"Wouldn't that also be considered a public place?" Shikamaru asked. They're silence obviously meant yes.
"Never have I ever had sex in a public place," Lynne laughed, tossing back the vodka and refilled the glass again. Cordi and Gaara frowned, taking another sip from their glasses.
"K, my turn," Cordi stated, deciding to make Lynne's run stop. Lynne quietly stumbled back to her seat, letting Cordi continue with her turn. "Never have I ever been stalked by a squirrel." Rox frowned, taking a sip of raspberry vodka.
"You did that on purpose," she grimaced, glaring a little at Cordi.
"How else are we going to get you to drink something?" Cordi asked. Rox just shrugged.
"Squirrels stalk you in your world?" Naruto asked. He was a little buzzed, but he hid it well. Hinata on the other hand was the silent drunk type, so no one really knew how far gone she was.
"Just the demonic ones from my school," Rox replied smiling. "All the other ones were too skittish." Naruto nodded, a silent "Oh" on his lips.
"You have really nice hair," Lynne slurred to Neji, who was giving her a strange look as she ran a hand through his chocolate locks. At least until she launched on him, starting a little make out session.
"Ok, Lynne," Cordi sighed, pulling her up off of Neji so he could get some air.
Sasuke glared at the Hyuuga with an indescribable expression, then stood up and said, "I'm going to head home now. It was fun." He left his glass on the table and stormed out of the hotel suite.
"Yeah, we should be heading back too," Naruto stated, looking at his watch. He sobered up a little, helping Hinata get up in her drunken stupor. "I'll see you guys tomorrow," he said, walking out the door.
Meanwhile, Cordi had replaced the vodka in the glass with pure water and handed it to Lynne. "Here, Lynne. It looked like you needed a refill," Cordi stated, pretending she was holding vodka.
"You, silly. Only water comes out of the sink," Lynne laughed.
Cordi pursed her lips. She hated smart drunks, because then it was harder to trick them into sobering up. "Oh, you didn't know that this hotel has vodka on tap?" Cordi lied.
"Really!?" Lynne asked, snatching the glass of "vodka" water away from Cordi, and chugging it down. Cordi refilled the glass with water and handed it to her.
"Drink it slowly, otherwise your stomach will burst," Cordi stated. Lynne nodded, taking small sips of the water.
"Did I tell you that I think you and Gaara should get together and make beautifa babies?" Lynne asked, her glazy dilated eyes searching Cordi's face tiredly.
Cordi pursed her lips, and expression of annoyance and boredom crossing her face. "That would be the seventeenth time you've said it tonight," Cordi informed.
"Oh, well you definitely should," Lynne stated seriously. She then leaned over the counter to face Gaara and said, "Gaara, you seriously should make pretty babies with Cordi." Gaara furrowed his invisible brows and pursed his lips in mock annoyed contemplation. He just blinked slowly at her and huffed. "Don't hmmmmmmmmpphhhhhfffffff me! Take my advice and do IT!!!"
"Does she know what she's saying?" Gaara asked Cordi.
"Most likely not," Cordi stated. "Hey Rox. I think Lynne needs to go home."
Rox nodded, pulling everyone else up. "Come on guys, time to go." Kiba helped Ronni out to the door, as Shikamaru, who was still sober, grabbed Lynne. Rox grabbed Fred, and Neji was able to walk himself. He was only buzzed. They all quickly said their goodbyes and goodnights, telling everyone that they'd see them later at the meeting. As soon as everyone left, Cordi, Gaara, and Kankuro went wordlessly to their rooms to sleep.
It didn't take Rox and Shikamaru long to get everyone back to their respective apartments. They basically let them inside, and let them find their way to their beds. Shikamaru walked with Rox to her apartment, joking around as she fumbled her keys, looking for the right one. When she finally opened her door, Shikamaru grabbed her wrist gently. She gave him a strange look as he leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. She quietly complied, pushing her lips closer against his. He pushed his tongue against her lips, which she parted, letting him slip inside and play with hers a little bit.
He pulled away, smirking as he asked, "How did you like you first kiss?"
"I-it was g-good," she stuttered, not completely back to reality yet.
Shikamaru laughed and nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow then," he stated, saluting her goodbye. Then he walked off towards his house.
Rox walked inside her apartment, a hand held to her mouth. She closed the door and leaned against it. "Wow," she muttered after the few seconds it took for her brain to process just what had happened.
At the meeting the next morning, Tsunade stood, waiting for them t grab their seats. Naruto was running a little late as were Lynne, Ronni, and Kiba. All the dragons looked in from the windows surrounding the room. Everyone jumped as the doors slammed open, revealing Naruto, Lynne, Kiba, and Ronni, racing to get to the room first. Hurriedly, they raced to their seats, gasping for air as they sat down. "Glad to see you all could make it," Tsunade muttered sarcastically. "Now, let's get started. Yesterday, I was going through the archives when I found something I thought I should tell all of you."
"Did you find a way to get us back home?"Rox asked worriedly. As much as she missed her home, she wasn't completely sure she wanted to go back, especially when everything here was going so well.
"No. I'll read to you what I found," Tsunade stated, pulling out and old sheet of paper. It had to be at least a hundred years old. She cleared her throat and started to read.
"Five Ladies from another world
Each of hidden power.
One is Fire
One is Water
One is Wind
One is Earth
One is Spirit
Each with creatures to help their cause.
They come to help these chosen
Five men of strength and wisdom.
One is Sand
One is Beast
One is Shadow
One is Manipulation
One is Sight
These ten will help the one of Nine
To defeat the darkness soon to take hold of the World.
But these actions must first be completed
Otherwise we are doomed to fail.
Fire must melt Sand
Water must capture Beast
Wind must intrigue Shadow
Earth must vex Manipulation
And Spirit must heal Sight
If the battle is won
These ladies will reign and be prosperous for many years.
If not
Darkness will enslave the Earth
And all things good will disappear."
The group looked at her strangely as she finished reading it. "It's a prophecy, written about a hundred years ago from the date. The First Hokage wrote a letter, which he attached to it, saying it was written by the local Soothsayer at that time. Apparently he was very good at his craft, so the First didn't want to throw it out. Instead he saved it for a time when it would be useful, which is now."
"But, what does it mean?" Gaara asked. "The third part makes little sense. And what's this darkness they're talking about?"
"Well, that's the thing about prophecies," Saryu jumped in. "It's rare that they ever make sense unless looking at them in hind sight."
"It's basically telling us about an apocalypse," Tsunade growled. "You eleven have to work together to defeat it. If it's as bad as it sounds, then everyone here needs to train hard if we even hope to defeat it."
"What about the third part that tells us what we have to do, otherwise we fail?" Shikamaru asked.
"We'll figure that one out when we hand it to our ciphers," Tsunade explained.
"So, you didn't find a way to get us back?" Fred asked, her face twisted in confusion.
"No," Tsunade stated. "It looks as though you will be here for a while."
"Why are we here?" Sasuke asked, still very bored. "I get the girls being here. But why us? Only six of us need to be here," he gestured to the ninja guys sitting in the room. Everyone looked around, seeing there was an extra guy in the group. "Why have you asked seven of us to be here?"
"It said five men of power right?" Naruto asked. "Well, Gaara is obviously Sand. Kiba would have to be Beast. Shikamaru is Shadow. I'm guessing Kankuro would be Manipulation. So Sight would be …" He stopped to think.
"There is no way we can differentiate Sight between you or Neji," Tsunade explained, finishing Naruto's thought.
"Well, I may just be going about this all wrong," Kankuro started, "but the verbs used in part three all have sexual connotations." Everyone rolled their eyes, and he could have sworn he heard Gaara mutter something along the lines of "Everything to you has a sexual connotation." "Look, just bear with me," Kankuro ordered, leaning forward in his chair. "I'll take the one that's supposed to be my part in that verse. 'Earth must vex Manipulation'.Now, to vex is to confuse someone emotionally. They don't know whether they are supposed to like them or not. Another one, 'Fire must melt Sand'. Fire must make Sand soft, and maybe, since it is Gaara we're talking about, rid him of a stone heart," Kankuro explained. Gaara shot him a small glare, but Kankuro ignored it. "Look, I can't be the only person thinking this." Everyone else nodded in agreement. "So, I don't think I'm Manipulation considering the fact I'm married now."
"That maybe, but you are the only one that it fits so far," Tsunade explained. "If we find the Manipulation it's talking about, you can fill him in on your theory."
Kankuro sat back in his seat, grudgingly. "I think the best thing we can do now is just train," Ronni stated.
"And you five need the most training," Tsunade stated, looking at the girls.
"Which is why I would suggest us going off for a year or so," Aleera stated. Everyone donned a confused look and looked up to the dragon. "The best training they've had is with us," Aleera explained. "Ever since you all found out about us and had us separated, they've been distracted, and aren't as strong as they should be."
"So, you're saying we should take them away to train with them and become better fighters?" Cherokee asked. Aleera nodded, confirming Cherokee's statement.
Tsunade stopped to think, then turned to Shikamaru. "What do you think?" she asked him, a little worried.
"It sounds like the best plan thought up so far. Take what happened to Naruto," Shikamaru explained. "He went off with the Toad Sage and surpassed all of us, because he didn't have missions to distract him. He could focus just on his training. It seems that if the girls need that much training, this is the soundest option." Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, even the girls, who didn't really want to leave, but they knew it was for the best.
"Then you should set out as soon as possible. We have no idea when this apocalypse will happen and we need you to be in the fittest shape you can be in," Tsunade ordered. The girls nodded.
"We'll set out this afternoon at one," Saryu ordered. He nodded to the other dragons, telling them silently that it was time to leave.
"We should probably go pack," Rox stated, standing up, gesturing to the rest of the girls that they should leave too. They nodded in agreement and got up slowly, leaving the meeting hall quietly.
"This meeting is over," Tsunade stated to the guys who were still sitting there. They quietly got up and left together.
One o'clock rolled around faster than anyone wanted it to. Rox was packed, along with Lynne, Fred, and Ronni. They waited for Cordi in the square. Not wanting to waste their time, they slowly went around the circle hugging everyone goodbye. Tears were shed. They already missed their new friends.
"I've had the most fun time these past three months hanging out with you," Kiba stated. Akamaru barked in his two cents.
"Me too," Ronni replied to him, a small tear sliding down her cheek. She then knelt down to Akamaru and pet his head and ears. "I'm going to miss both of you." Akamaru made a whining noise, not really wanting her to go. "Oh, Akamaru don't cry. I'll come back, I promise." She stood up and gave Kiba another hug. She pulled away and pointed at both of them, "You two take good care of each other." They nodded their response, sad to see her have to hop up on Nessie and set her bags in place.
Meanwhile, Fred was hugging Hinata goodbye and gave Naruto a nice handshake. "I'm glad you guys finally got together," she smiled. "I'll see you around." Quickly she jumped up on Cherokee, making sure everything was set on her.
Rox was already on Gryffin's back, bags already situated. She and Shikamaru exchanged knowing glances, not really needing words to say goodbye. They knew they'd see each other again soon. He knew she'd miss him, and she knew he'd miss her. They didn't need words to say that. They knew that they would worry about each other; the words didn't have to be said.
Lynne gave Neji a hug goodbye, apologizing for glomping him the night before. She pulled away from him and started to walk towards Saryu. She looked up to see Sasuke on top of a nearby building, watching silently. She gave him a small salute goodbye, and hopped up on Saryu, getting situated for the ride.
During that time Cordi was still in the hotel suite, thinking of everything that had happened, as was Gaara. He looked out the window which had a perfect view of the Konohan Gate. Everyone was already there saying their goodbyes. He walked over to Cordi's room, about to knock on the door when he heard her singing with the stereo again. It had been a while, and he had forgotten how much he liked hearing her sing. "It started out as a feeling, / which then grew into a hope,/ which then turned into a quiet thought, / which then turned into a quiet word./ And then that word grew louder and louder,/ till it was a battle cry," She sang. He realized they were running late and he knocked on the door. She stopped singing and bustled around, turning off the stereo she was singing with. "Come in!"
He pushed the door aside and said, "Everyone is meeting at the gates." He wanted to say something else, but he couldn't find the words or even the feelings he wanted those words to be put to. "So, that's it," he stated, turning around to leave.
"Gaara, wait," Cordi sighed, walking over to him. He turned to face her, confusion etched on his face. "I don't want to leave knowing we're mad at each other and having that what you remember when I get back. I'm sorry things got a little strange. I mean, I've been practically in love with you for years, and you've only known me for a few months. And when I found out you were real, my feelings grew, I guess. I tried my hardest to convince myself that we should only be friends, but you see where that got us. And the sex didn't help much, I know." Gaara cringed as she said that, but let her continue. "I understand if you don't want to get involved with me. I wouldn't want to just yet either. I understand that that night was a mistake, and I'm willing to move past it. So," she stuck out her hand, with a small smile, "friends?" He smiled, gently taking her hand and shaking it.
She took in a shuddering breath, and a silent tear rolled down her cheek. "I'm going to miss you," she said through a smile and a sad sob. He pulled her gently into a hug, rubbing her head as her back racked with sobs. He felt his heart grow a little. He had never heard someone say that to him. He was sure people did miss him when he was gone, but being told he was going to be missed was completely different.
He felt a single tear slide down his cheek as he said, "I'll miss you, too."
She laughed a little. "You know, I never thought I'd hear you say that?" she asked, pulling away from the embrace, wiping her eyes dry.
"Yeah, me either," he chuckled. He placed his hand out in front of him. "Goodbye, Cordi."
She grabbed his hand in a firm grip, then replied, "Goodbye, Gaara. – Aren't you going to see me off at the gate?"
"I have to pack. Kankuro wants to get back as soon as possible," Gaara informed. Cordi nodded understandingly, reaching behind her to grab her bag on the bed.
"Well, then I'll see you when I get back. Oh, would you mind … ?" Cordi started. He raised his eyebrows waiting for her to continue. "Could you take my stereo and stuff to Rox's apartment? There should be a key underneath the mat. If not, then ask Shikamaru … then again you could use your sand." He smirked at her. "Right, I'm rambling. Would you mind if I asked you to do that for me?"
"No," Gaara smiled. "I'll take it over before we leave."
"Thanks," Cordi sighed. "Well, see you."
"Yeah," Gaara said light-heartedly, whispering, "see you," as she walked out of the hotel room. He quietly walked around the room. It seemed empty without her in it. Clumsily he knocked the stereo and it turned back on with "I'll come back/ when you call me./ No need to say goodbye./ Just because everything's changing/ doesn't mean it's not been this way before./ All you can do is know who your friends are/ as you head off to the war./ Pick a star on the dark horizon and follow the light./ You'll come back/ when it's over./ No need to say goodbye./ You'll come back/ when it's over./ No need to say goodbye." He was relaxing against the bed while listening to it. He quietly leaned forward and turned it off before it could remind him anymore of Cordi and the fact that she was leaving. He already missed her a lot. He could feel it in his core, the empty feeling of missing someone close.
He used his sand to transport himself onto the rooftop. From here he had a perfect view of the gate. There stood five dragons, each with a rider. He watched as they launched into the skies, flying high above the trees that surrounded Konoha, his heart sinking as they become nothing but specks on the horizon. Now they were gone, and no one knew how long it would take for them to finish their training and return.
A while away in a dark cave sat a girl. She had black hair with red streaks. Her tired eyes held two different colors. The left eye was blue and the right eye was brown. The blue eye seemed faded at the moment though. She wore nothing but rags. She looked dirty and homeless. Her head snapped up as she heard a tap near the cave entrance. "Wh-who's there?" she asked nervously. Her breath quickened as she saw a man wearing all black walked in so she could see. He had an orange pumpkin like mask and black hair.
"My name is Madara Uchiha. I would like you to join an organization I'm forming called Akatsuki," the man in the orange mask explained holding a hand out to her.
The girl's eyes were wide with fear. Her breathing quickened it's pace as she started to hyperventilate from the fear. She knew about Madara Uchiha, and she had heard about the previous Akastuki's evil doings. Suddenly her eyes slackened and her brown eye glazed over as her blue one became more lifelike. She looked up at the man in the mask, a sinister smirk across her features. She took his hand and stood up. "I'd only be happy to join."
Part I End
AN: Yes, here lies the end of part one. As I said, the first chapter of Part II should be up in a couple weeks. I think I might just keep it in the same story rather than create a new one. That's just too much of a hassle. Please review!!