Chapter 3

Little Shepherd Boy

Crudely pummeled trees created a small blemish on the face of the forest surrounding Konoha. Obito Uchiha had been searching for the source of this blight. Whatever made the marks were clearly not human but furious. If one combined a bear and a tiger, multiplied their strength upon each other, and the hybrid beast lost their lover to a particularly handsome tree than the ruthless and confusing area of damage could potentially make sense. Yet, amidst the destroyed trees was his unconscious pupil. How uncontrollable is the rage of a jinchuriki?

Obito stood over the boy as he watched him half wake up and checked his physical condition. Hiro's breathing and heart rate were average rates. However, his hair was a mess, he was drenched in sweat, and by far the most peculiar his body sustained no injuries. Not a single scratch.

"Sensei?" Hiro asked. "Where am I?" Obito pointed south to the village through the orange sky.

"We are less than a mile outside the village", Obito clarified. Obito helped Hiro off the ground, albeit Hiro appeared moving stiffly as he got up. His muscles could easily be classified as sore, proven by surprised groans.

"What happened?" Hiro asked. He reached towards his forehead and felt the pulsating blood finally reaching his brain. "Did I do this?"

"Yes", Obito said. "But we can talk about it soon enough. Let's get dinner. It's getting late."

Finding Hiro's favorite shop wasn't hard. Although he would settle for anything which tastes excellent- like most persons- he craved meat. Whether it was thick fat or lean muscle didn't matter. Most nights Obito treated Hiro to cheap ramen for the simple reason of cost. In order to get the boy to open up, he would have to make him as comfortable and happy as possible the situation allowed. A simple barbecue shop of all types of variety providing all one can eat would easily make Hiro full- which is not what he wants. In order to open up, one cannot be gorging on large quantities of food. Holes which they are attempting to fill gets harder to open. Eating too little provides the same effect, although with hunger. The best option is to feed them promptly with a highly satisfying flavor, but small enough where the user feels the craving for more even if not hungry. Obito knew the place.

Hiro sighed in exasperation upon finally being seating. Obito had barely said two words to him the entire time since they reentered the village. At least he could eat soon.

"What do you remember before passing out?" Obito asked.

Hiro took a sip of water.

"It's ok if you're afraid, Hiro", Obito said. "You don't need to be. I'm here for you."

"Mom died today…", Hiro said. "She died. I remember smelling alcohol and was the angriest I had ever been. After I punched Naruto I ran. I met someone… a giant cat?"

"A giant fox maybe?" Obito asked.

"No", Hiro said. "It was a giant blue cat. He knew me, but I didn't know him. He was loud, but he wasn't angry at me. It was like a lucid dream where I still had no control."

"Did your mom say anything before she was taken?" Obito asked. "Anything that might have triggered this hallucination?" The food finally came.

"She said I have a purpose I need to figure out", Hiro said. "Do you think it's related to that?" Obito scratched his chin, before starting to eat slowly.

"I don't see how", Obito said. "But it's possible. What do you think this purpose is?"

"I don't know", Hiro said. Both men continued to eat. "Since I was a jinchuriki, my dad imagined I would be strong enough to become hokage, but I would also seek something out. She agreed with his thoughts, but the guards took her away before she told me."

"Not knowing what they think hurts, doesn't it?" Obito asked. "Losing a parent is an overwhelming sense of sadness and grief; one both of us are already too familiar with. There's not a whole lot someone can do for you except be there for you."

"I don't know what to do either", Hiro said.

"Rin was one of your teachers, right?" Obito asked. Hiro gave a quick nod. "We were teammates in the third shinobi war under the fourth hokage. During the war, I lost my best friend. Since then I've become more determined to fulfill my dream, even if I'm less vocal about it. I can't offer the best advice, but what helped me through it was my friends and dream of becoming hokage."

Hiro's face scrunched up. Every change of expression indicated he wanted to say something. Obito smiled at his pupil.

"That's right, Hiro", Obito said. "We share the same goal. I don't take what you say lightly like everyone else. I want you to succeed me one day after I become hokage. But don't focus on what others want for you too much. Everyone decides their own fate. In order to grow beyond your parents and find what you seek, you must learn to overcome destiny and forge your own."

"Thank you, Obito-sensei", Hiro said. "I'm still unsure, but I know where to start." Obito smiled.

"Where's that?" Obito asked.

"With training", Hiro said. "If my parents said there were two things I could achieve; my starting point is aiming for the one I know."

"That reminds me", Obito said. He put money on the table. "You have tomorrow off. You'll meet me at midtown the following morning at nine o'clock."

Hiro headed home after dinner. Enough strange events for one day had occurred. Although grieving, speaking with Matatabi helped him. The two-tails showed him memories of his own mother. Although fueling anger and grief, it brought a certain peace knowing if he could manage to interact with him again he could see his mother again. Despite wishing to share the new found knowledge with Obito, he couldn't afford to. Matatabi forbids him from mentioning his presence. Of all the tailed beast, Matatabi was the self-proclaimed most respectful and honorable. However, at Hiro's current level he had no desire to engage with him yet. Hiro had many questions, but the two tails refused to answer them all. In time, after Hiro has proven himself Matatabi promised to answer everything he could, but before then he holds no reason to trust Hiro.

"After all, if you absorb my power at the slightest need and misuse it, how can I trust you? If all I do is give, but receive nothing in return, how is helping you beneficial?" Matatabi's words struck chords that echoed in Hiro's mind. His goal is directly related to Matatabi. Not only must Hiro get stronger but offer something of value back to the tailed beast. Tomorrow was a day off. He could think about it then.

Noon had already come and gone by the time Hiro woke up. The first thing he wanted to do was travel back to the chunk of the forest he destroyed. Destroyed seemed subjective when he arrived. It offers thought similar to annihilation, yet everything seemed relatively intact. Embers covered small portions of where Hiro had pounded the bark and it broke. Most of the broken trees still had life in them as well.

A bush rustled a few feet away. Hiro could hear groaning and repetitive attacks.

Hinata stood behind a tree facing the opposite direction.

"Hinata?" Hiro asked. Hinata turned slowly to the man inches in front of her. A quick whisper expelled from her breath as she struck Hiro several times.

When Hiro finally came to, he opened his eyes to Naruto and Sasuke exchanging blows at fierce speeds. Hiro stood still by. Naruto was ruthless to Sasuke, hitting harder than he did to Hiro. Sasuke threw up fire jutsu, but Naruto countered it ease.

"Are you going to keep standing there, or join in?" Naruto asked. He hadn't turned his head from Sasuke for a moment.

"Why?" Hiro asked. Hiro's hands started to tremor.

"With how hard you hit me yesterday, you challenge both of us", Naruto said. "It would be great training!"

"I think that was a one-time thing", Hiro said.

Naruto caught a punch from Sasuke and pulled him in. Two knees to the stomach, three punches to the chest, and a front kick to the forehead knocked Sasuke down. Naruto won.

"Then promise to fight me again a different day", Naruto said.

"When?" Hiro asked.

"You still want to be hokage, right?" Naruto asked. "We'll fight again for the title of hokage." He pumped out his fist expectantly.

Hiro scrunched his face and looked at the Namikaze boy his own age up and down. He remembered the fight yesterday, didn't he? What logic is in Naruto's head where he knew Hiro would have changed his mind again? Stranger still, Naruto was completely serious. His fists were tightened and his eyes shouted a warrior's words. During Hiro's entire time knowing Naruto, he always acted superior and self-righteous. Yet face to face before Hiro now was genuine longing for battle.

"I accept your challenge", Hiro said. "We won't fight again until when the title of hokage is on the line." He slammed his knuckles into Naruto's own. A small collision of knuckles and beliefs shook through their bodies.

"Hold on!" a high cracked voice said. Ino plowed her way onto the scene, with Sakura and a few other girls behind her.

"Why are you-"

"Shut up, Hiro", Ino said. "Naruto, you can't seriously be thinking about making him a rival, can you? He's weak. He complains about teamwork. You beat the snot out of him yesterday."

"That's a little-"

"I said shut up, Hiro!" Ino demanded. "You already picked a horrible rival in Sasuke. Why Hiro too? You need strong rivals! There are countless reasons-" Naruto slid over next to Hiro.

"Hey, do you see her in the group of girls?" Naruto whispered.

"Who?" Hiro asked.

"Her", Naruto said. "Hinata. You like her too, don't you?"

"But… how… What?" Hiro said. He looked over to the group of girls. He could count nearly ten girls, none of which were Hinata. "I don't think she's here."

"Drat!" Naruto whispered.

"In conclusion, you shouldn't be rivals with Hiro or Sasuke", Ino said. "They will only drag you down."

"How can you say 'in conclusion' without giving any reasoning?" Naruto asked. Ino sighed a shameless breath of anger.

"It doesn't matter anyway", Hiro said. "We promised to not fight until we become hokage candidates. Anyways, I think I will go Naruto. The last thing I want is to anger your fan club."

"I understand!" Naruto said. "See you later!"

Retracing his own steps took a few minutes, but Hiro found the section of forestry he had destroyed. Slight, unnoticeable burns covered the trees. He could feel a lasting warmth from the burns onto his own hands. Random pieces of bark were charred despite the rest of the trees' remnants being alive.

Mom's dead.

Hiro forgot about the loss of his mom. He kept himself accidentally busy all day, but unfocused thoughts let his past two months hit him like staring into the sun too long for the first time.

Hiro sat down and crossed his legs.

The past two months Obito had encouraged Hiro to start meditating on his actions- thinking about everything he can do differently and all that he has learned. Obito claimed meditation would him peace. The afternoon sun's warming up the nearby breeze. Soft grass and dead leaves covered the forest floor his body relaxed on. A certain humidity filled the air's smells.

"Hiro, what are you doing?" a voice asked.

Sakura was leaning over his shoulder.

"I am meditating", Hiro said.

"You mean sleeping?" Sakura asked. Hiro shook his head. "I heard you snoring."

"I was meditating", Hiro said. "Was I sleeping?"

The skyline was shading itself a bright orange.

"Anyway, Hiro, how have you been?" Sakura asked. Hiro looked at her blankly. "You're probably not interested in talking right now. I'll leave. I'm sorry."

"Sakura, wait", Hiro said. "Answering the question is difficult. My mother is gone. It's ok. I'm happy I got to cherish her, but I don't really know what to do anymore." Sakura sat down beside him, giving Hiro a brief smile.

"What about becoming hokage?" Sakura asked.

"I do want to become hokage", Hiro said. "But I don't know what I want beyond that. A title, a position of power, isn't the only thing I want. I don't know what to do with myself… I miss being told dinner is ready and to clean my room. I miss having someone to come home to talk to. I don't know how to describe it really…"

"You feel empty inside", Sakura said. "Like a part of you is missing and you can't get it back." Hiro laid back onto the ground, covering his back in the dirt.

"Yes… that makes sense", Hiro said.

"What were her last words?" Sakura asked.

"You can do anything", Hiro said. "I love you." Sakura stretched her arms out.

"You're lucky", Sakura said. "I wish my mom said the same thing to me." Hiro sat up immediately and stared at Sakura.

"What?" Hiro asked.

"I never told you when we were little, did I?" Sakura questioned. Hiro fumbled over his own words, unable to mount any logical phrase.

"My parents were both ninjas", Sakura said. "When I was four they went on a mission together and were killed in battle. The last thing I said to my mom that morning was that I hated her for making me clean my room. She was frustrated and said I was an unruly child. Those were her last words to me."

"I'm sorry, Sakura", Hiro said.

"Don't be sorry", Sakura said. A smile was forced on her lips. "My aunt and uncle adopted me. They've cherished me as their own daughter since they couldn't have one their own. Still…"

"You understand", Hiro said. Sakura stood tall. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes covered in dried tears.

"If you ever want to talk, just let me know", Sakura said as she waved goodbye.

With the day reaching its end Hiro made his way home. He never noticed how large the house was before. The side garden was littered with thirsty vegetables who's named he didn't recognize. Strangeness and ambiguity were swelled the front door. For the first time, he entered the house knowing his mother will never step foot in there again. Bits of clutter covered the floor but the rooms never felt emptier. The kitchen's trash was filled to the brim with empty ramen cups, while the sink had nary a crumb crusted plate. All the while Hiro forced his way into the back bedroom.

His mother's room was near pristine, yet covered in dust. The wood floor slowly collected a thin layer of unused dirt. Shelves nailed onto the walls were perfectly organized; covered in alphabetized books and memories. Hiro reached over to the cot and threw off the sheets. The material for the comforter and pillows were softly frozen.

"Where is it?" Hiro thought.

To the right of the bedroom's cot was the forbidden closet, nailed shut by an unseen foe. Forces far greater than kage were needed to pry open the vault to the past. Hiro closed his eyes, and his breath slowed. Each breath in his knows was deeper than the last, while all exhales matched in a rising heat. The closet door was made of iced over wood- ice farther down than absolute zero. Maintaining the grip was more difficult than the bell test. Quickly Hiro was forced to let go. Brute strength of any kind was worthless before the might of the door. Yet, when the thought of his mother and father hugging him snuggled between his thoughts a silent spirit raged inside. Hiro roared. Courage was the only means one could enter past the door.

Inside to the right was a glass case with a picture of their family on top of it. Inside the case, itself was the treasure Hiro had been seeking- a properly polished emerald. Hiro took hold of the headband and left the room, deciding to sleep early. Through the night he never let go of his jewel.

Well-rested and apathetic were the center of Hiro the following morning. Noises filled the marketplace was meeting his sensei at, despite being early. An excited and loud Obito seemed to pain the ears of the young boy. Even still, Hiro smiled. Not all pain is painful.

"Today you get a present, Hiro", Obito said while guiding Hiro through the marketplace. "You should show more energy."

"What is it?" Hiro asked.

"Have you thought about why you lost to Naruto?" Obito asked. Hiro nodded. "For a genin, your discipline is solid. Your fundamentals have been established. The next step in your training is to learn and develop a specialization."

"What will I learn?" Hiro asked. Obito finally stopped moving.

"We're here", Obito said. Before they were a simply designed shop with a sign that said, Shinobi War Gear over the door and single window. Inside the shop was well-cleaned with a gamut of shinobi. Weapons and clothing covered the walls and shelves of the store. Kunai, katana, staffs, bows, long blades, double-edged blades, other foreign swords, shuriken, nunchucks, miniature scythes, never before seen weapons, sealing scrolls and protective clothing stretching for miles in the quaintly petit shop.

"Welcome Obito", a female voice said. She had light brown hair and pale skin.

"Good morning", Obito replied. "Hiro, this is Minori Yakuza. She's the daughter of the shop's owner, Meetro Yakuza."

"Is that Obito?!" another voice asked.

"And that is Meetro", Obito said. A middle-aged man entered through a drape-covered back door. His pale skin matched his daughters, but his eyes were black like a hawk. "He will analyze your skills to find your ideal weapon."

"I see you've brought one of your genins", Meetro said. "Is he here for a weapon?"

"Yes, he is", Obito said. "I was hoping you would analyze what would suit him best."

"Alright", Meetro said. He leaned over and stared at the boy, centimeters away from touching. "What's your chakra nature?"

"Unknown", Obito said.

"Shouldn't you have done that before?" Meetro asked.

"He'll be alright", Obito said. Meetro walked in the back and brought a piece of paper. It was a thin, sickly brown paper no bigger than the palm of Hiro's hand.

"Put chakra into the paper", Meetro said. Hiro's gaze shifted to Obito.

"Put chakra into your hands while holding it", Obito said.

Ash crumbled into Hiro's hand. It was soft and lukewarm.

"Congratulations, you're a fire nature", Meetro said. "This was pointless."

"Don't say that", Obito said. "He knows his chakra affinity now."

"What are his skill sets?" Meetro asked.

"He is below average all the way around", Obito said. "But he has achieved a solid understanding of his fundamentals."

"What are his raw skills in Taijutsu?" Meetro asked.

"He is surprisingly strong for genin of his class, but lacks speed, stamina, and tact", Obito said. "Outside of jutsu, he has an excellent memory and can take a beating."

"What the hell, sensei?" Hiro said.

"I can think of two recommendations", Meetro said. "A long sword or a bow are Hiro's best bets."

"Think long and hard about this, Hiro", Obito said.

"I've made up my mind", Hiro said. Holding out in Hiro's hand was a wooden staff. Bears were engraved on the ends, surrounded by cubs in a river. The wood was firm and smoothly crafted.

"I strongly don't recommend that", Meetro said.

"Haven't you ever felt drawn to something?" Hiro asked. "I can't tell what it is, but I'm meant to wield this. I feel it in my gut."

"I see", Meetro said.

"I can't remember the last time someone buying a bow staff", Minori said. "You should send him to Satien, Papa." For the first time in the shop, the girl's gentle demeanor changed. Although an instilling kindness formed in her words, sharp stares hawked out like her fathers. A confusing exchange of mixed glances bounced off each other until Meetro voiced his thoughts.

"Maybe…" Meetro said. "Come by later and tell me how you like the weapon." Despite the mysterious intrigue of their vague statements, Hiro was unconcerned. Rather, he was overjoyed as Obito offered to buy the staff for him. Each moment his surroundings were ignored with the single focus of learning every inch of the wooden craftsmanship.

After being gifted his new weapon, Hiro followed Obito back to their typical training grounds; the very spot where the bell test took place. There were no birds chirping nor was the wind bouncing off the grass and trees.

"Remember the bell test?" Obito asked. "We're running through that again, but this time as training. In addition, you can only use your staff. Come at me when you're ready."

A firm grasp on the staff's center with his right hand, Hiro moved the weapon to his side and placed his left hand above the other. He deepened his knees and formulated his stance, while Obito stood tall and perfectly relaxed. Hiro charged forward towards his sensei, lessening the distance between them. When a foot away Hiro pushed down his left foot and swung the back side of the staff towards Obito's left side hip. With a peaceful motion, Obito blocked the strike. Hiro followed with another backside strike to Obito's right- blocked once more. Obito retaliated by kicking Hiro in the gut, pushing him several feet back.

"You have a weapon to be creative and help force the flow of battle in the direction you want to go", Obito said. "Don't go for the obvious. Look past the surface."

Hiro caught his breath. In one slight kick, Obito knocked all the wind out of him. Hiro had barely attacked twice before he lacked the strength to go on- yet forced himself to. He rushed forward again, this time creating three clones. After Obito was surrounded, the clones went for a jab; a perfect set up move. However, Obito swiftly kicked the staff of the Hiro in front and forced it out of his hands. A set of three jabs from Obito were delivered promptly into Hiro's stomach- who fell to his stomach.

"Going for a jab with illusions is foolish", Obito said. "I'm faster than you. If you use illusions and they all use the same move, with only one of the areas vulnerable, it is easy to figure out the real one. You were trying to knock the wind out of me."

"I don't care!" Hiro said, forcing himself to catch his breath once more. Another blow to his stomach left Hiro with the feelings of a mild bruise and an overflowing well of nausea. Yet he charged once more, diving at Obito's feet. A short hurdle easily dodged the attack, flooding Obito's head with memories of childhood hopscotch.

"Do you know who sells chalk in the village?" Obito asked.

"Now you're mocking me", Hiro said.

"That would require me paying attention", Obito said. Hiro lunged forward with another side strike towards Obito from behind- he now had a tactical advantage.

Obito disappeared.

"I never said I wouldn't use jutsu", Obito said. "Think carefully about your moves." The roles had switched- although Hiro was too slow for any substitution and was incapable of using solid clones. Hiro was kicked again by Obito, albeit in the back this time. Another bruise the side of a foot began forming.

This went on for hours.

"Again", Hiro said. His body was bruised and sore all over and held a slightly swollen face.

"We should take a rest", Obito said. "You'll be left with permanent damage if this keeps up."

"That's how a fight to the death works!" Hiro shouted, once more charging blindly and unashamed of injuries he would be forced to endure. For the first time all day, Obito caught the staff mid-strike, ripped it out of Hiro's hand, and placed him in a headlock.

"Don't be so eager to die", Obito said. "This is still only training. Even in training, you need to have fun once in a while. You should relax. You've been through enough since you're not very strong to start with."

"Stop reminding me!" Hiro said. He managed to flail back and forth like a wasted and pitied trout who was forced out of the water. Nothing worked. All movements failed.

The movements were what failed- he did. Hiro failed.

"Damn it!" Hiro screamed.

"Watch your mouth", Obito said. "Your mother wouldn't want you to talk like that."

"What would you know?" Hiro asked. "She's dead anyway." A kunai pierced the back of Obito, who then disappeared with a log remaining in his place. When Hiro turned around, Akira was standing there, following through with his motion with anger and shock to the instantaneous shadow acts.

"I figured you'd want some help", Akira said.

"Thanks", Hiro said. "We might have a chance together." He gripped the staff tighter. Obito was resting on against a tree waving to his two pupils. A weak smell of alcohol pushed fragrance of the natural air to the side. "Let's kick his ass." Akira moved his hands into the appropriate hand sign and began working on casting a genjutsu, while Hiro ran forward. But once again a kick was delivered, this time to Akira. Obito moved at least a hundred feet in a matter of a couple seconds.

"None of that now", Obito said. "We're working on physical combat. Besides, an Uchiha will always see through genjutsu. It's a waste of energy." Hiro made his way back and helped up Akira.

"We need a plan", Hiro said.

"I'm not the planning type", Akira said. "I just wing it."

"Then that's the plan", Hiro said.

"Woah", Akira said.

Both young men charged forward at Obito who, despite blocking every single attack with only his hands and only attacked with his feet, managed to make critical comments ever few seconds. For the rest of the day, Akira and Hiro stood side by side fighting. After several hours of fighting, the dust finally began to settle into night. Akira was tired, forced to breath heavily from the overwhelming exhaustion and near impossibility to move. Hiro, although far more tired, was bursting with energy. The smell of alcohol in the air seemed to infuriate him.

"We're done for the day", Obito said.

"One more!" Hiro said. Obito exhaled his frustrations, yet smiled deeply at the determination. Hiro's final attempt was an explosion of energy he hadn't shown all day. The power behind his fists was filled with rage and grief. When he swung towards Obito he the final inches of motion where each more explosive than the last. Each moment was a landmine being set off and carrying on to the next, furthering the destructive chain upon impact. Once again, Obito caught his fists and stepped forward to deliver an obstructive knee to Hiro's stomach. Hiro would have flown with the responsive of equally destructive force, but Obito maintained his grip. Instead of achieving flight, Obito showed Hiro the path of the gopher by slamming him into the ground. Hiro lost consciousness.

"Well that hurt", Obito said. "I don't even know how you caused these slight burns on my hands. You are definitely a future fire release."

The following morning Obito gathered his genin shortly after dawn like usual. He asked them to meet up outside the Uchiha compound. From there he asked his squad to follow him. Hiro and Akira were both covered in bandages, although mostly in unseen areas. Both managed small bruises and cuts along their hands and faces, although nothing serious.

"What the heck happened to you two?" Ino asked.

"Training", they both said. Their timing caused raised eyebrows and scrunched up faces. Never had they ever thought about conceivably appearing on the same mental wavelength of the other. Akira was bound to say something until he noticed the emerald on Hiro's forehead.

"Hiro, why does your forehead protector have a green cloth?" Akira asked.

"Oh, this?" Hiro asked. "It was my dad's. I found it the other day, and I decided to wear it."

"That's respectful of you, Hiro", Obito said. "I'm sure your dad is overjoyed with how you treasure it."

"Obito-sensei, I thought you gave us the day off", Ino said. "Why didn't you tell me we were supposed to train?"

"We had the day off", Akira said. "I saw them training and joined in."

"Why didn't you come and get me then?!" Ino asked.

"We didn't think of you I guess", Hiro said raising his shoulders. "We were focused on fighting."

"You're such a jerk", Ino said.

"How am I a jerk?" Hiro said. "I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Shut up, all of you", Obito whispered. "You'll wake the entire clan up. We're here. Anyone know where "here" is?"

"Isn't this the police headquarters?" Ino asked.

"Very good, Ino", Obito said. "As you may know, when the second hokage, Izuna Uchiha, asked to lead Konoha's police force personally many Uchiha followed after him in admiration. Although the hokage weren't as hands-on as he was, over time the Uchiha became a brand name tied to the police force of the Land of Fire. We conduct investigations of domestic affairs all over the country."

"Are we here for a history lesson?" Akira asked. "I don't really like history."

"No, we aren't", Obito said. "Like most Uchiha, I'm in the police force and a shinobi. I'm not always active. Therefore, through the next month, you will all be working on cases to make Land of Fire safe. The third hokage has already approved of my request. You will pick your own cases from the options given to me personally. Specifically, you will be working on your espionage and intelligence gathering skills as a squad and individually."

A/N: Even though there's only a few of you, thank you for waiting so long for this chapter! The last month had been very busy with school and work, although the biggest time consumer was I've been unable to decide what I wanted my first mini arc to actually contain because I had around five ideas I equally liked.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review, follow, and favorite if you enjoy this story. I appreciate any and all criticisms, thoughts, and encouraging notes. Have a great week! I'll update as soon as I can.