"Aw man, I hope sasuke doesnt go all awall."
Hit the nail right on the head. This review rox. :)
-Kitsune
"He's so powerful under that curse.. he'll want the strength…to kill Orochimaru and his brother. I assume now that he's struggling with just that…struggling with his present life.. and his future life as an assassin.. with two men to kill.. What will you do Sasuke? Are you thinking that the life of a deadly assassin has come upon you sooner than expected? Are you rushing your strength?"
Chapter XVI
Convince Me
Kakashi formed those musings while he watched Sasuke brooding in his inner thoughts, while Naruto—seemingly oblivious but probably not—kept him comfortable and watched his temperature.
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That night, after Sakura had left because Sasuke wouldn't talk to her, Naruto was lying in bed staring at the ceiling, feeling a little concerned. Sasuke was on his side, his back to Naruto, his arms crossed. Naruto inched closer and cautiously reached out and touched Sasuke's shoulder briefly.
"Sasuke…? Sasuke-kun." Naruto asked. He got no response. Sasuke didn't even move. Naruto waited a few more seconds and bit his bottom lip anxiously as he moved closer, until he was pressed behind Sasuke, his hand smoothing down Sasuke's shoulder and arm. Naruto curiously played with the hair at the nape of Sasuke's neck for a few seconds, then cautiously ran his fingers along Sasuke's collar, staring at the curse mark before softly pressing his lips against it. Sasuke shuddered briefly, then turned over onto his back, turning his head to stare at Naruto, whose face was centimeters from his. They stayed close for a few minutes, then almost hesitantly began kissing, eventually getting heavier and closer. Naruto's hands stroked Sasuke's face.
"Geez.. I was beginning to think.. how can sharing a bed with someone feel so empty.." Naruto murmured between kisses. Sasuke remained extremely quiet, not making so much as a sigh.
"Okay.. so you're really moody. I don't care what you do, Sasuke. I'm not going anywhere." Naruto assured, pausing to watch Sasuke's eyes.
"But maybe I am." Sasuke said dryly after a few seconds. Naruto closed his eyes, feeling Sasuke's arm slipping around his waist.
"I'll just follow you.. you should know that by now." Naruto answered quietly. Sasuke shook his head slightly.
"You can't. Unless you want to be locked in the 'dark room'. You'd be trapped. And I can't do that to you." Sasuke said even more quietly. Naruto softly gasped, opening his eyes to stare at Sasuke's closed ones.
"He did…he did hear what I told Sakura.." Sasuke sat up suddenly, and Naruto sat up and they faced each other.
"We have to talk." Sasuke murmured, staring down at the bedspread beneath them. "That's…not good.. usually.." Naruto nearly whispered. Sasuke still didn't look completely well, Naruto noticed.
"I'm…going to use the power…of the—" Sasuke stopped as Naruto interrupted him immediately.
"No! No, you can't!" He protested heatedly. Sasuke looked up calmly.
"I have to…it'll wear on my body but…I have to.." Sasuke continued quietly. Naruto felt panic rising, and suddenly the dream he'd had that day during training came back to haunt him.
"No.. no, you'll kill yourself.." Naruto blurted, visibly beginning to shake as tears surfaced. Sasuke stared for awhile, then came closer on his knees in the center of the bed, pulling Naruto into him slowly.
"Naruto…don't do that." He said quietly.
"I'm nearly a Jounin.. I can handle it." Sasuke said into Naruto's ear.
"No.. no you can't.. it's…just.. all this pure evil…it'll kill you.. it'll kill you.. you'll—you'll kill yourself.. I saw it.." Naruto sobbed into Sasuke's shoulder.
"The only way I would kill myself…is if it was to stop myself from hurting you." Sasuke said even more quietly. Naruto was silent and kept his face in Sasuke's clothing while Sasuke continued.
"I become something different when I let it take control…I don't want you around me when I do." Sasuke said simply. After a few moments of tense silence, Naruto suddenly looked up and pushed away.
"I don't like you like this!" He exclaimed, staring tearfully. Sasuke sighed and scratched his head, staring at Naruto.
"I…don't like that you don't." Sasuke said hesitantly. Naruto crossed his arms and looked away. Sasuke smiled very slightly.
"Naruto.." Sasuke said softly, taking Naruto's hand. Naruto kept his gaze averted.
"I like when you're angry…you have all this intensity…all this.. heat. It's what made me develop a crush on you in the first place. You got mad at me one day and shoved me clear across the yard.. and well.. to be blunt, I discovered that I liked it instead of getting mad." Sasuke explained with a slight smile.
"In case you were wondering.. that's why I smirked when you pinned me against the wall…I was enjoying myself.. not making fun of you. Either way, you still punched me in the face and stormed off screaming." Naruto couldn't hold back a smile as he felt Sasuke's lips against cheek, beside his ear. He turned to look at Sasuke again. He could tell by Sasuke's eyes that he still wasn't quite himself, but at least he was making an effort.
"Come with me outside. We'll talk some more. I promise, I'll be ok." Sasuke said, getting up and pulling Naruto after him by the hand, and they went outside in the dark.
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The next morning, when Kakashi came outside at 8AM to make breakfast like he did every morning, Sasuke and Naruto were on the bench by the fire-pit, arms linked, turned toward each other, foreheads touching. They were talking extremely quietly. Kakashi cleared his throat and Naruto jumped, while Sasuke only looked up coolly, wearing an extremely relaxed stare. Naruto turned his head to stare at Kakashi blankly, not even knowing what to say. No one had caught them that close before, so he believed. Kakashi walked around to the other bench and began starting a fire.
"Ok so we all know it, but since it hasn't been said, I already know what's going on. Please continue…" Kakashi said calmly, humorously pretending to cover his eyes. Sasuke gave him a dull glare, while Naruto blushed, immediately turning back to Sasuke and drawing his attention back. Kakashi sighed and poked at his fire while the two steadily resumed their quiet murmuring back and forth, hands joining. Naruto occasionally gave a quiet laugh or two, while Sasuke smirked away…Kakashi rose both eyebrows and stared hard into the fire when they hugged up together and stayed that way, still apparently having a deep talk.
"Okay you can discontinue now. I'm getting cavities." Kakashi muttered. Naruto looked up, but kept his arms around Sasuke.
"Sensei? How long did you know, anyway?" Naruto asked, wearing a comically puzzled expression. Kakashi thought.
"Uhhhhm…hmmm…ahhh…dunno'." Kakashi finished anti-climactically.
"You do too!" Naruto exclaimed loudly. Sasuke sat up from resting his forehead on Naruto's shoulder and faced the fire, leaning with his elbows on his knees.
"Well it doesn't matter. That's one less person we have to hide around." Sasuke said, rolling his eyes.
"True.." Kakashi agreed, "but you guys are actually kind of careless. Sakura's going to find out soon. She already thinks something's weird." He told them. Sasuke crossed his arms, sitting up straight.
"I don't care what she thinks." Sasuke grumbled, staring sullenly into the fire. Naruto rubbed his back and shoulders.
"Geez Sasu-kun, you've got such an attitude today! I'm gonna make you special breakfast!" Naruto exclaimed energetically, and pranced into the house. For minutes on end, Kakashi sat there in awkward silence with Sasuke.
"So…Sasuke. How's your emotion problem going?" Kakashi decided to ask. Sasuke looked up.
"I don't have one anymore…I've got more to worry about…but I don't want Naruto worrying about me. So…I'm trying not to think about those things." Sasuke said slowly, staring at the ground. Kakashi watched him carefully.
"Alright…so you're saying Naruto is helping you forget." Kakashi proposed. Sasuke looked a little pained, but only for a moment.
"Yeah." Sasuke admitted, looking over toward the house. Naruto emerged with some cereal and handed a bowl to Sasuke as he sat down.
"So yeah, definitely out of any breakfast food but this…Hey Sensei? Do you care if we kiss in front of you??" Naruto asked bluntly. Sasuke couldn't help but stifle a small snicker as Kakashi's eyebrows flew up.
"Uh—well, Naruto.. ahem.." Kakashi thought about it. "Just.. don't get too busy in front of me alright? I might have to separate you.." Kakashi decided. Naruto grinned. "Kakashi-sensei you're a pretty good sport!" He laughed. Sasuke sat there a bit awkwardly and rolled his eyes.
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All that day, Kakashi suspected that something even stranger than usual was going on between Sasuke and Naruto. They were taking a day off of training because of Sasuke's issues, so there were no sessions to do. All day, even around Sakura, the two were a bit more touchy than was normal, even to someone that knew their secret, let alone Sakura.
"WHAT is THAT!?" Sakura shouted, pointing. Kakashi looked up from across the yard, and Sasuke had Naruto around the waist from behind, and they both froze, conveniently in a very compromising position. Naruto looked up from his bent over position.
"Huh? What, we're play fighting." Naruto said, standing up and playfully shoving Sasuke away with a wide grin. Sasuke only came back and wordlessly shoved Naruto onto the ground, sitting on him afterwards.
"Why the over-reaction Sakura?" Sasuke looked up at her from messing with his fingernails. Sakura froze, trapped in Sasuke's incriminating stare.
"It.. it wasn't anything I just.. well.. never mind.." Sakura glanced away, and only then did Sasuke stop staring her down. When Sakura turned her back and walked away, Naruto pulled Sasuke down into the grass on top of him, and they stayed like that, staring at each other in the grass until they both blushed.
Later that day, Kakashi was innocently wandering around the house, and when he went into the kitchen, Naruto was straddling Sasuke in a chair, Sasuke's hands rubbing up and down Naruto's thighs, Naruto's hands caressing Sasuke's face and hair while they rather heavily sucked face.
"Whoa. Okay I'll have you know this is pretty unbelievable…no matter how much I know it's going on." Kakashi murmured, staring. Naruto broke the kiss, much to Sasuke's annoyance, and looked up, flushed in the face.
"Uh, sensei…that was getting really good.. mind leaving? Heh…" he asked with a grin, scratching his head. Sasuke only stared disdainfully at Kakashi, his hands still rubbing on Naruto's upper thighs. Kakashi covered his nose and turned around immediately. "Nosebleed! I SAW THAT!" Naruto exclaimed loudly, pointing and bouncing on Sasuke, who began to blush and squirm in the seat as a result. Kakashi shook his head rapidly.
"Nope! You think we're cute! Maybe you should make us a video tape!" Naruto laughed, while Sasuke merely busied himself with Naruto's thighs. Kakashi left in a hurry, and Naruto went back to being necked by Sasuke.
"Mmm…I love you…Naru-chan.." Sasuke murmured quietly, his voice muffled in Naruto's shoulder. Naruto laughed, hugging Sasuke.
"I think I love you more Sasuke-kun.."
"Never…" Sasuke debated softly, moving up to kiss him on the mouth.
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Later that evening, Sasuke was walking around with a handful of black roses and a cup ramen.
"Uhm, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura called as he walked into the kitchen. Sasuke turned around. "Yes Sakura." He answered.
"You didn't have to buy me roses, and they're black too! Wow they're so pretty! And so like you to buy black ones! You're so dark, Sasuke-kun.. but it looks good on you!" She gushed, blushing furiously. Sasuke glanced away.
"Um.. they're uh, not.. for you. Uh…sorry." Sasuke said awkwardly. Sakura stared, looking extremely embarrassed.
"Uh.. Oh… ok.. um…th-then.. who….?" Sakura stammered, backing away a few steps. Sasuke cleared his throat and stared at the roses, having been trying to sneak in unseen the entire time, but now he had no choice but to answer her.
"Where's…Naruto…" Sasuke asked hesitantly, looking exasperated. Sakura's jaw dropped, and she flushed harder.
"Naruto!? Those are…for him?" she stammered. Sasuke sighed and merely walked away. "I'll find him myself…and don't jump to conclusions." He left quickly, hoping to leave her wondering.
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Sasuke stood in the doorway of Naruto's room and blushed as he held out the bouquet. Naruto stared, eyes wide.
"Whoa, black roses? Sasuke-koi…" Naruto came over and took them along with the ramen, and Sasuke immediately put his hands in his pockets and blushed at the floor, suddenly feeling awkward and maybe even shy.
"I um…figured you might like them." Sasuke said quietly, smirking a little when Naruto came and hugged him around the waist. He took his hands out of his pockets only to put them in Naruto's back ones.
"Yeah well you're right!" Naruto agreed brightly, smiling with his eyes closed. Sasuke pulled Naruto closer, if that was possible, their noses touching.
"Maybe I should just…show you the power." Sasuke said slowly, quietly. Naruto blinked, then stared.
"You mean.. let it control you.. and.. let me see it?" he asked just as quietly. Sasuke nodded.
"Yeah. I don't think I would hurt you. No matter what's happening to me." Sasuke said, seeming like he'd been thinking about it for awhile. They slowly kissed for about a minute, but after, Naruto shook his head.
"No.. I dunno'…I mean.. it's.." Naruto sat down on the bed and made Sasuke sit between his legs. He began to rub Sasuke's back while Sasuke stared at the floor.
"You've been kinda sickly lately.."
"I know.." Sasuke murmured, closing his eyes as he felt Naruto's lips touch to the back of his neck.
"I really just…want you to relax a while." Naruto said, wrapping his arms around Sasuke from behind. Sasuke closed his eyes.
"I will.. for a short while…I don't really feel too good right now.." Sasuke said quietly. Naruto directed Sasuke to lay in his lap.
"Lay down.. I've got you." Naruto said with a grin down to Sasuke as he stroked the dark hair. Sasuke almost immediately shut his eyes and took a sigh of comfort.
"I'm tired…" Sasuke said softly. Naruto stroked Sasuke's hair with one hand and rubbed Sasuke's stomach with the other.
"I know Sasuke-kun.. but you don't have to work so hard, do you?" Naruto asked. Sasuke smirked and chuckled a bit.
"Hn…you're so innocent Naruto.." that was all Sasuke said. Naruto stared blankly for awhile as he played with Sasuke's hair. Sasuke lifted a hand to his head.
"Hm.. I'm really sick…" he muttered. Naruto began to get a little more concerned.
"This keeps happening.. over and over!" Naruto said. Sasuke sighed again, keeping his eyes closed and keeping calm.
"I keep resisting the curse while it gets stronger…that's why.." Sasuke flinched then, taking a sharp breath in through his teeth.
"It's—starting to hurt.." Sasuke still said very calmly. Naruto sat Sasuke up in his lap and hugged him closer so that Sasuke's head was resting against his shoulder.
"Naruto.. I think I'd be as good as dead if you weren't around.." Sasuke murmured, staying still as he rested. Naruto smiled, a little taken aback by Sasuke's words.
"Sasuke.. don't say stuff like that.." Naruto said holding onto Sasuke more closely. Sasuke reached up, smoothing his hand down Naruto's face.
"Naruto…I mean it.. I love you.. you're my opposite.. I'm suppose to hate you.. rival you.. but I.. love you.." Sasuke's sentence trailed as he stared up at Naruto. Naruto only looked worried.
"Sasuke.. you're not being yourself.. I mean I know you do.. but.. you're acting like.. you're about to do something you might regret." Naruto felt extremely uneasy, then suddenly ill. Apparently he looked suddenly ill, because Sasuke was giving him a certain look.
"Naruto don't.." Naruto shook his head, beginning to take deep breaths.
"No.. no, Sasuke.. don't do something you'll regret—" Naruto paused when Sasuke's lips pressed to his.
"Sasuke.. koi..." Naruto murmured between kisses as Sasuke slowly sat up and leaned over him, kissing him quiet. Soon enough, Sasuke had complete control of the situation. Naruto underneath him, busy kissing him instead of worrying about him. Sasuke kissed him attentively in the center of the bed until he had Naruto clinging to him by the shirt, dizzily staring up at him.
"Hm.. no worrying Naruto…I know what I'm doing.." Sasuke said tenderly, stroking Naruto along the waist.
"Okay.. just.. I'll have to step in.. if I see anything I don't like.." Naruto said with a small grin. Sasuke smirked and his hands wandered to Naruto's hips.
"Hmph.. Naruto-kun.." Sasuke pressed his mouth to Naruto's forehead, then trailed the kisses to Naruto's neck.
"Ah…Sasuke.." Naruto breathed, rubbing Sasuke's back.
"Sh." Sasuke interrupted, continuing what he was doing.
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20 minutes later, Sasuke was between Naruto's open legs, causing Naruto to make noises he'd never made before. There was a knock on the door, and Sasuke cursed mildly but didn't stop.
"Hold.. Hold on just a second!!" Naruto yelled at the door breathlessly.
"Oh Goddd…" Naruto groaned afterward, clawing at Sasuke's back. Sakura, on the other side of the door, stared at it blankly.
"Um.. Sasuke? Are you okay? Naruto what are you doing??" She yelled at the door. Naruto was now trying to be quiet, but Sasuke wasn't letting up at all.
"Oooooh Sasuke…" Naruto let out. The doorknob twisted. Sasuke looked up abruptly from sucking on Naruto's neck, and tore himself away from Naruto, rolling off of the bed, the sheet around his waist while Naruto buttoned his pants hurriedly.
"Sasuke-kun you're still sick you should've pushed me off instead—" Naruto exclaimed frantically. The door was opening slowly, and Sasuke froze where he was on the rug, his sheet around his waist as he heaved for breath. Sakura came in and looked around curiously. Naruto was on the bed, against the headboard, breathing a little hard, and Sasuke was on the floor, looking exhausted and very uncomfortable, yet trying to look as if he were sitting there the whole time.
"Are you okay Sasuke-kun?" she asked, coming a few steps closer. Sasuke scooted back a little.
"I'm fine.. leave me alone.." He muttered, standing up with the sheet and retreating into the bathroom. Sakura turned to Naruto.
"What's with the—"
"He's got a fever.. he was cold so I gave him the sheet.." Naruto rambled, stuttering a bit, his cheeks flushed, not to mention he was still experiencing waves and beginning spasms of climax.
"Hey Sakura? Could you come back later?" he asked quickly without an explanation, holding back frustration and also a bit too aroused to talk straight. Sakura turned and went.
"Uh—s-sure…" she left after a few seconds of staring. As the door closed, Naruto collapsed onto his back on the bed.
"Damn it!" He shrieked, staring at the ceiling. Sasuke opened the door slowly and turned off the running water in the sink.
"I—wasn't—finished." Sasuke grumbled in annoyance. Naruto smiled at him from the bed.
"That's okay…You should rest anyway." Naruto said, sitting up as Sasuke came back to the bed fully dressed and flung the sheet at the foot of the bed as he sat down. Naruto scooted behind Sasuke and began massaging, nuzzling him when he leaned back against him. Sasuke closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I can't keep this up.." Sasuke said soon. Naruto rubbed his arms and shoulders comfortingly.
"Why Sasuke…" he asked. Sasuke's arms were wrapped around his middle.
"The longer I resist the more it'll tear my body apart until it gets its way.." Sasuke said quietly.
"But what are you going to do?" Naruto asked. Sasuke leaned his head back against Naruto's shoulder.
"I don't know… but if I keep going like this.. this curse…" Sasuke raised his hand and placed it on top of the curse mark. "…it'll drain my life. Slowly. Right in front of you." Sasuke said rather openly. He felt Naruto tense up.
"You're not going anywhere.. this stupid curse can't do anything to you.. nothing can touch you…you're.. you're Uchiha Sasuke..." Naruto growled, his fists clenching on top of Sasuke's shoulders. Sasuke turned around to look at Naruto.
"Yeah. The only Uchiha…besides my brother. But he'll die…and then I'll be alone." Sasuke stood up and crossed the room, sitting in a chair just as Sakura came back in.
"Is everything okay in here?" She asked cluelessly.
"It's fine, Sakura." Sasuke answered before Naruto could answer her and betray his feelings through his voice.
"Sasuke.. you don't look.. okay.." She said. Naruto wanted to get up, but didn't want to risk appearing too affectionate toward Sasuke around Sakura. Sasuke hand was over his stomach again.
"Sasuke-kun? You keep rubbing your stomach, why? Does it hurt?" Naruto asked, hating the detached tone of voice he had to use with Sakura in the room. Sasuke looked down at himself.
"No.. usually it does but today.. it burns…" He murmured. Sakura and Naruto stared as Sasuke stood up and lifted his shirt.
There just to the left of his navel was a second curse mark.
Sasuke stared blankly, looking a bit shocked, while Naruto immediately stood up and went over, bending to look closer.
"Sasuke! A second mark??" He exclaimed. He looked up and Sasuke had paled, but didn't say anything just yet.
"We have to tell Kakashi.." Sakura said from behind Naruto. Naruto nodded.
"Yeah.. yeah you're right.." He stood and headed for the door, but before he even touched the doorknob, Sasuke held in an exclamation of pain.
"Sasuke? Are you.. alright?" He asked slowly, taking a few steps closer. Sasuke suddenly doubled over with a short cry of sharp pain. Both Sakura and Naruto went to him on either side, stabilizing him.
"I can't.. I can't hold this back.. this is it, it's done.. no more resisting.."
Sasuke gasped, staying doubled over, both arms wrapped around his stomach. He gave an even louder cry, dropping to his knees on the floor while Naruto and Sakura stabilized him still, beginning to panic.
"Sasuke! Sasuke tell us how to help!" Naruto shouted, shaking him gently. Sasuke took a few deep breaths, slowly lifting his hand to his head, pressing it against his left temple. "Naruto…it's bad.." he gasped, squeezing his eyes shut. "My head.. my head…am.. am I bleeding??" Sasuke gasped, beginning to shake from the pain. He slowly uncovered the side of his head with his hand. Sakura gasped.
"Oh no…No…" she murmured. Naruto stared.
"Sasuke.." He nearly whispered.
"What… what is it.." Sasuke groaned, holding back shouts of pain.
"The curse mark.." Naruto said quietly as he stared. There was a smaller curse mark, about half the size of the ones on Sasuke's neck and stomach, on his temple. Suddenly Sasuke curled all the way over, screaming in pain.
"Sasuke we have to take you to Kakashi.." Naruto said, trying to help him up.
"AH! No! Stop, I can't move…" Sasuke moaned. Naruto rubbed his back softly.
"Sakura go get Kakashi.." he mumbled, putting all of his attention to Sasuke. Sakura shook her head.
"No! No, Naruto, I should stay here, you find Kakashi you're faster!" she exclaimed. Naruto outright glared.
"Sakura.. this isn't the time for whatever issue you have with me and my friendship with Sasuke!" he exclaimed. Sakura got up and went silently, frowning. Sasuke was now constantly in vocal pain.
"Why's this happening.." Naruto asked as he held Sasuke, who was still curled up.
"It.. has to.." Sasuke groaned. Naruto slowly let Sasuke onto the floor, but he stayed curled in pain.
"I can't move…" Sasuke gasped softly. Naruto quickly got up and came back with a pillow and a blanket and covered Sasuke, just as he began screaming again. Kakashi came running in shortly.
"Two more curse marks??" He exclaimed, running to Sasuke and kneeling by him, placing a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. Kakashi stared at Sasuke on the floor shaking while Naruto explained.
"One appeared on his stomach.. then here.." Naruto said quietly, gently touching his hand to Sasuke's temple over the mark. Kakashi stared blankly, and then he placed his hand over each mark.
"To control the mind…" Kakashi placed his hand to the one on Sasuke's head. He moved to the original one on Sasuke's neck.
"The chakra system and emotions.." He slowly lifted Sasuke's shirt, and touched the mark on his stomach.
"More chakra spots…core strength… this is nearly total control." Kakashi murmured. "How'd that happen!" Naruto exclaimed angrily. Sasuke's hand slowly moved to his chest, panting painfully for breath.
"I.. I…help me.. I can't control it—" Sasuke was gasping. Kakashi attempted to keep Sasuke from curling up but it wasn't working.
"Sasuke.. take deep breaths.. just—what's wrong with your chest?" Kakashi asked suddenly, noticing where his hand was. Sasuke clawed at his shirt, still screaming. Kakashi grabbed his wrist and held it away, pulling down Sasuke's shirt to look. There over his heart was yet another curse mark. Both Naruto and Sakura were now shaking, and Naruto had gone pale.
"It's going to take him over…It's over…" Naruto whispered. Kakashi sighed.
"Everyone just calm down!!" He exclaimed, still trying to get Sasuke to be still.
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Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhh (ULTIMATE CLIFF HANGER)
-Kitsune (Thnx infinity for all the amazing reviews!!!)