Chapter 18 -The Ceremony of Change

Time just couldn't have dragged any slower as the season began to change from winter to spring. Hiro brooded a lot since his spirit mate left a few months ago. He felt so empty and lost. He could have gone to visit but it felt complicated now, he couldn't do it when Ayaka glared at him, almost like she was reading his thoughts. But Ayaka did apologize for her actions and he accepted it, even though he feared the coming ceremony even worse than he did last spring.

He didn't love her.

What she'd done to K was out of spite and jealousy, territory. Hiro didn't like feeling as if he were a pawn. He belonged to no one! Or, well, the only person he wished to belong to wasn't able to be his! And that reminder became more apparent the closer the mating ceremony got and the longer he spent away from K.

He scowled as he crushed some dried root with a stern and pestle.

A shadow loomed overhead. Hiro was peaked to look up.

"Hiro…you've been pissy for way to long," Yuki muttered and sat down next to him, combing his fingers through unruly blonde hair. "Trust me I understand," he added with a belligerent scoff, "That damn ceremony is approaching again."

Hiro ground the root even harder.

A soft smirk grew over Yuki's face, for a moment Hiroshi actually reminded him of Shuichi. "But what can we do? We promised our fathers that we'd mate this spring. You know, you don't have to tell Ayaka about your true feelings…K isn't going anywhere just like Shuichi." Still, he sighed with the weight of his own troubles.

Looking up Hiro steadied on Yuki's eyes solemnly, "I think she caught us."

Yuki raised his brows slightly, "I see…so that's why she attacked K. I wish we could just disappear."

Hiro sighed, "But I can't let my father down, we can't. I made a vow and I have to keep it."

"Yeah..." Yuki understood that way too well.

Finally able to accept his fate, K sat across from Ark and Judy as they tended to little Megan. In some peculiar way it was like they'd become a three-person family. K didn't object to Ark's presence, the man was his friend and he deserved his new daughter. It was strange how it all worked out. A child born to someone who didn't have their rites together…unheard of…slowly got digested though. Many of the people couldn't deny how similar the baby looked to Ark, and Judy was so passionate about it being Ark's. What could they say? As the three of them went about living life as normal with the new child as part of the extended family…people began to accept that idea. Still, it made them nervous and cautious and some still called K deviant. But he was Aurora's chosen male, maybe she'd guided him with this new knowledge. It had everyone wondering and it was inevitable that the dynamics within the clan were going to change.

It was frightening.

But even with the extended family K still felt a bit left out, he felt a pang in his heart when the baby cried as he held her. It was silly, but that's how he felt. They'd talked; the three of them discussed and analyzed everything that'd happened. They to screamed, they cried and in the end they found acceptance. Judy even divulged to him that she knew he was in love with the Nakano healer. She admitted to overhearing them the night of the hunting ceremony.

K had hung his head shamefully, even now he felt as if he'd betrayed her somehow. But then she'd had Ark's baby…it was such a wonderful baby though! He just couldn't stay angry after he got back and saw the little thing. And Ark was a great father, it was obviously written in the stars for them.

Aurora had her own plan.

But Judy totally surprised him when she gave him her blessing to make Hiro a part of their family if he wished. She had told him that she had been selfish and that she was extremely sorry. Judy explained that she'd let her fears control her actions in a way, but that she truly did love both of them both equally.

In a weird way K believed her.

That was as good as any apology he expected from her. K accepted it and continued leading his clan. But now his mind danced around the upcoming ceremony that was days away—Hiro would be united to that girl, Ayaka. He sighed, somehow nothing seemed fair anymore. It was all supposed to be so easy, Hiro mated with Ayaka and they would still have their love. But, he didn't think Ayaka would make that so simple. K couldn't hate her either; it wasn't her fault after all. Still, he felt something missing in his life, he missed his lover and worried that his sudden departure a few months ago hurt their relationship.

Somewhere inside he knew that couldn't be possible.

Now, he only had to deal with Hiro belonging to a girl that wanted him as far from her mate as possible. K sighed again. His life was beginning to feel like nothing more than one large secret. Argh! All these sinful thoughts, jealousy and possession…this wasn't how things were supposed to work! Yet he had to accept it! Although he was pretty sure many already guessed his feelings towards the Nakano man. He was sure that even Hiro's clan had their suspicions. He stomach twirled with worry suddenly, he hoped that Hiro's father didn't get upset with him.

Damn…

He wanted to go see the man that called him his 'spirit mate' so bad! But he didn't because he didn't want to get in Ayaka's way…she had a right after all. Hiro was her intended mate and he'd stepped over the line. That was something he'd been thinking about a lot lately, this whole 'spirit mate' stuff. He thought their gods joined blessed spirits in a ceremony of rites; he'd never thought to claim that title before hand.

But Hiro had.

His heart swelled as he listened to Hiro's voice in his mind saying that over and over again. He smiled now feeling like such a tool. All these traditions, maybe they only caused heartache and sadness? Or, it sure seemed so. He had to wonder about his own rites with Judy. It seemed so proper at the time but K knew they also had done it because it was a family tradition. And in the end it didn't work out, even though he was still mated to her, she wasn't his anymore.

But that was ok.

It's scary to think outside the box at times. K couldn't help but worry that they'd all be condemned by their god if he continued to think such sinful thoughts, but he couldn't stop. The Nakano's and Uesugi's felt the same way. K even worried about what his parents would say if they were alive to see this, surely their spirits were unsettled. That almost hurt more than the possible wrath of their god.

Maybe things needed to change no matter how scary they were?

"Claude, that look on your face makes me nervous," Ark commented from across the way, handing Megan back to Judy who gurgled happily.

Glancing up from his cot, as he threaded sinew through some holes in a piece of leather, mending a pair of pants, K smiled, "If I told you what's on my mind you'd probably cast me out."

Oh? Ark blinked, "Maybe I'm right to be nervous then. You're not thinking of doing anything bad are you?"

"Me?" questioned K incredulously.

Ark scoffed and laughed, "Yes, you my friend."

"Not really," K answered, "It isn't my place to interfere, even if I wanted to."

Judy looked over perplexed by K's mysterious words. "You know, the gods might not be as stringent as everyone thinks. I think the fate they weave us isn't always wrong…things happen for a reason," she justified. "Only time will tell, I guess."

Hmm, K nodded at Judy's philosophy. "Perhaps," he muttered. "You know, I believe now that children can be created before the rites and by men, in our clan and their clan. It's obvious is it not? As much as we honour the mother, I really think that men have something to do with creating them. If not, what is our purpose except protecting and providing?"

"Have you noticed how many resemble you already in our clan K? Have you noticed that within the Nakano clan as well?" Ark quizzed, "Why is it, no one sees this? That our spirits are given to a child?"

"It's too scary to speculate and discredit that's why," Judy offered. "What if Aurora punishes me? Or you, for tempting fate."

Everyone went silent.

The night of the mating ceremony, the full moon was big and round in the night sky, shining its pearlescent light down on the earth below. Under the light a tribe of people milled with excitement and festivity. A lot of bonfires were created and a lot of fresh meat and food was cooked. Even the Winchesters were invited, and many showed up to see for themselves this highly anticipated event. People wore their special pieces of clothing and jewellery—except for the ones being mated—they would wear nothing. Someone broke out the drums and like a heartbeat their tempo thumped throughout the camp.

Every thump made Hiro's nervous stomach churn, he felt nauseous as he washed in the spiritual lodge with Yuki, preparing for his union with Ayaka. It was a task they did alone and both kept glancing at the other as if somehow one would save the other. Both stood there naked by the firelight anticipating the worst—like deer caught in the headlights.

"It won't be that bad," Hiro said trying to calm the situation.

Yuki stayed silent.

"I really wish K were here…" he continued.

Amber eyes landed on him then in astonishment. "You're a coward Hiro," Yuki said simply.

Huh?! "And what are you?!" he countered back heatedly.

Yuki splashed some water on his face and wiped it away and looked haughty at Hiro, "Ayaka knows no matter what you do, that you still love that guy. It's pointless…she'll always make you feel guilty."

Blinking, Hiro squeezed water from his mane and sighed.

The flap to the lodge flew open and Yuuji poked his head in. "Brother, everyone is waiting at the spring. Ayaka and…Sakura…" He flashed his eyes at Yuki, "…are there too." With a swish he dropped the leather flap and left.

Hiro and Yuki stared at each other and visibly gulped.

Leaving the warm earthen mound both shivered a little when they got outside in the fresh spring night air. "It takes a stronger man to face his fear," Yuki said suddenly, a mantra to keep his feet moving forward.

Nodding, Hiro walked along with him, through a crowd all decked out in pretty leathers, standing close to their mates or their friends. Everyone eyed them as they made their way to the pool of the freshest mountain water wishing them luck and bowing in the name of Kiyoshi—the Uesugi spring god. The spring itself bubbled up from somewhere deep in the mountain, Kiyoshi's sanctuary somewhere in the depths of the earth. On top of the water the moon was reflected and it gave the rock surrounding them a bluish dreamy tinge. It did the same to their bodies, which were still damp after washing.

Yuki and Hiro laid eyes on their future mates, both as beautiful as water sirens, standing their unclothed and waiting for them. Their long hair hung like a pair of silk curtains down their backs, the moon also creating a bright halo like glimmer over the crown of their heads. They turned to watch their approaching selected mates.

Hiro saw that Ayaka's face was utterly calm, showing just how disciplined she could be. But her cousin, she seemed nervous; she fidgeted…her fingers digging under her nails. Hiro stepped into the cold pool of water and took his place next to Ayaka, watching Yuki do the same, his pale face hidden by the dim of night. Hiro looked back to see his mother who was watching this intensely, she blew him a kiss but her eyes were creased with worry. He looked for Shuichi but he couldn't see him anywhere, Hiro sighed. This had to be kind of painful for him to watch, he didn't blame him. And his father stood next to Papa who stood in front of them like priests, in the water as well up to their ankles. Papa was wearing his robes, with his talisman hanging on his waist, his dragon totem slung over his neck along with some shells that tinkled with every movement. His father had his thick hide on, which was painted with his crane totem and decorated with white beads…it was something his mother made for him for their rites many years ago. Hiro could feel so many eyes on them but he didn't see K…Hiro breathed in through his nose and out his mouth to calm himself.

This was part of life…

It was custom…

But dammit, why didn't K show up?!

He had sent a message to him about the gathering. Hiro craned his neck around again looking for him in the crowd only highlighted by torches, which resembled a group of jittering fireflies. Nothing. Was he worried that he'd interfere or make Ayaka angry? Hmm, K probably wasn't half wrong. When Papa began to recite some known passages to the god Kiyoshi, Hiro turned back and listened.

He prayed to just let it be over quickly…

From atop a rocky hill not so far away K stood vigilant in soft beige leather and fur boots, he was bare from the waist up and in his hand he gripped a heavy spear tightly, its tip was planted firmly into the ground. He was looking down at the ceremony, the moon glowing behind, turning the front of him into an ominous silhouette. He very much felt like the swooning wolf atop the hill, ready to howl painfully at the moon—tempted to release his frustrations in just that way. But he had to be here for Hiroshi, having gotten the invite from his spirit mate, but he didn't want to create a stir. K couldn't hamper this ceremony again.

No, not again.

So he would do what he had to and wait.

Down below was such a beautiful setting, his mammoth spirit unclothed, the blue-glow of the moon accentuating his lithe body. His mate Ayaka was rivalling every woman in the camp, including her cousin who K thought was in love with Hiro's brother. And Yuki, he couldn't believe that man was actually going through with it standing on two feet now that he knew the truth. He was surprised the man hadn't fled or fainted yet. They all stood in a pool of clear water, next to the wall of a rocky mountain and the rest of the clan before it like a stage.

Everything just seemed wrong…it felt wrong.

Swiping his hair out of his face as the breeze blew it to the side, he watched with mixed feelings as the Uesugi chief began to talk. K could only hear it as a murmur, so he could not understand the words.

He swallowed back bitter tears with a hardened face.

Cold water from the spring got poured over each of the soon-to-be-mated. "…to open their souls before you our god!" Papa continued to preach, "Give them your love and blessing to be united in spirit and body. Let our family prosper and grow as we follow you, our sacred saviour!"

Ayaka snuck a glance at Hiro only to see his grey eyes meet hers—they looked so sad. Blinking for a second she set her eyes back on the chief and sighed in thought. Then Sakura took her hand, gripping it as if she was drowning in this spring. Ayaka flashed her eyes at her cousin, the one that shared her boar totem. She felt something in her heart…a pit of despair.

"With Kiyoshi's blessing you can kiss and seal this pact Hiroshi and Ayaka, Yuki and Sakura."

Hiro's heart pounded in his chest, he faced Ayaka looking into her big doe eyes. From the other side he vaguely heard Sakura begin to cry. The blood pounded behind his ear drums, it was now or never, he leaned in…

The drumbeat thumped fretfully…

The air stood still and everything began to move as if in slow motion…

His lips were almost upon hers…

"STOP!"

Like a bang the command came not only from Ayaka, but Hikaru as well!

"I can't do this!" began to wail Ayaka, "He isn't in love with me and I can't do it! I can't…"

Huh? Hiro flashed his eyes at her.

Everyone froze and many gasped in complete shock. Murmurs began to run rampant throughout the crowd.

"Quiet!" ordered Papa.

The crowd quickly hushed.

Perplexed, Hiro swung his head in his father's direction in question.

Yuki wiped a fugitive tear from Sakura's face tenderly, he felt sorry for her and he understood how she felt. Looking over he too studied Hiroshi's father mystified as well. What was happening, he wondered his stomach still wound up like a knot.

"I just can't let you do it. None of you…" breathed Hikaru. "Never in my life have I seen so much sadness standing before Kiyoshi and Gaia…never. How can I force four people that seem to have no desire what's so ever to be a part of each other's lives? Simply to continue our kind…" The chief stared over at his mate, Hiro's mother, and paused for a good long moment as if in thought.

Everyone hung on with bated breath waiting for the chief to continue.

Hikaru stared straight at his son, "Hiroshi, your mother told me the story you told her while recovering from Mount Hotaka. At first it was just astonishing! Spirit's in a dream? Two spirits finding each other and then this story of the wolf and mammoth…" Hikaru sighed, "It turned everyone's world upside down! That's what it did, you know? What kind of work is that of our god's? If it weren't so obviously true, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes…I would have laughed at your mother's story…your story."

Hiro swept his eyes at his mother. He'd told her that story in confidence.

"Hiro…don't be upset with your mother for telling me that. She did it in your best interest." Hikaru sighed, "This ritual, this…this order, it can't be the only way! I thought having those Winchesters around would bring a bad omen, that they bring their evil to our camp…slowly killing off our kind, corrupting everything. But…that never happened. Together we've all learned to thrive, endeavour better then ever. I thought that yellowhair was your nemesis Hiro, a misguided spirit here to mislead you from your path."

"Father…" Hiro breathed astounded by his father's words.

"But I'm wrong because yet our kind prospers…" Hikaru added with a distant voice.

"Hikaru Nakano!?" stormed Papa finally. "What are you saying? That arranged couples are wrong? Are you suddenly putting yourself up there like a god of your own?! Are we just supposed to anger the god's like belligerent children?"

"No!" Cho spoke up, "He means that we should not stop people who have found their own mates, those that have already found love from being forced together simply for our clan to prosper. Spirits like that have already found each other…I imagine that is Gaia's way, Kiyoshi's way I'm sure of it. They guided them and we should respect that."

Hikaru smiled at his mate. "I can't tell you how scared I am to say all this. But I feel its right and I had a long time to think about this. Thanks to you my son."

Hiro cast his eyes down; his father was talking about him missing last year's ceremony. "I'm sorry father," Hiro said looking back at him.

"No, son…I'm the one that is sorry. I'm sorry to you too Yuki. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks…so, I can't take back some of the bad things I've said or done to you both. But I am sorry," the Nakano chief said painfully.

"Oh, I dunno about that father," said Hiro incredulously, "You seem to be doing a pretty good job of it now."

Hikaru actually smiled warmly at his son.

Papa wasn't totally convinced by all this progressive discussion. "But what if—"

"—we anger the gods?" Hikaru countered, cutting off his long time friend. "Yes, perhaps we might. But it's a risk I'm willing to take just to see my sons happiness." Hikaru looked over at Yuuji. "I never would have imagined you'd be the one that really deserves this mating ceremony my boy."

With glee Sakura splashed out of the spring and leapt into Yuuji's arms.

Hiro smiled and looked back at his father. "Why didn't you decide this before I we almost went through with everything?" Hiro started but held up his hand, "No, forget that…father, are you sure you're alright?" Hiro screwed up his face in puzzlement. Then Hiro looked at Ayaka, "I'm sorry…"

"WAIT!" cried Papa. "So this is it then? You're gonna throw tradition away, upset everything?!" The man looked to be red in the face.

Hikaru went all crescent eyed and nodded in the Nakano way.

Papa gaped at Hiro's father dumbstruck. "Why you crazy oaf! THIS ISN'T FUNNY!"

But the Nakano chief put his serious face back on and levelled his eyes on Papa, "Are you saying you'd rather cast your son out because he loves someone else? Are you blind? I know I have been, but I'm trying to change that right now. It's as good a time as any. Do you really want to have your children all hating you? Did you really want to send them up Mount Hotaka…?"

Papa looked at Eiri then and looked a touch guilty. He grunted a soft 'no'.

For the first time in ages Yuki smiled at his father. This was insane, he thought. This could be nothing short of a miracle. Maybe there really were gods listening to him after all! Yuki stared up at the stars and moon in wonderment.

Out of nowhere Shuichi barrelled through the crowd like a tornado and launched himself at Yuki, taking him down into the pool of water roughly. Down they went splashing into the spring, dredging anyone nearby.

"I couldn't bear to watch you get mated to someone else. I couldn't! But I was peeking anyways, because well…you're naked and—waaaa Yuki!" Shuichi rambled on incoherently. "Mine, mine, mine…all mine." He hissed at the crowd.

There was silence now except for a few crickets.

It had been so stressful, so painstaking all this time, dealing with all this stuff…that Yuki could only laugh. For once he laughed at the situation, it was just so over the top that he'd felt as if he'd cracked. All his anxiety about getting paired and the stupid beliefs his father and Hiro's father and their families practiced was finally being reviewed. Somewhere in the celestial world someone, something, drilled some sense into everyone's brain.

Watching the one man that barely ever cracked a smile suddenly laugh caused the entire group to start laughing too.

Papa stood there with his mouth hung open, looking awkward.

Hiro stopped his laughter and thought about K again, where was he?! Where was he to see this?! But then his father touched his arm and Hiro turned to hug his father, "I don't know what to say…"

"Don't say anything…I know you want to go find him. And…" Hikaru took a breath, "…I'm not going to stop you anymore Hiroshi. I knew it from the first day you brought him to our home. But I was wrong…"

"Father, don't be so hard on yourself…"

The chief sighed, "I know…but I've been unfair and I wish I could have realized things sooner. I wish I wasn't so scared about change. But I do know one thing…you can't help who you fall in love with."

Glancing up at his father Hiro replied, "I'll never forget those words…"

"Neither will I," Hikaru said and was suddenly ambushed.

Hiro's mother practically tackled them both.

"Mom…" groaned Hiro half teasingly and squeezed them both quickly. But he pushed himself back and asked, "So what happens now?"

"We let Yuuji have his rites," Cho answered. "But Hiroshi…I don't think the ceremony is made for two males. And even if it was, I don't think your father or everyone is ready to take that step quite yet. You know that we've never looked down on two men being together, it's something that happens everyday in our clan…I imagine so with the Winchesters too. But the idea in the beginning was for the gods to bless us with children between a male and female. Please understand? I know that you may never bring forth children, but that is your choice to make…not mine. Trust me Hiroshi; I don't think you need a ritual to know that your spirits are already blessed."

Hiro gave his mother another warm hug, "I think I can understand that."

Everything down below was like watching a dream unfold, perhaps a nightmare? K rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't sleeping and imagining things. He could only hear part of what was going on, but mostly he only heard Papa screaming. But he definitely heard Ayaka and he definitely saw Shuichi and Yuki.

Huffing with surprise, K knew he needed to go to Hiro now! Some how the ceremony was over and yet Hikaru and Ayaka stopped it! Millions of questions ran through his mind as he stood there.

Hiro watched as his brother Yuuji and Sakura had their rites performed. They looked so happy and eager, and for the first time in a long time he felt relieved and happy. After Yuki stopped laughing and got Shuichi off of him, they now stood next to him watching the rites as well. And on his other side stood Ayaka, now donning a frock and she smiled at him too…only then the smile disappeared.

"Hiroshi…" she started, "I don't know what came over me in the last while. I…I just felt so jealous that you loved that man more than me. I worried…I worried that I wasn't good enough—"

"—Ayaka, no…no that's not it," Hiro cut her off. "You'll be someone's perfect mate, I know it! You're beautiful and smart and any man will be the luckiest guy around to have you. I just can't help how I feel…"

"I know…" she whispered and said, "I'm sorry that I caused you so much trouble."

Hiro waved his hand nonchalantly, "Meh, it's alright…no worries." But her 'trouble' comment had him thinking about K again. This time he looked around, this time he looked up. A breath escaped him as his eyes landed on a figure up on a hill not so far away. He knew that stance! Hiro could feel K's gaze on him instantly, his heart leapt!

Without a second thought Hiro tore off towards that hill. He heard a few call out his name but their voices were drowned by the roaring in his mind. His heart raced in a good way this time as he tread over sticks and stones, climbed up a small incline and meandered his way up to the peak of stony hill. Huffing at the top, he bent and placed his hands on his knees to catch his breath all while smiling at K. "Y-you came…"

"Hiro…" K murmured and turned to face him. "I don't understand."

Chuckling, Hiro replied gleefully, "I don't understand it either!" He stood up and walked over to stand in front of K and gave his spirit mate the warmest look, eyes twinkling in the moonlight.

K still looked confused, "I saw your brother having his rights with Yuki's mate."

Hiro shook his head, "Nope, that is Yuuji's mate now…don't worry I'll explain everything. Right now I just want you to know that I love you. I love you K of the Winchester clan…please tell me you still love me too?"

It took a moment before it sunk in, but when it did, K dropped the spear and swept his palm over Hiro's cheek softly and up into his silky hair, "Of course I still love you…I can't go through a day without thinking how much I love you Hiroshi. If I could have it my way…we'd be together always."

Beaming, "That's exactly what I wanted to hear," Hiro said ardently and got up on his toes. He pulled K's head down to his so he could unite their spirits under the light of the full moon with beautiful kiss of his own. He kissed K with no more torment and tension but only with freedom. It was a kiss was full of passion!

K wrapped Hiro up in his arms and held him so tight, "I never want to let you go again," he said almost painfully ending the kiss for a moment.

"Then don't…" Hiro said simply and met K's lips once more.

From down below their families watched them. They were like two shadows against the moon, statues mounted atop the peak. No one gave protest, no one uttered a word, and many even held a smile. Yuki and Shuichi pulled each closer, Yuuji and Sakura snuck off to find an empty cot, Suguru and Sakano looked on not surprised, Papa scoffed and Cho snuggled under her mates arm.

"I knew Gaia was testing us," she said looking up and watching her son proudly.

"And you'd be right my mate…you'd be right," Hikaru answered.

A/N: Sorry that it took me so long to get this chapter up. The week was just hectic and I really wanted to edit this properly. So PHEW eh? Finally Hiro's dad realizes how wrong he was, Ayaka chooses not to mate with Hiro, and Yuuji's getting lucky :P I know in my past stories Hiro's parents weren't evil like I see so often. And normally they'd be ACK if he were really with K and running away from arranged marriages XD...in the modern world tho. And most likely his father would have stayed nasty and wouldn't have been persuaded so easily as he was here in this chapter...but that wouldn't be any fun. I wanted Hiro's parents to love him in this fic, or at least for his father to realize that...Hiro deserves love man! Anyways, one more chapter to finalize all this.

Reviewers:

Dancing Coconuts: Thanks hun for you comments! Yup Hiro's dad really did a 180 in this chapter...it was time he came around. And no worries, cheaters to suck but everything happens for a reason.

xxDream Theaterxx: Weee thank you! Ohh yes isn't the Clan books wonderful? I love them too, I own all five of her books, Jean Auel is an amazing writer. And yeah I tend to think up strange plots to make Gravi fics in. My OTP is K and Hiro..but I squeeze in a bit of this and that, like Yuki and Shu. Original stories are fun, but it's twisted fun to make these type of stories into fanfiction. I love Gravi and it's fun to keep changing their worlds lol! I'm SO glad you took a chance to read mine And the question about homosexuality, oh yeah that gets answered in the later chapters, life in this age isn't as it would be nowdays. Everyone is pretty cool about sex here, only even in this era it still causes some trouble :P

Kim: OHh thank you so much!! I try to fit a little bit of everything into my stories. Your words mean a lot!