In The Previous Chapter: "Sometimes difficult decisions calls for sacrifices to be made to fulfill the paths we decided to follow." He gave her a deep, sincere smile this time. Hinata looked at him confused. "It's like you said. It is out of your hands, isn't it?"
Umeko Hyuuga from the branch family dashed through Konoha's walls the following day. Her mission was clear, she had to substitute Lady Hinata's role in the investigation squad. Both Ko and Hiashi watched as she disappeared from view. "Little Hinata will be back soon." Ko sighed, content with knowing she would be returning. Hiashi remained serious unable to say anything. The former nanny looked at the father with confusion. "You don't seem pleased in the least by this. I know she has to fight Hanabi, but with the 64 palms and her blossoming confidence I am sure she can hold her own! I promise you she won't be defeated this time."
Hiashi let out a shaky sigh. "That is precisely what I fear. There is no question she held back in the previous match. Her skills were a reflection of herself years ago, not the woman she is becoming now. No amount of lost confidence could cause such a decline. I know my daughter... Ko has she mentioned anything to you...about anything?" He felt uneasy having to rely on a fellow clan member in raising his child but with Hiashi's own father being so concerned for her...was unsettling.
Ko looked at him seriously. "You fear for her victory? Why?" He attempted to keep the emotions out of his voice but something terrible was settling in his stomach. Hiashi turned to him and gestured for them to walk back. They walked evenly with each other attempting to be as discrete as possible. "My father wants to brand Hinata with the Branches cursed seal if she wins this match." Ko immediately stopped, his eyes wide with terror at the words that were spoken by the Head of the Clan.
No..no it can't be. Brand little Hinata? That old fool has gone mad! "B-brand little Hinata...you can't allow that! Hiashi she is your daughter, your ELDEST daughter! You are the Head of the Clan not him! What he did... with Hizashi...you must not let him repeat it. How could he consider such a thing with his own granddaughters?" Ko whispered furiously at Hiashi, reminding him of the bitter loss of his brother for the good of the family.
It brought a smile to the aging father on how much he cared for his daughter. "Thank you Ko. He must have gotten the idea by Orochimaru's words in their previous match. These old men are cunning. My father already told the Branch family of Hinata's fate if she were to win. If I say against his promise to them, we could have conflict again. This time...there is no Neji to help us." Both men kept quiet until they reached the gates of the clan estate. Ko who was once cheerful of her return was now quietly praying for her to not return. He let out a sheepish chuckle at the thought. Hiashi startled by the man looked at him as if he had gone mad.
"I was just wishing Hinata wouldn't return. As if some higher power would make my wish come true...poor Hinata doesn't know about what waits for her." Ko muttered quietly. Hiashi rolled his eyes at the man. "Don't speak so loudly. If anyone from the Branch heard you, we will not hear the end of it."
Yugakure
The hotspring town they chose for the exchange was nicely populated and made it easier to enter undetected. It had taken them two days to reach the town from Kirigakure prompting a short reprieve from their travels. Some of the samples they had found on the final corpse had indicated the person was using projectile weapons. From the clean cut of the skin and the indentations on the cuts had proven that most likely Giant Shuriken was the preferred weapon of choice. Also on closer inspection, the clothes of the victim had the scent of smoke.
Bringing together this finding both Kabuto and Orochimaru seemed on edge much to both the kunoichi's confusion. Orochimaru being more irritable than usual and Kabuto withdrawing into the recesses of his mind, thinking over the situation quietly to himself. They had a culprit in mind but both refused to say without certainty who it was they suspected. Even Hinata couldn't pry anything out of Orochimaru, if she attempted to seek any clue out of him he would narrow his eyes at her dangerously. It left her stunned such detachment and secrecy he still kept with her. She had begun to believe he trusted her whole-heartily.
They had split into teams of two Sakura and Hinata agreeing to keep the two men apart. Since it was also Hinata's last day on this mission before her departure the first half of the day she would watch over Orochimaru. That left Kabuto with Sakura, who agreed to scout around listening for rumors of deaths to indicate where their culprit is striking. Hinata took this opportunity to connect once more with Orochimaru, happy to spend solitary time with him. She had her Byakugan activated to keep an eye on their two other members and for her relatives arrival.
"Even with the Hyuuga's luxury I never enjoyed a private bath." Hinata sighed happily, the warm water eased all the stress away. Orochimaru made a sound with his throat, his eyes closed in relaxation. It was a rather unique bath house, then again she noticed how much Orochimaru wasn't particularly tight handed when it came to spending. The entrance was not in front facing towards the street but instead facing the alley. The heavy stench of perfume in the air completely vanished when they entered the large room Orochimaru had reserved. When he had planned this she wasn't sure but it almost made her uneasy. Almost.
The washroom was at the entrance of their room. Just a few steps down, the bath was carved into the earth. Mimicking a hot spring, this room felt like a tiny oasis with rainforest plants adorning the room. On the right was a single door she had assumed was to the restroom but her Byakugan told her otherwise. Behind the door was a bedroom. She saw the soft circular mattress in the center of the room with refreshments. Orochimaru's intentions bringing a smile to Hinata.
Without a word Hinata quietly swam towards Orochimaru. She placed a kiss on his lips before climbing out. She could see him stir behind her as his eyes watched her walk away from the bath. How carefully he paid attention to how her bare curves swayed, her muscles tensing and relaxing as she climbed up the steps. After a beat Orochimaru also got out, slightly aroused by her bold and up front move. She couldn't resist but blush and smile to herself as he walked quietly behind her, almost stalking her. Her heartbeat accelerated as butterflies fluttered in her stomach, with childish giddy she suddenly began to run towards the door.
She slide a bit on the floor but managed to keep her speed as she bolted to her bag. Orochimaru followed her lead and ran after her, enjoying the chase scenario. Hinata quickly pulled one of the bottles with the vitamins clutching it tightly as Orochimaru charged towards her tackling her from the side as they landed on the bed. The sudden brush of his skin on her side, caused her to laugh at the tickling sensation. Orochimaru pulled her close, the change in temperature from the water compared to the air sending shivers down his body. He relished the feel of her body trembling from the laugh. Her chest rising and falling sharply. He squeezed her tightly testing to see how much he could limit her squirming.
"Here." She held the bottle for him to see. He took a hold of it looking at it carefully before turning to her. At first he had taken them before intimacy but the mission in Kirigakure had prevented such enjoyable activity, she still had requested for him to continue taking it. The only thing it can do is give her the satisfaction of him complying to her demand. He knew the contents she was mixing, but now that things will take a turn for the sake of entertainment, being blunt was the final option. It was going to come one day. He thought to himself.
"Even now you look after my health Hinata. I wonder what color Kabuto's face would turn to know you look after me more diligently than he did." He looked at her for a reaction. He felt how her body stiffened. "Your getting clever in your trickery but don't forget I am the master of all. Since the very beginning I have been open with you about this and dislike repeating myself numerously. However, for you I am willing to be patient. Tell me exactly what you want Hinata, speak to me bluntly."
Hinata felt how her heartbeat was racing and how slowly his was. She wasn't sure whether to look at him or not. "Hinata?" He squeezed her more firmly. He wanted an answer now. "Family!" Her voice cracked with a fear stemming in the pit of her stomach. Orochimaru held on to her. Whether it was shock or to maintain his clutches on her she wasn't sure. He was burning into the back of her head with his gaze as if she were some abnormality of nature. She waited for him to speak...for so long it seemed. They both lay there, their bodies now cold despite the warm bath earlier. It seemed that for once Orochimaru was unable to find anything to say.
"I want a family...with you..." She repeated, her voice fading as she finished. He remained quiet. Was he really not going to respond to her? She began to feel dread and an emptiness spill through her veins. "Orochimaru?" She finally turned around to look at him. Even though she could see his face, he could not see hers. She wanted him to see how serious she was. He studied her face, the determination in her expression. A look he has seen often not just in her, but every woman he has come across some time or another. He let out a heavy sigh before rolling onto his back. "What for?" Orochimaru asked dully.
Hinata felt a crack in her heart in hearing his voice so cold. "What for...? Because I love you." Hinata sat up looking down at him. He couldn't repress the groan in hearing those words come out of her lips. He almost wanted to cringe but instead a small panic seared through his chest. "Even if you don't believe in such things, I do. And I want to have a child with you. You said some time ago...when we first made love...the chances of me conceiving a child from you, were low. Why?" He finally sat up , looking at the floor.
He began to chuckle to himself. Of course she wants a child. His laughter began to escalate as it evolved into something resembling a cackle. His head thrown back from his fit, tears streamed down the side of his face, Hinata stared unsure of what to do flicked them away from the corner of his eyes and lay back down on the bed. He patted the mattress space behind Hinata, telling her to lay down beside him without using a single word. "Let me answer your question with a question. How many bastards do you think Jiraiya has running around?"
Jiraiya again? Bastards running around...none that I know of. Or anyone knows of for that matter. Orochimaru chuckled as he sensed her scowl. "I'll tell you." He lifted a hand up in the air lazily, his hand outstretched almost stretching towards the ceiling. Then in a swift motion he formed a zero. "None. Not a single one. Now he was a very...passionate man. He enjoyed the company of beautiful woman, in all his years not a single woman has come forward with a child of his. Odd considering his reputation wouldn't you say?" Orochimaru's eyes fogged as he contemplated his past. Hinata looked at him unsure of how Jiraiya's implied sterility story connected with him.
"It's a funny thing being an orphan in Konoha. As a child the orphanage I stayed in was connected with the academy, and so only the most skilled and elite of our generation were taken care of there. It wasn't a luxury at all but we were fed and had a cot to sleep. In times of war we were to excel at being shinobi. In times of peace we were expected to stay tucked away until use for us came. Logical. However, there was something people feared more than just us." Orochimaru thought carefully on his explanation. "Now with such promising weapons, what do you think they did?" Hinata shook her ahead, truthfully not understanding what they would do. Orochimaru looked at Hinata his lips forming a sly smile.
" They drugged us...poisoned us slowly since childhood to keep us from 'breeding'. Weapons of high caliber are not suitable for family life. We were led to believe we were blessed to be orphans, not limited to bonds of flesh and blood. The entire village was our family and we were its noble defenders. Haha, and it was all one big lie. The village didn't think of us in the same light, just slowly waiting and praying for us to fade and forget the sins they enacted on us, condemning us to live in such a violent and often tragic world. Of course I discovered this long after the program ended. Told to turn a blind eye and forgive, 'One day you will understand I did this in your best interest, even if it doesn't make sense right now that you are young'. I am now old and understand, I still can't forgive them though." Orochimaru sighed almost sadly thinking back on the idiotic fools who dreamed to start a "family" one day, talking of how they envisioned their children laughing happily in a time of peace. A family he knew would never be possible yet never had the heart to tell a single soul.
Hinata was left stunned. He knew what she was trying to do this entire time, yet didn't bother to stop her. No. She hadn't listened to him. He had "told" her since the beginning. She was just too naive to decipher what he meant. "I-I'm sorry. I'll stop now." It was the only thing she could bring herself to say. He let out a small laugh at her pathetic apology. "Don't pity me. I never understood the functionality of a family and if I once did I forgot a long time ago. Its funny I never could see myself with a child." Orochimaru muttered under his breathe. He reached out and grabbed a lock of her hair, twirling it in his fingers before reaching an arm around her and bringing her closer to him.
"But did you want one?" Hinata whispered as she felt his lips kiss her shoulder. "Just because you can't see yourself with something doesn't mean you can't have it." She closed her eyes as his hand massaged her abdomen, one of his legs coming around resting on her thigh. "Of course it doesn't." He replied as his kisses began to work their way into her neck. "You always say you don't understand families...but you never said you never wished to have one." Orochimaru lay his head on top of hers. Hinata felt how the muscles of his face tensed in different areas as it became a smile. His smile brought her own smile out. "Have you?" She saw as his heart began to race faster, their lust kicking in as every touch flawlessly heightened the chemistry between them.
As the evening approached Hinata crossed her legs together, self-conscious of how other's passing by might think of her being next to a man alone. She wondered if it was easy to tell when someone was having intimate relationships. Sakura didn't seem to suspect in the least. Kabuto...he probably was aware but if he was he had yet to approach either of them about it.
Orochimaru looked around the various people walking about. His eyes jumped from face to face, looking for someone with the Hyuuga Clans empty eyes. Today was supposed to be the day Hinata would be exchanged for another Hyuuga. He felt a light hand rest on his right shoulder, then felt as it glided to his tense back as it began a nice circular rhythm. He let out a breath as he relaxed himself, pushing against the comforting hand. "Seems your relative is in no rush to arrive." He leaned against the bridge railing and took a hold of her hand, bringing it forward before laying a kiss. "And here I was hoping she would arrive so you and I could have a word with her about the exchange." He looked up at his lover, a gentle breeze was allowing her hair to float behind her.
A shudder ran through his spine seeing her byakugan activated. The power almost radiating from her eyes, eyes he had grown fond of. She smiled at his words. "I guess that won't happen." They stood there quietly, Orochimaru holding on to her hand. "This Umeko-chan, is rather 'ordinary talent' you say?" He chuckled, repeating her words of description. Hinata shrugged her shoulders making a face. "That's what I said. She has potential to be an exceptional wielder of the Byakugan, more talented than the average of our clan but she is still a gennin so its hard to say. Nothing truly exceptional...my late cousin Neji was our genius." She replied rather bored. "They sent a gennin Hyuuga to replace me."
Orochimaru nodded at her words, calculating the adrenaline in her voice. The excitement that was pulsing. "I just hope she will be fun to play with." Orochimaru sank his teeth into the skin of her hand prompting her to quickly withdraw it from his grasp. He let out a deep laugh as she scoffed at him, massaging her hand. "Fun to play with...you seem rather eager for this meeting." She muttered under her breath. Orochimaru smirked at the heiress. "Do I detect jealousy Hinata? That's rather odd for such a sweet and kind lady. You should know better..."
He grabbed a hold of her head as their foreheads connected. "A toy is meant to be played with and outgrown. A treasure is meant to be kept forever. Do you understand?" Hinata looked into his intense serpentine eyes, looking within them for an answer. Toys and treasure? She thought for a moment his metaphor as his gaze refused to waver. "I-I think so but...how can you tell which is which?" Orochimaru's smirk grew wider at her puzzlement. "You know what you consider a treasure and what is just a toy dont you Hinata?"
Hinata thought over his answer. She smiled warmly at him. "Of course I do. Treasures are meant to be kept forever, no matter what the cost." Orochimaru patted her head gently. He leaned forward bringing her into an embrace. She wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. Thank you for being by my side. Hinata thought to herself, wishing to say it out loud but knew better.
"She is within range. About 30 miles from the east entrance." Hinata whispered to him. "Im glad you see it my way." His voice whispered in her ear. Among the crowd of people walking past them distracted with the various attractions she recognized two walking towards them through the crowd. "Sakura and Kabuto are approaching." She pointed to the left of the bridge. He placed a final kiss on her neck before they pulled apart as they waited for their two teammates to approach.
"Hinata you're still here? Looks like your replacement hasn't come yet, huh?" Sakura greeted. Hinata shook her head. "No, if she comes within 15 kilometers I should sense her approaching." Hinata sighed. "Okay then, Orochimaru and I will continue investigating." Sakura sighed. It was troublesome splitting up these two criminal shinobi. It was a disadvantage at this point but the case was a pressing issue as well. Orochimaru nodded and gave Hinata a subtle wink that went undetected by the pink haired kunoichi before following behind Sakura.
Kabuto remained quiet and sat beside Hinata on the bridge railing, exhausted from having to search for clues. "We haven't had much time alone to talk." Kabuto awkwardly began. Hinata nodded. "A statement that is true." Kabuto chuckled at her lack of stuttering now. "I assume the stuttering front is to keep Sakura from suspecting your alliance with us. Though I see why that might be an issue. Why not support Orochimaru in the open? Many have done it, why not you?" Kabuto adjusted his spectacles as the setting sun was radiating its last light for the day.
Hinata smiled innocently. "I think you know why. It wouldn't be appropriate for someone like me to be supportive of a highly hated man like Orochimaru. My family wouldn't take kindly that kind of behavior from me-" Kabuto's lips formed a sneer at the mention of her family. "Your family? Do they really matter much to you? From what I have gathered about you, you aren't exactly comfortable with them are you? You doubt them, am I right?" A small feel of satisfaction graced Kabuto's ego as the smile wiped off the Hyuuga's face. "What do you know of me?" Her voice was unusually cold and calculated.
"My what a tone. Nothing that isn't obvious to our kind." He sighed while he casually stretched. Hinata glared at him suspiciously. "Our kind you say?" The venom could be detected that coated her words. "Relax. I wouldn't take it as offensive unless you consider ignorance a blessing. At first I couldn't understand why you would involve yourself with Orochimaru either. The pair of you...just didn't feel right. Then the cold distance you have when your family is brought up, was troublesome to figure out." Hinata let out a deep breath at his analyzation.
"Like you said, its nothing that isn't obvious right? At least to 'our kind', as you put it." Hinata mocked. Kabuto chuckled softly. "There is just one thing I can't figure out. You don't have to tell me but I am curious. I have dealt with Orochimaru for a lot of years. I think we can both agree it takes a specific type of person to be able to comprehend him and even a more narrow and specific kind for him to find acceptable. He and I got along well enough because of our intellectual and empathetic compatibility. Being able to understand orphan life, being used, wanting to discover more of this world, and of course retribution to life. Then there is you, nothing like either of us. You have a family, a very well-respected one at that, an identity, the chance to live comfortably..." Kabuto's tone became serious as he looked at Hinata. She refused to look him in the face as she listened to his words.
"Orochimaru is a man that doesn't give without taking." She looked down at the planks, how the sun was slowly slipping away from the shadow of her feet dangling from the rails. "I know that." She whispered to him. Kabuto nodded letting out a small sigh. "I gave him my whole being. Allowed him to mold me into whatever he wished. He chose to adopt me...in a way I did feel like he was a father to me and I was his son. Learning what I could as he protected me from Danzo. I gave him myself in exchange for an identity, a parent and a protector." He narrowed his eyes as he focused on observing Hinata's reaction. "What did you give him, and for what price?"
As strange as the situation was, Hinata felt the impulse to laugh. What had she given him? And what was she getting in return. Soft giggles played in her throat as she was unable to answer him. The urge continued and picked up power as she laughed at the question. She covered her mouth in an attempt to suppress it. Stifling her laughter, waving apologetically at Kabuto for her rude outburst. "I-Im sorry. I don't know what came over me." She breathed in between giggles. Kabuto shrugged off understanding she meant no offense. "No...I understand more than you would know. Your right...I do have a family. I should be ashamed to be so ungrateful for it."
Her Byakugan remained focus on her relative that was almost approaching the town gates. "But my family is probably worse than no family. Kabuto, you and Orochimaru have suffered the worst for the sake of someone...right? You severed your ties with the after being betrayed by those you trusted. I am the exact opposite of you and Orochimaru. You suffered for your abilities as shinobi. I on the other hand was pitied and belittled for my lack of abilities and suffered for it. Both of you were cast aside after your use was finished to fade away. I was cast aside without being used to rust away. You were betrayed by faces of strangers who you wanted acceptance from. I was betrayed by people who were my family." She finally turned to him. A terrifying gleam shone from the corners of one of her eyes. A single tear, ready to spill but holding on.
Kabuto gave Hinata a comforting smile as he lightly patted her head. "I understand perfectly my actions Kabuto. I know the consequences. I want to be like you. Im tired of watching those I admire transcend to higher places while I remain restrained and caged. I am done sacrificing myself for my family...being written off as the weak, kind, sweet Hinata Hyuuga needing to be protected. Burdening the Branch by my weakness who have to protect me and disgracing the Main. I want to be strong, I don't wish to be either from the Branch or the Main." Hinata nearly spat out furiously, amusing her senior.
"You better be careful with the words you speak. It sounds like the words a rogue." Kabuto teased withdrawing his hand. Hinata smiled at him, glad that he understood her. "It's like you said. Orochimaru is a man who gives and takes. An endless game of giving up pieces and taking them in order to get what we both want." Hinata sighed with content. They sat there for some time without speaking. The lanterns all lite and the moon the only source of light. Even at this hour crowds of people were still up and about. "So what turn is it now?" Kabuto asked out of the blue from the silence.
Hinata blinked caught off guard by the sudden question. "Im sorry?" Kabuto looked at her. "What turn are you on now?" Kabuto repeated. "Oh, that. It's his turn. He will take and give me something in return." Hinata blushed. She felt butterflies flying in her stomach once more in thinking of Orochimaru. "Oh have you given him what he will take?" Kabuto asked for the sake of conversation.
"Not exactly. Trust me I wish more than anything I could but sometimes things don't work the way one wishes they should. What with me having to make the exchange with my cousin and having to rendezvous here." She shrugged sadly and let out a sigh. Kabuto nodded keeping tabs on their situation. "By any chance is there any sign of you relative?" Kabuto dead-panned, scratching his head as he let out a small yawn.
Hinata shook her head making a face. "No. Not a single sign." She replied.
~~~...~~~
Umeko activated her byakugan as she approached the town. "Tch." She had hoped that the village would have been full of civilians but a large number were shinobi. Among the various shades of blue she spotted 2 variants. She slowed down as she approached the first. His deep purple chakra highly visible inside a tree. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. She looked at the second one deep within the city. The chakra in the one inside more stronger than the one waiting in the outskirts. A shadow clone.
"You were supposed to arrive sooner." There was no mistaking that frightening voice. The man emerged from the tree. His snake eyes piercing the coming darkness. "My apologies. I tried to arrive as soon as I could." She bowed immediately to excuse herself from having to make eye contact with him. All she heard was a scoff before the sound of his foot steps approaching her. "Very well lets go. We will cut through the city using the underground tunnels." He walked a little inside the woods before disappearing into a tunnel hole on the ground.
As she hopped after him she was surprised at the brightness inside. "You can de-activate your Byakugan now. Due to your tardiness you won't have all day to rest. We leave at dawn." He muttered. Umeko nodded and de-activated her Byakugan as instructed. Are you kidding me? This dawn?! Does he even know how draining it was for me to travel virtually non-stop to arrive to this crummy village? Its a miracle Hinata is still alive if he is always this demanding.
The sound of her exhausted breaths echoed through the underground tunnel. She began to feel dizzy from the serpentine paths as they entered one and another then slide through more. The humidity inside wasn't helping either. "How much farther if I may ask?" She wheezed as every breath began to burn. Orochimaru stopped immediately turning slowly to look at her. "I suppose here is as far as you will go."
With a swift motion she felt as an icy cold blade slit through diagonally, penetrating her flesh. It took her moment to realize what had happened. She wiped her hand at the blood pouring from her wound, struggling to shake herself from being startled. A panic vibrated along with her speeding heartbeat as the seconds stretched into minutes. She looked the man in the face. She let out a scream as she realized the bloodlust he was giving off. She tried to walk back, as if none of this was happening but only managed to slip. She had no hope of breaking free as he summoned snakes to bind her.
"W-why?! How dare you?! The Hyuuga Clan will have your head for this! Lady Hinata-!" She was cut off as he cackled loudly, sending chills through her body as she became fully immobilized by fear. "Your clan? What can your clan do? Surely all of them will come rushing out to avenge your death? That's funny. Hinata had told me you were quite exceptional for your age but...I have to disagree with her here." He held out his sword in front of him as she was aligned in the direct path of the blade.
"She is expecting me! Everyone will know! Lady Hinata will know and tell everyone from our clan. If you let me go, I promise not to say a word...please. Lady Hinata-" Orochimaru smirked as the girl weeped silent tears. Pathetically pleading for her life. "Lady Hinata? You really are a foolish girl aren't you? Don't worry you will be kept alive until tomorrow. You serve a better purpose as a corpse than a pitiful excuse for an exchange for my dear little Hinata."
He swayed the sword in his hand as he approached the fear stricken girl, humming a little at te thrill. "And guess what?" the girl tensed as the blade pierced her. Her body went rigid as her blank eyes stared onto the ground. "Lady Hinata sacrificed your life for her own personal gain. Isn't that nice? She is finally doing things for herself now. Aren't you glad for her?" Orochimaru's voice leered mischievously as the paralyzing poison took full effect.
He stood there a moment with the immobilized body of a Hyuuga on his blade before pulling it out and grabbing it from the clothes, carrying it as if it were a paper bag. "Yeah well I am. She is turning out quite nicely and I am being more of an honest man." He chuckled as he walked through the tunnel, the corpse being drained of the blood as he went on. He came across a door to which he pulled out an old key from unlocking it and entering to one of his old laboratories.
"Don't take it personally. Hinata would have been more than happy to do this personally but with all the arrangements and Sakura around we have to be as inconspicuous as possible. Your probably taught this lesson later on. You should really blame your family, after all this was really out of Hinata's hands." He placed the body in a preservation container, adjusting the machines settings so as to make it last as long as possible. "But that doesn't mean I can't take it into my own." In a whiff of smoke the clone vanished.
Long chapter this week. To be honest this could probably be made into like three parts but I think this huge one would be better. I dunno. I feel like this has more momentum than the previous ones. Anyway folks, enjoy and Stay Awesome! :3