ALRIGHT, BACK WITH CHAPPIE 31! I HAVE INDEED LOCKED THE PAIRING, AND DECIDED ON MY NEXT STORY. …WHILE YOU'RE ON THE INTERNET, TRY CHECKING THIS OUT ON YOUTUBE: WARNING; WEAR A DIAPER AND BRING KITTENS! POSTED BY PEWDIEPIE. HE'S A FUNNY GUY WHO PLAYS A VERY SCARY GAME! SERIOUSLY, IT'S UBER SCARY. DON'T WATCH IT IF YOU DON'T LIKE SCARY. …NOR SHOULD YOU WATCH IT AT 2 IN THE MORNING, LIKE ME o.O NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO SHOUT OUT TO SOME NEW REVIEWERS!

AUSTRIANTATIOUS- THATK YOU! I CAN'T BELIVE YOU READ IT ALL O.O BUT THANK YOU FOR THE ATTENTION!

JMichelleW- :;D THANK YOU FOR YOUR'RE COMMENTS! THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING FOR! I REALLY HOPE YOU KEEP ON READING!

LETS GET ON WITH IT! I DON'T OWN HnKnA (OTHERWISE, THE MANGA WOULD'VE ENDED BETTER!)

Ch.31: The Odyssey Begins.

I quietly opened the door to the tower and peeked around the corner, relived to find the coast clear. I motioned for White to follow as I entered the building, careful to make as little noise as possible. After scurrying to the stairs, I took them up one at a time, all the way up to my floor. I looked down the hall, wary that Alice's door was right next to mine. I looked back at White and whispered, "I know there's a guest room at the end of the hall. You go rest up there and I'll go to my room and this never happened. Got it?" He nodded and followed close as I tiptoed down to my door.

I gently opened it, careful so it wouldn't squeak. I had just gotten it wide enough to slip through and White had just come up behind me…when Alice opened her door to see us. Together. Sneaking into my room. Her jaw dropped to the floor and her eyes went big as saucers. She pointed at us, "Y-y-y-y-you and W-w-w-w-White?" I flew the scant feet between us, slapped my hand over her mouth, and shook my head like a wet dog, face flaming. "This. Is not. What it looks like. Ok?" She slowly nodded, eyes still large. White put his hand on my shoulder, smiling politely, "We were just having a nice chat." I glared at him, my blush deepening, "You're not helping!" I turned back to Alice, spun her around, and gave her a gentle shove back into her room. "You didn't see any of this." I reached in and closed the door behind her. "Great. Now she thinks…." White gave me a particular look, then smiled and continued down to the guest room. I glared at his back, what was that about?

I sighed, shook it off, and entered my room. …I swear by the Almighty, a chorus of angels started singing as my eyes settled on my giant, fluffy bed. I almost cried tears of joy. I took a running start and leapt into bed. Kicking off my boots and not bothering to change, I curled under the comforter in fetal position, grabbed Haru off the nightstand, and cuddled up to sleep at long last. …Whoever was unfortunate enough to get nominated to awaken me better have a helmet…and long club.

….

I groaned loudly as the covers were yanked off of me. I rolled over, still in sleep mode, not caring about anything but to sink back into dream land. I was then rudely lifted up by my shoulders and shaken gently. "C.J, time to get up. You've been asleep for a good nine hours." My eyes jumped open, now fully awake. I was slapped in the face by the sight of White, leaning over my bed, trying to get me to respond to stimuli. I jumped back, a blush rushing to my face, "I'm awake! I'm awake! What the h*** are you doing in here?" He smiled, "Everyone is here." Black snickered, "And no one else was willing to come and wake you're a** up." I huffed and crossed my arms, fuming at everyones apparent fear of me. Am I really that scary? …Though I did almost injure the last two guys who tried to wake me….

White smiled, and then held up Haru, "May I ask what this is?" I gave him a death glare and snatched Haru back, tossing him back to the nightstand, "No, you may not. Now get out, I need to get ready." He nodded, smiling, and walked out, shutting the door behind him. I sighed and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I wasn't tiered just…groggy. Like how most people actually get up rather early, then roll over and sleep till 2:00…I know I have.

I got up, paused, then locked the door, and then grabbed a quick 2 minute shower, then dressed appropriately for a rescue in a deserted, scary old city. A white thank, pale jeans, and a white jacket. You know, so I would blend in with the sand better. Though I probably won't be able to wear this again on account of the blood stains. I laced on my boots, which unfortunately were black, when I heard knocking on the door. "What?" I heard Yuri's voice from the other side of the wood, "Are you ready yet C.J? Alice already has some of your supplies ready." I nodded and, remembering he couldn't see me, yelled back, "Yeah, I'm ready…give me a minute, ok?" He didn't reply, but I heard his footsteps as he walked away.

I sighed deeply and walked up to the door. I turned back; taking in what I sensed was the last time I'd see this room. I shook the thought from my mind, yikes, morbid much? I then turned the nob and exited the room. I took the stairs down three at a time…only to run into White on the second floor…again. I rubbed my nose, "Man I need to watch where I'm going." He smiled down at me warmly, "Are you ready?" I paused and nodded, "Yeah. I mean, as ready as I'll ever be." He frowned, confused, "You seem down. Is something troubling you?" I took a breath to tell him, and then hesitated. I looked down at the mask, "Umm…is he listening?" He smiled again, "Not at the moment." I looked up at him, feeling the need to vent to him, "I've got this feeling." He raised his eyebrow, as though surprised, "What…feeling might that be?" I bit my lower lip, "Like…like I'll never see this place again."

He stared at me for a second, and then grabbed my hand, turning back to the stairs, "We should be going." I frowned, is he…disappointed? He dragged me down to the others without another word.

I grinned as I looked at my rescue team; plus a few extras. Ace, Peirce, Boris, and Yuri were at the door, backpacks on (except for Ace) and ready to go. Gowland, Vivaldi, all of Clover Tower of course, and even everyone from the Hatter Mansion was gathered around to see us off! Alice ran up and hugged me tight, "You come back safe now, ok?" I grinned and hugged her back, "Promise." She gave White a strange glare as she pulled away. Gowland and the Clovers all came up to me, Gowland the loudest, "Ha-ha! I have no doubt she'll come back alright! You've got a spine of steel!" Nightmare grinned, "Without a doubt! If anything, you'll be keeping everyone else safe!" Gray smiled, "I wish you luck C.J. I know you'll be fine." I smiled, "Thanks Gowland, Nightmare, Gray." …If I'm going to come back fine, why do I feel like I'm never going to see you all again? Julius stayed in the back, but he attempted to give me an encouraging smile. It looked more like a strained grimace, but the notion touched me. Vivaldi ran up and hugged me to, her poofy dress nearly swallowing me. "We will miss you very much C.J! Please, come back to us safely!" I grinned and patted her on the back, "I intend to." Next, the twins latched onto my sides as they sputtered some nonsense about how worried they'd be about me as the hare and boss stepped in front of me. Elliot grinned, "Good luck C.J! Come back safe!" I smiled at him. Blood stared hard at me, "…I hope you find what you're looking for C.J." I blinked at him, surprised by this send off, the grinned, "I hope so to Blood. I hope I will to."

After Elliot had peeled the twins off me, it was time to leave. Alice shoved some items into my bag as I walked by. I smiled at her and continued up to the others. "Alright, let's do this." I took a deep breath, and then opened the door.

…

No turning back now. The final stage of this game has begun.

THAT'S IT FOR CHAPPY 31! ONLY ABOUT 9 CHAPPIES LEFT BY MY CALCULATION! TT_TT BUT THAT'S ALRIGHT! I CAN START ON MY NEW STORY THEN! …WOULD YOU ALLL LIKE FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER TO BE ACTUALLY TRAVELING TO THE BADLANDS? I WAS PLANNING A TIME SKIP TO THE ACTUAL BADLANDS, BUT IT'D BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE FLUFF. AS ALWAYS, REVIEW OR THE BUNNY OF DOOM WILL GET YOU!