Chapter 4: The Night Walk

"The sky grew darker, painted blue on blue, one stroke at a time, into deeper and deeper shades of night."

― Haruki Murakami, Dance, Dance, Dance

Naruto & Hinata

"Welcome back!"

Naruto jolts, hands balling into fists quickly pulling a kunai from his pocket.

A soft voice floats from his kitchen. Not Old Man Third or one of his ANBU guards here to do another monthly report and check in on him. Ensure that any demonic tendencies he's been showing are under control, review that Konoha's surrounding rivers and forests are safe still from his wrath.

Hinata. His latest gift.

Naruto pauses at his door, loosens out the stiffness to his shoulders letting his suspicion fade.

Right, he should be used to her presence by now, this warmth that comes over him each time he returns to a no longer empty apartment.

Hinata hovers over two bowls of herbs and beef respectively, sends him a look when his lips scrunch just slightly as she prepares to mix the vegetables with the chopped chunks of meat.

"Successful first assignment?" She asks as Naruto moves to her side to help prepare the sauce and mix the eggs with the rice and other spices.

Naruto nods, gestures to twigs and mud mixed into her violet locks. He brushes out the closest leaves and stems into his hand absently, not noticing Hinata's sudden flush and glance to him.

"Yeah. You?" He questions.

Hinata laughs lightly. "Ah, barely. With 5 minutes to spare in finding Kurenai-sensei's clone thanks to Akamaru's nose."

That had been a week ago now, they'd skirted the topic of what future missions will mean for him as their village's tailed beast and her as the sacrifice tied to him.

Naruto shakes the memory away as he patters quietly out from the bathroom, sighing.

'She's so weird.'

He takes in Hinata's current curled up form, knows his sofa is as hard as stone despite her lack of complaints about her sleeping situation. No amount of stitching back in the cotton stuffing or pushing back in the looped silver springs time after time will make it feel like falling into a cloud.

Hinata stretches in her sleep, legs about to tumble off the sofa.

Again.

But even as Naruto admonishes her silently, he can't bring his gaze to leave her.

'I don't plan to go anywhere unless you want me to.'

Moonlight spills across her figure like a tilted glass as his mind replays her statement over and over again. It comes up in-between recollections of them training or eating together, reminds him he's truly no longer living alone.

It's all an endless loop he hasn't been able to shake off as easily as he first thought.

His heart lurches and he turns away. All he needed to do was take a quick leak, not stare at Hinata wondering why in the 3 months since being gifted to him she truly hasn't tried to escape or fight harder out of her current status as Konoha's latest sacrifice.

If she's going to be here long-term, then she'll need better bedding than his sofa.

He digs into his pocket for the clipping he stole out of the convenience store's magazine.

Futons aren't exactly cheap if he's going to get one that will last a long time. He needs more ryo, higher ranked missions than just finding cats or the missing keys of civilians that don't even like him touching their belongings in the first place.

'I could surprise Hinata with one if I just had a bit more ryo. I'm sure that furniture store still has some on sale from the New Year's festivals.'

He just needs to double check.

And on the way, he can visit the library and get those Warring State Era books he's had his eye for a while that must discuss the Uzumaki clan and their history at some point.

He grins at his new plans for the night, detours for his main entrance instead of going back to bed, Hinata stirring from the door clicking open.

Crap.

"Naruto? Where are you going at this time of day?" She blinks as her eyes quickly adjust to the dark, still too early for moonset or sunrise.

She can't recall him saying he had a new night or early morning mission Kakashi-sensei might've assigned his team. He would've mentioned it during dinner time or even before they went to their separate corners at bedtime.

Naruto shrugs, gives a half-answer needing to settle his thoughts away from her.

"Out for some fresh air. I should be back within an hour or so y'know."

Hinata straightens, about to get up when Naruto shakes his head.

"Alone. Gotta clear my thoughts." He clarifies.

"But, what about the night patrols-"

Naruto snorts, sends her a wry grin.

"Geez, you really were sheltered in that Hyūga compound. I memorized the routes of Old Man Third's guards over a year ago. You'll risk my cover and be a distraction if you come along." He states point blank before she can come up with any more excuses.

The last thing he needs is to have his heart and stomach annoyingly churning as she smiles gently at him, hands brushing against his own...

Hinata bristles at his tone before sighing. "I-In that case, you should know some of your favored escape paths are currently under construction. It's unlikely that the guards are going to be on their typical routes tonight."

Naruto frowns, cheeks prickling with heat. "Oh, err well, thanks for telling me that."

Hinata breaks into a smile, gets up anyways making him scowl.

She used to hate or skitter backwards when he even walked up behind her, now comfortably walking to him.

"You're not planning to break into the Hokage's office again; are you?" Hinata murmurs.

Naruto shakes his head, eyes wandering from her assessing gaze.

He clears his throat, hopes Hinata won't activate her byakugan and see the torn flyer within his jacket pocket.

"Not this time, y'know! It's...a secret; one you'll see soon enough!"

And hopefully like, a more comfortable bedding will mean better rest.

Hinata's brows furrow suspiciously. "It won't involve breaking the law?"

'As long as I get enough ryo, no.'

And that the seller is willing to take his ryo this time instead of pushing it away of his hands, pretend he doesn't exist until he finally has to leave his store.

She sighs at his lack of answer, nervously tapping her hands to her pajamas.

"Be careful. I-I've heard that some of the older chunin and jonin are unhappy you've officially become a shinobi."

Naruto yawns, nothing he doesn't already know. "Yeah, I've heard."

Hinata grabs his free hand before he can fully leave, pursing her lips.

"Seriously, t-these are people that truly don't care about the power of the deity within you!"

Naruto breaks her hold slowly and she steps back seeing scarlet swim into azure.

"I'll be fine; I'm used to such things in case you've forgotten. You don't need to worry about me Hinata, worry more about getting stronger because that cousin of yours will try to kill you if he gets the chance." He grunts.

Hinata squirms back as if stung, the topic of Neji enough for her to say nothing more he knows.

And with that, he heads into the dark.

Nightfall in Konoha is when he gathers the best secrets, learns about mundane matters such as shipments from the west coming in to more personal information couples and families keep hidden out of the daylight hours.

Like Hinata warned, the night officers are moving in more zigzag paths outside their usual straight patterns, working in pairs checking every alleyway for any stragglers coming out of the bars or clubs.

"I heard Ryugawa shirked his duties last night to play pachinko with a girl he met in the red-light district?" The first man he comes across bellows, walking ahead just slightly of his partner as he snickers.

His partner shakes his head. "I feel sorry for his wife. Miyami takes extra C, even B-rank missions and meanwhile he spends nearly half his ryo away on gambling, cheap thrills with ladies of the night, and booze."

Naruto rooftop hops to a building with creeping vines and moss as the duo stops, crouching low concealing himself where the moonlight doesn't land in case they decide to look up.

"Anyways, this area is clear. We should head back to the Hokage Tower. Lord Third said he needs to have a quick meeting with every guard from each shift."

The first man rolls his eyes. "Ugh, are you kidding me Shigashi?! About what? Our resident jinchuriki becoming a genin? Or that poor Hyūga girl that got tossed to him like yesterday's trash?"

Shigashi nods. "I don't make the rules Takiwara! Besides, better to stay on the demon's good side lest you want the village plunged into longer winters and summers filled with heatwaves."

Naruto clicks his tongue, edges closer avoiding the cracks in the rooftop's tiles.

Takiwara puts his hands behind his head, sighing.

"I'm starting to think Lord Third should retire making decisions like this. What happens if he gets assigned a mission and is captured by an enemy village?"

Shigashi waves off the idea, snickering. "Nah, his team has been purposely assigned basic D-rank and lower missions. Shitty jobs nobody can be bothered to do except the new Academy graduates."

Naruto watches them go, vines wilting to brown under the pressure of his hold.

"Is that so?" He mutters under his breath when he's sure he's alone, shifting his plans.

'Time to change that.'

Konoha- Root Foundation Meeting Room

"I can see why you two came to me. Honestly, I don't know what Hiruzen's thinking these days." Danzo sighs.

It's nearing daybreak from the tint of pinks and reds on the horizon, Hiruzen should be returning back to his home after giving an update to both the day and night shift guards of this newest change that's come to the Nine Tails.

Officially a genin.

It sounds ridiculous no matter how many times he's read the reports that confirm it.

Homura pours each of them a final cup of sake, sighing.

"You're Sarutobi's oldest friend and rival Danzo. Think you can find some time to talk some sense into him one-on-one in private?"

Danzo half-shrugs, but his mind has already gone into planning mode, little seeds of destruction he can have his root members spread for him around the village to both shinobi and civilian.

The encouragement of Sarutobi fully stepping down from the Hokage position for good, that he's been far too reckless with the village's safety allowing the Nine Tails now to roam free outside Konoha's borders.

'It won't be easily done considering how beloved Hiruzen is amongst the general public. His latest sacrifice to the jinchuriki appears to have been a success going by how profitable the markets and fields have been at the end of the year. On top of his skills as 'The Professor', a failed assassination attempt will set us back for years if it gets traced back to me or even Root. The only way to sway and cause doubt is for Hiruzen to make an order or action that will turn into a grave mistake.' Danzo considers.

A mistake that will lead to multiple lives lost, even major damage to Konoha's most prominent buildings if need be.

Koharu swirls at her glass, takes in her cloudy reflection.

"We don't necessarily want Sarutobi to step down if I may add, I just want him to put more...restrictions on the Nine Tails."

Danzo readily agrees. "No, no. I complete understand where you're coming as he's our village's weapon at the end of the day. He shouldn't even be going into the forests unsupervised or training knowing that can feed into the deity's strength and him potentially abandoning Konoha. Ah, but you know how Hiruzen can be when it comes to any subject involving him. Softhearted knowing he's the Fourth's son."

Homura scoffs, blunter with his words. "Other nations might think Konoha has gone weak if we let this carry on!"

Danzo holds up a hand, nods to his oldest friends and teammates.

"Let me handle things from here. I'll report back to you two in roughly 3 weeks or so with the progress I've made."

Koharu sits forward, interest sparking in her eyes. "Wait, can't you give us an idea of what you're thinking of?"

Danzo laughs coolly. "The less people that know, the better. As always, I would greatly appreciate it if you two continue to keep these little meetings we've been having from reaching Sarutobi's ears."

Homura chuckles in return. "Of course, nothing ever leaves these walls."

Danzo snaps his fingers then, a brunette stepping forward out of the darkness.

"Please direct them out, provide them with the packages of tea I had imported from Yugakure last month."

The man nods with a bow, gestures for Homura and Koharu to follow him to the entrance, Danzo rubbing his chin once he's fully alone.

'It's earlier than I expected with the chunin exams not even in play yet, though it's time I put in a few calls to my outside associates.'

Naruto -Hokage's office

"I don't feel your team is ready Naruto-" Hiruzen begins carefully.

Naruto unleashes a burst of wind scattering scrolls and papers into mini twisters before he can even finish speaking. His mood is the darkest he's seen it in a while, room feeling a degree hotter from his intense stare.

"I'm not asking you Old Man. I'm telling you to give us a C-ranked mission or higher." He reiterates.

He can feel Kakashi's disapproving stare on his back, Sakura's frustrated look at his complete rudeness to their village's leader. None of what they think matters, he's getting that extra ryo one way or another.

They should be happy he hasn't resorted to just stealing or outright pickpocketing it from any random shinobi or civilian that's too loose with their ryo to notice a few bills missing from their purse or wallet.

'Geez, he's been in such a volatile mood since meeting this morning!' Sakura restrains back an open enraged expression, fists tight at her sides.

But Sasuke is the first to speak surprisingly on his behalf, stepping forward.

"I rarely agree with Naruto on anything. However, in this case, I feel the same way. We're not going to improve as shinobi only taking low ranked missions about the village."

Hiruzen takes a long drag of his pipe, dark eyes boring into stormy cerulean.

Cerulean beginning to swirl a violent crimson.

'No use delaying things I suppose.'

He turns his focus back to Kakashi who nods just faintly enough for him to see that this isn't the first time he's brought up said topic that he wants a more exciting mission. His weekly reports show that Naruto has been receptive to teamwork, listens to suggestions from both Sakura and Sasuke on how to improve his chakra control and speed respectively.

He searches amid his strewn papers and folders, comes upon the file labeled with the Land of Waves.

"Alright, well you're in luck Naruto. I'm set to actually have a meeting in a few minutes in regard to a C-ranked bodyguard/escort mission Team 7 can take. Tazuna, a master craftsman, is need of protection heading back to his home in the Land of Waves. His goal is to hopefully build a bridge that will connect Wave Country to the Land of Fire to increase commerce between both regions." Hiruzen explains.

Naruto half listens to his spiel, only tunes in when he says the payout will be around 100,000 ryo split between the 3 of them.

A knock comes to the door, Hiruzen calling out for them to enter.

He smiles warmly at the new arrival. "Just in time Tazuna! These 3 will be your guards for your escort mission back to your home in Wave."

Tazuna blinks, mood instantly dampening peering to the trio looking them up and down. "Hold on, they're all just a bunch of kids! I thought you said you were going get me seasoned shinobi as my guards?!"

Kakashi raises his hand slightly. "I'm a seasoned shinobi coming along as this team's leader."

Hiruzen nods at Kakashi thankfully. "Unfortunately, a majority of our more experienced shinobi are tending to higher ranked missions at the moment. I assume you don't want to put off any longer getting back home to check in on your family."

Tazuna grumbles a curse at his terrible luck and Naruto wrinkles his nose at the scent of sake and cheap beers on his breath.

He jabs a thumb in his direction, eyes despite their redness gazing at him clearly with a mix of fear and annoyance.

He probably knows already who he is even though he's a foreigner.

"Well, I don't trust that blond in particular. I've heard the rumors about him from traveling merchants. A troublemaker. Rude."

Naruto's eyes narrow as Tazuna's stare focuses on him alone, ignoring Kakashi-sensei's and Old Man Third's warning looks.

Politeness is a two-way street.

"If it helps, I'm not a fan of drunkards either."

Hinata- Team 8, Training Grounds

"What?! Why is Team 7 getting a C-ranked mission out of all teams when we've gone on way more missions than them?!" Kiba snaps, gazing up from his bento.

Kurenai sends him a sharp look, chopsticks nearly cracking in half under the tight grip of her hands.

"Kiba. One doesn't get missions they want by begging for it like a child."

Kiba scoffs, crosses his arms. "It worked for Naruto, didn't it? Or is he just special because Lord Third is too afraid of inciting the Nine Tails wrath by saying no?"

Sanguine eyes turns a shade darker. "There's a reason the tradition of sacrifices is done yearly to a village's jinchuriki. You were too young or not even born yet to remember the last wave of destruction the deity caused to the village when things didn't go the way they wanted."

Kiba pauses for a moment, but a stubborn look mars his coal black eyes that he isn't going to back down from the subject.

Kurenai places her head against her palm, rubs away a coming migraine.

'I could ask Asuma for advice again, but I don't want him to worry or think I'm not cut out to be a sensei.'

Compared to her, he has it easy with 2 out of 3 of his squadron being known for their laziness and love of a good meal over a mission.

He'd already questioned her enough times if this is what she really wanted when she'd first submitted the paperwork to join the list of jonin wanting to take on the latest Academy graduates.

"Are you sure you want to deal with this class? The Nine Tails kid is included in this batch for once." Asuma notes over tea and mochi.

Kurenai chuckles, swirls at her cup swishing the ginger leaves to the bottom.

'As to what else Asuma? Should I just sit around and wait for you to propose to me like Dad wants me to?' She wonders.

Or can she teach a new generation about genjutsu, ways to attack the enemy in methods they'll never expect until too late?

"I'll take my chances." She hums out before taking a long sip from her cup.

Akamaru barks his agreement, Kiba nodding along with his yips.

"Akamaru thinks we're deserving of a C-rank, no, even a B-ranked mission if they're getting one! No way am I letting that moody asshole and the dead last get ahead of me in rank!" He declares, looking to Shino and Hinata to voice their agreement.

Shino doesn't bother with looking up from his onigiri. "I too would prefer missions that would be better use of my beetles. Why? Because they won't learn and gather further scents and information being restricted to the village alone. Granted, of course Akamaru is going to agree with you being your partner and loyal companion Kiba."

Kiba sniffs, can't tell if Shino is insulting him or giving him a backwards compliment.

"Whatever, you keep your bugs close to letting them crawl all over your lunch like that, in a sense your mini companions. So, I think you're agreeing with me for once! Hinata, what's your take?"

Kurenai glances to her as well. She's been trying to do at least a weekly check in on her since being given away by the Hyūga clan, though Naruto's constant presence each time she's come by to the apartment has been a detriment to seeing her true progress.

"You can always come live with me Hinata. Just say the word and I'll put in a formal request to Lord Third to-"

"To break a decades old tradition of sacrificial duties? Did you think I was just going to stand by and let that happen y'know?" Naruto cuts in with a sneer.

Kurenai covers a groan, considers this wasn't her greatest idea to do a mid-afternoon check in.

Especially not with Naruto studying her as if she's more a buzzing mosquito than a guest.

Hinata winces, cheeks burning pink as she peers to Naruto with a look akin to annoyance she's never seen upon her features.

"Naruto, please stop being rude to our sensei! You know she just wants to make sure I'm okay since the night, well since the night F-Father left me here..."

Naruto points a finger directly at Kurenai instead, seemingly accusing her of causing Hinata's upset. "Hey, is she one of the ones that thought I was going to eat you?!"

Hinata shakes her head, boldly grabs his hand to pull it back to the table.

"Y-You're worrying over nothing again." Her voice quiets to a light huff. Kurenai blinking in surprise when Naruto doesn't immediately let go of her hold.

Her eyes sharpen gazing between the two, toes curling suddenly wishing she'd listened to Asuma and had just let this topic go...

'I shouldn't be here; not like this.' Kurenai feels her breath tighten.

And when Naruto peers to her again, he reminds her of said fact, wind tossing her documents about to her feet.

"The next time you decide to come by, it should be with an offering to signify the importance of what you want to say. That's just one of the rules for meeting with the jinchuriki if you disagree with a sacrifice made, right? But rules like that are ones you aren't willing to fully break."

Kurenai clenches her teeth, she'd figured Kakashi would've knocked out that sharp tongue of his by now.

Apparently not.

She leans forward curiously now to hear Hinata out, lilac eyes clear and resolute.

"I too would like a C-ranked mission that will strengthen our skills not just in search & rescue, but in spying and intelligence surveillance as well. I personally want to learn more from you in genjutsu and how I can incorporate it into my former clan's techniques."

Kurenai chuckles, puts down her tempura.

"Alright, well, I can see when I've been outvoted! We meet back here tomorrow at 0600 for a new mission."

Naruto & Hinata- Naruto's Apartment

"The Land of Waves? I've heard the seas can be rough there around this time of year." Hinata regards as Naruto points out the location on the map in relation to Konoha.

He nods, practically bouncing in his seat, Hinata smiling to herself at the look of wonder in his cobalt eyes.

This is the first time he'll be truly going out of the village.

"It's my first taste of freedom y'know! Ahh, it's a bodyguard escort thing. The client is a bit of a jerk, but I can put up with him for a few days to earn enough ryo to get you-"

He slaps a hand to his mouth, reddening.

'Yikes, nearly gave myself away there!'

Hinata glances at him fully then, puzzled. "Get me what?"

"A, err, kunai! Yeah, since you hardly have any besides those rusty crappy ones we got from the Academy!" Naruto lies.

He nearly groans aloud at that horrible fib, relieved Hinata doesn't pressure him for the truth.

"Our mission is going to take us into Kusagakure. There's suspicion a man has been selling illegal drugs and weapons under the guise of medicines that has started spilling into the Land of Fire. It's caused...a few deaths from overdose, poisoning, and psychosis from the various reports."

Naruto beams excitedly for her, for them both.

Finally, he's going to leave out of Konoha's borders, out of these invisible chains that tie him to a village that barely tries to appease his presence.

"I don't know how long I'll be gone." Hinata mentions.

Naruto shrugs. "Me either! But we're having another spar once we both get back y'know!"

Hinata laughs softly, a gentle sound that calms the bundle of nerves coiling about his stomach.

"Of course."

Naruto- Land of Fire Outskirts

Tazuna doesn't have to like him, and he pretends for only so long not hear his scathing comments that as the runt of the team, he's slowing them down the most with his open staring at the surrounding fields.

"You know, my ears are working perfectly fine." Naruto eventually grunts out.

He glances over his shoulder, fixes Tazuna with a look of malice that instantly quiets him. The forests have been eerily quiet since their morning departure, rolling grasslands of greens and yellows give away nothing.

He steps over a puddle and pauses, gazes upward to a sea of blue.

'When was the last time it rained?'

Goosebumps ignite his skin, wipes his palms of sweat against his pants before either Sasuke or Sakura can notice.

'I have to be ready, ready like I'll soon be attacked.' His heart hammers louder.

It hasn't rained in over a week he recalls, and his earlier question to himself is soon answered as they reach a split in the path, screech of metal coming from both his right and left.

He half turns to see Kakashi ensnared in jagged metal, crumpling to the ground.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura gasps in horror, Sasuke holding up an arm before she can rush to his side.

"It could be a trap; we need to assess the area and still protect Tazuna and ourselves from further attack." He asserts at Sakura's questioning look.

The younger of the brothers' smirks, click of their gauntlets echoing into the air.

"Let's go for the blond kid and Tazuna next Meizu. You saw the ryo he's carrying in that weird fish wallet thing. We can collect some quick cash before reporting back in to Zabuza." Gōzu instructs, his brother's eyes twinkling with glee more at the thrill of spilling more blood.

3 things click to Naruto's mind on why he wanted this mission in the first place.

'Increase my savings. Buy a futon. Surprise Hinata.'

Naruto straightens his posture, swish of his heartbeat slowing, heat curling up and encompassing him in a slowly rising flame of rage.

'Attack. Kill or be killed.'

A memory coils up, gritting his teeth.

"Monster! Give me back my Mom!"

The flash of his tanto blade gleams in fading sunlight, stepping closer into the darkness of the alleyway.

He grins manically, swiping at a mix of sweat and tears, tips the point to his neck.

Naruto slams back against brick, breath turning into gasps.

"I didn't-"

"No excuses, this is a dead-end kid! You're no deity worth having in the village knowing the destruction you can cause; it's too much of a risk and I know so many others agree. The Hokage and his little guards can't protect you now." He hisses, stepping forward.

"It's the end for you kid!" Meizu declares.

They rush in towards him, pierce him straight in the chest.

And Naruto pops into a poof of smoke.

Meizu startles, charcoal eyes looking around wildly.

"A clone?!"

"Wind release: Tornado!"

Too late does he see Naruto appear from below, gale of wind toppling him over, he pulls out a kunai, slicing and digging into his stomach before he can re-balance himself or release his shuriken chain.

"Meizu!" Gōzu shouts, slipping downward from his brother's collapse. His eyes take on a glassy sheen pressing a hand to the gaping wound, blood pooling at his feet soaking dirt and grass in shades of vermilion to maroon.

Dark eyes switch to him, face a blotted red. "Bastard, you're not escaping this forest alive!"

Naruto flicks his gaze towards him, crimson in his eyes enough to momentarily startle him backwards.

Sasuke comes in for to his defense before he can launch a solo attack, kunai embedding into his gauntlet before can retract it back.

Kakashi appears from behind Gōzu, locks him in place with a mix of wire and rope. Sakura breathes out a sigh of relief he's alive, studying the surrounding bushes closest that nobody else is coming.

He casts a weary look at Tazuna, skin a whitish gray studying the pair with the familiar nervousness of recognition.

"These two clearly push this mission into beyond C-rank. It's probably for the best we return back to the village and reconvene with Lord Third-"

"No. We took this mission to gain more experience and we're seeing it through to the end." Naruto interrupts him sharply.

Kakashi frowns, tiptoeing the line of his anger flooding the terrain. "Let's put it to a team vote then."

Naruto watches him a minute longer, scoffs before his eyes turn to Sasuke and Sakura awaiting an answer.

Sakura blows out a shaky breath, voice layered with uncertainty. "We can trust you, right Naruto?"

Naruto's eyes narrow. "Yes, considering I stopped them from tearing us to shreds."

Obsidian meanwhile twists between Naruto and Meizu's still form.

"Did...Did you just kill him?" Sasuke voices tightly.

Naruto half glances to Meizu's slumped form, breaths slowing with each passing minute. Gōzu thrashes at his bindings, tears pricking his eyes watching his sibling possibly die before him.

Whatever earlier anger he had has cooled to an iciness, sighing.

"Maybe, but it's fine." Naruto supplies.

Sasuke flinches in shock at his dry tone, Naruto casting him and the rest of his stunned team an empty smile.

"It's fine, because this wouldn't be the first time I've had to do something like this."

-x-

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend to my US readers. I just want to thank everyone for all the positive and excited reviews! I really am trying to share the love between my stories, but this story truly has been a lot of fun and the easiest to write at the moment lol. This is probably going to turn into one of my darker stories with the changes I have in mind to twist canon. Hope you all are enjoying the ride so far!

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