-AN-

We're still here, just been a little busy was all. Let's get back to it.

-Story Start-

Naruto was never going to pretend that he was something that he was not, at the least when it didn't involve a mission. He was a strike first ask questions later sort of man. Sure his years with the Super Pervert had calmed him down and opened his eyes to the real world, but at the end of the day he was still Naruto. Big and flashy jutsu and heart on his sleeve, he was not one to naturally take to being subtle. He could do it if needed or pressed but it was not something that came naturally to him.

So as he walked along a very overgrown path underneath his property's trees, he considered the other two people to his sides. Ino was a surprise, having said her team was off today and so she had the free time to stick around the house to help out. His impromptu visit to the Uzumaki Shrine was something that normally would have intrigued her, but he had a feeling that that wasn't the only reason she was here. No, he had a feeling it was the other person who had joined them today. The other reason why his thoughts were on subterfuge and being sneaky.

Hinata had a slight smile on her face, nearly gliding on her feet next to him while her eyes were focused on the road ahead. From time to time her eyes would shift his way, but Naruto couldn't right away make out just what her expression really was. Hiashi had said he would be sending her along to iron things out about assistance between the two clans, but Naruto hadn't expected her so soon. He probably should have known better. The Hyuuga were prone to throwing their weight around when something they wanted was in sight. Most likely the old bastard had pressured his daughter into coming so soon. Releasing a sigh, Naruto hoped he'd have a chance to set things right later. He didn't like the idea of Hiashi using Hinata for his own personal games.

"Everything alright, Naruto-kun?" Hinata's voice was quiet but firm, easily catching the Uzumaki's attention as they continued along the heavily shaded pathway. The air was fresh and clean here, and Hinata admitted that if Ino was not here, this would be a rather pleasant walk.

"Yeah, just. Been a rough week. Real busy." Not a lie. Between his training with Baa-chan and then the home, Naruto didn't have a lot of time to spare these days. While it'd be fun to lay up with the girls and stay in bed all day long, it just wasn't an option. He had to be responsible, gross. "I think, if I couldn't use clones I probably wouldn't be half as rested as I am." He didn't even want to consider how long it would have taken to build the addition to the house to account for the extra inhabitants. Months most likely.

Putting a hand to her mouth in surprise, Hinata turned wide eyes his way, "Oh, do you require some additional assistance? Father made it clear to help out however I can. I could free up my schedule, help with any clan duties you might be having a hard time adjusting to." Here Hinata carefully pushed a strand of hair behind her left ear as she held his attention finally, "I was trained as the Hyuuga heir, I'm sure there's much I can help you with." Her mind filled with ideas. Maybe a few late nights that would see them alone. Why, who knew what could happen then. It was a real effort to keep the flush down once her thoughts turned scandalous.

Seeing the play for what it was, Ino rolled her eyes while crossing her arms, "It's more like Naruto needs to be in too many places all at once. It's not manpower, but scheduling." Side eyeing the Hyuuga princess, Ino wanted to stick her tongue out at the girl. So this was how she was going to weasel her way into Naruto's life? Using a budding alliance between the Uzumaki and the Hyuuga. How very, Hyuuga of her.

"Of course, the resurrection of a clan is very labor intensive at first, but things will calm with time I'm sure." Hinata rolled with it while placing a hand gently on Naruto's upper arm with a smile. "As motivated and powerful as Naruto-kun is, I'm sure he will have no problems adjusting to the workload. And if required, I'm happy to help."

Feeling like two conversations were going on here, Naruto gave thanks that the shrine was coming into view. Seeing the state of it, Naruto groaned and crossed his arms. He missed the sad look Hinata had as her hand was dislodged. "Granny wasn't kidding, the place is a wreck." No reason to be angry about it anymore. Being angry wouldn't make the required work go by any faster or relieve the pain of knowing his family had been disrespected so. The Uzumaki had been a longtime friend of the Leaf, but that friendship didn't extend past their fall it seemed. Good for Konoha that they still benefited from Uzumaki seals, sure didn't leave him with much. Taking a deep breath, Naruto reminded himself that there was nothing that could change now. Best to mentally file away how the village continued to act. "I hope it's mostly topside damage. If the basement levels are as bad as this I'd hate to call it a lost cause." Never mind the physical buildings, what worried Naruto were the seals that were possibly involved. There were few scrolls available to give him a history lesson on the clan, or their techniques. His only clue was here and hopefully finding some sort of cache of information he could use. Anything about their history would be literally, priceless.

Ino gave a whistle as they made it to the stone steps leading up to the broken gateway. Half of the gate had collapsed, while the other looked one good gust of wind away from doing the same. The high walls surrounding the complex were all in various states of decay, while the central building looked…maybe inhabitable? "Yeah, if this wasn't a family site, I'd say burn it down and start over."

Humming at that, Naruto couldn't say he didn't agree. It was going to be a lot of work to bring this place back up to some sort of standards. Taking a step up the stairs, Naruto looked back to both girls, "Stay behind me for now, this is Uzumaki territory, I don't wanna guess at what sort of seals or traps we could be looking at here." Hopefully being an Uzumaki, any seals or traps would be disabled by his presence. If not, well he was a bit of a danger sponge, so the girls would be fine.

Hinata pointed to herself though she did fall in line behind Naruto quickly as he ascended the steps. "Shall I investigate with the Byakugan?" She could almost feel Ino vibrating with irritation behind her.

Ino held up her hands and shook her head as Naruto led them under the gate, having to bend down slightly while both women didn't have such an issue with height, "Sounds more like the Hyuuga wanna see what the Uzumaki have to hide here. So predictable." As if Ino wouldn't throw shade when required, Hinata was trying to fight dirty, but Ino had more experience with that.

"Why, I would never do that!" Raising her voice only slightly, Hinata turned back harshly to the platinum blonde. Jade met pale for a long moment, before both girls grinned at each other. No friends here now it seemed. At the least, Hinata knew where they stood now.

"We're allies anyway, and besides I have a feeling that if any seals are still active here the Uzumaki would have ways to protect them from prying eyes, including the Hyuuga. Best to go it naturally for now." Naruto shook his head, senses telling him that something was watching them. It wasn't a malicious thing, but active none the less. "Do either of you feel anything?"

Ino shook her head as they came out to a courtyard, another thirty meters to the center building which sat on another raised section. "Not really, just a little chilly I guess." The trees had grown close together in this area of the forest and provided near constant shade. Only a small amount of sunlight made it thought here. "For as long as the shrine has been left alone, the tile work has held up well." A foot tapped the floor, a solid thud her answer as they continued to walk forward.

Naruto had noted that as well but shrugged it off, "Repair seals maybe? Or possibly some type of environmental seals at work?" Naruto had heard of such, but he hadn't been one to research the subject much until recently. Knowing now what he did, learning about seals was a little higher on his priority list. Training with his clan's specialty would maybe just help him out later on as well. If the Pervert was right, seal master's were rightfully feared across the nations. There was a reason the Uzumaki were put down as they were right?

The group paused once more as they came before the main shrine, the center building looking a little worse for wear, paper doors torn and one fallen off its track, but the entire thing was shrouded in shadows. None of them could see the interior no matter how hard they tried.

Naruto shrugged and reached into his new jacket, all black this time, and unsealed a flashlight. "Welp, into the belly of the beast I suppose. Stay close."

"Hai." Hinata was right behind him on his heels. She would not miss this chance.

"You got it whiskers." Ino watched Hinata closely. She knew the little heiress was up to something, only problem was either getting Naruto to see it or making sure Hinata couldn't force her way into their lives. Naruto finally had something good for himself, the life he had always dreamed of. She wanted to make sure that didn't get taken away from him by some political rat fuckery. Not so long as she was here.

Naruto made the final step up and looked back as both girls joined him, "Ready?" He wasn't really sure what they would find down here, but best have their guard up. Seeing both girls nod, Naruto continued on. The search for clues and information continued.

-b-

"Hey hey, did you hear? Old man Kentaro got caught with Ruri down in the storage basement."

"No waaay, they finally got caught? By who?"

"His wife!"

"Ooooh he's in deep shit now huh? Think the inn is going to go under at this rate?"

"I don't know, they've been in his office for a while now. Mari said there was lots of screaming earlier, but things have calmed down supposedly."

"Well that's good, I'd hate to have to find a new job, I like this place."

"I know right? Room and board plus access to the baths, can't beat that. My skin has never been so smooth and glowing."

There was silence as both young women worked together quickly. Before the taller of the two smirked, "Though I have to hand it to Ruri, I wouldn't have minded a chance with the owner. He's a real hottie."

"By the thousand, you're like a horny old man Michi."

"I just know how to have fun. You done?"

"I'll say. I'm done here, how about you?"

"I'm good, let's hit the next two rooms before taking a break." Both maids of one of the premier bath houses near the Land of Fire's capital collected their supplies. Dust rags and cleaning buckets in hand, the door to the windowless room was opened and closed without another word.

Having to sit through it all, Anko sighed and finally released her hold on the ceiling. She had roughly ten minutes to find what she was looking for and get out. Not that she'd need that much time, but still, she had a schedule to keep. The room was for records storage, ledgers and book keeping going back most likely decades, but it was a newer book she was after. Because not only was the owner of the bathhouse a major pervert and a player, but apparently a bit of a gambler. Something that had caught the eye of one of his opponents. Stealing a book of accounts would go a long way to negotiating new water use rights between houses in the area. The desk she wanted was against the far wall away from the door, and Anko made quick work of searching through it before finding what she was looking for. "Bingo." Pulling the few centimeter thick black book from in drawer, Anko held it up and waved it in the wind. "Maybe I should leave a note, let the staff know the husband and the wife are boning that little maid. Would cause some extra drama." Anko hadn't needed long to case the place, the security ridiculously light. Still, having fun with people was always on the menu. Anko did like a good scandal.

Of course, Naruto's disapproving face entered her mind, and Anko groaned and let it go. Stick to the mission and only the mission. The floor outside of the door creak, and Anko leapt back to the ceiling and crept back to the shadows. As below her someone started sorting through the shelves of stored books and scrolls, Anko wondered at her other problem. This type of mission honestly wouldn't be that bad with a group of kids. Infiltration, silent movement, planning. It would all be good training for young upstart genin. The only reason it was a higher rating was because of the timeline and she was taking it solo. Hmm, maybe she should consider this her own training as well, thinking about how she would bring kids along for the ride for her missions. If nothing else, it would help her pass the time.

Though it didn't take long for the room to empty once more, and now free of the worry of making noise, Anko made her way out of the building through the ceiling. It would be two hours to deliver the book, followed by half a day of travel west. Her next target having to do with some weapons dealer attempting to smuggle equipment through Fire to Taki. Hah, moron. Did they forget just who the Fire Nation was? Someone was going to nail that guy to the wall by his balls.

Hmm, that gave Anko ideas. Naruto better appreciate her efforts, working so hard for him. Of course, thoughts of Naruto returned her to thoughts about the future. Beyond just considering taking on a genin team, there was the other set of children to consider. That being, did she want her own? Sure, she continued to tell herself she didn't want to do something like that until she knew for sure that her old sensei was dead and buried. Incinerated for good measure on top of that. But should she put her life on hold like that? Knowing that sick bastard, he would find some way to outlive her just out of spite. They hadn't heard anything about him, not so much as a rumor since Sasuke's return, so was there a chance he was already dead? Maybe they would need to find and raid a few more Sound hideouts. Look for clues, and maybe. Well. Maybe she would take this moving on junk seriously. Nai-chan was right that she shouldn't put things on hold, so maybe Anko should think about that too.

Which would mean dealing with the rest of her hangups. Like if she was even worthy of being a mother. She worried at her bottom lip for a moment, before shaking her head and reminding herself that starting slow was for the best. Take a genin team, get used to being around some brats, then consider the next step. Yeah. Baby steps.

Kami, her life really had changed ever since Naruto barged his way into it. She owed him a beating. What type wasn't decided yet.

-b-

Sakura had spent the last few days trying to decide if things were really okay or not. Her last visit to Sasuke with Naruto had been, different. Good. Sure things weren't perfect, but it was a glimpse into what could be. They had all been through a lot and there was a chance they could move on into a new future.

Except ever since then, Sasuke had been even more different than before. Even now they had been on another outing, but to no where in particular in the village. If anything, Sasuke seemed determined to stay away from likely places that might get him into trouble. The academy, the central office, the monument. All were given a wide berth. Even the village walls, even though she knew that was a one way ticket to him getting picked up by Anbu, were completely ignored.

Finally with work looming, Sakura had mentioned that she had to return to work today. Intrigued and with nothing to do, Sasuke had tagged along. So today saw them on the roof of the hospital, a favor asked of him while she worked. She didn't understand why he would want to be up there and had considered the worst at first. With no chakra and no options, there wasn't much for a civilian to do up there. But she had checked on him throughout the day. He was always in the same spot, just underneath the twin water towers and staring intently at them. Was he doing anything else up there while she was away working? She wasn't sure and he wasn't answering her. Maybe it was his way of reconciling with the past. Visiting old places where important milestones in his life had occurred. "Sasuke?" Her shift would be ending soon, but even with the sun beginning to set he seemed unwilling to move from his spot.

"Yeah?" Sasuke's reply was quiet, never turning to look her way while focused on something only he could see.

"I um. I'm off soon, and you've been up here all day. Aren't you hungry? We can get some dinner on the way back." Taking a step away from the roof access door, Sakura let the door close behind her. Once more that feeling, something being wrong, a gut reaction that she just couldn't shake.

"Hm…a full day." Sasuke seemed to deflate, shoulders sinking as he finally turned back to smirk at Sakura. "Sure. I'm ready to go when you are."

That feeling that was twisting her stomach into knots began to melt, but logically she knew something was wrong. Her problem was deciding if bringing it up would change anything. As always, she chose peace. "Okay, give me a few minutes, and I'll be back so we can go." She would give him space and time, just as she always had. It seemed to be the best way to reach him. To allow him to work through his feelings at his own speed.

Nodding along and watching Sakura jog away in her uniform, Sasuke remained in place to watch the strung up laundry dry in the afternoon sun. Time had passed and yet it seemed like nothing changed. The village was as always the same as it had always been. Maybe a little bigger, a little busier, but that was it. The same vapid faces, the same self absorbed civilians looking up to the ninja to protect them, and same politics that would see him at the center of problems he had no answers for. Could never have answers for.

'And yet, there is an answer, isn't there? So simple. So easy.'

Twitching once and refusing to react less he tip off Anbu, Sasuke did his best to ignore that voice. The point of his greatest failure. The final reason he would never be able to avenge his clan or confront his brother.

'In the end, a coward. Once and always.'

Wanting to be enraged and having no outlet for his pain, Sasuke once more turned to look up to the water towers. Long ago, the final nail in the coffin of what he felt was his path in the light. Seeing the disparity between himself and Naruto of all people. Goofball and slacker he had once been, or maybe, Naruto had been fooling them all from the beginning. Stronger than he should have been. More resilient than could ever be explained. Sasuke had taken it to heart over time. That he was the strongest, that he had all the talent. Words and praise heaped on him all his life, only the reality didn't match the words. He had been lying to himself all that time. Always playing catch up. To his brother. To his team. Naruto. If only he-

"Sasuke, ready to go?" Sakura paused in place, the look Sasuke leveled her way was intense, more so than any he had given her in weeks. Like a mirage though it was gone in a blink. Another thing to be ignored, to question later late at night when she was alone.

Shrugging and walking her way, Sasuke took her arm into his, "How about, a home dinner tonight? I want to eat something you've made."

"S-s-s-Sasuke?" Well that was new. Was he finally beginning to come around?

"Yeah. Dinner, and then, we can talk. Figure things out. I'm here for good, so I suppose…it's time to think about the future." Sasuke's eyes were no longer on her, instead focused ahead of himself as they walked down the stairs.

"Future? Sasuke, you. We. You haven't said anything about-"

"I know." Interrupting her, Sasuke continued on, pulling her more tightly into his side, "It's just. Now that I'm effectively a civilian, maybe it's time I consider that life. There isn't much I can do in terms of work. Maybe pick up a new hobby or something. Something to occupy my time. Or maybe…I can at least perform my duties as the last loyal Uchiha. Rebuild my clan, as intended."

Face flushing and new worries added to her mind, Sakura let Sasuke continue to lead her along. What was this all the sudden? Was this what had Sasuke distracted all this time? Thinking about the future, that apparently he wanted to include her in? "You…you could at least warn a girl, maybe some actual dates? That's, a big decision ya know?" They paused, his dark eyes once more intensely focused and only on her and taking her breath away for an instant.

"But, you'll help me, won't you? Isn't this what you've wanted for all this time?" He drew close, slowly, patiently, with no hesitation.

"I-I-I-I-I mean yes. But Sa-" A thumb to her chin tilted her up to look more deeply into his eyes.

"You'll be good for me, won't you Sakura?" Tucked away in the hospital stairwell, Sasuke wrapped an arm around Sakura's waist and pulled her close. "I don't have anyone to rely on but you. I need you Sakura."

Suddenly very hot, Sakura had to admit she was getting lost in the moment. She had been working for this for so long. Wanted it. Craved it at points. Maybe…was all he needed, just some genuine love from her? "Sasuke…" Though maybe in the darkened interior stairwell of the hospital wasn't the correct place for it.

Coming closer, Sasuke smirked against her lips, "I like the way you say my name. Could you, say it again?"

Yes. Maybe that was all he needed. Just her love. "Sasuke…."

-b-

Grunting as he finally reached the basement level, Naruto held up his flashlight as the trio entered a dark space full of rows upon rows of display boards. Many were empty, but a select few held masks of varying designs. Taking the lead, Naruto started to walk towards the far end of the room.

Ino took in the display boards, each ringed with dark flames with hooks for no less than ten masks per board. Some were full, while many others were empty or had a few remaining masks held up carefully. The floor below them all was littered with broken remains, and Ino could just make out intricate seal work on the inner portions of the masks. "Are all of these, sealing masks?" Ino wanted to be impressed, but the atmosphere of the place made her nervous. Like stepping into a grand tomb, where the ghosts of the past watched and judged them. And she was feeling very unworthy.

A mentality not currently shared by Naruto, something pulling his attention forward as they continued along this center walkway. "Looks like it. It was something the Uzumaki were famous for after all, our talents with seals. Though what these masks were used for is anyone's guess right now. It'd probably take all of Konoha's research division decades to figure all this out on their own. If they ever could." All Naruto wanted was to get an idea of what they were working with. Then he could start on restorations and rebuilding. If he could find a scroll or two with some sort of information that would certainly be a bonus. Looking and seeing an empty display board with dozens of masks smashed to pieces below it, he figured any scroll he found would likely be in the same decayed state.

Hinata was sorely tempted to activate her doujutsu, so curious about everything around them. Sure her personal mission took priority, but this was exciting for Naruto. This was his heritage, a national level monument at that if she had to guess. What secrets were held within these walls. What history would be told here. More than probably would be found within Konoha proper if she had to guess. "Finding anything is enough. We can always return with more resources and tools in order to better preserve what is left."

Naruto nodded at the suggestion, "Not a bad idea. I'm sure I'll need a lot of help here." Pausing, Naruto could have sworn he felt something moving within the darkness. A quick scan with his flashlight showed nothing, but he was still on edge. "Hold here."

Ino was already by his side, chakra beginning to course through her body, "We looking at trouble?"

Taking up his other side, Hinata held up her hands, coated with generous amounts of chakra, "Should we retreat? Regroup and form another plan?" This lack of vision was beginning to get to her. From a clan who prided their vision above all else, it was maddening she couldn't take advantage here. If only she hadn't given her word to Naruto about not using her doujutsu.

"No just, something…" Naruto frowned as the feeling never left him. Turning and shaking his head, he moved to continue on his way, "Maybe it was nothing."

"Or maybe it is everything." Everything around Naruto changed. His surroundings melting away from the dark basement of broken masks, to standing before a great torii gate. Larger than even Konoha's main gate, it stood imposing and most importantly, in his way. Great black doors closed and for all the world impossible to move by the looks of them.

"What the…whos' there?" Turning and realizing he was alone, Naruto sighed and realized he must have tripped some sort of trap. Great. Was it teleportation then? He wasn't in his seal, but the feeling was similar. Maybe he had been taken into a seal then, imprisonment?

"Your mind is, interesting, young Uzumaki. You make connections quickly, jump to conclusions even without all of the pertinent knowledge." A woman's voice, just out of reach, but all around him all the same.

Holding up a hand and failing to conjure up a rasengan, Naruto huffed and realized that his chakra was cut off. Great. "You know, introductions usually happen before the first strike." Buy time, he needed to figure this out. Analyze it.

"I would, but we do not have much time. I wanted to be sure that you were not in danger, young Uzumaki." Like a shadow, one moment she was not there, the next a taller women with bright red hair stepped into reality in front of him. Dressed up as a high priestess in rather expensive looking robes of blue and red, Naruto took a step back all the same. "You need not fear me. Uzumaki take care of their own."

"Maybe I'm worried about the others. Are they safe?" Ino could handle herself, but if Hinata was hurt that would be another beast all its own. He did not need Hiashi coming after him cause his daughter met a bad end on his watch.

"They have not been moved, only you. A time space seal mixed with a sealing matrix and storage. A pocket dimension in simpler terms." The woman smiled at him, before bowing lightly at the waist, "Young Naruto, tell me what you seek, so I may assist you."

Well, that was, reassuring he guessed. Not like he had any choice in the matter he supposed. "Uh. Well." Taking a look around, the entire space was a deep crimson, short of the gate doors, each an obsidian black. One side had the depiction of a great dragon ascending to heaven, while the other held damage. Countless scores and rends into its surface, damaging its image beyond recognition or repair. "I'm going to be rebuilding the shrine. I was hoping to find information I guess. History texts, books on sealing. Anything to link me to my clan." Something was better than nothing after all.

"That has already been done. Your blood is all you need, Uzumaki know Uzumaki one way or another. Ah, but I understand it now. You wish to continue our work. Follow tradition. Yes?"

"Uh, something like that yeah." Naruto couldn't say the idea didn't excite him. More than just becoming the strongest and most influential person in Konoha. Becoming the Hokage. Learning and applying Uzumaki teachings to his own life would be like…finally having that piece of himself that had been missing all this time.

The woman turned away, walking the short distance before finally standing before the gates with another bow and a smile. "For today, I will supply you with what you seek. But another day, return here alone. There is, a brief history lesson I must give you."

Feeling the room shift, Naruto realized he was floating and crossed his arms, "I thought Uzumaki take care of their own?"

"We do, even if it is to protect them from themselves. You'll understand more when you return alone. Young Uzumaki." With a wave and an intense feeling of vertigo, Naruto was gone. One moment watching that grand gate disappear into the distance, the next stumbling mid step within that dark basement underneath the shrine with his flashlight clattering to the ground.

"Ah, Naruto-kun!"

"Whiskers!" Both Ino and Hinata jogged his way, dim light now filling the basement as a checkerboard of stone pavers under their feet lit up with an internal light. Coming to his side and placing a hand on his shoulder, Ino gave Naruto a worried look, "What the hell was that? You froze up for a second before tripping over your own feet."

Blinking and looking to the shorter woman, Naruto started to connect the dots. It wasn't that he was taken away, his mind had been whisked away instead. Great. "Yeah…yeah I'm alright. Think I met the shrine's caretaker." This was going to be one for the record books. Anko would certainly get a kick out of it when she returned.

Hinata pointed down to his hand, "What is that?"

Raising said hand, Naruto held up a thick scroll bound together by a red tie and sealed further with wax press. A whirlpool was driven into the red wax. "Huh. Guess this is my gift for today." Bending down to retrieve his flashlight, Naruto huffed and turned back the way they came. "We should go, before anything else weird happens."

Pressing the issue, Hinata leaned towards him, "Are you sure you're okay? Should we make for the hospital, get you checked out?"

Shaking his head as both women took to his sides once more, Naruto tucked the scroll into his jacket, "I'm fine. But if I start feeling weird later I'll give baa-chan a call. Or Sakura I guess." Having two of the best medics in the world as friends was certainly a perk. He'd have to remember to be nice and get them gifts one of these days.

"If you say so, but I'm gonna keep my eye on you, got it buster?" Ino didn't like the feel of this place. The sooner she was out of it, the better.

"I believe Ino is correct, we should keep an eye on you, just in case." Hinata had made sure her schedule was free for the rest of the day. There was no reason for her to leave unless Naruto asked for it.

Something Naruto didn't know, and wouldn't be made aware of anyway. "I'll be fine, but the least I can do is make dinner for you both. For making you worry." Plus now that he knew his senses weren't crazy, Naruto felt much better. So something in the shrine was alive. Good to know. Probably accounted for it being in such good shape.

Watching the trio leave, the Shrine Maiden allowed the basement to return to darkness. It seemed it would be best to start preparing. The Uzumaki were not dead and gone, and the royal line still lived. So much to do, but as ever, not enough time.

-AN-

Woo, sorry for taking so long yall. It has been a month for sure. I'm trying to focus on stories I believe I can finish before the end of the year. Doing to many fics at once really threw me off. So I'm narrowing my focus for now. Anyway, I hope everyone is doing their best. See ya next time.