Chapter Thirty One: The Greatest Thing

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.

-Anonymous

xxXxx

The following months were the happiest of Baron's life. Normally, he hated winter with a passion, especially with his precarious health in the balance. However… he soon had one very good reason to enjoy the cold weather to the fullest.

Now that his body was stronger than ever before, Haru was taking full advantage of his renewed health. Even though she was understanding of his duties as a lord, snow ball fights and sledding were soon part of everyday life for him. There was also building snow forts, snow cats (which Haru said were a little harder than snow men), or even making snow angels in a convenient drift.

One of his favorite things, however, was being able to run with her, and even give the love of his life a run for her money. Sometimes she'd get tired before he did, although he knew better than to bring attention to the fact.

But Baron had to admit, his absolute favorite thing about his new lease on life was being able to flirt with Haru without having to worry about any awkwardness at all. Kissing her wasn't so bad, either.

Nor was the new way all of his old friends and associates now looked at him. They had respected him plenty; that hadn't changed, nor would it ever change. Well, he supposed that he couldn't blame them for staring, after all the years of obeying someone who appeared to be a child.

He bit back a laugh as he looked over the current month's figures in his study. The snow was starting to melt, and according to the calculations that Muta had helped him out with, Haru's birthday was coming up. It was to be her first birthday in the kingdom, and Baron was determined to make it one to remember.

ooOoo

"Come on, Baron. What's the big surprise?" Haru giggled as he carried her through the woods. Her eyes were covered with one of the handkerchiefs she had made him.

"Where would be the fun in a surprise if you knew what it was?" he teased, sneaking another opportunity to kiss that perfect mouth of hers.

That silenced her, as it usually did, but Baron had to fight to keep from thinking about the way she almost seemed to melt in his arms whenever he did it. He remembered full well what had happened last time he was careless in these parts, and although his hat now seemed to be brand new, he would rather not get it ripped up again.

At last, he reached their destination; far from prying eyes, or at least he hoped so. The servants and her stepfather meant well, but he'd rather not have an audience for what he was planning.

He gently sat Haru on the thick woolen blanket he had set there earlier, and untied the handkerchief from her eyes. "I know you don't care for big celebrations, so I arranged something a little smaller. Happy birthday, Haru."

She blinked twice at the sudden light, although it was sunset, and took a slightly amazed look around her.

They were at the stones beyond the forest, the ones that provided a perfect view of the sun as it sunk into the sea. However, unlike the other times they had visited this place together, there was a warm woolen blanket spread over enough of the rocks to make comfortable seating for the two of them, as well as a wicker basket that had muslin tucked over the contents.

"It's my birthday?" she asked incredulously as he sat down next to her. "I mean, I'm still getting used to your calendar, and…"

"I understand perfectly, and I double-checked with Vulcan to be on the safe side. Granted, it was a little hard to get his attention with all those children around, but I managed."

Haru started giggling helplessly as he carefully uncovered the contents of the basket. "I'm not surprised. He likes being an ornament about as much as I do, and those kids are adorably playful."

"That they are," Baron agreed, passing her a cup so that he could pour her the most recent tea blend out of a large jar, since he couldn't think of a better way to ensure that it wouldn't spill in the basket and ruin the other contents. "I apologize that this is cold, but there was no help for it." 'Except getting Vulcan to hold it for a while, but I wanted to do this on my own.'

"It's perfectly fine, Baron. Some of your blends are better cold." She sniffed it experimentally, but he waved a hand to keep her from drinking until he had poured himself a cup as well.

"I am feeling confident enough to drink this with you. I am almost completely certain that this one is safe for consumption." He held it close to hers, as if they were holding wine glasses instead of wooden cups. "To a bright future?"

She smiled happily, and gently bumped his cup with her own. "To a bright future. Of which only Vulcan knows the contents of."

"As well as his relatives," Baron added with a chuckle. "They weren't kidding when they said my king had barely begun to be a pain eleven years ago."

She giggled, and slowly drew the cup closer to her lips, to give him time to do the same.

They drank as one, both surprised at the taste that flooded their mouths.

Baron had spent hours and hours of pouring over his tea journals, to make sure that he wasn't making a bad batch. From the start to the finish point of making this, he had thought of Haru, putting his entire heart into the boiling liquid.

Judging from the expression on her face as she finished the cup, Haru was plenty impressed. "Baron… I've never tasted anything like this before. It's beyond amazing," she whispered.

He grinned happily, thrilled that after all this time he had finally created the perfect blend. But then he remembered something so small, so critical, that it was almost a reflex when he slapped himself on the forehead in despair. "Naturally," he moaned, unable to believe his own incompetence.

"What's wrong?" she asked worriedly, taking his hand in her own. "It's perfect, Baron!"

"I know, but… I forgot to take notes while I was making it. I don't know what I did."

She stared at him in complete shock… and started laughing fit to kill.

"It's not funny!" he insisted desperately. "It took me eleven years to finally make a perfect blend, and I don't have a way to completely duplicate it!"

"Baron," she couldn't stop giggling, getting up from her seat in order to sit on his lap.

That stopped his despair short. Haru had never done that before, and it strangely reminded him of when he fit on her lap.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, and hugged him lingeringly even as giggles still fell from her lips. "I love you, Baron."

Those words. He knew she meant them, had long felt them, but… that was the first time she ever directly said it.

He wrapped his arms around her, and squeezed her as tightly as he dared. He was still getting used to his new strength, and didn't want to crush her. "I love you too, Haru. I suppose that I can find a way to make it again, somehow."

She beamed up at him, and stole a kiss of her own. "There, you see? It's not so bad."

"Not bad at all," he agreed, refusing to loosen his grip when she started moving around to get off him.

She gave him a suspicious smirk, pausing in her struggles.

"You know, this truly is more comfortable. I should have thought of this before," Baron informed her while inhaling the scent of her hair.

There were still traces of the perfume from the palace, but he was thrilled that it was getting washed away with the smell of the forest. He couldn't wait until she smelled like the sea again, once the weather warmed up some more.

Haru laughed happily, and reasserted her grip on his neck while resting her head on his chest. "I still don't know which one's more attractive; your new height, or your new confidence."

He grinned, and tipped her head enough with one hand in order to kiss her again. He could feel a light shudder of pleasure ripple through her body as her newly found purr began making itself known.

He was glad that her theory of human-borne cats not having purrs was false. Even if she didn't know how to at first, she caught on fairly quickly after they turned kissing into a frequently practiced hobby.

When his head started swimming, however, he knew he should stop. With great reluctance, he pulled away just enough to look deep into her eyes as they slowly opened; looking glazed and distracted.

"Excuse me, my lady. May I have the honor of a dance?" he whispered, his lips almost touching hers still.

There was more food and such in the basket, but they seemed very secondary for now.

She smiled brightly, and snuck another short kiss from him. "Why, of course, my lord. I would be delighted."

He laughed while releasing her. It was one thing for her to act so formal while pretending to be a bubble-headed ornament. It was completely another for her to use polite language while keeping her true personality.

Baron led her a small distance from the rocks, to where the ground was even and firm. The snow was almost entirely melted by now, but he was not interested in getting their shoes stuck in the mud.

Once their footing was solid, he took possession of her hand and waist, pulling her close. She smiled up at him before placing her head on his chest; one hand on his shoulder and the other in his gentle grasp.

He had been planning on a soft romantic waltz that he remembered his parents doing, but if Haru felt like cuddling, there was no way in the Cat Kingdom that he was going to discourage it. He hummed a familiar tune softly as they circled each other at a slow, relaxed pace; keeping the chill of the coming night at bay by staying in each other's arms. They never spoke, not really feeling a need to ruin the beautiful silence of the moment.

When there was only moonlight shining on them, however, Baron knew it was time to say something. "May I tell you a secret, Haru?"

"Mm-hmm," she murmured while rubbing her cheek against his chest.

He took a deep breath to give him courage. "The night I left the orchard, I was very distraught. My former life may not have been ideal, what with my brothers and all, but it was still everything I knew."

Haru looked up at him, shaking off the blatant desire to fall asleep on him. "Go on," she encouraged him, taking her hand from his shoulder to touch his face in a comforting gesture.

"… I was a mess by the time Toto brought me to the cave. Nothing seemed to make sense, and I really had hoped that they would get better someday. It was devastating to learn that they wouldn't, and that I would never see Father again." He gave another sigh, thinking about that day. "Toto said that there was a reason for me to be separated from everything I knew. When I met Vulcan's grandfather, he affirmed that, and that someday, everything would make sense about why I was thrust from homeless vagabond to the king's slightly glorified errand boy."

"It would have been a lot more difficult for us to meet if you never left the cave," Haru admitted, stealing another hug from him.

"It wouldn't have happened at all. According to Vulcan, no one else would have been able to get you to the kingdom; it had to be me." Baron shook his head, partially in anger and another part in sorrow. "Haru… I did not want to trick you into coming, or when the king forced me to break the contract. You know that, don't you?"

"Of course. Even if you haven't been apologizing since we got back from the palace, I could tell since coming here the first time that you were feeling guilty over something big. Besides, you've been going out of your way to make up for it."

He gave her a melting smile, and kissed her again. "I must confess, Haru; if I had known back then that this was going to happen between us, I wouldn't have had the heart to trick you repeatedly into first coming, and then staying."

"You didn't really have the heart to do it the first time," she reminded him. Then she sighed, and placed her hands on his cheeks to make him look at her. "If I had fully understood what was going to happen back then, you can bet anything I'd have gotten Muta to hunt you with a gun. There was literally no way in heck that I thought I'd ever fall for a feline, but you know what? I'm glad I did. Aside from Muta… well, there was nothing for me back then. Just the same old routine, day in, day out. Even Muta likes it better here; your villagers are a lot nicer than ours were. Did you notice he's been stepping out with one of the cooks?"

Baron grinned. "Yes, I did. Rose has always been very accepting, and your stepfather truly is an overgrown teddy bear."

"With claws," she added with a giggle.

"Most certainly with claws." He took a needed breath of courage. "Haru… Vulcan's grandfather told me that I would meet you. He never breathed a word about you being the Sea Maiden, but he said that you would be my complete opposite, as well as my perfect match."

She grinned at him as she ran her fingers through the fur on his cheeks. "I couldn't have put it better myself."

"… There is something you need to know, before I say anything more," Baron spat out, knowing that he could not delay telling her the truth. "Vulcan was not given to me, just to pacify the king. A price was agreed upon, before he allowed me to even see Vulcan."

She looked at him worriedly. "What kind of price, Baron? You seem very nervous."

"I have reason to be. I doubt you will be too happy in a few seconds. Vulcan's grandfather… he knew that Vulcan wasn't going to stay in the Cat Kingdom indefinitely."

"Of course not, he said that we were going to take him home for our honeymoon, whenever we decide that may be."

He nodded, and willed himself to be braver. Haru would not be happy with him if he waited until it was time to start settling his debt.

"In order for the king to allow me to take Vulcan, he made me promise that when each of our children turn the age of twelve, they will be delivered to the firebirds to raise, however long Vulcan remains in our kingdom."

Haru's jaw dropped in shock. "What?"

Baron winced and took a step back, just in case. "Vulcan is the only heir to the Avian Kingdom, Haru. His father is probably the one in charge by now, but when you only have one child, isn't that the same worth as many children to someone else?"

Her eyes were wide and disbelieving, and she was actually swaying a bit as she held one hand to her head in shock. "… Didn't see this coming," she whispered, almost to herself.

"Haru, I know this isn't fair to you, and I should have told you before now, but… it wasn't very fair to Vulcan's family, either. Eleven years without any contact is a terribly long time, even for those who can see the future and know what's going to happen."

"Baron… just hold me, okay?" she begged, marching over to attach herself to him. "This is… I don't know what to think of this."

"They will be well cared for, and much better prepared for their futures than if we did it ourselves," he told her gently, running a gloved hand over her hair to comfort her. "I was informed that they had things to learn that can only be taught there, and if our son is to become the greatest king that's ever been… I am almost certain that catastrophe will strike the kingdom around twenty years from now."

"But when we get them back, they'll be grown up," Haru wept, clinging to him like a lifeline. "They won't need us, and we'll hardly know them."

"While they may not, they are still ours. Haru… although I wish it didn't need to be this way… I gave them my word. I can't go back on that."

"… I know," she whispered, although he was barely able to hear her. "But… can't we at least stuff the kid's jacket or bag with letters every time we deliver one? Or even a journal so they can at least hear from us?"

Baron thought about it, very much liking the idea. "One cannot trick a firebird, let alone a flock of them. If Vulcan won't tell us when I ask, the worst that can happen is that they tell us to stop when we try it. Have I told you lately that you are brilliant?"

"Not since yesterday, you flirt. Hey, did you get a number out of the firebirds?" Haru suddenly asked, striking on an idea. "On how many children, I mean."

"I did not. Vulcan's grandfather said he had spoiled enough surprises for me, but something about his tone seemed to say that was an impressive number."

From the rather silly grin on her face, Baron was able to conclude that she was not opposed to the idea of a large family.

But then the look melted off her face, and she was biting her lower lip nervously. "Um… as long as we're spilling secrets, there's something I think you should know about."

"What is it?" he asked, a little worried by the look in her eyes as she grabbed one of his hands, and led him back to the rocks.

"You might want to sit down when you hear it. It's about Ivan."

"Ivan," Baron whispered, suddenly remembering how the name had disturbed her so. "Is it still so important, Haru?"

"More important than you think, Baron," she replied, making him sit on the covered blanket again. "But… I'm not really sure where to start."

"Please try," he begged, now that his curiosity had been peaked.

She nibbled on her lower lip, and ran one hand through her long dark hair in agitation. "Ivan… well… my first memory was about an Ivan. My father had a favorite story he used to read to me, whenever he was home to tuck me into bed. After our house burned down, he was able to find an exact copy of that book in English, so that Muta could read it to me whenever I started feeling lonesome for him. In fact, the last time I read it was the day before you came for me."

Baron cocked his head at her. "Pray, what was the story about?"

"You should know. You just lived it."

He gaped at her. "I beg your pardon?"

"You just lived the story that my father used to read to me. There were plenty of differences between what happened and the story I knew, which was why it wasn't until you told me about your life and real name that I figured it out."

"… What kind of differences?" he asked, almost between his teeth.

"For starters, Ivan was human, his companion was a humpbacked horse instead of a giant crow, and there was no prince in the story; just a selfish old czar that wouldn't know gratitude if it kicked him where the sun don't shine. Czar is-"

"Another word for king. I know." Baron couldn't believe it. Had a firebird planted that story into her world, just so that she would be able to arrange for the spell of renewal to be used on him?

"… Were you truly so opposed to being with me, that such a spectacle was necessary?" he asked sadly.

"More of the opposite, Baron." She sighed, and made herself comfortable on his lap again. "When it hit me that you were not just an Ivan, but the Ivan, my exact first thought was 'oh no; I missed my chance'."

He stared at her in shock.

"Yeah, that's how I felt, too. I mean, it would have made a ton more sense for me to have been more worried about your safety, because I liked you by then. But when I took a second to think about my first reaction, well… that was a bit of an interesting way to find out that I didn't just like you. I loved you."

He couldn't stop staring. She had loved him for that long?

"That's why I ran. I was scared of my thoughts, my feelings, and most of all of telling you why your name had significance for me. The story I was familiar with had everything from you guarding your livelihood to coming out of the cauldrons happen in mere weeks instead of years. Plus there was Lune, who very obviously didn't need a renewal spell and wasn't interested in much except staring off into space in a depressed manner. First I was worried that I had missed the chance to slip the king the renewal spell, but then I realized that it was useless if Lune didn't need it. If I was wrong and got you to do it anyway, you'd be dead, and I couldn't handle that; especially since it would have been my fault."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed gently. "That's why I couldn't tell you anything when you begged me to. I wasn't sure if I was imagining the similarities because I wanted out of the engagement so badly, or if it was meant to be. I got the idea for retrieving my locket from the story, but I had suspected that it was you who got it long before I realized it was really your story. You've done better than the story, by the way. I did not see you bringing Muta coming."

Baron shook his head in wonder. "But… if you had suspected for so long that the king was playing you false, why didn't you call him on it sooner?"

"Because I had no proof, and I distinctly remember that the spell of renewal had to happen around the dead of winter. I figured that if I had any chance of getting Lune out of the way and on his own happy ending by Winter Solstice, I needed to play dumb for a while." She shook her head with a scornful laugh. "I'm still amazed that they thought I completely changed into an ornament in mere months."

"Your performance gave me chills," Baron confessed with a shudder. "I will appreciate it if you never behave in such a manner again."

"Not unless it will give someone I hate a headache," she counter-promised with a wicked smirk.

Baron could only laugh and steal another kiss from her. His head felt like it was still spinning from the revelation, but at least his mind was now at peace concerning her reaction to his name. "So tell me, how did that story end?"

Haru put on a fake look of remorse. "Oh, it's absolutely terrible. He marries the Sea Maiden, becomes czar of the land, and lives happily ever after."

He grinned widely. "But since there is an heir to take the throne, that would leave us with the other two fates, wouldn't it?"

"I'm afraid so. Would you like out of the deal before we go that far?" she teased while lightly punching one of his shoulders.

"Not on your life," he retorted, suddenly remembering the reason he had pulled her away from the castle and everyone in it.

Like she was the finest of china, he adjusted his grip on her so that he could stand up and place her where he had been sitting. Then he kneeled at her feet, and took her gently by the hands to get her undivided attention.

"What I was attempting to say before, was that it was worth it, Haru. All the years of aggravation, of dealing with a sickly body, then worrying if you would really choose to be with me over a prince-"

"Which I would have, even if you remained travel-size for convenience," she interjected with a smirk.

"All of it, Haru. Every little bit was worth it. I am more than willing to admit that you are not quite the way I used to imagine you, but I am completely happy that you are even better than what my mind conjured up." Then he sighed, and got ready for the biggest question of his life.

"Haru… I know I have implied time and again that I wish to marry you, and have done nothing to hide the fact from anyone anymore. There is also very little you've done to discourage my hopes."

"If any," she added with a loving smile.

"If any," he agreed, kissing her hands tenderly. "However, I would very much like to ask you for yourself. Will you… consider marrying me?" he asked, looking deep into those beautiful brown eyes of hers.

She grinned happily. "Oh, I don't know. I just might get a better offer somewhere else."

"Ah, you turned them down already. Quite forcefully and repeatedly, if memory serves," Baron reminded her through a stiff smile.

"Did I? Well, in that case…" Haru purred while working one of her hands free from his. Then she grabbed a good fistful of his shirt and jacket, pulling him close while leaning forward.

The kiss they shared was far more passionate than the one she had given him the evening of the engagement ball, and sent his senses reeling.

Best of all, it meant-

"She said yes!" Toto cawed out as loud as he could, from a much closer location than he was supposed to be.

They broke of the kiss immediately as a chorus of joyous shouts rang out; almost stringing a line of communication back to the castle, and to the town beyond it.

"Toto! Don't you know the meaning of privacy?" Baron snarled as Haru started laughing fit to kill.

"Of course I do! I just chose to ignore it," the crow smirked as he came out of hiding, flying out from behind some trees to land on stable ground close to the rocks. "Congratulations, by the by."

"Thanks, Toto," Haru giggled, walking over to hug him around the neck. "Even if you're an eavesdropper."

"It's his fault for taking so long!" the crow pouted, looking pointedly at Baron. "We all thought he'd pop the question before now!"

"I wanted her to be eighteen first," Baron said between his teeth with irritation, since just about everyone in the castle had been pushing for a proposal since Winter's Solstice.

Haru gave him a loving smile as she released the giant crow. "Why? Because that's the age of adulthood in my world?"

"Naturally. I also wanted to court you on my own terms, but to be honest, I'm not all that interested in a long engagement."

She beamed happily at that. "Baron, how long has Vulcan been in the kingdom?"

"Eleven years, three months, and two weeks," he responded, knowing that she was going to ask that sooner or later.

"… I'm thinking that we need to get a move on, then. I don't want that to turn into a twelve year sentence."

"As you wish, love," he promised her, almost dizzy with happiness as she took possession of his arm, and they started walking back to the castle.

Their castle.

"May I ask one more thing of you, Haru?" Baron inquired, suddenly remembering a long-time wish of his.

"As long as it doesn't involve another debt you owe, of course."

"Oh no, nothing like that," he laughed, patting her hand warmly. "I was merely hoping that you wouldn't protest if I said I want to name our firstborn son Arthur."

Haru stopped dead in her tracks, her mouth agape.

"Oh great, now what's her problem?" Toto called from above, since he was flying gracefully over their heads.

"Did you say Arthur?" Haru asked as she started giggling. "Oh my gosh; King Arthur!"

"No one said that the future king would be the first son," Baron pointed out as she kept laughing. "It's my father's name, and I would very much like to honor him. Come now, what is wrong with the name?"

"N-Nothing," she gasped, stealing a kiss from him. "But, there's another story in my world, about a King Arthur. It's very famous."

"Was he a good king?" Baron asked with interest.

"Officially, yes, but he made some pretty stupid mistakes that led to the destruction of his kingdom."

Baron looked at her worriedly as they started walking again. "Will you tell me of it? Whatever mistakes he made, I don't want our son to make them."

"I'm pretty sure he won't, for two reasons alone. One, neither of us are dumb enough to get into extramarital affairs."

He gaped at her. "I beg your pardon?"

"Second, as a result, our Arthur would know exactly who his sisters are. I think for those reasons alone, our Arthur will be better than that one."

"… I am not so certain that I want to hear that story, after all," Baron said a little shakily. "It sounds rather scandalous."

"Unfortunately, it is. But it's more like a series of stories that are strung together, I probably couldn't tell you everything even if I wanted to." She kissed his cheek warmly. "As long as we teach our children to be like you, what happened at Camelot won't happen here."

Baron felt a warm glow from her words. "Oh? What if I want them to be like you?"

She laughed while shaking her head. "They'll turn the kingdom upside down if they're like me."

"I know. That's why I want it, the kingdom could use a good turning. I am still convinced that is why our son will be a good king."

Her eyes melted with love, pulling him to a stop so that she could kiss him fiercely.

Satisfied that nothing was wrong, Toto decided to fly on ahead, and finally leave them in peace.

When Haru deemed it was enough, she broke off the kiss and whispered against his neck. "How about we name him Arthur Yosho?"

Baron recognized the name from talking to Muta. "Both of our fathers… it's perfect."

She gave him a tiny smile, but a big hug. "They were both great men, after all. Or cat… oh, you know what I mean!"

He laughed at her sudden frustration, and stole a kiss of his own. "I do."

xxXxx

Lots of love goes to; ShadowXMoonlight, Yva J, neko girl, underneonlights, zamanthakikay09, PeaceLightVictory, Bambi4ever, laurashrub, PrayerGirl, Nanenna, inujisan, katdemon18, isara-love, mizgardenia21, Ebony Mitsu, BelleBeauty2694, Rowana-Arum, paintslapped proclaimer, rinoaheartilly9485, Nonimouse, rion, clara954, aznchocoholic, HaruxBaron4eva12, Lady Moon Dragon, sibyl97, Ducklin, splattermusic, EagleBlaze, An Insane Nobody, Bloodsong, AnimeCrazed121, Jennybot19, dribnevar, Weather Goddess, The-Right-Girl, Aperio, Cecily Mitchell, Suki-Alanna, , Shatatomyo, Vivid x Dreams, StainedGlassWindows, nitroglycerine, Color-de-la-Musica, Angel of Love and Fluffy Stuff, ChiinatsuKaminaga, Uruviel Elensar, Magical., Mutyasha, Kosaji, AGB, Greenhemoglobin, Raye of the Sunshine, delilah hunter, Raine Haruto, Niana Kuonji, Anon, Orihime-San, gacktxx, CaptianBillyTheWerewolf, KuraiArcoiris, Kitani, WhiteDemoness11, Midnight the Black Fox, Utsuro, kari910, Rini's Ghost, aquaXtreme, CC21, inulover1993, burningheartss, Elz Durden, PurpleLunaWolf, Spirit, paco, ducky-sama, Kakashi's-lil'-sis, KathySacuba, Kaa, Zombei Marionette, Kristen Hiwatari, ZammyNox, Catsafari, strawberry shinobi, chocolatebearturk, Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967, Svannah Cullen, and RedWingedAngel002 for the funny guesses and comments provided for this story. No matter what spellcheck says, you guys rock.

Inspiration provided by; The Humpbacked Horse (sometimes known as the Magic Pony), Alice in Wonderland, My Fair Lady, and, of course, a touch of King Arthur. One reviewer mentioned a slight Princess Bride flavor to it, and although that wasn't strictly intentional, it still worked out pretty good. To Anon; I was initially planning more of a Little Mermaid twist to this story, but rest assured that a rendition of that tale is in the works. Not sure when it will come out, but it's in the lineup.

Erm… yeah. This is usually the part where I introduce the next story. I can do that, but there won't be a new story next week. I'm hard at work on it, I really am, but it's finally at the point where I've run out of ammunition, so to speak. I have no idea how long it will be until this next story is finished, let alone ready for the website. I'm hoping everyone likes it, though. I'll finish it as soon as I can, but there's a good chance that when I begin updating again, I'll only do it once every two weeks to give me more time to finish the next story.

Sometimes, in order to find out who you truly are, you have to break a few rules. Or as many as possible; whichever works.

This one has a huge number of influences, but I seriously doubt that anyone will guess the original inspiration for it. And if you can, I will be super-impressed.

Lots of love,

YC