Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Evolution ❯ Marking ( Chapter 10 )

Kyuuzou is mine. His name means explosion.

Evolution

 

OooooO

 

The next day, the tension between the shard hunters was so thick it could've been cut with a knife. Sango seemed intent on burning twin holes in Inuyasha's head, and Inuyasha's silence seemed more like he was ignoring the group than just remaining quiet. Kagome remembered last night the look in Inuyasha's eyes when he saw her return. It was like he was totally relieved, like his favorite pet had come home from running away. Kagome supposed it might have been like that, in a way. However, Kagome didn't like Inuyasha's expression when he seen her bloody sleeve and no cut. Kagome could tell he was highly suspicious, but he didn't say anything. She was extremely grateful for his silence. Kagome didn't think Sango or Miroku noticed anything, but she rather not deal with their questions. It was also times like these that she was glad Kirara couldn't talk, because Kagome was sure she would've told Sango exactly what had happened.

 

Kagome sighed and rubbed her neck, feeling the skin on her neck burn her fingers. It seemed like in the summer of Japan, when it wasn't raining, it was hotter than a boiling kettle.

 

“ Oi, there's a stream ahead where we can rest,” Inuyasha called. Kagome brightened considerably. With that thought in mind, it made it easier to trek through the intense heat. In no time at all, the group arrived at an inviting stream. The cool water was only calf high at most, but it would offer relief for the time being. Striding over the to the bank, Kagome promptly dropped her bag and plopped down. She took off her socks and shoes and dipped her feet in the water, sighing in bliss as the cool water washed over her tired feet.

 

“ Gosh, Inuyasha, am I glad you found this stream,” Kagome said. The hanyou grunted. Kagome frowned. Miroku sat down next to Kagome and rolled up his long sleeves and tied them back, before dipping his hands in the water and splashing the liquid on his face. Sango splashed water on her face as well, making sure it dripped down the back of her neck. Inuyasha stayed back from the group, watching over them. Shippo trotted over with Kirara and they both began drinking greedily, eager to re-hydrate themselves. Reaching for her backpack, Kagome pulled out a few water bottles and began to refill them.

 

“ It's really hot today,” Kagome said as she capped the last of the water bottles. Sango nodded in silent agreement beside her. She hadn't spoken much since last night. Kagome wondered what had happened amongst the group to make things so tense. `I guess I never realized how it would affect everyone if Inuyasha and I turned against each other…' Shippo smacked his lips as he came up from the stream, smiling contentedly.

 

“ Hey, Kagome-chan, do you have any candy?” he asked. Kagome smiled and shook her head. Shippo pouted. Kagome patted his head.

 

“ Maybe tonight when we stop for camp,” Kagome said. Shippo grinned and scampered off to play with Kirara. Kagome smiled softly at the picture the two painted. She watched them without seeing them as she began to contemplate last night. A shiver traveled down her spine as she thought of Youko's tongue on her skin again.

 

“ Kagome-chan, are you okay?” Sango's voice cut through her thoughts. Kagome shook her head.

 

“ Un, I was just thinking, is all,” Kagome answered. Sango looked skeptical, but she didn't press.

 

“ So, did anyone hear of any rumors while I was away?” Kagome asked tentatively. She wasn't used to this tense silence between everyone. It was usually a much friendlier silence, like everyone was enjoying the presence of his or her friends. It didn't feel like that anymore.

 

“ Not really. We'll have to ask around when we reach another village,” Miroku answered. Kagome pursed her lips. `When will Naraku appear again? It has to be soon, we haven't fought him in a long time…' Kagome thought. As Kagome pondered the enigma that was Naraku, a whirlwind approached the group. Inuyasha tensed and began to growl; he was not in the mood to deal with Koga today. Kagome looked up in concern and Sango and Miroku removed themselves from the river. Koga came to a stop before Kagome, looking down at her with his usual smirk on his face.

 

“ Oi, Kagome-chan, how are you doing?” Koga knelt down and grabbed her hands. Kagome felt the familiar feeling of annoyance come over her. `Koga-kun, you're a good friend, but I'm really not interested…' Kagome thought irritatedly. Outwardly, Kagome smiled.

 

“ I'm doing fine Koga-kun. What brings you here to visit us?” Kagome asked. Koga released her hands and crossed his arms over his chest.

 

“ I wish I could say it was good news, Kagome-chan, and that I came just to see your beautiful face,” Koga relished the fact that Kagome's face turned a little pink at his compliment, “ but it's not. I have news of Naraku.” Kagome cheered mentally. Just what everyone needed! They would go find Naraku, beat him up, he would run away, and everything would be better again because everyone would realize that everything was okay. Sort of. Everyone tensed at Koga's announcement. Inuyasha stepped forward.

 

“ Hey, just what is this news about Naraku?” Inuyasha inquired rudely. Koga wrinkled his nose at Inuyasha.

 

“ Like I would tell YOU, dog-shit. I'm telling Kagome-chan,” Koga answered. Kagome sighed.

 

“ What information do you have, Koga-kun?” she interrupted. Koga returned his attention to the human girl before him. Inuyasha growled loudly from the background. Koga ignored him.

 

“ Some of the other wolf clans have reported seeing a cloud beginning to settle in the southwest, but they couldn't go too far, or else they would risk trespassing on the land of other clans. Also, the youkai in that area have been disappearing quickly. The land is becoming a wasteland in that part. The whole thing stinks of Naraku,” Koga informed us. Inuyasha cursed.

 

“ Dammit! Now we have to go back the way we came!” Inuyasha said angrily.

 

“ What's wrong, dog-shit? Is that too much work for you? Because if it is, I can always take Kagome-chan myself,” Koga said snidely. Inuyasha growled loudly and clenched his fists.

 

“ Keh! Like hell I would let you take Kagome anywhere!” he snapped in reply. Kagome sighed and pointed her index finger at her temple in exasperation. Shippo snickered quietly in his hand. `Morons…'

 

“ Can you guys stop arguing? Koga, I'm going to remain with Inuyasha, thank you. We really don't have a problem going back the way we came, it's just Inuyasha would like to move faster, but we have been getting tired, because it's been so hot lately,” Kagome explained as patiently as she could. Koga smiled at her.

 

“ Fine, if you say so, Kagome-chan. I trust you,” Koga smirked. Kagome sighed inwardly.

 

“ Well, if that's it, I gotta go. Next time I see you, Kagome-chan, I'll Naraku's head on a platter for you!” Koga called as he sped away, creating whirlwinds of dust and dirt. Inuyasha growled at his farewell. Kagome sighed audibly. `Yeah right. Koga bringing me Naraku's head….Now that I think about it…Ewwwwww, that's so gross! What girl would want a head as a courtship gift?! That's sick!' Kagome began to replace the bottles into the backpack and put her socks and shoes back on.

 

“ So I guess this means we're hitting the road again?” Kagome asked. Inuyasha nodded. In minutes, the group was ready to go, despite their weariness. They were going to find Naraku.

 

XevolutionX

 

“ Please Inuyasha? I'll only be gone for one day! I'm just going to refill our supplies, grab some extra medical items, and then we can go! It won't be very long,” Kagome pleaded.

 

“ Kagome,” Inuyasha started, a slight whining tone in his voice, “ We're so close to Naraku! All we have is a few weeks between us and then I can kick his ass once and for all! But as soon as Naraku finds out we're trailing him, he's gonna go hide like the coward he is! We can't wait for you!” Kagome frowned.

 

“ Fine then. You guys go ahead, and Kirara can stay behind. When I return, she can catch us up with you guys. As long as it's alright with her, of course,” Kagome turned to Kirara hopefully. She mewed. Kagome smiled.

 

“ See? She doesn't have a problem with it,” Kagome said. Inuyasha grunted. `Dammit, why does it always seem like everyone is turning against me?!'

 

“ Alright, you can go. And stay out of trouble. We'll go ahead, but don't expect us to go slow just for you to keep up after you've returned, got it?” Inuyasha relented. Kagome beamed.

 

“ Thanks Inuyasha! I'll bring back some extra ramen for you,” Kagome said. Inuyasha perked up a bit. Sango hugged Kagome.

 

“ See you in a few days, Kagome-chan,” Sango said.

 

“ Kagome-sama, may I possibly receive a hug before you leave, just to last me until you come back?” Miroku smiled innocently. Kagome glared.

 

“ Of course,” she began. Miroku approached her.

 

“ Not,” she finished. Miroku appeared depressed, but smiled all the same.

 

“ I see. Being discriminatory, are you?” Miroku said. Kagome began to stutter an excuse, when Miroku smiled again.

 

“ Do not worry, Kagome-sama. Farewell for now,” Miroku interrupted. Kagome sighed and smiled wistfully at her ragtag group of friends. They really were great people. Kagome turned to Kirara.

 

“ You should stay in the village, and when I return, I'll come get you. That way you don't have to stay by yourself in the forest,” Kagome said. Kirara shook her head. Kagome tilted her head and shrugged.

 

“ Oh well, if that's what you want, I can't stop you,” Kagome answered. Kagome looked up.

 

“ So, I'll see you guys in a few days. I gotta go now, so you guys can start searching for Naraku. Bye everyone!” Kagome waved backwards as she took off towards the Bone Eaters Well.

 

XevolutionX

 

When Kagome arrived home, she was received with a warm welcome. Souta wanted to know why she was back so soon, but was glad she was back all the same. Kagome neglected to tell her family they were probably going to confront Naraku again. However, she was going to stay true to her word to Inuyasha and leave the next morning.

 

“ Why can't you stay longer, Kagome-chan?” her mother asked. Kagome scrambled to think of a lie.

 

“ We heard of a shard rumor, and Inuyasha wants to hurry and get to the shard,” Kagome said. Ms. Higurashi nodded. Kagome sighed inwardly. 'I can't believe I just lied to my mom!'

 

“ Oh, Kagome, dear, we'll be having dinner in a few hours. I suggest you have a nice relaxing bath before then,” Ms. Higurashi said. Kagome nodded and dashed upstairs. It was definitely going to be a relaxing night for the young woman.

 

As soon as Kagome was in the bathroom, she turned the water on, testing the temperature, before letting it fill the tub. While the tub filled itself, she quickly stripped and laid out some pajamas and a thick fluffy towel. After that was done, she shut the door, so the heat from the water would stay inside the room. Then she put in a capful of scented powder, designed to make the body relax through aromatherapy. It was Kagome's favorite scent, freesia. Unfortunately, it was also very expensive, so Kagome only used it when she was home in her time. When everything was in perfect order, Kagome turned off the water and slipped into the tub. Kagome sighed in delight as she felt her muscles instantly loosen. She stayed that way for some time, reveling in the joys of modern life. Kagome soon decided to begin cleaning herself, and lazily reached for the shampoo bottle. However, what she saw on her arm made her stop.

 

“ What…?” Kagome brought her arm up to her face to inspect it. On her inner forearm was a green rhombus with a single dot in the center. On the outside of the rhombus, one above each side, were more dots. The entire symbol was the same shade of deep, forest green. It seemed to shine and shimmer slightly on her skin, rippling, almost like it could move. Kagome knew it was merely an optical illusion created by the particular shine, but it still made it seem…unearthly. Almost as if something inhuman had created it. Then Kagome's eyes bugged. This was the arm that Youko had licked on! The previous silver scars where the claws had punctured her were gone, leaving this strange mark in its place. Kagome poked it with her finger. Nothing happened. She tried scratching it. She plunged it under water and scratched it some more. Perhaps it would come off this way. It didn't. Kagome scratched the green mark until her skin turned red and began to hurt, and still, it remained.

 

“ Ehhh! Why won't it go away?!” Kagome stared desperately at the mark. What did it mean? Did it do anything? What was its purpose? Kagome sighed dejectedly and sunk into the water. `Why does it always have to be ME that gets the short end of the stick?' Kagome complained mentally. After deciding there wasn't much she could do about the mark, Kagome proceeded to bathe herself, her dreams of a relaxing night ruined. `How can I relax when there's a strange mark on my arm!' Kagome climbed out of the tub eventually and drained the water. Then she dried herself and put on her pajamas and proceeded to brush her hair. As she brushed her hair, she thought of who might know what this mark meant. `Sango…she's been helping me so much, especially with those two thieves. Maybe she would know about this…' As soon as Kagome was presentable, she went downstairs to eat.

 

Kagome's thoughts about the mark were soon forgotten as the delicious scent of oden filled her nose. A grin stretched her face as she pranced into the kitchen, giving her mother a quick hug.

 

“ Thanks for fixing oden, Mama!” Kagome said. Ms. Higurashi smiled.

 

“ I have a feeling you'll be gone awhile, so I decided to make you your favorite food,” Ms. Higurashi replied. Kagome grinned and sat at the dinner table. Souta and Grandpa soon joined her, and Ms. Higurashi followed with a steaming pot of food. The family matriarch set the food in the middle of the table and filled everyone's bowls with oden. After a quick thanks, Kagome dug in. First she started with the fish, because Kagome always ate her favorite things first, so that she always had room in her stomach for it. Then she ate the konnyaku and daikon, followed by the eggs.

 

Shortly after dinner, Kagome packed her bag full of supplies, making sure to get all of Inuyasha's favorite kinds of ramen. She got Shippo a few pieces of chocolate, and Sango and Miroku some juice that she knew they both enjoyed. When she was done, she left the large yellow backpack in the corner by the door. Then she stretched and yawned, before she made her way upstairs to bed. It was definitely going to be a long day tomorrow.

 

XevolutionX

 

Kagome heaved as she pulled herself up from the well. `Gosh, this is so hard without Inuyasha here.' She thought. However, she was saved anymore labor when Kirara grasped the backpack gently and pulled Kagome and the backpack up in one tug. Kagome stood when she was on solid ground and shouldered her backpack.

 

“ Thanks, Kirara-chan. You were a lot of help,” Kagome smiled. Kirara growled. Kagome just smiled wider and climbed on Kirara's back. With a push from her powerful legs, Kirara took to the air.

 

It only took Kirara a few minutes to catch the group's trail, and when she did, she sped up quite a bit, so they could catch up to them. Kagome estimated they would meet up with them by sundown. After all, they probably hadn't gotten very far.

 

It turned out Kagome was right. Just as the sky was turning a teal color and the sun no longer in sight, Kirara and her passenger caught sight of the rest of the shard hunters.

 

“ Hey everyone!” Kagome called from the sky. Shippo began talking excitedly at Kagome while Kirara landed, happy to see his “mother” again. As soon as Kagome had planted her feet on the ground, the orange ball of fur that was Shippo attached himself to her shoulder. He started talking swiftly in her ear, catching her up on all the events she had missed, which really wasn't a whole lot.

 

“ Welcome back, Kagome-sama,” Miroku greeted. Kagome smiled.

 

“ Thanks, Miroku-sama,” said Kagome. The monk nodded.

 

“ How did things go while you were at home, Kagome-chan?” Sango asked.

 

“ Fine. I just picked up the supplies, had a bath, and ate dinner with my family,” Kagome replied. Talking about the bath reminded Kagome of the strange mark on her arm. It was something she definitely needed to talk to Sango about.

 

“ Oi, Kagome, there's a hot spring over there, if you want to take a bath,” Inuyasha said. Kagome smiled.

 

“ Thanks Inuyasha! I'm definitely going to use it,” Kagome answered, “ Sango-chan, do you want to come with me?”

 

“ Sure, Kagome-chan. Do you have all the supplies?”

 

“ Yeah. Let's go,” Kagome said. The two girls set off towards the water.

 

When they arrived, they immediately settled in the water, not wasting any time. It was going to be one of the few chances they had to relax before they would face off against Naraku once more. However, for Kagome, she immediately knew something was wrong. There was just something…off about Sango's demeanor. She seemed rather serious, and she usually wasn't, at least not during their baths together.

 

“ Sango-chan, what's wrong?” asked Kagome. Sango met Kagome's eyes.

 

“ You met him again, didn't you?” her voice sounded almost…accusing.

 

“ What do you mean?”

 

“ You met Youko Kurama again,” Sango stated. Kagome's face must've asked how she knew, because Sango continued on.

 

“ I could tell. The way you looked that night when you came back from riding on Kirara. Do you go out to meet him on purpose? Are you his…lover?” Sango asked. Her voice was unnaturally calm, and it made Kagome nervous.

 

“ No, I'm not his lover, and no, I don't go out to meet him on purpose. That night, I needed to get away from Inuyasha for awhile and I ran into him,” Kagome admitted.

 

“ Don't you get it? Haven't you listened to anything I told you? He's dangerous. He is not someone you can just take in and become friends with. He's not like the rest of us. He's a killer, Kagome, and I don't know what it's going to take for you to understand that,” Sango said. Kagome hung her head. Somehow, she felt like a child being scolded by her mother for playing with the snakes backyard.

 

“ I'm sorry,” she said in a small voice. Sango sighed, before drifting over and wrapping her arms around Kagome.

 

“ I just want you to stay safe, Kagome-chan,” Sango said, “ And Youko Kurama is a very dangerous youkai. I don't want you near him anymore.” Kagome gulped. Sango pulled back, frowning.

 

“ What's the matter?” Kagome nibbled on her lip.

 

“ Kagome-chan…”

 

“ There's this really weird mark on my arm, okay?” Kagome thrust out her arm violently, displaying the green marking on her forearm. Sango gently took Kagome's arm and looked at the mark.

 

“ Did anything…strange happen to your arm?”

 

“ He licked it,” Kagome said in a tiny voice. Sango arched a brow.

 

“ My arm was bleeding, and he licked the blood away,” Kagome elaborated. The color seemed to drain from Sango's face.

 

“ Blood?” Sango whispered. Kagome nodded.

 

“ What's so bad about blood, Sango-chan?”

 

“ Kagome, for youkai, blood is very important. It's involved with some of their most sacred rituals. Bindings, seals, barriers, even mating ceremonies. Almost anything can be done using someone's blood. Blood is very important because it's a person's very essence. It's what has all of their magic. And now, somehow, you're connected to Youko Kurama. And I hope it's in a good way, Kagome, because I don't want to see you hurt because of this,” Sango explained. `Connected? We have some sort of relation to each other now?' Kagome nibbled on her lip. Sango gripped Kagome's biceps and stared her hard in the eye.

 

“ Just stay away from him, Kagome-chan. Don't go anywhere near him,” Sango said firmly. Kagome nodded. With that, they both fell silent and finished bathing themselves.

 

XevolutionX

 

It had taken them two weeks, but the shard hunters had finally found Naraku. The tainted air hung heavily on their bodies, but they ignored. They could not afford any distractions when facing the dark hanyou. Kagome strung her bow, mentally preparing herself for the taxing battle that was no doubt going to take place. As if in response to her thoughts, Naraku appeared, Kagura, Kohaku, and a new incarnate by his side.

 

“ Kukuku, I did not think you would be here so soon,” Naraku said. `Ugh, he has that same stupid, corny laugh. Can't he fine a better laugh to use?' Inuyasha drew Tetsusaiga and stepped forward.

 

“ Keh! Too bad for you! Now we're gonna kick your ass!” Inuyasha yelled. Naraku smirked.

 

“ Are you so sure of that? I would like you to meet my new incarnate, Kyuuzou,” Naraku gestured to the new youkai. He looked a lot like Naraku, with black hair and red eyes, but his ears were pointed, like Kagura's, and he had no make-up on, or anything that looked like it.

 

“ He is a master of bombs. I was inspired by those things you humans call canons,” Naraku said idly. Kagome tensed. `Bombs?' Inuyasha growled and took another step forward.

 

“ Who cares about bombs?! It's not gonna make any difference when you're licking your wounds with your tail between your legs!” Inuyasha snapped.

 

“ Take another step forward and the bombs I have planted in the ground will explode,” Kyuuzou said. His voice was soft and calm, his face impassive. Inuyasha paused. With a threat like that, one couldn't afford to give it too much doubt.

 

“ Keh! I'll just jump into the air. Bombs can't hurt me there, now can they?” Inuyasha said smugly. Kyuuzou pointed at the rest of the group.

 

“ But what about your companions? Surely they would die in the explosion,” He said blandly. Kagome gritted her teeth. What an insult! She had been thrown off cliffs, swept down raging rivers, faced death by youkai, even faced the thought of being eaten or skinned alive, and she survived it! An explosion wasn't going to kill her. Or maybe….Kagome glanced at the ground. It still wasn't an exciting prospect, being thrown into the air by a bomb.

 

“ Don't worry about us, Inuyasha! Let's take them down!” Kagome called. Inuyasha smirked.

 

“ Now that's what I like to hear!”

 

“ Heh, so even with the threat of bombs, you refuse to give up? Die, you fools. Dance of Blades!” Kagura opened her fan, and in one smooth movement, sent deadly blades made of wind at the group. Kagome released her arrow, rendering the wind temporarily useless, as it had been purified by her arrow. Kagura scowled.

 

“ Alright! Kaze no Kizu!” Inuyasha slammed Tetsusaiga into the ground. However, the onslaught of youki was stopped when Kyuuzou snapped his fingers. Explosions shook the ground as broken pieces of the earth's crust was forced upward by the explosions, blocking the path of Inuyasha's attack.

 

“ Damn!” Inuyasha cursed.

 

“ Now do you see your dilemma? You can never defeat me!” Naraku said triumphantly.

 

“ You forgot about the rest of us, Naraku!” Sango yelled. With a might throw, she sent Hiraikotsu their way, slicing through the wall of rock and dirt. Kyuuzou, unable to see through the rock, was grazed by the giant boomerang. His face showed no emotion though he did clutch his elbow.

 

“ Inuyasha! Use Bakuryuuha!” Kagome called, “ It'll definitely be enough to get rid of all those rocks in our way.”

 

“ Right!” Inuyasha raised his sword up high, then brought it down with a mighty slam, giving a battle cry as he did. Through the dust and debris that was rising up in Bakuryuuha's wake, Kagome saw Kyuuzou raise his hand in one final attack.

 

“ Guys! We have to run!” Kagome screamed.

 

“ What?!” Inuyasha called, scandalized she would make such a suggestion. But it was too late. Kagome imagined she could hear Kyuuzou's fingers snapping, though that would have been impossible over the howl of Bakuryuuha. Definitely Kyuuzou would be destroyed in the attack's wake, but that didn't stop him from making one more move. The resulting explosion thrust everyone high into the air, dirt flying everywhere. Kagome was forced to shut her eyes to keep them from harm. As a result, she had no idea where she was going to land. It felt like she was flyinf somewhere off to her right, and her body felt as though it were flipping and twisting in the air. A rock from the explosion collided with her stomach, and Kagome heard a crack as her ribs gave under the force from the rock. It seemed like she was flying for forever, now that there was this numb pain in her left side. It was all Kagome could do to hold on to her bow. Then she felt herself falling. It was as if everything had previously been going in slow motion, and was now quickening to incredible speeds. Then she felt the merciless slap of leaves and branches, her body smacking into trees on her way down. Kagome could feel her skin being sliced open as she fell through the canopy, and then her breath left her as she hit the ground, a grunt escaping from her lips. `That hurt…' Was all she could manage. She felt rather distant from her own body. She stared up at the trees, dazedly, almost imagining she could see a hole in the canopy where she had fallen through. Kagome laid there for a long time, trying to regain her bearings. She still retained her white knuckled grip on her bow, Kagome noticed detachedly. `Somehow, this seems awfully funny. Why do I want to laugh so badly right now?' A giggle escaped her lips. Then another. Kagome clamped her lips together. The edges of her vision were turning black. A before she could fall into unconsciousness, she caught a glimpse of familiar violet eyes. `Who do I know that has violet eyes? They're very pretty…'

 

OooOooOooOooOooOoo

 

So there you have. I had been hoping to get this out before the New Year, but oh well. I don't like this chapter very much, partly because there's a fight scene and I'm awful at fight scenes. And don't lie to me about in a review, because you're all going agree with me, that was horrible. Another reason why I didn't like this chapter was because it seemed rushed, but it was the best I could do.

 

On to questions I have received. About how many chapters is this going to be? I don't know. Probably over 25. I don't want to say for certain, because then I'll prove myself a liar and have it be more or less than what I said. When I write my prequel, what is it going to be about? As cliché as it might sound, I'm going to write about Youko's, Kuronue's, and Seiryoku's lives before they met, and how they met. This way you might be able to see their perspective on things, and where they're coming from. I think that was it. Also, going back to chapter 7 on Kagome's supposed death. If you like at the anime (not saying which one, it'll be too easy then) and the circumstances during the scene she “died” you should be able to tell what happens. Some might not, others might be too lazy. If you do get it right…I won't tell you. I just want to see who might be able to guess the right answer. Just for giggles. Also, I'm going to type up the first chapter to the prequel, which is named The Beginning. It'll be updated shortly after this chapter. Also, weekly news on my stories can be found on my livejournal. The link is http://roadkill2580.livejournal.com/ Just copy and paste. I update it every Saturday, though this last Saturday I neglected it in favor of writing Evolution. Until the next time I update.