Gaia guardians Christmas chapter (current published chapter)

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Gaia guardians

Rating: T (slight language, violence and slight innuendo in later chapters)
Genre: Action/Adventure, romance, drama (in later chapters)

Gaiden special chapter 0.1- When the snow fell on us...
/It was then/that our bonds/were tied between/[you] and [I]

In the small town of Hanamomi, 10 years ago

She watched from the large window panel of the cafe shop as the snow continued to fall down in small, miniscule clusters, one after the other. Smiling at the small, beautiful spectacle, the young woman smiled again and then returned her warm gaze on her equally warm mug of hot chocolate she held so tightly between her hands. Looking intently at her faint reflection in the dark brown pools, she took a nearby spoon and immediately started turning it, the ripples of her reflection soon dissipating and becoming blurry to her eyes. Narrowing her pine green eyes gleefully as she did this, the woman closed her eyes and then raising the hot liquid-filled mug to her lips, blew small puffs of air as she attempted to cool down the boiling drink. As she was going to take a trial sip though, the young woman gasped and hissed at the pain when she felt her burning tongue twitch; it seemed as if it wasn’t ready to be drunk yet. Sighing at her failed drinking attempt, she reluctantly set her hot mug down on the table, her hands however never leaving its surface. Shrugging at her momentary defeat, the braided female then took to looking outside again, to where a hustle and bustle of people had been long crowding the streets. Bright lights and decorations were also seen across different stores across from where the woman was sitting. It was a perfect time for festive cheer, and the retail stores and other consummations stores were probably going to have their most profitable time of the year. The hazel-haired woman smiled and giggled again at the thought of her neighbour, Ms. Hibiya, and her wild rants about how people were getting too perky or too greedy during this specific time of the year. “Heh Heh Heh,” the woman chuckled to herself gleefully as she recalled their last encounter. Then again, sometimes she would agree and sympathize with the older woman.

After all, it was the holidays. And as such, people often tend to get a bit worked up into what they’re going to buy for the loved ones; and for the young children, their poor parents were responsible for keeping up with the charade that there was indeed such a thing as Santa Claus, and had to feed their mouths with the thoughts that they had to sleep well tonight or else Santa would’ve come creeping into their chimney on Christmas Eve.

“Ohhh...t-there you are, Sakibara-Oujo-sama!” then said a voice from the outside, startling the hazel-haired woman out of her thoughts as her gaze turned upwards. She was then met with the panting figure of a young, short blue-haired man with slipping spectacles falling down his nose; which he quickly adjusted after taking notice of it. Judging by the looks of him, it had seemed like he had ran quite a long distance for him to reach her like this! Or then again was he simply in a hurry to arrive and the large strain and lack of free movement in the hustle and bustle of the crowds exhausted him? Either way, the man looked very tired, and the young woman decided to ease his pains by offering him a seat, to which the stuffy male gladly accepted, though in an abrupt manner. Apparently he was rushed by something as he was sitting halfway on his seat, one leg sticking out towards the floor outside their table. Noticing his error and wide lack of politeness, the young man gasped and quickly adjusted his mistake, settling both legs under their table.

“Please accept this one’s dearest apologies again, Sakibara Oujo-sama. Forgive this fool for his rudeness and his grave tardiness. The reports had came in late and I felt I couldn’t arrive here without you having this information, so-” The boy then stuttered all at once as he proceeded to rise from his seat and then give a quick bow to her once before slamming himself down on his seat once more. The stunned young woman, in response, smiled sheepishly and easily gave him the required apology through just a wave of her hand. “Oh hoh, Komagata-san!” she said back, smiling as if nothing was, “You mustn’t worry about your being late! I was watching the people go by while I waited for you; it was quite fun and very entertaining really. But...Thank you nonetheless for the kind apology!! Really!” Watching as she continued to laugh in such a carefree manner, the still-nervous boy in question swallowed again and nodded for the third time, while also taking that apology as a positive reply. Once again readjusting his glasses back onto his nose, the blue-haired youth then took to introducing himself as he took out an envelope from his large navy parka. Watching intently as she opened the thin packet and skimmed through the folders that were inside, the man swallowed nervously. Hesitantly raising a hand to loosen his tie, he swallowed again and cleared his throat to address the concentrated woman once more. “S-Sakibara Oujo-sama,” he started, unable to keep he lump in his throat, “I’m feeling a bit hot in here. Is it alright if I may take off my tie a little bit?” Chuckling again at the man’s flustered behaviour, the light blonde nodded and returned to examining her papers, leaving Komagata-san to loosen up his tie a little bit. A small, awaiting silence then settled between them as the boy attentively watched the woman in front of him, yet also taking the time to study her as well. He had wanted to see if the rumours were circulating about Oujo-sama were true; Because, unbeknownst to her, he had based her appearance solely on those rumours, and had been hopelessly infatuated with her ever since.

My goodness...It truly is as they had described her...Truly indeed! Beautiful, radiant locks of honeyed-coloured hair...they say it was always wrapped up in a braid on one side...it seems it is!! And her eyes...what deep shades of green! One who would feel as if they would be staring directly into the eyes of a luscious, endless forest of Pine trees...I would see why anyone could fall in love with her...such warmth, such depth...such simple radiance emanating from this woman...Ohhh...Sakibara Oujo-sama...If you could only be mine!!!

“...Komagata-san?” then came the light voice creeping into his ears again, “Komagata-san?” she repeated as the boy in question found himself staring face to face into familiar pair of deep green eyes. “GYAAAHHH!!” He yelled in surprise as he jolted wildly from his seat and was now up and atom on his seat, with hands in front of him. Blinking as she chose to ignore the boy’s odd bits of behaviour, Sakibara Oujo-sama smiled and waved hello. “Um, Komagata-san,” she then said calmly, ignoring the watching crowd around them,”...would you please take a deep breath and accompany me towards our designated ride? After all if we remember well, that is the only reason that you had come to meet me in the first place, yes?” the still flustered boy in question nodded and taking a deep breath as instructed, then slunk down in his seat. The two then rose up from their seats, and it was then that Komagata gasped and couldn’t help himself as he then pointed down at Sakibara Oujo-sama. She, still smiling as nothing was, nodded and then turned him around and walked him forward towards the entrance of the cafe, meanwhile still not taking notice of the gawking passerby of earlier.

After all, it wasn’t every day you would see such constant erratic behaviour in their town. And was the young boy pointing at exactly when he was looking at the other woman? They couldn’t see what he had seen either.

When the duo were finally outside, the woman in question then smiled broadly and raised her arms in the air, enjoying herself in the continuous sight of the snowflakes falling above her. “Ahhh...look at it, Komagata-san. Look at the small specks of the falling snowflakes. Is it not beautiful to marvel at? They look like little falling stars from our feeble point of view. You know, some countries don’t even have the luxury of celebrating winter with the snow like we can. But they still do take it in themselves to celebrate the coming holidays in their own special way...isn’t.” Looking at the still-gaping boy, Sakibara Oujo-sama still smiled and patted his shoulder lightly. Meanwhile, Komagata-san had still not taken the recent surprise he found himself staring at. Luckily, by the time the shocked boy was about to stutter anything else from his mouth, a car had come by and had stopped right in front of the awaiting passerby. Once again giving light pushes towards her attendant, Sakibara Oujo-sama stepped in slowly inside the vehicle, following her shocked younger friend. When they were finally in the vehicle, Komagata-san finally strode his eyes away from the hazel-eyed woman’s unusually large belly and finally stared at the face of the expectant in question.

Another soft chuckle passed through her lips as she had temporarily received the boy’s full attention. Then again she was getting used to the constant gawks and stares she was receiving every now and then. But she had to say that it was very funny when she saw the reaction on their faces; men were certainly more expressive then women when it came to this department. As for Komagata-san himself, he hadn’t gotten over the fact that he was staring at the face of his “beloved”. He couldn’t really get over the fact that her pregnancy had been so quickly, so fast...!! “S-S-S-Sakibara....Oujo...”the blue-haired boy again stuttered, readjusting his slipping glasses unto his face. He again swallowed the huge lump in his throat and took a huge huff of breath. “Aye, Aye...E-excuse me!” he managed again as he turned around to contemplate in his little corner, leaving the giggling Sakibara Oujo-sama to stare at his back. Taking another look at her future daughter, the woman patted her large belly and chuckled.

“...I know, I know. You must be thinking: “Sakibara Oujo-sama has been taken!” And the truth is, yes she has, Komagata-san...yes, she has. So my dearest apologies if you now find yourself heartbroken, like all the others. Sakibara Obaa-chan didn’t really didn’t want this to be known, only by a few private members of the council. Thus, to normal people, they wouldn’t my gradual change in appearance over the last nine months. But, of course, with those who are supernaturally inclined...they would’ve spotted the changes immediately; within even the first weeks for those who were very skilled in detecting such things.” Meanwhile, the youth in question, who was now fidgeting over what to do now, had finally come to a decision. Turning around to meet the still smiling face of his “formerly beloved”, Komagata-san sighed and took a deep breath. After all, it was only a fluttering crush he had, and with time, he would soon find another to call his “beloved”. After all, there could’ve been many reasons why it probably would’ve never worked between them; with one of the biggest reasons being that she was his superior and that despite her age, she was in her mid-twenties while he was still in his late teens.

It probably would’ve never really worked, anyway.

After all, the most important reason before all was that this would be the woman who would be giving birth to the world’s salvation, would she not? So of course all her attention, all her patience and virtue was needed to go through her future experiences with the coming child. He would probably only be in the way in the end game. “I...I...I understand, Sakibara Oujo-sama. I had just overreacted, and I thank you for seeing through this one’s faults.” He finally said, now returning to planting both feet on the ground of the vehicle. Clearing his throat to release any more of the tension he might’ve caused between them during their entire meeting from the cafe to the car, Komagata clasped his hands together and awaited an answer to his unasked question. Seeing his renewed serious expression, Sakibara Oujo-sama returned her own eyes towards the front and placed her own hands on her stomach as well.

“Well, your report was quite detailed, Komagata-san. Your sector has done tremendous work on finding out details about the work of this Arcadia Corporation. Sakibara Oujo-sama was very pleased. It helps us know exactly what are their motives for the future and what it might have to do with my...my...future...daughter...”Stopping in her speech to look down at the unborn child stirring inside her belly, Sakibara Oujo-sama frowned and narrowed her eyes. Komagata-san, in an act of worry and lingering hope, placed a comfortable arm on her shoulder. In her slight distraction, Sakibara Oujo-sama leaned in towards the nearby shoulder and closed her eyes, her face twisted in expressed anguish. She was trying to suppress the tears from streaming down her face. Taking the strong initiative, Komagata-san pulled the adult woman closer to him and held her at a considerable length from him. Enough to hunch close to her, but not too much that it would seem like he was trying to get perhaps too intimate with her. For him, having Oujo-sama this close to him would’ve been enough. He would time to get over her later; but right now, she needed comforting, and as a love struck man, that was what Komagata was of duty to give her that! “K-Komagata-kun...”she muttered under sniffles and sniffs as the hot tears streamed from her face. Gulping as he felt her relax under release herself under him, the shaking boy just swallowed and nodded, decided to keep his gaze to the window, watching as the limousine drove over the bridge that would cross towards the city of Tokyo, where Sakibara Obaa-chan and the council would be waiting.

***

Tsusushi temple, Tokyo

“Midori! Midori Sakibara!” The young man yelled towards the young girl perched up on the Sakura cherry blossom tree. The girl in question blinked and slightly took her eyes off the chicks on her fingers to look down at the angry priest who addressed her. The said man was actually her very irritated tutor. You see, Midori was supposed to be training for her future role as the heiress of the Sakibara family spiritual powers and thus gaining ascension to the protection of the shrine; but sometimes she had a habit of sneaking off when not needed. Most of the time, the poor teachers would mostly find her here, sitting in one of the high branches of the Sakura tree preceding the main houses themselves, and she was often playing with the birds who had nestled there. Other times, she would simply be not inside the perimeters of the shrine itself, but instead she would out into the big city of Tokyo itself, “to make up for lost time” she once claimed when she was asked why she would be often taking her little brother Shouta with her on her rare trips to the outside metropolis. It was indeed a hassle to try and discipline the young adoptee of Lady Kimiko Sakibara; but in the end, she did have at least one main quality; when push came to shove, she would do what was required of her.

However, that would take much more effort to get her to actually get to the “push and shove” part.

“HAHHH!!! You....You...youuuuu!!!” yelled the exasperated man once more as he pointed towards the gawking girl, blinking back at him as if nothing was. “Midori Sakibara-sama! Are you even listening to meee??? Get down here right this instant!” Returning her attention to the chirping yellow chicks hopping and resting on her fingers, Midori smiled and with her other hand, slowly stroked their gentle little foreheads.

“Right this minute, young lady! Tis not time to be fooling around!!!” Came the loud voice speaking to her ignorant hearing again.”Do you want me to attack those birds? That tree? You? Allrighty then...”he finally said snickering and slamming his fists together,” Let’s see what you’re really made of...”

As for Midori herself, she still seemed oblivious to what exactly was happening, instead turning all her attention on the chicks before her. What a bunch of cute little animals. Birds. Or should I say chicks. They hadn’t much to do for the moment. Unlike me, she grumbled though, as she was once more jolted out of her thoughts when she sensed the incoming force of an attack. Glancing below again, Midori quickly leaped away from the tree just as the sutra had struck the branch she was sitting on. Landing on her two feet, the braided brunette frowned and held onto the little birds nestled in her chest. “Oi, Sensei! How can you do that?” she exploded back, growling. She knew she was slacking off, but having the little ones involved in this too? Outrageous! Fine! The Honorary Priestess in-training concluded, flexing her free hand into a fist, which quickly crackled into a ball of energy, if it’s a fight he wants, than a fight he’ll get! Not losing any more time before her sensei could prepare for another attack. “Aha!” then came the triumphant reply, “You’ve finally decided to shape up, eh? Well, let us see if- GYAAHAHAH!!”By the time the sensei had gone even though mid-speech, Midori had long been prepared; her two forefingers in the air, she mutely chanted the required words and minutes later fired a bolt of lightning. Launching it towards her intended target, the long-range attack struck the stunned teacher straight to the chest, which then sent him flying all the way out towards the staircase where two visitors were currently climbing in order to reach the top.

“Oh No...” Komagata-kun muttered as he then looked to the puzzled Sakibara Oujo-sama who was looking back at him.”D-didn’t you hear that?”He asked nervously, chuckling as he looked up towards the last few stairs. “Hmmm? Yes, I heard a scream, but I had no idea that it was coming from-“ “Duck!” the blue-haired boy suddenly ordered as the two did so, avoiding the body of the yelling that flew above them, then tumbling and groaning to his doom. Wincing at what he had just witnessed, Komagata-kun sighed and shook his head. “Well, there she goes again. And with that, another teacher too.” The hazel-haired woman still lodged between his shoulder and arm looked over her shoulder and frowned. “Oh dear...Should we check on him? Is he going to be alright?” She asked, unaware of what exactly had happened to the man to have sent him flying like that. “Well...” was the clearly hesitant reply as Komagata-kun looked upwards in a thoughtful manner,” ...Let’s just say that Midori-sama is...very difficult to work with at times...actually, scratch that; many times, Oujo-sama.” He had paused for a great deal of minutes before having said the last two words. After all, he wasn’t exactly a good source of reconnaissance despite being on the team; he was just tasked with summarizing them into long essays and charts. Otherwise the poor boy fed himself on others’ rumours. “Oh really?” came the curious reply,” Is this Midori going to be the next in line for the succession of the family robes?” Komagata-kun nodded again reluctantly. That, he knew wasn’t just from rudimentary gossip; the facts were solely set on her. “...She seems...interesting! Like she could pull her own weight only she’s asked to...or to put it simply a really fun and interesting person!” Again bursting into a fit of giggles, Sakibara Oujo-sama smiled and went into thought, leaving poor Komagata-kun to wonder whom exactly he was crushing on. After all, Oujo-sama was much too sophisticated and much too dignified to want anything to do with the likes of that mean-spirited, haughty, and slacker of an Honorary Priestess! Frowning and twitching at the thought invaded him, Komagata-kun harrumphed and decided to trudge on forward while pulling Oujo-sama with him, swiftly bringing the woman out of her frivolous thoughts. Marching through the last bits of snow-covered steps, the duo (Komagata-kun in particular) groaned huge sighs of relief as they reached the summit. The said latter, by then, had fallen on his knees and was literally bowing up and down, giving countless kisses to the snow-filled ground and thanking the gods of the sky to have finished his misery. Judging by the way he was fervently praying, snivelling in tears and constantly bowing, it seemed like Komagata-kun would be absorbed in this little ritual for the next little while.

Meaning...I can go find Midori-sama!!! Ooohhh...what fun I expect in this little hunt!!! Taking this opportunity to try and find the probably “infamous” girl, Sakibara Oujo-sama clapped her hands excitedly and literally taking one leap at a time, hopped with one foot in front after the other; smiling and always looking behind her as she watched her tracks in the snow. She continued to act and walk in this manner until she ended up face to face with the Cherry blossom tree where Midori had been previously perched on. Now she found the girl in question sitting down right in front of her, at the base of said cherry blossom tree. Groaning a bit as she stabilized her aura inside her belly to equalize her child’s overbearing chi within her body, Sakibara Oujo-sama suddenly stumbled forward until she turned and with a flop of her butt, ended up sitting on the white and pink concrete next to the indifferent priestess.

“So...you must be... the renowned Midori-Ore-sama?” she asked, having added playful emphasis on the girl’s given title. Oujo-sama was still smiling nonchalantly as she looked at her. Midori looked up from the snuggling birds lodged up in her kimono hem towards a pair of warm green eyes. Minutes later, unable to bear the simple, deep stare Sakibara Oujo-sama was giving her, quickly scoffed and looked away. Softening her gaze even more, Sakibara Oujo-sama smiled even broader and then looked to the gray sky above them, heightened by the incoming snowflakes that had started falling once again. “You know...snowflakes are beautiful, aren’t they, Midori-Ore-sama? Each of them diminutive in size, but very large in beauty and grace. Can you see from here how each of them, even in their small stature, how each of them dances in the sky? How they brighten up the greyed skies we see before us? All the while approaching us for a perfectly white Christmas...won’t it be perfect for such an occasion?” She then asked, smiling as her gaze returned upwards towards the sky, leaving Midori to raise a brow at the other woman’s current line of thought. Then without notice, the woman’s gaze then caught Midori’s eyes again by surprise as the two then looked at each other; then, pointing a forefinger on the girl’s nose, Sakibara Oujo-sama then winked.”I’ve heard many things about you, you know”, she said, her voice still playful, “one of the many things I’ve heard was that you’re the next in line for the succession of the family robes of the Sakibara family; therefore you must be ready to lead the Shinto council of Priests and Priestesses in all of our little Nippon...can you do that?” At that peculiar question, Midori returned her gaze to the pregnant woman next to her. Narrowing her eyes, the braided brunette drew back from her touch and heatedly retorted, “Are you questioning my abilities, Sakibara Oujo-sama?” “Nani? Me? Why, no, Midori-Ore-sama! I am not in league to do such a thing! After all, you had been chosen by Kimiko-Obaa-chan and she must’ve been right in her decisions, hasn’t she?” At the tone of the other woman’s last statement, Midori decided to ignore her again and looked to the side. While it was true that the next in line was the assumed to be taking the position, Midori was filling the position well; to a tee even!

And yet, Sakibara Oujo-sama sounded like she knew more than she was letting on. Much more. But she didn’t have to listen to her! After all, Kimiko-Obaa-sama had chosen her and that was that! There was nothing else to be said; the facts were facts! Scoffing as she had almost been convinced to think otherwise, Midori scoffed at her wayward train of thought and defiantly returned her gaze towards the smiling woman who had been looking at her the entire time. Jumping slightly as she was reflected back into the static pine-coloured eyes, Midori smirked and thumped her chest lightly, having not forgotten about the little ones still nestling within her kimono top. “As of today...I promise you this, Sakibara Oujo-sama: not only will I lead the Nippon Shinto council, but I will also prepare myself for the coming of your daughter! After all, you are expecting a child, aren’t you? Let me take her under my wing someday; I will make you see that Obaa-sama hadn’t made a wrong decision...I will make you see that Midori Sakibara will see to that your daughter be a Priestess worthy of her family name! For even if she doesn’t have any sort of spiritual entity whatsoever, that doesn’t mean that she still won’t be able to brag that she had been trained by Midori Sakibara, Honorary High Priestess of the Nippon Shinto Council!!!” By the time she had finished her speech, the Honorary Priestess had been up on her feet, with finger strongly pointed down towards the woman who was now giggling as if she had seen something really funny. Had she taunted the girl just to earn such a reaction from her? Or was the mischievous Oujo-sama simply playing with our Priestess into making such a wager? Either way, the hazel-haired woman on the ground was now laughing heartedly and Midori was reddening and puffing as she would go through another onset of frustration. As her laughter soon grew down, Sakibara Oujo-sama gave one last chuckle before giving a huge take of breath and placing her two hands upon her belly, her right above her left one. Her eyes calmly closed as the faint silence resumed between the two women, Oujo-sama then dropped her head down to look at her protruded stomach, where within it was currently developing what would be her future child. Opening her eyes half-lidded yet this time not looking at Midori but at her belly, the hazel-haired woman smiled softly and started rubbing the belly slowly, moving one hand below, and with both hands, she was slowly circling the round stomach back and forth, left to right; then giggling softly as she enjoyed the unseen reactions that only a mother would know. Midori, meanwhile, scoffed once more and proceeded to try and awaken the little chicks which had yet to leave their human chest nest.

“..Would you like to feel her?” She then asked the surprised Midori, who, unexpectedly, ended up staring at her again. As their eyes had met in surprise for the second time that afternoon, the two women (Midori in particular) lit up in giggles and as Midori was climbing up to settle the little ones back in their real nests, the braided brunette looked over her shoulder and hopped back down, her feet crashing once again into the snow. Kneeling back down to sit on the ground, Midori then smiled and slowly raised a hand towards the belly. “Ahhh...Wait...”Sakibara Oujo-sama said, pausing as she then stopped in her caressing of both hands to leave one hand to place over Midori’s. “Ohhh...Thanks.” Guiding the other’s hand around the soft surface, Midori then gasped as they stilled their hands in place. That’s when they felt it.

Rather, that was when she felt it. The all-powerful “Baby bump”. That one little reaction from the child inside that would easily make tens of thousands of mothers and friends alike squeal in unison. After all, it’s not often you get to feel the kick, or the head even, if it’s a stubborn little male sleeping in there. And for normal mortals, that was pretty much great in itself; but for people like Midori, it was much more profound than that. Swallowing as she asked to travel furthermore around the stomach, the brunette swallowed the umpteenth lump in her mouth as her hand was glided down around towards the concealed navel of Oujo-sama’s stomach; that’s when she felt the other bump again. But even more, Midori had also felt the powerful stream of chi that had passed from the inner limb of muscle towards her hands, creating slight clash of auras. The result she encountered was stunning Midori; usually when even in the conception stage, babies were measured with normal, regulated chi levels; but then again was she dealing with an ordinary baby here?

Another chuckle was emitted from Sakibara Oujo-sama’s mouth as Midori then released her hand from the woman’s large abdomen. As she felt it, another light spark flew between her fingers and the stomach, making the girl widen her eyes. What incredible power was floating within this child? Midori, slightly overwhelmed by her discovery, slightly backed away and almost fell on the snow; if her hands hadn’t cushioned her fall, making her sit up instead. Once more returning her proper hands to caress her belly, Sakibara Oujo-sama then leaned back against the tree and returned her gaze towards the sky, now brightening up with the slight cameo of the sun behind a cloud. “Why Midori-Ore-sama seems surprised a bit, ne? That was more than just a mere “baby bump” wasn’t it?” She then said and winked at the flabbergasted woman next to her.

“W-what’s her name?”The girl reluctantly asked, now wishing she hadn’t had such a big mouth. She, training that powerhouse? Yeah, right. Now she wished she hadn’t gone off the wire like that. In return, Oujo-sama had decided to taunt the Priestess-in-training, blinking curiously and leaning a head over to the other girl; she claimed she hadn’t been listening earlier. “Hmmm? Midori-Ore-sama is asking what now? Sakibara Oujo-sama couldn’t really hear you. I was too busy watching the snow fall and listening to my little girl here.” Frowning again as she further played with, Midori rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, choosing to look nowhere but straight into the eyes of the older woman before her.

“What’s her name, Oujo-sama?” she repeated slowly, smirking as she did so. That oughta teach her. Giggling again at the younger girl’s frail attempt to get back at her, the expectant mother looked back at Midori and leaned to her ear.

“...Kikyo.”

Without another word, the mirthful Oujo-sama giggled once again and then with grace and slowness contradicting her current state as an expectant, the young woman stood up on her feet, wiping the traces of snow and petals from her jeans and coat then clapped her hands of the remains. Just as Oujo-sama was to address again the awaiting Midori, a yell for the said girl was coming their way from behind. Komagata-kun was running towards them, looking as desperate and exhausted as ever. Scoffing at his horrid running, Midori rolled her eyes and turned the other way, when she was abruptly pulled back by Oujo-sama and her ear was again brought to the older woman’s mouth.”...Midori-Ore-sama will be taking my daughter under her wing at Christmas time, yes?” Blinking at the odd request, Midori shrugged nonetheless and looking back at the smiling Oujo-sama, nodded. As she was left to go back off into the nearby temples, Komagata-kun was just on the verge of arriving behind Oujo-sama when the woman had turned around to meet him first. “Hello, Komagata-kun...your prayer for thanks went well, I presume?” The huffing boy straightened and bowing once in apology, nodded at her question.

“And you, Oujo-sama? Was conversing with Midori-miko-sama fruitful?” Again she nodded at the thought. “But! Let us not dwell on that; instead let us go inside to see Obaa-chan...She must’ve been awaiting us for the past last hour now!” Nodding at his earnest request, Sakibara Oujo-sama gracefully walked forward, with the bumbling Komagata-kun following behind. As they finally came inside, a team of shrine maidens quickly took over from Komagata-kun and were already surrounding the hazel-haired woman with salutations and hellos; and rushing Oujo-sama towards the dressing room where a formal kimono would be awaiting her for the meeting. Then while she was left to her own devices, it was then that Oujo-sama was then fraught with realization; how couldn’t she have noticed how cold it was outside? It had seemed rather nicely warm for a snow-filled day yet in the entirety of the time she had spent with Midori, she had never been attacked with sneezes or shivers...

Of course...it could also be...

She looked down and again caressed the bare belly of her child beneath her. Life was really incredible to her. ”...Galatea, is it? No...Key of Salvation you may be, but you are first and foremost, my little girl, my dear little Kikyo... After all, Galatea is but merely your former self, my child...But please, please answer me this; was it you who protected your mother from the dangers of the cold? I thank you for that, young one. I also thank you for protecting every one of us in the future...for I know, I know that whatever perils may come for you; you will address them; and whatever dangers may attack you; I know that you shall not be alone....you cannot be alone when you face them...!!”The last sentence had almost been in a whimpering cry.

“O-Oujo-sama?” One of the awaiting maidens had asked curiously, peeking in to see what was the matter. Gasping as she saw the slunken form of her mistress, the maiden quickly lost no time and yelled for others’ assistance; she then returned to her mistress and knelt to her side, placing her hands on her shoulders.” Is Oujo-sama alright?” she asked tentatively again as she watched the usually composed and calm face transformed into a bawling and pained face, with hands clutching protectively around her belly. Taking a look behind her and blinking as she saw no trace of water currently flowing, the maiden nonetheless stayed slightly concerned.

“Oujo-sama?” she asked again as she still received no response. Or at least not until she then watched as the crying woman rose back up to her knees and smiled at the maiden next to her. Her smile seeming familiar to her, the maidens (now having arrived in the room for the last five minutes) nonetheless circled themselves around Oujo-sama and one by one, tasked themselves on trying to make her beautiful. Once again lost in her thoughts as she was currently being prepared and pampered, Oujo-sama smiled and as she was closing her eyes, her last thoughts of the day circled within her head.

Midori-Ore-sama...I do thank you as well for that generous offer...I feel that you and my daughter will get along very well; I know it. After all, won’t you both be fun and interesting in the future? Christmas is indeed coming soon; and on the day the Lord’s son was born, on Christmas our own light of Salvation shall illuminate our own world from the clutches of darkness...and they’ll be presents galore!!!Unable to help herself again, Oujo-sama then lit up into another fit of happy and mirthful giggles. Why was this? To this day, only a selected number of people ever found out why exactly she was always in such a good mood.