58

Chapter 58:

Six years ago:

"The Tale of the Seasons?" Natsuki blinked in confusion.

"It's better known in the outside world," explained Makoto. "Would you like to hear it?"

"All right," said Natsuki.

Makoto told her the story of an old man, living in self-imposed isolation, until he was approached by four young women. One by one, they wore through his defenses and restored his hope and optimism for the world. In thanks, the old man, a wizard, chose to reward the maidens by taking the magic power within him, and dividing it up between them, empowering those young women to become incarnations of the seasons...Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, the Four Maidens.

"That's a nice story," said Natsuki. "But what does that have to do with me?"

"Because...it is not actually a fairy tale," said Makoto, drawing a gasp from his young audience. "It truly happened." He shook his head slightly. "Granted, the exact details may not necessarily line up with the retelling, particularly because there is more than one version of it. However, the ultimate truth is that there really was a wizard, and he really did impart his magic to four young women."

"Magic...?" Natsuki's eyes widened.

"Correct," said Makoto, "a power separate from that born of Aura, or that born of Dust, which is used in the outside world. Through that power, wielding elemental force equivalent to any of our schools of Manifestation would be a simple matter."

"And what about me?" asked Natsuki again.

Makoto frowned. "The power of the Maidens has one other quality. It is cyclical. Empowered as they are, Maidens still live out mortal lives. They grow old, and then pass on...assuming their lives are not ended prematurely. However...their magic does not pass on with them.

"Instead, upon the death of its host, the magic seeks out a new vessel, and grants its power to her. The criteria for this is somewhat nebulous. According to what we have learned, the first option is that the magic is passed on to the last person in the thoughts of the dying Maiden. Should the Maiden not have anyone particular in mind, or should the person in their last thoughts not meet the criteria for inheriting the power...it will instead go to someone at random."

"And what's the cri-er...criteria?" asked Natsuki, wrestling with the unfamiliar word.

"The host must be a young woman," said Makoto. "Granted, the definition of 'young' is rather...unclear. As best we can determine, it could mean any young woman up to their mid-thirties...but with no lower-limit, as far as age is concerned."

"No lower...limit...?" Natsuki eyes widened, and he mouth drifted open, a soft gasp lingering in the air between her and the healer. "So...it could even be...a baby?"

"Indeed," said Makoto. "When you were barely a month old, your parents brought you to me with a most unusual story. They told me that, in the dead of night, a mysterious force blasted a hole through the roof of your bedroom and shattered your crib, with you in it. They found you amidst the wreckage of it, playing with balls of light and heat."

Natsuki gasped louder. "S-so...I'm...I'm a Maiden...?"

"Yes," said Makoto. "You are the Summer Maiden. It has been a long time since the power came to someone within the Mibu." He shook his head. "I suppose the law of averages dictates that it was due to happen sooner or later."

"So...I can do magic?" asked Natsuki, looking down at her hands.

"Not at the moment," said Makoto. "The magic of the Maidens is dangerous. It comes into you, fully formed. From the moment it entered you, you possessed the full scope of its power, irrespective of training or effort, you would have access to power potentially equal to that of any of our schools of Manifestation. Of course, learning to apply that power effectively would take time and effort. But that's a separate matter.

"The issue was that, having such power manifest within an infant was a tremendous danger. In your condition, such power would have been beholden to your merest whim, and the first of your childish tantrums could have wrecked your family's home."

"Tantrums...?" Natsuki's expression fell.

Makoto gently brushed a hand through her hair. "I don't mean to be disparaging. Amongst other things, children fuss and cry. You were of a milder disposition than most, but you had your moments. However, being able to throw about fire and lightning with your squalls would have made you...unmanageable.

"To that end, after consulting with my fellow Taishiro, we chose to place a seal on your magic."

"You can do that?" asked Natsuki, eyes wide.

Makoto chuckled. "I can," he said. "Technically, magic is beyond my ability to control. However, the Maiden's power binds itself to your Aura. That bond is within my domain. As such, I...isolated it from the rest of you...I suppose is the best way to put it.

"Of course, the seal is constructed from my Aura. Over time, it naturally weakens, both as a consequence of being detached from me, and your own Aura working against it. Because of that, it needs to be renewed periodically."

Natsuki gasped again, sitting up straighter. "The checkups!" she exclaimed. "That's what they were for!"

"Correct," said Makoto, chuckling. "Yes, your checkups are meant for me to restore the seal. That is the 'condition' you have been treated for, over the course of so many years." Makoto bowed his head before her, a contrite gesture that no one would have ever expected one of the exalted Taishiro to make. "Of course, because of that, I have caused you a great deal of stress and anxiety, to say nothing of lying to you by omission. Because of that, I humbly apologize for any distress that has resulted from my decision."

"It's...all right," said Natsuki, stunned to see one of the most powerful and exalted members of the clan bowing before her. It was an unsettling sight. "I...I think I understand." She frowned. "But...why is this such a big secret?"

"The Maidens themselves are a great secret," explained Makoto. "Outside the clan, very few know of their existence. Within the clan, only us Taishiro, and a select few others, know. Not even the Goyosei are aware of the Maidens' existence."

"Sasame-sama knows," said Natsuki.

"As do Kyo and his father," added Makoto. "Your parents are aware, as well. But that is the extent to which the knowledge of this affair goes."

"But why?" asked Natsuki.

"The power of the Maidens is both potent and formidable," said Makoto, his expression stern. "Because of that, there are any number of people who, if they knew such a power was real, would go to any lengths to secure it for their own use, whether by trying to bend a Maiden to their will...or forcefully take her power for themselves."

"How could they take it?" wondered Natsuki.

"I would rather not speak of such things to one as young as you," said Makoto sadly. "However, you have earned the right to know." He closed his eyes. "As I told you, the last person in the Maiden's thoughts will be the first candidate to inherit her power. Should she fit the criteria, it will be hers. Of course, if one were to say...kill a Maiden...then her attacker has a high chance of being the last person in the current Maiden's thoughts."

"Oh..." said Natsuki, paling. "You think someone might try to do that to me?"

"It is but one possibility," said Makoto. His expression darkened even more. "But that only scratches the surface of the reason this is such a serious secret. There is another, even more important aspect, one that is critical to the Maidens...and the role they play in this world."

"Role...?"

"You see," began Makoto, "the wizard who granted the Maidens their power did so many centuries ago."

"That's why it's an old fairy tale, right?" asked Natsuki.

Makoto nodded. "However...the truth is that that wizard...is still alive."

Natsuki gasped, then shook her head vigorously. "Well...that's not all that big a deal," she pointed out.

"True enough," agreed Makoto with a chuckle.

After all, the Mibu had long ago perfected the techniques of Aura, through which they could maintain their bodies in a healthy state, virtually indefinitely. Makoto himself was well into his third century of life. So the prospect of a man extending his life, even by several centuries, was not such a strange thing to those of the Mibu Clan.

"But his method of persisting is not the same as ours," Makoto continued. "It is linked to...his magic. In fact, you might even say that it served as the basis for the method by which the Maidens' powers are transferred from one host to the next. But, rather than it being his power that is passed on, his soul is instead passed on to a new host."

"Oh..." Natsuki frowned. "I bet that feels...strange."

"Most likely," agreed Makoto.

"Is the wizard going to come after me?" Natsuki wanted to know. "Does he want his magic back?" She frowned, staring down at herself. "If he does, I could give it back to him. I mean...it's no big deal."

That actually got a laugh from Makoto. "Oh no, there's no need to worry about that. In fact, in the outside world, the Wizard is one of those who works to continue protecting the Maidens, and has done so since the day he created the first ones." Then, once again, his expression became dark. "The true problem is that the Wizard has an enemy...a terrible enemy."

Natsuki swallowed, feeling the air around her become heavy.

"This foe also seeks the Maidens, for Her own ends. She is a terrible threat to the whole of the world. So, even as the Wizard and his allies have worked to keep the Maidens secret, and protect them, She has striven to secure them for her own purposes. Should She ever obtain that which She seeks, this world will know peril like no other."

Natsuki felt sweat bead upon her brow, a chill washing over her.

Makoto now looked at her with sadness. "If She were to learn that you were here, that you were a Maiden, it is likely that She would come for you, in some form or another."

"What do you mean?" asked Natsuki.

"She rarely acts herself anymore," said Makoto. "But She is as old as the Wizard, even older, in Her own way. Like the Wizard, She is in possession of powerful magic. Unlike him, She never parted with it, and still possesses the full measure of Her power. However, Her greatest strength lies in Her ability to use others to Her ends. As such, She has numerous agents and servants to act upon Her behalf, to act as Her eyes and ears, or Her arms and legs. If word of your existence reached Her ears, then it is likely that those servants of Hers would come for you."

Natsuki began to shiver.

Makoto smiled, reaching up and resting a hand on her shoulder, the warmth of his Aura washing through her. "However, that is not necessarily what would happen," he said. "While She is powerful...She is not truly invincible."

"She isn't?" asked Natsuki.

Makoto chuckled. "Magic is a lost power, one descended from a distant age. The Wizard and his foe are the only ones in the current world, aside from the Maidens of course, who possess such power. However, we of the Mibu have learned a great deal about magic, over the ages. In fact, you could say that we've come to hold it in a certain disdain."

"You don't like it?" asked Natsuki.

"We don't think highly of it," said Makoto. "Your magic, Natsuki-chan, has an innate limit. And, while you can learn to tap into it more, and wield it more effectively, no amount of training will ever increase it. However, Manifestation, the cultivation of one's Aura, enables one's power to be increased without limit. As such, while She might be a terrible threat to most, even amongst the Mibu, She could not hope to win against us Taishiro, much less the Crimson King."

"Oh," said Natsuki, relaxing a little.

Of course, if only a simple contest of power was a way to settle this, thought Makoto ruefully. The real issue is much more...complex...

Out loud, he said, "So, it is just as likely that She will simply bide her time, and wait for your power to pass naturally. But that is neither here, nor there. So long as your secret is kept, She will not learn of you, and will not have to decide either way."

Natsuki nodded vigorously.

"Of course, because your safety is paramount, we opted to keep the secret," continued Makoto. "Better to not allow Her to know, so that we don't have to deal with Her, if not necessary."

Natsuki was silent for several minutes, pondering over this. Finally, she looked up again. "So...what does this mean for me?"

"That is the question," said Makoto. "As we have told you, once you learned the truth, you would have a decision to make."

Natsuki swallowed.

"There are different options for you," explained Makoto. "The first, and the one that would resolve this most simply and easily, would be for us to exorcise your magic."

"Ex-er-exorcise?" asked Natsuki wrestling with the unfamiliar word.

"Remove it," elaborated Makoto. "With my Spiritual Surgery, it would be a simple task. Sasame or I could manage the operation easily. We would sever the magic's bond with you, and it would be free to seek out a new host...hopefully elsewhere."

"Oh..." said Natsuki.

"The second one...and the one that would be the hardest on you...would be to remove the seal, and for you to fully embrace the Maiden's power." Makoto's eyes narrowed. "It would mean that you would gain access to incredible power, a chance for you to become a tremendous force for good in the world."

"But wouldn't that...?" began Natsuki, her mind going back to everything Makoto had already told her.

Makoto nodded gravely. "Indeed, that would also mean fully embracing all the responsibilities and burdens that come with being a Maiden. Like it or not, you would become a part of this conflict between the Wizard and his enemy. You have been on the sidelines, until now, but embracing your power as the Summer Maiden would move you into the midst of their war.

"Furthermore...should you choose to accept the power and burdens of the Summer Maiden...there will be no going back. I can use my Spiritual Surgery to remove your magic now, because my seal has kept its bond to your Aura minimal. In its current state, severing that bond is a simple matter. However, should you embrace your magic, it would integrate itself into your Aura, fully entwining itself with the essence of your soul. Before long, severing that bond would be a tremendously traumatic act, one that would leave you mentally and spiritually devastated as a result. And, beyond that, the magic would integrate into your soul so completely, that nothing short of your death would set it loose."

Paling, Natsuki began to shake. Again, Makoto brushed a hand across her, using his Aura to calm her nerves and ease her fear. "I know that this is a lot to take in," he said, "particularly as you are only ten. Truth be told, I would have liked to put this off for a few more years, so that you could live as normal and happy a life as possible, without this decision being thrust upon you. Indeed, we regard it as a gross irresponsibility on the part of the Wizard that he never seemed to consider the possibility of the Maidens' magic finding an infant as a recipient.

"Truth be told, I sometimes think it would have been best to have simply exorcised you, while you were still an infant. That way, you would have been able to live without the burden of this magic, even if you didn't know of its existence. You would have had a normal life, free from the machinations of Her, and the Wizard."

"Why didn't you?" asked Natsuki.

"Because, in the end, this magic is both privilege and responsibility," said Makoto, smiling at Natsuki. "Keeping you safe was our objective, yes. However, we also decided to allow the power to remain within you, and defer the decision, until you were old enough."

"Old enough for what?"

"For you to choose for yourself." Makoto rested both hands on Natsuki's shoulders, squeezing them gently. "Like it or not, the Maiden's power came to you, Natsuki-chan. Some would call it chance, others enishi, destiny, a link binding you to people long past, and even to the Wizard himself. It is a difficult decision, and not one to be made lightly. But, above all else, we wanted the decision to be yours...because you deserve the right to choose how you live your life."

Natsuki felt a few tears run down her cheeks.

Makoto smiled warmly at her. "With the power of the Summer Maiden, you could become a force of tremendous good in the world. You could use it to help and save many. Or you could even help, in a manner, by not doing anything, and simply remaining its steward, if only to ensure that it does not fall into Her hands for the duration of your own life. That too, would be a way of helping, however passive it may be."

"Oh..." Natsuki's eyes went wide at the thought. "You mean...I could help people, like Ruby-chan wants to?"

"Indeed," said Makoto. "Of course, agreeing to that comes with the burdens and threats I've told you about. Should you decide to embrace your role as the Summer Maiden, there is every chance, despite our best efforts, that She will learn of it, and come for you...however roundabout a manner She might choose." Or, more likely, the Intercessor would come in Her stead.

Natsuki swallowed, and nodded.

"Of course, if you choose to exorcise it, then you would no longer have to worry about any of this: the magic, the responsibility, the risk, the enemy. You could return to a normal life, free of any such existential threat."

Natsuki frowned. "But then...the magic would just go to someone else...and she would be the one having to deal with all of this."

"That is true," said Makoto. "Of course, that will be true sooner or later, regardless. As hard as it may be for someone as young as you to think about such things, in the future, you will pass from this world, Natsuki-chan, as we all will. And, when that happens, there will be a new Summer Maiden."

Natsuki nodded gravely.

Makoto rested a hand atop her head, gently ruffling her hair. "You need not make this decision immediately," he said. "So long as I maintain the seal, there is no need to worry about the magic bonding to your soul. I can exorcise the magic or remove the seal at any time. Even if it takes years for you to come to a decision, Natsuki-chan, that will be fine, so long as it remains your decision."

Natsuki looked down at her hands, as though she expected the magic to come flowing out of them. "I...how do I decide?" she wondered.

"That will be up to you," said Makoto. "I do not wish to influence your decision unduly, to pressure you one way or another. You need not even think about it all that much, if you don't wish. I am prepared to continue your 'treatments' for many years to come, if you don't feel comfortable with deciding. Take your time, and think things through at your own pace."

"What would you want me to do?" asked Natsuki, looking up at Makoto.

Makoto chuckled, and brushed a finger across her cheek. "What I want is for you to live a life of health and happiness. True happiness does not come from avoiding danger. Nor does it arise from courting unnecessary risk. It is up to you to decide whether your happiness resides within the risky path of embracing the Summer Maiden's power...or the safer path, where you may yet find a way of life that calls to you."

"Oh..." said Natsuki. "Um..."

Getting an idea of what her next question would be, Makoto nodded. "As your parents already know all of this, you are free to consult with them. Keep in mind that they share the wish for you to make a decision of your own free will. I am sure that their preference would veer towards your safety, if you were to ask their opinion. But their opinion is all they can give. They cannot decide for you."

Natsuki nodded.

"Of course, you are free to talk with me about it, or Murasame, should you run into him. Sora and Sasame could talk to you about it as well, as could Kyo, should you find some reason to consult him."

"What about Ruby-chan?" Natsuki blurted out, the thought escaping her mouth before her reason reminded her of what Makoto had told her already.

For some reason though, Makoto's response wasn't an immediate rebuke that Ruby was one of those who didn't know the secret of Natsuki's condition. Instead, Makoto's gaze turned downward slightly, his frown pensive, rather than disapproving.

Normally, I would say no to that, he thought. But Ruby-chan has shown herself capable of discretion. More to the point, the most significant figures in her life are already aware of this, which would leave her the odd one out. Besides, it would do Natsuki-chan well to have a peer, someone her own age, to consult with. In that respect, Ruby-chan is unquestionably the best choice.

Makoto raised his eyes. "If you wish to tell Ruby-chan, I will allow it." He held up a hand in response to Natsuki's excited gasp. "However..." he interjected, "...you must think it over carefully, before telling her the truth. Even if Ruby-chan is completely trustworthy, of which I have little doubt, the fact remains that one extra person knowing entails that much more risk, one way or another. Furthermore, as one who knows, she too could be a target, if someone serving the enemy thinks she has information they could obtain."

Natsuki nodded fervently.

"Above all else, Ruby-chan is the only one you are permitted to tell," finished Makoto. "Your other friends cannot learn of this, under any circumstances. Is that clear?"

"Yes," said Natsuki.

"Good," said Makoto. "Now then, I will renew the seal and send you on your way."

"All right," said Natsuki. She looked up at Makoto, unsure of how to feel about all of this. "Thank you for telling me the truth, Makoto-sama."

"I'm glad you're bearing it so well," said Makoto, the light of his Aura washing over her once more. "Remember, make the choice that you think will suit you best. All of us, more than anything else, wish for your happiness, Natsuki-chan."

Ruby's body was sticky with sweat from her training session with Shinrei. She sported several bruises, from where he had reminded her not to let her guard down. Her muscles burned from exertion, and her throat burned from numerous harsh breaths. Strangely enough, she loved it. It told her that she was working hard, and getting stronger, one day at a time. She was giving her all towards her all-important goal.

So, despite all the pain she was in, Ruby left the changing room with a smile on her face, feeling content at an evening well-spent. Even though it was the dead of winter, the wards set over the Palace, the Five Gates in particular, kept everything at a comfortable temperature. So Ruby was free to work as hard, and get as sweaty, as she wished, without having to worry about the cold air plunging her into hypothermia.

However, Shinrei had promised her that, sometime in the future, he'd take her out from under the wards to train in the ice and snow. Doing so would give her experience in dealing with environmental conditions. The Grimm could attack at any time of year, after all. Except for the icy climes of Solitas, where the cold was so intense that it could freeze all but the hardiest solid, the Grimm were just as likely to attack in the dead of winter as they were at the height of summer. And even Solitas had Grimm that had adapted to the freezing conditions. Ruby would have to be prepared to fight against them under any circumstance, if she wanted to succeed as a Huntress.

Making her way towards the hallway that led back towards her family's quarters in the palace, Ruby found herself wondering about Natsuki. Normally, Natsuki trained under Keikoku, while Ruby trained under Shinrei. However, today, Natsuki's training session had been canceled, on account of her checkup from Makoto. Normally, since Makoto's checkups generally didn't take very long at all, that would have been no reason for Natsuki to have to cancel. The fact that she did seemed to indicate that something else was going on.

So it was that Ruby found herself surprised to see Natsuki waiting a little farther down the hallway, sitting in one of the little alcoves that could be found up and down the length of the labyrinthine Palace complex. She was completely lost in thought, unaware of her surroundings.

"Natsu-chan?" asked Ruby, approaching cautiously.

Despite her best efforts, her words drew a start from her friend, Natsuki letting out a loud, albeit adorable, squeak, and jumping to her feet. A second later, she reclaimed her awareness of her situation, and relaxed. "Oh, it's you, Ruby-chan."

"Sorry," said Ruby. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay," Natsuki replied.

"Is...?" Ruby hesitated, wondering if she was prying. "Is something wrong, Natsu-chan?"

"W-well...I..." Natsu-chan sighed, sitting back down on the bench in the alcove, Ruby joining her. "Makoto-sama...he..." Natsuki took a deep breath. "He told me about my condition."

"Oh..." Ruby clamped her mouth shut. Her first impulse was to ask what it was. Because Natsuki had been anxious about it, Ruby was anxious by proxy. She wanted to know if her friend was going to be all right, if the assurances that everyone else had been giving them were the truth of the matter. "Um...A-are you...?"

"I'm okay," said Natsuki, beaming at Ruby, though the expression seemed slightly forced. "It's just...weird. I..." Natsuki looked down, staring at her feet. "I don't know what to think. It's a lot to take in."

"...Okay..." Ruby wasn't sure what else to say, in this situation. She wasn't sure if she should say anything. Natsuki was apparently still thinking things through, and Ruby didn't want to bother her. She hoped that just sitting next to Natsuki didn't count as bothering. "Do you want...uh...that is...should I...go?"

"No!" Natsuki's voice was so urgent that it locked Ruby into place, even before Natsuki's hand gripped her own with a force that was almost painful. Natsuki looked at Ruby nervously, before looking away again. "I'm sorry," she said. "I just...this is a lot...and I don't want to be alone."

"Okay," said Ruby, settling back into her seat, turning her hand so that she could hold Natsuki's back. The two of them sat in silence, while Ruby watched her friend wrestle with whatever conundrum she had been presented with.

Gradually, Natsuki leaned towards her, until she was resting her head on Ruby's shoulder. Smiling, Ruby leaned back against her friend, wondering just how long they should stay like this. It would be time for dinner soon. Natsuki probably had to go home to see her family. Still, Ruby wasn't sure what to do. Whatever was bothering Natsuki seemed important, so Ruby didn't want to interrupt her. However, Ruby's earlier training was already leaving her feeling fatigued, so despite her best efforts, her eyelids began to droop.

Thinking that she should probably tell Natsuki, Ruby turned her head, only to find that Natsuki's eyes had already drifted closed, and her breathing had slowed. Ruby couldn't quite help but smile and giggle. Whatever Natsuki had learned had troubled her enough that her fatigue had won out over Ruby's. She supposed the right thing to do was wake her friend up, or at least try and get her to bed. But Ruby couldn't bring herself to disturb Natsuki in any fashion. So she instead leaned back against her, wishing she had her cloak to wrap around them. But the garment that had been an irreplaceable part of Ruby's attire in the outside world mostly hung in her closet, seeing as it didn't quite fit with her school or training clothes. Someday, she would like to get an outfit it could go with, something that would truly represent the person she'd become.

But that was a matter for another time. Instead, Ruby allowed her own eyes to drift shut, the two friends slumbering against each other.

Natsuki's eyes slowly opened. She was laying somewhere soft, certainly not where she'd fallen asleep. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't meant to fall asleep in the alcove. Where am I now? What about Ruby-chan? Wait! What time is it?

"Oh no!" exclaimed Natsuki, sitting upright. "I'm late! Kaa-chan and Tou-san are gonna be so mad!"

"Don't worry, they already know where you are," said Sora, her voice quavering slightly from laughter.

Blinking her eyes, Natsuki finally took in her surroundings, realizing that she'd been seated on a couch in the quarters of the Royal Family's living room. She'd been in this room plenty of times, during her sleepovers with Ruby. Sora now drifted in front of Natsuki, setting a mug of warm amazake in front of her. Natsuki picked up the mug and sipped from it, savoring the sweetness and richness of the drink.

"I had Dougal inform your parents that you would be spending the night here," said Sora. "He brought your sleepover kit back, so everything should be fine."

Natsuki blushed. After so many occasions where she'd been part of spur-of-the-moment sleepovers, she and her parents had decided to put together a sleepover kit, a simple collection of her necessary toiletries, a spare outfit, and the few other things she'd need for a sudden sleepover, all arranged into an easily-carried bundle that Dougal could hop over and fetch. It felt a bit silly to have prepared a kit for a sleepover, the way some people assembled kits for different kinds of disasters.

"Where's Ruby-chan?" asked Natsuki.

"In bed," said Sora, giggling. "Poor dear; her stomach won't be too happy with her for skipping dinner. But a small snack should be easy to arrange, should she wake before morning."

"I'm sorry," said Natsuki, looking down. "It's my fault."

"I suppose so," agreed Sora, settling into a chair near the couch. "But 'fault' implies wrongdoing, and neither you nor Ruby-chan did anything wrong. You have just learned an important secret behind your entire life, and Ruby-chan was doing her best as a friend to offer comfort and solace, even if she didn't know the reason for your distress. Of course, between the training she'd just finished, and the mental fatigue caused by the stress of all the revelations you've learned, it's only natural that the two of you would doze off."

Natsuki blinked. "Makoto-sama said I could tell Ruby-chan. Should I?"

"Well...I would say that it isn't my right to suggest either way," said Sora, her smile softening. She shifted to sit next to Natsuki, then pulled the girl onto her lap. "But, as an adult, it is our responsibility to provide guidance and offer advice, if only so that you can make an informed decision."

"And what's your advice, Sora-sama?" asked Natsuki.

Sora smiled down at her. "Considering things carefully, telling Ruby-chan means that she would experience a measure of danger, being one of the few people with knowledge of your secret. However, knowing her, it is a risk she would accept without a second's hesitation. With her convictions, that girl would leap straight into the fire for a complete stranger. For someone she treasures and loves, there is no doubt that she would gladly shoulder any burden for your sake."

"That sounds...I don't know...bad," said Natsuki.

Sora nodded. "Yes...Such convictions can be very self-destructive. We have to take great care to ensure that Ruby-chan is raised right, to not allow her desire to help others overcome her ability to help herself. That being said...such conviction is not such a bad thing, not for one in your position."

"My position?" Natsuki canted her head, staring up into Sora's eyes.

Sora sighed, closing her eyes, gently combing her fingers through Natsuki's hair. "You have just learned that you carry an incredible power within you, a power that we have kept partitioned off from you, mainly for your safety. Now you are faced with the decision of whether to accept that power, or to allow us to separate it from you.

"Everyone involved in this affair treasures your freedom and your right to make your own choices, Natsu-chan. Though we wish to protect you, we would never desire to impose our own will on you, particularly when it is such an important decision. That is why we strived to provide you with as complete a picture as possible, so that you can make the best decision you are capable of.

"At the same time though, everyone who knows about this is older than you. We have perspectives removed from your own. We were all young once, but it is hard to recollect just how we perceived the world, and our decisions, at such an age. Faced with such a conundrum, it can help greatly to have someone your age, an equal, from whom you can solicit an opinion.

"So, in all honesty, I think telling Ruby-chan would be a good idea. She is the kind of girl who would never regret taking on the risks inherent to having such knowledge, and that she would never think to turn against you, or betray your trust. She would definitely be someone you could trust, and someone whose thoughts might well be worth asking."

"Oh..." Natsuki frowned thoughtfully, running it through in her mind.

"The choice remains yours, of course," said Sora. "However, I do believe that telling Ruby-chan would be a good idea."

"All right," said Natsuki.

"Don't worry overmuch," said Sora. "Now then, it's a little late, but would you like some dinner, before bed?"

"Yes, please," said Natsuki, beaming up at Sora.

Ruby yawned, then sat up slowly, stretching. After a second, her situation came to her, and she gasped. She was in her room, on her bed, in her pajamas. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep next to Natsuki in the alcove. Someone must have brought her back.

Blinking, Ruby turned her head to see a familiar futon laid out on the floor of her room, with an even more familiar figure tucked under its sheets. The sight of Natsuki sleeping peacefully made Ruby smile. I guess we just had another sleepover, she thought.

Moving carefully and quietly, Ruby got out of bed, and made her way to the bathroom, where she got to work getting cleaned up for the day. By the time she was finished, she realized that she was feeling so hungry that it was almost painful. I guess that's what I get for falling asleep before dinner, she thought. I wonder why no one woke me up.

After getting dressed, Ruby crouched by Natsuki's futon, looking at her sleeping face, wondering whether or not to wake her up. On one hand, Ruby figured that Natsuki would want breakfast too. However, she looked so peaceful right now, and Ruby figured that she was probably still wrestling with whatever she'd learned the previous day. So maybe it was best to let her sleep.

The decision was made for her when Natsuki's eyes slowly opened. She stared up at Ruby for a second, before her eyes went wide. "Ruby-chan!"

"Yeek!" squealed Ruby, barely managing to fall back out of the way before Natsuki sat bolt-upright, nearly smacking their heads together. "Natsu-chan! What's wrong?"

"Oh..." Natsuki blinked, apparently trying to get a grip on her present situation. Ruby wondered if Natsuki had no idea what had happened to them last night. "Sorry, I got a little too excited."

"That's okay," said Ruby.

Natsuki turned towards Ruby, then smiled contentedly.

"Natsu-chan?" Ruby blinked in confusion.

Natsuki sighed and shook her head. "I'm sorry," she said. "I'm just...really glad that you're my friend."

"I'm...glad too," said Ruby, even more confused, wondering what had brought this about.

Natsuki giggled. "Um...Let me get cleaned up and dressed real quick. I want to tell you something."

"About what you learned yesterday?" wondered Ruby.

"Mm hmm." Natsuki nodded, still smiling happily.

"Okay..." said Ruby, wondering if this was all right.

"Just give me a moment," said Natsuki, grabbing her clothes and heading to the bathroom. In just a few moments, she was out, still running a brush through her two-toned hair. She sat down on her futon, while Ruby took a seat on her bed.

Natsuki opened her mouth, but was interrupted by a low, angry gurgle from Ruby's stomach. Ruby wrapped her arms around her torso, bending forward, her face contorting in an uncomfortable grimace. "I'm sorry, Natsu-chan," said Ruby, giving Natsuki a pained, yet contrite look. "C-can we get some food first? I'm so hungry."

Natsuki's jaw dropped slightly. Then she recalled what Sora had said to her last night, and found herself giggling. "Sure," she said cheerfully.

Sora had breakfast ready by the time they reached the table, having prepared their favorites. Ruby ate ravenously, while Sasame coached her to slow down, lest she choke. Kyo looked on, laughing at Ruby's appetite, while Sora politely kept Natsuki occupied by asking her about how she'd slept.

The sight was so normal, so comfortable, that Natsuki couldn't help the contented feeling welling up within her, tears coming out of her eyes.

"Is something wrong, Natsu-chan?" asked Ruby, noticing Natsuki smiling, yet also crying.

"Nothing," said Natsuki, so glad she could be a part of this, that this was her life. She looked imploringly at Sora, who figured out what Natsuki wanted.

"Come on then," said Sora, tapping Sasame and Kyo, leading them out of the room, leaving Ruby and Natsuki by themselves .

"What did you want to talk to me about?" asked Ruby.

"Makoto-sama told me everything," said Natsuki.

"Everything?"

"Uh huh...Why I had to keep seeing him, what the checkups are about, what my secret is..."

"Okay..." Ruby blinked. "Are you sure you can tell me about it?"

"Uh huh," said Natsuki, nodding. "Makoto-sama said it was okay, and Sora-sama thought it was a good idea."

"If you think it's a good idea, then I'll listen," said Ruby, leaning forward.

Natsuki told Ruby everything: the magic, the Maidens, the Wizard, the enemy, all the secrets that Makoto had entrusted to her. Ruby listened, enraptured, the remnants of her food forgotten. Once Natsuki finished, there was only one word to express Ruby's feelings on the matter.

"Wow..."

"That's all you can say?" asked Natsuki.

"W-well, it's a lot to think about," said Ruby, frowning. Then she sighed. "I'll never call The Tale of the Seasons a boring story again."

"You think it's boring?" asked Natsuki, feeling a little bit let down, even though it wasn't a story about her in particular.

"Um...Well...it's just four girls meeting an old man, becoming friends with him, and then he gives them neat magic." Ruby sighed. "I would've liked for the story to say something about what they did with the magic. I mean, think of all the adventures they could have: slaying monsters, finding treasure, saving princes, that sort of thing..."

Natsuki found herself giggling. "Well, when you put it that way, the story could definitely be more interesting." Then she paused, her humor disappearing. "But, Ruby-chan, what do you think?"

"What do you mean?" asked Ruby.

"Sh-should I let Makoto-sama exercise-er-exor-uh-take my magic away?" Natsuki paused, trying to remember what the word was. The way she'd phrased it made it sound worse than it was.

"I don't know," admitted Ruby. "I mean, having magic sounds awesome. But what Makoto-sama told you makes this sound really complicated. There's a lot of stuff that comes with it."

"That's right," said Natsuki. "I mean, if you had magic, would you want to keep it?"

"I don't know," said Ruby again. "I just can't imagine it, having power like that. What would it be like?" She paused. "But...I guess having awesome magic would make it a lot easier to help and protect people. I could be a great Huntress, if I had magic."

"That's probably true," said Natsuki, figuring that was the kind of thing Ruby would fixate on. "But what about this um...enemy...person?"

"Well, if she's a bad guy-um-girl, then she'd be someone I'd want to fight anyway," said Ruby, frowning determinedly. "Makoto-sama said she wants to do really bad things, right?"

"Yeah," said Natsuki.

"So, as a Huntress, it would be like...my duty...to fight her anyway, magic or not. I mean, if having the magic meant she'd be coming after me, then she might not have as much time to hurt or scare other people, right?"

Natsuki frowned, taking in Ruby's logic. Abruptly, she was reminded of what Sora had said about Ruby's convictions the previous night, how she would gladly suffer any number of terrible burdens for the sake of others. For the first time, Natsuki found herself feeling frightened, not of Ruby, but for her. If this was her attitude towards the idea of someone seeking her life, then it was probably for the best that the magic had come to Natsuki, rather than Ruby.

Ruby paused, abruptly reminding herself that she didn't have magic powers, but Natsuki did. "But I guess that doesn't have all that much to do with you, Natsu-chan. I mean, you don't want to be a Huntress, do you?"

"Um...well...no," said Natsuki. After all, Huntsmen and Huntresses were figures of the outside world, who had nothing to do with the Mibu. Natsuki had never even really heard of them, before Ruby had come. Granted, ever since they'd met, Ruby had been all too happy to fill Natsuki in about Huntsmen and Huntresses, and what they did. The Mibu Clan's military fulfilled much the same role within the clan, across all the territories that it controlled. Natsuki had never really thought of herself joining the military either. She'd wanted to study under Keikoku, but hadn't really given much thought beyond that.

"So...I guess you shouldn't use what I'd do as an example," said Ruby, looking down at the table. "I mean, everyone tells me that I need to be more careful, that I can't help people if I get myself hurt."

"Yeah, well, that's obvious," said Natsuki. She sighed. "Well...I don't know," she said, tears beginning to leak out of her eyes.

"Natsu-chan, what's wrong?" asked Ruby, seeing her friend on the verge of breaking down.

"It's just...this is all so much," said Natsuki, her tears coming more strongly. "I...I didn't want any of this, this magic, this choice. I don't know what to do. I was always scared of what this secret thing about me was that no one would tell me. But now, it's turned out to be something bigger than I ever thought, and I just don't...I don't..."

Ruby made her way around the table, and pulled Natsuki out of her seat, wrapping the other girl in a hug. Natsuki broke down crying in Ruby's arms, the pair of them sinking to the floor. Ruby held her friend tightly, letting Natsuki sob into her shoulder, not caring when the cloth of her kimono became damp. Instead, she ran her fingers through Natsuki's hair, and whispered all the soothing noises that Sasame made for her, when she was upset. "It's okay...It'll be okay, Natsu-chan."

"I just...I can't decide," said Natsuki. "All I wanted was to have fun, to learn under Keikoku-sama, and do...I don't know what I want to do yet, but I know this Maiden thing wasn't on the list. I don't know what to decide, or what to think."

"Then don't," said Ruby.

"Huh?" Natsuki froze, then pulled back from Ruby, violet eyes meeting silver.

Ruby beamed at her. "Don't decide," said Ruby. "Don't think about it. Don't worry."

"Huh, but..."

"Makoto-sama said you didn't have to, right?" asked Ruby. Seeing Natsuki nod, Ruby's smile widened. "Then don't decide. Don't bother with it for now. You're learning under Keikoku-sama, like you wanted. You're doing the things you love right now. So, instead of worrying about something you don't have to decide right away, just forget about it for now. Let's just live."

"Let's just live," repeated Natsuki softly, turning over Ruby's words in her mind.

"Yeah," said Ruby. "Let's have fun, learn a lot, and get stronger. That's all we need to do for now. Then, later; when you're older, stronger, and smarter; you might know what you want, and what decision to make. Makoto-sama said he was fine with you waiting, right?"

"Uh huh," said Natsuki.

"Then wait," said Ruby. "Getting all crazy over it won't help you make a better decision. If they're gonna give you time, you might as well take it." She leaned in, resting their foreheads together. "Let's just live, Natsu-chan."

Slowly, Natsuki found her anxiety draining away. Ruby was right. There was no need to worry so much, to rush to a decision. Everyone was giving her time and space, everything she needed to make the best decision she could. If that was the case, then she owed it to everyone to take all of that, so that she could make the best possible decision. No longer feeling tears running down her face, Natsuki smiled. "All right, Ruby-chan...Let's just live."

"Just one thing," said Ruby, pulling back away again. "I promise that I'll keep your secret, Natsu-chan. And, if you ever need me to, I'll be there for you. I'll do everything I can to protect you."

"Thanks, Ruby-chan," said Natsuki, smiling warmly at her best friend.