Chapter 1 Part I

Rakka felt sluggish. Though winter was coming to a close, the young Haibane felt as if she had come down with a cold. She groaned, suddenly remembering the two cocoons growing in the west wing. Since no one had come to get her since she had fallen asleep, Rakka knew that nothing had happened overnight.

Changing after a quick shower, Rakka briskly walked over to the west wing. Snow was melting on the ground. Nemu had said that it would be less than a month until flowers began to bloom. The wing covers were becoming a bother. She wanted to feel the air flowing through her wings again.

"Good morning," Hikari beamed as Rakka entered the old store room. Rakka nearly gasped. The cocoons had tripled in size since she had gone to bed. Both had shifted to either side of the room. Never having seen one for herself, Rakka approached the one on her right and stroked its surface. The cocoon felt like an old coffee cup where the glaze had chipped off: rough, yet only barely.

"Nemu is visiting the bakery, library, and clock tower to say none of us will be coming in for a few days. Kana just left to get the halo molds. The Communicator will understand that you'll be busy here for a little while."

"Thank you," Rakka replied, a little flustered. She hadn't even considered her job in all the excitement late yesterday. She noticed both cocoons were about the same size. "Was mine this big?"

"Just about," Hikari replied. "It's too bad; I think the young feathers wanted some new friends." They smiled. "Everything's set up by the way in the common room," Hikari continued.

"Why didn't you ask me to help?"

"You're going to be up all night with these two once they hatch. I might stay up too. Even Raka never had to take care of two newly born Haibane at once."

"Thanks." Hikari nodded. "How long do you think it will be?"

"Three hours, maybe," Hikari guessed. The cocoons have just begun to turn gray. The others should be back by then for sure. Hey, I'll go off and make us some breakfast for us if you take my place."

"Sure," Rakka replied enthusiastically. Left alone with the cocoons, Rakka put her ear to one's side and closed her eyes. She could hear the fluid inside swirling around. Her hand shaking slightly, she knocked twice on the shell. She did the same on the other before standing back to address them both.

"Um," Rakka honestly didn't know what to say. "If you two can hear me, I'd like to say that you'll both be alright. My name is Rakka. I know it feels a little strange in there. Take as long as you need. There's a warm bed waiting when both of you get out of there. I'm going to be taking care of you for the next few days. Sometimes being a Haibane isn't easy, but I love my life here. No Haibane can remember their life before their cocoon dream, but I'd to think my time here as been the most meaningful of my whole life."

Rakka wiped her eyes, memories of Reki flooding back. She took a moment to compose herself before sitting in the chair Hikari had brought in for herself. A few minutes later the high spirited Haibane returned with a plate of eggs and toast. Rakka ate slowly, the nervous excitement already building within her.

Just as Rakka finished eating, Kana and Nemu returned together. "It's almost time," Nemu commented.

"You sure you don't want me to get that hammer?" Kana asked jokingly, sinisterly stroking one of the cocoons.

"Stop, Kana," Hikari seriously rebuffed. "They can hear you in there you know!"

"They could hear that," Nemu said under her breath. Before anyone else could speak, the cocoon on the right began to crack. Everyone stood back, eyes glancing briefly towards the door to make sure it was open. The rush of water came on suddenly, a single wave, reaching the knees of each Haibane before washing out the door. When the fluid cleared, a young woman in a light beige smock was passed out on the floor.

"Kana, help me take her to the common room," Rakka asked before retrieving the makeshift stretcher in the hall. Nemu agreed to stay behind just incase the other cocoon hatched. With Kana at the front of the stretcher, Rakka could get a good look at the new Haibane. The girl, only slightly younger than Rakka, had long auburn hair and pale skin. Her face appeared peaceful as if she were in the midst of a pleasant dream.

"I hope I helped," Rakka whispered softly right before the newest member of Old Home was taken into the daylight for the first time.