Author Notes

Disclaimer : I do not own Hyouka. Please do not sue me

Relation to Canon : This occurs after Episode 19, but before Episode 20, "Sappy New Year", and the final two episodes. The final three episodes will be disregarded for the purposes of this fan fiction.

Romance : Oh yes. There will be bloo-I mean-'love'.

Chapter One

Setting the Stars in Motion (I)

Tuesday the 17th of December, Nine Days 'til Christmas

Juumonji Kaho

I was suffering with mild insomnia so I decided to stargaze in the fresh snow while feeding the rabbits.

The stars peeked out from behind the clouds, exhausted from the snowfall. The Juumonji clan is much like a star in the night sky. There are countless like us, a clan of priests and temple caretakers, scattered across the heavens and the earth. We service the Gods and local deities; sweeping the shrine steps, washing the stone monuments and observing all proper festivities dictated by the old lunar calendar. Nothing makes us special or distinguishable from any other aside from the miniscule differences that appear so vast to us but so infinitesimally petty when seen so distantly away. These rabbits must be laughing at us for our vain quarrels.

"The world under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide," I lectured to the attentive rabbits chewing on lettuce leaves.

Warlords and tyrants come and go. Leaves grow and fall; turn color with the seasons. The elderly pass on, the living weep and the new are born.

But the Star of Kamiyama is eternal.

It's an old story. When the first Jesuits landed on the shores of Japan, they brought many strange traditions. They built stone houses of worship and dressed themselves in black with white collars. They stressed salvation came from a man who died on a cross half a world away thousands of years ago. Their religion, Christianity, was tolerated for a time until the Tokugawa Shogunate purged it from Japan. Soon, the traditions they brought were slowly lost to time.

But traditions have a habit of persevering.

A few decades ago the Manninbashi Clan of the Mountain brought in an unusual artifact: a metal star. It was made of shoddy iron and bore characters dating it as a gift to some obscure local samurai from the early Edo period. The ornament was weathered through the centuries but it was a star nonetheless. Though no one is sure of its origins, the common belief is that it was a Christmas tree star that survived the Jesuit purge after believers brought it to safety in the mountains.

The legend goes on to say that every year, underground Christians would gather at the top of the mountain and celebrate Christmas. Such a romantic tale quickly took hold of the town and it was a great boon for tourism. It's a cute story like this rabbit with a fluffy chin.

It's unlikely to be true.

When the Star was first brought to my grandfather, the Twenty-Ninth Head of the Juumonji Clan and Curator of the Kamiyama Temples, rather than denouncing it, he chose to embrace it. The war was over and to destroy such an artifact would have offended some powerful foreign interests. Ever the progressive man, my grandfather integrated the Star into our annual customs until it evolved into the tradition we have today.

So every year, atop the Kamiyama High School Christmas Tree, the Star of Kamiyama shall be affixed at precisely midnight of the Eve. My father, the Thirtieth Head of the Juumonji Clan, continued the tradition. He expects I shall continue it as well when I ascend as the Thirty-First Head of the Juumonji Clan, Juumonji Kaho.

I think it's a silly tradition. A tale to bring in tourists to our small little town and amuse the locals for donations. But, as my grandfather repeatedly told me, the people are the lifeline of the Juumonji. They required faith to keep walking the long and difficult roads of life. What good are the Gods without people?

Looking at the rabbits bumbling about idly locked away in their pen, I wondered if the rabbits thought us Gods.

"Think we're Gods, tough guy?" I teased a few lettuce leaves to a shy rabbit before it finally took.

We, the Juumonji clan, are the servants of the Gods. My father swept these steps and fed the rabbits of the Arekusu Shrine. My grandfather as well. And his father before him and his before his. All the way back until memory and history begin to blur. The stone floor are beaten with the echoes of our steps. My father use to tell me he could hear the voices of his ancestors when he strolled around the grounds at night.

But why are they silent to me?

Oh well. That's a thought for another time. In a week it would be the annual ceremony wherein some Kamiyama High student would be called forth to affix the star upon the monument. Then the Juumonji priests and the family members along with other famed Kamiyama families and locals would be invited to to the Chitanda clan estate for a lavish Christmas party.

"If there was ever such bags of air..." I complained to my cotton-tailed confidants.

The history of the Juumonji clan goes as far back as the Chitanda clan's. For generations we've been mutual benefactors of each other. The Juumonji wished for funds to support the temples and locals to attend the services and observe the traditions. The Chitanda clan wished for bountiful harvests and to become the face of the city. Our interests did not conflict but in fact coincided.

And so it came to pass that the Juumonji would be funded by the Chitanda farmers and the rice and crops they grew. In exchange, the Chitanda would represent the village in all the local services. The people were happy to partake in festivals and enjoy colorful sights and plays. The priests received their dues and the Chitanda sat nobly as the leaders of the town.

If you ask me, Chitanda are just a bunch of superstitious worrywarts. They earnestly believe that the Gods persists in the world, dictating who receives the fruitful harvests and whose crops shall wither to dust and rot. It's always 'tradition dictates this', 'protocol dictates that', or 'do not offend the ancestors' when they actually mean 'do not offend me'. They think they're paramount to living Gods on earth. Talking to a Chitanda and you would think they were all full of hot air.

Well, except for one. She's just full of air in the head.

"She's an air head," I explained to one of the rabbits munching silently in the chilly dark. "But in a good way."

Chitanda Eru, the heiress and future Head of the Chitanda Clan. She's similar to myself. We both come from prestigious clans in Kamiyama Town and are both girls. I've known her since childhood partaking in all the festivals and silly parades. We both thought it fun to dress up in old fashioned costumes and play games no one really understands. We both will also be the first females to titles of Heads of our respective clans when our fathers are deceased or abdicate.

I am ready for the responsibility but I fear for Eru. There's a tone of hesitation whenever it's brought up or mentioned. The bright shine in her eyes vanishes when it's mentioned like the warmth of her soul is sucked out. I don't think she wants to be tied to this land forever.

Just like me, actually.

Often times, I'm at lost at how to comfort her. Eru is popular and has many friends but only a few she truly trusts. Perhaps I'm a bit smug to count myself as one of them. Eru could confide in her troubles and insecurities. She would tell me about her Classics Club and all the activities they've been doing over tea. All the mysteries they've uncovered and solved thanks to a certain someone. I'm a bit envious of him, I admit, though I've only glanced at him in passing through the hallways. Heh, even I could never make Eru's eyes shine as bright as the mere mention of his name could. I think that's the reason why she doesn't want to be stuck in this small backwater town.

That boy can go anywhere he likes. He's free like a bird in the sky and not like one us, rabbits stuck in a cage built by the Gods.

"I wonder what she sees in him," I mused to my furry companions.

Before I knew it, it was dawn. The black night replaced with a blue hue. The early rays of orange-red sunlight peeked from over the mountaintops. It was then I realized I had finished all my chores for the morning during my nightly stroll. I suppose I should go back to bed and get some sleep. Or try to anyways.

"G-g-good morning," I yawned out to the rabbits before I tossed the rest of my handful of lettuce leaves into the pen.

While I was giving one of the cottontails a final ruffle on the head, I wondered to myself: maybe I didn't want these stupid traditions to continue.

To an outsider, one wouldn't have imagined Kamiyama High to have been on winter vacation.

There was a humming of hammers and nails. Boys who carried stacks of boxes to impress a cute girl. Jokes were thrown in the air. The most usual fare were girls giggling over their Christmas dates. The various clubs setting their booths and decorating in preparation for the coming Kamiyama High Christmas Party.

Even though it was the afternoon, it was chilly so I tightened my scarf at the gate taking care to avoid deceptively shallow mounds of snow. Being the sole member and President of the Fortune Telling club, I thought it'd be wise to set a good example for my fellow members. If I had any.

But alas, an excuse from afternoon temple chores was an excuse from afternoon temple chores. My father knew I was President of the Fortune Telling club, a frivolous hobby in his opinion but at least I was respected by many members he believed. And to be respected, one must uphold all the duties required. I chuckled to myself as I opened the door to the Cultural Building.

"Miss Juumonji," came an icy tone from behind me. I knew that voice anywhere.

"My Empress. Oh pardon me. Miss Fuyumi," I corrected. She was not amused.

Tall and slender with silky long hair, the famous Irisu Fuyumi of class 2-F embodied the very epitome of Japanese beauty. She had porcelain skin and appeared modest in the Kamiyama school uniform. The much adored Empress of Kamiyama held an aura of freezing wrath and an untouchable presence. Few in the school could compete with her in any category of intellect or beauty alone and there were absolutely none who could stand toe to toe with her in a contest of perfection.

I've known Fuyumi since childhood and she has earned her moniker and then some.

"Are you doing well?" The Empress inquired as a courtesy without a smile on her lips.

"I am doing well. I hope your father is doing well?"

The Irisu family are relative newcomers to the city but have quickly rose to eminence rivaling the Chitanda clan. They've only been around for a few generations but they established the private Rengou Hospital. The hospital is famous for its generosity in affordability and excellent healthcare. Kamiyama High students are treated free of charge with a note from the school nurse.

"He is doing well though the rigors of the hospital exhaust him occasionally. He hopes to refresh and greet your father at the annual Christmas party at the Chitanda estate." It was a perfectly executed diplomatic statement from one noble daughter to another.

"Of course."

Fuyumi stood staring at me, as if attempting to find a weakness in the silence. This was her usual trick to break someone she could not charm.

"The Bearer of the Star of Kamiyama will be decided soon," Fuyumi stated.

I tilted my head and bemused myself with her disdain of cutesy behavior. "Is that so?"

"I believe you should attend the selection process in the auditorium." I smiled.

"But of course, my Empress," I complied as she furrowed a brow at being addressed by her moniker. It would be my expected duty to attend. For every day but a week out of the year, the Star of Kamiyama is in the custody of the Juumonji clan locked away in a vault. But for a week prior to the ceremony, the star is given to a Kamiyama High student who shall keep it safe from all manners of demons and evil. By which I mean leave it in his locker for a week until Christmas Eve. And as the Juumonji clan representative, it would be proper that I meet the one who would safeguard the star for a week before the Christmas Eve ceremony.

"There is another matter, as well."

"Oh?" I brought my hands behind my back and swayed my hips taking care to make sure my braid bounced from side to side. I had to keep my smile from growing in her slow boiling frustration at the sight.

"The Fortune Telling Club possesses only one member. Yourself."

"We've been over this, Miss Fuyumi."

"And it is still not settled, Miss Juumonji. A club of one member is not a club. It is a waste of paperwork."

"For a mere class representative, you are very involved with the affairs of clubs which are reserved for the Student Council, Miss Fuyumi."

"As a student and representative of a class, it is my duty to ensure there is no waste of resources be it my class or any other source."

"The Fortune Telling Club consumes no funds, the club adviser willingly volunteers and the club does nothing but occupy a room that would remain otherwise unoccupied after school." Though we were inside the heated Cultural Building, I could feel the chill from outside sweep inward.

"You waste valuable space." Her gaze was beginning to pierce my soul.

"I suspect this may have to do... with concerns outside of the school," I stated bluntly to curb her momentum. The Irisu family, though publicly adored, competed ruthlessly against the Chitanda clan to be the preeminent face of Kamiyama. And the Juumonji clan have thrown their full weight behind the Chitanda clan.

"Whatever do you mean? This is an internal Kamiyama High issue," the Empress' facial expression unfazed.

I closed my eyes to feign deep thought. "Shall we discuss this after the New Years? I'm sure you and I both wish to enjoy the holidays rather than argue about school bylaws and loopholes." The Empress was a busy person after all. Such a minor concern could wait. Perhaps she could take out her petty insistence on vengeance in a few weeks time.

She nodded in agreement.

"Farewell then."

"Let us talk again, soon," I said with a small bow.

She gave me a dark look before brushing hair from her ears, turning her heels and departing. I let loose a sigh of relief as she exited the cultural building and returned outside to her cold domain. It's not a usual occurrence for me to talk to royalty.

"That woman truly is the Frozen Empress of Kamiyama," I muttered as I made my way to the auditorium.

"So! Do we have any nominations for this year's Bearer of the Star of Kamiyama?" Student Council President Kugayama Muneyoshi inquired to the thin crowd with microphone in hand. A scarce mob of some twenty off onlookers, most of whom appeared to be bored and intrigued by the random event, sat on the unused court that was the auditorium.

Despite his burning spirit, President Kugayama was met with mild enthusiasm at best.

The president thrust his arm out in a valiant but futile effort to rally enthusiasm. I stood by his side along with Vice-President Tanabe Jiro as we attempted to control ourselves from cringing at the praiseworthy but embarrassing display.

"He's trying his best," Jiro assured me as the president continued his arm thrusting routine.

"I know," was all I could muster in a soft whisper.

Originally, the Head of the Juumonji clan would be the one to bestow the honor to a worthy youth of Kamiyama town. As time progressed, the tradition changed to specifically be a youth from Kamiyama High. Only very recently was it decided that the students would select one of their own to be their representative.

And I, being the heir to the Juumonji clan and student myself, had a duty to attend such affairs.

"Uhm... any volunteers?" There were murmurs from the crowd.

The responsibilities weren't great or as noble as it has been made out to be. You would be forbidden to participate in club activities to fully commit to your duties. In addition, it would be your responsibility to polish said star and wait in a ceremony room for hours on the day of the affair.

"Look I know it's not a glamorous job... you're forbidden from participating in class and club activities for a week."

The President gave a nervous smile to a slight boos.

"Hey, hey now. I didn't decide this... but you also have to polish and take care of the star too. It's not hard, just boring."

The crowd whispered amongst themselves. Who would want such a tedious job?

"Then instead of working and enjoying the Christmas Festival you're in a room all day waiting until midnight."

I gave out a sigh. In the past, as it has often occurred, when the students fail to provide one to bear the star then it falls to the Juumonji clan member currently enrolled at Kamiyama High. Which would be myself and has been the case last year although I was still in middle school. Time to intervene, I sighed.

"President, I'll-"

"I'll do it," came his voice.

The owner of the voice rose from a dark corner of the auditorium and began an approach towards the stage without a wasted step.

He had a messy mop of unruly hair that was never combed. His posture was horrid and bent as if in a perpetual slouch. His eyes appeared bored and almost dead to the rosy colors of life. All of this packaged in a Kamiyama High uniform wrapped in a thick trench coat slightly wet with melted snow. And so approached the stage, the one who had unwittingly captured the heart of Lady Chitanda Eru.

All eyes were now on Oreki Houtarou.

"Oreki..." Jiro muttered beside me.

"A disagreeable choice?" I inquired.

"No. Not at all," he grinned as Oreki moved onto the stage.

"Thanks! What would your name be?" President Kugayama asked as he held the microphone to Oreki's face.

"Oreki Houtarou. Class 1-B."

"Alright! Students of Kamiyama High! Let's give a big round of applause for Oreki Houtarou of class 1-B! This year's uncontested Bearer of the Star of Kamiyama!"

If you included Jiro and myself in the number of clapping alongside President Kugayama you'd be lucky to count a hand's worth of digits. The President laughed to himself, apparently ignorant to the deficiency in enthusiasm.

"With that, the selection for the Bearer of the Star of Kamiyama is over! You're all free to return to your duties and such!"

The small crowd quickly dispersed and President Kugayama immediately gripped the shoulders of Oreki Houtarou.

"Thank you. Thank-you-thank-you-thank-you. I thought school spirit was dead and buried but no sir! You, Oreki Houtarou, are truly a noble member of Kamiyama town and worthy as Bearer of the Star of Kamiyama! I can see it! The burning school passion in your eyes. Burning!"

Oreki yawned.

"So I do absolutely nothing aside from babysit an old ornament?"

President Kugayama grinned. "Yeah! A worthy sacrifice for the sake of this town's historic customs."

"And I'm excused from all club activities for the winter break?"

"Actually it's more like you're forbidden from partaking..."

"I'll survive."

"But you know, you also have to spend all day in the ceremony room on Christmas Eve..."

"Is the room heated?" President Kugayama glanced over at me. I nodded.

"Yeah!"

"Good enough for me."

"Ah... I see." The Student Council President began to slowly step away. "Hey, Miss Juumonji. Would you mind explaining to him the details? Lots to do and all..."

I nodded again.

"Great!" And like sliced watermelon on a hot summer day he was gone, leaving the three of us alone on stage.

"At first I was surprised," Vice-President Jiro began, directing his attention towards Oreki. "But this actually suits you completely."

"How so?" It took an focused eye and clear mind to notice the slight smirk on the usual expressionless face of Oreki Houtarou. Did these two know each other?

"I recall something-something about living an energy efficient (or was it energy conserving?) lifestyle," Vice-President Jiro smiled as he started pacing around Oreki. "No club activities to attend. No classes to go to. The least amount of effort and energy demanded of all the jobs of Kamiyama High. Most would find it unpleasant."

"It's not that unpleasant," Oreki replied with a small, almost miniscule, smile.

Vice-President Jiro chuckled softly before motioning towards the door.

"Enjoy the seasonal holidays, Miss Juumonji," he wished. "And you too, Oreki, Bearer of the Star of Kamiyama." And so like the President, Jiro was gone.

And now, it was my turn to speak with the boy. Alone.

"Hello, I am Miss Juumonji Kaho of the Arekusu Shrine. It is good to meet you." I even bowed slightly.

"Hello. I am Oreki Houtarou. Same," came his dull introduction.

"Ah..." I had to admit, his presence made me uncomfortable. But I didn't dislike it, not at all. I was simply unsure what I was feeling. His gaze was not as piercing as the Empress nor did he carry the shining brightness of Lady Chitanda. Rather... he seemed distant from the world we inhabited.

"Am I done here?" His comment snapped me back to reality. How much time had pass?

"Oh! Forgive me. Dozed off a bit." I smiled and jokingly hit my head with my fist. A cutesy thing girls did to appear cuter than they actual were. Oreki was a stranger and knew really nothing of me. For some reason, I felt like I wanted to leave a more feminine impression.

"Take a nap. What do I have to do?"

"Ah, nothing yet. Come to Arekusu Shrine later tonight. I'll hand you the Star, then. I've already polished it so you don't have to do that. Then you're excused for all activities until Christmas Eve when you come to Arekusu Shrine in the morning."

"Thank you."

It took me a while before I realized this boy had no intention of stretching the conversation further than necessary.

"S-shall we exchange numbers?" I tilted my head to the side. Another cutesy habit I picked up from observing other females in the wilds of Kamiyama High. "I'll remind you to come by the day before Christmas Eve," I explained. Oreki nodded with the suggestion.

The energy conserving boy retrieved his phone from his trench coat and held it to mine. His phone was plain black and grey and almost begged for some accessories compared to my white bunnies on a field of blue. It goes without saying I do have a soft spot for rabbits.

"I'll come by the temple tonight. Is that all?"

"Y-yes."

"Farewell." And so, Oreki vanished.

When the doors to the auditorium closed with an unceremonious thud I dropped to my knees and brought a hand to my heart. My heart was beating fast. I never would have imagined the selection for the Bearer take such a toll on myself. Perhaps I was suffering with some a slight case of anemia... but alas. The Arekusu Shrine had its own doctors and to be in the debt of the Irisu family would be frowned upon by my father.

"F-farewell..." I finally managed to whisper to the absentee Bearer.

I took a short break in the Fortune Telling clubroom and prepared some hot lemon tea. The fresh brew brought warmth to my bodies as it passed down my throat and rested in my belly. Cuddled in my warm blanket, I began to browse through some select readings on various methods of fortune telling. I am, after all, President of the Fortune Telling Club.

For the Christmas preparations, all clubs were requested to do something. Anything really. Host stands, meet and discuss plans. Anything that wastes time and appears productive for the yearbook committee pictures. The Fortune Telling Club had its doors opened to provide free fortunes.

But given the obscurity of the club and lack of interest in fortune telling itself, it would be rare to receive a visitor the entire Christmas week. So often I would turn on the heater, wrap myself in my blanket behind my desk. For a brief week this room, normally known as the Art Supply Room, becomes my secluded kingdom.

God's in her heaven, all's right with the world I mused.

"Ah. This is the life." I proclaimed with my arms stretched after a lonely hour. I had just finished a fascinating read on candle wax methodology when I received an unexpected visitor.

"Miss Kaho! Miss Kaho!" Oh. It's...

"Lady Chitanda," I smiled warmly. The girl may be part of an uptight and rigid family but she herself was sweet and innocent. Almost naive.

The poor girl nearly ran into my desk when she slammed both hands to the table and brought her pair of shining purple eyes to bear at my nose.

"Miss Kaho! I'm curious!" Lady Chitanda exclaimed.

"I can see that..." The girl was nearly squirming with eagerness and anticipation. Setting my book down, I took a sip of my tea and made an offer to Eru. She shook her head vigorously to refreshment before she, in a sudden shift, apologized for her rudeness and abrasive behavior.

"Oh! Oh! Good afternoon," Lady Chitanda bowed as her shining eyes dulled and her head was a fair distance away from my nose. "I hope you and your father are well and-and-and," she stumbled through the formalities in her excitement.

"It's okay, Lady Chitanda. You don't need to be so formal." In an instant, her eyes returned with a sparkle.

"Miss Kaho!" She exclaimed once again as the distance between our noses were reduced to almost nothing. "I'm curious about Oreki!"

"Oh?" This day was becoming quite amusing. "And why would you be so curious about the Bearer of the Star of Kamiyama?"

"That's exactly it! Why?" Lady Chitanda's eyes spoke of pure unbridled curiosity. "Oreki never wants to do anything! But he volunteered to be the Bearer!"

Poor girl looked ready to burst into flames from the excitement.

"And where do I come into this?"

"You were there at the selection meeting! Ooh!" Lady Chitanda flustered angrily. "I should have known it was strange when Oreki messaged he was going to be late. Then he tells me he doesn't have to participate in the Classics Club's activities! We were going to open an exhibit showcasing anthologies from past years!" Chitanda finished with puffed cheeks.

"What duties would Oreki have in your exhibit?" Lady Chitanda brought a finger up to her chin in deep thought.

"He would have been responsible for setting up the exhibits and putting them away after they're done. He also has to greet visitors to the exhibit."

"How many days will your exhibit be open?"

"Every day until Christmas Eve." I gave Lady Chitanda an accusing eye.

"M-Miss Kaho?" I sighed. Lady Chitanda may be brilliant at academics but she's horrid at social cues.

"Perhaps Oreki found the exhibit to consume far too much energy for his taste and chose the lesser of two evils, Lady Chitanda," I explained.

"Oh. Ooh! That makes perfect sense!" Chitanda exclaimed as she clasped her hands together in an epiphany. Her lips were smiling at the satisfaction of the answer before devolving to a frown. "But he's skimping out on Classics Club activities!"

"Well," I tried to dissuade her frustrations. "He's volunteered for one role and not for another. Unfortunately, he cannot partake in both." Not like he would want to anyways, I joked to myself. That boy sure does leave a memorable impression.

Seating herself across from me, Lady Chitanda let out a sigh. "You're right," she admitted sadly. I poured her some warm lemon tea into a flowery cup from which she drank deeply. "But it makes me soo mad! Soo mad!" She placed the cup down and crossed her arms with her cheeks inflated red.

"And why would you be mad?" In an instant, Lady Chitanda brought her nose to mine from across the desk.

"Because then, I won't get to see hi-" She forcibly paused herself. "I-I w-won't get to..." Her voice trailed off. I smiled to myself. Ah, to be young and in love...

"How about I give you your fortune? See what the future holds?" I offered to change the embarrassing topic.

"Yes, please!" Chitanda squealed excitedly. Shame, if she had not joined the Classics Club then she would have certainly been Vice-President of the Fortune Telling Club. "May I have a candle wax reading, please?"

I smiled at her request as I closed the curtains to dim the room. Retrieving a ornate bowl and filling it with anointed water, I produced a candle from the shelf and lit it with a match. It is a simple reading, let the wax of the candle drip into the bowl and read the signs and images. The smell of the spiced water and candle aroma soothes the mind. The visual impact of a dark room focuses the attention on the sole light source, the candle and the wax droplets. The participant holds the bowl of water, feeling the cool container slowly warm from the wax. It's a treat not only for one's soul but also the senses.

"Please, place your hands on the bowl," I commanded. And Lady Chitanda did so. Taking care to avoid accidental droplets on her delicate fingers, I began tilting the candle over the reflective surface. Slowly, one by one, droplets descended through the air and met the water line with a small plop!

"What do you see?" Lady Chitanda asked excitedly. "Do you see a good harvest?"

Always the farmers daughter, I thought to myself. "Not yet." I began to focus my eyes on the droplets as they began to form together in to clumps. How unusual. They normally do not form such distinguishable features... "How peculiar," I whispered.

"What is?" Lady Chitanda asked in a low voice, almost a whisper, as if to avoid offending some omnipresent spirit.

"There are three clumps," I traced along the waterline with my fingers. "Are you familiar with the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Lady Chitanda?"

She nodded her head. "But I get lost in all the characters and I dislike the intrigue and betrayals... Sorry. I only know of it." I ruffled her hair like a bunny rabbit and assured her that was satisfactory.

"In the book, China is divided into three great kingdoms: Cao Wei, Sun Wu and Han Shu," I explained.

"Even I know that!" She smiled, pleased by her knowledge.

"Each of the Kingdoms are struggling to become all of China." I eyed the clumps again and I found the features to be unmistakable. "The relationship between the each of the Kingdoms is complex but their goals are the same: to conquer the prize that is China."

"What does that mean, Miss Kaho?"

I sighed as I thought of a way to explain. This would be difficult to break to her as I set aside the slowly spent candle and blew it out. "There is something you want, and two others shall fight you viciously for that prize. You will be locked in a battle of wits and brute force. Or even a contest of beauty and charm. Whatever it is you desire, unless you are favored by the heavens and commit all your earthly powers, you will not acquire it."

Lady Chitanda gasped in horror as I opened the windows and allowed the winter sun to shine.

"That sounds so terrible! So savage..."

"Whatever that prize is," I commented softly, "it must be something very precious if two other rivals appear to challenge you for possession of it."

"I can think of nothing I or someone else would want that's worth fighting so viciously for."

"Perhaps it's not a thing," I mused taking in the view of the school in winter. I did not have to look back to know Lady Chitanda had reverted to her formal self.

"It may be the Irisu family... and the Chitanda clan and the Juumonji clan... for the adoration of the town," Lady Chitanda suggested in a soft voice.

Turning around, I found her sitting in her seat, appearing as though she had shrunk to the size of Gulliver in Brobdingnag. I ruffled her hair again and imagined her as a cottontail. "There, there little bunny rabbit. It'll be alright.," I assured. "The Juumonji and the Chitanda go far back. The Irisu is Cao Wei and we are Han Shu and Sun Wu ready to beat that smug empress back at the Battle of Red Cliffs." I'll admit I'm poor at making historical jokes or jokes for that matter. "We stand by our friends," I finished.

Lady Chitanda offered a slight smile before averting her gaze from mine and producing a frown.

"I wish we could all be friends..." She whispered.

And I had no reply for that.

Author Notes

Chapter One Fin

Do not expect fast updates.