Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or anything that has to do with the Bleach franchise. :-(
"What's your name?" A sixteen-year-old looking Saya asked a young boy. She didn't know what it was that intrigued her about this child. It just so happened that a hollow was chasing him when she came through the secret passage that led to this meadow; and she disposed of the demon quickly enough. But this little boy in front of her seemed to be trembling in fear… at her. His brown hair was dirty and matted down in places, his clothes were tattered and too small for him, and his arms and legs were covered with fresh cuts and bruises along with olds ones that were healing. But it was his eyes that captured her interest the most. They weren't exceptional in color, just your regular brown, but they were filled with sadness. Saya couldn't explain it, but she didn't feel like any child should look that sad. She wanted to him to look happy. She wanted to make him happy.
"S-Souta." The scared boy replied quietly. He was shaking from head to toe while Saya approached him.
"Aren't you going to ask me my name?"
"W-What's y-your name?" He sputtered out while trying to choke back tears.
"My name is Saya. Look, I won't hurt you, okay? So stop being afraid."
"But the way you killed that monster… it was scary!"
"Was it? I'm sorry I scared you." Saya said with a smile. "Don't you think it's odd you're afraid of me though? Shouldn't you be thankful that the demon didn't get you?"
Souta looked up at her with tears brimming in his eyes. He had run away from town earlier that day. He was kind of small for his age and everyone was always bullying him because of his size. The adults in town weren't any better and would often blame him if their goods were stolen, even if he wasn't the one to take them. He didn't really trust anyone and he wasn't sure that this girl was any different. She had just popped out of nowhere. Souta had seen the way she smirked before drawing her sword and killing the frightening monster with the white mask. It was like she enjoyed the thought of slaying something. But she did just save his life and right now she didn't seem like that scary girl from just a few minutes ago. Now she seemed nice.
"Here, do you want a snack? I brought some food with me. You look like you're about to starve." Saya said as she reached into her pack and pulled out some rice balls. "Go ahead, I don't need them." She said as she handed them to the little boy.
He hesitantly took them from Saya and then quickly started eating the rice balls. Saya just stared at him for a minute while he inhaled the little bit of food that she had provided, then a small smile spread on her lips. "You were hungry, ne? Slow down a little, you don't want to make yourself sick." She said.
The little boy in front of her turned red with embarrassment as he realized how fast he was eating. "I'm sorry, it's just that I haven't eaten for such a long time. Thank you so much for the food."
"No problem. How old are you, Souta-kun?"
"I'm twelve, in human years anyway."
"Oh, you're kind of small, ne? Where are your parents, Souta-kun?"
"I don't have any." The little boy replied in a small voice. The comment about him being small stung a bit.
"Where do you live?"
"I don't have a home." He said again in the same small voice.
"You don't? That's awful. So, you're all by yourself?"
"I can take care of myself you know! I'm a man so I don't need anyone!" He yelled back at Saya. For a second he thought that she was going to be mad at him and go back to being scary like she was with the monster, but instead she just smiled.
"You must be very grown up to take care of yourself for so long with no one to help you, but everybody needs someone, Souta-kun."
"I… I don't need anyone! I'm fine by myself!" He yelled and got up. He tried to run away but Saya stood in front of him, stopping him from going anywhere.
"Ne, Souta-kun, why are you trying to run away? I save your life, give you food, and now you run away from me? You're hurting my feelings." Saya said teasingly as she shook her finger in his face.
The little boy just glared at her. "Thank you for saving my life and for the rice balls. I need to be going now."
"Going where, Souta-kun? You said you have nowhere to go. Listen to me for a minute, okay? If you don't like what I have to say then you can leave and go back to your horrid existence on the streets of Rukongai." Saya said with a bit of edge to her tone.
Souta thought she was turning scary again and thought it best to listen to what she had to say. "Okay."
"I can tell that you have a fair amount of spiritual pressure and that's probably why that hollow was running after you. You also get hungry, which means you have the ability to become a shinigami. If you come with me, I can train you so that you can become powerful and useful to the king. You can kill monsters like the one I killed. Right now, you're more likely to be killed living in the streets anyway, so it's not like you have anything to lose by coming with me, right? But I won't stop you if you want to run away again. Live penniless on the streets if you want, it doesn't make a difference to me."
"You lie."
"Excuse me?" Saya's tone growing cold.
"I don't know why, but clearly it does make a difference to you otherwise you wouldn't even give me the choice." The little boy choked out, afraid of upsetting the girl in front of him too much. To his surprise she smiled again.
"I guess you're right." Saya said as she bent down to his level. "I want you to come with me, Souta-kun. Will you please?" Saya stretched out her hand towards the young boy hoping that he'd take it.
A little apprehensive at first, but Souta took placed his hand in hers'. He looked up to see her smiling at him and blushed. "Thank you, Souta-kun, let's go home now. You'll have to close your eyes though, no peeking!"
Souta did as he was told and didn't open his eyes again until Saya had told him to. He followed Saya out of the forest and gasped when he saw the expansive castle when they stepped through the trees.
A young man opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling. The sun was just rising and the glow came through his window shades. Not wanting to see the light yet, he covered his eyes with his forearm, desperately wanting to return to the dream.
That was the first time Saya-sama saved me. I had no idea who she was back then. I owe my life to her and now I can never repay my debt.
Souta made his way over to his small private bathroom and washed his face. He looked into the mirror and saw himself looking back. He was no longer the small little boy that Saya had saved. He had grown strong, tall, and handsome. His features were chiseled and his body fit. He was glad that he wasn't a burden on anyone, that he could do what Saya had brought him here to do, even if she was no longer with him.
Saya had been gone for forty years but it didn't make the pain go away. He still thought about her a lot and for some reason, wasn't able to convince himself that she was really dead. Her body had never been found, only her bloody uniform, even her zanpakuto wasn't recovered. A full investigation had been held to find Saya's whereabouts. But all the evidence had pointed to the fact that she had been ambushed by a hoard of hollows and was unable to fend them off. Saya's mother had died the same way, but at least her body was found. Souta had nightmares that Saya had been turned into a hollow, but he realized quickly they would be more likely to consume her spirit energy than simply turn her into one of them. He shook his head to rid himself of the morbid thoughts flowing through his mind. Every morning it was the same.
He finished getting ready, putting on his body-covering uniform before heading out. The only thing that he hadn't put on was his mask. He never did when visiting her. Souta made his way to Saya's family shrine and placed fresh flowers in front of her head stone.
"Good morning, Saya-sama. I dreamt about you last night. It was about the time you saved me, the first time we met. Do you remember? I was so scared of you back then, with good reason, you were quite scary, you know? But you were always so kind to me. I still miss you. Will that feeling ever go away? I know I shouldn't kid myself, but I feel like you're still alive somehow. Do you remember the promise you made to me? It was shortly after you brought me here to serve the king. You said that we would always be by each other's side." Souta stopped for a few minutes and then laughed at himself.
"Forgive me Saya-sama. I'm just dwelling in the past, like I have been for forty years now. I have to go to morning warm-ups now. The new guardian is rather strict about being tardy. Is it funny that I still call her the new guardian, even though she's filled that duty since you left? Just between you and me, she's not nearly as good at it as you were. I guess that's to be expected though, ne? You were born for it and she's just the replacement. Don't tell her that though, she can be almost as scary as you! Anyway, I have to run, Saya-sama! I'll come by and visit you tomorrow."
Saya was lying awake in bed but didn't feel like opening her eyes. She was trying to remember more about the boy that she had seen in her dream.
"Hanryo, what happened to that little boy? Did everything turn out okay?"
"Hai, Saya-sama. Souta was taken in, after a little pursuasion by you, and trained to be a member of the king's guard. He became very talented."
"Oh, good. Hey! This is one of the few times that you've actually given me more information when I've asked for it!"
It was true, Hanryo still had the annoying habit of not giving Saya extra information when certain memories presented themselves. She heard him laugh in her head.
"I suppose I must give in from time to time to make Saya-sama happy, ne?"
"Thank you, Hanryo."
It had been twenty years since Saya had graduated and been placed in Tosen-taicho's squad. She had been very happy in his squad and had worked herself up to the fifth seat. A lot of memories had returned, but it seemed like the ones she was most curious about still eluded her. She still hadn't seen her father's face or the face of her attacker from that night. But she managed to figure out that she was one of the king's closest and most trusted subordinates in his personal guard, although she was still unaware of her actual rank within the guard. She didn't have any memories of the King's face, only her grandfathers. Saya had guessed that her grandfather must have been the king's most valued advisor, since it was her grandfather that often told her of the duties to fulfill for the king. She had also remembered that her mother was in the King's guard as well and that Saya had learned most of her skills directly from her mother. It seemed to be a tradition that the daughter in her family take over the mother's duties of helping to protect the king.
Of course, she still had her nightmares of some of the more malicious acts that she committed while serving the king, but Saya was learning how to deal with those memories little by little. Hanryo helped comfort along with Juushiro when she finally told him some of the things she had done. She didn't give him all the details, but did share some of the more graphic memories that came to her. At first she thought that he would turn her away and see her for the monster she felt like from time to time. But he consoled her and loved her even though she had done terrible things and she was grateful to him for that love. She felt he deserved to know some of her nightmares anyway, since it usually meant that she woke him up in the middle of the night as well. Saya used to question why the king's guard didn't find her after she had been attacked. But then again, she wasn't entirely sure that it wasn't one of the guards that tried to kill her that night. She had no desire to return to the king's guard and figured that they must assume she was dead. If she had to assassinate whole families like she had before, she didn't want to return to it anyway. She was happy with the way she was now, and Tosen-taicho was a rather peaceful man.
Saya finally opened her eyes and saw a wall of white in front of her. She smiled to herself and scooted closer to the shinigami she had been sharing a bed with for the last twenty years. Saya threw her arm over Juushiro and buried her face in his snowy hair. Taking a deep breath to fully enjoy his scent, she then let it out with a contented sigh.
"Good morning, Saya." Juushiro said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her arm around him more, making Saya edge even closer to him.
"Good morning, Juushiro." Saya responded back. "I didn't wake you, did I?"
"Not at all." He said while kissing her fingers. "I just didn't want to get up yet."
"Hhmmm. What shall we do today? We could have a picnic by the pond or go for a walk in the woods? It's supposed to be a beautiful day, let's spend it outside, ne?" Saya said.
"Have you forgotten, Saya?"
"Forgotten? Is there something we had planned today?" Saya asked suddenly growing nervous that he had planned something special that had slipped her mind.
Juushiro just chuckled to himself. "The wedding is today."
"Oh that's right, the wedding." Saya said a little relieved and closed her eyes again. Then it hit her. "THE WEDDING!" Saya jumped out of bed and towards Juushiro's private bathroom. Juushiro just laughed to himself again as he watched Saya scramble.
"What time is it? Am I running late? I'm supposed to help Miyako-san get ready! Then I have to get ready myself! Stop laughing, Juushiro! I can't believe I forgot that today is Kaien's wedding! Some friend I am!" Saya yelled as she jumped in the tub.
"Calm down, Saya, you didn't oversleep at all. You don't have to be at Miyako's for another two hours." Juushiro said as he walked into the bathroom after Saya. She was scrubbing frantically trying to rush.
"Oh, I didn't?" She said as she stopped attacking her feet with a pumus stone.
"No, you didn't. So…" Juushiro said as he undressed and stepped into the tub with Saya. "Let's enjoy our morning together. We actually have a little time. Usually you have to head back to your division shortly after waking up. It's been so long since we were able to bathe together." He said as he scooted behind Saya and started washing her back with a sea sponge. Saya was glad that he was behind her, because she could feel the heat coming from her face. She didn't know why he was able to make her blush so easily, even after twenty years.
"Is Byakuya going to be there today?" Juushiro asked, breaking Saya from her thoughts.
"I don't know. Ever since the Shiba family had a falling out with the rest of the noble clans, Byakuya hasn't really spoken to him much. I know he was invited to join in the celebration, but…"
"It won't ruin your time, will it?" Juushiro asked. Saya had grown close to both Kaien and Byakuya since entering the protection squads. The falling about between them affected her as well.
"No, but it's hard to watch two people that you care about suddenly act so cold towards each other. Well, it's more Byakuya than Kaien. Byakuya is much more conservative and traditional than Kaien, so it's not surprising that he shuns the Shiba clan now. But still…"
Juushiro wrapped his arms around Saya and placed his chin on her shoulder. "I know it's upsetting for you, Saya. But today is for Kaien and Miyako. Don't bring it up if you can help it."
Saya sighed and sank back against Juushiro. "I won't."
"Saya-chan! There you are!" Matsumoto said cheerfully as Saya entered Miyako's dressing area.
"Yes, sorry. Am I late?" Saya asked while shutting the door behind her. She and Juushiro ended up spending a little extra time in the tub, but she thought that she was still running on time.
"No, I've just been looking forward to this day! I could hardly sleep last night I was so excited, what about you?" Matsumoto boomed.
"Uh, yeah, me too!" Saya said with a smile. She didn't tell Matsumoto that she hasn't remembered when she woke up this morning. But Matsumoto's excitement was infectious and soon Saya was almost as giddy as she was.
"Thank you so much for helping me. I feel like you two are the ones who brought Kaien and me together, so I wanted to show my appreciation by letting you help me get ready for the day." Miyako said in her sweet voice as she entered the room.
"We're happy to help!" Both Saya and Matsumoto said together.
"Come on, Miyako. Let's start with the make-up." Matsumoto said.
"Alright." She said with a smile as she sat down. Saya and Matsumoto started to paint her skin with the white cream. It was tradition that the bride be painted in white from head to toe on her wedding day. Saya, although liking tradition in a lot of ways, secretly thought to herself that this was something that should be done away with. After they were done with her skin, they painted her lips red and placed pink rouge on her cheekbones. Matsumoto finished Miyako's eyes while Saya looked on and smiled.
"You look like the perfect bride, Miyako-san!" Saya said while handing her a mirror.
Miyako took the mirror and smiled at her reflection. "Kaien will be please, ne?" She said.
"Of course he will." Matsumoto said. "You make the prettiest bride, Miyako-san!"
Saya and Matsumoto helped Miyako into her traditional white kimono, ornamented headpiece, and hood. She looked ever so much like the obedient bride in her traditional wedding attire.
"I'll be sure to have the red kimono waiting for you to change into before the reception starts, okay?" Matsumoto said as she grabbed the elaborate kimono, the second one that Miyako was to wear that day. She would wear the white one for the ceremony and then change into the red one for the celebration afterwards.
"Thank you both, so much. I really appreciate all the help. My mother should be here soon, so you can go and she'll help me finish with anything else. I'll see you at the ceremony!" Miyako said with her sweet smile.
"Good luck, Miyako-san!" Saya said as she followed Matsumoto out of the dressing room and then ran back to Juushiro's house as quickly as she could to get ready herself. She had forced herself to choose one kimono to wear the night before because she knew it would be best if she didn't have choices today. She brushed the waves out of her hair so that it fell straight and reached just below her shoulder blades.
Once Saya had put on her blue kimono and yellow obi, she went out to the living area where Juushiro was sitting. Juushiro had already finished getting ready and was paitiently waiting for Saya to finish. She looked at him while he read one of his many books and thought that he looked so handsome in his formal kimono. It was a dark forest green color. He tied his hair back into a low ponytail, which Saya liked best and didn't understand why he didn't wear it that way more often.
"I'm ready." She said.
Juushiro promptly snapped the book shut and rose from the sofa. "Shall we go?" He said as he offered her his arm.
"Shunsui is meeting us at the shrine, correct?" Saya asked as they started down the boardwalk.
"Yes, I think he's forced Ise-san to be his date."
"Sometimes I don't think he has to try too hard." Saya mumbled as she started thinking about how, at times, she would swear Nanao enjoyed Shunsui's advances. Well, actually Nanao probably didn't like those types of advances; but Saya took note that she would blush from time to time when he did something genuinely nice for Ise-san. "Miyako looks very pretty as a bride, Juushiro."
"I'm sure she does. Have you ever been to a wedding before, Saya?"
"Not that I know of."
"Well, it'll be a treat for you then. Weddings are always pleasant and you can't help but feel the happiness and love in the day."
Saya smiled and leaned her head on Juushiro's arm for a bit while they walked towards the temple near the center of the Sereitei. That was where most shinigami got married. It was relatively easy for the soldiers to get married there, especially if their bride was a shinigami as well. Although, some couples did still get married at a family shrine or a temple within Rukongai. Kaien and Miyako both agreed that the Sereitei Shrine would be most appropriate and the reception was going to take place in the thirteenth division on the training grounds. Most of the squad members had help put up enormous tents and had strung lights everywhere. Saya and Matsumoto were in charge of flowers and they had managed to turn the training grounds into a fairy tale sort of garden. Saya was sure that the wedding would be nice, but she was looking forward to the party afterwards the most.
Saya also noted the beautiful weather for the day. It was the beginning of springtime in the Sereitei and the cherry blossoms were out in full bloom. The color of the blue sky, the green of the grass, and the blooms on all the plants seemed to paint a wonderfully romantic picture for Kaien and Miyako's special day. It was the most wonderful time to celebrate the union of two people who loved each other.
"Good, Shunsui remembered to save us places." Juushiro said once they stepped inside the shrine.
Saya snapped out of her daze and looked to see her brother, still wearing his flamboyant pink kimono, waving to get their attention. Juushiro led her over to sit beside her brother and Nanao. Once seated, Saya looked around to take in the scene before her. First she noticed that red roses were everywhere. The shrine practically looked like rose garden on the inside due to the dozens and dozens of bouquets and arrangements that littered it. Dozens of while candles were also placed in several areas around the temple as well. Everyone seemed to be happy and smiling while they were waiting for the ceremony to start. Saya made eye contact with Matsumoto, who looked thrilled to be sitting next to Ichimaru-fukutaicho, and smiled at them. But she was rather surprised when she saw Byakuya among the crowd. She had been sure that he wouldn't show up, but was rather glad that he did. Even though he and Kaien weren't getting along that well at the moment, Saya knew that Kaien would appreciate him being there.
Kaien made his way to the front near the altar to wait with the monk. Saya thought that he looked somewhere in between incredibly elated and extremely nauseated. She was sure to give him a wink and a small smile when he looked at her. Kaien only managed half a smile back and then started to fidget nervously while waiting for Miyako to make her entrance into the temple.
Soon, Miyako joined Kaien at the altar and the ceremony began.
"First, the priest will perform the purification ritual." Juushiro whispered to Saya.
She watched with interest as the priest waved incense around the couple and then shook what looked like an odd feather duster over their heads. Juushiro assured Saya that it was a traditional instrument used to "cleanse their auras and ready their spirits to become one with each other." Saya just nodded.
Next, the priest had the members from Kaien's family and Miyako's family stand and face each other. "Marriage isn't just about the joining of two people, it's the joining of two families. Both families take a vow to accept and love each other as Miyako and Kaien have accepted and love each other." Juushiro whispered. Again, Saya watched this particular part of the ceremony with interest and enjoyed how the families bowed to the couple before taking their seats again.
"Finally, the san-san-kudo. This is Shunsui's favorite part. You'll understand why if you just watch." Juushiro said quietly with an amused looked on his face. Saya returned her attention to the couple and watched as Miyako and Kaien poured sake and then took turns drinking from the "unity" cup. Nine sips each. She smiled to herself, now understanding Juushiro's meaning. Stealing a quick glance at her brother, Saya had to hold back a chuckle after she saw him lick his lips.
Miyako and Kaien walked hand in hand out of the shrine and led the procession back towards the thirteenth division. It seemed like hundreds of people were already at the reception and applauded and cheered the happy couple as they made their way down to the decorated training grounds. The bride and groom were all smiles as they greeted their guests and received their gifts and blessings.
"You and Matsumoto really did wonders, Saya. This place looks amazing. If I didn't know better, I'd think we were in the middle of some elaborate garden retreat." Juushiro said as he looked around.
Saya blushed at his compliment. "It's really due to your soldiers. They did most of the grunt work. Rangiku and I just bossed them around."
"Saya-chan, this place looks lovely!" Shunsui said as he handed her and Juushiro cups of sake. "Drink up! Tonight is for celebrating and wedding sake is always the best! To the bride and groom!" He toasted as he raised his cup high. He downed it in one gulp then went to go refill it immediately.
"Um, Ise-san, you will take care of my brother, won't you?" Saya asked.
Nanao just sighed a little before nodding her head. "Of course, he is my captain." She followed after him a few minutes later. Nanao knew that she was in for a night of babysitting her taicho and keeping his lecherous conduct at bay. There were plenty of young pretty maidens around that would spike his interest so she would have to be extra watchful.
Saya smiled after Nanao and her brother, but was brought back to herself when she felt a strong arm wrap itself around her waist.
"Let's go and congratulate the happy couple, ne?" Juushiro whispered into her ear.
"Uh, yes." Damn! How can he still make me blush so?
Saya and Juushiro made their way to Miyako and Kaien. They gave them their congratulations and blessings. Kaien told them that they would be spending their honeymoon at a reclusive retreat in the mountains to the north and would be leaving first thing in the morning. It looked like the thirteenth division would have to due without its fukutaicho and third seated officer for a few weeks, but Juushiro told them that they didn't need to rush back and to enjoy their honeymoon together.
Much like the first part of the day, it seemed like everything about the night was going splendidly. The food was delicious, the sake flowed freely, and the music was cheerful. Miyako and Kaien were happy amongst their friends and family that came to celebrate their union and happy just to be together. They led the group in several dances and the celebration lasted to the early hours of next morning.
Miyako and Kaien finally made their exit to enjoy some private time together as husband and wife. It didn't take long for everything else to wind down and others to depart as well. It was then that Saya started to feel the full effects of the copious amounts of sake she had drank over the course of the night. Her head was spinning and everyone seemed to have a twin all of a sudden. She looked around to see two Juushiros helping two Nanaos take care of two Shunsuis.
It would take four people to take of two of him. Saya thought to herself.
"Saya-sama drank too much sake. She's drunk." An amused zanpakuto spirit teased.
"I would normally try to disagree with you, but you're most certainly correct. Oh, I feel awful! I think I'm going to make my way down to the lake. Maybe the cool breeze off of the water will help me feel better."
"Be careful Saya-sama. The last thing we need is you falling into the water and drowning. Think about how sad the pretty white-haired taicho would feel."
"Shut-up."
Saya wobbled her way to the lakeshore and plopped, ever so ungracefully, down by the water. She decided that lying down might be an even better idea. Well, she decided that after she had already fallen over on her side. Saya didn't know how long she had been in the grass when she felt someone pick her up bridal style and start carrying her along a wooden dock.
"Juushiro?" She asked while snuggling close to the man that picked her up. She hadn't even opened her eyes to see his face, but that didn't matter. Saya knew Juushiro's presence as well as she knew her own.
"Silly girl. You went off by yourself. What if you had been attacked or something? In your condition I doubt you could have done much to defend yourself." Juushiro chided a little, but he wasn't really mad. He had never really been mad at Saya.
"I'm sorry I made you worry." Saya said. "Thank you, for taking care of me." By the end of her sentence Saya had already fallen back into her sake slumber. Juushiro just smiled and shook his head at the girl in his arms.
Changing her clothes would be too much of a hassle, but he did manage to get off her outer layers so that she could sleep more comfortably in her thin, inner kimono. Juushiro laid Saya gently on his bed and kissed her forehead.
"Mmm, Juushiro." Saya whispered in her sleep.
This made Juushiro smile again and so he kissed her gently on the lips, careful not to wake her up, and then laid down beside her and listened to her deep breaths while she slept.
"It'll be okay." Saya started to talk again. Juushiro listened to what she was saying and wondered what she was dreaming about, and if she was still thinking of him. It wasn't often that Saya talked in her sleep, so he was rather amused by it at the moment.
"Don't worry, because I'm here." She said.
Clearly she's talking to someone. Juushiro thought to himself.
"I want to see you happy."
I wonder if she's talking to me in her dream?
"We will always be together, I promise. We will always be by each other's side."
A smile spread on Juushiro's lips. She must be dreaming about me, who else would she say something like that to?
"Okay, Souta-kun?"
Author's note: Thank you to Kate1221, firewaterearthwind, Cara-Mae-Chan, DaydreamerMagby, Bleacheese, SheDevil85, rukia23, Fefisgbf13, Kairi-senpai, SorryCharlie, Ukitake-chan, and GermanBubbles for taking the time to post a review and/or comment for the last chapter. As always, they are much appreciated!
This chapter was to mainly introduce the new OC, who was obviously a big part of Saya's past life. Also, I wanted to write Kaien and Miyako's wedding. I don't think that it came out as well as I would have liked, but my chapters always seem to be so long anymore, and to be honest, I wasn't up to spending a great amount of detail on their wedding. So my apologies if you were hoping for something big an extravagant for them, but my brain wouldn't allow more than what I ended up with. So I hope no one is too disappointed. Also, I know that I used Shrine and Temple a lot to describe the same thing... I don't think that those words are necessarily interchangeable like how I used them, but I thought that would be better than just using the same word so many times.
Here is where I ask my readers to please take time to post a review of this chapter. Please take time to post a review. Thank you so much!