I know, you've been waiting for this, so without further ado (I disclaimed in the first chapter, right?): the fourth chapter!

I knew that the time for taking would come.

Because those who are waiting long enough, are eventually given...

Dear Viola-kamisama, do you have to have such a long name? I almost twisted my tongue, just before. Oh, right, my mommy says you're the powerful goddess and you can do many things. Can you make cows make chocolate milk and without skin? Pretty pretty please?

Goddess Viola, I no like you no more. I prayed for a puppy, remember? Not for a little brother who only cries and poops and smells funny. Take him back and give me my dog and then I may like you again.

Dear Viola-sama, please take care of my mommy and my daddy, and my sister, and my second sister and if you have time of my big brother. Oh, and take care of yourself too. We'd have no one to take care of us if something happened to you.

Dear Viola-kamisama, remember how I asked you to fix my legs? You don't have to anymore. My Pa invented this awesome chair with wheels and now I can ride it on my own. Though if you could make muddy puddles a little less muddy I'd be grateful cause the wheels tend to stuck in them. Thanks a lot.

Dear goddess, you are my favourite goddess and I think you're totally suited for this job. And I'm not saying it just because you might punish me if I don't, seriously. What do you do to become one? I could ditch school if I became a goddess, right? Or do you have to take some terribly boring classes? Tell me soon because Miss Maria told us we write this big big quiz next week.

I sighed lightly - children's prayers always filled me with such an amazing tenderness. I would never get enough of their simple faith in me which enabled them to ask for anything they could imagine with most sincere intentions. Adults' prayers, though, those were a completely different kind of thing: quite often greedy, selfish and full of demands. Grown-ups have the gall to ask for their neighbours' loss or for the plague to fall upon their enemies, and that is not mentioning their usual petitions for unsurpassed fame and wealth.

After that fateful day when I interrupted their attempted murder - or sacrifice - the people of Fuuka seemed to find their faith anew. Ever since then, they kept pestering me with their petty wants and whims, always applying a generous dose of flattery or excuses for "that most unfortunate incident caused by very human misunderstanding so I hope thou would forgive us and grant this tiny little favour I ask of thee; of course no hard feelings if thou can't but if thou can I'd be so very grateful..." They could go in this manner almost for hours, their praying scrolls becoming ridiculously long; and yet, it gained them nothing but...

"What are you reading?"

Bringing my eyes up, I noticed Natsuki standing by the parted shouji and biting into a ripe apple. Her white and shapely teeth broke the skin and dipped into the crisp flesh, tangy juice flowing freely down her chin and lower... my eyes following its slow descend down her neck... her collarbone... and lower, disappearing in the open shirt... but even then still travelling south...

"Oi! where're you looking?!"

My eyes still trained on the entrancing sight, I smiled before stating in a low voice:

"There's this ripe, delicious fruit I would like to be able to taste. Would Natsuki mind if I took just a little bite of it?"

Every word brought me a bit closer to the deeper and deeper blushing girl until I was able to snatch the apple in my mouth, savouring its juices. The sight of hyperventilating Natsuki was so precious that I decided to take mercy on her.

"You were asking?"

Opening and closing her mouth a few times like a fish taken out of water, Natsuki forced the apple into my hand and almost growled:

"Do. NOT. Do. That. Again."

I could only laugh merrily at her indignation. Taking another bite of the apple, I got back to my place behind the low desk. Having finally reigned her lovely colours in, Natsuki sat on the other side of it and repeated her question.

"Those are prayer scrolls. Whenever someone directs their prayer to me, it is recorded this way for me to read and respond. After all, being a goddess does not mean that I am able to bilocate."

"There's not many of them..." remarked Natsuki, inspecting the small pile of scrolls on my desk.

"Actually, if I were to compare their number today to the one from a few months back, I would call this real abundance."

"Really? So, what happened that it's changed?"

I said nothing but Natsuki was not so dumb as not to put two and two together.

"Oh, right. Guess there's nothing like a good, old revelation to inspire faith in you."

"I would not call it 'faith', Natsuki" I stated sternly, putting aside another of Fuukans' prayers, one more that would go unanswered. "They are simply afraid of my punishing powers and even despite that, they try to reap some benefits. Those greedy, selfish, uncaring fools, overeager to sacrifice anything as long it does not touch them directly and they can gain~"

"Hey, Shizuru," calm, raspy voice broke through the angry mist shrouding my thoughts. I looked up to see a reassuring smile. "It's okay now. I am here, alive. Thanks to you."

I had no answer to the rather unexpected confession; Natsuki, too, soon realized what she has just said and this realization made her fidgety. To cover her embarrassment, she took one of the scrolls and held it up.

"Do you mind?"

No, I did not mind so the girl unrolled the scroll, taking a peek into its contents. She ran her eyes through it once, and then twice, concern creeping onto her previously composed features. She slowly put the paper down, hiding it under the pile before raising her eyes to me and asking uncertainly:

"Say... If I wanted to ask you for something... should I pray to you? Or just write something down on one of those?"

"Silly," I chuckled. "You do not have to do any of those. Don't you think that asking me face to face would be the easiest option for you?"

"Oh, right..."

The usually vivid emeralds of Natsuki's eyes seemed dull and distant, her gaze wandering somewhere I could not reach.

"Unless it's something that Natsuki would rather not voice out loud. Something embarrassing maybe, like asking me to hold her at night..."

"No, it's not that..."

Something was definitely not right if she had not reacted to this tease of mine. Yet, before I could investigate the matter at hand, Natsuki stood up and soundlessly slipped out of my room.

"What is bothering you, my lovely one?"

"Hmm...?"

"I see that something is on your mind, Natsuki. Would it help to share it with me? Maybe I could aid you in any way?"

I could no longer bear the sadness in the girl's eyes and the distraught on her face. There was no mistaking it: something was troubling her ever since we have talked about prayer scrolls and it was troubling her to the point of shutting in.

"I... No, it's just..." Natsuki kept poking her fish and even a small bowl of mayo set by her plate did nothing for her apetite. She barely touched the food, constantly playing with it and bringing chopsticks to her mouth only to put them back down. "No, thanks. I'm fine"

Sweeping her raven hair back, Natsuki tried to send me a small smile, but because of its forcedness it could not calm my worry.

"Are you sure? Maybe~"

"Yes, I'm sure. I'm perfectly fine!" The girl stood up abruptly, her action in stark contrast to her words. "Are you going to eat that?" Not waiting for my answer, she started collecting plates and bowls, stacking them up dangerously high. "No? Good. Then I'm going to do the dishes."

And with that she stomped to the kitchen, clattering of tableware and cutlery accompanying her steps.

Soon after, a noise of shattering plates reached my ears and I rushed to the kitchen, only to find Natsuki crumpled on the floor, trying to pick up the broken pieces, silent tears streaming down her face.

I wanted to comfort her so badly, to gather her in my arms and reassure that whatever is troubling her, we will find a solution. Yet, I knew better than to do what my heart prompted me to. Then and there Natsuki needed space and time to come to terms with her ghosts. I intended to give her both.

"Natsuki..."

The very next morning I awakened to the fragrance of freshly brewed tea, jasmine green if I recognized the subtle undertones correctly. Following the aromatic trail, I reached living room where the table was set with simple, yet tasty-looking meal: a pile of white bread sandwiches, accompanied by two small bowls of steaming soup and a fresh salad.

Natsuki sat at her usual place; upon hearing my entrance, she put the bread down.

"I'm sorry, " reverberated her rough whisper. "For yesterday. It's just..."

She sighed with resignation, unable to find the right words. Instead, she motioned to the scroll laying by my place. I instantly recognised it as a prayer scroll and was about to say something about Natsuki touching my things when she preempted that:

"I know. You can lecture me later; hell, you can even punish me for that but for now... just read it. Please?"

Furrowing my brows at this unexpected brazenness, I unfurled the scroll.

Dear Viola-kamisama. My sisters and I, we wanted to ask you to heal our Aunt. She's been good all her life and she's good to us, and she took care of us when our parents died and no one cared. But now she's really really ill and everybody says she will die soon. We tried many herbs but none of them worked so if you could make a miracle and... and... and heal... let her live please! We don't want her to die. She's our only family...

And a few lines lower, with the tiniest of letters, as if only an afterthought:

And if you know what happened with Natsuki... Take care of her, wherever she is...

I brought my eyes up from the prayer only for them to meet with Natsuki's big emeralds, shimmering with unshed tears.

"Don't let her die, Shizuru!"

Any other time, this hopeful face would move me to tears and bend me to any wish of Natsuki. This time though, I could not relent; not when the matter concerned one of those...

"Your Aunt, she is of Fuukans, is she not? So why, pray tell, should I do anything for her? Why should I care for her well-being when she so obviously had not cared for yours?"

"What are you...?"

"Had she not been with those who wanted to kill you? Verily, you cannot possibly call it 'caring'."

"She hadn't been there! She lives with Tardy Trio a bit from the village... she probably didn't know what was happening..."

"Does Natsuki truly want me to believe that she did not heard the ruckus that accompanied this misguided procession? That never once has she thought about Natsuki's disappearance?"

Natsuki swallowed audibly, taking defensive stance and mumbling:

"It's not like that."

"Not like that?" I was far too enraged to even notice Natsuki's discomfort. "So how is it? Tell me, Natsuki, how can one supposedly 'care' for somebody and never question their fate after a fatal event like this!?"

She turned her eyes away, her face painted with most interesting shades of red. I waited till Natsuki opened her mouth, only to interrupt her.

"No, don't answer that. I do not want to know what enables humans to such cruelty. Rather, tell me if you are aware of the fact that divine interventions like the one you ask for must be paid for with proper offerings?" Natsuki looked at me, curiously. "And that real miracles call for particularly ample sacrifices?"

"Shizuru..."

She knew where I was heading. She must have know what I was going to ask of her. Yet, there she stood, unmoving, awaiting my words.

"Natsuki has said that her Aunt cares for her, but can the same be said of Natsuki?"

"Of course!" Never before have I seen Natsuki so outraged, so passionate about something. "I do care for her. She's my only family, after all..."

"But how much, Natsuki?" I interrupted, not really caring that it was a behaviour far from what is expected of a goddess. "How much do you care for her? How much would you pay for the miracle to happen?"

"Anything!" Not missing a beat, not hesitating a blink of an eye even. "I'll give you anything you want!"

"Anything?" I chuckled over her zealotry. "Natsuki does surely know that there is only one thing I want of her."

Natsuki blushed furiously but did not budge, waiting eagerly for my next words.

I stepped closer; putting a hand under her chin, I brought her face up and close to my own.

"Does Natsuki care for her Aunt enough to offer herself as a sacrifice? To allow me to freely explore the deepest secrets of her body, partaking in the sweetness no one has ever tasted?"

My breath touching her lips in a mock kiss, my voice stern and serious.

"Tell me, Natsuki, do you care that much?"

My raven-haired beauty swallowed whatever words were on her mind and after a short fight with her thoughts, she broke free. The impact of her escape was sorely diminished by a failed attempt to slam shouji screen.

I followed her with my eyes, slowly sitting down and taking a cup of cold tea in my hands. Maybe it was better this way, maybe it was better that she ran away. Had she accepted my offer, what would I do? I threw it at her, without thinking about the consequences. If that woman was so sick that no herbs could help her, is she was on the verge of death - any intervention on my part would be a severe transgression against higher Laws.

Saving Natsuki from Fuukan mob was the very first disobedience in the ages of my goddessship. Because of that and because Natsuki had been moments earlier offered to me, which - in a way - made her my property, I was spared more severe punishments. Still, The One lectured me in lengths on overstepping boundaries of my privileges and inflicting undue punishments. I lowered my head and humbly listened, inwardly rejoicing and not even for a moment regretting what I had done.

Yet, what was forgiven once, would not be forgiven as easily another time. Not when I was so explicitly warned against abusing my powers and abilities.

I was still pondering all the 'what ifs', 'maybes' and 'nevers' when the sliding door moved ever so slowly and I heard soft padding. Step by step, Natsuki came closer, finally standing in front of me and mumbling something so quietly that I had to ask her to repeat.

"Do it, Shizuru" came the lowest of whispers. "Save my Aunt, and later... later you can have... my body..."

So did she say; then why did I feel this obnoxious stirring in my heart, this sadness over her choice of words? She was willing to give me what I desired, what I wanted - why this dissatisfaction? Could it be that I wanted something else?

"Natsuki" I coaxed her to look up. "Are you sure you want this?"

Two glassy emeralds wandered elsewhere.

"I... I don't want her to die!"

Natsuki's chest heaved irregularly and from her erratic breaths I knew she was fighting tears back. I stepped closer and gathered her in my arms. In response, she tensed and grabbed fistfuls of my robe, clutching to it, caught in-between the instinct to run and the feelings for her Aunt.

"You have made the right choice, lovely one" I whispered against her hair.

But did she, really?

Not allowing myself to venture down this alley once more, I took trembling Natsuki to the human realm. While I could easily investigate her Aunt's situation from heavens, I wanted to give the girl a chance to at least say goodbye, should the miracle prove impossible for me to perform.

Having appeared, just to stay on the safe side, a few minutes walk from human settlements, I waited for Natsuki to compose herself and allowed her to lead the way.

Following in the footsteps of my beautiful guide, I marvelled at how she belonged to the place. It was almost as if she had been born in this forest: her steps light and springy, not even once breaking any twig on the ground, moving almost soundlessly through the fallen leaves.

Suddenly, it occurred to me how little I knew about Natsuki. My entire knowledge on this individual could be summed up in a few statements: she was young and beautiful; she use to live with her aunt which meant she probably was an orphan; she liked mayo too much to my liking; she followed customs and traditions of the past and... was that really it? Was there nothing more I could say about the girl I deemed my companion?

"Natsuki, what is your favourite colour?" I asked quietly.

"Ha?" Up until now watching closely the ground, Natsuki suddenly stopped in her tracks, startled by this out-of-the-blue question. "What are you...?" She grimaced with incredulity. "You want to know that now, really?"

I looked down, not sure how to respond to her question, not sure even why I asked in the first place. Natsuki shook her head and resumed her walk, once again paying close attention to the grounds she was passing. I was just about to ask about this curious search, when Natsuki stopped again, claiming joyfully:

"Found it!" She bowed down for a moment and then turned to me, a few red berries on her outstretched hand. "I knew it was about time for them to ripen."

"What is it?" I asked picking a fruit and tasting it.

Natsuki grinned at my grimace when the sour taste with a bitter undertone hit my tongue.

"Cranberries. They not so good fresh but dried turn really sweet. It just takes lots of time and warmth..." Her thoughts wandered elsewhere as she probably reminisced something from her past.

Having gathered some more berries, Natsuki resumed our trek.

"Aunt Mai will love them, cranberry muffins with quark are her favourites." After a little while, she added: "It's blue, by the way."

The household where Aunt Mai lived consisted of two small, thatched huts. In front of them, three girls were sitting, their fingers diligently moving about separating something small into two baskets. When we appeared in sight, girl with long brownish braids stopped whatever she was doing, her mouth agape.

"Your fingers are not moving, Anty" warned the eldest of the girls. "You know that Auntie needs her meds, right? So keep working."

"B-but, Nina-chan... Natsuki..."

"If Natsuki were here, we'd have this done ages ago. Get back to the peas."

"Nina-chan, look!" insisted the younger girl and finally the other two looked at where her finger was pointed at.

In a matter of mere seconds all three enveloped Natsuki in a hug, completely forgotten peas spilling from fallen baskets to the ground.

"Yo, kids. Missed me?" asked my girl with a cocky smile, returning the hug and patting heads of the smaller girls.

She was responded with a collective noise of squeals, questions and shouts; I had to smile at how loved she was by these three.

Unable to free herself from the group hug, Natsuki pulled one hand up and gestured to the girls.

"Shizuru, meet my... family, I guess." Smiling sheepishly, she rubbed the back of her head. "They're called Tardy Trio for a reason but you just can't hate them. Now, kids, what do we do when guests come?"

The girls immediately untangled themselves and standing in line, bowed unsynchronisedly, providing me with their names: Nina appeared to be the oldest of them, Arika was the one with ant-like braids and the last, cat-like one, was Mikoto.

"Very good, girls. Now, this is Shizuru. She's a..." I shook my head almost unnoticeably but thankfully, Natsuki caught it and changed her words. "She's my friend and I kinda crashed at her place lately."

Tardy Trio immediately looked at me with such an awe in their big, trustful eyes that I had to chuckle. In a matter of seconds they circled me in a group hug, chattering simultaneously:

"Does Natsuki eat her veggies? You know that she likes to hide them under rice? You smell nice, can I smell that too? Natsuki always sleeps in and never makes her bed so Auntie Mai shouts at her and beats her with Da Spoon! You have nice boobies, can I love them?"

The last one came from Mikoto who, before I could even process her question, much less answer it, started to nuzzle into my chest. I laughed openly at this display of affection; Natsuki was right, I could never hate those kids even if they were a bit unusual in their behaviour.

When I looked up, Natsuki stood by the second hut, sending us an affectionate smile; soon after, she disappeared inside the building where I assumed her Aunt was staying. Giving her some time alone, I asked the girls to teach me whatever they were doing before we arrived. I must have proved a good student because by the time Natsuki opened the door and motioned for me to join her, more than a basket and a half was filled with shelled peas.

"You can do it, right, Shizuru? You can heal her."

"No, I can't. It would be possible for me but I am not allowed to intervene now when she is on the brink of death. Healing her, causing such a miracle to happen would be a severe transgression against the Laws. I would be punished and I don't even want to imagine the extent of this punishment. The One could go as far as erasing me from existence. You have said you would pay the price for this miracle but have you thought about the price I would have to pay for it as well? Forgive me, Natsuki, but I am not willing to sacrifice this much. Even for you."

I wish she would not ask me with so much hope, with such a certainty and faith in me. Because then I could actually respond to her like that, in all honesty; fearing the outcome of this intervention and hoping that she would understand. But then and there I could not refuse the trust in her eyes, their hopeful depths entrancing me completely and bending me to her will.

"Yes, I can do it. But methinks that a little advance payment on what we settled upon would be in place, don't you agree with me, Natsuki?"

The raven-hair maiden looked at me a tad hesitantly but eventually yielded to my unvoiced request. Thus, I took her pale face in my hands and claimed her lips, tasting their nectar to my heart's content, getting drunk on its sweetness and on the promises of even more dulcet delights.

Yet, even through the haze induced by this intoxicating experience I felt that something was awry with the kiss. Natsuki was tensed and unresponsive; I redoubled my efforts in melting her, while drowning myself in her closeness, letting myself fall deep and hard. Feeling tempted to explore the secrets locked behind these soft lips, I tried to pry them open with my tongue. Suddenly, Natsuki became rigid in my arms and started shaking slightly.

Reluctantly, I pulled back, sighing with content.

"You're right, lovely one" I whispered, caressing Natsuki's heated cheek. "'This should only be an advance and not a complete payment."

A small, uncertain smile appeared on her lips. My heart leapt at the sight though I would not have been able to explain why; what was in this very smile that caused my heart skip a beat or two.

"Now, I want you to get the girls' attention. Whatever might happen, whatever you might see or hear, none of you is allowed to enter the hut until I say so."

Natsuki nodded with the most serious expression on her face. Saying something about gathering cranberries, she urged the girl to enter the forest.

I got the first taste of heavens; now came the time to earn the right to enjoy it fully even if I would never be able to execute this right. Even if performing the miracle would be the last thing I did in my existence...

I took Aunt Mai and lead her out of the hut; as her strength has yet not fully returned, she clutched to my arm, her steps slow and shaky. We sat on the bench, waiting for the girls to come back.

When they did, there was no end to joyful shouts, to hugs and kisses. Natsuki stood a little aside and observed this scene in silence, an affectionate smile on her lips. I joined her, taking a basket half-filled with cranberries from her hands and prompting her to join the celebrations.

The sight of this scene, this unusual family acknowledging and accepting each other, filled me with great warmth; the chance to witness Natsuki acting in such an open manner, without any self-inflicted inhibitions was like a real treasure. Later, I would tell her that I was unable to cure her Aunt completely; that all I achieved was obliterating the symptoms of her illness and delaying her death for three years. Even then though, she would die quietly, in her sleep, without suffering.

I trembled at the memory of her scream when the miasmatic fever was leaving her body. It was almost unhuman, shaking even me, who witnessed sufferings of many ages. I could only hope that the girls were far enough not to hear it.

"Natsuki" I coaxed, having waited for a reasonable time and stepping closer to them. "I think it is time for us to head back. We have a long way to go, after all."

She looked at me, her face falling for but a moment, yet in this moment my heart stood still. Was what she promised me with so awful, so revolting in her mind? And why did it matter so much to me? Given a chance, I could make her enjoy it to the point of her asking for more - this one thing I was certain. Then why this short-lived scowl pained me so?

"You're right, Shizuru. Just give me one more minute and I'm all yours" said Natsuki, stressing the final phrase.

She took her Aunt and helped her back to the hut, probably wanting to bid her farewell in private. Meanwhile, Tardy Trio surrounded me, asking:

"How'd you heal Auntie Mai? Are you a fairy or something like a prophet?"

I could only smile to this and whisper in utmost confidentiality:

"Well, kind of. But do not tell that anyone. It must remain a secret or I will lose my power."

"Ooooh. Will not tell. But we need to thank you. Aunt always says to thank when someone helps us. Come, we will give you something good."

Soon after that, Natsuki and I have left the little household, deciding to walk away a bit before returning to my domain.

We have been walking through a forest for a few minutes when I felt cold, slightly clammy fingers trying to interweave with my own. I squeezed them gently in order to comfort and reassure Natsuki, deep inside enjoying her closeness.

After a moment, the girl halted in her steps, effectively stopping me as well. I turned around to ask what was the problem, never - not even for a moment - letting go of her hand.

"Th-thank you, Shizuru. For healing my Aunt, that is." Natsuki swallowed audibly and looked me in the eye. "And I'm ready to keep m-my part of the d-deal."

Even though she pretended to be calm and composed, her shaky voice betrayed her inner turmoil.

"Ara, the deal?" I put a finger to my chin in a thoughtful manner, cocking my head in the process. "Whatever might Natsuki have in mind?"

"You... you said that miracles must be paid for with sacrifices and I... agreed to your price."

A lovely blush spread on Natsuki's cheeks as she tried to keep her emotions under control and not to fall to my teasings.

"Right, I can't deny having said that but I believe this particular miracle has been already taken care of. I remember Natsuki's sisters rewarding me quite handsomely when she went to say her goodbyes..."

I could barely keep the amusement in when the girl blushed even more furiously.

"What did you do to them? You didn't touch them, did you?"

I pretended to be outraged by this assumption.

"Does Natsuki truly think me such a perverted monster that would abuse trust and gratitude of innocent maidens? Ara, what have I done to deserve myself this opinion?"

From the first sparkles of mirth in her lovely emeralds I knew that Natsuki saw through my tease.

"Well, not necessarily a monster but I daresay the rest is quite spot-on."

I held her sight for a moment before we both broke into a laughter which eased the tension.

When our joyful noise finally died, I looked around for a stump or a log and upon finding one, I asked Natsuki to sit down. Soon, I followed the suit, sitting in seiza across from her.

"Natsuki, I am really glad that you want to follow through with your promise and right now~"

"Right now?" Natsuki interrupted, looking wildly around us. "You want to do it here and now?"

"Hush, lovely one" I cooed soothingly, trying to catch the girl's eyes. "Will you let me finish?"

"Oh-okay."

"Right now, I would like to confirm a theory of mine." I smiled softly to reassure Natsuki of my good intentions. "If I would be allowed then..." I whispered, leaning towards my girl and capturing her lips. For a moment I felt their trembling, their exquisite softness and the underlying tension. The raven-haired maiden accepted my kiss but did not return it. The fact that I yearned for her reciprocity proved to me that I was right about the decision I made. The decision I was about to share with Natsuki.

"Listed to me closely now: I hereby release you from your pledge." Seeing the confusion on her features, I added: "You owe me nothing, Natsuki."

"B-but... you said... and I..." Natsuki struggled with words, desperately trying to get a grasp on the situation.

"I am aware of what I asked of Natsuki. And my decision is not dependant on whatever she has done or what her sweet sisters has gifted me with in their gratitude. Rather, today I have realized that what Natsuki wanted to offer would not be enough."

"You know you're not making any sense right now?" chuckled nervously my lovely girl. "You say it's not enough and so you don't want it?"

"It does make a perfect sense to me" I insisted, grabbing Natsuki's fingers and squeezing them. "Natsuki offered for me to take her body but I want much more." Looking intently into those vast emeralds that I came to adore so deeply, I carried on. "I want all of you, dear one; I want whole Natsuki and that would mean not only your body, but also your mind, your soul and your spirit. And above all - if you would ever be willing to give it to me - your heart." Placing one hand upon Natsuki's chest, close to her heart, I added: "Until I cannot have it all, I shall refrain from taking what little Natsuki can spare."

Cold fingers were placed upon my own and Natsuki's eyes swarmed with emotions I could not tell apart. Looking past me, somewhere far away where only her sight could reach, the girl asked quietly:

"And if I will never be willing to give you that?"

I smiled to myself and answered in a similar manner.

"Then I shall take comfort in the thought that I did not coerce Natsuki into giving me something she would rather keep to herself."

I was telling the truth: suddenly, a mere thought of forcing Natsuki - even indirectly - into anything equalled to defiling her, to robbing the maiden of what was the most beautiful in her. I would much rather have willful Natsuki near me than have her against her will.

I was caught almost completely unaware by Natsuki's reaction. Her whole figure slumped and started trembling; lithe fingers swept through her face, gathering something. The girl looked up then and I noticed that tears flowed freely down her face, her lips twitching constantly.

"Ne, Shizuru... Why am I... Why am I crying?"

The happenings of the day finally got to Natsuki: how close her Aunt was to death, the miracle that occurred, what she was about to give away, what the future had in store for her. Seeing my girl so broken under overwhelming emotions was painful to me so I opened my arms, prompting her to fall into me and when she complied, I scooped her like a child on my lap. Rocking back and forth, I kept whispering soothing words and moving my hand up and down Natsuki's back.

Whilst she was slowly calming down, I transferred us to heavens.

"Natsuki," I whispered when her breath evened. "One more thing."

Taking her face in my hands, I placed a kiss on her feverish forehead.

"'Tis my blessing: now you will be able to step into human realm whenever you wish, for a few hours at a time."

Two green lakes blinked once, then twice and thrice even; then, I felt arms snaking their way round my waist and Natsuki nuzzling into me. I hugged her back, revealing in this intimacy bestowed upon me freely and with sincerity.

The next few days are in my mind but a blur of suffering, both physical and mental. The One, though spared my existence, made me experience the punishment that would ensure I would never overuse my powers again. In the moments of consciousness, however short and scarce they might be, I expected Natsuki to make a use of my gift, to leave this unpleasant sight I presented. But I was wrong: never once did she leave my side, bringing me blankets when violent shivers shook me for hours; brewing me tea, taking away the cold, untouched one and unweariedly bringing cups of a fresh one; wiping my sweaty body with damp cloth and whispering soothing words when the torments in my mind left me a-trembling, sobbing and screaming alternately, a broken heap on a floor.

And when I came to my senses, the first thing I saw was Natsuki sleeping next to me, her peaceful face bearing traces of weariness. I smiled fondly at her, gentle affection rising in my chest at this sight, and covered her with a blanket.

When a few hours later she joined me at the table, I intended to thank her for the continuous vigil but she stopped me.

"Not a word. You'd do the same for me. And I still owed you for my Aunt's life."

It was only that, right? Only responsibility and nothing more... I smiled to Natsuki, though deep inside I felt great sadness.

Dear Viola-kamisama. Thank you for your grace and granting me this few years to prepare my girls for my death. Thank you for taking care of Na-chan. She may not be the easiest in cohabitation but deep inside she's a good, kind girl. If you only find a way into her heart, she'll pay you back hundredfold. And you're already on a good way to achieving that, you know?

I could almost see this all-knowing smirk, accompanying Mai's prayer.

Those who are waiting long enough, are eventually given.

I knew that the time for taking would come but not just yet.

Whoa, one hell of a monster chapter for me. I mean, 6k words? For real?

Pity to my great Beta who proofread it :D

So, it's Author's Rambling time again, since two months have passed and no one missed me.

(Before I forget: positive shoutout to Ian.23 whom I owe my first non-English review ;))

Are any of you, fellow perverted Shiznaters disappointed with how this chapter concluded? I am 'cause Shizuru thought about some things way too early and now I have to re-work two chapters and give up on another one. But what can poor author do when her characters start to live on their own? :D

Since it'll be somewhere near Christmas when the next chapter will be coming up, I'm offering you a gift: I'm working on a fillerish chapter, consisting of snippets from goddess and virgin's daily life (doing things, talking about things etc). If you have anything you want to see in this chapter (maybe you have some questions about N and S or you want to know how'd they react in certain situations), write it in a review or shoot me a PM. I'll try to cater to your wishes :)

That be about all for today, I guess. Enough of rambling, time to warm up before griddlers tournament.

Have a nice Autumn, folks!