Story moved to the M-rated section. Just to be on the safe side after last year purge :)

Hi and hello, girls and boys :)

I am most deeply sorry for this terrible delay (it's been almost four months since the last update O.o) but as those of you who follow 30sh know - I'm experiencing some health problems at the moment and they hinder my writing (you know, when it takes ten minutes to remember something as basic as "move backwards", then you can hardly call it comfortable ;))

But - worry not! Both stories will be finished - it may just take more time.

On a more positive note - thank you for all reviews. You're wonderful! :)

Sometimes I wish the guests'd leave me some contact info so I could address your doubts without spoiling fun for other readers.

Ok, I've been ranting for too long. It's time for some Valentine ShizNat goodness!

"Could you move a little bit, Natsuki?"

"Mmm..." A quiet rustle of clothes and squeaks of the old armchair. "Like this?"

"A little bit more to the left... Just like that. It's perfect," I purred. "Natsuki is the most comfortable

pillow I could have ever imagined."

She huffed and grumbled:

"I'm not comfortable at all!"

I laughed merrily and moved a bit, allowing her to move her toes, but not removing my head from her lap.

In the wake of a winter, I rearranged my household a bit, adding to it a living-room in western style. It was indisputably one of the perks of having powers like mine at one's disposal: being able to completely remodel the insides of the house without disturbing its outside look.

And so we sat by the fireplace: Natsuki in the plush armchair, I - at her feet, propping myself at her slender legs.

"It's my turn to pick, right?" asked Natsuki, referring to the activity that became our little custom this last few evenings. "Then tell me about the Ungrateful Anh. I've always had problems believing this story."

"Probably for the right reasons..." I sighed, recalling the events connected with the name. "Why don't you start by telling me what you were taught?" I was quite curious as to why my dear Anh was called ungrateful.

"Well, there was this little girl whose parents died and she had no relatives so the goddess Viola - meaning you - took care of her. Why are they always girls, by the way?" Natsuki loomed over me, in an attempt to look at my face.

I bent back, our eyes meeting for a fleeting moment before Natsuki realised intimacy of our position and looked away.

"Ara, it certainly does seem this way. But I can assure Natsuki that I also took boys under my wings." I stopped for a bit, thinking of those few instances that could be considered exceptions from the general rule. "Although they were less of companions and more of... servants? After all, fair maidens are much more likeable than rowdy lads."

Natsuki blushed heavily, though less than she would at the beginning of our acquaintance; she was growing accustomed to my constant teasing.

"Please, continue. Up to this point the story is surprisingly truthful."

Still irritated by my earlier remarks, Natsuki huffed and scowled. It was only after I resolved to pouting and begging her with wide open, teary eyes that she relented and picked her story up.

"The girl named Anh lived happily in heavens until one day she saw in the human realm something that made her want visit the place. She begged the goddess to be allowed but the Mighty One said: No, you must not go for great perils await you in there."

I took immense pleasure in listening to Natsuki's storytelling. Her speech, usually clipped and concise, underwent a complete transformation every time she took to relaying me some holy myth. I had to forcibly stop myself from drowning in her voice, for the one time I allowed myself this pleasure and lost track of her story, she took offense, accusing me of not listening. Oh, Natsuki, but I had been listening. I had been listening too much...

"And till the end of her days Anh kept saying that she'd barely escaped," finished her story Natsuki.

"I must confess that Natsuki has every reason to doubt this very story." I sighed, fixing my eyes on the steadily burning fire. The admission of what had really happened would not come easy to me. "I am ashamed to say that in a way I did imprison dear Anh."

Natsuki must have sensed my discomfort for her hands found their way to my shoulders, moving along them, gently kneading knotted muscles. I allowed myself to melt at her touch, somewhere deep inside wishing to feel these slim fingers elsewhere, to let them ease another tension, quench another desire.

I kept my silence, gathering thoughts and letting Natsuki take away my worries. She would surely understand that what had happened in the past is a time long gone by and would not repeat itself now that I was wiser with this painful experience, right? She would understand...

"Anh was to me like... a daughter, a dear girl I raised all by myself. She was able to visit human realm at her will and I never forbade her these trips, deeply enjoying her reports of what she had seen and who she had met." I stopped for a moment, reminiscing her brilliant smile, her features practically glowing when she was so absorbed in her story that the dinner we shared went cold, completely forgotten.

"One day she came back late and kept uncharacteristically silent. She excused herself from the meal and missed breakfast the next morning. The situation kept repeating until Anh asked me for permission to move to human realm. She was at her early twenties at that time, perfectly able to start living on her own. But my love for her was so possessive that I refused. No one would take my girl from me. No one..."

I trailed once more, hoping that Natsuki would not take me for a monster I was back then. Soon enough, I felt her slim fingers weaving in my hair, playing with them in a soothing manner.

"Anh kept sneaking from heaven so I stripped her of the ability to move between the two realms. She begged me to let her go, to let her see someone or something - I didn't really listen to her - for the last time. I never budged to her pleas so in a desperate attempt to change my mind she refused to take any meals. I could nourish her body with my powers and did just that. But the well-being of her soul was out of my reach. Anh kept withering in my eyes. I could not bear to see her like that."

"So you let her go," whispered Natsuki, putting the last pieces of Anh's story in place. "And after all this time, this someone or something she longed for was no longer there."

"She never forgave me, not even in her last moments." I spoke so silently that it was a wonder Natsuki heard me with the fire crackling. "And then her story was so twisted, making my sweet Anh the villain when it was all my fault..."

The silence that followed was heavy and uncomfortable, full of unspoken words and unasked questions. I missed Natsuki's calming hands, even if only on my shoulders, even if only in my hair...

"But you was willing to let me go," came the soft whisper from above. "The story would not repeat itself."

I hummed softly, acknowledging her words and taking some comfort in them.

We sat like that for a bit longer, none of us feeling the need to break the silence, until I felt shivers running up and down my spine. I asked Natsuki to pass me the blanket.

"Are you cold?" asked the girl, covering my shoulders.

I felt her cold hand upon my forehead but shook it off. I had no fever, although something felt wrong.

The next morning, I barely touched breakfast while Natsuki was devouring it so eagerly I was afraid she would choke.

"Natsuki," I called for her attention. "Your rice is not going to vanish if you won't eat it in the next three minutes."

"Showwy," mumbled my girl, stuffing even more food into her mouth. "I'm seeing Auntie Mai today and can't be late. She'll teach me..."

Natsuki gasped and fervently reached for her cup, drinking from it so greedily that some water dripped down her chin. I could only sigh and pass her a napkin.

"Thanks." She smiled to me and stood up. "I'll be back for dinner."

"One question before you go." Natsuki doubled back from the door. "What are you going to learn from Mai?"

The girl started to move backwards, a smug smile gracing her lips.

"Ah-a-a, I'm not telling you. It's a surprise. And don't even try your fake pout, it's not going to work today."

Despite her words, I still had to try. Pulling my lips into the most miserable pout and even going as far as squeezing some tears from my eyes, I repeated the question.

"Sorry, not today." Natsuki smiled at me. "Bye, Shizuru. See you later". And with that, she was gone.

After doing the dishes, I moved to my reading room. I planned on going through the prayer scrolls but couldn't focus on the work. I was halfway through the third scroll when the words started flowing before my eyes. I rubbed them and pinched my nose, and massaged my temples - all of this to no avail.

The front door screeched and I heard Natsuki's footsteps. Why was she back so soon? Wasn't she supposed to stay with her family till early afternoon?

"Shizuru, I'm back! And I've got something for you!"

I looked out the window - the sun has already started going down. How could I miss so much time passing?

"You won't believe what my Auntie did." Natsuki's voice was coming closer and closer, and so were her footsteps. "She improved on my favourite... Shizuru!"

Trying to go and welcome my companion, I missed my footing and gravity took its toll, pulling me to the floor. I felt so heavy and dizzy... In a blink of an eye, Natsuki crouched by me and I smiled weakly before falling out of consciousness.

When I awakened, the room was dim. How long have I been unconscious? Just when I was about to get up and look out the window, shouji moved and Natsuki entered. The girl dropped whatever was in her hand and threw herself to me.

"Don't get up!" I was pushed back onto the futon. "You passed out earlier, remember?"

I nodded and let her tuck me in. It was only then when I really noticed weakness in my muscles, and when Natsuki placed her cold hand on my forehead shivers run down my back.

"Shizuru, you're burning!" She scrambled to get the thing she dropped earlier. "Good thing I remembered about negi."

Negi? Maybe it was because of the raging fever, but I could not understand the connection between the green vegetable and my sickness.

"I know it's not pleasant... it may hurt a bit... but it'll help you, I swear." Natsuki shuffled closer to my futon. Her cheeks were adorned by the most lovely shade of red. "Could you..." She motioned with the negi. "...turn over? And lie on your stomach?"

Dizzy and confused, I complied with Natsuki's request and changed my position, all the while trying to understand her intentions. Cold, clammy fingers grazed my calves before shakily pulling up the hem of my nightgown.

"Natsuki? What are you doing?" I was desperately trying to get a grip on the situation, on the connection between the negi and fever, and the slim fingers brushing over my bare backside were not helpful. Any other day, I would gladly welcome them in there and allowed for more than the almost playful touches. But back then, with my body seriously weakened and my mind in a hazed state, I could barely keep the anxious trembling from my voice.

"Aunt Mai said it's the old folk cure that brings fever down." Her voice was probably even more shaky than mine. "Are you ready? It'll surely help..."

"No, Natsuki, put this negi down." When a discomfiting pressure appeared between my buttocks, I finally realized what she was referring to. "It will do me no good." With greater hesitation than before, but Natsuki kept pushing. "Please..."

In an instant the pressure was gone and Natsuki rolled me over. I took in her blushing face, her delicate nostrils flaring with indignation.

"I'm only trying to help!" She pushed the negi in my hand. "Do it yourself if you're that embarrassed." Suddenly she went quiet, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Or is it because you're a goddess and this is a human cure?"

I pulled myself up to half-sitting position and chuckled quietly.

"Was Natsuki cured of fever with this wicked vegetable when she was a child?" Emerald orbs turned away from me. "And was it helpful?" Natsuki huffed, but not without a nod. "Then it was because Natsuki was struggling when her Aunt tried to administer the cure. It was designed so the sick would sweat the sickness out."

"I didn't struggle," muttered Natsuki. "Auntie said I'm a big girl and should just suck it up."

"Awww..." I poked the girl with negi and motioned for her to come closer. When she sat by my side, I run a hand along her arm. "If Natsuki wants to avenge her lovely bottom, I would gladly offer mine." I passed the green stalk to her and observed how she twirled it in her fingers.

Sudden gleam in her eyes, coupled with a smirk, caused a shiver to run down my spine.

"Should I..." I gulped, a tad uncertain of Natsuki's intentions. "Should I turn over for you?"

Natsuki only laughed over my indignation and shrugged.

"Nah, no need to." She glared at the negi and sighed. "I guess I'll cook you some negi porridge. This would help even a goddess, right?"

I smiled reassuringly.

Natsuki woke me up, shaking me delicately and calling my name.

Faint smell of rice porridge with negi wafted towards me, making me almost drool.

With Natsuki's help, I sat up and slowly ate half of the portion. Somehow, my kind girl managed to simultaneously burn the porridge and make it too watery. But it was the thought that counted and warmed me up more than the food itself.

The room was dim and quiet. Natsuki slept by my side. Was it another morning or was I unconscious longer than a few hours?

"Natsuki," I whispered, immediately regretting that I had to wake her up. "Natsuki, I need your help."

Natsuki stirred for a moment, yawned and rubbed her eyes. I would fawn over this adorable sight if it wasn't for the more pressing matters.

"Natsuki, go to my reading room. I need to know what's on my desk."

The girl yawned a few more times, scratched her head in an equally precious manner and scrambled towards the door. Before she even left the room, I passed out again.

"Shizuru, Shizuru!" Someone's husky voice intruded into my dreamless sleep. "Shizuru, wake up!"

I lifted my eyelids, just a little bit, and saw a pale face and two burning, anxious emeralds.

"The... desk?" I rasped, my lips parched and my tongue leaden.

"Please, don't scare me like that." Trembling fingers swept through my tangled hair, easing the knots and eventually resting on my cheek. "Desk, right. There was some red string, laid out like this," she drew some symbol on my bedding. "And the prayer scrolls were..."

It was all I needed to know. The rest was meaningless.

"Good. Then it'll soon be finished."

I closed my eyes, calm and peaceful despite the worried screams of Natsuki.

I awoke to the soft light.

My hand was raised and touching something soft and delicate. I splayed my fingers a bit, trying to recognize this softness but keeping my limb up proved too much and I let it fall onto the bedding. It didn't rest there for long though.

"Shizuru, at least try," came troubled voice from somewhere above me. "I can't do this myself, you know?"

Cold and clammy fingers closed upon my wrist and brought my hand up, putting it to the very same softness as before. Once more, this time with my arm propped by the owner of the voice, I set upon identifying what was under my palm. It was soft and firm at the same time; sweeping a thumb over its plains I discovered exquisite smoothness. And when I squeezed it a bit, in order to further explore the firmness...

"Urgh, Shizuru..."

I finally recognized the voice and gathering the remains of strength, opened my eyes.

Natsuki was straddling my hips, her shirt open and her lovely breasts exposed. My right hand was resting on the left of pale twins, perky nipple teasing the inside of my palm. I moved my fingers, squeezing gently and in an instant Natsuki's face scrunched as if in pain, her eyes shut tight and teeth worrying the lower lip.

"Natsuki..." I whispered, letting my hand fall. "What are you...?" My voice was raspy from lack of use and the rest of the question died upon my lips.

The girl opened her eyes: the emeralds shimmered with mixed emotions. Her face filled with rosy hue, cute blush tinting her cheeks, and she looked away.

"You're awake, that's good." Her eyes flickered to me and back away. "It should be easier now." She swallowed and took a deep breath before adding: "Just... be gentle... please."

The intention of her words and pose did not escape me but I could not understand the reason behind this unexpected invitation. I let my eyes slide over the cleanly cut profile, the petite nose painted in a delicious shade of red, the pale eyelids fluttering over the entrancing orbs, the slightly parted lips. Then, my sight wandered lower, focusing on these delightful breasts. Even in my pitiful state I longed for a touch of them; I wanted to massage this soft globes and mould them into my palms, I wanted to learn of their taste and feed from them till my thirst would be quenched. But this wasn't the right time. Not the right time at all.

"Shizuru?" The familiar husky voice was laced with tension and confusion. "What are you waiting for?"

I was still so weak that even keeping my eyes open required a great deal of determination. I closed them then, removing the temptation from my sight.

"I can't do this..." A broken whisper was all I could afford.

A ragged breath came to me and then the sheets rustled as Natsuki moved cautiously up. She was straddling my waist now, propping herself firmly with her knees so she would not further hinder my already troubled breathing. She leaned slightly towards me and her warm breath touched my face. I gripped her shirt and pulled the girl until she fell on me, her slim figure gradually becoming rigid. The blush on her cheeks felt against my chest warmer than my strength-sapping fever.

Stroking her raven tresses, I licked my chapped lips and repeated:

"Natsuki, I won't do this."

In an instant, Natsuki was sitting up again and pulling at my left hand. Most obviously, she was trying to put it between her thighs.

"Natsuki, stop!" I heaved, struggling with the girl.

"You have to d-do this, Shizuru!" Once again, she succeeded in capturing my limb and proceeded with her plan, but I was not going down without a fight. "You have to... or you-you... or you perish!"

Natsuki was so distracted with this idea that I finally managed to overpower her and roll us over. I hovered over her, pining slim wrists to the futon, while the girl refused to look me in the eye.

"I will not let you go..." I had to catch a breath before continuing. "Not until you explain..." Violent cough shook my body and I barely avoided falling flat on Natsuki.

"See? That's what I mean!" At this point, the frustration in Natsuki's tone was almost palpable. She patted my back and when the coughing fit subsided, helped me lie down. Our gazes clashed and when it became apparent that I had no intention to budge, Natsuki stood up rather abruptly and turned to leave. "You want to perish? Fine by me! Go and suit yourself, Viola-kamisama!"

In the last desperate attempt to understand the girl's thinking, I caught the hem of her shirt and thanks to reversed momentum, I pulled her back into my arms. It was only when she helplessly snuggled into me that I realised how much determination this entire ordeal cost her.

"Natsuki," I crooned, hugging her and stroking her hair. "I will not perish. At least not yet." Natsuki raised her eyes to me and bit her lower lip before nodding, even if a bit uncertainly. "Will you now explain me everything?"

Natsuki placed her head upon my chest and looked away before starting, her low voice even more husky than usual.

"There was this story of a god who lost his powers and his followers had to offer him whatever he desired the most so he would not perish. But they didn't want to make a sacrifice so the god... so he just..." She took a deep breath and I kept stroking her back. "You fell ill and then the prayer scrolls started disappearing and some of them crumbled to dust. Then you said it'll soon end and you became comatose for more than a day..."

Here her voice broke and I supplied:

"So you decided to offer yourself to save me?" The heat of Natsuki's blush was a more than satisfactory answer. I couldn't help but chuckle and soon this chuckle turned into quiet giggling. "My wonderful, silly, lovely sacrifice." Natsuki snorted and tried to break from my embrace but I stopped her, saying: "Will you stay with me, please? I still need some rest before my strength is truly back."

After a moment of hesitation, Natsuki lay down next to me and pulled the covers over us. Her slim body fitted mine almost perfectly.

"Ne, Shizuru," whispered Natsuki when I was already falling asleep. "So what it really was? Yet another punishment?"

"Ara, does Natsuki think me so sinful as to deserve it? Apart from teasing you whenever I get chance, I claim myself not guilty." The girl mumbled something sounding a lot like "stupid" and when I kept my silence, she poked me in the ribs, prompting to answer her question. "No, it was something different." I sighed; smaller gods lose their power every so often. Apparently, it has something to do with the one time when The One gave up on the power to save some people. But this happened in the distant past and the higher-ups were reluctant to tell about it, so all I knew were some rumours relayed in hushed voices by my fellow gods. "It just... happens. The powers goes and comes baaa..." A yawn snuck into my words.

"Yeah, yeah," muttered Natsuki. "I'm not buying it but you clearly need some rest. Or would you rather have some more negi porridge?"

At such an open threat, I pretended to snore and the girl just chuckled lightly before joining me in sleep.

A few days later, we were once again spending the evening by the fireplace, cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows in our hands, courtesy of Natsuki's whim.

Watching the white cubes drifting in my cup, I inquired softly:

"Natsuki, if I asked you for a different story today, would you indulge me?"

Natsuki took a sip of the hot beverage and sighed contentedly, before stating:

"Sure." She smiled brightly and looked towards me. "What would like to hear?"

"Could you tell me why are you so afraid of the loving touch? Has anyone hurt you?" I scrutinized her face. "I would never cause you any pain."

"I know, I know, " chuckled Natsuki, her smile turning into a melancholic one. "But... It's a pretty nasty story... Are you sure you want to hear it right now?"

"If you're willing to tell it." I watched Natsuki fishing out a marshmallow and chewing on it, deeply in thought. "If it so painful that Natsuki would rather keep it to herself..."

"No, it's okay." She pulled her legs up and curled completely in the armchair. "I'll tell you."

Now, if you can't wait for Natsuki's story I'll give you a hint. We'll meet someone who's quite (in)famous and who has not yet appeared in this story :P

Since I've ranted quit a bit at the beginning, I only thank you once more for your continuing support - right! the story of Ungrateful Anh is courtesy of Romanica's request ;P - and ask you to wait patiently for the rest. We're slowly coming to the climax of the story :)

Keep warm!

*Natsuki pops out of nowhere, pulls a crinkled paper from her pocket and reads in Cookie Monster voice: My Lovely Sacrifice was brought to you today by bettyful and several cups of Darjeeling Green*

P.S. No, she did NOT use the same negi. Come on, people - Natsuki's smarter than that :P