Disclaimer: you know the drill

AN: Firstly i wanna thank everyone for reviewing because-as you all know-reviews are a wonderful thing

I'd like to address some reviews at the end of this chapter so that i can just get on with writing this story

::runs around screaming::

Chapter AHOY!!!!

Fifteenth Birthday

Arashi was now fifteen and not so much of a child anymore. After receiving the letter from Kouya Temple, Arashi had become more anxious about her future.

Couldnt she simply remain with Kaede at the temple and never leave?

During the last year, Arashi began to develop into a young woman. Her body went through changes that at first frightened her, but after reassuring talks with Kaede, Arashi managed to get a hold of herself. Her hair was as a waterfall tumbling down her back, and her skin was as pure as the untouched snow. Her body had taken on a willowy appearance; strong and yet featherlike movements.

Her evening talks with Kaede had increased and their bond grew tighter once more. Arashi was a blooming teenager and it was Kaede who held her hand throughout her change.

Arashi had also stopped wearing the traditional costume of the Ise Shrine. Kaede had felt that if Arashi went out in her kimono, perhaps one of her future opponents would come and try to destroy her in advance. Kaede presented her with a simple school girl uniform after her fourteenth brithday, assuming that this would allow her to "blend in" with other children her age.

During this transformation, Arashi's mind had also caught up with the changes of her body. Since contemplating in the courtyard in the moonlight when she turned twelve, Arashi had increased her hours of meditation and so, had learnt to harness her emotions. In doing so, she had with drawn further into her shell, only ever allowing Kaede to see her true self. Her power had grown also, and this showed through the sharpness of her eyes, and her penetrating stare, that was no more the glare of a child, but of a woman.

Due to Arashi's new appearance, when she walked the streets, she would often notice boys stopping in their tracks just to double take and see the dramatic beauty she had become but this was not appreciated by Arashi. They would stop and gawp at her as though she were merely a body without a soul. Others would even attempt to speak to her, only to find that they would stumble and fall over their words as her icy glare would freeze them on the spot.

On her fifteenth birthday, Harumi sent Arashi to the local store to pick up some inks. The man in the store simply handed her the small package saying

" Take it as a gift for a beautiful girl. But..what will i get in return?" he reached forward to touch her hand, however Arashi was too quick for him. Grabbing the package away from his grasp, she stepped back.

She saw in his eyes what she often saw in men's eyes. Expectation. They expected something from her, merely for being who she was and because of this Arashi was never quite comfortable with the men in her town. They had changed from who they were when she was younger. They didnt see her any longer as the child of the temple. But a woman wrapped in an engima which they were tempted to rip away.

Arashi had learnt to cope with men's expectations simply by avoiding them, but at times like in the ink store, it was not so easy.

She found it easy to stop their stares, and their speech, however when they reached for more, Arashi found herself flustered with disgust she felt within her for men.
That evening was spent with Kaede san. Kaede had again come to Arashi's room to comb her hair. Taking this moment, Arashi decided to tell Kaede of her feelings for the future. She had never discussed the letter from the Kouya Temple with her, knowing that Kaede already had knowledge of the contents of that envelope.

"Kaede san?"

"mm?"

"That letter from the Kouya Temple last year........it mentioned that i would fall in love?"

The words tumbling out from her mouth before she could think about what impact this would have on Kaede.

At that moment, Kaede's comb stopped half way down the length of Arashi's hair.

"Arashi san..i knew you would have questions about that letter, i .... i just expected them sooner i guess. Go on..tell me whatever doubts you may have."

This time gathering her thoughts, Arashi replied:

"Well...the letter, it said that i would have a fatal love with a man in the future. But... how will i know when it happens? There are many men that approach me in the street, but ... they are not the kind that i will fall in love with. I have yet to meet a man who doesnt expect something of me. How do i know that this fatal attraction i have is not simply that, an attraction?"

"...Those are some difficult questions. It seems you have been wondering about this for a long time."

Arashi nodded in response. Sighing, Kaede put the comb down and turned to Arashi's reflection in the mirror.

"Trust me Arashi san. Destiny has a way of unravelling itself in the least expected ways. The man that the old stargazer mentioned.....he is not your average man, and what you feel for him will be true love. So do not concern yourself over things that are not of a present danger." She resumed combing Arashi's hair.

"But... "

"No buts Arashi san.."

They sat in silence from then on.

Kaede was yet having difficulty comprehending Arashi's future. She refused to accept it as she still believed that Arashi was only a child, kept at the temple to be protected from external dangers.

After finishing combing Arashi's hair, Kaede left the room.

Little did she know that thoughts of her destiny had not yet left Arashi's enquiring mind.

'How can i fall in love if...if no man can withstand my wrath. Who is it that will be able to make the walls around myheart tumble with a single smile? And if there is a man that can succeed at this..how can it be fatal?'

AN: ok so its a bit weird again but there we go.

As for reviews. Thank you all soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much.

Big hugs to you all.

Fallen rain: i have mentioned Arashi learning the scriptures and meditation teachers crossing the Temple in earlier chapters. I did not feel that this had to be pursued further than that. :)

As i said before as well guys, i will be foreshadowing Sorata, but not really conspicuously because you have to remember Arashi's reaction when Sorata told her that she was his chosen one.

Seneti: Thanks for your reviews egging me on to continue-they really help

Hokuto chan: i know that the first chapter is feom the manga, but the story has to start somewhere right?

And there we have it. There will be more-just a couple more reviews and that will get me started on the next chappie ;)

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