(A/N: It seems as if I found my way back here once more. Joking aside this chapter marks an important point in the story. The next begins something that the entire story up to this point has been carefully crafted for. Thanks once more to my sempai Elder Master for the beta.)

(Winter Palace: Lady Nagisa's Apartment)

*BAM*

There was nothing before it. Just the sound of air being sucked from the room as the door was opened. There was no novelty of simply opening the door or gently closing it behind. Oh no, there was no space for novelty amongst anger …

"Tamao!"

or tears…

"TAMAO!"

only the sound of rushed footsteps into the room.

"Milady, what is the matter?!" Tamao questioned rather hastily as a length of cloth hang from her hand. It was obvious to see what had happened, at least, it was in Tamao's eyes. Something had gone wrong or more appropriately…

"That detestable harlot! How dare I? HOW DARE SHE!"

Something was about to boil over. But even Tamao had bearing in times such as these.

"Did Her Highness do something improper?" Tamao nearly choked on her own words and the farcical implications in a place such as this. Yet her catty reprisal was held within as she went to comforting her lady. "Would you like some tea and perhaps to get out of those clothes?" Tamao asked.

Nagisa's rage was calmed by the soft voice of her lady in waiting, Tamao, who just an hour before lamented before god how badly she wanted her. But there was such a time for duty and Tamao was anything but lax in such matters.

Nagisa simply nodded as she took a seat in one of the plush chairs in her parlor. Taking several deep breaths, Nagisa wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks and as Tamao approached with her fresh gown, she sighed in relief. "Did Chiyo return?"

Tamao blinked for a moment before returning to Nagisa's dress. "No, I am afraid she has not Milady. But the palace is quite large, maybe she made some new friends. You did not give the order to come back here, did you?" Tamao said with her eyes half-lidded. Not even the most unruly of dresses were a match for Tamao's practiced fingers. "Please stand, Milady."

"I do not recall telling her come right back. But then my mind is frazzled right now." The dress slid down Nagisa's figure as she stood there. "Tamao."

"Yes, Milady?"

"Would it be possible to draw me a bath? I wish to feel clean." Nagisa said with little veiled meaning. But the overwhelming scope, perhaps only in Tamao's eyes was almost immediately received.

"I shall inform the young one in the bathroom. There should be no problem. Shall there be any special embellishments?" Tamao queried.

"I just want the water to be hot. And I want you to wash me…" Nagisa said with a relaxed undertone in her voice. The thought of having her every inch washed was very appealing, even more so to just sit for as long as possible. But not even Nagisa knew what she was asking.

"Of course, if Milady will have me."

Not the slightest of clues.

(Winter Palace: Chapel)

"Perhaps you are just lost in what direction to serve the Lord. Or is there something else bothering you?" Tsubomi asked as she sat next to Chiyo.

"W-what is happening here? Why are women lying with women?" Chiyo asked clearly still bothered by the actions of the past few days. Tsubomi sighed softly. "Perhaps I should tell you something that was told to me after I came here."

"Oh Sister…why are you not disgusted?" Chiyo queried.

"It is not as simple as that, Lady Chiyo. There is no justification for what happens here. This place is a cesspool of sin. That cannot be denied." Tsubomi said as she looked over at Chiyo.

"Then why …" Chiyo was cut off by the sudden movement of Tsubomi's hand.

"While the bible says that this is perhaps not the best way to direct one's energies, it is still a way. Humans commit sin and the Lord forgives them. What He does not forgive are people who do such things to spite Him." Tsubomi said as she gently caressed Chiyo's shoulder. "Is this an easier way to understand?"

"Sister, in that case…I have something to confess." Chiyo stated.

"I will hear you. But you must know I cannot absolve you of sin. I can however comfort you." Tsubomi stated as she looked at Chiyo. The latter nodded as she opened her mouth to speak.

"I feel something … when I look at Milady's naked body. It is like a sharp breath as my heart beats harshly. I cannot stop looking at her. Lady Tamao does not like it when I look at Milady that way. She says that I am or never will be fit to touch Milady with indecent thoughts. But even still, I cannot help it. I admire Milady so much and I want to make her happy whenever I look at her with such … hungry eyes." Chiyo's tears dampened Tsubomi's shoulder as she held her.

"You love Lady Nagisa, and you only wish to express your love. I know that feeling well." Tsubomi sits back looking into Chiyo's eyes with an expression of keen understanding. "God does not forsake love, Lady Chiyo. He also does not forsake expression of that love."

"Then, what must I do?" Chiyo asked as she watched Tsubomi rise.

"Come, Lady Chiyo. I … will help you rid yourself of that terrible feeling." Tsubomi said as she held her hand out to Chiyo "Follow me. And please, leave your negative feelings in this House, so that they may be absolved." Chiyo reached out and grasped Tsubomi's hand.

"I thought you said that you could not absolve me." Chiyo said as she followed Tsubomi out of the sanctuary. Chiyo noticed them pass into a hallway of the same design. She trusted Tsubomi however and followed her.

(Winter Palace: Chapel: Dormitories)

"There was nothing to be absolved of, Lady Chiyo. As I said, the Lord does not forsake those who love." They soon stopped at a door as Tsubomi turned and grasped Chiyo's hands. "Where we are about to go, it is a safe place. The Lord's blessing extends to these rooms as well. Whatever happens I want your feelings to direct you. Do you understand, Lady Chiyo?"

"Yes, I understand." Chiyo nodded realizing where it was the nun was leading her and fear nearly overtook her as the door was opened revealing a sparsely decorated room. Still, she followed Tsubomi in the room and jumped at the sound of the lock. Turning at the sound she heard it flip back again. "I apologize, force of habit. You are free to leave whenever you wish."

"Now, tell me…" Tsubomi said as she crossed the threshold and removed the scarf from her head. She turned back slowly and looked warmly at Chiyo. "…what are those things you see in your dreams? And how might I share of my own body to help you relieve that which bothers you?"

Chiyo hesitated at first but as she looked at the nun's expression she blushed deeply. "Y-you are certain about this? I-I will not go to hell?"

Tsubomi didn't respond and instead removed her dress leaving her small yet heavenly form clad in a simple cotton slip. Chiyo's eyes traced over Tsubomi's small curves delicately as she allowed herself the release of looking at Tsubomi. "I dream about holding Milady in my arms…" Chiyo trailed off.

"Lady Chiyo…" Tsubomi said as she smiled purely. Tsubomi then walked over to Chiyo and reached behind her unfastening her dress. And as the heavy garment sunk to the ground with a heavy flop, Chiyo's eyes once again filled with fear. Perhaps fear of the fact that she felt what she was doing was still wrong. It was when she felt Tsubomi's hands on her bare shoulders that she snapped back into reaction.

"Wait…w-what are you doing?" Chiyo reacted as the bruises from the night before were lightly touched though they no longer ached. Tsubomi's smile urged her to accept as she felt the tugging on the last bit of clothing. Chiyo's mind hazed over as she felt the fabric give way and the air over her bare chest. She was even more surprised as she leaned forward kissing Tsubomi deeply.

"I see…" Tsubomi said just above a whisper openly gasping as she too was liberated from her last trappings. "… you poor thing." Tsubomi gently led Chiyo over to the bed. "This is not a sin. Sinning is to lie without compassion or love." Tsubomi said as she fluttered backwards onto the bed.

"M-may I …" Chiyo said whilst a deep pink blush worked its way across her torso. Chiyo's small bust appealed to Tsubomi as she touched her palms to Chiyo's breasts. Reverently, Chiyo's hands shakily cupped Tsubomi's cheeks as her lust boiled over and she slid into the bed welcomed as warm blankets covered her back.

"You may have me, Lady Chiyo"

(Winter Palace: Lady Hikari's Parlor)

"We apologize for the slowness today, Lady Hikari. Lady Miyuki only informed us about two hours ago that there would be no meal in the main dining hall." The servant girl reported as the still warm meal was set before Hikari. The latter openly sighed as she looked at the food.

"Of course, you may retire from my rooms for the time being." Hikari stated as the girl bowed and backed away and out of the room via a service door on the other side of the room.

Hikari sighed once more as she pulled the letter from her lap. "My eternal vigil, I wonder if it's enough for you."

"There should not have been a vigil in the first place." A soft voice from across the room startled Hikari as she shot out of her chair, the letter hitting the floor, and then anger filling her form.

"You dare to show your face back here after all the time I have waited!" Hikari seethed as she turned to look at Amane. The latter simply took a few steps forward revealing herself to be dressed as she should be. A well tailored outfit awaited Hikari's sight as her pulsing eyes looked up to Amane almost in pain.

"I deserve your anger and more Hikari. I have been away for far too long a time. But there has not been one night where I have not prayed for you before I went to sleep. I prayed so many nights for the Lord to have my beloved appear before me. The furs, the tent, my clothes…I would have given it all up to be held in your arms as I slept. Just to be in your arms, to feel your warm body that was all I thought of." Amane said as she held her arms out.

Hikari could not resist the call as she once again ran into Amane's arms and wrapped her own around her and began to cry. The contained loneliness of several months came to the surface demanding to be paid. But Amane was ready for where it would lead. The long night that awaited her as long due debts were paid. Hikari's joy would soon turn to fervor driven hunger. But now, this would probably be for an eternity.

"I will die if you leave me ever again."

"I know. I am here to stay my love. I have given up the wilds; your embrace is worth ten times the trees and the land. And your heart is worth a thousand worlds." Amane said as she wrapped her arms around Hikari.

"At last, thank you Lord."