Chapter 14 – Yamayurikai

"We all die. The goal isn't to live forever; the goal is to create something that will." Chuck Palahniuk

Yumi, along with the rest of her class, looked up from the notes they were hastily scribbling at the light knocking upon the classroom door. Their teacher, Watanabe-sensei, paused in the midst of her explanation of English language prepositions and their use and looked towards the door. "Yes? Please come in," she said loud enough for whomever it was on the other side of the door to hear.

There was a slight swishing sound as the door slid open and a girl with foreign features, light-colored hair and dressed in the standard Lillian uniform with a perfectly tied sailor scarf entered and bowed respectfully to the teacher. "My sincere apologies for the intrusion, Sensei," the girl intoned calmly.

"To what pleasure do we owe this unexpected visit, Rosa Gigantea?" Watanabe enquired even as gasps and squeals of admiration quickly spread throughout the class room. Many of the girls present were fans of the current Rosa Gigantea, finding her carefree and often humorous nature too irresistible for their young hearts to handle.

Sei shot a quick beaming smile at the class, aimed at no one in particular and yet everyone at the same time, before addressing the teacher's question. Yumi was fairly certain that half the class would believe the smile was for them and them alone. "I am here on Yamayurikai business, Sensei. We have need of Tōdō Shimako."

"Your Petite Sœur," Watanabe said with a knowing smile. "Tōdō-san, please gather your items so that you may accompany your Onee-sama. I'll leave your homework instructions on your desk for you so that you may collect them after school."

"Arigato, Sensei," Shimako replied as she stood and gently slid her chair in. Shimako took up her already prepared school bag, having known in advance that her Onee-sama would be arriving to retrieve her, before she made her way towards the front of the class and the waiting Rosa Gigantea.

"Thank you for your hard work Rosa Gigantea en Bouton," the teacher offered as the first year student stepped past her podium at the front of the class. Shimako, as yet unused to being addressed as such, offered a soft smile of gratitude as she continued on towards her Onee-sama.

"Sensei," Sei spoke up from where she remained standing near the classroom doorway. "We will also require the assistance of Fukuzawa Yumi." There was a moment of shocked silence before the whispering and speculations as to why Yumi would be needed by the Yamayurikai.

"Fukuzawa-san?" Watanabe sensei asked in a slightly startled voice as she quickly turned her gaze from Sei towards Yumi. "Is that so?" she mumbled aloud to herself yet still loud enough for those closest to her to hear. "Fukuzawa-san, it would appear that the Yamayurikai has need of you. Please gather your items and go with the Rosa Gigantea as well."

Yumi kept her head down and eyes adverted while she gathered her books and slipped them into her school bag. Avoiding eye contact with her classmates she stood and slid her chair in before walking towards the front of the classroom. Watanabe-sensei offered her a reassuring smile as she turned to continue on towards the door and the waiting Gigantea sisters. I should have expected this, she thought to herself. They knew that I was to be Sachiko-sama's Petite Sœur. Now that I am, it is only right that I be expected to assist the Yamayurikai as well.

"Then we'll be going, Sensei," Sei said with another slight bow to the teacher. "Do your best!" she suddenly exclaimed towards the star struck girls of Yumi's class, flashing them a mesmerizing smile just before she turned and walked from the room, Yumi and Shimako in tow behind her.

As Shimako slid the door to the classroom closed behind them Yumi could hear Watanabe instructing the class to quiet down. "So much for a quiet high school life," Yumi intoned under her breath woefully as she walked along with her eyes cast upon the ground till a heavy weight unexpectedly fell upon her shoulders.

"Cheer up, Yumi-chan," Sei instructed after draping her arms around the shorter girl shoulders in an affectionate hug. "It's not all bad is it? You get to be a part of the Student Council and a Rose yourself one day! Not to mention you have the most beautiful and sought after Onee-sama in the entire school," Sei added with a slightly lecherous grin.

Yumi sighed, her shoulders moving upwards slightly before falling. "It's not that Rosa Gigantea," she said to her upperclassman, crestfallen.

"Then what is it?" Sei enquired as she steered their trio out of the school building and along the walkway. Receiving no response from the sullen girl, Sei slipped her hand down into the younger girl's top and fished around for a moment as if searching for something.

"Rosa Gigantea!" Yumi exclaimed loudly as she tried to get out from under the other girl's arms but found she was unable to. "What are you doing? Stop! No, not there!" Yumi squeaked, her voice growing increasingly higher with each syllable.

"I'm looking for something," the light-haired woman replied as her questing hand paused for a moment and fondled something rather soft and warm. "No, that's not it, though not bad," Sei mumbled to herself absently even as Yumi let out a squeak and blushed profusely. "Ah here it is!" Sei said as she pulled her hand out of Yumi's top, extracting a rosary with it. "So, you did accept it after all," Sei stated as the afternoon sunlight bathed the silver rosary causing it to sparkle slightly.

Yumi, cheeks burning red, snatched the rosary from Sei's grasp and clutched it close to her chest to both protect it as well as to guard herself from being groped once again. "I said I would do it didn't I?" Yumi declared. "I have every intention of at least keeping my promise," Yumi spit out a bit more vehemently than she had intended, as she returned the rosary to beneath her uniform. The fact that Sachiko-sama had left her standing at the main gate to the school earlier that morning still irked her. More than that though, she was angry with herself for being irked and for not knowing exactly why. It's all just so frustrating and bothersome! Was it really too much to think I could have a quiet high school life?

"Yumi-san, perhaps something happened earlier today?" Shimako enquired softly, speaking for the first time since they had left the classroom. "You do not seem to be your usual lively self today," the en Bouton added to clarify her statement.

Yumi shrugged once again causing Sei to remove her arms from around Yumi and walk beside the smaller girl. "It's nothing," Yumi replied sullenly. Why am I so worried about this? I should be happy that I have more time to myself!

"Well, whatever it is I'm certain Sachiko is to blame," Sei chimed in with as she directed them towards a smaller pathway that led off in the direction of the convent. "Sachiko is absent from school today due to a family matter that suddenly arose last night. Perhaps she neglected to inform you of this?" Sei asked, turning her head slightly to regard Yumi as they walked along. "I see," Sei said upon seeing Yumi's slight nod. "Please have patience with Sachiko. She's not used to having to think of other people."

"It's not like I'm used to having an Onee-sama either," Yumi huffed. "Still, I managed to be waiting at the front gate for her this morning just as she asked me to none the less." Is that really why I am upset? Was it simply a case of miscommunication? Perhaps whatever happened last night was severe enough to cause her to forget we were to meet? If it was great enough to keep her from school today then it must be important, she reasoned to herself. I hope no one in her family was hurt. Humans are so fragile after all.

"True though that may be, I think you're missing the point I was attempting to make, Yumi-chan," Sei stated. "Sachiko has grown up distanced from everyone, including her own family. She keeps others at arm's length from herself. To the best of my knowledge Youko is the closest thing to a friend she has. We've been trying to ascertain why this is but she remains a tough gingko to crack."

No friends? No one that is close to her? The young brunette just couldn't imagine a life like that. Yumi had always been a cheerful child who was bright and outgoing. She found it easy to make friends as people generally found themselves taking a liking to her. With a bright smile, a genuine caring nature and an expressive face Yumi couldn't recall a time when she didn't have friends. What would my life have been like if I had no friends growing up, she pondered? The conclusion she reached was one that caused her to shiver within her dark uniform even though the sun was shining warmly. "She must be lonely," Yumi spoke softly aloud, giving voice to her thoughts, without realizing it.

"That was our thought as well," Sei said upon hearing Yumi's words. "Please be patient with her, Yumi-chan. Sachiko's life has been rather bland for some time now," the head of the White Rose family stated only to grin as she suddenly slipped her arm around Yumi's and hugged the captured appendage. "That is until now," Sei said excitedly. "Till a spice called Fukuzawa Yumi was added to it!"

"Eh!" Yumi exclaimed. "Me?" the young brunette asked in disbelief as the path they were upon started to slop upwards in a direct line towards the convent.

"Perhaps you can succeed where we have failed," Sei said with a nod of her head. "We've attempted to have Sachiko become interested in clubs or other girls such as yourself for potential sœurship, all to no avail. She just didn't have an interest in any of them." Sei sighed dramatically before continuing. "We had just about given up all hope of her ever taking a Petite Sœur when suddenly you fell into our lap. Figuratively speaking of course," Sei quickly added as they all recalled the tumble upon the Rose Mansion floor that Yumi had taken with Sachiko the previous day that had led to Yumi becoming Sachiko's little sister.

"I'm sure she has her reasons," Yumi replied with, surprised she was defending the other girl. "If she wanted us to know she would tell us."

"I fear I must agree with Yumi-san on this one, Onee-sama," Shimako offered from behind the two of them, nearly startling Yumi who had forgotten the quiet and unassuming girl was even there.

"Yes, yes, and you'd both normally be right," Sei said over her shoulder towards her own Petite Sœur. "But to live a life alone such as she does cannot be healthy can it?" she asked rhetorically, pressing on before either could respond. "No, if we are her friends then it is up to us to draw her out of her shell!" Sei paused and turned to look directly at Yumi. "We're all counting on you, Yumi-chan," she declared boldly.

"I…I'll do my best," Yumi offered in way of reply to which Sei nodded once curtly before turning and resuming their trek along the pathway. Yumi's thought were instantly on her missing Onee-sama as she fell into step beside the older girl. How many birthdays and other holidays has she spent alone, Yumi wondered. Images of Sachiko as a small child sitting alone at a table set with many places, decorated for a birthday party, flashed through the young brunettes mind. Even though Yumi knew very little about the raven-haired beauty that was now her Onee-sama, her heart went out to the older girl. Sei-sama is right! It can't be good for her to always be alone! Deep within Yumi her resolve solidified, becoming a rock of determination. Sachiko-sama, you're not alone anymore! Yumi, having reached her own decision took a moment to look about them only to see the approaching wall of the Lillian Cloister directly before them. "Rose Gigantea," Yumi asked as she eyed the tall wall that enclosed the nunnery, "Why are we here?"

Ahead of them the gate opened from within as they approached. "I thought it would be best to begin here," Sei informed her of. "Yumi-chan, just how much has your mother told you concerning Lillian?"

Yumi shrugged as she answered the question placed before her. "Not much. When I informed my mother I would be attending normal school, she relented and allowed me only so long as I went to Lillian." Yumi saw a grin spreading across Sei's features as she answered. "At the time I thought I had scored a huge victory in finally getting my Mother to agree to one of my demands, however looking at you right now I am no longer so certain about that."

"If nothing else the Queen is a diplomat," Sei offered with a soft chuckle as she stepped through the gate which was being held open by one of the nuns. Yumi couldn't help but notice curiously that the nun actually bowed respectfully to Sei as the older girl passed.

Yumi wondered if she would get a better explanation from the older girl, however as soon as she stepped through the gate her eyes were drawn to the incredible garden arrayed before them and all thoughts concerning her mother's intentions momentarily vanished from her mind. The garden was the most spectacular one she had ever seen, rivaling the Queen's own garden at their hereditary seat of power, which Yumi knew had taken hundreds of years to grow. "This…this is simply amazing," Yumi blurted out without even thinking as her large eyes stared about her at the beauty and wonder of the place. The flowerbeds were arranged in such a manner as to enhance their natural beauty however it was not just that which cause her breather to catch in her throat. Birds of various sizes as well as kinds flew about, several species of which were not even native to this region of the world.

Sei laughed upon hearing her words. "I always enjoy watching first timer's reaction upon entering here," the Rosa Gigantea stated, pleased with Yumi's initial response. "Your face is so expressive Yumi-chan," Sei teased even as the brunette continued to look about her admiring the flora, animals and numerous small fountains that dotted the well-tended landscape. "It pleases me that you like my garden. It took me far longer than I care to recall getting it this way," Sei confided.

"What?" Yumi exclaimed suddenly turning to regard the older girl with large eyes. "You did all of this yourself?"

"Yes," Sei assured her. "I designed everything from the fountains down to the last detail of each flowerbed and the form they take currently," Sei replied as she motioned for them to proceed along the path they were on.

"But…but that must have taken…," Yumi's words trailed off as she suddenly had a thought. Shimako, fearing where the line of questioning was heading tried to forestall her classmate but was too late in her efforts. "Just how old are you Sei-sama?" Yumi asked boldly.

The Rosa Gigantea froze in place bringing the other two girls to a halt as well. "Shimako, please start," Sei said over one shoulder before she started walking once again however not before Yumi heard her mumbling to herself under her breath. "First Eriko and now this child! Why is everyone suddenly so concerned with my age? Is nothing sacred anymore? Next thing you know they'll be trying to cart me off to one of those rest home or something!"

"Yumi-san," Shimako said as she moved to walk beside her classmate, allowing Sei to remain a short distance ahead of them where the older woman continued to mutter to herself about respecting their elders and such. "Perhaps it would be best to start with what you do know concerning our school here."

Yumi regarded her fellow pine classmate. "Really I know no more than what they have taught us all along," Yumi admitted. "It was founded in Meiji 34 also known as the year 1901, and was started by an obscure Catholic Cloister order of Sisters whom primarily give homage to the Virgin Maria-sama." Ahead of them Yumi heard Sei snort merrily at her words which confused her, not having said anything particularly humorous, at least not that she was aware of. "Honestly, I never really paid much attention to the school's history. I already knew that once I graduated I would be leaving it all behind me, so I didn't see the point. It wouldn't be something I could use when I step into my role as Princess so what was the point?"

"It's amazing how many pointless things in life actually matter," Sei tossed back over her shoulder as they strolled along the winding path through the gardens.

"Onee-sama, would you like to explain it to her then," Shimako asked, chiding the older woman slightly for interrupting her and butting in.

"No, no," Sei quickly replied raising one hand and waving it slightly. "Please continue. Don't mind me, I'm just an old woman after all."

Shimako smiled affectionately at her Onee-sama's words and waited a moment to see if Sei had anything further to say before she continued, turning her attention once more towards Yumi who walked beside her. "While it is in fact true that Lillian Girls Academy was founded in Meiji 34, the school which is here is actually far older than that, however before we touch upon the past let's address what is known currently. It wasn't till 1934 that the Roman Catholic Church's ruling Congress of Cardinals at the Vatican even became aware of this remote convent. Well established and already attending to the needs of the community as well as many prominent Japanese families, the Vatican decided to act as if they had been aware of the convent's presence all along. It has been rumored that a sizable financial donation, offered in the form of back donations for the thirty-three years prior to that may have played a part in their decision."

Shimako paused for a moment and Yumi got the impression she was waiting for her Onee-sama to confirm or deny the rumor, however when neither was forthcoming she continued. "Unknown to the greater part of the world, as well as the Mother Church itself, the Sisters of Lillian were not sisters at all. At least not in the form the Church would approve of. The Lillian order was in actuality a group of practitioners of what the Church termed magic. For over a hundred years now the Yamayurikai has watched over the school and its members while selecting the gifted from among the ranks of students to join their order and receive the training they would need to manage and control their special gifts. Where better to hide than safely tucked within the bosom of the very entity trying to locate and destroy you the Roses of the time had reasoned."

"Magic," Yumi whispered in disbelief and awe. "So all of you are witches?"

"Witch, Sorceress, Wizard, Warlock, call us what you will, it just means that we have an ability that others do not. Just as a child may be born with the ability to superbly play the piano, often referred to as a child prodigy, so too are others born gifted with special abilities. Early humans, not knowing any better, termed these abilities magic and because they could not understand them they grew fearful of them and those that possessed them. It wasn't long till such gifts, once thought to be a blessing from the gods, were attributed to being cursed and darker forces. The Roman Inquisition as well as the Salem witch hunts are merely results of just such a fear of the unknown or unexplainable," Shimako informed Yumi who listened with rapt attention.

"Like any ability, it can be abused and misused," Shimako continued with as they walked along, ever growing nearer to the large building where the nuns were housed. "Your own abilities and those shared by the rest of the Ookami would be seen as magic to the average human. Your species' ability to shift into the form of a wolf led to the legends concerning werewolves did it not?"

"I guess so," Yumi replied, uncertain if that was correct but somehow believing it was. Our regenerative ability would be seen as something just short of a miracle now that I think about it, she realized as she thought over Shimako's words.

"The sisters here are actually referred to as Acolytes and are studying to understand their own special gifts," Shimako continued as they neared the entrance to the building and continued on within.

"So then they all can perform magic," Yumi enquired suddenly realizing that if that were true the school was far more than it appeared to be.

"Well that is a difficult question to answer," Shimako provided. "Would you consider your ability to change your shape or someone's ability to move objects with their mind magic? People feel the need to label what they can't explain with words as magic."

"Telekinesis?" Yumi said. "Wouldn't that be more a 'mind over matter' rather than magic?"

"There in is the difficulty in classifying such things," Shimako replied. "Some believe it is magic while others believe it is just a mental ability that comes from an abnormality within the brain itself. It really does depend upon which school of theory you subscribe to. Even magic, real magic mind you, is just the manipulation of energy to perform a specific task. In essence a person has to be born with the ability to manipulate that energy just as someone may be able to move objects or change their form into that of a wolf."

"School of theory? Are there other places such as this one, Shimako-san?" Yumi asked as they walked down a wide passageway. Shimako nodded that there were. "Like Hogwarts?" exclaimed in disbelief.

Sei stopped walking and started laughing aloud and was soon doubled over holding her sides as tears streamed out of her eyes. "Oh my," she exclaimed once she could catch her breath enough that she could manage to speak. "You kids these days watch far too much television!" she proclaimed as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. "That place only exists in the books and movies," Sei said as she started walking once again, every so often releasing a chuckle. "Still, there is a school in Ireland not unlike ours here, though it certainly isn't in a hidden castle. Though there are other schools throughout the world that work independently of each other. Over time we've each developed our own opinion of the world and how it should be interacted with."

"So there are other factions out there that can perform magic who have different beliefs and standards than your own?" Yumi asked not the least bit surprised having been in and around politics since as far back as she could remember.

"Yes, there are those that are the polar opposite of our own beliefs," Sei confirmed. "Just because we are similar doesn't mean that we're all alike, Yumi-chan." Yumi just nodded understanding all too well how people, even of the same species' could be completely different from one another. Sei continued to lead them down a side hallway till they came to a heavy oak door which she then opened and motioned for Yumi and Shimako to precede her within. "Shimako, would you be so kind as to make us some tea please?" Sei asked even as her little sister nodded.

Yumi looked about her at the study they had stepped into. At first glance it was what one would typically expect the Mother Superior of a convent to have as their office. Yumi immediately decided that the room as a very comfortable vibe to it. The room was furnished with numerous book cases, all of which were filled to capacity. There were two leather couches near the center of the room situated around a short coffee table. Additional padded chairs where close at hand. The furniture and decorations were very westernized. The far end of the room was monopolized by an enormous mahogany desk that was easily large enough for three people to sit at. Before the desk was several velvet plush chairs arranged facing the monstrosity of wood. The young brunette stepped to a bookcase and glanced at the titles on the bindings, noting several classical Japanese as well as English works. "What a wonderful room," Yumi volunteered as she made her way towards one of the couches that Sei gestured to, indicating she should be seated. The wall near at hand to the sitting area was taken up by an overly large fireplace built into it. Yumi thought it looked large enough to hold several boiling kettles should the need ever arise. An image of a green skin witch stirring a large black caldron flashed within her mind, which she quickly dismissed; finding it hard to think of her friends in such a manner.

"Arigato," the Rosa Gigantea replied with a pleased smile. "I'm rather fond of it as well. This room was at one point used for cooking when the building was first built," Sei explained, "Hence the large fireplace. Perhaps it was because of all the cooking that took place here then that it has such a warm and comfortable feel to it."

"Sei-sama, I don't mean to pry," Yumi said just as Shimako walked over from a small corner nook where there was a heating plate and electric tea kettle. "I get the impression that this place has been here a great deal longer than is currently taught to the students at Lillian."

"I told you she wouldn't miss that, Onee-sama," Shimako said as she handed Yumi a cup of hot tea.

Sei merely grinned. "You did in fact, Shimako," she said to acknowledge the other girl's comment as she accepted the other cup of tea from Shimako and took a seat on the couch across from Yumi. "To answer your question Yumi-chan, it has been here far longer than that. The land that this convent is built upon as well as that of Lillian and the university was given to us by your mother before there was a Tokyo here."

A warm breeze seemed to pervade the room suddenly carrying with it a moist rich scent of freshly turned earth. "It was very kind of her to do so as we have as yet to fulfill our end of the obligation," suddenly said an unfamiliar voice behind Yumi causing the younger girl to turn to see who was talking.

Shimako gasp and quickly averted her eyes as she dropped to her knees, clasping her hands before her in supplication.

Sei's eyes grew large as she beheld the woman with silver hair that seemed to always be in motion as if a gentle breeze was continually playing with the lush silver strands. "Onee-sama!" Sei stammered in surprise.

Yumi turned back sharply to regard the Rosa Gigantea only to have the color drain from her own face upon hearing Shimako mouth another name reverently. Yumi felt a shiver of fear traverse the length of her spine as she returned her gaze once more to the newest arrival and repeated the name by which Shimako had addressed the woman, "Maria-sama?"


Author's Note:

There you have it…even though I'm still working to fill in all the details of the story for you. So, now you know more or less what the Yamayurikai is. You also know that there are other schools such as Lillian out there in the world, even one in Ireland apparently. I certainly understand I didn't answer all your questions but then again that wasn't my intent. I rather like a story that mirrors the real world in that there are a great many things within it that we don't understand or know. I hope that I have answered more questions than I created this time around. If not, I'll see what I can do moving forward from here.

Please keep reading and reviewing as I do enjoy hearing from you!

Kind Regards,

EJ Daniels

All characters within this story, unless otherwise stated are the sole property of Oyuki Konno the original writer of the Maria-sama ga Miteru light novel series.