Shiro and Suzumi quickly put on their yukatas, Shiro wearing the blue one and Suzumi with the violet one, with a little assistance from the shrine maidens, Yasako and Ruri. They were then led through a long hallway. Many different swords were mounted along the walls with a person’s name inscribed in stone under each one. The polished wooden floor that creaked from every other step, the torch-lit lamps that illuminated the hall, and the dusty air. The inner shrine seemed more traditional and rundown than the newer and renovated area outside. “Here we are.” Ruri said as the two maidens stopped at a huge metal door with odd shaped engravings on it.
 
 
“Lady Sakuya awaits you both in the courtyard beyond this door.” Yasako says. “May the sun goddess light your path.” The two maidens bow before they turn to the door, hold their hands out to it, and whisper a chant. The door’s engravings began to glow red to reveal a pattern in the shape of a large bird with its wings spread wide. The ground began to shake as the doors unlocked and slowly grated open. Shiro and Suzumi were then enveloped in bright light. When the Yukimura twins opened their eyes, they were greeted with an unbelievable sight.
 
 
They found themselves standing in a huge grassy field laden with flowers of all colors. The sun’s warm light shined high in the sky, even though it’s almost sunset outside. In the middle of the field was a tall sakura tree that blossomed with vibrant flowers of pink and white. The petals danced with the gentle breeze. Underneath the tree, a woman dressed elegantly in a fiery red kimono sat peacefully as her hands gently caressed the huge bulge of a belly protruding from her midsection, firmly held by her kimono. Her complexion was very smooth and pure, almost delicate. Her smile was subtle yet kind and her crimson eyes had a gentle yet fierce gaze. Her bosom was smaller than they expected, though kimonos often makes a woman’s chest smaller than it actually is. Even with her bloated stomach, she looked so natural and relaxed. It was the same woman from the ceremony, but now that Shiro and Suzumi see her up close...
 
 
“Welcome to my gardens, Shiro Yukimura, Suzumi Yukimura.” The woman spoke with an angelic voice as she looked up to meet the twins’ gazes. Shiro felt a familiar warm sensation, the same as the one he felt earlier in the afternoon however much stronger. “I am Sakuya, the priestess of the this shrine. I thank you for accepting my invitation.” Shiro and Suzumi were not only baffled by the scenery and the priestess’ presence, but her English is surprisingly fluent. After snapping from their dazes, they sat on their knees upon the cushions laid out before the priestess.
 
 
“Um...L-Lady Sakuya? Can I ask a question?” Shiro nervously asked.
 
 
“You may speak.” Sakuya replies.
 
 
“Why did you invite us to come here? Certainly outsiders like us wouldn’t be worth your time.”
 
 
“It has nothing to do with you being outsiders. I simply found you...interesting.”
 
 
“W-What’s that supposed to mean?”
 
 
“Your eyes...they reminded me of a young man who had visited this temple many years ago. His name was I believe Shoichiro Yukimura.”
 
 
“You know our father?” Suzumi asked.
 
 
“Indeed. Your father was summoned before me as well many years ago. He was an honest and hopeful young man with a fascinating knack for asking odd questions. I was quite surprised that young Shoichi had not one, but two adorable children.”
 
 
“What kind of questions did our father ask you, if you don’t mind me asking?” Shiro inquired.
 
 
“Well for one…” Sakuya replied as see looked down and rubbed her belly for emphasis. She looked up to notice the girl staring at her bulging gut. “Would you two like to feel my belly?”
 
 
“Y-You wouldn’t mind?” Suzumi asked.
 
 
“Not at all. Come closer. I don’t bite.”
 
 
Shiro and Suzumi then scooted up to the priestess and gently placed their hands on her stomach. The soft and silky texture of her kimono was enough to shower the two in utter bliss. The belly underneath was soft and firm. They felt around and could make out the outlines of the two occupants. The priestess’ stomach was quite rounded out despite the sacrifices still intact and undigested.
 
 
“What’s it like in there?” Shiro asked as he continued to rub Sakuya’s belly, “In your stomach, from what I’ve heard about the ceremony, the sacrifices should still be alive in there, right?”
 
 
Sakuya giggles. “Would it be easier if I showed you?”
 
 
Shiro and Suzumi pondered for a second confused as to what the priestess had suggested. With a snap of her fingers. The doors on each side of the field opened simultaneously as two women emerged. One woman was rather tall with short green hair, her eyes as blue as the cloudless sky, and had a scar on her left cheek. The other woman was slightly shorter but had a much more mature vibe about her. She had long ash brown hair and dark magenta eyes. She had a very cold and unforgiving, yet also sad expression on her face. The two women stood on each side of the priestess as they both gazed rather coldly at the young pair of twins.
 
 
“Arisu,” Sakuya said as she looked to the short-haired woman. “Mister Yukimura would like a peek at the honored sacrifices. Would you kindly lend him a hand?”
 
 
“As you wish, Lady Sakuya.” the woman obliges as she walks up to Shiro and forcefully grabs him by his ankles and holds him upside down in the air before taking him over to Sakuya. Shiro was now face to face with the priestess. He stared at her lips as Sakuya opened her mouth wide. He was entranced by the healthy pink flesh and her glistening saliva, yet also anxious of the foreboding feeling as he gazed down into the dark depths of her throat.
 
 
To be continued...