Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail and its awesomeness. All credits go to the genius Hiro Mashima.

Count Me the Stars

Prologue

The stillness of the night was broken by the sound of grass being stepped on by running feet and the squeaks of the little crickets as they scurried out of the way. A lithe figure was making its way from the the covers of the bamboos into an open plain. It was making pace across the meadow only taking slight glances behind to see if its pursuer was still making chase. Upon seeing the silhouette of the town, it came to a halt trying to catch its breath. Under the light of the moon, it is revealed to be a woman in her early 20's with wavy green hair that was as disheveled as her kimono was dirty. The once beautiful green and white of the fabric was a mixture of blood, mud and water. It was in tatters, the bottom part being torn to make her run easier. One sleeve was also missing exposing the large gash in her right shoulder. She had somehow managed a few more minor wounds when she was running under the canopy of the bamboos. She was by all means exhausted.

Trying to remain standing was already an effort for her. Her legs were not just tired. She was involuntarily shaking from fear and her knees no longer had the strength and will to overcome it. But she knew she had to reach the town fast. Perhaps there would be some wandering patrol samurai who could help her. The mansion should have been alerted of her disappearance by now.

It wasn't long before she heard a sound close to her. Her eyes widened with panic. She could not see where her pursuer was. She looked from all directions including above. Now, she really was in a state of distress. Her mind could no longer think clearly as she took a step back.

"Now, now, Karen Lilica-hime, it would really help me if you would stop running," a voice spoke right behind her. She froze her muscles not registering what her mind is telling them. With a swift strike, claws hit her right calf making her fall to the ground. It was excruciating as she tried to stifle a scream. No. A princess of the heavens will not be easily conquered like this. Turning around, she gave her opponent her famous glare hoping to at least muster up some courage.

The man standing before her gave her an evil smirk hinting the delight he felt at this torture. He was by no means a human. His remaining left eye was clear on his intentions as he looked at her like a snake would to a rat. "That's better. At least now, you won't be giving me a hard time with all the running."

She gulped. "What do you want from me?" she asked with as a calm a tone as she could muster.

"I've got nothing on you princess. But a friend of mine wants you dead. I'm just in it for the fun," he answered with a smirk.

"Oh surely you have other things you wish aside from the thrill of killing me, no? What would it be? Name it and I can give it to you with some extras," she started to deal. Karen Lilica-hime was someone who had the tongue to persuade. She had always used that to get what she wanted. She gave a slight smirk. In a battle of words, she could easily turn the tables. "In exchange, you release me and tell me who this friend of yours is."

The man paused to think. "Well, some gold and a mansion would be nice." At this, the lady smirked. She had him dancing in her fingertips. "Is that all that you wish?" she inquired. "I can give you more! Women, a status in high society, land! With my power, I can give you anything! In return, you side with me and state the name of the person who wanted me dead." The last part she said with a mature and commanding tone.

"Hmmm…You sound so tempting, my lady,"he paused. "Hmmm… all right." He reached out his claw-like hands in order to help her get up. It was hard to stand up but with his grip, she was able to. He kept their hands together in order to seal the deal.

He gave her a slight smirk. "My friend has a personal grudge on you I guess. Told me to take care of you really good. I could even play with you. The name is…" She looked straight at him ready to find out who would dare try to make an enemy out of her. How dare that person challenge a lady of the imperial court! She was a Celestial princess whose blood was that of the heavens. She would make sure that he would pay dearly with his life. But realization hit her when the man gave her a different kind of smirk. And before she could pull out her hand, his fingers dug deep into it, the sharp of his nails sinking through her hand. As they were now locked in a bloody hand shake, she could no longer stifle the scream she has been restraining since earlier.

She screamed so loud that it was sure to reach the town. Good. At least they'd know she was here. In a swift second, he pulled away his buried fingers with as much force that it was sure to tear away her fingers from her hand. She screamed again for the pain was unbearable. She wished to cut off her hands if it meant to ebb away the pain. She was not given a moment to think when a kick sent her flying a few feet away. She was spread eagle on the ground her wounded hand oozing with blood that mixed with the mud. She just wanted to lay there awaiting her fate. Yes. How easy it would be to just sleep off death. She could hear her attacker taking his time to go to her. Slowly and yet surely, he would be coming for her to give the final blow. She didn't care anymore. There was no more energy left in her, all spent trying to run away. Yes. Perhaps. That is what she was good at—running away. She could escape misery by a quick death and she could escape a painful death by sleeping.

She started to close her eyes to be at peace. Then from the pockets of her kimono she felt a warm glow. It was small at first but then it became so bright and warm that everything just flooded back to her. How vexing. She is Karen Lilica—hime of the imperial clan, a descendant of Kaguya-hime, of the Gods, of Heaven itself. Her blood was worth more than a country. She was by no means going to die here without a fight. So with all the strength she has left, she managed to sit up and took from her pocket a golden key and recited her spell, "By my power as a Celestial Maiden, I open thee Gate of the Lamb, Aries!"

A blinding light engulfed the area and when it dissipated, a girl with pink shoulder length curls dressed in wool appeared with her battle cry, "I'm Sorry!" Karen got a bit irritated at this. "If you've got time to say sorry how about getting rid of that snake," she said.

With fear, the girl nodded and released bombs of fluffy wool on the enemy which he easily sliced through with his claw-like fingers. She threw at him more wool bombs that exploded. He avoided them but one missed his heightened hearing. It exploded on him and he flinched. The explosion was small but it distracted him and three more were able to hit him. He was engulfed in fluffy smoke.

Karen smirked. She could win this. Despite the injury in her calf, she was able to stand up partially by bending her knees. Her celestial spirit supported her with a cheery and nervous smile. She didn't know how to act in the situation. She was scared of her master. Karen gave her a glare that sent the girl-lamb into an "I'm sorry!"

"Don't rejoice just yet, you stupid spirit! That wasn't nearly half as close to defeating him."

The frightened spirit replied with an embarrassed "I'm sorry!"

When the smoke dissipated, it revealed him to be clearly annoyed. God! How he wanted to repay this chic double or even triple for making him run around and get hit by fluffy bombs. Oh yes. He was mad. Aries tried her bombs again. Fool. He wouldn't fall for the same trick twice. His feet blasted him off towards his prey. His claws slicing through the bombs as easily as he would tear some fabric. In a split second, he was able to land a hit on Aries who yelped in pain. He sent her flying to the side. Slowly he proceeded to his prey to make the kill.

"Aries, get up and shield me from this man!" Karen-hime demanded.

He was reaching her with each step a wide manic grin plastered on his face. A look of horror was on hers. This was her end. She could not stall it any longer. He raised his claws up in the air sharp fingers ready to spear through her. It was inevitable. And just as he was about to do it, she closed her eyes. This was really it. Flashes of memory came flooding back. She recalled her childhood playing with her cousins. It was more like commanding and teasing them actually. It was fun. She remembered the first time she contracted a spirit and how her father, the Prime Minister of the Left rejoiced and held a feast for three days. Her heart ached for Hibiki-dono. How she was betrothed to the samurai and yet still manage to love each other despite their forced engagement. Yes. She would miss him. And I'm sure he would her as well. If all this did not happen, they would have been married in a few months' time. Imagining a life of them being together raising the next priestess of the heavens. She smiled. It would have been nice.

"Hibiki-dono, avenge me," she whispered a tear falling from her right eye. She accepted her fate. She was ready. Get it over and done with. The strike didn't reach her though. She wondered how that would be. And when she opened her eyes, to her surprise, Aries had stood between her and her would-be murderer.

Aries was slowly fading, the claws buried to her chest. She wouldn't die though. Celestial spirits are immortal. They feel the pain in its entirety though. "Karen-hime, I'm sorry. Please escape now. I will give you some time." She gave her a quick glance and smiled.

Karen was moved only a bit by her spirit. Karen was the type who viewed her spirits as servants. She had earned a lot of scolding from her cousins about the matter. She managed to shrug them off all the time. She thought that it was natural for the weak lamb-girl to take the hit for her. She was weak in combat no matter how she thought about it. So being a sacrificial pawn for the defensive should be just compensation for her lack of strength and skill. But deep within her heart, there was an inkling of guilt and gratitude. It took her more amount of effort to stand up and make a run with her injured leg, her broken ribs, and throbbing hand that was surely about to be separated from her arm if she didn't get treated immediately. Before she dashed though, for the first time in forever, she managed to whisper a thank you to her fighting spirit earning her a warm smile from the said girl.

She headed towards the direction of the town not minding the searing pain she felt with each stride. Her attacker tried to give chase but Aries would get in his way every time. The two were in battle now. The spirit obviously the inferior one. Yet her will was domineering between them. She was trying as much as possible to not yet return to the spirit world. It was difficult because even her master was drained of her magic. She could only wish help was on the way.

The lithe figure slowly trudging was nearing the town. She could make out the river and the bridge. Her hopes went up. She could see it. Her future was coming back to her.

Suddenly, a tingling sensation hit her. Slowly, her heartbeat rose, followed by a feeling of numbness in her upper and lower extremities. She could not feel her arms. It was relief from the pain and yet it spelled something worse. With her muscles in a weakened state, she collapsed fetal position to the ground. There was not a moment of reprieve for a blinding light hit her sending her skyrocketing. She fell on her back to the ground. There was a crackle and she heard perhaps her spinal cord break. She screeched at the pain. She could no longer move. She knew it. She was paralyzed, the injury hitting some nerves and she may be permanently damaged. "Kuso…" she started to cry and curse her predicament.

"I have to hand it to that that snake. His poison is quite effective," a voice was heard in front of her.

That voice. She knew that voice. It couldn't be. Her eyes widened at the realization as the figure slowly came towards her vision.

"You. How could you do this? Why?" she asked. Confusion was evident on her face.

"Just because," the person gave her a smirk. "The world has no need for weaklings like you."

"You won't get away with this. Hibiki-dono will get you for this. You will pay, you demon!" Karen was using her last remaining will and strength for that threat. She fell down, the mere effort to speak was already too much.

Blurry. Everything was a blur to her. Her present situation, her thoughts, the sounds around her, even the person in front of her. How did it come to this?

"Goodbye…" She faintly heard her murderer say. She couldn't catch the last few words but she knew deep down what they were and slowly she closed her eyes to sleep forever and with that the heavens wept for a lost daughter.

xXx

The stars were twinkling above. Not a sign of a storm to come. The night was calm. The only sound to be heard was that of the water trickling from the fountain and the soft gurgling sounds of the koi as they surfaced for air splashing the soft ripples of the water away.

A soft breeze blew and the leaves of the bamboo gently rustled joining the peaceful orchestra. Soft gold tresses also swayed with the wind. There was a soft sigh as the lady slowly removed strands of her hair from her face. If this weren't Earthland, the scene would have appeared like a garden of the heavens. The lady being a goddess, for she truly was like one. Her long blonde locks were braided behind her adorned with beautiful blossoms of the fire tree that matched the fiery crimson of the kimono she wore. The cloth was a tapestry of falling blossoms on a summer day. It was summer itself and it was merely a trifle of a beauty compared to the face that wore it. The woman had delicate soft skin that suited well with her pair of chocolate brown orbs that was framed in the gentlest of chins. It was as if her ancestor Princess Kaguya herself came down from the moon to grace the land with her beauty.

She murmured a prayer. She looked up to the sky as if speaking to some friends up above. "I guess this will be the start of a new adventure."

Above a tree just near the wall of the gardens, a shadow was hidden from the sight of the lady. It was watching her intently. As a breeze blew again, a few strands of its light colored hair was also blown away to the light for a split second. It gave a wide toothy grin. And with a quick glance to the princess, it slowly and as if its feet were mere feathers, quietly jumped off the wall to exit the garden, an unknowing princess left near the pond as she looked ahead to her future.

Author's Notes: So how was it? This would be my first after a 5 year hiatus. I thought of this after browsing for some NaLu pics on google and saw a Samurai-themed one which, by the way, is now my phone wallpaper to keep the inspiration going. Please do leave a review. It would really boost my willpower to spin some yarn. Till the next chap! Good hunting!