CH-1: A MAIDEN'S DIARY
Twinkle twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are?
Up above the world so high;
Like a diamond in the sky…
Yui took a break from her office work resting her lithe frame on the window sill lazily looking outside at the cool night sky—a habit that she somehow acquired ever since she was a little girl. Her eyes leisurely staring at the dim light of the few stars visible even through the highly cloudy atmosphere—after all, Tokyo is one of the most highly polluted cities!
She is wearing only a loose white cottony shirt to escape the summer heat; even though her home has an AC, she is in no mood to use it right now.
So many years have passed and now she is a big girl. Her best friend Miaka married her beloved Taka and only few weeks before she had her first baby; it was such a very sweet scene!
Yui took up an ultra-high paying job and devoted herself fully into its technological research area. She has a wonderful career filled with success, her own apartment and even dating a very rich and understanding man…she is every inch the free & lucky one of all women's dream.
She sighed and strolled back to her laptop to sit and start her work.
Her phone rang to show the message—
'Tomorrow at 9 pm, my place.'
Surely its very considerate of Tetsuya to finish his message so shortly, it saved Yui a great deal of time.
Tetsuya is every inch of the generous lover that he appears…sometimes a bit too kind for her comfort & even likeness!
She flung the phone on the soft sofa; certainly she doesn't need to reply to such a type of message.
Tetsuya won't even re-question her if she doesn't arrive tomorrow or says she forgot about the appointment.
For her, the logic is simple & sure,
Tetsuya loved & cared for her too much—that's the reason she's with him…it's not like she loves him!
She knows and is sure of the truth; she never loved him or can even entertain the stupid thought of falling in love with him!
All she knows is never to get emotionally involved with any living creature…and for that, she contains herself by loving non-living creatures…
…things such as: her work, her own body, the gifts given by Tetsuya and the secretly treasured blue ear-ring of her star—Nakago.
It's probably best for her to not think about him for it only hurts her more, even now…
At first she was certain she was only attracted to him especially when he sort-of confessed his love for her…but even with that she wasn't at all satisfied. Nakago knew it too that she was probably obsessed with him at the end; he effectively created the delinquent fantasy that she means everything for him and in these illusions, she too easily succumbed; just like a fool!
She has been nothing but a victim that can be manipulated effortlessly by him and is only a means of achieving his highly ambitious goal for him!
The last part of this disclosure has been what had affected her most…it was then that she presumed she may love him; but now she doesn't or that's what she tries to convince herself when his memories torture her!
The only way of curing a smitten kitten is to impale her rat!
…..and Yui learned it in the hard way.
Yui took out her cigar to relax herself a bit while at work; when at high school, she was a very intelligent girl who used to prevent her friends from smoking but now she indulged herself just a little…she often took 'coke' along with it much to Tetsuya's great displeasure but like everyone else in her short life, he too can do little to stop her…
Even as a child, the only thing she ever treasured is her freedom…she always seeps from between fingers, no matter how tightly held, just like mercury; as she grew up, many branded her as selfish. In a certain way she is but deep down she always knew that nobody ever understood her.
Even her best friend whom she loves dearly never can see through her. Tetsuya tried to, at first, but gave up…at a more intimate moment, he had even said to her that it is her complex personality that initially attracted him to her!
But Yui never cared, she knew of only one man who was by her side for the briefest of all moments and within that instant read everything about her just like an open book…
….and that man was Nakago, only NAKAGO!
Finally, Yui decided to call it a night and changed to her night-gown. Tired of the whole day's chaotic schedule, she was asleep as soon as she lay on her soft and huge bed…
She was going for her bed when an astonishing voice called out to her,
"Lady Yui, did you summon me?"
Yui took in a harsh breath as she turned her back to meet the most un-anticipated sight in her entire life; in front of her stood her long dead star warrior—NAKAGO!
It was then thatsherealized she is probably dreaming for if Nakago had really come then he has to be a spirit and in her world SPIRITS SIMPLY DON'T EXIST!
She knew that it's not either her first or her last dream regarding that man, and besides she is not even feeling scared or any sort of repulsion for him which she would have surely exhibited had she been in reality…she took it in pretty casually!
"I see," her voice was carefree, though she still had her eyes with no expression dead fixed on him, "you are his soul, isn't it?" and then, her voice became strangely sad and soft, "…and like the ghost you are, you came here to scare me and then, as always you will leave me, wont you?"
"So, leave now and don't bother me again!" she screamed at his spirit.
"Lady Yui," Nakago bowed at her just like he did on those days, "your wish is my command…but I came here to tell you that I would always protect you and take care of you."
Nakago rose on his feet and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Yui's ear in a very affectionate gesture; the gentle touch left Yui shivering.
"You needn't worry about anything, Maiden," Nakago almost whispered; even though his tone is devoid of all emotions and his eyes are still the same frozen blocks, its tenderness would always reach Yui.
"You liar!" Yui said tartly, "I am not going to fall for your tricks anymore…speak what do you want, right now?" her voice was quite broken as if she is trying very hard to stifle her sobs.
"Lady Yui, if you are mad at me, you sh—" Yui's hand shot out to slap at his cheek, imparting a reddish glow on the pale side of his face.
"You monster, I AM NOT JUST SOME SACRIFICIAL OFFERING!" Yui yelled in a garbled voice, Nakago chuckled.
"Maiden, you haven't changed at all," Nakago closed the gap between them, and put his strong arms around her small frame.
Yui sobbed like a child in his arms; among all the things she liked best this is it! Nakago can understand her so well only because she allows him to, she feels so light and jovial when she lets her grief out just like everyone else…and Nakago has somehow become the one who is her best victim for opening herself up!
Nakago kissed the corner of her eyes slowly licking at her tears…Yui moaned involuntarily. Seeing her response, he drew the blade of his tongue slowly over her eyes and sensuously to her ears…her entire body tingled, leaving the places where he kissed almost burning.
"Maiden I did miss you too," Nakago husked at her ear sucking softly with a sumptuous pull at her earlobe…Yui felt her knees go weak; Nakago let one of his hands fall slowly leaving lingering touches as he drew it past her throat, over her shoulder, his fingers fluttering across her breasts in a ghostly fashion, past her stomach and flanks and finally, circled her waist.
Yui bit her lower lip in the wonderful feelings the mere platonic yet mildly teasing and suggestive touch produced…Nakago's other huge hand was still wrapped across her face, and he slowly passed his thumb across her lip to urge her to speak.
"You betrayed me, even when you knew I would break; then…why did you do it?" Yui firmly clutched his collar, "Why Nakago…am I just another pawn for you just like the others?"
"Yes, Lady Yui…it was all part of the plan," Nakago said in a grave voice, "…but even then, I never once lied to you. I am not the one who told you about your being raped, you assumed it yourself; when I said I love you even as I used you, I didn't lie because I did in another sense; you are certainly not the only one I wanted, but I would never have let you be eaten by Seiryu only if you have granted my wish; and besides when I told you are the most important person of my life, I meant it in all senses."
"So why is it that you came?" Yui asked seriously, her voice sharp; for the moment she stilled as she realized who is she dealing with, for now is not the time to hold and tell him never to leave her again.
"Miss Yui, you must know that it is only for the priestess that we, the stars exist…your constant thoughts about me is what that generated me…and allowed me to come and see you even from the world of the dead," Nakago said almost mechanically, "…besides there are…more complex things that I would like to tell you if only you listen, Lady Yui."
"Is that all why you came?" Yui's voice was still stern but her features has softened to a great deal, "Listen Nakago…I came to know from Tamahome that your past was very…tough," she fidgeted to find the right words, "but that doesn't mean you ruin other innocent lives for your own personal satisfaction, even as your Maiden I would never have allowed it."
Nakago's brows furrowed, his face stiffened and he released her from him abruptly.
"You know nothing about anything," he moved away from her, his voice distant and cold, his expression tense yet sober.
Another couple of moments passed and then, he smiled; it was a smile that showed no happiness or warmth, if anything it showed only something very deep and complex but as usual, Yui can't understand what is going in his mind; events when he let her see his emotions however, untrue they may be, are extremely rare—most of the times, his face and eyes are blank just like now.
"Listen Lady Yui, we don't have time…as a spirit I can't interact with you any time," his voice is formal, as always, though Yui thought she sensed something else…desperation, maybe,
"The Universe of the Four Gods can't be destroyed—"
"It can't be…you know!" Yui was shocked.
"Maiden, as a spirit I can know more about it…your friend was the first one to touch the book and the book was prepared to greet the Malden of Suzaku but you came in too and the book was unprepared to welcome you…but it did and so we, the Seiryu Stars were created right at the instant you appeared…"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Yui was quite confused but she took it in anyway.
"It means we were born and died before we were supposed to only for you…but just like the Suzaku's, we too were to be reborn because as Tenko told, more than one God can't be summoned together, so literally Seiyu wasn't summoned at all…"
"You dare not drag me into this mess again." Yui looked horrified.
"Seiryu won't be summoned till the Suzakus and the Seiryus aren't equaled," Nakago replied calmly.
"What do you mean?" Yui asked softly.
"Just like Tamahome and the Suzaku no miko were united…and their Shinzaho entered another virgin who actually summoned Suzaku to release the Suzaku Seishi's spirits…you too are privileged to allow any of your Star, only if you wish though, to come and be together with you forever…" Nakago's voice trailed off.
"But I can't…because I'm no more a…v-virgin," Yui blushed though she tried hard to handle this tactfully, "…but what would you achieve from that?"
"None of your Stars' soul will be at peace till Seiryu is summoned…not that I minded it much; but you kept on thinking about me…and the only way of seeing you will be to deliver this message to you," Nakago held her close to him by her shoulders and leaned in to whisper to her, "…besides, you are still indebted to me, remember," Nakago trailed off in a mocking tone.
"What do you want?" Yui shuddered in strange dread.
…suddenly Nakago's form started to fade; at first, she was surprised and then, when recognition dawned in, she tried to clutch him to her to prevent him from vanishing…but as usual, she failed.
…everywhere became dark; a strange force was pulling her down;
She looked below to see the origin of that energy…but all that she saw was her own body…..
'To be with you in your world forever…as a normal human…lead a normal human life…'
….
Yui woke up terrified, sweat glistening her entire body…
…it was only another dream!
A/N: This is my first venture in the FY universe; so please be a bit nice and don't flame, though I won't mind mild ones or criticisms!
This part may suggest that the story would be huge, but I have absolutely no intension of creating my own novel here (smiles!)…so it would be short, maybe just another chapter or two. If anyone thinks Yui is a pathetic character, I will agree but I believe (much to my sadness!) that my character resembles hers most in FY…Nakago may appear a bit OOC (temporarily) but you will soon see why!
...I do apologize profusely for submitting a total crap & being negligent enough not to check my text properly; but still I couldnt find out how to leave spaces between paras...if anyone can help me with it, I shall be grateful...
A bigggggggggggg Thanxxxxx to my reviewers!
Please, PLEASE DO REVIEW ^_^