Thorns and Lilies
Chapter 1
by : Sakeena deathstalkker@yahoo.com


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He smiled. A deceiving one. She, somehow, managed to read his lips. Still, she couldn't do anything. She had submitted to him for the past centuries, heedless of her own good. That was meant to be. She had no choice. Her dear otousama was dying. He was the main reason she embraced life of a slave. Slave of the ever notorious war-god Raizen and his partner, as equally notorious, Kentaro.
It was a time of war. Her otousama was the leader of an empire army , a great and brave warrior, opposing the realm of the war-god and Kentaro. A great one that her father was. But the old age caused him to decline. When Raizen got to him and had slaughtered all their defenses she ran to the god, begging for him to spare her otousama's life and instead take hers. Raizen agreed , of course. Although he had no intention to kill her, he wanted her. Maybe not her. Maybe just her body. Any sane man would. She was as lovely as goddess. Maybe she was. So even against her otousama's will, Riazen took her and became his slave. It hurt his otousama much. His priced daughter…..in Raizen's hands. He'd rather die! But the latter was strong and he was weak. And one thing was for sure then : Might makes right. He never gave up hope. His daughter paid much for his life, so he continued living, with hopes that Raizen will soon fade.

A little later on, a rivalry erupted between Kentaro and Raizen for the object of supremacy. That was a good sign for her father, but a bad sign for the Netherworld. Raizen overthrew Kentaro's legion smoothly that Raizen's prevalence soared. No sooner than that, it was pretty obvious who rules : Raizen. Unwilling to give up, Kentaro abducted his rival's beloved slave with the prospect of revenge. Enraged, the war-god went after her otousama to draw her back, but even if she wanted to, she could do nothing. Until she learned Raizen killed her otousama, along with all other reasons for her to come back. So be it. Yet, Kentaro couldn't kill her. He realized why Raizen wanted the girl. And he wanted her for the same reason. At that time, the girl didn't care. Too sad. She wanted to die. But he wouldn't kill her. Couldn't. Will not. He wanted to keep her. Maybe as long as he lives. But he lives long. So he made her promise - a vow to serve him and love him above all. Forget the world, but not me. Hate the world but love me. As I love you. It was an oath. A test of her integrity and honor. And she was clean and honorable. A vow that bonded them as one. A vow that no one could break, not even himself.

"Ayane," he called out softly in the dark.

She hesitated looking around her. Despite the fact that she lived over the past centuries with him in the darkness, she never at all got her eyes used to much gloom. It was still scaring her. And surprising her.

"Ayane," the male voice went again.

Cold pair of hands gripped her shoulders. "Here you are, my dear," he hushed in her ear. His breath came down to her neck. She tried not to shudder. "Why conceal yourself from me?"

"Pardon, shujin ," she murmured blandly, shutting her eyes. It didn't make any difference. Darkness will be darkness --with her eyes open or shut. "But I - I am-"

"Ssh.." her shujin silenced her ,stripping her shoulder with a kiss. It was cold against her bare skin sending chills all over her body. She trembled slightly but didn't say a word. She knew that smile. " I have a task for you , Ayane," Kentaro whispered, as he lifted up his head. Memories whipped back into his mind as he thought about the task he was going to give her. Bitter memories .Bad things. Losing. One of the worst things to happen. He had always hated losing. Shame on his honor , dignity and soul. But he was going to cleanse his ruined reputation. He was going to make themall pay. Somehow. Someday.







Michiko Takeda scratched her head for what seemed like the hundredth time, holding a piece of paper in her other hand. People were sending her in circles for the past two hours. Where in the world can I find that Miyuki Sakuwa? She had searched almost most of Ningenkai for the past two hours without luck. In fact, she had not only wasted two hours of her precious time, but practically most of the remaining free hours of her last three weeks

"Aaaaarghhhhhhhh!" she cried to herself as she slumped to the back seat of her convertible. She usually preferred to walk, but it was just too exhausting. I give up. She crunched her shoulders and watched at the dusty road that stretched a quarter mile. The driver watched her cautiously in the mirror. He leaned forward to turn on the ignition, then turned around, "Are we leaving now , Ms. Takeda?"

"Yes ," she answered , but hesitated. I can't give up now. At least not now. After all, I've made up my mind. She pulled her schoolbag on her lap dropped her head on it exhaustedly and shut her eyes. Why am I doing this? she asked herself. Because you promised Hiro you would avenge his death. Remember? A voice reminded her cynically. "Oh yeah," she muttered in disgust. She wished she didn't ask. She felt the driver starting the engine's ignition . The memory brought her much anguish and grief . Hiro had been a big part of her life. Her other life . She blinked back the tears , clenching the her schoolbag with her hands. Twelve hundred years had not been short. She had waited and prayed for his reborn, but her prayers didn't seem to have been heard. No trace of hope came across her path for those long miserable years after she lost him. A part of her life died with Hiro. Life had been hard. She grasped the past in her chest, not letting go, refusing to accept her lover's death . She refused to move on , condemned the future, hated the world, cursed the heaven and rebuked herself. Acceptance wasn't 't such an easy word. She realized that after Hiro's passing. In fact it was only now in this life that she began to feel the graces of time healing her aches and wounds. She was starting to cherish life again, forgot the bad things she had left behind and living life normally again in the form of a teen girl. Life was just showing its benevolence, when the past begun stalking after her again. Was Hiro hunting her for forgetting him? But I never forgot you, Hiro , not in my other life. Are you pursuing me in Miyuki Sakuwa's form? But why , Hiro? Why? Tears rolled down from her turquoise eyes to her cheek as memories rushed back to her. She never really care now if her driver noticed she was crying. It was just too agonizing -- Her past . Her promise . Her life. Her Hiro. I never wanted you to die Hiro, never. I loved you and loved you still. I'm sorry to have forgotten you along my promise in this life. Most of her recollection were wiped away as she moved on to another body. More tears rolled down uncontrollably as memories refreshed in her heart. If only I have known, I would have been more careful. Now I swear Hiro, I'll be there for you now that I've remembered everything. I'll avenge your death. I swear….






" Somebody help!"

A female voice filled the verdant woodland of Ningenkai. The carmine shade of the setting sun cast the skies of Ningenkai as sweet aroma of garland filled the air, imposing a safe emergence for the innocent. But not so distant away, a red-haired girl still clad in her school uniform struggled to her feet and, looked back with a big terror stricken eyes. What the--

A beast four times her size was chasing after her. Running as fast as her worn school shoes could take her, she stared at the beast chasing after her, then concentrated on her paces, with much panic gushing through her whole body. Her life had turned upside down for the past month. She couldn't remember, but she knew that somehow that it wasn't entirely that rotten. Her life seemed to be taking a another course -- a wilder course. And maybe a better course? Well, she was now Miyuki Sakuwa, the popular, not Miyuki Sakuwa , the clown. All thanks to the mysterious creatures from her nightmares, her name and pictures were all over the newspapers of Ningenkai. People, reporters and- hooh boy- even monsters sought for her. What else could she ask for more?

" HELP ! ! ! ! ! "

That's what.

Although people and reporters may have the same characteristics as monsters do, monsters actually didn't have the potentials to make you famous as nosy people have. She still wondered why crazy things happen. Miyuki Sakuwa, popular? Monsters chasing after Miyuki Sakuwa? Did they want my autograph or what? She managed to laugh to herself as she ran. Not that she enjoyed playing cat-mouse chase, but it was all so funny, she could laugh with her eyes closed (ne?). She laughed loudly .Most of the things in the world were funny. Well, through the popular Miyuki Sakuwa's eyes . Can I help it if I was born laughing? Very ironic, though. She wasn't supposed to be a cheerful person at all. Her okasan died during her delivery and her otosan was sent to the psychotherapy center, leaving her at her austere obasan's hands, who was a childless widow and provided her with as much lecture her old rusty remembrance could sustain. Still, her life had been full of laughter . She stopped, holding on to her knees and gasped for breath. Laughing is really very tiresome. The beast speeding after her not a kilometer away, but nearer, but she didn't care. Let him come. Then she laughed again. The beast is really taking me seriously, she thought, looking at the horrid creature behind her. Stupid beast. But she was kind of pleased with that. People rarely took her seriously, if not rather too seriously like her obasan was toward her. She took one more breath and ran, then took a quick look behind her. She roared tremendously. There was no point in chasing after her. I am as swift as the wind, she thought admiringly to herself. No sooner than that that she started running out of laughter and breath. A stone jolting up from the grasses hit the tip of her foot sending her stumbling down. She chuckled a little, but her head began to throb. Laughing became an effort, specially for her head. She lifted her body up weakly, but gravity seemed to be pulling her otherwise. Shit. Just what I need. She spun her head around to check the distance of the monster. Uh-oh. He's gettin' nearer. And nearer. And nearer. She had to stand up, but her body became more and more ponderous. What the hell is wrong? What should I do?

"Somebody, Please! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The beast's footsteps echoed through the timberland bluntly, as if meaning to scare her. And for a minute, she was scared. She looked at her back again and her golden eyes widened. Not only but several feet away. She struggled to stand up, but instead, she found herself crawling. Then she felt a shadow loom over her. She stopped and shut her eyes. If she was to die, then let her ie with her eyes shut. Maybe she wouldn't even feel the pain that way.

Ichi.

Ni.

San.

Nothing happened. She cracked an eye open. She turned to see again. To her surprise, she saw a black haired guy, all clad in black. a white bandage wounded around his left arm and on his forehead. He drew out his katana and sliced the monster into pieces almost effortlessly.

Miyuki heaved a sigh. "Arigatou," she murmured, puffing for breath. There was no answer. She turned to look at him, who was walking calmly away. "Hey! Didn't you hear what I said?"

"Do itashimashite," he answered nonchalantly, without turning around.

She shook her head quizzically. "Duh?! I mean, aren't you gonna help me up or something?"

He didn't say a word and went on walking. Quickly and almost facilely, she faltered and stood up.Weird. He didn't ask for my autograph. Hey. Maybe he's my prince charming (?!). She tried to follow him, calling after him with names, but he didn't bother to stop. "Hey! I don't even know your name!" she yelled.

He stopped abruptly.

She grinned to herself. Now he's listening. "Lookit, let me--"

"Ssshhhh," he cut in. "Something's still out there."

"What do you-" she started, but the guy lunged at her as a creature swooshed from the sky. Wow. He is as swift as the wind. They both fell on the ground.

Shit. This is the second time .

But her eyes began to close as her head hit a rock.






"Will she be fine, Genkai?" Yukina asked softly as she arranged the pink mofu of the scarlet haired girl who was lying unconsciously on the floor as though sleeping soundly . Hiei had arrived several hours ago, carrying with him an insentient girl and left her in Genkai's care. Yukina had immediately recognized the lass as the intriguing schoolgirl , Miyuki Sakuwa , who was said to be living in the controversial world of egregious and bizarre reality.

Genkai sat cross legged on the shiny floor of her pagoda and contemplated for a while. "Yes," answered without looking at the girl.

"But she has been unconscious for the past six hours. Maybe we should bring her to the hospital," Yukina said , sitting next to Genkai. She looked at Genkai in her big sanguine eyes for a long time, waiting for her response.

"No, I don't think so. If we bring her there, we don't only endanger her life, but also the lives of the other patients in the hospital. The demon which Hiei killed may have its companions to go after her. We couldn't be sure, but I'm convinced that , like other demons we have encountered, they were only being summoned to stalk after her . I'm quite sure there is main mastermind behind all of these and it is not going to be safe to bring her to places unless that mastermind is terminated," Genkai explained staring deep in space .

"Oh," was all the dainty girl could say. After a while, she watched the unconscious lass. "Maybe we should at least inform her parents," suggested Yukina.

"Yes," agreed Genkai." I will call the newspapers tomorrow if she still hadn't woken up since we don't know where this girl lives. " Veering to Yukina, Genkai added, "Yukina-chan, why don't you sleep? It is getting late. You should also get some rest."

Yukina shook her head, her green hair flying. "No Genkai. You should rest. I'll watch the girl. "

Genkai didn't move. "Very well, " she said finally. "Let's both watch over her, then. " She stood up and walked to the door. "I'll be outside." She stepped outside and felt the cold wind ran against her skin as she contemplated over the matter. She knew the lass wasn't an ordinary one. She was still able to feel the spiritual power radiating from the red-haired girl's body. But something tells her that power she felt did not belong to Miyuki , but instead to her assailant. Whoever or whatever creature it is, it must be strong one. What could it be that the demon wanted from the girl? Genkai paced back and forth, pondering on the appropriate answer.






The sun's gentle rays touch their skin , sending fervent solace on their torsos as they get a leisurely afternoon stroll on the pacific esplanade of Ningenkai, seemingly as though the primary purpose to shower themselves with adequate incentive from the exquisite splendor of the county, only sparse creatures could relish, lingered grave within. One chestnut-haired fellow, on his black trouser and a blue shirt, a purple fabric enveloping his forehead, suggesting as if some sort of subtlety was engraved on his temples, sucked a pacifier adamantly, contrasting the manly creatures he possessed. His companion, a comely young man, nudged his hands deep in the pocket of his trousers, appearing to be more of school uniform than a street clothes.

"You cut classes again, didn't you?" the one with the pacifier started.

His companion didn't respond. He didn't have to. The guy with chestnut hair nodded to himself. Koenma knows what kind of reply he would get. "Anyway, I'm giving you permission to set forth investigation to this matter concerning Sakuwa, and by all means, if she happen to need it, also your help and assistance," Koenma went on his usual autocratic tone. He was used to Yusuke's inexplicable behavior. One moment, he was nothing but a pain in the ass big mouth, but on the second, he was a deaf and mute wrecked creature who was too hooked up on his own thoughts to pay a fragment of courtesy to reply to his companion.

"Odd," Yusuke muffled suddenly, as though he saw something *strange* for someone like him to handle. Koenma gave a questioning gesture, indicating for him to go on. "You know, just this morning, after Genkai informed the local newspaper, a girl came and claimed Sakuwa as her friend. But instead, she called Sakuwa 'Hiro' and began sobbing while that Sakuwa look pretty dumbfounded. First of all, I noticed they have different uniforms which simply implies that they go to a different schools. They couldn't be *friends* or could they? The second thing was Sakuwa sure looked puzzled but refused to speak. What the heck do you think-?" his voice trailed off as he gaped at Koenma doubtfully.

Koenma sucked his pacifier thoughtfully, but he stopped. "Nah. You're much better with those things than I am." Yusuke didn't expect me to voice out a stupid surmise, or did he? Koenma thought ambiguously. Hell and heaven knows he was more on paper works in Reikai. Heavy paper works, that sometimes ,he couldn't help but notice what a breeze Yusuke's tasks were .The desk work his otousama was giving him was consuming much of his time, squandering most of his energy, depleting up his *youth* and had prohibited him from enjoying life. That was why he filed a protest to his father for permission to have a break. Fortunately, Enma Daiou approved for his son's plead, understanding Koenma's need to stimulate himself for more paper works that lay waiting for him in Reikai.

"I'll found out about this," Yusuke muttered to himself ,determination audible on his firm voice, boldness glittering in his dark brown eyes.

Koenma peeped at him and slapped him at the back. You can do it, Urameshi.




November 1998 © Sakeena