AN: Gomen minna, I know it's been a long time since I've updated. *sweat drops* It isn't exactly my fault, since FF.net wasn't working. I wanted to update yesterday since it was my 17th birthday, but FF.net wasn't working. Here's some good news, I've decided to put off all of my other stories until I finish this one. So I hope to finish Promises by Christmas. Another thing, I updated "An Unusual Mission" one week ago, when nothing was working, so if you're interested take a look. Okay, that's all from me.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything, and no one is getting my new cell phone! :P
Chapter 7
"Kaika! Our guest has awakened!"
The blonde girl blinked at the hazy image looking down at her. She tried to move her head, but the only result was the pounding headache that threatened to split her skull.
"Don't try to move dear. You fell down a cliff, and there was a nasty wound on the back of your head!" the same motherly voice reprimanded. "Kaika, why don't you play your flute for the young lady?"
The last thing Usagi remembered was a gentle male voice answering, before a soft hypnotic melody lured her back to sleep.
~*~*~*~
Cool hands against her burning forehead woke Usagi up. This time it wasn't the old lady, instead a young man about her age was changing the cold towel on her head. I'm still alive? Usagi thought was she tried to get up.
"Don't move yet miss. Your injuries are healed, but you still have a high fever," the young man put out a hand, to push her back on to the bed. Recognizing the voice as the person who played the flute, it was the first time that she had a clear view of him. The young man had short light brown hair, and clear violet eyes.
Fever? That would explain why everything was spinning around her. "Where am I?" she managed to croak out through her patched throat.
"You are at my home, in Sairou miss. I found you lying in a poodle of blood three days ago. So I brought you to my home," the young man explained. "Don't try to speak yet. You are still weak from your fever," the young man put a finger across her lips.
"Kaika, it's time for her medicine, and I also brought her some food too. The poor dear must be starving!" The same old lady from before walked in with a tray filled with bowls.
"Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Kaika. And this is my okaa-san. You will meet my otoo-san later when you feel better miss," the young man said as he helped Usagi up, leaning against his chest, as he held a bowl containing some steaming green liquid to the blonde girl's lips. Usagi closed her mouth tightly and refused to drink the medicine. What was the point, when she had no wish to live?
But the hand that held the bowl was persistent. And having no choices left, Usagi winkled her nose at the smell of the liquid, before she held her breath and swallowed the whole bowl. No sooner had she swallowed, Usagi leaned over the bed and spat out the bitter medicine out of her mouth. The medicine tasted even worse than poison. If Kaika and his mother hadn't looked after her, she would've thought that they were trying to murder her.
"Are you okay miss?" The young man patted the chocking girl as Usagi threw up all the contents of her stomach, which wasn't much, considering that she had been sick for three days.
"It's…*chock* so bitter!"
Kaika smiled and pointed at the two small leaves lying on the try. "The medicine you drank is made from the 'forgetful leaves'. It might taste bitter, but it will help you forget your pains."
"Forget my pains?" the wide sapphire eyes took on a blank look. Nothing could erase the pains he caused her. Except maybe…
"Miss? Are you okay" the violet eyed young man shook the frozen girl worriedly.
I'll never be okay.
"Poor dear, you mush have gone through a lot!" Kaika's okaa-san said to herself. "Don't worry dear, we will help you. Where do you live? We can take you back to your family if you want," the old lady kindly offered.
I don't have anyone left, except for him. And he… The silent girl slowly shook her head.
"No family? You can stay her then! Kaika is at the right age to start a family, and if you don't mind, why don't you live with us and be his bride?" the old lady cried out enthusiastically, marriage plans already forming in her head.
"O…Okaa-san We're too young And we barely know each other!" the young man stuttered out, blushing from head to toe, as he moved away from Usagi.
"Nonsense Kaika. Your otoo-san and I were younger than you two when we got married. As for not knowing each other, I'll leave right now, so you two can talk," the old lady winked at her blushing son before quickly leaving the guest bedroom and closing the door before Kaika could escape.
"I'm really sorry miss. I'll talk to my okaa-san about this. She's not like this normally," Kaika fidgeted under the slightly amused blue eyes. "Don't take it personally miss. You are the most beautiful maiden that I've ever seen, but I don't know anything about you. In fact, I don't even know your name!" the red faced young man blabbed out.
"You may call me Usagi," the melodic voice cut across Kaika's nervous ramblings.
"Usagi?" the name rolled off of his tongue. "That's a cute name. How did you fall off the cliff Usagi-san?"
"I…I…" the blonde girl whispered. Scenes of him kissing Soi flashed through her head. The fight, the ground tumbling beneath her, her own submission to death. I don't want to remember anymore…
"I don't remember," the blue eyes averted from the young man's piercing violet ones, as the Usagi lied.
Her eyes widened in surprise as a hand covered her own. "It's okay Usagi-san. To tell you the truth, I don't remember my past either."
"But I thought…"
"Okaa-san and otoo-san found me half dead by the river. I'm not their real son. But they took me in, and treated me like family. So, as you can see, I'm sort of in the same boat as you," Kaika smiled. "Since you don't have a place to go either, why don't you stay here? You don't have to be my bride or anything if you don't want to," Kaika quickly added.
"It doesn't matter where I am now."
"So I'll take that as a yes, Usagi-san," the young man smiled before picking up the empty tray. "Rest well."
~*~*~*~
"Nakago! Thank god you're back!" the Seiryuu no miko rushed up to the blond shogun.
"Yui-sama," Nakago nodded curtly before reaching around his neck for the Genbuu Shinzaho. He tossed the golden necklace to the short haired girl. "Here's the Shinzaho, take care of it Yui-sama. With out it, you won't be able to summon Seiryuu," was the cold phase thrown over his shoulder before Nakago left Yui's tent.
"What's wrong with him?" Suboshi asked when the shogun disappeared. Nakago was usually cold and unpredictable, but he was acting weird, even for him. The blond man was never rude to the miko, no matter how upset he was.
"He's just angry over a little witch. Don't worry yourself over it Yui-sama," a smirking Soi cut in, finding a chance to provoke Yui's hatred over the blonde girl who stole Nakago's heart.
"What do you mean Soi?" As the red haired seishi predicted, the thought of losing Nakago immediately grabbed the miko's attention.
"After the Suzaku no miko and her seishi lost the Genbuu Shinzaho to Nakago, they used a love spell on Nakago. They sent an enchantress to bewitch him, and when Nakago will be under her spell, the witch will steal the shinzaho from him," Soi spat out viciously.
"A love spell? Is that possible? On Nakago?" Somehow, it was hard to believe the powerful shogun could fall in love, or show any kinds of emotions, even under a spell.
"Of course Yui-sama. Everything is possible in this world. Did you not just see with your own eyes how strange Nakago was acting? If you hadn't sent me to look for him, it would have been too late! The Suzaku no miko would have stolen the Shinzaho and summoned Suzaku!"
A cold look retuned to Yui's eyes. "I won't let Miaka succeed! I'll take Tamahome away from her if it's the last thing I'll ever do!" The miko clutched her hands into fists. "Soi, who is the witch that put the spell on Nakago?"
The red haired seishi smirked as Yui fell for her trick. "The witch's name is Usagi, Yui-sama. She was saved by the Suzaku no miko."
"Usagi…I see. So it was all Miaka's plan then, to steal the Shinzaho from me. Well Miaka, I won't let you have all the fun…" a sinister light glittered from her narrowed eyes. "Soi!"
"Hai Yui-sama?"
"Bring back the girl Usagi alive. I have some questions that I want to ask her."
"Hai," Soi bowed low, to hid her smirk of triumph before quickly leaving the tent.
"My, my Soi. What a mean jealous streak you have. Manipulating our beloved miko to do your own dirty work. It's a wonder that she even believed you. Women can be so petty and cruel. Did anyone tell you that green doesn't go well with your red hair? I wonder how Nakago-sama will react when he finds out that you are going to hurt his pretty doll?" a dry chuckle was heard from the shadows.
"Mind your own business Tomo," Soi hissed at her fellow seishi, "but I have to say, I'm pretty surprised that you are not jealous of the pretty blonde that caught Nakago-sama's attention."
Another dry laugh was heard. "Unlike your failure Soi, I'm going to kill the Suzaku no miko and her seishi for Nakago-sama. He will surely forget that silly girl when his dreams of power are fulfilled.
"And how are you going to accomplish that Tomo? I've already tried, the Suzaku seishi are more powerful than they appear."
"Don't worry about that Soi. They have already fallen into the illusion I have created. It will just be a matter of time before they die from the desert's harsh climates," Tomo whispered before he melted into the shadows.
~*~*~*~
Usagi looked into the clear pond before reaching out a slim finger to glide across her reflection on the water. It had almost been a week after she recovered from her fever. A week since the transformation began. Her golden hair gradually paled to silver, and specks of lavender were slowly turning her sapphire eyes to a light amethyst. Since nothing was holding her back in the human world anymore, her body was slowly beginning to lose its mortal appearance, and transcending into the body of the goddess of the stars.
"Usagi-chan!"
The silver headed girl looked up sharply at her name; the only human aspect that remained. "Kaika-kun?"
The short haired young man had became a close friend over the short time. Usagi knew that like her, Kaika also remembered his past, and like her, he also chose to live in this in this facade, where he could forget the pains of the past. But, she wasn't going to ply into his secrets if he didn't want to share, it was a silent mutual agreement between both of them.
"There's a festival in town tonight. Do you want to go?"
"A festival? For what?"
Kaika blushed, before answering hesitantly. "There is an ancient legend in Sairou. Years ago, there was a pair of star crossed lovers. They were forbidden to be with each other by their families, but their love for each other was so strong that they were even willing to sacrifice their lives to be together. At the end, the two lovers jumped off a mountain together, and from their graves sprung two butterflies. Since then, every year at this day, lovers in Sairou come together to celebrate the festival held in honor of the butterfly lovers."
Star crossed lovers? At least he was true to her. Her thoughts drifted off again. It was best to forget about him, there was nothing between them now, he had made that clear when they separated. But with each passing day, she found her thoughts betray her. Even as her body changed, only thoughts of him occupied her mind.
"If you don't mind, I would like you to accompany me Usagi-chan," Kaika's words interrupted Usagi's thoughts. The blonde girl let her surprise show on her face, as she stared in amusement. She had only regarded the young man as a friend, but obviously, unknown to her, Kaika had developed feelings for her that ran deeper than friendship.
"I…" The words where cut off, when Usagi widened her eyes as a pair of lips sealed the unsaid words.
Releasing the dazed girl, Kaika blushed. "I'm sorry Usagi-chan. I…I didn't mean to."
"It's okay, you don't have to apologize Kaika-kun. Let's go! I don't want to miss all the fun!" Usagi purposefully ran ahead of the red tomato. Kaika didn't know whether to be happy or disappointed as his kiss and feelings were dismissed so easily.
Colourful lanterns lit up the darkening sky as songs and laugher flowed through the air. All the young lovers were gathered outside, sharing the beautiful starry night with their loved one. The streets were filled with stands, selling mouth watering foods, and sparkling trinkets. A stage was erected at the town square, where acrobats were performing tricks with knives and torches.
Through the thick crowd, an unusual couple caught the eyes of all the people. A gorgeous maiden dressed in a find robe of red silk bounced from one merchant to another, while a handsome young man in a light blue ensemble followed the silver haired goddess, carrying in his arms loads of little wrapped boxes that the girl had bought. All the older couples chuckled at the young pair, while the younger people looked on in jealousy at the striking couple.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" a voice called over the noisy crowd. "Welcome to this year's festival! Following the customs of this celebration, we pick out the most beautiful maiden in the country, as the symbol of love. Last year, it was Miss Li. Which lucky maiden will it be this year?"
Cat calls and whistles immediately started when an attractive young woman stepped on the stage. "As you all know, at this time of the year, it is the custom of the festival to choose a maiden to represent the love shared by the Butterfly lovers. Are their any suggestions to who this year's lucky maiden should be?"
As soon as the question left her mouth, a wave of cries were heard.
"Miss Xin Xin!
"No, Miss Wang Zhou is prettier!"
The enthusiastic male population screamed out the names of their lovers.
"Kaika-kun? What is this all about?" Usagi whispered to the young man next to her.
"I don't know. Okaa-san didn't tell me anything about a beauty pagent," the young man looked as clueless as Usagi.
"Each year, one lucky girl is chosen at the festival. She will be praised for her beauty, and her family will be gifted by the town. It is a tradition passed on from generations ago. And at the end of the celebration, the maiden will have to choose her husband by tossing an silk ball into the crowd. The man who catches the silk ball, will become her husband." an old lady explained to the young couple. (AN: It might be a little confusing. It's an ancient Chinese way of finding a husband. I'm not joking. Young woman who are usually rich and beautiful, choose a husband by tossing a silk ball from a tall building. The man who catches the ball, or the person the ball lands on, will have to marry the young woman. If you are Chinese, you'll know what I'm talking about. You see these situations all the time in Chinese movies.)
"Ohh," Usagi and Kaika nodded simultaneously.
"I say, Miss Usagi is the most beautiful maiden in the whole country!" An unknown male voice screamed above the cries.
"Yes! Miss Usagi! Miss Usagi!" the chant was picked up by crowd as a path way was formed by the people in front of the said goddess, leading towards the stage. The silver haired girl tensed. A hand from behind her pushed the frozen girl forward, as others pulled her up onto the stage.
Panic dominated her senses as hundreds of leering male faces looked up at her. The fire light from the lanterns only illuminated the harsh truth that Usagi was trying to hid away from. Fine shivers began to run through her body as unfamiliar hands placed a garland of fresh roses on her hair. For the rest of the night, the silver haired girl was forced to sit on the stage, while the rest of the town's people danced and sang around her. Laughter and love flowed freely, but all Usagi felt was the pain, as she watched their happiness.
"I love you"
"No, I love you more."
Usagi felt sick as she listened to the small pieces of conversation that drifted to her ears. How could they be so cheerful, when the world was so cruel and cold? It wasn't fair! Tears began to form in her amethyst eyes, and blurred the bright light that spilled from the colourful lanterns.
"Now, ladies and gentleman, it's time for our chosen maiden to choose the lucky man to be her husband!" the mayor of the town calmed the cheering people. A red silk ball was carried to Usagi on a silk pillow. A dragon and a phoenix were embroidered on the red silk, and long tassels hung from the two opposite poles. Miss Li, handed the ball to the unmoving Usagi, and lead her to the edge of the platform, where a huge male crowd gathered and were calling for Usagi to throw the ball in their direction.
The lavender eyes scanned across the men unseeing. The slender hands gripped the silk ball tightly, as a faint silver aura started to glow from Usagi's taunt figure. In the crowd, Kaika swore quickly to himself, as he felt the amount of power the silver haired girl radiated. It was strange, though, if he hadn't known better, he would have thought that the power Usagi showed was similar to the power of Nakago!
"I…I…" the bunny murmured, as she suddenly dropped the ball at her feet. The symbol of Cosmos burst fourth on her forehead, in the centre of the eight pointed stars, was the crescent moon mark. "I can't do this!" An anguished cry tore from her throat. "WHY CAN'T I FORGET HIM?!" The goddess screamed into the night at the same time a beam of light was released from the symbol on her forehead.
Kaika watched in shock as a pillar of light descended from the sky and surrounded the screaming girl on the stage. All around him, the towns people where running and screaming when the unnatural phenomena occurred. Finally when the light disappeared again, no trace of Usagi was left. The violet eyed young man cursed out loud. What could have brought such a violent reaction from the calm girl? This was no time for questions. Without wasting anytime, Kaika jumped over the mob of screaming people and headed into the desert, to the place where he first found the fallen angel.
~*~*~*~
Harsh sobs racked her body as Usagi was brought to the desert once again. She didn't even notice her surroundings as she blindly reached into her boot, and pulled out the dagger that she had hidden in there. It was the same dagger he had given her before she found out. Why? Why couldn't she forget him? Even now, after he betrayed her so cruelly? Why did her own heart have to betray her every second of her existence?
Maybe it would be better if she end this right now. No one would be hurt if she cease to exist. There would be no more pain anymore. And she would be reunited with her senshi. Caressing the gleaming blade with the palm of her hand, a twisted smile formed as the razor sharp edge sliced open her flesh, drops of ruby slide off without a trace. He always did take good care of his weapons. A peaceful look settled on the beautiful face, before her hand gripped the handle of the dagger tightly. Sayonara. A red slash appeared above the already existing small white scar on her left wrist. The blade moved lightening fast, only seconds later did the crimson liquid began to seep out from the scar. Usagi laid on the ground with a content look as she felt her life leave her.
"Usagi-chan!" A familiar voice called out.
Through the fog that surrounded her mind, the bleeding goddess faintly recognized it as the voice of Kaika. Funny, how did he know where to find her?
The young man saw the white and red body lying on the sand. Even though Usagi's red robe hid the blood, he was still able to see large puddle that was forming on sand.
"Usagi-chan!" Kaika screamed as he dropped down beside the girl. She was already pale and shaking from the cold. Without hesitating, he torn off his shirt and used it to bound up the long slash on her creamy wrist. Sweat began to drip from Kaika's forehead as he realized that even if he stopped the blood, Usagi's life energy was to low to sustain the way back to the town. There was only one way. Throwing all cautions into the wind, the young man bent down, and covered Usagi's mouth with his own. A faint blue light covered the two bodies, as Kaika transferred his own ki into the body of the girl beneath him.
A dry chuckle froze Kaika, as a familiar shadow blocked the light of the moon.
Swallowing down his fear, the young man slowly turned his head up.
"So you are still alive…" Tomo stated as he played with the feathers on his hat, yellow eyes with malice. "Amiboshi…"