"Star Lovers" by Ai Yuukan
Chapter 5
Lilian anticipated Miaka's arrival with growing dread. Just yesterday, she
had witnessed Yui pass the horrible drug Kodoku to Tamahome and knew the
good young man would soon make his appearance, changed for the worse.
Tamahome and Lilian had become friends, and she had admitted her situation
to the Suzaku seishi, admitting that she would like nothing better than to
join her sisters in Konan. Nakago had been avoiding her like the plague
and what Lilian had felt because of that disturbed her.
Nakago was evil, of that she was sure, but day by day, her resolve to hate the Seiryuu seishi weakened. Nakago still acted hateful, but on those few occasions when they had made eye contact, she had seen the same hate she felt for him reflected in his eyes. For some reason, she felt guilty. But why? She hated him. Nakago had every right to hate her as well, didn't he? And yet.
Lilian walked in the moonlit gardens like one in a trance. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice the creaking of a branch above her. Nakago. He was the villain and she was the righteous heroine. at least that was what she had first believed. Nakago shielded his emotions effortlessly, but why did she sometimes wish to bring that shield down? It was her curiosity, Lilian told herself. She wanted to know if he truly was human. Reasonably assured of her resolve, she sighed as a cool breeze fanned her face.
"Wow! Your magic's awesome, Chichiri!" A familiar voice said cheerfully.
Nani? Lilian frowned. Who was that? "But next time, could you pick a better landing?" The same voice asked, sounding squashed.
"Ah! Ah! Don't move!" A new voice yelled. "Oy!" She heard a branch break overhead.
"Meow?"
"Ahhhh!" Four bodies landed on Lilian, knocking her down. "I-Itai!" Her back felt broken.
"Eh? There's someone under us, no da."
"I think so too."
Lilian couldn't breathe. "Will you guys get off me!" She winced as the four bodies tumbled off her. "Itai." Grimacing, Lilian sat up and tried to right her kimono.
"Lily!"
Lilian looked up and squealed with delight. "Vivi!" The two sisters jumped up and hugged. Lilian stared at Vivien. Her sister never looked better. She was dressed in Chinese-style clothes, less formal than her own, and she looked positively alive. Lilian was struck by a sudden sense of envy.
"Lily! What are you doing here?"
Lilian frowned and dusted off her dress. "I'm a Seiryuu seishi, Vivi. I'm allowed to walk in the garden. I didn't imagine my back would be broken if I did."
Vivien giggled. "Teehee. Sorry about that."
Lilian smiled. "It's fine. Ne, I've really missed you, Vivi!"
Vivien grinned. "I know."
"Vivi!" Lilian giggled.
"Ne, would you mind telling us who she is?" A tall, flame-haired man with a fan in his hands asked them, annoyed. Lilian blinked.
"Who's the carrot-top?" She asked her sister curiously.
The flame-haired young man glared. "Who are ya callin' a carrot- top?!"
Vivien chuckled. "Lily. I'd like you to meet the Suzaku seishi, Tasuki. Doesn't he look funny?"
"Oy!"
Vivien turned to Miaka and Chichiri. "And you already know Miaka, right?"
Miaka smiled at Lilian. "Hai! I remember you!"
Lilian was staring at the man with the mask. Recognition dawned. "Ah! Mask-man!"
Chichiri sweatdropped. "My name's Chichiri, no da."
Lilian nodded. "Ah, the fox-man! I remember you now!"
Chichiri frowned. "Do I know you?"
Lilian realized her mistake. "Ahhh. no! But Tamahome's told me so much about you!"
At the mention of Tamahome's name, Miaka brightened. "Tamahome? Do you know where he is?"
Vivien looked uncomfortable. "Ah. Miaka? Didn't you say he said he would meet you at that tree?"
Miaka nodded. "That's right!" She smiled at Lilian. "Do you know where it is, Lily-chan? Tamahome said he would meet me at a tree with fragrant blossoms."
Lilian didn't know what to do. What would Yui and Nakago think if they saw her with them? Her cover would be blown. Vivien saw her distress. "Ne, Miaka. Remember I said my sister is a Seiryuu Seishi?"
"But you also said Lilian didn't want to be one, right?"
Vivien nodded. "But as a seishi of Taittsukun, she has to obey Nakago. She would be in big trouble if she showed us the way to the tree."
Miaka's face fell. "That's right."
"What? What would be the problem if she helped us?" Tasuki asked.
Vivien's face shadowed. "If any one of my sisters help her, the rest of us would be punished. Lilian's forced to serve Seiryuu and Nakago." Her violet eyes were pained.
Lilian's eyes saddened. "Vivi."
Chichiri looked sad for the sisters, who obviously loved each other. ". and you two would never see each other again. That's not right, no da." Remembering the lessons Taittsukun had taught the sisters.
Lilian nodded her head sadly. "That's right. I wish I could help, but I can't." She forced a cheerful smile to her face. "But you two could use Tama to sniff out the tree, can't you?"
Vivien's friends smiled. "That's right, no da!"
Lilian smiled, glad she could be of help. Vivien looked around nervously. "I think you should go back to the palace, Lily. You don't want to make Nakago suspicious."
Lilian looked worried. "That's right." She gave an apologetic smile to Vivien's friends. "I'll see you later, then, okay? It was nice seeing you again, Miaka. It was nice meeting you, Tasuki, Chichiri. Good luck!" Lilian turned, hurrying out of the garden.
"She's a good person, no da." Chichiri said to Vivien.
"You must love her very much, Kyoku." Miaka said, smiling softly at Vivien's sad face.
"She's a lot prettier than you, Kyoku, you know." Tasuki said, grinning.
Vivien scowled at the Suzaku seishi. "Shut up, no da!"
"Lily." Nakago said, sensing the Seiryuu seishi tried to sneak behind him. "Where have you been?" He turned around.
Lilian forced herself to look nonchalant. "Oh, around." She said evasively.
"You were in the garden."
Lilian knew she couldn't lie this time. She looked away. "Hai."
"The Suzaku seishi are on the grounds."
Lilian's eyes hardened. "You know that already, don't you? You can sense their chi."
Nakago inclined his head. "You're right."
"Of course I am."
"Guards are already looking for them. I will join them soon. Are you coming?"
Lilian shook her head. "I rather not." She said, not looking at him.
Nakago stared hard at Lilian. "You met with them."
Lilian closed her eyes. "I never said that."
"You didn't need to. How many of them are there?"
"I didn't count."
"You serve Seiryuu. You serve me."
Lilian closed her eyes. "Why is it important, anyway?"
"You will tell me who many of them there are."
Lilian tried to fight back tears. "I won't!"
"You will."
Tell him. Lilian gasped. Seiryuu! You will not protect your sister. You will guard the future you know, but you will not keep from him facts your have acquired yourself. You are a Seiryuu seishi. You will follow Nakago or your sisters shall suffer. If you continue to refuse him, your sisters will die! The voice disappeared. Lilian was shaking. "No. He can't."
Nakago knew Seiryuu had just spoken to the woman. He knew he should feel triumph, but instead, felt guilt. He glared at Lilian. "How many are there?"
Lilian stared up at Nakago with fear. They will die! No! Lilian felt her courage slip away. Tears started to gather in her eyes. "F- Four."
Nakago nodded with satisfaction. "Who are they?"
A tear streaked down her cheek. Lilian shook. "S-Suzaku no Miko. and three seishi."
"Their names?"
Lilian fell to her knees. Answer him! Lilian buried her face in her hands. "Ch-Chichiri! Tasuki! K-Kyoku!"
Nakago nodded. "That will be all." Coldly, he turned and started to walk away from the weeping woman. He paused. Kyoku? Another seishi of Taittsukun! Lilian's. sister. Her turned back to look at Lilian on her knees, crying. Seiryuu had just forced her to betray her sister. He turned again. It should not matter to him. He had gotten what he needed to know. Without another thought for her, he walked away to greet the Suzaku no Miko and her seishi.
"Nakago!" Vivien stared at the Seiryuu Seishi, and at the Seiryuu no Miko by his side. Despite the fact she knew they would have found them, she felt as if something was wrong. She felt dread creep into her heart. "Lily! What have you done to Lily?"
Yui's glare disappeared as she stared at the girl who was beside her best friend. She looked familiar. Lilian! The girl had the same nose, the same mouth! Her eyes widened. Lilian's sister. "Vi. Vivien?"
Vivien stared at Yui. "Yui! Where's Lily?" She thought of Miaka. "And Tamahome? Where's Tamahome?"
At the mention of Miaka's lover, Yui's eyes hardened. Nakago stared at Vivien. "You are Lilian's sister?"
Vivien glared at the Seiryuu seishi. "Yes, I'm her sister! What have you done to Lily?!" She demanded of him.
Nakago smirked and looked to Yui. "Shall I kill them, Yui-sama?"
Yui shook her head. She saw the brief glow of hope in Miaka's eyes and crushed it by saying, "It won't be much fun, wouldn't it?"
Nakago stared hard at the intruders. "Of course, Yui-sama. Throw them in the dungeon."
From a distance, Lilian saw them and turned around, tears streaming down her face. "Vivi. I'm sorry."
Vivien sat on the cold floor, huddled close to the wall. Lily. What had Nakago done to her? She closed her eyes, worried for her sister.
Miaka stayed close to Vivien. She patted her back. "Ne, Kyoku. everything's going to be all right. Lily-chan's fine."
Vivien knew she wasn't. Somehow, she had known Lilian was in trouble. in her heart. Miaka had allowed Vivien, Tasuki, and Chichiri to escape, but Vivien had remained with Miaka. She wanted answers. Was Lily okay? Oh, Lily. what happened?
Lilian stared down at the garden with empty eyes. She could hear Seiryuu's voice say those horrid words over and over again in her mind. They will die! She could not cry any more; she had no more tears to spare. Her heart ached. She had tried her best over the last months to defy Seiryuu and his orders, but apparently, Seiryuu wasn't going to allow her to make the best of the loopholes she had found. You will not protect your sister. Lilian's knuckles were white as she clung to the railing of the balcony. She was being forced to serve Nakago. and she was expected to follow him and not her heart. Her heart was with her sisters. she could never abandon her sisters. She was jealous of them, yes, but she loved them all the same. She could not abandon them. Lilian wanted to cry. She would not abandon them. She stared at the ground below.
If she failed, she would never see her sisters again. But what if.? Lilian took hold of the railing and look over it. What if.?
Nakago saw Lilian at the balcony. She was staring at the ground. He stared at her eyes, knowing she would not look his way in her grief. He knew she had run out of tears already, and knew her heart was in pieces. What had Seiryuu told her? Thoughtfully, he reached out with his mind to touch hers. Nothing barred his way. He frowned mentally. Where were the barriers that naturally protected a person's mind? They were gone. He touched her most recent memories and copied them to his own. When he was finished, he opened his eyes and looked at Lilian. She had not moved. He closed his eyes and allowed her memories to replay themselves over his mind's eye.
The mysterious, familiar voice appeared like an answering rain in her head. She pressed a hand to her head, confused. You are in the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. You are at the beginning of the book. Your name is Taishi.
Lilian shook her head. Yui looked at her strangely. "Are you okay?"
My name is Lilian. Lilian Smith!
You are the seishi Taishi. You have been claimed by Seiryuu. You have saved the Seiryuu no Miko from her shame, Taishi. For that, you have been granted my eternal blessing. You have the power to rewrite the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho, but you must not misuse that power. You know the future, so you must not rewrite the past too greatly. Allow the six events of sorrow to pass, and do not interfere or you shall suffer the wrath of the five gods. Use your power only for the good of Seiryuu and his seishi, and never for your own ends. This is my warning. Heed it.
The voice passed from Lilian like a receding wave, leaving her mind refreshingly cool and calm, but it wasn't long before she was confused again. What was going on? She was at the beginning of the book? The beginning of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho? What was she supposed to do?
You have been claimed by Seiryuu. Therefore, you are a Seiryuu Seishi. You serve Seiryuu no Miko.
Lilian stared at Yui, realization dawning. "Seiryuu no Miko." Lilian suddenly saw a tall blond man standing at the door to her room. Her eyes widened with recognition. Those eyes! "Nakago!"
Nakago's eyes narrowed. He strode into the room. "Who are you?"
"Nakago!" Yui was shocked at the general's command. Why did he sound so suspicious of her new friend? Then it occurred to her then that she didn't even know the name of her new friend. She smiled gently at the girl. "What's your name?"
Lilian looked away. "My name is Lilian Smith." She said stubbornly. You serve the Seiryuu Seishi and the Seiryuu no Miko. You will be known as Taishi. She slumped her shoulders in resignation. "My seishi name is." Taishi. Lilian clenched her fists. "Fine! Taishi!" Her blue eyes narrowed angrily at the voice in her head.
Nakago's eyes flashed. Taishi? She was no ordinary seishi, then. She was a seishi who served Taittsukun. She was not a Seiryuu seishi then. unless. "Which god do you serve?"
Seiryuu. Lilian wished she could ignore the voice, but it persisted, ringing in her mind like a pealing bell. Lilian gave a low growl. "Seiryuu! I have been claimed by Seiryuu!"
Nakago relaxed at that. So Seiryuu had claimed her. That made her, at least, an honorary Seiryuu seishi. Some of his questions were answered, but not all. He turned to Yui, who was staring at them both in confusion, and bowed his head. "Lady Yui. will you leave us?"
Lilian bristled at the gentle tone of Nakago's voice. The cad! He was set on winning Yui's trust yet again! Well, she wouldn't allow it! She stood. You serve the Seiryuu Seishi. You serve Nakago.
If the person in her head was standing right in front of her, Lilian would have spit in his face. So you say. But I'm not one to be controlled! She glared at Nakago. "I will be in the temple. I need. to think." She marched angrily out of the room and the voice in her head sighed. Lilian almost smiled.
Nakago smiled. Lilian certainly was stubborn. and admirable. She had defied a god! Smiling, he replayed her most recent memory.
Lilian tried to fight back tears. "I won't!"
"You will."
Tell him. Lilian gasped. Seiryuu! You will not protect your sister. You will guard the future you know, but you will not keep from him facts your have acquired yourself. You are a Seiryuu seishi. You will follow Nakago or your sisters shall suffer. If you continue to refuse him, your sisters will die! The voice disappeared. Lilian was shaking. "No. He can't."
Nakago knew Seiryuu had just spoken to the woman. He knew he should feel triumph, but instead, felt guilt. He glared at Lilian. "How many are there?"
Lilian stared up at Nakago with fear. They will die! No! Lilian felt her courage slip away. Tears started to gather in her eyes. "F- Four."
Nakago nodded with satisfaction. "Who are they?"
A tear streaked down her cheek. Lilian shook. "S-Suzaku no Miko. and three seishi."
"Their names?"
Lilian fell to her knees. Answer him! Lilian buried her face in her hands. "Ch-Chichiri! Tasuki! K-Kyoku!" At that moment, Lilian's heart broke.
Nakago's eyes shot open. So that's what happened. Lilian had defied him and the god had threatened her. Lilian cared very much for her sisters. of that Nakago was sure. He knew she would have continued to defy the god if Seiryuu hadn't threatened her sister's lives. Interesting. Perhaps he could use this new knowledge to his advantage. to ensure Lilian followed Seiryuu's dictate. He looked to where Lilian had been and frowned to see her gone. She must have gone to her room.
It was just as well. She would get over it. She would not endanger her sisters' lives. She loved them too much. He walked by the balcony and stopped. Her chi. was still there, at that very spot. With a sense of foreboding, he looked over the balcony and stared in horror at the sprawled figure of Lilian crumpled below. Blood trickled from her lip. Lily!
Nakago was evil, of that she was sure, but day by day, her resolve to hate the Seiryuu seishi weakened. Nakago still acted hateful, but on those few occasions when they had made eye contact, she had seen the same hate she felt for him reflected in his eyes. For some reason, she felt guilty. But why? She hated him. Nakago had every right to hate her as well, didn't he? And yet.
Lilian walked in the moonlit gardens like one in a trance. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice the creaking of a branch above her. Nakago. He was the villain and she was the righteous heroine. at least that was what she had first believed. Nakago shielded his emotions effortlessly, but why did she sometimes wish to bring that shield down? It was her curiosity, Lilian told herself. She wanted to know if he truly was human. Reasonably assured of her resolve, she sighed as a cool breeze fanned her face.
"Wow! Your magic's awesome, Chichiri!" A familiar voice said cheerfully.
Nani? Lilian frowned. Who was that? "But next time, could you pick a better landing?" The same voice asked, sounding squashed.
"Ah! Ah! Don't move!" A new voice yelled. "Oy!" She heard a branch break overhead.
"Meow?"
"Ahhhh!" Four bodies landed on Lilian, knocking her down. "I-Itai!" Her back felt broken.
"Eh? There's someone under us, no da."
"I think so too."
Lilian couldn't breathe. "Will you guys get off me!" She winced as the four bodies tumbled off her. "Itai." Grimacing, Lilian sat up and tried to right her kimono.
"Lily!"
Lilian looked up and squealed with delight. "Vivi!" The two sisters jumped up and hugged. Lilian stared at Vivien. Her sister never looked better. She was dressed in Chinese-style clothes, less formal than her own, and she looked positively alive. Lilian was struck by a sudden sense of envy.
"Lily! What are you doing here?"
Lilian frowned and dusted off her dress. "I'm a Seiryuu seishi, Vivi. I'm allowed to walk in the garden. I didn't imagine my back would be broken if I did."
Vivien giggled. "Teehee. Sorry about that."
Lilian smiled. "It's fine. Ne, I've really missed you, Vivi!"
Vivien grinned. "I know."
"Vivi!" Lilian giggled.
"Ne, would you mind telling us who she is?" A tall, flame-haired man with a fan in his hands asked them, annoyed. Lilian blinked.
"Who's the carrot-top?" She asked her sister curiously.
The flame-haired young man glared. "Who are ya callin' a carrot- top?!"
Vivien chuckled. "Lily. I'd like you to meet the Suzaku seishi, Tasuki. Doesn't he look funny?"
"Oy!"
Vivien turned to Miaka and Chichiri. "And you already know Miaka, right?"
Miaka smiled at Lilian. "Hai! I remember you!"
Lilian was staring at the man with the mask. Recognition dawned. "Ah! Mask-man!"
Chichiri sweatdropped. "My name's Chichiri, no da."
Lilian nodded. "Ah, the fox-man! I remember you now!"
Chichiri frowned. "Do I know you?"
Lilian realized her mistake. "Ahhh. no! But Tamahome's told me so much about you!"
At the mention of Tamahome's name, Miaka brightened. "Tamahome? Do you know where he is?"
Vivien looked uncomfortable. "Ah. Miaka? Didn't you say he said he would meet you at that tree?"
Miaka nodded. "That's right!" She smiled at Lilian. "Do you know where it is, Lily-chan? Tamahome said he would meet me at a tree with fragrant blossoms."
Lilian didn't know what to do. What would Yui and Nakago think if they saw her with them? Her cover would be blown. Vivien saw her distress. "Ne, Miaka. Remember I said my sister is a Seiryuu Seishi?"
"But you also said Lilian didn't want to be one, right?"
Vivien nodded. "But as a seishi of Taittsukun, she has to obey Nakago. She would be in big trouble if she showed us the way to the tree."
Miaka's face fell. "That's right."
"What? What would be the problem if she helped us?" Tasuki asked.
Vivien's face shadowed. "If any one of my sisters help her, the rest of us would be punished. Lilian's forced to serve Seiryuu and Nakago." Her violet eyes were pained.
Lilian's eyes saddened. "Vivi."
Chichiri looked sad for the sisters, who obviously loved each other. ". and you two would never see each other again. That's not right, no da." Remembering the lessons Taittsukun had taught the sisters.
Lilian nodded her head sadly. "That's right. I wish I could help, but I can't." She forced a cheerful smile to her face. "But you two could use Tama to sniff out the tree, can't you?"
Vivien's friends smiled. "That's right, no da!"
Lilian smiled, glad she could be of help. Vivien looked around nervously. "I think you should go back to the palace, Lily. You don't want to make Nakago suspicious."
Lilian looked worried. "That's right." She gave an apologetic smile to Vivien's friends. "I'll see you later, then, okay? It was nice seeing you again, Miaka. It was nice meeting you, Tasuki, Chichiri. Good luck!" Lilian turned, hurrying out of the garden.
"She's a good person, no da." Chichiri said to Vivien.
"You must love her very much, Kyoku." Miaka said, smiling softly at Vivien's sad face.
"She's a lot prettier than you, Kyoku, you know." Tasuki said, grinning.
Vivien scowled at the Suzaku seishi. "Shut up, no da!"
"Lily." Nakago said, sensing the Seiryuu seishi tried to sneak behind him. "Where have you been?" He turned around.
Lilian forced herself to look nonchalant. "Oh, around." She said evasively.
"You were in the garden."
Lilian knew she couldn't lie this time. She looked away. "Hai."
"The Suzaku seishi are on the grounds."
Lilian's eyes hardened. "You know that already, don't you? You can sense their chi."
Nakago inclined his head. "You're right."
"Of course I am."
"Guards are already looking for them. I will join them soon. Are you coming?"
Lilian shook her head. "I rather not." She said, not looking at him.
Nakago stared hard at Lilian. "You met with them."
Lilian closed her eyes. "I never said that."
"You didn't need to. How many of them are there?"
"I didn't count."
"You serve Seiryuu. You serve me."
Lilian closed her eyes. "Why is it important, anyway?"
"You will tell me who many of them there are."
Lilian tried to fight back tears. "I won't!"
"You will."
Tell him. Lilian gasped. Seiryuu! You will not protect your sister. You will guard the future you know, but you will not keep from him facts your have acquired yourself. You are a Seiryuu seishi. You will follow Nakago or your sisters shall suffer. If you continue to refuse him, your sisters will die! The voice disappeared. Lilian was shaking. "No. He can't."
Nakago knew Seiryuu had just spoken to the woman. He knew he should feel triumph, but instead, felt guilt. He glared at Lilian. "How many are there?"
Lilian stared up at Nakago with fear. They will die! No! Lilian felt her courage slip away. Tears started to gather in her eyes. "F- Four."
Nakago nodded with satisfaction. "Who are they?"
A tear streaked down her cheek. Lilian shook. "S-Suzaku no Miko. and three seishi."
"Their names?"
Lilian fell to her knees. Answer him! Lilian buried her face in her hands. "Ch-Chichiri! Tasuki! K-Kyoku!"
Nakago nodded. "That will be all." Coldly, he turned and started to walk away from the weeping woman. He paused. Kyoku? Another seishi of Taittsukun! Lilian's. sister. Her turned back to look at Lilian on her knees, crying. Seiryuu had just forced her to betray her sister. He turned again. It should not matter to him. He had gotten what he needed to know. Without another thought for her, he walked away to greet the Suzaku no Miko and her seishi.
"Nakago!" Vivien stared at the Seiryuu Seishi, and at the Seiryuu no Miko by his side. Despite the fact she knew they would have found them, she felt as if something was wrong. She felt dread creep into her heart. "Lily! What have you done to Lily?"
Yui's glare disappeared as she stared at the girl who was beside her best friend. She looked familiar. Lilian! The girl had the same nose, the same mouth! Her eyes widened. Lilian's sister. "Vi. Vivien?"
Vivien stared at Yui. "Yui! Where's Lily?" She thought of Miaka. "And Tamahome? Where's Tamahome?"
At the mention of Miaka's lover, Yui's eyes hardened. Nakago stared at Vivien. "You are Lilian's sister?"
Vivien glared at the Seiryuu seishi. "Yes, I'm her sister! What have you done to Lily?!" She demanded of him.
Nakago smirked and looked to Yui. "Shall I kill them, Yui-sama?"
Yui shook her head. She saw the brief glow of hope in Miaka's eyes and crushed it by saying, "It won't be much fun, wouldn't it?"
Nakago stared hard at the intruders. "Of course, Yui-sama. Throw them in the dungeon."
From a distance, Lilian saw them and turned around, tears streaming down her face. "Vivi. I'm sorry."
Vivien sat on the cold floor, huddled close to the wall. Lily. What had Nakago done to her? She closed her eyes, worried for her sister.
Miaka stayed close to Vivien. She patted her back. "Ne, Kyoku. everything's going to be all right. Lily-chan's fine."
Vivien knew she wasn't. Somehow, she had known Lilian was in trouble. in her heart. Miaka had allowed Vivien, Tasuki, and Chichiri to escape, but Vivien had remained with Miaka. She wanted answers. Was Lily okay? Oh, Lily. what happened?
Lilian stared down at the garden with empty eyes. She could hear Seiryuu's voice say those horrid words over and over again in her mind. They will die! She could not cry any more; she had no more tears to spare. Her heart ached. She had tried her best over the last months to defy Seiryuu and his orders, but apparently, Seiryuu wasn't going to allow her to make the best of the loopholes she had found. You will not protect your sister. Lilian's knuckles were white as she clung to the railing of the balcony. She was being forced to serve Nakago. and she was expected to follow him and not her heart. Her heart was with her sisters. she could never abandon her sisters. She was jealous of them, yes, but she loved them all the same. She could not abandon them. Lilian wanted to cry. She would not abandon them. She stared at the ground below.
If she failed, she would never see her sisters again. But what if.? Lilian took hold of the railing and look over it. What if.?
Nakago saw Lilian at the balcony. She was staring at the ground. He stared at her eyes, knowing she would not look his way in her grief. He knew she had run out of tears already, and knew her heart was in pieces. What had Seiryuu told her? Thoughtfully, he reached out with his mind to touch hers. Nothing barred his way. He frowned mentally. Where were the barriers that naturally protected a person's mind? They were gone. He touched her most recent memories and copied them to his own. When he was finished, he opened his eyes and looked at Lilian. She had not moved. He closed his eyes and allowed her memories to replay themselves over his mind's eye.
The mysterious, familiar voice appeared like an answering rain in her head. She pressed a hand to her head, confused. You are in the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. You are at the beginning of the book. Your name is Taishi.
Lilian shook her head. Yui looked at her strangely. "Are you okay?"
My name is Lilian. Lilian Smith!
You are the seishi Taishi. You have been claimed by Seiryuu. You have saved the Seiryuu no Miko from her shame, Taishi. For that, you have been granted my eternal blessing. You have the power to rewrite the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho, but you must not misuse that power. You know the future, so you must not rewrite the past too greatly. Allow the six events of sorrow to pass, and do not interfere or you shall suffer the wrath of the five gods. Use your power only for the good of Seiryuu and his seishi, and never for your own ends. This is my warning. Heed it.
The voice passed from Lilian like a receding wave, leaving her mind refreshingly cool and calm, but it wasn't long before she was confused again. What was going on? She was at the beginning of the book? The beginning of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho? What was she supposed to do?
You have been claimed by Seiryuu. Therefore, you are a Seiryuu Seishi. You serve Seiryuu no Miko.
Lilian stared at Yui, realization dawning. "Seiryuu no Miko." Lilian suddenly saw a tall blond man standing at the door to her room. Her eyes widened with recognition. Those eyes! "Nakago!"
Nakago's eyes narrowed. He strode into the room. "Who are you?"
"Nakago!" Yui was shocked at the general's command. Why did he sound so suspicious of her new friend? Then it occurred to her then that she didn't even know the name of her new friend. She smiled gently at the girl. "What's your name?"
Lilian looked away. "My name is Lilian Smith." She said stubbornly. You serve the Seiryuu Seishi and the Seiryuu no Miko. You will be known as Taishi. She slumped her shoulders in resignation. "My seishi name is." Taishi. Lilian clenched her fists. "Fine! Taishi!" Her blue eyes narrowed angrily at the voice in her head.
Nakago's eyes flashed. Taishi? She was no ordinary seishi, then. She was a seishi who served Taittsukun. She was not a Seiryuu seishi then. unless. "Which god do you serve?"
Seiryuu. Lilian wished she could ignore the voice, but it persisted, ringing in her mind like a pealing bell. Lilian gave a low growl. "Seiryuu! I have been claimed by Seiryuu!"
Nakago relaxed at that. So Seiryuu had claimed her. That made her, at least, an honorary Seiryuu seishi. Some of his questions were answered, but not all. He turned to Yui, who was staring at them both in confusion, and bowed his head. "Lady Yui. will you leave us?"
Lilian bristled at the gentle tone of Nakago's voice. The cad! He was set on winning Yui's trust yet again! Well, she wouldn't allow it! She stood. You serve the Seiryuu Seishi. You serve Nakago.
If the person in her head was standing right in front of her, Lilian would have spit in his face. So you say. But I'm not one to be controlled! She glared at Nakago. "I will be in the temple. I need. to think." She marched angrily out of the room and the voice in her head sighed. Lilian almost smiled.
Nakago smiled. Lilian certainly was stubborn. and admirable. She had defied a god! Smiling, he replayed her most recent memory.
Lilian tried to fight back tears. "I won't!"
"You will."
Tell him. Lilian gasped. Seiryuu! You will not protect your sister. You will guard the future you know, but you will not keep from him facts your have acquired yourself. You are a Seiryuu seishi. You will follow Nakago or your sisters shall suffer. If you continue to refuse him, your sisters will die! The voice disappeared. Lilian was shaking. "No. He can't."
Nakago knew Seiryuu had just spoken to the woman. He knew he should feel triumph, but instead, felt guilt. He glared at Lilian. "How many are there?"
Lilian stared up at Nakago with fear. They will die! No! Lilian felt her courage slip away. Tears started to gather in her eyes. "F- Four."
Nakago nodded with satisfaction. "Who are they?"
A tear streaked down her cheek. Lilian shook. "S-Suzaku no Miko. and three seishi."
"Their names?"
Lilian fell to her knees. Answer him! Lilian buried her face in her hands. "Ch-Chichiri! Tasuki! K-Kyoku!" At that moment, Lilian's heart broke.
Nakago's eyes shot open. So that's what happened. Lilian had defied him and the god had threatened her. Lilian cared very much for her sisters. of that Nakago was sure. He knew she would have continued to defy the god if Seiryuu hadn't threatened her sister's lives. Interesting. Perhaps he could use this new knowledge to his advantage. to ensure Lilian followed Seiryuu's dictate. He looked to where Lilian had been and frowned to see her gone. She must have gone to her room.
It was just as well. She would get over it. She would not endanger her sisters' lives. She loved them too much. He walked by the balcony and stopped. Her chi. was still there, at that very spot. With a sense of foreboding, he looked over the balcony and stared in horror at the sprawled figure of Lilian crumpled below. Blood trickled from her lip. Lily!
