"Star Lovers" by Ai Yuukan Chapter 7 Lilian slowly opened her eyes. The room was silent. She sat up. The room seemed empty. She yawned and stretched. Curious, she removed her covers to look at her legs. They looked better. She saw her crude set of crutches next to her bed. Lilian contemplated waking up, but she didn't want to. not yet. She stared at her hands. Her hands could do many things: they could shoot water, and now, jerk a railing from the palace hallways. She had superhuman strength. It was incredible. Was there another power she wasn't aware of? Lilian suddenly became aware of her dry lips and absently ran her tongue across them, bringing another matter to mind: the kiss. Lilian knew she was in no danger of falling for Nakago. it was impossible, but what did Nakago think of her now? She had been certain he had hated her before. as much as she had hated him. but what did the kiss change? Was it really that important? It was. Nakago had hated her. And he had also respected her as perhaps, his equal. But now that she had shared a kiss with them, albeit it had only been a brief, slow. sensual. kiss. Lilian closed her eyes. What was wrong with her? What if he thought less of her now? He probably thought her weak now. Lilian's lips were in a hard line. Well, she simply wouldn't allow that to happen. She was an American. She would never be seen as weak. She was, in no way, weak. She leaned back in the bed, wondering what she was going to do now. She had had a pact with Seiryuu. but how was she going to help the Suzaku seishi now? She could not blatantly support them. but she would protect them. Seiryuu had said they were going to Hokkan soon. Now what? Only then did she notice the gentle rocking of the bed. no. the room. She was obviously on a ship. They were already on their way to Hokkan. What to do? Shrugging it off for future consideration, she reached for her crutches. "Leave them." A familiar, unwelcome voice ordered her. Lilian closed her eyes, impatient. She had to follow him. She drew back her hand and looked around, at the lit room. She didn't see him. "We will talk." Lilian bit back a nasty retort and leaned back in her bed. Nakago had been right beside her bed the whole time, if he was rather cloaked in the shadows of the cabin. She glared at him. "Is it really necessary?" He lit a lamp. Lilian jumped. There were more people in the room! And they had been in the shadows! A red-haired young woman was glaring suspiciously at her, at the oppposite side of her bed, and a man with a painted face looked at her with mild curiosity from the end of the room. She stared at the man with the painted face. "Tomo!" She said in surprised recognition. Tomo narrowed his eyes. Lilian stared at the red-haired woman, trying to remember what Yui had told her. She got it! "Soi!" The woman's eyes widened, shocked. Nakago smiled. "Now that all the introductions are done." Tomo and Sui shook their heads. "You still haven't told us the girl's name, Nakago." Tomo said to the leader of the Seiryuu seishi. "The girl's name is Lilian. Lilian Smith." Lilian glared at Tomo. Soi's lips twitched despite herself. She looked at Nakago for further explanation. Nakago did not disappoint. "She is a Seiryuu seishi. Her seishi name is Taishi." "One of Taittsukun's seishi?" Tomo looked mildly surprised. "She serves Seiryuu?" Lilian wondered if she needed headlights to draw the man's notice to her, to make him acknowledge her very presence in the room. "Yes, I serve Seiryuu." She spat, drawing his attention to her. "And I would appreciate it if you didn't talk about me like I wasn't here." She glared at him. Soi had to smile. Even Nakago's lips twitched. Tomo continued to ignore her. "What is her power?"

That was it. Lilian grabbed one of her crutches and swung it at Tomo's head. "Oy! I'm over here!" Nakago caught the crutch and stared at her warningly. Now it was Tomo's turn to glare at her. Nakago smiled. "Apparently, she might be the most powerful of Taittsukun's seishi. At present, she has the ability to manipulate water, summon it, and possess superhuman strength." And you have one more. Seiryuu's voice informed her. "I have one more.?" Why would Seiryuu tell her that? Soi looked impressed. "Oh, really? What other power do you possess?" Lilian was at a loss. Telepathy. You will receive that power when you have mastered your first two powers. Lilian blinked. Should she thank Seiryuu for that little bit of information? "I will receive the power of telepathy once I master my first two powers. at least that's what he says." Even Lilian looked doubtful. Tomo's eyes narrowed. At least he was facing her when he posted his next question. "He?"

Nakago's eyes flashed. "Seiryuu. Seiryuu apparently has some personal connection with Taishi." "Lilian." "Otherwise he wouldn't bother communicating with her." Soi and Tomo were stunned. Even Tomo looked impressed. Lilian stared at Nakago. "Really?" Seiryuu was silent, but she could still feel his presence in her mind. The ship stilled. Suboshi entered the cabin and blinked when he saw her awake. "What is it, Suboshi?" Soi asked of her fellow seishi. "Soi-sama. we're here. The Suzaku ship is going to arrive shortly." Nakago nodded. "Right. Soi, you will give them a. proper greeting." He said this with a smirk. Lilian glared at Nakago. Soi smirked, a smirk not unlike Nakago's. "Hai." In a flash of lightning, she disappeared. Lilian blinked and reached for her crutches. Nakago stayed her hand. Annoyed, she looked up at him. "What?" Nakago nodded to Tomo. "You may leave." Tomo bowed and shimmered out of the cabin. The door was closed. Lilian leaned back in her bed, resigned. Seiryuu had warned her of this. Nakago sat in the chair beside her. Lilian stubbornly looked straight ahead, unwilling to meet his gaze. The silence completed her feeling of wariness. The silence stretched. Finally uncomfortable, Lilian snapped, "Well?" Nakago smiled patiently. "You have been unconscious for a long time. I want an explanation for your actions that night." Lilian lifted her chin, defiant. "I was helping my sister and her friends. who are my friends as well." "You protected them." "What did you expect?" "Not that. You were almost killed." Lilian thought she heard concern in his voice until he added coldly, "It's unfortunate you lived." Lilian bristled. "Well, your death can't come any sooner." She snapped. "You acquired a new power." Lilian smirked. "I'm very nearly your equal." "Not quite." Lilian scowled. Nakago continued. "You will never protect them again." Lilian smiled. "That's where you're wrong. Just before I woke up, Seiryuu and I came to an agreement." Nakago was silent. She looked smug. "He will never again threaten my sister's lives. I can still defy you as much as I want." Don't push it. Lilian ignored the voice. Nakago's eyes were hard. "In exchange for what?" Lilian paused, then slumped in the bed. "In exchange for my word." "To?" Lilian grumbled, "Provide information to you that I have earned myself and to not betray any information to my friends." Nakago nodded. "That will be sufficient." Lilian glared at him. "One more thing..." Lilian repeated Seiryuu's words to Nakago. "Don't push it." Nakago smiled. "Yui-sama has asked that I reward you for your services." Lilian blinked then frowned. "What services?" "That's anyone's guess. She may just want me to reward you out of gratitude." "Gratitude?" Lilian was confused. "'For being her friend'. She also told me that you had told her she could trust me if she wished it. I am also grateful for that." Lilian stared. "I also believe she feels guilty. because you were raped because of her." Lilian paled. She froze, and trembled. Memories of her rape flashed before her eyes. She could almost feel their dirty hands grabbing at her body. She shook. Nakago smiled at her reaction. "Therefore I will spare you the punishment I had arranged for you as her reward." Lilian was frozen. "And for my reward." He leaned over her and gently pressed his lips on hers. Lilian's eyes widened. Fear rushed over her, heightened by her sudden recollection of her rape, and trembled with fear. She was frozen with intense fear when he forced his tongue into her mouth, making her memories of the rape even more real. With a small cry, she tried to push him away, but he only assaulted her mouth harder, punishing her. Lilian knew he knew what he was doing to her, frightening her to a point of trauma, that he was being intentionally cruel, making her feel as if she were to be raped again. She wanted to cry with fear. Finally, Nakago pulled away. He smirked when he saw the fear in her eyes. He had gotten exactly the reaction he had wanted. With a cold chuckle, he left the cabin, leaving her white in shock and fear.

"Lily? What's wrong?" Yui asked her friend worriedly, seeing Lilian's pale face as she exited the cabin. Lily smiled weakly at the Seiryuu no Miko. "N-Nothing." The warmth of the morning sun startled her, making her wince. Yui handed her a coat lined with fur. Grateful, Lilian slipped it over her shoulders, trembling. "Lily." Yui was frightened at the paleness of Lilian's skin, and of her haunted, pained eyes. Something had happened. But what? Nakago had been the last one to exit her cabin. and he would never do anything to frighten her friend. She was worried. Lilian settled back on her crutches. She walked over to the end of the ship. There was a plank to shore. She frowned, a little of her fear disappearing at the presence of her dilemma. The plank was too narrow for her to make it by with her crutches. Yui noticed her dilemma and frowned. Lilian sighed and cautiously stepped to the side of the plank. Her eyes narrowed and willed the surface of the water to rise until it was a little below the plank, making a wide, watery bridge. She tested the bridge with her crutch, unaware of the fact that everyone was staring at her. The crutch did not slip into the water, the watery bridge as solid as a sandy bank. Lilian sighed with relief and proceeded to hobble the length of the watery bridge, the bridge lowering until she came to the shore, where it was level with the cold sand. With a little hop on her crutches, Lilian's feet touched solid ground. The bridge was nowhere to be seen. Everyone stared at this unconscious demonstration of Lilian's power. She had caused the entire ocean around the ship to rise as a whole and lower it at her will. This proved to everyone how tremendous Lilian's power really was, without her knowing. She had truly mastered her power of water. Nakago wasn't overly surprised, but nor was he unimpressed. Lilian hobbled closer in to the shore, her pale face set in determination. Tomo whispered, "Impossible." Lilian continued hobbling until she realized no one was following her. She looked behind her, irritated. "What are you all staring at? Let's move!" She snapped, her face pale.

Lilian touched her lips, remembering. Nakago had deliberately heightened her fear to an intolerable level. She had been so afraid. so terrified of him then. Only until she had realized what he had done, did she begin to lose some of her fear. Nakago wanted her to be scared. He wanted her to fear him. Dear Seiryuu, he had gotten what he wanted. for a time. Lilian was determined to not let her terror of her rape control her. Nakago would not use her fear against her. Thus assured, Lilian took hold of her crutches and stood. She hobbled out of their tent and looked around. Hokkan was snowy. and bitterly cold. She was grateful for her fur-lined coat as she felt the icy wind bite at her nose. Nakago had ordered her to stay in her tent and Lilian knew the exact reason why: he wanted to make sure she wouldn't interfere with their plans. Well, the tent was much too stuffy and she needed a breather. Yui and Suboshi noticed her standing outside and went to her. "Ohaiyou, Lily. doushite?" Yui asked, seeing Lilian's sour expression. Lilian tried to put on a happy face. "Oh, nothing." Suboshi smiled when Yui scowled at Lilian. Lilian was surprised. "Lily, you always say 'oh, nothing' whenever there is something! You and Nakago have been keeping something from me for the longest time! I want it all out now!" Lilian sweatdropped. Suboshi chuckled at her chagrined expression. "Eh. but I'm. not allowed to." Yui glowered. "I'm Seiryuu no Miko and it's an order!"

Lilian sweatdropped some more. "A-Ano." She suddenly caught sight of someone stagger into their camp. Lilian's eyes widened. "Soi!" She ran towards her fellow Seiryuu Seishi, concerned. Soi was greatly shaken and trembling. Lilian knelt beside her in the snow. "Soi. daijobu? What happened?"

Soi looked at Lilian, surprised at her concern. Her nerves were still shaken. "I went to. stop the Suzaku seishi. they." Lilian understood. "Soi. Miaka absorbed your lightning with Hotohori's sword and threw it back at you, right?" Soi stared at Lilian. "No one told me you had that kind of power." Lilian smiled. "It's not really a power." Lilian's heart went to Soi, suddenly remembering her devotion to Nakago and what she had done to protect him. "Soi." Soi smiled weakly. "Ne. Lilian. I think we need to talk, if I'm reading you correctly. You know something, don't you?" Lilian's heart trembled. "Well, a lot of things, actually." Lilian stared at Soi hesitantly. She needed a friend. and she knew she couldn't tell Yui of the future or Seiryuu just might go back on their deal and endanger her sisters' lives again. But perhaps she could trust Soi. And somehow, she felt a sense of kinship with the red-haired lady, and for some reason, wanted them to be friends. But would Seiryuu allow her a confidante? She really needed one. All the knowledge inside of her was near to bursting. She couldn't. wouldn't tell Nakago. but. Soi was completely loyal to Nakago. How did she know she wouldn't betray her? Maybe. a test. Lilian smiled. "Ne, Soi. maybe you're right." Soi smiled back at her in a friendly manner. "I think I'll talk with you after I report to Nakago-sama." She suddenly looked crestfallen. "I don't think he'll be too pleased." Lilian smiled reassuringly. "He'll be fine." She knew it was true, knowing for a fact that Nakago wouldn't punish Soi. Yui had told her that. Soi looked at her fellow seishi thoughtfully, almost feeling. that she had perhaps found a kindred spirit. She also felt that she had known her somewhere.

"How is this possible?" Yui was stunned. "How could Soi fail in eliminating Miaka and her seishi. They can't be that powerful." Lilian shrugged. "Well. technically speaking, it's not much of a surprise. It was one against how many? I think we underestimated them." Yui frowned. "You may be right." She slowly looked at Lilian. "Ne, Lily. you never told us why you defended the Suzaku seishi." Suboshi saw the stricken look in Lilian's eyes and understood immediately. "It's because of her sister. Kyoku." Yui still didn't understand. She wouldn't believe that Lilian was a traitor, but she didn't understand why she would protect the Suzaku seishi when they were the enemy. "But. they were. of Suzaku!" Suboshi felt sympathy for the stricken seishi. He knew what she felt. "Yui-sama. the bond between sisters. between siblings. It's a bond of blood. and heart. Yui-sama," He turned to the Miko. "Who do you care for most of all? Your mother?" "Iie." Yui didn't want to answer. She didn't know what to answer. Before Miaka had betrayed them, Miaka had been the one she had cared for the most. Suboshi sighed. "Yui-sama, Taishi." "Lilian." Suboshi smiled slightly. "Right, Lilian. The bond between Lilian-sama and her sisters is the bond most precious for Lilian-sama. She lives for her sisters because she loves them that much. Do you think she could bear one of her sisters dying?" Yui's eyes widened with realization. "She. loves her sisters. that much?" Suboshi nodded. Lilian made no comment. "Seiryuu no Miko. all of the Seiryuu seishi fight by your side for their own reasons. Most of us fight because it was Nakago's will or out of a sense of duty. My brother." His blue eyes flashed with pain. "He fought because Nakago promised him peace. Soi and Tomo fight to please Nakago. Lilian-sama doesn't fight for him. She fights to protect her sisters and to fulfill her duty as a Seiryuu seishi. She's torn, Yui-sama. She wants to protect you and her sister." Yui finally began to understand. "Lily. you love your sisters that much?" Lilian slowly nodded, grateful for Suboshi's understanding. He was indeed the brother of Amiboshi. "Hai, Yui-sama. As you can tell, I'm not very amiable with Nakago." Yui smiled slowly. "Now that. Lily-chan. is an understatement." Suboshi chuckled. Lilian grinned, glad that Yui understood her more. Yui looked thoughtful. "Since Soi failed. I think I want to discuss our next course of action against the Suzaku seishi with Nakago." "I'll go tell him!" Lilian volunteered just as Suboshi opened his mouth to do the same thing. She was eager to make her escape before Yui decided she wanted to question her further. Without waiting for Yui's reply, she dashed off across the snow to Nakago's tent. Suboshi had really loved his brother. Lilian had been sad about Amiboshi's supposed death. he had been such a kind, gentle boy. And Suboshi had understood the bond she had with her sisters. Her approval of him rose several notches. Her eyes shadowed. Soon, several of the Seiryuu seishi would die. Would she be allowed to stop them? 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. Lilian frowned. Why did she have to remember that particular part of her unwritten contract with Seiryuu? The six events of sorrow. the six deaths of six of the Seiryuu seishi, no doubt. All of them were doomed to die. except Amiboshi. She could deal with not interfering with Nakago's death. death could have him! But Suboshi. and Soi. She didn't want to think about it. Maybe later she would have a talk with Seiryuu and strike a deal with him. But deep down, she knew it was out of the question. Lilian entered Nakago's tent. "Nakago, Yui wants to--- OHHH!" All thoughts of Seiryuu flew out of her head. She goggled. "HENTAI!!!"