"Star Lovers" by Ai Yuukan
Chapter 8
Lilian goggled at the sight before her. Her outburst had brought Nakago and Soi, in a very intimate position, looking at her. "Aaaah.!" Lilian immediately turned around. "A-anno. Nakago-sama! Yui-sama wants to discuss the n-next course of action with y-you. Ahhh." Lilian's face was beet red. She desperately wanted the earth to swallow her up now.
Nakago gazed at Lilian's back with some amusement. He had never seen Lilian act this way before: embarrassed beyond reason. Soi was blushing as well, and moved to get off him. He stayed her. "Tell Yui-sama I will speak to her in a. while. I'm busy. with Soi."
Lilian closed her eyes, mortified. "I. can see that."
Soi's face went up in flames. Lilian, in a hurry to get out of the tent, tried to scramble out. She stumbled once but hobbled out of the tent as fast as her crutches could take her. Nakago was very amused now. Lilian was very flustered. it was a condition he was sure never to see her in again. "H-Hai! Jaa ne!" She marched out of the tent.
Nakago looked at Soi, his need, somehow dulled. "Now. where were we?"
Suboshi and Yui stared at Lilian. She marched over to them, her face as red as a tomato. "Ah. Yui-sama. Nakago said he will speak to you in a while. He's. ah. discussing business with S-Soi."
Suboshi understood Lilian's implications immediately and his eyes widened with shock. Yui, however, felt offended. "What could possibly be more important than discussing our next course of action? If he's discussing business with Soi, then I should be there, too. I am, after all, the Seiryuu no Miko." Yui felt insulted.
Lilian sweatdropped. "Ahh. Yui-sama. I don't think that's a very good idea."
Suboshi immediately agreed with his fellow seishi, looking nervous. "Yui-sama. perhaps we could." He looked to Lilian for help.
Yui shook her head. "No. If Nakago wants to discuss business, I should be present."
Lilian decided some urgent action must be taken. Immediately. She suddenly winced in pain and slumped. "Lily!" Yui was immediately distracted. Suboshi smiled at Lilian's acting. she was very good.
Lilian pretended to smile bravely. "I'm okay, Yui-sama." Her mask of pain intensified. "I-Itai!"
"Lily!" Yui turned to Suboshi. "Suboshi! Help me to her tent!" She ordered the Seiryuu seishi.
"H-hai!" Suboshi fought to keep the grin off his face. He and Yui helped Lily to her tent.
Lilian sighed, a touch dramatically. Yui didn't notice. "I wish. they would heal faster." She said in a melancholy manner.
Yui nodded, concerned. "Ne. I wish I had a seishi who could heal." She said wistfully.
Lilian frowned. Yui did have a seishi who could heal. Nakago. He was neglecting to end her crippled state simply for spite. He often made her wonder. was he truly human? He was cruel, he obviously had a heart of ice, and he loved to torment people with kisses that could either be cruel or tantalizingly sensual. Lilian's frown deepened. She hated Nakago and that was that.
"I can't believe he would send us ahead!" Yui was truly offended now. Both Lilian and Suboshi looked uncomfortable. "He said he was expecting someone. who can be more important than me?"
Lilian and Suboshi sweatdropped. Lilian decided Yui's head was getting decidedly swelled and in need of slight deflation. "Yui-sama. with all due respect, he might be meeting with someone he believes will be a help to your cause."
Suboshi nodded eagerly. "You could be right, Lilian-sama."
Lilian smiled. Yui's frown only deepened. "But he wouldn't tell me exactly who this 'guest' was! Hmph!"
Lilian made a face. "Yui-sama. what would you have us do, then?"
"Turn back!"
Lilian began to grow annoyed. "Yui-sama. do you want Miaka to get the Shinzaho before us?" She finally said. "If we turn back now, we'll be wasting some very valuable time!" She said sternly.
Yui looked stricken, at first, but then looked weary. "I suppose you're right."
Suboshi mouthed a silent 'thank you' to Lilian. Lilian sighed and settled back more comfortably on her crutches. Yui's sullen expression suddenly turned thoughtful. "Ne, Lily. could you turn back, then? And give me a report when you come back?"
"Nani?" Suboshi and Lilian exclaimed.
Yui nodded. "I trust only you and Nakago, Lily. I really want to know who this 'guest' is and how important he or she is to our cause. I just have a really bad feeling about this."
Suboshi's eyes hardened when Yui confessed who had her complete trust and Lilian's eyes softened when Yui confessed her wary feelings. Yui had never known who that 'guest' was, and even she was a trifle curious and suspicious of who it was. She smiled reassuringly at Yui and nodded. "Hai. I'll do it for your sake." She said softly.
Yui looked grateful. "Arigatou, Lily."
Suboshi and Yui had helped Lilian unto her horse and had seen her off at least an hour ago. Lilian felt like she had been riding for ages and her seat was beginning to get sore. Luckily, she was beginning to see the remains of the Seiryuu camp slowly appear in the distance.
"Thank goodness!" Lilian urged her horse to a mild canter and descended into the camp. Only Nakago's tent had been left standing. Lilian frowned as she approached the tent, and saw only one horse nearby. Had the guest already left? She decided to dismount her horse and figure out what was going on when she realized something. How was she going to get down? Her crutches lay useless behind her, carefully attached to the saddle. She had no clue as to how she was going to get down.
Lilian groaned and took her crutches from behind her. She set her crutches on the firm ground and tried to slip from her horse to settle on her wooden supports. It wasn't so easy. Finally, after ten grueling minutes, she finally managed to set her feet on firm ground. With a sigh, she hobbled over to the tent, casting one warning glance at her horse, daring it to trot away. She was not in a very pleasant mood by the time she approached the opening flap of the tent.
She heard a shuffling noise from inside the tent. She entered it wearily.
"What are you doing here?" Nakago asked her quietly, reaching for his first piece of armour. Miaka lay unconscious behind him.
Lilian hobbled into the tent. "Yui-sama sent me to." She then caught sight of an unconscious form on the ground behind Nakago. "Who's that?" She whispered, shock rising in her mind. The form was female.
Nakago looked back once. "I believe you know her. the Suzaku no Miko?"
"Miaka?" Lilian hobbled forward and paled at the sight of Miaka, stretched on the ground, bruised and her shirt ripped open. "Miaka?" Lilian abandoned her crutches and knelt beside the Suzaku no Miko on her weak legs. "Miaka!" Lilian touched Miaka's face and turned to stare at Nakago. "What did you do to her?" She whispered, almost afraid for an answer.
Nakago considered telling Lilian a lie. but something held him back. She was a Seiryuu seishi after all. she might as well know. "Unfortunately, nothing." He said truthfully, setting aside his first piece of armour and started to button his shirt.
Lilian believed him. Her breath escaped her, relieved, and shaky. Her eyes widened with fear. Unfortunately? "You tried to rape her?" She whispered, horrified.
Nakago smirked. "It would have been the only way, wouldn't it? She's still young. hardly alluring. She didn't allow me to touch her after I told her the truth. so I'm afraid I had to revert to force."
Lilian's face was pale. "You tried to rape her." It was no longer a question.
"Yes, I did." Nakago paused. "Unfortunately, she was being protected by Suzaku. I wasn't able to touch her. Besides, I don't particularly care to taking an unconscious girl."
Lilian heard something in his voice then. It shook her very core with its truth. She somehow knew. there had been another reason he hadn't raped Miaka. Lilian slowly turned her head to stare at Nakago. "You didn't want to rape her." Lilian realized, shocked.
Nakago slowly turned to face her. His eyes were hard. "Why do you say that?" His voice was cold.
Lilian was too mesmerized by her realization to care. "You." Her mind was absorbed with shock. "You. have a heart. after all."
Nakago smirked. without feeling. "What gave you that idea?"
Lilian stared at Nakago, transfixed. "You didn't want to rape her." She repeated softly. Something in her heart started to melt. "You spared her."
"Why would I do that?" Nakago started to turn away.
Lilian felt tears sting her eyes. "You tell me." She said softly. Nakago turned to stare at her. Lilian trembled. "I can see it. in your eyes. You wouldn't never rape anyone. You. can torture someone, scar their bodies and their souls. but you would never. hurt someone like that." It was the truth. She felt it in her heart.
Nakago's eyes gleamed. He looked dangerous. Lilian just continued to stare at him. "I don't know how I know that. it was something. in your voice. Tell me. I'm right."
Nakago went to Lilian, his eyes hard and cold. He knelt so he could look her in her eyes. "Why should I?"
Lilian didn't want to answer. She wouldn't allow herself to answer. All the defenses she had erected to protect herself from the feelings she felt now in her heart washed away, leaving her heart unprotected and vulnerable. She didn't know why she felt that way. She didn't know how she had gotten to feel this way. But something about Nakago had touched her, had sparked something to life deep within her when they had first met. When she had met him, she had disliked him on the spot. She had disliked him, yes, because of what he had done to Yui. but there had been another reason. Her heart had hated him so at first sight. because her heart had recognized the man who would conquer it. She wouldn't tell him the truth. that she loved him. but her heart demanded she should show him. Lilian turned to stare into his eyes. She gently touched his face and closing her eyes, pressed her lips to his once again. Her heart was lost.
Nakago felt her lips touch his and all thought of intimidation fled his mind. She parted her lips and he felt lost. He felt the wetness of a tear on her lashes, and wondered at it. Slowly, he opened his mouth to accept her kiss.
It was madness. pure madness. Lilian moaned softly as they started to share their second, painfully sensual, mind-numbing kiss. Every inch of her body and soul responded to his touch as he started to explore her mouth with such erotic thoroughness. She was kissing Nakago! The defiant part of her heart shouted frantically. Lilian didn't care. She ran her hand through his silky blond hair, wanting more of his touch. She didn't notice when his hand strayed to her knee and couldn't feel the magical glow that healed her knee as the feeling of their joining was overpowering. His hand strayed to her ankle, and healed it too. Then his hands were on her back, and slowly, they stood up, their mouths still sensually searching for fulfillment.
As Nakago led her to his cloak spread out on the earthen floor, their kiss became even more passionate, even more frantic in their need. As Nakago gently laid her down on his cloak, Lilian couldn't think. all she knew. and her heart finally accepted the fact that. she loved him. As they loved, and the pain came and went, she couldn't help feel that he had given a piece of his heart to her as well.
Nakago caressed Lilian's back. Lilian's fingers were entangled in his silky golden hair. Satiated and calm, they contemplated their circumstances. Lilian was the first to speak. It was the first intelligible thing said in more than an hour. "You're. human." Lilian said softly, unbelievingly. She had spent the last ten minutes of quiet thought thinking of their circumstances and explaining why she had acted as she did.
She couldn't explain what she had felt. what she had heard in Nakago's voice that had caused her to believe that he was more than what he seemed. They had just shared something different. something beautiful. There was only one problem. "I still hate you, you know."
Nakago chuckled deeply. "I find that hard to believe especially considering what we've just done."
Lilian blushed. "You could try to change my mind, you know."
Nakago was curious. "Why should I? You hated me and look what happened."
Lilian's blush deepened. "Can you stop mocking me? I'm trying to understand you." Lilian was beginning to get upset. "I made up my mind to hate you the moment I realized who you were, and you messed that all up when I realized you're still human."
Nakago was quickly returning to earth, and gathering his senses. Lilian was even better than Soi. despite her innocence. She had blown his earlier and rather fixed judgment of her out the window. What should he think of her now? She still professed to hate him. he didn't blame her. Anyone who knew what he planned to do in the future would hate him. Not that he cared. The only thing that mattered what obtaining a wish of the Seiryuu no Miko when she summoned the god. Then why was his dream, his ambition, in the back of his mind, while her perception of him seemed more important?
Lilian absently caressed Nakago's back. "You're going to do horrible things to the people I've come to care for and I betray myself and what I believe in by enjoying a romp with you on your cloak in a tent." Lilian started to feel ashamed.
Nakago smirked. Lilian stared. That hateful smirk. "There's nothing wrong with enjoying ourselves, Lily. And what we do together has no hold over what I plan to do in the future."
Lilian was momentarily torn. "Enjoying.? You enjoyed yourself too?" She asked tentatively.
Nakago's smirk deepened. "As any man enjoys it." He forced his eyes to grow cold. "You make good sport in bed. I will consider having Soi show you her talents. so I could use you, too, in the future."
Lilian felt as if she had been slapped. She froze. "What. did you say?" She whispered, unbelieving.
Nakago smirked. "You're not thinking it was anything more? You're great in bed. With practice, you might become one of the best I've had."
Tears sprung into Lilian's eyes. "Y-You. just used me?"
"You wanted it. I decided to give it to you."
Lilian's heart began to crack. "You. You." Her eyes shone with tears. "You didn't feel it?" She whispered, her heart breaking.
Nakago's eyes were mocking. "You didn't actually think it meant something, did you?"
Lilian's hope shattered. The ruins of the walls around her heart rose again. She couldn't keep the pain from shining in her eyes. A tear trickled down her cheek. "You used me."
"You gave me the release I needed. I will reward you for your services later."
Lilian's eyes narrowed angrily. "Get off me!" She pushed Nakago aside, her strength frail. Nakago rolled off her and stood. He reached for his clothes. Lilian stood and grabbed her own clothes before going to the other side of the tent. Her heart bleeding, she angrily threw on her clothes. In a few minutes, she went to Miaka, and knelt. Her anger turned to grief. Tears streamed down her cheeks in streams. "Miaka." They had both been used. She put on her boots and stood, picking Miaka up in her arms. She turned and walked out of the tent, her chin held high. Once she was outside, she allowed her tears to run freely as she set Miaka on her horse. She then mounted her horse, her soreness only a mild distraction, and turned it to face the direction she had come. With a swift, slight kick, she sent the horse in a canter, and rode into the snowy wood, and urged her horse to go faster, wishing the wind could whip away her hurt. Lilian closed her eyes. Nakago, I'll never forgive you.
Nakago watched Lilian ride away and felt the curious tightening of his chest as he turned to face the tent once more. He tried to dismiss that feeling, but no matter how hard he tried, he knew that somehow, Lilian had touched him. He frowned and entered the tent to retrieve his sword. The barriers he had erected around his heart, around his emotions, had been mysteriously absent when he and Lilian had made love, and hardened his resolve. Lilian was dangerous to him. If he wasn't careful, she would interfere with his goal and ruin everything. He coldly buckled his sword to his side. He needed to do something about her. Then his eyes fell to the specks of blood on the firm earth and he paused. Lily. His mouth hard with anger, he turned away and strode out of the tent. Lilian was a threat that needed to be taken care of. but how?
Lilian goggled at the sight before her. Her outburst had brought Nakago and Soi, in a very intimate position, looking at her. "Aaaah.!" Lilian immediately turned around. "A-anno. Nakago-sama! Yui-sama wants to discuss the n-next course of action with y-you. Ahhh." Lilian's face was beet red. She desperately wanted the earth to swallow her up now.
Nakago gazed at Lilian's back with some amusement. He had never seen Lilian act this way before: embarrassed beyond reason. Soi was blushing as well, and moved to get off him. He stayed her. "Tell Yui-sama I will speak to her in a. while. I'm busy. with Soi."
Lilian closed her eyes, mortified. "I. can see that."
Soi's face went up in flames. Lilian, in a hurry to get out of the tent, tried to scramble out. She stumbled once but hobbled out of the tent as fast as her crutches could take her. Nakago was very amused now. Lilian was very flustered. it was a condition he was sure never to see her in again. "H-Hai! Jaa ne!" She marched out of the tent.
Nakago looked at Soi, his need, somehow dulled. "Now. where were we?"
Suboshi and Yui stared at Lilian. She marched over to them, her face as red as a tomato. "Ah. Yui-sama. Nakago said he will speak to you in a while. He's. ah. discussing business with S-Soi."
Suboshi understood Lilian's implications immediately and his eyes widened with shock. Yui, however, felt offended. "What could possibly be more important than discussing our next course of action? If he's discussing business with Soi, then I should be there, too. I am, after all, the Seiryuu no Miko." Yui felt insulted.
Lilian sweatdropped. "Ahh. Yui-sama. I don't think that's a very good idea."
Suboshi immediately agreed with his fellow seishi, looking nervous. "Yui-sama. perhaps we could." He looked to Lilian for help.
Yui shook her head. "No. If Nakago wants to discuss business, I should be present."
Lilian decided some urgent action must be taken. Immediately. She suddenly winced in pain and slumped. "Lily!" Yui was immediately distracted. Suboshi smiled at Lilian's acting. she was very good.
Lilian pretended to smile bravely. "I'm okay, Yui-sama." Her mask of pain intensified. "I-Itai!"
"Lily!" Yui turned to Suboshi. "Suboshi! Help me to her tent!" She ordered the Seiryuu seishi.
"H-hai!" Suboshi fought to keep the grin off his face. He and Yui helped Lily to her tent.
Lilian sighed, a touch dramatically. Yui didn't notice. "I wish. they would heal faster." She said in a melancholy manner.
Yui nodded, concerned. "Ne. I wish I had a seishi who could heal." She said wistfully.
Lilian frowned. Yui did have a seishi who could heal. Nakago. He was neglecting to end her crippled state simply for spite. He often made her wonder. was he truly human? He was cruel, he obviously had a heart of ice, and he loved to torment people with kisses that could either be cruel or tantalizingly sensual. Lilian's frown deepened. She hated Nakago and that was that.
"I can't believe he would send us ahead!" Yui was truly offended now. Both Lilian and Suboshi looked uncomfortable. "He said he was expecting someone. who can be more important than me?"
Lilian and Suboshi sweatdropped. Lilian decided Yui's head was getting decidedly swelled and in need of slight deflation. "Yui-sama. with all due respect, he might be meeting with someone he believes will be a help to your cause."
Suboshi nodded eagerly. "You could be right, Lilian-sama."
Lilian smiled. Yui's frown only deepened. "But he wouldn't tell me exactly who this 'guest' was! Hmph!"
Lilian made a face. "Yui-sama. what would you have us do, then?"
"Turn back!"
Lilian began to grow annoyed. "Yui-sama. do you want Miaka to get the Shinzaho before us?" She finally said. "If we turn back now, we'll be wasting some very valuable time!" She said sternly.
Yui looked stricken, at first, but then looked weary. "I suppose you're right."
Suboshi mouthed a silent 'thank you' to Lilian. Lilian sighed and settled back more comfortably on her crutches. Yui's sullen expression suddenly turned thoughtful. "Ne, Lily. could you turn back, then? And give me a report when you come back?"
"Nani?" Suboshi and Lilian exclaimed.
Yui nodded. "I trust only you and Nakago, Lily. I really want to know who this 'guest' is and how important he or she is to our cause. I just have a really bad feeling about this."
Suboshi's eyes hardened when Yui confessed who had her complete trust and Lilian's eyes softened when Yui confessed her wary feelings. Yui had never known who that 'guest' was, and even she was a trifle curious and suspicious of who it was. She smiled reassuringly at Yui and nodded. "Hai. I'll do it for your sake." She said softly.
Yui looked grateful. "Arigatou, Lily."
Suboshi and Yui had helped Lilian unto her horse and had seen her off at least an hour ago. Lilian felt like she had been riding for ages and her seat was beginning to get sore. Luckily, she was beginning to see the remains of the Seiryuu camp slowly appear in the distance.
"Thank goodness!" Lilian urged her horse to a mild canter and descended into the camp. Only Nakago's tent had been left standing. Lilian frowned as she approached the tent, and saw only one horse nearby. Had the guest already left? She decided to dismount her horse and figure out what was going on when she realized something. How was she going to get down? Her crutches lay useless behind her, carefully attached to the saddle. She had no clue as to how she was going to get down.
Lilian groaned and took her crutches from behind her. She set her crutches on the firm ground and tried to slip from her horse to settle on her wooden supports. It wasn't so easy. Finally, after ten grueling minutes, she finally managed to set her feet on firm ground. With a sigh, she hobbled over to the tent, casting one warning glance at her horse, daring it to trot away. She was not in a very pleasant mood by the time she approached the opening flap of the tent.
She heard a shuffling noise from inside the tent. She entered it wearily.
"What are you doing here?" Nakago asked her quietly, reaching for his first piece of armour. Miaka lay unconscious behind him.
Lilian hobbled into the tent. "Yui-sama sent me to." She then caught sight of an unconscious form on the ground behind Nakago. "Who's that?" She whispered, shock rising in her mind. The form was female.
Nakago looked back once. "I believe you know her. the Suzaku no Miko?"
"Miaka?" Lilian hobbled forward and paled at the sight of Miaka, stretched on the ground, bruised and her shirt ripped open. "Miaka?" Lilian abandoned her crutches and knelt beside the Suzaku no Miko on her weak legs. "Miaka!" Lilian touched Miaka's face and turned to stare at Nakago. "What did you do to her?" She whispered, almost afraid for an answer.
Nakago considered telling Lilian a lie. but something held him back. She was a Seiryuu seishi after all. she might as well know. "Unfortunately, nothing." He said truthfully, setting aside his first piece of armour and started to button his shirt.
Lilian believed him. Her breath escaped her, relieved, and shaky. Her eyes widened with fear. Unfortunately? "You tried to rape her?" She whispered, horrified.
Nakago smirked. "It would have been the only way, wouldn't it? She's still young. hardly alluring. She didn't allow me to touch her after I told her the truth. so I'm afraid I had to revert to force."
Lilian's face was pale. "You tried to rape her." It was no longer a question.
"Yes, I did." Nakago paused. "Unfortunately, she was being protected by Suzaku. I wasn't able to touch her. Besides, I don't particularly care to taking an unconscious girl."
Lilian heard something in his voice then. It shook her very core with its truth. She somehow knew. there had been another reason he hadn't raped Miaka. Lilian slowly turned her head to stare at Nakago. "You didn't want to rape her." Lilian realized, shocked.
Nakago slowly turned to face her. His eyes were hard. "Why do you say that?" His voice was cold.
Lilian was too mesmerized by her realization to care. "You." Her mind was absorbed with shock. "You. have a heart. after all."
Nakago smirked. without feeling. "What gave you that idea?"
Lilian stared at Nakago, transfixed. "You didn't want to rape her." She repeated softly. Something in her heart started to melt. "You spared her."
"Why would I do that?" Nakago started to turn away.
Lilian felt tears sting her eyes. "You tell me." She said softly. Nakago turned to stare at her. Lilian trembled. "I can see it. in your eyes. You wouldn't never rape anyone. You. can torture someone, scar their bodies and their souls. but you would never. hurt someone like that." It was the truth. She felt it in her heart.
Nakago's eyes gleamed. He looked dangerous. Lilian just continued to stare at him. "I don't know how I know that. it was something. in your voice. Tell me. I'm right."
Nakago went to Lilian, his eyes hard and cold. He knelt so he could look her in her eyes. "Why should I?"
Lilian didn't want to answer. She wouldn't allow herself to answer. All the defenses she had erected to protect herself from the feelings she felt now in her heart washed away, leaving her heart unprotected and vulnerable. She didn't know why she felt that way. She didn't know how she had gotten to feel this way. But something about Nakago had touched her, had sparked something to life deep within her when they had first met. When she had met him, she had disliked him on the spot. She had disliked him, yes, because of what he had done to Yui. but there had been another reason. Her heart had hated him so at first sight. because her heart had recognized the man who would conquer it. She wouldn't tell him the truth. that she loved him. but her heart demanded she should show him. Lilian turned to stare into his eyes. She gently touched his face and closing her eyes, pressed her lips to his once again. Her heart was lost.
Nakago felt her lips touch his and all thought of intimidation fled his mind. She parted her lips and he felt lost. He felt the wetness of a tear on her lashes, and wondered at it. Slowly, he opened his mouth to accept her kiss.
It was madness. pure madness. Lilian moaned softly as they started to share their second, painfully sensual, mind-numbing kiss. Every inch of her body and soul responded to his touch as he started to explore her mouth with such erotic thoroughness. She was kissing Nakago! The defiant part of her heart shouted frantically. Lilian didn't care. She ran her hand through his silky blond hair, wanting more of his touch. She didn't notice when his hand strayed to her knee and couldn't feel the magical glow that healed her knee as the feeling of their joining was overpowering. His hand strayed to her ankle, and healed it too. Then his hands were on her back, and slowly, they stood up, their mouths still sensually searching for fulfillment.
As Nakago led her to his cloak spread out on the earthen floor, their kiss became even more passionate, even more frantic in their need. As Nakago gently laid her down on his cloak, Lilian couldn't think. all she knew. and her heart finally accepted the fact that. she loved him. As they loved, and the pain came and went, she couldn't help feel that he had given a piece of his heart to her as well.
Nakago caressed Lilian's back. Lilian's fingers were entangled in his silky golden hair. Satiated and calm, they contemplated their circumstances. Lilian was the first to speak. It was the first intelligible thing said in more than an hour. "You're. human." Lilian said softly, unbelievingly. She had spent the last ten minutes of quiet thought thinking of their circumstances and explaining why she had acted as she did.
She couldn't explain what she had felt. what she had heard in Nakago's voice that had caused her to believe that he was more than what he seemed. They had just shared something different. something beautiful. There was only one problem. "I still hate you, you know."
Nakago chuckled deeply. "I find that hard to believe especially considering what we've just done."
Lilian blushed. "You could try to change my mind, you know."
Nakago was curious. "Why should I? You hated me and look what happened."
Lilian's blush deepened. "Can you stop mocking me? I'm trying to understand you." Lilian was beginning to get upset. "I made up my mind to hate you the moment I realized who you were, and you messed that all up when I realized you're still human."
Nakago was quickly returning to earth, and gathering his senses. Lilian was even better than Soi. despite her innocence. She had blown his earlier and rather fixed judgment of her out the window. What should he think of her now? She still professed to hate him. he didn't blame her. Anyone who knew what he planned to do in the future would hate him. Not that he cared. The only thing that mattered what obtaining a wish of the Seiryuu no Miko when she summoned the god. Then why was his dream, his ambition, in the back of his mind, while her perception of him seemed more important?
Lilian absently caressed Nakago's back. "You're going to do horrible things to the people I've come to care for and I betray myself and what I believe in by enjoying a romp with you on your cloak in a tent." Lilian started to feel ashamed.
Nakago smirked. Lilian stared. That hateful smirk. "There's nothing wrong with enjoying ourselves, Lily. And what we do together has no hold over what I plan to do in the future."
Lilian was momentarily torn. "Enjoying.? You enjoyed yourself too?" She asked tentatively.
Nakago's smirk deepened. "As any man enjoys it." He forced his eyes to grow cold. "You make good sport in bed. I will consider having Soi show you her talents. so I could use you, too, in the future."
Lilian felt as if she had been slapped. She froze. "What. did you say?" She whispered, unbelieving.
Nakago smirked. "You're not thinking it was anything more? You're great in bed. With practice, you might become one of the best I've had."
Tears sprung into Lilian's eyes. "Y-You. just used me?"
"You wanted it. I decided to give it to you."
Lilian's heart began to crack. "You. You." Her eyes shone with tears. "You didn't feel it?" She whispered, her heart breaking.
Nakago's eyes were mocking. "You didn't actually think it meant something, did you?"
Lilian's hope shattered. The ruins of the walls around her heart rose again. She couldn't keep the pain from shining in her eyes. A tear trickled down her cheek. "You used me."
"You gave me the release I needed. I will reward you for your services later."
Lilian's eyes narrowed angrily. "Get off me!" She pushed Nakago aside, her strength frail. Nakago rolled off her and stood. He reached for his clothes. Lilian stood and grabbed her own clothes before going to the other side of the tent. Her heart bleeding, she angrily threw on her clothes. In a few minutes, she went to Miaka, and knelt. Her anger turned to grief. Tears streamed down her cheeks in streams. "Miaka." They had both been used. She put on her boots and stood, picking Miaka up in her arms. She turned and walked out of the tent, her chin held high. Once she was outside, she allowed her tears to run freely as she set Miaka on her horse. She then mounted her horse, her soreness only a mild distraction, and turned it to face the direction she had come. With a swift, slight kick, she sent the horse in a canter, and rode into the snowy wood, and urged her horse to go faster, wishing the wind could whip away her hurt. Lilian closed her eyes. Nakago, I'll never forgive you.
Nakago watched Lilian ride away and felt the curious tightening of his chest as he turned to face the tent once more. He tried to dismiss that feeling, but no matter how hard he tried, he knew that somehow, Lilian had touched him. He frowned and entered the tent to retrieve his sword. The barriers he had erected around his heart, around his emotions, had been mysteriously absent when he and Lilian had made love, and hardened his resolve. Lilian was dangerous to him. If he wasn't careful, she would interfere with his goal and ruin everything. He coldly buckled his sword to his side. He needed to do something about her. Then his eyes fell to the specks of blood on the firm earth and he paused. Lily. His mouth hard with anger, he turned away and strode out of the tent. Lilian was a threat that needed to be taken care of. but how?
