"Star Lovers" by Ai Yuukan
Chapter 9
Lilian rode hard. Miaka started to stir in front of her. Lilian slowed
her horse when she heard the sounds of horses approaching in front of her.
Soon, the horse came to view, and saw two riders ride towards her.
She recognized the rider ahead of his friend immediately. "Tamahome!" She halted her horse and waited for Tamahome to come up to her. Tamahome rode up and paled when he saw Miaka in front of her, bruised and stirring.
"Miaka!" He vaulted off his horse and rushed to her. Miaka opened her eyes and saw Tamahome.
"Tama-home?" Miaka's eyes widened. Tamahome! She suddenly remembered where she had gone and what Nakago had done to her body and she turned away from him, ashamed. "Leave me alone!"
Tamahome froze, struck speechless. "Miaka?"
Lilian hugged Miaka. Miaka looked up at her, wondering how she had come to be on her horse. "Lily-chan?"
Lilian smiled weakly at Miaka. "Miaka. it's all right."
"Nani?"
Lilian touched Miaka's face assuringly. "Miaka." She whispered so only Miaka could hear her. "Nakago didn't."
The second rider rode up to them. Lilian didn't look up. "Lily?" The person breathed, hesitant.
Lilian looked up. That voice. Her breath caught in her throat. "Sammy?" She stared at her youngest sister, unable to believe her eyes. "Sammy!"
Samantha gasped, also shocked. She hadn't been sure of who the silver-haired rider was. in the palatial kimono. but there was no mistaking those blue eyes. "Lily!"
Lilian and Samantha both leapt off their horses and ran to each other. They hugged each other tightly. "Sammy! What are you doing here.?"
Samantha laughed through her tears. "Didn't Vivi tell you? I'm the second Genbu no Miko. I'm here for the my Shinzahos. Lily. I'm so glad you're okay."
Lilian smiled weakly. "Sammy." They broke apart and Lilian looked at Samantha and smiled. "Sammy. what are you wearing?" She asked, feigning a note of mirth. Samantha couldn't see through her pretense.
Sammy giggled. "I had to play a boy back in town. don't ask. It's a long story. Amiboshi told me you were a Seiryuu seishi! Is that true?"
Lilian sighed and allowed her symbol between her collarbones to glow blue. "It's true. I'm a Seiryuu seishi. My seishi name is Taishi. Fortunately, I'm gotten most people to stick to 'Lilian'."
Samantha smiled. "It's so great seeing you, Lily."
Tamahome's arm was around Miaka's shoulders as they went to Lilian and Samantha. Miaka couldn't look at Tamahome. Lilian's eyes saddened. "Miaka." She gently put her hand on Miaka's shoulder. "It. never happened."
Miaka turned to stare at the Seiryuu seishi. Her eyes widened. Lilian smiled and nodded. "Miaka. you're fine. Nakago didn't."
She didn't need to finish her sentence. A glimmer of hope gleamed in Miaka's eyes. Lilian turned to Samantha and Tamahome. "Excuse us for a moment."
She drew Miaka aside. "Miaka. Nakago didn't rape you." She said quietly.
Miaka closed her eyes, wanting to believe her. "How do you know?"
Lilian smiled softly. "I was there. Miaka. you're untouched. I should know." Suddenly overcome with hurt and sadness, Lilian turned away.
Miaka drew in a breath. "Lily-chan. did he hurt you instead?"
Lilian slowly shook her head. "Miaka. you're still pure. I'm. not. not anymore."
Miaka's eyes widened. "Lily-chan. did he rape you?" She said quietly.
Lilian shook her head again. Her eyes started to fill up with tears again. "No. he didn't. I. we."
Miaka understood and was shocked. Lilian loved Nakago. Miaka's eyes softened. Lilian. like her sisters. had fallen in love. In the beginning, a glimmer of attraction had become evident between Samantha and the falso Chiriko. then Vivien had fallen for Tasuki. and before she had left Konan, she knew that Kathryn had begun to harbor feelings for Hotohori. And now Lilian had also fallen in love. With Nakago. Miaka was shocked. There must surely be something good about Nakago to have someone as good as Lilian love him. Lily.
"Lily. Taittsukun showed me. some time ago. that you were." Miaka didn't finish her sentence when she saw the pain in Lilian's eyes deepen.
Lilian closed her eyes. "Hai. I was."
Miaka felt terrible. That was why Yui hated her so much. Lilian had been raped in her place. "Lily. did Nakago hurt you?"
Lilian didn't answer, but she knew her heart was bleeding from the mortal wound Nakago had dealt her. Nakago hadn't hurt her physically. only in her heart. She had let down her defenses and opened her heart to him but he had just crushed. Her eyes shot open. Nakago had hurt her physically! Not much. but there had been that short, distinctive pain she had felt. Lilian felt like something had slammed into her soul. She had never been raped! Nakago had been the one to take her virginity! She had felt that pain. when he had. Rage like no other started to fill up her heart and her heart hardened with unmistakable fury.
"Taishi." A cold voice interrupted Lilian's murderous thoughts. Fear trickled down her spine. Lilian stiffened and a cold fury filled her eyes. She slowly turned around to stare up at her fellow Seiryuu Seishi.
"Nakago." Lilian turned to face her friends. "Everyone. go. Now." She turned to stare angrily at Nakago. "Nakago."
She knew when her friends had mounted their horses. Tamahome stared at Lilian's back. "Arigatou. Lilian-sama."
"Be careful, Lily-chan." Miaka said softly.
"Lily." Samantha didn't want to leave just after finding her sister.
Lilian's eyes softened momentarily. "Sammy. I'll see you later. I'll meet you later. you know where."
Samantha understood. "Be careful, Lily." After one last hesitant glance, Samantha turned her horse and rode away.
Nakago glared at Lilian. Someone else rode into the clearing. Lilian didn't have to look to know who it was. "Soi. stay out of this."
Soi stared at Nakago and Lilian facing each other off, something dangerous gleaming in their eyes. "Nakago." Lilian's eyes flashed blue. "You used me." Her hair whipped around her face in an angry, frosty wind. "You lied to me!" Her body started to emit a dangerous blue aura.
Nakago's eyes narrowed as he drew his sword. The light radiating from her body started to glow fiercely, dangerously. Nakago's sword gleamed. Soi stared. "Lilian?" She whispered hoarsely, not knowing what to think or do. Fury unlike no other raged in Lilian's heart.
"You will pay!" With an almost mad light in her eyes, Lilian rushed at Nakago. Lilian screamed and a sword suddenly appeared in her hand. Her sword clashed against Nakago's. "You bastard!"
Nakago's eyes narrowed. Lilian's eyes were spilling hot, angry tears, white-hot hatred glowing in their blue depths. "Lily." He was shocked.
Lilian broke away before coming at him again. Whenever he parried, she struck again. Nakago was amazed at her stamina and strength. Her anger was truly a powerful weapon. Lilian slammed her sword against Nakago's blade, staring at him with her hate-filled eyes. "I hate you! I HATE YOU!!!" Lilian begin to bear down on him with superhuman strength, shocking Nakago. Her symbol fiercely glowed blue between her collarbones.
"Lilian-sama!" Soi knew she had to do something.
Lilian wanted to kill him. She wanted to tear his heart to pieces. He had lied to her! The bastard! She wanted to mess with his mind like he had messed with hers! She wanted to turn his life upside down and hurt him like he'd never been hurt before!
All of a sudden, she felt her mind begin to pulse. She froze, her blade across Nakago's. Her heart thumped in rhythm with her mind. Then, with a bone-chilling cry, Lilian staggered back and fell to the ground. Soi ran to Lilian. "Lilian!" the silver-haired Seiryuu seishi's eyes flickered. Nakago stood over them and stared. Her sword turned into water and disappeared. Lilian was as white as a sheet. Against his better judgment, he started to worry.
Lilian's eyes were wide open, seeing nothing. Soi began to panic. "Nakago! Something's wrong!"
Lilian woke up in a place filled with light. She looked down and saw herself standing on open space. She pressed a hand to her head and groaned with pain. Where am I? What happened?
She suddenly felt the air around her grow cool and moist. Seiryuu. Someone started to appear in front of her. Startled, she stepped back several paces. It was Seiryuu.
His hair was greenish blue and his eyes. they were her own. He seemed so familiar. Do I know you?
Seiryuu smiled. Do you remember me?
Lilian's eyes narrowed. Should I?
Always so suspicious. I am here to congratulate you, Taishi. You have gained your third and final power.
Lilian remembered. Telepathy?
Yes. You activated your power by using both your strength and water powers to fight. even if it was a fellow seishi.
Lilian's eyes grew shadowed. Her hurt still loomed in her heart and her anger was only subdued. He lied to me.
You should have expected it. You knew Seiryuu no Miko was the one who was supposed to be assaulted, not you. He couldn't tell her that she had been assaulted, so he made you believe it instead. It is because of what you believed that my Miko has chosen to fight the Suzaku no Miko. She fights for you, Seiryuu seishi, Taishi.
Lilian closed her eyes. What's telepathy? She said, changing the subject.
It is the power to read minds, to share the treasures of the minds you encounter, such as memories and dreams. You have touched Nakago's mind. You now have access to his memories. I will show you one of them.
Lilian glared at Seiryuu. I don't care to see it.
Ah, but you will.
Seiryuu disappeared and Lilian suddenly found herself in a strange town. Nani? What's this? She stared at her surroundings. This town was not unlike the towns she had visited in Kotou. Was she in Kotou?
You are. Lilian found herself walking down the main street, staring at the peddlers and booths, wondering for what purpose Seiryuu was showing this memory. Whose memory was it, anyway?
She found herself drawn to a mother leading her blond-haired child beside her as they walked out of the village. She wondered at the many soldiers she saw in the town. What's going on?
She head the blond child speak. "Mother." The voice was confused, hesitant. For some reason, Lilian's heart went out to the child.
She heard a passing stranger mutter, "Those Hin."
Startled, Lilian turned around, only to hear another mutter, "Don't go near them! Don't get close!"
Frowning, Lilian turned back to the mother and her child. The child looked up at the tired-looking mother. "Why, mother? Why do they hate us? We didn't do anything to them."
The mother sighed. Her golden locks were just as golden as her son's. In a rush, Lilian saw her surroundings waver and change so she found herself in a burning hut. The golden-haired child was staring through a curtain, frozen. A woman's screams chilled Lilian's heart. She forced herself to look through the curtain and her eye's widened with horror when she saw a woman being raped by soldiers. With a horrified gasp, she recognized the woman to be the young child's mother.
"Nakago!" The woman shrieked. Lilian's eyes widened. Nakago?! The boy's eyes were wide, confused, horrified. terrified. "Nakago!" She shrieked. One of the men laughed. "Haiyaku! Hayaku! Run!"
"Ogaasan!" The child spoke, his voice trembling. Lilian's heart trembled and she stared as the familiar blue symbol shone to life on the boy's head. Heart. "OGAASAN!!"
With a flash of blue, Lilian found herself in the Kotou palace. She stared at the traumatized boy standing before the emperor. Nakago. A tear spilled down her cheek. The emperor spoke. "One of the Seiryuu Shichiseishi? This child?"
"Hai. He incinerated five soldiers and his mother in an instant."
"Is he dangerous?"
"There's no need to worry, your Majesty. He's been like this since the incident."
The child just stared up at the emperor, frightened. The soldier continued, "He's not capable of that kind of power at the moment."
The emperor slowly smiled. Lilian felt her stomach churn at the sight. "I see. He has a beautiful face. like a woman's. I like you. He will stay by my side."
Lilian blanched. She didn't blink when her surroundings shifted to the emperor's chambers. Cheap, palatial courtesans, were all over him. "He's so cute! What a wonderful new toy you've acquired, your Majesty!" One of them purred.
The emperor smirked. "What are you talking about? "He's a Seiryuu seishi and will protect the Seiryuu no Miko when she comes from the other world. We have to take care of him until then."
Lilian reached out for the boy when she suddenly found herself on a cliff with the boy, now a teenager already wearing armour. Nakago. She found herself listening to his thoughts as he stared out over the Kotou kingdom. Until Seiryuu no Miko comes. until then. I'll have to use my powers until then. And someday. Lilian stood behind the boy, quiet. .I'll change everything! I'll have my revenge against the heaven that only gave me hell!
With a sob, Lilian opened her eyes and stared up at Nakago and Soi. She stared at Nakago. "Nakago. gomenasai." Tears spilled down her cheeks. "Gomenasai."
She recognized the rider ahead of his friend immediately. "Tamahome!" She halted her horse and waited for Tamahome to come up to her. Tamahome rode up and paled when he saw Miaka in front of her, bruised and stirring.
"Miaka!" He vaulted off his horse and rushed to her. Miaka opened her eyes and saw Tamahome.
"Tama-home?" Miaka's eyes widened. Tamahome! She suddenly remembered where she had gone and what Nakago had done to her body and she turned away from him, ashamed. "Leave me alone!"
Tamahome froze, struck speechless. "Miaka?"
Lilian hugged Miaka. Miaka looked up at her, wondering how she had come to be on her horse. "Lily-chan?"
Lilian smiled weakly at Miaka. "Miaka. it's all right."
"Nani?"
Lilian touched Miaka's face assuringly. "Miaka." She whispered so only Miaka could hear her. "Nakago didn't."
The second rider rode up to them. Lilian didn't look up. "Lily?" The person breathed, hesitant.
Lilian looked up. That voice. Her breath caught in her throat. "Sammy?" She stared at her youngest sister, unable to believe her eyes. "Sammy!"
Samantha gasped, also shocked. She hadn't been sure of who the silver-haired rider was. in the palatial kimono. but there was no mistaking those blue eyes. "Lily!"
Lilian and Samantha both leapt off their horses and ran to each other. They hugged each other tightly. "Sammy! What are you doing here.?"
Samantha laughed through her tears. "Didn't Vivi tell you? I'm the second Genbu no Miko. I'm here for the my Shinzahos. Lily. I'm so glad you're okay."
Lilian smiled weakly. "Sammy." They broke apart and Lilian looked at Samantha and smiled. "Sammy. what are you wearing?" She asked, feigning a note of mirth. Samantha couldn't see through her pretense.
Sammy giggled. "I had to play a boy back in town. don't ask. It's a long story. Amiboshi told me you were a Seiryuu seishi! Is that true?"
Lilian sighed and allowed her symbol between her collarbones to glow blue. "It's true. I'm a Seiryuu seishi. My seishi name is Taishi. Fortunately, I'm gotten most people to stick to 'Lilian'."
Samantha smiled. "It's so great seeing you, Lily."
Tamahome's arm was around Miaka's shoulders as they went to Lilian and Samantha. Miaka couldn't look at Tamahome. Lilian's eyes saddened. "Miaka." She gently put her hand on Miaka's shoulder. "It. never happened."
Miaka turned to stare at the Seiryuu seishi. Her eyes widened. Lilian smiled and nodded. "Miaka. you're fine. Nakago didn't."
She didn't need to finish her sentence. A glimmer of hope gleamed in Miaka's eyes. Lilian turned to Samantha and Tamahome. "Excuse us for a moment."
She drew Miaka aside. "Miaka. Nakago didn't rape you." She said quietly.
Miaka closed her eyes, wanting to believe her. "How do you know?"
Lilian smiled softly. "I was there. Miaka. you're untouched. I should know." Suddenly overcome with hurt and sadness, Lilian turned away.
Miaka drew in a breath. "Lily-chan. did he hurt you instead?"
Lilian slowly shook her head. "Miaka. you're still pure. I'm. not. not anymore."
Miaka's eyes widened. "Lily-chan. did he rape you?" She said quietly.
Lilian shook her head again. Her eyes started to fill up with tears again. "No. he didn't. I. we."
Miaka understood and was shocked. Lilian loved Nakago. Miaka's eyes softened. Lilian. like her sisters. had fallen in love. In the beginning, a glimmer of attraction had become evident between Samantha and the falso Chiriko. then Vivien had fallen for Tasuki. and before she had left Konan, she knew that Kathryn had begun to harbor feelings for Hotohori. And now Lilian had also fallen in love. With Nakago. Miaka was shocked. There must surely be something good about Nakago to have someone as good as Lilian love him. Lily.
"Lily. Taittsukun showed me. some time ago. that you were." Miaka didn't finish her sentence when she saw the pain in Lilian's eyes deepen.
Lilian closed her eyes. "Hai. I was."
Miaka felt terrible. That was why Yui hated her so much. Lilian had been raped in her place. "Lily. did Nakago hurt you?"
Lilian didn't answer, but she knew her heart was bleeding from the mortal wound Nakago had dealt her. Nakago hadn't hurt her physically. only in her heart. She had let down her defenses and opened her heart to him but he had just crushed. Her eyes shot open. Nakago had hurt her physically! Not much. but there had been that short, distinctive pain she had felt. Lilian felt like something had slammed into her soul. She had never been raped! Nakago had been the one to take her virginity! She had felt that pain. when he had. Rage like no other started to fill up her heart and her heart hardened with unmistakable fury.
"Taishi." A cold voice interrupted Lilian's murderous thoughts. Fear trickled down her spine. Lilian stiffened and a cold fury filled her eyes. She slowly turned around to stare up at her fellow Seiryuu Seishi.
"Nakago." Lilian turned to face her friends. "Everyone. go. Now." She turned to stare angrily at Nakago. "Nakago."
She knew when her friends had mounted their horses. Tamahome stared at Lilian's back. "Arigatou. Lilian-sama."
"Be careful, Lily-chan." Miaka said softly.
"Lily." Samantha didn't want to leave just after finding her sister.
Lilian's eyes softened momentarily. "Sammy. I'll see you later. I'll meet you later. you know where."
Samantha understood. "Be careful, Lily." After one last hesitant glance, Samantha turned her horse and rode away.
Nakago glared at Lilian. Someone else rode into the clearing. Lilian didn't have to look to know who it was. "Soi. stay out of this."
Soi stared at Nakago and Lilian facing each other off, something dangerous gleaming in their eyes. "Nakago." Lilian's eyes flashed blue. "You used me." Her hair whipped around her face in an angry, frosty wind. "You lied to me!" Her body started to emit a dangerous blue aura.
Nakago's eyes narrowed as he drew his sword. The light radiating from her body started to glow fiercely, dangerously. Nakago's sword gleamed. Soi stared. "Lilian?" She whispered hoarsely, not knowing what to think or do. Fury unlike no other raged in Lilian's heart.
"You will pay!" With an almost mad light in her eyes, Lilian rushed at Nakago. Lilian screamed and a sword suddenly appeared in her hand. Her sword clashed against Nakago's. "You bastard!"
Nakago's eyes narrowed. Lilian's eyes were spilling hot, angry tears, white-hot hatred glowing in their blue depths. "Lily." He was shocked.
Lilian broke away before coming at him again. Whenever he parried, she struck again. Nakago was amazed at her stamina and strength. Her anger was truly a powerful weapon. Lilian slammed her sword against Nakago's blade, staring at him with her hate-filled eyes. "I hate you! I HATE YOU!!!" Lilian begin to bear down on him with superhuman strength, shocking Nakago. Her symbol fiercely glowed blue between her collarbones.
"Lilian-sama!" Soi knew she had to do something.
Lilian wanted to kill him. She wanted to tear his heart to pieces. He had lied to her! The bastard! She wanted to mess with his mind like he had messed with hers! She wanted to turn his life upside down and hurt him like he'd never been hurt before!
All of a sudden, she felt her mind begin to pulse. She froze, her blade across Nakago's. Her heart thumped in rhythm with her mind. Then, with a bone-chilling cry, Lilian staggered back and fell to the ground. Soi ran to Lilian. "Lilian!" the silver-haired Seiryuu seishi's eyes flickered. Nakago stood over them and stared. Her sword turned into water and disappeared. Lilian was as white as a sheet. Against his better judgment, he started to worry.
Lilian's eyes were wide open, seeing nothing. Soi began to panic. "Nakago! Something's wrong!"
Lilian woke up in a place filled with light. She looked down and saw herself standing on open space. She pressed a hand to her head and groaned with pain. Where am I? What happened?
She suddenly felt the air around her grow cool and moist. Seiryuu. Someone started to appear in front of her. Startled, she stepped back several paces. It was Seiryuu.
His hair was greenish blue and his eyes. they were her own. He seemed so familiar. Do I know you?
Seiryuu smiled. Do you remember me?
Lilian's eyes narrowed. Should I?
Always so suspicious. I am here to congratulate you, Taishi. You have gained your third and final power.
Lilian remembered. Telepathy?
Yes. You activated your power by using both your strength and water powers to fight. even if it was a fellow seishi.
Lilian's eyes grew shadowed. Her hurt still loomed in her heart and her anger was only subdued. He lied to me.
You should have expected it. You knew Seiryuu no Miko was the one who was supposed to be assaulted, not you. He couldn't tell her that she had been assaulted, so he made you believe it instead. It is because of what you believed that my Miko has chosen to fight the Suzaku no Miko. She fights for you, Seiryuu seishi, Taishi.
Lilian closed her eyes. What's telepathy? She said, changing the subject.
It is the power to read minds, to share the treasures of the minds you encounter, such as memories and dreams. You have touched Nakago's mind. You now have access to his memories. I will show you one of them.
Lilian glared at Seiryuu. I don't care to see it.
Ah, but you will.
Seiryuu disappeared and Lilian suddenly found herself in a strange town. Nani? What's this? She stared at her surroundings. This town was not unlike the towns she had visited in Kotou. Was she in Kotou?
You are. Lilian found herself walking down the main street, staring at the peddlers and booths, wondering for what purpose Seiryuu was showing this memory. Whose memory was it, anyway?
She found herself drawn to a mother leading her blond-haired child beside her as they walked out of the village. She wondered at the many soldiers she saw in the town. What's going on?
She head the blond child speak. "Mother." The voice was confused, hesitant. For some reason, Lilian's heart went out to the child.
She heard a passing stranger mutter, "Those Hin."
Startled, Lilian turned around, only to hear another mutter, "Don't go near them! Don't get close!"
Frowning, Lilian turned back to the mother and her child. The child looked up at the tired-looking mother. "Why, mother? Why do they hate us? We didn't do anything to them."
The mother sighed. Her golden locks were just as golden as her son's. In a rush, Lilian saw her surroundings waver and change so she found herself in a burning hut. The golden-haired child was staring through a curtain, frozen. A woman's screams chilled Lilian's heart. She forced herself to look through the curtain and her eye's widened with horror when she saw a woman being raped by soldiers. With a horrified gasp, she recognized the woman to be the young child's mother.
"Nakago!" The woman shrieked. Lilian's eyes widened. Nakago?! The boy's eyes were wide, confused, horrified. terrified. "Nakago!" She shrieked. One of the men laughed. "Haiyaku! Hayaku! Run!"
"Ogaasan!" The child spoke, his voice trembling. Lilian's heart trembled and she stared as the familiar blue symbol shone to life on the boy's head. Heart. "OGAASAN!!"
With a flash of blue, Lilian found herself in the Kotou palace. She stared at the traumatized boy standing before the emperor. Nakago. A tear spilled down her cheek. The emperor spoke. "One of the Seiryuu Shichiseishi? This child?"
"Hai. He incinerated five soldiers and his mother in an instant."
"Is he dangerous?"
"There's no need to worry, your Majesty. He's been like this since the incident."
The child just stared up at the emperor, frightened. The soldier continued, "He's not capable of that kind of power at the moment."
The emperor slowly smiled. Lilian felt her stomach churn at the sight. "I see. He has a beautiful face. like a woman's. I like you. He will stay by my side."
Lilian blanched. She didn't blink when her surroundings shifted to the emperor's chambers. Cheap, palatial courtesans, were all over him. "He's so cute! What a wonderful new toy you've acquired, your Majesty!" One of them purred.
The emperor smirked. "What are you talking about? "He's a Seiryuu seishi and will protect the Seiryuu no Miko when she comes from the other world. We have to take care of him until then."
Lilian reached out for the boy when she suddenly found herself on a cliff with the boy, now a teenager already wearing armour. Nakago. She found herself listening to his thoughts as he stared out over the Kotou kingdom. Until Seiryuu no Miko comes. until then. I'll have to use my powers until then. And someday. Lilian stood behind the boy, quiet. .I'll change everything! I'll have my revenge against the heaven that only gave me hell!
With a sob, Lilian opened her eyes and stared up at Nakago and Soi. She stared at Nakago. "Nakago. gomenasai." Tears spilled down her cheeks. "Gomenasai."
