"Star Lovers" by Ai Yuukan

Chapter 15

"Lily!" Someone shook Lilian's shoulder gently, if insistently. Lilian slowly opened her eyes to find herself face-to-face with her sister. "AAHH! GHOST!" Lilian exclaimed, scooting back on her bottom, her back coming up against a wall. She was outside, in the dark, and a flashlight had been lighting up her sister's face like a ghost. Lilian blinked when the ghost of her sister sweatdropped.
"Lily! I'm not dead! That's rude, you know." Kathryn humphed. She pushed her hair out of her face, irritated. Lilian stared as another sister peeked out from behind Kathryn.
"Vivi!"
"It's Vi now, sis." Vivien said, smiling weakly.
"Tasuki calls her Vi." Samantha explained, stepping towards her sister, holding a flashlight. Lilian stared at her sisters.
"Where are we?" Lilian knew the answer before her sisters tried to answer for her. "We're back! In our world!"
Vivien frowned. "You're sure quick. How'd you know that?"
Samantha shrugged. "Must be this flashlight. I hope the neighbor doesn't get angry that I filched this."
Kathryn smiled. "It's his just reward, I say, for running you out into the street for bothering him."
Lilian stared at her surroundings, her eyes quickly adjusting to the dark. "We're back." She could hardly believe it. She stood up suddenly. "Nakago!"
Her sisters slowly stood up. Vivien's eyes were sad. "We left all of them behind, Lily."
Lilian's thoughts raced. "Vivi! Where are we?!"
Vivien frowned. "Oh! We're at the house we stayed at before. Keisuke and Tetsuya's. only they don't own it yet."
"Nani?"
"Yeah. Remember, we're in the past, Lily. Or is it the present?" Kathryn wondered.
"You can't be serious!" Lilian exclaimed. She gasped. "I'm speaking in. English!"
Samantha smiled sadly. "A little slow, are you?"
Lilian tried to think. "We're back in our world. Damn! How did this happen?! Of course! Yui's wish! She must have accidentally transported us here as well! Double damnation! What do we do now?! A-ha! We find Miaka and Yui!"

Vivien had to smile. "You should really stop doing that, Lily."
"Doing what?"
"Answering your own questions."
Lilian glared at her sister. "This is no time to chat! We need to get a move-on!"
"But how?'
Kathryn sighed. "I'll do it."
Samantha brightened. "That's right! You can teleport!"
"But the question is: where?" Vivien murmured.
Lilian scowled impatiently. "Miaka's apartment, of course!"
"That's right!"
Lilian rolled her eyes.

"Hello? How may I help you?" Ms. Yuuki asked the four foreign- looking girls at her door. Suddenly, three of them sweatdropped.
Samantha grinned at her sisters' expressions. "Hi, Yuuki-san. We're friends of Miaka and Keisuke's. are they in?" She asked Miaka and Keisuke's mother in fluent Japanese.
Ms. Yuuki smiled. "Oh! You're their friends? Oh, come on in then."
Samantha smiled graciously. "Arigatou, Yuuki-san."
Ms. Yuuki beamed, thinking of how polite Miaka's friends were. She walked back into her apartment. Kathryn closed the door behind them. "Miaka! Your friends are here!"
"Nani?!" Keisuke and Miaka skidded into the hall and gaped at Samantha, Lilian, Vivien, and Kathryn. "Kyoku!!"
Kathryn smiled at Keisuke. "Ne, how are you, Keisuke-kun?"
Keisuke looked flabbergasted. "Do I know you?"

"Attack! We're almost through!" One of Nakago's soldiers shouted.
Tasuki swore. "The palace!"
Chichiri panted. "They're coming!"

Nakago halted his horse before the exhausted Suzaku seishi. "I could kill you here and now."
"Shit! What the hell are we supposed to do?!" Tasuki closed his eyes. "Vi. Tamahome and Miaka disappeared. and they took Vi with them!" He reached for his tessen, wanting to burn something right now. Nakago looked like a prime target. "Shit! I'm going to roast ya, Nakago!"
Chichiri stayed Tasuki. "We can't do anything to him right now, Tasuki!"

Nakago frowned at Suboshi. "Suboshi! How long are you going to stay like that? We're going to kill them." He only prayed that once he killed everyone Lilian had said he was supposed to kill that everything would be over and he would see her again. And when they did meet again. nothing would be in their way.
Suboshi's eyes were glazed. "Yui-sama."
Nakago's eyes softened. The boy's infatuation with the Miko was pathetic. yet understandable. He felt the same about Lilian. not as pathetic. but still. "Don't worry about it. You'll see her again."
An arrow shot into the ground in front of him. Nakago's horse reared up. Nakago turned. "Who.?" He looked up to see a blue-haired, scarred bandit above him.
The bandit smirked. "Excuse me, but who might you be? We happen to be the way cool buds rescuing our leader. How wonderful! Come on in! Arigatou!"
Tasuki looked at his best friend excitedly. "Kouji!"
Nakago smirked. "Konan bandits, huh? We've already struck a blow. Suboshi, we'll retreat for now." He was perfectly aware he was more than capable of wiping out the Konan bandits, but he knew better than to assume anything. especially now.
A bandit spluttered, "Wait the hell up, you!"
Kouji shook his head no. "Don't bother. We can't beat them."
"Kouji!"
"Genrou!"
Everyone watched, exasperated and a little amused when Kouji and Tasuki did their merry little dance of greeting and pounded each other on the back. "It's been a while, Genrou!"
Tasuki grinned. "Hanging tough, Kouji?"
Kouji grinned back. "That was a close one. By the way." He looked around. "Where's the Suzaku no Miko? And Vivien? Are they okay?"
Tasuki's eyes were suddenly shadowed. Vi. He looked up at the sky, wondering where she was now. "Vi."
Chichiri scratched his head, wondering how to answer the bandit's question. "Ano."

"Who are they, Miaka?" Keisuke asked his sister suspiciously. The Smith sisters sweatdropped at his hushed tone.
Vivien was annoyed. "They are the Smith sisters, or as others would call us, four of Taittsukun's seishi. Our seishi names are Kyoku, Shoshi, Tei, and Taishi. Sound familiar?" Samantha cheerfully translated.
Keisuke's eyes brightened. "Ah! Four of Taittsukun's shichiseishi? What are you doing here?"
Kathryn sighed. "Rude as always, Keisuke-kun? Weren't you reading the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho? We're from this world too."
Samantha nodded. "Apparently, when Yui wished her and Miaka to this world, she wished us back as well. even if it was involuntarily."
Lilian didn't say anything. for once. She couldn't stop thinking about Nakago. what was he doing now?"
Keisuke sighed. "I still can't believe it! A man came out of the book!"
Miaka frowned at her brother. "Why are you so surprised now? You're the one who brought him here!"
Lilian closed her eyes. Nakago. "Yui made that wish. to separate Miaka and Tamahome."
Miaka's eyes were sad. "I know. Did Yui return to this world as well?"

Lilian nodded. "Hai."
Miaka frowned and looked at her brother. "Ne, oniichan, what have you been up to anyway? Where's the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho?"
Keisuke sighed. "About that. Your oniichan's been in quite a mess for the last two days."
Kathryn waved her hand in dismissal. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."
Keisuke frowned at Kathryn, annoyed. "Will you just keep quiet?"
Kathryn smiled slightly. "I don't feel like keeping quiet. Ne. Keisuke. Why don't ya go and get us something to eat and drink? We're kind of hungry."
Keisuke glared at Kathryn. "Who do you think I am? Your maid?"
"For the time being." Kathryn agreed, trying not to smile.
Samantha nodded. "You know. Miaka? Do you have any extra clothes? I don't think we'll quite fit in in these."
Miaka smiled. "Of course! You guys can borrow some of my clothes. Tomorrow, we'll go shopping!"

"Keisuke! You're friend's on the phone!" Ms. Yuuki called out.
Keisuke stood up. "That's probably Tetsuya." He looked at Tamahome and the four girls. "You guys can stay in our home for a while." He walked out of the room, muttering. "It's getting crowded in here."
Tamahome stared at the wall. "I can't go back.?" He looked worried. "I wonder if everyone's all right."
Miaka looked at Tamahome. "Tamahome? How did you get here?"
Tamahome smiled gently at his beloved. "At that moment. when your body was disappearing. I grabbed you, thinking of how I wasn't letting you go anywhere."
Samantha sighed. "And you popped out of the book."
Tamahome frowned. "I see." He looked out the window. "So this is the world you were born in."
Keisuke nodded. "Right! That's right! Not only did Miaka return, but also a man from the book came into the real world as well! Was I surprised! It's awesome! It's like love traveling dimensions or something, right?"
Tetsuya sighed on the other end of the line. "Sorry to burst your bubble while you're so excited, Keisuke. but everything's not so pretty now. I don't know if it's the cause, but our world's mixed up in this story mess. This book tells the adventures of the Suzaku no Miko, right? What's going on over at your place is printed inside the book! Not to mention our conversation's being recorded in this book as well."
"WHAT?!"
"Hai, that's it. 'WHAT?!, exclaimed the girl's elder brother in a loud voice. Period."
Keisuke's eyes were shining. "Then that means WE'VE become characters in the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho!" He said excitedly.
Tetsuya sweatdropped. "Don't be so happy about it, Keisuke. Anyway, there's a paragraph here that's been bothering me. I'll read it aloud."
Keisuke waited.
"'Now, in the girl's world. a new shadow attempts entry by crossing dimensions. In order to suppress the world, using a tremendous evil force, that figure attempts to become a god.'"
Keisuke's eyes widened. "It can't be.!"
Tetsuya interrupted him. "Wait, there's something else! 'But this figure's intentions appear uncertain. This man will do anything to retrieve something. someone of great importance to him.'"
Keisuke frowned. "Who could that be?"

"I think we should leave them alone for a moment." Lilian said, standing up. Her sisters nodded in agreement and followed her out the door. Samantha closed the door behind her.
"Ne, what do we do now, Lily?" Kathryn asked her sister worriedly.
Lilian shrugged her shoulders helplessly. "I. don't know." She sighed. "All I know is. I want to return to Nakago."
Vivien smiled. "I miss Tasuki."
Kathryn's eyes were pained. "I want. Hotohori."
Samantha sighed. "I miss Kaika. I mean, Amiboshi."
Lilian smiled sadly. "It seems we're really caught up in everything." She sighed. "But. we still have to think about our duty."
Vivien nodded, remembering. "That's right. Lily and I are really royally screwed, you know. Lily needs to somehow tell Yui not to give Miaka the ability to summon Suzaku. and I have to find a way for Miaka to summon Suzaku by herself! This is just too much!" She complained.
Kathryn blinked. "That's right! Sammy and I have to summon our gods, too. Oh. all of us are in trouble, now." She fretted.
Samantha smiled. "Oh, don't worry about that." She said cheerfully. She reached into her boy's jacket and pulled out a necklace. "Here's the Genbu Shinzaho. and." She pulled a mirror out of her pouch. ". the Byakko Shinzaho. Wait your turn, please; one at a time."
Everyone gaped at Samantha. "How did you. what did you.?!" Kathryn sputtered.
Samantha dimpled. "Just after Seiryuu was summoned, I snuck to the altars and filched them."
Lilian gaped. "But Nakago! How did you get past Nakago?!"

Samantha's eyes twinkled. "Oh, he didn't notice me a'tall. He was too busy fretting over you, Lily."
Lilian blushed and Vivien and Kathryn chuckled. Embarrassed, Lilian changed the subject. "So you guys have the Shinzahos! Let Vivi use it first, so Miaka can summon Suzaku. Then.?"
"Let Sammy use it second." Kathryn said softly. "Byakko can wait."

"Kate.?" Samantha's eyes grew sad. Kathryn. She loved Hotohori so much.
Kathryn shook her head. "I know Hotohori is going to die. and I'm not supposed to change that. and I won't. but that doesn't mean I'm going to accept it. I need to think on my wish, Sammy. I need the time."

The next morning. Ms. Yuuki peeked into the kitchen. "Well, I have to go." She looked sternly at Miaka, who was innocently sitting at the table. "Miaka, just because it's Sunday, doesn't mean you can slack off your studying." She warned her daughter. She turned to leave, but paused. "Oh! Your friends from last night, Miaka. what time did they leave?"
Keisuke and Miaka sweatdropped. "Aahhh. sorry, mom, but they left kind of late last night. We were. studying! You were already asleep by then, I think!" Miaka stammered.
Ms. Yuuki nodded. "Oh, that's all right. I hoped they helped you. Well, see you two later! Bye!"
"Bye-bye!" Miaka and Keisuke chorused together. When the door closed behind their mother, they both let out a sigh of relief. Miaka twisted her napkin in her lap. I'm not going to apply for high school anymore. Mom, I've decided to stay with Tamahome. I'm going back inside the book. Miaka grew worried. But. if she finds out he's a man from a book. she's probably go into shock.
Keisuke looked back at their rooms. "Ne, it's all right now. You all can come out."
The Smith sisters and Tamahome both stepped into the kitchen. Miaka forced herself to smile cheerfully. "Guys? Do you want some food?"
"Food?" Vivien brightened up considerably.
Miaka smiled. "Rice is better than pancakes, right? If it's simple, I can make it!"
Keisuke made a face. "I wouldn't eat anything Miaka makes if I were you, guys." He whispered. "Unless you want to suffer indigestion for the rest of your life, of course."
Vivien moved to help Miaka. "Ne, Miaka. do you still want to summon Suzaku?"
Lilian smiled at Kathryn and Samantha. "I'll be out for a while, okay, guys? I have to go. somewhere."
Kathryn looked worried. "Yui?" She asked in a low voice.
Lilian hesitated before nodding her head in confirmation. "Hai. I need to be there. for both of us. I hope. you understand."
Kathryn nodded silently. Samantha still looked worried. "How will you get around? You might get lost! You hardly understand Japanese!"
Lilian frowned. That could indeed pose a problem. "Er. Sammy? Could you come with me, then?"
Samantha smiled. "Why not? But could we shop for our own clothes before we set out to find Yui?" She gestured to her borrowed outfit. She was wearing a cute skirt and blouse. but somehow. Lilian missed her wearing her Chinese boy's outfit. "I've grown more comfortable with pants, I'm afraid."
Kathryn frowned. "But what will you guys do for money?" She suddenly had an idea. She went over to Keisuke and Tamahome, who were gabbing over the television. She smiled sweetly. "Ne, Keisuke?"
"Yeah?" Keisuke looked up.
"My sisters want to go shopping now. Could you spare us some money? Please?" Kathryn purposely allowed her eyes to assume an innocent look.
Keisuke frowned. He could understand only a couple of words, but he knew from the innocent expression on her face that she was asking a favor. He turned away, trying to piece together the few English words he had understood. He had never been good in English.
Samantha smiled and translated for her sister. Keisuke's eyes narrowed. "Sorry, but I'm broke, spending most of my cash on that train ride to Suzuno's place. I have some money, but not enough for two whole wardrobes!"
Vivien happened to hear their conversation. "Oh, you guys need some cash?" She looked to Keisuke. "Is there a pawn shop nearby? Or a coin shop?"
Keisuke nodded. "I could give you directions."
Vivien looked to Samantha. "What did he say?"
"He said he could give you directions to one." Samantha translated.
Vivien scratched her head. "Man, we really need to work on our Japanese."
Lilian smiled. "You know, I bet we're pretty good in ancient Chinese, though."
Vivien smiled. "I think you could be right. I mean, we heard ourselves speak it enough." Her eyes lit up. "Why don't we try it?"
"Hey, Miaka! Keisuke said something really bad about your cooking!" She yelled over to Miaka in ancient Chinese.
Miaka gasped. "What?! What did he say?!"

Lilian grinned. "It worked. I guess she learned it just as we did, then."
Keisuke frowned. "I should have known any friend of Miaka's had to have a big mouth." He muttered.
Vivien's eyes boggled. "You understood what I said? But you weren't reading the book!"
Lilian bopped Vivien on the head. "Baka! He was reading the book, remember? Geez! Of course he knows ancient Chinese!"
"Ohhhh!" Vivien, Kathryn, and Samantha said, finally understanding.
Lilian sighed. "Anyway, Vivi."
"Vi."
"Whatever. Why did you ask about the pawn shop anyway?"
Vivien shrugged. "Oh, I just thought I could help, you know." She reached into the folds of her jumper and pulled out a small, heavy-looking pouch. "Just some mementos from the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho, you know?" She untied the strings of the pouch and took out a diamond the size of a golf ball.
"VIVIEN!!" Everyone was shocked, even Miaka and Tamahome.
"Where'd you get that whopper?"
Vivien blushed. "Remember when we went to the bandit's mountain? Well, when Tasuki kidnapped me and Miaka, I sorta. found this on. the floor."
Lilian arched a brow. "Spill it, Vivi."
"Well, how could I resist?" Vivien whined. "I'd never even seen a real diamond before! Besides, it's not as if they would notice. Tasuki had a whole trove of these babies!"
"What else is in that pouch, Vivi?" Kathryn asked her sister suspiciously.
Vivien's blush intensified. "Uh. just a couple of coins. nothing much."
Tamahome's eyes had grown fairly large at the sight of the large diamond. He closed his eyes and concentrated. "In that pouch. she has eight more diamonds of that size and shape. four rubies, fifty gold coins, two sapphires, and three silver spoons." His eyes shot open. "Gimme!"
Vivien snatched her pouch away from the money-hungry Suzaku seishi. "Dokka ike! They're mine!"
Lilian was openly gaping, along with the rest of the company. "V- Vivi. you stole all that?"
Vivien blushed. "Well, it's not as if it's a crime. I stole a couple baubles from thieves. No big deal."
Miaka saw her point. "That makes sense. so you're going to buy clothes with all that?"
"You can buy a whole bloody house with that much riches." Keisuke grumbled.
Vivien sighed. "I know. but I have so many of them. I might as well spend it."
"You have more?" Tamahome was incredulous.
"I didn't say that!" Vivien said nervously.
"But you do!" Samantha realized.
Vivien sweatdropped. Finally, she pushed aside her hair to reveal a pair of sparkling earrings on her ears. Everyone stared. The size of the rubies were incredible! She then pulled out a necklace that had been hidden beneath her blouse.
"WOW!!" Everyone exclaimed, seeing almost every possible gemstone in existence strung together on the necklace. She stuck out her arms, showing them a pair of golden bracelets imbedded with rubies, pearls, and diamonds the size of grapes. Finally, she rolled down her socks to show them a pair of anklets made entirely out of gold, strung with six golf-sized diamonds each. "VIVIEN!!!"
"You have a whole bloody fortune!" Keisuke said, staring.
Vivien smiled. "If I have to leave the book later, I didn't want to leave empty-handed!" She explained.
Tamahome grinned. "If I didn't love Miaka, I think I would want to marry you. We have so much in common!"
Miaka and everyone else laughed. "So what are you going to sell?"
Vivien looked thoughtful for a moment. She sighed. She really didn't want to part with anything. but. she plucked a golf-ball-sized diamond from her pouch. "Do you think this'll fetch enough?" She asked anxiously.
Lilian chuckled. "I think Konan's spoiled you, Vivi, and Tasuki's been some influence, I'm sure. You have the makings of a true miser."
"Lily!"