"Star Lovers" by Ai Yuukan
Chapter 17
Miaka slammed her fist against the floor. "Why? Why is everyone.?" Her eyes widened. She stared at Kathryn unconscious in Keisuke's arms, at her tear-stained cheeks. "Suzaku.! If only I had been able to summon Suzaku!"
Tetsuya put a hand on Miaka's shoulder. "No. it was probably for the best you didn't."
Miaka stared at Tetsuya. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Listen. Becoming a Miko. and summoning the divine beast, means becoming a sacrifice. After Yui makes her next wish to Seiryuu, she may be devoured."
Miaka stared, all color leaching from her face. "Yui's going to be devoured by Seiryuu.?" She whispered, unable to believe it.
"Miaka!" Mrs. Yuuki called out. "There's a phone call for you from Yui!"
Miaka stood up and left the room with one last look at Kathryn. Vivien and Samantha knelt beside Keisuke and Tetsuya. "It's going to be soon, Sammy." Vivien murmured, brushing the hair from Kathryn's pale face.
Samantha stared down at her sister with pained eyes. "So much has happened. we hardly ever interfered with the events supposed to happen. but still, so much has changed."
Vivien nodded slowly. Tetsuya stared at Samantha intently. "We could have changed so much. prevented so many deaths."
Samantha stared at Kathryn. "Hotohori's dead. Kathryn is Houki. she carries his child. Vivi. we should have known."
Vivien's eyes glowed. "Sammy. we should do something. We could have prevented Hotohori's death. and everyone else's. Why don't we do something now?"
Samantha stared at her sister. "Come again?"
Vivien nodded emphatically. "We're near the end of the story, Sammy. Everything is going to be concluded very soon. We might as well do something."
Samantha turned away. She could have prevented so many deaths. but the rules had kept her from saving lives. maybe it was high time those rules were broken. What could the gods do now? She knew, unlike Vivien, that the end was indeed near. She knew so many things she rather wished she didn't. She knew that Lilian was at a risk to be sacrificed. that Kathryn would definitely be one of the two to remain in the book, and that she would be separated from Amiboshi yet again. She knew so many things. it was indeed high time she did something. She nodded her head in agreement. "Hai. We're going to do something, Vivi. Even if it's too late, we have to try." She looked at Vivien. "Vivi. the Shinzahos."
Vivien took out the Byakko and Genbu Shinzahos. "What about them?"
Samantha took the Shinzahos. "We're going to use them. together."
Vivien stared. "Nani?!"
Samantha nodded and slipped the necklace around her neck. She slipped the mirror into her belt. "We're going to summon Byakko, Genbu, and Suzaku at the same time. Tell Kathryn the plan when she wakes up." She stood. "I need to think."
"I thought Lilian was the one who thought for you." Tetsuya said wryly. "Now I remember you."
Vivien, Keisuke, and Samantha stared. Tetsuya gazed at them from behind his sunglasses. "I thought you looked familiar, Samantha. All four of you. you were here before."
Vivien stared. "How.?"
Tetsuya held up the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. "When all four of you were sucked into the book, Miaka, Yui, Keisuke, and Taka all went to Suzuno's place to ask our friend for help. They left me in the library. I was the one reading your adventures. Somehow I think the book cast some sort of spell over me, making me forget who you guys were. temporarily. I called our friend to ask after Miaka and the others, and I learned that they somehow disappeared. I suddenly found myself in my car with Keisuke. that was the day he learned about Miaka's adventures in this book. I had forgotten everything. but now I remember."
Keisuke stared at Tetsuya as if he were a different person. "What are you.?"
Tetsuya flipped the pages of the book. "While reading, I looked at the beginning of the book and learned the truth. I didn't believe it at first. but now you've just proved me wrong."
Samantha stared at Vivien sullenly. "When did we forget he was in the room?"
Tetsuya smiled. "You girls have duties to fulfill. I agree with your plan. End the story as soon as possible. but what will that accomplish?"
"Kate and I will be able to make our wishes. One wish each. The sooner we get to make our wishes, the sooner I can right at least one of the wrongs done in this story."
Vivien nodded. "It's the least we can do."
"Are you sure those two Shinzahos will be able to do the trick? Summoning three of the divine beasts?"
Samantha shrugged helplessly. "It's the best we can do."
Yui stared at Miaka, emotionless. She closed her eyes. "Do you mind if I kneel down?" She gently knelt on the ground, her eyes closed in exhaustion. "I'm tired."
Miaka handed Yui her ribbon. "Here. Suboshi. was holding this when he died."
Yui took the ribbon and stared at it with empty, hurt eyes. Lilian touched Yui's shoulder. Yui smiled mirthlessly. "I guess this means that Nakago. is my only ally now."
Miaka shook her head. "Yui. please listen! Nakago is no friend of yours!" Lilian tensed. "Lily wasn't raped by those men, Yui!"
Yui stared, dumbstruck, at Miaka. "NO!" She whirled around to face Lilian. "Lily. tell her she's lying!" Lilian didn't move. or answer her friend.
"He saved her then! But to turn us against each other, Nakago kept quiet about it. He knew you, Yui. He knew that whether Lilian had not been raped in your place or not, the effect would be the same: you could be moved to hate me. Lilian wasn't raped! Nakago saved her just in time! He made you think she was raped, because he knew you would think that it was still my fault! He knew he could make you hate me!"
Yui's eyes were wide with shock. "Y-You're lying! You're lying!"
Miaka shook her head. "I'm not lying! Nakago only wants the power of Seiryuu! That and." She took an old letter from the folds of her skirt. She handed the letter to Yui. ". please read this letter. It's a letter from the previous owner of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. Okuda Einosuke, to his friend, Mr. Ohsugi."
With shaking hands, Yui took the letter from Miaka. She raised the letter to her eyes and began to read. Lilian closed her eyes. She already knew what the letter contained.
"Dear Ohsugi. I have no choice but to ask you to take care of the rest. There's no time. I found a certain book. A book of scriptures known as the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. But the book absorbed my daughter, Takiko. The book itself had magical qualities. My daughter became the main character of the book, summoned Genbu, then returned to me. But my daughter was then in tremendous pain and agony. Every time she made a wish, my daughter's body was being devoured by Genbu. If my daughter is going to be devoured. I prefer to take her life myself. and then take my own. But before that, I wanted to dispose of the book. but it wouldn't burn. The book must we waiting for the rest of the Mikos. The Mikos of Byakko, Suzaku, and Seiryuu. Please seal this book away for me, my friend. As my final wish.
"The Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho couldn't be sealed away. Then Mr. Ohsugi's daughter, Suzuno. was absorbed next and became the Byakko no Miko. But. she wasn't devoured . Having a strong will. If you have heart, you can defeat the divine beast. Yui, please believe me!"
Yui shook her head. "It's a lie. This is a lie!"
"Yui."
"A lie. it has to be a lie!" She turned to run, but Lilian grabbed hold of her. Yui stared. Lilian was incredibly strong.
"It's not a lie, Yui-sama." Lilian said softly.
Yui stared. "Lily."
"Yui. it's time you knew the truth. I'm not who I seem. I come from a different time, Yui-sama. I come from the time when the story of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho has already ended. I was your friend. a penpal from the United States. I. am the daughter of Seiryuu."
Miaka and Yui stared. "Lily. what are you saying?"
"I am the daughter of Seiryuu. Yui. when your soul merged with Seiryuu's. my father's. I was created. With your second wish, I began to grow. But your third wish. I was sent to the book to stop you from wishing what you will wish."
Yui's eyes were wide. her horror at being betrayed by Nakago forgotten in light of this astonishing news. "That was. is my one duty. I was not allowed to interfere with the events I knew would pass. That was why. I hated Nakago when I first met him."
Miaka stared. "Lily."
Lilian smiled gently at Miaka. "That was why I always wanted to protect you, Miaka. I knew you were in the right." She looked down. "But my duty is. almost over. Yui-sama. Nakago was going to force you to wish for his ascension into heaven as a god. but you were going to wish for Miaka to be given the ability to summon Suzaku instead. You cannot wish either wish. I don't know what you're going to wish in its place. but whatever you do. do not wish for anything that will upset the balance of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho." She looked up. "Because if you do, I'll have to go through this all over again. and I don't think I could bear it."
Vivien was suddenly behind her sister. "None of us could."
Miaka stared. "Kyoku.?"
Samantha shook her head. "We will never go through that again." She confirmed. Lilian turned to smile gratefully at her sisters.
"This will end today." Kathryn said softly, appearing behind her sisters. Her eyes were awash with pain. and acceptance. "I now know that even if I could go back and somehow prevent Hotohori's death. I would never forgive myself if I would then risk my sisters' lives. Hotohori may be gone." She stared at her sisters. "But someday. I know. I'll see him again."
"Kate."
Samantha nodded. "Yui, don't worry about Nakago's wish. He won't force it upon you this time. He's found something. no, someone, more important than power. He's found Lily. He doesn't need his wish. anymore."
The emperor of Kotou stared at Nakago advancing towards him. "Na. Nakago!"
"This is the end of the line, your Majesty." Nakago said, standing before the emperor, gazing down at the pathetic man without pity.
The emperor was incredulous. "Na-Nakago! You betrayed me?!"
Nakago smirked. "Kotou's army may be mighty, but the greater part are mercenaries. They're an army of outsiders. I am also an outsider. Betrayal or not, I don't recall pledging my allegiance to you in the first place."
The emperor knew his death was near but he couldn't help pleading, "Please, at least spare my life! What is it that you want?! Money? The rank of a noble? I took care of you when you came here as a child! Have you forgotten, Nakago?!"
Nakago's eyes narrowed angrily. How dare he. He knew he could spare the emperor's life, and he knew he wouldn't. he also knew that Lilian wouldn't mind this particular killing. "Know the suffering that I and my tribe have suffered!" Without another thought, he rammed his fist through the emperor and closed his eyes. "Begone!" He felt the emperor tear into pieces and disintegrate before him. A deep sense of satisfaction relaxed his mind. A soldier queried, "Shogun?"
"The emperor has been disposed of." Cold-heartedly, he continued, "Proceed to kill all the cabinet ministers and nobles."
The soldier hesitated. "Shogun, is your shoulder wound all right?"
Nakago closed his eyes. "Do not worry. I also need to go somewhere."
"Hai." The soldier turned to leave.
"Matte."
"Shogun?"
Nakago sighed. "The cabinet ministers and nobles. do not kill them. Imprison them." He knew Lilian would not particularly care for their deaths. He smiled wryly. What had he become, to act on the will of a mere woman? "I want them to witness the demise of the Kotou empire. I want them to suffer. Now go."
"Hai!" The soldier retired from the hall.
Nakago turned and picked up Soi's body. Soi. She had led him to Lilian. He had her to thank for the love he had found. And Soi had loved him. until the end. Two women had loved him, two, admirable women. And one of them had captured his heart. He knew he would never want to escape the love he had for Lilian. Lily.
Lilian gasped as something filled her heart. "Nakago. he's here." Suddenly, she felt something slash at her soul. She let out a gasp of pain and surprise. She fell to her knees.
"Lily!"
Lilian clutched at her heart. "What. What's going on?" She gasped as she felt something rip at her soul, the very substance of her being. You have broken the laws of both worlds by revealing what was not meant to be revealed. You must pay the price. Lilian trembled. The voice. it wasn't Seiryuu! "Yui. help."
Yui stared at Lilian. Her friend was shaking. and her skin was as pale as a sheet. "Lily!"
"Who are you?" Lilian whispered, gasping at the pain. I am Genbu. "Genbu?!" Suddenly, Lilian felt another presence slash at her. Lilian bit her lip at the pain.
"Lily!" Vivien cried, seeing the awful bruises suddenly appear on her sister's skin. Kathryn and Samantha watched on in horror. "LILY!!"
I am Byakko. Forgive me, but the crime of your sisters cannot go unpunished. Lilian shook, feeling suddenly terribly weak. "Byakko.? But. why me?" She cried out as yet another being ripped at her very being. Lilian was thrown on her back. Her breathing was uneven as she struggled to hold on to consciousness. I do not wish to cause you pain, but the rules of both worlds must be obeyed, and the crimes that violate them must be punished. I am Suzaku. Lilian felt as if the life was seeping away from her. "Suzaku."
Miaka stared at the Seiryuu seishi, horrified and confused. She stared as a trickle of blood escaped Lilian's lips and several slashes appeared in various areas on her body, and started to bleed. "LILY!"
Lilian's mind was awash with pain, but in the still-conscious part of her mind, she still asked the voices in her mind. Why. me.?
You would want your sisters to also suffer for your crime? Suzaku asked her in her mind. Lilian's eyes widened. "No!" Precisely. You alone will suffer for your crime. You began the crime, so you alone will pay the price.
Lilian screwed her eyes tightly. "Father. Seiryuu. help me." Lilian immediately felt the familiar presence of her father in her mind. "Seiryuu!"
"Lily! What's going on?!" Kathryn demanded of her sister.
"Tetsuya! Keisuke!" Samantha ran to her friends. "What's going on? What does the book say?"
Tetsuya nodded and opened the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. "Right!" He quickly scanned the pages for an answer. He had read of the confrontation between Yui and Miaka, and with little persuasion, had convinced Keisuke that they were needed here. He pointed out a small paragraph, the latest development in the book. "It says here. 'The warrior from the other world suffered the wrath of the four gods for her sisters alone. For her crime, she will pay. with her. life.'" Tetsuya paled.
Vivien's face turned white. "They're killing her?!"
"Lily!" Kathryn's face was as white as a sheet.
Samantha grabbed the book from Tetsuya's hands. "It says here. 'The girl awaited her final blow. from her father.'"
Keisuke's eyes widened. "Her. father?!"
Vivien gasped. "Seiryuu!"
Kathryn stared. "That means. the other gods. already hurt her. and."
". Seiryuu is to strike the final blow." Samantha finished, pale- faced.
Lilian reached out to her father in her mind. "Seiryuu. father."
My daughter.
"You. are. going to kill me."
There was a pause. The other gods spoke. He will kill you and spare your sisters. Genbu said gravely. Lilian gasped for breath. "LILY!" Kathryn whirled around to face her friends. "Call an ambulance! NOW!"
"Hai!"
You death will be your sisters' salvation. Byakko said softly in Lilian's mind. Lilian's bruises throbbed.
Vivien turned to Miaka and Yui. "Yui! Call Nakago! NOW!"
"H-Hai!"
You have done well. and have done your duty. Your life has been fulfilled. Suzaku said gently. Blood continued to flow from Lilian's wounds.
Lilian shook her head weakly. "No." Without Nakago, her life would never be complete.
Seiryuu. Kill her. Now. The final blow.
Lilian closed her eyes. Seiryuu. her father. She smiled mirthlessly. Her father would be the one to end her life. Ironic. that he had been the one to start it. Her father. she had loved him. truly. She was his daughter. and he had loved her. as only a true father could. Dad.
No.
Lilian's eyes widened.
I will not be the one to end the life of my daughter.
Suzaku sighed. I suspected you wouldn't.
Genbu also sighed. She will die anyway. her wounds are fatal.
Lilian smiled weakly. Daddy. thank you.
Hold on, my daughter.
I love you, daddy.
All the voices were silent for a moment. Finally, she felt the other presences depart. Even. her father. Lilian's eyes started to shine with tears. "I. love you too. Lily."
Lilian looked up. Her father stood before her, without his godly splendours. in his human guise. He looked just as he had at the airport when she and her sisters had left for Japan. the time when he had only been one thing. her father. "Daddy."
She started to hear a siren. Her father picked her up and turned around to face her awestruck friends. Yui was pale. She could no longer feel the god in her body. Seiryuu nodded at her. "I will return to you when you will make your final wish." He promised her. ". after I see to my daughter."
Lilian held on to her father with her arms loose around his shoulders. The world swayed. "Daddy." She started to see black. "Nakago."
Lilian went limp in her father's arms. Seiryuu only had to reach to feel her life force to be assured she was still alive. He nodded and looked to Yui once again. "Seiryuu no Miko. call Nakago. Now."
Yui nodded. "I. already did."
"He will appear. once Lilian is secure in the hospital. Be ready to fight."
Miaka stared. "Fight? But why would Nakago want to fight us? Isn't he not interested in us anymore?"
Seiryuu didn't answer.
Yui stood in her room, facing the blue glow in front of her. Slowly, the figure of Nakago started to materialize in front of her. Yui waited patiently. "Nakago."
Nakago's eyes flashed. "Did you summon me, Yui-sama?"
"Nakago!" Yui sighed with heartfelt relief. "I'm so glad you're here!"
Nakago felt the first flash of alarm. "What is it? Where's Lily?"
Yui's eyes flashed with pain. "Lily. is in the hospital."
"Hospital?"
"Nakago. Lily's dying."
"I told him Lily was dying." Yui said, almost in a whisper, to Miaka.
Miaka held Yui's hands. "What did he say?"
Yui closed her eyes. "He. didn't say anything. He just left." She remembered the shocked and anguished look in Nakago's eyes. and remembered being surprised herself at the multitude of emotions flashing across the Seiryuu seishi's face when he had asked her to repeat herself.
Keisuke closed his eyes. "He loves her, doesn't he?"
Tetsuya nodded slowly, the book forgotten. "The love. they have for each other. It's just as pure and true as the love between your sister and Tamahome, Keisuke. Nakago's truly changed. He loves Lilian. with all his heart."
"I didn't know he had one." Keisuke muttered, awed.
Tamahome went to Miaka. "Where are the sisters?"
"They went to the hospital. with Seiryuu and Lily-chan."
Chapter 17
Miaka slammed her fist against the floor. "Why? Why is everyone.?" Her eyes widened. She stared at Kathryn unconscious in Keisuke's arms, at her tear-stained cheeks. "Suzaku.! If only I had been able to summon Suzaku!"
Tetsuya put a hand on Miaka's shoulder. "No. it was probably for the best you didn't."
Miaka stared at Tetsuya. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Listen. Becoming a Miko. and summoning the divine beast, means becoming a sacrifice. After Yui makes her next wish to Seiryuu, she may be devoured."
Miaka stared, all color leaching from her face. "Yui's going to be devoured by Seiryuu.?" She whispered, unable to believe it.
"Miaka!" Mrs. Yuuki called out. "There's a phone call for you from Yui!"
Miaka stood up and left the room with one last look at Kathryn. Vivien and Samantha knelt beside Keisuke and Tetsuya. "It's going to be soon, Sammy." Vivien murmured, brushing the hair from Kathryn's pale face.
Samantha stared down at her sister with pained eyes. "So much has happened. we hardly ever interfered with the events supposed to happen. but still, so much has changed."
Vivien nodded slowly. Tetsuya stared at Samantha intently. "We could have changed so much. prevented so many deaths."
Samantha stared at Kathryn. "Hotohori's dead. Kathryn is Houki. she carries his child. Vivi. we should have known."
Vivien's eyes glowed. "Sammy. we should do something. We could have prevented Hotohori's death. and everyone else's. Why don't we do something now?"
Samantha stared at her sister. "Come again?"
Vivien nodded emphatically. "We're near the end of the story, Sammy. Everything is going to be concluded very soon. We might as well do something."
Samantha turned away. She could have prevented so many deaths. but the rules had kept her from saving lives. maybe it was high time those rules were broken. What could the gods do now? She knew, unlike Vivien, that the end was indeed near. She knew so many things she rather wished she didn't. She knew that Lilian was at a risk to be sacrificed. that Kathryn would definitely be one of the two to remain in the book, and that she would be separated from Amiboshi yet again. She knew so many things. it was indeed high time she did something. She nodded her head in agreement. "Hai. We're going to do something, Vivi. Even if it's too late, we have to try." She looked at Vivien. "Vivi. the Shinzahos."
Vivien took out the Byakko and Genbu Shinzahos. "What about them?"
Samantha took the Shinzahos. "We're going to use them. together."
Vivien stared. "Nani?!"
Samantha nodded and slipped the necklace around her neck. She slipped the mirror into her belt. "We're going to summon Byakko, Genbu, and Suzaku at the same time. Tell Kathryn the plan when she wakes up." She stood. "I need to think."
"I thought Lilian was the one who thought for you." Tetsuya said wryly. "Now I remember you."
Vivien, Keisuke, and Samantha stared. Tetsuya gazed at them from behind his sunglasses. "I thought you looked familiar, Samantha. All four of you. you were here before."
Vivien stared. "How.?"
Tetsuya held up the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. "When all four of you were sucked into the book, Miaka, Yui, Keisuke, and Taka all went to Suzuno's place to ask our friend for help. They left me in the library. I was the one reading your adventures. Somehow I think the book cast some sort of spell over me, making me forget who you guys were. temporarily. I called our friend to ask after Miaka and the others, and I learned that they somehow disappeared. I suddenly found myself in my car with Keisuke. that was the day he learned about Miaka's adventures in this book. I had forgotten everything. but now I remember."
Keisuke stared at Tetsuya as if he were a different person. "What are you.?"
Tetsuya flipped the pages of the book. "While reading, I looked at the beginning of the book and learned the truth. I didn't believe it at first. but now you've just proved me wrong."
Samantha stared at Vivien sullenly. "When did we forget he was in the room?"
Tetsuya smiled. "You girls have duties to fulfill. I agree with your plan. End the story as soon as possible. but what will that accomplish?"
"Kate and I will be able to make our wishes. One wish each. The sooner we get to make our wishes, the sooner I can right at least one of the wrongs done in this story."
Vivien nodded. "It's the least we can do."
"Are you sure those two Shinzahos will be able to do the trick? Summoning three of the divine beasts?"
Samantha shrugged helplessly. "It's the best we can do."
Yui stared at Miaka, emotionless. She closed her eyes. "Do you mind if I kneel down?" She gently knelt on the ground, her eyes closed in exhaustion. "I'm tired."
Miaka handed Yui her ribbon. "Here. Suboshi. was holding this when he died."
Yui took the ribbon and stared at it with empty, hurt eyes. Lilian touched Yui's shoulder. Yui smiled mirthlessly. "I guess this means that Nakago. is my only ally now."
Miaka shook her head. "Yui. please listen! Nakago is no friend of yours!" Lilian tensed. "Lily wasn't raped by those men, Yui!"
Yui stared, dumbstruck, at Miaka. "NO!" She whirled around to face Lilian. "Lily. tell her she's lying!" Lilian didn't move. or answer her friend.
"He saved her then! But to turn us against each other, Nakago kept quiet about it. He knew you, Yui. He knew that whether Lilian had not been raped in your place or not, the effect would be the same: you could be moved to hate me. Lilian wasn't raped! Nakago saved her just in time! He made you think she was raped, because he knew you would think that it was still my fault! He knew he could make you hate me!"
Yui's eyes were wide with shock. "Y-You're lying! You're lying!"
Miaka shook her head. "I'm not lying! Nakago only wants the power of Seiryuu! That and." She took an old letter from the folds of her skirt. She handed the letter to Yui. ". please read this letter. It's a letter from the previous owner of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. Okuda Einosuke, to his friend, Mr. Ohsugi."
With shaking hands, Yui took the letter from Miaka. She raised the letter to her eyes and began to read. Lilian closed her eyes. She already knew what the letter contained.
"Dear Ohsugi. I have no choice but to ask you to take care of the rest. There's no time. I found a certain book. A book of scriptures known as the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. But the book absorbed my daughter, Takiko. The book itself had magical qualities. My daughter became the main character of the book, summoned Genbu, then returned to me. But my daughter was then in tremendous pain and agony. Every time she made a wish, my daughter's body was being devoured by Genbu. If my daughter is going to be devoured. I prefer to take her life myself. and then take my own. But before that, I wanted to dispose of the book. but it wouldn't burn. The book must we waiting for the rest of the Mikos. The Mikos of Byakko, Suzaku, and Seiryuu. Please seal this book away for me, my friend. As my final wish.
"The Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho couldn't be sealed away. Then Mr. Ohsugi's daughter, Suzuno. was absorbed next and became the Byakko no Miko. But. she wasn't devoured . Having a strong will. If you have heart, you can defeat the divine beast. Yui, please believe me!"
Yui shook her head. "It's a lie. This is a lie!"
"Yui."
"A lie. it has to be a lie!" She turned to run, but Lilian grabbed hold of her. Yui stared. Lilian was incredibly strong.
"It's not a lie, Yui-sama." Lilian said softly.
Yui stared. "Lily."
"Yui. it's time you knew the truth. I'm not who I seem. I come from a different time, Yui-sama. I come from the time when the story of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho has already ended. I was your friend. a penpal from the United States. I. am the daughter of Seiryuu."
Miaka and Yui stared. "Lily. what are you saying?"
"I am the daughter of Seiryuu. Yui. when your soul merged with Seiryuu's. my father's. I was created. With your second wish, I began to grow. But your third wish. I was sent to the book to stop you from wishing what you will wish."
Yui's eyes were wide. her horror at being betrayed by Nakago forgotten in light of this astonishing news. "That was. is my one duty. I was not allowed to interfere with the events I knew would pass. That was why. I hated Nakago when I first met him."
Miaka stared. "Lily."
Lilian smiled gently at Miaka. "That was why I always wanted to protect you, Miaka. I knew you were in the right." She looked down. "But my duty is. almost over. Yui-sama. Nakago was going to force you to wish for his ascension into heaven as a god. but you were going to wish for Miaka to be given the ability to summon Suzaku instead. You cannot wish either wish. I don't know what you're going to wish in its place. but whatever you do. do not wish for anything that will upset the balance of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho." She looked up. "Because if you do, I'll have to go through this all over again. and I don't think I could bear it."
Vivien was suddenly behind her sister. "None of us could."
Miaka stared. "Kyoku.?"
Samantha shook her head. "We will never go through that again." She confirmed. Lilian turned to smile gratefully at her sisters.
"This will end today." Kathryn said softly, appearing behind her sisters. Her eyes were awash with pain. and acceptance. "I now know that even if I could go back and somehow prevent Hotohori's death. I would never forgive myself if I would then risk my sisters' lives. Hotohori may be gone." She stared at her sisters. "But someday. I know. I'll see him again."
"Kate."
Samantha nodded. "Yui, don't worry about Nakago's wish. He won't force it upon you this time. He's found something. no, someone, more important than power. He's found Lily. He doesn't need his wish. anymore."
The emperor of Kotou stared at Nakago advancing towards him. "Na. Nakago!"
"This is the end of the line, your Majesty." Nakago said, standing before the emperor, gazing down at the pathetic man without pity.
The emperor was incredulous. "Na-Nakago! You betrayed me?!"
Nakago smirked. "Kotou's army may be mighty, but the greater part are mercenaries. They're an army of outsiders. I am also an outsider. Betrayal or not, I don't recall pledging my allegiance to you in the first place."
The emperor knew his death was near but he couldn't help pleading, "Please, at least spare my life! What is it that you want?! Money? The rank of a noble? I took care of you when you came here as a child! Have you forgotten, Nakago?!"
Nakago's eyes narrowed angrily. How dare he. He knew he could spare the emperor's life, and he knew he wouldn't. he also knew that Lilian wouldn't mind this particular killing. "Know the suffering that I and my tribe have suffered!" Without another thought, he rammed his fist through the emperor and closed his eyes. "Begone!" He felt the emperor tear into pieces and disintegrate before him. A deep sense of satisfaction relaxed his mind. A soldier queried, "Shogun?"
"The emperor has been disposed of." Cold-heartedly, he continued, "Proceed to kill all the cabinet ministers and nobles."
The soldier hesitated. "Shogun, is your shoulder wound all right?"
Nakago closed his eyes. "Do not worry. I also need to go somewhere."
"Hai." The soldier turned to leave.
"Matte."
"Shogun?"
Nakago sighed. "The cabinet ministers and nobles. do not kill them. Imprison them." He knew Lilian would not particularly care for their deaths. He smiled wryly. What had he become, to act on the will of a mere woman? "I want them to witness the demise of the Kotou empire. I want them to suffer. Now go."
"Hai!" The soldier retired from the hall.
Nakago turned and picked up Soi's body. Soi. She had led him to Lilian. He had her to thank for the love he had found. And Soi had loved him. until the end. Two women had loved him, two, admirable women. And one of them had captured his heart. He knew he would never want to escape the love he had for Lilian. Lily.
Lilian gasped as something filled her heart. "Nakago. he's here." Suddenly, she felt something slash at her soul. She let out a gasp of pain and surprise. She fell to her knees.
"Lily!"
Lilian clutched at her heart. "What. What's going on?" She gasped as she felt something rip at her soul, the very substance of her being. You have broken the laws of both worlds by revealing what was not meant to be revealed. You must pay the price. Lilian trembled. The voice. it wasn't Seiryuu! "Yui. help."
Yui stared at Lilian. Her friend was shaking. and her skin was as pale as a sheet. "Lily!"
"Who are you?" Lilian whispered, gasping at the pain. I am Genbu. "Genbu?!" Suddenly, Lilian felt another presence slash at her. Lilian bit her lip at the pain.
"Lily!" Vivien cried, seeing the awful bruises suddenly appear on her sister's skin. Kathryn and Samantha watched on in horror. "LILY!!"
I am Byakko. Forgive me, but the crime of your sisters cannot go unpunished. Lilian shook, feeling suddenly terribly weak. "Byakko.? But. why me?" She cried out as yet another being ripped at her very being. Lilian was thrown on her back. Her breathing was uneven as she struggled to hold on to consciousness. I do not wish to cause you pain, but the rules of both worlds must be obeyed, and the crimes that violate them must be punished. I am Suzaku. Lilian felt as if the life was seeping away from her. "Suzaku."
Miaka stared at the Seiryuu seishi, horrified and confused. She stared as a trickle of blood escaped Lilian's lips and several slashes appeared in various areas on her body, and started to bleed. "LILY!"
Lilian's mind was awash with pain, but in the still-conscious part of her mind, she still asked the voices in her mind. Why. me.?
You would want your sisters to also suffer for your crime? Suzaku asked her in her mind. Lilian's eyes widened. "No!" Precisely. You alone will suffer for your crime. You began the crime, so you alone will pay the price.
Lilian screwed her eyes tightly. "Father. Seiryuu. help me." Lilian immediately felt the familiar presence of her father in her mind. "Seiryuu!"
"Lily! What's going on?!" Kathryn demanded of her sister.
"Tetsuya! Keisuke!" Samantha ran to her friends. "What's going on? What does the book say?"
Tetsuya nodded and opened the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. "Right!" He quickly scanned the pages for an answer. He had read of the confrontation between Yui and Miaka, and with little persuasion, had convinced Keisuke that they were needed here. He pointed out a small paragraph, the latest development in the book. "It says here. 'The warrior from the other world suffered the wrath of the four gods for her sisters alone. For her crime, she will pay. with her. life.'" Tetsuya paled.
Vivien's face turned white. "They're killing her?!"
"Lily!" Kathryn's face was as white as a sheet.
Samantha grabbed the book from Tetsuya's hands. "It says here. 'The girl awaited her final blow. from her father.'"
Keisuke's eyes widened. "Her. father?!"
Vivien gasped. "Seiryuu!"
Kathryn stared. "That means. the other gods. already hurt her. and."
". Seiryuu is to strike the final blow." Samantha finished, pale- faced.
Lilian reached out to her father in her mind. "Seiryuu. father."
My daughter.
"You. are. going to kill me."
There was a pause. The other gods spoke. He will kill you and spare your sisters. Genbu said gravely. Lilian gasped for breath. "LILY!" Kathryn whirled around to face her friends. "Call an ambulance! NOW!"
"Hai!"
You death will be your sisters' salvation. Byakko said softly in Lilian's mind. Lilian's bruises throbbed.
Vivien turned to Miaka and Yui. "Yui! Call Nakago! NOW!"
"H-Hai!"
You have done well. and have done your duty. Your life has been fulfilled. Suzaku said gently. Blood continued to flow from Lilian's wounds.
Lilian shook her head weakly. "No." Without Nakago, her life would never be complete.
Seiryuu. Kill her. Now. The final blow.
Lilian closed her eyes. Seiryuu. her father. She smiled mirthlessly. Her father would be the one to end her life. Ironic. that he had been the one to start it. Her father. she had loved him. truly. She was his daughter. and he had loved her. as only a true father could. Dad.
No.
Lilian's eyes widened.
I will not be the one to end the life of my daughter.
Suzaku sighed. I suspected you wouldn't.
Genbu also sighed. She will die anyway. her wounds are fatal.
Lilian smiled weakly. Daddy. thank you.
Hold on, my daughter.
I love you, daddy.
All the voices were silent for a moment. Finally, she felt the other presences depart. Even. her father. Lilian's eyes started to shine with tears. "I. love you too. Lily."
Lilian looked up. Her father stood before her, without his godly splendours. in his human guise. He looked just as he had at the airport when she and her sisters had left for Japan. the time when he had only been one thing. her father. "Daddy."
She started to hear a siren. Her father picked her up and turned around to face her awestruck friends. Yui was pale. She could no longer feel the god in her body. Seiryuu nodded at her. "I will return to you when you will make your final wish." He promised her. ". after I see to my daughter."
Lilian held on to her father with her arms loose around his shoulders. The world swayed. "Daddy." She started to see black. "Nakago."
Lilian went limp in her father's arms. Seiryuu only had to reach to feel her life force to be assured she was still alive. He nodded and looked to Yui once again. "Seiryuu no Miko. call Nakago. Now."
Yui nodded. "I. already did."
"He will appear. once Lilian is secure in the hospital. Be ready to fight."
Miaka stared. "Fight? But why would Nakago want to fight us? Isn't he not interested in us anymore?"
Seiryuu didn't answer.
Yui stood in her room, facing the blue glow in front of her. Slowly, the figure of Nakago started to materialize in front of her. Yui waited patiently. "Nakago."
Nakago's eyes flashed. "Did you summon me, Yui-sama?"
"Nakago!" Yui sighed with heartfelt relief. "I'm so glad you're here!"
Nakago felt the first flash of alarm. "What is it? Where's Lily?"
Yui's eyes flashed with pain. "Lily. is in the hospital."
"Hospital?"
"Nakago. Lily's dying."
"I told him Lily was dying." Yui said, almost in a whisper, to Miaka.
Miaka held Yui's hands. "What did he say?"
Yui closed her eyes. "He. didn't say anything. He just left." She remembered the shocked and anguished look in Nakago's eyes. and remembered being surprised herself at the multitude of emotions flashing across the Seiryuu seishi's face when he had asked her to repeat herself.
Keisuke closed his eyes. "He loves her, doesn't he?"
Tetsuya nodded slowly, the book forgotten. "The love. they have for each other. It's just as pure and true as the love between your sister and Tamahome, Keisuke. Nakago's truly changed. He loves Lilian. with all his heart."
"I didn't know he had one." Keisuke muttered, awed.
Tamahome went to Miaka. "Where are the sisters?"
"They went to the hospital. with Seiryuu and Lily-chan."
