Disclaimer; I don't own Outlaw Star or any of the characters or any of the other elements of the series. There, that pretty much covers it. However, I do own the original characters and situations presented in this and Boutou Hoshi. If you want to use them, please e-mail me and I'll probably let you do it. Please don't sue me! I've only got some old drawing books and empty pocky boxes anyway so you wouldn't get much. Okay, I'm done.

Dedication; This story is dedicated to the people who've stuck by me for the past three months, especially Jade S., Anime Angel, heehee, barbo-chan, and Trunks. Also, this is dedicated to my friends Legacy Lost, Bishexy no Miko, Tamahome no Miko, Shattered Stars, and (especially!) my sis Blayse! Thanks you guys! ^-^

Notes; I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!! Man, I feel good now. Yupers, reviews are the one thing that can always kill writers block (not to mention lack of enthusiasm). Well, I really want to get 100 reviews on this fic and it looks like that might happen. ^-^ BTW - this fic is still projected at 12 chapters or more. I really don't know if it'll go any further. That all depends on the muses. *glares at company of muses* (~*Woho, 98 reviews!!!*~)

Review Responses;

Anime Angel - Yay!! I feel so honored! *glomps and refuses to let go* Good luck with moving, I hope everything goes well. ^^ Wow, you were really not blinking? Coolness! (I've gotten that way with some stories and to know that I can inspire that sort of reaction is really great) I hope you like this chapter too. ^-^

Ambera - Hi again! ^^ Thanks for reviewing. I'm very glad you like this fic so much. Ooh, was the philosophy section that sad? Then I guess I'm doing my job well, yay.

Krystal Light - Hum, that would be a really good angle! Actually, I was considering doing something like that in my next story (yes, there is supposed to be another fic in this big trilogy *scary, huh*). I'm not sure if I can do that with this one but I'll see what I can do. In fact, the only heros I had planned for this fic are Ka-san (you'll see *evil grin*) and the scientist.

Dragon Dancer - Sorry. ^_^;;

(I don't know who this is, they didn't leave a name) - Aniki is Japanese for 'older brother'. Jim calls Gene that in the original series.

Ashley - Ya, I know I get really serious about these things. Still, the only reason I'm writing this fic is for those out there that are fans. The only way I can tell if you guys like it is reviews. My other fics I write for me but this is just for you guys. ^^

*Just so you know, Black Lilly signifies death. Ooh, scary! ^^

Tarian Ch.11: Black Lilly*

By; Adakie

Jim felt a warm hand on his shoulder. It was the first warmth he'd felt in a long time and it seemed to seep into his own chilled body, reviving him somewhat. He turned his half-closed eyes upwards into the kind, smiling face of Ka-san. Her image, just like the rest of the world, seemed somehow blurred. She rubbed his shoulder as she sat beside him, a silent comfort in an otherwise cold and unfeeling world.

"How are you child?"

Before he'd even realized what he was doing he leaned slightly into her touch. The small movement did not go unnoticed. The elderly woman wrapped her arm around his shoulders. The warm sensation grew somewhat and the lonely feeling that had been possessing him for so long began to dissipate a small bit.

"I-I'm alright."

Ka-san's smile widened and her wise eyes stared knowingly into his own. Her free hand came up to ruffle his dirty off-blond hair.

"No, you're not. Your eyes won't focus and you're shaking. How long have you been awake?"

He tried to remember when he'd last truly slept but the information alluded him. He was tired and had been so for quite some time, yet he could not sleep. He just kept watching. He watched the other people around him, people from all walks of life brought together only because of a shared death sentence. He stared at the door and saw it shake slightly from time to time as the fierce beast guard outside threw its bulk against the thick metal in an attempt to get at those held just beyond it. He stared at the floor and watched the roaches crawl along unafraid of the people above them. And he never slept.

"I really don't know."

"I thought so. Well, why don't you just lay down for a little while. Will you do that for me child?"

"A-alright."

He curled up on the dirt covered floor, his back against the wall that somehow provided him a strange sense of security. He felt Ka-san run her warm, withered hands through his hair. Her fingers snagged on a tangle and she worked at it until it the knot loosened and came free. Then she began again until, just a short time later, she came across another dense tangle. This one she freed as well. The process repeated itself many times and yet . . . he was still staring. He was still shaking.

Ka-san bent down beside him, her warm breath ghosting against his cold cheek.

"Close your eyes."

He did. He couldn't help but obey.

"Go to sleep."

As if by magic he found his consciousness beginning to drift for the first time in days. Just as he was nearly gone he heard that soft voice once more.

"Rest now. Goodbye my child."[1]

[2]

~*~*~*~

Gene knocked as hard as he could on the obviously old white door. He'd walked a long way to get to the scientist's house and refused to just give up. If the old man refused to come to the door, he'd just break it down and let himself in. As he was about to do just that the doorknob suddenly turned. The hinges creaked and the door was opened slightly. Through the thin crack Gene could see a spectacle covered eye staring at him.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

"Are you Doctor Rin?"

"Who wants to know?"

"Do you know a mister Fred Luo?"

The elder man stood there a few little while longer, black eyes studying him carefully. The he disappeared into the room again, shutting the door behind him. Gene stood in shock for a few moments before he heard the faint clink of a metal chain and the door opened again.

"How do you know Fred?"

Gene studied the man for a minuet. He was old, or at least much older than himself. He wore a pair of black pants, a light blue shirt with a loose black tie, and a long white lab coat. His hair was snowy white and clearly overdue for a trim. It hung down the back of his neck and over his wire rimed glasses to partially obscure hard obsidian eyes. A mustache covered his mouth and his chin was in desperate need of a razor.

"Fred's a . . . business associate of mine."

"So you owe him money huh?"

"Well I . . . you see it was just that -"

"Don't worry about that. Half of this city owes him money, me included. Now who are you?"

"Hey, I've answered one of your questions, now answer one of mine. Are you really Doctor Mark Rin?"

"That depends on why you're here."

"I'd ask if you were really a scientist, but it's pretty obvious."

The man made no response at this but simply turned to walk into another room. Closing the door behind him, Gene fallowed. He was lead into a large room which probably took up most of the apartment. In it sat a large table loaded with more scientific equipment and chemicals than Gene had seen in his whole life. Yes, this man was a scientist alright.

"I used to be a doctor . . . even worked in a local hospital. But that was when I was young. I gave that up a long time ago after my wife died. Now I'm a chemist."

"I, uh, I'm sorry about your wife."

Rin turned back to look at him, a hint of long lived sadness in his eyes.

"Don't be. That was a long time ago. Now, who are you?"

"You had a daughter, didn't you?"

A long pause stretched on making the entire atmosphere in the room almost stifling.

"Yes, I had a daughter. She's dead."

There was ice in his voice. Gene knew he'd touched a nerve.

"Hey, I didn't mean to offend you, I just need your help."

"You know someone who's got the Tarian, right?"

"Yes."

"A lover?"

"Uh, no."

"Father? Mother?"

"No."

"Someone who owes you money?"

"No!"

"Well then who? Who could be so important to you that you'd go looking for someone like me?"

Gene took a deep breath. He didn't want to deal with Rin any more than he had to and the older man obviously shared his opinion on that matter. Still, if it meant getting Jim back, he'd put up with almost anything.

"You see it's like this . . . "

~*~*~*~

Jim awoke to a cold feeling that seemed to have settled into his very bones. [3] He felt weary, even more so than he had before he'd fallen asleep. It was as if he'd barely slept at all. Still, the stiffness in his joints proved that theory wrong. He'd slept, and probably for quite a while, yet he was still no better. The logic of the situation, if there was any, was beyond him. Truthfully, he didn't even want to know if there was any logic to it in the first place. He felt as if he could sleep for ever.

That thought scared him. He had to get up, and he knew it. For a split second he could not open his eyes. Their lids seemed glued together. He was scared. Still, he refused to give in. Finely his weary body responded to his mind's commands.

He forced open his tired eyes . . . and screamed.

~Owarii~

[1] - I love how Ka-san calls Jim 'my child'. It's the first time she calls him that (before that it's just 'child') and I think it's a great effect.

[2] - Ooh, that's a bit darker than I intended it to be. Well, are you yelling? Screaming? Crying? Plotting my death? What? (I wana know)

[3] - Well, had I scared you? ^^

Ooh, this was a really *long!* chapter. ^__________^ Well, what does everyone think? Love it? Hate it? Wana kill me?

~*Please be a responsible reader and review!*~