Disclaimer: I don't own Sakura wars. I'm just a big fan. I do however own my own characters and story line, as well as my concept of angels. The story might contain violence, abusive language and sexual scenes. If you are underage you'd better stop here. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the story, have fun :)
Hey guys, hope you enjoyed it so far, please review, no matter good or bad :)
Chapter 10 The Hardest Decision
The first soft pink rays of the new day playfully caressed the pale face of the angel. Very slowly Lilly lifted her trembling eyelids. Her look wandered around the strange yet very familiar ceiling. She tried to stand up so she could examine better the room she was in but her efforts proved futile. She felt a strong grip on her body and as she turned to see its source, memories and visions from the previous night flooded her troubled mind. Nia's words circled through her head while she almost felt the hits of the wind on her body. Then one image emerged from the dark sea of her ongoing nightmare – a pair of deep jet black eyes that were smiling softly back at her.
Ichiro…What am I going to do?...
Hints of tears found their way to the hazel pools of the Bulgarian but she refused to let them fall as pearls on the bed sheets. She turned around and found herself in the strong and watchful embrace of the one who proved to be most precious to her heart – Ohgami. She softly smiled at him and gently traced his face with her palm. The young captain's worried expression was the last drop that made her now fragile heart break to tiny pieces. Very carefully the angel removed his hand and slipped out of the bed trying hard not to make a sound. Lilly tiptoed slowly across the room and when she reached the door she turned around to take one last sad glance at her lover.
"Don't go…" a low moan was heard from the bed as Lilly turned the door knob. Very slowly she turned her head around and her tired eyes met a pair of scared jet black ones. Long uneasy minutes they stayed just like this, staring each other straight in the eyes in tense silence – Ohgami praying the angel won't vanish, Lilly sinking deeply in her own frustration and uncertainty. The spike haired man could see the hidden tears shining in her shaky hazel eyes. The Bulgarian opened her mouth but no words came out. She lowered her gaze and opened the door.
Ohgami's eyes widened. He didn't hesitate for even a second, with a quick move he jumped out of the bed and leaped in the direction of the door. The young Hanagumi captain grabbed the angel just as she was walking out of the room.
"Lilly, don't go…" he whispered in her ear as he wrapped his arms tight round her fragile body. "I don't care what happened last night… I won't ask you to explain me what is going on… Just… please, don't go…"
The Bulgarian closed her eyes in tension, trying hard to fight her urges to turn around and drown in her lover's embrace and kisses. But when she felt the soft wetness of his silent tears on her neck, his shivering skin so close to hers, all the defenses she worked so hard to build up around her fell down in mere seconds. She gave up and her limp body collapsed in Ohgami's arms, sinking deep in his embrace, making them both fall on the floor. Very gently and slowly the spike haired Japanese made the angel turn to him. He tenderly drew his fingertips over the trails of her tears, barely touching her skin. He kissed the edges of her eyes, before melting his breath with hers.
Later in the evening
A dark silhouette moved quickly through the streets of Teito, barely seen in the shadows of the slowly falling asleep city. Soon it reached a small building near the harbor. One by one the street lamps went on and spread light on the dark surroundings. The silhouette slowly took the form of a man in a dark suit, leaning on the wall of a low-class hotel. He looked around to make sure nobody was there and disappeared in the back alley.
Minutes later, he entered a somber empty room on the second floor. His trained eyes scouted the darkness but he found nothing. Just as he was about to leave disappointed, he felt the coldness of a knife blade on his throat.
"You're late Kayama." a soft voice whispered near his ear.
"I got caught up." tensely answered the Tsukigumi captain.
Very slowly the owner of the knife took it away and its dark figure moved to sit on the sofa. Relieved Kayama stepped to the large floor to ceiling window. He lit a cigarette and after exhaling a large cloud of smoke, turned around. The full moon cast its light on the obscure room, revealing the night attacker. On the small frayed sofa sat a beautiful woman with short reddish brown hair and deep brown eyes that gazed sharply into the young man.
"I believe that it is accustomed for the one seeking information or help to be on time…" said the mysterious woman mockingly.
"True." answered Kayama somewhat angered. "I apologize, ok. I got held up, it doesn't matter. Will you help me or not?" he said a little irritated, trying hard to keep his cool.
"Hmmm… I don't know…" hesitated the woman, making the brown haired man fume with anger. She gave off a teasing smile. "Well, ok… for old times' sake." she smiled soothingly.
Kayama heaved a sigh of relief and smiled warmly. "You never change Nia. You're just like Lilly – an iron clad woman, teasing and mocking but deep beneath all the toughness lays a soft butter heart. Maybe that was what had drawn me so much to you back then." he paused for a minute, falling deep in his memories. "We fought so many battles together... shared so much… we were allies and friends… Why have you never told me about Lilly being your comrade? You knew that I had dedicated my life to searching her… Why Nia?"
The Tatar took a deep breath and slowly rose from the old sofa. She moved to the window and gazed into the flickering lights of the city. Her body was basking in the cold rays of the full moon and the brown haired Japanese could see every detail of her slender figure clad in a very short black skirt, a figure-hugging white shirt that revealed a good part of her breasts and knee-high black leather boots.
"I didn't know, Kayama." she said still staring at the city, trying to avoid his eyes. "I didn't know Lilly was your cousin. And even if I had known, I would never have been allowed to tell you. We are not who we are, not any more. Lilly, Shane, Vic and me… we are no longer the people we used to be…" her voice was full of sadness. The dark clouds wrapped the silver moon in their tight embrace and the young man couldn't see the shiny pearls in the corners of her eyes, which never came down because she didn't let them. Tense silence engulfed the small room.
"This isn't true, my dear friend." soothingly said the brown haired man as he gently put his hand round the angel's shoulder and pulled her in a hug. "You will always be who you are. No matter what happens, or what had happened, you will always keep your essence deep in your soul and in the hearts and memories of those who knew you."
The dark haired woman just smiled warmly in response and rested her head on Kayama's shoulder. For long minutes they stood like that, in the calming embrace of the night.
The coming back of the moon broke their idyllic solitude. They smiled tenderly at each other and the Tatar gestured at her friend to sit on the sofa. Kayama just nodded and sat down on the left end, lighting another cigarette while Nia sat opposite him.
"Tell me now Kayama, how can I help you?" she asked him calmly.
The Japanese took a deep drag of his cigarette and looked the angel straight in the eyes with a determined gaze flaming in his brown pools.
"I want to know what is going on Nia. What the hell happened yesterday and why is Lilly acting like a ghost all day? I want the whole truth this time!" the Tsukigumi captain raised his voice a few notes higher to state his determination in finding the answer.
The angel stood calm, not intimidated by his tone. She looked straight in his brown eyes emotionlessly.
"Do you really think you can handle the truth?" she asked with only a slight mockery as emotion in her voice.
"I don't care if the truth is hard to swallow! I need to know what is going on!" replied Kayama infuriated.
"I can't tell you Kayama." she said after a few moments, avoiding his stare. "You have to understand my friend, this is for your own good… and maybe for hers as well."
Slowly Nia rose and walked to the window. She touched the cool glass and stared lonely in the city that even soundly asleep flickered with life. Kayama opened his mouth to say something but his angry words froze in his throat as the angel spoke out first.
"All I can say to you right now is that she is facing a hard decision. She must take responsibility for her actions and see how she would move on. You can't do anything about it, she must find all that out on her own. All you can do is be there for her." the Tatar woman stopped and closed her eyes. Very slowly she turned the brown haired Japanese and looked straight at him with concerned eyes. "Be there for her Kayama… she needs your support and love, now more than ever…"
Teito, June 1929
Almost two week have passed since Lilly got that night visit from her best friend. The Hanagumi were too busy preparing the new play and didn't notice that the angel was slowly but surely slipping in a world of her own. Everybody seemed to not see that she was alienating herself from life. Everybody, except Ohgami. The young captain was getting really worried about his beloved woman.
"Ohgami!" a loud voice echoed throughout the small office. But there was no response to it. The spike haired man was mindlessly supporting his head on his arm, gazing out the window with a dull expression on his face.
"OHGAMI!" the voice was gradually getting angry. Still no answer. The mind of the dark haired Japanese was drifting far, far away in the world of his troubles. His jet black eyes stood fixed at a distant point in the sunny summer afternoon, as if all life was drained from them.
"OOOOHHHGAAAMMMIIIIII!" the hard and loud slap of a heavy fist on the desk right under his nose made the Hanagumi captain snap out of his worried thoughts. Very slowly he turned his head to the source of the disturbance. What he saw made him spring out of his chair like a champagne cork, causing all the papers pilled up in front of him to fall on the floor. General Yoneda was standing on the other side of the desk, hands on his hips, looking at the confused Lieutenant with angry, irritated eyes.
"What the hell are you doing Ohgami!" almost yelled the old man. "More than half of the day has passed and you have done practically nothing! And I come to find you here daydreaming on the job! It's inadmissible! You're a total disgrace to the team and the army!" once more Yoneda landed his heavy fist on the desk, making even more papers spread on the floor. He glared the young man angrily but at the sight of the frustrated and even a little scared Lieutenant his fury evaporated. "Whatever personal worries and problems you have, you must leave them behind. At least at your working station. Think of the girls Ohgami, of Teito, of your honor…" the General added calmly but still firmly. He gave the young man one last meaningful stare and silently left the room.
God… what the hell am I going to do… The spike haired captain wondered as he collapsed in his chair.
Meanwhile…
On a secluded hill in the city park Kaede and Kayama were enjoying the soft summer sun. The brown eyed man's head was resting in the lap of his lover while the woman's tender fingers were running through his hair. But even in this serene bliss the spy couldn't relax and lay off his worries and that didn't escape the beauty beside him.
"What's wrong, anata?" she asked with hints of sadness in her voice.
"Huh?…" sighed the young man, taken out of his thoughts. "Nothing's wrong sweetheart." he answered after a few seconds.
"Don't lie to me Kayama!" yelled the brunette, leaping sharply from her position thus making the sailor's head fall roughly on the grass canopy. "I can clearly feel and even see something's not right so don't lie to me!" small tears appeared in the corners of her eyes but her face remained determined. "I don't deserve that!"
Shaken, the Japanese man couldn't even move from the ground for long moments. His mind slowly sank in and he was quick on his feet to take his love in a soothing embrace.
"Kaede…" he whispered softly in her ear, drawing his fingertips over her soft hair and the tender skin on the back of her neck. "I'm so sorry… I just didn't want to burden you with my troubles." he added, hugging her closer.
"But that's what love is all about anata…" she whispered, cuddling her head closer to his heart. "To carry the burden of life together in happiness and sorrow…"
Reluctantly Kayama parted from the blissful closeness they were wrapped in just to take Kaede's breath away with a passionate kiss. After long moments their lips separated and the young lovers sat on the soft green carpet in a warm embrace.
"Now…" Kaede was the first to break the sweet silence. "tell me what's eating you."
The Tsukigumi captain took a deep breath and gazed at the distant horizon.
"I have a really bad feeling about all this… I don't like where thing are headed, I don't like it at all… I'm really worried about Lilly but she is a very strong person and I guess Nia is right, she must face this on her own. What I'm really worried about is how this is going to affect Ohgami and the girls, especially Ohgami…" said the brown haired man almost under his breath but Ayame's little sister heard it very well. Chills ran down her spin as she recalled the last few days and both her friends' behaviors and made the math with the new information she just digested. She clung closer to Kayama. The young man was a little taken aback by her action but very soon rested his cheek on Kaede's soft head.
"Now I understand…" the brunette woman finally broke the silence that was tense and soothing at the same time. "I understand why Ichiro was acting so weird lately and why it seemed like Lilly had disappeared in a hole in the ground."
"What do you mean weird?" asked puzzled Kayama.
"It's like he's not even there sometimes… he seems to be spacing out at almost all times. He tries to drown himself with work but he doesn't even read the documents Kazumi and Yuri pill up in front of him. I guess he is so deeply troubled about something that it's affecting his job both as an usher in the theater and as the leader of the Hanagumi."
"Hmm…" the brown eyed spy was taking a moment to comprehend what he just heard. "You're getting me even more worried about him…" he said at last.
"Then you should go and talk to him right now, be there for him. He's your friend."
"But I want to stay with you…" complained the brown haired man.
Kaede just smiled, cupped his chin gently and kissed him softly. "Me too… But he is your friend and he needs you now, so you should go to him. I'll be waiting for you. I love you…"
"I love you too." whispered the young man, melting their lips in a passionate kiss before he disappeared in the soft greenness of the park, basking in the golden rays of the afternoon sun.
Ohgami was still sitting behind his desk, trying hard to finish the big pill of documents that towered in front of him. His stare seemed to pierce through the paper and found its target somewhere in the uncertainty of the distant sky. Out of the blue a warm palm softly fell on the spike haired man's shoulder, taking him out of his troubled thoughts.
"What the… who?..." asked scared the young Lieutenant as he fell down on the floor. "Ohh… Kayama, it's you…" he said smiling. "You startled me out of my breath my friend but I'm glad you're here."
"That's what friends are for Ohgami, to help each other in times of need." smiled back the brown eyed sailor. "Tell me, what can I do for you my friend? I'm worried about you… Kaede is also concerned." Kayama gazed through the opened window into the hot summer afternoon. The back garden of the theater which the office was overlooking was shinning in the late day sun. The air was filled with the sweet perfumes of the numerous flowers that grew there. Among them the spy recognized a very familiar one that painted a bitter smile on his face. "Lilly too…" he added after a few moments of silence with a melancholic note in his voice.
Ohgami, who was sitting on the window sill, almost fell at the mention of his source of worries. As hard as he tried to cover it, that didn't escape the trained eye of his friend. But Kayama didn't say a thing. Tense silence fell upon the two young men. The room was so quiet that even the soft breeze running through the leaves and grass could be heard.
"Lilly…" repeated under his breath the jet black eyed Japanese, his voice filled with love, pain, worry and sadness. "I want to know what happened that night Kayama… I need to know…" he paused, using all the strength he had to hold back his frustrated tears. "I need to know why the woman I love more than life itself is shutting herself from the world around her… why is she avoiding me… not talking to me, not even looking at me…." he looked Kayama straight into the eyes with a stare that made the Tsukigumi captain's blood freeze. It was so angry, so hopeless, so much in pain. "I need to know what the hell happened that night… because it broke something inside her and is making her sink deep in a dark world of her own… I need to know…"
The brown haired man stayed silent. His shaky gaze was fixed somewhere in the far away distance where the azure blue sky kissed the earth. He could feel Ohgami's eyes piercing his soul, seeking answers. Answers they deserved to know and that he couldn't give.
"I don't know Ichiro." he finally uttered after long uneasy moments. His voice was dry and harsh, his deep brown pools still avoiding his friend's eyes. "I think that the only person who can answer your questions is Lilly. Don't give up Ichiro… don't give up…"
And just as he appeared, he vanished in thin air leaving the spike haired man to his thoughts. Ohgami kept on sitting on the sill, his back to the window frame, his jet black eyes melted into the green sea of the garden. The sun was hidden by the white fluffy clouds and all nature seemed as sad as the young man's heart. His searching stare stood still as it fell upon the small brick red isle in the emerald ocean. The roof of the gardener's house. His heart started shedding bitter silent tears as the two fiery coals on his shivering face sought a way out of all the torture.
The sun was slowly making its journey down to its western resting place leaving a blood red trail in the sky. Lilly was sitting on the warm wooden floor of the front porch of the small Japanese cottage, hugging tightly her knees. The happy child was tenderly caressing her pale face that showed signs of a sever lack of sleep as well as traces of dried tears.
Why… why is He punishing me… maybe I deserve punishment… but is really what I have done wrong?... I don't even know who I am any more… what I am… What should I do?... Ichiro… what should I do…Is Nia really right?... Did the woman I was die back there, in that cold winter night?... If she has died, then why do I feel like this!...Why is this passion burning my chest?... Why is my soul flickering with these feelings I harbor deep within?... friendship, love, happiness…The feeling that I finally belong somewhere… If the human I was died then why do I feel this way… what I am…
You could almost hear her heart breaking in thousands of small pieces. The sky was covered in grayish violet and blood red clouds. Soft, barely noticeable rain started silently falling. The wind was crying amidst the flowers, the branches, the grass and the emerald crowns of the trees. Nature was singing her sad song.
"Why did you plant it, sladurano?" a muted voice asked from behind.
The angel turned her head to the source of the voice. There, a few meters away from her, under the soft rain stood Kayama. His hair and clothes were soaked even though the rain wasn't strong. His face, his eyes showed sadness and melancholy beyond recognition. Lilly just stayed there, sitting on the now cool wooden floor, looking at him with shivering eyes filled with unsheded tears. She could see he had been standing there under the crying sky for a long time, observing her. The words were burning in her mouth but she couldn't utter them. With slow steps the brown haired man came close to his cousin. He kneeled down and grabbed her gently by the shoulders looking in the hazel pools with eyes filled with sorrow and impasse.
"Why did you plant it…" he asked again, his voice even lower as his eyes got moist.
The night haired woman was looking back at him scared, unable to say anything. She moved her lips but no words came out. Kayama pulled her in a tight embrace, holding her close to his heart. It was so quiet. The wind had calmed down and the only sounds heard were the two racing hearts and the soft tears of the sad summer falling on the ground. Still holding her close, Kayama broke the silence. His voice was as low as a whisper, filled a bitter sweet mix of emotions.
"Do you remember it Lilly… that day so many years ago… We were going to leave for Japan that day. You woke me so early in the morning, the sky had a strange shade of deep blue with dashes of violet which I will never forget. It was so clear we could even see the Milky Way. I've never seen another sky like that in my entire life. You grabbed my hand, urging me to hurry and dragged me out of my sleep. We walked for a few hours, slowly climbing down the mountain, till we reached a small clearing. Carefully you took me to the edge and we sat down on the wet with dew grass. As we waited for the sun to rise, you held me close and asked me to promise you that whatever happens I would never forget you… because I would be always in your heart. Those were your words… twenty years have passed and they still linger in my mind. The sky slowly changed its color to grayish pink and you gently brushed away our tears and made me look away. The sun began rising and an enchanting sight unveiled in front of our eyes. An enormous field of beautiful pink roses that seemed to stretch till the horizon. As the sun caressed the waking flowers with its soft first rays, the drops of morning dew they were covered in began to shine. I felt as if I was surrounded by a beautiful ocean out of this world. When the roses started opening, the air filled with a strange heavy, very sweet aroma. A special and unique perfume I would never forget. This was your way of saying goodbye, giving me that wonderful sight… a memory to cherish and remember you by. There's another thing from that day I would always remember too… your eyes. Shining from the tears, filled with love and sadness, hope and melancholy…" slowly he parted from the tight embrace. He cupped her chin and looked deep in her hazel eyes. "Just like they are now. There is no scent like the perfume of the rose from Kazanlak… Why did you plant it here sladka… Why…"
The now purple sky kept on shedding its soft silent tears as they stood like that – sitting on the cold wooden floor close to each other, sinking in each others eyes, their fingers laced together as bitter tears fell down their pale faces.
A few days later
Lilly was walking through the theater halls in one of the rare occasions she left the Gardener's house. Deep in her thoughts, she didn't notice Kanna turning a corner. Seconds later the two women were on the floor rubbing their heads.
"Sorry Lilly, didn't see you there… sorry…" awkwardly smiled the Okinawan.
"Ahh… it's ok." replied the angel. "It's me who should be apologizing. I must be more careful… I was spacing out, I guess… I'm sorry." she smiled softly as she stood up and helped the redhead do the same. She bowed and went on her way.
"Oi Lilly…" shouted Kanna after her. The night haired woman froze in her steps and turned around. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to see Ayame, I need to talk with her. I'm not on the wrong floor, am I?" she said with a soft laughter in her voice.
"You're not." smiled the tall karate master. "But Ayame is not here. She left to an important meeting yesterday and isn't going to be back till tomorrow. But I thought you knew that…"
"Must have slipped my mind…" replied the Bulgarian as she lowered her eyes.
"Anyway, I'm glad I met you. We all haven't seen you around lately and we weren't sure if you knew that the play was opening tomorrow night, right after the Major comes back."
"I didn't know." said Lilly with a hint of sadness in her voice. "Thanks Kanna but I don't think I'll be able to come tomorrow."
"Ohh… Why not?" asked the red haired actress with disappointment. "After all it's your play and trust me there's nothing like the opening night."
The angel just gave a faint smile. "I'll see what I can do." she said and with a slow pace disappeared from Kanna's sight.
A slow stream of people was flooding the theater the next evening. It was quite common for the famous actresses, known all throughout the country and beyond, to draw a full house, especially on an opening night. Hidden in the shadows of the upper balcony which was closed due to urgent repair works, Lilly was blushing in a deep shade of crimson. She felt so warm, so happy. It was like she was walking in a dream.
The lights slowly faded till the hall became dark. Butterflies invaded the angel's stomach and her heart skipped a beat as the heavy velvet curtain began to rise. A spot light hit the stage revealing Maria sitting in a dark forest dressed in tattered clothes and with a sad and desperate expression on her face.
A couple of hours later the night haired Bulgarian hadn't moved from her spot. Her eyes were fixed on the stage. In its very centre Kanna and Maria were sitting on the ground in a warm embrace. A little to the side Sakura, Sumire and Kohran were watching happily the duo. The entire scene was observed by Iris who was sitting on a tree branch. The blond girl was wearing a sheer white dress and a chaplet of forest flowers on her head. The young French actress began to sing and soon one by one the rest of the Hanagumi followed. The hall was filled with a sad yet hopeful song that spoke of the value of friendship and love. The spotlight went out and the heavy red curtain slowly crawled down. An explosion of applause erupted in the theater hall and one by one all the spectators rose to their feet. Lilly's eyes were still gazing at the stage where the curtain was now lifting to allow the girls to take their bows. Silent happy tears were streaming down her face. She stood like that for a few moments then slowly started to leave. Just at that moment two soft hands landed on her shoulders and pulled her in a tender hug.
"I knew you would come." a gentle voice whispered in her ear. "It was so enchanting. You did a great job."
"Ichiro…" barely heard whispered the angel, hints of sadness rang in her voice as her tears kept on falling.
The spike haired Japanese very slowly made her turn to him and softly kissed the edges of her eyes, gulping all her tears. Then he tenderly enveloped her fluffy lips and drank her breath. After a few blissful moments unwillingly he parted their lips to take a look at her face. Lilly opened her mouth to say something but the young man placed his finger on her crimson lips.
"Shhhh… no words. Please, just let me be with you tonight… please…"
She looked straight in his jet black eyes. They were filled with so much love… asking from the bottom of his heart… from each corner of his soul… As hard as she was fighting she couldn't resist that stare. She just nodded her head softly. Ohgami leaned closer and kissed her again. Gently he took her in his arms, holding her close to his heart and disappeared in the darkness of the theater.
The full moon was shinning through the opened window of the small Japanese styled cottage. The air was filled with the soft perfume of the night flowers. The silver rays were tenderly caressing the two naked bodies, lying fussed amidst the tangles sheets of the futon. The tatami floor was covered thousands of rose petals and a few burned out candles.
"I want to give you something." softly whispered Ohgami as he kissed the angel's neck. He reached for a small velvet box on the near table. The night haired Bulgarian sat on the futon, covering herself with the silk sheets. Hugging her gently from behind, the young Lieutenant placed the little box in her lap. Lilly opened it and inside lay a beautifully craft silver lightning with a small transparent tear shaped blue stone in the middle. The angel was speechless. She turned around in Ohgami's arms and kissed him softly. After she broke the kiss, he smiled at her tenderly and made her turn around so he could tie the black lace round her neck. As he did, Lilly held the lightning close to her heart.
"It looks so good on you koishii…" said the dark haired man as he pulled her in a passionate kiss.
An invisible silver hand gently went over the two bodies that seemed as one, drawing its finger over their skin. The angel was resting her head over Ohgami's heart while he was softly running his fingers through her long night black hair. She moved just a bit and he felt the coldness of the lightning shaped necklace. His thoughts took him back to the day he bought it.
Sumire had often asked him to go to that store when he helped her with the shopping and now he knew why. The shop was really small and ungainly but there was something really special about the store owner. He was an old stooped jeweler who seemed to have the gift to read people's souls and find out what was suitable for them at the right time.
It was maybe a month ago when Ohgami hesitantly walked through the creaky door. It was late and the shop was empty. Mr. Kokubunji was probably preparing to close down because there was nobody behind the counter either. A few moments later a rather short man with long white hair appeared. With curious eyes he examined the spike haired man from head to toe.
"I know you, young lad." he said after a few moments with a wide smile on his face. "You're the one that accompanies Miss Kanzaki. If you're coming to get her order tell her that I'm very sorry but it will be ready next week."
"Uuuhh…actually… uhhh…" barely uttered Ohgami.
"Mmmmm… I see, so you're here to buy something for yourself." nodded the old man. "A special gift for someone very dear, am I right?"
Ohgami could only shake his head in approval.
"Hmmmm… let's see, describe the lucky lady for me please."
"Well… she's a European…" slowly started the dark eyed Japanese. "With very long silk night black hair and deep hazelnut eyes… her skin is milky white and so soft…" his jet black pools got dreamy as he told the craftsman about the angel.
"Ahhhh… but I know the lady well… she has come here with Miss Kanzaki several times. An enchanting and mystic woman indeed. But there's something sad deep inside her soul…" he fell deep in his mind, thoughtfully rubbing his chin. "Ahaaa!" he shouted and quickly disappeared in the back of the store. After a few moments he came back very carefully holding something wrapped in a velvet dark blue cloth. Slowly he uncovered it and showed Ohgami a beautiful lightning with a blue stone in the middle. "I made that almost 29 years ago… It was so precious to me that I never put it for sale. That stone you see in the middle is said to be a dragon tear. It is said to be very rare, which is why most people don't even believe things like that exist. According to the legend the dragon tear harbors an enormous hidden power. If given with love it will protect its owner and forever link the one who wears it with the person who gave it to them. But all of this is superstition." added the jeweler with a subtle irony.
"I can't take this…" refused the young Hanagumi captain. "It seems too precious to you…"
"Hmmm… it's true that this is very dear to my heart… to tell you the truth young man, my late wife helped me craft it. And she was the one that found the dragon tear." he paused sinking in his memories.
"Now, more than before, I simply can't take it…" shook his head Ohgami.
The old master smiled. "You're a good young lad. And that beautiful girl… she's like magic… It's not a matter of you wanting or not, the necklace has finally found its owner…"
Ohgami tenderly drew his hand over Lilly's soft cheek, trailing it down on her shoulder and arm. He felt her skin shivering under his fingertip. Her steady calm heartbeat was like a lullaby to his worried mind. Subconsciously he held her tighter, closer to him as if he feared he would lose her.
I hope it protects you my love… because I fear I won't be able to…
A coupe of days later
Lilly was sitting at the back porch of the gardener's house watching the beautiful sunset. But the marvelous sight of nature's true craftsmanship didn't seem to move her at all as she was deep in her thoughts.
Nia's deadline is dangerously approaching… What should I do… What?... How can I make a decision when my head and my heart go in opposite directions…
She grabbed her head in her hands, shaking it violently. She felt like crying but her tears were all dried out. She cried so much that her heart had no more pearls to shed.
What must I do?…
With slow steps she went inside. After a few minutes, she walked out the front door, clad in sky blue jeans with some white water Lilies sewed on them and a loose white linen blouse with a low boat like neckline. Her long hair was neatly braded. Agile as a cat she quickly disappeared in the city.
Silently she wandered around the alive streets of Teito. Everywhere she looked, she saw memories of her stay at the TeiGeki, of her friendship with the girls, of her love with Ohgami… Slowly her feet led her to the city park. There, she sat under the shade of a big Sakura tree gazing at the small lake. Staring at the even water only made her feel sadder. She drowned deep in her memories and thoughts and almost didn't feel a soft hand shaking lightly her shoulder.
"Lilly-neechan… Lilly-neechan…" a tiny cheerful voice filled the hot summer air. "Wake up!"
Startled the night haired woman turned around to see a young blond girl with the most shining smile.
"Iris…" she said faintly, smiling back. "You scared me."
The sun on the girl's face suddenly became overcast. Softly she sat down next to the angel and huddled in her arms.
"Iris didn't mean to scare you, Lilly-neechan. Iris was calling for you but Lilly-neechan wouldn't answer. Why didn't you answer, did Iris do something wrong?" asked the French almost trough tears, looking straight into the hazel eyes of the older woman.
The Bulgarian tenderly tapped the soft blond head, smiling at the scared young girl. "No Iris, you didn't do anything wrong. It was my fault. I was so lost in my thoughts that I haven't even heard you. Gomen nasai."
"There's no need to apologize, Lilly-neechan." the blue eyed girl's smile went back on her lovely face. "But why were you so deep in your thoughts?" concerned asked Iris.
"I was searching for an answer." said melancholically the angel, moving her gaze to the distance. After a few moments she looked back at Iris only to see a confused expression on the teenager's face. That brought a soft smile to her lips. She lovingly caressed the golden hair. "You see Iris, before me lays a very important decision… A decision that might change the course of not only my life, but also of the life of someone very dear to me." the Bulgarian sighed deeply and once again moved, fell into the welcoming far away line of the horizon. "There are two ways out of this situation I am in and unfortunately both ways will bring pain. I don't know which way to chose, because I don't want to bring pain to those close to me."
Looking at the pale sides of the angel, Iris could easily spot the shinning trails of the silent tears falling from the deep hazel eyes.
"Lilly-neechan, please don't cry. Iris doesn't like when people cry. Iris may be little but Iris knows one thing – every roses have thorns and life isn't an all-pleasure journey. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. Sometimes you have to hurt the people you care about in order to protect them from even more pain… It may sound cruel but it's true… sadly it's too often true. And if that person really cares for you as well, they must understand."
The night haired woman very slowly turned and faced the young girl. "Iris…" she just said lovingly, drowning in those endless blue eyes. "Thank you…" she whispered softly as she embraced tightly the blond actress.
Iris smiled warmly, happy she the angel was no longer crying. Then all of a sudden she opened her eyes in panic.
"Lilly-neechan, we must go to the theater quick!" almost screamed the young girl.
"What has happened Iris, is anything wrong?" asked the Bulgarian in concern.
"No, nothing is wrong. Iris just remembered. Manager Yoneda has sent us to search for you and get you to the theater as soon as possible. There is somebody there looking for you."
Lilly's blood froze. Her face gained a pale and scared expression.
"Who is looking for me?" she asked faintly, trying hard to hide her fear.
"Manager Yoneda wouldn't say. He just said to get you quick because it was important." answered the blond girl, looking concerned with what she read in the angel's eyes. "Is everything all right Lilly-neechan?"
"Yes, Iris. Don't worry." the night haired woman forced a smile, gently caressing the young actress's head. "We should be going then. Everything is all right." she added barely heard more to reassure herself than Iris.
A little later
"Come in." answered the General after a timid knock on the door of his office was heard.
"You wanted to see me Pappy Yoneda." trying to sound as cheerful as possible Lilly slowly entered the room.
"Yes, Koneko. There is someone here to see you." he gazed to one of the two chairs in front of his desk.
Slowly a silhouette rose from one of them. A well build teenager with short silver hair stood silently opposite the angel and respectfully saluted her.
"Reni? What are you doing here?" asked the Bulgarian in surprise.
"I'm here to take you home…" answered almost emotionlessly Second Lieutenant Reni Milchstrasse.
Utter shock took over the entire room as well as over all the women scattered on the other side of the door. For long uneasy minutes no other words broke the silence that fell like a dark cloud upon the cozy little office. Only the tense looks that Lilly and Ayame, who was standing by the window, gave each other.
"A problem occurred that requires your immediate intervention." finally continued the silvered haired girl. "I was asked to brief and assist you along the way. I am sorry but I cannot reveal any more information right now." she turned her gaze to Yoneda and Ayame. "We must leave right away."
"Very well then…" answered the angel still fixing her hazel eyes on Ayame's. After a few seconds the Major lowered her stare regretfully, realizing what the determination she read in the two precious stones on the Bulgarian's face meant. Slowly the night haired woman walked to the window, followed by the German. "Ayame will you please do me a favor?" she said without turning. "Reni and I will prepare my luggage, will you please gather the girls, I want to say good bye… and please find my absent-minded cousin and his lovely girlfriend. I'm sure they must be making out somewhere…" she added with a sad smile just before spreading her wings and flying out of the window with the silver haired teenager.
Lilly landed softly in front of the Gardener's House. She put Reni on the ground and smiled at her tenderly. Then with slow scared steps she entered the small Japanese cottage. The blue eyed German looked concerned at her friend's back and after a few moments followed her inside. In silence they began packing the angel's clothes and personal belongings. Each little memory brought more pain and tears to the Bulgarian's heart.
"Tell me, Reni…" the night haired woman broke the uneasy silence. "It was all Nia's idea right… you coming here to get me."
Startled Reni turned to her friend. She gave off a bitter expression as she felt the sadness with which the angel was looking at a framed picture of her surrounded by the Hanagumi.
"She is worried about you…" said the German at last. "But it's only half true. They really need your help with a mission right now. What Nia did was only to send me here earlier."
"I would have left tomorrow anyway, you know… just at her deadline…" absentmindedly replied Lilly.
"Would you have really done that Koneko?..." a voice through tears came from behind.
"Ayame…" barely uttered the Bulgarian before the older woman fell into her arms.
"Would you really have just vanished from our lives… just like you came… like the warm whiff of a far away dream…" whispered the brown haired Japanese into Lilly's chest.
"I have to Kotori… I have to…" little pearls formed at the corner of her hazel eyes. "I don't want to leave… once again you gave me a place to call home, I found so many friends here… If I had a choice, I would have stayed… But I care about all of you too much and my heart has no choice. I don't wish to see you hurt so I must go…"
"But Iris doesn't want Lilly-neechan to go!" crying the blond girl rushed to the warm embrace of the Bulgarian.
"It's better this way Iris." gently the hazel eyed woman patted the young actress. Tenderly she kissed her forehead and placed her palm on her chest. "But I will always be with you… here, in your heart and you will be in mine."
One by one all the girls said their goodbyes to their friend. It seemed like a gloomy cloud had fell upon the TeiGeki, tears shone in everybody's eyes, even the General let his feeling go.
"Take care of my little cousin alright?..." said Lilly as she embraced warmly Kaede.
"I will. You take care of yourself, ok?" replied the Japanese.
For long minutes the two cousins stood looking in each other's eyes.
"How cruel can life be, heh militchak?" sadly said the angel. "We find each other just to be separated again."
"Yeah… but now I know you're there and my life has meaning again thanks to you." replied Kayama as he pulled the Bulgarian into a tight hug.
"Please take care of him for me." barely heard whispered Lilly in his ear.
"I promise. Why don't you wait till tomorrow he should be here by night fall." the brunette man whispered back so only she could hear him.
"It's better like this… I wouldn't bear to see his eyes when I say goodbye."
With sad faces the girls, Ayame and Yoneda followed the two female silhouettes till they disappeared from their sight. Silent tears sparkled in the hazel eyes as with slow steps the angel walked towards the exit of the place that made her soul spread its wings and fly free to the clear blue skies.
Late in the night
Tired from the boring navy meeting, Ohgami dragged his heavy feet on the clear paths of the TeiGeki Park. He should have reported at the General's office right after he returned but he decided that it was too late anyway. Instead, he put all the strength he had into getting to the little house at the far end of the garden faster. Finally he reached it but to his surprise not a single candle flame scared the darkness of the night away. Concerned, he quickened his pace. The spike haired man rushed into the house only to find it empty. There was no trace of the previous cozy atmosphere, of all the candles and small signs of happy memories that Lilly used to keep. Frantically he ran around the entire house. Nothing. Only cold and darkness. Then, something white caught his glance. On the desk in the bedroom there was a small envelope with the word "Ichiro" written on it. With shaky fingers the young captain unfolded the piece of paper that was inside and slowly began to read the neat handwriting. Halfway through the letter it fell off his hands. Endless shock and pain drowned his jet black eyes as he collapsed on his knees on the tatami floor.
"No…." a low tortured groan left his lips as silent, filled with grief tears from his wounded heart rained on the small piece of paper.
Author's notes:
anata (Japanese) – as far as I know the first meaning of the word is "you" but it also used by women to their lover with the meaning "dear"
sladurano (Bulgarian) – sweetie
sladka (Bulgarian) – my sweet, sweetie or something in that line
militchak (Bulgarian) – a diminutive for darling
Kazanlak (Bulgarian) – an actual city in Bulgaria, one of the most famous cities from the Rose Valley (which I actually try to describe in the chap). The rose of Kazanlak is a famous oil giving rose.
Another long one… I don't know what is happening to me these days. Sorry for the delay guys but I guess summer is not only fun and games but also hard work and I barely get some free time for myself… I would like to send a lot of thanks to everybody that is reading that story, especially to Benji Himura, Shirogami, HaruNatsu and Greyhound master (hope you like the appearance of Reni in the story ;) ), thanks for all the never ending support and kind words. You guys are what keeps me going! Stay tuned cause this is surely not the end… What will happen next, is Lilly gone for good? Well, I'm gonna torture you a little to find out (bad me, hahahahaha). Anyway, enjoy the story and please review. Best wishes:)