Disclaimers: Don't own, Don't Sue…Xiu Soi I own.
Chapter 7
"You're that freaky old guy that chased me in the library!"
"Yes, and I believe that I have not introduced myself properly…my name is Zuo Ci"
"What are you doing here? Is this your doing? What am I doing here?"
Zuo Ci went to the window and looked up. "It is such a clear night…" he smiled serenely at wary Soi.
"One can see shooting stars clearly…and on rare nights like these, you can see the brightest of them all…yet…it can not appear…Even if thousands of years pass…"
"Answer me" Soi threatened as she took the knife from the fruit bowl and held it up in defense. Zuo Ci remained smiling.
"My lady…after seeing you today and witnessing your deed…I have no doubt that you are indeed the one that I have been waiting for"
"I don't know what you're talking about"
"You will know…eventually. Life has not been kind, yet do not forget that there are those who love you…"
"What are you talking about! No one—"
"Much has changed since you came to this world, Soi…if you open your eyes, you will see…"
"My eyes are open, and I do not understand anything!"
"You must not only look, but see…you must not only hear, but listen…and you must not only use this to feel…" he pointed at his head. "But also this…" he pointed at his heart.
"Yet as I can see…you have a lot of heart to go around…do not change Soi…
"You're making a mistake. I'm not the one you're waiting for. I'm just an ordinary girl. I'm powerless--"
"…You are strong, yet you do not realize it…you are good yet you feel you are a hypocrite…you are wise yet you feel foolish…believe in yourself, as the people believe in you."
Zuo Ci went towards her and looked into her eyes. "Do not despair, for the answer will come to you soon enough. Time is running out…you would have to make your choice…"
"Why me?" she asked as she felt tears sting her eyes. It was all too much!
Zuo Ci felt sorry for her…to break the news to a broken child. But he had to. Time was running out.
"Because you are the one in the prophecy…"
"I never heard of a prophecy!"
"Let's just say that you have enemies in higher places…make the right choice…"
"What if I don't? What if I make a mistake? What will happen?"
"You must not. For if you do, everyone's lives…will be enveloped in never ending darkness…it is your duty to bring them out."
"BUT WHY ME?" she screamed, frustrated.
"Because it's fate's will…believe in yourself…and you will know that you are right…"
"YOU'RE NOT ANSWERING ANY OF MY QUESTIONS!" Soi exclaimed hysterically.
The door burst open suddenly and she saw Lu Xun, his swords in hand. "My lady! Are you alright?"
Soi turned towards the old man and saw that he was gone. She fell on her knees.
"My lady…?" Lu Xun approached her cautiously. To his horror, he saw droplets of water on the floor from her face, and saw that she was shaking. He instantly dropped his swords and held her tight.
Soi couldn't take it anymore. What happened to her when she was still in her world, her sudden arrival in this one, her sudden appointment as the hope of the people, the sudden attention, Zhou Yu and now this burden…she couldn't help but feel the weight of the world on her shoulders. She couldn't help but feel that all the forces in the universe conspired against her.
Then she felt a pair strong, small arms wrap around her. She saw that it was Lu Xun and rested her head on his chest. She sobbed and wailed…she cried her heart out.
Lu Xun brought her to the rooftop for a breath of fresh air. This has helped her as she stopped crying. A serene look dominated her face as she rested on Lu Xun's chest. He never let her go, for he feared that she might think that she was alone…she was not.
She looked at him and smiled. Lu Xun felt his cheeks burn and his head swim. He wanted to hold her and never let go…he wanted her to smile at him like that always.
"Are you alright now, Lady Xiu Soi?"
"I told you to drop the Xiu, Cotton Candy boy"
He couldn't help but smile. That was the nickname that she picked for him. She told him that he wore and almost shade of pink…that's why cotton candy. And she told him that cotton candy was sweet, just like he was. But what he did not like was the boy part…he was a man! But as long as Lady Xiu Soi…rather, lady Soi was happy, he didn't argue.
"I'm fine now, thanks to you…" she looked up the sky, at the stars. "You know…when I was a child, my most favorite thing of all was a shooting star…"
"You yourself are a shooting star, my lady…"
She laughed. "You're right.". She looked down.
"You know that story that whenever you see a shooting star…you make a wish before it vanishes and your wish comes true? I wanna be like that…a beautiful light in the darkness…providing hope and happiness for everyone…and vanishing so quickly with everyone trying to catch me…to be wanted and loved…for people's faces to brighten whenever they see me…" tears began to fall from her eyes once again.
Lu Xun held her tighter.
"Now, those dreams were taken from me…and I can't take them back anymore…I'm not worthy to be the Falling Star…I should be the 'Failing Star'…"
"Be quiet. Don't say another word." Lu Xun commanded as Soi looked at him, surprised. "You are the Falling Star. Don't say you're not worthy. Remember what you told me earlier, about how they were so happy to see you? The hope in their eyes and faces? Do you think you can get such a reaction if you're not worthy?"
"But Lu Xun…"
He held his finger over her lips. He then wiped her tears from her eyes. He never knew she harbored so much sorrow…were there more?
He looked into her eyes gently. "I believe in you, Soi…"
Soi closed her eyes and smiled. "You finally called me by my name…"
He chuckled. "Yes but this I can only do whenever it's between the two of us…"
His breath caught when she leaned on him and closed her eyes. "Hold me tight…never let me go…you're my dearest friend, Cotton Candy boy…"
He did and closed his eyes. It was alright if they were just friends…for now.
He hummed the melody line from 'I'll be' and Soi smiled.
The festival started with a bang, with the Qiao sisters performing the ritual dance spectacularly, with a few acrobatics from the local troupe to back them up. The horse race almost went haywire, thanks to Gan Ning's little prank of getting one of the horses drunk. Fortunately, everyone expect Zhou Yu, Lu Meng, Ling Tong (the poor victim), and Zhou Tai, thought that it was funny.
The strength contest went smoothly, well, if you call a rolling Gan Ning in the mud and a vengeful Ling Tong snickering smooth. The wine drinking contest was a success, except that when Ling Tong entered it, he went to the bathroom post-haste. It seems as though an ex-pirate slipped laxative in his wine.
The crowd was curious as to how the match up between Sun Shang Xiang and Sun Quan would end up. To everyone's awe, Shang Xiang emerged victorious.
The battle between Sun Ce and Zhou Yu was elegant and breathtaking. They were both good, as they used the whole square as a stage, jumping on tables, chairs, getting wet by the pouring wine. It's as if they were both dancing, and in the end, it was a draw, for it was eating up a whole lot of time and no one might be able to stop them once they really get into it. And knowing Ce, there would be broken houses and fences to mend in the morning.
It was Soi's turn. She had the dress that she wore on her party…except that there was another alteration. She made it into a backless, much to the annoyance of Sun Quan, Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Lu Meng, Zhou Tai and Lu Xun. Revenge is sweet.
She also placed a beaded butterfly in her hair, replacement for the lotus.
As she walked up the stage, she bowed and smiled. She looked at everyone and announced' "This song also came from my world…I didn't compose it or anything…but it's one of my favorite songs…I encourage you all to dance to the beat…like let your body flow. There are no fixed dance steps…freestyle. You may dance as you wish."
She smiled again and looked at Lu Xun. "It's called Houki Boshi (Comet)"
Instantly, an upbeat sound from the musicians flowed through the square.
"Hey, I think I'll like this song…" Ce murmured appreciatively. Everyone, at first, listened in awe, unsure of what to do.
Soi opened her fan and sang:
yozora wo miage hitori houki boshi wo mita no
isshun de hajikete wa kiete shimatta kedo
(Looking up to the night sky alone, I saw a comet
In that moment, damn, it instantly disappeared but )
Lu Xun smiled as they shared an understanding.
anata no koto omou to mune ga itaku naru no
ima sugu aitai yo
dakedo sora wa tobenai kara
(I think of you and my chest aches
I want to see you right now
But I can't fly through the sky that's why )
Sun Ce, delighted, pulled Da Qiao and started dancing.
moshi atashi ga houki boshi ni nareta naraba
sora kakenuke tonde iku
donna ashita ga kite mo kono omoi wa tsuyoi
dakara houki boshi zutto kowarenai yo
(If ever I could become a comet
I would run through the sky and fly
No matter what tomorrow is like, these feelings are strong
That's why this comet will never break)
"Hmm…this song…" Zhou Tai started.
"Is starting to make me wanna dance!" Huang Gai declared.
"…How ironic…it has a happy beat…yet it's meaning…" Zhou Tai trailed off as Huang Gai began dancing.
ame ga futte iyadato boyaite ita toki ni
anata ga itta koto ima demo oboeteru
(I grumble about hating it when it rains
But now I remember what you would say)
"Shake it!" Gan Ning said as he danced with the local ladies.
"I'm much better than you!" Ling Tong shouted as he had the time of his life.
ame no ato no yozora wa kirei ni hoshi ga deru
sore wo kangaeru to ame mo suki ni nareru yo ne to
(After the rain, there would be a beautiful star.
When I think about that, I think that I can fall in love the rain too right? so)
Sun Shang Xiang smiled as she listened to the lyrics of the song.
moshi atashi ga houki boshi ni nareta naraba
afureru hikari furasu yo itsu mo
kanashii toki yozora miru anata ga
egao ni naru you ni motto kagayakitai
(If ever I could become a comet
There would be overflowing light always
Whenever you're sad, look up to the night sky
So that your smile would become more livelier)
As the musicians broke into the instrumental, Lu Xun caught Soi gazing at Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao. He felt a painful stab in his chest. He then saw that she was about to break.
anata wa itsu mo hitori
nani ka to tatakatteru
soba ni iru koto shi ka atashi ni wa deki nai kedo
(You're always alone,
What are you fighting with?
But I can't be there by your side but )
He thought he heard her crying while singing, but he thought it might've been his imagination. No one seemed to notice…Lu Xun looked at her. Lu Meng glanced at his student. "Don't dive in too deep Lu Xun…" he whispered again.
moshi atashi ga houki boshi ni nareta naraba
sora kakenukete tonde iku kitto
(If I ever could become a comet
I would run through the sky and fly more)
Zhou Yu, by this time was dancing with Xiao Qiao and was being hooted at by his brother. Sun Shang Xiang had dragged a protesting Quan to the dance floor and danced with him.
kanarazu todoku kono isshun no hikari de
anata no ima terashi sora wo megurou
(Definitely reaching you, in this instant's light
Your moment will be surrounded by the embracing sky)
Gan Ning and Ling Tong eventually forgot about each other and danced to the beat.
atashi ga houkiboshi ni nareta naraba
kitto soba ni ite ageru donna toki mo
(If ever I could become a comet
I would certainly be by your side, no matter when)
Lu Xun lit the fireworks and it soared up the sky. It gave an impression of a comet soaring up the sky. Soi saw this and looked at it. Then, her eyes met Lu Xun's, tears streaming down. She smiled at him sweetly and gratefully as tears rolled down her cheeks. He smiled at her, his eyes betraying he love he felt for her. For a brief moment, a connection between them was made.
The music ended and everyone cheered. She smiled, replaced the her face with the mask that Lu Xun knew so well, and bowed down to the crowd.
When she came down from the stage, everyone began handing her flowers and praises.
"That was so good!" when she turned, she was surprised that the one that praised her was a beaming Sun Ce. "See, I knew you could do it!"
She cocked an eyebrow and finally smiled at him. "I am the Falling Star, right?"
"RIGHT!" he answered while raising his fist. "Let's get WASTED!"
The evening went on as Soi watched the Wu officers interact with their people. Ling Tong and Gan Ning were at it again, playing "out-dance-me-if-you-can" with Xiao Qiao as the referee while a silent Zhou Tai was enjoying a conversation with the village elders. Huang Gai was telling the children stories and Lu Meng was enjoying a drink with Sun Quan. Sun Ce on the other hand, was doing what he does best: getting wasted. While Da Qiao was watching worriedly over him, Soi felt someone coming. She turned her head and in an instant, her breath caught: it was Zhou Yu.
"Another remarkable performance, Lady Soi.." he said, with a cup of wine in hand.
"Thank you" she bowed while waving her fan.
"Although, I am sure that you know how much we disapprove of your clothing, but we will take it as your revenge and let the matter drop." He lifted the cup to Soi.
"Cheers"
She did the same. "Cheers"
As she took a sip of wine, some children came to her and asked her to play with the fireworks with them. She agreed and as she was doing so, her attention was called by several people, making her feel warm and at home. As she was holding a single flower that a little boy gave her, her eyes caught something in the middle of the crowd: it was Zuo Ci.
Excusing herself, she gave chase until she was led into the dark backwoods, music and laughter disappearing behind her. She stopped when she finally caught up with him, her face flushed, while he was standing with his back on her.
"So…have you finally made your choice…Lady Soi?"
"What choice? You never gave me a choice to begin with!"
"If that is the case, allow me…" she abruptly turned as the new voice came from behind her.
Leaning against the tree was an androgynous being, its lips painted black and raven hair long. It was wearing a long red, Chinese robe and walked towards her.
"Who the hell are you?" she boldly asked, her muscles tensed instinctively.
It smiled at her. "You may call me whatever you want…" it walked around her in a seductive manner. "Some call me Ares, Eris, Chaos, Gilgamesh, Destruction…I personally do not care."
"The embodiment of chaos…" Zuo Ci murmured.
"Correct, old man." He bowed. "What's in a name? I do not need it. I am Eternal. Only mortals do…"
"How will I call you then?" Soi asked.
"Tsk tsk tsk. Ah, the simple mind of a human. Beings like us, know who we are that's why we do not need names…but for the benefit of your indescribably feeble mind, you can call me… Kayriel."
"So, why has the GreatKayriel graced a mere mortal like me its overwhelming presence?"
It smiled. "I have come to give you what you want…a choice. You see, my dear Soi,"
It draped an arm around her. She shuddered. "You are not just a mortal but THE mortal…whatever you do will affect the lives of millions, billions, even the whole world! The past, present, future…one false move and you destroy them all."
It smiled as it saw the look of terror in Soi's eyes. "Everything comes at a price my dear…the law of equivalent trade in alchemy. You cannot create something out of nothing…You have to sacrifice something of equal value. Your happiness, the warmth, the home, the love that this place has obviously given you will eventually come at a terrible price…You didn't believe for a minute that you would be loved unconditionally, be warm and happy without paying for it, did you? I know that you already learned that lesson…"
Soi froze. Zuo Ci saw this yet remained silent. She would have to pass this test herself…
"For their respect and affection, you must sacrifice your very being…yourself. Your body. Your Soul. And your heart. Everything that belongs to you…will be taken away. You must act according to their will….be the lovely marionette that you are."
It twirled her into a dance. She didn't fight. It dipped her low and whispered in her ear: "And I am sure that you would do a very good job, just like last time…"
She gave a little shout and pushed it away. "Get away…"
"You wound me, my sweet…you're so very beautiful…I wonder why you hide that gift that I gave you in a boy's disguise?"
She backed away into a tree and it advanced towards her. "Because you are very dear to me, I'll give you a choice…first, remain here and lose everything that belongs to you. And the second one…" it held out its hand. "Is to take this hand, so that I may be able to return you to where you rightfully belong…to save yourself from more pain. With this hand…I will lift the burden from your shoulders"
"Why are you…giving me a way out…?" Soi said as tears trickled from her eyes. "I've been betrayed…and you said yourself that one cannot get anything without paying for the price…what is the price of you helping me…?"
"You're a bright one dearest. Okay, the price of me helping you is for you not to alter the history of China in any way. That's it."
"So that it would always be in chaos…" she chuckled bitterly. She looked at the hand that it held. It was tempting.
Zuo Ci was watching intently. Do not give in, Lady Xiu Soi!
"Soi!" the voice pierced through Soi's thoughts as she turned her head to where the voice was. Lu Xun!
When she turned her head towards Chaos and Zuo Ci, they were gone.
Lu Xun popped from the bushes. "Soi! Everyone was so worried about you…you disappeared all of a sudden…what happened to you?"
Soi wiped the tears from her eyes. How could she have been so blind?
"I'm fine" She said coldly.
She hurriedly stepped out of the bushes. To let my heart be tempted by false hope…is my resolve that weak?
"Soi, wait!"To hope for love just a little bit…I thought I killed that heart long ago…
"Soi!"
To be hurt again by betrayal…does fate hate me that much?
"Soi!" Lu Xun grabbed her arm and looked at her. She didn't meet his eyes and was looking down.
"I'm fine…Lu Xun…"
Lu Xun stopped. What happened to Cotton Candy boy?
"You're lying. You're wearing that mask again. Talk to me, Soi!"
Soi freed herself and ran towards the castle with Lu Xun right behind her.
"Whoa Soi—" Sun Ce said as she bumped into him.
"We were worried about—what happened to you?" Shang Xiang inquired as she saw dirt on her clothes and bits of leaves on her hair.
Soon, all of the officers that were looking for her came back and asked if she was fine.
"I'm fine!" She shouted as she freed herself from Lu Xun. She looked at them, and everyone saw the unfathomable pain from her eyes.
"What does it matter to you if I'm alright or not? I'm just the Falling Star remember? I represent the hopes and dreams of Wu, the Sun family's dreams to conquer the land! I'm just a symbol! If I were a normal being, I'm so sure that you people will not even notice my existence!"
"Lady Soi, what are you talking—" Lu Meng asked yet Soi cut him short.
"You know what I'm talking about! I'm your puppet! Your marionette! I would just have to sing, smile and wave, right? You all only care about me because I'm needed in your agendas to conquer the land!"
"Lady Soi" Ling Tong pleaded desperately "that's not—"
"Yes it is!" she screamed. "Don't worry, I'll do as you please until you win! Just cut the 'niceness' crap! Do not pretend to care for Soi anymore! You're hurting me more with your smiles, kind words, gestures when in fact I know that they are not for Soi but for the Falling Star! Do you realize how hard it is for me and how much you hurt me with your concerns? If you don't mean them, just drop it!—"
PAK!. Soi held her cheek as she looked at a crying Da Qiao, with her hand raised. "Stop it! Just stop it!"
"Da Qiao…" Sun Ce whispered as Xiao Qiao went to her sister's comfort. Xiao Qiao, was crying as well.
"You don't know how much you mean to us! We didn't become friends with the Falling Star but with Xiu Soi! Who are you? Give Soi back! Give her back to us!" Xiao Qiao was crying as Zhou Yu went to embrace and calm her.
Shang Xiang was looking at her mournfully. "That hurt Soi…we never meant to use you. We never did. We just wanted you to feel at home…we wanted you to be part of the family…"
"STOP IT!" Soi covered her ears and ran towards her room.
Why were they so nice? It hurt so much! And they all made her look like the villain…
Why…Why me?
She cried her heart out until she fell asleep.
TBC
Author's notes: things are getting a bit dramatic…Houkiboshi is the ending song for the anime "Bleach". I love the song! I got the translation from and replaced some of the words with my own translation…I know a little Japanese since I'm a student in Japanese…so you will all have to forgive me if I messed the translation up. My thanks to mognet for the initial translation! I recommend Houkiboshi! It's a nice song!