A figure stumbled through the dark passageway, groping blindly for an exit.  She 
could feel him searching for her, and she knew she wouldn't be able to avoid him 
much longer.  He was gaining on her, already his oily presence was intruding on 
her senses, as if he were there, breathing upon the back of her neck.  Shaking the 
feeling off, she moved on, finally she reaching her destination.  Cool night air 
swept in, carrying the scent of cherry blossoms to her, which she gratefully 
inhaled.  The breeze played with her hair as the woman looked about her current 
location and noticed the fountain where her stony prison for so many years had 
been.  Tears came to her eyes as she remembered those wasted years, and she 
partook the fountain's waters to cleanse herself of some of the grime from Yasha's 
realm.  

'I'm free now, he won't be able to find me here,' she thought.  

*******

Dark Star XI - Mysteries of the Present
by Delfina
Started by Chandra Rooney

*******

Tenkou, Zellar, Joodan, Hitomi, and Milei were sitting peacefully at a table in the 
hotel's dining hall.  Zellar and Hitomi were attempting to explain to Tenkou the 
significance of the Stars, and what they knew of their role in the upcoming events, 
while Joodan entertained Milei.

"So there's always five Stars in a generation, right?"  Tenkou ventured.

"Right," Hitomi replied.  "We are those Stars.  We each have two titles, a personal 
one and our inherited one.  For instance, my personal title is Magical Star, and my 
inherited one is Reality Star.  Zellar here is Mind Star."

"I thought he was Dark Star."

"Well, it's kind of complicated," Zellar responded.  "We're both known as Dark 
Star.  In this generation he's also the Death Star.  Our mother was the Death Star in 
her generation, but she's known as Black Star now."

Tenkou nodded hesitantly.  "Oh, I see now.  Mind Star?  How about Dream Star?  
That sounds much better."  

"Dream Star?  Hm...I kind of like that," Zellar murmured.

Tenkou smiled at him, "What are the others' titles?"

"Why don't you show her some sort of picture," Joodan suggested from the end of 
the table where he was busy playing a card game with Milei.  "Or a diagram."  From 
the stack of yen pieces piled by the boy, it was apparent he was winning.  At the 
other end of the table, Kurayamino smirked and then turned his attention back to 
leering at Tenkou, who was sitting beside him.  Tenkou steadfastly ignored him 
and listened intently to Hitomi, who was across the table from her.

Hitomi nodded.  "Here, let me try something.  Maybe it will help."  Hitomi waved 
her hand in the air muttering something under her breath.  Lines of light appear 
where she traced her fingers and soon it is evident that she has drawn a pentagram 
suspended in space.  Looking upon it, she touches the five points of the star one by 
one and an image of each Star forms.  "It goes in order around the Star, Reality," 
she points to her image, "Love, Mind, Justice, Death, and back to Reality," she 
explained, indicating Junta, Zellar, Atsuri, and Kurayamino in turn, finally 
resolving on herself again.  "The star could not exist without a missing link, and 
together we are a force to be reckoned with.  The time is coming, that is why we 
were called together."  The door opened after a light knock and Vincent walked in 
carrying a large covered canvas.  Glancing at the party and ignoring the floating 
pentagram, he moved to sit beside Hitomi, placing the canvas on the table.

"The time.  That again.  When will Shiko awaken, anyways?" Tenkou asked, 
frowning.  She was also steadfastly trying to ignore the suggestive looks 
Kurayamino was sending her way.

Vincent pulled the cover off of the canvas to reveal two confusing scenes.  In the 
first scene a small child was playing with a ball that looked like the earth, and 
Tenkou stood surrounded by the Stars with an aura of power blazing about them.  
In the second scene, Tenkou appeared to be holding the child, which had 
apparently fallen asleep.  In this scene as well, the Stars were surrounding her.  In 
the background of both scenes, a small group of five figures stood, only vaguely 
outlined and hard to make out.  Looking at the painting, Vincent seemed to change 
slightly, and retreat to some other place.

"She is the devourer of Worlds, and only the Children of the Stars can protect the 
Queen of Heaven," Vincent intoned.  "The time is coming near, and the Child of 
Death will be defeated by the Queen of Heaven and her Court of Stars, to slumber 
once more."  He blinked and shook his head.  "Wonder where that came from."  
Noticing Hitomi and the others, more specifically Hitomi, looking at him with avid 
interest, he blushed.

"Why, Vincent, you have a Gift.  That is very impressive," Hitomi praised.

Vincent looked slightly embarrassed at the praise.  "Well, uh, thank you very 
much, Hitomi-san," he stammered.  Hitomi didn't seem to notice his nervousness.

"You will be sure to tell us when you have more visions, or such, will you not?" 
Hitomi smiled.

"Certainly.  Anything that will help."  Vincent beamed.

"Now then, where have Junta and Atsuri gone off to?" Hitomi wondered.

*******

The two aforementioned Stars were walking along aimlessly, catching up on each 
other's pasts.  They were chatting easily, their laughter sometimes echoing down 
the streets, however it had a strained quality about it.  Deep in conversation, they 
hardly noticed that they had come to the fountain's square, and indeed would have 
passed by had they not felt the presence of another non-mortal.  Stopping, the two 
fell into defensive postures.  

Atsuri looked around the square carefully, and noticed a crumpled heap by the 
edge of the fountain.  Tapping Junta, he indicated the form.  Slowly they crept up 
to it, keeping to the many shadows.  Junta's eyes widened when he finally realized 
what the figure was, a young girl.  She jumped when she finally sensed their 
presence and quickly turned around, gazing at the pair with wide, terrified eyes.

Junta gasped.  "Tenshi!  Is that you?"  She looked much the worse for wear, her 
face was haggard and taut and her eyes were red and swollen with crying, judging 
by the tears, but Junta recognized her all the same.  He glanced at Atsuri, who 
nodded.

"Who...who are you?" she managed, her voice breaking.

"Tenshi, there is no need to fear us.  What happened to you?" Atsuri said gently.  
Junta smiled to himself as Atsuri said this.  His brother often came off as a rather 
brash and violent individual to anyone who didn't know him better, however, Junta 
knew that he could be quite compassionate at times. Being the Star of Justice, his 
fellow Star knew that helping those in need was as much a part of his role as 
meting out punishment to those deserving.

"Oh..." she blinked several times, focusing on Atsuri.  She moved her head slowly 
and noticed Junta as well, then quickly looked down.  Wringing her hands, she 
looked up again, her eyes widening in recognition.  "Atsuri...Junta..."

"Tenshi, how did you escape from Yasha?" Junta asked.  He had heard all of the 
stories from Zellar, Kurayamino, Tenkou, and Joodan, and all the versions were a 
little garbled.

"Oh...Junta...was so horrible...Kuroi Hoshi came...we were separated...."

"Kuroi Hoshi came," Atsuri interrupted, "To rescue you?"

"Yes...but...Yasha wanted to speak to her...and then I was taken...to another 
cell...and then I can't remember anything!"  She stood up, pale, with tears 
streaming down her face, "Only that he's going to find me.  I have to get away 
from him!"  Reaching over, she grabbed Atsuri and pulled him close to her.  "He's 
a horrible person!  Help me!  I can't escape him!  He's going to get me!  HELP 
ME!"  By this point Tenshi was practically screaming in his face.

"Him?" Junta asked, "Who is he?  What did he do to you?"

"He is evil!  And he is always there...he's with me now, I know it!  Oh keep him 
away from me!  Please!" she dissolved into sobs and collapsed into Atsuri's arms.

Atsuri and Junta exchanged glances, their looks full of meaning.  Atsuri picked up 
Tenshi's slight form and the two started to walk back towards the hotel.

*******

Gyoshi smiled.  His mental link with Tenshi was working out wonderfully.  He 
now knew exactly where she was and could track her down with ease no matter 
where she fled.  He could also take her mind over quite easily, and thus have 
another spy in the little party.

"Hitomi."

The demon appeared and bowed.  "Yes, Gyoshi-san?"

"How is your operative doing?  The spy you placed into their core group?"

She shifted uncomfortably.  "Gomen...he is not totally in thrall to me anymore.  I 
have to continually reestablish contact and - "

"Enough.  I will not tolerate incompetence and neither will Queen Yasha.  She 
assigned you to me and I expect you to be capable. I need him to be effective.  Do 
it.  Remember that if I'm not satisfied with your work, our Queen will not be 
either."

"Yes, master."

"You are dismissed."  Hitomi bowed again and quickly left his presence.

Idly, he fingered the black sphere that he used to inflict tortures upon the mind of 
the guardian sprite.  She had finally broken, and now he could use this deceptively 
innocent device to control her.  Funny, that.  He had found in their 'sessions' much 
to be admired in her.  She had risked her life to protect the man she loved, and paid with 
centuries of imprisonment...yet still had not wavered in her devotion to him.  He 
was almost jealous of the love she held for that demon all these years.  The demon 
was a major threat to his future plans and would be eliminated, of course.  Gyoshi 
could hardly wait to get rid of him.  ...To keep him from interfering in the return of 
his mistress, of course.  

No other reason...

*******

Atsuri and Junta interrupted the discussions when they arrived carrying Tenshi's 
unconscious body.  Zellar, looking at their burden, suddenly paled.  Tenkou, 
following his gaze, also paled...but for a different reason.  Hitomi and Vincent 
were merely startled.

"Is...is that Tenshi?" Zellar asked, conflict obvious on his face.  Inside his body, 
two souls were having an all-out battle, no holds barred.

Kurayamino was the first to speak.  "Zellar, that can't be Tenshi!  Even if it was, 
she's going to be changed from her experience with Yasha.  She's not as strong as 
mother or us.  And you really need to evaluate your feelings for her...and for 
Tenkou.  I can't believe I'm the voice of reason this time."

"I've been engaged to Tenshi for five hundred years.  She's been suffering for that 
long for me, I can't just desert her.  I've got to help her.  I have an obligation 
towards her.  In fact, it's MY fault that she was stuck as a statue for all of those 
years!"  Zellar retorted.

"I am not saying we shouldn't help her.  Just be cautious, we don't know what 
happened to her and you now have Tenkou's feelings to think about."

Meanwhile, Tenkou and Hitomi had rushed over to the half-conscious sprite and 
were now helping her into an empty bedroom, trailed by Vincent.  Joodan and 
Milei picked up their game and left quietly.  Junta and Atsuri remained and were 
looking closely at their younger sibling.

"Zellar...there's something you need to know about Tenshi." Atsuri began.

"...Yes?"

Junta spoke, his expression grave, "I know that you don't like to think that she 
could have been corrupted by Yasha and her minions, but I sense something in her.  
She seems different."

"No.  Tenshi would never have broken to them.  I don't believe that she could 
have, she is after all, a guardian sprite, dedicated to light, while Yasha serves 
darkness.  It's just not possible." Zellar protested.

"It is possible," Junta said.  "Do you honestly think Yasha would have let her 
escape if she hadn't already destroyed her?  I'm sorry, I don't want to ruin your 
reunion after being apart for so long.  I just have a feeling, it's hard to put into 
words."

"Zellar, we don't mean to disturb you, but we thought you might want to know," 
Atsuri added.

Zellar sighed.  "Let's just see what happens when she wakes up, all right?"

The two nodded and left him by himself.

"Oh, Tenshi..."

*******

Kyoku sensed Gyoshi before he saw him.  He casually turned around to look at his 
fellow Kobun and said, "Long time, no see... I'm the first one here, in case you 
didn't notice.  I am the best, the greatest!"  His eyes suddenly narrowed as he 
glared at Gyoshi.  "Hey, how did you get here so fast?"

Gyoshi sighed.  "I am working for Yasha right now.  You know that her realm 
borders this one very closely.  It has been a while, Kyoku.  The time has come, and 
the others will be here soon.  I have already started on the Taisei."

"Ahh...  Good!  Then our Mistress's rebirth is imminent?"

"Yes.  Let us go, we have much to talk about before the others arrive."

Kyoku nodded and the two vanished.

*******

Father Cloud and Master Elcid were huddled over a journal with yellowed pages.  
Another book lay open to a page with a pentagram depicted upon it.  Three small 
lamps provided some light in the otherwise dim room.  Papers covered with notes 
and drawings were scattered across the floor and the surface of the small table the 
men were sitting at.  The two appeared to be enthralled in the contents of the book.  

"The pentagrams, do you know what that means?" Father Cloud asked, pointing at 
the picture.

Master Elcid sighed, "All too well I'm afraid, all too well..."

Milei wandered in and looked at the two old men for a few moments, then left 
without interrupting them, a somewhat sad expression on his face.

*******

Yasha was sitting on her throne, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Gyoshi."

"Yes, my Queen." He entered and bowed.  Very respectful, and loyal as well.  
Yasha was considering giving him more power.

"I would like to know if your experimental technique worked," she commanded.  
"And I would like Kuroi Hoshi and her Stars destroyed."

"I will start work on that at once, my Queen.  It might please Your Majesty to 
know that the experiment did work.  I can get Tenshi here, or her mind at any rate.  
Would you like me to go on?"

Yasha smiled.  "Yes, Gyoshi.  Please."

"I have succeeded in breaking her and through this device," he pulled out the black 
sphere, "I can summon her spirit here.  She is very confused and malleable.  I have 
implanted in her mind the belief that you are no threat to her and indeed a close 
friend.  However she will see me as a danger."

"I see.  Can you bring her here now?"

"Yes, Your Majesty.  I should perhaps cast a spell of concealment so she does not 
panic first, if it pleases you.  If she sees me, it will frighten her."

"It does so please me."  She watched in fascination as Gyoshi cast his concealing 
spell and seemed to vanish into the shadows,  and then summoned Tenshi's spirit 
from her body.  In this realm, her spirit became a physical presence.  

The sprite turned and noticed Yasha.  She ran over to her and burst into tears.  The 
queen held her until her sobs subsided.

"Now...are you feeling a little better?" the queen asked.

Tenshi nodded.  "...I...I wish..."

"Is there something you want?" Yasha asked, gently.

"I...I just wish...that Zellar were here...and that evil...evil man would stay away," 
Tenshi managed.  In the shadows, a flicker of expression appeared on Gyoshi's 
face, but quickly vanished.

A gleeful smile flickered on the demon queen's face, then was quickly replaced by 
an expression of warm concern.  She put her hands on the angel's shoulders, and 
pushed her away to look in her face.

"Do you really wish Zellar was here?" Yasha asked.

Tenshi nodded, and rubbed her eyes.  Yasha smiled.  "I think that would be nice."

Tenshi's eyes widened.  "Really?..."

Yasha nodded.  "If you could bring him back here, then he could stay with us, and 
we could all be happy here, together.  ...Would you like that?"

Tenshi sniffed, then leaned forward and hugged the queen tightly.  "Oh, yes!  I'd 
love that...me, and Zellar, and you..."

Yasha gently stroked the angel's hair.  "That's good.  It'll be all right.  Tomorrow 
we'll see if we can't find him, and bring him back to stay with us..."

"Oh!  But I'm with him now.  I saw Junta...and Atsuri...then I...I fainted?  How did 
I get back here?"  Tenshi looked very confused.

Yasha smiled.  "Don't worry about it, dear.  I'd like you to stay with Zellar and his 
friends and tell me what he's doing so I can help bring him here...all right?"

"Oh, yes Yasha-sama."  Tenshi said, wiping away some of her tears.  The queen 
allowed herself a tiny grin.  

*******

Author's Note:

Well, first of all, hugs and kisses to all of my pre-readers, John Evans, Philip 
Barkow (Yes!  Even P-kun!  ^_^), Jonatan Streith, and Stephica!

Let's see...

Dream Star is meant to be Zellar's personal title.  I didn't see that he had one yet.

Taisei means 'preparations'.  I liked it better than say...using the word 
'preparations'.  That's a no-brainer.  ^_^;

Kobun means 'henchman'.  I thought it would be nice that since the Stars have their 
own little thing, Shiko's servants should have their own little name.  That was 
pretty much it for that.

Good luck to the next author, Helen Stansfeld!  ^_^

Email me with comments, c&c, etc at delfina@texas.net