"Go Kurayamino. Run while you still can!"

"No, Tenkou. This time I'm not leaving you."

"Go, now!" she commanded.  "Your Queen orders it!"

"I told you, I am not going to leave you!" Kurayamino answered, closing the
distance between Tenkou and himself.  "I am not going to let myself lose you
again," he continued, drawing her into his arms.

There was no bright flash, no loud noise -- nothing to signify their passage
from one world to another but a whisper left hanging in the wind.

"You fool."

- = - = -

Dark Star 19 - Orphée
by Raviprasad Duvvuri
started by Lady Chaos
hosted by ImproFanfic

- = - = -

"And who would you be?" Atsuri asked, placing himself between the kitsune
and his mother.

The kitsune sniffed and looked Atsuri in the eyes.  "How rude.  And here I
thought it was the custom to introduce yourself before demanding another's 
name."

"I'm not very traditional," he replied gruffly. 

"Now, now... let's not squabble," Kuroi interjected.  Addressing the
kitsune, she continued, "Please understand that this is not a good time.  I 
am Kurayamino's mother.  What business would you have with him?"

The kitsune nodded.  "My name is Firu.  I am an old friend of Kurayamino."

"Firu, don't you recognize me?" Nesuni asked, stepping forward.  Seeing the
strange looks her family was giving her, she nodded imperceptibly to let
them know she knew what she was doing and didn't want them objecting.  
"It's me, Kurayamino."

"No, I don't," the kitsune answered, shaking his head sadly.  "I'm afraid I 
can't really remember much of anything.  That's what I needed to talk to 
you about.  Could we speak in private?" 

"Certainly," Nesuni replied.  Turning to her family, "I'll take care of
this.  I'll be back in a bit."  Gesturing toward the door with her hand, she
directed the kitsune outside.

Junta was the first to break the silence.  "Well?" he asked Zellar.

"I do remember a Firu, but I can't say whether that was him or not.  His 
timing surely couldn't be worse," he answered.  "We should go ask 
Kurayamino himself."

"That isn't going to be possible," Joodan announced as he entered the room.
"They're gone."

"What?" exclaimed Atsuri.  "Where are they?"

Joodan shook his head.  "I don't know.  There was a flash, so I went to see
what it was.  When I got out to the fountain, they weren't there."

"This is not what we need," moaned Junta, who was met with nods of agreement
around the room.

- = -

Milei squirmed uncomfortably in his seat.  "Mister Painter, Sir?"

Vincent finished adjusting his easel and looked up at the child he had been
asked to look over.  "Please, Milei... could you call me Vincent?  'Mister
Painter' sounds funny."

"Sure thing, Mister Vincent, Sir.  Can we go out and play?  I'm bored."

Vincent squatted down next to Milei's chair and tickled the boy's nose with
his paintbrush.  "I was about to start a painting.  Can't you just find
something to do here?"

The little boy pouted his disappointment.  Then his face brightened as
he came up with a compromise.  "Tell me a story."

"A story?  I'm not very good at those."

"Please?" Milei begged.  "I promise I won't interrupt or anything."

Vincent stood up and nodded.  Picking up a piece of charcoal, he stepped
behind his canvas and began sketching.

"Well, here is a story I was told when I had just begun painting.  There was 
a gentleman who came to me one evening and commissioned me to do a portrait.  
While I was waiting, he told me this tale.

"Long ago, perhaps one hundred generations past, there was a minstrel.  
Though his voice was sweeter than that of any angel in the heavens, he
refused to pay court to any king.  Instead, he traveled from village to
village, performing in the local inns in exchange for food and lodging.  None
knew his name (for he never gave it to anyone), but was known throughout all
the kingdoms as Akifusa, for he had a single lock of naturally silver hair
among his black curls.

"One day, a heavy rainfall stranded him in a small village a half-day's
journey from Kamakura.  He asked a passing local where he could find an inn,
only to find the stranger was in fact the innkeeper, who agreed to let
Akifusa stay as long as he desired."  Vincent paused for a moment to wipe
the charcoal from his fingers and picked up his brush and palette.

He continued, "Akifusa thanked the kind innkeeper, but politely told him he
would only need to stay the one night.  But when they arrived at the inn,
something happened to change his mind."

- = -

The group again started down the path from the hotel on their way to the
courtyard.  Tenshi was in the back of the crowd, gradually slowing her pace
until everyone else was out of sight.

She sat down on a bench next to the walkway, her arms hugging her shoulders
as she looked up into the darkening sky.  Lost in thought, she did not hear 
the footsteps behind her.

"What's the matter?"  

Tenshi looked behind her to find Zellar, a look of concern in his eyes.
With a wan smile, she answered, "Nothing, really.  I'm... just been
thinking."

"About?"

"I-  I have to leave, Zellar.  I'm too much of a risk to you and to your
family.  I know they don't want me here," she cried softly.  "And I don't
blame them."

At once Zellar was seated beside her, his arms protectively around her
shoulders.  "Stop that," he ordered her.  "You are being absurd."

"No, I'm being responsible, for once.  I'm too much of a liability.  I've
already caused you so much trouble.  I... I just couldn't stand it if you
got hurt because of me."

He hushed her and tightened his embrace, rocking softly back and forth as
her convulsions slowed and came to a stop.  With a sniffle, she withdrew
herself from his arms and wiped her eyes.

"Let's go inside, shall we?"  He stood up, extending his hand out to her.

- = -

Nesuni lit a green candle and set it down next to three of other colors.
Reaching into a canvas sack, she pulled out a small leather pouch and a
dagger.

"Shall we get started?" she asked of the bound figure in the center of the 
small cottage.  Smiling nervously, she re-read a passage from the dusty book 
she had taken from the church's library.  It was pure luck that the kitsune
had come calling.  Too lucky, she wanted to tell herself, but Nesuni was
certain she was following the right path.

The ritual she was about to begin would allow her to summon the essence of
a God to her, to be placed into the body of a chosen vessel.  With the 
inherent magic nature of the fox-spirit and her own abilities, she would be
able to draw Shiko out of Tenkou.  Once Shiko was locked inside the kitsune,
Nesuni would be able to kill it and banish Shiko's spirit from the mortal
realm for at least six hundred years.

Opening the pouch, she began pouring salt in a pattern around the table and
chanting the first invocation.

- = -

"So what happened when he got to the hotel, Mister Vincent?" Milei asked,
more out of obligation than actual interest in the story.

"I'm getting to that," the artist answered.  Glancing at the colors on his
palette, he began tentatively stroking at the canvas.

"When Akifusa and the innkeeper came in from the rain, Akifusa found himself
greeted by the most regal and beautiful creature he had ever seen in his
entire life -- and given the amount of travel he had done, that is quite a
statement.  This was the innkeeper's daughter, a quiet and reserved girl by
the name of Tranquil Butterfly.  She was of marriageable age, but the old
innkeeper was very protective of her, and in his eyes no one save the King
himself would be a suitable match for her. 

"Well, the moment the two saw each other, they knew they wanted to spend the
rest of their lives together.  So Akifusa stayed the night, and the night
after, and the night after, and before either of them realized, a month had
passed."

Vincent paused to clean his brush and pick up a new color.

"By this time, the innkeeper had come to know of the love between Akifusa
and Tranquil Butterfly, and told Akifusa that such a union was forbidden.
Akifusa pleaded with the old man, but he was adamant.

"When Akifusa told his love of her father's words, she broke down into
tears, and begged him to elope with her.  Which, after a moment's thought,
he promised to do."

"And?" 

"They did so, within the week.  Which angered her father, who called upon
the Gods to punish Akifusa's disobedience."

- = -

High above the Earth, in the mists of the Heavens, Kurayamino stepped back
from the arms of Tenkou, who was again floating in midair.

"What do you hope to accomplish, boy?" Shiko asked him.  "This display of
your pathetic devotion to this one is pointless."

Kurayamino grew angry, and it took all of his concentration to remain calm.
"I have come to beg for her freedom, Shiko."

"Make this an interesting proposition, _Kumi_," she sneered.  "Perhaps I may
merely destroy her soul." 

- = -

"Mother?"

"The answer, Atsuri," Kuroi answered, "is no."

Atsuri and Kuroi were the last ones left in the courtyard.  The others had
gone, after attempting to divine the current whereabouts of both Kurayamino
and Tenkou and failing.

"You presume to know what I'm going to ask?" he replied.

Kuroi shook her head.  "You are too transparent, Atsuri-chan.  Don't forget
who I am.  I will go to Yasha, and I will speak to her.  You will not
interfere."

"Then let me come with you.  We need to prepare for the coming battle, and
we do need your help.  I would feel bet-"

"Do not lecture me, son," Kuroi took an indignant tone.  "I am not some sort
of lost puppy, and I do not need to have you hovering around me like you
have been doing.  I know what I am doing, and if you knew what was best,
you'd follow your own words and prepare for the coming conflict.  Am I 
clear?"

Atsuri remained silent.

- = -

Vincent continued his tale.  

"The two lovers traveled for two days without rest, until Tranquil
Butterfly cried that she could go no further.  She urged Akifusa to go to
the next town and arrange for a room, so they would have a place to spend
the night.

"Akifusa agreed and swiftly ran to the next town, where he was warmly
greeted.  After securing lodgings, he returned to the clearing where he had
left his love, only to find her missing.  He called out her name and
searched frantically, but found no trace of her.  He returned to the
clearing again in the hopes of finding something he had missed.

"He was greeted by a kitsune, who had seen him running around the woods and
recognized him.  'You are looking for the girl?' the kitsune asked, to which
Akifusa answered that he was.  'Sing me a song, oh Akifusa,' the kitsune
said, 'And I will tell you what happened to her.'

"So Akifusa sung a song so sad the trees themselves began to softly cry,
about how his love was taken from him.  The kitsune, however, remained
unmoved and smiled as Akifusa finished.  'I have seen her,' he began, 'But
she was taken by the Gods, so you will never see her again.'

"Akifusa asked the kitsune to take him to Heaven, so that he may see his
love, but the kitsune laughed at him and asked why he would do a thing like
that.

"Akifusa then smiled and told him, 'Because I have your tail'."

- = -

Firu chewed slowly at the ropes binding his forepaws.  He was still groggy
from the drugs she had slipped into his tea.  Glancing up at the demon-girl, 
he saw she was still droning on.  Her eyes were closed and she was slowly 
swaying.

Feeling an overwhelming sense of dread filling the room, the kitsune began
gnawing loudly at the knots, uncaring if she heard him.  He wasn't sure what
it was, but the sensation was familiar to him and his instinct was to flee.

Nesuni's eyes popped open and she stood, picking up the knife as she did so.
She raised her arms in front of her and began chanting louder.

Suddenly, the door was flung open and in strode Father Cloud.  Clutched in
his left hand was a small cross, while in his other he held a small axe.
"Stop this evil!" he shouted, as he kicked over the candle closest to the
door.

"What are you doing," Nesuni shrieked, dismayed at the interruption.  The
ritual was at the critical point, and if she didn't stop the priest from--

Her line of thought was interrupted as the kitsune somehow got free.
It snarled at her before dashing out the door.  She turned her attentions to
the priest.  "You... pathetic mortal fool.  What do you think you're doing?"

Father Cloud held the cross in front of him.  "That book... You took it from
our library.  It is not to be opened!  It is forbidden.  You invite 
demons upon us!"

"Oh really?" Nesuni laughed.  "Perhaps you have forgotten what I am?"
She batted the cross from his hand, chuckling at his reaction.

"Y- y- you spawn of Satan!  To think I trusted you!"  Father Cloud raised
the axe and charged at Nesuni, only to be thrown back against the wall.  He
crumpled to the floor, his raspy breathing growing shallower with each
moment.

Remembering the summoning, Nesuni scrambled to pick up the book.  Damn it,
she swore to herself, this is not supposed to be happening.  I've got one
chance to possess the priest instead...

Nesuni clutched her head as she felt an alien presence flood her mind.  It
was probing and twisting, but Nesuni was able to prevent it from instantly 
controlling her, due largely to her own demonic nature.

"Out, out!" she cried as she sank to the floor in exhaustion.

- = -

Milei was sitting upright now, Vincent's story finally having captured his
interest.  "How did he take the fox's tail from him?" he asked.

"His song was so soothing that he was able to capture it without the kitsune
even realizing it," Vincent answered.  "And when the he realized this, he
begged Akifusa to return it, since a kitsune without a tail was lower than
the basest of serfs."

"What's a serf?"

"A peasant.  Anyway, Akifusa promised to give the tail back, but only if the
kitsune would take him to the top of Mount Takachihi, where he could rescue
his love."  

Vincent paused again to step back and look at the painting.

"Then what?" Milei inquired.

"Well, the kitsune agreed to take him.  But Akifusa knew how capricious 
kitsune could be, and before the kitsune could run off, he leapt on the
kitsune's back and rode him all the way to the mountaintop.  And at the gates
of the heavens, he demanded to see Amaterasu herself." 

- = -

Tenshi glanced out the door, reassuring herself that the foyer was empty.
Sighing softly, she quietly padded her way toward the back door.

"And where do you think you're going?"

Tenshi answered without turning around.  "I can't do it.  I can't put you at
risk, Zellar.  I'm leaving."

"Don't be stupid," Zellar warned.  He grabbed her arm and spun her to face
him.  "I don't care if you think you're putting me at risk."

Tenshi grimaced as she tried to break free of his grasp.  "Let go," she said
weakly.

"I need you here with me.  I.. I can't go on if I don't have you here with
me.  I won't be able to fight this battle unless I know you are safe by my
side."  Zellar released his hold on Tenshi's arm and kissed her, silencing
her objections.  "So we're agreed, right?"

Tenshi nodded mutely.

- = -

"Did you know, Kurayamino, that it really doesn't matter who fights this
great battle we are supposed to be waging?"  the possessed Tenkou asked.

"I don't care."  

"That's hardly an entertaining point of view.  Here," she offered.  There 
was a quick flash and an attractive young-looking woman stood before him.  
Tenkou was slumped unconscious in a pillar of light nearby.  "Now will you 
be more talkative?"

"No," Kurayamino answered.  "I am here for one thing, and one thing only.
Let her go."

Shiko frowned.  "It's funny, actually," the long-haired woman continued.
"We all manuver and angle, trying to get the best position to destroy the
other.  And in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't matter who is
fighting or even who wins."  She laughed bitterly.  "This is all just a
giant cosmic self-check, to make sure Order remains in charge of the
universe."

"I told you, I just want Tenkou back.  I really don't care about this
battle."

"No, you wouldn't, would you?"

- = -

"Akifusa was admitted into Heaven where Amaterasu agreed to hear his story.
He prostrated himself before her, and begged her sympathy, but when he looked
up he saw none in her eyes.

"For you see, the gods placed certain rules among man, and when they were
broken, punishment needed to be delivered.  Akifusa and Tranquil Butterfly
willingly disobeyed her father, and that was unexcusable."

Vincent took a sip of water and continued.

"This isn't to say that Amaterasu was without mercy.  She was actually very
impressed by this mortal who had come all the way to Heaven.  She asked
Akifusa if he understood the full implications of his actions -- as he had
entered Heaven, he forfeited any chance of returning in the future and would
never pass on to Tokoyo-no-kuni, the Eternal Country.  

"Akifusa had not known this, but told her that it did not matter to him.
Upon this, Amaterasu smiled and granted his wish to have Tranquil Butterfly
returned to him"

- = -

Junta approached the small cottage just outside the edge of town.  He had 
been out investigating the disturbance he felt earlier when he heard a large
commotion coming from the area.  This was the only building nearby.

A quick red flash blurred past him, but Junta was unable to make out what it
was.  Hearing a cry of pain come from the house, he hurried to see what was
amiss.

Entering the house, he was greeted with the sight of his younger sister
kneeling next to the dead body of the old priest.

"What happened here?" he asked.  "Are you all right, Nesuni?"

Nesuni groaned and held her head in her hands.  "It was that kitsune," she
told him.  "I tried to find out who he really was.  I thought he might be
one of Yasha's agents.  When I told him my suspicions, he attacked me."

Looking at the priest, she faked a sob.  "And Father Cloud... got caught in
the middle."

"You shouldn't have tried confronting him like that, Nesuni," Junta gently
admonished.  "Do you know how lucky you are that you didn't get hurt?"  He
carefully helped her to her feet, making sure she was steady.  "And the
priest... he shouldn't have gotten involved either.  Let us go tell the
others.  Can you walk?"

Nesuni held back a gasp of pain and nodded.  "Yeah, let's go."

- = -

Yasha sat in feigned apathy as her servants escorted Kuroi Hoshi before her
throne.  She fought to contain her burning curiosity as to why the
matriarch of the Stars had come calling.

Kuroi Hoshi had shown up at the front gate, so to speak, and announced her
presence.  She had claimed to be on a peaceful mission, wanting only to
speak to Yasha.

"Well, my old friend," Yasha began, "Am I to assume this is a social visit?"

"No, Yasha.  I have matters to discuss with you.  An offer you can't refuse,
so to speak."

- = -

"So he just walked up to the Goddess and told her to give his girlfriend
back?  He didn't sing or anything?"

"I thought I was telling the story, Milei?" Vincent chuckled.

"Sorry."

"But yes, that was what it took, and Akifusa's bride-to-be appeared before
him.  They embraced and kissed, not caring that they were still in the
presence of Amaterasu herself.

"Akifusa explained to her what happened, and told her they free to go."

"So that's the end?"

"No, the story is not quite done."

- = -

Shiko turned to face Kurayamino again, momentarily revealing a look of
profound sadness.  This was quickly replaced by her normal haughty demeanor.

"What, Kurayamino, are you willing to offer in exchange for this body?" she
asked him, gesturing toward Tenkou.

"For Tenkou's freedom?  I would offer my own in exchange."

Shiko smiled.  "You've caught me in a good mood.  I will grant her freedom,
but I ask you, are you sure?  This is not an offer to take lightly."

Kurayamino nodded grimly.  "But I do wish to ask--"

"No, you don't need to worry," Shiko interrupted.  "I honor my word."

Shiko walked over to where Kurayamino was kneeling, and placed her hand on
his forehead.  "Swear your freedom to me now, then."

The beam of light surrounding Tenkou's body wavered, and she regained
consciousness.  Seeing what was happening, she threw herself against the
invisible barrier holding her.  "No, Kurayamino!  Don't do it."

Making eye contact with Tenkou, Kurayamino smiled sadly.  "I must do this,
my love.  I... am sorry."  Turning back to face Shiko he continued, "I
hereby surrender myself to you."

A soft green glow issued from Shiko's hand and spread to contain
Kurayamino's entire body.  It grew brighter and brighter, until Tenkou
couldn't bear to look at it any longer.

"You are free, Queen of Heaven.  You are truly fortunate, to have one so
devoted to you," Shiko told Tenkou.  "You may leave whenever you choose to."

The light surrounding Tenkou disappeared and she rushed to where Kurayamino
lay naked on the floor, in foetal position.  She grabbed him, sobbing
loudly, pulling him into her arms.  "Why?" she cried.  She rolled him over
on his back, trying to wake him.  It was then she realized his forehead no
longer bore the black star.  "What have you done to him?" she demanded of
Shiko.

"Why, I made him human.  Isn't it obvious?"

Kurayamino sat up slowly, mumbling to himself.  "Tenkou?" he asked.

"Yes?"

"She released you?"

"Yes, but-"

"Good.  Please, go.  Don't stay here any longer than you have to."

Tenkou pulled away from him and looked deep into his eyes.  "Why?" she
accused.  "Why did you do this to me?"

"I promised that I would never leave you.  I just couldn't bear to let you
suffer..."

"And you think that I'll be happy with this?"

Shiko tapped Tenkou on the shoulder.  "I'm sorry to have to break up this
touching scene, but you really should leave."

Tenkou stood and shook her head.  "No.  I'm staying."

"You do know that you may have to watch as he is tortured and purified?"

Tenkou nodded.  "I can be just as stubborn.  I am not going to leave his
side."

- = -

Zellar dropped his tea, the cup shattering as it struck the floor.  

"What's the matter?"  Tenshi asked him.

"It's Kurayamino.  He's... gone."  Zellar slumped.

Hitomi's eyes widened in shock.  She quickly cast a spell.  Everyone watched
as she slowly nodded in confirmation.  "Kurayamino is no longer among us."

Atsuri's glance flashed over to Nesuni, reaching the conclusion the same
time she did.  Damn, he thought.  Why did it have to be Kurayamino?

Junta placed his hand on Nesuni's shoulder.  "Well, Sister.  Welcome to the
Stars."

- = -

"So what happened then?  Did they get married and live happily ever after?"
Milei asked.

Vincent shook his head sadly.  "No, for unfortunately, not every story has a
fairy tale ending.  As Akifusa and Tranquil Butterfly were crossing the
Bridge of Heaven on their way home, the dance-goddess Uzume descended upon 
them, demanding a toll.

"When they could not find something she would accept, Uzume -- who was
jealous of the girl who had captured Akifusa's heart -- took Tranquil
Butterfly instead."

Milei's eyes widened.  "But that's not fair!"

"It hardly ever is.  Since Akifusa was forbidden from turning back, he had
no choice but to return to Earth, where he wasted away and eventually died."

"That's not good.  What happened to the girl?"

"I don't know.  The man who told me the story didn't say, and he never
picked up his painting, so I wasn't able to ask him."  Setting down his
paintbrush, she continued, "Now why don't you get off to bed?  It's late."

"Okay, Mister Painter, Sir," Milei mumbled sleepily as he left the room.

Vincent stepped back to carefully study the painting, a portrait of the
young boy Milei sleeping peacefully, a star-shaped pendant clutched tightly
in his bloodied hands.

FIN (chapter 19)

- = -

AUTHOR'S NOTES:
[or, In Which Ravi Admits To Being a Pretentious Fop]

Yes, I admit it.  I am a pretentious fop at times.  And far too ambitious
for my own good.

I tried to get a few things going with this piece, but due to a critical 
lack of time, I wasn't able to get it to gel quite right.  Which is why 
this chapter is such a jumbled pseudo-artsy mess.

A lot of stuff happened to prevent me from getting this done on time.  If
you really want to know, email me and I might give you the gory details.

Special thanks to Delfina and Lady Chaos for prereading.

-r