Silver Star (7)

Lila felt Kiryu tremble in her arms, and she brushed their foreheads against each other. Her Kiryu is so afraid. Afraid of losing her. She's afraid too, she doesn't want to let him go. Even if her feelings for Haruka are so strong, and yet she isn't sure whether she can enter a relationship with him. It's so complicated. Does she really have to leave her Kiryu? Is that the only option left? Kiryu's lips brush against her neck, "I don't want to see. But I pulled back so quickly last time. Maybe there's still something left...regarding me.."

"My Kiryu.."

"Lila, even now I love you so much. Yesterday, don't take it to heart. It took me by surprise… Let me see.."

Before her Kiryu's could bite her, however, an explosion erupted in the distance. Her eyes widened. That's...the place where mommy is staying with Hoshiko... Recalling the young girl's smiling face. Lila immediately pulled Kiryu away from her and rushed off.

.

.

Kiryu kept pace with her but Lila didn't stop once to look at him. When they arrived at the sight, the trees in the surrounding had crumbled away, and in the ground, there was a huge split. Mother stood on the other side, not too far from where the house was. Arms wrapped around a small girl.

"Mommy! Hoshiko!" Lila exclaimed.

"Lila-chan? Stay there."

Eh?

"But--"

"Stay there."

It was then Lila noticed it, the reason the trees had crumbled, why there was a huge hole. It wasn't the enemy's power but her mother. "Mommy…"

Lila's words were loss however when dark creatures surround her. Tsk. She shut her eyes, she doesn't have time for this.

She conjured up her mists, and allowed it to surround her. She ought to finish this quickly.

__________________________________________________

One member at front burst into laughter, "Hahahaha, she really came. Naturally, she would."

"What an obvious weak point."

!!

So the target really is Lila-chan. Her gaze landed towards her daughter on the other side. Kiryu-kun is over there, she ought to be fine. She sent another wave towards them, but they evaded it, "Now Queen, what's with that farce? You're barely able to hold out, trying to maintain light around that young child and fight using your darkness powers.." The one at front taunted.

"That's unsightly, enemy or not. She is still our Queen."

These people, they must be from the new organization. Seeing them make their move, she raised her hand. But there was no need. A burst of several colored lights that look similar to an aura deflected the enemy's attack.

Amidst that explosion, a person with brown hair moved in front of her, guarding her.

He looked angrily towards the enemy but turned to her.

"Ru," she whispered.

"I'm glad you're okay."

".."

"Tsk, Tsueno Mamoru.."

"That was one clever trap of yours. But I think you've forgotten to update your database on my abilities. There's no limit to my range."

Sumire rolled her eyes at this comment, what is he doing trying to act cool for? But, her gaze softened, "You were cool, I'll give you that."

"Woaahhh, for real?"

"Don't ruin it, idiot." She better deal with this quickly. Sumire turned to walk towards the center when she felt a tug on her hand.

"Wahhh, wahh. Mama don't go."

Her gaze softened, as she lightly kissed her daughters forehead, "Your mama, has to protect your sister from the bad guys."

"Bad people take sis away?"

"Right, you don't want that to happen, do you?"

"Mama, tay swafe."

Sumire nodded and she watched as Takeshi-kun lifted the girl up. Ritsuko-chan was perched on the roof, clearly trying to find if there was anybody else. There's a lot of them here now. But, these two surely understand that they can't help now.

She turned back to the enemy, who was now focused on her daughter.

__________________________________________________

No matter how much she blocked and deflected back the enemy's attack. Lila noted how they didn't seem phased with all the injuries they sustained. It scared her. How emotionless and indifferent they were being about it.

"You...do you wish to know the truth, chosen one?"

Chosen?

"Do you wish to know? More about your powers? Why the darkness has gone frenzy? Come with us."

At that last part, her eyes widened. There's a reason? Why her powers. Why her beautiful darkness has become corrupted... A reason...

"Lila!"

She isn't sure who called out her name.

But even that was lost, as she found herself walking forward.

If she finds out. Will things return to normal? Will she no longer be confused? She doesn't want to hurt anyone anymore.

However before Lila could take any more steps forward, her mother sent a wave of dark energy towards the enemy. Though the enemy barely dodged, it didn't phase them.

"Ah. Queen, don't interfere. Your daughter seems to be more sensible. The young boy seems to be confused, but he will come once we have her."

….What are they talking about?

Although she stopped walking towards the enemy, she was still close. Somebody used that opportunity to land an attack, but it didn't affect her. Since familiar arms wrapped around her.

"Haruka?!!"

_______________________________________________

Damn, Karashima followed them. Kiryu thought he would be sensible to stay out of the way. This is a bad situation. Lila isn't in a condition to fight and Sumire-san appears to be trying to keep her powers in check. All that's left is, his gaze drifted on to Mamoru-san who smiled. Huh?

"Tsueno Mamoru, you dare still interfere? Your story is over."

"Right, right. It was over a long time ago. But did you know... Former male leads are granted permission to show up in other stories.." Mamoru trailed off with a smile, and Kiryu noticed it then; the small bulbs of light he had seen was actually sound waves, which was now covering the whole area.

"I'll give you a choice like I did your subordinates, continue this fight and get injured meaninglessly or run."

"You.."

"I did tell you, you ought to update your database first on my abilities. As long as I am here, you cannot harm these kids."

So strong, what is this strength? Even though this person has been corrupted by darkness too. How come he's surrounded in such a beautiful light?

_______________________________________________

"Stop trying to act cool." Sumire murmured, as she noted the change in Kiryu-kun's eyes.

Mamoru laughed, "But that's my job, to act as a flashy character."

"How foolish. Yuhi is cooler."

"Yes, yes I'm sure your dear husband is better."

As she helped him block the attacks, Sumire noticed something, the dark beams of energy she was sending was gradually turning lighter. "Don't try to nullify my darkness. It won't help."

"Hm? This isn't nullification, it's just a little something…" His sentence falls short when the enemy sends another wave at them.

Sumire immediately noted, how the attack lacked power and frowned. Are they going to retreat? Indeed just as she thought that.

"Cursed ones, you'll eventually join the darkness."

With that said, the wounded man stumbled into the darkness of the forest. "Don't bother, I know where they are headed."

"As efficient as ever.."Sumire murmured.

"Lila?!!"

She quickly turned her attention back to her daughter and noticed the darkness around the girl.

Sumire immediately pulled her away from Karashima-kun and used her cloak to hide the girl. "I'm sorry you two. Please head back."

Kiryu nodded. "Alright."

"Huh? Wait, but ---"

"Let's go."

_____________________________________________________

Underground Chamber

"Lila-chan, can you hear me?"

"Mommy.." Lila managed to say. Her vision was blurry but she could make out her mothers gentle voice.

"Don't worry, you'll be back to normal soon. But, you have to stay here for a few days. I'll drop by every day, you won't be alone.."

"Mommy… Haruka was hurt.."

"I'll see to it.."

"And Kiryu might misunderstand..and…"

Her mother pulled her into her warm embrace, "Ssh child, rest. You're very tired aren't you?"

Tired. She is, so very tired. She just wants to sleep.