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Chapter 11
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“I wonder what it’s going to be like.” Nanako was drawing figures on Nokaru’s chest with her finger. They were both lying on the bed, wrapped in each other’s arms with the mesh surrounding them as they sunk into the thick cushy mattress.
“What do you mean?” Nokaru had one arm around Nanako, and played with her hair with the other. His chin resting on top of her head, he breathed in the lovely fragrance once again.
The two had fallen asleep for a short time after returning to their room. It had been a long day for both, and an especially draining one for Nanako.
“What it will be like after we are joined with the crystal. I mean… can you imagine it. There will be so much power given to us both. And the responsibility that will come with it is immense. We
will be charged with guarding not only the entire Earth, but the rest of the solar system as well. I can’t imagine it.” Now resigned to her fate, Nanako could look at what now lay ahead for both her and Nokaru.
“I don’t know. We’ll be able to handle it though. After all, we were chosen for this task. We won’t have been if we couldn’t handle it. It’ll all work out, I’m sure of it.” He kissed her hair and gave her a little squeeze.
“I know we will. As long as you’re with me, I think I could do anything.” She stopped fidgeting and listened to his breathing, his heart beat. “You give me more then you’d ever know.”
He laughed, the rumbling bringing a smile to her face. “I can say the same of you.”
Just then, a knock at the door caused them to jump up.
“Come in,” Nanako said as she straightened herself out a little.
“I’m sorry to disturb you princess, but it’s time that both you and your counterpart get ready.” The woman stood their looking at the couple through the mesh that surrounded them. *How cute* she thought to herself as she watched them.
“Yes of course. My grandfather said that there would be people to guide us through this. Are they here as well?”
“Oh yes princess. If the gentleman would please follow me, his assistants are out in the hall waiting for him.”
Nokaru kissed her on the head and got up. “I’ll see you soon Nanako. I love you.”
“And I you. See you soon.” She wore a smile for she knew that he’d be there for her through this, as she would be for him. Their strength together would easily get them through it, and anything else that their destiny had in store for them.
Once he was out in the hallway, he was ushered a few doors down to another room where he would be prepared.
Three other female servants rushed into the room, arms full of rapped boxes and supplies. As they set up, the original woman helped Nanako out of the bed. “There’s much we have to do. Come. We’ll get you all washed up and changed. A bath has already been run for you. Please follow me princess.” Her demeanor was kind and pleasant, but authoritative as well.
“Certainly.” Nanako followed her across the hall. When the door was opened, a wall of fragrant steam hit them. “It smells like rose petals.”
“That’s correct. It is customary for the participants to take a rose bath before the ceremony. Please. Take your cloths off and get in before the water cools down.” She waited patiently for Nanako, but she did not move.
“Um... would it be ok if you left while I get in.”
“Don’t be silly princess,” she giggled. “There’s nothing for you to be embarrassed about. You would be used to this if you were raised in the palace.” Realizing she might have offended her, she
quickly tried to back peddle over that last statement. “I mean. Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to assume anything. Oh dear.”
“No. That’s ok. I understand. But in any case, I am still uncomfortable. Could you please?”
“Sorry princess. But it’s customary for someone else to bathe you. If it comforts you, they will be doing the same procedures to your counterpart.”
“You mean Nokaru?”
With a little nod, she affirmed her statement.
Giggling, Nanako thought of that for a moment. “He won’t enjoy that,” she thought aloud to herself.
“Umm... princess, we really should move this along.”
“I guess I have no choice in the matter. But could you please turn around while I undress?”
“Certainly Princess.”
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After the bath, the servants toweled her off with soft cotton towels, and dressed her in gorgeous white robs made of silk that draped over her body. A translucent veil was placed over her head and her long hair, which was done in a French braid and hung down her back. Babies breath was woven through out her hair, and a white rose was place behind her right ear. When they were satisfied at the job they did, the servants left leaving Nanako and the kindly woman
behind. She explained what would happen, and what was expected of her tonight. She also answered many of the questions that Nanako had about this evening.
When the time came, Nanako was lead outside. There were hundreds of people present to witness this event. She even noticed her mother and father in the crowd, as well as Nokaru’s parents.
Nokaru was also lead out at this time. He too was clad in white robs. A sword was hung from the belt around his waist. In his hands was a small black box. His breath was taken away when he seen Nanako ahead of him, and she smiled once she seen him.
The two walked hand in hand to the platform ahead of them. Located there were the King, and a large crystal that appeared as though light was being emanated from it. They were already told that the ancient crystal had been uncoupled from the former ‘hosts’ and would be waiting to be joined to them.
When they reached the platform and turned to face the crowd, Nanako could feel her stomach drop. There were so many people watching them. They would all depend on her and Nokaru for the next 15 years to guard and watch over them, as well as the other planets
of the system. She tried her best to push all those thoughts and all her doubts out of her mind, and decided to focus on Nokaru instead. He stood motionless beside her. Although his stance portrayed a
sense of calm, she could tell that he was just as nervous about thisas she was.
“Tonight we are gathered to witness a new union of the crystal to this couple. I am proud to introduce you to my granddaughter Nanako, and her soul mate, Nokaru. I am certain that they will make a strong force to protect us all....”
Her thoughts traveled off. She felt as though warm sunshine were on her back. *But that’s impossible. It’s well after sunset now. * A serene feeling sweep over her, and she began to relax.
Looking over at Nokaru, she could see that something was having the same effect on him. Without her noticing, her grandfather had stopped talking. The crystal was beginning to pulsate, growing brighter as time passed. The couple looked at each other, and were
totally engulfed in the light, forcing them to close their eyes to shield them from the light.
Nanako could feel every fiber of her being filling with light and love. She could sense another consciousness besides her own within herself. She soon realized that she could feel, and think everything that was going through Nokaru’s mind, and knew that he could as well. Every thought, every emotion was now shared between them.
There was something else there with them as well. Another entity that was the cause of this. Both thought in unison *the crystal*
*You are right my children. Now you shall share all between you. My power will be divided between you, and my wisdom shared. All your questions will be answered, I assure you. *
In mere moments, the knowledge of countless generations was shared. Memories, experiences, knowledge from thousands of years of this union between the crystal and humans were given to them both.
When next they looked, they were floating above the platform. Nanako was dressed in a light blue material, which wrapped around her bosom, and pants of matching material. A translucent material of the same color travel from the bracelets on both wrists, and
connected to the back of her top. Blue markings glowed on her stomach and upper arms.
Nokaru in turn had matching pants, but the color of white. Around his waist was tied a piece of black material, which held his sword in place. He too had markings similar to Nanako’s on his upper arms and chest.
“The union is complete! May we celebrate another pairing, which insures our survival!”
Nanako looked down at the old man, and could feel the love and regret the emanated from him. Indeed, all she had to do was concentrate on someone, and their emotions were made very apparent. Looking at Nokaru, she could tell he was now trying out this new discovery.
The crowd gathered erupted in applause. Fireworks were set off behind them, causing the night sky to erupt with every imaginable color.
Slowly, the two descended back down, and were greeted by friends and family. One person in particular caught Nanako’s eye, and she couldn’t help but run to her old friend.
“Uniko! I can’t believe it’s you!” She ran and embraced her shorter blond friend, nearly sending them both tumbling to the ground. “When did you get back!”
The girl had on a strapless white gown that flowed to her ankles. There were beads in her hair, which surrounded the buns of her ondangos.
*Usagi! * Was the thought on the spectators’ mind, along with mounting questions.
“I just got in this afternoon. The king... Um... I mean... Your grandfather... oh...never mind... You know whom I’m taking about. He sent the message to my father on the moon about who was to be the new couple chosen to be joined to the crystal. He told me who it was immediately, so I hopped on the portal and got here as soon as I could. I mean, how many people can say their best friend is keeper of the crystal!”
“Oh... Thank you so much for coming! I was really beginning to miss you. I mean, it’s been well over a month since I last got a chance to visit.” The two hugged, and chatted for sometime, getting caught up on what the other missed.
The celebrations continued on for some time, and both Nanako’s and Nokaru’s family spent the night at the palace.
When they were alone, Nokaru found the black box he had brought with him to the ceremony. “Nanako, I meant to give this to you right after we were joined, but well, I didn’t really get the chance.”
Nanako looked at him with anticipation as he handed her the small black velvet box. Carefully, she opened it up and gasped at what she seen inside. Within lay a silver necklace with an exquisitely and intricately engraved heart pendant. She lifted it
up, and noticed something on the back. Aloud, she read the engraving. “To my beloved. I will always be with you. As you are a part of me, I am of you. Nokaru.” With wide eyes and a smile, she jumped into his arms. Oh... I love it! I’ll never take it off!”
Looking into her dark brown eyes, Nokaru smiled warmly at her. “I’m glad you like it.” He leaned in and kissed her passionately.
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