Of Love and Duty
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"> Chapter 12 - Pieces of the Puzzle <
Four twin-hulled war canoes cut through the water, a large sail above each, harnessing the power of the wind. A small island loomed ahead, appearing dark and menacing. At the bow of each canoe stood a man with sharp eyes and a keen sense of the waters around them, while the best helmsman held the tiller. Silent hand signals from the lookout at the bow instantly were translated by the helmsman into subtle shifts in the heading of the fast, agile craft. Two more men stood on each side, at the ready to shift the sail if a drastic course change was required. The sea shimmered softly in the moonlight, but beneath lay danger in the form of huge corral heads that could reduce even the most solidly built canoe to splinters in a matter of seconds. Waves broke to the left, warning of the reef beneath the surface. Ahead lay an opening in the reef they were aiming for. The canoes fell into a more or less straight line. The lead craft pulled through the opening.
"Stand-by!" the helmsman called. "Steady... Steady!"
The men on the lines held them tightly, waiting for the signal.
"About!" the helmsman called, as he pulled hard on the tiller.
The men hauled on the lines, pulling the huge sail around as the canoe swung around to the left. The woven matting of the sail fell slack as it lost the wind, then quickly began to fill as it was swung around.
"Set!" the lead sail handler called, and they quickly secured the lines.
As the lead canoe now sped parallel to the shore, the second canoe in line smartly performed the turn itself under the equally sure hands of it crew.
Already, the lookout and helmsman on the first canoe were scanning the water ahead and around them. The lookout raised his right arm, and the men on the lines were in motion before the helmsman cried his command. The lookout slowly swung his arm down, with the helmsman moving the tiller in response. Just then, the lookout pumped his arm down fast.
"About!" the helmsman cried, throwing his weight into the tiller.
The sail swung around fast, even as the canoe turned, once more heading towards shore.
"Set!" the lead sail handler called once more, seeing the sail full.
The canoe now sped across the shallow water of the inner lagoon towards the shore, the other three falling in behind it.
"Down sail!" the sail handler called.
Different sets of lines were hurriedly unfastened and the heavy yard lowered toward the deck. The canoe began to slow as the sail came down, but still moved quickly over the water. More men now took their places at the sides, locking oars into mounts on the gunwales.
"Ready!" the helmsman called, waiting for the signal from the lookout. "Down!"
The oars dropped into the water and the men pulled, the drag quickly slowing the boat. The canoe soon ground to a stop on the sandy beach. The other canoes pulled up alongside. Men hurriedly jumped over the sides to secure the boats.
"Thank you, skipper," Raku the Constable said to the helmsman, rising from his position and moving forward.
Atana and Rei stood up and followed him, leaping from the front of the platform slung between the two hulls into the shallow water.
"There is a definite feel of evil to this place," Rei said. "It's faint, but clear."
"Yes," Atana agreed. "What is this place, Constable?"
"I hope it is the answer to our mystery, your highness," Raku answered. "There is an ancient altar here for a cult that practiced human sacrifice. We had thought that it was long abandoned, but as you both can see, the evil influence does remain."
"Where is this altar?" Rei asked.
"Just a short distance inland," Raku said. "Our guess is that these people practiced their sacrifices here, but feared the power of their gods or whatever they worshiped too much to actually live here."
"Not entirely uncommon," Atana said.
A group of fifteen assembled to head inland, with Raku taking the lead. As they moved, they noticed numerous broken branches along the trail.
"Someone's been this way," Raku said. "This trail should be much more overgrown."
"We haven't had any rain here in the last few days, have we?" Atana asked.
"No, your highness. Not for about a week," another of the men answered.
"Well, these breaks certainly aren't that old," Atana said.
"No. Probably not more than forty-eight hours at the most," Rei said.
The path grew steeper as they climbed to the top of a ridge. At the crest, set back in a small clearing was a small altar on a rocky ledge. The rocks had ominous red stains which time and the elements had failed to fully erase.
Rei stepped forward, feeling a sudden chill and wrapping her arms across her bare chest as a shiver ran through her. "The evil is much stronger here... and fresh," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Several of the others began looking around nervously, their weapons held at the ready.
Atana moved closer to the altar, examining it closely. As he moved, he sensed energy beginning to move around him.
"Look out!" Rei cried, bringing her hands together.
Atana dove away, feeling a flash of heat as Rei poured an intense blast of fire into the stone slabs of the altar. As rock began to melt, a dark, shadowy form rose above the altar, screaming loudly.
"Get back!" Raku instructed the others.
Atana rolled to his feet and hurled an energy blast at the demon. Two other wizards in the group hurriedly joined him, their energy containing the demon while Rei continued to steadily destroy the altar structure. As the final rock slab vaporized under the intense heat, the demon's scream briefly grew louder, becoming a cry of pain, before it shimmered then faded away completely.
"Good job," Raku said, hurrying forward. "I guess that takes care of it."
"Not entirely," Rei said. "Someone had to have summoned that demon."
"She's right," Atana agreed. "I think we have some more searching ahead of us, Constable."
Raku nodded. "Any suggestions?"
One of the other men stepped forward. "There is a recently cut trail heading off to the north. And the cutting suggests that it was cut by someone going away from here, rather than coming this way."
"Well, that seems a good place to start," Raku said.
The path led them over another ridge, then down into a narrow valley. At the end of the trail, they found themselves alongside a small lake, while several large cave openings dotted the valley wall.
"This cave has been dug out with tools!" one of the men called.
They all moved closer to inspect.
"There's no significant trace of magic here," Rei said.
"No. But it's clear this cave has been expanded with tools," Atana said. "The marks are clear."
Moving deeper inside with the aid of illumination crystals, they soon found markings inscribed on the walls.
"This is no primitive cave drawing," Raku said.
"No. It looks like they're trying to show some type of astrological configuration, but I can't figure it out," Atana said.
Rei looked at it for a moment. "Wait! It's not stars, but magic points," she said.
The other wizards moved closer.
"Her highness is right," one of them said. "Those are the five main points around the Pacific rim."
"And when they appear together in that conjunction, something is supposed to happen here, where those lines intersect," the second added.
"Well, with the altar destroyed, that should complicate matters," Atana said. "And I think we can set a warding spell here that should minimize any remaining chances of this actually happening."
The other wizards nodded their understanding, and they walked back outside.
"Constable, do you know where approximately the center point of this island is?" Atana asked.
"Somewhere out in the middle of that lake, I'm afraid, your highness," Raku answered.
"Alright. We'll split up," he said to the other wizards. "Each of you go part way around the lake, and we'll converge our magics at the center."
The other two nodded, and headed off as instructed.
When they all were in position, Atana raised his hands and magic flared. The other two responded, and in moments, three intense bursts of energy came together over the center of the lake. A brightly glowing globe formed there, flickering with multiple colors. It quickly flared with a bright white light, and a pillar of energy stabbed down into the lake. The glow faded and the wizards stopped their energy releases. A crystalline spire stood in the center of the lake, reaching several feet above the surface, glistening faintly in the moonlight.
"That should do it," Atana said.
"We still don't know who conjured up that demon," Rei pointed out.
"No. But I think we've managed to make this island effectively useless to them, since they apparently had to rely on the already existing dark magic here," Atana replied.
"Well, that sounds hopeful," said Raku. "I should think then that we could return home. The immediate danger here seems to be over."
The two other wizards were just making their way back from around the lake, and the entire party now headed back up the path.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
As the war canoes raced across the water, Rei stood forward, watching the glistening of the water. Atana stood behind her and wrapped her in his arms. She leaned back against his warm body, immediately feeling him lean down to softly kiss her neck. His lips then pressed into her earlobe and she felt a soft sucking sensation.
"Oohhh," she sighed.
As she pressed herself back against him, she could feel the aroused form of his manhood. Immediately feeling her own body respond, she wished they were someplace where they could have more privacy.
"Somebody's in a good mood, I see," she whispered.
"A certain beautiful princess has that effect on me," he replied.
"You have quite an effect on me, my love," she said. "But I have the advantage of it not being quite so... obvious." She rubbed herself over his member.
"Well, at least you know what is waiting for you," he whispered in her ear.
"Ooohhh, I do like that thought," she said.
Bonfires glowed on the shore ahead of them, and the canoes swung into the small harbor, gliding slowly to a stop on the beach. Rei and Atana leaped into the water and splashed ashore.
"Your highnesses," Raku called. "We were thinking of having a small celebration. Would you care to join us?"
Atana glanced at Rei. "Another time perhaps, Constable. But thank you," he replied.
"Yes. We must return to Atlantis," Rei added. "King Darius and Prince Endymion must be informed of what we've just found here."
"I understand," Raku said. "Thank you both for your help."
"You are most welcome," Atana answered, as he and Rei headed off along the beach.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
As soon as they were out of sight, Atana pulled Rei into his arms and kissed her deeply. She moaned softly into the kiss, their tongues dancing together, slowly and sensuously. His hands slid down to her waist and pulled her wrap loose. She pulled him tighter against herself, rubbing herself across the swollen mass of his manhood, even as intense fire swept through her, bringing her blood to full boil.
"Oh, Rei," he groaned, before pressing his lips to hers again.
His member throbbed with arousal as her body continued to rub over it. He pressed a hand into the bare flesh of her bottom, melding himself to her. A tremendous warmth swelled within him, and he could feel her passion as their minds came together.
Energy swirled around them. As he took a breath, he struggled to focus his concentration. The energy completely enveloped them, and they found themselves floating. In just moments, it began to fade and they felt a solid floor underneath them. The energy field faded away and they found themselves back in Atana's small house. He tossed her wrap aside and kissed her yet again, plunging his tongue deep into her mouth.
She sighed with delight, while running her hands down and pulling at his wrap. He moved back slightly, allowing her to pull it away and drop it to the floor. Her flesh tingled as she now felt his bare manhood pressing against her. A raging fire blazed within her as she longed to take his mass inside her.
"Atana," she gasped.
He scooped her up in his arms and carried her into his bedroom. Depositing her on the bed, he lowered himself over her and pressed his lips to one of her hard, erect nipples.
"Oh, gods!" she moaned, her hands sweeping over him.
He licked his way down into her valley, and then up onto her other breast, softly running his tongue around the nipple. As he heard her moan, and felt the raging inferno of passion within her, he struggled with his own rapidly swelling need. He sucked her nipple hungrily.
Oh, please," she gasped.
Their minds opened and magic energy drifted between them. Now feeling every bit of her longing, his own hunger became uncontrollable. He looked down at her and groaned, lowering himself between her spread legs while pressing his lips bruisingly to hers. Her arms and legs enfolded him tightly.
She felt his tip slipping into her opening, groaning with purest joy as she was about to be made one with this man she loved. His mass slid deeper, spreading her channel wide. Even as she tightened her embrace of him, he rocked back slightly. He pushed forward with a sharp, clean motion, plunging his warm, bulging shaft deep into her yearning womanhood. She gasped as the incredible, exquisite sensation took her breath away, while clinging to him fiercely with her inner muscles.
"Oh, yes," he groaned in delight as his manhood was buried deep within her warm, moist, loving embrace.
He held still as his entire body seemed to be on fire. Finally trusting his control, he pulled back, feeling her inner muscles holding him tightly. Moving slowly and deliberately, he then pushed forward, sending his shaft back into her.
"My love... so good!" she gasped, her fingers pressing into his back.
Their conjoined bodies now moved as one, with just one thought, for each of the young lovers to provide the other as much pleasure as possible in this magnificent physical expression of their love for each other. With slow, steady motions, his member slid in and out within her, stroking her inner muscles with each move, even as her tight grasp rubbed him, setting his own nerves on fire. Her hips rose to meet each thrust of his body, and one of her hands now clasped his bottom, pulling on him as he moved.
"Oh, Rei... my darling," he groaned.
He pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her deeply. Their bodies continued to move, slowly driving his shaft inside her. His tongue brushed over her lip and into her mouth, to gently dance with hers.
Still more energy flowed around and between them. Each felt the fire of passion growing ever stronger. They gasped for breath, even as he pushed into her harder than before. Her body rose to meet his thrust, plunging his shaft deep into her. As he rocked back, their bodies were already coiling for the next push. It came quickly and powerfully, thrusting his throbbing member to the hilt within her, leaving them both gasping for breath.
"Oh, gods!... Oh, yes!... Yes!" she gasped, as they moved faster and harder.
His hands clutched the bed while he plunged himself into her warm embrace again and again. They kissed deeply, still moving together, sweeping themselves ever higher.
She groaned as he plunged deep into her yet again, feeling a powerful spasm sweep through her. His next motion flooded her entire being with overwhelming ecstasy as she soared to orgasm, crying out wordlessly.
He struggled to hold himself in place as her climactic spasm ran its course. Their lips came together, and he carefully shifted himself within her.
"Ooooohhhh, yes," she sighed, clinging to him.
Waves of raw pleasure swept through her as his bulging mass moved. She looked up at him, her eyes aglow with anticipation. He plunged himself forward, driving his manhood into her.
"Oh, gods!" she groaned, as their pubic bones pressed together and his member quivered within her.
"Yes," he gasped.
They thrust together still faster and harder. Her entire body seemed to tingle as energy flowed between them, while her heart warmed with the knowledge of his love and the pleasure they were sharing.
His every nerve burned with fire, somewhere between pain and pleasure. His penis throbbed madly inside her as he moved.
"Oh, yes!... So good... Oh, gods!... Yes... Oh!... Oh!... Oh, yes!" she cried, soaring ever higher with each motion.
"My darling," he groaned.
He plunged into her, his member throbbing wildly and swelling. She gasped, feeling herself being swept to the brink. As he rocked back, their eyes met and the full power of their love flowed between them. She clung to him desperately even as he thrust forward once more, his entire body consumed by a powerful spasm. His still swelling shaft plunged deep inside her, and sending her over the edge into orgasm with a wordless cry. As his seed flooded into her womanhood in a powerful surge, equally powerful waves of energy flowed between them.
He gasped for breath while trembling above her, continuing to empty himself. Finally, he went limp, and softly kissed her cheek.
"Oh gods, Rei," he sighed. "I love you so much."
"I love you," she whispered, still holding him firmly, and reveling in his warmth deep within her.
They lay together quietly, simply enjoying being together this way. It was several minutes before he carefully slipped himself out of her, lying down alongside her and softly dozing.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Later, they sat together in front of the fire, eating dinner. The fire filled the room with its warm glow.
"This is very good," she said. "I'm impressed."
"Well, a man living alone has to learn how to cook if he doesn't want to starve," he said.
"And you've done very well," she said.
"Thank you," he said. "I seem to have worked up an appetite."
She grinned, then leaned over and kissed him.
They soon finished, carrying their plates into the kitchen.
"What do you have planned for the rest of the evening?" she asked.
"Oh, I don't know... Maybe a warm bath... and then go to bed early," he suggested.
"Hmmm. I think I could live with that," she said with a smile.
She stepped toward him, dropping her wrap to the floor, then pulled off his. Their naked bodies pressed together as they kissed deeply.
"Very nice," he sighed. "I think I know what I want for dessert."
She slid a hand over his swollen manhood. "So do I," she said, leading him toward the bathroom.< To be continued >
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NOTE: I'm sorry for the delay in finishing this installment, but Thanksgiving and family commitments have kept me busy. More to come.You can now find all my yarns at http://strands-of-moonlight.my3gb.com and http://strands-of-moonlight.6te.net.
Always remember, good gentles, that a yarnspinner works from and within existing legends and stories. The characters of "Sailor Moon" belong to others. In spinning my yarns, I do not seek to infringe on their rights of ownership, but merely to join with other fans to spread the legend still further. "The moonlight carries a message of love." Enjoy.