Of Love and Duty
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"> Chapter 2 - By Firelight <
Kunzite saw Rei coming down the grand staircase, a scowl still on her face.
"May I be of assistance, your highness?" he asked.
She stopped, doing her best to hide her sour expression. "No, but thank you, Lord Kunzite," she answered. "I just need some time to myself before dinner."
"I do not mean to be presumptuous, but if I might suggest, there is a small fire altar up on the side of the mountain. It is seldom used, and should offer you the solitude you desire."
Rei thought for a moment, realizing that meditation before a fire was just what she needed. "Thank you, Kunzite. I will consider that."
He bowed his head slightly, then turned and walked away.
Rei went out through the main door and looked at the mountain. Across the courtyard stood a raised stone platform, surrounded by five stone pillars. She walked toward it. A wizard emerged from the nearby building as she approached.
"May I help you, your highness?" he asked.
"Yes," she said, stepping onto the platform. "I want to go to the fire altar."
"Certainly," he answered, touching his staff to the base of the platform, which began to glow under her feet.
"Thank you," Rei said.
The platform glowed more brightly, and she vanished. She found herself in a clearing, surrounded by trees. At the center of the clearing was the altar, with a fire burning low. She could sense the magic energies in the area.
She breathed in the gentle fragrance of nature around her, already feeling a calming effect from her surroundings. Stopping in front of the altar, she paused to clear her mind, then knelt before the fire. Her fingers went through the ritual motions as she attuned herself to the energies around her. The fire flared higher. She let her trance deepen, melting away more of her ill feelings. Her senses opened and, as had happened several times before, she had a vision of an all-consuming darkness, swallowing up all the planets and plunging her into a profound gloom. Suddenly, an intense, blinding silver-white light washed away the darkness. She had brief glimpses of herself and the other sailors in a strange city, unlike any she had ever known. These dissolved again in the bright light, which gave way to the image of the fire burning in front of her.
She was trying to refocus herself when she heard a noise behind her.
"Who's there?" she demanded, wheeling around and rising to her feet.
A young man stood beside a tree, holding a wizard's staff. His hair was black, and very closely cut, while his skin was dark, as were his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I didn't know anyone would be here, your highness. You are the princess of Mars, aren't you?"
"Yes, that's right," she said.
"It is an honor to meet you, your highness," he said with a bow. "I am called Atana."
"I'm pleased to meet you," she replied. "I gather you are a wizard."
"That is correct," he said. "I come here periodically for meditation. I find a particular affinity for the fire. But again, I am sorry to have disturbed you. I can return here another time, and leave you in peace, your highness." He bowed, and took a half step back.
"Oh, no. That's not necessary," she said. "And please, you may call me Rei. My fellow Sailor Soldiers and I usually dispense with the titles unless it's an official occasion."
He hesitated for a moment. "Very well, but I do not wish to intrude."
"Not at all," she insisted. "I didn't know anyone else was up here. And I think I could do with some company, if you don't mind."
"If you wish," he said, moving forward.
She smiled, and sat down near the fire. As he sat down beside her, she felt a warmth sweeping through her, and found herself noticing how handsome he was.
"Are you originally from Atlantis?" she asked.
"No," he said. "I'm from a small island in the Pacific Ocean. I came here, though, when I was quite young to study wizardry."
"I know what that's like," she said quietly. "I think I've spent more time on the moon, than Mars."
"You have a gift, and a duty," he said, his dark eyes seeming to look right into her.
"I know all about duty," she said. "It's about all I've ever heard my entire life. Duty to Mars, duty to the moon princess, duty to the Sailor Soldiers, duty, duty, duty."
"You do not regret being princess of Mars and a Sailor Soldier, do you?" he asked.
"No. Of course not," she insisted. "And the other sailors are the best friends I've ever known. But sometimes, I can't help but wonder if I shouldn't have at least a little time just for me."
"Probably you should," he said. "And it doesn't mean that you have to neglect your responsibilities as a princess and a Sailor Soldier. You just have to find the proper balance."
She nodded, then fell silent. "May I ask you a question?" she asked.
"Certainly."
"When you left home, was that your decision, or was it made for you?"
"It... was made for me," he answered.
A wry smile crossed her lips. "Me too," she said. "Being Sailor Mars is not a choice. It comes with being princess of Mars, whether I want it or not. My grandfather sent me off to the court of the Moon Kingdom when he determined I was the proper age, just as he had done with my mother before me. And she lived just long enough to fulfill her duty. She carried the mantle of Sailor Mars with distinction, then returned home to marry a worthy prince, also a choice made for her, then in her final act, provided Mars with a new princess to take her place. If I do the same, my grandfather will be content."
"Your highness..., Rei. Surely the king of Mars does not look for you to die in childbirth like your mother," he protested.
"No, he doesn't," she agreed. "But as long as a future Sailor Mars is brought into being, the proper order is maintained."
"Well, I certainly have never met your grandfather," he said. "But I think you might be misjudging him."
"Oh, really?" she asked, disbelievingly.
"Yes," he persisted. "If you were summoned home tomorrow to succeed your grandfather, and become reigning queen of Mars, what would be your most important responsibilities?"
She fell silent, considering the question. "Well, even before returning home, I would have to present Queen Serenity, and Princess Serenity, with my notice of retirement as Sailor Mars."
"And why is that?"
"Mars cannot have its queen placing herself at risk as a guardian," Rei said. "Sailor Mars is a guardian of the moon princess. As queen, my first obligation would be to the people of Mars."
He nodded. "And what about the obligation Mars has to the other planets?"
She thought for a moment. "Eventually, I would need to marry, so that I could have a child. A future Sailor Mars."
"Maintaining the order," he suggested. "You see? As a father, the king of Mars must certainly have grieved when his daughter died, but as ruler, he had to show his people that the order of their world still survived. As you just said, his first obligation is to his people."
They sat together quietly as the fire continued to dance in front of them. She sensed him reaching out to the fire, which grew brighter, and he settled into a trance. As it flared, the fire's energy spread around her. She opened herself to it, at once feeling more in harmony with herself and the world around her.
She closed her eyes, feeling the energy spreading across her, seemingly like many soft feather strokes. With the energy came a sensation of warmth and security, putting her at peace.
A different warmth swelled within her as the energy continued to dance across her body. Her nipples swelled as her nerves grew increasingly sensitive. The tiny strokes caressed both nipples, radiating slowly out over her breasts. Her breathing grew faster as the warmth within her increased.
A part of her mind questioned what was happening, but she remained within her trance, attuned to the energies of the fire. Her arousal continued to swell, now feeling the energy covering every bit of her body and leaving her with the sense of being completely naked. Kneeling in front of the fire, she swayed and gasped softly as the energy responded to the spreading wetness between her legs. The fingers seemed to caress her nether lips, flooding her with pleasure.
As desire swelled with arousal, and her trance went still deeper, she found herself imagining Atana's fingers sliding between her legs. The fingers stroked her lips again, then slipped inside. In her mind, she pictured him sliding his fingers deep into her opening, while caressing his other hand over her abdomen and up to her breast. As she imagined his fingers on her breast, she felt an increase in pressure on her nipple, followed by the soft brushing of lips across her own. Her insides boiled, and an intense shock of pleasure swept through her, as a finger seemed to rub her jewel. Her mind cried out in ecstasy, no longer able to tell what was real and what was fantasy.
The fingers seemed to plunge still deeper within her, leaving her gasping for breath. Her mind called his name. With the fingers still probing deep inside her, another seemed to caress her jewel, setting her on fire. A hand fondled her breast, while lips seemed to grasp the other nipple, sucking at it.
Her mind pictured Atana in front of her, one hand between her legs, thrusting fingers deep into her, while the other hand lovingly caressed her breast and he pressed his lips to the second. The firelight flickered around her, adding to her warmth and contented pleasure.
Her entire body now seemed to be trembling, completely at the mercy of deeply penetrating fingers, which only grew more determined as her arousal and wetness increased. The stroking of her jewel increased as well, sending her soaring ever higher. The sound of her voice crying his name, pleading for release, filled her mind. The fingers thrust still deeper, seeming to lift her body up as a still more intense burst of pleasure tore through her. Her mind rang with her cry of ecstasy as she came to an intense orgasm.
Completely spent, she found herself surrounded by the flickering of the firelight as she gasped for breath. Its warmth added to her euphoria, feeling happier than she had in a long time.
Gradually, the fire burned lower and she realized she was rising out of her trance. Her eyes flickered open, slowly regaining focus. The wetness between her legs spoke of a physical aspect to what she had experienced, but her sailor uniform was undisturbed. Embarrassment began to swell within her as she remembered her fantasy about him. A glance to her side confirmed Atana was kneeling beside her, more than an arm's length away, and still in his trance. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Gods. That was intense," she sighed.
As she sat there, regaining her composure, she noticed him beginning to stir. His face now seemed flushed, and he glanced over at her.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered. "I... I just seem to have gone a bit deeper than I expected. Ahm... I'm feeling a bit drained."
She nodded. "I know what you mean," she said softly.
He looked over at her once more. "You too?"
A renewed embarrassment flashed through her, and she hastily rose to her feet, finding herself not entirely steady. "Uhm, Please forgive me, Atana, but I must be going," she said. "The Sailor Soldiers are having dinner at the palace, and one must not keep their majesties waiting."
He began to stand, then thought better of it, a look of discomfort on his face. "Ahh... I guess that was a mistake," he muttered. "I understand, of course. Please forgive my not standing."
She nodded. "I am pleased to have met you, and to have been able to talk with you."
"My pleasure, Rei."
She nodded once more, then stepped away from the fire. A slight pulse of energy signaled the keeper of the teleportation platform. Energy enveloped her and she vanished.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In her rooms, Rei slipped off her sailor uniform and lowered herself into the tub. She sighed happily as the warm water surrounded her. Her long, dark hair spread out in the water. She leaned back, fully soaking her hair, then piled it all on top of her head to apply shampoo.
After rinsing herself off, she sat quietly in the tub, recalling her experience at the fire altar. As the familiar warmth began to return within her, she again saw his face in her mind, his dark, piercing eyes that simultaneously conveyed intelligence and concern, along with his wry smile. He had seemed able to see right into her, and his conversation calmed her anxieties and concerns. At the same time, she had to admit that he was exceedingly handsome and attractive, stirring within her the most powerful longings she had ever experienced for a man. As she sat there, her hand drifted between her legs. A wave of pleasure swept through her before she pulled her hand away.
"Dammit, Rei! Discipline!" she chided herself.
She pulled herself out of the tub and opened the drain. Reaching for a towel, she slowly dried herself, enjoying the feel of the soft, fluffy towel. Finally, she set the towel aside. Her long raven hair would take too long to dry by any conventional means. Standing in the center of the floor, she brought her hands together in front of her, closed her eyes, and focused her concentration. Immediately, energy flowed across her body. Her hair billowed around her and she could feel the excess moisture evaporating. In only a moment, the energy faded as she opened her eyes. Only the slightest trace of dampness remained in her hair as she began to brush it.
Back in her room, she found a lovely dark pink gown laid out for her. She slipped it on, discovering it fit perfectly.
"Oooo, very nice," she sighed, observing herself in the mirror.
On the table beside the bed, she found a box, containing ear rings and a necklace, which she put on to complete the outfit.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rei came downstairs to find the other sailors had not arrived yet. Deciding to wait in the library, she walked to the back of that room, where an image crystal caught her eye. It was set behind several others. In the crystal were the figures of the Sailor Soldiers of the inner planets.
"Hunh? I don't remember this," she said, reaching for the crystal.
As she took it off the shelf and looked at it more closely, she saw that it was previous generation of sailors, joined by the current queen of the Moon, in the uniform of Sailor Moon, and the present Queen Julianna in her sleek black uniform as the guardian of Earth. Rei's eyes began to mist as she noticed how much she did indeed resemble her mother when she had worn the uniform of Sailor Mars. Just then, a hand settled very lightly on her shoulder, and Rei turned with a start.
"You're thinking of your mother, aren't you?" Julianna said quietly.
Rei nodded. "All I really know are the stories, of how she carried out her duty to Mars so well, but I know hardly anything of the real person."
Julianna smiled and motioned Rei to a seat, sitting down next to her.
"From what I have seen, you are more like your mother than you can ever know," Julianna said. "You look so much like her that I could hardly believe it the first time I saw you as Sailor Mars. For a moment, I really did think I was seeing Akari's ghost."
"I've been told for years that I look just like her," Rei said. "But I always wonder how well I'd be living up to her expectations, especially when I lose my temper."
Julianna laughed softly. "A strong temper seems to run in your family, my dear. Your mother and your grandfather had some absolutely memorable shouting matches."
"Mother... argued with Grandfather?" Rei asked, stunned.
"Oh, yes," Julianna said. "And I can't begin to count all the times he threatened to disown her, but she always stood her ground."
"How did she get away with that?" Rei asked.
"She never contradicted the king's official pronouncements, and she always fulfilled her duty, although perhaps not precisely in the way he wished."
"And as a Sailor Soldier?"
"One of the best," Julianna confirmed. "Until she had to retire, Akari was always ready to serve."
"Yes. She retired to go home to an arranged marriage," Rei muttered.
"Is that what you've been told?" Julianna asked.
"Isn't it the truth?" Rei countered.
"No," Julianna told her. "The marriage was arranged, technically, but she did love your father. She retired because of an illness."
"Illness?"
"Yes. A demon had threatened to disrupt the natural balance among the planets, which would have had catastrophic consequences. The Sailor Soldiers and I were able to defeat them, with Akari and Sailor Moon jointly delivering the final, fatal blow. In its dying act, the demon hurled its foul energy at Sailor Moon, now Queen Serenity. Your mother and I jumped in front of her to shield her. I don't mean to suggest the other sailors didn't also react, but we were the closest at that moment."
"What happened?" Rei asked.
"Your mother took the brunt of it, and soon after was found to have a fatal illness. The healers could do nothing for her. Serenity directed the rest of us to combine our energies to keep her alive for the time being. Akari returned to Mars and married, knowing she needed to give birth to a daughter who would succeed her. Even so, it was several years before she regained enough strength that your grandfather's healers considered it even marginally safe for her and your father to try. There was nothing she wanted more than to be able to see you grow up, but it was all we could do to keep her alive that long, and even that would have been impossible without her own sheer willpower."
More tears welled up in Rei's eyes, and she sat quietly for several minutes.
"I know she would be very proud of you," Julianna added.
"The demon's power didn't make you ill?" Rei asked.
"Not ill, but it did have its effect," she said. "As a matter of technicality, the guardian of Earth has never really been a Sailor Soldier, although I'm sure Serenity always considered me one, but like the Sailor Soldiers, the first born of the guardian princess of Earth has always been a female, who will grow up to take over the guardianship herself."
"But you only have one child, a son, Prince Endymion," Rei said.
"Very true, my dear," Julianna said. "That was the demon's effect on me. I could not have a daughter, and after having Endymion, I found I could not have any more children."
"Then Earth no longer will have a guardian princess," Rei said.
"Well, I'm not sure that is permanent," Julianna told her with a grin. "You see, much of my power, that should have gone to a daughter, actually has been passed to Endymion. Thus, for the first time, Earth has a guardian prince. And if he marries, and has a daughter..."
"The guardian princess of both Earth and Moon," Rei completed.
Julianna laughed. "Yes, indeed," she agreed.
Footsteps were heard approaching. "Julianna?" Darius called.
"Coming, my dear," Julianna answered. "Rei and I were talking."
"I'm sorry," Darius said. "I hope I didn't interrupt."
"Of course not, your majesty," Rei said, rising to her feet. "We were just finishing."
Julianna kissed Darius and walked with him into the hall. Rei followed, seeing Serenity, Endymion, and the other sailors entering the dining room.
"Excuse me, your majesties," Rei said. "Do either of you know a wizard named Atana?"
"Prince Atana? Yes, I know who he is," Darius said.
"Prince Atana?" Rei asked. "He's a prince?"
"Yes. He's the younger son of the king of a Pacific island group," Darius told her.
"So he was just sent away?"
"No," Julianna said. "He showed signs of a considerable talent for wizardry, so he was sent here to learn how to make use of his talents."
"He never mentioned he was a prince," Rei said.
"He usually doesn't," Julianna agreed.
They sat down at the table, and the servers came in.
"So, Rei, have you met a nice guy?" Mina asked.
"Yes. Give us details," Makoto added with a grin.
"Well, ah, there really isn't much to tell," Rei said. "I went up to the fire altar on the mountain, and he came by while I was meditating. We just got to talking. He seems very nice."
"I would have to say he's one of the nicest young men you could ever meet," Endymion said.
"Is this something serious?" Makoto asked.
"Makoto," Ami protested. "Let's give her some privacy."
"Yes. Give her some peace," Serenity agreed. "You each have lives beyond just being my guardians. I certainly appreciate all of your efforts, but you need to take care of yourselves at the same time."
"I agree," said Julianna. "I spoke with Queen Serenity earlier today, and she feels the same way. She leaves it to Princess Serenity, but she wants you to feel free to stay here for a while and just relax."
Serenity looked over at Endymion and smiled. "Well, I think you all know my decision. We will stay here for several weeks, if King Darius and Queen Julianna are willing to have us."
"Of course you are most welcome," Julianna said.
"Most welcome indeed," Darius concurred.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
After dinner, Rei walked out across the terrace. Torches burned around the perimeter, casting their flickering glow across the veranda. As she approached the edge, she sensed someone nearby.
"Hello again, your highness," Atana said quietly. "I hope you had a pleasant dinner."
She smiled, turning to face him. "Very pleasant, thank you... your highness."
He bowed his head slowly in acknowledgment, a wry smile on his face. "I see someone has told you of my pedigree."
"It's not something to be ashamed of," she said.
"I never said it was," he replied. "But sometimes, titles only serve to create unnecessary barriers. In wizardry circles, I frequently find it something I can ill afford."
"I understand," she told him.
She looked up into the sky, filled with stars, and quickly found the small point of red that was her own planet. "It certainly is a lovely night," she said.
"Yes, it is," he agreed.
She stepped closer to him, a smile on her face. "Would you like to go for a walk with me, Atana?"
"I would like that... Rei."
They walked down the steps, their hands coming together.
"I'm happy to see you taking some time for yourself," he said.
She nodded, enjoying the feel of her hand in his. "I think I've learned a number of things today. If I neglect myself, then I'm also neglecting my duty to others."
"Very true," he agreed. "You are a very wise woman."
She shook her head. "I'd say some times I'm too stubborn for my own good."
"There is a very fine line between stubbornness and being firm in your convictions, Rei," he said. "I would imagine your fellow sailors value the latter in you."
"And a fiery temper?" she asked.
"Well, I've always been partial to the natural beauty of the fire," he said, a teasing grin playing across his face.
As their eyes met, she again felt strong emotions sweeping through her, a retort dying unspoken. Her cheeks warmed in a blush, while a different warmth spread within her. Finally, she turned her eyes away.
"Do you want to keep walking?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered softly.
They continued down the path into the trees, away from lights of the palace, where each could pretend not to be able to see the emotions in the eyes of the other.< To be continued >
* * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: Less of the steamy stuff in this installment, but it wouldn't have fit with the characters and the larger story plan I'm working on. 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.