Of Love and Duty
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"
> Chapter 7 - Fire of Passion <
Kneeling in front of the fire altar, Rei's hands went through the ritual motions while she opened her senses. The energy flowed through her as she drifted deeper into a trance. Once more, she saw the vision of intense darkness swallowing up the planets, only to be washed away by a brilliant silver-white light. This time, she had a glimpse of the aftermath, seeing all the planets except Earth left lifeless. In an instant, the light washed this away and she again saw herself in the strange city.
With an effort, she turned her thoughts to Atana. Immediately, her body responded with a spreading warmth as his face, so incredibly handsome to her, filled her mind. In only a moment, she saw his entire body, seeing him standing there naked, beckoning to her. She saw herself run to him and kiss him deeply as his strong arms enfolded her. Her entire body was now on fire with longing as, in the vision, he plucked her gown off and swept his hands over her. She actually seemed to feel his lips on hers, and his hands running over her bare flesh. The warmth of the fire enveloped them both. The trance went still deeper, and she found herself looking into his dark, penetrating eyes, able to clearly feel the full power of his love just as she knew he could feel hers. She sighed with purest bliss as their naked bodies pressed together and they kissed again. In an instant, they were lying down. As he moved above her, she felt a flicker of concern over her own inexperience. He caressed her cheek and spoke soothingly, assuring her that their love was what mattered between them. The warmth around them grew still more intense, matching her own longing. He leaned down and kissed her nipple, while running a hand between her legs. His fingertip brushed ever so lightly across her jewel, but her entire body shook with intense pleasure. As she gasped with delight, he withdrew his hand and kissed her deeply, while she became aware of a warm mass spreading open her nether lips and moving deep inside her. At that moment, two bodies seemed to become one, while the firelight washed away all awareness. Waves of ecstasy grew ever more intense, and their hearts pounded with the overwhelming power of emotion between them. Finally, she cried out his name in a euphoria of love and passion as the most intense experience of pleasure she had ever known swept over her.
She emerged from her trance, feeling utterly spent and barely able to move. A warm wetness spread within her and emerged from between her legs as her breathing came heavily. The air had turned cold, the breeze cutting through the thin fabric of her dress. Dark clouds hung low overhead, and large drops of rain began to fall, growing steadily heavier. Her dress was quickly soaked, clinging transparently to her body. She rose unsteadily to her feet and moved away from the fire altar.
"Rei!" Atana called.
She saw him standing at the edge of the clearing.
"Atana," she answered breathlessly, feeling desire growing still stronger as her eyes took in the sight of him and her heart pounded. She recalled every detail of the vision and found herself yearning to make it reality.
He could feel his manhood responding as he longed to hold her in his arms and make wild, passionate love to her.
The rain was growing heavier, and a clap of thunder was heard in the distance, echoing off the mountainside.
"Uhm, we should get out of the weather," he said.
"Yes... Yes, of course," she agreed, struggling unsuccessfully with her longing.
As she stepped closer to him, he saw the fire blazing in her eyes while her hard, erect nipples were plainly visible through her soaked dress. She placed a hand on his shoulder. He immediately drew her into his arms and kissed her deeply, feeling his aroused manhood bulging within his pants as she pressed herself against it. Their mouths separated as they gasped for breath, and he quickly teleported them away.
They stood outside his small house. He quickly led her inside, where a fire glowed in the fireplace at the center of the main room. After kicking off his shoes, he put more wood on the fire, which flared brightly, throwing added warmth out into the room. She moved close to the fire, feeling its warmth adding to that already deep within her.
He stepped into the bathroom, returning moments later wearing a robe and carrying a towel. As he looked at her standing there, he could still clearly see her body through her wet dress.
"You should get dried off," he said, offering her the towel. "There is another robe in the bathroom for you to change into."
She looked at him, then down at the bearskin rug on the floor, the last bits of uncertainty fading away. "Thank you, but that's quite alright," she said with a smile.
She slipped off her dress, tossing it aside, and then peeled off her underpants, standing there completely naked. He gasped in shock and arousal, while her energy washed over her, quickly drying her off.
He took a step back as his heart warred with desire. The latter demanded immediate physical gratification in her exquisitely beautiful young body, while the former urged caution, to be certain they were both truly ready for this.
"Ah, are you sure this is the right thing to do?" he asked.
"Oh, most definitely," she answered in a husky voice as she opened his robe and slid it off his shoulders.
Her eyes were immediately drawn to the bulging form of his aroused penis. She ran her hands down over his abdomen and took hold of his member, stroking it in her fingers while her own arousal grew still stronger.
"Oh, Rei," he groaned.
She crouched down in front of him as she continued to caress his full length. Seeing it quiver in her hands, she leaned forward and kissed the tip. She stood back up, pressing her body against his and kissed him deeply. With her arms wrapped around him, she pulled him down onto the rug. His knees bent as he gave in.
They sat together on the soft rug. He swept a hand across her abdomen and up to take hold of one of her breasts. She sighed happily as his fingers caressed her nipple. He pressed his lips to hers and slipped his tongue into her mouth, moving with her as she lay back on the rug, his hand still lovingly fondling her breast. As he looked down into her dark eyes, he felt love and passion both swelling still stronger within himself. He kissed her fiercely, feeling her responding in kind.
She clung to him tightly as their tongues danced. His lips touched the base of her neck, while his fingers continued to brush over her nipple, sending sharp bursts of pleasure washing out from her aroused, highly sensitive breast. She ran her hands over his back and through his hair as he moved down, taking her other nipple in his mouth and sucking at it. She groaned with delight as he ran his tongue over her nipple, then pressed his mouth over her breast, sucking her flesh as he slowly drew back to her nipple.
He circled her hardened tip with his tongue, then squeezed it in his lips, feeling her tremble beneath him. Kissing her soft, smooth flesh, he moved down into the valley between her breasts, then up onto the other mound. His tongue brushed across her skin as he approached the nipple, then slowly traced a circle around it. Finally, he mashed his lips over her nipple and sucked intensely.
"Oh, yes," she sighed, awash in raw, carnal pleasure.
Her insides burned as he continued to go hungrily over her breasts. As her gasps and sighs grew more desperate, she swept her hands over his strong body.
"Oh, please," she gasped. "Atana. Please!"
With a smile, he moved between her spread legs, draping himself over her and kissing her deeply. She immediately enfolded him with both hers arms and legs, holding him tightly. A slight shift of her hips brought the tip of his manhood in contact with her nether lips. He looked down, seeing the certainty, trust, and love in her eyes, along with the raw, blazing passion. His lips pressed hard over hers while she continued to thrust with her hips, trying to take him in.
As she finished her next thrust, she felt him slide forward, his swollen tip spreading open her nether lips. She gasped in delight, even as sensations of both pleasure and discomfort swept through her. He kissed her once more, moving slowly. Her virgin channel was being spread wide by his warm, aroused mass.
"Oh, yes," she whispered.
He rocked back slightly, the feel of her womanhood squeezing tightly on his tip flooding him with waves of ecstasy. As he rocked forward again, he encountered more resistance, even as she pulled on him fiercely with her arms and legs.
She felt him slide back, trying to hold him in place. Their eyes met, conveying love beyond words. Suddenly, he thrust forward, driving his member deep into her and producing a tearing, burning sensation. She bit her lip, fighting back a cry of pain. He kissed her cheek, and she looked up to see concern in his eyes.
"I love you, Rei," he said softly, even as he very gently slid back.
"I know. And I love you," she answered.
He slid back into her, and she felt the pain giving way to overwhelming pleasure as his penis plunged deep inside her once more. His warm mass filled her womanhood so perfectly, and felt sooooo good there that she longed to hold him inside her forever.
He kissed her lips as their bodies fell into a slow, easy rhythm, moving together as one. With each motion, a new burst of pleasure swept through him, carrying him ever higher. As he looked down into her eyes, sparkling brightly with her own ecstasy, he felt the beginnings of an intimacy beyond the merely physical.
She felt it as well, beginning to sense emotions from him. With their next thrust, the thought flashed through her mind that she loved his warmth inside her and draped over her. He promptly lowered his body more completely over hers, and kissed her. Their tongues slowly danced together, in between brief gasps for breath, while they continued to share themselves with each other, both physically and spiritually. Her happiness increased still more with the knowledge that he was truly her soul-mate.
Her joy flooded through him, increasing his own pleasure and happiness. With a groan, he pushed up harder into her, feeling her pleasure even as she gasped with delight. He pulled back, then repeated the move, increasing their pace.
"Oh, yes!... Oh, gods!" she cried. "Yes!... Oh, please!... Oh, yes!"
His lips covered hers, but her cries of ecstasy continued to ring in his head. She clung to him tightly, even as his every move swept her into previously unknown realms of raw, carnal delight. Again and again, they moved together, driving his throbbing manhood within her. He groaned, and she felt his own pleasure, as passion burned with equal brightness within them both. As he pushed into her once more, all awareness faded except for his bulging member as her body locked up in a massive orgasm.
"AAATTTAAAANNAAA!!" she cried, in pure hedonistic euphoria, clinging to him both within and without.
"Oh, Rei," he gasped, struggling to hold himself in check.
He kissed her softly while taking several slow breaths. His lips touched her cheek, and then he brushed her lips with his tongue. Finally, he slid back very slowly, feeling his manhood sliding past her tightly constricting inner muscles.
"Oh, yes," she groaned.
Her hands slid down over his back and grasped his bottom, pulling up on him as he thrust back into her, driving his throbbing penis deep into her warm, loving embrace. Their bodies fell back into unison, moving as one, as passion blazed still hotter within them, driving them on ever faster.
He gasped for breath as he plunged into her again and again. They were both past the point of serious, conscious thought, as passion drove them on.
His powerful motions were driving her crazy as he thrust in and out, in and out, in and out, stroking her inner muscles with every movement of his long, thick, warm, throbbing member, its mass setting her nerves on fire with a degree of pleasure she had never known. She felt his own exquisite joy from their beautiful, magnificent coupling. For her, everything else had faded away. All that mattered was him and their two bodies, so wonderfully conjoined as one, as the fates had already conjoined their souls.
He drove himself on, letting passion and desire determine their pace. In and out, in and out. Still faster they moved, flooded by intense pleasure and purest joy. In and out, in and out. His member throbbed acutely within her tight embrace, and his entire body trembled as he teetered on the brink, struggling to hold himself back. In and out, in and out. Her gasps and cries grew more breathless as she soared ever higher, and her overwhelming pleasure swept through him as well.
"Oh, yes!" she cried. "OOOHHH, YYYEEESSSS!!" Her second climax seemed even more intense than the first, leaving her gasping for breath.
He found himself struggling for breath as well, while holding himself still within her. His lips touched hers in repeated, soft kisses.
As she ran her hands along his back, she felt his bulging member shifting within her.
"Oh, yes," she groaned.
He resumed a slow, steady pace, with long deliberate strokes. Quickly, she began moaning and gasping, while her body thrust upward with every motion, trying to take him still deeper. He felt her increasing desperation as passion swelled rapidly within her. His own soared in response.
She gasped in delight as he thrust deeper into her, and their conjoined bodies moved still faster. Her arms and legs pulled on him with each thrust, while her inner muscles tightened to hold his throbbing penis inside her womanhood.
"Oh, gods!... Oh, yes!... So good... Oh, yes!" she gasped, being swept upward again into the heights of ecstasy.
"Oh, Rei," he groaned. "Oh, yes!"
He drove himself into her with a powerful thrust, feeling his member quivering wildly as it reached deep within her. As he rocked back, then thrust forward, he could feel a spasm building, spreading outward through his entire body. His penis plunged into her, his spasm seeming to extend it still deeper, before he peaked, sending his seed surging into her womanhood.
"OH, YES!! YYYYEEESSS!!" she cried, swept away in climax and clinging to him tightly.
His body remained locked up in his climactic spasm as he emptied himself into her, finally beginning to go limp. She kissed his cheek, while letting him feel the love and joy that rang in her heart for him, even as her own body lay utterly spent beneath him.
For long minutes, they lay together, his slowly receding member still inside her. Neither said a word, nor made any real movements, except to softly kiss. Finally, he raised himself on his arms and began to ease himself out of her. As he lay down beside her on the rug, they snuggled together.
"I love you so much," she whispered.
"I love you," he said.
They kissed again, then lay together quietly, both feeling exquisitely happy.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The wind whistled outside, and they could hear the rain beating heavily on the roof. Inside, the fire cast its warm glow over the two lovers still snuggling on the rug. He kissed her softly.
"You just amaze me, Rei," he said. "No one has ever made me feel this way."
"I know. I've never felt this way either," she said, kissing him in return. "But you make me so happy."
"I'm glad."
"And I was always taught that finding one's soul-mate was among the greatest blessings possible," she said.
"I would have to agree with that," he said.
Suddenly, her attention drifted away, and he could sense a feeling of foreboding within her.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She shook her head and her eyes regained their focus. "I've been having this recurring vision," she explained. "I see all the planets swallowed up in an overwhelming darkness. A bright silver light washes the darkness away, but I think too late to save any of the planets except Earth. After that, I seem to see myself and the other sailors in a strange city. I don't know what it means, except that it seems to warn of a terrible threat."
He thought for a moment. "I'm afraid I don't have much experience with visions of the future. I wish I could be of more help."
She kissed him softly. "You help just by being here for me, my love," she whispered.
He smiled. "That's good. I can't imagine not being here for you."
"And I can't imagine you not being here," she said.
He moved above her and kissed her passionately, his tongue probing deep into her mouth. Her arms enfolded him and she sighed with purest joy.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
They sat together on the floor of a small side room. Atana was now dressed in shorts and a light shirt, while Rei had borrowed one of his long shirts. Lit candles formed a circle around them, within which he was focusing his power.
The candles flared brightly, and they suddenly seemed to be surrounded by a wall of flame. The flame soon surrounded them completely as all trace of the room vanished. She kept completely still as he had instructed her, experiencing the sensation of floating. The flame faded and she saw they were now sitting on bare ground. As the flame vanished entirely, she looked up to find it was night, and the stars and moon were shining in a clear sky. She could hear sounds of the ocean nearby, while palm trees stood around them.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"This is where I'm from," he answered.
"You mean, the island group in the Pacific Ocean?"
He nodded.
She rose to her feet. "Well, I guess that explains why it's night. We're halfway around the Earth from Atlantis."
"That's right," he said.
He led her down to the beach, where they gathered wood and started a large fire.
"Very nice," she said, watching the flames dance and crackle.
"I quite agree," he said, standing behind her and taking her in his arms. "Almost as lovely as you are."
She leaned back against him and sighed happily. His hands slid down her front, softly and deftly unbuttoning the shirt she was wearing. As the shirt fell open, she felt him kiss the side of her neck, sucking gently with each contact. She groaned as a passionate warmth began to run through her. One of his hands grasped her breast, his fingers caressing the already swollen nipple, while his other hand slid between her legs, stroking her nether lips.
"Oh, gods," she gasped, pressing herself back against his hardened, aroused manhood.
His tongue brushed along her ear, and he then took the lobe in his lips. Even as this added to the fire burning within her, his fingers slid through her nether lips, probing deep inside her.
"Oh, yes!" she cried, her entire body shaking.
His thumb brushed over her nipple, while his fingers continued to thrust into her womanhood. She gasped, and her body gyrated in his embrace. His fingers pulled back and stroked her jewel, swollen and hyper-sensitive with her arousal. She cried out wordlessly as shocks of raw pleasure burst through her, sweeping her higher and higher.
"OH, YES!!" she cried, finally soaring over the edge into orgasm.
Her body trembled in his arms as she gasped for breath. He looked down at the sand beside them and, with a thought, caused a blanket to appear and spread itself out. Stepping back slightly, he slipped her shirt off and tossed it aside, then swept his hands slowly and lovingly over her naked form. As he did so, his manhood bulged painfully within his shorts.
"Oh, Rei," he sighed, kissing the side of her neck again. "You're soooo beautiful."
She groaned with delight, even as he moved her over and lay her down on the blanket. He pulled off his shirt and his shorts, then lay down beside her. His hand traced across her breast. He leaned down and kissed her nipple, suckling it fiercely. Her arms enfolded him and held him to her tightly.
He ran his tongue slowly over her firm tip, then took it again in his mouth. As she gasped and moaned, he moved to the other nipple and began feasting on it as hungrily as on the first.
She gasped and shook as he licked and sucked at her breast, passion blazing uncontrollably within her. Her blood was at full boil, while a warm wetness filled her yearning womanhood and flowed out between her legs.
He licked down over the lower curve of her breast, then kissed his way across her abdomen. Spreading open her legs, he positioned himself between her thighs, the aroma of her arousal filling his senses. He kissed the insides of her thighs, moving very slowly upward. She shook with passion and gasped as he kissed and licked her. Moving still closer to her nether lips, he began to taste her honey on her flesh. He paused for a breath, seeing more of her fluid emerging from her soft folds. Leaning closer, he ran his tongue very slowly up along the full length of her opening, tasting more of her honey, then slid his tongue back down.
She groaned as his tongue brushed her opening. He softly kissed her, then she felt his tongue slip into her.
"Oh, gods," she moaned.
He slipped his tongue deep into her, spreading open her soft petals. As he felt her tremble with delight, he pulled back and slipped his tongue up, stroking it across her swollen jewel. Her entire body shook and she cried out in ecstasy. He plunged his tongue deep into her womanhood, caressing the sides of her channel, then pulled back to brush her jewel. Even as she gasped once more, he repeated the move, bringing more of her honey into his mouth with each move.
She cried out again and again as his tongue continued to stroke her jewel with each move. As he pulled back once more, he ran the full length of his tongue across her jewel, sending white-hot pleasure coursing through her. The tip of his tongue brushed her swollen pleasure point with fast, light strokes, sending her soaring still higher as her body shook uncontrollably.
"AAAATTTTAAAAANNNNAAAA!!" she cried in raw ecstasy, her voice a near scream, as she soared to a massive climax.
He struggled to gulp down the flood that poured out of her, finally pulling back to gasp for breath. After a moment, he moved up alongside her on the blanket.
As he kissed her cheek, her eyes were drawn to his bulging erection. Her insides, still feeling the effects of her orgasm, grew even hotter at the sight. With a sudden move, she rolled onto him, putting him on his back, and pressing her lips hungrily to his. His hands slid up over her back as they kissed, their tongues dancing together.
Sitting up, she gasped for breath. As she slid back slightly, she felt his penis. She adjusted her position, rubbing the full length of his hardness across her nether lips.
"Oh, Rei!" he gasped, his entire body trembling.
She repeated the move, now feeling her longing for him overwhelming her. With half-hooded eyes, she looked down at him, her breathing coming in short gasps. Another shift brought his tip to her opening, beginning to spread her lips. She grinned down at him with purest bliss, then thrust back, letting out a cry of pure sexual euphoria as she impaled herself on his engorged mass.
He groaned in delight as his manhood was enveloped in her warm, moist, loving embrace. As she thrust up and down on his shaft, flooding them both with exquisite pleasure, he grasped her breasts in his hands, caressing them firmly. He thrust up through his hips to meet her next motion, sending his member still deeper into her.
"Oh, yes!" she gasped, gyrating wildly above him.
Her long raven hair shook behind her, as her head rolled back and she cried out in ecstasy. His warm mass was again filling her up so perfectly, driving her crazy with delight. Each stroke rubbed over her tightly clenching inner muscles and set her nerves on fire. As their conjoined bodies moved together, she again felt the full force of his love and passion flooding through her. She could see it in his eyes, and felt it in her heart. Bending down over him, she pressed her lips to his, gasping softly as they continued to move together.
He slid one hand around and grasped her bottom. Her back arched as she moved. He thrust up hard through his hips, feeling his shaft plunge back into her once more. As they kissed again, he brought his other hand to the back of her head. Their tongues danced together, and she moaned into the kiss as their bodies thrust together.
"Oh, gods!" she gasped, as their mouths separated and she sat up astride him.
She braced her hands on his chest, then lifted herself up, rising almost completely off him. He groaned, sliding his hands to her hips. She paused for just a moment, then plunged herself back down, burying his exquisite, warm, throbbing mass deep inside her womanhood.
"Oh, yes!" she cried, thrusting up and down on his shaft with increasing speed and abandon. "Oh, yes!... Oh, gods!... Atana!... So good!... Oh, gods!"
"Oh, Rei! Yes!" he groaned.
She plunged down on him once more, and he pushed up to meet her thrust. At once, her entire body locked up in orgasm and she cried out wordlessly, flooded with ecstasy.
He struggled to hold himself in check as she trembled above him, her inner muscles clamping down on him intensely. Her eyes drifted closed and he could feel her climax fading. He pushed up into her, shaking her body.
"Oooohhh, yes," she sighed, placing her hands on his chest and smiling down at him.
She resumed thrusting up and down on his shaft, held so tightly within her, starting slowly. His hands once more caressed her breasts, only adding to the incredible pleasure she was experiencing between her legs. Passion grew ever stronger within her, driving her ever faster, plunging his member in and out, in and out.
He felt her passion adding to his own, sweeping him away with her. His penis throbbed wildly as she thrust up and down, over and over. She bent down to kiss him. Their mouths opened and their tongues came together. As they continued to move together, he felt the indescribable happiness that came from being made one with her.
With an incredible effort of willpower, she lifted herself up on his shaft once more, feeling his swollen tip rubbing against her nether lips. His body thrust up beneath her, trying to drive himself back into her. Unable to stand it any longer, she plunged herself down onto his mass.
"Oh, yes!" she cried, her entire body shaking with delight as his shaft drove deep inside her.
Their lips came together again and they kissed with all the desperation of their passion, while their bodies continued to move as one. Faster and faster they thrust together, driving his member within her. Continuous waves of ecstasy poured between them. Higher and higher they soared into realms of raw pleasure, and yearning for still more as their bodies melded together in an expression of their love.
"Oh, gods!... Atana!... Oh, yes!... Yes!... Oh, gods!... Oh!... Yes!... OH, YES!!" she cried, her voice rising to a near scream as she soared over the edge once more.
He groaned, feeling the sharp spasm of climax drive his shaft upward and flooding himself into her. Trembling as his muscles locked up in spasm, he clung to her tightly.
Totally spent, she sighed with blissful satisfaction as she went limp on top of him, still holding his member within her. She simply lay there, enjoying the feel of his warmth spreading within her, while letting thoughts of purest love drift between them.
He too felt utterly spent, but warmed by happiness beyond measure as he held the young woman who was his soul-mate. Feeling her love, he let his own drift toward her, while thanking the fates for bringing them together.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The night air was cool but not uncomfortable, while the fire continued to cast its warm glow.
"Let's go for a quick swim," he suggested.
"Alright," she agreed.
They stood up, when he noticed she seemed a bit unsteady.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yes," she said. "I just can't quite feel my feet."
"Is that because of our...?"
"I think so," she answered. "It certainly makes sense."
He took her arm to steady her as they walked to the water and made their way out.
"Oooohh, this feels nice," she sighed, lowering herself into the water.
"It certainly does," he agreed.
He took her in his arms and kissed her.
"I am so glad I met you, Rei," he said quietly. "You make me happier than I could ever imagine."
She nodded. "I feel the same way about you. It was definitely the fates who brought us together."
They made their way back up on shore, each using their own power to dry off. As she reached for the shirt she had discarded, he gestured with his hand, conjuring up a piece of colored fabric with a pattern of large flowers and offered it to her.
"That's lovely," she remarked, holding it up. "Is it meant as a skirt? It's too small for a dress."
"Basically, yes," he said. "I don't mean for you to feel pressured, but the custom here is that women usually don't wear tops."
"Oh, really?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously. "And just how long were you planning to go before sharing that little bit of information with me?"
"You don't have to if you don't want to," he said.
"You don't understand," she said. "Part of my duty is to observe and respect the local customs. It's principally to show respect for the different cultures on Mars, but my grandfather, and his predecessors, have always insisted that it should extend to the customs of the other planets as well."
"But you're not 'on duty' as it were," he pointed out.
"One of the other sailors reminded me just yesterday that we don't get to be 'off duty,' and she's right. Wherever I go, because of who I am, I represent Mars and I represent Princess Serenity," she said.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I hadn't thought of it that way. I guess I'm a bit rusty on the royalty game, and of course, I have an older brother. He gets to deal with these types of situations much more than I do, since he is the one who will eventually be king."
He stepped closer and kissed her.
She kissed him in return, then wrapped the skirt around her waist, finding it to reach to just above her knee. She tied it in place. "How do I look?" she asked.
"Beautiful, as always," he said.
"Now, I presume we are going to make some sort of an appearance," she said.
"Well, I was thinking of something like that," he said.
He gestured once more, and another, slightly larger piece of fabric appeared, which he wrapped around himself.
"Very nice," she said with a grin. "I think I could come to like this part of it."
"I only aim to please, your highness," he replied.
Their discarded clothes and the blanket disappeared, along with the fire. He slipped his hand into hers, and they walked along the beach. As they rounded the point, they could see the lights of a village ahead. Suddenly, a horn sounded in the distance.
"What is it?" she asked.
"That's usually an alarm. Something's wrong," he said.
They rushed along the path, when a noise was heard in the trees. Just as they stopped, a large dark form leaped out at Atana. He dropped to the ground and rolled away. He raised his hand and hurled a force bolt, but the creature only snarled in anger, rushing him once more.
Rei watched for an opening. The creature was too big for her to fight hand-to-hand, and she couldn't risk a fire blast while it was so close to Atana. He hit it with another blast of magic, this time staggering the creature momentarily. Rei brought her hands together and a corona of fire surrounded her. Atana took the hint and dove away, just as she hurled a large column of flame at the creature. It roared in pain as fire continued to burn over it, then fell to the ground, where it promptly dissolved into a pile of smoldering dust.
"What was it?" she asked.
"Some sort of demon," he said. "I've heard of these in childhood stories... but they're not supposed to exist anymore."
"Well, this one certainly seemed real enough," she replied. "I wonder if this was what caused the alarm."
"I hope so," he said. "I'd hate to think there were more of them out there."
She noticed the movement of torches in the distance. "Here come the hunters, looking for that demon," she said, pointing.
"Yes. We'll find out from them what's going on, and show them that we stopped the demon," he said.
In minutes, the hunting party reached them.
"Stand, and identify yourselves!" the leader of the group challenged.
"I am Atana, son of King Talu'u," he answered. "And this is her highness, Princess Rei of Mars."
The leader stepped closer, looking carefully at Atana, then stopped and bowed.
"Forgive me, your highness," he said. "I am Raku, constable of the village. We are pursuing a demon."
"Yes, Constable. We know," Atana answered. "Thanks to Princess Rei, that is all that is left of it." He pointed at the pile of dust.
Raku and the others moved closer to the pile. "Very impressive," he remarked. "Thank you for your assistance, your highnesses. We are most grateful."
"It attacked us as well," Rei said. "I do hope it didn't do any harm."
"I'm afraid it killed two people," Raku said. "It quickly retreated in the face of armed opposition, but I suspect it meant to draw us out into the cover of the trees, where it could hit and run."
"Was it alone?" Atana asked.
"We believe so, your highness," Raku answered. "Although any help the two of you could render would be most appreciated."
"I think we should stay and check this out," Rei said to Atana. "Especially since this could be the start of a bigger threat."
He caught her meaning, recalling what she had said about her vision. "Very well then," he agreed. "We will be happy to assist, Constable."
"Thank you, your highness," Raku said. "If you will follow us back to the village, we will make lodgings available for you both."
"You think this might be that serious?" Atana asked Rei softly.
"I hope not," she answered. "But we can't afford not to find out, my love."< To be continued >
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NOTE: As promised, here is more on Rei's relationship. 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.