"I feel there is no more I can teach you, my friend," a man in a red military style uniform and boots spoke to the young man dressed in white with his long, white hair flowing down his back.

"But Lord Mars..."

"I know the Princess of Venus in good hands, Artemis. After all, I would not trust the safety of the granddaughter of Venus to just anyone. "

"Thank you for your confidence in me, my lord."

"I have a gift for you." Mars held out his hand as a finely polished sword with a gold jewel encrusted hilt appeared in his hand. Turning the hilt, he passes the sword to Artemis, who graciously accepts the sword.

"You honor me, my lord."

"If you accept this gift, it is you who honors me, my friend. This sword was forged in the fires of Etna by Vulcan himself."

"It is magnificent," Artemis remarked as he tested the feel of the sword in his hand.

"So, that is the story of how this sword came to be in possession." Artemis smiled proudly at Minako.

"That is such a sweet story, Artemis."

"That sword is my prize possession. Other the Lord Mars himself, there is no one I would trust with it except you."

'You really are the sweetest boyfriend a girl could have." Minako smiled at him as he took the sword from him before she leaned in and kissed him softly.

"I hope I am not interrupting anything," Ryoji said as he approached the couple.

"Not at all," Minako replied with a smile.

"I have been watching. Your training goes quite well, Minako. I do believe that some of the inherent skill you possessed during the Silver Millennium is coming back to you."

"Thank you, Ryoji. I'm going to leave you two to talk while I go speak with the girls." Minako looked over to where Rei, Ami, and Makoto stood at the steps of the shrine. Kissing Artemis on the cheek, she walked off.

"I'm curious of something. Why have you taken the name Ryoji Sasaki?" Artemis gave his friend a quizzical look.

Ryoji laughed as he slapped his friend on the back. "I figured I would fit into the culture better if I took a human identity. After all, people will look at you funny if you introduce yourself as Mars, God of War."

"You make a good point there." Artemis gave his friend a grin as he spoke.

"Ryoji, do have any idea as to why Pluto would suddenly be out to destroy the Earth? I mean widespread destruction has never been his forté."

"I'm uncertain. Perhaps without Jupiter to keep him in check, he has finally snapped from his imprisonment in the Underworld."

"I'm afraid I don't understand. Why would Jupiter let him get away with such an act?"

"The truth is, my friend, of all the Ancient Gods, only Pluto and I remain in this plane of existence. The others have fled to a higher plane, having grown bored with existence on this plane of reality."

"I know you stayed behind for Rei, but why did Jupiter not allow Pluto to join the other Gods?"

Shaking his head Ryoji placed his hand on the other man's shoulder. "

I'm afraid you do not understand, Artemis. Pluto is not only an inmate in the Underworld, he is also the jailer. It is his job to ensure souls do not cross back over to the land of the living."

"So this is his way of lashing out like a spoiled child?"

"That is a distinct possibility, my friend."

Suddenly, Ryoji's eyes go wide and he stumbled as a voice screamed out in his head.

"NOOOOO!"

Artemis grabbed onto his friend, steadying him.

"Ryoji, what's wrong?"

"We must be off. Usagi and Mamoru are in trouble."

To Be Continued in Fires of Love Chapter 8.