I'm running low on inspiration right now for my other fics but I'll be up and running about during spring break…which is soooo close!! *thanks the good lord* Anyhoo, here is something I whipped up to keep you guys happy…

DISCLAIMER: Sotsu, Surise, me…*cough*ß wishful thinking.

Warning: Not suitable for younger viewers…^^' …but no lime or lemon either…

A mere bud blossoms into a beautiful flower in time, basking in the golden beams of the sun, standing up tall and proud. Those that hide in its shadows will forever be more humble, but will always be the rarest and most beautiful…

Eye of the Beholder

A gentle mist rolled in with the morning sun, cascading the emerald hills and the dense woods, with the trees covered in old moss and wild vines. Across the old wooden bridge, there laid a quaint village, silvery smoke always puffing from the bread bakery or the church bells always chiming at noon. The village was called Seraphic, named after an old legend that was quite popular and for everyone's happiness, except for when the demons appeared in the dead of the night. There were five of them, yes, that came out in the moonlight. Of course they fed on the old and the young when they were sleeping, drinking their red ambrosia and then snacking on their flesh. But that was a rarity now days, since the men always bore their guns and knives.

As said before, the town was very content with their ways. Men usually worked out in the fields or in the shops, waking with the sun and retreating with the moon. The women were usually at home, busily taking care of their children if they had any, the single bachelorettes wandering the streets, flirting and seducing any young man they could find. Even rarer than a phoenix flying through the sky, was a virgin in Serabliss. Most women did not practice adolescence, losing their innocence before the dawn of their fifteenth birthday, the age at which most were sent off to be wed. Most…

"RELENA!!" a feminine voice screeched from the upper floor of the old house.

A woman of eighteen spun her head from the stove and looked at the staircase. "What is it now, Sylvia?"

"Your…stupid beast is in my room again!!" she yelped.

Relena sighed and wiped her hands upon her apron before pulling it off and heading upstairs. Each step creaked under her weight as she made her way up. "Sylvia, what's wrong?" she asked, peering into her fanciful room.

Sylvia had her sheets bundled around her in the middle of her bed. "That thing is in my room!! Get it away from me!!"

Relena skimmed her room and saw a tail protruding from under the bed. "Timber, come here," she spoke softy. A sleek figure appeared and walked up to Relena. She bent down and picked up the chestnut colored cat and stroked its soft fur. It purred and nuzzled her neck. "It's only my cat, Sylvia."

"ONLY?!" she stormed.

Relena turned around and left, closing the door behind her. "Timber, you know that Sylvia doesn't like anything other then men," she giggled. "Now behave." She set him down in the kitchen and watched him scurry off. It was only a bit after ten and a commotion had already begun. Relena poured hot cider into a mug and set it on the table next to toast and eggs for her sister. She had already eaten her share and it was now time for her to make her trip into town.

"Sylvia, I am going to go buy some bread and vegetables. I shall be back later," she spoke loudly, hoping her voice would be heard.

The cerulean sky was flawless, only dotted with the golden sun and birds flying across. The air was warm and filled with the scent of lilies and dew. Relena wore her usual brown cotton dress with her hair tied up into a bun. She did not care much for her looks, since Sylvia would always be far more lovelier than she. The town bustled with life today. Tinkers pushed their carts in the streets or women resting on the laps of young men, who looked as if they had an overdose of hormones.

"Good morning, Miss Darlian," the baker spoke as she walked into the warm store.

"Good morning to you too," she smiled. "Can I have the usual?"

"Sure, and you're in luck because I just baked up a fresh batch. Hold on," he said, his mustache wiggling curiously as he spoke.

Relena looked around at the breads: rye, potato, pumpernickel, any type imaginable. Behind her, the door opened once more and a familiar male walked in, almost strutting. "Well, if it isn't Relena Darlian," he chided.

"Good morning, Mr. Pickett," she spoke, trying not to make eye contact. Lord, help me, she thought.

"You can call me Kyle, you know," he said, moving closer.

Dear god, go away!! "That's very kind of you, but I don't think that will be necessary."

"Here you are, Relena, still warm," the baker spoke jovially, unaware of the tension. He handed her the bread and she paid him.

"Thank you, sir. Now if you'll excuse me, Kyle," she said, almost snickering. She stepped outside and was surprised to find him right behind her. "Is there something you would like?"

"Look, are you still mad at me for tugging your hair in school when we were little?" he asked.

"No, not at all."

"Then what is it?"

"It's nothing," she said quickly.

She headed towards the vegetable stands and saw that he stilled trailed behind her. When she was about to open her mouth to speak, a figure grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her around. "Sylvia?! What's the matter?"

Her face a deathly pale and she was gasping for air. "It's crazy!! The demon thingies want a ransom again!!"

"What?" Relena asked, shocked. "I thought we gave them everything they wanted!"

"That's what we all thought too. C'mon, everyone is at town center." Relena nodded and headed off with her sister.

A mob of people were at the town center, cries or moans escaping people's mouths. A man stood on the edge of the fountain and cleared his throat loudly. "People!! Be calm!!" he commanded.

The town fell silent. The man looked triumphant and spoke once more. "The demons are active once more. They have asked for one thing and one thing alone: something that is priceless." Hushed whispers were upon the people.

"But we have nothing that is priceless!!" someone cried.

"The richest man in this town is far from the wealth of the king!!" another yelled.

The silence broke and mayhem ensued. "People, remain calm!!" he tried once more.

"I know of something that is priceless!!" a man cried from the crowd. A moment of peace followed. Relena looked to her left and saw Kyle speaking, a smirk on his face.

What will come out of his mouth this time she thought.

"Innocence is priceless," he said.

"Innocence? Like a new born babe?" someone asked.

"No. The innocence that one has until they have made love."

Hurried chatters began once more. "But there are no virgins in our town!!"

"On the contrary…good sir. We have one." He pointed his finger at Relena and smiled at her. Hundreds of pairs of eyes were then directed at her.

"She's quite ugly…" someone whispered. Relena looked down at her feet.

"Yes…very homely…"

"Almost impossible to believe that she is siblings with that gorgeous Sylvia…"

"Quiet! The demons do not care for looks. Even if she is…modest…she will have to satisfy the hunger of the beasts. After all, virgin meat is more tender and fragile then that of broken ones. Come, we must prepare."

Tears clung to Relena's eyes. She was going to be sacrificed for the sake of her village and all they could do was say she was horrific looking. Not even a thanks. Hands then wrapped themselves around her arm and pulled her away.

"Stop!! I don't want to be food!!" she cried.

Sylvia didn't do anything to stop them. All she could do was watch her being dragged away by complete strangers. Relena was pulled away and tied up with rough strings and then carried towards the cliff. Legend said that the beasts gathered their ransom at this exact point. The men carried their torches and guns, afraid for the demons appearing while they were there.

"Hurry up. They might come at any minute!!" someone cried nervously.

They have no reason to be nervous. They're not going to be eaten…alive! Relena was set down at the edge facing the ocean, watching the sun set, perhaps her final one. The men tied more strings around her and attached her to a stake buried deeply in the ground. A priest walked up behind her and mumbled something in Latin before splashing her with holy water. Wet and furious, Relena growled and tried to break free. It was no use.

"You will always be remembered as a heroine in our town, Miss Darlian. Fare thee well!" they all chanted before scampering away.

Then there was silence, complete and total silence. It scared her. "Help me!!" she cried, tears unable to be held. She was cold, lost, and afraid. What could be worse…?

The sound of a pebble skidding across the hard, uneven ground awoke her from her thought of abyss. "Who's there?" she asked, hope in her voice. No answer…at least in a civilized tone. A snarl from an animal echoed in her ears. Relena saw her entire life flash before her eyes, that is, until it appeared. Long, unruly fur the color of mahogany covered its long, sleek body. A scream tore from her throat before complete blackness over came her.

The wolf like creature stared at her with immense curiosity before gnawing at the ropes. Relena fell unconsciously to the ground, red welts on her ivory skin from where the ropes pressed too tightly. It sniffed at her before it tossed her over its back and ran off into the thick woods. 

Please read and review. Constructive criticism is accepted. More to come soon…