"Rei, are you paying attention?" Sister Kate slapped the ruler down across the desk of the young girl with long raven black hair.
"Huh? Yes, Sister Kate, I'm listening." Rei looked up at the strict nun who held her wooden ruler in hand.
"You had better be. Exams are coming up in the next few weeks."
"If we're even still around in a few weeks." Rei thought to herself as the vision she had earlier this morning still haunted her. Her thought was abruptly interrupted when the bell rang.
"Class is dismissed and you all need to prepare for exams, especially you, Rei." Sister Kate admonished the young girl.
"What a freak that Rei is."
"Yeah, she gives me the creeps."
Rei caught a glimpse of a group of girls as they talked about her and stared her way as she headed for the gates of the school.
"Even my classmates who will talk to me are a bit scared of me, so what can I expect from others? At times like these, I just wish I could have a normal life of fun and boys, but no. In addition to my duties as a Shinto Priestess, I'm also Sailor Mars. Must I always put duty before my own happiness?"
"Happiness is where you find it, Rei."
"Ryoji?" Rei looked around but Ryoji was no where to found.
"See? Told ya she was creepy. She even talks to herself." Another girl said to a group of her friends as they walked by.
"Get a hold of yourself, girl. People already talk about you and there is no need to add fuel to the fire." Rei thought to herself as she headed home to the Hikawa Shrine.
Later that afternoon, Rei in her white and red Priestess robes, swept the front walk of the Hikawa Shrine as a tall, young man with long, flowing white hair in a white uniform and boots walked up the steps of the Hikawa Shrine.
"I can't get over how handsome Artemis is in his human form. Minako sure is lucky."
"You wanted to see me, Rei?"
"Yes, Artemis. I don't know how to say this so I'll come right out and say it. I think we have a new enemy."
"What makes you so sure?"
" As you know how there have been a couple of demon possessions over the last few week?"
"Of course. Minako keeps me updated. After all, it's my job to watch over you girls."
"Well, this morning I had a vision and..."
He noticed tears ran down her cheeks and placed a hand on her shoulder for support.
"It's okay, Rei. Take it slow."
"The city was on fire, there were demons everywhere and the Senshi were all dead." She broke down in tears as her friend pulled her into a hug.
"Shhh! It will be all right. Your vision has given us an advantage. We can prepare for this enemy and be prepared to strike when the time comes. I do, however, suggest that we do not divulge the last part of your vision to the other Senshi. Agreed?
"Agreed." She said as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Good girl."
Just then, Ryoji walked up the steps of the Hikawa Shrine and Rei introduced the two young men. "Artemis, this my friend, Ryoji. Ryoji this Minako's boyfriend, Artemis."
"Oh yes, Artemis. Rei has told me all about you."
"Not everything, I hope," he said with a smile as he offered a handshake, which Ryoji accepted. As they shook hands, Artemis sensed a weird energy from Ryoji but kept quiet.
"Well, if you two will excuse me, I have to be going. It was nice meeting you, Ryoji."
"Nice to have met you as well, Artemis."
As he walked off, Artemis thought, "I could sense an unearthly energy coming from Ryoji. I'll have to keep an eye on him, especially if we have a new enemy emerging."
"This Artemis, he was able to see through me. I will have to keep a close watch on him until it is time."
"So, what brings you by here, Ryoji?"
"I just thought I would stop by and see how you're feeling after this morning."
I'm feeling much better, thank you for caring. I'm sure once I get some sleep I'll feel that much better."
"I'm glad to hear it. Another reason I stopped by is that tomorrow night is Saturday. I wondered if you would care to join me for dinner and a movie."
Her heart pounded hard in her chest as she heard his words. "Ryoji, are you asking me on a date?"
"Why yes, I suppose I am." He gave her a bright smile.
"Yes, I'll be your date." Rei dropped the broom in her hand and kissed Ryoji before she pulled back and her face turned bright red.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be; I'm not." He pulled her close once more and kissed her softly on the lips.
The next afternoon in Rei's bedroom, Makoto stopped by to visit as she helped Rei prepare for her date. Makoto looked in her friend's closet and smiled as she pulled out a sparkling red dress.
"This would look great on you, Rei."
"You really think so?"
"Yeah, red looks good on you. So, spill girl. Have you two kissed yet?"
Rei Blushed at the question. "Well, yes."
"How was it?" Makoto asked as she giggled.
"It was soft, sweet and gentle, the perfect kiss."
"So, do you think he will ask you to be his girlfriend tonight?"
"Oh, I don't know about that." Rei blushed over the question.
"You want him to though, don't you?
"Okay, I admit it. I want him to ask me to be his girlfriend." Both girls broke out in a fit of giggles.
Later that night after dinner and a movie, Rei and Ryoji walked under the moonlight. Rei's arm was wrapped around Ryoji as she rested her head against him.
"Did you have fun tonight, Rei?"
"Oh yes, I had a wonderful time. Thank you, Ryoji."
"It was my pleasure."
As they walked up the steps of the Hikawa Shrine, Ryoji stopped and pulled Rei close to him. He softly kissed her on the lips as he enjoyed the taste of them before he pulled back and looked down deep into her eyes.
"Rei, I have something to ask you."
"Yes, Ryoji?" She asked with a big smile as she thought. "Please let him ask me to be his girlfriend."
Before he could speak, a vision of the world as it exploded flashed before Rei's eyes. Her eyes went big as she screamed out in horror. Ryoji caught the fainting Rei and cried out in worry, "Rei! Rei!" As he heard the commotion Rei's, Grandpa rushed outside.
"Ryoji, what happened?"
"She just screamed and passed out."
"Quick, get her inside."
Ryoji scooped Rei up in his arms and Grandpa lead him inside to her bedroom where he gently laid her down on her bed.
"Will she be all right?" Ryoji asked Grandpa.
"I hope so, son. I hope so."
To be continued.