As I sighed with relief that all my chores were over and done with, I was anxious to go visit the girls in the woods. I changed from my apron to a casual dress, tying my hair up in a higher ponytail with a nearby cloth. The last thing I wanted to get was all that hair in my face when I'll recall my story with Usagi. I grinned to myself. Perhaps I was being a bit too cruel with her, but still, she knows I'm just fooling around.

I started off in the direction of the woods, when a shrill voice caught my attention. "Rei! Miss Rei!"

I turned around sharply, only to find my evil mother clomping towards me, her skirt lifted by her hands daintly. "Where are you going, daughter?"

I rolled my eyes, and replied harshly, "Why do you care?"

She seemed appaled at my reaction, and leaned in and whispered sternly, "Don't make a scene, little girl, I have friends over." She added under her breath, "Something you'll never have." She continued, "We don't want to give off the impression that we're an unfitting family, now do we?"

I looked her straight in the eyes and yelled loud enough for the visitors to hear, "I'm off to visit my friends, mother dearest, and get some supplies for Nurse." My voice was surely convincing, though my eyes burned into my mother's, my expression emotionless.

She sensed my sarcasm and glared. She made a quick glance behind her to see if anyone was watching, then twisted my right ear. I squinted in pain, biting down on my lip. She spat, accentuating each and every word, "Smart.. aleck.. whore." She released, just in time to prance off joyfully to her visitors. I shot a look of fury in her direction, and stormed off. Who did she think she was anyways? Being able to control me like that? Never again will she lay a hand on me, without some shrieks and screams from my throat.

Happiness drained like a sponge without water, I made way to the mysterious woods. I somehow enjoyed it's company. When alone, the tree branches smoothed out my hair, and the grass caressed my rough skin. The wind kissed my dirty cheeks from a long day's work, and the sun embraced me with it's warmth. It was a place to relax and recooperate. The forest seemed more of a mother than my real one would ever be. Ever since Father died.. I shook my head from the thought, despising that haunting feeling that always swept over me when I thought of him.

"Rei, we were wondering whether or not you were coming!" a voice yelled from a bit farther in the woods. Surely it was Makoto, she seemed one with nature's oaks and trees. Her voice boomed from each of the standing pines, echoing to where I'd be able to hear her. I grinned, content that they thought of me.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," I responded, finally locating where they were all sitting. Makoto was dressed in a peasant shirt and long, rough skirt, her hair messily tied up in a ponytail. Minako, beside her, was as pretty as ever, despite the blotches of dirt on her skin. Ami had her glasses nearby, prepared for the slightest thing that required intelligence. Although she never actually went to school, her Father would teach her a couple of things at night, when he was free. Usagi sat as stiff as a board of wood, glaring in my direction. "Oh, c'mon, you can't still be mad at me, Usagi."

The girls laughed, staring in Usagi's direction. "We heard about it just a few moments ago," Minako commented. "You're a mean one, Rei!"

"But that's why we love you," Makoto quickly added.

I chuckled, and sat beside them. "Water's only water, right?" I inquired, the other girls nodding in agreement, except, of course, Usagi.

She opened her mouth for rebuttle, but there was a noise coming from the trees behind us. I spun around, concentrating to see what there was. A twig had snapped moments before, and I was sure that we weren't alone any longer. A snicker came from the direction, as a pair of glowing red eyes appeared from the shadows. Usagi shrieked, and clutched onto my arms, as I stared straight on. Minako huddled next to Usagi, and Ami next to Minako; leaving only me and Makoto facing our stranger.

It revealed itself from the shadows, a large and growling bear. It was not like any ordinary bear that I had heard about, but it's eyes.. The eyes were different. It was bright red, almost sending off a glow from within. Makoto stared in awe, as her jaw nearly dropped to the ground. "What do we do?" She picked up a rock, ready to throw in it's direction, but I stopped her. "No, don't! It'll only anger it even more."

The bear growled, and swung it's mighty claw at Makoto, sending her flying into a tree. Obviously this was perhaps the fiercest bear that walked the earth. Usagi tended to Makoto, as did Ami. Minako looked the bear straight in the eyes and said, "Oh, you'll pay for that," and off went Minako against a rock. Several screams escaped the girls' mouths, as the looked at me in despair, knowing only too well that I was the next.

"Better do it," I thought to myself quietly. I closed my eyes solemnly, and reached into my pouch for the crystalized, maroon powder. I felt the girls' eyes stare at me, curious to see what I was doing. I slipped the powder between my hands and fingers, the girls amazed that not a single grain fell to the ground. I murmured quietly, hardly above a whisper, "May the spirits of the glowing planet I see in the fire, Hold my strength and not make me tire. Defeat this bear in all it's might, Free its spirits this holy night." I threw the powder towards the bear, it landing on it's body.

Silence.

The bear howled in pain, whacking anything in sight. Slowly, but surely, it withered away into a strange piece of glass, cracking into millions of pieces afterwards. The girls looked at me in amazement, not believing what just happened.

I looked back at them mournfully, my few whisps of hair flowing near my face.

Usagi stood up and walked in front of me. I barely heard her say anything, though it was distinct and clear. "Witch."