Here are my thanks:
Faith: hehe sorry I didn't mean to shock ya, but it's part of my plot. I don't blame ya though.
RubyRedDragon05: sorry sorry I did it between the couple...I had to do something that would shock my reviewers...well...I guess it worked. I'm glad you didn't kill me along the way. I'm glad to be alive, phew!
craza2k: gomen, sorry I should have.
monoxide child: thanks for noticing the fact that Tasuki managed to not fully take all the pleasure (what am I saying that chapter was serious!) When I wrote it I didn't think of it as a rape. I have a plan as you'll see in this chapter.
Myst-Lady: hehe you're the first one to ever praise me of my adult scene. THANKS! I'll take your suggestion about a showdown between Rei and Jedite.
skyprincess: yup everything's going to be all right. I don't like sad or tragic ending fics. So rest assure, I will make everything all right.
Joanna: THANKS!!! I try handing my fic at moonromance.com.
Alicia: sorry I made a mistake. It's been so long since I watched the FY OVAs.
Priscilla: Yup Yup it was the water. Hehe and yup Tasuki wasn't "selfish" with his "loving" when he did that. I didn't want it to be a full blown horrendous act. When I wrote it I didn't even think of it as rape...it's just that I needed some drastic changes. I always picture Tasuki as the forceful, never-back down type. So I guess I just needed to borrow the "water" idea from the OVA to get him to do it. But don't worry I'll straighten up their relationship...somehow. Hehe well Miaka is very insecure right now and that basically stops her ability to think (if she has one....ooopsy sorry Miaka fans but she is the typical anime heroine who needed to be in a situation in order for someone to rescue her). Someone else had suggested I should do a Taka/Rei fic, but I don't have the inspiration right now. Tasuki will surely pay for what he did...but then again it wasn't totally his fault. I just hope that the seishi will understand that before Tasuki gets killed in my story. But you're right about who's going to "booty kicking" him first...hehe. sigh I wished Nuriko wasn't dead. He could be one of the rivals for our senshi too. Hey (even though my midterms were done a long long time ago) I did "smashed" through my mid-terms and passed them. My semester is actually over now and I'm trying to finish up this fic. THANKS!
huffpuff: Ahhh thank you for noticing what happened in the OVA. I guess not all of my reviewers had seen the OVAs yet. Hehe I definitely shocked everyone...sorry! Part of what you reviewed in my last chapter will be answered in this chapter, especially Tasuki's self loathing.
Lucifer's Wife: THANKS! I'll post as fast as I can.
blue bunny: You like Nakago do you? Yup they actually look alike: Jedite and our bishie evil shogun. But I don't think this will fit in this fic. Nakago was already dead and Jedite I already mentioned that he was cursed into eternal sleep since the defeat of the negaverse. Gomen, but thanks for liking my fic.
Goddess-of-Light: gomen, sorry. Thanks though.
I DO NOT OWN EVERYTHING HERE!!!
Chapter 6
Time and space could never break the link that the senshi of love had just felt from the missing senshi of fire. The princess of Venus, Minako, felt a sudden jolt of the same familiar sensation when Serenity and Endymion bonded. Just a minute ago, she sensed the same thing with her fiery, lost best friend. Another thing Minako was sure of besides the soul shattering link between soul mates that she just felt was that Rei was not lost anymore. However, the senshi of love could feel another impact from the bond...an air of broken emotion.
Rei must be in pain...I don't understand...I know in my heart that she finally found the one she truly belongs to.
The reaction from Minako alerted the rest of the princesses. The Princess of Venus was just looking straight ahead in a trance. If something like this happened to their blond fellow senshi, it meant that a soul bind was happening, but the wrinkles that formed on her forehead meant something else was amiss.
"Mina what is it?" They were all looking at the stunned Venus. It took several shaking for their friend to get out of her situation. When Minako finally managed to utter a sound, the rest of the girls were shocked.
"Rei has found her mate...but something is wrong and I don't know what to do to help her."
Minako's words finally hit them on the spot. Makoto and Ami were a bit mad for Minako had kept her knowledge of the sudden disappearance of Rei a secret. Now that they know, they were even more worried.
"Rei's mysterious disappearance was still an enigma to us, but I'm sure that whomever sent Rei to wherever she is right now knows that she is needed there and that she will find her own life in that world." Minako stood up and gazed at the huge palace window. " I just wish that we could be there to help her. Something is really bothering me and the link that I felt is strong yet troubled."
"Is Rei in safe hands at least?" Makoto asked.
"I'm not sure, but she already bonded with her intended which means that she will be protected and loved by him for eternity." Minako was still frowning when she mentioned this.
"But something is not going as smoothly as Serenity and Endymion's relationship had gone?" Ami was contemplating the fact that Minako was still worried about something else. Rei finally finding her soul mate was a great news and a a relief for them, but the troubled expression from Minako meant that something bad happened.
"We've known Rei since we were only toddlers and if she is in any trouble she can pull through anything." Makoto reassured Minako. "Since there's nothing we can do for Rei yet, we should head down to Earth and tell Serenity what's been happening."
"Minako nodded and asked, "Did Serenity mention anything about her conversation with Sailor Pluto?"
"I'm afraid Pluto was trying to avoid checking on the whereabouts of Rei. She did mention though that Rei had to be alone to face the state she's in. She still hadn't mention the being who sent Rei to this mysterious world." After Ami informed them of this recent news, she pulled out her mini computer to contact the teleportation chamber to get ready to transport them to Earth.
"I really hope we could find a way to get to Rei. I feel my heart is reaching for her to comfort her." Minako closed her eyes for a second.
Rei wherever you are please be strong. I know you can and will find your way. Just learn to trust what's in your heart...
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Tasuki stayed awake and watched the sleeping form beside him. He didn't know what to do once she awakened. He already put his clothes on and was thinking of going back to Nuriko's house as soon as Rei woke up. He was already accepting the fact that once his comrades found out what he had done, he would have hell to pay. He knew that the others started to care for the new girl. Her spirit alone to help them defeat the new threat was enough to draw them to her, not to mention her exotic beauty too was easy to the eyes. Now, to the present situation, Tasuki just wanted to burst and rip his heart out. Since he woke up he wanted to bang his head. He kept asking over and over again why he did what he did. There was no going back and he would have to face the consequences. He looked over at Rei's sleeping form again and stared at her flat stomach that was covered by a thin white sheet and closed his eyes.
There might even be a babe growing in you already. Oh Suzaku what have I done! How could I hurt this woman! She's so special and me...I'm just a thief and a good-for-nothing seishi. What did I do...what...did...I do...
While pondering over his guilt, Rei started to wake up. The first thing she noticed was the chill in the air and she clutched the sheets to her neck. Tasuki felt her moved and opened his eyes. He wished he didn't open them. The eyes that stared back at him was confused at first then they turned into icy amethyst. Tasuki wanted to reach for her. He didn't know how to comfort the woman he hurt, but he had to tell her he wasn't himself that night. Rei sat down at once, still clutching the sheets with her.
The impact was immense. "Don't touch me." A chill run down Tasuki's spine. Her voice was as cold as the chilly Hokkan mountains.
Rei tried to get up, but the drinking from last night caused her head to ache. On top of that, her legs couldn't seem to work. The lower part of her anatomy felt numb. She tried to reach the wall for support, but she wavered and was about to fall if not for two strong arms that managed to save her. Two strong arms that saved her from a bruising contact with the hard floor, the same strong arms that managed to trap her on the bed and held her until...
She trembled from his touch and Tasuki felt even more guilty than he already was. He would not deny it. The most sinful of sins he could ever done to a woman was already committed. He carried her back to the bed and held a bowl of water in front of her.
"I'll let ya clean up and get dress. We'll go back to the house after you're done."
He didn't get a response from Rei. Why would he expect one when he was the one at fault. He could still feel the draw that brought him to touch her. He still couldn't believe he let whatever it was do such an atrocious act to the wounded woman sitting on the bed. Despite the fact that there's definitely something wrong with the way he acted last night and the nagging feeling that there's more to this present situation he was in now, Tasuki could still feel the passion he sensed in Rei. The burning pain and the sudden explosion of desire and passion that linked him with her and her with him were there. He was certain he felt those and more. He had not felt this way with a woman and last night, despite it being despicable, he felt it. It was as if he was glued forever to Rei, and that a door had been opened inside him...a door that opened to his own heart.
Tasuki went back in the room carrying a tray of breakfast. A few minutes ago Rei was having trouble looking at herself. She knew the evidence of last night's assault on her would make her feel nauseous, but she had no choice but to look as clean as she could get, at least from the outside. For the first time in her life she realized that nothing was going to be same again. What Tasuki did to her was unforgivable, but the feeling that she sensed that night was strange yet familiar. She was forced to bed him, yet the fire that was burning within her being was finally released. The fire that was burning in its highest peak only appeared to the one she would finally be one with and that realization scared her. It was not supposed to happen that way and Rei didn't want to recall the act last night, despite the fact that her fire had finally found the one she was intended to bond with.
Minako must have sensed it too...
Rei looked up at the offered tray of food presented by Tasuki. She didn't even acknowledge his presence and just went and forced to eat the food. Tasuki was irritated by her ignoring him, but then again, he couldn't blame her. He went ahead and sat down at the nearest chair and stared at Rei. The silence was getting on his nerves. He was used to her bickerings and stinging remarks, not the state she was in now.
"Rei.." Tasuki wanted to get her to say something. He could not handle any more silence. He just needed to hear her say anything, lash at him, get furious with him, even beat him to unconsciousness to assure him she was still functioning. He should apologize first, but he did not know any words or acts that could even get close to make her forgive him. "Rei...I...I..."
Tasuki ya moron, just apologize and explain to her... but explain what to her?...that I was controlled by something and that it drove my greatest desire to come out and forcing me to force myself in ya? Stupid stupid! Still she has to know...
"Rei...I'm sorry...I was someone else...I meant something was wrong with me and I don't know why...I don't know how it controlled me...last night I..."
"NO!" Rei couldn't take it any longer. She wanted to block everything that happened last night and he dared blame it on something else. She saw and felt what happened. For Selene's sakes she was the victim! She was trembling again and she closed her eyes to block the tears from falling.
Despite the state Rei was in, Tasuki wanted to make her understand, even though his explanation would sound impossible. He stood up from his seat and mustered how much courage he had left to confront the woman he hurt. Being afraid was something alien to him and he didn't like the feeling. He was surprised he was lacking the courage to face Rei. Tasuki was afraid of her...no that wasn't it. Tasuki was afraid of definitely loosing her...
"Rei...listen."
"NO! SHUT UP! DON'T COME NEAR ME!" Rei jumped from her seat, causing her tray of food to clatter on the floor. The tears she was holding back fell down without heed. Tasuki was already taken aback by her outburst and the furry that he deserved to get, but the tears...the unstoppable flow of tears from her beautiful orbs shot directly at his very soul.
With a croak, he managed to utter what he had to tell her again, "Rei, there's something inside me and I don't know what happened. It made me do things with you...I ...I couldn't stop me from...from touching ya...I..." He was stuttering again and he was little by little getting use to that since he was the very guilty party here.
A pair of icy eyes glared directly at him. "Do you expect me to believe that?" Her tight lips were trembling as she said it. "You said it yourself, Tasuki. You're a man that needed to be satisfied and I happened to be the unlucky girl to fulfill that satisfaction...isn't that it Tasuki? Are you happy now? Did I meet your very desire?" When Tasuki just stared at her, Rei became even more furious than she already was. "ANSWER ME! ANSWER ME YOU MORON!"
Her fists automatically connected with the stoic man's face. Tasuki didn't dodge the blows, but man they were pretty painful. She definitely knew how to throw punches. Tasuki kept still as blows after blows descended on him. He was already bleeding, and he still didn't bother blocking or avoiding the furious hits that Rei gave him.
Rei was screaming her anger, frustration and pain as she hit and hit the man standing in front of her. She felt numb and she just wanted to make Tasuki feel the hurt she felt, even if it was only the physical side of it. She suddenly stopped. Tasuki's face was battered. Blood was dripping. The man in front of her was still standing, but the sky blue eyes that stared at her teary ones were filled with emotions that no words were necessary to describe them. The sky blue eyes of the man who hurt her mirrored the same pain she had. They were full of sorrow, regret, heartache, agony...they were overflowed with tears mixed with blood.
"I'm sorry...Rei...I promise I'll never hurt ya again." He tried to hug her heaving form but Rei pushed him and ran as fast as her numb legs could carry her away from Tasuki.
The second the chamber door banged close, Tasuki fell down the floor. The painful blows finally took effect and the poor guy dropped into unconsciousness.
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It was the most awkward things she had ever done. Riding side saddle on a horse was a first for Rei. Her lower anatomy was still sore, thus her only solution in order to get away from Tasuki was to ride like a proper lady. She was not really fond of proper etiquette, which reminded her of her home, and surprisingly she didn't feel all that home sick. She merely wished that her best friends were beside her to support her.
Before meeting Serenity and the rest of the gang, Rei was always isolated from the world. She preferred peace and quite, always meditating in front of her sacred fire. She was dubbed as a strange princess who had some kind of strange powers. Little did they know that those strange powers came from being the Priestess of the Silver Millennium too. The girls brought her closer and closer to happiness. Rei learned to be dependent with her friends whenever she needed their help. Right now, she definitely needed their warm embraces and soothing words. She wasn't as tough as she looked. Rei had a gentle, beating heart that was not immune to any pain.
Passing by a creek, Rei noticed her hands were soiled with blood, Tasuki's blood that was now dried up. She didn't even want to think back at what happened at that inn. She lashed out on him, pouring every pain she felt for what he did to her. Rei felt much better, at least for now. She wondered what would happen if she saw him again. She just couldn't pretend that nothing had happened between them. It wasn't like her to be not so straightforward with her feelings. Out of her best friends, she was the second most blunt one behind Makoto. Last night changed her drastically. The physical assault was one thing, and the surprising reality of the bond she felt was something else. The others would surely know something was up and that something was strange was going on. Nothing was definitely going to be the same again.
It was already late at night when Rei finally arrived at Nuriko's house. Riding side saddle wasn't exactly the fastest way to travel. Hotohori was the first one to see her appraoch the house. The emperor of Konan was thinking about Tasuki's predicament when he saw him lying by the water's edge that day. Hotohori asked Chichiri what he thought, but Chichiri also had no clue, except that something was quite not right. Chcihiri told him that something was bothering him, but he didn't dare elaborate it. Tasuki and Rei were supposed to be back by now. It was already nearing midnight. Hotohori wanted to get some fresh air, if that was even possible for a dead guy. Taka and Nuriko went to seek Taiitsukun. Chichiri, Mitsukake, and Chiriko were in the house, and Hotohori was the only who was still awake.
"Rei, what happened?"
Rei didn't see Hotohori when she arrived at the house. It startled her to hear his voice. "I thought everyone's asleep by now," came her sleepy reply.
"Are you all right?" Seeing her struggle to get off the horse and limped a bit as she straightened herself, Hotohori wondered what really happened. He came closer to her. He was looking closely at her now. The light from the full moon helped him see the state Rei was in.
Seeing the dismay look on the emperor's face, Rei knew he could see her state of unease, but she thought she hid it well. She didn't want any questions right now. She was very tired from her awkward journey, plus the turmoil she felt inside was already enough to permanently put her to sleep.
"I'll be fine. I just need some rest." Rei walked pass him.
"Where's Tasuki?"
Hotohori's question hit the spot. She thought she prepared herself to remain compose when questions like this one would be asked. However, she was not as good as hiding such painful emotions. This had never happened to her before. Being forced by a man and finding your soul mate at the same time were definitely something new to Rei.
"He's..." Rei cleared her throat, but she didn't turn to face Hotohori. Tears had already managed their way down her cheeks. "I went ahead of him. He'll probably be here tomorrow...good night Hotohori."
Hotohori heard her tried to hide the distress and the tremble from her voice. He watched her retreating form entered the front door.
At the end of the long hall way, the restless Princess of Mars was tangled with her sheets. She was having a nightmare. It was during the great battle against the negaverse. Jedite was beckoning for her to come with him. She didn't want to for she already found out that he was a traitor, but her feet seemed to have a mind of their own. She was walking towards him. She finally stopped in front of him. Rei couldn't help but stare into the dark general's icy blue eyes. He was smiling at her, but the smile was cold.
"My exotic Rei...you will be mine."
"NO! You are a traitor! You killed my people, my family! You are but a coward hiding behind the power of the negaverse! I will never give myself to you!"
"Ah, my love, whether you give yourself willingly or not, I will have you no matter what. I will have you for myself..."
I will have you for myself...
The scene changed and Jedite was but whispering the cold, lecherous promise he uttered to the stiff princess of Mars. Now, she felt hot, burning hot. The fire surrounded her, but it didn't hurt her. Instead the blazing inferno seemed to engulf her, reassuring her that things would be OK. The words that Jedite uttered to her was still tugging in her mind.
I will have you for myself...
The fire grew stronger. She still couldn't move. Rei seemed to be trapped by her own fire...or was it someone else's? She was not so certain, but she felt she was not alone...
I will have you for myself...
Rei was right she was not alone. It wasn't Jedite who was whispering the words in her mind now. It was someone else...and the voice sounded familiar.
"Rei...I will have you for myself..." The voice was real. Rei turned to the sound and gazed directly at the eyes of the man who wanted to claim her.
She expected to see the same icy eyes, but she was shocked to see a pair of blue sky ones that seemed to look at her very soul.
Tasuki...
Rei sat up on her bed. She was drenched with sweat and breathing hard. She could vaguely remember her dreams, but she could still feel the impact of the dream in her. Jedite was there and so was Tasuki, but she sensed different feeling from the two. Jedite's was cold and Tasuki's was...Tasuki's was. Rei tried to shake her head, earning her a huge head ache. She groaned and tried to get up to get some water when a pair of hands grabbed her shoulders to steady her.
"You should stay in bed. I'll go get it for you."
"Hotohori!I didn't know you were here."
Hotohori had to gather his chi to become solid like the living. "I'm sorry to startle you, but I couldn't help but watch over you. You look as if you are about to fall anytime."
A look of concern marred the emperor's face. Rei wanted to avoid looking at his golden eyes for she knew that she wouldn't be able to hold back the emotions she bolted up inside her.
"What really happened Rei. Perhaps I could help."
The dream just managed to mangle her resolve not to tell anybody, and Hotohori was just concerned about her. She wiped the sweat from her face with the offered towel. Still, what happened between her and Tasuki was very difficult to talk about.
"Hotohori, thank you for being so kind to me, but I'm quite very tired from the journey. As you see, I haven't even slept a wink."
Rei's avoiding his help, and Hotohori wasn't about to back down. He was determined to see to the bottom of this and as the emperor of Konan he always saw to the bottom of any trouble.
"I know this is about Tasuki. What did he do to you this time?" He had been silently watching the scenes that's been going on between Rei and Tasuki. He thought Tasuki had gone far with his insults sometimes. He believed that his red head comrade wouldn't do anything that would harm her. But after seeing Rei arrived alone and her deplorable appearance suggested otherwise. Furthermore, his mention of Tasuki's name seemed to have caused her to tremble. He entered her chamber when he thought she was asleep just to check on her. He was shocked to see her twisting and turning on her bed. He then knew that something was bothering her deeply.
"Nothing good will come out from keeping yourself bottled up inside, Rei. I don't know what happened, but if you are ready to tell me I will always be here to listen." Hotohori had to nudge her chin up to look at him. He just then noticed the red mark on her neck.
Rei noticed where his gaze was and she tried to ask him what was so curious about her neck. Despite her not being a virgin anymore, she still was an innocent.
"Hotohori?"
"Who did this to you?" The emperor was frowning. He knew what that mark was, but Rei seemed to be clue less.
"What are you talking about?"
"Rei you have a red mark on your neck that was already turning into deep purple."
"Oh, well it's probably a bruise that I got from fighting that youma..." She finally understood what Hotohori was talking about.
"Rei, this mark is not just a bruise, but ..."
"Hotohori, it's nothing serious. It will go away."
Exasperated that she still won't tell him what happened, Hotohori decided to be blunt. "Someone had touched you. Who was it? And where is Tasuki?"
The mention of the name again, made Rei stiffen. Hotohori then knew that it was Tasuki. Now, he was baffled by this.
"Tell me what happened with you and Tasuki. Did he hurt you?" He came to sit beside her now.
Seeing that there was no getting out of this situation, Rei took few calming breaths. "Hotohori, I'm not ready to tell you."
He could feel her tremble again. He handed her a glass of water again. This time, however, he saw the purplish prints on her wrist. He became furious. He took out her water from her hand and looked closely at her wrist.
"Do you care to explain this? What had Tasuki done to you?"
Rei couldn't take it any longer. Flood of tears fell from her eyes. She was shaking and Hotohori gathered her into his arms. Hotohori waited a few more minutes until Rei blurted everything that had happened, excluding the explicit details about the act. The emperor didn't know what to think except to confront Tasuki and stick his sword through his heart. He still couldn't believe he'd do such a thing to Rei. It wasn't like him. Tasuki even said he detested women and he dared forced Rei to...This situation was really puzzling Hotohori. He tried to recall what she had told him from the beginning to the end. Rei said that Tasuki's only excuse was that he was controlled to do it. What could possibly force Tasuki to force Rei to do it. Could it be that...
"Rei, Tasuki might be right. He might have been controlled to let his greatest desire escape his rational thinking."
Rei looked up at him. Her red rimmed eyes were pitying to look at. Since the day she appeared in his world, she seemed to be full of spirit and energy. Now, she seemed lost and needed all the comfort she could get after the horrendous experience she just had endured. She didn't say anything though.
Hotohori continued on, "We should let the others know that there is another enemy. Whatever or whoever it was had already started wreaking havoc."
"Don't tell anyone that Tasuki...that Tasuki..."
Hotohori put a finger to silence her. "I understand. I know it has been difficult for you to reveal that to me, but if you have had kept it inside you, it would have killed you sooner or later. Rei, you should try and get some rest. I'll stay here until you fall asleep."
Rei didn't know what else to say. It felt good to tell someone else what happened to her. It seemed to lift part of her burden up. She had cried in hysterics though and if she was in her right mind she would have criticized herself acting like Serenity.
"Thank you, Hotohori. You don't know how much your comfort means to me." She missed her best friends. She missed their warmth and honest affection like this man was giving to her now. If he were alive, she wondered if she could have fallen for him instead...
That's it for chapter 6! I hope I lessened your trepidation about Tasuki and Rei's troubles a little bit. I want to hear from you guys! See ya again in the next chapter!