This fic is dedicated to Teresa. Why? Well, see if anyone remembers a mediocre fic known as To Love A Fire Goddess, it wasn't all that spectacular and now that I've matured more in my writing, I thought, hey I could write another Rei fic! So I'll call this Operation: Try To Write A Really Super Fic Dedicated To Teresa. I'm so disillusioned. Heehee. Here goes!
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.
Warnings: There's cussing. Yeah, that's bad.
Flames
Chapter One
Hino Rei woke up in a state of definite unease. Her senses were on edge and she hated that feeling, that 'something is going to happen' feeling. Rei's day had been fairly routine as it was. She woke up, ran the temple, and went to bed. Occasionally one of her friends would call or (In the case of those who stayed in Tokyo) come visit her. Rei sighed. What could possibly happen?
There wasn't a new enemy. No, she could be certain of that. After getting that feeling more then once, she knew exactly what to look for. It was still bothering her however. She didn't like not knowing. Maybe she would consult the fire but lately it seemed that there was less and less time to do that.
"Good morning Rei." Yuuchirou whispered in her ear. The two had been married when Rei was twenty and five years later Rei was glad that she had married him. She had insisted that she keep her last name and he had consented. He was kind and the type who would stay with her. Sometimes it seemed like Yuuchirou was so hopelessly in love with her that it made her feel flattered. The problem was she wasn't sure she felt the same way. Oh, she loved him but not to the point that he loved her.
"Good morning Yuuchirou." Rei turned to smile at him. He kissed her softly on the lips and Rei returned it a couple more times. They stopped and Rei tried not to sigh anymore at the feeling that was looming over her.
Maybe she was pregnant. That could very well be. The problem was that that solution didn't feel right either. It was aggravating her to no end.
"Is something wrong Rei?" Yuuchirou asked her in concern, his blue eyes meeting her violet ones.
"No, it's just…" Rei swung her gaze away and at the window where sunlight was peeking through. "Never mind."
"Come on Rei, you can tell me." Yuuchirou pleaded, his hands sliding over her own.
"I just," Rei tried to think of a suitable lie. "Was worried about Usagi. She's pregnant now and a million things can go wrong during a pregnancy." There, that was a good one. Usagi was in fact pregnant and around seven months along. Naturally something could happen to the young woman and Rei had always been very protective of Usagi.
"Why don't you give her a call and see how she's doing?" Yuuchirou suggested helpfully.
"I will." Rei felt bad about lying but there were some things that Yuuchirou wouldn't understand. He understood that her psychic abilities were very real but he didn't know anything about the Sailor Senshi. She kept it from him even though she had often wanted to tell him. It only seemed fair.
"Why do you keep secrets Rei?" Ami asked her, two months ago when she visited Tokyo from Germany. "You say it's to protect Usagi but…do you really not trust Yuuchirou?"
She did trust him. Rei tried to remind herself that. That's the whole reason she got married to him wasn't it? Because she loved him and she trusted him. So why did she avoid it?
"I think I'm going to go meditate for awhile." Rei slid out of bed, fully aware she was naked but she didn't really care. She went over to her closet and pulled out her priestess robes, burying her face in the white material. It always smelled like smoke from her long hours in front of the fire. The smell was barely there now. How long had she been away from it? How long had it been since she watched those flames dance and twirl before her eyes, hypnotizing her until there was nothing but flames surrounding her and there, in the heat and smoke were visions of the future?
"What about breakfast?" Yuuchirou was climbing out of bed too as she put on her robes.
"I'm not hungry." Rei said hollowly as she finished tying her robes. Yuuchirou put his arms around her, surprising her a little. She settled into his embrace.
"Are you sure there's nothing you want to talk about?" Yuuchirou asked in a serious but soft voice. Rei bit her lip. She wanted to tell him but something held her back.
"No." Rei shook her head. "No I'm fine." When she was firm like that, Yuuchirou never questioned her. He let his arms drop. Seeing the slightly hurt look on his face she kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks anyway." And with that she left the room.
It wasn't too long after that she entered her sanctuary. The flames were dancing, beckoning her towards them. Rei got to her knees and began to clear her mind, just how she had learned to do so for many years.
Nothing happened.
The flames kept leaping about but in a mocking sort of way. She hated it when she couldn't see anything. Just one little hint about what she was supposed to see or do. Rei hit her fist on the ground in frustration and tried again and again. Still there was nothing. Just that feeling that something was about to happen.
Figuring that she had spent enough time, she gave one last reluctant glance at the flames as she got up. The fire seemed sad that she was going. It wouldn't give her anything but she was always leaving and not bothering with it. It wanted its dedicated priestess back.
It's not like how I remember anymore…it doesn't feel the same. Everything is so half hearted.
And this fiery woman leaned up against the wall outside the room where the fire was always burning and felt like crying. What if she couldn't read the fire anymore? Why didn't it fill her with emotions anymore? What was wrong? Rei straightened herself as much as she could.
There's nothing like work to get your mind off things.
With that, she went to do the morning chores.
* * *
"Thank you so much, come again." Rei smiled warmly at the two teenage girls as they went away giggling with love charms. Watching the two of them tugged at her heart.
"Do these love charms really work Rei-chan?" Usagi asked her when they were fifteen. "Or do you just sell them?"
"I suppose…" Rei carefully thought about it. "If you want something bad enough then the love charm concentrates your feelings. I suppose they do. Depending on the person."
"Do they work for you Rei-chan?" Usagi giggled. "Yuuchirou is in love with you."
"I've never used a love charm." Rei's cheeks went red.
"Maybe you don't need them." Usagi suggested. "Like me and Mamo-chan."
"That's a thought." Rei shrugged it away.
Her fingers touched the love charms that she hand made. Sometimes Yuuchirou would make charms too. There he was, sweeping the grounds for her. He gave her a warm smile and she gave it back, not because she felt like smiling but because she didn't want to worry him.
Phobos and Deimos flew inside the small building all of a sudden, Phobos landing on her shoulder and Deimos landing on her arm. Phobos pecked at her ear impatiently.
"What do you two want?" Rei spoke softly to them. The crows fixed her with an eye that made her almost want to squirm.
You feel unhappy, young fire priestess…
Why?
I-I don't know.
There is something waiting. Watching.
Finally, awake.
The two crows flew off without warning. Rei ran to the edge of the building where she was stopped by the counter. They were flying away. What had that been about? What was watching? What was waiting?
"Come back…" Rei murmured. Her head dropped. She was so tired and she hadn't even realized it. Maybe she needed a break or something. Rei left the little hut and walked back up to the main part of the temple where their living quarters were located. She turned the corner thinking maybe she'd even take a bath when she stopped mid stride.
The feeling that had been haunting her all day was gone. Slowly, very slowly, she raised her eyes as she felt her senses began to flair. Her eyes met another pair of eyes and her mouth fell open.
No…no…we defeated him…
"It's nice to see you again." Jadeite smiled at her. He was dressed in regular clothes, his blond hair blowing over his icy blue eyes, standing there as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Rei quickly collected herself.
"What do you want? Has the Dark Kingdom been revived?" Rei cursed herself for not having her henshin pen with her but there hadn't been a need to carry it everywhere for years.
"Is that a greeting for old friends?" Jadeite raised his eyebrows at her.
"What are you doing here?" Rei asked in a fiercer voice. A well of emotions poured over her. If he was back then surely other enemies were too. She had to tell the others and warn the princess at all costs.
"You think if a man came back from the dead he would be greeted with a little more…warmth." Jadeite smiled maliciously. "Let's try again shall we?" He closed the space in between them before Rei could react, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"What are you doing?" Rei tried to twist out of his grasp as he kept her there carefully and grabbed her face, forcing her to look into his eyes.
"How about something along the lines of 'I've missed you.'" Jadeite started to lower his face towards her. She kneed him in the stomach.
"How about something along the lines of explaining what the hell you think you're doing?" Rei pulled out an ofuda. Thank goodness she still carried those with her!
"This is the woman I remember." Jadeite didn't seem put off by the fact that she had just nearly knocked the wind out of him.
"The only thing I remember about you is that you were one of our enemies." Rei posed to throw the small piece of paper at him. "You remember these don't you?"
"Ah, those silly little ofuda." Jadeite waved a dismissive hand. "Well? Are you waiting for something or are you just so taken with me that you couldn't possibly throw one?"
"Akuryo TAISAN!" Rei put the ofuda directly on his forehead. Jadeite took another step towards her, and another, before pulling off the ofuda.
Why doesn't it work?
"Don't come near me." Rei's eyes flashed angrily. Maybe if she made a run for it she could get to her room and transform before he caught up to her. Or he might start hurting others.
"Don't?" Jadeite made it sound like she was challenging him. "The whole reason I came back is to be near you."
"What?" Rei asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes.
"Beryl's brainwashing holds no sway. I finally woke up." Jadeite explained. "And now I've come back to claim what was once mine."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Rei took a very slow step back.
"Sure you do…think about it real hard Rei." Jadeite told her.
I don't understand. What should I do?
Phobos! Deimos! Come to me! Come help me!
She strained her ears but heard no sounds of the crows coming. Rei had closed her eyes while trying to call Phobos and Deimos and she didn't realize that Jadeite had been getting closer again until he had his arms wrapped around her, pulling her against him so tight that she couldn't move. She tried to kick him but she couldn't. Her legs wouldn't move.
Rei felt something flair up in her that she hadn't ever felt before. It made her ache. She was so aware of everything. She was aware of his body next to hers. His hand slipped down her back.
"I can remind you. But I would prefer somewhere a little more private." Jadeite's voice was low and seductive. Rei felt her head swimming.
No, this is wrong! Wrong!
"Stop!" Rei yelled and shoved him away. "Get away from me!"
"Why is it wrong?" Jadeite looked like he was about to continue when someone else rounded the corner, hurrying.
"Rei? What's wrong?" Yuuchirou asked her, glaring at Jadeite as soon as he laid eyes on him.
Rei looked up at Jadeite who was prompting her with an infuriatingly mocking look. "Nothing's wrong."
"Who is this?" Yuuchirou was outright frowning at Jadeite.
"Just a stranger, asking for directions." Jadeite answered calmly. "I'm afraid I have a very bad memory and…Rei was it?" He didn't bother to wait for a nod. "Rei was getting rightfully frustrated."
"Where are you trying to go?" Yuuchirou decided that Jadeite wasn't a threat in any way and was now giving him an eager to help look. Rei shot Jadeite a look that would have made most people very scared but it just made him grin at her.
"I was looking for the nearest hotel." Jadeite was no longer looking at Rei and seemed to be listening intently while Yuuchirou gave him directions. "Thank you very much, I'm sure I've troubled you two enough."
"Yes you have." Rei said bitingly.
"Then I'll leave." Jadeite bowed his head in gratitude before walking off.
"Good day sir." Yuuchirou called out politely before turning back to Rei. "Why do you have that look on your face?" Rei realized she was glaring at Jadeite's back. She quickly turned towards Yuuchirou.
"It's nothing." Rei felt guilty. Why should she? She hadn't done anything.
Why was he back?
* * *
Yeah this should make onee-chan happy. Why, it's her kind of story! Haha, just joking onee-chan. Read and review!