Hearts in time part Eight Duel of fates
by
Lance the Flamesniper

"Are you sure you ladies want to come HERE?" Wraith asked the blonde haired woman on his arm.

"Yeah this place looks a little...expensive," Matt added apprehensively.

"It is a bit expensive," Lita agreed. "But Chez Martine is also the most romantic."

Internally Wraith cringed at the word romantic but managed to keep his features on the outside composed. When
the girls had called at their newly rented aparment and suggested dinner, Wraith had thought Mc D's or the Crown Arcade....
not the most expensive place in town. He knew, even with having only just met these girls that the place was worth of them,
however, quite practically Wraith knew that they couldn't afford this place. With a resigned sigh he walked toward the restaraunt's
door, hoping in vain that their reservations got them a fairly decent table.

******

To Lance Jayd it seemed as if he'd gone straight to heaven as he kissed his date. That music in his soul sang out loud and
true, her lips were so soft against his and so very sweet. He also noticed just how well her body fit against his own. Then he noticed
something else. He needed to come up for air. When the two parted both were breathless.

"Oh...my..." Setsuna breathed.

"My sentiments exactly," Lance replied. So much for a simple kiss....

"That was...." Setsuna began

"Intense?" Lance suggested and Setsuna nodded.

The two danced for a few more moments in silence, both lost in the other's eyes. To anyone who saw them, it was perfectly
clear that there were definite sparks. Spark so strong that the air seemed charged. Lance frowned. He knew this feeling...

An attack was coming on.....

"I think we should call it a night my darling. What do you think?" Lance asked.

Setsuna nodded mutely, not sure she should trust her voice.

*******

As the four walked to the exit Setsuna on Lance's arm and her head on his shoulder they passed four others walking in. Matt
and Wraith could only stare in disbelief.

"Lance? is that you?" They both asked.

Lance smiled at them and at why they were staring. Setsuna seemed to notice too and smiled as well. "Yes it's me. Don't stare
too hard boys your Girlfriends'll get jealous."

Wraith blinked and Matt blushed. Both knew Lance had caught them, and so had their dates who were now glaring at them.

"Well don't keep us in suspense. Who is she?" Matt requested.

"My name is Setsuna Meioh," the green tressed woman replied from her spot at Lance's side. Without another word the two
walked out of the restaraunt.

******

The ride back to the temple didn't take long, with Amara driving getting anywhere quickly was easy. The woman, Lance observed
had the need for speed and seemed to delight in pushing the streetracer's engine to the limit. In what seemed like mere minutes Lance
was stepping out of the car at the temple. Setsuna insisted in walking him to the door. At the door the two paused.

"I had a wonderful time," Setsuna replied, really meaning it.

"As did I. I hope we can do this again soon," Lance replied as he gave Setsuna another kiss, this time a soft one. He parted from
her then and slowly walked through the door.

********

Three miles down the Road Setsuna asked to be let out of the Car. She needed some fresh air and would walk the rest of the way
home. At least that's what she told the others. What she had in mind was completely different. As soon as the car was out of sight she took
out her transformation pen.

"Pluto Planet Power!" She shouted.

When the transformation was done she felt a little better. Lance's kiss at the restauraunt had filled her with liquid fire and she needed
release. She looked to the temple and wondered if Lance Jayd would be willing to help her with getting that release. With that in mind, Sailor
Pluto headed to the temple.

********

Lance waited until the car pulled away then rushed to his room. On this perfect night he would not let an attack happen. He seized
his katana and went to the training yard. He would fight this like he would any enemy, and there was something else too. Having kissed Setsuna
had woke something in him. It burned in his veins like pure fire and would not stop. He'd have to fight through it before he would be able to rest.

He started with a few of what would be probing strikes, meant to test an enemy's responses. The motions got more agressive,mirroring
the struggle he waged inside. Deft parries and savage slashes began to take shape. He was fighting with his eyes closed for in his mind an enemy
began to take shape. Tall with white hair and ice colored eyes. He wanted someone Lance was protecting. Lance wouldn't have it. Strike, parry,
thrust, block counterstrike; it was a choreographed dance from a nightmare he'd had. Lance moved hit a viscious downward slash that met with
the clang of steel and snapped his eyes open.

Standing before him, her staff blocking his blade's decent, was Sailor Pluto.

"Sailor Pluto? What are you doing here?" Lance asked, his mind confused.

"I too, have an excess of energy tonight. Would you care to spar with me?" She asked almost sounding shy.

Lance twirled his blade in a tight yet neat circle then snapped it to his side in what looked like it could be a salute. "I would be honored.
However, let's keep this fair. I know that trick of yours, the Dead Scream. You don't use that and I won't use my power. Deal?"

Sailor Pluto nodded and the battle was on. The two circled cautiously. A quarter of the the circuit passed before Lance charged in with a
flurry of probing thrusts. The Senshi of Time blocked each with both ease and grace using her garnet rod to counter the attack. Lance danced back
blocking high shots with his sword while jumping over the low ones when he could. Lance once again pushed to attack his blade quick as a snake
as he lunged and slashed, their battle pulling them into a world of their own.

Unknown to them, they did have an audience. That being Chad. A few moments later he was joined by Raye.

"What the Hell is goin on here?" Raye asked to Chad.

"I'm not sure. I came out here and this is what I found," Chad replied as he waves toward the two fighters.

In Raye's mind she was sure now that her new hiree was a peice of negatrash who's plan was to find and destroy Sailor Pluto....until she
noticed that both were smiling. She couldn't believe her eyes. These two were ENJOYING this. Raye leaned against Chad as the two continued to
watch the spar.

*******

Lance Jayd smiled out of sheer joy. This wasn't a fight it was a dance. He and Sailor Pluto it seemed, were an even match. Parries were met
with Ripostes and neither could gain an advantage. Suddenly they found themselves face to face as their weapons locked up.

"You fight well, M'lady," Lance intoned.

"As do you, Sir Knight," Sailor Pluto said with a wink. "It you disarm me, I shall reward you."

"Do tell?" Lance replied as they both twirled, hoping for a disarm. When the motion was completed both blinked in surprise as their weapons
went flying.

"A draw?" Sailor Pluto asked. Much to her dismay the fire in her hadn't lessened, if anything it seemed to burn hotter.

Lance nodded his body still burning with that fire. "A draw. But I still disarmed you."

"So you did," Sailor Pluto agreed as she walked toward him. When they were face to face, she gently caressed his cheek then leaned in to
kiss him.

"I'm uh, kinda seeing someone....at the moment M'lady..." Lance stammered.

"I'm sure she won't mind you recieving a reward..." Sailor Pluto smiled then their lips met, unknown to Lance for the third time that evening.

The kiss lingered as both felt lost in each other. Sailor Pluto's arms slid around his neck as at the threatening rain finally broke loose pouring
over both. In a twinkling, the kiss was over and Sailor Pluto was gone. Leaving Lance standing in the rain his hand touching his now tingling lips. Suddenly
his life seemed much more complicated.

TBC