Cursed Flames: Chapter two
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I don't think I even own my own soul. I believe that was claimed by somebody in payment for something else, so do you REALLY think I own Sailor Moon?
AN: First things first. As I read over the chapter, I realized I'd made a mistake in the murder scene. After calling Rei's father Teijo, I reverted to calling him the name I had originally labeled him as; Alex. So for any of you are confused… I don't blame you! Now, on with the story.
Rei yawned slightly as she stepped out of the shrine, her broom in hand, looking up at the cloudless sky above her.
'Another day, another set of chores to be done,' she told herself ruefully, walking slowly down the well worn path to the hall where the great fire burned.
Each day it was the same. She'd wake up in the morning and walk down the steps of the temple, walking past the hall, and resisting the urge to use her powers. And each day, she'd repeat the same words to keep herself from giving into temptation.
Today, however, it was different.
As she walked past it, something inside of her burned; a yearning, almost, for her to do something.
"No," she muttered quietly. "I won't use it. I won't!"
Still, the tugging kept on inside of her, urgent, more insistent than usual, and she frowned, walking over to the door and lightly pushing it open. As she did so, a strong wave of...something…washed over her, driving her to her knees, her violet eyes wide and staring.
Flashes ran through her mind, images of times and places, both past and present, and, she could only assume, future.
"I love you, Rei. I'll never leave you."
"Jade… I love you too."
"Rei, help me!"
"I'm coming, Grandpa! Just hold on!"
"Witch child! Stupid, useless, child of a whore!"
"Mama! Papa! Where are you?"
"I'll always be here, Rei…"
"Rei… Rei…Rei!"
A man's voice snapped her out of her spell and her eyes flew open abruptly.
"Urg…" was her intelligent response, and she groaned softly, moving to sit up slightly. "Where am I? What happened?"
"The fire," her grandfather said simply. "It calls to its children. I should have known that you'd be the one."
Rei glanced at him curiously, before a wave of nausea sent her keeling over, reaching for something, anything, and mercifully grabbing a chamber pot. Quickly bent over it, and soon the sounds of retching were heard, as Rei emptied the contents of her stomach into the pot.
After a few moments, she sat up, her face pale, her hair sticking to her forehead, and she collapsed back to the ground.
"You should have told me," her grandfather reprimanded gently.
Rei scowled, her pretty face scrunched up, turning her face away from him.
"It wouldn't have changed anything," she muttered lowly, unable to keep a trace of bitterness from her voice. "I won't use it again. It's what got my parents killed. Mother could use magic; father was killed for loving her."
"Ah." Her grandfather's eyes twinkled as he sat back, amusement written clearly on his face. "So that's what you think." Leaning forward, he put his hand on his knees, all amusement gone in an instant. "You need to get over it, Rei. That's not why your parents died. Your parents died because…" Abruptly he cut off and stood up, an aloof expression falling onto his features.
"Well, you'd better get to work, child." He said mildly. "There's a lot to be done." Turning, he started to walk off, and then stopped, turning his head to look at her over his shoulder. "Oh, and by the way. A young man stopped by, asking if he could help out. I told him to come back later, and he said he would. Seemed like a nice young man, he did. I trust that if he shows up, you'll treat him kindly." His eyes dared her to argue with him.
Lowering her eyes, she muttered a sort of acknowledgement under her breath, her eyes brimming with tears as he walked away without another word.
"You know, Grandpa," she murmured quietly. "And why you won't tell me, I'll never understand."
"Understand what?" The voice came from the doorway, and Rei's head shot up, her violet eyes narrowing as she looked to the speaker.
Long blonde hair framed a heart shaped face, sky blue eyes twinkling slightly as the girl looked in at her, a friendly smile on her face.
"Gomen, I didn't mean to disturb you," the girl said apologetically. "My name's Tsukino Usagi. I was just looking for--"
"She was looking for someone who runs the temple," a voice smoothly cut her off. A figure stepped into the room, hair as golden and perfect as what surely must be his sisters, blue eyes bemused as he gently rustled Usagi's hair. "I'm Tsukino Jadeite, Jade for short, and this lovely young thing here is my sister."
Something in Rei's mind sparked as she heard the name Jade, but as she grabbed frantically for the strand of thought, it moved further and further away. Frustrated, she let it go with a shake of her head, and stood up.
"Yes. Of course. Grandfather told me about you. Hino Rei at your service." She made an elaborate bow, and stood back up, to catch Jadeite's smirk, and Usagi's wide eyed stare, her hands clamped over her mouth. Frowning, she tilted her head to one side.
"What? What's wrong?" She asked, a frown marring her face.
"Well, I don't recall ever asking for indecent exposure, Hino-san, but from you, I'm definitely not objecting," Jadeite commented, a roguish smile on his face.
The reaction was instantaneous. Rei suddenly realized that, as she'd bowed down, her robes had risen in the back, exposing her shift and underclothing.
Turning beet red, she quickly fixed her robes, and sent a scathing glare in Jade's direction.
"Baka," she muttered darkly under her breath.
"What?" He asked innocently, putting up his hands in an act of surrender. "It certainly wasn't my fault that you decided to give us a little show."
"Why you…!" Rei took a menacing step forwards, her eyes alive with anger. Suddenly she stopped short as an image of a flame grew in her head, and her hand began to burn with the effects of calling the power to her.
"Um, Rei-san? Are you alright?" Usagi took a timid step towards the girl, noticing the far off look that had grown in her eyes.
"Huh? Oh. I'm fine." Rei quickly snapped out of it, and let her hand fall back down to her side, grimacing as her hand quickly cooled back to normal.
"Yeah. It's obviously normal for her to be shooting sparks one moment, and off in La La land the next," Jadeite smirked.
Usagi threw him a glare to silence him, and turned worried eyes back on Rei. "You're sure you're alright?" She questioned once more.
"I'm fine!" Rei snapped, taking a step back. "You needed someone who runs the temple? Well, here I am. However, it would seem that if you were looking for a job, I'd have to get my grandfather; you certainly haven't made a good impression on me."
Jade looked taken aback for a moment, and then a lopsided grin spread across his face. "Mm. Temper, temper, Hino-san. I think I might like working with you." He let a slow smirk creep over his face before turning around and walking out the doorway, leaving Usagi and Rei alone together.
"I'm sorry," Rei said simply.
"Sorry? Whatever for?" Usagi asked in confusion.
"That you have to live with someone as stubborn and pig headed as him." Rei nodded her head towards the doorway which Jadeite had just exited.
"Oh, he's not so bad, Rei-san. Really. And besides… I think he likes you." Her eyes glittered as she said this, and Rei sat back with a sharp, indrawn breath.
"What are you talking about?" She snapped. "He obviously doesn't like me; he was making fun of me. And even if he did like me, which he doesn't, he's a total jerk, and--"
"Are you quite done?" Usagi interrupted, a smirk growing on her face. "I happen to know my brother; we are twins, after all. He never teases people like that, ever. And besides…" Usagi's eyes grew starry here. "That's exactly how Mamo-chan and I first acted, before we got together."
Rei rolled her eyes. "I don't even want to know."
Usagi just grinned, moving to the door. "You'll see. Besides… there's something between you two. I can feel it in here." She tapped her heart, and with a wink skipped out the door.
"Yeah, there's something between us," Rei called out. "And I'd like it to be an ocean!"
The only reply she got in reply was the sound of Usagi's laughter, fading into the distance.
Well, that took longer than I expected it too, and I'm REALLY sorry for it. Oh, and I promise there won't be any Usagi and Mamoru in this one… it is strictly Rei and Jadeite. So, enjoy, and let me know what you think! Much love!
Lady Tsukino
