Chapter 2. In The Lionesses Lair

If one would have looked closely at the deserted school grounds that night they would have seen a teenage girl running quickly ducking in and out of the shadows, seeming to want to escape its overbearing confines. But this was not the case, she was different from every other blond haired blue eyed girl her age. Indeed she was, she was incarnate of Venus. The princess of Venus. The Goddess of Love. One could see why she had been given that identity, thought she was like many girls she would always exceed them. She could have easily been Aphrodite herself such was her beauty. Yet none seem to notice as she would always be caught wearing oversized cloths and confined her silken main to a tight constricting plait. Now she had rid herself of those cloths and donned tight black pants and long sleeved (but tight fitting) shirt. Her hair was free but tucked away under a black concealing beanie. A determined look was permanently set on her face as she stole away to the beach. Mina was following her lead right through to the end.

She quickly reached the spot where she had been yesterday easily because she didn't have her surfboard slowing her pace. Without a second thought she followed her signal which judging by its weakness was a good hour walk away. She grinned in anticipation of the unknown, for it was what she enjoyed most the thrill of the hunt. The rush of adrenalin that came when she thought she had been seen but was wrong. To put it simply it was just damn exciting.

She followed her instincts as she always did and was rewarded as every step she took she felt the flow of energy from her tracking device grow stronger. She kept on her guard, the situation could turn ugly if she was spotted before she found out who they were and where they were. A familiar sinking feeling of dread passed though her at the sound of a twig snapping. She stood still like an animal caught in the headlights and listened. Her ears strained to hear any out of place sounds. Just when she though it was safe she heard the crunch of a footstep in the rainforest like scrub that surrounded the beach. As silently as she could she ducked into the shadows and slinked behind a tree. 'How in the world can they know I am here?' her thoughts raced a million mile an hour. With a wave of dread washing over her she realised her folly. 'Those underground infa read heat detectors, they must be everywhere around the area I am heading towards! Which means they know I am here and my exact location!'. Panicking she exhaled loudly trying to calm herself.

'What have I got myself into'.

Due to the fact that her supposed enemy did know her location and she was deep in thought, she didn't fully register the dart that pierced her side until she had dozed of into a groggy drug educed sleep.

Rei laughed at her screen. She'd never seen a more suspicious looking agent in her life try to find their secrete hideout. She knew someone was trying to snitch the moment the jeeps came back though quarantine. Ami's computer had picked up a magical tracing device deep in the engine area. 'Pretty clever, we might have a challenge on our hands' she had thought until she saw the intruders lame attempt to sneak into the compound. Everyone was out to get them. They realised this went against all morel ethics and defeated the purpose of them being sailor scouts but this was different. It was like they were hacking into organizations for there own benefit. They diverted all of it to fund that went toward homeless kids shelters and overseas to the people dyeing of hunger. Rei had always been sure to take from only those she knew it wouldn't affect. Like her dad's company for example. They had a ridiculous amount of money and Rei knew her dad was selfish and didn't want to part with his wealth at all cost. Every second her dad earned billions. So one day she had had enough she simply hacked in and redirected a large amount to her favourite charity. Aim nearly died when she found out what she had done, but after a bit of persuasion she eventually agreed it was a good idea and decided to help, only if they didn't get caught. So the next hacking session was planned and they diverted the cash to a anomous bank account, took the money and then terminated it leaving no traces what so ever. The money was used to fund the operation, and that meant a secret place with massive security. Soon Lita and Serena became suspicious and so under strict confidence they were told and after their initial shock of the complexities and danger of it all agreed to help the cause.

The news was constantly blearing about charities getting untraceable donations. Pretty soon the companies realised where their money was going and decided to take action. Even thought they were losing barely anything they simply detested a hacker having this kind of power over them who had up to this point considered themselves higher in power than most presidents were. And it was true, presidents were watched by the country. Company leader weren't, so they were free to do whatever they please.

This lead to manhunts which are vicious and unrelenting. But it seemed to Rei that they had the perfect cover, as no one would suspect a group of high school kids. At first Rei had been unsure, as it was extremely wrong no matter how you looked at it to steal. But the more she thought about it the idea seem to work and soon it was almost as if they were the modern day Robin Hood equivalent.

Leaning across she hit the switch to alert security of the intrusion in the sea side perimeter. She knew that the special chosen men would do the job well. They hadn't failed them yet. 'Hmmm……but we haven't had any intrusions yet either' mused Rei. Ami saw her smile "What on earth are you smiling about?" she asked.

"Oh nothing".

Lita laughed "she's probably dreaming about how she can interrogate our young intruder".

"Or about dinner" pipped in Serena.

"No only you would dream about that" said Rei.

"Please I live for more than food you know" she complained.

Lita laughed "Hmmm ya. Whats your hot young lovers name? Darien?" she teased.

Rei growled "If you to weren't who you were and destined to be together and all that crystal Tokyo crap, I tell you to dump that loser" exclaimed Rei.

"REI!" scolded Lita and Ami in unison.

"Its ok Rei, I know you like him still" said Serena gently.

Rei turned a million shades of red, and I am not taking about blushing. I am talking about pure anger that only the goddess of fire was capable of.

"YOU ARE SO FAR FROM THE TRUTH MEATBALL HEAD" yelled Rei her temper erupting causing Serena to flinch.

"OK, I am sorry!" wailed Serena regretting even speaking. For once Serena was grateful for the interruption of the intercom because it meant she managed to escape the wrath of Mars.

"Miss, we have the hostage in the holding cell awaiting interrogation" came the deep voice of the head of security.

"Thankyou Randal I'll be down in a minute" said Rei icily straightening her short black mini skirt and black jacket. Just to add to the look she put on her black mafia shades.

"Ok girls, who wants to come?". All hands shot up.

"Suit up then, we don't want to look like scruffs"

Approximately a minute and a half later the four girls arrived in similar attire at the holding cells. Randal opened the door and gave them a questioning look

"don't worry we can handle ourselves" smiled Rei. With a quick nod he opened the door admitting them to the prisoners room.

She sat there on the bed staring defiantly at them. Rei shivered it was as if she could see through her glasses and into her inner being. Those blue eyes stung, but Rei wouldn't look away and give her the upper hand.

"Take that beanie of her" barked Rei to Serena. Without hesitation she walked forward and pulled the beanie away letting lose her confined golden mane. Rei nearly gasped at the beauty before her but as ever kept her face indifferent. Yet as her lips moved to form her first question she found herself at lose for words. 'Gather yourself girl!' she screamed in her head. Taking a mental breath she spoke harsh and to the point. "I don't want to hear any bullshit. Because whether you like it or not you've been caught and will stay that way until you tell us who the hell sent you!" she barked. Rei grimaced as the girl just sat and stared not daring to utter a word, 'please say something' her mind yelled at her. She didn't want to hit her and make her talk, in fact she didn't think she could. Only the bad guys they versed as scouts deserved that, right here and now they were in the wrong. Rei waited longer than she should have and spoke

"tell me now!".

The girl remained silent and still. Before Rei had time to think about the wrongness of it all she slapped the girl.

"SPEAK GOD DAM YOU" she cried.

Serena and Lita cringed.

"Rei stop this! You know you cant torture her, it goes against all your morals" said Ami. Rei looked as if she would break down herself any minute, this girl was having a strange affect on the fiery goddess of Mars.

"Lets go" said Rei in barely a whisper.