Chapter 2

By MG

Don't own sm…

Rei sat with her eyes closed and in deep concentration. Before her, Jadeite sat in the same position. The fire raged and grew with intensity, almost turning into a blinding white light. Their hands were pressed together with such fierceness that their knuckles became a pale, pale white. Suddenly without warning their eyes flew open, the pupils within enlarging and the irises adjusting to the light. They both shivered as if from cold in front of the blazing fire, perspiration dampening their clothing; deep concern was written on their faces from the message they had just received.

"What do you think it means?" He said to her as he released his hands from her own and wiped the sweat that marred his brow. What was meant as just a simple checking of the fire to see to small matters that may need attention became a serious matter.

"I-I...I don't know Jed." She said to him. "Never in my life have I seen a vision so intense before."

"I know. It looked like just one great montage." He commented. "The evil within the vision was so unwavering I...it was sickening...twisted...yet there was a light in the darkness, and darkness in the light...I don't understand what it could mean."

"What really puzzles me is how hard it was to see even the very little that we saw." She continued.

"It's almost as if the power that we were homing in on was very strong...stronger than us even." He added. "We practically had to force the vision to reveal itself."

"I think that the vision has something to do with the prophecies." She replied.

"You mean about the angel of light?"

"Yes." She paused. "The dark lord of the werewolves seeks her out to destroy her...."

" I've read about that particular prophecy in the great book, and I can't help but think that perhaps there may be something that we're misinterpreting ...something we're missing."

"I know...I feel the same way." She said to him.

"I think that a margin of doubt comes in the fact that the book was translated from Latin and then to Greek, and finally to English...I think that it's about time that we find the original and read it for ourselves don't you think?"

"I agree Jed...I agree." She paused. "And while we're at it, we need to discover the identity of both opposing parties so that we may kill the dog and save the angel…it seems as if the time for their meeting has come, much sooner than we would have believed."

"Before we even go there." Jed continued with a new look of confusion on his face. "One thing has just occurred to me...what is the purpose of the angel of light? We know that according to the prophecy she is to forever avoid the dark lord, but what purpose does she serve? Does she have powers of her own?"

"We should consult the book." Rei paused. "You know...I think its high time we visited the Norbork library...we should not waste anytime in this, that vision scares me just too much." She said as she arose from where she sat in their bedroom and went towards their closet.

"And while we're at it, we need to visit our gypsy friend Sets...I'm sure she could help us some as well." He replied as he arose with her.

~*~

"Why do you call this room The End?" Mamoru arched his brow ad looked up at her.

"Excuse me?"

"The Exquisite Nocturnal Divinity." She stated simply. "Or 'The End'." She finished.

"No real reason, but this is the room that I always end my tours with...quite a coincidence that it should happen that way is all." He informed her. Watch out Mamoru, it seems that we have an intelligent bitch on your hands.

"Oh." She commented, her face showing some signs of disbelief. "Well, in any matter, here are some designs that I had in mind." She began while handing him her design book. He took it from her hands and she spoke once more. "You may look as I continue my inspection. Now, shall we take a trip to this room?"

"Certainly." He said as he arose from his seat with the book in his hands. "Follow me."

"You have great taste Ms. Tsukino." He said as he flipped through the pages.

"Do you have an obsession for wolves Mr. Chiba?" She suddenly inquired.

"Excuse me?"

"Your paintings, they may be abstract, but if you look close enough...."

"Very perceptive." He said to her. Really smart bitch. This one may need a bit of taming, "You like art?"

"I'm a fan of all varieties, yes." She paused. "I really don't like wolves though...in my opinion they're just insipid beasts with no soul..."

 "Surely, you can not place a stereotype on all wolves." Insipid beasts...I'll show her an insipid beast! He clenched his fists, attempting to control his anger.

"I have yet to meet one that I have not despised…when I was little, a wolf killed my parents when we were camping out in the woods...it left me and my brother alone...my parents had made us hide when they saw it coming and w-we hid...we never saw them again." She ended softly as she brought up her hand to wipe her eyes before the tears could drop down her face. "I am so sorry...I don't know why I told you that...I just get sensitive when anyone reminds me of my childhood experiences."

"That's quite alright Ms. Tsukino." He said with a smile. What an oversensitive little wench. Parents probably deserved to be attacked... He stopped his irate musings when they arrived at his Grande hall. "Well, this is the place." He looked down at her with indifference; he could have sworn he saw anger and mischief in her eyes, but quickly dismissed it. Her eyes were too captivating for him to concentrate on any one thought for even a short time.

"You have quite a hall Mr. Chiba." She commented as she looked around. "The architectural structure is amazing." She paused to look up at the painting on the ceiling between the tall roman arches. "How do you keep such a Grande room clean?"

"Servants." He replied with a smile. "Lots of them." She smiled as he closed her portfolio and gave her his full attention. "I must say that I am deeply impressed with your work as well…I can see how your company achieved its reputation…very impeccable designs." He looked up from her portfolio and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So...how deep in am I? Work like this doesn't come in a penny."

"No it doesn't." She smiled before continuing. "It's going to take a lot of work." She alleged as she walked to the center of the room. "But...you're not that bad off…like I said, whoever spent their time in building this place knew well what they were doing." She turned around continuously, soaking her atmosphere in as if she was taking every crack, every crevice, every corner into account. "Of course I'll need the stats on the number attending, the theme, the type of music your were considering, the time frame, and I believe that's all for now...from your secretary" She ticked the list off of her fingers, her mind deep in thought. "Also, you will need to schedule a time with my secretary as to when you will want to have a restaurant session on the third floor of my building so that you can pick you meals, and you'll have to visit my second floor to pick out the clothing that you would like to wear. I need the list of people who will be attending as well so that we can discuss the seating arrangements. Let me see if there is anything that I have forgotten…" She paused for a bit and turned to him to see that his gaze was steady and occupied, his mind obviously someplace else.

"Are you listening Mr. Chiba?" She snapped him out of his revere.

"Oh…um yes…seating arrangements." He replied quickly, a little sour at being caught unawares.

"Please at least attempt to look as if you are attentive, even if you are…I hate it when people give me a lost look as if what I have to say is not filtering through." She ended sternly.

"Very sorry, truly I am…please, continue." He replied politely.

"Very well…" She sighed, a bit unsure. "I only have one last bit of information I need from you anyways. I need you to make an appointment to visit my 5th fifth floor as well, you may pick the furniture and design you would like."

"That was quite an amazing list…how is it you plan to pull this off in such limited time?" He asked her.

"Why Mr. Chiba, with servants of course...lots of them." She said causing him to laugh.

What an infectious laugh.

"Enough business for now…" He paused as one of his servants came into the room with a silver tray, a bottle wine and two glasses atop it; he handed her a glass before pouring them both some wine and sending the servant on their way. "What do you do for fun Ms. Tsukino?"

"I do believe that this is a formal meeting Mr. Chiba." She reminded him as she brought the cool liquid to her lips.

"And do you tell all of your formal clients about your past?" He asked while arching his brow as her.

"Perhaps you have gotten me there." She replied. "Alright, let us act as if we are meeting for the first time." She paused while putting out her hand. "Hello sir, my name is Usagi Tsukino." She finished. He gently took her hand in his own and brought it to his lips.

"And my name is Mamoru Chiba but you Madame, you may call me anything you like." He said while looking at her eyes. What was it about her eyes that always managed to keep him frozen in place for what seemed like eternity?

"I think Mamoru would do just fine." She said as she slipped her hand from his grasp and walked a little ways away. "So, Mamoru, what is it you do for a living?"

" I'm what they would call an entrepreneur. My business is in technology. I currently own the Chiba Technology Enterprises and silently own 75% of Lafayette Technology Corporation. As well as many other factions." He paused. "But enough about me, what are you affiliated with?"

"Well Mamoru, I'm known as the owner of Designing Co., and am in to designing clothes, catering, architectural design, and art buying and trading with my partner Minako Tsukino."

"Sister?"

"Cousin."

"Oh."

"I also privately own many of the other companies that you may have heard of, such as Desire Inc."

"Quite the entrepreneur you are." He commented. "Did you start all these things on your own or was it an inheritance?"

"Well, I inherited Desire Inc from my mother when she died, and decided to go on as a silent owner." She began. "Everything else I have built on my own through transactions and exchanging." She paused. "So what of you, did you start from the base and work your way up?"

"No, it seems we are two of a kind Usagi...I too inherited some of my fortune, and from there I have begun to maximize my profit...though when I do it I am called ruthless and inconsiderate" He smiled sardonically. "So…does work leave room for love?" He asked causing her to laugh. "What?"

"My aren't we getting personal...and I just met you." She said to him.

"I take it into account to know all the people whom I deal with, business is never just business as far as I'm concerned…otherwise you can get screwed over and never know it."

"Interesting point…I believe I know what you mean…as far as relationships go though…I have a few admirers here and there, some that are like little puppies... I haven't quite found an exciting partner yet. This world can be a very boring place, no danger or exhilaration." She said as she thought about the short time when she secretly dated Diamond, he was a rather boring character to sit and chat with. Now that I think about it, the only worthwhile part of that relationship was the sex…oh god the sex…and if Minako ever found out that bit of information she would go into conniptions. She laughed inwardly. It wasn't a worthwhile story anyway, Diamond had become like all other men before him, too damn demanding of my time.

What is it with these women and their sense of having to have some kind of adventure? Whatever happened to the good ol' days when they sat patiently waiting for you to come home so that they open their legs obediently and get fucked? Nowadays women are fucking idiots. Hiding behind their desks and liberal imaginary corporate positions when what they knew well that things hadn't changed; they are still waiting patiently to get screwed. Always want an adventurous life, but when they have it suddenly they're too scared to play. Then again, who am I to complain, it was these types of women that made my life a little more invigorating…it makes the chase that much more fun.

"So you're looking for danger in a man?"

"Danger is hardly the word Mamoru… electrifying perhaps. Why? Do you know such a candidate?" She downed the rest of her glass, surprised when almost immediately the servant was back in the room, presenting the tray for her to place it on. She dismissed the awkward moment as both her and Mamoru discarded their glasses.

"Perhaps." He paused. "Perhaps I can tell you where to find such a man."

"Perhaps." She replied with a sensuous smile. "And you Mamoru, what do you look for in a woman?"

"It's rather simple really." He said with a smile as he turned away. "I just want someone who wants to play." His voice was deep with a wicked tone about it; he was suddenly in a playful mood. He quickly changed his demeanor and looked back at her. "I meet too many of the rich stuck up type who are too used to being pampered and too used to getting what they want...they never want to get dirty."

"Get dirty?" She asked. "Just what do you plan on your dates Mamoru?" She finished while arching her brow at him, her arms crossing over her chest.

"Now who's getting personal?" He asked causing her to laugh. He turned to her once more and caught her eyes; he felt entranced for the hundredth time.

"If you do not feel comfortable answering, then I do not think that I want to know." She walked away from him and towards the entrance to the room, glancing at her watch all the while. "It's about time I get back to my office." She said to him. "Care to show me out?"

"Certainly…it would be rude of me not too don't you think?" He walked up to her and put his arm out for her to take. She linked her arm in his and they walked around the halls towards the front door.

"You know, this has been the most interesting clientele meeting that I have ever had." She commented.

"Perhaps we can do this again sometime, without the pressure and constraints of the work life to surround us." He released her arm, his eyes searching.

"Perhaps." She replied.

"Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow evening…we could discuss the event…and maybe even talk more afterwards."

"Perhaps that can be arranged." She replied. "I'll let you know."

"If you do decide, perhaps you should keep it as a secret meeting...after all." He began. "The News and perhaps even the paparazzi would be on us in a second if they received word…two infamous business tycoons discussing matters over dinner…it's the kind of atmosphere they will like to attack and then what kind of meeting could we have? Definitely not a peaceful one." He said with an innocent smile. She arched her brow curiously at him.

"I'll see what I can do…though I highly doubt that we are the type of bait they go after." She replied. "If I'm free, I'll pencil it in with my secretary…but until then, I must say adieu." She finished and walked down the steps to her car. As soon as she was out of sight Mamoru closed the door behind him and leaned up against it.

"Shit!" He cursed. "This is not going as well as I have planned…I'll have to plan a little better with her." His eyes went dark with sudden perceptiveness and acuity. "The quicker I screw her and get her out of my business the better, the last thing I need is some of that g'damn purity rubbing off on me." His steps echoed throughout the mansion as he walked down the foyer and to the den. "Or perhaps I should wait on this one...if I play my cards right, I could end up with all of her assets and then I could silently do away with her...."

~*~

"So you came because you were concerned about a vision that you saw?" Setsuna began as she stirred the cup of tea before her silently.

"Yes, we don't quite know what to make of it." Jadeite responded as he brought his cup to his lips.

"Do you know anything that could help us?"

"You know I can not tell you the future, I have been given a gift to be able to see it...but there are laws with my people...I am not allowed to tamper with it." She paused. "There is little that I can do and say to help you."

"Anything more than what we know now will suffice." Rei said to her. "We understand your ways and respect them. Whatever information you can give us we accept gratefully."

"We are just happy that you could see us on such short notice and so late as well." He added.

"I was prepared for your arrival Jadeite, I was expecting the two of you to arrive." She replied.

"So what exactly can you tell us?" Rei asked enthusiastically yet calmly.

"I can say that you are on the right track for wanting to seek out the original book." She said to them. "What has been interpreted to you is not correct, the words have been twisted." She brought the bitter drink to her lips; the sound of sipping was all that could be heard throughout the room. "It is true that there is a reason why the prophecy says to keep the Angel of Light away from the Dark Lord, but not for the reason in which you were told…." She paused. "It is far more complicated than that. The prophecy states that they will not love on sight…but will sense more than what is there." She paused again. "That is all I can tell you...but you must act quickly, for although neither of them know it yet...they have already met." She warned.