For the last four hours the twin guardians had kept the Princess of Venus from running head long into the inferno surrounding Rei. Even with constant verbal reminders that the hauntingly beautiful princess of Mars was in fact fireproof Minako had to be physically kept from running toward the inferno. However, as soon as the inferno winked out of existence and the slumped form of the dark haired seer came into view Minako shot past the two guardians straight toward Rei.
The twin guardians of flame Phobos and Deimos stood in shock as they watched the Princess of Venus cradling their injured charge while muttering unintelligible words. It was only when they saw the color drain from Minako's face the two were able to move into action. Phobos and Deimos abruptly took the weakened Princess of Mars from the protesting blonde warrior's arms. They had sworn an oath to take care of the youngest Martian royal and no amorous Venusian Princess would stop them from tending to their charge.
The twins gasped in startled dismay when Rei's face came into view her eyes had been turned to the color of coal and the area around the once amethyst colored iris were now an angry red. The swollen skin around the Martian's eyes had a light dusting of ash with a steady flow of blood red tears trickling down her equally pale face. What the twins didn't notice was the slight plume of smoke rising from the Martian's eyes or the stench of singed hair and skin. But Minako took it all in with clear steely eyes.
Phobos gently wiped the swollen area around Rei's eyes clean while Deimos tore the hem of her sleeve to tie over the remains of her charge's eyes while the Venusian stood carefully watching, anger rolling off her body in waves. Throughout the whole process the Martian princess remained quiet, unmoving, and passive; completely unlike her usual smoldering personality. When the Martian's eyes were covered the ebony head bowed, blood red tears still dripping from her chin. After a pause Rei slowly pushed herself on her feet in an attempt to reclaim her dignity.
"Take me to Queen Serenity"
The twin's whole demeanor changed at the quiet words of their Princess. Their Rei may have been injured but she was still the proud Avatar of Fire, the daughter of the planet of Mars and there was a mission to finish. Phobos and Deimos twisted their fists over their hearts and bowed to their Princess with twin cries of Rei's Martian title, "Gong-ju!"
Immediately the twins set to work hoisting Rei onto the horse Venus had brought. The two guardians worked in silence with their exhausted charge to carefully situate Rei in front of the blonde. Once saddled up the Martian reached a blind hand toward the stonily silent Venusian commander who softened instantly and pulled the injured Martian more snuggly against herself.
"I feel your confusion and anger like a steady wind at my back; I'll answer whatever questions you have after I talk with the Queen."
The worried look which had permanently etched its way onto the blonde's features deepened then smoothed into a look of determination as she squeezed Rei's hand meaningfully.
"You'll tell me everything then"
The remaining ride back to the moon palace was wrapped in tense silence with the unusually passive Martian snuggled in protective golden arms.
Once they reached the palace Rei seemed to have found her strength once again and she pushed off the back of the horse forcefully causing Minako to shoot her a strange almost hurt look. The Martian, unable to see the Venusian's gaze, rose to her full height heedless of her dusty traveling cloak, messy dirt smudged hair, and the image of her blind-folded face still looked every bit the proud Martian Princess.
"Deimos, Phobos I need your eyes"
Rei's voice usually a combination of silky yet dangerous undertones had taken on a softer almost husky quality. It was as if the ebony haired Martian had not used her voice in weeks and was just now finding her voice. To the eerily calm Princess, it did feel like weeks had passed.
The proud Avatar of Flame was a sight to behold as she purposefully marched into the silver throne room of the Silver Queen Serenity flanked by two menacing looking Martian warriors and followed by an uncharacteristically fierce looking Venusian. She was in stark contrast to the gleaming throne room, dark and covered in a layer of dust with a ragged black cloth covering once bright amethyst eyes. The youngest Martian Princess had a look of grim determination which was only offset by the slow trickles of thick red blood streaming from under her eye covering. The two ebony clad guardians flanking Rei had similar looks of determination as they led their charge toward the shocked Silver Queen.
Once at the foot of the throne, Rei paused to angle her face toward Queen Serenity as if peering up at her curiously. A pregnant pause stilled the room. The achingly beautiful Silver Queen poised at the edge of her throne as if ready come down from her gleaming marble pedestal, the dark clothed Martian Princess covered in filth and blood gazed curiously up with unseeing eyes, and the other planetary soldiers stood in shock unsure of what to do and only able to watch. A soft raspy voice broke the stillness causing both Mercury and Jupiter's eyes to widen at the voice's quality.
"Even in my newly darkened world, you shine like a gentle silver light in a starless sky."
The tension in the room sharpened and unknown to the Martian at the front of the room Ami took a step forward only to be held back by Jupiter. Queen Serenity glanced up at the blue haired princess with sadness in her eyes before turning her attention fully to the Martian Princess.
"I was told by Pluto to be ready to meet with my Avatar of Flame at this time on this day. I see that you have suffered much to acquire insight on our behalf so tell me what you have learned."
It was plain to all in the room that the Silver Queen was allowing the proud Martian to keep her dignity so the other planetary warriors held back respectfully. Rei for her part seemed to sag slightly as if the weight of her story was pressing down on her form. But as the Martian began to tell of how she was able to summon Ju-Jak the Phoenix god of fire and what she was shown Rei seemed to swell with authority. Until finally the ebony haired Martian faltered, her voice losing strength as her unseeing gaze fell to the floor.
" My Queen, we live at the end of an age and darkness will cover the sun and cause the moon to run red with blood."
After Rei's quiet announcement the ebony haired Martian was attacked with questions regarding the how, why, and are you sure. Rei could feel the colorful auras flare in distress while the silvery glow of Queen Serenity merely darkened. The lack of response triggered the blindfolded Martian and she lifted her sightless gaze to the Queen, ignoring the other senshi.
" You knew" It wasn't a question but an accusation.
The silver light that shined so prominently in Rei's senses dulled for the first time. All other sounds in the throne room died and the Martian could feel the guardians at her side stiffen along with the other senshi. The Queen sighed heavily and the dark haired princes could hear rustling of clothes, the Queen was fidgeting.
"When I first heard about a little Martian princess that could light her hands on fire without being consumed I knew war was upon us."
Rei could feel the gaze of the Queen on her face, silently apologizing to her, pleading with the young Martian for something Rei couldn't understand. The emotions were running high in the room, her own burned at the back of her throat.
"Soon after I heard of the extraordinary princesses from the other planets and knew the senshi had been awakened. But it didn't stop with the inner alliance, Neptune and Uranus had been awakened but most importantly Saturn had been born. I knew then it would only be a matter of time before the Warrior of Death and Rebirth would be called to fulfill her duty."
Rei frowned at the memory, it had only been a few hours after her return and yet it felt like years had passed. After the terrible meeting with Queen Serenity Ami had insisted on looking at the Martian's eyes and Rei didn't need her sight to know the stricken look on the Mercurian's face the flare of the blue aura said it all. There was nothing the genius could do for the blind Martian her sight had been veiled, no light could penetrate.
The Martian punched at the steamy air of the hot springs, her frustration rising to boiling point in her veins. She had been prepared to die, she was ready but the fire god took her eyes instead. What was a warrior with no sight? How can does an archer shoot with no eyes? What good am I in a battle with no vision?
"Useless" the ebony haired girl muttered. " Useless and broken"
The enclosed hot spring had become a haven for the Princess, it was secluded and quiet. After a long tension relieving soak Rei could sit by the glass door that lead to the balcony and let the light of the earth bathe her in soft light. But today the dark princess got no comfort from the serene atmosphere or the warm darkness that surrounded her. Today was different, even if she lit candles light would not reach her and that knowledge keep the beautiful Martain bent over in a corner of the balcony like a forlorn child.
So caught in her misery that when a pair of strong arms enclosed the blind princess it was a shock that Rei stiffened and struggled against, but the arms only tightened until the Martian stilled to tired to fight.
"You can't hide from me, I'll always find you" the quiet voice cut through the silence.
"What do you want?" Rei sighed, beyond tired as she surrendered bonelessly to the Venusian's embrace but not returning it.
"My answers, Reiko" The Martian would normally stiffen at the name and the Venusian's arms tensed slightly as if preparing for it but when Rei continued to lay sullenly the arms loosened. Rei thought the senshi commander was pulling away and hung her head but when she felt the whisper traces of fingers on her cheek she turned questioningly.
"My answers" This time it was whispered close to the Martians ear as the feather light touches moved to her hair and to the blind fold's knot at the back of her head. Deft fingers worked the fabric free and eased it from Rei's face. "When I first saw you it was like a vision of onyx silk, you stole my breath and everyone else's in the room. But you always resist my presence and hide from my company do I repulse you that much?"
"No"
"Then why?"
The fingers returned to the beautiful Martian's face gently tracing every curve and contour as if memorizing ever pore. Unable to hide, and tired of the fighting the Martian turned closed eyes toward her pinky clearly sensing the pink string tied there.
"If love is truly your element, can you see?" Rei motioned toward her pinky " I'm tied and it's intensity is frightening"
"I see it and my heart feels it's power" A soft hand traveled from Rei's face, down her neck and shoulders, along her arms, to caress the smallest digit on the Martian's hand before boldly entwining their fingers.
"Does this intensity still frighten you?" The words were soft, husky and in complete contrast to the pounding in Rei's chest and shallow breathing. But for once the Martian didn't feel trapped or cornered and despite the rapid heartbeat and shallow breaths she felt comforted. Here wrapped in Venus' embrace Rei felt comfortable and cared for.
" Yes, so don't leave" The Martian more felt then heard the throaty chuckle and the soft lips that pressed themselves against her forehead. The tenderness of the action swelled up in Rei's throat causing her to breathe deeply to try and push it down, but it only bubbled upward in a loud sniff.
Minako immediately gathered Rei more firmly into her arms, painting soothing circles along her back in an attempt to physically quell the rising tears. But soon the tears spilled over ivory cheeks and Rei pressed her face into the Venusian's neck as sobs wracked her body.
"Where did my proud Martian go to?" The quiet voice asked as the sobs died down.
"Lost in darkness", Rei choked out as a new wave of sobs tore through her, raw emotion pouring from her eyes and shaking her body with its intensity. She was vaguely aware of being rocked and a quiet voice in her ear saying, "Then let me be your light."
I'm not sure how much I like this chapter, the begining and middle were rough to write but that could be due to the fact its the end of the semester and everyday is stressful day. I sort of regret all the things I took on this semester only because it feels as if there is not enough hours in the day to complete them. Oh well- it will get done and it will be good somehow.
I know some of you were not sure about me blinding Rei, it was a difficult choice for me too. But it has further implications so just trust me.
F75 and heatqueen- thank you I'm hoping I updated soon enough
After All Ever After- Thank you and your right, that was my rational for blinding my favorite senshi. I hope I continue to entertain.
Balticbard- Thank you for your kind words they mean alot, it has been hard but I'm getting through it all.
DavisJes- I took your advice and took my sweet time .
trusuprise- its always a joy to hear from you, and the more I thought about the silmil senshi the more I thought that they had to be much stronger therefore struggling much harder against their power corrupting them. I guess part of my issue with Salior Moon was the purity and how I always thought, "no way- If i could shoot flame snipper I'd abuse the mess out of it" so I wrote that into the story. I think the flaws make them more human. And your correct, my Rei is uber stand-offish and i've had so much fun writing her.
Rikku's twin- Always good to hear from you, thank you for commenting.
Phixa- I think some minako loving wouldn't hurt .
Jarred706- Its ok to repeat yourself, I don't judge. Thank you for reviewing and I hope to continue writing in a way that keeps you hooked.
sporadic101- I enjoy Minako doing the chasing too! Its alot of fun to write, and in my head it makes more sense then Rei always doing the chasing. Besides this will come into play much later.
LunarMiko07- No thank you for being patient with me. I've spent alot of time thinking of how i would cope with going blind and how i think my Rei would cope and its been challenging.
Illyria22- Thank you for not thinking my story was dull, lol. But I know what you mean with the SilMil open to so many possibilities it is difficult sometimes to make a good story due to the fact that there are no boundaries. Its wonderful to know that my attempt has been sucessful so far.