Tarou had his sight on a much different target. He was known in the family as being a pervert and despite his daughter, Ferena's attempts to hide it the fact was slowly leaking out. What made this worse was his choice of perversion. Most perverts went after teenage girls. Tarou went after targets that were younger and more boyish. Okay, so he was a pedophile. The current boy had blond hair that flipped out at the sides giving him a slightly girlish air and a hat that was taller than he was.
"You-hoo! Pierre!" A aged voice yelled out his name and Pierre started. He'd been found. The man he dreaded more than anything had found him.
"Ta-tarou…" Pierre tried to look relaxed as he wished he would hit his growth spurt so the old man would no longer be attracted to him.
"Oooo! I missed you so much!" Tarou hugged the boy and the chibi chief stiffened like a plank. "Hey! Hey! Let's say you and I go get some ice cream together! It will be 'Grandpa's' treat."
"N-no… I'm bus… Ice cream?" Pierre mentally cursed. This was how Tarou always got him. He mentioned food. Then when Pierre took the bait Tarou chopped down and refused to let him back out. He smiled nervously. "S-s-so… Wh-where are we going?"
"Oh Chen," Natalie massaged the older man's stiff shoulders and he practically purred like a cat as he drooled like a dog. "let's go someplace more private. No one will miss us if we are gone for an hour or two, will they?" She batted her eyelashes at him to seal the deal. No seal was needed. The letter had already been mailed. Chen grabbed her by the hand and practically tore her arm off taking him to his house. And it was so that the four left the beach, heading in two different directions.
……………………………………………………………………
There was at least one other person who wasn't at the beach that day. Her name was Ariella. Ariella was a sister who served under the Goddess. She had given her life and her chastity for this goal. Today, like most days she kneeled before the alter in the church deep in prayer. As the rain started up outside she barely noticed. However, someone else did and he walked into the church noisily. Even then it was not until someone tapped her on the shoulder that opened her eyes and turned to look. "Yes, is there something I may help you with?" The priestess stood and looked at the young man who stood before her. He was deeply tanned with a lithe muscular build. He was tall too, almost a good half a foot taller than her. Drops of water fell on the floor off the end of dark heavy curls that had been tied back with a purple bandana. Over one shoulder he'd slung a fishing pole and on the other sat a fat little black bird.
"Do you mind if we wait in here until the rain passes?" His voice was deep, smooth, and above all, kind.
"Of course. Both the church and the Goddess welcome all those who are lost or weary and need a place to stay. Whether for a few hours or a day or longer." Ariella smiled gently.
The boy laughed at her eloquent speech. "I know about the Goddess. I want to know about you. I'm Danny." He held out his hand so she could shake it.
The priestess blushed and held out her hand as well. "I'm Ariella."