Eien no Rekka - Chapter Nine
(Eternal Fire)
by Angel Eternal
email: angel_eternal_01@yahoo.com




Silence finally descended on the car. Usagi glared at
everyone.
"Minna, we have to stay calm. None of this is helping!"
Minako sighed, "Forgive us Usa-chan, but this situation
is simply maddening!"
It has been three weeks since Rei had gone back to her
otousan across the ocean. Since then, not a trace of the
youma. They were now on their way to pick up Makoto
from the hospital.
"So what does this mean?" Haruka asked, keeping her
eyes focused on the road. "Does this mean that the 
youma is tied to Rei? Could Mamoru-baka be right?
With Rei gone, the youma goes too?"
Usagi shook her head, "Iie! We can't simply assume
that since the youma hasn't appeared since Rei-chan
left means that she's controlling it!"
"What does it mean then Usagi?" Michiru asked, staring
Usagi in the eye. 
Usagi shook her head, distressed that they might be 
considering the possibility that Rei was the enemy.
"It simply means that the youma is after her! Hasn't
anyone thought of that possibility?"
Ami sighed, "I know the evidence seems damning - 
but you guys aren't thinking! This is Rei-chan we're 
talking about. As Usagi says, it might simply mean
that the youma is after her."
"Then it means that Rei is in a lot of trouble."
Haruka stated. "How is she supposed to defend herself
when she is weakened and without us?"

*		*		*

The pace he set was fast and furious.
Rei couldn't spare the time to wipe the sweat from
her brow. Whirling, she lunged, bringing the point to
his throat.
Laughing, Heikazui pulled back. "You're good. But 
you're technique is too fancy."
Rei frowned. "What does that mean?"
"It means that you use too many spins and leaps." he
smiled affectionately at her. "Show off."
Rei huffed. "I am not a show off!"
Heikazui laughed again, "I don't know about you but
I'm starving. Lunch?"
Rei nodded, her stomach rumbling. "Will Cheryl be
joining us?"
He shook his head, "Not today - she's out with some
friends."
There was one question that had been plaguing Rei for
some time now. "Otousan - if I may ask you something?"
Heikazui frowned. "Of course Rei - anything."
Rei sat and drew in a deep breath. She waited for the
servants to serve the food and leave.
"I want to ask about my okaasan."
Heikazui leaned back in his chair. "What do you want 
to know."
Rei twirled a strand of her ebony hair on a slender
finger. "As you know, okaasan...died...when I was too
young to remember anything about her...I just..."
"Want to know what she was like." Heikazui finished
for her. His eyes became dazed as delved into the 
recesses of his memories. "She was beautiful - she 
looks a lot like you. Like a princess, my Umi. She 
came from a very rich, prominent family and I was 
little more then a peasant to them. You know, her 
father disowned her when she married me. I will 
never forget that. She cried, it hurt me every time 
she cried or was hurt. It was like crushing a delicate
lily - something so heart-achingly beautiful. She was
such a delicate little thing, she was so calm most of
the time. Every time I let my temper get out of hand,
she was there to calm me. I don't know if I can
ever forget her."
Rei sat silently, as he talked about his lost love.
"Do you still love her otousan?"
He finally looked at her. "Of course I do. There
will be no other for me."
"Then why Cheryl?"
"Cheryl?" He asked, confused.
"Why have Cheryl around? If you love my okaasan
so much, why have that conniving bitch around?"
Heikazui frowned at her. "Rei-chan! I didn't have
you brought up in your grandfather's jinja so you
could talk like that!"
Rei stared at him levelly. "Gomen nasai Otousan -
but you haven't answered me."
He sighed, "Rei-chan, I'm getting old now. I want -
need company. Cheryl can be a sweet girl sometimes."
He stared at her shrewdly. "What are you really asking?"
Rei bowed her head, "Why did you send me away?"
"Oh Rei-chan..." he held out his arms to her, and 
gathered her into his arms as if she was a little girl. 
"Rei-chan, I sent you away, because I thought that you
would have a better life with your grandfather. It was
also for selfish reasons - like I said, you look so much
like Umi - your okaasan. Gomen nasai Rei-chan.
Can you ever forgive me?"
Rei nodded. "Of course Otousan!"
He pulled away from her. "Then you would hear me
out."
Slowly she nodded. 
"I know, that you are a young woman - with a life 
back in Tokyo..."
"Otousan..."
"Rei-chan, you know better then to interrupt." 
Satisfied that she would keep her peace, he continued.
"You have a life back in Tokyo, and I leave it to you
to decide. Stay here or go back. Simple?" when she
opened her mouth, he held up his hand. "Iie, take
your time Eat your sushi."

*		*		*

"So let me get this straight. Rei-chan has lost her powers.
Grandpa has passed away, and Rei-chan is in America. Is
that right?"
They all nodded. They were now back at Michiru's and
Haruka's house.
Makoto shook her head, "Can't I leave you guys alone for
one minute?" she sighed. "So what now?"
Mamoru shrugged. "Nani? What can we do? She's all
the way in another continent. Chances are if anything
happens we have no way of knowing!"
Ami shook her head. "Her communicator - she could use
that."
"What use is that? Like Mamoru-baka said - she's on
another continent."
Mamoru sighed, "Would you quit calling me that Haruka?"
Haruka stared at him. "You mean you're not used to it yet?"
Usagi and Michiru exchanged glances, understanding 
flashing between them.
Michiru sighed, "We can only hope that Rei will use the
communicator if she needs us."
Haruka rolled her eyes, "Michi-chan, you know I think
you are one of the most intelligent people on the world -
but like I said to that baka over there, Rei-chan is on
another continent!"
Michiru stared at Haruka. "Don't patronise me Haruka."
she turned to the others. "Now, has it occurred to any 
of you that we could teleport over there? Of course it's
gonna be a bit of a strain, without Rei-chan, but I think
we can make it."
Usagi nodded. "Definitely - it will only be for the direst
of emergencies."

*		*		*

Cheryl glanced out of the window and saw a dark
figure scaling the walls - it's intent obvious; to get
into little Rei's room. Cheryl decided not to wake
up Jackson...if little Rei was hurt - all the better...

*		*		*

A piercing scream rent the air...
"Rei-chan!"


Am I evil or what? *stops and thinks for a second* Most
definitely evil. Okay, that's it from me for now!
What has happened to Rei?!
I know there are more than Takala and Travel Dragon
reading this - I can read the stats - please review! Even
if you want to flame me!