Title: Conflagration
Author:Phoenix
E-mail:Marsfire01@aol.com

Author's note:
        I do not own sailor moon or the characters in it, that belongs to
the wonderful Naoko Takeuchi.
       This is my 1st fanfic, so don't be too harsh.  Send any comments,
suggestions,  flames, or praise to Marsfire01@aol.com
             This is a Rei and Chad fic, just to let you know.  I don't
really like the title, but i couldn't think of anything else.  Oh, and the 
time line is a bit off.  I Say two years, but as i do not know the exact 
time-line of all of the series, just assume that i mean  right after the 
end of the last season, 'k?  Hope you enjoy reading this.  For my next one, 
look for a Rei and Jadeite fic.


                                           Conflagration

My eyes fluttered open. I heard the insistent beeping of my communicator,
but
something told me it was not urgent.  Still, I was awake now, and it was
time
to get up.  But I wasn't alone. There was another presence beside me.  There
was a well-defined arm gently hugging my waist and a cheek pressed to my
shoulder.  I turned around and peered at Chad's sleeping form.  Ah, yes. The
slightly blurry memories flooded in from last night.  I blushed at the
remembrance.  Chad was a heavy sleeper and he didn't notice as I laid his
head
on the pillow and slipped out of his embrace.  I then proceeded to get
dressed. I was mostly finished, when I impulsively laid a light kiss on
Chad's
forehead.  He mumbled something in his sleep, smiled, then turned over.  A
tiny smile crossed my lips too, before I briskly whipped around and
proceeded
to leave.  I buttoned up my blouse and jogged up the stairs where my friends
probably waited.

It had been almost two years since most of this group had been to the lodge,
and it was a first time for a few.  Chad had invited them all here for a few
days to relax at his ski lodge because, as he said, " You all look like the
fate of the world is resting on your shoulders. You guys need a break!"
Serena had laughed nervously, while the others just nodded uncomfortably.
Lita had stepped in and accepted for the group.  That is how eight girls,
one
young man, and two cats came to be grouped on the fourth floor of this
enormous lodge where all their rooms were located, waiting for their missing
friend to make her entrance.

I bounded up the last few stairs and greeted my "welcoming committee".
"Rei, where have you been all morning?" Lita immediately inquired. She
always
cuts to the chase.
"Yeah," Serena chimed in," You weren't in your room, or in the lobby, or the
kitchen, OR the library"
"Yes, and the door attendant said you hadn't left the building, so you
weren't
out for an early run on the slopes," added Ami.
"I've been around this morning, you probably just missed me" I quickly lied.
Mina still looked cynical.  "How are you so chipper this morning?  I t was
pretty late when we (gesturing to others) went to bed, but you and Chad were
still going strong.  You guys were talking, and flirting, like you could go
on
forever. I never even heard you come upsta…" Her words trickled to a halt.
That's when they noticed that I was wearing the same outfit I had worn
yesterday, something I would never do.  Once again, I felt my cheeks redden.
"You DIDN'T!" Serena interjected into the silence, precisely at the wrong
moment.  "Oh my…"
"Leave her be." Michuru hushed the blond.  She smiled knowingly at me and
cleared a path to my room.  I nodded in thanks.
"Thank the gods for that girl!"  I mumbled to myself in the privacy of my
room.  Water and fire usually don't mix, but I think she's the exception.  I
flopped on my bed.  What a confrontation.  And why had they used the
communicator. That was strictly for scout business.  Whose genius idea was
that?
I didn't bother to finish that thought.
A little while later, there was a tap on my door.  I called for them to
enter.
Haruka and Michuru came in.  I noticed that their fingers were
inconspicuously
entwined, I smiled at that small gesture of their affection for each other.
For some reason, I appreciated that kind of thing now.  My train of thought
was broken when Haruka spoke.  "We are really sorry for what went on in the
hall. It was really rude, and what happened last night is your business, and
will only be ours when and if you decide to tell us."
"Yes, my deepest apologies, and, I'm sure I speak for the group when I say
there will be no hounding for information.  This is your business, and no
one
else's. I'm sure everyone will respect that."
It was pretty obvious that these two were fairly new to the group.  The
girls
I knew would want the dirt on what, where, when, why, and how.  I didn't
expect the privacy they spoke of, but it was nice to hear that some people
respected privacy.  " Thanks," I said, " It helps to know that."

Somewhere on a near-by mountain, an argument rages between a husband and
wife.
The man raises his hand to strike her.  Suddenly, a burst of black energy
shoots out of him and he collapses, unconscious.  The black light speeds
though the air and travels to where thousands of others bits of darkness
have
gathered.  The energy binds together and begins to pulsate.  The ball of
energy starts to take a sort of huge animal form, cat-like in some ways,
yet,
with some almost human qualities.  One glance into its coal black eyes and
it
is obvious that this thing has no soul; only a deep blackness, like the pits
of hell.   It craves life energy, so it heads for a place where many people
will be gathered.

" Rei-chan?"  Serena says as she pokes her head in my room.  " Are you very
angry with me?"
I begin to say yes, that I am hurt and angry, but looking at her big,
sorrowful eyes and the hope written on her face, the feeling dissipates. "
No,
not very, meet-ball head." I answer, fondly.  Serena smiles thankfully.  Our
princess has matured.  Only a year ago, she would have taken that little
gibe
as true animosity and burst into tears, but now I think she understands that
when I tease, its just a way I show affection.  I can't believe I'm saying
this, but that silly little odanga head has become my most treasured friend.
She giggled.  "Oh Rei-chan, I am sorry for what happened in the hallway this
morning. Soo… what really happened?", she said, eyes wide.  Now when did I
learn to stand, no, even like her nosiness?  It used to be so irritating,
now
it seems almost endearing.  " Serena, I will tell you when I'm ready, now is
not that time."  She blinked.  Twice.  Comprehending that I was not going to
dish the "dirt" on Chad and I. (That feels so weird to say…Chad and I.)  I
smiled at her, letting her know I would tell her soon enough.

Chad's eyes finally opened.  He reached out for her, but she was gone.  Had
it
all been a dream?  No, there on the pillow were five long strands of black
hair.  Her clothes were gone, and the robe he had lent her was crumpled on
the
floor.  It had been too big for her anyway, he mused, and had kept slipping
off, revealing her shoulder.  He wasn't sure what would happen now, whether
this would all be forgotten, or if they could finally be together.  Still
pondering on that note, he got dressed and went to breakfast.

The woman screamed, for the obvious that there was some sort of demon
creature
galloping towards her on all fours.  The other people in line for the ski
lift
panicked and ran.  The creature pinned her to the snow and drained her of
her
energy, then released her. She wasn't dead, but she wasn't quite alive
either.
The thing reared up onto two legs and…laughed.  An echoing, chilling cackle
that no human ears had ever heard before.  Then it stalked off in search of
its next victim.  That's when there was a flash of colored lights.  We
senshi
surrounded the creature.  We had received a call from Setsuna, who has
witnessed the attack from the gates.  We looked in revulsion at this…thing.
It was as black as the depths of space, some sort of animal, with human
features, all muscle, and thin clinging skin, so that every tendon, ligament
and muscle was traceable.  It rippled as it moved.  Its claws, eyes and even
teeth were the same tar color as the rest of it.  It literally oozed evil;
there was a malevolent, oily aura emanating from it.  It snarled at us, or
seemed to, but also seemed to mock us, even laugh.   Lita acted first.  She
released her Thunder Dragon.
Beast against beast she reasoned.  It hit hard, and the thing was shocked,
but
not badly hurt.  I threw a few fireballs and flaming arrows at it which had
vaguely the same effect.  We all threw trick after trick at the creature,
but
they only served to daze it slightly.  Serena then decided to use the tiara.
I don't know what possessed her to use that, and not the scepter or the
crystal, or one her other powers, but she threw the frisbee and the creature
dissolved, almost, it seemed, before the tiara hit.  Black…stuff is all I
can
describe it as, poured into the snow then disappeared.  I asked Sailor Venus
if she too had seen it dissolve before the hit.  She said no, and there was
a
general consensus that the thing had been hit and destroyed.  Only Hotoru
shared my look of doubt.  The group did, however, worry about the origin of
the creature, so we decided to investigate tomorrow morning, it was too late
now.  They also decided that we may need more than the two remaining days of
our stay to figure it out.  The job of asking Chad for an extension of our
vacation was generously given to me.


The next morning, Chad stepped out of the shower and rapped up in a towel.
He
shook the water droplets from his hair.  He proceeded to get dressed, but
stopped, as he had done frequently in the past twenty-four hours, to smile
at
the recollection of the other night.  He had woken several times during the
night and just watched her sleep.  The first time he woke, she had been
curled
up, facing him, her head resting on his chest.  Moonlight poured in the huge
windows and bathed her face and hair, which gave her an unearthly beauty.
She
was one of the strongest women he knew, but there she had appeared so small
and vulnerable.  He wondered if she was avoiding him, he hadn't seen her all
yesterday.
A light knock at the doors woke him from his trance.
I tapped softly on Chad's door.  He called for me to enter.  I stepped into
the room.  There was an awkward silence.  He wasn't wearing a shirt, and I
caught myself staring.
" Hey Rei."  He muttered shyly, breaking the silence.
"Hi Chad"  I went on to explain that he had been right about our friends
being
under too much pressure, and that this little vacation was helping quite a
bit, but we wondered if we could have a few more days up here.  He readily
agreed.  I turned to leave, but something was stopping me.  Maybe it was
him,
hopefully watching me as I walked away, but I turned around and quickly
kissed
him.  This time, it was he who blushed.  I grinned coyly, then ducked out of
the room, leaving him wide eyed and bewildered.

I found the others outside and informed them that Chad had agreed to the
extension.
" I wonder how she convinced him?"  Mina teased.
I laughed it off.   Ami wanted to start the investigating the origin of the
creature immediately, but Serena and Mina objected, as they were occupied
making snow angels.  Suddenly Darien pelted me with a snowball, and I was so
taken aback that I didn't respond.  Serena started laughing, so he got her
too.  She looked shocked, and soon the moon princess and I had joined
forces.
Before long, most of the others were pummeling the prince of earth, except
Setsuna, who refused to participate, and Haruka, who chose to defend Darien.
Lita and I scrambled up a tree to some low branches and threw snowballs from
the snow gathered on the near-by boughs.  I was doing quite well from my
vantage point until a snowball hit me from behind and knocked my out of the
tree.  I looked at my attacker.  It was Chad, laughing at me sprawled in the
snow.  I stood up, brushed some snow off of me, feigned anger, and charged.
I
knocked into him, and we tumbled down a small hill.  We were completely
covered in snow.  He pinned me down and ordered me to yell uncle.  He WAS
looking cute all covered in snow, but there was no way I could let him win,
so
I flipped the situation, as well as him, and pushed a handful of snow in his
face.

A moment ago, Chad had been in control, but now he was pinned to the ground.
He couldn't help noticing the snow glitter in her hair and on her eyelashes,
that is, before a handful of snow was smashed in his face.

Later, the group came trooping over the hill after a glorious victory over
Darien and Haruka, who were defeatedly shuffling behind them.  That's when
they noticed us, entangled in the snow.  Darien, who now had moved up and
put
his arm around Serena, leaned down, scooped up some snow, and threw it at
us.
Then he laughed and walked away before I could retaliate.  The rest of them
just smirked and walked away.  Chad took the opportunity of my distraction
to
tickle me into almost submission.  We wrestled in the snow for a while, but
after a while I was feeling really cold, and he needed to check on a
complaint
at the chair lift.  He brushed the snow off of my face and kissed me deeply.
I waved goodbye and went inside.

I grabbed a quick lunch from the kitchen and took it into the huge sitting
room. I sat down by the fireplace to dry off.  Darien walked in.  Trying to
contact a spirit or see a vision?"
No, just warming up" I said coldly, rather hurt that he thought that my
being
a priestess was a joke.
"I was just kidding, I know that a fire-reading isn't that simple, or
trivial."
"Oh, "I replied "Sorry, I'm just a little on edge lately."  I felt a little
silly for being so sensitive.
" So are you ready to say what happened with you and Chad?"
I hesitated, he was totally out of line, but I didn't feel uncomfortable
telling him.
"Yes, well, pretty much what everyone suspects is what really happened.  We
were flirting all evening.  Both of us had two glasses of wine, and I ended
up
in his room.  Something happened spontaneously, and frankly, no matter what
the others think, I'm glad it did."  Finally I said it, and it was a
tremendous relief.
Darien spoke" Do you think we look down on you for what happened…"
I lowered my eyes.
"Oh Rei, so that's why you were so reluctant to tell us.  None of us think
badly of you.  We were just curious.  We would never look down on you for
that.  Certainly, you must've known that?!"
Actually, I hadn't I really thought they thought differently of me.  It was
nice to hear the opposite.
"Thanks Darien" I whispered.
"Anything for a friend" he replied warmly.  He then hugged me tightly,
tousled
my drying hair, and left the lobby in search of his princess. Only a year
ago,
or less even, his touch would've sent thrills down my spine, but now,
surprisingly, I find myself thinking of what a wonderful friend I have.
I dozed off for a while, sitting by the fire.  I awoke to a tug at my hair.
Lita sat down next to me.
Are you guys ready to go investigate where that thing came from?  Don't want
another one coming around, Right?!" I said, ready to get going.  Lita
laughed,
"You don't realize how long you slept, do you?" she said, pointing to the
darkening sky through the window. "Plus, we're all too exhausted, with all
that running around this morning. We figured we'd just sit around the lodge
and sip hot chocolate.  No hurry, right? We've got a couple of days."  I
grinned at the idea of an evening with my friends in the cozy lobby.  But in
the back of my mind was a nagging thought about that creature.  I pushed the
thought away, though.  I stood up to walk over to the huge couch.  Suddenly
someone came up from behind and grabbed me around the waist.  I was ready to
attack, when this "someone" nibbled my ear.  I laughed to myself that I had
been so ready to pulverize my "attacker", Chad.  He pulled me onto the
couch,
where we ordered hot chocolates.  Serena was gazing at Darien in the love
seat
by the window, while he chatted to us.  Lita was flirting with the cute
redheaded waiter who kept re-filling her hot chocolate and who, I swear, was
adding extra marshmallows in her drink.  Mina and Ami were chatting about
the
two cute ski instructors they had met this afternoon. They had invited them
to
join us this evening, and finally they arrived.  Lita's waiter finished his
shift and joined us.  Haruka and Michuru were inconspicuously holding hands.
Hotoru and Setsuna were alone, but blissfully, in their opinion.  This is
how
life should be.  My friends, a guy who loves me totally, in a warm, happy
place with no youma, no evil generals, no energy draining aliens, no
constant
fighting. I snuggled closer to Chad.  I love my life as a senshi, I really
do,
but tonight was making me see the virtues of a normal life.  It was nice to
have a mundane evening for once.  I fell into the steady rhythm of Chad's
chest rising and falling and sighed contentedly.   Darien stood up.  "Hey
Chad, I just got the urge to shoot some pool, care to come along?"   Chad
looked at me.
I smiled, "Go ahead." I said.
"You sure?"
"Go!" I pushed him off of the couch.  I knew that he and Darien were getting
to be friends, something I was pleased at, and this would strengthen the
bond.
"You're welcome to come along, Rei, it's an open game. Serena could come,
too
and we could play teams." Darien offered.
I considered, but there would be plenty of time for double dating, this was
the guy's time.
"No, you two go ahead, I'll be fine." I said.  Serena nodded in agreement.
The ski instructors, Tony and Jack I think their names were, had left ten
minutes ago, saying they both had early lessons tomorrow, and the waiter,
David (who happened to look just like Lita's old boyfriend) had left.  He
and
Lita had cuddled and kissed for a while, but when they got to talking, they
found that they had nothing in common, save the physical attraction.  Now it
was just us girls.

I knew it was coming, and I wasn't surprised when Lita broke the ice.  "So
Rei, tell us about you and Chad."  I expected Serena to chime in at any
moment
with the information she had gathered from Darien, but she didn't.  In fact,
she looked as curious as the rest, well, except Hotoru, who had involved
herself in a book.  That's when I realized that he hadn't told her.  I was
impressed, she was his great love for over a thousand years, and yet he
respected my privacy enough not to tell even her, his princess for two
lifetimes.  I had found a truer friend then I expected.  I told them how,
after they left, Chad and I made our way to his room.  Kissing turned into
more and we made love.  I told them how I had watched him fall asleep in the
moonlight, how I had waked with his arms around me.  And I told them that it
was the best thing to ever happen to me, at least in this lifetime.

"Rei, I, as well as the rest of us, am really happy for you.  You have this
glow, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.  But I get a distinct
feeling
that you aren't telling us something. I hope I'm not being too forward?"
Mina
said, questioning me for further information.
I thought for a moment.  "You're right Mina, I have been keeping a secret,
for
longer than you might imagine.  Two years ago I came here lying to myself,
as
well as to you guys.  Darien was under Beryl's influence at the time, and
Serena was feeling really insecure.  Usually, I'm not too forward with my
feelings for my friends, I usually assume they know that I care for them,
but
this time, it was different.  I told Serena that I no longer had any
feelings
for Darien, and that he was all hers…" I looked nervously at Serena,
"knowing
very well that I still wanted Darien more than life itself. (Serena was
looking shocked, and a little hurt)  I tried to convince myself that the
feelings would fade, and that this was my duty, to sacrifice my happiness
for
that of my princess and her love.  That didn't comfort me much, but over the
last year, my feelings for Darien have changed from that of unrequited love
to
satisfying friendship without my even realizing it. I have been growing
fonder
of Chad, but not admitting it, even to myself.  Recently I realized that I
no
longer saw Darien as any more than an extraordinary friend, which is what we
were meant to be.  By getting over that crush, I gained a trusted friend.
And
finally I realized how much I cared for Chad, although it certainly took me
a
while."  They all stared at me, even Hotoru had been listening.  I don't
know
where that came from, but it was true.  Last time, I had left the lodge
lying
to myself and to my friends about my feelings for the handsome prince, but
now
I would leave knowing the truth.  It was a nice feeling.  My friends came
over
and embraced me.  Now it was my turn to ask," Hey meat-ball head (perhaps
that
wasn't appropriate at the moment, but I meant it affectionately) are you
very
angry with me?"
She smiled." No Rei-chan, you did right. Two years ago I don't think I
could've handled thinking of you as competition.  I know you would've never
chased him, but at that time, I wouldn't have been so enlightened."   A tear
rolled down my cheek.  I t was rare that Serena and I, even though she was
my
best friend, shared a moment like this.  Usually I was too guarded and she
too
silly.  I loved her like a sister, but it was rare indeed that either of us
would show it.
"Oh, our little Serena is growing up." Haruka teased.  They had seldom seen
Serena act so mature.  It was refreshing.

After a while, we all decided to go to bed.  It had been a long, though
mundanely lovely, day.  Serena and I stopped by the poolroom to say
goodnight
to our guys. I knitted my fingers behind Chad's neck and said goodnight.
Looking up at him, he was a good foot taller than me.  He lifted me up to
eye
level and his lips touched mine, softly.  I pressed closer, not wanting to
let
go.  Finally, our lips parted.  He whispered in my ear "Goodnight love,
dream
of me, as I will of you."  Now THAT sent a thrill down my spine.  Since when
was Chad a poet?  He must've read my thoughts, because he then whispered,
simply, "You inspire me." I very nearly collapsed at that one.  I wanted so
badly to invite him back to my room, but we had caused enough commotion as
it
was.  "Till dawn>" I said, and blew him a kiss as I stepped out of the room
reluctantly.

During the night, while everyone slept, a ball of black energy stirred
beneath
the ground.  It had returned to the place where it had come into existence.
The whole day had been spent resting and healing from the attacks of those
humans.  Those girls presented a problem to the quasi-intelligent creature.
Though it appeared to be just a gathering of random energy, that dark energy
came from the height of human emotion, so it understood that great emotional
pain could be inflicted by severing key emotional ties.  Often, more
effective
than physical pain.

I woke up to the early sun on my face.  I rolled out of bed and brushed my
knee length hair.  I walked over to the full length mirror.  I studied my
reflection.  I liked how it looked, the spaghetti strap, sky blue baby doll
pajamas.  I toyed with the pink ribbon that made the empire waist.  *Oh
hell*
I thought * No one's up at this time, and the cook won't mind if I'm in my
pj's.  I'll get some breakfast before I change.*   I bounded down the
stairs,
my layered slip-like pajamas bouncing with me.

       My bare feet hit the cold marble floor of the dining room.  I stopped
dead in my tracks.  Darien and Chad were sitting at a table eating a
substantial amount of french toast.  I tried to sneak away before they
noticed
my presence, but I was unsuccessful.  Darien smirked, " Nice pj's Rei, but
aren't they a little…ummm…small?" he teased.  I was painfully aware of my
very
bare legs, and of the low cut of the pajamas.  Chad was staring at me and
when
I noticed I was pretty embarrassed.  *Good going, I should've at least put
on
a robe or something.*  I collected myself and sat down next to Chad, who
immediately put his arms around me, possibly sensing how cold I am.  "
Well'',
I said, "You two have been spending an awful lot of time together.  Should
Serena and I be jealous?" I poked a little fun at them.  They just laughed.
I
looked at the menu.  I was really famished, and everything sounded so good.
I
ordered two slices of french toast, two slices of bacon, an egg.  The two of
them stared at me.  " What?!?!"  I asked, "I'm hungry!"
"Well it could've been worse," Darien said "If Serena were here she would've
ordered double everything!"
"What would I do?"  Yawned the princess, wearing her pink bunny slippers and
bunny print pajamas, complete with fluffy tail on the back.  Darien
reddened.
"Nothing" Serena sat down next to Darien.  He kissed her good morning.  I
was
suddenly aware that I hadn't received a good morning kiss.  My breakfast
came,
and Serena, liking what she saw, ordered a double serving of what I had.  I
grabbed the syrup bottle and popped open the top.  A drop of syrup squirted
onto my face.  I reached for a napkin, but Chad pulled my back and kissed my
nose, taking the syrup with him.  I just stared wide-eyed at him.  This was
not the Chad who had come on this trip.
"Awwwwwwwwwwww, that is soo cute!" Serena cooed, " This is just like a
double
date!"
She was right; this little couple's breakfast was really cozy and sweet.  I
could get very used to this.

  Finally the couples parted, and the scouts met outside.  " Should we
transform?" asked Mina.
Stesuna answered, "I don't think it's necessary, but, Ami, do you need to
transform to use your computer and visor?"  " No, I did some modifications
on
it and I can use it with these glasses."  She pulled out a cute pair of oval
shaped, blue tinted glasses and slipped them on.  We started at the chair
lift
where we encountered the creature.  Ami picked up a strange reading.  " You
guys, there is some sort of energy residue all over this area, and a trail
of
it leading away.  I think we should follow it." We nodded in agreement, and
headed northeast, following our resident genius.  She told us that the trail
was getting stronger.  I couldn't see it, but I could sense the evil that
had
been there.  We walked for nearly 45 minutes, when suddenly Ami gasped.  She
told us that the strength of the trail here was phenomenal.  She was right;
I
felt a wave of dizziness from the extreme darkness that surrounded us.  I
steadied myself.  It was like a mass of dark energy had converged on this
spot.  Ami was stumped.  " I haven't the slightest idea why all this black
energy is gathered here.  I'll have to search in the computer library,
although I'm not quite sure what to look for."  She tapped a few keys on the
miniscule keypad.  We waited a minute while the computer whizzed through the
stores of information that no one had programmed into it, but thus far had
been able to tell us just about anything we needed to know.  Ami finally
spoke.  "Well, I got lucky.  I found something.  It seems that the planets
are
in a position which happens only about once every millennium.  The
astronomers
don't notice it, because it doesn't seem at all extraordinary.  But this
positioning of the planets seems to cause a 'hot spot' on Earth for all evil
energy.  It all converged into some hideous creature that thrives on the
pain
of others.  It also 'feeds' itself with human life energy.  It would seem
from
the data I got earlier and the feelings Rei had that we are in the
'hotspot'."
I stared open-mouthed at Ami.  What she was saying was incredible.  That
thing
was pure energy?  The uneasy feelings I had before were increasing to the
point of fear.
"But it's okay right?" Serena asked, "We killed it, right?"
"It certainly appears that way.  But this thing left behind quite a ghost.
The energy reading is so high here that there is the possibility of its
still
existing.  But we haven't seen it, and there were no incidents yesterday,
and
we saw the thing dissolve, so, yes, I'd say it's probably dead."
"I didn't." interrupted Hotoru.  " Didn't what?" asked Lita.
"Didn't see it dissolve.  It didn't dissolve, it poured.  It looked like
black
ink spilling on the snow, and it happened BEFORE the tiara hit."  Ami patted
her on the head.  "Don't worry sweetie, your imagination is just playing a
trick on you. The tiara hit, maybe you just imagined that it didn't."
Hotoru
scowled.  The senshi of Death and Rebirth, and the Dark Messiah didn't
appreciate the talking down to she had just received.  I felt sorry for her;
a
seasoned warrior treated like a child by her peers.  I made a note to speak
with her, and the others, about it later.
       Chad raced down the mountain on his snowmobile.  Very few people knew
that this mountain was his.  It was about two miles from the lodge and, in
the
snow, almost an hours walk from there, so not many people ventured out here.
He wove the machine in and out of the trees. Chad enjoyed the solitude, but
his thoughts were on a certain raven-haired beauty, as always.  He wondered
if
this relationship would last after the trip, or if this was just a little
tryst to keep herself occupied.  Was that her and her friends in the
distance?
He steered towards them, but his engine failed, so he hopped off his ride
and
headed toward them.  But they were a good ways off and walking.  He ran.

           We began the long trudge home, as there wasn't much else we could
learn.  I told Hotoru that I agreed with her and that I was sorry about her
earlier treatment.  She quietly thanked me and nodded.
Then I pulled Ami aside and nicely explained that I thought it was
unnecessary
to speak to Hotoru as she had, and that Hotoru wasn't the only one who
thought
that way about the creature.  She apologized to me and went to speak to
Hotoru.  I felt better now that that had been resolved.

            Chad was gaining on them.  They were only about a city block's
length away and moving slowly.  He reached the spot they had been a few
minutes ago.  He would catch up with them soon.  Out of nowhere, something
black, like ink, shot out of the snow.  It took on a vague animal form then
liquidized again and shot at Chad.  "REI" he screamed as he fell backwards.

             I whipped around to see the creature; and Chad screaming MY
name
as he crashed down.  My transformation pen was in my hand before he hit the
snow.  The ribbons of fire encircled me and I was Sailor Mars.  I ran, flew
almost, to the creature.  I stood twenty feet from where it stood.  I felt
heat beneath me and drew it into me, as if it were from the center of the
earth itself and I could harness it.  It coursed through my legs, my groin,
stomach, chest, arms, and finally released through my open palms.  I
screamed,
from somewhere deep in my throat.  It was an inhuman, hopeless cry, and I
can't believe that it came from within me.  The fire still burned, fueled by
the rage I felt.  I was consumed by it, but not burned, and finally I
collapsed from exhaustion.  The other senshi rushed to my side.  I smelled,
vaguely, something burning; unsure of whether it was the creature, or me.
The
senshi proceeded to corner the now weakened creature.  I regained some
strength and crawled over to Chad's still body.  His chest did not rise, or
fall.  I felt a very slight pulse, but not enough to sustain a life.  I
realized that he was dead, or soon would be, and there wasn't anything I
could
do.  The tears flowed from my eyes and a sob erupted.  I remotely heard the
sounds of battle somewhere near me.  Serena, in a rare moment of princessly
wisdom, used the scepter, and, this time, really destroyed the evil
creature.
My tears were growing hot on my face.  The others had gathered behind me and
were quietly arguing whether the healing power of the crystal or of Saturn
would do any good.  There was a gasp.  Tiny flames had begun to fall from my
eyes.  Fire sprung up around Chad's body, with me holding him.  It
surrounded
us and covered us in flame.  We were lifted off of the ground.  Flames
covered
our bodies, but I felt no pain, only him.  My body flowed into the flame and
I
became a part of it, surrounding Chad's body.  I felt him coming back.  And
that is the extent of my memory.

    I woke up in my room.  Serena, Lita, and Michuru sat by my bed, which
told
me I had not been dreaming.  "He's fine," Michuru said, knowing I would ask.
Mina entered the room with a bowl of water.  " How nice to have you awake,"
she said as she smiled.  She squeezed a wash cloth on my face, then hands.
" That was quite a show you gave us there, gotta keep you cooled off, don't
want anymore spontaneous combustion."
Lita's eyes were wide with admiration. "Yeah, I didn't know you could do
that."
I smiled.  Neither had I.  "Where is he?" I began to get up. "I have to see
him."
"Oh no you don't" Michuru said, "You need rest too."
Serena knelt by my bed.  "I thought I'd lost you Rei-chan," she sobbed over
and over.  I feebly raised my hand and rested it on her shoulder.  "No,
meet-
ball head, have to keep you in line." I joked. Then I said seriously, "And I
could never leave my best friends."  I wanted to know how I'd gotten back
here.  Mina grinned.  "Haruka and Lita carried Chad and you all the way back
home."  Lita looked down.  Two miles with me over a shoulder is no easy
task.
"Thank you." I whispered.  " No problem, that's what friends do." She
answered, embarrassed that her good deed had been discovered.  I was
continually being soaked with water because it turns out that my temperature
was phenomenally high when we got back here.  It was now only about 100 ° f,
but that was substantially lower than it had been.  Any regular human would
have been long dead, but being the senshi of fire, I suppose, makes me more
tolerant of high temperatures.  Haruka entered.  " Hi Rei, feeling any
cooler?" she asked.  I nodded.  " Is Chad ok?" I asked.
"Yes Rei, he's alive, breathing, no burns, or dark energy.  he's asleep,
peacefully."
I smiled.  He was alright.  Haruka pecked my cheek and left.  About five
minutes later, Darien entered.  He embraced me, and I thought I saw a tear
in
his eye.  " Thank the gods your alright, I thought you'd left me Rei-chan.
Don't scare us like that fire-bird."  Hmm, I like that little nickname,
firebird.  I felt cooler.  Now I had to see Chad.  I started to get out of
bed.  The others moved to stop me. My eyed flashed.  " Would you like me to
re-create the scene this morning, I can you know!"  Actually, I had no clue
if
I could do it again.  They hesitated, but decided it would be better to help
me, rather than risk the wrath they had witnessed earlier.  Plus they
figured
that if I was well enough to threaten them, then I was well enough to make
the
short trip to Chad's room.  I stood up and wobbled.  Darien caught me.  He
picked me up and carried me downstairs.  Serena bounded down the stairs in
front of us and opened Chad's door.  Haruka was sprinkling Chad with water
too, and the air conditioning was on.  Darien set me down in the chair that
Haruka had vacated for me.  I stroked his brown hair, lightly.  He opened
his
eyes and smiled.
" I've been trying to wake him for an hour, and he doesn't move; she touches
his hair and he's wide awake!" Haruka whispered, exasperatedly.  Chad
reached
out to touch my face, but didn't have the strength.  I caught his hand and
kissed the fingertips.  He slid over in the bed and motioned for me to take
his place.  I crawled into the bed.  Chad put his arm around my waist,
rested
his cheek on my shoulder, and my eyes slid closed.