Choked with the awful knowledge that she was going to die, Akari Unryuu was unable to scream. Instead, she was terrorized into numbness, and could only stare in morbid fascination as the ivory colored walls came closer and closer to her at an alarming speed.

In her dream-like state, she offhandedly noted that these ivory walls seemed to suddenly turn ebony, and was coming at her at a much faster rate than she expected.

Such a realization jarred her to her senses, and with a gasp horror, she shut her eyes and waited for the unbearable pain that she knew was coming her way.

--------<---{@

* Crack *

Only a sound that sickening could jar Nabiki awake.

Groggily, she stumbled away from her couch and leaned heavily on the entrance way's frame.

"What the Hades is going on, Akane?" she shouted angrily. For a small moment, an eerie silence was her only reply, and suddenly, like a great wave, Akane's agonized scream of Akari's name rose into the air, and ended in a pitiful wail. Hearing this, Nabiki ran down the hall. "Akane! Akane! What happened to Akari? Damn it, answer me! "She screamed panic stricken as her bare feet slapped against the floor.

"Akari is fine Na-bi-ki! " a playful voice chimed behind her.

Screeching to a halt, Nabiki whirled around to locate the owner of the unfamiliar voice.

Himeros smiled at her with eyes glittering with unknown mischief. "Hey! I'm so sorryI Did I startle you? "

Eyes wide with confusion and fear, Nabiki attempted to cover it and scowled at the man. "Who-?"

"Nabiki, it's alright. His name is Himeros and he has brought Akane a protector. "Soun interrupted.

Nabiki blinked as her father seemingly appeared out of no where. "Protector? Daddy! Didn't you hear Akane? I think something happen-"

"I?m sure nothing happened, Nabiki. ? Soun calmly interrupted. "Akane and Akari are probably just playing around.?

Nabiki shook her head in disbelief at her father's calm tone. "Daddy, that scream wasn't playful! Something must have-let go off me! "She cried when Himeros put a hand on her shoulder.

Himeros smirked as he stared deep into Nabiki's eyes. "Sorry Nabiki, but I can't let you..."

Nabiki?s world went black before he could finish.

--------<---{@

"Oi, she sure did pass out fast.? Himeros commented as Nabiki frame leaned against his.

Soun's calm demeanor diminished as he saw his daughter. "What did you do to my baby?! " he exclaimed angrily. Himeros sighed and pinched Soun's shoulder. "Great." he muttered as the older mortal slumped to the floor. "Akari, you're going to have to get Akane."

Shimmering with in otherworldly light, white ribbons of light gathered into the form of Akari. "Get Akane...to do what?? she asked softly with hint of fear. Himeros smirked a little. "You're awful curious for a slave. Just tell her to come to the andron. Someone is waiting to meet her. "

--------<---{@

Before she even got up...before she even begun to run....Akane knew it was too late.

However, this depressing knowledge didn't stop her from running as fast as she could. And as she ran, she screamed Akari's name. She screamed it out of terror, pain, and worry.

She flew pass the newly made hole in the wall and out of the palace doors. With her tears nearly blinding her, she ran across the courtyard, never so sure of a destination until today. Her frantic running ended at the final resting place of her friend.

Akane's face contorted into a mask of agony as she took in the sight of her young friend's body which was bloody and sprawled across the fresh green glass. There were neither cuts nor bruises on the young nymph, however, her oddly bent neck and the thin line of blood trailing from her mouth told Akane that her friend was no longer in the realm of the living. With her chestnut brown hair blowing softly in the breeze, and her pale skin shining strangely in the light, Akari appeared like the one thing she always wanted to be...

An immortal.

Akane was far too overwhelmed by her grief too notice the sulfuric smell that suddenly filled the air. She sank to her knees slowly, and cradled the young nymph in her arms.

If misery was pleasurable, she would have been in ecstasy. But not even the most sadistic of minds could call the young goddess' wails as pleasurable. Her hot tears fell upon the nymph's cold body, making her feel as empty as soul less shell she held in her arms.

Sinking deeply into oblivion, Akane at first did not notice the soft whisperings of her name. However, when the whisperings came close to her ear, Akane came to her senses....

That voice...it was Akari's.

Turning her head around quickly, Akane saw nothing but the great palaces of Olympia. Sighing in despair she turned her head back around and froze. There, standing before her, was Akari in flowing white. Chestnut brown hair flew around the pale girl's face as she gave Akane her trademark concern smile. "Lady Akane? Are you okay? "

Speechless, Akane looked down and saw she had her arms wrapped around herself instead of Akari's shell. For a moment, she let go of herself and stared at her hands in awe. She then turned her head to see that there wasn't even a single crack in the palace's wall.

"Lady Akane? " Akari softly asked as she bent down towards her mistress. "Is something wrong?"

Still unable to say anything, Akane let her tears and giggles of joy speak for her as she grabbed Akari in a smothering hug.

Once Akane's uncontrollable giggles died down, she picked herself and Akari up and grinned at Akari's embarrassed smile. "What was that about? "  Akari whispered, giving Akane an odd look.

Akane frowned as she tried to remember. "I...I don't know. All I can remember is being ...sad..."

Akari shook her head and gave her mistress a slight smile. "Sometimes I wonder about you...However, to that end, we have guests."

Akane blinked. "Guests? "

Akari nodded. "Yes, they are in the andron."

Akane eyes widened in horror. "Andron? What do they want me in andron for? "

Akane knew all to well what being a woman in the andron meant. Even though she thought such rules only applied to mortals, her father's stories of out of control parties in the andron left her more than a little afraid. She knew the gods shamelessly sought pleasure like

Mortals and considering the fact that she now knew a god was watching her...

Placing a calming hand on her friend's shoulder, Akari smiled. "Do not worry, your father is there. He wants to discuss something with you. "

Akane sighed, as she became a little calmer. The thought of her father's presence was comforting, but it did little to completely calm her fears. After all, her father was still nothing but a mortal, and if it was an Olympian who desired her, not even her mother could stop-

(Stop thinking that way!) She mentally shouted to herself. (No one wants you! You're too unfeminine for that! Plus, Akari did say that daddy wanted to speak...)  Akane blinked. Wait, what did her father and the guest want? The only logically thing her father could possibly want to discuss is-

" Oh no. " Akane muttered as a fear of a very different kind came over her. There was only one thing her father could ever want to talk in the andron.

Marriage.

Even the thought of it made her shiver in disgust. She knew her father always meant well, but sometimes he got a little caught up in his mortal traditions. Bitterly, Akane realized that considering how much her mother loved her father, she might go along with anything he suggests.

That thought brought with it even more shivers. This is understandable for a girl who dreamt of being wild and free like her auntie Artemis.

However, as soon as she came near the andron, her thoughts were erased by the strange feeling that pooled in her chest, a feeling similar to the one she had felt when experienced the sensation of someone caressing her body. When she first felt that sensation it startled her...and it caused her to kick out and...

Akane paused. And what? What happened?

"Akane? Akane you're doing it again...are you alright? "

" A feeling...I got a strange feeling..." Akane murmured as she placed a hand over her heart.

Akari frowned. " A strange feeling? "

" I-I don't know what it is...it's just...odd. "

" Akane, is that you? "  A kind men's voice called from behind the andron door.

Akane blinked. " Here already? " She whispered.

Akari nodded and gave Akane's hand a gentle squeeze.

Sighing and smiling thankfully at her friend, Akane gathered her courage and pushed open the door. " Yes it's me, father. " She answered in a polite tone.

Soun beamed at his little girl. " Come, come, Akane. I'd like for you to meet someone! "

Akane nodded and stepped into the room. " Lord Himeros, I like you to meet my daughter, Akane. "

Akane froze as she heard the man?s name. (Lord Himeros? Lord of Longing? Please don't tell me I have to marry him! )

Himeros smiled at Akane, with an almost lecherous appreciation evident in his eyes. " She's beautiful...no wonder a god is longing for her. "

Akane blinked. " Longing for me? ? (So it wasn't him!) She thought gratefully. The Lord of Longing wasn't an Olympian, but he was aid to one of the Aphrodite, a goddess who was known to help those she favored.

Himeros gravely nodded. " Yes, my dear. Your mother told me of your...symptoms. This is why I'm here. My Lady Aphrodite has sent me to give you a protector. "

Akane balked. " A protector? I need no protector! " She cried, forgetting to be polite.

Himeros laughed. : Seeing such passion makes me believe you. However, it was a gift from My Lady, and it would be rude to refuse it. " Himeros replied with a knowing grin.

Akane sighed. Himeros was right. Refusing a gift from the Goddess of Love was suicidal. " I suppose. "

Himeros smiled at Akane. " A wise decision. Rei, could you come out here please. "

Akane blinked as a short red headed girl stepped out from the shadows. "Hi, I'm Rei. Sorry about this. " Rei said softly as she gave Akane an incredibly heated stare.

Akane perked up, not registering the look, and smiled. (A girl? A girl protector! Maybe this won't be so bad after all! ) she thought happily.

?So, this is your protector, huh? Doesn't look like much. " Nabiki mumbled.

Akane whirled around to face her sister. "Where did you come from? And what happened to you? "She asked, as she noticed an odd gleam in her sister's eyes.

Frowning, Soun tilted his head. "She does look kind of small and thin. Himeros are you sure such a diminutive girl can protect my baby? "

Himeros grinned. "I assure you, she maybe on the small side, but she much more powerful than she looks. She's a demigoddess, like you Akane. "Himeros said, turning to her.

Akane turned around and smiled. "Really?"

Nabiki smirked. "Must be one of Aphrodite's kids. That chest is impossibly big. "

Watching the girl fidget nervously, Akane frowned.

"Nabiki, stop it! Can't you see you're embarrassing her? "Akane shouted. (How can they pick on such an obviously shy girl? Didn't they realize she rather be any where but here right now? Or maybe not?) Akane thought as she finally noticed the girl staring at her.

An uneasy feeling tapped Akane?s spine as she realized that this girl seemed to not acknowledge anybody's existence except for hers.

(She probably just was gauging me!) Akane thought as she mentally slapped herself. (After all, she is a fighter! And more importantly, she's a she! She can't possibly have that kind of interest in me! ) Akane thought as she smiled at the girl. "Hi, I'm Akane. You want to be friends? "