Most of the following characters are not mine, nor do I attempt to claim them. I'm just borrowing for a good story. Sailor Moon characters are property of Naoko Takeuchi and associated parties. Mamano Hunter Yohko characters are Property of Miyao Gaku and associated parties. I'm broke, don't hurt me... ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** All Work and No Play A Devil Hunter Yohko/Sailor Moon crossover By Kenji Murasaki Chapter 1: Curtains Drawn - The Introduction of Angels ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** Saturday 11:10 a.m. The sun erased the final traces of morning in the district of Juuban, Japan, its citizens already about their daily task and duties. Throughout the city, the sounds of civilization were constant and widespread. Papers ruffling in offices around town; read, proofed, and signed by busy executives with the taste of coffee still fresh in their mouths. Impatient ravings along the Wall Street part of town about what and how much to buy or sell. The registers ringing sale after sale of rushed consumers and hyper teenagers, glad for a break from school. Children in the park emitting squeals of delight while at play. The banging, clanging, and shouting of construction workers rebuilding yet another monster-ravaged city block. The Hikawa Shrine was particular in the thick of this reconstruction, as it usually is. The shrine served as a place of gathering for prayer, a heaven for those who would seek a sense of peace, and a unusually frequented spot for attacks by demons and monsters. It was also a common fact that the shrine itself remained peaceful because of a Sailor Senshi that took residence there. Said Sailor would usually spend her time at this time doing her chores, relaxing and taking in the relative peace while she could, or was involved with her friends planing or preparing for something to occupy the day with; the latter being the correct one for this day. At current, she and her friends were in her room, which was a bit cramped for all of them. A closer look would indicate to anyone with a special eye that this was actually too big a convenience that all five girls present had incredible resemblance to the Sailor Senshi. They were strewn about the room in no specific manner other than a relaxed one: The dark blue haired one was in a chair currently reading a book. Another seemed to act as pillars to hold up the wall, her trademark ponytail resting peacefully at her shoulder. A longhaired blonde was putting a beanbag and teddy bear in use not far from the bed. The bed served as a seat for the last two: The other blonde with super long ponytails was also enveloping a teddy, and the final girl had her head in her hands, her raven bangs covering her eyes, but not hiding the scowl on her face. The pony-tailed one spoke up. "So when does she get here?" The raven-haired girl, Rei Hino, sighed. "Today, in about two hours. I could be happier I suppose, but grandpa didn't tell me about her arrival until it was too late to really prepare for it." "And when was that?" The first blond, Minako Aino asked. "Yesterday evening. They got into a short shouting match about it, and both left off in a huff." Ami Mizuno, the blue-haired then added, "You really should apologize to him Rei. He probably meant it to be a surprise." "Yeah, that sounds like grandpa. He just wanted to catch you unawares." Pony-tailed Makoto Kino smirked, much to Rei's chagrin. "So Rei, what's she like?" The pigtailed blond, Usagi Tsukino asked the Shinto priestess. "I haven' t seen her in years, though we do keep in some contact. She's your basic friendly kind of person. She was a bit boy crazy, but too shy to really do anything about it. Didn't help her much with that one time she got her dress tangled in front of this guy that she had a crush on." Makoto went into a giggling fit. "Sounds like what happened to Usagi and Umino in fourth grade." "That wasn't funny! I didn't know he was there!" Usagi threw a pillow at the girl, and shot her a dirty look. Minako added in on the snickers. "Oh yeah, I remember Shingo telling us about that. You got caught with your skirt down!" She broke out in laughter, soon followed by everyone else save for a fuming Usagi, and Ami, who was trying to fight the giggles herself. "That's 'pants down', Mina-chan." Once the laughter died down, Rei continued. "Well, the last letter I received from her basically said she was still having guy trouble, and she got an admirer she couldn't get rid of." Rei sighed wistfully. "It's gonna be great to see her again. I wanted to see what she was up to anyway. I wonder if her grandmother is still on that training drive of hers?" Makoto smirked. "She's a martial artist, and a flirt? I like her already." Rei looked thoughtful for a moment. "I don't think she went that far. Her grandmother just had her training a lot. She kept mentioning 'family tradition' and acted like a drill instructor during sessions." She shook her head. "I participated some times, but it was a little too hard for me." "So let's go already, I want to meet her!" Usagi called. "Actually, just grandpa and I are going to meet her. How about we catch up later at the mall before she meets you? I'd like to delay the inevitable embarrassment you'll cause, Usagi." "I would _not_ embarrass you! Stop being so mean!" "What? I bet if I took you, you'd probably klutz out and knock over the luggage carrier or something." Usagi shot a raspberry at Rei. " Meanie!" Rei retorted with her own tongue. "Brat!" A tongue war ensued, earning pained expressions from the rest of the group. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** Yohko Mano was usually not a person you could say that was 'that kind of girl.' Even with as driven toward the opposite sex as her mother was, she often exhibited a stronger will about the male half of the species. For her, the limit is reached with no more than a daily stare session, and maybe a brief fantasy about the guy of the day that often made her seem rather flighty in front of other people. This was a normal thing for her. She was currently in no such situation. This new situation involved a man of course. To say that he just might have been there for demonic possession of our heroine, would be inaccurate, and a story for another day. What could be said, was for one, he had a wonderful, well-crafted chest. This could be expressed because a lack of shirt, which Yohko had thrown from his person at some time before this introduction. He also had arms that looked time-crafted, with strong, soft hands that were currently wrapped around the girl. Add the equally crafted legs, wonderful, almost Fabio-like face, and great butt, and you have something that gives you a picture of Yohko, for once, deciding to take on the hands on approach. And hands on it was; hands on his chest, tracing across his washboard stomach, then back up to his chin, where she drew him into a deep, hungry kiss. They both sat there in that romantic and steamy setting like that, then drew apart from each other. Yohko, still entranced from the kiss, hardly registered it when her partner guided her to lye back on the bed. When she did look up, all that escaped her mouth was a small nervous squeak. Did she really want it to be like this? To lose something so important in one brief, and more than likely fantastic display of passion? Was it truly worth all she had suffered for to have it end in this way? In this fashion? [Why not?] she thought with satisfaction. [All other thoughts be damned; I earned this.] With that said, she awaited her 'reward' from her partner with anxious anticipation. Imagine her surprise and shock when he pulled out a rather massive wooden mallet, and took a swing at her head, effectively and abruptly ending her lovely dream. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** Being constantly awoken like this before, care of her grandmother, Yohko fell into instinct immediately. She dove and rolled to her left, only to discover two things: One, she wasn't the one being attacked. And two, the only thing between her window seat on the train, and the floor, were the atoms that made the air she had just sharply inhaled upon impact with the carpeted ground. She would have risen, but something, or someone, had stumbled into her, putting both her and said person into another role and a rather precarious position. Being Yohko, she had locked onto one thing about the guy, he was cute. Truly sad that she couldn't admire him further as his assailant stomped up the pathway, a seething look on her face, and a very big mallet in her hand. The wielder of the blunt object obviously did not like the seen before her. The two on the floor finally took notice of their position, and quickly disentangled. The man was the first to speak. "It's not what you think!" He exclaimed. "I stumbled into her and she grabbed me and…." "Hey!" Yohko sat stunned upon recognition. "You again! I already told you I don't want any part of you silly harem you woman stalker! Get away from me!" The male in question looked at her in complete disbelief, then turned to answer to his rather very unhappy partner. "You just can't get enough can you?" She growled. "You PERVERT!" She executed a perfect field kick that knocked him well into the other side of the car. He picked himself up from his imprint in the wall, and started to clean himself off. Yohko noted he looked none too happy with what just happened, and he was completely unharmed, save for his pride maybe. He grabbed a pack from the upper compartment, and headed toward the door, grumbling every step of the way. "Kawiikune tomboy, never listens to my side of the story..." He was cut off as his form was sent through the open doorway, and over the train station possibly, thanks to another kick from his assailant. Said assailant then picked up the bags, and left in a huff. [ I didn't think you could get that kind of trajectory out of someone.] Yohko thought, taking her seat once more. She paused to mourn for her dream's sudden death. It was one of her better ones, no tentacles, no body snatching demons. It was just her, her lover, and the most comforting silk sheets she had ever felt in her life. She snapped out of her reverie, and studied her current location. [Nerima District, Juuban should be next.] It was about time anyway. This trip was agonizingly long, and she wanted to see her friend now. It had been so long since they had actual eye contact. Letters were fine, but no match for physical appearance. Every time she thought about it, she would feel sad, and wish her best Friend didn't move away like that. Those days with Rei were some of the best of her life. They would always be doing something or plotting something that put them in a world of unstoppable laughter, or parental trouble. Boys would bow at their sudden appearance, girls would grumble in envy and jealousy; Osamu would faint at every pass Rei made, though she was too stubborn to admit it. And thanks to grandparents, they had gotten in a lot of culture too. With her grandmother training her for no reason, or so she thought at the time, and grandfather Hino teaching them about Shintoism, they always had something slightly interesting the adults wanted them to do, and it was a great excuse to camp out together. They'd done more than the usual amount of things best friends do, then Rei's dad packed her up and moved her away. It was extremely depressing for Yohko that week, until Chi came and cheered her up. Still, she missed her friend, and hoped this ride would be over soon so she could see her again. Her head turned at the sudden jerk movements of the train. Its whistle blew, and it began to roll out of the station. She sighed. It was all a game of patience now. She would soon see her friend, and things would seem normal again. She stewed on that line of thought for a moment. On the term of normal, her current lifestyle was anything but normal. Being a resident devil hunter had no benefits in anything along the lines of a social life. Her friend Chi was more concerned with temporary diets and managing her career at the moment, Azusa acted more as a robot with the way she was taking her role as devil hunter in training, and any attention she received from the opposite sex was usually an attempt by some demon to use her. Her grandmother was no help either. After that Tokima incident, she just pushed Yohko even harder, turning into a full-fledged drill instructor. This vacation was definitely a godsend, and she would do her best to see it stayed in the bounds of reality the way she preferred it, no demons attached. And if Rei didn't know about her new responsibilities, she wasn't planning on telling her anytime soon. The last thing she wanted, as a welcome from Rei was a swift boot out the door in case some demon was tracking her, as always. [No], she told herself. [Just a normal relaxed period away from that craziness.] ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** Rei Hino sat at a bench at the Juuban Transit Station, fuming at the state of human intelligence for the twentieth time. She was uncomfortable, a silly little bellboy that frequented her area of presence was constantly starring at her in ways she more than didn't appreciate, and Yuuichiro was not here to accept the brunt of a rage that was desperately in need of venting. To compound the wound, her grandfather was proving a true adept at annoying her at the moment. Even now, the elderly priest threw a knowing smirk at his apprentice of a grandchild. "Well Rei, you know glaring at the youth won't stop him from looking at his new source of joy. How can you help it if you have such an attractive air about you?" "Stop teasing me!" Rei puffed at the elderly priest, who had never even wavered in his mischievous grin. "If you hadn't called him over, I wouldn't have to put up with some pervert's starring at me! You could've just looked at the board that has the train schedules!" Grandfather Hino lips went from grin to sly, irritating her even further. "Well, he wouldn't stare so much if you had followed my advice and worn something to cover a little more than that," he pointed to the skirt that failed to pass off as her epidermis only because of the different color. It did more than its share in outlining her bottom, but it was fast becoming one of her least favorite articles of clothing. "Than you wouldn't have such problems with the lad." The raven-haired girl refused to give ground in the fashion war that had raged with a savagery that had more than surpassed her Senshi foes and their goal of universal destruction. So what if she wanted to compliment her figure outside of Shrine grounds? Her priestess robes were fine, but she did like to don things that showed her shape. Even her uniform, despite the daring shortness and firm fit, was tailored especially for her. So what if a few perverted boys were starring and daydreaming about her? It wasn't as if she told them to. "I can wear what I want. I do buy them." She gave the Shinto man a cold stare. "And you know good and well that I have more than enough sense to pick carefully out of the perverts for someone with enough brain that runs past the usual male functions." She smirked and fired her return shots. "Besides, I don't see you chiding any other of the girls you try to put into your shrine." The priest's smile only twitched. Normally he would more than oblige her in a shouting match, or force her into a defensive position with something else, but his sight had caught something that he hadn't seen for quite some time. The subject was about as tall as Rei, just as lean, and had a pair of tan shorts that came to mid thigh. She was also sporting a white shirt made something like an evening gown, leaving her shoulders bare, though it still had sleeves that reached her wrists, and was trailed by the same boy that had been making passes at Rei. Her hair, a dark brunette, was done up in two very elaborate loops on either side of her head, which were held in place by two blue jeweled ornaments. It reminded him of one of Rei's other friends who had a specific taste in hairstyles. The girl was headed their way, a wide smile upon her face, and an aura that was hard to hide from one who knew what he was looking for. He may have not recognized this Yohko from the little girl who had kept Rei so happy and carefree, but the aura, though much stronger than when he had last saw it, was unmistakably the same from when he last saw it. "Well Rei, none of those girls are my granddaughter," He pointed behind his grandchild. "But I'll be more than happy to change that with this young lady." Rei turned to see who he was going to annoy now, and gave a joyful cry as she ran to hug her childhood friend, who had just recognized the people in front of her. "Yohko-chan! You made it!" That was about all that the priest could make out before words powered by speed, backed by excitement, and tainted with impatience were traded between the girls. The two then turned and headed back to him, a slightly embarrassed bag boy in tow. Yohko stopped and bowed before him. "It's nice to see you again grandpa." The Shinto priest chuckled, but returned the gesture. "And a pleasure to see you as well Yohko-san. He smiled at her, and looked around. "Well, this is fine, but what do you say we get you two back to the shrine so you can get yourselves settled in and then catch up?" ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** Professor Souichi Tomoe picked at his subject with a fervor. It was a stubborn, persistent little bugger, but then so was he. The little thing couldn't hold out forever, and when it did let its guard down, he would strike, and nothing would stop him. He picked up his scalpel, and examined the specimen with a careful eye. It called for precision, there was no room for mistakes, not that he'd make any. One simple, precise cut, and it would be over for it; it wouldn't matter how resistant it was then. He struck, quickly, and turned the blade, digging through the outer layer, cleaving though soft surface until he finally got to his prize. With a giggle of glee, Souichi pulled out the last raisin in the piece of bread, and lay it beside it's brothers on the plate. It wasn't that he hated the little buggers, simply that he did not like raisin bread to an near fanatic degree. He'd have to reprimand Kaolinite later for purchasing it. That out of the way, he took a bite out of the piece of bread, and resumed his task. He sat in his desk in the deep laboratory, and clicked a few commands on his keyboard. A few beeps later, the massive machine next to him began to move, gears and switches turning and clicking until the source of its primary use was exposed. It was a small substance, an embryo-like egg of pale colors held within a pink liquid inside a beaker. The machine clicked again, and the mechanical restraints were released on the beaker itself, and the professor grabbed it. He examined it with a scrutinizing eye, and smiled sinisterly. "Kaolinite." There was a shimmer of air, and a woman appeared. Her wild red hair came almost to her knees, and her buxom figure was hidden away by a tight dress, which was covered by a lab coat. She bowed to the professor, and took the beaker from his hands. "I trust that you have located the first probable target?" Tomoe asked. "Yes Tomoe-sensei. I will begin the plan immediately." He nodded and turned back to his workstation. "Good. Let's hope that we get lucky the first time through; it would speed things greatly." "Sir," she bowed again, and turned to depart. "Kaolinite." The woman paused mid-teleport. "Sir?" "Next time, please purchased something else other than raisin bread. It sticks in my teeth." She almost frowned. "I like the raisin bread." "Well, then we will just have to compromise over it then, won't we?" He chuckled, an unpleasant sound to the ears. "Just make sure to talk to me next time before you go grocery shopping." "Yes sir." And then she was gone, leaving him to study the final results of the beaker's contents. Indeed, the plan could finally begin. Perhaps they would be lucky enough to obtain a Talisman the first time out, though he doubted it. The purpose of this experiment was to make sure that the Daimon eggs were effective enough to get the job done, perhaps even on their own as he had planned. If so, then they would have their explorers to obtain the Talisman, and their solders when she came to take control. And what a great day that would be. Satisfied that things would go for the best, Tomoe turned back to his toast and print out data. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** The Shrine was as she remembered it, a haven with its constant colorful assault year-round, as well as the holy, peaceful essence that made her feel safe. She had visited Rei as she went here just about every year for half a summer. Those times had indeed been fun, and they spent the entire time talking about the things they used to do: Roasting sweet potatoes over an open fire, Grandfather Hino teaching them how to read the Sacred Fire, the incident where Rei was running around grounds trying to find where her clothes, including the ones she had on, were hidden. Of course, Yohko did tell her where she had thrown her robes and undergarments. Eventually. Rei had left her to get used to her room and told her that she would return later. Yohko kicked off her shoes at the door and lay on the guest bed. She'd have to ask Rei about bunking instead. As much as she liked personal space and separate rooms, she'd rather see as much of her friend as possible. But first, there was that rather sticky feeling she had from the train ride. The furo would be her next stop. She had just finished pulling out the appropriate items when grandfather Hino knocked at her door. She opened the door and bade him a greeting. "Do you need me for something?" The old man simply smiled. "Actually, I was coming to see if I could persuade you to stay on and be tutored in the ways of the Shrine," He motioned to the grounds and their rusted splendor. "But I believed I taught you more than enough. Instead, I was wondering if you had gotten yourself situated." "Mostly," she answered tiredly. "At the moment I was going to take a bath, then go to Rei and ask her about the guy that is supposed to be staying here too." He smirked at the hidden mirth beneath her statement. "Oh? And what would she know about my apprentice that I wouldn't?" "Just if he's interested in anybody." She didn't bother to hide her smile. She had seen him walking up the stairs, and had only gotten a small word of greeting in, but could tell several things: If he wasn't moving on Rei by now, he was either shy, or involved with someone. Either way, she more than wanted to know him during her stay. It was her vacation after all. "Well, he doesn't have much time for relationships here with his duties," The priest allowed a smile to grace his lips. "But I'll be sure to ask him for you." Yohko blushed. "Ah, that's okay Grandpa. I think I'll ask myself. " She then grabbed her personal items and left for the bath, leaving the elder Hino to chuckle at her sudden embarrassment. Said girl was on her way to the bathhouse, not taking true notice of the woman floating twenty or so feet above her head. Kaolinite smirked. It was a good day indeed to initiate the plan. The doctor would be pleased that there were now two different candidates in one spot. It would probably require her attentions, but not heavily, which meant she could still run her other errands. There was still shopping to do for the house afterall. That thought in mind, Kaolinite touched down, setting a small seed within a shrine tree, and vanished with little fanfare, confident in the day's success. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** "Usagi, aren't you supposed to be at the mall with the girls?" The rabbit looked sheepishly at her raven-haired friend, scratching at the back of her head. "Well, they sent me ahead to come and get you two." She looked around, and then outside of Rei's window in her room. "So where is she?" Rei frowned at the girl. "Couldn't wait, could you? Well, she is in the bath at the moment, so just settle your nerves for a while, okay?" Having said what she felt would vent her annoyance at the girl, she turned back to the task of doing her homework, only to feel at unease when she saw Usagi's sullen expression. "What's wrong now? You couldn't have looking forward to meeting her that much?" Usagi sighed. "I was, but that's not the problem. Mamo-chan saw my grades and says that I should spend more time studying, and less time on dates with him." "He's right. You know what shape your grades are in Usagi. How are you supposed to get past the high school entrance exams if you don't study?" Rei ignored the pouting look that was coming from the girl. Any other time Rei would have definitely sided and comforted the girl, however that also would have meant encouraging Usagi to waste more time not studying; something that could put her future, be she the future queen or not, on a more difficult path. She simply refused to be that person. "But we already have our study groups in the afternoon don't we? Why couldn't I just..." She fell silent upon an old realization. "Oh yeah. Dad won't let me go on date at night." "Usagi, just face it like a woman. You're not going to be able to see him like you want to until you pass the exams." "See who?" Both girls turned to Yohko, in some fresh clothing, at the doorway to Rei's room. Her look became sheepish as she caught site of Usagi. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that you were on the phone." Rei's displeasure at the sudden situation was quickly hidden. "Um, Yohko, this is Usagi, one of my friends I was talking about." She chuckled nervously. "Usagi, this is my friend Yohko." The two bowed to each other, then the giggling began. "What's so funny Rei?" They asked in unison. Rei was gazing at them through watered eyes. "I just notice the two things you had most in common." Losing the battle of control at pointing to their hairdo, she collapsed into laughter's embrace. The two girls looked at each other, then at the bundle of shivers that was on the ground. "Actually," Usagi said, "I was going to ask where you had gotten the ornaments to tie your hair with." Yohko smiled. "They're a family treasure. My grandmother gave them to me when I was younger, and I did my hair up with them. How did you get them into those balls? Rubber bands?" Usagi giggled slightly. "Only Minako knows that I don't use them." She patted at the corner of her head subconsciously. "I used to, but it started to hurt a lot, so I found other ways. Ribbons, pins, even a couple of strands of hair." "Minako?" "Our other friend. There's Mina-chan, Mako-chan, and Ami-chan. We were actually supposed to meet at the Tenth Street shopping district, but I came early." This time it was Usagi's turn to look sheepish. "I wanted to see Rei-chan's childhood friend. It really is nice to meet you." "It's nice meeting you too." Yohko looked down at the figure just gaining her composure. "So Rei? Are you gonna show me around now?" Rei gave her a look of slight belief. "Already? You just got here." Her gaze turned to Usagi, who found Rei's manga suddenly interesting. "We weren't even due to go for another hour." "That's just the mall, Rei-chan. We could go somewhere for a drink and stuff, right?" The brunette grabbed her friend's arm and started dragging her out the door. "Besides, we still have catching up to do, and I haven't been able to go out with you in a while. Come on!" Usagi looked at the raven-haired girl's helpless expression and giggled, then followed the girls out the door. "Alright! I guess we could step out for a shake for the moment. There's the comic shop and café down the way." Rei said, tying to regain control of her arm. "We could go there for a moment." "Great! I could use a chocolate--" Yohko paused mid-sentence and stood still. Rei and Usagi looked at her in confusion. "Yohko-chan? What's wrong?" Rei asked. There was... something, tickling the back of her neck, pricking at her and making her aware of it. Something that could very well be a threat... Yohko scanned the area in confusion and growing anxiety. It couldn't be possible, it had to be a joke. It was just a light probe, barely enough for her to notice. But it couldn't be a demon or anything like that, her ring wasn't glowing... "Yohko-chan?" Yohko shook out of her reverie, deciding to dismiss it. "It was nothing Rei-chan. I was thinking about that cute guy working here." "Cute guy? Yuuichiro?" Rei made a face. "What's so cute about that dead voice?" "Well, you should know already, since you've been living with him Rei-chan." Yohko smirked. Weird feelings from earlier aside, she also sensed something else, Rei's attitude toward that shrine guy. "Maybe you and him are already comfortable together?" "Not really Yohko-san. Rei-chan doesn't want to admit her feelings for him." Usagi shrugged. "Hey! I don't like that no-talent..." "You can call me Yohko-chan Usagi-san." The girl smiled, completely ignoring Rei. "You sound like you tried to hook them up together." "Oh, you can just call me Usagi-chan then." The girl smiled. "Yeah, I did, but Rei didn't want to fess up that she liked him." "That's because I don't like him meatballs for brains!" Usagi and Yohko shrunk back from the flames surrounding the temple girl. "Scary..." they said in unison. "Now if you two are done discussing my love life, can we go get shakes?" The two simply nodded, though the looks Rei was getting from them had the girl wary of what they were thinking. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** This was wonderful. Its prey was in enough range that it didn't have to go chasing after it, and its birth was only moments away. It chuckled softly. This was going to be perfect. Talisman or no, it was going to make a great kill. So much better if it did have one of the Talisman, but it was still going to enjoy the kill. With a battle cry and a wicked smile on her face, the Daimon emerged from the possessed tree and began stalking after the three hapless females. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** The girls were at the temple steps when they heard it. Rei was the first to turn, and her face froze with shock. Yohko looked even more surprised, but it was Usagi that was the first to act. She did so by stating the obvious. "Youma!" It was humanoid, female with pale blue skin and a vest and shorts, both a tan. The only menacing things about her were her glowing black eyes, and the wicked looking spiked quarterstaff in her grasp. She charged the girls, and they scrambled, each in their own panic. Usagi and Rei were worried about transforming in front of Yohko, while Yohko herself was wondering how she would deal with this new menace. "That's a Youma?" Yohko wondered. It wasn't fair! She had just gotten here, and already some monster had shown up to ruin her time! Sure, it didn't really seem like one, what with the fact that despite looking evil, it had one hell of a figure, but if that was still one of the famed dreaded monsters of Juuban, then her little get away had just come up short. The subject in question seemed to pause. It was a Youma? Where'd they get that? Was that supposed to be an insult? "What else could it be?" Usagi shouted. "We gotta get out of here!" "Well..." Yohko trailed off and looked at the humanoid. "It looks like someone in a really bad Halloween costume, not any monster that I've seen." Rei and Usagi both looked at the girl in confusion. What was she expecting, a horror of Frankenstein? Wolfman? "Seen?" The Daimon lost all aggression. It was scary, damnit! Evil, nasty, and out to fulfill the wishes of mistress Kaolinite and Tomoe-sensei! And besides... "I'm not a Youma, I'm a Daimon!" It growled in indignation and anger. "Daimon?" The three girls said in unison. "Yes, Daimon! And this is why!" With a quick spin of the staff, the girls were assaulted with a hail of leaves. The Daimon struck again, taking her staff and charging the bewildered brunette, the insulting one. She would go down first, and then to the target. Perhaps she could bring in three heart crystals? Yohko covered her eyes from the assault and cursed. Served her right for not treating a threat as a threat. She had to find a way out of this and transform and help her friend. Peace be damned, this thing was probably dangerous... Her theorem proved correct when the humanoid slammed the end of her staff into Yohko's gut. The girl crumpled, and received a blow to the head for her troubles. Rei was away from the blinding attack first, and witnessed her friend drop and lie unmoving. "Yohko!" Usagi blinked away the last of the leaves, and looked at the girl in horror. then she watched as Rei tried to kick the thing in its gut, and the grappling that ensued. The Daimon pushed her back, and swung at her, clipping her shoulder, and she shrank away from it. Usagi ducked past the two, not really willing to turn her eyes away, but not willing to leave Yohko unattended. She made it over to her still form, and sighed in relief to see the girl was breathing. "Usagi!" Rei shouted, ducking another swing from the staff. "Take care of her and get the others! I'll distract it!" She got in another shot, but the Daimon shrugged it off and swung at her again. Rei nimbly ducked, and turn to run, with the Daimon hot on her heels. Usagi started dragging Yohko's prone body back to the temple when Yuuichiro and Morihito Hino came around the corner. "We heard the shouts. Where's Rei?" The elder asked. Usagi looked at the little man with a grim expression and explained the ambush, and Rei leading it off in direction of the temple. The old man nodded. "Yuuichiro, help her take the girl inside. I'm going after Rei." Yuuichiro stuttered, but nodded and helped Usagi with the unconscious girl while the temple priest ran off after the two combatants. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** Rei ran as fast as her feet could carry her, her henshin wand in her hand. She was sure it was still following her, but now she was away from the others, it was time to even the odds. She started to shout her words of power... And tumbled end over end as the Daimon tackled her and pinned her to the ground, her wand went flying into another direction. The humanoid plant smiled, and grabbed her arms, pinning them to the ground, and with a dry pop, disconnected her hands from her wrist. Rei struggled against the staples holding her to the ground, and the Daimon looked on in pleasure. The Daimon pulled at her vest, and from a tattoo of a black star, shot a beam at Rei's chest. Rei screamed. She'd never felt such pain in her life. She bucked and flailed, but the now-wooden manacles wouldn't give. She felt fire and ice all at once, as if someone was ripping her chest open with their bare hands, and was succeeding. The it stopped, just as quick as it had begun. She looked through hazy vision, to see her grandfather kneeling near her, and the Daimon sprawled some feet away from where she was. Morihito looked at the demon, and then went to Rei's side. "Are you alright?" Not finding the strength to talk, she nodded, and looked at the manacles. The priest saw the wooden hands clamped to the ground, and tried to pull one out, to no avail. He turned with a start, and saw the monster getting back up. The Daimon growled at the little man. It was beginning to become more trouble than it was indeed worth. The subjects had to be alive for the crystals to be pulled, and that is what she would do. But afterward, this shrine and its occupants were going to crumble. An aqua green sphere of energy slammed into the Daimon's side, and it let loose a scream of pain. Seconds later, another ball of energy, this one yellow, slammed into her as well. She collapsed to the ground. Two figures emerged from the trees, both with scowls on their faces. The Daimon began to get up again, and they attacked with their energies once more. A horrid cry later, the Daimon dissipated, leaving only the tree and the small cracked egg from whence it came, behind. The two figures, dressed in Sailor Senshi regalia, took a long look at the two temple keepers, and vanished into the trees once more. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** "You should have waited." The two figures hopped off and outside the temple, and were now perched atop a building roof. The tallest one, with sandy blond hair, scowled at her partner, a shorter girl with turquoise hair. The shorter girl responded, her eyes not looking at her partner. "I realize. I'm sorry." The shorthaired blond frowned, and shook her head. "Nothing to be done about it now. We just have to watch how we do things in the future." "I didn't think they'd start attacking so soon." The shorter girl said. "This doesn't bode well." "I know," her partner shrugged. "But until we locate the Talisman, or are able to shut them down, there's nothing much we can do. We were lucky enough to track them to there." "Yes, but what about those others?" The girl shook her head again. "Nothing we can do about them without drawing too much attention to ourselves. It'd be better to wait until they hatch and go after their targets." The shorter girl nodded, almost sadly. "Alright then. Let's just go home for now." The two figures made their way off of the building, and out of sight. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** Usagi tried her best not to think about the fact that she had just left Rei to deal with a monster on her own. It was not one of her most favorite things to do, but despite all, she knew that the priestess could hold the thing off at least until she got there. For now, she had a fallen friend to attend to. Usagi checked for any obvious sign of injury that the attack could have dealt, but found nothing save for a bump where she was struck. Usagi sighed with relief, but couldn't help but feel something unsettling about the light damage. That was a blow to loosen teeth. Maybe she would have a concussion? There was time to dabble on that later, she decided. Rei needed backup, and she was going to deliver. She turned to leave when Yuuichiro looked at her. "Usagi-chan, where are you going?" "Rei and Hino-san are in trouble! I have to go and help them!" The boy looked surprised. "You? I'll go and get them while you watch Mano-san." She looked ready to argue, but the two subjects of worry stepped into the door. Usagi ran to their sides, and helped the stumbling Rei to a mat by Yohko. "Rei-chan! Are you alright?" "Weak..." the girl replied, slumping against her friend. "She should be fine. She's just tired." Hino-san spoke up. "I saved her from that thing, and the Senshi appeared and took care of the rest." Usagi raised an eyebrow. The others had come already? "Senshi?" "Yes. Two of them. Blue and teal skirts. Lovely things. They blasted the monster with these blue and yellow balls of energy, and the thing just up and vanished." That caught Usagi completely off guard. It didn't sound like the other girls at all. And if it wasn't, then who saved Rei? ***** ***** ***** OMAKE ***** ***** *****AZUSA: Hiiiii! Welcome to the Fourth Corner, located somewhere on that wall that allows you to view the world within! Today, I'm gonna make things a bit easier for future episodes by explaining just what Devil Hunter Yohko is all about! REI: That's simple. She's about boys, food, and whining about her duties. YOHKO: Hey! AZUSA: *sweatdrop* Well, that's a bit of it, but I meant telling the folks that don't know about who we are and what we do... YOHKO: Well, my name says it all! I'm the great slayer of all things demonic! REI: Before or after they try to jump your bones? YOHKO: That's not true! It's only happened a couple of times! Not all of my dates try to kill me you know. USAGI: Why isn't this segment about me? This is a deliberate rip of Sailor Says! I should be leading this! AZUSA: *looking worried* Um, ah... It's not a DIRECT rip, just a little information segment. KENJI: Hey, ladies, can we get on with this? We're running short on time... USAGI: *turns to KENJI* Not until you give me back my segment! KENJI: Look, this isn't Sailor Says, it's the Fourth Corner. The 'say no to drugs' stuff isn't gonna be here. You're not even the soul focus of this epic anyway! USAGI: *eyebrow twitching* And just what's that supposed to mean? KENJI: It means that I can easily replace you with 'Serena'. REI: That's low. USAGI: You wouldn't! KENJI: Try me. You've just wasted my segment time. USAGI: You'll be hearing from my lawyer. I want to re-negotiate my contract! KENJI: *frowning* Fine. In the meantime, wrap this up. AZUSA: *sweatdrop* Um, well, that's all the time we have. See you next time... ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** Well, that's the shoot. Eons to go back and revise this chapter, and in the end, I wind up with a more satisfying plan of story line and plot threads than my original idea. Many thanks to those who've waited patiently, and to those who volunteered to assist me with this (even though most of you might not even remember doing so). ^_^ The next one is already in works, and should be out and about soon. Until then, Back to the Hack I go. Ja ne! K. Murasaki 7/19/01