Last time: Yohko struggled against her sweet bondage to Reiko. Kamiri saved Chi and Azusa from an attack by Liliss. Ayako and Azusa 2 showed up, and the group decided to form an alliance to try to rescue Yohko. Kamiri revealed that Reiko was after a mystic book sealed in a secret shrine, and they had only three nights until the entrance to the shrine would open ... A fic featuring characters from Devil Hunter Yohko and La Blue Girl Dark Queen's Reign Chapter 5: Taken by: Dark Schnieder Reiko sighed with contentment as she lounged in her high-backed chair, sipping bloodwine from an ornate silver goblet. On the rumpled bed, her bride lay in a stupor, drugged by lust and Reiko's tainted blood. Her limbs were splayed untidily, her hair a silken flow over the dark sheets, and Reiko sighed again at the sight. Hers. Soon, Yohko would succumb completely to her. Devotion and obedience would replace the contempt and fury that she saw so often in those lovely brown eyes. She'd looked at the soul sword again after Yohko had collapsed, exhausted, in her arms. The dark splotches on the blade had grown to cover even more of it. Visible proof that Yohko was succumbing to her campaign of relentless seduction. Everything was going to work for her this time. She could feel it. She'd been so patient, and soon she would reap her rewards. Very, very soon. A gentle knock disturbed her thoughts, and she caused the door to open with a languorous wave of her hand. "Liliss," she said, disapproval evident in her voice. "I thought I told you to watch the house. I would hate to think that you were taking my orders lightly." Liliss stood with her head bowed, hands clenched nervously in front of her, and Reiko narrowed her eyes angrily. Liliss had always been faithful to her. She would hate to think that the succubus was becoming unreliable. "Mistress, I'm sorry. There is something that you must know." Reiko tapped one bare foot expectantly on the carpet. "Well?" she asked impatiently. Liliss shifted. "It would be easier to show you. In the mirror." Reiko frowned. "This had better be good, Liliss, or I promise you I will have you servicing the fiends of the pits for an entire week." Liliss nodded hastily. "Yes, Mistress." She glanced toward the bed furtively. "She is unbound." "She is firmly under my control at the moment, Liliss, and at any rate Yohko is not your concern. Now show me what you came to show me!" Reiko stepped in front of the mirror, and Liliss reached out to touch one long slim finger to the glass. Instantly the image swirled and began to change. Soon it showed the inside of Yohko's house through the various mirrors there. The view switched as Liliss searched for something. It was getting quite late, and many of the lights were out, but they soon saw Chi and Azusa in the kitchen, washing dishes and talking in low tones. "How very impressive," Reiko said frostily. Liliss jerked as if she'd been struck. "Not them, Mistress," she said nervously. The view switched to a spare bedroom, and Reiko felt her interest peak. Prowling through the room was a vision of beauty. Her full breasts strained at their confinement of thin green material. Her waist was narrow and her legs long and shapely. Her dark emerald hair was pulled back from her face, accentuating her high cheekbones, gathered at the back of her head from where it fell down her back to her hips. Her eyes were slightly tilted, like a cat's, and lidded with wry amusement. The woman was strangely compelling, her every movement radiating a barely suppressed sensuality, and Reiko knew who she must be. "Our enemy," she murmured, intrigued. This one would be a challenge worthy of her skills. She would resist long and furiously. Ah, what a sweet sensual battle that would be! "Why was it so important that I see her now?" Liliss looked flustered. "N-not her either," she stammered. "One moment ... there!" Reiko leaned close to the mirror, her jaw dropping open in amazement. There, in another bedroom, were two girls. One appeared to be the Azusa girl from the kitchen. The other ... The other looked just like Yohko. "The portents and signs spoke of a dark reflection," Liliss was saying nervously. "I think this must be it." Reiko reached out and grasped Liliss's hand without tearing her gaze from the mirror. "Who is she?" she asked in a deceptively quiet voice. Liliss trembled, recognizing the danger signs. "I don't know ..." "Is she a Devil Hunter?" Liliss paused. "I've seen no sign, but it seems likely, given the portents ..." Reiko's grip became painful, and Liliss cried out. "I don't give a damn for the portents!" she hissed. "I need to know! If there's another Devil Hunter, that green-haired bitch has a chance to get the Book!" "Yes, Mistress. But she still can't translate the writings. Yes?" Slowly, Reiko let up on Liliss's hand. "Of course not. You are quite right, golden girl. She can't find the shrine ... unless the other Devil Hunter knows where it is ..." Reiko shook her head angrily. "Too many unknowns!" she snapped at last. "Damn it! This is getting too complicated." Liliss rubbed her hand surreptitiously, eyeing the image. They could hear the two girls speaking softly, and from the sounds of it they weren't certain they trusted the woman, who they called Kamiri. "The mirror ..." Liliss began. Reiko stood straight, nodding slowly. "Yes, I will have to see what I can learn about this. And when Yohko recovers, I will have questions for her as well. Damn the girl, I can make her answer direct questions, but initiative is beyond her in this state. But in the meantime, you are going through the portal, my dear. I need you to find something for me." "What, Mistress?" "A Sylyte." Liliss didn't bother to hide her dismay or disgust. "Mistress! Are you certain? Such creatures are dangerous!" Reiko looked at her coolly. "Quite certain. I have a plan to take advantage of the situation, but I'll need some special assisstance. You should be safe if you remember everything that I've taught you. Find one and bring it here to me. Now go." The mirror's surface rippled like water as Liliss stepped carefully through, disappearing into the mirror's surface. The rippling died down, leaving no trace of her passage, and once again Reiko could see and hear the two girls in the room miles away. A double of Yohko. And quite possibly a Devil Hunter, to boot. Well, well. She'd never anticipated anything like this, but adaptability was crucial if her plans were to succeed. She needed to restrain her impulses, lie back and learn more. They couldn't find her, she was quite certain of that. And this way, if she played her cards right, she might end up being able to seduce Yohko for the first time ... all over again. That thought brought a sultry smile to her lush lips, and she settled in to learn something of her new opponents. *** It took Liliss some time to find one of the creatures that her Mistress wanted, and then she had to convince it to come with her. Once Reiko came into her full power as the Dark Queen, all denizens of the Dark Realms would recognize her authority. As it was, though, most didn't know of her resurrection, so Liliss couldn't invoke her name. So she was forced to make vague promises, perhaps even implying that she would sport with the foul thing, to get it to come. Eventually, however, she won it over, and they returned to the portal together. They stepped out to find Reiko seated in front of the mirror, looking as she had when Liliss had left. Liliss stood aside and gestured at the foul thing. "Here it is, Mistress. As you requested." Liliss knew her tone showed what she thought of the creature, but frankly she couldn't stand Sylytes. A strong one could take over an equally strong demon. This one might even be able to control her, a thought that did not bear thinking. Reiko stood before the thing, however, and nodded her head regally. "Welcome," she said. "Thank you for coming. I have allowed you to use my portal into the human's world because I need a favour. I would like the use of one of your ... daughters." The creature showed no reaction to Reiko's words, which was hardly surprising. It was vaguely human shaped, but appeared to be made of greenish goop. Its face was alien, with large black orbs for eyes, no nose and a narrow lipless mouth, which it opened to make a high pitched squeaking noise. Reiko frowned. "Well, if you know who I am, then you know that I will soon stand high in the ranks of the Dark Realms," she said coolly. The Sylyte squeaked again. "Reward? If you do as I ask, I will allow you to slake your unnatural hungers on the inhabitants of this place. I think you will find the agreement ... mutually beneficial." The creature considered Reiko's words, then chittered for a few moments. Reiko smiled. "Excellent," she said. Liliss suppressed her distaste as the creature followed Reiko across the room. She half-expected it to leave a slimy trail behind it, although it did not. It walked to the bed, and Reiko gestured at Yohko's sleeping form. "That is the form you will wear," Reiko said with a smile. The creature looked at Yohko for a few moments, then began to shift and change. It's limbs shrank and thinned, it's face began to acquire human features, and long brown hair sprang from its head. Soon, a perfect replica of Yohko stood in front of them, naked as the girl on the bed. She smiled, her expression lazy and hungry, quite unlike Yohko's, and Liliss felt a sudden pang of lust in spite of herself. "Excellent. Just perfect. Now," Reiko said, taking the changeling by the arm. "Here's what I want you to do ..." *** Yohko lay in a pleasant haze of half sleep. For a moment, she wasn't sure what had awakened her, then it came again. A hot, lingering kiss against her throat. She moaned lightly, arching her neck to give her lover better access. Her lover complied, trailing kisses from the base of her neck up to the corner of her jaw, a hand sliding over her bare belly to take possession of her breast, teasing the nipple into exquisitely erect pleasure almost instantly. Sleepily, Yohko smiled, moaning louder as the hand worked its seductive magic. The mouth, though, was not to be outdone. Yohko just adored being kissed all over, and as if reading her thoughts, the tender tormenting lips moved over her face, raining sweet kisses down on her, melting her with their wanton heat. They trailed slowly down towards her mouth as the hand increased its tempo in an irresistible, sensual rhythm. Yohko gasped as electric pleasure surged in her loins, and she clawed at the sheets helplessly as hot flesh moved against her bare body. The hot mouth teased its way down her face, and just as it slid across her own lips a lean thigh insinuated its way between her legs, pressing deliciously against her tender aroused mound. She cried out softly as the mouth pressed against hers, the lips so silky soft ... softer than any she'd ever kissed before, surely ... The need was rising in her quickly, and she gasped and twisted in the throes of ecstasy, beginning to become aware of her surroundings as she rose sweetly from the arms of the goddess of sleep into the arms of her lover. "Oh ... ah. AH. That's so ... goooood," she murmured sleepily. Something soft and silky brushed at her shoulders as her lover moved lightly over her, and she smelled a musky perfume that seemed somehow familiar ... "Mmmmm. Oh, yeaaaah ... Unnnngh ... ah, Shin, you're ... yes, do it ... now, Shin," she gasped as she rose with stunning speed towards her release. A decidedly female voice answered her. "Your wish, sweet, is my command." Her eyes snapped open as the woman kissed her fiercely, making her moan again against her will as the thigh pressed even more firmly against her heat. She shook off the remnants of sleep, realizing too late where she was. Reiko's expert kiss and the delightful tandem of her hands and her thigh pushed Yohko over the edge, into a climax that eradicated all thought with its spine-melting heat. Yohko shuddered in the other girl's arms, losing control again. Just as Reiko had intended. After a white hot eternity, Yohko could think again, and she pushed ineffectually at the raven-haired beauty who held her tightly. "Why, Yohko, that was ... lovely," Reiko breathed huskily. Yohko struggled, trying to summon the strength to break free. After a moment, Reiko let her go and she scooted over to the far side of the bed, drawing her knees up protectively. Reiko just lounged where she was, looking unbearably sexy and confident as Yohko listened with dismay to her own ragged breathing. "You ... you tricked me!" she blurted at last. Reiko looked innocent. "Tricked? I was simply waking up my bride. Your body responded to my attentions in a very ... natural fashion. Face it, sweet, your body desires me. It is pointless to pretend otherwise at this point." Yohko realized that Reiko was right. She'd been brought to climax several times since being captured, more times than she could count. She hadn't been able to resist Reiko's advances, not even once. Her body was enslaved by the dark pleasure Reiko gave. But her mind would remain free. She kept telling herself that, as if she could will it to be true. "My body might react to you, but that doesn't mean anything," Yohko said weakly. Reiko laughed. "Bravo! Well spoken, my sweet. But I think you're wrong. Where the body goes, the mind will eventually follow." Yohko wanted to argue, but she felt ... unconnected. Uncertain. It seemed to be hard to think of arguments to use against Reiko, so she just snorted and looked away. The bed moved gently as Reiko crawled slowly over to her, slipping her hands around Yohko's shoulders and beginning to knead them. Yohko tried to shrug the other girl away, but Reiko ignored her, and soon Yohko found herself relaxing, her muscles growing warm and loose. She wanted to let herself lean back against Reiko and enjoy the feel of those slim, strong hands as they worked their magic on her ... She pulled away with a cry, whirling to face her nemesis. Reiko laughed, sitting back again. "It's getting harder and harder to resist, isn't it, Yohko? You don't have to admit it to me. It's enough that you know it now. It will become even more difficult as our honeymoon progresses, and you know that too, don't you? Sooner or later, your will to resist will crumble and you will come to me willingly." Yohko stared at her tormentor, horrified by her words. Horrified because she realized they were true. All true. If she didn't get away soon, she was going to be ... beaten. Utterly defeated. She was fighting with all her strength, but it wasn't going to be enough. For the first time, she thought, oh, God, I need help. She shuddered as Reiko just ran her appraising gaze over Yohko's naked body, a lascivious smile tugging at her lips. But who could help her now? *** Breakfast had been a fairly tense affair. The two Azusas barely acknowledged each other's existence, and Ayako still wasn't sure she wanted to trust Kamiri. There was just something about the woman that told Ayako she was trouble. Still, they weren't really in a position to refuse help. After breakfast, Azusa and Chi went to the store for more provisions. Ayako figured they would be safe, since it wasn't far to the store and there would be plenty of people around. That left Ayako with her Azusa (or Azusa 2 as she had jokingly called herself after their first meeting with Yohko) and Kamiri. "So, Kamiri. You're a ninja." "Among other things, yes." The green-haired beauty lounged back in a chair, her long legs crossed, and regarded Ayako archly. "Other things. Yes, Azusa and Chi said you used magic to help them against the succubus," Ayako mused. Kamiri's smile widened. "I have some ... minor talents in that area," she said smoothly. "But what about you? I hear that you are a Devil Hunter as well. How is that?" "Her grandmother trained her to be the Devil Hunter of the Mano clan!" Azusa said proudly. Kamiri arched one slim eyebrow. "But I thought Yohko was the Devil Hunter," she said. "Ayako was trained to take the title from her!" Azusa told her. Ayako gritted her teeth. "Azusa, that's enough," she warned. Kamiri, though, was obviously interested. "Really? Then you two are enemies?" Ayako frowned. "My grandmother was bitter at losing the position of 106th generation Devil Hunter to her twin sister, Yohko's grandmother. I WAS trained to steal the title back, but during our duel Yohko and I were forced to fight together against a demon. We decided that we need not fight our grandparent's battle ..." "Although you can still challenge her!" Azusa interjected. "I bet you'd win, Ayako!" "Now is not the time for such things," Ayako sighed, wishing Azusa hadn't brought the entire matter up. "We are both Devil Hunters, and right now Yohko needs our help." "Indeed," Kamiri said, her stare making Ayako uncomfortable. "But it would be interesting to know which of you was stronger ..." The discussion was cut off by a startled cry from outside. The three jumped to their feet, Kamiri and Ayako reaching the door one after the other, Azusa trailing behind. Trouble had found them again. *** Azusa 2 lost sight of Ayako as she tore around the corner of the house toward the front yard. As she reached the bottom of the steps, though, she was brought up short by a weak cry. "A ... zusa. Help ..." She stopped, looking behind her. Yohko was there, leaning against the house, looking weak and shaky. She gasped with surprise, running away from the others and towards Yohko, hidden by the house, reaching her just as she collapsed. She knelt, her arms around the stricken girl, holding her tightly as Yohko leaned weakly against her. "Yohko, what happened?" she asked, alarmed, as shouting began in front of the house. Yohko turned her face up to Azusa 2, trembling. "I ... oh, Azusa ..." Yohko's arms stole around her, one encircling her waist, the other hand sliding around the back of her neck. Azusa was about to call for the others when she noticed something odd. Something began to wriggle out of Yohko's mouth. A worm? What the hell was THAT? "Yohko, what ...?" she began. Then she felt Yohko's fingers slide up into her hair and take a firm grip, and Yohko's arm around her waist tightened painfully. Yohko smiled, something strange emerging from her mouth. It was sluglike, with tiny waving tentacles around its penile head. Azusa stared in shock, then opened her mouth to scream. That was a mistake. Yohko's head darted forward, her mouth clamping wetly to Azusa's, and the girl's scream was smothered as the parasite surged forward into her defenceless mouth. The smaller girl's body was pulled tightly against Yohko's, her head pulled back as Yohko held her in the foul kiss. Azusa tried to scream, but the slimy thing was forcing its way into her, slipping past her lips and filling her mouth with its taste. Her muffled screams began to falter as it sent tendrils snaking down her throat, and she began to feel warm and pleasant, a haze descending over her thoughts, her struggles fading. She shouldn't fight, something told her. It felt good, didn't it? So good. She should just relax and let go, and she would be safe. Everything would be all right. Everything ... The last thing she saw before the darkness took her was Yohko's triumphant eyes, glowing an unearthly red. *** Ayako knew as soon as she saw the beautiful creature perched on the wall in front of the house that this was the succubus that had attacked Azusa and Chi. The creature regarded them all with bored amusement, spreading its wings slightly. "Well, well. The gang's all here, aren't they? Good. That will make this simpler." Chi had backed away, hiding behind Azusa. The bags of groceries were laying in the driveway where they'd been dropped. Ayako felt her temper stretching dangerously thin. Who was this hell-bitch to be taunting HER? She raised her arm and spoke. "Foul corrupter of the pits, you soil this place with your presence. In the name of our missing comrade, I will punish you for your arrogance! I am the Devil Hunter, Ayako!" Her clothes burst away in blaze of light, and dark tendrils crept over her body, becoming her dress, high collared and sleeveless, with the high slit skirt and Devil Hunter symbol on the chest. Only hers was black, not red like Yohko's. She held out the Whip of Distraction, handle in one hand, clawed tip in the other, and drew her arms apart. "Oh, my. So you ARE a Devil Hunter after all. My Mistress won't be happy to hear that," the Liliss pouted. "Still, I have brought a surprise for you. Look." Yohko frowned at the transparent attempt to distract her until Chi's dismayed gasp made her turn. "Yohko?" It LOOKED like Yohko, all right. She was wearing her Devil Hunter dress, and had an unconscious Azusa 2 gripped tightly against her with one arm. Liliss laughed. "You see? Your ally has changed sides!" Ayako stared at the newcomer, controlling her breathing as she extended her senses. "That's not Yohko," Kamiri said flatly. Ayako nodded. "I know," she responded grimly. The fake Yohko laughed. "Why don't you come a little closer?" she taunted. "Unless you want your friend here to get hurt." Ayako scowled. It would be hard to fight with the succubus on one side and this creature, holding a hostage, on the other. She saw a flash of light out of the corner of her eye as Yohko's Azusa transformed, and she considered which threat to address first. The choice was taken out of her hands moments later, when the fake Yohko suddenly screeched in anger. She turned to see the succubus taking wing, soaring high above them. "What are you doing?" Yohko screamed. "Where are you going? This was not the plan!" "I found out what I was sent to discover," the succubus replied smugly. "I'm afraid you're on your own now. Have fun." With that, she was gone, and Kamiri, Azusa, and Ayako were free to turn their attention back to the fake Yohko. The fake sneered at them, pulling the unresisting Azusa closer. "Can you really attack the likeness of your friend?" she asked, trying to edge away. "I still hold the girl, remember." Ayako judged the distance and then, in the blink of an eye, she sent her whip snaking out to snare Azusa's body. With a jerk she freed the girl from the fake Yohko's grip, and Kamiri sent a handful of throwing blades knifing into the fake's body. They penetrated, but only a greenish-yellow ooze came out, and the fake screamed in pain, its arms transforming into tentacles that lashed out at the girls. While Azusa spun her spear and attacked from one side, Ayako laid her Azusa gently on the grass and drew the whip back for another strike. The creature didn't look much like Yohko now, its arms and legs snaking around, its body slowly becoming a pillar of greenish-yellow slime. Ayako sent her whip at the creature again, letting it wind around its waist and then summoning power. Yellow bolts of energy danced along the whip's length and the creature started to smoulder. "Noooo!" it screamed. "Stop! Mercy ... I ... can tell you ... a secret ..." Seconds later, Ayako's power overcame the creature, and it exploded into dust. Ayako retracted the whip, running over to where Azusa was sitting up groggily, rubbing her head. "Azusa! Are you all right?" Ayako asked anxiously. The girl nodded. "I ... think so. What happened? We were running outside, and then ..." Her eyes widened. "Yohko!" she cried. She was there, and ... and ..." "What?" "Uh ... that's the last thing I remember," she said weakly. Ayako nodded. "That wasn't Yohko," she said. "It just looked like her. And she knocked you out." The others gathered around as Azusa stood woozily. "Oh, boy," she said. "The day is really off to a good start, huh?" Ayako smiled. "Chi, would you help her inside? Azusa, go with them. Kamiri and I will get the groceries." The others agreed, and she and Kamiri went over to the spilled food. "I like your dress," Kamiri said as they walked. "The colour suits you nicely." She was staring again, but Ayako resolved to ignore her. "Wonderful," she said. "Listen, what the hell do you think just happened?" Kamiri smiled secretively. "Ah, so you are suspicious too? That attack was poorly executed. Very sloppy, unless ..." "Unless there was another purpose behind the attack," Ayako finished for her. "But what?" "Well, Reiko was dealt with Yohko before. And now she's captured her. But she may know nothing of you. She may not even have been certain that you were a Devil Hunter. Perhaps she wanted to see you in action. She sacrificed the shape-changer to that end. It seemed rather put out when the succubus did not come to its aid." Ayako nodded grimly. "So now she know more about us than we know about her. That is not good." Kamiri smiled, her lush red lips curving up slightly. "Perhaps. However, I don't think she knows much about me. Perhaps that will give us an edge." Ayako glared into the other woman's eyes. "None of us know much about you, Kamiri," she said. "And I don't like that." Kamiri gave her a seductive smile. "Perhaps later, we shall get to know each other better," Kamiri said in a low, intimate tone. Ayako was surprised at the double entendre, and Kamiri laughed, pulling back and lifting one of the bags easily. "If you ask nicely," she added, turning to walk toward the house. Ayako watched the woman's shapely behind sway gently as she moved, shaking her head, ignoring the tingle in her belly. Strange woman. *** Reiko lounged indulgently at one end of the large pool, watching Yohko sulking at the other. This was a delicate time, Reiko knew, as Yohko began to realize the reality of her situation. It was becoming harder and harder for her to resist Reiko's advances, and Yohko was beginning to understand that Reiko could, in fact, overcome her will. This was the time when the young Devil Hunter would probably do something stupid and desperate. Of course, Reiko was ready for her. She'd spun her web tightly, and no amount of struggling would avail Yohko. If anything, struggling would just cause her to be bound even more tightly to the Dark Queen. She smiled to herself as she watched the girl, pretending to wash herself while she calculated her chances of reaching the doorway. Reiko had left her hands unbound to make Yohko's task easier. This promised to be entertaining. "Mistress." She looked up to see the lovely Liliss standing above her. She waved languidly at the succubus. "Ah, Liliss. What have you to report?" Liliss lay down at the edge of the pool on her belly, propping her chin in her hands and staring at Yohko with a mixture of lust and envy. "It is certain. Yohko's double is also a Devil Hunter, and a powerful one. She may be as powerful as Yohko herself." Reiko nodded. She'd expected as much. Still, now she knew for certain. "And the Sylyte?" Liliss smiled happily. "It met with an unfortunate accident. Its death was not in vain, however, since I was able to watch how our enemies dispatched it." Reiko ran her finger across Liliss's lush lips, smiling seductively. "Good. And it impregnated one of them before its ... unfortunate demise?" "Yes, it implanted one of the Azusa twins with one of its parasites. That was a very clever plan, Mistress. Without the host, the parasite will initially be weak and easy to control." Reiko moved her fingers, stroking them through Liliss's tawny mane, provoking a low purr from the succubus. "Yes, well, Sylytes are dangerous and not to be trusted. As soon as we weren't watching it, it would have been off implanting humans and constructing a nest. A nest of those foul things would be a threat to my power base, and I won't have that. Its parasite, though, should be able to remain hidden in the girl and collect information for us. It's perfect." "Eventually, it will become stronger, feeding on her energy," Liliss sighed, clearly enjoying her Mistress's attentions. Reiko could see that she'd been neglecting her favourite, and resolved to rectify that oversight. Soon. Perhaps she'd even bring her into her bed some night, let Yohko taste the pleasures a succubus could bring. However, she could certainly show Liliss some of the attention she craved in the short term. "Yes, but by that time, it will be too late. Either they will discover and destroy it, or we will have to do the job. In the meantime, it will prove a valuable asset. And we now know that we are up against another Devil Hunter, and I can make plans to deal with her before she disrupts my goals. It has been a good day so far, golden girl. I am pleased." "Then, perhaps my Mistress would consent to ... a reward?" Liliss asked breathlessly, her golden eyes seeking out Reiko's dark violet ones. Reiko smiled slowly. Glancing over to make sure Yohko was watching, she pulled the lovely succubus into a fierce kiss. Liliss moaned, resisting for a moment before yielding to Reiko's commanding tongue. Reiko drew the kiss out, not breaking it even when she heard splashes and rapid footsteps heading for the door. When she finally pulled back, Liliss gasped and bowed her head, her breathing ragged. "Mistress ... I need ..." "Not now, my sweet," Reiko smiled. Liliss looked up with a petulant frown. "Oh, the damned virginal twit's run off," she growled. "Let me get her for you, Mistress. I've been wanting to get my hands on that girl since I first saw her!" "Not this time, golden girl," Reiko purred. "Let little Yohko run. She won't be going anywhere. I think I'll let her suffer some before I go fetch her. In the meantime ..." She scooted forward, looking over her shoulder with a sultry smile. "Why don't you come in here and wash my back?" Liliss licked her lips slowly. "Is that ... an order, Mistress?" she asked at last. Reiko tilted her head. "It most certainly is," she purred. Liliss sighed contentedly. "In that case," she said, worming her way forward to slip into the heated water fully clothed, "how can I refuse?" "You can't. You can't refuse me ... anything." Liliss slipped in behind her, and the splashing and moaning started in earnest. She wrapped her arms around Reiko, pressing herself tightly against the length of her, and Reiko covered Liliss's hands with her own as the succubus rubbed herself lightly against Reiko's back. Reiko sighed in contentment as Liliss moved against her, sweeping her hair back with one hand to rain hot kisses on her Mistress's bare neck and shoulder. Finally, Liliss's attentions awakened Reiko's need, and she turned, taking the lovely demoness in her arms. Liliss resisted, knowing how her Mistress liked to play, and Reiko spent some diverting moments bringing the lissome beauty under control. Finally, they were face to face, panting with exertion and excitement, Reiko having pinned Liliss's arms behind her back. She stared deeply into her succubus's eyes. "You were mentioning earlier that you needed something?" Reiko teased. Liliss whimpered lightly, and Reiko pressed her mouth against her willing captive's, surprised by the intensity of the succubus's response. "So eager, golden girl," Reiko breathed as she broke away. Liliss swallowed, writhing lightly against Reiko's slick, naked body. "I'm sorry, Mistress," she whispered meekly. Reiko just smiled. "Oh, Liliss. I have been neglecting you of late, haven't I? And except for Chi, you haven't had any diversion at all. No wonder you've been so worked up." Liliss lowered her eyes as Reiko kissed her tiny horns playfully. "I serve, Mistress," she said in a careful tone, and Reiko paused. Had she been neglecting her favourite that much? She sensed the beginnings of resentment here, against Yohko if not against her. She carefully raked her long nails up Liliss's back, smiling as the beauty's breathing became more ragged. "Yes," she murmured. "You serve me. Many shall serve me, Liliss, out of fear or greed or weakness. But your devotion stems from love, golden girl." Liliss looked up, startled, and Reiko smiled. "Did you think I'd forgotten?" "N-no, Mistress, but ..." "But?" "You took HER as your bride." Liliss spoke in a very quiet voice, lowering her gaze again, and Reiko sighed. Gently, she hooked her fingers under the succubus's chin and brought her face back up so she could gaze into those lovely eyes once again. "Liliss, heed me well, now. I want Yohko. I NEED her. And I desire to corrupt her, turning her completely to my side, making her one of us in both body and spirit. And I will accomplish that task, in time. Making her my bride was a way of ensnaring her, binding her to me. You must respect that." "Yes, Mistress," Liliss muttered meekly. Reiko caressed the side of Liliss's face with her thumb. "But. You are my favourite, golden girl. And you always will be." Liliss's eyes lit up at that, and Reiko laughed, running her free hand down Liliss's back. "Silly girl. I am a queen, and I can make my own rules. I may have as many wives as I please, and I think, when this is all over, that I must take you to my dark altar." "Oh, Mistress," Liliss breathed. "I would be your most devoted bride ..." Reiko chuckled. "No doubt. In fact, I would make you my chief wife. Yohko would serve ... under you." She let her hand trail further down, stopping at the base of Liliss's spine, suddenly remembering. "Hell's pits!" she spat. Liliss jerked, alarm on her face. "Mistress, what ...?" "Calm yourself, golden girl," Reiko sighed, cursing herself for being a fool. Her fingers probed lightly at the rough spot under Liliss's tight wet skirt. "I just realized that I never got around to regenerating your tail." Liliss blushed lightly and looked away. "You can't spare any power right now," she said shyly. Reiko could see that her devoted lover was only pretending the matter was unimportant, and cursed herself again. How could she have forgotten? "Liliss," she said, drawing the girl's gaze back to hers, "that beast would never have been able to bite it off in the first place if you hadn't been protecting me while I was still weak. And I promised you I would regenerate it for you when I was recovered." "Mistress ..." Reiko covered Liliss's lips with her finger. "When I have my treasure at last, golden girl, then I will see to you. You've waited too long already." She slipped her finger into Liliss's mouth and let the girl suck on it expertly, gasping with pleasure. "Yes," she hissed. "You will be my right hand, Liliss, above all others. You shall be second only to me. And you shall be my wife. Now, come here." After that, things got very wet, and very noisy. *** Yohko ran through the dark hallways, dripping wet and only barely covered by the towel she'd had with her. Her bare feet pounded dully on the carpeted floors as she ran all-out, knowing that Reiko and her pet succubus would be after her like the hounds of hell. If I can find my way back to the bedroom, she thought, and get my hands on my soul sword, then we'll see who defeats who. She WOULD have her revenge for the humiliations she'd suffered at Reiko's hands. She'd see the witch beg for mercy before she sent her back to hell where she belonged. Unfortunately, she seemed to be ... lost. The hallway seemed to twist and turn a lot more than she remembered, and nothing looked familiar. She began to think that she should just start looking for the stairs. If she could get out of the house, she could go for help. All she needed was a little time away from Reiko and her constant mind games. Reiko kept twisting things, keeping the pressure on so Yohko never had time to deal with things. And the way she kept touching her, pulling her into that huge bed ... it was obvious that the spells she was casting were causing Yohko's loss of control. Yes. That was it. Embarrassing, but if she could get this damned collar off and regain her powers, she wouldn't be subjected to Reiko's damned taunting, her teasing, her butterfly kisses and pet names and caresses and ... Yohko clenched her fists and stopped dead. She REALLY needed to get away. She listened for any sounds of pursuit over the pounding of her heart, but heard none. Tucking her towel more tightly around herself, she padded down the hall, her bare feet making no noise. She eased around a corner to see only more hallway. Sighing, she started down the dim corridor, until her eyes were drawn to one of the many large oil paintings on the wall. At first glance, it appeared to be merely a swirl of colour, but as she stared, it resolved itself into forms. Two forms, twined sensuously around each other. Two feminine forms ... She broke away with a gasp, shaking her head furiously. When she looked again, the painting was once more just a swirl. She moved on, feeling disturbed. It was getting harder and harder for her to deny Reiko's power over her. She'd never felt any sexual attraction for another woman before, but Reiko was changing that. Yohko WAS drawn to her, even though she knew she never would have been had the Dark Queen not been using dark magic. And a part of her questioned even THAT contention, remembering how strange she'd felt during Reiko's gentle flirtations, and during their first battle when she'd been the bound and helpless recipient of Reiko's attentions. But even if she'd appreciated the sight of a beautiful woman occasionally in the past, this was something different. This wasn't sex; it was war. The vanquished would serve the victor, and Reiko had many weapons in her arsenal to fight this sort of battle. Yohko had none. Every time Reiko made Yohko submit to her, it became harder and harder to fight back. Her body craved the dark electric pleasures that the raven-haired beauty gave her, and it didn't seem to care that she was being corrupted and controlled. She believed she could have resisted torture, but Reiko's sweet suffocating tainted kisses were sapping her will, and if she didn't get away soon, Yohko had to admit to herself that she might very well find herself completely under the other girl's control. And a part of her, a tiny dark part, actually LONGED for that. That was what scared her the most. She knew everyone had dark impulses and fantasies, but those were personal things that ought to stay hidden from the world, and usually did. Here, though, those harmless little flaws were being given full reign in an atmosphere of corruption, and they were beginning to loom larger and uglier in her consciousness. She couldn't help thinking that Reiko knew all about the dark corners of the human soul, and that she was very accomplished at feeding that darkness. Yohko needed to find a ray of light, something to cling to. She could already feel herself slipping into the dark. The warm, comforting, liberating dark, where any sin would be tolerated and only strength ruled. "Oh, God, I have to get OUT of here!" she whispered desperately. The damned hallways were endless, so finally she stopped, reaching out to one of the doors that broke up the dark walls. She opened it cautiously. The scene inside was horrifying. The succubus, Liliss, was on the floor, bound tightly by thin leather straps. A pulsating mound of slime was making its way slowly up her body, its rope-like tentacles cutting cruelly into her lovely bronzed flesh. Her body and hair were slick with the thing's slime, and as she watched several smaller tentacles snaked out, wrapping around her throat, nipples, and breasts. Another larger one slithered up between her legs, ramming itself home with a revolting wet slurping noise. As Yohko stood there, mesmerized, the worst part of all were the noises. Not the wet sucking sounds made by the creature, but Liliss's cries. They weren't cries of outrage or horror, but of passion. The look on her face confirmed it. She was ENJOYING herself. As Yohko watched, the beautiful succubus turned her head, her mesmerizing eyes meeting Yohko's. "Come join me, Yohko," she said in a low, sultry tone. "We'll show you pleasures beyond mortal understanding." Yohko shook her head slowly, backing away until she hit the far wall, unable to tear her gaze away. "Yohkoooo," Liliss called sweetly. "It's all right, Yohko. I know you want to. And I understand. Come. Come to me. Come." Yohko felt a tremor run through her body under the damp towel. She didn't want to, that was a lie. She would never, NEVER do anything like that ... She closed her eyes and ran blindly, Liliss's mocking moans chasing her down the hall. Her flesh seemed to burn with an unwholesome fire, and she staggered to a stop when she collided lightly with a wall. Her breathing was ragged and uneven, and she looked around. More hallways, more doors. The damned house couldn't be that big! Still, even though she didn't want to see what was behind the doors, they appeared to be her only hope of escape. It was either that, or just lie down here on the carpet and wait for Reiko to reclaim her, and she wasn't ready to admit defeat. Gingerly, she opened another door. Inside was a bed, much like Reiko's, and for a heart-stopping moment she thought she'd found her way back to her sword. Then she saw the two figures in the room. The boy was Shin. He was tied securely to the bed, much the way she had been that first night. He was naked, his skin slick with sweat and covered with red welts. Standing over him was a woman, wearing a glossy black leather cat suit and high-heeled boots and holding a whip. Her long glossy brown hair was tied up in a dominatrix's fall, and she swaggered slowly around the bed until Yohko could see her face. It was her. For a moment, she tried to tell herself that it might be Ayako, her look-alike, but she knew it wasn't so. It was her, somehow ... "So, slave," the other Yohko taunted. "Do you apologize for ignoring me?" "Y-yes," he stammered weakly. The leather clad woman cracked her whip against his bare chest, and he yelped. "Yes, Mistress!" he corrected himself. The other Yohko smiled wickedly, drawing one gloved hand lightly across the welt she'd just inflicted. "Better," she crooned. "Now Shin, what would you like me to do to you?" "Make me please you, Mistress," he begged. She smiled tolerantly down at him, then looked up at Yohko, the meeting of their eyes sending a current down deep into Yohko's belly. "See?" her double taunted. "You could have him. You could have any man you want. Or any woman. Just use your strength to MAKE them yours. That's what they want, after all. What YOU want ..." Once again, Yohko ran, trying to ignore the building heat in her loins as Shin's ecstatic moans lingered in the still air. Her mind was reeling. She's trying to get to you, Yohko told herself desperately. Don't let her. You can beat her if you just hold on. The next door showed her teaching a class of beautiful young men. She was strutting around the front of the room in a tight skirt and tighter blouse, and their eyes followed her everywhere. Then she started handing out detentions, and Yohko ran again ... The next room showed her in her Devil Hunter garb, sitting on a throne. But the devils were attending her, and several naked humans grovelled on the floor in front of her as she decided their fates. In the next, she was dancing with Reiko in a crowded club, slowly losing her inhibitions as the other girl's hands began to roam more freely over her body, her mouth moving in to capture Yohko's ... In the next, she reclined on silks as her harem surrounded her, eyeing her defiant new acquisition with amusement. The bound girl watched her with mixed anger, fear and anticipation as the other Yohko rose, swaying carefully towards her. She grasped the young beauty's chin firmly and pulled her head up, asking her for her name in honeyed tones. The gorgeous young blond tried to pull away, but was helpless. Yohko watched with pleasure as the girl struggled futilely against her bonds. Finally, her hair escaping untidily from its tight bun, her form fitting suit torn and soiled, she looked up at her new Mistress with deep blue eyes. She said her name was Yui, and Yohko pulled her towards the nest of pillows ... Yohko kept running, but each room held some dark, depraved fantasy, usually featuring her. And some deep dark part of her was responding to what she saw, whether she was the aggressor or the pliant slave, and that knowledge threatened to push her over the edge. Finally, a scream building in her, she pulled open one final door, to find herself looking outside. She blinked, confused. There was Chi. And ... Azusa! But Azusa looked older, more mature ... "So, it's been two years since Yohko disappeared," Chi said. "I can't believe we never found any trace of her. I miss her, you know?" "Yes," the older Azusa said sadly. "So do I." "But ... but I'm not gone!" the frantic Yohko gasped. Two years? What were they talking about? She'd only been gone a couple of days! "How've you been, Azusa? I know its hard for you at this time of year, being the anniversary of Yohko's disappearance and all." "Oh, I've gotten used to it," she sighed. "But Yohko's mom and grandmother are taking it badly, as usual. I'm going over there now to be with them. Why don't you come along?" Chi grinned. "Sure. We can talk about Yohko, and old times." The two girls started walking away, and Yohko tried to go through the door, but some invisible force held her back. She hammered at the barrier with her hands. "Chi! Azusa! I'm not dead! I'm here! Hey! I'M RIGHT HERE! HEY!" She screamed at them, but they couldn't hear her. She felt tears burn her eyes as she pressed frantically against the unseen barrier, screaming at the receding forms of her friends. Finally they were out of sight, and she slumped against the doorway, her throat raw. "It's not true," she whispered. "Isn't it?" a voice answered in her ear. It was Reiko, but Yohko was spent. She didn't turn or try to run. Why bother? She sensed Reiko's heat as her captor moved to stand behind her, almost touching, and spoke into her ear. "You've entered my kingdom, Yohko," she breathed. "Here, I hold sway over everything, including you. When I overcome your defences every night, and you succumb to my darkness, how long do you sleep? A night? A month? A year?" Yohko didn't respond, and Reiko's hands came up to rest gently on her shoulders. Yohko made no move to push them away. "You've been here a long time, Yohko. Much longer than you think." Reiko's voice was low, free of the mocking tone she usually used, and Yohko shuddered as she considered that Reiko could be telling the truth. Two years? Could that be true? Could everyone she knew have given up on her? As her mind whirled madly, Reiko turned her until they were face to face. Reiko was wearing a silk robe of black with a delicate pattern of red roses, and her eyes were almost sad. "You're lying," Yohko whispered. "You always lie to me." Reiko smiled gently. "No, sweet. I have no need of lies, just as I have no need of polite facades. I let my innermost hungers have free reign, and I've tried to give you that same freedom. I wanted you, and so I seduced you. You will belong to me, Yohko, because I am stronger than you, and because you continue to deny your own desires." She gently brushed Yohko's hair back from her face, her fingers feeling cool and nice against Yohko's flushed skin. "The outside world has forgotten you, Yohko. They've all moved on. I am all you have now, my innocent young bride. But don't be afraid. I will take very, very good care of you. As long as you are mine, you will be safe." Yohko gazed into those bottomless violet eyes, and saw herself reflected there. She saw her own despair, her own doubts, and as Reiko embraced her she realized she didn't now what was truth and what was lies any longer. She was just ... tired. And when Reiko tilted her chin up and kissed her trembling lips, for the first time Yohko didn't try to resist. *** Ayako was not pleased with how things were going. After the events of the morning, they'd lost time while they'd regrouped. Finally, they'd decided on a course of action. They'd needed to split up to accomplish anything. One group had stayed behind to place wards over all the doors and windows to the house and beef up supernatural security, since the enemy knew where they lived. The other group had headed for Yohko's school. They hoped to find some clue as to where Reiko might be holed up in her school file. Kamiri had suggested that she might be able to talk the school officials into giving out said file. Ayako had her doubts, but reluctantly agreed. She didn't trust Kamiri to go alone. She also didn't trust her alone with any of the others. Something about the woman still bothered her, although her actions during the morning's attack had been completely supportive. As a result, she ended up going with Kamiri to the school while Chi got stuck refereeing for the two Azusas as they fortified the house. She watched the woman warily as they walked down the deserted hallways toward the school office. She moved with a lazy feline grace that drew attention to her, her long emerald green mane swaying gently against her lithe back. Ayako was puzzled by the almost animal magnetism that the woman possessed. She knew others felt it too; just walking down the street, men and women watched Kamiri, both openly and surreptitiously. And Kamiri knew it. She seemed to revel in it, completely comfortable in her own skin the way very few people Ayako had ever met were. Her eyes were lidded, her lush lips parted slightly in a smile, as she surveyed her surroundings like a queen touring her holdings. She made a room and its occupants hers just by walking in, and her frank gaze made Ayako uncomfortable for no reason she could name. However, she resolved to keep a close eye on the woman. Kamiri had helped them so far, but Ayako didn't want any surprises. They reached the office, and Kamiri turned to her with another of those maddening smiles. "Perhaps you should wait out here," she said smoothly. Instantly Ayako's hackles were up, and she bristled defensively. "Why should I do that?" she snapped. Kamiri's eyes danced with mischief. "I only thought to spare you from having to watch my ... unorthodox methods," she smiled. Ayako jabbed a finger at the other woman. "If you're thinking of using force in there ..." she began. Kamiri cut her off. "Nothing so clumsy, kitten." Kamiri looked her over for a moment, then nodded to herself. "Perhaps you SHOULD watch, after all. You might appreciate my talents, and at the very least, you could learn something." With that, she pushed the door open and slipped inside. Irritated at Kamiri's superior attitude, Ayako followed. The office was fairly large, but only one person was inside at the moment. She looked up from her desk as they entered. She was in her late twenties, slim and good-looking. Wearing a conservative skirt and blazer, she still managed to look quite sexy in a buttoned down sort of way, and her straight dark hair was short, sheared off in a bob just below the chin. She frowned slightly at their appearance. "Yes? May I help you ladies?" Kamiri strutted slowly over to his desk, giving him a dazzling smile. "Yes, I think so," she breathed. "You see, I need any information you have on a former student here, a Miss Reiko Akashi. I would like you to use your computer to call up her file." The woman's frown deepened. "I'm sorry, miss," she said coolly. "That information is private. I can't give it out to anyone without permission from the principal or the student's family." Ayako watched Kamiri, puzzled and a bit nervous at the was she seemed to be almost ... stalking the pretty young secretary. Kamiri walked slowly around the woman's desk, holding her gaze as she perched herself on it lightly. The woman's expression changed to one of mixed bewilderment and annoyance. "Excuse me!" she huffed. Kamiri stared down at her, and Ayako noticed uncomfortably that the short skirt of Kamiri's outfit showed a lot of leg. From where the secretary was sitting, Kamiri's panties would certainly be visible. "This is an emergency, though," Kamiri continued as though the other woman hadn't spoken. "We desperately need that information. I'm sure that it would be all right to give it to us. Don't you think?" The secretary's face was a deep crimson and she sat back in her chair abruptly. "I've already told you ..." she began. Kamiri sighed. "I'm afraid, sweetie, that I'm going to have to insist." Ayako tensed. No matter what Kamiri had said, this seemed like trouble. The woman reached for her phone, but Kamiri's hand came down on top of hers, pinning it. The woman gasped in outrage. "How dare you?" she cried, pulling free and standing. In a flash, Kamiri was also on her feet, grabbing the secretary around the waist and turning so the woman's hips were pinned against the side of the desk. "Kamiri!" Ayako called, alarmed. Kamiri just glanced at her casually. "It's under control," she smiled. The secretary, getting over her initial shock, began to struggle frantically in Kamiri's embrace. "What ... you can't do this! Let me go!" Kamiri kept one arm locked around the woman's slim waist and slid the other inside her tailored blazer. "What? You mean you don't want me to do ... this?" The woman gasped, her struggles stopping abruptly, and Ayako stared dumbfounded. Kamiri couldn't be doing what it LOOKED like she was doing. Could she? But she was. She turned her body slightly, and Ayako could see that Kamiri was cupping the woman's full breast in her hand, probing lightly at the nipple with her thumb as her long fingers squeezed and kneaded lightly. "Wh-what do you think you're ... doing?" the captive woman gasped. "Stop it! You ... can't!" Kamiri looked down into the woman's eyes, smiling tolerantly. "Oh, I can, dear. Don't worry, I know how to make you feel good. So very good ... like this ..." Ayako felt a strange heat in her belly as she watched the woman's struggles, Kamiri's other hand slipping down over the secretary's shapely buttocks and beginning to caress her there. That's it," Kamiri crooned as the woman gasped, throwing her head back. "Just enjoy it." There was a tearing sound as Kamiri jerked the front of the other woman's blouse open with one smooth motion, exposing a lacy white half-bra. The woman squealed and beat at Kamiri ineffectually with her small fists as the ninja slipped her conquering hand inside and parted the bra in the middle, letting the full ripe breasts slip free of their lacy prison. She made free with them, her dark red nails contrasting against the pale skin, and the secretary gasped with reluctant pleasure. Kamiri smiled, her compelling eyes narrowing as she stripped the woman's blazer off with her free hand, then moved it up to luxuriate in the woman's dark hair, tracing her nails along the delicate nape of the neck. "Stop," the woman moaned. "This isn't right ... you have to ... stop ..." "Make me," Kamiri whispered tauntingly. "But you can't, can you? Not when I make you feel like this. I know what you want, what you need. Just submit to me and I'll give you more pleasure than you've ever had." As Ayako watched, mesmerized, Kamiri pulled the barely resisting woman into a kiss. The secretary's struggles began to taper off as Kamiri held her close, tilting her head back and plundering her tender mouth with hot demanding kisses. Finally, she broke away, whirling the flustered and panting secretary around until she was holding her from behind. She sank into the chair, pulling the beguiled woman into her lap, pinning the dishevelled beauty's arms inside of hers as she cupped her prisoner's bared breasts hungrily. This is crazy, Ayako thought, feeling rivulets of sweat trickle down her back. She just can't DO this! It's obscene, it's unbelievable ... But Ayako watched, entranced, as the snooty secretary fell deeper and deeper under Kamiri's spell. Kamiri fondled the woman expertly, forcing cries of ecstasy from the woman's slim throat. Even their struggles were part of the erotic ballet they were performing, as Kamiri drew the woman tightly against her, nuzzling her neck, licking, kissing and biting her way along the line of her captive's jaw until her moans began to increase in tempo. "What's your name, gorgeous?" Kamiri asked at last. The helpless woman didn't open her eyes. "Keiko," she breathed. "Please ... stop, before ..." "Before what, Keiko? Before you come?" Keiko moaned louder as one of Kamiri's teasing hands slipped down under her skirt, her long fingers seeking the darkness between Keiko's legs. Ayako knew Kamiri'd found what she was looking for when Keiko gasped and squealed. Kamiri's smile was one of satisfaction. "Now, Keiko," she purred. "I would like you to do me a favour. Call up everything the school has on Miss Reiko Akashi. Would you do that for me?" She rested her cheek against Keiko's and licked at the corner of the secretary's mouth. Keiko nodded helplessly in reply, and Kamiri moved the chair closer to the desk, letting her captive reach the computer keyboard. She continued to tease and pleasure the woman as she typed in jagged spurts, pausing occasionally as tremors shook her body. Finally, Kamiri growled, a low animal sound that caused Keiko to arch her back and gasp. "Niiiice," she breathed. "Now print it. Would you do that for me, Keiko dear?" Keiko nodded, and hit a key. Ayako jumped as a printer sprang to life beside her. Kamiri's eyes met hers, amusement and something darker in them, and Ayako finally managed to tear herself away from the scene in front of her and go to the printer, retrieving the pages there. She listened, her face burning, as Kamiri made a low sound like a contented tomcat. "Very good, Keiko. I think you deserve ... a reward." Keiko's groans built in volume and intensity, until finally Ayako knew the woman was trembling on the edge. She wouldn't, Ayako thought numbly. But of course, she would. Keiko cried out sweetly as she came in Kamiri's arms, her body shuddering with helpless ecstasy as she surrendered to the fires that Kamiri had stoked in her. Ayako watched with a kind of detached fascination as Kamiri licked the sweat from Keiko's beautiful face, then slid out from under her, letting the secretary fall back limply in her chair. Kamiri licked something sticky from her fingers, then leaned forward to kiss Keiko fiercely. Keiko's answering moan was heartfelt and wanton, and Ayako turned away, wondering exactly what she'd gotten herself into ... and if the other two could hear her heartbeat. It seemed they must, it was pounding so hard. Finally, Kamiri was beside her, opening the door. "Did you get them all?" she asked politely. Ayako couldn't meet the other woman's gaze, simply nodding. Kamiri smiled. "Good. Then we're finished here." She started to leave. "What? But what about her?" Ayako blurted. Her clothes felt too tight, constrictive and confining, and her skin was flushed and hot. Kamiri gave her a crooked grin. "I'm done with her," she said breezily. "Unless you want to try?" Her grin was taunting, challenging, and Ayako's heart stuttered painfully. She knows, she thought desperately, hoping no outward sign showed. "Don't be stupid!" she snapped, brushing by Kamiri brusquely. "Let's go!" She gripped the pages tightly in her hand, hoping that this had all been worth it. *** Next: Yohko's doubts and despair continue to prey on her as Reiko keeps up her relentless campaign to break the Devil Hunter. Also, Kamiri makes Ayako face her own dark desires, as Reiko devises a plan to keep the group from reaching the shrine! All this, and more fan service! Usenet Web 1.0.3 (development) / webmaster@netimages.com