Okay, once more:  this story is a lemon, which means it contains scenes of
graphic sexuality and should not be viewed by people under the age of consent
or people who are offended by such things.  Also, it uses characters from the
listed series without permission.  Also, it will explode in five seconds.
	Okay, I made that last one up.  Have fun, people ...


	Last time:  Kamiri used her sexcraft to coerce a demon into translating the
writings for her.  Reiko lured Yohko to her lair, where she revealed the
truth to the shocked Devil Hunter.  Then she proceeded to seduce the girl,
eventually ensnaring her and having her way with the helpless Yohko ...

A fic featuring characters from Devil Hunter Yohko and La Blue Girl:

Dark Queen's Reign
Chapter four: Conquered


by: Dark Schneider

     Yohko woke not knowing where she was at first.  Her head
felt fuzzy, and there was a strange taste in her mouth.  She tried to roll
over, but something was wrong.  The sheets felt strange, cool and slick
against her skin.  Her BARE skin.  And her wrists were tied behind
her back.
     She froze.  God.  Oh, God.  Last night.  Last night with Reiko.
     She could feel Reiko's lush body against her back, the Dark
Queen's hot breath stirring the hair at the nape of her neck.  She
closed her eyes, her body aching at the remembered caresses and
kisses that she'd endured.
     No, she thought numbly.  That can't have happened.  I'm a
Devil Hunter.  I kill devils, I don't let them tie me up and make me ...
     Make me ...
     Ohhhh, God.  Her traitorous body shuddered lightly as she
remembered THAT, Reiko finally breaking through her last defences,
kissing her until her head swam and her body begged for release from
its sweet need ...
     And then Reiko had made her say those foul vows.  Yohko
took a deep, shaky breath.  She could still feel that collar, snug around
her throat.  Her skin already tingled where it touched the dark silk of
the bedding, and she fought the urge to scream.
     She'd never been in this much trouble.  Never.  And she had
to escape, right now, before Reiko could bring her back under her
control.  If she didn't, then she had to admit to herself it was unlikely
she would be able to resist Reiko's attentions when the bitch queen
woke up.  There was no sense in lying to herself, Reiko knew how to
do things to her, horrible wonderful things, and Yohko didn't know
how many more nights like the previous one she could endure without
going crazy.
     Or submitting utterly.  Or both.
     Cut it out! she told herself sternly.  Thinking like that won't
help!  She took a shaky breath, let it out slowly.  Then another. 
Good.  Now, she began to take stock of her situation.
     She couldn't see the soul sword, nor could she feel it the way
she usually could.  She was still transformed, though, she somehow
knew that.  She could feel her ring with her thumb, so that hadn't been
taken.  She couldn't generate any power, though.  Her bonds must be
magical in nature, and interfering with her powers.  Well, she'd just
have to get away from Reiko without waking her, then find something
to cut through these bonds.  After that, she'd be able to summon her
sword from wherever it had gotten to, and ...
     And Reiko the Dark Queen would get hers.  In full.  Yohko
would make her sorry she'd ever heard of the 108th Devil Hunter,
Yohko Mano.  She let the rage at her humiliation build in her, since it
was infinitely preferable to the hopelessness she'd felt earlier.  Slowly,
she began inching away from Reiko, easing herself gently toward the
side of the bed.  Finally, just as she was almost there, a voice spoke.    
     "This is very amusing to watch, you know," Reiko murmured
huskily.  Yohko squealed and lost her balance, falling heavily off the
bed and onto the carpeted floor.  She winced, hearing Reiko laugh
musically above her.
     "Oh, my.  Quite a performance from the blushing bride,"
Reiko teased, sliding over to sit on the side of the bed, looking down
at Yohko.  Yohko felt a hot flush of blood rising to her face, and
snapped back before she could stop herself.
     "I'm not your bride, you witch!"  Reiko's expression didn't
change.
     "Oh, really?  But we are married.  You spoke the vows
yourself."
     "You MADE me ..." Yohko began.  Reiko slid down to
crouch beside her, keeping Yohko pinned between her body and the
bed.
     "That's right," she purred.  "I made you.  I COMPELLED
you.  And I'll do so again.  And you, my sweet one, will enjoy it." 
Yohko blinked, then turned her head away, not liking the way Reiko's
eyes seemed to draw her in.
     "That's insane," she growled weakly.  She sensed Reiko
leaning closer, her lips next to Yohko's ear.
     "Again," she whispered in a falsetto impression of Yohko's
voice, and suddenly Yohko remembered that she HAD said that last
night, lying senseless in the aftermath of Reiko's seduction.  She felt
shame flare up in her once more.
     "That'll never happen again!" she shouted with impotent rage,
turning to face her tormentor.  Reiko's face was still close, and she
found herself gazing deeply into the raven-haired beauty's bottomless
eyes, struggling to keep her anger from slipping away.  Reiko just
stared back, amused by Yohko's struggles.
     "I'm so glad you haven't broken yet," she whispered at last. 
"It's going to be so much fun conditioning you."
     "Con-conditioning?  What does that mean?"  She still angry,
but fear was also beginning to creep in.  She had to admit that she was
a captive, at Reiko's mercy for the moment.  The Dark Queen could
do whatever she wanted, and Yohko would be hard-pressed to stop
her. At least until she got these damned enchanted bonds off.  Then
things would change very quickly.
     "Oh, don't worry, my sweet.  Some people do their
conditioning with pain, but I prefer to use pleasure.  It has the added
element of using the subject's own desires against her."  Yohko stared
at her as if she were crazy.
     "You can't ..." she began.  Then Reiko reached out and
slipped her index finger gently through the tether ring on the front of
Yohko's collar, and before Yohko knew what was happening, Reiko
very gently tugged.
     Bolts of dark electric pleasure arced through Yohko, playing
along her nerves wantonly.  She arched her back out of ancient
submissive instinct and cried out, startled at the suddenness of the
sensations.  When they subsided, albeit reluctantly, Reiko was sitting
there, watching her and smiling wickedly.
     "Did you forget my wedding present to you?" she asked
breathily.  "As long as you wear it, you belong to me.  That means you
can't use your powers unless I allow it.  And when I want to train you
you obey your Dark Queen and Mistress, all I have to do is ... give a
little tug."  She did so, and again the sudden pleasure rocketed through
Yohko's helpless body.  Reiko chuckled, leaning close to nibble the
captive girl's earlobe.
     "Days of conditioning," she whispered hotly, "and nights in my
bed, suckling my tainted blood.  How long do you think you can hold
out, Yohko?  The longer you do, the more entertaining it will be for
me.  But make no mistake," she growled, grasping Yohko's hair and
pulling the girl around until they were face-to-face, "in the end you
WILL belong to me.  Completely."  Then she kissed Yohko on the
mouth, and Yohko forced herself not to respond, even though her
traitorous body still tingled from the pleasure of her collar.  Reiko
finally broke away, apparently not at all put off by Yohko's lack of
reaction.
     "I can be patient, Yohko," she smiled.  "and tonight, you will
beg for more again, as you did on our wedding night."  Yohko stared
steadfastly at the floor, not wanting to acknowledge Reiko's hold over
her.  She WOULD find a way to break free.
     She must.
     A knock at the door caught her attention just then, and she
looked up as Reiko called out permission to enter.  The woman that
came in was breathtaking.  It took Yohko a few seconds to realize
that she was actually the flying demoness that had led her here only
yesterday.  She was dressed in a scanty little black maid's costume,
her tawny tresses spilling down her back and below the level of her
brief skirt.  She strutted into the room slowly, carrying something on a
large silver tray.
     "Ah, Liliss.  I believe you met my bride yesterday."
     "Only briefly," Liliss replied in her velvety voice, her gold eyes
fixing Yohko with a hungry stare that made the Devil Hunter shudder. 
Reiko's fingers slid teasingly over Yohko's skin as she made an
appreciative sound.
     "I think you and Liliss will become ... very good friends,
Yohko.  Eventually.  But now, it is the first day of our honeymoon. 
Liliss, did you bring the items I requested?"
     "Of course, Mistress."  She lowered the tray to the floor, and
Yohko could see what was on it for the first time.  She paled.
     "I'm not putting any of THAT on!" she announced indignantly. 
In response, Reiko simply slipped her arms around Yohko's waist and
threw her to the floor on her stomach, straddling her from behind.
     "Liliss, hand me those restraints, please," she said.
     "Yes, Mistress."  Yohko struggled, but couldn't break loose
as Reiko slipped the long, supple leather sheath over her arms.  With
her wrists already bound, she couldn't do anything to stop it.  Reiko
began at her wrists, lacing the sheath tightly around her arms, slowly
working her way towards the shoulder.  The amount that Yohko could
move her arms was restricted more fully as Reiko laced further up,
until finally her arms were lashed tightly together, bound in a shiny
second skin from wrists to shoulders.  Reiko sat back with a happy
sigh.
     "That was diverting.  Now, Liliss, the corset ..."
     By the time Reiko was finished with their erotic wrestling
match, Yohko had been strapped into an outfit that belonged in a sex
club.  She fought her way to a sitting position, looking down at herself
in dismay.
     A tight black corset hugged her narrow waist, laced tightly up
to her breasts, which were left jutting, naked and vulnerable, by the
obscene thing.  It circled around them, twin straps fastening to her
collar.  It had long garters which were attached to sheer, thigh-length
stockings.  High-cut lace panties and high-heeled pumps completed
the ensemble.
     Or so she thought.
     "Liliss," Reiko demanded.  Yohko looked up, a sensation of
cold dread creeping into her as she noted the smug expression on
Liliss's face.  The succubus handed something to Reiko, and Yohko
swallowed.
     "No," she said.  But Reiko would not be so easily swayed. 
She let the long, leather leash uncoil, swinging loosely from her hand.
     "Oh, yes, my sweet.  Time for some ... conditioning."  She
leaned forward, snapping the leash to the tether ring of Yohko's collar
in one smooth, practised motion before Yohko could pull away.  Then
she stood, one end of the leash in her hand, staring imperiously at her
bound bride. 
     "Well, Yohko, we had quite a night.  I think we could both do
with a nice, relaxing bath.  Don't you?  Liliss, is the bath prepared?" 
Liliss nodded, flexing her wings slightly.
     "Yes, Mistress."
     "Good.  Come, Yohko.  Stand up like a good girl."  Yohko
stared up at her, hate in her eyes, and Reiko sighed, then tugged the
leash.  Once, gently.  Pleasure exploded in Yohko's breasts and loins,
and she stifled a moan.
     "Don't be difficult, Yohko.  If I have to keep using this all day,
you may not survive for our second night together."  Yohko gasped,
fighting down the seductive sensations that sought to enslave her, and
stood.  Reiko nodded.
     "Good.  Now follow."  Fuming helplessly, Yohko followed,
glancing up at Liliss as she went.  The look on the succubus's face
shocked her.  Liliss looked JEALOUS.
     Yohko mused as she trailed Reiko down the hallway.  Maybe
the succubus WAS jealous.  If that was so, maybe she could use that. 
Maybe there was a chance yet.  She'd grasp at any straw at this point.
     Liliss went ahead of them, opening a door that they went
through without slowing.  Once inside, Yohko gaped.  The bathroom
was decadent in the extreme.  It was huge, with expensive-looking
dark marble and plush towels and mirrors everywhere she looked. 
She flushed furiously as she saw her reflection, and the other two both
laughed at her.
     A large marble tub was set into the floor, and it was full of
steaming, sudsy water.  Reiko handed the leash to Liliss and stripped
off the clothes she'd apparently slept in.  If she'd slept at all.  Soon she
was naked, utterly unselfconscious, and Yohko found her eyes drawn
to Reiko in spite of everything.  She was not only beautiful, she
seemed to radiate an animal sensuality that drew in the unwary.  She
took the leash back from Liliss and stepped gracefully down into the
tub.  Liliss smirked.
     "Oh, she'll get all wet!  Mistress, you'll have to undress her
and dress her again!"  Yohko blushed at the thought of undergoing that
again, and Reiko laughed.
     "I suppose I will.  Oh, well.  Come, sweet.  Into the tub." 
Yohko staggered forward, hoping she didn't slip on the slick marble
with her high-heeled shoes.  She made it into the tub and sank down
gratefully, letting the hot water surround her body.  Reiko regarded her
carefully as she settled herself.
     "Not so fast, my lovely bride.  First, you must wash me.  Then
I'll wash you."  Yohko stared at Reiko, trying to control her anger.
     "How?  My hands are tied, remember?"  Reiko lowered her
eyes coquettishly.
     "Then I guess you'll have to use ... your tongue."  Yohko
growled.
     "Go to hell!" she spat.  Reiko stopped smiling.  And held up
the leash.
     And pulled.
     She pulled hard, keeping up the pressure this time, pulling
Yohko tight against her chest, watching her with narrowed eyes.  The
pleasure exploded, not in tiny bursts this time, but in a long drawn-out
wave, one that continued to build as Reiko kept up the insistent
pressure on Yohko's collar.  Yohko began to make helpless little
noises as her struggles only made the situation worse.
     "Ah, ah, ah, no, stop it ... aaAAHHH, no, Reiko, ah ah ah ah
nuh-no ah ah ah ah AH AH AH AHHH AHHHHHH AHHHHHHH! 
Oh, God, oh, God, stop Reiko please I'm oh PLEASE DOOOON'T
..."  Finally, the wave cresting, Reiko sent her over with a sharp tug of
the leash, and Yohko shrieked as her body was given over to molten
pleasure.  She splashed and jerked against Reiko, ashamed at her
reaction but unable to do anything to stop it.
     When she finally subsided, she found herself lying bonelessly
against Reiko's full chest, her head nestled loosely against the other
girl's shoulder.  Reiko's dryly amused voice came to her suddenly.
     "That was fun," she said silkily.  "Now, where were we?  Oh, yes, I
was teaching you which of us is in charge.  Yohko.  Bathe me."  The
leash twitched gently.  "Now."  Yohko tried to control her breathing
as she lay, shocked, against Reiko.  It was so hard to think when
Reiko did that.  She knew that she had to avoid this conditioning if she
could.  She needed to conserve her strength as much as possible.  If
Reiko didn't use the collar, she could pretend to be cowed, waiting for
an opportunity to act.  The leash jerked again, dangerously this time,
and Yohko shuddered.  She stuck her tongue out a little and rubbed it
gently against Reiko's shoulder.
     "Not bad," Reiko purred.  "Here, let me ... teach you how to
do it properly."  Lacing her fingers into Yohko's hair, she began
guiding Yohko's face over her chest.  Yohko closed her eyes and
tried to think of something else.
     How long would she have to endure this?  How long could
she?
     Long enough, she told herself stubbornly.  She'd hold out.  
     She just had to.

***

     Azusa paced the floor nervously.  She had a bad feeling, a
very bad feeling, about Yohko.  She'd gone out without saying where
she'd been going, and had not returned.  This just wasn't like her. 
What if she'd been attacked by something, and was lying hurt or
... worse?  
     Azusa shook her head angrily.  She couldn't think like that! 
Whatever trouble Yohko was in, Azusa had to help her.  After all,
wasn't she a Devil Hunter in training?  Wasn't she Yohko's
apprentice?
     And she had to help.  She didn't know how to get hold of
Yohko's grandmother at the resort she'd gone to.  There was nobody
else.
     Nobody ...
     She jumped up and grabbed her shoes.  She couldn't just sit
here, she had to go out and do something.  She'd tried calling Chi's
place, but there'd been no answer.  Maybe she'd drop by, see if
Yohko had spoken to her the previous night.  Anything was better
than just sitting around here.
     The day was sunny and warm, but the pleasant weather did
nothing to soothe Azusa's mood.  There'd been a powerful astral
conjunction the previous night, and the moon had turned blood red. 
She didn't know what had happened, but she was dreadfully afraid for
Yohko.
     Where could she have gone?  And if there'd been trouble
brewing, why hadn't she taken Azusa along?
     I may be just a Devil Hunter in training, Azusa thought, but I
could have helped her!
     With that thought haunting her, she made her way to Chi's
place.  She had to knock loudly for several minutes before she got a
response.  She was just about to leave when the door finally opened. 
Chi stood there, her hair a tangled mess, dressed only in a bathrobe. 
She blinked at Azusa several times with bloodshot eyes before
speaking.
     "Azusa.  Damn, what time is it?"  Azusa frowned.
     "Nearly eleven!  Chi, were you still in bed?"  Chi groaned and
nodded.
     "Yup."  Azusa frowned.
     "You look terrible!  Are you okay?"
     "Tired.  Haven't been sleeping well.  Weird dreams."  Azusa
perked up at that.  Yohko had had a nightmare the night Azusa
returned ...
     "What kind of dreams?" she asked excitedly.  Chi started,
then blushed deeply.
     "You're too young to hear the details," she muttered. 
"Where's Yohko?"  Azusa fought back a wave of despair.
     "You haven't seen her?" she asked desperately.  "Oh, Chi,
she's vanished!"  Chi stared at her blankly, finally letting her in.  The
house was quiet, the other occupants clearly absent, and Chi led
Azusa to the kitchen where she brewed coffee while Azusa told her
what had happened.
     "Um.  So, you think something happened to Yohko?" Chi
asked finally, plopping down and taking a sip of her coffee.  She
winced as the hot liquid scalded her mouth.
     "Something must have!  She said she'd be right back, but she
never returned!  Yohko wouldn't do something like that, not even
calling, unless something happened to her!  Chi, I don't know what to
do!"  Chi nodded, staring listlessly into her cup.  Finally, she sighed.
     "Where should we start, then?"  Azusa thought about that.
     "Maybe we should talk to this Reiko person.  Maybe she
knows something."  Chi shrugged.
     "I guess that couldn't hurt," she said.  "I'll go get dressed and
we'll go over to her parent's place."
     It was an hour before Chi could pull herself together and they
reached the gates of a nice house in a well-off neighbourhood.  Azusa
frowned.
     "This nameplate says Yamazaki, not Akashi," she said.  Chi
frowned. 
     "Well, her parents used to live here," she said doubtfully.  "I
guess they moved."  A middle aged woman was working in the yard,
and when she spotted them she came over to the gate.
     "Can I help you girls?" she asked pleasantly.
     "Do you know where the people who used to live here went?"
Azusa asked anxiously.  The woman looked at her.
     "You mean the Akashis," she asked.  Azusa nodded.
     "Yes, we're looking for their daughter," Chi explained.  The
woman frowned.
     "Oh, I'm afraid their daughter went missing mysteriously last
year.  She was never found, and the family moved out of the city." 
Chi looked confused.
     "Never found?  That can't be right.  Reiko was found
wandering near the house.  I remember.  They took her abroad for a
little while to recuperate from her injuries."  The woman looked at her
strangely.
     "I don't know who you're thinking of, my dear, but I assure
you that Reiko Akashi never returned to this house after the day she
went missing.  Nobody's seen her since then."  Chi started to say
something, and Azusa elbowed her in the ribs, bowing quickly.
     "Thank you anyway, ma'am," she said quickly, grabbing Chi
by the hand.  "Bye!"  With that she took off, dragging Chi behind her. 
She didn't stop until they were a block away, and Chi was panting
heavily as they dodged behind a fence and caught their breath.
     "What's the matter with you?" Chi asked finally.  Azusa
looked up into her eyes.
     "Chi, something's very wrong here.  Yohko told me the same thing
you did, that Reiko was found near her home that night.  So how
come that lady insists that Reiko never came home?"
     "I don't know.  I'm just telling you what I remember, Azusa." 
Azusa frowned.
     "I wonder ..." she began.  Then she grabbed Chi's hand again.
     "Come on," she instructed.  Chi groaned.
     "Now where?" she asked.  Azusa tugged impatiently.
     "The library," she said.  "I want to check something out."

***

     Kamiri balanced easily on the tree branch, safely hidden from
view by the dense foliage.  She wasn't so much worried about being
spotted by the girls as she was by the succubus that was tailing them,
flying high above.  After they'd visited that house, however, the
succubus had circled and headed away.  Kamiri considered trying to
follow the lovely demon back to her destination, but decided against it. 
Even a ninja would have trouble tracking a flying creature without
being noticed.  She'd need a better opportunity.
     No, for now she decided it was far better to stick with the
girls.  Judging by their reaction to the owner of that house, they'd
discovered something interesting.
     Kamiri wanted to know what it was.

***

     Reiko had Yohko bound tightly to a convoluted frame in her
playroom when Liliss returned.  She left off the explorations she'd
been conducting of her bride's lovely, helpless flesh, rising to give her
a lingering kiss.
     "Don't go away," she whispered, leaving the enraged girl there
while she went to speak to Liliss in private.
     "Well?" she asked when they were alone.  She'd sent Liliss to
check on the girl who was, according to the lustful Chigako, an
apprentice Devil Hunter named Azusa Kanzaki.  Liliss took a deep
breath.
     "She seemed worried this morning, but gave no indication that
Yohko told her where she was going."
     "Yohko didn't know where she was going," Reiko pointed out
with just the faintest trace of irritation.  Liliss nodded quickly.
     "Well, she went over and roused Chi ... quite an undertaking,
if I do say so myself."  Reiko allowed herself a sly smile at that.
     "Yes, I have no doubt it was.  And?"
     "They went to your old house, Mistress."  Reiko went very
still at that.
     "Did they?" she asked quietly.  "Looking for me, no doubt. 
Well, this is somewhat disturbing.  Did they speak to anyone?"  Liliss
nodded.    
     "The owner.  I wasn't close enough to hear them, but
whatever she told them disturbed them greatly.  They ran off, and I
decided that this was something you would want to know
immediately."  Reiko paced, scowling.  If they discovered that the
memories of those involved in her fight with Yohko had been altered,
then it wouldn't take long for suspicion to fall on her.  And even
though they had no idea where to find her, she didn't want to take the
chance of something going wrong.  
     After the last time, she was going to make certain that the
odds were heavily stacked in her favour.
     And as for this little apprentice Devil Hunter, she could very
well turn out to be a problem.  Reiko wondered if the girl was
powerful enough to retrieve the Book.  If she was, then she needed to
be either captured or eliminated, to ensure that Reiko's rival had no
chance at all of interfering with her plans.
     "Liliss, I need you to do something for me."  Liliss leaned
closer, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
     "Anything, Mistress!  Shall I eliminate them for you?"  Reiko
smiled at her loyal servant's enthusiasm, and reached out to gently
caress the succubus's cheek.
     "No, my golden girl.  I will not do anything that drastic until I
am sure of where matters stand.  But I must know how powerful the
little one is.  You sensed Yohko's power when she came here, and
you have seen my memories of our fight.  Engage the girl for me, draw
her into a fight, then return.  And Liliss."  Her hand tightened on
Liliss's cheek, nails digging lightly into the succubus's flesh.  "No ...
ACCIDENTS.  Understand?"  Liliss licked her lips.
     "Yes, Mistress.  I'll take care of it."  Then she left, and Reiko
returned to her playroom to find Yohko struggling fruitlessly with the
shackles that held her to the frame.  She smiled widely at the sight.
     "Oh, how prettily you struggle," she sighed, plucking a glove
of rabbit's fur from a nearby rack.  "Now then, my sweet.  Where
were we ...?"

***

     "I don't get it," Chi said.  Azusa looked up from the microfilm
projector, her expression grim.
     "Look, Chi.  According to the newspaper stories from that week,
Reiko disappeared that night and NEVER CAME HOME.  The
police suspected kidnapping, because her family was pretty well off,
but there was never any ransom demand or anything.  It's like Reiko
just dropped off the face of the earth."  She tapped the screen with her
finger.  "It's all right here."  
     "But I REMEMBER," Chi objected.  "She was found
wandering near her house ..."
     "Who told you that?" Azusa demanded.  Chi frowned.
     "Well, I don't know.  Maybe I read it in the news ... oh. 
Well, I don't remember exactly.  I just know that she was found there,
hurt and confused ..."
     "Only, according to all the newspapers we've looked at, and the
lady living there now, she wasn't found at all.  Chi, first this Reiko
comes back, and now Yohko disappears.  I don't like this.  There has
to be a connection."
     "Like what?  What's going on here?"
     "If your memory of what happened was changed somehow,
then maybe Yohko's was, too."
     "Hmmm.  Then you mean maybe Reiko wasn't the Dark Queen?" 
Azusa stared at the flickering screen, frowning.
     "No, I mean maybe she still is," she said quietly.  Chi didn't know
what to say to that.  Azusa stretched, trying to work the kinks out of
her neck.
     "So where do we go from here?" Chi asked.  Azusa shrugged.
     "I'm not sure.  We'll need to think about this some more. 
Come on, it's getting late.  Let's go back to the house and have some
supper.  Maybe we'll find a clue among Yohko's grandmother's
books."  They walked away, not noticing the beautiful woman with the
dark green hair who stopped at the machine they'd been using,
looking at the screen with a calculating expression before moving to
follow them.

***

     The more she found out about this whole mess, the more
concerned Azusa became.  Someone had apparently gone to a lot of
trouble to obscure the truth of what had happened to Reiko Akashi. 
And changing someone's memories like that, if that was in fact what
had been done, would have taken very powerful magic.
     Now she had to find out what was going on, without Yohko to
fall back on.  Even though she'd secretly wanted a chance to prove
herself, now that one had arrived she felt unprepared.  She wanted
Yohko back.  Desperately.
     She and Chi cut through the park as the shadows lengthened. 
People were heading home for supper, heading home to their safe
normal lives.  She, on the other hand, was heading home to an empty
house.  What would happen if she couldn't find Yohko?  What if she
disappeared the way Reiko had and simply never came back?
     No!  She couldn't think that way!  She'd find Yohko.  
     Somehow.
     "Hello, girls.  Nice night to die, isn't it?"  Azusa was pulled
rudely from her ruminations by the voice, and looked up to see Chi
staring wide-eyed, her face pale, at the figure on the path ahead of
them.
     "It can't be you," she whispered.  "I ... dreamed you!"  The
beautiful woman with the black wings and horns smiled seductively.
     "Oh, those weren't dreams, my lovely," she said.  "And you
were terrific.  A shame it has to end this way, isn't it?"  Azusa looked
back and forth, confused.  Chi was blushing now, a deep crimson, and
Azusa wondered just what was going on.
     "Hey, you!" she challenged.  "Where's Yohko?"  The golden
beauty turned to Azusa and smiled sweetly.
     "Ah, the little apprentice Devil Hunter.  Yohko is with my
Mistress.  They're ... getting to know each other better.  Yohko has
switched sides, dear.  Get used to it."  Azusa felt her face growing hot
at the demoness's tone.
     "You're a liar!" she shouted, bringing her hand up in front of
her.  The rays of the setting sun glinted off the back of her dragon's
head glove as she narrowed her eyes angrily.
     "I won't forgive those who would attack my friends!  I am the
Devil Hunter in training, Azusa!"  She transformed in a blaze of light,
spinning her spear as her uniform appeared around her.  "Now give
me back Yohko!"  The enemy was unimpressed.
     "Well, I'm the succubus Liliss," she smiled, "and I'm not
interested in forgiveness.  But if you're good, I might let you have a
little fun before I send you to hell, little girl."  So saying, she suddenly
leapt into the air, spreading her wings.  As Chi shouted a warning, the
succubus twisted and dove at Azusa.
     Azusa's heart was hammering as she instinctively brought her
spear up in a blocking motion.  The succubus's hands lashed out, long
sharp nails raking at her target, and her attack was barely deflected. 
The ferocity of her attack, though, pushed Azusa back as Liliss hit the
ground in front of her, lashing out again and again.  Azusa couldn't
match the creature's speed, and she was barely able to keep it at bay
as she continued to give ground.
     Azusa knew quickly that she was in trouble.  She was losing.  Even
as she had the thought, the succubus knocked the spear out of her
hands with one fierce blow, then drew her hand back, smiling
wickedly.
     "Gotcha," she grinned.  Then Liliss was thrust aside suddenly as
someone ran into her full-tilt.
     "Chi!"
     "Azusa, run!"  Liliss stumbled and fell, but immediately jumped
to her feet and snarled at the girls.
     "Oh, Chigako," she growled, "you aren't going to enjoy my
attentions nearly so much this time!"  Azusa had no time to figure out
what Liliss meant by that, jumping in front of Chi with her retrieved
spear.
     "Chi, you run!  I'll hold her off!"
     "What?  Azusa, she'll kill you!"  Azusa was very much afraid
that Chi was right, but she had to protect the other girl.  After all, she
was a Devil Hunter.
     Sort of.  She brought the spear up, getting ready as Liliss bared
her fangs and prepared to leap.  Then suddenly, Liliss had to jump
back to avoid several thrown blades that thunked into the ground
where she'd been standing.  Azusa gasped as someone came hurtling
out of nowhere, attacking Liliss expertly with punches and kicks,
bounding through the air with deadly grace.  Liliss was taken
off-guard, and finally had to jump up to a nearby tree branch to
escape.  The woman who'd saved them stood with her hands on her
hips, smiling slightly as she gazed up at the treed succubus.
     "So, we meet again," she said.  Liliss screeched angrily.
     "You!  This time I'll snap your spine like a twig and drink you
dry, you impudent bitch!"  The woman tossed her dark green hair
contemptuously and laughed.
     "Oh, I don't think so," she said.  She placed her hands
together and started a low chant.  The tree branches around Liliss
suddenly seemed to come to life, wrapping around the startled
succubus.  The stranger kept chanting, and then gestured sharply.  The
animated branches flung Liliss with tremendous force at a nearby tree. 
She struck hard, landing on the ground heavily.  When she got up,
blood was trickling from her nose and she was moving slowly.  Azusa
cheered and brought her spear around.
     "Yeah!  Let's get her!" she crowed.  Liliss took in the situation
and apparently decided that the odds had swung too strongly against
her.  She launched herself into the air.
     "This isn't over!" she called angrily, soaring away.  Azusa
watched her go with mixed emotions.
     "Wait!" she called out.  "What about Yohko?"  The succubus
disappeared from view, and Azusa felt her heart sinking.  NOW what
was she going to do?
     "Are you all right, dear?" a voice asked from behind her.  She
turned to see the stranger standing behind her.  She realized that a wild
swing had torn her uniform just below her breasts, but she wasn't cut.
     "Oh, yes.  Thank you!  If you hadn't shown up ..."  The
beautiful woman smiled in understanding.
     "I'm glad I was able to help.  That succubus was very nasty."
     "She seemed to know you," Chi said, sounding a little
suspicious.  The woman turned to smile secretively at her.
     "And you," she said sweetly.  Chi blushed fiercely and turned
away, leaving Azusa to wonder just what Chi's problem with the
creature had been.
     "Anyway, thanks a lot!  That's Chi, and I'm Azusa."
     "Yes, a Devil Hunter in training."  Azusa's eyes widened.
     "You know about the Devil Hunters?" she asked, surprised. 
"Are YOU one?"  The woman laughed.
     "No, actually I'm a ninja.  I belong to a secret clan that fights
demons.  I was hoping to talk to Devil Hunter Yohko Mano, but ..."
     "She's disappeared!" Azusa blurted.  The woman nodded
sympathetically.
     "I know.  I think your friend is in a lot of trouble."
     "Do you know where to find her?" Chi asked.  The woman
shook her head, causing her long green hair to ripple along her lithe
back.
     "No, I'm afraid not.  But we must find her before midnight on the
night of the full moon.  That's only three nights from now."
     "What?  Why?" Azusa demanded.  The woman smiled.
     "Perhaps we should go somewhere and talk about this." 
Azusa nodded.
     "Sure.  Why don't you come with us?"  Chi immediately
spoke up.
     "Azusa!" she hissed.  "What are you doing?"  
     "Look, Chi.  She saved us, right?  If it hadn't been for her,
that thing could've killed us BOTH.  I think we can trust her. 
Anyway, we need help to find Yohko, and she obviously knows how
to fight demons!  Come on, please?"  Chi looked sullen but finally
nodded.
     "I guess we don't have much choice," she agreed reluctantly. 
Azusa beamed.
     "Okay, then!" she announced.  "Come back with us and we'll
talk things over.  I'll even make us some dinner!"  The stranger
laughed.
     "Well, aren't you a sweetie?" she said.  "Very well, I accept."
     "Hey, I didn't get your name," Chi said as they began walking. 
The woman nodded to her respectfully.
     "Kamiri," she said.  "And it is a pleasure to meet you both."

***

     Kamiri exulted at her luck as she accompanied the girls back
to the house.  The succubus's attack couldn't have come at a better
time.  By intervening, she'd been able to quickly gain their trust.  Well,
Azusa's trust.  Chi seemed somewhat suspicious of her still, but
Kamiri didn't think the girl would prove too much of a problem.
     She considered what she'd seen while trailing the two girls.  It
seemed that Reiko was something called the Dark Queen, and that
there was some discrepancy between the reported events surrounding
her initial disappearance and the memories of that event.  She
remembered the low-level demon that had attacked Yohko in the
park, and the gleaming spell-ball that had struck her while she was
distracted.  Yes, that could explain a lot, now, couldn't it?
     And then there was the girl Azusa.  She'd witnessed both
Yohko's and Azusa's transformations, and there was no doubt Yohko
was much more powerful.  Azusa might equal her mentor one day, but
right now there was no question in Kamiri's mind that she wouldn't be
powerful enough to pierce the wards that guarded the Book.  Still, she
might know something of use.  Kamiri figured it couldn't hurt to keep
close to her for a while.
     Night was falling as they approached the house, and Kamiri
was listening to the chatty Azusa tolerantly, trying to winnow out some
useful information from the girl.
     "I'm sure glad you were there to help us, Kamiri," she said
gratefully.  Kamiri smiled.
     "I'm glad I could help.  It's too bad that there aren't any other
Devil Hunters you could go to for help, though."  Azusa nodded
absently, but Chi stiffened suddenly at that.  Kamiri felt her heart begin
to beat faster at Chi's reaction.
     "Actually ..." she began slowly.  Kamiri held her hand up,
silencing the girl.
     "Someone is here.  Near the house," she said, cocking her
head.  Azusa, who had transformed back, looked alarmed and poked
her head around the gate to take a look before anyone could stop her. 
Then she gave a gasp and raced up the driveway.  Kamiri stepped out
into the open, seeing a girl standing up from where she'd been sitting
on the steps.  Azusa was racing towards her, and for a moment Kamiri
couldn't believe what she was seeing.
     It was Yohko.  Somehow, she'd escaped.  Azusa threw
herself at the startled girl, wrapping her arms tightly around the other
girl's waist.
     "Yohko!  You're safe!" she cried.  Chi stood beside Kamiri,
frowning.
     "Azusa," she said loudly.  "That's not Yohko."  Kamiri looked
closer.  The girl certainly LOOKED like Yohko.  The ponytails were
tied differently, and she was wearing a black outfit a trifle more daring
than anything Kamiri had seen Yohko wearing: a tight black sleeveless
top with a high collar, a tight black skirt with a wide belt, and a
cropped vest.  But as Kamiri looked at her, she could see the tiny
differences in stance and body language.  The girl pushed a confused
Azusa away gently, looking at her in bemusement.
     "Well, the two of you really are twins," she said in a low,
amused voice.
     "You're ... Ayako," Azusa said, realization in her voice. 
Kamiri hid her smile.  Ayako.  There was something ... dark about the
girl, something she liked.  Something quite unlike the sweet nature of
her look-alike.  She turned to Chi.
     "She's the one you were thinking of?  Another Devil Hunter?" 
Chi nodded reluctantly.
     "Yes.  She's a relative of Yohko's," she said.  Kamiri felt a
surge of elation.
     Perfect.  All was not lost.  Reiko might have one Devil Hunter,
but there was another.  And Kamiri intended to make the luscious
Ayako hers.  And when the way was opened to the Tome of Craxus,
she'd make certain that HER Devil Hunter was the one to emerge
victorious.
     They walked into the yard, Ayako watching them
expressionlessly.
     "Chi," she said in a neutral tone.  "Who's this?"
     "That's Kamiri," Azusa said, much subdued.  "She's a ninja. 
She helped us fight a demon earlier."  Ayako stared at Kamiri, who
matched the girl's gaze easily.  Oh yes, this one had a dark side.  She
could tell.  This was going to be fun.
     "A ninja, huh?" she asked, apparently unconvinced.  Kamiri
smiled.
     "You should tell your friend to come down out of the tree and
join us," she said.  Ayako looked surprised, and seconds later a girl
jumped down from her hiding place to land lightly on the grass. 
Kamiri was surprised again.  She looked just like Azusa, although she
was dressed differently and had a purple headband instead of yellow.
     "How'd you know I was there?" she demanded.  Kamiri
smiled.
     "I told you, I'm a ninja.  You'll have to do better than that to
hide from me."  She noticed that the two Azusas didn't even look at
each other.
     "We came looking for Yohko," Ayako said finally.  "Something
happened last night, some kind of bad omen, and grandmother sent us
to check things out.  Where is she, anyway?"  Azusa looked at Chi
sadly, then sighed.
     "You'd better come in," she said heavily.  "We can talk it
over."  Kamiri smiled inwardly.  
     Things were DEFINITELY looking up for her.

***

     Liliss wasn't looking forward to explaining what had happened to
her Mistress.  It seemed probable, given what had happened, that her
enemy had joined with the young apprentice Devil Hunter.  The only
good news was that the girl was not nearly as powerful as her mentor.
     As she walked through the mansion, her body aching from the
pounding she'd taken, she trembled at the thought of her last
punishment.  She hoped having Yohko to play with had put her
Mistress in a better mood.
     She found them in the dining room.  The large table was full of
food, three full candelabras casting a golden light over the room. 
Yohko was kneeling beside Reiko's chair, and Reiko was hand
feeding the bound girl morsels of food from her plate.  Yohko's leash
was tied firmly to the arm of Reiko's heavy chair, and Liliss thought
with satisfaction that the humiliating posture suited the proud young
Devil Hunter very well.  
     Reiko looked up as she came in, frowning at the way Liliss
was limping.
     "You're back early," she said, her tone flat.  Liliss nodded and
bowed her head.
     "Something went wrong," she said tightly.  The silence
stretched out until Liliss thought she would burst.  Finally, Reiko spoke
in a disapproving tone.
     "Speak," she said coldly.  Liliss swallowed, feeling again the
slimy tentacles of her tormentor slithering over her body.
     "The woman, the one from the university," she said nervously. 
"She showed up as I was fighting the Kanzaki girl and the other one." 
Yohko's head snapped up at that.
     "Azusa?" she asked, her posture suddenly straightening.  "No! 
You leave her alone ..."  Reiko reached down and pulled Yohko's
leash tight.  She leaned over to look directly into Yohko's eyes.
     "Speak when spoken to, sweet," she murmured.  Yohko
didn't look away, and Reiko smiled, keeping up the pressure on
Yohko's collar until a sweat broke out all over her body and she cried
out sweetly, shuddering with pleasure.  Finally, Reiko released her and
she fell to the floor, still shuddering with helpless pleasure.  Reiko
returned her attention to Liliss, her gaze thoughtful.
     "She interfered?" Reiko asked.  Liliss nodded.
     "She helped them.  It seems as if our enemies have joined forces
now."  Reiko rose slowly from her seat and walked around the table.
     "Yes," she mused.  "A troubling development, to be certain." 
She stalked slowly over to Liliss, stopping directly in front of her. 
"And you were injured, my golden girl."  Liliss flushed with
embarrassment.
     "She took me by surprise, Mistress," she muttered.  "But I was
able to determine that the girl Azusa is nowhere near as powerful as
Yohko."  She bit her lip lightly, hoping that being the bearer of bad
news would not get her in her Mistress's bad books again.  Reiko
made a thoughtful sound.
     "Well, I am very troubled by this news," she said at last, and Liliss
tensed.  Then Reiko smiled.  "But you did accomplish what I sent you
to do, and it is not your fault that the ninja bitch showed up."  Liliss
smiled gratefully, bowing her head.
     "Thanks you, Mistress," she breathed.  Reiko reached out one
finger, wiping some tacky blood from Liliss's upper lip, then bringing it
to her lips and slowly licking it off while Liliss watched, heat
blossoming in her loins.
     "Liliss, I am troubled," she whispered at last, moving to stand
very close to the succubus, staring directly into her eyes. Liliss
swallowed.
     "Yes, Mistress."
     "So here's what I need you to do.  Go to the lower levels, and use
my other scrying mirror ... I'll be using my chambers presently.  Look
into the house, and find out everything you can about our enemies, all
three of them."
     "The ninja woman has ambushed me twice, Mistress.  With
your permission, I could capture and interrogate her," Liliss said
hopefully.  Reiko moved even closer, until their bodies were touching
and her breath fanned hotly over Liliss's face.
     "No," she breathed.  "Not yet.  While I'm sure you would
enjoy such an ... interrogation greatly, we MUST be cautious.  I
dislike the way events are swirling and changing beyond my original
plan.  There is a strange sychronicity at work here, with our enemies
joining forces this way.  And you did speak earlier of dark portents
and shadows of disaster around our goal.  I succumbed to
overconfidence once, golden girl.  I shall not do so again.  We are safe
here, protected, and we shall find out as much as we can before we
act.  Do you understand me, Liliss?"  Liliss was mesmerized by
Reiko's soft voice and her deep eyes, and could only nod slightly.
     "Yes, Mistress, I understand."  The corners of Reiko's lush
mouth curled upwards.
     "Excellent.  One last thing ..."  She slipped her arms around
Liliss's neck and leaned in to close the last few inches between them,
licking the still wet blood from Liliss's face with one savage stroke of
her tongue.  Liliss whimpered at the sensation, shuddering in Reiko's
embrace as the hot tongue lingered on her flesh before slowly
receding.
     "Better?" Reiko asked huskily.  Liliss nodded.  After treatment
like that, she would go out and bleed from a hundred wounds for her
Dark Queen.  She would die happily, if need be.
     "Go now," Reiko whispered, pushing her lightly away.  "Find
out the things I need to know, and later, when I have Yohko in my
bed ... maybe I'll let you watch."  Liliss nodded again and glided away,
her blood boiling with need.
     She wanted to do more than watch.  Her frustration was
growing, and she shot a venomous glance at the captive Devil Hunter
as she left the room.  
     Enjoy it while it lasts, Yohko, she thought.  A virginal little
thing like you will never hold my Mistress's attention for long.  In the
end, she'll come back to me.
     Just you wait.

***

     Reiko walked back over to the table, untying the leash and
gently urging Yohko to her feet.  Yohko stared at her with an
expression of fury.
     "You ... you leave Azusa and Chi alone," she panted.  "I'm warning
you ..."  Reiko laughed throatily, pulling her pet along behind her.
     "Oh, my, such a fierce face.  I'll soon rid you of that
impudence, my sweet, never fear.  As to your friends ... I don't
suppose you want to tell me who their mysterious saviour is?"  Yohko
was stubbornly silent, and Reiko laughed again.
     "No matter," she said.  "You'll tell me.  Soon, you'll tell me
anything I want to know."  Her lips curved into a salacious smile, and
Yohko flushed.  Reiko let her gaze linger on the girl.
     "Oooh," she sighed.  "Body blush.  How sweet.  Come now,
Yohko.  It's still our honeymoon, and I want to get to bed early."  She
led the fuming girl to her bedchamber.  Yohko had held up well under
the day's sweet torments, but they were really just pleasant distractions
for Reiko.  It would take forever to break Yohko that way.  The real
binding would take place each night, until Yohko was completely
under her control.  She led Yohko into the chamber where she'd first
submitted to Reiko, watching the girl's expression with satisfaction.  
     "Ah, here we are again," she said.  She snapped her fingers
and a fire erupted in the fireplace.  Dark heavy draperies covered the
large windows, and the candles on the wall shed an intimate light over
the large room.  Reiko led Yohko away from the bed, toward the 
large mirror and a low table that sat near it.  Yohko caught sight of
their reflection in the mirror and looked away, blushing again.  Reiko
smiled, brushing her fingertips over the girl's bare breasts, causing her
to gasp. 
     "Oh, my sweet, you look so lovely.  You shouldn't be
ashamed.  This is your destiny.  Embrace it."  Yohko snarled at her.
     "Never!"
     "Oh, but it is inevitable," Reiko told her.  "See there?  Surely
you were wondering what had happened to it?"  Yohko looked down
at the low table and gasped.  Her soul sword lay there, glinting in the
dull light.  Reiko smiled.
     "You'd like to have it back, wouldn't you?" she asked,
tightening the leash so her hand was nearly at Yohko's throat.  "Well,
you will.  In time.  But now, look closely at the blade, Yohko.  You
see, the sword is a reflection of your soul, a manifestation of your
strength.  Look closely, Yohko.  What do you see?"  Yohko gasped
in dismay, and Reiko smiled seductively.
     She'd seen it.  A large dark blotch on the silvery blade, looking like
corruption against the clean metal.
     "Yessss," she hissed in Yohko's ear.  "Night after night, as
you give in to me, the darkness in your soul will spread.  Once it has
overtaken the blade completely, you will have it back.  Because on
that night, you will be mine completely."
     "Noooo," Yohko moaned hopelessly.  Reiko pulled her
towards the bed.
     "Oh, yes.  Now do you understand?  You WILL belong to
me, Yohko.  Fight all you like, in the end you are only delaying the
inevitable."  She pulled the girl upright, unsnapping the leash from her
collar and throwing her limp body to the large bed.  She cast aside the
leash, then slipped easily from her filmy gown, standing regally naked
in front of the bed.  She watched Yohko frantically trying to escape
the sleek silk sheets, her arms still tightly embraced behind her by the
supple second skin of her bonds.  Reiko smiled, aroused by the sight.
     "Oh, Yohko.  You're going to make a fight of it.  How
magnificent.  It will be so much more satisfying to make you mine if
you struggle right up until the very end."  She sank down onto the bed,
pulling the struggling girl close to her.
     "I think tonight I'll have you just like this," she purred. 
"Tomorrow, we'll try something different.  What do you think?"
     "Go to hell, you witch!" Yohko spat.  Reiko smiled widely.
     "Oh, I intend to.  And I'll be taking you along, sweet.  Are
you ready?"  Yohko twisted as Reiko began teasing her sweet body,
running her nails up the insides of Yohko's legs lightly, then tracing
over the corset she still wore, etching light, teasing circles around her
breasts before slowly, oh so slowly spiralling in to capture the firm
nipples in a delightful grip.  She caressed and teased expertly, milking
the rubbery little nubs out to their full erect length, finally wresting a
gasp from the stubborn girl.  She lay the writhing little wench on her
back, holding her down as she bent her head and took Yohko's
breasts into her mouth, using her teeth and tongue to bring sweet
molten pleasure to her captive.  Yohko's struggles softened into
something less frantic, and she began to gasp and moan more ardently
as Reiko's hand wandered while her mouth worked its hot, moist
magic.  Finally, Reiko worked her way up to Yohko's neck, kissing
around the collar of submission that kept Yohko pliable, seeking out
vulnerable spots that made the girl twist frantically and cry out.  Reiko
worked her fingers into Yohko's unbound, hip length hair, gently
pulling her head back until her neck was exposed in a pale, slim arch. 
She smiled hungrily as she firmly held the girl.
     "Oh, you're going to enjoy this, Yohko," she purred.  She felt
her fangs extend at the thought of Yohko's hot, sweet blood, and
she moved forward slowly, placing her lush mouth against the side of
Yohko's neck below the collar, then letting her ruby lips parts slowly,
her tongue tasting the tangy sweat of the girl's skin.  She kissed her
slowly, letting the heat build.  Yohko liked being kissed the best,
Reiko was quickly coming to find.  Well, she would find this draining
kiss quite irresistible.
     Reiko placed her tiny, razor sharp fangs against Yohko's
neck, letting them press gently against the skin there, just not quite
hard enough to break the skin.  Yohko must have understood what
was happening, because she froze, gasping.
     "No," she whispered.  "No, Reiko.  Don't ... don't do that. 
Don't ..."  Reiko tightened her fingers in Yohko's mane and gently bit
down.  Her fangs slid in and instantly her mouth was alive with the
sweet hot rush of Yohko's blood.  She heard Yohko gasp as she
stiffened, not in pain but in pleasure, then cry out as Reiko penetrated
her.  Yohko's body trembled helplessly as Reiko suckled gently at her
throat, taking what she wanted, drawing out their languid pleasure,
hers at having, Yohko's at surrendering.  Finally, she pulled out, and
Yohko gasped as Reiko's lips pulled away from the trembling,
submissive flesh.  She sealed the tiny wound with a cat-like stroke of
her tongue, and Yohko arched and cried out again at the sensation. 
Reiko smiled as Yohko lay beneath her, the captive girl's struggles so
languorous now that they were indistinguishable from the throes of
passion.  She brought her face above Yohko's and stared down at
her, seeing the humiliation in those big brown eyes, and the knowledge
that she would once again be forced to surrender her body and her
will to her enemy.
     "You liked that," she breathed.  "Don't bother to deny it.  My
kisses have laid low many beautiful victims.  Now, then, I believe you
know what comes next, don't you?"  She watched the girl as her eyes
widened, and she tried to turn her head away frantically.  Reiko kept
her grip on Yohko's hair, thought, and lowered her face slowly until it
was just over the other girl's, their breath intermingling intimately.
     Yohko was trembling on the edge of orgasm already, but
Reiko wasn't ready to let the girl go over.  Not just yet.  Gently, she
parted her lips, running her tongue over them as Yohko's breathing
became more ragged.  Then, she bit down, allowing blood to slowly
well up on her lower lip.
     Yohko loved to be kissed, and Reiko's special kisses were a
narcotic that would enslave her sweet captive, making her submit her
will as well as her body.  She hovered just above Yohko's trembling
mouth, longing to plunder its sweetness but drawing the moment out
until Yohko was fighting her own needs as well as Reiko's
compulsions.
     Then, with exquisite slowness, she lowered her slick mouth to
Yohko, capturing the girl's lips in her own hot silken prison.  She
teased Yohko's mouth open, and Yohko whimpered as Reiko's
tongue snaked into her, bringing with it the coppery drug of Reiko's
tainted blood.  The kiss went on and on, a languid struggle for
dominance that they both knew would end in Reiko's victory.  Finally,
when Yohko could stand it no longer, Reiko moved against her, one
sleek thigh parting Yohko's trembling legs, taking the girl over the
edge, holding her bucking body, swallowing her cries of surrender,
keeping her trapped in the dark corruption of her kiss until the tremors
subsided, leaving the girl limp and spent in Reiko's arms.  Then she
pulled back, nuzzling Yohko's earlobe as she listened to the melody of
her ragged breathing. 
     "Again?" she teased.  Yohko turned her head away slightly, eyes
glazed with pleasure but saying nothing, and Reiko chuckled.
     "Ah, good, you can STILL fight," she murmured as Yohko
struggled vainly against the power of Reiko's blood.  "After all, the
night is still young." 
     And Reiko began caressing the helpless girl once more.

*** 
     "So you think this Dark Queen is behind Yohko's
disappearance?" Ayako asked.  They were all seated in the Mano's
living room, and the atmosphere was somewhat tense.  Her Azusa
and Yohko's kept ignoring each other, which didn't surprise her.  Chi
didn't seem all that glad to see her, either.  For her own part, Ayako
didn't quite know what to make of Kamiri.  According to Azusa, she
had saved then from a demon, but she gave off a strange vibe that
Ayako didn't like.  She caught the woman looking at her, and Kamiri
smiled slowly, brushing her thick hair over her shoulder in a graceful
motion.  Her hazel eyes were confident, almost arrogant, as she
regarded Ayako across the coffee table.
     "It would seem to be the reasonable conclusion," she said, her
voice a sexy purr in the still air of the room.  "The succubus admitted
as much, and she had no reason to lie about it.  Your friend is in
danger."
     "We have to find her!" Azusa said firmly.
     "Great.  But how do we do that?" Ayako wanted to know. 
She and Yohko were no longer enemies, and she certainly didn't want
anything to happen to her.  Although grandmother would probably be
ecstatic if Yohko was dead and Ayako ended up as the official Devil
Hunter.  Then the title would end up being passed down through
grandmother's branch of the family instead of Yohko's.
     Well, none of that mattered right now.  Yohko was missing,
and they had to find her.
     "You said something earlier about only having three nights to
find her," Chi said.  Ayako looked at the seductive female ninja.
     "Really?" she asked.  Kamiri nodded.
     "Yes, I think so.  You see, on the third night after the Blood
moon that we just experienced, at the last stroke of midnight under the
light of the full moon, the path to a secret shrine will open.  I came here
to stop any from the demon realms from gaining access to that shrine."
     "Why?" Ayako asked.  Kamiri smiled.
     "I'm surprised you have to ask.  After all, it was created by a
Devil Hunter for a very specific purpose."  Ayako grunted.
     "There have been many Devil Hunters over the ages.  Some of
the lore has been lost or forgotten.  No one person knows it all," she
said evenly.
     "Well, this shrine was created to hold a book, a very powerful
book of spells called the Tome of Craxus.  I suspect that this Dark
Queen wants to get her hands on that book."  Ayako frowned.
     "Interesting.  But what does that have to do with Yohko?" 
Kamiri leaned back, crossing her long legs in one elegant motion.
     "The Dark Queen may have captured Yohko hoping she
knew how to find the shrine when the path opens," she said smoothly.
     "I don't think Yohko knows any more about it than we do,"
Azusa said.  Kamiri nodded.
     "Well, if that's the case, we can only hope she's smart enough
not to admit that before the full moon."    
     "Why?" Chi asked.
     "Because if the Dark Queen finds out Yohko knows nothing,
she won't have any reason to keep her alive," Ayako said grimly. 
Kamiri nodded.
     "Exactly.  But that gives us some time to try to figure out
where to look, right?"
     "What if we can't find her?" Ayako's Azusa asked.  Kamiri's
eyes narrowed.
     "I may have a back-up plan for that eventuality.  But let's see
what we can find out first.  Our only clue seems to be this girl, Reiko
Akashi.  We'll have to start with her, first thing tomorrow."  Kamiri
stood, stretching like a cat, her magnificent breasts straining at the
material of her dress.  Azusa looked up at her, anxious.
     "Hey, Kamiri, where are you staying?"  Kamiri looked
surprised at the question.
     "I've been camping out in the park," she said.  
     "What?" Azusa cried, outraged.  "You shouldn't have to sleep
outside!"
     "It's all part of a ninja's life, little one," Kamiri assured her. 
Azusa frowned.
     "Well, it's not right.  There's lots of room here, with everyone
gone.  Why don't you stay?"  Chi frowned.
     "Azusa ..." she chided.  Azusa pouted.
     "Why not?  She saved our lives, Chi!"
     "Perhaps I SHOULD stay here," Kamiri mused.  "And Chi should
as well.  For safety."  Chi looked startled.
     "What?" she asked.  "What do you mean?"  Kamiri gave her
a secretive smile.
     "I believe that succubus knows where you live, doesn't she?"
she asked.  "You won't be safe if you go home.  This way I can
protect you."  Both Azusas looked confused at Chi's blush, but
Ayako understood.  If the succubus had visited Chi before, Ayako
had a pretty good idea what would have happened.  She didn't really
feel like explaining it to the younger girls, though.
     "Azusa and I should stay as well, then," she said, standing. 
"There's safety in numbers, and if Reiko decides to come after us,
we'll need all the power we can muster."  Azusa was obviously happy
with the idea.
     "Great!" she exclaimed.  "I'll start dinner!  I don't know about
anyone else, but I'm starved!"  Chi went with her, no doubt to have a
discussion about inviting strangers to stay in the house.  Ayako and her
Azusa stayed behind with Kamiri.
     "I suppose I should just say that I don't completely trust you,"
Ayako said casually.  Kamiri just laughed.
     "How very direct.  I think I'm going to like you, Ayako
Mano."  Ayako watched Kamiri tentatively.  She still didn't know
what to make of the woman, but something about her was ...
compelling.  Ayako fought off the sensation with some irritation at how
easily she was distracted from matters at hand.
     "Why do I get the feeling that you're not telling us everything?"
she asked, watching the other woman closely.  Kamiri smiled
dangerously.
     "Probably because I'm not," she said.  "There are secrets of
the Miroku clan that are not for outsiders, after all, just as I'm sure the
Devil Hunters have their own secrets.  Still, if we work together, our
chances of success are much greater.  Don't you agree?"
     "Hmmm.  I suppose so.  Still, we don't really know where to
start, do we?"  Kamiri sauntered around the room with an easy feline
grace, looking things over.  Ayako watched her carefully.  She
certainly moved like someone who knew how to fight.  And according
to Azusa and Chi's story, she had some strange spiritual powers as
well as fighting skills.
     Still, Ayako knew she would be keeping a close watch on the
ninja woman.  Better safe than sorry.
     "Oh, have some faith, Ayako," Kamiri said at last.  "I'm sure if
we work ... closely together, the results will be quite eye-opening." 
With that, she walked out to the kitchen.  Azusa turned to Ayako and
crossed her arms.
     "So we're staying here?" she asked, obviously unhappy. 
Ayako nodded.
     "I'm not leaving them alone with that woman," she said. 
Azusa snorted.
     "I don't trust her either."
     "Mmm.  We'll just have to keep our eyes open."
     "I guess.  Um, Ayako?"
     "Yes?"
     "Isn't a succubus some sort of sex demon?"  Ayako sighed.
     "Yes, it is."
     "So why did Chi dream of it, and how come it knew her?" 
Ayako sighed.
     "I'll explain later," she told her young apprentice.  Much,
MUCH later, she thought, wondering just what Chi had been through
the last couple of nights.

***

     Liliss sat in front of the smaller of her Mistress's scrying
mirrors in one of the stone chambers under the house, and thought of
how she desperately wanted to take wing, flying to that house and
tearing into those insolent girls.  And that green-haired bitch!  She'd
taken Liliss by surprise twice, but there wouldn't be a third time.  
     She sighed.  She just wanted this whole thing over with.  Her
Mistress had hardly touched her at all since her whole pursuit of the
Devil Hunter had started.  Chi had been diverting, but Liliss wanted
the electric pleasure of submitting to her Mistress's will, of being
MADE to submit.  No human could do that to her.  She hoped that
Reiko would soon tire of the human girl and turn her attentions back to
her loyal servant.
     She touched the mirror, muttering a spell under her breath.  It
roiled and came to life, soon showing her the interior of the house she
sought through its own mirrors.  She saw a couple of empty rooms
first, then caught sight of a figure in the entryway, preparing to go out. 
It was her nemesis, and Liliss took the opportunity to gaze on her. 
She was beautiful in a severe way, and Liliss bit her long thumbnail
lightly.  She dearly wanted to pay the woman back for what she'd
done, in slow, unimaginably erotic and humiliating ways.  Perhaps, if
her Mistress was very pleased, Liliss would have the woman for a toy
when things were concluded.  Liliss wasn't certain that the ninja would
survive being the focus of her building frustrations, but it might be fun
to find out.
     She sighed, forcing her desires back down.  She was more
than a mere succubus now, and if she was to be any use to her
Mistress she had to keep her impulses in check.  It would be
important to report that the woman was at the Mano house.  Their
enemies were definitely teaming up.
     Reluctantly, she switched views.  Now she could see the girl,
Azusa, in the kitchen with Chi, apparently cooking.  They moved
around, talking in low tones as Liliss watched, bored.  She longed to
find a mortal to bend to her will, fantasizing that she had captured the
haughty green-haired bitch who had thwarted her twice.  She was
imagining the delicious torments she would devise, flipping idly through
the other mirrors in the house when something caught her attention.
     She frowned.  There was Azusa again.  But wasn't she in the
kitchen?  How had she ... 
     She checked the kitchen again.  Azusa was still there.  She
went back to the other mirror, apparently in a bedroom.  
     She was dressed differently, but looked exactly the same! 
Could this be some sort of trick?  But as soon as she had that thought
she dismissed it.  Reiko had taken great pains to ensure that her
scrying spells would be inconspicuous, triggering no magical alarms or
defenses.
     Then she got another shock as the person to whom the
second Azusa was speaking came into view.  Liliss thought again of
her attempts to make sense of the portents that had swirled about their
attempts to secure her Mistress's treasure, and she felt a chill inside.
     Yet another unknown factor had entered the equation.  Her
Mistress would not be pleased.
     She headed for the stairs immediately.  Reiko would want to know
that Yohko had a double, one who could possibly be a Devil Hunter. 
     Things were about to get a LOT more complicated.


***

Next: Two Devil Hunters means trouble for Reiko, so she sends a spy
to infiltrate the ranks of our heroes ... by infiltrating one of them! 
Yohko's resolve begins to weaken, and of course there's lots more fan
service!