The tip she had gotten from Arikado a couple of days ago looked quite solid so far, Yoko concluded as she checked the background files available about the cult from her portable computer. A growing cult; official name, 'With Light', led by a woman named Celia Fortner. Yoko hadn't found too much information so far, outside the fact that Celia was 26, a year older than she was. The Church really didn't seem have much information on the cult members, but it looked like investigating this one would be worth it. She smiled to herself; Arikado's tips were always good.

She glanced outside of the window of her room in the inn. She was in a village that was closest to the cult's headquarters; that would be the next target, but before that, she needed to wait for Julius to show up. If this was the real deal with Dark Lord resurrection as Arikado had said, they would need a Vampire Hunting expert. Julius would arrive tomorrow, and they would then really get into the investigating.

Before that, however, she was going to be stuck in the village alone for today. She didn't mind too much; the place was rather cozy, and she could use the opportunity to ask around and see how much the local people knew. She had considered heading to the cult headquarters more than once but was always reminded of Julius' tone of voice from their phone conversation. "Don't you go there by yourself you hear," he had said, dead serious.

"Men..." Yoko muttered. She could certainly have taken care of herself, but Julius had insisted, for safety reasons. He was right of course; having backup would be wise. She also guessed Arikado would also kill her if she went there alone.

That couldn't stop her from going around the place and checking around to see how much she could find out, she figured, smiling cheerfully. It wasn't completely impossibly for a random cultist to wander into the village to buy something; on the contrary, that was quite likely to happen.

She put her things away, making sure her room looked like she was just a random tourist in case the innkeeper would come by to clean the room. She locked her door and went to the village, planning on casually asking about things.

Several hours later she found herself sitting in the local pub, enjoying her drink and trying to make sense of everything she had heard. From the locals' point of view, the cult didn't appear to be anything outside ordinary; rather, some of the villagers were supportive of it, and the general opinion was positive, as it brought people into the area, and that meant customers for the local businesses.

There were some locals around, but they were sitting in the back of the pub, watching some sports event from a screen. It didn't interest Yoko at all, so she concentrated on idly watching outside of the window while thinking. A couple of people attempted talking to her - all males. She turned down any attempts to get her company, as she could figure out they weren't going to be too good sources of information; rather, they were after something else.

A couple of people passed by outside. Yoko took a moment to turn down some random guy trying to buy her a drink, then turned to look out of the window again, noticing that a woman and a man had walked into view. They caught Yoko's attention because of the way they were dressed, and they also were not Japanese. It wasn't actually that uncommon, but under the coat that the woman had over her dress, her clothes seemed awfully familiar...

Yoko blinked, almost dropping her drink. The way the woman had her hair, the strange dress... she had just seen those earlier today, in the picture her files. The woman was no other than Celia Fortner.

The first thing to do was of course to wonder what she was doing in the village, but Yoko then reminded herself that hadn't she been told that the cult members came here often? The leader certainly wasn't an exception. Celia and her companion, a tall brunette male whom Yoko also vaguely remembered from the files, seemed to be having an argument; or more like it, the man was arguing about something, and Celia was standing there and obviously not having it.

Yoko quickly considered about going out and trying to talk to them, but that would have been against Julius' not putting yourself in danger instructions. Talking wasn't going to the headquarters alone, though, and it never hurt to chitchat a little. She had almost getting up from her chair when the argument apparently ended, with Celia pointing her hand at some direction - Yoko vaguely remembered that was where the cult base was - and told the man something. The guy stormed off, and Celia turned away - and walked into the pub.

She came over to the counter a moment later and ordered something, while Yoko still couldn't believe her luck. Here she was, sitting in the same bar with the cult leader. She was so not going to miss the opportunity to ask her a few questions.

"Fought with your boyfriend?" Yoko asked casually, knowing she couldn't just jump into questions about the cult. She was undercover for now, and all.

"Hmm?" Celia turned to her as she took a seat. "It's not that," she replied, slight frustration in her voice. "He is just a member of the cult. We do not have a relationship beyond that."

Yoko shrugged. "Oh, you're from the cult?" she said, pretending not to know. "But yeah, men, they're all like that. Think they know better just because they happen to be... well, guys. Always arguing and telling you what to do..."

"Tell me about it," Celia muttered, emptying her glass.

"Men. Can't live with them, can't live without them, huh?" Yoko continued, trying to think of something to keep Celia talking to her. Right now, bitching about the companion of hers was apparently working well enough.

The priestess sighed and ordered another drink. "I wouldn't really know. Something like that, I would guess. Dario is just... impossible at times. And he argues with Dmitrii all the time, too. If those two would just keep their silence for once..." She paused as the bartender handed her the drink, then took a sip out of it. "Things would go a lot more smoothly. But, ah, I'm sorry. I should not bother a random stranger with my problems."

"No, really, it's fine," Yoko said quickly. She took a sip of her own drink, then smiled at the other woman. "I'm here because I'm thinking of joining the cult anyway, so hearing about them is interesting. Seems you have the same problems than everyone else has. Well, we're all humans..."

"And those two should be more," Celia commented, her voice getting frustrated again. "One of those two is what should bring back what we aim for, and they are like that. It gets... quite troubling at times. Could they not just... behave?" She finished her drink, then ordered yet another.

Yoko nodded. "Guys are like that. They always thing what's good for them. Like my boyfriend," she continued, trying to think up a good story. She studied the older woman's expression for a second, to check if she was interested. She apparently was; Celia leaned her elbow on the counter and looked at her.

"He was all you'd want from boyfriend," Yoko went on then, making things up as she went. "He's tall, handsome, beautiful red hair..." The first example she could think of a guy was Julius, considering she had been cursing the man for half of the day, and thus, he would do. "Okay, he's a little older than me, but what's age these days?" She continued. She was starting to have fun with the story now. "Has a good job, is a kind and all around nice guy, you'd think. A bit on the silent side but a great listener. And then I learned the bastard's been sleeping with his best friend for a while now. That being, with another guy."

"What an inconsiderate fellow," Celia said, then shook her head. "Did you leave him?"

Yoko nodded. "Yeah. He can sit home and try to figure out where I went. I'm thinking I'll join the cult and do something worthwhile for once. Just need some time to think. But so, men are the same all around... Thinking with the wrong head and that stuff."

Celia shook her head again. "Perhaps. Dario is too hot-blooded; Dmitrii is actually quite intelligent, but you can't have those two in the same room without there being an argument. It is too bad since I need them both around. But forgive me, how impolite of me - I haven't even introduced myself. You can call me Celia."

"I'm Yoko," the witch replied, figuring that trying to come up with a fake name wouldn't be necessary. It was quite likely that Celia didn't know who she was anyway. The Church personnel records certainly weren't open for the public, after all, nor it was too likely that Celia knew she had been in the castle the previous year.

"Well, Yoko," Celia said, smiling. "What are you drinking? Let me buy you one of those as thanks for listening for my troubles. And I think I'll get one of those too, looks like good drink."

Celia ordered two of the type of drink Yoko had been drinking. They continue chatting then, downing a couple of more drinks as they bitched about men.

"So," Yoko said. She was slightly drunk by now, but she could actually hold alcohol quite well. It didn't bother her to drink with Celia; she could, after all, get some details of the Dark Lord candidates out of her this way. "There was this previous boyfriend of mine. Most beautiful guy you'll ever see, but damn he was cold. Always so damn distant... And had serious issues about his father, too."

"You sure he wasn't gay too?" Celia asked. She had actually gotten somewhat cheerful after a couple of drinks. "I mean, if he was pretty... Always the pretty ones that have other interests. Dear Heavens, at least mine are not sleeping with each other. That would be one fine mess."

"Could've been," Yoko admitted. She idly wandered what the truth was - as she wasn't actually talking about her ex-boyfriend at all, but Arikado. He served as an excellent example, and besides, Arikado was just that, distant and cold, and it did annoy Yoko a bit. "And are you absolutely certain they're not? I mean, could be... And the fighting could just be a front to keep anyone from suspecting anything."

The other woman laughed at that. "Hah. Dario wouldn't get anything done. He happens to be too busy playing with fire... Literally, I'm afraid. Dmitrii... Is too busy verbally ripping him apart. They would kill each other before anything would happen."

"Sounds like a really troublesome pair to hang around with," Yoko said sympathetically. She made some mental notes; so far, from the conversation, she had gotten some hints about the powers the cult's two top followers had.

"It's fine as long as they are not in the same place," Celia said, sighing. "But that is kind of hard to do when I need them around for all the things. And they are constantly fighting over most ridiculous little things..." She emptied her glass, and Yoko ordered new drinks for them.

"What about that out there earlier then?"

"Oh that," Celia shrugged. "That was Dario. I guess I should say he..." She shook her head. "He just is impossible anyway. Always wanting to show off, always boasting about his skills. Yes, it is a wonderful power, but it would still be better if he did not act like a little child sometimes. What do you think, is it just that all men are like that?"

Yoko considered for a moment. "Heh, I would say they are. That, and overprotective. I mean, damn, would've thought that they would have realized by now that you don't have to protect the girl all the time, but do they really get it? I wish..."

Celia nodded. "And one of Dario's complaints out there was, by the way, that I should not stay behind alone. Thinks it's not safe for me to be here alone or something. And why wouldn't it? With my power, I could certainly take on anything that would ever bother me."

"Maybe he was afraid that you'd get drunk and end up bitching about him to some other girl who's about as sick of males as you are?" Yoko mused, laughing a little.

Celia laughed as well. "Maybe. Would certainly hurt his large ego if he knew about this."

"I bet," Yoko replied. "And mine... Eh, he would go nuts if he knew I was sitting here with you right now. So dangerous for a girl to go anywhere alone, blah blah blah.. Here's to them bastards!" She emptied her glass and grinned.

"I'll drink to that," the priestess said, finishing her drink as well. "Oh well, you are right - I am drunk. And bitching about the morons with someone. Those two would kill themselves if they knew. A pity. But they sure deserve it. Always the same... I should just sic a random monster at the and punish them or something."

"Punish... Sounds like fun." They ordered more drinks, laughing at the guys for a while. "Although," Yoko commented after a moment. "If he's that overprotective, you should do what I do - make him feel it. I mean, really, if that man knew where I am now..."

The older woman tilted her head, then shrugged. "But how exactly could I do that?"

"Well," Yoko continued, grinning. "If that Dario guy was so worried about you going off alone - don't go back there tonight. Let them wonder where you are for one night. Then just show up tomorrow morning all casually like nothing ever happened. That'll teach them!"

Celia sipped her drink, then smirked. "I like that idea. You see, it's not like they could get anything done by themselves. They need me around... But stalking me like some big brother is a bit too much. Should teach them a thing or two to have to wonder where I am for a night. I can just stay in the village here and all. There is an inn here somewhere, I think."

Yoko nodded. "Yeah, just across the street actually. I actually have a room there, so if you want to..."

"My... Did you hear yourself there just now, Yoko?" The priestess commented with a slight grin on her face. "That could be taken the wrong way... Or maybe you are hitting on me? You are damn cute, though. Stupid idiot, that boyfriend of yours. Doesn't know what he's missing..."

Yoko laughed, then grinned back. "What would you do if I was?" She asked. Her mind nagged her about being obviously a little too drunk, but she wasn't going to pass the opportunity. Maybe she could get more information out of Celia, or something. "Screw guys, it's not like we needed them for that stuff!"

"Damn true," Celia said. "So where's this room of yours?"

"Well..." the witch laughed again, then stood and paid for the last round of drinks. "As I said, just across the street. So, this way."

They left the bar, crossed the road and went to the inn. There didn't see anybody around while they stopped to take off their shoes and get on the slippers the inn had ready for guests, and then made it to Yoko's room. She opened the door and they entered. Yoko dropped the keys on the table and grinned. "Pretty nice, huh? Kind of simple, but..."

"Not bad at all," Celia replied as she took off her coat and dropped it on a chair. "So what do we do now?"

Yoko smiled thoughtfully. "Well, since we're tired of men being idiots... How about... This?" She took a step closer without really considering what she was doing, then grabbed Celia from behind the neck and pulled her closer for a kiss.

"This..." Celia said quietly as Yoko broke the kiss. "Is not bad at all, either. I don't really do things much, but eh... I think I'm drunk."

"So am I," Yoko replied, smiling. She raised her hand to the other woman's face and caressed her gently. "Your skin is so soft..." She murmured, leaning closer for a quick kiss on Celia's lips. "Although, there's something odd about it..."

Celia chuckled a little. "Ah, it's the summoning stuff. Drains me or something. Does it bother you?"

"Not at all. You're quite beautiful," the younger woman answered before gently pushing Celia down on the bed. "But I don't really know what you mean by summoning," she continued as she stopped to undo the blue ribbon holding the priestess' hair.

She stopped to kiss Celia again then, and the older woman wrapped her arms around Yoko's shoulders as they kissed. Yoko got a bit bolder this time and deepened the kiss while moving her left hand down on the other woman's body. Celia answered to the kiss eagerly, slipping one hand to Yoko's waist and fumbling a bit to get her belt off.

"Ever done this before?" Yoko murmured as she paused for a moment to get rid of the belt herself after her companion failed to remove it. "Heh, I'd guess we need to get rid of our clothes... Damn, how are you supposed to take off that dress anyway?" She studied the outfit Celia was wearing, and laughed.

The priestess laughed as well. "It's not that hard. Let me show you..." She started pulling her clothes off, with Yoko helping as much as she could. The younger woman was also busy getting rid of her own outfit, but that at least didn't take too much work. "As for that," Celia added, chuckling again. "No, I can't say I really have. Do you have any idea how girls do this?"

"Some idea," Yoko replied, busying herself with kissing and caressing the other woman again. She stopped for a moment when Celia got most of her clothes off, and grinned widely. "You really are beautiful you know... Although, that summoning stuff must be really tiring. Makes your skin feel quite soft though... Maybe I should try the summoning thing!" She leaned down to kiss Celia's neck, and the older woman giggled, squirming at the same time to get rid of her underwear.

Celia wrapped her arms around Yoko and fondled her back. "Ah, that takes magic power though. Do you have any?"

Yoko laughed again. "I don't know. I think I have. Let me show you..." She moved a little lower on her companion's body to kiss Celia's breasts. "I'm sure..."She mumbled between the kisses. "That this counts... somewhat at least!"

"Aah... I'd guess..." Celia mumbled. "Heh, I guess that should count... Mmm, where did you learn that?"

"This?" the younger woman said while continuing her touches. "Magic!" She shifted on the bed to lie next to Celia, and slipped her hand onto the other woman's thigh while she continued caressing her. "So what kind of magic is that summoning stuff anyway?"

"Oh, it's just... about summoning creatures that don't exist in this world," Celia replied, caressing Yoko's shoulders. "There are of course certain limitations to it, but it quite useful... Although all those monsters can't be controlled. So that limits the usefulness..."

Yoko, although drunk, made a mental note about it. So that was Celia's skill. Arikado hadn't mentioned much about it, and the files of course mentioned nothing. "Oh?" She commented, moving a little and pulling Celia close for a kiss. "Can't you then make some dark thing kick the asses of those idiot guys hanging around you?"

Celia snickered. "Would be lovely. Although with Dario's fire skill and Dmitrii's mirror ability... Ah, would be more trouble that it's worth. Would to be some higher level things anyway and those would require high level seals to control... I can make one of those things kick your boyfriend's ass if you want me to, though."

"I wonder what he'd say to that," Yoko replied, grinning. She kissed Celia again, then slipped her hand between the older woman's legs. "He'd probably... Fight back though."

Celia gasped, then smirked and kissed Yoko before mirroring her movements. "Mmm... Heh, he couldn't. He wouldn't know about the seals... Without those, the dark energy can't be... aaah... Yoko..."

"Mmm?" Yoko drew the other woman closer for a deep kiss, feeling a little too out of it to continue trying to get information out of Celia anymore. She had learned something about the cult already, and trying to ask too many questions could have given away who she really was.

They continued kissing and touching each other for a long while, and while Yoko had never done such things before, she couldn't really complain. They fell asleep eventually, curled on the bed, naked in each other's arms.

The next morning, Yoko woke up in her bed, alone. She yawned and got up slowly, then realized she was naked - and remembered about last night. She couldn't really believe what she had ended up doing, but she had managed to get some information about the cult after all.

After a shower she noticed a note on the table. "Yoko," It read. "I must return to the cult HQ. Do stop by later; I'd love to have you join. - Celia".

Yoko smiled as she looked at the thing. "I suppose I will stop by," she said to herself, then laughed a little. She went to get dressed then; she was supposed to go get Julius from the airport today. Then, she would certainly go stop by the cult, although, she admitted, her business there might come as a disappointment to the cult leader.

Author's notes:

Yes, watch me attempt to write yuri. First attempt at the girlxgirl genre, so excuse the lack of real detail and the copping out in the end.

- Lady Harken (February, 2006)