Note: This chapter is longer than the others. ( The senshi are starting to recollect their memories in longer periods, have decided to start with Ami's. Enjoy! Chapter 7 - The Reawakening - Zoicite Two words. Those were the very first words that were conjured up in Zoicite's mind when he finally completed his transformation from a cuddly stuffed toy, to its life-size and very much warm-blooded counterpart. The cause of such blatant swearing was attributed to the atypical fact that, at this very moment, this particular young man is lying on a charming four-poster bed located in the middle of a delightful and VERY feminine room, AND. . . . . .well, he was also lacking the usual attire that one normally has. In other words, his dear Ami has decided, of all days, to be the sweet little senshi she is, and washed the uniform of the adorable little general, from TOP to BOTTOM. Ergo, the young man was left (thank God) with only his white boxers on, and ONLY because this particular article of clothing is, still clean. Zoicite at the moment wasn't particularly in a rational and calm mood, and was currently maximizing his vast knowledge in the arts of blasphemy and highly developed profanity. He shook his head in exasperation and attempted to somehow refrain his heart from suffering total cardiac arrest as it cannot seem to stop beating wildly. The implication of his sudden transformation from doll to man has finally sunk in his currently dazed mind. He's in deep shit. The sounds of rushing water from inside the closed bathroom door served as a death toll for the young blond, reminding him that the young blue- streaked haired woman was still very much within the vicinity, and hence, a shocking encounter might occur if he doesn't get his cute little butt out of the room pronto. Then again, where the hell was he supposed to go? And wearing only a rather, er, pathetic scrap of clothing. Before Zoicite could finish whatever it is that he was thinking, the sounds of flowing water had stop, and with it, the beating of his heart as well. Zoicite in desperation, quickly rose from the bed and ran towards the opened window. As soon as he perched on the window, ready to jump out to the lawn in front, he was faced with a more disastrous predicament. For at this very moment, who else could it be at the front of the house mowing the lawn nonchalantly just like any other normal day but dear old Ami's mom. Following the momentarily silence from the other side of the bathroom door moments ago, the rattling of a doorknob being opened can be heard. The young blond is definitely having a very bad morning. With no options left, Zoicite decided to forego jumping from the window knowing that the picture of an almost naked young man coming from the window of one's daughter could probably trigger one bloody heart attack for any respectful mother. And with sweat slipping furiously down his forehead, Zoicite made a mad dash towards the door that will lead to the hall outside Ami's bedroom. Zoicite thought that he was very lucky to have thought of doing such because the two women were the only ones in the house and he could probably have more chances of hiding in other areas within Ami's two-storey house, without being found out. Zoicite, almost smiling, ran swiftly towards the bedroom door just a few feet away and situated perpendicular from the rattling bathroom door. Then again,. . .maybe not. For lo and behold, by some wicked twist of fate, the poor boy somehow lost his footing when he stepped on a Persian rug just in front of the bathroom door, a few feet away from the bedroom door that was supposed to lead him to his salvation. With a yelp, Zoicite felt himself slipping, and attempted desperately to keep his balance. Instinctively, his arms reached out to the closest hard surface he could braced himself into. With his muscular arms stretched, his lithe body was aiming to bump against, of all rotten luck, the bathroom door in which at that fated moment, was being opened by a young, freshly-showered beautiful woman. And Zoicite, who was aiming to brace himself against the hard wooden door, instead, found himself falling into a very soft, very wet, and VERY sweet- smelling, embrace. Ami, the young woman who was the recipient of what would have been a delightful embrace under different circumstances, gasped and instinctively gripped the sink behind her in order to stop herself, and whatever it is in front of her, from falling in the hard bathroom floor. After both bodies have stopped from moving, both heads looked up to gaze towards the other person in mute shock. For one brief moment, Ami's powerful mind refused, I REPEAT, adamantly REFUSED to perform whatever function necessary to process the input that she has just been presented with. For like any other encounter with an un-chartered territory, one tends to hesitate in stepping over that thin line between familiarity, and that of the unknown. And in this case, it is definitely, ALIEN territory. In other words, our dear little Ami, has finally discovered what it feels like to NOT have the answers to this complicated and thrilling theorem of emotional geometry. Besides, how would one normally act under such circumstances? In fact, why is it that she hasn't screamed yet? She ought to have been screaming bloody murder at the young man for trespassing into her domain - her house, her bedroom, and by God, her VERY private bathroom. Not to mention the fact that she is very much naked under the terry blue bathrobe she's wearing, and who's front have started to loosen its knots. Then again, if a sinfully handsome half-naked young god has just materialized before you, how should a lovely humble mortal like our dear heroine react? The young man, on the other hand, was stumped. But then who could blame him in his position? In the embrace of his sweet Ami, one could not help the rush of emotional overflow in one's being when placed in such a pleasant situation. For one wondrous moment, Zoicite looked into the dazzling azure eyes of the young woman in front of him and suddenly found himself drowning in their depths. And in his submergence to such depths, it is not unlikely that memories of long ago, embedded in both subconscious, would eventually resurfaced. Zoicite, who has no proper control of his facilities at the moment, found himself leaning towards the blushing girl, and unconsciously uttering words from long ago in a soft voice. "Honey." At the mentioned of that one word, both individuals gasped simultaneously. With widened eyes, both Ami and Zoicite were being pulled by invisible hands of reminisce, as they both discover the amazing tale behind that one very simple word from long ago. . . [Start flashback] Princess Ami was indeed in a very dire dilemma. She was at the moment perched on top of one of the huge branches of a lone magnolia tree located in the middle of the grassy field overlooking the splendid moon castle. A few feet away were high sturdy-looking wooden fences erected for the purpose of keeping something out, or in this case, something in. "Oh dear, me and my stupid fancies." Princess Ami shook her head in vexation. . .and frustration. For you see, the young Mercurian princess has found herself fancying the fine wild stallion that the young and brazen Lord Zoicite brought to the moon kingdom a few days ago during another one of Prince Endymion's visit to his beloved Princess Serenity. Lady Ami found herself itching to replicate the fine horse into charcoal and paper and had finally decided to give into her yearning, and draw the handsome stallion. Being the shy princess she is, she would rather not have Lord Zoicite learned of her secret desire. For one thing, she finds herself quite uncomfortable in the dashing Lord's bold presence. For the past few days, it seems that the handsome young man has made it his personal agenda to make certain intimate advances towards the meek princess. Lady Ami often finds herself talking to the young man, but the way the prince was staring at her, and in quite a blatant matter, made the young girl's gentle heart palpitate furiously - something that Lady Ami never experience before. Besides, it was rumored that in his kingdom, Lord Zoicite was told to have a number of women who finds him quite irresistible. Ami has no plans in being included in their numbers, who have reached a whopping ninety-five percent of the female population. Hence, ever since, Ami has been wary of the Lord Zoicite. Unfortunately, it could also be her undoing. That morning she went out secretly in the hopes of finally drawing the magnificent stallion. Upon reaching the meadow, she sighted the wild stallion confined within a large fence erected around the magnificent creature. Like a moth drawn to a flame, Ami was not satisfied with the distance between her and the stallion and so without thinking rationally, pushed herself rather unlady-like through one of the larger gaps of the fence to be able to settle herself nearer to the horse. Seeing that the wild horse was still too far away to sketch in detail, Ami came nearer to the creature until finally she reached the lone magnolia tree in the middle of the meadow. Now, like all wild creatures of nature, when an outsider decides to trespass one's territory, the creature concerned tends to act on its animalistic instinct to protect his terrain. This particular wild stallion is no different. Upon recognizing an unfamiliar figure nearing, the stallion started snorting heatedly and kicking its rear limbs up into the air. For a moment, the princess was awed by the powerful display of such magnificence. Wonder however, turned to dread, when she suddenly felt that such display is not of a cordial nature. Most especially when the creature in question started trotting furiously towards the young princess. Ami, who despite her innocence, is well known for her quick thinking and her agile combat movements as a result of the senshi training. Swiftly, she leaped into the air, caught one of the lower branches of the magnolia tree, swung herself upwards and settled into one of the upper branches. Looking down, she finds herself looking at the irate horse who has now decided to circle around the tree to somehow dispel its frustration, kicking his long limbs into the air, and snorting rather loudly. Ami smiled at the display and found herself a comfortable niche among the branches to sit on. She then proceeded to draw the stallion. And for that, Ami felt like she was in heaven. Ami was in hell. It has been hours since she sat on one of the thicker branches of the tree to draw the handsome stallion. She has already drawn several sketches of the fine horse, and was quite ready to retreat from her mission. The stallion however has other ideas. Everytime Ami is seen in the act of going down the tree, the stallion started acting riotously again, kicking and snorting in the air. And because of that, Ami was a bit apprehensive in stepping down from the tree. Looking behind her, she noticed that the stretch of land between the tree and the fence is quite vast. A run for it would be dangerous. And currently, Ami was indeed getting desperate. For one, it was awfully warm and beads of sweat are starting to run down her lovely face. Add that to the fact that she hasn't eaten anything yet since early this morning when she left the castle. This is definitely not good. The young princess bowed her head in dejection and irritation. It was then however, that not so distant sounds of a trotting horse can be heard nearing the meadow. Face brightening, Ami sighed and thanked the gods for sending her an angel to aid her in this situation. "Tsk, tsk. Honey, you got to stop teasing my stallion." Ami's heart quickened at the husky sound of her rescuer's or maybe tormentor's voice, and turned around to find indeed that the presence she dreaded the most was indeed the one speaking. Lord Zoicite went down gracefully from the beautiful horse he's been riding on and casually leaned onto one of the fence's ledges, all the while gazing at the beauty sitting on the tree, an amusing smirk in his very handsome face. The teasing grin he blatantly displayed, added to the fact that she already felt wretched, somehow made the usual meek Ami rather fuming. "Teasing?!" Ami asked indignantly. "Precisely, Princess. Cassius here has been snorting loudly for the past few hours. Can't blame him though, with you being out of reach and all. If you're not teasing him, then why are you sitting pretty up there?" Ami was having difficulties in attempting to explain her situation. "I-I wasn't teasing him. I mean, not that I did it intentionally. I was trying to draw him." "Oh. Well. Then you don't need me." Zoicite turned around and moved towards his horse. Ami panicked. "Wait, my Lord!" "Yes, Honey?" Ami was getting quite uncomfortable, the endearment was giving her the shivers. A few days ago, the young prince decided to 'baptized' her with the name 'honey' and was not even a tad abashed at his forwardness. Besides, the other generals and senshi seemed to think that it was quite amusing for a brazen lord to woo a lovely shy princess. Ami on the other hand, was not amused. "Y-you can't just l-leave me here." The handsome young man turned around to face his princess. "Did you happen to notice that this fence was rather sturdy in built? Wasn't that a hint that something was being kept in. . .or in this case, out?" Ami blushed prettily. Zoicite felt his heart clenched at the beautiful rosy- cheeked princess. Ami muttered in response, "Well,. . .I suppose." "Smart girl. Now our dear wild stallion over there has enough to mull over his wicked little brain without some luscious young princess offering herself as a virgin sacrifice." " B-but, I don't want to be a virgin -" "Good." " - sacrifice." "Oh." "So you're waiting for a knight in shining armor then?" "Yes, please send for Lord Gregory" Zoicite moved impatiently. "Sweetheart, you've got to give up on Lord Greggy. He's going to marry Lady Molina as soon as she gets over me." "Oh, so she's one of the ninety-five percent I see." "Yes." Zoicite sighed gustily. "It's something all the girls have to go through, like chicken pox. When they get a dose of me young, they get over me in a reasonable time." Zoicite then gave a wicked smile. "But honey, when you catch me, you're going to get a chronic case because you will NOT get over me, and you know why?" Ami shifted on her perch uneasily at the teasing way the young man is looking at her. Zoicite continued, "BECAUSE I'm going to encourage you." Ami was indeed quite indignant. "I would NOT!" Zoicite merely gave a mysterious smile, then waved his hand as if dismissing the topic. "Anyway my Lady, what would you give me if I distract the old rascal?" Zoicite said, pointing to the wild Stallion still trotting back and forth. Ami thought for a moment. "Um, well, you will be amply rewarded monetarily for your efforts My Lord." Zoicite scoffed. "Money! I don't need money. I have lots of those back home." "What then My Lord?" It was then that Zoicite looked at her seriously. "A kiss." Ami was flabbergasted. Zoicite continued. "A nice big passionate kiss. All rescued maidens reward their knights with a kiss." Panicking Ami replied, "T-that's not true." "Yes, it is, my dear." Zoicite insisted wickedly. "No. They give their rescuer a scarf, which is then tied around their arm." Zoicite started turning around. "My Lord!" "Yes, sweetheart." Ami was hyperventilating at the thought of having to. . .reward the dratted man. "Oh,. . .all right." "You promise me a kiss?" "A. . .k-kiss then My Lord." For the first time, Zoicite dropped his suave expression, and smiled tenderly at the young woman. He then turned towards his side and kneeled down. It was only then that Ami realized that another creature was sitting beside Lord Zoicite, and it was a hound dog. For a moment, Lord Zoicite seemed to be communicating with the canine, until finally he stood and faced Ami. "Be prepared to run swiftly My Lady." At the sound of a bark, the lithe form of a canine can be seen scampering towards the stallion as it came through a gap in the fence. Immediately, the wild stallion gave chase to the hound dog. "NOW!!!" Zoicite shouted. Princess Ami needn't to be told twice. With a graceful leap, she dropped to the ground and ran towards the gap of the fence that would separate her from the angry stallion. The wild stallion turned back and neighed angrily to discover that his 'quarry' has finally escaped. The hound dog also ran back to the fence and went through the hole like Ami did, into the safety of the other side of the fence. Ami laughed merrily at the sight of the irate stallion at the same time felt the sudden rush of adrenaline coursing through her small body. Zoicite too was also grinning and reached out to pat his pet on the head for the feat accomplished. Ami too kneeled down, gingerly picked up the dog's head and kissed its forehead. "What are you doing?" Zoicite asked incredulously. "I've just kissed my rescuer." Ami replied, still laughing. "Oh, Hell!" Zoicite kicked a stone on the ground and glared angrily at his former pet now turned rival. Ami laughed happily as she attempted to stretch out the kinks and cramps from her body. Zoicite's eyes darkened at the sight of the beautiful princess stretching. He then moved nearer to the princess. "You my Lady, owe me a kiss." "I do not. You're lovely dog rescued me." Ami stepped back. "I was behind the plan. . .the strategist, the brain. You owe me, sweetheart." He moved closer. Pushing back her hair that kept on getting in her eyes, and looking utterly lovely in doing so, Ami opened her mouth to defy the brazen young man. Only to find herself in a warm embrace. And was being kissed silly. Ami was definitely shocked, and started to struggle against the hard body pressed against her. But her little heart was distracted by the delicious sensations created by the passionate kiss. It was then, that the shy and meek Mercurian princess had her first kiss,. . .in the embrace of her first true love (which she doesn't know yet). . .in their first lifetime. . . [End Flashback] Mrs. Mizuno had just finished mowing the lawn and had just entered the house to wash up. Walking upstairs towards the second floor where the bedrooms are located, Mrs. Mizuno passed by her daughter's bedroom and stopped a moment to knock on her door. "Ami sweety, I just finished mowing the lawn. Let's have our breakfast now." Mrs. Mizuno waited for her daughter's response, but didn't get any. With a frown on her face, she knocked again. "Sweety?" A door being closed was then heard and then a few footsteps. The door to Ami's bedroom was then opened by a newly-showered, and very flushed, young woman. "Oh Hi Mom!" Mrs. Mizuno just smiled. "I see you are flushing. Just had a shower huh?" Ami at first was startled, then laughed. "Yes mom. The water's really nice." "Well, I guess I better have one too. I'll just come down after I'm done. In the meantime, you can go right ahead, ok?" "Sure mom." And with that her mom walked towards her own room to take a bath. The young woman then immediately closed her door, and turned swiftly around. The young man was gone. Ami's heart was beating wildly. Just a few moments ago, she had just given the young man in boxers her first real kiss. The memory of the stallion incident was so intense that both Ami and the young man were compelled to relive the said memory in the present millenium. Ami however, still has her mind reeling from all that has happened. Truth be told, she is still unsure of what happened. Yet she can't help but raised her hand to touch her lips with the tips of her fingers as she recall the passionate kiss they had just shared. The young woman looked around, eyes seeking for the trim figure of a young man who moments ago, had her mesmerized. Still confused, Ami stepped towards the middle of her room and suddenly felt a draft in the air. Looking to her right she noticed her opened window, the blue curtains flapping as it danced with the morning breeze. Ami walked towards her window and looked outside, heart unknowingly yearning for that which is unknown to the mind, but not to the heart. Ami is fond of mysteries. But this was beyond mysterious. Here, her heart is involved. And possibly, her whole life. She braced herself against the sills of her window, looking out further into the neighborhood for a possible glimpse of a figure of a young man. But saw none. Bu then a small piece of cloth was seen caught up in one of the sills of the windows. Eyes drawn in a frown, Ami detached the piece of clothing, and looked at it closely. And found herself even more confused. It was a lapel. Zach's lapel.