Breif Note: For everyone who has just stumbled upon this story I just 
wanted ya'll to know that this is a continuation of a longer series 
of work.  You'll most definately understand it better if you go back 
and read them in order:
Ami:First Kiss
Rei:First Love
Lita:Last Kiss
...and then
Mina:Last Love

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon, pooh, but Naoko Takeuchi does, 
yay for her, and several other big companies do as well.  Enjoy the 
start of Mina's part!  The answer to everyone's email asking me where 
the heck her part was...LOL...  My rant and ramblings are currently 
residing at the end of this much longer than normal chapter so enjoy!! 
Oh, email me at inspiredthoughts@hotmail.com


                        Mina: Last Love
                          Chapter One


        Pluto frowned as she watched the happenings.  This was not
expected.  Mina and Endymion were not to switch places.  That
changed things.  She bit one full lip as she solemnly watched the
consequences and sighed, her hopes dashed.  The outcome was the same,
only slight events were altered.  It would not be long now, a few
weeks, months, it didn't matter.
        They would all soon be gone.  She sighed and willed herself
to freeze the emotions welling up in her chest.  Pluto allowed herself
a small satisfactory smile but it soon faltered.  Sometimes the
hardest person to convince was yourself.

                        *       *       *

        Mina tried not to laugh at the generals and senshi's stunned
expressing as she and Endymion switched places.  Of the twelve in the
room, including Luna, only the Queen and Lita seemed unaffected and
Mina grinned as Lita whispered a silent good luck.  Unable to stop the
power invoked by the Silver Imperium Crystal its white light enveloped
the five of them in a brilliant warm cocoon as it sent them to Earth.

                        *       *       *

        Kunzite put a large hand to his head as he wished away the
pounding headache and nausea that accompanied the magical transport to
Earth.  Granted, he was no expert, the Moon trip having been the first
time any of his people were granted the dubious privilege of
interplanetary travel in generations. But it definitely hadn't had this 
effect on him.  In other words, he felt like he was going to be very, 
very sick.
        Zoicite groaned and Kunzite looked up to find his three
friends just as ill as he, and one stubborn woman who at the moment
appeared slightly green as well.  "I think I left some of my parts
back on the Moon," his golden-haired friend moaned.  "I think we
need to go back and get them..."
        "I wouldn't recommend it," the Princess of Venus remarked
wryly as she held both hands to her stomach in an attempt to keep the
contents of her lunch where they belonged.
        "It must be the dark power interfering with the crystal's
magic.  I've never had a trip that bad.  That must mean they're
close."  Kunzite bit back a smarting remark to give to their unwanted
visitor and made his wandering mind focus on the crisis at hand.
        "How close is close?" he asked as he straightened.  The answer
was momentarily stalled as the door to the now empty throne room they
were in opened and allowed the entrance of the two Earth monarchs.
Kunzite hoped that Mina knew how to properly act in the presence of 
real royalty, royalty that demanded a certain amount of manners and
etiquette.  He had noticed that the Queen of the Moon did not require 
so much of this.
        "Majesties," he murmured respectfully as they swept into the
room, his face allowing a cool impassive mask to slip over it in
automatic reaction to their exalted presence.  He didn't dare to spare
a glance for the rest of his group to see if they had recovered enough
to make do but instead fixed his eyes upon his King and Queen.
        "Kunzite, my man, it is good to see you," King Terra rumbled,
sounding genuinely happy.
        "Yes," Queen Gaia gushed, her lovely face wreathed with
smiles.  The smiles faded though as she looked around.  "Kunzite,
where is my son?"  He closed his eyes momentarily, wishing his
pounding migraine away, as he tried to figure out to explain what he
himself truly didn't comprehend.  To his surprise Mina glided forward
and took the spotlight from him.
        "Majesties," she said politely as she curtsied.  "My sincerest
apologies but in the light of a new situation I have come in young
Prince Endymion's stead.  I am an able fighter and quite willing to
do my part in the upcoming battle."  Kunzite felt his mouth gape open
as the respectful words poured from this young woman's mouth.  True,
he had known she was learned in all a Princess should know, but in the
time spent on the Moon he had seen only two sides of her, the bubbly
young woman and grim faced fighter.  While both intrigued him he
truly held her in no special regard.  But as she showed yet another
faucet of her personality he began to wonder...just how much was there
to this girl?
        The King frowned and rubbed his beard as his wife clung to
him.  "What situation might that be, young lady?"  Mina gave a splendid
smile as she demurely looked up through dark lashes.
        "Your son has fallen in love with Princess Serenity.  Had
there not been the threat then...  Well, you would no doubt have 
obtained your treaty, your Majesties.  It is because of that love 
that he stayed.  He could not leave his soul mate then; he did not 
dare, for if the Queen of the Moon should falter her daughter must 
take up the task.  Endymion can provide the strength she would need 
in such an endeavor.  But because he also cares deeply for his planet, 
his people, and I dare say you your Majesties he was torn.  I offered 
to go in his stead, an equal in strength, who can aid you as much as 
your son could."
        "And you are...?" asked a slightly calmer Queen Gaia for her
worry had been that something terrible had befallen her son and his
safety assured had given her comfort.
        "Princess Mina of the royal house of Venus," she replied
smoothly, giving her full name with an elaborate vocal flourish.  King 
Terra's eyes widened as he appraised her.  Finally, he smiled at what
he saw and took her hand before bowing and kissing it courtly.
        "I have heard rumors of the strength and wisdom of your
consul, Princess and I am honored to have you fight for my planet.
After all, the leader of the legendary sailor senshi is a welcome ally 
at any time, let alone in such a crisis...though I fail to see how you 
convinced Lord Kunzite to allow you to accompany them."  Mina grinned 
then, much like the young lady Kunzite had come to know, and answered,
mischief twinkling in her fair eyes.
        "Kunzite *didn't* know, sire, nor did any others, save Queen
Serenity, Endymion, and Princess Jupiter, who will become leader of
the senshi in my absence.  It was kept secret to prevent any
unnecessary objections."  At this she glanced at Kunzite and he flushed
but then froze her with crystalline eyes, anger showing clearly
through.  Her smile only widened.
        "Perhaps you would join my wife and I for dinner, Princess."
Venus took her eyes from Kunzite as she once again turned to King
Terra and Queen Gaia.
        "I would be honored, sire," she said swiftly and took the arm
offered her.  King Terra looked back over his shoulder as he led the
two ladies to the dining hall.
        "Get you and your troops rested General.  I'll appraise you
and yours of the situation tomorrow to give you time to get
reorganized."  Kunzite nodded in acknowledgment and bowed again to
his King as they departed.

        Kunzite looked out over the palace gardens but was unable to
find the tranquillity he was so used to obtaining here.  The air that
blew onto the balcony was frigid but not unduly so.  Zoicite was going
over the figures of troops and supplies in the library.  Nephrite was
reading the stars to seek information and Jadeite was making rounds
on all of the barracks to check on morale.
        He knew he should be concentrating on battle plans and such
but other thoughts possessed his mind instead.  Thoughts that ran
along the line of a beautiful, blue eyed Princess of Venus.  He
wondered about her, about her true nature.  He knew he hadn't seen it
yet, he thought he had but he know knew he was wrong.  She had hidden
from him her true nature, just as he had hidden his soul from prying
eyes.
        Kunzite frowned and tucked a silvery strand of hair behind
one ear as he bit his lip.  She was a leader, an equal with him in
that respect at least, but she displayed none of the qualities of a
great leader.  Her air was frivolous, carefree, as if she didn't have
a worry in the world.  That was not the character of one that led
people, friends, into battle and death.  And yet from all accounts
she was a true leader in the deepest sense of the word.  How could
the conflicting sides possibly meet?
        A deep sigh sounded from behind him and Kunzite whirled to
find the object of his curious thoughts behind him.  She was dressed
in the same simple yellow dress she had come in and was undoing her
hair from the French braid she had it in.  As she let the curled
tresses fall free she changed her course and headed straight towards
him.
        "Hello," she said conversationally as she walked up next to
him and leaned on the railing.  Kunzite choose to pretend to ignore
her as he turned his face up to the night sky but his cool eyes
glanced downward.  He started as he realized for the first time just
how small she was.  She didn't even come up to his shoulder.
        "I'm sorry we deceived you," she continued as he offered no
welcome, "but it was needed.  I'm sure I can provide the same
assistance that Endymion could have."  He snorted in answer, still
not quite daring to meet her eyes.  Mina sighed again, this time
exasperated.
        "You know what?" she asked, voice bubbling over with the same
emotion.  "I like you, Kunzite.  I like you a lot or I would if you'd
let me.  I hate your superior attitude, I hate your arrogance, and
while your shyness can be sweet it has frankly been getting on my
nerves.  Do you know why I won't leave you alone?"  She paused for a 
moment, gazing expectantly at his tense body as he finally looked down 
and lost himself in those burning sapphire eyes, eyes that for all 
their blueness rivaled any sun.
        "Because just as I haven't shown you my true self, you have
shown me nothing but facades either.  Shed the masks and we'll see
what I can only vaguely feel now...  Your soul calls to mine like a
bird does to the sunrise.  Like the wind to the trees, like the stars
to the heavens, it calls me.  I see myself in you and that has never
happened to me before.  In all of my searching, yearning, no man has
ever held my face in your eyes like yours do.  No man!  And no man has
ever been so utterly infuriating!!"
        She whipped away but just as quickly turned back, frustration
written in every line of her lovely face.  Kunzite steeled himself
against his raging emotions as he sorted through all that she said.
Finally he answered her, voice firm and severe, devoid of hope and
yet wanting it so very much.
        "Tell me this then.  Who is the real you?  The woman who
chases me?  The leader who fights me with clear mind and eye?"
Daringly she caught his hands and allowed pride to fill her eyes,
eyes that pinned him with a fierce hunger that had been subdued far
to long.
        "The real me is your partner.  I know as surely as the night
will be broken by the dawn.  I see a pain in you that is echoed in
me.  You hide the pain of leadership under aloofness, coldness, a
layer of ice.  I hide it under false gaiety and happiness.  Different
masks but masks that cover the same features on two different faces."
Anger rose in him, dark and terrible as he tore his hands from her and
put them on her shoulders, now daring her to meet his stormy eyes
which she did, bravely, without a hint of fear.  The anger warmed
him, fueled the shields he never dropped around his heart.  How dare
this girl claim to be the same as he?!
        "You say we are the same," he snarled, "prove it.  You say
you understand being a leader, then tell me."  Mina's proud chin
raised in response to challenge.
        "Fine, oh foolish and vain Kunzite.  I lie awake at night 
weeping because I am afraid of the trust placed in me.  I am afraid 
that even if I give all I have someday it will not be enough.  I am 
afraid that I will fail those that depend on me.  I am afraid that one 
day I will be the one giving my friends last funeral rites because 
they fought in battles that I told them to fight, ordered them to 
fight.  Now look at me and tell me that those are not your fears, 
your thoughts.  Tell me," she demanded, sweet voice as harsh as his 
now.  And suddenly struck at his audacity he abruptly released her 
and spun away, stern frame trembling.
        Her very words were his own, those he whispered when no one
could hear.  The very nightmares that haunted his sleep, that plagued
him with their demonic faces from the safety of shadows that no light
could fully banish.  A gentle white hand was placed comfortingly on
one of his broad shoulders as Mina's perfume filled his nostrils.
        "I know you, Kunzite.  I know you because you are me.  Do you
deny it, even now?  Don't run from me as you have been, because I'm
tired of chasing my own image."  Her voice faded as he refused to
reply.  She was silent for another long moment before pulling her hand
back.  He heard her gentle rustlings and then...
        "I am sorry, General Kunzite.  I am sorry for giving you my
attentions when they were obviously not wanted nor warranted.  Please
forgive me my rudeness.  I am yours to command on the battlefield and
I only pray that you find some use for me after all of this."  His
conflicting heart nearly rent in two at those words and wild fear
filled him as he heard her turn to leave.  Dare he let her in, this
woman with as many secrets as he?  Dare he do what he yearned to?
Dare he seek happiness when he had spent so long telling himself that
there was none to be found for the likes of him?  He had dismissed her
as an airhead, a leader, yet dare he dismiss her as an equal?  Dare he
deny her claim to be a part of him and he a part of she?  Did he
want to?
        Kunzite parted his lips, his decision made, and turned at
last to answer her...

                        *       *       *

        Beryl bowed respectfully to her Queen, allowing her blood
colored hair to fall forward and form a crimson curtain in front of
her face.  'Well, slave?' the voice resounded imaptiently through her
head as well as throughout the massive chamber Metallia resided in in
the heart of the Negaverse.
        Beryl licked her ruby lips nervously before answering.  "Our
spies have reported movement.  It appears that the generals have
returned to their home world but instead of Prince Endymion returning
the leader of the senshi did.  Our informants couldn't tell
us why, though.  Another piece of information that may or not be
related is that the Venusian Princess has gone missing as well.  We 
have people stationed around Venus, though, she can't get through 
without going through us.  Nothing gets in or out until we're done 
with it." She fell quiet as she waited for Metallia to reply.
        The enourmous rolling mass of darkness restlessly fretted.
'These generals, they have powers, do they not?  They could aid our
cause.'  Beryl bit back her sigh of relief as Metallia skipped over
the topic she dreaded, yet hoped would be approached.
        "Yes, my Queen," she intoned respectfully.  "Our spies have
also informed me of another benefit.  The generals, it seems, have
captured the hearts of the princesses.  If we capture the generals
the princesses will be loathe to order their senshi to kill them.
It might help in our conquest of the rest of the planets as well...
they say that these generals do have powers that closely resemble those
of the senshi."  Queen Metallia was quiet for another almost
unbearable stretch of time before speaking again.
        'I order these men to be taken and converted to our cause by
any means neseccary.  And if it is possible, take the leader of the
senshi as well.  If it isn't, kill her.  We don't need a wild card in
this game.'  The entity pondered for a long moment before finally
saying, 'Prince Endymion...that name is familar.'  Beryl flinched and 
choose to remain silent.  Metallia thought and suddenly laughed, a 
great booming laugh that brought the woman before her to her trembling 
knees as the awesome sound reverbrated through Beryl's head.
        'Yes, little slave, I remember now.  He turned you to my side
...your yearning for what never could be between you, a peasant girl, 
and he, a prince, was what enticed you to take my offer of power.'
Metallia studied her pawn, who shook in fear of what sentence would be
declared for the man she longed for, and was pleased.  She had choosen
wisely this time...
        'Don't worry, he will be yours.  When you conquer the Moon
for me, dear Beryl, you will stand beside him as an equal, as a Queen.
Now go and carry out my orders and remember... Endymion will only be
yours if you obey my every command.  Do you understand?'  Beryl
shivered but stood and pushed back her hair as she allowed her chin
to rise with pride.
        "I understand perfectly, Queen Metallia," she said stiffly.
With that Queen Beryl gathered her silken robes around her and strode
from the chamber to finalize attacks on the Earth.

Author's Notes: See, its long!!*applause for me* hehe  Things are 
going to really be picking up now cause I have most of it written out 
all ready so ya'll might be getting a double chapter one time...=)  
Don't fret though, I have another fic, funny supposedly, lined up and 
then perhaps a continuation of this into the future!  Here's all the 
spiffy people who emailed me, thanks bunches!: Yoshi(=-P), Mars Angel, 
Lady Raye(who posted my Rei parts up on her page *g*), Mn, and 
FlameAngel16--Thanks ya'll!!  

Oh anyone who posted my stories on their sites, would you mind 
emailing me with the address if you haven't all ready? Thanks!;-)  
And finally cheers for mercurami who proofed this for me!(hiya)  Have a 
great week ya'll!!