Past Loves: Part Five by Fushigi Kismet (Gomen!) Happy New Year, minna! Author's Notes This Part is rated PG-13 for violence and mild profanity. Uh, read this and have a nice day! (I've got nothing to say, grumble, grumble . . .) Well, except . . . After reading Ninx's conclusion to her 'fic, "Happiness is Like a Phoenix" (Part 5 as well, btw), Lianne's conclusion to "Surfacings", Janelle's Episode 16 of "Sailor Moon Neo," Laurel Anne's new part to "Memories of Past and Present," and Jeff Hosmer's Part 12 of "Zodiac," etc. etc. I rolled up my sleeves and vowed to write something at least half as good as the above. (Besides, I can't keep my readers waiting much longer. I don't like to let you down!) Anyway, what I'm trying to say is: Here (finally!) is Part Five. Hopefully, all questions have been answered in this part. Some may still be vague but I can't give *everything* away! (Maybe in another 'fic . . .) Thank you, Renee, Mimin, Nicole, Anastasia, Sue Mei, Connie, Chibi-isa, Becky, Glenda, Jay, Jade, Michi Kenshi, Ki Yong Choi (I hope that's right), Zeena, and anyone I missed, this Part is for you guys! Especially Lianne-sama (You deserve the title!), who never fails to move me with her writing. and I hope you have a couple of hours to spare. P.S. Sorry I posted up the wrong name, Anastasia! You're being quite angelic about the whole thing. Uh, say hello to your mom for me, *hehe*. *HUGE* sweatdrop. Anime Quote of the Day: "It's that dream again! The same one that I've been having every night!"ÑDarien to himself, Sailor Moon. "It's your destiny."ÑLuna to Serena. "My destiny? I must be dreaming!"ÑSerena to Luna. "It's no dream."-Luna to Serena, Sailor Moon. Come, *your* destiny awaits. SAILOR MOON: PAST LOVES *DESTINED LOVE* For dreamers, and lovers, and those who feel joy . . . To my readers, who give me the strength to carry on . . . The beginning of "Moonlight Densetsu" starts playing. A painting of the Moon Kingdom appears. The camera pans away from it and we see Minako, Rei, Makoto, Ami, Usagi, and Mamoru looking at it in a store window. Yumeno Yumemi comes out and invites them in. They walk in and are instantly surrounded by dozens of paintings of the Moon Kingdom. Usagi sighs as she sees one of Queen Serenity. Mamoru puts an arm around her and holds her close. She leans on his shoulder, looks up at him while he is looking down at her and they smile. The screen flashes BISHOUJO SENSHI SAILORMOON PAST LOVES (in Japanese) and pans away until it is centered and surrounded by flashing colors. "Gomen ne sunao ja nakute," Princess Serenity glares at Queen Beryl from across a room and screams defiantly at her. She is obviously restrained by something. "Yume no naka nara ieru," Cut to a shot of the Inner Senshi, Mamoru, and Usagi still asleep in the hospital. 'Elios is watching over them from Elysion. "Shikou Kairo wa shotto sunzen," Cut to a split screen of the Senshi and the Guardians running towards the center. The picture resolves around until it solidifies as another split screen with Princess Serenity on one side and Prince Endymion on the other. "Ima sugu aitai yo." The Senshi, the Guardians, Endymion, and Serenity gaze at each other on the Moon when there is a huge blast of light and there is an enormous explosion. "Nakitaku naru you-na Moonlight," Princess Serenity weeps as Luna watches her silently. There is an emotional struggle in Luna's eyes until she finally makes a decision and runs out of the room, looking determined. "Denwa mo dekinai Midnight." Endymion and his Guardians are gathered in a circle in the rose clearing, the full moon directly overhead. They begin to glow. "Datte junjou dou shiyou?" Princess Serenity gazes out at Earth, then clasps her hands together and shuts her eyes tightly, praying silently as tears trickle down her cheeks for the safety of Endymion and his Guardians. "Haato wa mangekyou." The Inner Senshi come up behind her and place comforting hands on her shoulder. She weeps in their embrace, then they all turn worried eyes to look at Earth. The world spins really fast and the scene turns into something else . . . "Tsuki no hikari ni michibikare," There is a split screen with the Senshi on one side and the Guardians on the other. A brilliant silver light washes over the Senshi and Guardians. "Nandomo meguri-au," The stars seen between the moon and the earth sparkle. "Seiza no mataki kazoe uranau koi yukue." There is a four-way split screen. On one side the Inner Senshi in civilian dress (Minako in a princess gown) and the Guardians meet. On the other the Inner Senshi in their princess forms and the Guardians in their prince forms meet. The Inner Senshi and the Generals (Yes, Generals! I did *not* mess this up.) stare at each other in another one. In the last one, the Inner Senshi in their present-day reincarnations and four men who look suspiciously like the Guardians take each other's hands. "Onaji kuni ni umareta no Mirakuru Romansu." Prince Endymion kneels on bended knee in front of Princess Serenity. He holds her hand in his and the look in his eyes is earnest and loving. She smiles sweetly and they embrace as he slips a ring on her finger. "Mo ichido futari de Weekend," The Inner Senshi and the Guardians walk holding hands in the Royal Gardens of the Moon. Jadeite whirls Rei around and she laughs. Makoto and Nephrite share a quiet, loving smile. Ami sits down on a swing attached to the branch of a tree and Zoisite pushes her high into the air, grinning as she smiles with delight. Kunzite puts his arm around Minako and she leans into him, sighing happily. She puts a hand to his face and as he turns to look at her, she leans upward and kisses him. The others all laugh at the flustered expression on his face. Then he catches Mina in his arms and carries her as she giggles and kicks her legs in the air, her arms wrapped around his neck. "Kami-sama kanaeta Happy-end." Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion dance together in each other's arms, not having eyes for anyone else as the Senshi and the Guardians giggle from a corner of the room. "Genzai kako mirai mo," Usagi, Ami, Rei, Makoto, Minako, and Mamoru stand in front of a long line of mirrors. As they stare into them, their reflections stare back at them and the reflections of the four Dark Kings seem to appear behind them. Their reflections switch to those of their past selves and the reflections of the Kings also change to those of the Guardians. Then their reflections change again to those of their future selves and the images of the Guardians seem to fade until they are barely shadows. "Anata ni kubittake." Minako, Ami, Makoto, and Rei sit in a field of flowers, watching as the dandelion fluff blows away on the wind, swirling in front of the sun. They shade their eyes and four figures sneak up behind them, taking them by surprise. They turn with a smile to see the Guardians. "Deatta toki no natsukashii," Then the four Senshi push the Guardians over and run away laughing. The Guardians scramble to their feet and chase them, unable to keep stern expressions on their faces as they break into laughter. "Manazashi wasurenai," The stars sparkle again in the sky and Princess Serenity turns to Prince Endymion with a serious expression on her face. He takes her hand in his. "Ikusenman no hoshi kara anata o mitsukerareru," The Inner Senshi and the Guardians embrace, then part tearfully. They whisper "I love you" to each other, then the Guardians and Endymion join hands and disappear in a teleport. "Guuzen mo chansu ni kaeru ikikata ga suki yo." Queen Serenity glares at Queen Beryl, then raises her crescent moon wand aloft and the world disappears in the sparkle of silver light. "Fushigi-na kiseki Kurosu-shite nandomo meguri-au," Princess Setsuna looks up at the brilliant night sky, tears shimmering on her cheeks. Princess Serenity walks hesitantly up behind her and offers her her hand. Setsuna takes it and smiles slowly as she looks at the princess. "Seiza no matataki kazoe uranau koi no yukue." The light of the moon bathes the sleeping face of Prince Endymion. He opens his eyes to see Princess Serenity bent over him, looking at him lovingly. They both shut their eyes and kiss. "Onaji juni ni umareta no Mirakuru Romansu." Usagi and Mamoru kiss. Then, holding each other's hands, they walk off together. "Shinjite-iru no," Queen Serenity and the cats gaze at Earth, Sailors Pluto, Uranus, and Neptune standing behind them. Freeze screen. "Mirakura Romansu." The Senshi and the Guardians stand together, holding hands, Endymion and Serenity in the foreground, as the malevolent force of the Dark Kingdom appears over the horizon of the Moon. They all have determined expressions on their faces. Freeze screen. Fade to black. DESTINED LOVE Note: This Part takes place over the course of a year. The ages that follow are those of the characters at the beginning of this year. Endymion is nineteen. Serenity is sixteen. Rei, Ami, Makoto, Minako, Haruka, and Michiru are all nineteen. Kunzite is twenty-four, Nephrite is twenty-three, Zoisite is twenty-two, and Jadeite is nineteen. Setsuna is *really* old (sorry), and Hotaru would be eighteen, but she was put back into eternal sleep and is thirteen. Queen Serenity is three hundred and twenty-six. Luna and Artemis are seventeen years old. (They are alien cats with long life spans.) Their maturity level should be that of twenty-eight year olds, but that is left up to speculation on the part of Artemis. Kenji is twenty-seven, Ikuko is twenty-two, and Shingo is one. *In the Past* *One month later* *Earth* Night had fallen several hours ago. The stars twinkled in the sky, but to Endymion, their light seemed cold and harsh. Nothing could brighten his spirits but the light that came from his Usako. The light of her love. Without her, he despaired. 'Do you believe in destiny?' she'd asked him once. 'Yes, and no,' he'd answered. She'd laughed, then asked him how he could have it both ways. He taken her by the shoulders, gazing into her eyes, and he'd said, 'I believe in destiny, in that some things can't be helped or avoided and some things are fated to happen, like our meeting, but I also truly believe that we are in charge of our future. We make it what it is. There is nothing that says that "this is what's going to happen and that's that." *We* make the difference, we can change things. Our future isn't set down in stone, we have to make the right choices to insure that everything'll turn out all right, or it won't.' He laughed at himself then. 'Listen to me be so serious. I'm sorry.' She'd put her arms around his neck and smiled at him, but her eyes had been serious. 'I think you're right about destiny. But are we making the right choices now? *Should* we be together?' 'Don't worry, I have faith in us. I have faith that the right path is with both of us together.' Her eyes lost some of their seriousness and she asked in a low, quiet voice, 'If you don't believe in destiny, then what do you believe in?' He'd whispered in a loving voice, 'I believe in you, Usako. I love you.' Then he had leaned forward, as had she, and their lips had met in a kiss. Gazing into the night sky, Endymion clenched his right hand into a fist. "I don't care if you're from the moon! I will always love you, Usako. Even . . . if it's from a distance." Listening to the words he had just uttered, he realized that he was giving up. He couldn't give up! He couldn't lose her! "No! There must be something that I can do. There has to be." The stone that hung around his neck caught his eye. "Of course! My Guardians and I will see if the old Earthen magic still works." Beryl paced impatiently, her eyes scanning the ground as though studying the cracks in the floor would help alleviate her frustration. "When will we begin the assault?!!!" she demanded of the empty air. Slowly, slowly, Metallia's nebulous form materialized and her voice rang out, "Patience, Beryl! The time drawssss near." Beryl frowned. "That is what you always say and we are no closer to our goal!" "You are not, but *I* am. Sssso, sssso closssse. I can almosssst tasssste ssssuccessss. It will be ssssoon, Beryl, and then you sssshall be Queen of thissss world, even assss I am Empressss of the Universssse!" "Queen," Beryl said, licking her lips. "Queen Beryl. Yes, with Endymion at my side!" "Ssssoon. Our minionssss are almosssst gathered. Thosssse foolissssh humans have given ussss their ssssoulssss sssso that we may defeat their enemiessss. Thosssse youma will sssserve you well." "What will our kingdom be called, Empress?" "It already hassss a name. We are the Dark Kingdom . . ." The Guardians were gathered in their conference room. Kunzite was staring at maps and muttering about Cathal, borders, and inadequate defenses, while Zoisite was throwing darts at a bullseye, and Jadeite was practicing sword-fighting techniques with Nephrite, who had taken a break from charting the stars. However, no one's attention, save Kunzite's, was focused on what they were doing. They were each thinking of someone special that they had met recently. As a result, Zoisite kept missing the bullseye completely and Nephrite and Jadeite's combat was sloppy. Kunzite was just about to ask what was troubling them all so much when the door slammed open with a bang and Prince Endymion strode through. Everyone froze as Endymion eyed them. Kunzite arched an eyebrow in inquiry. "Yes, my prince?" Endymion turned to the leader of his Guardians and said in a low but authoritative voice, "I need to see you-all of you-outside, in the gardens immediately." "Any particular reason?" "I must speak with you." "Can you not simply speak with us here?" "Don't question my orders! Just . . . just come outside," Endymion faltered for an instant, then grabbing hold of his cloak, strode out. Kunzite turned to exchange a look with the other Guardians. "Well, *that* was certainly interesting." The others were already scrambling to strap on their weapons. Jadeite sheathed his sword, then turned to Kunzite with a worried expression on his face, "He *ordered* us. What do you think he wants to talk to us about?" Kunzite frowned. "Trouble. Or something else. Well, let's get going, anyway. The heir apparent would not appreciate being kept waiting." "You can say that again," Zoisite grumbled. Kunzite carefully hid a smile. Not just anyone could ruffle Zoisite's feathers. Endymion was one of the few who could. They gathered outside in the gardens, awkwardly standing about. Endymion started to pace, not speaking. The Guardians wondered if he was finally willing to reveal what had happened during his absence. Sensing no immediate danger, they relaxed a bit, carefully watching their prince. Finally, Endymion stopped and turned to face them, drawing in a deep breath before he began. "Kunzite, Jadeite, Zoisite, Nephrite, I kind of need your help." "As always," Kunzite replied, patting the sheathed sword resting at his hip. Endymion ignored him. "Here's the thing, I've . . . um . . . fallen in love." "Took you long enough!" Zoisite said, smirking. "Well, that's not really the problem . . ." Zoisite wagged a finger at him. "Endy, what have you been doing? Nothing naughty, I hope." Endymion glared at him. "Of course not! You've been hanging around Kunzite too much! Anyway, the problem's a bit more complicated." "More complicated than that?" Jadeite asked. "Zoi's been a bad influence," the Prince muttered under his breath. "Anyway, the girl that I've fallen in love with isn't from around here." "A foreigner? That could be a bit complicated," Kunzite said thoughtfully. "More than you know. She's not from this planet." "WHAT?!!!" Zoisite, Kunzite, and Jadeite cried. "She's from the Moon." While the three Guardians made incoherent sputtering noises and looked disbelieving at their Prince, Endymion turned to the one Guardian who as of yet had said nothing. "You don't seem surprised." Nephrite shrugged easily. "I do not find life on other worlds odd. The stars rule everything. Everyone's destiny has been written in them. A fated romance lies in your stars. I have seen it. The universe is a mysterious place. Besides, it is not as though a prince has never fallen in love with a girl from an enemy land before. The stars tell all of their tales, and they are many." "Uh, okay," Endymion replied, confused, but trying not to show it. "I haven't exactly gotten to my favor yet. I need your help to get to the Moon." This time even Nephrite looked taken aback. Jadeite swallowed and said in a small voice, "Are we going to have to pack for this trip?" *The Moon* "Star bright, Silver light, Shining with all my love and might, Shining with all my love tonight." Luna sighed as she looked at her princess. Princess Serenity had done nothing but sing that old song ever since she had returned to the moon, her eyes bright with tears. She would not speak of anything that had happened and refused to answer any questions. Reluctantly, everyone had decided to let the incident slide once again. Everyone but Sailor Venus. Venus had returned from wherever she had disappeared to only moments before the Princess had arrived home. She, like the princess, refused to speak of what had happened to her, except for her mutterings about a terrible evil that was returning. Luna took very little stock in her warnings. Venus was distraught; they all were. Ever since that incident . . . Princess Serenity arrived in the Center Courtyard of the Moon Palace. She was sprawled on the ground, dressed in strange foreign clothing. She was weeping profusely, her delicate frame racking with violent sobs. Queen Serenity had rushed forward to comfort her daughter, only to be repulsed by her sharp words. "Leave me alone, *Mother*! Just leave me alone!" "Serenity, whatever is the matter, dear? Aren't you happy to be home safe and sound? Whatever possessed you to run off again? You know that Earth is forbidden!" "You wouldn't understand! Stop judging me! Stop making my decisions for me! This is *my* life, not yours. Why can't you ever let me be happy?!" "Sere, IÑ" It was then that Sailors Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury appeared in the swirling colors of their auras. They hesitated only an instant to bow quickly to their Queen, Mars saying, "We were recalled." No other explanation was needed. Then they rushed to their princess, Mars rocking her in her arms as she wept bitterly. "Shhh. Sere, it'll be okay." The princess jerked her head up. "No, it won't! It never will! Not as long as I'm apart fromÑ" "It will never be all right again," a hard voice said as she approached the scene. Queen Serenity stepped aside to let her pass. "Venus," Jupiter said steadily, looking up at her leader. "So once again the princess has flaunted the laws of our esteemed court. Haven't you learned better by now, princess? You have to grow up and take your duties seriously! Earth is dangerous." Venus looked down at Serenity, and no one but Artemis saw the flash of pain in her eyes. Princess Serenity burst into another spate of crying. "Stop it, Venus! You have no right to do this to her!" Mars cried angrily. She hated seeing Sere get hurt, especially by her friends. She and Sere had their own share of disagreements, but the princess always knew that Mars never meant anything that she said, not really. Venus gave Mars a cold stare. "I have every right. It's the truth and the princess will have to face up to it sooner or later." "What do you know about this?" Mercury asked, staring up at Venus from where she knelt at her princess's side. "An evil is returning and we must be ready to face it. Especially Sere. She is the princess, and her duties are far greater than ours. She can't let herself get distracted." Looking into her eyes, Sere knew that Venus *knew*. <> she thought at her, dully. <> Venus replied. <> <> Aloud, Venus said, "All princesses must make sacrifices. Earth is forbidden to you, forever." "No!" Queen Serenity moved towards her daughter, feeling helpless. "Serenity, the Earth is forbidden to everyone on the moon. A princess cannot be exempt from such a law. You are the Moon Princess. Our people look up to you. You have to do your duty and obey the laws that have been set." "Well, maybe I don't want to be a princess anymore!" Serenity cried, getting to her feet and running off. The Senshi stared after her silently. Queen Serenity watched her daughter's fleeing form, her eyes wide with disbelief, her lips trembling, "She can't have meant that!" But she knew in her heart of hearts, as they all did, that Sere had. Luna sighed again. It was going to take them all a *long* time to get over that. Artemis watched Luna from high atop the column that he was lazily draped across. He knew that she was troubled and so was he. He wanted to go to her and comfort her, but there was nothing he could say or do to stop her heartbreak. Sere was drifting away. However, he knew too that something had upset Venus greatly and he was determined to discover what it was. He cast one last lingering look on Luna. He turned to go, then looked back once more at her. Then he got to his feet and sprang away. Luna looked behind her. She could have sworn that there was someone . . . watching over her. Catching the flash of moonlight against a white fur-covered body bounding away from column to column in the moonlight, she smiled. Ami flipped through the pages of the ancient tome. After a moment, she realized that she had merely been staring at the pages for the last several hours without absorbing what the book actually said. Her heart was not in studying. her mind whispered treacherously, no matter how hard she tried to block it out. That resolved, she turned back to her book, but found her thoughts drifting to a memory of a pair of sharp green eyes. <> Makoto ran her hands through the newly-turned soil and patted it lovingly around the seedling. She tried to forget, but everything reminded her of him. The color of the soil was the color of his hair, the touch of the wind was like the caress of his hand . . . Angrily, she kneaded her hands through the soil, and gradually she relaxed as the simple process of planting took all of her attention. 'I love you. I want to spend my life with you,' rang through her head, and again she stopped, staring blankly at the plants. "He meant it, you know," she said conversationally to them. "That's why it hurt so much." Her lower lip began to quiver and no matter how she tried, she couldn't stay the moisture that sprang to her eyes and trickled down her face. Unable to suppress the pain any longer, she curled up into a fetal position and cried, in between the roots of an ancient tree. It was silent save for her sobs, for a long, long time. When she finally stopped, she had only the strength to whisper, "I love you, too," before she passed out from exhaustion. "It's WRONG!!!" Rei said angrily, pacing in her room. "Wrong, wrong, wrong!" Minako looked up at her from where she sat painting her nails on Rei's bed. "What's wrong with it?" Rei stopped her pacing to glare at Minako. "You know perfectly well what's wrong! It's forbidden," she hissed. "You told the princess so yourself." Minako shrugged. "So? When's that ever stopped us before?" "You're incredible." Rei seated herself next to Minako. Minako smiled brightly. "I know. Anyways, the princess is the princess and she needs to be protected, but we can take care of ourselves! Besides, you've been obsessing over this guy so much that I really have to see if he's as cute as you say." "But we can't just sneak back down to Earth! Someone would catch us for certain." "Hey, only you'd be sneaking *back* down! *I* haven't been there yet, remember?" Rei glared at her. "You're not funny, you know." Minako just grinned. *Back on Earth* The Guardians spent the next couple of days preparing for their trip. Kunzite was gathering weapons and reviewing information on what was known about the Moon and its so-called Moon Kingdom. Nephrite was seeking guidance in the stars, and devising the best path to reach the Moon. Jadeite had the most work, as his realm was the Realm of Soul, which was the most closely connected with magic. He spent hours researching the dusty old tomes in the Royal Library. Zoisite sometimes gave him a hand. Zoisite himself was making contingency plans in case the Lunars were hostile. Endymion was thinking up the actual plan, and putting his kingdom in order, so that when he left there would be no unforeseen situations that could not be adequately handled. It was an undeniably difficult task, but the thought of seeing his Usako again kept him going. As he was still officially not old enough to take charge of his kingdom yet, the ministers of state and his advisors still ruled. Thus, even though that matter was *still* difficult, it was simpler than he had thought it would be to receive permission to leave on a "diplomatic" mission. They had wanted Kunzite to remain behind, but Endymion had insisted on his presence and they had acquiesced reluctantly. The only thing that worried Endymion was that the kingdom of Cathal was still seeking to invade his borders. He had sent in part of his army though, and they had managed to drive the Cathals from the captured town of Edmunston. There had been no survivors of the citizenry reported. He and all four of his Guardians had swore viciously at the news and had redoubled the number of troops stationed around the border. Neither Endymion nor his Council had been willing to go to war over it . . . yet. Still, the Cathals had seemed to settle down and several spies reported that they were truly sorry for what they had done. Endymion believed none of it, but now was the time for his own personal mission. With Cathal momentarily at peace and the threat of an all out war sometime in the near future, he figured that his last time to seek out his Usako would have to be now. Endymion turned to his Guardians who stood waiting for him. "Are you ready?" he asked. All four of him placed their right fist over their hearts in a warrior's salute as they bowed their heads slightly. Kunzite answered for all of them. "As we'll ever be." *The Moon* Princess Serenity paced about the Royal Gardens of the Moon. She gazed up into the sky to stare at the blue-green earth that spun there. "Cookie for your thoughts?" a voice asked quietly. Serenity turned to see that Venus did indeed stand there, a cookie in her hand. The princess tried to smile, but found that she could not. With a sigh, she turned away, looking once again at the Earth. The forced smile that had been on Venus's face faded and she looked at the cookie critically. The princess's clear voice broke through her thoughts. Venus looked up to see her still staring up at the blue planet. "You told me once not to be your friend. You also told me that if I wanted things to happen, then I should go out and make them happen. Your advice seems to have its flaws." The princess smiled fleetingly, just for an instant. Venus wondered at the lack of bitterness in her voice. But Sere . . . Sere could never be bitter. It was against her nature. "I wondered, you know, for a long time why I was a princess. I, of all people, daughter of the Queen of a solar system. And then, one day I knew." She turned to face Venus, her eyes sparkling with tears, not of grief or pain, but those of joy. "It was the day I looked into his eyes, Venus. I knew then that I had to be a princess to deserve *him*." Her eyes got a far off look in them and Venus could only watch silently as she continued. "The way he looks at me, talks to me, holds me in his arms . . . It is too much for me! It is as though when I am with him, I am safe in a land that is beyond anger, fear, or pain. There is only love there. His love for me and mine for him. He loves me." Her eyes focused on Venus again. "I love him." She turned away and again began walking, Venus trailing behind her. "I do not deserve him. He is all that I have ever dreamed of. Love is so wonderful, why can't everyone feel it? Have you ever been in love, Venus?" Sailor Venus stopped short in her tracks and managed to speak around the large lump that had formed in her throat. "Yes." "Then you know the feeling. Do you know the heartbreak, too?" In a very quiet voice, "Yes." "I never want to be apart from him, Venus. I don't care if his world is forbidden! No one can forbid love. It is not possible. If there was no love in the world, then we would be nothing. We would be monsters, lifeless, uncaring *things* not people! We would be-" "The Dark Kingdom," Venus interrupted. Serenity fell silent. After a moment, "They attacked once, didn't they?" Venus nodded even though Sere still had her back turned to her. "They will attack again. They need energy, but it is emotions that they crave. They can feel nothing but anger, hatred, and pain. Love is alien to them, and though they will not admit it to themselves, they want it." "I pity them," Serenity's voice rang out. "Poor creatures, what kind of a life is that which they lead?" "Do not pity them, Sere! Hate them! Hate them with all of your heart and soul!" "Hate them? Then would I not be just like them, Venus?" Venus was silent for a long time, letting the statement sink in. Without realizing it, tears began to trail down her face. In a weak voice she responded, "Perhaps." Serenity shook her head slightly. "No, Venus, you are not like them. You can still love, can't you? You can still feel joy, and hope, and sorrow. *You* are still a human being, with all the flaws there of." Venus sighed. "There is one thing that I care about, princess." "What, only one?" "Yes. You. It is my duty to protect you. It is my obligation to myself. To protect you . . ." "From myself?" "If I must." "Mayhap I do need protection from myself, but there is one thing that you need never protect me from." "Him?" "That's right. He would never hurt me, Venus." "You're wrong. Everyone hurts one another. You hurt the ones you love. It's human nature. Everyone can't help but betray everyone else, and destroy all of the good things that they have." "Well, maybe you're right and I'm wrong, but he would never betray me . . . in his heart. As for forbidding me to see him . . . that is nonsense and both you and I know it. It is not human nature to let itself be kept from what it wants." "Is he what you want?" "I need him. I love him. Isn't that enough?" Venus had no answer, instead she said, "Your mother will be expecting you at Court soon." Princess Serenity turned around and smiled her first truly genuine smile in days. Venus thought sourly to herself. Serenity winked as though she had overheard and Venus couldn't be sure that she hadn't. Somehow though, just talking with the princess had made her feel better about the whole thing. The danger might still be coming, but they would both be ready for it. "Come now, Venus, the Lunar day is beginning. We can't keep everyone waiting, now can we? Escort me to Court." "Yes, my princess." They began to walk back towards the Moon Palace when Princess Serenity stopped suddenly. "Venus?" "Mmmm?" "Where's my cookie?" A sweatdrop formed on Venus's head as she laughed inanely. "Uh, uh well . . ." "You ate it, didn't you?" the princess asked flatly. Venus laughed nervously, put on an innocent face, then hung her head and said, "Yeah." "SAILOR VENUS!!!!" Serenity shrieked. Venus dashed into the palace and took of running down the hallways, Serenity right on her heels. The princess tripped, fell on her face, then scrambled to her feet and continued to chase the errant Senshi. From high atop a pillar, Luna stared down and slowly a feline smile spread across her face. With a contented purr, she settled down and curled up for a nap. From the next column over, Artemis gazed a Luna with a worried look on his face. He bounded off as Luna slept. Beryl looked at the Seven Shadows that she had called forth from her dark crystal and dismissed them. "*THESE* are my vaunted warriors?" Metallia let out a hiss. "They are extenssssionssss of mysssself, Beryl. Are you mocking me?" "I, mock you? Never, my empress." "You had better not be, Beryl. You had better not be." "So what can they do, my empress?" "They are capable of massss desssstruction and together they can form an extenssssion of me that hassss power comparable to mine. They will desssstroy the ssssorceressssessss for ussss." "The Moon Princess is mine!" Beryl screamed in rage, having long ago ascertained with the help of Metallia the true identity of the princess. "Of coursssse, Beryl. In thissss *only* may you have rightssss over me. I promissssed her to you, Beryl, and Endymion, in return for your sssservice. Sssshe issss yourssss to kill and he yourssss to have assss you will." "Yes," Beryl hissed, satisfied for the moment. "Will I have no other warriors?" "The Youma-" "The Cathals are idiots! Already Endymion's forces have defeated them!" "Do NOT interrupt me, Beryl!!! The new batch will be an improvement. Do not fear, Beryl, they will be strong enough. However, you have need of thosssse who can control them. You cannot be everywhere at once." "And who would control THEM?" Beryl asked spitefully. Metallia chose her next words carefully. "You have need of . . . Generalssss. Dark Kingssss for your Dark Kingdom." "Generals?" Beryl asked, an idea forming in the back of her mind. "Kings?" She broke into malicious laughter. "No, not kings at all, but princes!!! Kings indeed!!!" "Beryl, what are you thinking?" Metallia asked, annoyed that she could not for once read Beryl's thoughts. "Endymion would not suspect that those most loyal to him would serve us! Oh yes, I shall have these Kings that you speak of Empress, and destroy any last thoughts of rebellion in Endymion!" "You would take *THEM*?" Metallia asked, catching on. "Who better to serve under Endymion and myself?" "Beryl, I did not give you enough credit. You sssshall sssserve me well, and sssso sssshall they." "But first," Beryl said, swirling her hand in the air, "I will send out a probe to the so-called Moon Kingdom to test their defenses. I have the feeling that Endymion will soon be there as well. What better time?" "It will give them warning that we are coming," Metallia warned her. "So what? Let them know. Let them live in perpetual fear for their miserable lives. Nothing they can do can stop us. I will send my minion . . . when I am sure that Endymion is there." *On Earth* Endymion and his Guardians stood together in a circle in the rose clearing. The full moon shone directly over them. He had not wanted then to invade his treasured private spot, but Jadeite had insisted that the magic would be stronger if performed at a spot that had already been exposed to magic. As the Guardians already knew where the clearing was, he had had no choice. Besides, he would take any advantage that would help him reach his Usako. Endymion thought determinedly. Taking each others hands rather uncomfortably, the five of them concentrated together. Nothing happened. "Focus!" Endymion said. "We *ARE*!" they yelled back. Endymion sighed. The script on the archway began to glow silver in the moonlight. None of them noticed. Slowly, slowly, each of them began to feel their power growing, flowing through and filling them. "I feel it!" Zoisite cried, exuberant. "My power!" "Good, now concentrate," Endymion returned. They did. Endymion felt the blood inside of him burn with fire as the power in him grew, and he could feel the magic of the other four begin to reach him as their auras rose about them. Then, all of a sudden, their power peaked and with a flash of light, they were gone. The moon shone after them. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Setsuna frowned. Nevertheless, she felt strangely at peace once she knew that this future was set. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * *The Moon* The group of five appeared with a blinding flash of light in the throne room, directly in front of Queen Serenity. After ascertaining their surroundings, they stood and bowed in unison to the Queen. Queen Serenity rose up from where she sat in indignation. "Who are you and why have you come here?" She motioned the guards over to the intruders. The pair of guards moved as though to apprehend the strangers but were repelled by another flash of light. "Sorry," Jadeite said with a rueful smile. "I guess the spell hasn't quite worn off yet." He had been the one who had researched the actual spell, and the shield they had cast about themselves as added protection would take a moment or two to wear off. The guards looked quite taken aback. Queen Serenity frowned. "Just who are you?" Kunzite straightened and bowed again as the other four dropped to a half-kneel, half-crouch, the right leg down and the left leg up, in a carefully planned square formation around him. Kunzite smiled respectfully at the Queen as he said, "I am Prince Endymion of Earth." The Sailor Senshi raced down the hallway to the throne room. They had all transformed as soon as Luna had arrived to tell them of the intruders. All except for Minako, who as the leader of the Senshi had elected to carry out her own *personal* duty to protect the princess. So three Sailor Senshi ran down the hallway, and one princess look-a-like, her hair gathered up in two buns with two long blonde ponytails flowing down from each one, and dressed in the royal gown. "Princess Minako on her way," she muttered under her breath. She hated this duty. As Kunzite rambled on to the Queen about the numerous factors that had pushed him into making the decision to visit the moon on an exploratory and purely "diplomatic" mission, Endymion couldn't resist looking around. He noticed that the other Royal Guardians were looking around as well. The difference between him and them, he thought to himself, was that they were not looking for anything in particular, while he was looking for something very important indeed. His gaze wandered around the throne room until it came to rest on a figure half-hidden in the shadows. He couldn't be sure . . . The Odangos were the same, but then it seemed as though that particular hairstyle was very common on the moon. The Queen even wore her hair that way. Then their eyes met and as he gazed into the deep blue of hers, something like an electric current shot through them both. It was her, he was sure of it. "Odango Atama," he breathed, so low that no one else even realized that he was speaking, "I've lost you once before, but I swore to myself that I would never lose you again. I've found you, Usako, and this time, it's for keeps." Serenity pulled back into the shadows. It couldn't be. "Mamoru?" she whispered to herself. She risked another look and his eyes met her. An electric shock surged through her. "Mamo-chan." She mouthed "later" to him, and he nodded imperceptibly. Her eyes shone as she mouthed the next words before leaving the room. "I love you." Endymion watched her go and whispered softly. "I love you too, Usako." As the Senshi entered the room, all of the Guardians and Endymion turned to look. Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Jadeite, Nephrite, and Zoisite all gasped simultaneously as they saw each other. "That's him," Sailor Mars said in astonishment. "Hey, who?" Minako asked eagerly. She looked at where her friend was staring as though she'd seen a ghost. "Hey Rei, he *is* cute, she said in a happy whisper. Butwaitaminute," she said in a rush, "what's he doing here?" Sailor Mars didn't answer her, continuing to stare at Jadeite who was staring at her. Minako sighed, looked at the other Senshi who were in the same shape then turned to look at the intruders. Rei was a lucky girl, Jadeite *was* cute. Ami and Makoto were lucky too, the guys *they* were staring at were gorgeous. She looked at the dark-haired one staring with a dazed expression on his face. Now that was what she called handsome. The tall one who was standing turned to look at her and their eyes met with a crackling electric shock. No, *he* was handsome. She sighed, looking at him dreamily. Maybe she was going to like this assignment after all. "So you're from the Golden Kingdom?" Queen Serenity asked. "Yes, Your Majesty." "The last I heard, the Golden Kingdom was ruled by King Gaian and Queen Terra." "They are deceased." "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Queen Serenity said regretfully. They had been nice enough people and good rulers. "What of the young prince that I met on my last trip to Earth? I believe his name was Endy?" "Um," Kunzite thought fast. "The young son of King Gaian and Queen Terra is regretfully no longer with us," he said slowly, covertly looking at Endymion from the corner of his eye. He was staring off into nothing and mumbling something to himself. Rei stared at Jadeite, barely aware that she had spoken to Minako. What had she said? It did not matter. Neither did the fact that Minako was replying to her. All that mattered was that Jadeite was before her. It could not be he, that was an impossibility, and yet . . . It was his face, his eyes. It was Jade, it was! She drank in the look of him, as he faced her, his eyes burning with his love for her. He looked so handsome, kneeling there, his gray cape pooling about him, his black gold-trimmed armor newly polished. His blonde hair was a little unruly and she wanted nothing more than to run her hands through it. An uneasy feeling nagged at her, though. Why was he here? Jadeite stared at Rei. At least, he thought it was Rei. He couldn't be certain having never seen her dressed in something that . . . ahem . . . *short* before. Still, he managed to wrench his gaze to her face, and that held all of his attention. It *was* his Rei that stood before him, it could be no other. No one else, in his mind, possessed such unparalleled beauty. Her eyes bespoke him eloquently as he stared into their fiery violet depths. his mind sang. It took all of his self control to stop himself from leaping up and running to her, to enfold her in his arms. He could not tear his gaze away from her. He did not want to. He could not say what it was, only that he did love her with every ounce of his being. Still, a thought rose unbidden at the back of his mind and try as he might, it would not leave. Why was she here? Makoto thought, involuntarily putting a hand to her mouth. Realizing what she was doing, she took it away in the same instant. She looked away, her eyes shadowed. If they had been visible, anyone could have seen that they were dark with pain. Nephrite thought, dully. He continued to stare at her until she looked away from him. All of a sudden he was angry, and then the anger had fled and he was left only with an unshakable sensation of loss. He began addressing himself. her mind shrieked, before she could restrain herself. Ami bit her lip and forced herself to calm down. She looked at him as he shot her a look full of meaning. She blushed. His green eyes twinkled maddeningly at her and she saw him hide a smile as his face adopted a suitably serious expression. Her expression turned wistful. she berated herself. she shot back at herself. Zoisite stared at Ami, *his* Ami. Same blue hair, blue eyes . . . a shorter skirt though. He quickly silenced that errant train of thought. Her eyes spoke volumes to him and he could feel his heart leaping. And then she did and for Zoisite, everything *was* perfect. Queen Serenity sighed. This whole situation was impossible. She would have to deal with it, though. She beckoned impatiently to her Senshi as they stood in the doorway. Why weren't they coming in? They saw her gesture and entered slowly, flanking Minako as they had been trained to do, both when she was in this guise and when she was their commander, Sailor Venus. They ascended the stairs up to the dais her throne was positioned atop and ranged themselves behind her. She gestured to the silver-haired Prince Endymion. "Prince Endymion, this is my daughter, the Princess Serenity." Minako took a step forward and curtsied gracefully, as she had been taught. Queen Serenity watched as the prince's eyes lighted on her, then flickered away. He rose a fluid motion, his Guardians with him, and bent over the princess's hand. "It is a pleasure, Princess Serenity," he said, kissing it as per court etiquette. Minako's eyes became hearts and the Queen cleared her throat meaningfully. Minako immediately dropped her hand and curtsying again, she backed into her place. "These are her Guardians," the Queen said, gesturing as the Senshi came forward, ignoring the Earth Guardians flinch at the word, "the Sailor Senshi. Mars," Rei bowed, "Mercury," Ami bowed as well, "and Jupiter." Makoto bowed, but no one missed the tortured expression in her eyes as she gazed at Nephrite save Nephrite himself. "Allow me to introduce my Guardians," Kunzite said smoothly. "Jadeite, Zoisite, Nephrite, and . . . Mamoru." Kunzite cursed inside. Why couldn't Endymion simply have taken his name? But no, he had insisted on Mamoru. Queen Serenity didn't seem to notice the dissimilarity in the names, though. "Very well," she said. "I shall have quarters prepared for you and your men, for the course of your "diplomatic" mission." Kunzite did not miss the emphasis that she had placed on the word and he fervently vowed that the mission would be as diplomatic as possible. After all, it wasn't like his men were going to start mingling with all of the Lunars. Then he took a look at the Guardians and watched the peculiar way in which they were looking at the Senshi. They looked smitten. He felt like slapping himself in the forehead. By the King, what had they gotten themselves into? It was later in that day when Endymion finally managed to slip away to meet Serenity. Somehow, he knew where to find her. It was if his heart was leading him to her. He found her where he knew she would be, among the roses in the Royal Gardens of the Moon Palace, even if he had had no idea at the time where they were. He crept up behind her and enfolded her in his arms. She gave a little cry, then a smile crept across her face as she whirled about in his arms and flung her arms around him with an exclamation of happiness. "Mamo-chan!" "Usako," he murmured in her ear. "You came, you came," she cried. "How could I stay away from my Usako? My bunny of the moon." "Don't. I'm not a bunny." "Oh, but you are, Usako. You're *my* bunny. When I look up at the Moon, all I see is you." She pulled away a little and smiled. "I wish that I was all that you saw. You are all that I see. Your Earth, it is as blue as your eyes." "Then you *did* think of me when we were apart!" "Could I think of aught else? Why would I want to?" "Usako . . ." he whispered, kissing her. She closed her eyes and sighed in pleasure. This, this was where she wanted to be. Safe in his arms. They parted a little and gazed at each other lovingly. Her eyes were bright with tears. "How did you get here?" she asked, softly. "Usako, I never thought I'd see you again. I couldn't bear it! I *had* to find a way to get to you." "Mamo-chan, I'm not . . . Well, I'm-" "MEEOORRROWWRRRR!!!" the vicious black blur of fur, teeth, and claws screamed, leaping towards Endymion. It landed on his head and tried to claw at him unsuccessfully as he stumbled backwards in surprise and knocked the cat off of him. She landed on her feet and glared at the Prince. "Stay away from the princess!" "LUNA! What do you think you're doing?" Princess Serenity asked, perturbed and more than a little irritated. She went to check on Endymion to see if he was all right. He was holding a hand to his head and looked rather dazed. "Usako, did that *cat* just talk to me?" "She certainly did," Serenity replied, sticking a tongue out at the cat. "Nasty, *NOSY* thing, isn't she?" "I am not nosy!" the cat said, affronted. "That is Artemis's department. I am simply looking out for your well-being." "Well, don't! I am perfectly well right here with Mamoru and *he* is doing quite a good job of insuring my well-being, thank you!" Luna scowled. "Your mother will *not* be pleased!" "Humph! That's exactly why you are *not* going to tell her, Luna." The cat snorted. "And how did you come to that conclusion?" Serenity smiled and Luna backed away a step at the pure devilishness in her eyes. "Luna, would you like me to tell Mother what *really* happened to the fish that was to have been the main course at the feast last week?" Luna's eyes narrowed and she hissed. "You wouldn't!" "Wouldn't I?" "Artemis ate most of it!" "Ah-ah-ah, Luna. Aren't you always telling me that it's not nice to blame one's own mistakes on others?" Luna shot her a dirty look, then stalked off, muttering darkly to herself. Princess Serenity burst into infectious giggles as she watched her Guardian stalk off and soon Endymion joined her. Jadeite snuck out of his room, looking warily around him. "Well, hello, what do we have here?" a low voice whispered in his ear from behind him. Jadeite stiffened, then whirled about, taking his discoverer by surprise and swinging her around. "REI!" She laughed, but quickly quieted down. "Shhh! Jade, they'll hear!" He immediately set her down. "You're right, of course." They both looked about the deserted hallway anxiously. There was no one. They were alone. "Jade," Rei said, as soon as she was sure no one was watching them, "what are you doing here?!" He took her in his arms again. "Well, first I want to kiss you to make sure that you're real, and then I'll answer your questions." Rei let out a giggle as he bent to kiss her and his lips brushed hers, but then they both stiffened as a chuckling sound was heard. Jadeite cautiously opened one eye, and let Rei go in a swift movement as he saw who was watching them. "Uh, Zoisite . . . Hi!" Zoisite chuckled louder. "You certainly do put on quite a show, Jade! Hahaha." "Shhh, you fool!" Rei and Jade both said, then exchanged a quick, wry look at one another before turning back to Zoisite. He smiled. "Who's to hear?!" "The Guards? Any of a million Lunars? The Queen? Nephrite? Ku-The Prince?" Jadeite rattled them off. Zoisite stopped laughing at the mention of the last and his voice dropped as he looked anxiously around. "Oh yeah, *him*. I nearly forgot." "Forgot? How can you forget something like that?!!!" Jadeite shouted. "SHHH!" Rei, Zoisite, and Ami cried. Jadeite shut his mouth, then stared with Rei at Ami who had been standing behind Zoisite. "Uh, hi?" she said, giving a little wave. Rei rolled her eyes. "Not you too, Ami!" "Well, you're one to talk, Rei!" Rei opened her mouth to reply, then shut it. Since when had Ami had enough backbone to speak back to her? Ami smiled smugly. The foursome exchanged a despairing look then all began to talk at once. "What's going on-?" "I think we shou-" "Zoisite, why're you-?" "Let's get organiz-" They sighed. "Look," Zoisite finally said, "let's discuss this all later." "The first intelligent thing you've said," Jadeite replied. "Let's." Ami smiled. "Good, now that that's settled, I have something to *talk* to you about, Zoisite." "Coming!" he said with a smile, as she dragged him off down the hall. Rei and Jadeite exchanged a quiet laugh. Then Rei smiled as well. "Well, what'll we do now?" "I think we should follow them and get them back for disturbing us," Jade said, his eyes lighting up, as he rubbed his hands together. Rei sighed and put her arms around him again. "I can think of *much* better things that we could be doing, Jade. After all, they *did* interrupt us." Jadeite's eyes lighted up more and a smile spread gradually across his face. "I think you're quite right. He opened the door to his quarters and took Rei's hand in his. "What are you doing, Jade?" she asked, unable to hide the laughter in her voice. "We're going to be somewhere where we *can't* be interrupted." She was only able to get out one cry of laughing protest as he yanked her in and shut the door behind them. Zoisite and Ami walked down to the lake. "It is very peaceful here, Ami." "Yes, it is." "Why are you here?" "Why are you?" "Does it matter?" "Does it matter to you?" He knelt and picked up a rock, skipping it on the surface. "Questions, questions, it is always questions with you, Ami. Never answers. Every time I ask one, you have to ask me another. You are trying to confound me." "Perhaps I am. I have never been close to anyone before," she said, picking up rock and skipping it further than his. He picked up another one and skipped it still further. "Are we close?" She skipped another stone further out, "You know the answer." "You see? Never a straight answer." He picked up at rock and when he threw it, it hurtled across the surface. "You told me you believed in love at first sight. Did you mean it? You never actually told me you loved me, you know. Do you?" "What do you think?" She picked up another stone but before she could throw it, he caught her arm and held it firm. "Zoisite, let go." "Just answer this one question, Ami, and I'll never make you answer another." His eyes pleaded with her. She faltered, as he lowered her arm. "I-I . . ." "Ami? Please, just an answer!" "Oh Goddess, yes!" she burst out, tears appearing. "That wasn't so hard, now was it?" Zoisite asked gently, tipping her face up to his, seeing the love in her eyes that he had known was there. "Why are you so afraid of love, Ami?" "I don't know. I just am." "You don't want to get hurt by it. I won't let you get hurt. I love you, Ami. Now, smile," he murmured, tipping her face more, his lips almost touching hers. "Zoisite, I-" she began to protest. "Smile," he said, kissing her, drowning out her protests and her tears. When they pulled away, he said again, "Smile." She did, and it was the most blindingly beautiful smile he had ever seen. "Kiss me again, Zoisite," she said, "and I'll smile as much as you want. I love you." He allowed himself a smile as he kissed her again. "Nephrite." He stiffened at the sound of his name, said by *that* voice, *her* voice. He forced himself to relax and slowly turned to look behind him. He looked at her standing slightly in the gray stone archway that led into the Gardens. Her hair was down for once, tumbling about her shoulders in rich dark waves. Her stance was uncertain but her eyes were clear and calm. "Mako," he said softly. It seemed like a millennium since he had last spoken her name or had even dared to think it. She walked forward slowly, one hesitant step at a time, as though fearing to get too close, too soon. She stopped a foot away from him and simply gazed at him. They did not speak. Finally, Nephrite turned away, gazing up at the stars that looked so different, so very different than they had on Earth. "I was wrong," she said in a voice void of emotion. Again he stiffened, but this time he could not relax as he replied, his throat choked with emotion, his eyes shut against the pricking feel of his tears, "No. You were right." Makoto felt her throat thickening and tears forming as he said that. "Why, did you decide that, all of a sudden?" she asked, her voice deceptively calm. Inside, she was screaming. "I was in love, once," he replied. "It was several years ago, but I have never forgotten it, or her. She was very special to me. She was the only daughter of a good friend of my mother's. As she grew up, I had been like a big brother to her, but when she was grown, she began to see me as something else, and truth be told, I saw her as more than a little sister as well. "Somehow, we found that we loved one another, and nothing could have been sweeter . . . that is, until I was called away . . . by duty." "Duty?" Makoto asked, her throat dry. "What duty?" "At the moment of my birth, it had been foreseen that it was my lot in life to serve the Prince of Earth, Endymion. There are four of us, Guardians as you are, who have been chosen to protect our prince. When I was born, Endymion had not yet been conceived, but as I said before, it had been foreseen. I was a prince as well, eldest son of a monarch who ruled one of the four kingdoms that made up Endymion's. My realm was the Realm of Stars, the Realm of Strength. And so, I was chosen. "However, though I was of the order, and I was one of Endymion's protectors, I had never been called upon to serve him until . . . My love and I had planned to marry. Can you believe that? I was to marry her. Nevertheless, before we could wed, I was called away to take up my duty as his protector. "I went. I could do nothing else. My love wept as I left. I promised her that I would return, that we would be together. That was a promise that I was not to keep. As soon as I met my prince and the others, I realized that it was my *duty* to protect him. Nothing could stand in the way of that. "I, like the others, have devoted my life to serving my prince. He is first in my life and always will be. That is why I had to let Naru go. She deserved, as you do, Mako-chan, to be loved unconditionally. Umino, her childhood friend, loved her with all of his heart and she learned to love him as well. They can be happy. We can't be . . . not together." He looked away from her. "Idiot," she whispered, stroking the side of his face and turning his face to her, "the two of us, we are the same. I, too, have devoted my life to another. I will serve my princess now and forever. *She* is first in my life, as much as your prince is to you. I understand, as nearly no one else could, what you are feeling." "MakoÑ" Nephrite began, but Makoto gently placed a finger on his lips to silence him. "And I know, too," she whispered softly, her eyes shining, "that neither of us will ever be happy apart. Because we each understand the other, we can be together. We can love each other. And I do. I love you, Nephrite." She bent her head and kissed him, softly, lingeringly, lovingly, and without even realizing it, he found himself returning the kiss. When they finally separated, they stood a little ways apart, Nephrite's hands on Makoto's shoulders, as she stared up at him, eyes filled with love. Looking into Makoto's eyes, Nephrite felt the truth of her words, and the strength of his love for her and he said, his heart full, "I do love you, Mako-chan. I love you, too." She smiled as he drew her to him, and as their lips met again, he felt the singing of the stars. *The next day* Minako stared at her hands. She had let him be killed. She had let him be killed not because he had plotted against the Queen and Princess, not because he had chosen another over her, and not because he had trusted her so much and so littleÑtelling her his plans, but hiding his lover from herÑbut because she loved him and no matter how much he pretended, he hadn't loved her. So in one lightning quick haze of scorned love and rage, that one instant of indecision, she had let him be killed. She saw again his broken body, being torn into pieces, the blood-red eyes of the youma glaring balefully out at her from where it crouched over the body of her beloved. She closed her eyes tight against the memory. Her eyes snapped open. She stared dry-eyed at her hands. She remembered her Onee-chan's scream of anguish as she learned of his fate. Then she had plunged a dagger into her own heart, so that she might join her lover in death. Sailor Venus had just stared, horror-stricken at this second horror and had screamed in despair. Despair that she could not kill herself and join them. She had a duty more important. She leaned her head back against the rough stone. She knew perfectly well in her heart of hearts that he would never have gone through with it, and knowing hurt. "Are you all right?" a rough voice asked. Minako started. "What?" she asked her hands. Then she looked up and saw Kunzite. "I said," he repeated gently, sitting down next to her, as she inched further away, "are you all right?" "Yes, I'm fine." "Are you quite sure, Princess Serenity?" "Yes," she replied, getting to her feet. "Thank you for your concern, Prince Endymion. Now, I must be going, I had not realized how late it had gotten. I have duties that I must attend to." "Of course," he replied smoothly, bowing as she swept by with a swish of her skirts. When she had passed, he straightened and looked after her. Kunzite resigned himself to another long session with Queen Serenity. The "diplomatic" meetings were taking a lot out of him. This time, he did not even have the others with him. He had tried to gather them all together, but they had all ignored his summons and he had seen them walking around like lovesick idiots, arm in arm with the Senshi. Well, at least his prince had found what he was seeking. That had been the whole reason for the visit and the ruse in which Kunzite pretended to be Endymion to protect him and allow him time to find the girl. He *had* found the girl that he was looking for and she was indeed lovely. Kunzite could not fault him. Endymion had the right to fall in love. The others though . . . Oh, the fools! What did they think they were doing? They had a duty to perform! They had no time to be off whispering romantic nonsense in the ears of the girl-warriors of the Moon Kingdom. "Is something troubling you, Prince Endymion?" a soft voice asked. He looked up, startled to see Queen Serenity staring at him with a peculiar expression on her face. "Uh, no, no, Your Highness. Just lost in thought, I suppose. Your kingdom really is quite lovely," he said, skillfully changing the subject. He could tell that he had not fooled Serenity at all, but she played along saying, "I'm glad that you think so. It took a lot of time and energy to make it as beautiful as it is now. Still, it is not Earth." Kunzite thought that he detected a note of wistfulness in her voice. "You have been to Earth?" She outright laughed. "Of course I have been to your Earth." She sobered, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes and saying in a quiet voice, "You see, it is my Earth as well. Once, a very long time ago, I lived there as well. In fact, I was Queen of it. Yes, a very long time ago," she said, her eyes getting a far away expression. "Mother, perhaps we should get back to the point?" the princess asked plaintively. Kunzite's attention shifted to the princess as the Queen responded, "Of course, dear. Forgive me." "*Me* forgive *you*?" the princess sounded incredulous. Kunzite managed to catch her eye and she flashed him a coy look as he winked at her (completely against protocol). She smothered a giggle. Kunzite was rather surprised at himself. He *never* went against the rules. Not even a little. Well, maybe a little. But to wink at the princess of a foreign land? Whatever had possessed him? Still, something about the girl had attracted his interest. She could seem so happy and cheerful one moment, but this morning, she had seemed so sad. Her sadness drew him as readily as her laughter. He wanted her to laugh, to forget that sadness existed. What was she doing to him? She smiled at him, and forgetting himself, he smiled back. It was at that moment that he tossed all of his other concerns aside as a new feeling, warm and bright, bubbled up inside of him. Kunzite, the most hard-hearted of the four Guardians, was falling in love . . . with the Princess of the Moon. And he swore to himself that she *would* love him in return. Minako stared at Kunzite. she yelled at herself. Looking up at him though, she couldn't help but feel the long silent emotion stirring in her heart. As they were leaving the conference room that day, he caught her hand and drew her aside, whispering softly to her as she paused, "I wish to speak with you later. Will you meet me in the Gardens?" "No," she whispered back, but before Kunzite's heart could begin breaking, she continued, "By the Fountains." Then she was gone, but it didn't matter to Kunzite because she had agreed to meet him! His heart skipped a beat, before he brought himself under control. he chided himself, then broke into a grin anyway. He started whistling and strode out the door, completely missing the flash of two blue eyes who had been observing the scene intently. Artemis glared at the Guardian, then slipped out the way he had come in. *Later that afternoon* Kunzite strode over to the largest of the fountains, presumably to look at the fascinating display of sparkling water. He ignored the couples that strode about arm in arm, including his own men and the Senshi, who bolted for cover when they caught sight of him. He rolled his eyes. He would really have to have a talk with them, later. Princess Serenity was waiting for him as she had promised, her back to the fountain, gazing out at the sky. "Princess Serenity," he said without preamble. He had expected her to start in surprise as other women would do, for she was surely not aware of his presence, but she simply raised her left arm and pointed at the blue sky. "Look, isn't it pretty?" She didn't look his way. Kunzite looked up and saw that she was pointing at a cluster of white clouds near the horizon. He supposed it did look nice and said so. "They're simply clouds," she said absently, "but if this whole world had not been created through magic, there would be nothing but barren rock and the night sky. Sometimes, I wonder what it'd be like to set foot on a *real* world, a normal world. Not one molded to fit someone's fantasies, but one that was simply made to be what it is. No more, no less." Kunzite gazed back at the sky. "Oh yes," the Princess said, "its all created by magic. Every last bit of it." Before Kunzite could wonder if she had read his mind, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "Why did you ask me here? And be quiet about answering . . . it's inappropriate for me to associate with you alone." Kunzite opened his mouth to ask about the freedom of the Senshi, then shut it again. Of course the Senshi would have more freedom than their princess! She looked at him, amused, her long golden hair cascading down past her waist, and shining like the sun as she said flippantly, "You look like a fish when you do that." Immediately, he felt rather offended, but his anger faded as he realized the humor in the situation and he began to laugh, low rolling chuckles of amusement. "SHHH!" she said desperately, glancing around at the passerbyers who stopped to stare and whisper a giggled comment to one another. Minako found her temper rising and she began to stalk off, contemplating going to the practice ring and demolishing a couple of targets. Prince Endymion caught her wrist, his gray eyes sparkling in amusement and pleading with her as he said, all humor carefully wiped from his voice, "Please stay." "I can't," she said shortly, turning away again. "Please?" he asked. She stood there, her wrist beginning to burn from the feel of his hand around it, and she wanted to do nothing more than to give into her impulse to turn back to him and kiss him. But she knew that she couldn't. she reminded herself, "Let me go," she said quietly, putting as much steel into her voice as she could. He dropped his hand and pulled away from her, sighing. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you, Your Highness. It's just . . . I haven't had a good laugh in ages." Minako felt a blush creeping across her face. "I'm sorry," she said shortly. She saw the Prince shut his eyes and wince in pain, from the corner of her eye. "So'm I," he said in an emotionless voice. Then, "May I see you again?" "You may see me whenever you like. I am often about in public." "May I see you alone again?" Unable to resist, Minako uttered the tantalizing, "Perhaps," then fled as fast as she could for the safety of the Palace. "Perhaps," repeated Kunzite with a rare smile on his face. "Perhaps, indeed." The Guardians gazed out of the brush at him in amazement. Nephrite and Zoisite exchanged a look while Jadeite simply gaped. Then all three of them turned to each other and said, "Kunzie's *interested* in somebody?!!!" Then each clapped a hand over the other's mouth, peering over the brush to make sure that he hadn't heard. He hadn't. "Can we go now?" "Are you three done playing spy?" "Is this the way you like to spend your free time?" three impatient-sounding female voices asked, and the three Guardians turned to see their three Senshi gazing at them with annoyed expressions on their faces. The Guardians gulped, then submitted themselves to being dragged to their feet by the women they loved and hauled off to wherever they were taking them. Princess Serenity giggled as she watched the three couples go. Endymion, who was standing right behind her so she could lean on his shoulder, couldn't help but wonder why she looked so mischievous all of a sudden. "What's going on, Usako?" "Ooo, Rei-chan looked SO mad!" "So?" "Do you know where they're heading, Mamo-chan?" "Where, Usako?" "My guess would be the pools. They're the only things over there." "Ah," Endymion said, catching on. "I take it several "someones" are going to get a dunking?" "Ami-chan's favorite form of torture. It's her week to devise torture, anyway." "There's a schedule?" Endymion asked, apprehensively. "That's right," Serenity replied, turning to face him, "and you better not make me mad. My torture's the worst." "Is that so?" he asked, moving his lips closer to hers. "Mmm-hmmm," she murmured as their lips touched . . . . . . then there was the sound of three gigantic splashes and a couple of loud, "YEOWS!!!" Serenity and Endymion exchanged a look and burst into laughter. *Later that evening* Minako sat at the desk in her quarters, staring dismally out the window located over her desk, as the curtains around it blew in the cool night breeze. A soft footstep sounded in the doorway behind her. Long white hair swung softly in the breeze as the curtains fluttered still more, and without turning Minako knew who it was. "Did anyone ever tell you that you have green eyes like a cat?" Artemis smirked. "All the time." "Do you think you're related?" she asked and Artemis knew who she meant. He sniffed. "Not likely. Your people and mine don't mix. Often," he added as an afterthought. "Why ever not, Artemis?" she asked lightly, trying to keep the conversation from becoming too serious. She did not want to talk about *him* and yet she did. One thing was certain, she did *not* want to hear what Artemis would have to say about him. Artemis frowned, missing his whiskers in his human form. "You know why not. It is inconvenient. But this is not what we are here to talk about." "I don't know what you mean, Artemis. This is *my* room and I was just about to go to bed, *not* to talk about anything." "Meana!" She flinched at his use of that old nickname and the peculiar way that he said it that made her know that he was saying "Meana" and not "Mina". "I told you not to call me that." "The Senshi do." "But they're saying it as Mina, and they *never* say it when I'm around. I am Venus." "But you're not. You're Minako. Well, Serenity for awhile, but for right now, you're Meana." "Artemis!" "Remember, you may be the leader of the Senshi but I am one of the Queen's advisors and I *trained* you. I still outrank you, and I always will. So if I say you're Meana, then you are. Regardless, your clever ploy to get me off-topic is not working. Talk." "Can I refuse?" "MeÑ" "All right, all right. What do you want me to say?" "Prince Endymion. What do you feel for him?" She felt tempted to reply that it was none of his business, but she knew that she couldn't. "He's an *interesting* man." "Meaning that you're interested." Minako sighed. "Be careful, Sailor Venus. He's hiding things from you." "Aren't we all?" she asked, again interjecting that light tone into her voice. "Don't worry, I'll watch my back. You have nothing to fear." "If only I could be so sure," he said, morphing back into a cat in one swift motion. "Remember, Venus, we're all counting on you." He shot her a sharp look, then gracefully leapt out her window. "I won't forget," she whispered to herself. Then she laid her head down on the desk and cried herself to sleep. *The next morning* Minako walked about the Gardens, still in her princess dress, still pretending to be Serenity. She twisted her hands nervously as she walked, her gaze downcast. she thought quietly to herself, her heart twisting in her chest. She stopped and knelt by a pretty bluish flower growing along the path. she thought immediately, then her gaze was arrested by the sight of it. She quickly calculated the date in her head, then let out a tiny despairing cry. She slowly got her feet, and sat down on a nearby out of the way stone bench. She placed her face in her hands and expected to start weeping any instant, but the tears wouldn't come. she thought, lifelessly. A hand touched her gently on the shoulder, and a low, concerned voice asked, "Are you all right, Princess?" She turned to look at him, torment and despair warring in her eyes. "No, I'm not." Kunzite looked at her steadily and again the feeling rose up in him, the ache in his chest, the *need* to protect her and be there for her. She looked away from him, her hair falling forward as she stared at her hands in her lap. "Do you know what it's like to see someone die and *know* that you could have stopped it?" she murmured quietly. Kunzite said nothing, he simply sat down next to her on the bench. "I wish I could forget. Oh stars, I wish I could forget! But I can't. I can't." The last came out in no more than a whisper. Kunzite hesitantly put his arm around her and said, "I am a General as well as a Guardian and a prince. I am also a human being and I understand what you are feeling. I know that some things can never be forgotten no matter how you try. People die, Princess Serenity, and there's nothing that will ever lessen the feeling of loss, but that's just the way life is. You have to hurt to feel better, and sometimes, you just have to let go of the pain." Saying these words, Kunzite realized that he had, finally, let go of the pain from his past. And it was because of . . . her. She looked up at him, her eyes oddly trusting. "You understand. You do. I-Thank you. You've helped me." Unable to break his gaze, he responded in a voice thick with suppressed emotion, "Thank you, my lady. Anything . . . anything for you, Princess Serenity." She knew that he meant it. They found each other pulled closer and closer together . . . and then their lips met and Minako shut her eyes tightly, losing herself in the sweetness of their kiss. Their hearts were full. She only wished that the name on his lips was hers. *Later that afternoon* "WHAT?!" Princess Serenity cried out jumping to her feet. The others nodded their assent to what Rei had just said. Minako hung in the back of the group, smiling a little as she touched a hand to her lips without the others noticing. "There's really going to be a ball *TONIGHT*?!!!" Serenity exclaimed, grabbing Rei by the shoulders. "Yes, now GET OFF OF ME, SERE!!!" Rei shouted back, her temper flaring. Serenity didn't hear her. She did remove her hands, though, but only to clasp them together in excitement, her eyes shining. "A ball . . . There hasn't been one in ages!" Makoto smiled, "Sere, there was one last month." "Oh, that doesn't matter! Who cares about that one? The point is . . . there's a ball TONIGHT!" Ami looked at her princess in amusement. "Of course there is. It's the only polite thing to do when ambassadors from another world come. It *is* in honor of the Terrans, you know." Serenity turned to her, her face alight, then suddenly said, "Huh Ami, did you say something?" The others face-faulted in disbelief. "Sere, don't you listen to anything?!" Rei asked, annoyed. "Of course I do! There's-" "We know, we know," Rei interrupted acidly, "a ball-" "-in honor of the Terran ambassadors," Ami continued. "-tonight," Makoto finished. "Tonight," Minako repeated slowly, the word tasting strange on her tongue. The five girls exchanged a look then suddenly screaming broke out! "Omigosh . . . tonight!" Minako shrieked. "We'll never be ready in time!" "Aaaah!" Several loud crashes resounded from the Princess's quarters. Jadeite and Nephrite, who were passing by, exchanged an exasperated look and shook their heads. "Just ignore them," Jadeite said. "That's what I was planning on doing," Nephrite responded. *Later that evening* Princess Serenity and her Senshi had managed to dress adequately for the ball. Serenity was more nervous than she should have been since she was *not* expected to be *the* Princess tonight, merely a minor Lady. That was always the case when potentially hostile ambassadors came to visit. The Senshi insisted that it was for her safety and the Moon Princess could not argue the point. So Minako *became* Serenity for the duration and the real princess faded into the background. No one noticed as Minako and Serenity did bear such a close resemblance that they might have passed for sisters. A little illusionary magic didn't hurt matters either. Serenity enjoyed the playacting since as a relative "nobody" she did not have to be as stiff and formal as she usually did and her mother could not keep as close an eye on her and her activities. Thus, she usually did not care about how others viewed her as much, but tonight it was different. Tonight, Mamoru would be there as well. Serenity nervously brushed imaginary dust off of the skirt of her dress as her Senshi reassured her that she looked lovely. Ami was dressed in a lovely sky blue dress and Princess Serenity was amazed that she had even attended. The Princess Mercury rarely attended any balls, preferring to study or continue her research. Serenity didn't even know whether she could dance. Makoto was wearing a rather (in Serenity's opinion) low-necked emerald-colored dress, that brought out the sparkle in her green eyes. It was no surprise to the princess that the Princess Jupiter was attending since she had never, in Serenity's memory, missed a single one of the balls or celebrations on the moon. Rei was attired in a red dress that brought out the purplish highlights in her hair. The Princess Mars looked ravishing in her gown but to Serenity's eyes, she was just as nervous as Serenity herself. Rei flashed a smile Serenity's way, the worry in her eyes fading a little. Serenity smiled back, then turned her attention to the last member of the group. Minako outshone everyone else, save Serenity herself, in the white and gold dress she wore. The Princess Venus had chosen something out of Serenity's own closet (with her permission) to wear, and Serenity enviously admitted to herself that it looked better on Minako. It was mostly white with gold embroidery along the hem of the skirt and on the short sleeves. She looked the least happy of them all to be there, though. Princess Serenity nodded to the others, then she nodded at the doormen. The doors of the ballroom swung open for the five princesses. Minako entered in the lead, flanked by Rei, Ami, and Makoto. Serenity trailed several feet behind. As they entered, they were all assailed by the obnoxious fanfare of trumpets and the bellowing of their names and titles, all save Serenity, who was mentioned as a Lady of the Court and no more. She didn't care at all as she caught sight of Endymion. Princess Serenity made an angelically beautiful vision as she stepped into the doorway. The light fell on her in such a way that it seemed to make a golden halo of her hair, and it made the white color of her dress blaze into being. Her blue eyes were shining softly with her love for Endymion as her eyes alighted upon him from across the room. He caught his breath as he gazed at her, the sweetness of the smile on her face, the open adoration in her eyes. She had never looked so beautiful to him as when he saw her there, and to him, she was lovelier then any of the others in the room, the world. He strode up to her and bowed over her hand, kissing it gently. "My lady, may I have this dance?" She flushed prettily and curtsying elegantly to him, responded with a soft, "Yes, yes you may." Endymion and Serenity both straightened and he drew her onto the dance floor, a smile of pure joy on her face. The Senshi watched their princess dance with her prince in a mixture of envy and misgiving. They had earlier come to accept that their princess cared for this particular "Guardian" as much as they cared for theirs. Once they had begun associating with their Guardians, they could not help but notice how much time their princess was spending with the man known as "Mamoru." Venus had seemed to know something but had refused to comment. As they were all in relationships with Earthers themselves, they could not possibly refuse their princess, and when they saw how much happier she seemed with him, they could not say anything at all. So they stood near the entrance to the ballroom, watching her dance with him. "May I have this dance?" a voice asked, interrupting their thoughts and the four women turned to see a blonde-haired man bowing to the Lady Mars. Three other men, were ranged behind him. Rei smiled at Jadeite, and with a whispered, "Stop that, you idiot," she took his hand and walked onto the dance floor. One by one the other men claimed their ladies for the dances until only Kunzite and Minako were left. "Would you care to dance?" Kunzite asked, as he and Minako gazed out at all of the other couples dancing. "It *is* customary for the Princess to be asked *first* and *not* last, Prince Endymion," Minako chided gently. "Still, I think it is even less customary for the Princess to refuse," Kunzite said smoothly, still looking out at the couples. Minako gazed wistfully out at all of the other Senshi dancing, and the lords and ladies as well. "C'mon," she said determinedly, grabbing his hand, "we're wasting time." He followed willingly and before he knew it, they had danced three dances straight. Queen Serenity frowned as she watched the couples dance, then she turned to Luna who rested at her side. "Who *is* that young man that Serenity has danced with non-stop, Luna?" Luna twitched her tail in slight agitation, "*That*, Your Highness, is Prince Endymion's Guardian Mamoru." Luna thought disapprovingly to herself. "Hmmm, Luna, keep an eye on them, all right?" "Huh?" Luna asked, turning to Serenity. "Aren't we *already*-" "I meant a *closer* eye on them." Serenity gestured to the dance floor and Luna backed away. "Oh no, you're *not* getting me to dance!" "Luna," Serenity said in a firm tone, "I am your Queen." "But-but Your Highness, I-" "Don't have a partner," Artemis interrupted breezily, as he walked to them. He was in his human form, dressed in his traditional white suit. He wore his crescent moon medallion of state and his green eyes sparkled devilishly. Luna had to admit that he looked quite dashing. Sensing Luna's frame of mind, the Queen shot Artemis a glance and thought, <> at him, then turned about and left. Artemis broke into a grin and looked down at the cat sitting in front of him. "Now, don't be ridiculous, Luna. You don't want Queen Serenity to *order* you to dance." Luna sighed, then gave up. With a flash of light she turned into a dark-haired, long-legged, human woman, dressed in a black and yellow dress, also wearing her crescent moon medallion of state. "You must," Artemis said, grinning wider. "Don't read my thoughts!" Luna snapped, then reluctantly took his hands and began to dance. Zoisite lead Ami in the dance. "You dance very well for someone who hasn't danced before," he commented. Ami bit her lip to keep from grinning, which would have been *most* unlady-like. "You're a very good teacher, and you lead well." "Do I?" he said, gazing intently at her. "You do." She smiled. Jadeite winced as Rei's sharp heel dug into his foot. "Oh Jade, I'm sorry!" she said immediately. "It's all right, Rei," he replied, trying not to groan. "I'm not very good at dancing," she admitted. "Yeah well, you have other talents that more than make up for it," he countered. Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "I do, don't I?" Jadeite merely winked at her in reply. Nephrite and Makoto had somehow managed to dance out onto a balcony. It was deserted but for them and as they swayed to the music, Nephrite began to lead her in a different dance. "We're not dancing to the music," she noted. "Yes, we are. The music of the stars. Can you hear it?" Makoto cocked her head to listen and slowly . . . slowly . . . she heard the soft strains of celestial music. "Oh, I hear it!" "Good," he said, kissing her forehead. "Let's just dance to that melody, shall we?" "It's lovely," she whispered. "Let's." Kunzite and Minako danced slowly together. She was dancing with unconscious grace. Whenever she pretended to be Serenity, she seemed to adopt all of her mannerisms unconsciously. Minako just hoped that she wouldn't start falling on her face. "Would you like to stop?" Kunzite asked. "You're not quitting on me so soon, are you?" She felt disappointment lance through her. "Not as long as you avoid stepping on my foot." "Deal!" Minako said, and cautiously avoided getting anywhere near his feet for the next several hours. As the evening wore on, Serenity and Endymion continued to dance unceasingly. The others were all taking a break, and had gathered in a corner of the room, goblets of wine in their hands as they gazed out at the other couples. Minako couldn't help but giggle and the others turned to her in surprise. Rei thought sourly, then broke into a smile as she felt Jadeite rest his arm about her and she settled into the crook of his arm. "What's so funny, Princess?" Ami asked. Minako gestured out at the dance floor. "Oh nothing, just that Luna and Artemis haven't stopped dancing yet." "Luna?" Makoto asked, stifling a yawn. "You've got to be kidding. Luna never dances." "Well, she is now, and it doesn't look like she has any plans of stopping!" The other Senshi gaped as they saw it was true. "No way," Rei exclaimed. "I must be seeing things." She put down her wine abruptly. "Jade let's dance the effect of the wine off." He shrugged. "All right." The others snickered in amusement. Luna let Artemis lead, resting her head on his shoulder. she admitted to herself. Artemis hid a smirk. Queen Serenity looked at the dancing couples and sighed in contentment. Everyone was having a good time. She shot several looks at the Senshi who had the decency to look guilty. Some people could have *too* good of a time. She alleviated their fears by smiling benignly at them. Everyone deserved the chance to cut loose once in a while. Her attention turned to the Princess Serenity, the *real* Princess Serenity. She was still dancing with that so-called "Mamoru". Something struck her as odd about him, as though they had met before . . . She looked over at the rest of the Guardians and Prince Endymion. There was something out of place with all of them. Something that she should know . . . She dismissed the thought for the evening and promised herself that she would think of it later. Right now, it was almost midnight and time for the ball to end. She was quite glad that everyone had enjoyed themselves. *Five days later* Princess Serenity sighed in pleasure. She and her "Mamo-chan" were walking arm and arm through the Royal Gardens for what must have been the fiftieth time since he had arrived on the moon. They never tired of looking at the elegant beauty of the flowers, and Serenity had surprised him with her knowledge of their names. She had especially pointed out the Forget-me-not, which she had informed the amused young man, meant "true love". He had good-naturedly informed her that he would *never* forget her and that his love was very *very* true. She smiled at the memory of the kiss. Ah, this life was so sweet. She wished that she could stay forever as a nobody and spend every waking moment with her love. That would make her life perfect. She suppressed the twinge of guilt that hit her as she thought of how she had *still* not told Mamoru the truth. But . . . he seemed so happy, just the way things were. She didn't want to change anything. The Senshi seemed happy too. The other men that Mamoru had arrived with had seemed to take to them instantly, and vice versa. It was almost as if they had all met somewhere before . . . Serenity didn't dwell on it. The fact that everyone was content was enough for her. The past few days had passed in a flurry of picnics, outings, tours of the City of Selene, the capital city on the Moon, and various other antics. Serenity hid another smile at the memory of when Jadeite had gotten it into his head to serenade his love at two o'clock in the Lunar morning. It had been very sweet and romantic and his voice had been pleasing, but Rei had *not* been pleased at being woken up and had promptly thrown a shoe at him. There was also the time when Zoisite had decided to get Ami back for his dunking and had replaced all of her volumes of literature and science with copies of "Miscellaneous Quotes From Various Court Jesters Throughout the Ages (While They Were Drunk)." Needless to say, she had also *not* been amused, and another dunking had ensued. Then there had been that impromptu star reading that Nephrite had performed, unknowingly in the midst of the sporting fields. He was *still* nursing the bump from the ball that had hit him in the head from behind. Makoto had been very upset since she had been the one who had hit the ball . . . Prince Endymion . . . Endymion had by far gotten into the most trouble. Unintentionally, of course. He had done his best to be as charming as possible in his (rather public, not-so-secret) pursuit of Minako. His surprise had been very great when no less than THREE of the Ladies at Court had thought that he was interested in *them*. One had sent her husband out to hunt him down, the other had hurled insults at him, and the third had started chasing *him*. Once everything had gotten straightened out, everyone involved was suitably embarrassed and Minako had locked herself in her room for an entire afternoon and had refused to come out until Kunzite had recited three volumes worth of love poetry in an apology. Serenity sighed happily and clung tighter to Endymion's arm. Things had certainly been anything but dull since Mamoru, his fellow Guardians, and their prince had arrived. And she wouldn't want it any other way. The malevolent dark cloud of energy that Beryl had called into being and sent out days ago massed itself. It send out dark tendrils to find what the nearest source of energy. It found it. Instantly. The strength of the energy called out to it . . . and it came. Rei gazed up at Jadeite from where she sat on his lap, her head resting against his shoulder, on a bench in the Royal Gardens. "I have waited all of my life for someone to love." He looked back down at her, his eyes soft with his love. He could barely speak to say tenderly, "And have you?" She reached up for him and he bent down, so that she could twine her arms around his neck, and he could put his arms around her. He held her for an instant, uncertain, before she replied, "Of course I have." "And he is?" "You, Jade, only you," she whispered, her lips curving in a smile. He smiled, long and slow. His hold on her turned loving as he swept her to him so that their lips could meet. "Do you love me?" he murmured as he kissed her. "I do. I do." "That's good, because I could not live without you, my Rei." "Ja-" Rei pulled away, slipping off of his lap to stand. She looked around uneasily. "Rei, what is it?" Jadeite asked, concerned. "I have the oddest sensation that we are being watched." Jadeite rose to his feet, reaching for the sword sheathed at his side. He growled, "If it's Zoisite again, I'll-" "You'll what?" a voice rang out, amused. "Zoi," Jadeite grated out. Zoisite appeared in a swirl of pink cherry blossoms, Ami clinging to him. They dropped to the ground and stood there. "You really are quite amusing, you know," Zoisite said with a laugh. "Zoi," Jadeite said in a warning voice. Zoisite looked rather annoyed. "Don't call me that." Rei frowned. "And why shouldn't he? What were you doing, spying on us? Aren't you two ashamed of yourselves? Honestly, Ami!" Rei berated the blue-haired girl. Ami looked rather abashed and Zoisite moved to stand in front of her. "Now, now, Rei, no need to get nasty. Ami hasn't done anything. It was all my idea." "She doesn't need your protection!" Rei snapped. Zoisite opened his mouth to argue, but Ami put a restraining hand on him. "She's right, Zoisite." "Ami-" "No, she is and we had no right to be invading their privacy, anyway." Rei looked a tiny bit mollified. "At least *you*'ve realized that. I forgive you. As for Zoisite here-" "But you were so hilarious!" "Zoi!" Jadeite said, angrily. "Oh come on, Jade. You should have seen yourselves!" He batted his eyelashes and said, "Oh Jade, I love you *so* much. Forever and ever and ever . . ." "THAT'S ENOUGH!!!" Jadeite thundered, jumping on Zoisite. Zoisite let out a startled shriek, then the two of them began pummeling the living daylights out of each other. Ami and Rei exchanged a look, and rolled their eyes. "Boys will be boys," Rei said caustically. "Yes, but will men ever grow up?" Ami asked. "Ow! That's my eye you son of a-" "Shut up, you lily-livered pansy! You had it coming!" "Who's a pansy, you wuss?!" As the sounds of the scuffle reached them, they both sighed. Heavily. "No," Rei said in answer to Ami's question. They sighed again. They both walked over to the two brawling boys and Rei started to say, "Look boys, it's time to sto-" She never finished. The dark energy had found what it had been seeking. The dark-haired one, she shone like a beacon with her energy. Angry energy. Energy that it could use. The others, their power was great as well, but this one . . . this one it had sensed first. This one it would have for its own. It entered her. Rei screamed as the dark energy enveloped her for an instant then was absorbed into her body. Ami could only stare in shock as her friend was consumed. Zoisite and Jadeite stopped brawling, Jadeite's eyes turning instantly to his love. "Rei, NO!" He leapt to his feet, Zoisite forgotten, everything forgotten, but Rei, who needed him. "My God, what is happening to her?!" he shouted, staring at the dark cloud that seeped into her. Her hair floated up, her eyes became dark, darker, until they were nothing but pools of darkness. "Ami, what's going on?!" Zoisite demanded. Ami whipped out her mini-computer and began typing away, though she was already fairly certain of what had happened. Her fingers faltered as she hit the last button and the answer scrolled up. "NO!" she shrieked. "AMI, WHAT IS IT?!!" Zoisite yelled. Jadeite could only stare at his Rei, but he listened as she replied in a shaky voice, "It's negative energy. Dark energy. The Dark Kingdom has returned. It sent out a scout, seeking a vassal . . . and it chose Rei. Selene, help us, it chose Rei!" "What will happen to her?" Jadeite asked, not taking his eyes off of Rei who had quieted down for the moment and merely stood limply in front of them, her eyes shut. "It will consume her," Ami replied. "It will destroy her soul, binding her to the Dark Kingdom forever. The Dark Kingdom is relentless and it is returning and by Selene, Venus knew. She knew. Rei is lost to us, Jade." Jadeite had not moved since Ami began to speak but at her last words he threw himself at Rei in an animal fury. "NOOO!!! REIIII!!!!" Rei's eyes snapped open and she cackled as she raised a hand and shot out a blast of malevolent purple energy at Jadeite. He flew backward twenty feet and slammed into the ground with a sharp cry. "JADE!" Ami and Zoisite screamed. <> The thing that had possessed Rei laughed. It was a hollow sound. She raised her hand again and shot out another larger blast of energy at Ami and Zoisite. They cried out and plummeted to the ground, landing sprawled on either side of Jadeite. Zoisite reached out and touched his stone. <> Nephrite and Makoto appeared almost instantly. They took one look at the situation and gasped. Rei saw them and laughed, blasting dark energy at them. Luckily, both of them dodged in time and both sent out blasts of their own energy back. Not enough to kill her, but to stun her for a moment or two. Rei avoided them easily and shot back. They began to battle each other, Jupiter pleading with her friend, Nephrite quiet and determinedly moving to strike. Kunzite and Minako arrived an instant later and no one took the time to wonder why *they* had arrived together. They moved to surround Rei with Nephrite and Makoto as Rei laughed insanely, sending out more blasts of energy. "Jade," Ami murmured, her eyes barely opened and filled with pain. "It's up to you. Only you can reach her." "I, how?" Jadeite asked in despair, too weak to get up. "She cried out for you," Ami whispered. "I heard her. You heard her, too. Rei is not completely possessed. The demon has her, but she can be reached. She is fighting to get free. Help her, Jadeite." Ami's eyes closed as she lost her hold on consciousness. "Ami," Zoisite said softly, looking past Jadeite at Ami's battered body. His eyes focused on his fellow Guardian. "Do you love her, Jade?" "I would give up my life for Rei. You know that. It is the same with you and Ami." "It is, it is," Zoisite said in assent. "She needs you now, Jade. It is up to you." "But HOW, DAMMIT?!" "You know how," Zoisite said softly, his eyes closing. "Your realm is Soul, Jadeite. You can save her. You *must* save her. To save us all." Makoto and Nephrite flew back with a blast of dark energy, Minako and Kunzite catapulting backwards an instant later, the energy crackling along the length of their bodies. Their anguished cries rent the air. "You must," Zoisite insisted. "Save her. Save us." And then he was silent. Jade stared at him for an instant, then shored up his resolve, thinking of Rei with all of the love he felt for her. He struggled to his feet, stopping for a moment to look at Zoisite. "I will, my friend. I will save us all." He turned to Rei. "Rei, my love, come back to me!" Rei laughed, but was cut off mid-laugh. She crumpled over, holding her head. "Jade, Jade it hurts!" she sobbed. "Make it stop! Make it go away!" "Rei," Jade said, coming closer. "Rei, fight it! Fight it with me! I'll help you." She looked up, her eyes dark with suffering. "How, Jade? How? The pain, it won't stop! The demon . . . I fight and fight . . . and still it has control of me!" She let out a shriek of pain. "JADE!!!!" Jadeite took her hands in his. "I give you my strength, Rei. I give you my love. I am the Prince of the Realm of Soul. I can save your soul, Rei, but you must see me as I am. Do you see me, Rei?" "Jade, you are Jade." "No, Rei, I am Phoenix." Rei stared up at him as his eyes began to burn with a clear blue light. "Phoenix?" "I am the Guardian Phoenix of Prince Endymion of Earth. I am of the Blood and I was chosen to be one of the Four Who Guard. Soul is my Realm and Soul is my Essence. Your soul is Fire, Rei, as is mine." There was a flash of light and a Phoenix rose around him, crimson and gold and burning with eternal fire. Its eyes were like jade though, green and sparkling. It surrounded him and clothed him with itself and his armor sparkled golden in the fire, and his hair glittered and shone like burnished copper. His gray cape burned and turned a brilliant scarlet and through it all his eyes blazed with the fire of his love for her. "What are you, Jade?" she asked in wonder, her pain nearly forgotten. "As I said, I am Phoenix. I am Fire. I am Soul. Do you see me now, Rei, my love?" "Yes, Jade. I see you." "Good. Then we must drive this evil from you, Rei. There is only one way. Your soul must join with mine, if you are willing. Are you willing?" "Jade, I-" She let out a cry of pain as the dark energy within her tried to regain control. "Rei! Tell me that you are willing! Mean it, Rei or this will not work! I cannot do this without your consent! Let yourself go, Rei! Let yourself become one with the flame, one with the Phoenix! Let yourself become one with me." Looking into his blue eyes burning with his love and concern for her, she could refuse him nothing. The demon needed to be destroyed. "I-I give you my consent, Jade." He reached out for her hand and shut his eyes, concentrating. Dully, she wondered why she was not burning, then remembered that she, Sailor Mars, was the flame. "I am the flame," she whispered. "You are my Phoenix. Drive away the evil from me. Cleanse the eternal flame." Jadeite opened his eyes and smiled into hers. "I take thee into myself, Rei. I am the Phoenix and you are the flame. Let yourself become one with me and together we will be consumed by the fire and be reborn." "Jade," she whimpered, as the pain overtook her, the dark energy fought her. She feared for him. What if he could not destroy it? What if it destroyed him? "No . . ." "Shhh, Rei, you must. It is too late for doubts." He kissed her hand. "I will not fail you, my love." Reaching out for him she let out one last cry of pain, then let her soul reach out and join with his, the fire rising around them as the Phoenix cried aloud, and the dark energy was burned away in the brilliant blaze of the flame. "It is done." Queen Serenity flinched as she felt the build-up and release of power. "What was that?!" She directed her question at Luna and Artemis, but didn't bother to wait for an answer. She knew. This would bear some serious investigation. The Guardians and Senshi groggily came to. The first thing Kunzite saw when he opened his eyes was Jadeite's bronze eyes staring into his own. "Are you all right?" "YEEAAA!" Kunzite cried, backing away. "Don't *DO* that, Jade!" "Huh, what?" Jadeite asked, confused. Then his expression cleared as he realized why Kunzite was so disconcerted. "Oh, the eyes, right?" Kunzite nodded vigorously. "What's wrong with his eyes?" Rei asked, coming up behind him. "They may be a bit darker, but other than that, they're the same as always. They're a perfectly good shade of blue." "They're bronze," Kunzite corrected. "You mean you don't see it?" "What're you talking about?" Kunzite turned his gaze from Jadeite to look at Rei and again his mouth fell open in surprise before he snapped it shut. "Uh, I guess you wouldn't." "What?" Rei asked suspiciously. "What're you looking at me like that for? Hey, what's the matter with me?" Rei demanded, turning to Jadeite. He chuckled. "Nothing love, you're perfectly fine." That's when the others woke up and the first thing Minako did when her eyes opened was scream. "REI, WHAT HAPPENED?!" "WHAT?!" Rei shouted. "I DON'T KNOW! SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON!!!" As the others were still making incoherent sputtering noises, (even Ami) Makoto silently looked at her for a moment, then dug out a hand mirror and handed it to Rei. Rei took one look at herself and promptly fainted into Jadeite's arms. Jadeite looked helplessly at the others. "She's . . . uh, still getting used to it." When Rei finally opened her eyes, she turned first to Ami and said weakly, "It was a dream, wasn't it, Ami?" "Um, no." Rei looked ready to faint again, but instead sat up and grabbing Jadeite's arm, growled out, "Okay, what the HECK happened to me?!" "Well, you were possessed by a demon and-" "I *know* all that! Get to the part where my hair and eyes turned RED!!!" "You did give me permission," he said meekly. "What did you do to me?" Rei asked in a defeated tone of voice. "We are bound, Rei dearest. As you should know by now, I am Guardian Phoenix and fire is my power. To save you, I had to transform into my "advanced" state, and after we bonded our souls, you got accelerated into an "advanced" state as well." "How do I get back to normal?!" "You've got to think yourself back to a normal state." He demonstrated by closing his eyes and concentrating and he felt himself losing his golden armor and becoming ordinary Jadeite once more. His eyes returned to their customary blue, not that Rei noticed, but everyone else did. She tried it and much to her relief found herself back to her old self. "I *never* want to do that again!" "But Rei, your powers are ten times as powerful when you are in that form." "Really?" she asked, perking up. "How do I get back?" "You've got to think yourself back," he replied, and again he demonstrated. This time Rei noted the darkening of his hair to a fiery copper and his eyes to their bright bronze color. "Why didn't I notice the change in you before?!" she asked. "When we are both in our bound state looking at one another, or even ourselves, the changes cannot be noted. It's only if you see yourself in a reflected surface that you notice the changes. That's just the way the magic works." He shrugged. "Fascinating," Ami said, peering closely at Jadeite. He backed away nervously. "Hey, the others can do it, too!" The other three women turned to glare at the Guardians. "So when do WE get our powered-up forms?!" Makoto pinned Nephrite with a glare. "What *I* want to know is why Serenity is dressed in the uniform of a Senshi!" Kunzite's voice rang out. Everyone turned their gaze on Minako. Rei felt like smacking herself in the head. "Well, I'm a Senshi too!" she declared. "After all, I can't depend on the *others* for my protection ALL of the time!" The Senshi sweat-dropped, but the Guardians seemed to buy it. "But, Princess Serenity, why did you shout out "Venus Power" back in the garden?" Makoto looked at her incredulously. "Um, well you see . . . I'm kind of an *honorary* Senshi and since the Moon isn't a planet, it doesn't have any Senshi. Venus needed one, though, so they accepted me." "Oh," the Guardians said. Ami calculated the odds of their buying this ridiculous story in her head. "Well, that's okay then." The other Senshi looked at the Guardians in disbelief and one thought echoed among them all. Minako thought to herself, Now that that matter was over with, the Senshi turned back to the Guardians. "So how 'bout it? Where're *our* powers?!" The Guardians sweat-dropped and shot Jadeite deadly looks. The smug smile vanished from Jadeite's face. Beryl screamed in outrage. "They've destroyed it! My probe, it's gone!!!" "Calm down, Beryl. Now issss not the time to be thinking of ssssuch thingssss. You have more important matterssss to attend to. Esssspecially now. Get back to work, Beryl. The youma armies need their orderssss . . ." Beryl bowed her head. "Yes, my empress." She cast a satisfied look at her enormous army of minions. "We will destroy all that stands between us and total domination of the universe. First Earth, then the Moon Kingdom! I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!!! Go now, my servants, and spread the seeds of death and destruction!" *Later that day* Kunzite walked to his Prince's quarters and knocked firmly on the door. Endymion opened the door. "Yes, Ku-my prince?" Endymion asked, glancing about nervously. "May I enter?" Kunzite requested. "Do come in," Endymion said, standing aside and ushering in his Guardian. Kunzite strode in and Endymion closed the door behind him. Once they were alone, they dropped the charade. "What is it, Kunzite?" Endymion asked wearily, recognizing the troubled look on his Guardian's face. "Have a seat." Kunzite ignored the proffered chair and began to pace. Endymion flopped into the chair himself, propping his head up on his hands, his elbows balanced on his knees. "What's the matter, Kunzite?" Kunzite glanced at his prince as though afraid to broach the subject. "My lord-" "None of that nonsense!" Endymion said absently. "Endymion, then," Kunzite said, "I bring ill tidings." "What of?" Endymion asked, immediately sitting up straight and becoming more alert. "Not Usagi?" Kunzite sighed. "No, not your Lady, Your Highness." "It's . . . Earth." "Earth?" "The Cathals . . ." "They've encroached on the borders again?" "No, my lord prince, they have not." "Then what's the trouble?" Endymion asked, relieved, settling back into his chair, one arm draped idly over the back. "They've . . ." Kunzite swallowed, "declared war, sir." "Damn!" Endymion sat bolt upright. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice and blue-eyed gaze intense as he looked at Kunzite. "Yes, my lord." "How did you find out?" "One of my soldiers . . . sent a message." Endymion's eyes narrowed. "How did he manage *that* particular feat?" "I told him how to 'port a message before we left . . . in case anything happened." Endymion glared at him for another moment, then the enormity of the situation overcame him and he got to his feet. He stared out the window at the serene beauty outside, then asked quietly, "It makes you wonder, doesn't it, how much better our world might have been if we had allowed them to stay? They've accomplished all this through use of their magic. They've made the moon and the other worlds into regular paradises, calm oases in our turbulent times. They're all peaceful too, nary a single dissent amongst them. It's all so unlike Earth, the world from whence all of this was first born. There, people still fight and hate and kill. Why can't we be like the Lunars and the rest? Why must Earth be a world of strife? Tell me, Kunzite, why can't we be at peace too?" "I don't know, my prince," Kunzite answered softly. "What name are the Cathal forces going by, Kunzite?" "The same as their allies: The Dark Kingdom." "Who is at their head?" Again Kunzite hesitated, "My prince, this is rather difficult to believe . . ." "WHO?" "She calls herself . . . Beryl. Queen Beryl." "Lady Beryl," Endymion whispered, shutting his eyes as if in pain. "Yes, my lord. That is what all of the reports say." Endymion opened his eyes. "Get out, Kunzite." Then realizing that he might have sounded rather harsh, he softened his words a little by adding, "Tell the others. We will be leaving soon." As Kunzite left the room he could hear his prince as he swore under his breath, long and fluently. He was still swearing when Kunzite shut the door. "Where're you going?" a soft voice asked from behind him. Endymion stiffened from where he was packing the clothes that Jadeite had 'ported up right after they had arrived on the Moon. "Back home. Back to Earth." "But why, Mamo-chan?!" Princess Serenity asked, her lip trembling. "Don't you want to be with me anymore?" "You know I do," he said, continuing to pack. "Then why are you going?!" "This isn't about us, Usako! There's a war on! I have to go back . . . to my kingdom, my people. It's my duty. You'll be fine without me. Let me go, Usako." "Don't you know that I love you?" she choked out. "That I need you?" He turned back and pulled her close to him, stroking her hair. "I need you, too." He tipped up her face. "I love you." Then he kissed her and it was as though all of the feelings and emotions locked in their hearts spilled out and enveloped the other. They parted slowly, tears in both of their eyes. "I don't want to leave," he murmured, turning his head to gaze beyond her. "I don't want you to! It would be too much like my dream . . . We're always being separated! Why can't we ever stay together, my prince?!" "My princess," he said in a low rich voice as he gazed at her intently. Her eyes lifted to meet his and blue swam into blue. "It *is* you!" Endymion said. Serenity gasped and put her hands to her mouth, as she realized what had just occurred. She spoke the words from her dream, as she remembered the boy's eyes. Mamoru's eyes. "My prince . . . You were the shield that protected me." "You were the light that guided my path. I've found you, my princess, and this time . . . I won't let you go!" He took her hands in his. "Usako-" But before he could get any farther, Mercury burst into the room. "Princess-!" She stopped short as she saw Endymion, then plunged on. It was too late to worry about trivial matters like that. "Princess, your mother has summoned you, the Senshi . . . and the Terrans to appear in the throne room. She is to issue a decree." Mercury swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat, looking away from the couple, blotting out thoughts of Zoisite. "The summoning is . . . urgent. Do not delay. The . . . the Seventh Council has gathered." Serenity tried to speak, but found her throat unaccountably dry. "The . . . the Seventh?" she managed to whisper. Mercury nodded, still not meeting her eyes. "And Pluto." Serenity's eyes widened and she felt suddenly rather faint. A sense of foreboding overcame her and she took a shaky step forward. "Thy will be done," she intoned, following as Mercury led the way out of the room. Endymion caught her about the shoulders, stopping her. "Wait, the Seventh Council? I don't understand." She stroked his cheek, and went past him, walking through the door. "You shall. Come now, you were summoned as well." Endymion followed. They ran down the corridors, heedless of anyone else in their path. Serenity had gathered up her skirts so she could move faster down the hallways, though Endymion had to steady her several times before she could fall. Mercury had gone to alert the others to their Queen's summons. "Who *are* the Seventh?!" Endymion gasped out as they ran. "They are the Ruling Council of Planets! Earth is not a member, and being the head, the Moon is not permitted to join. Pluto declined, and only shows up in times of crisis, or when *something* is about to happen. Nothing good can be expected from the Council." "Why are they summoning *me*?" "As I said, nothing good can be expected from the Seventh. Unless they want Earth to join, which I very much doubt, then it must be dire indeed." "What could be so terrible?" Serenity slid to a stop and straightened her skirts. She nodded to the doormen who opened the huge wood paneled doors and swung them open with a bang, the light from the room spilling out. As the trumpets blared out the princess's arrival, she whispered in answer, "We are about to find out." And that was the last thing Endymion heard before he entered the room and the doors shut solidly behind him. The next thing he heard, well it *seemed* like the next thing since the rest of the audience went by in a blur were Queen Serenity's fateful words, "It has come to my attention that you five are not who you say you are." The Guardians and the Senshi had arrived earlier in the beginnings of the audience that seemed more like a trial to Endymion and was still hazy in his mind. Serenity paced on a dais, and the Seven Seventh Council members and Pluto stood ranged behind her. "You are Prince Endymion, are you not?" she asked, turning to look Endymion straight in the eye. "Yes, Your Highness," Endymion responded and barely heard Serenity's astonished gasp. "And these are your Guardians, are they not?" "Yes, Your Highness." "They are also the Four Who Guard. Am I correct?" "Yes, Your Highness." "You *do* realize that it was long ago forbidden for the formation of the Four to ever occur again, do you not?" "Yes, Your Highness." "The power they wield is *very* deadly, Earth Prince. They are also not permitted off of Earth. Were you aware of this as well?" Endymion swallowed. He had been, but he had simply shrugged it off as an old story. Now, though, he wished that he'd listened. "Yes, Your Highness." "I am not without a heart, Endymion," she said, looking at him briefly. "Regardless, laws are laws and you have violated several of the *most* sacred in the practice of magick, and who have deceived us. Neither I, nor any member of the Seventh, can permit that. Prince Endymion, I hearby banish you and your Guardians from the Moon. You will leave in six hours and will not been seen or heard from again on pain of death. Do you understand?" Endymion swallowed, then lifted his head high. "Yes, Your Highness." Princess Serenity stared with unbelieving eyes at the scene unfolding in front of her. <> "Commander Venus, I entrust the duty to you to make sure that they are seen safely off of the moon without mishap." Minako was about to protest but something in her Queen's eyes, the desperation and need for consent, stayed her words. She bowed in acceptance. "Yes, my Queen." Kunzite stared at her in denial. Minako met his eyes and they both flinched away. Endymion and his Guardians turned heel and strode out. When both Serenitys were alone in the Queen's audience chamber, there seemed to be nothing to say. Neither could bring herself to speak to the other. The sat in silence for several moments, then Princess Serenity turned to her mother, her eyes bright with angry tears. "Always alone!" she screamed at her mother, no longer caring. "It is what you leave us-always alone! It is never enough for you that whatever happiness I have is so fleeting that it disappears the instant that I have it in my hand, you must destroy that which I have found as well! Oh I know, it is not a princess's duty to be happy, the people's needs come before hers and that is all very right and true, Mother, but when do mine come before yours? Must I sacrifice my happiness so that you can be content? I am not a child any longer. The world cries out to me. I can have it, Mother, in my hand if I dared. It is so tiny and so perfect, and yet it is flawed. Nevertheless, I love it still. I love it for him, Mother. It is his world; it is him that I love. Love, love, that is what I feel. You felt it once, you knew it once, but it has left you, hasn't it? Is that why you cannot understand the love that I feel for him? No. I see it in your eyes, you do understand. You understand only too well, and that is why you are keeping me from him. All the other reasons, they are nothing but pretenses! You are keeping us from each other so that I will never have to suffer as you have, but it is too late. I suffer when I am not near him. I ache to feel his touch. I cannot bear to be parted from him. My only wish is to be with him. And so Mother, you see, it is too late. All your plans . . . all for nothing. It is too late," she whispered. "It is too late." She turned and fled the room. Behind her, Queen Serenity dropped her head to her arms and wept. Minako and Kunzite stood facing one another. "You are Sailor Venus, are you not?" he asked, unconsciously using one of the Queen's own phrases. "I am," she replied. "I am Minako, Leader of the Sailor Senshi. And you?" "I am Kunzite, Commander of the Earth Guardians." "Well," she began hesitantly, "a fine mess we've made of things." "How could you do this?" he asked fiercely. "How could you lie to me?! I trusted you, damn you, I let myself love you!" "*I* did this to *you*?!" she asked, her eyes tearing. "We did this to each other!" "I can't trust you! You're a liar! Everything we had-It's all a lie! There never was any *us*! There was nothing but lies!!! How could I have made myself believe that I loved you? You're nothing, nothing at all! You're a bright figment of my imagination, no more!" "No," Minako whispered, her heart aching. "You can't mean that!" "I do! Love? We NEVER loved each other! I can't stand the sight of you!!!" Minako burst into tears and fled from him. Kunzite watched her go and suddenly the magnitude of what he had done hit him. For the others, it was nothing but tears and long good-byes. Ami and Zoisite, Rei and Jadeite, Makoto and Nephrite, each of them promised that they'd be together again and that they would always love each other . . . forever. Kunzite stood a dozen feet away from the edge of an overlook. It had taken him over an hour to track her down. Now, he simply stared at her back, her long golden hair softly blowing out behind her on the breeze. She did not move at all, but instead stared out at the distant horizon. he thought, the name feeling right somehow. He saw her shoulders start to shake and couldn't stop himself from moving forward, feeling helpless. He came right up to her and saw that she had her face buried in her hands and was sobbing brokenly. "Oh Artemis!" she cried, turning to him and burying her face in his chest. For an instant, he felt like correcting her, but seeing how much she needed to be supported, he couldn't bring himself to do it. Instead, he awkwardly put an arm around her and held her as comfortingly as he could, rocking her gently as his mother had with him so long ago. That too felt right. She cried for a long time against him, until his shirt was wet with tears, but he didn't care. The heart within him was breaking. Eventually her sobbing slowed and she whispered, her eyes shut in pain, "Why, Artemis? Why does it hurt so much?" "Mina," he said softly, anguish in his voice. Instantly, she knew that the man holding her was *not* Artemis. The way he said her name, it wasn't right. Only one person said her name like that. she thought desperately. She looked up, her eyes widening in despair. "You," she said quietly, pain filling her voice. "MinaÑ" He wanted to explain, apologize, anything. He had hurt her and he was sorry, but what could he say to her to make the hurt go away? What could he do that would make everything better? He had torn her heart out and discarded it in an instant. Could a lifetime make up for that type of pain? "You held me," she whispered. "You hurt me and then you hold me. Why do you do such things?" "I wanted . . . I wanted to hold you again, to comfort you." "How dare you," she whispered, her voice low. "How dare you!" Her voice rose to a high-pitched shriek and she slapped him hard across the face. Sobbing, she ran away. "How could you?!" Kunzite stood, his hand to his face, stung. "Mina." Without realizing it, he started to chase her, yelling, "MINA!" He finally caught up to her and stood in her way so that she couldn't get by him. He held her fists still as she tried to hit him. She yanked away and started walking off. "Minako, wait!" "Why? So you can break my heart all over again? I thought that you felt something for me, but I guess it was all an act. Funny, it was a pretty good act. I bought it." "Mina, I do feel something for you." She laughed bitterly. "I don't need your pity." "Mina, I was wrong." "About what?" "The fact that you didn't tell me the truth doesn't matter. I didn't tell you the truth either. And . . . I care about you!" "No! You don't know me! You cared about *her*! You cared about the person I was *pretending* to be! You don't care about me at all." "You're wrong. I do . . . care about you. You can't change who you are, Minako. I didn't see Serenity when I looked at you. I saw *you*. I saw you, Minako, as you really are, and *that* is who I cared about, not any seeming that you put on." "That's very nice and all, but why should I care? I don't love you." Kunzite flinched at the cold words. "All right, I understand now. I hurt you so now you hurt me. Is that how it goes? Well, Minako, you're hurting yourself a whole lot more!" "What the HELL do you know about anything?! You broke my trust! This is the second time! How can I ever trust anyone again? I can't let myself feel anything. Love is a lie." "No, love is the truth and we were both too scared to see it. You can't shut yourself out, Mina. Life doesn't work that way. The world doesn't work that way. How can you be happy if you're never sad? Love isn't something that you can just try and make go away. If you stop loving, then you stop living." "And how do you know?" Mina asked, her voice low and hoarse. "How do you know?" "Because I stopped loving and I was dead for three years before I met you, and then . . . I started to live again." Minako was silent. Kunzite turned to leave. "Well, I've had my say. Good-bye, Minako." He began walking away. "Kunzite . . . wait!" the voice rang out, the sweetest to ever reach his ears. He halted. "Yes?" he prayed. "You were wrong . . . and I was wrong. Maybe . . . we can start over. I don't want our last hours together to be like this. I want to make this work. I'm willing if you are." "Yes, Minako." She bounded over to him, dashing the tears from her eyes, and looked up at him with a bright earnest smile. Her eyes were anxious and searching as she said. "Hello, I'm Minako, Princess of Venus and Commander of the Royal Guard/Sailor Senshi of the Princess Serenity. I'm also Sailor Venus." Kunzite smiled down at her. "I'm Kunzite, Prince of the Realm of Power on Earth and Commander of the Guardians of Prince Endymion. I am his First General." They smiled at each other for a moment, then Kunzite said, "I'm very pleased to meet you, Minako." "Likewise, but please . . . call me Mina-chan." She put her hand in his and together they walked off. Princess Serenity stood in the doorway to the ballroom gazing at Endymion's back. Idly, she wondered why she was spending so much time standing in doorways lately. He was standing, gazing out the windows standing the circular pattern with its star in the center on the floor. "Why did you not tell me . . . Endymion?" "And you, Serenity?" he asked, knowing her for who she truly was. "It seems we have the same reasons for everything, love, does it not?" "It seems that we do." He drew close to her and took her hands in his, eliciting a tentative kiss from her. "I am still who I was, Serenity. Are you?" "I am." "Then why do you fear me?" "I do not." "You fear my touch." "I crave your touch." "And yet you pull away," he said as she drew away from him, walking across the room to stare out the huge glass windows. "I ache for your touch, for your love, but I do not know if it will be the same. How can we both deceive each other, and still promise with each breath that we love each other more than anything? What is truth and what is fiction? We were both living a lie. Are we still?" "Would you have preferred it if you were the only one deceiving?" he asked quietly, making no move to get near her. She began to pace in a wide circle around him and answered truthfully, "Yes." "How is it any different from the both of us being deceivers, Serenity?" "I do not know, but it is. I would be able to trust you then." "But princess, if you had been the only one to utter falsehoods, then how could I have trusted *you*?" She sighed. "Stop, stop, you make my head spin." "Oh, I can do better than that without words." She stopped and glanced at him, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You are a rogue." He flourished and bowed down to her from the center of the invisible circle her pacing had drawn about him. "Was there ever any doubt?" Serenity swept the smile from her face, and put on a studied serious expression, though her eyes still twinkled with barely suppressed merriment. "Quiet, no comments from the questionee." "If my princess commands it," he said, mock-seriously. She whirled to face him, the light expression suddenly wiped from her now dark blue eyes. "I do," she said in a low voice. Endymion fell silent and Serenity resumed pacing. "I am your princess, and you are my prince. You have been for my entire life. As long as I can remember, the dream has always existed for me. *You* have always existed for me." "I still do. I exist for you, as you have always existed for me." "What are we, Endymion?" she asked, a tremor in her voice. "What is it that makes us this way? It is as if there was never anything for me before there was you. You are my reason for being." "As you are the reason mine." "So what does that make us? What are we?" "The Achians say that everyone is born with a soul that is split in two at birth. When those two people, carrying that one soul, meet, then that is love at first sight. You carry one half of my soul, my princess." "And you carry half of mine. That still does not explain what we are." "You are my princess, that is all I need to know." "And here I thought that I was your guardian angel," she said lightly. "And I am yours. That's the way it was, isn't it?" Endymion asked slowly, slightly unsure of what he was saying. "That was the deal." "Deal?" "Deal." "Double deal." "Triple deal." "Quadruplet deal." "Quintuplet deal," they said together, softly. And then, as she lifted her eyes to meet his once again, a white hot light exploded in both of their minds, and the flood gates opened . . . *Flash* The two children collided, the six-year old prince of Earth, and the three-year old princess of the Moon. "OW!" Endymion yelled, rubbing his sore head. "Ouch," Serenity said, painfully. "WHY DIDN'T YOU WATCH WHERE YOU WERE GOING?!!!" they both shouted. A bird squawked in fright and flew off. The two children glared at each other. Then they burst into laughter. When their laughing had slowed, they both apologized and smiled at each other. Princess Serenity stared curiously at the older boy. "What's your name?" "I'm Endy," he said smiling. "Who're you?" "I'm Sere." She giggled. "Do you live here?" "Uh-huh. In the big palace." "Oh. I live in a palace too, 'cept it's up there." She pointed towards the sky. "Up where?" Endy asked, confused. "On the moon, silly. Where else?" "You live way up there? Wow. Are you an angel?" She giggled again. "No, but I wish I had wings so I could fly." She spun around and fell down, laughing. Endy laughed too. "Well, I'll tell you what, Sere." "What?" "You can be my guardian angel, 'kay?" "'Kay. An' you can be mine, right?" "Sure." "It's a deal." Sere got to her feet and stuck out her hand. Endy took it and shook it. "Deal." "Double deal," Sere said. "Triple deal," Endy countered, not to be outdone. "Uh, uh, quadruple deal." "Well, er, qu-qu-quinÑ" "Quintuplet deal!" they shouted together and laughed. Then Sere turned serious all of a sudden. "We're friends, right Endy?" "'Course we are. We promised to protect each other." "Good." *Flash* "My memories," the princess murmured wonderingly, putting a hand to her head. "How could Mother take them away?" "My memories," the prince said in disbelief. "How could I have forgotten?" They looked at one another, and suddenly none of that mattered. "Sere?" he asked. "Endy?" They stared as though they had never seen each other before. "We promised," Endymion said quietly, "to always protect each other." Serenity ran into his arms and he held her tightly. "We did! We did. I know we did." "Sere," he said gently, "there's a war on and I have to go. I have to fight." "I know you do, Endy, but I don't want you to go! I couldn't bear the thought of ever losing you." Tears streamed from her eyes. "Never," he murmured into her hair. "We'll never be apart for good, Sere. I'll be back, and we'll be together again." "Promise," she cried. "I do. I promise." "Then it's a deal." "Deal." "Double deal." "Triple deal." "Quadruple deal." "Quintuplet deal!" they shouted together, then parted, laughing a little and in the case of Serenity, crying a lot. Endymion looked at her with eyes too full of emotion for him to hide any of it. "Sere, wait for me." "From now till forever, I swear it! For forever and a day!" A smile quirked at the corners of his lips for an instant, but it faded quickly. "Even ifÑwhen," he corrected himself, "I make it through this war, it is still forbidden for us to be together. A Lunar and a Terran can't be together." "Don't be an idiot! Of course we'll be together. I don't care what Mother or anyone else says, I'm going to be with you. I love you, Endy, and I always will." "I love you too, Sere." "Ahem," she said loudly. "What?" he asked, surprised. "When it's just the two of us, like now, won't you call me Usako? *That* was always your name for me, and because of that, it's special." This time he smiled a real smile. "Only if you'll call me Mamo-chan." "Deal." "DealÑWait a minute, we don't want to start this again!" Serenity laughed. "I'll miss you, Usako." "I'll miss you too, Mamo-chan, but we'll see each other again, soon." *Three months later* *Earth Kingdom's western border* Endymion fell back with a look of surprise on his face, which quickly changed to one of agonizing pain. A sword protruded from his middle, buried up to the hilt in his flesh. "Arghhh," was the only noise he could make. The soldier, staring at him, smiled in apparent satisfaction that he was dead or dying and moved forward to retrieve his sword from the fallen. Endymion thought grimly, as he blasted him with the bit of magic he was able to summon up. He watched as the man fell, then Endymion relaxed and waited to die. Princess Serenity jerked as though something had hit her in her midsection. She staggered to her feet and fled from the room where she had been attending a lesson. Luna stared after her, worried. Serenity ran outside of the palace, to the gardens and commanded, "PRINCESS TELEPORT!" In a swirl of petals and leaves, she was gone. Endymion stared up through the haze of battle that raged around him. he thought, staring at where those under his command were valiantly fighting off two or three enemy soldiers at a time. He struggled uselessly to pull free the sword and get to his feet, but his weak tugging made no impact on the blade. He closed his eyes to block out the sight of one of his men falling to his death. When he opened his eyes again, he saw the sweetest face imaginable. "Usako," he whispered. "Mamo-chan!" she cried, her face full of distress. She was clad in a concealing gray cloak and had he not seen her face and her blue, blue eyes, he would not have known her. He struggled to speak. "Why are you here?" "IÑI felt your pain," she said kneeling next to him, though the battle kept raging about them. "How did you get through the fighting?" "I just teleported to where I felt your presence." "Usako, get out of here! It's dangerous! This is war!" "I don't care! I have to make sure you're safe." She stared at the sword sticking out from his torso. "Who did this to you?" "It's . . . it's all right, he's dead." "What should I do?" she asked. "Pull the sword out," Endymion told her. ". . . can't have it in there." The moon princess looked at the sword and awkwardly put her hands around the grip. Then a determined expression came over her face and she pulled it out in one swift move. Endymion let out a pain-filled grunt, biting his lip to keep from screaming. Serenity tossed the sword away, then doubled over in pain. "Ah, it hurts." "Are you all right?" Endymion asked worriedly, blood pooling around him and soaking the ground. She took one look at him and said, "I'm all right." Staring at his bloody wound, she forced herself not to turn away. "You need a healer. I have to get you out of here!" "No, I'm okay now. You can just leave me here. Someone will find me." She shot him an incredulous look. "Someone will find you? Like who? The enemy? I'm not letting them get anywhere near you so they can finish the job they started!" She gingerly took the remains of his already blood-soaked cape and wrapped it tightly around his body. "Well, maybe that'll hold the bleeding for a while. Now to get you home!" "I . . . can't leave my troops." She stared at the scenes of fighting around them, then at him where he lay. She gently wrapped her arms around him as he tried to sit up and held his head in her lap. "You can't do anything in this state," she said gently. Then more fiercely, "Don't be an idiot!" "Why haven't the soldiers attacked us yet?" he asked, noticing for the first time that they were being ignored. She looked at him smugly. "I've got a shield up around us if you hadn't noticed. A little trick Mercury taught me. Anyway, it looks like reinforcements for your side are coming, so the enemy's got their hands full. Don't worry so much." "Jadeite," he managed to breathe. Only Jadeite and his army were near enough to have arrived in time to assist them. "Tell Mars she should appreciate him." "She already does, but not half as much as I appreciate you. I would do anything for you." Her eyes began to fill with tears. "I would die for you," Endymion whispered weakly, looking up into her concerned blue eyes. He felt his hold on life slipping. She cradled his head in her lap. "Don't die for me, you idiot. Live! If you love me, then live for me. You promised we'd be together!" "UsaÑ" Before he could finish, she bent and kissed him full on the mouth. When she pulled away, he looked up at her and smiled. "I will live, Usako," he said. "I promise you that." And she believed him. "PRINCESS TELEPORT!" she cried, and they vanished from the scenes of battle. Jadeite, who had just arrived with his army, saw them go. Then with a newfound determination, he turned his attention to the battle and gave the signal. "CHAAAAAARRRGGGE!!!" *On the Moon* Princess Serenity burst into Ami's room. "Ami, you have to help me!" "What's the matter, Sere?" "It's Endymion, he's been hurt!" "Princess, you know the consequences for bringing him here!" "I know . . . but I don't care! Ami, he's going to die if we don't do something!!!" "Take me to him," Ami ordered. "I left him in my room . . ." Serenity began as they both ran off. Ami gasped as she saw the state that Endymion was in. "You did right to bring him, Sere. I could *never* refuse anyone in *that* condition." "Will he be all right?" she asked, the worry showing on her face. Ami rolled up her sleeves and winced in sympathy as she pulled open his shirt and saw the wound. "He needs medical attention, that's for sure." She turned to her princess. "Sere, I can't do it alone. I need help." "I'm willing," Serenity began, moving towards Ami. The next words she heard stopped her dead in her tracks. "No. Not you." "But, Ami, I would do anything to help him! *Anything*! You know that!" "I know, but Sere, you don't have any training in the Healing Arts. What we need is a healer. A Master Healer." "But Ami, you *ARE* the only Master!" "No, there's one more." "WhoÑ" "I'll help," a voice spoke up from the shadows. Sere and Ami turned to look. The princess gasped as the light fell on the face of the speaker. "Minako," she whispered. Minako stared steadily back at her, her eyes calm and collected, her face betraying not a single emotion. "What do you want me to do?" she asked. *On Earth* "Where's the prince?!" Nephrite yelled over the melee of battle, clashing his swords against an enemy captain. With a powerful slice, he finished him off and waded further into the battle. Nephrite and his army had arrived just in time to help Jadeite's faltering troops. "Endymion'sÑ" Jadeite ducked as his opponent swiped at his head with a mace. "PrincessÑ" Jadeite ducked and rolled to one side, coming up behind his opponent. He ran forward to thrust his sword into the soldier, but the soldier turned at the last instant and twisted out of the way. "Got hurtÑ" Jadeite twisted back at the same instant, narrowly missing a slice at his ribs, and swung his sword at his opponent. The soldier brought his sword up to bear. "Who, the princess?" Nephrite asked, confused, as he directed a blast of energy at an enemy squadron that was getting too close. They flew backwards with a cry of pain. Jadeite pulled back his sword and avoiding a desperate lunge at him, neatly thrust his sword into the man and dispatched him. "No, you fool!" Jadeite yelled, pulling his sword free. "Endymion got hurt, the princess got to him, and took him out of here! I don't know where they went, but he was hurt pretty bad and if she hadn't come, I don't think he'd have survived." "I heard that!" Nephrite yelled back at him, once more in the thick of battle. "I want happy thoughts! No more of this pessimistic junk!" "Yeah, well, you didn't see 'im," Jadeite mumbled under his breath, getting ready to fight with another soldier. <> <> <> <> *On the Moon* Ami gazed at Minako for a moment. <> <> Ami turned to look back at her patient. "All right, wash up and we'll get to work." "Right." Serenity looked at Minako gratefully, her blue eyes shimmering with tears. "Thank you, Mina-chan." Minako started at the name, then flashed Serenity a rueful smile. "I haven't failed you yet, Sere, and I'm not about to start now!" As she turned away from her princess, the memories came back . . . *Flash* "Minako," the voice said laughingly, as eleven-year old Minako looked up at him with brightly loving eyes. "You're so silly." He bopped her on the nose, making her giggle. *Flash* "Minako," the voice said, deeper and more serious now. "I care about you. I'm happy when we're together." Thirteen-year old Minako looked up at him, understanding in her eyes shining with love. He took her in his arms and she sighed, happy. *Flash* "Minako!" two voices called, a man and a woman's. "Onee-chan! Onii-chan!" Minako cried out happily, running through the field toward the two of them, waving something wildly in the air. "I got it! I got it!" She came to a breathless stop in front of them. "I got it!" "Congratulations!" they chorused, laughing. The woman took the scroll from her and unrolled it reading, "This scroll hereby documents the ascension of Princess Minako of Venus, age fourteen, to the position of Healer, Master class!" She neglected to read the part about keeping Minako as far away from sick people as possible and only letting her attempt to heal the *dying* as a last resort. Minako smiled. The woman handed the scroll back to her, her eyes bright and happy. "You worked really hard for that! I'm so proud of you, imouto." "Thanks!" Minako said, but her attention was not on the woman. She turned to the man whom she called her brother but was no more related to her than the woman. "Are you proud of me, 'Nii-chan?" she asked softly, her eyes shining with expectation. "Very proud," he replied, bending down to kiss her. Happy, Minako returned the kiss, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw something like pain flash through her Onee-chan's eyes . . . *Flash* "Minako, the Royal family is too powerful! Someone has to do something!" the man said heatedly. "But they're good rulers! They're fair and just!" "But for how long?" "Forever!" "You're such a child, Minako." "I'm fifteen!" "The world is a whole lot less perfect than you think! Someone will have to stop the Queen before she turns into a tyrant!" Minako stared at the man, her eyes wide with horror. "'Nii-chan . . ." *Flash* "Are you all right?" the woman's voice asked. "Yes, I'm fine," the man replied. "How did she take it?" "Oh, she's just a child! I don't think she understands at all." "Well, *I* understand." "I know you do, and that's why I love you . . ." Minako slumped to the ground outside of the closed door, opening her fist from the position in which it had been poised to knock. <'Nii-chan. Onee-chan.> Tears gathered behind her eyelids, spilling to the ground in a muffled sob. She scrambled to her feet, running off down the hall, unable to stop the tears. *Flash* *EMERGENCY*! Sailor Venus ran down the hallways of the Moon Palace, until she reached the courtyard, and was stopped short by the sight of a huge slavering monster lurching towards her. "STOP! Who do you think you are?!" A voice boomed out throughout the Palace grounds. "WE ARE THE DARK KINGDOM AND WE HAVE COME TO CONQUER YOUR UNIVERSSSSE!" "Well, you won't succeed!" She turned to the youma. "LOVE!!!!" she shouted, sending out a golden beam and killing it. She ran forward looking around for another of the beasts. She saw *him* and stopped short. "'Nii-chan." He looked up at her, "MinaÑ" he started to say, a look of apprehension in his eyes. Then, before he or she could do anything, a huge blurred shape dove for him. In a heartbeat it had dug its fearsome jaws into him and ripped out his heart. He fell without a sound as Venus looked on in horror. "No!" she cried, what seemed like a lifetime later. The youma looked up, its blood-red eyes glowing against its shadowy hide, its jaws dripping with his blood. "NO!!!!" she screamed again, rage and helplessness building in her. "LOVE!!!!!!!!" The brilliant beam of light sliced through it, killing it instantly, but Minako didn't care as she stared at her 'Nii-chan's unmoving form. She barely heard as off in the distance her Queen shouted, "YOU SHALL NOT SUCCEED, METALLIA!!! BY THE POWER OF THE SILVER CRYSTAL, I BANISH YOU FROM THIS REALM!!!" "I SSSSHALL RETUUUUUURRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNN!!!" the menacing voice screamed as the huge shadow looming over the kingdom disappeared. Mina cried. *Flash* "Onee, he's dead," Minako said, dully as she stood in the entrance to the woman's room. "No," the woman said, unbelieving, with a little laugh. "Whatever do you mean, Minako?" "He's dead." "No, no you must be mistaken. He . . . can't be." Minako screamed in anger, her voice hoarse with pain, "HE'S DEAD!!!!" She turned away. "And I couldn't save him," she whispered. "NO!" the woman screamed defiantly, her voice breaking. From the edge of her field of view, Minako saw the flash of metal. "Onee, NO!!!" she screamed whirling around. The woman simply smiled at her as she raised the dagger above her. "I can't live without him." She plunged the steel into chest, and with a little gasp, she died. Minako stared, her eyes wide filled with despair as she fell to the ground, the strength leaving her body. "I couldn't save you either, Onee. What kind of a Healer am I?" Her eyes took on a self-loathing look as she averted her gaze from the bloody scene. "WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?!!! I can't heal! My life is worth nothing! I forgo the Healing Arts! I brand myself forbidden to heal!" She pulled out her ceremonial dagger and stared at the razor sharp blade as she slit her wrist and emotionlessly watched her blood pool about her. "I swear, on my life's blood, that if ever the evil returns, that my life's blood will bleed until I die, or until someone who cares enough to stop it does. She placed a hand over the wound, willing it shut with a burst of Power. She stood, and walked away. But she would always carry the scar of what had occurred. *Flash* . . . Minako finished washing her hands and turned back to the others, looking at Endymion. She drew in a deep breath. "All right, let's start." The hours dragged on as Serenity watched fearfully. Minako and Ami had first begun by trying to heal some of the wound, then they had begun the actual stitching needed. Endymion had woken up but had mercifully passed out an instant later. The two women had resumed their operating, Ami stitching and Minako using more and more power in an attempt to heal Endymion since Ami had acidly informed Minako that her stitching was like a five year-olds. Makoto had wandered in on them, taken one look at the scene before her and had immediately volunteered to guard the door. Serenity had let her, seeing as there was nothing she could do. It hadn't taken Rei long to notice that everyone else seemed to be missing and she had eventually found her way to Serenity's room. After the others had explained the situation, she had readily agreed that no one should be told and had gone on with her duties, trying to keep others from wondering where all of the Senshi and the Princess had gone too. Still, all of them had forgotten one important fact. Guardian cats are not so easily persuaded to let a topic drop. Luna and Artemis crouched in the hallway. "Artemis," Luna hissed. "What?" "What're we doing here?" "We have to see what they're up to! It's something fishy, that's for sure." "Why don't we just ask them?" "Duh, Luna, they're *hiding* something. It's not like we can just saunter up to them and say, "Excuse me, Sailor Senshi, Luna and I would like to know what you're hiding in Serenity's room." "Well, I, for one am getting tired of hiding in this hallway! I'm going to go *see* what they're hiding." With a flash of light she morphed into her human state. "No, Luna!" Artemis cried, but it was too late. "Jupiter," Luna addressed the Senshi at the door, "stand aside." Makoto shifted uncomfortably, "Uh . . . well, I can't." "Don't make me order you as your superior, Jupiter!" "But Luna, my orders come from Serenity herself." "Queen or Princess?" "Princess." "Jupiter, you know perfectly well that I outrank the Princess until she is seventeen and is legally recognized as heir to the throne." "Yes, Luna." "Then stand aside." Sailor Jupiter could do nothing but obey. She let Luna in. The others ignored her entrance at first, save for Ami who said, "Oh, Rei, is that you?" "No, it is not." They all turned in apprehension. "Luna!" She had a slightly irritated look on her face. "Yes, now what *are* you hiding?" She strode forward and caught sight of Endymion swathed in bandages and the blood-smeared hands of Ami and Minako. She found that she had trouble speaking, "What-What happened?" "Endymion was wounded," Serenity said, stepping forward, her chin raised high in half defiance, half reluctant acknowledgment. "I felt his pain. I brought him here." "Serenity, that's not allowed!" "I know. I could not let him die, Luna! The only people who could've helped him were here. I could *not* let him die. I would rather meet death in his place." Luna sighed. "Sere . . . Serenity, I cannot fault your reasons but there is more at stake here." "Nothing is more important than life, Luna. Not rules, not laws, not even what the Seventh proclaims. Nothing is more precious than life." "Princess," Luna began, then fell silent. From behind her she heard the padding of soft feet. Artemis . . . and another. "Queen Serenity," Luna said, not turning. "Luna," the queen said in acknowledgment. "Sere," she said, turning to look at her daughter. The Senshi had frozen in place. "Mother." "You're right, Sere," the Queen said. "Life is the most important thing. I cannot go against the Seventh, but neither can I allow the needless suffering and death of others. I forbid this love you feel for the prince, Sere, but I will not stand in his way of a recovery." <> <> Queen Serenity looked at her daughter one last lingering instant more, turned and began to walk out, then stopped as the Princess's voice reached her ears. "Mother." "Yes?" "Thank you." "For what, Sere? I have seen nothing here today." She strode out and it was only then that Princess Serenity realized that her mother had not once looked at the bed where Endymion lay. *On Earth* Kunzite rushed into battle with his forces, turning the tide at last. Nephrite and Jadeite breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness *that's* over." Jadeite wiped his sweaty brow. "Yeah-" Nephrite started to say, then stopped. "What?" Jadeite asked. Nephrite simply pointed at where Kunzite was riding to them with a none-too-pleased expression on his face. "Where's Endymion?" "With Serenity," Jadeite replied bluntly. "He was injured," Nephrite added. "Well, no time to worry about that now. Zoisite's army needs some reinforcements. He's being overrun on the northern border." "Ah, c'mon. We just fought for three days straight!" Jadeite complained. "My troops are weary. They're on their last legs. The Cathals will slaughter us!" "The Dark Kingdom," Kunzite corrected. "Still, Nephrite's troops are fairly fresh and Endymion's seem all right. If we can find someone to command them, then . . ." "I will command them," a voice rang out and the Guardians turned to see their prince striding over the battlefield towards them. "Endymion!" the three Guardians cried. "You're back!" Jadeite exclaimed. Endymion allowed himself a tiny smile. "Thanks to a certain princess who has captured my heart and two Senshi that I owe my life to. They all send their best, by the way," Endymion informed the weary men. "Are you in one piece, Endy?" Nephrite queried. "More or less." "Can you fight?" Kunzite asked, his eyes on his prince. Endymion winced, then turned to Kunzite, his eyes blazing and said in a dangerous and determined tone of voice, "I can always fight." "All RIGHT!" the Generals, for they all were generals now, shouted as they clashed their swords together. "We will be victorious," Jadeite proclaimed. "Of course we will be," Endymion responded absently, his eyes on the blue sky, where surprisingly he could see the moon. "Is there any other way to be? Besides, I promised Usako that I'd make it out of this thing alive, and I intend to keep my word." He turned back to his men. "Now, all of you, mount up! Zoisite needs our help!" He turned to Jadeite, "You and Nephrite will remain behind in case the Dark Kingdom decides to renew the attack. Send a messenger, or use your stones if you need help. Now, men, we have a war to win." *On the Moon* Serenity meandered slowly down the corridors of the moon palace. Endymion had left nearly a week ago and she remembered only his eyes as he had said, "Usako, I must go," and had kissed her. "I love you." "I love you, Mamo-chan," she whispered into the silence, an echo of what she had said a week ago. "With all my heart." She saw Princess Setsuna standing at a balcony overlooking the Garden a little ways off and she walked over. One did not usually see Setsuna at any time, especially standing on a balcony enjoying the scent of roses in the evening. "Princess Setsuna," Princess Serenity said, uncertainly. Setsuna did not turn around. "Hai, Princess." "What do you see?" she asked curiously, staring at Setsuna's still form. "See? I see nothing but stars and space and stillness." "Not even the Earth?" she asked lightly. "The Earth? I do not need to see that. It is inside of me. No princess, truly I see nothing that you do not." Serenity thought to herself, but before she could voice her thought, Setsuna replied. "Yes, I know that is not what you meant, Princess. I can tell you many things, but never that . . . never that. You should not know your own future. There is danger in knowing too much." Serenity made a face. "Tell Ami-chan that." "That would be a useless endeavor. She would not listen." "If you cannot tell me . . . then, what is it like? To see? To know? To understand everything?" Setsuna snorted. "Everything? I cannot even begin to know, let alone comprehend everything. Even immortal, I am still a mortal." "You have contradicted yourself." "No. It is truth, even as it is with you, with the others, with . . . Endymion." "So you do know," Serenity said softly. "I know. It has occurred. I know it." "Was I right?" "Right? What are right and wrong, Princess? Is anything ever completely right or wrong?" "Yes." "You have a simple mind." "I'm sure I do. Some things, though, some things are right. Endymion and I . . . are right." "Perhaps." "Do you love him?" Serenity asked suddenly. Setsuna started. She had *not* foreseen this. "Princess, it is best not to ask those kinds of questions." But Serenity went blindly on. "Do you, Setsuna?" Silence. Then, "Hai." "I know you do." "I do not love him as you do, Princess. No one can love him as you do. Do not worry, little Princess, I will not take him from you. I cannot." "Why? Why can't you? You did not swear your allegiance to anyone." "No, I did not." "You do not serve my mother." "In that, Princess, you are wrong. I do serve her, as her friend. I promised her that long ago. It is a promise that I have not broken." "Any yet, in truth, when did you serve anyone but yourself?" "I have never served myself. Time is my master, Destiny is my mistress. Against them I can do nothing. I can not protect your mother against them. I can not protect your kingdom." "And yet, I remember that on the day that I awakened, you promised to protect *me*." Again Setsuna was startled, but this time, she did not allow her surprise to show. "How can you remember such things, Princess? You were but newly born and awakened." "I remember because I must. What other reason is there?" "Yes, I did promise, and that promise too, shall I keep." "That is good. Is that why you will not allow yourself to love Endymion?" Setsuna smiled. "You are good, Princess, very good. No matter where the conversation goes, you can bring it back to what you wish to discuss. That is a rare talent." "I have learned from the best teacher. My mother is very skilled, is she not? I have heard that she learned from you." Setsuna's smile faded. "Everyone learns something from me eventually. Even you, my princess." "I would learn of what you feel for Endymion." "Yet again princess, you are good. I shall answer your questions for I tire of this game. I do love Endymion, my princess, and I allow myself to love him. But as I said, I do not love him as you do, not in the same manner, nor in the same way." "In what way do you love him, Pluto?" "In the only way that I can. Ah, Princess Serenity, you are so like, and yet so unlike your mother. You are both of you, very giving with your love, and yet, you are both as possessive as you are giving. How can any two be give so much, and take so much at the same time? She gives less and takes less than you, though, my princess." "Am I selfish, Pluto?" the Princess cried. "Was my gift to him nothing more than a gift to myself?" "Who did you do it for? Him or you?" "In honesty, I do not know, but I think . . . it was for me. Because I cannot bear to live without him. Still, he said the same and felt the same, but yes, I was more selfish than selfless." "You are mortal, Serenity. It is a failing, but it is also a blessing." "You contradict yourself again. How many times do you say the opposite of what you mean?" "Why, never. I always mean what I say, and I do not contradict myself. Now, as for what you did for yourself, for him-yes, it was for both, you are so easy to forgive-it was both a wondrous and a terrible gift. Both a blessing and a curse. He is bound to you now, Serenity, more than he ever was before, and he was bound even then. There is no stronger tie than that of blood, not love, not hate. Blood. The taste of it, the feel of it, the sight and smell of it as it spills . . . Or the flowing of it through your veins. There is nothing stronger. "It drives people to kill, to hurt, and to love above all else. In this you have bound him to you for all eternity. He had no say in the matter, and yet, he forgives you. "It always surprises me how easy it is to forgive those of your line. You are so easily forgiven. No matter what wrongs you commit, those who love you are always willing to forget them. I wish it was that simple for me. He will not forgive me so easily." "What did you do, Pluto, that he must forgive?" "I loved him. Isn't that enough? You understand now, though you do not know it, and you will understand more fully in time. It will be clear to you what wrongs I have committed, the harm that I have done. So clear. And then, you must forgive me as well. But I do not fear you as I fear him, Serenity, for you forgive as easily as you are forgiven. It is him that I fear, for he cannot forgive as you do. It is in his blood. But . . . your blood flows through him now, so perhaps he can forgive." "What do you say to me? I understand none of it. You confuse me on purpose, Pluto, to hide the true meanings of what you say. It is all there in plain sight, but I cannot see it. The truth is truth, and yet it is not! I do not understand what you say." "Oh Serenity, you understand more than you know. You know all, and yet you understand nothing. How can this be? Do not trouble yourself, it will all be clear in time." "Can you not speak plainly? Must all your words be as riddles?" "That is the nature of *my* blood, Serenity. Time reveals nothing until it is too late." "You, daughter of Cronus, are infuriating!" Setsuna laughed. "More than Mars?" "More than Mars." "I am sure Princess Rei would appreciate that." "Perhaps. Or perhaps not." Setsuna sighed. "You are still wondering." "Of course I am. You have answered nothing and everything all at once." "That is the nature of Time." "No. That is the stubbornness of Setsuna." "You wish to know what I think of your blessing . . . your curse." "That was not a question. And you know the answer." "I am glad." "Glad?" "He needs you, Serenity, you need him. An eternity of one without the other is meaningless. Your love will sustain you both. I am happy for you." "And yet, you still love him." "Of course I do. As I said, it could not be any other way." "And you do not condemn me for condemning him to an eternity of life?" "Of course not. How can I condemn you? No one could. You are forgiven, eternally." "Condemned and forgiven for all eternity, is that my existence?" "Only if you will it to be that way. It is up to you." "Are you?" "Condemned and forgiven?" She clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. "You should know the answer to that, child." "Since when have I been a child to you?" "You have always been a child. Except at the beginning. Then, you were not a child." "Do not confuse me again." "It is too easy to confuse you, Princess. You let yourself be confused." "You are condemned. I am condemned. And we are both forgiven, but I . . . more readily than you." "Very good. Now, you are making sense of this conversation." "Not much. Your conversations never make much sense until much later. But . . . I suppose that you will tell me that that is the nature of Time?" "Ah! I have misjudged you. If you are reading me so easily, you are truly not as much of a child as I thought. You do your mother proud. Now, before you can cleverly divert the conversation back to the topic, I shall save you the trouble. "Immortality is a hard, hard way of life. Eventually, it is *not* life any longer, merely existence, and that is when death lends a hand. You, and he, and I we are lucky that we do not have *true* immortality, merely the closest thing. Death can still snatch us at anytime, though it will be much MUCH harder. So no, my princess, you did not condemn your love to life forever. "As for the other things you wonder, well, Princess, let me tell you this. Endymion needs your love. He needs the love of women. He desires nothing more than a woman's love. Your love is dearest to him, never fear, little princess. Take him in your arms, love him with all of the love in you, for he sorely needs it. His need is devouring him inside, and only your love has saved him. You are his savior, his guardian angel, his only love. You reclaim him from the darkness of his soul. That is good, for no one other than you can do it. Do not let him stray far, let your love keep him safe. "The wolves would take him if they could have him, but as long as your love keeps him safe, they cannot. Love him, love him, for as long as you can. For you, I know that that is eternity. "He will always need you, and you will always need him, for as much as he takes from you, he returns as well. Your love is his love, he loves you as much as you love him. The two of you, sustain each other. That is right. That is good. "I thought once that your love was wrong, that it would destroy one of you, or both. But then I saw that without it, its loss would destroy both of you. Its existence can do nothing but bring more love, for that is the way of love. The more love there is, the more it brings. "I do not envy you. I am grateful for the love that you feel for him. I love you both, Serenity. You are my princess, he is your prince, and your love is what brightens up the universe. I cannot deny you. I have no wish to. What is Destined is destined. What must be, will be. Love is love, Serenity. Love is love." "But *still* you love him!" Serenity cried. "And you never can!" Setsuna sighed. "You are as I thought, a child. Have you listened to nothing that I have said? I love Endymion, and I will always love Endymion. Nothing will stop that. Do not feel sorrow for me, it is misplaced. I would not have things any other way. We are all content this way. Let things stand as they are, Serenity. As I said, I do not love him as you do. I do not feel for him as a lover, or even as a friend. I welcome your love for him. It is needed. Do not weep for my unrequited love. It is not as you think it. It never was." Serenity stared at her with wide, confused eyes, but partial understanding dawned. "You love him in another way . . . You are drawn to him for other reasons." "I had a claim on him long before you did, except for at the beginning." "Of Time?" "There are some questions that I cannot answer, Serenity." "But in refusing, you have." Setsuna gazed back calmly at her. "Have I?" Serenity gazed calmly back, sure of herself for once. "You have." Setsuna looked away. "You loved him at the beginning, Serenity. That is all I will say. But still, my claim on him is older. My love for him is older. My love for him is as infinite as yours. I am bound to him in all things, as are you, save I was bound in one more way. And now, you are bound to him that way, and more. I could give him all things, but one, and you gave him that, my princess. The one thing that I could not. And so, the two of you are bound as close now, as I am to him, though he knows it not." "What *are* you to him, Pluto?" "You should know by now, Princess. You should know by now." And with that, she disappeared. Serenity turned to gaze out over the balcony at Earth. "Endymion," she whispered, letting a single tear trickle down her face. "Mamo-chan . . ." *On Earth* *The northern border* Kunzite raised his hand as he heard the faint rustle of the door flap to his tent. "Yes, come in," he called out, gesturing. The person at the door paused as if unsure how to proceed. "Come in already," Kunzite called, rather irritated that he hadn't been obeyed instantly. The soldier walked in and stood before Kunzite where in sat on a crate, scribbling notes to himself in his journal, and marking areas on a map pinned to the wall. "Yes, what is it?" Kunzite asked, not looking up. "I wished to speak with you about something, Lord Kunzite." Kunzite glanced up, putting aside his work for a moment. He recognized that voice. It was his prot?g?, whom he had been training personally. He had certainly proved himself in the last battle, blocking a blow meant for Zoisite. "You seem troubled," Kunzite commented, for lack of anything better to say. "Yes, milord." "Well, tell me, what's troubling you?" "That foreign woman of the prince's . . ." "Yes?" Kunzite thought he had a glimmer of what was troubling the boy. Ever since Endymion's return, rumors had been circulating that he was involved with a woman from the Moon Kingdom. The rumors were, of course, absolutely true to a certain extent, but many of the men were rather xenophobic. He looked to the soldier to see what his reply would be. He did *not* expect such a violent outburst. "Don't trust her. Don't trust any of them!" "Them?" Kunzite asked confused. "The foreigners. They're not here for peace, all of the things that they've been spouting are lies! The princeÑall of usÑare in danger." Kunzite thought of Minako's smiling face and shut his eyes in quiet despair and denial. "It is, my lord!" the boy insisted and Kunzite started, unaware that he had spoken his thoughts out loud. "I cannot believe it to be so. My duty lies to my lord Prince, and he trusts them with his life." "Don't let him!" the boy hissed vehemently. "It will only lead to his downfall. Keep them as far from him as possible." Unable to banish Minako from his mind and the sweet sincerity of the love that had shone in her eyes, Kunzite firmed his resolve and turned to the boy. "I'm sorry, but I must trust in my Prince's judgment." He stood, gathering his things. He needed to discuss his latest strategy with Endymion. The boy looked up at him in defeat. "Will you at least think over what I have said?" he asked quietly. Indecision surfaced in the Guardian's eyes for a moment before he turned away and said so softly that he was barely audible, "Yes, I will . . . Clinden." Then with a sweep of his cape, he was out the door of the tent. Clinden stared after him, triumph and doubt warring in his eyes. The need for vengeance won over the two and he whispered, "Thank you, Lord Kunzite." His eyes blazed red, and somewhere an evil voice laughed. *Two weeks later* *The southern border* The battle being waged was fierce. Everywhere men were dying, run through by youma swords or simply ripped to pieces. It was a scene that Minako would have remembered well, still did remember in fact, and she would have wept at the sight. Still there cannot be a war without casualties and in this war, there were more than enough . . . Clinden lay dying, Kunzite kneeling at his side, desperately trying to staunch the flow of blood. Clinden coughed and red blood trickled down the side of his mouth. With one begrimed hand he pulled Kunzite's hand away from the wound and forced the General to look at him. "Milord Kunzite, I will pass to the Other Realm soon. My time grows short, but before I go, you must promise me . . . something." Kunzite stared at the bloody, battered soldier that had once been his friend and prot?g? and whispered, "What? What must I promise you?" "Promise," Clinden coughed out, "that you will avenge the death of my family . . . That those who killed them shall pay." "Yes, yes, anything!" "Promise that you'll kill them . . . Don't let yourself be hurt like I was. The strangers . . . can't be trusted, no matter how sincere they seem. There is evil at work in the land of the living, but soon, I will be beyond those cares. Promise me . . ." Clinden's eyes took on a glazed look and whispering, "Promise . . ." he died. Kunzite stared at the body for an instant, then he let out an inarticulate cry of grief. He pulled off his cape and draped it over the body, then knelt before the still form, head bowed, sword laid in front of him "I promise," Kunzite swore solemnly, fighting his tears, "that your family's murderers will pay. I don't know how or where, but you and your family will be avenged. I, Kunzite, Guardian Griffin of Prince Endymion of Earth, First General of Earth, and Prince of the Realm of Power, swear it on my life and the lives of everyone that I hold dear." He stood, sheathing his sword and, turning to stare at the second advancing horde, he repeated to himself, "I swear it." *Four days later* *Back at the Earth Palace* "We cannot trust the Lunars. They are the enemy and must be dealt with." "WHAT?!!!" Jadeite shouted, slapping his hands down on the table as he surged to his feet. "What do you mean, "*dealt with*"?!!!" Zoisite murmured something to Jadeite which seemed to calm him down some. "What exactly are you saying?" Nephrite asked in a dangerous voice as Jadeite flopped back in his seat and refused to look Kunzite in the eye. Zoisite looked up from where he stood next to Jadeite. "What *do* you mean, Kunzite?" He eyed him oddly, seeming to say, 'How can you think such things?' Kunzite drew in a deep breath. Then let it out in a long, tired, sigh. "Look, I'm simply saying that maybe we should make certain of who is the true enemy." All three of the other Generals shot him the same look at the same time. The one that said, 'How the HELL can you even SUGGEST that!' Again Jadeite was the first to speak. He sprang to his feet and walked up to Kunzite, glaring at him. "I don't like want you're insinuating, Kunz." The other two Generals drew in a quick breath at the malice in his tone and the term of disrespect. Kunzite's eyes narrowed as he glared back at Jadeite. "I'm not "insinuating" anything. I'm stating a fact. The Lunars are dangerous and their presence on Earth cannot be tolerated." "I think you have more things to worry about on the *home* front before you start blaming our troubles on others! You want a fight? We've already got one. We have to stop the Cathals. *They're* the enemy, not the Lunars!" "The Lunars are a greater threat-especially the Sailor Senshi." "Are you INSANE?!! The Senshi are our allies-our friends." <> his brain silently added as he recalled memories of Rei and him. "They're on OUR side." "You think I don't know that? But for how long? We both know that Queen Serenity wasn't too thrilled with our presence. This was *her* kingdom. How long do you think it'll be before she decides she wants it back again?!" "Serenity may not like us much, but she would never-I mean for Earth's sake she's been away from it for nearly THREE HUNDRED YEARS!!! What makes you think that she'll even want it back? She's got the whole moon. Why would she even bother with this kingdom?" "Because it's home and nobody can stay away from their true home for long. Who says that she just wants *this* kingdom? She's got the power to take over the whole world. And absolute power corrupts absolutely, or haven't you learned that by now? Just because you don't want to believe it doesn't make it any less true." Jadeite's eyes sparked. "What is wrong with you? Does any of this make any sense at all?! LISTEN TO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING!!! Rei and the others are incapable of doing any of what you said. They're the same as us. They're people, Kunzite, not the monsters that you're making them out to be! They're our *friends*!" "Don't act more like a fool than you already are. You're not thinking straight. That *girl* has addled your brains. You're better off without her kind, Jadeite." Jadeite's eyes burned a little brighter. "That *girl*, as you so put it, is the love of my life, and I'll be damned if I'll let you talk that way about her! I've followed you for the last fifteen years of my life, served under you, taken your orders like a good subordinate; I've even been your friend, but if you don't apologize *NOW*, then we're through, and leader or not, I will not serve under you." Kunzite growled out through gritted teeth. "I don't need to apologize. Dammit, Clinden is DEAD!!!" he found himself shouting and tried to calm down but found that he couldn't. "His death is the Lunars' doing, them and your "love" If you don't want to serve under me, then don't. Get out." "Fine," Jadeite breathed, vehemently, his bright blue eyes still glaring into Kunzite's, "I will. And you . . ." he licked his lips, savoring the words with a savage satisfaction as he pronounced each syllable, "Can. Go. To. Hell." He whirled about on his heel, his cape flapping behind him and stalked out. As he reached the doorway, he stopped for just an instant, his back still to Kunzite and said in a low voice, "Don't worry, I'll be sure to tell Venus what a traitor you are." Then without another word, he went through the door and was gone. Kunzite, who had stiffened at the sound of "Venus", a sharp pain stabbing through him, now simply glared at Jadeite's retreating back, angry. He was angry at Jadeite, at the world, at himself. He turned away only to be faced with the stony stares of his other two comrades in arms. "You bastard," Nephrite hissed. "You had no right!" "I had every right!" Zoisite spat defiantly at his feet, an unreadable look glittering in his green eyes, as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Not anymore. Until you realize that what you did was unforgivable, I'll have nothing to do with you. I hope you realize exactly what you've done . . . and the consequences." He ducked his head away but whipped it back to face Kunzite, his green eyes bright with barely contained fury. "You know, I'm sorry that Clinden died, but that doesn't give you the right to say what you said! Clinden was a good man, but turning on your friends isn't right! It never is. At any other time I'd feel sympathy for you, but right now, I can't." Shutting his eyes, he breathed in, then said, "I step down from your service, Lord Kunzite." Then he slowly walked out. Now only Kunzite and Nephrite were left alone in the room together. The brown-haired General spoke first, his eyes cold. "I trust Mako with my life. Even more, I trust her with my heart. And in doing so, I trust and respect her people, which is a helluvalot more than I can say about you right now. They're good people, and I used to think that you were, too." Kunzite felt his resolve faltering, "I-" but then he straightened and pulled himself together. "The Lunars deserve nothing but contempt from us." "And you," Nephrite uttered steadily, almost sorrowfully, his resigned gaze never wavering, "deserve nothing but contempt from me." Then he too turned his back on Kunzite and exited the room. And Kunzite was alone. Again. And it was not a pleasant feeling. *On the Moon* Rei felt the breeze and turned as she sensed a familiar presence. "Rei." "Jade." They looked at one another, the battered warrior and the shining beauty. Then Rei saidÑ "I don't know whether to kiss you or to kill you, you imbecile!" Jadeite smiled, his first one in a long time. "If you kiss me first then kill me, I'll die a happy man." Rei's lips quirked in amusement, then she obligingly gave him his reward for returning. After the kiss, she looked up at him anxiously. "What's the matter? Where're the others? Is everyone all right? You're not here to bring ill tidings, are you?" "Only that Kunzite is a damn fool." He strode to a bench and sat down. Rei followed him. "You had better not let Venus catch you saying things like that. She's head over heels in love with him." "I know," he muttered morosely, glaring at the ground. Rei suddenly thought of something. "In fact, we can't let anyone catch you *here*! You're *still* not allowed here, Jade!" He looked up. "You're right. Damn, I forgot. All right, what'll we do?" "Well, you could go home, but I wouldn't like that very much." "Neither would I." "I'll simply hide you in my quarters until it's safe for you to go home." "Actually, it's safe now . . ." "But you have to tell me all the news first! And, I don't want you to leave so soon." Jadeite smiled. *Back on Earth* "You did WHAT?!!!" Endymion paced about agitatedly. "What the Hell were you thinking, Kunzite?" "I guess I wasn't, my prince." "I guess you weren't. There's only one thing to do. Go apologize and retrieve Jadeite from wherever he went." "I can't do that, my lord." "What?" "Not until I am sure." "Well, *I'm* sure and you had better be! Your accusations are nigh treasonous." "I know." Endymion arrested Kunzite's eyes. "Can you truly tell me that you are absolutely certain of this, in your heart of hearts?" Kunzite found that he could not answer. *On the Moon* Princess Serenity walked through the gardens, pausing in front of the forget-me-nots, a newly cut rose in her hand. "Forget me not," she whispered, thinking of Endymion. She inhaled the wondrous scent of the rose and sighed. Her calm wonderings were interrupted when a whirlpool of darkness swirled open behind her and snatched her up. She left out a cry, dropping the rose which fell to the ground, its petals scattering in the wind as the darkness engulfed her. "MINNA!" she screamed. "MAMO-CHAN!" Rei and Jadeite, who had been passing through the gardens since they were a shortcut to Rei's quarters, paused. "Something's wrong," Rei murmured, then a wave of fear washed over her. Serenity's fear. "Goddess, Sere!" she broke into a run, Jadeite right behind her. As she reached the spot where Serenity had been, she stared aghast at the rose with its petals seemingly ripped from it. "Selene," Rei sobbed, "Selene, no . . ." Jadeite helplessly put an arm around her as the other Senshi ran to the scene. "What happened?" Ami demanded, pulling out her computer and scanning the area. "I don't know," Jadeite said in confusion. "What're you-Never mind," Minako said, in her commander's voice. "Ami, what does your "device" say?" "Serenity *was* here. Judging by the readings, someone or *something* took her. Rei you got here first, what did you sense?" "Ami, it was awful. It felt like . . . I don't know, something without a soul. The power was definitely feminine, though, that's all I have to tell you." "Feminine?" Jadeite ran the word over his tongue, then spat. "I know what it was." The others turned to him. "Tell us, Jade," Minako said in a rough voice. "What took Serenity?" "Beryl," he snarled. "I'd bet my life on it. It was Beryl." "Where would she take her?" Makoto asked all of a sudden, her eyes gleaming with determination. "To her stronghold, but NO ONE knows where it is." "Well, we'll just have to find out!" Makoto said, her voice sounding like steel. "We'll get Sere back!" "What do you want with me?" Princess Serenity asked the tall evil-looking woman in front of her. Her wrists and ankles were energy-cuffed to the cold stone wall. "Your soul," she said with a hungry smile. Serenity shuddered. "What kind of a person *are* you?" "One who hates you very, *very* much." "What have I ever done to you?" "You took Endymion from me. He was mine, and you took him. For that, you deserve to die!" "You would kill me for daring to love another? You would kill me for listening to my heart? What a twisted creature you are, Beryl. I pity you. It must hurt not to be able to love." "You pity *me*?! Oh no, little princess, pity yourself more." "What will killing me accomplish?" "Nothing, which is *exactly* why I am not going to kill you . . . yet. You are my bait. My bait for Endymion." Queen Serenity had to be informed of her daughter's abduction of course, and she had been quite distraught with grief. Luna hadn't taken it so well, either, looking rather ill. Artemis had (for a change) been the only level-headed one of the lot. However, he had insisted that he accompany the Senshi and only after a long screaming match with Minako had he finally agreed to stay behind. The Senshi had left immediately afterwards, Jadeite inconspicuously joining them. It had been decided that it was much better for all involved if he was not seen. That could bring up unpleasant issues and further delay their rescue of the Princess. They teleported to Earth and with Jadeite's reluctant agreement, arrived at the Earth Palace to inform Endymion and the rest of the Guardians. Endymion did *not* take it well. "Serenity's in *BERYL'S* clutches?! She won't last long. Let's go. We have to find her before it's too late!" It was only with the combined effort of the Guardians and the Senshi that they were able to restrain him from dashing out that instant and saving his beloved. "Endymion, we can't go now! We have to find out where Beryl's holding her!" Nephrite pleaded with his prince. The prince of Earth calmed down a bit. "Of course, forgive me." "Do you have *any* idea as to where Beryl might be?" Minako asked desperately. "No," was Endymion's flat reply. "All I've been able to find out is that it's somewhere North." "North?" "North." "Let's get started then. I don't care if we have to search the entire northern regions of this planet. We're finding Sere!" Minako declared, staring at the map of Earth spread beneath her hand on the table. "I think you may need more help than that," a quiet voice said from the doorway. Minako looked up, her eyes shining. "Kunzite!" "Kunzite," Jadeite snarled out. The other Guardians looked up to see their former leader paused in the doorway, carrying a heavy pack over his shoulder. "What do you want?" Jadeite demanded angrily. "To come with you. To save the princess." "After what you said?!" "I was wrong. Minako can attest to this. I always seem to find myself saying things that I don't mean. I want you to forgive me, Jade, I want to earn back the respect I've lost in your eyes." He turned to the others. "All of your eyes." "Welcome back," Zoisite said softly, from where he had his arm around Ami. He smiled. "I'm glad that the old Kunzite is back," Nephrite murmured. Kunzite turned his eyes to Jadeite. "Jade?" Jadeite hesitated for a moment, then softly his gaze softened and he took Kunzite's hand pulling him into a good-natured embrace between men. "You bull-headed fool. Thank God you know who your friends are, Kunzite." "I always did." Endymion smiled. "All right now, we've got a princess to save!" he added silently. The Senshi and the Guardians arrived in the North in a bright flash of light. "Can you get a fix on her location, Ami?!" Minako shouted over the howling winds. "Not yet!" Ami shouted back. "Give it another couple of seconds!" "I'm freezing to death, Ami. Hurry it up!" "All right, here it is. She's six miles due north of here." "Doesn't it get colder as you go further up north?" Makoto asked. Ami nodded. "Great, just great," Rei muttered under her breath. "I suggest another teleport!" Endymion yelled. "Good idea!" the rest of them chorused. "You'll never win, Beryl!" Serenity declared. Beryl whirled from her study of the large images playing across the wall in front of her, images of battle. "Oh no? Look how well your prince's armies are faring without him and his Generals. Earth will soon be mine as will Endymion. Then I will have the pleasure of seeing you die!" "NO!" Serenity screamed, wrenching free of the energy that held her in place. The brightly glowing yellow energy disappeared as she stumbled to the ground. "I WON'T let you win, Beryl!" "What *is* this?!" Beryl shouted in a mixture of outrage and amazement. Beryl grabbed the princess's arm and twisted it behind her, painfully. "Endymion," Serenity sobbed. "Mamo-chan, where are you?" "Shut up!" Beryl snarled, backhanding Serenity across the face. "Your pitiful whines are annoying me." "Why are you doing this?" Serenity asked, holding a hand to her face. "Why can't you just leave us alone?" "Because I love him! And he should be mine, not yours, moonbrat. You don't deserve him." "Maybe I don't," Serenity whispered, "but we deserve each other." "You don't seem to understand. He belongs to me." "People who love each other don't belong *to* one another, they belong *with* each other!" Beryl's face was suffused with red in anger. "Shut up! Just SHUT UP!" An ugly expression crossed Beryl's face and she snickered as she raised her arm and pointed her index finger at Serenity and shot forth a blast of power. Serenity was blown, screaming, across the room. Her momentum ceased when she slammed into the wall. She slumped to the floor and lay motionless on the floor. Beryl stared at the motionless form in disgust. She motioned to a pair of youma to take the Princess's unconscious body away. Endymion, the Senshi, and the Guardians arrived outside of the entrance to the caverns that led to Beryl's stronghold. With one last determined glance at each other, they entered the caverns and began their plunge into darkness. *Several hours later* "Are you all right, Nephrite?" Rei asked as Makoto continued to tear off strips of cloth with her teeth and bandage his arm. "It's nothing . . . just a scratch." Rei did not look convinced. "That was more than a scratch and you know it!" "No, look, I'm fine," he said trying to flex his muscle then abruptly stopped with a grunt of pain. "You idiot, let it heal before you try to use it or you're never going to get better!" Makoto yelled. "Yes, Mother." "I don't like seeing you get hurt," she said, her eyes misting over. "Take better care of yourself." Rei turned away with a sigh and looked at Ami who was still looking at Zoisite's head wound, and Kunzite who was busily wrapping up Minako's dislocated shoulder. It seemed that none of them were going to get out of this mess without a few scratches at least. Surprisingly, only she and Jadeite had managed to escape completely unscathed thus far, and she had the distinct impression that it was because they had both "powered-up." Minako's voice interrupted her train of thought. "Well, it's been five hours and we're still not any closer to finding, Sere. Any ideas?" "Yeah, we'd better hurry and fins her before we run into *another* one of those youma hordes!" Ami glared at Zoisite glib remark. "Haha, very funny. Seriously, any ideas, people?" Endymion spoke up. "She's close, Venus." "That's very nice Endymion, but it's not getting us anywhere." "NO. I mean she's CLOSE. I can feel it." "Ami, check your com-pu-ter," she ordered abruptly, but having trouble with the odd word. Ami ignored the last and pulled her computer from the sub-space pocket she kept it in and tried scanning for the princess. "You do realize that the negative energies are so great that the chances of this actually accomplishing anything without the princess being within a three foot radius is pretty much nil." "Huh?" "She means, the princess would have to be within three feet of us for this to work," Zoisite translated. The others nodded their thanks. The computer began to beep. "Goddess Selene above!" Ami exclaimed. "What?!" "She's here! She's here!" "Well, of course, she is Ami, that's why we're *searching* here." "No, I mean she's through that door." Ami pointed. The rest of them looked at one another and began to smile. "We found her!" Endymion didn't wait for the others. He dashed through the doorway, his eyes searching anxiously for Serenity. He saw her laid out on a slab of stone and all of a sudden he felt rather choked up with emotion. He bent over her prone body and tenderly kissed her eyelids, the tip of her nose, her lips. It was the instant that his lips touched hers that she reached up and put her arms around his neck. Startled, he pulled away and she rose to a sitting position, her arms still about him. Her blue eyes fluttered open and soft sigh escaped her lips. "Mamo-chan," she breathed, looking at him with such utter adoration in her eyes that he was forced to swallow the lump in his throat, "I knew you'd come for me." "Of course, Usako," he said, tracing the curve of her face with a loving finger. "I will always come for you. I will always be there for you as long as you need me." "Eternity is a long time," she whispered, smiling up at him. "Not for me, not for us," he replied, taking her still-weak form in his arms. He bore her up and carried her to where the others were waiting. "Minna," Serenity said softly, her eyes resting on the concerned faces of her Senshi, then on the Guardians. "Domo arigato, minna." "For what?" Rei asked, suddenly too choked with emotion to respond with her usual condescending flare. Jadeite put a comforting arm around her and she made no move to remove it. "For coming," Serenity smiled again, as if that was perfectly obvious. "How could we do anything else?" Rei asked. "It's our duty," Makoto said with an arch look at Nephrite who flushed a little. "You're our princess," Ami added, "and our friend." "We love you, Sere," Minako murmured, gazing at her princess steadily. "I love you too . . . minna," Serenity said, smiling at everyone, the Guardians included. "Come on, we have to get out of here," Endymion ordered, but his voice was still tender with his love. "Hai," eight voices chorused in reply. "Usako?" he asked, but she did not respond. She was asleep. He kissed her on the forehead, <> then looked up and addressed the others. "Beryl isn't too far away. She'll be here any moment. Can we manage a teleport?" Ami glanced around at all of them. "We're all really tired, but with all of us together-" The loud sound of hundreds of footsteps pounding their way decided for them. "I guess there's really no choice," Ami responded with a shrug. "I guess not." Endymion frowned. "All right, everyone in a circle. "You're in the middle, Endymion," Minako directed. "Huh? Why?" "You're carrying the Princess," Kunzite pointed out with a strained voice. The others looked at him and Endymion took a deep breath. "Oh yeah, you're right." He stepped into the center, still carrying the princess, and the others formed the circle around them. Looking at their tired faces, he had only time to ask, "Are you sure you can manage teleporting both of us?" Jadeite flashed him a wry smile, "No choice, Endymion, remember?" The noise of the youma sounded closer. They exchanged one meaningful look, then they all concentrated, their auras rising about them. "SAILOR TELEPORT!!!" the Senshi cried, just as the Guardians shouted, "GUARDIAN TELEPORT!!!" The army of the Dark Kingdom burst into the room but could only watch, aghast, as rainbow colors scintillated about the room and the intruders vanished in an overwhelming flash of white light. They arrived back at the Earth Palace and Endymion immediately laid Serenity down in a soft bed and had Ami check her over. "She'll be fine," Ami said, relieved. "She just needs to rest." Everyone breathed out the breath that they had been holding. The worried look on Endymion's face cleared. "Thank the goddess." The others looked at him in astonishment. Endymion had never before shown any indication that he believed in Selene. He turned to look at them, gently brushing aside a stray lock of hair. "If she can believe, I can, too. She knows what is truth and what is not. She can see into people's hearts and find the goodness there. Is that not an aspect of Selene the all-mother, Selene the benevolent?" Nephrite nodded. "Hai, sir." Endymion smiled. "For her, I can believe. Selene brings miracles? Serenity is a miracle. The old faiths are still valid. People may practice whatever they will, as long as they do not worship the dark goddesses." His eyes lingered an instant on Serenity. "No, even then. Everyone must choose his or her own path." His eyes were a lighter blue as he looked up again. "Isn't that right?" The others nodded. "I will wait here until she wakes," he declared, kneeling at her bedside, her hand in his. "The rest of you, get out of here." He smiled good-naturedly at the couples. "Go get your wounds tended to and," his voice sobered a little, "check on the progress of the war, will you? I fear for my people." "Hai, sir," the Guardians said, bringing their fists to their chests in a warriors salute. They left, the Senshi trailing behind them. "Endymion?" He looked up to see Mars looking at him from the door. "Take care of her." He nodded, then resumed his vigil over his sleeping love. When Serenity awoke the first thing that met her eyes were Endymion's blue ones. "Mamo-chan." She opened her arms and they embraced. The Senshi returned to the Moon, but Serenity lingered. She was loathe to go. Every so often one of the Senshi would pop up bearing a message from the queen begging her daughter to return. Serenity would smile at whatever Senshi it was and each time her answer would be the same. "When I'm ready." The Senshi and Serenity would exchange a smile, before the Senshi would bow and say, "As you will, my princess," before disappearing. One day Nephrite introduced Naru, his first love, and Umino, her husband to Serenity. "I'm quite pleased to meet you, Lady," Naru said politely. "And I'm pleased to meet you too," Serenity said with a smile. When they had gone, she turned to Nephrite and said in a quiet voice, "Had things been different I think we might have been friends. She's such a sweet girl. Perhaps we will be friends, in another life." Nephrite looked at her gravely, "I fear for her safety, and for his. The war might very well intrude upon their pleasant lives. They've had a sheltered existence and I couldn't bear it if anything happened to them. They've both been my friends for a long time now." "Send them to the moon," Serenity said immediately. "I doubt the war will reach that far." "And if it does?" "Well, all we can to is hope that it doesn't. Nephrite, make something to track her. Just in case," she said with a little smile of assurance as she left him. He stared up at the stars outside then summoned forth their power and produced a shining black star crystal. "Find Naru, always," he commanded the crystal. Then he turned to look where Naru had gone and whispered, "I'm always looking after you, and I always will be." Serenity knocked hesitantly on the door to the farmhouse, Endymion behind her and ill at ease. The door opened and a man's face peered out. Seeing her, he swung it open. "Oh, it's you!" Ikuko came running to the door crying, "Kenji, Kenji, what is it?" Then she caught sight of Serenity and let out a cry of delight. "Princess!" She stopped abruptly, catching sight of Endymion. "Princess?" Kenji growled. "Get in the house, Ikuko." Serenity smiled soothingly. "It's all right, Ikuko, Kenji. You know Prince Endymion, I assume." "Your Highness," Ikuko said curtsying deeply and elbowing Kenji who bowed reluctantly. "It's all right," she said again. "Is Shingo in, I'd like to see him." Ikuko ducked into the house and reappeared an instant later, her infant son in her arms. Serenity tickled the baby, making him laugh, and Ikuko smiled in strain. "Are you all right?" Serenity asked, her blue eyes soft in their concern. "Oh Princess, I'm just so frightened for my baby, what with the war and all!" Serenity smiled her benevolent smile again, her eyes shining with joy. "That's why I've come. If you wish it, I will send you to the Moon to live. Mayhap, the war will not reach that far." "Oh, great Goddess Selene, the heavens surely smile down on us! Serenity, you must be a child of the Goddess." "I?" Serenity looked amused. "Why would the Goddess have a child as clumsy as me?" The two women exchanged a wry smile, then burst into a flurry of giggles. Serenity placed a hand on Ikuko's arm. "Go now, Ikuko, Kenji, Shingo. It is your place to be on the Moon. May you find safety there." The three of them knelt before her and looked up at their princess, and Ikuko could only smile tearfully and say, "Thank you, Serenity. Thank you." Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion toured his Gardens one last time together. "I must return tomorrow," she said, gazing up at the Moon shining silver in the sky. "I'll see you off," he said lightly. They walked companionably for a moment, Endymion taking Serenity's hand in his. "The war is faring badly, isn't it?" she asked almost fearfully. He nodded but did not speak. "You have to return to the fighting, don't you?" Again he nodded, his throat tightening. "Be careful." The words were soft but they held so much emotion that Endymion had to hold back his emotions or he feared his heart would break. "Usako?" "Mmmm?" Endymion brought out two golden bands. Serenity looked at him, as if to discern his meaning. "They're wedding rings," he explained, hesitantly. "I thought that we could exchange them before I have to go off to fight, as a promise." "A promise?" she asked softly. "A promise that we'll each make, to save ourselves for each other. They're enchanted so that we'll both know if anything's happened to the other." He smiled weakly, "Not that we wouldn't already know. They are for all intents and purposes real wedding rings and if we exchange vows, then we will be legally married. Of course, it wouldn't be official, butÑ" He looked at her, then gulped. His next words came out in a rush. "Serenity, I love you, more than anything in this world, but I understand if you don't feel the same; if you can't share my feelings. But I just thought that maybeÑ" "Hush," she said, placing her finger to his lips. Her deep love for him was evident in her voice. Endymion relaxed, relieved, but still his eyes questioned her. "Hush," she said again. "I do love you, Endymion. That is the one thing that you should never doubt." "UsakoÑ" She smiled at the use of that name. "Mamo-chan." He knelt down and took her hand in his. He looked up at her, earnest and loving. "Would you consent to be my wife, my dearest Usako?" "With all my heart." He rose up and enfolded her in a tender embrace, slipping a finger onto her hand, as he kissed her with all of the love in her heart. She stepped back, her eyes shining. She was the most beautiful that Endymion had ever seen her. She looked at the ring on her hand and regretfully took it off, handing it back to him. Before he could protest, she said lightly, lovingly, "Now, shall we exchange vows?" He looked at her smiling face and couldn't stop himself from smiling back. "I, Endymion of Earth, do take thee, Serenity of the Moon, to love and to hold, for better or worse till deathÑ" "No," she whispered, her eyes serious. "Even that shall not part us." "For better or worse for all of eternity as long as our love for each other shines in our hearts. I will protect her with my life, for she is dearer to my heart than anything else," he finished. "I, Serenity of the Moon, do take thee, Endymion of Earth, to love and to hold, for better or worse for all of eternity as long as our love for each other shines in our hearts. I will give up my life for him if I must, for he is dearer to my heart than anything else." Endymion slipped one of the golden rings onto Serenity's ring finger. "With this ring I thee wed, Usako." Serenity took the other golden ring and placed it on Endymion's ring finger. "With this ring I thee wed, Mamo-chan." Their lips met in a kiss, and bound together forever, they were adrift in their love. Endymion did see her off the next day, but she had never expected him to come to the Moon with her, but he had insisted. "You're worth a little risk, Usako, and this is a *little* risk. You know as well as I do that I can outrun all of your Royal Guards and the Senshi wouldn't dare arrest me." "They had better not!" she had responded fiercely. So they had gone to the Moon. When they arrived it was evening and Serenity had Endymion wait for her on a balcony outside her room as she ducked inside to retrieve something. Endymion looked out over the calm beauty of the Moon, wonderingly. He had never expected to see it again. "I already do," Serenity said, stepping out of curtains of her balcony. "Can you discern my thoughts?" he asked without surprise. "Silly, of course I can. I am you, and you are me. We have the same blood flowing in our veins now." "Serenity, is it true what they say? Are Lunars immortal?" "We are mortal and immortal. We can die, we *will* die, but I suppose our souls are eternal." "So you will live, my beautiful Serenity, and I will not. I am glad that you will endure." "Have you listened to nothing that I have said? We share the same blood, Endymion." "Then-" "Yes," she placed a finger on his lip and it was only then that he noticed she was hiding something behind her back. "Forgive me?" she asked. "For what?" "For the gift and the curse that I have laid upon you, for that is what immortality is." "If I can be with you, I don't care." Serenity's eyes shone. She brought out the object that she had hidden behind her back. It lay flat on the palm of her hand, the chain dangling down. "My gift to you, beloved." Endymion stared at the locket as it shimmered gold in the starlight. He hesitantly touched it and it began to play a melody. "Eternity," he managed to say. "Eternity," she repeated. "It's an old, old tune. I've claimed it for us, Mamo-chan, because it has endured and will endure as long as our love." He placed his hand over top of it, covering hers completely. "No, our love will endure longer." She smiled. "Of course, for forever and a day, if need be." She looked down at their hands, trying to hold back the tears forming at the corners of her eyes. Suddenly she found herself being pulled tightly into an embrace, Endymion's arms wrapped securely around her. She rested her head on his shoulder and cried through her tears, "You won't forget me?" He murmured into her hair, his chest tight with emotion, "Could I ever? My Usako, my princess, my wife." "Mamo-chan, I don't want you to go!" "I'll be here for you, whenever you need me to be. In spirit if not in body. I'll always protect you. I'll always love you." She sniffled as they separated a little, wiping at her tears with the back of her hair. "I must seem childish. I'm your wife now-I'll be brave!" "That's good." He tipped her face up and once again her eyes threatened to overflow with tears, but she held them in check. "You know, I'd be worried if you didn't miss me." "No kidding. I'd . . . be worried too." They stared at each other for an instant, then pulled her to him and they kissed with all of the passion and love they possessed. And then they parted. "Good-bye, my love." "Farewell, beloved." "My princess." "My prince." "My wife." "My husband." They looked at each other for one last lingering instant, then Endymion wrenched his gaze away and strode quickly off into the night, the locket clenched tightly in his hand. Serenity watched him go, the evening breeze playing with her hair. "Until Destiny sees fit for us to meet again, my love." *Four months later* Endymion pulled out his sword and brandished it at Beryl. She floated above her army of youma, her eyes bright with an insane light. All about Beryl and Endymion the battle raged. All four of his Generals and their armies were in it and he could only hope that Beryl had not planned another attack at the same time elsewhere. "Why can't you love me?!" Beryl screamed. "I always loved you, ever since we were little. No one ever loved me. My parents didn't love me at all. They beat me, Endy. When you and I met, I thought *finally* here's someone I can love who will love me back! But you don't! You love her, that snippety little princess. What did she ever do to deserve you, Endymion? I loved you. You were my life, but you were always too busy thinking of *her* to think of *me*!" "B-Beryl, I'm sorry, I didn't know." She softened. "I can give you another chance, Endymion. You can forget all about her and love me and we'll be happy. I can make you happy. She could never make you *really* happy, and after I kill her, you won't ever have to think about her." "You can't kill her, Beryl! I love her. I'm sorry, but I could never love you in place of her. Love doesn't work that way." "Well, fine! If you can't love me then I'll have to kill *both* of you! I won't let her have you! I won't let you be happy while I'm miserable!" "Beryl, we can be your friends! We can help you!" Endymion said desperately. "Forget it! Now, how should I kill you? Maybe I should kill you the same way I killed your parents!!!" Endymion's eyes widened in horror. "You didn't?" he pleaded, hoping she was just making that up. Maybe he could redeem *something* in her. She scowled. "Of course I did." Endymion tried to restrain the anger boiling up in him, the grief, but still his voice came out taught and shaky with anger. "How could you? HOW COULD YOU?! THEY WERE MY PARENTS!!!" Fed up, Beryl screamed, "BECAUSE THEY KILLED MY MOTHER!!!" Endymion stopped short. In a voice drained of all emotion he asked, "What do you mean?" She began to speak, rapidly, distractedly, shying away from the memory and Endymion suddenly saw things the way she must have seen them fifteen years ago . . . *Flash* Eight-year old Beryl watched as the soldiers dragged her struggling mother away. She started to run to her, but her father yanked her back, holding her arm, with a grip that hurt. "It is up to the King and Queen to decide her fate now," he intoned, dispassionately. "And unless you want to join your mother in her fate, little Beryl, you'd better mind me." Beryl struggled some more against her father, "Momma! Momma! MOMMA!!!" Her father wrenched her arm and said, hatefully, "Look, I never wanted you, brat, and I don't want you now, so if you want to go to your death like your Momma, then go ahead and join her in Hell!" Beryl sobbed, staring through the open door of their broken down shack. She whispered, "Momma." Later that day, Beryl ran into the town square just in time to hear the town crier say, "For the heinous crimes she has committed, King Gaian and Queen Terra of the Crystal Kingdom and the Golden Millennium of Earth have decreed that Morganite, last sorceress of Earth, should be put to the stake and burned." Beryl's horrified gaze shifted to where her mother stood, bound to a wooden pole over a pile of easily lit branches. "No," she whispered in a tiny voice. A man bent with a flaming torch in his hand and set fire to the kindling. Morganite gazed across the square into her daughter's eyes and smiled smugly. <> Beryl tried, she tried to feel the magic within her, but all she felt was a cold emptiness. <> The smile left Morganite's face, her eyes widening in panic and fear. <> she cried, the flames inching closer. <> She screamed, her hair rising straight into the air, fire-red, as the rising flames engulfed her, devouring her body in their hunger. "BERRRYYYLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" "NOOOOOO!!!!!" Beryl screamed. "MOMMA!!!!!!" "Look, it's the witch's daughter!" She dimly heard someone say as she stood there, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her father appeared behind her and yanked on her arm. "Come on, Beryl. Your Momma got what she deserved. Now let's go!" She roughly pulled her arm free and kept staring at the charred and blackened corpse in the flames that was all that remained of her mother. A mob of villagers started towards her. She didn't notice them until they blocked out her view of the horrible, flickering flames, and then the rage within her built, and peaked, and spilt out, until she was overflowing with it and the sweet, sweet feeling of power was rushing through her. Then she raised her arm into the air, the earth sign blazing on her forehead and pointed an index finger at her father. "Die," she whispered, then blasted him with all of the surging emotions within her, her hatred for him bubbling out. The bolt of power hit him and trapped him in agonizing spasms as it ran across his body, until it finally destroyed him with a flash of destructive light. He screamed the most agonizing scream that Beryl had ever heard any living thing make, and she relished every moment of it. Then she turned her attention to the villagers who were fleeing now in abject terror for their lives. Beryl smiled, her father's screams still echoing in her ears and said, "I let him die easy, but you let my mother die, and I am going to kill you *very* *very* slowly." She called forth her power again and directed it at the fleeing villagers until the whole village was awash with her destructive power and everywhere there were the screams of those dying in profound torment. Men, women, children, Beryl spared no one, her auburn hair flowing about her like the flames that had destroyed her mother. Her eyes flashed eerily red and her laughter rang out. Hours later, the village in flames, there was no one left but Beryl. A soldier found her outside the remains of the village and took her to the palace where she was tended to. When she awoke, Beryl began making her plan for revenge against those who had ordered the death of her mother. It would take a long, long time before her plans came to fruition, long enough for them to trust her, and for her to not be one of those suspected, but Beryl could wait. She could indeed, for one day there would be a reckoning. *Flash* As Beryl finished her tale, Endymion stared at her with horror- filled eyes. "I remember hearing of that village, that woman. Your mother cast a spell and in doing so destroyed a city, KILLING OVER THREE THOUSAND PEOPLE!!!" Beryl snarled, her eyes filled with animal rage and loathing. "I DON'T CARE!!!!" Endymion swallowed. "WhyÑwhy did you spare me?" "Because, like me, your parents didn't love you. AndÑand you're different, Endy, like me. We have the power and others fear us, but we're better than them, Endy! We can rule the world, the universe, if we want! They think that we're not good enough for them, but they're the pathetic ones, lacking power. I could teach you how to use your power, Endy. We don't need anyone else. Together we could be gods!" Endymion stared at her in disbelief, at the red light in her eyes. A sinking, despairing feeling formed in his gut. His only answer was the sound of her maniacal laughter. The battle raged on. *One month later* Endymion's confrontation with Beryl had shaken him to his core. He simply could not believe that his former friend had turned so evil. He was forced to believe it, however, when she launched an attack on the capital and captured it, the Earth Palace, and him. The Guardians, who had been elsewhere at the time, fled to the Moon where the Senshi hid them as they planned how to bring about Beryl's downfall and rescue Endymion. When they had finally finished their planning, they prepared to leave. The Senshi found them as they were preparing to teleport back to Earth. "Let us come with you," Rei said intently, putting her hand over Jadeite's as she looked into his eyes. "You helped us save our princess, now let us help you save your prince." "No, Rei. The war is coming to *you* now. You must guard your princess, Rei, and your kingdoms. If we cannot stop Beryl, then she will go after your worlds next. She hungers for power, for death and destruction. She will not hesitate to kill you." Rei's eyes began to water as she looked at him. "It is suicide to go alone. Let me come, Jade," she pleaded. "No, my love, this, we must do alone. Take care, my heart." He touched her face, then turning, he joined the others. "Guardian Teleport!" "JAAADE!!!" Rei cried, falling to her knees. "Nephrite!" "Zoisite!" "Kunzite," Minako whispered. *Earth* Endymion was chained in the dungeon. The irony was that it was *his* dungeon, of *his* palace. Beryl had taken up residence there. His whole body hurt. Beryl had had her youma lash him several times after he had refused her . . . offers. His willpower remained strong, though. All he could think of was Serenity. He filled his mind with images of her. Sweet Serenity, beautiful Serenity, clumsy Serenity, his princess, his wife. That is, that was all he could think of until his Guardians burst into the dungeon, followed by Beryl's enormous army of youma. "What the-?" Endymion began, before Zoisite slashed his wrists free of the iron and Nephrite pushed a sword into his hands. "How's it going, Endy?" Zoisite asked. "How did you-?" He never got a chance to finish as more and more youma poured into the dungeon. "Hurry, get the Hell out of here, Endy!" Jadeite cried, slashing through them, his Guardian armor blazing forth. "Go ON, my prince!" Kunzite cried, his own Guardian armor flaring forth. "But, but-" "Don't wait for us, Endy! We're just *dying* to dance with these goons!" Zoisite's Guardian armor shone as it appeared. "The Princess!" Nephrite shouted, his own armor brilliantly appearing. "Get out of here for her!" The four of them shoved him toward an exit. "GO!!!!!!" Endymion went. He ran through the familiar halls of his palace, dank and filthy now from their occupation by the youma, his breath catching in his throat. From behind him, he could hear their battle cries sounding out. "PHOENIX!!!" "GRIFFIN!!!" "Ugh, do I *really* have to say this? Oh fine, UNICORN!!!" "DRAGON!!!" The Prince of Earth stumbled out of the palace and continued to run until he was half a mile from the palace then turned to look back. <<"RRRREEEEEEEEEIIIII!!!!!!!!">> Jadeite howled his last defiant cry, his whole body and soul crying out in anguish. Then he succumbed to the darkness, her smiling face before him. <> <> <> The structure burst into flame, then crumbled and collapsed in on itself behind him. Endymion stared, his eyes wide with horror and denial. "No," escaped from his lips. Then with an incomprehensible cry of loss, he threw himself to the ground and wept. "Jadeite. Zoisite. Nephrite. Kunzite. NO! NO, DAMMIT!!! DON'T LEAVE ME!!!!" Then raising his tear-streaked face to the sky, he vowed, with all of the strength left in his body, "I WILL DESTROY YOU FOR THIS, BERYL!!! I WILL MAKE YOU *PAY* FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!!!!" Beryl snatched the stones from the lifeless bodies, cackling in triumph. Then with a vicious manipulation of dark energy, she wrenched their souls free and trapped them in their stones . . . forever. She implanted the stones in their foreheads and smiled in dark pleasure as the eyes of the corpses sprang open and glowed red in the darkness. "Welcome to the Dark Kingdom, my Dark Kings . . ." *The Moon* Endymion stumbled wearily into the throne room and collapsed. Her eyes widening in shock, Princess Serenity dashed forward and knelt at his side, disregarding the stern looks that her mother and the rest of the court were giving her. "Endymion," she pleaded, cradling his head in her lap. "Wake up now, dearest." Endymion groaned and turned his head and Princess Serenity's hands flew to her mouth as she saw the bloody gash on his temple. "Selene, help him." She knew that it was not as bad as his sword wound had been, but here, surrounded by her mother's court, he looked so vulnerable and Serenity knew that he must have been desperate to come here. She felt his pain as acutely as if it were her own, but she bore it and set it aside. It was not his wounds that troubled him most, it was his heart. It was broken, and Serenity feared what that foretold. "Mamo-chan," she asked him softly, staring at his unconscious face. "What has occurred?" She turned to her mother, tears, which she did not seem to notice, trickling silently down her face. "Mother," she said, in a sad, quiet, little lost voice, her eyes sending her mother such an eloquent look of despair and pleading that the Queen could deny her nothing. "Help him, please." Queen Serenity flinched. How could she not when he was in such a state? When her daughter had asked it of her in such a voice? Even the sorrow could not hide the newfound maturity, the strength and purpose in it. The princess *would* have her way. Briefly, Serenity wondered what had happened to her little girl to change her so, but she knew the answer. Sere had grown up. She gestured regally, and her guards moved forward. "Take him," she said and swallowed a lump in her throat as Sere clung to him, shielding his body as though they would do him harm, "Take him to the Healers." The guards advanced and carefully lifted him body between them. The princess let him go reluctantly, and kissed him tenderly before they carried him away. She watched as they left the room, then turned to her mother, and before the Queen could say a word, she said simply, her eyes filled with truth, "I love him, Mother." And Serenity could not say a word in response, especially when her daughter held up her left hand and the Queen saw the band of gold that shone there. "You cannot separate us, Mother. Endymion and I, are one. Throughout eternity." Queen Serenity smiled sadly, unable to stop looking into her daughter's resolute eyes, "I know, Sere. I know." "Endymion," came a clear, loving voice and Endymion propped himself up to see Princess Serenity seated at the foot of his bed. "Usako." "Why did you come?" she asked, looking at him worriedly. "I mean, I'm certainly glad that you're safe, but why did you come alone? Why did the Guardians not accompany you, my love? You were badly injured . . ." Endymion looked away. "Serenity, something's happened." She stood and walked to the head of his bed and knelt down before him. She put her left hand on his and reached up to touch his face. He flinched as though in pain. "What is the matter, love? Tell me what it is that pains you so." "Can you not guess?" he countered, his voice hard as he gazed off into the distance, unseeing. Her hand squeezed his a little tighter, and rising she said as she turned to leave, "Yes, I can, my love. Your pain is mine. Mine is my Senshi's even as your Guardians' is yours. I can guess, Endymion, and the thought makes me weep inside and my heart breaks into a million pieces over them. How shall I tell my Senshi, Endymion?" Endymion winced at the bitterness in her voice. Serenity had never before been bitter. It was not in her to be anything but happy or sad. Bitterness was as alien to the sweetness of her nature as the forces of the Dark Kingdom on Earth. "Serenity!" he called out before she could leave. "I don't know what to do without them! They were my friends . . . and more than that!" He tasted salt on his lips and realized that he was crying. "They were like . . . brothers to me." "I know," she said, turning and he saw that she was fighting tears. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. They both wept quietly for a time and even after her tears had stopped, his still would not slow. <> <> She held him as the tears coursed down his cheeks and he wept for the first time in her embrace. "Mamo-chan," she murmured, rocking him slightly, as a mother would rock a child, "I love you, too. With all of my heart, I love you. 'Till the end of time." Then she raised his face to hers and kissed away his tears. <> <> he thought, as she laid him down in his bed and pulled the covers up around him, kissing his lips. "Good night, my husband," she murmured sadly, "Good night, my prince." And he slept the sleep of a child who has found peace at last. "Come, my Shadows," Beryl shrieked. "The time has come to destroy this pitiful Moon Kingdom once and for all! Endymion will not escape me again! The Moon Princess will be made to PAY for what she has done! Queen Serenity will BOW before me and offer up her daughter's life as a sacrifice!!! COME MOTHER, AID ME!!! I, BERYL, YOUR DAUGHTER, SORCERESS OF EARTH DO SUMMON YOU!!! MOTHER, HEED ME!!!!!!" A dark shadowy figure seeped up from the ground, the outline of long wavy hair barely visible. <> Beryl laughed. "You cannot harm me now, Mother. Your power, it is now MINE!!! You placed too much faith on a scared little girl. You should have known that as long as you lived I could not have full use of my powers! You were using me, Mother, and now I will use YOU!!! SHADOWS!!!" she screamed. The Seven came forth from the darkness, surrounding the dark spirit. "DEVOUR HER!!!" Beryl laughed, her eyes blazing red in enjoyment. The Shadows massed forth and overtook the lone spirit, consuming her. As she died for the second time, the spirit wailed, <> "Yes, Mother, I am your daughter," Beryl said, her eyes burning brighter. <> "It already is, Mother. It already is." The spirit let out one more cry and then it was gone. The Seven Shadows turned blazing hungry red eyes on Beryl. She smirked. "Now that you have had your snack, it is time for the feast to begin. The Moon Kingdom will be nothing more than dust when I am through with it, and Endymion will be MINE!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!" Endymion paused beneath her balcony. "Princess Serenity," he called. "Prince Endymion," she responded, astonished to see him up and about. "Princess, I should not be here," he murmured, and she suddenly knew why he was being so formal. Her mother may have accepted the fact that they were in love, but she didn't have to like it. "I must speak with you, though. That sorceress, Beryl, is even now leading her armies against Earth. I fear she has already taken my kingdom and brainwashed my subjects to her cause." Serenity thought desperately. "Serenity," he said, a pleading look suddenly in his eyes, "you must be cautious. She is coming after the Moon next! Serenity, promise me-" He turned and they both heard the clatter of armor. "I must go," he said shortly. "Good-bye, my princess. We may very well not meet again." He looked at her one last lingering instant more, then took of down the path. Serenity watched as the Royal Guard clattered after him, yelling for him to "Halt, in the name of the moon!" she thought confidently to herself. Then she spoke aloud, her voice sounding suddenly frightened in the stillness of the room. "Beryl, coming here? No, it cannot be! She will not take over the Moon! I, Serenity, daughter of Serenity, do swear that Beryl will never have the Moon for her own. By Selene, she shall not if I and my Senshi have any say about it." She determinedly swept from the room. Then she stopped short. "I will not allow that witch to take my kingdom from me." She strode on. Luna watched her from a shadowed corner in the corridor. She saw what Serenity had seen earlier. Princess Serenity swept down the stairs, her hand trailing along the banister. She felt someone catch hold of her wrist and arrest her motion. She turned, startled, and the sight that met her eyes startled her even more. "Endymion," she breathed. He gave a gallant bow and said, "May I be so bold as to request a dance, my princess?" His eyes looked up at her through his mask and their intense blue gazed on her lovingly. "It could be our last," he said in a low voice. Serenity wanted nothing more than to fling herself into his arms and hold him until the world came to pieces around them, but instead, she only nodded, not trusting herself to speak. He drew her onto the dance floor and they danced together to the music. As they danced, Serenity was aware that she and this mysterious masked man were drawing stares, but she cared not in the least. "You came," she whispered, when he was holding her in his arms. "How could I miss the last dance of the millennium?" he replied, holding her closer. "As I said before, it could be our last and if it is, the only way I want to end my life is holding you." Serenity rested her head on his shoulder. "I don't want this to ever end. This dance . . . this life." "But dearest," he murmured, "all things must end. It is the nature of life." "But not so soon," she countered. "Not so soon. Our time has not yet come, my prince. We have our whole lives ahead of us, why can't we live them?" "We've done more living in this past year than most people have done in their whole lifetimes. Don't fret, love, we're not going to give up without a fight." "Will you fight, Endymion?" "For you, for my people, for Earth, for the Moon, yes, I will fight. Till the bitter end if I must. I won't let you go without a fight. I've said that before and I meant it, and I mean it now." "Endymion, do we really stand a chance against Beryl? Can we truly defeat her?" "We have weapons that she will never possess, angel of my heart. We have our love. For that I am willing to fight her and her minions alone." "You are not alone," she whispered, resting her cheek against his. "You are never alone, Endymion. Mamo-chan. Never forget that." "I won't." "But Endymion, she has love too. She loves you. Isn't that enough for her to prevail?" "There is a difference between love and lust. She may have loved me once, but when the true Beryl was destroyed through her own evil and Metallia took over, there is nothing left but hatred, jealousy, rage, and the need for revenge. She can no longer feel love. She has become a minion of the Dark Kingdom in more than name. They have her soul." "Can she not be saved?" "You are so trusting, Serenity. So innocent, still. I want you to stay that way, forever. I want you to always be my Usako." "I always will." "No, darling, you are already beyond that. You are not mine, I am yours, my beautiful, beautiful, Serenity." "No, Mamo-chan, we do not belong to each other. As I told Beryl once and as she could not understand, we belong *with* each other. For eternity." "Eternity, my Usa." They kissed and as their lips met and they both felt the outpouring of love from each other, a huge resounding explosion was heard from outside. It shook the ballroom and pieces of the ceiling began falling. Endymion held Serenity tightly to him, and shielded her with his body from the raining rubble. "Serenity!" he yelled over the raucous din as people began screaming and Luna and Artemis ran through, shouting for everyone to get to battle stations and fend off the attack. She looked up at him with frightened but strangely resolute eyes. "She's come hasn't she?" "Yes, my princess. Now, you have to get to safety!" Towing her along, he began pushing his way through the panicked crowd. "I don't want to leave you!" she cried. He pulled her to him again and murmured into her hair, "I love you, Usa. I will always love you. Now, GO!" He pushed her through the crowd towards an exit and started off in the other direction towards the sounds of the attack. "ENDYMION!" she cried as the crowd carried her away. He turned, looking at her searchingly. "I love you! Forever, my prince! Forever, my husband!" He nodded, then turned about again and ran towards the fighting. Serenity let the crowd carry her away now, but as they went, she couldn't help but worry for his safety, for the safety of the others, and she offered up a prayer to the Goddess Selene. <> Ikuko knelt, the silver robes flowing about her as she pressed her hands together in prayer. Kenji, holding Shingo in his arms, watched her silently. Kenji knelt next to her, gently placing Shingo on the ground slightly in front of both of them. He took her hand in his and they exchanged a shaky smile. Then together they bowed their heads and murmured, "Selene the merciful, Goddess of the Moon, protect this, your kingdom, against the forces of darkness . . ." Princess Serenity wept into her hands, her slender frame shaking and racked from sobs. She had found her way to her own quarters where she was awaiting the end of her world in darkness. "If only . . ." she sobbed, "if only I could protect him . . . like he always protects me. I can't let him go . . . I would give up my life . . . to protect the one I love!" She broke down completely, crying her heart out. Luna watched her from the shadows. <'I would give up my life . . . to protect the one I love!'> she thought to herself. She turned and ran down the hallway. Beryl laughed in amusement as she sent forth her Dark Kings. "Find the Sailor Senshi and DESTROY them!!!" "Yes, my Queen," they intoned. And Beryl laughed . . . Mars looked at Jadeite as he entered the room. "Does our love burn brightly now?" he asked with a bitter laugh. Sailor Mars's gaze was steady, as she said slowly and sadly, "Yes, until there is nothing left but ashes." He stared at her for an instant, unbelieving as she raised her hands in the gesture he knew all too well. <> the soul within him cried in torment. She heard him, he knew that she did, but she simply bit her lower lip until it bled and lowered her tear-bright eyes for an instant in pain. He struck. He charged forward, knocking her off balance and pinning her to the wall, his hand tight around her neck. She struggled, crying out as he hurt her, desperately searching for the *real* him in his eyes. All she could see was the darkness in his soul, the red power flickering in his eyes and she knew that he had at that instant been totally consumed. He was dead to her. With a cry of pain, she knocked him away and wrenched free of his grip. They stared at each other from across the room. He laughed madly as she struggled for breath. She had hoped with all of her heart that this moment would never come, when the two of them would be forced to choose sides. But it had. As she raised her hand to kill him, Rei knew that she was killing herself. <> "FIREEEEEEEEE!!!!!" The rivers of flame shot forth, consuming him as the evil had before. His form flickered in the blaze and the stone, glinting green, fell from his forehead. His eyes flashed to life for one last instant as he looked on his love. He smiled as his head fell back and he fell, the flames burning with a clear light along the length of his body. He stretched a hand out to her as he lay on the ground, striving to reach her through the flames. She reached for him but could not touch him. A tear trailed down his cheek as he viewed his love for one last time before his eyes closed forever. <> was his thought, quietly loving. <> Then the flames blazed higher and engulfed him. Rei buried her face in her hands and wept, sinking to her knees. <> "JADE!" came the broken scream. "JAAAAADEEEEEE!" ~Fly, Firebird, into the reddened sky. Fly, Firebird, upon your wings up high. Blaze with flames of our passionate love. Take the world by storm from the fires above. ~Burn, Firebird, with the heat of my love. Burn, Firebird, from the blazes above. Flames engulf you like the fire in my heart. I'm nothing without you. Why must we part? ~Blaze, Firebird, with the spark in your eye. Blaze, Firebird, with the flame from you and I. The heat of your flames is burning up my soul. We're both burning up, out of control! ~Fly, Firebird, into the darkening sky, Fly, Firebird, from our passion on high. Flicker with the ember that sizzles in my soul. Setting me aflame, burning out of control! ~Fly, Firebird, into the reddened sky. Fly, Firebird, upon your wings up high. Flames engulf you like the fire in my heart. I'm nothing without you. Why must we part? ~Firebird, why can't we beÑ The flame that burns throughout all eternity? Firebird, why must we part? I don't why, but you are breaking my heart. ~Why must we part? ~Firebird~ Sailor Jupiter let the tears fall as Nephrite glared at her. "The stars know all, and today is the day of your death!" "Nephrite!" "Do not address me with such familiarity! I am a Dark King!" He gathered forth a large mass of dark energy and blasted her with it, chuckling as he did so. She screamed as she fell, her vision nearly blacking out. "Nephrite, listen! The stars . . . can you hear them? Their song is *so* beautiful," she pleaded with him. "It is *our* song! The song that we danced to! Do you remember?" He paused for an instant, then, "No." He blasted her again. Sobbing with the effort, she got to her feet. "I-I can't let you go. You'd hurt, Sere, and Endymion. Duty, Nephrite! Do you remember your duty? We're, both of us, people of duty before anything else . . . even love. You were right again . . . and I know that you'd want this, because you would NEVER betray your prince! I'll do this for duty and for love! Love first, Nephrite." She staggered over to him and kissed him full on the lips. Their eyes met as she said, "Then duty." Unable to look away from his eyes, she called forth her power. "LIGHTNING!" and struck him down. Then he whispered out, "Mako . . . chan." "Nephrite?!" she shrieked, the tears coursing down her cheeks. He reached up a hand and she took it and as she did so his eyes closed. "NEPHRITE!" ~The stars only shine in the darkest of night I won't be beaten without a fight! ~The crash of the thunder The flash of the lightning Why do you insist that we keep on fighting? ~I would fight a thousand battles I would die for you I would wish upon a star To make our dreams come true! ~The light of the stars Shines in your eyes The way that you love me Is no surprise ~We can love as only those can Who know the stars' wanderings I open up my heart to you And it flies on gilded wings ~This is my love for you. Let it shine pure and true. I want to be held by you My only love.~ Sailor Mercury flinched as Zoisite struck her again and again, as he laughed. "Zoisite," she moaned, "stop, please . . ." "What, you don't like it?!" "Zoisite . . ." She looked up at him and through her tears . . . she smiled. "I love you. No riddles now, just the truth. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone." He stopped for an instant frozen by that smile. "If you kissed me, I would smile. You're the only one, Zoisite, who's ever been able to make me do that. You told me to overcome my limitations and I have. I can say it now, Zoisite. Do you want to listen? I love you." Zoisite found that he still could not move. It was as though a willpower stronger than his own was holding him in place. <> "ICE!!!!!" And then he was frozen forever in that position, a bewildered look on his face as he gazed out of a block of solid ice. The smile melted off her face and she fell to her knees in front of him, curling herself up into a little ball. "Zoisite," she sobbed. ~The cold Why does it hurt in such a way? The cold Why can't I make it go away? ~I will smile through my tears Shaking off my bitterness I will smile at my fears Waiting for your kiss ~The warmth of your touch Melts the ice of my heart When I'm with you I never want to part ~I just want to be In your embrace Why can't you just see That I'll win this race? ~Nothing can stop me when I smile for you! Nothing can stop my dreams from coming true! I will always love only you! And my smiles are forever . . . yours.~ Sailor Venus stared at Kunzite as he moved towards her, evil in his eyes. "We will kill the Serenity and the Princess for our Queen, and then this Kingdom will be ours, and so too shall the universe!" He laughed, a sickening sound. Her strength evaporating in an instant, she fell to her knees in despair. Torment engulfed her disbelieving eyes. she thought desperately to herself. He advanced stealthily, wary of her even when he could not think for himself, the darkness in his eyes terrible to behold. But even so, there was only one course of action, and she couldn't bring herself to implement it. "You will die, Sailor Venus," Kunzite whispered menacingly. He had forgone his weapon as he knew that no weapon could harm her. He raised his arms, blue energy glowing about his fingertips as he massed his strength for one powerful blast. He was still watching her warily, but the Senshi made no move against him. In fact, she did not move at all. Sailor Venus was still in the position that she had fallen to before, her arms braced against the floor to hold her up, but she was not facing Kunzite. She was staring, unseeing, at the ground, tears falling unnoticed from her eyes, her hair hiding her face from view. She was as still as a statue, trapped in her indecision between her love and her duty. Then the princess's terrified scream could be heard and Minako shut her eyes to block out all of the images of the princess in distress that her mind conjured up. But the princess, she couldn't let the princessÑshe couldn't let Serenity die. Kunzite brought down his arms, ready to blast her apart where she sat, kneeling on the floor beneath him. "DIE!" he screamed, releasing the tremendous force of his energy, enhanced by Metallia's control over him. Sailor Venus brought her head up rapidly, turning to face him and the huge blast of blue energy headed her way. Her face was wet with tears and the agony in her eyes was horrible to behold as she stuck out her right hand, fingers splayed apart, and whispered, "Love . . ." The beam of yellow-gold power that grew and shot forth from her hand was so intense that it completely obliterated the wash of blue energy and, not even slowing, continued racing toward its target. As soon as it slammed into Kunzite, it burned a hole through him, killing him instantly. Minako could only see the look of surprise in his eyes as he died, and the light of his soul returned. Then he was stretched out on the ground, dead, with a strangely peaceful expression on his face. The grey uniform that he had been wearing melted away to reveal his armor underneath, and as his clothes reappeared, so too did his stone. Minako did not see it fall from his forehead, into its accustomed place around his neck. The chain that held the green stone he wore around his neck snapped, and the rock fell to the ground. Unnoticed, a watery blue light engulfed it and in that instant it was as though something was saying, "At last, peace." Feeling that she had just destroyed any chance of redemption, Minako buried her face in his body and wept, knowing that she would never stop mourning his loss or the loss of her soul. But, it was for a greater cause, a greater purpose. Serenity was the meaning to her life. The only meaning left now . . . ~Golden light Shining from my heart You look into my eyes And make me fall apart ~How do you do it? How can you make me feel this way? How do you manage To just by smiling, brighten my day? ~I wanted nothing I didn't want be with you But somehow things changed And without you, I don't know what to do ~I never wanted to ever hurt you I knew you never wanted to hurt me But sometimes, you hurt the ones you love And the hurt you cause, you just can't see! ~Why must we go on Hurting one another? Why must we go on Without each other? ~I can't stand it! Let's never part A promise that's made Straight from the heart ~I don't where to start But I know that together Anything that tries to stop us We can weather ~Don't kiss me good-bye I would never leave you Keep faith in my love I would never deceive you ~We're two of a kind Loving each other Never knowing what's in store Troubles light as a feather ~Keep me in your heart And we will never part We'll make a brand-new start Just remember me~ Mars stared down at the heap of ashes that was all that remained of her love. "Jade," she whispered, her strength spent. Off to one side, the light struck the edge of a green stone and in a trance-like state, Mars picked it up. Then scrambling to her feet, she ran off in search of the princess. Makoto gently closed his eyes and averted her face, the tears starting fresh. She couldn't bear to see him like *that*. As she started to stand, her fingers brushed against something hard and picking up the stone without knowing why, she let herself look at him once last time, then fled the room, searching for the princess. Ami stared at his frozen form, forcing back the tears. She brushed a hand over the surface of the ice. It contorted into a fist and she pounded on the ice, tears pricking at her eyes as she slid helplessly to the ground. As she landed on her knees, still facing the ice, her hand touched something warm and looking down she saw a green stone. Picking it up, she stared at it, then tightened her grip around it. Slowly, she rose, still struggling with her tears and left to find the princess. Venus lifted her tear-streaked face from his body as she felt someone, no *something* call for her. She felt strangely drawn to the stone and picked it up, clutching it tightly to her with her hand as she ran off to find the princess. Endymion doubled over in pain as the pain that he had felt before at his Guardian's deaths overcame him again. "Oh gods, not again. Images flashed before his mind. Red, burning, searing fire. One last look . . . <> said a thought that was not his own. Blazing, crashing, brilliant lightning. The feel of her hand in his . . . <> came another thought. Clear, cold, freezing ice . . . <> Golden, arching, pure energy. The look in her eyes that told him how much she truly loved him. <> And Endymion knew what had occurred. He screamed at the sky. "WHY?!! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DO THIS TO THEM?!!! THEY WERE HAPPY!!! They were happy." He crumpled to the ground, his loss overcoming him. The Senshi came upon him like that, as they each ran into six-way intersection in the corridors and saw the others. Endymion did not look up when they all, by silent mutual agreement, walked to him. "Endymion," Sailor Venus said softly, placing her hand on his shoulder as she came up behind him. "Endymion, get up. It is too late for this, they were loved, they will be mourned, but not now. The time when we could afford to be that selfish has passed. The princess needs us now. Endymion, get up." The prince craned his neck to look at her, at them all, but mostly at her, Venus. Tears ran down her cheeks, but for once there was no despair in her eyes, only love, bright and shining. For an instant she looked like his Usako. "He loved you, you know," he said, tiredly. She smiled back slowly, tears dripping from her eyes. She answered in a quiet voice, "I know." And Endymion knew why the despair had vanished, even if the pain had not. Venus knew, they all knew, that they had loved and been loved in return, and for them, it was enough. They had a duty now, one that could not wait, the princess needed them. "Give me a hand up," he said. Venus held out a hand to him and he clasped it, getting to his feet. They stood there for an instant, looking into each others eyes. <> <> <> <> A scream rent the air. "Princess!" everyone cried. Endymion and Venus let go of each others hands with a start. "This way!" Endymion shouted, pointing down a corridor. He could feel her, his Usako was close. Everyone nodded, then began to run. "Here, Endymion," Venus shouted tossing something at him as they ran. He felt a jolt as he caught it, then gazed down at it in disbelief. "It's-" "Kunzite, I know!" she cried, naming the stone. Endymion glanced at her for an instant, then looked back down at the stone. "Why are you giving me this?" he managed to choke out. "I found it with Kunzite when he . . ." "I know." "I-I don't really know what drew me to it, but somehow, it just felt right that I take it . . . and giving it to you is the right thing to do." "Venus, no, I can't take this. Kunzite-he would want you to have it." "But it is for you. It is meant *for* you. Take care of it for me. It will give you strength." <> a familiar voice echoed in his head. Venus flinched for an instant, then shook her head and kept running. "Thank you, Venus. You don't know what you're giving me." "Endymion here!" the other three Senshi called. He looked up to see three green stones hurtling at him from three different directions. He let out a blast of white energy and the stones slowed and gracefully full into his outstretched hand. He whispered their names as he came in contact with each one. "Zoisite, Nephrite . . . Jadeite." He looked around at all of the Senshi. Their eyes were moist with tears. "Thank you, minna. Thank you." "We loved them," Mars said, turning her gaze away from him. "They knew that," Ami added, likewise turning away. "We knew that," Makoto finished, glancing away. "The stones are yours, Endymion. Their duty is not finished yet," Minako said calmly. Then ran outside where they found Serenity being confronted by Beryl who was blasting her again and again with dark energy. "SERENITY!!!" Mamoru screamed, throwing a rose, that he had suddenly discovered in his hand, between the two. He quickly took advantage of the distraction it caused to move in front of the Princess to take the blasts. The Senshi launched their attacks but she shrugged them off and shouted, "SHADOWS!!!" The Seven Shadows appeared and surrounded the Senshi, eager to devour them, souls and all. The Senshi threw attack after attack at them, but nothing affected them and they kept coming closer and closer and closer . . . The Senshi soon found that they were too involved in trying to survive to do anything else. "Leave her," Beryl shouted, "and I will spare you!" "Never! I love Serenity with all of my heart! She is my wife!!!" He lifted his left hand and Beryl saw the band of gold glinting at her. She gave a howl of anguish and screamed, "Fine then, if you choose to stay with the pitiful Moon Princess, then I shall just have to *DESTROY* YOU BOTH!!! Starting with you, ENDYMION!" Beryl snickered as she struck Endymion with her dark power, lifting him up with a vortex of winds. Princess Serenity ran after him, despair in her face. "Endymion, NO!!! I want to be with you! *Nothing* will ever separate us! I LOVE YOU!!!" She took a deep breath and leapt into the winds and they carried her up . . . up. "SERENITY, NO!!!!" But it was too late. "MAMO-CHAN!" she cried, *her* name for *him*. "USAKO!" he screamed back, stretching out his arm. She reached for his hand, and they just touched before Beryl blasted them apart. But it was enough, to have been touching when they died. Not even Beryl heard them whisper "I love you" as the blast hit them. There was a flash of light as their wedding rings disappeared. They floated upwards, toward Beryl. Tears fell from Princess Serenity's closed eyes; her last, shed not for herself, but for her love. Dying, the Senshi stared in shock as the victorious Seven Shadows loomed over them. It had been their duty to protect the queen and the princess, the princess and the queen, with their lives if necessary, but having given their lives, the truth that presented itself to them was not a pleasant one. They had given their all . . . and they had failed. Failed. The word echoed in their consciousnesses as though they were all one being, erasing any nobility that their deaths might have had at another time. There was no nobility in an unforgivable defeat. The thought could have been voiced by any of them, but was voiced by all. "I'm sorry, Sere," Rei said weakly. "I wasn't strong enough to save you, my friend . . . my best friend . . ." And then the flame that was Sailor Mars flickered out. " . . . should've held out longer . . . I wasn't good enough! Sere, forgive me . . ." Thus, Sailor Jupiter finally lost the strength that had kept her alive and gave in to her terrible wounds. "Sere, I should have known how to defeat them! I should have been able to find their weaknesses. I'm sorry. That's all I can say, and I know that it's not enough." And so Sailor Mercury slipped into a cold oblivion. "I know I'm unforgivable. I've forgone any kind of redemption. I have sinned and no amount of cleansing can ever purify me. My soul is lost to me, but I don't regret killing for you. I loved him, but I loved you more, my sister-in-spirit, my princess-friend. You were the only meaning in my life, and I only regret killing for myself and failing you. Of my two faults, I regret failing you more. I am ashamed, Sere. I-I am unworthy of serving you, protecting you, but you gave me back a little of my humanity. Thank you for that. My princess, I guess you found yourself. In the end, your life had more meaning than mine. You lived my life the way *I* wanted to, but couldn't. I'm glad you got the chance to be happy . . . I'm sorry you couldn't stay that way. Sere, if ever I get the chance again, I'll make sure that you're always happy! Always, Sere . . ." The life that was Sailor Venus ended, but her love did not dim. It shone and grew until her spirit could be felt, happy for once. Her love did not die, would never die, imbuing the fallen with golden light. Queen Serenity rushed up, too late, and fell to her knees at the sight before her. "NOOOO!!!" she cried, grief-stricken with loss. "Not my daughter! SERENITY!" The two cats ran up behind her and stared at the scene. Tears ran down Luna's face. "Not the princess! Beryl, you witch! There's no heart in you." Beryl thought wickedly. She missed the flash of defiance in Serenity's eyes; the anguish, the same that had been in her daughter's. Serenity however, had a weapon, and she knew how to use it. She got to her feet. Steel rang in her voice as she spoke. "You have defiled Earth, destroyed my kingdom, killed my foster daughters by turning their loves against them, and killed the prince of Earth, BUT YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE ONLY THING I HAVE LEFT!!!! YOU SHALL NOT TAKE MY DAUGHTER, YOU HEARTLESS DEMON!!!" She raised the crescent moon wand aloft and shouted, "MOON HEEAALLING ESCAAALAAATIIIOOOONNNN!!!!!" And they were gone. They were all gone. Serenity heard their screams as she removed them from existence, saw them all melt away into the light of the silver crystal, the seven shadows being captured first, but the only thing she cared about at that moment was Serenity, Princess Serenity. <> She felt a wave of weakness wash over her. <> She sent the Silver Crystal forth, glittering with the light of the stars. It hovered above her, above the ruin that had been the Silver Millennium, and then it sent forth a brilliant white light. Serenity stared up at it, the light blinding. <> Then she was overcome with weariness and the crescent moon wand fell from her grasp. As she slipped into oblivion, a figure appeared to her, shining and outlined with light. <> He held out a hand to her and she took it, smiling. Her eyes shone as she said, <> <> Men can be weak, and so can women, but each can be as strong as the power they hold within themselves, in their hearts. Luna and Artemis watched as their Queen made her last, ultimate sacrifice. They were awed, and they were humbled. Most of all, they were proud. Proud that their Queen had been willing to make such a sacrifice. Proud that the princess had found something worth living for, worth dying for. Proud that the Senshi had done their duty, to protect the princess, no matter what, even if it was in death. But Luna had a different duty. Hers, was to live for her princess, to advise her, to remain when all else had passed away. Her true duty, though, the one entrusted to her and hers throughout the ages, was to find the one, the Senshi who could never be defeated, even in death. And Luna knew that she had found her. The crescent moon wand, falling from their Queen's grasp, let out a light and placed the two cats into two cat capsules. They began to rise into space, and below them they could imagine the atmosphere of the moon bleeding off into the vacuum of space, the plants and animals already dead and dying from Metallia's attack. And they wept. The Moon Kingdom was no more. It had returned to barrenness from which it had begun. Luna and Artemis drifted in their cat capsules, floating along the path that the children of the moon had taken to Earth . . . and the future. Luna looked over at Artemis fondly, he was already asleep. Ah well, he deserved it for once. Luna struggled to raise her head a little and look up, through the cat capsule to the starry heavens. She caught a glimpse of a figure, dressed in white and she smiled as best a cat could, before closing her eyes. Her thoughts drifted from her to the princess as she herself drifted off into the oblivion of sleep that was promised her until she needed to awaken again, so that she in turn could awaken the Sailor Senshi and the power within them. She let out a quiet purr as she thought of the princess. <> They all drifted in the void of space toward Earth, their destination. Tears gathered in the corners of the Inner Senshi's shut eyes. <> Their voices drifted to them, as they too, floated towards Earth. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> all of the voices whispered, before there was a flash of silver light, and they were . . . reborn. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * The Inner Senshi awoke from where they had fallen asleep in the hospital. Rei moaned from where she had collapsed next to Makoto in the waiting room, when she had gone to give them an update. Makoto roused herself from where she had fallen unconscious of the blue couch. Ami stirred on the other couch, and Minako groaned from the chair, a fashion magazine falling from her lap. "What happened?" Minako asked, blinking. "I don't know," Makoto said. "I just fell asleep." "Me too." Rei rubbed her eyes. Ami yawned. "I did too." Minako's eyes suddenly snapped open. "Energy drain?" she asked quietly. The others stared at her then each other. "Nah," they all said. "Still, Ami, maybe you'd better check with your computer," Makoto suggested. Ami complied but shook her head in a negative. "Nothing, sorry." "Don't be," Rei said. "I don't want to have to worry about some monster at a time like this." Everyone nodded in agreement. "Hey, you guys," Rei began slowly. "I had a really weird dreamÑ" "About the Moon Kingdom?" Mako asked quietly. "And the Guardians?" Ami added. "And love?" Minako murmured in a low voice. Rei nodded, her eyes wide. "You guys didn'tÑ" "We did." They all stared at each other for a long moment, then Minako sobbed out, "I miss him! And we killed them!" The four girls began to cry quietly, comforting and holding each other as they sought relief through their tears for their grief. When they all finally stopped crying, they whispered their thoughts to one another. Rei rubbed away her tears roughly and said, "It's not over. We'll meet again someday." Makoto agreed. "Yeah, things can't end this way." "I have faith that things will be all right." Ami smiled. A weak smile to be sure, but it helped. "We *all* have faith," Minako said, more serious than anyone had ever heard her, "but right now, we all have to be strong, for Usagi." was the unspoken thought of all of them. Rei got to her feet. "It's been hours since I left. Mamoru must be wondering where I've gotten to. I'll go get that pot of coffee I promised him. I'll tell you how she is when I see her." Minako let a ghost of a smile cross her lips. "We'll all talkÑ later. Usagi too. I bet we're not the only ones with weird dreams." "No takers on that bet." Makoto stretched. "C'mon Ami-chan, let's get something to eat." "All right, Mako-chan." "You coming, Minako-chan?" Makoto paused to ask. "Naw, I'm not that hungry." Mako shot her a sympathetic look. "We'll bring you back something." The four of them parted ways. Rei to look for a pot of coffee, Makoto and Ami to get something for the cafeteria, and Minako to just sit and think. As they each left, all of them wondered, The answer that came to all of them was no. Minako sat in the chair, her knees pulled up against her and her arms wrapped around them as she rested her chin on her knees. "Kunzite," she whispered. "My love . . ." * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * A white light blazes and two rings fall into Sailor Pluto's outstretched palm. They gleam gold in the light of the Place that is Beyond all Places, the world apart from Time. Sailor Pluto stares at the rings for an instant, then closes her hand tightly and gripping her staff she disappears. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * There is a flash of silver light. Two voices drift in the void. <> <> <> <> Then his presence is gone, but her essence smiles. <> Then she too is gone. The glitter of the stars was visible as the children off the moon bridged the gap between the moon to the earth. Encased in their spheres of frozen moonbeams, they shone like the very stars in the heavens. As they reached the earth, each winked out of existence and out of that time, into the future. Into their new lives . . . and they were reborn. The crystal sparkled in space for an instant, then with a bright flare of white light, and trailing silver sparkles, it exploded into seven gems, each containing one of the colors of the rainbow and the essence of a shadow. They too flew towards Earth . . . to be reborn. A thousand years after the destruction of the Silver Millennium, two sparkling capsules came to rest in an alley in Tokyo, Japan and two cats stepped out. Luna looked at Artemis, Artemis looked at Luna, and though they remembered little of their past lives, they knew their mission. Running off in different directions, they set off, their mission firmly in mind. The Search begins anew. Three year-old Usagi stirred and sat bolt upright, staring up at the moon. Six year-old Mamoru stirred and sat bolt upright, staring up at the moon. They stared at the moon. They slept and voices echoed in their dreams. <> Mamoru sat on his cot in the hospital, crying. His parents were dead and he was all alone. His best friend was leaving him. There was no one who cared about him. He felt a touch and heard a voice. Looking up, he saw a three- year old girl looking at him. Their eyes met and both knew, they were going to be friends. They talked for a little while. The girl offered him a rose and then she left and he was alone again. But in his heart, there was something new, and he knew that they would meet again, and so did she. *Eleven years later* Usagi balled up the test and threw it behind her. It hit Chiba Mamoru on the head. He let out a yelp of annoyance and she turned in surprise. He was looking at her test, but once he felt her eyes upon him, he looked straight at her and insulted her. Annoyed, she snatched back the test, but as their hands touched, she hesitated for just an instant and so did he. Then she had the test in her hand and stormed off, muttering imprecations about him under her breath. He stared after her. Later, as their meeting crossed her mind, she would think, And so it began again. The timeless story of a timeless love. Fated to repeat throughout eternity until at last, they could be together, forever. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Usagi's eyes fluttered open as her dream came to an end. "Mamo-chan?" she asked weakly. He looked up at her, relief in his eyes. "Usako. Usako, you're all right!" She smiled at him. What was he talking about, of course she was all right. They had all been reborn, given a second chance at life. At love. Then she remembered the monster and the fire. Leaping . . . leaping to protect him. "Oh," she said as she remembered. "Yes, I'm all right." He leaned over to kiss her. "I'm so glad." "I had the strangest dream . . ." Mamoru looked at her. "What about?" "It was all about usÑour past selves that is. Except, it was so clear, it wasn't like a dream at all." Mamoru looked at her in hesitant understanding. "I don't suppose it had me saving youÑnumerous timesÑand us meeting in a clearing filled with roses a lot?" "Yes, and Lady Beryl was in love with you, and I called myself Tsukino Usagi and you called yourself Chiba Mamoru when we met for the second time when we weren't little kids." He looked at her, "And Pluto came after you passed out one time to take you back to the moon but later you came back . . ." " . . . And then I went back again and you and your Guardians went to the moon!" "And Luna attacked me!" They looked at each other, and exhaled loudly. Usagi smiled. "I don't suppose it was just a dream." "No, I don't suppose it was." Her locket, which had been carefully placed on the dresser, opened and started to play. "Eternity," she whispered, gazing at Mamoru. "Eternity," he said back, taking the locket and placing in her hand. It continued to play their melody as they lost themselves in each other's eyes. Blue gazed into blue. An instant later, they both smiled and the mutual gaze was broken. Usagi looked around and started to sit up. Mamoru gently pushed her back down. "Don't get up, you're still weak." "But where's everyone else?" she asked, stubbornly propping herself up a bit more. Mamoru quirked a smile at her as he adjusted the bed so that she could sit up easily. "You've been in critical for a week. Everyone's in the waiting room, except for my dear sister Rei who went to get me some coffee." "Your "dear sister"?" she asked incredulously, settling herself against the bed. "I'll explain later. Oh and if anyone comes in and asks while I go get them, I'm your husband, Chiba Mamoru." At that she smiled again. She remembered what she had done that time with the motorcycle accident as well. "Of course you are, Mamo-chan." He smiled back at her and took one of her hands in his. "I really shouldn't make them wait any longer, but I don't want to leave you." "I don't want you to leave, either. Maybe we should just wait until "sister" Rei comes back with your coffee." "I guess so." He smile faded and his eyes grew concerned again and filled with anguish. "Usako, I have to know, why did you get between that flaming rafter and me?" "I would give my life to protect you," she answered simply and truthfully. "Then that wasn't just a part of the dream." "No, it's the truth." "Usako, I don't want you to die protecting me. I don't want you to even try. I couldn't ever bear losing you. And I really couldn't bear losing you if you died for me." Usagi looked at him not looking at her. She said very softly, "You'll always protect me won't you?" "Of course." "And I'll always try to protect you too. You don't know how much it hurts, seeing you get hurt because of me. I can't bear it. I won't lose you, because you're too busy watching out for me to watch your own back. We're partners, and that means taking a fair share. If I ever lost you again, then I would have nothing left." "Usako," he said, his voice hard, "don't try to protect me. You don't have to. I want to protect you, because you're the most important thing in the world to me." Usagi's eyes started to flash angrily. "I won't stop trying to protect you, Mamo-chan. I know I don't have to protect you. Like you, I *want* to. You can't expect any less of me." She smiled to try and lessen the tension between them. "That's what Sailor Moon was created for, after all. To protect the one I love from harm." He looked down at her and took her in his arms, holding her close to him. "I love you. You're my everything, Usako." Tears streaming down her cheeks, she whispered back, "And you're mine, Mamo-chan. I love you, too. For all eternity." The door opened and Rei came in carrying a pot of coffee. She was muttering to herself. "Stupid hospital staff! Who says I can't take the whole pot? Anyway it's not like *I'm* going to drink the whole thing and who are they calling a bad-tempered witch, anyway?! I mean, the nerve! Mamoru-san, I'm back!" She looked up at where Mamoru and Usagi were embracing. She nearly lost her grip on the coffee pot and as she ran forward. "Hey Usagi, you're awake!" Ami, Minako, and Makoto spilled into the doorway behind her. "She is?!" Rei looked over at them, annoyed. "What were you doing, following me?" Usagi pulled away from Mamoru and looked up. "Minna!" "Usagi-chan!" they all cried and ran to embrace her. Usagi looked up at Mamoru as he looked down at her. Their eyes met and they smiled. To be concluded . . . "My heart says to me," Usagi smiles at Mamoru. "I love someone so dearly," He lifts her out of the bed. "That I know," The Senshi smile good-naturedly at the two of them. "There's no one for me," They embrace. "But you." They kiss. "I would like you to see," The Guardians gaze at the Senshi. "What is wrong and what is true," There are suddenly two sets of Guardians, the Dark Kings and the Generals. "I am in love," Ami kisses Zoisite. "(I am in love)" Rei kisses Jadeite. "I am in loveÑ" Makoto kisses Nephrite. "With you." Minako kisses Kunzite. "Angel light," Six year-old Endymion smiles at three-year old Serenity. "Please bathe me in your love tonight," She smiled back. "I am longing for a glimpseÑ" They whirl around in a field of flowers. "Of your Angel light." They hold each others hand and suddenly there is a bright expanding white light . . . "I will be forever yours tonight," Prince Endymion gazes out at the clearing where he sees the silvery form of Princess Serenity. "Just smile at me," She looks at him. "With that Angel light." He looks at her. "Angel light," The bright white light expands and fades. "You are like an angel in my sight," There is a picture of Princess Serenity with wings. "I have never felt a love as bright," A silvery light emanates from her and envelops Endymion. "As your Angel light." The white light expands . . . "Angel light," . . . and fades. "You bring love to lift the darkness in my life," Endymion holds Serenity close to him. "I am enveloped by your Angel light," A bright light surrounds both of them. "Please say that it's all right," Prince Endymion kneels and proposes to Princess Serenity. "That I let you in my life." They exchange vows. "Angel light," The bright white light expands and fades. "As I hold you in my arms tonight," Serenity holds Endymion as he weeps for the Guardians. "I won't let your dreams give you fright," She lays him down in the bed and gazes on him sadly. "You don't have to fight," The Guardians fight the horde of youma, shouting at Endymion to escape. "It'll be all right," The Senshi and the Guardians rescue Serenity. "My Angel light," A white light bathes a scene of everyone together. "My Angel light." It expands. "Angel light," It fades. "I am filled by love when I get you in my sight," The Guardians and Senshi look at each other. "I just want to forever hold you tight," They embrace tearfully. "'Cause together just it feels so right," Everyone smiles. "So just bathe me in yourÑ" Endymion kisses Serenity. "Angel light," The white light expands. "I will be forever yours tonight," Everyone holds hands as they teleport Endymion and Serenity away. "Shining in yourÑ" The white light expands and fades. "Angel light." Endymion, Serenity, Jadeite, Rei, Nephrite, Makoto, Zoisite, Ami, Kunzite, Minako, Artemis, and Luna all stand together, being held by their lovers and gaze out at the screen, smiling. Setsuna, Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru stand in the background. A breeze softly blows a few stray red rose petals across the screen. Once the petals are past, the picture freezes, fades to white and then to black. A crescent moon shines in the darkness. How did you like Part Five? Was it worth the wait? Part Six (the epilogue) is up, you can read it now. Don't worry, it's *short*! (In comparison at least.) Now, *EVERYONE* must write me about this Part and tell me what you think. Pretty please? And no, feedback is not why I write, it's simply appreciated. Thanks. Ja! (For now) Fushigi Kismet