“I don’t know what happened – it didn’t mean for it to happen this way!”
‘Happen….what happened? Who’s talking?’ Ami wondered to herself. Her vision was blurry and the bright light above her made it difficult to make anything of the shapes looming over her. Objects moved around her and sounds drifted into her ears sporadically.
“Can you help her?”
“I’m doing the best I can.”
“Answer my question - …….you…..lp her?!”
“This….n’t….a….nce…She’ll pull through.”
‘Pull through? Me?’ Her eyes were able to make out two people standing over her. One had light hair and the other had dark hair, both distinctly male. A sharp pain shot through her side and her vision turned black and bright flashes of light marred her vision. ‘Why can’t I move?’ she started to panic. ‘Why are they hurting me?’
“You’re losing her! Do….so….ing!”
“Move! I’m taking over!”
Another stab of pain shot through her body and her mind screamed out in agony before nothingness mercifully took over.
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“If you tell me what I want to know this will all come to an end,” Sailor Mars drawled as she knelt in front of Jadeite.
He sat on the cold floor with his back against the wall. The floor felt damp under his legs as the moisture started to seep through his pants. In a room no bigger than a horse stall with no windows he felt trapped. Light dimly shone into his cell from candles in the hall shining through several steel bars that barred his exit, keeping him from escaping. True to her word she had sent some of her minions to torture him, but none had been able to make him talk. He would not reveal his Prince’s plans to this enemy – truth was he barely had an inkling to what Endymion’s true intentions were. Several scrapes and bruises now covered his body, leaving parts of his uniform in tatters. At some point Sailor Mars finally came in and gave his a body a reprieve from the beating it had been subjected to. He fought back at first, but as his strength began to weaken his tormentors were replaced with stronger ones. It was only a matter of time before they finally sent in Kunzite to finish him off he started thinking as Mars began treating his wounds. She had removed his shirt to better bandage his shoulder and cover the wound from Kunzite’s earlier attack on the roof. At some point it must have started bleeding again which probably only helped to contribute to his weakness. The body could only lose so much blood before it started to shut down.
The chill of the wall against the bare skin on his back jolted him back to awareness and the direness of his situation. Endymion’s plan had better turn out to be pretty damn good after all of this! “So let me guess,” he responded snidely, “you’re the good cop right?”
She pulled tightly against the bandage she was wrapping around his shoulder and he grimaced from the pain. “I wouldn’t necessarily say that.”
“Then why are you helping me?” he asked, trying not to cringe at the coppery taste of blood in his mouth.
“Because if you die from your injuries you’ll never tell us what we need to know.”
His hand shakily reached up to rest under her chin. “Then maybe I should let you know to just kill me now.”
“Why do you have to be so stubborn?” she asked angrily. “Tell her what she wants to know and then you can join us.”
“I’m not going to betray my Prince.”
“You betrayed him before, doing so again would prove where your true loyalty lies.”
“I would never betray him.”
“Did he never tell you what he knows?”
“He’s told me everything.”
“He was lying, Jadeite.”
“And I should take what you say to be the truth?”
“Why do you think he allowed three of his Shitennou to be captured? If he depended on you and trusted you don’t you think he would want to protect you? It’s not you that he’s interested in having on his side – it’s the Senshi.”
“That’s ridiculous. He’s trying to rescue all of you from the Dark Kingdom.”
“You shouldn’t be so quick to trust him just because you believe that’s where your loyalty lies.”
“Why don’t you do us both a favor and send in my next tormentor?” He smiled weakly at her and let his hand drop back on his lap. “I think I still have a few more beatings left in me.”
“I tried to help you.”
“It was very much appreciated,” came his sarcastic reply.
She tucked the end of the bandage she was holding under the other layers and pushed down on his shoulder as she stood up. He grunted in pain and closed his eyes as bright spots invaded his vision and a feeling of nausea took over. “I’ll be back for you later and we’ll see what you have to say then.”
“You may want to tell them to be gentle with my jaw then, otherwise I might not be able to tell you where to go when you return.”
She jerked her leg out and kicked him in the ribs. “I’ll make sure that you are taken care of.” With one last glance she turned and walked away from him. She waved her hand in front of the bars and several dissipated to allow her to pass. Once she was through the bars rematerialized locking him in his cell alone once more. He hoped that his healing powers would start kicking in before the next round began. It felt as though hours had passed by now but being locked in this dark basement prevented him from really knowing. He allowed his body to slump against the cold, damp floor no longer caring that his clean bandages were slowly becoming saturated with a mixture of his own blood and dirt.
Kunzite stood down the hall waiting for Sailor Mars to approach him from Jadeite’s cell. Her eyes were downcast as if she were deep in thought as she came closer and he could feel his frustration rising as he anticipated her words. “Nothing yet?” he asked her.
“No. He refuses to tell us anything.”
“And you couldn’t convince him to do otherwise?”
“He’ll change his mind soon enough.”
“We don’t have soon, Mars, we need him to talk now. Our Queen isn’t happy after having lost two of her Senshi. You might even find yourself to be the next.”
“I don’t want to hear idle threats from you, Kunzite.” Her tone took on an ominous sound.
“Perhaps I was wrong allowing you to go in and talk to him. Maybe you do still hold a soft spot for him. There’s no room for that here.”
“You are hardly one to talk.”
His eyes narrowed at her. “Tread carefully, Mars,” he warned.
“I see the way you still watch her and how you still wish to protect her.”
“Don’t confuse my loyalties with yours.”
“She will see to it that she kills you once she realizes that you are lost to her. It seems that you both are even in that department. I wonder who would win in this round.”
As she moved to walk past him he grabbed her arm holding her in place by his side. He looked down to her using his full height and size to emphasize his point. “Your Queen has placed me in charge. The next time you go back in there I expect some answers.” She shrugged off his hand and continued down the hall disappearing into the darkness. With his arms crossed he proceeded down the corridor in the opposite direction. He could feel like he was being watched as he moved, a feeling that he was becoming quite accustomed to. The sound of footsteps echoed faintly in his ears and he stopped walking. “You can come out from the shadows now.”
“I feel at home in the shadows though,” Danburite moved into the light and stood next to Kunzite. Both men eyed each other up for a moment before speaking again.
“You’ve been following me around since my return.”
“Not all of the time. Our Queen likes to her chosen elite checked on from time to time.”
“And that’s become your undertaking?”
“I have reason to be concerned.”
“How’s that?” his eyes narrowed as he spoke.
“I simply want to make sure that you are adapting well to your new environment.”
“Your concern has been noted and you can cease in your actions.”
“Is that an order?” Danburite asked nonchalantly.
“I outrank you, Danburite; everything I tell you is an order.” Kunzite took a few steps away then stopped and turned back to face the other man. “And by the way, I want you to leave her alone.”
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, General,” he feigned innocence.
“You attacked her the other night.”
“I haven’t been near Minako since she defected.”
“You mean to lie to me, Ace?”
Danburite laughed. “That is a name I haven’t heard in quite some time. It’s funny that you would choose to use it now.”
“And why would that be?” Kunzite raised one eyebrow.
“That was the identity I was using when Minako fell in love with me.” He could see Kunzite’s body stiffen though his face showed no change. “We have had quite the relationship since then. She is quite the little vixen in bed wouldn’t you say? Or did you not have that same opportunity with her? It’s a shame really. Maybe you should visit her sometime when she is alone; I can promise you it’s worth the while.”
Kunzite frowned at the other man’s words. “Stay away from her or our next encounter will not end as well as this one.” He turned and walked away, continuing on his path down the corridor. Danburite’s words echoed in his mind and he could feel his anger rising by the minute. How dare this man touch and defile his Minako?
Danburite stood in the distance watching as Sailor Venus stood near the Earth Prince’s lead Shitennou. He had been sent here by his Princess to serve under this man in an effort to fight off the evil brewing on this forsaken planet. How cruel was she to make him submit to his rival like this? He had never seen them together intimately, but the way that she trailed after him it was obvious of her attraction. This Earthling by all appearances was too self-absorbed to realize that this Goddess was offering herself to him, or to realize the importance of her devotion. Those of this war mongering planet would never understand what a blessing she was. The coward would probably never even see the battle up close instead opting to stand back and watch from a distance as most commanders did. Now, Danburite thought pitifully to himself, she would never know that she already had his love. He was nothing but a low ranking soldier in her army and she would never notice him in life or recognize him in death. It was the tragedy that was his pitiful existence.
Yet still he watched as his Goddess stood so close to this man. Despite her words to her troops and vows of eternal thanks for their services he could tell that she wanted nothing more than to have his attention alone, away from all of these prying eyes. Many of the onlookers were admirers of their Princess but were too lost in their own fantasies to see that she has moved on without any further thought to them. What was it that this man had that kept her so enraptured? He was human – not even of Venusian descent – she could never truly love him!
His eyes continued to watch her as she walked away with the other man. For a moment he thought he could see lust in their exchanged glances and at that moment he vowed to himself that he would find some way to win her love regardless of how many years and lifetimes it took. She would love him and forget about this fool. It would be him that held her close and it would be him whose fingers tangled in her long blonde locks. She would vow to love him and no one else and then he would have her in mind, body and soul.
“How is Ami, Mamoru? Is she going to be ok now?” Venus asked anxiously. Several hours had gone by without any word of her well being. All she knew was that something had gone wrong and Ami’s vitals were dropping fast. She wouldn’t stand to lose one of her Senshi – she had to rescue all of them and keep them safe. This task was entrusted to her by Queen Selenity and she couldn’t allow herself to fail.
“She’s better now,” Endymion replied sounding tired.
“I’m concerned that you are overusing the Golden Crystal, you’re going to exhaust yourself too soon.” She crossed the veranda to sit next to him on one of the white stone benches.
After the attack on the roof they returned to Elysion hoping that they would be able to cleanse Ami from the Dark energy that infected her. Although upon arrival they quickly realized that she had been seriously injured from Zoicite’s attack. He only meant to stun her by catching her in the side with his ice dagger so that she wouldn’t immediately fight back, but somehow he miscalculated his aim and she nearly bleed to death because of it. Fortunately they were able to heal the injury before it was too late and they lost her. Zoicite had been so riddled with guilt that he refused to leave her side despite Endymion’s urgings. Venus on the other hand had her own battles to deal with and left the two men to help heal her friend. There was nothing she could do and didn’t want to get in the way or risk hampering their efforts. Instead she wandered out to the gardens and reflected on the past few days. Her memories were slowly returning to her almost as if they had always been there but were somehow repressed. Despite these drabbles coming back to her there were still too many pieces missing to solve the riddle of their past lifetime. Her mind continued to think back to Endymion’s words from the other day – he mentioned that she had become Sailor V 7 years ago, yet she had no recollection of the past 6 years. How had she never noticed this before?
“I’m concerned that you’re going to exhaust yourself as well, Mina,” Endymion said softly. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard.”
“I need to understand what happened if we are going to defeat this enemy.”
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned you have to let your memories come back on your own. You can’t force it.”
“But I can, Mamoru. Whenever I come in contact with Kunzite pieces start coming back to me. Even just dreaming about him makes me remember things. If we had him back I’m sure I would be able to make sense of all this. As he changes my memories change. When he’s good I remember loving him, but the last memory when I faced off against him was of me fighting him. He wore that gray uniform and I asked him why he betrayed you. I’m afraid that in the end he may be beyond saving.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this sooner?” He asked.
“I didn’t want to distract you from helping Ami.” She rose from her seat and wrapped her arms around herself and walked towards the edge of the veranda. Even with the warm breeze and the sun’s rays shining on her she felt cold remembering his touch. “When I showed him my Sailor V compact he should have seen himself in his true image, which I hoped would have been as one of your Shitennou. I’m not sure what he saw, but it was bad.”
“Where’s your compact now?” Endymion stood and moved to stand near her.
“He broke it. I’ll never be able to transform into Sailor V again. That part of me is gone now.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders as he stood behind her. “This is your more powerful form though.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s just hard missing that part of me.” She could feel the warmth of Endymion’s body as he stood close to her and she felt a tug at her heart remembering that Kunzite used to feel the same way. A shiver ran down her spine and she stepped away from Endymion and further out into the sun. “We need to go back to the surface soon.”
“You can’t defeat him on your own, Mina. He’s too powerful for you.”
“I’ll figure out a way.”
“Don’t count on him deciding that his love for you is enough. You will either be brought back to the Dark Kingdom with him or die fighting.”
“That might not be the worst thing….” Her words drifted off.
“Am I wrong to trust you?”
“I just want to bring them all back. We’ll deal with your missing Shitennou as we go. Hopefully it’s not too late for Jadeite.”
“Don’t worry about Jadeite, I have plans for him.”
“What are you doing, Mamoru?” Venus turned back to look at him. “You seem to have ulterior motives for everyone.”
“No more than you, Mina.”
“What does that mean?”
“I know what you’re doing here. I saw the whole exchange between you and Sailor Moon. Your version of events wasn’t completely accurate. It just took me time to put all of the pieces together.”
“This is nonsense. I have done everything that you have asked of me.”
“You thought that you would be able to capture me if I trusted you enough.”
“That’s not what I wanted.”
“It’s the only way that you are going to fall back into the good graces of your Princess,” his voice started to rise.
“She’s not my Princess! My Princess hasn’t been found yet!” Venus yelled back angrily.
“She’s what?” he asked in disbelief.
“I don’t know,” Venus bit her lip rethinking her words. “I’m not sure why I said that.”
“You must know something if you said that.” He walked over and placed his hands over her arms. “What is it that you’re holding back?”
“I really don’t know,” she shook her head as she looked down at his chest, her blonde tresses falling over her shoulders. “You can’t hold me accountable for what I did under her influence. All I wanted was Kunzite back and I would have done anything to do that. It’s hard to accept what happened. He still loves me, that’s why he wants to protect me but at the same time I can’t help but to think that he has been lost to me. She wants to take him for her own and I am powerless to stop it from happening.”
He pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. She relaxed into his grip and he gently stroked her hair. “I know, Mina.” They stood there for several minutes, neither speaking. He just held her and for a moment allowed himself forget that she wasn’t his Serenity.
Elios walked out onto the veranda to find the couple in the garden locked in their embrace. He could feel the loneliness radiating from their bodies and wondered how they could find no solace in each other. Endymion had always been too determined to fall on anyone else as a crutch and there was very little that he knew about this particular Senshi, but between the two of them they contained the inner strength needed to overcome this battle. They made a very serene image, he was tall and handsome dressed in all black with armor wrapped around him. She stood in her fuku of white and orange seeming fully exposed yet he knew her body was no less protected than that of the Prince’s. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Endymion, but Sailor Mercury has awakened and Zoicite can use some assistance in talking to her.”
Both sets of eyes turned to look upon the young Priest as he bowed before turning and retreating back into the temple. Endymion stepped back from Venus and allowed his hands to drop to his side. “I’m sorry, Mina, forgive me for my trespass. For a moment – I -.” Words failed him and instead of trying to explain himself any further he started walking away shaking his head.
“For a moment, Endymion, I pretended you were him.” Endymion turned and looked back at Venus still standing in the gardens looking innocent in her sense of loss.
“Thank you,” he said tipping his head in her direction and resuming his pace back inside. An orange glow appeared in the corner of his vision and he knew that she was gone without bothering to look back.
He walked into the makeshift infirmary to find the room in disarray as many objects had been thrown around the enclosed space. Upon further inspection he saw Zoicite holding Ami’s arms behind her back with her chest pressed up against the wall. She squirmed trying to free herself from his grasp but only succeeded in kicking him in his shins, much to his annoyance.
“Once I break free of your grasp you are going to regret what you have done,” she hissed angrily.
“I’m doing what’s best for you whether you believe me or not,” he replied.
“Holding me down like this is hardly what I would consider to be best for me. Perhaps best for you, you ecchi.”
“Ami,” he breathed in her ear, “I’m not doing anything that you haven’t asked me to do before.” He smiled as she suddenly turned bright red from his comment.
“That’s enough Zoicite,” Endymion scolded. “She is our guest.”
Ami snorted, trying to suppress her previous blushing. “More like hostage.”
“You’re not my hostage, Ami,” Endymion responded.
“You have taken me in exchange for your Shitennou. That by definition makes me a hostage if not a bartering tool.”
“I have made no requests for his safe return or preparations for yours. Rather I’m going to ask you to help me retrieve him.”
“If I was caught helping you they would have me killed on sight.”
“Under whose orders would that be?”
“Does it matter?” she asked bewildered.
“Would it be your Princess’s or your Queen’s, or maybe even Kunzite’s?”
“Death is rather permanent regardless of the executioner wouldn’t you say?”
“Zoicite, let her go,” his eyes shifted back to meet the other man’s.
“You have no idea what kind of temper she has. This mess is all from her.”
“I’m sure Ami would be more than happy to have a seat and speak with us calmly if we ask her. Isn’t that right?”
“Of course,” she replied cautiously.
“You heard her Zoicite,” he watched as he slowly released his hold on her. Ami quickly spun around to face him, her hands drawn up in front of her. Zoicite’s eyes quickly darted over to Endymion who acknowledged him with a nod. He put his hands up in front of him and slowly backed away from her watching as she carefully brought her hands down to her sides. “Now please tell me whose orders you are operating under.”
“From all three of them,” her eyes continued to flicker over to where Zoicite stood. “I don’t understand your line of questioning. Do you want to ask me if Kunzite is still Kunzite next?”
Endymion smiled. “I’m quite aware of his status, I’m only concerned with that of your Princess’s. Mina seems to have some questions in her mind.”
“Where is that traitor now?” Ami’s voice deepened, her teeth almost bared.
“I don’t know. She has been given the freedom to move about, as will you once we finish talking. I do want you to understand what happened to her. Your Princess threw her away in exchange for Kunzite. It seems to me that she is more interested in my Shitennou than her Senshi.”
“That’s hardly the case,” Ami laughed.
“Then why is it that no one has attempted to rescue either of you?”
“Why do you think we were all gathered earlier? My Princess wanted her back.”
“No she didn’t,” came his simple reply.
“And how would you know this?” she demanded.
“Mina and Kunzite were both pawns in last night’s attack. Serenity knew that Jadeite was with her, so she allowed Kunzite to go to Mina. He may have had the intention of reclaiming her, but the true plan was for Jadeite to be taken. Why do you think we were ready for you?”
“None of this matters,” she said, but Endymion could hear the slight waiver of her voice.
“In healing you I have partially cleansed you of your Dark influence. I had no choice as that’s the way my magic works. You should now be free enough to think outside of your compulsion.”
“I do think for myself,” she countered softly.
“I need your help, Ami and you are the only one who can assist me. I will give you as much time to think over my offer as you need, but do take into consideration that our window of opportunity grows smaller with every passing moment. So please, rest yourself up, and Zoicite here will help you with whatever it is that you require.” He looked over to where now Zoicite stood against the wall. “And this time I’m sure he will make every effort to control his urges.” He smiled as Zoicite’s face turned pink in retaliation for his earlier words.
“Your Princess is dead. Why do you continue fighting?”
“Do you not mourn at all for the loss of your Prince?”
“I feel nothing for him. He betrayed his kingdom and justice was swift.”
Sailor Venus and Kunzite stood across from each other with their swords drawn. Both opponents appeared to be injured yet they both stood proudly wanting to fight until the end. All around them the Moon Palace lay in ruin and bodies rested upon the rubble. In the distance Venus could see her last Senshi struck down by one of the Generals and it pained her to know that this truly was the end. Her home had become a battlefield and the blood stained her hands as readily as it did the ground.
“He has not betrayed you. You betrayed him – you betrayed me!”
“I have given you the chance at salvation, it is only because of your will that we stand here fighting now. Surely you must realize that you are fighting a losing battle. All of your Senshi are dead and now there is no one left for you but me.”
“While my Queen lives I still have hope. And as long as my heart continues to beat I will fight you with all my might.”
“Then my Venus, I will have to stop that pretty heart of yours from beating any further. You will die a soldier just as you always wished.” He charged at her with his sword and she brought hers up to block the strike. She would not win this physical battle against him and he knew that. There was only one chance to beat him and it would cost her dearly for her efforts. She closed her eyes for a moment and saw her Princess smiling at her, a gown of flowing white encircling her body. The image shifted and she saw her and Kunzite leaning against the tree, his arms wrapped around her as they shared their last meeting together. She knew what needed to be done and she would do so with no regrets. With renewed strength she opened her eyes and began her assault. With each strike of her sword he easily blocked like he was able to predict her next move. He had helped her to become a stronger swordsman and taught her many of her moves. There was no doubt that he was having fun watching her wear herself out. Training with him had been her greatest weakness in this battle, until now. She carelessly swiped her sword throwing her off balance. He was kick to pounce on this opening and ran his sword through her. It felt as if the air were being sucked out of her lungs as the pain began to overwhelm her senses. She fought the darkness that tried to overtake her vision knowing it was too soon. Confident of his victory he yanked his sword out of her and she bit back the scream that tried to erupt from her lips. He smiled maliciously as he approached her, grabbing a handful of her hair in his hand like he were helping to hold her up. “I told you that you could not defeat me my Minako.”
She smiled as a trickle of blood ran out of her mouth. “I forgive you for what you’ve done, Kunzite.”
“I didn’t ask for your forgiveness,” he said disgustedly.
“I know,” she smiled and pointed her finger at his chest. The molecules of his chest armor started to separate revealing his gray jacket underneath. “Metal is my element, I’m sure you knew that though.” His eyes met hers and started to fill with realization of his grave mistake. “Crescent Beam!” Her attack powered up and blasted into his chest. His fingers uncurled from her hair and she dropped to the ground, her energy fully expended in that one last blast. He dropped to his knees by her side, all the color drained from his face. There was a gaping wound where his heart was and they both knew that it was as fatal as the one he delivered to her. “I never stopped loving you,” she whispered.
“Then you’re a fool,” he replied softly.
“You promised me that we would always be together. Our bond will hold, and if you could see past this anger you would be able to find a piece of me in you…..” A single tear fell from her eye. He reached forward and wiped the blood from her mouth. She smiled at his touch and closed her eyes, exhaling her final breath.
“I can feel you in here, Minako,” he whispered with the last of his strength. His body finally collapsed under the strain and he landed next to her. He laid there dying for some time with nothing but his guilt to remind him of his misdeeds. She was the last bit of humanity that remained of him and he killed her as thoughtlessly as he would swat at a fly. There would be no end to his culpability - even death would never put an end to his torment.
Mina’s eyes fluttered open and she sat up in her bed. She wiped her eyes trying to clear the tears that had started while she slept. This new memory had been a painful one. There was no love between them, only bloodshed and death. He killed her. She killed him. In the end she had tried to forgive him despite his sheer hatred of her. How cruel were the fates that they would find each other in this lifetime only to be forced on opposite sides again? She looked around familiarizing herself with the contents of her room. An orange flower resting on her lap caught her eye and she leaned forward to capture it in her fingers. The orange blossom smelled sweet carrying it’s meaning of eternal love and innocence.
“Please, show yourself,” she requested of the air around her. The bed shifted next to her under a new weight. “Danburite.”
“What’s wrong my love?” he brushed her tears away with his thumb.
“Why didn’t you tell me what you knew all along? Why did you keep it a secret from me?”
“What secret?”
“About Kunzite. That he killed me.”
“Who told you this?”
“I’m remembering things Danburite. He betrayed his Prince and me. I loved him with my dying breath.”
“I loved you with my dying breath,” he grabbed both of her hands in his. “You sent me into battle under his command and I died on Earth with nothing but utter devotion to you. I promised you that I would never hurt you the way he did. Now I hope you better understand why I’m insistent that we kill him.”
She shook her head at his words. “I don’t know if I could kill him again.”
“You’re not alone this time, I’m with you.” He leaned forward and kissed her. Sensing her hesitation he pulled back. “I’ve seen him together with her. When they believe they are alone he kisses her.”
“He wouldn’t.” Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“It is all a game, Minako. He will let you believe that he still loves you, but you can’t trust his words.”
“And what happens if we are able to kill him? Then what?”
“Then we can be together. Bring Endymion to the Queen and rule her armies in his stead. You are not as careless as him; you will lead us to victory.”
“What if I like where I am?”
“You would leave me, Minako?” He dropped her hands and stood from the bed. “I have risked everything to help you along the way and this is how you repay me? I loved you and worshiped you without fail and now you would sacrifice everything we have worked for?”
“Please Danburite –.“
“No more, Minako,” he raised his hand to silence her. “I will give you time to rethink your words and your loyalties.” He stepped back away from her and disappeared into a cloud of darkness.
Footsteps could be heard from the hallway and she looked over to see the door opening. “Mina, who are you talking to?” Mamoru asked looking around the room.
“It was a bad dream, I was talking to myself.”
“A dream?” he asked skeptically.
“No, a memory.” She peeled back the blankets and stepped out of her bed. “He killed me in my memory and I killed him. Everyone was dead and we were the last ones standing.”
“I’m sorry, Mina,” he placed his hand on her shoulder.
“There is no time for self pity we have a job to do. I’m assuming that’s why you’re here.”
“Then you would have assumed correctly. I need you for this next part and I’m placing an extreme amount of trust in you.” His other hand moved to cup her cheek. “I can still trust you right?”
“Or course,” she answered softly.
“Good. I’m going to need you to betray me then. Capture me for your Princess.”
Mina’s eyes opened wide. “Do what?!”
“Can you do it?”
“I don’t want to.”
“You’re the only one who can do this.”
“I don’t trust myself enough. What if the compulsion returns? What if they take you?”
“It’s alright, Mina, this will work. But we have to go now, there isn’t much time.”
“Much time for what?”
“We’re going to teleport out of here and as soon as we reappear I want you to attack me.” She opened her mouth to protest. “Don’t argue with me, just trust me.” His hands grasped onto her arms and he transformed into his Prince form. They teleported up to the roof of her building and her eyes struggled for a moment to adjust to the night. “I knew you would turn traitor, Minako,” he pushed her away.
“I-.”
“Don’t make excuses, you’ve been caught!”
She took a deep breath and called upon her transformation. “Rolling Heart Vibration!” The attack flew at him and he attempted to jump away from the attack but was still caught.
He gripped his leg where his clothing had been singed by her attack. “Is that all?”
“Is that all?” she repeated incredulously. Was he trying to get himself killed?
“If you’re not going to take this seriously you are not going to be able to beat me.” He threw a rose at her and the steel tip brushed against her hair severing several pieces. As her eyes moved back to him she realized the folly of her error. He was now on top of her and she would be powerless to call on an attack. His fist connected with her stomach and she doubled over in pain stepping back from him. “I hope you realize that I am serious.” Her eyes narrowed and she brought her arm up to block his barrage of attacks. His kicks and punches came at her so quickly that she could barely block each one and had to duck several times as well aimed blows came flying towards her face. She finally found an opening in his defenses and timed her kick to catch him in his knee. He fell back but quickly did a back hand spring to land on his feet.
“Crescent Beam!” The beam of light flew from her fingertip and blasted against his shoulder throwing him down to the ground. He struggled to stand again and she called on her love-me chain to encircle him holding him firmly in place. “Was that serious enough for you?”
“Do you really believe that’s enough to make your Princess come back for you?” He sneered.
“If she’s watching it is,” Venus replied slowly, suddenly feeling cool air around her.
Sailor Moon appeared before them once again. “Of course I’m watching. I always enjoy a good fight, although I do find this to be a wonderfully surprising turn of events. Who knew that you actually had it in you, V-Chan?”
“You told me this was the only way to redeem myself,” Venus said bowing her head
“And what a redemption this is.”
“I wish to trade with you.”
“Trade?” Sailor Moon laughed. “And what is it that you wish from me?”
Her hands clenched into fists and she looked straight into the other woman’s eyes. “I want him back.”
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“For the last time, Jadeite, stop being so stubborn,” Mars said helping him to sit up.
“I have nothing to tell you,” he spat.
“Is it worth all of this to keep your secret?”
“There is no secret, Rei. The joke is on you, I don’t know what he has planned.”
She frowned in response. “I don’t believe you.”
“I certainly don’t believe you,” Kunzite said walking into the cell to stand behind Sailor Mars. “You were always the difficult one, I shouldn’t be so surprised.”
“I knew they would send you in here eventually,” he glared defiantly.
“You can go now, Sailor Mars.” His eyes never left Jadeite’s.
“I was told to check in on him,” she insisted sternly.
“And now you’re done.”
“I don’t take orders from you.”
“You do now.”
“Always picking on the girls aren’t you, Kunzite?” Jadeite said mockingly.
Kunzite reached down and grabbed Jadeite by his neck lifting him up along the wall. Jadeite grasped Kunzite’s hand but did not have the strength to pull himself free. “You always have to have the last word don’t you?” Jadeite gasped as Kunzite’s hand squeezed tighter. His legs struggled to find the ground underneath them as he was being held just above the floor, the toes of his boots scratching against the surface. “I guess not this time though.”
“You’re a bastard,” Jadeite gasped out.
“Be that as it may, I still hold your life in my hands. Do you wish to talk now or should I hold you like this until you’ve taken your last breath? I have the time either way.”
“I have nothing to tell you. I’m not going to betray our Prince.”
Kunzite’s eyes narrowed and lost their focus as if he were distracted by a voice that only he could hear. He suddenly jerked his arm to the side throwing Jadeite across the room in the process. Jadeite hit the opposing wall and collapsed onto the floor in a thud. Mars crossed over and kneeled by him as he gasped for breath. A portal opened in front of Kunzite and he looked back to Mars. “Leave him, I want you to come with me. We are being summoned.”
“No,” she said defiantly.
“Then I will deal with you when I return,” his eyes narrowed at her as he turned and walked into the portal.
“Bastard,” Mars muttered behind his back.
“Leave me,” Jadeite muttered.
“I’m trying to help you!” she replied indignantly.
“I’d rather lay here and die than accept your help at the cost of my soul. Now go.” His eyes fluttered shut as his breathing continued to come out in ragged spurts.
“Fine, I’ll come back later when you’re more willing to be rational.”
Jadeite didn’t bother to open his eyes or to reply, instead he opted to continue laying on the floor in total silence trying to will himself to not be swayed by his pain. He didn’t know how much longer he would last in this place and didn’t want to find out either. More time seemed to pass for Jadeite and in his current state he wasn’t sure if it had been minutes, hours or days. A figure loomed over him and he sensed by the silence that this was someone new. There was no taunting or aggressive movements, just the feel of small hands assessing his injuries.
“I’m going to roll you over on your back,” a soft voice said to him. “When I do you need to wrap your arms around me and hold on tight. I’ve never had to teleport two people before so I don’t know how far we’re going to get.”
“Rei?” he asked, trying to force his eyes to open with little cooperation. “Why are you helping me now?” he asked as she rolled him over.
“Here we go.” A bright light encompassed them, the brilliance almost blinding in the darkness of the cell. When the light faded they were gone.
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“I want you to retract all claims you made on him.” Venus held firm in her words.
“Do you think your value is worth more to me that his?”
“I want my revenge.”
“For what?” Sailor Moon asked curiously.
“For my death.”
“Well, isn’t this an interesting turn of events,” she rested her hand under her chin. “I didn’t think you would remember that bittersweet victory of mine.”
“But you were the first to die.”
A portal opened up beside Sailor Moon and Kunzite stepped out. “I didn’t think I would believe this moment happened even after seeing it with my own eyes.”
“Kunzite,” Venus breathed.
“It appears that you have finally come around in your loyalties.”
“No, I’m here for you.” Her chain dissolved around Endymion and reappeared in her hand. “It seems we have some unfinished business to attend to. Love-me chain!” The chain flew out towards Kunzite but was deflected by his shield. “Coward! Fight me!” She took a step closer to him.
“Coward?” his raised his eyebrows in amusement and a thin smile crept over his lips. “You are the one who has retreated during all of our encounters. I would rather have you back at my side, but if it’s a fight you want then a fight you will have.” He flung one of his boomerangs at her and she threw her body to the side trying to avoid the attack. The boomerang circled back around and he caught it effortlessly in his hand.
“Kunzite! We can deal with her later,” Sailor Moon interrupted.
“Is she your master now, Kunzite?” Venus taunted.
“I answer to no one,” he growled.
“Save your mistress I suppose. Crescent beam!” The attack headed straight for him and at the last second he vanished, reappearing behind her.
“Save my mistress?” he repeated in her ear wrapping his arms around her. “I think the same could be said for you.”
“Are you accusing me of having an affair with Endymion?” her voice was shocked
“No. Danburite.” She tensed in his grasp. “Maybe there are some things we need to discuss.” He pulled her back into a portal and they vanished.
“Kunzite!” Sailor Moon shouted frustrated.
“It seems you’ve lost control of your army,” Endymion said.
“No more so than you,” she replied.
“Are you sure about that?” he smiled mischievously at her.
She glared at him as he gloated until realization started to set in. “You tricked me. This was all merely a distraction.”
“I would never sacrifice one of my Kings. You should know that about me. It seems that the scales have finally tipped in my favor.”
“You’re not going to pull a fast one on me, Endymion. I’m going to stop that traitor.” She jumped up in the air and disappeared into a portal. Endymion started after her hoping that he bought Mercury enough time.
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Venus and Kunzite appeared in his apartment. She pushed him away from her, stumbling to escape from his grasp. Her eyes widened as she realized where they stood and she whipped around to face him, her hair swirling around her. “Why are we here?”
“Call it nostalgia,” he answered taking a step closer to her.
“Do you love her now?” Venus asked bitterly.
“Love who?”
“Serenity.”
“I love only you.”
“Then why do you kiss her? Why are you intimate with her?”
“Intimate? I should ask you about your relationship with Danburite.”
“He tried to protect me from you.”
“And why would you need protecting?”
“Because he knew that you killed me.”
“You’re standing in front of me, Mina,” he frowned. “You look well for a dead woman.”
“In the Silver Millennium you killed me.”
“How do you know this?” His eyes narrowed at her.
“I remember, Kunzite, my memories have been returning to me.”
“I want to see what you know,” he closed the distance between them and took one of her hands in his. With his other hand he brushed his thumb over the topaz gem stone of her tiara. “Remember for me,” he asked quietly. She closed her eyes and all of her memories started swimming around like they were going to burst from her head.
“Why do you insist on keeping yourself distant from me?” Minako asked softly. She stood closely to Kunzite as they hung back in the corner of the room. The rest of the room continued to dance and celebrate completely unaware of tensions building around them. Queen Selenity had thrown a costume ball in honor of Princess Serenity and her engagement to the Prince Endymion of Earth. She wanted to ease tensions between the two populations and hoped that this ball would be a welcome start. Kunzite opted not to participate in wearing a costume and instead wore his Shitennou uniform. Jadeite had protested against wearing a costume as well, but after a few choice words from Kunzite gave up the fight and wore his costume as requested (or reprimanded as the case may be). Venus did not want to go against her Queen’s wishes and was dressed in a flowing white gown, her hair pulled into a familiar set of odangos. A white mask made of silk and covered with pearls and lace adorned her face accenting the brightness of her blue eyes. At first he had teased her for her lack of imagination (rifling through Serenity’s closet was hardly a mark of creativity) but soon found amusement in the looks they received from party goers who at first glance wondered why their Princess was dancing with someone other than her betrothed – the scandal that was sure to ensue .
“There has been no distance between us all night,” he protested.
“Don’t patronize me. You have been wearing that smile for my benefit all night. I want to know why you won’t let me get closer to you.”
“And how much closer would you like me to be?” he pulled her hand to his mouth and gently brushed his lips across her knuckles.
“Is this all that I can have from you? Kisses in corners? Do you want nothing else from me?” she said sadly.
“We are not at peace yet,” his eyes appeared distant as he looked over her head, pulling his eyes from hers for the first time.
“Our sovereigns are to wed, that will bring peace.”
“I know that you are not so naïve Minako.”
“Naïve?” she repeated offended.
“You know that there are those of my planet who will never accept nor recognize this union. The people of Earth are distrustful of the Moon populace and there is no way to comfort them or ease their fears.”
“So rather than promote this union you will surrender to their fears? Are you really such a coward?”
“Coward?” he didn’t bother to hide his anger. “I have led men into battles that you could not fathom. I have fought for a peace that does not want to be. I have killed hundreds in order to protect my Prince. In all this time I have never turned away or asked for anything in return. Everything I do, every breath I take is to better my kingdom.”
“A man face with adversary holding his sword may be brave, but a man forced to come face to face with the reality of his heart can still be a coward.” She paused letting her words set in. “Despite your words and your kisses you refuse to allow yourself to be intimate with me. Are you afraid of what might happen if you let yourself go? Will it finally cause you to break?”
“Princess, I cannot allow myself to choose between your love and the love of my kingdom.”
“Do you think I have forsaken my kingdom?”
“You are a smart woman Minako, I’m sure you understand the effects of your decisions,” was his vague reply.
“If I cannot have all of you than I will have none of you,” she pulled away from him and disappeared into the crowd. He knew his words hurt her and even more so he knew that he should follow her and apologize, but she was right – he was a coward. Her touch was enough to bring his walls crumbling down and with tensions running high he needed to remain strong. Tomorrow he would apologize to her before he departed from the moon. She would understand – they were both leaders of powerful forces – she had to understand. In the meantime he would continue to find amusement in the dirty looks he received from the party goers who watched him with anger in their eyes for offending their Princess. ‘Minako didn’t look that much like Serenity!’
“Why is it that you remember all of this but I don’t?” he asked her.
“I don’t know. Whenever I’m around you these memories come back to me.”
“How do I know that you are not lying, or that these are hallucinations brought on by your exposure to the Golden Crystal?”
“Because in my heart I know they are true. I can feel that love for you and I can also feel the great sorrow from losing you. Maybe you were never meant to be reawakened.”
“I was supposed to go my whole life without you?” he asked caressing her check with his hand.
“We’re enemies now.”
“We don’t have to be.”
“Are you willing to concede that you are fighting on the wrong side?” she looked deeply into his eyes waiting for an answer.
“I can’t do that,” he answered hesitantly.
“Then we can both walk away.”
“I want to, Minako….but, I can’t….she won’t let me.”
“Do you love her now?”
“No, I find her to be despicable.”
“Do you kiss her the way you kiss me?”
“Beryl?” he did not bother to hide his disgust.
“My Princess,” Venus added softly.
“They are one and the same. Did you not know this?”
“I don’t understand. I have seen the both of them.” Venus’s face contorted into a look of confusion.
“Sailor Moon is merely a clone of your Princess. That is where the likeness ends. Her being is animated by Beryl as if she were a puppet. Of the five of you she is the only one who does not exist outside of the Dark Kingdom. Did you not notice all of this?”
“I didn’t….I trusted her words. She has the aura surrounding her that I instinctively recognize to obey.” She paused to further consider his words. “Tamamo-no-Mae. I was deceived.” Suspiciously her eyes flicked to his. “Why are you telling me this? We’re enemies; you’re not supposed to be helping me.”
“I am only loyal to the compulsion over me, but despite it all there is still that piece of you in me. This time I will try to hold on to this bit of humanity instead of killing it, although I make no guarantees for the next time we meet.” He watched her carefully and leaned in to gently kiss her lips. Her eyes remained closed as he broke the contact and he leaned over to whisper in her ear. “You and you alone must find your true Princess.” Minako gasped as cool air breezed around her and she opened her eyes to find herself alone in Kai’s apartment, the feel of his skin against hers still lingering.
