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The Dawn of Serenity by Jessica Pendragon

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"Time is turning back much too fast... memories slowly etching themselves upon the past... The sad past is rapidly...playing back..."+

+++

She stood outside the open doors, as still as the statues surrounding the shrine. The silence enveloping her, save for the agitated crackling of the fire before her. Its flames’ reflective light dancing over her body, lighting her face with its golden embrace. She had only managed to open the doors before the
fire within reacted to her presence, its long angry tendrils reaching higher and further towards the young priestess.

Her fists shook slightly at her sides. She could not understand why the fire rejected her. She refused to believe it did not recognize her. She knew it to be a possible answer, but what it would truly mean scared her. She couldn't give up until once more she was allowed to walk freely into this room.

"Having domestic troubles?" She turned quickly, finding the eyes of Nephrite upon her own. They held such power, both captivating and dangerous with the spirits of his ancestors and the stars above. She barely remembered him from the past, but what she remembered was enough to form an opinion of the smooth looking general.

"It's nothing," Rei responded curtly.

"Come now, Priestess, I can see through your defenses. It is as thin as these walls."

"It is no concern of yours," she said roughly, her temper slowly beginning to leak. Nephrite, however, would not give in.

"You trusted me once-- put aside what has happened and believe in me again."

"So easily said," she huffed.

"And I trusted you, long ago, to help me. Let me repay the favor, Senshi of Mars."

Rei turned back towards the fire. She feared to speak the words aloud and admit something was wrong, especially to one such as Nephrite. They remained quiet for a while, until Nephrite almost turned away. "The fire will not let me in. It-it recoils and then seems enraged. I don't know why this is happening, it is like..."

"Like what?"

Rei hung her head. "It doesn't know who I am anymore. I've been trying to advance one step closer for the past twenty-four hours, but... it will not permit me." She expected him to stare at her with ridicule and a smirk, but Nephrite calmly nodded and turned to the fire before them. She could see the fire in his eyes, and something else, a glossy sheen, passing through their endless fathoms. Rei knew he was seeing the world differently and deeper, using a gift not so dissimilar from her own.

"No, no that is not it," he said suddenly.

"What?"

"It knows who you are, but it is afraid."

"Why would it be?" she asked, raising a fine brow.

"Don't you remember? The Great Fire is within you. The fire of Mars was always stronger than our fire, our magic. I thought I had a definite grasp on the ways of the mind and soul, but when I came to the Moon you disintegrated everything I thought I knew and mastered. The fire is afraid, but you must not let it control you. You had the power once; you can have it again if you embrace it. You are no longer the servant, Priestess." He walked behind her, practically whispering in her ear. "You are the master."

His words triggered memories long lost to the sands of time. Nephrite watched as her hands unclenched at her sides, and a new, bolder stance, pressed her shoulders back. Slowly, the Senshi of Mars walked into the room. The fire immediately reacted, billowing up and around the room. It launched itself at her, but this time she did not waver. Nephrite lost her form in the inferno, the waves of flames swirling around the chamber.

Yet a bright, red light, purer than the orange flames, engulfed the fury, and Nephrite turned away quickly as it burned his vision. When his eyes no longer stung from its brilliance, he found the heat of the fire gone, its tendrils quietly flickering once more in its place. She stood where he had last seen her, her attire and skin unscathed by the flames. She turned to him then, her black hair moving from her face in a practiced dance. He marveled at the serenity in her eyes, her long lashes hiding nothing. The knowledge and power were hers once more; he had shown her the way, and now it was up to her as to how to handle it. He could feel her presence growing already, and heard the whispers of her voice inside his head. They were soft and hesitant, but he could make out the two words expressing her quiet appreciation for his help. The brown haired Shitennou felt something stir within as a graceful smile came to her flushed lips.

Nephrite nodded. "You're welcome."

"Rei we're here!" The captivating moment was broken as the door opened, issuing in the others along with the afternoon sun.

"I brought something to eat," Makoto said, and then noticed Nephrite. He was surprised to find her eyes no longer held their frosty intensity, but she seemed embarrassed by the blush on her cheeks. "I uh, made enough for everyone. Well, depending on Usagi's appetite today…which seems to have grown at a frightening pace, if that’s possible," she chortled while Usagi made a silly face beside her.

"Nephrite, why don't you go find the others?" Rei asked, smiling.

"Of course," he replied, bowing slightly before passing her down the hall.

"Hey Rei, you seem different," he heard Usagi say before turning the corner.

+++

After a few awkward moments, their lunch became a peaceful assemblage with the help of Makoto's delicious cooking and Ami's relaxing banter.

"I'm sorry if I'm boring anyone. Usually Minako is the one that talks up a storm," Ami smiled nervously.

"No, you're not boring us," Zoicite answered. "We've missed out on a lot here; it's good to get caught up in the latest happenings. All of you have grown so much in power since our last encounter, and grown as a team as well."

"We were only getting to know each other then," Ami said.

"We've faced many horrible enemies, but we've managed to always be stronger than them in the end," Rei added.

"Hopefully that luck won't run out any time soon," Makoto smiled at Usagi. "Usagi always comes and saves the day. Without her, we would’ve lost our battles long ago."

The door opened abruptly, and the guardians of the twin planets walked into the quiet luncheon. Everyone looked up to them expectantly, holding their breaths for a reaction.

"Good afternoon, Minako, Mamoru-san. Care for some lunch?" Ami finally asked. Minako eyed the group suspiciously before sitting beside Rei, the furthest point away from the Shitennou. Mamoru eyed the group with surprise at first, but then his face moved into a small smile of gratitude and relief. He took his place beside Usagi, who took his hand with an encouraging squeeze. Following after them from the bright sunshine from outside, Artemis bounded in and skidded to a sudden stop and seeing everyone together again.

"Well, it's just like old times, eh?" he smirked.

"What took you two so long?" Rei asked.

"Whoever came up with window shopping?" Artemis sighed.

"Whoever it was, I wish I could thank them," Minako's eyes lit up as she flashed her new shoes for all to see. "I couldn't pass these babies up."

"Ooh, I'm jealous, Minako. What else did you get?" Makoto asked -- her interest piqued.

"Well, I was low on perfume, so I bought some Channel, too."

"It's Chanel, Minako," Rei sighed, rolling her eyes.

Minako blushed and the Senshi laughed. "Oh, right."

"I'm just glad you didn't max out your card again."

"Oh come on, Artemis, that was so long ago. I've-" She then noticed Kunzite's gaze and faltered. He wore a pleasant smile as she continued to rave on, admiring her eyes as they returned to their sparkling luster. Minako, however, recovered herself and averted her eyes from his. "I've grown up since then."

"Well, I guess we should get back to work," Ami broke the stillness. "I have more data to look through. Zoicite, care to help me…?"

"Of course...."

"Who's on palace duty?" Minako questioned.

"Haruka… It'll be my turn to relieve her soon," Makoto, answered.

"I'm surprised they agreed to this."

"Even the Outer Senshi can have a change of heart. Besides, our missions are finally the same now," Rei replied. "I'm going to finish up my chores."

One by one, the Senshi and Shitennou began to file out of the room, the happy and relaxed atmosphere following them to wherever they ventured. Makoto remained behind; packing up the barren plates and utensil the others had left behind in her woven picnic basket.

"I remember a time when the princess of Jupiter was anything but a house maiden." Makoto looked up at the hand that held a finished plate. Jadeite threw her a jaunty grin, and she blushed. "Your cooking has greatly improved."

"I've gotten better at a lot of things in this timeframe, now that I’ve had the opportunity," she replied with pride.

"Well, my stomach and I are glad for that. Are you still the soldier I remember though?"

"Would you care to find out?" Makoto's eyes flashed with a good-humored challenge.

"You tell me when, Princess of Jupiter, and I shall be there."

"It's a date."

+++

Usagi and Mamoru walked the grounds of the shrine hand in hand. She had been happy with their luncheon, but in the back of her mind something was not letting her completely enjoy it. The day was growing darker with rain clouds by the minute, magnifying her somber mood. She hated dark days; they reminded her too much of evil battles and lost friends. She could feel the humidity clinging to the air as well, and knew the downpour would not be far away.

"Are you okay, Usako?"

"Hmm…? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I just hate storms."

"Don't worry. They always pass."

"You always have something clever and uplifting to say like that."

"Its part of the job description," he said and winked at her.

The wind gently grabbed at her hair, but she ignored it as her tresses danced across her vision. Her eyes focused on the vast city around them, the tops of some skyscrapers barely visible, as the sky seemed to fade out at the edges. "We'll both have very different jobs soon." They let the day speak for itself for a few moments, both unsure as to what to say.

"Is it all right if I approach?" They looked up to find Kunzite close by.

"Oh, hello Kunzite."

He came forth, specifically moving towards Usagi and stood at a respectable distance. "There is something I've been meaning to tell you, Princess," Kunzite began.

"What?" she asked.

Suddenly he moved a pace forward, bowed gracefully, and knelt upon one knee before her. Usagi stared at his lowered head, the color quickly climbing up her cheeks. "We thank you for what you did. The others might not realize the extent of your actions, but we do. You gave us a chance at redemption, and we will forever be in your debt, Princess."

"Oh," Usagi smiled nervously. "It was nothing really."

"And also, thank you for taking care of the Earth, and of Endymion."

She glanced sideways at Mamoru. "We have always taken care of one another."

"I am glad it was him that you chose," Kunzite grinned impishly.

"Yes, me too," Mamoru agreed and they smiled at each other, relishing what little of the sun was left as it peeked through the dense canopy of clouds overhead.

"I still have a long way to go to make peace with my past,” continued Kunzite. “All of us, we had friends and family in this timeframe, before Beryl pulled us back into her evil plan. I wonder what has become of them. If they remember us...?"

"They will remember you, I know it." Usagi smiled, and he found it infectious.

"You can take all the time you need to catch up on the life you were robbed of," Mamoru nodded.

"Thank you," Kunzite bowed once more. He turned to the bleak horizon then, his bright eyes getting lost in its grey haze. "There are bridges I must burn here first."

+++

The dark skyline refused to give up any of its secrets tonight. Minako sighed, realizing another day was going to pass without an answer from the people. The storm was massive now, snuffing out the edges of the city in a black curtain. Soon the great downpour would begin, and she hoped her shift would be over before then.

A footfall echoed behind her, and her muscles tensed as she immediately assumed an offensive stance at the intrusive sound. No one was supposed to be here for another thirty minutes or so.

"Who's there? Show yourself." Slowly, the shadows lost their hold on his form, and Minako gasped. His piercing eyes stalled her words, and alone and caught off guard she felt helpless against them.

"Endymion told me where you would be,” Kunzite said, like that answered all the questions as to why he was here. He looked out across the vast skyline, trying to find the words he needed to speak.

"What do you want?" she asked as coldly as she could manage.

Kunzite sighed. "It is a beautiful city. Not quite as I remember it."

"It has changed, destroyed by past enemies and rebuilt in hopes those would be the last." He turned around, finding her head bowed so he could not see her face. Her arms crossed protectively across her chest, as if she were trying to hold her heart from leaving her chest.

"Do you feel the same way?" Her grip upon her own arms tightened, the protective fabric wrinkling beneath her shaking palms. He bravely stepped closer to the one person he should be afraid of. "I was wrong to say you were not as I remembered, for she only hides a little deeper within than before. You are still loyal and strong, and duty bound."

"Duty..." Minako whispered hoarsely. "What do you know about duty, betrayer?"

Kunzite's eyes turned dark. "Is this how it will be?"

"Some things cannot be mended," Minako replied.

"Then so be it." From beneath his cape, he pulled forth a silver sword, brandishing its blade’s tip toward her face. He did not want it to be so, but they both needed this resolved—one way or another. Their memories would haunt them forever if they could not face them.

"What are you doing?" she asked. As for Minako, she could not take her eyes of the sword. It was not the one she remembered from long ago, the one that had taken her life and so many others on that fateful day, but it was still sharp and intent. She was glad he hadn’t brought that dreadful weapon. And she realized he must have known how she would feel to see it again, which stirred dangerous emotions in her heart for the man facing her now.

"If you wish to be so rid of me, we will end it all right here. If you defeat me, I shall disappear forever, a distant memory to no longer plague you. You are right; Endymion is strong enough on his own, and although I would be pained to leave him, I am not worthy if I cannot defend myself. So what say you?"

Minako's eyes widened at the idea at first. As she gazed at him, however, she could hear the distant screams of a kingdom coming to ruin. She could feel the cold sword of his as it screamed through her, betraying everything they had worked to accomplish, betraying everything they’d done to stay together. Her eyes narrowed as she reached to her side, her decision silently made. Sparks flew as she pulled the ancient sword from its spatial slumber. The two warriors stood within the darkened shadows of night. They had been like this before, long ago, and it seemed they were destined to deal with swords and blows. As lightning streaked across the sky, they came for one another, crashing like thunder upon the rooftop.

They moved as quickly as the wind, jumping from one building to the next. With each strike of metal upon metal, something changed within Minako, and she could feel her ancient spirit stir and surge to the surface. She met every one of Kunzite's powerful advances with elegant movements befitting a princess of Venus, but attacked with the power of a soldier. Kunzite marveled at the change so sudden within her, but he would not lose face.

With each parry and thrust, her anger and frustration grew as well. He was unfazed by her skillful motions it seemed, his stoic expression remaining locked in the mask of battle. He was like a river, flowing powerfully around her attacks and striking with a cold, relentless torrent.

'He was always the perfect soldier,' she found herself reminiscing. They dueled many times before, learning each other’s moves on the battlefield and off of it. Her thoughts pulled her away from the battle long enough to get distracted, but she luckily stumbled out of the way of a strong blow. 'Minako stop that! Finish this now!'

"Venus Love Me Chain!" The golden chain shot from her hand and wrapped itself around Kunzite's throat, abruptly preventing him from charging at her. One hand left his quick sword and moved towards his neck as he fought to free himself.

"Surrender, General." His answer formed between his fingers, and he quickly brought the silver knife he had been hiding through one of the loops in her chain. He yanked hard, utterly throwing her off balance. With a painful jolt, she fell to the wet rooftop, uttering an ungraceful curse. More angry and rage filled her chest at being so easily tricked—especially by him. She was quick to her feet, ignoring the scrapes she knew were on her knees. She had to finish this.

As she charged at him again, the sky released its full fury. In a matter of moments, their uniforms became soaked, and she angrily scraped her wet hair from her face. They continued to clash against the backdrop of the dark sky, their battle noises joining in with the lightning and thunder to create a frightening symphony of magical force.

Soon the powerful thrusts of frustration and anger began to recede, leaving the warriors only their hidden bitterness and loss as their battle came to an abrupt standstill -- their swords and strength pushing against each other. Their faces only inches apart, and through the pounding bursts of thunder and lightning flashes they beheld the countenance of their opponent with disturbing clarity.

"I cannot ask you to trust me, to care for me, after what has transpired," Kunzite grunted as they pushed against each other, his voice fighting against the storm. "I just-I do not want to spend this life being your enemy!"

"I do not want that either!" she screamed. She stumbled forward precariously as the pressure from his advances fell away without warning, and almost again, crashed to the ground. She found him so close however, his sword held limply in his hand. In his eyes, she could see the proud warrior’s exterior melt away with the rain, leaving behind a man broken by time and fate.

"We cannot change what has happened. It should not be forgotten, but it should not control us, either. I expect nothing from you, nothing but a chance to wipe the slate clean enough for us to work together properly—to exist together day to day without being distracted by hatred for things we cannot rewrite. To start over...that is all I wish."

"I…"

"Please, Minako." She gasped, as the name felt foreign, but welcomed from his lips. As the rain poured down, he stepped closer and she could feel the heat of his body so close to her. She looked into his eyes, memories of the past overlapping as their hands touched ever so softly and tentatively, like they were afraid they would disappear any moment.

“Is that all you really want, Kunzite?” She dared to smirk, and took pride in the fact his eyes showed signs of surprise for the slightest second.

“I do not deserve to ask for anything more after what I’ve done,” he spoke and grinned handsomely himself, sending shivers down Minako’s legs. “I do not expect to have such good fortune as I did in previous times.”

Minako's brows furrowed and she frowned at his choice at words. It brought a receive memory to the surface, a time in her life that she’d rather forget, but could never escape. A time when she fell in love with London and lies from another alabaster god. A time when she was alone. “‘Your love will be hopeless for all eternity,'" she whispered the last few words of a man she never really knew.

"What…?" Kunzite said, confused by her sudden turn of mood although he shouldn’t have been. He’d seen her go from angry to happy to sad faster before.

She broke away and turned her rain soaked back to him. He watched as a small tremor made its way to her shoulders. “It was a fortune given to me not long ago. At first, I accepted it, welcomed the fact that the ultimate choice was made for me. That choice had destroyed me in the past; I think I knew that without really remembering. But now, now that you’re here again…it is a curse," She laughed hoarsely, her voice captured by falling tears. "Senshi of love for sure...."

"Who did this?"

"You should know -- you sent him." She turned and the pain in her eyes took him aback. "He stole my heart, and I took his life. He was in London, before you and the others showed up with Beryl. I was by myself, with just Artemis...A bright star like Adonis should've never been turned black by you. You didn’t call him that though, did you?"

At the name, Kunzite remembered. "Danburite...."

"Yes, loyal foot soldier under the hand of the Shitennou. Under you..." Her hands shook as she approached him, and the ancient sword she held clattered to the rooftop. "My misery always seems to come circling back to you. Why!"

She attacked suddenly, striking with balled fists and flashing eyes. Kunzite avoided her shaky attempts until a wall pushed against his back. In her fit of heart wrenching rage, it was easy enough to get a hold of her wrists, but she fought against him nonetheless.

"Why did it have to happen like that!" she yelled, as she broke free from his grasp. She pounded her fists against his chest, but her momentum quickly slowed down until her tired hands lay upon him, half pushing away and half clinging in desperation. "Why...?"

Like a crumbling statue, the goddess of Venus plummeted to her knees again, rain soaked and begotten with grief having built up from years passed. Thunder rolled across the sky, but for the two of them, the world around them seemed faded and insignificant.

"Everyone thinks I'm so strong. I really should be an actress, not everyone has the slightest idea how well I really act. I'm alone, I'm afraid, I'm- I'm no leader! With you here, I feel like I can't keep it up anymore. They’ll see right through me soon enough."

He moved down beside her, but let her alone, listening sadly to her tears drowning out the dying storm. As time passed, so did the thundering sounds -- the night soon fell quiet. Her cries had taken flight with the clouds as well, but did not whisk away the heavy pressure in her chest. He could see by the way she sat that something was lifted from her shoulders and he knew she had never admitted such things before to anyone, even if she had wanted to. It must have been a relief, even in such a situation. As she raised her head, however, he could see another burden lingering within those smoldering eyes. "I cannot love you, not in this life," she said. “Not even…not even if I wanted to.”

A quiet sadness came to Kunzite's eyes, and she wished to reach out to him, to kiss his closed lids so his eyes would sparkle with a smile when they opened. In a time span considered nothing against the long years of grief she had stashed away, she had forced her misfortune onto him, and found herself almost regretting sharing that burden. However, Kunzite seemingly relaxed his stance, like a powerful tiger finally giving up the hunt.

"Time was never on our side,” he said. “We are seemingly caught upon the wheel of fate; spinning a long side each other, but never supposed to meet."

Her breath caught in her throat at the familiarity of such words, spoken by another light haired man in her past. "Kunzite..."

He reached out a hand, brushing it against her soaked skin. Her face was warm beneath his touch even after the cold rain, and he would treasure this moment. "If we cannot love together, then we shall fight together. In this life, we can make up for our past mistakes and decisions. We won’t let them down again, and maybe in some lifetime…we will get another chance."

After a moment, her own feeble smile rose to join his, and the distant thunder disappeared from their ears. "So, who won?"

Kunzite chuckled quietly. "Neither of us -- perhaps, both of us…."

+++

If you haven’t read the Sailor V manga, or at least a summary of it…you probably should. But for those of us who are lazy and won’t- Danburite/Adonis is a villain from the Sailor V manga, who Minako comes to like. He is originally from Venus and was a soldier. The dark side turns him somehow and he gets a new fancy rock name like everyone else- Danburite. And his last act on this Earth in this time frame is giving Minako an Ace of Hearts and a ‘fortune’, telling her, her love will be hopeless for all eternity. It is why Minako, the Senshi of Love, has such bad luck with it. So go read it, it explains a lot. Like why she has that big gaudy red bow in her hair, even though I made up my own reasons. ^^; Danburite/Adonis also says "I knew then... If I changed one wheel of fate, the two of us might fall in love..." which Minako is thinking about when Kunzite says his wheel-o-fate line up there. Hope everyone is clear on all that Danburite/Adonis/Fortune stuff now. Good? Good.


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