The Exiles

By: Starsea

Rating: PG-13 (may change later)

Chapter One: Metamorphosis

In our lives,
Love has hid her face
to save
her heart from breaking
Into feeling;
In your eyes,
Joy gives way to pain -
Save your tears for the rain.
Visions stop
at the ceiling.
Without each other,
What would we be?
We long to feel free
And in our dreams
We see
What we need...

Sophie B. Hawkins, 'Walking in My Blue Jeans'


"Usako, what is this all about?"

She tugged at his hand, pulling him into the flat, then closed the
door. He set down his suitcase and folded his arms, showing that he
wasn't moving.

"Tea?"

"Usako..."

“How was the journey?” she said, hurrying into the kitchen and 
setting the kettle boiling. His eyes were beginning to burn her 
skin, but she refused to let herself be cowed by that look. Three 
years was not such a great difference anymore, it was time that she 
started acting like his equal.

“Fine. Tiring.”

“Are you keeping in contact with anyone from over there during the 
holidays? It’ll be good for your English, right? Maybe I can 
practise mine if they come and visit.”

“Usako, I’ve already told you about Harvard, what do you really want 
to talk about?”

"I'll tell you once you've sat down. It's nothing to do with us,"
she added, and caught him moving out of the corner of her eye. He
sat down obediently and leaned back against the cushions of the
settee (which she'd plumped up specially for his return). She came
up behind him, reluctant to break the peace and gently touched his
shoulders. They were tense from travelling, from wondering what she
wanted to talk about, and her hands began to move in slow circles.
He groaned softly in pleasure.

"How do you know...?" he whispered, his head falling back so that
they gazed into each other's eyes.

She smiled tenderly down at him. "I know you," she answered, feeling
the muscles slowly soften and relax, moving downwards and melting
away the tension. Power flowed so easily through her now, it was a
simple matter of focusing on the area she wanted to heal. But she
had to be careful - too much and people would get suspicious.

Mamoru smiled dreamily as he felt Usagi's energy wash through him,
pure and silver and refreshing. She always made him feel so much -

"Better?"

"Always."

Usagi's breath caught in her throat as he stared at her. That was a
big compliment coming from Mamoru. Fortunately, the kettle boiled
and saved her from answering. Usagi carried the pot and two cups out 
on a tray, and didn’t trip over anything. She set the tray down 
before Mamoru, thinking that at least one thing had gone right. 
Maybe now? But he hadn’t even had a drink yet. She poured the tea 
with a hand that seemed too steady; Mamoru drained a whole cup 
before he seemed ready to talk. Usagi folded her hands on her laps - 
a sure sign that she was nervous, he thought.

"Usako...?" he asked, taking the small hands in his and rubbing them
- they were cold. "Is something wrong?"

Usagi took a deep breath. "Not with me."

"The girls?"

She shook her head. "It's your guardians, Mamo-chan."

"Mine?!" He stared at her, completely speechless for a moment. "What
do you mean, I don't have any..."

"Don't lie to me!" Her eyes caught his, dark and intense. "Please
don't lie to me, Mamo-chan."

He blinked, not quite sure where the conversation was going. "Usako,
I'm not lying to you... I wouldn't do that..."

She raised one fair eyebrow. "What's changed?"

He flushed a little. "I only did it to protect you..."

"I know, Mamo-chan, but you don't need to protect me from them, do
you?"

"Them?"

Another stare, longer this time and deeper, both of them determined
to hold their own. Finally, Usagi got up and went into Mamoru’s 
bedroom. Something clicked inside his mind. Revelation crept over 
him slowly, and when she returned, holding the box in her hands, his 
suspicions were confirmed. He could feel himself turn pale. 

"Did you forget them?" she asked quietly.

"No!" he exclaimed, genuinely hurt, turning from white to red. "I... 
I just don't think of them... as my guardians. Not in that way."

His voice trailed off, and he looked down at his hands. Usagi put 
the box on the tea table. She bent her head, following him, twisting 
her neck so that she was looking at him upside down. He smiled at 
this childlike action and she smiled back.

"Mamo-chan..."

"Usako... how do you know? What happened?" She saw him take a deep
breath. "I wanted to tell you so many times... but I didn't know
how. There didn't seem to be any way... I mean, what could I say?
'Guess what, I talk to stones?'"

"That would have been a start," she said gently. "It's alright,
Mamo-chan, I'm not mad at you. I was in your flat one night - I was
missing you - and I felt someone watching me. And someone was
watching me..."

"Kunzite," Mamoru said immediately.

"Yes..." She stared at him. "How did you...?"

He grinned a little sheepishly. "I told him to do that if you ever
came over."

"Mamo-chan!" She sighed, trying to seem irritated, but failed and
smiled back. "Why am I not surprised? Yes, he was watching me, and
we talked, and I met the others... again. They were very depressed
about not being with you, and - " She broke off. "Mamo-chan, do you
want them to stay in the stones?"

He sipped at his tea before answering, keeping his eyes lowered.
"No, of course not. I want them to be here, in their own bodies..."

"Have you told them that?" Usagi asked, gently stroking his hand.

Hesitantly he shook his head. She nodded, encouraging him. Mamoru
rose and took the case. Seating himself beside her again, he lifted
the cover and gazed at the stones. The four figures must have risen,
but she could only see them vaguely in the sunlight. Her eyes were
weaker in the daytime, for some reason. It seemed that he didn't 
need to invoke them verbally. Usagi watched tensely, wondering what 
was going on. If he didn't need to invoke them verbally, it was 
likely that he could have whole conversations with them inside his 
mind. It crossed her mind that would be very useful in battle.

The four spirits bowed. /Welcome home, shujin,/ said Kunzite. /We 
trust your journey was pleasant./

Mamoru nodded. /More pleasant than the journey out there. How are 
you, all of you?/

/The same as ever,/ Jadeite replied. /It’s not as if we can exactly 
change or do much, is it?/

Mamoru frowned. /Is that why you talked to her about this?/

/She suggested it to *us*, shujin, and might I remind you that it’s 
rather rude to speak in a language if your guest doesn’t understand 
it?/ said Zoisite.

Mamoru blinked, as if he’d forgotten Usagi was sitting there, and 
cleared his throat. "What do you want to do?" he asked, glancing at 
his girlfriend.

Usagi felt pleased: Mamoru obviously wanted her to hear this. To 
others it might have seemed insignificant, but Usagi had learned to 
read Mamoru's gestures and body language very well, and she knew 
this was a sign he was ready to include her in other things.

‘We want to help you, shujin,’ Zoisite said softly, ‘and we can't
help you like this.’

"Yes, you can!" Mamoru exclaimed. "You've helped me many times,
you've given me so much good advice-!"

‘And how often have you followed it?’ Nephrite demanded, folding his
arms. ‘Did you take our advice when we said you should tell the
Princess about your sickness? Did you believe us when we said that
you were her equal, that she would always need you to protect her?’

Mamoru said nothing. Shocked, Usagi tried to catch his eye, but he
refused to look at her. She sat back, her eyes fixed on his face.
So it was true. They'd said all those things... They'd been trying
to help and he hadn't listened... She didn't condemn him for that,
she'd ignored the senshi's advice many times, past and present,
and probably future too, but the senshi had ways of making her
listen. The shitennou could not even make Mamoru look at them, grab
his shoulders... Suddenly, she understood their frustration in a new
way. How could you advise and protect someone when you couldn't even
make them listen to you?

A sharp voice cut through the air. ‘Shujin, do you have any idea how 
awful it was for us to watch you toss and turn in your bed, fighting 
to get a breath and know that our powers could no longer ease your 
pain? That we had no way of contacting the Princess? We *knew* what 
was happening, but you never asked us! We could feel what was 
happening to the Earth just as well as you, we knew what was 
happening to Elios, and we couldn't tell anyone!’ Usagi saw the 
silhouette of Jadeite turn and look at her. ‘You see, Princess, we 
are limited to these stones; we cannot leave them. We were only 
allowed to speak to you because he gave us permission before he left 
for the Western Lands. Otherwise, we might as well not exist.’

Mamoru closed his eyes. "I wasn't thinking straight at that time. I
did what I thought best. But just because you couldn't help me then
doesn't mean that-"

‘You nearly died, Endymion!’ Nephrite interrupted. ‘And then you
*did* die - yes, we knew! We felt it! And what could we do? NOTHING!
We were stuck in these stupid prisons, these pitiful ruins of our
weak corrupted bodies, unable to warn the Princess, unable to help
at all. We were stuck here, watching Earth and Elysion slide into
chaos, watching as Elios finally disappeared!’ He stopped, and
Usagi could see the air trembling around him as he reined in his 
emotions. The others were looking at him - it was plain that he
spoke for all of them, for they all had their fists clenched.
Mamoru's face was pale and his lips were pressed tightly together.
His knuckles had turned white as Nephrite spoke. It obviously took
a great effort for him to finally speak, breaking the turbulent
silence -

"I didn't know."

‘No, of course you didn't, how could you?’ Kunzite asked calmly.
‘But you didn't ask, either. Endymion, even when you were at your
most doubtful, you were always able to do *something*. You have
always been able to do *something*. You know nothing of what it is
to be truly powerless...’ His voice trailed off in a whisper, and he
bowed his head. Usagi felt a sharp pain in her heart. It hurt her to
see these men, once so proud and noble, reduced to such a state.

Mamoru was furious, but he wasn't sure if he was angry with his men
or himself or just with the whole sorry situation. What he did know
was that his eyes were burning with tears and his throat felt
swollen and blocked. He looked up at Usagi, blindly asking for help.
She reached across and gently touched his hand, soothing him
instantly, washing away the tears, easing the ache in his throat. He
cleared his throat and looked down at his Guard.

"What do you want to do?" he repeated.

‘We want to be reincarnated - no matter how long it takes, how
painful the process. We can't stand to be like this anymore,’
Kunzite answered bluntly.

For a moment, the child inside Mamoru, the orphan boy, wanted to cry
out, 'But I don't want to let you go! You're my friends! My only
friends!' He closed his eyes again, fighting against the urge to
refuse the request, to hold them tighter.

"Mamo-chan..."

The soft voice was like a beacon of light. He opened his eyes and
looked at her, his princess, his love. He would never be alone as
long as she was with him.

"Very well," he whispered, something tearing inside him. "How do you 
propose to do this?"

Usagi cleared her throat, a little shy but also proud. "That would
be my job," she told him.

For a moment, Mamoru didn't understand, but then he saw what she
meant. "You mean..."

"Yes."

‘Such explicit conversation,’ Jadeite remarked dryly.

Surprised, Mamoru laughed briefly. The atmosphere suddenly grew
lighter.

"Usagi thinks we should send you to the future, to our future
selves," he explained. "Neo-Queen Serenity reincarnated Sailor Pluto
and sent her back in time. Maybe she could do the same with you. I
always did wonder how I learned to do astral projection... And I
don't think I invented all that technology on my own."

‘Sailor Mercury might have had a hand in it,’ Zoisite suggested.

"I seriously doubt two people could have invented all that, even
with Mercury's intellect," Mamoru told him. "Don't be so modest."

‘Yeah, change the habits of a lifetime,’ Nephrite teased.

There was soft laughter amongst the shitennou. Zoisite didn't seem
to take offence, which told Usagi that such jokes must be common.

‘Are you sure we're important enough for her to go to all that
trouble?’ asked Jadeite, frowning. ‘It sounds complicated...’

"Of course you're important, you're Mamo-chan's guardians!" Usagi
exclaimed, unable to stop herself.

They all looked at her, a little stunned at her vehemence. Mamoru's
eyes shone with amusement and love as he said, "There's your answer,
gentlemen. I suggest you all get some rest. The journey to the
future is not known for being smooth."

They bowed to him formally. ‘Shujin.’ Then they turned to Usagi and
bowed to her. ‘Princess.’ She found herself blushing, just as she
had back in the Silver Millennium, feeling a little awkward.

"You... don't have to do that," she stuttered.

They laughed again. ‘Get used to it, Princess,’ said Jadeite. ‘Many
people will be doing that in the future.’ Then they faded away into
their stones.

Mamoru gently put the case back in its place, and grinned at his
lover.

"Silly bunny," he teased. "You *always* did that!"

"I can't help it!" Usagi retorted. "They're always so... so
serious!"

"Well, he's right, you'd better get used to it."

"Yes, I know, I don't mind total strangers being respectful, it's
friends. And they feel like friends..." She looked up, concerned. 
"You'll miss them, won't you?"

He didn't meet her gaze, which meant yes, so when he sat down, she
threw her arms around him and gave him an extra big hug. Surprised,
he gazed down at her blonde head, buried in his chest.

"What's this for?"

"Can't I hug you for no reason?" she asked in a muffled tone.

"You can, but you rarely do. What's the matter?"

"Nothing. I just think you're brave." She gazed up, her eyes so wide
and clear, it seemed impossible that she could be the Sailor Moon
who had saved the Earth so many times. He had the sensation of
falling again, falling into her, into warm pure waters.

"I'm not brave," he whispered, moving closer, feeling as if he were
a magnet, negative irresistibly attracted to positive. "I have to
let them go... it's the only way to get them back again. The only
way to have them as they once were. But I didn't want to say it." He
pulled her closer to him, burying his face in the soft hair. She
smelled of rosewater and he luxuriated in the feel of her against
his body. He had missed the warmth of her.

"You are brave," she insisted, burrowing closer. "I don't think I'd
be able to do the same thing if I was in your place. I couldn't let
them go like you..."

"You would. I know you. You'd let them go because you'd love them
too much not to." His eyes were so warm and tender, so near. "I know
you."

"If you know me, then it follows I know you," she whispered. "And
you're brave. My brave Mamo-chan."

His hands pushed down on her shoulders and she fell onto her back,
only realising afterwards that he was kissing her, desperate hungry
kisses that were somehow gentle and warm. That was Mamo-chan alright
- sharp and yet soft at the same time. She had never understood how
he did it... Such addictive kisses... Better than chocolate, better
than milkshakes, better than anything... Oh gods, how she'd missed
this...

Negative to positive, it was irresistible, he'd learned that early
on. His harsh secrecy to her soft candour, this slippery slender
body between his palms, arching up to his touch as her lips followed
his, hungry for him. He was hungry for her. He was starving. He
could never get enough. The soft lips, the small hot mouth, her
voice breathlessly whispering his name...

"Usako..."

"It's alright, Mamo-chan. I'll be with you. We'll go together. I
won't leave you alone." Her hands tightened on his shoulders. "I'll
never leave you alone."

He laughed softly against her skin, tickling her. "Promise?"

"I swear I'll pester you until the day I die."

"Good." He raised himself on an elbow, gazing down into her face.
"What would I do without you?"

"Mope," said Usagi truthfully, and she could have sworn she heard
the shitennou suddenly yell 'YES!' very loudly and clearly.
Obviously Mamoru had heard the same thing, because he glared over
at the case in such a familiar way that she began to giggle.

"It's not funny!" he objected, looking down at her.

She pressed her hands over her mouth, but it was no use. This was
all too, too familiar, how many times had they teased him like this?

"Right!" Mamoru exclaimed, trying not to laugh himself, his eyes
glittering. "I'll teach you to laugh at me!" Leaping onto his feet
with that agility she'd admired from the very beginning, he slipped
his arms under her and lifted her into his arms.

"Mamo-chan?" she asked, her voice still shaky with laughter.

He smiled at her and began to walk across the room. Usagi stared at
him for a moment, wondering about this dark look in his eyes - and
then she saw where they were heading.

"Mamo-chan? Mamo-chan! Wait! You can't - I'm sorry I laughed -
Mamo-chan!"

Mamoru smirked. “Try saying that when you’re not shaking with 
laughter and I’ll believe you.”

The bedroom door clicked shut on her giggles.

***

Setsuna was watching television when the doorbell rang. Even though
she had been expecting a visitor, she still smiled at Usagi when she
opened the door.

"Usagi-chan," she said gently. "A pleasure to see you."

"Usagi-san!"

Hotaru leapt down the stairs - a habit which she had learned from
Haruka - and stood before Usagi, a little shy but beaming happily.

"Hello," she muttered and bowed.

Usagi bowed to her and Setsuna, flattered by Hotaru's enthusiasm.

"Please come in," Setsuna invited, stepping aside as Usagi did so,
taking off her shoes. "Haruka and Michiru will be sorry to have
missed you. They're shopping at the moment."

"For what?"

"Make-up," said Hotaru with a shrug. She was not particularly 
interested in lipstick and mascara and didn’t understand why it was 
such a important topic.

Usagi smothered a little laugh, noticing the amused look in
Setsuna's eyes.

"Hotaru-chan, please go and make some tea for our guest," Setsuna
commanded, and Hotaru obediently went into the kitchen, waving at
Usagi before she disappeared. Setsuna smiled after her. "She so
looks forward to your visits, Usagi-chan," she remarked. "Please,
make yourself at home."

Usagi always found that a little difficult in the elegant living
room which belonged to the four Outer Senshi, but she did her best,
as always, leaning back and trying to ignore the beautiful
surroundings. Kunzite's remark flashed across her mind again like a
banner - 'Get used to it, Princess.' The Crystal Palace of the 30th
Century had been much grander than this. It was time she stopped
feeling intimidated by grandeur and elegance - she was the heir to
the Silver Millennium after all.

"Now, Usagi-chan," Setsuna murmured, seating herself across from her
guest, "what can I do for you?"

Usagi stared at the older woman, and found a small smile forming on
her lips, a shrewd smile, which made her look about ten years older
though she didn't know it. "I think you know that already,
Setsuna-san," she observed.

Setsuna held her gaze for a moment, observing the young woman before
her. She checked herself, examining the words. Yes, Usagi had turned
into a young woman during these past two years. It had been
inevitable due to certain events. Setsuna could already see the
young Queen in her face, nascent still, but definitely there. She
was more confident now, her body language and posture were
developing elegance and a certain still quality. Serenity. Soon she
would merit that name. But not yet, right now she was still a little
rabbit, still Usagi.

"Yes, Usagi-chan," she allowed. "I do know."

"Do you have any objections?"

The question temporarily threw Setsuna. She stared at Usagi, who was
sitting forward, her great blue eyes fixed on Setsuna's face. She
meant it. Setsuna felt a crazy urge to laugh: as if she had any  
choice in the matter. Well, if Usagi had been any other senshi, she
could have refused. She supposed that she could still refuse now.
But why? Her future self would be there, guarding the doors. These
men needed to be reincarnated if the Prince was going to learn all 
he needed to know. And to top it all off, it was difficult to say no 
to Usagi. All three of them found it difficult to deny her 
something. They still saw her as their little Princess, and more 
than that, she was their future Queen. She asked so nicely, so 
earnestly, with such good intentions... As Michiru had put it, 
sometimes you felt like giving her biscuits and chocolate, even 
though you *knew* it would be bad.

"No objections whatsoever, Princess," Setsuna said, slipping into
formality, slipping into her role as Guardian of Time. "But I would
ask that this be done quickly. Those men can cause a lot of
trouble... Almost as many as you and Small Lady."

Usagi blushed a little, but was saved from answering by Hotaru, who
sailed in holding up a tea tray, like a professional waitress. She
laid out the set correctly - Usagi read Michiru in her gestures -
and then seated herself after pouring first Usagi, then Setsuna, a
cup of tea.

"You're very accomplished, Hotaru-chan," Usagi remarked, feeling a
little envious.

"Arigatou," Hotaru answered, lowering her eyes, more pleased than
she could say to get a compliment from Usagi. "I want to be a
waitress in the summer holidays and earn some money, but
Setsuna-mama says no." She lifted her grey eyes to Setsuna's face,
pleading once more.

"And I still say no," Setsuna answered calmly, sipping at her green
tea, wondering why it was so much easier to be strict with Hotaru
than with Usagi. "Heaven forbid that some boy should try and flirt
with you and Haruka hear about it. You know how overprotective she
is of you, Hotaru-chan. I'd hate to pay the hospital bills.
Besides, you don't need to work. We have plenty of money."

"But it's your money, Michiru-mama's money, Haruka-papa's money,"
Hotaru objected. "It's not *my* money. I know that you're managing 
the trust fund otou-san left for me, but I don't get that until I'm
twenty, and that's still eight years away. I don't like to depend
on you for everything."

Setsuna sighed and looked down at her adopted daughter. How could
she blame Hotaru when she'd feel that way herself? All three of they
were of independent positions, how could they expect Hotaru to be
any different? "When you're older," she said.

"Usagi-san thinks I should have a job!"

Usagi shrank back into the sofa.

"She just said that you were accomplished, and don't drag Usagi-chan
into this. She didn't come here to listen to our arguments." Setsuna 
turned to Usagi. "Gomen nasai, Usagi-chan."

"Oh no, it's okay," Usagi said hurriedly, waving a hand. "I didn't 
mean to start an argument."

"Oh this argument's been going on for ages," Hotaru assured her with
a smile. "I've only just managed to bring Michiru-mama around to my
side. It'll probably take me another couple of years to get
Haruka-papa to agree after Setsuna-mama. Who are the men you were 
talking about, Setsuna-mama?"

Usagi blinked at the rapid change of subject. Setsuna realised that 
she shouldn’t have spoken so loudly.

"You don’t need to know," she said firmly. A few months ago, Hotaru 
would have backed down and avoided the confrontation, but now she 
sat up, her eyes narrowing.

"Why?"

Setsuna hesitated.

"Setsuna-mama, you can tell me. I can keep a secret!"

"It's not my secret to tell," Setsuna answered delicately, glancing
at Usagi-chan. Hotaru caught the movement and turned to Usagi.

"Please tell me, Usagi-san. I promise I'll keep the secret."

Usagi considered for a moment. Certainly Hotaru had lots of
experience keeping secrets. That was a fact. Well, what harm could
it do? Maybe Hotaru could help the shitennou when they turned up
again - after all, she was the only one of the senshi who understood
what it was like to be taken over by an evil force.

"Mamo-chan and I are taking the shitennou to the future to be 
reincarnated," she said.

Hotaru’s eyes widened. “The shitennou? But... I thought they were 
evil.”

“They had the misfortune to be taken over by evil, Hotaru-chan,” 
Setsuna corrected, smoothing her daughter’s hair. “But they are 
inherently good. Otherwise, I wouldn’t agree to reincarnate them.”

Hotaru looked up at her, and then at Usagi. “Do Michiru-mama and 
Haruka-papa know about this?”

Usagi shooked her head. “They wouldn't be happy that the shitennou 
are being reborn."

“Because of what they did?” Hotaru was suddenly serious, focused, 
her mouth pulled into a straight line.

Usagi nodded.

Hotaru folded her arms, and thought, staring at the tea table. Then 
she looked up and said, “Everyone deserves a second chance. Just 
because they made mistakes last time doesn’t mean it will happen 
again. Look at you and Mamoru-san.”

Usagi felt a relieved smile spread over her face. “So we can count 
on you?”

Hotaru nodded. "You can count on me."

"It's good to know that, Hotaru-chan," Setsuna said, hiding a smile
and pushing on her back. "Now, back to your homework."

Hotaru made a face. "How did you know I haven't finished it?"

"I would have thought you'd have learned not to ask those kind of
questions by now," Setsuna answered, making Usagi smile. "But the
simple answer would be - I'm your mother. I know these things. Go
on."

Hotaru rose slowly, showing her reluctance, and bowed to Usagi.
"It was nice seeing you, Usagi-chan."

"Good luck with the homework," Usagi said sincerely.

"Arigatou." Hotaru sighed and walked slowly out of the room. They
heard her run up the stairs. Setsuna sipped her tea again.

"I'm sorry about that, Usagi-chan. Hotaru-chan is a little spoiled."

"Oh, I don't mind. She's obviously happy here, otherwise she
wouldn't feel she could say things like that, and anyway, it will be
good for the shitennou to have someone who understands a little of
what they've gone through."

Setsuna nodded. "Well, would tomorrow night suit you two?"

Usagi nodded. "I think so. I'll phone you if Mamo-chan's got
something, but I didn't see anything on his calendar." She drained
her cup and nearly burned her throat, coughing as she set it down.
"I always do that," she remarked with a little embarrassed smile.

"It's cute," Setsuna told her with a kind smile. "Very cute."

Usagi sighed. "I'm nearly eighteen, I should have stopped being cute
by now."

"You shouldn't feel like that," Setsuna said softly. "It's a good
thing. It makes people feel safe with you, feel at ease with you.
Try not to lose that, Usagi-chan. It will stand you in good
stead..." She stopped and sipped at her tea again. Not too much
advice, she was not one of the Princess's Guard, she did not have
the right...

"Arigatou, Setsuna-san," Usagi murmured gratefully. "You always know
what to say to make me feel better."

Setsuna flushed under her dark skin, as pleased as Hotaru. For once,
she had no idea what to say. Usagi clasped her hands and leaned 
forward, a little anxious.

"Where shall we meet?" she asked.

"The launch pad on the grounds," Setsuna answered. "You can both 
make it there?"

“If you don’t mind showing me where it is…”

Setsuna nodded. They stood up and went out to the veranda. She 
pointed to a large black spot wavering in the heat haze. “That’s it. 
It has lights around it to mark it out for the helicopters so you 
should be able to see it easily from above.”

Usagi nodded. "What time?"

Setsuna smiled, amused. "Any time is good for me, Usagi-chan. That
depends on you."

Usagi blushed a bit. “Well, we are trying to avoid Haruka-san and 
Michiru-san.”

“Which is why I suggested tomorrow night. Michiru has a concert at 
seven thirty, and what with encores and meeting fans and well-
wishers, she won’t be back until ten thirty at the earliest.” Her 
curfew had been lengthened recently. "Ten o'clock?" she suggested.

"I'll be waiting."

"Okay.” Usagi pulled a crumpled leaflet out of her pocket and 
studied it, then sighed. “I should go - I've got a meeting with the 
others at Hikawa. Studying," she added, making a face like Hotaru.

Setsuna nodded, following Usagi to the door and waiting politely 
while she slipped her shoes on.

“Ja matte, Setsuna-san. Sayonara, Hotaru-chan!" Usagi called up the 
stairs, before jumping down off the step and running to the gate. 
She paused to wave at Setsuna before hurrying off down the street to 
wait for the bus. Setsuna leaned against the door frame for a 
moment, savouring Usagi's presence which still hung about the house, 
so light and pure and happy.

"She always makes the air lighter," said a soft voice behind her.
Setsuna didn't reply. She moved so that Hotaru could stand beside
her.

"I didn't get to say goodbye..." The disappointment in Hotaru's
voice was like a wound.

"You'll see her tomorrow night if you're good," Setsuna promised.

"I get to see them off on their journey? Cool! Setsuna-mama..."

"Yes?"

"Could you help me with this equation?"

She smiled to herself, placing a gentle arm around the thin
shoulders. "Of course, Hotaru-chan..."

***

The next night was cloudless. Eternal Sailor Moon waited for Tuxedo
Kamen on the roof of her house, having made sure that Luna was
asleep. A slight wind ruffled Eternal's blonde tresses and the
feathers of her wings. She stretched them. It would be a good night
to fly. She hadn't been able to show this new ability off to Kamen,
and she was looking forward to what he had to say.

The ruffle of a cape in the wind was the only warning she had of his
presence before he silently landed on the roof, with all the grace
and presence of a panther. She stood up slowly and they faced each
other for a moment, formal and silent. He swept his top hat off his
head and bowed to her.

"My lady."

She smiled. "You didn't have to do that."

He shrugged. "It felt right. Besides..." He shifted his arm, showing
her the case. "I have them with me, I have to do everything by the
book otherwise I'll get my head bitten off."

"By Jadeite?"

"No. Zoisite's the one who's a stickler for etiquette. Especially
towards ladies."

"He can't have been very impressed when you told him about what you
said to me the first time we met, then."

"Actually I've never told him. And I don't intend to tell him, and
you're not telling him either! Besides, it wasn't *that* rude."

"Oh, but you admit it was rude?" she teased, hands on her hips.

His eyes glittered in that familiar way behind his mask. "We are not
that far from my flat, Sailor Moon," he said softly. "And we have
enough time for a lesson, if you need to be taught one."

Eternal swallowed, feeling pale and excited, but was recalled to
business by the quiet clearing of someone's throat. However, she
couldn't resist getting the last word.

"I need to be taught lots of things," she tossed back, before
leaping into the air and sailing out of his grasp. "This way!"

"Oh very clever!" he called back, leaping from rooftop to rooftop,
hardly distinguishable from the shadows.

She laughed a little at him, the moonlight making her feel powerful
and ready for anything. It was easy to find the launch pad, given 
that it was ringed in lights which had been helpfully turned on. Two 
dark figures stood on it. One of them was in a dressing gown.

Landing at exactly the same time, Eternal and Tuxedo Kamen bowed to
Sailor Pluto. Hotaru smiled at them, hands hidden in the pockets of
the dressing gown. "I've come to see you off!" she announced, eyes
fixing on the glass case under Tuxedo Kamen's arm. "Can I see them?"

He held it out and she peered through the glass. The stones sparkled
in the moonlight. Hotaru smiled, a touch of wonder in her eyes.

"They're nice," she pronounced. "I look forward to meeting them."
Her head turned as a car crunched over gravel. "You'd better go."

Sailor Pluto had knelt before her king and queen, her dark hair
taking on the sheen of oil as it fell around her still figure.
"Prince. Princess." Her voice was low and calm, with just a hint of
warmth.

"Pluto, please, get up," Eternal said, a little embarrassed by this
respect as always. "There's no need for that yet, I'm not royalty."

"You will always be royalty to me, Princess," Pluto answered, her 
voice low but warm. She rose in accordance with the command, 
unhooked two keys from the many which hung on her belt, and laid 
them gently in Eternal's and Kamen's outstretched hands. "I shall 
come with you to the Gates, but then I must return to this present 
time. I shall wait here for you to make sure that you come back 
safely." Her eyes darted to the glass case under Kamen's arm for 
just a moment. "Are they prepared?"

He glanced down and nodded. "They don't care what happens as long as
I get them there."

Pluto nodded, suppressing a smile. "As expected." She threw up her
staff and began the call. "Father Chronos, whose blood flows in my
veins, open the white path, open the Portal of Time, this I command
by my blood and this Time Staff!" She struck the key upon the ground
and Hotaru stepped back as a white pillar of light descended upon
them. Tuxedo Kamen glimpsed Hotaru waving at them before they were
taken up. Eternal had closed her eyes - the pillar was pure power,
breathtakingly pure and impersonal, as time must always be if the
world is to function properly; but, because of this neutrality, it
was also devastatingly cold, and when they were deposited in the
Eighth Dimension, she was shivering slightly. Pluto noticed, but
Kamen had already put his cloak around her and was rubbing her arm
briskly. She glanced up at him gratefully and Pluto turned around,
her eyes searching the mists for any sign of danger. Nothing
presented itself.

"This way," she murmured and led them to the great doors. A figure 
was already standing there. Pluto stopped and turned to them. "This 
is where I leave you. I will be waiting in the twentieth century, 
Prince, Princess." She bowed from the waist and disappeared into the 
mist. They moved forward to face her future self. 

Eternal was trying to figure out exactly how this Pluto was related
to the one who just left them, but it gave her a headache - so she
stopped trying. Just like last time, she wished that she could stop
and look at the carvings on these doors, but the Guardian of Time 
bowed to them and the doors slowly swung open before she could get
a proper glimpse. They stepped into a long tall corridor. At the end
of it stood a tall male figure. Eternal's heart skipped a beat. He
looked familiar, and yet she couldn't think where she had seen him
before.

"Good luck," Pluto murmured behind them.

Eternal turned quickly. "Arigatou, Pluto," she whispered.

Pluto stared back at the young soldier before her. A smile touched 
her lips before she replied "It's nothing, Princess" and stepped 
back into the Eighth Dimension. The doors swung shut behind her 
without a sound.

"Come on," Tuxedo Kamen urged her, and they walked forward, their
boots creating echoes around the corridor. It was difficult to
distinguish who the man was because he was standing against the
light. Eternal suddenly heard her partner gasp.

"Ken?!" Kamen exclaimed, almost dropping the box. Eternal grabbed 
his arm before it slipped out of his grasp, not sure what was going 
on. It seemed like he knew the man, but she’d never seen him before 
in her life. He was tall, with wide shoulders, dressed in a soft 
white shirt and trousers made of a material that hadn’t been 
invented yet. A mane of chestnut brown hair formed a wavy halo round 
his head, softening the lines of his cheekbones and jaw. He looked 
relaxed and a little amused at Tuxedo Kamen’s reaction.

"Good evening, I hope your journey was not too rough?" he enquired 
in perfect Japanese, his voice warm and quite deep.

"No, not at all," Eternal murmured.

"Ken?" Kamen whispered, staring as if he could not believe his eyes.

Ken smiled, but did not answer the unspoken question. "Don't just 
stand there, come in!" He stepped aside, welcoming them into the 
clear crystal corridors they remembered so well. Only this time, the
corridors were lit up, bright with presence and power. Eternal
gazed about, drinking everything in, trying to impress it upon
her memory. Ken closed the doors behind them. "This way," he said, 
striding off down another corridor, practically identical, and they 
hurried after him. Music floated through the air, along with various 
words and exclamations, but they couldn't tell where any of this was 
coming from. Eternal stayed close to her protector, partly for 
reassurance, partly for warmth. Ken glanced at them over his 
shoulder and smiled.

"Nearly there now."

"What are you doing here?" Kamen asked in a low voice.

"I’m escorting you to where you need to be.” He laughed, a happy
shout that echoed around them and blended in with the other noises
they could hear.

"But Ken... how do you know who I am? What’s going on?!" Kamen 
demanded, keeping his voice down.

“Sorry, can’t answer that.” Ken threw a pair of doors open, and they 
stepped into a large round room, full of complicated equipment and 
floating computer screens.

Kamen was about to repeat the question, but his eye was caught, and 
he gazed around hungrily, taking in the surroundings. “Brilliant," 
he murmured.

"You should know, you had a hand in designing it," Ken retorted with 
a grin.

"So I've heard," Kamen replied, setting the box down carefully on 
the table in the middle of the room. Ken walked over and looked 
down. A small silver rectangle that was attached to his belt buzzed 
and he put it to his ear. “Mm, they’re here. Hai. Hai.” He put it 
back without pressing anything. He turned to them with a smile. 
"Nice to see you, Mamoru-kun, Usagi-chan. Someone will be here in a 
minute to take the stones away. You'd better say goodbye now. We'll 
be in the next room." He left the room before they could reply. The 
door quickly slid shut behind him and the lights dimmed. Tuxedo 
Kamen sighed and opened the lid of the case. The figures rose into 
the air. Eternal could just about see them. She turned and walked to 
the other end of the room to give them as much privacy as possible.

'This is it,' Kamen said to his guardians awkwardly.

They all nodded, looking at him calmly.

'Are you still sure you want to do this?'

They nodded again. He had known what their answer would be, and yet
he'd had to ask. He blinked behind his mask, wondering what to say.

'Don't look like that,' said Zoisite softly. 'We'll turn up soon.
And you won't be alone.'

'Yeah, whatever you do, don't mope,' Nephrite advised him. 'Besides,
it's not as if we ever really kept you company.'
Kamen tried to laugh but his throat was too dry, and all he could do
was smile. It wasn't even a very good smile. He could feel Jadeite
and Kunzite watching him. Their silence was worse than Zoisite and
Nephrite trying to cheer him up. He knew they could see that he was
miserable.

'You'll survive,' Jadeite said abruptly. 'You always have. And don't
worry about us. We'll get to you this time.'

'Yes,' Kunzite agreed, making it into a promise. 'This time we won't
be fooled or sidetracked. Look out for us.' He paused. 'You might
not recognise us at first. But we'll know you...'

He didn't know what to say. It seemed unfair that they’d recognise 
him first, but on the other hand, he should be grateful that they 
were coming back at all. 'Make sure you turn up,' he said finally. 
'I'll be waiting... You know where to find me.'

'Maybe we should look for the Princess first,' Jadeite murmured 
dryly. 'Then we'll definitely be able to find you.'

Nephrite and Zoisite laughed and nudged him. Kamen felt as if he 
were back in Elysion for a moment. 'Do you have to put it like 
that?'

'What other way is there to put it?' asked Jadeite, raising an
eyebrow, causing more laughter.

"Finished?" said a new voice.

"We're ready," Kamen confirmed as Eternal joined him.

She gazed down at the shitennou, who bowed to her once more and sent
her silent goodbyes. Tears rose in her eyes but she pushed them back
down. This was no time to get sentimental. It wasn't as if they were
going away forever. Kamen closed the case and looked up, then 
blinked.

“Kunzite?”

The taller man nodded in greeting. "Endymion."

Kamen swallowed. It was so bizarre to see them like this and at the 
same time it felt so natural... Kunzite looked strangely unsure of 
himself.

"I have a request..."

"Oh?" That was unusual: Kunzite didn't usually ask for favours. He 
was very independent and hated to rely on anyone. Actually, that was 
a characteristic that could apply to all four of his guardians. 
“Name it."

"I want you to tell my past self something. When he turns up... and
you've recognised each other... and he's let you get close..."
Kunzite smiled, mocking himself and Kamen smiled back, understanding
what he meant.

"Yes?"

"Tell him to stop worrying. It's such a waste of energy."

Having left that hanging in the air, Kunzite nodded at the box. “You 
can leave that here. The process will be done as quickly as 
possible. I'm escorting you back to the Eighth Dimension.

“But we know the way back,” Kamen said.

“Unless you used a ball of golden thread or a trail of breadcrumbs 
on the way, I doubt it. Even if you did, there’s no guarantee that 
you could make it there without people seeing you. Hence the 
necessity of an escort.”

Kamen made a face at the case as he put it down on the table. He’d 
forgotten how strict Kunzite could be.

"So there's another way?" Eternal said, puzzled.

"Of course." Kunzite looked amused. "There are many ways."

"But aren't you worried that other people will find their way to the
Doors?" Kamen asked as they passed through another door out into the 
corridor.

"Most people can't even see the Doors, let alone go through them,"
Kunzite answered smartly. "Only people born with special starseeds
can see the Doors. Only those with the starseeds of planets and
stars may enter them. And even then you have to be very special
indeed to have actual *permission* to do that."

"How is Neo-Queen Serenity going to reincarnate... them?" Eternal
asked softly. "I mean, Pluto was in a body..."

"The stones are what remains of their bodies. However, in order for
the spirits to be set free, the bodies must be destroyed."

"WHAT?!" Kamen shouted, stopping in his tracks.

Kunzite turned and faced him. "We should keep moving. It would cause
a lot of awkward questions if people saw you," he added quietly.
"I will answer any questions that you have to the best of my
ability."

Tuxedo Kamen turned to go back the way they’d come and blinked. 
Kunzite was standing in front of him, arms folded. “Just where do 
you think you’re going?”

"Get out of my way!" Kamen made as if to walk around him, and found 
himself frozen in place.

“The only place you’re going is back to your time,” Kunzite said, 
watching his ward struggle to move without a flicker of emotion on 
his face. “My orders are to escort both of you back without letting 
you be seen, and I intend to fulfill them. You can make this easy or 
hard for yourself, it’s all the same to me, but you really ought to 
think about how it would look to Serenity.”

Tuxedo Kamen closed his eyes. He knew he was beaten. “Fine,” he 
whispered, and almost pitched forward onto his face, the control was 
relaxed so suddenly.

Kunzite caught him by the shoulders and waited until he’d righted 
himself before letting go. That was typical, Kamen thought hazily, 
there had always been that strange mix of warmth and formality about 
him.

Eternal wrapped her hands around his arm, her blue eyes dark and 
shimmering with tears of worry. He nodded at her, unable to pull a 
smile. He felt as if some vital part of him had been taken away. 
"Why... didn't anybody tell me?" he whispered.

"We assumed you were intelligent enough to work that out," Kunzite
replied.

Tuxedo Kamen clenched a fist. "I want to see them."

"That's not possible."

"Damn it, Kunzite-!"

"What, do you think she’ll take the souls out and let you keep the 
shells?" There was a hard edge to Kunzite’s voice. "I can tell you 
now that's not an option. Seeing them destroyed would not do you any 
good, Endymion. I know you. Why do you even want them?"

"I don't need to justify myself to you," Kamen retorted through
gritted teeth.

Eternal couldn't see Kunzite's face, but his tone grew noticeably
colder. "Those stones are the remains of the pitiful corrupted
bodies which your shitennou inhabited under the influence of
Metallia. They are a living reminder to your guardians of what they
did, of how they failed. At the moment, they are literally
imprisoned in their past." He let the words sink in before he
finished, "So, I ask you again, why would you want to keep those 
stones?"

"Because they're the only reminder he has of them!” Eternal 
exclaimed. “When they're gone, he won't have anything. Even stones 
are better than nothing..."

"Ah..." Kunzite grew thoughtful. "So that's why? Interesting."

"What is?" Kamen asked.

"The fact that she reads your heart like an open book," Kunzite 
answered candidly. "A good omen. If it's a souvenir you're 
wanting... Zoisite thought of that. This way." He turned abruptly
down a small corridor, led them to the end and laid his hand in a
niche in the wall. A hidden compartment revealed itself and Kunzite
reached inside. He drew out a necklace. It was a gold chain with
four stones hanging on it. Kunzite turned and held it out toTuxedo 
Kamen.

"Here." His voice was very quiet. "Our four stones. Imbued with our
presence. Bound by the metal of Elysion. A talisman, if you like."

"Talisman?" Kamen repeated, his eyes meeting Kunzite's.

"It'll do until they actually turn up," Kunzite said, avoiding the
implicit question, depositing the necklace in Kamen's gloved
hand. "Whether you wear it or not is up to you." The compartment
had already closed whilst they were talking. Kunzite went back up
the corridor and looked both ways at the crossroads. "This way."

Eternal felt as if they were steadily going downhill. The light
seemed to fade until they were walking along a huge gloomy corridor
towards a familiar set of doors. Kunzite seemed almost ghostly in
the dim light. Kamen still held the necklace tight in his fist. He
was undecided as to whether he would wear it or not. These were not
the same stones... but as his love had said, stones were better than
nothing. Kunzite had used the word 'talisman' deliberately, he was
sure of it, but, typically Kunzite, had left him to work out *why*
he'd used that word. Surely the necklace was not a talisman in the
same way Uranus' Space Sword or Pluto's Garnet Orb was a Talisman,
but it must have some kind of power...

Kunzite lifted his hand and rapped on the Doors. They swung slowly
outwards, without a sound. Pluto stood there as always, waiting to
escort them back. She nodded to Kunzite, but did not greet him.
However, they seemed to know each other quite well. Eternal sighed
internally - it seemed that whenever the future was involved, she
was always left with more questions than answers.

"Kunzite," Kamen said, as the silver-haired man stepped back.

"Yes, Endymion?"

"I'll remember to tell him."

A slight smile touched Kunzite's lips. "Arigatou."

"And, Kunzite?"

"Mm?"

"Thanks for the necklace. Tell the others..."

"I'll thank them for you," Kunzite assured him. "They'll be glad to
know they made things a little easier." He paused. "It was the least
we could do."

Eternal gently took Kamen's arm and they stepped inside the Doors.
Kunzite stood watching them as the Doors closed. Pluto's Garnet Orb
glimmered, lighting the small space around them with a scarlet glow.

"Do you have the keys?"

They showed her the small intricately carved objects.

"Good. Hold onto each other. Tightly. This way can often be very...
gruelling."

Eternal's heart skipped a beat but she didn't have time to say
anything before the ground fell away beneath her feet and a great
wind snatched her clothes and face. She clung to Tuxedo Kamen's arm,
shutting her eyes tight and felt his other arm press her into him -

Then it was all over and they were standing on the launch pad again,
under a quiet night sky. The wind which blew over them gently
played with their hair, and Meioh Setsuna was standing a few metres
away.

"Well?" she asked.

"Everything went as planned," Tuxedo Kamen answered, straightening
his top hat and checking that Eternal was alright. She smiled at him
wanly.

"Daijobu?"

"Daijobu," he answered, checking that he hadn't let go of the
necklace. No, it was still tight in his fist. They both gave their
keys back to Setsuna, who tossed them over her shoulder. There was
no sound of them hitting the ground. Kamen and Eternal said nothing.

"I'm glad to see you're back safely," Setsuna told them. "Now, if
you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed. If anything goes wrong or my
services are needed again, you know where to find me." And without
another word, she turned and began to walk down the outlined pathway 
towards the house.

"You'd better get to bed, too," Tuxedo Kamen observed, looking down
at Eternal.

"I'm not that tired," she answered, snuggling against him.

"Oh..."

"We'd better get back to your flat and put that necklace on after
you've changed," she decided. "I don't think it would look quite
right with what you're wearing at the moment."

"Good point."

They did as she suggested. After transforming back into their
ordinary selves, they both discovered they were quite hungry, so
whilst Usagi boiled water for some instant ramen, Mamoru hunted
through the fridge for some vegetables.

"It was so weird seeing him," he murmured, discovering some peppers
and a few baby carrots.

“Who? Ken-san?” Usagi asked.

“Mm. Well, Kunzite, too, but I have no idea why Ken was there...”

Usagi turned to look at him. “Who *is* he, Mamo-chan? You looked so 
surprised when you saw him.”

“He’s... he’s nobody! Nobody, as far as I know! I mean, he’s a 
friend from Harvard, but that’s it! There’s nothing particularly 
special about him, apart from the fact he can’t lie to save his 
life, and he’s very good with animals. Oh, and he doesn’t want to be 
at Harvard.”

Usagi blinked. “He doesn’t want to be at Harvard?”

Mamoru suddenly seemed to realise what he’d said. “Yeah. It’s a long 
story, and it’s... private. It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s 
just I don’t know how comfortable he’d be with me telling anybody 
else.”

“Oh...” Usagi cupped her elbows, thinking. “Well, you know he’s 
going to be there, so doesn’t that make you feel better?” she said 
eventually.

Mamoru shook his head. "Not really. It felt so... strange. Weird. I 
mean, I associate you and the senshi and Chibi-Usa with Crystal 
Tokyo, with the future, that’s fine, but I associate Ken with 
Harvard, with the present, and he was actually in the 30th Century 
in a place that doesn't even exist yet." He shook his head. "Just 
thinking about it tires me out."

"I've never known you to get tired thinking about something like
that," Usagi observed, a little worried, opening the packet of 
ramennoodles as the water began to boil.

"I know... it's not really that which is tiring me..." he admitted,
chopping up the vegetables.

"What?" she asked, slightly fearful.

"It's them... their absence..."

Usagi dropped the noodles in the saucepan, made sure that they were
all submerged, then turned and hugged Mamoru around the waist. He
jumped a little.

"Usako?"

"Don't be sad," she murmured. "They won't be gone for long. I bet
you they'll turn up really soon... why, you might already know
them!" She beamed up at him as he looked down over his shoulder.

"Maybe," he agreed, heating some oil in a wok before throwing in the
chopped vegetables. "Though I can't think of anyone that could fit
their descriptions."

"But Kunzite said that you might not be able to recognise them at
first..."

"Yes, he did say that, didn't he?" Mamoru's lips turned down again
and he pushed the vegetables about in the oil. Usagi checked on the
ramen, leaving a hand on his back. It did no good to talk to Mamoru
in this type of mood. When his stomach was full and he was more
relaxed, it would be easier to get through to him. And they still
had the necklace.

The flat felt cold without them. It was an undeniable fact. It was
only now they were gone that he could see what they had done. They
had given his life a little bit of warmth, a little bit of
companionship. He had taken it for granted. He had ignored them,
often taken out his worry and frustration and anger on them... They
hadn't complained. They had been his friends, as much as they could
be. He shoved the vegetables around the wok, frowning. How could
four spirits, trapped inside stones, affect him so much? It didn't
make any sense...

The food was done and they sat down to eat. It was a quiet meal, but
by no means as cold as the preparation which had gone before it.
Mamoru responded to Usagi's comments and even smiled a little. The
necklace lay on the table between them, the stones glowing slightly
in the light, beautiful and quiet. Usagi wondered what Naru would
make of it - even to her untrained eyes, it looked like a wonderful
piece of craftsmanship, the gold links tiny and intricate, the
stones polished into spheres with little crosses carved upon them.
The clasp itself hooked around a circle quartered by a cross. Usagi
turned the ring around on her finger, a heart surrounded by
diamonds. It seemed only right that Mamo-chan should also have a
special piece of jewellery.

Mamoru was looking at the necklace too. He smiled - he understood
why Kunzite had said it was a talisman: the metal, the stones, the
crosses carved upon the circles... And was that...? He picked up the
necklace and gazed hard at the clasp. Yes: a circle with a small
mark inside it.

"Look, Usako," he murmured, showing her in the moonlight so that she
could see it properly, "the circle inside a circle - Elios must
have had a hand in making this, it's the symbol for the Sun. And
these crosses on the stones - the circle quartered by the cross –
that's the symbol for Earth. Everything about this necklace comes
from this planet."

Usagi beamed. "It's like a crown," she said, her hand automatically
reaching up to touch the brooch where the ginzuishou rested. "It's a
mark of who you are."

He nodded, his eyes bright with fascination as he examined his gift.
"How did they...?"

"Because they're them," Usagi said logically. "And they know you by
now. Very well if that teasing was anything to go by."

"You knew they were teasing me?"

"You went red, it wasn't that hard to figure out."

Mamoru cleared his throat. "Yes, well..."

"Do you want to put it on?"

He nodded. "Would you...?"

She got up, moved to the other side of the table, and fastened the
chain around his neck carefully, feeling as if she were indeed
crowning him, not just as her king, but as the King of the Earth.
This was a special rite for him alone. After she had fastened it,
she rested her hands on his shoulders and kissed the back of his
neck. That seemed to be right too. He turned around and looked at
her, his eyes dark and solemn.

"Feel better?" she asked.

His expression changed, surprised and happy at the same time.
"Yes... yeah, I do." His hand reached up and grasped at the stones.
"It's... I don't know. It's like I've reconnected to something..."

She beamed and threw her arms around him. "Yay!"

"Usako!" But he was laughing. "You've just eaten something."

She put out her tongue. "Like my stomach ever actually rejects 
anything I give it!"

"That's not the point..." He got up, lifting her onto her feet by
sheer strength. "We really should get you home."

She huffed. "Oh, well now I *know* you're feeling better."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he demanded, raising an eyebrow.

"You're trying to be responsible."

Mamoru tried not to laugh. "One of us has to be!"

She giggled and kissed the tip of his nose. "What happened to
teaching me a lesson?"

"Don't tempt me."

"Aren't I doing that already?"

"That's why I said it." He gently withdrew himself from her arms.
"You should really get home."

She couldn't resist pouting, but obediently transformed and ran to
the balcony. Standing in the doorway, silhouetted by the moonlight,
she turned and looked at him.

"Sure you don't wanna change your mind?" she asked with a sweet
smile.

He walked forward to see her. The moonlight slid over the stones in
his necklace, and made the gold glitter. It looked right on him.
Something about him had changed, but she couldn't yet see what. 
Itwas definitely something good, though, and that was what mattered.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Usako," he said firmly and suddenly swooped
down to plant a seductive but gentle kiss on her mouth. When he
stepped back, it was she who was reeling, unsure of what to do.
Pulling herself together, she blew him a kiss and leapt off into the
air.

As he watched her fly away, Mamoru leaned on the edge of his balcony
and smiled, playing with his necklace. "My moonlight angel," he said
softly.

***

"Ah!"

Jadeite touches his chest.

"Did you feel that?" He turns and looks at the others. They sit in a 
clearing, each with their back against a tree-trunk, each with their 
hand over their heart, eyes wide.

"Yeah," Nephrite murmurs. "A sting, a pull..."

"Like a tug from somewhere," Zoisite agrees.

"Or from someone," Kunzite corrects him, lifting his head and gazing
into the soft sky.

"Does that mean we have to go?" Zoisite asks, leaning back, still
holding his hand against his heart.

"I don't know... this is new territory. What we're doing hasn't been
done before..."

"Pluto did it..."

"Pluto actually had a proper body... I doubt she came here..."

"It's beautiful here..." says Nephrite longingly. "I'd forgotten how
beautiful it was..."

"Maybe that's a good thing," Jadeite observes. "I don't think I
would have been able to bear being inside that cage if I'd
remembered this..."

The forest smells of pine and grass and violets. A stream bubbles
somewhere nearby. Sunlight streaks through the branches of the trees
and birdsong floats above their heads.

"Elysion," Zoisite murmurs. "I used to envy him so much for being
able to live here..."

"Wish we could stay."

"You know that's not possible."

"You aren't even tempted?"

Kunzite sighs, rubbing at his chest. The pull isn't painful, but
it's constant, like a small child tugging on his hand. "If you mean,
am I ignorant of Elysion's attractions, no, Jadeite. I am not. This
is and always has been a beautiful country. Just as it should be. 
The Land of Dreams is always the most beautiful realm, for it is
formed out of the hopes and wishes and ideals of humanity. But if we
stay here, it will be almost exactly like staying in our stones - we
will not exist. We will not be able to help our master. The only
difference is that it would be more pleasant for us."

The other three sigh in agreement, and watch the clouds gently roll
through the sky above them. But the peace is gone: all they can feel
is the pull in their chests, growing stronger and stronger.

"We have to go," Nephrite states, slowly getting up.

"Look."

They all turn towards Zoisite. He is pointing at something. A white 
temple on a slight hill.

"The Shrine..." Kunzite murmurs.

"Are we supposed to go there?"

"Perhaps. He is our prince's counterpart after all."

Petals float around them as they make their way towards the 
building, which is surrounded by a stream. A pegasus grazes on the 
banks. It raises its head and looks at them with crimson eyes. 
Everything is still.

"I knew you'd come."

They all look up at the voice. Elios is standing on the white
steps.

"Elios," Kunzite states and they bow to him. "Priest of Elysion."

"Kunzite, Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite." Elios nods to each one of
them.

"Why are we here?" Zoisite asked.

"Elysion is the Land of Dreams. The border between waking and 
sleeping, but also between Life and Death." Elios's amber eyes seem 
to soften slightly. "You are on the verge of living again."

Instinctively they turn their heads towards the great river on the
border of Elysion.

"Do we have to cross that?"

"No. The Queen's power will do the rest. Just wait and do not 
worry."

"Elios..." Kunzite touches his chest. "This pull..."

"Comes from him," Elios nods. "You must use it to find your way to
him. It will not be easy. You have a double task this lifetime. You
must protect him... but you must also find a way to free
yourselves."

"Free ourselves?" repeats Jadeite sharply. "Of what?"

"Of your bond."

"Bond?"

"You will understand soon enough." Elios lifts his head, listening
for something. A trembling song begins to fill the air. "She's
calling you," he murmurs. "Don't keep her waiting. I must continue
my prayers." He turned to go back inside.

"Elios..."

Pausing, the young priest looks at Kunzite over his shoulder.

"Do you want us to take any messages?"

Elios seems to think hard for a moment and then he nods. "Tell the
Prince that all is well. Give my fondest greetings and respect to
the Princess. And..." He hesitates.

"And?" Kunzite insists gently.

"I will be praying for you," Elios announces, his gaze sweeping
over all of them as the music grows louder. "I will be with you. 
Good luck. Goodbye." He disappears and the pegasus begins to crop 
the grass again. The singing fills their heads, their bodies, a 
sweet unearthly vibration lifts them up.

"Is this it?"

"This must be it..."

A great silver light spreads over the sky. They reach out towards it 
without knowing why - an automatic reaction. There is a curious 
heavy warmth heavy, like being wrapped in a blanket. A voice 
whispers:

Go... with my blessing...

"Hi-kun... Hi-kun..."

That isn't my name.

"Wake up, Hi-kun."

He gasped, opening his eyes, a hand stretching out. A hand. His
hand. He turned his head and looked into small kind eyes.

"So you're awake," his grandfather chuckled. "I was beginning to
wonder. Some dream, huh?"

He brought his hand down and inspected it. Amazing, how flesh
and blood and bone knit together to form such a useful thing...

"Yeah..." he said softly. "A dream."

"Well, better get up, birthday boy. Your friends will be here
soon." His grandfather patted his shoulder and moved out of the
room, slowly closing the door behind him.

He stared at the ceiling. A dream. Yes, he called it that to
make his grandparents feel better. But he knew it was more than
that. More than just a random collection of images.

"Elysion," he whispered, reaching up to touch the pendant which he
always kept around his neck. The name was soft and magical on his
tongue, evoking wonderful ideas in his head. The Golden Kingdom. The
Land of Dreams. It was a real place, he told himself, sitting up in
bed. It had to be...

"Ah!"

His hand flew to his chest. No matter how often it happened, he
never got used to this ache. He'd gone for so many scans, but the
doctors hadn't found anything wrong. Now the others had started to
feel it too. It must all fit together somehow. Today, the pull was
stronger than ever.

"I'm coming," he whispered, though he had no idea who was supposed
to hear him. "I'm coming." He rubbed at the spot, more out of habit
than anything else, since nothing could soothe the pain except the
company of his friends.

It was his birthday. It was almost the end of the year. He swung his
legs over the side of the bed, got up and stretched. In three days'
time, he would go with his friends to the shrine, ring the bell 
and make the traditional New Year prayers. Drawing back the curtains 
and looking on the snowy garden, he blinked at the brightness of the
winter world. This year, he would pray to be shown the way... to
what, he still wasn't sure. Perhaps it was better to ask for a sign
as to what he should do about this... Some sort of revelation would
be welcome.

"Balthasar!" His grandmother's voice still carried far. "Breakfast!"

"Coming!" he called and hurried to get dressed. Even if it was his 
birthday, he wasn’t going to relax.

You never knew what would happen.

DISCLAIMER: All characters and situations belong to Naoko Takeuchi
and Kodansha Comics. This story is based on information given in the
MANGA.

VOCABULARY:
Arigatou = Thank-you
Daijobu = As a question 'Are you okay?'; as an answer 'I'm fine'
Flat = British English for 'apartment'
Gomen nasai = I'm sorry (formal)
Himeko = Princess
Ja matte = See you later (informal)
Otou-san = Father, in this case referring to Professor Tomoe
Ramen = a Japanese dish of clear broth containing noodles and
vegetables, sometimes meat
Sayonara = Goodbye
Shitennou (also romanised as shi'tenno, shi tenno) = the Four Kings,
sometimes the Four Emperors
Shujin = Master (very formal and full of respect)
Usako = my little rabbit (Mamoru uses this form as a sign of love)

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Comments and suggestions are welcome. This is going
to be an epic with a capital E. So stick with me.

MANGA INFO: In the manga, the shitennou are not wiped out
completely. Their bodies turn to stones because of Metallia's
influence, and these stones help to save Mamoru's life when Usagi
stabs at him with the sword of ginzuishou. Their spirits are kept in
these stones, and Mamoru can call upon their spirits to give him
advice. (Although whether he actually *takes* this advice is another
matter entirely.) The last time they are seen in the manga is in the
Dead Moon Arc, and there is no information on what happens to them
in the future. They do actually call Mamoru 'shujin', not 'Endymion'
or 'Mamoru' (see Alex Glover's translations) but I thought the
formality might slip if they were upset.

Hotaru is reincarnated as a baby, but her father does not come back
to life. Instead, the three Outer Senshi vow to take care of her and
we find them doing just that in the Dead Moon Arc, very happy with
their rather unusual family set up. Hotaru calls her parents
'Setsuna-mama', 'Michiru-mama' and 'Haruka-papa'. In the Stars arc,
when Haruka and Michiru return to high school, it seems that Setsuna
takes over the main mother role for Hotaru as the one old enough to
have a proper job. I assume that after they come back to Earth, they
carry on 'as normal'. Michiru calls Hotaru 'their little princess',
so I used 'himeko', which means princess. Haruka and Michiru both
have helicopters in the Infinity arc (S) and I don't think they sold
them. After all, helicopters are very useful things to have around!
;)

HONORIFICS: The Japanese way of showing how close you are to a
person, very complicated. In this story:

- san = Miss/Mr (used for people older than you, or those you don't
know very well)

- chan = affectionate, mostly used by women to show affection, or
when talking to a younger female; Usagi usually calls her friends
'chan' which is a mark of her affectionate, friendly personality

- kun = Used by boys when talking to equals or by older people
addressing young boys (in this case, Takehiko's grandparents are
being affectionate, because he's over twenty!)

NO honorific signals a very close relationship. Haruka and Michiru
don't use honorifics when talking about and to each other, for
example.

Usagi is older than Hotaru, so Hotaru would use –san, but Setsuna
would use –chan because Usagi is younger than her.

Starsea xxx