Soul Mates
by lady

CHAPTER NINE
Love Forsaken, Love Reclaimed

 

A chilly wind blew across the streets of Tokyo, whistling through every open nook and cranny, and down the almost deserted alley where a couple stood a few feet apart. The man and the woman were quietly staring at each other, unmindful of the playful breeze that toyed with the man's loosened shirt, opening it to reveal the white uniform he wore underneath.

A gasp was torn from the woman's lips as she glimpsed what the wind had uncovered. It only served to fuel the man's anger more. "Does this look at all familiar, Rei?" he asked provokingly, unable to hide the bitterness in his voice. "Does it remind you of someone you ought to know?"

Rei stood silent against his reproach, keeping a hand over her mouth to stop the nonsensical sounds she would have uttered otherwise. She was still staring in shock at Justin's open shirt, trying to accept what her mind had already deduced.

Justin was one of the white ninjas.

The white uniform he wore was unmistakable, and, although the idea was too incredible to believe, the proof was right in front of her.

When moments passed and she just continued to stare at him, Justin assumed that she didn't recognize the outfit and took more drastic measures.

"No? Nothing at all?" he goaded. "Well, maybe this will help your memory along." And he pulled the edge of his uniform to bare his left shoulder to her gaze. High on his chest, just below his left collarbone, three puncture marks were just beginning to heal. They were obviously deep and still swollen, surrounded by a purplish-yellow color.

Rei gasped once more and closed her eyes, unable to keep viewing the results of her carelessness. It was her fault that he was injured and she knew it well.

On the second week of December, she had been heading for a meeting with her supervisor, when someone tapped her shoulder from behind and asked for the time…

"Excuse me, do you know what time it is?" a female voice inquired.

Rei, in a hurry to be on her way, checked her watch without looking at the speaker and answered absently. "It's almost noon."

"I'm afraid you gave me the wrong time," the persistent voice insisted. "Care to try again?"

As always, Rei was quick to lose her temper and turned abruptly, ready to give the stranger a piece of her mind. But the words she prepared to utter disappeared when she saw who she was talking to.

It was definitely female, she noticed, but with green, scaly flesh and deep, red eyes. The hair that fell all the way to her ankles resembled long, intertwined vines that ended in sharp steel points, almost like arrowheads. She had coiled part of it around one hand, ready to use it to attack.

"No? Well, I'll tell you what time it is, Sailor Mars. It's time for you to die!"

Shock went through Rei at the mention of her alter ego, but nothing showed on her face. She was not about to confirm the youma's suspicions by admitting who she really was. "I don't know what you're talking about."

The youma laughed at her efforts before spearing her with a hateful glare. "It's no use trying to deny it. I know who you are. I saw you transform with my own eyes." Her grip tightened on her weapon as accusations poured from her lips. "You and your sailor friends are responsible for my sister's death. I arrived too late to help her, and I saw you finish her off. I knew I couldn't take all of you on at once, so I waited until you changed back to your normal selves. My patience was rewarded when I finally saw who you really were."

"I've waited a long time to get you alone, Sailor Mars. Now it's time to pay with your life. Die!" And she whipped her hair towards her target, the sharp points meant to stab her like knives.

Rei barely managed to jump out of the way, and quickly raised her transformation pen. "Mars Star Power…Make Up!"

The youma lost no time in attacking again, making Mars dodge numerous hits before she managed to launch her own.

"Mars Fire…Ignite!"

With quick reflexes, the monster wrapped her hair around her body and it protected her from being burned. Mars watched in disbelief as she repeatedly attacked, her enemy dodging every one without sustaining a single scratch. Seeing that her fire was useless, she charged physically and managed to land a few blows. The youma was quick to learn her moves, however, and had soon wrapped her vine-like hair around Mars' neck, choking the life out of her. Black spots suddenly appeared in her vision, and she knew a moment of panic when she started gasping for air.

Then all of a sudden, she was free. She was thrown backwards, a little distance away, when the youma abruptly let go of her grasp. She sat where she landed, breathing hard to fill her lungs with much needed air.

Sounds of fighting echoed from somewhere in front of her, and Mars lifted her head to see what was happening. What she saw was the youma defending herself from the relentless blows of her opponent, a white clad figure she recognized from Jupiter's description. A white ninja, her friend had called him. Someone who interfered when she needed him most. Mars wondered if he was the same one who'd rescued her fellow Senshi.

Watching for another moment, she saw that he was holding up well against the monster and decided to call for reinforcements. She quickly used her communicator to contact the others. "Everyone, I need your help right now." She had just finished describing their location when she heard the shout of warning.

Mars looked up to see three arrow points heading straight towards her and was too surprised to move away. When they would have struck her, however, something white shielded her and took the blow instead. She watched in shock as the ninja collapsed in front of her, holding onto the hair attached to the steel points now buried in his chest.

"Now, Mars," he gasped, trying to tell her something.

She saw what he meant when the youma wrapped the rest of her hair around her body. There was a part of the monster uncovered because he held a few of the strands, and she focused her attack on that small opening.

"Mars Celestial Fire…Surround!"

The youma screamed as fire devoured her body, leaving nothing but a pile of dust and a few steel points where she last stood. Mars didn't waste any time viewing the remains but quickly turned back to her injured savior. He groaned as he removed the last of the arrows from his chest and placed a hand over the wound to stop the bleeding.

Mars went down on her knees beside him and cradled his head in her lap. He looked up at her from intense, blue eyes filled with agony.

"Are you okay, Mars?" he whispered, looking her over to see if she was hurt.

"I think that's supposed to be my line," she replied, trying to make him smile in spite of his injuries. She knew he must be in great pain as she watched the blood seep through his fingers. "I'm sorry. I should have been more careful. I should have--"

"Shh." He placed a finger on her lips to stop her rambling. "I'll always…be there…to protect you…Mars. Always." Then he stiffened and gritted his teeth as a new onslaught of pain passed through him. He closed his eyes in his agony.

Mars looked at him worriedly, knowing he should be in a hospital. She looked around and saw her fellow Senshi arriving in the distance. She carefully laid down the now unconscious ninja and run to meet them halfway.

"Mercury, hurry please," she shouted as they came in hearing distance. "He's hurt badly. You have to help him."

"Who's hurt, Mars?" her friend asked as they kept on running. "What happened?"

"I'll explain later. Just help him first."

They reached their destination a few minutes later and found nothing but an empty lot. In the spot where the white ninja lay before, only a blood stain and three arrow points were left behind. Proof that Mars hadn't imagined the whole thing.

Rei opened her eyes to look upon Justin questioningly. "You disappeared. I looked for you for hours but I couldn't find you. Where did you go?"

Justin realized that she really wanted to know. She had felt concern for him when he was hurt, and it softened his heart a little. "I woke up in a hospital with Nathan beside me. Apparently, he had just gotten there when you finished off the youma and waited for you to leave. He got me out of there as soon as you turned your back."

"But why?" she asked, hurt that he hadn't trusted her to care for him when he was injured. "I would have helped you. He didn't have to take you away so secretly."

"It wasn't time, Rei," he said sadly, knowing that the right time may never come for them now. "It wasn't time for you to know who I was. If you'd recognized me, it would have affected a lot of lives, not just my own."

Rei saw the sadness in his eyes turn to pain as he spoke. It put her to mind of how much agony he'd endured for saving her life. It also made her wonder what was causing the suffering she could see, even now, mirrored in his gaze. Unexpected tears started in her own.

"You said you'd always protect me." She shook her head at the words. "I don't understand. You are my enemy, and yet you rescued me. Why now, when you've never cared before?"

"You've always been stubborn and hardheaded, Rei," he accused softly, noting the wetness in her eyes. "You never listened unless you wanted to. I've been trying to tell you that I'm not the enemy since New Year's eve--that I'm not who you think I am. Perhaps I've been trying too hard."

When Rei seemed about to protest, he put up his hand to stop her. "It's alright, Rei. I'll keep my promise to stay away from you. You won't have to worry about me anymore." He smiled then, the saddest smile she had ever seen, and it brought more tears to her eyes. "If this relationship is going anywhere, it will be because you want it to. The ball is in your court, Rei." Justin lifted his hand to wipe away her tears but stopped before he touched her. "I just wish…"

Rei waited for him to finish, not knowing why it seemed so important to know what he wanted. But her wait was in vain as he flashed her another melancholy smile and walked away.

As his steps took him farther and farther from Rei, Justin finished what he'd meant to tell her. "I wish you could have loved me just a little, my princess," he whispered to himself. "I wish you could have loved me like I love you." Then, resigning himself to a life without her, he reluctantly added. "Goodbye, my love."

He dashed impatiently at the tears clouding his vision, only to find that there seemed to be an endless supply. He clenched his fists in frustration and heard his knuckles crack, sounding to his ears like the breaking of his heart. He closed his eyes in pain. "Goodbye…"

Rei watched his retreating back and waited for the feeling of relief to overwhelm her. It never came. Instead, heaviness seemed to settle upon her heart. Somewhere deep inside, a pain started to throb. Slowly, steadily, it spread outward until her whole body felt like it was one big ache. Her limbs started to tremble as shivers wracked her slim form, reacting to what only her subconscious acknowledged. She had lost a vital part of her being.

She wrapped her arms about her, willing her mind to grasp what was happening to her body--to her soul. Only more questions seemed to pop up in answer, leaving her all the more confused. And the single question that kept hammering itself to the forefront was the most puzzling one of all.

What have I just done?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Galen was busy writing reports when he heard a hesitant knock on the door. "Come in."

He heard it open and close in response, and when nothing but silence followed; he looked up to see who it was. Haruka stood at the entrance.

Galen hadn't seen her since New Year's Eve and wasn't sure what to say. He wasn't at liberty to declare his feelings and was unsure of how to approach her. In the end, it was she who said the first word.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but there's a couple of things we need to discuss."

"Please have a seat," he offered, indicating the chair on the other side of the desk.

Haruka did as she was asked before getting right down to business. "Yamamoto-san wants to meet with you to discuss that new surveillance system we created for his company." She looked up to see if he was listening and saw his nod of acknowledgement. "Also, Furukawa Sachiko called to ask if we could spare a few bodies on the fifteenth. It seems a lot of political bigwigs are attending the party she's throwing, and she wants to beef up her security. I made a list of the people I thought best to send." She showed him a copy of the list and started discussing the names on it.

Galen stared at her countenance as she outlined her plans for that particular assignment. He studied her face and noted it's total lack of expression. So calm, he thought. So composed. Not a trace of the emotions she displayed the other night. He wondered if she had truly resolved her feelings, or if she was just hiding her turmoil behind a blank mask. "Fujiwara-sama?"

Galen came out of his contemplation at the sound of his name. The questioning look she gave him made him realize that she'd stopped talking a few minutes before. He knew she was waiting for an answer but he couldn't remember what the question was.

When he didn't say anything after a while, Haruka repeated herself. "Do you want to make any changes to the plans I've made?"

Galen shook his head, more to wake himself up than to answer her question. "Uh, no. Go ahead just the way you told me." It was a good thing he trusted Haruka implicitly to handle the job well, or he'd be in big trouble. " And just give me Yamamoto's phone number. I'll contact him myself."

"Very well. I'll leave you this copy of the list as well." And she held out the piece of paper for him to take.

Galen looked at it and thought he saw it quiver in her grasp. He wondered if it was wishful thinking on his part that she felt enough emotion for him to make her tremble, even slightly, in his company. He decided to put it to the test.

He reached out for the paper, just far enough so their fingers would touch for a moment. When Haruka literally snatched back her hand as if burned, he knew he wasn't imagining things. She wasn't as indifferent to him as she wanted to pretend. She still felt something for him.

Haruka held her right hand enclosed with her left one as if to soothe it. She had worked so hard at trying to tell herself that she had been a fool, and that she felt nothing for him now except loathing. But a mere touch of his fingers proved her wrong. She could still feel a warm tingle from the momentary contact, and it made her wish for things she couldn't possibly have.

"Haruka…"

The sound of her name on his lips reminded her of better days. Those wonderful days when they worked, joked and laughed together. They didn't see each other much anymore. And when they did, the conversations were short and stilted. It just wasn't the same.

"Haruka," he repeated, but stopped once again, not knowing what to say.

She looked at the entreaty in his eyes and was torn between running and being safe, or listening to what he had to say and risk being hurt again. But before she could decide, the choice was taken from her by a knock behind her.

The door opened without invitation and Usagi entered the office. "Galen, how about having lunch with me? I hear the new French restaurant is pretty--Oh! I didn't realize you were busy," she finished abruptly, looking from one occupant of the room to the other.

Usagi's presence reminded Haruka of why she was avoiding Galen and helped restore the calm composure she had when she first entered. Gathering her things, she stood up and managed a semblance of a smile. "That's alright, Usagi-san. We're already finished."

Usagi was not totally convinced. "Are you sure? I could wait outside if you're not--"

"That's not necessary. I was just leaving." And without another word to Galen, she left the office.

Usagi's face was a study in regret as she faced her old friend. "I'm sorry, Galen. I didn't know she was here."

"That's okay, Usagi," he assured her, shrugging of the incident. "I didn't know what to say anyway. I couldn't really explain anything until we resolve your problems with Mamoru."

Usagi looked at him thoughtfully, knowing he must be hurting at Haruka's indifference. Galen had always been in touch with his emotions deeply. He felt everything more than anybody else, and it was sometimes a disadvantage. When he loved, he loved fiercely and totally, and the rejection of that love must hurt him deep inside. It was all her fault.

"I'm sorry," she repeated dejectedly and hung her head.

"Hey, it's alright." He lifted her chin and wiped the tears off her cheeks with his thumb. "Now what's this you were saying about lunch?" he asked lightly.

She couldn't help but return the smile he gave her. He had always been strong, inside and out, and the least she could do was emulate that strength. She resolved to keep his mind from his problems for the rest of the day.

"I want to try this new French restaurant down the street." Usagi linked her arms to his and pulled him towards the door.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Down the hall, Haruka closed the door to her office and leaned against it. Closing her eyes, she ran the events of the past half hour through her mind again.

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" she said aloud to herself. "You almost made a fool of yourself again."

She pushed away from the door and moved towards her desk. Opening the folder on top, she attacked her work with a vengeance, trying to forget what happened in Galen's office. After an hour of little accomplishment however, she finally gave up.

It was so much easier before, she thought, when all I had to fight were monsters. Now she was up against her own emotions, and, already, it seemed like a losing battle.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mamoru was taking a short break from work, strolling downtown to clear the cobwebs from his mind. After yesterday's fiasco with Usagi, he had been unable to do anything but think about it, leaving the program he was creating untouched on the computer screen.

This morning, he had resolved to keep Usagi from his mind and concentrate on work. He had made good progress for the first hour or so until his secretary came in and reminded him of what was on his schedule today. He had several people coming to see him this morning, she said, and a three o'clock meeting with Fujiwara Galen. Then she turned and closed the door, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

"Galen."

The mere sound of his name brought back all the pain and frustration Mamoru was trying to forget, keeping him unfocused and confused. He had still managed to keep all his morning appointments afterwards, but couldn't remember a single word he said. When the last one finally left, he walked out the door and told his secretary he was going for a long lunch. Now here he was, a few blocks away from his office and still unable to get Usagi out of his mind.

As if just the thought of her had conjured her image up, she was suddenly there, a few yards in front of him. She was sitting at a table by the window of a restaurant, looking thoughtfully in the distance. He was glad to see that she was alone so he could finally talk to her. He took an excited step in her direction, only to be stopped short by the arrival of another man.

Usagi looked up as he approached and smiled with pleasure at his company. Mamoru felt resentment settle in his heart. Who was this stranger who was deemed worth of her smiles when he got nothing but reproach from her? He needed to know.

Mamoru glanced at the man sitting across from Usagi, ready to do battle with the newcomer. Only, it wasn't a newcomer who sat there but an old friend. Ex-friend, he amended. The man who'd replaced him in Usagi's heart, or so he believed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Justin had been walking for hours after he left Rei and was finally heading home. He was crossing the street when he spotted Mamoru standing like a statue on the sidewalk. He called out to him but was totally ignored by his old friend.

Upon closer inspection, Justin noticed that Mamoru was paler than usual and his hands were clenched tight enough to draw blood. When Justin followed the direction of his unwavering stare and found Usagi sharing a meal with Galen, he quickly grasped the source of Mamoru's distress. He clasped a hand on his friend's shoulder and shook him out of his stupor.

"Snap out of it, Mamoru," he ordered. "She's not worth it. None of them are." Fresh from being hurt himself, Justin was speaking without thought, not really meaning a single word he said.

Mamoru was aware enough to hear the bitterness in his voice and wondered about its cause. He looked at his old enemy in the eye and found a kindred soul, helpless and in pain. It created a connection between them--something that they shared--and made him more comfortable in his presence.

"You don't really believe that, do you?" he asked of the other man. "Usagi's worth everything to me, and I'm sure whoever she is must be pretty special for you to love her."

Justin couldn't refute the truth of his words. Mamoru was right. Rei was everything to him as well. "You're right," he admitted grudgingly but with a melancholy note just the same. "She's very special. So special that I lived and died and lived again without forgetting my love for her. But now it seems I have no choice but to forget it," he admitted in a hoarse voice. "I'm just not sure I have the heart, or the strength, to do it."

Mamoru placed a hand on Justin's shoulder to offer comfort, knowing full well what it felt like to lose a loved one. With his own heart close to breaking, he sympathized with his old enemy's situation. Or was it his old friend's?

Usagi had said he was one of Endymion's protectors and Mamoru had no reason to doubt her. Maybe this was a good time to get to know him better. And perhaps also a chance for them to help each other out. It was worth a try.

"Have you had lunch? Justin, isn't it?"

The other man seemed to welcome the change of topic, shaking himself out of his depression. He shook his head. "No. I was too preoccupied to think about it," he replied. "But now that you mention it, I'm starving."

"Good. Let's go to that Chinese restaurant around the corner. The portions are good there and everything's delicious."

"Lead the way," Justin agreed and followed Mamoru down the street, looking like two old buddies having a great time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Rei had also been wondering around the city all morning, trying to still all the strange emotions running through her body. For hours after Justin had walked away, she had been battling feelings of guilt and loss. Guilt because she knew she had somehow hurt him when all he'd done was save her life. Rei was no longer sure that he was the same Jadeite who fought the Senshi years ago. Somewhere along the way, she had started listening to the words he kept repeating. And now, when it was too late, she finally believed that he was telling the truth. He wasn't the enemy she thought he was.

The feeling of loss was more puzzling to her. She knew it was somehow tied to Justin's leaving but couldn't figure out how. She had barely known the man for her to miss him in any way. But her heart and mind were insistent. She had lost something important when he walked away from her. Something so vital, it left an odd, hollow feeling inside her. The longing in her heart was so strong; it made her want to cry. For what? Rei didn't know. Only that she had to find out what it was before it got any worse.

Minako and Ami were waiting for her when she entered the temple, looking pale and dazed. Ami immediately checked to see if she was feeling ill.

"Is she okay?" Minako inquired.

"She feels fine," Ami responded. "Are you alright, Rei?"

"I still can't believe it," she mumbled in return. "He's one of them, and he saved me." Rei was referring to Justin's being a white ninja, something she was still having trouble digesting.

"Who's he?" Minako asked with a puzzled frown. It was unusual for Rei to be so vague about anything. She always said what was on her mind, loud and clear.

The other girl didn't seem to hear her question and continued like an automaton to sit on the sofa, staring at her hands. "I hurt him," she said miserably. "He saved me and I hurt him. What am I going to do?"

"Rei, are you sure you're alright?" Ami repeated worriedly. "Won't you tell us what's wrong?"

Rei just shook her head.

A noise just outside the temple doors alerted them to someone approaching, and they all looked up to see who it was. A smiling Makoto appeared a moment later holding the hand of a reluctant Nathan.

"Come on," they heard her say. "They won't eat you, you know?"

Looking at the surprised and wary looks on her friends' faces, he wasn't too sure. Turning a bemused smile to his love, he said, "Wanna bet?"

Makoto laughed at his show of cowardice and pulled him inside. She was just about to reintroduce him to the others when Rei spoke.

"You're one of them too, aren't you?" She had stood up and taken a few steps towards him.

At his puzzled expression, she clarified her question. "A white ninja. You're one of them too, aren't you?"

Nathan took a quick look at Makoto when the words 'white ninja' were mentioned. It was the one thing he hadn't discussed with her, and he was worried that she wouldn't take it well.

Aside from a raised eyebrow however, she said nothing and even squeezed his hand in reassurance. That eased his mind a lot.

"Yes, I am a white ninja," he admitted. "I take it, you've finally spoken with Justin?" Nathan didn't understand why tears suddenly flooded Rei's eyes before she turned and left the room. He automatically moved to follow her but was stopped by Makoto's hand.

"I'll find out what's wrong," she reassured him. "Stay here and have a talk with Minako and Ami."

He nodded his assent, and she left to follow Rei. Nathan looked at the two remaining Senshi and didn't know what to do. So he smiled and sat on the sofa, ready to wait 'til forever for them to start the conversation.

After a few minutes, Minako's curiosity got the better of her and she started grilling him. "You're a white ninja? One of the white ninjas who saved us countless times? But why? You're our enemy. Isn't it ironic for you to save us from your own monsters?"

"Stop!" Nathan almost yelled when she opened her mouth to add another question. "Give me a chance to answer first before you ask anything else," he said more calmly. "First of all, as I already mentioned, I am a white ninja. One of the group who helped you from time to time. Why? I guess because we didn't want any harm to come to you. Contrary to what you think, we are not your enemies but your friends."

"How can you say that?" she retorted sarcastically. "I didn't fight you personally, but my friends did. How can you deny the facts?"

"I deny it because I wasn't the one they fought. True, he looked like me, but that doesn't mean he IS me. It's hard to explain," he finished lamely.

"More like impossible," was the disbelieving reply.

"Then how do you explain our helping you?" he challenged.

Minako was taken aback for a moment. "Well…you must have ulterior motives."

"No, we don't," Nathan answered adamantly.

And they kept on going, each trying to prove the other one wrong, until Nathan finally asked, "Then tell me, why does Makoto love me if I am the enemy?" He raised one eyebrow at her, daring her to answer his question.

Minako opened her mouth then shut it again. He was right. She had no answer for that one.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Makoto found Rei crying her heart out on her bed. She really didn't know what to say so she just sat beside her and touched her shoulder comfortingly.

"Hey, it can't be so bad, whatever it is?" she said softly to the other girl. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Rei stopped sobbing and raised red, watery eyes towards her. "I'm so confused, Mako-chan," she admitted. "I don't even know why I'm crying."

"No ideas at all?" her friend prodded gently.

She nodded her head reluctantly. "I hurt him. I know I did. And now I feel so guilty."

"Justin?"

"Yes," Rei acknowledged. "It's strange. I could never think of him as anything but Jadeite before. Now I can't seem to get Justin out of my mind."

"Is it because you care for him?"

"Care for him?" Rei repeated wonderingly, like she never considered the possibility before. "I don't know. I just know that he saved my life and I hurt him in return."

Makoto's curiosity was piqued. "Tell me about it."

Rei hung her head and proceeded to relate this morning's events. Then, in halting sentences, she told her friend about that day, a few weeks back, when she first met Justin. Listening to the other girl's story, Makoto quickly understood why Rei was feeling guilty.

"So you no longer believe he's the enemy?"

"No. I don't know what made me change my mind, but I did." Turning to her friend, she asked, "I know you don't think Nathan's an enemy. What made you believe that was true?"

"It's a long story," Makoto replied. "One that isn't mine to tell. Suffice it to say that he explained everything to me and found a way to prove, without a shadow a of doubt, that he was telling the truth."

"I should have listened to Justin, shouldn't I? Then maybe I wouldn't be in this situation. Crying for something but having no idea what."

Makoto just looked at her with sympathetic eyes. You poor soul, she thought silently. You threw away the most precious gift you've ever been given, and you don't even know it. I just hope you'll find a way to get it back somehow, before it's really too late.

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

Bright and early the following morning, Ami decided to visit a downtown bookstore. Although reading books was one of her favorite hobbies, she wasn't there to purchase one today, but to get one signed. Ami had learned from Nathan yesterday that Zachary was going to be signing books this morning at that particular bookstore, and she wanted to see him. She wanted to thank him for helping to save her life.

When Ami found out that Zachary was also a white ninja, she realized he was the one who was always very protective of her. She wanted to know the reason why. She needed to know. It was suddenly very important.

A crowd had gathered behind her as the time drew nearer for the signing to begin. Ami was the fifth in line and could see the desk where Zachary would be sitting. Her pulse started to race when she spotted him coming from the back.

Zachary didn't notice her standing in line when he sat down and reached for the first book. He was unusually preoccupied this morning, impatient for the whole thing to be over, and wasn't paying attention to what he was doing. He'd heard from Kenjo, early this morning, that Nathan had seen Ami the day before, and he wanted to ask his friend about the meeting.

"Zach?" he heard a hesitant voice say as he started to reach for the next person's book. Startled out of his reverie, he looked up to see who was calling him so familiarly.

Ami wondered if she had said the wrong thing when he looked so surprised. Nathan had said to use his nickname because it would surely get his attention quickly. He didn't say if it would end up giving her a bad impression though, for showing a marked lack of respect for a renowned author.

Zach couldn't believe it when he saw Ami in front of him. He fought the urge to rub his eyes just to make sure he wasn't imagining things. Afraid that she would disappear when he touched her, he restrained himself from doing so and gave her his most charming smile instead.

"Ami-chan, you're here," he said inanely and wanted to smack himself afterwards. For someone who made a living using words, he couldn't seem to do anything but state the obvious. It was a good thing Ami was too nervous to notice his lack of finesse. Besides, she was too busy admiring his handsome, smiling face to notice anything else.

"Ami," Zach prompted again before she realized she was staring.

"Oh! I…I'm sorry. I just wanted to thank you for…you know… looking out for me when you were…umm…"

He smiled at her broken sentences--an indication that she was just as nervous as he was--and found the courage to ask her to wait for him. "Ami, we need to talk. Privately," he added, looking around at the crowd. "Is it at all possible for you to stay until I'm done here?" He looked at her hopefully and was relieved to see her nod.

"I'll wait for you by the reference section. I need to find a good dictionary anyway."

"Thank you," Zach replied and finally took the book she held out. He wrote a message automatically and didn't realize he'd signed it 'with love' until he saw the incredulous look on Ami's face. And then there was no more time to explain as the next person in line took her place.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sometime later, Ami stood in the middle of an aisle, facing a shelf of books without seeing a single one. In her mind's eye, she was still looking at the words Zach had written in her book. 'With love' he'd signed it, like it was the most natural thing in the world. She knew he hadn't meant to do it when she spied the surprised look on his face afterwards. But why would he do it in the first place? she wondered. Unless he really meant it? Unless the words came from deep within him and he wrote them without thinking. Dare she believe it could be so?

Ami," a quiet voice spoke from behind her. She knew it was Zach before she even turned because all her senses were suddenly on alert. Her heart was hammering like she'd run a marathon and tingles run up and down her spine. It was very disconcerting.

"Zach, is the signing over?" she asked before she realized how stupid that question was. Of course it's finished, dunce-head, she admonished herself. He's here, isn't he? "I mean, of course it must be finished because you're here." Oh God! I must have left my brains at home this morning.

Zach only smiled, not seeming to notice her being tongue-tied. He was too busy clutching a book in his hands like it was a lifeline and he was a drowning man. It made her feel a little better, knowing she wasn't the only one almost having a nervous breakdown.

"You said you had something to tell me," she stated more calmly. "I'm almost finished here, if you want to go somewhere else."

"I…I did have something to tell you, Ami. But now that you're here, I can't seem to find the words."

She was surprised. "That's an odd thing for an author to say, isn't it?"

"Not really. Believe me, it isn't the same thing at all," he said in explanation. "It's one thing to sit in front of a computer and type words. Another to stand in front of someone you care about and speak from your heart."

Ami shook her head slightly, unsure she was hearing the right words. Had he just said he cared about her?

"Tell me, Ami. Have you read any of my other books besides that?" And he gestured at the one she was holding.

"A few," she replied, "but not a lot. I'm always too busy studying medical references to read much of anything else."

"No need to apologize," Zach said reassuringly. "I just wanted to know if you've read any of my earlier works, like 'Moonlight Destiny'."

"I don't think I've read that one. Why? Was it a bestseller?"

"It was one, but that's not why I asked. I wanted to make sure you read it." He held out the book in his hand and waited for her to take it. "It's the first book I ever wrote," he confessed. "When I was writing it, I didn't even know it was going to be a book. I just started putting all my feelings down onto paper, so I could have a record of everything I was experiencing. I thought I was going crazy, you see." Zach turned towards her fully then, needing to gage her reaction. Ami looked back at him unflinchingly. "About seven years ago, I started having recurring dreams of another time and another place. It was pretty confusing at first, living in the present in the morning and experiencing the past when I went to sleep." He took a deep breath and leaned on the shelf behind him. "Anyway, I wrote everything down, like in a journal. And when it was finally done, I knew that I wasn't going crazy, and that they weren't just dreams. The things I saw, the people I befriended--they were all real."

"I'm not much good at saying what I feel, Ami. But if you read the book, it'll tell you everything that's in here." And he took her hand and placed it over his heart. "Promise me you'll read it? Please?"

Ami could only nod her assent because her throat was choked with tears. She already knew she was going to the library as soon as she left here. She meant to read the book from start to finish without being disturbed, and that was the best place to do it in. Again, she nodded her head.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Rei and Minako had been running errands all morning, and they were finally on their last one. As they approached the wide steps of the library, Minako jokingly said, "Bet you we'll find Ami in there somewhere."

Rei joined in her laughter and knew Minako was probably right. They had also been looking for Ami this morning and couldn't seem to track her down. They knew she was going to the book signing earlier but, when they got there, it was already over. Afterwards, they looked for her everywhere they happened to be and didn't find a single trace of her.

When they had entered the library doors, Rei immediately went to return the books she was carrying while Minako checked to see if she could spot Ami anywhere. She quickly found her sitting in a quiet corner with her head bowed, totally absorbed in the book she was reading. Minako waited for Rei to come back before they both headed towards their friend.

"Hi, Ami," Rei said in low tones as they approached the desk she was occupying. "Is that a new book?"

When Ami lifted her head in surprise, they were both shocked to see tears coursing down her face. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Oh, Ami," Minako finally said after a short silence. "What's wrong?"

"Can we help?" Rei added.

"It's nothing. Really," she reassured them. "I'm alright."

"But you're crying!"

"It's just this book," she explained. "It's so sad, so tragic. It was horrible what she made them go through at the end. She was heartless!"

Rei closed the book and read the title. "'Moonlight Destiny'. You're crying over a novel, Ami-chan?" she asked incredulously. "But it's only fiction. It's not real."

"You're wrong, Rei," she said with such conviction that her friends were taken aback. "That's what Zach tried to explain to me this morning and I finally believe him. He said that most people think it's just a beautiful love story with a tragic ending. They think it's something he made up. But he swore to me that, although the words may read like fiction, everything he wrote was the absolute truth. All the people he described, all the feelings he conveyed, all the events he related, are all part of his distant past, he said. A past very few people remember."

"This book is about our past as well," she told her spellbound audience. "It's about the events that happened in the Moon Kingdom so many years ago. I'm in this book and so are the rest of the Senshi, including the two of you. It's something that you both should read to better understand our past, and in turn, our future as well."

"You're making it sound so profound, Ami-chan," Rei said after a while. "Like our very lives and destinies are tied up in this book."

"I believe they are, Rei-chan. But why don't you judge for yourself?" And she gave the book a slight shove in Rei's direction before standing up and leaving the other two Senshi.

Rei looked at Minako questioningly before reaching for the book. She carefully opened the cover and read the printed dedication inside.

For the lady who gives meaning to my life--the one I love.
This is for you, Ami, wherever you are.

She looked up to see the same confusion she felt mirrored in Minako's eyes. She turned the page to see the publishing information. A date six years earlier seemed to leap out of the page to be absorbed by her shocked eyes.

"But how could he have known her name?" Minako wondered out loud. "Usagi was still with us then. She couldn't have told him."

Rei didn't have any answers either, so they both looked down at the book. Could Ami be right that it held a lot of answers? There was only one way to find out. Rei reluctantly turned another page and started reading aloud.

What else exists in this world that is more beautiful to behold than a love so pure, it is worth dying for. A love that fills the very corners of the heart, and feeds the very cravings of the soul. A love that tests the boundaries of time and sets no limits upon itself. A love that is precious and true…and everlasting.

To behold such a love is to glimpse into the wonders of Paradise, and I am blessed to be one of the lucky ones. My name is Zachary, and this is my story.

Rei paused to look at Minako once again, a chill of foreboding creeping up her spine. Minako was looking just as disturbed as she was but nodded towards her to carry on. She complied.

The Lunarian Realm was the most magnificent sight I had ever seen. My liege and I had traveled there with our three friends and comrades at arms, Kenjo, Nathan and Justin, to convey the Earth King's good wishes to the Lunarian Queen. At least my liege was there to convey those wishes. The four of us were sent to protect him like we've been doing for the past several years.

The story went on to explain who Zachary's liege was and how his protectors were gathered together. It describes the events leading to the mission that sent the Prince and his four guards to the Lunarian Kingdom.

I watched my liege as he walked towards the throne where the queen awaited. He looked confident, as always, none of the nervousness he confessed to earlier showing on his face. It gave me the courage to tamp my own nervous feelings down, so none may see it.

I focused on my liege's actions and did what he did. When he bowed, I followed his lead. And when he spoke to the Queen, I listened intently.

It was when the Queen's messenger arrived that everything began to happen. Forgotten for the moment because of some important message, my liege took the chance to look around. That was when he noticed her and became captivated.

Rei read on about how the prince was quickly enamored of the Queen's daughter. Although he found out later that she was engaged to someone else, he had avidly pursued her because he knew, deep inside, that he would love only her for the rest of his life and beyond. Zachary confessed to having the same feelings for one of the Princess's constant companions.

The first time I saw her, she was mostly hidden from my view. It piqued my curiosity that she seemed content to be behind all her friends who were standing confidently in front. At first, I thought it was because she was flawed. I soon learned otherwise.

The next day, I saw her again, but this time, in full view. She was standing by a tree, wearing a light blue, toga style gown of some soft material. I noticed her hair was short and unusually blue, which somehow suited her well. Eyes the color of the deep blue sea stared out from a simple but beautiful face, and a shy smile tugged at her soft, pink lips. I thought she was utterly lovely.

As the rest of the tale unfolded, Zachary told of his growing love for his Amy. It wasn't long before he confessed his feelings to her, and was relieved to learn that she felt the same way. Then, together, they watched and waited as, one by one, their respective friends found their way towards each other and a love more precious than any of them had dreamed.

The time had come to part once more, and we were all reluctant to say farewell. But the separation was to be a short one, for the following night was the Lunarian Princess's birthday, and we were all looking forward to attending.

I watched as Nathan held his loved one close one last time, before finally coming to join our group. The ladies had gathered on the other side, and I watched my Amy put on a brave smile that didn't reach her eyes. I knew she was worried and trying not to show it.

She had always been afraid that something would happen to stop me from coming back. I constantly had to reassure her that nothing would be able to do so. But, who knows? Maybe she had been right. For what happened next was something I wasn't prepared for.

Zach painted a ghastly picture of tortured souls lying in a pool of their own blood. Carnage lay everywhere when the five of them had finally reached Earth, and an unseen enemy seemed bent on destroying the whole planet. The four warriors knew they might not be able to save their home, so they decided to get their liege out of there quickly. It was hard to convince him but, in the end, he reluctantly agreed. That was when they all separated.

I run into the woods, not knowing what to expect. Suddenly, I heard a loud explosion in the direction of the castle, and I hastened my steps. I guess I must have been careless, since I didn't even see them coming. It seemed like one moment I was alone, and the next they were upon me. I thought I was done for, but an image of my Amy's worried face gave me the strength to fight back. I gave her my promise that I would return, and I would have done anything to fulfill it.

Zach mentioned that he was deeply wounded and too weak to move, so he just sat where he fell. That was how Nathan found him when he finally came.

He wrote of his relief when they finally reached the castle, only to be attacked and brought before the demonic creature that had caused all the destruction. In pained and angry words, Zach related in detail her evil plans to conquer the Lunarian Realm. Then, helplessness ringing in every line, he told of how they were forced to watch as those plans were carried out.

I saw myself walking towards Amy and, suddenly, I was afraid. For it wasn't really me who approached her, but an evil twin bent on doing her harm. I watched with hammering heart as he held her close in his arms, and I felt her pain as he took her life with one swift blow. I ached to catch her as she fell and to look into her eyes for one last time, but it was already too late.

She was gone.

She was gone, and in my heart I knew I had also died. There was only the shell of my body left, watching unfeeling as the rest of the battle went on. Even the untimely deaths of my liege and his princess couldn't raise any feeling in my heart anymore.

Amy was gone.

In my mind there was only one thought. I wished with all that was left in me for the peaceful escape of merciful oblivion. I felt my prayers were answered when I saw a blinding ball of light heading in my direction. In my mind, I spread my arms in welcome, and imagined I could see my Amy's face etched in the brightness. I chanced to whisper my love's name one last time as I felt the warmth engulf me totally. And then I knew…no more.

Rei slowly closed the book and turned it over carefully. She stared at the intricate design on the cover intently, unwilling to raise her eyes, afraid of what might happen.

A quiet sob from the across the desk prompted her to investigate however, and she found Minako with her face buried in her hands. The sight of her friend's uncontrollable grief triggered her own tears, and she felt them flowing down her cheeks. She was soon sobbing as well for the unjustness of it all.

"How could she?" Minako managed to say after a while. "What a cruel thing to do, making them witness their loved ones deaths when they were helpless to do anything. Oh! How could she?"

"Beryl has always been heartless and cruel," Rei reminded her. "She has no feelings, and she thrives on other people's misery. What else did you expect from her?"

"Beryl," Minako repeated. "So you believe it too. That Zach meant Beryl when he described that demonic creature."

"There are too many similarities for it to be just plain coincidence," Rei reasoned out. "Yes, I believe that evil creature was Beryl. And I believe we know the rest of the characters as well. Mamoru is Zachary's Prince while Usagi is the Lunarian Princess. We-," she paused to take a deep breath, trying to find the courage to say the words out loud. "We are the ladies in the Princess' court. The ones the Earth generals fell in love with. The ones who fell in love with them." She hung her head in misery, knowing that what she'd uttered was nothing but the complete truth. Justin had loved her for more years than she could even imagine, and in a split second, she had thrown it all away. What a fool he must have thought her. What a fool she really was.

"Oh, Rei," Minako cried to her. "What are we going to do?"

There was nothing she could do, Rei thought miserably. She had given up her chance when she'd let Justin walk away from her. Now all she had left was time to regret it. "I don't know, Minako-chan. I don't know." She stood up and picked up the book. "You don't mind if I keep it a little longer, do you?" She asked of her friend. When the other girl shook her head, she turned and started to walk away.

When she had taken a few steps, she stopped suddenly and looked back. "Whatever you do, Minako-chan," she advised earnestly. "Stop and listen to what he says. And do it with an open mind. You'll be glad you did when everything is done." And with one last look to make sure she had been heard, she turned once more and walked away, leaving a bewildered Minako behind.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Kenjo had spent most of the day dealing with a client and was more than ready to head home. He had just stepped out of the building however, when he almost run smack into Rei. She was in such a hurry; she didn't even notice his presence.

"Hey, Rei! How's it--going?" he finished as she turned the corner. He wondered what was happening to make her hurry so. Then deciding to leave well enough alone, he moved in the opposite direction.

After he'd gone a few blocks, he noticed Minako walking towards him in the distance. She was on the other side of the street so he stopped at the next corner to wait for the crossing light to turn on. Even then, he kept his eyes on her all the time, and that was probably why he noticed something unusual happening. A large crown was gathering around her.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Minako stayed at the library until she felt calm enough to leave. When she did, she decided to go to Ami's place and slowly walked in that direction.

As she put one foot in front of the other, she thought back to what the book had revealed that afternoon and suddenly smiled. Now she knew what Kenjo had been laughing at the other day. What an irony it truly was, that they'd switched sides to defend after being steadfast for so long. No wonder he found it funny.

Minako kept on smiling as she remembered some of the greater arguments they'd shared. So lost in thought was she that she didn't notice all the other people suddenly surrounding her. She only halted when she almost bumped into one of them.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

From one of the dark alleys nearby, a dark hooded figure lurked. He'd stayed to make sure his minions were following the right target. An evil smile graced his face as she almost run into one of them.

"Time to say goodbye, Sailor Venus," Athol said in a gravelly voice. "You couldn't hide your powers in the anonymity of your normal self any longer. The strength of your aura gives all your secrets away."

When he saw that they had her surrounded, he pulled his cloak closer around him and disappeared into the fading afternoon light.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"I'm sorry," Minako apologized. "I wasn't looking where I was going." She moved to one side and started to continue on her way. The man followed her actions and stood in front of her once more. She looked up to see who it was.

He was a complete stranger to her, so she thought she must be imagining things. She tried to change directions again, only to be blocked by the same man. She was starting to get irritated.

"Excuse me, but you seem to be in my way."

"I'm sorry, Sailor Venus," the man said stoically as he continued to look down at her. "Our order is to eliminate you, not to let you pass."

Minako stepped back as she digested his words and noticed the other suspicious characters beside him. She looked behind her and saw more of them lingering around.

"Who are you?" she asked, puzzled.

"We are Morgon's followers, and we shall soon have one less Senshi to worry about after we finish with you."

"Not if I can help it!" She suddenly held her transformation pen and prepared to lift it up.

The persons surrounding her saw her intention and started to metamorphosis into their true forms. Creatures, dark and scaly, with horns and hooves emerged from the human forms, making the rest of the people on the streets scream and run for their lives. Even the ones in the cars stopped and left their vehicles in the middle of the street. Soon, only Minako was left with the monsters.

"Venus Star Power…Make Up!"

She quickly jumped out and rolled away from the middle of the group. She counted more than a dozen youma and wondered at her chances of winning. It didn't look very good.

"Venus Love Chain…Encircle!"

She whipped the chain and managed to hit a couple of creatures. The leader avoided the attack and purposefully strode towards her. Venus backed a few steps and gave it another try.

"Venus Crescent Beam…Smash!"

Another small group of youma fell from that attack but the majority were still standing. Venus was running out of options and getting really worried when she heard the shout.

"Give it your best shot, Venus!"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Kenjo watched from a distance as the suspicious group changed into monsters before his eyes. He knew Venus might be in trouble because of the sheer number of them surrounding her. He waited to see if his assistance might be needed.

When Venus had launched both her attacks and was still heavily outnumbered, Kenjo knew it was time to make his move. He closed his eyes and transformed into Kunzite, making him many times stronger and so much more powerful than his ordinary human counterpart. He held his forearms in front of him, hands slightly clenched as if to hold a ball at least twelve inches in diameter. Then, in a deep booming voice, he half shouted, "Searing Molten Magma…!"

The air between his hands started to waver because of the heat he was generating. Sparks started to appear before forming a mass of swirling, hot lava, then cooling off a little to create a rock-like object, still fiery red in color. He raised it above his head and prepared to hurl it towards Venus.

"Give it your best shot, Venus!"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Venus noticed Kunzite holding the large rock above his head before it was suddenly hurtling towards her. Like it was happening in slow motion, she remembered reading about such a scene in "Moonlight Destiny" and knew what she had to do. She just hoped she wasn't making a big mistake.

Zach, I hope to God you were telling the truth.

She raised her right arm straight up with her fingers outspread and screamed, "Venus Solar Rays…!" Like Kunzite before, heat waves made the air above her fingers waver. Then flashes of light seemed to enter her fingertips before she clenched her hand into a fist. Her left hand went up to cup her right fist in front of her, and she used her right forefinger to point forward, almost like holding an imaginary gun.

When the rock Kunzite had hurled was right in front of her, they both shouted together, "BLAZE!"

A blinding ray of orange light emitted from her forefinger, striking the rock and breaking it to bits while heating each one in the process. The heated masses turned to boiling lava as they hit the youma, burning a hole through the creatures and leaving enough flames to devour their bodies to ashes. Soon, nothing was left but the dust they had all turned into.

Venus heaved a sigh of relief. Thank you, Zach, she said in her mind. When she looked towards the now transformed Kenjo after changing back to her normal self, she knew she owed the author more than he will ever know.

"Mi-ko, are you alright?" he asked as soon as he was near enough.

"Miko?" she asked, puzzled. "I'm no priestess, Kenjo. You must have mistaken me for Rei."

Those words made him smile. "I can never mistake you for anybody else, Minako. But I guess you don't remember that I shortened your name to Mi-ko a long, long time ago."

"Zach never mentioned anything about that."

"Zach?" he asked with a frown. "What has Zach got to do with anything?"

So she explained at length about the book and how she'd learned so much about the past. The look on his face turned more incredulous as the minutes ticked by.

"You mean he actually put everything down on paper and sold it as a book?"

"Everybody thinks its fiction anyway," Minako said in Zach's defense. "And I'm glad he did," she added obstinately.

"Then I guess I'm glad too," Kenjo said softly, giving her another gentle smile. "I've missed you so, Mi-ko," he admitted, tracing a curved finger down her cheek. "I'm glad that I can finally talk to you again, like before."

She laughed suddenly. "Talk?" she said as if it was an elusive quantity. "When did we ever talk? We just argued!"

When he looked about to protest, she jabbed him lightly on the ribs. "Besides, I still think Usagi is being very hard on Mamoru. She ought to reconsider her decision."

Kenjo gave her mischievous face one look and laughed out loud. He placed a hand on her back and started her moving in the direction of the Silver Millennium, before giving her an answer. Minako's shout of indignation was heard in the distance followed by the sound of more carefree, male laughter.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was dusk by the time Mamoru finally walked out of his office for the day. He had spent a pleasant couple of hours at lunch with Justin, before getting back to his program with a vengeance. After getting his secretary to reschedule his meeting with Galen, he had worked nonstop on it and was very satisfied with the end results.

Mamoru was surprised at how much he'd learned from Justin in the few hours he'd spent with him. The other man had tried to explain his role in Mamoru's life and, surprisingly, he believed him. What Justin said made too much sense to be ignored. Now he knew a lot more about his past with Usagi and was eager to put it to good use. He got his chance earlier than he expected.

Mamoru was on his way to the Silver Millennium, hoping to talk with the other generals, when he spotted Usagi walking in the same direction, a couple of blocks ahead. He run to catch up with her and managed to reach her in a few minutes.

"Usako," he said, reaching out a hand to touch her when she turned around. "Can we talk, please?"

"I don't have anything to say to you," she answered stubbornly. "Please leave me alone."

"You don't understand. I need to explain what happened four years ago."

"What's there to explain? It seems pretty clear cut to me."

"Usako, everything is not always what it seems," he tried once more, frustration evident in his voice. "Please listen."

Usagi closed her eyes and strengthened her resolve. She was not going to give in to his pleas. She was not going to be hurt again. She used the one excuse she knew would put a halt to his persistence.

"I can't. I've got a date with Galen tonight. Please excuse me." And she moved to turn away.

"Galen!" he half shouted. The look she gave him should have warned him to stop, but he was too furious and blind with jealousy to notice anything. "Have you forgotten that he gave you up a long time ago, Usako? He didn't even fight for you. What kind of man would give up the woman he loves so easily? A coward, that's what!"

Her hand came out of nowhere and delivered a resounding slap on his cheek, with enough force to snap his head sideways. The slap managed to make him come to his senses, but it was already too late. The damage had been done.

"Galen is ten times the man you are!" Usagi screamed at him, indignation evident in her every movement as she delivered the final blow. "Maybe that's why I love him so!" And she turned and ran all the way home, not caring that she'd left a devastated man behind, his whole world crumbling to pieces at her final words.

 

to be continued…