Disclaimer: Do not own Sailor Moon characters. But I must thank the wonderful Naoko Takeuchi for the memorable series that was my first step into the realm of anime.

Note: This is complete AU. Takes place 4 years after final battle after everyone was reincarnated.

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Jupiter's Overture
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She can sleep through thunderstorms, hurricanes, and perhaps even hail pelting at glass windows. But something about soft lulling crash of waves and the warm night air has her restless.

Lita Kino tosses to and fro for the fifteenth time on the bed that is not her own. With a frustrated, unladylike grunt, she gives up. She tosses back the covers, and walks up to the sliding balcony. Clad in only a loose T-shirt and a pair boxer shorts, she makes her way outside.

Her boss had insisted on her taking a vacation. She has been working six days a week, from dawn to dusk at the restaurant, saving up for her dream. Staying up late to study recipes and not sparing time to get proper sleep.

It is no shock to everyone when she began to make little mistakes that should have never happened. Like replacing salt with sugar, or garnishing with basil instead of mint. But the final straw came when her soufflé exploded in the food critic's face because of ingredients she did not remember putting in. Her boss practically shoved the plane ticket into her hands, and ordered her to get some R&R because he cannot afford to fire such a talented employee.

And rest she did. She passed out for almost twenty hours once she checked in to the hotel room in the remote tropical island, and now that night has fallen, she can't go back to sleep. How typical.

The twenty-year-old brunette strolls leisurely along the beach with her hands behind her head in her trademark gesture. The cool waves lap eagerly at her bare feet. She closes her eyes. Wriggles her toes into the sand in silent delight. Her eyes travel across the horizon, lit only by silvery moonlight. The ocean seems to meet the sky in a never-ending promise, and the stars as witnesses. Her viridian eyes takes in the sight of the beach. The sand seems almost white, and the palm trees dance in the slight breeze. The only sounds are of the ocean, and the quiet chirping of crickets in velvety darkness.

And there, in the distance, a lone figure stands by itself. Lita squints, and barely makes out the form of a man in the dim luminosity. Any normal girl will hesitate in approaching a stranger in the middle of the night, but Lita is not the average girl. With a black belt-level defense, and supernatural healing abilities, she can take care of herself and then some.

So when curiosity entices her to go closer, she does. As each padded step bring her nearer, his features become clearer. He looks to be in his mid-twenties. Tall, lean, and with wind-tousled short hair. His hands are shoved deep within his pants in consternation. The sea breeze plays with the loose dress shirt he has unbuttoned half way, revealing a sinful amount of skin. When she is close enough to call out, something makes her stop.

The brunette takes in the twisted smile and the anguished expression on his face with growing misgiving. He stares out at the wide expanse of the ocean with dark, tortured eyes.

She cannot stand it. Not when someone is in pain and hurting. He has the look of a lost boy, craving a nurturing touch. The maternal side of her urges her forward.

"Are you okay?"

He makes no indication that he has heard her. Instead, his eyes close languidly and to her shock she sees a trail of wetness gliding down his smooth cheek.

She cannot recall the last time she saw a man cry.

"What's wrong?" Lita asks again in growing alarm. Another step closer.

His voice, when he does finally reply, is soft and trembling with emotion. "I don't remember her anymore."

"Who?"

"I don't know…"

She tilts her head to the side. Confusion is evident in her voice as she murmurs, "I don't understand."

A mirthless chuckle escapes his lips. She notices they are wide and sensuous, quick to insult but even quicker to make amends.

"I don't either. Ever since I was little, there has been a woman in a dream. She calls to me, but before I can reach her I would always wake up," he whispers more to the ocean than to her, his hand slowly coming to rest over his chest, "And there is a constant pulling here. I used to think it was annoying, but now it's gone. There's gaping hole there… and it is more painful than anything I could ever have imagined."

Her heart goes out to him. Lita is a hopeless romantic, and his words move something inside of her. She still does not know him, nor understand his problem, but she does know how to heal. One cannot have a friend like Serena and not become infected by her unselfishness.

Slowly, gently as if he is a newborn child, she pulls him into an embrace. Murmuring soft comforts, she nudges his head to rest on her shoulder.

"She was very important. She meant everything… and now, now she's gone. I-" Lita shushes him with a finger. They stay like that. Silently taking comfort in each other's presence.

"A friend of mine says time moves like a river," Lita begins hesitantly, "And souls travel through the river at different places, and at different paces. But for those who are fated to be together, they will undoubtedly find each other again, no matter where they are."

The palm fronds rustle lightly in the sea breeze. The darkness wraps around them like a blanket, and gradually his breathing slows and evens.

He lifts his blonde head. Catches her off guard with his startling blue gaze.

"Thank you." He says simply. The side of his mouth tilt up what seems like the beginning of a genuine smile.

"What is your name?"

"Lita Kino. And yours?"

"Jason, Jason Petro."


Notes: Who expected it to be Nephlite? Come out and admit it! I have to confess, I'm one of those hopeless people who are addicted to Sailors x Generals concept. And then I came across one story where the pairing could have been changed. It was a new and brilliant idea, and that's what I was inspired with.

Each of the Sailors will encounter one of the reincarnated generals. Next up: Amy with... who knows? ;D