Author's Note: This story was written during the May Challenge at the sm_monthly lj community. The theme for this month was Hino Rei/Sailor Mars. The author's notes will indicate the prompt and the date for each chapter.

5/19/09 - Piano

The notes flowed gracefully from his hands, fingers moving deftly over the keys. A thousand years had not diminished Zoisite's skills on the piano. He still wove such beautiful harmonies, telling intricate stories and painting lush pictures in the hearts of his audience.

Once upon a time, his playing had been the centerpiece of many diplomatic exchanges between the Alliance and Earth, a gesture of welcome and culture, showing that while Earth was not as advanced as the Alliance, it had beauty in its arts, and noble aspirations.

Once upon a time, it was what had drawn the shy Princess of Mercury to the mysterious maestro with the flowing blonde hair and enchanting green eyes. When so much divided them, music brought them together, a language that did not need all the trappings of guarded diplomacy, merely a keen ear and an open heart.

And so, a love story was begun.

It was believed that it had ended a thousand years ago in the ruins of the Moon Kingdom.

But here today, a new chapter was being written. The world had a second chance at happiness in the newly created Crystal Tokyo. And the gentle song coming from Zoisite's fingers seemed to capture the hopeful mood that victory over the latest darkness had awoken in people's hearts.

Nowhere did hope shine brighter than in the eyes of Mizuno Ami. A thousand years later, she was still a bit shy and uncertain of herself. But in the song, she found all the things she had been unable to put into words. It was comforting to know someone felt the same.

Eternity was much more bearable if it was not spent alone.

Ami's eyes showed the shining hope of so many. That after all the battles and all the terror and all the loss, perhaps all the beautiful things in life could be found again. The flowing notes of the song spoke of harmony and happiness, and everyone's mind turned to sunlit afternoons and the laughter of children, the sweetness of first kisses and the warmth of an embrace.

The song was a spell, a blessing and a prayer all in one. Once upon a time, when he was consumed by Beryl's madness, Zoisite had used his songs to induce chaos and fear. But such dark dreams were left behind. His song was now meant to bring peace and serenity, and above all, hope.

After all, his own hope was deeply tied into the song. Everyone else may have heard the desire for peace and prosperity, but in the eyes of the only woman who mattered, Zoisite poured his soul out to profess remorse, longing and devotion.

The sweet smile on her lips told Zoisite that his message was received, and perhaps this time, there could be a happy ending.

This was all that mattered.

So he never noticed that not everyone in the audience shared his hopes.

In one pair of amethyst eyes, there were many emotions swirling. But the beautiful face betrayed no hint of these emotions. And unknown to her, another pair of eyes watched, equally guarded.

Long after the great hall had emptied and was silent, Hino Rei returned to the piano. She felt as though she were returning to the scene of some crime. A part of her still feared that a deception was taking place.

The return of the Shitennou had not been without benefit. Their return did turn the tide of battle and allow for victory and the creation of this new paradise.

But a thousand years was not long enough to forget the pain of betrayal. It sometimes seemed to her that she could steel feel the heat of the fire, hear the screams of the dying, and smell the tang of blood and bile on the battlefield.

She most certainly had not forgotten the men that marched at the head of the army that brought such death and destruction. Nor had she forgotten the men who terrorized her adolescence, when she had first been awakened as Sailor Mars.

And she did not forget the tears she refused to shed when her memories of the Silver Millenium were restored.

A part of her burned as she watched Ami so enchanted tonight. She remembered the same look in her eyes a thousand years ago, and she remembered how that light had faded as Ami lay dead at the hands of the man who played tonight as though it had never happened.

Part of her wanted to believe, for her friends' sake that it was true, and that the past was behind them.

Part of her wanted to take four ofudas and rid the world of another chance for these four men to betray and destroy.

Part of her was simply frustrated because continued meditation and consultation with the Sacred Fire had revealed nothing that would give her any guidance.

She sought some comfort now in an older form of meditation for herself. One that had seen her through the death of her mother and the abandonment of her father and the cruelty of schoolgirls.

She sat at the piano and began to play.

Unlike Zoisite's song, Rei's melody was tinged with sorrow and heartbreak. It spoke of longing and solitude. It was beautiful, and it would break the heart of anyone who was listening. Her own voice joined in, singing in the language of a world long dead, for whom no one else could mourn.

As the song ended, Rei was aware she was not alone. She froze. She could hear his steady footfalls approaching. She wished desperately that they would turn and go the other way, as she wasn't sure she was ready for this particular encounter. It was one she had been avoiding for some time now.

Jadeite strolled just past her. He stood with his back to her, slouched over, one hand in his pocket. He stood in silence for a few moments before his posture straightened slightly. He lifted his head, pushed back his shoulders and stood with his legs apart. One might have thought he was preparing for a struggle.

"I envy Zoisite sometimes," he began. "It is a rare gift to be able to express oneself as he can. It's always come naturally to him. I suppose it makes life easier. He can always tell people exactly what he thinks and feels."

His posture fell again

"What a blessing it must be, to be able to tell someone how you feel."

The silence enveloped them again. It became louder than the song.

Jadeite turned, but kept his eyes downcast. Rei did likewise, unsure of what might happen if they were to meet so directly. So she didn't notice the Casablanca Lilly until he placed it on the keys.

"There is a song in your heart. I've been wanting to hear all of it ever since I met you."

His voice was halting, unsure. Such a departure from the cocky young general who used to try and win her favor with flowers and flirting.

"I've returned through the grace of my liege. I know he has given me his forgiveness, of which I'm completely undeserving. Just as I am undeserving of yours."

He breathed deeply before continuing.

"But the impossible has already happened. And we're both here. We can try again."

Rei's eyes remained downcast. Jadeite stole a glance. Her hair hid her face, but the light still played the same tricks with it, enchanting him all over again. He nearly forgot himself and reached out to touch it, but quickly checked himself.

"What I'm trying to say is…"

Words failed him. But perhaps it didn't matter. The silence stretched loudly once again, saying much that was unsaid.

As Jadeite left, Rei hesitantly reached for the flower. She inhaled deeply. As the scent brought back memories of a time long ago, she listened, hoping against hope that the song might change and tell a new story. One with a happy ending.