Disclaimer: No ownership. Otherwise, probably would have created a manga for the lives the girls led in the Silver Millennium. Also, my drawing skills are horrendous.

Luna sighed as she noticed Artemis stalking Minako and Kunzite. She couldn't say that she didn't have her reservations about the revival of the Shitennou, but after a few months of observing them, they deserved the privacy they earned by working hard for this era. If only Artemis would get that through his thick head.

"Mama," a small, grey kitten with pink eyes said. Luna smiled as best as she could in her cat form at her daughter.

"Yes, Diana?"

"Is Papa always going to follow Venus-chan?"

"Not unless we stop him, but let's give him another day of his fun before we intervene."

Diana smiled at her mother before the two left to go find their respective charges. Luna was certain that even if she didn't do anything, Minako surely would.

…That wouldn't end well for Artemis.

Meanwhile, the said white cat walked along a high wall out of sight of either Minako or Kunzite. He hissed as Kunzite took hold of his charge's hand, bestowing a kiss upon it. Artemis didn't realize that the sound of it had echoed through the room. Minako rolled her eyes at his protectiveness while Kunzite dropped her hand.

"No privacy," Mina muttered under her breath.

Kunzite smiled at the blonde as he tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear, eliciting another hiss from the hidden Artemis. "I can't say that I blame him."

"You've proven that you're not a threat. He's just being overprotective."

"In all fairness, I almost killed you more than a couple of times."

"And I didn't?" she asked as she flicked his nose before continuing their walk. It was one of the more affectionate gestures she showed him. The first time it happened, he had no idea what to think. He had remained rooted to his spot, standing like a fool staring after the beautiful blonde he so adored. Now, he just smiled as he followed her stride.

The pair of them had taken to walking during their breaks. At first, it had been just to show Kunzite around so he wouldn't get lost, but it continued as a sort of form of relief where it could be just the two of them with a stray white cat following closely.

"Would it help if I apologized?" Kunzite said.

"Again? No matter how many times you do, he'll just keep at it."

"What do you suggest then?"

"Marry me. We can keep him locked out of a single room," Minako said without breaking the flow of conversation.

Kunzite laughed. "He'd probably maul me to death before a ceremony could be planned."

"We'll elope."

"He'd follow us just as he's doing now."

Minako stopped walking, turning her body towards his. "He can't complain if I'm the one to make the first move."

Kunzite was just about to ask what she meant before he felt her hands dragging his head down to meet her lips. He stood frozen, not responding to her, his eyes wide. Slowly, he returned her kiss before she pulled away with a smile.

Artemis jumped from his hiding place, but was caught in Minako's arms before he could so much as scratch the silver-haired general.

"Minako, let me go," he hissed and spat, eyes never leaving his target.

"I should be the one to be scratched. I'm the one that took advantage of him."

Artemis turned his face around towards Minako. "I don't care. He needs to stay away from you."

"I love him, Artemis," Minako said. Kunzite stilled. It was the first time she had uttered those words in a very long time and all he wanted to do was embrace her. Artemis had also stilled at Minako's confession. She had never ever before admitted that she loved anyone romantically because she was afraid of the consequences it might bring her in terms of her duty. She was afraid of having that love fortune come true even if she hadn't believed a word Ace said, but he had said it just after she regained her memories, making her afraid that another tragedy would come to pass.

Artemis let out a heavy sigh and Minako sensed that he was no longer a danger so she sat him on the floor. Artemis looked between the two warriors before sighing again.

"I'll not follow you two anymore, but if you want to marry her, you come to me first," Artemis said to Kunzite before stalking off to find his family.

Kunzite's eyes had never left Minako who had turned to him with a shy smile. He took her into his arms and kissed her forehead, content to touch her without a hiss sounding from any direction.

Luna found herself in Ami's personal library. The girl was reading for pleasure for once and while neither admitted it, Luna loved to be curled in Ami's lap with Ami's hand absently running through her fur. Ami loved the feeling of Luna's fur as well as the company she provided. Luna understood that Ami sometimes needed to be away from the girls, but didn't want to necessarily be alone.

It had been happening more recently due to the Shittennou's presence. Ami couldn't stand the looks of adoration or their presence. Granted, Kunzite and Nephrite kept their distance from her and Jadeite only came around when he wanted some advice on how to manipulate ice since it was their shared element and he had gracefully admitted she was the better user. Throughout that conversation, Ami had slightly reddened cheeks from his compliments.

Due to their proximity, Ami was able to better tolerate Jadeite and even thought of him as the friend she never thought she wanted but was grateful to have. He didn't press her, left her alone when she didn't want to deal with him, and even apologized on all fours when he first sought her out. In deference to Rei and his sincerity, she patted his shoulder and took him to a training ground.

Zoicite, on the other hand, she couldn't stand no matter how many times she met him. Even after all this time, he still managed to see right through her which she hated. She knew he had gone through the remains of her research about the Shittennou and a possible revival. However, he never once mentioned it or brought it up in their curt conversations which mostly consisted of work and nothing more since she managed to leave before any non-related work subject came up.

A knock on the door sounded. Luna stretched as she stood before settling herself elsewhere on the couch while Ami marked her place with a bookmark Makoto had made for her a long time ago. On the other side of the door was her silver-haired queen and the blond Shittennou she wanted nothing to do with.

"Your majesty," Ami said to her oldest friend.

Serenity frowned. "I hate it when you call me that when we're alone."

Ami looked to Zoicite before looking back to the queen who understood. "Zoicite knows we've been friends for a long time. We aren't in a formal setting, Ami-chan."

Ami nodded as she opened the door further to let in her guests. Luna smiled at her charge as the queen sat next to her. Ami sat on an ottoman, leaving an open space on the couch or a possible seat at the desk she kept against the wall next to the door. Zoicite settled for the desk chair, spinning it around so he could face them.

"Ami-chan, I was hoping that you and Zoicite could do some research on the planet that keeps appearing and disappearing in our system. Neptune and Saturn reported some strange presence they felt concerning the planet itself. They said it felt dark and it disturbed them greatly that something such as this should appear in a time of peace."

Ami looked to Zoicite who had kept his gaze on her the entire time the two had been here. Luna looked at her queen in concern.

"Are they unable to defeat whatever may be lurking there?" Luna asked.

Serenity bit her lip. "They said the planet life felt dead but it was somehow alive because of some dark force, one more powerful than the two of them. Saturn could do something about it, but the price of her abilities comes at much too high a cost."

"Either a recycle of life where we all lose our memories once more or we try to find a way to figure out what exactly is happening before it comes to that point," Ami said as she rubbed her head. She again looked to Zoicite who had said nothing, only watching. Ami then cast her eyes to Luna who nodded and gave a small smile, silently encouraging Ami. It wasn't as if she could say no. She just would prefer to work alone or with Rei.

"You already know my answer to a situation such as this, Serenity," Ami said.

"It wasn't that she was worried about you accepting. Just worried that you may not wish to work with me," Zoicite said, speaking for the first time.

Serenity had already stood, grabbing Luna as she did so. "Well, now that that's sorted, I have other duties to attend and need Luna to help me with them. I'll leave the two of you to figure out a research method." With that, the queen ran toward the door, leaving the two alone. Ami had watched with a bewildered look on her face before she realized exactly what Serenity had done.

She had left Ami alone…with Zoicite…in Ami's private library…where no one would disturb her under normal conditions. This may not have been a ruse to get the two of them alone together, but it might as well have been. Ami was going to ice Serenity for this.

"Some data has already been compiled for this unusual planet already, right?" Zoicite asked, unconcerned that the two had been left alone.

"Not much. I'll have Neptune and Saturn send over whatever data they've managed to collect."

"I'll go over what we have now to see if we've missed anything. Once we've collected enough, we should be able to make a report to their majesties on what must be done to either defend ourselves or contain whatever darkness is there."

Ami nodded. She had already gone through the small amount of data they already had. Zoicite might be able to recover something from it. He was far better at puzzles than she was. She was more of strategist, a planner, and couldn't always see all the pieces of the puzzle like Venus or Jupiter could. However, none of this explained why the blond wasn't leaving to go do as he said.

"Is there something else?" Ami said.

"You've been avoiding me and my brothers, but mostly me."

"Forgive me if I'm a little wary of the four of you. The last time we had all met in a palace such as this, we weren't exactly on the best of terms."

"I would have fought harder if I hadn't been as misguided as I was. All of us would have. Endymion was the only person in our lives who saw us for who we truly were, not just a means to an end. For him, just as you would for your princess, we would have given up everything if we had not have been caught hold of by Beryl's spell and manipulated into her bidding."

Ami closed her eyes, remembering the time of Galaxia. That had not gone over well. All of the Senshi had almost died, Mamoru had been taken, and Sailor Moon had almost given up completely. The Star Fighters had almost died as well if it hadn't have been for Sailor Moon's healing abilities, they probably would have. It wasn't as though Ami didn't understand this man: she just couldn't allow him to have the power to break her heart again. Nor would she be able to abide by her friends' hearts breaking again. These men were the only four who had been capable of making them feel so much.

"I understand," she said opening her eyes. "But, I will be treating you as a work partner, nothing more and nothing less."

Zoicite smiled. "I believe those words have been spoken once before."

He could literally feel the temperature drop as she glared at him, but he remained smiling. Oh, yes, those words had been spoken before and they both knew how long it took for her to finally stop resisting her feelings for him. It may take a few months, maybe years, but Zoicite was nothing if not patient.

Diana smiled her thanks when Makoto placed her meal before her. She had been busy lately with helping Venus train some soldiers that remembered their past lives and wished to serve again. Though they were in a time of peace, both monarchs knew how valuable it was to always be ready with defensive measures. Other galaxies knew about their planet and while no other Senshi would dare to let their inhabitants attack Earth, there were places like Earth that didn't have a Senshi and craved power.

Makoto had also been busy with helping the Shittennou get their bearings and keeping the outer Senshi from killing the four on the spot. As the one who trained both staff and soldiers, Jupiter was rather busy. Venus saw to it that their soldiers got experience by putting them in a simulation room where her memories of past battles surfaced and those men and women had to go through what she did. Mars helped those with supernatural abilities as well as served the people whenever something supernatural might have happened while Mercury headed their research facilities. All in all, the Senshi were a busy bunch and thrusting the Shittennou into her already packed schedule tended to wear her down.

"You could always ask for a break," Diana said as she took in Makoto's shadowed eyes and sluggish movements as she made tea.

"This is me taking a break," Makoto said as she sat down with her tea.

"I mean for more than an hour. Her majesty wouldn't mind if you went away for a day or two."

"Something will happen and soon. I can feel it in the skies. A break can wait."

"Or, it's all the more reason to take one while you can," Nephrite said as he appeared directly behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders and rubbing them gently.

Makoto looked to him, her green eyes flashing like the lightening she used. "Now isn't the time, Nephrite."

He almost smiled. Here was the fierce warrior he remembered. This part of herself had yet to surface in the short months he's been around her aside from when he and his fellow Shittennou sparred with her…and got their asses handed to them…every time. She chalked it up to her being alive for far longer than they, therefore garnering more experience in actual battle. He attributed it to her warrior side being royally pissed at him and the other Shittennou for making a mockery of her skills when she had first become a Senshi in this life time. After all, no one mocks a warrior of thunder and lightning without receiving some sort of retribution.

"It could be the perfect time. Makoto, you're exhausted. How do you expect to fight when you can barely stand on your feet?"

"I hate it when you decide to be the logical one."

He smiled. "We won't go far. In fact, we won't even leave the palace if that is your wish, but you are going to take a break for a day. Her majesty did mandate that for you and the other Senshi for a reason after all."

Makoto took a sip of her tea as he continued to rub her shoulders. Diana watched as Makoto's eyes closed and the woman was soon asleep. Nephrite picked her up after realizing that she had fallen asleep and carried her to the rose garden. He settled himself against the bark after he laid her down and put her head in his lap, stroking her hair as she slept.

"What is it?" her voice sounded. He looked to her, surprised to see her awake.

"I thought you were sleeping."

"Just dozing. What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Makoto raised her eyebrows and grasped the hand that had been stroking her hair. "Your hand was trembling."

Nephrite looked down to her before sighing and reaching inside his jacket to the inner pocket with is free hand before pulling out something small, wrapped in a handkerchief. Wordlessly, he offered it to her. She unwrapped it, going completely still when she saw the silver ring, glinting in the sunlight. It had a set-in peridot stone with small rubies surrounding it.

"Where'd you find this?"

"I've always had it with me even when I was under Beryl's control." Her eyes snapped to meet his, waiting for the rest of what he wanted to say. "Some part of me recognized you long ago and only Kunzite held the same suspicions I did, but we had to keep ourselves in check. I found that ring in my jacket the day you transformed into Sailor Jupiter."

Makoto's eyes returned to the ring. It had been made for her by Nephrite in their previous life. It had been something like a promise ring, that he would remain faithful to her always so long as she wore the ring even if they couldn't actually be together. In return, she had created a garden for him, consisting of plants that he had never seen before. It had become the place where they'd secretly meet.

"I know it's only been a few months Makoto, but if you decide you want that ring, I'll take it to mean that you'll want to marry me."

She blinked before once more returning her gaze to his. "You're…proposing?"

He nodded, but before he could say anything more, he found his head being pulled down as she kissed his forehead. "I can't give an answer if you don't actually ask," she said smiling. He laughed before he took the ring from her grasp and slid it onto her hand all the while whispering into her ear.

Rei detrasnformed as she trudged into the sitting room of her apartment in the palace. Each of the girls had one as well as their own home somewhere. Rei still ran her grandfather's shrine even if she couldn't be there all of the time. She always saved a day in the week to devote her time there such as today. Though the requests were exhausting, they were doable. She laid down on the couch, groaning as she sank into the cushions. Eventually, she would find the strength to get to her bed. She didn't even hear the repeated knocks on her door or her name being said.

She was only aware of someone's presence when she felt her shoulders and back being massaged. She also smelled the aroma of a green tea. The only person she ever knew to do such things for her would be an idiot blond. She didn't mind so much as her aching muscles were being soothed.

"Rei, don't fall asleep here," he said. "Drink some tea, first."

"I don't want to sit up."

"Should I carry you to bed then?"

Rei shot straight up, suddenly wide-awake. In the time since they knew each other, Rei had not allowed Jadeite in her bedroom and would not. Ever. She took the tea he handed to her with a nod. It was still steaming so she just held it in her hands for the time being. She hadn't realized how cold they were from the winter months approaching.

"Zoicite's impatient," Jadeite said by way of opening the conversation. Ever since his return, she'd been cordial towards Jadeite, paid him the respect he was due, and they had formed a sort of friendship. In spite of her forgiveness, she hadn't let him get especially close to her.

"This surprises you?"

"He wishes Mercury would give him a second chance."

"She doesn't want to."

"Doesn't she?"

Rei looked into his blue eyes which were steady on her as she decided to risk a burnt tongue instead of answering his question. The tea wasn't too hot and put nice warmth in her belly which spread to her extremities as she sipped more and more throughout their conversation.

"I'd burn you," Rei said.

"I'd risk it."

"My fire would consume you."

"Wouldn't be the first time."

"You'd have to dedicate all of your being to me."

"So long as you don't make me choose between you and my master, we'll be fine," he said.

Rei never knew how to deal with Jadeite when he was like this, honest and calm. It was difficult to ever truly get him worked up over something, but he liked to put on a façade for other people. Out of all the Shitennou, he had the most innocent-looking face.

"Any other excuses?" he asked.

"These aren't excuses."

"You're afraid, Rei."

"This isn't the Silver Millennium."

"You're still afraid."

She downed the rest of her tea and handed him the cup. "Thanks for the tea and the massage."

It was a clear dismissal and he knew it. Instead of going for the door, he took a step closer to her, catching strands of her hair in his gloveless hand. He detested wearing gloves whenever he knew he was going to see her. It had become an almost every day occurrence. He stepped closer to her, but she refused to back away even when there was little to no space between them.

"Know this: I've never felt love for anyone the way I feel for you and it scares the hell out of me," he said before backing away from her, and going for the door.

"Same time tomorrow," he said as he closed the door behind him.

Only when she was sure that he wasn't going to pop back in on her did Rei allow herself to smile at the casablancas he had replaced in her vase. Maybe it was time to stop being scared.

A/N: Sorry for the wait on this. I'm currently editing the third installment now, so it might come out sooner than this one.

Fair warning, the final installment is going to be more on the comedic side of things.

If I missed anything that might concern you, PM me or leave a review so long as it's reasonable and non-flaming.

~Timewriter~