A/N: thanks to all who have been reading and reviewing! lets go back to the present.

Chapter 4

The Ghost of You

It had been about three weeks since Rei had gone to the North Pole for what she had hoped would be closure on a relationship that had ended 1,000 years ago. But the dream memories kept coming, to the point where she feared falling asleep. Her lack of sleep was worrying all of her friends. To make matters worse, he was starting to haunt her in her waking hours. Like she would see a man who reminded her of him or she would notice someone's stance that was similar. And today was no different.

Today the girls were visiting Makoto's greenhouse. And true to their word Ami and Usagi hadn't mentioned a thing to the others, for which Rei was very grateful. Makoto was now talking about various new flowers and herbs she was growing when a white tubular flower with red petals caught Rei's eye. Usagi looked over Rei's shoulder at the flower.

"Mako-chan, what's the one that Rei's looking at?" she asked.

"Desert Rose," Mako and Rei said at the same time.

"It's pretty." Usagi chimed.

"You don't think its plain?" Rei asked in surprise.

"No, if it's a desert rose that would make it a beauty in a desolate place." No one but Rei noticed the odd change in Usagi's vocabulary. And it chilled Rei to the bone. "Mako-chan, I'm hungry. Don't you have anything to eat?"

Mako led the others out and back inside the building that doubled as her apartment and restaurant. Rei stayed behind in the green house, needing some time to her self.

"Why can't you leave me alone!" she shouted not expecting a response.

"Because we love each other." Rei knew the voice, but she couldn't see the owner, or anyone else for that matter, there.

"But you're trapped, asleep." She protested.

"Then come and save me."

"I don't know how. Why now? It was a 1,000 years ago and you broke my heart." Rei was close to tears due to her emotional state and lack of sleep.

"Because of this," Rei felt another hand lift her own in the air. She looked at the ring on her finger and now tears really were spilling from her eyes. "To stop you. You know your heart will always belong to me." Another invisible hand drew her close by placing it on the small of her back. Though she could see no one, Rei could feel a body pressed against hers. An amazing feeling coursed through her body making Rei feel light headed as she felt pressure on her lips. Her eyes shut as she was swept up in the phantom kiss. When the kiss ended Rei knew he was gone. Just like she knew now that no matter what she would try to find a way to save him.