Both man stood facing the four girls. Kunzite drew his sword and came two steps closer to the Senshi, who in turn tensed, but did not move. He raised his sword and drove it into the ground, until the blade was half hidden. The girls were sending each other curious looks about his actions.
"This will create a protecting shield around us, those needles should not get into our way. And Nephrite and Jadeite are capable to hold it off until we clear some things up", said Kunzite while stepping back, to Zoisite's side.
"I know we did not properly introduce ourselves the last time we met. Judging from your reaction it wouldn't have ended well. We know that you are from Silver Millennium, the same as we. You are the protectors and most probably also the ladies-in-waiting of the Princess Serenity, whom you have still to find. However, I have the feeling that that time at the temple it was her who saved as all." At this the girls acknowledged their suspicions as well.
"We are from Earth. Or probably it would be correct to say that we were from the Earth during the time of Silver Millennium. The Silver crystal destroyed all evidence of both us and your worlds, alongside Beryl, all those hundreds of years ago."
He continued his story explaining that they grew up in modern day Earth but few years back they received a second set of memories from a long lost time. Those memories came along with the powers they currently possess, and have been training to improve for the last two years. Zoisite stood silently by his side.
"We are not exactly reincarnation of the previous Generals, but we do know most of their history. And the memories are best to be described like a movie in our heads. We do not have emotions from our past selves – meaning the emotions associated with those memories do not influence us. I will call them ourselves, as this would ease the storytelling for me and make it easier for you to understand." He smiled a bit wary.
"Nephrite, Zoisite, Jadeite and Kunzite– those are the names from our past. Queen Beryl, as far as we know, had somehow secretly entered the court of Earth's prince. After her banishment, she found not so nice friends and I guess you dealt with that in this time period as well. Beryl took our past names for the generals she created, and sometimes the names slip out. We are mostly using the names that were given to us by the inhabitants of the respective territories that were under our protection at that time – Jade, Zoi, Neph and Mal. These are also the names that were used by our lovers of that time." At this he looked at Sailor Venus.
The always protective Sailor Jupiter took notice, "we have no reason to believe you! And we do not really have a way to evaluate the truth of what you have just told us."
"What do you mean – your lovers? Why is this information relevant?" asked Sailor Mercury, her mind always analysing possibilities.
"Because they were you," Kunzite explained and the girls were taken aback, "during the Silver Millennium the Prince of Earth secretly engaged to Princess Serenity. Our – well the us from that time - relationships formed during their courting."
"I see…" slowly said Venus, "This is why you mentioned that the love is not there, as you did not inherit emotions, only the facts? Does this mean that in this time you know us out of transformation?" She rushed with her last query.
"No. We do not." Silence ensued between them, while the sounds of a fight were heard farther away. "I am guessing that the transformation blocks out the civilian look of you, this is the same for us."
"They are not lying, however, I cannot guarantee how much of the story is true," spoke Sailor Mercury, "I scanned their vitals while they were speaking…" she finished with a pointed look at the rest of girls.
Sailor Jupiter relaxed, but only a bit. "Does this also mean that your civilian names differ from the ones you used just now?" The men nodded as a response.
Sailor Mars stepped forward and motioned towards Nephrite and Jadeite, "should we go and finish our business here?"
The men nodded and Kunzite retrieved his sword; the protective shield disappeared.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Serena woke up with a dry throat and puffy eyes. Her thirst urged her to look for a drink. She slowly got up from the bed and went out of the room, turning towards kitchen that was located outside the building she was in. Serena was glad that the temple roof was extended over the walls enough to leave a shadow on the wooden path around the buildings.
As she turned the corner, Serena was hugged by a tall figure. From her daily interactions with him, she knew right away it was Darien. She hugged him back, his nearness suddenly a comfort after the period of avoidance. Her thirst forgotten.
Darien could not take it anymore, he needed to see Serena and he had started to look for her at the temple, knowing how much time the girls spent there. He needed to talk to her.
"I was looking for you, Rei's grandad told me where to find you." He whispered in her hair, his chin lightly brushing against her hair. Serena let out a loud sigh and raised her head. Darien saw her puffy eyes and his hands went to fondly cup her cheeks.
"I'm sorry I've been avoiding you, I just couldn't…" Serena could not finish her sentence, as tears started to roll down her cheeks. She felt Darien's thumbs brushing them away, slowly and gently. "I haven't even opened the present you gave me for my graduation…" She managed to sob out, and closed her eyes while leaning in Darien's touch.
"Serena.. I.." Darien started, but could not finish his sentence. An urge to kiss her in comfort was slowly overcoming the man. He leaned in, his forehead touching hers, awaiting for Serena to step back.
When she did not move a bit, he leaned further down while lifting her chin up. Dariens lips slowly caressed Serenas, without really kissing her. Feeling her tremble lightly, he prodded her lips open with his and started slowly to kiss her. He felt her gripping his shirt tighter and replying to his advances. Moments later the kiss was not close to being slow and gentle. Months and years of unresolved love was pushing its way through and overcoming the couple.
They had to stop for the simple reason of breathing, Serena opened her eyes and looked at Darien, happiness bouncing from her eyes and smile, making Darien to kiss her again with a burning passion that made her knees go week.
For minutes they have not moved from their spot. Until they heard voices coming their way. Serena stepped away from Darien not looking at him, as the realisation that the voices belonged to her friends hit her. Along this came the thought that they were once again Senshi, even if she could not transform at the moment. The girl hoped that she will be able to transform into Sailor Moon somehow; she cannot let the girls fight alone.
This means that Darien and I .. It is not possible… The thought shot a sharp pain through her, and she took a quick intake of breath. Darien heard and moved to hug her again. But Serena shifted away from him. Before looking up she tried to control her facial expression, and when her eyes met Darien's her face was one of indifference but her eyes – they deluded to her true feelings.
Her resolution was made and with a quiet whisper "It was a mistake," she turned and run the way she came from, leaving a bewildered Darien behind to face the girls that were now standing in front of him.
He looked over them and turned to follow Serena when a quick and strong "No!" was heard from Amy. She looked at Darien's ruffled hair and slightly reddish lips and understood what had just happened. And she also knew Serena.
"We know. And we also trust you, however, Serena. She.. She has something on her mind that she needs and must sort out before you and… before she…" Amy tried to explain.
"Please be patient for a little while longer." With an encouraging smile finished Rei. Darien silently looked at them. Then with a small nod left the temple grounds.
The girls found Serena in the guest room, lying on her side. Mina sat down beside her and with a gentle touch moved aside few strands of the golden hair from the girls face. "Are you ready to go home or would you rather stay here for the night? We can stay with you if you want," Mina spoke quietly with an encouraging smile.
Serena sat up and smiled at the girls, "I'll call my mom and tell her that we are having a slumber party."
Later that night Serena woke up thrashing and screaming "BLOOD!". When Lita asked what she saw, Serena could just blink her eyes as if nothing had happened. Only a feeling that she saw something terrible remained.
Unbeknownst to her, two more people did see a part of her nightmare, and that left them scared for the safety of everyone.