Part 10

7:03 PM - Sunday - Undisclosed Location - near Tokyo Japan

Nephrite was a rather calm person normally. He preferred to think through plans and ideas before he made a decision. Today the rush of overwhelming need and emotions had rushed him into a decision, and he would never be more grateful. Tears coursed down his cheeks as he held hands with Makoto. He wasn't remotely ashamed. He'd loved her for more than a thousand years, and he would continue to love her. His heart swelled with joy and gratitude. He was saddened by the loss of his family, but in his mind, as long as Makoto was breathing and there was no chance he could ever betray her again, he was going to be okay. Happy and content.

Before he could relax there were two others that had to be added back to their family. Now he had to figure out how to rescue them. He looked at the others. "We could draw them here," he suggested. He thought of Kunzite and Zoicite. They were more than fellow generals. They were like brothers. He looked up to Mamoru, wanting to learn what his prince was thinking. At the moment though Mamoru was staring into the eyes of the princess as though having a mental conversation.

It was Usagi who spoke. He was having a difficult time remembering their new names. "We didn't have to do anything to draw the two of you. Jadeite had his reasons to begin remembering." She turned and held out a hand to the dark-haired priestess, who gulped and clutched her tightly. Nephrite stored away the information to think about later. She continued. "As for the others, I think they'll be drawn the way the two of you were, but even if they aren't, Mamoru and I have a couple ideas."

"One of them is drawing them here, as you suggested. Another is to find our way there. There are other things we haven't fully considered. But trust me when I tell you we don't plan to give up."

"I hate to change the subject," the little black cat spoke. Luna. "But Usagi needs to get home. All the girls do."

Mamoru nodded his head. "I know. This place is too far outside the city to protect people. I'm taking the guys with me for the night. They can stay at my apartment."

Jadeite looked as though he might argue. He was holding the priestess' other hand, and when she gulped again, Nephrite became more worried. What was wrong? Should he say something? Do something? How could he help? Makoto squeezed his hand reassuringly. "It's okay," she whispered. Then aloud she said, "Rei, do you want to stay with me tonight?" The black-haired beauty nodded rapidly and Nephrite had a feeling of relief. He didn't understand why his bond already felt so close not just to Makoto and his prince and princess, but to the others in the room as well.

As he watched, Mamoru stood, holding his hands up above him, with his eyes closed. They all watched as the vines disappeared from the windows around the room while his hands lowered back to his sides. Incredible, he thought. He'd fought against Mamoru as Tuxedo Kamen, and he'd never shown so much control before. In their past lives Prince Endymion had plenty of control, and not just over plants, but any element on the Earth, and any living thing as well. Now he was barely come into his powers, and mostly untrained. He met Jadeite's eyes. The other man nodded. They would train him again.

Everyone was standing now except him and Makoto. He wished he could stay with her overnight, but he would not disobey his prince. And it appeared Rei, the black-haired priestess needed his love this night. He stood, pulling her with him, and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. He played with her rose earrings for a moment, and ran a finger through her curly cinnamon hair. So beautiful, his woman. Others might think her too tall and muscular and strong, but to him she was as delicate as a rosebud. His softhearted woman.

As one the group moved outside. Usagi was speaking quietly to Rei now, and he decided not to listen. Instead he worried about the morning. His prince and princess would both be going to school. And while his princess had two of her Senshi with her, Mamoru had no one to offer him protection. He opened his mouth to speak and Usagi beat him to it.

"Jadeite, Nephrite, tomorrow you will be registered for school. Ami has found your original identification and Artemis will be going to collect the paperwork you need overnight." Nephrite released a relieved sigh. Good. His prince should not be unprotected. High schools could be unpredictable.

The group transformed and everyone began the run back to Tokyo. Nephrite found himself at last standing in the living room of an apartment in a tall building, watching the last rays of the sun die away. There were two long couches, but no spare room. He sat on one, Jadeite on the other. Mamoru was busy rummaging around in his hallway closet. He pulled out two satchels, both black, and several blank notebooks.

Jadeite stood back up and began to pace. "Is Rei okay?" He muttered. "How can I know she's okay if I'm not with her?" He walked from one end of the living room to the other. "Mamoru, can I use the communicator?" Mamoru tossed him a black device and Jadeite pressed a button. Rei's face appeared on the tiny screen and he spent several minutes asking her if she was alright. Nephrite could understand. He stood and asked if he could speak to Makoto as well.

When she came on the line he felt a sense of relief.

8:45 PM - Sunday - Tokyo Japan

"It's kinda cute, you have to admit," Makoto said as soon as the communicator screen was blank. "They really aren't used to having us in their lives yet."

"I know. It makes me feel safer, knowing he would do anything for me. But he also needs to learn that he can't see or talk to me every second of the day." Rei smiled and sighed. "Although, it would be nice if he could."

Minako giggled. The little blonde had asked to join the two of them after they'd dropped Usagi home. "What would be really nice is if we were all old enough to marry in this life." She tossed her hair back over her shoulder. Unlike Usagi's it was loose, only held back from her face with one bright red bow. "But that won't happen anytime soon. She giggled again.

Rei stood and stretched. She was feeling better, not so afraid. She wished she could stay with Makoto forever. Where her father couldn't find her and make her attend any more functions. She hated them, hated all the handsy politicians and their smooth words and lying tongues. She shuddered. If her father had his way, she'd be married off to someone in a match that would make him more wealthy and him completely miserable.

"I think I need to find a way to get married sooner rather than later," she admitted. "If my father has anything to say about it, I'll be married off to some fifty year old for a political favor long before I turn eighteen anyway." Another shudder went through her.

"What are the laws here like?" Minako asked. "Can you get married under eighteen?"

Makoto nodded. "Yes, with parental permission, but the girl has to be older than sixteen except under certain circumstances."

8:45 PM - Sunday - Tokyo Japan

"Mom, can I talk to you?" Usagi whispered. Her parents were in the living room watching a show on the television, but Usagi needed advice. She wasn't sure what to do, and she wanted to see what her mother suggested.

Ikuko stood and Usagi led her into the kitchen. She handed her mother a cup of tea and held tightly to her cup of hot chocolate. She really did love American foods. She sat in the quiet space, occasional bursts of laughter from her father or shouts from Shingo who was upstairs playing a Sailor V game broke the silence, but for just a moment her and her mother just sat together. It wasn't awkward or uncomfortable between them.

"I have a couple of things I wanted to ask you about." Usagi sighed. She wasn't really sure how to start. "You know Rei." Ikuko nodded. "You know she hasn't always been the nicest. Well, I finally discovered why. It's really upsetting me because I'm afraid something like this could happen again and I just want to protect her and I don't know how." Her words fell over each other and tumbled out of her mouth with harsh gasping breaths.

Ikuko put a hand on Usagi's arm and just waited.

"Rei's father... well he's a politician. And he throws these lavish parties to raise funds for his campaigns. If he wants to earn more money he tends to bring Rei because she's so beautiful. But Mom, she was attacked at one of these. A guy forced her, I mean" she leaned forward, not wanting her father to overhear. "He raped her." She sat back again and watched her mother as she continued.

"We all found out when she freaked the other day. The guy died in one of those monster attacks and she just stopped moving or speaking. It was really scary." She gulped. "But her dad didn't do anything when it happened except pay the guy off to keep him quiet. And Rei keeps having to go to his functions, and I'm so afraid it will happen again that I don't want her to go."

Usagi watched her mother's face carefully. Watched the emotions play across it, fear, sadness, horror, and now rage. These were the same emotions she'd dealt with, and she was so thankful her mother was listening, though she would never share all the details.

"Rei thinks the only safe thing for her to do is get married to Jadeite right away, but what if her grandfather legally adopted her instead?"

"Well, first, she's fourteen like you, right?"

Usagi nodded. "Almost fifteen."

"Technically, she can get married then because her circumstances fall under one of the clauses. She would be in physical danger if in her father's care. Even though her grandfather is technically raising her, without full custody, there isn't much he can do to stop her being forced to attend."

Usagi nodded, she already knew this. Ikuko continued. "While it is much easier to get married," I agree, "if her grandfather has the funds he can certainly adopt her. It's a bit of a process, and in the meantime there are ways to keep her safe through the courts."

"Doesn't that cost money though? They run a Shinto Shrine Mom, they don't have much money."

"In that case, she's probably right. But she needs at least one person to vouch for her. Is that something you'd like me to do?" Usagi nodded her head rapidly. While she was unsure marriage at a young age was the right answer, if it was the only one she would do anything to make it happen.

"How long would it take? Her father has a function next weekend."

"I would need her and the boy both. You and Mamoru should both come too as witnesses. I can have them married by the end of the day tomorrow if need be. I went to school with a friend who became a judge, and as he owes me a favor, I can get this done. I'll pick all of you up at two. Make sure the others meet you at your school."

"Okay Mom." Usagi blushed, "I have another question."

Ikuko smiled at the red flush on her daughter's cheeks. "Let me guess, you had your first kiss."

Usagi gasped, making Ikuko laugh. "I knew it!" She laughed again. "Mamoru's been in love with you for a while. Boy was just too afraid to show it."

Another blush. "Mom, I just don't know much about kissing and all that, and after hearing what Rei went through I'm a little scared."

Ikuko nodded. "Most boys aren't like that, and Mamoru definitely wont be. Although I'm sure he will be the more dominant of the two of you, I don't think he would ever hurt you or force you to do something that frightens you or makes you uncomfortable." She smiled. "He would probably kill himself before he let any harm come to you by his hands."

Usagi agreed, though she wasn't happy about the killing himself part, no matter how true it might be. She wasn't sure if she should press the conversation. She wanted to ask about sex, but she was uncomfortable. And she wasn't sure her parents wouldn't lock her up if she so much as said the word.

"Usagi," her mother lifted her chin, "when it isn't forced, sex, making love, can be a beautiful thing. As long as both people are ready for that step. I don't want you to be afraid forever. It shouldn't be terrifying. Like I told you before, you can always come to me to talk."

Usagi smiled and threw her arms around her mother. "Thank you!" She smiled. "I have to go call the others and tell them."

9:10 PM - Sunday - Tokyo Japan

Zoicite looked around cautiously. Two of his fellow Dark Generals were now missing. He wanted to find them. Kunzite had been against his coming, but he felt drawn to the area. He was standing on a sidewalk lit by street lamps, and peering up at a building across the street. He'd been drawn there, but he wasn't sure why. The park behind him was filled with the night noises of insects and small animals avoiding predators.

A much larger predator was waiting to be released. With a wave of his hand he urged the Youma to action. A moment later he could hear the screams of lovers who had been strolling along the path as their energy was drained, but Zoicite didn't take his eyes off the window he was drawn to. A bright flash appeared, and then a window opened. Sailor Mercury was there, leaping from the apartment and down into the night. Zoicite stepped back into the shadows to watch.

She raced into the park, not seeing him as she passed, and went towards the Youma. "Shabon Spray!" She screamed, and the area was filled with mist. He could still see her, though barely, as she dragged the two helpless victims away from the Youma. She pressed something on her wrist. "Come on guys. I'm not good at this by myself." It was almost a whine as she shouted her attack a second time, making the mist thicker.

A moment later three girls appeared out of the night. Mars, Jupiter, and Venus. He hadn't seen Venus in months, not since they'd left England to come to Japan. Interesting. The three surrounded Mercury, who opened her mini-computer and began rapidly pressing keys.

"How long until Moon gets here?" Mars asked. "This one is strong."

"Kamen has her now and they're about three minutes out with the others." Mercury looked up from her screen. "We'll see how well they fight alongside us. That way we know what to focus on in training." She sighed. "I wish we already had Zo."

Zoicite's heart fluttered, and his mind whirled with chaotic images. Images of this blue-haired girl on a planet, her hands in his as they spoke the vows. He shook his head as more footsteps approached.

"Moon!" Mars cried out. "Did you have a hard time getting out?"

"Yeah, sorry. I was in the middle of a serious talk with my mom." She raced towards the Youma and pulled off her tiara. Zoicite watched in awe as she dodged to one side when the Youma spit acid at her. Another round and another dodge. The girl was actually improving.

Then his heart stopped. Jadeite and Nephrite dropped out of a tree. They looked different, their uniforms light now instead of dark, their hair and eyes looked more the way he felt they should have been, and they seemed healthier. Both shot bright white energy at the Youma.

"Princess," Nephrite shouted. "Now!"

Sailor Moon leapt forwards and sent her tiara flying. "Moon Tiara Action!" her shout filled the night. The Youma disappeared without so much as a scream. Zoicite had tears flowing down his cheeks. He could remember his Prince! He could remember his wife. He stared longingly at the blue-haired Senshi and stumbled forward out of the shadows.

"Help me!" he muttered, falling to his knees in front of his princess. A moment later he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up he saw his prince behind him. The bluenette stepped forward and placed a hand on Moon's shoulder. He felt the healing light, golden and silver with shots of blue as the princess worked her magic. He felt the tears in his soul being repaired and was unashamed of the tears that poured down his face.