The first attempt had been very taxing. It was not without reward, as the Shitennou were stabilizing, but the Senshi were very drained; mentally, physically, spiritually.
They agreed they needed a brief respite before returning to complete their task. Each girl went their own way to try and recover, and to sort through their experience. Their brief contact with the men they had known so long ago had brought memories back that they had tried to forget.
What was more, they had found some memories that were not their own.
Minako went to her room, troubled by her memories. They were threatening to weaken her resolve. Memories of Kunzite's heated gaze upon her, and his even more heated touch made her long for a time when matters were simple. She longed for those moments when they were not sworn guardians and then sworn enemies, but just a man and a woman who had found that elusive thing called love.
As she did so often, she brought out the crystal. She studied it for a moment, thinking of letting the message play back, and letting the little girl in her out for a moment. But as she regarded the crystal, it suddenly struck her that something was wrong. Something in the shape and color was ever so off. And the man in the message; something was wrong with him too…
Ami sat down and conjured her lyre, hoping that music might calm her troubled spirit. Absently, she began strumming a tune. She was not sure where the notes came from, but it struck her that she had not written what she was now playing. The melody seemed somewhat familiar, and she wondered if she might have heard it before.
It was what Zoisite had been playing before she interrupted him! But she had only heard snatches of that tune. What she was playing now was a complete song, very complex, woven in layers. She opened her mind and allowed the song to enter her, wondering what she might find hidden among the notes…
Makoto finally dared to look up to the night sky from Nephrite's tower. It had been a long time since she had willingly ascended to such heights, much less dare to gaze upon the open heavens. Most people found the stars to be beautiful, but the sky still held a hint of terror for the girl who sometimes dreamt of falling planes.
She wondered again what Nephrite saw when he watched. She tried to remember back to a time long ago; a time when her greatest fear had been that the General might say no when she offered him a piece of her heart, wrapped neatly in a lunch box. In those days, Nephrite had shared with her the joys of looking upon the stars and seeing what secrets were locked in their timeless light. He even taught her a little about sending messages by letting her own light shine and be reflected by the heavens. They sometimes exchanged brief messages this way: a quick word of affection, a promise to meet.
She wondered if, perhaps, those messages endured as the stars watched over the ever-changing Earth. So tonight, Kino Makoto, who was once so afraid of the sky, now looked to it for comfort. What she found was more than she had expected…
Rei found herself before the Sacred Fire again. Ever since the return of the Shitennou, she had found little comfort in her daily meditation. Her mind felt troubled, and she was unable to connect with her innermost self in the heart of the flame. Day by day, she felt as though she was slipping further and further away from herself, and into a darkness from which there could be no return.
Still, she returned, every day, seeking that which she had lost. She could not quite name what it was that she was missing, but its absence was slowly eating away at her, darkening her heart. She did not wish for it to be this way. She knew that she had to find a way back to herself, a way back to what was missing.
Today, somehow, her meditation was different. It was as though she was performing a dance that she had not done in years, and yet, somehow, her body remembered, falling into a familiar routine that felt more and more comfortable with each move. She began to find herself in the fire. And she found she was not alone….
Unbeknownst to the Senshi, their minds began to open, as the remnants of the connection they had shared suddenly came to life. Once again, eight minds were drawn together. And yet, each felt as though they were intimately connected to but a single one.
Minako found herself in a dark cell, observing two men. One was very obviously a prisoner, and had been so for many weeks. Yet, even battered and starved, Kunzite cut an impressive figure. Huddled over him was another man she recognized. One who had haunted her thoughts since she was thirteen.
"Will you take this message to the Lady Venus."
Minako watched as a crystal changed hands. Not a frosty white crystal of danburite, but a brilliantly clear crystal of kunzite.
Ami watched on in horror as Beryl continued her torture of Zoisite, who kept humming the tune that she was now so familiar with. The song grew in her mind as she realized what it meant, and what was hidden in those sad, beautiful notes.
Makoto had to remind herself that the image of Nephrite, chained to the wall, bloodied and beaten, was merely an image from his memory. So strong was the urge within her to free him from his chains and hold him.
And yet, even though this was but a memory, Makoto could still feel him open his mind as he reached out beyond the reach of his darkened cell to find the stars high above in the sky, free from walls and chains. So great was his connection, that even in this weakened state, his mind still found the heavens so that he might reflect a little of his light for Makoto to see.
Rei had to turn away as Beryl continued her assault on Jadeite. His fear was palpable as Beryl declared that he would be her servant. Once again, she felt a voice inside her head as Jadeite reached to create the connection.
Minako looked on in awe as her crystal reverted to its true form, a clear piece of kunzite, which was now glowing with a pink light, which began to wash over her.
As the light cleared, Minako found herself in a grand, empty ballroom. She was arrayed as she had been in the Silver Millenium as Princess Venus. Something about the setting set her mind at ease. Deep within, she felt safe, happy, beautiful and loved.
Her feelings only intensified, as she turned to face the man walking towards her, resplendent in the armor of Earth's armies. His long cape fluttered in an unseen breeze, and his silver hair spilled over powerful shoulders. Grey eyes locked with hers, and once again, she felt immobilized. With several purposeful steps, he closed the distance between them before gently gathering her in his arms for the dance as the music began to play. His gaze never left hers as he began speaking.
"My dearest Minako, if you are hearing this message, I have been taken captive by the enemy."
Ami watched on enraptured as Zoisite's hands continued to move across the piano. The song from her lyre had brought her to this room, where Zoisite played his sad tune, while she listened, seated on the frame.
"I do not know if escape is possible. I do know that Beryl intends to use the Shitennou to attack the Moon Kingdom. I pray that my warning reaches you in time."
Makoto found her message in the stars, and it took her to a beautiful garden. She found herself lying with her head resting comfortable in Nephrite's lap below the shelter of a grand oak tree as he gently stroked her hair, delivering his message.
"I fear for what might happen. I fear that I will not be able to resist her control, and I will be made to fight you. I fear what I may be forced to do against my will."
Rei felt Jadeite enter her mind, and she found herself walking hand in hand with him down a lane of sakura trees in full bloom, the falling petals bringing peace to her heart with their steady rhythm. She thought to herself that it was almost as though the trees were weeping for her as she listened to her beloved speak.
"No matter what happens, you must know the truth."
In this darkness, I long for you. I long for your touch, the sound of your voice, the smell of your hair. I long to see you smile so that all darkness is chased away. I long to hear you laugh that I might know there is hope in the world.
I had so many dreams for what life might bring us. I fear that we may never see those dreams realized. I look into your eyes and I see my future, and I see more than just duty and loyalty. I see possibility, hope and love. I see days spent hand in hand, and years spent with two hearts becoming one. I see everything a man could want in his life, and so much more.
You must know how much I owe you, for I was nothing before I loved you. I was a man only half alive until the day you came into my life. I know that I will never be complete again without you.
I do not know what cruel fate awaits us, or whether there can be a happy ending to this life. But know that no matter how long it takes, I will find a way back to you, no matter how many miles I must go or how many lives I must live.
You are in my heart, always.
I Love You.
The music slowly faded, and Kunzite looked down tenderly upon the vision of beauty in his arms. Minako's eyes were shining as a millennium of heartbreak broke forth. All doubts left her mind and she allowed Kunzite's arms to close around her. Gently, piece-by-piece, her heart began to put itself together again.
Zoisite breathed heavily as the last note lingered in the air. It was never easy to so thoroughly put one's heart into song.
Tears were flowing freely down Ami's face. Slowly, she slid from the piano frame and sat down beside him at the bench. She leaned against him and Zoisite put an arm around her. For a moment, they were content to remain that way, until Ami's hands began to flit gently across the keys.
As he discerned the melody she was playing, Zoisite's hands joined her, as they began a new song together.
Makoto slowly rose from Nephrite's lap so that she might place a small kiss on his lips. His hands never left her hair, and their kiss deepened for a few brief moments. When they broke apart, the contented smile returned to her lips, and this time, it did not leave. Nephrite felt his own smile grow in answer.
He shifted and leaned back against the tree and opened his arms for her. Still smiling, she fell into his embrace, letting her back rest on his chest. He rested his chin on her head and wrapped his arms around her. Once again, she felt safe, and loved. Together, they watched happily as the stars came out.
Rei finally stopped. She had always been somewhat reserved, even though her own emotions were strong and passionate. She was never afraid to show her anger, but what she was feeling now was a different matter. She kept her face downcast, hoping to hide the tears now falling freely down her face.
Jadeite would have none of it. He reached for her hair, absently removing a petal, before brushing her hair back so that he could see her face. She raised her head at the contact, and found her eyes fluttering closed in delight as he ran his hands through her hair. When she opened them again, she found Jadeite looking upon her. For a moment, she was embarrassed, as she was sure she must look a mess. But his eyes showed nothing but affection as he gently wiped away her tears. Her eyes closed again as she reveled in his touch. When he was done, he took her hand again.
This time, as they walked, Rei let her head rest against his shoulder, content to walk as far as the path would take them.
In the infirmary, four pairs of eyes slowly began to open. And elsewhere in the palace, four more sets of eyes snapped open before four women all but sprinted towards the infirmary.