Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or her characters, and have no right to it except as a long time fan.

Edited: 3/19/15

Dreams and the Arrival of the Final Guardian

Monday Morning (London Time)

It was a quiet morning in the large yet modest house owned by the Aino's. The lady of the house was busy making breakfast for her little family before she went out for the day. The man of the house was enjoying the raining hot water of his shower as he readied himself for work.

In an upstairs bedroom in the back of the house, a teenage girl was curled in a ball under yellow sheets and an orange comforter. Golden hair splayed across yellow pillows as the girl breathed deeply in her sleep. At the end of the bed a small white mass curled in a ball was sound asleep on the fluffy orange comforter.

The quiet was peaceful and unbroken until a shrill sound echoed throughout the room causing the sleeping occupants to jump up and look around. The white mass, which turned out to be a pure white cat, was the first to realize what the noise was, and hop down and quickly trot over to the desk holding a computer.

The golden haired girl sat leaning back against her pillows and headboard as she rubbed her eyes to try and wake quicker so she could understand what was happening. She watched the cat put on a tiny headset that contained a microphone, and her eyes widened as she realized what was happening.

Luna was finally reporting in.

The golden haired girl remembered Luna's last report. Both she and her cat companion had been beyond shocked to learn that Sailor Moon had quit the Senshi. It was even more disturbing to hear all the problems Luna and the other senshi had with Usagi, and that the problems had escalated to such a point.

For Usagi to no longer want to be a senshi things must have been even worse on her end.

They hadn't understood why Luna and the others had a problem with Usagi. They had known from day one of meeting her what her personality was like and how she behaved, so they couldn't understand why such things were concerning them now.

From what they had been told Usagi had been doing her job as a senshi just fine, it seemed they simply no longer liked how she went about it. They shouldn't have a problem though. No one had been captured, none of the senshi had been severely hurt, and no civilians had been severely hurt or killed. She had even handled things properly with the rainbow crystals given the situations.

As far as they were concerned everything was fine on that front. The two weren't concerned with her fighting ability because they knew why she wasn't good, and from the reports Luna had given she had actually gotten better than she was at the start. And how she acted outside of being a senshi in her everyday life was none of their concern. They did not have to like her behavior. As long as she got the job done that was all that mattered.

Although it seriously concerned them that the others had a problem with her when it was clear she didn't care about their faults. The golden haired girl was sure they had them but Usagi had obviously never judged them because of them.

She got out of her bed and went to sit on the floor next to the desk to listen in on the report. She wanted to know if Luna had discovered what had been kept from her, what was causing the discord among the Senshi, and if she had settled her thoughts concerning Usagi.

"Do you have anything to report regarding the issues that preceded the senshi of the Moon quitting?" The white cat asked firmly, the male voice projecting strongly and confidently, knowing that Luna would only hear a computer generated voice.

They listened closely as Luna reported that Usagi had been acting differently. She had shown them that she could do all the things they wanted her to do, but made it clear that she had not wanted to do them. They were pleased to hear that almost everyone had made up with Usagi, but uneasy that the senshi of Mars had yet to do so. Dismay joined their unease as Luna reported that Usagi still did not want to be Sailor Moon. Apparently she was of the belief that she was a bad leader and a danger to everyone, senshi and civilian, because of her lack of sophisticated fighting skills.

They shared frowns as Luna communicated that the main problem seemed to be Rei's anger and jealousy of Usagi, and that it had started when she named Sailor Moon leader of the Senshi and had gotten progressively worse. Frowns deepened as the fact that Rei had taken to lying about how fights with the enemy had went to get Usagi in trouble was conveyed, as well as the knowledge that the fire senshi wanted to replace her as Sailor Moon with someone else and until then use her to change back those who have had a rainbow crystal removed from their body.

The two companions continued to listen as Luna informed them of the fact that Usagi seemed to have gotten close with a guy that Rei likes and it had most definitely not helped her behavior toward Usagi, regardless of the undeniable fact that Usagi knew him before Rei came along. A name and a description followed this information closely. Chiba Mamoru. Tall, black hair, ocean blue eyes, four years older than either girl, university student studying to be a doctor, lives alone, and is a frequent patron of the arcade/café the girl's hang out at because his best friend works there.

Luna's voice continued in the silence to inform them that as of now Usagi was considering ending her friendship with Rei. She had informed her and the girls that she was going to do everything she could to stay away from Rei until a decision was made. She was serious to the point that Rei was not even allowed in her home anymore.

The golden haired girl and white cat were pleased with the lengthy report and happy that the majority of them had apologized to Usagi, but they were concerned about Rei's behavior and the fact that Usagi did not want to return to being a senshi.

"Something must be done about Rei. The senshi of Mars is going too far and overstepping her boundaries." The white cat said. "You must take her in hand before the situation becomes worse than it already is. How long before she decides she doesn't like something the other senshi do? She will lash out at them the same way she has with Usagi because there have been no consequences for her." He added. "What if this behavior continues with the Princess?" He said seriously, his furry face frowning.

The golden haired girl shook her head and released a light sigh. One consequence had already happened but Rei alone wasn't the only one dealing with it. Usagi was no longer there to fight with them and she was sure it had to be hard for them.

"Ami, Makoto, and I worry about that as well but I don't know what to do. Rei doesn't seem to want to listen to what anyone is saying." Luna replied, weary and anxious.

The golden haired girl scowled fiercely. If she was there she would know exactly what to do about Rei. She was coming dangerously close to insubordination, even more so than the fire senshi knew, and she thought it was time to remind her that she wasn't just a girl in a pretty sailor suit with special powers. She was a soldier in service to the Moon and her behavior would not be tolerated, especially when they realized who the Princess was.

The golden haired girl grabbed a pen, a piece of paper and quickly wrote to the cat to tell Luna to keep an eye on the fire senshi and that something may come to her. Then ask about how the Senshi were getting on without Sailor Moon.

The white cat did so and they listened attentively as Luna reported that as of the last fight the girls were having a hard time, and most likely would have been completely wiped out after defeating the youma or unable to defeat it. Tuxedo Kamen had come along at the right time and helped defeat the enemy, but he cautioned that his appearance at every fight depended on Sailor Moon being there and that he was only there by chance at that time.

It turned out Tuxedo Kamen was the one who reminded the girls of Sailor Moon's importance when it came to those humans who had been turned into a youma. They also learned that his saving Sailor Moon was instinctive and that he didn't have a choice.

Luna continued on saying that she could no longer label Tuxedo Kamen as the enemy only because of his collecting the crystals since he could have easily done the same with them and not have bothered saving Sailor Moon all the times he did.

Their eyes widened as they heard Luna add that the masked man knew Usagi's true identity and where she lived.

"How do you know this?" The white cat cut in, asking demandingly.

"He left her a letter with a rose. Usagi said the letter stated in detail how he felt about her, though she herself didn't tell me what those details were." Luna answered. "The girls however can confirm that he does hold positive feelings for her. When she quit she gave the girls a message to relay to him. Mercury did so and they all witnessed the emotions in his eyes." She explained.

"Your opinions about Tuxedo Kamen have been noted and will be taken into consideration, however you should still be wary of him because he possesses the crystals we need." The white cat cautioned. "Moving on, do you have any ideas on how to convince Usagi to return to the Senshi?"

"We are considering telling her about the change in DNA and that because of that there are no replacements, but we are hoping to use that as a last resort because we don't want her to think we only want her back because of her power." Luna answered.

"Has she stated in specifics why exactly she is refusing to be a senshi again?" He asked.

"One reason is definitely Rei and how she treats her. Now that the rest of us have apologized and understood what we had done that's not a problem anymore. The last major issue is Usagi's feelings and concerns about how she performs as a senshi. She doesn't think she's a good leader, she's afraid one of the senshi will be hurt or killed because of her, or that a civilian will be hurt or killed because of her. She also believes she is not a good enough fighter." Luna explained as best she could.

"Do what you can to convince Usagi that she is a good senshi. We need her back out there before the Negaverse notices her missing." The cat stressed. "That and dealing with Rei should be your main focus." He instructed.

"I understand Central Control." Luna stated firmly.

"Good. Keep us updated. Central Control out." The white cat said before ending the connection. He removed the headset and turned to his companion.

"Things are not moving fast enough Minako. Usagi needs to be back out fighting as Sailor Moon, Rei needs to be dealt with or the Senshi won't work well together anymore, and I'm concerned that this Tuxedo Kamen person knows Usagi is Sailor Moon." He said to the now revealed Aino Minako, the civilian form of the famous Sailor V.

"I know." She said to Artemis, her feline guardian, as she stood next to the desk. "We need to see the situation up close. It's time for us to make an appearance. I can deal with Rei," She said firmly, because she did plan on handling the fire senshi. "but I need to speak to Usagi. We need to understand the situation from her point of view. Not to mention there could be things Luna still doesn't know, like with the Tuxedo Kamen situation. Yes we now know that he knows Usagi's identity, but for all we know that letter could have told her his identity as well as what he felt for her. She wouldn't have trusted Luna or the girls with his true identity, and I honestly can't blame her!"

And Minako couldn't really. From what they understood the entire team wanted to change Usagi, and now they were learning that she had already been the things they wanted to change her into all along. She just hadn't wanted to be that way. She seemed to have wanted to be accepted for who she was and not what she could be, just as she had accepted them the way they came.

They had broken her trust or most likely never had it and Minako knew that was likely another reason she refused to continue as Sailor Moon. She couldn't trust the Senshi.

She idly wondered how much Usagi was keeping from Luna and the girls. Did she have any of her memories back like Minako did? Could that be another reason why she refused to be Sailor Moon again? Did she remember?

"When are we leaving?" Artemis asked, anxious to get to the country where his female counterpart was. It was clear that Luna could no longer handle the situation alone.

"As soon as possible." Minako answered promptly as she went and stepped into her yellow slippers to go with her orange two piece pajamas. "I'm going to go talk to my parents. Hopefully we'll be leaving sometime today." She added as she headed to the door of her room.

Minako had already been working on her parents to get them to move to Japan, knowing that sooner or later she was going to need to be there. She had just been putting it off, saying that she wanted to finish the school year in London, but really she didn't want to be in the country until it was time for Venus to appear.

All that said, it hadn't been hard to convince her parents that she was ready to go earlier than she had previously said. Her parents were pretty wealthy, not rich but enough to live very comfortably, so she was able to get the fastest flight available.

She and Artemis were packed and gone in time to catch their 1:30pm flight.


Monday Evening

Dinner began quietly as the Tsukino family and Mamoru settled in the dining room. The atmosphere was tense with Mr. Tsukino alternating between frowning and glaring at Mamoru. That is when he wasn't ignoring the young man's presence. Eventually Mrs. Tsukino broke the silence by asking their guest a question as she wanted to continue getting to know her daughters secret boyfriend better.

"Tell us, what is university like Mamoru?" Mrs. Tsukino asked politely.

"It's different for everyone. It can be fun, challenging, stressful, and even boring for some. For me I find it challenging but in a good way as well as stressful. With what I've chosen to study the workload can be daunting, but I'm good at managing my time so that I don't get overwhelmed." Mamoru answered.

"What do you do to relax when it becomes stressful?" Usagi asked quietly.

"I listen to classical music or take walks in the park since I like to be around nature." He answered and she immediately thought of his roses and her musical locket.

"What's your favorite subject?" She asked curiously. These were things they hadn't talked about yet.

"Physics. I especially like the astronomy aspects of it. Always have." He said as he looked at her. Left unsaid but what Usagi understood was that if they really were reincarnations then that meant in the past there had been life on other planets in their solar system and possibly beyond. His past self would have known that, and that could be why he liked the subject.

"I've always been interested in astronomy, but I've never been able to study it." Usagi commented softly. Mamoru understood immediately that had she tried to study it then that would have given away that she was smarter than she let on, or she would have received complaints from her friends about willingly studying a subject that was not a part of her school studies.

"Do you play sports?" Asked Shingo, Usagi's little brother deciding to speak up and add to the conversation so the uncomfortable silence wouldn't return.

"Yes. Track and field. I'm particularly good at running and jumping." He answered with a sly wink at Usagi who blushed and looked away before speaking.

"What do you like to do besides hanging out at the arcade? What are your interests?" Usagi asked quickly, hoping no one else witnessed her blush.

"I like different types of art, paintings and sculptures, so I go to art galleries and museums when I have time. I enjoy reading many different subjects and learning about ancient civilizations." He said.

"Such as?" She asked curiously before taking a bite of her food.

"Ancient Egypt, ancient Rome, ancient Greece to name a few." He answered before taking a bite of his own food before he had to speak again.

"Greece and Rome." Usagi said as she looked at her plate. "The pictures I've seen of those ancient ruins remind me a bit of some dreams I've had recently." She continued as she looked over to him.

Mamoru blinked and nodded his understanding. It was the same for him with his dreams of the Princess. In fact, it's what probably got him interested in ancient times. He had been trying to identify the architecture in the dreams. Even if he had come to the realization that he hadn't imagined it, he still wanted some kind of proof to help ease his mind.

"You said you enjoy classical music." Mrs. Tsukino said and received a nod from Mamoru. "Have you been to any concerts?" She asked and Usagi paid attention as she took a bite of her dinner.

"No but I have always wanted to go. I thought it would be too awkward to go by myself." He answered calmly.

"That sounds like something nice to experience." Usagi said and watched her boyfriend's eyes light up with first understanding then with happiness that she was willing to go to a musical concert with him.

Dinner continued in that vein as they continued to ignore the silence of the family patriarch. Mrs. Tsukino, Shingo, and Usagi getting to know Mamoru better. When everyone was finished eating he was speaking to Usagi's little brother about sports, continuing where he left off earlier. He restated that he played track and field but added that he enjoyed playing baseball as well. He was good at the sports but never thought of trying to make the professional grade. He only did it for the fun and exercise.

"I think I should go now." Mamoru said a little reluctantly after Mr. Tsukino left the dining room. "I want you to have time to finish your homework and get enough sleep for tomorrow." He added to Usagi.

"I understand and I appreciate your consideration even though I really don't want you to go." She said quietly as they began to get to their feet.

Mamoru offered to help clear the dishes from the table but Mrs. Tsukino refused and shooed him away, saying her goodbyes then so that he and Usagi would have some privacy for their own farewells. Shingo's goodbye was cheerful and quick before he rushed up to his room.

"Tonight was nice. I learned a lot about you." Usagi said a little shyly as she slowly walked her boyfriend to the front door.

"Same here." Mamoru replied, and it was true. He had no idea that his Usagi was interested in astronomy or that she might enjoy classical music. He'd actually been given many ideas for gifts and dates. "I can't wait to learn more about you." He added with a smile.

"Same here." She said with a quiet laugh at repeating his reply, while wondering when they would go on a date and if it would have to do with what she learned this night.

"Well, I hope you get the rest of your homework done tonight." He said as they stopped in front of the door. "Don't forget to check and see if the color in your hair has spread when you wake up." He added quietly.

"I won't." Usagi reassured him as she looked up to him.

"I promise to be on time in the morning." Mamoru said, his voice still quiet since he didn't know where her father was and didn't want him overhearing.

"I promise to be ready." She stated, wondering what the morning would bring. "I hope you rest well." She added wanting to keep talking to stay in his presence a little longer.

"I hope you do too." He said before leaning down and kissing her soft cheek, the electric tingling caressing his lips making him want to linger there. "Goodnight Usagi." He whispered against her skin before he pulled away, standing straight.

"Goodnight Mamoru." She breathed as she opened her eyes, not even remembering when she closed them. She watched him smile before opening the door. She waved at him and he returned it before closing the door.

Usagi's POV

Usagi calmly made her way up the stairs and to her room. Her fingers gently touching the spot where the electric tingling feeling had been, where Mamoru's lips had been. Both cheeks had now felt the caress of his lips. She wondered how many more times it would happen, and if he would ever kiss her lips.

I can't believe I'm wondering when Mamoru will kiss me! Sometimes it's still surprising that I feel so strongly for him. I mean it hasn't been that long since we started dating, short actually, but it's still surprising when I think of how we use to act toward each other. She thought as she closed her bedroom door.

Speaking of how we use to act toward each other. Dinner was surprisingly good. She considered as she made herself comfortable in her bed, a series of short coughs escaping her throat. My dad's silence could have ruined it but the rest of us made sure that didn't happen, and in the process I learned a great deal about Mamoru.

I knew he liked to read a lot. He was almost always reading something before he noticed my arrival at the arcade and the teases and insults started flying. She thought quietly as her eyes idly roamed around her room.

And I remember now about the art. I saw him looking at an art gallery and we even posed as models for Yumemi Yumeno.

Usagi paused her thoughts as she remembered that day and the viewing of the painting. How much the locket looked like the one she had gotten from Tuxedo Kamen. She hadn't said anything then but she had liked that he had been able to appreciate Yumeno's work. She wondered if he thought the same of her.

Perhaps we can go visit a different art gallery as well as visit a museum or two. I'm sure it would be interesting, and I would learn a lot about his tastes and how he thinks. She thought as she tried to imagine how that outing would go.

She thought about his enjoyment of listening to classical music and wondered if they would ever go to a musical concert together and what it would be like. She didn't really listen to classical music simply because she never had the opportunity, but it put in mind the melody from her star locket.

Deciding she wanted to hear the soothing melody Usagi leaned over to her nightstand drawer and pulled out her star locket. She cradled the star in her hand and opened it, the melody immediately caressing her ears.

As she gazed at the locket and listened to its soothing music she couldn't help but think of the one who had given it to her. She wondered if he had already liked her, or rather Sailor Moon, when he decided to give it to her, or if it had started then. Perhaps his feelings were gradual and built up since the first time they met as Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen.

She closed her eyes and remembered standing in front of him. The nervousness that had nearly overwhelmed her as she stood before the man that had saved her life so many times and tried speaking to him when the danger had passed.

Usagi recalled the feel of the cool air against her bare legs, the tickle of her hair brushing the back of her thighs. The strong figure of Mamoru in his black tuxedo, the rose red of his cape, the white mask that highlighted his stormy blue eyes.

The visual brought to mind his request to have her back out amongst the Senshi fighting with him, which in turn reminded her of his letter.

Now is a good time to think about it. She thought as she placed the locket next to her and retrieved the letter her boyfriend had left her that morning to read again.

Just like the first time she read it through it was still shocking. It was still a balm to her self-esteem. It really was nice to know that he understood her. It made all the difference in the world. How could it not when she had his words telling her that he feared being attacked when he wasn't paying attention because his mind was focused on getting to where he needed to be? Or when he explained that this hero business wasn't a joy to him either?

His thoughts even go further than mine had. He considers what would happen if he was killed or kidnaped. I've never thought about that. Although I know I should have. He just made me feel so safe that I never did. She thought with a sigh. What would my family think if I had been killed? Would they have been told what happened to me and why? What if I had been captured by the enemy? Would they have been told about that or would they have had to label me as a missing person or a runaway?

Usagi sighed and closed her eyes as she allowed the melody of her locket to soothe her mind before continuing her thoughts.

Those are things I would have to worry about if I was a senshi again. She considered thoughtfully and grimaced as she realized that she would not have answers to those questions even if those events happened. And what about my powers? How would I fight if they continue to decrease? She wondered as she opened her eyes and looked to the letter again.

If I went back I would be going back for him. She told herself. She did not trust the Senshi enough to continue for them. Especially with Rei behaving the way she was. Tuxedo Kamen had always had faith in her. Always knew that she took fighting seriously. Always knew that she would get the job done in the end even if she had trouble along the way.

At least I wouldn't be alone. She considered as she read the part about his connection to her again. He would know when she transformed and get to her as soon as he could. Although, she wished he didn't have to feel pain for him to know when she needed him.

But do I really want to put myself back out there? She asked herself. I'm still not a good fighter. What would I do if the power I had been given failed me? I'm not like the others. I wouldn't be able to defend myself, only run away from the danger. She thought with a frown. What if he or one of the girls got hurt trying to save me? What if a civilian was injured because I was useless?!

Usagi's thoughts were turning frantic so she took a deep breath and slowly let it out as the lockets melody continued to wash over her. Perhaps Mamoru was right. It was her fear and worries in combination with the girl's negative comments that was making her think this way. He had pointed out rightfully that no one had actually been hurt or killed because of her. She would have to keep reminding herself of that, but it still didn't change her fighting skills. She had no confidence in herself when it came to that.

Something is telling Mamoru that I need to be out there with him, that there is something we need to do. I wonder if it has to do with our dreams. I think I would continue if only to solve the mystery of his strange feeling, but I have no confidence that my presence would do any good. Not to mention I refuse to continue to be verbally abused by Rei. She thought firmly. Yes. I will not go back until Rei's attitude has been adjusted.

Usagi was firm on her decision. She was not about to put herself in a position for Rei to tear down her self-esteem. The Senshi didn't need her anyway, and if her dreams were really memories then she had no business being a senshi anyway. Not to mention another senshi should be joining them at some point if the dreams were really to be believed.

She wondered if the orange senshi would be nice, if she would understand her, or if she would be like the others- quick to judge and untrustworthy. But then Usagi reminded herself that it didn't matter. She was no longer a senshi and most likely would not meet the girl. She did not see Rei changing her attitude and she did not see how she would ever feel confident enough to go back out and try to fight again.

Usagi put the mystery orange senshi from her mind but that left the other part of her dream she remembered to come to the forefront of her mind. The kisses her look alike shared with Mamoru's dream twin. She remembered those vividly and realized quickly that she wanted to experience those types of kisses with her boyfriend.

I know we have only been dating for days and I haven't felt my best but still. We have yet to kiss and the dream made it look so very inviting. She sighed softly. I know he's kissed me before, but I don't remember it. I want a kiss that I can remember! She complained to herself with a huff.

Come on Usagi. Thinking about it won't make it happen any faster. She told herself as she put Mamoru's letter back in her nightstand with his other letter and roses.

She then carefully placed her locket on the nightstand and went to gather her books to finish the rest of her homework so she could go to sleep and be well rested in the morning.

It was almost two hours later when Usagi finished the last three pages of her five page handout. Happy that she had finished all her homework she gathered it all together and placed it in her school bag so she wouldn't forget any of it. She then closed her star locket to stop the music and set her alarm so she would get up on time. She quickly took her medicine so that she would continue to get better, turned off her lights, and slipped her hand through the chain of her locket as she made herself comfortable in her bed. She wanted it to be close so she could open it as soon as she woke and try to remember the dream.

It wasn't long before her medicine pulled her into sleep.


A sigh escaped her lips as she gazed up at the blue world she loved so much. It was so vibrant and full of possibilities, and just happened to be one of the planets she was destined to watch over and protect.

Serenity lightly bit her bottom lip as she considered the beautiful blue Earth. As lovely as it was it really was not what she wanted to look at in that moment.

'I want to see him.' She thought on a whisper as she left her balcony and continued out of her room, heels lightly clicking in her slow pace, the ends of her silk gown and hair trailing along the pristine floor in her wake.

It was not long before she reached her destination. The observation room. A large room open to the air, supported by multiple twin pillars. A large circular viewing screen decorated with a trio of crescent moons at its top and bottom was suspended near the ceiling.

Serenity gracefully walked to stand beneath the screen and stared up at its blankness as she willed it to show her secret desire.

There was a rippling motion as if the screen was made of liquid before the image of a handsome man filled the screen.

Blackest of night hair covered his head and fell into deep blue eyes. Even on a screen his presence was majestic.

This was her secret. Watching the Earth's prince and heir- Endymion.

She loved watching him, much more so than gazing at his planet. He was graceful and elegant yet also a warrior of such strength she could not help marveling at him.

Serenity sighed yet again. It appeared this time, like the times before, staring at his image was not enough. Another secret she possessed was her penchant to descend to the planet, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

She would succeed and she would be satisfied until the inclination came again. She was always careful not to be seen, knowing she would have no way of explaining her presence there. She knew she should not go but…

'I wish to see him. In the flesh. If only a glimpse.' She thought as she casually backtracked to her bedroom.

Once there she closed her eyes and felt for the power within herself and asked it to take her to the Earth, close to, but out of sight of the Earth prince.

Serenity felt cool air against her skin and smelled fresh vegetation within moments. She quickly opened her eyes and found herself standing in a pleasant garden with short grass, flowers- vibrant roses, hedges, and tall pillars with bright green vines snaking around them. The sun shining brightly all around.

She heard a sound coming from ahead of her and quickly hid behind the closest pillar. She took a deep breath as she pressed her hands and chest against the cool pillar, before peeking out just in time for a young man to turn and look back in her direction.

"Oh!" She gasped as both their eyes widened. She had been seen! And for the first time in her life she felt the need to curse. She was not supposed to be seen! Least of all by the one she had come to see.

"Hello." She heard him say calmly before he slowly began to approach her, black and red cape flowing slightly behind him. His voice slightly deep.

Serenity did not speak. She did not know what to do or how to act in this situation. All she could do was continue to watch him. Her cerulean eyes taking in his dark navy blue uniform, protective armor and sword. He was very handsome and his presence was so powerful and regal.

He stopped just before the pillar she half hid behind, and she marveled at his height. The top of her head only reached his shoulder, and it would most likely be even less than that if she stood next to him.

She watched him, frozen to the spot, as he gazed at her. His deep blue eyes were intense, lit with a light she could not name yet at the same time flashing through emotions so fast that she could not identify them properly.

"If I may ask my lady, who might you be?" She heard him ask quietly and she blinked before looking down self-consciously, trying not to fidget under his gaze while trying to figure out if she should answer him or not. She wanted to but at the same time knew she should not.

"Ah! Where are my manners?" He said with a small smile, interrupting her uncertainty. "I am Prince Endymion." He introduced himself with a bow.

She looked at him and decided that she did not care about what she should or should not do. This was her chance to get to know the handsome prince. She took an encouraging breath before slipping gracefully from behind the pillar to stand before him.

"I am Princess Serenity," She said softly with a curtsey. "and I am pleased to meet you." She added as she straightened.

"Well, now that we are aware of who the other is would you care to walk with me?" He asked as he offered his arm.

Serenity sighed uncertainly even though she had just decided she did not care. It was hard to go against rules that were so ingrained. She would love to walk with him, but she was not supposed to be there. It was bad enough that she had been seen by him. She could not afford to be seen by others.

But oh! She really wanted to walk with him and hear him speak more. She supposed if she wanted to know him she would have to be honest with him.

"I would very much like to, but I should not be here. I was not supposed to be seen." She said in a soft honest voice as she gazed up at him.

"Well I am glad I happened to see you. To miss such an opportunity to be in the presence of such beauty as yours would have been terrible." He said with a smile as his eyes traveled around her face. "We will simply make sure no one else sees you." He added.

"And how might we achieve such?" Serenity asked curiously, her face rosy from his compliment.

"This is my private garden however, we can still be seen from the palace windows unless we are in the left half." The Earth prince answered as he once again offered his arm.

This time Serenity accepted his arm and had to suppress a sigh at the warm play of muscles beneath her touch as they began to walk toward the left side of the beautiful garden.

"Tell me Princess," Prince Endymion began as they reached the safety of the concealed half of the garden. "if you were not supposed to be here then why are you here?" He asked curiously.

Serenity blushed. What was she to say to him? She could not very well tell him that she hoped to catch a glimpse of him. How improper that would be! However, she did tell herself to be honest with him.

She sighed lightly and tightened her grip on his arm ever so slightly as she hoped this pleasant walk would not turn badly.

"I wished to see you my lord." She confessed quietly, her eyes trained on the flowers on their path.

They continued in silence for a few long moments, Serenity silently fretting about what he thought of her boldness, before he spoke.

"Why did you wish to look upon me?" His question came on a soft calm tone, letting her know he at least was not angry with her boldness.

Serenity blushed yet again. Could she very well tell this young man that she found him attractive and simply could not help herself? She had to be honest. Besides, he had complimented her beauty, so why could she not do the same?

"You are a very handsome man my lord." She answered simply, her face very warm from her boldness.

"Thank you for the compliment my lady. It is very much appreciated." He said with a warm light chuckle.

A few moments later they sat on a bench and slowly began to learn about one another. A half hour they talked before Serenity reluctantly decided that she needed to go before she was discovered missing.

"Will you come see me again?" The Earth prince asked as they stood from the bench.

Serenity hesitated in answering him. She knew that in all likelihood she probably would come see him again, but he would not know of it. She did not think that was what he meant however.

"You will not be seen if you come to this side of the garden." He said quickly. "We could meet at the same time as today, and you need only stay for half an hour to avoid being missed." He added and she bit her bottom lip.

That sounded very doable and she really did wish to spend more time with him. It had been so very pleasant. Much better than anything she had imagined before.

"Very well my lord." She responded with a slight nod of her head, and was rewarded with a kiss on her cheek and a whispered thank you.

Serenity was surprised and pleased. She was use to kisses on her hand and most times not even that. She was usually given bows and curtseys. Prince Endymion's kiss on her cheek felt more intimate and personal than anything she had ever received.

xXx:Scene Shift:xXx

Endymion stood in front of her with his arms wrapped around her, and she felt the shock of the blast as it hit Endymion in the back. She cried out at the same time he did and watched as he collapsed to the ground.

"No." She whispered in horror as blood started to pool around him. She immediately went to his side and dropped to her knees. "Endymion! Endymion!" She called to him as she gripped his left hand in both hers.

He opened his eyes slowly and looked at her. "You need to get to safety Serenity. Find your Senshi." He said weakly.

"I want to stay with you." She said as tears began to stream down her face.

"You can't." He said as his eyes began to close.

"No…don't go." Her voice was filled with pain, and she watched as he struggled to open his eyes. "Please…please don't leave me." She begged.

Endymion looked at her sadly, his breathing shallow.

"I can't…I can't live without you." She choked out through her sobs.

"I'm sorry." He said, squeezing her hands with the last of his energy as his eyes closed.

"No! No!" She screamed, her heart breaking. She felt his hand go limp in her hands and her heart skipped a beat. "Endymion!" She screamed as the pain of her broken heart took over.

She leaned over him, tears falling on his lifeless face as she gazed at him. "Come back. Please come back." She whispered as her tears continued to bathe his face. 'If you cannot come back to me then I will come to you.' She thought after a few moments of crying. She then grabbed the hilt of his sword and pulled it from its sheath at his waist.

She laid it on her lap and caressed his face. "I love you Endymion." She said quietly. She then took a deep breath as she lifted the sword and plunged it into her chest as hard as she could.


Tuesday: Day Nine

Usagi woke with a pained gasp, her heart racing at the pain that was already fading as if it had never been there. She frowned as tears leaked from her eyes. She never remembered what caused her tears and sometimes she wasn't sure if she really wanted to remember.

But I need to and I'm supposed to be trying. She reminded herself as she looked at her clock. She had woken up a little more than half an hour before she was supposed to, so she turned off her alarm and decided to use the time before she needed to get up to think about her dream.

She opened her star locket and let the soft music wash over her before she focused on what she had dreamed. Her look alike and Endymion meeting for what appeared to be the first time. She had the feeling from the dream that the older girl had liked Endymion for some time before that meeting.

And he was a prince. She suddenly remembered as the melody soothed her thought process. Prince Endymion. The title caused her to cringe, pain shooting through her heart and yet it felt right in her mind. As if his title was something she should have remembered.

It is. Usagi's eyes widened at the voice in her mind. It sounded like her but it wasn't her. The tone was different. Soft, comforting, and gracious. This voice didn't worry her but it was strange.

She shook her head slightly and continued to focus on her dream. She remembered the older girl used some type of power to get to him, to his planet. A planet she couldn't remember. She didn't understand how she could remember everything before and after the meeting but not what planets they were from. Why did her mind have to be difficult?

Usagi continued to lay in her bed, listening to her locket, as she tried to remember the details that she was missing as well as what caused her to cry. She didn't have much luck and it was time for her to get up, so she closed her locket and stored it away in her nightstand. She got up and gathered her clothes before heading to the bathroom to get ready.

30 minutes later...

Usagi walked into her room wearing her school uniform with a frown on her face. She had discovered, as she was putting on her uniform after her shower, that there was more silver in her hair then there was the night before.

Will it continue to spread until all of my hair is silver? She wondered as she brushed and combed her hair before putting it up in her familiar odango's. What will I do if it does? How will I explain it? She asked herself before putting the questions aside and going to get something to eat.

She walked down to the kitchen, greeted her mom and ignored her father, and grabbed some orange juice and French toast. She ate her breakfast quietly and in a timely manner before going back up to her room to make her bed. Once she finished she gathered her coat and school bag as well as the lunch her mother brought to her while she was making her bed.

A few minutes later she heard the doorbell and knew her Mamoru had arrived.

Mamoru's POV

Monday Night

Mamoru walked to his car, unlocked it, and got in before starting the engine. As he put his seatbelt on he thought about his girlfriend's reaction to his goodnight kiss. He definitely enjoyed it along with the electric sparks that he felt when his lips met her skin.

What will her lips feel like against mine? He wondered as he began to drive off. When would the right time be to kiss her? I don't care that she's still a bit sick. She's getting better, but would she be uncomfortable? He considered as his car moved along the streets. She would most likely worry for my health, but I think I could ease her worries enough to get our first kiss.

Mamoru frowned slightly at that thought before his eyes widened in realization. They had already had their first kiss. He remembered kissing Sailor Moon at the Princess' Ball where he had gone in his search for the silver crystal. He couldn't believe he hadn't recognized Usagi, but he guessed that she had been wearing her glamour. He hadn't even recognized her as Sailor Moon until she had transformed. Before that he had simply been drawn to her.

He remembered well the dress she had worn. A light pearl pink strapless floor length gown with a large bow adorning her lower back, white long gloves pulled nearly up to her shoulders, a white choker around her neck decorated with a single red rose bloom, and a scattering of decorative red rose blooms along the top of her gown.

She had looked so very beautiful and once he had known that she was the attractive heroine that he had been fighting alongside for months he had been unable to stop himself from showing her a sample of his feelings.

It had been chaste, although slightly open mouthed, but it had been nice. He thought and wondered if his Usagi remembered it.

Thinking about kissing her brought to mind her description of her dream and the kissing their look alike's had engaged in. He remembered her blush as she had described their actions, but he knew that not all of it was from embarrassment. He had to wonder if she had wondered if he kissed the way his dream twin did, and if she had been imagining the two of them kissing the way the couple in her dream had.

That made him remember the look on her face when he kissed her goodnight. Her closed eyes with a soft dreamy look on her face. He had been tempted to kiss her then but he had not wanted their first kiss, or first kiss as a couple, to be seen by any of her family. Least of all her father. Still, part of him wished he had done it.

No use wishing now. An opportunity will come. He told himself as he stopped at a red light and thought about their conversation about their dreams to take his mind off kissing his love.

He considered his theory that Usagi's dreams were not simply dreams but rather memories. It really did explain a lot and would confirm his reincarnation theory. If she really was the Moon Princess then it explained why she became Sailor Moon when it seemed she was not made to be a warrior. The Princess would not have been trained in combat, she would have been trained to rule. It would also explain why she was made the leader of the Senshi despite not being as skilled as the others. The Sailor Senshi might have had a leader among themselves, but they were the guardians of the Princess, with the Princess now being a senshi they answered to her.

If she really was the Moon Princess then that fact would explain why she was experiencing her dreams as well as why they started when she became Sailor Moon. It was like she said, since the Princess wouldn't know she's a princess, the dreams or memories could be a way of slowly getting her use to the idea so that it doesn't come as a complete shock and cripple her at a crucial moment.

Mamoru also considered the subject of her dreams as he drew closer to his apartment. The dreams, memories, he reminded himself, seemed to be centered on a couple that looked like older versions of themselves.

This Endymion must be important to her. Enough for her mind to try and make her remember, or the couple's relationship is important to remember. He thought with a slight frown. If this is an instance of reincarnation then I would really like for her to remember. I would like to remember as well. He added as he recalled the emotions he felt at hearing her talk in her sleep, repeating words from the memory.

Usagi being the Princess I've been looking for would explain my connection to her as Sailor Moon. Her connection to me must be my dreams of the Princess. Her subconscious must be reaching out to me, trying to get me to help her awaken. That would in turn mean that I'm this Endymion guy from her dreams. If the emotions are anything to go by then the two must have been very much in love, which would explain why she was reaching out to him and not one of the Sailor Senshi. He thought as he reached his apartment building.

Mamoru put an end to his thoughts as he parked his car and made his way to his apartment. Once inside he changed his clothes and spent the remainder of the evening alternating between studying and thinking about Usagi's changing hair color, wondering if it would stop where it was or if it would continue until her hair was no longer golden.

When he found himself thinking more about his girlfriend's hair then his studies, he decided it was time to sleep. He didn't want to be late picking her up in the morning after all. He made sure to set his alarm before he got into his bed and turned off the light.

Once he was comfortable it wasn't long before he drifted off to sleep, not realizing how tired he had been.


A quiet sigh escaped the young man, his stormy blue eyes taking in the details of his home as he walked the hallways and tried to relax his stressed nerves.

White dominated the walls accented with elegant golden borders near the ceiling, floor to ceiling clear and stained glass arch windows, silver suits of armor rested majestically in the hallways on a floor of black marble with white starburst to mimic the night sky. Occasionally on opposite walls and between the arched windows hung tapestries depicting peaceful scenes of bright green grass with streams, large valleys with lakes surrounded in rich grass, and symbols of the Earth.

As Endymion walked and gazed at the beauty of his home he felt a strong sense of pride and privilege to be able to live there. He never allowed himself to forget that being born to his parents allowed him the honor of living there, and to never take any of it for granted considering other people, his people, were not so lucky.

He released another sigh as he remembered why his nerves were stressed. He had spent entirely too long fending off the subtle advances of the court ladies and some of their daughters. He wished they would leave him be. He was not looking for a wife, and even if he was, none of them appealed to him. They all only wanted him because he would eventually be King. They longed for the title of Queen. What he wanted was someone who wanted him because of himself, who was attracted to him for no other reason than because he was a man and they found his personality appealing.

The sound of his footsteps quieted as he reached one of the main hallways and proceeded down the stairs. The dark blue carpet lining the pathway gave him a silent approach to the exit he was moving toward.

Endymion smiled as he stepped outside and into the warm sun. It felt good and was exactly what he needed. That and something that always calmed his nerves.

He began to make his way to his private garden, certain that a turn amongst the fragrant roses and warm sun would do him a world of good. And it did. Already he could feel himself relaxing as he breathed in the scent of his favorite flowers.

Suddenly he had the urge to look behind him, as if it was important- vital even that he do so, so he did and his eyes widened as he spotted a woman peering out from behind a pillar. He was very surprised. Only he and those he brought with him were allowed here, so how on Earth did she get here and who was she? He had never seen anyone who looked like her.

"Hello." He called out to her before he even knew what he was doing.

He needed to get a closer look at her, so he slowly and calmly began to move in her direction. He took in her blue eyes and silver hair and the little he could see of her gown. He liked what he saw but he still maintained his pace since she appeared to be frozen in fright.

Endymion stopped just before the pillar and gazed down at the woman. She was so small. She barely reached his shoulder, and now that he was closer he could see a golden crescent moon gracing her brow. She was incredibly beautiful, like an angel, and he felt an almost instant attraction to her. Who was this lady? Why had he never seen her before? He needed to learn her name.

"If I may ask my lady, who might you be?" He asked quietly, not wanting to frighten her away.

He watched her look down, away from him and remain silent. He wondered if she was still afraid. He did not yet know who she was, but he already knew that he did not want her to fear him.

"Ah! Where are my manners?" He said with an easy smile, deciding to introduce himself, hoping it would make her a little more comfortable. "I am Prince Endymion." He said with a bow.

He straightened and watched as she seemed to come to a decision. She stepped out from behind her hiding place, affording him a good look at her flowing gown. It was silvery, the color of moonlight and made of a material that was light and looked thin but not see-through. The bodice was decorated with golden beads in an intricate pattern, with small off the shoulder sleeves in a complex design, and a large bow at her back made of material that looked even thinner than her gown. As she settled he discovered that her hair, the same color as her gown and done up in twin odango's, was amazingly long, trailing in the grass. She looked even more lovely standing before him.

"I am Princess Serenity," He watched her curtsey gracefully. "and I am pleased to meet you."

Princess Serenity! The Princess of the Moon! He had heard of Princess Serenity before but he had never heard her described other than that she was beautiful. He had heard many ladies described thus, and had not given it another thought, but in her case now that he was before her, he saw that she personified the description. She was indeed truly beautiful. Her voice was as well. It was like a soothing melody.

He needed to get to know her. He had never felt such an attraction to any woman before, and he was not going to let this opportunity slip away. Besides, he still needed to learn why she was here in the first place. Not that he cared beyond his curiosity. He certainly was not going to tell anyone she was here.

"Well, now that we are aware of who the other is would you care to walk with me?" He asked he held out his arm for her to hold, wondering what her small hand would feel like.

He listened to her sigh and worried if she was still afraid, but no that was not it. As he watched her face he saw an uncertainty there. What was making her hesitate?

"I would very much like to, but I should not be here. I was not supposed to be seen." He heard her say softly as she gazed up at him, and Endymion knew by the tone of her voice and the look in her eyes that she was being truthful. Something he very much appreciated after dealing with the ladies of his court that seemed to take pride in how well they could lie and get away with it.

"Well I am glad I happened to see you. To miss such an opportunity to be in the presence of such beauty as yours would have been terrible." He said honestly, a smile lighting his face as his eyes roamed her face, taking in her blush. "We will simply make sure no one else sees you." He added confidently.

"And how might we achieve such?" She asked and he could see curiosity in her eyes to accompany the blush on her face.

"This is my private garden however, we can still be seen from the palace windows unless we are in the left half." Endymion answered as he offered his arm again. He was pleased when she accepted it and marveled at the feel of her dainty hand as they walked.

"Tell me Princess," He began as they reached the safety of the left side of his garden. "if you were not supposed to be here then why are you here?" He asked curiously, his eyes watching her face, and immediately noted the flush that appeared as well as the increased pressure on his arm.

"I wished to see you my lord." She answered him quietly and he was pleased although he did not show it. He was certain that she found him attractive as well but he needed to be sure.

"Why did you wish to look upon me?" He asked and once again noted the flush appear on her face.

"You are a very handsome man my lord." She answered and he smiled, pleased with the confirmation that their attraction was mutual, and awed that she risked herself to see him in person.

"Thank you for the compliment my lady. It is very much appreciated." He said with a light laugh. It was true after all. He knew that he was attractive, but hearing it from her was different. It made him feel warm and endeared her to him instead of making him feel indifferent like he would when other women complimented him.

After that Endymion led her to a bench where they sat and talked, slowly beginning to learn about each other. After a half hour his companion said that she needed to leave before she was discovered missing.

'I do not want her to go but neither do I wish for her to get into trouble.' He thought as they stood.

"Will you come see me again?" Endymion asked as his eyes took in every detail of her appearance, wanting to make sure he would forget nothing.

"You will not be seen if you come to this side of the garden." He hastened to add when he noticed her hesitation. "We could meet at the same time as today, and you need only stay for half an hour to avoid being missed." He said and practically held his breath as he waited for her response. He hoped she said yes. He wanted to spend more time with her, getting to know her and basking in her refreshing beauty and honesty.

"Very well my lord." He heard her say with a slight nod and he smiled before leaning down to kiss her soft cheek.

"Thank you." He whispered while marveling at the feel of her soft skin.

Everything darkened, turning pitch black as scents and sounds disappeared. Moments later the blackness began to lift, leaving fog, a marble path, and Mamoru in its wake.

Mamoru blinked rapidly as he walked, confused and slightly disoriented as his eyes took in the familiar surroundings.

"What was that?" He asked out loud just to voice the question, not actually expecting an answer in his distraction.

"A memory." The soft voice of the royal female answered, and he realized he had reached the balcony in his distraction. "One of your memories that I managed to unlock for you."

Mamoru stared up at what he could see of the Princess in shock at what she had just revealed to him. That was one of his memories. He remembered the man, how he looked identical to him, and wondered if that was who Usagi had been dreaming of.

'If this was one of my memories than Usagi's dreams are definitely memories what with Endymion being in both. This also helps me understand a bit more of what she's been remembering. Although, it's irritating that I can't remember what Serenity looked like.' He thought with a frown and then something occurred to him.

"Is your name Serenity?" He asked the mysterious princess.

"I do not know." She answered sadly.


Tuesday Morning

Mamoru's eyes snapped open as his alarm went off. He turned it off and sighed as he recalled the details of his dream/memory along with his meeting with the Princess as well as its melancholy ending.

As he got dressed he went over the conversation between the two royals. He was still shocked at the appearance of Endymion. They really could have been twins. Besides that surprising fact it appeared that the two had met for the first time, and Endymion was instantly attracted to Serenity.

But she was attracted to him as well if she came to his planet just to look at him. She even stated that she found him handsome. He thought reasonably as he considered the woman.

Serenity. Her name floated through his mind and he was suddenly flooded with a slew of intense emotions. He hadn't reacted to her name while asleep but now that he was awake there was no denying them.

Pain, sadness, anger, longing, happiness, familiarity. They were so powerful. He sat heavily on his bed to prevent himself from collapsing under the feelings coursing through him. He wondered if Usagi felt the same, if hearing, speaking, or even thinking Endymion's name was this intense.

If it is I can understand her worry, as well as my own, about who these people were to us in the past, and hope very much that this is a case of reincarnation. He thought but then paused. The reminder of reincarnation bringing forth a detail he had noticed but put aside because of more surprising and shocking information.

While Mamoru had been unable to see the mystery Princess' face he had been able to see her hair just like always. The long length never failed to catch his attention, only this time the color had changed. He was sure of it. Where before it had been a rich silver golden color, it was now a moonlight silver. The same color Usagi's hair was changing into. The same color as the Moon Princess from his memory. This was more evidence of reincarnation.

When Mamoru had finished getting ready for the day and eating he left to go pick his girlfriend up, wondering during the drive what she would think of his dream.


Once Mamoru arrived at the Tsukino household he parked and made his way to the front door to ring the doorbell. It was answered quickly by Mrs. Tsukino who greeted him warmly and assured him that her husband was already gone.

A few moments later Usagi came walking down the stairs and Mamoru couldn't help noticing that there was a bit more silver in her hair as she came and stood next to him.

They said their goodbyes to Mrs. Tsukino and walked out to Mamoru's car where he held the door open for his girlfriend like a gentleman. Once in the car they put on their seatbelts in silence and Mamoru drove off. When they were out of her mother's sight he gave her her customary greeting rose.

"Thank you." Usagi said as she smelled the rose before carefully putting it in her school bag so as not to draw attention to herself when she got to school.

"Ah! That reminds me. I never got to tell you about what I found out from Luna." Usagi began as she settled more comfortably in her seat and watched the scenery pass. "She saw the rose and letter on my pillow but she didn't see you coming or going." She said quietly.

"That's a relief. That would have been one complication we didn't need." Mamoru replied and she nodded.

"I have a dream to share." He said after a minute of silence.

"Me too, but I don't think we have enough time." Usagi said with a sigh.

"We can wait until after you get out of school to discuss them." He reassured her and listened to his girlfriend agree before she launched into the details of Luna's visit and apology, and how she accepted the felines apology so that only left Rei whom she had decided to stay away from. At least until she made a decision on if she wished to continue their friendship. She had even asked her mother not to let her in the house after explaining the situation as best she could.

"I like your decision, and I agree that time apart is for the best. It would give the two of you time to consider your friendship." Mamoru stated as he stopped at a red light. "I'll support whatever choice you make. I plan on setting her straight the next time I see her. I'm done trying to spare her feelings." He added as he glanced to Usagi.

"Thanks. I'm definitely happy about that, and my mom will be happy as well since that was something else we talked about." She said before launching into the details of the conversation she and her mother had the day before, and about how her mom felt about their dating and her willingness to keep it from her father.

"I'm really happy that your mom likes me so much, and I'm glad that she's going to keep our relationship a secret. I hope it doesn't have to stay that way, but for now I guess that's all that can be done." Mamoru replied as they closed in on her school. "You can also reassure her that I plan on speaking to Rei soon." He said determinedly.

"I will." Usagi said as he pulled up in front of her school.

"I hope you have a good day. I'll be here waiting when school lets out." He assured her.

"Thanks. I hope you have a good day as well." She said as she unbuckled her seatbelt. She took a breath before quickly kissing his cheek and rushing out of the car, slamming the door, and hurrying onto the campus grounds without looking back to see his reaction.

Usagi brought her fingers to her lips as she remembered the feel of his soft cheek and the slight electric spark from the contact. As she remembered she wondered yet again what kissing her boyfriend would be like.

Mamoru smiled and chuckled quietly at Usagi's reaction to her own boldness as he watched her enter the school building. It brought to mind the kiss Endymion had given Serenity in his memory, and he reminded himself, as he drove away, that he owed his girlfriend a proper kiss.

The school day went as smoothly as could be as far as Usagi was concerned. She went to class, spent lunch with Ami and Makoto to continue to work on their friendship, skipped gym since she wasn't well enough for that, and continued with the rest of school. At the end of the school day she got another five page packet to accompany her regular homework, and left to find Mamoru leaning against his car waiting for her.

~Makoto and Ami~

The secret senshi of Mercury and Jupiter walked down the street talking quietly as they made their way to the arcade. The subject of their conversation was unsurprisingly Usagi and her continued good marks and behavior in class despite the days she missed. They were glad for that and happy that she was back in school, but they knew she wasn't completely well since their friend had skipped gym and coughed and sneezed throughout the day.

As they got closer to the arcade they switched to her closeness with Mamoru, having seen him outside the school meeting Usagi as they were leaving. They couldn't help wondering about it and how far it went.

"I don't mind it. Whatever it is and how far it goes is their business." Makoto stated firmly. "Spending time with him is probably taking her mind off Tuxedo Kamen, assuming she doesn't know who he is."

"I'm worried about how Rei will react to them being so close even though it's just been him visiting her and now picking her up from school." Ami said with a slight frown.

"He probably dropped her off as well, which is a good thing if she's still sick." Makoto added. "And Rei will just have to deal. It's none of her business what they do together, and if she doesn't realize this soon she's going to learn the hard way. I'm still afraid of what will happen if Mamoru has to confront her on how she's been treating him and what she's been saying about him." She said with a frown.

When the two girls arrived at the arcade they found a booth and continued their conversation quietly. They wondered about Tuxedo Kamen knowing Usagi's identity and what he would do. Would he make contact? He had already left her a letter so it was possible. Would he talk her into being Sailor Moon again or agree with her reasons for quitting once he knew? Would he stop being Tuxedo Kamen once he knew her reasons? They didn't think it was any of their business but he did still have rainbow crystals, and he was a source of help since Sailor Moon was no longer there. They were realistic enough to know that they needed his help.

They soon moved on to discuss Usagi not wanting to continue being Sailor Moon despite their apologies. It was saddening but also understandable if they really thought about it. The two of them and Luna would no longer treat her badly but Rei still would, and her fighting skills had not changed even though they didn't think she was that bad.

As far as they were concerned the problem was Rei. As long as she refused to think another way she would continue to treat Usagi badly, and Usagi would not resume her position as the senshi of the Moon if Rei's attitude didn't change. They tried to figure out what to do about Rei, what they could say or do to get through to her, until said girl showed up to join them.

~Rei~

The black haired girl casually made her way to the arcade after school. The arcade made her think about her friends and fellow senshi as well as Mamoru, which in turn made her think of Usagi and what happened during her visit at her house.

I still can't believe she dared to raise her voice at me. Rei thought with a huff. She should have been grateful that she was given such an offer. It was obviously the only way she would be able to experience being a senshi again. Even if it was only until we could find a replacement. She thought imperiously.

She should have been glad that I would even come speak to her while she was sick. I risked getting sick and being unable to fight, not to mention not being able to be around Mamoru. Even though he was there as well he still most likely wouldn't have wanted me sick around him, especially if he was sick as well. She thought with a scowl, remembering how comfortable he looked sitting on the floor, leaning against Usagi's bed.

She wondered how long he had been there and what they had been talking about before they arrived. She had been curious and nearly suffocated on her jealousy to know what they had been writing to each other. She hated that he wouldn't tell her, and hated even more that he had given that blonde ditz a flower that by its very name symbolized more, much more than a get well sentiment.

Rei simply did not like any of Mamoru's behavior toward Usagi. Not one bit. She didn't like the fact that they seemingly no longer argued and fought, which showed that they might actually be something other than enemies. She didn't like that they were spending any time together, and definitely didn't like that he was spending time at that crybaby's house and especially in her bedroom.

Still, she would take what she could get. With Usagi being sick she had more of a chance of seeing Mamoru alone and she had high hopes of seeing him at the arcade and spending time with him. Seeing him there without Usagi would help put her mind at ease.

Girl's POV

Rei arrived at the arcade in good time but her mood took a dive when she realized that Mamoru wasn't there.

At least Usagi's not here. I won't have to put up with her loud voice. She thought as she spotted Ami and Makoto, and decided to join them in their booth while waiting for her Mamoru's arrival.

"Why did you say what you did to Usagi? You know that we can't be replaced." Makoto said to Rei the moment she joined them.

"We don't know that for sure." Rei replied indifferently.

"Yes we do, and what you said to her has made it harder for us to try and get her back on the team." Ami nearly snapped, surprising herself with her sudden short temper.

"Did you know you're not allowed in Usagi's house anymore?" Makoto asked, knowing the violet eyed girl didn't know. "She's considering ending her friendship with you, and she doesn't want to be around you until she's made a decision."

Rei's eyes widened in shock at what she was hearing. She had become use to Usagi always forgiving and seemingly forgetting as well as being a pushover. Even with what had happened so far she didn't think Usagi would go that far.

Part of her didn't want their friendship to end but another part thought it might be for the best. She would no longer have to worry about Usagi's crybaby tendencies. She wouldn't have to deal with her constant whining, her klutzy moments, her laziness, or being late to everything. She thought about not having to put up with Usagi getting all the attention. She wasn't Sailor Moon anymore so she wouldn't get it from Tuxedo Kamen, and not being her friend would mean the blonde wouldn't be around to compete for Mamoru's attention.

Yes, it would be for the best. She would be the leader of the Sailor Senshi and whenever she happened to be in danger Tuxedo Kamen would save her. She conveniently forgot that the masked man wouldn't always be around without Sailor Moon, and that he had an instinct to protect and save Sailor Moon and not her.

She, Rei, would lead them to finding the Princess and the silver crystal, and after she spoke to Mamoru and found out what he had been thinking to give Usagi a flower, a rose, things would go smoothly for them. They would be the best couple. People would be awed by their combined beauty and envious of their relationship.

"What are you going to do?" Makoto asked, snapping Rei out of her conceited thoughts.

"I'll take the time apart to think about our friendship." Rei said, but she had already made her decision.

Now if only Mamoru would show up so things could be settled between us. She thought with an impatient sigh.

Minako's POV

Monday Afternoon

The girl secretly known as Sailor V calmly boarded the plane and sat in her window seat. As the plane took off she watched her home of years get smaller and smaller and knew she wouldn't have any time to miss it. She then put in her earphones and listened to music on her iPod and turned her mind toward her new home and the issues that awaited her.

11 hours and 35 minutes later…

Tuesday Morning

Minako exited the plane, collected Artemis and their luggage, and secured them a taxi to take them to their new home. Once there they explored to make sure all of her parents planning and preparations had been handled. They were pleased that everything was decorated and all the utilities worked.

They found her room, easily identified by the orange and yellow she had picked out, and she proceeded to get cleaned up and changed. Once she was refreshed she left Artemis at the house and followed the directions she had to her new school to check in and pick up her uniform. This was something else her parents had prepared. Everything was already set for her, she just had to let the school staff know she was there.

When everything had been addressed she left with her uniform as well as her textbooks and headed back home to drop them off and pick up Artemis. It was time for them to go to the arcade and see what there was to see since they knew that Luna gave her reports from there.

Minako stood outside the front of the arcade with Artemis safely hidden in a carrying bag just in case Luna was around. Neither of them wanted to chance her recognizing him and figuring out that they were in the city.

She entered, carefully examining her surroundings, and spotted Ami, Makoto, and Rei, easily recognizing them as the Senshi from the pictures Luna had provided as well as from pictures on the news since their glamour didn't work on her. She could tell by how comfortable they looked that they were very familiar with the establishment, and considered that it was the place they hung out in their civilian form.

Minako took a seat near the girls and began to listen to their conversation as she settled Artemis on the seat next to her. She exchanged a startled glance with Artemis and could tell by the look on his face that he shared her thoughts on wondering why they were talking about such things in such a public place.

They're not saying anything specific or outright mentioning senshi names, but anyone paying attention and giving it some thought might easily figure it out. She thought in dismay. It must have been a miracle that no one has discovered who they really are if they talk about Senshi business in public all the time.

She couldn't help wondering if Luna was aware that they discussed Senshi business in public since she wasn't there with them, or if she did know and participated with them.

After hearing Rei decide to take some time to think about her friendship with Usagi she decided to leave.

"I'll come back tomorrow and hope Usagi is here." She whispered to Artemis before gathering his bag and getting to her feet.

As she walked to the exit she glanced back at the girls, unable to shake the feeling that Rei had been lying about her decision.

There's nothing I can do about it. She thought as she left the arcade. She decided that for now she would focus on herself. She needed to go shopping for some necessary items and then she needed to go home and call her parents to let them know that she had arrived safely, that the house had been well prepared, and that she had checked in at her new school.

Meanwhile…

On the way to Usagi's house they talked about how their time apart went. Usagi describing the praise from her teacher that she had been on time and with all her work complete, as well as how well she did when she participated in class. Mamoru regaling about what he had learned in one of his classes that had him excited for the lessons to come and what more he would learn on the subject.

When they arrived they were greeted by Mrs. Tsukino who promised to bring them snacks when she learned what they were going to do. Then they went up to Usagi's room and sat on opposite ends of her bed with their homework spread out between them, and began to talk quietly about their dreams, making sure to keep their voices low since the room door was open.

Usagi went first, describing everything she could remember. From her look alike gazing at Endymion's image, to meeting him in person for the first time, all the way to her agreeing to meet him again. There were only a few things she couldn't remember, most noticeable were the girls name and whatever had been the reason for her sadness and pain when she woke up.

Mamoru was quick to realize that it was the same memory he had dreamed of and wondered how she would react to the princess' name.

"It's Serenity." He said quietly as he stared at her, not wanting to miss any reaction she might have.

Usagi did indeed have a reaction. Her mind suddenly went blank of all thoughts, she felt dazed and was glad that she was already seated but that was not all. She felt a strong sense of recognition and rightness, and the image of the older girl from her dream settled clearly in her mind.

"How…how did you know?" She whispered with wide eyes after she had breathlessly described how the name affected her.

"From my dream." He said and proceeded to tell the same memory from Endymion's point of view, along with his meeting of the Princess afterward, and learning that she had unlocked the memory for him. He also mentioned that even though he couldn't remember what Serenity looked like he had noted the hair color of her and the Princess, and that they both had the same silvery color that hers was changing to.

"The same memory. It's hard to believe but there's no denying it." Usagi said with a slight shake of her head. "Do you remember what planets they were from?" She asked once she had thought over what he had revealed.

"I do." Mamoru said with a nod. He had left those details out, hoping she would ask about them. "Serenity is from the Moon, and Endymion is from the Earth." He said softly.

"Both are royalty from different planets." She said absently as she suddenly remembered her look alike, Serenity, gazing up at the Earth at the beginning of the memory. "So this is more proof that I might just be the Moon Princess, and that you are …Prince Endymion of Earth." She said as she looked at him, remembering what Endymion looked like, and seeing a slight image of the prince superimposed over him.

"Yes. The both of us remembering the same memory is very good proof of reincarnation." He replied. "Although I'm still surprised at how identical I look to Endymion."

"Well apparently I look identical to Serenity," She said and took a few moments to shake off the daze and bring back her thought process that the name had briefly swept away. "but I've had time to get used to it. Do you think that the Princess you've been dreaming about will remember her name only when I fully remember, or do you think it won't matter since if I fully remember the dreams will stop?"

"I don't think it will matter since if you remember hopefully they'll stop, but it's possible that she'll let me know that she remembered and allow me to finally see her before they stop. I mean I would think she looks just like you, but I would still like to see her in the dream after not being able to for years." Mamoru explained as he shifted a little.

"Do you think she'll unlock any more memories?" She asked, wondering if they would dream of the same memories from now on.

"I hope so." He said honestly. "I hoped she would be able to help me remember who I was, and although this isn't what I was expecting it's still something I want to know. Especially since my…identity as Endymion seems to be important. Right along with yours as Serenity." He explained.

Usagi nodded. It was understandable. She still didn't know how she felt about possibly being the Moon Princess. She had only been somewhat comfortable being Sailor Moon, and the Moon Princess was obviously more important than the heroine. She thought it might be the same for Mamoru. At least somewhat. Being the Earth Prince and learning, remembering that identity would be more important to him than just being Tuxedo Kamen. And he didn't actually have a problem being Tuxedo Kamen besides the complaints he told her about.

It's possible that being Tuxedo Kamen is a way to hide his royal identity like he suggested being Sailor Moon did for me. It's also possible that remembering his identity as the Earth Prince will help him remember his life before the accident that took his parents. She thought reasonably before mentioning her thoughts to her boyfriend.

"I agree. Both are definitely possible." He said as he considered them. He never thought he would find out something more about himself after realizing he was Tuxedo Kamen. He had thought that the only thing important about being Tuxedo Kamen was to help Sailor Moon and to find the silver crystal for the princess in his dreams. To know that it was possible that that identity was only a cover for his royal identity was a bit mind blowing.

It's mind blowing but if I look at it from a different angle then I could very well have my reason for why I became Tuxedo Kamen in the first place. He reflected. Based off Usagi's dreams, memories, as well as the memory I experienced last night, the two royals were obviously in a very strong relationship. If Usagi is the Moon Princess and I'm the Earth Prince, then it makes sense that I would want to protect her as Sailor Moon even if I couldn't remember her. He considered as he glanced at his girlfriend who was absently flipping through one of her textbooks.

Just then Mrs. Tsukino came into the room, with a large bowl of sliced fruit and two bottles of juice, interrupting Mamoru's thoughts and halting any further discussion about their memory dreams. From then on they decided to focus on their homework and idly talk about what they wanted to do on their dates when Usagi was well enough.

A little over an hour later Mr. Tsukino arrived and stood in the doorway to Usagi's room. Mamoru greeted him but the older man just grunted at him and left.

"I suppose that's my cue to go." Mamoru said as he began to gather his things.

"I really don't want you to go, but I imagine he'll just come back and stare until you do." Usagi said softly as she watched him.

"I thought so too." He agreed with a smile. "I'll be here to pick you up in the morning." He added quietly as they began to walk down the stairs.

"I'll be ready and hopefully feeling even better than I do today." She said with a smile as they reached the door.

"I certainly hope you do." He said with a smile as he opened the front door. "I'll see you in the morning Usagi." He added before kissing her cheek.

"Bye." She said shyly and watched him as he walked out to his car and drove off before closing the door.

Usagi's POV

Usagi sighed before making her way back up to her room to continue working on her homework. Concentration was difficult to find however since her mind continued to go over what she had learned from Mamoru about their memory dreams.

I might as well listen to my locket. It's sure to help me concentrate on my homework and the memories. She thought as she retrieved the locket and opened it. She was immediately relaxed by the soothing melody and sighed peacefully.

The melody easily brought to mind the images of the older couple from her dreams. Memories. She reminded herself as she thought about the latest memory. The first meeting between Endymion and Serenity.

Serenity. Just thinking the name easily brought about the feelings of recognition and rightness. It was nice but at the same time strange that she now knew the name of her older look alike. The woman that was supposed to be her in a past life. The Moon Princess the Senshi were looking for. Even with the feelings that accompanied the name it was still hard to believe that it was her.

Even with the evidence of the dreams that she had been having for months now. Dreams that she now believed to be memories, as well as the emotions that accompanied them and her changing hair color. It was still hard to think of herself as the Moon Princess. As Serenity.

And I think I know why that is. She thought with a sigh as she briefly closed her eyes.

There was no forgetting how the girls and Luna had treated her when she was Sailor Moon. The pressure they piled on her to do better at everything and the expectation to be a good fighter and leader. And this was just as Sailor Moon. She worried how they would treat her as their long lost princess. The expectations they would have of how a princess should look and act.

I'm not sure I could handle the pressure or even want to handle the pressure they are sure to put on me should they learn. She thought wearily as she wrote down an answer to one of her homework questions. But then there's Endymion who's turning out to be Mamoru. There's definitely no way I could forget the intense emotions that come when I think about Endymion or even speak his name. I'm glad that there's evidence now besides my dreaming about his look alike that proves that Mamoru is Endymion. I had been really worried that they were two different people.

Serenity obviously loved him and he returned those feelings. Add to that my feelings for Tuxedo Kamen and Mamoru as himself, and you get…you get love. She thought quietly as she thought that through. Even without this development of them being in love in their past life she knew that her feelings for Mamoru had been close to that emotion if not there already.

So this is just like my decision to consider being Sailor Moon again. I will try to think of myself as Serenity, as the Moon Princess, and believe it. If for no other reason than because Mamoru is Endymion, the Earth Prince Serenity loved so much, but also because of the feelings of recognition and rightness. A part of me seems to know that Serenity is me. I think I just need solid proof for me to believe it completely, but really I'm not too far from believing it. She thought with a nod of her head.

Usagi remembered Mamoru's letter and his feeling that she should continue being Sailor Moon because there was something that they had to do together. She wondered if this was it. Helping each other remember their past life, and finding the silver crystal…her silver crystal. Did he have something like that as well? Something important that needed to be found before the enemy found it? Would being Sailor Moon again help them better?

She wasn't sure how she felt about that last thought so she pushed her thoughts aside and decided to focus on her homework.

It wasn't long before her mother called her down for dinner. She made sure to close her locket and put it under her pillow before making her way to the dining room. She sat quietly as she ate. She had absolutely nothing to say to her father and didn't plan on speaking to him unless she had to. She couldn't speak to her mother about the things she wanted to talk about with her father there so she said nothing to her either. With her brother they usually teased each other but she was not in the mood.

After Usagi finished her dinner she went back up to her room and worked until she finished her homework. She packed her things away, changed into her pajamas, and readied herself for bed. She bid her mother a good night and retreated to her room where she once again took her medicine for the night. She turned her alarm on and made herself comfortable in her bed. It was still a little early to go to sleep but she wanted to be well rested in the morning.

Before long her cold medicine swayed her into dreamland so her body and mind could begin to rest.


Her tired eyes opened as she felt a weight on the mattress next to her. Serenity was a little curious to see who was visiting her this time, but she was so tired and miserable that she did not really care.

None the less she saw that it was the leader of her Senshi guardians visiting her sick room.

"How are you feeling?" The senshi of love enquired softly and was rewarded with a severe rattling cough.

"Terrible." Serenity gasped out as she tried to catch her breath, only to sneeze for her efforts.

"Is there anything I can get for you?" Sailor Venus asked as she handed her princess a tissue. "Something to read maybe. A romance novel? Or a snack. One of Jupiter's goodies perhaps?" She suggested.

"No thank you Venus." Serenity said softly after delicately wiping her nose.

Sailor Venus accepted that and decided to try and entertain her princess by telling her about the budding yet volatile romance between Mars and the Earth general Jedite. The general seemed determined to make Mars like him and Mars seemed just as determined to not like him, but she could tell that their fire senshi already liked him and was only playing hard to get.

"Does she know of her own feelings or does she really believe that she does not like him?" Serenity asked quietly before she was seized by another severe cough.

"I believe that she genuinely thinks that she does not like him." Venus answered after the cough ended.

"Hopefully that will change soon." Serenity managed to say just before a series of sneezes claimed her. "I have changed my mind." She said miserably after sniffling. "I do want something. I want Endymion. I want to see him. I know I will feel better after a visit from him." She added.

"I will tell the Queen." Venus promised. "She will handle getting him for you." She added before leaving to fulfill her promise.

Serenity shifted her achy body under her covers hating that she was ill. She had never been sick before, but then she had never been in such a cold environment before.

'The weather had also been very unexpected by all of us.' She thought wearily as she remembered how she got sick.

She, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Jupiter had been visiting Mercury when they got caught up in an intense storm that came out of nowhere. Sailor Mercury had been fine since she was use to the weather on her home planet, and Sailor Jupiter was also use to storms if not the intense coldness to be found on Mercury during the storms.

Serenity on the other hand was in no way use to the weather and had become extremely sick. So much so that she had to be taken home. The royal physician examined her and gave her medicine as well as instructed her to get plenty of bed rest. However, even following those instructions she seemed to get worse. She developed a fever and was cold despite her fever and warm covers, her headaches worsened and her body ached horribly. All this on top of her inability to sleep properly.

'I feel so bad. I simply wish to be well again.' She nearly cried in her mind as she drifted into an uneasy sleep.

.:xXx:.

Cool hands on her face woke Serenity from her fitful sleep. Lying on her side as she was she saw her mother and Venus standing near her room's door when she managed to pry her eyes open. She blinked slowly. They obviously were not the ones touching her heated skin.

"Serenity." A deep voice very close to her called attention to themselves. She blinked again and shifted her eyes, finally seeing the legs covered in dark navy blue material that led up to a torso covered in the same material, followed by a black and red cape. Her eyes seemed to take forever to land on the handsome yet worried features of her Endymion.

"Endy." She said weakly, too tired to pronounce his full name as she lifted her head slightly only to allow it to drop back down to her pillow in her exhaustion.

"I came like you asked." He said with a light smile. "I am sorry you are feeling so poorly." He added as he continued to caress her heated face.

"I am as well." Serenity said tiredly. "Thank you for coming. I hope you are not putting off anything important to be here."

"No I am not. My day was clear. I was only going to do some private training but I can obviously do so another day." He assured her.

"Well, if you are sure." She said uncertainly and watched him nod reassuringly. "What kind of training did you have planned?" She asked before turning to cough into her pillow.

"Simply refining my sword skills and doing some meditation on different ways to use my crystal." He answered as he ran his fingers through her hair once her cough had ended.

Serenity opened her mouth to reply but was seized by a coughing fit. The coughs rattled her chest and tore angrily at her throat, wringing tears from her eyes.

"I do not like this. I do not like this at all." He said quietly with a frown as he gently rubbed her back. "Watching you suffer like this is painful my love." He added, his voice quieter than before but she still heard him.

She wanted to say she was sorry for subjecting him to her illness but a forceful sneeze interrupted her. She sniffled and opened her mouth to express her thoughts but was interrupted by a warm finger resting on her lips.

"No. You wished to see me and I wanted to see you." He said firmly, stopping her apology before she could voice it. "I will relieve your suffering. You will be better and neither of us will have to endure your suffering." He added as he caressed her heated cheek.

Serenity closed her eyes, savoring the feel of his hand against her face as she wondered how he would take away her illness. She had no doubt that he would since her love never said anything he did not mean or could not do.

She suddenly felt a comforting warmth enter her through the hand that caressed her face. It spread throughout her body from head to toe, and she opened her eyes to see her prince glowing a beautiful golden color. She could see her mother holding Venus back but she did not pay them much attention.

Just as she focused back on him her love's eyes opened to show gold orbs gazing lovingly down at her. She could not help the tired smile that graced her face. He looked so strong and enchanting.

"I love you." She said with a sigh and watched his eyes flash happily.

"I love you too my Princess." He replied and she sighed blissfully, actually able to feel his love coursing through her with the comforting warmth.

It was over in minutes and she immediately missed the loving comforting warmth that filled every inch of her body. Still, she was not exactly sure of what he did but she felt completely fine if a bit sleepy.

"I feel so much better. Thank you my love." Serenity said as she watched the golden glow fade from his body and eyes.

"You are welcome my love. I am glad I was able to aid you." He said with a smile and a caress of her now cool cheek.

Mamoru's POV

As he drove Mamoru decided to head to the arcade instead of going home. It was still a little early and he wanted to update Motoki about everything that had happened since they last spoke.

After parking he walked into the arcade and saw Motoki wiping down some tables, so he decided to sit in his usual spot at the counter until his friend noticed him.

"Mamoru!" Motoki called out a few minutes later and he turned to see his friend walking toward him with an easy smile.

"Motoki. How have you been?" Mamoru asked as his friend clapped him on the back before sitting down on a stool next to him.

"The same as always. Although, I have been anxious to hear how Usagi has been doing as well as what she said to you about her feelings." Motoki answered with a look that said he was tired of waiting.

"Well she's doing much better, so much so that she was able to go to school today. She still has a bit of a cough and is still sneezing a bit, but those should stop soon enough." He reported. "She also has her voice back."

"That's good to hear. I was really worried about her." Motoki said with a small sigh before raising an eyebrow at his friend for him to continue.

Mamoru looked around to make sure Usagi's friends weren't around. He did not want to accidentally clue them in on his and Usagi's relationship before they were ready for the girls to know.

"Are you looking for Usagi's friends?" Motoki asked curiously as he watched him. "They're not here. They left a few hours ago. Although, Rei stayed to try and wait for you for a while after."

"I'm glad I missed her." He sighed in relief. "Although I've decided that the next time I see her I'm going to set her straight about the two of us. Especially since I'm now with Usagi." He said with a smile and watched his friends eyes widen. "Not to mention the way she's been treating Usagi, and her possessive behavior in regards to me. It just makes me so angry!"

"It's about time you did something about that girl. I suppose it's a good thing she doesn't know where you live or she'd be waiting for you at home." His friend said as he shook his head. "But anyway, so you and Usagi are dating now? She returned your feelings?" He asked.

"Yes. She wrote me a letter explaining what she thought about my feelings for her and what she felt for me. As soon as I was sure she returned my feelings I asked her to be my girlfriend and she agreed." Mamoru explained.

"I told you!" Motoki said with a laugh.

"Yes, yes. You were right." He said good-naturedly. "You are now the second person who knows. Her mother knows since we both felt she should know. We don't want her friends to know until I've dealt with Rei, and even then it most likely won't be anytime soon."

"What about her father, and how did her mother react?" Motoki asked quietly.

"Her mother took it well. She actually really likes me according to Usagi. She says that we're good for each other. As for her father…well he doesn't like me at all. Doesn't like that I'm older or that I wasn't as friendly with her as her other friends. He even tried to accuse me of stalking her and said I only now found a way to get close to her without scaring her." He said with a frown.

"All this from just saying that I wanted to get to know her better since at the time her mother didn't know we had agreed to date. I think if I had said we were dating or that I wanted to date his daughter then I would have never been allowed back in the house." He added with a sigh.

"I never would have thought he would react like that. He seems to be biased toward you simply because you're a guy getting to know his daughter. From the sounds of it I don't think anything you do will sway him." Motoki said thoughtfully.

"I was wondering about that myself." Mamoru said with a sigh. "For now I'll just continue to greet him since I've been going to visit her every day since the day I brought her home. Aside from that I'm going to focus on Usagi." He added.

"Good idea my friend. She'll be all better before you know it, and you two can spend time together away from her house." Motoki said before he got up to begin shooing out the stragglers who were still inside the arcade since it was closing time.

The rest of the evening went normally for the two friends when Mamoru decided to stick around and help him close up. Once they were finished he said he would see his friend the next day and drove himself home where he ate a filling dinner while finishing his homework of light reading.

When everything was cleaned up and put away he readied himself for bed, set his alarm, and relaxed under his covers until sleep claimed him.


Endymion stepped lightly through the door and into the sitting room the Moon Queen had shown him to. He had never seen Serenity's sitting room before. It was filled with comfortable looking couches and chairs in pale colors, and housed a large desk and multiple crystal vases with bright red roses. He couldn't help smiling at the sight of the fragrant flowers.

"Wait here Endymion." The Queen instructed him softly before disappearing through a side door.

He walked over to the open balcony doors and gazed up at his planet, his demeanor solemn at what he needed to tell his Serenity. He wished he was only here for a pleasant visit, but unfortunately the news he had to relate was anything but pleasant. In fact, it was slightly grim.

He worried about her reaction. Would she be sad, angry, calm? He very much doubted she would be hysterical. She simply was not that type of woman. Still, she would have some reaction. Even his mother had reacted. She had been by turns calm and sad with the occasional worry rearing its head.

'As long as my love does not cry I think I will be able to handle anything.' He thought with a weary sigh.

Endymion's contemplations were interrupted when he heard the sound of a door opening. He turned around, his cape slowly whirling with the movement, to see his Serenity coming through the same door the Queen had gone through. He was almost positive that it lead to her bedroom.

"It is such a surprise to see you." Serenity said with a smile as she walked toward him, but her smile disappeared as she surveyed his face. "What is wrong Endymion?" She asked quietly as she stopped before him.

"My father is sending me and my generals to deal with an uprising that could lead to war if it is not contained and stopped." He answered as he took one of her delicate hands and led her to one of the couches in the spacious room.

"Because of this I will most likely not see you for a long time. The fighting may very well take weeks, and dealing with the aftermath just as long." He explained.

Serenity closed her eyes and frowned sadly as she clutched the large hand holding hers.

"Will you be safe?" She asked worriedly as she opened her eyes.

"Yes. I will be fine. I am well trained for this, and my generals will be there to keep me safe." Endymion assured her. "The only thing that concerns me is being away from you for so long. Not being able to see you or hear your voice." He confessed as he lightly touched her face and watched as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.

"Perhaps…" Serenity began thoughtfully only to trail off. "I may have something that could be of help." She said as she opened her eyes. "I shall only be a moment." She added as she squeezed his hand before standing and quickly disappearing through the door she entered through.

Endymion waited patiently though he was immensely curious. What could she have that would ease the ache when he began to miss her presence, her voice, her touch? Would she perhaps give him a portrait of herself? A small version he could carry with him? Or perhaps a tiny sample of her beautiful hair? Something from the end that no one would notice, that he could wrap around his finger?

Serenity's return interrupted his imaginings. She walked toward him with something golden caught between her hands.

"I would like you to have this." Serenity said once she had resumed her seat and handed him the object in her hand.

Endymion gazed down at the object. A heavy yet light shiny golden star locket with an accompanying delicate golden chain that was a little larger than the palm of his princess' hand. In the center of the star sat a round latch, which he curiously opened only to gasp at the sight of a soft shining light, and the soft and soothing musical melody that caressed his ears. He looked at his Princess in awe as the melody surrounded them.

"I hope it will help you to remember me. Always." Serenity said softly.

Reality began to fade and darken, the music fading away as all plunged into darkness. When the darkness began to lift Mamoru was left standing, surrounded by a light fog beneath a familiar marble balcony.

"Was that…" Mamoru began but hesitated as he looked up at the silhouette of the Princess. What he had just seen was shocking. "Was that another memory?" He asked.

"Yes." Came the soft voice of the royal woman.

"Why are you unlocking them now? Why wait so long?" He asked with a slight frown.

"Now is the right time. Now you are ready for them." She answered softly, her voice fading along with the slightly visible scenery.


Wednesday: Day Ten

Mamoru woke with a start to the sound of his blaring alarm clock. He quickly turned it off and sat staring blankly at his bedspread as he remembered the details of the memory. It only took moments for him to realize that the memory was solid proof that he was in fact Endymion because he had the locket to give to Usagi as Sailor Moon. And there was no denying it. It had been the exact same locket down to the last detail.

He mindlessly got up and began to get ready to leave and pick up his girlfriend, his thoughts swirling around his mind.

It really was reincarnation. It was a bit difficult to wrap his mind around but he was managing it. He was Endymion. He had believed it before the memory, but believing and knowing for sure were two very different things.

Mamoru thought about the memory from the previous night, of Endymion meeting Serenity, and realized that he really had been a prince. He had been Prince Endymion. Heir to the throne of Earth.

Immediately upon that thought he felt a sense of rightness fill him. Rightness that he was going in the right direction with his thoughts.

Endymion. He stated firmly in his mind. "Endymion." He said it again out loud just to hear it with his ears. He felt comfortable with it. He even liked it.

If I really had been prince of the Earth and Usagi was the reincarnation of the princess, then that makes her the Moon Princess. I've finally found her. Finally. He thought quietly and a sense of relief washed through him. As if something inside him had dreaded that it would never happen, and he would remain incomplete.

He could not wait to tell Usagi. He couldn't leave this conversation for after she got out of school. Now all they needed was solid proof for her since he didn't think the solid proof of him being Endymion would satisfy Usagi of her being Serenity. What they needed was either her silver crystal or for the memories to actually feel like memories and not dreams.

Mamoru quickly finished getting ready and grabbed his things before rushing out to his car. He would worry about eating later. Right now he just wanted to make sure he and Usagi had enough time to talk before he dropped her off.


It didn't take Mamoru long to arrive at the Tsukino residence, and although he was excited to see and talk to his girlfriend he was also very aware that his early arrival meant he could come across her father.

Luck seemed to be on his side this morning. After Mrs. Tsukino let him in she informed him that he had just missed the older man.

"Good morning Mamoru." Usagi said quietly as she came walking out of the dining room.

"Good morning." Mamoru replied and he knew she could hear the excitement in his voice judging by her raised brow.

"It'll only take me a few moments to grab my book bag and coat." She said before heading up the stairs to her room.

When she came back down Usagi was wearing a light long sleeve thigh length purple coat over her uniform with her book bag in hand. As she was putting on her shoes her mother brought her lunch bag to her and wished her a good day before giving them her farewells and ushering the young couple out the door.

"Here you are beautiful." Mamoru said, handing his girlfriend her customary rose once they were settled in the car.

"Thank you." Usagi said as she accepted the red rose he produced for her.

"How are you feeling this morning?" He asked as he started the car.

"I'm doing well so far. I haven't coughed or sneezed once this morning." She replied happily.

"That's good." Mamoru said as he began to drive.

"Definitely. Now, why are you early? Not that I mind. I'm just curious." Usagi said as she put her rose carefully in her book bag.

"I wanted to share my dream. I didn't want to wait for this one." He said before proceeding to relay every detail of his memory dream and ending with his short meeting with the Princess.

"This is solid proof that I'm Prince Endymion because I had the locket to give to you." He said as he glanced in her direction before focusing back on the road. "I also get a feeling of rightness when I think of the name now. Like it belongs to me and I should be answering to it." He added.

Usagi wasn't sure what she should feel. On one hand she was happy that Mamoru had real proof that he was Endymion since there was no denying that the locket was real. On the other hand, even though she was trying to believe it, she still needed solid proof that she was Serenity. She just wasn't sure she could fully accept it otherwise, even with the dreams and now Mamoru's own proof.

"Do you still feel all the other emotions with the name?" She asked curiously.

"I do." He answered easily.

"I'm happy and relieved that you have proof." Usagi said after a few quiet minutes. "At least now I know for sure that the man I've been dreaming about is you and not someone else."

"I am as well." He admitted. "I did not relish the thought of another guy coming along and coming between us just like you worried the Princess would." He confessed. "While I'm certain that you are the Moon Princess I'll contain myself until we have proof." He assured her with a smile.

"Thanks." She said with a relieved smile. She wouldn't mind adding the emotions she felt for Endymion to what she felt for Mamoru, but she wanted to wait until they were absolutely positive of her being Serenity before she gave herself free reign.

"Did you dream of another memory?" He asked, wanting to know if they had the same memory and if hers held any clues for them to go on.

"I did. It involved a very sick Serenity." She said before relating everything she could remember, which turned out to be all accept a few details.

Usagi could not remember the name or the face of the orange senshi. She could not remember the Queens face, but did remember her hair being in the same style as hers only in a different color then the two she was currently sporting. She also could not remember how Serenity was healed. Only that it involved a beautiful light and Endymion.

"Hmm…I wonder how he did it." Mamoru mused as they came up to a red light and stopped behind a short line of cars.

"Me too. I could have used that cure when I was at my worst." Usagi commented as she looked out the window at her side.

As they moved closer to Usagi's school they continued to talk about her memory dream. It was obvious from both their memories that the Queen knew about her daughter's relationship with the Earth Prince. What was unclear was exactly how the orange senshi felt about it. At least based off that one memory.

They acknowledged that even though she seemed to want to stop what Endymion had been doing, it might have been only worry for her Princess since no one appeared to know what he had been doing. Aside from that the couple wondered when the orange senshi would show up, and how she might act toward him as Tuxedo Kamen or how she would feel about what happened with Usagi.

Once they arrived at Usagi's school he parked near the entrance before leaning over and bestowing a lingering kiss on her cheek, enjoying the electric sparks tingling his lips.

"I'll be here to pick you up when you're let out." He promised as he pulled away.

"Okay." Usagi said as she unbuckled her seatbelt, then leaned over and kissed his cheek in return, caressing his other cheek while she was at it, embracing the familiar electric jolts that passed back and forth between their connected skin.

"Bye." She said softly as she leaned away.

"Bye. Have a nice day." He said as he watched her open the door.

"You too." Usagi replied before stepping out of the car. She closed the door and waved at Mamoru before walking passed the school gates.

Hours later…

Usagi walked out of the main building and passed the school gates to immediately see Mamoru leaning against his car.

"How was school?" Mamoru asked as he opened the car door for her.

"It was okay." She answered as she sat down. After he closed the door she put on her seatbelt and waited for him to join her inside before continuing. "I participated when asked, I spent an uneventful lunch hour with Ami and Makoto, and I received another little packet of homework from my teacher since she was pleased with what I had turned in."

"That's good." He said as he started the car and put his seatbelt on.

"What about you? How was school?" She asked as he began to drive.

"I only had two classes today, so most of my time was spent studying in the campus library." He answered as he thought about his day.

"I don't want to go home yet." She said suddenly. She really didn't. She needed to spend a little time away from home. Especially away from her home with him. "I'm feeling well enough so let's do something." She added.

"Okay." Mamoru agreed easily since he could tell that she was feeling well, and he really wanted to spend some time with her away from her house. Away from the eyes of her parents. "How about we go hang out at the arcade and visit with Motoki so he can see how you're doing?" He suggested.

"That's fine by me." She agreed with a smile.

Minutes later…

Mamoru and Usagi walked into the arcade and took seats on the stools at the counter and waited for Motoki to notice them.

"Usagi!" Motoki called out a few minutes later as he got a break between customers. "How are you? Are you feeling better? You look well enough." He said as he made his way to them once he was back behind the counter.

"I'm doing very well. That's why we're here. I needed to be away from home for a little while." She said with a smile.

"I'm happy you're doing better." He replied with his own smile before lowering his voice and continuing. "I'm also happy about the two of you. All I can say is it's about time!" He said with a grin.

"Motoki!" Usagi said with a blush before looking at a smiling Mamoru. "Thank you. I'm happy as well." She added with a happy smile.

"Excellent. Now before I get distracted by others, what would you two like?" He asked.

They decided after some debate on getting soda and fries. As they waited they continued to get to know each other. Mamoru explained in detail what his apartment looked like, and how Universities worked in comparison to junior and high school. Usagi told him her favorite color, food, animal, and flower. She explained that she liked baseball but never really got the chance to watch the sport, and didn't really think she would be any good at playing it. She also explained that she had no idea what she wanted to do when she was older.

As they snacked on fries they quietly discussed what they wanted to do on their first date, and deciding on whether they wanted it to be casual or formal, quiet or lively. In the end Usagi requested that he surprise her on the when and where, and just let her know what type of clothing to wear if it mattered.

Minako's POV

Minako walked out of school, her new white long sleeve sailor shirt and bright red tie shining brightly in the sun as her navy blue skirt swayed around her legs, happy with how her first day had gone. She found that she liked it very much. Her classes were more challenging than they had been at her old school but she liked that, and she also liked her classmates in general but she knew it was too soon to tell if any of them would be friends.

After dropping her things off at home she made her way to the arcade to see if she would be lucky enough to spot Usagi. She passed through the sliding glass doors on arrival and almost had a heart attack when she saw Usagi and an older dark haired guy sitting together.

It was clear that they were in a relationship. At least to her eyes and senses.

The other senshi didn't know but she and Artemis knew that Sailor Moon was the Moon Princess, and if they hadn't known then just one look at Usagi would have been enough to convince them. Especially since her hair appeared to be turning silver. And if that wasn't enough then the fact that she was clearly dating someone who looked just like the Prince of Earth from her memories was enough.

Minako took a seat and ordered a strawberry milkshake as she tried to get past her shock. She watched the couple surreptitiously, having taken a seat to get a clear view of them, and took in the sight of her Princess for the first time in this life outside of pictures.

She looks the same as she did in my memories except for her hair color, the lack of crescent moon on her brow, and her younger appearance. She thought as her drink arrived.

The only thing Minako wasn't sure of was if Usagi knew that she was the Moon Princess. Luna and the other senshi obviously didn't know, but from what was being reported there was a lot about Usagi that they didn't know. And if Usagi did know and had wanted to tell them than whatever caused them to split up would have made her change her mind.

As she sipped her milkshake she continued to surreptitiously watch the couple. Did that guy know that he was the Earth Prince? There was no way that he couldn't be. He was an exact copy of the man in her memories.

Was their being together a happy coincidence? How long had they been dating? It couldn't have been long because Luna would have reported it. Unless their relationship was a secret.

Has Luna ever mentioned him? She thought back and tried to remember. Yes. She told us in the report that caused us to come rushing to Japan. She remembered as she eyed the young man next to her princess.

Chiba Mamoru. This guy definitely fit the description given, and he and Usagi certainly look close. She thought as she casually glanced around before bringing her eyes back to the couple. Rei never had a chance. She's not his type. Or at least she was not the Earth Prince's type. Minako thought and she was sure the men were one and the same.

Questions about the male began to flood Minako's mind. Did this Mamoru know about Usagi being Sailor Moon? Was he, as the Earth Prince, involved somehow? Could he be Tuxedo Kamen? It definitely wouldn't be such a leap in logic to think so. Especially since she was sure he was the Earth Prince, and Luna had reported that he had revealed having an instinct to save Usagi's life.

If he didn't remember yet who he was then it stood to reason that his subconscious was urging him to protect the woman he loved before he remembered her. She thought reasonably.

This could put a whole new light on Tuxedo Kamen's presence and role, as well as why he was collecting the rainbow crystals. She needed to talk to Artemis about all of this. This could have a very big impact on whether or not Usagi resumed her role as Sailor Moon. If Mamoru really was Tuxedo Kamen, and if he remembered that he was Prince Endymion, then he would be rightly furious with Ami, Makoto, and Rei in particular because he would know all that Usagi had been put through to cause her to give up being a senshi.

Minako sighed and drank down a good portion of her shake. She was about to drink a little more when she was distracted by the arcade doors sliding open. She watched as Rei walked in by herself and saw the moment she spotted the couple. Her face instantly became a mask of anger and jealousy.

She watched as the fire senshi stepped toward them only to stop suddenly and turn to leave. She frowned in confusion, wondering why the girl left so quickly, when her communicator disturbed her thoughts. She was sitting in a quiet, out of the way location and felt secure enough to answer it.

"Minako here." She stated quietly.

"There's a youma attacking right now. This would be an opportune time to observe the Senshi." Artemis reported firmly. This explains why Rei left so quickly. At least she's got her priorities in order. She thought as Artemis relayed the location of the attack.

"Got it. I'll meet you there. Minako out." She said before stowing her communicator away.

Minako took a quick sip of her milkshake before getting up and walking toward the exit. As she walked out she took a last glance at the couple. If Mamoru really was Tuxedo Kamen then it was true that he needed Sailor Moon to know when a battle took place since he clearly gave no indication that he was aware of the attack happening.

She jogged a few blocks before she found a suitable alley to transform in. After checking all avenues to make sure no one was watching her or appeared to have followed her, she pulled her transformation pen from her subspace pocket and raised it in the air above her head.

"Venus Power Makeup!" Minako stated firmly. The alley glowed a brilliant orange as long banners of golden stars streamed from the pen and swirled around her body to form a spiral. The golden stars then sank into the ground before rushing up, covering her body in a flash of light, before disappearing to reveal Sailor Venus.

The senshi of love jumped up to the roof of one of the buildings that created the alley before running, leaping from roof top to roof top, to quickly make her way to the fight location.

15 minutes later…

Sailor Venus arrived at the Port of Tokyo and went about finding the senshi and the youma they would be battling since she needed to find Artemis first and she was sure that he would hide close by. She ran around and on top of the large containers that seemed to be stacked everywhere as her eyes flickered here and there to try and pick up anything to do with a fight.

It wasn't too long before she began to hear shouts, screams, and blasts. She ran harder and spotted the battle as well as Artemis. He was laying down flat on top of a blue container that was stacked at the top of a pile of five. She landed on the container and walked over to him before kneeling next to him.

"Did I miss much?" She questioned quietly as she watched the three senshi and single youma.

"No. The youma has been attacking the port workers, ship crew, and destroying containers." He answered without taking his dark blue eyes from the scene. "Some of the workers jumped into the water to escape or took refuge on the closest ship. Others weren't so lucky." He added grimly.

Sailor Venus frowned at her guardian's words as she took in the sight of the youma the Sailor Senshi faced. It was a female with skin as white as snow and dark purple eyes with no pupil, draped in a white pillow case in the style of ancient Greece. Her feet were bare and she had short white downy feathers for hair.

The two companions watched silently as Sailor Mars launched one of her fire attacks at the youma with a shout. Venus frowned as she heard Mars' words even with the distance between them. Why was she so loud? Did she mean to announce her attacks like that? Did she know that doing so allowed her opponent to know what she was doing and possibly avoid it or counter it?

She could admit that even she still called out her attacks, but she wasn't loud enough to give the enemy an edge. Sometimes she was able to attack without saying a single word but it was usually only when she was able to concentrate. And it was hard to concentrate with the enemy attacking you. Still, she was able to launch her attacks without shouting and she had been working alone for a while now. Mars did not have that excuse, so she should have been able to do so by now. Did the others have the same problem?

As they watched the youma avoid the fireball she supposed she would find out soon enough. Moments later she did find out. Sailor Jupiter shouted her attack and bolts of electricity shot toward the youma who avoided it by leaping high into the air and returning fire. The sky around her was filled with long white feathers and soon they were raining down on the Senshi, exploding when they made contact with a stable surface.

The Senshi ran and took cover wherever they could to wait out the destructive feather rain. When it stopped Mercury covered the area in a thick fog presumably to give them time and some kind of cover from the female youma that had alighted on top of an orange container.

The youma was confident, standing still and simply waiting with a single feather in her hand. To the watching companions it seemed that the youma felt she had all the time in the world to see what the Senshi would do next before going about her business. Neither one of them liked the implications of that assessment.

From their vantage point they could see Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars slowly moving through the fog toward the youma. It wasn't clear if the female saw them since she remained still. They both stilled when they were much closer so the youma, then Sailor Mars threw a piece of paper at the youma that they both knew would immobilize the youma. It would have worked had Mars not shouted and alerted the youma. Still, it appeared that they were going to continue with their plan as Jupiter managed to get close to the youma to engage in hand to hand combat where she excelled.

Apparently that was a mistake. Venus and Artemis heard Sailor Mercury call out. They couldn't hear what she said but if it was a warning then it came too late. The youma was able to defend against Jupiter's physical attacks and get in some painful hits of her own before pelting Jupiter with feathers.

The two companions held their breath and wondered what the damage to Sailor Jupiter would be, but it turned out that those feathers only pierced instead of exploding. Poor Jupiter looked like a pincushion with feathers sticking out of her arms, legs, stomach, chest, and even her neck.

By the time Mercury's fog had completely cleared she was kneeling next to Jupiter's downed form as Mars attacked the youma with her fireballs in a clear show of anger. The youma dodged repeatedly, moving closer and closer to the angered Sailor Mars, before tossing a feather at the ground in front of Mars. The ground exploded, blasting Mars off her feet and on to her back.

The youma took advantage immediately. She tossed feathers in quick succession. One through each gloved hand, pinning them to the ground, and two more- one through her red pleated skirt on either side of her hips to anchor her down preventing escape.

Once she was done the youma simply turned and began to walk away, obviously dismissing Mercury as a threat, which was true. The water senshi had no offensive attacks and barely had any defensive. Her strength lay in analyzing the enemy. Something Artemis and Venus were sure she had done perfectly. It had been up to Jupiter and Mars to handle the youma since they had the fire power so to speak.

They frowned as they watched a black portal open in the youma's path and continued to watch as she walked into it, both she and the portal disappearing from sight. That fight had been painful to witness. The Senshi lost. Badly. It was more than clear that without Sailor Moon, and even Tuxedo Kamen's help, they were useless. Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars were not enough to defeat an enemy on their own.

The senshi of love and her guardian were very unhappy with what they saw. The two stayed long enough to make sure nothing happened and no one came back to attack the injured girls before leaving to head home.

30 minutes later…

Minako and Artemis sat in her bedroom, relaxing on her bed as they began to discuss the short battle they had witnessed. It was obvious to them that Sailor Moon was needed. Not only did they need another senshi fighting with them, they needed her abilities as well. Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter could not destroy youma with their attacks alone, and even combined they would not have stood a chance. Heck, it even appeared that Sailor Venus was needed now as well.

They wondered and worried about how those in the Negaverse would react to the youma reporting that she had won a fight against the Senshi and how Sailor Moon had not been there. Is it possible that they would know something was not right with the Senshi or would they just assume Sailor Moon hadn't been able to make it to that fight? Would they make a move either way?

"We're going to have serious problems if the Negaverse makes a move. The girls aren't ready. Especially Usagi and Rei." Artemis said seriously, his tail twitching in agitation.

"I know." Minako sighed out. "We still need to understand fully what's happening with her and even then we're still most likely going to have a hard time convincing her to come back." She said as she ran a hand through her hair. "And with Rei's attitude if she did agree to come back things might still be bad." She added.

"I agree. The situation won't be as bad as it could be since Ami and Makoto have pulled their act together, but Rei on the other hand, something needs to be done about her before Usagi comes back. There's no way they would work together with the situation the way it is." Artemis said.

"That's true. I'll be able to handle Rei, at least as far as Senshi business goes. Who knows if I'll be able to talk any sense into her about her opinion of Usagi as a person. Especially if Ami and Makoto can't manage it even with knowing her longer." She said and Artemis nodded his understanding.

"Ah! I need to tell you about what I saw today before you contacted me." Minako said suddenly, remembering that she needed to inform him of what she had discovered.

"I saw Usagi at the arcade with the guy that fits Chiba Mamoru's description. From what I saw and could sense they are obviously in a relationship." She said. "But that's not all. Artemis, he looks exactly like Prince Endymion, and I think he might actually be Tuxedo Kamen." She said urgently and began to explain the thoughts she had had while watching the couple.

"You're right." Artemis agreed, shocked at what he had just heard. "This could put a whole new light on Tuxedo Kamen and his actions. This could also be bad news for Ami, Makoto, and especially Rei if he remembers that he is Endymion. We need answers Minako. We need to know if either Usagi or this Mamoru or both of them remember. We also need to know if he really is Tuxedo Kamen."

"Yes. There's a lot we need to know, and the only way to find out is through Usagi." She said and was quiet for a few moments before continuing. "I'm going to approach Usagi and try and befriend her. The first chance I get I'll reveal myself as Sailor Venus, and let her know that the others don't know I'm here. From there I'll try to find out what's been happening from her perspective." She stated firmly.

"Good plan. When you reveal yourself make sure you answer her questions, within reason. We need her to trust you if you're to help her, so if she asks how you know about anything that's been happening here then tell her. Even tell her about me. The only thing I think you should keep from her is her identity as the Princess if she doesn't remember." Artemis said thoughtfully.

"Okay. I'll do that." Minako agreed and hoped that she was able to make contact soon.

Meanwhile…

Usagi and Mamoru spent a good two hours at the arcade before Usagi became tired. After they said their goodbyes to Motoki they left and Mamoru drove to Usagi's house. Instead of going up to her bedroom they set up in the dining room where they talked and Mamoru helped her with her homework. There was no talk about the Sailor Senshi, Tuxedo Kamen, or past lives. They just spent time together as a regular couple would, enjoying being with each other, they even managed to finally exchange phone numbers, until Usagi's father arrived.

"I'm going to go now." Mamoru said after Mr. Tsukino finished glaring at him and left. "I'm going to go back to the arcade and spend some time with Motoki." He added.

"Tell him I said hi." Usagi said quietly as she gazed at Mamoru, watching him nod.

"Would you like me to help you bring your things up to your room?" He asked softly as he glanced at the table.

"Oh no it's alright. I'll do it. Don't worry." She assured him with a smile.

"If you're sure…" He said, trailing off a bit as he watched her nod. "Okay. Then I should get going." He added as he stood up.

Usagi stood with him and they walked out of the dining room and down the hallway to the front door.

"I'll be here in the morning." Mamoru promised as they stopped at the door.

"Good." Usagi replied happily. Already she was getting used to him driving her to school, or more like used to him being with her in the mornings, and didn't want it to end.

"Bye Usagi." He said, looking around briefly to make sure they weren't being watched, before leaning down and kissing the corner of her mouth.

"Goodbye Mamoru." She whispered as she leaned toward him, hoping his lips and the electric sparks would linger longer.

Mamoru straightened and grinned down at his dreamy eyed girlfriend. He really wanted to do more than kiss the corner of her mouth, but he refused to have their first kiss as a couple be where her family could see. Especially not where her father could see since he didn't know about their relationship. Instead he gently caressed her cheek before opening the door and walking out.

Usagi watched him until he reached his car and got in. They waved at each other before she closed the door, her heart still pounding from his kiss and touch.

Mamoru's POV

As Mamoru drove he thought back on his conversation with Usagi at the arcade. They really needed to go on a date. They needed to spend time together as a couple away from her house and away from the arcade where her friends would be. They needed time to talk about things that had nothing to do with her being Sailor Moon or him being Tuxedo Kamen.

Soon. Perhaps Friday after she gets out of school or Saturday. He thought with a frown. If it was during the weekend they could possibly spend the entire day together. He wasn't sure what they would do but he was sure he could manage to show her his apartment. He really did want her to finally see where he lived. It was the only place they could spend time together and talk with absolute privacy, with no fear that her family, their friends, or even strangers would overhear them.

Once Mamoru was close to the arcade he parked and calmly walked to the establishment. Everyone seemed to be taken care of at the moment so he naturally found Motoki behind the counter snacking on some fries instead of doing something productive.

"I'm back." He said before stealing a fry and sitting on the stool in front of him.

"Welcome back." Motoki said with a slight grin. "Usagi's at home I take it?" He asked before biting into another fry.

"Yeah, and she says hi. Her father came home and glared at me, so I decided it was time to leave." He said with a sigh.

"Well at least you got to spend time with her before he arrived." Motoki said sympathetically as he watched his friend nod. "You know the two of you look good together." He said suddenly.

"Really?" Mamoru asked with a small smile.

"Yes really. The both of you look so very happy together. You look comfortable in each other's presence, and don't seem to have any trouble talking to each other. I didn't see any awkward moments or long pauses." Motoki assured him.

"We have found it easy to speak to each other. It helps that we share a lot in common that we hadn't realized before." He confessed quietly, his smile still in place as he thought about her being his Princess.

"That's always a good thing when it comes to relationships or so I've heard." Motoki spouted knowledgably before dissolving into laughter with Mamoru joining him.

"It is a good thing so you heard right." Mamoru said after they settled down.

"Good." Motoki said with a nod. "I wish I had my camera earlier. I could have gotten some good shots of you two." He added.

"There's always next time, and we want copies!" Mamoru said with a grin and Motoki laughed, easily agreeing.

"Mamoru!" They heard a feminine voice that instantly put a stop to their good humor. Motoki's eyes shifted to his best friend and watched the smile drop from his face and his eyes take on a steely look before he turned to look at the girl calling him.


Rei walked into the arcade when the sliding doors opened and was very happy that Mamoru was there. She had gone home after the battle to clean up, heal and rest, but she was determined to see and speak to Mamoru. Especially after she saw him with that no good Odango Atama.

She had even dressed nicely to attract his attention and impress him. She wore a red shirt with a long sleeve black zip up jacket over it, a matching black skirt that hugged her hips and stopped at her mid-thigh. Light red tights covered her legs all the way up to a little over her knees and black shoes completed the look.

"Mamoru!" She called and watched as he turned toward her. "I've been meaning to speak to you ever since I saw you at Odango's house." She said as she stopped walking. "Why did you give her a rose when you've never given me any flowers or any girl as far as I know? And I don't like that you've been spending more time with her than with me!" She said, finally confronting him with the issues that had been bothering her.

Mamoru's eyes narrowed. The feelings of rightness at thinking of himself as Prince Endymion were heightening and now turning into an intense anger as he looked at the girl in front of him. The girl he knew to be Sailor Mars, the senshi that had done the most damage to the girl he loved!

"I've known Usagi long before I knew you." He reminded her bluntly, not liking how she seemed to take offense to his friendship with his girlfriend. "I'm not going to stop being her friend because you have a problem with it." He stated as he got to his feet and stepped toward her, his mind full of rage at this girl who was the main reason the girl he loved had no self-confidence in her fighting ability.

"In fact, I am thoroughly sick and very much tired of your possessive and territorial behavior!" He said irately. "I can't believe you think you have the right to know my business and dictate how I treat my friends, and even more that you're going around telling anyone that there's anything between us because there's not!" He said angrily, his voicing rising.

"You are too immature for me to take seriously, as your behavior over the past weeks have clearly shown, even if I was interested in you, which I'm not!" He stated clearly and bluntly. "I had been trying to be nice about letting you know that I wasn't interested because of your friendship with Usagi. Or at least what I thought was a friendship. It's hard to tell these days with how you treat her, how you speak to her and about her." He spat, remembering her lack of care for Usagi as both Rei and Sailor Mars.

Rei stared at Mamoru in shock at what he had just said to her. Not only that but the emotions he displayed. He was so offended and angry. She had never seen him angry. She glanced at Motoki to take in his reaction. He appeared calm, leaning against the counter with his chin resting in his hand. He looked like he had expected it.

Had he known? Did Mamoru really have no interest in her? His friend would have known if he did or not, and Mamoru himself had just stated it plainly. But…but he had seemed to enjoy their dates. Why come out with this now? Why? Did he like that Odango Atama?! He couldn't! But those emotions. She had never seen him so animated about anything. Was it really possible?

"Do you have feelings for her?" Rei asked with a frown, her mind already full of jealousy. "Since you've been spending so much time with her, and are clearly acting differently with her."

What should I say to her? I'm definitely not going to reveal my feelings to her. It's none of her business. I'll give her something that will hopefully shut her up and get her to leave me alone. He decided.

"While it really is none of your business, I hadn't thought I did, but since you're making such a big deal about it I'll be sure to think on it a great deal." Mamoru informed her. "And if I find that I do have feelings for Usagi I will be sure to tell her as soon as possible, because I'm not the type to sit around and do nothing. If I want something I go out and get it, and if I want Usagi then I will have her. It is that simple."

All this Mamoru said in a completely serious and confident tone. The angry feeling inside him was still very much there but it was accompanied by extreme confidence and determination.

As well as a voice, calm and confident, telling him that Serenity would always be his and no one and nothing would ever be allowed to get in the way of their love.