Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

Chapter 14: Earth - Part Two

-Minako-

Minako woke up to bright sunlight shining in her face. She groaned and threw an arm over her eyes. Slowly she became aware that she was sitting up on a lumpy couch and that something warm was across her lap. She opened her eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the light. It's weird how fast the day and night are here, she mused. She looked down to see that Rei was curled up in her lap, sound asleep. With a small smile she shifted her attention across the room to the other couch. Ami had fallen asleep sitting up too, with her head propped up on her fist. Makoto had her head on Ami's thigh and her legs hanging over the edge of the couch. I'll never take a comfortable bed for granted again, she promised herself.

Minako stretched her shoulders and winced as her back cracked in several places. They had talked late into the night, making plans and debating strategy. The biggest question had been whether or not they should wait and meet the Prince. They hadn't really resolved that part. On the one hand, the sooner we get off this planet the better. Every minute we're here, we're in danger. On the other hand, the Princess will be furious if we leave before she sees him. Also, it'll look suspicious if we take off so soon after arriving and if he is in on their plan he'll know something's up. He might even try to stop us from leaving. She groaned again, covering her face with her hands.

"What's wrong?" Rei's sleepy voice brought her back to reality. She sat up with a pained expression, and stretched.

"I'm still thinking about last night," she sighed. Rei nodded, rolling her shoulders back and grimacing. "Are you okay?"

"Just a little stiff," she admitted.

"Me too. Should we wake them up?" Minako gestured to the other two. Rei shrugged.

"Good morning!" Serenity cried as she burst through the bedroom door, grinning cheerily at them. "How'd you sleep? Isn't it great here? Last night was so fun! I'm going to see what's for breakfast!" Without waiting for them to respond, she bounded out the front door.

Rei raised an eyebrow and stared after her. Minako just shook her head in amazement.

"She really doesn't ever get hangovers, does she." Makoto growled as she sat up. "Argh! My feet are asleep!"

"Poor baby," Ami teased as she lifted her head and squinted at the taller girl. "Wow, it's really bright in here," she stated.

Rei growled softly as she stood up. "Should we go see if the Princess left us anything to eat?" There were assorted nods and yawning as they shuffled down the stairs. They found the Princess eating her way steadily through a bowl of something vaguely resembling food. Minako tried not to examine the contents too closely as she ladled a couple scoops of the mystery food from a big pot by the bar.

She ate in silence, focusing on the plan for the day. The first priority has to be finding out when the next transport leaves. It's still a day's trip to the port from here, though, she remembered glumly. We also need to sit the Princess down and tell her what we figured out last night. But should we do that before or after she meets the Prince. We don't want her to give away what we know, that could put her in a lot of danger. But she shouldn't be going to meet him without knowing what his people are up to…

The bench scraped loudly as Rei stood up. Looking at her bowl, Minako realized with a smile that she'd finished her meal. She'd thankfully been too preoccupied to taste it. She stood and followed Rei to where she was talking to the innkeeper.

"If you don't know, that's fine," the Martian was saying. "Just tell me where I can go find out."

"I dunno," he said quickly. Too quickly. "I just take care of my inn, I don't know nothing about other planets."

"How can you work in the royal city and not know anything about going to other planets," Rei demanded. "Half the people here are from other planets!"

"I don't worry about that, I just take care of my inn," he insisted stubbornly. "I've never even been to no other planets besides this one."

Rei's hands were balled into fists at her sides and the innkeeper looked like he might burst into tears. Minako decided to intervene. "Please, sir," she said gently, "We're not from here and any information you could give us would be a great help, even if it's something that seems trivial."

His eyes darted back and forth between them for a moment. Then he leaned forward. His eyes were filled with terror and his voice was barely above a whisper. "The only way I've heard of anyone getting off the planet lately is through the Queen or the head Counselor. Hardly anyone's leaving these days. Please don't tell anyone you heard that from me," he begged. Minako was startled to see tears in his eyes. "Please, no one can know I helped you. I've got a family… This inn is all we have. Please."

Minako touched his arm, trying to calm him down. "Please don't worry, sir, we would never do anything to endanger you or any other innocent on this planet."

He looked at her in wide eyed wonder for a moment. She smiled and started to turn away, but he caught her hand. "You're her agents, aren't you. All of you, you're with the true Queen." Tears poured down his cheeks and his voice was choked. "Queen Serenity."

Minako stared into his hope filled, desperate eyes. "Yes," she said finally.

He let out a laugh that was more of a sob. "We're saved…" he whispered, letting go of her and turning away. Minako hesitated, but Rei grabbed her arm and led her away. They went back to their room to wait for the others.

"I had no idea," Minako said as she sat down. "No idea how bad things were here. We have to tell the Queen, before it's too late."

-Makoto-

Makoto gazed out the window, watching the sun set. Almost time, she thought. She looked down at Ami who was sleeping peacefully with her head resting in her lap. She idly stroked the soft blue hair. The door opened and she looked up to see Minako and Rei, looking sullen.

"Anything?" she asked them softly.

Rei didn't answer, merely scowled and wandered to where she'd left her armor. "Nothing," Minako said as she sat down heavily on the other couch. "Apparently the innkeeper was right: No one leaves the planet unless they go through the palace."

"Huh, I guess our only option is going to be the Prince." she said thoughtfully.

Rei growled something incoherent as she continued fastening her armor into place. "I know," Minako said soothingly, "but we don't really have any other choices." Rei shrugged irritably and didn't answer.

The door was thrown open with a bang and Ami twitched awake. "Are you guys ready?" Serenity asked excitedly. She looked at them all and her smile faltered. "You still want to go, don't you?"

"Yes, don't worry," Minako said as she stood and picked up her jerkin.

"Why do you all look so serious?" Serenity wondered, tilting her head and studying them.

"We're having a little trouble finding a transport home," Ami said, sitting up. "If you get a chance, maybe you could ask the Prince if he knows anything."

This was apparently the wrong thing to say. Serenity's eyes narrowed at the soldier. "I'm not going to interrogate him, if that's what you think. You said it was the counselor you were worried about."

"It is, but-"

"So have you found out anything yet?" she demanded.

Ami looked at Makoto, who shrugged. They had deciding against telling her what they'd found out until they had a chance to see how the Prince acted.

"Not yet," Minako answered for her. "Rei and I were going to do some more scouting, tonight."

Her mood instantly changed at that news. "You four aren't going with me?" She tried to sound innocently curious but they all caught the hopeful note, and it hurt. Rei turned away sharply, buckling her belt on and sheathing her sword with a slap of metal on leather.

"Makoto and I are going with you," Ami said coldly. "We wouldn't be very good guards if we left you by yourself on an alien world."

"But…" She stopped when she caught sight of their expressions. "Of course, that was a silly question." She grinned at them. "I'm going to get changed."

Minako hastily coiled her chain and clipped it to her belt. "Ready?" she asked Rei as she grabbed her cloak, draped it on and clipped the plain brass clasp. Rei was glaring at the Princess's door and didn't seem to hear. Her arms were crossed tightly and she jumped when the blonde touched her shoulder. Makoto watched their wordless exchange. They shared a look, Rei nodded sharply, and they both left without a word.

Ami sighed heavily as she stood up. "This should be fun," she said sarcastically as she did up her armor. Makoto spared a glance for the closed door and shook her head. How has this stranger become so much more important to her than us, she wondered as she pulled on her armor.

The Princess emerged some time later, wearing a long white dress, which had a slit up to mid-thigh and showed quite a lot of cleavage. Makoto looked sideways at Ami, who seemed lost for words.

She gazed at them expectantly. "How do I look?" she asked as she twirled to show off the outfit.

"Um… fine," Ami mumbled, picking up her long knives and sheathing them carefully. She pulled on her cloak and slung her holstered rifle over it.

"Yeah," Makoto agreed, looking away. She checked the javelins in her belt and snapped her staff into the harness on her back.

"Why are you carrying all your weapons?" Serenity frowned at them.

"We always do," Makoto said evasively. She gave her a half smile, but couldn't hold it for long.

"But-"

"Ready to go?" Ami talked over her.

Serenity looked back and forth between them as she slipped her blue cloak around her shoulders. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

Makoto had to force herself not to look at either of them, instead opting to double check her boot laces. "Why would you think that?" Ami asked carefully.

There was a long pause and Makoto stayed bent over, fiddling with her laces. "Alright," she said finally, "are you ready to go?"

They arrived at the inn to find that the Prince was already there, accompanied by his four generals. Makoto tensed when she saw them. What are they all doing here, she wondered, suspecting treachery.

"Good evening, Princess." The Prince was looking quite impressive in a white shirt with heavy embroidery and matching white pants. He bowed low and caught Serenity's hand, kissing it with a flourish. He stood and nodded to the guards, who regarded him coldly. "Ladies, it's a pleasure to see you again."

Neither responded and after a moment, he smiled and caught Serenity by the hand. He turned and led her to a small table in the corner of the room. Ami moved to follow but one of the generals caught her arm. Makoto instantly had his wrist in a vice grip.

"My apologies," he said, releasing the smaller girl quickly. "I was only going to invite you to our table for a drink." He smiled and Makoto made herself let go of him. He bowed to them. "I'm Jedite, this is Zoicite," he pointed to the man beside him with platinum hair. "I believe you met Kunzite and Nephrite last night." He gestured toward the table behind him.

"Would you like to join us?" Zoicite asked with a polite smile. "We're all merely along for the ride, anyway, right?" He indicated the Prince and Princess who were already deep in conversation in the corner.

"I guess," Makoto said finally, tearing her eyes away from the couple. "We can see her fine from over there," she added with a shrug.

"I could definitely use a drink," Ami mumbled. Makoto looked at her in surprise. She raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "I'm guessing you could too." That was a very good point. Offering the shorter girl a small smile, they followed the two men to the table.

They had been there for about two hours and were starting to relax a bit more. They were keeping up idle chatter, polite but vague. Makoto was working on her third ale and Ami her second. Suddenly, the four generals jumped to their feet and stood at attention. Makoto and Ami followed suit out of habit, before turning to see who they were standing for.

The Prince looked past the two guards to his generals, smiling. "I think it's time we were going, unfortunately."

Serenity looked slightly drunk but happy. She had her arms wrapped around one of his and was leaning against him. Makoto frowned in confusion. "Already?" she blurted, before remembering herself and adding a belated, "your Highness?"

"I'm really tired," Serenity whined, yawning widely for emphasis. "Also, Endymion has to be up really early tomorrow."

He pulled the Princess to him for a long, drawn out kiss. Makoto glanced at Ami, who was looking pointedly away from them. Finally, he released her with a grin. "Until next time," he said with a low bow.

Serenity's face was flushed and she beamed at him before turning toward the exit. Ami immediately followed, but Makoto glanced back once more. The prince was watching her with an unreadable expression. He looked almost sad, but there wasn't time to wonder about it.

Resignedly, Makoto followed the others, both of whom were unusually silent. When they reached their room, the Princess gave them both a quick hug then turned to her room. "Good night," she said over her shoulder as she shut the door.

Ami turned on her heel as soon as it clicked shut. "Coming?" she said in a strained voice. She leaned her rifle against the wall and opened the front door.

"Where are we going?" Makoto cocked her head, studying her clearly furious lover.

"Downstairs. I want a shot." Makoto shrugged and followed her.

They sat in silence for a while, drinking. With a soft sigh, Ami finally spoke. "Sorry I was short with you earlier." She reached over and caught Makoto's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You're not the one I'm upset with."

"It's okay," Makoto said softly, "I know why you were upset." Ami nodded and smiled at her, then leaned over to kiss her.

"Well, this is new," a sarcastic voice said behind them. To Makoto's absolute horror, she turned and found herself face to face with a very amused looking Princess Haruka.

"They seem to have developed a taste for public displays of affection," Princess Michiru pointed out, smiling.

"What are you two doing here?!" Ami squeaked in alarm.

"Looking for you, of course." Makoto felt a cold dread in the pit of her stomach and looked down to see Artemis glaring up at her. "Where is the Princess?"

"Upstairs," Makoto choked out. "Upstairs sleeping."

"And the others?"

She bit her lip, not sure whether she should admit that she didn't know. Before she could make up her mind, they heard a blood chilling, very familiar voice scream outside. She jumped up and sprinted out, with Ami close on her heels. They ran out of the courtyard but froze in shock at the horrible scene before them.

-Minako-

Minako walked in silence beside Rei, who was walking stiffly and hadn't spoken since they'd left the inn. She knew that despite everything, Rei still cared deeply for the Princess. She also knew how badly it had hurt her to hear the excitement in Serenity's voice at the thought of being away from them. She sighed heavily, not sure what to say, if anything, to comfort her lover.

They walked without any clear destination in mind for a while, then Minako spotted a grassy, open park. There was a small pond with a couple benches around it. Smiling, she caught the Martians hand and led her to one of them. She sat down and Rei sat heavily beside her. She caught one of Rei's hands and pulled it into her lap, running her fingers over the thick leather that covered her forearm down to her fingers.

"I knew," Rei said quietly. "I knew the night of the ball that they would ruin everything." She laid her head on Minako's shoulder and sighed.

Minako kissed the top of her head, holding the limp hand between both of hers. 'It'll be okay' sounded so vague and empty. 'She's smart, she'll realize…' she didn't even finish that one. We'll get through this somehow… She stared up at the sky and suddenly smiled.

"Look," she whispered, pointing upward. Rei tilted her head to follow her finger. "You can see Mars and Venus right now. They're so close, they're almost touching."

Rei laughed softly, barely audible, but it made Minako feel lighter somehow. We'll get through this.

Rei lifted her head and Minako turned to stare into the shining amethyst eyes. She leaned forward and kissed her, just once, before pulling back. She studied her features, memorizing every detail. The dark eyes, the high cheekbones, the delicate chiseled features, the full lips that were quirked in a slight smile. The bump on her nose where I broke it… twice… The scar beside her eye…

Rei reached up and traced the scar along her cheek. She turned Minako's face slightly so she could place a soft kiss over it. Then she laid her head down again, her face still tilted to watch the sky. Minako watched it too, letting her mind wander. Almost touching, I've never seen them like that. She wasn't sure how long they stayed that way, watching the slow progress of their planets. She realized that they were drifting apart, almost imperceptivity. Their paths had crossed briefly but they were forced to continue their slow orbits away from each other. But they'll meet again, like tonight, she reminded herself. Eventually, their paths will cross again. Over and over for all eternity.

She realized she was crying. Will that be us? Together for a short while, a perfect moment, then forced apart on our separate paths? Rei shifted and she knew the raven haired girl was watching her.

"They'll find each other again," Rei whispered, reading her thoughts. "Mars and Venus, they'll always find each other no matter how long it takes."

Finally, Minako turned to look at her. "No matter how long?"

Rei nodded, wiping a tear away with her thumb. "It will always be you, Mina. We're meant to be together, I know it. I can feel it." She smiled and kissed her softly. "We should head back, it's getting late."

Minako nodded and they stood up together. She cast a last look at the sky. 'No matter how long it takes.' "I love you, my Reiko."

They wrapped their arms around each other, holding on tightly. "I love you, too, Mina." she whispered. They shared one more kiss then started the walk back to the inn.

When they reached it, something was wrong. Just outside the yard was a dark shape, lying in the dirt. Minako frowned, pausing briefly to study the thing. It moved weakly and let out a whimper. Minako ran to it and fell to her knees beside the prone form. Carefully, she rolled it over and found herself staring into the bloody face of the innkeeper. His eyes were clouded in pain and terror. "Where are you hurt? Can you move?"

His gaze found her briefly and his eyes widened. "No, it's you…" he coughed violently and she watched a thin line of blood trickle down his chin. "You have to go… the Queen… it's after-" He choked on the blood again. Suddenly his eyes rolled back, he shuddered and was still.

Minako couldn't move, she simply stared down at the body in shock. Then something blocked the light shining from the inn. She looked up to see a huge black creature looming over her. Instead of arms it had two long, whip-like tentacles. It made no sound at all as it advanced on her. She stumbled to her feet and backed away, drawing her sword. Her other hand caught the edge of her chain and uncoiled it quickly, wrapping it twice around her fist with a practiced ease.

"I'm here," Rei's voice came from her right side. She nodded, not taking her eyes off of the creature. At the edge of her vision, she saw the point of Rei's sword wink in the light.

"They can be killed," Minako said through gritted teeth. "They can be killed just like anything else."

The creature made its silent way toward them, flicking its tentacle-like arms menacingly at them. She heard the change in Rei's breathing, the sharp intake of breath, that meant she was about to attack. At the sound, she flicked her chain forward. The weapon tangled around a tentacle and Rei moved forward. The creature was distracted for a moment, long enough for Rei to cut deeply into the black flesh.

It gave an enraged roar of pain, then wrenched its arm back, pulling Minako toward it. The tentacle was spiraling down her chain. She tried to yank it back, but the thing had a firm grip on the other end. She sliced at the long tendril, but only hit her own chain. She tried again as the black snake-like protrusion sped toward her hand. In desperation, she tried to let go of the chain, but it was a second too late. The tentacle wrapped around her fingers and then her hand.

It felt like it was burning through her flesh down to the bone. She screamed in pure agony, it was a pain like nothing she'd ever felt. She raised her scimitar, bracing herself, but through her haze of pain she heard a snarl of rage. She forced her eyes to focus as Rei leapt forward and swung down, severing the tentacle above where the chain was. The moment it was disconnected, she stumbled back and nearly fell. It felt as though the dismembered limb was cooling so she grabbed the black end and yanked it away from her hand. She screamed again despite her resolve as it tore off chunks of her hand and wrist with it.

Rei had swung around as she cut off its arm, to score another cut in its side. At her second scream, she realized that Rei had turned away from the monster and toward her. Minako pried the arm free, then kicked it and her chain away. Their eyes met for a moment, then she saw the monster raise its remaining arm and plunge it like a spear straight at Rei's back. Her amethyst eyes widened in shock for a moment, then she crumpled forward.

"Rei!" she shouted, rushing at the creature as it pulled it's tentacle back to swing at her. Her only thought was to keep it away from her love. She wrapped both hands around her sword, ignoring the searing pain in her injured left. She lunged forward and sank her blade into its head, cleaving deep into its skull. She tried to wrench her sword free, but it reared back in agony, pulling the weapon from her weakened grip. Suddenly a wooden spike was protruding from its eye socket and it spasmed violently. Finally, it crumpled forward and fell in a heap in the dirt.

That didn't mean anything to her. Nor did the shouts of vaguely familiar voices. What mattered was that Rei hadn't moved from where she'd fallen. She dropped to her knees and cradled Rei against her. Please, please don't be dead, she repeated over in her head. She pulled her into her lap, ignoring the hot blood soaking through the top of her pants. She heard a weak gasping breath and suddenly Ami was beside her.

The blue haired girl leaned over Rei for what felt like hours before whispering, "She's alive." There were more people around them, touching her, trying to pull her away from Rei, but she couldn't let her go. "Minako," Ami said, sounding close to tears, "We have to get her inside. You have to let go or she will die." She forced herself to hear the words, to release her grip on the woman who was everything to her. She heard voices around her, but she couldn't seem to get off her knees. Even the pain in her hand was far away. Her only thought was Rei.