A/N: Well, it seems like I've been remiss in my duties as an author and forgotten to add the future/present names for easy reference. I apologize for that. I got so caught up in the story I forgot to add the details to make it easier on the readers. Thank you to those who reviewed and reminded me. Here is the list:

Exura - Rei
Amora - Minako
Elysia - Makoto
Pru/Prudentia - Ami
Silentia - Hotaru
Ventus - Haruka
Aequus - Michiru
Aetas – Setsuna

If there are any further questions, please let me know. Oh, and if you would like this list on every chapter heading, please let me know via review.


Serenity's pale hair shimmers in the low light of the lamp by the bedside. The young woman shifts nervously, a small blush on her cheeks.

"I know I'm not supposed to be here," she says quietly, blue eyes darting to the floor in embarrassment. "I had intended to go straight to my room so that I would awake early to watch the Tests."

Rei edges further into the room, nerves alight with both excitement of the surprise visit and nervous fear at being caught with the Princess alone. Her hand twitches, wanting to reach out to the girl, but she stills it, making sure she is just out of reach for either of them to do something stupid. "I thought your mother wished to speak with you."

Serenity snorts, rolling her eyes. "Mother was mostly teasing me." She frowns a moment. "It is strange she keeps bringing up the Prince of Earth. I'm not exactly sure what she's been thinking, but I know the Earth Council has been quite difficult of late. I have had trouble biting my tongue while sitting through meetings."

Rei's lips twitch as she tries to restrain herself from scowling. It would be unfair to the Prince to lump him in with the despots who would be causing a majority of the War and making it expand so quickly. She sighs. "I do not know what your mother plans, but the Earth Council is a group to be wary of. They did not seem very pleased through any of the meetings I attended. However, the Prince seems to hold no ill will. If anything, he has been quite helpful. If we can keep him as an ally, it would surely be to our favor."

Serenity nods. "He does seem charming. I have heard rumors that there is even a young sorceress who swoons when he is around."

Rei's entire body nearly spasms. Did she deter some of the terrible fates of the War by keeping the Prince and Princess from becoming enamored with each other? She recalls Minako having to deal with the crazed redhead Beryl and that most of her twisted nature was caused by an absolute jealous rage at Serenity for stealing the Prince.

Of course, that is neither here nor there. The Prince can still choose another, and that would leave them with the damnable redhead all over again anyway. And if he chose Beryl… well she'd have to train herself not to blindly attack the woman in rage every time she saw her. There were still too many lingering memories of two lifetimes tainting the woman's image, so it would make it difficult for Rei to stomach the woman.

She shudders at the idea.

"Exura?" calls a voice.

The raven haired girl almost squeals in alarm to find Serenity standing only inches away and looking up at her through her bangs. The noise that escapes her is a mangled hum as she nearly stumbles trying to put a safe distance between.

This only causes the blond to look at her in concern. "Are you well? You seem… distracted."

Rei coughs into her hand, eyes darting around the room trying to avoid the young Princess. "I apologize. My thoughts overtook me."

A twinkle lit the blond's eye, both mischievous but also a bit fearful. "Ah, have you been charmed by the Prince as well?"

"Excuse me?!" she blurts, blinking wildly at the Princess. Gods! She only fell for that fool in the beginning, before she really knew the guy and how their pasts intertwined! His stupid charm and those stupid deep blue eyes! They had reminded her far too much of the young woman standing in front of her, their depths boundless and full of mysterious promise. It wasn't until their memories returned that she'd realized she'd substituted him for Serenity, whom had the regal and poised attitude to go with her sweet charm. She had tried talking herself out of her interest for the Moon Child in her first lifetime as much as she did in the second.

Goddess above, she feels like such an idiot…

A huff distracts her from her inner musings.

"Are you really interested in him?" accuses Serenity, eyes squinting at her to hide the hurt in her eyes.

Rei laughs. "No, silly girl," she says, reaching out to brush Serenity's bangs from her vibrant blue eyes. "No, he does not hold my attention. I thought I made it clear that I was interested in courting another."

Serenity looks at her warily. "You seem awfully distracted when he is brought up…"

"Mmm… that is because he is as much a part of the future as we. His role is… complicated, and I am uncertain what to do with him."

"Do with him?" the blond questions flatly.

Rei exhales in exasperation. "Must you take everything I say as interest? I have no more romantic feelings for him than I would my brothers."

"You love him?!" blurts Serenity, now looking entirely scandalized.

Restraining herself from slapping her forehead in pure frustration, she instead allows herself to pinch the bridge of her nose. Counting to ten is starting to look like it will become a habit at this rate.

Besides that, how in the nine hells had the two gotten to arguing already? It certainly brings back memories…

"Princess, as much as it amuses me to see how jealous you are getting, the Prince is just an acquaintance. I meant nothing more by my last comment other than it was impossible for me to feel any romantic attraction to him. That is all."

"Oh, so now I amuse you?!"

Rei groans. Really, they'd started out so well! What had happened?

She bonelessly drops into a chair, fingers massaging her forehead with her eyes closed. "Dear one, I have no wish to argue." She slumps further into the chair, weary from the stresses she feels pressing on her shoulders. "Honestly, my thoughts are distant because of how complicated the future is. There are so many ways to miss-step, and so many things that can be twisted by just a simple change… It leaves me quite busy trying to figure out how to best counter the enemy before they reveal themselves, as taking out a base of power could help us greatly in the coming fight. The Prince is nothing more than a potential ally at this time, someone who could prove invaluable if things are played correctly. I still haven't even figured out how to tone down the hostilities between myself and the Princess of Mercury, as our two planets have been at each others throats far too long and the hatred has yet to dissipate." She tilts her head back to rest on the back of the chair, eyes still closed. "That doesn't even include the training we need, the Tests tomorrow, and how I'm going to get Princess Amora molded into the leader I know she can be."

A gentle pressure on her lap makes her start. Looking down, she finds silvery blond hair pooling across her lap as Serenity rests her head upon her legs.

The Priestess's heart almost stops, lips quivering as she remains locked in indecision.

"I apologize…" murmurs the Moon Child, fingers gently tracing absent circles on Rei's calf. "I am not used to thinking of things other than what is here. To me, the Planets are all but a vague idea. I do not get to appreciate them in anything but distant curiosity. My world has always been narrowed, kept caged here within these walls. I forget what it is like to acknowledge the frustrations and concerns of others." She sighs. "When mother speaks of such, it is hard for me to understand. My empathy of incidents in other people's lives is lacking because I have not seen the full effect of such consequences to understand their pain. Mother tries to explain it, but it is hard to understand when the biggest problem you have is simply being stuck within the same castle walls your entire life."

Rei hums, threading her fingers through the loose blond tresses of her companion. "Do not belittle your own problems. They are just as important. Being caged in such a way can surely cause just as many problems as never being leashed." She is still tense, but she cannot help but touch her Princess. She knows how rare such shows of affection will be, and she dares not take a single one for granted. Tomorrow will change everything, after all. "Honestly, I was quite happy to see you waiting for me. Surprised as well, but happy." She smirks. "I only hope that you do not make a habit of this. If we are caught, my pure intentions are going to be under harsh scrutiny."

Serenity giggles, recalling the rather ridiculous council meeting that had all but dropped their courtship into everyone's laps, including their own. "I suppose we shan't have that, shall we?" She cuddles a little closer. "My mother would have a hard time deciding whom to scold."

Rei chuckles, glad they'd both managed to return to a peaceful setting. She would treasure this moment, this quiet moment before the storm.

They sit in silence for a long time. Rei isn't sure how much time passes, but she allows herself to be lulled into quiet contentment. It had been a long time since she'd been able to indulge in such relaxed freedom. Spending such time with Serenity is just icing on the cake.

Once upon a time, Usagi used to do this with her all the time. When things were turning too complicated for the blond to handle, she would always come running to Rei first. It always started with shouting at one another, relieving the stress that built up. After the screaming insults, Usagi would cry, usually silently. Rei would hold her, not saying a word and not needing to. When Usagi calmed down, Rei would wipe away her tears, and they would share a tender smile. Usagi would slowly start pulling herself to her feet and shuffle her way to the door. They always lingered there for a while before Usagi would smile sweetly at her before giving Rei a small wave and skipping out the door. Rei always raced to the top of temple steps to watch the blond pause at the bottom before racing away down the street.

A tear escapes her to land on Serenity's cheek. The blond starts, head darting up to see Rei's melancholic but tender smile. The Princess gapes a moment, breath caught in her throat upon witnessing the raw emotion painted across the raven haired girl's face.

"E-Exura!" she exclaims in breathy panic, hands darting around wildly.

Rei blinks slowly. "Oh…" She stares wide eyed as Serenity's fingers gently brush her damp cheek.

"W-was it something I said?" questions the Moon Child, her voice tight.

Rei exhales heavily, hand reaching up to cup Serenity's trembling fingers against her cheek. "Goddess no," she breathes. "Forgive me; you have done nothing wrong… I am simply deeply touched by the moment." She gives the blond a watery smile. "There's just so much…"

The Priestess bites her lip and shakes her head slowly. "Forgive me, I did not mean to cause you worry." She rises slowly, pulling Serenity to her feet as well. "Come, dear one, it is getting late and we both are expecting a busy day tomorrow."

She guides the hesitant blond towards the door. She pauses just before opening it. "Do you want me to escort you to your room? I wish to, but I worry what would be said upon others seeing us together so late in the hour."

Serenity shakes her head. "No. I shall be fine." Her impish smile seems fragile. "I am more than capable of traversing a hundred meters down the corridor to my rooms."

Hands rising, Rei just barely keeps herself from cupping the blond's face in her hands. "Please don't fret. I promise you, you did no harm."

The poor blond looks wholly unconvinced.

Rei throws her arms around the blond, squeezing her tight and earning a gasp of shock from her captive. "There is much to my past that makes things muddled, but I promise you that you are not the cause. You are my light, dear one, and I treasure each moment I spend with you. Please, never doubt that." She pulls away, placing a chaste kiss upon the startled girl's cheek. "Go, with haste. The hour is much too late for you to linger here." She ushers her out the door.

When the door closes behind the blond, Rei waits with baited breath for Serenity's footsteps to retreat away down the hall before she collapses to the floor gasping for breath.

It takes a great deal of strength to keep herself from sobbing aloud.

So hard! Why must it be so hard?!

Staring at Serenity is simply agony! A promise of everything that was, is, and will be! Trying to restrain herself from treating her as preciously as she did Usagi is positively torture!

The memories are daunting to recall, each making her feel a heady pull towards the Moon Princess in a way she'd been able to repress the first two lifetimes. Each time there is a break between seeing each other, the temptations only get stronger. Her current resolve to resist is crumbling, slipping away beneath her like a landslide. She knows the blond had a propensity to fall head over heels in a decidedly short amount of time, but this seems to be pushing that speed in a fashion that is questionable. The fact she herself, a woman who prides herself on her control, is falling just as rapidly and clumsily is ludicrous! She desperately wants to slow things down, as once again, she'd nearly smothered Serenity with her affections, just barely getting the blond out the door before she did something rash.

She has to be losing her mind…

"Rei…" whispers a voice.

A weird choked scream escapes Rei in a gurgling fashion.

Hotaru is looking down at her with concern, dark eyes flickering with sympathy.

Rei gesticulates wildly, jaw moving soundlessly.

Hotaru smiles slightly, but still looks concerned. "I'm going to assume that means Usagi was here," she says quietly. She shakes her head. "I could vaguely hear voices because I was sitting at the desk by the door."

At Rei's panicked look, Hotaru can't help but giggle. "Relax, I put a silencing spell around your room. Our little Ami is a spitfire, and I thought you might appreciate her not knowing you had a late night visitor."

Rei wheezes out a sigh of relief, making Hotaru giggle again. She reaches down and pulls Rei to her feet, dragging her over to the bed to sit.

"Something's wrong," Rei mumbles at last.

"What do you mean?" Hotaru carefully pulls off the woman's shoes.

"I can barely keep myself from touching her," she says softly, voice brittle. "I can hardly think, let alone function when I'm around her."

"Well, most people madly in love tend to be that way, I hear," Hotaru says calmly, going to retrieve a long tunic for nightwear.

"But it's never been this intense! Or this quick!" hisses Rei, hands balling in her lap. "We hardly know each other in this time! And yet… I'm practically all over her!"

Hotaru sighs, setting down the tunic and sitting down to face Rei. "The way I see it, you're confused. Serenity and Usagi are the same soul, and simple experiences have changed her minutely between the two lifetimes. Certain quirks and traits are more present than others, or simply more visible. Besides, if you've changed Destiny as much as I think you have, it might be tangling the two of you together in a way to match each other, make you equal and whole together. I mean, really, if you think about squishing three lifetimes worth of love into a single lifetime, it's going to make it rather… intense."

"But that's just my side to explain away," argues Rei. "She doesn't have such memories! Even Usagi took time to fall for Mamoru!"

Hotaru shrugs, standing to help Rei undress. "I still use my previous argument. To make you equal, you need to have the same devotion to each other, equal amounts of love, if you will. Naturally, you're going to have some issues because you'll still get flashbacks of Usagi, and she won't understand that. As you can't tell the others yet, it certainly makes it difficult to explain your reactions and emotions during certain things. But, because it will be an equal attraction, she's going to feel the intense pull and not understand it. It's probably why she keeps cornering you at unexpected times. Even I have been startled by the way she looks at you. Usagi used to look at you like that a lot, and it is a little strange to see Serenity do it so soon after meeting you." Hotaru gestures at Rei to lift her arms.

The raven haired girl obliges, letting Hotaru drop the long tunic over her head. "She does? She did?"

Hotaru nods absently, moving to turn down the covers. "Yes, she did. She usually did it when she thought no one was watching. It happened a lot when the Three Lights were around. After she spent any amount of time with Seiya, she used to give you that look a lot more." Hotaru chuckles. "To be frank, I never understood why she said she compared Seiya to Mamoru. Mamoru was never that carefree or confident. Well, maybe confident, but definitely more humble. And Seiya's charm was… entirely different, so was his teasing. To be honest, Seiya reminded me a lot of you, when you would let your guard down and you simply enjoyed being a teenager. You had a knack for treating Usagi like she was special, but you did it in a way that made her feel normal." Hotaru's face screws itself together. "Well, that really doesn't quite make sense, but that's the best way I can describe it." She shrugs as she shoos Rei under the sheets. "When we all returned, Mamoru included, Usagi looked extremely uncomfortable, like she couldn't decide who to run to first."

"So… maybe…?" hesitates Rei, voice dying out in hopeful suspense.

"I think it's entirely possible," Hotaru answers promptly. "It was hard to get into that blond head of hers, but because I was always her… well, I always felt like her daughter after she gave me a third chance at a childhood… I always felt we had a special connection. I think I could read her a little bit better than the others." She grins. "Maybe not as well as you often did, but I did a pretty good job myself." She shakes her head ruefully. "Now that I'm of age with Serenity, I will have to think of her as more a sister than a mother." She giggles. "Honestly, that has been the strangest thing I've had to deal with so far since coming back. Everyone is my age! Actually, I think I'm older than Ami, this time round." She taps her chin as she ponders that.

Rei snorts trying to suppress a giggle at the mental image of an indignant Pru if she'd heard that.

"Do you feel better?" questions Hotaru, stepping back to admire her handiwork.

Rei blinks when she realizes her fellow raven haired Senshi had managed to dress her for bed and tuck her in without her really noticing. She looks up sheepishly. "Yes, I think so."

Hotaru smiles. "Good. I know it's hard for you. This whole mess is going to be hard. I really think half your problems are Destiny's way of getting back at you." She grins impishly. "If you mucked up my work half as bad as you did Destiny's I would be pretty livid too."

Rei rolls her eyes. "Destiny is a-"

"Language," interrupts Hotaru.

"Hmph! You know it's true!" Rei crosses her arms petulantly.

"I know nothing of which you speak. Now, get some rest. We will talk more later."

"Hotaru?"

"Hmm?"

"I-… Thank you."

Hotaru smiles. "Hey, I came back with you for a reason." She winks. "So don't go giving up, or else." She waves a mock finger at Rei's prone figure before teleporting back into her own room.

Rei can't help but smile and shake her head. "Fires Below… she's grown up so fast…"

Squirming into a more comfortable position, Rei closes her eyes to sleep.

It feels like only seconds later when a blasted bugle blares in her ear.

*PHLBBB-PHLBBB-PHLBBBBBBBBOOOPHLBBBOOO!*

Rei lurches out of the bed, sword drawn and flames licking over her free hand's open palm.

"You're right, that was funny," comments an amused voice.

"Right?!" comes the bubbly reply. "Pappa told me stories about the Earth military! I really wanted to try it out and see if people really 'Came to Attention'!"

Rei's dark eyebrow twitches dangerously, lip curled back in a snarl.

Pru and Amora are standing in her doorway conversing without care. Aequus had been watching, but as soon as she'd seen Rei's expression, she'd dragged an approaching Ventus away swiftly. Elysia is hovering behind them nervously, looking after Aequus' retreating figure with sorrow.

"Amora dear," calls a voice. Everyone turns to see Aetas holding something that vaguely looks like a club. The soon to be Time Senshi's hair is a tangled mess, her nightgown half hanging off her shoulder in disarray, and her eyes are bloodshot with bags beneath them. "Might I presume that you gave us that… glorious wakeup call?"

Elysia slinks down low, slipping backwards into Amora's open door before closing it so softly no one hears it click.

Amora flinches. "Uh… w-well see the funny thing is…"

Rei had taken the distraction and abused it by sliding up behind the two… miscreants. She holds her burning hand aloft, sword point tapping loudly on the solid palace floor. "I think we should teach this two lovely ladies a lesson in manners, yes?" she croons, face twisted in a mocking grin.

Aetas' eyes flash and a dangerous smirk crawls across her face. "Yes, a lesson on etiquette, for two."

A screeching wail of terror escapes Amora as she dashes off down the hall. Pru stares at her blankly for a breath before the heat from Rei's fire startles her back to her senses. Her face pales drastically.

"I hate you!" the bluenette bellows, racing headlong after the out of sight blond.

Aetas is the first to give chase, the club dragging menacingly behind her with a sliding clickety-clack. Rei falls in step beside her, giggling madly the entire time.

When they pass Serenity's open door, the blond peeks out at them and promptly slams the door closed.

Rei's giggling only gets louder, earning a wail of terror from the retreating blond ahead and mumbled curses from Pru.