I thank December Silentvale for helping me.
Days after, Ayame was back at the construction site Jadeite had shown her when she was trying to train with the glove. She had been there for hours. Having gotten there hours earlier to train and make sure no one would be there to see her. Having already taken out her sword, she had been taking out her anger by practicing her swordsmanship. With all the pent up aggravation and rage, she thought she might as well use it productively.
Besides that thought, Ayame wasn't having many positive thoughts as of late. She was restless, furious, and ready to gut the next monster that wasn't originally human she saw.
It had been a few days and she still couldn't get over how close they had been to getting her brother back from that witch. Her brother had been right there! Right in front of her! She had been so close. She was about to kneel down beside him and they he was taken from their grasp. Who knew what Beryl was doing now to brainwash him and try to get ride of his memories for good.
She hoped her brother was at least putting up a good fight.
Ayame's face twisted with wicked glee as she sliced through the practice dummy she had brought with her. Slicing it in half and ramming her sword through the face for good measure. Imagining it was Beryl she had just eviscerated.
Oh, how she lived for the day when she could cut off the Queen's head. Off with her head! As the queen of hearts yelled. She could just imaging the blade as it cleaved Beryl's flesh and sundered the witch's head from her neck.
Taking a deep breath and resting for a moment, Ayame recalled the other matter that was bothering her. The day of her vision was getting closer. So far, they had been making little progress and that also bothered Ayame to no end.
The enemy had always brought the fight to them. To their city. But they didn't know the exact location of the enemy's headquarters. She had spoken to Jadeite about the matter and while he did teleport to and from it at will, it was risky.
There was the chance the enemy could recognize his energy signature. He may have freed himself of the brainwashing, but he still had the energy of the Dark Kingdom in him. Plus his real body was in the enteral sleep. Frozen for who knows how long.
Jadeite also didn't know the exact location of the base either. Since the base was underground, he had always stayed below the surface and never had a reason to check. He simply used portals or teleported himself wherever he needed to go. The same being for Nephrite and Zoisite.
'Nephrite...' Ayame thought.
She still hadn't contacted him. A part of her didn't know how. What would she say? What would he say? Especially after the last time they had met. What was there to say?
He killed her in the past, even if it wasn't him personally and the Dark Kingdom's warped and twisted version, it had still been the man that had cared for her so gently. There was no way to turn back the hand of time or fate.
What's done is done as they say. But how would she react to seeing him again? Sure she was comfortable with Jadeite and she no longer had nightmares of the final battle for Earth every night, but was she ready to face him? Would she relapse?
She felt horrible for doing this to him. Even worse since she knew he wouldn't complain. He would take whatever she could and would throw at him. But, she didn't want to hurt him. They both had gone through so much pain. What they needed was to heal the bond, and she doubted her magic glove could do that. Sooner or later, she needed to stop getting cold feet and into action.
The longer she let this go on, the longer it would take to rebuild and the more awkward it would be for them both.
Sighing, Ayame got up and packed away her things. The workers would return soon and she needed to leave before then to get some sleep and before she went on her next mission.
Back to the major problem, they still needed to find the enemy. Jadeite had mentioned he had kept portals open for his monsters when he was in charge of gathering energy. There were bound to be at least a few portals left even if he was no longer in charge. However, with the change in management, there was no telling if these portals were in the same location, even open if still there, had been closed, or if there were completely news ones somewhere.
Nephrite and Zoisite had never particularly needed portals for their monsters, so they didn't know any locations either. The only real location Zoisite had known was the Starlight Tower and that portal had been obliterated. Nephrite did have a portal in his mansion, but the place was still crawling with monsters. If they wanted to attack the enemy, they needed to be discreet and well rested.
If they used that one, they would be slightly drained before the main battle and the enemy would have time to prepare.
Using the knowledge Jadeite had prior, the Sailor Guardians were going to search all the places Jadeite had set up shop and other possibilities they could think of. With yet another sigh, and done checking she had everything, she headed home. Tomorrow would be a long day.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Later that night, the Sailor Guardians were gathering at the Game Center Crown. Each one of them having searched various businesses or organizations for any sign of the Dark Kingdom. Rei and Hiroko had been spending the day searching shrines and churches for any evil auras. Nanami had been searching any arts and crafts stores. Makoto had searched cooking and general grocery stores. Ami had been searching crams schools and night classes. Taura had been searching sports stores. Jing had been searching shops in Chinatown. Usagi was searching dumpling shops. Minako was searching bath houses. Ayame had spent the day checking book stores.
Ami, Makoto, Rei, Jing, Nanami, Hiroko, and Taura had all finished for the day and headed back first. When they arrived, they weren't surprised to see Jadeite there, but they were completely caught off guard when they saw Nephrite and Zoisite there with him.
Both groups stared at one another in silence. The Sailor Guardians in shock and the three Kings of Heaven stared back wonder what had gotten into the girls and why they were staring like that.
"What are they doing here!?" Taura shouted, being the first to react. She had already met Zoisite, that left the other guy to be Nephrite. She knew both were in danger of being seen. Who knew what would happen if Ayame saw her boyfriend. Taura remembered her leader's words. Rammed through with the sword of your loved one wasn't something you got over easy.
"There's no need to shout." Nephrite muttered as he looked back to the screen. Unamused by the less than welcoming greeting. His eyes looking for Ayame among them. He was both relived and slightly disappointed she hadn't returned yet with the others. He hoped she hadn't gotten into any trouble along the way.
"The same could be said for all of us. Technically, we've all been breaking and entering, and trespassing into this establishment multiple times. As for why we're really here, Jadeite asked us to help search. We can't be out and about searching since if a monster sees us, we'll be recognized. The least we can do is do the paper and computer work while you guys are out doing the foot and grunt work." Zoisite said in a huff, slightly irritated there wasn't more he could be doing as he leaned against one of the games besides the main computer.
"Does Ayame know you're here?" Nanami asked.
Nephrite could tell it was directed at him. All three of the Kings of Heaven stayed silent, which was enough of answer for Nanami and the other girls of Ayame's team.
Nanami sighed before coming over, "Don't blame me if something ugly happens. We'll blame you," she glared.
Nephrite nodded. He knew Ayame seeing him could end with bad results. In all honesty, he hadn't wanted to come and appear until Ayame wanted to see him again Jadeite thought it was best for him to come. Saying Ayame couldn't avoid it forever and tonight was the perfect chance for them to run into each other again. To get the ball rolling, so to speak.
Looking over, he noticed one of the girls, one with brown hair was looking at him with glazed eyes, seeming to look far away. She was probably from Sailor Moon's team. Either Sailor Jupiter or Sailor Venus. He hadn't really been informed about what they looked like and those were the only two from that team he hadn't met.
"He's just like him. The boy that broke my heart..." She muttered.
All the girls screaming 'WHAT!' as Ayame's group created a wall between him and the girl.
"Makoto, No! This one is off limits! This is Nephrite! Ayame's boyfriend/lover from the past and technically present! He's taken! Find someone else that reminds you of the guy the broke your heart! Don't you still like Motoki?" Jing yelled.
'Makoto?' Nephrite thought. He recalled Ayame mentioning her before.
"So you're the girl Ayame mentioned that beat Zoisite here in hand to hand combat. Good job." Nephrite congratulated her.
"Hey!" Zoisite yelled.
Nephrite, Jadeite and the others laughing at him. After that, everyone was able to relax and get down to business. Nephrite was introduced to Hiroko, Taura, and Makoto. Learning the identities of Sailor Mars and Mercury.
Luckily for Nephrite, Makoto didn't act on her slight attraction to him because of his resemblance to a former lover. Honestly, he found it slightly insulting. Makoto was looking for a replacement, she wasn't looking within for the person they were. She just wanted her first love again.
Raising from the stool in front of the screen, Nephrite allowed Ami to work her magic with machines. Together, they were all pooling in the information they had gathered and on the screen checking off building in the general area.
"Hmm, let's see... Nothing here... Not here either." Ami sighed as she marked off yet another dead end. The stress was getting to her and she was tired. "I wonder if... Huh?" She wondered aloud until she and the others heard something.
Entering the arcade, Luna and Usagi entered, with Usagi lagging behind the cat.
"Sorry we're a little late!" Luna apologized.
Usagi was whining as she plodded along. "I'm worn out!"
Luna smiled at them until she noticed Nephrite and Zoisite there too.
"What are they doing here!?" Luna shouted. Usagi yelling too, though they couldn't tell what she said.
"Again. There's no need to shout." Zoisite said this time. Pinching the bridge of his nose.
"They are former members of the Dark Kingdom just as I am. Our knowledge about the Dark Kingdom gives us an advantage the enemy doesn't know about. We're a part of this team and we're all here to help." Jadeite explained.
"So how'd it go?" Ami asked.
Luna sighing and shrugging off the shock of seeing Zoisite and Nephrite she reported their findings. "Not one of the dumpling places we checked out had anything like an entrance coming from the Dark Kingdom."
"Too bad. We've had no luck either. Somehow they continue to keep sending Monsters here one after another from the Dark Kingdom. There has to be an enterance or portal somewhere." Ami told them.
"That's true. Besides the Monsters Kunzite turns from humans, the Monsters all coming from the Dark Kingdom have to get here somehow. Not all of them have the ability to teleport like ourselves. We had portals in multiple places." Zoisite mentioned.
"Unfortunately, most of the ones I created are closed and we're unable to open them without raising suspicion." Jadeite added.
"How'd things go for you, Rei? Hiroko?" Luna asked.
"I've had no hints at all." Rei answered.
"Nothing." Hiroko shook her head.
"We haven't found anything that leads to their lair." Makoto informed the cat, the others shaking their heads no.
"I guess that leaves Minako and Ayame." Luna guessed.
Nephrite stiffening a little.
"I'm so tired!" Usagi whined again.
Making everyone in the room look and some glare at her.
"Remind me again how she's the Moon Princess. I remember seeing her in the past briefly and she never acted like this." Nephrite muttered to his two friends.
"If I knew, I'd tell you." Jadeite muttered back.
"Usagi! Everyone here's doing their best to help out. Just suck it up!" Luna ordered.
"I'm also starving! When do we eat?!" Usagi complained.
Much to the aggravation of the Kings of Heaven. The fate of the world as they knew it rested in this whiny, clumsy, blonde. They didn't like it and if this kept up, they would do something about it.
"Wait, didn't you just eat a big meal at the dumpling shop?" Luna asked.
"The three plates of sweet dumplings and two bowls of anmitsu jelly were tasty! But that was just a snack! I'm hungry again!" Usagi cried.
"SHUT UP!" The three Kings yelled. Silencing her.
Cutting the tension, Artemis and Minako arrived.
"Hey everyone, we're back!" Artemis shouted.
"How'd it go?" Rei asked.
"Not so great. We've checked every bathhouse in Tokyo, but not one of them panned out." Minako answered as she held her bath stuff.
"What are they doing here?!" Artemis asked, just now noticing the former enemies.
"This has really gotten old. THEY'RE HERE BECAUSE THEY'RE A PART OF THIS AND CAN HELP!" Jadeite shouted, panting at the end.
Taura began petting him to calm him down. Soon the spirit cat was purring and calm.
"That means Ayame is the last one to check in." Taura pointed out.
"Sorry I'm late! One of the bookstores I went to had a book signing going on and it was hard to investigate because of all the people." Ayame called as she entered the arcade and stopped dead in her tracks seeing Nephrite and Zoisite there as well. Unlike the others who had something to say and freaked out, Ayame was silent with a deer caught in the headlights look. Nephrite was shocked too. He had thoughts before about what he would say or do when she arrived, but all thoughts had flown out of his head at the sight of her.
She looked better than the last time he had seen her. Last time she had been worked up and stressed about learning the truth. She looked a little tired from all the work she did that day, but she looked healthy.
"Looks like everyone's places were a bust." Hiroko said, breaking the tension.
"In that case, I guess we'll just call it a night." Makoto said, stretching a little.
"Sounds good." Ami agreed. Wanting to leave so they didn't have to stay in the awkward room with the couple. She could tell they needed time alone.
"I could use some sleep." Rei added her two bits.
Moving to save their progress and switch off the game, Ami halted in her action when a flash of light enveloped the screen. "Oh my gosh! What's that?!" She questioned as the screen changed.
The twelve of them hustled as they surrounded the screen, trying to see what was going on. On the screen, instead of a map of Tokyo was the image of the sun, toned down so it wouldn't hurt their eyes. Showing closeups of the sun and dark spots forming on the surface.
Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite, and Ayame all broke into cold sweat as they recognized what they were seeing.
"It can't be!" Luna yelled.
"This has happened before!" Artemis informed those unaware of the past.
"Whaddya mean before?" Usagi asked, when did it happen before and why get so worked up about it, among her thoughts.
"Those dark spots are moving in the exact same way they moved eons ago, when the Moon Kingdom was destroyed!" Artemis answered.
"Don't forget Earth!" Jadeite mentioned.
"What?!" The others shouted.
Looking over at the same time, Ayame and Nephrite noticed they were right next to each other. Blushing, the two looked away but neither moved away. Looking back at the screen both felt dread in the pits of their stomachs.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
In the chambers of the true ruler of the Dark Kingdom, Queen Beryl and Kunzite were there for another audience with the queen. Endymion was dressed in his armor and still being brainwashed. Awakening the Queen from her slumber, Queen Beryl and Kunzite listened closely.
"Once those dark spots cover the entire sun, then I will awaken from my eternal sleep." Queen Metalia informed her servants.
"And that time rapidly approaches." Kunzite reminded Beryl.
Glancing down at her orb, Queen Beryl had an image of the sun spots everyone was worried about. "All that's left is to retrieve the Silver Crystal, then at last the world will be ours." She promised.
"Good news. We will have the Silver Crystal, shortly." Kunzite informed her.
"What?" Queen Beryl asked as she turned to look at him.
"I have found someone who knows Sailor V's human identity." Kunzite explained.
This peaked Queen Beryl's interest. "You have?"
"Yes, she is a police officer in England who works for Interpol. What's even better is this woman once thought of Sailor V as if she were her little sister." Kunzite continued.
"That's good. Now find a way to use Sailor V's connection with the Sailor Guardians to eliminate them all." Queen Beryl ordered.
"Yes." Kunzite nodded.
Looking up, there was a pink bright light where Queen Metalia was suspended as a dinging noise filled the room.
"That noise. What's going on?" Queen Beryl asked, confused as the last King of Heaven member.
From out of the jewel where the light was radiating from, two pink bone thin arms with clawed hands reached out into the chamber as they cupped the brainwashing pod Endymion was in. The noise dying down and the hands disappearing.
"I can feel it. This man possesses the same energy wavelengths as I do. Endymion, you shall become my successor!" Queen Metalia declared.
Down below, the Queen's energy began to enter Endymion. The pain of forgetting the past and being brainwashed was nothing as he struggled to resist with painful grunts. Crying out in pain. This was one battle that could break him.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
One by one, the girls left the Arcade. With the reveal of the dark spots on the sun, the search of the Dark Kingdom portal was more crucial than ever. Ayame had given them a time limit before, but some, mostly Usagi, had been skeptical. Now they knew for certain that they were on a time limit. They needed to find the enemy and defeat them. For them and the fate of earth, the sooner the better.
However, there was nothing more they could do that night. It was late and they needed their rest for the next day to have the energy to keep narrowing down the places the portals could be. Having ten people search was a good thing, but Tokyo was still a big place. They needed to cover more ground and the energy to do so.
As the others began leaving, Ayame and Nephrite lingered. Both of them had been nervous about seeing each other and they didn't know where to begin. The girls from Ayame's team had at first asked if she wanted them to stick around, but she assured them they should go home and she would be okay. The others hurried to leave, wanting to give them privacy. Jing, Nanami, Hiroko, and Taura did not say a word to Nephrite, but each gave him a stern glare. Silently warning him no funny business and not to hurt her. He could feel the deadly intentions the four girls held back. A part of him was glad Ayame had such dedicated friends just as he remembered in the past around to help her, even if their glares were knives into his heart.
A reminder that they didn't completely trust him alone with their leader. But he shrugged it off for the most part. After all, he believed he deserved it. For him, there was nothing he could ever do to make up for what he did. If Ayame told him she never wanted to see him again, he would accept it even thought the mere thought was enough to nearly drive him insane.
He loved Ayame. He never wanted to be the one behind her tears. The only tears he had wanted to see on her face were ones of joy. He wanted her to smile. But if he could not make her smile, laugh, and happy...she was better of without him. When Zoisite and Jadeite were about to leave, they whispered for him to not mess this up and good luck. Nephrite thanked them, he knew he needed all the luck he could get. He hoped the stars would align for them that night.
What filled Nephrite with hope was the fact she didn't scream at him the first moment she saw him and when they had been standing close, she didn't move far away from him. Thinking of that he hoped he had a chance to make things right with Ayame. Glancing over at her, he could tell she was nervous and fidgeting.
Once the others where gone, Nephrite took a few deep breaths. Preparing himself for the worst. Ayame was too. When they thought they were ready both spoke at the same time.
"I'm sorry."
Causing both of them to blink owlishly at each other. Surprised they both spoke at the exact same time. Trying again, they ended up doing it again.
"Sorry, you go first."
Ayame couldn't take it and started laughing at the hilarity of it all. Nephrite was so relived to hear her laughing and finding the situation funny ended up laughing right beside her. When they caught their breath, both were silent. Not sure if they tried again if they would say the same thing again.
"You can go first, Nephrite." Ayame urged him to go first.
Glancing over to make sure it was okay, Nephrite hesitated before nodding.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry or coming here without giving you warning beforehand. Jadeite wanted Zoisite and myself here to help. I'm sorry if my presence scared you and made it uncomfortable for you." Nephrite began.
"What?! Nephrite you don't have to apologize for that!" Ayame shook her head vigorously. "Honestly, if anyone should be sorry and apologizing it should be me. I'm sorry I haven't spoken to you in so long. I've been nothing but a coward and avoiding you. I've wanted to go to the apartment or use the communicator and talk to you may times but I would chicken out. In all honesty, I didn't know what to say. So I've been running away and acting like a coward. I shouldn't have done that to you and so I'm sorry." Ayame told him looking away.
"I was caught off guard when I saw you, but I'm glad you came, Nephrite. I'm terrible for making you worry." She said as her eyes began to mist and tear up.
"Ayame..." Nephrite called out to her.
Looking at him, Nephrite had a solemn look on his face.
"I'm being unfair to you. I'm truly a terrible person. I shouldn't be doing this." Ayame said, the tears flowing harder.
Looking down, Nephrite looked back up and walked closer to her. Slowly as to not startle her. He closely watched her reaction for fear. Standing before her he kneeled and looked up to his princess.
"Sometimes I wonder if I should even be here with you. Do I truly have the right to touch you? To hold your hand? To hold them with the hands that were stained in your blood?" He asked as he took her hand and kissed the back of it. Just like he did in their past lives.
Looking into her eyes, he lifted his hand up, "To wipe away the tears I have brought upon you?" He asked as he wiped away her tears. Ayame leaning into his touch as she cried harder.
Getting up, he hesitantly hugged her, seeing her not struggling, he enveloped her into his arms. "To hold you in my arms? To kiss you? Do I have the right to kiss and receive one from you? I wonder if it's truly alright if I stay by your side." He murmured into her hair as he took in the sweet sent and warmth he so dearly missed.
"I never want to let you go. But I understand if you fear me. If you never wanted to see me again I would do so in a heartbeat, even if the mere thought if it drives me to near insanity. I want you to be happy." He told her.
"...You think that would make me happy? Nephrite, no. I don't want you to leave me. What happened wasn't you. It was the Dark Kingdom. They have hurt us all so much. Because of what they did, I've hurt you as well. Making you think such thoughts. If anyone doesn't deserve to be with the other, it's me. Despite leaving you alone so long to sort out my emotions, I never want you to let me go. I want to stay in your arms. I don't want to lose to the Dark Kingdom. If I let what they did come between us, even when we defeat them, they would have won. I love you. I always have. Even if we died and were reborn in this new era, we've fallen in love with each other again. You are the only one for me. If we separated, it would only hurt us both." Ayame told him and she clenched the fabric of his shirt.
"I've been trying so hard to get over what happened so I could be with you again. I just didn't know when or how to bring it up. I was scared you would be upset with me. I was scared it would be awkward. I was scared you would hate me. But I'm no longer scared of you, Nephrite. If you still want me, then there's no reason to change. We can get through this, Nephrite. It will take time, but nothing will change unless we do something. Will you accept my apology and this girl who has caused you such pain?" Ayame asked looking up and into her lover's eyes.
"Only if you accept mine for falling into the hands of the enemy and accept this man who has caused you such pain as well." Nephrite told her.
Smiling she answered. "Until the end of time and all the stars in the universe give out." Pulling him closer and kissing him, to which he eagerly responded to. Having longed for her kiss.
Pressing her against the nearby column, the two continued to kiss. Expressing how much they had missed the other. When they could no longer do so, the two broke apart to catch their breath and simply hugged each other. Having been starved of each others company they need as much time together. Despite now being back together again, there was still the threat of the enemy. There were so many things going wrong, but they desperately needed to forget even if it was just a few hours.
There was no enemy, no Prince that had been captured, no dark spots on the surface of the sun, there was no past life, no death. There was only two people who had spent a long time from each other and where happy to be together again.
As Nephrite caught his breath, a thought occurred to him.
"Let's get out of here." He suggested. Ayame took this the wrong way however, her breath hitching.
"...Of course. You must be tired. We should both head home and rest." Ayame said.
"I don't mean out of here. There is some place I want to take you. For a few hours, I just want to spend time together with you. Is that okay? I understand if you are tired." Nephrite explained.
"No! I-I want to spend time with you. Where did you have in mind?" Ayame asked.
Nephrite winked at her. "I can't tell you, that would ruin the surprise." Chuckling at her pouting face, the two eased into the natural way they interacted as they had in the past.
Taking Ayame in his arms, he gave her a warning. "This might feel a little weird and cause motion sickness, but please bear it."
"Why-" Ayame started to asked before Nephrite used his powers to teleport them way from the arcade and somewhere else.
He was right in the fact she felt a little queasy as their surrounds settled around them.
"Are you okay?" He asked as she leaned against him to gain her bearings.
"Y-Yeah. Where are we?" Ayame asked as she looked around.
"Arashiyama, Kyoto. They're currently holding the Momiji Festival, the changing colors of leaves festival. When held here, the The festival recreates the atmosphere of the Heian court when the Emperor and his court leisurely cruised the Oi River in Arashiyama here in Kyoto. Five period-decorated boats filled with people in Heian costume, playing traditional instruments and reciting noh and kyogen begin the water parade followed by a larger flotilla of similar vessels. I've heard there are some good views from Togetsukyo Bridge. If my calculations are correct we shouldn't be to far from there. I thought we could enjoy it together and get our minds off things." Nephrite explained.
Turning towards him, Ayame kissed him again. "I love it! Thank you so much for bringing me here. Are you sure it won't be noticed that you teleported us here? Or notice you?"
"I'm sure. The enemy doesn't have any bases here. So there won't be any monsters here. We'll just blend in with the rest of the crowd. Shall we?" Nephrite asked as he offered his arm to her.
Ayame beamed and nodded. "We shall."
Arm and arm the couple headed closer to the music and festivities.
"You know Togetsukyo bridge got it's name?" Ayame asked.
"No, how?" Nephrite asked.
"Togetsukyo Bridge obtained its alternative name and is known as such, Moon Crossing Bridge, after Emperor Kameyama stated that the bridge appeared to stretch to the moon." Ayame explained.
"Perhaps that's where Princess Kaguya originally went back to the moon. Maybe we can ask them to come back and pick up their missing blonde haired rabbit." Nephrite joked. "I swear, the girl had gotten even more whiner since the last time I saw her."
Ayame chuckled, "Sorry about that. You get used to it eventually and she has grown a little. On the side note, if I recall correctly, there is a bamboo forest nearby, maybe there is some grain of truth to the idea of the legend occurring here. The legend of the two lovers and yokai at the lake Usagi's family and my own family went to as a family trip was real after all."
Nephrite chuckled at the thought of Usagi being a lost rabbit from the moon, even with knowing the truth behind the matter. It was funny to joke around with all the legends surrounding the moon. Especially if it was poking fun at Usagi.
He then ended up recalling what Usagi did earlier in the arcade. "If what I saw was her grown up a little, I'd hate to see what she was like before. I do not envy you."
"I've gotten use to it and she had grown despite how she gets sometimes. We wouldn't have become friends if I didn't like spending time around her and she didn't have any redeemable qualities." Ayame told him.
Nodding and leaving the conversation at that, the two walked into the night, they could hear music getting louder and more people gathering.
Some had prepared for the festival and were dressed in kimonos. Others were in more causal outfits. Ayame smiled as she watched everything going on around her. She had been to the Momji festival closer to Tokyo, but had never experienced the Momiji Festival in Kyoto. In fact, she had never been to Kyoto in the first place.
However, she was glad to experience it all with Nephrite. She was amazed how far Nephrite could teleport them. Under normal circumstances it would have taken longer. In an instant, they were already there.
Even though it was night time, the path and the area around was well lit so people could see the changing leaves. They were lucky the festival happened to also occur that night, otherwise they would not have been able to participate. Before them, the path lined with paper lanterns as they walked onto the old wooden bridge.
Down in the river, the couple and all the other visitors could see the five Heian court period-decorated boats filled with people in Heian costume, playing traditional instruments and reciting noh and kyogen begin the water parade followed by a larger flotilla of similar vessels. Leisurely cruised the Oi River. Some of the boats reminded her of peacocks or dragons.
One noh performer's mask reminded Ayame of the night she had revealed herself to Sailor Moon, Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Naru, and Nephrite. To think so much had changed from spring, to summer, to fall, and now winter.
In the spring she had been normal, around the summer she became a Sailor Guardian and met Nephrite along with revealing herself and gaining Jing and Nanami as allies and friends. Then she saved the man she had fallen in love with. In the fall she gained an art teacher along with Hiroko and Taura. Found out she was a princess and had a brother. Now she was reunited and happily spending the night of a festival with Nephrite.
Leaning on his shoulder, Ayame could be happier. Nephrite only brought her closer as they enjoyed the scene before them and their own company.
Ayame had never expected her life to turn out like this, but she would hardly change any of it. It all turned out well and would continue to do so if she had any say in it.
After everything was said and done, she would introduce Nephrite to her parents. Maybe her brother could help him and the other Four Kings of Heaven get jobs and such too. Nephrite would be able to spend time with his sister again. They would all be free to do whatever they wanted.
"Hey, Nephrite?"
"Yes, Ayame?"
"What do you think of meeting my parents?"
Nephrite paused as he thought about it. "What brought this on?"
"When I saw the Noh mask, it reminded me of the night I revealed myself. Following that train of thought, that lead me to thinking about everything that had lead up to this point. When we were on the family trip, I might have mentioned to my mother I had fallen in love with a certain gentleman. After our mission is complete, it would mean a lot to me if you would meet them." Ayame answered as she leaned her head back to look at him.
Leaning down to kiss her, he answered. "I would be honored to meet them. I have much to thank them for. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to meet you again. Without you, I wouldn't be here. And don't think of saying otherwise, I know it. Without you, I wouldn't be here and enjoying the life you have given me."
Snuggling closer, Nephrite asked a question. "What else do you think we all would or should do after everything is said and done?"
Ayame giggled a little. "I'll admit I've given it some thought. Usagi would be the normal girl she always wants to be. Big brother would be safe and sound. I honestly want to see Usagi and Mamoru get together. All the girls would have more time to study as Ami would say. Ami and Ryo would be cute together, as would Rei and Yuichiro. Jing would still be dating Kijin. Everyone else would find someone one day. One day, the girls and I will graduate and move onto high school and college. Besides that, I don't really know. There are endless possibilities waiting for us all to try." Ayame answered.
"As many as the stars." Nephrite agreed. "But, I'll only accept the ones with you in them."
Ayame sighed at his sweet words before the moment was broken when the growling of their stomachs brought their attention on another important matter. The two laughing at the situation. Nephrite had been to nervous about seeing Ayame again to have eaten much before and Ayame hadn't eaten much while she was out searching for the portal to the Dark Kingdom.
"Shall we defeat the growling monsters in out stomachs first before we make and more plans for after we destroy the enemy?" Nephrite asked.
Ayame giggled and nodded. "An excellent strategy! No wonder you were a general."
Leaving the bridge, the two of them headed towards the closest shrine where others enjoying the festival gathered to play games and eat some food from the stalls.
"Do I need to pay for food?" Ayame asked, hesitantly. Slightly worried to hurt his feelings for not being able to do so himself. He was a gentleman after all, such men hated when they had to make the girls pay for things.
"No. I still have some money from when I was Masato. Want some roasted yams?" He gestured to nearby stall selling them.
Nodding, the two of them bought the yams and found a bench to sit and eat.
"You know, this reminds me of the times you would sneak me out of the palace to do just this." Ayame mentioned as she broke off a part of her yam and began eating.
"I remember. We were both younger then. I was still in training and wasn't officially one of your brothers personal bodyguards, though we were all friends at the time. All the servants had been excited about the festival and a majority had the night off to celebrate. I overheard you and your ladies in waiting talking about it and how you had never gone. Later that night, I gathered some pebbles and threw them at your window." Nephrite reminisced.
"When I went to see what the noise was, you accidentally hit me in the head with one. It left a bruise which I had use makeup and my bangs to hide." Ayame reminded him in a teasing tone.
Nephrite blushed at the reminder. "It was dark! I couldn't hear you opening the window or see you coming." He said in his defense.
"After you apologized profusely, and you explained what in the world you doing throwing rocks at my window, you offered to take me to the festival. You helped me climb down the trellis and had already brought a cloak for me to hide my identity with. I was really awkward and wasn't use to such crowded spaces. Then there was the dance part of the festival. I had never danced to any of the songs they played or danced their style of dances. I was practically stumbling over my feet every time. You had to take me away from the main square and we danced in one of the alleys so I could get used to the steps and not have to worry about bumping into someone or someone stepping on the cloak."
"It was a lot of fun and that was only the beginning of our habit of sneak out of my room after I had supposedly gone to bed and it was lights out. We would either go stargazing or go sneaking out of the palace again every once in a while when there was a festival going on." Ayame chuckled.
Thus making Nephrite laugh right along side her at the memories. Looking back it was hilarious. At the time when he had accidentally hit her with the rock, it had scared him so bad in the past. He had been just a teenager at the time. He was worried she would freak out, scream for the guards and he'd land in a heap of trouble. Not only for hurting the Princess, but trying to sneak her out of the palace with no one else's knowledge or permission. And without proper guards.
The reason he choose the balcony window was he didn't want to be caught by a passing guard in the hallway and have to answer why he was up so late and near the Princess's room. Even worse if they got caught together in the hallway. At the time, he didn't want to tarnish the princess's image and have rumors spread.
Then there was the festival itself and the dance. The Princess had always been so elegant and refined, it had been amusing at time to see her less than graceful.
At the time, he was just doing something nice for the princess. It wouldn't be until later on that he would recognized the feelings that blossomed and grew within him. Further still until he accepted them and did anything to act on these feelings. A part of him in the past, before the Kingdom of Earth fell, wondered if they would be able to continue loving each other. She had her duties as Princess. While he was from a noble family, there were other families and nobles with more wealth and influence.
Nephrite mentally slapped himself for such foolish thoughts as he glanced over at Ayame as she ate. A small portion of her yam lingering on her cheek. Leaning over he whispered.
"Hold still."
Ayame froze and wondered what was going on until he kissed it off. Nephrite ended up enjoying her blush and did not mind her hitting him. She ended up telling him, he could have just told her it was there. Laughing, Nephrite thought even if the Dark Kingdom hadn't rose, he wouldn't have let anything get in his way of loving Ayame, within reason. Nephrite liked to think he would have fought for their love and he new from tonight that Ayame would too. However, he would have done his duty if she choose to do so and marry someone else because he knew he would respect her wishes.
Just like he offered to never see her again if that was what she wanted. But he would still love her. He wondered if he would have been as jealous that witch Beryl seeing his princess with another man. Shaking the thought away, he decided to forget the what ifs and focus on the present.
After eating all of their yams and putting away the wrappers, they considered what to do then. Neither of them wanted to end the night.
"Do you want to go back to the bridge or should we see what else is in there area? Nephrite asked.
"Do you think we could look around a little? I've never been here before and it would be nice to see some of the other stuff around here." Ayame answered.
Nodding, Nephrite lead the way just like old times. It didn't take long to leave the shrine area and Ayame read a sign showing they were headed towards the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Most of the crowds were at the shrine and the bridge so the two were left alone among the bamboo around them. It was quiet and serene as they followed the path. Taking a deep breath, Ayame could smell the scent of bamboo and through the foliage above she could make out a few stars despite all the lights around them. Even at night, the path through the forest was lit with small lights someone had placed on the sides of the path.
Along with the scent of bamboo in the air that made the place relaxing the rustle when the wind went through the bamboo grove was a pleasant sound to relax to.
Nephrite sighed as he noticed the time. He knew they would have to return soon, even though he wanted more time with Ayame after being so long apart from one another. Chuckling to himself, he felt greedy and desperate for his love. He adored this second chance at life and everything in it.
It was then Nephrite thought of Queen Serenity and her desire for her daughter to be reborn and all the children at the cost of her own life. He finally understood why she did it besides the fact there was little to no way to rebuild the Moon Kingdom and the seal on the Dark Kingdom wouldn't hold forever. Entire generations were whipped out and survivors were scarce.
What the Queen did was give them all a gift. A fresh start to love again and live without the burdens and responsibilities of their past life was a wonderful gift the queen had bestowed upon all of them.
"What's so funny?" Ayame asked.
"I was just realizing how dear you are to me all over again." Nephrite answered. "As much as I've enjoyed this and never want it to end, it's late. Shall we return?"
Signing, Ayame nodded. Before Ayame knew it, Nephrite had teleported them a few blocks from her house.
"Thank you, Nephrite. I had a wonderful time. I'm glad we could solve this and we're back on track." Ayame told him as they hugged each other tightly.
"I think this is the way things should be. The two of us spending out days and nights reminiscing and making new memories. When this is all over, I want to create the best memories you've ever had with you." Nephrite murmured.
"I'd like that."
Reluctantly letting go of each other, the two parted and with a goodnight and kiss, the couple went their separate ways. Ayame headed home and Nephrite headed back to the apartment.
Both had needed this night and enjoyed it immensely. They couldn't change the past, but they would forge new memories and new future. Together...
