All Right Reserved.
Sailor Moon is a product of Bandai, Toei, and the illustrious Naoko Takeuchi.
You can take this fic and put it on your page/blog, just shoot me a message and tell me that you did.
Just as long as I receive credit for the story.
…
Alright! This is a continuation of the last chapter. Warning it will be a little sad and angsty. And I'm giving it an M rating. This will bounce back and forth between First and Third person, I wrote it both ways and just didn't like either so I am using both. I've re-read it multiple times and it seems flow and make sense, so I'm hoping I don't lose anyone. In this snippet the Senshi and Shitennou are trying to deal with the new rather un-fond memories that have resurfaced, which of course was bound to happen sooner or later. This story will also add-on to the scenes from the Silver Millennium chapter. I think it's unrealistic to believe that there would be no heartache or hard to work through feelings between them. In too many fics it seems like the Shitennou show back up, the Senshi fall at their feet and everything is peachy. When that probably would never be case. Yes, there would be lots of reminiscing on the good times and memories; however there is also the fact that they betrayed not only the Senshi but Endymion and the Earth. Twice. Even Mamoru and Usagi had to take time and put in the needed effort to make it work. So that is how I try to write our favorite Soldiers! Anyways! I hope you enjoy this little short, as always thank you for reading!
Guest: I'm so glad you liked it! I love writing the friendship aspect of Minako/Makoto. It's super fun and hopefully believable!
gabicg1: I'm so glad you liked it! ;) I am going to continue Setsuna and Mako's little talk into a short little snippet!
Vinterthunder: Glad you liked it! I didn't care as much for the third episode, it was a bit of a letdown. I was pretty excited at the beginning of the episode, they were really building up some Makoto and Rei badassery, and then they get knocked around like paper dolls. It seems so weird that they seem like Deus Ex Machina one episode and totally useless the next! Now episode four was much improved! And I'm really liking Rei's character better in Crystal, I like that she's actually getting acknowledged as a Shinto Miko! It's nice to have someone to discuss these things with! lol
…
The mood was stale, the only noise resonating through the ancient Hikawa shrine was the soft pattering of rain on the old roof, and Kunzite's incessant foot tapping. Nobu sat outside, seemingly lost in thought.
"How is Makoto, Noburo?" Setsuna asked quietly shaking him from his day dream.
"Oh, ok. I sent Minako a text last night. She said they both had a good cry, she forced Mako to make her dinner, coerced her to eat and they passed out. She commented that she rather liked our memory foam mattress, but we needed to upgrade to a California King due to Makoto's thrashing. She was unhappy she didn't get to cuddle properly." Nobu attempted a chuckle. "They are on their way here now. Should be back momentarily. I am grateful for Minako, she has been a blessing these past few weeks. Mako has no true hard feelings, Setsuna I assure you. She's always spoken fondly and highly of you."
"I am aware. She means nothing by it. She has had more heartbreak than what should be allowed for such a short life thus far. It is how she copes, like a defense mechanism." Setsuna smiled. As if on cue she heard the ramblings of a certain Leader of the Senshi as her and Makoto ascended the stairs.
"Minako! Mako! You didn't tell me you were having a sleepover! I was so jealous!" Usagi squealed hugging both of them excitedly. The pair looked rather weary and fatigued.
"You'll be even more jealous to know that Mako cooked us dinner last night….. DUMPLINGS!" Minako as always managed to smile bright for Usagi.
"Whaaaat? I missed Makoto's dumplings. Minaaakooooo!" Usagi wailed. Makoto chuckled, handing the smaller girl a bento box. Usagi's eyes lit up. "You're the best Mako-Chan!" Usagi immediately began to open the box, inhaling the contents.
"There was a pair of chopsticks in there…." Mako twitched, as a small laugh escaped her. It may have been small but it was music to Noburo's ears.
"What is all this commotion?! I am trying to concentrate!" A voice boomed.
"Where is her fiery highness? I hear her catterwalking but I can't see her." Minako stood proud of her usage of a large word.
"Ahem, it's caterwauling, Minako." Ami smiled, excitedly taking a bento box from Makoto.
"I'll just go to her." Mako mused. Sitting down the box and giving a small tap on the door before fleeing. They heard the door swiftly open and shut.
"They are delicious, Makoto. Thank you." Rei huffed, her voice slightly muffled.
"Where are mine, Lightning Bolt?" Haruka chortled from across the room. Mako rolled her eyes, grabbing several more boxes. "Oh I was kidding, but if you're offering." She winked.
Slowly the room quieted down, the Senshi remained on one side of the room and the Shitennou on the other.
"Enough of this. We are going to talk about whatever it is you all have remembered. Enough sulking." Mamoru finally demanded with a huff, rising to his feet; his hands running through his already slightly disheveled hair.
"There's nothing to say." Rei chimed in from Sacred Fire room. Mamo rolled his eyes and sighed. "You should just let it go. We will face our own demons, without airing out our ancient laundry to everyone."
"No, Rei. I want to know. I have never seen the three of you so shaken by anything before. Would you rather I have Setsuna show us?" Usagi cautiously tried to sound firm.
Makoto and Minako glanced at each other as they heard Rei immediately jump up. The Miko stormed into the room, finger already raised ready to chastise their liege in the name of Mars. Rei began to speak, but it seemed the words could not escape her throat. For the first time she was unable to string together half-hearted insults at Usagi but simply stood in front of her, finger still raised and blood still boiling.
"Did it ever cross your mind that it might be too painful for us to recant? Or are you just being a self-centered brat like back then? Only thinking of how your actions would affect yourself, not once thinking what they would do to us!" Rei barked, her hand clasping her mouth in error the second the sentences crossed her lips. She began to speak again but darted down the hall and back into the safety of her domain, slamming the papered door shut, well as hard as one could slam a paper door.
"She didn't mean it Usagi, she's just upset. These memories are painful, and haven't been easy to cope with." Minako stammered as she rose to embrace their young Princess.
"What did she mean self-centered actions? What did I do?" Usagi quietly asked, her eyes staring down at the floor. It was then that Minako realized that perhaps Usagi indeed did not have the recollection of those last few moments on the Moon. "Was it that bad?" Tears welled in her eyes. The blonde duo turned as they heard the soft swoosh of an opening door.
"Sit. I, well we will tell you. Excuse me if there are parts that I do not wish to partake in narrating." Rei sighed, taking a seat on the floor. Jun nervously sat beside her, attempting to take her hand but she quickly snatched it away.
Mako stayed close to Minako and vice versa. Rei looked to them for approval, they nodded in sync.
"Is there anything off limits, Setsuna?" Rei inquired, shifting around rather anxiously.
"No, the past is done. You are free to say as much or as little as you wish." Setsuna gave her a confident smile.
…
Rei's POV. Silver Millennium.
Death smells like copper and ash. It was all around; thousands of mangled forms, leeching out their blood onto the sacred surface of the Moon. Only eight of us remained, dueling to the death. I continued to clash with him, bearing my teeth, unleashing all of the hellfire that I could muster. I felt myself holding back, slightly. He was a traitor, a traitorous bastard who was trying his mightiest to slay me. He called me a Martian Witch, a fraud. He damned and belittled my patron god, Mars. But still I held back, and cursed myself for doing so. I could feel Mercury fading, Zoisite was overwhelming her. I had to finish this. I launched my Phoenix; its beautiful fiery screech rang out across the desolate wasteland. I smirked as it hit him fully in the chest sending him sprawling to the ground. As I stood over him, my smile faded as I listened to him laughing.
"Your other Witch friend is gone. Moon bitch." He spat at me, blooding seeping between his teeth.
I began to panic, he was right. I couldn't feel Ami's energy. I ran as fast as my wounded self would allow; coming to a halt as I saw Mercury slain, her body lying lifeless along the ground. The blood, the blood was everywhere. I could feel it then, the god of War, his pulse raging through my blood as I heard Jadeite continuing to laugh several yards away. He continued to chant about the 'dead moon bitch'. And for the first time in my life, I lost complete control. I allowed my patron god to use me fully as his avatar. I unleashed a fury of fire unlike nothing ever witnessed on the moon. The flames grew and danced, licking at my skin, nearly overtaking me. I felt completely drained once I was finished, the fiery path I blazed would forever be a scar upon this satellites' surface. I fell to my knees, my body shaking. He was dying now, his body charred to the point of oblivion. Not even his precious Beryl and all her forces of darkness could save him now. And I wept, not only for my fallen comrade, or this kingdom. I wept for him, for him and his damned soul.
Minako's POV Silver Millenium
Adonis was right wasn't he? Damn him. This man in front of me, this man that I gave my heart; this man that I loved so much that I bonded him to my very soul for all eternity. His eyes are lifeless now, void of any feeling or love, they are emotionless. I know that it isn't him, he is merely a puppet in this game, but the fact remains that he wishes me dead, his Queen wishes me and all of my comrades dead and I of course cannot allow that to happen; regardless of the bond. Our swords clash again, the soft sparks that it produced were nearly the only light source left on the dark surface of the moon. He isn't giving it all he has, and neither am I. There is hesitation in his strikes, as if he is giving me time to react, time to slay him. I secretly wish that we would end each other, one fatal blow and this will all be done; we can be together then in whatever nether realm our bodies are sent to. I glance over, Jupiter is winning, and I sense no faltering, no indecisiveness, her blows are perfectly placed, powerful and relentless. Although, she is a Jovian; a soldier and trained weapon of destruction from birth, although I can't help but notice there is a faint look in her eye that leads me to believe she is also questioning whether or not to take Nephrite's life; perhaps I've rubbed off on her. I launch a 'Love and Beauty Shock', the irony of those words as they cross my lips. To my surprise Kunzite doesn't move, he stands stoically; the attack pummels into his large frame. I feel my breath get caught in my throat. As if the gods themselves are intervening Jupiter strikes Nephrite down as well. We both approach the traitors. It was then that I noticed the intense smell of ozone in the air, and smirked proudly to see Nephrite writhing in such pain. Makoto must be a little colder than I gave her credit for, I saw her gather a ball of lightning in her palm; she looked like she was going to finish him off. I turned my attention toward my foe, and once lover. He lay on the ground, his chest heaving quickly. He began to get up; I planted my orange heel on his chest forcing him back to the ground. He says nothing, we lock eyes. It's as if he is begging me silently to kill him. I raise my sword to his throat; there is a slight tremble in my hands. I cannot, I am a failure, I can only ask forgiveness from my Princess. He is my lover, my soulmate, the only man I have ever truly loved; I will not be his reaper. I force my eyes away from his, turning my back towards him. It was then that I felt the most intense pain that I had ever encountered; it was hot and searing. I felt a scream escape my throat, and heard Jupiter cry out to me. Kunzite stood weakly, he had wanted cleave me in half but had only succeeded in slicing into my spine. My knees gave way as a shockwave of agony coursed along my spinal cord. Jupiter was sprinting towards me, Nephrite and Kunzite took the opportunity to flee. Mako was there in an instant, checking me over. I could tell by the grim expression on her face that my prognosis was not good. She immediately hoisted me up, as if I weighed nothing; both of us staring up in awe at the cloud of fire up ahead.
"Ami is not long for this world." I remember her saying as she took off. I begged her to leave me behind; I would only hinder them in this condition. Of course she refused. We finally found Rei, sobbing quietly while clutching Ami's cooling body, what appeared to be Jadeite's charcoaled remains lying close by . She had wounded Zoisite but he was still alive. Mako made haste; she was blinded with fury at seeing our slain friend. She sat me down gently next to Rei. I will never forget the sound and sight of Jupiter tearing Zoisite's head from his very body, his agonizing screams gave me chills; I wasn't sure if I should be appalled or proud. She said it was a ritual done on her planet to traitors and I made a mental note not to mention my reluctance to kill Kunzite. As much as we wanted to stay with Mercury to mourn the loss of our dear comrade and lady in arms, we knew we had to move on; to find our Princess.
…
Rei's POV Silver Millennium
I was the first person to see her. To say I was in denial would be vastly understated. Her body was lifeless, her radiant light extinguished. I had never in all my days felt so helpless, so alone. When I approached her body, I saw the knife. She had done this to herself. Our Princess had taken her own life while I struggled over my feelings for a traitorous bastard! She had died a slow agonizing death, alone and terrified. She slipped from this plane without someone to comfort her, to reassure her that we would avenge her and find a way to bring her back. I screamed in agony and rage. I clutched onto her cold body, my sobs stifled by the material of her blood stained dress. It should've been us first, it should've been me. She was innocent and so full of life; she could've changed this universe for the better. She was our Light of Hope, and now it was gone. Our reason, My reason for living was gone.
…
Modern Day
The room was deathly quiet. All of them had always assumed that they had all died on the Moon; died in a blaze of glory and power of the Ginzuishou. No one really remembered how they had died, how Usagi and Mamoru had fallen, until now. Usagi sat motionless in the corner, clutching onto Mamoru's hand as if it her very life depending on it.
"What….What happened then? Did you find my mother?" Usagi nearly whimpered.
Minako shook her head. "We were captured and taken to Earth." Her voice began to falter. "We were tortured for several weeks, the Dark Kingdom was certain we knew the whereabouts of Queen Serenity and the Ginzuishou. After that it only got worse…." Tears pricked at her eyes. She managed to clear her throat, willing herself on. "Makoto took the brunt of the torture. She was purposively overly insubordinate, trying to protect Rei and I; I was already grievously wounded. When they got no response from her using a normal bullwhip, they switched to a flagrum. We begged them to stop, but that only made it worse…" Tears were freely flowing down Minako's face as her hands shook,
"Kunzite decided that Nephrite should be the wielder, he promised to break me. Let me tell you, until you have felt your own flesh separate from your bone, you haven't really lived." Makoto snorted, her eyes staying glued to the floor as a few stray tears fell from her eyes, Minako took her hand. "Beryl had basically given up on us at this point. So the bastards decided that instead of ending our suffering they would graciously extend it." She reached up angrily wiping away a tear.
"Rei was raped the worst. Kunzite and Nephrite were too possessive to allow anyone other themselves to defile us, for the most part. Over and over again. I remember them taunting us at one point, saying how they were going to drag the Princesses naked body down the streets outside the palace. I begged them to kill us." Minako began to sob.
"I knew Mako had one more attack left in her. I could feel it. I knew she was just waiting to make sure that Minako and I wanted it…. I pleaded with her after another round of….." Rei trailed off unable to say anything else.
"Fucking idiots. Beat me, torture me, rape me, but forget to take my tiara. Idiots. They didn't know any better I guess. I can control my powers without it; it just amplifies it even better when I do. I knew it would be painful for Venus and Mars, although that brief pain was nothing like we had endured for weeks. So I made sure to take all of those bastards with us, every last one. "Mako paused and looked at Usagi who was sobbing uncontrollably.
"I…I should have been there with you guys. But I was a coward, and selfish. I am so sorry." Usagi ran to Rei, gathering her in her arms.
"You weren't selfish; you were the bravest of us all." Rei muttered into Usagi's shoulder as she continued to hide her face.
"Why did you allow us to come back? Why? I don't deserve her, I don't deserve to live. If she would strike me down right now, I would applaud her from hell." Nephrite spat at Mamoru, a tear rolling down his cheek. Jun and Satsuki sat motionless. Unable to muster up a single word.
Keisuke walked over to Mamoru, kneeling as low as he possibly could and extending his sword.
"If you see it fit to end our lives so be it, Master. I do not know that I can handle the shame of knowing what we have done." He spoke, his head hanging low.
"I will leave it up to your lovers." Mamoru simply spoke. "But understand that this heartache will fade, like it did for Usako and I. It's best that it's in the open; it has been a skeleton in our closets for too long now. Deal with their sins however you choose."
There was a long pause. Minako stood walking over to the kneeling man.
"I couldn't kill you then. And I still can't. You are my soulmate, no matter what our past transgressions. Usagi has taught us that everyone should be forgiven. And I do." She knelt down, tearfully embracing the silver haired Shitennou.
"While I didn't suffer to the extent that my comrades suffered. I cannot bear a grudge from a former lifetime. There is no one more perfect for me than you. "Ami smiled at Satsuki who kissed her fully on the lips.
The room fell silent again.
"Even though I hate you right now, I know it will pass. I know you weren't in control of your own self. And if anyone is sending you to hell, it will be me and not Mamoru. I love you, you traitorous bastard." Rei yelled at Jun who managed to pry her away from Usagi.
Makoto got up and started out the door, Noburo dropped to his knees in utter defeat. Mako snapped around.
"You flog like a fucking girl. And even though I could Supreme Thunder you straight to the hell that you deserve right now, I'm like Rei. This feeling will eventually pass. I could tell in your eyes that it wasn't you. It just makes me want to resurrect Beryl and pummel her with a few bolts straight from Jove himself. I just need some time right now, please. We're getting married on the 31st. I have a cake recipe to try and get ready." Mako started out the door, as Nobu sat in disbelief. "Are you coming? Or do I need to come and hold your fucking hand?" Mako fired at him, as he leapt up.
"So everyone is ok? I would like to talk to them about all this more." Usagi asked, tearfully looking up at Mamoru.
"Give them some space right now; I am sure they need it. In time things will mend. It will be hard, but just look at us. I know that they can have the same happiness that we share. I love you, Usako." He leaned down and gave her a searing kiss.
…
So, what do you think? A bit angsty yes. Hopefully not too dreadfully sad. I am working on another reincarnation snippet, one with Rei/Jun. And I had a request for a sort of short continuation of Setsuna and Makoto's "talk". I'll hopefully have both posted this week! I am open to other ideas as well if anyone has any suggestions! As always thank you for reading, and feel free to leave a review or pm!
-Lady D
