Author's Note: This one shot is set between the fight with Wiseman and the beginning of the battles with Pharaoh 90.

A Little Help
A Love Shots Story

The Crown Game Center

"I don't want to go," Usagi growled, looking back at Minako, whose hands were clasped under her chin, and whose big azure eyes were pleading.

"Please!" Minako begged, drawing out the word to impossible lengths. "You're the biggest social butterfly I know. Everyone loves you on sight. I need you!"

"V-chan," Usagi soothed, turning back to her friend. "It's a college party. That means drinking, possibly drugs, guys who expect girls to do things with them, and people who are way more sophisticated than us."

She bit her lip in worry and a hint of fear rolled through her. She knew somehow that despite the girl's plea, she would go whether Usagi went with her or not. It wasn't a good idea. It had been bad enough going to high school parties where alcohol was smuggled in and they played games like spin the bottle and truth or dare. She imagined college parties were much worse.

Usagi sighed at the memory of the last party Minako had dragged them to. Mamoru had charged in and rescued the five girls from themselves that night. And he had kissed her fiercely and told her that he would take her to any other parties in the future, but he didn't want her going alone. He had been very clear about the dangers, and Usagi had listened in a state of shock. It wasn't jealousy, though he had been jealous on occasion, and so had she. This was him being protective and worried.

Now Minako thought they were perfectly situated to go to an actual college party. Her behavior had gotten riskier and riskier in the time since they'd defeated the Dark Kingdom. Usagi didn't entirely understand it, and she wasn't sure how to stop it.

The girls were all fifteen and sixteen years old and were in tenth grade, which meant several years separated them from college students. They just weren't ready for that kind of party. In desperation, she turned to Ami for help. "Give her some statistics or something," she growled.

The bluenette put down her book with a sigh and started delivering a black and white image of just how dangerous college men could be. When she strayed into the topic of drinks spiked with drugs that made girls pass out, a collective shudder went through all the girls at the table. Unfortunately there was still a stubborn tilt to Minako's head.

"I can't believe your parents are letting you go to this thing," Rei said when Ami ran down.

Usagi knew by the look on Minako's face that her friend hadn't bothered to ask her parents. She sighed, wondering if she should tell Luna. If the cat knew she would go running to Artemis, who might be able to talk the impulsive girl out of it.

Usagi grimaced. It hadn't been very long before that she would have leapt at the chance for such a party. After meeting her future daughter however, she had come to understand that there were dangers that she had to accept. It went along with being female. She shuddered at the memory of what the girl had become under Wiseman's control. And of what Dimande had tried to do to Usagi herself. Thankfully Mamo-chan had saved her in time.

A brilliant idea struck her then, and Usagi excused herself from the table with little trouble. She made her way quickly to the counter and Mamoru, who was talking in a low voice to Motoki. If her love could save her...

"I need help," she said without preamble. "Correction. We need help."

"What's going on?" Mamoru asked, his tone weary.

After Usagi explained Minako's latest idea, she sketched out her plan. "You know she believes what that jerk told her about never finding love. Well, he's wrong. We already know she loves someone who is quite literally her other half."

"And you want to find him," Mamoru said, a smile forming.

"All of them," Usagi corrected. "We went to the future, you saw the girls standing there like pillars, protecting us, but who will protect them?"

"You don't need to convince me," Mamoru said. "I say we get the Shitennou back. With those girls, we need all the help we can get."

"When is the party?" Motoki interjected.

"In four days," Usagi hissed, "and I know for a fact there's no way she asked her parents. Maybe I should tell Artemis"

Mamoru chuckled. "How about we save that as a last resort," he suggested. "In the meantime, let's find the Shitennou and remind them who they are. Then we can bring them with us to the party and set them loose."

Usagi couldn't help giggling. "Let's go get Luna," she whispered.

Four Days Later…
Juuban Group Home

Zoicite loaded the fourth washing machine and turned around to wash his hands. He didn't want to know what was on the towel he had just put in the last washer. The big green stain had been treated, but now his hands felt sticky. Near thirty kids in the half-way house, all of them teenaged boys. Sometimes it was best not to wonder. He couldn't help being annoyed that he'd been put on laundry duty. He was supposed to be on recycling, but the schedule had been changed when they'd had a new arrival during the week.

He turned off the water and shook his hands dry, not bothering with a towel. Turning, he stared at the four massive baskets of sheets and blankets and towels that he now had to fold and put away. Life could be really unfair sometimes. This particular chore would take hours to finish. At least Kunzite and Nephrite were on trash and replacing toilet paper. Those chores were easy and they would come and help him and Jadeite. By the time it was all done, the four of them would be in the laundry-room together.

"I can't wait until we get out of this place," he muttered.

He looked up at the concrete walls and ceiling of the laundry-room. There were no windows. The place was drab and boring. Not that the rest of the building was much better. It looked like the institution it was. Just a place for a bunch of teenage boys who were too old to be in a regular orphanage but too young to live on their own without some sort of guardian. Unfortunately, their lawyer didn't really want to be responsible for teenagers living on their own, so they were stuck.

He sorted through the laundry, putting things into piles. Then he started folding towels and washcloths because they were easiest when he was alone. He hummed a tune under his breath and wondered if he would be able to get to the bookstore the next day. There was a new book on molecular biology that he really wanted to read.

The door opened across the room and Zoicite looked up in time to see a teenage boy with thick black hair, some of it falling into his eyes, and a black cat perched on his shoulder. He recognized the deep blue eyes and confident stride.

"Chiba?" he asked. "What are you doing back?"

"I'm not back," the other boy said. "I just came for a short visit."

Zoicite raised his eyebrow. "Why would you want to visit this place? And what's with the cat?"

Chiba chuckled. "The cat is Luna. And I didn't come to see this place. I came to talk to you and your brother. And Nephrite and Kunzite."

"Why?" Zoicite asked, feeling like the other teen was evading the question.

"It's difficult to explain. It actually might be easier to have Luna show you."

"The cat?" he questioned, feeling like someone should be stepping out with a camera any moment. "You want the cat to show me something."

There was a noise like a young woman clearing her throat. "I can show you plenty Zoicite," the cat said. He sat heavily in the plastic chair and stared. He'd seen her mouth move. She was a cat. But she was talking. A talking cat...

"You've lost it Zo," he warned himself.

"Actually, you haven't. But I guess I can understand why you'd think that." The Chiba boy smiled. "Trust me when I say everything will make sense in a minute."

"Okay. You have one minute."

"Look at me," the little cat ordered.

Zoicite peered down at the black feline, cautious but willing to go out on a whim for just a moment. It seemed like the symbol on her forehead started to glow. Memories overwhelmed him. There was a girl in a light blue ball gown, swirling in his arms as they danced across the floor of a massive ball room. Another image, the same young woman running through the woods with him, wearing a strange uniform that reminded him of a sailor's suit. They were trying to rescue... someone. Another image of that same girl, younger this time, holding a stack of books as she pushed her glasses back up her nose. An image of throwing sharp petals on the wind at her. Mercury. Ami.

He also remembered the boy in front of him. "Endymion."

"Mamoru in this life," he corrected.

"What the hell?" he whispered. "Where is she? Where is Ami?"

"That's a good question," Mamoru said. "Tonight she and the other Inner Senshi are planning on attending a party. A college party. She's fifteen. What she needs is someone who cares about her to make sure absolutely nothing happens to her so she can enjoy herself."

"A party?" Zoicite couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Are you telling me my wife is going to a party voluntarily?"

Mamoru scratched the back of his neck. "Peer pressure," he explained.

"Minako," Zoicite whispered, annoyed. "Wait, tonight? That's not a lot of notice."

Luna harrumphed. "We've been looking for you for four days. If we didn't find you today Usagi was going to go to her father. Even Artemis couldn't talk Minako out of this party, and the other girls sort of stumbled along after her. Now, let's go find the others. I don't like being away from Usagi so long in a place like this."

"You should try living here," Zoicite grumbled.

"Well, you won't be for long," Mamoru told him. "We're setting you up with a different lawyer. This one will be able to let you four live together under guardianship. Who knows, maybe all five of us if I can find the right place."

"Who is this lawyer?" Zoicite asked.

"A friend of Usagi's family. He took me on a while back when they found out my lawyer was stealing from me. Anyways, he doesn't like places like this and thinks if teenagers are mentally capable of taking care of themselves they should be given a chance. Just one chance, so you guys can't mess it up."

"We won't." Zoicite was determined to make sure they didn't.

Jadeite hated sorting the recyclables. It was his least favorite chore. He did it, but he spent the whole time grumbling. There was just so much. There were twenty-eight teenaged boys in the group home. Twenty-eight who drank soda, and ate food, and left their recycling for some other slob to take care of. This week, that slob was him.

"It's not fair," he grumbled. "It should have been Zoicite's turn."

Not that he wanted Zo's job for the week either. He'd been put on laundry detail. With twenty-eight teenagers, that was a lot of sheets and blankets. They each did their own personal laundry, which made it a little easier. But sheets, blankets, towels and everything else had to be washed once a week. It took a lot of time, even with four industrial sized washers.

He hoped Nephrite and Kunzite would be done soon. They would probably split up and help him and Zo. He tossed several boxes to the side. Someone kept throwing them in without breaking them down. It was annoying.

There was a noise behind Jadeite and he turned, one arm lifting automatically. Then he sighed and slumped a little. He didn't know why he and the others had such insane reflexes. 'Who tries to draw a sword when they get startled?' he wondered. Still, he wasn't alone in the shed.

"Who's there?" he called.

"Sorry," came a girl's voice. "I wasn't trying to startle you."

"Who are you?" he asked. "No. Never mind that. How did you get in here? They never let girls visit."

The blonde girl who stepped out of the shadows had her hair up in two buns with long lengths coming out the back and falling to her knees. She wore a blue and white school uniform with a big golden brooch on her chest in the center of the bright red bow. She giggled. "I have ways of getting into places." She held up a little blue pen. "Do you have any idea how hard it was to find you guys?" she asked. "We had Luna and Artemis searching all night. I can't believe this is the same place Mamoru lived."

"Mamoru?" Jadeite asked, a bit confused. "You mean the Chiba kid? He moved out."

"I know," the girl giggled again. It was starting to get on his nerves. "He came with me to find you."

"Why?"

"Because Rei needs you." She waved a hand. "I don't even know how Minako does it. Somehow she has everyone but Ami convinced that going to this party is a great idea. And I'll bet Ami will fall in line too. Peer pressure. If I didn't have Mamo-chan I think I would have said yes automatically."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jadeite asked, frustration welling over.

"Darn," the girl muttered. "We should have brought Artemis too. Hmm." She blew upwards and her bangs lifted for a moment before falling back into her face. "Okay, how to explain? You and a few others sort of disappeared from this place for months, right?"

Jadeite froze. How had she known that? The police had told them not to speak about it, and the group home had kept it quiet. No one was supposed to know. "H-how did you...?"

"Um, yeah," the girl frowned. "Let me start over, okay?" She didn't wait for him to respond. "My name is Tsukino Usagi. I'm fifteen years old and go to Juuban Middle. Um, I'm also sort of, well, I'm Sailor Moon."

"Who?" Jadeite asked.

"You know, Sailor Moon. The Senshi?"

"Uh... right?" Jadeite wondered if the girl was insane.

"Crap, right. No memories. Hmm. Okay, so you don't know about Sailor Moon. Okay, what do I do now?" She tugged on her long ponytails with a groan. "Okay, how about this? Do you ever dream about a girl with long black hair and purple eyes?"

This Jadeite could relate to. "And a temper," he said.

"That would be Rei. She's this amazing miko at the Hikawah Jinja. She's fifteen, goes to private school, and she loves manga. Got it?"

"Uh, sure?" Jadeite wasn't sure he got anything.

"Come on Luna, hurry up," the girl whined. "Alright, so Rei is your soulmate. Like the other half of your soul. And she is about to do something stupid and dangerous and you need to help her."

"Stupid and dangerous?" Jadeite asked. "I thought you were talking about a party."

"I am!" the girl groaned. "A college party. A middle-school girl going to a college party. A middle school girl who is also your soulmate."

"Oh." Jadeite wasn't sure what he was supposed to do with this information.

"Luna! Mamo-chan!" the girl cried, looking past his shoulder.

Jadeite turned to see Zoicite with the Chiba boy and a small black cat. He shrugged, unsure what was going on.

"Listen to them," Zoicite said.

"Okay?" Jadeite lifted an eyebrow in a silent question, but his brother only shrugged.

The little black cat leapt up to the table in front of him and stared into his eyes. He felt drawn in for a long moment, and then he blinked. Her forehead was glowing. Not her forehead, the mark on her forehead. He felt dizzy.

Waves of memories hit him. A laughing girl in a red dress holding his hand as they danced in a massive ball-room. That same girl dying on the end of his sword. The girl, slightly younger now, kneeling beside a small table serving tea while he pretended to be a priest in training. The warrior in the red-skirted fuku. Sailor Mars. Rei.

"Where is my wife?" he asked.

Kunzite hurried into the basement as soon as he had put the last roll of toilet paper into the dispenser. It was probably the easiest job of all the chores, which meant he could hurry and help Jadeite with the recycling. He'd gotten a later start than normal, since he had just been called into the office to take a phone call.

He was still reeling from what he had learned. It seemed a local lawyer had heard of them through a friend of Mamoru's, and was willing to take over their guardianship and let them live in an apartment with the other teen, or get one of their own. How they had gotten so lucky, Kunzite couldn't guess, but he couldn't wait to tell the others.

A few minutes later Kunzite rushed into the concrete outbuilding where they kept the recycling. His ears perked when he heard muted conversation and creeping forward he listened as a young blonde girl he didn't know talked to Zoicite and Jadeite. Mamoru, who had left the group home nearly a year before, stood beside her, one hand at the small of her back.

"... do something stupid," the girl was saying, a frown marring her features. "You know how dangerous it can be. They aren't exactly prepared for how cruel and awful people can be." There was wisdom and knowledge in the girl's voice. She'd obviously gone through something that had changed her.

"I really can't believe Ami would go," Zoicite said, shaking his head. "Even with peer pressure, she's too smart for that. I can't believe even Minako could change her mind."

Something sparked in Kunzite's mind at the sound of the name and a flash of blonde filled his vision. His heart ached at the memory of a girl with long blonde hair held back in a bright red bow, her azure eyes full of emotion as she held what looked like a whip made of light. Minako. Why did that name, that face, seem so familiar?

"Rei is going too?" Jadeite asked. It sounded as though he might have asked the same question several times.

"Yes," the dark haired Mamoru murmured, looking worried.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Jadeite asked.

"Kunzite and Nephrite of course," said another voice. Kunzite looked around but could see no one else in the room. Until a black shadow moved, revealing itself to be a cat. While he watched, she opened her mouth and continued to speak. "You wouldn't want to leave them out when their wives are in just as much trouble."

"We'd better go get them then," Zoicite said.

Mamoru shook his head. "No. They'll come to us now that the laundry is finished. This is the best way. No one can find out Usagi and Luna are with me."

"Well I wish they would hurry up," Zoicite grumbled. "I don't like the idea of Ami in a place like that."

Kunzite stepped forward then, making his presence known to the others, who all turned. None of them looked remotely surprised to see him. "What is going on?" he asked, frustrated and worried.

"Kun!" Jadeite called out, looking excited. "We have to go and rescue our wives."

"Wives?" Kunzite asked, then the rest of the sentence hit him. "Rescue them? Who has them? Are they okay? How long do we have?" He felt himself standing taller and reaching to grasp the hilt of a sword that wasn't there. What was wrong with him?

"Nothing quite so bad as that," the cat answered. "Minako has convinced the others to go to a college party. One where there are much older boys who could hurt them. Usagi and Mamoru came up with the idea of reminding you four who you are. That's why we're here."

"You know who we are?" Kunzite asked excitedly. "Do you know where we went when we disappeared?"

Luna cleared her throat. "It would be easier if I simply showed you," she said.

Kunzite nodded and the little black feline leapt to the table where several piles of folded boxes were stacked and met his gaze. Memory nearly knocked him off his feet. Stumbling slightly, Kunzite reached out and grabbed the back of a chair, using it to hold himself up under the onslaught.

A young woman wearing an orange dress danced in the circle of his arms, their eyes locked as music played in the fancy ballroom. That same young woman screaming in rage as someone attempted to attack her princess, a massive sword held upright in front of her as she charged the black-veiled man. A younger version of that same young woman in Senshi fuku, her hair flying in the wind as she screamed defiance and forced Kunzite to release the bubble he had the other Senshi trapped inside. His own sword piercing her belly, blood on his hands as he stared in horror. The feeling of that same blade passing through his own body as he took his life in remorse and anguish.

Minako. His wife and fellow protector of the royals, who were now standing in front of him. Bowing his head, he stared at his prince. "What would you ask of me?"

"Only to come with us so that you can protect Minako while she has a few minutes to be a girl and not a power resurrected warrior," the prince said, chuckling under his breath. "If there is anything I have learned from my Usako it is that sometimes you need to let your hair down and have fun. Unfortunately it isn't safe for girls that age to be at a college party."

"Why didn't her parents stop her?" Jadeite asked, sounding confused.

The blonde girl, Usagi, snorted. "She didn't bother to ask them," she confided. "Minako isn't exactly known for seeking permission."

Kunzite nodded. His wife had always been a free spirit, and what he remembered of the girl from this life told him she hadn't changed in the slightest. He hoped Nephrite would hurry up. He wanted to get to his own little blonde, pull her into the circle of his arms and beg her never to leave his side again. He knew he didn't deserve her, but he would do anything to be worthy of her love.

Nephrite turned from the dumpster when he heard scuffling. He still had three bags to throw inside, but he peered into the darkness around the back door of the group home, trying to see what had made the sounds. Someone was just inside the door of the building they used for recycling.

"Hello?"

Taking out the trash was the easiest of the chores that week. He'd been lucky about that. Still, it had been a frustrating time for him. He'd dealt with one of the other teens, who was preparing a nasty prank for Jadeite involving ants and sugar water. Nephrite shuddered at the thought of waking up to creeping bugs on his face. Not happening.

"Neph?" Jadeite called.

"Hai. I just finished the trash. I've got to go help Zo."

"He's already here," Kunzite said as Nephrite entered the building. "We all are."

"You'll never believe what…" his voice trailed off and stories about pranks fled his mind as he stared at a little blonde girl who looked oddly familiar. What was a girl doing on the property? Girls weren't allowed in the group home. "What?" he asked, not sure what question to ask first.

"Hey Neph," a black-haired teen boy said, turning to face him.

"Mamoru?" he asked, confused.

"We've come to get you guys," Mamoru continued. "We need your help."

"Yes," Kunzite growled, looking angry. "We have to go and rescue our wives before someone tries to hurt them."

"Our what?" Nephrite asked.

"Let the cat show you," Zoicite said, confusing him all the more.

"The cat?" Nephrite asked, seeing a little black cat on the sorting table. "What does a cat have to do with anything, and why are you talking about our wives? None of us are even eighteen yet."

The little black cat stood and stared him in the eye. For a moment Nephrite felt panic. Part of him was terrified he was about to be brainwashed, but the feeling fled quickly as memories crashed into his mind. A young woman with cinnamon hair held up at the top of her head, falling in curly waves. She danced in his arms, wearing an emerald green dress and a smile that lit up the universe. His sword, piercing her stomach. That same woman running through thick woods at his side as they raced to rescue their prince and princess. A younger version of the woman, arms outstretched as thunder crashed around her in front of a bridal shop.

"Makoto," he whispered. Then his eyes widened and he searched the gazes of the others. "What are we waiting for? If my wife is in trouble I need to get to her."

"It isn't the kind of trouble you think," the blonde girl said softly, giving him a reassuring smile. "They are going to a college party. But Makoto is only fifteen and I'm afraid the older boys could be dangerous to her."

Nephrite silently disagreed. If she was anything like he remembered her, she could face a dozen boys with one hand behind her back and come out grinning. He opened his mouth to tell the girl as much, but she continued.

"I know they can take care of themselves in a fight, but this is different. Someone could fill them full of alcohol and take advantage. And there are drugs that could be put in their drinks to make them pass out. Guys that age are expecting a lot more than the girls are used to. They aren't ready for that."

"No, they aren't," Kunzite growled.

Nephrite nodded in agreement. He had seen the news. He knew the world wasn't sunshine and roses. "How do we get to them?" he asked.

"Mamo-chan and I are driving over there now," the girl said. "He borrowed Motoki's van. Come on. If you hurry, you can meet them and make sure they have a good time while staying safe. It's been a hard few months." The tiny girl brushed one of her long blonde streamers of hair back over her shoulder and reached for Mamoru's hand.

"Let's go find our wives," Nephrite said, his heart beating wildly in anticipation. He couldn't wait to see her.

The Party

Ami hid in the corner, trying to stay out of sight. Why she had ever agreed to come to the party she couldn't understand. But at the time it had felt right, like fate. Now she was terrified of all the people who wanted to talk to her, or worse, dance with her. Nervous shivers occasionally ran down her spine. She hated social gatherings, and this one was so much worse than her birthday parties.

"Are you alright?" a girl asked, trying to hand her a bright red party cup. Ami nodded, shrinking back a little more as the aqua-haired girl leaned forward. "Are you sure? You look upset. I can have my girlfriend kick someone's ass if you need it. Did someone try to hurt you?" The young woman looked angry, blue eyes flashing as she scanned the crowd.

"No one hurt me," Ami managed to squeak.

"Did you come with friends?" the girl asked, her voice pitched to be heard above the thumping beat of a new song playing.

Ami nodded and pointed to where Makoto stood, arms crossed over her chest, talking to a girl with short blonde hair and a look as though she was about to pull a prank. "Makoto is right there," she admitted. "But there are too many people."

"That girl right next to her is my girlfriend," the aqua-haired beauty said, smiling now. "She looks just as strong as Haruka too."

Ami grinned. "Makoto is the strongest girl I've ever met," she bragged. "She can do anything."

The girl facing her winked conspiratorially. "Haruka is the same," she said. "That in mind, maybe we should go over. I'll go with you so you don't have to talk to anyone."

Ami shook her head wildly. "I can't," she whispered. She was afraid if she entered the crowd she would pass out. There were too many people. When she wasn't in Senshi form, Ami felt weak and frightened around crowds. Probably because she had been made fun of, bullied through most of her life until she'd met Usagi. And where was Usagi. She would rescue her.

"Sure I can't change your mind? Want me to wave your friend over instead?"

Ami nodded. "That would be better."

Actually," came a gentle voice to her left. "Makoto is rather busy at the moment Ami. I'll take you home." She looked up into familiar eyes and melted as she watched Zoicite step closer. His arm reached around her waist and pulled her to his side. Suddenly she felt safe and warm, like she was at home snuggled under her blankets.

"Zo?" she asked, unsure if he was real or she was hallucinating. She'd had a sip of alcohol before spitting it out. Could a single sip make a person drunk? She didn't think so, but she felt drunk. "Are you really here?" she asked, reaching out and poking him hard in the chest. "I thought you were dead."

"I'm just going to leave the two of you alone," the aqua-haired girl grinned and backed away, looking happy. "Have a good night."

Ami waved, but Zoicite was pulling her to the door. Before she knew it they were outside in the chill evening air and she could breathe properly again. For several minutes they walked the quiet streets in silence, hands clasped together so tightly they hurt.

"I didn't know you were alive," Ami admitted. "We had to kill you."

Tears slipped down her cheek as she remembered the Shitennou begging the Senshi to kill them. They'd known they couldn't fight Metalia any longer and refused to kill their wives again. So the Senshi had taken the lives of their soulmates, knowing it meant they would be alone forever, but doing what had to be done to save their planet, and their princess.

"I thought you were just a dream," Zoicite said. "I've dreamed about you for months, but the dreams always faded. Then tonight Usagi and Mamoru came to get us. They said you girls were in trouble. I thought maybe there was a new enemy. I think Usagi just wanted an excuse to make sure you girls would never be alone."

"It's such an Usagi thing to do," Ami agreed. "She must have saved you when she saved us, but we didn't know so none of us came and found you."

"That's what they told us. A Wish." Zoicite's hand was warm around her own as he squeezed her fingers gently. "I won't ever leave you again," he promised.

"I know." And she did know. She could feel the strength of his vow settling over them. Turning, she smiled up at him as she pulled him gently to a stop. "Kiss me?"

When his lips touched hers, the world faded away. Zoicite was alive and his arms were now wrapped around her. Ami didn't mind the happy tears slipping down her cheeks. She was whole again.

Rei tried to have fun, but with Ami hiding in a corner, Minako out on the balcony, and Makoto unwilling to relax from her protective stance to do something as normal as dance with her, Rei felt awkward and alone. She wasn't sure why she had agreed to come. With a sigh, she made her way through the throng of people to the drinks table.

"This party sucks," she whispered.

She grabbed a drink, took a sip, and spluttered as it burned her throat. She put it down and backed away hastily. There was no enemy out there for the Senshi, but she wouldn't chance getting drunk in a place like this, even with Makoto standing guard and Motoki and Reika watching over them. She glazed around the room, wondering where Mamoru and Usagi could be.

The music changed to something with a heavy thump that she could feel in her chest and the soles of her feet. She felt compelled to dance, but without knowing anyone, she couldn't. Then two gentle hands came out and touched her shoulders and a familiar voice whispered in her ear.

"Dance with me, my fiery warrior," Jadeite pleaded.

Turning, mouth agape as she stared at her soulmate, Rei threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist as she planted a long-held kiss on his lips. She had been waiting to kiss him since she'd received her memories of their past life.

"You're alive," she whispered happily.

"I am. Usagi and Mamoru came and found us. Luna restored our memories."

"Oh Kami," Rei breathed. "When? How? Why?"

Jadeite threw his head back and laughed. "Tonight. Luna used some sort of memory trick. Because Usagi was worried about you coming to this party but couldn't change your minds. And also because she doesn't want Crystal Tokyo to be empty."

"You know about that?" Rei asked.

"Mamoru filled us in while she was getting dressed. He said she couldn't stop thinking about the four of you standing guard alone."

"I didn't know," Rei murmured. She glanced over to see Makoto talking to Nephrite. Ami was heading out the door, clinging to Zoicite, and Minako was out on the balcony in Kunzite's arms. "I had no idea she was bothered by it," she admitted. She had been jealous of her friend's happiness, though she didn't begrudge her.

"Come dance?" Jadeite asked.

Rei laughed. "Fine. I'll dance with you, but then you are taking me out for coffee so we can talk. Grandfather will be excited to see you. He's talked about you several times."

"Wait. He remembers me? How?" Jadeite looked confused.

Rei only rolled her eyes. "He is one of the most powerful and wise priests in Japan," she reminded him. "You trained at the Jinja for weeks. Of course he remembers you."

Jadeite nodded and carried her out into the crowd, not letting her down even as he started swaying from side to side with the music. Warm, safe, and comfortable, Rei rested her head on his shoulder and held on. She would never let him go again. He was hers.

Minako's heart sank as yet another older boy tried to grab her while they danced. With a sigh, she broke out of his hold and backed away. This was not what she had been hoping for. She'd needed a distraction, and this certainly was one, but it left her feeling hollow and empty.

Doomed to an eternity of loneliness. It wasn't fair. She let out another sigh and turned to make her way onto the balcony. Without Usagi at her side the party was just noise and confusion. There wasn't any fun. What was keeping her friend? Had Mamoru gotten even more overprotective and kept her home?

Minako didn't want to admit it, but she was jealous of her best friend. She wanted Usagi to be happy. The girl certainly deserved it. She had fought the Dark Kingdom, then Ail and An, then been forced to fight against her own future daughter and had been through something awful. Usagi definitely deserved to be happy.

But Minako desperately wished for someone who cared enough to try and protect her. She wanted someone who would ask her to call the moment she got home. Someone who wanted her for who she was and not what she looked like, or because she had once been the model for Sailor V. She wanted someone who could take control every once in a while so that she could relax and just be a teenage girl.

It might not be exactly fair that Usagi got her happily-ever-after and the rest of them didn't, but she couldn't begrudge her. Still, it was hard to see the way Mamoru doted on her and not have someone to do the same. Resting her forehead against the cold metal railing, Minako closed her eyes as pain threatened to overwhelm her. If only she had found a way to save Kunzite she wouldn't be alone.

"Want a drink?" a male voice came from her left.

Minako raised her head and stared at the college-age man who stood beside her, his thick black hair falling over his forehead, a large red cup held out in one hand. "No thank you," she said softly.

"Oh come on," the boy cajoled. "You don't look like you're having any fun."

"I'm not," Minako agreed.

"Then drink this and come dance with me. In a few minutes you'll be feeling loose and ready for fun."

"No thanks," Minako said again. "I don't really feel like partying anymore." It was true. She wanted to gather up the other girls and go home. She wished she had listened to Usagi and Artemis.

"Drink it," the young man pressed, moving closer to her until Minako felt trapped between him and the railing. Her instincts told her to prepare for a fight, but before she could do or say a thing, the young man was pulled backwards and shoved away.

"Stay away from her," a familiar voice said, growling. "She said no and she meant no." Kunzite snatched the cup and threw it over the railing. "She's sixteen moron."

Minako, whose breath had caught at the sound of his voice, stared up at Kunzite, her mouth parted as she tried to pull in a full breath of air. He was alive. How was that possible? And how had he found her?

The boy who had been pressuring her backed into the house, keeping his eyes on Kunzite, who looked about ready to pull a sword and skewer him. Then he was gone and she watched as her husband from a former life, and her enemy from this one, turned his frown on her.

"What the hell were you thinking?" he asked angrily. "I know you've had it rough, but to come here without backup was just foolish."

"Foolish?" Minako asked, anger raising her body temperature until it felt like she would explode. "How dare you accuse me of being foolish!" she spat. "I'll have you know I-" but her words were cut off as Kunzite wrapped his massive arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Oh Kami," he breathed. "I can't believe you're actually real." His face buried into her hair and for a moment, Minako thought he was crying. Then he took a deep breath and pulled back, staring into her eyes, his own silver ones full of emotion. "You won't ever come to a party like this without me again," he demanded.

For just a moment Minako considered arguing. Then reality hit her and she realized he knew exactly who she was. And he was standing before her, his arms protectively wrapped around her waist… alive. She didn't mind him being a little bossy. In fact, she'd always rather liked it in their last life. It gave her a chance to not make decisions.

"Are you real?" she asked, hardly daring to hope.

"Yes. Mamoru and Usagi came and found us. Luna restored our memories. Oh Mina, I'm so sorry for what I did." He reached out a hand and touched the place on her belly that had been marred by his sword at her death in the Silver Millennium.

"It wasn't you Kun," Minako said, comforting him as automatically as she breathed. "That was Metalia's spirit, forcing you to do things you didn't want to do."

"Still," Kunzite said, pulling her close again. "It was my hand that killed you."

"And mine that killed you in this life," Minako reminded him. "I have to thank Usagi the moment I see her. I didn't know she had brought you all back when she saved us."

"Minako," Kunzite said after several minutes of silence. She looked up at him, her eyes widening at the tear streaking down his cheek. "Minako, I can't lose you again."

"Kun," she whispered, stepping onto the tips of her toes. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, lifting herself higher, and placed her lips over his own. "You won't," she promised, then kissed him again.

Makoto stood sentinel over the other girls, not willing to let them out of her sight. She was the strongest physically and, to her own mind, emotionally. She knew it was up to her to keep the others safe. Scanning the thick crowd, she searched for Usagi, who seemed to be running late. There was no sign of the odangoed blonde.

Ami was still hiding in the corner, an aqua-haired young woman next to her. Minako had rushed out to the balcony and was leaning against the railing. Rei looked hot and annoyed as she made her way to the drink table. The music switched to loud thumping bass and Makoto rolled her eyes.

"Hey," came a voice. Makoto turned to see a young woman standing beside her, dressed as a boy. She had short blonde hair and bright blue eyes that were laser focused on Makoto. "You look worried."

"I am," Makoto admitted. "My best friend still isn't here and my other best friends have scattered. It's hard to keep an eye on all of them at once."

The other girl laughed. "I know exactly what you mean," she said. She pointed to the girl standing with Ami. "I only have Michiru to watch out for, but she flutters around like a butterfly, unafraid of anyone or anything. I always wonder if I can keep her safe."

"Exactly. Usagi is just like that. Thankfully Mamoru is more protective than I am or I might have a heart attack. But the others are all scattered and I just want to grab them and take them home."

Laughing again, the young woman extended her hand. "I'm Haruka. Looks like you might have back-up," she added, pointing with her chin towards the door.

Usagi and Mamoru were standing there with four young men, Usagi pointing to Ami. Makoto watched in shock as Zoicite peeled away from them and hurried over. She watched Kunzite and Jadeite move towards the others, then gasped as she met Nephrite's eyes.

"Good luck," Haruka said, but Makoto wasn't paying attention anymore.

Nephrite made his way through the crowd and came to stand before her. Craning her head back to look into his face, Makoto felt like she might faint, until she realized she wasn't breathing and pulled in air, panting slightly. "Neph?"

"Makoto," he said softly, reaching out to brush his fingertips over her cheek.

"Nephrite!" she called, throwing herself into his arms, weeping and clinging to her soulmate. Usagi had found him! She sobbed all over his shirt, holding tightly to the material as she tried to calm down.

"Mako," he breathed, and then she felt the world spin as he lifted her off the ground and held her tight against his chest. "My beautiful little Mako."

She blushed pink. Only he could think she was little. She felt practically dainty in his huge hands. Rubbing her face against his neck, she continued to cling to him, promising she would never let him be taken from her again.

Even as Nephrite swayed from side to side with the music, he whispered into her ear that he would never be parted from her. That he would protect her always, and that he had loved her in their last life, and would love her in this one. Forever.

Usagi stood back with Mamoru, leaning against the wall as they watched the reunions. She wasn't embarrassed to be sobbing openly. It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. Reunited, the couples slipped out of the party, two by two, until she and Mamoru were the only ones left.

"That went well," Mamoru said, a grin on his face.

"Better than I dreamed,"Usagi said. "It's all I've been thinking about since we came back from Crystal Tokyo." She blushed. "Well, that and Chibi-Usa. We are going to have to do something about that girl. Maybe a spanking!" She grunted in annoyance as memories of the bratty little girl swelled. She would not let her daughter act like that.

"I think it's because she's an only child and a princess. It has to be lonely," Mamoru said, defending the brat as always. Usagi raised her eyebrow at him, watching as he flushed guiltily. They'd talked about that. He couldn't be so permissive with the child.

"What she needs is siblings, and rules," Usagi said, grinning. "We've made one change. Why not a few more." She had plans. Plans that would change everything for the better. No one would be alone on her watch. Her mind turned to Setsuna, who had sacrificed herself using a taboo ability. Nope. Not happening. Pluto had a soulmate too, and Usagi knew where, and more importantly who, he was.

Haruka and Michiru danced in a slow circle, both happy to be together, and happy to see their princess. Haruka couldn't help laughing at the skill with which the tiny blond princess had made the other girls so happy. It was exactly like their princess to do something so generous.

"Do you think they're ready?" Michiru asked, watching Nephrite carry Makoto out of the party. She was sleeping in his arms.

"Not yet," Haruka answered as she swayed in a circle. "But now they will be." Both girls knew there was another enemy to fight, a grail to be found and guarded, and a little girl to be saved.

30th Century

Chibi-Usa looked around and saw a boy who looked like her father, but much younger. She squealed excitedly. "Who are you?"

"I'm your twin, don't you remember?" The boy's purple-rimmed blue eyes filled with tears and his lip quivered.

"Chibi-Mamo," she said, confused as a rush of memories of the boy overwhelmed her. She didn't know what was happening, but thought her parents or Puu might be able to tell her.

He nodded. "Are you sure you are not ill? Let's take you to mommy and daddy." He helped her out of bed and led her to their parents, who were laughing with the Senshi and Shittenou as they prepared breakfast for the other children.

"You were so sneaky Usako," Daddy said to Mommy. When daddy laid his eyes on her he hugged them tight

"Why was mommy sneaky?" Chibiusa asked, confused.

Her mother stood then. Her tummy, big and round. "You will find out when you go back to the past for training and to rescue Hotaru with your brother," the queen said conspiratorially. She was smiling happily as she watched the Senshi with their own children. "You'll see," she said again.