Divinity: Fates and the Afterlife

Chapter 28

A/N I want to say that I am thankful for every single one of you who are following me and reading this story Friday after Friday. Thank you for sticking with me on this, it means a lot. So, I know what you might be thinking: when is the wedding finally going to happen?! -Soon. There were things I needed to settle before jumping to the actual event... we're getting there, it's close, it's happening... don't worry.

Mamoru got home and saw the lights from the apartment were on and walked to Megumi's room and knocked on the door softly, "Megumi, are you here?" he opened the door and peeked inside. Megumi turned and smiled widely when she saw the prince had gotten home earlier than he usually was, "Y-Your Highness!"

Mamoru tilted his head and chuckled with endearment by her sweet reaction, "What are you doing?"

"Oh, I was looking at the dress Her Highness picked for me—for the wedding," her hand softly caressed the fine lace of her blush pink tea length gown with ¾ lace sleeves "The color is very pretty, it reminds me of the rose gardens Her Majesty, Queen Gaia used to love so much..."

Mamoru felt a tight compression in his chest at the mention of his royal mother but opted to ignore it, "May I come in?" Megumi nodded, stood up from her bed and bowed her head with respect, old habits never died—she thought. "Of course, Your Highness, please do."

Mamoru walked inside and sat on a lounge cushion chair across from her twin-size bed and sighed softly, "You're right—pink roses were her favorites." He began taking his things from his pockets, "Her Majesty always requested her tea had to be made out of pink rose petals," he leaned back and put his keys, wallet, and phone on the small wooden table next to him, making a clicking-metallic sound. Megumi noticed a distant flair in his voice, almost as if he really wanted to avoid mentioning anything that had to do with that part of his life at any cost. "So, I spoke to the bride earlier today... she is going out with the girls for the evening to celebrate and they would like you to join them—if you want to go, of course."

Megumi widened her eyes with surprise, "M-Me?"

"Yes, you." Mamoru smiled, "I think they are having dinner somewhere fancy—I don't know much of those places like they do... after having dinner they are going back to her house to help her finish packing—good luck with that."

Megumi's eyes gleamed with excitement since the trip to the mall she's been marveled by all the things this city had to offer. There was so much to see, so much to do but the most valuable thing for her was that she was living it with freedom and with all of them like one of them. She enjoyed the way they got along with each other, how they constantly made jokes on one another and the playful and loving way the lunar princess and the Terran prince talked to each other.

"I know things have been insane lately with everything that has happened but I think it would be good for you to go out with them, forget about it and just enjoy the evening." Mamoru crossed his leg over his knee and looked at her with a warm smile on his lips. Megumi blushed and looked down, "B-But—what about you, Your Highness?"

Mamoru chuckled, "What about me?"

"You are going to be left alone, I cannot do that to you—what if you need anything?" Megumi looked at him. Mamoru smiled, "Megumi, it's alright. I am used to be by myself—actually, I am going to take advantage of my solitude, read a book and go to bed early. That is why Usa says I am the most boring person, also, remember that you are not a maid anymore... you're family. If I need anything I can get it myself,"

"B-But how do I get there?" Megumi asked confused, Mamoru leaned forward, resting his arms on his crossed leg, "I will be driving you to Usa's house, of course."

Megumi bit her lower lip and looked down at her floral summer dress "I do not know if this is appropriate."

"You look more than appropriate Megumi," Mamoru tilted his head to the side curious boy, "Just smile—that's all you need." Megumi felt her cheeks flush and nodded with content, thinking no matter how much time it passed the prince still had that charm that made her feel helpless around him, she was very aware that what he felt for him wasn't something romantic but she could not deny that Prince Endymion was a very eloquent and beautiful man. Having settled things, Mamoru stood up and stuffed his pockets with his belongings again and walked towards the door, "Alright—let's go."

Megumi turned quickly to grab a pair of coral colored flats Usagi brought her to match with that dress and quickly went after Mamoru. Minutes after, they found themselves in the garage and got into his car; as soon as he turned the engine on he heard his phone ring a couple of times before answering "Hey Usa," he said softly as he arranged his rear-view mirror before taking off, "Yes, I am driving Megumi over to your house, we'll be there in 20 minutes or so."

Megumi was still amazed by the strange things that apparently were normal to the rest, like Mamoru's car. It amazed her to listen the smooth engine sound as he started it, the many buttons and lights on the dashboard, the music coming from the radio and it impressed her how he could control the vehicle's wheel with such ease. After a short conversation, she saw him hang up his phone and began driving out of the parking space and into the night city. Megumi looked through the window at the many lights that flashed in almost every corner, Mamoru peered quickly and saw the awe in Megumi's face and opened the window for her to feel the breeze and enjoy the ride a little better "You're getting used to this city, huh?" he asked softly. Megumi smiled and nodded, "There is something about the lights that makes it so magical."

"It's refreshing to see somebody admire this the way you do. We are so used to them that it's a normal thing for us to witness." Megumi turned with a curious look in her eyes and not really thinking twice what she was about to ask, "Do you like this era more than your previous Kingdom, Your Highness?"

Mamoru felt another tug in his chest and pursed his lips at the mention of Elysion, the land he now clearly remembered crumbling right in front of him with everything he cherished inside, "It's a little hard to say," he stopped at a red light and turned to her with an unreadable look in his face, "Both have their own kind of beauty. I remember those rose gardens you mentioned a while ago—I remember the scent that lingered once you stepped foot into them but, there are gardens here that give you that same feeling." Megumi noticed distant flair in his voice again and looked down at her hands curling into nervous fists in her lap, "It is so bad, Your Highness?"

Following her question, a heavy silence fell between them, she knew she was stepping into unstable ground asking something so personal knowing for a fact the prince was very hermetic when it came to his life but she wondered if he ever held those memories dear or if he rather preferred his life as a simple civilian, whether he enjoyed just being Chiba Mamoru instead of a Prince with a high royal title and rank. "Since you regained your memories, you barely mention anything about it, about them... I wonder... if you miss it... even a lit—"

"I do Megumi," he interrupted as he slowly drove through the residential area where Usagi's house was located. Minutes later he pulled over in front of Usagi's house and turned the engine off and took a deep breath, "I miss them," he turned to look at her "I have to admit that, yes, I wish they were here with me on a day as significant as tomorrow—since I remembered, I realized that I am not very different from how I was back then. I keep things to myself, it's who I am, maybe because I grew up as an orphan since very little in this era or maybe because it's something that came as a trade for being reborn—I don't know. But I can't lie to you," he gave her a sad smile "I miss them very much but all I can do now is to honor their memory the same way you honored mine."

Megumi blushed, "Y-Your Highness..."

"It breaks my heart to know everything you had to endure to be here right now and there are not enough words that can describe how grateful and how honored I am for everything you have done for me and for them." Mamoru put his hand on top of Megumi's and squeezed it softly, "I promise you—it won't happen again," his prismatic blue eyes looked into her chocolate ones with truth behind his piercing gaze, "I will do anything in my power to protect you, it's my turn and my duty."

Megumi could not help the tears pooling in her eyes and tilted her head, "There were times I was about to lose faith but my promise to you kept me going. Somehow you have protected me all this time without you knowing, Your Highness." Mamoru brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly, "Sweet Megumi, I thank you for your words, I thank you for your faith in me when I was on the verge of giving up—it is because of you, that I am here today. You told me to fight for her and now I am finally fulfilling the promise I made to Serenity."

Megumi couldn't help it any longer and leaned closer to wrap her arms around her prince with endearment and the purest sentiment of gratitude and loyalty. "I will always believe in you, My Prince—even if the heavens do not agree," Mamoru closed his eyes and returned the embrace; since Ares appeared to tell him the truth about his family, they didn't have much time in private to talk and even when she didn't say much, he knew Megumi was giving him time and very much needed space to think and process everything. Her loyalty continued to amaze him up to this day and made him feel cared and supported even when he was not by her side all this time, making him think how much it meant when he said he was going to do anything in his power to keep her safe this time.

Mamoru pulled back and turned to his left with a soft smile and a soft blush on his cheeks, "Well, here we are." Megumi looked at the house with awe, taking in every little detail "It is so beautiful,"

"So different to where I live, right?" Mamoru chuckled and stepped out of the car and walked to her side to open Megumi's door. He offered his hand and helped her get out, like the gentleman he's always been, making the young maiden to blush again, "Usa lives with her parents and brother, you will get to know them—they are very nice people," once they walked to the neat porch, he pressed the doorbell and turned to Megumi "But please, I must ask you for a favor," Megumi nodded with curiosity, Mamoru leaned closer to her ear, "You have to refer to me as Mamoru when we're with them, they don't know me as Endymion, Prince or His Highness," he chuckled softly, "Alright?" Megumi widened her eyes and nodded, "Y-Yes."

"We will say you are my cousin," Mamoru smiled, "Which you are, technically."

Megumi blushed and turned surprised at the woman answering the door, "Mamoru dear," Ikuko smiled widely, "Come in!"

"Good evening, Mama-san," Mamoru bowed his head, Megumi noticed right away he had deep respect for the woman before them. As soon as they both walked inside the small foyer, Ikuko turned to look at the girl next to Mamoru and widened her eyes with delight, "What a lovely lady Mamoru, who is she?"

Mamoru smiled, "This is Megumi, my cousin." Megumi bowed her head in respect, "Nice to meet you, Miladi."

Ikuko blinked, startled "N-Nice to meet you, Megumi-san," she turned to Mamoru still a little surprised, "I didn't know you had any cousins Mamoru."

"She is daughter to one of my parent's closest friends, she recently moved to the city because she wants to get into school here,"

Ikuko smiled widely, "Ah, that's good!" she waved her hand and motioned them to come inside the living room "Come in, come in—Usagi is almost ready."

They both took their shoes off and walked into the living room where Kenji was inside watching t.v. "Good evening, Tsukino-san." Mamoru greeted politely, Kenji turned and looked at his future son in law and gave him a soft smile, "Ah, Mamoru—good evening."

"Dear, this is Megumi-san, Mamoru's cousin." Ikuko joined them and sat next to her husband. Kenji smiled at the young maiden and nodded his head "Nice to meet you, Megumi."

"Nice to meet you, Sir."

Mamoru sweatdropped, he completely forgot to tell her to choose other honorifics when talking to them, "Are you taking Usagi out?" Ikuko asked softly, Mamoru shook his head "No, she is going out with the girls tonight but they invited Megumi so, that's why we're here."

"Ahh, yes—well she should be here any minute, you know how she is. Please, take a seat dear," Ikuko smiled and turned to the girl sitting quietly next to her son in law, "So, how old are you Megumi-san?"

Mamoru and Megumi widened their eyes, an interesting question they both thought. Megumi blushed, thinking she could not tell them the truth and say that at this point she was more than a thousand years old. Her appearance stayed the same from when she lived in Elysion so she had to go with that option, "Eighteen years of age,"

"Oh, you are much younger than Usagi!" Ikuko said surprised, frowning she turned to Kenji who was too immersed in the news on the t.v. "Kenji Papa, we have company—could you please turn that off?"

"I am just waiting for this coverage they are doing on a couple of archaeologists," Kenji took a sip of his tea, "They have been talking a lot about them at the newspaper." His eyes widened like a child on Christmas when the news anchor began speaking about it.

"On another news, for those who are into the archaeological scene and history, this story might be of your catch your interest. Swedish based archaeologist Ahlstrand Mikael and Japanese native Casanova Akira have been rustling the waters of speculation and wonder through their breakthrough discovery."

Mamoru turned to the t.v. and frowned, Kenji smiled with interest, "Ah, this is what I was talking about..." he grabbed the remote and turned the volume up to listen closely to the woman on television.

"They have been showing up some pieces of information throughout this past month that has been keeping everybody at the edge of their seats but now it seems both will be giving their side of the story since a close source has informed they have gone separate ways, being Casanova Akira the one with the strangest lead than her counterpart—more about this, after the break."

Kenji readjusted his glasses and lowered the volume down "Ah, I thought they were going to talk more about the actual archaeological discovery than whatever it is going on between them."

"An archaeological discovery?" Mamoru thought and turned to his future father in law, "What kind of discovery Tsukino-san?"

"Ah, well—they seem to have found some ancient ruins deep underground or something like that, they haven't spoken much about it but the interesting part is how they claim it has to do with an ancient civilization, older than humanity itself." Mamoru narrowed his eyes with interest, "Ancient civilization?"

"Mamo-chan!" Usagi said gleefully as soon as she walked down the stairs, the beautiful bride to be was wearing a pale sky blue tulle skirt that reached below her knees and a cream colored blouse with a slim black ribbon tied around her neck. Her silver-blonde hair was up in a loose bun, making her look like a regal ballerina with her messy bangs swaying from one side to the other. Her perfectly nude lips matched the smoky look on her eyes, making her icy blue eyes look more enchanting and mystical than usual. She walked into the living room with a big smile on her face and wrapped her arms around her future husband "One more night," she whispered and gave him a peck on his cheek, in respect of her father who still was very emotional for her departure.

Mamoru smiled shyly, "Your parents are here," he whispered, Usagi giggled softly "Yes, so?"

"Your father is stabbing ice daggers on my back with his stare—I can feel it." Mamoru cleared his throat but before he could pull back, Usagi stood on her tiptoes and peeked through Mamoru's shoulder at her father doing exactly what Mamoru just said, his eyes were looking at him and his once smiling face had turned deadly serious; giggling she stepped away and patted Mamoru on his chest "Yeah—he is."

"Yeah," Mamoru mumbled and cleared his throat again, trying to shake the awkward feeling of being secretly devoured by his father in law. "Megumi's here—so I am going to leave now." Usagi turned to the girl sitting next to her mother and waved her hand with a big smile on her face but quickly turned to look at her fiancé, "Wait, what?"

"What?" Mamoru looked at her puzzled, Usagi pouted her lips in return "So soon? You just got here!"

"Usa..." Mamoru chuckled and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "The girls will be here any minute."

"So?" The blonde shook her head, still not understanding his point; Mamoru arched his brow "So? Well, you are going out and I am not a girl so, I have to leave."

"Do you have any plans?" Usagi looked at him with dubious eyes, and widened her eyes when she felt Mamoru pinching her nose with endearment, "I'm staying home—Motoki had to take the night shift today so I am going to read for a while and then go to sleep early."

Usagi snorted, "That is so—"

"Boring, I know. Yes, yes, I am a boring person... now, I'm off." Mamoru kissed her forehead and turned to excuse himself from her parents. Ikuko sighed slightly sad "Aw, you are leaving so soon dear?"

Mamoru smiled, silently thanking the woman for always being so sweet to him. Since the first moment Usagi brought him home, she greeted him with the most loving smile and the most delicious plum tart he had ever tried in his life, considering he was not much of a sweet tooth. He bent down letting Ikuko pat him on his cheek in a loving, motherly gesture and smiled, "Tomorrow is going to be a very hectic day, so you need—" she trailed off and widened her eyes, startling Mamoru "Mama-san?"

Ikuko blinked and rubbed her temples delicately and chuckled "Ah, nothing... I must be tired too, I thought I saw your eyes change to a different shade just now..."

Mamoru widened his eyes and blinked a little surprised, true, his eyes did change color but how could they ever explain that to the older couple. Their lives as soldiers of justice had to be put aside and be covered by a mountain of alibis and excuses that eventually became a truth to them as well—until now. Usagi giggled and waved her hand as she gave her mother just that, another alibi "Mama, you are watching too much television."

Mamoru sweat dropped and turned to look at Usagi, Ikuko on the other side chuckled in response to her daughter's allegation "Maybe I am," she smiled and gave Mamoru a peck on his cheek "I will see you tomorrow dear, go have plenty of rest."

Mamoru nodded and turned to Kenji who had a very different look on his face, opposite to his wife's, he was more serious and quieter when he was around. He was never disrespectful towards him but he was the man that was taking his daughter away after all and that was enough for him to be on the defensive side. He took his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose before putting them on again, "Don't stay up too late, you have to be at the church before the bride arrives." He turned to look at his future son in law and snickered shyly, a characteristic gesture when he wanted to show he was not as bad as he tried to portray himself to be but still wanting to show he was in control.

Mamoru bowed his head respectfully and returned the gesture. Turning on his heel he smiled at Megumi and waved his hand at her "Have fun," he said softly before walking out the room. Usagi giggled at the gesture and followed him to the porch and closed the door behind her, "Do you really have to leave so soon? The girls won't be here for at least another 20 minutes..." Mamoru chuckled softly and turned to look at her, "Usa, it's your night with the girls—enjoy it." he bent down and rubbed his nose against hers "After tomorrow, you'll have me around all day."

Usagi blushed "All day?"

Mamoru nodded and brushed his lips against hers "All day and night," he whispered lovingly while closing his eyes to seal the deal with a kiss. The silver-blonde wrapped her arms around his neck and responded to the sweet, loving gesture, parting only seconds after and sighed with content, "I like that idea..." Mamoru chuckled and opened his eyes "Let's see if you keep saying that after a year—or two."

Usagi parted her lips in shock and slapped his arm playfully, "You are so mean—and boring."

Mamoru kissed her again and stepped back "And still you are marrying me tomorrow," he snickered, "Let me know where to pick Megumi, okay?"

"I can take her—don't worry."

Mamoru frowned "Sure, like if I am ever going to let you two walk around alone late at night."

"What? I remind you, Your Highness, that I am a soldier of justice—I can kick ass."

Mamoru sighed softly, "Usa..."

"Fine, fine," Usagi put her hands up in defeat, "I'll text you,"

Mamoru kissed her forehead "Don't stay up too late," smiling, he leaned his head to rest on hers "See you tomorrow." Usagi smiled and nodded, "See you tomorrow."

Mamoru turned on his heel and started walking towards his car "I am not even going to ask you if there are boxes I should take with me right now—I know you haven't packed a single pin."

Usagi blushed, "Uh, well—for your information..." she exhaled deeply "No, you're right—I haven't. It's just too much."

The silver blonde watched her prince wave his hand as he stepped into his car and drive away; she leaned her back on the door thinking about the day ahead of her. She was excited and terribly desperate to finally share her life with him. Usagi looked up and looked at the stars shining brightly in the dark sky and took a deep breath, "Please—let us be together... let us be at peace..." she whispered and walked back inside her house.

O—o—O

A while later, Mamoru parked his car in his usual spot and took the elevator that would lead him to his apartment's floor. After leaving Usagi's house he stopped at a convenience store to buy some beer, thinking he might not have much planned for his last night as a single man but at least he was going to try to relax while drinking a good and cold stout to put his mind at ease.

Once in the elevator, he pressed the button to his apartment floor and walked down the hallway while looking for his keys to open the door, his blue eyes widened when he saw four men sitting outside his door, Jadeite quickly turned and smiled widely, "Hey, so he was not here after all!"

"How did you—" Mamoru looked at them surprised, Kunzite stood up and sighed, "Your aura is everywhere, we can read it like a map—it is not so difficult to find you."

"Also, we have been here before, remember? Back then... when... we were—" Zoisite tapped Jadite's forehead once he stood up, "I think you do not have to remind him that, Jadeite." he sighed and turned to Mamoru, "Surprised?"

Mamoru smiled, "Very much, yes, I was a—" a blast of confetti soon showered the dark-haired man and turned to see Jadeite activated the party favor Rei gave him earlier that day, the blonde blushed when realizing what he had done "Ah—too soon eh?" Zoisite sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose "You had one job,"

"I did not know this was going to pop open so suddenly!" Jadeite looked at the party favor and sighed, "Well," he turned to Mamoru and shrugged his shoulders apologetically, "Congratulations."

Mamoru blinked, still surprised to see them there, "T-Thanks..."

"Before you ask how did Jadeite get hold of that, Mars gave it to us—as a celebration gift." Nephrite brushed the few confetti that landed on his grey shirt. Mamoru chuckled and brushed the confetti off his hair "Ah well—you accomplished your mission but I am most surprised to see you here—you have been acting very strange these days."

"We wanted to give you some privacy," Kunzite said, "After what happened and well with—"

"What Kunzite is trying to say here is that we know you needed time to be on your own after our long, exhausting day yesterday, so we imagined you needed to rest," Zoisite said softly as he leaned on Kunzite's shoulder. Mamoru turned to open the door to his apartment and walked inside "Well yes but—you are my friends and... you have a totally different concept of privacy." he dropped his keys on the small table by the foyer and walked to the living room.

"Still, we have manners," Jadeite said as he walked inside, Kunzite closed the door behind him and walked inside, looking at every little detail in the apartment "It is strange to be here—physically."

Jadeite smiled and sat on the couch, "These are lovely chambers you have yourself here."

Mamoru turned the radio on and turned over his shoulder with a strange look on his face, "These are not chambers Jadeite, this is all my living space," he chuckled, "Megumi said the same thing..."

"You mean there is no more to it? This is all?" Jadeite blinked, surprised.

Mamoru nodded and put the remote down, "Yes, this is all—sorry to disappoint you."

Jadeite looked around and smiled, leaning his head on the couch "I could learn to live here—it is not a palace but, it sure is comfortable," Zoisite smacked the back of Jadeite's head, "Oi!" the sitting blonde exclaimed with annoyance, "What the hell was that about?!" Zoisite walked around the sofa and took a seat "You need to learn your boundaries."

Kunzite looked around, "The girl—where is she?"

Mamoru walked back to the kitchen "She is with Us—Serenity and the girls. They wanted her to join them for dinner."

"So, they are getting along well," Kunzite saw Mamoru walking back with a beer bottle and handed it to his friend, "Yes, you could say that, they have been very supportive," he walked to the living room and gave each of the generals one as well before taking a seat on the sofa across the one where Jadeite and Zoisite were sitting. Kunzite and Nephrite followed and sat each one next to Jadeite and Zoisite "And how is the girl taking it?"

"The same way you are," Mamoru looked at them "Their friendly approach has helped her feel more at home,"

"I find it so incredible that she survived all the madness." Zoisite said softly, "We, who were supposed to be trained for that obviously couldn't." Mamoru frowned and put his beer bottle on the coffee table with a sigh, "Are you blaming yourself for what happened?"

Four pairs of eyes looked at their prince with sudden astonishment, Jadeite's cynicism popped in response like a natural mechanism to lighten the mood, "No... they do." Mamoru leaned back and crossed his arms, "Look," he tried to find the right words to allow them to understand. He was more than positive that their sudden, strange and distant behavior was because they were ashamed, they felt they had failed a promise they made a lifetime ago and Kunzite was the most affected by it because it did not just hurt his pride as a soldier it hurt his ego as well.

But the truth is, Mamoru missed them. He remembered him as the brothers he never had and had the chance to meet. Call it fate, call it predetermined—whatever happened; they grew up together and went on so many trials, putting their lives in danger in the process. That friendship could not end just like that.

"This is getting old," he looked at them and shrugged his shoulders "You feel guilty—I feel guilty, we all feel guilty—it's a vicious circle that will never end if we continue well—feeling guilty. What's done is done, what happened back then—it's there, in the past."

Kunzite crossed his arms "It is easy for you to say—we failed—"

"Her Majesty the Queen—yes, I get it." Mamoru replied, interrupting him "And I am sure that if the Queen was here, she would be feeling guilty too because she never told me the truth. It's all a guilt ride and we're stuck on it." frowning he rubbed the back of his neck in frustration "I am getting sick of it—really," exasperated he stood up and roamed around the room "If you are here now, you might as well enjoy it."

"See—that is what I said!" Jadeite exclaimed, startling everyone, Mamoru included. Zoisite sweat dropped "No, it is what I said."

"Alright so, if you are aware of it, why do you keep torturing yourselves with it?" Mamoru asked confused. Kunzite looked at him "Because—unlike them, we do not know for how long we will be here."

The answer took Mamoru by surprise, "What?" he frowned, Kunzite sighed and put his beer bottle on the table. All this time he had been chugging down the cold beverage in order to gain the courage he needed to come forward and express what he really felt, "We do not know for how long we will be here."

"Here comes the Limbo thing again..." Jadeite sighed, Mamoru shook his head in more disbelief and confusion "Limbo? What the hell are you talking about?"

Kunzite stood up and looked at Mamoru with a challenging glare like in the old days "We have been part of the spirit world for years now. Unlike Princess Serenity's guardians we were not granted an opportunity to live here as normal civilians—we are here now because we were called upon, there is a mission behind it."

"So basically, you are not thinking about the outcome of you being here but just what brought you here, is that what you are telling me?" Mamoru crossed his arms, "You don't believe that you might actually be able to live here, instead, you prefer to walk down the guilt road—is that easier for you?"

"You are guilty too, you just said it!" Kunzite snapped.

"Yes Kunzite, I am—but I am still here to fight against it," Mamoru frowned, his once sapphire blue eyes turned darker "I can't change the facts now, it's too late. I can't go back in time and fix the mess Beryl and Metallia made, I can't bring anyone back—I can't cancel the fact that I am some sort of mythological hybrid, all I can do now is to fight and protect the future—my future with Serenity."

"Exactly!" Kunzite growled with frustration; Mamoru widened his blue eyes with realization, "Ah, I see... you are angry at me." Jadeite, Zoisite and Nephrite turned to a very upset Kunzite who in response frowned and waved his hand dismissively at the prince, "I am not angry at you." The first in command muttered with bitterness. "Yes, you are," Mamoru walked over to him "You have since you arrived," he turned to the other generals "They have been more open to the idea of living in this era than you."

"You do not understand," Kunzite muttered.

"You are angry that I got to live in this time and era and you didn't," Mamoru stood in front of the very tense general. Jadeite frowned "Are you really angry at him Kunzite?"

"I am not angry!" Kunzite snapped at Jadeite but his grey, cold eyes never left Mamoru's piercing blue ones. Both were challenging themselves, each one with their own justified reasons. "It has been your decision to ignore her, you know?" Mamoru pointed his finger at him, "Don't take it on me."

"You do not understand!" Kunzite raised his voice. Jadeite frowned and turned to Nephrite and Zoisite, "Did I miss something?" Zoisite patted his friend's shoulder trying to listen to the argument since things were getting interesting "Shh—Shh..."

"I don't understand?!" It was Mamoru's turn to raise his voice, his patience now going thin "You don't even know what the hell happened to me after I was reborn here!"

"Well no—we were not here," Jadeite muttered.

"Exactly, you weren't here." Mamoru said ebulliently "You have no idea how much I fought to be where I am now. I just didn't reborn and found Serenity—I had my share of bad experiences and I had to live them alone. I have missed all of you because I had to lose my friends not once but three damn times. Me, just like you, grew mad at the idea of not having you around—the ones I grew up to care as my brothers, but now that you are around you are here on the night before my wedding taking your frustrations on me over something only you can amend and control. I may not have remembered all of my life up until now but I did remember you and it made me feel like the worst person when I was not able to do anything to save you after Beryl was killed."

Kunzite felt the punch to his ego and hung his head low. The prince was right and he was hating every minute of it. The slight, very sneaky way Mamoru brought Minako to the conversation made him even angrier because it was true, he was avoiding her due to his own doubts and confusion. Dismantled and embarrassed, the general looked at his longtime friend and prince and sighed "I do not like you."

Mamoru looked at him query, "What?"

"I do not like you—this... when you are right," Kunzite grumbled. Mamoru arched his brow "You don't like to hear the truth? That's not new."

"Oi..." Kunzite frowned. Mamoru patted his friend's shoulder "Seriously, stop blaming yourself. You didn't fail me or the Queen or the King or your Kingdom—you have said it so—you are here on a mission."

"And what if we have to leave again?" Kunzite said with a different tone, Mamoru knew he was talking about Minako "You don't know that, but if that time comes and we have to cross that bridge, we will think of something, until then, stop punishing yourself and stop being angry at the world—it's appalling."

"Alright—something is quite not right here," Jadeite stood up "What are you talking about?"

Mamoru blinked surprised and turned to Jadeite, "What? You don't know?" he turned to Kunzite again and crossed his arms, "They don't know?" Kunzite sighed heavily and shook his head, "No, they do not know."

"Really?" Mamoru frowned and turned to Nephrite, Zoisite, and a very curious Jadeite "Really? It's very obvious."

"Wait, how do you know?!" Kunzite looked at Mamoru with a pale face, like if he had seen a dead man. Mamoru scoffed, "I found out about it back then, the meetings—the ribbon." Kunzite widened his eyes with shock, "So, you do know."

"Of course, I know." Mamoru shrugged his shoulders and nodded. "What is it that you know and we do not know but we want to know?" Jadeite frowned, the question made sense to Nephrite and widened his eyes, "Oh—I know."

"What!?" Jadeite exclaimed, "Now you know now but I do not know?"

"Really?" Zoisite looked at Kunzite with surprise, joining the surprise, "Is that the reason why you have been all somber these days?"

"I do not know what you are talking about!" Jadeite threw his arms out in frustration, "What the hell are you talking about!?" Zoisite sighed and turned to slightly older brother, "What you have for the fire Senshi, he has it for the senshi of love. There, now you know."

"What I have for the—oh," Jadeite widened his eyes then looked down at Zoisite "Oi, what I have for the fire Senshi? What is that supposed to mean?" Mamoru widened his eyes, "Wait, you too?"

"No, no, me nothing!" Jadeite stood up and waved his hands defensively in front of him, Nephrite rubbed the bridge of his nose, "Of course you do."

"No!"

"Of course, you do." Zoisite said dryly, "It is all over your face,"

"No!"

Kunzite frowned and turned to Jadeite "Every time you say 'no' it is more obvious that you do."

"Oh, dear heavens," Mamoru closed his eyes and threw his head back while taking a deep breath, "You love Rei?"

"I do not. love. Rei," Jadeite hissed "I just—I have always thought she is lovelier than how she always portrays herself," he turned to Zoisite with a frown, "Just because I offered to help her today, does not mean I am madly in love with her—I was just being polite."

Zoisite sighed, "You just added the word madly to your rant, which confirms your feelings for her."

"Whatever, you love her." Mamoru laughed, "And you have done much more than Kunzite ever has done since he got here. Whoa, okay—I need something to drink and I don't have any more beer left." Mamoru ran his hand through his hair and turned to a very silent Nephrite and Zoisite "So what, are you going to tell me that you have a thing for Mako and you for Ami too?"

Nephrite was taken aback by the prince's comment and blushed, Zoisite bit his lower lip. Mamoru laughed louder "You hypocrites!" he turned on his heel and grabbed his keys, startling the four generals "Oi, Endymion—where are you going?!" Jadeite widened his eyes; Mamoru opened the door and turned to look at them over his shoulder, "There is a bar a couple blocks from here—I need something to drink to digest all this information, come on."

Jadeite's green eyes gleamed with excitement "Wait, is it like that pub we used to visit back then when we were at the training camp?"

"Something like that," Mamoru chuckled "And since you are so in love with Rei, we don't have to worry about you going all crazy and misogynist with every woman around."

All four broke into a fit of laughter that lasted a while at Jadeite's expense, "I do not go all—you are crazy." he frowned. Zoisite chuckled and ruffled Jadeite's blonde hair "Oi!" he exclaimed and turned to look at his laughing comrade, "You really are one of a kind." Zoisite chuckled.

Jadeite looked at him with wide eyes, chuckling he stood up and followed the rest "You all would be lost without me, you know?"

Zoisite looked at him leave the apartment and smiled, it was true—what he said. Things would not be the same with him around. Of all five, Jadeite has always been the one with the lighter sense of humor and never taking himself too seriously. He was the first one taken by Beryl, the first one who died—Zoisite remembered, and when they realized he was not coming back he was the first to become ballistic because after all like the prince said, he was a brother to him despite his constant nagging and scolding.

It did not matter if they went to roam in Limbo like Kunzite said, they had finally gotten another chance to live the life they wished they had since the very beginning, right next to their royal brother, the prince.

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I do not own Sailor Moon, just this plot and some of the characters.