Divinity: Fates and the Afterlife

Chapter Thirty Seven

Rei lost control of her body and felt more and more disconnected to her senses until she could not stay conscious any longer, giving in to her grief and slowly falling unconscious. Jadeite turned right away and caught her before she could hit the ground "Mars!"

The two suited men went to their aid, but the blonde interrupted them and continued assisting them, "She is exhausted—this is never easy," he muttered, "Due to obvious reasons we cannot continue this meeting. I will need a copy of these papers—you have heard her request. You will have to return for her signature once the rest of the process and paperwork is been done."

"Y-Yes, of course," one of the men said and bowed his head with respect "I will personally come back, thank you." Both men bowed again and turned to leave. Jadeite looked down at Rei and carried her in her arms back to the temple, Kunzite caught up with him and widened her eyes when he saw Minako running at them "Rei-chan!"

"She lost consciousness, her body could not take the strain of her emotions anymore," Jadeite said softly "Where can I take her to rest?"

Minako tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear and looked at the blonde general, "Her room, follow me," she turned on her heel and led the blonde general to the Miko's bedroom and quietly watched him put her on her bed and sat on the edge next to her in silence.

"She hasn't eaten anything," Minako said with worry, "I tried to make her drink a cup of tea but not even that," she felt Kunzite's hand rubbing her arm in support. Jadeite turned to face Minako and then back at the priestess, "She is exhausted," he muttered softly, "I will stay here and look after her," he turned to Kunzite, "Zoisite shall have to wait for my presence,"

Kunzite knew what he meant, and it was a valid and very powerful reason. He knew his little brother could not be mad at him for too long, he loved her way too much to leave her alone in moments like these. The white-haired man turned to Minako, "We should wait outside," Minako looked at him and nodded, "Sure—if you need anything, please let me know." Jadeite nodded and turned to Rei who was deeply asleep. Once he heard the door close he reached for her face and caressed her cheek with tenderness, "You need to stop trying to do everything yourself..." he sighed sadly, "You are not alone,"

O—o—O

Minako held Kunzite's hand as they walked back to the porch and sat there in silence for a while both thinking on how things were unfolding. The blonde sighed as she looked down at her phone and decided to make a call; she dialed a number and waited for an answer a couple of seconds, "Ohayo, Yumi-san—could you please transfer this call to Aiko-san? Thank you."

Kunzite looked at the blonde talking over the phone with such ease and class that made him admire her even more. Her high-rise black pants and her-patterned silk shirt made him come to the idea that she fled work as soon as she got the news of what happened at the shrine. Her perfectly done makeup in earthy tones enhanced her blue cornflower eyes beautifully, he thought. Minako felt his sudden intense gaze over her and turned to look at him with curiosity, "Ohayo Aiko-san, so... I will not be able to return to the office. Could you please deliver the packages I left over my desk for me?" She smiled softly at the man next to her and grabbed a strand of his white hair and twirled it around her fingers slowly, "Yes, I'm alright but I have to be absent for the rest of the day... I had an emergency and I can't leave it unattended. Thank you, Aiko-san, I owe you one." she smiled and ended the call then turned to a serious looking Kunzite, "What?" she frowned a little puzzled by his intense gaze.

"You are a wonderful friend,"

Minako smiled, "There is nothing I wouldn't do for any of them, they're my family—you probably understand." Kunzite looked down and nodded "I do,"

The blonde sighed heavily "This happened so suddenly and it's going to be difficult for Rei-chan in the next few days—I am worried about her, she needs to take care of herself." Kunzite noticed the heavy worry in Minako's voice and pulled her closer to him to wrap his arms around her, "She is heartbroken, but the good thing is that she has you and all of us to look after her, she needs time to grief..." he kissed the top of her head "Jadeite" I'm trusting my brother to lift her spirits even if it is a little," Minako smiled in gratitude for his support and tightened her grip on Kunzite's white shirt, "Rei-chan asked me not to do it but I want to call Usagi-chan, I want her to know what happened,"

Kunzite leaned his head on top of Minako's and sighed softly, "Endymion knows." Minako looked up wide-eyed, at Kunzite, "Have you spoken to him?"

"Kind of—" Kunzite mumbled, "I sent him a message early this morning."

-O-

Kunzite stood in the middle of a garden court looking in the distance and feeling hesitant for having to appear during this time. The morning light filtered through the glass ceiling, printing an infinite pattern on the pebbled floors. He was regretting his actions and decision to establish a connection but since the sudden turn of events he had to comply and follow his duty to inform anything that happened during the prince's absence as he was asked.

"Of all places—you had to choose this one."

Kunzite smirked, knowing what it meant. He turned and saw Mamoru walking behind him, both Shitennou and Prince were wearing their respective royal uniform. Endymion stood next to the general and smiled faintly as he stared at the fountain in the distance, "You always had a soft spot for these gardens."

"I did yes,"

Both stood in silence, without making any eye contact between them, "You didn't call me in the middle of my honeymoon to come and reminiscence about the palace's gardens I imagine." To the prince's words, Kunzite sighed and shook his head with embarrassment, "No, Prince, I did not."

"This only confirms my suspicions, something did happen," Endymion frowned, "I wasn't imagining things,"

"Zoisite and Mercury were attacked." This time, Kunzite finally turned to look at Endymion and frowned with concern. It did not matter how much he tried to keep the events until the prince's return, Endymion's confirmation was enough for him to give a full report, "We still do not know the mechanism of their attacks but we are working on a strategy," his grey eyes narrowed, "Endymion—they are looking for you."

Endymion lowered his gaze and sighed, "Was it a woman?"

Kunzite's eyes widened "H-How...?"

"She has been sending these messages my subconscious is picking up as nightmares." The prince turned to Kunzite, "And there has been a strange vibration. Earth speaks—I listen." he frowned, "How are Zoisite and Ami?"

"Mercury is alright, Zoisite was the most injured but Mercury has been taking care of him, he is expected to be fully recovered in a few more days," Kunzite turned to look at the fountain in the distance, "This entity will return, and for what Zoisite told us, expects a fair fight."

"I haven't made the decision to go back just yet because I don't want to expose Serenity to this creature. The shadows are obviously looking for an opportunity to get to us. If they want a fight, we will deliver," Endymion narrowed his blue eyes with authority, "There is more to this meeting that will make me reconsider my position, am I right?"

"Nephrite has informed me that the Priestess' grandfather has passed away."

Endymion's eyes widened, "Hino-san passed away—when?"

Kunzite nodded, "In the middle of the night. The stars let him know—Venus confirmed the news to me this morning mostly because she knows Jadeite holds a special interest for her, I still need to let him know..." the general crossed his arms, "There is something else, about the matter you asked us to investigate, there is still little to know. The exhibition will open in a few more days. I have been able to collect information about it thanks to Venus but there still is too much mystery around these ruins."

"It's alright, thank you Kunzite, for letting me know."

Kunzite sighed heavily, "I was hesitant to contact you and at this time, I know it was reckless of me to do so."

"Don't worry. It is something I asked you to do in case something happened, considering the fact that you usually take matters into your own hands when it is needed to, I appreciate you listened to me and let me know." Endymion sighed softly and turned to look at the general, "Anything else I must be informed in advance?"

"No, High Prince, that would be all," Kunzite shook his head and tilted it low in respect, Endymion nodded, "I must leave you then, I need to go back to Serenity and give her the news,"

"We will go to the shrine later today—Jadeite is still asleep and Nephrite is... well, he thinks he is meditating."

Endymion smiled at the mention of Nephrite's poor attempts of meditating during the morning and nodded, "I will see you soon, Kunzite, please keep me informed if anything else comes up,"

"Yes, Master." Kunzite bowed his head and watched the prince ending his side of the connection and disappeared the same way he appeared. Kunzite followed suit and slowly opened his eyes; he stood from the couch and went to wake Jadeite to give him the news involving his beloved.

O—o—o—o—O

A couple of hours later, Mamoru slowly opened his blue eyes and adjusted them to the light filtering from the light curtains blowing softly from the balcony and turned to his side and saw Usagi was still profoundly asleep. Her blonde silver hair was sprawled around her like a silk and her steady and soft breathing let him know she was in the deepest of sleep. He was very aware that it was terribly late, at least for him who was used to be up and doing things since very early every day but as he turned to look around and saw their clothes scattered all over the room it was very clear there was a good reason for such tardiness in his usual schedule. Leaning closer, Mamoru kissed Usagi's temple and breathed in the soft aroma of her sweet flowery perfume that still lingered in her milky skin.

Usagi has the most adorable gestures when she sleeps; her lips swell slightly and give the appearance that she is pouting, her cheeks flush and her hair while very soft and smooth it normally gets tangled from all the times she turns and rolls in her sleep. Her delicate fingers were curled around the sheet as she held it close to her nude body in a failed attempt to keep herself warm. Unlike Mamoru, the lunar princess had the heaviest and longest of sleep and still, it would never be enough for her to feel like she rested enough.

Mamoru slowly rolled to his side of the bed and looked for his phone and started checking his mail and messages in silence, his blue eyes surfed through all the information sent to him and began replying to some of the messages Motoki had sent him about a case he needed his opinion and others concerning the situation he still had pending with the medical board at the hospital, another issue he had to deal with once he got back home.

"Mamo-chan..."

Mamoru turned and arched his brow when looking at the peaceful sleeping princess thinking that she was probably mumbling in her sleep again, another usual thing for her to do. He decided to ignore her and continue reading his messages when his phone was suddenly snatched from his hands making him turn with wide eyes. Usagi rolled on her side and hid under the covers like a bunny in its rabbit hole, startling Mamoru, "What did just happen?"

"Mmmhm..." Usagi mumbled some words that were now unintelligible to Mamoru who was frowning with confusion, "What?"

"Mmm.."

"Usa, could you please give me back my phone?"

"No,"

"Usa..."

"No,"

Mamoru sighed softly and chuckled, "Usa..."

"We can do this all day and you know it." Usagi moved her head enough to make herself clear from under the covers; Mamoru sighed softly and laid on his back and closed his eyes, "Not that we have much of the day left—it's fine, I'll wait,"

"Well, it's your fault."

Mamoru arched his brow, "My fault?"

"You started it—" Usagi turned back to her initial position and pulled the cover down enough look at him with his arms resting behind his head and blushed, "See? You are doing it again," Mamoru smiled but remained with his eyes closed, "I'm not doing anything—I'm just patiently waiting for you to return me my phone."

"You know... there are other things more interesting to do than to be on your phone—may I remind you, you're in your honeymoon." Usagi tried her best to sound seductive as she traced a random pattern in his chest with her finger. Mamoru opened one eye and peered down at her, "What are you doing?" he frowned, playfully. Usagi looked at him with a mischievous smile, "Seducing you, is it working?" Mamoru smirked, "You're rolled like sushi with those thick covers all around you..."

Usagi's delicate foot peeked out and tried to reach for Mamoru's leg but she was so tangled between the covers and sheets that it was becoming an impossible task and far from being seductive. Once she realized there was no graceful way to free herself from the tangle she got into and that even her head ended up being swallowed under the covers she huffed softly, trying to keep the mood alive, "Well, isn't it seductive to know that your wife lays naked underneath all these covers?"

Mamoru tightened his lips trying to contain the fit of laughter that was threatening to come out any minute, "Oh yes," he rolled on his side and watched the bulk of covers still moving, "Very seductive... you're a pro, my love,"

"I know,"

"In fact..." Mamoru turned and tried to pull the cover to look at her and continue this little kinky game his wife had going on but frowned when he noticed it her trap between the sheets was far more complicated than he imagined, "Usa—what the hell did you do?!"

"I don't know!" she said with a muffled and desperate voice, "Help me!"

Mamoru quickly made his way to her side and began rolling her to the opposite side of the bed until she was free from her comfy and warm prison. Blushing a crimson shade of red, the silver-haired princess covered herself with the end of one of the sheets and looked at her husband wide-eyed. Mamoru tilted his head and arched a brow, "Yes, because I have never seen you with any clothes on before," Usagi frowned in response and pointed at him, "Hey! You're wearing boxer briefs!" Mamoru crossed his arms, "And?"

Usagi blushed, "Come on, mine are—" she turned to look for her pair of lace underwear with no success and sighed softly as covered herself with the thick and fluffy duvet, "Never mind..." Mamoru chuckled, "You're acting it like if it bothered me to see you like this, which, by the way... it... doesn't."

"You're more dressed than I am... I feel in disadvantage,"

"I woke up like a long time ago Usa,"

"What time is it?" The blonde looked down at Mamoru's phone and widened her eyes with shock, "What!? Why is it so late!? It's almost time for dinner!"

Mamoru cleared his throat and gave the room another glance, "Uh... do you really wonder why?" Usagi felt her cheeks flush another deeper shade of red and let out a chuckle, "It's your fault, I already told you." Her eyes widened when she saw Mamoru leaning closer and took her in his arms and brushed his with hers, "It's your fault Luna Bunny, you drive me crazy... and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat..."

"Oh?" Usagi bit her lower lip softly; her hands slowly caressed the muscles of his back with a delicate touch while she helplessly looked into his deep blue eyes and closed the small gap left between them with a deep kiss that lasted a few good minutes. "Really?" Mamoru leaned closer and kissed her neck, making her moan softly, "Really,"

This was enough for Usagi to lean closer not really minding if the bed sheets still covered her nude body or not and wrapped her arms around him and pulled him to the bed with a sultry look, "I like that idea..." she whispered in his ear as she ran her fingers through his dark hair. She looked at him and saw his eyes had changed from sapphire to deep indigo and traced his jawline with the tips of her fingers, "I can't help feeling drawn into those deep blue eyes of yours..." she sighed softly. Mamoru smiled and kissed her neck softly, "And I can't help feeling drawn to you, Princess... since the very first moment I saw you..."

Usagi blushed when she felt Mamoru resting his head on her belly and wrapped his arms around her waist, "I still wonder why you fell in love with a man like me..." Usagi smiled softly and started caressing his bare back with the tips of her fingers. She closed her eyes and breathed in the soft hints left of his fresh cologne in his skin while thinking how everything about the man drove her to the very edge of reason. She loved his scent, the way his silky hair fell over his eyes when he wasn't wearing any styling creams or gels, the way his stubble accentuated the strong line of his jaw and tickled her face whenever he leaned to kiss her. The sound of his deep warm voice, the way he greets her with a sensual smile every morning and how he lovingly kissed her every night silently promising that he was going to be there by her side when she opens her eyes the next morning. She loved his caresses and warm touch and how he always treated her like a princess; the man was a treasure to her and it made her so happy to know she was his. "You have always seen beyond what everyone sees in me. Back then... you never laughed of my dream to become a warrior, and now, you don't laugh at my lack of swimming abilities," she smiled when she heard him chuckling and his warm breath tickling her bare stomach.

"You know what I mean..." Mamoru said lowly; Usagi combed his hair and wrapped her right leg around his waist and pulled him back to look into his eyes, "Yes, I do," she cupped his cheek, "But then, I could ask you the same question... why you fell in love with a woman like me?"

Mamoru reacted to her tactics by tightening one arm around her waist while his other hand softly graced her exposed thigh, "You take my breath away... every single day. Everything in you makes me lose my mind: you're caring, friendly, funny, very smart—incredibly talented, I love that you're sweet and also, a little naughty..." he looked up at her and flashed her a sensual grin making Usagi blush, "Really?

"Love, look at me, I can't move, you have me trapped," Mamoru kissed her stomach softly, Usagi smiled, "Well... I don't want you leaving my side, is that so bad?"

"No, not at all..." Mamoru moved to kiss her lips, "We can do this all day, my dear,"

"Since we got here, we have barely left the room," Usagi mumbled sensually and nibbled his lower lip with her teeth, intensifying the passion put into the kiss and making Mamoru moan softly with pleasure, "All I want is inside this room, I don't need to go outside..." He opened his eyes and gently tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear while thinking how much he liked it when she wore her hair down, "I wish I would never have to leave..."

Usagi combed his hair back and smiled, "I wish that too," she tilted her head and frowned softly when she sensed the change of tone, "Mamo-chan? Everything okay?" Mamoru combed another strand of blonde hair away from her face and cupped her cheek with his hand for a second before pulling himself up and sat on the bed. He took a deep breath and exhaled softly, thinking on the best way to give her the news as he helped her sit, "Usa... there is something I need to tell you,"

Usagi blinked and felt her heart freeze in her chest with worry by his sudden change of demeanor, "What is it?" Mamoru sighed softly and caressed her cheek, "Rei's grandfather—he passed away last night."

Usagi's crystal blue eyes widened, "W-What?" she shook her head and covered her mouth with shock, "Oh no, h-how do you...?"

"Kunzite told me," Mamoru said softly, avoiding any further comments about how he was able to contact him. He knowing she had a genuine appreciation for the old man, "They found him gone this morning, I'm sorry Usa, I know you cared for Hino-san,"

"Rei-chan..." Usagi breathed and felt her eyes burn with fresh tears, "Mamo-chan,"

"I know," Mamoru nodded, "You don't even have to ask, whatever you want to do we'll do, alright?"

"I don't want her to be alone," Usagi said softly, "She must be devastated..."

"She is not alone," Mamoru pulled her into his arms and kissed her right temple, "The girls and the Shitennou are with her but I understand what you mean,"

"She must be so sad..." Usagi closed her eyes and hung her head low allowing her pale blonde hair cascade like a curtain over her head, hiding her sad face, "It's so unfair..." she whispered with an evident sense of loss.

"I know..." Mamoru rubbed her back softly, "If you want to leave today, I can go and make the arrangements," Usagi looked up at her husband with tears rolling down her face, "Did Kunzite mention anything about a memorial for Hino-san?" Mamoru shook his head and dried her tears with the back of his hand, "No, love, but usually the process for a morgue to release a deceased person takes some time because they have to determine the cause of death and write a report about it—if it was due to natural causes, they could release him within a day,"

"So, can we leave tomorrow early?" Usagi blinked and turned to look outside "It's getting late—I would never finish packing everything to be back home early enough to go see Rei-chan." Mamoru smiled and nodded, "Yes Usako, we can leave in the morning." Usagi bit her lower lip, "I'm sorry for ending our honeymoon this abruptly..."

"Usa..." Mamoru tapped her lips with his finger softly, "You are not ending anything; remember we still have a few more days for ourselves once we get back home—it's okay, remember why we came here." Usagi nodded, "In case anything happened and we had to go back,"

Mamoru dried another tear rolling down her cheek and nodded, "And something did happen... so we need to go back to be with Rei—family must stick together, right?"

"Right," Usagi nodded with a soft smile and cupped Mamoru's face with her hands and looked into his deep blue eyes in silence fully admiring his intense gaze and beautiful features. It's on moments like these when she admired him the most; Usagi has been aware of his dashing looks since day one, but even so, the best moments to really admire his beauty was when he was the most vulnerable, either when he was asleep or chilling with her on the couch on a Sunday morning. She loved to see him being at her same level of laziness, probably because he was her complete opposite or just because it was a side only she got to see from him. She smiled shyly but she couldn't stop looking at him, he had that effect on her. He dismantled her with just one look, just one smile—it was that simple. "Stay with me," Usagi kissed his forehead. "Always," Mamoru nodded.

"Forever?"

"Forever,"

"Even when I don't know how to cook very well?"

Mamoru smiled, "Even then," Usagi batted her lashes playfully, "Even when I shrink your clothes in the dryer?" Mamoru chuckled, "Even then,"

"Or when I forget a red sock in the washing machine with your white shirts?"

"Yes..."

"You wore pink shirts for work a whole week..."

"Yeah... Motoki got a good laugh,"

Usagi chuckled and bit her lower lip, "So... even when I kick you out of bed, you are still going to stay with me?" Mamoru nodded, "Yes, even then,"

Usagi smiled, "Even when I make you buy things we don't really need but I liked how they look in the infomercial?" Mamoru exhaled and closed his eyes for a moment, "Even when we have a ton of useless things back at home, yes. I love you dearly."

"Even when I leave little to zero space in the closet for your stuff?" Usagi blushed. Mamoru nodded and inhaled deeply, "Yes Usa, even when there is not a single free hanger for any of my clothes. I love you deeply." Usagi pulled back and frowned, startling Mamoru "What?"

"How the hell do you do it?"

Mamoru blinked surprised, "Do what?"

"That! How the hell can you live with someone as horrible as me?!"

Mamoru chuckled, "I don't get what you are saying,"

"I'm a mess!"

"You are not a mess—you're messy, those are two different things, but I don't care, I love you just the way you are."

"I'm a neat freak's worst nightmare!"

"Kind of..." Mamoru shrugged his shoulder carelessly, Usagi frowned and pointed her finger at him, "You are a neat freak."

Mamoru sighed softly "I don't think I am but... okay," The silver blonde arched her brow, "Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"Uh, sorry to burst your bubble but, you are. You have always been a neat freak. You can't see a speck of dust because you go all crazy mode..." Usagi narrowed her eyes, "You're very weird when it comes to order." Mamoru crossed his arms "Just because I like to have things organized and clean doesn't mean I am a freak—" he blushed and closed his eyes, "And I don't go all crazy mode..." Usagi turned to the closet in the room and narrowed her eyes, "I bet that if I open this closet all of your clothes are going to be arranged by category and colors."

"Usa..."

"Ah, see? I'm right."

Mamoru shrugged his shoulders again, "Alright, if you say so." Usagi arched her brow and looked at his duffle bag sitting on a chair, "I bet that if I open that bag, everything will be perfectly folded." Mamoru looked at her incredulously "I'm confused."

Usagi frowned "Why?"

"I don't understand where you are getting at, is it so bad that I like to keep my clothes folded or what?"

"No, it's not a bad thing it's just that you are so different than me—I don't get, why do you like a messy woman like me if you're so the opposite?" Usagi pouted her lips, Mamoru arched his brow "That's it?"

"Well, yes. What else did you expect?" Usagi shook her head confused, Mamoru chuckled "Usa, that's easy to answer."

"But I am a mess..." Usagi turned and looked around the room, "Most of the clothes scattered around here are mine," she turned and pointed the couch in the room next door, "Yours are all neatly thrown on that couch over there!"

Mamoru turned her face and looked at her "Usa, you are not a mess. Yes, you shrink my clothes, you tend to forget colored pieces of clothing in my white laundry, you wear my t-shirts and favorite hoodie and spill them with whatever sweet concoction you are drinking, you tend to leave food uncooked or overcooked—you always want to buy useless stuff sold on t.v., you kick me out of bed, you talk in your sleep, you take over the entire closet, you break stuff, you lose stuff, you forget stuff. Yes, Buns, you are a very messy person—but you're my messy person." he smiled "And I love you. Period."

Usagi blushed and leaned closer to kiss him fully on the lips "I love you too," she smiled as she turned to put the white t-shirt he was wearing the day before, "I promise I won't stain this one." Mamoru sighed softly, "You're unbelievable." he kissed her temple and head towards the bathroom startling her, "Wait, where are you going?"

Mamoru turned to look at her and frowned, "I'm taking a shower." Usagi pouted her lips, making Mamoru chuckle "What?" Usagi shook her head and sighed softly, "Nothing, I just like it when you are here with me..."

"Me too, love, but, we have to eat," Mamoru smiled and turned to open the doors of the closet and pursed his lips when he realized what the blonde said about him was indeed, correct. Everything was neatly folded and organized by category and color and he immediately blamed the orphanage for implementing that strict habit on him, or at least that is what he wanted to believe. With a sigh, he picked a clean pair of grey jeans and a casual navy button shirt and put them over the bed, "I'm surprised you haven't said anything about that, by the way,"

Usagi pursed her lips and looked at her clothes on the floor with annoyance, "Yeah, you're right. I'm just thinking about how much I dislike packing... It really takes my appetite away..."

Mamoru looked at her over his shoulder and laughed, "You don't say..." he walked to the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Usagi let out a puff of air as she looked at the mess in the room and tied her long blonde hair in a messy bun with determination and sighed, "Okay—I can do this! I need to be more organized—for Mamo-chan's sake," she got out of bed and began picking up her clothes from the floor when a phone ring caught her attention. She turned to the bed and followed the sound coming from underneath the covers and turned to the bathroom door, "Mamo-chan, your phone's ringing!" she heard the water running inside and immediately thought he couldn't hear her so she stood up and kept looking for the phone, thinking it might be a call related to Rei.

After a long search and many rings after, Usagi finally found the phone and saw a weird number registered on the screen and frowned; Usagi was aware that Mamoru used his phone a lot for work, it wasn't new to hear it ringing all day, every day. She knew he got a lot of calls from the hospital and it was not because she checked who called him, but, the name of this particular caller caught her attention because she had never heard it before, it was a woman's and she was calling while they were away on their honeymoon.

Usagi was no stranger to attention but she also knew perfectly well that her new husband was not invisible to women and that predators existed, unfortunately. She was aware that many of the calls he received during the day were from the nurses at the hospital and she was usually okay with that but she wasn't sure why she felt so uneasy when looking at that particular woman's name written in the sleek screen of Mamoru's phone. This was his personal phone number, one he only gave to certain people for important matters or emergencies—one he gave to his closest friends. Why was a woman calling him with such insistence? It was now the third time she called and it was now getting on her nerves.

The phone stopped ringing soon after and for a fraction of a second, her mind tried to persuade her to continue her quest for packing everything before dinner time. She was about to leave the phone on Mamoru's side of the bed and leave the matter behind when she heard the alert of an incoming message making her turn quickly. She bit her lower lip and tried her best to resist the urgency of checking who sent that message but her patience was running thin and her efforts were starting to become futile. Usagi went to lean close to the bathroom door to make sure Mamoru was still taking a shower and sprinted back towards the bed to satisfy her curiosity so she could leave the matter behind before he would even notice. No harm was done, right? —she thought. With a shaky hand, she grabbed the phone and typed the code to unlock his screen and started surfing through his list of calls and realized there were more messages and calls coming from the same woman and that they were made at hours she knew very well he was not working at the hospital, there were even missed calls from her from the past few days. Usagi frowned as she slowly scrolled her finger down the screen and went straight to check his inbox and widened her crystal blue eyes when she saw they have been exchanging messages and pressed the message that just came in "What the..." Usagi frowned when she read its content that said:

"Mamoru, where are you?! I need to see you, can we meet somewhere? Call me as soon as you see this. I have to see you if we want to make this happen as soon as possible."

"Mamoru?" Usagi muttered with annoyance, she tried to remember at least one woman who would refer to him with such closeness and none could come to mind. Not even when she met him called him by his name without any honorifics. Why all of the sudden this woman would call him with such insistently while he is on his honeymoon, with his wife and on top of that, asks him to call her back and meet because she wants to see him? And to make what happen? —she thought enraged and confused.

"Shimuta Chieko... who are you?" Usagi mumbled angrily and turned quickly when she heard noises inside the bathroom and quickly marked the message unread and put the phone back on the nightstand before walking quickly to the closet to take her suitcases out and start packing her things in silence but her mind was still fixed on the message from the mysterious woman and her honorifics free usage of her husband's name. Minutes after, Mamoru came out of the bathroom wearing his jeans and the towel around his neck and looked at a very quiet Usagi struggling to fold a fluffy sweater dress, "Do you need help with that?"

Usagi froze and bit her lower lip "N-No," she said softly, "I can do it." She might have been pretending to be cool and collected but all of her attention was on him and his every move; she peered over her shoulder when she heard him open one of the drawers to take something and saw him grab his phone. She could not help an unsettling feeling bubbling in the pit of her stomach, making her feel nauseous. She narrowed her eyes when she saw him type something quickly and felt her heart pacing at an incredible speed in her chest because she was sure he was talking to her. The woman. He was answering her message instead of putting his phone away and look her way.

"Um... your phone was ringing—a lot," she mumbled softly, "I called you but I guess you didn't hear me,"

Mamoru stayed silent for a moment as he read the message and put the phone down, "Uh, yeah no... I didn't hear, sorry, dear,"

"Everything okay?" she asked softly, trying to sound as casual as possible as she continued to fold another sweater thinking how everybody she knew was aware that they were out of town for their honeymoon. Everybody, except for that woman, apparently.

"Uh—yeah," he answered slightly distracted which bothered Usagi even more. She frowned as she continued struggling to fold the shirt she didn't even get to use during the trip, typical Usagi—she thought with annoyance. Her shaky hands began to sabotage her façade and stiffened when she saw him taking the sweater from her hands in silence and folded it for her, "Here."

"Thanks," Usagi took in silence and packed inside her suitcase.

"Usako?" Mamoru asked softly; Usagi cleared her throat but didn't turn to look at him, "Yes?"

Mamoru crouched next to her and combed his wet hair away from his face, "Do you want me to help you with this?"

Usagi sighed and turned to look at him, her eyes looking into his for some kind of truth. She wanted to ask him, she wanted to know who the hell was that woman. She was jealous, crazy jealous and she was starting to become paranoid; would he ever cheat on her? She began to question herself, would he ever betray her that way? They just got married and they just had spent the most wonderful days together, how come this mysterious woman could burst her perfect pink bubble and bring her to a reality full of doubt. She licked her lips slowly and shook her head, "I can do it myself—it's okay."

"Are you alright?" Mamoru frowned and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, Usagi silently cursed her husband's sharpness and turned to fold another dress, "Yes, I'm fine," she and continued folding her clothes "I just need..." she trailed off "I need to..." she closed her eyes, mentally kicking herself for being so verbal limited every time she got upset about something, she would either cry or have a loss for words and she knew he knew that of her.

Mamoru narrowed his blue eyes, just like she knew him like the palm of her hand, he knew her. He could feel her tense up under his touch and wondered if something happened to her during the short moment he was in the shower. The vision he had been having over the past few days haunted him back again, making him wonder if she saw something too, or maybe it was because she was affected by the news of Rei's grandfather. She was clearly upset about something but she would not say a word, at least not now, so the best thing he could do was to give her some space. Mamoru exhaled softly and nodded, "Alright," he stood up and walked to the closet to begin packing his things in silence.

Usagi opened her eyes, immediately regretting what just happened. Usually, Mamoru would try to make her talk to him if something was bothering her and would do something to make her smile but this time she had to admit that she felt bad and guilty for pushing him away. Her mind was playing games on her, and she had to make them stop, for her own good. "Mamo-chan..."

"Yes?"

Usagi sighed softly "I do need help..."

Mamoru turned to look at her but said nothing; he was waiting for her to slowly come out of whatever strange shell she just created to protect herself from whatever was bothering her. The blonde finally turned to look at him, "I don't like this..." she said softly as she put a badly folded shirt inside her luggage while in reality, she was referring to the feeling she had nested in her heart, the jealousy, the insecurity and the endless number of things she still had to pack. Mamoru walked back to her and sat next to her on the floor and looked at her, "Why don't you go and take a shower? It will help you feel better." He turned to look at the ridiculous amount of clothes in front of him, "I will help you with this so we can go out and have dinner, okay?"

Usagi nodded and leaned her head in the nook between his head and shoulders and closed her eyes, "Usa?" he asked softly and put an arm around her waist protectively, "What's wrong?" Usagi shook her head and turned to hug him tightly, like if her life depended on it, "I just—" she breathed "I just want to hug you for a moment."

Mamoru kissed her temple and wrapped both arms around her and began rubbing her back comfortingly. They stayed in silence and with their own side of a story none of them was sure it even existed. Usagi had never felt that insecure about their relationship before, not since Beryl—yes, she dared to go that far back in time. She cursed herself for being that damn curious; despite being a descendant of the goddess of the moon, she was still a girl with insecurities and now, they were playing cruel tricks on her.

Soon after, Usagi realized that in all of their years together, Mamoru had never mentioned anything about past relationships with other girls, he never talked about any ex-girlfriends or crushes he might have had in his younger years. She had in mind that Mamoru has never been the typical boy next door since he had to deal with adulthood at a very young age but it wouldn't surprise her to find some carcasses from past relationships under the rug of his past.

As she hugged her husband, she thought about the possibility of him still being in touch with one of those carcasses. She mentally decided to call them that; why was she even going that far in time when they had a long future ahead? When they just got married? Well, because a woman she has never heard before was calling on repeated occasions to her husband's personal number, during their honeymoon, and referred to him like if she knew him very well.

It was the truth of their lives, she was aware of it. Both of them were constantly under the microscope, as royals everybody expected them to follow the rules, live up to meet everyone's expectations and obey a law none of them wanted to obey; they went against the current, lost everything they held dear to them and traveled in time just so they could be together in another era. Thinking about things like these made Usagi ask herself why all of the sudden, she was feeling like she could lose it all. She took a deep breath and cuddled her head on his chest "I don't like this..." she mumbled softly, feeling completely helpless.

O—o—o—o—O

Rei opened her amethyst eyes and blinked several times to adjust them to the light in the room. Realizing, she had been gone almost all afternoon, widening her eyes she slowly sat on her bed and rubbed the bridge of her nose as she remembered the events that happened earlier that day. "Ojisan..." she breathed softly, feeling the old man's absence as she slowly returned to reality; one she did not want.

"You have awoken—I'm glad."

Rei widened her eyes and turned to see Jadeite standing by the door with a tray in his hands. "W-What...?"

The blonde man walked inside and closed the door behind him, walking to a small table she had for vanity he put the tray with what appeared to be food and tea. He exhaled softly and closed his eyes for a minute "You fainted while dealing with the people from the mortuary. I brought you here—" he turned to look at her "I hope you do not mind me being here."

Rei blushed and shook her head, she turned to look out the window and realized it was already dark "W-What happened to them—the suited men..."

"I spoke to them and asked them to come by tomorrow with the necessary paperwork for you to sign. I took the liberty to check the documents for you and point out some things for them to correct and consider," Jadeite leaned back and crossed his arms "I am very sorry for your loss, Mars."

Rei looked at him and sighed heavily, "Thank you—although, I don't know if it helps me hear those words."

"Of course they don't," Jadeite shrugged his shoulders, "When you lose somebody you love very much—there are no words that can really soothe and calm one's soul. But it is the most decent, appropriate thing to do."

Rei lowered her gaze and nodded, silently agreeing with what the general just said. Jadeite exhaled and turned to the tray and poured a cup of tea and walked over to the priestess and handed it to her "Here," he said softly, startling her. Rei looked at him and frowned, "I-I don't feel like drinking tea—thank you."

Jadeite sighed and sat on the bed, next to her, "I have seen too many people lose their lives without any opportunity to return to their families, I have lost parents, friends, brothers—lovers. I know what it feels like to lose somebody you love and no, there are no words that could really describe it; it is a hollow feeling. You are left undone—incomplete." he turned to look at her, "But you had that precious opportunity with him, you created an infinite constellation of good memories that you now keep here—" he pointed at his heart "—And here." His finger tapped his temple. Life does not stop Mars, time does not stop, and you have to keep on moving forward and honor his memory and legacy by doing good and being happy. That is something you have to do to keep him shining bright—" he pointed the ceiling, referring to the sky "—Up there."

Rei felt her eyes burn with tears "Jadeite,"

"It was his time to leave Mars, he did not abandon you. Sadly, we mortals come here to create the best version of our lives and then, we have to leave so our descendants can honor our memory one day. In this case, you. Honor him every day by being you—by being the best version of yourself." he handed him the cup again and smiled softly "And it all starts by you, putting something in your tummy."

The priestess could no longer keep her tears at bay, those were probably the most beautiful words someone has ever told her to comfort her. She remembered the time when her mother passed away and went through all the grieving process of her loss and the moment her grandfather went to her rescue; she grew up with her mother's ideals and try to always make her feel proud by being the best in everything she put her mind into. Her grandfather protected her and her dreams, he protected and honored her legacy the one both her divine father and late mortal mother left for her and she now vowed to honor his too. She took the cup and took a small sip and allowed the soothing beverage warm her slowly. She looked up at him, her eyes still gleaming with tears, "Why are you here, Jadeite?"

Jadeite averted his gaze, "I did not know it would bother you that much, to be honest."

"It's not because it bothers me... I treated you badly—we haven't really spoken since that afternoon." Rei looked at the blonde man feeling completely guilty for how things turned out, "I thought you were mad at me."

"I was not mad at you Mars, I was..." Jadeite sighed, "I do not know, hurt, maybe?" He stood from the bed and paced around the room until he stopped in front of a wooden drawer with pictures of her with her friends and smiled sadly, "But that does not mean I do not care," he took one of the pictures and touched the glass with delicacy, "I have to accept the fact that you have other things on your mind and I must not intervene—we are from different eras, things change, I understand."

Rei tightened her grip on her bed cover and took a deep breath "He is gone." she felt like a little girl waiting for a star for her achievement or some sort of congratulation from the general and she did not know exactly why. Jadeite turned to look at her expressionless, he nodded and put the picture frame back on its place "Good."

Rei blinked startled then looked down, "It was something you had to decide for yourself," she heard Jadeite's soft but still serious voice and she had to admit she liked his playful tone better. This was a Jadeite she did not remember, one she never knew and it was really strange to be talking to him without listening to any sarcastic comments or funny jokes. He was being supportive, yes, but just like any other person who understood her position would be; he was being a friend and not the man who exposed his feelings to her just days ago. Rei found ironic how she wanted to see his boyish smile and listen to his silly jokes right now. She sighed softly, "I thought you would say something about it..."

"About what?" Jadeite arched his brow. Rei looked at him "Well, about him leaving the shrine."

Jadeite stayed silent for a minute and crossed his arms, "Mars, what do you want or expect me to say about that matter? Like I said, it was a decision only you could make. You had your reasons to keep him around."

"That is not what you said the other day,"

"Well, no it is not," Jadeite walked towards her and sat at the end of the bed, keeping some sort of distance with the priestess "But it was true—what you said. I cannot expect you to do what I think it is best for you to do. You moved on with your life, these are different times." She looked at her with a much softer gaze than minutes ago, "Things might have worked out for them but that does not mean we have to follow their steps. I understand it, Mars," he lowered his head and chuckled softly, "I am one silly man that keeps barking at the wrong tree... I have for as long as I can remember,"

"Jadeite..." Rei breathed softly, "I—"

"It's alright Mars, really, it is." Jadeite smiled at her, "It's my thing you know? The guys get a kick out of it and it is alright. We can be friends, you have my friendship and loyalty—whatever happened is now in the past." He turned to the tray on the table and put it in front of Rei on the bed, "You need to eat, you need to be well, for them and for him." He took the wooden lid covering the dish and pursed his lips "Now, I am not sure what this is—but your friend made it." Rei widened her eyes as she looked down at the dish, "My friend?" she immediately thought about Makoto "H-How?"

"All of them came to see you, they are very worried about you."

"They're here?"

Jadeite nodded softly, "Mercury had to leave early because Zoisite is still recovering at her apartment—he had to take his medication."

"How is he—Zoisite?"

"He is doing alright, we expect him to be fully recovered very soon."

"I'm glad," the priestess smiled and looked down at the plate before her, it looked like a very messy dish that seemed to be some type of curry and frowned, "Um—Jadeite, could you tell me who cooked this? Was it Mako-chan?"

Jadeite tilted his head, his old self slowly was making its way back, "I do not believe she did. She arrived by the time this dish was already prepared. I think Venus did, why?"

Rei turned pale, knowing for a fact that Minako was not very skilled in the kitchen, she was so bad she could not boil water thinking not even Usagi could go as low on her cooking skills as Minako did. "Um well—let's just say it is going to be a challenge to eat all of this." Jadeite leaned closer and frowned "What is it anyway?"

Rei sighed, defeated "I—I don't know..." she looked up at him with a worried look, "But I guess I will have to find out."

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