My name is Hino Rei. Like Ami, I am merely fourteen years of age, fourteen and the weight of the world on my shoulders. Life is never fair. I know that far too well. My mother died when I was very young. My father, a politician, left me to my grandfather. I haven's seen him since. And the one person I thought I could love, he left me too. I lost him not to death, but to life. How bitterly ironic. Now these powers of mine, which set me even further apart from everyone else, they are both a blessing and a curse. Maybe a curse in guise of a gift, mayhap the other war around? No matter what it may be, it has made me who and what I am today. I am Sailor Mars.
Mirror of Reflections
By Alecto Perdita
Chapter 5
Reflections in the Fire - Sailor Mars
Rating: PG - PG 13
Email Alecto: Chiba_Ohiko@yahoo.com
Website: www.angelfire.com/anime2/sunrise
"You shouldn't ever forget your past. You'd be surprised how much of yourself you lose with it."
The Sailor Senshi and Artemis stared at Sailor Mercury with a mixture of betrayal, bewilderment, and anger. Mercury looked so pathetic like that. Her eyes were wild with confusion and self-loath.
Sailor Mars pushed through the small unmoving crowd. Her temper and rage had clearly gotten the better of her. She pushed Sailor Jupiter aside as Jupiter attempted to restrain Mars until she calmed down. "Why did you do it?!" Mars screamed at the defenseless Mercury. "You are a Sailor Senshi! Have you no pride in that?! You spineless little -" Mars's head snapped to a side. She raised a stunned hand to her red swollen cheek. Mercury, Mercury of all people, had slapped her.
"Don't you ever," Mercury's tone was low and dangerous. Her eyes were like ice. "Ever insult or question my honor as a Sailor Senshi. I believe in Zoisite. I believe he can and will change. I have a right to do so, just as you do." Mercury grabbed the jadeite stone and dangled it before Mars' eyes. "How do you know you can trust this? How do you know it's not still helping the Dark Kingdom?" Mars didn't answer. She didn't have one. Mercury narrowed her eyes and let go of the pendant. "I thought so. I will kill Zoisite but only if it is absolutely necessary. I *will not* be unforgiving or unwilling to embrace those who are willing to change. I *will not* dishonor the values that Queen Serenity instilled in us. You should be ashamed Atalanta-san."
"Kallan-san." Sailor Venus approached Mercury.
"Celeste-sama." Mercury bowed. "I am still Mizuno Ami."
A wide grin spread over Venus's lips. She was no longer the only one to possess memories of the past. "Welcome back, Mercury no hime."
~~~
I stared at the ground. She was right. Perhaps I was too harsh to her. I glanced at my fellow senshi. This was so very tense. I couldn't remember Ami ever having that much backbone.
I caught a smirk out of the corner of my eyes. I turned to Sailor Moon. She met my gaze evenly. Then it hit me then. She enjoyed this, this tension and friction between people who were supposed to be friends and comrades. She raised an eyebrow, silently challenging me to say something.
I turned away. I couldn't say anything. What proof did I have? No one would believe me. I certainly didn't trust her. In time, she'll show her true face. I will wait until she does.
~~~
"We should take this somewhere else." Jupiter glanced cautiously around. "The police will be here soon enough."
Venus nodded. "Tranquility-sama," She called. "We could have used some help you know?"
A tall silver-haired woman in a black uniform stepped out of the shadows. She chuckled softly. "You didn't seem to need my help. My imouto-chan has raised you all well."
Mars did a double take between the woman and Moon. "Are you related?"
Moon scowled deeply. "No!" She snapped and walked away. No one tried to stop her. Mars, for one, was glad to see the blond go.
Mars sighed as she addressed her comrades. "I guess we go to the shrine now."
~~~
I studied this woman carefully as we quickly made our way to my grandfather's shrine. Despite Sailor Moon's denial, I was more than sure that the two were related by blood. Her aura was bright though, too bright to be moonlight. Moonlight, after all, was just reflected sunlight. Venus was speaking softly, debating with Tranquility. Was Venus the leader Luna spoke of?
~~~
The small little group crowded into the Fire Room. Mercury looked over expectantly at Venus. Venus simply detransformed and sat down on a mat. Aino Minako nodded and soon Mizuno Ami sat by her side. Jupiter didn't even seem to think as she changed back to Kino Makoto and took her own seat. Tranquility leaned against the back wall and raised an eyebrow at Mars. Artemis chuckled a little bit and waited for Mars to do something.
Mars stared at the rest of her teammates as if they were crazy. They had just revealed themselves to this woman. They didn't even know if they could trust her. She stood there, unmoving and uncompromising.
Artemis sighed, "You can change back now, Atalanta-san."
Mars glared at Tranquility. "I don't know who that woman is or if she can be trusted. I will not leave myself so vulnerable and open to attack. How do I know she isn't just some bitch from the Dark Kingdom trying to spy on us."
Minako jumped to her feet. Fury flashed across her face. "That's enough, Atalanta-san! Show some respect to your liege!"
Artemis placed a hand on Minako's shoulder. "Calm down, Mina-chan. Atalanta has a right to be suspicious. Unlike you, she has not regained all of her memories."
Minako looked down, ashamed. "Gomen nasai." She mumbled and sat back down.
"Then I shall begin. I am Artemis Qamra, once Chief War Advisor of Her Majesty Queen Serenity the XX. I am Luna's partner." Artemis bowed.
Minako sighed and ran a nervous hand through her long blond strands. "I am Aino Minako and I'm fourteen. I was Celeste of the House of Lucerne, the Princess of the Magellan Kingdom of Venus in my last life. I was also the leader of the Inner Senshi."
"Mina-chan will be your leader in battle. With all her past memories and present training, she is the best choice at the moment until we find the Princess." Artemis informed them. Ami nodded but both Rei and Makoto were hesitant to accept her.
Ami smiled and tried to ease the tension. "My name is Mizuno Ami now but I was once known as Kallan of the House of Chishiki, Princess of the Mariner Kingdom of Mercury. I was fourth in command of the Inner Sailor Senshi."
Makoto scratched her head. "I'm Kino Makoto and I'm Sailor Jupiter."
"You were Levina of the House of Taima and princess of the Io Kingdom of Jupiter. You were second in command of the Inner Senshi." Minako supplied.
Mars sighed. There was no way she was going to win this battle. She hated losing though. Hino Rei bowed to Minako, Artemis, and Tranquility. "I am Hino Rei and Sailor Mars."
Tranquility smirked. Her silver hair glimmered like new fallen snow. "The Princess Arden Atalanta of Phobos Deimos of Mars."
"And who are you?" Rei challenged.
Tranquility bowed elegantly with all the flourish and polish of any highborn nobility. "I am Tranquility of the House of Aileen. I am the High Princess of the Moon Kingdom and the Silver Alliance. At your service, Sailor Senshi."
"Tranquility-sama, I think you forgot the part where you were Queen of the Moon Kingdom and the Silver Alliance for a few years." Ami piped up. Her eyes sparkled with mischievousness.
Minako giggled and Artemis attempted to smother his laughter. The disgusted expression on Tranquility's face was so funny and unfit for her noble features. Tranquility shook her head. "Of course. The five years of hell I managed to survive."
Three of the four who had their past memories doubled over in laughter as Tranquility sulked. The tension was long gone by now and the room was filled with an atmosphere of old friends reminiscing.
~~~
I relaxed. The tension was far-gone, as if it had never been in the first place. I did not know what they were laughing about, seeing how it was some inside joke. I found myself giggling. The expression on Tranquility's face was priceless. The laughter of my comrades was infectious. I couldn't help myself. Makoto had already joined them. I let myself go and shared a good laugh with my friends.
~~~
They soon settled down once more and everything was quiet.
"We're all Princesses." Makoto mused.
Artemis scrunched up his face. "I think you're mistaken."
Minako giggled and patted Artemis on the head like a dog. "Don't worry, she just forgot you were here. We would never mistake you for a girl." She glanced at his long silver hair and her grin widened. "Maybe not."
Artemis cleared his throat. "If we may get back to the business at hand?"
Minako blushed. "Right."
~~~
It was amazing how much this girl changed in a matter of a few minutes. First, she was yelling at me like the image of the leader she was supposed to be. Now she was giggling and teasing her Guardian like a teenage girl. Wait a moment. She was a teenager, just like I was supposed to be.
~~~
A solemn light entered Tranquility's eyes. "What happened to my imouto?"
Ami, Minako, and Artemis froze. They gazed at each other uncertainly. Minako stared Tranquility right in the eye. She was every inch the leader she was supposed to be. "Tranquility-sama, you have been away for a long time. A lot has happened during the duration of your absence. Our glorious Kingdom came under the attack of the Dark Kingdom about a thousand years ago."
Hatred flashed through Tranquility's eyes. She clenched her fist, just barely keeping her anger in check as a bright white aura flared up around her. "I told Serenity it would be best to crush the little devil worshippers early. Why didn't she listen to me? What happened afterwards?"
"The Dark Kingdom had no real power until about a year before the attack." Ami continued. "Suddenly their numbers increased drastically overnight, not just the youma but the human recruits as well. The society had based itself in the North Pole on Terra. Queen Gemma of Terra was alarmed by this as well and she advocated delegation with the Silver Alliance more furiously than before."
Artemis picked up the story. "Your niece, Princess Serenity the XXI, was engaged to Prince Endymion as a result of the treaty. It was a love match and everyone was sure things would work out. The night of the engagement ball, however, the Dark Kingdom attacked us. Almost all of Terra had come under its control after Queen Gemma was killed, including Endymion's Generals."
"We found out that night who was leading the Dark Kingdom." Minako's voice began to crack. "We drove her to it. I know we did it. If only we hadn't…" Minako couldn't go on.
"Who was it?" Tranquility demanded.
"The Duchess Galena of Terra." Artemis answered quietly. He could not ignore an order from his superior.
Tranquility blinked as Artemis's answer registered in her mind. It was not the answer she had expected. If it hadn't been for the support of the wall, she would have fallen over. "King Alroy's younger sister? The one who raised Sere as a child?"
Ami nodded. "Galena-sama was so mad at us for taking the Princess away. She loved Serenity-hime as her own child for all those years and we just took her away. She dealt with it. She knew Serenity-hime needed to return for the good of her Kingdom. It was what we did afterwards that drove Galena-sama over the edge." Ami trailed off.
"What did you do?" Makoto narrowed her eyes.
Ami wouldn't meet anyone's gaze. Neither would Minako. "We all did it, Levina. We all took away Serenity-hime's memories."
Tranquility slammed her fist against the wall. The shrine walls seemed to shake from the force. "You did what to my niece?! Why was I not informed?!"
"Serenity-sama knew how you would feel and thought it would be best not to inform you. You should have seen her, Tranquility-sama! Serenity-hime was so miserable on the moon. She wouldn't concentrate nor did she make any effort to learn or perform her duties as the Princess." Ami argued, though it was really arguing with herself. She was trying to convince herself if anything. "We only wanted to suppress her memories until she settled down."
"You don't mess with another's person's mind like that!" Tranquility clenched her fists. "You could have talked to her or tried to comfort her. Anything but what you did!"
"It seemed like a good idea at the time!" Minako exclaimed. "We only wanted what was best for her. We love and care for her just as much as you!"
Tranquility turned and slid open the door. "I don't want to hear anymore of this. I'll contact you later, after I get over my disgust." The door slammed angrily behind her.
~~~
The room was deadly silent. My insides had twisted with guilt as I listened to their story. I had nothing to do with this. I did nothing wrong. Nothing.
~ You're right. We only did our duty. Serenity-hime needed to stop mopping and do the same. ~
Who was that? It sounded like my own voice.
~ That's because I am you, or at least, once was. ~
They claimed I was the reincarnated Princess of Mars. Was this her?
~ Pleasure to meet you, Hino Rei. I am Arden Atalanta. ~
~~~
Rei settled in front of the sacred flames and let the heat soothe her. She closed her eyes and her breath fell into a familiar and controlled pattern. She pushed all thoughts of Tranquility who had stormed off and her fellow senshi who had left a while ago, out of her mind.
She fell into the deep sea of red that was her inner self. Two pairs of arms wrapped around her neck and pulled her deeper into her trance.
"Your memories," The same twin voices whispered. "Remember Atalanta-sama. Only when you remember can you become a true Sailor Senshi."
"I don't want to remember. All that pain…" Rei whimpered but it was not her.
"What about all the joy Purity brought into your life? What about the kinship you developed with your sister senshi? What about the love you shared with Jadeite?" They asked. "Loss and gain come hand-in-hand, one will always follow the other.
We must all learn to accept both or neither."
"I don't want the guilt *they* carry." Rei mumbled.
"You have to remember. You must draw strength from each other now. You are no longer alone. *They* won't leave you, not like the others."
*Flash*
Atalanta, three years of age, hid shyly behind her nurse. She peered over the fringes of the nurse's gown at the other three girls there. Three more girls her age stood apart from each other but wore the same curious expression.
*Flash*
Nine-year-old Atalanta pinched the string back. Her violet eyes focused solely on the red dot of a bull's eye. She let go and the arrow sliced swiftly through the air, hitting the bull's eyes with a thud. The head was lodged so deeply into the wood you would have to cut it out. As young as she might be, she was the best archer in the Kingdom.
*Flash*
Atalanta could hear Celeste and Levina giggling about some boy in the Terran court, just beyond the bushes. Kallan was blushing furiously as the other two teased her. Atalanta smirked. This was going to be fun. She glanced over at her partner in crime. Purity rolled up her sleeves and nodded. On the count of three, the duo burst through the bushes and nearly gave their friends a heart attack.
*Flash*
Atalanta and Jadeite stood next to each other on the balcony. They gazed upon the full moon hanging in the sky. She was nervous. Why was she so nervous?
"I'm going back soon." There was still silence. He didn't speak.
He finally responded. "I know…" It was just a breath of wind.
She bit her lower lip as she felt a bitter feeling churn in her stomach. Didn't that darn man even care at all? Didn't he care that they wouldn't see each other for months? Most of all, why did she even care? "Is that all you can say?"
"Good night." He whispered and turned to leave.
She clutched the railing tightly. So this was rejection. Wait a second, what rejection? She felt her hand on hers. He turned her about so she was facing him. She could feel his breath upon her lips as he whispered, "Before I forget." Her heartbeat quickened. He lowered his lips to hers.
*Flash*
My eyes shot open. A lifetime of memories flashed before my mind's eyes. It felt as if my heart had burst. I immediately reached for the jade around my neck. It all came rushing back to me like a great deluge. Everything, all the pain, joy, sorrow, love, betrayal of both lives found its way back.
I felt tears pool at the corner of my eyes. 'I refuse to cry. I refuse to cry.' I chanted to myself. I was stronger than this. I was no weakling.
Suddenly, I felt his warm hands cup my face and his gentle words whisper in my ears. The last of my defenses crumbled. It had been such a hard and long day. I cried. I cried for the first time since my father abandoned me. I cried as the last of the images burned away in the fire, with only the memories of both lives to comfort and pain me.
Finally done! After how many months? I had this done for a few weeks but I sorta had to do my projects and study first. I would like to thank my new beta-readers, Heather and Fate's Child. You may have noticed I've changed my name to Alecto Perdita. There are just too many Alecto's on FF.net. In case, you're wondering, I've also updated on a number of other fics:
Chapter 6 of Mirror of Reflection
Chapter 1 of The Difference Between Black and White
Original Short Story-The Ride Home
Please check out my short story. I would really appreciate your comments. Check out the next chapter of this fic. I'm hoping to get the next part of both The Heaven's Will is My Will and To Break the Cycle out soon so keep your eyes open.
Mirror of Reflections
By Alecto Perdita
Chapter 5
Reflections in the Fire - Sailor Mars
Rating: PG - PG 13
Email Alecto: Chiba_Ohiko@yahoo.com
Website: www.angelfire.com/anime2/sunrise
"You shouldn't ever forget your past. You'd be surprised how much of yourself you lose with it."
The Sailor Senshi and Artemis stared at Sailor Mercury with a mixture of betrayal, bewilderment, and anger. Mercury looked so pathetic like that. Her eyes were wild with confusion and self-loath.
Sailor Mars pushed through the small unmoving crowd. Her temper and rage had clearly gotten the better of her. She pushed Sailor Jupiter aside as Jupiter attempted to restrain Mars until she calmed down. "Why did you do it?!" Mars screamed at the defenseless Mercury. "You are a Sailor Senshi! Have you no pride in that?! You spineless little -" Mars's head snapped to a side. She raised a stunned hand to her red swollen cheek. Mercury, Mercury of all people, had slapped her.
"Don't you ever," Mercury's tone was low and dangerous. Her eyes were like ice. "Ever insult or question my honor as a Sailor Senshi. I believe in Zoisite. I believe he can and will change. I have a right to do so, just as you do." Mercury grabbed the jadeite stone and dangled it before Mars' eyes. "How do you know you can trust this? How do you know it's not still helping the Dark Kingdom?" Mars didn't answer. She didn't have one. Mercury narrowed her eyes and let go of the pendant. "I thought so. I will kill Zoisite but only if it is absolutely necessary. I *will not* be unforgiving or unwilling to embrace those who are willing to change. I *will not* dishonor the values that Queen Serenity instilled in us. You should be ashamed Atalanta-san."
"Kallan-san." Sailor Venus approached Mercury.
"Celeste-sama." Mercury bowed. "I am still Mizuno Ami."
A wide grin spread over Venus's lips. She was no longer the only one to possess memories of the past. "Welcome back, Mercury no hime."
~~~
I stared at the ground. She was right. Perhaps I was too harsh to her. I glanced at my fellow senshi. This was so very tense. I couldn't remember Ami ever having that much backbone.
I caught a smirk out of the corner of my eyes. I turned to Sailor Moon. She met my gaze evenly. Then it hit me then. She enjoyed this, this tension and friction between people who were supposed to be friends and comrades. She raised an eyebrow, silently challenging me to say something.
I turned away. I couldn't say anything. What proof did I have? No one would believe me. I certainly didn't trust her. In time, she'll show her true face. I will wait until she does.
~~~
"We should take this somewhere else." Jupiter glanced cautiously around. "The police will be here soon enough."
Venus nodded. "Tranquility-sama," She called. "We could have used some help you know?"
A tall silver-haired woman in a black uniform stepped out of the shadows. She chuckled softly. "You didn't seem to need my help. My imouto-chan has raised you all well."
Mars did a double take between the woman and Moon. "Are you related?"
Moon scowled deeply. "No!" She snapped and walked away. No one tried to stop her. Mars, for one, was glad to see the blond go.
Mars sighed as she addressed her comrades. "I guess we go to the shrine now."
~~~
I studied this woman carefully as we quickly made our way to my grandfather's shrine. Despite Sailor Moon's denial, I was more than sure that the two were related by blood. Her aura was bright though, too bright to be moonlight. Moonlight, after all, was just reflected sunlight. Venus was speaking softly, debating with Tranquility. Was Venus the leader Luna spoke of?
~~~
The small little group crowded into the Fire Room. Mercury looked over expectantly at Venus. Venus simply detransformed and sat down on a mat. Aino Minako nodded and soon Mizuno Ami sat by her side. Jupiter didn't even seem to think as she changed back to Kino Makoto and took her own seat. Tranquility leaned against the back wall and raised an eyebrow at Mars. Artemis chuckled a little bit and waited for Mars to do something.
Mars stared at the rest of her teammates as if they were crazy. They had just revealed themselves to this woman. They didn't even know if they could trust her. She stood there, unmoving and uncompromising.
Artemis sighed, "You can change back now, Atalanta-san."
Mars glared at Tranquility. "I don't know who that woman is or if she can be trusted. I will not leave myself so vulnerable and open to attack. How do I know she isn't just some bitch from the Dark Kingdom trying to spy on us."
Minako jumped to her feet. Fury flashed across her face. "That's enough, Atalanta-san! Show some respect to your liege!"
Artemis placed a hand on Minako's shoulder. "Calm down, Mina-chan. Atalanta has a right to be suspicious. Unlike you, she has not regained all of her memories."
Minako looked down, ashamed. "Gomen nasai." She mumbled and sat back down.
"Then I shall begin. I am Artemis Qamra, once Chief War Advisor of Her Majesty Queen Serenity the XX. I am Luna's partner." Artemis bowed.
Minako sighed and ran a nervous hand through her long blond strands. "I am Aino Minako and I'm fourteen. I was Celeste of the House of Lucerne, the Princess of the Magellan Kingdom of Venus in my last life. I was also the leader of the Inner Senshi."
"Mina-chan will be your leader in battle. With all her past memories and present training, she is the best choice at the moment until we find the Princess." Artemis informed them. Ami nodded but both Rei and Makoto were hesitant to accept her.
Ami smiled and tried to ease the tension. "My name is Mizuno Ami now but I was once known as Kallan of the House of Chishiki, Princess of the Mariner Kingdom of Mercury. I was fourth in command of the Inner Sailor Senshi."
Makoto scratched her head. "I'm Kino Makoto and I'm Sailor Jupiter."
"You were Levina of the House of Taima and princess of the Io Kingdom of Jupiter. You were second in command of the Inner Senshi." Minako supplied.
Mars sighed. There was no way she was going to win this battle. She hated losing though. Hino Rei bowed to Minako, Artemis, and Tranquility. "I am Hino Rei and Sailor Mars."
Tranquility smirked. Her silver hair glimmered like new fallen snow. "The Princess Arden Atalanta of Phobos Deimos of Mars."
"And who are you?" Rei challenged.
Tranquility bowed elegantly with all the flourish and polish of any highborn nobility. "I am Tranquility of the House of Aileen. I am the High Princess of the Moon Kingdom and the Silver Alliance. At your service, Sailor Senshi."
"Tranquility-sama, I think you forgot the part where you were Queen of the Moon Kingdom and the Silver Alliance for a few years." Ami piped up. Her eyes sparkled with mischievousness.
Minako giggled and Artemis attempted to smother his laughter. The disgusted expression on Tranquility's face was so funny and unfit for her noble features. Tranquility shook her head. "Of course. The five years of hell I managed to survive."
Three of the four who had their past memories doubled over in laughter as Tranquility sulked. The tension was long gone by now and the room was filled with an atmosphere of old friends reminiscing.
~~~
I relaxed. The tension was far-gone, as if it had never been in the first place. I did not know what they were laughing about, seeing how it was some inside joke. I found myself giggling. The expression on Tranquility's face was priceless. The laughter of my comrades was infectious. I couldn't help myself. Makoto had already joined them. I let myself go and shared a good laugh with my friends.
~~~
They soon settled down once more and everything was quiet.
"We're all Princesses." Makoto mused.
Artemis scrunched up his face. "I think you're mistaken."
Minako giggled and patted Artemis on the head like a dog. "Don't worry, she just forgot you were here. We would never mistake you for a girl." She glanced at his long silver hair and her grin widened. "Maybe not."
Artemis cleared his throat. "If we may get back to the business at hand?"
Minako blushed. "Right."
~~~
It was amazing how much this girl changed in a matter of a few minutes. First, she was yelling at me like the image of the leader she was supposed to be. Now she was giggling and teasing her Guardian like a teenage girl. Wait a moment. She was a teenager, just like I was supposed to be.
~~~
A solemn light entered Tranquility's eyes. "What happened to my imouto?"
Ami, Minako, and Artemis froze. They gazed at each other uncertainly. Minako stared Tranquility right in the eye. She was every inch the leader she was supposed to be. "Tranquility-sama, you have been away for a long time. A lot has happened during the duration of your absence. Our glorious Kingdom came under the attack of the Dark Kingdom about a thousand years ago."
Hatred flashed through Tranquility's eyes. She clenched her fist, just barely keeping her anger in check as a bright white aura flared up around her. "I told Serenity it would be best to crush the little devil worshippers early. Why didn't she listen to me? What happened afterwards?"
"The Dark Kingdom had no real power until about a year before the attack." Ami continued. "Suddenly their numbers increased drastically overnight, not just the youma but the human recruits as well. The society had based itself in the North Pole on Terra. Queen Gemma of Terra was alarmed by this as well and she advocated delegation with the Silver Alliance more furiously than before."
Artemis picked up the story. "Your niece, Princess Serenity the XXI, was engaged to Prince Endymion as a result of the treaty. It was a love match and everyone was sure things would work out. The night of the engagement ball, however, the Dark Kingdom attacked us. Almost all of Terra had come under its control after Queen Gemma was killed, including Endymion's Generals."
"We found out that night who was leading the Dark Kingdom." Minako's voice began to crack. "We drove her to it. I know we did it. If only we hadn't…" Minako couldn't go on.
"Who was it?" Tranquility demanded.
"The Duchess Galena of Terra." Artemis answered quietly. He could not ignore an order from his superior.
Tranquility blinked as Artemis's answer registered in her mind. It was not the answer she had expected. If it hadn't been for the support of the wall, she would have fallen over. "King Alroy's younger sister? The one who raised Sere as a child?"
Ami nodded. "Galena-sama was so mad at us for taking the Princess away. She loved Serenity-hime as her own child for all those years and we just took her away. She dealt with it. She knew Serenity-hime needed to return for the good of her Kingdom. It was what we did afterwards that drove Galena-sama over the edge." Ami trailed off.
"What did you do?" Makoto narrowed her eyes.
Ami wouldn't meet anyone's gaze. Neither would Minako. "We all did it, Levina. We all took away Serenity-hime's memories."
Tranquility slammed her fist against the wall. The shrine walls seemed to shake from the force. "You did what to my niece?! Why was I not informed?!"
"Serenity-sama knew how you would feel and thought it would be best not to inform you. You should have seen her, Tranquility-sama! Serenity-hime was so miserable on the moon. She wouldn't concentrate nor did she make any effort to learn or perform her duties as the Princess." Ami argued, though it was really arguing with herself. She was trying to convince herself if anything. "We only wanted to suppress her memories until she settled down."
"You don't mess with another's person's mind like that!" Tranquility clenched her fists. "You could have talked to her or tried to comfort her. Anything but what you did!"
"It seemed like a good idea at the time!" Minako exclaimed. "We only wanted what was best for her. We love and care for her just as much as you!"
Tranquility turned and slid open the door. "I don't want to hear anymore of this. I'll contact you later, after I get over my disgust." The door slammed angrily behind her.
~~~
The room was deadly silent. My insides had twisted with guilt as I listened to their story. I had nothing to do with this. I did nothing wrong. Nothing.
~ You're right. We only did our duty. Serenity-hime needed to stop mopping and do the same. ~
Who was that? It sounded like my own voice.
~ That's because I am you, or at least, once was. ~
They claimed I was the reincarnated Princess of Mars. Was this her?
~ Pleasure to meet you, Hino Rei. I am Arden Atalanta. ~
~~~
Rei settled in front of the sacred flames and let the heat soothe her. She closed her eyes and her breath fell into a familiar and controlled pattern. She pushed all thoughts of Tranquility who had stormed off and her fellow senshi who had left a while ago, out of her mind.
She fell into the deep sea of red that was her inner self. Two pairs of arms wrapped around her neck and pulled her deeper into her trance.
"Your memories," The same twin voices whispered. "Remember Atalanta-sama. Only when you remember can you become a true Sailor Senshi."
"I don't want to remember. All that pain…" Rei whimpered but it was not her.
"What about all the joy Purity brought into your life? What about the kinship you developed with your sister senshi? What about the love you shared with Jadeite?" They asked. "Loss and gain come hand-in-hand, one will always follow the other.
We must all learn to accept both or neither."
"I don't want the guilt *they* carry." Rei mumbled.
"You have to remember. You must draw strength from each other now. You are no longer alone. *They* won't leave you, not like the others."
*Flash*
Atalanta, three years of age, hid shyly behind her nurse. She peered over the fringes of the nurse's gown at the other three girls there. Three more girls her age stood apart from each other but wore the same curious expression.
*Flash*
Nine-year-old Atalanta pinched the string back. Her violet eyes focused solely on the red dot of a bull's eye. She let go and the arrow sliced swiftly through the air, hitting the bull's eyes with a thud. The head was lodged so deeply into the wood you would have to cut it out. As young as she might be, she was the best archer in the Kingdom.
*Flash*
Atalanta could hear Celeste and Levina giggling about some boy in the Terran court, just beyond the bushes. Kallan was blushing furiously as the other two teased her. Atalanta smirked. This was going to be fun. She glanced over at her partner in crime. Purity rolled up her sleeves and nodded. On the count of three, the duo burst through the bushes and nearly gave their friends a heart attack.
*Flash*
Atalanta and Jadeite stood next to each other on the balcony. They gazed upon the full moon hanging in the sky. She was nervous. Why was she so nervous?
"I'm going back soon." There was still silence. He didn't speak.
He finally responded. "I know…" It was just a breath of wind.
She bit her lower lip as she felt a bitter feeling churn in her stomach. Didn't that darn man even care at all? Didn't he care that they wouldn't see each other for months? Most of all, why did she even care? "Is that all you can say?"
"Good night." He whispered and turned to leave.
She clutched the railing tightly. So this was rejection. Wait a second, what rejection? She felt her hand on hers. He turned her about so she was facing him. She could feel his breath upon her lips as he whispered, "Before I forget." Her heartbeat quickened. He lowered his lips to hers.
*Flash*
My eyes shot open. A lifetime of memories flashed before my mind's eyes. It felt as if my heart had burst. I immediately reached for the jade around my neck. It all came rushing back to me like a great deluge. Everything, all the pain, joy, sorrow, love, betrayal of both lives found its way back.
I felt tears pool at the corner of my eyes. 'I refuse to cry. I refuse to cry.' I chanted to myself. I was stronger than this. I was no weakling.
Suddenly, I felt his warm hands cup my face and his gentle words whisper in my ears. The last of my defenses crumbled. It had been such a hard and long day. I cried. I cried for the first time since my father abandoned me. I cried as the last of the images burned away in the fire, with only the memories of both lives to comfort and pain me.
Finally done! After how many months? I had this done for a few weeks but I sorta had to do my projects and study first. I would like to thank my new beta-readers, Heather and Fate's Child. You may have noticed I've changed my name to Alecto Perdita. There are just too many Alecto's on FF.net. In case, you're wondering, I've also updated on a number of other fics:
Chapter 6 of Mirror of Reflection
Chapter 1 of The Difference Between Black and White
Original Short Story-The Ride Home
Please check out my short story. I would really appreciate your comments. Check out the next chapter of this fic. I'm hoping to get the next part of both The Heaven's Will is My Will and To Break the Cycle out soon so keep your eyes open.
