The past, present and future.

A/N: Hiya minna!! How's life?

Mikazuki: zackire-chan. I bet no everyone is well at this moment so can we just stop the introduction and start with the story?

A/N: *glares at Mikazuki* Oi! Just because you are my original character, that doesn't give you the authority to order me around, sugar.

Tasuki: Yeah! How come he gets all of the limelight while I got none?

A/N: That is because your limelight would be later. Anyway I just wanna say I do not own Fushigi Yuugi and Sailormoon. But I do own Mikazuki.

Mikazuki: Yeah do you guys know that my name means Crescent?

Tasuki: whatever kid. Just get on with the story.

Chapter Eight

Dark red eyes- maroon to be precise stared fearfully as the beautiful lady before him smiled. Could he trust her? What if she is similar to the others? But her smile, it looks so sincere unlike to the ones that he is used to.

Mikazuki immediately scooted further as Usagi reached out her arm and opened her hand, waiting for the little child to take it.

Maroon eyes glanced down to the outstretched arm. What does she meant? Did she want him to place his hand on her opened hand?

The idea of it seems very tempting. As quickly as the trust flicked into his eyes, it was quickly replaced by the haunting fears.

But if he were to place his hand, would the green haired swordsman beside her slice his head off or-

"I promise we wouldn't hurt you. We are just lost wanderers in search of our friends. Please we are not here to harm you, Mikazuki," Usagi reassured once again when she noticed the fear returning into the young one's eyes. Mikazuki eyes flitted from Hotohori to the smiling Usagi.

Ever so slowly, calloused blood caked hand reached out and rested on Usagi's open hand. Taking a deep breath, Mikazuki crawled out of his hiding place.

A sharp intake of breath was from Hotohori. Words couldn't describe what he is feeling at that moment as he took in the state the little child is in.

Dark purple bruises scarred the pale neck and ugly fresh whip narks that is now caked with dried blood and dirt slashed on his lanky arms and etched on his body, underneath the frayed clothes. Old beating marks stood fiercely against the pale legs.

Sheathing his sacred sword, he walked towards the duo.

Usagi willed back the tears from falling as she embraced the little child. Which monster had forsaken this innocent child into such misery and sorrow? Unknown to Usagi, her actions had brushed against Mikazuki's open wound and in an instant; a yowl of pain touched his chapped lips.

On hearing the yowl, Usagi released him and looked at the child quizzically. A bleeding wound peeked underneath his thorn collar.

Mikazuki saw the worried look on her face. As if having a mind of its own, his mouth suddenly blurted out. "It is all over my body."

Usagi searchingly stared into the maroon eyes. "May I?"

Understanding the meaning of the question, Mikazuki nodded.

Usagi tenderly raised the child's dirt caked shirt. The higher she raise, the angrier she got. When at last she had the hole filled shirt off Mikazuki's head, she immediately tossed the revolting garment to the ground.

True to his words, dirt infested wounds and slashes, which were, obviously had been a job of a whip, stood vividly on his lanky body. Not a single inch of his body was untouched.

Tearing her gaze from the wounds to the fathomless maroon orbs. Reaching out, she tenderly touched his bleeding split lip. "Who did this to you, little one?"

"My foster parents," he whispered, his eyes downcast.

Not wanting to press the matter further, Usagi stood up to think.

"It is a pity that we got separated from the rest, else Mitsukake would have healed him," Hotohori remarked as he ruffled the young boy's hair.

Mikazuki was stupefied at the swordsman's actions. In all of his six years of his life, no one had ever come close as to speak a decent sentence without curses and scolding in it. So you can just imagine how shocked he was at first when the beautiful lady before him hugged him and the man ruffling his hair.

Usagi's face lit up as an idea struck her. "We don't need Mitsukake to heal him and with the wounds he is having, I doubt Mitsukake could heal it completely for a week."

"What are you trying to say, Usagi?" Hotohori turned towards the smiling bunny.

"What I'm saying is that I can use my powers to fully heal Mikazuki. But I have little problem."

"And what would that be?"

"I'm not strong enough since I had used most of my powers to face Chaos. But you could lend me your strength and together we could heal him."

Hotohori walked to Usagi and tipped her chin, forcing her to look at him in the eyes. "I would do anything for you. Just as long you don't hurt yourself and the child."

Smiling, Usagi tiptoed and pecked on his cheek.

Stepping away, Usagi stopped in front of Mikazuki. On haunches, Usagi smiled tenderly at the little boy. "Don't be afraid sweetheart. My friend and I would try and heal all of your wounds. So you would no longer feel pain, ok love?"

Mikazuki could only nod, as he was not used to endearments. Heal? Does she have any powers? Is she a witch?

"Fiancé."  Hotohori corrected. Usagi could only smile.

"Ano… since I already told you my name, wouldn't it be appropriate for both of you to tell me your names. I don't mind calling you beautiful lady and him swordsman but-"

Mikazuki's eyes widen in fear again since Usagi had placed a finger on his lips. Instead of facing blows and kicks, which he was used to, the beautiful lady before him only, giggled.

"Sumi masen, little one. How foolish I was not telling you our names at first. I'm Usagi Tsukino and that one is Hotohori also known as-"

"Saihitei. A proud seishi of Suzaku. That beautiful lady before you is my fiancé."

Mikazuki smiled his first smile when he received a teasing wink from the man called Hotohori. He marveled at the feeling of being free to laugh and smile. Since he was young, he could never smile or laugh, a way to prevent himself from getting hit by his foster parents.

"Ok since we are already done with the introductions, let's get to work, ne? Mi-kun I want you to relax as you stand, ok?"

Standing in front of the child, Usagi closed her eyes and let her mind and spirit soar. Hotohori who now had encircled his arms around her waist closed his eyes and began concentrating transferring his energy to her.

Mikazuki watched in awe as the air around them began to swirl slowly but soon catches up pace. Usagi's hair starts to flick into silver color and her hair began to rise with the wind but surprisingly with less aggression.

Mikazuki's eyes widen as he felt a feeling of deja vu hits him.

Usagi began to a pink light followed by Hotohori who glowed a faint crimson but as the light pulsates with life, the light turned solid green. Two different light, different power and world began to combine into one, emitting a warm, comforting lavender light.

Raising her hands, Usagi rested them at the sides of the child before her.

As soon as Usagi rested her hands on his face, Mikazuki felt a warm fuzzy feeling. Mikazuki closed his eyes in bliss as the comforting warmth relaxes his body, soul and mind. For the very first time in his six years of wretched life, Mikazuki felt at peace.

The moment Usagi touched Mikazuki, the lavender light enveloped him. As the light slowly enveloped him, it seems to swallow the opened wounds and even the old marks that would be impossible to disappear. The wounds closed themselves up as the light passes them ad instead of scars, a flawless untouched skin replaced the wounds.

As the wounds closed and heal and scars disappear, the light soon faded out. What is left of the strange occurrence is a panting Usagi who is now held by Hotohori and a fully healed Mikazuki.

Mikazuki felt the warmth left him. Opening is eyes, he nearly screamed out as the sight that greeted him. He is… he has healed!!! Disbelieved, he touched his bared chest, his legs and lastly his face. Not even a scar was left on his body! It is like as if he had never been injured before!

But how?

Confused, Mikazuki stared at the panting blond before him.

When she was certain that her legs would not give way, Usagi shakily stepped away from her lover's embrace. Turning around, she met the child's confused gaze.

Bending down, Usagi flicked the end of his nose. "I told you that I would heal you," she smiled.

"Naze? Why did you do that? You could have ignored me or killed me." Mikazuki was puzzled. Why would a stranger, a beautiful stranger to be exact, help him?

Usagi was taken aback. Kill him? She would never kill an innocent life much less an injured innocent child.

"I would never kill an innocent life. Kill you. Anyway it broke my heart to see the fear and misery in your eyes. At your age, you should be happy and having fun, not being cut all over. I could never hurt you."

Mikazuki was touched and humbled by her words. He is not a trusting type but something about her and the man behind her made him feel safe and secured.

His eyes once again were downcast. Why couldn't his foster parents be like them?

"Why did they hurt you, little one?" Hotohori asked as he stepped closer towards Mikazuki.

Mikazuki's eyes snapped open. He hadn't realized that he had spoken out loud. He glanced around. Hotohori once again had taken his place beside Usagi and stood beside her as he focused on him. Even though he towered him, he had a warm and understanding look in his eyes. Sighing, Mikazuki began to unlock the demons in his life.

"I had been a slave for my foster parent for all of my life ever since I could walk and talk properly. I practically live in the fields from dawn to dusk and had only a small portion of bread to last me for the entire day." Mikazuki paused as he took a shuddering breath. Then he continued.

"I was beaten everyday even when I had done nothing wrong. Father is a drunkard and as always, I will be his punching bag whenever he returned from the gambling pit. Mother works at the whorehouse. She has a very bad temper and as you would have guessed, I'm the scapegoat for her anger. I was sick and frustrated by my life and had learned never to cry since it gives nothing but more trouble. But even after all those beatings, I still stayed with them, thinking that they were my real parents. Fortunately, last night I overheard a conversation between them that I was not theirs that I was a child that they had picked from a desert. So I decided to run away and die in peace. The rest, you would have known by now."

Usagi was amazed that a child would have survived over such a life. To think that her life was nothing but hell! Reaching out, Usagi embraced the child in a motherly hug.

"I promised you that we would never do that to you. I will only protect and love you as if you are my own. In fact if you want, you could follow me and Sai-chan on our journey and let us take care of you."

Mikazuki looked at Usagi. Could he allow himself to be placed under her care and protection? What if she turns out to be the same as them? But she had just shown him that she is different from them and he felt that they could be trusted. Taking a deep breath, he nodded.

Usagi broke into a grin as she once again hugged him. Standing up. She took his had while Hotohori took his other hand.

"Before we start the journey, we better give you a clean look, ne?" Usagi winked as she eyed the tangled crop on Mikazuki's head.

Blushing, Mikazuki nodded. Together hand in hand, the trio walked towards a nearby stream taking care not to be off course from their destination.

*~*~*~* Back to Suzaku Seishi *~*~*~*

"Oh great! Why must they disappear at a time like this?!" an orange haired seishi exclaimed as he scout for any sign of this missing friends.

"Usagi! Hotohori! Where are you guys?" a brown haired miko shouted as she walked around with her boyfriend, Tamahome.

At the far end of the scouting group, a blue haired monk frowned underneath his mask.

It had been six days since his friends, Usagi and Hotohori, had disappeared. They had been searching ever since then but not once had they found a clue to their presence. If only he have something of his lost friend's possession, perhaps he could use his magic and locate them.

Usagi's disappearance was of Chaos's doings but Hotohori is not. He had scanned the place where the emperor had once slept for any negative energy vibes. Alas he found none. Instead he had found a very powerful yet calming energy vibes.

"I think we should rest for now," Mitsukake voiced out as he placed a bundle of delicious looking fruits on the ground.

Miaka, who was probably live for food, exclaimed once she saw the treasure Mitsukake had bought. "I agree with Mitsukake. I'm hungry."

Tasuki snorted at his miko's actions. Whipping his opened fan towards a pile of dried woods, flames start to lick the wood hungrily.

Soon darkness swallowed up the last ray of light. A full moon stood proudly in the dark sky as it oversees the dark ground. Moonlight rays filtered through the gaps between the leaves and branches.

Nuriko shifted in his seat so that his back is comfortably resting against the tree stump. Glancing down, his arms shifted to that the picture of the phoenix and the five silver crescent moon studs touched the moonlight. Grazing his fingers lightly on the studs, Nuriko sighed.

"Usagi, where are you now?"

Fingering the red phoenix embroidery that he had figured was a picture of Suzaku he began to unconsciously trace his character in the middle of Suzaku. As soon as he had traced his character, the embroidery of Suzaku began to glow with life and turned into a ruby with the picture of Suzaku soaring in it.

Following suit, the silver studs began to flare with life. Nuriko could feel a new power rushed through his body, filling his senses. Slowly, Nuriko began to glow a purple light. As one, the ruby, the crescent studs and he flared with their different light.

"Nuriko!" Chichiri ran towards his glowing light who by now had miraculously hovered a foot from the ground.

By then, the rest of the Suzaku seishi had gathered around Nuriko.

Once again, Chichiri began to feel a similar energy signature but with a slight difference. Scanning for the source of the strange occurrence before him, his eyes finally rested on Nuriko's flaring glove.

"Who do I have a feeling of Deja vu?" Tamahome whispered as he observed his hovering friend with wide eyes.

Closing his eyes, Chichiri began repeating an old spell to counter the power that is disturbing Nuriko.

~*~*~*~*~*~ Juuban Distinct ~*~*~*~*~*

In a certain part of Tokyo, in a temple, a group of people and two cats were having their weekly gathering.

"I can't believe it! After so many weeks, we still can't find a clue on the whereabouts of Usagi except for Suzaku and the other gods," Rei ran her hand through her long midnight hair. She was tempted to tear it off her head in frustration.

A blue mini laptop snapped closed. "Whatever it is, we should continue on searching for Usagi."

"I agree with Ami." All heads turned towards the corner of the room.

"It is about time you said something, Setsuna. I was thinking you might have shriveled up back there since you barely said a word ever since you stepped in," Michiru smiled at her ruby-eyed friend.

Makoto watched as a small smile touched the guardian of the gate's lips. Even though she smiled, her eyes mirrored something else; pain and sorrow. She had been acting very peculiar these days. She is always silent and kept to herself. Does she know something that the rest doesn't?

"I need a break! I'm going to get us more tea." Rei stood up with the teapot in her hand and slipped out of the room.


            The moment Rei went out, the room lapsed into silence. Everyone was in the world of their own.

Setsuna absent-mindedly traced a certain name on the polished parquet flooring. "Ruo-kun," she softly whispered.

Why must she know what had happened in the past and in he future first? It burdens her to know her real past and her other friends and unable to tell them, her trusted friends.

Makoto watched as the same sorrow that had plagued her friend return to the owner's eyes.

Makoto's right hand flew to her head, cradling it. Taking a few deep breaths, Makoto tries to clam her racing heart. Why does she feel so nauseas and-

"Makoto! Are you alright?" Minako scooted nearer to her friend and gasp.

A collective gasp was heard from the rest of her friends.

"Rei! Do something! Do a counter spell…anything!" a frisked guardian of love shouted.

All at once, Rei placed the full teapot on the floor and began chanting an ancient spell to counter and evil spirit. Amy on the other hand had snapped opened her super micro mercury computer and rapidly punching the keys while the others that are present prayed for their friend's safety.

Setsuna watched as Makoto hovered a foot from the ground with her Jupiter character glowing together in pace with the green aura around her. Ruby eyes narrowed as she eyed a faint crimson character on top of Jupiter's insignia.

Hotaru's eyes widened as she watched a faint red insignia on top of Jupiter's character pulsed strongly and with each glow, the strange insignia became clearer.

As if connected by an invisible remote, Makoto's Jupiter character and the strange insignia flared together. Instead of turning red, the strange insignia turned into purple and stood proudly on top of Jupiter's mark for everyone to read.

"Nuriko!" Setsuna gasped. That is the war name of Makoto's husband, her husband in the past life. The pair of ruby eyes softens immediately. Perhaps it is time for Makoto to know her real past.

Meanwhile in Makoto's mind, images rushed past through her.

"Where am I?" Makoto whispered as she looked around the dark surrounding.

The princess of Jupiter was about to scream her head off for someone to answer her when a picture appeared before her. It was a man in his early twenties.

He had a pair of captivatingly sexy eyes. A chiseled jaw, a sharp nose and full lips completed the picture. His silken hair was the one that captivated her with the exception of his muscular bare chest. It was surprisingly the color of violet, like Hotaru's but lighter.

A small frown formed on Makoto's face. "Chigau. I didn't recall ever meeting him."

Right after the words left her lips, more visions of him in different poses and clothes appeared. Her green pupils expanded when a starling picture appeared before her.

The guy was smiling down tenderly at the woman in his arms. The woman had long brown wavy hair that went past her waist. She was wearing a green dress that matched her forest green eyes. She too had a tender smile on her lips as she gazed at the towering guy.

In fact, Makoto was staring at herself!  What is happening here?

Suddenly a voice whispered. "Aishiteru Makoto, my forest faerie." As if on cue, more pictures of her and the guy raced through her mind. Pictures when they first met, their daily quarrel, their first confession towards each other, their days of love, and their wedding day. Last of all, their death at the hands of Chaos during the Moon Kingdom.

Makoto raised her tear streaked face as her memories bombarded her and slowly diminished the old wretched past life that Chaos had made. Her hair whipped around as if being blown by wind.

Bowing her head, Makoto whispered a name that had long been forgotten. "Ryuen." Her heart quenched and soft sobbing echoed around the walls of her mind. She cried for her founding of her old love, her anger at Chaos and her longing love for her husband.

Minako could feel panic rising in her chest. Makoto still hovered a foot from the ground had started to sob softly. "Can't anyone do anything to help her?"

"Let her be. She has to know." All heads except Makoto's whipped towards Setsuna for the second time that day.

"What do you mean, Setsuna?"

Setsuna's eyes moistened little as she eyed her floating friend. "She has the right to know. In fact all of you will know but right now, it is her time."

The teacups shook as Rei slammed her fist on the wooden floor. "Stop talking in riddles and get to the point."

"I am sorry Rei but I can't tell you. Everyone inclusive Makoto would not tell the others who hadn't received it yet until all of us had received it."

Haruka who is wise at his friend's attitude stepped in. "We should follow what she says."

While the other girls grumbled and grunted at the request that seemed more like an order, the light that had been revolving around Makoto slowly fainted off. With a last whip of the green and blue ribbon of light, Makoto slowly levitates to the floor.

Luna caught sight of Makoto touching the floor as softly as a one would handle a babe. "Makoto daijoubu?"

Once again, everyone's attention focused on their brown haired friend. A gasp escaped the senshi of love and beauty as she gazed at her friend's face. Why Makoto's face was filled with radiance, innocence and something that she can't pinpoint.

"Yeah…I'm ok. I think we should end the meeting now. I'm kind of tired," Makoto smiled. Actually she wasn't tired, she just needed some time to think of what had happened and this past of hers.

Rei wanted to prod further but was cut in by Minako. "I think we should. Anyway I have laundries to do."

Minako stood up and with a stretch; she slid the door open and stepped out. Soon the rest followed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: hehehe… so what ya guys think of this chapter? I just love to make Makoto and Nuriko as a couple and who could have thought I made them husband and wife in the previous life? I too was quite shocked when the idea struck me. Ok then I leave you guys thinking of the next chapter… *giggles mischievously*