The Guardian, Part 16
New Beginnings
By Taerir

All Sailor Moon references are the property of their respective owners. Any concepts, characters, world names, plotlines, and so on not found in the Sailormoon television series or manga are the sole property of the author, Taerir, copyright 1999. No duplication is permitted without written permission from the author.

In a deserted area in the park, a soft glow pervaded the air. Asleep in a ball, a figure appeared. The young woman awakened slowly, sitting up and brushing her chin-length red hair from her eyes. Standing up, she straightened out her white sundress and looked around, still getting her bearings. Finally feeling steady again, she made her way out of the park.

She headed to a building, tears building in her eyes. Stopping at the door to an apartment, she stopped before knocking, and saw herself trembling. Steeling herself, she knocked on the door.

Kensaku opened the door and stared.

"I'm back," Asami said uncertainly, trying a smile.

Kensaku remained silent, still looking shocked.

Asami frowned. She knew she looked a little different; she had gained about six months in age, and was probably a little too thin since nutrition was different where she has been spending her time. She backed away, the tears coming again.

"I know it's strange..." she said uncomfortably. "I can leave, if you want. But it really is me." She started to turn to go, still seeing Kensaku hesitate.

Kensaku stayed frozen in his tracks for a moment. Asami? It couldn't be! But the girl standing in front of him looked so much like her... She turned back to him, and Kensaku saw a stream of emotions running through the girl's eyes. Finally, she regained control and spoke, repeating what she had said before.

"It's me, Keelan," she said. "I've come back."

It certainly sounded like her... Kensaku decided to try mindspeech, which should be possible for him with no one but Asami, on her. He took a step toward her.

...Wyna...? he sent.

Her eyes softened and began to tear up. Yes.

That was all it took. In a second, Kensaku had made his way to the chair, scooped her into his arms, and sat down with her in his lap. He looked at her once, tears filling his own eyes, then kissed her. Sobbing, she cupped his chin in her hands and kissed him back. After a long while, they both pulled away, their sobs subsiding. Kensaku gazed at her face, wondering if this was really happening. He deliberately closed his eyes, leaving them that way for a while, and then opening them again to see her face.

Kensaku smiled slowly. "You're still here," he said in Enyddan.

Asami laughed out loud, replying in Enyddan as well. "Aye, love, I'm still here... and I'm staying."

Kensaku laughed too, and kissed her again, looking into her eyes. "Good. You're so beautiful... I didn't know what I was going to do without you." He feigned a wry expression. "You're a little too thin, though."

"Well, nutrition is a little different where I've been," Asami smiled.

Kensaku's expression turned distant. "Wyna, what happened?"

"You were right, Keelan; it wasn't my time." She smiled again as he stared. "Let's just say I spent some time in the otherworld. We get to see everything that's going on, over there. That's how I knew what you were going through, and I'm sorry that I put you through that." She paused and swallowed hard. "But anyway, the Taerir Gate can't go unguarded, and there is no one to take over as Sailor Taerir or Guardian of the Staff. So they gave me a little extra training so that I could fulfill my duties better, then sent me back. The time I spent there was worth about six months, so physically I'm also that much older. And I'm not technically a senshi anymore."

"What are you, then?"

Asami drew in a breath. "A Guardian. For a Gate senshi, it's like the next step up-- a warrior without all the catch phrases and things. A Guardian is the Gate senshi's fully-evolved form."

Kensaku remained silent for a moment, and then nodded slowly. "I can understand that, I think. But don't you need to go see the others?"

Asami sighed. "Yes, I do. But give them time to wake up. It's early in the morning yet." Her eyes softened. "And I want some time with you first."

Smiling in wonder, Kensaku pulled her close and kissed her again.

Two weeks later, Asami had reunited with the other senshi and had just finished her last day of high school. Ami had been the most relieved to discover Asami had returned, and Usagi had regained her peace of mind, knowing that another senshi had not died for good.

"I should have known better," she had said abashedly. Asami had just laughed gently.

Her fiance's arm around her waist, Asami fervently hoped that the senshi would see some peace, at least for a little while. Goodness knew they had been through enough difficulties lately.

Kensaku looked down at her. "So, we'll be going to the same university now."

Asami smiled and gazed out across the lake, where she and Kensaku had spent a quiet evening in each other's arms. "I think I can handle that." She narrowed her eyes in mock severity. "I gotten my memories back, I've died twice… I can manage going through more school."

Simply glad to have her back, Kensaku grinned and pulled her closer.