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Destiny, by Kristii
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Janus, the Roman god of doorways, is usually sculpted with two
faces – one to see the future, and one to see the past.
And while Pluto is the only Senshi to share Janus's power of sight,
every Senshi is, in a sense, a sort of Janus. Like him, they carry two
faces: that of their planet, and that of themselves.
As Rei discovers, however, only one face can be dominant at a time –
and when Mars takes over, Hino Rei can only watch helplessly as her
alter ego controls their shared body… even if she doesn't like Mars'
actions.
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Sailor Mars and all affiliated characters (c) Naoko Takeuchi
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The Earth General returned two days later.
Rei was reviewing a contract with the Air Force when she heard
someone enter her office. "Gimme a sec, Brad," she said automatically,
not bothering to take her eyes off the papers as she addressed her
vice president. "I'm almost done--"
"As you wish, Lady Mars."
That got her attention. Rei jumped up, tossing the contract
down, horrified. "Brad--what the HELL did you just--"
And then she saw him: the High General Jadeite, Endymion's
former commander of strategic affairs, looking mighty uncomfortable in
a sleek Armani suit that must have cost Serena a small fortune. How did he
get past security? Setsuna must have arranged it… He was standing in
front of Rei's desk, and when he saw her jump up, he hurriedly knelt down.
"Lady Mars, I'm sorry to have disturbed you, but... Her Majesty Princess
Serenity has sent me to ask for your forgiveness..."
"Rise." Jadeite stood up, and Rei ran to him, pushing all
thoughts of Kyle from her mind. Remember how Serena begged you, Rei.
Don't let her down! "Jadeite... God... I never thought I'd see you
again..."
Jadeite smiled, relieved, as the girl looked up at him. "I
take it that you do forgive me, Lady Mars?"
Hell no -- I never forgive a betrayal. The words shot through her
Mind, but Rei managed a small laugh instead, forcing a bit of lightness into
her tone. "What do you think?"
Jadeite smiled shyly, and the two stood silently for a moment,
holding each other tight. "Lady Mars?" Jadeite asked suddenly, his
voice nervous. "I--um--oh God... Um, Lady Mars--"
"Complete sentences, please?" Rei teased, and Jadeite turned
red.
"I--um... Lady Mars... I don't know if you remember, but... In
the Silver Millennium, we were... um... engaged..." Jadeite was
getting redder with each word. He looked so incredibly embarrassed,
like a little kid kissing a girl for the first time, and Rei had to
smile.
"Of course I remember." We were engaged. You left for Earth
two days later and the next time I saw you, you killed me. "It was Serenity's
sixteenth birthday. There was a ball – we went together, and when the band
was playing the last waltz, you led me out to the gardens, and you told me
that you were leaving...
"You asked me if I would agree to marry you when you returned.
You told me it would give you hope… I agreed, and you kissed me; I gave
myself to you there for the first time, under the stars..."
Jadeite nodded, his eyes serious. "Lady Mars... I was
wondering... I know it's been a long time, and I've made mistakes,
but... I wanted to know if you'll still--I mean, you don't have to,
but--I was wondering..."
"Will I honor the vow I made that night?" Rei asked softly.
Jadeite nodded. "Yes. Lady Mars... I wish to know if you still
honor the vow..."
"The vow..."Hell no,, traitor. Never... Rei closed her eyes
and pressed her head against Jadeite's chest. "The vow I made... the
one where I swore to be yours for eternity, the vow we sealed with a
kiss by the lilies, the roses, the sign of Mars?"
Jadeite nodded. "Yes, Lady Mars... That vow."
Rei opened her eyes and looked up at Jadeite. "I--I haven't
exactly stuck to it," she said quietly. "I've been engaged--married--it
didn't mean anything, but..."
Jadeite shook his head. "I don't care, Lady Mars... Will
you--will you still--"
Rei smiled. This is it, Rei… The ultimate test… The future rides on
the convincingness of your answer… "Lady Mars will do nothing, Jadeite."
What was that name he used to call me? That nickname... what was it?
"Lady Rei, however, is willing to honor her promise..."
Jadeite laughed, picked Rei up, and spun her around, his eyes
full of happiness. "Jadeite! Put me down!" she laughed, and he whirled
her around again, faster...
That was when Rei saw Kyle standing in the doorway, his face
deathly pale, his trembling hand gripping the doorframe. His eyes were
stricken as he stared at her, laughing in Jadeite's arms...
"Kyle!" Rei smoothed her skirt as Jadeite hurriedly put her
down, somehow managing a bright smile. "Hey! I didn't know you were
in..."
Jadeite, unaware of what had happened between the two, gave
Kyle a grin as he strode toward the door, sticking out his hand. "I'm
Jadeite, Lady Rei's--"
"--friend," Rei finished. "Jadeite, this is Kyle Kennedy, my
vice president."
Kyle managed a weak "Hi" as he shook Jadeite's hand, but the
pain in his eyes was unmistakable as he glanced at the two. Reiko,
baka, you NEED to work on the timing! "Kyle, one sec..." Rei turned
to Jadeite, her smile apologetic. "I'm sorry, Jadeite. Can you wait
outside for a minute? Business..."
Jadeite nodded. "Of course." He gave Rei a quick kiss on the
cheek, then headed for the door, nodding politely to Kyle as he
brushed past him.
She turned to Kyle as soon as Jadeite was gone, wanting desperately
to explain the situation to him, but finding no words to do so. "Kyle--I
didn't know you were in today... How--how are you feeling?"
"Fine." Kyle bit down hard on his lip and turned away, handing
Rei the folder he had been clutching in his right hand. "Here." His
voice was a choked whisper, and he was dangerously close to tears.
"It--it's my resignation. I just stopped by to--to give you--"
He turned away hurriedly, unable to finish. "I--I'll see you
later. I—Brad's waiting for me."
"Kyle--I'm sorry--wait--"
"No..." Kyle's hands were shaking as he reached for the doorknob.
"I--I have to go," he whispered, then turned and nearly bolted from the room.
Rei stared after him long after the door had closed. Kyle...
God, I'm sorry... I had to do it...
I didn't want to hurt you, Kyle, but the only way to keep that thing
from destroying the Earth is to keep Jadeite out of its clutches--and
that can only be guaranteed...
...if I wed him....
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Rei and Jadeite were quietly married at Hikawa Jinja the next
morning, Setsuna Meiou the only witness to the ceremony.
A few hours later, Kyle Kennedy stopped by the pharmacy and
picked up a new prescription for painkillers, then proceeded to down
both thirty-count bottles with a pint of Bacardi.
And when Rei heard of his suicide attempt the next day, she
locked herself in her office for a long time, not speaking, staring
down blankly at the two small photographs on her desk:
In one, three-year-old Hino Rei stared up from her mother's
arms, eyes wide and wondering; twenty years later, the same girl
stood radiant in her wedding dress, her husband beside her...
My mother and my lover, all lost forever... Her fingers
brushed the smooth glass, trying to bring back a trace of the
happiness frozen beneath the frames. Who was it who told me I can't
cheat fate? I am Mars; Mars cannot be allowed to love; the Gods will
never let her...
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