Disclaimer: Do I have to continue doing these? Sigh I don't own Gundam Wing or Sailor Moon. Sigh I don't make money off of this (LOL! Who would want to pay me for this?). I'm still not rich or talented. Pout
A/N: The couples I have featured are what I have the story planned around. Please don't flame me if you don't agree on the couples. Try to give them a chance! Also, if you have a better idea for a couple, let me know! I don't promise to change them but if you give me enough reasons for why they work, then I just might change my mind. However, reasons do not include "They look cute together!", "They belong together!", or "I love that couple!". I know a lot of you are wondering, 'If Usagi is with Mamoru, then who is the fifth couple?' Well, let's just say that it's pretty rare if not downright original (I have never seen a fic with this particular pairing.). Also, even if I don't change the couples here, I might be inspired to write a new fic with the pair of your choosing if you can come up with a cool reason for them to be together.
Dedication: To all those who have reviewed and encouraged me to continue writing. Arigatou, minna! Special thanks to Duckie who lost precious sleep while I bugged him about whether or not the scenes worked.
" " – Spoken
' ' – Thought
####***
Four bodies hit the ground hard, sending clouds of dust swirling madly. Groans of pain could be heard as the figures struggled to get up. Sailor Jupiter was the first to her feet, looking around blankly as she proffered her hand to Sailor Mercury in assistance. "Daijoubu minna," she asked as she easily helped the ice Senshi to stand.
"Daijoubu," muttered Minako. "If you like having your butt feel like it's gong to swell to twice its size, that is. Itai! Where are we," the blonde asked, rubbing her bottom gingerly.
"I think the question should be more along the lines of "Where is everyone else?". Where are we is a good second question though," added Sailor Saturn, looking around thoughtfully. She stood with the help of her Silence Glaive, having summoned it automatically when she didn't recognize her surroundings.
"We're on the moon. The far side of the moon, to be exact," answered Sailor Mercury, her visor down and scrolling through information rapidly.
"Nani? Why are we on the moon? Why is Rei-chan on the moon," asked Jupiter, dusting off her hands. "And to second Saturn's question, where is everyone?"
A small gasp from Sailor Mercury caused the other 3 girls to look at her sharply. The Senshi of Wisdom looked up, her eyes filled with shock.
"Not only are we on the moon, but we're in the Silver Millenium! We traveled back in time, minna! This wasn't supposed to happen. Pluto tracked Rei-chan down to the future in another dimension. We're completely off course, chronologically and dimensionally," she said frantically, typing into her mini-computer. "Good news is that I have located the others. They're on the side of the moon where the palace is. Mamoru and Usagi are near each other, but the other 3 are scattered around the grounds of the palace. If we get started now, we can reach the palace in about an hour or so," Ami said.
"Well, let's go then," ordered Jupiter, "before we muck up the past or something. Kami help us if we run into our past selves while we're here and reveal something we're not supposed to."
"Hai," chorused the other senshi, as they began to descend the plateau they were currently stationed on.
####***
Elsewhere, a certain aqua haired senshi found herself landing somewhat gracefully in a well-furbished library. She looked around in awe and noticed that the books contained within were packed into shelves that spanned the entire surface of the six-story building. Large comfortably stuffed sofas were placed strategically throughout the room. It was a large rectangular room with bookcases going from floor to ceiling with only one roof at the top of the room. There were rails on each floor keep people from falling accidentally and a spiral staircase to the left of the door. Michiru observed everything calmly and was just about to move from her perch on the second story when a door opened and she heard soft footsteps rushing into the room. She ducked behind a large sofa located next to the banister and waited to see if she could get any information on her location or her companions.
"Duo-kun, leave me alone! I don't want to talk about it anymore. Please just let me be for a while," a blue-haired girl exclaimed, running swiftly into the room, her long, blue gown trailing behind her.
"No, I will not leave you alone! Stop hiding yourself away! Confront those stupid malicious idiots and tell them off like they deserve! They hurt you with their thoughtless remarks and I won't stand for it," exclaimed a young man with long chestnut hair bound in a long braid, who had followed the girl into the library.
'What is Ami-chan doing here and why is she dressed like that? Who is that with her,' mused Michiru to herself, peeping from behind the sofa.
The blue-haired girl sank down onto the deep green cushions of an overly stuffed sofa and sighed. Looking over at her companion, who was fairly bristling with indignation, she asked, "Why do you care, Duo-kun? It's not like they insulted you or anything."
"Why do I care? Isn't it obvious by now? I love you, Princess Ami of Mercury, Senshi of Ice and Wisdom, blue-haired cutie who captured my heart with one lift of her lashes! I can't stand to see those overstuffed, pompous idiots tell you that you are a liability on the Senshi team and have you continue to believe it. So what if most of your attacks are defensive? Who's going to be able to attack if YOU don't protect against them first? You should take one of your icicles and tell them to shove it in their interior nebulas…," broke off the young man as he stared at his beloved, who was softly giggling.
Ami got up and walked over to the love of her life, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. She walked straight into his arms and wrapped her own arms around his waist, laying her head upon his chest.
"Ami-chan, what are you doing? And why are you laughing," a confused Duo asked, wrapping his arms around her and laying his head down on her soft blue hair.
"I was laughing because you're so cute when you get indignant, especially on my behalf. And I'm hugging you because I never thought you felt that way about me. You're like a bright star that everyone wants to touch and hold on to, but never dream they'll have the chance. I didn't think you noticed me except as a fellow guardian and maybe a friend," she sighed happily, reveling in the warmth of his embrace.
"How could I not love you? If I'm the star then you are the night sky. No one realizes how much they need the sky, but the stars cannot shine without the sky to hold them. People often see me as a goof and I have to admit that I act like it sometimes, but you see beyond all that. I was so surprised that a person of your intelligence would want to talk to me! Always remember that I love you and that you ARE someone of importance. Never underestimate yourself, Ami-chan," Duo said, kissing her softly on her forehead.
"With you right now, I feel like I could do anything and succeed. Arigatou, Duo-kun, for everything, but especially for your love. I'm so happy to know that you love me like I love you. Hmm, maybe we should celebrate this newfound knowledge. What do you say we go make sure those stupid bureaucrats know the meaning of the Ice Age," giggled Ami, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"I completely agree," enthused Duo. He then leaned forward and kissed her passionately, happy beyond belief that his angel returned his love. The kiss finally broke off as he held her up in his arms and spun around in rapid circles. Peals of delirious laughter were heard issuing from both lovers, startling Michiru in her hidden spot.
'She's so happy with him. She fairly glows with confidence and love. How did she meet him? Why isn't she more like that around us,' puzzled the senshi of Water. She was about to reveal her hiding spot and ask Ami that exact question when she realized the room had fallen silent. Peeking from around the corner of the sofa, Michiru realized that the couple had vacated the room. 'Well, never mind then. I think I better go and find Haruka and the others,' she thought to herself as she stood and prepared to find her teammates.
####***
Haruka was upset to find herself in a sauna-like room and upside down to boot. She tumbled over and righted herself quickly, righting her skirt and assessing her situation simultaneously. 'Hmmm, no one else is with me. Okay, either we screwed up horribly or Rei-chan is trapped in the gym from hell. Gah! I'm beginning to sound like Minako-chan! Well, better go find the others and see if I can't find our little spitfire while I'm at it,' she thought as she brushed back a lock of sandy hair that had become plastered to her forehead in the humid confines of the sauna. She opened the door into a changing room and breathed a sigh of relief as the cool air swept over her skin. She was just about to walk towards a door that looked like an exit when she heard the sounds of clanging metal coming from behind it. Crouching, she opened the door slightly and gaped at the sight before her. Two figures were combating fiercely in a mad whirl of limbs and gleaming metal.
One combatant was a young man with jet-black hair pulled back into a small ponytail. His dark eyes were narrowed in assessment of his dueling partner and his jaw clenched at the effort of battle. The other combatant was a slim girl with pale skin and dark chin-length hair. (A/N: Gasps of outrage are heard everywhere.) She was perspiring heavily and her eyes were mere slits as she concentrated on her opponent. The couple separated from their deadlock and circled warily, trying to outguess each other. The male held two katanas confidently, casually twirling them in smooth gleaming arcs. The female held a large glaive that dwarfed her easily in her hands. She flung her hair back from her face and continued to observe her fellow fighter.
'What the heck? Is that Hotaru-chan? Who the heck is she fighting and why is she fighting him? I better go out there,' Haruka growled mentally, ready to spring. However, her intentions were cut short as the two fighters suddenly sprang at each other like sleek panthers.
CLANG
The sound of clanging metal was cut short as the male suddenly disarmed the girl and sent her glaive spinning out of her hands, landing from her in a clatter a few feet away. The girl clenched her fists tightly and then collapsed to the floor in a graceful heap, her body heaving with silent sobs.
"Firefly! Did I hurt you? Are you okay," exclaimed the young man, dropping his katanas abruptly and kneeling to gather the girl in his arms. His dark eyes widened with alarm as he tried to turn the girl so he could see if she was injured.
"Iie. I'm okay, Wufei-kun. The only thing hurt is my pride. Kuso! My body is so weak! I can't even give you a good fight. At least the others can give their partners a good match, but I can't last against you for more than fifteen minutes before my body gives out. You must be so ashamed to have me as your sparring partner," Hotaru began, fresh tears of frustration falling from her violet eyes.
Haruka had settled back down when the battle abruptly came to a stop and it became evident that Hotaru's partner wasn't going to harm her. She had the strongest urge to march out the door and gather her "daughter" in her arms and soothe her like she used to when Hotaru was frustrated with herself and her odd growth spurts, but stopped herself on some unknown instinct that advised her to sit and watch the scene unfold. She had to admit that she was curious to find out what was going on and who the young man with Hotaru was.
Wufei carefully lifted Hotaru's downcast face up towards his. He looked into her eyes for a long moment before speaking. "I don't think you're weak at all, Hotaru-chan. Physically, you may not be as strong as myself or some of the other Senshi, but you're strong inside…where it counts the most. You know that the power you wield is so strong that there has to be some counter balance to that. Your spirit is one of the strongest I've ever seen, almost without peer. Your heart also is beyond compare. You never give up and you always strive to better yourself. I know the fact that you may not be as robust as some of us distresses you, but don't ever think yourself weak. I don't think any of the rest of us could handle the power and responsibility you have. "
"Arigatou, Wufei-kun. I'm sorry to be so emotional. Ah, we'd better go and change into our formal clothes and attend the ball being held in honor of my princess and your prince's betrothal before the royal powers-that-be descend upon us in righteous fury," Hotaru said, wiping her tear-streaked face and beginning to stand up.
"Matte, Hotaru-chan. I…want to say something to you and this seems to be the perfect time. I…," Wufei began but stopped, flushing uncomfortably.
"What is it, Wufei-kun," asked Hotaru questioningly, her head tilting to one side. "Is this about my outburst? I'm sorry about it and I'll endeavor to try harder next time. I won't give you such a poor match next time."
"That's not what I want to talk to you about! Don't you understand?" He sighed, closing his eyes in frustration. "How could I fall in love with someone who doesn't even realize that her strength puts me to shame? Argh! This is an injustice," yelled Wufei.
"NANI? You love me? Do you realize what you're saying," asked Hotaru, her eyes wide with incomprehension.
"Do YOU realize what I'm saying? Yes, I love you! I knew it when I saw the determination in your face the first time we fought. It has only become stronger over time as I've watched you facing your fears and conquering them."
"Why didn't you ever say anything? If you've known for so long, why didn't you tell me," demanded Hotaru.
"...I was…afraid," Wufei whispered. "Ironic, isn't it? I'm always talking about strength but I'm the one afraid this time. I was afraid you wouldn't return my feelings. I was afraid you would return my feelings and I would have to be left alone if you ever had to use your true power. I'm scared of losing you, Firefly."
Hotaru threw herself into Wufei's arms, startling him out of his misery. She clung to him and sobbed, raining his face with light kisses. He gradually overcame his shock and returned her kisses wholeheartedly, but stopped when he realized she was crying as well as kissing him.
"Why are you crying," he asked, his face a mask of worry.
She laughed then and his heart sang to hear the sweet and too rare sound. "I'm crying because I'm happy," she exclaimed. She laughed even harder to see the confused look on his face. "Baka, did you think women cried only when sad? I'm crying tears of joy because you love me. I've loved you for so long and I thought you would never love me back," she explained.
"Is that so? Well then, I have to make sure that the only tears you cry from now on are tears of happiness," he said. His voice softened slightly, "I will always love you and you will never be sad again."
"With you by my side, I will never feel weak again! I have faith in you, my dragon. I know you will always make me happy, just as I know that I will always love you." Suddenly, she gasped, her hand flying to he mouth. "Oh! I just realized the time! The ball is already in progress! We better go or Queen Serenity will have me patrolling the asteroid belts for a month! You'd better go and change into your court clothing before Prince Endymion notices that you're absent and schedules you to practice with Duo-kun again," Hotaru exclaimed, her face aglow with happiness.
"Practice with Duo?! That is a true injustice…." Wufei trailed off as he was led from the training room.
Inside the changing room, Haruka sat back on her rump with a decided lack of grace, her mind reeling from the things she had overheard. 'My Hotaru-chan is in love? She was kissing a boy? Wasn't she still thinking boys were "icky"? Kami-sama! Hotaru-chan is growing up! I'm not ready for this yet,' she thought distractedly. She leaned her head back against the wall and tried breathing exercises to calm herself down. "Wait! Did I hear things right? Did Hotaru-chan say "Queen Serenity" and "Prince Endymion"? I have a bad feeling we messed up. I better go find the others now!"
####***
Pluto found herself standing on a marble balcony overlooking the main garden of the Moon Palace. Behind her, the bright lights of myriad glittering chandeliers flooded the grand ballroom. She slowly revolved, her senses screaming at her. 'No! Not here, not this time period! Onegai, don't make me have to watch this again. I couldn't do anything last time and it broke my heart. I don't want to see what those precious girls lost because of Beryl again,' despair drenching Pluto's thoughts. She moved swiftly behind one of the long billowing curtains that framed the double doors, frantically trying to focus, her mind awhirl with what had happened. 'Someone pulled on my powers as we teleported. Who was it,' she mused. She let her mind go slowly back and review the incident. 'Venus! She's letting her guilt eat her alive. I'll have to speak to her when I find her. She won't be any good to us or to Rei-chan if she continues like this.' Pluto found her thoughts abruptly cut short as she sensed people coming closer to her hiding spot.
"Minako-chan! Stop! You need to slow down or you'll exhaust yourself," pleaded a young man with blond hair. He was dressed in formal clothing, the silver and blue of his crest complementing his fair coloring and signifying his high rank. He was vainly trying to keep up with the young woman with long blonde hair. He nimbly dodged a couple on the dance floor, finally catching the elbow of the object of his pursuit. Setsuna heard the worry that was heavy in his voice.
"I can't stop, Quatre-kun. I have to find Serenity-hime before Queen Serenity notices she's missing and I can't neglect all the guests here either. Ohhh, why does this only happen when it's my turn to guard the princess," she asked in frustration, pulling on one long blonde curl. She turned and flashed a brilliant, forced smile at another passing couple before turning her attention to her pursuer.
'Ah, it's Venus-hime. She was so tied to her duty back then. Amazing to see how she has developed since then,' thought Pluto, watching the couple from behind her hiding spot.
Quatre chuckled lightly and gathered his sweetheart in his arms, gracefully maneuvering her behind a willowy green plant. He had spent the good part of two hours chasing after his ladylove while she flitted from one group of nobles to another frantically while she searched in vain for her missing princess. No one would know that underneath her bubbly surface was a dedicated warrior who was beside herself with worry. But he had watched as time flew and noticed that the more worried she became, the more excitable she became on the outside. She was beginning to become manic and he feared that she would collapse at any second from the stress she was keeping bottled inside.
"This doesn't happen only when you are guarding the princess. It happens when Ami-chan guards her, too. Only Ami-chan uses her computer to track her, so she doesn't have to run around like you do. Mako-chan follows Serenity-hime like a shadow, so she doesn't have a chance to slip off. And the last time that Serenity-hime tried to sneak away from Rei-chan, Rei-chan practically toasted both her and Prince Endymion, which I think is pretty good incentive for them to not try that again," Quatre reminded Minako.
Minako sighed in her beloved's arms and leaned her head on his shoulder. Then she began to laugh, a light silvery tone. "Do you remember what happened afterwards? When Heero-kun tackled Rei-chan to the floor for nearly singeing Endymion-ouji's eyebrows off and she flipped him over so she was on top? I had never seen that kind of emotion from Heero-kun before. He looked part mad, part in shock, and part intrigued. Who knew it was the beginning to the two becoming lovers? Well, technically, I should have seen it coming but I was too wrapped up in falling in love with a certain blonde, blue-eyed gentleman."
Quatre flushed slightly, his calm blue eyes shining down on his sweetheart as he inhaled the light fragrance of gardenias that came from her long shining blonde hair. "I remember quite well when I was falling in love with you. It was when I realized that under that façade of cheerful simplicity lay a very sharp mind and a loving, compassionate heart that didn't care about appearances. Your complexity drew me in better than any of these court ladies who try to play off each other and pay me meaningless compliments," he responded, his voice muffled in her hair.
Minako sighed blissfully, loving the closeness of her fiancé. "Well, I would hope that I make a better impression than some of these women here at court. It's tiring sometimes having to be the diplomat here at court and the leader of the Inner Senshi. Ami-chan is too shy to interact with people she doesn't know well, Mako-chan would much rather prefer being outside than being inside at court, and Rei-chan could do it if she put her mind to it, but she likes to tell people off when they bother her too much. I don't mind doing the court duties so much, but I wonder sometimes why Queen Serenity chose me to lead the Inner Senshi. I mean, Mercury is the smart one, Jupiter is the Senshi of Protection, and Mars is the Senshi of War. Shouldn't she be the one to lead," asked Minako.
"I think Queen Serenity chose you because you are a perfect balance. Mars is too prone to think with her emotions, Jupiter will always jump in bodily and try to solve situations with her fists, and Mercury will overanalyze when sometimes it's best to think with your instincts. You're perfect. Just don't try to take on too much, Minako-chan. Your sense of duty is so strong that you try to do everything. Please, for me, take time to appreciate what and whom you're doing your duty for." Minako gave him a tight squeeze for his caring. "Now, let's go dance and enjoy ourselves this evening. We both know that Serenity-hime has snuck out for a few private moments with Endymion-ouji and that he will let nothing happen to her. I also know that I have in my arms a beautiful woman, whom I happen to love with all of my heart, and I would like to have her in my arms for as long as I can before our royal charges come back and we have to be with them for the rest of the evening," replied Quatre, already beginning to lead his love out to the dance floor.
Minako giggled and swept into a low curtsy, her golden gauze dress billowing in ripples around her. Her curled hair fanned out behind her and her large blue eyes shone with happiness as her escort bowed deeply at the waist, his graceful form accentuated by his evening clothes. She giggled even more as he swept her into the elegant steps of the waltz, making her forget for a brief moment her duties as a Senshi and highlighting her pleasure as a loved woman.
Setsuna watched the entire proceedings with misty eyes. 'I wasn't here physically last time so I missed out on these little moments. Uranus and Neptune weren't here either. We got here too late. I only know what happened from my Garnet Orb, but it didn't record these small things. I had forgotten that the younger senshi, including Saturn, had fallen in love with Prince Endymion's royal guard. I have to find the others before they see things they are not supposed to. I don't want the younger girls to be reminded of their lost loves. It would be too cruel," she thought sadly, before turning to quietly jump off the balcony in search of her comrades.
####***
Sailor Moon landed on another balcony, facing towards a side garden. "Hmm, figures that the one time that I land on my feet that no one else is here to see it. They'll never believe me if I tell them. Wait! No one else…where is everyone," Usagi asked, but silence was her only answer. She looked around and noticed that she was completely alone. The balcony was off a room that looked deserted. 'I recognize this! This is my home on the moon! We're back in the Silver Millenium! Wait, I can feel Mamo-chan nearby. I better go find him and try to find the others as well,' the odangoed blonde thought, beginning to turn in the direction of her love. However, she heard voices in the garden below and peered down to see if it was one of her teammates or her boyfriend. 'Mako-chan!'
Two figures were slowly making their way across the small garden. A tall brown-haired young man with long bangs swept to the side was walking next to an almost equally tall young woman with brown hair pulled into a high ponytail. The young woman had a hawk perched on her arm and was wearing soft earth colored leathers. It was very obvious that the pair had been hunting not too long ago, for their faces were lightly flushed with exertion and the thrill of the chase. Hunts on the moon were more for exercise than for any grisly sport. The two walked in companionable silence, their hands entwined.
"Umm, it was a wonderful day. I wish we had more time for activities like these. With Beryl hanging around and threatening both the Moon and Earth kingdoms, it's been so hard to relax. I think it's why the Queen has decided to throw this ball tonight. Good thing I'm not on duty tonight or we would be so late. I wonder if Sere-chan has already slipped out from under Minako-chan yet," Mako thought aloud.
Her companion chuckled, his low voice caressing her senses and making her shiver in delight. "You know she has. It never fails when Minako-chan has guard duty," the young man replied.
"Trowa-kun! You shouldn't laugh at Minako-chan. You know Sere-chan only does it when Minako-chan is on duty because she knows Minako-chan is too busy dealing with everything else to notice sometimes," Mako scolded, quickly rising to defend her friend. Unfortunately, her agitation communicated itself to the still half-wild hawk and it leapt into the air, rearing its talons, ready to strike at the nearest target. As Makoto closed her eyes in anticipation of a painful gouge, the sound of something ripping through flesh followed by a soft hiss of pain assailed her ears. Not feeling any pain, Makoto opened her eyes in wonder and was astonished to see Trowa in front of her, a sharp slice down one perfect cheekbone. Her eyes took in the rivulet of blood that slowly dripped down his stoic face as sudden realization hit her.
"You took the strike for me, Trowa-kun! Why? You're hurt," she exclaimed, not noticing that the hawk had taken wing and flown off into the night sky after the instinctive strike. She hurriedly dug through her tunic and pulled out a snowy handkerchief, immediately dabbing at his face. The pressure of his hand on hers halted her. She looked up into his deep green eyes and tilted her head in question.
"I will always protect you, Mako-chan, from whatever thing or person that would harm you. I will not let you be hurt if I can help it," Trowa stated softly, softly squeezing her hand in his.
"Oh, Trowa-kun," Makoto whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "No one has ever done that for me. I'm the Senshi of Protection. No one has ever thought it necessary to protect me."
"You're a beautiful woman. You should have someone to watch over you and to care for you like you care and watch over them. I will be that someone," he said simply, his voice deepening with emotion. His eyes gleamed with the deep love that lay in his heart.
Makoto sighed softly, her eyes soft with love and gratitude. She had wanted this kind of love all of her life. The kind of love that made her feel cherished and special.
"You will always be my prince, whether or not you have royal blood in you. No one else makes me feel this special, this loved. All other men fall short compared to you. There can be no other for me," she whispered, a small flush staining her cheeks.
Trowa embraced her, the pain in his cheek a distant memory. "Without you, I am nothing. Only with you am I whole," he whispered, his voice rough with his heartfelt emotion.
The two lovers embraced for a long time, content to be in each other's arms. Finally, hesitantly, the lovers parted. "Even though we're not on duty tonight, we should still make an appearance at the ball, if only to provide support for Minako-chan and Quatre-kun. Ten to one says that Wufei-kun and Hotaru-chan are probably trying to avoid it like the plague, Ami-chan is trying to be unobtrusive somewhere and Duo-kun is hunting her down to make her come out of her shell, and Rei-chan and Heero-kun are notorious for not showing up unless a royal decree is involved," Makoto laughed.
"I won't take that bet. It's a sure thing," he remarked, a hint of laughter in his voice. Silently, they made their way to their separate quarters.
Above them, a certain Moon princess was quietly watching as they disappeared from view. 'Oh, Mako-chan, is that how you feel now? Do you think that no one feels the need to protect you? You've protected me so much. I never thought about how you feel. No wonder you're always looking for someone. Is he the "old sempai" you compare every guy to? I have to admit, I've always seen you as so self-sufficient that I didn't think you needed or wanted anyone to protect you. I've taken you for granted for all these years. Gomen, Mako-chan. Have I not seen the true feelings of all of my senshi? Maybe it's time for me to take a closer look,' decided Usagi. She silently brushed away the tears that had been welling in her eyes as she had watched the sweet scene before her. 'I need to find Mamo-chan and the others so we can continue our search for Rei-chan.' Sailor Moon straightened her shoulders and briskly set out in her search, looking back only once at the moonlit garden.
####***
In the same garden but many feet away, the Earth prince found himself a cat's whisker away from landing in a large marble fountain. Struggling for balance, he sighed as he righted himself and walked away from his would-be bath. 'Where in Kami's name am I? Wait… I recognize this place. It's the castle from my dreams when I used to dream about the Moon princess before I met Usako. This is the Silver Millenium! I am on the moon! I know the Inners came here once before the battle with Beryl, but I didn't think I would ever see this for myself. It's so amazing! So beautiful, just like Usako,' Mamoru thought in wonder as he walked through the garden.
The smell of roses hung heavily in the air as he wandered around. 'I can feel Usako nearby. I'll met up with her and then we can find the others together,' he planned. His eyes were caught suddenly by a silver rose, gleaming with a purity matched only by his sweetheart. Entranced, he walked over to examine it, bits and pieces of memory revealing that he had created this particular rose for his love. He recalled that it only bloomed during the full moon. He sat, deep in his memories, until he overheard soft voices murmuring nearby. Curious, he peered out from behind some tall rosebushes. A large crystalline gazebo stood in the clearing, its pillars covered in twining vines and flowers. Lacey latticework made up the clear walls on three sides, leaving the entrance open. Soft music from a distant ballroom drifted into the soft night air. It was the perfect setting for lovers. Inside, a young man with spiky brown hair sat on a cushioned window seat; one knee bent towards his chest and the other stretched out toward the floor. In between his knees reclined a young woman with long dark hair that splayed across his body. The young man had one arm resting on his bent knee, the hand dangling and softly rubbing a long lock of the young woman's hair. The other hand was wrapped around the waist of the young woman, his fingers entwined completely around one feminine hand. The sense of peace from the lovers was evident and Mamoru smiled softly, recalling the feelings his Usako evoked in him. He was about to turn around and leave the lovers in peace when something made him look a little closer at the couple. He gasped softly when he realized the female was Rei. Compelled to see who the young man was, Mamoru stayed in his dark spot and watched.
Rei turned her head slightly, resting her face against the warm chest beneath her. She could hear his steady heartbeat and it soothed her in a way nothing else could. She could feel it pound and was touched to realize that his heart beat in time with hers.
"Why are you smiling, koishii (beloved)," her companion asked. He tilted his head down to look at her beautiful face and smiled softly when he noticed the blissful look on her face. He was always astounded anew at the sheer beauty of her. Though none of the senshi were by any means unattractive, he had always been attracted to her and the fire burning deep within her had snared his attention, a spark the others lacked. He had spent months fighting his attraction to her and had finally given up when he could deny it no longer.
"Um, I just realized our hearts beat in perfect synchronicity. Minako-chan says that's a sign that we're destined to be together since everyone's heart beats in a different rhythm. I don't know if I believe her but the thought just crossed my mind and made me smile," she replied lazily, her voice soft with affection.
"It makes sense to me that our hearts beat in time. You are my other half. Together, we make one soul, one heart. Quatre says that it was divine providence that we met. I didn't believe in love before I met you. I was too wrapped up in my duty to my kingdom and my prince to ever think of anything as gentle as love. Many a person has said that I had a heart like ice because I wouldn't let anyone too close to me," the young man replied.
"Funny how life is, ne? People thought you were like ice, but people wouldn't come too close to me because I was too fiery for them. Sometimes, I feel too much and it just seems to burst forth from me. I too am fiercely dedicated to my duties as a senshi and as the princess of Mars, but instead of freezing them out, I burned them with my fiery temper and tongue. What a pair we are," Rei exclaimed, chuckling
"I was always attracted to the flame inside you. It intrigued me and drew me in closer and closer until I had no choice but to love you. Your fiery temper made me smile because I knew it was just a front for the passion inside of you. I have never seen anyone live, fight, and love as passionately as you do," her lover murmured. He slowly brought the lock of hair twined around his other hand up towards him and inhaled, the soft jasmine scent enthralling him. He would always associate the exotic flower with his beloved.
Rei sighed as she heard his words; they seemed to nestle somewhere in the center of her heart. "Because of who I am, the Senshi of War and Fire, I have always felt that I had to live life to the fullest since I never knew when my life might end. The same goes for fighting, but it was you who taught me how to love. I have never loved anyone as much as I love you and I know that I never will. Your love for me has opened my eyes to a new way of living. Everything seems brighter, happier, lighter since I've loved you, Heero-kun."
Heero smiled down at his beloved. He brought their entwined hands up to his lips and pressed a kiss into the back of her slim, pale hand. He watched as the moonlight played over her dark hair, the violet highlights barely discernible and marveled once again that this fiery sprite was his and she loved him with all of her passionate heart. His smile dimmed however, when he noticed his love looking out with a distant look in her eyes. "What is it, Rei-chan? What bothers you so," Heero asked.
"Anata (Darling, sweetheart), I feel a dark presence coming soon. I fear that Beryl has finally decided to attack us outright. Will we have many more days like this? Will peace be taken away from us? I don't want to fight anymore, Heero-kun. I just want us to be together and safe and I know that somehow this battle will tear us apart. Isn't it funny? I'm the Guardian of War and I don't want to fight anymore," Rei despaired, her violet eyes clouded with visions of bloody battles and loss.
"There's nothing strange about you not wanting to fight, koishii. Those of us who know battle and war the most intimately are the ones that feel the loss of peace most keenly. I know your feelings on this and I feel the same way. But I know that we will both fight with everything we have because that is our duty. Don't fear, Rei-chan. If we fall, we will fall together. I won't be parted from you after it took me so long to find you," Heero said, his voice somber and full of heartfelt feeling. He tilted her head upwards toward him and breathed, "Your flame is the only thing that keeps me warm. Without you, my heart is cold. I will have no reason to live without you."
"Don't say that! Promise me that you'll live. If one of us should fall in battle, we must promise to each other that the other will live for the other. I couldn't bear the thought of you dying because of me. I know that even if we are separated, we will find each other again! Promise me, Heero," Rei pleaded, turning around to face him and gripping his forearms fiercely. Tears glittered in her eyes at the thought of being separated from her love.
Heero's answer was to crush her to him, his head bending towards her to meet her in a kiss that engulfed them both in their own reality. Outwardly, the kiss lasted for a few minutes, but to the two lovers, it was a small piece of eternity.
Mamoru turned away at the kiss and quickly walked away, feeling the deep emotions between the two lovers to be sacred and to not be intruded upon any longer. "Imouto-chan, you did have someone to love you like I have Usako. You were loved, deeply. Is this the reason you feel the absence of a love so keenly now? Why were Usako and I reincarnated and able to find each other and you still searching? Was your lover reincarnated? Is he out there somewhere looking for you to complete him again as you are? I pray that you find him someday, Rei-chan, I really do," he thought heavily. So engrossed in his thoughts was he that he never noticed the slim blonde who ran smack dab into him, knocking them both to the ground. He looked over, ready to either rail at his assailant or flee, depending on whether or not he had run into someone he knew from the Moon Kingdom. The sight that met his eyes was his own princess, eyes dazed from the impact.
"Usako! Daijoubu," he asked in panic.
"D..d..daijoubu," she replied groggily, shaking her head. Suddenly, she recognized the voice addressing her. "Mamo-chan! Oh, I'm so glad to have found you. I've been wandering around for forever. It's amazing how much you forget about your home when you haven't seen it for over a thousand years. Is anybody else with you?"
"Iie. I was just going to look for you," he replied, looking over at his sweetheart who was still sprawled out on the ground and was rubbing her head gently. He suddenly laughed, his eyes filled with mirth.
"Nani? What are you laughing at, Mamo-chan," Usagi asked, her lip quivering slightly at the thought that he was laughing at her.
"Shhh. I wasn't laughing at you, Usako," Mamoru replied, standing up and stretching out his hand to assist her in standing. "I was laughing at US. I just realized what happened and it brought a wave of nostalgia about the time before we fell in love, when we would meet like this all the time. You always knocked me for a loop when you ran pell-mell from school or to school. I kind of miss that."
"You want me to run you over and knock you on your butt," asked Usagi in confusion. Maybe her Mamo-chan had knocked his head when she bumped into him.
"Iie. I just miss those times, not the actual physical act," he answered. "I seem to have recalled many memories today. Look over there at that rose bush," Mamoru said, pointing at the silver rose. "Do you remember it? Do you remember how it came to be," he asked, his voice husky.
"No, I d…Wait! I do! I do remember! You created that rose especially for me, as a sign of our love when we got engaged. It was the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me," she whispered, her eyes misty with remembrance. She leaned into him and tilted her head upward, her eyes shining. Mesmerized by the stars he saw in her eyes, he bent his head to meet hers and touched his lips softly to hers in a sweet, gentle kiss. They pulled away from each other reluctantly.
"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I saw the past Mako-chan with some guy," Usagi started, but was cut off by a low voice.
"We will not discuss anything we might have seen here. We were not meant to see these events and I don't want this affecting the timeline. You cannot tell anyone what you have seen here, even each other. Do you understand," asked Pluto, appearing from the shadows and flanked by Neptune and Uranus.
"Of…Of course, Pluto. We won't say a thing, even to each other," promised Mamoru. He tried to settle his nerves. He still wasn't used to the Outers being able to sneak up on him like that. Usagi pouted slightly but nodded her agreement.
"So where is everyone else," inquired Neptune. "And how did we get here?"
"It was a mistake, one I will rectify as soon as the others get here. In fact, they should be appearing soon," Pluto answered, her eyes glazing slightly with her future sight.
At that statement, the others noticed a small group of 4 young women approaching. Hurrying, they went to meet them. Saturn, Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus looked up in surprise, their mouths rounding in small O's.
"Minna, we finally found you," Venus rejoiced. "We've had a great tour of the far side of the moon," she continued, rolling her eyes.
"Anyway," Ami broke in, "We should get going and try teleporting again if we want to find Rei-chan anytime soon. Pluto, do you know what happened to land us here. I know we weren't meant to land in the past."
"Yes, I know exactly what happened. Sailor Venus, do you mind coming with me for a minute," asked Sailor Pluto, idly tapping her foot.
"Oh, of course, Pluto," replied Minako as she was drug off by the older senshi.
When they were several feet away from the others, Pluto stopped and dropped Minako's arm. Looking Venus in the eyes, Pluto asked, "What do you think you were doing when we teleported? I told you that you can't let anything other than pure emotions and thoughts of Rei-chan be in your heart and mind when we teleported. Stop this guilt trip, Venus. It doesn't do any of us, especially Rei-chan, any good."
"I know, but I couldn't help myself. I did betray her by not believing in her. What kind of person am I to do that to my best friend," Venus asked, her remorse almost choking her.
"You're a human one. One who makes mistakes just like the rest of us, including Rei-chan. Now, I need you to concentrate on your friendship if we want to get to her. Stop dwelling on the past and start looking forward to when you'll be together again. Rei-chan will understand. She is your friend, after all," Pluto stated, her eyes softening.
"Did you see that in the future," asked Venus, her eyes beginning to shine with hope.
"You know that time is not certain, but I am sure that Rei-chan will forgive you because she loves you, all of you. She may be hurt for a while, but she will come to understand. I promise you this," Setsuna stated firmly. "So come on, let's go. The others are waiting."
"Hai! Arigatou, Setsuna-san," Minako said shyly. Pluto just smiled and swatted her on the behind with her Time Staff before heading back to the others. Venus yelped and then laughed, racing after her longer-limbed friend.
They made their way back to the same clearing where their friends were patiently waiting and calmly got into formation once again. The quiet hum of power building was the only sound made as it quickly escalated. The gathered power then shot into the waiting Silver Crystal and enveloped them in pure, white light before they vanished.
In the ensuing silence, distant evil machinations were coming to fruition. Soon, the peace of the Silver Millenium would be forever shattered, becoming nothing more than a faded memory. The destinies of those involved were to be irrevocably changed.
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A/N: Whoo! That was a long one! I hope everyone enjoyed that. I love doing romantic scenes, especially with characters I love. It may seem that some of the characters, especially the G-boys, seem slightly OOC, but you have to remember that these are the same characters, but they lived different lives so they have slightly different attitudes. Also, in this fic, the Generals (Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite, and Kunzite) were never Endymion's guards. They were always on Beryl's side. The Gundam pilots are the guards and fellow noblemen of Earth. I originally was writing this chapter as being one chapter along with Chapter 5 but decided to split it because it would have been 30 pages long! I don't think anyone wants to sit through that much reading at one time (except me, but I have way too much time on my hands for reading fanfics ~_^). Please let me know what you think/feel about this chapter, as feedback is desperately desired so I can write better romantic scenes for further chapters. Next: I have no idea as this story is writing itself these days. But it is intended to be about Rei in the GW world and how she got to know the pilots better.
