My permanent disclaimer is in my bio.

*...* designates thoughts

Age of Pices, Time of Love

by Lost book

Chapter 1: Her Cat's Devotion, His Master's Life

When Artemis first awoke from his sealed slumber, he had immediately begun his search for Sailor Venus. At that time he didn't know that she would be Mina Aino, or anything else about her for that matter. He had only the vague memory of her from their past life, and the knowledge that he had to find her.

Artemis found Mina, and convinced her of her destiny as Sailor Venus. They had both begun investigating and fighting the enemy, and he had made contact with Luna whose mission was to awaken the legendary warrior Sailor Moon.

But something was wrong. The darkness was ever growing, a cold terrifying feeling that was always present. Mina kept fighting the enemy, and so far she had not failed to beat them. Still, Artemis knew that she was being worn thin.

And then there was Luna... Artemis hadn't had any contact from her for over a month. Whatever she was doing, she was way behind schedule. She should have found Sailor Moon by now... hell, she should have found most of the other scouts by now! And even if she hadn't, she could have at least contacted them...

This led Artemis to believe that something was wrong. *Drastically wrong, if what my gut is telling me is true* Which was why he was alone, separated from Mina, and searching for clues in the pouring rain.

*Luna hasn't contacted us for a month. If something has happened to her, whatever clues there were are probably long gone now...* Artemis sighed dejectedly. What he really wanted to do was get back to Mina. She had assured him when he left a day ago that she would be fine, that she would miss him but she'd be fine. He wasn't even that far away really. And yet he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

*Maybe it's best just not to think of it. She said she'd be fine and I have to take her word for it. Besides what would I do if I were there? Meow at the enemy?* Artemis chuckled inwardly, trying to comfort himself.

Which was when he felt it.

Good bye Artemis...

Artemis froze as if struck by lightning. "Mina! Mina what is it?!" he yelled desperately.

He had heard her. Heard Mina as if she had been standing next to him. And she had said goodbye....

Artemis knew instantly that something had happened to her.

Feeling, knowing that he must get to Mina immediately, Artemis ran through the streets. Not stopping for anything he barreled around corners, and darted through the pedestrian traffic.

*I never should have left her* he thought panicking. *What if I never see her again?! NO. I'll get there. She promised she'd be ok*

With this last thought spurring him on, Artemis continued to sprint to where he distantly felt Mina would be.

***********

Hours later when Artemis finally made it to her, it appeared to him hopeless. Mina lay in a puddle of water and blood, the rain still streaming down on her. It washed all the blood and grime away from her body, making her look like a perfect ghost.

Artemis's logical sense told him that there was little he could do. For one, it had been hours since whatever injury it was had befallen her. He tried to sense her energy, which was something he wasn't very good at. If Mina was alive, her energy was low enough that he couldn't sense it. And cats, however intelligent and powerful a cat he may be, are not good at taking pulses.

If she was alive, he knew of no way to heal her. The only thing he could try was the energy transfer that he and Mina had taught themselves how to do after seeing how the enemy tended to steal energy from both their victims and their minions. His and Mina's energy transfer was different though. It required mutual cooperation from both parties, and they hadn't ever been able to do it without great concentration. He wasn't even sure if he could do it without the both of them working together. But if he poured enough of his life into her...

*It'll work. I don't think it'll heal her. But it'll at least keep her alive.* Taking a deep breath, Artemis began to concentrate on calming himself and centering his energy. When he at last had it just right, he leaned over Mina and put his forehead to hers. With their crescent symbols aligned, he began to let his energy flow from him to her.

Within seconds he could tell that the transfer was going to work. And minutes after that he could tell that she was indeed alive. Artemis had to stop himself from breaking the connection and jumping for joy.

Finally, he had given her as much as he could. He stepped back and felt her energy. *Let it be enough. Please let it be enough.*

Then he called to her. "Mina. Wake up Mina. I need you."

"Wake up!!"

********

Mina was in a dark place.

The place was strange...It felt as if she was simply suspended by nothing. Just floating in... nothing.

She remembered now Jadeite's attack, how she hadn't had any power left to shield herself.

Artemis.... she had called goodbye to Artemis.

Was she dead?

If she was dead where was she?

And...if she was alive, how could she be in this place of nothingness?

Jadeite's attack...

Had he destroyed the city? The people whom he had drained of energy would be dead.

Mina shivered. This was a lonely place.

She tried to walk but there was nothing to walk on. Then she tried to swim, but there was nothing to swim in.

Perhaps she should just accept the quiet and sleep...

But....

Artemis....

"Mina"

Artemis?

"Wake up Mina"

Was he calling her?

"I need you"

But she was dead. She couldn't wake up...

"Wake up!!"

**********

LB: So is Mina going to wake up? Well, you'll just have to wait and see won't you. At least it's longer this time hmm? Enough with the questions ^_^

Oh btw, I'm still messing around with a permanent formatting, so if there is one that bugs you please tell me. And I still don't have a beta.

Review Replies:

Bucky: I was totally psyched to see your review! Thanks for reading, especially if you don't even like Sailor Moon ;)

Venus Babe: Thanks!

Eternal Sailor: That's what this chapters for! ^_^ Thanks for the review

Breaker: Thanks for the input. I hope this chapter is at least a bit better.

On that note, reviews really are helpful. So if you've read this chapter, please review it!

Story Advertising (if this is annoying please let me know. Personally, I find it sometimes nice to have good fan fiction recommended)

Piccolo And Chichi

By: Bucky

Yes, this isn't a Sailor Moon fic. But I'm sure there are a bunch of you out there who like DBZ as well. With that in mind, this is a truly excellent fic. It is beautifully written and I am sure it will make you a fan of the odd couple genre if you aren't one already ^_^ I picked it up because it is the prequel to the prequel to a fic about Vegeta, and I absolutely love them all.