Army of Immortals Chapter 10: Don't Let Go, a sailor moon fanfic

Author's Note:

The normal disclaimers here of course and that I'm certainly not doing this for money.

There are a few elements that are exclusive to the manga, as you will read, but those only involve character differences than from the anime, such as the Shitennous' relationship. Also, the Golden Crystal, which Mamoru has.

If you need to contact me, my email is Guardian4@atlantic.net. Please put fanfiction or something in the subject line so I know what you're emailing me about. And if you're a really nice person (if this pertains to a certain fanfiction that I've done) you might want to put the name of the fanfiction you're referring to somewhere in the email.

All names are like the Japanese say them, last name first. So Kunzite's name would be Kail Rainer in America, but in Japanese it would be said Rainer Kail.

Army of Immortals

Chapter 10: Don't Let Go

Nephrite felt his soul wanting to rip apart. Tears threatened at his self control and he kept his back carefully to the Soldier behind him. The rain that had thundered ominously when they had left the Arcade Center finally made its appearance. Cold water ran down his cheeks, masking his tears.

His brain screamed failure. Mamoru had trusted him, to protect him. How could he allow himself to fall short when he was truly tested? If he could do it over again, he would and this time he wouldn't fail. Mamoru was more than a prince, more than a superhero, to him. He was his friend, someone who he had taken a chance to get to know. In his heart, the day Mamoru had been asked out that long day past, it would have been a mistake.

He glanced behind him slightly to see Jupiter looking up at the sky with her back to him. Her face was a mask of awe and happiness as the water caressed her face. He wanted to touch her, like the rain having that pleasure. But even the contentment that he felt around her failed to make him feel better about Mamoru's disappearance.

Song drifted on the wind from some house down the street and he smiled at the irony of the words.

I can't believe this moment's come
It's so incredible that we're alone
There's so much to be said and done
It's impossible not to be overcome

Mamoru flashed through his head again and his shoulders shook a little. He strained to see through the rain clouds and to the stars. They winked back at him, lovingly like a parent and calming him slightly. It was almost as if they felt sorry for him that they gave him more information than they had ever told him before.

Will you forgive me if I feel this way
Cause we've just met - tell me that's OK
So take this feeling; make it grow
Never let it - never let it go

He saw Endymion and Mamoru back to back and smiling at him, as if they forgave him for his failure. Princess Serenity, with her back to another shadowy figure that looked like her, stood beside him, smiling, as if they knew he had made himself a vow to get them back. They told him more, but nothing more was as important to him at that moment.

(Don't let go of the things you believe in)
You give me something that I can believe in
(Don't let go of this moment in time)
Go of this moment in time
(Don't let go of things that you're feeling)
I can't explain the things that I'm feeling
(Don't let go)
No, I won't let go

Though tears still tracked down his cheeks, his leaden spirit lifted. He wouldn't let go of what was still waiting for him: Mamoru.

Now would you mind if I bared my soul
If I came right out and said you're beautiful
Cause there's something here I can't explain
I feel I'm diving into driving rain

You get my senses running wild
I can't resist your sweet, sweet smile
So take this feeling; make it grow
Never let it - never let it go

(Don't let go of the things you believe in)
You give me something that I can believe in
(Don't let go of this moment in time)
Go of this moment in time
(Don't let go of things that you're feeling)
I can't explain the things that I'm feeling
(Don't let go)
No, I won't let go

A gloved hand touched his shoulder and he slowly turned to see the sympathetic and equally tear-stained face of the Jovian Senshi. He wrapped an arm around her waist, her head falling somewhere a tad short of his ear. She was quite tall, but he didn't mind in the least. He wouldn't let go of Mamoru and he wouldn't let go of Jupiter.

I've been waiting all my life
To make this moment feel so right
The feel of you just fills the night
So c'mon - just hold on tight

"I love you, Nephrite," she whispered.

Though they'd only known each other for a week, it didn't surprise him how much he cared for her. His love would save his friend and this woman who marveled him in ways he could never understand.

"I love you too, Jupiter."

He would not give in to the despair that Beryl wanted to kill him with because there was always hope. As long as he still breathed, there was hope. Between the eight of them, they would be able to get Mamoru and Sailor Moon back.

As they turned to go, she asked, "What did the stars tell you?"

Nephrite looked down at her. His face dipped within an inch of hers and his voice whispered, "Don't let go."

End Chapter 10

I know this was really short, but the chapter had a mood and that mood ended with the chapter. I named the chapter after the song in it: Don't Let Go by Bryan Adams (duet with Sarah McLachlan).

I was listening to this song when I wrote it and thought 'what a perfect song'. Even though the tune sounded sad, it was about hope and not letting go of something. It not only suits the relationship between Jupiter and Nephrite, but also how Nephrite feels about Mamoru.

It's a very pretty song. Standard disclaimers here (I don't own Sailor Moon, the song, or any other things you can think of that has licenses).