The disclaimer: Sailor Moon and fellow characters are NOT mine. They are the creation of another brilliant mind, whom I just happen to be stealing ideas from.

Destiny in the Stars

"Okay Rei, so here's my plan. Number one, we're going to make me over. But slowly. If I totally change he will freak and my father will kill me. In fact, if I do anything different in the first few days, I think it'll send him packing. My birthday is coming up…I think that's the perfect time to debut the improved me."

"That's perfect!"

"Rei, I mean it. Small changes only. But I want to do something with my hair. All I ever do it leave it in a ponytail."

"No problem! I'll teach you to have beautiful hair just like me!"

"Oh, nice and humble Rei," Makoto said, rolling her eyes and sending her friend into giggles. "Number two, I need to start talking to him when we're not fighting. The battlefield is not the best place to be starting something."

"Unless you want to be kissed, that is." It was Rei's turn to smirk.

Makoto started to blush. "Yeah, well, I'm not sure that will work a second time, so let's come up with a Plan B."

Rei smiled. "I'm so glad that you're going for this. I know it'll work out."

"Of course it will! Nephrite won't know what hit him!"

Nephrite went to the only place in the castle that was deserted at the moment—the gardens. He found a small hill where he could look up at the stars and come to peace with himself. Well…not really. But it at least allowed him some quiet time without prying eyes. He was still mentally kicking himself over that kiss, and then again because that kiss had meant nothing, and yet he was still thinking about it.

Damnit, you are not a school boy! But no matter what he said, the image of her leaning into him and sighing just couldn't be erased. Besides being bad for his libido, it was also bad for him if he wanted his body parts to stay in tact. He didn't think that her father would take too kindly the idea that he was making out with his daughter. Not that we were really making out…. And why the hell am I still thinking about that kiss!

Angry, he walked over toward the training arena. Maybe working himself to exhaustion would get her out of his head…

The next morning Makoto arrived back at the castle with new hope and purpose. Her entire way walking up to the steps, she coached herself. No getting mad at him. He's going to be prickly (yeah, when hasn't he been since he got here!) and you don't want to take the bait. Just hold off until your birthday and he won't know what hit him!'Smiling, she climbed the steps, heading toward her room.

They had managed to miss each other all day. For Nephrite, it was unintentional because he hadn't known that she got back earlier from her trip than she had planned. For Makoto, it was to get up her nerve for what she was about to do. Half of her was mad at this. You've never hidden before. Quit being such a coward now! But then she'd remind herself that she'd never thrown herself at a guy, either.

It wasn't until after dinner that she caught up with him. He was in the garden, looking up at the stars. She felt kind of bad about interrupting him there, so she walked close and just stopped. He seemed so…lost. Can't imagine why, Makoto, she told herself mockingly. He's only in a distant place, away from everyone he knows.

Her small sigh brought him out of his reverie. "Princess," he called in greeting. In truth, he wasn't sure how he felt about having her there. Almost like she were intruding on this thoughts.

"Hello Nephrite," she said softly. "I'm sorry to disturb you. I just came to let you know that I'm back."

She walked a little bit closer. "What are you looking at?"

"The truth? The stars."

"But you've seen them so many times…even visited most of them. Why look up? Do you miss them?"

Nephrite shook his head. "No, princess. You see, everything is controlled by the stars. Each person's destiny is written up there."

"And you can read this?"

"Sometimes," he commented. And he really didn't like what he was reading lately. It just meant trouble.

"What do you see now?"

"I see that something is coming our way. And it's going to severely change my life."

"Can you only see your destiny?"

"No, Princess. I can see yours too. You, as well, will suffer a big change. Something that you never expected will happen. You will be very sad."

Makoto just listened to him. What can you say after a prediction like that? Nephrite, meanwhile, seemed to be wrapped up in his thoughts once again. Knowing that this was her cue, she turned to leave him. "Goodnight, Nephrite."

"Goodnight, Princess."

Well, that definitely went better than expected. At least he hadn't starting running away from her. Of course, it's not like I gave him much choice…you cornered him in the garden. How was he supposed to leave without being rude? Then again, when had he had a problem with being rude to her? Her mind going a million miles a minute, she got into bed.

Nephrite, meanwhile, stayed in the garden. He had told the princess the truth, but he knew in his heart that it was he who was going to make her sad. But he didn't understand how or why. They weren't emotionally attached, so he couldn't understand how the great sorrow that would eventually hit her would be his doing. Frustrated, he looked back up at the sky. He knew that there would be no more answers to his questions tonight. Sighing, and telling himself that patience was a virtue, he turned back toward the castle.

Nephrite had nightmares. He was in the middle of battle and a black shape came and completely enveloped him. He couldn't breath! He was desperately calling out for anyone to help him! He felt his body start to shake….

"Nephrite!" Makoto was gently shaking him. She knew that this was probably a very bad idea, because there was no telling what he would do to her when he woke up. But she couldn't think of another way to get his out of his mind's hell. "Come on, Nephrite! Wake up!" She shook him again. "Nephrite, please! It's Makoto!"

That seemed to do the trick. His eyes suddenly popped open and he quickly sat up in bed. He still had the horrible images in his mind as he looked to see Makoto sitting on the side of his bed.

"Princess? Is everything okay?"

"Yes Nephrite. I'm sorry. You were having a nightmare."

"Sorry to have woken you Princess." Nephrite tried to shake the images from his head. Makoto had been in his dream. He wasn't sure how, or what she was doing, but he knew it had something to do with his dream. And that scared the living hell out of him. A premonition?

Makoto just sat quietly as he collected his thoughts. He looked confused and alone. And she knew that she probably shouldn't be there, in his private thoughts, but she couldn't help feeling that he needed her strength right that moment. Without saying anything, she reached for his hand.

…He hadn't even noticed. He was still trying to calm his heartbeat and figure out what the hell had he been dreaming about. All he could remember of the nightmare now was that it had something to do with Makoto, and that something bad had happened. He should have written the dream down, before his mind let go of the image. Damn' He had a feeling that what he dreamt about was important, and now he could barely remember any of it.

Giving him a few minutes to collect himself, Makoto just sat there with him. God, if my father could see me now…..Sitting on a bed in my nightgown with a half naked man….Okay, so that isn't a good thought to be thinking right now. Don't look at his chest…don't look at his….Oh god, he's beautiful! Damnit girl! Get yourself together. Now is not the perfect time to be checking him out! Helplessly, her eyes ran down his chest to where the sheet was. Oh my god….he's not wearing anything underneath!

Nephrite looked over just as she began to blush. Her naivety brought a smile to his lips. "Something wrong Princess?"

"Um, no," she said hastily, dropping her eyes to the blanket.

He gave a soft chuckle. "I apologize if my lack of clothing embarrasses you. I wasn't expecting company this evening."

This only made Makoto blush more. Forcing herself to look up, she saw the sparkle in his eyes. And god, what beautiful eyes…

Her stare was beginning to take an effect on his body, and one that he was going to have to hide soon or he would have to do some major explaining. "Princess, I'm alright."

"Okay. I will let you get back to sleep then."

She rose from the bed and was about to turn away when he grabbed her arm.

"Makoto. Thank you."

"You're welcome," she whispered. She wanted nothing more in the world than for him to kiss her at that moment. And as if he read her thoughts, he gave her arm a tug and pulled her down toward him….

Okay, I know that this is evil, but I have to go to work. I'll have to post the rest later.

Athena Kyle - I am determined to have this all up by my wedding! Who knows, I might actually finish a story before you:)

To everyone else who's reading, THANK YOU!