A/N: Ooooookay. We updated. /hides/ Dontkillusplease! Jikkan-neesama's area was humming with activity due to Hurricane Rita passing by, and so things got a little slow. That and me, Arashi-baka, being lazy. We could've had this up days ago, you know. /whimpers/ And I'm going into review withdrawal… please, please, please just drop a line or two saying what you think!

This chapter is dedicated to Lina Loo for being such a brilliant reviewer and giving us such brilliant reviews. Thankee, Cheerios-chan. /does teh crinkly-eyes/.

Anyway, review… onegai. /bats lashes/

Kakera ni Tsukiakari

A Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon fanstory by Arashinobara Jikkankakyoku

V – Akebono no Koushin Shimasu

The Beginning of the Renewal

'People speak so often of soul mates, and I wonder at how little they know. A soul bond has little to do with love; it is about two souls complementing each other so flawlessly that the unbreakable thread of destiny draws the two individuals together until the souls themselves can mate and become one. It doesn't matter if they are both of the same gender, or a generation apart. It doesn't matter if they are already bound to another man or woman, or if they are dedicated to a life of celibacy. Marriage and promises to a God can only bind a person for life – soul mates bind them for eternity. It is for this reason I allow my daughter and the Terran Prince Endymion to be together – who am I to stand in the way of Fate? It would only earn me, and they, more suffering in the end.'

– Queen Selenity of the Silver Millennium

Sailormoon's lips quirked upwards into a wry smile when she felt Tuxedo Kamen near, and she turned to see him land silently not three metres away from her. His red-lined cape snapped crisply in the strong breeze as he swept his hat off in an elegant bow. "My lady?"

"It's Jadeite – he's down there somewhere, and two youma with him," she answered as she straightened from her responding curtsey. Feeling his curiosity spike through the bond, she tried to tell him how she knew. "He smells of fire, heat, light –" the moon senshi gestured helplessly in an attempt to express herself, hoping she did not look or sound too foolish.

Kamen gave a short nod, eyes sweeping the busy area as he inhaled deeply. "There is another one like him – human but not human. He tastes of starsong."

Sailormoon relaxed, unable to keep the fondness from her smile, but her eyes were worried as she probed the area and confirmed her companion's observation. "Hai," she sighed, and he half-raised a comforting hand before it dropped to his side again.

Dark eyes regarded their surroundings with a curiously-experienced air, seeking defensible spots, high ground, places of vulnerability, possible ambush. War hovered beneath the surface, waiting.

"There was another fighting the youma when I found you," he said conversationally, eyes never wavering from their task. "A bishoujo senshi like yourself, but in shades of blue and commanding the forces of frost and ice, accompanied by a spirit in the shape of a cat. They seemed too curious about you to be one of yours."

"A Senshi in blue…" Sailormoon's voice was soft, longing, and he swallowed hard. Of course she would be lonely, just as he, but that she should wish for anyone in that way… "It is familiar, somehow, but no more than that. Perhaps she and her companion will come again…" Her voice turned serious. "What do you think of the battlefield?"

"It is too quiet," he answered immediately, "and the civilians will be a problem." Tuxedo Kamen's insides did a guilty squirm of pleasure at her asking his opinion, but he quashed it and tried to organise his thoughts. "It is possible that whatever youma they have brought this time originates in or takes its power from water," he observed, "if they would choose a harbour as a battlefield."

She blinked and nodded slowly. "That had not occurred to me," she confessed, embarrassment plain in her tone. "But if that is so, we should stay away from the water as a precaution; find a place to defend, first. There is no point attempting to fight an unseen enemy."

"If you could see them, it would be another thing altogether," Tuxedo Kamen concluded. "Then, you would use the element of surprise –"

"And strike first," she nodded, pleasure colouring her face. Slipping through shadow with him by her side, Sailormoon reached up to remove her tiara, and with a faint glow, it reshaped itself into the now-familiar tachi-style sword. Tuxedo Kamen gave the golden weapon a wry look before drawing his cane and concentrating briefly. Dark wood shimmered and melted into keen steel, the blue ripples beneath its surface marking it as the finest forging money could buy. Sailormoon cast the longsword an envious look. "A fine blade."

Saluting her with it, he obviously forgot about his hat and as a result, almost knocked it off his head. Sailormoon turned away to hide her mirth, and it faded abruptly as a buxom youma in a sailor's cap, shirt and shorts dove at her. Sailormoon hastily brought her sword up to meet its boathook. "Eek!"

A muttered curse was all the warning Sailormoon had before Tuxedo Kamen scooped her up and they soared upwards. Dropping the sword before she could skewer him and then grabbing the lapels of his jacket with a mild sort of panic, she felt his arms tighten about her. "I would not drop you, my lady."

She relaxed minutely. "You, I trust implicitly; it is circumstances such as these I doubt," was her shaky reply. "Demo… you can fly?"

The golden-haired senshi felt the laughter rumble in his chest as he answered. "It would certainly seem so," Tuxedo Kamen released her as they landed on a warehouse roof of some sort. "It is actually telekinesis," he added. "One of my favourite tricks. Gomen nasai, Lady Moon… did I cause you to lose your blade?"

Sailormoon smiled grimly and scanned the ground they had left for her tachi; it lay abandoned on the ground some ways from the youma, an innocent bit of jewellery once again. "Think nothing of it, Tuxedo Kamen-sama," she said absently, narrowing her eyes in concentration. "Watch my back, onegai?"

The masked man's eyes were fond behind his mask. "Always." Again, he drew the blade, and felt her frown a little before something clicked and triumph flashed through the bond. The tiara slapped into her hand and lengthened back into its sword form. Kamen smiled at Sailormoon's pleased satisfaction. "An excellent trick of your own, my lady."

"My thanks." Sailormoon began to channel energy into her weapon, the sword glowing dimly as chi filled it. "This is a good place, Tuxedo Kamen," she remarked. "I see them coming now."

He looked critically at her sword and arched a brow mock-challengingly. "Would you be able to hit the one in the blasphemously skimpy uniform that had so rudely assaulted you earlier?"

Sailormoon stamped down the urge to wink at her dark-haired companion and removed his hat – it'd only get in his way during battle, she made excuse – before her weapon shimmered back into its discus form. "Moon Tiara Action!" she called, executing a graceful spin to add to her momentum before releasing the chi-charged weapon.

Seeing that the target was fast enough to evade the attack, Tuxedo Kamen sent a small volley of roses that distracted it sufficiently as it attempted to claw them away.

Sailormoon pouted for a moment; annoyed he had been forced to interfere, she recalled her tiara again. "Its attire was not so blasphemously short as this," she said finally, a chuckle in her tone as she gestured towards her blue skirt, which only came down to a point almost half a foot above her knee. He stammered a reply that was lost to the wind as a blast of icy fog froze the youma creeping up behind him.

Sailormoon's eyes sparkled merrily as she watched the ice senshi land nimbly before her. Dropping into an elegant curtsey and trusting Tuxedo Kamen to take care of the youma himself, Sailormoon granted her blue counterpart a smile. "My noble companion is indebted to you, and I understand that I am as well. Might we have the honour of knowing your name?"

The bluenette senshi blushed and returned the curtsey, if a little clumsily. "I'm Sailormercury," she answered with a shy smile, not flinching as the sound of cracking ice was accompanied by the dying youma's dismayed shriek. "And if you would allow it, I'd like to be your ally, if not your friend."

Sailormoon's eyes crinkled behind her mask as she began to speak, but was halted by Tuxedo Kamen's raised hand. "My lady, perhaps this conversation could –" sensing that the two smelling of fire and stars were nearing, she nodded to Mercury with an apologetic grin. "Lady Mercury, would you happen to have a corporeal weapon you might use at close quarters?"

Mercury shook her head. "A physical one? Iie, I don't; my attack is strong and can be used in close quarters. It does, however, have the drawback of needing to be powered up a little."

"Then you shall fight from the shadows, if it permits so," Sailormoon decided, shooting a glance at the other two to see if they objected to this arrangement. Both nodded in agreement, seeing the logic in what she had just proposed. "There are two – I am not sure what they are called, truly, but one is a general of the Dark Kingdom named Jadeite. The other is one very much like him, but we do not know his name."

Mercury nodded firmly and, after a moment's pause, called up a light fog about them. "I shall be able to see through this with my visor," she informed them, "and I think your masks –"

"Yes, this is wonderful – domo arigatou." Mercury nodded again and turned to leave. "Matte, onegai!" Sailormoon's commanding tone stopped her, and the bluenette looked inquiringly at the blonde senshi, who shrugged with a slightly sheepish look behind her white mask. "Perhaps you might warn the civilians?"

"Hai," agreed the blue-clad warrior, and she melted into the mist.

Tuxedo Kamen and Sailormoon turned so that they faced away from each other, so close their backs were almost touching. "Their means of transportation is something I'd like to try for myself," Sailormoon remarked as the fiery presence in her mind's eye blipped out of existence some hundred metres away before reappearing scarce ten metres from the duo. "Perhaps it would be less tiring than travelling in such footwear," she only half-joked, shifting about in her high-heeled boots.

Her companion's amusement seeped through the bond, and his very presence held the slightest hint of a laugh in it as he began to speak –

But that was when black fire burned away the mist; recovering swiftly, Tuxedo Kamen made a fierce gesture and a similar-looking handful of gold flame swallowed its darker counterpart before speeding toward where Jadeite would have been if he had not teleported away, reappearing directly in front of the moon senshi and barely ducking the sweep of her blade. Cursing, Jadeite appeared to abandon his strategy of stealth and speed, instead drawing his own weapon – a long katana of darkly-tinted steel. With a snarl of hatred, he brought it down and black and white-gold sparks flew as Sailormoon's sword came up to meet his.

Tuxedo Kamen did not turn to help; rather, he experimented a little with his sword and the golden fire so that bright flames licked the blue-tinged blade, flaring angrily every now and then as Kamen felt Sailormoon's pain down their bond. Jadeite was obviously getting the upper hand –

– But a reprimanding blast of frost, courtesy of the hidden ice senshi, distracted the dark general sufficiently for Sailormoon to regain her equilibrium and she stood back a moment to survey him. With a cold smile, he bent forwards slightly at the waist, and she did the same. They crossed their swords; saluted one another. Then, the duel began, the hieroglyphs etched into his sword spilling an insidious-looking grey smoke even as her sun-bright weapon burned the darkness away.

Kamen restrained himself from turning; Mercury would help his lady. For now, the star-being must be his opponent. Even as he reluctantly accepted the thought, a keening melody pierced the air and he flinched as harsh notes spilled forth from a shrill-voiced piccolo. As the song reached its crescendo, a shower of dark energy coalesced and poured towards Kamen, who reeled from both the grating noise and a slash on Sailormoon's arm that refused to accept his healing energy.

Gritting his teeth, the masked man watched as the formless darkness solidified into an elegant, winged black horse with red eyes and a fiery horn sprouting from its brow. Sitting astride it was the other general, identified as such by the now unpleasantly-familiar grey uniform. This man had auburn hair flowing past his shoulders and a tall, strong build. The black fire that served as the horse's forelock, mane and tail did not burn him; his eyes were closed almost serenely as long fingers played over the small silver keys.

A distant "Shabon Spray!" from Sailormercury missed as the phantom Pegasus, obviously anticipating the attack, reared back to avoid it. When his steed had fully manifested, or so it appeared, the star-general opened grim blue eyes and his instrument disintegrated into dark sparks that became lost in the black equine's mane. "I am Nephrite, King of Stars and the distant music they sing." His voice held little inflection or tone, and the beast he sat astride pranced a few times as if to make up for its master's indifference.

Something had stayed Tuxedo Kamen's hand from attacking – the black Pegasus seemed to spark a dangerous fury that seemed almost taboo to tap, though it leant him a near-berserk strength that he strained to hold back. Its horn in particular seemed familiar, and as ocean-blue eyes met a gaze the colour of an afternoon sky, Tuxedo Kamen's form blazed gold and all froze to watch what appeared to be a fit of some kind of madness. His limbs jerked, and spasms wracked his tall frame, now bent double with pain.

He was awake! Seizing his chance, Endymion grappled with the other presence in an attempt to win control. Slowly, Stealth's standard fell, and he let out an almost wistful sigh before falling silent. The banners of War fluttered triumphant in an invisible wind as the victorious prince smiled. He would bide his time; determine his location and situation. With a small shudder, he allowed Stealth to reassert itself for the moment, but there was a dagger at its throat.

Sailormoon rounded on Jadeite as the bond flickered and died, eyes fierce and injuries forgotten as she snarled viciously, inflicting several more wounds before the general, startled and pained, managed to block her next blows. "What did you do to him?" she roared, her petite body's presence growing to frighteningly intimidating levels. Crystal-blue eyes flashed a silvery lavender-sky as the golden sword came alive with silver chi in her hands. "What have you sons of pigs done to my Lord?"

Just as she landed yet another blow on her opponent, Sailormoon felt the bond reassert itself again and her heart soared in relief – but her moves were swift and sure; her pace did not falter. Mercy would have been commendable, she knew, but she was still angry and something about the gold-silver link seemed different; she could feel undercurrents of shock, anger and disbelief along with the reassurance her black-haired companion had sent her. Dismissing it temporarily, she drew back to deliver the fatal blow.

It was then that hooves of night galloped by, forcing her to retreat. As she watched the Star tend to the Sun, she realised just how close to murder she had come, for murder it was – their duel had, for all intents and purposes, been a fair one in which surrender would not be tainted with dishonour. She should have allowed him retreat when her strength, skill and determination outmatched his, but instead –

Who was this Tuxedo Kamen, whose pain could spur her to madness and even hatred? Who was he whose loss could drive her pure soul into darkness?

Sailormoon darted to where he knelt on the ground, and with both hands raised Tuxedo Kamen's head so that she could see his face. The madness was gone from his gaze, she saw, and her heart ached in relief so profound she could almost lose her composure completely, lean in to kiss him.

Shocked by her thoughts, Sailormoon's eyes widened, and she lowered them demurely. "You are well? How have they harmed you?"

Kamen shook his head, obviously confused. "It was not they," he replied, but Sailormoon could tell he was visibly shaken. "Something – something –"

"It is not passed?" the golden-haired senshi demanded, visibly alarmed. Behind her, she could hear the click of heels, an anxious presence of young-old wisdom and ice, and knew it was her blue-clad counterpart. "Lady Mercury?"

"Hai," the bluenette answered, blushing a little at the honorary term but keeping a wary eye on their opponents Nephrite and Jadeite. The latter had obviously recovered, and the former looked to be berating him. "Daijobou desu ka, Tuxedo Kamen-sama?"

"Daijobou," he answered, and stood slowly. Sailormoon took his hand in both of hers and squeezed it gently, finally allowing her gaze to meet his again. "Perhaps you might withdraw –?"

"Iie!" he almost snapped, but Sailormoon could feel his shame and apology through their link. "Iie," he repeated, a little more calmly. "I am well – and should it occur again, I shall defend from afar. My sword arm is still strong," Kamen added when he saw Sailormoon looked doubtful. "Lady Mercury? Perhaps take up your station?"

Sailormercury nodded and raised her hands to cast the fog again, but Sailormoon stayed her. "Use it when one of us is needy," she advised, and the ice senshi smiled before leaving quietly.

"What the hell did you do?" Jadeite wondered. "It must have been effective, given how close that damned blonde came to tearing me apart — Ow! Damn it, what is it with me and the injuries lately —"

"Perhaps it's your winning personality," Nephrite said dryly. "Hold still, blast you — you're the one who's supposed to be the healer of our lot, don't you know to do that? As for 'what did I do', I have no idea — one moment he was trying to flay me with his eyes, and the next moment he was on fire…"

Golden fire… The thought was peculiarly resonant: a flavour in the mind, the shadow of a dream…

Jadeite shook his head to clear it, and immediately regretted the action. "Well you must have done something," he said stubbornly. "He was looking at you —"

"Well maybe he didn't like the colour of my horse," his brother said, rolling his eyes. "Honestly, Jade, if I'd known how to do it on purpose I'd have tried it on the girl when she tried to skewer you for roasting, not just come galloping in on my white horse —"

"Black Pegasus —"

"I know what I ride, thank you — to rescue the Brother In Distress. Tenkaichi's Blood, Jade, why didn't you just teleport?"

"Well I couldn't exactly get enough concentration to do it when some chit was hacking at me with a four-foot long sword, now could I?" Jadeite demanded through clenched teeth. "I defy you to do better —"

"And I," said a cool, familiar voice, "defy you to come out of hiding before the she-demons and their ridiculously-clad thrall take the notion that they are your betters."

"I dunno, Kunz — from up here it looks like they'd be pretty accurate," Zoicite said lightly, ducking the Eldest's reproving cuff.

"Let me guess… that might have been because 'they' were outnumbered?" Jadeite returned. "Shove it up your arse sideways, Zoi."

The Youngest pouted. "Well, fine, if you're going to be that way, then I shan't bother to rescue you from Nephrite's tender mercies."

Nephrite rolled his eyes. "Come off it, Zoi, I'm hardly that bad —"

He was cut off by a muffled screech. "YEOWCH! YOU DON'T POUR THE BRUISE BALM INTO THE CUTS, YOU STUPID — Zoi! Get over here and help me before the well-meaning incompetent over here decides I need a bracing shot of hemlock or something —"

Zoicite studied his nails. "What was that, Jade? 'I'm so sorry I insulted you, Zoi, you make the best jokes in the world, Zoi, I'll admit that breaking my favourite staff was an accident, Zoi, just please, please save me from the kack-handed idiot'?"

Jade went a fascinating shade of purple and opened his mouth to protest this assumption — the splintered weapon was a very sore point between them — but was interrupted by the pommel of Kunzite's sword, applied to the back of his head with calculated precision: just enough to reprimand but not enough to cause real damage.

Yet.

Zoi preened. "See, even Kunz thinks you should say it! I hope you'll be — ite!" The pommel descended on his own head. "…Kunz-eeerk…" he keeled over, swirly-eyed from the force of the blow.

"If you're quite finished," the Eldest said coolly, "you might go and aid the wounded. Nephrite, stop sulking and report."

Straightening, the King of Stars saluted his commander with a glare, foregoing the subtle outer flick of the fingers indicating respect. "Our opponents are a Sailormoon, Sailormercury and a fighter by the name of Tuxedo Kamen. At least one of either Tuxedo Kamen or Sailormoon has some kind of strategist mind; they knew to move to higher ground for the best advantage –"

"Dummies know that, Neph," Zoicite sniped as he tightened the bandages on Jadeite's arm painfully, earning himself an indignant slap from his patient. "Oi! Go on like this and you shan't have your lollipop, Jed."

"Call me that again and you'll find your bonbons in —"

"A most uncomfortable place, yes, yes, we're all well aware of this," Zoicite drawled. "Get some new threats, will you?"

"— Sideways," Jadeite added.

"Oh, yes, I'm truly terrified. Even if it is the lollipops. Honestly, Jade, you're a bit off-colour to be making off-colour jokes…"

Nephrite ignored their byplay and continued. "Mercury has made herself an annoyance several times, but has used only one attack — her weakest. She fights like a raw recruit – perhaps they have to work their way back up to their full strength?"

"Are you asking me or telling me?" Kunzite inquired acidly. "Report, don't speculate."

The taller Shitennou looked briefly rebellious, but a glance at Jadeite reinforced the necessity of professionalism. Let Zoi boost Jadeite's morale by distracting him, Dust knew he could use it — but Jade also needed to win this battle, and Time was their enemy as much as any glittering girl. "'Sailormoon' seems closer to Tuxedo Kamen than Sailormercury, but is either a new senshi or an excellent facsimile of one — as strong or stronger than Mercury, but dependant on an artefact — a tiara that she can reshape into either a tachi or a discus, recall to her hand, and charge with chi to increase its effect."

"And can she use these shapes, or is it another shining frippery?"

"Her discus work is rather painfully accurate, and she's an excellent swordswoman," Nephrite glanced at Jadeite, who was mumbling imprecations about shearing the girl bald with the damned bit of glitter for ropes of her own hair to bind her with. "Of course, she was against Jade, so that may not be so much of an indication of her skill as his lack thereof," he added lightly, and ducked the empty jar of salve that was promptly flung at his head.

Perhaps just a little teasing.

Kunzite plucked the jar out of the air before it could hit him and raised an eyebrow at Jadeite, who flushed; Nephrite shifted a little uncomfortably under the returning weight of that silver gaze and decided not to wait for prompting.

"Tuxedo Kamen has displayed a variety of attacks and abilities thus far," he said reluctantly. Something about that man… "His aura is immense; larger than all four of ours combined, larger than Beryl's, Metallia's even — I'm not surprised he's managed to master the advanced forms of telekinesis: flying, slowing down a fall, things of that nature. He can heal with a touch, and flings around massive amounts of raw chi as if he were tossing those roses of his, though he does at least look a little drained." He took a deep breath, let it out, and continued reluctantly.

"Here's the thing, though: from where I stand, his power is so vast that the things he can do now are nothing to what he will do one day, unfettered. He hasn't even made so much as a scratch in his potential."

An aura of flames to outdo the stars in the sky…

Kunzite looked critically at the man in question. "I cannot see this power that you speak of," he remarked, "nor can I feel it."

Nephrite shook his head. "Wait until you see him in action — at rest he hides so much; Jadeite can tell you —"

"Our Sun brother can tell me a great many useless things, I'll wager." Kunzite's tone was sardonic, and Nephrite made as if to speak but then seemed to think better of it.

"Be on your guard," he said at last, and saluted Kunzite again before stalking away to sit beside Zoicite. The laughter returned to his face as he made a nuisance of himself and Kunzite observed his brothers fondly, but his thoughts lingered on their opponents.

Mercury had taken up a position on the highest point of the harbour — the lighthouse, which was perhaps half a mile away. Tuxedo Kamen and Sailormoon were once again back to back, and he wondered absently what they might be whispering to each other, but all speech ceased, and both warriors stood silent and still.

Rising lazily to his feet, Kunzite signalled to his brothers, who had also fallen silent, and they rose to their feet, Jadeite refusing help from the others.

"Why is she so far away?" Zoicite wondered out loud, and it was obvious he was referring to Mercury, whose blue hair was fast becoming indistinguishable from the darkening sky.

Nephrite's snort was derisive. "Zoi, once energy attacks are separated from their caster, they gather more power and lethality from the matter through which they pass, in this case air. One of her blasts would very likely attain a mildly dangerous edge towards us — it would definitely freeze and greatly injure a youma —"

"The likes of which we have been issued only," Jadeite observed, blue eyes containing a seriousness seldom ever saw. "These youma… they're so weak that even Sailormercury could freeze them to the core, though not kill them. Two small blows and they perish…"

"Enough," said Kunzite. "Let us resolve this — our new orders are to destroy the senshi at any cost. Zoicite, is the youma in position?"

"He is – I added a little of my own energy to strengthen him, but he is hungry. You chose well, Nephrite."

The Star King smiled half-embarrassedly. "Let's see him in action, and then I will feel better about accepting your compliments," he muttered. "Where did you leave him?"

"He'll stay as close to the battle as it permits, but he manifested himself right…" the strawberry-blond man pointed at a pier where several fishing junks were anchored, "there."

"Mizugameza will do as bidden," Nephrite assured, "nevertheless, this is our fight and he is but a safeguard."

"Now that we're done patting ourselves on the back for a trap well-set, battle calls." The others groaned at the Sun King, but Nephrite mounted his Pegasus again as Jadeite, Zoicite and Kunzite teleported away. "Tenkaichi's Grace be with you," Nephrite whispered. He couldn't help think that they had missed something… somehow….

"There are five of them."

His voice was considerably harder now than it had been just before he'd broken off from his conversation on tactics with her. Sailormoon ignored the pang in her chest at this thought and concentrated on the four presences.

Her brow knitted in confusion as a fifth presence wavered uncertainly before winking out. Holding her breath, Sailormoon focused her attention on that one, waiting to see if it would reappear. To her relief, it seemed that it had left.

"Be on guard," her darkly-clad companion cautioned carefully, and she blinked in surprise before nodding. A cautious awareness in the back of her mind indicated that he felt it too.

"One appears to have left," Sailormoon pointed out. "I cannot feel it at all."

He did not answer, but she could hear the squeak of his sword hilt's leather binding as his grip tightened warily. "Be on guard," he repeated.

That was when one of the newcomers appeared before them, swishing a rapier about dangerously. The black steel reminded Sailormoon unpleasantly of the slash in her arm which, though shallow, was now dribbling yellowy pus. She didn't need to check that it was swollen an unhealthy purple at the edges for the knowledge that it was infected – perhaps by some dark magic in the blade – and it was decidedly painful.

Sailormoon felt Tuxedo Kamen's apology and self-berating disgust filtering down their link. She tried to reassure him that it was she who had been foolish to decline his healing after the cut had refused to close after his initial attempts; again, it was likely the work of some poison.

"I am Zoicite, Comet King of the Four Shitennou," the man in front of them called, and there was an almost eager look in his green eyes.

A whisper of cold made Tuxedo Kamen blink before his sword came up instinctively to knock away the thrust a white-haired form had executed. Silver eyes glinted mockingly as the second attacker granted him a vicious smile. "I am King of Empty Space, the Elder Shitennou Kunzite," said he.

Tuxedo Kamen arched a sceptical brow and lowered his longsword into an 'at ease' position, a clear insult to his opponents. "Whether you be Kings or Lords, it matters not to me," Kamen drawled. "A title grants neither skill nor stamina."

Again, a blaze of black fire from Jadeite signalled the beginning of conflict and sword met sword. Nephrite's grating song filled the air; as their blades danced with their enemies', Sailormoon and Tuxedo Kamen fancied there were wolves lurking in the lengthening shadows, and the song made them real.

As Mercury made to attack the shadowy creatures the Star Shitennou had summoned, she was buffeted forcefully from behind and, though surprised, pushed herself as far away from the lighthouse walls as she could. Her enhanced strength allowed her a fall that was broken as she froze a small ice floe where she landed unharmed. Immediately, she felt the displacement of water as an ice-cold hand gripped hers and she looked into glowing eyes.

"Senshi," Mizugameza whispered, and his voice was like the hiss of foam in the ocean. His hold on her tightened as he began to pull her into deeper water.

Sailormercury's eyes widened in disbelief, and she made no move to resist as she returned the youma's gaze unfalteringly. "Aquarius?" she whispered in belief as she saw the constellation pattern tattooed on a naked shoulder.

"Senshi…"

Finally jarred into action by the knowledge her floe was shrinking and that she was being dragged farther out to sea where she would presumably be pulled under and drowned, Mercury attempted to break Mizugameza's strong grip on her wrist, wincing. She would have bruises tomorrow morning – assuming she survived.

Cursing herself for being so weak, Sailormercury threw her head back and issued a loud shriek that echoed around and about the harbour. Both flinched as the waters magnified her shriek and she hid a smile. Perhaps it was not strength that she needed… Concentrating hard even as the youma's hold on her continued to tighten, Sailormercury closed her eyes. "Shabon Spray," she whispered in a low voice, and when the youma made as if to bat the globe of energy away, the bluenette let loose a scream almost directly in his ear, slamming the energy attack into the side of his head at the same time.

It was weak, but it was enough. Mizugameza's hold loosened and Mercury created more ice platforms to act as stepping-stones so that she might escape back to shore, narrowly avoiding a torrent of dark flame as Jadeite reappeared. The Constellation youma recovered swiftly and ice floes overturned and exploded into the air in a spray of froth and foam as he butted them upwards. She kicked away Mizugameza's hand one last time before tumbling into a heap on shore and scrabbling to get away from the waterline, tripping and falling into a small fishing skiff.

Jadeite teleported directly in front of her and, unable to think of anything else as the black katana sang an eerie song, the blue-clad senshi kicked in the compartment and scrabbled about for something that might be used as a weapon. Her hand encountered a rubber grip and Mercury blinked in astonishment at the fishing rod before grabbing it hastily and preparing to make her stand, though her insides shook.

She heard her sister's scream and tore through the folds of encroaching sleep, looking through the eyes of her host to see the ice maiden bring up a flimsy-looking weapon that bore no resemblance whatsoever to her usual lyre with which she summoned ice from the air and blizzards from the wind. She saw that her opponent, obviously taunting her, fought with the flat of his blade; the slender contraption snapped under his blows and the bluenette grabbed a boat-pole. Ghostly lavender eyes widened as slender hands covered a mouth open in shock and disbelief.

What are you doing, Trickster? Why so timid? Why fight with a weapon not yours? Where are your senshi-sisters? As another cry rang out, this time of pain rather than out of the desire to surprise, Serenity fought her way to the surface and her scream echoed Sailormercury's – she let loose her summons and hoped that the blips of fire-thunder-water-love-wind-death-time that were her other sisters responded. They would not forsake you, Warrior of Mercury; do they sleep as I do? O Trickster, show me the smile you wear in battle!

Aino Minako bustled peacefully about her bedroom, intent but not frantic; today was a good day. There'd been no Dark Agency activity for the last week; no Agency meant no youma, and no youma meant completed homework, which meant happier teachers, which meant no detention, which meant no detention notices, which meant no Mama screeching her head off — which meant a happy Mina, and a happy Mina would get up half an hour early for no reason but to enjoy the sunshine. She set her hairbrush on the vanity with a soft click; not far away, a white cat curled on her sun-drenched windowsill flicked his ears at the noise.

"Is it a good day, Mina?" he said lazily, eyes half-shut. "You're humming…" Artemis tried to remember the last time she'd hummed as she went about her morning routine. A cheerful Minako was one thing — she was generally a bit of a lark, bouncy and bubbly without fail unless she'd overslept, in which case she was a whirling dervish — but he didn't think he'd ever seen her so … mellow.

He smiled to himself, and closed his eyes to bask again. 'Hail to Thee, Helios, Own Brother of Selene; look with favour on Your grand-niece's faithful sister, for surely she has earned such a glorious day —'

That was when he felt, rather than saw, her go very still, and heard her sharp intake of breath. He opened his eyes worriedly, looking up to see her suddenly tense posture. "Minako?"

"That's it," she said hoarsely, and whirled about to face him, blue eyes wild. "Artemis, we must get to Tokyo — now! Nay, sooner than now: instantly!"

Artemis leapt to his feet. "A teleport? V," – for she was henshining even as he spoke — no, not V, Sailorvenus herself, with only the false crescent to mark herself as the Decoy Serenity — "what could possibly be so urgent —?"

The orange-clad Senshi caught him up in her arms. "She calls."

He understood, and she held up her henshin pen again. "Venus Power – Teleport!"

Sailormoon's sudden shriek froze all on the battlefield and Tuxedo Kamen drove the point of his sword into Kunzite's shoulder before retreating hastily to her side, slashing viciously at a snarling shadow-wolf as he placed himself between the crumpled senshi and Zoicite. Her emotions were a strange mix of disbelief, betrayal, worry, concern and a warm sensation he could not truly identify, though a voice in him whispered love.

What have they done? he snarled down the link and his blade blossomed with gold fire again, its blue-tinged steel the heart of the flame.

An eruption of orange-gold light coalesced into a feminine, glittering form before solidifying into a senshi with a ginger skirt and a girdle of golden, interlinked hearts about her slender waist. Blue eyes a shade darker than Sailormoon's assessed the situation coolly and her face hardened. A white tom at her heels hesitated briefly before a harshly whispered command had it darting away from the conflict.

With a deft motion, the chain was in her hands as it exploded into light. Her voice was clear above the hum of the links as she whirled them expertly in intricate patterns, her face lit by a cold smile. "Aiyoku to hikari no, seerafuku bishoujo senshi! Sailorvenus!" her speech ended on an almost melodic laugh before the orange-clad senshi gestured fiercely. "Love-me chain!"

Taken by surprise, Nephrite was yanked from his steed by the heart-shaped links. The winged equine galloped between its master and a white-hot beam of bright intensity before dissolving back into dark mist. Thwarted, Sailorvenus blew her breath out irritably. "Crescent Beam!" she shouted again, but Nephrite was ready this time. With a loud sizzle, the laser reflected violently off the blade of his claymore and Sailorvenus was forced to dodge the rebound.

Nephrite spared half a thought for the burns where the chi-charged chain had wrapped itself about his chest, back and arms. His mouth thinned into a grim line and his eyes flashed dangerously at the newcomer, her ginger skirt swaying as she pressed a kiss to Sailormoon's hand, murmuring what looked to be apologies and shooting a suspicious look at Tuxedo Kamen that melted quickly into stunned comprehension.

Seizing his chance, Nephrite charged Sailorvenus, somersaulting over several more of the laser attacks before he used his momentum and gravity to bring the blade down.

Clang!

Tuxedo Kamen's longsword was almost beaten aside as the heavier claymore met its match in a clash of sparks, but Nephrite let out a roar of pain as the lethally-sharp stem of a thorned rose pierced his palm through. Taking advantage of his pain and subsequent distraction, Sailorvenus looped her chain about his neck like a noose and drew it dangerously tight. The auburn-haired Shitennou stilled as he realised just how close to death he was.

Kunzite tore out several roses from his own arm, and, ignoring the flow of gold-tinged blood, ground them to dust beneath the heel of his boot. The King of Empty Space roared out his defiance as his wounded brothers responded to his summons, teleporting to his side.

Jadeite sported several bruises, and his lips and skin were blue from cold. Obviously, Mercury had refused to let her sudden 'greenery' in warfare hamper her efficiency with her natural element, and there was a chunk of flesh and skin missing from his collarbone, mere inches from his jugular.

Zoicite bled sluggishly from gashes in his sword arm and thigh. A cut above his brow caused him to blink away tears of blood, and his left wrist was limp. There were several nasty burns on the right side of his face; his hair, eyelashes and eyebrows were singed and the skin was raw.

Nephrite was relatively unharmed save the injuries inflicted on him by Venus and Kamen mere moments before, but his face was pale with exhaustion – summoning the shadow-wolves had used up much of his stamina, and each time one was destroyed, the backlash pained him.

Kunzite had fared the worst of all – Tuxedo Kamen's sword had pierced through the muscle and bone of his shoulder and the arm hung limp. His features were drawn with poorly-concealed agony and burns from the masked man's had half-cauterised a slash across his chest. His cape had long since been discarded as hampering his agility.

As unpleasant as the generals' wounds were, the battle had also taken its toll on the senshi and their dark-clad ally. Sailorvenus alone was unharmed due to her arrival mere moments earlier.

Tuxedo Kamen suffered several flesh wounds in his side and a hastily-parried stab injury had resulted in a long, though shallow, cut that ran from his right hip to the opposite shoulder. His tuxedo was in shreds, and a pant leg's ripped material intermingled freely with gold-tinged blood not unlike that of his enemies', courtesy of a shadow wolf he had not seen in time. Shaky and weak on his legs from blood loss, Kamen nevertheless met Kunzite's silver gaze steadily as golden sparks pooled in his wounds and began to meticulously knit skin and muscle back together. His extraordinary, subconscious ability to heal himself was almost certainly the lone reason he had not yet fallen.

Sailormoon also bled thinly from mild bite marks, and her arm, previously wounded by the Sun King, continued to ache and throb. A strip of black and red material – torn hastily by her dark-haired companion from his cape – stayed the bleeding for now, but for some reason she could not fathom, her exhaustion ran beyond bone-deep. Bruises and cuts marred her pale skin, and she could only turn her head so far to the right before she flinched.

Mercury's limp form lay where she had crumpled from exhaustion and pain immediately after Jadeite had responded to Kunzite's call. Only determination had kept the stalwart warrior from fainting before she had, and she was beaten badly – Jadeite's mercy permitted him to use only the flat of his blade, but they were harsh blows.

Sailorvenus did not allow herself to spare the bluenette a glance until Sailormoon's pleading gaze landed on her. Shooting the battered, yet defiant Tuxedo Kamen another wary glance, the senshi of love made as if to move to Mercury's side, but spotted a white-haired figure lift her gently. Venus recognised her guardian and saluted him, her smile widening as she saw a small black cat sitting on his shoulder. 'So you've found Luna, Artemis. I hope your reunion was a happy one.'

As if hearing her blessing, Artemis looked up from his half-scolding, half-warning of a few civilians and policemen to stay away. With a wry grin at Venus and a flash of silver-violet lightning, the Mau warrior was gone, Sailormercury and the dark feline with him.

Both sides were silent now – spectators and policemen alike peered out from various hiding places to observe the fight more carefully.

The bruises and smaller scrapes Tuxedo Kamen had gotten had healed over completely, and with a swift motion he discarded his tuxedo jacket and vest, ripping the severed suspender straps away to lessen the already-remote chance of tripping. A moment later, his bowtie fluttered to the ground; he stood in his shirtsleeves and slacks, hefted his sword again and, to all present, it seemed that the glistening weapon had perhaps grown longer and broader with his presence. Fire erupted about its lethal edge, and the dark-haired man smiled coldly, dark eyes glinting behind his untouched mask.

Kunzite's expression twitched with what looked like amusement and contempt. He himself stepped out of his cumbersome grey uniform jacket, his white hair glowing red-orange as the sun continued to set. A pale eyebrow arched in mockery as Kamen's gloved hand tightened its grip on his sword. The challenge had been issued and received; the gauntlet thrown and retrieved.

The terms were unspoken, but there in the other's eyes. Should one win, the defeated would retreat and take with him his allies. There was too much blood shed already – it was better this way.

No! Emotions raged down the link as Sailormoon's normally gentle manner towards her protector soured and broke. I am the challenger – you are tired –

"So are you," he whispered out loud, and then steel flashed bright in the encroaching twilight. But it is my duty and my trial.

For almost twenty minutes the two fighters' swords clashed even as the sun sank lower towards the horizon. 'The boy is good,' Kunzite admitted to himself. 'Very talented –' parry, riposte – 'very well trained –' the two strained against each other as their weapons locked, a test of strength.

Freeing his sword and taking two steps back, Kunzite slid his blade down against Kamen's in an attempt to sever or mangle the younger man's fingers, though a difficult task with the hilt guard in its way; Kamen broke contact completely and instead aimed his next blow at the white-haired general's side. '– Now where could a ningen have found such teaching?'

Dodge a strike, feint a thrust – 'But still –' beads of sweat dotted their foreheads, and they broke apart yet again to circle the other in hopes of catching their opponent unawares. There was no use of energy in this fight – it was a test and trial purely of swordsmanship and honour. '– Only a boy. Here he comes now –'

Having lost the desire to wait any longer, Kamen lunged – the keen edge of Kunzite's sword drew a thin line of red across the darker man's throat; he found the point of Tuxedo Kamen's blade apply dangerous pressure to the vulnerable point beneath and behind his chin. Blood welled up and both men froze.

Stalemate.

"Well fought, young master Kamen," Kunzite snarled, and the addressed raised an ironic brow.

"Most evenly matched, Your Highness," he mocked, and continued to smile even as the blade at his throat pressed closer and blood trickled down to stain his once-pristine white shirt.

Sailormoon emitted a strangled noise and made as if to step forward, but Sailorvenus was there, her arms wrapped protectively around the smaller blonde's slim frame, holding her back. The moon senshi slumped as Venus began to murmur reassurances and devotion, but made no move to push her away.

"Perhaps it is so," Kunzite replied, acutely aware of blood – his blood – running down the insolent brat's sword. "However, I can slit your throat before you yourself realise you are dead." The last word was spat out viciously and Kamen's smile turned decidedly grim.

"Mayhap it be so," he snapped, eyes burning with blue flame behind the white half-mask, "but I swear to Gaia I'll spit your head on my blade as my last action."

Stalemate.

Glossary

Ite — similar to 'itai'; the difference between 'ow' and 'ouch!'

Mizugameza — The constellation Aquarius, the Water-Carrier.

Aiyoku to hikari no, seerafuku bishoujo senshi! Sailorvenus! — For the passion of love and light, I am the beautiful sailor-suited soldier! Sailorvenus!

A/N: Review, please. /bounces hopefully/ You have no idea how much we slaved over this chapter... /puppy eyes/.