Waves of music began to fill the chapel. Mamoru was standing at the altar waiting for his beloved. His left foot tapped against the hardwood floor. He was a bundle of nerves that threatened to break at any moment. This was the moment that he fought do hard to see. This was the moment he died to protect.
He was wearing a mask, like his alter ego. Usagi insisted, since she fell in love with Tuxedo Kamen before she fell in love with Mamoru. He smiled as he thought of those days. If someone had told him then that he would marry Tsukino Usagi, known then as Odango Atama, Mamoru would have laughed in their face. He remembered the first time he met her as if it were yesterday. Usagi certainly made an impression with her crumpled test paper. Mamoru still did not know what compelled him to tease the then fourteen year old Usagi. It wasn't like him to make fun of people since he was bullied as a child. Mamoru knew all too well what that kind of abuse could do to a person. Yet he could not help himself. Perhaps it was the mortified look in her eyes as she realized that a stranger knew she failed her math test. Or perhaps it was the slight tinge of red that crept to her cheeks as Usagi got a good look at him. Whatever it was brought out his inner twelve year old. The ends of his mouth turned up slightly. So much changed since the day he met Usagi. He changed.
The ladies started the procession. They wore identically styled gowns in their signature colors. Usagi had tried to have the bridal party truly uniform to no avail. The bride-to-be had many heated discussions about the gowns. Minako wanted a halter dress to show off her newly healed tattoo. Rei was insistent that the dress be short, since someone told Rei that she had great legs. Makoto, being the curviest of all the women, wanted the dresses to be form- fitting. Vanity was not Usagi's favorite sin when it came to the bridal party. In the end, Ami settled the debate. The dresses were simple sheaths with spaghetti straps. They complimented the varied attributes of each young lady.
As Minako made her way down the aisle she felt a familiar presence. She subtly glanced about the chapel trying to pinpoint the origin of this warm energy.
'I know this energy,' Minako thought. She scanned the guests and got nothing. Minako then focused her attention on the groomsmen. One in particular captured her attention.
"Damned mask," Minako grumbled. All she could tell was that the man was taller than Mamoru.
'Wait, that hair,' Minako thought. 'I know one man with hair that blonde -- so blonde it's practically white.' Minako froze for a split second. She cursed herself for getting worked up over a man who was dead and gone.
Minako took her place across from the best man. Their eyes locked. Minako was certain that she knew this man, but how?
Kunzite's body tensed as Minako entered the chapel. She was a vision in her pale gold slip dress. He felt his soul reach out for Minako. Kunzite tried to suppress it. He did not want to disrupt the ceremony. Inwardly, he thanked the gods that Usagi insisted that the men wear masks like Tuxedo Kamen. It gave the men some time to gauge how the loves of their lives had changed since that fateful day.
Makoto was the next to enter. Her forest green dress was a beautiful compliment to her wavy auburn hair. Holding a bouquet of pink roses, she walked down the aisle. Taking her place adjacent to Minako, Makoto looked at Mamoru. He seemed nervous, scared and exited all at once. Makoto smiled. She was happy that Usagi had been reunited with her soul mate. At the same time, Makoto longed for the chance to see Nephrite once more.
Nephrite's green eyes were fixed on Makoto. He always knew she was beautiful, but he had never seen her like this. She had a grace that befitted a woman well beyond Makoto's years. 'Time has been good to you Mako-chan,' Nephrite thought.
When Makoto was halfway down the aisle, Rei began to walk. The moment she crossed the threshold into the church, she felt a warm energy envelope her body. At first, Rei started to think that an enemy was trying to take this opportunity to attack the senshi en masse. Then she realized that it was a gentle mildly protective energy. She smiled as the energy intensified. It seemed to put her at ease. Rei then realized that it was not ease she felt. It was love, unconditional love.
'Where is this coming from?' Rei thought. Rei had waited so long to find someone to make her feel this way. As she continued her procession, Rei flashed her brightest smile.
'If that doesn't draw him like a moth to a flame, nothing will,' Rei thought.
It took all the restraint Jadeite possessed not to run down the aisle and take Rei in his arms. The mere sight of the ebony haired angel brought all of Jadeite's old feelings back. 'I always loved Rei,' he thought. 'I just never knew how much until now.'
Jadeite gazed at Rei and saw his future in her eyes. "Whatever it takes, I will win you back Hino Rei."
Ami was the last of the senshi to enter the chapel. While she waited for her turn to stroll down the aisle, Ami noticed the subtle changes her friends went through. Seeing as her visor could not be used while she was in plain clothes, Ami developed contact lenses with the same capabilities. That way Ami could have access to the technologies in any situation without arousing suspicion.
Ami's eyes fluttered as she activated the lenses and did a scan of the chapel. 'No youmas, daimons, lemures, parodies or phages,' Ami thought. 'What could be affecting the girls like this?'
In an attempt to be thorough as possible, Ami decided to scan the groomsmen. It was a long shot, but she had to be sure. "It's… no, it can't be," Ami gasped.
"Ami, it's your turn," Shingo whispered.
"Uhhh, yeah." Ami walked into the chapel and down the aisle.
"Kami-sama. She knows," Zoisite gasped.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Mamoru leaned down and kissed Usagi. As they walked down the aisle as man and wife, the chapel was once again filled with the calm waves of violin and the gentle breezes piano.
"It was a wonderful surprise finding out that Haruka and Michiru were the musicians for the wedding ceremony. I didn't even know those two were back in town," Usagi said. The newly married woman looked over her shoulder to see them smiling at her.
"I called in a few favors to get Michiru off of her tour to play the wedding. I knew how much it meant to you to have all of your senshi here."
"That's why I love you Mamo-chan. You always think of the sweetest things."
Usagi kissed her husband for the umpteenth time. Meanwhile, four men gathered in the vestibule of the chapel to evaluate their situation.
"Zoi, are you sure Ami recognized us," Jadeite asked.
Zoicite sighed. He had spent much of his first life deciphering the mystery that was Mizuno Ami. The only one who knew more about the beautiful water senshi was the woman herself. "Yes. Remember, I know Ami. I've seen that look in her eyes. Whenever she has solved a particularly difficult problem that look appears in her eyes. It's unmistakable."
"I say we approach the ladies and see how things go from there," Kunzite suggested.
"Oh my," Nephrite scoffed placing his hand over his heart, "Is the great strategist Kunzite suggesting that we go in blind, with no plan of action?" Jadeite and Zoicite chuckled their agreement.
"No you imbecile," Kunzite growled. "You can still read the stars, can't you?"
"Well, yeah. What of it?" Nephrite knew where this was going.
"Do your thing and tell us whether Minako, I mean the senshi, would be receptive to our return."
Nephrite smirked. "I tried that before the ceremony, but time wasn't on my side." Nephrite turned to take a look out of the window.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Jadeite was obviously irritated me his comrade's less than straight-forward answer. "Come on," Jadeite turned Nephrite around by his shoulder, "What are you talking about?! You know I hate it when you do the cryptic brooding 'Stars reveal to me the answer' shit."
Nephrite laughed. Three of the most powerful men in the world were huddled together like mice in a barn. If he were not present, he would never believe it. The more he thought about it, the more Nephrite laughed.
"This is not funny Nephrite. Ami knows who we really are," Zoicite interjected.
"Listen, I tried to read the stars, but Setsuna stopped me." Understanding washed over the men. Setsuna was always one for mystery. Some thought that she secretly enjoyed knowing things that everyone else had to find out the hard way.
The reincarnations of the generals left the serene chapel for the reception.
"Ami, are you sure of what you saw," Minako asked.
"Minako-chan, when has Ami ever been wrong?" Rei asked.
The four inner senshi contemplated the last time Ami was wrong. Rei looked at Makoto and Makoto looked at Minako. After an uncomfortable pause, Ami began to speak.
"Listen, I've analyzed the data thoroughly and I've reached the conclusion the Mamoru's best man and his groomsmen are indeed the four generals. Furthermore, they are not evil. The darkness that infiltrated their souls has dissipated."
Three senshi sat down. In a thirty second span, Ami had changed the course of their lives. Collectively, they had prayed for this day. However, now that the day had arrived they were dumbfounded. How does one overcome such betrayal. Was it possible to simply forgive and forget? It wasn't that simple, or was it? These men had betrayed them not once, but twice. Would the past repeat itself? Could the love the senshi felt overcome the mistrust? This situation was asking more from these women than they were willing to admit.
Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna watched the inners as they came to the realization that the loves of their lives had returned. Haruka was mildly amused. She never understood the senshi's fascination with the general. Then again, most people did not understand her relationship with Michiru and Setsuna.
"Setsuna, are they going to forgive their men?" Haruka asked.
"You know she can't answer that Haruka," Michiru said.
"All I will say is there are two paths in front of each of them. Neither will be easy, but both are worth the effort."
"There they are. Should we just walk up to them?" Zoicite paced a circle around his associates. Small beads of sweat formed on his forehead despite the air conditioned room.
Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna watched as the two groups began to slowly gravitate toward each other. "Like moths to a flame," whispered Setsuna.
"I say we just go over there and find out what the hell is going on," Makoto insisted.
"I'm going. Either way, I will know how she feels." Kunzite began to walk toward Minako. Nephrite, Jadeite and Zoicite followed his lead. Every step seemed like a mile. The women seemed to be moving father away with every step they took.
Rei instinctively looked over her shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a striking group of men approaching. Her pulse quickened. She smoothed her raven locks with her hand. Rei strengthened her resolve in anticipation of their official arrival. She held her breath as a hand touched her shoulder.
"Rei." Rei startled and saw Hotaru standing behind her. The teen continued, "Usagi and Mamoru have arrived."
Usagi and Mamoru stood at the door of the reception hall. Usagi was fretting over the train of her gown.
"You look beautiful Usako." Mamoru placed a gentle kiss on Usagi's cheek.
"I'm just wondering how beautiful I'll be when the girls find out I knew about their little 'surprise' all along."
Mamoru laughed at his wife. "I'm thinking they'll be surprised you were able to keep a secret."
Usagi laughed until she realized what Mamoru actually said. "That's not funny Mamo-chan." She swatted her husband. "I will have you know that I can keep a secret as well as anyone," Usagi playfully pouted.
Mamoru bowed his head in mock shame and replied, "Yes dear."
"I'm glad you're learning sweetheart." Usagi and Mamoru walked into their wedding reception.
Author's Notes:
Here is the second of my revision. Hopefully you will enjoy it.
Until next time,
Deadly Diva