Zoisite has been roundly punished for his disobedience. But even death is not the end of his trials and tribulations. Anime canon. Written for the 30th Anniversaries of the Shitennou.

Rated: Fiction T - Spiritual/Friendship - Words: 588 - Kunzite/Malachite, Nephrite/Neflite, Queen Beryl, Zoicite/Zoycite

A/N: This story takes place during episode 35 of the original Sailor Moon anime. By the way, I called this the 'Shitennou 30th Anniversary' simply to save space, it is more specifically Nephrite and Zoisite's 30th.

Many thanks to my beta RiverLethe9. Check her out on tumblr and Ao3 under the same username!

/users/RiverLethe9/pseuds/RiverLethe9

There was nothing.

No light.

No cherry blossoms.

And no Kunzite.

Zoisite wasn't sure what he had expected. But he had perhaps hoped there might be more than this.

"... Is this death?"

His voice was strange. It seemed to come from everywhere other than his own mouth. Did he even have a mouth, he wondered?

"It doesn't have to be."

The words resounded from all around, but Zoisite somehow knew they were not his own.

"What do you mean?"

"You do have a choice. You can remain here, you can go somewhere far worse, or you can go somewhere else; somewhere where you can help others. But that can only happen if you let go of your hate, your anger, your grudges."

Zoisite pondered for a moment. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask had defeated and humiliated him. Queen Beryl had destroyed his beautiful body and taken him from Kunzite. And then there was…

"... Oh… "

It was as if a fog had lifted from his mind.

"... Yes…. I renounce it. I renounce it all."

Glittering light broke through the darkness and Zoisite felt something not unlike sensation once again.

"I-is that you… Nephrite?"

Somehow, he felt the glittering lights 'nod'. "Yes, it's me, Zoisite."

"I thought so. I thought I recognized your voice. That's how I knew what the right choice would be."

"Glad I could help."

"Did… Did you really let go of your resentment of me?"

"Of you, of Sailor Moon, and of everything else. Being in this place, it all becomes very clear, doesn't it?"

"I suppose you're right. So what now?"

"Now we help more lost souls like ourselves."

"Do you think we might be able to help Kunzite, steer him off the path he's on now?"

"... Perhaps. But our influence over those still living is minimal at best. At least, that's been my experience so far."

"That's a shame." There was a note of melancholy in Zoisite's voice. "But… Even if we can't help him now… At least there is a chance we might see him again someday."

The glittering light seemed to almost sigh.

"Yes someday, although…"

"Although what?" Zoisite asked apprehensively.

"Should Beryl and Metalia triumph who knows what might happen to Kunzite. Or indeed, the entire Solar System. With the Silver Crystal, they might be able to re-write the very laws of this place and everywhere else."

"Then, and I can't believe I am saying this… I hope Sailor Moon finds a way to win. For our sake, for Kunzite's, and for everyone else's too…"

A/N: So yeah, this was the only idea I had for Zoisite and Nephrite. The pair let bygones be bygones.

I'd like to let you know I am involved in a discord called 'Moonlight Legends' which is dedicated to sharing all sorts of Sailor Moon fanworks, including other fanfics. If you would like to join so you can share your own work, get help with your current projects or just connect to other fan creators shoot me a PM and I'll send you an invite. All are welcome!