SunTzu didn't participate in the celebrations on board, he rather went for a hearty meal and then dropped on his bed, late at night joined by his beloved girlfriend.

Rei was exhausted as well, after the diplomatic work with the refugees and the more or less existing government in the system she and her staff also had to prepare the asylum for the people that went with the Taskforce back to earth. Luna had joined them but just getting everything over to the offices on Earth took till late at night.

SunTzu was already sleeping like a rock when Rei cuddled up on him.

In his sleep he formed a smile though when she joined him.

He could have still slept on for hours when someone banged on his door next morning.

Just opening one eye, Rei motioned him to open the door and he stumbled towards the door and opened it.

It was Sailor Pluto. And she looked as if she was in a hurry.

"Good Morning. Dress up, we're going to train."

Of course. As Hotaru's superior it was also his fault if he acted out of line.

And this was his punishment.

"Give me a moment."

"Hurry. I'll be waiting at the training room."

He got ready, kissed Rei, who was already sleeping again as her day would begin early as well, and left.

A few minutes later he joined Sailor Pluto and Sailor Saturn in the training room.

Pilot and trainee were standing straight as the Senshi of Time walked up and down in front of them, having a stern look on her face.

"The thing with you pilots always is that you're hotshots and lack discipline. But don't worry, in the next few days I'll make sure that you will be so done after training that you won't get any bad ideas for the next time."

Both, Pilot and trainee, swallowed hard.

"This Time we will do way more than just Close Quarter Training, I hope you two are ready for physical exercises throughout the whole day."

"Yes Mom!"

"Yes Mo… Ma'am!"

The dark green haired woman stopped in front of SunTzu, side-eying him for a moment before she walked on.

"Very well then. We start with a little running exercise. Run to the Hangar and back, three times. Michiru is waiting for you there, you turn around after reaching her. You have eight minutes for the three rounds."

Somehow both of them made it in time and patting and sweating they stood in front of Setsuna again after the three rounds and back.

"Question." SunTzu asked in heavy breathing. "I am Special Forces certified. And you're a doctor. Why do I have to do this?"

In a blink of an eye Sailor Pluto slashed SunTzu's leg away with the Garnet Rod and he fell down hard backside on the floor mattress.

"Pathetic. You should have seen this one coming." She towered over him with an despised look on her face before she sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. She opened them again and looked at him, giving him his answer.

"First of all, as a Chief Staff Surgeon I'm a Major of the Medical Corps and therefore a superior to you, that you have and will oblige to. Second, I've been fighting battles and wars for way longer than you do and therefore have more experience. And third and foremost because you being so easy to fell down means you need the extra training, since your reflexes are lacking. But don't worry, when I'm done with you, you'll be as tough as my Vanguard back in my Fu Hao Time. Any more questions Lieutenant?"

What the hell is she talking about? And why it always has to be me? Why she can't pick on someone else for once?

"No Ma'am, excuse me if my behavior was out of line."

"Excuse accepted. And since you're down there already. Give me a hundred sit-ups."

Sailor Pluto maltreated them the whole morning and forenoon.

Sailor Saturn was allowed to get back to her studies after lunch while SunTzu's training would continue.

Although the young Senshi also had been forbidden to fly if it wasn't scheduled and grounded SunTzu didn't know if he got the worse punishment.

More torture labeled as training followed and he finally was allowed back to his room in the early evening.

After taking a shower he fell into his bed and napped away. Rei had to wake him up for dinner.

This went on for the next two days straight, except for a short break on the third day when Flight Control ordered him to turn in his reports of the last battle.

At the second day he felt every single one of his sore muscles.

Waking up on the fourth day he didn't even could determine a single spot of pain as rather his whole body was aching.

Rei had been busy too but as he got up trying not to groan to loud she woke up nonetheless.

"I'm sorry that Setsuna is picking on you. But I believe the training is really not the worst thing to do. You wanted to get better anyway."

As he sat down on the bed to put on his shirt she hugged him from behind.

"We're almost done with our asylum related work, so I should have some more time today. I'll give you a massage later, okay?"

"This sounds heavenly."

He took her hand and kissed it.

"And as soon as we're back on earth I'll make sure we can spend some time together."

A knock on the door reminded him to get going and a few minutes later he was back in the Training Room, Sailor Saturn next to him as Setsuna stood in front of them and her red eyes traveled back and forth between the two.

Suddenly she slashed out with the Garnet Rod at SunTzu's legs but this time he didn't went down but rather jumped over the Rod.

"Very good Lieutenant. Looks like our training is making progress."

A few hours later, SunTzu and Hotaru were at lunch together.

The training in the last few days, after a couple of exhausting days in combat taking it's toll on both of them.

They had been eating quietly through most of their meal when SunTzu looked at Hotaru.

"Did she always treat you like this?"

Surprised Hotaru looked up from her plate.

"No, never as harsh as she treats you right now not even nearly. But I guess you know that she does all this for a good reason. Setsuna has been fighting for longer than anyone can even imagine, I'm sure she will tell you about it one day. She just wants you to be at your best to do fulfill your duty as best as you can."

Maybe. But right now it just feels like she loves to see me suffer.

SunTzu and Setsuna held a last training fight in the early afternoon against each other.

Setsuna really needed to fight without restraint to overcome him but finally managed to put him down.

God, she's so damn fast with that Rod.

Setsuna looked down, standing over him, breathing heavily, and immediately offered him her hand.

SunTzu took it and she helped him up.

Both locked eyes for a moment, smiling exhausted.

Then they both took a step back and bowed down to each other.

"This time it was harder for me to get you. Good work. This earns you a free afternoon."

"Thank you for the time and effort you put into my training Setsuna. I appreciate it."

She politely nodded with a small smile.

"No that you take care of Hotaru as well, you have to be able to defend her."

"Not that she would need any help in defending herself."

They shared a smile at that remark.

After a lengthy session of stretching and a shower SunTzu felt way better than in the morning.

Soon Rei came over and when he told her that he was free as for now today she literally descended on him.

Finally they had each other again.


In the evening the Senshi and the rest of the inner circle, without the grounded Hotaru, got together and had a funny session of Karaoke in the lounge.

Rei and SunTzu surprised everybody when they sang love songs of their favorite musician each to the other.

For SunTzu it costed quite an effort but Rei finally had managed to persuade him to participate. Of course his voice wasn't as near as beautiful as hers but he found he did quite the decent job.

The attendants loved the two performances it appeared.

Undisputed star of the evening was Minako once again, even Michiru's couldn't beat Minako's Cover of a very famous Pop Icon, which at least partly was for the fact that she heavily flirted with the the attending males and Haruka while she performed.

It got rather late that night but the Far Side would land just tomorrow early afternoon at Earth again. Setsuna also told SunTzu, that she was busy tomorrow so he finally got some time to sleep out.

The couple woke up at morning, naked, just enjoying each other's company, the feeling each other's body on their own's, the feeling of being close and intimate, wishing this moment would take forever.

Rei listened to the beat of SunTzu's heart while he stroked her long dark hair, smelling the scent of her shampoo.

"Any suggestions for dates you wanna do back on earth?" Rei asked after a while.

After a moment of thinking about SunTzu replied.

"My perfect date is basically anything that includes you."

A wide smile appeared on her face and she kissed his chest.

"But I wouldn't mind if my favorite Miko would do something traditional with me."

"Hm… Let's see. How about some traditional tea drinking at the shrine? And in turn I get to decide what date we do next?"

"Deal!"

They kissed each other, first very gently and then more and more demanding.

The landing was basically the same as always. Thankfully they didn't had any heavy casualties this time, thanks to superior firepower and a cunning commander on the ground, but busses for the new inhabitants of the kingdom were already waiting and the refugees were personally welcomed by Naru and Gurio.

Rei went out with the rest of the diplomatic corps and helped with the accommodation. SunTzu landed AICA on the Air Base and said his goodbye to her before Ami took him with her to Juban.

Ami was more than happy to finally get home again and gone was the hard, calculating Commander she had been in the last days and they enjoyed a joyful ride home, looking forward to some leisure.

The data from Diagus was running through the computers now and that would take some time, allowing even Ami to take some time off.

She wanted to celebrate her promotion with a few days in a Hotel with Spa and Onsen in an neighboring prefecture.

Rei would still be busy for some time in the palace and also wanted to visit the shrine first so SunTzu took some leisure time for himself at home.

Coming back from another deployment he had to admit that he really didn't mind just being home again. Although he was sure that Rei's frequent staying made this place even more home as well.

SunTzu even found time to go shopping and cook before Rei would come over. He knew that she loved Thai Food so he tried himself on cooking a Thai Curry for her.

When Rei finally came to his place in the evening she was delighted to find a nicely decorated table and a fresh cooked dinner for her.

And although SunTzu apologized for his cooking skills the Curry was still pretty tasty.

He was beaming when she praised his cooking.

"Who would have known that TopGun would be an ace in the kitchen as well." She said and took a sip of the Riesling he bought for dinner, the wine for the Curry was a hint he got from the Internet.

"It's because my secret ingredient." He said as he was smiling proudly.

Rei sat down her glass, put her face on her hand and with a look of Love in her face looked at him.

"And what would that be?"

"Love. The secret is love."

He smiled at her and she smiled back.


As it was high summer it was still warm and the night was beautiful, so the couple decided to talk a walk in a nearby park.

The moon shone brightly on Tokyo and the Island that housed Crystal Tokyo as SunTzu and Rei ambled through the park hand in hand.

They bought themself some ice cream as dessert and ate it sitting on a bench looking on a lake in the park, the moon reflected on the water as the enamored couple enjoyed their cold delicatess and whispering sweet words to each other.

It was almost midnight when they returned to SunTzu's apartment.

The next morning Rei got ready and told SunTzu to be at the shrine in two hours while they had breakfast.

When SunTzu, dressed in a Yukata, arrived at the Hikawa Shrine, Rei, in her Miko Clothes, was already waiting for him at the Main Tori Gate of the Shrine.

They entered the Shrine and while walking towards the main building SunTzu enjoyed the sun on his face and the lovely green scenery around the historic buildings.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" Rei asked him, walking towards him.

"Sure is. Gotta be thankful for seeing days like this." SunTzu replied and Rei looked back at him, she knew what her lover meant, after that damned Village on Phu it was a wonder they were still alive.

She cleared her throat and shooed the bad memories and thoughts about it away.

"I sent Grandpa away to meet with his friends." She laughed. "So probably there will be a report in the news tomorrow about a bunch of old Shinto priests drunk misbehaving tomorrow. Phobos and Deimos are training so I ask a good friend of mine to help me out here so I have time to bring my culture closer to my boyfriend."

Rei lead him over to the window where they were vending talismans from.

A young brunette woman with blue eyes that showed a sparkle in a Miko-dress was sitting inside.

"Nanako?" Rei asked the woman. "This is my boyfriend, SunTzu."

"The pilot?" The young woman asked after she friendly bowed towards SunTzu who repeated the welcoming gesture.

"Yeah, the crazy Pilot." Rei stated with a wink.

"Not bad Senpai, not bad." The girl stated and smiled towards her friend as SunTzu blushed slightly.

"Yeah, could have been worse although you know how all men are." Rei replied.

"Hey." SunTzu chimed in.

"Just kidding." Rei turned around and smiled a warm smile towards her boyfriend.

"If you need everything, I'll be in the living quarters, having some tea with TopGun."

"Okay, but I guess I'll be good here. Enjoy your tea."

"We will. Thanks Nanako-Chan."

The couple walked further towards the living quarters.

"I've been knowing Nanako for a long time. She will be finishing high school next year and often helps out in her holidays here, although she also works part time in a cafe."

"She seems to be nice. And it seems she's really looking up to you."

Rei showed a proud smile.

"She used to immensly idolize me. But she learned to be her own person and has her own dreams. She wants to open her own cafe one day and I'm sure she will do."

Rei lead him to one of the stretched buildings afar from the building.

Inside Phobos and Deimos were training with various weapons including staffs, swords and shorter bladed weapons.

Both were wearing traditional clothes fitted for combat in their respective colors.

Right now they were sparing against each other with Phobos using a pair of Sai and Deimos a Wakizashi.

Both of them were very skilled warriors with their weapons and alone training with the deadly weapons against each other was an evidence of their skill.

"Rei Hino, I didn't know you had your own personal Ninja Assassins."

SunTzu told his girlfriend, eyes fixed on the training fight.

"They always have been skilled warriors. Lately they decided to step up their training , just in case someone would treat me or the shrine."

"Remind me to not make them or you really mad at me."

Rei's mouth curled into a mischievous grin and she hold up her hand, igniting a fire with a snap of her finger.

"Oh don't worry, I don't need these two to make you regret making me mad."

"I know, that's why I keep doing stupid stuff."

He smiled back at her the same mischievous way she was smiling right now and they locked eyes, passion for each other burning in them.

After a moment Rei got her composure back and looked over to the both young women, still fighting fierce with each other.

"Phobos, Deimos! That's enough, a great display of skills but if you will keep going one of you will get hurt."

The two Koronians immediately stopped fighting and bowed down to Rei.

"As you wish Lady Mars." They said unisono and then bowed down to each other, as sign of respect to the other.

Then they turned around again and bowed to SunTzu as a greeting how greeted them with a bow in return.

"Nice fighting girls."

"Thank you Master SunTzu. We'd be honored to fight alongside you one day."

"The honor would be mine."

The couple said their goodbye to the two women and went for the living quarters.

"This will not be the complete or real deal since we're not a tea house and we won't do the whole ceremony but still be prepared for the most kick ass cup of tea you ever had."

Rei announced as they got down in a room, located at the backside of the shrine. She opened the door, revealing a niece view of Tokyo while the outside of the shrine was covered in lush green because of the tree and plants on the back of the hill the Shrine sat on top.

When SunTzu was sitting Rei began the formal ceremony to make Usucha, the light green Tea.

She took her time to fetch and prepare the ingredients and the fine bowls while a stove outside heated the water.

The procedure took it's time but it's grace and the taste and the quality of the tea made it worth it.

When they were done SunTzu thanked Rei dearly for the work she did.

"Oh, one day we will go to a real tea ceremony. Maybe in Kamakura or so. One day." She zoned out a bit into her thoughts.

"Rei? Are you okay?" SunTzu asked her and she snapped back to here and now.

"Sorry, it was just thinking about something."

"Yeah, I saw that. You've been a bit off ever since we left from our last battle. What's wrong?"

"You really noticed that? I thought I hid it very well."

"Maybe it's because that probably nobody ever touched my soul as you did but yes. I see something is going on with you. What is it?"

"I… I… Ever since Phu I'm afraid to loose you. I mean this possibility always lingered around, since you're a starfighter pilot and I'm a Sailor Senshi but when I saw you getting shot something happened inside me. And i can't shake it anymore."

He got up and sat down directly in front of her.

"Listen, I understand you. Very well, I couldn't life without you. And yes, I know it was close and it wasn't the first time it was like that and so far we had tons of luck. But, I do feel as long as I am with you, as long as we are together nothing can happen to me. Really, and it's not just plain talking. I truely believe the Force or the Gods or whatever keep their guarding hands over us."

Rei's head slowly descended on his shoulder.

"You're just saying this to make me feel better."

"No. I really believe in this. And also I'm too stubborn to die before I haven't lived my life with you till I get old. Kids and everything involved."

Her head shot up again.

"Kids?! You're thinking about having kids with me?"

"Sure, you aren't? I was thinking about how I'd having a daughter with you. We could live here in the shrine when we're on earth and you're not busy being the Chief of State on Coruscant. I'd be your personal Bodyguard and Pilot of course."

Rei laughed out and shook her head in amusement.

"A daughter and being Chief of State. My god, you really were thinking through all of this already didn't you?"

"Of course. She would be as beautiful as her mother although her hair might be a bit more light colored. Her name would be Risa."

Rei's eyes widened and she locked her gaze on SunTzu. He nodded.

"Yes. To honor her grandmother." He paused for a moment. "I don't know if I have parents but I hope she might get to know her great grandfather. I wouldn't mind if she and her father would get to know her German part of the family also one day, tho." He paused another time and looked beside him, averting her gaze.

"Rei, you're all that I really need. And all a man could wish for." His gaze met hers now. "But one day, when all this is over and there will be peace in this galaxy, I want to have a family with you."

"TopGun… for a suicidal maniac you sure seem to think a lot about the future. I mean, why would you think…." She paused, unable to find a response and finally sighed in defeat. "Damn, I can't even keep my Tsundere demeanor up right now." Rei grinned and looked quickly down to the floor before she locked her hands behind his neck and looked him deep in his eyes.

"You really got me this time Topper. And I really have to admit your plans do sound appealing."

She kissed him affectionately.

"I love you." She whispered to him, her face next to him, their foreheads touching each other. SunTzu could smell her floral perfume, the distinct scent he only knew from Rei and he loved so much.

"And I love you, more than you can ever imagine."

They kissed again, longer and more passionately and Rei sat down on his lap, her hands now gliding over his body.

"I still have a surprise for you. But first I have a question. Did you ever had sex with a Miko in a Shinto Shrine?"


It was early afternoon when they stepped out of the Shrine. Rei had changed into a set of regular clothes. She still didn't tell him what her surprise was.

She told him to wait a moment and typed something into her phone. A few minutes later AICA appeared and headed towards them.

SunTzu turned around to Rei with a questioning face.

"What are you planning? And what is AICA doing here."

"It's a surprise. And I have to thank Artemis that he allowed me to use AICA for it."

"Where are we going?"

"Well, let's say it that way. I love you in a Yukata but I don't know if it will be the right clothes for our afternoon trip."

"Afternoon trip?"

"Well, usually you ask me to do something typically Japanese with you. And now I want to do something Bavarian. I want to see the country my boyfriend comes from and with AICA we have that opportunity pretty easy?"

AICA landed in front of SunTzu on the middle of the shrine's plaza.

"Good afternoon Meatbag. I heard we're visiting home? Shall we then?"

SunTzu was completely perplexed, he didn't expected this. He had been thinking to visit his home state from time to time but he always skipped it because he was to afraid something would happen inside him.

"Just a moment, I'll change my clothes." He opened one of the Starfighter's storage compartments and pulled out a set of regular clothes he always kept inside for if he would have to blend in somewhen.

"You can change inside." Rei told him, not really sure if he was happy or not.

A few minutes later the couple had said their goodbyes to Nanako, Deimos and Phobos who had come over and was sitting inside AICA. As it was hot and the sun was burning down the shrine was quiet.

"I did some research and decided we're going to the beautiful city of Nuremberg for today." AICA told them.

"Nürnberg?" SunTzu fell into his mother tongue.

"Does that ring any bells?" Rei asked from the backseat.

SunTzu noticed what he said and went on in English again. "It's a nice city. But it's not that I feel anything about it. Let's go tho, you'll love it."

Rei nodded.

"Off we are!" AICA spoke and lifted off.

To not get into any trouble or cause a scene, AICA had reported their visit to the City's airport and would land there and the couple would then take another mean of transportation into the nearby City.

Flying through space the trip around half the globe went very fast.

They landed on the airport and a small bus brought them to the airport terminal.

With Rei being a diplomat and SunTzu a member of the armed forces that doubled as Miss Hino's bodyguard the hassle to officially get into the country was almost not present.

They took the subway into the old town and city center.

"How about now, feeling anything?"

"It feels kinda nice to be in Bavaria but I can tell I'm not from this town. There's no feeling of coming home or something like that."

"I'm sorry. But we can visit more places over here in time and maybe we find something."

"No need to be sorry. Thank you for bringing me here Love. I really appreciate it. I was afraid to come over here alone, not knowing how it would make me feel. I'm glad you came here with me."

She smiled at him, as they were sitting next to each other in summerly clothes in the subway.

"I want to kiss you."

"Do so. Germany is a bit more relaxed with this things than Japan. At least I think so." He smiled mischievously and she gave him a small kiss, being shy about it.

"It's awesome that it's summer here as well." She stated.

Soon the lovers arrived at the city center and the first thing they did was to go to a proper local restaurant to have lunch, the world famous Bratwurst form Nuremberg.

And a local beer.

Both were awesome and they thoroughly enjoyed it.

They spent the rest of the afternoon with walking around the city and sightseeing.

Rei absolutely adored the old buildings, houses and streets and she took tons of pictures. SunTzu had to take tons of pictures of her and the two of them too.

For this afternoon they could and did let go and forget about all the struggle in the universe. The war, the danger they were constantly in, for this afternoon they were just a young couple in love being tourists.

And it felt great.

As the sun slowly went down over the emperor's castle and the medieval skyline of the city they were sitting outside in another restaurant.

Rei pouted.

"I don't wanna go home already."

"When do you need to be at the shrine again?"

"Not before tomorrow noon I guess."

"So. Let's stay. Just a second."

SunTzu spoke into his chronometer.

"AICA Darling, we will stay the night here. Are you good?"

"I could throw a tantrum but I was expecting this. No problem, I'll just gonna elongate my stay here. It's not gonna be cheap but nothing we couldn't handle."

"Cool. You're the best."

"I know. Too bad Hotaru is still not allowed to fly, otherwise I would have flown around with her the whole night. Well, whatever. You guys have a nice night, give my regards to Rei. And don't get into trouble."

"Don't worry, we will behave. Good night AICA."

"If something comes up, let me know. Goodnight SunTzu, till tomorrow."

Rei witnessed the call and now she was sitting there grinning from ear to ear.

"Now, let's go and buy you a toothbrush, looks like your not coming home tonight." SunTzu commented as he looked back up to Rei.

They spent the evening in the old town and enjoying the excellent catering of the city.

Somewhen they sought out a traditional hotel in the middle of the city and checked in.

Not that they sleeped much that night and somewhen after midnight they were lying in a spooning position, with SunTzu embracing Rei from behind.

"Thank you for the nice day Rei. I needed that."

"Me too." The Senshi kissed SunTzu's arm that was wrapped around her upper body.

"I enjoyed it a lot. It's nice to be a normal couple for once. Well at least as normal as we two can be."

"Who needs normality anyway?"

"Well… I sure wouldn't mind if we wouldn't be fighting a war or demons or criminals or whatever on the daily. And just be a normal couple. I'd rather have regular problems like a broken down dishwasher or clogged up drain than having to worry about that my boyfriend gets shot or someone wants to to steal the soul of my best friends."

"I do get that, but think about it that way, we leave extraordinary lives and apart from getting around we help a lot of people. And don't forget the adrenaline rushes, we get a lot more excitement than the regular office guy."

"Still… I wish there would be peace in this galaxy. And no such things as poverty and slavery for anyone. Naive, I know."

"I wouldn't necessarily say so. It's definitely not your fault the galaxy is such a dark place. And you're one of the few thoroughly good people out there."

"I guess I'm just tired of fighting. It's been going on for too long. And it's not getting any better. I mean, it was great to help the people on Glee Anselm but the senseless loss of life on Bestine or Phu? It's just sick."

SunTzu hugged her tighter and she cuddled onto him more tightly.

"I just wish there would be peace."

SunTzu began to stroke her face to calm her down after she said that.

"I know Rei. But don't think about that now. Think about that one day there will be peace in this galaxy. And we will lead a normal life."

With his caressing and soothing words she soon fell asleep.

SunTzu was still fondling her.

I promise I'll end this war as soon as I can for you. And for our future together.


After breakfast at the hotel they decided to have a last small walk through the picturesque old town.

They were walking around the old town near the Lorenz Church when a lot of fire brigade vehicles rushed past them into the old town.

When looking where they all were going they saw a huge black cloud of smoke coming from a few blocks away. The smell of smoke and burning wood filled the city.

The couple walked further and saw that one of the old residential buildings in the middle of the city and closed in by other buildings was on fire, the flames making they're way fast from the ground floor to above.

A shocked mother was treated by fire department medics and hysterically shouted that her daughter was still inside, in her room on the second floor.

The fire men were about to deploy their rescue ladder in the narrow street but it looked like the fire would be faster. Going inside was out of the question as flames were completely engulfing the first floor.

"Call AICA, you have to get me to the roof of that building." Rei said and ran into an empty back alley.

"Rei, wait!"

The next thing SunTzu heard was how Sailor Mars conjured her transformation.

He pressed his lips together for a moment and then called AICA to immediately come over to their position.

Not even two minutes later AICA shot over the city and landed next to her pilot and the Senshi, making people's heads turn and making room for her to land.

AICA opened the canopy before she even sat down and the couple jumped in.

SunTzu lifted off again and steered AICA towards the burning building.

The front side of the building was completely engulfed in flames now and the firefighters tried to somehow contain the fire on the one building only.

SunTzu hovered around the building to the back part that wasn't burning yet.

"I need to get in there!" Sailor Mars told him from the backseat.

SunTzu shook his head, activated the shields and crashed frontally into the roof of the building, leaving a man sized hole. Then he turned AICA around till her left wing was facing the hole.

The canopy opened and Rei got up, jumping on the wing and over it into the building.

"But I'm the Lunatic here." SunTzu pressed out as he watched how his girlfriend entered the burning building. He closed the canopy again.

Rei rushed through the flames not being affected by the fire and the heat. The smoke on the other side was dangerous for her as well so she hurried towards the stairs leading from the attic she had entered into the house's second floor.

She ran through the inferno and found a girl lying in the floor, flames closing in behind her and smoke rising to the ceiling.

Sailor Mars grabbed the girl, turned around with a swift motion and ran back up.

"C'mon Baby, we need to go!" SunTzu muttered as the flames were closing in.

Almost the whole roof was burning by now as Rei shot out the hole in the roof, the little girl in her arms and landed on AICA's wing.

SunTzu opened the canopy again and leaned out grabbing Sailor Mars and holding onto her while AICA hovered away.

A few seconds later AICA landed again, near the fire brigade's vehicles and medics and fire fighters rushed over to her.

Rei, still lying on AICA's wing, being held in place by SunTzu and shielding the girl looked up and into SunTzu's eyes.

Grime covered her but she smiled at him and he replied with a smile before she got up and carefully , the little girl still in her arms, got down from AICA's wing.

A medic took the child from her and began to immediately examine it, the child's mother came running over too.

The mother kneeled down and stroked her daughter's hair, the girl was awake but coughing now.

The thankful mother looked up to Rei with tears in her eyes and thanked her for saving her daughter.

Sailor Mars didn't understand what she was saying but she understood what the mother meant and she nodded with a friendly smile before she turned around and walked back to AICA, climbing up the snub's wing again.

As Rei climbed back into the cockpit and SunTzu was helping her inside, the people around, gapers and helpers alike, began cheering and clapping for the couple that saved the little girl.

Surprised the couple looked around and SunTzu kneeled down slightly and motioned to Sailor Mars, she was the one who saved the girl.

Rei bowed down and waved before she sat down and AICA, canopy closing, lifted off.

"Goddamit, Senshi of Fire or not, this was so risky that it could have been my idea."

"Yeah, I guess your madness is really rubbing off on me." Rei smiled playfully.

"Are you okay? Can you breathe right?"

"I'm fine, just a bit grimy."

AICA was almost in space again as SunTzu shook his head In disbelief while still looking at Rei who detransformed back, giving him a playful smile and a sight to behold.

"I have to admit, being a heroine still feels fucking great."

This prompted SunTzu to smile widely.

A few minutes later they were over Tokyo again and SunTzu insisted that Rei would get examined at least. He was so stubborn about it that Rei finally agreed.

Somehow it was cute how much he was worried about her.

They landed at the parking lot of the Juban Hospital and said their goodbye to AICA, she was about to leave for the base.

Inside the hospital they asked if Doctor Meiou or Doctor Mizuno were available and after a few minutes Setsuna came up.

Rei had sat down while SunTzu stood at the counter to wait.

The Doctor sighed loud as she saw SunTzu.

"Let me guess, another window? You know, with so many times I have treated you already, I could bring Hotaru trough college if I'd charged you for it."

"Errm… actually today I'm not the patient but Rei is."

"Rei?" Setsuna looked over to her fellow Senshi who looked at her and waved, still grime in her face. "What happened?"

An hour later they left the clinic, Rei didn't had any medical issues from the smoke.

"Our self regeneration is way more capable and faster working than regular human's one. And after all she's the Senshi of Fire."

Setsuna had told SunTzu after seeing the examination results.

"But it's still good and well considered that you got her here for examination."

The couple took a taxi to SunTzu's apartment and Rei immediately went to the shower.

"Five minutes before you join me. And that's an order Lieutenant." The Diplomat told the Pilot with a wink as she took off her top.


As Rei still had time before she had to get back to Shrine they went out for lunch and met with Minako in an Indian Restaurant.

They were sitting outside as they were eating.

Rei was beaming with delight and SunTzu emitted an aura of deep relaxation and happiness also.

"Rei's grinning like a Cheshire Cat. What did you do to her? And for someone that almost died a few days ago you're way too happy too." The blond Senshi stated about the couple.

"We just had two great Days." SunTzu replied and shrugged.

The couple grasped each other's hand and exchanged enamoured glances with each other.

"I love you." Both said at the same time the other.

"Gosh, just looking at you two give me 90's R'n'Bs vibes. I'm jelly again." The beautiful blonde woman pouted.

"Awww." Rei uttered to her friend and after shortly gazing at each other both Rei and SunTzu leaned over to Minako and kissed her cheeks.

Minako's pout immediately transformed into a smile.

"But I'm still jealous."

After lunch the girls said their goodbyes to SunTzu who spent the rest of his day on his own, taking care of his apartment and adult life. Even if you're a goddamn war hero you still have to do your chores after all.

Before the pilot went to bed he took care of some paperwork when he remembered something.

He put his chronometer up to his face and called in his starfighter.

"Hey AICA, I have a question."

"Anything for you Darling. Even if it's in the middle of the night and you just used me as a shuttle the last days."

"AICA, I'm sorry. You know we have training flights tomorrow."

"Well… but just because it's you. What can I do for you?"

"Remember when I told you to put some Galactic Credits to invest a few months ago? Whatever happened to that money?"

"Oh, a lot of it is still there. I invested it wisely."

Probably with something badly weird giving the AI's taste, SunTzu thought.

"So, how much is on the account right now?"

"2,3 Million Galactic Credits." The Ship said emotionless.

"I beg your pardon?" SunTzu asked, as he thought he misheard AICA.

"I said 2,3 Million Galactic Credits. It would have been more but I reinvested 3,5 Million Credits already."

SunTzu's jaw dropped to the floor.