3.) Many Hours

I know of only one duty and that is love.

- Albert Camus

LUNA

I slowly made my way towards Gaslight, knowing that Rei would still be there... even at this hour. From what I remembered, she always had kept odd hours and that had only intensified in the last few years. I supposed owning a nightclub, especially one as popular as Gaslight, was bound to make you a bit unpredictable.

I wrapped my coat tighter around myself, grateful for the protection it gave me from the elements. A part of me hoped it would serve just as well during my conversation with Rei. Doubtful though, a jacket probably wouldn't be able to stand against her fury for more than a few seconds. And that wasn't even mention her other skills.

I sighed, this whole situation was a headache. While Artemis was keen to avoid even the thought of the potential fallout their reunion could bring... but I had no such qualms. Someone needed to speak to Rei and ensure her loyalty when Minako returned. She had been allowed far too much leeway in her management of the conflicts in the past five years and that would change once her team returned.

Some one needed to take control of the situation, regardless of how things would work out amongst the team. If Rei wanted to fight this, I wanted to know.. so I could be ready.

Just as I was ready to cross the street to the club I pulled up short.

It was the red hair that caught my attention; such a distinctive shade that I automatically ducked back into the shadows before she noticed me. What on Earth was Beryl doing here?

I shrank back even further as I watched Rei follow her out, deep in discussion with the woman we were fated to oppose. I felt myself freeze, shocked at what I was seeing before me.

Rei was meeting with the woman who had torn apart our world.

Fear locked me in place, keeping me rooted to the ground. I could see our worlds crumbling around me, the death of civilizations echoing through time... reverberating through me.

My hands were shaking as I tried to steady myself, a cold hand had reached into my chest and was doing its best to crush every hint of breath from my lungs.

It had been years since I'd experienced the crush of the past like this – this crippling sense of defeat and anguish that used to wake me at night. Wake me and leave me shaking in the dark, too scared to cry out. To horrified to return to bed.

Nights had been spent praying to whatever gods remained that the girls would be spared this fate. That they'd never be confronted with the memories we'd removed.

I took another deep, calming, breath – righting myself with in my body as I successfully avoided a panic attack.

And instead of turning away from what I was seeing, I lingered; watching the two of them. Beryl laid a hand against Rei's arm again as Rei opened the taxi door for her. Rei gave a stiff nod at whatever Beryl was saying before gesturing her into the vehicle and shutting the door.

My arrival home was frantic, chaotic, and every bit of the mess that I used to be. And Artemis, as always, calmed the storm inside of me. Even if his lack of concern was inspired unprecedented levels of rage.

"Listen. I'll check in with her, talk to her a bit to figure out where her head is at... but I'm doing anything more than that; she'll tell us if there's a problem – she always has." He told me, his voice still sleepy as he laid sprawled in our bed.

I remained silent for a moment, knowing that he was only saying that to placate me. He really had no intention of questioning her at all. And yet, I felt better for it.

"You really should be more concerned about this." I told him, trying to keep the disappointment out of my tone. He smiled at me, rolling over so he could throw an arm across me.

"And you really shouldn't worry so much." He told me, pulling my body closer to him. "Now get some sleep, it's way too fucking late to be dealing with this."

REI

"You ran into her then." Setsuna greeted me as I got out of the car. She was just waiting there for me. I'd forgotten how odd it was to be around someone who knew you better than you knew yourself.

I staggered slightly, feeling more inebriated than I had earlier, before I waved the cabbie off. I pushed off the car as I found me footing, approaching her – choosing to lean against the hood of one of Haruka's cars rather than let my slightly intoxicated state intrude upon our conversation.

"Yes." I replied before running a hand back through my hair – hoping that the booze wouldn't hit me any harder than it already was. That being said, I also needed way more alcohol to deal with this conversation. I'd intended to ask her about Beryl and the future but the closer I'd gotten to the house... the more futile I'd found the questions. Especially as I knew I'd find no answers with her. Instead I'd just let her give me the answers we needed.

"You're drinking again." Setsuna commented, sitting on the hood of the vehicle next to me.

"Special circumstances." I growled, not making eye contact. It was bad enough that Ami got on my case about my smoking... I really didn't need Setsuna passing judgement on the one night I needed a bottle to help me fucking relax. Setsuna nudged my elbow. I looked towards her, a pack of my brand of smokes resting in her hand. An offering.

I reached out, taking them in hand; remembering that the only reason I'd even broken down tonight because I hadn't been able to resort to my normal coping mechanisms. That was all. That was an excuse I could live with. Otherwise I could pretend I was nothing more than a weapon.

"You're better than that." Setsuna told me as lit up, coaxing as much smoke and toxin into my lungs as possible. And I wasn't entirely certain what she was speaking of – for all I knew, she could read my mind. And then she clarified. "Better than the drinking at least. You've always been more inclined to smoke than the average person."

I smiled softly to myself, part of me wanted to believe that she saw more of my doubt than she was letting on.

"Well, when you've run into the root of all your nightmares..." I muttered, struggling to get my lighter to cooperate. I didn't trust my powers at the moment, I was too prone to outbursts when I was in this emotional state. This... could go badly.

"And you're stripped of all your coping mechanisms... yes, I agree, it was time for a drink." She told me, taking my lighter out of my hands and drawing forth the spark I wanted. I leaned forward and lit my smoke off the offered flame.

I sucked in a calming breath laced with smoke; letting myself settle slightly. The night, the appearance of Beryl, the information she'd given me... it had all been too much. But now that I was in Setsuna's presence, it all seemed more manageable.

"You could have at least warned me. I mean... Fuck! She almost ambushed me while I was working at work. The one normal place I have left and I would have ruined it the moment she showed up. If I hadn't been with friends, what little I have left in this world could have..."

Setsuna nodded, just letting me clear the air. I wanted nothing more than to throttle her for not giving me a heads up.

"Could have crushed what little connection I have left to the real world. We're you just going to sit back and let that happen?"

"You've always been fast on your feet. I'm sure you came up with an acceptable lie to cover for her appearance..." The goddess of time commented. I snorted, almost inhaling my cigarette.

"My coworkers may think we were engaged... I'm just hoping they never figure out she's a Senator." I muttered, more to myself than her.

"You've been keeping up with the news at least." Setsuna replied conversationally, a faint teasing tone entering her voice now.

I laughed. And didn't stop laughing for a good long time. Once the floodgates had opened, there was no stopping them.

"It's all I can bloody do nowadays, I'm not like you Sets. No one's like you." I explained, still feeling the barest hint of hysteria.

"I know, Rei." She told me. "And yet, out of all the years I've lived, I've never met anyone like you. Which is why I'm here speaking to you now... and not just calling up Luna about what you and Beryl spoke of."

"I didn't betray them." I stated. Even though it was more of a question. I wanted nothing more than to hear her absolve me of my actions – my talk, with Beryl. I didn't want to damn the rest of them because of my conscience. A conscience I hadn't listened to in decades.

"You didn't Rei. You acted with peace in mind, I don't see any future in which that is a betrayal of them or their goals." Setsuna reassured. I let out a deep exhale, purging all the regret that had festered in my mind on the car ride over.

I let myself collapse backwards, laying back against the hood of the car. My head connecting solidly with the cold metal. Hopefully I hadn't dented it or Haruka would kill me.

"God damn it." I exhaled, knowing she couldn't give me any answers. I just wanted someone who I could talk to. I gave a growl, asking the question for no real reason. I wouldn't get an answer but I needed to ask anyway. "So what do I do now?"

"Just breathe." Setsuna told me, breaking tradition for once and actually giving me advice for once. I did my best to follow what little advice she had given me, breathing deeply. I let my eyes close, focusing solely on the movement of air from my lungs; hardly noticing when she kept talking.

"Rei, you've always been a rather adept judge of character. You don't need me, or anyone else, telling you what to do."

"Like hell I don't." I muttered, tossing an arm across my eyes. "Last time... I fucked up and it felt like I was doing the right thing the whole time, this time it looks like it might be the right thing but that only makes me feel like I'm fucking up."

"I know what Beryl told you just as well as you do, this isn't my call."

"Yeah, well it seems like nothing's your call." I sniped back, then all of a sudden her history with Beryl hit me. And I swore again.

"Setsuna." I mumbled, moving my arm so I could look at her. It seemed like the moment my eyes met her face... a wall of neutrality covered up all the sorrow in the world. I groaned. "For fuck's sake. Why are we talking about me when you're the one who wants to jump her bones?"

"Excuse me?" Setsuna demanded, a dangerous tone in her voice. I rolled my eyes.

"Listen, I know I've told you this before, but it's okay to think of yourself first every once in a while..." I told elaborated. I might have been thinking about giving up everything I'd known and hoped for but she'd already done that.

"I could say the same to you." She replied evenly, the wrath fading from her eyes. I gave a soft chuckle, knowing exactly what she was talking about.

"Touche." I remarked, allowing a bit of a wry grin to settle its self on my face. I followed it up with a half hearted shrug trying to ignore the fact her point had hit home a bit harder than I wanted to admit.

"Still though, you've had hundreds of lifetimes to search for who you want if you've found it..." I let my voice trail off. I caught the dark expression on her face. I levered myself up on to my elbows, trying not to fall off the side of the car.

"Spoilers?" I questioned jokingly, trying to cover up how intriguing I actually found her lack of an answer. I'd seen hints of her relationship with Beryl in the last life but never really figured anything out.

"You're annoying, you know that right? I don't think I ever told you that last time around."

"First I'm hearing of it actually, though I'll take it under advisement."

"Good. Now I'm giving you a ride home before you fall asleep on Haruka's pet."

"You're the worst." I grumbled, rolling off the vehicle.

ARTEMIS

Early the next morning I settled in across the table from Rei. I'd probably called her far too early considering that I knew how late she'd been out the night before but... But Luna had been distraught the night before. Nearly beside herself.

It was the first time I'd seen her anxiety get this bad in this world. I'd known she'd been dealing with the memories of the past but... I'd never seen her that terrified of what could happen. To accuse Rei of what she had... there must be something else at work here. And if checking in with Rei would allieviate some of that, well, I'd do it. I'd been meaning to talk to her anyway.

"Equipment working okay? Anything else unusual pop up?" I asked, sliding her drink across the table to her as I took a drink of my own. We'd already dispatched with the pleasantries and I knew Rei would only stick around so long without a reason.

"Yeah. Its all working okay so far. Not that I've had any notable encounters." The first hint of a doubt began to enter my mind. I knew that she had met with Beryl and she was now lying about it. Then Rei sighed, looking thoughtful and mildly troubled.

"Not with any shadows anyway. You know how we were saying she was close? Well, we were wrong. She's already here." Rei told me.

I was torn between letting her know that Luna had seen them meeting but that would make her think we didn't trust her. Though if we kept it from her and she later found out the situation would be even worse; she would no longer trust us to be honest with her.

I finally decided on the lesser of two evils. Even if Rei didn't trust us, she still trusted her friends. And that's what would make the difference – she wouldn't have any other reason not to trust us other than a small lie about knowing she'd met with Beryl. Her friends would be able to talk her down from that.

"What? How do you know? I asked, putting the right amount of surprise and concern into my voice then I added a sense of frantic urgency as I asked the next question. "Are you alright?"

"She showed up at work. And don't worry, she just wanted to talk." Rei told me, leaning back in her seat looking completely relaxed. Though she still appeared... somewhat tense.

"Did she say anything that can help us?" I questioned, hoping that she had picked up on something from Beryl.

"Not particularly. She seems to be just as in the dark as the rest of us." Rei told me with a lazy shrug.

"Rei you do realize that darkness is kind of..." I said, attempting a weak joke. She actually laughed, somehow managing to find some humour in my words. For some reason this calmed me. She was acting... well, like herself.

"Okay. It was a poor choice of words." Rei admitted, looking down and studying her mug. She seemed like she wanted to bring something up but then the moment passed as she shook her head.

"So what did you want to meet up about? You usually just text me to ask how my equipment is working and leave it at that. You've never felt inclined to buy me coffee before." She prompted, displaying her usual finesse at getting to the root of the issue.

"Truthfully, I kind of wanted to check in with you." I admitted, Rei's eyes immediately narrowed. Suspicion and annoyance surfacing from the depths of her attempted poker face.

"About what?" She growled.

"Well..." I hesitated, looking her in the eyes before I finally finished the sentence. "Minako."

Rei paused, her gaze boring into mine, the look on her face was indecipherable. She sighed as she looked away and picked up her cup of tea.

"This is Luna, isn't it?"

"I – wait, what?" I startled. "I mean, yes, but..."

"I'm not an idiot Artemis. Since you've heard that Beryl's back you're bringing the rest of the team up to speed. Of course Minako's coming back." Rei told me plainly. "And if you're here talking to me about her coming home looking like someone kicked your cat... well, that makes me think your girlfriend is involved. No one else unnerves you quite as much."

Rei paused, frowning a bit at me as she leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms.

"So what does she want to know?"

"Can I just say that I also wanted to check in with you over Minako's return, but for wildly different reasons?" I asked. She allowed herself a faint smirk.

"I'm fairly certain I'll enjoy answering Luna's questions more than yours." Then her face softened slightly. "I do appreciate the concern Artemis. I just don't think its worth discussing again."

I nodded, knowing that she would still let me ask my questions... I just might not get a completely honest answer.

"Okay, so back to Luna. She's concerned about the level of freedom you've had and the oversight we've neglected to provide you with." I explained. "She's worried that you've grown too accustomed to working alone and that it will cause trouble when you're reintegrated into the command structure when Minako returns. She wants to know if you'll be able to take orders again or if there will be some... competitiveness."

Rei laughed, though I detected a hint of bitterness there.

"We were always competitive. I don't see how this will change anything. We worked against each other as much as we worked together... and it made us better. I'll take orders when I know they're in the best interest of the team. Otherwise I'll ignore them and trust my five years of experience to get the others out of any messes."

I smiled, knowing that this particular admission would not sit well with Luna but I saw no problem with her doing things the way she always had.

"I'm fairly certain that will be acceptable. Just remember you're going to be the one taking the heat from Minako and Luna... and possibly Usagi for causing trouble."

"I think I can handle it. I'm used to being the shit disturber." She remarked, leaning back in her seat. For some reason the bitter tone in her voice was more pronounced, then she smiled and rolled her eyes.

"I'll do my best to remind Luna of how things worked between you two before we set up this solution. That should help a bit." I assured her, pausing only fractionally before launching into what I really wanted to talk to her about. "Now, I want to know how you're doing with Minako coming back."

I paused, trying to go about this next part as delicately as possible.

"Now Luna doesn't concern herself with the messy relationship aspect of the team dynamic but I do. I honestly want to know how you're feeling about this. I'll understand if you want to take a bit of a break when she gets back until you... get used to being around her again." I explained, trying to be as sympathetic as possible. I knew Rei would struggle with this, that much was obvious. I mean the love of her life was getting married for gods sake.

"That won't be necessary." Rei replied in a clipped tone, her eyes steely. "Assuming you go along with what I have to say... everything will be back to business as usual as soon as humanly possible."

"And what do you have to say?" I asked somewhat warily, Rei was seeming far too detached for my liking. Maybe she thought it would be easier to distance herself as much as possible from the thought of Minako until she absolutely had to confront it. Rei frowned but didn't question my reaction to her, there was a pause where I could see her collecting her thoughts and trying to come up with a sales pitch for them.

"I've been dealing with these things on my own for years as they've increased in number and strength. My experience is... substantial, and in light of that, well, I want to ask that you and Luna don't put the others into any dangerous situations until I'm certain they can tangle with those things and not get their asses kicked." Rei explained, a frown on her face; she was already worrying about the others it seemed... She sighed and continued. "They'll be rusty and I don't want them dead because of that. I want you two to trust my experience with these things and let me ease the others in to this. That means none of them engage without me around, understand?"

"And how do you expect to make that work?" I asked. I saw the sense in her request but I didn't see how she would be able to manage it.

"Easy. Don't give them the tracking app. I can contact them and let them know when and were these things will appear. That gives me a chance to get there before they engage it and it lets them get experience in some what of a safe environment." Rei replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I'll see what I can do. Luna will want to have a briefing with all of you at some point to get you all on the same page." I told her, honestly not seeing how Luna could have ever thought Rei could intentionally betray her team. What she had done for them these last five years as well as how she was now more concerned about their wellbeing than her personal feelings... I didn't doubt her in the slightest.

Rei nodded and moved to get up from the table, I reached out a hand to stop her.

"You still haven't told me how you feel about Minako coming home." I pointed out, trying to show that I was genuinely concerned for her.

"I didn't realize this was her home." Rei muttered, shaking her arm out of my grasp and walking out of the coffee shop. I cringed slightly at the tone in her voice but I didn't blame her for it. I couldn't, not when I knew what I did about her. About the two of them.

REI

Today had been a long day. Almost too long seeing how it had started incredibly early with that coffee fiasco with Artemis. To be honest, I was surprised that so much emotional distress could happen in a single 24 hour period and have the day still not be finished. And yet, riding up the elevator at the end of my day... it very much felt like it wasn't over.

I groaned as the doors opened and I stepped out of the elevator, coming up short as I saw who was waiting for me. Silas was lingering outside the door to my apartment looking a bit uneasy.

"Perfect." I grumbled. "What does my father want this time?"

Silas gave me a bit of a guilty expression as he handed over a large file.

"This is the dossier on Senator Artair, your father is supporting her campaign and as he's still too ill to make public appearances you're going to have to give the welcoming speech at her fundraiser." Silas muttered, I took the thick packet of papers and tucked it under my arm.

"Great, I take it they have a speech written for me already?" I asked, knowing that they'd die before they let me get up there and actually speak my mind. Silas cringed slightly but he smiled.

"I'll drop by with that and the other notes they've collected on interacting with the media and whatnot later this week." He explained. "Her history, her politics, everything your father's men could scrounge up on her is in here. You could probably write her biography when you're done with that file."

I nodded tersely as I reached down to unlock my door.

"When do I have to have this information learned by?" I asked as I pushed the door open and stepped inside, gesturing for Silas to follow me in. He did so, watching as I tossed the file on to the kitchen counter carelessly.

"As soon as possible, ideally... but realistically? I'd say by the morning of the event." He told me with a grin as I pulled a beer out of my refrigerator for him. I pulled a battered cigarette out of my shirt pocket, reaching for a lighter that was in the cutlery drawer.

I sat down on one of the bar stools while I lit up. He sunk down on to the seat next to me, twisting the cap off his beer.

"How much do you know about the Senator?" Silas asked me conversationally, I gave him a bit of a look.

"As much as most people." I lied, I knew her better than I could let on; interacting with her in the past life had a way of teaching you a thing or two about a person. "Had she stayed in her political riding she would have been the incumbent but since her political party needs a win in our riding, one of the more important swing ridings in the country... well, they sent her as their powerhouse. And she's coming up against the local incumbent representative; who just so happens to be the current Minister of Defence. It's going to be a hard fought battle either way."

"You've been keeping up with the news I see." Silas commented with a grin. I rolled my eyes, it was the second time that day I'd heard those words... and they got less amusing with each rendition.

"Helps that she's gorgeous." I remarked with a smirk, knowing that Silas wouldn't judge me for that. He was a lot more relaxed about my inclinations than my father was. He let out a laugh.

"You saying she caught your eye?" He asked jokingly, nudging me in the arm.

"You saying she didn't catch yours?" I questioned in return, then I chuckled. "Can you imagine Masaru's face though if I got involved with her?"

"He would be far from impressed but it would be hilarious." He replied with a laugh then he hesitated, giving a bit of a frown. "And how'd you know she was gay? You haven't read the file yet and she hasn't come out publicly. It's one of the few pieces of dirt your father's men could find on her."

"Gaydar." I quipped, unable to believe that I'd let something like this slip. I had knowledge about her that I shouldn't have... and I was getting sloppy with it. I flicked the embers into the ash tray on the marble counter top, hoping that my lie had gone unnoticed. Silas smiled at me and shook his head.

"Whatever kid, be evasive." He muttered, taking a long drink of his beer; probably thinking that there was an obscene story there somewhere. "So seriously, what do you think of her as a candidate?"

"Off the record?" I asked, not wanting this to get back to my father... or anyone else for that matter. He nodded so I continued with a dip of my head. "I think she's probably the one chance this world has at moving into the future. The polls are reassuring, more than that actually, they're predicting a landslide win for her. Add that to the fact the leader of her party is just about ready to retire... she has a very promising future ahead of her if she plays her cards right."

"I think that's exactly what your father is counting on."

"Yeah, he wants the future Prime Minister in his pocket." I remarked. "He might be out of the political scene now but he can still manipulate it like no one else I've ever seen."

Silas rested his hand on my shoulder.

"Sometimes I forget that you grew up around this kind of thing. I still remember you as this kid who was completely in love with her best friend."

"Gods Silas." I groaned, fully aware of the fact that this actually felt comfortable for me. Silas had always done his best to treat me like family. "You're embarrassing, you know that?"

"Its what I'm here for." He replied. "Just try not to grow up too quick, alright? You've got the whole future to do that."

"Yeah, if work doesn't kill me first." I answered humourlessly, aware of the fact that my actual work could potentially be life threatening. Silas finished off his beer and clapped his hand against my shoulder again.

"It's not that bad. I mean sure the board of directors hate your guts but they're not going to kill you over that." He laughed. I grinned in return.

"No, they're just going to throw me to the wolves."

"Well, I should get back to the wife and kids... don't stay up too late studying, okay?" He told me as I walked him to the door. I nodded.

"Say hi to them for me." I requested, he gave me another smile as he stepped out towards the elevator.

"Will do Rei, it was good to see you."

"Likewise." I responded as he stepped into the elevator, I watched until the doors slid shut then turned back into the house.

The day passed by in a blur, or rather a headache... but soon I found myself stepping outside the doors of Gaslight into the crisp December air where my friends had gathered.

Makoto reached across the group to slug me in the arm.

"So sunshine, you've clearly had a long day." She commented, grinning at me. I rolled my days.

"I can't imagine how this day could get any better." I replied drily. It was then that Usagi skipped up to my side, missing the tone as always.

"I take it you're looking forward to this evening as well?" She questioned. I quirked an eyebrow, frowning in her direction as Makoto seemed to fade into the background.

"I'm so excited to meet her fiance, surely you are too? He's one of Mamoru's friends you know?" Usagi commented, a bounce in her step. My step faltered.

"Fiance?" I asked, doing my best not to choke out the question. It felt like my heart was being ripped out again. Minako was engaged?

Usagi nodded eagerly.

"Apparently they've been dating two years, they finally decided to make it official. He just proposed." She told me, beaming, she turned around to face me. My mind was still fumbling through the facts. She was engaged to a guy? "How come you're just hearing about this now?"

"Minako and I don't talk much. She's always pretty busy." I muttered. It was true, we were both a little preoccupied. I had let her go for a reason... she needed to follow her dreams to be happy. I just always thought that she'd come back someday and we'd go back to the way we were. I'd told her to call me when she figured out what she wanted... and apparently what she wanted hadn't been me.

"You always know when her albums are coming out, when her concerts are, what awards she's in the running for, and what movies she's filming... but you don't know something this important. What's up with that?" Usagi mused. I glanced over, my eyebrow rising. She was unnaturally astute today.

"How am I supposed to know about something like that?" I replied. Makoto did her best to stifle her amusement. Needless to say, she failed. She was laughing uproariously while Ami did her best to conceal hers with a cough. Even Luna had cracked a grin. Apparently I'd surprised them with how unobservant I was being. None of them even seemed to think there was a reason for my inattentiveness.

"Rei, it was all over the tabloids." Usagi said, sounding surprised. She looked too confused to even laugh at me like the others had.

The tabloids, huh? Well, at least that explained why I hadn't heard. I decided I might as well explain why I had missed out on this groundbreaking revelation.

"Remember her 'pregnancy scare' about three years ago?" I asked, they nodded. "Yeah. I stopped even glancing at them after that. It's unreliable bullshit."

"But she's getting married Rei. Married!" Usagi repeated, her tone was enthusiastic. It felt like she was physically trying to rip my heart out of my chest.

"I always thought marriage was your thing, apparently we were all wrong." I shot back testily, it was an instinctive response upon having to deal with pain. Hearing about Minako's engagement had put me in a foul mood.

"You don't have to be so mean." She complained softly, pouting slightly at the barbed reference to the fact that Mamoru had yet to propose. I rolled my eyes, refusing to apologize even though I knew that I probably should. Makoto grinned.

"That'll never change. She's always been a bit of a bitch." Makoto commented with a grin in my direction. I shot her a glare as my cellphone began buzzing furiously. I glanced down, a red light was flashing. Shit.

"Uh, hey guys, sorry to do this to you again but I've got to go." I told them. Ami frowned, seemingly catching on to what was happening. She didn't say anything though, which I was thankful for.

"Where are you going? We're supposed to be picking up Minako from the airport together." Makoto yelled as I headed back in the opposite direction, thumbing through the screens until I found the tracking app that Artemis had designed.

"I've got work to do. I'll catch up with you all later." I called back, my eyes flicked to Luna... attempting to convey to her that she damn well better cover for me since she was the reason I was in this mess. She nodded slightly before calling the groups attention to her.

"Let her go. I can't imagine how busy the bar gets this time of year... she's probably swamped with work." I heard Luna say, cutting across any protests they may have had about my departure. Wasn't much of a defence but I'd take what I could get.

I broke into a run, heading back towards my motorbike. As I ran, I couldn't decide if I was happy about this appearance or not. It gave me an excuse to disappear for a while but it also left me alone with my thoughts. I wasn't sure that was a good thing, my thoughts weren't exactly good company most of the time. Especially now that she was getting married.

MAMORU

I grumbled quietly to myself as I struggled to find a parking space. As much as I loved my friend... this was a tad unnecessary; it wasn't as though either of the people I was picking up would have more than a bag with them – they both had homes here in the city... public transit wouldn't have been that bad.

I sighed, finally settling on a parking spot buried within the maze-like airport parking complex. It was about as far away from my destination as one could get but it would have to do; I wanted to be there when Kunzite's plane landed.

Despite the headache he was giving me, I owed him that at least. Not to mention how much I owed his fiancee... Minako had saved my life, as well as Usagi's, more times than I could count. She'd always been a good friend of mine, even if we hadn't been nearly as close as the others in the 'inner circle' had been.

With a sigh I exited the vehicle to begin my trek towards to where I was meeting the others.

I watched as Minako took stock of those who had come to greet her and Kunzite, her face falling slightly when she realized who of their number was missing. I felt my smile freeze a bit, unsure how to explain this change of demeanour to my best friend. There was a lot we – I couldn't tell him about this group.

Part of me wondered if Minako had explained it to him... explained just what he was walking into. The monsters, the demons... the history; because no matter what bullshit Rei and Minako came up with to try and cover up their struggling, and usually failing relationship, they did have history. They had enough history to seemingly last lifetimes. And none of us really got what was going on between them.

But perhaps this was the end of that doomed cycle, maybe this could be the clean break that they needed. Minako certainly seemed happy with my friend, and I really couldn't bring myself to question that.

AN: As dedicated readers you can probably tell where the missed POVs occurred. Or rather didn't. Either way, I'm hoping to get absolutely shitfaced and fill them in sometime in the near future – because that's how one deals with grief and stress. But hey, at least I updated.