It had been six months approximately since a joyous Mamoru came home after his shift at the hospital, wearing a dreaming smile and with eyes shining with illusion.

And, even though in that moment panic was settling in the pit of her stomach, now that she reflects on it, Usagi could only laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

Seeing her husband like that certainly worried her, she even felt kind of intimidated, because, what if there was a new female doctor that took all of Mamoru's attention away with her charming ways and intelligence. Or what if there was a new nurse with a pretty smile and great humour sense that was her husband's new companion, leaving him quite exited.

What if…

No, it was not possible. She had lots of confidence in her husband and their love, and she simply knew that he was incapable of doing her something like that, so she decided to confront him like the mature woman that she is, and not like the whinny teenager that was only seconds away of taking over her.

So, preparing a quick chocolate mousse, the one that Mako first taught her how to do, she followed him to their bedroom, subtly trying to assess the situation.

Then again, Usagi only had to ask him about his day, for him to completely spill the beans about his suspicious mood.

With a little smile in her face, she remembered how, ignoring all of his appointments and the surgery he was supposed to perform that day, he launched himself into recounting the last part of his day. Apparently he was reluctant to receive one last patient that came just before the shift, but ultimately he decided to receive him and by doing so, he got a mayor surprise because standing in front of him was Hiroshi Saito, a man who Mamoru knew as Kunzite in another time. He told her how they talked about everything and anything, how the former general had made an appointment to treat the beginnings of a cold and how important it was for him to be healthy as part of his career as a musician.

Usagi felt relieved. Firstly because there wasn't a faceless foe threatening her marriage as she initially suspected and secondly, because even if she knew that Mamoru had several colleagues with whom he has good relationships, and that he also had Ittou and Motoki as close friends, she knew that in the end, he would always miss his Shitennou.

Several days later, Mamoru told her that he just got the notification of a new definitive patient for his regular consults, and that this new patient was precisely Saito.

They met again in several other occasions, slowly developing a friendship between them. At some point, Saito invited them to one of his concerts, which by the way Mamoru enjoyed immensely, Usagi… not quite; in turn they invited him to diner regularly in their apartment.

It was in one of those diners where Usagi learned that he had been dating Minako for quite some time.

On the outside, Usagi feigned ignorance and she simply went along with the topic, as if her friend's name wasn't even mentioned. Internally she was utterly disappointed, because even if Minako had told her that she was dating someone, she apparently forgot to mention who exactly that "someone" was. She let it pass for the moment, in hopes that Minako had a really good reason or a very convincing excuse.

Eventually Minako told her.

It was during a cold December evening, in which both friends got together after work to drink some hot cocoa and update each other about the latest gossip. Usagi told her some funny stories about her co-workers and how interesting the night of the Stars had been, obviously failing to mention who lead the conferences and who the organizer was.

Minako in turn told her about the next clothing sales, problems with some of her models and how she was kind of sad because her boyfriend was going to be touring along the country so she wouldn't be able to see him in about a month. Being as subtle as possible, Usagi asked her if they would one day meet the mystery guy; it was somewhat an inside joke among the senshi that this guy wasn't real and that he actually was part of Minako's vivid imagination.

Immediately the other blonde got really serious, signalling that that was not going to be a pleasant or funny conversation.

- Usagi-chan, the reason why I am not entirely willing to introduce you to Saito or why I really don't talk much about him is because I fear that you would think I lost my sanity… I met him several years ago, before I knew who we were or what we were, but even then I knew he was someone special for me. And now that I met him again, I knew exactly why… - she took a deep breath, maybe to give herself some courage, perhaps to gather her thoughts… and after a few seconds, she continued – Usa-chan, Saito is Kunzite's reincarnation. He has the same eyes, the same smiles... heck, he even walks the same way! – she then quieted again, maybe trying to guess what kind of feelings she could glimpse in her friend's eyes, or maybe just to breathe deeply to compose herself; she then lifted her chin, looking at Usagi directly in the eyes, finding there some incredibility or even concern of her mental sanity, however, Minako continued her speech – Usagi, I have not lost my sanity! I swear it! I know I saw him die! We defeated him, and I know that his spirit is resting in your husband's night table, but I swear to you too that it's him… please, believe me…

- I do. – Usagi cut her in the middle of her rant; sometime while she was speaking, Minako lowered her face so her bangs were obscuring her eyes, in order to try and hide the tears that were threatening to fall, but the moment that she heard those two precious words, words that she wasn't even sure she would hear, she lifted her face posing her confused eyes into the blue ones of her friend, those so similar to hers and so different too… and what she found there was care, comprehension and a tint of sadness.

Usagi then hug her tightly, while Minako got overwhelmed with uncontrollable sobs, she didn't know if her tears were from relief, happiness, or accumulated stress. Once she got herself under control, Usagi told her that she already knew about Kunzite's existence, and proceeded to recount to her, how Mamoru found him, and how he had met him several times afterwards. She told her, that she was only waiting for Minako to confide in her with it, and that she understood her reasons for not speaking sooner.

She also told her how she knew that Nephrite was somewhere out there too, that Mamoru had already found him, and that it was just a matter of time before Jadeite and Zoicite appeared.

The sound of the doorbell woke Usagi from her musings; fortunately dinner was already done and it was only a matter of waiting for her guests. With a smile she then went to open the door in order to welcome them.

-Minako-Chan! Hiroshi-san! Welcome!

Up until today, none of the senshi knew the real identity of Mina's love; however, Usagi knew that she would tell them when she was ready.

Dinner had been going on wonderfully, and even if Usagi's food didn't look great, no one could deny that it was really tasty; the atmosphere was fun and relaxed, and jokes were fired back and forth between them with easiness. However when they were about to eat dessert, Hiroshi received a mysterious call that make him leave the table. Judging by the several expressions that crossed his eyes, this call was really important, and after some more minutes, he finally joined them, but he was sporting a huge smile in his face.

The call was from his band's manager; it seems that there was an scouting agent during their last performance and their record label decided that, after witnessing their increasing success, Lantis Co. was ready to upgrade their music contract, so they were asking the band in order to make an appointment for the discussion of the new terms of the contract.

Obviously, Hiroshi promptly accepted to meet the agent, so they could discuss it with the company's representatives the next week. They decided that this news were deserving of celebration, so they proceeded to open the special Sake to make a toast in his honour.

It was Mamoru who brought up the topic when he asked Saito if they already had a lawyer in which they could confide that could accompany them to this new negotiations, to which the answer was that no, they didn't. in truth, they had never needed their services since Saito had really exploited all the knowledge gained during his business career, and that combined with his own natural ability to use every single opportunity they had, to administer their money and resources, usually led to not really needing the help of an external guy. However, this could be the appropriated time to seek the aid of one.

Hiroshi then asked if any of the presents knew a trusted one, at what Mamoru answered that he knew of someone that had a really good reputation, but that he personally hadn't met him, but that it was one of his bests friend's brother. He quickly wrote said friend a text asking for his brother's services. After a few minutes, Mamoru received a confirmation text, informing him that the lawyer could see them two days later in the evening.

In Japanese folklore there are several legends that deal form the existence of youkais, Spirits and courses, to the existence of sacred, mystical or even haunted places.

Thus, we have the legend of the Yuki Onna, who is a beautiful black-haired woman, in white clothes, that eats those people that are lost in the snowy mountains. There are the Nure – Onago, which are spirit girls who appear near lakes and are always drenched… and they would follow you around forever if you by mistake smile at them.

Among the sacred places, we have the Ise Daijingu or the Grand Shrine of Ise, which is located within the sacred woods of Cypress trees, in the southern part of the Honshu Island. There is a shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami and Touyouke Okami, and there is where all of the sacred wood for all temples nationwide are acquired.

In the other hand, we have the Aokigahara. It is a forest said to be cursed and in which many say it is haunted by the spirits of all those Japanese who year by year go there to commit suicide; it also has a record of really nasty stories of those who by any means got lost there for any amount of time.

This however does not have any detrimental effect on it's status as one of the most important tourist spots of the nation, and therefore, many people like to organize guided tours that allowed you to explore the "safer" part of the forest.

Or, as "safe" as you could get from that kind of place.

There is a story in between the people who lives near the forest about a boy that, maybe because he was throwing a temper tantrum, or perhaps because he got curious about something, it could have been because he got distracted, but he run away from the group of tourists that were visiting the forest one day, getting lost in the forest, and staying there for little more than two weeks.

There was a very thoroughly organized search party, conformed by the efforts of the local authorities and their dogs and equipment, and lots of voluntaries concerned about the well being of the boy. After some time, they eventually found him.

The boy was quietly seated under a particularly big tree, with his sight lost to some imaginary point and completely unaware of the rest of the world. He was quickly transported to a safer place, where he got promptly examined by the team of paramedics working on an ambulance, and who later stated that the boy was really dehydrated and malnourished, but everything else seemed fine, excepting the obvious state of shock he was currently in.

He was then transported to his home's nearest police department, where his parents got notified of the status of the boy, asking them to pick him up as soon as possible.

Everybody that once knew the boy closely could now tell you that after that, he never was the same.

Some people said that he never really got over the shock of being lost in a place like that, others, the more superstitious ones, assure that he was actually possessed by a spirit, or that he was actually visited by a Youkai. The truth is, that only Matsumoto Yuki knows what really happened.

The only problem was, to actually manage to make him speak about it, or, to understand his way of expressing his feelings of it.

Yuki had never really talked about it, and it is quite possible that he never would, but since that traumatic experience, he got a strange fascination for graphic arts… being oil and canvas his favoured ones.

He started making small drawings and paintings that had neither heads or tails, and that actually resembled Jackson Pollock's art. Little by little those paintings began to acquire form, shape or texture, until they looked like poorly detailed landscapes. Finally, just as his mind was clearing itself, Yuki was able to paint things that looked like they belonged to a fairy tale… or to several medieval legends from around the world.

It was just that who caught the attention of a Talent Hunter, the same one that several years prior had seen the same job quality, and the same nostalgia inspired work in another artist, Yumeno Yumemi.

At first, the hunter thought that maybe this young man was simply fan imitating her work, however, after he studied his work thoroughly, he noticed several and startling differences. Where Yumemi liked to paint with lots of light and colours, his were quite more sombre and sober, where she painted fantasy setting themed, his were more realistic, more tangible; you could easily feel what the warriors in it actually felt whenever they raised their swords in order to protect their kingdoms.

Another difference was in their painting's characters.

Yumemi liked to use female characters for her paintings, having them in different scenarios, as warriors, as princesses, in pairs, in group or alone, but always with lots of light and colour, in order to realize some degree of mysticism and to show off a certain quality.

Matsumoto on the other hand, was a little more versatile; however, he almost always had at least one of the same five warriors in different circumstances.

You could say that, one way or another, both of their styles complimented each other.

So, after a really brief negotiation, where the Talent Hunter offered the young man exposure and diffusion of his art, touring along the now famous Yumeno Yumemi, in exchange of a determinate commission for each sold painting, that series of galas were organized in several Galleries along Japan.

When Yumeno Yumemi was told about the new artist that would share Galleries with her in Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe, she felt extremely curious. It was common knowledge that almost all of the other painters didn't like to be exposed with her, because they felt that her fantasy charged paintings clashed horribly with their urban landscapes or with that bizarre expressionism resurgence that was having place among several artists, so she usually presented her art alone, gaining instead complete attention on her art.

Obviously, there were some exceptions to this rule. One of these exceptions was Kaioh Michiru and her Seascapes; in Yumeno's opinion, Kaioh was one of the most delightful people you could find in the artistic guild and her paintings were just as lovely. Also you could not fail to notice how the secret smiles that she shared with her lover each time they share a Gala, only fuelled the growing mystic aura that surrounded her. The fact that she always had a kind word of encouragement for Yumemi's work was just a bonus.

In the rare occasion that he decided to present his recent works, she also got to share space with Mizuno Ren and his Traditional Japanese Landscapes. Mizuno Ren was always portrayed as a really serious man, although she always thought that he was that kind of people who doesn't talk unnecessarily; rumour has it that he is divorced, and that he has a daughter in Tokyo, to whom he constantly send handmade postcards, and even thought he has never been seen with anyone that wasn't directly involved with his works, Yumemi has a polite relationship with him.

The fact that her manager had deemed that this new guy's work not only wouldn't clash with hers, but that it was complimentary, had her completely intrigued. She could not really wait to meet this mystery guy.

And dear Lord, what a surprise she got, when she met him for the first time! Or, what everybody thought was the first one.

Matsumoto Yuki was a medium sized guy, really thin and with somewhat feminine features, with light brown hair and with the most startling green eyes that make you feel as if he was looking directly at your soul.

Matsumoto Yuki was also identical to the guy that attacked her some years ago, when she was at the beginning of her career, and who used to answer at the name of Zoicite. If it wasn't because she did not see any sign of recognition in his eyes when they were introduced, she could have sworn that they were one and the same.

When she actually interacted with him, she found it to be a somewhat… interesting experience. The guy seemed to be quite serious, and his presence was always imposing; however, as soon as he became confident with the people he was interacting, you could find a really dry and sarcastic humour, a mind filled with witty retorts and a strange charm that no matter what he said and what he did, he was never annoying.

Yet, the feeling that Matsumoto and Zoicite were really the same person wasn't going away, so as soon as she got the confirmation of when and where the Tokyo Gala was to take place, she sent an invitation to those who she thought could clear her doubts.

When his brother told him that one of his friends needed the services of a Lawyer, lots of different scenarios took place in his head. There were only three people that his little brother considered as such, and none of them strike him as a troublemaker, so this should be a really special occasion. When he told him that the one who needed them was Chiba Mamoru, those scenarios were reduced to intrigues and gossip at the emergency hall or possibly an accusation of medical malpractice, so without hesitation, he told his brother that he was available and that he would see his friend as soon as possible, telling him time and place for the meeting.

What he got instead did not really resemble what he thought.

He cleared his schedule for the entire evening so he could fully focus on his brother's friend problem, because for some reason he felt as if he had to try really hard to leave a good impression on him; something inside him told him that this was going to be a really relevant meeting. And when his PA told him that his four o' clock appointment had arrived, he took a moment to relax himself before he told them to enter.

And there he was, black hair white skin and midnight blue eyes, surrounded by an aura that inspired him calm, respect and greatness. Beside him, he found gray eyes that belonged to a platinum blonde guy, about the same height as the black-haired one and that for some reason made him feel camaraderie, confidence and a different level of respect.

Also, both men make him feel nostalgic… somehow he felt as if he had already lived this before, that he already knew this people and he really did not know why.

Unbeknown to him, Hiroshi was feeling the exact thing as Yuusaku. Something inside him told him that this encounter had already been held in another time, that the people standing here face to face had already witnessed this exact encounter in another life, in another time… that none of them were really a stranger.

It was a confusing feeling, but it wasn't as different as what he felt when he met Mamoru, however, it was close at what he felt with Minako when he met her the second time,

For his part, Mamoru was really shocked. He already suspected that all of his Shitennou were somewhere out there, and he was hoping to meet them sooner or later, all the same, the feelings that came with each new encounter were completely indescribable. This time, finding the mischievous Jadeite, while in Kunzite's company, took him back to the very first time that he laid eyes on the younger blonde, in another life, when they were but children, before he could have called him his guardian, before he was designated as Shitennou of the East, and before he could have called him a friend.

The first one to come out of his musings was Yuusaku, who promptly introduced himself to the others, and making them snap out and do the same, he then asked them to come inside his office so they could explain the problem.

It turned out that it wasn't Chiba who needed his services, but his blonde friend. His name was Hiroshi Saito and he was the lead singer and front man of a Death Metal Band, who just recently got an offer for an extended and improved contract with their Record Label. They needed his services in order to make sure that everything that gets talked makes it's way to the final contract, to supervise that everything that they say and agree was in legal and lawful and to help them deal with all matters concerning copyrights.

In Yuusaku's opinion, it was a really interesting, complex and complete job.

Once they finished with all the details, including the band's representation with Lantis Co. executives, they just hung out for some time together.

Mamoru was ecstatic, Saito's and Yuusaku's interaction with one another was an echo of the realationship that they had in the past. Kunzite's serious and sarcastic attitude with Jadeite's playful and mischievous one, was really funny to watch. Yuusaku was looking for any means to annoy Saito… which was accomplished most of the time, on the other hand, Saito was trying to feign indifference at the younger blonde antics, which only fuelled Yuusaku's will to joke with him for anything… and then both of them would join forces to prank Mamoru.

Mamoru for his part could not wipe the huge smile from his face throughout the whole meeting.

Hello!

Nop, I didn't die, nor I abandoned the story, I haven't moved to Mars, I haven't changed my name or whatever crazy thing you may have thought happened to me.

It is just that sometimes life happens… and time flies!

But here I am again!

(I had this in Spanish in time for my birthday… but I had some trouble with this version)

References:

Lantis Co. is an actual Record Label, they manage several pop bands, some metal ones and they are in charge of several videogames soundtracks

All of the mentioned Youkais, forests and legends are real, in fact yes, Aokigahara is like the favourite place for those who want to commit suicide… and yes, the tours, they are also true.

If you don't remember her, Yumeno Yumemi is a character from Sailor Moon Classic; she was the host of one of the rainbow crystals.

The Chapter's title is from a Led Zeppelin Song that I was listening while I was writing.

In other news, this chapter was actually bigger, so I cut it in a half, if everything goes according to plan, I will be posting the next one before New Year.

Special Thanks to: Syulai, Guest, i1976 –blu notte, Isis Aurora Tomoe, lilymoon80, Antoinette Veronica, Rosieinred, Shadow Gazer, Hafesha, Silver Loreley, The Sailor Earth, Flare up 4 ratchet, Llavender, Charmz7, Chrissymoon101 and Carameldynr for their reviews, for favouring of following this story

I would love to know your opinion, so I hope to read you all soon!