Part II: Chapter 17

Lost Alliances

Serena was comfortably nestled amongst a sea of pillows in her bedroom. The balcony doors were slightly ajar, letting in the cool evening breeze. Light white drapes billowed into the room with each gust of wind, cooling the room off from the summer heat. She slept in a light prink sleeping dress that reached her slender ankles. Her long blond hair was back in one long braid that reached past her waist and laid over a nearby pillow. The blankets over her had been discarded, lingering by her feet as the weather had been uncomfortably warm this day. Though it was well past midnight, the princess was restless. She tossed from one side of her bed to another.

Her dreams had been troubled as of late. Since the news of her mother's passing, the last conversation they had replayed over and over in her head. Serena had seen her mother off, journeying with her to her ship before she departed. Serenity had taken her daughter into her arms, planting one last kiss on her forehead as the engines of the ship blared behind them.

Serena had pleaded with her mother to use caution, to only do what she needed to and then to return to the moon. The council meeting was drawing closer and she needed her back by then, not wanting to face the council without her mother at her side.

"You have made me so proud." Serenity had assured her as her small hand cupped her daughter's cheek. "You are ready to lead the people of the Moon and very soon, those of Earth. Remember your training, remember all that you have endured. Your strength is not to be underestimated, especially by yourself. You have all that you need. You are a true leader."

Serena tossed again as her mother's last words streamed through her head. She could see her mother, walking up the long ramp to the ship. She waved goodbye to her as the ship engines grew louder, ready to leave. She shouted something at her, but her words were lost in the noise. Serena strained her ears to hear her but her mother had already disappeared onto the ship, gone forever.

One of the balcony doors opened slowly as another gust of wind trickled into the room. The white drapes billowed further into the room, rippling like flags in the wind. A moment passed as a single black boot appeared on the white marble floor beside the balcony door. The hangings rippled around a dark figure that slowly entered the room, keeping his footsteps light and slow.

Serena groaned and tossed again, turning away from the stranger as she hugged her pillow, grimacing in her sleep. "Mother…" She murmured as her fingers curled around the edge of her pillow, turning her knuckles white. "Come back…" She whispered as she shook.

The dark figure was beside her bed, watching her breathe below him. His hands emerged from his dark cloak, reaching for the exposed flesh of Serena's neck. In one swift movement one hand circled about her throat while the other went to cover her mouth, muffling the scream that died against his gloved hand.

Her eyes popped open wide though she could hardly see anything in the darkness. She could only feel the force of a hand, cutting off her air supply. She struggled against him, thrashing against his grasp but he was quick. He was on top of her in an instant, pinning one hand down to the bed with his knee. She felt the air quickly leaving her lungs as the weight of his body pressed against her chest. She had only one free hand. She gripped at his fingers that were around her throat, clawing uselessly against his gloved hand. She could feel her movements growing slower and slower as her lungs yearned for air. Her vision grew cloudy as she struggled, feeling her limbs grow heavier and heavier. As her eyelids fluttered she lifted her hand and using her fingers, poked at his eyes.

The stranger fell from her, his head snapping back as he yelped, finally releasing his hold on her.

Serena gasped for air, her lungs screaming for oxygen as she rolled over onto her side and continued to roll until she hit the floor beside her bed. Her throat was dry, keeping the scream she was desperately trying to cry, from escaping her lips. She got onto all fours, trying to get to her feet and to the door that was just four feet from her fingers, but two hands gripped her around the middle, lifting her into the air as easily as a doll. She thrashed against his grasp, kicking and squirming as she tried to free herself but his grip was firm. She felt his arms wrap around her chest, pulling her back against him as his grip tightened.

She swallowed hard, finally feeling some relief to her dry throat. She could feel the air rushing from her lungs again but she took a breath, as deeply as she could muster, and let forth the loudest scream she could emit.

A crash sounded outside her door as her guards heard her cry, and rushed to her room to aid her. The stranger quickly reached for the door, his gloved hand glowed as the door illuminated, turning a brilliant white as her guards banged it from the outside, trying desperately to get in.

Serena took the opportunity to push her elbow backwards, hitting his rib cage with all the force she could gather.

The stranger grunted as he released her, falling backwards several steps as he grabbed his side, reeling in pain.

Serena didn't linger, she rushed forward to the door, gripping the handle and pulling with all her might. It didn't budge, not even one inch.

"It's useless princess." The stranger spoke at last. "You're trapped."

"Who are you?" Serena asked as she turned around, facing the masked stranger. His cloak shrouded most of his face and a cloth wrapped around his mouth. The only visible part of his body were two deep black eyes.

The man reached into his cloak, withdrawing a shiny silver dagger. "Queen Raven sends her regards." He said as he lunged for her.

Serena screamed and rolled away just as the stranger crashed into the door. He slammed hard against he ground but reached sideways, grabbing the edge of her dress. Serena felt her feet leave her as she hit the ground hard, the stranger pulling her towards him with renewed vigor. She could see his dark eyes, large and hungry, taking her in as he dragged her towards him. She reached outwards, trying to grasp anything that could stop her movement but it was in vain.

"Stop fighting!" The man growled as he grabbed her knees, pulling her to him.

Serena screamed again, thrashing against him but he was too strong.

"It's over princess." He said as the dagger went to her throat, pressing hard enough that Serena stopped moving. "Where's the Silver Crystal?" He asked with a snarl.

Serena's chest heaved as she took several deep breaths, her mind running through endless scenarios. She could go for his eyes again or bring her knee up to his chest but the dagger was right at her throat, one movement and it would all be over. "I'll never tell you." She said as she felt her heart beating wildly against her chest.

"Very well." He said simply as he drew the dagger back, ready to strike her.

Serena shut her eyes, waiting for the final blow… but it never came. Her eyes popped open as the stranger's grip on her went limp. A sword was visible through his chest. His mouth open wide in horror as he took one last breath and collapsed next to her. She sat up, crawling away from his body as her eyes took in another person behind him.

It was another man, clad in a black cloak, the hood up, obscuring his face.

"You okay?" He asked as he wiped the blade of his sword on her attacker's cloak and sheathed it back onto his hip.

Serena froze as he spoke. She knew that voice. She could recognize it anywhere. She slowly got to her feet, coming face to face with her rescuer that finally threw back his dark hood.

Blake.

Serena took a step backwards, her back hitting the door that refused to open as her guards still beat on it, trying to get to her. "Blake." Serena whispered as she realized the moment had finally come.

"Barrick." He corrected as he took a step towards her.

"Why? Why did you save me?" She asked as she gaped at him. Was he not their enemy?

"Serena, contrary to belief, I don't want Raven to kill you." He said as he held up his hands, showing that he meant her no harm. His deep blue eyes settled onto hers as he spoke. "I don't want anything to happen to you if I'm being completely honest… even if I didn't approach you with the most honorable intentions on Earth, you were my fiancé."

"What?" Serena said as she felt a shudder tear through her. That didn't make sense to her, hadn't everything between them been a lie? He had used her as she had used him. Her thoughts went to their last conversation on Earth, when they parted at the hotel. They had all but said goodbye then but the emotion tinged in his voice was evident even now as he spoke to her.

"I'll tell you the same thing I told Mina." Barrick said simply as his hands went to his hips. "I don't want to harm you or the sailor scouts. You're not my enemy Serena, but we do need each other. I can't let Raven kill you but I also can't let you get in the way."

"You've got maybe two minutes before they break through." She said with more bravado than she felt as the banging on the door intensified. "Tell me why you're really here. How did you know she was going to try to kill me?"

"I don't need that long." He assured her as he took several steps backwards towards the open balcony doors. "I've said what I've needed to. When the time is right I'll return for you."

"Wait!" Serena asked as she ran across the room to him, catching his wrist before he could disappear. His deep blue eyes bore into hers as a lock of his hair fell before his eyes. Instinctively she reached forward, brushing it back away from his face. "Tell me why, why did you lie to me? Why were you with me for three years?"

He looked back at the door which was beginning to crack from the force of her guards on the other side. "I'll return… when the time is right. Take care of yourself princess, give my regards to Endymion." He said with a nod and then he jumped over the side of the balcony just as the double doors to her room were thrust open, the last of the magic holding them closed had faded.

Nikko and Fabian rushed forward, their swords drawn. They reached Serena who was looking over the balcony at a spinning portal below that sputtered closed.

"Where did he go?" Fabian asked as Nikko sheathed his sword beside her.

"I don't know." Serena replied as she rubbed her arms, Barrick's final words still ringing in her ears.

"Did he hurt you?" Nikko asked as he noted her neck which was red and beginning to bruise. He tenderly touched it, causing her to recoil in pain.

"It wasn't Barrick." Serena noted as she gestured to the body on the floor of her bedroom. "It was Raven…"

"She sent an assassin." Fabian said as he used the front of his boot to flip the body over. "Something tells me he won't be the last…"

"Why did Barrick save you?" Nikko asked as he perked a brow at Serena. "What did he tell you?"

"He said we aren't enemies." She shared as she looked back down. The portal had completely disappeared. "He said we need each other."

"He's a snake." Fabian spat as he too sheathed his sword. "Don't trust him Serena, he's playing you."

"Princess." One of her guards interrupted as he bowed low to her.

"What is it?" She asked as she realized suddenly that her room was full of guards and her sleeping dress was practically sheer now that the room was flooded with light. Her cheeks flushed a deep red as she noticed her guard's eyes were politely averted.

Nikko noted her expression and shed his cloak, draping it around her shoulders without speaking.

"The assassin…" The guard whispered and held up the man's cloak. Now that there was light she could see the detail stitched onto his cloak. A deep purple insignia, circled with silver was on the breast of the cloak.

"Saturn." Serena whispered as she looked at Nikko.

"It seems they are working with Raven." Nikko replied as he crossed his arms. "They've killed Serenity, now they're after you princess."

Serena felt a ripple of goosebumps cross her arms as Mina and Kunzite appeared in the doorway, both still in their sleeping clothes and breathless, as if they had just run across the palace. All eyes in the room turned towards Serena, every guard waiting for their orders from their princess.

"Saturn killed my mother ... and now they're after me. King Albert is trying to eradicate us." She turned back to the balcony, taking a deep breath as her nerves slowly settled. "When we arrive at the Grand council meeting ... I shall publicly declare war."

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Raye took several deep breaths as she and Jadeite entered the royal palace on Uranus. They had opted to teleport to the planet, cutting down on travel time but the journey left Raye with an uneasy stomach. They had only a few days before the Grand Council was to meet. Darien and the generals were certain that Barrick would make his move there meaning that she and Jadeite had little time to repair any damage made to the outer planet alliance.

As her visit was official, Raye was dressed in one of her most lavish dresses. It was made of ruby red satin, lined with black embroidery that crisscrossed her skirts. The bodice was corset like and made of black satin, dotted with red embroidery, matching the color of her skirt. Her long ebony tresses were loose around her shoulders beneath a golden tiara. Beside her Jadeite was dressed in his uniform complete with a sword sheathed to his hip.

Raye battled with her nerves as they entered the great hall of the palace, walking straight to the thrones of the king and queen of Uranus. She knew they would have questions about Jadeite, questions she wasn't sure she was ready to answer. Her parents knew nothing of her marriage to him but once word got out, she knew their wrath would be harsh and swift.

"Princess Raye of Mars and …. General Jadeite of Earth." The guard announced as Raye and Jadeite approached the balcony that housed the two thrones. Raye curtsied as Jadeite bowed low, respectfully keeping his gaze to the ground.

"Welcome." King Marcus said as he stood from his throne. He was a large man, similar in size and stature to the king of Venus. The two were cousins, sharing the same grandfather. Marcus stood only a hair shorter than Rupert but his eyes were not as kind. In fact, they were such a deep blue that they appeared black to any onlookers who befell his harsh gaze. Beside him sat his wife, Queen Tara. It was clear who Amara favored. Tara had short, dusty blond hair and a sharp gaze. She had an athletic build and did not wear a dress as many of the other queens in the galaxy. Instead, she opted for pants and a loose white blouse beneath a rich, sapphire blue vest. She wore knee high black boots and a matching belt, a short sword also resting on her hip. Neither she or the king wore crowns or any finery that suggested they were royals. Their power radiated from their fierce presence and their commanding voices.

"Thank you." Raye answered as she rose from her curtsy. "I hope we are not intruding."

"Of course not." Queen Tara said with a casual wave of her hand. "If I married a soldier, I'd run from my parents too." She said with a cruel smile.

"We're not running." Jadeite said before Raye could open her mouth. He squeezed her hand as he finally lifted his gaze from the floor, bravely meeting the king's eye. "We are on a mission from King Endymion—"

"Curious that you are following the orders of king that has not even been crowned for two weeks." King Marcus said as he descended the staircase from the balcony that housed his throne. He kept eye contact with Jadeite as he walked. "Is it truly Endymion's orders or is it Serenity's? A queen that rumor has it… is deceased."

"I did not expect you to believe such silly rumors King Marcus." Raye corrected curtly. "Serenity is on a mission of her own and we still have our orders to follow."

"Fair enough." Queen Tara said as she crossed her arms. "Though it is difficult to discern who is to be trusted nowadays." She too rose from her throne but opted to lean over the railing towards them. "Especially two newlyweds who haven't even told their own families of their union."

"I am a sailor scout." Raye said firmly as she held up her transformation pen. The bright light in the hall caught the shiny metal of the pen, causing it to glimmer. "Same as Amara and Michelle and Trista. If you trust your daughter then you can trust me. My family affairs are not the reason we are here."

Queen Tara's eyes flickered over to her husband who had reached the bottom landing of the staircase. He approached Raye and Jadeite slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. "Our daughter may be a sailor scout, but she does not take orders from Queen Serenity or King Endymion. She stays out of the politics of the galaxy, as do the other girls."

"Did she tell you about Queen Raven? Of the darkness that grows in our galaxy?" Jadeite asked as he watched King Marcus. "The sailor scouts defend the galaxy against every threat and right now, there is a menace that has crept into your very backyard. We are not involved in politics but rather the safety of our homes. King Endymion and Earth stand with the Sailor Scouts ... our question is, will you?"

"Queen Raven is dead, at least that is the rumor. No one has seen her since the king of Earth died and Endymion was crowned. How can a ghost threaten our kingdoms?" King Marcus said with half a chuckle as he came to a stop, just four feet from Raye.

"She is alive." Raye said firmly. "And she is strong. She has sought out the darkness and taken it's power into herself. She works alongside the Negaverse, the true evil in our galaxy that will destroy us all unless we unite against it."

"Now you sound like a princess." Queen Tara commented as a smile stretched across her lips. "Amara told us much about you. She said you have a keen eye for the unknown. You use fire magic and the fires themselves?show you the future, past and present. Is this true?"

Jadeite cast Raye a sharp glance as she met Queen Tara's gaze with her own. "Yes. I can read the fires, at least, what information it wants to give me. I have seen the fall of our galaxy and I have seen rebirth. I have seen more suffering than our people deserve. If you wish to stop it, you must see what is before you. You must stop the darkness from spreading."

"The Steward of Jupiter feels the same." King Marcus said as his smile faded. "In fact, he said almost the same thing to us a week ago… word for word."

"What?" Raye asked as she looked at an equally surprised Jadeite.

"Tell you what." King Marcus said as Queen Tara descended the stairs to join his side. "You get the King and Queen of Mars to come to the council meeting, fully aware of your marriage… and supportive of it, and we will pledge our assistance to fight this nuisance. If you can convince them, you've convinced us."

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It was unusually quiet. Serena, Mina and Kunzite were seated at one of the stone tables on the open, covered second floor balcony of the Moon palace. Lunch had just been served and thankfully, training for the day had ended due to the heat wave that had suddenly struck the Moon as summer was now in full swing. Nikko and Fabian had returned home to Charon in anticipation for the Grand Council meeting at the end of the week leaving only Serena, Mina and Kunzite at the Moon Palace.

Mina shifted uncomfortably as a trickle of sweat slid down the back of her neck. It was midday and thankfully the covering of the balcony kept the warm rays of the sun from her face. The heat was still radiating around her, even without the direct power of the sun hitting her skin. Her shoulders were bare and her long blond tresses were up in a bun, though there was little relief from the heat that had settled over the surface of the Moon. She began to miss the air conditioning on Earth, actually, if she was being honest, that wasn't all she missed.

"Can you please pass the salt?" Mina asked Kunzite without looking at him.

A stone-faced Kunzite handed her the salt, taking care to almost toss it at her in an effort to keep their hands from touching.

"Thank you." Mina said as she caught the salt, sprinkled her food and set it back onto the table.

The only sound that broke the silence was the sound of knives and forks hitting the porcelain plates as Mina and Kunzite ate without another word.

Serena's brows lifted as she watched the two. They never looked at each other, any words shared between them had been short and to the point. It had been three days since the others had left and two more before they needed to report to Neptune for the Grand Council meeting. She found herself looking forward to the event, no longer able to withstand the coldness between the two former lovers.

"Kunzite, have you heard from Darien?" Serena asked, hoping to spark some conversation as she took a sip of her water. Her voice was still horse though her neck was healing nicely since the attack. The purple bruises were beginning to turn yellow though they still looked bad.

"No." Kunzite said simply as he took a bite of his food.

"Mina, will your father allow you to come to Neptune with us?" Serena asked, hoping that maybe her friend would be more receptive.

"No." Mina answered curtly as she grabbed her glass. "He wants me to either go home or stay here."

"Well, Kunzite can stay with you." Serena said as she looked at Kunzite.

Kunzite finally looked at her, his eyebrows raised. "Princess, I'm not sure that's wise."

"Of course it is." Serena said simply as she took a bite of her food. "I will be with Darien, the scouts and my guard on Neptune. Mina will have her guard here but the extra help will come in handy."

Kunzite opened his mouth to protest but Serena gave him a hard look, as if she were daring him to say something.

"As you wish." He said simply as he cut into his meat with more force than necessary.

"I don't need his help." Mina said as she glared at Serena. "I'm capable of protecting myself."

"Seems to have gone well for you on Venus." Kunzite said back under his breath.

Sighing, Serena looked at her plate which no longer seemed as delicious. She had just about enough from these two. She dropped her fork and knife and stood, her metal chair scraping against the stone floor of the balcony.

Mina and Kunzite looked up from their plates at her curiously as Serena huffed.

"You two need to cut it out. Goodness, you're like children. Just talk to each other already!" She said bitterly.

"I have nothing to say to a girl who plays with people's feelings." Kunzite said simply as he resumed eating his meal.

"And I can't talk to someone who won't listen." Mina replied as she crossed her arms, not even looking at Kunzite but rather the space behind him.

"I have no interest in listening to someone who abandons someone who needs them." Kunzite said with a growl as his eyes narrowed.

"There's your answer." Mina said with a roll of her eyes as she stabbed her chicken with her fork.

"Fine." Serena said as she pushed her chair in and went to the door of the balcony. Two guards stood on either side of the door as always, protecting their princess. "Don't let them leave until they talk." She instructed as she reached the doors.

Both Mina and Kunzite jumped from their chairs as the two guards bowed to their princess and shut the doors as Kunzite raced over to stop them.

"SERENA!" Mina called but it was too late. The glass pane doors were closed and the sound of a dead bolt locking cut through the air.

"TALK!" Serena yelled from the other side. "I'm going downstairs for tea and perhaps a nap, you'll be stuck for at least two hours unless you talk!"

Kunzite turned back to Mina who instantly looked away as she crossed her arms. She didn't want to talk. Not now. Kunzite had already made it clear he didn't want to hear what she had to say. She crossed the balcony to the railing, her small fingers curled over the edge as she looked down. It was a long drop. Sailor Venus could make it but not Mina Aino and certainly not in the dress she was wearing.

Behind her she could hear the scrape of a chair across the balcony. The sound of a knife and fork hitting the plate followed as Mina rolled her eyes. Of course Kunzite would've gone back to his meal. He wasn't going to the first to break and neither was she. Despite the heat, Mina resolved to stand and watch those walking to and from the palace. She envied their light laughter and casual conversation. They knew nothing of the evil seeping into the galaxy, even the news of Serenity's death had been kept only to the guard, at least until it was confirmed. Was blissful ignorance better than knowing their time was quickly running out? They had a few months left… was she to spend that time still angry with Kunzite or at Fabian's side?

A sinking feeling settling into the pit of Mina's stomach as she watched those below. They didn't know what was to befall them, and so life was continuing like normal. Mina didn't have such luxury. She knew time was short. Inwardly she groaned, knowing that she couldn't spend the rest of her time like this. She had to choose, if only to stop wasting what precious time they had left. The only problem was… someone was going to get hurt.

"I don't need you to speak Kunzite, just listen." Mina whispered as she took a deep breath. The breeze picked up as she spoke, cooling her overheated cheeks as she took another shaky breath. "The day we came back was my birthday. I woke up on the day my father decided I was of marriageable age and he held a ball. A ball that last I experienced, was uneventful but this time, it was different. I was different." She said as her fingers curled along the railing.

She paused, listening for a response from Kunzite but if he was listening, he gave no indication. She strummed her fingers along the rail, taking another deep breath before continuing. "As Mina Aino on Earth, I had freedoms that I don't have as a princess. I am bound by rules and guards… and my own father. I can't travel, I can't go where I want or do what I want. I woke up that day as a prisoner in a gilded cage." She whispered as she shut her eyes, recalling the events of that day.

"I was sad and frustrated and scared ... and then I saw Endymion— Darien… show up at my ball. He hadn't been to the first one, so immediately I thought that he had come to find me but the second he started talking it was clear his memories were gone. He didn't remember me, he didn't remember Earth or the other scouts or even Serena. To make matters worse, he wanted to court me." Her voice broke as she shut her eyes. "The man that loved my best friend was suddenly in front of me, basically asking if I'd be his girlfriend. I realized that not only was I a prisoner, but if he wanted me there was nothing I could do about it because my fate was in my father's hands." She shook her head. "And then Fabian showed up, his memories intact and ready to help us get everyone back together. A courtship with him offered me freedom I didn't have as just a princess. I could travel, I could send letters, I could get off the planet and reunite our team. I took his offer not for myself, but to stay on our mission."

She turned to face him, knowing how crazy all of this sounded now that she was speaking to him. She hoped that he would allow her to say what she needed to. She noticed that he had left the table quietly, now facing the door with his back to her. She could see his lavender eyes through the reflection of the glass doors, watching her without truly looking at her. She mustered the strength to continue.

"Kunzite, I was terrified of what was before us, not knowing where everyone was or where Raven was or what she was planning to do, but most of all I was terrified that I would find you just as I found Darien." Tears began to sting her eyes as her voice grew lower. "And my fears were realized when I went to Earth. You looked at me like I was crazy. I was a stranger. I was nobody to you—"

Mina knew he was listening though he said nothing. All was quiet behind her. She kept speaking even as her voice began to crack. "I wanted nothing more than to stay on Earth and remind you of how important you are to me and how I was to you, but I couldn't. If I wanted to stay I would've had to take Darien's offer and tear him from Serena's path. I couldn't do that to my friend. It would've been the most selfish thing I could've done to stay on Earth. I had to leave. I had to take Fabian's offer, but I made it clear to him that I wouldn't forget you."

"I never intended to fall for Fabian. I only ever promised him a chance. How could I not? He has done so much for our team and for me— for nothing. He helped us on Earth, he kept us from total annihilation at Raven's hands. He's helped us here in the Silver Millennium at the expense of the only family he has left. He dropped everything to help us when he didn't need to. He took a risk and I have to acknowledge that. He's done so much for us—" She paused as she realized all of the sacrifices Fabian had made for them. He had done so much just for the chance to be with her. Could she break his heart now? Was it truly Kunzite over Fabian?

"Does he love you?" Kunzite finally spoke as heturned from the door to face her, his eyes meeting hers.

"Kunzite, that's not fair." She whispered.

"Does he love you Mina?" Kunzite repeated. His jaw was set hard, his teeth clenched. His hands were balled into two tight fists by his sides as his eyes barreled into her.

"Yes." Mina whispered back as tears finally gushed down her cheeks. "I could see it in his eyes on Mars at the Fire ceremony, I could see it on Venus when I was taken and I saw it again when he nearly died saving me on Jupiter..." she trailed off as tears flowed freely down her cheeks. She choked back a sob that threatened to escape her lips as she took several moments to regain herself.

"Then we're done here." Kunzite said bitterly as he turned back to the door. He raised one fist and beat on the door, demanding that he be allowed back inside with four loud knocks.

"Wait—" Mina said as she darted across the balcony. She got between Kunzite and the door, her back pressed against the polished glass. She was almost a foot shorter than him but she drew herself up to her full height, looking him straight in the eye through her tears. "Kunzite, I can't love him when... when..." She couldn't say it. Her shoulders began to tremble as she kept her attention on him, never breaking eye contact.

Kunzite glowered at her, his lavender eyes were dark, flecked with distrust and rage. His breathing had grown short and ragged as he looked down at her. He said nothing as his jaw grew tighter and tighter.

"My worst fear was that you would regain your memories and hate me for what I've done. That's come true. I can see it in your eyes even now. Don't hate me for putting my team first. Don't hate me for doing what I needed to, to reunite my team."

"Are you done?" Kunzite finally asked through clenched teeth.

Mina took a deep breath as his gaze intensified. She had seen the look in his eyes only once before, when he had tried to kill her on Earth when he worked for Queen Beryl. "Kunzite, please... I choose you. It's always been you. It will always be you."

"You're wrong Mina." Kunzite finally spoke, his hard expression unwavering. "You don't hear yourself. You don't want me. You love him." He said cruelly as he reached for the door handle behind her.

"NO!" Mina said, pushing his hand away as she felt her blood run cold. "You can't say that to me, not now, not after everything!"

"After what Mina? After he has done so much for you or the fact I've done nothing?!" He shouted as he took several steps back from her. "Because you've said nothing of what I've done for you. That speech was all about Fabian. It's been all about Fabian since he showed you he had feelings for you on Earth. You pulled away from me then and you're lost to me now. You just don't see it. You love him… not me."

"Stop!" Mina said, shaking her head as fresh tears rolled down her already soaked cheeks. "That's not true."

"But it is." He insisted as he shook his head. "Just think for a moment." He said as he crossed his arms. "The Mina I know would've stopped at nothing to be with me. You wouldn't have followed some backwards, outdated rules just because you're a princess. That doesn't change who you are. You are using it as an excuse. Just tell me how you truly feel!"

"I have!" Mina cried as angry tears flooded her cheeks. "I told you that it's you Kunzite!"

"NO!" He shouted back as stormed away from her, kicking a metal chair out of his way in the process. The chair hit the opposite balcony railing and flipped over the side, crashing to the ground below. "Fabian is a prince and I am not." Kunzite said simply as he turned away from her, looking down at the shattered chair below the balcony. "That's what matters. He's the easy choice. He's the safe choice… he's your choice." He said as his voice fell to a whisper.

"Kunzite…." Mina crossed the balcony and grabbed his hand, pulling him back to face her.

"Do you have feelings for him?" Kunzite asked as he turned to her. His lavender eyes were softer, almost gentle as he waited for her to speak, almost as if he were pleading with her.

"Yes." Mina admitted, knowing that the instant she said it, she had doomed herself. "But I want to be with you—"

"I've lost you Mina, I've got to accept it. It's time you did too." He said as he turned from her and went to the balcony railing. He swung his legs over, falling to the ground with ease, landing gently on his feet. He turned to look at her one last time. Their eyes locked for several moments before he tore his gaze away, jogging into the gardens.

Mina fell to her knees, sobs taking over her body as Kunzite disappeared. She could feel everything around her crumbling. Had she truly lost Kunzite forever?

"Mina..." A voice said from behind her.

Mina slowly rose to her feet, turning around to come face to face with a white faced Fabian. A bouquet of flowers were in his hands that as their eyes met, fell to the ground.

"Fabian..." Mina whispered as her eyes widened.

"When were you going to tell me?" He asked in a low whisper as his eyes grew red.

"I don't know what you heard Fabian... you weren't supposed to hear all of that." She said back as she reached down and grabbed the flowers. They were soft white lillies, bound with a large yellow bow. She tore her gaze from him to admire them as he took a step back from her.

"I'm glad I did." He admitted as he thrust both hands into his pockets. "My question is, when were you going to tell me you didn't love me?"

"I never said that Fabian..." Mina said as she lifted her eyes to meet his. "I have feelings for you, strong ones but I just don't know that it's love... not yet."

"When you figure it out Mina, let me know." Fabian said cruelly as he turned from her and left her alone on the balcony.