This was amazing. And deliciously exciting. Ami was enjoying the passion that slowly seeped from the man in whose lap she was currently sitting. It was burning up her body and made her heart throb. Him calling her Mercury had registered in her mind, but the dangerous implications did not quite reach her consciousness. All that now mattered was the feel of his lips, the touch of his hands, the scent of his skin.

Zachary felt Ami bunch his shirt on his shoulders, her grasp almost desperate. He slowly moved his right hand up her leg, gently pushing the edge of her skirt up her thigh, but not going all the way up. Her soft skin a delight to feel. His other hand on her nape, pulling her closer and closer. His tongue gently evaded her mouth and he felt her gasp in response, her reaction sending shivers down his spine.

The footsteps of a nearing stranger went unnoticed until a sharp whistling sounded, drawing them out of the kiss. Ami blushed bright red and quickly hid her face with both hands. Zachary pulled her closer and sent a glare to the intruder, who smirked with a knowing look on his face and quickly left; his own girl was waiting at home.

"Ami." Zachary whispered and kissed the back of the hands still hiding her face. "Will you look at me?" he pleaded. Feeling embarrassed about the whole situation but not regretting it, she shook her head quickly, almost like a petulant child; her blue strands gently stroking her hands. He tried once more, "Mercury?"

Ami let the hands drop. Her instinct to protect her secret identity now the most important thing. She tried to get away from him, out of his hold, her hands pushing against his chest. But he did not let her. Zachary tightened his hold and, being the stronger of the two, pulled her closer. Her face now so close to his their noses almost touched. She turned her head away, avoiding his look. Her mind trying to think of an escape. Her heart now throbbing painfully.

"Don't you think if I meant you harm I would have acted sooner? I had plenty of opportunities in the months we have known each other. A public place such as this is not a logical place to make my move against you." He said, his voice a whisper. As if the intimate embrace was still the passionate one they were engaged in just few moments ago.

Ami stilled in the attempt to escape, knowing that his logic was sound. She still refused to look at him. And with her hands still on his chest, Ami felt his heart under the touch – beating fast and hard. She swallowed a lump in her throat and turned to look at him, trying to glare but failing to hide the hurt she felt. Hurt that maybe he kissed her because she was a Senshi not the smart and simple girl Ami.

"I'm sorry. I did not want to upset you. It was not my purpose." He stopped talking in whispers. Zachary loosened his embrace and Ami stood up and stepped away from him, too fast for his liking. But he had expected her to act just like that. "Please, I will explain. Will you allow me to?" Her only response was a slow nod.

Zachary slowly stood up, not wanting to upset her anymore that needed. He knew that he had started a mess, but she was just too important to him and he realised that he had not acted with logic but with feelings, calling her Mercury so suddenly. He should have eased her in on the whole knowing her secret identity thing and then revealing his own.

Zachary looked around, taking in the surroundings of any unwelcome intrusions or unwanted observers. Then he looked back at Ami and with a quick exhale, knowing he had her attention, let his own transformation shimmer in place. He opted to go without the cape, sword and headgear, trying to just show her that he knew and understood. He did not need his whole getup for her to understand.

Ami felt her mouth fall open in shock, not even hiding how surprised she was. But then she could not help it, her mind started to analyse everything. And for that she needed to hide her face, knowing that despite everything, to process this revelation she could not do it without showing all her emotions. For the peace of her mind, she needed her space. So she hastily turned her back to him. For Zachary the action was so unexpected that it was his turn to be surprised.

He let the transformation fall, turning back to his civilian form. Could it be that despite Mina's assurance it was possible that Ami may have no feelings towards him? Or maybe Ami was just too shocked at the moment? Maybe he shouldn't have expected her memories come back just after a second of seeing him as a Shitennou. He calmed down and waited for Ami to say or do something. She was just few steps away, he let her have a moment to herself.

Meanwhile Ami had started to go through a range of very strong and overwhelming emotions, and blaming for it that power surge from Serena that influenced all of them. After all, she was always the cool and collected one, even more than Rei.

First, she felt anger mixed with fear – what if this was just a trick from creep who kept sending the ugly monsters their way? Then followed logic – no, he would have made his move long ago. Then wonder – how long had he known? Had he tried to get her flustered on purpose in both his alter egos? Then came the realisation – Zachary and Zoisite was one person, and he knew her secret which made so many things so easy. Lastly, the relief – she could have her love story after all.

She turned and rushed to Zachary, throwing her hands around his middle and hugging him; the change in her demeanour taking him by surprise. She looked up at him and the smile on her lips set Zachary at ease. He knew he shouldn't have worried about his girl, they were meant for each other. He returned the embrace and leaned down kissing her hard. Now it was all possession and passion. Given and returned with equal fervour.

Ami gave herself to the kiss, freeing her mind of all doubt and worries for just this moment of happiness. Images of them started to flicker in her mind. Him giving her yellow roses. Him kissing her under a blooming cherry tree. Him leaning over her undressed and feeling the softness of a bad under her. Him lying down on the bottom of a gently swaying boat, next to her and calling her his water nymph, dragonflies with blue wings flying around and the soft waves rocking the boat.

A sharp pain suddenly pierced through her head and she stumbled away from him, clutching her head with one hand. More images started to crowd her vision, coming and going. Too fast for her to see anything. Urgent beeping sound came from her bag and the pain eased. The images continued to block her vision. Weariness suddenly overcome her and she was glad Zach was with her when her knees buckled and he was there to scoop her in this arms once again.

It was clear to Ami what was going on. It had happened to Mina, and now it was her turn. There was just one huge difference, Mina did not have a Mercury computer to ease the sudden burst of memories and everything tied to it. While the pain was taken away, she knew that staying awake was out of the question, even with the added help of supercomputer literally out of this world to taking care of the extra load on her brain.

She looked at Zachary, despite the fact that she still could not see anything behind the blur of memories, and with the knowledge that his reveal triggered her current state, managed to say a single sentence in a slightly raised voice letting her emotions running rampant, "It's your fucking fault!" before giving in to the blackness of unconsciousness.

Zachary, knowing that his only way at this moment was to be practical, sat down on the bench next to her bag; put the now silent bag in the lap of his little nymph he was still holding. He stood up while making sure that everything was safely in his arms, decided to leave the gymnastics ball in the park, and with one last look around teleported away.


Jake quietly closed the door behind him and moved closer to the Great Fire. The unmistakable form of Rei, already kneeling down before it, sent a happy jolt through him. He sat behind on her left side, and before concentrating on his own power for a session of meditation, cast a glance at her. Only a part of her face was visible from where he was sitting and he enjoyed the shadows from the flames gliding over her features.

He turned his gaze towards the flames, feeling that this day will bring something new to his life. Jake settled in a seiza style position, mimicking Rei and facing the Great Fire. While Rei had her hands in front of her chest, clasped together from palm to fingertips, Jake simple let his palms rest on his thighs. He practised his breathing as Rei had taught him, and let the sound of fire and crackling logs take over his mind. The scent of burning wood and the low heat of flames helping to relax and free his mind. The rest he did as was his usual practice, the Great Fire only enhancing his abilities, something he learned only recently.

He did not know how long they have been meditating, but he was brought out of his concentration by the quite murmurs he heard. He opened his eyes and listened for the sound. When he realised that it was Rei who was mumbling words he could not hear, he felt surprised. Never before had she spoken during her meditation while he had been there. Jake decided to move closer and raised from his position, moving forward, now kneeling on one leg.

Jake was about to touch Rei's shoulder when her murmurs became understandable and he froze in shock. She was repeating the same sentence over and over again, and each time she was raising her voice. Sounding more and more agitated and anxious. The lone sentence was bringing fear to his mind, a feeling he was pushing back because her words could mean anything. Anything to someone who did not understand the implications they could bring. But he did, and the words she kept on repeating 'she needs to have the Golden Crystal' were something that made him act as a Shitennou first and as a mortal man second.

He had to make a decision and he had to make it quick and ignoring feelings that brought him pain. Without changing his current position, he willed his transformation, bringing a sword in his hand. A sword that he placed against her slender neck, and with effort swallowing the pain he felt for his actions. Jake had decided some time ago that whatever may happen when he found Sailor Mars, he would choose Rei over her. Could it be that he had walked into a trap?

Rei felt the cold metal against her throat and her eyes opened in fear. She knew that there was only one person in the room with her, she had felt his presence earlier. And the same person was someone she now thought might be the enemy. Her heart constricted and the thought that she may have revealed herself to the enemy, allowed herself to be kissed by him, allowed to have feelings towards him, burned her heart in pain and anger.

She tried to move her head, to take a look at the man who was holding the blade against her throat, still hoping that it was someone else, that Jake was not behind her. The man sensing her movement pushed the blade with more force and Rei stopped the turning move. Now she knew she had to act and fast, if the danger as real as it felt. She hid her fear and let a neutral expression come over her features. Then she closed her eyes and made a quick decision, Rei willed the fire to grow more intense and blinding the assailant, at the same she time pushed herself into a backwards fall. On instinct, she moved to attack and in few seconds she was lying on her back facing the man and aiming at him with an arrow made of fire.

At first, Rei thought that she was seeing things but when the man in above her seemed to mirror her surprise she fully understood who was in front of her. Jadeite was the one who had a sword aimed at her. She opened her mouth to ask a question, but the man acted first and the sword was gone, a small flicker and his hand was empty. A single word flowed to her before she could speak, "Mars?"

Rei couldn't hide her surprise and before she could ask, yet again, Jadeite was first to speak, "Your signature attack is arrows made of flames that can burn anything. I would recognize one anywhere. And your injury hasn't fully healed as well," he ended with a smile, gently touching her lips. Then did Rei realize that never before had she used arrows. She had created one just now relying on her instincts.

Jadeite detransformed. While Rei had her suspicions during the last few eventful moments, seeing Jadeite change into Jake made her heart beat faster in relief almost bringing forth tears. She dispersed the flames and sat up, when the Great Fire suddenly grew towards the ceiling and she turned towards it, mesmerized by the images she could now see in the flames. A pain in the back of her head was emerging and slowly taking over and she sat still, understanding now what was happening. Jake was still in the same position, kneeling next to her but oblivious on the current situation Rei was experiencing. Judging from her expression of wonder, he let her be.

When the Great Fire returned to normal, Rei turned towards Jake and whispered, "I liked you before I knew you were one of the Shitennou." In her look Jake could see the question she did not dare to ask, so he simply replied and smiled at her, "ditto my Fire Fairy." Rei laughed and a couple happy tears made their way down her cheeks. Jake quickly wiped them away and cupped her cheeks, leaning into her and touching their foreheads. "I think I'm gonna pass out," he heard Rei whisper and had just enough time to catch her before she fell back down on the floor unconscious.

He swooped her up, one arm under her legs and the other supporting her back, holding her close, then left the fall of Great Fire to carry her to her room. He was almost at his destination when two more forms appeared near the door he was about to enter, and to his surprise both were carrying girls.

For a moment, the three of them were silent, their looks darting back and forth each other, when Jake broke the silence, "You know, if Lita knew you were carrying her in fireman's carry while we two here were perfect gentlemen, she would break bones very painfully." Nathan rolled his eyes while Zach added with a slightly disapproving look, "I would not blame her."

A voice called out, startling Jake and he almost dropped Rei, he managed to move his knee forwards in support before she could slip out of his arms. "What the hell is going on!?" All three of them turned to see Mina and Kennet walking towards them and they could see Mina was not the least bit happy about what she was seeing. They also noted that Kenneth was walking behind her, hiding a smirk and clearly saying without words that they were on their own.

Deciding to tell the truth before the girls in their arms get their version out, all three of them provided quick and short replies, fully understanding now who and what everyone in the vicinity was.

"Well, we sort of had a standoff with blades and flames against each other throats, and I guess she finally realized she loves me and passed out." Jake went first, but seeing Mina's eyes widening in fear and then squinting at him in anger, decided that he might have let his mouth do the talking before discussing anything with his brain first.

"Ermmm… I sort of asked her to help me with my injury. While we were in the middle of a sparring match." Nathan was the next one to speak, hoping that it would be enough of an explanation.

After this Mina turned to Zachary and pointing with an accusing finger spoke in a very calm and dangerous voice, "don't you try to tell me you were fighting or sparring as well."

"On the contrary, she hit herself and then yelled curse words at me." Zachary replied in a calm manner, clearly implying he might have been exaggerating the facts. Mina raised an eyebrow and following Nathans example rolled her eyes.

"Why are you all here?" Mina asked, but quickly continued, "No, I know why Jake and Nathan are here, but why did you decide you come here?"

"Seeing Ken's naked arse was not in my todays itinerary." Promptly said Zach. Mina coloured in a lovely shade of pink. "You kiss your woman with that mouth?" Jake once again spoke without thinking. Zach slightly inclined his head towards him and his almost-not-there smile said everything Jake, or anyone present and awake, that he indeed did.

Then he turned towards Mina, who was still sporting a light blush, and give a more precise reply, "I thought it might be safer here than at the apartment, and that the said apartment was busy. Didn't want to interrupt anyone." Nathan smirked at that but the angry look Mina sent him made Nathan quickly re-priotize things and he copied the way his other two friends were carrying the girls.

Mina walked past them and urged with her hand to follow her. "They will be out until tomorrow. Let's get them to the guest room, they will be comfortable there. Then you can tell me why some of you were fighting."


She was wearing a white dress. Her feet were bare. The girl was standing in a pool of blood. She tried to step out of it only to step even more deeper into the liquid. "Stop this! Stop!" She lifted up her dress and then noticed that her hands were covered in crimson as well.

"You did this!" a voice said to her, whispered into her ear. She sharply turned, dreading to see the owner of it, but was met with emptiness and the mirrors, so many mirrors covering the walls. "Stop this! Who are you?" she whimpered.

"It does not matter who I am. What matters is that you killed them. Killed them all." She heard the laugh. It was horrible and sounded vicious. She wished to never hear it again.

She shut her eyes and screamed as loud as she could "STOP! PLEASE STOP!" It did not help, the crimson colour was now visible everywhere when she dared to open her eyes, as if the colour was an extension of the sound. The laughter stopped abruptly. A hand gently grabbed her wrist. The girl did not dare to look but the same voice prompted her, "I won't hurt you. I am not the one that has left you. I am not the one who betrayed you."

She looked towards the source of the voice and was looking at the figure from the mirror, the man's face still hidden in the shadows. He let go her wrist and pointed to her other hand. "That sword is meant for your enemies. You did kill them." Serena felt cold metal in her hand and looked to find a sword. The double-edged blade shining in the darkness and its hilt encrusted with jewels in various colours. "It's meant only for your enemies. You will strike them down and not one will think you weak again. Don't let them take your sword. Kill them all."

Serena suddenly woke up and sat up, covered in cold sweat, Darien was asleep next to her and the sun had just barely began to raise in a new day. Her hands were shaking, her whole body trembling. For the first time she could remember the nightmare and she was terrified. The image of sword burned in her head, the smell of blood almost like a taste on her tongue, an insecure feeling overwhelming her and helplessness taking over. She let out a strangled cry, her body not obeying her, and she felt Darien move next to her. She was still in an upright position, tears now streaming down her cheeks.

Darien opened his eyes at the sound, an almost basic impulse prompting him to wake up. The sight before his eyes was one he was not expecting and a terrible feeling of dread rushed over his body. He quickly gathered the almost catatonic girl in his arms. Anxiety coming off her in waves.

He scooped her up and brought to the bathroom, quickly letting warm water fill the bath. Still holding her Darien got in the bath and whispered soothing words to her. Suddenly she started to scrub her legs and arms, all the while struggling against his hold. Darien did not stop her and watched her frantically trying to clean herself off of something.

"The blood. I must get it off me. Please, help me, I NEED TO GET THIS BLOOD OFF OF ME!" Serena started with a broken whisper and her voice ascended to frightened and desperate scream. Her eyes were wide and he was sure she was hallucinating.

He tried to help her, but every time he touched her, she flinched and moved away from him. Now fear was creeping in Darien's heart. "I will NOT let you take it from me. I will win this and then you all will see. Don't you dare to betray me stupid warriors," Serena was now crouching and looking at him with her eyes squinted, the malice shining in them shocking Darien.

He watched as she slowly raised in the bath, now looking down to him, her arm extended as if holding something in her hand and aiming it at Darien. "You stupid little ants, I will show you the true power of the Crystal and you will never hurt me again!" Her face was distorted by an evil smile and Darien just barely managed to whisper "Serena, this is not you."

Her body went rigid and without a warning she arched her back in an almost painful angle, her eyes going wide and her arms handing limply. A hoarse cry erupted from her lips and Darien moved fast to catch her before she fell, her eyes now closed and body limp.


Demande felt the moment Serena woke up and that he was finally successful. He savoured the feeling of dread coming off her and the satisfaction of his own Dark Crystal's energy having finally hatched in her, corrupting her. Now he had to act to make the change permanent. Finally, she will be his and how he had to only break her fully. Oh, what a pleasure that will be.


I'm back from the dead. And hoping not to disappoint.

Also: anits DASH diem DOT tumblr DOT com SLASH post/170149288468 SLASH sooo-i-just-randomly-re-watched-some-of-the-old