ACT 7 – ZOISITE, THE KNIGHT OF HEALING AND PURIFICATION

Satoru Minami would have rejected the idea of going to Mamoru Chiba's apartment in order to fix his computer (he was a Computer Engineering Student and he wasn't planning to spend his free time fixing computers here and there in Tokyo), if his friend hadn't told him that Kazuo Kitamura was the one asking him the favor.

Kazuo Kitamura, the teacher at Moto-Azabu High School: Satoru wondered why he felt so intrigued by that man and why he hoped to meet him again. He felt like he knew the silver haired man since always, sort of older brother and mentor, but he didn't understand why that feeling; was it a memory of his lost years? Along his two years of void, did he meet Kazuo Kitamura?

Was he going to meet Kazuo Kitamura at Mamoru Chiba's place? With this question absorbing everything else in his mind, Satoru knocked at the door. And he got the answer.

Kazuo Kitamura opened the door and smiled, "Hi. Thanks for coming."

Satoru's heart skipped a beat and his cheeks tinged a soft red for surprise and pleasure; why was he so happy to see that man again? He hid his happiness behind an annoyed attitude (he didn't want to look like a puppy wagging its tale) and walked past the teacher, "Where's the computer to fix? I have no much time to waste." When he entered the living room, his eyes opened wide in surprise for the five girls and the guy there, all their eyes on him; he stared back at them, any of them, his green eyes lingering on the blue haired girl knelt at the living room's table, her cheeks softly red while she looked like she was fighting against the impelling urge to avert her blue cyan eyes from him; he finally focused on the black haired guy.

"Nice to meet you, I am Mamoru Chiba."

Blue eyes, deep like the ocean; dark hair, like the midnight; calm and sweet smile, like a long lost friend. If Kazuo Kitamura caught his attention, Mamoru Chiba shocked him: the sense of intimacy and happiness exploded into Satoru's mind like a supernova.

"I am here to fix a computer." His voice sounded doubtful. His mouth dry.

Kazuo Kitamura walked by his side and rested his hand on his shoulder, "No, you aren't here to fix any computer, but to fix your memories."

Satoru stiffened and blinked, "Have you something to do with my memory's loss? Are you part of the past I have forgotten?"

Kazuo smiled and nodded, "Clever as usual." His hand gently squeezed Satoru's shoulder.

"Not just the memories of your last years, but the memories of your past life too."

Satoru stared at the black haired guy, "Past life? What are you talking about? Who are you?"

"My past name was Endymion. Your name was - " his lips pronounced the name, slowly, clearly.

Z.O.I.S.I.T.E.

Satoru observed the guy transforming. Along Mamoru Chiba's clothes changing into Endymion's blue uniform, cape and silver armor, Satoru's memories surfaced, memories of Zoisite, the knight of Healing and Purification: "MASTER!" And he collapsed into his master's arms.

CRYSTAL TOKYO

"VESTA!"

The red haired girl ran away from her mother and hid behind her father.

Mars rested her hands on her hips, "Vesta! Stop hiding behind your father!"

Vesta's arms wrapped around Jadeite's waist, hugging him from behind while her head peeped out, her long ponytail swinging at the top of her head.

Mercury placed her hand on her mouth and had a soft laugh while Zoisite wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

Mars had a deep sigh and crossed her arms on her chest, "There's nothing to laugh about, Mercury."

Jupiter patted Mars' shoulder, "Come on, come on, Mars! Be patient with the girls. When we were as young as them, we weren't much different!"

Venus wrapped her arms around Ceres' shoulders from behind and rubbed her left cheek against the girl's right cheek, "Not at all. We were a lot better than these brats. More mature." She parted from Ceres and had a caring smile, "We had to be mature. You are lucky, girls. Crystal Tokyo is peaceful if compared to what we faced along the 20th Century; for example, you don't need to hide your real identity from your parents, fighting against enemies while pretending to be normal girls."

Juno shook her head and sighed in disappointment, "If I think we were your enemies, at some point …"

Nephrite caressed Juno's green hair and smiled sweetly, "It happened a long time ago, and it wasn't your fault."

Cares turned to Kunzite, "At that time you were sleeping into your stone, daddy, weren't you? The way it happened to us too before Neo-Queen Serenity decided us to reborn in the 30th Century." She placed her forefinger on her lips and looked up at the sky, thoughtfully, "I would have liked to meet you and mommy the way Chibiusa met Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion before they became King and Queen."

Chibiusa laughed, "They were pretty different, Ceres! Mommy was totally different from now!"

Neo-Queen Serenity gently rested her hand on Chibiusa's head; she had a soft and loving laugh, "Really different, you're right, but it was a long time ago."

Endymion nodded, "A long time ago. We were just guys and girls trying to find our identity, learning to know each other and to love. Learning what our destiny, duty and power meant. Accepting it. It wasn't easy." He smiled, "Maybe, some day, you'll meet our old self. And not as enemies."

"Princess Serenity … Venus … Jupiter … Mars … Kunzite! Master!" Satoru recognized them, learning their new identity as they introduced themselves: Usagi Tsukino, Minako Aino, Makoto Kino, Rei Hino, Kazuo Kitamura, Mamoru Chiba.

And, finally, Mercury.

"Mercury!"

Ami smiled sweetly and nodded, "My actual name is Ami Mizuno."

Satoru grinned, "Nice to meet you again." He stretched his arm out and gently grabbed her hand. He didn't pull her to him but waited for her moving to him, slowly, her head down until her forehead touched his wide chest and finally her face buried against him. He waited until her arms slowly found their way around his waist and kissed her head. Finally, his arms softly wrapped around her, gentle hug respecting her boundaries.

Makoto clapped, "I am so happy we have found you, Zois – uh – sorry, Satoru."

Satoru glanced at Kazuo and Mamoru, "What about Nephrite and Jadeite?"

Kazuo shook his head, "We haven't found them, yet."

Minako wrapped her arms around Kazuo's arm, "But we are going to find them soon! Right?" She winked at him. Her eyes moved from Kazuo to Rei; she turned serious and parted from Kazuo, "What's the matter, Rei? You look so gloomy, today! Are you having strange dreams or visions?"

Rei shook her head and smiled, "Don't worry. Don't worry. No strange visions."

Makoto walked closer Rei and observed her, "So, what? Minako is right. You look strange, today." She rested her hand on Rei's forehead "fever?" and she removed her hand, sighing in relief, "No. Your temperature is OK."

Rei knelt down at the table; she rested her elbow on the table and her chin on her hand's palm, closing her eyes, "Next April I am going to turn 18 and I am going to graduate."

Usagi nodded, "I am going to turn 18 in June. But it's next year, we are still 17 years old and we are actually in winter!"

Makoto winked, "I am still 16 years old, instead. I am going to turn 17 in December, and Ami and Minako have just turned 17!"

Usagi opened her eyes and mouth in surprise, "Rei-chan! You are the first one among us who is going to turn 18! You are old! Are you angry because of it?"

Minako giggled.

Rei snapped, "Usagi-chan! I am not angry because I am going to turn 18! How can you think something so stupid?"

Minako smirked, "So, you have just admitted you are angry. Why? What's happened?"

Rei had a deep sigh, "Since I am going to turn 18 and graduate, my father has decided me to find a husband. Obviously, someone he likes and he thinks fitting to his daughter, I guess the son of one of his colleagues," her tone turned bitter, "Mr. Hino has high standards for his family."

Satoru blinked, "Hino? Are you the daughter of THAT Hino? The politician?"

Rei nodded, "My grandfather told me that my father wants me to meet a guy, son of another politician. I can guess his purpose."

Minako folded her arms, "Reject his offer!"

Rei laughed, both angry and sad laugh, "Of course! I have already rejected his offer. I don't want anything from my father, especially a guy to marry. What a pitiful thing, an arranged marriage."

Minako winked, "Bravo! Besides, you belong to Jadeite!"

Rei frowned, "Mina-chan, I don't belong to anybody but myself! Besides, I don't want to be a wife, neither Jadeite's wife. I don't see the need of getting married; our love is enough." She stood up and walked to the kitchen, "Mako-chan, what about preparing some tea for everybody?"

Makoto nodded and followed Rei to the kitchen.

After Makoto and Rei left the living room, Minako smiled sweetly, "She has just admitted she loves Jadeite, openly, to everybody. So surprising, from Rei!" She turned to Kazuo, Satoru and Mamoru, "Come on, hurry up and find Nephrite and Jadeite! Mako-chan and Rei-chan need them!"

Mamoru smiled, "I too need them."

Satoru grinned, "And I."

Kazuo nodded, "And I. And they need us."

"I am back home!" Rei entered the kitchen and smiled at her grandfather, then she walked to the hallway, "I am going to have a bath."

"Rei!"

She stopped and turned round.

"Do you remember when you asked me about missing people and their families?"

She held her breath and nodded, waiting for more.

"See, the guy your father wants you to meet; his father asked me for advice after the guy's missing, nearly three years ago. He was missing for nearly two years, and now he is back; he has come back six months ago."

She dashed closer his grandfather, enable to remain quiet in her previous spot, "Why didn't you tell me about it when I asked you?"

Her grandfather had an awkward smile and scratched his nape, "I forgot about it, until this morning."

Rei tried to control her trembling; she lowered her head and spoke, just a whisper, "I have changed my mind. I am going to meet that guy." She finally left the kitchen, her grandfather's surprised eyes on her.

Waiting for your opinions. And, yes, in this chapter a possible idea for a sequel (did you catch it?) maybe, or a way to keep this story going for a time longer than I planned when I started it. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. THANKS to you all!