Sailor Moon - The Order of Black

Chapter Twenty Seven: Endymion's Folly: Rinjirou's Confession of Like!

Originally published 28/09/2015

AN: Just a brief warning, there's some pretty substantial fluff up front. It's been too long without and I didn't have the heart to trim what I thought was a nice bit of bonding between Corey and the girls. There's also some MORE fluff in the middle. Oh, and the Japanese title-card inspired title makes a return! I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Corey watched the eight-ball roll forward and drop into the corner pocket. Precisely as his girlfriend had called. "I don't believe it."

"I can't blame you," Ami agreed, studying the table intently. "The statistical likelihood of Minako's success was-"

"I really don't want to know the numbers, Ami."

The excited blonde cradled her cue under her arm and clapped. "That means I win, right?"

Makoto answered for him. "She completely schooled you!"

They were hanging out at the recently re-opened Crown arcade, complete with new pool tables. At least on the surface, they were here for fun…but the truth was Corey just didn't want to think about his role in the assault on the Sanctuary. Two people were dead because of his advice to Usagi. Perhaps Titus could have convinced Rinjirou to assist him in a surgical strike. Maybe they could have gone in alone. At the very least they could have planned it better. Instead, they blundered into a protracted engagement with the Order's forces, all but assuring casualties.

If Honour or Lucius had seen that, he thought bitterly, they'd be so disappointed in me. I have to do better. I have to be better. Unfortunately, that meant figuring out how. There was also the matter of Usagi. They will hadn't spoke about the raid. She was busy – with what, he didn't know – and that was fine by him. It gave him time to think.

Rei's quiet snicker drifted in from behind him. "What happened, Corey? I thought you were good at this."

His cheeks began burning. I did brag a little when Minako challenged me. "Yeah, well…"

Minako cleared her throat. "I believe someone owes me five-hundred yen. Pay up, cutie!"

Corey reluctantly dug into his pocket and handed her a few notes. "I thought the Crown was finally cool now that it had a pool table, but I wasn't expecting to get hustled by my own girlfriend!"

Rei and Mako burst out laughing, abandoning any pretence of restraint. Even Ami had a hand to her mouth.

"I didn't hustle you," Minako protested, as she slipped her winnings into her bag. "I've never played pool before today! Although…" Her finger tapped against her cheek thoughtfully as she stared down at the table again. "I guess I was always good at sports…and aiming is aiming, whether it's a crescent beam or a pool stick."

"Cue," Ami said absently, correcting her as she tapped away at her computer. "So, the odds are even worse than I thought-"

The blonde nodded emphatically. "See? I don't even know what the stupid thing's called!"

Corey could only muster a pained expression in reply as Makoto patted him on the shoulder. "Shake it off, big guy. It's not like you got emasculated, or-" She erupted in another fit of laughter, doubling over as if in pain. "Wait! That's exactly what happened!"

"Oh, gods," Rei gasped, wiping tears from her eyes. "My stomach hurts!"

"Laugh it up, girls," he muttered good-naturedly, racking the balls again. "Let's see one of you take her on, then."

Minako's laugh was really more of a snort. "Oh, please. They all know better than that!"

"Unfortunately true," Rei agreed, her reluctance clear.

Ami nodded, finally looking up from her computer. "She does have a history of this sort of thing."

"Besides," Minako cooed, leaning in close to the miko with a brilliant smile. "I'd much rather talk about a certain boyfriend of yours, Rei!"

Mako perked up immediately. "Oh? Do tell!"

"Shut up!" the miko hissed, her cheeks turning crimson. "I don't have one!"

"But you wish you did!" Minako teased, making kissy faces at her. "Oh, Rinjirou, I really like you but I can't confess my true feelings because I'm, gasp, shy!"

"Him?!" Corey sputtered, very nearly spitting his drink all over the floor. "What the hell do you like him for?!"

The raven-haired woman's response was vitriolic, to say the least. "Who says I do?!"

Minako raised her hand. "Me?"

"Shut it, airhead!" she snarled, before turning a venomous glare on Corey. "And you! What kind of stupid question is that? Even if I did like him – not that I'm saying I do – why do you love Minako so much?!"

He recoiled instinctively from her outburst. "Well, I-"

"Rhetorical, Corey! My point is you can't say why you were first attracted to her! You just were!"

"But he tried to kill you!" he argued, ignoring Minako's frantic 'stop' gestures. "He still hates you!"

"He hates the Sailor Senshi," the miko muttered, over folded arms. "He seems perfectly okay with me."

Ami's shrug was entirely too casual for Corey's liking. "He seems positively fond of you."

Was everyone crazy but him? "You are a-"

Minako and Makoto coughed loudly as a group of students passed by, with the blonde continuing afterwards. "I think he's harmless enough, Corey. Though he did call me crazy…"

Rei jumped in quickly with a snarky retort. "Not the first, and he certainly won't be the last!"

That was news to Corey. "He apologised, right?"

Minako frowned. "Well, he did, but then he took it back and called me names all over again." A quick, angry huff blew her bangs out of her eyes. "Jerk."

He was at a loss as to what to do. I'm meant to stand up for my girlfriend, right? "Should I...kick his ass?"

She giggled melodiously. "Oh, that's sweet, cutie, but if I thought that was necessary I'd do it myself."

"Also probably true," Makoto murmured.

"Still, I guess he's not so bad when he's not being a colossal jerkface. Small j, of course."

Rei nudged him, not particularly gently. "It's not very just of you to advocate kicking someone's ass, Corey."

"Yeah, Sir Justice," Makoto agreed, with a playful wink. "Aren't you meant to be above that sort of thing?"

Corey's nagging guilt resurfaced, his thoughts returning to the Sanctuary. They were right, he should be better…yet here he was threatening to beat Rinjirou over some harsh words. What's wrong with me? Why is it so hard to think more objectively? Everything I do seems based on emotion over sound judgement. Am I doomed to fail everyone all over again?

Rei nudged him again. "Hey, it was just a joke. No need to get upset."

Ami wore a similar look of concern. "Nobody really thinks that, Corey."

He shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts. "No, I'm not upset. Just tired. My body clock's still off."

Minako peered at him closely, giving off a very strong impression that she didn't believe him. "Are you sure? You never did tell me what happened in Brussels."

"Absolutely positive. It's nothing." Nothing he was ready to discuss, at least. Not until he'd come to terms with it himself. "Let's just move on, huh?"

"Well, as long as you're sure, I'll head off," Rei said, bending to retrieve her handbag. "I've left Rinjirou alone long enough. There's no telling how many visitors that idiot's scared off while I was gone!"

"Trying to disguise your true feelings with name-calling?" Makoto asked, with another grin.

"Look, even if I do like him," the miko retorted, clearly irritated, "there's no guarantee that he feels the same way. So just drop it, okay?"

Minako giggled a second time as she made her way around the pool table. "Oh, I think you'll find he does feel the same way."

"Why?" Rei's eyes narrowed slowly as she slung her bag over her shoulder. "What did you do? Have you been meddling again?!"

The blonde was the very picture of innocence. At least, she was trying to be. "I am shocked, Rei,and appalled that you would think-"

"That's a definite yes," Makoto said, with a heavy sigh.

Ami nodded quickly. "No doubt."

"Clearly," Corey agreed, well used to Minako's antics by now.

His girlfriend shot him a dirty look. "I'm not sure who's side you're on right now, Corey, but it's supposed to be mine!"

"I'm leaving," Rei declared, with a withering glare. "Stay out of my love life, Minako. And no, that's not an admission that I have one for you to meddle with in the first place!" She stormed past them and out onto the street.

Corey joined Ami and Mako in staring expectantly at Minako. It wouldn't be long now.

Sure enough, barely ten seconds passed before she hefted her own bag. "Well, tootles, everyone. I'm, er…well, I'm off to meddle!"

Corey watched her go, completely unsurprised. Minako was more than a little nuts, at times, but he loved her all the same.

Mako nudged him with a cue. "While that's happening, how about a game?"

"That depends," he countered, eyeing her off suspiciously. "Have you played much?"

Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Hmm. Let's go with…no?"

Ami actually giggled! "I'll run the numbers."

Mamoru looked up from his laptop and rubbed his tired eyes, painfully aware he was only halfway through his shift. Patient notes were vital, true, but that didn't make them any less tedious. He found his mind constantly tried to wander any chance it got. In fact, he felt a little light-headed as he thought about it.

"We must convince more of the nobility to stand with us!"

That's an odd thing to say in a hospital. He glanced around but found no-one in the room with him. A troubling realisation, because he'd heard someone speak as clear as day.

"I needed you here tonight, Endymion, and you let me down. You let us all down!"

"Oh, god. Now?" It was becoming clear; Endymion's memories were even beginning to return while he was awake! Talk about your inopportune moments! It had all been important information so far, though, he couldn't deny that. So, with some reluctance, he settled back in his chair and waited for the memories to come in earnest…

Elysion slept peacefully beneath his gaze, secure in the false comfort and hope provided by its walls. It was all for naught, of course; if Beryl was even half as powerful as they suspected, they'd prove a minor obstacle at best. Actually convincing anyone of importance that she was a true threat seemed impossible of late, though. A few minor lords were on board, but anyone of note remained staunchly apathetic. Including the King.

"Who would dare attack Elysion?" Endymion muttered, repeating his father's most recent argument bitterly. "Let the witch come, if she is this great threat you say. Her army will smash itself into pieces against our walls." His head slumped forward in a rare moment of defeat. "You'll be the death of us all, Father, and you can't even see it."

The hilltop he occupied had been a favourite spot of his since he was boy. It offered a dazzling view of Elysion and a large swath of the Golden Kingdom beyond it. Once, he'd gazed upon it with starry-eyed dreams of the throne. Now, he'd settle for being able to save it from its own hubris.

The snap of a twig jarred him from his thoughts. He whirled about, searching for the source despite the darkness. Everything seemed still but for a brief flash of long, golden hair as its owner darted behind a tree.

"Who's there?" he called, cautiously wrapping his fingers around the hilt of his sword.

Silence…before a sudden flurry of motion as a woman in a white dress fled, long, blonde ponytails fluttering in the breeze behind her. He only caught a glimpse of her face before she turned away, but he was immediately entranced. She appeared to glow in the moonlight, and he found he couldn't tear his eyes away.

"Wait!" He rushed after her, dismayed as she tumbled to the ground; the hem of her gown had caught on an exposed root. She eyed him warily as he approached, hands raised before him peacefully. "Please don't be afraid. I won't hurt you." She was even more beautiful at this distance than he'd realised. Pale, porcelain skin accentuated her large, impossibly-blue eyes, even as they narrowed suspiciously. Endymion dropped slowly into a crouch before her, careful not to make any sudden movements. "I mean you no harm, I promise. What-" His breath caught in his throat as he spotted a golden crescent moon on her forehead, partially hidden beneath her bangs. One of the Moon folk, here? It explained the apparent glow to her skin, at least; it seemed the legends were true. "I'm...my name is Endymion. Are you alright?"

Her lips, first pressed together in a thin line, finally blossomed in a small smile. "I…I'm Serenity."

Mamoru blinked, suddenly back in the break room, head pounding like a drum. The sudden transition between memory and reality was unpleasantly jarring. I remember that already. Our first meeting in the Silver Millennium. Seeing Serenity's face only reminded him of Usagi and the current self-imposed exile he was in. His heart ached at the very thought of her but he was close; too close to risk undoing it all now. I know all of this already. I need more. I need to go further forward, towards the fall of the Golden Kingdom…and my role in it.

"Your father is impossible. We offer proof of Beryl's strength, yet he still refuses to act!"

Endymion was forced to agree with Smythe's assessment of their situation. Two more months had passed with little action from the King. People were being forced from their homes and killed, or worse, actively rebelling against the crown. Official reports from his father's spies called them 'bandits', but it was all propaganda. Slowly but surely, his people were falling in with Beryl.

Of rising concern was a growing anti-Moon Kingdom movement that blamed those above for every problem that had befallen Earth throughout its history. Endymion found it especially troubling for one very simple reason; he was in love with a Lunarian. Not just any Lunarian, either, but Princess Serenity, heir to the Moon Kingdom's throne. They hadn't known each other long - barely two months, in fact - but his feelings were clear. He loved her with all his heart. Their love was forbidden by Moon Kingdom law, and Earth would likely not look favourably upon it either, but how could he tell his heart no?

"We have but once chance."

The prince jolted back to reality, ashamed to admit he'd lost focus and tuned Smythe out completely. It was disturbingly easy to do when thinking of Serenity.

"We must convince more of the nobility to stand with us. With their support, their constant whining, your father may be persuaded to raise his armies." The Exalted Knight came to a stop, apparently taking notice his preoccupied state. "You're with me on this, aren't you?"

"Of course." Endymion could hardly admit otherwise, could he? "The castle courtyard in five nights' times, I remember."

Smythe smiled tightly and shook his head. "Apologies, my friend. I shouldn't have doubted you." His gaze turned to Castle Terra, its foreboding stone face looming over them. "We stand on the brink, I'm afraid. It will all be over soon, one way or another."

That's unusually pessimistic for him, Endymion thought. "What makes you say that?"

Smythe sighed heavily, his pauldrons rising and falling in unison. "Once this meeting with the nobles is done, my order will march on the witch…with or without your father's support. Knight-Commander Eilden will wait no more; she fears Beryl is already too formidable a threat." His expression hardened, becoming unreadable. "Either we crush the witch and her forces…or we all die. I can only hope such a sacrifice would finally force your father into action. Otherwise, I fear the Golden Kingdom will fall not long after we do."

"We can't allow that to happen. I won't allow it!"

Endymion meant every word…but the night of the assembly unfolded very differently than he'd planned. Kunzite, his head general - and perhaps his closest friend - came to him as dusk set in.

"I bring a message from Paladin Smythe, Your Highness. He regrets to inform you that he was forced to leave Elysion at the last minute. Urgent business on behalf of his order. The nobles have been told and most understand, despite some isolated grumbling."

"But he called this our last chance…" Something didn't feel right to Endymion, but what? Kunzite is above reproach, he thought, considering the options. What else could pull Smythe away so suddenly? "I wonder…"

Kunzite's head cocked ever so slightly to the right. "Your Highness?"

"The Exalted Knights planned to march on Beryl regardless of the outcome tonight. Smythe told me their Knight-Commander was growing impatient; perhaps she ordered an early march?"

"They planned to march after tonight? To attack the witch within the week?"

"Mm." Endymion nodded faintly, still pondering Smythe's absence. "It seems strange he'd leave so suddenly, but if he had orders to do so…"

"Regardless," Kunzite said, stoic as ever, "You now have the evening free. Might I suggest you try not to dwell on all this, at least for a little while? Perhaps there's someone else you'd rather spend some time with?"

The prince hesitated, unsure how to respond. He'd not told anyone of Serenity, so how did Kunzite know about her now? Was she the 'someone else' he was referring to, or was it just paranoia on his part? Regardless, he had little reason to stick around with Smythe gone and the assembly cancelled…and he did miss her.

"Thank you, Kunzite." Endymion glanced out towards the walls. "I just pray Gaia watches over them in their quest."

"I'm sure they're being watched with a careful eye indeed, Your Highness."

Serenity came to Earth that night, at his request, and he allowed himself to get lost in her embrace. He shouldn't have allowed himself to lose focus, not with the Exalted Knights marching and Beryl still amassing power…but that was all the more reason he needed her. She was his escape, a source of hope and light amongst all the grim dark and despair they faced. Upon his return to the castle later that evening, however, he came across a disturbing sight; Smythe sat alone on the small dais provided for their assembly. It made no sense to Endymion. He was meant to be gone, marching with the rest of his order. Why was he here?

The knight didn't look up as Endymion approached. "Where were you tonight?"

"I was…" He couldn't finish, utterly ashamed. "I was elsewhere. A…" A girl, he admitted silently, with a heavy heart. Kunzite had clearly been mistaken...but Endymion had seized the opportunity to spend time with Serenity without a moment's hesitation. I practically leapt at the chance. "I was told you were-"

"They were unconvinced by my voice alone." The knight's voice was uncharacteristically flat, a hint of weary bitterness the only trace of emotion. "My call for support was ignored. They will not join us in another appeal to the King."

Endymion swallowed nervously as he saw their chances slipping away. "We could gather them again. I'll be there next time, I swear it. We can-"

Smythe's fist slammed down on the empty seat beside him. "There is no next time, Endymion! Don't you understand?! This was it, our last chance, and you weren't here!"

There was nothing else he could say. "You don't understand! I was told you-"

"You're no better than your father," the knight muttered, as he brushed by him. "At least he admits his failings up front. You vowed you'd do better. You gave me your word as a man…and then you broke it!"

Endymion was left reeling from his onslaught, a deep, burning shame clamping down on his heart. Perhaps he had been misinformed, but he should have remained. He ran away from responsibility when he was needed most, and he couldn't pretend otherwise.

Smythe turned away again, heading for the gates. "The nobility, your father...even you. I denounce the lot of you! Weak, mewling cowards all, who hide behind your walls while the innocent suffer and die!"

"Smythe-"

"We will fight, and we will probably die…but I'm comforted by the fact that you and your ilk will join us soon enough. My only regret is that so many others will pay the price for your folly." The Exalted Knight waved dismissively, not even bothering to turn back. "Farewell, Endymion. May the Undying Sun be merciful when your time comes."

Mamoru stared blankly at his laptop screen as he contemplated what he'd just learned. Endymion's guilt weighed heavy on his shoulders, well and truly his own now. The past had always felt a little off owing to his presence on the Moon at its fall…but now he had the answer. Some of it, at least. It was him; he let his people down as surely as anyone. He met Serenity and immediately fell madly in love with her…to the complete detriment of his duties as Prince of Earth. I know now that Kunzite was already in Beryl's service, that he must have lied to me that night…but it doesn't matter. I ran away as soon as I got the chance to be with Serenity. I really was no better than my father...

"You're leaving?!" Rei's voice filled her grandfather's small bedroom. She couldn't believe her ears. He thinks now is a good time for a holiday or something? After everything that's happened?!

"I'll only be gone a few days," the old man replied soothingly, as he continued packing. "You'll be in charge while I'm away. Consider it practice for the day you become Head Priestess."

"But where are you going? What are you hiding from me?"

His answer was maddeningly vague. "It's nothing. Just some business I have to take care of."

"Business?" Rei repeated incredulously. "You're a priest, and…you're old! What business could you possibly have that's so urgent?"

"Age notwithstanding," he retorted irritably, "I do have something important I need to do. That's all you need to know at this point." His suitcase closed with a soft click, his expression softening ashe moved it to the floor. "It will be fine, Rei. Trust me. If all goes well I'll be able to share the details with you when I return."

And that was it; he was gone barely half an hour later, and Rei found herself ambling through the empty courtyard wondering what to do with herself. There were chores, of course, the same thing she did every day, but she had plenty of time left to finish those. Instead, she began to wonder where her only company had gotten to.

It's Rinjirou's turn to sweep the steps, she thought, as she searched the shrine and its grounds. What the hell is he doing? Grandpa did let slip that Minako paid him a visit earlier - no doubt sticking her nose in where it isn't wanted! I hope he didn't snap and murder her in a fit of rage. She shook her head immediately at the idea. Despite what happened with that Hunter, he's no wanton killer. Worst case, she annoyed him so much he fled the shrine to get away from her. I can't say I could blame him, either. Unable to find any sign of him around the grounds, she shook her head a final time and let out a sigh of frustration. "Where is that idiot?"

"Right here."

Rei blushed furiously as she almost jumped out of her skin, turning to plant an accusatory finger in the middle of Rinjirou's chest. "What the hell are you…doing?"

He stared back at her suspiciously as she struggled for words. "What? I'm not allowed to clean up?"

His hair was still wet, but infinitely more lustrous than it had been. He was wearing new clothes, too. It was only a simple pair of jeans and a black and purple collared shirt, but Rei was forced to make a maddening admission; he looked good. The broom in his hand ruined the effect a little…but she had always been able to appreciate hard work.

She shook off her schoolgirl reaction and disguised her pause with a brief cough. "I'm just not used to you washing your hair! Where were you before that?"

"Shopping," Rinjirou replied bluntly. "I got some supplies and thought I'd tidy up a bit."

Gods, he tidies up well, she thought idly, immediately irritated with herself. "Well, I have news. My-"

"Your grandfather is leaving for a while. Business, or so he said."

"Er, right." She hadn't expected him to know already. "So, we're looking after the shrine until he gets back."

He gave her an amused snort in response. "You mean you're looking after the shrine. I'm just the guy living in the guestroom who does chores on the side."

Rei's eyes narrowed warily. "Now you're going to start playing the wounded party? Have I not made you feel welcome enough?!"

"What? No, I'm just pointing out that I have no real experience in running a shrine, or any stake in-"

"Then what are you still doing here?!" she snapped, as her temper boiled over. He's so frustrating! I wish I didn't even have these stupid feelings for him! "Nobody's forcing you to stay, so why don't you get your stuff and fu-"

An exasperated sigh slipped from his lips. "I like you, okay?! That's why I'm still here!"

Rei froze completely mid-retort. "You…you what?"

Rinjirou's gaze dropped back to the ground as his confidence faltered. "I, er…I like you."

Her heart was pounding, something that only annoyed her more. "You do?"

His shrug resembled one of helplessness. "Yeah."

That left the miko clueless. She did have feelings for Rinjirou, even if she didn't understand them completely, but it had been a long time since her last real crush. Longer still since she'd been on any kind of real date.

"So, uh…" He cleared his throat and finally met her gaze again. "What do you think?"

"What do I think?" she asked, irritated by the question. "What kind of stupid follow-up is that?!"

"Well, I don't know! You weren't saying anything and I started to get nervous!"

"I was just taken by surprise!" Rei took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. "I suppose, if I give it some thought…I like you too. Idiot!"

"Idiot?!" He backed up a step. "Why am I an idiot?"

"Because it took you so long to say something!" She realised she was externalising her own frustrations onto him, but she just couldn't stop. "You could have told me sooner, you know!"

"It's only been a week-"

"And you've been acting awkward since you got here," Rei countered testily. "Say something next time, idiot!"

"Will you stop calling me idiot?!" Rinjirou rubbed his temples and groaned. "God, I regret telling you now."

"What?" She reached out and grabbed his shoulders. "Are you serious?!" Genuine fear gripped her heart as she stared into his eyes. Did I just ruin any chance of this working out?! Gods, why do I have to be so stubborn? He confessed his feelings and I called him an idiot! What is wrong with me? I'm…

"No." It was such a simple word…but the relief Rei felt at hearing it was immeasurable. Rinjirou took hold of her hands and gently coaxed her free of his shirt. "I'm not. I like you, Rei. I'm not sure what that means, exactly, but...I get the idea I'd miss you if I left."

Not exactly Romance 101, the miko thought, but I'll take it. "I think I'd miss you too…idiot." She felt a faint smile tugging on her lips and was relieved to see a similar look on his face. They were so close; just one step forward and she could…

Her thought process was interrupted by an annoyingly familiar cackle as Minako burst out of the brush to her left, fingers locked in a classic 'pyramid of doom'.

Rinjirou's groan mirrored her own feelings. "Oh, god, not you again!"

"Hooray!" the blonde cried, as she brushed herself off. "You sure took your sweet time, but I knew the two of you would confess your love eventually!"

"First off," he growled, "Exactly how long have you been hiding in there? And secondly, nobody used the L word!"

"Damn straight," Rei agreed, folding her arms across her chest. "What did you and I just talk about, Minako? No more meddling!"

Her 'friend' – she was regretting their association at this point – began pacing back and forth in a furious pattern. "Oh, this isn't meddling, Rei! We're well beyond meddling at this stage! This is all part of my role as the Goddess of Love!"

"A self-appointed role nobody else officially recognises…"

Minako continued on like she hadn't heard Rei at all. "Let's see. You've confessed your mutual attraction. I think the next step is, of course…a date!" She gripped her chin contemplatively as she paced. "A date for you two. A date. A date." The blonde clicked her fingers excitedly. "I've got it! A double date with me and Corey! Ooooh, a triple date with Usa…er, well, that won't work right now, obviously, but-"

Rei snatched the broom out of Rinjirou's hands and smacked her on the head. "A double date? As a first date? Are you insane?! In what kind of weird, upside-down world is that a good idea?!"

Her friend fidgeted awkwardly, pressing her fingertips together. "Okay, so maybe I got a little over-excited."

"I think you get dumber every time we meet," Rinjirou muttered.

"Nobody's talking to you, Rinjerko!" Minako returned his glare with equal ire. "Rei, I just want to-"

"Stop!" Rei raised her hand and waited for the blonde to do so. "I know you think you're helping me, but I will make this as clear as humanly possible. I don't want your help, Minako. I don't want any of your advice. I don't want to hear about the latest fashion trends for my next date. I don't want any of it!"

"But…we're friends." A frown worked its way onto Minako's face as she rubbed her sore head. "What else am I meant to do?"

"Worry about your own relationship," the miko said gently. "Go plan awesome dates with Corey. Let me worry about mine." Her hard-line stance didn't last entirely; Minako was just too likeable for her to completely crush her. "I promise I'll keep you in mind if I do decide I need some advice. Okay?"

"Well…" Her frown was slowly replaced by an uncertain smile. "Alright. As long as you're sure. I am the Goddess of Love, you know."

"I know, I know." I'm surprised she didn't throw beautiful in there as well, Rei thought irritably. "Now as the Goddess of Love…maybe you could leave us alone to work this out?"

"Hmm?" Minako's eyes widened in comprehension. "Oh, right! Silly me! Three's a crowd, isn't it?" It was incredible how quickly she disappeared back into the brush…and promptly squealed in fright as she tripped on something. "Ow…"

Rinjirou peered after her, cringing at the thump. "Is she going to be alright?"

"Oh, she's fine," Rei declared, waving her friend off. "It happens all the time. Besides, we have more important things to discuss, don't you think?"

"I suppose we do, yes." He coughed hesitantly. "I like you, and you like me. As mentioned, our next logical step is…a date."

She nodded in agreement. "A date."

"Admittedly, I'm a little rusty, and used to Western customs. We just…share a meal?"

"Right." Rei couldn't claim to be any more of an expert. "Get to know each other better."

"Talk about…us." He swallowed visibly as he shook his head. "Why is this so weird?"

"Maybe because you tried to kill me a week ago?"

"Oh, yeah." He blanched noticeably. "I am sorry about that, by the way, if I haven't already said so."

She couldn't resist messing with him a little. "So you should be." There was also the small matter of her attacking him first. Technically. But there's no sense in reminding Rinjirou of that.

"You did attack me first, you know."

"Immaterial," Rei said quickly. Dammit! "So, when do you want-" It hit her all at once; an intangible, cold rage that approached from behind. Oh, gods, not again!

Rinjirou's eyes narrowed; clearly, he felt it too. "Rei, I-"

"I feel it too." The miko turned around to see a tall Caucasian man with closely cropped brown hair entering the courtyard. He wore a long coat, hiding his frame, but he walked with a determined purpose. His posture and stride hinted at a man who was supremely confident in his own abilities; that - and her churning stomach - made him an Order agent.

Rinjirou stepped forward and gently guided her behind him. Rei frowned at first, but quickly realised he was making himself the focal point. He's acting like I'm no threat, just an ordinary, run of the mill shrine maiden.

"Curtis," he said flatly, hand dropping to the knife she saw sheathed at the small of his back. "What are you doing here?"

"The will of the Council," the new arrival retorted, "As always. A novel concept for a traitor like you, but one loyal Paladins of the Black understand well." He tossed over a cell phone. "The gallery. Take a look."

Rei did her best to play her assigned role of wary miko; she didn't want to give away any hints to her true identity as a Sailor Senshi…but she had a terrible feeling about all of this.

"What am I supposed to be looking for?" Rinjirou asked, as he thumbed through the phone's menus.

"Oh, gods," Rei whispered, as an image appeared on the screen. A pink-haired teen, familiar despite not having aged since the last time she'd seen her. Chibiusa?! How do they have a photo of Chibiusa?!

"Deliver this message to your Senshi friends. The Order has the Moon Princess' future daughter, and her continued survival relies on the unequivocal cooperation of her and the Sailor Senshi from now on."

Rinjirou lowered the phone slowly, his fist clenched tight around it. "Is this what the Order has come to, Curtis? Kidnapping children?"

"We do what we must to accomplish our goals, Rinjirou, as always. It isn't the place of the Paladins to question the Council. They lead and we follow, as it says in the vows."

"Even when they're wrong?! Curtis, they murder their own Paladins!"

"You'll say anything to defend your betrayal, won't you?" The Paladin shook his head in disgust. "I'm ashamed I ever called you friend."

"And I'm ashamed I ever thought the Order was what this world needed!" Rinjirou retorted, letting his fingers close around the hilt of his knife. "It deserves better!"

'Curtis' straightened up, all business once again. "Tell the Princess to call the number in the contacts list. She will follow any instructions given to the letter. Otherwise…"

Rei stiffened at the implied insult. How do these people think they're the good guys when they pull crap like this?

"I'll pass along the message when I get the chance," Rinjirou answered coldly.

"See that you do." The Paladin turned to leave, but only made it halfway around before he stopped again. "When they told me your death was a lie, that you'd left of your own accord, I thought you must have your reasons. But that was just wishful thinking on my part, wasn't it? You're a traitor to the Black, Rinjirou , and I plan to finish you myself when the time comes."

"You're welcome to try," he snapped, as 'Curtis' disappeared down the steps again. He turned to Rei with the phone raised, concern on his face. "Do you know what any of this means?"

She snatched it from his hands, already thinking two steps ahead. Usagi's not going to respond well to this. "We have to tell-"

"Was he talking about Chibiusa?!" Minako cried, bursting out of the bushes again. "We've got to tell Usa-" She wilted as Rinjirou cleared his throat. "Oh, right. Oops."

He turned to Rei, glaring suspiciously at both of them. "Who exactly does she have to tell?"

The miko shook her head in disgust, cursing the blonde's poor timing as always. "Minako!"

"I'm sorry! I'm just so worried about Chibiusa that I forgot he was here!"

Well, Rei decided, there's no point trying to hide it now. I call Rinjirou an idiot a lot, but he's not stupid. She turned back to him and sighed; this was going to be interesting. "So, you know how I'm a Sailor Senshi? Sailor Mars?"

"Yes…?"

She shrugged and gestured to Minako. "Meet Sailor Venus."

The blonde laughed nervously and wiggled her fingers in a tiny wave. "Hi?"

His jaw just about hit the ground. "WHAT?!"

Chibiusa opened her eyes slowly, blinking rapidly as she stared right into a blinding light. A pulsating splotch danced across her vision as she struggled to sit up, gradually revealing an empty, white-walled room around her. She jolted right back to full consciousness as she remembered what had happened. The screams, the odd masked man, Corey and Papa calling her name…

"Try not to move too much just yet. You have a mild concussion."

She whirled about, pressing herself back into the corner behind her. A tall, slender Japanese woman sat in the opposite corner, studying her curiously. Her voice was familiar; this was the woman who'd pulled her through the portal. The woman who'd kidnapped her!

"You have my apologies on behalf of my comrade. He was rather…over-enthusiastic when we-"

"When you abducted me?" Chibiusa snapped angrily.

"Yes," the woman agreed. "When we abducted you." She rose to her feet but made no attempt to approach her. "Do you need anything? Perhaps a glass of water, or something for the pain?"

Chibiusa remained stubbornly silent, meeting her captor's gaze with a defiant glare. Instead, she had a quick look around. The room was devoid of any identifiable features, just four white walls and one door. She was sitting on some sort of mattress, like the futon she'd slept on when staying with Usagi, but that was it for furnishings. The unknown woman wore black fatigues, a sort of uniform, but the mask and robes she'd sported earlier were nowhere to be found.

"Are you really the future Queen's daughter?"

The question caught Chibiusa by surprise; she forgot she was giving her the silent treatment. "You came to Crystal Tokyo and abducted me off the street…when you weren't even sure?!"

"That wasn't my decision." Strangely, she actually believed the woman, too; the masked man had an air of authority about him from what she remembered. He seemed like the one in charge.

"Well…" The fourteen-year-old folded her arms across her chest and renewed her glare. "What is it you want from me?"

At first, she got silence. But then… "What did she do to everyone? Your mother, I mean. Was it the Silver Crystal? How did she make the entire planet love her?"

What kind of insane question is that? "She didn't make anyone love her. People love her because she's a fair and just ruler, because she loves everyone as much as they love her!"

"No." The woman shook her head quickly. "I refuse to accept that. She must have done something. She tricked them somehow, made them love her. The whole world wouldn't just accept a return to monarchy out of the blue. It makes no sense at all!"

"Who are you?" Chibiusa demanded, switching tactics and asking some questions of her own. "Why are you doing this? Why did you bring me here?"

The door slid open to reveal a tall, robed figure in the same mask she remembered. "Because I told her to." His voice marked him as the same man in her memories, the one who had opened the portal.

Just his voice was enough to make her nervous, but there was more to it than that. He had a strange presence about him, an aura that made her skin crawl. The mask just adds to the creep factor!

"Megumi." The mask turned just slightly to the woman opposite her. "Leave us."

She obeyed without a word. Instantly…like she feared him, and Chibiusa couldn't blame her. There was a sinister air to every word he spoke, and she really didn't want to be left alone with him.

As soon as the door closed he returned his focus to her. "Hello again, Small Lady."

The teen stiffened, bewildered by his unexpected knowledge. "How do you know that name?!"

"I know many things about you," he replied, almost amiably. "For instance, I know you once went by Black Lady."

Her blood turned to ice in her veins; something was terribly wrong here. How could he possibly have known that? I wish my friends were here. I wish Mama and Papa were here!

"Do you know why I had you brought here? Ostensibly, you're a hostage. Leverage against the Moon Princess in our time." His next pause was ominous indeed. "But, in truth, you have something that belongs to me."

"Who are you?" she whispered, as he stepped closer.

"For now, I go by Thorn."

Chibiusa screamed in pain as a shadowy hand drifted from his arm and sank into her chest. Her skin felt like it was freezing around it, accompanied by a terrible pain from the inside; her heart itself!

"When Black Lady was born, the entity you knew as Wiseman left something behind. A…remnant. An echo. A small piece of himself." His eyes flashed a dull red beneath his mask. "A piece…of me. A piece I shall now reclaim!"

The pain intensified and Chibiusa screamed in agony as something she'd never even realised was there was torn from her heart. Thorn withdrew, a gleaming ruby-and-black gem in his grasp, as she collapsed to the floor. She struggled for breath as a frigid ache spread across her chest; it was all she could do to remain conscious. Her vision dimmed and blurred, the masked man swallowed up in a veritable sea of black. His voice was the last thing she heard as she faltered and returned to the quiet bliss of unconsciousness.

"Just one more piece. Not long now."

Mamoru dropped his bag beside his door as he turned to lock it. He'd had to leave work sick, barely able to function as he wandered through his shift in a daze. Trying to work through it all risked people's lives and that was something he couldn't do. Especially not after what he'd learned.

"Did I doom the world with my love for Serenity? Kunzite lied to me, yes, but I ran to her embrace so quickly. I could have addressed the nobles myself. I could have petitioned my father again. I could have done...something!"

He dropped onto the couch and closed his eyes. All he wanted to do was sleep but there was no real guarantee of peace there, either. Dreams or memories, either would haunt him equally. The one thing he knew would calm him was the one thing he couldn't allow himself, now more than ever before. Usagi. I'd give anything to lose myself in your arms for just a few minutes. But how can I grant myself such relief when that's exactly the mistake I made in the past? No, I have to see this through to the end. Then, I can decide how best to move forward.

A strange noise from behind him prompted a weary sigh. "Can't I have just a few moments' peace before diving back in?" No memories came, though, just another sound he now recognised as a laboured groan. He frowned and slowly turned his head to look behind the couch. His eyes widened in shock at what he found. "Setsuna?!"

Sailor Pluto lay on his apartment floor in a puddle of her own blood. Her uniform was stained with yet more crimson, tattered and torn by multiple cuts. Her head rose with what looked like considerable effort, dim eyes searching for him. "Endymion…? The Door…Crystal Tokyo..." She groaned and collapsed again, her forehead hitting the floor.

"Setsuna!" He leapt over the couch, dropped to his knees beside her, and felt for a pulse. His heart sank as second after second passed without one. "Hold on!" No pulse. No respiration. Multiple lacerations and what look like burns. Massive blood loss, perhaps to a critical level. First things first, I need to restart her heart. But how? "Stay with me, Setsuna, you hear me? Stay with me!"

AN: So, a MASSIVE chapter this time out, I know, but cutting it in half just didn't feel right. No real main plot movement, but several subplots advanced substantially. Rei and Rinjirou's relationship was obviously a major one; I just hope you all feel I did her character justice. I thought long and hard about her response and anger covering her true feelings seemed the most natural, with a brief glimpse under her defenses for Rin at the end. Minako's involvement wasn't crucial but there were a few gags I couldn't resist, including a nod to a certain favourite fanfic of mine; Sailor Moon: The Shadow of Silver Millennium. Check it out, people, it's amazing!

The other major movement came for Mamoru and his quest to regain his memory of the Golden Kingdom. He's pretty close to the end now, but there's still a twist or two to go. I toyed with a few ways of handling his failings that fit with the show, and originally he just plain forgot to go to that meeting because he was with Serenity. That seemed almost TOO dumb, though, so I added in Kunzite's misdirection (at least WE know it was a misdirection - Endymion still believes in his friends). Hopefully it worked well in the sense Endymion STILL ran away...but it wasn't entirely his fault even if he feels it was. I'll probably try to polish this subplot off next chapter so I don't have to put the story in a holding pattern while he catches up - I had to do that a couple of times with Last Guardian Knight and they were basically mistakes in my planning!

The opening scene with Corey and the girls COULD strictly speaking have been cut...but it's been a long time since we've had a 'friendship' scene and there were several gags in there I didn't know if I'd be able to fit in anywhere else. Plus, it let me get into Corey's head however briefly and examine his feelings post-Sanctuary. He still needs to talk to Usagi - weird that she didn't appear AT ALL in this chapter, I know - and that will come.

Lastly, there were the rather bleak updates on Chibiusa and Pluto. Things look bad, I know, but the story's not over yet. Thorn's identity should be fairly obvious to all of you readers by now (if I've done my job properly!) There IS a good explanation for why he's back, but that will come a little later.

Thanks as always for your continued readership. I look forward to your reviews and messages, as always. Back with more soon!

Lisseas