AN: you know, this was supposed to be short and cute. Guess what it's not?

Having secluded himself for the last three days inside his room, Mamoru stared at the books he managed to take back with him. It was a nice distraction from the other things that circled his mind. Such as not being told that he couldn't return to his home until the moon was full in a month's time on Earth. So even if he did manage to get his daughter back, he would still be stuck here and without any means to communicate with Raina.

The thought of his wife made him feel terrible, considering she doesn't know if they were alive or not. Or what happened to their daughter, Nijiko. His shoulders sagged a bit as he opened yet another book. He's surprised by one thing- being able to read the books here. Though, Mamoru convinced himself that it's probably because of that whole past life thing. Either way, they didn't yield anything really interesting or vital.

Closing the latest book, he leans forward and pondered what to do next. Maybe if he could look a bit more, he could find the blue prints...?

The knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. He rose, dressed in one of the fashions of the Moon Kingdom, white sleeveless shirt with a gold sash at the waist and white straight leg pants that were lined with gold at the edges there and also on the sleeveless shirt and collar.

"Yes?" He opened the door, finding Sailor Mercury there. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Mercury offered a smile, "I was just checking up on you. It seems you haven't been out in a while and we've been worried."

"Well, as you see, I'm alive." Mamoru turned from the door, "Is there anything else?"

She hesitated for a moment before fixing a determined look on her face, "I understand you're upset about our progress in retrieving your daughter, Prince-"

"My name is Chiba, Mamoru." He interrupted, "And that's not the only thing."

"I.. Very well then. What else?" She couldn't fathom what else it could be. "What's caused all this?"

He waited for a moment before finally saying, "When were you going to tell me that I couldn't return home for a month?"

"Ah.. I see.." Mercury breathed out, "We didn't mean to keep it from you, Mr. Chiba. It simply slipped our minds with everything that's been going on."

"Really?" He wasn't sure what to believe but decided to test this. after all, even with the memories he had, it didn't mean he should trust them. Him of then and him of now were completely different people and of different circumstances. "So, would it be possible if I got a blueprint of the kingdom?"

"Er.. I would have to ask, but I don't see any harm in it." Mercury told him, hoping everything was better now, "The queen wondered if you'd like to have tea with her and the princess in the earthian room?"

Unable to think of a reason as to why not, he agreed and followed Mercury to a very spacious room that had a set of windows which lead out onto the veranda. At the moment, the princess, the girl he knew as Chibiusa, was chattering away happily showing her mother pictures she drew.

For a moment, Mamoru could only take this in and feel almost..comforted in a way. As if this was something that was meant to be..right. Yet, his mind disillusioned him of this notion, reminding him of his own wife and child. It was Raina and Nijiko he saw there and it was them that were missing.

Whatever he was dealing with, he knew for certain that it couldn't..it wouldn't take away what he had. He couldn't let it.

"Oh, you're here!" Serenity smiled brightly, "I was hoping you'd join us. I'm glad you did."

"It seemed like a good idea." He answered as he walked over to an empty seat, "This is a rather nice room."

"It's one of my favorites." She said and served tea. "I hope the tea's fine. We don't really have as many herbs as there are on Earth.."

"No, it's all right." Mamoru glanced over at Chibiusa who simply smiled up at him while doodling. " That's a very nice picture."

"Thanks!" She grinned, "The guardians say I'm going to be a great artist!"

"They're right." He sipped his tea, finding it nice but not as flavorful as the ones on earth. He surmised that possibly because of the approximation of the sun might have some to do with it. Or the lack of sugar. "You even color inside the lines."

She nodded, pleased by the praises, "Mama, may I be excused? I want to show Lady Mako."

Serenity only smiled but nodded, "Be careful and remember to-"But the little princess was out the door before Serenity could finish. "Walk.. She never walks anywhere." She chuckled to herself.

"I can only assume." Mamoru found himself smiling a bit as well. He picked up one of her crayons and instantly regretted it as he felt..something from it. An image that appeared in his mind's eye that he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Mama.." That was Chibiusa's voice, "Do I have a papa?"

And just like that, the image of Serenity's face- sad regretful- was gone and replaced by the current one who was worried.

"Hey, are you alright?" She hesitated to touch him. Does she know what this was? "You look a bit pale there."

"I.." He dropped the crayon and cleared his throat, "It's nothing. I just haven't had one of those in a long time."

Serenity blinked, watching him as he sipped his tea. "One of what?"

"A vision." Mamoru set the teacup down. "I usually don't get them often and they're always attached to someone..something."

"Oh! So you do have powers like the others do." Serenity couldn't help but smile, "Perhaps it's from your past life? Or maybe your guardian powers are manifesting?"

"Guardian powers?" He frowned at that. It hadn't been something he thought about. "What do you mean by that?"

She looked thoughtful for a moment, cutting her piece of cake, before looking at him, "Well, as you can tell, Mercury, Mars, Venus and Jupiter are all warriors that bear the names of planets- and of course myself when I was like them." She took a bite, savoring the fluffy mouthwatering cake. It took her a moment to gather her thoughts as she continued her explanation. "See, there's this thing called Starseeds which every living being -even planets and other celestial bodies- have and that's the essence of a soul. Now, there's special starseeds that are called Sailor Crystals and those are often in the possession of the celestial body's chosen champion."

Serenity then pointed her fork at him, "Basically, Mamoru, you've been exhibiting powers from your planet of Earth. If you wish, we could help you awaken to more of your powers."

Mamoru was, for the lack of a better word, shocked. He never thought his small abilities were anything too special since he hardly used them or even took notice when they manifested themselves at times. Raina knew of his visions and the healing, but that was only because she had caught him unaware when these things happened. Now, this woman, Serenity, was telling him that he could possibly have more power with better training? Maybe.. it could help-

"It'll give you something not only to do while we locate Nijiko, but it means you can also be just as magically active as the rest of us." Serenity added gently.

After spending several moments in silence, he nodded, "Please. I want anything to help me rescue her."

"What do you mean I have to read all these?" Raina eyed the musty stack of scrolls and books with suspicion, "Are you kidding? There's no way I can even read that old language!"

Nephrite sided, "Of course you can." He rolled out one of the scroll in front of her, "Look, the scrolls are enchanted in a way to allow the user to read it in their native tongue."

Raina took a look at the scroll and gasped softly, "What the- the words!" She could very well read what it said and could understand them, even though some of it was a bit archaic. She leaned over, her pale green dress that one of the maidens had given her, moved with her. "This must be thousands of years old. Man, Melly would be so jealous."

Nephrite smiled a bit as she seemed to take it upon herself to read the manuscript. From his own fuzzy memories from the past life, before Beryl's rise to power, he recalled how hard it was to get Endymion to even glance at any of the books. Though he had to wonder if this is Kunzite's way of rebelling against Helios's orders? As much as they all respect the priest and valued him highly, Nephrite's glad they're not blindly following him either.

He moved to get another book from the shelf as Kunzite slipped into the massive archive of the temple.

"How is she doing?" Kunzite asked, leaning causally against the tall large bookshelf. "No problems, I hope?"

Nephrite shook his head, "She's taken to it like a duck to water." He removed a few more, "Are we going back to the normal routine?" It was a slight nod, but it was all Nephrite needed to know. "I see. So we'll train her in everything we can. But don't you think that this might be too short of time for it all?"

Kunzite smiled as he turned from him, "Aren't you glad that the time difference here and on Earth are on two different planes?"

Holding the book, Nephrite felt himself slowly smile, "Sometimes, I wonder about you."

"As long as we can do our best, it'll work out fine."

Helios watched the Maenard Maidens giggle excessively as they went about picking flowers and herbs for lunch and dinner. It was one of the few times he relished the carefree moments that his duty to the shrine afforded him. He could always find peace in these moments with them as they reminded him of a better time- a time when others could travel and would dance along with them.

Such a time had long past and the empty rooms of where his brothers and sisters of the clothe became hollow and stark reminders of what evil could do to even the purest of hearts. The vision he had received- not once but twice from the woman known as Princess Lady Serenity, a name he had not revealed to the Shitennou- held the promise of safety and of filling those rooms and this land with people once more.

Returning the Shitennou to their master and helping the prince claim his rightful place were only part of the reason as to why he was doing this. Revival of the culture- of life- to Elysion and Earth's prosperity were chief in his thoughts.

Also...

She had been so very beautiful with a soft voice. It was strange, and yet he wasn't sure what to think of it. He wondered if the Prince, in his past life, had such feelings for the Moon princess or if they started like this.

He looked down at the strangely beautiful pale pink flowers and thought of her. What she must be like. She couldn't be the princess of the moon- at least not the current one. The current one was nothing more than a small child, even though the resemblance was somewhat uncanny, he could only assumed that all the Moon monarchy looked alike. Therefore there was no telling which Serenity it might be.

"It doesn't matter." He muttered to himself, picking the flower, "As soon as he accepts them, our future will return to us."

"Priest Helios!" One of the Maenard maidens called to him as both seemingly danced towards him, arms full of flowers. Once close enough, they showered the flowers on him and put the pale pink flower behind his ear, "We must celebrate!"

"Celebrate?" He was amused, they often acted in such way when good news were to be had. Daughters of the earth, themselves, the Maenards often were the most carefree and purest souls in the land. This quality also made them somewhat unreliable. "What are we celebrating now?"

"Don't you know?" One said with a giggle as the other repeated her words.

The other poked his nose with her finger and grinned, "There's a new soul that is arriving soon."

"Yes, a new soul bright and glowing." The first twirled around them. "It'll be here soon!"

"Very soon!" Nodded the second who sent to join her sister, "We must celebrate and welcome this new soul!"

"Yes, for it's journey was long."

Helios felt his smile slowly disappear as they continued to speak. A new soul? He searched his memory for what this could mean. The only time they had acted in such a way was five Earth years ago. That year had been nothing but frenzy for the two had disappeared completely from the temple to dance in the forest in celebration of new life. at the time, he hadn't quite remembered what it meant.

Now...

"Are you saying that there will be a child? Born to whom?" He needed to know. If it was to the Moon Queen, well, that not only would be more welcoming news, it would mean their future was infinitely more secure than he thought it was. "Please, I beg of you, tell me- where is this new soul coming to?"

The two stopped their dancing and looked over at him, faintly puzzled by his tone but only smiled as they answered as one:

"The new soul will be arriving to Elysion soon! We must celebrate!"

Just like that, Helios faced the biggest problem he's ever come across in his life. He turned, hurrying away to the temple, his mind racing. No..no no no! It can't be! Yet... he never bothered to check. How stupid could he have been? Why didn't he notice?

So blinded by a promising future, he didn't realize- didn't sense-!

His steps slowed as he came to the prayer room before turning to go to the archives where he had last heard them to be. Helios opened the door and saw Raina, Nephrite and Kunzite, in a deep discussion over some old law or another. To his good fortune, they hadn't spotted him yet. Standing behind one of the bookshelves, he closed his eyes and concentrated specifically on Raina.

They must be wrong. They had to be!

Yet, to his own growing discomfort, he was faced with the true of the matter as he felt the faintest hint of a separate energy.

He covered his eyes, walking out and to the prayer room of the temple.

"So, she is carrying the prince's child." Helios was uncertain as to what he should do now. Nothing in the visions prepared him for this. Nothing at all. He cleansed himself, before going to the altar for prayer. Hoping, maybe, the vision would appear to offer some guidance.

What could he do?

What can he do with this?

It didn't take long before the image flickered before him and the pale pink haired young woman appeared, faint, but there.

"I have come with a message, Priest Helios." Her voice was soft,like a gentle breeze. "Are you ready to receive it?"

"I am." He stated, "But my lady, there is something you must know."

"What is it?" She sounded confused, which is exactly how he felt.

"The woman that the prince has married is carrying his child." Helios looked up at her, "What am I to do? The future you promised at the union of the Moon Queen and the Prince is in trouble. What should I do?"

For a long time, the image remained silent as if considering this. Perhaps, Helios had thought to himself, she had no idea what to do as well.

How wrong he was.

"That child she carries will bring darkness in the future because of its' own jealousy. It will become a vessel for Chaos if it is allowed to be born."

Helios felt ice being to spread in the pit of his stomach. No, she cannot be suggesting what he thought she was. However, she knew best, didn't she? She knew of the future. This Crystal Tokyo where everything will be at peace. Everyone lives in peace in this future- she lives in this future.

Still...

"My lady, are you suggesting..?"

Her voice no longer held it's airy ways, but sounded hard as if reluctant for it. "I am. You must find a way to prevent this child from being born."

With that, she disappeared, leaving Helios in more turmoil than he had been before he had entered the chamber.