Well here it is! Sorry it took a little longer than usual to update, but the Thanksgiving holiday and a few other life things fell in front of me I had to take care of. Anyway, the tone of this chapter is lighter because everyone isn't so serious all the time, plus it can get boring to read after a while. Enjoy.
Chapter 3
There were voices in the background, although their words were still fuzzy. Jadeite was able to make out only a few as he groaned and slowly opened his eyes. When he was finally able to focus his sight he noticed Kunzite, Endymion and Serenity standing beside him all focusing their attention toward him.
"What…what happened? I feel like I was hit by a train."
Another groan came about from the man who was now in the infirmary with a rather large amount of bandaging around his head and one major black eye forming rather quickly. He tried sitting up for a moment, but was quickly met with a wave of nausea sending him back down to a parallel position with his bed.
"That train has a name, Jadeite; it's called Sailor Mars. I suppose I should be thankful she didn't come after me once she was done with you."
Serenity spoke softly with a concerned smile playing at her lips.
Suddenly for Jadeite the events of twenty minutes ago were apparent. Before any formalities could be carried through Sailor Mars lunged forward and displayed a vision of a perfect attack with one's elbow connecting to the target's temporal lobe and eye socket. It wasn't meant to be a deathblow, simply render one unconscious which is exactly what transpired.
"I should have known she would do something like that. That woman can hold a grudge for eternity. She isn't here with us…is she?"
Jadeite nearly capsized from his bed as he grabbed at the edges like a mad man, readying himself to flee should he need to.
"Relax, Jadeite. Gain your strength; you'll be needing it in the days to come. We are to be briefed and ready for an outing in two days time. Until then, you'll just have to deal with the headaches."
The man simply closed his eyes and sighed heavily. The days ahead were certainly going to test his ability to defend himself.
One Hour Later – Mars' Private Fire Room
A door slid open and closed quietly. The figure stood and looked toward the woman who sat before the fire in priestess garb.
"Rei, we need to talk. I wouldn't be interrupting you if it weren't important."
A sigh came, followed by dark eyes looking into a pair of blue. Standing to meet the gaze of her longest friend, Rei shook her head and crossed her arms. In general palace areas and more importantly in public, Serenity and the scouts kept a level of professionalism and royalty. However, in private they were the greatest of friends and referred to each other as such. They didn't have to bother with protocol which also allowed them to speak openly with each other.
"I knew you were capable of many things, Usagi, but this is really far from anything I ever expected. I can't stand here and question your motives; I admit they are our equal counterparts for Mamoru and just as good of protection for him as we are for you. The fact of past events, even with consideration of the circumstances at the time simply cannot justify their actions against us not only during the Moon Kingdom, but also when we were reborn! How can they reassure us they simply won't allow themselves to be taken over again?"
Rei leaned against a wall, arms crossed. The fire seemed to roar with every word she spoke with emphasis and emotion. It was obvious she was conflicted about the actions of her friends.
"They were all revived with full memory and knowledge of the past. This way they can learn from their mistakes of the past and correct them for the future. There simply isn't anyone better to protect Mamoru and even if it causes some discomfort for the time being I am willing to suffer the consequences. I understand how you feel about this, but I just have to ask that you as well as the others give it a chance. I have faith this can work. Besides, it isn't as if I'm asking you to fall in love with the man! After that showing I wouldn't want to love you either."
Rei sighed and nodded softly as Serenity held her own giggle back. It was clear she would have to rely heavily on her meditation to help her through the upcoming days.
"And Rei…"
"Hm?"
"Try not to knock out Jadeite every chance you get. We need him alive and with eyesight he can actually use. Perhaps its time we invest technology in fully-functional holograms."
Serenity frowned for a minute before continuing.
"It would have surely saved me a few headaches in the old days."
There was a gentle roll of the eyes and a soft not once again. The coming days were going to be very long and painful.
Dinner That Evening – Main Dining Room
"Everyone, please be seated. Tonight is a special night and we will honor it with a feast fit for the occasion. However, before we begin our celebration, Endymion and I would like to be sure we are all on equal ground. If we are all to function properly as a team, we must actually be a team first. I would encourage you all to converse and get to know one another again. Let us not focus on the past, but make amends for the present so that we may plan for the future."
Serenity sat at her end of the 10-seat table and motioned for the dinner to be laid out and served. Endymion smiled toward his wife and gave her a gentle nod, supportive of her every word. He knew their actions were required, although in the back of his head he couldn't help but hope everyone would grow to be more than a team; he hoped they would become friends.
Beside Endymion sat Kunzite, followed by a bruised Jadeite, Nephrite and Zoicite, who was seated closed to Serenity. Across from the table sat Minako, closest to the queen, Mars, Jupiter then Mercury. Rank was still followed and each first in rank sat nearest to their protective charge. This alignment also allowed the scouts, namely Mars, not to be faced directly with the person they felt the most hostility toward. It seemed to work as chatter slowly began. They spoke of the food at first, how delicious it was. After that, the level of discomfort and hostility slowly began to drop as the generals regarded the senshi on their work of Crystal Tokyo. Truly, they were impressed with their efforts and commended them for it.
"Perhaps…" Zoicite quietly spoke to Minako, "…this will all work out. At least for the sake of our king."
Minako took a drink of her wine and held the crystal goblet in between her delicate fingers before responding.
"And for the sake of all parties present, I hope so as well."
Endymion's Private Study – After Dinner
Four men collectively took seats on two separate couches facing each other as the fifth went to the liquor cart off in a corner to gather an ice pack for his still-blackened eye.
"One of you has to pay her back for me."
The four men laughed at Jadeite's remark as he sat down in a chair holding the frozen pack to his eye and groaned as he had been doing every so often since he woke with a blistering headache.
"I can honestly tell you Jadeite, she's even more spirited than before; they all are. This brings me to the reason I've asked you all here tonight for a post-dinner meeting."
Endymion looked at each of the men who were his formal generals. They were still on a temporary basis until they could each prove their will and ability was strong enough to not only protect their king, but choose to.
"I won't lie to the four of you when I say I am thankful to have you all here. Living and operating with mainly women can be rather…well drowning in the estrogen ocean."
Endymion chuckled with the others in jest, nodding his head gently as he continued.
"In all seriousness, the end decision is mine. Serenity and I came to the conclusion before your revivals that you would train and study alongside the scouts where they would then report back to me once I am to make my decision. I will take their input seriously…"
Endymion glanced toward Jadeite and even though his comment was made for the public, it was strongly gestured toward him.
"…and they will be fair. However, if things are as they were before the darkness of the times, I have no doubt in my mind you will all succeed. So, let us consider this your unofficial welcome back for the time being."
With that, Endymion and the others stood and moved toward the liquor rack where Jadeite had been previously to fix a drink to toast each other. Endymion never cared to drink unless the occasion called for it, and this certainly passed for one in his mind.
"To the future and what interesting times it may bring."
"Yes, here is to second chances!"
Kunzite spoke as he looked around from each of his counterparts then to Endymion.
"…and less bruises!"
"I'll toast to that…the future that is. I think Jadeite could use a few more knock-outs."
"You'll toast to nearly anything, Nephrite"
Zoicite patted his friend's shoulder as they each raised their glasses and took a drink of the golden-brown liquid.
. . .
Comments, questions? Even though the chapters have been pre-written to publication I have gone back to edit and add in things people have thus-far pointed out to me, while keeping the storyline intact as I see fit. I've only got one more chapter ready to go so hopefully soon I'll start on the fifth as to not keep anyone waiting.
