A/N: Sorry it's took me ever so long to get the next chapter up, but I wanted to put alot of thought into the ceremony/ritual for bringing the generals back. Was also trying to confirm that Shittenou meant the Four Kings, but nobody seems to know. So I'm winging it! Also, my dictionary doesn't tell how to adjust the Japanese words into plural or time tenses, so I apologise to those who understand what I wrote and are cringing. Translations will be in brackets. Let me know if this upsets the flow of the story and I will put them at the end instead.
Disclaimer: waves hand Yeah, yeah ... Sailor Moon does not belong to me, but I'm not getting any money for writing this either. Maybe one day ... Well, I can Dream, can't I?
Chapter 7
Ano Yon Rikugunshokan Kitaku
(The Four Generals Return)
Rory lay on her bed in Darien's and Serena's spare room, staring at the ceiling. The immediate support of the Outer Scouts had been both a surprise and a relief. A surprise, because they were usually the most suspicious. Then again, they were more used to going to extremes to win too. A relief, because after Amara, and therefore Michelle and Hotaru, voiced there support, the Inners had grudgingly allowed that it may be their only solution. Rory frowned. She disliked the idea that they had felt forced to agree because they were out voted. (A/N: 5 to 4, with Darien and Serena siding with the present Outers.) She needed their cooperation to perform the ceremony. She needed their hearts to be open. She needed to see Pluto.
Thinking of the Guardian of Time, she remembered the box that Amara had given her before the meeting started. Getting up, she walked across the room to her table and opened the box. As she reached to part the tissue paper, a light knock sounded at the door and Serena poked her head in.
"Oh good, you're awake. I was afraid you'd be sleeping."
Rory shook her head with a small smile. "You're the napper here, not me."
Serena giggled. "I'm not as bad as I used to be. I came to tell you that supper is almost ready. You should have enough time to wash up."
"Alright." Rory started to close the box again, but Serena stopped her.
"Is that a box from Trista? Ooh, she makes such fabulous creations. Please open the box before we go." She looked at Rory with clasped hands and pleading eyes.
"I thought supper was almost ready."
"It shouldn't take long to see the clothes. And besides," Serena blushed and her voice lowered to a confiding whisper, "I'll die of curiosity if you make me wait."
Rory chuckled and winked. "Me too." She opened the box again and pushed aside the tissue as Serena came around beside her.
"Oh ..." gasped Serena. "Such wonderful fabrics."
Pulling them out, one by one, Rory placed them on the bed. There was a crew neck white T-shirt with tan shorts. The legs of the shorts could be rolled up or left longer. The belt clasp had a small sun charm hanging from it. A rough silk flare skirt with an inner slip came out next. It was an olive colour and had a matching tank top with broad shoulder straps. It had a black pattern of small, simple stars all over it. (A/N: Picture a dot with four small lines coming from it.) Black capris, brown slacks, a cream coloured cardigan, and various styles of shirts in green, purple, grey, pink, black, white, and brown. At the bottom of the box, was a note stating that an evening gown would follow later but needed more time. It was signed with a little heart beside Trista's name.
"Oh, Rory, these are beautiful. You are very lucky," Serena sighed. "Let's put them away quickly before Darien wonders what's taking so long."
"You go ahead, I'll be right down."
Serena nodded. "Alright. I should probably set the table anyway." Smiling she left the room.
Rory hummed as she put the clothing away quickly and went to wash her hands.
Flashback
A young girl with long red hair stood on a stool with loose cloth draped around her. Her arms were outstretched and she fidgeted slightly. Suddenly she jerked straight, almost losing her balance on the stool.
"Ow! Setsuna! More cloth, less flesh!"
A dark head poked out from behind the "skirt". Pins bristled between her lips as she frowned up at the red head. "Mwell, ben shtop moofing!" (Well, then stop moving)
"Grr," responded the redhead, gritting her teeth. "But it's itchy ... why aren't you using the sewing dummy I made for you instead of drawing blood from me as you drive me insane?"
Setsuna looked up again and removed the pins from her mouth. "Yoake, I thought that this way, we could spend some time together. This is the first time in ... forever ... that we've both had time off from our duties at the same time." She frowned at the material. "Is it really that itchy?"
"Yes, it is." Yoake frowned thoughtfully back at Setsuna. "I'm sorry. I didn't think of it that way ... our time together, not the itchy material. Finish quickly so I can take it off though Maybe you can use the pattern for something softer next time."
Setsuna nodded and quickly placed the last few pins before carefully removing it from her friend.
End Flashback
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Serena watched Rory as they cleaned up the supper dishes. She had been very quiet while they ate, obviously deep in thought, and she and Darien had talked quietly so as not to disturb her thinking. Serena reached out and lightly touched Rory's arm, causing Rory to look her in the eye.
"Tell me." That was all Serena said, her voice soft with concern and understanding, but Rory also heard the command. She had fretted long enough. Now was the time for action. Rory nodded and they went to the living room where Darien joined them. Rory and Serena sat on the sofa while Darien leaned/sat on the arm beside Serena. Rory inwardly smiled at the silent show of support and wondered if Darien realized he did it.
"Two things need to be done before we can go any farther. First, we need the consent of the Generals to bring them back. Without their consent, we can do nothing."
Darien nodded. "And the second?"
"Second ..." Rory hesitated a bit before continuing. "Second we need the Inners consent. They weren't happy with the decision to bring back the Generals and it could hamper things. They will need to work together with your guardians, Darien, and that is going to involve trust."
Now it was Serena's turn to nod. "I'll call the girls and this can be discussed further. I'm sure that once they have been allowed to deal with their concerns that they will eventually agree to this plan of action."
Rory shook her head. "No. I need to have more than just agreement. They have already agreed to the plan. I need them to believe in it with their hearts."
Serena was silent a moment. Sighing, she stood up and kissed Darien on the cheek. "Then I'll call the girls right away and we'll meet at the temple. That way, I'll be out from under foot as you talk to your Generals, Muffin."
Darien saw her to the door and kissed her forehead. "Be careful. We still don't know who that Shadow Watcher is."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful." She brushed her lips to his. "You'll know if anything happens, Darien, and I have faith that you'll always be there for me." She brushed a stray lock of hair off his forehead and kissed him again. Then she was out the door before he could say anything else to her. He stared at the door a moment before turning back to Rory.
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Bathroom break!! Go stretch your legs and rest your eyes!
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Darien sat in his comfy chair, the stones of the generals sitting in their open case on a table in front of him. Rory stood behind him, just off to the right. Closing his eyes, Darien concentrated. Using his psychometry, he called forth the spirits of his guardian generals. Slowly, they rose from the stones and formed ghost-like images of the bodies they once held. Small smiles of greeting for their Prince - replaced by looks of startlement when they noticed Rory. They said nothing, waiting for Darien to explain what he needed and who this woman was.
"Kunzite, Jadeite Nephrite, Zoisite. Sailor Moon, her guardian senshi and I are being faced with a situation that our powers are not quite up to facing. We are not sure who it is, except that his name is Maboroshi. We believe that he is not alone. We're going to need help." Darien paused. "We'd like you to come back and help us."
Startlement showed on the spirits' faces. Kunzite recovered first.
"My Prince, we are honoured to be allowed to protect you once again."
Darien interrupted him. "Each of you must speak for himself, Kunzite. Rory needs to know that you are doing this with your hearts open and not simply because you believe that this is something I wish. You are not under orders. The choice is yours and I will think no less of any who does not wish to fully return." Darien smiled. "You are not invaluable to me as you are, but I ... I miss your company at times."
The spirits looked at each other. Again, Kunzite spoke first.
"Master, how does the Princess feel about us returning? Her memories, and those of her Senshi, cannot be considered ... overwhelmingly warm."
Rory chuckled. "Diplomatic, as ever, Kunzite."
"Who are you that you know my name? You look familiar."
The blue crescent moon shone on Rory's forehead.
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PAUSE!! I have to go to work!! ARGH!!!!
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Spirits can't faint ... but their images fluttered a bit as the generals realized who the woman was that stood before them. Darien took pity on them and drew their attention to him again.
"The Princess is in complete agreement with the plan to bring you back. Unfortunately, it's the Senshi who are reluctant. The Princess believes that they will soften and wholeheartedly agree. She has gone to them now. However," Darien looked to each form before him, "It means naught if you are not in agreement."
Kunzite nodded. "Yes, Prince. I wish to help."
Jadeite bowed at the waist. "It would be good to have a real body again."
"Yes," Zoisite agreed, "I miss the wind blowing through my hair as I read a book in the sunshine."
Rory smiled. "Pretty-boy can read? I am amazed!"
Darien waved a hand at her. "You can tease later, Rory. this is getting tiring and I need to hear what Nephrite has to say."
Nephrite hesitated.
"Nephrite, please," Darien encouraged, reminding him also of the energy this was costing him.
"What if we fail you again?" The question had been quietly spoken. "Twice now we have failed you, Master. I do not wish to bear the shame of doing it again. And yet, I do not wish to miss the chance of making it up to you."
Rory leaned forward, her hands on the back of Darien's chair. "I will help you ... all of you ... to keep that from happening again. The Moon Princess might be the one who can bring you back, she can even heal you in the process, but I will make sure that the paths of compulsion in your minds are closed. You would have to be in possession of the Enemy for you to be broken once more. And I'm going to make sure you are able to fight that as best as you can. But Nephrite, aye, all of you, understand this. I can only give you a base to stand on. What you choose to do after that is all your decision. Win or lose. Succeed or fail. The choice will be yours."
Nephrite thought a moment, his face sombre. He inclined his head to Darien and bowed slightly. "I cannot miss the chance to make up for my error, my Prince. I wish to be a man again."
The four men bowed and faded back into the stones.
"Rory, if you'll get me a glass of water, please, I just need a moment before we meet the girls."
Rory nodded and headed for the kitchen.
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Serena had started to call the girls for a meeting as soon as she was out the door. She didn't mention why, just asked them to show when they could. She sat quietly listening to Raye and Mina talk about music while they all drank some tea and waited for the others to arrive.
Ami and Lita arrived together. Ami was telling Lita about a recipe that involved pineapple and ketchup, which sounded off, but Ami insisted was really good and could be served with rice or noodles. They entered Raye's room and sat at the table. As Lita passed around a small basket of goodies, Serena looked around the table at each of her friends - Ami, Raye, Lita, Mina. A glance at Raye's bed showed Luna and Artemis curled up together, but awake and waiting. Luna looked to Serena and Serena nodded. She turned to the girls.
"I need you to discuss with your feelings about bringing the Generals back. I know that we all have memories of them that don't exactly bring pleasant thoughts, but Darien has forgiven them ... as have I. During the battle with Metallia, after you girls had sacrificed yourselves to help me awaken again, it was Kunzite that showed us how to defeat her. By turning them into stone, Metallia had also freed them of their compulsions and the generals were able to use their now limited powers to help protect Darien. It was because of them, in addition to Helios, that Darien was able to hold out as long as he did against the black rose curse and avoid the nightmares sent by Queen Nephrenia." Serena looked each of the silent girls in the eye. "They are as devoted to him as you are to me."
The girls looked around at each other, at their hands, and the goodies ... anywhere but Serena. Serena got up and stepped out of the room, moving to sit on the step outside as she put her shoes back on. She wasn't sure how long it would take for the girls to think it over, but she was sure they would come around. They would see the truth. They had to.
She was startled when Raye sat down beside her. Raye was silent a moment as she gathered her thoughts. "Do you really feel so strongly about this, Serena?" The other girls gathered at the door behind them, listening.
Serena nodded. "How much do you remember?" She looked up at Raye. "How much do you remember of our past lives? Not just about us and who we are, but who we were?"
Mina came to sit on Serena's other side, her shoes dangling in her hand, her toes wiggling in her socks. She stared at the tree branches ahead of them, swaying in the wind. A strand of hair blew across her cheek, but she didn't brush it away. "I remember. Some anyway, but I think my memories are the clearest of all of us. I remember that I had to chase after you the most when you snuck down to the Earth to visit Endymion. I met Kunzite there." She fell quiet and became lost in thought.
Serena nodded. Mina had given her an idea. "I think your hazy memories are the key to full understanding here. Would you be willing to have them brought forward so that you are making an informed decision instead of one based on partial information?"
Ami walked up to Serena until she was standing behind her. She leaned down and put he hand on her shoulder. Serena looked up into Ami's warm eyes. Her short hair was getting long enough that it to blew lightly about her face, but didn't quite get into her eyes. Ami smiled. "An informed decision is always preferred, Serena."
Lita leaned against the door's edge and nodded. Raye looked to Serena and laid a hand on her arm. "Serena, I learned long ago that to fight you on such things was generally the wrong path. I won't fight you now." Raye smiled. "So what did you have planned, Odango?"
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Jade's Rose: Okay, so there's another chapter for you. I'm very sorry that it took so long to get written but sometimes life just gets in the way.
Jade: I won't let her do it again.
Jade's Rose: Oh, hush up! you are usually the reason I don't write at all!
Jade: blush We hope you appreciate the extra long chapter!
Jade's Rose: See you at the next chapter!!!