AN: So this one is only two days behind schedule, which is much better than last time, right? Still, like before, I've been pretty blocked on where to go with this story. I'm winging it, and that's slower than when I had more of it planned out. I don't know where it's going, but we should be hitting the Marine Cathedral part soon-ish. No guarantees.

Disclaimer: Like I get paid for writing? I don't own anything.

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Haruka heard shouting as she jogged lazily down the street and quickly traced it to the source, leaping up the stairs in front of the Hikawa Shrine effortlessly. Seeing what was going on, she snapped open her communicator and called Michiru.

"We've got a new enemy. Hikawa Shrine. Mars is already here, so hurry."

"Target?"

"Young blond male. I don't know him."

"On my way."

Haruka slipped back into the trees to henshin.

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"JADEITE!" Rei screamed again as he was blown back by the shot. His heart crystal erupted from his chest as he screamed, though he mercifully blacked out an instant later.

She forced herself to focus. The woman that attacked Jadeite couldn't see her, but her henshin was too bright to escape notice. She needed to get back far enough to manage it without being caught. She ran back to her room, eased the door shut, and pulled her wand.

"MARS STAR POWER, MAKE-UP!"

The flames were surging around her in an instant. Now in her Senshi form, she raced back to the battle only to see Uranus grappling with a Daimon based on a… broom? The blonde Senshi pulled free an instant later and reached for the crystal.

"Don't touch that!" she shouted, leaping after her. She crashed into the larger girl and sent them both sprawling. "You keep your hands away from that crystal!"

Uranus threw her off a second later. "This is none of your business!"

"This is my shrine, and that guy was attacked because I wasn't here! It's my business!"

"Mars!"

Sailor Moon and the rest of the Guardian Senshi were arrayed in the line at the top of the stairs, but Jupiter and Venus separated moments later to deal with the Daemon. Mercury was studying the van and woman intently and threw an ice wall in her path before she could reach the crystal either. Sailor Moon jumped into the way an instant later. Neptune stepped into their three-way quarrel as well.

Mars grabbed Uranus and hauled her back. "Leave… it… alone!"

"Back off!"

"No!" An instant later, Mars was holding a fistful of flame. "You take that crystal, and I'll kill you."

"He's not worth the world!" Uranus snapped, kicking her back. She reached for the crystal again, but a plume of flame erupted in front of it.

"That's not your decision to make."

Kunzite and Zoisite appeared, kneeling beside the fallen blond, and the older girl quickly connected the dots. "He's Jadeite."

"So?"

"Then he's definitely not worth the world!"

Uranus lunged for the crystal, narrowly dodging Mars' next attack. She ignored the shout of triumph that indicated Sailor Moon had destroyed the Daimon and the screech of tires that meant their new enemy was leaving. A moment later it was knocked away, Kunzite's boomerang flashing by. Neptune, however, had seen it coming and snatched it from the air.

"It's not a Talisman!" she shouted, and the heavy atmosphere faded. She drew back her hand to toss the crystal to Kunzite.

"Don't!" Uranus shouted, darting to her partner's side. "That is Jadeite."

"Does that mean we should kill him? They knew and haven't, and it's their decision to make. I'll accept any necessary casualties, Uranus, but this isn't one of them."

Mars darted forward and pulled it away, holding it close. "No casualties are necessary, and you have no right to decide his fate. Get out, Uranus. You're not welcome here."

She stared down at the slighter girl, but didn't press the issue. "Let's go, Neptune."

Mars watched them until they were gone before sprinting to Jomei's side and pressing the crystal back into his chest. He shuddered, but his eyes opened a moment later.

"What happened?"

"You were attacked," Sailor Moon said gently as she helped him sit up. "We came and defeated the monster, so you'll be okay now."

He was staring at Mars. "Rei?"

Her lips twitched. "It's about time, dimwit. I thought for sure you'd never figure it out."

"Then- I'm…"

"You're…?" she prodded.

"You called me Jadeite."

"Did I?"

His eyes narrowed. "Yes, you did."

"Okay, maybe I did. What about it?"

"You didn't think you could clue me in on that a little sooner?"

"Hmm…" she hummed, tapping her chin with one finger. "No."

"For goodness' sake, does he remember or doesn't he?" Jupiter snapped.

His form shimmered and in a moment it was Jadeite glancing up at her. "Yeah. I remember. Where's Neph? Shouldn't he be with you?"

"Nephrite was working tonight and couldn't get away as easily as Zoisite and Kunzite."

"What is it about having hearts torn out that makes them remember?" Sailor Moon asked Mercury.

"The trauma of it triggers our strongest selves."

"Zoisite reawakened before he was targeted."

"Yes, but I was attacked right in front of him. It seems to happen if their counterparts are attacked too. Rei was the first of us to be targeted, so Jadeite wasn't around to awaken then."

The leader nodded. "Okay. So who was the woman, and why did the method change? I've never seen anyone use a gun on us before."

"We've seen weirder," Venus commented.

"It seems that the gun is now the method with which heart crystals are removed. I examined the Daimon, and it didn't seem to have the capacity. Theoretically it was included only to provide sufficient time for the crystal to be examined and proven to be a Talisman or not."

"Still no idea about those?"

"None."

Mars knelt in front of Jadeite and grabbed his hands. "Up we go. Can you stand on your own?"

He easily drew his hands free and began to brush off his uniform. "Obviously. Didn't I tell you to get some sleep? I don't need to be helped."

She growled. "I imagine that's why I came out just in time to see you get shot, hm? I guess I should've stayed out of it and let you fix it yourself. Oh wait. You were unconscious and would've died."

"I'm not dead though, am I?"

"You would be if I hadn't called for backup."

"Then you should have let the backup take care of it and slept like you were told."

"I don't take orders from the likes of you."

"You would prefer the orders from your princess?"

"At least I have a reason to listen to her."

"You wound me, firebrand. You have an excellent reason to listen to me."

"That being?"

"I'm always right."

"ARGH!"

Jupiter stepped between them. "All right, I know you guys are making up for lost time, but not now. Or did you not hear the sirens? Everyone needs to de-henshin and get back to where they're supposed to be."

Sailor Moon nodded and headed out with her as Kunzite and Venus teleported away, Zoisite and Mercury following a second later. That left Mars and Jadeite standing there, taking in the rather messy shrine entrance.

"It'll take forever to clean that up."

"You could let me help."

"You should go home and sleep," she said mockingly. "You nearly died a moment ago."

"I'll sleep when you do."

"Fine." She de-henshined and snatched up her broom. "There's another broom in that storage shed."

"I remember."

When he came back, he had de-henshined as well, and they quietly began to clean up. Rei dealt with the police when they arrived, and by the time her grandfather got home everything was back in order. Jomei quietly slipped back into the trees as the priestess told him what had happened- albeit, the edited version that didn't include discussing secret identities or monster attacks. Once that was done and he had gone inside, Rei went after him.

"You okay?" she asked, passing him a thermos of hot tea.

"I'm exhausted, but I'm fine otherwise. What about you?"

"The same. Are you going to be able to get home, or should I call someone for you?"

"I don't have money on me for a cab."

"I meant Kunzite or Zoisite."

"Oh." He shook his head. "I imagine I'll be meeting with them soon enough. For tonight I don't want the company."

"I'll go then."

He grabbed her wrist. "I don't want their company. That doesn't mean I don't want yours."

She sat down next to him. "I was attacked here the first time we saw this enemy. I was making a wish and the next thing I knew the tree became a monster. It destroyed Sailor Moon's broach and nearly killed me."

"Was it like what happened tonight?"

"Worse. Before, the monster was the one that pulled out a pure heart. It was slower and horrendously painful. We were all at its mercy. Tonight was actually much easier, though I wish it hadn't been you they targeted. Up till now we didn't know if you would be."

"Why?"

"The enemies are looking for pure hearts. Zoisite was attacked, but Mercury was their primary target. We didn't know if what had happened with the Dark Kingdom would disqualify you. We were hoping it would."

"You were hoping I didn't have a 'pure heart'?" he asked with a chuckle. "Oh, the ideas."

"Pervert. I was hoping you wouldn't be a target, okay?"

"I appreciate that. Really." He got to his feet. "I should go home, and you should get some sleep."

"Are you going to be okay?"

"I'll be fine. Go to bed, Rei. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye."

She watched from the top of the steps till he was gone.

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"Miyamoto."

Jomei glanced up from the papers he was sorting. "Yes?"

"Hino-sama wants to talk to you."

He frowned. "Did I do something?"

The other man shrugged. "He didn't explain and I didn't ask. You might want to hurry though. He sounded annoyed."

The blond nodded and straightened his jacket before hurrying to the politician's office. He rapped lightly on the door before stepping in.

"Ah, Miyamoto-kun. I wanted to ask you about my daughter."

"Your daughter?" he repeated.

"Yes. I believe I asked you to escort her to the soiree almost two weeks ago, but she wasn't there and I haven't heard from her. What happened?"

"She refused to talk to me and slammed a door in my face."

Hino snorted. "That sounds like something she would do. Did you give up so easily?"

"No. One of the shrine employees escorted me off the grounds."

The older man folded his hands beneath his chin and studied him as Jomei tried to keep his expression neutral. "I doubt my father-in-law would prove much of a deterrent."

"It seems he's hired an assistant since you were last at the shrine." He kept his opinions of Rei's own ability to deter unwanted guests to himself. "I don't think he likes me much."

"I see. Are you allowed on the grounds now?"

"Yes."

"Then you can speak with Rei. There is another charity event tonight, and all the other guests are bringing their children. Rei needs to attend."

"I don't think she'll agree."

"Then convince her. You have a gift for words and a great deal of charm. Use those things to your advantage." His attention returned to his computer. "You may leave now if you think you will need the time."

Jomei hesitated but bowed and backed out of the room.

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"Rei."

She glanced up from the floor she was mopping. "What brings you here so early?"

"Your father sent me."

"I see." He half expected the water in her bucket to boil from the force of her stare. "What does he want now?"

"There's a charity event tonight that he wants you to attend."

"Fine."

"I know how you feel about your father-" Jomei paused as her reply registered. "What? Rei, what are you up to?"

The miko offered him a sweet smile. He didn't believe it at all. "I said fine. I'll go."

"Now I know you're up to something. You don't do cooperative, and that smile was just eerie. You never make that face unless you're plotting."

"Don't be so suspicious. I'm not up to anything… much."

"Somehow, that doesn't make me less worried."

"Just tell me what time you'll be picking me up and what to wear."

"Ah… Seven this evening, semiformal."

"Okay. Don't you have work to be doing?"

"Your father let me leave early to talk to you."

"And now that you're done?"

Jomei shrugged. "I could stick around, if you'd prefer. He doesn't expect me back."

"Out of curiosity, how did he think you would persuade me if I said no?" Rei asked.

"He said I was charming and had a gift for words."

She scoffed. "Obviously he doesn't know me very well if he thought you would be able to convince me with that."

"Obviously." He tossed his jacket through a nearby open door onto Rei's bed and rolled up his sleeves. "Need help?"

They spent the remainder of the afternoon in companionable silence until he left to dress for the night. Rei reached for the phone as soon as he was out of sight.

"Usagi, can you call the others and get over here? I could use your help."

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"It's perfect!" Minako declared as she stepped back.

Makoto nodded. "It'll certainly get attention," she managed around a mouthful of hair pins.

"It's still tasteful, though," Ami commented.

Usagi bounced up and down on the balls of her feet. "And your hair looks amazing!"

Rei smirked as she caressed the silky fabric of her dress. "Thanks, everyone."

"No problem," Usagi answered. "You don't ask us to do things like this very often, after all. And no study group tonight!"

"We could still get some work done," Ami countered.

"AMI-CHAN!"

"Just let it be," Makoto said as she set down the brush and pins. "We can pick up again tomorrow."

"I suppose," she finally acquiesced. The blondes cheered.

"We should have a sleepover once Rei gets back," Minako suggested. "She can tell us what happened, and since we don't have school tomorrow we'll be okay."

"It's fine with me," Rei replied. "Jomei will be here any minute, though, so make yourselves scarce. I'll see you when I get back."

The other four nodded and headed out to gather their things, leaving Rei to decide on her makeup and jewelry, something the rest of the team had deemed her competent enough to manage on her own.

Opening the bottom drawer of her dresser, Rei removed an old wooden box and set it on the table. Inside, a number of gems glittered.

"He's out of chances, Mom," the priestess told the jewels quietly. "I'll prove that to him tonight."

Ruby drops were selected and hung at her ears while the matching necklace and bracelet waited. She didn't wear any rings. That task accomplished, she quickly brushed a thin layer of cosmetics across her face and added a dash of sandalwood perfume.

There was a rap on the door, and she looked that way. "Yes?"

Her grandfather stepped in. "Rei-chan. You look lovely."

"Thanks, Jii-chan. Is Jomei here?"

The old man nodded. "He's waiting for you out front. You look just like Risa, you know."

Rei smiled. "I do?"

"You do. I'm sure she's proud of you."

She got to her feet, grabbing a small red clutch from the table and slipping on a pair of delicate red heels. "Well, I've got to go. The girls will be coming to sleep over tonight though, so I'll try not to stay out too late."

"Take as long as you need. They'll wait for you."

"I know they will. Night, Jii-chan!"

Jomei was standing at the top of the stairs, dressed in a tailored black suit with a black dress shirt underneath. He wasn't wearing a tie and the first button of his collar was undone.

He turned when he heard her coming. "You look… amazing."

Her lips quirked. "I guess you don't look too bad either."

"I don't think your father expected you to dress quite like this, though. I'm not sure it's appropriate."

"And?"

Jomei shook his head. "It doesn't matter; I'm an innocent bystander to the slaughter you intend to cause tonight. He sent a car for us, by the way."

"Good. I have no intention of walking in these shoes."

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The long drive had been quiet, but joining the party in the ballroom of the Imperial Hotel had been a production. Jomei was popular already and Rei's appearance drew even more attention.

One older woman, dressed in a gold cocktail gown, hurried over. "Jomei, darling, Takashi has been looking for you. And this must be his daughter! Hino Rei-san, wasn't it?"

"Nice to meet you…"

"Oh! Forgive me, dearest, my manners are terrible. I'm Miyamoto Suzu, Jomei's mother. Fumito must be around here somewhere, probably with your father, Hino-san. They're good friends, you know."

Rei shook her head. "I didn't know. I have to speak to my father though. Please excuse me."

"Of course, of course. Go with her, Jomei. You can't leave a pretty thing like her alone for too long. All those sharks would just snap her up."

"Yes, mother," he replied with a charming smile.

Rei rolled her eyes as they threaded through the crowd, being stopped here and there for introductions. "She made me sound like nothing more than an ornament. I can take care of myself, thank you."

"She meant well, Rei. Mother's a good person."

"Not the brightest, though, is she?"

He sighed. "No, I suppose not. Still, of all the people here she's the least likely to have an agenda. She was being legitimately friendly."

"…I know," Rei admitted reluctantly. "I shouldn't be so mean."

"You're annoyed with your father and lashing out. At least you aimed it at me, since I'm used to it, rather than anyone that wouldn't understand."

"Stop being nice and understanding. It's only going to annoy me more."

Jomei smirked. "But riling you is so fun, darling."

"Call me darling again and I'll break your nose."

"Yes, dear."

"I hate you."

She would have said more, but she spotted a familiar figure headed her way and froze, her grip on Jomei's arm tightening. He rubbed one hand up and down her back until she relaxed enough to let go.

"Rei. You look… nice."

"Thank you," she answered stiffly.

"And Miyamoto-kun, I appreciate you escorting my daughter, but she can stay with me now. You're dismissed."

Jomei hesitated, gaze flicking between the two. "Rei…?"

"Stay," she snapped. "Stay here. Someone needs to witness this for me."

"Witness what?" Hino Takashi demanded, voice stern. "Come with me, Rei. There are several people waiting to meet you. I'll send someone to find you a more appropriate gown."

"I happen to like this dress, actually," Rei replied acidly.

Jomei did too. It was a brilliant siren's red kimono-sleeved dress that hung just to her knees and clung to all her curves in just the right way but still possessed a modest quality to it. With her dark hair coiled into an elegant knot and the fine jewelry she had chosen to accompany, it was alluring without being overdone and made Rei seem much older than fifteen.

"Rei, this is neither the time nor the place."

"I agree, but you forced matters by insisting I be here. Now you can deal with the consequences."

"You will smile and greet everyone properly, and we will discuss your behavior later."

He reached for her arm, but she drew back before he could. "No, we won't. We'll discuss it now. First, don't send other people to do your dirty work for you. If you wanted me to come you damn well should have come to get me yourself. Leave Jomei out of it."

"You seem quite familiar with him."

"Hardly the point. Second. We had an arrangement: once a year on my birthday. You went against that, not me."

"Rei…" he said warningly, noticing the attention they were getting.

"I'm not done," she hissed. "Third. You have no right to demand my attention regardless. I've lived my own life for this long and I'm not giving it up now. You gave Jii-chan legal custody and I'm old enough that my opinion will be considered if you try to change that. Leave me alone."

The girl spun on her heel and strode out of the ballroom, leaving dozens of people staring after her. Her father fixed a pointed stare on Jomei.

"You'll bring her back if you value your job."

"Trust me, sir," he replied, "I don't."

And he followed her out.

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Rei was sitting on the steps of the hotel when he emerged, staring out into the street. He dropped next to her and draped his jacket over her shoulders.

"It's too cold for you out here."

"I'm fine."

He leaned back, resting his weight on his elbows. "Well, I hope you're satisfied. You cost me my job with that stunt back there."

"Sorry."

"Don't worry about it; I didn't like working for your father anyway. I've probably disappointed my family, though."

"They'll survive."

"I can find something else, I guess. Have any ideas?"

She finally looked at him. "Go back to your old job."

"Being evil?"

Rei shook her head. "Work at the shrine again."

"I don't think your grandfather needs another assistant."

"Actually, Jii-chan is stepping down as head priest. He's just too old to handle most of the work, so Yuuichiro is taking the exam. That'll leave his job open."

"No offense, firebrand, but I don't think he'd want me as his assistant."

"Well, even if Jii-chan's retiring, the shrine is still his. He would hire you if I asked him to, and you've worked there before."

He nodded, a faint smile playing across his features. "Hm… I remember that. Didn't I sell cursed charms and kidnap people?"

"Something along those lines. So?"

Jomei shrugged. "If your grandfather will go for it, it works for me. Are you sure you want me around, though?"

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

"You wound me."

"Yeah, right."

He laughed and got to his feet, helping her up. "I doubt your father's got a car for us, so I'll just flag down a cab. I'm going to guess the rest of the girls are waiting for you to come back so they can get all the details."

"They might be."

"You know, I enjoy arguing with you, but a straight answer now and again wouldn't hurt."

"Yes, it would."

His only response was to laugh more as the cab pulled up.

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AN: I really think Rei and Jadeite are cute, and I thought that it was unfair how little Rei's family situation was explained in the anime. So this satisfies both of those needs. Now, as usual, you know you want to review, right? I love to hear what you think. Till next time!