Chapter's note: This chapter is shorter than the others. I used it to express some feelings of the main characters, but to me it is actually Usagi's and Mamoru's act. That's why it isn't as long as the others.

Dedicated to my nephew Germán.

Act 43

Ami slowly walked along the street. It was already dark, but there was still life on the streets. She was almost at her building when she suddenly had the impression that she was being watched. She turned around, but there was nothing.

Ami sighed. That feeling of being observed… she'd had it before. Initially she had ignored it, but now… It felt like more to her than a simple impression.

She looked once more at the point she thought she'd seen a shape, but there really was nothing. Finally she turned back, but then she paused again.

The spot she was standing now… It was the exact same place the Youma had overwhelmed her that night - it seemed so long ago. It had been just after she had awakened her true powers simply by thinking of… Nephrite.

Ami slowly sat down on the stairs and pulled her knees up, wrapping her arms around her.

On that night she hadn't had any idea, but it had been Nephrite who had saved her… Somehow he had released her from the Youma that had gotten hold of her, absorbing her energy.

Ami tightened her grip around her knees.

And the night after she had caught him in her room… That had been when he had embraced her for the first time.

"What was he like?"

Ami winced as she remembered the new employee of the Crown center. It was very strange. When he had asked her all those questions about Nephrite, it hadn't felt intrusive at all. In fact, it had even felt good to talk to him. When she talked to him, remembering Nephrite didn't hurt so much anymore.

Why did he have such a strange effect on her? Did it mean that she was about to… forget Nephrite?

No, Ami thought, remembering how Nephrite embraced her, how he smiled at her. She was still longing for him, and there was nothing she wanted more than for him to be at her side again. But for some incomprehensible reason she felt… attracted to the new Crown employee. And the strangest and most confusing thing was that when she was with him, she completely forgot her grief for Nephrite. It didn't hurt anymore the way it did now. Why? What was going on?

A movement made Ami look up quickly. This time she was very sure she'd seen a shape. A white shape.

She stood up quickly and finally walked up the stairs to enter her building.

XXXX

Nephrite turned onto his other side, trying to find a more comfortable position to finally get some sleep. Useless. Even if the sofa had been a king-sized bed, he wouldn't have been able to fall asleep, because all he was able to think about was… Ami. The desire to tell her the truth was growing stronger and stronger.

No, you're not good enough, he thought once more. Idiot, you should never have even started talking to her.

But, why did she talk to him? And so openly, even though she didn't know him. Why did it even seem that she was looking for his presence?

Because she's a good person, Nephrite answered his own question, and she feels sorry for you.

He sighed, and as he finally realized that he wouldn't be able to fall asleep right now, he sat up, stepped to the window and looked out at the crescent moon in the sky.

"Well, look who's howling at the moon again."

Nephrite turned around and looked at the black haired Shitennou in shock.

"Kunzite?" he asked in disbelief.

Kunzite nodded, grinning.

"How… did you find me?"

"Zoisite had suspected that you were simply lost from the beginning," Kunzite started to explain. "He even tried to find you with his soul flight, but he wasn't very successful. Who knows what other things are going through that man's mind."

Venus, Nephrite thought with sudden certainty.

"And then the Master told me that he'd seen you… here." Kunzite looked around and grinned again as he inspected Nephrite from head to toe. "Interesting way of overcoming Beryl's curse, I would say."

"Is that why you came here? To mock me again?"

Kunzite suddenly became serious. "No," he said, "I wanted to ensure myself that what the Master said is true. That you're… alright."

"Why?"

A strange expression appeared on Kunzite's face. "Do you really not remember anything about the past life?"

Nephrite shook his head. "All I know is what… Zoisite told me: that it was my own wish, to not remember."

Kunzite only nodded, as though that answer hadn't surprised him at all.

"You won't tell me either, am I right?" Nephrite asked.

Kunzite looked at Nephrite for a long time before he answered: "There's one thing that Zoisite is right about after all. There are some things that have to be remembered on their own."

For a moment there was silence.

"So, what's it like?" Kunzite suddenly asked.

Nephrite squinted in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"To be a human. What does it feel like?"

"Why do you ask me that? You should know it yourself."

Kunzite shook his head. "I was never… a real human. What I am has always been inside me. And I always knew that I was different."

Nephrite listened to Kunzite, and suddenly had to ask himself why it felt so… familiar to talk to him like that.

"So, what's it like?" Kunzite repeated his question.

"I'd rather be dead," Nephrite answered.

"Fool," Kunzite replied.

Nephrite suddenly had to smile. "The Master said that, too."

"Well, at least he's right for once," Kunzite said, "Don't you get it? You've overcome the curse! You are free of Queen Beryl and the Dark Kingdom. Now you can be with Mercury without putting her in danger."

Nephrite looked at him in shock. "You knew?"

"Of course I did."

"But… how?"

"The day you saved her from… me, I noticed a change in you. And it was like back then."

"Back then… You mean the past life."

Kunzite nodded. "However, you are free now."

Nephrite shook his head. "How can I show myself before her like… this?"

"What do you mean?" Kunzite asked in surprise, "Haven't you told her who you are?"

"But look at me!" Nephrite shouted now, "Look what I've become. I'm weak, I'm useless, I'm nothing. I have no powers anymore. I won't be able to protect her."

Kunzite stepped beside Nephrite and gave him a strong clap on the back of his head.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Nephrite asked, rubbing the point Kunzite had struck him.

"Stupid boy," Kunzite reproached him. "You really don't understand anything. You've been given a second chance. You have the opportunity to be with the girl you're so fond of, without danger. And as for yourself; you should be glad. You're a healthy and good looking young man. You might not have any supernatural powers anymore, but I bet you're still… strong, even for a human. I still can feel power in you."

It was difficult for Nephrite to believe in Kunzite's words. There had been too many times, when he had still been in the Dark Kingdom, that Kunzite had made fun of him.

"Listen, Nephrite," Kunzite said, now very serious as he obviously noticed Nephrite's doubts, "I know that it must be… hard to believe me. I don't blame you. But at least do as I say this time. Tell Mercury who you are, and start living this life. You deserve it."

Nephrite realized that Kunzite was about to leave, and he knew that if he wouldn't take the opportunity now, it would be gone forever. So he asked, "Kunzite?" The black haired Shitennou looked at him quizzically. "Why… why did you choose Mercury… you know… to possess with dark power?"

Kunzite sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I knew this moment would come," he answered more to himself. Finally he looked at Nephrite again. "The truth is, Nephrite, I… I don't really know why. I sensed her loneliness on that day, and I knew that, because of that, it would be an easy thing."

Nephrite clenched his fists.

"I didn't do it because of you," Kunzite continued, "At that time, I didn't remember about you two. That memory came back after you blocked my attack with your own sword. That surprised me completely. That was the reason why I retreated."

There was a long silence while Nephrite tried to process and understand everything Kunzite had just told him.

"Go to her," Kunzite finally said, "Don't hesitate anymore,"

"I can't. Not like this."

Kunzite smacked him again, but it wasn't as strong this time. "Do you really think she's so shallow? She accepted you before, and she'll do it now, too."

"But I'm a human now. I'm not a Shitennou anymore."

"If that was her only reason for being with you… she doesn't deserve you."

Nephrite didn't know how to answer.

"Don't wait for too long," Kunzite said, "or it could be too late."

"Can't you just… take me back to the Dark Kingdom?" Nephrite asked, though he already knew Kunzite's answer.

"Absolutely not," Kunzite replied as predicted. "Your life is here and now. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and accept it."

Kunzite looked at Nephrite for a long time; then he suddenly reached into his pocket and took something out of it. "Here," he said, throwing it towards Nephrite, who caught it, "I hope that soon you can give it to her… again." He smiled, and it wasn't a mocking smile this time. It was a friendly one. "Farewell, little brother."

Then he teleported away.

Nephrite frowned. What had Kunzite just called him? It somehow sounded familiar…

Little brother.

He shook his head. No, he must have misheard. He opened his hand and looked at the object Kunzite had thrown at him. It was a little crystal that looked like a drop of water and was fixed on a thin and delicate silver chain.

"I hope that soon you can give it to her… again."

Again? Nephrite asked himself.

"Your life is here and now. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and accept it."

Nephrite sighed and put the chain into his breast pocket. Then he lay down on the sofa again.

"Do you really think she's so shallow?"

No, Ami wasn't shallow. But he wasn't worthy of her. He wasn't able to be the man she deserved. So it was better to stay… quiet.

But how long will you be able to do so? A sudden inner voice said.

"I don't know," Nephrite whispered, "I don't know."

XXXX

"Akryou Taisan!" Mars shouted, throwing an energy ball towards Jadeite. She watched in shock how the young Shitennou lifted his hands.

What is he doing? she thought.

He cried out in agony and fell to his knees.

"Jadeite!" Mars called, terrified, and ran towards him.

.

"Let me see," she said as she saw how Jadeite bit his lips to suppress the deep pain he must have felt.

What have I done? she accused herself.

.

A deep and long kiss. Her hands on his chest until she finally wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling his strong embrace around her waist.

.

Rei started and sat up immediately, boring her hands into her covers. She was trembling and, though she was sweating, she felt a sudden chill. She wrapped her arms around herself. That dream… it had been a memory. A memory of her and Jadeite.

He's right, Rei thought and began to shiver more strongly. She was still able to feel the kiss. Jadeite's warm lips on hers. But the weirdest thing was that, though she knew now that she and Jadeite had been a couple back then, she felt… nothing. The memories felt more like watching a movie. She realized it and, even though it was beautiful, somehow...

"So you finally remembered."

Rei turned around in shock, looking at Jadeite, who was standing in the middle of her room.

"Finally," he said, smiling. "I knew that you'd remember us." He walked towards her with open arms. "Mars, my love."

"Stay away!" she shouted and jumped out of the bed.

He hesitated, clearly surprised by her reaction. "But… haven't you remembered…?"

"Yes, I have," Rei answered and took another step away from him. "But this hasn't changed anything about my feelings. I don't feel anything for you."

He looked at her in real shock and pain. "But… why?"

"I don't know."

Suddenly he smiled again, and it was an evil smile, which made Rei shiver in fear.

"I do," he said. "It's the turtle-boy, am I right? Yes, I am. Don't try to deny it."

Rei clenched her fists. Takai, she thought in terror, he must not get involved in this.

"What if I told you that I'll kill that boy if you don't come with me right now?"

Her heart started to beat with fear now. No! a voice cried inside her, no, no, Takai!

Jadeite's smile widened and he stretched out his hand. "Come with me, my love."

"So… this is the way you want to win my heart?" Rei suddenly said, "By extorting me and threatening the man I care for?"

Jadeite's smile faded and, finally, he let his hand sink down slowly. "How can it be that you don't feel anything for me, even though you've remembered… our love?"

Rei shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe because I'm different from the others. I've decided to live now, in the present. I won't let the past throw a shadow on my life."

She noticed the hurt expression on Jadeite's face. "I'm sorry," she whispered honestly, "It was never my intention to hurt you."

.

Jadeite clenched his fists. So, that was it. Here he was, standing in the room of the girl he longed for, forced to realize that the time he'd had with her back then would never return. And now she even felt sorry for him. How pathetic!

"Be quiet," he hissed and looked at her. Disappointment and grief awakened in him. Her eyes widened and she bit her lips.

"I… I can help you," she suddenly said.

"Help me?"

"Yes. I could… try to find a way to break the curse that lays on you."

Jadeite clenched his fists so hard now that it hurt. "I don't need your help or your compassion."

He paused and finally said: "But be sure of one thing, Mars, Rei Hino. Maybe you think you can flee from the past, but you can't. You've had feelings for me, and I'll make you remember and… feel them again. The dark power is increasing every day, so I'm very sure I'll find a way to bring you to your senses. And who knows, maybe turtle boy could be a very big help, too."

"Jadeite… please," Rei called out in fear.

"Don't worry," he answered, "I won't hurt him… not yet."

With this, he teleported away.

Yes, he would definitely find a way to convince her; and besides, he knew very clearly whom he had to serve. It was Queen Beryl. She and no other. She loved, like him. And she longed for that person, who didn't reciprocate her feelings, just like him.

What better Master could he choose?

XXXX

Zoisite watched his Master and the princess running through the water, both laughing.

"Nothing's changed," Kunzite said, "Next time that fool will abandon the planet."

And this time Zoisite had to agree with him. Yes, nothing had changed. The Master had thrown away his life once more… for the princess. Soon the black stone Queen Beryl had made Jadeite plant in his body would absorb what remained of him and he would be gone.

Unless… there was one last small hope to save the Master's life.

Zoisite sighed, knowing very well that he didn't had much time anymore. It was time to finally fulfill his promise.

The room he teleported into was empty. Maybe she was still outside with the others, fighting against a Youma. There were appearing a lot of them now in the city.

Zoisite looked around. How many times had Nephrite come here to watch over his beloved's sleep? When had all this started anyway? It seemed so long ago…

Slowly, Zoisite stepped into the middle of the room and finally stood still before a tank of fish. He had to smile. That was so Mercury.

He turned around again and leaned against the wall. He would wait for her here. Though he hadn't much time, he wouldn't leave until he had fulfilled the promise he had made to his only friend in this life.

XXXX

"The warm feeling is C'EST LA VIE; I just want to be me. C'EST LA VIE; I want to keep loving you. C'EST LA VIE is the reason to be me. C'EST LA VIE is the reason to be you."

Usagi was sitting on the ground, rocking slowly from one side to the other.

Mamoru was gone; their time together had ended. Now the only thing left was the sound of the sea's waves.

"No matter what happens, you should smile. Smile like an idiot, okay? Your specialty."

Usagi smiled and stood up, still singing. What else could she have done? It was the only way to keep up her smile and good mood.

"C'EST LA VIE; I want to keep loving you…"

There were more important things now to focus on. Naru, Metallia's Youma, all the people that were unconscious, and most of all preventing the world from being destroyed again… by her.

Slowly she walked through the sand, feeling the little grains under her feet.

"I won't let the princess destroy the earth," Usagi whispered. "I'll do anything to protect the planet."