Endymion was keeping a secret. Jadeite knew. But his oaths kept him from knowing what that secret was. His powers gave him insight into the hearts and minds of people. Restraint prevented him from digging deeper. The people knew that the Shitennou of the Far East was a telepath, and they were rightfully fearful. So Jadeite took an oath to never misuse his powers, and to only wield them for the defense of the Earth. The words might seem trite and vague, but they were sealed with a sacred bond that tied his very soul to the fate of the Earth. Were his intentions honorable and true, then nothing would happen. If he ever betrayed that trust, the consequences would be disasterous.

Jadeite had become used to the passing voices. No matter how much he suppressed his abilities, there was always something in the background, as though he were perpetually out in public, hearing snatches of conversation he was not truly listening too. The only way to silence the voices completely was a meditative state that was deeper than sleep, and one that he could not be roused from until he chose to emerge. He would be completely vulnerable, so he had to ensure his fellow Shitennou could protect him and protect Endymion while he slept.

He felt those close to him most deeply. They were his constants; they kept him sane when his gift threatened to overwhelm him. He counted on Nephrite, the passionate star-gazer, who wore his emotions on his sleeves. It never took a telepath to know what he was thinking. He counted on Zoisite rationality, which belied his expressive nature. He counted on Kunzite, and his firm sense of devotion that kept the Shitennou together and committed. Most of all, he counted on Endymion, and the undeniable regal quality that followed him wherever he went. Jadeite knew that no matter what, Endymion was a man he would follow unto death itself.

He so depended on these four, it was easy to know something had changed. There was a new whisper, just at the edge of his consciousness. Something in Endymion had changed. He was still regal and commanding, but there was a hint of something, just out of his grasp. It was as though he was listening in on a conversation in some foreign tongue. Much was being said, but he had no idea what it was. Such uncertainty was dangerous, but he could not risk his oath to dig deeper.

As months passed, the whispers grew, but in his mind, and in reality. Evil was gathering. People were fearful, and there were many confused rumors. Some spoke of people being turned to stone. Others spoke of mysterious, beautiful maidens, descending to Earth from the heavens at night, bewitching unwitting young men. Some said no less than the Prince himself was under their spell.

It was nonsense, of course. If invaders were approaching, Jadeite would know. Earth was not threatened. It was impossible.

All that changed when he saw her.

It was true, she had long, lusterous tresses, and legs that seemed to go on for miles. But once her amethyst eyes captured his, Jadeite knew to fear for Earth. If anyone this powerful was able to descend into the heart of the Royal Gardens undetected, Earth was doomed.

Endymion had a secret. And the Shitennou were helping him to keep it. After all, each of them had one of their own. It helped that he was a telepath, but even without his gifts, Jadeite had noticed that Zoisite always took the nightwatch on foggy nights, while Nephrite seemed to take patrols on stormy nights. Kunzite always seemed to balance their schedules very carefully. And, of course, he thought he was being discreet at diplomatic engagements when he met the eyes of the Senshi of Venus. Fortunately for him, there were only eight other people who would scrutinize such behavior, and all of them were in on the secret.

Still, a secret was something that could not be named or openly acknowledged. And Jadeite knew what he felt, and knew that it could not be kept silent forever. Hope had been kindled in his heart. The negotiations were moving forward. If relations between Earth and the Alliance were solidified, he and Mars need not be so secretive. Hope was a dangerous thing. It made him believe. He believed so hard, that he offered Mars the ring the next time he saw her. For a man to offer a woman a ring was a serious matter. For a man like Jadeite to offer a woman like Mars a ring was an even more serious matter. For him to offer her this ring was beyond even that. The ring was special, and would truly join them, mind to mind and heart to heart. It was dangerous, and was only meant to be done between the genuinely committed. It was not to be entered into lightly.

She, of course, had to refuse. Too much was still uncertain. He even understood. They were not ready yet, and they cared much too much about each other to enter such a bond in haste. That did not mean he felt no pain, no anger, no frustration. It was cruel that they must keep such feelings hidden and unnamed. It bred darker feelings.

When the negotiations broke down, Jadeite fought the rage and the despair.

Beryl used them. She convinced Jadeite through subtle and devious words that Mars never cared for him, and Endymion was to blame. She convinced him to use his powers. She convinced him to betray everything that he loved. She convinced him to destroy the world.

Hino Rei was a woman who looked as though she carried many secrets. In truth, she was not quite the enigma everyone thought. In truth, she was a very simple woman. She had lost her mother, and lost her father by extension. She had lost her childhood to powers that were both gift and burden. She had lost her only remaining family to an evil that came to fight her power. She was a reincarnated princess who had been betrayed by the man she loved. And, until the Last Battle, she thought all she would ever have were the four women who were more than sisters to her. But the return of the Shitennou allowed her to reveal one secret she carried for a thousand years.

"I have to give this back to you," she tells Jadeite.

He looks on with a mixture of awe and confusion as she hands him back the ring, just as she had a thousand years ago.

"How did you get this?"

"I took it from you during our last battle at the palace gates. I wanted something to remember you by."

Jadeite can say nothing. The memory shames him.

"You should have it back now," she says as she places the ring in his palm. Gently, her fingers enclose his hand over the ring. As if sensing the pain he feels at the gesture, she raises one hand to his face and brings his eyes to hers. Once again, Jadeite looks into those beautiful eyes and knows he is doomed.

"You have to keep it, because I expect you to offer it to me again."

"Will you say yes?"

She smiles and caresses his cheek.

"That's a secret."