Part II: The Guardians

This world has taken me by storm, it makes me feel like running,

this place is making me transform, until I feel like nothing.

It the strength in you and me... that surrounds everything,

The way you look out for me, The way you burn.

It's the flame, in all of us, the same, that makes us feel this, flame, in all of us, the same,
that makes us feel it.

"Ami-chan..."

"Rei-chan..."

"Mako-chan..."

"Minako-chan..."

"Setsuna-san..."

"Haruka-san..."

"Michiru-san..."

"Hotaru-chan..."

...

"Mamo-chan..."

Everyone, please...

Find me.

"Ami-chan!"

Ami turned around quickly at the sound of her name and her breath became quick and uneven. Usagi's bright smile met her eyes and Ami's breathing attempted to go back to normal.

"Oh, Tsukino-san." Her breath was becoming more even and the panic she had felt at the sound of her name being called began to subside. "Are you ready for our study group?" Usaig's smile fell and a deep scowl plastered itself dramatically onto the energetic girl's face.

"I had forgotten about that." She said in a sad mumble. A wave of worry came over Ami.

"You're not going to back out are you?" Usagi shook her head, and then she offered Ami a warm smile as she straightened up her back. Her hand went to her forehead in a salute and she held her briefcase to the side.

"I will not give up, Ami-chan!" The studious girl rewarded Usagi with a sweet giggle, and this seemed to make Usagi's smile widen even more, if that were even possible.

"That is the spirit, Tsukino-san." Ami encouraged. Usagi finished her salute and both of her hands grasped the handle of her briefcase tightly and she bit her lip as they began to walk away from the school.

"Ami-chan?" Usagi said finally. Something seemed to be bothering her.

"Yes?" Usagi didn't speak up right away, but seemed to contemplate a bit more. Finally she seemed to have gathered the courage to continue.

"Why do you keep referring to me by my family name?" Usagi asked sadly. Ami looked at her in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Usagi looked up at the sky as they continued to walk together.

"I mean, we're friends, right?" Ami's mouth dropped a bit involuntarily. Usagi was viewing her in the corner of her eye and Ami knew she would have caught her surprise. Ami forced her mouth shut tightly and then looked at the ground.

She had thought that she was simply going to be Usagi's tutor, she hadn't though, she didn't think... Ami looked back up at Usagi who was waiting patiently, or at least, as patiently as Usagi could be. Ami remembered the bright, genuine smile that had greeted her when she had turned to face Usagi before.

"You're right." Ami said and a smile came along with the exploding sense of happiness she was feeling. "Usagi-chan!" The name rolled off her tongue and she loved the way it felt. No formalities, just pure friendship. A laugh escaped Ami as Usagi smiled with delight.

Friends.

Usagi grabbed hold of Ami's hand and began to pull her forward.

"Now lets go meet Mako-chan!" Usagi pulled her forward in a run. Makoto was getting closer and closer to them.

"Mako-chan!" Makoto turned quickly towards them and Ami could see panic in her eyes that died away when she saw Usagi beaming up at her.

"Tsukino-san." Ami smiled knowingly as Usagi crossed her arms in a childish pout.

"So, U-sa-gi-chan." Makoto drew out her name and she shared a glance with Ami. "Ami-chan," She turned back to Usagi who was still smiling over her name victory. "Where are we even doing this study thing?" Usagi watched as a thoughtful look came over Ami.

"I was thinking the library, or perhaps one of our houses." Makoto nodded in agreement.

"My place is always free." The trio began to make there way towards Makoto's house, and as they neared the Hikawa Shrine, Usagi found her eyes searching for Rei. She didn't have to search long though as the girl was standing at the bottom of the steps, but Usagi had almost not recognized her. She was wearing what appeared to be a school uniform instead of her white and red hakama. Another factor was the tall, blond, man who stood next to her.

"Rei-chan!" Usagi lifted her hand up and began to walk more quickly towards the girl. Rei turned around with widened eyes at the sight of Usagi rushing towards her.

"Usagi-chan?!" Usagi slowed down a bit as she neared her, and the man's eyes caught hers. A cold chill filled Usagi and time seemed to slow down as his eyes pierced through her. "What are you up to?" Time speed up once more as Usagi looked back at Rei. "What are you all up to?" She asked again hastily after Usagi did not answer right away.

"We- We were about to go to Mako-chan's place to study." Usagi explained as she looked from Rei to the man and back again. Rei did not seem to be completely comfortable around him either. The other two girls were suddenly close beside her, almost too close. Makoto was standing partially in front of her, almost in a protective stance as she stared down the man, and Ami was shoulder to shoulder with her. Both of their bodies were rigid and Ami's skin was ice cold.

Rei laughed nervously.

"You guys should come up to the shrine!" She said pushing past Makoto and grabbing hold of Usagi's hand. She did not look like she was going to let them leave. Rei turned back to the man and grabbed hold of the bag he was carrying. "Thanks for the help, my friends and I can take it from here." She said. Friends? Usagi had only talked to her twice, and she had never really spoken to Ami and Makoto. "Come on Usagi-chan!" She said as she grabbed hold of Usagi's hand once more. She dragged Usagi up the stairs while the other two girls followed behind with Makoto taking up the rear.

"It was nice meeting you, Hino-san." The man' voice followed them and Rei paused to look back down at him for a moment, but then she turned again quickly as she forced Usagi upward. Usagi looked down at him over her shoulder as Rei pulled her harshly up the steps. His eyes pierced through her once more like hot spokes.

His eyes were a crystal blue, but that did not stop his gaze from feeling like tongues of fire.

Jed had been searching for The Princess for days now.

No matter how hard he tried to remember something that would help him, he just could not get past the raging headache that came with it. Whenever he consciously attempted to remember The Princess' face all he received was an acute pain that pierced through his brain. He was almost glad that the memories were avoiding him. He was uncertain of what he would find with them, and his heart beat quickly when he tried to unlock them, as if they contained something horrible and unspeakable.

He was walking with his thoughts trying to once again discover anything and he was not actually paying attention to the path in front of him, and neither was the raven haired girl coming at him from the side.

The girl struck him at full speed and the two fell to the ground at opposite sides of the sidewalk.

"Hey!" The girl was fuming venomously as she reached for several cans that were rolling away from her. She had been carrying a large bag of groceries, and it had been part of the reason she hadn't been able to see where she was going. "Why don't you look where you are going?!" Her back was turned to him as she collected the items that were scattered about.

"What about you?!" Jed asked angrily and he began to pick himself up, ignoring the rolling groceries. "You're just as-" She turned to face him and her eyes glared up at him. They were deep and beautiful, but at the core they were full of passion. That passion died in an instant, though, as her eyes met his. She shifted her body uncomfortably and reached down to continue collecting the food. "I'm sorry, you're right." He bent down once more, this time to help her collect her groceries.

"No, I got it." She said pushing his hand away.

"No, I was in deep thought and not looking where I was going. Its been a bad week." He grabbed hold of one of the cans but she hurriedly grabbed it away from him.

"Let me." She said. "It was my fault, really." She said as she picked up the bag once more. "I haven't been sleeping well." He leaned closer to her to take the bag out of her hands. "I can handle it myself!" She complained loudly, her eyes blazing once more. It was already too late though. He held the bag and was now standing over her. He offered his free hand to her and she looked at it momentarily before finally accepting it.

For a moment it felt as if intense flames were searing through his heart.

"Please, let me handle this." He said as she shook off his hand fiercely. "Its my responsibility." The girl bit her lip and he began to walk forward. "This way?" The girl's eyebrows furrowed and she stormed after him.

"Yes." She said tartly. A smile found its way onto his face. She looked even more pretty when she was annoyed.

"So, what's your name?" He asked. The girl crossed her arms as she walked past him.

"Its not any of your business, but it is Hino Rei." Jed's eyes narrowed as he looked her over once more. Didn't he know her from somewhere? She glanced at him once more from the corner of her eye and the fire in her violet eyes died away as her eyes met his. She diverted her glance away quickly. He had seen her before, but where?

"I'm Jed." She glared at him.

"Jed what?" She asked a bit annoyed. He smiled.

"Jed is just fine."

Silence. They walked in absolute silence. She kept her distant and irritated expression, and Jed could tell that his presence was bothering her. He found himself smiling once more, as if it were his sole purpose to irritate her.

"You know if you keep scowling like that you're going to get wrinkles." She shot him a look with her fiery eyes and her furrow deepened. He laughed, and she stopped walking. Her hands rested on her hip as his laughter grew a bit louder.

"What is it that is so funny?" She fumed bitterly. Jed couldn't help it. He felt something like giddiness inside himself. She looked as if she were about to explode. "What?!" He walked past her with that stupid smile still on his face.

"I just can't take that scowl seriously." He said. He heard her feet hitting the sidewalk loudly as she rushed after him.

"What do you mean you can't take me seriously?!" She was almost yelling. "Such an arrogant jerk who-" He turned to face her after her voice stopped suddenly. She was standing there with widened eyes and her mouth was open slightly. The flame of anger was now extinguished within her eyes.

"What is wrong?" He leaned towards her, and she blinked suddenly as she seemed to snap out of whatever had stopped her rampage.

"Its nothing." She said rushing past him once more. "Just lets get going." She said angrily. It was now Jed's turn to frown.

"No." He said. She glared at him over her shoulder. He smiled at the sight if the fire returning in her. He stood up straight and lifted his chin a bit to the sky. "Not until I receive an apology." The fire in her eyes were now blazing vibrantly once more.

"An apology for what?!" She said turning around to face him, her face flushing red. Jed found himself enjoying this all too much. He closed his eyes and held out one of his hands to the side as if symbolizing that it was obvious.

"For insulting me of coarse." He said. He opened his eyes to see that her face had become a darker shade of red and her hands were clenched to the side.

"YOU INSULTED ME!" She exploded. Jed put his hand on the bag once more and he just walked past her. The sight of her exploding had set something askew within him. He hadn't liked it as much as he thought he would have. The whole situation hadn't set right with him, it... "Are you alright?" Her voice wasn't angry anymore and he looked at her.

"What do you mean?" She walked beside him now instead of in front of him.

"Did I really upset you?" She asked. Jed smiled and shook his head.

"Nah, I've been called much worse than an arrogant jerk." He confided.

Viper.

Villain.

Traitor.

Jed shook his head in order to clear it and to make the memories go away. Rei did not speak beside him and he looked down at her. She glanced up at him for a moment and then turned away quickly once more.

"Did I upset you?" He asked nervously. He had wanted to, but now he was afraid that he really had succeeded. To his relief she shook her head and smiled up at him.

"Nah," She said imitating him. She flipped her raven hair with her hand for effect as she continued to speak. "I've been told much more serious lies before." Jed laughed softly and the fire in her eyes became more like a shimmering star. Jed felt his heart beginning to beat more quickly inside his chest and he looked away from her.

"It wasn't a lie." He said playfully. "You really will get wrinkles." Rei put her hands on her hips and shook her head woefully.

"Such an arrogant man to think he knows everything!" She said. Jed shook his head in return and played along.

"And one so vain to think the affects of time will not strike her lovely face." The look on Rei's face was priceless as her face turned a deep crimson colour. He had embarrassed her, but Jed found that he didn't like it as much as when she was irritated. It was only a few moments though before her scowl returned. She apparently did not like that she had been embarrassed.

"Who are you to call me vain?" She asked walking a little bit ahead of him. "I am studying to be a great Shinto priestess!" Jed nodded solemnly.

"You are right, you are not vain. Just prideful." He agreed. Rei exploded once more.

"I don't have to take this from you!" She shouted and she grabbed hold of the bag of groceries.

"And quite irascible." Rei turned away from him hastily and stormed forward. "I thought priestesses had to control their anger?!" He called after her.

"Just leave me alone!" Jed followed after her quietly with a simple smile. He was enjoying himself more than he had in years. Rei looked over her shoulder and at the sight of him following her she stopped and began to shout at him once more. "Just go away! I've had just about enough of you!" Jed pounced on the opportunity.

"Just about enough? Well, I guess I have a little more room to work." Rei threw up her hand in defeat as she turned away from him.

"Just go away!" Jed shook his head as he walked behind her.

"I've already told you, I just cannot take that scowl seriously." Rei looked back at him once more. Jed wondered how many times more he could get her to look back before she just started to ignore him. The count was up to two.

"And why not?!" She asked in her peevish anger. Why not? Jed stopped walking as he stared after her. Rei shook her head in annoyance and began to walk away. The question rang in his ears. Why couldn't he take her scowl seriously?

"Because I've seen what real anger looks like." He said loud enough for her to hear him. Rei turned around once more, but Jed wasn't counting anymore. She didn't look angry anymore, or perturbed. She looked just like she had early when her voice had trailed off, as if she might be remembering something.

"What does it look like?" Jed shook the strange feeling he had and he attempted to laugh it off.

"My boss." He laughed. "She is the epitome of anger." Rei stood there appearing to think for a moment. Jed's laughter died away as the strange feeling came back in full force. "She is always so cheerful and loving to outsiders, but on the inside roars a vicious and hideous creature full of hatred and pure enragement." Rei nodded slowly in understanding. Jed's heart began to dance in his chest once more. She was so beautiful, even more than when she was irritated.

"That's just like my father. He is cool and reasonable on the outside, but within him is a man full of anger and bitterness." She said softly. It was the first time her voice had been quiet enough where he had to strain to hear her. He stepped forward and took the groceries once more as they began to sag out of her grip. She smiled up at him, seeming to try to shake off the strange feeling just like he had tried to. After a moment, it fell away once more and she looked to the side away from him.

This girl... she was something special. His eyes opened in fear.

Could she be The Princess?

It would explain why he felt that he knew her.

She was beautiful and insightful, just like he imagined a princess should be, but would a princess be so short-tempered?

His breath began to grow uneven as they walked along the empty sidewalk. She was avoiding his eyes, but Jed wasn't pushing it either. The air between them was now thick and uncomfortable, but if she really was The Princess Jed needed to make sure of it. How could he tell?

He had nothing else to go on besides this fleeting and strange emotion.

They had been walking for an eternity! Would they ever get to the shrine?! Rei pushed back a strand of her hair nervously as they continued to walk along in silence. This strange man had stirred up so many emotions in their short walk that Rei could feel them all bombarding her at once. Things she hadn't wanted anyone to stir up. Things about her father and...

And then there were the strange auras and premonitions she was feeling and seeing around him.

Jed was such a strange mix of good and evil, that Rei found herself flustered because of it. At least that was what she was telling herself. It was almost as if she were drawn to him.

"Stop that!" Rei chided herself instantly. She had to get rid of him! What if he followed her up all the way to the shrine?!

Grandpa would never let her live it down!

"No!"

She couldn't have this man hanging around her shrine either! She had no time for any of this! She had things she needed to meditate on! Things she didn't yet understand!

The images that she had seen on her walk with him came back to her. A scene of a man that looked almost like him surrounded by green leaves and flowers. It had been a peaceful scene, a quite scene. She had just been about to call him nasty names when the scene had bombarded her. It was such a strange premonition.

The second scene had been more frightening. One full of pure anger and sorrow.

A blonde girl with a sword in her hand as she rushed towards someone. The scene had been so blurry, but Rei could distinctly hear her shout. It was so loud and full of... maybe not so much anger, but of anguish. Rei shivered once more as the girl's cry echoed in her and she pressed her eyes shut.

Yet out of all of these things, her dream was the strangest of all. A dream that was there each time she closed her eyes. A dream of a different blond-

"Rei-chan!" Rei's eyes opened up wide in horror. She spun around quickly towards the calling.

It was Usagi; just Usagi.

The panic that had gripped Rei's heart subsided as she sighed with relief. How silly of her to think the woman was calling out to her right then!

"Usagi-chan?!" Usagi wasn't nearly as tall as the woman had been, and she bet that she wasn't as pretty either, not that Rei could see the woman's face. Usagi's pace slowed down a bit as she neared them and her eyes strayed to the side of Rei. Rei glanced over at her companion once more and the uneasiness returned. "What are you up to?" Rei asked. The blonde looked back at her and her face looked as if she couldn't comprehend what Rei was asking. "What are you all up to?" Rei asked again hastily. She needed to get Usagi away from Jed as quickly as possible. It was only making her more nervous to see the two together. Each had strange auras, but by far Usagi's was more peaceful.

Usagi said something about studying and Rei grabbed hold of her hand. Yes, such a peaceful aura. Where as Jed's was a confusing battle of good and evil, Usagi's radiated pure love and hope. A tall brunette girl gave Rei a fierce glance and Rei realized she had just pushed past her to get to Usagi. The girl looked away from her and back at Jed who stood there, his eyes piercing through them like knives. Rei's breathing became more hurried.

She had to get them up the steps and away from him.

It was all a blur to her, and Rei wasn't sure of what she had actually said to get them to come with her, but they did. Rei was now holding the groceries, but when did that happen? It didn't matter. She had to get Usagi away! She had to protect her, and she knew the others would back her up. Rei almost tripped on the steps as she thought this. How did she know-? Why was Usagi-? Rei's mind was spinning and she could not complete a single one of her questions.

"It was nice meeting you, Hino-san." His voice cut through her thoughts and Rei found herself turning to face him once more for the fourth time that day. His voice was genuine, but there was also something else underlying his voice.

She only stared at him for a moment, but a moment was all it took. Especially when that moment felt like an eternity.

As her eyes met his, a unexpected vision ripped through her. Her grip on the groceries loosened and for a moment it threatened to crash onto the floor.

There was so much fire. Like the fire in his eyes, it was everywhere. The castle was burning.

Rei tightened her grip on the groceries and raced up the steps once more, unaware of the pain she was causing to Usagi's hand. It wouldn't have mattered though. She just had to get them to the top safely.

Rei rounded the corner at the top of the steps and as soon as they were out of Jed's sight, she collapsed to the ground and began to gasp for breath. She hadn't realized she had been holding it. She vaguely heard Usagi give out a complaint, but she couldn't let go of her hand, not yet. Only when the other two girls were beside them did she let go. Usagi pulled her hand up and began to rub it.

What had that fire been? A premonition of things to come?

"Are you alright?" A blue haired girl asked, her voice broke through Rei's panic. Rei looked up at the three girls above her and she nodded slowly.

"Was he bothering you?" The brunette asked, her fist rolled up loosely. Rei's breathing was returning to normal but she still could not speak. She shook her head.

"Its just-" Her voice cut off. She couldn't tell them that! Not the crazy things she had seen. "Its nothing." Could she call that fiery premonition nothing so easily?!

"You looked rather flustered." The blue haired girl commented. Rei smiled as she picked herself up.

"Me? Flustered?" She ask, trying to cover her true fear. "Never."

The three other girl's shared a glance. They were not convinced, but Rei was determined to move forward.

"Its nothing!" She said. Her breath all caught up. "Now..." She said starting to remember a little bit of what she had said to get them up here. Had she really called them friends?

"What are we studying?"'

Blonde.

The Moon Princess was blonde.

As Jed watched the girls fly up the stairwell the fact hit him like a smack in the face. He could distinctly see her golden hair flowing in his mind. He hadn't even been trying to think of The Moon Princess, but as soon as Rei's friend had bounded towards them, the memory had surfaced. And it stung.

Jed turned to walk away from the shrine and began to make his way back to the Yoruno mansion. He would not have anything to report to Kimi, but at least now he had something to go on. Not that it really narrowed down his search any. That one fact would not make his job any easier, but at least he did not have to worry about Rei being her.

The Moon Princess did not have the fiery passion of Hino Rei, but was like the sunshine drifting through a glass window, or perhaps a better way to discride her would be like the soft moonlight of the full moon. Jed guessed that would be the more appropriate description.

He entered through the black gate while trying to make as little of a scene as possible. He didn't want to accidentally meet up with his fellow executives, not with how frizzed his mind was at the moment. His thoughts went back to Rei once he had entered undetected.

He was happy that she could not be The Moon Princess, but that killed his theory as to why he felt like he knew her from somewhere. It was going to drive him crazy if he didn't figure it out. A silly smile came back to his face. Well, he would just have to hang around the shrine until he figured it out. He laughed inwardly. Rei would be so annoyed by his presence.

And while there he could keep an eye out for The Princess. The shrine appeared to be a popular place for young girls and it was a better plan than just walking around helpless. Besides, he was a bit curious about the shrine. Jed had never been a religious or spiritual person, but he was curious about the Japanese culture he was surrounded by. For three years he had been living in Tokyo, but he still knew nothing about his new home. He only knew the people living near his apartment and those he met with for business. He knew the proper bowing process and the respect that was expected at meetings and he spoke fluent Japanese, but he still did not know anything about its people.

"We missed you at the meeting this morning." Jed froze in his tracks. The voice had come from his right. Jed turned slowly and Kunza was leaning line the doorway.

"Uh-um... I- I was on an errand for Kimi-sama." Jed stuttered. Kunza had caught him completely off guard. Kunza frowned, but unlike Rei's scowl, this one did not make Jed laugh. It truly frightened him.

"You've been reporting to Kimi more often..." Kunza said softly. Jed swallowed and looked away from Kunza not wanting to make eye contact. Jed had been avoiding the others ever since he had been awakened with some of his memories. A war was raging inside Jed even as he spoke with his leader.

Mamoru or Kimi?

Endymion or Beryl?

His prince or his master?

It was tearing him apart inside. At least the others had a chance to avoid this torture as well. If they did not remember than they could at least try to be happy. If they knew about their slavery, their past, then that chance at happiness would be stolen from them.

"Do you remember?" Kunza's question broke through Jed's thoughts and the Shitennou was forced to look back up at him.

"Remember what?" Jed asked after a moment's hesitation. Kunza's face darkened. Their leader's complexion and hair was so bright, but the man himself was always so dark and serious.

"You do." Kunza said and Jed sighed as he nodded. "Do you remember whom we are sworn to protect?" Jed nodded once more.

"Endymion." Jed allowed himself to say the name for the first time since he had awakened. Kunza looked to the ground.

"Do you remember what happened?" Kunza asked in a deep voice. "What happened to him? What we did?" Jed had to think a moment.

"Not entirely; the details are hazy." Kunza kept staring at the floor, and Jed saw his fists tighten. Jed closed his eyes and the images that he could remember came back to him. "We were attacking The Moon." Jed began. "Why? How? I don't remember." Jed opened his eyes but Kunza had not moved. "Only that... we were following Beryl. That we were after The Silver Crystal..." Jed felt dizzy for a moment at trying to remember more and the pain stabbed at his temples. "I feel as if there was something else in control. Something above even Beryl." Kunza looked up at the ceiling as if veiwing all that had happened once more as well. As if he were looking up the hill at the collapsing Moon Castle. "I remember..." Jed said not wanting to go on. "Something dark overtook us, we.. we betr-" Jed stopped as he began to choke on his words. He was not one to cry, but the memory was too painful.

"We betrayed our Prince." Kunza finished for him.

"She's manipulating you! That creature!"

Beryl and her "Great Leader".

"Did she awaken you as well?" Jed asked. Kunza shook his head.

"I remembered it all on my own a week ago. I was with Endy-" Kunza shook his head. "I mean Chiba-sama." He sighed. "I remembered a bit then, just a few strange scenes, and I shook them off." He paused. "Then I woke up to horrible nightmares. I kept seeing him dyeing again and again in my dreams, and then.., I remembered." Jed was now leaning against the wall as well beside Kunza.

"I can't remember. How did he die? Which one of us-" He could finish the question. Had Jed been the one who had plunged the sword through The Prince? Kunza shook his head.

"I can't remember." Kunza said knowing what he wished to ask. "And it doesn't matter which one of us struck the final blow. We are all guilty."

Silence came in between them. Kunzite had been their leader, it was only right that he would have awakened on his own.

"Do Zoicite... Nephrite..."

"No." Kunza assured him. "They don't have a clue." Jed sighed in relief.

"At least some of us can be at peace."