...

I ain't got a heart of stone
You haven't left me a mind of my own
But it's such a hold on me
I don't think I could ever be free
How can I survive
I'm fighting to keep myself alive
I'm damned if I do
Damned if I don't, but I love you
Can't seem to see the light
I've done everything but I can't get it right
Damned if I do
Damned if I don't, but I love you

The suspicions had always been there. From the very beginning Nephra had found himself leery of Yoruno Kimi and her offer of financial success in her family's company, but he had found himself unable to refuse it. It had been as if someone else had bent down and signed his name and life away to her, and he had watched it happen; unable to stop it. The next minute, as she disappeared past the door, he had sat down in shock unable to comprehend what he had just done. He, who had valued his independence more than life, had found himself tied to a company on the other side of the world. He had reached what anyone would call success in his early twenties, but the feeling of being tied down to one place felt suffocating. Despite the 'success' at the extremely young age of 22, he had never felt so unfulfilled, but he could not find the strength to pull away.

He had almost come to give into the prison when he had finally met Chiba Mamoru.

The young man had pulled Nephra in and it had been an even stronger than his pull towards Kimi. There was something about the man that drew Nephra to Chiba, and it had done so since the very beginning. Chiba had given Nephra a ground to stand on in the chaos of the company, and it had given him a sense of... purpose?

Around Chiba, Nephra found himself prepared to settle down. As if everything was bearable as long as he knew Chiba was safe. It was a strange feeling he couldn't explain, but it was the only thing he knew for certain and he hung onto the feeling for dear life. It had helped the imposing feeling of doom subside.

Except... Then the others began to act suspicious, and the stars Nephra put most of his trust in began to hide their answers from him. Jed and Kunza had been acting weirdly, and it seemed to Nephra that they were keeping secrets; important secrets. Kunza hovered near Mamoru more than ever before, when before he had almost seemed to avoid him to a point. Jed's avoidance had enhanced and he was almost never at their main meetings but his work consisted of personal duties for Kimi, and short meetings with Kunza in the darkened hallways of the mansion; always speaking in hushed, inaudible tones.

The only one seeming to act normal was Zoi! He appeared clueless to what was going on with the others. So much so that when Nephra had risked a question he had only received a blank stare from him and then he had gone back to his work with only a whispered warning of not getting too noisy.

Everything hadn't made sense, and the more Nephra witnessed happening in the mansion, the more his suspicions grew. Workers began to disappear, but no one seemed to care or even remember who he was talking about when he questioned. It was as if they had never worked there, or even, never even existed in some cases. Kimi's involvement in the company's affairs grew and grew, but she never actually made any decisions that affected the company itself, but only its workers.

All of the clues and coincidences didn't make sense, and Nephra, always the rebel of the group, had begun to snoop.

Kimi's affects on them all had always been suspicious, and in truth, Nephra would have gone as far as to call her an evil witch. At least, that was what her influence felt like; as if they had sold themselves to her and the company. She had somehow tricked them all into working for her and giving her their full dedication, and obliged them to always keep it. It had always been that way, but recently, it had grown and had become even more strange than normal.

Jed now Kimi's personal lackey.

Kunza with his silent bodyguard like attitude around Chiba.

They were all hiding something. Something about Kimi and the company. And Nephra had dedicated himself into finding it out.

Then there had been the voices: a shout down the hallway near Kimi's office and worried whispers. And yet, Nephra had been sure that no one was there. Kimi had left frantically without explanation, and Nephra had now been alone in that area of the mansion.

Sailor Senshi?

He had smiled at the sight and it had stirred his curiousity into a new fury, and his pride had filled him. He had been right, and his suspicions had been confirmed.

They were all up to no good.

"So, what do you know about Sailor Senshi?" Nephra asked sitting down on Zoi's desk as the young man worked furiously at the numbers on the sheet in front of him.

"What about them?" He asked. Nephra shrugged as if the question had just been out of curiousity.

"What is their mission? Who are they fighting against?" Zoi looked up at him for a brief instant, but then he returned to his work.

"How should I know?" He asked, but his tone was growing a bit angry and it wasn't just at his frustration at the numbers. Again Nephra shrugged. It seemed he wasn't going to get anywhere with Zoi, and he had suspected as much. Out of all of them, the youngest of the executives, only 20, appeared to be the less in tuned to everything, and from what Nephra could see he suspected Kunza and Jed for it. Just like how he felt drawn to Chiba and stuck with Kimi, the sense that what was keeping him from knowing everything came from those two. It only heightened the knowledge that they were all hiding something and the other two executives were trying their hardest to keep the other two out of it.

"Don't you get the feeling that your stuck here, and you don't know why? Can't know why?" Nephra asked appearing to change the subject, but it all was linked together. His inability to leave, attraction to Chiba, and the Sailor Senshi all seemed to be linked in some way, and in the back of his mind he felt like he was not allowed to know why until something had happened. But since when did Nephra follow the rules in anything? Zoi stopped working at the numbers and Nephra could see he had struck something. Just as he had suspected, there was a part of Zoi that felt it too despite the others' determination to hide it from him. But what was it? Why did Kimi seem to own them like slaves? What were they hiding?!

"Not sure what you mean." Zoi said, but it was obvious he was lying through his teeth.

"Forget I said anything." Nephra said standing up off of the desk. He had gotten what he wanted. Well... except the information on the Senshi. He really needed to know that.

He entered the hallway and walked to where he had seen Jed and Kunza talking several times before in their hushed and whispered tones, but this time they were not there. He had seen Kunza enter his office earlier, and Jed, well, Jed was either in one of two places: his own office, or... Kimi's.

He hated all of this secrecy, and it really wasn't his way to stalk the halls like a spy. He was one to confront the evil outright! Taking things slowly was Kunza's way! He paused at that. He had thought it, but how did he know it? It was as if someone else inside him had thought it. What had that been? He pushed the strange feeling away, and he made his way towards Jed's office. He had to get to the bottom of it, and his best bet at getting information was from Jed. Kunza was always strong and silent and only telling them what they needed to know when he thought they needed it. There was no changing his mind. He would have better luck with Jed. Out of all the other executives, Nephra had to admit he kind of liked Jed best. Their personalities were fairly similar, and in the past they had been able to combine forces in order to send even Kunza into an irritated state, at least, that was until something had changed. The thing that had sent Jed and Kunza into the shadows and locked Nephra and Zoi into the realm of the unknowing.

He didn't even knock on Jed's door before entering in. Jed sat there with his desk completely empty, and he sat with his head bent down as he rubbed at his forehead. He looked completely exhausted, and to tell the truth Nephra didn't feel to good either. There had been a reason he had still been up when the Senshi had come, and that had been an intense fear that had awaken him from his sleep. It felt like an impending sense of doom for them all, but it was irrational to feel it, he knew that.

"Rough night?" Jed's head lifted in surprise and there were dark bags under his eyes, just like there had been under Kunza's. This pressed down on Nephra like a warning. Whatever they were hiding, it affected all of them, and hard.

"Nephra." Jed said his name like he were just remembering he existed, and perhaps he was. They hadn't had a full conversation in over a month now. "What... Why are you in here?" Nephra shrugged.

"Just checking up on you." What was this? Why was he beating around the bush? It wasn't like him to act so cautiously. It was as if he knew, somewhere inside him, that what Jed and Kunza knew was life changing, and he kind of didn't want to know. That still wasn't like him though. He was the rash one. The bold one. The rebel that could act on anything without hesitation. The others had always joked he needed a level headed woman to balance him out and keep him on the ground. Yeah right. It would take a someone strong to keep him from rushing head long into something. And he had been searching for a long time, but he could never find the right one. This search had gotten him labeled a playboy of sorts, but he didn't care what they said. He was just being a bit picky, and this made him feel like he would never find someone to balance him out. Someone passionate and calm at the same time, like a calmness of the storm and the storm's rage at the same time. Someone sweet and gentle, but strong enough that Nephra could respect her.

"Yeah right." Jed laughed slightly. "Seriously, what are you doing here?" He looked at his wrist watch. "Your going to have to make it quick. I've got to meet Kimi in a few minutes." Nephra stood tall in front of his desk and he crossed his arms.

"Okay, straight to the point: What the hell is going on around here?" Jed looked up at him, and he only blinked once.

"What do you mean?" He ventured, but Nephra wasn't derailed by his fake innocence. Suddenly, he could read him like a book.

"Something is going on around here that you and Kunza have been leaving Zoi and me out of." He said in anger. "Now, your going to tell me what it is, or... or..."

"Or what?" Jed asked sitting back in his chair and crossing his own arms in anger. Or what indeed? Nephra had nothing.

"I hate being out of the loop. Now you're going to tell me just what it is, or I'm going to make your life a living hell while I roam around the mansion asking everyone." He said. "Lets save me some time here. I'm going to find out eventually." Jed's face had paled slightly.

"That is the stupidest thing you could do." Jed said in a low, and even tone. "Besides, you really, really, don't want to know." He told Nephra. "If you did, you would regret it. You would be sick to your stomach." Nephra bent over and put his hands on the desk.

"Try me." He said. "We're involved in something illegal. That's a given with the secrecy. What? Some kind of family mafia? Smuggling ring?" Jed shook his head not giving in like Nephra had hoped. "I know it has to be bad already. If Sailor Senshi would come here..." Jed froze and his skin was now completely white.

"Sailor... Senshi?" He wheezed. Nephra smiled at having him now. "Was... was Mars with them?" Nephra frowned and shrugged.

"I don't know which one is which." He countered, but then he was smiling again. "Now, why would they come here?" Jed stood up glancing at his watch. He was already running late, and he needed to get away from Nephra. He had to think this out.

"Just... Just don't go anywhere." Jed told him. "Just stay here, and I'll be right back." Nephra moved into his way, and Jed couldn't get to the door.

"No, you're going to give me some answers. Now." Jed stepped closer and the two stood staring at each other with deep frowns.

"Get out of my way Nephra." Jed ordered. Nephra didn't move.

"You tell me what it is first." Jed shoved him hard, and it was quick enough to startle the larger man and he fell back. He hadn't expected Jed to physically push him out of the way. Jed moved past him and towards Kimi's office, but Nephra was up and following after him. He was going to get answers to this mystery! "Come on Jed!"

"Don't follow me! You'll regret it!" Jed called back to him, but Nephra was not giving up. He would follow him all the way to Kimi's office, but... he wouldn't go as far as enter Kimi's office. He wasn't that strong or stupid. Jed turned the corner, and as Nephra followed after Jed, and he almost ran into Jed's back as he stood there stopped in the hallway. Nephra followed his gaze to see what had halted him completely.

Chiba stood at the entrance of Kimi's office in his work suit, but his eyes were different somehow. They were darker, and the deep coldness penetrated through the two executives as if they may be enemies.

"Chiba-san." Nephra spoke walking past Jed unsure of what was going on. Chiba didn't even blink as he stepped away from the entrance.

"Kimi-sama is expecting you." He said staring directly at Jed. Nephra looked back towards Jed who stood completely paled now, and his fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were just as white as his face. He nodded and walked towards the doorway and Nephra watched the scene in confusion.

"What's going on here?" Nephra asked Chiba, but as Chiba stared at him it felt like there was a completely different person in Chiba's body. Nephra grabbed hold of Jed's shoulder stopping his walk towards the office. "No one is going anywhere until I get some answers." Chiba's eyes narrowed and there was a look of new hatred forming within them. Who was this man in front of him? What had happened to Chiba.

"You will not act defiant-"

"Its alright." Kimi's voice floated out to them and Chiba's shoulders seemed to relax. "Let them both come in." Jed turned towards Nephra with anger now in his own eyes, but Nephra ignored him and entered into the office fully prepared to fight.

"What have you done to us?" Nephra asked outright, his anger overcoming him. She had done something to them, to Chiba. And to tell the truth it felt good to yell at her in anger. He had kept it inside too long. "What have you done to Chiba-san? Why does he look so dark? Like he doesn't even know us? What kind of a sadistic witch are you?" Kimi sat behind her desk beaming up at him.

"Would you truly like to know?" Kimi asked standing up to look him in the eyes. Her red glare did not scare him though. He was not afraid of her!

"If you don't tell me-"

"I'll do more than tell you." Kimi said cutting off his rant. Nephra glanced back at Chiba and Jed who stood with the door now closed behind them. Jed stood with his expression solely filled with anger, and Chiba still void and covered in darkness. Finally he was getting some answers, but... now he wasn't sure he wanted to know. He turned back to see Kimi's hand almost in front of his face and an intense pain filled his forehead.

"Ahh!" It was a mixture of pain and shock that made him shout out, and his hand went to his burning forehead as the memories began to fill him. He fell to his knees as the pain continued and he felt the hardness of rock on his forehead for an instant but then it disappeared as the pain diminished. He looked up at Kimi with his own anger flaring. "Beryl." The one he despised, but had sold his soul to. The one who owned him. He picked himself up and his breathing remained heavy with both anger and as he recovered from the pain. Kimi continued to smile, and her eyes began to diminish in their now purple glow.

"Nephrite, one of my lowly Shitennou." Nephrite found himself bending down slightly in a bow, but he resented her completely, and he hated himself for ever giving in to her. Why had they sold themselves to her? He couldn't remember. He glanced back towards Jed and Chiba and once he saw them he remembered something else. Something more important.

"Endymion-sama!" Nephrite spoke the name aloud in surprise and he bent down in an even lower bow, but as he did so his forehead burned once more and the stone returned.

"Remember whom you now serve!" Beryl warned as her power filled him. "You are forever my general, and now Endymion is mine as well. Never forget whom you serve: me! No one else!" Nephrite relaxed as the pain subsided and the stone on his forehead disappeared. Beryl turned her attention to Jed. "May you remember as well." Jed knelt down in front of her and nodded.

"Hai." Nephra had to look away from them all as the memories continued to come together in his mind. He despised Jed even more at that moment. Bowing so readily and giving in so easily. Did he even fight their slavery?! Jed rose to his feet and Kimi waved her hand away.

"Leave us." She said to the two executives. "I will call upon both of you soon. I only wanted you to see whom I now have under my control." She said referring to Endymion. He was just another key to controlling them. "Don't get any ideas, and..." Her glare was deadly as she watched to two awakened Shitennou stand together. "don't fail me."

In hindsight, Jed realized he should have expected something from Nephra. As soon as they had returned to Jed's office the big man had spun around and punched him hard. And he meant hard. All of the man's anger was behind the punch and Jed hit the wall. He could only stand there dazed for a moment as he took in the damage to his face. He could already feel the bruise forming over his cheek bone.

"I warned you." Jed said in a deep tone, and Nephra was already spinning around and punching the wall. The man's breathing was rapid and hard as he stood there with his fist still against the wall and his head rested against the wall as well.

"And you can take it without even a bit of regret." Nephra growled. He turned his head back towards him only to find Jed's fist colliding with his own face now, and with even more force than been behind Nephra's, and even more anger. The taller man stumbled backwards and he collapsed onto the ground as Jed now stood over him.

"I regret it with every part of my being!" Jed shouted at him on the ground. "Don't you ever say that I don't! I was only doing what I could, and that was try to make your pathetic life easier!" Jed's pale face was now flush red in anger and he appeared filled with a new furious fire. "I may be the most accepting, but that doesn't mean I don't hate it! There's just nothing we can do about it so why fight it?! It just makes everything more difficult."

Nephra sat there silently for a moment and then he moaned as he sank onto the floor still keeping his hand to his face. His anger at Jed turning inward towards himself. Jed was right of coarse, and they had all given in. Jed had just been the most accepting of their uselessness against it. His submissive attitude could not take away from Nephra's own betrayal. They had all given their souls away. For something... that they couldn't even remember anymore. They had betrayed their Prince, their best friend. They had promised to protect him, and they had failed miserably. Nephra didn't want to remember this...

He himself up into a sitting position and sat there on the ground a moment as Jed continued to fume above him.

"You just couldn't keep your big mouth shut." Jed said in anger, but his voice was no longer a shout. All of his work to keep Nephra out of the dangerous situation had failed. "Or at least stay in my office like I had asked!"

"I'm sorry, okay?" Nephra replied. "Call me an idiot if you like." Jed sighed and he sat down at his desk.

"Zoi doesn't know anything does he?" Nephra shook his head, and Jed sighed again. "At least one of you decided to let Kunza's barriers work." Nephra smiled a bit. He had been right about Kunza being involved, and that meant he remembered as well, in fact, their leader probably remembered the most out of all of them.

"What are we going to do about Endymion, Chiba?" Jed let his head rest against the chair and shook his head. They had nothing they could do. "Kimi did something to him. She changed him, just like she did to us back then. But he would never give in to her. She had to have taken him by force." Jed's head lifted off of the chair.

"That means there is no contract. No agreement. It means he could break free." Nephra rose off of the floor and the two of them were suddenly growing a bit hopeful, but that hope died before it even had time to get a grip in them. "But that means she must have killed him. Perhaps not physically, but his soul. He's just a zombie now. Her personal servant." Nephra sat down in the chair across from Jed. They had failed. In more ways than one they had failed Endymion as his guardians. He was no longer himself and someone else had taken his place. What could they do against it? They were owned by her even more than Endymion was. They had made the agreement with her. Even if they couldn't exactly remember what that agreement had been, it had been made, and they were obliged to keep their end: to be Beryl's generals.

"What are we going to do?" Nephra groaned. Jed didn't move or speak. "This isn't going to end well."

"And the end is coming. Soon." They two looked towards the door to see Kunza standing there. Perhaps he had been there for awhile now, and he didn't seem surprised by Nephra's awakening, he had probably felt it as it happen. "The final battle is approaching quickly, and we must be ready. We have to protect Endymion." The other two sat there in silence. To be bound to Kimi for eternity... No matter how many times they were reincarnated. That was their cross to bear. The curse they had brought upon themselves in the darkness of Beryl's room long ago. An agreement had been signed, but none of them could remember exactly what it had been, as if Kimi's power still clouded part of their judgment. It didn't matter though. They had sold themselves, and there was nothing they could do about it.

It was best if they tried not to remember.

Jed sat there in the kitchen with the ice pressed against his hurting face and his thoughts finally moved from Endymion to the other person he had been worrying about for a week now. They were destined to be enemies now, but...

He sighed and removed the ice and sat there slumped over the table.

"Mars..." There was nothing he could do for her, and in the near future they would be face to face in battle. He was beginning to remember her more and more from their past lives, but the more he remembered the more none of it made sense to him. "What had made me leave them? What had made me betray those I loved most?" What had Beryl promised him that had been so tempting? Jed put the ice back to his face and it stung, but he pressed down harder to make the pain even sharper.