"Eclipse," Queen Beryl summoned, "Eclipse, why do you not answer me?"

"Queen Beryl," Nephrite bowed before her, "Eclipse has been having some issues as of late." "She doesn't even desire to see me," he cringed slightly. "I can handle this myself." Queen Beryl nodded and dismissed him.

"Eclipse," Queen Beryl's mind whispered, "what has gotten into you?" Mei ran up to Toshio and slid her arm into his.

"Good morning, Toshio," she smiled. Toshio smiled back at her. "I went and had photographs taken the other day." She walked beside Toshio. Toshio allowed himself to become lost in thought. "See," Mei shoved a picture into his face. Toshio jerked back a bit then looked at the picture.

"Are you getting married?" He inquired. Mei shook her head and laughed.

"My cousin is," she smiled, "but she couldn't make it to the dress fitting so they had me stand in for her." Toshio nodded.

"It looks really nice on you," Toshio smiled and pulled away from her gently. Mei stared at Toshio as he walked down the school hallway.

"Toshio," Akio called out spotting him. "Are you alright?" He placed his hand on Toshio's shoulder and looked at him. Toshio gave a halfhearted smile and nodded. "You're still thinking about Mayu, aren't you?"

"I couldn't protect her," he sighed as he blinked back his tears. Akio hugged him tightly.

"It's alright," he assured him, "next time we just have to try a little bit harder." Toshio nodded. "I don't have cram school today, so how about we go to the arcade?"

"You mean it?" Toshio's blue eyes danced wildly. Akio nodded then looked up at the clock.

"Gotta get to class," he smiled as he dashed to his classroom. Toshio smiled then turned around and smashed into another student. He quickly looked at the student then apologized.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I've got to watch where I'm going." The student stood up and smiled.

"It's alright," he began to walk away. Toshio chased after him.

"Do you go to this school?" Toshio looked at the guy.

"Yeah."

"Oh, I only ask because your uniform is different," Toshio pointed to his uniform. The guy looked at his uniform then over at Toshio. "You're new here, right?"

"What do you want?" The guy finally asked.

"Just making small talk," Toshio smiled. The guy turned away from him. Toshio stopped talking and headed toward his classroom.

"Toshio," Mei whispered tapping on his shoulder. Toshio jumped then turned around glared at Mei.

"It isn't polite to spy on people," the guy said. Toshio crawled out of the bushes. "It's you again." Toshio smiled. "What do you want?"

"Is it alright if I eat with you?" Toshio asked staring at the guy.

"You're not afraid of me?" Toshio shook his head.

"You seem like a really nice person," he smiled. "My name is Toshio," he extended his hand.

"Minoru," the guy shook his hand.

"Let's be friends," Toshio smiled at Minoru. Minoru nodded and smiled back.

"You're the first person to talk to me," Minoru opened his lunch bag. "I think everyone else is scared of me."

"That's because they don't know you," Toshio smiled, "you're not a scary person. I know a scary person." He thought of Takashi and shuttered.

"That person must be really scary," Minoru laughed. Toshio stared at his lunch.

"Yeah, he is," Toshio laughed and looked up at Minoru. "Do you like arcades?" Minoru nodded. "You should come with me after school to the one down the street. It'll be so fun." Minoru nodded again. Toshio jumped to his feet. "See you after school!"

"Such a strange guy," Minoru laughed and ate his lunch.

"Minoru," Toshio ran up to him after school. "Arcade time," he grabbed Minoru's arm and dashed to the arcade. "This is the best place in the city!" Minoru walked in with Toshio. "The Sailor V game is free! Have you ever played before, Minoru?" Minoru shook his head. "You must play." Minoru sat down and began playing the game.

"Toshio," Akio smiled, "you're early." Toshio smiled at Akio.

"Akio, this is Minoru. He's new to our school." Akio looked at Minoru.

"Hello, I'm Minoru Kino."

"I'm Akio Mizuno," he smiled as he watched Minoru play the game. Ren walked in carrying Mayu on his back.

"Hi, Toshi-chan. Hi, Akio-senpai," Mayu smiled and giggled. Toshio looked up and smiled at Mayu. "Thank you, Ren-senpai." Ren let her down and smiled at Mayu. Mayu dashed up to Toshio and hugged him tightly.

"How was school?" Toshio smiled as he hugged her back.

"It was fine," she giggled. Ren nudged Akio.

"Those two seem to get lost in their own little world," he laughed. Akio agreed.

"Oh, Mayu, Ren, this is Minoru," Toshio smiled as he pointed to the guy playing the Sailor V game. Minoru turned around and greeted them. Mayu's eyes grew wide. Minoru smiled at her.

"Mino-chan," she blushed lightly. She looked down at her shoes and began to twiddle her thumbs.

"Hi," he smiled, "Mayu was it?" Mayu nodded slowly and peeked up at him. "Nice to meet you," he said as he held out his hand for hers. Mayu offered him her hand and he kissed it sweetly. Toshio frowned as he watched them.

"Looks like Mayu has a new favorite," Ren laughed gently as he patted Toshio's shoulder.

"Toshi-chan will always be number one," Mayu said as she whirled around and looked at him. She smiled brightly and hugged him. Toshio smiled and hugged her back then stuck his tongue out at Ren. Ren just shook his head. Minoru leaped up and slammed his hands down on the game.

"I have to go," he said a bit flustered as he ran out the door. Everyone stood there a bit confused.

"Was it something we said?" Ren questioned. Minoru walked down the street slowly.

"She reminds me of Tabitha," he thought to himself as he walked down the road. Memories began to flood his mind of Tabitha and their past relationship. The good times and the bad times. Mayu rushed up to him and tugged his sleeve.

"Are you alright?" She asked looking up at him with her big green eyes. Minoru nodded and smiled down at her. "Will you walk home with me?" She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. He nodded and began walking her home.

"She makes friends just as easily as you do," Ren nudged Toshio. Toshio peered around the corner and watched them walk home. "You're being like an overprotective father," he laughed.

"No, I'm not," he retorted, "I'm just making sure nothing bad happens to her." Akio shook his head.

"I have to get to cram school," he finally said as he began to head in the other direction. Ren and Toshio waved bye to him.

"Try not to get into any trouble," Ren smiled as he headed toward the Shrine. Toshio nodded and waved bye to him.

"Well, Luna," Toshio looked down at her, "it's just you and me." Luna smirked up at him evilly.

"That means it's homework time."

"Nooooo!" Toshio ran down the street away from Luna toward his house.

"Well here we are," Mayu smiled gently at Minoru. Minoru released her hand and began walking away. "Thank you for walking me home," she called out to him.

"Anytime," he smiled. She rushed over to him and grabbed his hand.

"Minoru," she blushed, "will you be my friend?" Minoru nodded. Mayu squealed and danced around in delight. Minoru watched her and laughed.

"You are so adorable," he continued laughing as he hugged her. Just then Takashi stepped outside and saw them.

"Mayu," he called to her. Mayu pulled from Minoru and ran to Takashi. "I was just about to go looking for you." He hugged her and stared at Minoru.

"Mino-chan walked me home," she smiled looking up at him. "He wanted to make sure I was safe." Minoru backed away slowly then turned and ran from their house. Takashi shook his head and picked Mayu up.

"A storm was heading this way," he whispered as he kissed her cheek, "I'm just so glad you're safe." Cold rain began to fall from the sky as Minoru ran through the streets.

"Please, sir," a soft voice cried in the distance. Minoru headed in the direction of the voice. On her knees under a gazebo Minoru saw a young bride in her wedding dress. The bottom of the dress was covered in mud and torn. She wept bitterly as Minoru approached her.

"What happened?" He asked her as he carefully approached her.

"My groom decided her didn't want to get married anymore," she cried not lifting her head. She covered her face from him. Minoru bent down beside and she grabbed him. She turned her head in his direction and a wicked smile spread on her face.

"Let go crazy," he shouted as he began to pull from her.

"You're not leaving me," she shouted back as she tightened her grip on him. She pulled him closer to her and stared into his eyes. "No one is ever leaving me again," she cackled. Minoru felt himself begin to grow weak. He tugged from her and fell flat on his back.

"What's wrong with you," he stared up at her. Nephrite appeared cackling.

"The old 'Damsel in Distress' trick gets them every time," he laughed. Minoru scrambled to get to his feet when she grabbed him again. "Drain every bit of life he has," Nephrite chuckled.

"Hold it right there!" Sailor Moon shouted. The bride clung to Minoru as she watched the Sailor Senshi. "A bride is supposed to be beautiful and gentle." Sailor Earth pushed past him and ran at the bride.

"Let him go," she cried out as she kicked the bride back. She released Minoru and fell backwards. Minoru fell to the ground barely conscious. Sailor Earth knelt beside and shook him gently. "Are you alright?" Minoru looked up at her and smiled.

"Mayu," he whispered softly. Toshio crossed his arms and pouted a bit.

"I didn't even get to say my line," he pouted. Sailor Earth looked over at him.

"Sailor Moon, she's going to get away," she pointed out. Sailor Moon nodded and grabbed his crown.

"Moon Boomerang Magic!" Nephrite dashed over and grabbed Sailor Earth.

"I'm not leaving empty handed," he laughed as he began to squeeze Sailor Earth. She cried out as lightning began to surge through her body.

"Sailor Earth!" Sailor Moon screamed. Sailor Mars and Mercury held him back.

"Where is the Silver Crystal?" Nephrite shouted.

"I don't know," Sailor Moon called back, "just let her go."

"Wrong answer," Nephrite shouted and sent the lightning through Sailor Earth's body again. Minoru scrambled to his feet.

"Let her go," he demanded. Jupiter's planetary symbol flashed across his forehead and a green watch appeared on his arm. "Let her go!" He shouted. Nephrite smirked and sent more lightning through Sailor Earth's body. Minoru's blood began to boil activating his transformation as Sailor Jupiter.

"Mino-chan," Sailor Earth whispered before losing consciousness. Tuxedo Mask appeared and decked Nephrite in the face. Nephrite stumbled back and dropped Sailor Earth. He climbed to his feet and stared at Sailor Jupiter.

"I am Sailor Jupiter, the guardian of thunder and courage. In the name of the planet Jupiter, you'll regret the day you were born. When I stop you, I will show no mercy!"

"Sailor Jupiter," Sailor Moon called to him. Sailor Jupiter turned around and nodded at Sailor Moon and the Senshi then turned and faced Nephrite.

"My guardian, Jupiter, brew a storm, call the clouds and bring down the lightning!" The antenna in the middle of his crown rose to the sky. "Supreme Thunder!" The lightning shot from his crown into Nephrite.

"Nephrite!" Eclipse screamed out as she ran out from the shadows. Nephrite extended his hand toward her as he began to die. He dropped to his knees and clutched his chest. Nephrite turned in a greenish gemstone before her very eyes. Eclipse picked up the stone and held it in her hands. She glared up at the Sailor Senshi then rose to her feet. The Senshi prepared themselves to fight, but Sailor Moon stepped in front of them.

"Eclipse," he said softly as he walked toward her. They locked eyes and stared at each other for a bit.

"Sailor Moon, what are you doing?" Sailor Mars called out. Sailor Moon turned to Sailor Mars and Eclipse disappeared from their sight. Sailor Jupiter dropped to his knees as he transformed back into Minoru.

"Where is she?" He asked the Sailors. Slowly each of them began to transform. Tuxedo Mask walked up to Toshio and slapped him. Dazed, Toshio stumbled back a little bit and rubbed his cheek. Mayu ran in-between them and looked up at Tuxedo Mask.

"Please leave him alone," she held her hand up to Tuxedo Mask. He looked down at her then knelt in front of her. "You saved me again," she smiled, "and I am very grateful, but please don't hurt Toshi-chan."

"I'm just glad you are alright," he took her hand in his then kissed it sweetly. Mayu smiled at him and blushed. Tuxedo Mask stood to his feet then walked away from them.

"Toshi-chan," she turned to him, "are you alright?" Toshio shuttered then looked down at Mayu and smiled. She hugged him tightly.

"I know that glare," he thought to himself.

"Mayu," Minoru smiled at her, "I'm glad you're alright." Mayu turned to him and smiled.

"Mino-chan," she ran over and embraced him tightly.

"Sailor Jupiter," Luna called out, "we've been waiting for you." She looked at the Senshi. "Now that all of you are here we can go forth with finding our prince and the Silver Crystal." Minoru ruffled Mayu's hair and smiled.

"The Silver Crystal," Tuxedo Mask whispered, "what is that?"

"Eclipse," Queen Beryl summoned, but received no answer.

"Eclipse has not returned to her quarters," Kunzite said as he bowed before Queen Beryl. "It seems that another general has been lost to the Sailor Senshi." Beryl growled.

"Find Eclipse and bring her home right now!" She shouted at Kunzite. He nodded and left the court.

"Zoicite," Kunzite knocked at his door. Zoicite opened the door and rubbed his eyes sleepily. "Have you seen Eclipse?" Zoicite shook his head.

"Why? What's wrong?" He yawned.

"She hasn't returned since Nephrite was killed," Kunzite sighed, "she sent his stone back, but didn't set foot inside the kingdom."

"She's been acting strange since her Crystal cracked," Zoicite recalled as he stretched.

"Her Crystal cracked?" Kunzite gasped. Zoicite nodded.

"I don't think she should be out there by herself," Zoicite whispered.

"Toshio, what were you doing out there today?" Luna scolded him. "She could have killed you." Toshio shook his head and looked at Luna.

"Something about her is soft," he said with a smile, "she's not as bad as we think and I'm going to prove it."

"Sailor Moon," a soft voice whispered throughout his room, "a gift for you." Toshio looked up at the moon and squinted his eyes. Beaming down from the moon was a crescent shaped mini scepter. "This is the Moon Stick," the voice said, "it will help you protect the people of Earth. Use it carefully." Toshio extended his hand and took the Moon Stick. He examined it closely then laid it on his bed and looked at it.

"So much for being a normal teenage boy," he laughed and shrugged.