Author's notes:

Hello all! Thanks again, so much, for the wonderful support and comments—I'm incredibly appreciative! In this chapter, I have chosen to use Serena as an alias for Usagi, as a bit of a joke and some homage to the North American dub—just thought I'd point it out!

Like always, make sure to check out the important notes from the Prologue if you haven't already.Enjoy!

Chapter Ten

Sometimes, if she thought about it really hard, Rini could remember the day she was born.

It may have sounded a little cliché—or perhaps a lot cliché—but she could envisage the brilliant light that enveloped her as she was welcomed into the world from complete, comforting darkness. She could hear the sweet sound of awe sung to her new, tiny form, and the warm embrace she was wrapped into as she was passed between the people who loved and created her.

Surely it was strange—to recall the earliest moments of your existence, as though you had been watching from afar.

And there was more that she remembered—more that only made her question if her memory were a distant reality, or a faded dream. A sparkling pink diamond, floating in the clouded air before her, and a set of soft feathered wings encircling her little body.

The sound of her mother's voice, deeper and more angelic than she'd ever heard it before, echoing as though it were bouncing off every invisible corner of the universe.

The universe welcomes you, Small Lady.

Sometimes, when in a daydream or during the deepest hours of the night, Rini wondered: is this a memory, or a premonition?

The first thing she saw when she glanced into the window of Crown's Fruit Parlour on their way home from school were a pair of dark sunglasses, gazing over in her direction, and she couldn't help but think to herself: what idiot wears sunglasses inside?

And then Seiya's slender fingers reached up to lower the shades, and he cocked an eyebrow at her with a smirk. Oh, that idiot.

"Rei!" She hissed, elbowing her in the ribs and hurrying the group of girlfriends around the corner to the entrance. "It's Seiya!"

The dark-haired warrior craned her neck and peered inside. "I thought they were going to stay put at the shrine?"

Minako dashed ahead through the café doors, and the group followed her toward where three figures sat waiting at their regular corner table. "I guess they just couldn't wait to see us!" She said excitedly. "Yaten, Taiki, Seiya—"

"Would you be quiet already—you're going to blow our cover!" Yaten said, appearing at her side. The blonde jumped, blinking at the senshi who had emerged from the restroom nearby. "Well, blow their cover…"

Usagi tilted her head as she looked at the girl, who was plainly dressed in a pair of loose joggers and a t-shirt, her silver ponytail long down her back. She noticed Minako eying her closely, giving her a cheeky smile. "I think your cover is the best, Yaten," Minako told her.

"Thanks," Yaten replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes and heading back to the table. "Are you going to come and join us or what?"

Usagi frowned as she moved across to their regular spot, looking between Taiki, whose eyes were also shaded by tinted glasses, Seiya, and the third figure hiding beneath the oversized hood of a baggy jumper. "So, if Yaten isn't the person under that hood, then who's—"

"Helios," Rini said from beside her, a broad smile lighting her face as she raced over to the table. "You came!"

The boy looked up at her from under the enormous hood that masked his golden horn, and gave her a grin. The sight was oddly wicked; the fair, gentle young man cloaked in navy and staring at her with brilliant amber eyes. "Of course, Rini," he said. "Seiya tells me I look very 'cool'."

Usagi snorted and slid in to sit alongside Seiya, who was diving in to a bowl of hot fries. "He would know," she teased. "Seeing as though he's such a cool guy."

His eye slid to her and he gave her a wink. "I know you think so, Odango…"

"You wish!" She snapped, narrowing her eyes at his smug smile. It only widened, and he deliberately stretched out a lean arm to adjust his backward cap atop his messy hair and loop his ponytail over his shoulder. The motion was showy and arrogant, and as she felt his arm brush hers and his ponytail tickle her skin, a blush blazed across her cheeks. The memory of her vivid dream from the very night before was fresh at the forefront of her mind, and suddenly she was back there: bracketed by his arms and his cobalt gaze, with nothing but the heat of his breath and the wisp of his hair against her bare skin.

She blinked down at her lap as a cool sweat broke on the back of her neck. What is wrong with me?

Makoto—who had taken a detour to lean across the counter and chat to Motoki—laughed as she took a seat at their booth. "The three of you look like thugs…"

"I told them that," Yaten grumbled, sinking low into the booth. "But did they want to listen—no…"

Seiya quirked a brow at her. "We were trying to stop any commotion," he said. "Considering our announcement this afternoon…"

"Really?!" Minako gasped.

Taiki wedged a bookmark into the thick book he had in his hands. "Really," he confirmed. "We contacted our old manager and he was more than willing to put the word out that we were reforming the Three Lights."

"That's so exciting," Ami said with a smile. "Will you return to school for the remainder of the year?"

"Ugh, Ami—always thinking about school!" Usagi said. "They're going to be super famous, just like they were before—as if school matters!"

Taiki gave her a reproving look. "Education is of the utmost importance, Usagi—it's an opportunity we would not overlook," he said seriously.

"It's not the only opportunity you'd overlook," Seiya snickered under his breath. Yaten smirked from across the table.

Taiki ignored them and looked back to Ami, his face a little pink. "Yes, we will be returning to complete our final year of education," he told her. "Perhaps we could get together some time and you could assist me with selection of my subjects."

"Sure," Ami replied softly, her cheeks equally as rosy. "I'd be happy to."

Minako was practically bouncing in the seat next to Yaten. "So, when is your first concert? Are you going to release a new album? Oh, maybe I can help you compose something—"

"Settle down, blondie," Yaten interrupted, shooting her a warning glance. "There'll be no helping from you, I can assure you…"

"Why not?" Minako pouted. "You know I'm an aspiring idol…"

Rei slurped at her milkshake noisily. "I think what Yaten is saying is 'leave it to the experts', Mina," she teased. "Experienced composers, like myself—"

"You? Ha! When was the last time you composed anything—"

Seiya chuckled at the bickering girlfriends. "Let's just get set up at the apartment first," he said calmly. "Then you can all come visit, and whoever wants to help can help."

"Did you get your old apartment back?" Usagi asked. "Is that where you'll be staying?"

Seiya nodded, and then grinned. "And you can come by any time you like, Odango."

The thought of a nighttime visit, in the dark privacy of his bedroom, entered her mind faster than she could stop it, and the clamminess returned to her neckline. She bit the inside of her cheek and glared at him.

Rini inched her hand across the table and snatched up a handful of the Seiya's fries. "Will you have it set up like you did back on Kinmoku, with loads of cool instruments?"

"We will," Seiya said, eyes narrowed at her thieving ways. "Maybe we can teach you to play something, kid!"

Rini glowered at him and tossed a chip at him across the space. "I'm not a kid!"

He ducked and laughed. "Says the girl who just threw a French fry at me…"

Taiki leant forward and looked at Usagi, his voice hushed. "Seiya informed us of your recent troubles, Usagi," he said. "That you are facing a strong new enemy."

She nodded, and the others leaned in close. "Yes, we are," she said. "It's not like anything we've ever seen before…"

"Haruka and I examined a range of statistics I gathered during our most recent attack," Ami said, pulling out her tiny computer and sliding on her reading glasses. She held it out to show Taiki. "It seems to be following a pattern that correlates the conjunction of the moon and the planets of our solar system—so far, Pluto and Saturn." She tapped at the screen and looked around at the group. "It's target and the level of aggression seem to be unpredictable at this point, but we predict another attack this Saturday, if our theory is correct."

Taiki hummed, looking closely at the data. "Have you established any weaknesses?"

The Sol senshi glanced between one another. "We've managed to banish the energy—the first time, it was Setsuna's power alone that did it, and the second, our powers combined as one," Rei said. "The only thing that healed the victim was Usagi…"

Usagi felt a lump lodge in her throat. "And now I can't."

"What do you mean you can't?" Yaten asked, frowning at her.

Usagi looked at Seiya. "You didn't tell them?"

He shook his head, pulling off the sunglasses to meet her eye. "No," he said quietly. "Of course I didn't."

She had never expected he would keep what she had told him secret—not for a moment—and yet there he was once again, withholding details from his fellow guardians for her sake. She looked at Taiki and Yaten. "I can't transform," she said. "Something is blocking my powers."

"You didn't tell me that," Rini burst, her expression fierce. "Usagi, why didn't you tell me?"

Usagi let out a long breath. "I didn't want you to worry, Rini—"

"'Didn't want me to worry'? Are you kidding me?" She looked at her angrily. "That could mean that I can't—" She cut herself short, clamping her jaw closed. "I just can't believe you didn't tell me."

"I'm sorry, Rini," Usagi said sincerely. "But I felt you already had enough going on, without that as well."

Seiya looked between the two of them suspiciously, settling his intense gaze on Rini. "Mean you can't what, Rini?"

She shifted awkwardly in her spot, refusing to meet his eye. "Can't…know to protect her, if I need to," she decided on finally. She huffed and shook her head. "At least I know now…"

"When the two of you are done," Yaten interrupted, "can we please get back to understanding our enemy?"

Rini turned her attention out the window and said nothing, brimming with frustration.

"So, it would seem that the energy is not undefeatable, but requires a large amount of power to expel it," Taiki said. "Is there anything else we should know, perhaps to identify it?"

Usagi chewed her lip, the thought of the figure's distorted form and horrifying abilities making her skin crawl. "There's something…disturbing about it," she said slowly. "Something about the way it moves, once it has a hold on its victim—it's twisted and inhuman; it breaks their bones and tortures them, like it's trying to—"

"Steal their soul," Rini finished, her face pale as her gaze snapped back to Usagi.

Usagi nodded at her. "Yeah…"

"We've seen it," Seiya said quickly. He looked at Usagi. "In Space-Time, there were many of them."

"In Space-Time?" Makoto said, shaking her head. "That can't be…"

"It certainly sounds like the same entity," Helios agreed. "When I encountered one of them, it took all of my power to overcome its darkness."

"Your power was the only thing that did work against it," Rini said. "Oh, and Seiya's."

"It was strong," Seiya said. He paused, deep in thought. "It did saysomething to us, though—it said 'destroy heir'. Does that mean anything to you?"

Usagi's breath caught. It meant everything to her. She looked across to Rini, who was staring straight back. "I…" she started, the truth gnawing at her, "I'm not sure…"

"Oh, my, god—are you Seiya Kou?"

In a heartbeat, Seiya was flashing the red-haired teenager who had zoomed over to their table a charming smile. "I might be," he said cheekily. "Depends who's asking."

The young girl gushed and waved her friend over. "You totally are—Hana, come quick—you won't believe it, it's Seiya Kou!"

Taiki slunk low into his spot. "We'd best make a quick exit…"

"I told you," Yaten said, looking smug as she began to slide out of the booth. "Well, I'll just be on my way then…"

Seiya shot her daggers while the girl's back was turned. "Don't you dare," he hissed.

She flipped her hair over her shoulder and stuck her nose in the air. "What? We do have somewhere to be, you know."

"Yes—keyword being 'we'," Seiya replied through his teeth. He gave the two swooning girls a wink as he took a pen and notepad from the redhead, swirling his signature across the page. "There you go!"

The lanky teen blinked at him, teary and shaking like a leaf. "I am such a huge fan—I heard the announcement on the radio this afternoon and I just can't believe you're right here in front of us and I love your music and you're such a hottie and—" She clapped a hand over her mouth, her face flushing crimson. "Oh, I'm so embarrassed—"

Seiya laughed softly, a sound that made Usagi's stomach lurch and squirm uncomfortably. "Don't be—I'm very flattered," he said, voice smooth as velvet. His eye tracked the group, who were shuffling out of the booth and making a dash toward the door. Taiki was yet to slip out unseen, and Usagi was certain Seiya was looking for the opportunity to buy time. He leant back and draped an arm over the back of the booth, settling his hand on Usagi's shoulder. "If you girls don't mind, Serena here and I are just trying to have a little quiet time before the news is all over town," he told them. Usagi clenched her jaw at the feeling of his fingers tracing a pattern on her shoulder. She was utterly trapped—between two bumbling fans and Seiya's warm touch. "I'm sure you won't mind keeping this quiet."

The pretty girl with red hair pouted, looking somewhat crestfallen. "Oh, you have a girlfriend…"

Usagi opened her mouth to protest, but Seiya got in faster, smirking boldly at the girl. "Who said anything about a girlfriend?"

There was something about the teasing purr in his voice and the flirtatious smile on his striking face that made the churn in Usagi's gut only intensify. She huffed. "Seiya—"

"Oh, of course we don't mind—we'll leave you two alone," the brunette said, yanking her friend away as she looked at him curiously. "Come on, Yui…"

The two scurried off, but not before the redhead fluttered her eyelashes and gave him a wink. Usagi was sure to glare at her, and then turned it on Seiya. "What the hell was that about?" She snapped. "'Who said anything about a girlfriend'? The nerve of you, Seiya Kou…"

He unravelled his arm from around her shoulder and grinned, a brow cocked in her direction. "Well, you're not, are you?"

"I—well, no, but—" She spluttered, and he simply laughed, scooting around to exit on the opposing side of the booth. "It's just disrespectful, you know—"

He stood up, his sapphire eyes glinting as he turned toward the door. "Sounds like someone's a little jealous."

She growled, snatching up her bag and chasing after him. "I am not jealous…"

"Good work, Seiya," Yaten said as they rounded the corner. "You managed to get everyone out of there unscathed."

Rini eyed Usagi's frazzled demeanour. "Except Usagi, apparently…"

"We really do need to go," Taiki said to them, checking the streets for raging teenage girls or crazed fans. "Our manager has the keys to our apartment—we told him we'd meet at five."

"That's alright—we'll see you at school tomorrow though, right?" Minako said, bumping Yaten's shoulder.

"I guess," Yaten sulked.

"We should go, too," Usagi said to Rini, and then smiled at Helios. "Rini and I are going to visit Haruka and the others, if you would like to come."

The group moved to go their separate ways, and as she turned, Usagi felt a light tug on one of her pigtails. Seiya winked at her. "See you tomorrow, Odango."

"Come now, Hotaru—help me prepare snacks before our guests arrive."

Setsuna smiled as the contented young teenager took a tray of cakes and cookies across to the coffee table, moving with grace and tranquillity. After all she had endured, and all she was destined to potentially suffer one day yet again, Hotaru never ceased to amaze her—she was, perhaps, the strongest of them all.

"What time will they be here, Setsuna-mama?" She asked as she gathered teacups from the cupboard alongside her.

"Soon, I believe—they were coming from school," Setsuna told her. She leant her palms on the counter and looked at Hotaru with a smile. "You're excited to see Rini, aren't you?"

Hotaru smiled brightly. "More than you can imagine," she said. "And I know that you are, too."

"Very much," she agreed. It had been so long since she had seen the princess, and by all accounts, she had changed quite considerably. She stared down into her tea, watching the brown seep out of the bag into the hot water. If my power hadn't been taken away, I could fix all of this.

Hotaru appeared at the bench across from her, sliding up onto a barstool. She grasped her hand. "She is here and she is safe," she said softly. "Please, stop blaming yourself."

She gave her a small smile and nodded. There was a knock at the door, and moments later, Michiru appeared with their guests in tow. "Setsuna, Hotaru, they're here—"

"Puu!" A flash of pink tore across the living room and into the kitchen, and suddenly a pair of arms were wrapped tightly around her midsection. "I'm so happy to see you, I've missed you so much!"

Setsuna returned the embrace warmly, finding herself somewhat stunned by the slightly deeper voice that had spoken her nickname so fondly. "Small Lady—I have missed you, too…"

When she pulled away, Setsuna's heart skipped a tiny beat.

Who is this girl?

It was Rini—there was no doubt about that—but she was different. She was older, taller, more mature, and so alike her mother, but there was something more in the twinkle of her almond eyes and the edge of her huskier voice. Something missing.

Rini's smile faded as she stood before her. "Is everything okay, Setsuna?" She asked. "I know I look different, but it's still me—promise!"

Setsuna shook off the strange feeling that had swamped her body and gave her a smile. "Of course, everything's fine," she assured her. "You look so beautiful, Rini."

"She gets that from her mother!" Usagi called from the living room, where she was already tucking in to the array of sweets Hotaru had arranged.

Rini seethed quietly. "I'm not talking to her," she told Setsuna resolutely, "because she didn't tell me about not being able to transform."

Setsuna chuckled and popped a hand on her shoulder. "Go easy on her—she's had it quite tough of late," she said. "And you know she would only have done that for your own good."

"I know," Rini said, rolling her eyes. She sighed, and rapidly her mood brightened. "You need to meet Helios, come on!"

She dragged her across to the others, poking the boy in the back as they approached. He turned from his conversation with Hotaru and gave Setsuna a smile, one that lit her core with an intense warmth that mirrored the amber tone of his eyes.

I have seen you before.

She cast her mind across the many ages she had seen, delving into the depths of her hazy memory to place his ethereal face. Of course she knew him; he was once the noble advisor and close friend of Prince Endymion in the time of the Silver Millennium. It was surely that simple—she must have seen him in that time once before—and yet, she couldn't recall the memory that painted the picture of their past greeting.

"Sailor Pluto," he said kindly. "It is an honour to meet you."

"Likewise, Helios," she replied with a smile. "Thank you for looking after Small Lady where we could not."

His gaze followed after Rini, who was sneaking away with Usagi's plate of cupcakes while she was busy talking to Michiru. He smiled at her affectionately, and Setsuna took the opportunity to study his shining golden horn and the teardrop red gem upon his forehead. "Of course," he replied softly, never taking his eye off the girl.

"I'm sorry that I wasn't there to escort you through Space-Time," she added after a moment. "There have been some recent…complications."

He looked back to her. "It was no trouble," he said. "We managed just fine."

But how, Setsuna wondered, how did you manage, without me?

"Setsuna," Michiru said, breaking her from her thoughts, "I was just suggesting to Usagi that perhaps Helios could stay here with us, for the time being. I can imagine it gets lonely during the day at the shrine and I'm often here, home-schooling Hotaru—it would be no trouble to take on another student, and I'm sure she wouldn't mind the company."

Helios' fair cheeks tinged pink slightly. "I am very grateful, but I wouldn't want to impose," he said. "Besides, I am quite used to the solitude of being alone."

"You shouldn't have to be alone now," Rini said quickly, half way through peeling the paper lining off Usagi's cupcake. "And I'm sure you'd have so much in common with Hotaru!"

"Rini's right," Setsuna said. "Of course you can stay with us—it would be no trouble."

Rini beamed at him and he smiled appreciatively. "Thank you."

"Get out of it, twerp," Usagi said to Rini with a laugh, trying to reclaim her plate. Rini ignored her and held the sweets out of arm's reach, darting around the room energetically. Usagi shook her head, and then looked at Michiru. "Where's Haruka?"

"Sulking," Hotaru replied with a grin. "It was her turn to do the laundry today, and she wasn't terribly impressed about it."

Michiru giggled. "You're right there, Taru."

"That's a sight I'd like to see," Rini said with a smirk. "Haruka doing the laundry…"

"Well, that's no good—she should be here, socialising with us!" Usagi said, heading for the hall. "I'll go drag her out."

Setsuna took the opportunity to follow the blonde. "I'll come with you."

They headed down the darkened hallway, toward Haruka and Michiru's room, and Setsuna spoke quietly to Usagi. "Usagi, there's something I need to talk to you about," she said. "I spoke with Mamoru the other day, and he wasn't quite himself."

Usagi frowned at her as they came to a stop. "He sounded alright last time I spoke to him…"

"I think perhaps he's putting on brave face, so he doesn't worry you," she said, folding her arms over her chest. "He…asked me not to tell you, or the others."

In all honesty, Setsuna had expected the emotional girl to immediately grow distressed and worry for his wellbeing, but she simply chewed her lip. "What was going on?"

"He's been experiencing some headaches and dreams, and hearing a voice that he can't quite place," she told her. "He said he's doing alright, but that they're growing more frequent."

Usagi nodded slowly. "Thank you, for telling me," she said. She suddenly looked uncomfortable. "At least someone is looking out for him…"

Setsuna eyed her closely. "Have the two of you not spoken that often?"

"No, we haven't," Usagi said quietly. She gave Setsuna a tight smile. "I know he's very busy."

There was a beat of silence before Setsuna asked: "Is everything alright, Usagi?"

Usagi sucked in a deep breath and let it out fast, as though she were regrouping herself. "Everything's fine, don't worry about me," she said. "I need to call Mamo tonight anyway—let him know about Rini and Chibi and Helios," she paused. "And the Starlights."

Setsuna nodded, utterly unconvinced by the show the Moon princess had put on for her. "I think that's best," she said. "I speak to him regularly as well, so I will let you know if there's any developments."

"Thanks, Setsuna," Usagi said with a smile. She turned and headed toward Haruka's room. "Now to find that grumpy senshi…"

Setsuna watched her go, a rush of relief and guilt washing over her all at once as she wondered: have I done the right thing?

Usagi rapped her knuckles against the worn racing poster taped to Haruka and Michiru's bedroom door, waiting impatiently for the woman to open up. "Haruka, Taru told me you were grumpy about doing the laundry, but that's no reason not to join us…"

There was no reply.

She frowned, looking up and down the hallway for any sign of movement, but she was alone. "Haruka?" She twisted the doorknob and stuck her head inside. She smirked at the sight of a gaming controller strewn across the carpet, the television paused mid-race and a Haruka-shaped dent in a beanbag opposite. "Typical…"

She crept into the dark room and peered around, never having been inside. It was a strange combination of her two friends—the structure and elegance of Michiru, with the bed perfectly made and a line of crystal perfume bottles on the dresser, and the disarray and passion of Haruka, with her clothes tossed about the floor and her car keys a jumble on the nightstand. There was a photo of the couple alongside the tangle of keys, and leant against the frame was her crystal change rod—something Usagi assumed Haruka would never let out of her sight. "Huh…"

She moved across to Haruka's side of the bed, looking over the trinkets dotted messily on the small table, and absently ran her fingers over a piece silky fabric dangling from the top drawer. She glanced down to find a pair of black underwear between her fingers. Her face flushed and she tugged her hand away lightning-fast.

"Perhaps that's what you want to get me out of, kitten."

Usagi jumped a foot, her hand fluttering to her chest as she looked at Haruka, who was lingering in the doorway with an amused smirk on her face. "Don't scare me like that, Haruka!"

She drew a brow up at her. "You wouldn't be scared if you weren't snooping, now would you?"

Usagi's blush coursed down her neck. "Sorry—I was looking for you and I saw you weren't in here…I just wanted to know a bit more about you, you know…"

Haruka nodded slowly, pushing away from the doorframe and approaching her, her gait slightly intimidating. She stepped into Usagi's space, close enough to touch. "Well, let me tell you a little something about me," she said, her voice low. Her teal eyes met Usagi's. "I don't like being beaten."

"Oh?" Usagi managed, backing her legs into the mattress as she grew closer.

"Oh," Haruka said. "That was quite the little trick you used the other day, Princess."

Usagi laughed nervously as Haruka hovered over her. "Yep—you can blame Michiru for that one—"

"Thought so," Haruka replied, smirking. She looked down at Usagi. "Listen—you can play whatever tricks you like on me, but be verycareful what games you play with him."

Usagi knew exactly what the Uranian guardian was talking about, and she wasn't about to let her interfere again—no matter what hold she had over her. "Haruka…"

She gasped as Haruka leant past her to reach for something on the bed, the movement just enough to knock her off balance and tip her back onto the covers. She looked up at Haruka as she pulled away, a jacket in hand, and the sandy-haired senshi paused right alongside her ear, her breath warm on her neck. "Very careful."

Haruka stood and snatched up her change rod from the side table and walked out, leaving Usagi staring after her from where she was perched on the edge of the bed. She let out the breath she'd been holding in a frustrated sigh. "Don't worry, Ruka, I will be…"

It was a fresh, clear morning on campus, and Mamoru had managed to get in his morning run, pick up a coffee and make himself breakfast, all barely before the sun had peaked over the mountains. It was the first morning in days that he hadn't woken feeling utterly drained, and as he sat at his desk, hot cup in one hand and a slice of toast in the other, he allowed himself to fully soak up the warm sunlight before he started to worry about everything else once again.

He was dusting the crumbs off his fingers as the phone rang, the tiny display screen spelling out 'Usako'. After all they had gone through when he was last away, there was no way he wouldn't take her call. "Usako," he greeted softly as he cradled the phone against his shoulder. "How are you?"

"Mamo," she said warmly, and the sound of her sweet voice made him smile. "I'm fine, how are you? Is it early there? I didn't want to wake you."

He laughed. "It is early, but you certainly didn't wake me—I've been up for hours," he told her. "And I'm fine, too. It's been a few days since last we spoke."

She was silent a moment on the line. "I know—I'm sorry," she said. "There's been a lot going on here…"

He stilled, listening intently. "Has something happened?"

"No, no," she said quickly. "Well, yes, a few things have happened—but things are okay." She paused, letting out a long breath. "Mamo, Rini is here."

He couldn't quite place why, but the thought of his future daughter being back in the twentieth century sent him into a strange tailspin—one filled with anxiety and happiness all at once. "Oh, well that's great," he said. "How is she?"

"She's good…a brat, like always," Usagi said with a chuckle. "I actually promised her that the two of you could speak when I called, but she fell asleep a while ago and I don't want to wake her."

"That's alright," he replied. "The trip from the thirtieth century is a long one for a nine year old."

Usagi cleared her throat. "Actually," she started awkwardly, "Rini is…not exactly nine any more—something has happened, to the timeline, we suspect. We think she's around thirteen."

It didn't really matter to Mamoru what age the girl was—so long as she was well, and the hesitation in Usagi's voice told a different story. "What do you mean 'something has happened to the timeline'?"

"We don't know," she said quietly. "She said that Crystal Tokyo kept changing, and she got lost, trying to get back to us." He heard the rustle of sheets as she presumably shifted about in her bed. "She met Chibi Chibi and Helios along the way, and wound up on Kinmoku."

Mamoru sat forward, his coffee long forgotten. "Kinmoku?" He frowned. "Isn't that the home planet of the Sailor Starlights?"

"Yeah," Usagi confirmed. "They brought her back to us—they're here now. They're going to help us try to defeat the new enemy."

His mind reeled, thinking about the three foreign soldiers. Sailor Star Fighter, who had looked at Usagi with fierce admiration and love, and warned him to protect her, was there, in Tokyo. He couldn't decide whether he felt relieved for her safety, or confronted by the thought. He nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "And Chibi Chibi has returned as well?"

"Yes," she said. "And Helios—all of them, together."

He ran a hand through his thick hair. "Maybe I should come home," he said. "It sounds like you need me there now—"

"No, Mamo," Usagi cut in quickly. "I didn't call hoping you would come home—I just felt you needed to know."

The familiar throb began to return to the space behind his eyes, and suddenly he wondered whether the strange episodes were related to Rini's journey across time and space. "I appreciate it," he said. "Crystal Tokyo…?"

"We don't know," Usagi replied solemnly. "Now that Setsuna can't travel to the future, we can't tell what's going on—for now, we just have to focus on the enemy and wait."

He exhaled sharply. "I really think I should return to Tokyo," he pressed, standing with the intention of packing his things and walking out the door. "I can protect you and Rini if I'm right by your side—I'm useless all the way over here—"

"It's okay, really," she said. "Please, just focus on your studies. We'll let you know if we need you."

He ground his teeth and sat back down heavily. "You don't know anything else—not why Helios is here, or Chibi Chibi…?"

Usagi sighed, sounding tired. "Rini came across Chibi Chibi while she was still in Crystal Tokyo, and Helios somehow came to her through the Space-Time realm," she said. "That's all we know, right now."

"Okay," he said. He closed his eyes and willed the pain to just go away. "Okay…"

"Is everything okay, Mamo?"

Her voice sounded brittle and small, as though she knew something were wrong, all the way on the other side of their Earth. His lips pulled into a smile. "Everything's just fine, Usako," he lied. "I promise."

"Stop fiddling and just leave it—you look fine, Yaten…"

Seiya shook his head as the silver-haired soldier continued to fiddle with his uniform, adjusting it awkwardly and pouting like a child as they walked down the empty halls of Juuban Municipal High School once again. "Don't be stupid—I look more than fine," he snapped arrogantly. "It's just taking some getting used to, that's all…"

At the suggestion of the high school, the trio had arrived just after school had begun, with the aim to avoid chaotic fans and settle into class without trouble. The sunlit hallway was eerily quiet, filled only by the sound of their footsteps. "It's strange, being here again," Seiya hummed. He bit back a smile as they passed by Usagi's locker, where he could nearly see himself eighteen months ago, waiting to meet her.

Taiki nodded. "It is, somewhat," he said. "I didn't think we'd ever return."

They made their way in to the homeroom class they had been assigned, which was comprised of the same students they had worked alongside in the year prior. Hushed whispers flew amongst the class as they walked in, and many of the girls shuffled in their seats, all giggles and hair-tosses. Seiya flashed a charming smile, quickly acclimatising to being the centre of attention once again.

"Ah, you've arrived," their teacher said, a clipboard in hand. "As you all can see, we are once again hosting the members of the Three Lights band at our school." He gave the class a cautionary look. "I expect you'll all be welcoming and on your best behaviour, with as little commotion as possible."

Seiya spotted Usagi's blonde buns and had fully intended on giving her a wink, just as he had the first time he'd stood at the front of her class, but something else caught his eye. Two rows back from the blue-eyed girl was a boy—well, at their age, a man—arching his wrist backward to toss a ball of scrunched paper in Usagi's direction. The teacher told them to take their seats and turned his back to the board, and as he did so, the boy launched the crumpled ball at the back of her head. Seiya caught it mid-air. "I believe he wants to give this to you, Odango," he said, holding out the note to a wide-eyed Usagi alongside him. He met the smug teenager's eye. "Apparently it was too much effort to just hand it to you instead."

Usagi blinked at him and took the note, spinning in her chair to glare at the boy, who was smirking back at Seiya. "Raf!"

"Odango," the dusty-haired boy parroted, his hazel eyes looking between the two of them. "You know Usa, Kou?"

Seiya took a seat behind Usagi, which was conveniently vacant as it had been last time. "What's it to you?"

"Boys," the teacher warned.

Usagi turned to face the front, and Seiya could see her unravelling the note under her desk. Her shoulders rose and fell as she let out a huff, scribbled something in reply, and tossed it back skilfully over her shoulder while the teacher's back was turned. Seiya smirked and leant forward. "What did it say, Odango?" He whispered.

"What it always says," she whispered back cryptically.

Behind him, the boy called Raf sniggered. "You'd like that, wouldn't you, Usa?"

Seiya was certain he knew exactly what it said.

There was more rustling of paper and Seiya honed in his sharp reflexes, snatching the near-torn paper as it went flying past. He looked over his shoulder and cocked a brow at Raf, who was glaring at him. "Jerk," Raf mouthed.

Apparently he had focused his senses a little too closely on the wrinkled note, as suddenly their teacher was standing right beside him, a stern look on his face. "Mr Kou," he said. "I am not adverse to giving any student detention if I feel it is warranted." He held out his palm to take the note. "There will be no preferential treatment."

Seiya reluctantly handed him the ball of paper, slinking lower in his chair. "Yes, sir."

The teacher turned away and unwrapped the note. "Rafu, the principle's office, now," he said. "Mr Kou and Miss Tsukino, detention for you both."

Usagi groaned and tipped her head back, scowling at Rafu as he passed by, bag slung over his shoulder. "Good one, Raf…"

"Wasn't my fault," he replied, and then looked at Seiya. "That was all him, Odango."

Nearby, Minako and Makoto were both stifling laughter, and Yaten rolled his eyes. "Seiya, you ass," he hissed reprovingly. "We've been here less than five minutes…"

Seiya shrugged, pulling out his notebook and turning his attention to the board with a smirk. "Oh, well," he said quietly. "Just more time to spend with Odango."

The remainder of their day went on uneventfully, with the members of the Three Lights occupied for each break, signing up for clubs and meeting with teachers to discuss their subject selections for the year ahead. Seiya was oddly looking forward to detention, after having little time to even glance in Usagi's direction all day. He strode down the hall toward their allocated room, smiling when he caught sight of Usagi, leaning up against the lockers as she waited for their teacher. "You just couldn't resist getting into trouble to spend another hour with me, could you, Odango?"

She glowered at him—a look, he had decided, he found rather fetching. "Yaten was right—you are an ass."

He chuckled and they headed inside, taking their seats and enduring the long hour in silence, writing out notes from the board. I guess that's what I get, Seiya thought with a smile, for being such an ass…

The sky was beginning to glow an apricot hue when they excited the building, heading across the grassy oval toward home. Usagi stretched her arms out long with a yawn. "Well that was a drag," she said, and then poked her tongue out at Seiya. "Thanks a lot, Kou…"

"You're welcome, Tsukino," he replied cheekily, clutching his bag up high over his shoulder. "Although, it reallywasn't my fault—if someone hadn't been exchanging vile notes with Raf we wouldn't have wound up in detention…"

Her eye snapped to him. "How do you know the note was vile, hm?"

"Oh, come on," he said, rolling his eyes. "I know what teenage boys think, Odango."

"Because you are one?" She quipped.

He smirked devilishly back at her. "Exactly," he said. He weaved an extra edge to his voice as he added: "Always thinking something erotic, isn't that right?"

A flush tinted her cheeks as he echoed her sentiment from the moments they had spent alone in a very confined space nearly two years beforehand. She looked away with a huff and said nothing.

Seiya watched on, amused by how easily he could fluster her. There was a brief silence before he spoke again. "So, that Rafu—he isn't causing you any trouble, is he?"

"Raf? No, he's no trouble," she replied, and then looked at him, eyes narrowed. "Why, Seiya?"

"No reason," he said idly. "He just seems a little keen on you, that's all."

"Sounds like someone's a little jealous," she said with a smirk.

He shot her a grin. "Of course," he said. "But when you look this good, it's not hard to beat out the competition."

Usagi scoffed. "You're so full of yourself…"

Suddenly a strong wind gusted around them, and Seiya looked up to the dusky sky. Grey storm clouds were rapidly bleeding into the reddened sky, obscuring what was left of the warm sun, and fat droplets of rain had started to fall. Students still present on the grounds opened up their umbrellas and whipped on their hoods, making their way toward cover. Seiya opened his mouth to speak but a chill ran down his spine, and immediately he was on high alert.

"Oh, no, I didn't bring an umbrella today—it wasn't supposed to rain," Usagi chattered, popping her bag over her head as the rain grew heavier. Seiya stopped and she frowned at him. "Seiya?"

He stared into the distance, where the murky rainclouds were creeping down from the sky above, shrouding the field ahead. They grew darker and thicker, and he reached out and grasped Usagi's arm, pulling her behind him. "Something's here," he murmured.

"What? Where? I don't see—" She sucked in a breath as the black cloud shifted before them, and he felt the goose bumps rise on her soft skin beneath his grip. "I feel it…"

A dark form tore out of the fog, crawling slowly away from the mist and lurching forward in the heavy rain. It staggered to its feet and stood tall, letting out a cry of rage. There were screams of horror from the students and teachers remaining as the mass, free of a victim in all its naked evil, bent and twisted in their direction. Its body contorted and its red eyes glowed viciously, and it dripped a thick, blackened blood as it twitched forward.

Seiya backed Usagi up protectively, speaking in a low voice to her. "Does it always attack when you're surrounded by civilians?"

"Yes," she replied, sounding panicked. "This isn't what Ami and Haruka predicted—why is it here?"

People ran, terrified, but the two senshi stood their ground, saturated and frozen in the gale-force winds. The malicious energy set its sights on them and its neck jerked grotesquely. "Stay back," Seiya told Usagi. "I think I know what it's after."

He cast his eye around the field—it looked as though they were almost alone. The glint of Usagi's brooch caught his eye and he shook his head. "Don't," he warned, pushing her wrist down. He met her eye. "I will protect you, I promise."

Her blue eyes were fierce and she shook her head vehemently. "I can't just stand by and do nothing," she said. "I won't."

The entity released another blood-curdling screech and flickered closer, teeming with fury. Usagi let out a gasp. "Seiya, it's too dangerous—you have to transform—"

He held his hand out alongside him, palm open to the sky, and allowed the hot, blue flame of his power to course from his heart's centre. It surged down the length of his arm and gathered in his hand, a flickering, wisping ball of blue light. "No," he told her, as her cerulean eyes gazed at it in shock. "I don't."

It was the last thing he saw before he let the power within him explode.