Chapter 13

Author notes- keep beavering, keep sticking to the update schedule. Just keep swimming. Two stories in one weekend, whoop! I'm hoping to get updates for both this and it's prequel out next week as then I am on vacation (with limited internet access for a week) but I have my notebook and pens packed so at least if I get a plan it will be down on paper. Yay anyway. read, review, enjoy.

Oh and before I forget my co-author rocks! Thank you sailor silver ladybug

Co-author notes- I'm very glad I was asked to help on this story. I love where the plot is building to, and love writing with my bestie across the pond.

Michiru felt her eyes drooping, she was so tired, even though her soulmate was very hurt waking at three o'clock in the morning was never fun it made her sluggish and weary but she had to keep awake, her guardian would be here soon and her princess would heal her lover and then they would go home. When she heard voices from the sitting room she felt herself marginally relax. She recognized the princess's voice, although she did sound somewhat younger than when she had last heard her.

When Usagi appeared in the bedroom, Michiru saw the young woman tense up and gasp at the sight of Haruka, Michiru immediately felt love and loyalty to the young woman in front of her. "Hello princess." she said almost so softly that a normal person would not hear it.

"Michiru, I am so glad you are here as well" the princess spoke softly, Michiru nodded, this girl was very innocent and childlike and she knew she would do absolutely anything to protect her.

Usagi nodded a small smile but when Mamoru came in, Michiru saw a change in the girl, she was focused and ready to heal " akirame nai de Haruka ore ga kimi wa iyasu."

TL notes- don't give up Haruka I am going to heal you

"Shikasi, Watashi wa totemo, kurushin de iya masu"

TL notes- but I am in so much pain.

Usagi wiped her eyes, she was angry yes, but she was also very upset her guardian had got almost fatally wounded just to protect her, well she was fatally wounded and had never been so grateful that the soul bond that Makoto and Nephrite shared extended to the outer senshi stronger than the others because of Jupiters closer proximity to the four outer planets.

As the princess closed her eyes a multi-faceted silver jewel exited her chest, Mamoru followed his princess like a pupil to their master and soon a golden multi-faceted jewel exited his chest and the two worked in tandem to heal Haruka's mind and the superficial injuries. As the gold and silver lights entwined to become one inside Haruka's body she opened her eyes and saw Michirus's eyes with tears forming."I love you, my little Neptunia," she said.

"And I, you, my mate" she replied

"You are remembering, would you like all your memories?" Usagi whispered.

Both girls nodded. "We want to remember the good, the bad, the ugly, everything" Michiru replied. Taking Harukas hand.

"Okay, but first let's go to Elysion. It will be safer for you to receive your memories there plus" she said looking at Michiru "I think there are two people that are desperate to see you"

The two nodded. Michiru with tears in her eyes. And the group including Zerua disappeared. Leaving the apartment empty.

Kansai, Osaka Japan

He was finally here after the slight diversion of having to heal Haruka of her worst injuries, the tug around his waist became more prominent. He was finally going to be reunited with his soulmate. If he was not on borrowed time he would have done some stargazing the light pollution here was much less than Tokyo it was quiet but not the ominous quiet before a storm but a calm type of quiet where you could reflect and meditate and even reach 'your higher self' But Nephrite did not have time for that he had to find Makoto.

He paused and centered himself and focused on what was left of the fragmented bond

Makoto's POV

Makoto stared at herself in the mirror. She didn't look too bad, considering how tired She was. She had slept hard the night before, but had woken even more exhausted. After a long day of work and worry she felt as though she had been wrung completely dry.

Until then, Makoto intended to take a nap. Without bothering to change, or crawl under the covers, she collapsed onto her pillow, eyes already closed. Before a minute had passed her breathing had deepened into sleep.

As Makoto's tired body stilled and she became comfortable, Makoto's consciousness, finally fully awake, lifted from the still form and hovered for a long moment. It was easy to remember now. She felt the same tug she had been experiencing for days. Every night she had felt this same disconnect from her body, and the tug to somewhere...else.

The first night she had panicked, thinking herself dead, or at the least insane. The second night she had followed the tug, only to be stopped by an impenetrable wall every time she came close. Last night it was different. The other end seemed closer somehow. And the barrier had seemed weaker. More fragile.

Tonight she felt it was nearer still. Perhaps this was the night she would find him. Nephrite had to be at the other end. Their souls were linked, tethered through multiple lifetimes. She was determined to find him and bring him back to her, or die trying .

Turning away, Makoto passed through the closed window and out into the world. She had no fear she would become lost. She only needed to follow the soul bond and she would find her way to her soulmate or to herself. While the buildings had a faded, distant appearance, they looked completely real to Makoto.

All senshi could astral project, but Makoto had never been taught in this life. Her former self had those memories and had somehow shared them, because Makoto knew exactly how, and she was impatient for her soulmate to arrive. He was coming to her, and he had broken free of Metalia somehow. She had to get him to Usagi and Mamoru.

Streets, some flooded with traffic, others silent and still late in the night, passed before her. She saw beautiful shrines and temples, quiet, relaxing onsen, trees and buildings. All the parts of life were there... except for living beings. Every once in a while, Makoto glimpsed a person walking on the road below, but within a step or two they were gone, vanishing with no trace.

Rarely did she see others who knew they had crossed from dreams into the astral plane. They usually looked as determined as she felt and moved quickly, some shaking visibly even though they lacked a body. Makoto remembered her training with the Priestess of Elysion and did not approach or interfere.

She followed the tug for an eternity until, just as she felt she was closing in, her alarm began its shrill, piercing call and she was pulled forcefully back into her body like a rubber band after stretching. She barely had time to register that the shield, which she had almost reached, was cracked, with large chunks missing.

A wave of hope flowed through Makoto, even as she groaned. It was dark now. She checked her communicator. She'd slept five hours. She frowned. No dreams, again. A heavy yawn cracked her jaws open and she forced herself to roll out of bed.

As she was heading into the bathroom, Makoto heard a scream and felt the ground shake. Looking outside she saw a creature attacking people in the street. Without thinking, Makoto felt herself transform. She leapt from her window and landed on top of the creature, putting it off balance until they both rolled in the grass, its heavy weight crushing Makoto momentarily.

She had only done this once before, and wasn't sure what instinct led her to lift her hands and hurl lightning. The last time she had transformed it had been a dream. Or she assumed it was a dream. If it wasn't there was a magical creature out there, a Thunderbird, probably wondering why she had forgotten it.

Nephrite POV

As Nephrite walked the streets of Osaka, he knew he was going the right way. The pull of his mate was getting stronger, he could feel she was tired, perhaps even more exhausted. Luna had warned him to hurry when he left Tokyo. Why was she so tired, more importantly, what was draining her energy? Nephrite growled as the scar on his leg began to ache, a reminder he would always have of the betrayal to his prince and bonded.

His child… His child!

Nephrite clutched his head in agony. He had sensed new life beginning in his bonded when he was briefly freed from Metallia's grasp and he had wanted to go after her, to warn her, to fight with her, anything! But before he could do that the dark miasma of metallia had injured him and pulled him back to hell. Yea that is what he would call D point now. An unending abyss of hell. Yes, he and his shittenou brothers had freed themselves from said hell, but it didn't mean he was completely free. He wouldn't be completely free until he and Makoto had reforged their soul bond, which was going to have to be done before they faced the demon being and before they freed the others.

As he continued walking at a brisk pace the pull of his soulmate became more prominent and he felt she was getting more and more tired with each step he took. So he chose to take a stab in the dark and teleport to his love.

When he reappeared, the sight he was confronted with made him want to scream in pure unadulterated rage. His soulmate was fighting a creature that was laughing but what made him want to scream more is that there was also another creature manipulating her moves to make her more exhausted so it took more and more energy. Without thinking, Nephrite released a purely enraged howl that would have even his stoic leader and his prince quivering in their armor. He then transformed without a sound, apart from the whoosh of his cape when he had finished transforming. When he stood straight, he unsheathed his sword. "Thunderbird eagle strike!" he cried out. Two large birds swooped down and made the shape of an 'X' as they dove down. Nephrite heard his mate barely whisper "Callisto, Nico, you're safe."

In a flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder, the two birds swooped down and hit the two creatures with deadly accuracy and so there were two piles of dust blowing away in the wind. It had left sailor Jupiter swaying on her feet. "Nephrite, catch her," the female 'Callisto,' as Makoto identified her, spoke. Nephrite nodded and ran towards his love, catching her just in time as she fell. The two birds landed in a flutter of wings at his feet. Nephrite almost cried in relief his soulmate was finally safe in his arms and both their guardians were here too.

"Makoto, I'm sorry I wasn't by your side when I should have been," Callisto cried as she butted her beak on Makoto's hand.

"Callisto my love, you knew why we couldn't join them. We were trying to keep the evil at bay," the male Nephrite assumed was Nico tried to console the female.

"But they had already infiltrated and were destroying her, using her own magic and powers," Callisto wanted to howl in pain, it was almost too much to bear.

"Nephrite, why don't you take Makoto to Elysion. Myself and Callisto will erase the memories of the ones who have been a constant in Makoto's life since she was emancipated and also glamor the ones who had been in some kind of contact with her like at the cafe and flower shop she frequented and then she can have a fresh start in the Juuban district when you are both rested, no sooner am I understood?" Nico had taken command of the situation and Nephrite had been thankful the bird understood military training and knew when to take command in situations such as the one they were currently in.

We will see you soon in Elysion," Callisto said. The Adam's apple in Nephrite's neck bobbed slightly as he nodded his gratitude and the couple quickly disappeared to Elysion.

Makoto's pov

Makoto's eyelids were heavy. She breathed in a familiar scent and wondered where she was and how she was with her Soulmate when she had not yet broken through his shields.

"I know you're awake and can hear, my love," Nephrite whispered, his voice raw and raspy. Makoto wanted to reach out and touch him, but She couldn't move. Panic threatened to overwhelm her before he continued. "The youma is gone, but you were severely drained. You're going to be okay. We're in Elysion, and help is coming."

Makoto relaxed as she felt his fingers gently squeeze hers. She let her thoughts drift back into unconsciousness certain all would be well, though how she knew was a mystery. He was with her.

As sleep overtook Makoto once more, her spirit lifted and Makoto found her soul playfully dancing around that of her mate. A flood of energy poured through their bond, as though he was willing her to improve, sharing his own essence, and his presence alone strengthened her. His strong, warm hands rested on her back, in a hug she wanted to last forever. She felt him holding her and desperately wanted to return the hug.

Time passed. Makoto felt unable to completely return to her body, but also tethered to it, and to him. She heard Nephrite speak, though his words were disjointed and unclear.

Makoto felt a cool hand rest on her forehead and smiled. A voice spoke, so familiar and comforting, but full of a command she couldn't help but obey. "Come back to me, Makoto, Senshi of Jupiter, guardian of Princess Serenity the ninth, defender of life."

Makoto's eyes opened and She saw a vision of silver standing over her. Long silver hair and a silver-white dress, and eyes the blue of the sea of Tranquility in the reflected light of the earth. "My Queen," Makoto whispered, visions from this life and the memories of their last melding.

A youthful giggle answered her. Makoto blinked and looked more carefully at the young woman, dressed in ordinary clothes, and with hair that was less silver and more yellow.

"Not queen yet," she said. "

Makoto realized that some time must have passed. She was lying on her side on a very soft bed. Nephrite lay behind her, one arm under her cheek, the other flat on her stomach. But his attention was on the young man beside the Princess.

"Close your eyes and rest," the young man ordered gently. "We have much to do to repair your bond, and to prevent you from being taken again. Both of you need healing. Sleep."

Makoto felt Nephrite relax, his breathing evening instantly. She felt the princess brush a hand over her shoulder and Makoto closed her tired eyes again, her soul dancing with Nephrite's as their leaders tied them together unshakably.

A new presence appeared and Makoto gasped in recognition. She felt Nephrite's formless energy surrounding her, and the new energy danced closer. She felt pain explode as she remembered what else Metalia had stolen from them. Their unborn child.