Once again, my most sincere thanks to followers, users and anonymous readers for following the story so far!

Beasts that Shout Love, Part 4: The Fault of the Stars

Nephrite was lost in thought as he watched the afternoon sky from the backyard of the makeshift headquarters. After an entire week of clouds and the occasional snowdrift, the sky was clear that day. "Can I really trust the Young Lord to find the right one? What if he takes too long? I think... I should use my astrology expertise to seek the one. I can't simply idle about anymore. Zoisite and Kunzite already found their assigned Royal Consorts, and the first already managed to send Mercury's lover to the Hades..."

"Penny for your thoughts, Nephrite," Jadeite asked him as he approached him, breaking his concentration.

The auburn-haired man was somewhat glad to see his brother-in-arms. "Just reflecting on my part of our particular mission. I have no idea who is it that Jupiter has chosen as a lover in this day and age. Back then, she was lovesick to a large degree, so it could be just about anyone in this city."

"Yes, I understand it very well. In my case, the Princess of Mars was as headstrong and dry as a woman could be, so she didn't fall so easily in love. Hopefully, there is someone on her mind as well."

"As long as Dis Pater doesn't find out, we are fine," Nephrite commented.

"He won't," Jadeite said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "He's a proud idiot, first and foremost. Who else but a proud idiot would want to make their target suffer but run free, rather than just kill them at once?"

"Good point. He doesn't even know what he wants. He does seem to know all about the Silver Millenium, though, and he seems to have been acquainted with us as well, which is why he refers to us by our true birth names in those days. We better use this to our advantage."

"Indeed. Who this is, I cannot tell, and perhaps it is of no importance. Nevertheless, this is the one chance we have, old friend. Let us not waste it with our own desires," Jadeite spoke with a small but confident smile, tapping on the shoulder of his companion. "Now if you excuse me, I must search for the Princess of Mars. See you."

Nephrite silently greeted back, then resumed to observe the bright sky of that Sunday afternoon. Jadeite had a point about their own desires. He once more thought about Naru, the girl who managed to snatch his heart in his final moments a few years ago, and how she would be better off without knowing he was back. Just as it is important to keep himself as an enemy of the Sailor Guardians.

"The stars know it all. When they appear, upon the setting of the Sun, they will lead me to the one that Jupiter loves."

(xx)

On that Sunday afternoon, Makoto took advantage of her one free day off her school and work duties to go to Aoyama Cemetery and visit her parents' grave. She brought a bouquet of tulips and lilies-of-the-valley, as well as a couple of sotoba tablets.

"Hi, mom. Hi, dad. Hope you guys are watching me from up there." She placed the flowers on the sides of the gravestone, the sotoba behind it, and then recited a short prayer.

She felt the presence of somebody else by her side. A man slightly taller than her, wearing some slacks and a deep-blue button shirt. He also brought some flowers, incense, and a bottle of sake. She turned around and saw exactly who it was.

"Shinozaki?"

"Oh, hello there, Mako," he replied with a slight smile. "How have you been?"

"I'm doing just fine, just the usual stress out of my daily routine. I came to give a visit to my parents, you see."

"Well, what a coincidence, because I came to do the same. It's been two months since my father died, you know. My family's plot is right next to yours, did you notice?"

"You're right... How did I never notice?"

To that, the young man simply gave a short snicker. "Well, I fully intend for my remains to be buried here as well after I die. Perhaps... We'll be together after death?"

"It doesn't need to be after we die," Makoto answered without taking her eyes off the Kino plot. She blushed heavily on saying that. Shinozaki also blushed, too nervous to properly answer, then silently took off the cork of the bottle of sake, whose contents he dropped over the gravestone ahead of him.

"You see, my grandfather's ashes are also buried here. My father lost him when he was seventeen, just like me. I never met him, but dad always told me of how much of a hard-working and lovely man he was... This is my tribute to the two greatest men I had..."

Makoto noticed Shinozaki was on the verge of tears as he spoke of his deceased forebears. When he finished pouring over the sake, the Guardian gave him a much-needed embrace. "You are giving them reasons to be proud and to be just as great as they were. Remember... You are not alone."

"You're right... I'm not. I don't have to grieve forever. I have my mom still, and... I still have you."

Both shared a loving look to one another. Flustered, Shinozaki asked to break the awkward silence: "So... See you at the gym next week?"

"I'll be there for sure."

Both left the Cemetery and went their own way. Neither cared one bit about the fact that cemeteries were no place for public displays of affection, even if those were just innocent conversations.

The conversation seemed to spark something inside Makoto. What was supposed to be a somber and reflective visit to the tomb of her deceased parents ended up being something sweeter and happier to her. You have me, alright. You just don't know it yet.

He went back to his house, not too far away from the cemetery, to get ready for his shift at a local convenience store. He got something to help in his house's expenses after his father's death, which would complement his mother's salary after some budget planning. After a quick shower, he went to pick up some new underwear from his drawer, when he noticed three strange items that weren't there before. Two jewels, one green and one red, plus a golden coin.

"Hmm? What are these?" Shinozaki asked himself as he picked up the items. The green jewel emitted a strange glow that covered his body.

He caught glimpses of himself inside a forest glade. He wore a crown and a fur cape, surrounded by a host of warriors of all kinds. And at his side, he saw Makoto, wearing similar clothes to him, but fully armed to participate in some kind of battle. He blinked and saw himself battling with all his might beside Makoto, who released some kind of thunder-based magic. He blinked once more, and he saw himself bedridden and hurt all over his body. Makoto was there by his side, shedding tears while holding his hand.

"Makoto... I don't believe it..."

(xx)

The next day, on Fruit Parlor Crown, Makoto was helping around cleaning the kitchen area when Unazuki called her from the front counter. "Hey, Makoto! Come here for a second, please." She then pointed out a couple of styrofoam packages. "Would you care to send these orders to the Juuban Junior High? My brother and her fiancée will spend until late hours there, so they asked me to deliver dinner to them."

"Umm, sure, I'd love to," the Guardian answered. "But I have no means to go there. It's kinda far from here, as you know. Besides, where is Itsuki?"

"He's out delivering other orders, of course. I'm afraid he won't return for a while, since he went all the way to Adachi."

"Well, how am I supposed to go there, then?"

"I can help you with that," a familiar male voice spoke. Makoto's heart skipped a beat when she saw her ex-senpai Hideki Tajiri offering some help.

"Something the matter, Mako?" Unazuki asked.

"Oh, nothing," Makoto said as she sweatdropped. "It's just that... Not trying to run away from the job or anything, but why can't Hideki deliver it himself?"

"Let's just say I'm not particularly acquainted with my dear brother-in-law," the young man commented as he shrugged.

"And Motoki considers you like a sister, like me," Unazuki stated as she gave out an innocent wink. This somewhat made Makoto feel even more flustered over the sudden request. Without saying anything else, the former couple left the establishment, put on helmets, and accommodated themselves in Hideki's motorcycle.

"Comfortable down there?" asked Hideki.

"Uhh, yeah," Makoto awkwardly answered as she positioned herself. After some brief revving, the two departed at full speed.

Soon after, another person on a motorcycle arrived. Without taking their helmet, they entered the Fruit Parlor Crown and went straight to the counter.

"Good afternoon, sir!" Unazuki greeted. "How may we help you?"

"Well, first of all, you may call me ma'am, and you can help me by telling me where is Makoto."

"She just left to the Juuban Junior High with my boyfriend to deliver some meals. It won't take long for her to come back."

"Ah, this cannot wait, you see. I'll go ahead and catch up with them. Thank you anyways, cutie," The woman gave a quick wink through her helmet's visor and rode once more her bike down the street. Unazuki actually felt good with the compliment.

(xx)

A few streets later, both Hideki and Makoto laid on the floor, having suffered some kind of accident that, while it didn't hurt them too badly, ended up damaging the man's motorcycle and dropping the meal order they were supposed to deliver.

Said accident was caused by a certain figure in an all-white kit of a cardigan and pleated pants, with his long and wavy locks of auburn hair flowing gracefully down his back. "I don't know who you were in the past life," Nephrite spoke somberly as he pointed the palm of his hand toward the hapless man on the floor, "but if Jupiter has deemed you worthy of her love..."

But before he could release some kind of light beam against Hideki, a loud scream was heard from a nearby alley. "Waaa-CHAAAA!" A hooded figure swiftly hit Nephrite with a flying kick, flooring the Heavenly King.

"What the hell was that!?" both Nephrite and Makoto shouted.

The figure then turned to Hideki, who sat on the floor too stunned to further react, then helped him out. "Can you get up?"

Hideki seemed to recognize the voice, but said nothing until both him and his unlikely saver moved away to the nearby alley from where he came from. Only away from the others' sights did he take off his hood, with Hideki recognizing him immediately. "Miyage? What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story, and you may not even believe it," Shinozaki answered. "For now, just tell me why did that guy attack you and Mako."

"Hell if I know, that guy thought I was her boyfriend. He's about four years too late on that!"

"Listen, you better go back to Fruit Parlor Crown and-"

"No way, I want to help Makoto as well. I... I think I owe her."

Shinozaki did not expect that coming from him, but preferred not to question him further. "Are you sure? That guy seems incredibly dangerous, you know."

"I do not mind. Besides, you may need help taking on him, too."

"Well, I hope at least you still got your karate chops well-trained." He then picked up a long wooden stick beside a trash can. He swung it around with fairly good dexterity like he was acquainted with long weapons of that sort.

"I didn't know you also practiced kendo and swordsmanship," Hideki commented.

"No, I don't," Shinozaki answered. "I just... Think this could be useful." There was something he did not explain to his friend but preferred to omit.

(xx)

"It seems this is not the one. The stars got it wrong this time." Nephrite commented as he looked to the sky. "But who the hell was that man who attacked me, and why did he do that?" He then turned around, ignoring that his lover in his past life was getting up, ready for combat.

"Hey!" Makoto called out. "Where the hell are you going?"

"After my next target, of course." The Heavenly King then teleported away.

The Guardian of Thunder became agitated at the prospect of Nephrite hurting somebody. "I think I better call for reinforcements."

"No need for that, girl," a deep female voice said near her. She turned around and saw a familiar face she hadn't seen in a while.

"Haruka!?"

"Oh yeah, that's my name, don't wear it out. It seems you got some trouble ahead of you."

"You bet I am. You heard the news, right? The Heavenly Kings are back and targeting us for some reason. One even killed Ami's boyfriend and injured her mother two days ago. She's been despondent since then..."

"Yeah, so I heard... And it seems this one is after you. Or better yet, after who you love."

This made Makoto lose her nerve for a short while. "But... I don't love anyone?"

"Search into your heart. We all have someone special in mind."

Makoto thought she had a point. Before Ami's attack, Minako also suffered a similar ambush with her current fling. The Guardian thought of who she could be interested in, and only two names popped up. It then struck that he may be after one of them, exactly to where she was going. "Oh, we have to go to the Juuban Junior High, quickly!" She then quickly picked up the bag, checked if the plates were still in good condition, then went to where Haruka was revving up her motorcycle.

"Hop in and hold on, girl. It's gonna be a bumpy ride."

(xx)

After that day's classes, Usagi went to pay a visit to Ami in the University Hospital. The Guardian of Waters spent the whole weekend in a state of shock beside her bedridden mother, barely being able to eat and sleep. She was visibly in a sorry state that mixed lethargy, tiredness and pain.

"I told her not to worry about me, since all I got was a fractured vertebra," Dr. Saeko explained to the bun-headed girl. "It will put me out of commission for a week, but won't paralyze me. But she saw the boy she liked dying in front of her... My goodness, I can't imagine the conflict inside her head at this moment."

As Dr. Saeko spoke, Usagi felt a soft rumble on her Compact. Once again, the Silver Crystal appointed the presence of evil, though not exactly nearby.

"There is an enemy on the run," Usagi whispered to Ami. Hearing this, the blue-haired girl clenched her fists over her skirt and lowered her head. The bun-headed Guardian then addressed Dr. Saeko. "If you excuse me, I must be going. Take care and rest properly, now, okay?"

"Wait." To the surprise of both Usagi and Dr. Saeko, Ami spoke as she got up. The heroine understood well her seemingly-regained resolve, so she waited as she slowly walked towards her. "I will... return home. Take care now, mama."

As they left the building, they ended up crossing paths with Naru, Umino, and the latter's parents as he was discharged from the hospital. Naru looked at the two Guardians with mixed feelings.

"Don't be mad at them, Naru," Umino requested. "Remember what I told you." The young woman simply nodded, though still with conflicting thoughts on her head.

(xx)

Nephrite waited patiently while he saw the children timidly coming out of the Juuban Junior High School. He did not want to hurt anybody not directly linked to his mission, but wanted to be quick so he could hunt down his target easily.

"Need some backup?" A deep male voice came from behind him. It was Zoisite and Kunzite, riding on Shoggoths as if those were dark mounts.

"If it's not much to ask," a pleased Nephrite said. "Scare off the children, so they don't get in the way."

At that exact moment, the Kings ordered the hellish creatures to run around the school's front. The sight of the Shoggoths was enough for all the children to panic and run away, since those perfidious sightings have been a matter of public safety for some time up to that point.

"Evacuate the premises, quickly!" Director Haruna Sakurada advised the staffers and the remaining students in the school's facilities. Everyone ran as fast as they could towards the exit. Among them was Usagi's younger brother Shingo, as well as Kyuusuke Sarashina, one of the first victims of the hellish pursuit against the Sailor Guardians. Ever since he was possessed by the demon Marbas, his sister Kotono has been coming to wait for him and escort him home to safety, and she was there when the onslaught started.

"Oh my God, KYUUSUKE!"

"Kotono! We need to get away from here, now!" The young man shouted as soon as he saw her. He was also able to escape without further repercussions. Thanks to an odd amulet he got from his sister, Kyuusuke did not suffer from the effects of the Shoggoth's unholy presence. On the other hand, all the others who got to see the creatures felt queasiness and a taste of blood in their mouths, with some even developing nosebleeds and bloody tears.

"Excellent job, guys. Now leave the pretty boy with me," Nephrite affirmed. "You mount guard here, in case the Guardians appear or if Jupiter's lover he tries to escape." The couple nodded and went to the main entrance.

After checking every classroom, the Heavenly King managed to find Motoki trying to run away through one of the corridors, passing by him as he climbed down the stairs from the second floor to the first. Nephrite recognized him somehow. "Well, well... If it isn't Endymion's very own lady-in-waiting, Byron!"

"Huh? What?"

Nephrite then picked up Motoki effortlessly by the back of his head. "I remember everything. You were Endymion's personal friend and confident in the Silver Millenium. It's such a shame you were never a fighter, or you could have been a fine Heavenly King like us!"

He then bashed Motoki's head against the wall repeatedly until the skin of his forehead tore open and he started bleeding profusely. "I never thought, however, you would set your eyes on my beloved Advirga."

"I'm telling you... I don't know what you are talking about..."

"And now, you have the chance to get along with her, don't you? Wrong, you worthless whoreson. She's mine!"

"My fiancée, she..."

"Stay away from him!" shouted Reika as she shot Nephrite with a Desert Eagle automatic pistol. It was powerful enough for him to fall down and release Motoki from his grasp, but soon he got up as if he didn't suffer anything serious, popping the projectile off his body as if it was just a speck of dirt off his shirt.

"Pah! What makes you think those weapons would do anything against me? Who are you, anyway?"

"She is... My fiancée..." Motoki spoke as Reika helped him get up.

"What!?" the King ghastly replied. "The stars faulted me again! Or have I gotten it all wrong..."

"I won't let you get away with your little schemes," a female voice spoke from the other side of the corridor. None other than Sailor Jupiter, who managed to break through Zoisite and Kunzite's guard in the main entrance somehow.

Nephrite decided to play along with the monstrous self that Sailor Jupiter believes her to be. "Ah, Advirga... You finally returned to the arms of the one you love."

"No way, you creep... I'm here to stop you and your flunkies!" The Guardian of Thunder came out swinging at him, who defended as best as he could, giving Motoki and Reika enough leeway to run to the school's infirmary.

(xx)

"Hey, you jerks," Haruka called as Zoisite and Kunzite got ready to pursue Makoto as she entered the school. "I will be your opponent."

"I take it you are a Sailor Guardian as well," gloated Zoisite. "Still, you better spare yourself, lady... You are only one, and as you can see, we are two."

"And we have the Shoggoths by our side," Kunzite added.

"Oh, we're playing bragging rights now?" Haruka said in a defying tone. "Then let me show you what I got. Uranus Eternal, Make Up!"

"Ah, by all circles of Hell," Zoisite sighed. "She's got the power of a Demigoddess!"

Feeling confident, Eternal Sailor Uranus drew forth her blessed blade Chandrahasa, which she used to swing at the Kings, who could only parry the attacks with light swords they formed. But the strength of the Guardian was too much, even if she was at a numerical disadvantage, and she eventually floored both Kunzite and Zoisite with a clean sweep. She then hopped forty feet upwards in a single bound, and called forth for a devastating attack: "Caelum Skybreaker!"

A relentless flurry of heavy air that seemed to distort the atmosphere around them poured down on the two villains, who tried to avoid it the best as they could, only to get tired and be hit at full force. While they could withstand most of the projectiles, the pain inflicted made it hard to even breathe, let alone get up.

Sailor Uranus then drew the Chandrahasa to deliver the coups-de-grace upon her enemies, but before she was able to deliver any blow, one of the Shoggoths tackled her, wrestling with the Guardian on the ground, and giving enough time for the Kings to escape and enter the school's facilities.

(xx)

The other Shoggoth saw no problem infiltrating itself in the building ahead of everyone else. Just as Reika helped out Motoki with the open wound on his forehead and the couple left and tried to escape the school, the hellish monster stood in their way. The young teacher was able to push Reika away to safety, only for himself to be caught within its range.

"MOTOKI!"

The dark mass of the creature covered Motoki's left leg, crushing and cracking it into a fleshy paste. He released a blood-curdling scream as the pain and shock struck him.

Reika stifled her panicked scream and wasted no time in dragging Motoki however possible across the school's grounds and back to the infirmary, leaving behind a trail of blood.

"I'm... I'm going to die..." Motoki murmured while in a state of shock.

"No! No you won't!" Reika affirmed as she tied a tight knot to stop the constant bleeding on what was left of her fiancée's left leg. "Thank goodness it was just below the knee..."

"Reika..." He noticed his fiancée was bleeding profusely through her nose, and her left eye was bloodshot as well. Somehow, he was not affected by it either.

"I have no idea what's going on, why would this man think you are Jupiter's lover... Whoever this Jupiter is. And why are these things running around anyways?"

"Reika, behind you!" He instinctively tried to get up and protect his fiancée from another tackle from the Shoggoth, but without his left leg, he could not get up in time. It was Reika who went in his direction to protect him instead. Both embraced and shut their eyes after the impact was inevitable.

All they heard, however, was some kind of explosion, and their clothes becoming damp. When they opened their eyes, they saw no trace of the Shoggoth, and a familiar figure in a sailor uniform standing on the doorway, with wings on her back and exhaling what could only be described as a fresh, saintly aura.

"Are you alright?" Eternal Sailor Moon asked them.

(xx)

Sailor Jupiter went on to chase Nephrite around the school's corridors after he teleported away following their brief scuffle. Having seen Sailor Moon taking care of Motoki and Reika, she was free to go after the Heavenly King. "Now, where the hell did that crook go?"

"Oh, Makoto... There you are."

This call sent a shiver down the Guardian's spine. When she turned around, she saw Hideki half-hidden from a classroom. How could he know she was Sailor Jupiter?

"Listen, I can't see very well," he resumed. "Something happened to my sight, it's all blurry... All I see is your figure, but I could tell it was you right away..."

Indeed, Hideki had his eyes semi-closed with tears of blood down his cheeks and he trembled as he kept himself on his feet, a result of having seen the Shoggoth with which Sailor Uranus was on the verge of destroying in the street. She couldn't help but go to his side, assuming he did not see her in her Sailor Guardian uniform. "My goodness, you're hurt! Why did you come here?"

"Because I figured you could use some help after that long-haired weirdo attacked us, and... This may be the last chance I have to apologize to you," Hideki said.

"Huh!? Why's that now?" Sailor Jupiter befuddledly spoke.

"For what I've done to you, of course... It's just that... You loved me to such a point, and I couldn't love you back... It wasn't even because of your appearance, because I always thought you were cute and all... But then, you started having the hots for me somehow, and well... I said yes because as a hormonal teenager, I wanted some female company of my own. But in hindsight, I shouldn't have done that. It didn't do any good to any of us."

The Guardian couldn't believe what she was hearing - The man who single-handedly unleashed a mental stigma upon her was making amends for it, even after she resolved not to let her disturb her anymore. And by the tone of his voice, he also seemed to be affected by that event somehow.

"What truly hurt... Is that I did that knowing Miyage liked you since forever. I always knew you two were pretty much made for each other. And after we slept together that day, I felt like... Like I had somehow committed a complete and total sacrilege, both to you and Miyage."

"Senpai..." She let herself say that.

At that moment, Hideki coughed blood and supported himself on the Guardian, feeling his body give away. "So yeah, when I broke up with you, I said a lot of bullshit about your looks, so that you wouldn't run after me, but... I can only wonder what kind of complex it must have inflicted upon you. I'm deeply sorry for everything, Makoto. You're a great girl in every aspect- Ugh!" Another bloody cough fit. "If I don't make it... Tell Miyage I'm sorry and tell my mom and Unazuki I love them..." He finally fainted, and Sailor Jupiter had no other choice but to lay him down and resume her pursuit.

There was very little time to reflect on his apology, however. Another Shoggoth appeared, ready to crush both of them.

"I won't let anything happen to you, Hideki." She turned to the creature with a focused look. "O, my guardian planet Jupiter... Brew a storm! Bring forth the thunder!"

Sailor Jupiter stopped the Shoggoth with her bare hands, and an immense shock got transmitted from her body to the creature's, enough to make it explode into thousands of gooey smithereens. A black sphere appeared ahead of her, and after floating for a second, flew away to safety. The noise was not enough to awaken Hideki, but it did attract another enemy.

"Well, is that not grand?" Nephrite said as he materialized once more on the school's grounds.

But before he could do anything against either the Guardian or Hideki, Nephrite felt someone suddenly grab him from behind. "Welcome to Suplex City! Population, YOU!" With a huge impact, that one hooded figure once again floored the Heavenly King upon lifting him with a suplex. Before he could get up, he pointed out a wooden stick towards the villain's face. "Don't try anything funny, buddy."

"You..." Nephrite once more recognized the figure. And so did Sailor Jupiter. "I don't believe it. Shinozaki..."

"What do we have here," Zoisite bellowed out as he appeared to face off against the hooded young man. He was in pain after the bash that Sailor Uranus had gave him and his lover, but had enough fight in him to face off against what seemed like a common human being.

Nephrite managed to get up and teleport away in the meantime. "Looks like I'll have to pick up where Nephrite left again." Having said this, Zoisite formed another sword in his hand, ready to take on Shinozaki.

"You won't do anything, you murderer," a firm female voice spoke. Both Zoisite and Sailor Jupiter recognized it.

"Ami!?"

Indeed, it was the Guardian of Waters, still in her civilian self. But there was something about her expression that looked unusual. She didn't have the usually serious but otherwise relaxed look on her face. Instead, there was pure rage and sorrow on her furrowed brow. There were even glimpses of moisture in the corner of her eyes. Her rage was calm, but its heat was palpable.

She clenched her teeth and her fists, and then roared out to the heavens: "Mercury Eternal, Make Up!"

She, too, acquired her Eternal Sailor Guardian form. The boots, the uniform, the laces, the hairpins and the elbow-long gloves did not give out any shadow of a doubt. Around her, a chilling aura that could freeze to the touch. And on her face, the stern sneer of a woman ready to unleash icy death. The sight amazed everybody within her sight.

"This one is for all the people you've hurt at the hospital. Aqua Rhapsody."

The attack she called formed a stream of water beneath Zoisite's feet that eventually froze them in place. The Heavenly King could only try to push his legs to no avail, and seeing the Guardian letting her fury take over her, he began to lose his nerve. "Here it comes..."

"This one is for my mother. Blizzard Symphony."

Out of the moisture of the air, the Guardian formed arrays of icicles that impaled Zoisite with absolute violence. But it was not enough to quell her sorrow and wroth. She then clasped her hands together and pointed them towards the Heavenly King. The shape of a blue translucent lyre formed in front of her.

"And this one is for Ryo. Absolute Zero Requiem."

The immediate surroundings ahead of Sailor Mercury were completely frozen. Nothing about Zoisite resembled anything that could be deemed human. It was all icy structures that broke like crystal shards surrounded by a snow-capped tundra.

Upon releasing her most powerful attack to date, Sailor Mercury transformed back to Ami and fell on her knees, drained of her energy and shedding off cathartic tears.

"Incredible," Sailor Uranus stated as she finally entered the school and went to Ami's aid, seeing the ice and snow that formed throughout the school's courtyard thaw and eventually evaporate, and leaving behind destroyed structures, cracked walls and exposed rooms.

After they all left, Nephrite and Kunzite reappeared, having teleported to safety when it was clear to both that none of them would survive the freezing force of Eternal Sailor Mercury. "Zoisite..." a saddened Kunzite muttered to himself. Somehow, he did not lament his lover's fate like he did when Queen Beryl executed him for insubordination.

(xx)

Two ambulances arrived in front of the Juuban Junior High School after neighbors pointed out a loud skirmish on its premises. By that time, the sun had already set, and the inside of the school was mostly dark. Sailor Moon and Reika carried Motoki to one of the ambulances, with the latter riding with him to the hospital to treat her own wounds. The Guardian managed to heal his open wounds, but his left leg was gone for good. Meanwhile, Makoto and Shinozaki helped out Hideki into the other ambulance. Haruka helped out Ami, giving her a ride back to her apartment.

"Shinozaki," Makoto addressed her best friend. "Now that the dust has settled, could you tell me what were you and senpai doing here?"

He pondered for a while with his hand on the back of his head. "I had a hunch that something was about to happen to you... so I came to help however I could. He also wanted to help, to make up for a certain event. Big mistake, I guess. Hideki is out cold. And you are capable of fighting your own fights."

"You... Know of my..." She feared what he had to say.

"Of course." He then whispered to her: "Don't worry, though. Your secret is safe with me." And as he stepped back, he gave a quick and reassuring wink to her.

There was so much going on in Makoto's head that she was at a loss for words. Where to even begin?

"I already lost my father, Mako. I'm not going to risk losing anybody else I love to... Strange circumstances. Get what I'm saying?"

"Someone... You love?" It was at that moment that she snapped out of her confusion and Hideki's words finally sank in. And for the first time that she could admit, she saw Shinozaki not simply as a friend. But for how long would she bottle up her feelings?

"Of course! And if something happened to you... I'd never forgive myself, especially if there was a chance for me to help you out."

"And neither would I, if something happened to you," Makoto answered, feeling the kind of flush and heat flaring within herself whenever she was around somebody she found attractive. "You... You were great back there, Shinozaki. You know?"

"Nowhere near as good as you... Sailor Jupiter." The young man also felt the flush of love take over his insides. "Now come on, let's go back home, okay? Bet you must be tired, and your aunt and my mom must be worried sick."

Hidden at a nearby corner, Nephrite saw as Makoto and Shinozaki left to return home after their battle, instinctively linking their fingers with one another. It was at that moment that he finally noticed the aura around him, signifying he is the one he should have sought for.

The Young Lord managed to find the right one, after all. I was too reckless. The one Jupiter loves today was right there all along. But... Of all men she could fall for, it had to be him? After all, he was... No, that was in their past life. The Fates play such strange games, sometimes. May the stars be right this time, and give me the fortitude I need to slay him...

(xx)

Upon dying, Ryo found himself on what seemed to be an underground cavern, with purple sands beneath his feet and flesh-like walls all around him. Despite being a vast landscape, the young man couldn't help feeling an oppressive force around him.

"So there is an afterlife..."

He appeared at the shores of a running river, whose lilac waters formed small but tempestuous waves in its flowing. Ryo heard of the place, but only as a myth: "River Styx..."

In that place, he saw people walking on the water to the other side of the river. But whenever he tried it, his legs sank on the river bank, so he simply stood behind without knowing what else to do but walk back and forth across the river's edge. As far as he knew about the myth, the boatman Charon was supposed to carry them from one side of the river to the other, not simply walk on the water.

He eventually felt something strange in his shirt's pocket, so he picked up what was inside it. The golden coin that the mysterious man had given him earlier that day.

"Excellent. You have the Obol," a soft male voice affirmed from a short distance.

Ryo turned around and saw the very same enemy that killed him. "What the- Zoisite!"

"Calm down, young man," the King affirmed. "What use is there to fight now? We are dead."

"So... I was going to die after all..."

"Do not worry, now. This is all part of the plan."

"What kind of plan involves you coming back to life to kill me?"

"The kind of plan that needs powerful people in both the surface and the Underworld, of course. Our liaison with Sailor Mercury makes us of utmost importance to save not just our World, but all planes of Existence."

"So, it wasn't simply to eliminate the hypotenuse of the romance triangle," Ryo pondered. "Why didn't you just tell us?"

"For now, let's just say it involves her dormant memories of her time in the Silver Millenium. Speaking of which... Do you remember anything of your past self? The Light Gem you received not only healed you of your illness but also retrieved at least part of your memories and skills from that time."

"I do... My name was Egregor Livingston, and I studied natural sciences and magic with Ami in her past life as well. Then something happened, and I was turned into a Great Youma to serve under Beryl's Dark Kingdom."

"Great, that's an advancement. And as you noticed, you were able to control your Youma form during our brief battle. This skill will be important later on."

A short period of silence came, then Ryo asked: "What do we do now?"

"We will wait," Zoisite answered while observing the fallen souls walk on the waters of the Styx.

"Wait?" Ryo asked, puzzled. "For what, exactly?"

"For the others to come, of course."

litakino1987: Me faltan palabras para agradecer tus aportes y nuestras charlas semanales. Ya espero por tu opinión acá!

Next chapter: Rei realizes her love in an unusual manner, and Jadeite capitalizes on it. Plus, another look at the Devil's master plan from Hell.

Best regards from The Hospitaller Knight.