Chapter 6

When the day ended, they all met outside to talk about what happened earlier today, but changed subjects the moment they saw Katsuro walk up. "Hey, so there's some things that we need to handle. Is it ok if I maybe, catch up with you later?" Minako asked. She knew they needed to go to Rei's and figure out what was going on and what they planned on doing.

"Huh? Yeah, that's no problem at all. Just hit me up when you're done. Maybe we can grab dinner or something late?" He asked. This actually worked out perfectly for him. This was a chance he could get away and possibly talk to the voice that resides in the jewel and explore some of these new abilities further. Today was a lucky break for him running into a situation like that unprepared. He needed to learn the extent of his abilities before doing more hero business.

"Don't worry, we'll get her back to you." Usagi winked. "And Mamoru and I will see you tomorrow!" She waved, heading on ahead.

Minako embraced him quickly. "I'll see you later tonight okay?" Without thinking or giving him a chance to say anything, she quickly kissed him on the cheek before running off with the others.

His hand touched his cheek for a brief moment, staring on as she rushed off. He could feel his heart pounding against his chest quickly. This was such a new sensation to him, there was a smile that crept up onto his lips as he himself turned to walk off. It was time to do what every protagonist did in anime or any hero series like this. Go off into some deserted forest setting and train.

Once the girls got to the shrine, they went into their usual room where Rei had everything prepared as she normally did. They took seats as Rei sat, trying to think of how to tell them everything. She should have mentioned her vision much sooner than she is now. Everything was so peaceful though, she didn't want to believe things were happening again.

"I take it you saw what happened today, didn't you?" Ami asked.

"Yeah, I actually had shown up to confront the monster, but when I did, I saw someone else had already begun to take it on." Rei replied following a deep inhale.

"That knight guy was so cool though! He really put that creature down!" Usagi was still excited from it all.

"Yeah, but his performance was a bit shaky to start off with. You can definitely tell he didn't have too much experience dealing with such circumstances. What did you think Rei?" Makoto looked to the raven-haired girl who seemed to be a bit troubled.

"I think…" She took in another deep inhale and exhaled. "I must be honest. A few days ago, I had a strange vision. There was some new evil, and I think it noticed me seeing them in the vision. It was the first time I've been like, spotted in a vision." She was finally showing how uneasy she had been feeling the past few days.

"Spotted?" Ami questioned.

"Yeah, like, they saw me. They saw me while I was seeing them and what was to come."

"That, doesn't sound very comforting." Minako added.

"It's really not. On top of that, there were four figures. There were four knights and I think this 'Phoenix Knight' is one of them."

"So do you think he's some enemy also?" Usagi asked, her voice had shifted to a more worried tone.

"I really don't know. They seem like an ally so far, but it could be a disguise. I think we should be on our guards. If there is some new evil on the horizon, we need to be serious and be preparing."

"Preparing how?" Minako wondered what she could possibly mean.

"I mean, devoting all of our free time to planning, maybe even focusing on this matter for now. We need to be sharp and at our best. I understand that we all have our academics to worry about since we are approaching the end of our high school career, but there needs to be nothing else."

"Wait, but that's not quite fair. What if we already have something going on? Like…a life outside of fighting and studies?"

"That can't be important right now. The severity of these circumstances is great, we need all of our focus on ending this fast and with little to no casualties." Rei explained. "Dating and boys is the least of our worries for now." Her tone was stern and serious.

"But Katsuro, I can't just push him away already like this. That's not right to do to him."

"It wouldn't be right for him to somehow end up dragged into something and end up getting hurt either. You have to do what would be in his best interest in the end. Stop thinking of only yourself here and being selfish."

"Rei, be easy on her. You don't have to be so harsh and demanding." Usagi quietly pleaded.

"No, because every time we get distracted by some outside force during major battles or wars, people get hurt and sometimes lost. The best thing right now would be letting him down easy and focusing on this." Rei stated as Minako stood up.

"I can't do this right now…" Minako then stormed out and left.

"Minako! Wait!" Usagi called after her.

"Let her go and calm down. Stay focused on the matter at hand." Rei grasped Usagi's arm to gently have her sit back down.

"That was, kind of harsh honestly." Makoto added, but she did understand where Rei was coming from. Especially when she was dealing with her visions. Emotionally, those did take a bit impact on her.

"So, what do you suggest we should do?" Ami refocused her attention. They could talk to Minako later when she calmed down some. Her and Usagi both were more emotional than the others. Sometimes it was best to let them go and let emotions run their course so they could clear their minds.

'I wont do that to Katsuro! There has to be some way to focus on this fight and not lose him. I will find a way.' She continued to go, not knowing exactly where she was heading to for now.

"Alright, time to give this a try again." He held the jewel out in front of him, the belt appeared around his waist in a flash of flame energy. "Hen…SHIN!" With that, he slid the jewel into place, then spun it around. His body was encased in a sphere of fire energy. Crimson red pieces of armor began to fly into the swirling sphere with flashes of light. He then slashed out of the ball with his blade.

"Now then…voice that resides within the jewel." He didn't really know what else to call it, but he knew it had to be real. Someone was calling for him from within. "Please, I beckon you. Show me, tell me, what you want me to do." He closed his eyes to focus. A light flashed from the jewel on his belt then a stream of orange energy flowed out into the night sky. A blaze of fire overhead formed.

Minako looked up to the sky seeing a strange light. Fireworks? No, there was no explosion, it was just a large blaze of fire, floating in the sky. Something was happening over there. Her face turned focused and serious as she grasped her transformation pen. "Venus Crystal Power! Make Up!" She called out, transforming on her way to where she saw the light and fire.

"Katsuro…" The voice called from the sky, taking a form of a bird like shape. A phoenix. "I have limited power in this realm, I am not able to hold form for long. However, let me better introduce myself. You have in tuned yourself with your powers and abilities. Which now allows you and I to communicate. I, am Suzaku." The voice echoed.

"S-S-Suzaku?! Like, the celestial phoenix god of the south?" A god?! No, this can't be right, how can he be communicating with a god? Wait, these powers, were they given to him by a god?! SO MANY QUESTIONS!

"Yes, you and I are one currently, and I can feel the internal struggle happening right now. Calm your emotions. I will explain all."

He gulped then took in a deep breath to try and relax his body. There was a rustle of leaves nearby that distracted him, but he was able to refocus on the matter at hand.

'No way! That phoenix knight guy? He's here? And did I hear that right, did that flaming creature call itself Suzaku?' Venus was crouched down into some bushes to hide and spy on what was going on. If she was able to solve a few of these issues on her own, hopefully that could put Rei at ease. She just hoped she wasn't getting involved in something dangerous. But if anything, she would be getting some good intel to feed back to the others.

"So, you tell me that you're Suzaku. So I'm guessing that whole dream was real? With me fighting all of those creatures and you instructing me how to summon my sword and even the jewel?"

"Yes, and no. Your awakening was triggered by your interaction with one of Zeo's creatures and his shadow warriors. The awakening was supposed to happen more natural, however yours was forced."

"That explains the weird orange thing that was coming out of my chest during that fight when Sailor Mars saved my ass."

'SAILOR MARS?!' Venus's eyes shot wide in shock. That would mean that the person standing there was…?!

"Yes, and that is why you were put into a comatose state. Your will and spirit was undergoing a true test of your power and ability. You were not able to see or hear me however, because of the remnants of darkness from the creature in your heart. Now that you've awakened, we are able to speak."

"I see. You say my…awakening? What do you mean by that? You speak as if I was always meant for something like this, but just lying dormant till some appropriate time that I'm needed."

"It is exactly as such. It is hard to explain it all, but in simplistic terms. I chose you, many years and generations ago as my guardian warrior. A fighter representing me tasked with protecting the planet from evil. A task which you performed to the best of your abilities till your last days."

"Last days?" This was so much to take in for him. Him?! A warrior that was hand chosen by a divine beast to protect the planet? But there were days he could barely get himself up from bed in time for things. There was nothing in his life he was ever 'reliable' for.

"Katsuro, there is a great evil that has awakened and threatens the planet. An evil you put down so many lifetimes ago with the aid of your fellow guardians. The seal which holds him has weakened and the break between the dimensions has begun to open." He began to fade out.

"I cannot hold my form much longer, we will have to speak again later. You must find the other three and prepare yourselves for the battle ahead, young warrior. Hone your abilities and become stronger. For the sake of the world…" With that, the large blazing phoenix faded and disappeared.

"Wait! I have so many more questions!" He called out, but the phoenix, Suzaku was gone. He couldn't really tell what to make of all of that. Was he some reincarnated warrior or hero of the past? There was some world ending threat, and he's being told that he and three others are to stop it? This was just too much. He couldn't save the world. He was just a teenager, a stupid nerdy teenager with not even a social life. Well, a girlfriend now and some acquaintances?

The creature said his name. So, it was him. Venus was about to try and confront him, but how? How could she walk up after all of that and casually say she heard and saw everything? That she knows his secret identity. Oh and on top of that, tell him that she, Sailor Venus, was Minako Aino. Just another normal Friday night in the life of a Sailor Senshi right? She could see though, that he was struggling with what he got told. It really made her think back to their earlier days, with how hard it was to hear they were reborn from past lives, knowing how they died.

"I can't save the world. How?" He stared at his hands. "I barely made it out of that fight today. Hell, I got my ass kicked. I got lucky with that last attack." His fists clenched. "And Minako…how do I tell her this? Do I tell her any of this? Do I pretend none of this happened and just live some double life?"

He was having the same problem she was currently having. Well, before she discovered he was the phoenix knight, the subject of their meeting. At least now she knew he was an ally right?

"I can't drag her into something like this though. I don't think I could live with myself if she got hurt. I don't want to lose her though. Ugh! This sucks!" He grabbed his head then dropped to his knees.

She wanted so much just to walk up and tell him it was all going to be ok. He was alone in dealing with this. At least they all had each other when they discovered the truths. She started to try and walk off but broke a twig.

"Who's there?!" He looked around the area. Of course, there had to be an onlooker. It's kind of hard to just hide some giant burning energy bird in the sky. He stood up, looking to the bushes.

"Relax, I'm a friend." She walked out of the bushes with her hands up. "I just came to check on what was going on. I didn't know if there was someone in danger or not." She wasn't fully lying.

"Sai…lor…Venus?" He asked, looking her over. Honestly, it was kind of a relief to see someone like this. A fellow hero. Still, he didn't feel right unloading on her since she was a stranger.

"I heard the conversation. It sounds like you have quite a lot on your plate right now." She said, getting closer to him. "The other Sailor Guardians and I saw you on the news today. Thank you for saving those people. We weren't able to act at that moment. We still had our doubts of whether you were ally or enemy. Though I think now, I trust you, as an ally." She stated.

It sounded amazing to be able to fight with them, she was so kind. He could tell that from this and the last encounter they had. "You were right, I told my friends, and my girlfriend about what happened. They were understanding. She turned out to be really amazing actually. She was really concerned about me and took care of me when I wasn't doing too well."

"Sounds like you really have a winner there. So, you wouldn't trade her for anyone? Not even one of us?" She winked at him.

"As amazing as you all are, no. Minako…is special to me. It's all still new, but I want to explore it further, I want to be closer and learn everything there is to know about her." He blushed slightly. "With all this though, I can't expect her to stay with me. I don't know what I would do if she was harmed because of me."

Rei told her that she should break things off with him because of just that reason, however, this whole turn of events changed things drastically. He WAS the Phoenix Knight. He had powers as well. That meant it would be the same as Usagi and Mamoru just about right? She felt so uneasy not just telling him who she really was. Her body tensed up, if she did this, then there was no going back.

"Sailor Venus? Can…I ask you something? Kind of a favor I guess."

"Hm? Sure, fire away."

"I'm new to this. I want to be stronger. I want to be able to protect her, and my new friends. Please, can you all help me train and become stronger? I HAVE to, for Minako."

He really cared that much for her? He wanted to become stronger, not for the world or this mission he was just given, but for her. Well, for Minako Aino. He even turned down a shot at being with a Sailor Senshi because of her/Minako. "Katsu…" She started to say before taking a breath. "Katsuro. There's something, I need to show you." Quietly, she approached him.

This was a new side of one of the sailor guardians. Nothing he had ever seen before. What could she show him that had her acting like this? She stopped in front of him, their bodies close, she gazed up into his eyes. "I-I have a girlfriend. I can't do things like this." He reiterated, looking away. But there was a flash of light and now stood before him, Minako Aino.

"I, Minako Aino, am Sailor Venus." Her voice was still quiet, her eyes glancing away from him, then back nervously. She had never revealed her identity like this before.

"Minako…" His guard entirely dropped; his transformation flashed away. He now stood in his school uniform before her. She was Sailor Venus. Did that mean the others were the other Sailor Guardians? He couldn't help but to stare, processing all of this information.

"Please don't just stand there staring. You make a girl feel uneasy…" She blushed, her hands clasped behind her back.

He did the first thing that he could think of, his arms wrapped around her body, holding her close to him. Everything had made sense to him now. The way Minako acted, the way she took care of him. He imagined she must have been worried about him being like that, but now, knowing the FULL extent of the fight and everything, that worry must have been more than he could have even imagined.

"Hey, easy now." Her voice was still quiet, but much happier. Her arms slowly wrapped around him as well. His embrace felt so nice, so warm and caring. Her heart raced, pounding against her chest. This made her so happy, all of this. It meant now that she could stay with him. The two stood there, holding each other close, her face rested against his chest, listening to his heart. Her hands lightly grasped at his shirt behind him. "Its kind of cool out. Can we continue this at your place?" She asked, gazing up to him.

"Y-Yeah, sure. Let's do that. We can talk more there too." They unlocked themselves from each other. He took her hand into his, their fingers interlocking as they started towards the nature trail to leave and head back. 'I'm dating Sailor Venus. This week is so wild.'