Fall was coming apart at its seams. Trees and flowers wilted too early for the season, fruits and vegetables ripened prematurely or were almost inedible. The populace turned to preserved foods, and it was estimated that in a few short months even those would dwindle. The raw materials of the world needed for the survival of humankind were allowed through the barrier around Tokyo, Ami observed. She surmised that it not likely a function of the barrier, but instead selective. Directed by that Princess, perhaps. Ami knew that her Coalition fatigues no longer had any relevance now that she was back home, but she did not feel comfortable in the childish stylings of her youth. So much had changed in six years.

'Is this because you thought you couldn't tell me that you were a Sailor Senshi?' said the worried, formal tones of Saeko Mizuno in Japanese.

'Mama, I'm on mission, can we have this discussion later?' Ami said, gazing through her visor at a recently emerged four foot tall crystal reflecting in the somber hues of magenta, violet and scarlet. Beautiful, on any other occasion.

'I'm not going to apologize, Ami-chan. Your friend Iridian-san asked me to assist with Rei's surgery because I'm the only conscious Doctor in the region, and it's only then that I learn about everything,' Saeko said and the hurt in her voice made Ami's stomach churn. 'Did you think I was asleep like th—'

'Stop!' Ami said. 'I asked for your insight, not your accusations. I presumed that you had been studying these sleepers since you were not one of them. I don't know what you were, Mama. I don't—'

'You won't say Mama-san?'

Ami cringed at her mother's gentle pain, like a bush warbler with a sprained wing. She said, 'I'm sorry, okay? I don't know how to make things right. Can we…just…there's work to do. Tokyo is on the brink.'

Ami heard what she thought was a huff, maybe a snort of dissatisfaction. Then nothing. Ami knelt down and raised her hand near the shimmering crystal. She clenched her hand and opened it, examining the palm of the cloth glove. No interaction, no darkening from heat exposure or…

'Mama?' Ami asked, and it was then heard the sniffle. Terror pulsed through her and she said, 'Oh no, don't do that! I can't. Mama, don't cry.'

'Do you,' sniff, 'know how unhealthy,' sniffle, 'it is not to cry?' Saeko said, then Ami heard what she presumed was the evacuation of nasal passages into tissue. Saeko's voice was clearer when she said, 'I understand Usagi is only back as of today. Does it hurt that you could not be there for her?'

'Yes, it does, but why—' Ami began, but immediately faltered. She knew precisely why. She stood and half heartedly reviewed what little data her visor had acquired. 'Density consistent with Earth typical crystals. Observed harmonic relationships with…data inconclusive. Interactions with known spectrums of light…data inconclu—I think you don't understand how I feel.'

'None of the interactions we are attempting to measure are materially tangible,' said Saeko, clinically. Then, 'Not at all? You think I felt nothing when my husband died?'

'I wouldn't dare comment on that,' Ami said, stultified.

'But you've thought about it,' Saeko said.

Ami gestured at Dakota and Jake; it was time to move onto the next point of interest. Their continued support buoyed was little spirit Ami had left. They walked around the warehouse parking lot as mother and daughter conversed. A sallow moon glared through thready clouds overhead, and the eerie lack of traffic grated against Ami's sense of normalcy.

'I've been a little busy in exile, Mama,' Ami said, evasive.

'I don't buy it, little spout with a pout,' Saeko chimed and Ami blushed.

"Contact six o'clock, Captain," Dakota said. "No threat, just a civilian."

'What was that? Did she say contact?' Saeko asked.

'Yes she did, Mama-san,' in Japanese, then in English: 'Thank you, Dakota, but I asked you not to call me Captain," Ami said and made an effort to unclench her jaw. It wasn't very effective. She turned about and assessed their impromptu company, who assumed the figure of elderly woman disconcerted and lost. Jake looked to Dakota, then she to Ami, who shook her head and dawned a pleasant smile as she made an approach.

'A-ah, Military Woman-san, have you seen my niece?' she said, and Ami noticed that she was in long pajamas and a fleece jacket. Ami leaned forward a little and took her hand.

'What is her name? What does she look like?'

Aoi, possibly the most common name in Japan. Five and half feet, dark hair, pale skin…Ami surprised herself thinking how useless this information was. As the conversation wore on, Dakota intervened and said:

'Imma-san, would you tell us what she was wearing?'

So she did, going into detail on the points of her outfit that she felt were adorable and sweet. Ami facepalmed while Dakota requested more information from the woman. Jake gazed at Ami sympathetically.

"You're overwrought, Ami," he said. "Sounds so wrong saying that."

"Why? You're right," Ami agreed.

"No, I mean…not addressing you by rank. Four years is a hard habit to break."

Ami's sigh was long and exasperated, but ended with a decision. She said, "Have Reid-ojisan brought to the shelter."

"Yes Cap-t…hm. Uh," he said and chuckled. "I'll put the call in."

"Thank you. Oh, and have Sailor Seraph report in," Ami directed. Jake saluted, then quizzically looked at his hand, questioning the gesture. He shrugged and made the request over his headset.

It was shortly discovered that the woman's niece was at the shelter already, and so Imma agreed to travel to be with her. Within ten minutes a driver pulled up in a reasonably sized four seater hybrid SUV to transport her to the shelter. Dakota guided the woman to the SUV as Nasura's report came in. Regrettably, so little of what Nasura, rather, Sailor Seraph, could sense was definitive. Lines of energy, desires of the hungry. The second part could be everyone and at any given time was anyone, Ami reflected.

'I am sorry to say this is all that I can furnish you with at this time, Mizuno-san,' stated the mousy female over the static laden radio channel.

'We are observers, Nasura-chan, that's the best you can do. Thank you. Keep me posted if there are any changes,' Ami replied succinctly.

'Yes, ma'am.'

The night was cold, and Ami wanted to have answers, even though she was confident Usagi would not know what to do with them when she finally arrived. Another piece of the puzzle that was missing were the two who were responsible for their exile: The large man and diminutive woman. Over the last few months several sightings were called in, but never in the same place twice or long enough to establish a pattern. It was as though their material existence was transitory.

'Mama-san, I think…I owe you an apology,' Ami said while they were discussing the pittance of information Nasura has dutifully submitted.

'Yes, but it's meaningless if I have to ask,' Saeko said. Ami's cheeks puffed, but then she realized she was not being chastened.

'The way you say that…anyway, I abused your trust in me, and it was disgraceful,' Ami said, voice low and somber.

'Aww. My darling, chin up. That was not easy to do,' Saeko said, and Ami grumbled.

'Thank you, now…on the matter of Rei's recollection…'

Rei's memory told her that the Princess's...ah, they weren't warriors of any kind. Perhaps monsters. Monsters of guilt? Mamoru seconded the observations of the Neo Senshi. The grey monsters sought every day activities and attacked them, like tennis courts, museums and schools. Like the restless wandering spirits of the dead bound to their mortal regrets. Could it be that they could not be controlled?

'I admit there is credence to your hypothesis. Perhaps also they are not intended to be controlled,' Saeko added. 'But where do they come from, and why are they so fragile? Like a husk of corn…'

'Or the skin of sweet potato,' Ami said in reflection.

'Oh, do you still love those?'

'Yes, naturally, but they weren't very common where I was exiled,' Ami said. Dakota held up her right hand, flat and they all stopped. Dakota trained her weapon, a hunting rifle, toward what sounded like the crashing of stone and crinkling of metal. The warehouse door to their right deformed and then burst open like a burgeoning balloon.

"Where is she!' bellowed the deep voice of the tall, rock like tower of masculinity that emerged from the splayed door. His short, red hair was damp with sweat, face red with tension as the veins of his neck bulged. Dakota and Jake's weapons clicked, ready to fire. Ami raised her hands; this was Akari, the one Rei had spoken of.

"Who is missing?" Ami asked, and her gaze locked on Akari's pupils that glistened like firelight.

"It might be you...it could be you," he said, voice trembling with loss and anger. He threw his arms up and down in a swift motion and Ami fought to hold her ground at the threat.

"You don't know that, Akari. You want to be sure before doing anything rash," Ami said in a deliberately calming tone.

"Rash. Rash? What is rash! Yanei is gone! You took her! You have her!" Akari said, deep tones mounting in irrationality. "I will make you give her to me."

"Nah-ah, you take it easy, friend. Just settle down," Dakota said, waving her weapon, which Akari's eyes tracked, registering her menacing attitude.

"Enough, Dakota," Ami ordered, and Dakota backed off with a nod. Ami raised her hands again and said, "We aren't here to hurt anyone. This is our home. All we want is peace. Do you understand that?"

Ami registered the tension between them and she regulated her breathing in an attempt to ease the shaking she felt in her limbs. Akari's breathing had begun to ease, and his eyebrows lowered, easing along with his angry grimace.

"I do understand peace at home. Yanei and I had peace at home, but we were brought here to serve the Princess, and so we do," Akari said, hands clenching as he looked over Ami and her compatriots. "You look like you have friends, and peace at home. I have not come to disturb that."

"That is reassuring, Akari. We want to help you. Can you tell us when...you realized Yanei was gone?" Ami said. A chill tore across the paved lot; Ami shivered but Akari did not seem to be affected in his loose fitting black pants and long sleeved top.

"Before I left...I—"

Ami's radio beeped and as Akari talked, she tapped her receiver and listened. It was Nasura, who said, 'Mizuno-san, back away from Akari.'

Looking up into Akari's eyes, Ami saw the change in them, like a stormfront and before she knew what had happened, was on her side. As she regained her orientation, she could see that Dakota was grappling with the half-giant of a man. Each strained against the other with locked hands, grunting and pushing while Ami got to her feet. Jake rushed up to her side.

"Y'all right, Captain?"

"Jake..." Ami began, then sighed. Four years. She said, "Yes, I'm unharmed. Ah?"

Akari lowered his stance and tried to grapple Dakota around the waist, but she took hold of his left arm and wrenched it high up behind his back as she spun about him. She said, "You all right, Captain?"

"Yes, fine," Ami said, awed that the man who had so easily hurt Usagi seemed to be powerless against her new friend.

"Naow, Akari, that weren't kind o' ya. Captain Mizuno ain' lying to ya! Just want to help, thas all," Dakota explained, and in response Akari growled angrily.

A click snapped on Ami's radio and Nasura's voice followed, 'I am almost within range to begin interfering with Lelin's influence. That is the cause of his rage.'

'Thank you, Nasura,' Ami said, then, "Akari..."

Akari let loose another bellow, but before he could move, Dakota kicked the back of his knee and he dropped to both. He flailed his left arm and cried out, then...his attitude changed rather abruptly. Nasura landed beside Jake, two feet shorter than he, adorned in a royal blue silken cat suit with silvery armored plates adorning her shoulders, arms, shins and chest. Long silvery hair floated down in a feathery fashion, and her regard was steely in spite of her beauteous appearance.

'Mizuno-san, reason with him now,' Nasura said, 'swiftly.'

Ami wasn't sure where to start, if she were being diplomatic, but she reasoned that now was not the time for such things. Tokyo was on the brink, and so were the Sailor Senshi. It was time for answers.

"Akari," Ami said, determination set in her manner, "you wounded my friend and exiled us, do you not recall?" He grimaced and nodded. Ami's lips pulled tight and she said, "Dakota, release him."

"Yes sir," Dakota answered and she stepped back, arms raised, but then forward to act as necessary. Akari brought his left arm forward, rubbed his shoulder, glanced back at Dakota, then at Ami.

"Thank you. I know this kindness...it is after the manner of Yanei..." he said, then bowed his head, and Ami witnessed the shimmer of tears. "All I live is for her, all I do is for us. I cannot be without her."

"Akari, I know something of your pain. Please tell me you remember Usagi."

Akari looked upward at the thinly veiled half moon and said, "I do. You fought with strength I did not expect, as you do now. Like my beloved. I see that it is unreasonable for me to ask for your help, but I cannot promise to not do as the Princess commands. It is why I am."

Darkness settled on Ami's heart and she looked to Nasura, who said, 'It is not so. My English is fledgling, please translate for me. Akari, you submit because it is what you know. The power to choose is yours.'

Ami adapted her Japanese into English and Akari's eyes widened. He replied, "Would choosing defiance bring me back Yanei?"

'I cannot say this with any promise, but I can say that you will not be alone in your search,' Nasura said. Ami nodded in agreement then translated. Akari's head bowed as he pondered this new reality unfolding before him. After a preponderance of time, he said:

"I am not a wise creature, and your behavior is strange, but it is a light to my heart. I will choose defiance."