After saving Sailor Mars from Jadeite and talking him into the fact they're telling the truth, Jadeite finally allows them to do the ritual. What will his reaction be? How will Yoshi Shin, Rei's Grandpa, Saburo Hino, and Yuuichirou react to the truth?
Chapter 17: Shitennou Knight of Patience and Harmony
(Sunday Evening)
"Ryo," Sailor Mercury said. As if they were magnets, Sailor Mercury and Ryo walked over to each other. "If you hadn't alerted Usagi like you did, Mars, here, would have had a hell of a fight on her hands."
Sailor Mars crossed her arms. "The backup was very much appreciated," she said. "So thank you."
"Oh, well," Ryo said, bashfully. "You're welcome."
"I think someone is supposed to tell me about my life here," Jadeite said, grumbling. He crossed his own arms.
"We'll get to that," Prince Endymion told him, realizing there were some things that needed to be done before they could.
Sailor Venus looked at Sailor Jupiter and Nephrite. "Go find Mars's grandfather and Yuuichirou," she told them.
"I always miss the good stuff," Sailor Jupiter said under her breath, and before Sailor Venus could comment or chastise her, she turned to Nephrite. "Let's go find them."
Nephrite took Sailor Jupiter's hand and pulled her along. He had some other ideas on how to deal with his love's anger. He believed she would very much approve, and he wondered if he still had the ability to make her giggle.
Sailor Venus brought Kunzite, Yoshi, and Kenji aside. "Hold on, Venus," Artemis said. "I'm coming with you."
Yoshi blinked at Artemis. "A talking cat!?" he exclaimed in shock. "Now I've seen and heard it all."
Kunzite chuckled at his dad's reaction. It was funny now, but he knew all of what has happened and what will happen isn't and won't be funny. He was worried about what his father would think about the life and death situation he and the others have been thrusted into.
Sailor Venus shook her head. "Luna, will you stay with Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion with Mercury, Mars, and Ryo?" she asked.
"I planned on it," Luna confirmed. She was curious about Jadeite's life in this time period, but she knew she also needed to stick close to her princess.
Sailor Venus nodded and followed her group.
"Two talking cats?" Yoshi said with surprise.
"And the black one, Luna, has been living in my household for months," Kenji told him after he, Sailor Venus, Kunzite, Yoshi, and Artemis were far enough to have their own conversation but close enough to Princess Serenity, Prince Endymion, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, and Luna to be within shouting distance if they needed assistance. "Imagine my surprise when my daughter told me she understands everything being said and done." He looked over at Sailor Venus. "When I put on the news, is that why she would come up and ask for snuggles?"
"Yes, my name is Artemis, I am Sailor Venus's advisor as Luna is Princess Serenity's advisor," Artemis answered for his partner. "As advisors, it is our job to make sure we anticipate our enemies' next move. In this case, the Dark Kingdom."
"The Dark Kingdom?" Yoshi asked. "What is this, Kenji? What has my son been pulled into?"
"To right a wrong from our past lives," Sailor Venus said. "We'll tell you what we know."
Sailor Venus and Kunzite looked at Kenji. "And we want you to tell us what you told our princess and prince," Kunzite said. He very much wanted to know who Jadeite and Zoisite are in this life; he didn't know if it would help with Zoisite, but at this point, he'll try anything.
xXx
Within shouting distance of Sailor Venus, Kunzite, Artemis, Kenji, and Yoshi, Princess Serenity, Prince Endymion, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, and Luna stood in front of Jadeite. They were prepared to tell him about his life in this time and his previous life as well. They all hoped something would shake loose, but they all knew the ritual would need to happen regardless. They just needed to convince Jadeite his present life is worth it.
Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion stood side by side holding hands; to anyone who saw them, one would think they would rule side by side together. Ryo stood behind Sailor Mercury scanning Jadeite's vitals with her compact computer just to make sure he can undergo the ritual; she realized her compact computer didn't just have more texts, it had gone through an update. Sailor Mars stood next to Jadeite.
"Tell me about myself," Jadeite told them. He was getting increasingly annoyed. Nobody was telling him what he wanted to know.
Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, and Ryo looked over at Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion. Princess Serenity looked up at her true love. Since this was his Shitennou Knight, she was going to let him take point.
Prince Endymion didn't sigh, but he wanted to. He knew he had been elected to talk about his Shitennou's Knight's life in the present; he supposed it was fair because Jadeite is his Shitennou Knight. "In this life, your name is Jae Taitou, and you are eighteen years old. Like myself in this life, you are a first year at a university. Though, from what we've been told, music is your passion."
Sailor Mars stared at Prince Endymion for a moment before she could interrupt him. "Did you say his name is Jae Taitou?" she asked, interrupting him with lifting her index finger. "Don't tell me he's the lead singer of a band called Desolation?"
"I was just going to get to that," Prince Endymion informed them.
Sailor Mars laid her hands on her head. "Oh, my," she said. "I can't believe this." She couldn't stand in one place and started pacing. Desolation's her favorite rock band, and like the rest of the fans, she had a major crush on one of the bandmates. Hers happened to be the lead singer who was just feet away from her. She was aware the lead singer had been missing for months, but she wasn't expecting this. She wasn't expecting to be found like this.
"Mars, are you alright?" Princess Serenity asked, curious about her Sailor Guardian's reaction.
Sailor Mars looked over at the others and realized she was making a spectacle of herself. "I don't know," she answered. She looked over at Princess Serenity specifically asking her, "You've heard of Desolation, haven't you?"
"When my father was talking about it earlier, I was trying to remember why it sounded so familiar," Princess Serenity said, "but your reaction made me remember." She tightened her hand on Prince Endymion's signaling him to let her hand go, knowing she would alway come back to him.
However, Prince Endymion leaned over to kiss her temple before he let go of Princess Serenity's hand.
Princess Serenity smiled up at him before walking up to her friend. "Desolation is one of… Scratch that… Desolation is your favorite band," she said. "When Sailor Mercury and I met you, you were still listening to them, hoping for his return."
Jadeite listened to the conversation between Princess Serenity and Sailor Mars. "I'm the lead singer of a band?" he asked incredulously.
"Yes," Sailor Mars said.
"And because of her, I have listened to your band's music," Princess Serenity said. "I like it."
Prince Endymion looked over at Princess Serenity in surprise. "Really?" he asked.
"Really," Princess Serenity said. She walked back to Prince Endymion. "Why is that a surprise? I may be a princess, but after all, I'm still a teenage girl." She took his hands and squeezed. She smiled up at him. "But despite everything, I will always love you." She leaned up and kissed him to seal the promise.
Prince Endymion smiled.
"So I take it this band has been on hiatus since I have been working for the Dark Kingdom?" Jadeite asked. Before anyone could answer, he continued, "What about my past life? What does that have to do with any of this?"
"Everything," Prince Endymion said.
"In order for you to remember both your past and present lives," Sailor Mercury said, "we have to do the ritual. Do you accept it?"
Jadeite looked over at Sailor Mars. He remembered earlier how she begged him, pleading with him to let them explain. Then just now to see her reaction to who he was in this life. There was no way anyone could fake that kind of reaction. For that fact alone, he had made his decision. "Yes," he said. "I accept."
"Alright," Sailor Mars said.
Sailor Mercury looked over at Ryo. "Here?" she asked him.
"Here," Ryo confirmed.
xXx
Sailor Jupiter and Nephrite were looking around the shrine looking for Rei's grandfather and Yuuichirou. "I don't know why I'm always looking for something," Sailor Jupiter said angrily.
Nephrite dragged her away from what he hoped would be prying eyes.
"Nephrite, what are you doing?" Sailor Jupiter asked when he wasn't saying anything and kept dragging her elsewhere instead of looking for Rei's grandfather and Yuuichirou.
"I have a better idea of how to use our time," Nephrite told her. "I'm curious if I can still make you giggle."
Sailor Jupiter stood her ground. "Nephrite, you've never made me giggle," she countered.
Nephrite looked over at her. "Is that supposed to be a challenge, Jupiter?" he asked her, knowing full well they both knew he would take her up on it.
"Take it however you like," Jupiter told them.
"If that's what you think, then I'll take you up on it," Nephrite said. He couldn't help himself, and lifted her up over his shoulder. He knew full well this is not what she wanted, but he could deal with her anger. It'd be just enough to make it exciting. Then they could look for Rei's grandfather and Yuuichirou.
"Nephrite, this is not what I meant!" Sailor Jupiter stated.
Nephrite ignored her and continued walking.
It was clear to Sailor Jupiter that Nephrite wasn't listening, so she just sighed because she refused to give him the satisfaction of arguing further.
xXx
Yoshi heard the explanation that Kunzite, Sailor Venus, Artemis, and Kenji. It was a ridiculous sounding story, but he couldn't deny there was truth to it. His son was in front of him, alive, and he knew there was no way someone with a clear head as him could make up a story like this.
"When it's revealed you've been found alive, nobody is going to believe this story, Kun," Yoshi said. "That goes the same for Neph Sanjouin, Jae Taitou, and eventually Zoi Saitou when he's healed and or resurrected."
"I know," Kunzite said. "I know this, Dad."
"Is it possible that perhaps between the three of you, you, Kenji, and your wife, can make a believable story about the Shitennou Knights while we deal with the Dark Kingdom, Detective Shin?" Artemis asked him.
"Artemis," Sailor Venus said as she watched Yoshi struggle with his morals and ethics. "It's already hard enough to ask him to compromise his ethics." She looked over at Yoshi. "We know what we're asking you, Detective Shin."
"Venus, I…" It took Kunzite a moment to realize she nailed down his father's fears. It had surprised him, and it really shouldn't have.
Sailor Venus looked over at Kunzite and smiled up at him. She took his hand and kissed his knuckles. "We all know what's being asked," Sailor Venus said when she looked over at Yoshi.
Yoshi sighed. He felt the kick in his heart realizing his child had given his heart to another, someone he could tell is kind and cheer him on. "I can see why my son fell for you so quickly," he said. He looked at Kenji. "We're going back to your house because I don't want this Beryl anywhere near my home. Once we're there, I'm calling my wife, and I'm telling her to come there." He looked at his son. "When you're done here, tell your friends we're all meeting back at the Tsukinos. For now, that is our headquarters."
When it looked like Kenji was about to argue, Kunzite shook his head. His dad was on a roll, and nobody should interrupt his father once he's on a roll.
"I'm also going to loop in the other parents which is funny enough I've been assigned to all of these boys' disappearances, except yours, Kun," Yoshi continued. "I understand what your hesitation is there; believe me. This is magic and monsters and nothing the force has dealt with which is why we have the Sailor Guardians alone, but this is my domain. I know what I'm doing here." Yoshi flicked a look at Sailor Venus and Kunzite. "Don't argue with me." He pointed at Princess Serenity, Prince Endymion, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Jadeite, Luna, and Ryo. "When they're done, bring them and Mars's grandfather and friend."
"Yes, sir," both Sailor Venus and Kunzite said.
"Maybe I should just get Ikuko to order food," Kenji said. He knew he was going to have a hell of an argument when he got home, and he started planning on how he was going to get around Ikuko.
"Let's go, Kenji," Yoshi said. "When we get to your house, I have a few calls to make." He looked at Kenji. "While I make those calls, you can have that fight with Ikuko we both know she's going to want to have with you." He did not miss the sickening look on his friend's face, and he only wished he could hear the full argument because he knew it would be popcorn worthy entertainment.
"Damn it, Yoshi," Kenji said.
While they walked down the stairs of Hikawa Shrine, Yoshi smiled at his friend. "You reap what you sow," he told his friend.
xXx
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Jadeite asked as Sailor Mercury arranged him sitting on the ground.
"We've already done this twice, Jadeite," Prince Endymion reminded him. "It's no longer trial and error."
"Endymion," Princess Serenity chastised him just by saying his name. "Jadeite, trust us to know we know what we are doing."
"I see you're still giving our prince trouble, Jadeite?" Kunzite asked.
"Did you get everything squared away with your father?" Prince Endymion asked.
"Not exactly," Artemis said. "The problem is getting even bigger. After we're done here, Princess Serenity, we're all under orders to go to your house and to bring Mars's grandfather and Yuuichirou."
"Artemis," Luna started to reprimand.
"Luna, we don't have time for this," Princess Serenity said. "One problem at a time."
"Speaking of, where are Sailor Jupiter and Nephrite now?" Sailor Mercury asked. "They should have found them by now."
Sailor Venus rolled her eyes heavenward, remembering all the times it happened in their past lives. "Oh, for the love…" She looked over at Kunzite. "I forgot if we give them a moment alone…"
"So did I," Kunzite confessed. "We'll find them, Prince Endymion, while you start the ritual."
"I have no doubts that you will," Prince Endymion said. He remembered they usually did find Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion first then figuring out where Sailor Jupiter and Nephrite had gone next based on the information they gave them.
Kunzite and Sailor Venus walked away from the group.
As everyone watched them walk away, Jadeite asked, "Why is there so much drama amongst this group?" He looked around the group of people. "I'm not entirely sure if I want to remember." It was a lie, of course; they caught his interest mostly out of curiosity.
Sailor Mars knew it was a lie. "Shut up, Jadeite," she said without thinking. She stopped and looked at him as she remembered, so many times telling him that when she had annoyed her.
"Everything is ready," Sailor Mercury told them.
Princess Serenity, Prince Endymion, and Sailor Mars formed a circle. The three of them closed their eyes as the forcefield formed behind them. Sailor Mars lifted her transformation wand, Princess Serenity lifted her Moon Stick that the Legendary Silver Crystal was attached to, and Prince Endymion lifted the Terrain Cane that the Legendary Gold Crystal was attached to. One at a time, they each shouted:
"Mars Power, Make Up!"
"Moon Prism Power, Make Up!"
"Terrain Prism Power, Make Up!"
xXx
(Princess Serenity's Flashback)
It was Sailor Mars's turn to escort Princess Serenity to Earth. "How is it going with Jadeite?" Princess Serenity asked her Sailor Guardian.
"He's an idiot," Sailor Mars said without a second thought.
Princess Serenity lifted her brow at her. "Tell me how you really feel," she said.
"I'm sorry," Sailor Mars said, immediately feeling contrite. She knew Princess Serenity was only trying to help. She knew she could confide in her. "He puts my back, and I don't understand why."
"Sometimes, men can be idiots," Princess Serenity said.
"I thought…"
"Prince Endymion and I are perfect?" Princess Serenity asked, and when Sailor Mars nodded, she continued, "Far from it. We work hard to maintain the balance. It is a lot of give and take."
Princess Serenity and Sailor Mars walked through the ethereal door to Earth together. As expected, the Shiennou Knight of Patience and Harmony was waiting at the door for them.
"Good morning, Princess Serenity," Jadeite greeted and bowed. "Sailor Mars."
"Good morning, Jadeite," Princess Serenity said. She walked over to Jadeite, and she spied her Sailor Guardian who was looking around for potential threats. "Jadeite, I've seen how you are with her. Why haven't you made your move?"
Jadeite flushed with red. "Well…"
"Don't know if she likes you?" Princess Serenity asked. "I happen to know that is the case."
"But…"
Princess Serenity crossed her arms. "But?" she prompted.
"She's always so angry," Jadeite explained.
"I thought that might have been the case," Princess Serenity said. "I can help you if you allow me to."
Jadeite struggled with the offer of help because sometimes of how prideful he could be. "What do you know that I don't?" he finally asked.
Princess Serenity hid her smirk knowing he was at his wits end, and he would ask if he was desperate enough. She had judged right; he was desperate enough to accept assistance. "Mars uses anger to hide her real feelings," she told him. "Especially if it's something she is passionate about or someone that she has any type of feelings for."
Jadeite stopped and stared at Princess Serenity, realizing everything she had said was correct. He realized Princess Serenity gave him the keys to understanding Sailor Mars. "Thank you, Princess Serenity."
xXx
In the present, Princess Serenity's body had flashed silver.
xXx
(Prince Endymion's flashback)
Outside of the Golden Kingdom, in the fresh air, Jadeite decided to practice his archery skills. He always preferred that than practicing his sword skills. He shivered internally at the thought of the sword. Though he also liked to practice because it gave him time to think, and none of the other Shitennou Knights would bother him because they are not interested in archery like he is. Though the same could not be said about their prince.
Prince Endymion watched his Shitennou Knight of Patience and Harmony practice his archery. He thought it was interesting that Sailor Mars also preferred a bow and arrow as well. He thought it to be fate.
"You've been in an odd mood since Princess Serenity left with Sailor Mars this afternoon," Prince Endymion said as a greeting.
Jadeite didn't turn around to know it was. He was too in tune with the prince; the same way he imagined the Sailor Guardians are with their princess. "Your princess gave me a leg up where Sailor Mars is involved," he said. "I'm not sure how I feel about using the information she gave me."
Prince Endymion lifted his brow, but his vassal didn't see his reaction. "Jadeite, there's a reason why you are the Shitennou Knight of Patience and Harmony," he told him.
"I am aware," Jadeite said. He had the bow in one hand and placed his arrow back in his quiver. "The thing is, Prince Endymion, my patience was waning. I couldn't find an in, and Princess Serenity gave me that in."
"Of course, she did," Prince Endymion said. He took a quiver from a nearby rack and fastened it to him and then chose a longbow for himself. He walked over to a vacant spot and readied his shot before he fired. Of course, it hit the bullseye, but everyone knew he preferred the sword. "Do you know why?"
"Because she likes to see the Shitennou Knights paired off with her Sailor Guardians?" Jadeite asked sourly. He knew it wasn't entirely the reason, but he couldn't help but give that answer anyway.
Prince Endymion chuckled. "Always a motive," he said. "But you will only get half points there. Want to try again? Or do you want a hint?" He looked over at Jadeite. He thought this was entertaining because he knew Jadeite knew the real reason Princess Serenity had given the information.
Jadeite sighed. "Why do you know me too well?" he asked.
"It has to do with knowing each other since childhood," Prince Endymion retorted. "And you're not getting away that easily, Jadeite. What is the real reason Serenity gave you that information?"
Jadeite hated being pinned down, and he knew Prince Endymion knew that. "Because she hates seeing people she loves and cares about so miserable," Jadeite said with a sigh.
"So this is where you were hiding," they heard Kunzite say from behind them.
They turned around and saw not just Kunzite, but they also saw Nephrite and Zoisite following them. "Did you have a good time with Princess Serenity?" Zoisite wanted to know.
"Of course," Prince Endymion replied, "but Serenity gave this one a helping hand where the Sailor Guardian of Passion is concerned. He doesn't know what to do about it?"
Jadeite sighed. "It's even in her title," he said. "How could I be so studpid?"
Nephrite took stock of the situation they were talking about. "Let me guess," Nephrite said. "You were mistaking her passion for anger?"
The three Shitennou Knights looked over at Jadeite expecting an answer they already knew the answer to.
"I hate all of you," Jadeite said, realizing they could have assisted him all along. "All of you knew all this time and didn't clue me in or tell me?" He looked over at everyone and knew his fellow Shitennou Knights and Prince Endymion had figured it out. "Did Princess Serenity know that you guys knew?"
"I didn't tell her," Prince Endymion promised him. "Your business is your own when it comes to Mars." He looked over at the other Shitennou Knights. "Same goes with you three with your respective Sailor Guardian. Whatever she tells me about any of you stays with me."
Kunzite, who was the only other Shitennou Knight that was having issues with counterpart Sailor Guardian, looked at Prince Endymion curiously. "So you know what's going on with me and Venus?" Kunzite asked.
"What did I just say?" Prince Endymion asked. "And this isn't gossip hour." He looked at all of his Shitennou Knights. "Maybe all of us could brush up on our archery skills and let Jadeite beat all of us?"
There were a lot of chorus similar to no, that's alright, maybe another time.
"That's what I thought," Prince Endymion said. "Maybe it's a better idea to go do your evening duties?"
Without another word, Kunzite, Nephrite, and Zoisite walked away.
Jadeite smirked. "Thank you, Prince Endymion," he said. "Do you still want to see if I can beat you?"
"Jadeite, much to my father's chagrin, I'm the only one who gave you a run for your money in the archery department," Prince Endymion said. He was going to resist, but he figured why not. "Sure. What are the stakes?"
xXx
In the present, Prince Endymion's body glowed gold.
xXx
(Sailor Mars's Flashback)
After making sure Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion would be happy in the corner they put them in, Jadeite brought Sailor Mars to the Archery Arena.
"Want a practice round with me?" Sailor Mars asked. "Think I'm an easy target?"
Jadeite blushed. "No," he said. "Far from it." He sighed. "I have heard how good you are at archery, and I thought…"
"You thought you would start with a common interest?" Sailor Mars asked. Then realized someone told him she hides her feelings with anger. "Who told?"
"Told what?" Jadeite asked as he started to fasten his quiver. When he had fastened, he looked over at Sailor Mars, quizzically.
Sailor Mars narrowed her eyes at him and knew instantly, instinctively, he evaded the question, with such poise. "Someone told you alright," she said. "This isn't going to work the way you think it is."
Jadeite sighed and relented. "Princess Serenity," he said, "but honestly, I should have already figured it out because you had already given me all the clues to begin with." He walked over to her and took her hand. "Would it hurt to give me a chance?"
Sailor Mars considered him and considered the archery competition. "If I win, you leave me alone," she said. "And if you win, you get a date with me."
Jadeite cocked his head at her. "I was already looking at this as a date," he said. "We both know that we can give each other a run for our money when it comes to archery." He took out a second quiver. "We both know you want to know who is better." He resisted a smile. "Me or you?"
Jadeite dangled that challenge like bait on a hook, and he knew he caught her curiosity. "Damn it, Jadeite," she said. "Give me that quiver and the longbow."
xXx
Sailor Jupiter and Nephrite came around the corner from a heavy make out session. "Told you I can make you giggle," Nephrite told her.
"Oh, shut up," Sailor Jupiter told him. "We need to go find Rei's grandpa and Yuuichirou before Venus and Kunzite find out we got distracted."
"Too late," Sailor Venus said from behind them.
"It's refreshing to see some things will never change," Kunzite said.
"Oops," Nephrite said cheekily.
Sailor Venus rolled her eyes. "Knowing Saburo, they probably hid in the house," she told them, using Sailor Mars's grandfather's given name. "Let's go look there."
xXx
In the present, Sailor Mars's body glowed ruby.
The three items, the Moon Stick, the Terrain Cane, and the transformation wand, twirled around in a circle before they returned to their rightful owners and the forcefield disappeared.
Sailor Mars was afraid to go to him, but she made herself walk over to him anyway. "Jadeite?" she said.
When he turned to look at her, Jadeite was smiling and pulled Sailor Mars down on top of him. He then rolled on top of her, and because he couldn't resist, he kissed her. "Oh, my God!" he said. "I remember you. I remember everything."
"Get off me, you idiot!" Sailor Mars said, angrily.
Jadeite stood up and then pulled her up and into his arms. "Hey," he said, recognizing the signs faster than almost everyone there. "What's wrong?" He hugged her close. "I'm right here, and I'm not leaving you again."
Comforted by his words, Sailor Mars wrapped her arms around his neck and held on to him. Words, she needed to say, couldn't get past her throat.
Understanding, Jadeite lifted her into his arms and carried her over to the bench to sit. He sat her on his lap and just held her until she was ready to speak. He just rocked her gently. "I love you," he whispered to her, finally giving in to what was in his heart.
Those three words had clogged her throat tighter to the point that tears started to form and fall off her face. Her hold tightened on him.
Jadeite looked up and saw Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion had followed him. "I apologize, Prince Endymion," he said. "And to you, Princess Serenity."
They both shook their heads letting him know they weren't worried about the formality, just of Sailor Mars. "I had no idea she was this scared," Princess Serenity stated. "And that is exactly what she needed to hear, Jadeite."
"You found the answer then?" Jadeite asked. "The answer we look for in our past lives?"
"Love and connections," Sailor Mars answered for them. She moved just enough so she could look into his eyes. "And Jadeite, I love you, too."
Just as Sailor Mars was giving him her confession, Sailor Venus, Sailor Jupiter, Kunzite, Nephrite, Saburo, and Yuuichirou came into the courtyard.
"I think you just lost your chance with my granddaughter, Yuuichirou," Saburo whispered to him.
Even though he nodded, Yuuichirou understood that Rei followed her heart, and that was all he asked of her. Even though she didn't offer heart to thim, he understood she had followed her heart to someone he hoped would take care of it, and from the way he observed Jadeite held her, he had a feeling her feelings were reciprocated.