The Sailor Guardians, the Shitennou Knights, Princess Serenity, and Prince Endymion are finally going to heal and ressurect the last Shitennou Knight, Zoisite. However, there are concerns because of where the ritual needs to happen. Can they band together and save the Shitennou Knight of Purification and Healing?

(Monday Evening)

Mamoru and Usagi walked hand in hand while Jae had trailed behind them. Mamoru kept his eye on his love while they walked. He remembered how paralyzed she was just a few hours ago when Starlight Tower had been mentioned, but to his watchful and protective eyes, she seemed to be doing better. He had a feeling it was due to his suggestion. If everything goes as planned, he will pat himself on the back.

Though Mamoru did find the conversation Usagi was having with Jae entertaining. Usagi had taken pity on the poor man and was giving him pointers on how to get around Rei.

"Jae, it's been over twelve hours," Usagi said. "She would have gotten rid of most of her anger by now." She glanced over her shoulder to look at him, trusting Mamoru to let her trip.

"But, Usagi…"

"Jae," Usagi said, exaggerating the ae part in his name. "I spoke to Rei myself in order to tell her where to meet, and if she was still angry about what you tried to pull last night, she would have been snippy with me."

"That would be an understatement," Mamoru put in.

Usagi tilted her head at Mamoru letting him know his comment wasn't appreciated. "You, Mamo, keep your mouth shut," she told him, glancing back over her shoulder. "The bottom line, Jae, is she wasn't, but you might want to pull her aside and talk to her when she gets here."

"Are you sure?" Jae asked, wanting to hope what Usagi was saying was the truth.

Usagi looked up at Mamoru, and she didn't say anything. She was giving him the queue to talk to his Shitennou Knight the way she would talk to her Sailor Guardians. When Mamoru kept quiet, she knew Mamoru needed to be prompted. "Mamoru, you're up," she said.

"But you're so much better at this than I am," Mamoru told her.

Usagi stopped and turned to Mamoru. She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "I know," she told him. She was well aware of her strengths and weaknesses as well as learning Mamoru's strengths and weaknesses. "You'll learn." She wrapped her arms and his neck before letting go and walking over to the park ahead of them.

Mamoru watched Usagi as she walked away and shook his head.

"She's something else," Jae told him.

"You're telling me?" Mamoru asked him. "And you're not that much of a hothead than when you were in the Silver Millennium."

Jae half-chuckled at the comment, remembering their past lives and knowing that comment to be true. "My mom toned me down a lot," he told him. "Music is a great outlet." He looked over at him. "You hold yourself differently than you did, but you're still very protective." He watched as Usagi sat at the bench nearby. "Especially with her. I guess even as things change…"

"The more things remain the same," Mamoru finished. He knew there was one other thing he needed to tell Jae, and he figured it would come better from him. "There's something you should know."

"Now, you decide to tell me," Jae said. "You dated Rei." He smiled at him. "I was kind of angry about it, but it is an awkward situation." Jae looked back at Usagi as some of the others joined her. "I didn't have to watch it." He pointed at Usagi. "She did." Jae remembered the conversation he had with Rei.

Mamoru kept his eyes on Usagi. "It didn't feel right, Jae," he said. "And Rei is the one who initiated it."

"An interesting triangle," Jae stated. "But you feel that it is right with Usagi?" He watched Mamoru watch her. He knew Mamoru would literally do anything to protect Usagi.

"Yes," Mamoru answered. "The same way Rei feels about you; I've seen it."

"You believe that?" Jae asked him.

"I do," Mamoru stated. "I really do." He watched Rei come up with Makoto who he knew Usagi had been having issues contacting. He knew since Makoto arrived with Rei, Kun, and must have been at Hikawa Shrine. "Now go talk to Rei before we go into Starlight Tower, before the love of my life has another panic attack."

Jae sighed as he knew Mamoru was right. He needed to speak to Rei. He walked away from Mamoru without a word and straight toward Rei. "Rei, can I talk to you?" he asked her.

Rei turned to him and crossed her arms. "So talk," she told him. "I'm not stopping you."

Jae didn't sigh, but he wanted to as he looked past her to see several curious, knowing eyes, and smiles on him. He knew everyone had heard what happened last night, and he wanted to minimize the speculation. He believed their friends shouldn't be privy to what he can tell her. "Can we talk in private?" Jae asked and then pleaded, "Please?"

Rei rolled her eyes behind Jae's back, but she looked over at Usagi who nodded at her. "Fine," she said and then walked away from the group.

Jae's eyes met Mamoru's, and they exchanged a glance. Jae wanted Mamoru to understand he was going to take into account what he said.

Minako turned to look at Mamoru. "What was that about?" she asked him, curiously.

Usagi watched Mamoru and knew what it was. "It was something you said to him, wasn't it, Mamo?" she asked with a smile.

"Yes," Mamoru answered and refused to elaborate on what he said to Jae. He took Usagi's hand and said two words: "Thank you." He leaned over to kiss her temple.

Usagi's smile widened knowing leaving the two of them alone was what they needed. "Any time," she promised him.

xXx

"I'm sorry," Jae told her.

"For?" Rei asked, prompting the reason to come to light. She was not going to let him off the hook so easily.

"Rei…"

Rei didn't say anything, just gave him a look. She did not plan to make this easy on Jae. She was going to make him work for it.

Jae sighed. "For being an idiot and thinking that you wanted to spend time with me like that," he told her.

Rei turned away from Jae. That's what she wanted to hear, but there was more to it. She realized she needed to be honest with him if they wanted to be together in this life. "Jae, I may be a fan of Desolation, but I'm not just any fan," she told him. She hoped he would understand that she was talking about her fears.

Jae just stared at her for a moment. He had no idea she had that dark thought looming. He walked over to her. "Rei," he said simply. He took her and kissed the palm of her hands. "You're not just any fan of Desolation; you are the love of my life." He could feel the very thing he had in his pocket lightened and knew he had to show her what he found. "Rei, I love you. You and nobody else." He kissed her before he wrapped his arms around her to bring her close to him. "You're the only one I've ever wanted. Last night when I remembered and saw you again, everything just shifted and fell into place." He pulled her out of his arms just for a moment. "I know, despite our past lives, you are the one I am meant to be with." He pulled her close and took in her scent. "You're my home." When she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his arms, he felt the sensation of being at home, at last. "I'm sorry I didn't see it before, Rei; I'll say it everyday if I have to."

Rei was a confident girl, but she worried she would fret over it everyday. She hoped there would be one day she wouldn't fret over it.

"I found something that you had given me from our past life," Jae told her. He pulled out a ruby and amethyst bracelet. The rubies and amethysts had been shaped into hearts. "Recognize this?"

Rei's eyes widened. "Is that…?"

Jae smiled, pleased at her reaction over it. He passed it over to her. He watched her examine the beautiful piece of jewelry. "I remember when you had given it to me that you had wanted to give me something to remember you by," he said. "Like…"

"A good luck charm," Rei said remembering. She gave it back to him.

They smiled at each other. "You know, I bought this days before Beryl kidnapped me," Jae told her. "It was as if it was calling to me."

"Like the Star Locket?" Rei looked up at him. "Like with Mamoru?"

They both glanced over at their group of friends. They were laughing, but they could clearly see in the middle of it all, as always, was Usagi and Mamoru. "He gave it to her in this life, didn't he?" Jae asked.

"Yes," Rei answered. "She carries it like a good luck charm. When Beryl had him, she would play because it gave her hope."

"I'm going to take a page out of his book, and do the same thing here," Jae said. He took her arm and placed the bracelet on her wrist. "It's yours. A reminder that my heart will always belong to you."

xXx

Ami was the last one to arrive. She had to shake off both Reina Sanjouin and Kenta Saitou. She had promised them both they would get an update.

When Usagi saw Ami walking up, she walked directly over to her. "Are you ready for this?" she asked.

"Yes," Ami said after a long harrowing moment. "I am."

Usagi studied her. "As long as you're sure," she told her.

"I am," Ami said again. "But what about you?" She turned toward Starlight Tower. "Are you going to be okay?"

Usagi turned to look at their friends and at the love of her life. She realized her mother was right. Luna may have found her, but she found everyone else starting with one who stood beside her. "Yes," she said with confidence. "I will be." She looked over back at Ami and smiled.

Ami saw Rei and Jae were off to the side. "Have they made up yet?" she asked Usagi.

"They have," Usagi said. She had watched him give Rei a piece of jewelry that looked familiar, and she'll ask about it. She won't do it because now wasn't the time for it.

"Good," Ami said "We don't need any distractions."

When Rei and Jae joined the group, they were joined at the hip. Jae had his arm wrapped around her waist. "Are we ready for this?" he asked.

"We didn't all have to come, did we?" Minako asked.

Ryo sat on the bench. "Yes," he said, looking up at her. "You do. I saw something I can't share with you." He looked at Mamoru. "I can give you the tools to succeed, but I can't share why with you. If I share it…"

Ami stared at him. "Your ability, it's growing, isn't it?" she asked him. "Did you just see Usagi, Mamoru, and myself go into the building and nobody else?"

Ryo looked up at her and hid his worry. "I did," he told her. "And I replayed with premonition, and this one is the best chance we have." He leaned forward and pressed his palms together. "And one more thing, I can't go in with you, because any way I look at it, I'm a hindrance in all situations, Ami."

"Alright," Ami said and then turned to look at Usagi.

Usagi nodded and walked over to him. "We've only come this far, made it this far, Ryo, because of you," she said. "Please remember that."

"I will," Ryo promised her.

Usagi took Mamoru's hand and looked over at their friends. "Let's go get Zoisite then," she told them.

They all started walking toward Starlight Tower as Ryo, Luna, and Artemis watched them. It had already been discussed before Ryo mentioned that Luna and Artemis wouldn't go with them.

"Luna, they will all come back to us," Artemis said. "I know it."

Ryo watched the friends he had made walk toward Starlight Tower. He hoped what he saw didn't come to pass, and he gave them the tools they needed to succeed. He hoped they would all walk out of Starlight Tower, and they didn't miss a single one.

xXx

"It's funny coming in here again," Kun said as he looked over at Mamoru. "Knowing we're allies this time instead of enemies."

"And being uninjured," Mamoru added. "And knowing you don't plan on double crossing me."

Neph and Jae exchanged a look. They were both up to date on the events, but they couldn't shake that something was going to happen. They both believed that was what Ryo was trying to tell them; the only thing they could do was be there and be prepared for things to go wrong.

"And we're coming in here on our own freewill," Usagi said. "And not being lured into a trap."

"Usako, I knew it was a trap," Mamoru told her. "I didn't know you were going to follow up and be lured into the trap too."

Usagi gave him a look. "You were injured," she reminded him. "And you were dating… Oops…" She looked over at Jae.

"I already know," he told her.

"Well, then, it's not going to be awkward?" Usagi said.

"It doesn't have to be," Rei said and sighed. "Before his antics last night, we had a conversation about it."

"Okay," Usagi said and looked over at Mamoru. "But you were dating Rei, and since she had cared for you, I would have followed you." She crossed her arms. "If I hadn't followed you, you would be dead, wouldn't he?" She looked over at Kun.

Kun sighed. He remembered the plan that he and Zoisite had crafted. "The plan was only to take the Rainbow Crystals, Usagi," Kun said. "I had no idea Zoisite's plan was to kill him. Beryl had told us she wanted to take Tuxedo Mask alive." Kun watched Usagi. "Usagi, from what I understand, you saved his life. If you hadn't awakened as Princess Serenity and used the Legendary Silver Crystal, he would have died."

"Kun," Minako said, toning her voice with a warning.

"No, Minako," Kun said. "Usagi needs to understand this." He kept his eyes on Usagi. "You brought Mamoru from the brink of death. You did that, not Beryl." He sighed. "Beryl would have also killed me as well as Zoisite."

"I didn't know that," Mamoru said.

"You wouldn't have," Kun said, switching his focus to Mamoru. "Beryl finished healing you and brainwashed you, Mamoru, but if it wasn't for Usagi, you would have died. You would be dead right now." Kun sighed. "Why do you think I was so pissed off at you? It wasn't just about Zoisite."

"We thought some of it was because I had shown you it was so easy to be manipulated and brainwashed," Mamoru informed him.

Kun laughed then. "You were so weak, it wouldn't have mattered, Mamoru," he said. "I know in my heart you fought against brainwashing."

"I was," Mamoru agreed, realizing what was scratching at the back of his mind. "I was fighting it. I was fighting the brainwashing because I knew I needed to protect…" He looked over at Usagi.

"Me," Usagi said. She let the memories from that day finally surface. "I was having a moment of doubt, and then I could feel you calling for me. I used your strength." She laid her hands on Mamoru's face. "I knew you were alive, and I was able to win." She looked at each of her Sailor Guardians. "I could feel him." She looked over at Ami. "Is that why I was able to heal him because I knew all along he was alive? Because I knew deep down all along that I would be able to heal him?"

Ami gave her a gentle smile. "Now that's something I can't analyze," she said. "But I wouldn't put it past us."

"Monsters and magic?" Usagi asked.

Ami smiled. "Exactly," she said.

The elevator door opened up to the observation deck where Usagi and Mamoru had the showdown with Zoisite. They poured out of the elevator and scattered through the floor.

"Ami," Kun said. "Can I borrow your computer?"

Ami looked at Kun. She understood why he was asking. She couldn't, even shouldn't, concentrate on the technical aspects. Not this time as it was her turn. She took it out of her jacket pocket. "I want this back," she told him. She kept her eyes on him as she passed it over to him.

Kun kept his eyes on Ami as he took the mini computer from her. "I understand it's on loan," he said. He opened the lid and wished for Zoi again. The irony didn't escape him. He thought he was going to need help with the mini computer, but he understood what he was typing in and scanning.

Ami watched him like a hawk as he held on to her computer, and she wasn't being subtle about it either.

"I never thought I would see the day that you would pass your computer over," Minako told her. "Let alone Kun."

"He made a good case," Ami said and tore her gaze away from looking at Kun to Minako. "I really shouldn't be analyzing the ritual I'm going to participate in."

"That's a really good point," Minako agreed.

"Don't remind me," Ami said.

Minako smirked at her friend and looked around the whole room. She looked over at the elevator. "But if I remember correctly," Minako said, turned around, and walked over a few feet, "it's right here." She looked back at the elevator and measured. "Kun!"

xXx

Usagi and Mamoru were off to the side, and they were comforted by the fact they were holding on to each other. They understood Zoisite needed to be resurrected to win the fight against Queen Beryl, but they hated this room. "It's the exact spot," Mamoru told her when they heard Minako calling for Kun.

"I know," Usagi said. "I can do this if you can." She looked back up at him showing him she had the confidence to do this, to save his Shitennou Knight of Purification and Healing.

"I can," Mamoru told her and leaned down to kiss her. He took her hand, and together, they walked over to them.

xXx

"Why do I have a feeling something is going to happen?" Jae asked Neph. He had gone far enough away from their girlfriends to have this conversation.

"It's not just me then," Neph said.

"You feel something too?" Jae asked Neph.

"Yes," Neph said. "It started when we-"

"Entered the building," Jae finished. "Me, too."

"Do you think Kun feels something?" Neph asked Jae. He looked over at Kun who was walking over towards them with Ami's mini computer.

"Only one way to know," Jae said.

"We're getting to be getting started in a moment," Kun informed them when he got close to them.

"Kun, do you feel like something is going to happen?" Neph asked.

Kun sighed. "So our little combined power works even without Zoisite resurrected," he said. "Yes, I've felt since I walked into this building like you two."

"Do we share this ability?" Jae asked curiously.

"Yes," Kun said. He looked at Jae. "Though you're the anchor for this power, Jae. Jadeite shared it with Kunzite, Nephrite, and Zoisite."

Jae stared at him as the memory started to fill in mind. "Jadeite opened himself up to those three, so they could protect Prince Endymion," he said. "Since I'm the anchor, this instinct is stronger within me than it is in any of you." He looked over at Rei who was watching Usagi. "I don't think I ever told her."

"No, you wouldn't have," Kun agreed. "King Minos didn't want this ability known, not even to his own son." He looked at Jae. "Keep an eye on Mamoru. There's a reason why you're feeling this. This ability has failed you once."

Jae sighed knowing what he meant. "I got it," he said. "I'll watch him."

"We'll watch him," Neph said.

"No," Kun said. "You let everyone know it's time to transform."

"Yes, sir," Neph said and then walked over to the clustered group to let them know everything was about ready. He was going to let everyone know they should all transform.

"Do you think what I feel is what Ryo was afraid of?" Jae asked Kun. He was afraid of the answer.

Kun sighed. "Jae, that's exactly what I am afraid of," he said. "I hope I'm wrong."

"You and me both," Jae said and walked over to the cluster.

Kun sighed and followed Jae.

xXx

"Alright do this," Usagi replied as she grabbed her broach. "Moon Prism Power, Make Up!"

"Venus Power, Make Up!"

"Mercury Power, Make Up!"

"Mars Power, Make Up!"

"Jupiter Power, Make Up!"

Mamoru conjured a rose and started to transform. He still wished he had a transformation saying.

"Kunzite Power, Make Up!"

"Jadeite Power, Make Up!"

"Nephrite Power, Make Up!"

Tuxedo Mask walked over to Sailor Moon. "We got this," he told her. He lifted her chin up to kiss, and while they kissed, they transformed into Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion.

Jadeite stared at the Royal Couple. "They can transform while they kiss?" he asked, incredulously.

Kunzite didn't say a word, but he did shake his head at his comrade. He still held Sailor Mercury's mini computer to make sure he didn't miss anything.

Sailor Mars walked over to him. "Monsters and magic," she reminded him. "And it's them, the Royal Couple."

Jadeite sighed. "Well, you're not wrong," he said. "I guess I forget that part sometimes."

Sailor Mars gave the love of her life a look. "Seriously, Jadeite?" she asked. She wouldn't mention it to him, but she felt something was going to happen to Princess Serenity. She was going to watch her.

Kunzite walked over to the royal couple. "You can do that later," he said, and when they broke apart, he continued, "We have a Shitennou Knight to save."

Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion kept their eyes on each other. They were unashamed. "We're ready," she told him, "whenever Mercury is."

"I'm ready now, Princess Serenity," Sailor Mercury said.

"Well, then," Princess Serenity said. She and Prince Endymion walked hand in hand toward Sailor Mercury. "Are you ready, Mercury?"

Sailor Mercury nodded. "I am," she said.

Princess Serenity looked over at Kunzite who nodded. "Go for it," he agreed.

"Mercury Power, Make Up!"

"Moon Prism Power, Make Up!"

"Terrain Prism Power, Make Up!"

Their items, Mercury's transformation pen, Princess Serenity's Moon Rod, and Prince Endymion's Terrain Cane, rose up high over their heads. The force field, once again, appeared and enclosed Prince Serenity, Prince Endymion, and Sailor Mercury inside. Unlike the other times, it's completely still and they all clasped hands to let the memories take hold.

xXx

Princess Serenity, Sailor Mercury, and Zoisite were in the Moon Kingdom Library. They were getting research done so Princess Serenity could be with Prince Endymion.

Sailor Mercury sighed and then stood up.

"You, okay, Mercury?" Zoisite asked when she stood.

"I want to get a reference book just to make sure I'm understanding this book correctly," Sailor Mercury told him. "I'll be right back."

"Alright," Zoisite said. He looked over at Princess Serenity who was fidgeting as she read the book in front of her. "We'll be fine here." To his eye, he believed she had been on the same page for about an hour.

Sailor Mercury walked away and down one of the aisles and aisles of books.

"I'm sorry," Princess Serenity said as the tears started to fall from her eyes. "I'm just slowing the two of you down."

Zoisite walked around the table and kneeled in front of her. He saw the vulnerability that drew his prince to her and why Sailor Mercury was so loyal to her. He found it touched his heart. "Nonsense," Zoisite said. "You're appreciated here, Princess Serenity. Mercury has just been at this longer, and she knows what she's doing." He gave her a soft smile. "I've heard rumors she has read every single book in this library, and then some."

"She's terrified of making a mistake," Princess Serenity said, realizing why Sailor Mercury keeps grabbing books and bringing them to the table.

Zoisite smiled. "So am I," he said. "We all are." Out of instinct, he took her hand. "Your assistance is appreciated."

xXx

In the present, Princess Serenity's body had flashed silver.

xXx

In the very building, Sailor Mercury, Princess Serenity, and Prince Endymion were conducting this ritual, Mamoru kneeled looking at Zoisite. "Welcome," Zoisite said. "I'll have the Rainbow Crystals that I have right here." He laid his Rainbow Crystals down on the ground. "Now, let's see yours." He moved back.

Mamoru looks back at an unconscious Usagi, knowing he needed to get her out and away from here. "Before I do that, you need to let this girl go," Mamoru promised.

"Only if you put your crystals with mine first," Zoisite countered.

Mamoru looked over at Usagi one more time before laying the Rainbow Crystals he had next to Zoisite. Then walked back toward Usagi in order to protect her. He didn't know if Zoisite would double cross him.

Zoisite started laughing.

Instead of keeping his eye on the Rainbow Crystals, Mamoru watched Usagi. "What's so funny?" he asked.

"You are," Zoisite said, still laughing. "Kunzite, now!"

At that moment, Kunzite appeared and swiped all of the Rainbow Crystals from right under Mamoru's nose. He smirked at Mamoru.

Zoisite also smirked at Mamoru. "Now, all of the Rainbow Crystals are ours," he said, pleased with himself.

"Why you!" Mamoru said. He got up and almost started charging at Zoisite; however, he stopped him.

"Better stay where you are, Mamoru, or your cute friend will be turned to ashes," Zoisite threatened him, using Usagi against him.

"You handle the rest?" Kunzite asked Zoisite.

"Sure," Zoisite replied. He had more plans for them.

At that moment, Mamoru threw a rose, making Kunzite disappear and striking Zoisite's left cheek.

"This is my face, you worm!" Zoisite yelled and then disappeared. "I'll teach you yet!" The ground shook as he continued. ""If you want the Rainbow Crystals back, come to the top floor, observation deck."

The scene changed quickly to where Mamoru was behind Sailor Moon protecting him from Zoisite, and she was introducing herself to Zoisite. He was still amazed that the girl he spent months teasing was the same girl who he assisted in fighting the Dark Kingdom. However, he worried for her because he didn't trust Zoisite.

"I am Sailor Moon, and in the name of the Moon, I will punish you," Sailor Moon told Zoisite. She was ready for a fight.

Zoisite glared at her. "I'll get rid of you and Tuxedo Mask," he told her.

"What are you saying?" Sailor Moon asked, confused. "What do you mean Tuxedo Mask? He's not even here."

"Yes, I am," Mamoru said from behind her. When Sailor Moon had turned, he conjured a rose and began the transformation.

Sailor Moon watched Mamoru transform into a Tuxedo Mask. "It can't be," she said, still not believing it. "You are… You really are Tuxedo Mask."

Tuxedo Mask gave her a gentle smile, fully understanding Sailor Moon. "You were very brave today, Sailor Moon," he told her. "Now, you can leave the rest to me."

"You can't," Sailor Moon argued, worried for him. "You're hurt."

"Please get out of here quickly, Sailor Moon," Tuxedo Mask pleaded with her. "I will protect you." It was something that had dropped out of his mouth and something he didn't mean to say.

"Oh, Tuxedo Mask," Sailor Moon said.

Zoisite was getting tired of the two of them going back and forth, and he had other plans for them. "Playtime is over children," he told them. "Now, we settle this, Tuxedo Mask."

Tuxedo Mask knew Sailor Moon wouldn't interfere if he went against Zoisite. "Very well," he said. "But first, you must promise me that you'll leave Sailor Moon out of all this."

Zoisite watched them "Why, of course," he said. "We'll do this fair and square. All fair and square."

Tuxedo Mask didn't quite trust him and watched Zoisite carefully.

"DIE!" Zoisite shouted.

At the very last moment, Tuxedo Mask saw the shard behind Sailor Moon and sacrificed himself to save Sailor Moon.

xXx

In the present, Prince Endymion's body flashed gold, but it flickered a few times before he stayed gold.

xXx

In the Library of the Moon Kingdom, Sailor Mercury walked down one of the aisles. She was putting a book back where she had found it. She wanted to help her princess stay with her prince. There was nothing she could find that would be able to help her.

"Mercury?" she heard Zoisite say from behind her.

"I'm over here, Zoisite," Mercury said, calling him over.

When Zoisite had found her, he noticed there were tears in her eyes she was trying to keep at bay. He knew what kind of struggle it was for her to keep them at bay. "Hey," he said, gently. "What is it?"

"Everything I find, Zoisite," she said. "It doesn't help."

When the tears started to fall from Sailor Mercury's eyes, Zoisite did the one thing he knew he could do. He pulled her into his arms. "We're going to find the answer, Mercury. I know it."

"What if there isn't one?" Sailor Mercury asked him.

Zoisite shook his head. "I don't believe that," he said. "I believe everything happens for a reason."

"You do?" she asked and looked back at him.

"I do," Zoisite replied. "What's the point of living otherwise?"

"Okay," Sailor Mercury said and then sighed. "We can do this." She stood straight and stepped out of his arms.

Zoisite smiled at her and couldn't help himself and leaned down to kiss her. It was a simple kiss and the first one they shared. When he lifted his lips from hers, he gave her a soft smile.

"Why?" Sailor Mercury asked. "Why did you do that?"

"Because I wanted to," he said. "To show you I'm just as invested as you are." Zoisite thought maybe he missed the signs.

Sailor Mercury couldn't help herself. She launched herself at him and kissed him.

xXx

In the present, Sailor Mercury had flashed aquamarine.

"What was that with Prince Endymion?" Sailor Mars asked. "That didn't happen with Kunzite, or with Jadeite, did it?" She looked over at Sailor Jupiter who had witnessed both Kunzite and Jadeite's rituals. "Jupiter?"

"No," Sailor Jupiter confirmed. "I wonder what this means."

They all looked over at Sailor Venus and Kunzite.

"What do you two think it means?" Sailor Jupiter asked them.

"I think I know what it means," Kunzite said and sighed. He had worried over the fact Princess Serenity or Prince Endymion would use the events that happened here as part of their ritual. "You know how when Zoisite was going after the Rainbow Crystals? And how focused he was on Tuxedo Mask?"

"Oh, right," Sailor Jupiter said, remembering.

"He considered him like a rival," Sailor Venus said, remembering what she had been told about that time period and what she saw at the dumps.

"More like an arch nemesis," Sailor Mars replied.

"They were going at it like that?" Jadeite said, surprised.

"That doesn't sound like the Zoisite I know," Nephrite replied.

"It was a bitter rivalry, and the battle here months ago was even more so," Kunzite said. He's been filled with guilt over how that battle turned out since his memories had been restored to him. "But it led to Usagi, to Sailor Moon being awakened as Princess Serenity, the Moon Princess."

"My love," Sailor Venus said. "I mean this with no offense, but weren't Prince Endymion and Zoisite the closest?"

Kunzite sighed and nodded. "Yes," he said, not surprised Sailor Venus was able to nail down that worry quickly. "I worry about what that flicker means."

I'm diabolical enough to say I enjoyed writing this chapter, and I left this chapter on cliffhanger. So did the ritual work or not? And what did Ryo predicted and why can't he speak of it? What is it that Jadeite and Sailor Mars sense? Those are the questions. I know what exactly how I want to start the next chapter.