Ever since he had left that tank on Kamino a few months ago SunTzu came to love a few things.
First and foremost, Rei Hino aka Sailor Mars, Royal Diplomat, Shrine Priestess and the Mistress of Fire. Nowadays only part time Tsundere anymore and his girlfriend. And damn, she was smoking hot.
Second, AICA, the upgraded and highly modified A-Wing Starfighter he piloted. AICA stood for Artificial Intelligence Controlled A-Wing and apart from having quite the attitude she was the most sophisticated Starfighter in existence. Together they both would fly to hell and back, two times with detour, if necessary.
Thirdly, his friends he made here on Earth. From the Genius Ami aka Sailor Mercury to his both female Wingmen Haruka and Michiru aka Sailor Uranus and Neptune to his pilot trainee and little fairy of Death Hotaru, aka Sailor Saturn as well as the others. He was grateful that they accepted and cherished him as one of them.
And last but not least. Bacta. That blue jellylike salve that cured almost everything had safed his ass so many times. Hell, the Bacta patches even were waterproof and you could exercise with them on. Although he really got a beating in yesterday, including receiving bruised ribs, he felt just a very mild pain, likely to sore muscles. Thank you Bacta.
He laid there and observed Rei who was sleeping in his arms on the king size bed they shared in the Love Hotel in Shinjuku the couple checked in. They didn't sleep much but the room's jacuzzi was wonderful for their exhausted muscles. What followed was also wonderful although it wasn't much less aggressive than the fight they put up in that nightclub. It wasn't even about besting the other as they sometimes where doing. It was just about to see how long there bodies could still endure after the beasts they became yesterday.
SunTzu gently stroked Rei's hair as she was calmly breathing. How lucky he was to have her he thought.
Yesterday was over the top and the supposed easy spy mission went totally south but somehow, and with lots of violence involved, they still completed the mission. Better preparation and caution next time, the Guardian of Guardians reminded himself. Also, he wasn't sure if his Jedi Masters would seen him fight that night, they'd not question theirselves about him falling to the dark site. But right now he didn't feel any negative or selfish emotions. Just gratitude and love. And a bit of fatherly necessity to scold someone for their nightly raid on the office of Tokyo's biggest Yakuza Boss.
Rei's head moved and she opened her eyes, gazing up to him.
"Oh thank god. I left the club with someone halfway decent looking. I was kinda worried about that."
"I think I did look a bit shabby when I left that club yesterday."
He kissed her head while her lips kissed his chest and they both smiled.
"Did you sleep at all?" She asked him.
"If I say no does this count as win?"
She smiled and bit his nipple.
"Ow. Okay, okay, I understand, that's a no." He paused for a moment. "I woke up just minutes prior to you."
The raven haired woman sat up and took her watch from the nightstand.
"Two hours. It's a miracle we didn't fall asleep till it's dark again." She wasn't even that tired, although she hasn't fought this fierce for a long, long time. Not to mention when they brought out their demons again in this hotel room. "By the way we should get going or you'll have to explain to Ami why we prolong our stay in a love hotel on the Kingdom's bill."
"Max Mustermann used to be more generous."
"Don't forget Singapore was his honeymoon."
The two both sat up and kissed each other long and tenderly before getting ready to leave.
After a quick stop in a boutique, SunTzu still was wearing his blood stained clothes and just disposed them in a litter after changing they took a Taxi to the Palace.
They decided to see Ami first. And then it was time to finally confess their relationship to King Endymion and Neo Queen Serenity.
"I'm still a bit afraid how they'll take it." The woman that killed thirty veteran mafia members yesterday night with a combination of sword and fire told.
"Me too. You're more important than me. I'm a pilot, an asset. And Endymion and Artemis can really constantly fuck my being up if they decide I'm not the right one for you."
"Mamoru wouldn't. And Artemis? He don't want no smoke. But there's still others."
"If all things go wrong, we just take AICA and elope. You ever heard of Rancor Taming?"
"What the hell is a Rancor?"
The secret lovers arrived at the palace and immediately went to Ami's office.
"Well, if that ain't the Slaughterers of Shibuya. My goodness, you guys really don't do things by halves." She told them, hands crossed on her desktop.
"Oh, actually Flaming Fist of the Fareast here cut some people in half yesterday." SunTzu told, pointing a thumb at his girlfriend.
Sailor Mars just shrugged, arms crossed.
"I know. I saw the pictures. Thank god, before i had breakfast." Ami paused a moment and shook her head in disgust. "Anyway, another time we got even more than we wanted. So, good job. But please, please, next time be more discreet. The Queen was not amused."
"She's angry?" Rei asked Ami.
"No, but she understood what this will mean PR-wise again so she decided… She decided to take the day off with the King." Ami responded, trying to keep a neutral facial expression.
Wait, what?
"Totally aware of her responsibilities as always. Usagi-Chan will never completely change." Rei stated, looking rather annoyed. "Does that mean, she's not in the palace either?"
"Afraid so. Luna and Naru jumped in to substitute her." Ami responded to Rei's question.
"We all know, that we're at war, right?" SunTzu asked, not really believing what he heard.
"Just leave it TopGun. You're not gonna change her."
Well as long as things stayed as sloppy as the control the base had over him taking AICA he was more than okay with that.
"By the way Ami, do you know where Hotaru and Chibiusa are?" SunTzu asked.
"I guess they are at the Crystal Tower. I saw them at breakfast earlier, they looked a bit tired."
"You guys excuse me." He stood up.
"Wait, where are you going?" Ami asked him.
"Educating some teenagers." He opened the door.
"Oh, I'm gonna join in too. Play the angry big sister a bit. Later Ames!" Rei took her bag and went off as well.
Ami's gaze followed after them, asking herself what that was all about. And why everybody in this palace was crazy.
SunTzu left for the Crystal Tower with big, energetic steps, Rei following him.
His facial expression revealed a certain anger so she decided to not make a snarky remark about the urgency he had to get to the palace. He really did care for the young Senshi. Maybe it was her biological clock but that was somehow pretty cute.
He asked the guards at the entrance where the Princess was and after a small talk on the radio the guard told him, that Serenity III. was in the Throne Room. And didn't wanted to be disturbed.
SunTzu thanked the guard and entered the Crystal Tower and headed to the Throne Room.
The two guards in front of the door greeted but closed the door with their halberds.
"The Princess doesn't want to be disturbed Lieutenant."
SunTzu looked back and forth between the two guards, and he definitely looked less angry before they denied him entrance.
"Guards, this is very important. We need to see the Princess immediately." Rei chimed in, hoping to interfere before her boyfriend exploded.
"Ah, Diplomat Hino. Someone of your status probably could make for an exception. Alright, you can enter." The guard told and they pulled back their weapons.
SunTzu opened the double door and walked inside.
The Princess was sitting on the throne. Not hers but rather her mother's. And not up straight but rather sideways lolling in it.
In the King's throne Sailor Saturn was in, sitting the same way just into the other direction. Both were looking into their mobile phones.
"I said, no disturbance. Remove thyself." Chibiusa said and waved the intruder of the room off.
SunTzu cleared his throat and the heads of the teenagers turned to the grim looking pilot.
In a millisecond Sailor Saturn was standing at attention and saluting.
At least she didn't forget about that.
"Lieu… Lieutenant!" She pressed out.
Even Chibiusa now sat upright.
SunTzu saluted towards the Princess and the looked to Hotaru. After a moment he fixed the Princess again.
"Your highness, may I speak frankly?"
"Please SunTzu." Chibiusa swallowed heavily.
SunTzu had to think what to say to not be too harsh. He let out a big sigh.
"Could you girls do me a favor? Could you please stop putting your lives on the line as it was nothing? I know that it's more than ironic if I say that. You two are too young, and too important, to play with your lives like that."
Everybody, including Rei, expected something else. A lot of anger and scolding, but that was rather quiet and rational. And he was right.
The two teenage girls looked at each other.
"We weren't looking for a fight. AICA just told us, what you two guys were up to and we thought we stay around as backup if needed." Chibiusa explained. "We were about to intervene when they started punching you but you guys solved that on your own. Pretty cool trick with the flashbang by the way."
"Yeah, that was totally awesome." Hotaru nodded.
"And then we saw that guy that was their boss flee the club and decided to follow. There weren't too many guards and we decided they were an easy target. Hotaru was a bit pissed they beat you up that bad tho."
"Chibiusa!" Hotaru chimed in. Busted.
"But they weren't a match for us two, except for the four guards in the boss's office nobody put up a real fight." Hotaru defended herself.
SunTzu listened closely and nodded after the girls were done explaining.
"I see. Even though the raid was a success, next time at least let us know what you're up to."
Rei winked and raised her finger.
"That's right, listen to ol' TopGun here."
So much for angry big sister.
"We saw you packing the sword Oneesan. That looked fucking cool."
"You should have seen me using it."
SunTzu looked over to Rei. So much for any support from that direction.
She saw his gaze, one eyebrow raised.
"Oh. Sorry." She figured a grin. "But for real, Girls you have to take more care."
SunTzu rolled his eyes.
"Anyways. Hotaru as punishment there won't be any flights with AICA till your regular training continues."
Her mood went to the bottom immediatly but discipline is necessary and SunTzu turned around and left the room. Statement made.
The couple left the tower again and were about to leave the base again, when Rei's phone rang.
It was Luna, asking where she was, needing her help.
"Why you don't go and visit your secondary girlfriend at the air base while I see how I can save this kingdom after it's Queen abandoned it and it's Princess is busier with Instagram than ruling in place of her mother."
She was on the ball today, he had to give her that.
Rei checked if anybody could see them and gave him a kiss that quickly turned into biting his lip, the other side to where it ripped up yesterday.
"See you later Boyfriend." She walked away.
And while he checked his lip if it was bleeding again he couldn't stop thinking about how great her ass was in those leggings.
SunTzu left for the air base and soon was in AICA's hangar.
Starfighter and Pilot greeted each other and SunTzu told her what happened.
"Next time, call me Mr. Head Pilot. Superior Firepower helps a lot in those situations."
"Yeah, but you should have seen me and Rei yesterday night. We became pure destruction. Rei truly is the goddess of war."
"Oh, do you think this is how you treat women? Tell them how good their rival is?"
SunTzu's eyes widened, what did the ship just say?
"Don't worry, I was just making a joke. Where is Rei, when is she joining us for another flight again?"
He shook his head and sighed. Sometimes she scared him with her human behavior and her humanity seemed even to grow.
Since Rei was busy he opted for a training flight with AICA and did a preflight check before he climbed up in the cockpit.
He requested a training flight for himself and AICA and was granted it.
Just as he was about to lift off, Flight Command came on again.
"Lieutenant be advised to immediately lift off and land at the Palace Landing Spot."
What is that about now?
"Control, Interrogative. Any detail on mission?"
"Negative. You've been requested by her Majesty the Princess herself."
What does Chibiusa want from me now?
AICA lifted off and soon landed at the palace.
Chibiusa was waiting near the landing port, Sailor Saturn behind her.
SunTzu opened the canopy and they stepped up to him.
"Lieutenant, thank you for coming so fast. I'll need you to do me a favor."
"Princess, what's the matter?"
"I'll need a ride to the Selene." The Princess told him. "I have some urgent buisness there."
The Selene? What buisness she has on the ESDF Cruiser that defends earth?
"It was planned that Hotaru would fly me but since she's grounded I need someone else to get me there. Someone who can be discreet." Chibiusa continued.
Well, order was order and she was the Princess.
SunTzu helped the pink haired princess inside the cockpit and made sure she was strapped in.
He nodded towards Saturn that returned the greeting although she still seemed a bit angry. Nevermind, he had to be consequent some times as her trainer.
They lifted off and rocketed through the sky towards space.
"We have landing permission on the Selene. I know it's not nice, but you have to stay back in AICA and wait for me. I'm sorry."
Great, at least he hoped it wouldn't take so long.
"And to make up for it, a certain diplomat will get a message for me to take a break when we land. And I have these so you don't have to starve."
A package of Pockys came up next to him. Oh nice, the Cookies'n'Cream ones he thought and took them.
Soon they landed on the cruiser. The hangar was unusually empty, did she ordered people to leave it?
They landed and he helped Chibiusa to get out of the cockpit.
"Lay back, maybe you want to sleep a bit too. You should be tired after yesterday." She laughed. "A Love Hotel. You guys really behave like Teenagers."
These girls really followed us after the skyscraper?
Before she was out of the room she turned around again.
"Don't worry, we weren't stalking you, we're not that creepy. We just wanted to make sure you're safe somewhere."
And then she was out of the hangar.
After a few minutes he opened the box of Pockys and began to snack a few.
His phone rang, as Chibiusa foretold it was Rei.
"Hey. Are you good? Chibiusa told me to call you." She asked him.
"I'm okay, our pink haired future leader made me and AICA her personal taxi, we're on the Selene."
"The Selene? Wait, you're in space?"
"Yup. What about you? Are you okay?"
"I'm good, can you believe I have to work on the official statement for the mess we did yesterday? Luna let's me do this as punishment." She laughed. "The plan is to make you delinquent for everything and let me be the heroine that safed the Royal Kingdom's Pilot Poster Boy."
"Sounds great. Don't forget to replace Pilot with trans galactic cab driver."
Rei laughed.
"How long you're on the Selene? Maybe we can have lunch together later."
"I do hope so, but I don't have any idea where Chibiusa went or how long she wants to stay here."
"Bummer. Anyways, I'll get back to work now. Let me know, when you come back. Take a nap if you can."
"I'll sleep for the both of us."
"You're too kind. Hey SunTzu, you know."
"I know, and you should know too. Bye Babe."
SunTzu took some more Pockys. Rei was right, some sleep wouldn't be bad either. Actually that trip wasn't that bad.
"AICA, wake me up, when something is happening."
"Aye, aye. Sleep well."
He closed his eyes and soon drifted away into the land of dreams where a certain Mistress of Fire embraced him.
SunTzu didn't know if it were three minutes or three hours but AICA woke him up.
"Wakey, wakey Boss. Chibiusa wrote, that she's on her way back."
The hangar door opened and Chibiusa and a young white haired man in an ESDF Officer Cadet Uniform strolled in.
She waved at the cockpit and SunTzu opened the canopy.
The two walked up to him.
"SunTzu, I'd like you to meet someone."
Chibiusa said and SunTzu jumped out the cockpit.
"This is Helios. My boyfriend."
Oh, as soon as the parents are out.
The Cadet extended his hand and SunTzu shook it.
"SunTzu, nice to meet you Officer Cadet."
"It's my pleasure Lieutenant. Chibiusa told me a lot about you already. And you made your name in the Fleet already also."
"Thank you. Most of the stories are exaggerated i guess."
"Don't be so modest SunTzu. You saved quite a few lives already."
SunTzu rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.
"You're becoming a fleet officer. That's a great choice. We need more fleet personnel."
"Yes Sir, hoping to one day control a ship like this."
The three of them talked for a few more minutes before Helios had to go. SunTzu gave the couple some room and got AICA ready for takeoff.
The young couple was smooching as way of saying goodbye. They looked very much in love.
It took longer as it should have but finally they parted and a heavy-hearted Chibiusa got back into AICA's rear seat. SunTzu made sure she was safe and they got ready to leave.
As they lifted off, he saluted to Helios who did a proper salute back before he waved to a kiss blowing Chibiusa.
The princess was quiet the way down to earth.
"You must be pretty proud of him. Next of a generation of Fleet Officers."
"I am. I just wish I had more time with him."
SunTzu felt that. He had that issue with Rei often enough already.
"Let me know, when I can get you to him or vice versa."
"That's so sweet of you. I will."
Just supporting young Love, we've all been there. At least he thought he had been there.
Soon Princess and Pilot landed at the palace on this nice May afternoon and Chibiusa got out, Saturn was already waiting for her at the landing spot.
And Rei also, a pleasant surprise.
"Hey Chibiusa, mind if we switch places?" Rei asked her, as she got out.
The teenager and the Diplomat high-fived as in a tag team and Rei climbed inside the cockpit.
Before she sat down she leaned over and the lovers kissed.
"TopGun, bring me home. I need sleep."
"Your wish Is my command."
He flew her over to the Shrine and Rei got out. Clinging onto the cockpit she gave him a kiss.
"Be here by eight. We're going out for dinner. I hope you like Japanese BBQs."
She then hopped away and landed on the ground.
Rei was just about to walk away when she remembered something. She turned around and jumped up to the cockpit again.
"Never forget I love you." She kissed him again.
"Never, I love you too." He replied and she jumped back down.
"Oh and Rei." She looked back up to him. "I love these leggings on you."
The darkhaired Senshi smiled and walked away and he could swear she moved extra seductively.