The gathering went on for a little longer before the guests left. Mamoru gave a less worried and bothered intention when they left so the Queen's plan worked.
Rei and SunTzu had slept in her room in the Crystal Palace but left early to pack.
Rei hadn't told her boyfriend where they were going yet, just that he should pack his swimming trunks and some clothes for the tropics. This sounded intriguing and SunTzu was excited to see where Rei would get them too.
They would take AICA as mean for transport but the starfighter would then come back to Crystal Tokyo, Hotaru was allowed to fly again and already was anticipating it.
When SunTzu, in summerly clothes, arrived at the hangar to stow his luggage for the five days of being away she was already waiting there. At least she wasn't wearing her pilot suit yet.
"Hey Kiddo, I see you're allowed to fly again. Glad to have you back, although I will be gone for a few days."
"Hi SunTzu. AICA just told me that you're going on a holiday with Rei. Guess that means more flying for me." The Teenager smiled.
"Well it's not exactly a holiday, we're going to train and meditate most of the time. I don't even know where we're going."
"Well, I hope you have a good time nonetheless. And you guys can enjoy your togetherness." She winked meaningful at him, making him think if she wasn't too young for talking about this stuff.
He audibly cleared his throat.
"Well then, Rei will arrive here soon and we'll leave. Can you cope with everything?"
"Of course. I'm almost done with my training."
"I know, that's why it's more important than ever to not get caught slacking now."
"Don't worry, I'll take good care."
"Good, I'm glad to hear that." He put his hand on her shoulder. "Soon you'll be done and will be an official starfighter pilot."
She smiled thankfully and nodded.
"By the way, something is different. Are you letting your hair grow?"
Hotaru took a strand of her hair and held it up.
"You noticed already? Yeah, I guess I let It grow more, for a change."
"Change? But it's not because of a boy, right?" SunTzu seemed rather worried now.
"What?! No! Mom also asked the same already. I'm single and I plan to keep it like that for the next time."
"Good, good. Boys are Assholes, it's better you focus on yourself."
"Yes, listen to him. Boys are assholes. And the worst of them all are starfighter pilots. They're game is unusual strong."
Rei appeared in the hangar, wearing a short red crop top, revealing a purple bikini underneath and her well formed stomach, jeans hot pants, a large straw hat and sandals, spulling a medium sized suitcase with her.
Hotaru was hiding her smile with her hand as a dumbfounded SunTzu looked back to her as she walked up.
"Sorry TopGun, but I have to take care of my fellow ravenheads. Not that Hotaru ends up with a lunatic like you. It's my duty as virtual big sister." Rei continued in a playful voice tone as she stopped in front of SunTzu, wrapped her arms around his neck and looked at him with a lascivious look in her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. You know Hotaru, Flaming Fist of the Far East here is actually right. A guy that is an ace pilot, trained warrior, force sensitive and newly rich is still not worthy of you. With a guy like that you might stop flying and become a heartless politician." SunTzu said and looked back to Hotaru, that stood their smiling and observed the couple teasing each other.
Rei answer to this was an acted overly annoyed look before she turned to Hotaru.
"Better listen to him Hotaru. Once you fall for one of these guys, it's so hard to let them go because you can't wait to see with what stupid idea they come up next."
She pressed her lips on his.
"Not in front of the kids Diplomat Hino. You're showing feelings like a common pleb."
She laughed and playfully punched his shoulder.
"Owww… Man, I wish wouldn't fall this much for black haired women, they'll be my demise one day."
SunTzu stowed Rei's luggage in AICA too and the couple got ready to lift off.
"Hey Rei, where are we going to now, by the way?"
"You're going to see early enough, don't be so curious." She teased him more than usual, which meant she was in a great mood.
"Don't worry Hotaru, AICA will be back soon and then you can finally fly again." Rei told to her younger Senshi Sister.
"I'm so looking forward. Gosh, it felt like forever. It's gonna be lit, me and AICA already told Chibiusa to come over to fly along on the backseat."
SunTzu's eyebrow wandered up.
"Hotaru please don't do anything I wouldn't do either…" Rei looked at him frowning and shook her head.
"Okay, don't do anything I would do also. And take care of AICA."
"Yeah, yeah. Don't spoil all the fun for the girls. And now get in the backseat."
"Backseat? Who do you think flies this ship Woman?"
"Actually… Me. With AICA's help but I I'll be sitting in the front and AICA and me will fly us to our destination. And don't you think to act up as back-seat driver buddy."
SunTzu frowned, he was beginning to get a headache.
A few minutes later, AICA was flying over the bay of Tokyo heading southeast.
SunTzu tried to relax while Rei, or rather AICA was flying. Rei just grasped the joystick and steered forward while AICA did all the other work including thrust, keeping altitude and trying to keep on course.
It was worlds apart from the flying SunTzu and Hotaru did but Rei enjoyed it nonetheless and although SunTzu was a bit nervous, mainly because he was sitting in the back with someone else than Hotaru flying, he didn't want to spoil the fun for her.
Somewhere over the Pacific he even told AICA to bring them to a higher altitude so that Rei could try to fly some maneuvers. The Senshi was a bit cautious but if worst would come to worst she could do some jinking with help of AICA now.
AICA was flying in a modest but not high velocity and it took some time until Okinawa came into sight before them.
The plane veered left and flew on.
A few minutes later they were closing in on a tiny, deserted island that basically consisted out of beach, palm trees, a single villa and a landing stage.
The island was marvelous, the sand was white, the water light blues and clear and it was kilometers to the next island.
AICA hovered a round over the island.
"Wow Rei! This place is amazing."
"Trust me, it is. AICA could you please land?"
AICA sat down near the white Villa and opened the canopy for them to get out.
SunTzu jumped out and landed in the fine light sand. He took a look around smiling before he turned towards AICA again.
Rei stood up and SunTzu motioned her that he would catch her and she landed in his arms, slinging arms and legs around his upper body. They locked their eyes and started to kiss passionately.
"Guys?! Could you please get your luggage first before you turn on each other? Hotaru is waiting." The starfighter told the couple, which then stopped, blushed and got their luggage from the snub before they said their goodbye to AICA.
SunTzu carried the luggage to the Villa and stopped in front of the door, next to him Rei pulled out the keys to the house and wagged them around with a big smile, facing him.
She unlocked the door and the entered the very fitting tropical themed furnitured house.
Rei showed him around, apparently she had been here before.
"Every once in a while I come here to meditate and clear my mind. Okay, and for the beach." She told as she lead a delighted SunTzu through the house.
They left the luggage in the main bedroom and went back for the living room that had a large glass patio door leading outside to a whirlpool and the beach.
It also sported a huge open kitchen.
Everything was stocked up for them, Rei opened the huge refrigerator and it even had Kobe Beef Steaks and Champagne stocked. And the bar and humidor were stocked as well.
Rei didn't spare any expenses but on the other side, when did she have had time to go on holidays the last time. Not that they were here for holidays anyway.
SunTzu smiled and went for the refrigerator, taking a bottle of champagne and two champagne flutes nearby.
He filled up the glasses and handed one to Rei.
"Let's toast. To us."
They clinged their glasses and drank a sip.
"Don't forget that we're here for meditating and training." Rei said as they put down their glasses on the kitchen counter.
"Oh don't worry, I always keep my eyes on the priorities." SunTzu said, his gaze wandering down her body with a mischievous grin before he slowly pulled her up to him on the belt loops of her hot pants.
"Good, not that you get too distracted."
The raven haired beauty said and doffed her red top, revealing the tight purple bikini top underneath completely now, before she kissed him.
While her tongue was searching for his, SunTzu wrapped his arms around her butt and lifted her up, turned around and sat her down on the kitchen counter.
He was kissing her neck when she took one of the champagne glasses and with her finger moved his head away from her neck.
"You know, it's been quite some time till we had Champagner and nobody around us" she purred lascivious before she took a sip and let a drip from the glass fall onto her neck, the drip then traveling down her chest and further down her upper body.
Somewhen in the afternoon and after their first walk and swim in the sea SunTzu was lying on a sun lounger at the terrace of the villa, sun shade over him, Cocktail on a small table beside him and relaxing. A portable speaker was next to him.
Rei came out of the house, wearing a scanty red bikini now, just meant to be seen by one person. And of course mainly to tease him.
Immediately SunTzu jolted up and began to grin like a schoolboy.
"Don't you think we should start meditating? We're not here for fun." She told him.
With you wearing a bikini like that I definitely cannot meditate nor concentrate Moeru Shōjo.
"And here I thought I would be able to get drunk on Bahama Mamas all day and just make love to you to the Pina Colada song."
With swinging hips she walked up to him and pushed him back down the lounger before she sat down on him.
"Actually, that doesn't sound so bad." Her lips curled up to a grin. "Now, if you could turn on the Pina Colada song."
The next morning SunTzu woke up and noticed that he was alone in the bed. Apparently Rei already had left already.
He checked his chrono and was a bit shocked to see that he really slept in and it was already after 10am.
The pilot got up and walked down to the living room. Rei wasn't in the Villa and also not behind the house.
He went out the front door and towards the beach. It didn't took long and after crossing a small dune he reached the other side of the island.
On the beach near the dune a small camp fire was burning. And in front of it, wearing her Miko Outfit, Rei was sitting and meditating.
A few meters in her front began the sea and a to her the tree line with palms began.
He marveled at the beautiful pictorial scene in front of him.
SunTzu decided to stay afar and don't disturb the deeply concentrated Priestess. He looked on for a bit longer before he turned around and was about to silently leave again.
"Get done and join me. I'll be waiting here." Rei suddenly told him, eyes still closed and not looking back at him.
She felt him approach since ever he left the house.
A few minutes later he was sitting beside her, eyes closed and his breath steadily going. He could feel the powerful Senshi beside him, her fire burning and emitting a pleasant and inviting warm.
SunTzu also could feel all the life around him, the fish in the sea, the birds in the trees, even the insects. The nature surrounding them, even the wind and the tide he could feel through the force. It's been a while since he was so much in unity with the force.
They decided to first meditate each for their one to be in tune with their individual powers before they would touch into each other's soul again.
Although they didn't actively bounded with each other they could feel the invisible bond and the love they were feeling for each other.
After the meditation a lengthy sport session followed before both of them had lunch.
Next was a session of mediation for SunTzu under the guidance of Rei. She was the more experienced when it came to psychic powers and meditation and she wanted to make sure that he was able to give his optimal performance for when they would try to conciliate with each other.
After this and a small tea break a training session in combat followed, both training combined attacks.
Rei wanted to be able to fight alongside SunTzu at least as well as Setsuna and Hotaru could.
Because she had way more practical experience in fighting alongside him the training went very well. As it had been already proven before, besting this couple in combat wasn't easy and the Senshi and the Force-Sensitive were working hard to made it even harder.
After Dinner even Rei had enough of training and they decided to enjoy the rest of the evening.
Poster boyfriend he was as SunTzu did the dishes and found Rei afterwards in the Jacuzzi, glass of champagne in hand and a fine cigar in her mouth.
"I see, we're not here for fun." SunTzu stated as he behold her.
"That's my reward for making you a better Force User. Also you should join me, this whirlpool might not be bad at all but this Senshi needs a real massage."
Hey, it was my back you rolled over the whole time at training today.
He sighed. The thing's you'll do for your girlfriend.
The next day they woke up together and started with stretching and Yoga, before they meditated again. This time they didn't touch into each other's soul again but trained to breathe in the same pattern to simplify their connection.
Sport followed and after that both went into the shallow sea to train.
Training at sea served two purposes, first of all the water made it more difficult to move, which was a good training and the second purpose was that for the first time ever, they would at least rudimentary be attacking with their powers, meaning that SunTzu, using a wooden sword, Rei brought along, as weapon, had a chance to dodge her fire attacks.
After a few close quarter attacks without the use of Senshi Power, force or weapons they got down to buisness.
SunTzu had major problems against the ranged attacks of Sailor Mars but at least the force helped him to dodge them.
He tried to close up to her and score with the sword but it wasn't easy at all, Rei was taking care to not hit him but also fighting with determination.
The longer the fight went the more SunTzu became one with the force and when Rei almost hit him with a Fire Soul he used the force for a high jump into the air, which surprised her and he used the time to close in.
He was greeted by a kick aiming for his head he could dodge with ducking down, his try to also slash at her legs was thwarted by her quick reflexes and he actually had to give up some room to not get hit by her quick kicks.
A hit on his wrist almost made him loose the grasp on the sword and she used the second he was distracted for another strike with swift Guillotine kick he could only block with one hand.
SunTzu decided for a tactical retreat and jumped back a few meters.
Within seconds he was greeted by a hail of fire balls, the self-proclaimed Goddess of Fire and War had really taken her gloves off by now.
He jumped to get out of the way and as one strayed straight into his path he made a swift motion with his hand.
And suddenly the flaming ball was diverted and landed in the sea.
Another surprised gaze from Rei and after following the plunge of the red sphere of fire into the ocean she gritted her teeth and aimed another one directly at SunTzu.
Which was diverted as well, and this while he was moving towards her. She was hailing Fire Soul after Fire Soul after him and while both really started to tire now he was diverting every one of the Fire Flashes she was throwing at him. He had to put away the sword away for this but now he was basically running towards her and within seconds he was in distance to strike, still diverting her attacks and closing in.
Sailor Mars produced one last fireball when SunTzu was basically standing in front of him and was keeping it hovering in front of her not sure if she should actually let it loose when he put his hand under the fireball and made it hover over his hand, using the force.
SunTzu moved his hand and the Fire Soul away from them and raised his hand and the fireball up, over the two lovers.
Rei was completely puzzled, she hadn't been expecting this. And she didn't expect his next move, while he raised his right hand with the Fire Soul hovering over it further in the air, he used his left hand to pull her close to him.
He let the Fireball go and it descended in the sky for a few meters before it vanished.
But they both didn't see that because he had already pulled Rei in a sensual kiss, she reciprocated.
She took his right hand and put it on her backside before she used both hands to grab onto his neck and back.
Following something that had a famous cocktail named after it, they were both lying in the sand, completely exhausted.
SunTzu's head rested on her naked stomach and Rei's hand stroked his hair and beard.
Both were more dozing than being awake.
"That new trick completely catched me off my guard." She told him.
"Me too actually. I didn't think that my psychokinetic abilities would ever grow."
His eyes opened wide and he lifted his head.
"Wait, did you just admit defeat?"
A sly grin appeared on her face.
"You wish. My last Fire Soul would have hit you if I wouldn't be such a merciful girlfriend."
He gently laid his head back down on her stomach and began to grin before he gave her a kiss on her hip bone.
They stayed like this for a few more minutes before he mustered his last bit of strength and carried her back to the house.
After a nap and some food they were back at meditating and this time they tried to touch each other's soul.
It didn't took long and that incomparable feeling was back, their souls merging.
This time they managed to make it last longer than before but also they felt that they still didn't tap into the full potential of this.
The rest of the day they spent with cuddling, relaxing and being close to each other. Both had drained their energy immensely in the sparring fight. And after all, they had made real progress today.
The third day started with another session of regular meditation and the Senshi and her pilot could reproduce the merging of their souls but again they couldn't get to grasp that last bit of each other that would completely merge their souls.
Rei was rather disappointed, she never did something as comparable and as psychic medium was eager to find out which possibilities or powers lay in the complete discovery of one's soul. For SunTzu's sake she hoped to find out things about his past buried deep down. And maybe they could discover what exactly triggered the transformation into Cosmic Sailor Mars.
A sport session followed and while jogging around the island again for an uncounted time he noticed that his senses were sharper than before, even if he was not concentrating or actively tapping into the force.
But he could feel the life and the flow of the force around him like it was natural to him.
If I ever will become a full blown Jedi I owe that to Rei I guess.
After sport and lunch a little leisure trip to the beach followed before they trained together again.
The plan was that Rei was the offensive weapon with her flame attacks and SunTzu would shield and guard the slender woman or use distraction attacks to create an opening for her to strike.
They trained for hours and when they finally stopped it was evening already.
The two lovers were sitting at the dinner table and just had finished their dinner, some fine steak, when SunTzu made a proposal to Rei.
"I was thinking about something. And for once it follows a logic."
She was sitting there, a glass of red wine in her hand and looking at him with a questioning look in her face, while she had her legs crossed and was tapping with one foot.
"Since you're the Princess of Mars, is there a possibility that you're powers grow when your near your planet? So maybe it would make sense to visit Mars."
She took a sip of wine and thought.
"It's been ages since I've been to Mars or rather Phobos and Deimos Castle, that's orbiting the planet."
"You have a space station around Mars?" SunTzu asked surprised.
"I wouldn't call it that. It's just a small Palace orbiting close to Mars, on the side afar from the space lanes. That's why you never saw it, whenever we crossed Mars before. On Mars itself there's just a few ruins left of what used to be the Kingdom of Mars, the home of my first reincarnation."
"Princess Mars, mind to show me your castle then?" He asked with a smile and she had to smile back.
"And how are we going to get there?"
"Oh, that's easy." He lifted his chronometer to his mouth.
"Hey AICA, you're up for a small trip to space?"
A few moments later the AI answered.
"Ah, the pilot. Of course only to ask me if he can use me as taxi. No how are you, no smalltalk, no nothing." SunTzu's jaw dropped and he tried to think of anything to reply.
Rei broke into laughter while she overheard the scene.
"That was a joke. Of course I'm up. I'll be down there in no time. Oh and I'll tell Flight Control it's an official request from you, so you better think of a backstory while you're burning tax money."
"Oh, I have one already. It's Senshi Stuff, Sailor Mars can give more details if anybody needs."
Rei jolted upwards almost choking on the other sip of wine she just took.
"What?!" She busted out.
"Don't worry, you got this and will come up with something."
When AICA arrived the couple was already outside of the house waiting for her.
It was a balmy summer evening and the sun was slowly settling down above the ocean in the horizon.
Before they saw AICA coming in the couple marveled at the beautiful sunset at the beach.
AICA landed and they greeted each other. Not knowing what would come on their way to the castle SunTzu pulled out flight suits and helmets from the storage compartments and they put them on before they left for space.
The castle laid halfway around the planet coming from earth and it was basically a single tower with decorations around, giving it the look of a tower that was engulfed in flames. The palace was of a beautiful and sophisticated architectural design.
"Uhm, where do i land?" SunTzu asked as he steered AICA more near the fine marmoral palace.
"Land at the main platform, if you can steer through the flames."
"That's not the problem, but you're okay with me landing here? People usually get pissed when you land in their living room."
"Sure thing. Mi Casa e su Casa, this goes for AICA too."
"Well if you say so."
Carefully he moved AICA through the decorating flames and landed her in the middle of the building, staircases leading up the tower.
When AICA sat there safely and her engines were shut down he looked around.
The architecture was magnificent but there was no furniture, no people not even art in the palace. It radiated an aura of loneliness but SunTzu didn't want to say something because he didn't want to upset his girlfriend and Rei probably had her reasons for the missing interior.
"Hold on, i got masks." SunTzu said as he pulled out two emergency breathing masks from a compartment. AICA's sensors told him temperature, pressure and radiation were comparable to earth outside.
"There's no need. You can breath here. Open the canopy AICA." Rei said and opened her straps.
The starfighter did as told and Rei got out the cockpit, jumping down from the edge of the cockpit onto the white marble floor.
"Oh Honey, I'm home!" She yelled into the room. SunTzu looked at her with a questioning look as she turned around.
"What are you waiting for? Come and check out my crib." She said as she looked back to him, wearing a mask and looking unsure out of the opened cockpit.
"C'mon SunTzu, it's safe."
Slowly he opened his straps and got up before he carefully climbed down the cockpit ladder, trimmed in on the side of the cockpit. Gravity seemed to be the same as on earth too.
"Trust me, you can remove your mask. It's okay."
He looked at the Senshi for a moment and then slowly removed his mask.
He took a deep breather and and suddenly choked and put his hands around his throat.
Rei eyes widened in an instant and she rushed over to the stertorous Pilot.
As she reached him he abruptly stopped and began to laugh.
"Sorry, i couldn't resist."
"Oh you!" A small cloud of smoke rose up from her and she punched his shoulder.
"Owww… always the same spot."
"Baka! I was horrified!"
"Hey, I said sorry. That was just a joke."
She wheezed angrily.
"Don't do that again. Or I'll make you regret it." She glared at him angry.
"Yes, your majesty."
Still totally worth it.
"Nice place. But where's the furniture?"
"The main platform doesn't need any, it's more for meeting people. Not that I ever had much visitors here. Oh, I guess, I should dress accordingly."
Rei closed her eyes and concentrated. A few Moments later a bright red light enlaced her body and the middle of her forehead.
The sign of Mars in red appeared on her forehead and her clothes transformed, but not as usual in a Sailor Senshi Costume but a beautiful dress, that was a light pink in the middle and a darker red on the sides including red bows on the back and golden buckles on the dress's buckles, a red choker and the pendant with the red stone she got from her mother.
SunTzu's jaw dropped down south again, she was looking absolutely stunning.
In disbelieve he pulled his helmet down.
"Rei… my god. You look gorgeous."
"First Lieutenant SunTzu, say Hello to my form as Princess Mars." She said while putting a strand of hair behind her ear and smiling sheepishly.
SunTzu took a knee and grabbed her hand to plant a gentle kiss on it.
"It's an absolute delight to meet you, Mylady."
"Get up you wit. That's too much." Rei replied although she blushed slightly.
He got up, not letting go of her hand.
"Okay, sweet-talk aside, you are absolutely beautiful."
She made a small curtsy and smiled.
"Thank you."
"No really, if you wear this more often, I'll soon make you Queen Mars."
She laughed out loud.
"Stop it now. Although I do enjoy your compliments were not here that you can drool over me, don't forget that."
"Yes Ma'am. But you could at least give me the tour. Would only be fair after basically living in my apartment."
"I was just about to offer you the tour, have some patience."
She took his hand and was about to lead him away, when he held her back and spinned her back into an embrace and planting his lips on hers for a kiss full of love and passion.
"I love you. No matter if Miko, Diplomat, Senshi or Princess."
Her answer was a passionate kiss from her side.
"Guys?! Don't forget I'm still here, you might wanna wait till you're back at that secluded island." AICA suddenly chimed in and while their lips were still on each other's, both of the earthlings began to smile.
Finally Rei lead SunTzu up the stairs and into a single room that was located at the top of the tower.
It was a bedroom, consisting only of a bed, a dressing table with mirror and the chair to the table.
"I mean I didn't expect a TV in here, but I never knew you were so much into minimalism." SunTzu commented the sparsely furnished room.
Rei zoned out for a second, before she answered.
"You don't need more when your only purpose is to guard a Princess millions of kilometers away. Let's not forget this palace is from my first reincarnation thousands of years ago and we spent most of our time in the Moon Kingdom."
"It seems so lonely around here."
"I was actually one of the lucky ones, Phobos and Deimos dwelled here too. Although I have to admit that I'm glad that they life on earth now too. It is lonely up here."
"I'm not being disrespectful but some parts of you Senshi's history sound pretty awful. The loneliness, not being able to choose your own life, the constant fighting."
"It was different times back then. And we had our privileges and amenities. How many people would kill for the possibility to life in eternity as a twenty two year old?"
"Still… I'm glad things changed. And not only for my sake by getting to know and love you. But for the sake of all you girls. Laid down destiny my ass."
She smiled a little smile before she turned towards him, leaned onto him, rose up onto her toes and kissed his forehead.
"Sometimes you really make me think that I wouldn't mind spending eternity with you." She whispered as she embraced him afterwards, head on his chest.
She pulled away and headed for a big, round window on the wall.
"You gotta see this." She told him, and extended her hand towards him.
He walked over to her, took her hand and she leaned onto him as they gazed out the window.
Out there the Red Planet was visible and looked stunning.
"Somewhere down there are the remains of the Mars Kingdom." Rei stated, with a hint of melancholy in her voice.
SunTzu held her close, none of them saying a word for a moment.
"Would you mind showing it to me?"
"It's just ruins and debris. The civilization on Mars is long gone."
"I still want to see it. If it's not too hurtful for you."
The corner of her mouth twitched.
"It's not hurting. Not anymore, it has been thousands of years. Earth is my home now. These memories to earlier Incarnations feel very distant also."
"So, let's head down there then."
"Why is it so important for you?"
"Maybe we will something useful for your transformation into Cosmic Sailor Mars. Especially if things are distant for you." While Princess Mars was heading towards the door leading to the stairs again as SunTzu continued with a slightly more quiet voice.
"But mainly i want to find out what made you such a great person and therefore I want to know everything about you."
Rei stopped dead in her tracks and turned around, blushing.
Holy Shit, what's up with him today? If he goes on like that my ovaries are going to explode.
"Dude, you're bringing helluva game today. For real now, what's the matter?"
"I think connecting with your soul showed me even more how much I really love you. And I realized how much better you make me. I was showing real Jedi Potential yesterday."
She walked back to him and hugged him tight.
"And you make me better in return so it's just fair. And now let's go." She said and nudged his nose gently with her finger.
A few minutes later they landed on the outskirts of what used to be the civilization on Mars. What was left were some ruins, reminding one of the ruins of old ancient cities like Pompeii, Sparta or the like.
Rei didn't change back in her pilot suit but stayed in her Princess outfit.
SunTzu had changed his regular helmet, which looked more like the helmets X-Wing-Pilots wore than the regular A-Wing helmets into one fully covering his head and face, looking similarly to the ones B-Wing-Pilots often wore.
Together with his flight suit and the thick gloves he was putting on right now he could at stay outside on Mars for a small amount of time.
Rei told him, that she wasn't affected by the difference of the atmosphere to Earth as the energy of the planet itself saved her.
The force is all cool and stuff but being a Senshi is the real shiznit.
They climbed out the cockpit and headed towards the remains of the once magnificent city.
"I haven't been here for literally millennia." A visible moved Rei stated. "This used to be such a beautiful and peaceful place."
"What happened?"
"Chaos." Rei sighed. "A dark, malicious energy that we Senshi call Chaos raged over the people in this solar system and they brought themselves down. Chaos only intention is to destroy and spread misery."
Putting her hand on the foundation of a broken pillar of a building she continued.
"In time all the ancient kingdoms in the solar system fell. Only Moon and Earth remained for some more time. And this was the end of the Silver Millennium. All this happened in the prehistoric age and thousands of years later me and the other Senshi were reborn, most of us in Tokyo. And fourteen years after that we were reawakened as Senshi. And another fourteen years later, and some messed up time lines, later here I am again."
"Take your time Rei. I know this ain't easy for you."
"It's okay. This is the past. She turned around to him. "My life on earth wasn't perfect but it had the more beautiful moments. And what would the good moments be without the bad to let you know how good they really are. Life is not perfect." She forced herself to a wry smile.
"I mean, think about these last few days. I'm on a lonely island with the man that I love, and apart from a bit of training that I actually enjoy, I'm living like a Queen but in the end there's still a war going on in the galaxy. Irregular or not. Even if everyone looks in a different direction. And don't forget how foul and corrupted this whole galaxy is."
She closed her eyes for a moment.
"Let's head on further. Your time here is limited."
They went further trough the ruins but couldn't find anything that would have been of use for them. Just remains of ancient buildings covered in red dust, that were the silent witnesses of a time long long gone. Rei became more and more silent and her mood became incredibly dark and furious.
Never. Never again would she let something like that happen to a place she was guarding.
After a while, they were in a plaza in the middle of the Kingdom now, the remains of a fountain in it's middle, Rei stopped and slowly turned around a whole 360 degrees looking at everything around her before she closed her eyes and took a few very long breathers, clenching her fists.
"Let's go, I'm sure we won't find anything useful here anymore." She opened her eyes again, they were full with a burning passion, her face the look of determination.
"Rei, are you okay?"
"No, I'm not. And I shouldn't be. I found what I was looking for, I found determination. Never again, never again I will let something Evil take away something that I cherish. And I will change this rotten galaxy to the better, I swear on this gravesite that used to be my kingdom!"
He nodded understandingly.
"Let's get out of here then."
A bit later they were sitting in AICA again, ready to take off.
"Can you please fly me to the Palace again? I need to try something there."
"We're as good as there my princess."
SunTzu flew back AICA to the orbital palace and they landed at the main platform again.
SunTzu donned his helmet and jumped out the cockpit and motioned for Rei that he would catch her when she jumped out the cockpit.
She nodded and in her dress she jumped down and was firmly catched by her boyfriend.
As she was lying in his arms their eyes locked.
And in this moment she felt something set in motion inside her.
Rei pulled her hands around SunTzu's neck and kissed him.
"Could you please let me down and take a step back."
He nodded and gently set her down as she stepped forward and stepped back. She took a big breather and closed her eyes.
Suddenly her eyes and the Mars Sign on her forehead began to glow and she transformed into Cosmic Sailor Mars.
When she was done she turned around to SunTzu.
"I think I get it now. When Sailor Mercury and me transformed People we love were in grave danger. And both times we were dedicated to safe the people we love."
"So it's Love and dedication triggering the transformation into a Cosmic Senshi?"
She was about to answer when suddenly her outfit began to glow again and she changed back into her Princess Mars form.
She looked down at herself in surprise.
"What was that? Are you good?"
SunTzu asked and she turned around to him.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just couldn't keep it up."
Rei nodded knowingly.
"And they say Ami is our Genius." She smiled satisfied. "My powers are stronger in this castle as it focuses them, and that as well as my determination after seeing the Mars Kingdom enabled me to transform to Cosmic Sailor Mars. But I couldn't keep it up. Probably because I don't have a grave reason to wield this power right now."
"I see. Good that we went here then." SunTzu said with content.
"Great Idea. Thank you, dearly."
"I have my moments."
Mars closed the distance to him and embraced him, looking up into his face, a smug grin in her face.
"Those logic ideas sure are rare. But I do have to admit that I'm so used to your ideas being completely insane that I favor the lunatic ones anyway by now."
Their eyes locked and he took on a smug grin too.
"I know. Usually they go well with your temper."
She laughed and gave him a kiss.
"By the way, I have another idea. This platform is a ball room, right?"
She looked at him with a questioning look on her face.
"Yes, why you ask?"
SunTzu turned around to AICA.
"AICA, please play La Forêt et La Rivière over the speaker."
SunTzu turned around to Rei again.
"How often you get the chance to dance with a Princess? Especially in her castle over Mars."
SunTzu took Princess' Mars hand and began to glide with her over the floor.
The two lovers swirled elegantly through the room, tightly dancing with each other. His black pilot suit and her red and pink dress a stark contrast to each other.
When the song finished they ended their dance with a long, romantic kiss, the red planet hanging behind them.
Rei didn't say a word anymore but lead him upstairs to her chamber.
In front of the door she kissed him passionately again before they entered the room and she let him loose and walked up to the bed, where she sat down, facing him.
He followed her and when he was over her he leaned down and kissed her.
She opened his flight suit and looked into his eyes.
"Did you ever had sex with the Princess of Mars in her palace above her Planet?"
SunTzu's head was resting on Rei's chest, the chrono on his wrist telling him, that it was after midnight already.
Both were awake, quite exhausted, but awake.
"I have an idea. Give me your hands Rei." He told her and although she didn't know why she did as told and they began to hold hands.
"Now close your eyes and concentrate."
"Babe, that's not how Tantra works. Your a bit too late for this."
"Shh, trust me. Try to concentrate." SunTzu said and closed his eyes, while he calmed down his breath.
Both glided into a sphere of meditation but this time it was even easier to feel the energy and being of the other as they were so close and so much in tune with each other already.
The lovers touched each other's subconscious again and immediately they're souls began to fuse, easier than ever before.
And this time something it happened, as the feelings for each other were stronger than ever before they're souls merged completely, both getting to know the other on a level they never persons could reach, becoming one with the other. The visions of both their souls dancing in a tight embrace through the stars and times, full galaxies and dimensions manifested into them and filled their hearts and souls with a pleasant warm and a caring love.
When the vision and their soul merging stopped, the couple couldn't tell if it had lasted mere seconds or hours both kept their eyes shut and their hands intertwined.
After a moment SunTzu's head moved up and he leaned over Rei, sharing a long kiss, that contained all the love the had for each other into the kiss.
"This was intense." SunTzu stated and Mars nodded satisfied.
"I'm glad we did it."
"Me too. You're such a beautiful soul Rei."
The black haired woman looked him deep in the eyes for a moment and put a hand on his cheek.
"I love you."
"And I love you. More than anything else."
They kissed again.
"Let's go home. Or I might decide to stay here with you forever." Rei told him.
It was almost four In the morning when they arrived back at their secluded island.
Their exhaustion was gone, as the experience of their souls merging into one revitalized them.
AICA landed and after getting out the couple said their goodbye to her and she left into the last darkness of the night.
"I'm feeling stronger than ever before. Like something opened up in me." SunTzu said.
"While I'm not on my Cosmic Level I feel stronger also. Mind if I try out something?"
"No, not at all."
Rei, now detransformed, closed her eyes and concentrated, casting a Fire Soul over her crossed hands.
The fireball was bigger than everyone before she had casted before not being transformed. The flames illuminating their surroundings.
She kept it hovering over her hand.
"Mind if I try something also?" SunTzu said and looked to her.
"No, but don't burn yourself. This one is way bigger than the ones you're used to."
He held up his hand and concentrated on the energy of the fiery ball of fire and after a moment the fire ball began to move towards SunTzu's hand.
SunTzu marveled over the ball of fire floating over his hand.
He tried to make it move with his hand like he did with the smaller one the day before.
It took quite some energy from him but he managed it.
"Take care please." Rei told him again as SunTzu began to let the fire ball fly between his hands.
He moved his hands faster and faster and then suddenly he got out of concentration and Rei had to chime in with a movement of her hands, skidding the Fire Soul away before it would have hit SunTzu.
The ball flew into a nearby palm tree and sat the tree on fire.
"I told you to take care!" Rei yelled as both jumped up.
Fortunately this particular palmtree was standing alone on the beach and there was nothing that could catch fire also nearby.
"Why men always have to play with everything carelessly like they are kids?" Rei stated angrily as they both stared at the burning tree, lighting up the beach around them.
Rei facepalmed and shook her head.
"Hey, at least we have light and warmth now.
She shook her head more enthusiastic now but then started laughing and SunTzu slung his arms around her.
As dawn came soon afterwards, the Rei was sitting in front of SunTzu in a tight embrace on the beach, looking at the sun slowly going up in a beautiful orange over the sea.
Behind them the tree had to stop burning and was just smoking now.
Rei leaned her head back to look up into his face and he kissed her head.
It was a beautiful sunrise.
It was noon when SunTzu woke up.
He let Rei sleep and went down to the kitchen, completely naked.
This island life sure has it's pros. I could get used to this.
He made himself a cup of coffee and opened the door to the terrace, stepping outside.
He stood there for a moment, took a deep breather, inhaling the fresh sea air and feeling the fresh breeze on his body and sighed satisfied. Life was good.
Suddenly a Lambda Shuttle rushed in overhead and overflew the naked SunTzu. Dumbfounded he looked after it passing him, before he thought about to cover his private parts.
He almost ran back inside to get his pistol as he first was thinking that they were being attacked when he saw the emblem of the Taskforce, the upwards facing crescent of the Moon Kingdom that enclosed the globe that earth was, with Japan in the middle because it was the location of Crystal Tokyo, on the shuttle.
What the hell was that supposed to mean now? If they would be needed why the Taskforce just didn't sent AICA to pick them up.
He stormed back inside and to the stairs.
"Rei! There's a Shuttle from the Taskforce inbound. I don't have any idea why tho!" He yelled upstairs.
It took a few moments before Rei yelled her reply down to him.
"Ah Fuck! Every damn time I try to have some solitude and privacy here these bitches come and spoil my peace!"
"Who do you mean?"
"The Inner Senshi of course. Every time they find out I'm here they invite themselves over on their own and get here."
SunTzu sighed, so much for a few days of togetherness. Unmotivated he walked up the stairs to put some clothes on.
Overhead the shuttle flew another turn and got ready to land.
A few minutes later, the Inner Senshi, Chibiusa, Mamoru, the three Mau in their cat forms and the two Husbands of Makoto and Ami entered the Villa.
"Come out Rei, we know you are here." Usagi yelled through the house.
SunTzu was in the bathroom and Rei, which had hastily threw on a bikini and a sun-frock, yelled back.
"What is the problem with me having a few days for me and my boyfriend? Why are you guys here? Usagi, you're a goddamn Queen, you could probably rent a whole clime somewhere.
"Oh c'mon Rei, you know it's always fun when we're here all together. And it's a tradition, we always go here together."
"It's not a tradition. It's mobbing! Every time i go here alone you follow! I want my privacy Usagi! Is that so hard to understand!"
SunTzu came out of the bathroom as Rei stormed down the stairs as she and the other girls discussed their unexpected arrival further in a loud and angry way.
SunTzu just shrugged, the girls not even taking notice of him, as they were busy right now to explain who's fault it actually was that they were here. Right now everyone was pointing to either Usagi or Minako.
"Mina, you Judas! How could you!? Are you so jealous of my relationship that you have to sabotage my holidays!" An indignant barked at her best friend.
SunTzu moved over and placed himself next to Kenji, Ryu and Mamoru. All four of them were observing the heated discussion.
"Is it always like that?" The pilot asked the other three men.
"Yeah. Basically everytime." Kenji answered.
"You guys want a beer?" SunTzu asked and the three men nodded.
A minute later they came back out of the kitchen, each of the guys having a cold open beer in hand and they continued to watch the discussion of the women.
"And how long they keep this up usually?"
"If you don't stop them quite a while." Mamoru looked at his watch. "I guess it's enough again. Who's turn is it this time?"
"I think it's Ryu's, it was mine last time." Kenji told and this triggered a loud sigh from Ryu before the the Husband of Ami shrugged and went amid the quarreling Senshi and began to arbitrate.
Outside Luna and Artemis, with Diana in the midst of them, we're sitting in the sand and enjoying the high standing sun.
The sound of the quarrel was audible.
"You know Luna, we have to see it like this. A certain continuity is important in life."
"I know Artemis. But I wish this continuity wouldn't be arguing like they still were schoolgirls."