How had he actually survived that?

It hadn't even been a battle, it had been a massacre.

The enemy had arrived and in seconds the whole space around them had been filled with thousands of Vulture Droids.

Dozens, if not hundreds, of droids hurled themselves into each capital ship of the fleet. The Hapan Nova Cruiser he just had started off from was hit by at least twenty droids and after the first eight in rapid succession it's shields had collapsed before the remaining droids made sure to rip the Cruiser apart with their kamikaze attack.

The small fleet, made out of whatever the Fifth had still available without risking to compromise the important planets in it's area of responsibility and it's main defensive efforts up north near Jomark, it really wasn't much at all, never stood any chance.

SunTzu had been expecting the mission to be an act of desperation but the sheer amount of enemy snubs had shocked him.

He only survived because AICA on her own had decided to jump to Hyperspace. When she did they already were the last survivors of the GA Forces.

And if it wasn't enough that Rei's statement about being single again two days ago still was ringing in his ears and still laying havoc in his still unhealed heart, the sheer avalanche of the enemy rolling over them and killing everything in it's way, except him, in a matter of minutes put him into even more despair. It just was not fair to be the only one to survive. It felt like it was suppose to happen like that. Like everything close around him was a prime target now, the enemy concentrating on it, just too make him feel more guilty.

AICA slipped out of Hyperspace a million kilometers away, in the absolute nothingness.

After a second SunTzu let out a single scream of primeval anger.

It was not fair.

After a few moments of silence SunTzu had himself under control again.

"AICA, jump to the next bigger allied force. We should let Fleet Command know what happened."

Maybe they could immediately retaliate.

An hour later SunTzu landed on a Cruiser in midst a small fleet of GA Navy Ships.

The news that the fleet he had been part of had been destroyed had already spread around but nonetheless he gave a detailed report to the Intelligence Officer onboard the ship.

There would be no retaliation, supplies and ships were too scarce and too widespread for an attack and all the offensive fleets and taskforces of the Alliance were already more than busy. Rumors had it that Lord Vader provided himself a first hand impression of the enemy Yuuzhan Vong Forces.

After his report SunTzu was free to go and he did so.

One and a half day later he was back on Coruscant. And back in Ada's office.

She had a special assignment for him, she just had told him about.

"No, no way I'm doing that."

"Come on SunTzu, I told you can come undercover and it's really just the minimum of people you have to meet."

"Who? Any of the Senshi among them?"

"Ami of course. Captain Kino. Captain Kaiou. That's it, really. I wanted Captain Tenoh as well but Ami advised against it."

Thank God. Haruka will definitely whoop my ass the next time she sees me.

"Apart from that, with all that technology can we not have that meeting over a video call or something?"

"That's just not the same, what kind of impression would this give? I mean it's not like it's dangerous for people to meet personally for a conference. Plus I got some data that you have to hand over to Ami personally."

Ada needed another fifteen minutes to persuade SunTzu to go to Earth and meet with parts of Taskforce Sol.

As one of the last offensive elements that was still available for missions it was necessary that they exactly knew about the new tactics the enemy was using.

SunTzu negotiated that at least he was allowed to get there incognito and that only the three named Senshi would meet with him.

Not that he didn't miss his friends but he knew that the meeting wouldn't make things easier for anyone.

There was at least one pro with visiting Earth and more specific Greater Tokyo.

He knew where he could get some quality booze to get wonderfully pissed.

It was late afternoon on the Fifth of December and it had been around four weeks since SunTzu had been on Earth the last time when AICA was on her way to the small blue planet in the Sun System, which was guarded by women with magical powers, once more.

SunTzu was completely sober, he wanted to get there unknown by anyone not part of the meeting and this was so important to him that he had to be on his best.

Not that someone he really couldn't bear to see was on Earth right now. Rei was on Coruscant and SunTzu kept telling to himself he was still checking on her whereabouts because it still was his duty to protect her and not because he wanted to know if she moved on already.

While the German was on his way to Earth, a certain other man, currently residing in a luxurious hotel suite on Denon, just had gotten the latest reports from the front and from the attack on the defensive fleet guarding the way to Saleucami.

The pilot the Alliance called SunTzu and his starfigher, that highly modified A-Wing, had escaped as the only survivor. The mysterious Man wondered if SunTzu would ever discover that the Droids had actually been ordered to kill everything around him and just keep the black A-Wing intact.

The Man smiled, the survivor's guilt would break his adversary even more. If things would go on like that, it would only be a few more weeks before SunTzu would fall away as threat, probably even through his own doings.

He should thank Senator Hino for doing her part in breaking him as well.

With a snap of his fingers he commanded a protocol droid to get over to him.

Night was already about to fall over Tokyo when SunTzu arrived over the Pacific. Even better for him, as this would aid his secret approach. He decided to fly in low and slow over, afar from the ship routes, and let AICA drop him somewhere outside of a small village or town, where he would take a train into the city.

The meeting was scheduled in the morning but that didn't mean he could at least get a drink to get some better sleeping in.

Two hours later, he arrived at Tokyo Central Station. Since he was there already why not get some Ramen in he thought. tThe Ramen Street in the huge station's underground was serving pretty good noodle soup after all, he knew.

And the comfort food actually made him feel better, if only for a short time. Although he wasn't Japanese, Tokyo had been his home since pretty much ever he had woken up in that Bacta Tank on Kamino and while eating that strange feeling, which could have been homesickness, left him a bit.

But as soon as the bowl, that came full of steamy broth with noodles and rich on other ingredients, was empty, the Inner cold came back. What was he doing here? He shouldn't be in Tokyo. He shouldn't even be in this stellar system.

He paid as fast as he could and left in a hurry.

Taking a train to Shibuya he got out at the always lively station of the same name.

Walking out and crossing the statue of Hachikō, the loyal dog that waited every day for the return of his owner at the station, even after the owner's death.

That dog was definitely more loyal than I am. I even have a problem facing the people I swore an oath to defend with my life.

After crossing the world's most famous, and most busiest, crossing in the World he disappeared into one of the side alleys.

A few minutes later, he had made a short stop in a Lawson and got himself a six pack of beer he entered an old office building, a dozen stories tall, so rather small for this part of the town.

He took the elevator to the last floor and then got out and opened a nearby door, leading up to stairs to the roof.

Haruka had showed him this place a few months ago, she came here by incident one night when they were patrolling the city years ago.

She and SunTzu had spent a few nights up on the roof, having a beer, as the old building's roof had a great view over Shibuya's busy streets and the neon lights of the neighborhood.

Carrying his six pack of beer, he sat down on the metal of the ventilation outlets and looked down.

SunTzu nestled a cigarette out of his jacket and lighted it, soaking in the view.

The Fifth of December 2019 was a Wednesday. SunTzu thought about that If the Far Side would be out right now, Artemis would hold his radio show to honor Marvin's remembrance. SunTzu was deep gone in thinking, remembering Marvin and all the other friends he lost. And about why he shouldn't be here. Where could he go next?

The streets were beginning to empty themselves out as the time of the last trains and subways going was coming near.

The pilot almost had finished his cigarette when he leaned down and grabbed for the six pack. But somehow it wasn't where he thought he had put it.

He looked down but the six pack was gone.

"Looking for something?" A female voice suddenly said behind him.

His lips formed into a sarcastic half smile while he took another drag from the cigarette in his mouth. From all people on Earth, it had to be her to find him on this roof.

Setsuna came home after a long day and overtime in the military hospital of the Palace, or more specific the research department.

She had been working on an even more specialized medication for wounds, which not only featured Bacta and Kolto but also had the ability to close wounds and heal tissue even faster than regular Bacta. If it would work, a shot wound, for example into the stomach, could be treated with a much higher chance of survival for the injured.

When she entered the house she saw that all the lights were off.

"Hotaru?" She asked into the house but no answer came.

After checking the living room Setsuna went upstairs and to her daughter's room. She knocked, waited a few seconds and then opened the door.

The room was empty. Hotaru wasn't at home and Setsuna wasn't sure if she should be happy that Hotaru finally left the house again or worried because Hotaru just had vanished again.

"Looking for something?" Sailor Saturn had said, standing behind SunTzu who was sitting on a metal ridge and stared onto the streets while smoking.

He was so far gone that he neither sensed her coming nor that he noticed that she sneakily had grabbed the six bottles of beer.

SunTzu sighed and looked to the floor with a grin before he turned around.

"Pretty late to be outside for a teenager. You should go home, your mother probably is worried."

"As you know, I can take good care of myself."

"Which doesn't mean that people still are worried about you. Go home Hotaru."

"You're the one to talk about going home."

"I had and still have my reasons. And that is not the same as you looking for trouble in the middle of the night."

"Oh, but it's totally okay for you to even run away to fight this War. There are more people that need you in Crystal Tokyo! Heart breaking or not, there was no reason to run away! Rei spends most of her time on Coruscant nowadays anyways. Hell, you even deleted all your social media."

"Hotaru. It's not just that our relationship is over. Rei would never be at peace if I would be around and would stay fighting. Rei doesn't want to fight anymore and for me fighting is all that I know."

Hotaru shrugged her shoulders, but his reply had hit a spot.

"What should I say? As Sailor Saturn, I feel that."

"One of my reasons to leave was to make it easier for Rei to keep herself out of this War. Mentally as well. But I'm a hundred percent sure she will do the right things in the Senate and help us win this War on the political side of things. You know how she is." He showed a crooked but honest grin and looked up to her. "Perfect in every way."

Hotaru closed her eyes and nodded, seeing that SunTzu still loved Rei as much as before.

"You know Firefly, I don't want to hurt her anymore. But I have this quenchless need to fight this War. Don't ask me why."

Hotaru's shoulders slightly slumped down.

"Hotaru, it's not that I don't miss you and the others. But when I'm on my own it's safer for all of you. Do you understand that?"

Hotaru looked to the side for a moment, thinking about his words before she looked back up to him.

"Yes. Yes, I do." She said quietly.

SunTzu nodded, he saw that the girl was moved and opened his arms.

Within a second the girl embraced him, her eyes watering.

"I miss you. And I miss AICA."

SunTzu smiled warmly.

"She misses you too. And I miss you as well."

The girl hugged him tighter now.

"Hotaru, as I wrote you. I will always be there when you need me."

"Promise?"

"Promise. But you have to do me a favor."

Sailor Saturn finished the hug and looked up to him, while she wiped the tears away.

"Go Home."

"I do. But only under one condition."

"What would that be."

Sailor Saturn took a step back and kicked the six pack of beer, some bottles broke.

"No drinking tonight."

SunTzu looked at the shattered glass and the puddle of beer that got bigger and bigger.

"Promise me!" Hotaru demanded.

SunTzu sighed.

"Fine, promise."

"Good." She smiled at him. "Guess it's time for me to go home now. Same as for you."

"Uhhh, I don't know if…"

"You have, Ami made sure your apartment stays like it is." For a moment SunTzu froze, it felt great to have friends like that, who never let you down and made sure he always had a place here.

He nodded and then remembered which day it was.

"Good, I'll go home then too."

I just have to do one last thing for tonight.

They had another small hug and then she walked towards the edge of the roof, getting ready to jump to the next one.

"Hey Hotaru!" SunTzu said as she was almost at the edge. "It's the fifth of December. Put your boots outside tonight." He stated with a wink.

For a moment she looked at him curiously but then she shrugged.

"Whatever, will do. Goodbye SunTzu, see you soon."

"Goodnight Firefly. Until next time."

Sailor Saturn went home quickly afterwards. When she arrived at the house she saw there was light on in the ground floor so she went her usual way after patrolling the city and entered her room through it's window and hoped her mom wouldn't make a scene tomorrow.

When Hotaru woke up the next morning, thankfully her flight training would only begin after lunch today, and stumbled into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee at least as dark as the eyeliner she usually wore with that cute little black Goth dress she used to make Shingo go crazy with, her mother was sitting on one of the high chairs at the kitchen counter, legs crossed. Obviously she was was really pissed. More than usual when she stole herself away at night.

"Where have you been last night?"

"I was just a bit outside, patrolling and stuff, but I swear I didn't get into a fight or something. I was just checking out what was happening on the streets. I'm not a kid anymore, I can take care of myself, Mom."

"Mhm. And whom did you meet there?"

"Nobody." Hotaru replied quickly.

Setsuna rolled her eyes.

"Nobody. Of course. And that's for whom you put a pair of boots out. Listen Hotaru, do you really think after centuries in Europe I don't know about their traditions?"

"Traditions? He just told me to put my boots outside." And then she smacked her hand in front of her mouth. Setsuna was standing in an instant.

"He?! Thought so. Hotaru, he left the Taskforce and his duties within it all of a sudden and you still care about him."

"He had his reasons, Mum. He told me yesterday night why. And he promised me again, that he will be there when I, or anyone of us, needs him."

"Of course, the one who runs away from his duties is probably the one to trust!"

Hotaru looked skeptically at her mother.

"Mom, why are you so angry? We were just talking. Oh no… You think there is something going on between us, right?"

"What? No! I do know he never could feel… feel like that for you. And you heard Ami, he's probably still heartbroken anyways. I know he's a father figure for you."

"If you want to call it that. And I don't see a problem with that. I'm old enough, and wise enough, to know who I can look up to. And yes, he is still heartbroken."

"Heartbroken or not, you think it's a good idea to look up to someone who leaves you behind."

"You read the letter yourself, he had and has his reasons. Why are you so mad with him?"

"He hurted you! And don't tell me you weren't, you didn't leave your room on the Far Side and here as well for days."

"Of course I was hurt, it was so sudden. But I understand him now. Now that I had time to think about it. Now that I talked with him."

"Nonsense! I knew he was trouble the first time that I saw him."

"Mom, what is your problem with him? Ever since he came here you treated him worse than anyone else."

"I… that-that's not true."

"Oh and why you always went extra hard on him in training? And why were you so cold to him so often?"

"I had to shape him in a efficient warrior. The best he could be."

"And now he's out there fighting the good fight wherever he can and without any boundaries and you're still mad at him. And I'm pretty sure it's not because he and Rei broke each other's heart."

"I have my reasons."

"If you say so, Mom. But I don't have any reasons to be mad with him. Of course I'd rather have him around. And AICA as well." The black haired girl paused for a second. "Ever since Dad died, he is the first person that actually tries to keep me away from fighting."

"Hotaru, we're Sailor Senshi, we have a duty to fulfill."

"And I know that! And you know that I will always fulfill my duty. But it's nice to once have someone who cares about me in that way. Mom, did you know he left because he wanted to make it easier for Rei to not be a fighting part of this War?"

"No. No, I didn't." Setsuna fell completely quiet for a moment before she continued. "You're not going to be angry with him for leaving you?"

"Was I angry with Michiru and Haruka when they left for Great Britain?" Another pause before Setsuna replied.

"Fine. But I still think it wasn't the right thing to do what he did."

Hotaru shrugged and pressed her lips together and what followed surprised her.

"Anyways, you might want to take a look outside in your boots. Someone left something for you there."

Hotaru raised an eyebrow but walked off to the door, while Setsuna's gaze followed her.

Oh Hotaru, if you only knew, that I just want to protect you. My greatest downfall also started with a man leaving for War.

"Mom?! There's stuff in my boots."

Even against her will Setsuna had to smile as she walked outside as well.

"What the fuck? That thing looks like Santa Clause." Hotaru stated as she reached into the two ankle boots outside the door.

They were filled with Nuts, Oranges and something wrapped in foil, which was colored like Santa Clause looked like. It felt rather hollow.

"They're made out of chocolate. It's a German tradition for the sixth of December, Saint Nicholas. Kids get their boots filled with treats from Nicholas when they leave them outside."

"German?" Hotaru began to smile as she unwrapped the largest of the figures and brought out the Bishop of Myra made out of chocolate, her eyes were sparkling.

"It's completely made out of chocolate." She stated and then bit off the head of the figure.

"That's delicious. You have to try, Mom!" Hotaru offered her the headless figure.

Setsuna had to smile again, this time without any constraints.

"Thank you. Not before breakfast." Hotaru, still chewing shrugged.

"Oh and Hotaru?"

"Hm?"

"Language."

SunTzu was on the way to the Palace, commuting with the subway once again.

Before he had headed home yesterday, he met with AICA in one of the city's parks and flew to Germany.

He wanted to treat Hotaru with a small thing to Saint Nicholas and bought some chocolate figures. He also remembered that it was Makoto's birthday today, the tall brunette probably being on a date with Kenji tonight, if the Commandos didn't get her first for binge drinking. Since she loved cooking and baking he also went to a book store and got some German cook books for her, as well as books with traditional European baking recipes.

He hadn't even been an hour in Germany, before he had headed back again.

He kept his promise and stayed abstinent and to his surprise he still felt acceptably sleepy when he arrived back at Tokyo. Maybe he would even get some decent sleep in. He had to admit it wasn't that bad to be on Earth again.

AICA dropped him in front of his apartment and when SunTzu used his key on the apartment's door and the door opened, partly to his surprise, he smiled as Hotaru had been right.

Because of his housekeeper droid it wasn't even messy at the place. Truly one of the best investments he ever did.

He didn't take much time to look around though as the tiredness overwhelmed him then.

He went straight to the bed and fell asleep instantly after bedding.

He had slept better than in weeks when he woke up the next morning from AICA waking him gently with playing Mongolian Throatsinging over his chronometer.

Waking up without a hangover was not only something that he almost had forgotten of how it felt but it actually wasn't feeling too bad either.

To his surprise a smiling Ami, dressed in her navy blue GAIS Service Dress Uniform and the corresponding coat, so dressed as he was, was awaiting him at the exit of the subway.

SunTzu couldn't help but smile as well as the two of them stopped a step in front of each other.

"Captain."

"Major."

And then she gave him, for her measures, a bear hug.

"I'm glad you came. And I'm glad you got out unharmed the last time."

SunTzu just stayed silent.

"Sorry, I can imagine how you feel about it. Anyways, shall we?" She tried to curve the matter and then forced a smile and mentioned towards the palace.

SunTzu just nodded, grabbed into his pocket and pulled out a face mask.

He put the mask on and his uniform's hat deeper so he wouldn't get recognized.

They were mostly silent on the way to the Palace.

Ami noticed SunTzu grew quite nervous or the like when they arrived at the Palace. There was something he just had to ask.

"How's Rei?"

"Better. She was quite down the first couple of days." Ami said, trying to sound as neutral as she could.

"I see." SunTzu replied, also trying to speak without showing any emotions but it didn't work fully.

"Why you don't have a cigarette why I get everything ready for your report?" She asked him and he answered just with a small nod.

Not wanting to be at the Palace or not, to smoke his cigarette to SunTzu went to his old favorite place.

The tree next to it was empty of leaves, making it look devoid of life and SunTzu had to wheeze, thinking about that the last time he came here the tree had been the except opposite, vibrant of life, with his colorful leaves.

SunTzu pulled out a cigarette from his silver cigarette case and lighted it, thinking about how everything in life would come to an end eventually.

Ami was in a small conference room in the Military Wing of the Palace, Michiru and Makoto were there already as well.

The pilot and the special forces officer were seated already, while Ami was already giving them the background info what had happened near Saleucami lately.

"Ami, you said there was somebody coming to tell us about that attack and the changes in the enemy's tactics." Makoto interrupted her friend, when she saw it halfway fitting.

"Yes, he should be here any second now. It's the only survivor of the attack."

Makoto and Michiru exchanged glances, who could that lucky bastard be?

And exactly then it knocked on the door.

"Come in, please." Ami stated and the door opened, revealing a man in an Intelligence Service Uniform and a face mask.

He closed the door and looked at the two women, sitting at the small conference table, it was visible that his face muscles were working under the mask.

After a moment he pulled the mask away and both's, the Senshi of the Deep Sea's and the Senshi of Courage's, jaws dropped.

Within a second they were up from their seats.

Michiru immediately had run over to SunTzu, standing now directly in front of him, and after a moment her hand cupped his face, as if she wanted to check if he was real.

"Mon frére." She tilted her head. "You look like shit." And then she clinged her head with him.

"How's Haruka?" SunTzu whispered.

"Hurted. She misses you. I do too."

SunTzu swallowed his answer down, no need to make it any worse.

A hand touched his shoulder.

It was Makoto and SunTzu ended clinging his head with Michiru's and turned to the brunette.

He hugged her.

"Happy belated birthday. You look like you got out of the barracks before the birthday shots."

"I made such an sneaky exit yesterday, Ami wants me for the GAIS now."

Both smiled and then she fixed him with his eyes.

"Long time no see. Fly Boy finally found his way home again?"

All three Senshi now were looking at SunTzu

"Nope. Just here for a bit of story time."

Michiru looked away, Ami pressed her lips together and Makoto nodded slowly, they all had hoped otherwise.

SunTzu cleared his throat, he was here for a reason, and the faster he was done with that, the faster he could get away from Earth again, bringing the obviously existing gigantic cross mark for everyone around him as far away as he could from the blue planet.

"Shall we start?" He asked in a neutral tone.

SunTzu told them all he remembered and knew from the attack.

How the enemy had jumped out of Hyperspace extra close and let out as many snubs as fast as they could manage to.

About how the Alliance's fighters and anti-aircraft-weapons were completely overwhelmed by the sheer mass of droids.

How the droids rocketed into the Fifth's capital ships by the dozens.

What he didn't say, was how he felt after the attack. Or what he personally took out for himself out of the fight.

But he let them know on what he thought was important to keep in mind when encountering such an attack, hoping his friends would never encounter such an attack after all.

Roughly thirty minutes later he was done and was about to leave after a short and clinical goodbye.

The girls, even Ami, weren't having it though.

"We get it, that you don't want to make a fuzz that you're here, but at least let us bring you to AICA." Michiru had stated, the teal haired's voice making it clear, that they wouldn't accept a no.

AICA had landed a few minutes before at the palace landing spot.

She didn't tell her pilot that she had been at the Air Base before, after she had taken Hotaru at home and took a lengthy trip opver the Pacific and Tokyo Bay with her, before she had landed near her old hangar and said hello to Karlena and the rest of her crew.

Ami was walking a step in front of SunTzu, Michiru was on his left, linked in with his arm, not even asking if it was okay before she did so, and Makoto was to his right.

While Michiru just hold onto him and Ami silently walked towards the landing spot, Makoto was talking with him.

"So… did you see it yet? Rei's statement."

SunTzu nodded, while Michiru put her head on his shoulder, her grip on his arm tightening.

"Live. I was on Coruscant that day." He wheezed. "Ever the PR professional. I guess her DMs must have exploded after that statement." He said, I hoping that it would downplay what he was feeling.

For a moment Makoto didn't say a word, obviously he was still hurting from the breakup.

"As if nobody would have waited for you being single again to take their shot." She tried to cheer him up.

"I don't know, I deleted all my social media, I don't know what's going on in the Galaxy. Except for, you know, the War." He replied, shrugging his shoulders and then continued.

"Came about a story lately, some young guy of the ground crew from a cruiser I was taking a break on told me. A story that's been making it's rounds lately. Some ghost in a black starfighter which appears out of thin air, obliterates the enemy and leaves again. Reminded me of AICA because she's colored black as well. If just stuff like this is going around I'm glad I deleted my Social Media. And so far no reporter was in my face yet asking me about Rei. So it's all good." He said, voice in the last sentence slightly more quiet.

They arrived at AICA and the A-Wing effusively greeted the three women, which greeted her back smiling.

They said goodbyes with hugs, SunTzu gave Makoto cook books as a birthday gift and they shared a bittersweet moment. The last to say her farewell was Michiru.

"Take care of you, wingman. And take care of my Haruka." He said as the two hugged.

"Will do. Don't do anything stupid as well."

"You know me, I'd never do." He forced himself into a smile.

She kissed his cheek and SunTzu climbed into the cockpit.

He saluted before the canopy closed and then left off.

Checking for me, and never will you find another bitch like me,

and I don't care what your Friends say,

what we had was like Jay and Beyonce,

Or was it all a dream,

Back seat in the phantom sipping that lean,

We party like rock stars, we sex like porn stars, I'll take you a million bars

The Senator of Sol was singing aloud along to the breakup playlist she had compiled two weeks ago, in her Porsche. Right now playing was Trina's "Single Again" as Rei was on her way to the Palace.

She had just landed at Haneda, as she had taken an early flight from Coruscant to Earth.

She just had crossed over to the bridge to Crystal Tokyo when she spotted something familiar in the grey, cloudy sky, flying away from Crystal Tokyo and slowly gaining altitude.

Strange, I couldn't sense him at all. And I used to sense him planets away. Guess our bond is really broken now.

Or was it just AICA? No, now that she thought about it, her sixth sense did let her know it was him. And now she saw him in front of her inner eye.

Those hazel eyes that seem to change it's colors from time to time into more greenish or brownish. His half grin whenever he was flirty. The black pilot suit with the dark grey stripes, fitting him so perfectly. Just like a black suit did. Or plain, grey sweatpants and a crisp shirt.

His beard that tickled on her skin when she stroke it or when they kissed.

And she remembered how he used to be with everyone around him.

When he and Ami had came up with something crazy, just to turn the War into their favor.

How he and Minako got along so well together and how good it had felt, that her best friend and her boyfriend had been so close friends as well.

How he and Makoto had shared this special bond between warriors, that wanted to get everyone around them home.

When he had played taxi for Chibiusa, just so she could see Helios.

His undying loyalty to Usagi, Mamoru and Artemis.

How he had spared against Setsuna, who always kicked his ass but he respected her so much as she wanted to make him a more able warrior.

How he treated the two Koronians, never as her guards, bound by an eternal oath, but as friends.

How he had went above trainer and up to replacement father for Hotaru.

How AICA was not only a computer or machine for him but a great and close friend.

How he had always made sure Haruka and Michiru were safe, willing to sacrifice his wellbeing for his friends.

Emotions were overcoming her, she had to drive slower and concentrate on driving, as memories of the two of them flooded in her mind.

Suddenly the telephone rang, it was the man that had picked Rei up when she was at rock bottom, ever since she had gotten out of the Voyager three weeks ago and when even being home hadn't made it any better. But he and his reaffirming words as well as his tender care had built her up again.

"Yuichiro? Hi." She quickly glanced up where the sleek Starfighter accelerated ever more and disappeared in the clouds.

"Hum? Yeah, Coruscant was alright."

A last glance where AICA just had been.

"Uhm… yeah. Dinner sounds great."

Rei arrived at the Palace and before she went to her office to work on a report for her queen, she had a smoke at the place she always went for smoking.

As she sat down on the bench, she took a glance at the tree next to it.

And somehow that feeling of loss and heartbreak overcame her again, as if SunTzu's aura was lingering around here.

She thought about it, tried to sense a why, before she gave up.

She was just about to pull out her box of cigarettes when suddenly someone hugged her from behind.

"Rei-Chan! You're back!"

"Chibiusa." Rei put her arms around Chibiusa's and squeezed. "How is my favorite princess in the whole Universe?"

"I'm seeing Helios later, I'm feeling great. And I'm glad to see you're back at the Palace again."

Rei began to smile, and shot the tree next to her another quick glance. Life does go on, loss is just a part of it, she thought, while Chibiusa sat down next to her.

Yui Sato, Izumi Ayame's best friend ever since their time in college, was the new receptionist in the Diplomatic Corps and Senator's Office in the Palace, inheriting her job from her best friend.

Just like her precursor and confidant she was looking up to Miss Hino, the Galactic Senator and Head of the Diplomatic Corps.

So she was happy that she obviously had great news for her new boss.

A gift had been brought for her, a box with a magnum bottle of Vintage Dom Perignon.

Yui smiled from ear to ear as Rei stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby of the office.

"Hino-Sama, a courier brought this gift for you." The young woman said and motioned to the black package with the golden crest, stating the date of the champagne to the birth year of Rei. There was also a golden bow around the box.

Rei smiled and walked to the box and took a look at it.

The bottle must have been rare and expensive, who could have sent her this?

Not Yuichiro, he wouldn't buy something like that for her, since he wasn't into luxurious or material things. And he also would give the gift to her personally, to see her smile and happiness on her face.

SunTzu maybe? Although she wished it didn't, the thought made her heartbeat go faster, just thinking about that it was a gift from him.

And then Rei saw the small card, dangling from the back of the golden bow.

She read it.

Senator Hino,

Thank you for doing a big part in breaking the one the Galactic Alliance wants to become Personified War.

The letters were almost identical to SunTzu's handwriting but no way he would know about that. No sender.

Rei frowned as she tried to make sense out of it.

And then she looked up and to Yui.

"Get me Major Urawa. ASAP!"