Setsuna woke up with her head on SunTzu's chest, as she had fallen asleep, his arm still around her, but she could feel that he had shifted around and was almost sitting up in her bed.

The first rays of sunlight came fell through the small slits of the blinds.

Somehow she immediately knew that something wasn't right with him.

Setsuna gently pressed her face closer on his chest.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Before SunTzu could say anything more, Setsuna who clearly had heard the tone in his voice had sat up and looked him in the eyes while her right hand stroke over his face, the first stubble coming back after shaving his beard off.

"You know that I can look right through you my love."

"It's… uhm… i think I have another episode of survivor's guilt."

"Because you are still here."

"Because I'm still here and live such a good life, having the woman that I love next to me and more wealth than I'd ever need. And others…"

"Just shows once more how big and pure your heart is."

"Big heart." A wheeze. "I'm a monster. The things I've done…"

His head slumped down on his chest.

"Alone all the people you saved. Me, my daughter, my Outer Sisters, Rei, the Royals. The countless members of every arm of the armed services. The civilians, whole planetary populations? If anything every deity in existence would be wrong to let you die."

Her hand lifted his head up again, to look her in the eyes, hoping that he would see the truth, the care and the love for him in them.

He still tried to avoid her gaze but she shifted his face back to hers.

"I love you, SunTzu. For example because you are one of the most generous and altruistic people that I ever have met, never forget that. This war is terrible and the guilt is gut wrenching but there is a reason you are here. This Galaxy needs you. Crystal Tokyo needs you. I need you."

Setsuna saw that her words reached him, but it wasn't enough.

"I might not be able to continue as your psychologist but as your girlfriend I'm still very worried about your mental wellbeing. Don't forget how much good you have done and continue to do so."

"Setsuna… I am humanified war. And I shouldn't even be here…"

A pair of silky smooth lips pressing themselves onto his lips silenced him.

After a moment their mouths parted again and Setsuna looked him deep in the eyes.

"And yet you are here and are loved and give love to so many people."

Arms laid themselves around SunTzu's shoulders, their touch gentle.

"You do everything right to honor these sacrifices my dear."

"Are you… are you sure?"

"I am, a hundred percent. And I'm pretty sure that Hotaru, Haruka, Michiru and everybody else will say the same."

Another moment of himself thinking before he nodded slightly and Setsuna could feel his arms reaching for her as well.

SunTzu pulled her into a hug, his face on her chest.

"Thank you." He whispered and she kissed his head before she began to caress his back.

Later that day, SunTzu was in the mess hall of the military wing of the Palace of Crystal Tokyo.

He and Setsuna had arranged a small date in between her work at the Soichi Tomoe Hospital and the clinic of the base.

When the emerald-haired demigoddess walked up to the table, cup of green tea already in her hands and doctor's coat on, she could see that her lover still was acting pensive. And that her daughter apparently didn't tag along.

She decided to the test the waters first.

Stepping next to SunTzu who was sitting on a smaller table and staring into his cappuccino she dropped a kiss on his head before she sat down.

"Where's…"

"The daughter? Pacific, hunting AICA in her Y-Wing."

Setsuna couldn't suppress the smile his mentioning of the daughter, one step away from our daughter, elicited from her completely.

"I sent them out to have some fun…"

"Because you're not in a mood for fun yourself."

"And I don't want to ruin theirs, yes."

SunTzu wheezed before he took a sip of his warm beverage, as usual she was reading him like she was reading an open book.

But of course it was only for his best, sometimes it had been covertly, sometimes it had been open, but as always she was caring for him.

"What about we give your pain some meaning. Is there anything you can think of that could help with it?"

For a moment SunTzu thought about it.

"Uhm… there is something. I think I could make some ends if I say sorry to someone. Someone I probably wouldn't be here without today. But it costed her life."

Setsuna immediately knew who he meant, and immediately she understood about his guilt. There was no jealousy from her side only understanding.

"Captain Colystel."

SunTzu gave a small nod.

"Yes. I feel that I at least should visit her grave and thank her for her sacrifice."

Setsuna took a large sip of her tea and then got up.

SunTzu was afraid that he had made her jealous and overstepped a boundary.

"Hey, I didn't meant to make you jealous. Please come back."

"Jealous? I'm just getting up to make a small call and let Artemis know that we're on a mission for the next few days. After all I have the higher rank between us. I'll be back in a minute, stay right there."

The smile she formed on her lips as she said that, melted SunTzu's heart and uplifted him immediately. She truly was a Goddess.

AICA fell out of Hyperspace in the Empress Teta System and SunTzu navigated her towards the planet with the same name.

SunTzu smiled as he thought about the person in AICA's passenger seat.

Setsuna deserved at least a First Class Shuttle but she immediately asked how much storage room there was in AICA.

After telling Artemis on the phone that she and SunTzu would be gone for the next few days, available when needed of course, she had sat down again and smiled at SunTzu, telling him that she would be honored if he would take her along.

A few hours later, after packing, they had arrived at the Crystal Tokyo Airbase, where Hotaru and AICA just had landed.

Apparently Hotaru had managed to defeat AICA in various simulated dogfights.

Good soul that Setsuna was she gently stroked over the A-Wing's chassis and told her to not take it too hard.

SunTzu had almost expected AICA to start purring under Setsuna's care and warm words.

Next thing was telling Hotaru about the trip and when SunTzu asked Hotaru if it was okay that they AICA along, Setsuna intervened as mother. Hotaru still had her Y-Wing to fly, that was enough, something Hotaru immediately had affirmed.

Also the teenage girl was asked to join but she declined very politely. But she did ask if it was okay to fly to Coruscant for training purposes. Something SunTzu had allowed, praising Hotaru's eagerness to train. Setsuna comment just had been a knowing smile.

Knowing that it was one of the most well-known defenders of the core, inside the control center one of the young ensigns even named SunTzu the Ghost of the Core, made the approach and landing on Empress Teta a breeze.

SunTzu landed on a military spaceport close to the center of the almost planet-spanning capital Cinnagar, called Core District, within sight of the Palace of the monarch of the planet, the Iron Citadel.

Thanks to Ami SunTzu knew exactly where he had to go.

He had visited her shortly after Setsuna had gotten the go for their private mission.

Not knowing what SunTzu wanted, Ami had expected him to ask what had been the data he had secured.

"Ah, you're here to ask about that data." Ami , sitting at her desk over paperwork as always, had said, after SunTzu had entered the room.

"I already delivered it to Chief of Cryptography Gent. Can you imagine that our allied Yuuzhan Vong managed to gather information, including the exact location of it, of the main shipyard of the rogue Yuuzhan Vong?"

SunTzu nodded slowly, he wasn't here for that but it was good to know. And he hoped, that Vader personally, along with the Chiss and the Jedi would take Death Squadron to that shipyard.

"That is valuable information, I hope Command will make good use of it. But it's not why I'm here."

"What is the reason then."

"Ami, I… I need you to find someone's grave for me."

The Head of Royal Intelligence had provided SunTzu with the exact location of the grave of Gistess.

A cab took the couple to the cemetery, with a detour over a florist. The cemetery was the cemetery of honor of Empress Teta, the place where Royals, Generals and heroes of the planet were laid to rest.

Ami's inquiry had revealed that Gistess had been buried with military honors, a life of war and being a Royal Guard had earned her not only quite a few medals and recommendations but also a reputation in the military and Royal Guard of the planet.

With a bouquet of local white flowers, they reminded SunTzu on lilies, SunTzu excited the cab and straightened up.

Both him and Setsuna were still wearing their flight suits, SunTzu his one in AICA's color and Setsuna a regular black one.

The Bavarian took a big breather, on the other side of the repulsor cab Setsuna got out, eyes trained on her lover.

She knew that in every other instance SunTzu would have been already at her vehicle door, opening it for her and reaching her a hand, but today was different. His head was occupied with the feeling of being guilty and grief.

She understood, she had been there, millennia ago and it had taken decades if not centuries to rise over this negative feelings, until she had understood that it wasn't her fault but the fault of war, of the human nature that seemed to favor conflict so much that it just couldn't live without it.

SunTzu took a step forward but then stopped again.

The touch of a hand on his shoulder ripped him out of the thoughts that told him that he wasn't even worth it to bring flowers to the graves of those that died for him.

"I am here, you got this. At your pace, okay?"

His tired gaze hit the soft, reassuring smile of Setsuna, who now next to him.

Another big breather before he hold out his free hand and she took it.

Slowly, devotional, the couple marched through a few lines of graves before the reached the last line of graves, after them was green grass with room for another few lines of graves.

Setsuna gaze fell onto SunTzu's face and somehow he just knew that he wished for that these rows would never be created. And that he also already knew that this would stay a dream, and with things going like they were going right now, the lines of graves soon would expand.

They entered the line and after passing a few of the graves, SunTzu and Setsuna stopped in front one of the white-grayish tombstones.

SunTzu looked at Setsuna and she nodded as she parted her hand from his.

SunTzu took a step forward and then read the inscription on the gravestone.

Captain Gistess Colystel and what followed was date of birth and date of death. That was all that was left of this skilled warrior and leader of warriors that this women had been.

"I am sorry." SunTzu hushed as he laid the flowers on the grave and then abode to wordlessly apologize.

After a long moment he turned around and Setsuna was immediately at his side again, laying an arm around his shoulder.

"Let's go." SunTzu said quietly but after he took a step he turned around again and nodded silently to Gistess's grave.

Half an hour later the cab sat down in a community of family houses.

Ami's research had not only found out where Gistess's grave but also about another surprising fact.

"You don't have to go. It wasn't your fault. It's war, people die, that's the horrible nature of it." Setsuna said to SunTzu in the back of the repulsor cab, a fully automated vehicle.

"I still feel like I should apologize."

Setsuna gaze at SunTzu was stern as her lover continued.

"The worst he can do is punch me in the face." There was no humor behind the statement and SunTzu opened the door and got out.

He walked over to her side and opened her door as well, before offering her a hand.

As both had exited the vehicle he cleared his throat and walked to the building in which front they had stopped.

Alone the way he walked let Setsuna know that SunTzu was nervous. His shoulders were slumped down and his head was downcasted.

He let out a sigh before he used the door signal.

It took a moment but then the door opened and revealed a young boy, maybe seven or eight years old.

"Hello, who are you?"

SunTzu had to swallow hard as he saw the kid and he was more than thankful that Setsuna answered the child.

"Hello, we are two visitors for your father. Is he here?" She replied in a friendly voice and with a smile to the boy.

"Samu? Who's at the door?"

A man in the beginning of his thirties appeared, clearly the father of the child.

The man stopped when he saw the two persons in flying suits standing at his door.

"Sir, my name is SunTzu and that is my girlfriend Setsuna. I was a comrade of your wife."

"Ex-wife." The man turned to the boy. "Samu, why don't you watch a bit of holo-movies in your room?"

The boy nodded enthusiastically and left with quick steps.

"Come in, I'll make us a tea."

Ten minutes later the two Earthlings were sitting in the living room of the Colystels, or more precisely Noram Colystel and his son Samu.

SunTzu had fallen silent since the boy had showed up at the door. And since then Setsuna had kept hold of his hand, gently reassuring him. She also had overtaken the communication.

Noram came back with a tray with three cups and some local cookie-like pastry.

"So, you're from the SpecForces as well?"

Setsuna gave SunTzu a look, he looked tired and thoughtful, before she answered.

"We're from a kingdom on the planet of Earth, expeditionary forces." She paused a moment. "I am a doctor. I was the one that tried to save Captain Colystel's life."

"And I'm the one that's responsible for her death."

For a moment everything in the room was silent as Noram Colystel looked at SunTzu.

Then he looked to the side, out of a window for a moment, before he began to speak.

"Sergeant Tateel visited me after Gistess's burial. He told me what happened, it wasn't the fault of her comrades, it was a devious sniper shot."

"I'm pretty sure the shot was for me." Setsuna looked at SunTzu again, after he had told that.

For a moment it was quiet again.

"You see, me and Gistess got divorced three years ago. We had Samu after the Yuuzhan Vong War, the son we both always wanted." The man swallowed hard. "The war never left her. What she had experienced haunted her most of the nights. When the Swarm Wars kicked off, she reenlisted again. I knew her back from school, and we dated even before the war. I always knew she would die in service one day, but being a soldier had become her nature, something she needed to be. Not even separating from her and taking Samu with me changed that." Noram looked out of the window again. "It was destined to happen, it's not your fault."

"I wanted to apologize for…"

"There's no need to apologize. I, and I'm sure Gistess as well, knew it would happen. As far as I heard she died while helping to make an unfortunate planet more safe."

"She did." SunTzu replied.

"Then she died doing something she would have thought to be worth dying for."

After the tea the two earthlings left the house, the cab was still waiting.

SunTzu was quiet and as soon as they were in front of the repulsorcraft he pulled out his cigarettes and lighted one.

He took a few drags in silence, Setsuna was standing next to him, looking at him. She knew that this wasn't the time to berate him for having a cigarette but rather to support him.

"You heard him, it wasn't your fault."

"She was a mother."

"She knew about the dangers. She even had more combat experience than you."

SunTzu fell silent and took another drag.

"I worry. For you and Hotaru. And the others."

Setsuna looked at him after these words, so there was more than just guilt to it. Not that she didn't understand it, she worried about Hotaru, him and the others as well but she did knew that it couldn't hinder her.

"The Senshi are some of the most powerful beings in the Galaxy. Hotaru can take care of her own, you know how good she can fight."

SunTzu looked at her as she continued.

"And for me? Navies of four states, two World Wars and the whole Roman Empire couldn't kill me. Promise I'll be here, with you, until..." She couldn't finish the sentence but she could encourage him some more and so she put her hands on his collar and pulled him closer, making him hold his cigarette away from them.

"Is this a threat?" He asked, for what felt like the first time in days there was the hint of a smile on his lips.

"If you want it to be one." Setsuna said and then closed the distance between their lips and they kissed.

"I do worry too, but I can't allow myself that it restrains me. You have to keep a cool head, we need you. This Galaxy needs you."

SunTzu nodded slowly before he finished his cigarette with a last drag.

After he had extinguished the cigarette under his shoes and dropped it into a nearby trash can.

"I think we need to make another trip."

Setsuna tilted her head, what did he mean by that now?

Meanwhile on Coruscant, Hotaru was getting ready to leave Rei's apartment along her pink-haired best friend.

Chibiusa wanted to have a closer look at someone again to give her full consent as Bestie for anything revolving him so she had come along with Hotaru.

Of course Rei, saying Auntie Rei was looking forward to spent some time on Coruscant with them and immediately scheduled a lunch date with an excessive shopping trip before for the day after they arrived, had instantly agreed that the two girls could stay at her place. For the first day the girls were alone though as Rei was in the Senate and Yuichiro was on Earth, working for his family's conglomerate.

Just as her superior, and although she shouldn't have been, after all she was on Coruscant, with Chibiusa, and on top soon would meet Alask, Hotaru was silent and thoughtful.

There had been a reason Hotaru had wanted to proof her parents that she was one hell of a pilot last time, that she had matured and was able to be good on her own, making her own decisions without any outside help but right now she felt infantile and far from being an adult. She had meant to at least tell Haruka-Papa and SunTzu about Alask but she still was too afraid about how that would go. Guess she still was a kid after all.

At least Chibiusa had given her encouragement and immediately told her that she had all the time in the world and instead of telling her parents about the Padawan she could come along and give a detailed analysis if he was good enough and if it would work out between them at all, plus she was the heiress of the kingdom, her opinion mattered more anyways. This even had made Hotaru smile, Chibiusa was unbeaten in cheering her up with her lines in her own incomparable humor and a smile.

They almost were out of the door when she suddenly received a message from AICA, stating that her mother and SunTzu were on the way to the New Frontier and she didn't need to worry, they would make a stop to get some rest on Palanhi. Also that she didn't need to watch her money on Coruscant as the boss had a generous day.

A few hours later in a high-class hotel on Palanhi, a planet famous for it's central bank, and inhabitants that had an ego rivaling the inhabitants of the Core Worlds, Setsuna laid awake, gently stroking SunTzu's head. The pilot was sleeping on her chest.

They had reached the planet after a few hours traveling from Empress Teta. Setsuna was pretty sure that wherever SunTzu wanted to go he had gotten there without a break if it wouldn't have been for her. Not that she didn't enjoy the rest, and comfort, AICA's backseat was pretty comfortable but. not comparable to a high class hotel suite.

Just as before SunTzu had been quiet but there was less sadness and grief in his face now.

The couple had arrived when night had already fallen on this side of the planet and after a quick shower and dinner had gone back to their room. She had slept with him, soft and gently and then had held him in her arms until he had fallen asleep.

She was content that SunTzu was sleeping so sound in her arms and the thought alone brought her to inner peace and soon after she was sure he would stay sleeping for now she fell asleep too.

SunTzu slept peacefully that night, something he hadn't expected but alone the close distance to Setsuna took care of it.

What she didn't know was that when they had arrived at the planet and he had landed AICA and had stayed back a minute at the A-Wing, he had done two things. One of them was asking AICA how rich they exactly were by now and after hearing that he had the mindblowing fortune of pver fifty million Galactic Credits he had given her an assignment, something he had thought of what would make him feel better and honor the people lost because of him.

"Setsuna, Babe. You need to wake up."

Setsuna awoke to find SunTzu leaning down on her, sitting on the edge of her side of the bed, hint of a smile on his lips as he observed her opening her eyes.

"I am sorry, but we need to get going soon. I already ordered breakfast to be brought here."

Hours later AICA fell out of Hyperspace above a planet that looked more dead than anything.

An ugly brown bespoke of a desert world down there and the very small space traffic to the world meant that it was a deserted backwater planet.

But Setsuna somehow knew where SunTzu had flown her, and the single warship floating over the planet only made it more clear.

"Tombstone."

A pause before SunTzu reacted at all.

"It's the planet you first kissed me, so I decided to give it another chance."

SunTzu stopped AICA a few kilometers after and hung in space for a moment.

A transport ship appeared in the system, Setsuna noticed at SunTzu turned his head to it.

"Ah there it is, right on time. AICA open a comms-line."

A second later SunTzu spoke in his helmet.

"Transport-Ship, this is SunTzu, the one that ordered you guys here. Be prepared that I'll form up on your five."

While SunTzu steered AICA behind the ship, Setsuna leaned forward.

"What did you order?" There was curiosity and a hint of distress in her voice.

SunTzu let out a giggle in response.

"This ship in front of us transports the means and seeds to plant fifty million trees."

A few hours later thousands of seeds had already been planted by droids and the first devices for collecting water out of the air and watering the trees with it had been constructed as well.

A droid was busy mining a shaft to the groundwater and after reaching it an artificial river would be dug as well.

With this amount of trees and the water this piece of land could become a new agricultural center and a place to live away from the harsh, deadly desert of the planet.

SunTzu had helped getting everything up and running personally and she couldn't help but to smile proudly at him.

He came back from a droid who managed the works and took a sip from a canteen.

"This is going to be great. It will give this dead rock some life. As you gave me back here."

"I might be the Senshi of the Afterlife, but I just couldn't let you die, the thought alone was too much to bear."

Lips locked for a passionate kiss and bodies intertwined in a hug.

Suddenly AICA came on over the communicator in SunTzu's watch.

"Hey Boss, Commander Stinger came in, the Taskforce is on the move again, back to combat. Setsuna and you are ordered back. Looks like we got to save another planet."

Ruby red and hazel eyes met each other.

"Guess I need to become War again."

She tightened her embrace.

"Don't worry, I'll always be there to make you a human again."

"I'll let the droids know. They can take it from here."

SunTzu was about to walk away when Setsuna pulled him back in her arms and into another kiss.

As the kiss broke she looked him deep in the eyes.

"As long as you are here, I will be at your side."