While Usagi and Mamoru are having a conversation with her parents (let alone one they weren't expecting), Ami, Makoto, Minako, Kunzite, and Nephrite are in search of the door to the Moon Kingdom. Do they find it? What is in store for them if they do?
(Sunday Afternoon)
Ami was sitting on the bench while on her compact computer. She was trying to decipher which direction they could go to narrow down where this door could possibly be. This was her idea, so she really should live up to her idea.
Makoto, in her normal fashion, stood next to Ami leaning against the bench. "Calm down, Ami," she said. "We'll find it."
Ami flicked her gaze up at Makoto, not surprised one little bit she had noticed. She appreciated the vote of confidence, but when it was her they were relying on, she could feel the pressure. She took a moment before she returned to her compact computer.
Minako was sitting down next to Ami and laid her back against the bench. "You've never directly worked with Kunzite in the past, correct?" she asked.
Ami shook her hand. "No," she said, keeping her eyes on the computer. "Why do you ask?"
"Minako, this is not a date," Artemis said, knowing exactly where his partner was getting at. He had a feeling, in the future after the defeat of the Dark Kingdom, he was going to hear all about it.
"This is a mission," Luna said. "We're hoping to locate the door to the Moon Kingdom." She wished everyone was here helping out, but Usagi and Mamoru didn't know until this morning Ami was going to want an impromptu meeting. Neither Usagi nor Mamoru thought they should reschedule because they believed for him to be around Usagi, he needed to have her parents' trust. Luna couldn't fault their logic. Rei, on the other hand, was better at getting premonitions, and she hoped she would yield results there.
"Yes, I know," Minako said. "So you've both said quite a few times."
"This is a long shot," Kunzite said from behind them.
"But if it pans out," Nephrite said, trailing after on to Kunzite's heels, "then it will be well worth the effort."
Without realizing what she was doing, Makoto walked over to Nephrite. She couldn't help herself; she had to check him out. "Nephrite?" she said, slowly. However, when she looked up into his eyes, she saw her Nephrite. Nothing could replace his chestnut brown eyes in her eyes. "There you are."
Makoto and Nephrite stood in front of each other just staring at each other.
While Makoto and Nephrite were staring at each other, Minako walked up to Kunzite. "Not a bad disguise," Minako said as she checked him out. However, when she looked up into his smoky blue eyes, the same ones that always pulled her in, she saw what Makoto saw and also spoke about. "You can't hide your eyes. I know it's you the minute I look into them."
Kunzite narrowed those eyes on her. "What are you trying to tell me?" he asked her.
"Do you think your parents would recognize your eyes?" Minako asked. On the way home from Mamoru's last night, Kunzite had told her about his life and his family in this life, so she knew more about him than the others.
Kunzite sighed. "Minako," he said. "They have raised me, so I don't know." He couldn't answer the question which had irritated him, and he hoped he wouldn't run into his parents. He hadn't seen them in months, and he wanted to see them. He did hear, loud and clear, what Ryo had said last night.
"We'll take our chances then," Minako said. She turned to look at Makoto and Nephrite. "Are you two just going to stare at each other?"
Makoto and Nephrite jumped away from each other. They were embarrassed they had been caught.
Minako closed her eyes as she remembered herself. In the absence of Usagi, she needed to be a leader. "Mako, I think you need to have a conversation with Nephrite."
"Minako…"
"Mako," Minako said in a stern voice. "That's just as important as what Ami is doing. While she's looking, you can talk to Nephrite." She gave her friend a look. "Trust me."
Makoto sighed. "Minako, the minute Ami has something about this damn door come find us immediately," she told her. "That takes precedence over this. Finding out about our enemy is more important."
"You got it," Minako promised. "Just don't go far." Minako took Kunzite's hand and started to bring him over to the group.
Kunzite watched Makoto take Nephrite's hand to take him in the other direction. "What was that about?" he asked Minako. He saw the light go off in her eyes. "What was that?"
"We didn't tell you," Minako said. "I don't know why we left this out last night."
"Minako, focus," Kunzite said. Even in this life, he realized, if he didn't rein her in and make her focus, then he wouldn't get the information that would be sorely needed.
"Usagi and Mamoru have a working theory as to why he was brainwashed by Beryl in this life and not in the other," Minako said, very carefully. She hoped he understood what she was saying.
Kunzite could clearly see this revelation hurt her heart, and it scared her. "I'm right here," he told her. "I'm not going anywhere, but you need to tell me what you know. Tell me what is going on. We need to know how to combat the Dark Kingdom, so she doesn't get her claws into us again."
"Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion knew they loved each other in their past life," Minako said, "but Usagi and Mamoru didn't know they loved each other until Friday night." She started to tear up, but she kept them at bay.
Kunzite saw the struggle within Minako as realization dawned on him as he saw the parallels with him and Minako versus Mamoru and Usagi. "I never told you in our past lives how I was so deeply in love with you," he said. "We didn't know until yesterday how we felt about each other." His heart broke for her. His walls were in shambles as she got past his defense. He brought her into his arms and held her. "Last night, as I was walking home, as we spoke, I could feel myself falling in love with you all over again, Minako." He lifted her chin for her to look at him. "You are my one true love. In this life. In our last life. And every life after this one. End of story." He leaned down to kiss her gently.
Minako laid her head on his chest. "Oh," she said. She looked back at him. "I feel the same way."
"So one crisis averted?" Kunzite asked.
"Yes," Minako said and then looked over at Makoto and Nephrite as Kunzite dragged her over to the others. "Maybe another."
xXx
"Mako, what's going on?" Nephrite asked as she dragged him away from the group. "You made your feelings very clear last night about us."
"Not clear enough," Makoto said. She spied the group and noticed she was far enough away from them she could speak with him. They stopped and she looked up at him.
"Not clear enough?" Nephrite asked, confused and not happy she wanted to have another discussion. "What are you talking about?" He crossed his arms.
Makoto went through the same explanation Minako went through with Kunzite. When Makoto was finished, the two of them just stared at each other.
"Are you kidding me?" Nephrite asked.
"Nephrite…"
"Mako, if you had given me more time, I would have told you exactly what I thought Naru was," Nephrite told her.
"Why is this hard?" Makoto asked.
"Because that's life," Nephrite told her. "Mako, I was the first Shitennou Knight to admit out loud I was in love."
"Before even Kunzite?" Makoto asked.
"Yeah," Nephrite said. "Even before Kunzite." He took her hands into his, deciding to inform her what he was on his mind. "Anyway, Naru was filling a need that only you can fill, Mako." He kissed her forehead. "I want to get to know you in this life. I want to fall in love with you all over again." He raised her hands to his mouth and kissed them. "If you let me."
Makoto's expression changed as she took her hands out of his and walked into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck while he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm sorry," Makoto told him.
"We're different people than who we were in our past lives," Nephrite whispered into her ear. "We'll learn about each other again in this life. That's a promise." He took her chin and lifted it up slightly. He kissed her, and when he lifted his lips from hers, he continued, "My mom will love you."
"Mom?" Makoto asked.
"Yes," Nephrite said. "She's a baker at the Fruits Parlor Crown. She works in the back in the kitchen. The Furuhatas treat her well."
"Wait, Furuhatas?" Makoto said. "As in Motoki Furuhata?"
"He works in the game arcade," Nephrite said. "His sister, Unazuki, is the one who works in the restaurant."
"Nephrite, Motoki is Mamoru's best friend," Makoto said.
"And my mom works for their parents," Nephrite said. "So we are somehow interconnected."
"Love and connections," Makoto said. "It seems it is the truth." She smiled at Nephrite. "Your mom?"
"We lost my father when I was very young," Nephrite said, understanding her question. "All I remember now is his boisterous laugh, but after his death, my mom worked very hard to make a good life for us."
"I can understand losing a parent, Nephrite," Makoto said. "I lost both of my parents in a plane crash."
"I'm sorry," Nephrite said.
Makoto shook her hand. "I've already learned to live with it. People are always wanting to bully the student who doesn't have a parent or a guardian," she said. "I had to learn to stand up for myself because nobody else will."
Nephrite held her tight against him as she laid her head against his shoulder. He will always remember how tall she is compared to the other girls. "I will stand up for you," he promised her.
"Usagi has beat you there more times than you think, but I know how to stand up for myself and for others," Makoto said. She looked over toward the group and saw Minako gesturing over to them. "It looks like they got something over there."
"We're going to be okay," Nephrite promised her. "Mako, there's one more thing."
When she moved out of his arms and he caught her hand, Makoto looked up at Nephrite. "Yes?" Makoto asked.
"I still want to talk to Naru," Nephrite told her. "Just to talk."
"You two have a history together," Makoto said with understanding. "You need to have a conversation with her." She squeezed his hand before letting go. She looked back over at him. "So I can understand why you want to have a conversation with her; we'll figure out when, where, and how that will happen." She nudged her head over to their friends. "But first we have a door to find."
"The door comes first," Nephrite agreed. He took her hand and kissed it. He tugged her over toward their friends.
"What did you find?" Makoto asked.
"With Kunzite's assistance, I was able to narrow it down to the Infinity District," Ami said. Though nobody saw Kunzite's reaction when Ami had said Infinity District.
"We should have met at the subway station," Luna muttered, glaring at Artemis.
Artemis gave Luna a look that said everything about his feelings about what she thought. "This was a great meeting spot though," he argued.
"To the subway station we go," Minako said.
xXx
At the subway station, Ami, Makoto, Minako, Kunzite, Nephrite, Luna, and Artemis hopped on the first train going to take them to the Infinity District. Because it was a Sunday afternoon, the subway was extremely busy and crowded, but somehow, they were able to sit together. Kunzite and Nephrite stood each holding a train holder as Ami, Makoto, and Minako sat. Luna and Artemis sat on Makoto and Minako's laps respectively.
"Especially, in times like these, I miss teleporting," Nephrite informed Kunzite. "We would already be there."
"Don't remind me," Kunzite said.
"You got more powers when you were evil than you're good?" Minako asked. "That doesn't seem fair."
"It doesn't need to be fair, Minako," Kunzite replied. "It's just a fact. Though, I would rather have you than be under Beryl's spell any day of the week." He gave her a slow smile. "Thank you for that."
Minako returned his smile. "Anytime," she said.
Kunzite looked over at Nephrite. "Isn't that right, Nephrite?" he asked, reminding him he also had some makeup to do.
Nephrite stiffened when he had been chastised by Kunzite and turned to Makoto. "If I had a choice, I would rather be with you than be under Beryl's spell," he said.
Makoto gave Nephrite a look. "It would be interesting to have teleported there, but we take what we can get," she reminded him. "I'm not going to chastise you since I had the same thought, Nephrite."
"Mako, you're a treasure," Nephrite said.
Makoto laughed. "I'll remind you, you said that when we get into any arguments," she said with a chuckle and a wink.
Nephrite shook his head, but he took her hand in his and kissed her fingers. "You do that," he said.
Ami, sitting between Minako and Makoto, fiddled with her compact computer. She hoped as they got closer it would show perhaps more of a path. "I just wished we had more definitive answers," she told the group.
"In the past, Zoisite trusted in your abilities," Kunzite reminded her.
Nephrite looked over at Kunzite, impressed at the compliment. "If he had said it, then Zoisite meant it," he said. "Like Jadeite, Zoisite didn't hand out compliments like that."
Makoto gave Nephrite a look. "I think you mean like any of you," she told him.
Ami ignored the comments, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. "I don't like the way we have to find answers about our enemy lies in our past," she told them.
"Like everything else?" Minako said.
"Minako," Kunzite said, only saying her name as a warning.
"She's not wrong," Luna said.
"But Ami doesn't have to like it either, Luna," Artemis countered and then looked over at Kunzite. "Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts and feelings."
"It's the way we have to find answers," Ami clarified, speaking up. "I'm not even sure if this is even going to work."
"It's a shot in the dark," Kunzite agreed, "but I'm trusting in the fact Zoisite trusted you." He watched Ami carefully. "Trust yourself."
There was one fact that was irritating her, and the reason why she hadn't called the men in the first place. "I already know you, Nephrite, and Prince Endymion have already wished for Zoisite instead of me, Kunzite," Ami countered.
"Ami," Makoto said, saying her name as a warning.
"No," Nephrite said, defending her friend. "That's a fair assessment, and it's completely true. But it's also a-"
"Knee-jerk reaction," Kunzite said. "It's not fair to your intelligence. Without your help yesterday, Ami, I wouldn't be here." He refused to look over at Minako who knew was trying to keep her tears at bay. "If you hadn't said everything would be okay, then my ritual wouldn't have happened, wouldn't have worked."
"Don't discount your intelligence," Nephrite added. "That's all we're saying."
Luna turned to look at Ami. "You're a valuable member of this team," Luna said.
"And that won't change," Artemis finished.
The intercom overhead stated, "Infinity District coming up."
"That seems to be our stop," Kunzite said as they felt the subway was slowing down.
When the subway was at a complete stop, without realizing he did so, Kunzite had positioned himself to be the last one of their group to be off the subway.
Minako gave him a look. "What was that?" she asked him.
"What was what?" Kunzite asked.
Minako stopped walking and then turned to look at him when she heard the uncertainty in his voice. At that moment, a few memories unlocked for her. "You don't know, do you?" she asked. "You put yourself on autopilot." Before Kunzite could ask what she meant, she started walking again and laughing.
Kunzite had a feeling she was laughing at him, and she'll refuse to answer his question. "What did I do?" he asked himself, still not understanding, but he followed Minako toward their group of friends anyway.
xXx
When the group stood outside of the subway station, they sat on the benches nearby while Ami recalibrated on her compact computer. "It shows where I thought it was going to be," she said. She had a certain feeling it was going to be where she thought.
"Mugen Academy?" Kunzite asked her.
Ami flicked her gaze to the Shitennou Knight of Purity and Affection. "Yes," she agreed.
"Do you feel something?" Minako asked. The only reason why she had asked something was because it was in his voice.
"It pulled me. Whenever I come to this district, I've always felt a pull to the school, but I never understood," Kunzite said. "My grandparents live in this district."
"What is it that you feel?" Minako asked him.
"This is where the Golden Kingdom had once resided," Nephrite answered her. He looked over at Kunzite. "I feel it, Kunzite. Then we've concluded the same thing."
Even though it was more of a statement than a question, Kunzite still answered. "Yes," he agreed.
"I wonder why you feel a pull," Artemis wondered out loud.
"It could be because they were tasked with not just protecting Prince Endymion, but also protecting the Golden Kingdom," Minako said. She knew her true love and what he was thinking. "Let's not complicate it when it's quite simple."
Kunzite sighed, knowing she had pinned him down. "It could be that simple," he agreed. "I know where the school is, Ami. I will lead the way."
Ami looked over at Minako who nodded. "Alright," she said, realizing what Minako had realized. Kunzite needed some semblance of control over destiny and fate. "Lead the way."
xXx
When they were in front of the school, they all looked up at the three huge buildings of the school, Mugen Academy. "Each building has to have at least sixty floors," Minako said with wonder. "No wonder it's such an elite school."
"Exactly," Ami said. "That's exactly it." She dragged out her compact computer and brought the data up again. She nudged her head in a certain direction after double checking which they should be going. "This way."
The group let Ami navigate, but as they got closer, Ami, Makoto, and Minako started to feel a pull themselves. "Is it just me, or do you feel that too?" Makoto asked the girls.
"I feel it," Minako confirmed.
"Me, too," Ami agreed.
"Feel what?" Artemis asked.
Luna gave Artemis a look. "The pull," she reminded him. "The same one Nephrite and Kunzite feel."
"We have to be close if this is the same pull-" Ami started.
"Nephrite and Kunzite were talking about," Makoto finished, as if she were in agreement.
"You're feeling a pull?" Kunzite asked the girls.
"Yes," Minako answered. She walked ahead of the group because she wanted to see where it took her without the assistance of Ami's compact computer.
"Minako, wait for me," Kunzite said, but he turned to Nephrite and ordered, "Stay with them." He then turned, sighed when he realized she didn't wait for him, and ran after Minako. "Damnit, Minako! I told you to wait for me!"
Artemis shook his head, not surprised at those two. "He will have to learn that Minako does what she wants," he said.
"And like most of the other girls, she also yields results, Artemis," Luna countered.
He gave Luna a look. "I never said she didn't yield, Luna," Artemis said evenly. "I was just saying Minako will alway follow her own heart no matter where it takes her. Kunzite is going to have to learn that about her, and she waits for nobody."
Makoto crossed her arms and looked at Nephrite. "Does Kunzite realize we can take care of ourselves?" she asked him. "We've been doing so before we healed him and Mamoru as well as resurrected you."
Nephrite took her hands and kissed it. "May I remind you how chivalrous Kunzite was in the past?" he asked. "I don't think that particular trait escaped him in this life. It always appealed to Venus, and if I missed my mark, it also appeals to Minako."
Makoto huffed. "I hate when you have a point," she told him.
"It definitely appeals to Minako," Artemis said, snarky.
"But you were all chivalrous," Ami pointed out.
Makoto looked over at Ami. "Not to the level Kunzite is at," she said in a very matter of fact voice. "He's so ingrained he doesn't realize he is being chivalrous."
"Like what happened at the subway station?" Ami asked. She had been thinking about the scene since she watched him.
"Exactly what happened at the subway station," Nephrite confirmed, agreeing with her. "Come on, we better catch up before they get into trouble."
"And if anyone can get into trouble…" Makoto started.
"It's Minako and Kunzite," Ami said.
For all three of them, memories unlocked of times when both Sailor Venus and Kunzite got into trouble in their past lives.
Nephrite crossed his arms. "You know, for as much crap as Nephrite got from Kunzite for Jupiter and him not keeping track of Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity, they did so much worse," he complained. He looked over at Makoto. "Though Nephrite have never regretted a single moment with Jupiter."
Makoto smirked. "I'm sure they love being head guards, so we couldn't chastise them and chastise us all they wanted," she told him. "But we really should catch up to them."
As the three humans walked away, Luna and Artemis lingered for another moment. "So their memories of their past lives are filling in nicely," Luna said.
"Do you think they will remember all of it?" Artemis asked. He knew Luna knew he meant. "Do you think they will remember that?"
"I don't know," Luna said. "Either way, it's going to break the girls' hearts, and for now, I want to spare them for those memories." Without another word, Luna and Artemis followed after the humans.
xXx
Minako was following the pull she felt. She had to know. If she thought Kunzite and Nephrite were feeling a pull toward Mugen Academy because that is where the Golden Kingdom once resided, then she, Ami, and Makoto would be feeling this pull because the door to the Moon Kingdom was close. Their search was almost over; she could feel it.
"Minako!" she heard Kunzite yell her name. "Where did you go?"
Minako sighed and stopped. She knew about the chivalrous trait in him, and like in their past life, she found it to be both insanely hot and freakishly annoying all at the same time. She let her friends believe it was more hot than annoying, but she wasn't going to miss her chance again and let him know what it does to her. "Over here, Kunzite!" she called.
When he told the corner, Kunzite sighed. "There you are," he said. "I told you to wait for me."
"You do know how powerful I am?" Minako asked him. This was the second reason why she walked away from their friends because she wanted to speak to him without their friends looking on.
"Excuse me?" Kunzite stared at Minako.
Minako stared at him and crossed her arms. "I know you heard me," she said harshly. "You have ears like a damn cat." She then laid her hands on her hips.
Kunzite gave her a worried look as he walked toward her. "What is this about?" he asked her when he stood in front of her. He took her hands into his.
"You're like talking to a break wall," Minako said. "Always your way."
"That's how I get answers," Kunzite countered. He could sense the fight in her, and he was trying to find the correct off switch. He didn't want her to blow.
"I asked you a question, Kunzite," Minako said. She was holding her temper in, but she didn't know what would set it off. She knew it would have to be something Kunzite would say.
"I've seen you in action," Kunzite said, answering her original question. "I don't see how knowing that has to do with anything."
"Since you have seen me in action, Kunzite, do you think I need you to protect me?" Minako asked. "Since I have the tools to protect myself?"
Kunzite's eyes widened. "You're angry because I want to protect you?" he asked. He watched her and knew if he didn't stop her something vile would fly out of her mouth and knew it would be something she would later regret. "Minako, wait." He grabbed arm before she could stomp away from him.
With more temper than sense, Minako jerked away from him. "I can protect myself," Minako said.
Kunzite let her pull away because he sensed she needed the semblance of control. "I wasn't saying anything different," Kunzite said. "Minako, I know how powerful you are, but I still protect what's mine." He took her hands. "You are what's mine whether you like it or not." Then when he finally felt the fight leave her, he brought her into his arms and just held on to her. "I love you, Minako."
Minako sighed in contentment as he just held on to her. "I'm always going to want to fight against that instinct," she warned him. "But I love you too." She laid her head against his chest and remembered they had the biggest height difference, even beating Usagi and Mamoru.
Minako lifted her head. "Wait," she said. "It's there." She pointed to the shed.
"Are you sure?" Kunzite asked. He dropped his arms, so they both could take a look at the shed.
"I'm positive," she confirmed.
"Alright," Kunzite said. He knew it was his turn, and since he had a working knowledge, he didn't need to wish for Zoisite this time. He knelt down and felt with hand around the grass trying to find what he was looking for. He hit a mechanism and a little mechanical box appeared.
"How did you do that?" Minako asked.
"I was the head guard of the Shitennou Knights," Kunzite said. "I have a working knowledge of everything Nephrite, Jadeite, and Zoisite knew."
At that moment, Ami, Makoto, Nephrite, Luna, and Artemis came walking up. "You found the box," Nephrite said, impressed.
Kunzite gave him a look. "I did," he said. "I just don't remember the password."
"Knowing Zoisite, he knew there was trouble, so to keep Princess Serenity, the Moon Kingdom, and the Sailor Guardians safe, he would have used something deeply personal to him," Nephrite said.
Everyone looked at Ami.
Ami looked at five pairs of eyes. "What?" she asked.
"Zoisite wouldn't have gotten more personal than you," Minako said.
"The password would have something to do with you," Kunzite agreed.
Ami closed her eyes. "Give me a minute," she said and then walked away. "What did you use, Zoisite?"
In her past life, Sailor Mercury loved being in the library in the Moon Kingdom, and Zoisite knew that. He would always ask her what she was reading. Or what her research to help the Princess and Prince be together. The first time he asked, she had told him about a mythological story. She had told him about Amphitrite. It was that piece of history that started his interest in asking because he knew it mattered to her. That had to be it.
Ami walked back to the group. "Try Amphitrite," she told Kunzite.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"I'm sure," Ami said. "That was the first story I ever told him."
Kunzite stared at Ami and realized he was going to need her assistance again. "As smart as I am, Ami," he said, "I'm going to need your assistance in spelling that."
"Oh," Ami said with a laugh. "I can help with that. When you're ready."
Kunzite typed in a few things in the box and another mechanism pulled up. "I'm ready," he told her.
"A-M-P-H-I-T-R-I-T-E," she told him, going one letter at a time.
When he put in the last letter, an ethereal door appeared in front of the shed. "I'll be damned," Kunzite said, impressed. "I can't believe that worked." He typed a few more things in so the box disappeared, but the door remained ethereal. "Our search for the door has concluded."
"Now let's find information about our enemy," Minako said.
"About Metalia," Ami said.
The group walked through the ethereal door and disappeared. After they all walked through the door, the door had disappeared.