The temptation was strong for Kunzite as he looked out over Juban. He could sense her, so close yet still so far from his arms. He could not recall her face or her name, but he could see that blonde hair and blue eyes. The smile on her face as she said his name, the orange glow on her forehead. Maybe this was part of Beryl's curse they were under.
"I guess I won't remember you until I'm free." He lamented. "Hurry, Sailor Moon. Cut these dark chains so I can see her again. And apologize for all my sins."
For now, he got back to work. Beryl must not suspect anything.
*Sailor-Moon*
Hiroshi leaned back beside Zoisite's bed. The knight had still not woken up. He looked out at the brightening of the sun as Ami, Rei, and Usagi awoke.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, girls." Hiroshi smiled. "Sadly, our sleeping friend is still out of it. I think we are going to have to bring Nephrite or Kunzite back before he will come to."
Ami looked heartbroken as she knelt beside him. "He's so close, but yet still so far away."
Hiroshi reached over and ruffled her hair. "Don't worry, Ami. He'll come back to you. Zoisite would climb out of Hell itself to make you smile."
Ami gave a weak one at his words. "We are going to need more supplies if we are to keep him comfortable. Usagi, mind running some errands for me?"
Usagi pumped her fists. "You can count on me, Ami. I'll get what we need and be back as quickly as I can."
They had to stop her from running off without the shopping list and again without the money. Hiroshi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. She really was the Moon Princess Serenity.
*Sailor-Moon*
Usagi was nearly done shopping. She just needed to cross the street for the last time on Ami's list. As the light changed, she stepped out into the street. Then there was a loud noise as a car turned far too fast and was coming right before her.
She could have jumped back or fallen forward, but the heroine froze instead, unwilling to risk the precious items that she had been sent for. That hesitation would have proven fatal, had not fate intervened.
A pair of strong hands grabbed her and yanked her backward. She saw a powerful-looking young woman with long brown hair and jade-colored eyes. She had the cutest rose flower studs in her ears.
"Cute," Usagi said, feeling her face blush as the girl saved her.
The girl turned and yelled at the driver. "Hey! Watch your speed!" She turned to Usagi. "Are you alright? That guy nearly killed you."
Usagi checked herself and realized that she was alright. "Yes," She nodded. "Thank you for saving me."
The girl smiled. "No biggie. I'm Kino Makoto, nice to meet you." She held her hand out.
Usagi took the offered hand to shake. "I'm Tsukino Usagi." She replied. There was a vision, of the moon glowing silver, in her mind.
"Tsukino, huh?" Mako smiled. "Our names are similar. Maybe that means we are meant to be friends."
Usagi smiled. "I would like that."
The girl nodded. "I see your shopping right now, I'll let you get back to it. Hopefully we meet again soon, Usagi."
"See you around, Mako." She replied. She felt the nickname suited the girl so well
"Mako, huh? No one has ever given me a nickname before." Mako blushed. She turned and walked away, trying to look all cool.
"She was pretty cool." A male voice behind her said.
She probably should have been startled but she had started to sense when he was near. She turned to look at a white-faced Mamoru. "Are you alright?" She asked him.
"She who nearly got run over by a car is asking me that?" He looked appalled. "Come on, let's stop in Crown Parlor. I want to make sure you aren't in shock."
Usagi followed him into the café that was connected to the arcade she frequented. "Are you studying to become a doctor?" She found herself asking as Mamoru looked her over.
"Doing what I can while I'm still in high school," He admitted. "My plan is to become a doctor, so I saw no reason to not start studying right away. I doubt it will give me a leg up in medical school, but it certainly wouldn't hurt."
Usagi smiled at him. Something was off though. The passion in his voice was tempered with something else.
"Is there something else you want to do more?" She guessed and he looked at her surprised.
"More like someone I want to find," He admitted. "And perhaps, someone special to keep an eye on." He winked one crystal blue eye at her.
She was surprised that stoic Mamoru had let his guard down for a moment. Not as surprised as he though, as he quickly turned away blushing slightly.
"Sorry, I don't know what came over me."
Usagi shook her head. "No! Don't apologize. I felt for a moment there…" She trailed off, blushing as well.
"I'm glad you're safe, bunhead." He reached over and patted her head. "Try to be more careful in the future, alright?"
"Alright." She nodded.
Mamoru smiled at her before he walked away. Was it her imagination, or did he touch his lips softly as he did. She reached up and touched her own. She had longed for him to kiss her.
*Sailor-Moon*
Hiroshi watched the display between his Prince and Princess. He had volunteered to check on Usagi when she was late returning. He had seen the girl, obviously, the reborn Jupiter, pull her mistress from an oncoming car. The look on Master's face warmed Hiroshi's heart.
He pondered whether it was time to reveal himself properly to his ruler but dismissed the idea. The master would need to remember his past himself before Hiroshi or the others revealed themselves.
He felt a powerful pressure beside him and turned to see Aino Minako standing beside him as they watched the couple-to-be depart.
"Should I worry about the fact they are already so close?" Minko, AKA Venus, fretted.
"I would say not," Hiroshi replied. "I mean, it was love at first sight last time. This time, they are getting to know each other more gradually. That can only be for the best."
She sighed. "I miss Kunzite, so badly. I should never have sent Adonis to help you all back then."
He shook his head. "No, you were right to send someone to watch our backs. And he was a decorated officer. How could you have known he was a traitor? Kunzite knew he was in love with you, so any unease he had at Adonis was tempered with his belief it was related to that."
She took a shaky breath. "Still, I would understand if he never forgave me."
He reached over and patted the back of her head. "There will be nothing to forgive for him. He will be more worried about your forgiveness. After all, he sent Adonis to fight you."
She gave him a soft smile. "Thank you, Hiroshi. Is Zoisite recovering?"
Hiroshi shook his head. "No. I'm worried he will not wake up until either the others are restored, or our master himself comes to wake him. I'm sharing what energy I can spare to sustain him, as is Ami. She is so worried."
Minako nodded. "I understand. I worry for Kunzite as well. Let us pray for their safety."
They looked up at the moon, just staring to wane. They clasped their hands and offered their prayers.
*Sailor-Moon*
Usagi was walking home after detention. She was worried about Zoisite as well, though mostly for Ami's sake. As she was walking, a sweet melody hit her ears. She turned and followed the sound of the music. In the park, by a fountain, a green haired young woman stood and played a violin. It was such a familiar melody to Usagi. It sounded like something she had heard in a dream. She walked forward until she stood next to the fountain, some distance from the girl.
The woman suddenly stopped and looked up at her. The look of shock on her face made Usagi think she had seen a ghost.
"Sorry to startle you," Usagi bowed her head. "I couldn't help but stop and listen."
The woman's shock morphed into a joyous smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed the song. I wrote it for someone very like you so long ago. She never got to hear it, sadly."
Usagi felt pain she could not understand grow within her. "I'm sorry."
The woman shook her head. "You have nothing to apologize for."
Usagi smiled and sat on the edge of the fountain. "How about you play the whole thing for me? That way, maybe your friend will hear it through me."
Usagi thought she saw the ghost of a tear in the woman's eyes. "I think she will if it's you listening. Thank you, miss."
"Usagi." She supplied.
"My name is Michiru. I call this song, Moonlight Romance. It's about the Princess of the Moon and her forbidden love with the Prince of the Earth and their many meetings."
She set bow to string and began to play. Usagi leaned her head back and let the music take her. She saw a beautiful princess, who looked so much like her, dancing in the arms of a handsome prince, who she could not make the face out of.
*Sailor-Moon*
Michiru looked down at the dozing figure of the Moon Princess Serenity as she slept on the edge of the fountain. "My princess, I wrote this song for you." She said softly as she knelt beside the girl. "But my role prevented me from playing it for you. I thank the silver moon I was able to do so at last. Even though I operate away from your side, I am ever your faithful servant. I am protected by Neptune, the planet of the Oceans, Guardian of the Deep Oceans. I am Sailor Neptune. It is not time for us to meet just yet. But I am glad I got to see you face to face."
She got up and fled into the darkness. She increased her pace with each step. She knew if she did not run, she would return to her Princess' side and never leave it again.
*Sailor-Moon*
Kenji was walking home by the park when he noticed Usagi passed out on the fountain. He blinked, confused how his daughter had ended up there. He picked her up and noticed tears coming from her eyes in her sleep.
"Did you fail another test and Mama kicked you out?" He asked as he held her close. "Well, you surely have been punished enough. Let's go home."
A/N: A short chapter, but I hope you liked it. Next time, Nephrite will make his move. See you in 2025!