This is a long chapter but I couldn't stop writing it! I hope you are going to enjoy it!

PinkOdangos: thank you so much for your inspiring words! This story is already drafted till the end but each chapter needs some finetuning but there is definitely more and yes Endymion will soon show up.

Guest: Thank you so much for liking the story I really enjoy writing it! I hope you will like this chapter as well!

Mitsuki Katagiri: Thank you for reaching out to me! I would like to finish the story in more details it is only drafted yet, but let's keep in touch!

Chapter 5 - Unyielding Loyalties

The room the Starlights led Kunzite to was grand but austere, with high ceilings and minimal decoration save for a few pieces of Kinmokian art on the walls. It exuded an air of formality that seemed fitting for the tense meeting about to unfold. Kunzite strode in alone, his steps measured and purposeful, the soft thud of his boots against the polished floor the only sound in the otherwise silent chamber.

He had left the rest of his delegation—Earth's elite guards and escorts—stationed outside the palace, a deliberate choice. It wasn't that he underestimated the Starlights or Kinmoku's defenses; their reputation alone demanded respect. But Kunzite had calculated that arriving with a full contingent of Earth's forces would risk escalating tensions or, worse, frightening Serenity. If she truly remembered nothing, the sight of an armed entourage might only confuse and overwhelm her further.

More importantly, he was confident there would be no need for a fight. The Starlights had been protective, yes, but not hostile. They had guarded Serenity but had also agreed to this meeting. Kunzite trusted his instincts; they weren't here to challenge him, only to ensure her safety. Alone, his presence would send a message—not one of weakness, but of focus and intent. This was not a display of Earth's but a mission of utmost importance.

Kunzite's sharp eyes swept over the room, taking in every detail with a soldier's precision. He scanned his surroundings, cataloging everything in seconds—the exits, the layout. His gaze lingered on the Starlights and their subtle movements, cataloging their positions and demeanor. They had instinctively formed a protective semi-circle around Serenity, their bodies angled ever so slightly toward her as if shielding her from any potential threat.

Seiya leaned against the wall nearest Serenity, but Kunzite immediately noted the tension in his posture. The casual pose was a façade, betrayed by the way his hands flexed at his sides, ready for action at a moment's notice. His dark eyes flicked to Kunzite with a mixture of challenge and unease, a silent declaration that he wasn't going to step aside easily.

Yaten stood to Serenity's left, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His piercing green eyes were fixed on Kunzite, unblinking, with a sharpness that spoke of suspicion. There was a certain edge to Yaten's stance, as if he was calculating every possible scenario, ready to act swiftly if the need arose.

Taiki stood slightly behind Serenity, his tall frame imposing yet calm. His measured demeanor suggested he was the strategist of the group, carefully observing Kunzite and filing away every word and action for future consideration. Though he did not bristle like Seiya or Yaten, the intensity in his gaze was no less formidable.

It was clear to Kunzite that this trio was more than just her protectors—they moved and acted as though they were a unit, bound not only by duty but by genuine care for the young woman they called Luna. Their interactions spoke volumes. The way Seiya glanced at her, his concern barely masked; the way Yaten's sharpness softened ever so slightly when his eyes darted toward her; the way Taiki stood close enough to offer support but not to smother—all of it told Kunzite that these three were more than guardians. They saw her as part of them, perhaps even family.

It wasn't lost on him how this dynamic could complicate things. They wouldn't hand Serenity over without a fight, not without proof that it was in her best interest—and perhaps not even then. Kunzite's jaw tightened subtly as he considered the challenge before him. They were clearly deeply protective of her, but their emotions might also blind them to the larger picture, to the truth of who she really was.

He allowed none of these thoughts to show on his face as he stepped further into the room, his stance composed and unyielding. His focus briefly flicked to Serenity, seated in the plush chair, her hands folded nervously in her lap. She looked at the Starlights now and then, her eyes searching theirs as if silently asking for reassurance. The scene was striking—not because of any visible sign of authority among them, but because of the quiet, unspoken trust that connected them all.

"Perhaps," Taiki said, his tone still measured, "we should formally introduce ourselves. You've likely done your homework on us, but for the sake of clarity, I'm Taiki Kou."

"Yaten Kou," Yaten added, his arms still crossed.

"And Seiya Kou," Seiya said last, his voice firm. "The protectors of Kinmoku."

Kunzite nodded, his posture unchanging. "It's an honor to meet you formally. I am Kunzite, General of Earth and commander of its royal guard. I lead our prince's forces and serve as his most trusted advisor."

Yaten's eyes narrowed. "Trusted enough to lead a mission like this on your own?"

Taiki added, his tone sharper now, "It's no secret that you're more than a soldier. You're one of the prince's most important allies. For you to be here—this far from Earth—says a lot. It suggests this mission is far more critical than you're letting on."

Kunzite's silver gaze flicked between them, his expression remaining calm and unreadable. "It seems you've done your homework as well," he said, his voice even. "I appreciate your diligence. Now tell me what happened. How did you find her?"

Taiki was the first to respond, his tone measured. "We detected a strange energy signature near the forest a few weeks ago. When we investigated, we found her lying unconscious. She was alone and had no identification, no possessions, and no memory. We brought her back to the palace to recover."

Kunzite's eyes flicked to Serenity his demeanor softening almost imperceptibly. His voice, now gentle and probing, contrasted sharply with the controlled authority he had displayed moments ago. "Serenity," he began, his tone carrying a weight of familiarity that made her flinch slightly, "you truly don't remember anything? Not me, not Earth, not… yourself?"

Serenity hesitated, her hands fidgeting in her lap. Her gaze flickered to the Starlights, as though seeking reassurance, before finally returning to Kunzite. "No," she said quietly. "As I said, I don't remember anything. It's like everything is… blank."

Kunzite's sharp eyes softened as he absorbed her words, but his mind churned. He had expected confusion, perhaps even resistance, but the depth of her amnesia was startling. Still, her presence—the unmistakable aura that surrounded her—left no doubt in his mind. This was Serenity. Of that, he was absolutely certain.

He took a step closer, his tone lowering even further. "Not even fragments? A face, a voice, a name?" His words carried no pressure, only a quiet, desperate hope.

Serenity shook her head, her brows furrowing. "Nothing," she said again, her voice barely above a whisper.

Seiya, arms crossed, stepped forward slightly. "We've been calling her Luna," he said, his voice edged with defiance. "She doesn't have a crescent moon on her forehead. If you're so sure she's the Moon Princess, explain that."

Yaten nodded, his tone sharper. "It's not just the symbol. Even her energy—while powerful—isn't exactly like the Moon's. It's close, but it's not the same. Are you absolutely certain she's the one you're looking for?"

Kunzite's eyes narrowed, his voice firm. "I've known the Moon Kingdom and its royal family for years. I've been in the presence of Princess Serenity countless times. I know who she is, and this—" He gestured toward Serenity, his voice softening again. "—this is her. I'm certain of it."

Seiya frowned. "You seem so sure, but you still haven't answered the bigger question. Why is Earth so interested in finding the Moon Princess? Shouldn't her people—the Moon Kingdom—be leading this search?"

Yaten crossed his arms. "Good point. Why is Earth so involved? Why are you so involved?"

Kunzite's gaze flicked to Serenity, then back to the Starlights. "The Moon Kingdom is searching for her as well," he said carefully. "But Earth has… its own reasons for assisting. Let's leave it at that."

Seiya snorted. "That's not much of an answer. You expect us to believe Earth just volunteered out of the kindness of its heart? Everyone knows the peace between Earth and the Moon is fragile at best. What's really going on?"

Kunzite's eyes narrowed. "Be careful what you imply."

Seiya didn't back down. "Fine. Let me be direct. Why is your prince—Prince Endymion himself—so deeply involved in this? I find it strange that a crown prince is personally searching for a missing princess. Doesn't he have other priorities?"

The name hung in the air like a thunderclap. Kunzite's expression didn't falter, but Serenity flinched slightly, her hand moving to her temple as though trying to soothe a sudden ache.

"Prince Endymion," Kunzite said sharply, his voice carrying both pride and warning. "Is doing exactly what needs to be done. He understands the importance of finding Princess Serenity."

At the mention of the name again, Serenity winced, her fingers pressing against her forehead. The ache grew stronger, like a dull throb deep within her skull.

"Are you all right?" Seiya asked, stepping closer to her. His protective tone made Kunzite's jaw tighten, though he didn't speak.

"I'm fine," Serenity murmured, though her voice was strained. "It's just… my head hurts."

Kunzite's sharp gaze locked onto her. "When did the headache start?"

She hesitated. "I don't know…"

Seiya immediately stepped between her and Kunzite, his eyes blazing. "Enough. Can't you see you're upsetting her?"

Kunzite's gaze flicked to Seiya, his tone cold. "This isn't about upsetting her. Something is triggering her memories—or what's left of them."

Taiki stepped in, trying to defuse the growing tension. "Even if that's the case, pushing her like this won't help. It could make things worse."

Yaten's sharp eyes narrowed. "And it still doesn't explain why your prince is so invested. What is his connection to her?"

Kunzite hesitated for the briefest moment, his expression unreadable. "That's not your concern."

"Not our concern?" Seiya snapped. "We've been the ones protecting her all this time. If she's truly the Moon Princess, we have every right to know why she's so important to Earth."

Kunzite's composure cracked slightly, his voice tinged with frustration. "Prince Endymion has every reason to search for her. More reasons than you could possibly understand."

At the mention of the prince again, Serenity groaned softly, pressing both hands to her temples. The ache in her head grew sharper, a sensation like fragments of something trying to break through the fog of her mind. Images—fleeting and fragmented—flashed through her mind: a pair of dark, kind eyes, a hand reaching for hers, a voice calling her name softly. The emotions tied to them were overwhelming—love, longing, and a deep sadness.

"I don't know why," she said, her voice trembling, "but when you say his name, I feel… something. I don't remember, but… it's like he's important to me."

Her words silenced the room. Both Kunzite and the Starlights turned their gazes to her, their expressions shifting between surprise and concern. For Kunzite, it was confirmation of what he already believed: Serenity's connection to Endymion was as strong as ever, even if her mind couldn't remember it.

Kunzite took a step closer, his voice softening. "He is important to you," he said gently. "More than you realize. And you to him. That's why we're here—to bring you back to where you belong."

Serenity looked at him, torn. The Starlights had been her protectors, her companions, the only family she knew. Yet something in Kunzite's words, in his voice, pulled at her heart like a thread tied to something she couldn't see. For the first time since she'd woken on Kinmoku, she felt a glimmer of hope—hope that someone might help her find the answers she so desperately sought.

Serenity's head was pounding, and the weight of the conversation bore heavily on her shoulders. She had tried to make sense of the tangled web of accusations, theories, and emotions surrounding her, but the strain was becoming unbearable. Her eyelids fluttered, and she swayed slightly in her chair, her hand clutching the armrest for support.

Kunzite, sharp-eyed as ever, immediately noticed her fatigue. "Enough," he said, his tone brooking no argument. "We'll continue this later. She needs rest."

Seiya opened his mouth to protest, but Yaten put a hand on his shoulder. "He's right," Yaten said reluctantly. "Luna—Serenity—whatever her name is, she's exhausted. This isn't helping anyone."

Serenity looked at them gratefully, though her gaze lingered on Kunzite. "Thank you," she murmured.

Kunzite nodded curtly before stepping back. "I will inform Prince Endymion immediately," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "He needs to know."

Taiki's brow furrowed, and he exchanged a glance with the others. "If she's truly the Moon Princess," he said carefully, "then shouldn't the Moon Kingdom be informed first? It's their ruler we're talking about."

"Exactly," Seiya added, his voice hardening. "The Moon is her home, her family. They have the right to know before anyone else."

Kunzite's sharp gaze snapped to Seiya. "The Moon Kingdom is aware of her disappearance," he said coldly. "But Earth has taken the lead in this search for a reason. I don't need your permission to report to my prince."

"You're overstepping," Seiya shot back. "She's not just your responsibility."

"And she's not yours," Kunzite retorted, his voice low but biting. "You've done well to protect her until now, but this isn't your battle."

The tension in the room rose again, the air thick with unspoken accusations. Serenity, feeling the pressure mounting, raised her hand weakly to silence them.

"Stop," she said softly but firmly, her voice cutting through the argument. All eyes turned to her as she straightened slightly in her chair. "I… I want to meet the Prince of Earth first."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Serenity's gaze flickered between the Starlights and Kunzite. "If I'm not who you think I am," she continued, "it would be better not to raise my family's hopes. If I'm… wrong, if this is all a mistake, I don't want to hurt them."

Her words were logical, but deep down, she felt the faint pull that the name "Endymion" had stirred within her. She couldn't explain it, but something about the idea of meeting him felt right—as though he was the key to the answers she desperately sought.

Kunzite's sharp eyes softened slightly, recognizing the flicker of emotion in her gaze, a fleeting but unmistakable echo of her feelings for Endymion. He inclined his head respectfully. "Very well," he said. "I'll make the arrangements."

Serenity gave a small nod and stood, swaying slightly. Seiya quickly stepped forward to steady her, and she smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you," she said again before turning toward the door. "I need to rest."

As the door closed behind Serenity, the tension in the room grew heavier. The Starlights turned to Kunzite, their postures still guarded, their eyes filled with suspicion. Kunzite stood calm and unyielding, his hands clasped behind his back as though he had all the time in the world. The stillness in his demeanor only seemed to fuel Seiya's simmering frustration.

"You might have her trust for now," Seiya began, his voice sharp, "but don't think for a second that means we trust you—or Earth."

Kunzite's silver eyes flicked toward him, cool and assessing. "Trust is earned," he said evenly. "But it seems you've forgotten that works both ways."

Seiya took a step forward, his movements brimming with barely restrained energy. "We've been protecting her for weeks—caring for her when she had no one else. She's not some object you can just waltz in and take."

"She's not an object," Kunzite replied, his voice calm but steely. "She's a princess. Her safety and future are matters of immense importance—not just to Earth, but to the entire galaxy."

"And you think we don't understand that?" Seiya shot back, his fists clenched. "We've been by her side, making sure she's safe, not because of her title but because we care about her. What about you? You just swoop in here and act like she's already yours to claim."

Kunzite's gaze sharpened, and for the first time, a hint of something colder flickered in his tone. "Care?" he repeated, his voice deceptively soft. "Or is it something else entirely?"

Seiya stiffened, his eyes narrowing. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kunzite took a deliberate step closer, his presence imposing even in his measured movements. "It means," he said slowly, "that your feelings might be clouding your judgment. You're attached to her—not as her protector, but as something more. And that attachment might make you blind to what's truly best for her."

Seiya's jaw tightened, his fists trembling at his sides. "Don't pretend you know anything about me—or her."

"I don't need to pretend," Kunzite said smoothly. "I see it in the way you look at her, the way you hover like a shadow, always within reach but never quite stepping forward. You care deeply for her. Admirable, but dangerous."

Seiya's scoff echoed in the room. "Dangerous?" he repeated, his voice rising with incredulity.

Kunzite's gaze remained steady, refusing to engage further. Instead of answering, he allowed the weight of his silence to settle between them, a calculated move that left Seiya simmering without an outlet.

Before the tension could escalate further, Yaten stepped in, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Enough," he said sharply, his green eyes flicking between the two men. "She's not going anywhere until we know more."

Taiki nodded in agreement, his tone even but resolute. "You say you're here to protect her, but we have every reason to be cautious. Handing her over to Earth without understanding the full picture isn't something we'll do lightly."

"She just made her wishes clear," Kunzite replied, his tone clipped, though his calm exterior betrayed none of his growing frustration. "I will respect them."

"You're awfully quick to claim authority here," Yaten said, his gaze narrowing further. "You might have history with her, but we've been the ones protecting her for weeks. Forgive us if we're not eager to hand her over to Earth without a fight."

Kunzite's jaw tightened slightly, the barest crack in his otherwise composed demeanor. "I've sworn to protect her. My loyalty lies with my prince and with her well-being."

Yaten snorted softly. "Your prince," he said pointedly, crossing his arms. "And there it is. Let's not pretend, General, that your loyalty isn't with him first and foremost. Everything else comes second, doesn't it?"

Taiki chimed in, his voice low but cutting. "It's hard to trust someone who sees her as an extension of their prince's mission, no matter how noble they claim it is."

Kunzite's eyes darkened, but his voice remained steady. "You can doubt my motives all you like, but it doesn't change the truth. Serenity's safety is paramount, and Prince Endymion is the one who can ensure it."

"And yet, here we are," Seiya said, his tone heavy with sarcasm. "Weeks of safety with us, and now you show up, ready to turn her world upside down."

Kunzite's composure didn't falter. Instead, he straightened slightly, his presence filling the room. "Serenity's world was upended long before I arrived. I will do what I must to set it right—and that includes informing Prince Endymion immediately. You don't have to like it, but it's not your decision to make."

A tense silence followed his declaration, the air between them charged with unspoken challenges. The Starlights exchanged uneasy glances, their collective mistrust palpable. Finally, Taiki broke the silence, his voice heavy. "You've made your position clear. But know this: we won't stand by if we think her safety is being compromised."

"Nor would I expect you to," Kunzite replied, his tone icy yet laced with finality. "But don't mistake your role here. You've done well to protect her thus far. Now, you'll let me do my duty."

Without waiting for a response, Kunzite turned sharply on his heel, the conversation over as far as he was concerned. His calculated strides toward the door signaled his intent: this was not a debate. He would inform Endymion, and no force in the galaxy would dissuade him from that course.

Behind him, the Starlights remained, their mistrust hanging heavy in the room, their gazes fixed on the door long after it closed behind him.