Here is the next chapter. I truly enjoyed writing it, I hope you are also going to like it! Please let me know! Dear Guest also thanks for the very first review I have got for the story. I hope you will like this chapter as well.
Chapter 4 - Shadows of Recognition
The sun was high in the sky as Kunzite led the Earth delegation toward the grand palace of Kinmoku, their horses' hooves stirring up soft clouds of golden dust on the well-trodden road. The journey had been long and arduous, and Kinmoku—though beautiful with its otherworldly landscapes and vibrant flora—felt impossibly far from Earth. Kunzite's silver hair glinted in the sunlight as he rode, his posture as rigid as his expression.
The streets were lined with onlookers, Kinmokians of all ages standing shoulder to shoulder to catch a glimpse of the visitors from Earth. Kunzite could feel their curiosity like a physical force. It wasn't surprising—Earth was a distant and often mysterious planet, and its people rarely ventured this far from their solar system.
Kunzite, however, felt a different weight pressing down on him. The search for Princess Serenity had taken them across countless systems, with little to show for their efforts. They had found no sign of her—not a single clue that pointed to her whereabouts. And now, here he was on Kinmoku, a planet that felt as remote as it was unfamiliar, searching for the Moon Princess when the chances of her being here seemed laughably slim.
This is futile, he thought, his silver brows furrowed. Why would she be on a planet so far from the Moon Kingdom? Even if she had wandered beyond the solar system, Kinmoku feels like a stretch. Endymion's relentless search is commendable, but this… this feels like chasing shadows.
His thoughts turned briefly to Prince Endymion, who was currently leading other groups across neighboring systems in their frantic quest to find Serenity. Kunzite admired the prince's determination, but he couldn't deny his skepticism. Even if they found Serenity, what then? The peace between Earth and the Moon was fragile at best. How long could that peace hold under the strain of such an event?
As the palace came into view, Kunzite's mind continued to churn. Kinmoku was stunning—its architecture a blend of natural beauty and elegant craftsmanship—but it felt alien to him, as though he were walking through a dream. The very air seemed to hum with energy, a quiet reminder of the planet's connection to its own senshi and power.
He was about to signal the delegation to quicken their pace when a flash of silver from the crowd caught his eye.
Kunzite's head turned sharply, his heart stopping for a fraction of a second. There, standing quietly among the Kinmokians at the side of the road, was a figure he would have recognized anywhere. Long, flowing silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, cascading down the back of a slender young woman. She wore a simple white dress, her hands clasped nervously in front of her, her wide, luminous eyes fixed on the procession.
Serenity? The thought struck him like a thunderclap.
For a moment, he didn't believe his own eyes. He blinked, half expecting her to vanish like a mirage, but she remained. It was her. It had to be. The hair, the elegance, the unmistakable presence—there was no mistaking her.
Kunzite's disbelief quickly gave way to overwhelming joy. Without a second thought, he reined in his horse, his sudden halt causing the entire delegation to stop abruptly behind him. Ignoring the murmurs of confusion from his men, he leapt from his horse with uncharacteristic urgency, his long cloak billowing behind him as he strode toward her.
"Serenity!" he called, his voice ringing with equal parts relief and disbelief.
Luna turned toward him, startled by his sudden approach. Her wide, questioning eyes met his, but there was no recognition in them. She took a small step back, confused by the imposing man rushing toward her.
Kunzite stopped a few steps away, his silver eyes searching hers desperately. "Princess," he said, his voice softening. "It's you. I—I can't believe it. We've been searching everywhere…"
Luna's brows furrowed, and she shook her head slowly. "I… I'm sorry," she said, her voice hesitant. "You must be mistaken. I don't know you."
The words struck Kunzite like a physical blow. He froze, his breath catching in his throat. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's me. Kunzite. General Kunzite of Earth. You… you don't remember?"
Luna's eyes darted nervously toward the crowd, which was now watching the exchange with curiosity. She shook her head again, her expression clouded with confusion and an undercurrent of sadness. "I don't know you," she repeated, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry. I don't know… anything."
Kunzite's heart sank as the realization dawned on him. Something was terribly wrong. This was Serenity—he was sure of it—but she didn't recognize him. She didn't recognize her name, her title, or her connection to him. It was as though the very essence of who she was had been stripped away, leaving only a fragile shell of the woman he knew.
"You don't remember… anything?" he asked, his voice breaking slightly.
Luna shook her head, her hands clutching the fabric of her dress. "No," she said softly. "I don't remember anything. Not my name, not my home… nothing."
Kunzite's jaw tightened, his emotions a tumultuous storm beneath his composed exterior. This wasn't what he had expected. He had imagined finding her, protecting her, bringing her back to safety—but not this. Not a Serenity who didn't know who she was.
Across the street, Seiya pushed through the throng of spectators, his heart pounding. He had seen Kunzite dismount and approach Luna, and his mind raced with worst-case scenarios. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. The plan had been to shield Luna, to gather information from the Earth delegation before deciding what to do. And now…
His chest tightened as guilt surged within him. He had promised himself that he would protect her, no matter what. They had all agreed that keeping her out of sight was the safest course, but here she was, vulnerable and exposed in front of one of the most powerful and loyal men Earth could send. Kunzite wasn't just anyone—he was a general of Earth, a man of legend, and one of Endymion's most trusted warriors. His reputation alone commanded loyalty and respect, and his presence here was a reminder of how relentless Earth's search was.
Seiya's mind raced, his frustration mounting. The situation could only be worse if Endymion himself were standing here instead of Kunzite. The prince's presence would have brought an entirely different kind of weight—one that Seiya wasn't sure Luna, or even he, could withstand.
And what about Luna? She was looking at Kunzite with such helpless confusion, her uncertainty cutting Seiya to the core. He clenched his fists, a pang of anger rising in his chest. Not at her, but at himself—for not being fast enough, for not being prepared enough to prevent this confrontation.
He forced himself to push those thoughts aside as he broke through the crowd. Protect her. That was all that mattered now. But as he drew closer, another thought crept in, one that made his breath hitch. He wasn't just protecting her because it was the right thing to do. He wasn't just shielding her because they had taken her in. No—somewhere along the way, it had become personal. He cared for her, more than he wanted to admit, even to himself. And now, the possibility that this man—this stranger—could claim her as someone else, take her away, and rewrite everything she was, everything they had built together, left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Seiya clenched his jaw. Not yet. He wouldn't let her go. Not until they were sure.
"Is there a problem here?" Seiya asked, his voice calm but carrying an edge of warning. He placed a steadying hand on Luna's shoulder, his touch firm yet gentle.
Kunzite's sharp gaze flicked to Seiya, his instincts immediately on edge. "Who are you?" Kunzite demanded.
"I could ask you the same thing," Seiya shot back. "You're scaring her."
Kunzite forced himself to take a step back, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "My name is Kunzite," he said firmly. "And this woman—she's Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom."
Seiya frowned, glancing at Luna, whose expression was one of helpless confusion. "Her name is Luna," Seiya said cautiously. "And she doesn't remember where she came from."
Kunzite's heart ached at the words, but he kept his composure. "Then she's forgotten," he said quietly. "But I'm telling you—she's the Moon Princess. And I'm not leaving without her."
The atmosphere around the impromptu reunion grew tense as murmurs rippled through the gathered crowd. Kinmokians craned their necks, eager to catch a better look at the Earth general who had so dramatically halted his procession to confront the mysterious silver-haired woman they had come to know as Luna. The spectacle was quickly becoming the center of attention, and it was clear to everyone involved that this was not the place for such a discussion.
Before Kunzite could say another word, Taiki and Yaten arrived, their expressions grim and focused. Taiki's voice cut through the mounting tension with calm precision. "General Kunzite," he said, his tone polite but firm. "This isn't the time or place for a scene. You've drawn quite a bit of attention, and I'm sure none of us want this to escalate."
Kunzite's sharp silver eyes flicked to Taiki, then Yaten, who stood at his shoulder with a skeptical glare. He could tell they were powerful and protective of the young woman they called Luna. Despite the tension in the air, Kunzite forced himself to temper his emotions. Drawing more attention was the last thing they needed.
"I didn't intend to make a scene," Kunzite replied, his voice measured. "But you must understand—this isn't just anyone. She is Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom."
Yaten scoffed, crossing his arms. "That's quite the claim. And yet she has no memory of you, no sign of who you say she is."
"I know what I see," Kunzite shot back, his tone icy but controlled. "I know her. I have known her for years. She may not remember, but that doesn't change the truth."
Taiki raised a hand to de-escalate the brewing tension. "If you're so certain, then we should discuss this further, but not here. Let's move somewhere private before this situation grows beyond our control."
Kunzite hesitated, his gaze flickering back to Serenity—Luna—who stood silent and confused. The murmurs of the crowd reminded him of the growing audience, and he reluctantly nodded. "You're right. Privacy would be best."
He turned back to Serenity—Luna, as they called her—and his gaze softened. "Serenity," he said quietly, his voice laced with a gentleness that took even himself by surprise, "do you truly not remember anything? Not me, not Earth, not… yourself?"
Luna hesitated, her eyes searching his face for any trace of familiarity, but all she found was confusion. She shook her head slowly, her voice trembling. "No. I don't remember anything. I'm sorry… I don't know who you are."
The confirmation hit Kunzite like a blow to the chest, though he refused to let it show. Inside, his mind raced. Relief and happiness swirled chaotically with disbelief and concern. He had found her. Serenity. The woman Prince Endymion loved more than life itself.
For months, Kunzite had watched Endymion endure sleepless nights, fueled by the hope of bringing Serenity back. The prince's unwavering determination had been both inspiring and heartbreaking, a reminder of the depth of his love and the stakes of their mission. But Kunzite's own heart was not untouched by the weight of this search. His loyalty to Endymion went beyond duty; it was a bond forged in shared battles, trust, and mutual respect. Every step of this relentless quest had been a test of Kunzite's resolve—not just as a general, but as a friend. He had promised Endymion that he would find Serenity, protect her, and bring her home.
Now, standing before her, Kunzite felt a surge of conflicting emotions. Relief at having found her alive. Joy at the sight of her unmistakable presence. But also doubt, frustration, and sorrow. This wasn't what he had imagined. This wasn't the triumphant reunion he had envisioned for Endymion—for himself. Instead, it was a fragile moment, heavy with uncertainty and the pain of her lost memories.
Even if she was Serenity, could she truly return as the woman they needed her to be? Memories could be recovered, but would she still carry the weight of her title, her love for Endymion, her purpose? Kunzite's jaw tightened as he forced himself to push aside his emotions. None of that mattered right now. What mattered was protecting her, earning her trust, and finding a way to bring her home safely. Endymion needed her—not just as a princess, but as the woman who had given his life meaning in ways even Kunzite couldn't fully comprehend.
He stepped closer, his voice soft and measured. "Princess," he said, choosing his words carefully, "would you be willing to move somewhere private so we can talk? I understand this is overwhelming, and I mean you no harm. But there are things you need to know—things that might help you understand who you are."
Luna hesitated, glancing nervously at Seiya and the other Starlights. The protective stance Seiya had taken beside her hadn't gone unnoticed by Kunzite, and it only added to his sense of urgency. The Starlights were powerful, yes, but they didn't know Serenity—not as he and Endymion did. They couldn't possibly protect her the way Earth could.
Taiki spoke up, his tone even but wary. "It's surprising to see the Earth general speaking so… gently. Most would expect someone of your reputation to demand rather than ask."
Kunzite ignored the remark, his attention focused entirely on Serenity. "Serenity," he continued, his voice unwavering, "you know me. Maybe not now, but somewhere, deep down, you do. I am here to bring you home. To help you. That is all I want."
His words struck something deep within her. Luna didn't know why, but she felt a strange pull in her chest, a flicker of trust she couldn't explain. There was something in the way he spoke, in the way he looked at her, that made her feel safe—protected. And, though she couldn't remember anything, her heart told her that Kunzite's words held truth.
She nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I'll come with you. If you think you can help me… I want to know who I am."
Seiya stiffened beside her. "Luna, are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "You don't have to go with him if you're uncomfortable."
"It's okay," Luna said, glancing at Seiya with a faint, reassuring smile. "Something tells me… he can help me find what I'm missing."
Kunzite's heart swelled with a bittersweet mixture of triumph and sorrow. She didn't remember him, but she still trusted him—trusted him enough to take this step. He promised himself that he wouldn't betray that trust. Whatever it took, he would protect her and bring her safely back to Endymion.
Kunzite stepped back slightly, giving her space. "Thank you," he said, his voice soft. Then, turning to the Starlights, he added, "Lead the way. We'll continue this discussion somewhere private."
The Starlights exchanged glances, their suspicion clear, but Taiki finally nodded. "Follow us. There's a chamber in the palace where we can speak without interruptions."
Luna hesitated, glancing between Kunzite and the Starlights. Her hands clutched at the folds of her dress as if grounding herself, her wide eyes betraying the turmoil within. The pull of Kunzite's words stirred something deep in her heart—something that felt like trust, though she didn't fully understand why. Yet, the cautious gazes of Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten reminded her of the safety they had provided her, their quiet but steady support since the day she had awoken here.
"I…" Her voice wavered as she looked at Kunzite again. "I'll come. But only if they come with me."
The statement hung in the air for a moment, its quiet strength surprising even Luna herself. Seiya's protective stance shifted slightly, and Taiki inclined his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips as though silently approving her resolve. Kunzite, for his part, didn't argue. He simply nodded, his silver eyes glinting with a mixture of relief and respect.
"As you wish," Kunzite replied softly.
As they began to move, Kunzite walked beside Serenity, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger. He could feel the Starlights' watchful eyes on him, their skepticism palpable. But he didn't care. For the first time in weeks, he felt a flicker of hope.
He had found her. Now, he just needed to help her remember. And, more than anything, he needed to get her home to the prince who loved her beyond reason.