Earth Guardian Prince Endymion

By Senshi of Ruin and Mizu no Senshi

Act Thirty Nine Recap:

(Mamoru’s POV)

“Come on” he said, choosing not to comment on this, “This is the last of my stuff. Let’s just take it to Motoki’s and then--”

“Endymion!”

He whirled around, almost dropping his things, at the use of his past name so boldly and openly.

Luna ran between the two men, wild panic in her eyes as she skidded to a halt before them.

“What do you want?” Taro demanded, more than a little angrily.

“Your help” Luna said, after much hesitation, “Usagi-chan has disappeared.”

When Luna came to me asking for my help, how could I refuse? In any case, after what happened to Venus, I felt somewhat bad that I hadn’t been to see her, but I’ve been so worried about the Shitennou and how it would look to them, that I kept away.

“Youma?” Masaki wondered.

“There is a Youma aura,” Kisho said.

Seiichi nodded, “It seems to growing stronger with each passing minute, but I can’t seem to locate it.”

Kisho frowned and concentrated. After a few seconds he shook his head, “Neither can I.” He frowned again. There was another sound, very soft but unmistakeable; the sound of a harp.

“The Princess” Kisho whispered, transforming as he spoke. “But this… this is impossible. Her music is… is feeding the Youma’s powers!”

The Princess was the one influencing Metallia? How can this be? Does Metallia feed upon negative emotions such as pain and regret? I have to admit there is a lot that I do not understand about our mission and my memories of the tragic past are still only partially restored.

“Serenity!” Mamoru heard his own voice shout, as he fought against this place, the delighted crows of Beryl ringing in his ears as the ground in front of him exploded in a shower of colours and flames before dying completely, leaving destruction in their wake.

Then he felt it, an agonising pain in his back as the sword entered his body even as Serenity screamed.

Mamoru fell, his own sword clattering heavily against the stone as he did so. He had no strength left…

As his vision began to cloud over, his gaze slid passed the Princess to the figure standing beyond her. He stood, his sword still coated with his Master’s blood, as his eyes grew wide with horror at what he had done.

“Endymion!” Serenity screamed.

Not even Seiichi knew that Kunzite had been the one who killed me in the past life. This betrayal cuts much deeper than I cared to let on.

“I forgive you”

We have to be united, a fact that I keep stressing and for us to become apart now, especially as Metallia’s strength increases, would be a foolish move.

A single tear splashed onto her cheek as Usagi held out the locket towards Mamoru, “Take it” she whimpered softly, her legs threatening to give way beneath her as she spoke, “Take the Ginzuishou.”

Now Usagi offers me the Ginzuishou. I should take it. I know I should, but I still love her. How can I take it? I can’t… can I?

*******

Act Forty:

“Take the Ginzuishou”

“What?” Mamoru breathed softly as she took another step towards him, holding out the locket in the palm of her hand.

“Take it” Usagi pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks as she glanced behind Mamoru and to his friends. Mamoru followed her gaze and saw that Seiichi, Masaki and Taro had got to their feet whilst Kisho simply remained knelt on the ground, shock rendering him immobile. All were staring at him, waiting for him to take the glittering stone.

“You need it to free the Senshi” Mamoru answered her, keeping his voice steady, though his hands trembled as he spoke and he balled his hands into fists, struggling to assuage waves of fury that threatened to overwhelm him. She could have killed them… no, he could not think like that! Usagi couldn’t help it. It was the Princess…

“The Ginzuishou is affected by the heart of the wielder. You have a weak heart and will only bring destruction to this planet.”

Was she really that weak? Mamoru couldn’t believe it. He wouldn’t believe it.

“I’m afraid” Usagi continued brokenly, “I’m afraid that I might kill someone. Please take it, I’m begging you.”

“No”

“Master--” Seiichi started to protest.

“No” Mamoru repeated firmly, “The Ginzuishou stays with her.”

“Why?” Usagi murmured in a daze as Mamoru took her hand in his own and curled her fingers back around her transformation locket.

“Because I don’t believe that you have that weak a heart. You can overcome this, Usagi, I know you can. You just need to trust in yourself more.” He smiled, “You’ve been fighting alone for so long. I know you can do this.”

Usagi forced a smile upon her face and turned to leave, the cats accompanying her, “Arigato.”

After she had gone, Mamoru hesitantly turned to face his friends. Kisho had stood now, but refused to meet Mamoru’s gaze and, without saying anything more, he turned and walked away. Mamoru wanted to go after him, but thought better of it.

Then he felt it, an agonising pain in his back as the sword entered his body even as Serenity screamed.

Mamoru fell, his own sword clattering heavily against the stone as he did so. He had no strength left…

“Endymion!” Serenity screamed.

“Master?” Seiichi asked reluctantly.

“Don’t” Mamoru snapped, “I know you think I am wrong to believe in her, but you cannot judge her by who she was in the past life.”

“He’s right” Taro replied, speaking to Masaki and Seiichi, “And even if you don’t believe it, you should trust Mamoru’s decision.”

Mamoru smiled, grateful for, at least, one of his friend’s support.

“If she had killed us” Masaki said, suddenly, “Would you still want to believe in her then?”

Mamoru drew back as though Masaki had struck him. He had no answer. The thought of losing his friends pained him, but Usagi was… Mamoru shook his head slightly. He couldn’t choose.

“You won’t even answer me?” Masaki snapped, the disgust clear in his eyes, “Then…” he turned away, heading in the opposite direction to Kisho as he called back over his shoulder, “Then I guess you will betray us after all.”

*******

“Mars” she looked up, as Mio appeared, standing over her, “You truly are pathetic, aren’t you?”

Mars forced herself to stand, glowering at Beryl’s detestable shadow she sneered, “I am anything but pathetic. Now that Venus is dead I--”

“Beryl-sama has appointed me the new leader of the Dark Senshi” Mio cut her off with.

“What? You aren’t even a Senshi!”

Mio shrugged, “Obviously she doesn’t think you are capable of such a responsibility” with this parting shot she turned and left, leaving Mars alone with her fury.

“Mio…” she hissed darkly, “I will kill you for this.”

Mars watched, keeping herself pressed up against the cave wall as Beryl addressed the being before her. Kuroki Mio gave her a wolfish smile as she relayed the events of the past twenty-four hours. The Princess had offered Endymion the Ginzuishou and he refused it. He refused it because he believed in Sailor Moon… the fool. Now Kuroki Mio sought to go after her. Beside herself with jealousy Beryl would do anything…

“Venus” Mars whispered, bitterly thinking of the leadership that should have been hers. A part of her was also furious with the Shitennou for causing Venus’s death, though Mars could not understand the reasoning behind this. Hadn’t she plotted to kill her leader many a times before? No… this was something else… she and Venus had been comrades… friends… Mars’s expression darkened slightly as she listened to Beryl issuing Mio with her orders:

“Kill the Princess. Kill the Princess and take the Ginzuishou.”

Mars smirked to herself as Mio teleported from the throne room. She would follow her nemesis. This could even prove quite interesting…

******

“Then I guess you will betray us after all.”

Masaki’s heart hammered loudly in his chest as he walked away, quickly leaving his friends behind before his anger threatened to further overwhelm him. He was well aware that he was shaking, the effects of Princess Sailor Moon’s attack and his own disbelief at what had taken place causing his unsteadiness as he hurried towards his home.

Masaki had always stuck by Mamoru, even when he didn’t believe in his friend’s actions and Mamoru had refused to side with them. The Princess was dangerous. She could have easily killed the three of them tonight and there was nothing that even Kunzite had been able to do against her. The Princess was a cold-hearted bitch, Masaki knew, and cared for nothing and no one except for Endymion. In many respects she was just like Beryl, he thought bitterly. They both wanted Endymion and would do whatever it took to get him and cared little for who was hurt in the process.

Lost in these furious thoughts, Masaki barely registered the shouting coming from his house until he opened the door and stepped inside.

Shutting the rice paper screen behind him, Masaki paused hesitantly on the threshold that separated the hall from the living room as he took in the scene before him.

The entire living room was a mess. The sofa was overturned, the television screen was smashed, various pieces of china and glass littered the red carpet and, as Masaki watched, Haru picked up another vase and hurled it in Tori’s direction. She screamed as it sailed passed her and smashed the wall behind, sending a shower of china all around her. Masaki gaze strayed to the liquor bottle in Haru’s hand.

I don’t need this… not now…

“Haru?” he said, making his presence known and stepping further into the room, “What’s going on?”

It was obvious what was happening, but, from experience, Masaki knew better than to shout and scream at his father in the way that Tori was doing. Such actions only served to make him angrier.

“What’s happened?” Haru slurred, staggering towards his son. He was wearing a suit, though the tie was undone and hung around his neck and his white shirt was unbuttoned at the top and hanging out at the front and back. There was a wine stain down the front and, as Haru loomed over his son, Masaki could smell the pungent scent of alcohol on his breath.

“I’ve been fired! That’s what happened!” Haru all but screamed at him, “They found out about this” he brandished the bottle in Masaki’s face, “It’s her fault! I’m driven to drink because she is so goddamn pathetic!”

Masaki took a step back, feeling his anger beginning to take control as Haru hurled the empty bottle at the wall and then staggered over to the liquor cabinet to get another one and bellowed in fury when there were none to be found inside.

Whirling around, he grabbed Tori around the throat and slammed her back against the adjourning kitchen door as he growled in her face, “Where is all the drink?”

Tori whimpered slightly and mutely shook her head.

“TELL ME!”

“Father--” Masaki started, hurrying over to them and placing a hand on Haru’s arm with the intention of calming his father down. It usually worked, but not this time.

Letting go of Tori, Haru lashed out with a fist, catching Masaki just below the jaw line. He landed on his back on the carpet, wincing in pain as the glass from the destruction of earlier cut into his palms.

“Stay out of this!” Haru snarled before turning back to Tori again.

For a few seconds, Masaki could only lie among the shards of glass, once hand touching his jaw and wincing at the shooting pain that such a gesture caused him. Though Haru had beat Tori for years he had never raised a hand to his son… until today.

“Where did you hide the wine?” Haru screamed in Tori’s face, shaking her roughly as he spoke.

“I…” she trailed off and Haru’s grip around her throat tightened until she whispered, “I poured it down the sink.”

“You bitch! Why the hell did you do that?”

“Haru… you need help” Tori begged, tears beginning to fall now, “We can go together… you can get help and everything will be how it was before.”

He struck her. Tori screamed and fell down beside her son, blood dripping from her nose and onto the carpet as well as the front of her blouse. Taking in a deep breath, she dared to glance up at him with a tear-filled gaze, “Haru… please…”

Masaki held his breath as they both awaited Haru’s response. For seconds that seemed to last years no one moved and then, all of a sudden, Haru’s gaze softened slightly and he knelt down beside Tori. Masaki’s mother flinched ever so slightly as he pulled her into his arms, whispering apologies into her ear and stroking her hair. Tori relaxed into this contact and uttered a weak sob as she did so. Haru stood, pulling her up with him and then guiding her over to the sofa. Once seated he spoke again:

“Tori, I’m sorry… I shouldn’t blame you for this… You are not to blame” Haru turned around to face his son, as he added coldly, “You are.”

“What?” Masaki stood, unsteadily as Haru stalked towards him.

“You” Haru spat furiously, “Ever since we moved here you’ve been causing me nothing but grief. Do you think I don’t know what you’ve been up too? I’ve seen you meeting with those friends of yours when you are supposed to be in college. Do you know how much that costs me? I worked all the hours in the day to give you a good education and this is how you repay me?”

“Father--”

“Haru, matte!” Tori cried, bolting up from the sofa as Haru seized Masaki by his shirt and dragged him towards the front door.

“Stay out of this!” Haru shouted as he flung open the door and threw Masaki out of the house. “Get out!” he screamed after him, as Masaki hit the ground for a second time, too stunned, this time, to feel any pain.

“Haru!” Tori cried, but his father caught her wrist as she tried to run after her son.

“You wanted things to be like they were before, didn’t you?” Haru questioned coldly.

Tori nodded, her gaze not leaving her son’s face as Haru continued:

“Well we were much happier when there was just the two of us. He’s been nothing but trouble from the moment he was born. We’re better off without him.”

We’re better off without him

Masaki stood, very slowly, wincing at the blood that trickled down his palms as he clenched them tightly into fists at his sides. He broke Tori’s gaze, hating his mother for being too weak to defend but, most of all, despising his own weakness and for not standing up to Haru sooner.

It would do no good now, Masaki knew bitterly as he turned away, walking down the path as Haru screamed abuse after him.

Then his father went silent and the only sound that Masaki heard was the slamming of his front door. Blinking back the angry tears that threatened to fall, Masaki started down the darkened streets wondering what the hell he was supposed to do now.

******

“No. The Ginzuishou stays with her.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t believe that you have that weak a heart. You can overcome this, Usagi, I know you can. You just need to trust in yourself more. You’ve been fighting alone for so long. I know you can do this.”

“He believes in me?” Usagi whispered to herself, a small smile spreading across her face as she recalled Mamoru’s words of last night. Today was Saturday and Usagi was getting ready to go shopping for a get well present for Naru. News of her friend’s miraculous recovery had spread and, with the sudden departure of Kuroki Mio from the school, Usagi’s classmates were looking more favourably upon her again and had invited her to go and see Naru with them this afternoon.

She had left the scene last night with terrible feelings of guilt at what she had done, but also a curious sense of relief. Mamoru believed in her. Mamoru did care after all.

“Usagi” Artemis said, jumping up onto the desk to face her, “You cannot believe anything that Endymion says. He is just like the Shitennou; a liar and a traitor.”

“No” Usagi answered, “You are wrong. Mamoru-san meant what he said, I know he did.”

She glanced at Luna, looking for help, but the other plushie lowered her gaze and murmured softly, “I don’t think Endymion or the Shitennou can be relied upon in this world.”

“Usagi…”

“Endymion” she whispered as she raised her sword above her head, charging it with power once more, before aiming it at the Shitennou.

“Usagi, stop!”

“Master, yameru!”

“Mamoru!”

I did all that and still he believes in me… Usagi smiled and grabbed her coat and purse. All her previous fears and sadness seemed to melt away when she recalled Mamoru’s kind smile and his faith in her, even when she had tried to kill his friends. No, not me, Usagi reminded herself. It was the Princess. “I am nothing like Serenity. I have no wish to see the Shitennou harmed.”

“Usagi-chan” Luna whispered sadly and her charge realised that she had spoken out loud.

For a moment no one moved. Artemis, still bitter over the loss of Venus, refused to meet Usagi’s gaze. Usagi, too, felt the loss of the leader of the Senshi deeply, but she could not hate. She wasn’t that kind of person and, indeed, Usagi knew that the Tennou had tried their best. If anything Kuroki Mio was to blame.

“I’m going out” Usagi stated softly, and ran from her room, suddenly not wanting to be in there anymore. If what Luna said was true, then the guardian cats were supposed to be on her side. It certainly didn’t feel like that at the moment.

Usagi hurried out of her front door and then stopped, dead, as she glanced up at the man standing at the end of the garden path.

“Mamoru?”

*******

Seiichi frowned to himself as he set the pot of tea down on the kitchen table before hurrying over to the radio and turned the tuner to another station. Again he was confronted by the same tune, the tune of Kinzuru that he could pretty much play in his sleep. Seiichi sighed to himself and adjusted the tuner for a third time, this time finding a rock station and settling for that rather than listening to his own music.

Then, pouring himself a bowl of tea and helping himself to a slice of toast, he sat down at the table. His entire body ached from the assault of the night before, which, he supposed, contributed to his current black mood. He was normally calm, so where these sudden feelings of anger and frustration came from, Seiichi wasn’t quite sure.

Despite his own hatred for the Princess, Seiichi wasn’t angry with the Master. The past was doomed to repeat, or so Kisho had often warned them. The Prince was simply being pulled in the same direction a second time around. Was there anything he could do about it? Seiichi didn’t know. He had, again, debated killing Serenity himself, but, as much as he loathed the girl, Seiichi couldn’t bring himself to harm Tsukino Usagi. This in itself was strange because, in the past life, Seiichi could have easily killed twenty girls like her to keep the Master safe and not feel an ounce of remorse over his actions. Society has changed, he reminded himself. I was brought up knowing that such actions are unacceptable. In the past life things were different… I was different… he firmly crushed that last thought. He was no different now. His current form might seem so, but Seiichi only chose to keep looking as he did now simply because, as Zoisite, he would stand out far more. Given a choice he would remain as Zoisite on a more permanent basis.

Seiichi glanced up as the kitchen door opened and his surprise houseguest entered.

When Masaki had turned up at the apartment out of the blue and requesting a place to stay, Seiichi had been too nonplussed to refuse and, judging from the state of him, to turn him away would simply be the final straw.

His gaze travelling to the purple bruise on Masaki’s jaw, Seiichi again wondered what had happened. Masaki refused to elaborate, explaining only that going home wasn’t an option anymore and that he needed somewhere to crash for the night. Seiichi’s apartment had two bedrooms, though he lived here alone and the spare was only used if Tetsuya decided to stay over.

“Morning” Seiichi said, breaking the silence as Masaki took a seat opposite him. “There’s toast on the side if you would like some” he added as an after thought.

Masaki managed a small smile and said to this: “You can make toast?”

Seiichi shrugged casually, slightly amused by this and added in an off hand way, “Even we stars can cook you know.”

Masaki grinned and went over to the aforementioned plate of toast and helped himself to a slice before sitting back down, “You can even burn it, too.”

“Then I guess you will betray us after all.”

Seiichi found himself growing uncomfortable as Masaki’s presence forced him to recall the conversation of last night. Seiichi had left soon after Masaki had. He hadn’t known what to say. Deep down he secretly felt a little disappointed in the Master, but he could not ever voice this. It was not the Shitennou’s place to question the will of their Prince.

“Will you need a place to stay tonight as well?” Seiichi asked hoping that his voice sounded even and unbiased as he spoke.

“You want to know how long I’ll be here?” Masaki shrugged, “You can just ask me outright, you know. I’m not going to take offence that easily.”

“Why did you come here?” Seiichi asked after a moment’s thought. It was, in his opinion, a fair question. It seemed strange that, out of all of them, Masaki should turn up on his doorstep.

“Do you really think after last night I could ask one of them?” Masaki replied just as evenly.

“The Master will forgive you for what was said and--”

“I don’t want his forgiveness” the younger man snapped, “He’s not my Master, not in this world.”

Seiichi wasn’t quite sure what to say to this. Masaki was wrong. It didn’t matter what form Endymion took, the Master would always be the Master. Instead he pretended to be completely absorbed in watching the tea swirl around in the bottom of the bowl in front of him until Masaki said:

“Here was the first place I tried.”

“Why?”

Masaki shrugged, “I don’t know.”

Seiichi wasn’t sure if he believed that last statement and for a moment he wondered if Masaki was implying that it was because he was his friend. Seiichi dismissed this notion. Masaki knew better than any of them that the mission was the only thing that bound the Shitennou in this world.

Shaking off these thoughts he stood, dumping the breakfast things in the sink before explaining that he had somewhere to be.

“You’re going to the studio?” Masaki asked in surprise, “It’s Saturday?”

“No” Seiichi shook his head, “Not the studio.”

“I might tag along” the younger man said, casually, also standing up, “If that’s okay with you. Where are you going?”

Seiichi hesitated slightly before replying, “I was going to see Kisho.”

“Why?” Masaki’s voice clouded over with suspicion.

“If we are to protect the Master then we must all be united in the mission. Kisho must be made to understand this.”

“Mamoru doesn’t want our protection, Seiichi. All he cares about is Tsukino Usagi. The fate of the planet couldn’t be lower on his list of priorities at the moment.”

“He is still the Master”

Masaki frowned, the disappointment clear in his eyes, “I should go.”

“You don’t have too.”

“Yes, I do” Masaki answered coldly, “Do you know why I came here rather than going to Taro or Mamoru? Because I thought we had an understanding. I guess I was wrong about that, Seiichi-kun.”

“Yeah, I suppose you were” Seiichi said softly, forcing himself to remain in the kitchen as Masaki left the room. Seconds later he heard the outer door to his apartment slam shut.

Mamoru doesn’t want our protection, Seiichi.

A part of Seiichi knew that this was true, but it had always been the same in the past life. Endymion had always hated how the Shitennou risked their lives for him. The Prince had always been too kind hearted to understand the ruthlessness of some situations. The idea of anyone sacrificing themselves for him made the man uncomfortable. Seiichi did not have this problem. Endymion was the Master and, compared to that, Seiichi’s own life was meaningless. The Dark Kingdom was getting stronger and soon Beryl’s eyes would turn to Endymion once more. They had to be ready for this.

Seiichi hurried into the front room, grabbing his jacket before heading out the door. Kisho had to be made to see this, no matter what.

******

I shouldn’t be here, I shouldn’t be here, Mamoru constantly berated himself as he followed a beaming Tsukino Usagi out of yet another store.

“If she had killed us. Would you still want to believe in her then?”

His friendships with the Shitennou were breaking down, Mamoru knew. Kisho hated him. Masaki no longer trusted him and Seiichi had been quieter than usual and much quicker to leave. Even Taro’s confidence in him was wavering. So why was he risking it all by spending the day with Usagi? Perhaps he had something to prove to them. That the world was not going to end simply because they were together?

Hina’s face flashed before his eyes as Mamoru processed this thought and a wave of guilt washed over him. It was so tremendous that Mamoru almost turned around and walked away, but seeing the simple happiness on Usagi’s face as she paused outside a florist and picked up a single red rose, quashed any thoughts Mamoru had of abandoning her.

“Hey, Mamoru!” Usagi called, catching his attention as she jumped up and down, waving a bunch of white roses in one hand as she did so. “I think I’ll get these for Naru-chan” Usagi continued as she purchased the flowers and thanked the florist when she was given her change.

“Very pretty” Mamoru observed quietly as she followed him down the street again, babbling senselessly about how wonderful it was to have Naru wake up.

“You know” Usagi continued, the sudden seriousness in her voice causing Mamoru to pause by a jewellery store. “Naru-chan waking up like that. It wasn’t just a coincidence.”

“It wasn’t?”

Usagi shook her head, lowering her gaze to the ground as she answered softly, “The Princess healed her.”

Mamoru took a step back as though by even mentioning Serenity it would invoke Usagi’s past self once again.

“So you see” Usagi blushed as she raised her head to glance upon him again, “The Princess cannot be all bad…”

Mamoru struggled to run to Usagi as the Princess attacked, but Nephrite was stronger and held him back.

“Don’t be stupid!” his friend shouted over the roar of the flames as the surrounding buildings were also caught in her fury. “She isn’t Tsukino Usagi in this form!”

“I can’t let them die!” Mamoru cried desperately, “We’ve got to stop her, Nephrite.”

He winced slightly, recalling the events of yesterday and the fierce pounding in his heart as the fear of losing them threatened to overwhelm him. Had she of killed them… Mamoru shook his head. He didn’t know what to do.

Usagi seemed to sense this and her smile slowly disappeared, turning into a discontented frown as she snapped:

“We all suffered! Don’t think that you are the only one who could lose someone dear to you!”

Venus… In truth Mamoru had forgotten about the leader of the Senshi. He felt bad that she was gone, but she had been an enemy and, in any case, they had tried their best to save her. Mamoru had certainly not tried to kill her. Venus had been after the Ginzuishou…

Usagi uttered a small cry, as though reading his thoughts, and turned away. Walking briskly through the crowds. Mamoru sighed. A perfect day ruined by the damn mission! Once again he fiercely wished that none of this had ever happened.

“Usagi, stop!”

“Master, yameru!”

“Mamoru!”

In pure desperation, Mamoru lunged forwards, grabbing hold of her sword arm and pulling it down. Momentarily shocked by his action, the power died and the Princess dropped her weapon.

“Endymion” she made no effort to retrieve it and, as Mamoru released his grip on her arm, the aura surrounding the Princess shimmered and then faded as she turned back into Tsukino Usagi once more.

She de-transformed like the rest of them. The Princess was not her true form, not in this world and Mamoru knew that the sooner the Shitennou started to understand this the better. He was the leader and yet they would not follow his lead! They wanted him to learn from the mistakes of the past but they had kept its secrets hidden for so long!

“I don’t understand” Mamoru whispered to himself, “I don’t know what to do. No matter what I decide it is wrong!”

“Because I don’t believe that you have that weak a heart. You can overcome this, Usagi, I know you can. You just need to trust in yourself more.”

Mamoru’s words to Usagi echoed in his mind now as he realised that he gave her all this advise and yet he failed to heed any of it himself! Glancing back in the jewellery store window, Mamoru smiled to himself. From now on he would make his own decisions and not allow anyone else to influence them. There had to be a way to stop the past from repeating that did not involve causing Tsukino Usagi so much pain and Mamoru resolved to find it.

“We all suffered! Don’t think that you are the only one who could lose someone dear to you!”

But to do this, Mamoru said to himself, he would have to make amends.

******

When Taro got home last night it had been late. He had left Mamoru when they had reached Motoki’s house but, instead of going straight back home, Taro had simply collected his van and driven around aimlessly for the duration of the night, finally stumbling in at 4 in the morning and promptly getting an earful from Kanaye for worrying him. Ignoring his brother, Taro had gone straight to bed and had resolved not to get up again until at least 11.00 the next day.

It was now nearing lunchtime and he had gone downstairs, after getting dressed and listening to the angry message from Motoki on his answer phone to say that he had missed work, and made himself a cup of black coffee. Taro couldn’t care less about what Motoki thought. At the moment it seemed as though their entire lives had been put on hold for the mission and Taro didn’t like it.

You should trust Mamoru’s decision

Taro frowned as he glanced down at the cup in his hands and saw that it was shaking slightly, owing to the effects of last night’s battle; a battle that had nearly cost them all their lives.

Unlike Kisho, Taro could see where Mamoru was coming from. The Dark Kingdom was growing stronger, as were the Princess’s powers. This gave way to his own thoughts concerning Mercury. Taro hated deceiving the others in this way. Indeed, he wanted to tell Mamoru that he wasn’t alone in caring for one of the enemy, but Taro was also afraid. With Dark Venus dead it seemed inevitable that they would come up against the other Dark Senshi sooner or later. He was terrified that he would be put in such a position that Mamoru was already in, that he might have to choose between Mercury and his friends.

Then, as though being summoned, Taro felt a gloved hand on his shoulder. Turning around he saw Mercury standing behind him. Taro felt slightly embarrassed that she should see him in this state, but he was still very glad to see her, especially after what had happened to Dark Venus.

As though guessing his thoughts Mercury stated softly, “I don’t blame you. You did everything you could have to save her.”

Taro didn’t reply, simply pulling her into his arms. Mercury returned the embrace and they remained like that for a few minutes, both savouring the moment between them.

Still, as he held her, Taro’s sorrow deepened, as he knew that he would be unable to protect her. His grip tightened slightly as he thought of this. How could anyone expect Mamoru to choose between his friends and the person he loved? This was no different. Taro’s own situation was no different. In fact, if anything, it was worse. Dark Mercury, no matter what she said, was an enemy of the Shitennou. To defeat the Dark Kingdom they might well have to kill the Senshi first.

*******

Torn apart with grief and sorrow that he was unable to protect the weaker Tennou and make his Prince see what a terrible mistake he had made, Kunzite had attacked Serenity. He could remember, in the midst of the battle, taking his sword into his hand and raising it against the unprotected back of the Princess of the Silver Millennium. Kunzite had heard Serenity’s scream, but when he tore his sword from the body of the human that it had impaled, it was not Serenity who fell to the ground. Though he had always vowed that he would never do so, Kunzite had struck Endymion. He had killed his Master.

Now, looking upon the Prince and the Princess together, Kisho’s fury towards them deepened. Why must Mamoru torment them like this? Why couldn’t he see that it was the Princess who was the true enemy? If they destroyed the Ginzuishou then Metallia’s source of power would be gone and the Dark Kingdom would fall. In Mamoru’s position, Kisho knew that he would not hesitate. How could he if the fate of the entire planet rested upon his shoulders?

“I don’t like it, either” Seiichi said quietly, as he walked to Kisho’s side. The park, the same damn park where everything always happened, Kisho thought to himself as they both observed the happiness of the Princess when Mamoru presented her with a neatly wrapped package.

Kisho had to admit; he had been a little more than surprised when Seiichi had shown up here. They had completely different agendas and yet Kisho found it impossible to hate the man as much as he felt that sometimes he should. Even more so that Seiichi appeared to object to the scene before him just as much as Kisho did.

“The Master is blinded by her” Seiichi continued, “We must make him see that by resisting the past life he will only bring about this planet’s destruction.”

“And you think that by obeying his every command Mamoru will suddenly decide to listen to you?” Kisho demanded, slightly annoyed by the term ‘Master’. Seiichi recalled the past life the most vividly, but even Seiichi couldn’t have known what Kisho had done. How he had struck down their Prince.

“I forgive you”

I didn’t want your forgiveness, Kisho thought darkly. I didn’t want it last night and I certainly don’t want it now.

Still, casting another glance at his companion, Kisho recalled the disgust in Seiichi’s eyes when they had learned of exactly what had taken place on the Moon.

“We are still the Shitennou” Seiichi answered to his earlier question, “No matter what the Master decides.”

“Despite you disagreeing with him?” Kisho questioned, “Are you that willing to die for him again?”

Seiichi, without hesitation, nodded and then turned his own gaze back to the Prince and Princess. They were sitting side by side on a bench under a cherry blossom tree. Usagi said something and Mamoru laughed in response, causing her to pout for a second before also joining in his laughter. They seemed completely oblivious to the harm that their relationship would do to the Earth. Was Mamoru that stupid to think that simply because they had been reborn that the past was automatically erased? Or perhaps he simply would not believe it? Either way, it did not matter, not in Kisho’s eyes. He hadn’t wanted to believe that Mamoru would betray them.

“When you were the decoy” he started, turning back to Seiichi, “Why didn’t you try to keep them apart? If you cared so much for the Master then why didn’t you kill her when you had the chance?”

Seiichi shrugged, suddenly uncomfortable, “I don’t know” he admitted quietly, “A part of me knows I should have, but…”

Kisho shook his head, “Don’t tell me. She is just a child, right?”

“No. She is more than that, even if she refuses to believe it.”

“Then why?” he pressed.

“The Master cared about her long before he knew he was the Prince.”

This was true, Kisho knew, but this fact only served to make him angrier. Only Taro actually approved of Mamoru’s feelings for Usagi, for reasons that Kisho was unable to fathom. What was more important than the fate of the planet? Yet still he was alone. Seiichi would not say anything against his ‘Master’ and Masaki was too weak to take a proper stand against the relationship. Kisho, as always, was alone.

Glancing up again at the Prince and Princess, Kisho’s fury deepened as Mamoru leaned forward and placed a tentative kiss on Usagi’s lips.

“Jadeite… Nephrite…” he whispered. Kunzite stepped forwards as his gaze locked upon a third person lying further away. Stumbling towards the person, Kunzite choked on his name as he recognised the third of the Tennou. He lay on his stomach; his lifeless blue eyes seemed to be staring up into Kunzite’s own as though accusing of causing all of this. “Zoisite…”

“The past must not be repeated” Kisho whispered, his voice hoarse as he transformed, a shaking hand drawing his sword as he took a step towards the couple.

“Kunzite, matte” Seiichi snapped, grabbing his sword arm and forcing him to lower the weapon.

“Master…” he whispered, his voice having a hardened edge to it as he spoke, “Princess… All of this… how many more will suffer? Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoisite, your own people! When will it end?”

Long ago Endymion had requested that Kunzite look after the weaker Tennou. They were his responsibility and, as the leader of the Shitennou, Kunzite knew that he also had a greater duty towards the Prince. If Endymion would not listen, then Kunzite would force him to.

Shaking Seiichi off of him, Kunzite shot back:

“Don’t interfere” before, once again, walking towards the couple.

******

Mamoru found Usagi sitting on a bench in the park, a glum look upon her usually bright and cheerful face and his guilt deepened that he was the one to cause this. Cautiously Mamoru approached her, taking a seat beside her.

“What do you want now?” she demanded softly.

Mamoru did not reply and simply handed her the gift.

“What is…?” Usagi started, her frown disappearing as she opened the present. Her face lit up in a delighted smile when she took out the sun and moon pocket watch. Mamoru knew she had been admiring it earlier in the day when he wasn’t looking. It was strange how much that simple thing seemed to mean to her and how Mamoru felt when she smiled.

Still, he could help but say that she couldn’t count on a present every time she flounced off in a pout, adding her nickname ‘Tsukino Kobuta’ onto the end of this sentence. Usagi did pout for a moment or two before giggling as well.

Usagi hung the watch around her neck and leaned against Mamoru and, for a few minutes, neither spoke, content to enjoy each other’s company. Mamoru, glancing down at the girl snuggled against his side, had a lot of doubts forming in his mind as he wrapped an arm around her. He was betraying the Shitennou. He was doing exactly what they had feared.

What happened to making my own decisions? Mamoru wondered to himself. Only half an hour ago he was determined to be with Usagi and save the planet and now… He shook his head slightly. If they feared the past then surely it would repeat! This was madness. It was Beryl that they had to destroy, not a fourteen-year-old girl.

As he stared, Usagi noted his discomfort and looked up, smiling slightly as she did so.

Gently, Mamoru cupped her chin in one hand and lent down, placing a kiss upon her lips. As they embraced, Mamoru could hear the hammering of his heart inside his chest and he struggled to fight off the guilt as Hina’s face flashed before his eyes once more. Forcing this image away, Mamoru concentrated on the feeling of having her in his arms. The girl he loved from both this world and the last.

“So… you will betray us after all?”

Mamoru pulled away, his guilt almost doubling when he looked up and saw Kunzite watching them. Seiichi was standing a little way off, seemingly unsure of how to react to this situation. His gaze flickered to Kunzite and then back to Mamoru. The latter shook his head slightly, willing Seiichi to keep out of this as he stood, pushing Usagi behind him as he did so.

“I won’t betray you” Mamoru answered him, “Not again.”

Kunzite shook his head bitterly, “You already have.”

“I don’t want to fight you, Kunzite.”

“Then don’t. Step aside.”

Mamoru pushed Usagi back further, hating the fury that echoed in his own voice as he replied, “Kunzite, de-transform. This is madness. Your fight is with me, not Usagi.”

“No” Kunzite refused, “Not until you realise that this is madness. That she is turning your own guardians against you.”

“I don’t want to chose between you” Mamoru said desperately as Kunzite took another step towards him. “Why can’t you see that?”

“There should be no choice to make. The fate of the planet is what matters. You are the Prince. You have a duty to protect this world.”

“Our fight is with Beryl, not the Senshi.”

Kunzite slowly shook his head and Mamoru realised that his friend wasn’t going to listen to any more excuses. He had crossed a line with Kunzite and, after that, there was no going back.

“Kunzite, matte!” Seiichi shouted, even as Mamoru transformed into Endymion.

“Stay out of this!” Endymion answered and Seiichi again hesitated.

“Mamoru” Usagi whispered as he drew his own sword. “Stop this! Please. I don’t want you to fight because of me!”

For a few minutes they simply faced each other, Endymion silently pleading with Kunzite to back down.

Please… don’t make me fight you… we’re friends…

Kunzite, too, seemed to hold some indecision, but quickly shook this off and Endymion winced as their blades clashed for the first time.

Endymion could vaguely recall Kunzite teaching him how to wield a sword and laughing at his Prince’s attempts to do so. Endymion had never been the master that Kunzite had been.

This superior skill was showing itself now, Endymion thought, as he was gradually forced backwards, Kunzite, as always, having the upper hand.

Glancing wildly passed him, Endymion saw that both Seiichi and Usagi had transformed. Sailor Moon standing ready to defend them with the Moon Wand and Zoisite struggling with Endymion’s orders not to interfere and his own desire to save the Prince and stop this.

It turned out that no one had to do a thing. At last, Endymion stumbled, dropping his sword when there was an explosion of black and purple energy. It was a very weak attack, not enough to harm them, but enough to force Kunzite to throw up a shield around them to absorb this new onslaught.