Disclaimers, notes,
etc.:
Sailor Moon and characters
contained therein do not belong to me. It's really not a terribly
complex concept. :)
Wowee. I know it's been ages since I've had anything new written on this story, and I apologize for that. I started college in August, so obviously that's got me pretty busy. Hopefully new sections will begin coming out with more regularity, but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. My brain just doesn't multitask very well. :)
Anyway, here we are again in "Cycle of Our Souls" land. If you don't remember what's going on (and I didn't; I keep having to read the stories over again), then go back and check up on previous parts or whatever. I certainly won't mind. :)
All right, all right,
I'll shut up now. Enjoy!!
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"I just can't wait
for the ball tomorrow!! Queen Serenity asked me to consult with the
chefs about the menu, and oh, Nephrite, it's going to be so wonderful!
We'll dance and we'll eat and we'll laugh... the others are all so excited
and... nani? What's so funny? I guess I am prattling a little
bit... kinda like Minako, ne?"
He chuckled deeply and ran a large hand through his wavy auburn hair. "Malachite says she nearly talks his ear off. She seems sweet, though." They were stretched out, side by side, beneath the sprawling cherry trees of Queen Serenity's private orchard.
Concerned, Makoto wrinkled her nose in a frown. "Yeah... if you like sweet, I guess. People don't usually describe me as sweet."
"That's because they don't know you well enough. You're perfectly sweet once someone has a chance to get past that prickly outside."
"'Prickly outside'!" she cried, sitting up suddenly and whapping him on the chest. "I do not have a prickly outside!!" She hesitated, frowning and chewing on the end of her ponytail. "Do I?" she asked at last.
Rubbing his chest with a glower, he said, "No, Mako-chan, you just enjoy beating people to bruised pulps, that's all."
"That's not funny, Nephrite. Do you really think I'm... I'm too boyish? I don't do my hair or wear fancy clothes like the others, and I always enjoy a good fight... but I'm not... weird, am I?"
He frowned, realizing that she was really upset. "Listen, my passionate little star, you can't pay heed to a word I say. You should know that by now. You're strong, you know what you want, and you're not afraid to go after it. That intimidates a lot of people, but you can't let weak fools tell you who to be."
The term of endearment surprised her so much that she heard not a word after that, though the general idea he was trying to express came across loud and clear. "You're a pretty smart guy, Lord Nephrite," she said with a sudden grin. "Wanna go to Queen Serenity's ball with me?"
He laughed deeply and plucked a silvery-pink cherry blossom from the tangle of her silky brown ponytail. "Nothing in all the Universe would give me greater pleasure, Lady Makoto."
Makoto frowned at her reflection and ran the silver brush through her hair again. Minako had insisted she wear it down, but that just felt strange to her. How was a person supposed to do anything with her hair in her face all the time? What a pain. Though she had to admit that it did look nice... and Nephrite would probably like it. Not that that was any reason to do anything! But still... the thought did cross her mind.
A quick peek out the
window showed Earth to already be high and full in the sky. "Shimatta!"
she cried, realizing that she had missed the opening ceremonies -- the
Queen's parties always started at Earthrise. Throwing on a filmy
shawl -- "so girlie!" she had remarked upon seeing it for the first
time -- the princess
of Jupiter hurried from her chamber to the Ball Room.
She had no sooner stepped through the arched, intricately carved doorway than Lord Malachite was at her side. "Lady Makoto," he said formally, "perhaps you would like to dance?"
With a smile and a wicked gleam in her emerald eyes, Mako accepted the hand he offered. "Yes, thank you, though I must warn that I'm much better at ice skating than dancing!"
He grinned. "They're very similar, I'm sure, Lady."
They spun out onto the dance floor, and she soon found that Malachite was an excellent partner. Minako was certainly lucky! Speaking of... "Where is a certain little blond friend of yours?"
"I'm afraid she has left me for Zoisite. Lady Ami does not seem to upset about it, either, as she has absconded with Jadeite."
"Oh dear; I hope Rei-chan doesn't catch them together!"
"But that's the genius of it, Lady Jupiter: Nephrite is currently occupying your Martian Princess."
Makoto laughed delightedly. "Nephrite won't know what hit him!" she cried over the soaring music of the waltz. "Oh, and look, Lord Malachite! The Prince and Princess seem so happy together."
Malachite glanced up to see the royal couple dancing slowly, as though caught up in a world all their own, and Mako couldn't miss the slight shadow that crossed his handsome features. "Indeed," he said softly, "very happy." The music ended and Malachite stepped away with a bow. "It's been lovely, Lady Makoto, but I should get back to Mi'ko-chan before she drags me away by my cape."
She was still frowning after him when she felt Nephrite take her elbow. "That Jadeite is one lucky guy, but I still think I'm the most fortunate. How'd you enjoy your dance with Mal-kun? A little stiff, isn't he?"
"That was odd..." she said vaguely, completely ignoring him. "He had the strangest look on his face when I said something about Serena and Endymion... it was like it bothered him somehow. Why would that be, Nephrite?"
He glanced warily at the royal couple and then back to her worried face. "It's nothing to concern yourself with tonight, Makoto. There are... problems on Earth, and we--" he was interrupted by a happy, laughing couple jostling them from behind as they twirled through the intricate dance steps. "Perhaps we could continue this somewhere a little more private?"
Outside the night was clear and cool, the air smelling sweetly of honeysuckle and roses. The couple strolled along the smoothly raked gravel avenues and soon found themselves in the clearing before the planetarium. "There's something very wrong, isn't there? Why doesn't anyone ever tell me anything?!?" she demanded, unaffected by the serene beauty surrounding them.
"Mako-chan, onegai, don't get upset. No one has said anything because it was just finalized tonight, and we wanted you to be able to enjoy the ball."
"We're not children, Nephrite! We can handle bad news. Now will you tell me what's going on?"
He sighed and glanced around. "Come inside," he whispered, pulling her into the darkness of the planetarium. They had been here often since that first day, and he knew the way to the telescope without her guidance. "Do you know why I've brought you here?" he asked as he typed a series of numbers into the computer.
"Supposedly there's some big news that you fancy-pants Earthlings are hiding from us Lunars," she said acidly.
"Mako-chan, listen to me," he said urgently, taking hold of her arms, "Earth is under attack. We have no choice but to return... it's not what we want to do, any of us, but it's our only option."
She pulled herself from his grasp and turned away, arms crossed over her chest. "When do you leave?" she whispered dully.
"Tomorrow morning."
She bowed her head, chestnut hair tickling her cheeks as a renegade tear fell. Angrily she wiped at her eyes and shoved the offending locks behind her ears. "So soon. I'm sure Minako knows all about this?"
"She's the leader of the Senshi, Mako-chan. Queen Serenity-sama told Endymion, Malachite, and Minako this afternoon. I only know because I heard Endy-kun and Malachite discussing it."
She spun around angrily, eyes flashing. "We should go with you, Nephrite! Our powers could be of great help--"
"Nai, Mako-chan. Malachite and the Prince suspect that Beryl will soon attack the Moon. The Senshi are needed here."
"But what if... what if..." she trailed off, and he moved closer, lifting her chin with a strong hand.
"We'll be together, Makoto. Do you hear me? I'm not about to back to Earth and forget about you. How could I, my bright star, my sweet flower, how could I ever live without you?" His thumb against her cheek as he wiped away a tear was so gentle she almost couldn't bear it. He pulled her against his chest and whispered into her thick, rose-scented hair, "Lovely Makoto, don't cry. Please, my darling, I can't bear to see you cry. We'll be together again soon, I promise."
"I love you, Nephrite," she whispered, so sad and so frightened that she almost couldn't breathe.
He pushed her away, sapphire eyes wide and bright with moisture. "I have something for you, Mako-chan." He reached into some hidden pocket on his uniform and pulled out something small and shimmering. "I want to ask you to wait for me. I know it's unfair, because none of us have any idea how long we'll be away, but I love you, Makoto, and I want to be with you always. Marry me, Mako-chan. Say you'll have me." He held out the ring and she felt her breath catch in her throat.
"It's... gods, Nephrite!" The small silver ring was fashioned into a rose blossom, but cupped inside the delicate petals was an emerald shaped like a star. It was quite honestly the most beautiful thing Makoto had ever seen. The breath was let out in a rush. "You ask as though there's some chance in all the Universe I could actually be capable of saying no."
He grinned sheepishly and slid the ring onto her finger. "I didn't want to seem presumptuous."
"I just wish I could come with you, Nephrite! If the Senshi helped you defeat Beryl on Earth, then--"
"Don't make me say it, Mako-chan," he pleaded softly. He knew that neither of them wanted to consider the prospect that Beryl would win, but from what he'd heard Mal-kun and the Prince saying earlier... he couldn't repress an involuntary shudder.
At last the brown-haired girl shook her head. "We won't think about it any more tonight. I love you, Nephrite, and I always will. No matter what happens with Beryl, I'll be here waiting for you."
He smiled and kissed her long and sweet. "You are a gift from the stars, my Mako-chan, and I don't know what I'd do without you."
Makoto grinned, arms wrapped tightly around his waist. "Aren't you glad you'll never have to find out!?"
He didn't reply for a moment, and she glanced up at him in concern. On his face was a look of rapture like she had never seen before. Something... she glanced over her shoulder at the telescope's large display screen and laughed brightly. "Oh, Nephrite, isn't it lovely!" she cried.
It looked to her as though diamonds were streaking through the black velvet of the sky, one after another. She laughed again and squeezed him tightly. "It's a good omen, Nephrite," she said of the shower. "It means we're destined to be happy together forever... I just know it does!"
"Hai, Mako-chan, I
do believe you're right." These happy, hopeful words were belied
by the strange shadows haunting his normally brilliant sapphire eyes.
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Lita awoke with a start, surprised out of the strange dream by the sound of one of the temple's screens being pushed aside. As she stretched out the cramps in her muscles, Raye entered Serena's room with a small smile. "I'm sorry to wake you," she said quietly, resting her hand on Serena's forehead for a moment.
"It's all right. I just dozed off for a second."
"You weren't dreaming?" the miko asked, remembering all the vivid dreams she'd had of the Silver Millennium after meeting Jay Dalinger.
"I... well... yes, actually. Raye, do you think Neil Forrester is Nephrite?" she asked in a rush. The issue had been worrying her since her first date with Neil, and it was something that could be ignored no longer.
The dark-haired girl frowned thoughtfully. "It seems logical that he would be, doesn't it? First Jay-Jadeite and I, then Malachy-Malachite and Mina... now Neil-Nephrite and you; it follows the pattern, ne?"
"I don't like it, Raye, not at all! What if he isn't like Jay and Malachy? What if this nice-guy thing is just an act, and he's really here to avenge Beryl or something?"
"Lita... I know you weren't around when we fought Nephrite, but has anyone told you the story?"
"No, but what does that have to do with anything?"
"Beryl froze Jadeite in a state just as evil as the one we battled against; Sailor Moon killed Malachite at the height of his power; but Nephrite's death was completely different. Have you ever heard Molly mention someone named Maxfield Stanton?"
Lita's green eyes darkened as she frowned. "He died, didn't he? Molly was in love with him, but he died strangely. What does he have to do with -- gods, Raye, you aren't saying that Maxfield Stanton was--"
"Nephrite. That's exactly what I'm saying. Zoisite had some goons kidnap Molly as bait to trap Nephrite and get his Star Crystal from him. Nephrite did rescue her, and Zoisite branded him a traitor. He died in Molly's arms from a wound inflicted by a youma. It was horribly sad."
"If Neil is Nephrite, then why isn't he using the name Maxfield Stanton?"
Raye shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe he doesn't remember anything about that. You should introduce him to Molly and see what happens."
"Oh, right; he takes one look at her, gets his memory back and leaves me in the dust. Yippee," she said sarcastically.
"I don't think that would happen, Lita." She bit her lower lip and looked away. "Maybe you should talk to Mina about this. I'm sure she has some of the same worries about Mal and Zoisite -- if Zoisite ever shows up -- despite what Malachy has said about the subject. Or maybe you should just talk to Neil about it. I mean, if Jay and Malachy are any indication, then just mentioning should be enough to make him remember."
"And if he's not Nephrite? Then what should I do? Raye... I love Neil, but in the past I loved Nephrite. If they aren't the same person, then... should I dump Neil and sit around waiting for Nephrite?"
She turned back and took her friend's hands in her own. "Lita, relax. You're having the Silver Millennium dreams, aren't you? Mina and I did, too. None of us can remember what Nephrite looks like, and I bet you can't from your dream, either. It all lines up. Go talk to him. Tell him about being Sailor Jupiter and see what he says. Regardless of whether or not he's Nephrite, if you love him, he needs to know about you being a senshi."
Lita sighed and raised herself to her feet. "You're right, of course. I'll go talk to him right now. He should be at work, but he's never busy. Thanks, Raye. I really appreciate your help on this." With a smile, the tall girl dashed out the door and away from the temple.
End IV