When Makoto woke up in the morning she knew that the time had come. She instinctively looked at her finger and took note of the ring on her finger. Now she knew for sure, he had come back. She laid her head back down on the pillow. She had slept through Ami's mishap, so when Minako burst into her room with the news she was surprised.
Mako did her hair up as Minako chattered on. Her body may have grown, but it was apparent that she was still the same Minako everyone knew and loved.
"Oh it was the sweetest thing. Zoi and Ami, they are such a cute couple. Every time he whispers to her or kisses she blushes. That's just like Ami. She's such an innocent." Minako laughed to herself.
Mako toned her out after a while and stared out the window, fingering her ring. Did he still dislike her? She remembered that when they were together in the Silver Millennium they didn't get along, but nonetheless, she still loved him. Even now she wanted him to come to her, forgive her for what she had done, and maybe... maybe they could....
*************
Usagi hung on Mamoru's arm as he looked out the window at the Earth. The moon felt like a second home to him and the Senshi, and Rinko slowly explained the situation to them day by day. Evidently Earthia was bent on killing them all, but her reasons have yet to be known. Mamoru felt that he needed to find Kunzite. He got a very bad feeling in his stomach when he thought about where Kunzite would be.
"You look so busy, I'm not sure I want to disturb you," came a rough untamed drawl. Usagi and Mamoru looked up to the opening to see Nephrite standing there. "No not really." Mamoru looked at the papers in Nephrite's hands. "What's all that?"
"Papers, for my charts Endymion-san."
"Charts?" Usagi wrinkled her nose, thinking.
"To plot the pattern of the stars. I doubt they are the same as they were so many years ago. Since I have by physical form back I have been instructed to continue my duties as a dweller of the Star community." He bowed slightly and snatched up several papers that fell.
"Can we look at the stars tonight Mamo-chan?" Usagi asked innocently, all smiles. Mamoru hesitated.
"I...I don't Usako. I don't think that we should be relaxing so much. We're all out of shape, well maybe except for Mako and Minako, but I think-"
"Onigai..." she pleaded and tugged his arm. "I promise I'll do whatever training you want me to do." Mamoru smiled, know that in the end she would win because he could deny her nothing.
"Alright, alright. Tonight we watch, tomorrow you train." He tried to look serious, but he ended up kissing her giggling face. Nephrite coughed and Usagi and Mamoru sprang apart. Usagi blushed.
"Ah, Gomen ni Nephrite. I forgot you were there. But that happens when your in love."
"I wouldn't know," he said coolly. Usagi blinked.
"Well... have you ever thought of marriage?" Mamoru asked him.
"I am married." Nephrite took some paper off the shelf as they stared at them.
"To who?" Usagi wanted to know.
"Lady Makoto for Jupiter."
"What!"
"It was an arranged marriage."
"Does she know this?"
"I'm pretty sure she does."
*************
Makoto looked at her arms. She had grown weak over the years. She thought about Ami and Zoi. Would Nephrite protect her if she needed help? Would he allow her to come to him? Her min racked with questions and she started to panic. Did he still hate her? Did he ever forgive her? A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Come in," she called. Nephrite stepped in and her breath caught in her chest. He was still just how she remembered. His wavy brown hair, broad shoulders, and tall figure had been recreated perfectly.
"I thought I'd find you in here hiding," he said carefully, a hint of skepticism. Makoto looked out her window.
"I'm not hiding Nephrite. Isn't one allowed to think in private?"
"I suppose," he trailed off. He looked at her with part hate and part love. It amazed him how he could hate and love such a creature at the same time. "Get your things together."
"What?" Makoto turned to look up at him. She faltered.
"Get your things ready. I'm going to earth to gather some information, and you should come as well."
"What for?"
"A guide. I haven't been to earth in years, you knowledge will be of use to me," he said flatly. Makoto's heart sank. She thought he actually wanted her come with him, for company. She sighed and got up.
"Ready." He looked confused. "I don't exactly have all my things here. They’re still back on earth. I have an apartment there," she looked at him hopefully. "I'm sorry I can't do more to help."
"No, you've done enough."
Rinko allowed Mako and Nephrite to travel to Earth so as to gather more clues about Earthia and Kunzite. Their first night was unsuccessful and so was the night before. Most of the time Mako and Nephrite had stayed apart from each other, never speaking or even touching. It was as if they were ghosts, floating around in wasted space. As the hours passed Mako thought and worried. She wondered if she could ever be happy bound to him. As she slept that night she dreamed.
***********
::Silver Millennium::
"Oh please Nephy-chan, just one little bite," Princess Makoto pleaded to her husband holding up a spoonful of cake. He shook his head holding his stomach,
"Really, I can't eat another bite. Any more and I won't be able to sleep." Nephrite yawned and looked up into the face of his heart-broken wife. He felt his insides go soft and sighed deeply. "Alright, one bite."
"Good!" Makoto cheered and spoon-fed him the cake. He smiled and murmured sound of pleasurable delight. Makoto blushed and stepped back.
"You make the best sweets around the galaxy."
"You always say that." Makoto kneeled and placed her head in his lap. He stoked her soft pink hair pulled up in a ponytail.
"It's the truth." Nephrite closed his eyes. " I start tomorrow, you know that don't you?" he asked.
"I know..."
"I'll be home on some nights but...."
"I know..."
"You'll be on the Moon, you'll be home some nights too."
"I know..."
"I think every Friday and Wednesday. Sometimes Saturday."
"I know..." They sat in silence thinking about the time they would have to spend apart. Makoto tried not to cry. She had to be strong. Besides, it wasn't like they would be separated forever.
*********
::Present Time::
Nephrite awaked to the tantalizing aroma of egg, bacon, and porridge. He yawned and sat up in bed in a very undignified way. His hair was tousled and bunched and his eyes were puffy and red from crying in his sleep. Nightmares continued to plague him and every time he would ask the air: "Why didn't she stay home?"
A knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts. He had refused to sleep in the same room as him, so she had prepared a guest room for him. It was tinted light green with floral patterns along the top of the wall. Potted plants loitered in the corners, and pictures were placed neatly along the shelves.
"Nephrite? Are you up?" Makoto called through the door.
"Why?" he shot back coldly. Colder then he wanted to sound. Why did he still hold this grudge?
"I uh..." her voice trailed off behind the solid doorway. She fell silent. A few second later he herd someone leave. Nephrite jumped up out of bed and threw open the door. When he stood in the living room all he saw was a note next to his shoes and breakfast set on the table for him.
************
Nephrite's mind plagued him as he worked. Part of him wanted to go out and find Makoto, and the other half wanted to figure out why Earthia was so bent on destroying the Moon dwellers. She needed the ozone layer of Earth to protect her body against UV rays, and she also wanted to keep Kunzite, and Jedite in her possession. So why did she call Zoicite her son? He ran his fingers through his hair and let out an exasperated groan. Sitting in Makoto's abode wasn't getting him anywhere. He need to get out, he need to think about his mission, and he need to stop thinking about Mako and her delicious breakfast.
The sunlight felt good on his face the moment he stepped outside. His memories of Earth still flowed in his mind. He wondered was that girl, Naru was her name, was doing now. Guilt traveled through his mind, but he wasn't sure if it was the guilt of thinking of other women or the guilt of leaving them behind to worry about them. He knew that he and died in the arms of Naru, be even then his heart had been somewhere else. Now that he thought of it, he couldn't find any reason why he felt attracted to Naru. Makoto's sad face flashed in his head.
"I need,” he said to nobody as he walked down the streets of Tokyo. What did he need? Makoto? Love? Compassion? Forgiveness? A friend? He stopped. Food. He needed food. He looked around. The city had changed. Where could he god now? A restaurant? But he didn't have any money. Now he really felt guilty. He felt like a moocher. Makoto was probably working, working to provide for both of them in this money-based world. He remembered when he was a child and he had to work to provide for his mother after his fathered died. After that he swore that he would desire nothing from no one. Then Makoto had entered his life and he broke his vow. He wanted her to give her love to him. She did so then and she was doing so now, and he wanted to love her in return, but a simple grudge in his stubborn mind prevented that.
***************
Makoto backed into the apartment, her arms full of groceries. She planned to cook up a great dinner for Nephrite. Her great passion in cooking fueled the empty slots of her tired muscles. Maybe all this cooking would toughen her up. She hadn't fought in such a long time, she felt weak. She looked around, wondering if he was home.
"I hope he didn't go out to find me. I said in the note that Id be back at seven," she said to no one. Just then the door opened behind her and she whirled to see Nephrite. They stared at each other for a while, than Nephrite walked past her into his room. Makoto stood where she was. She slowly turned and looked at his closed door.
“Dinner will be ready at six,” she whispered to the closed door. She moved to the kitchen and started to boil water. Makoto tied on her apron. A warm feeling surrounded her whole body. It was the secure feeling she got when she cooked, like nothing could touch her. Nothing could harm her. Nothing could reach her. She was in her own bubble doing what she enjoyed most.
Her hand flew as cut up vegetable, and tofu. She dumped them in the pot with care. She fired up her stove and pulled out her favorite frying pan. It was a waltz that she played in her mind. Her feet seemed to float as she danced around the kitchen to the music in her head. Soon the food was ready, the table was set, and the only thing that was missing was her courage to ask Nephrite to sit with her.
Once again, like she had that morning, she approached his door and gently knocked. He answered in an indecisive voice. She stopped. A long silence passed.
“Dinner’s ready.”
“Dinner?” The door slowly opened and soon he was revealed to her.
“Yes.”
“You made dinner?”
“Yes.” She stepped back to show him the table that she set. He walked past her, slightly touching her shoulder. Makoto followed him, feeling a bit more at ease. He took his seat and she served him.
“I worked really hard on the tofu dish, it hard to work with you know.” Makoto smiled at him and his stomach did flip-flops.
“Why?” he asked. Makoto paused.
“Why what?”
“Why did you make all of this? What is the point of it all?”
“I...” Makoto thought for a moment. “I don’t quite remember what I did to make you hate me but… I’ll try my hardest to correct it. Minako always said that the fastest way to a man’s heart was through his stomach, and I figure that I cook well enough to find some way to your heart.” Makoto looked at her feet and twisted her fingers.
“Do you remember?”
“No… I don’t…”
“Then you don’t know that you can’t make it up with food Makoto.” Her name was sweet on his lips. She looked so defeated and he wanted to hold her more than anything in the world. He needed her badly; he would have ill feelings towards her as long as she stayed ignorant.
***********
Earthia growled in the darkness. The people of Earth were praying to their false gods again. They had not respect for her. They didn’t care. Some even worshiped the other planets. In her crystal orb she saw a girl pray to Venus for a happy love filled marriage. It made her sick. It gave even more of a reason to destroy them.
“I can’t stand it!” she screamed. “Fires of Mars, Beauty of Venus, Wisdom of Mercury, Strength of Jupiter, Grace of Selen! I can’t stand it! Worthless filthy fool!” Earthia threw the orb against the wall. Gaia watched her counter part. It wasn’t fair that she could not take away the pain of her master, that her master could the share in the joy of the people of Earth, but she also felt sorrow. That separation hurt both mentally and physically.
“Dose is hurt that much Earthia?” asked a lengthy male voice. Earthia hissed.
“I don’t understand. I have the power to separate from my removed earth children, but I still cannot defeat my greatest rival.” Her eyes glowed red and an aura surrounded her body.
“Be patient. In time you will get what you desire.”
“Still I cannot wait for the destruction of my own planet.” She turned to the glowing orb, which had contained the melodious male voice. She lifted her hands and it began to take a human form. “Kunzite,” she said simply.
“Yes Mother?” He bowed low, dressed in his gray General’s uniform. His silver-white hair settles around his shoulders and he cast her an upward glance from under his lids.
“I want the people of Earth dead, all of them.” As Kunzite bowed a scream erupted from the side door. Gaia was clutching her chest and was obviously struggling to hold herself up right.
“Please, Earthia, please, have mercy. They are a part of me, please. You’ll only kill me, please, Earthia!” Gaia pleaded. She was now on her knees in front of Earthia, clutching the hem of her dress, tears streaming down her cheeks. Earthia was startled for a moment. Kunzite only cast a merger glance to the crumpled girl on the floor with empty eyes.
“Gaia…”
“Onigai!”
“Gaia…” Earthia paused and sighed. “Kunzite, the people of the country Japan will do. At lest them the precious princess of the Moon will feel the pain of loosing the lives of her friends and family.”
“… Earthia… a..arigato,” whispered Gaia. Kunzite nodded and Earthia pulled her dress away from the prying hands of Gaia, disappearing into the darkness. Kunzite glared down at the crumbling form of Gaia.
“Do you realize that you are just avoiding the inevitable?” he asked her. She looked up at him with sad eyes.
“I know, but your afraid too, aren’t you?” Kunzite flinched. “You want to protect her right?” He turned away from her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. My loyalty lays with Earthia, my one true mother.”
“Does it?” He answered her yes. “Do think that Rinko will defeat Earthia?”
“No.”
“But if Rinko had a fighting chance, even a winning chance would you-“
“No I would not,” he snapped, cutting off her accusations. My past means nothing. It is only mistakes that I shall soon rectify. When it all over…” He frowned as he thought.
“Tell me Kunzite,” Gaia asked in a sorrowful tone. “In the end what will be significant in your life? Could you ever go back? Do you think she would want you?” Kunzite held up his head and pasted a vicious look on his face. Gaia cowered a bit then he turned and left the room mumbling.
“In the end it doesn’t really matter.”
****************
:: Silver Millennium ::
“Nephy I’m tired of sitting around and do nothing,” she whined while sitting on the bed, her slightly round stomach showing under her nightgown.
“You should stay home, I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Nephrite buttoned up his shirt and kissed her cheek.
“I won’t be locked up like a prisoner Nephrite,” she argued. She stood up quickly, trailing him around the massive bedroom.
“Stay here,” he said calmly, running his hand through his hair.
“I’m not a pet Nephrite.”
“You need to stay safe at all times. Your breeding now Love.”
“What about the princess, I can’t leave her.”
“She has the other Senshi. She’ll be fine until your tem month are up.”
“TEN MONTHS! I can’t stay cooped up for that long!”
“Look Mako, the situation is getting worse. Metallia’s forces are expanding and I need to know your safe.”
“I’m not a baby Nephrite.”
“No put your acting like one.”
“What?”
“Stay here Mako, that’s final!”
That very day Mako left after he did, dressed in a looser fitting fuku, she traveled to earth to resume her duties. That evening the Moon kingdom was attacked. Many lives were lost and the leader Matallia laughed with glee over the dead bodies. Soldiers of Earth littered the Moon lands and the Generals of the crown Prince lay dead or dying with unspeakable pain.
Nephrite held Mako’s cold body in his blood soaked hands. He was bleeding to death and it was only a matter of time. A sharp sword had been thrust into her swelled belly. She was dead, the baby was dead, and he was dying. He cried out in pain sorrow and hatred. If only she had stayed home like he told her, she would be alive, and so would their child.
****************
::Present Day::
Mako sat up in bed panting, sweat pouring down her hot face. She held her stomach as a sharp familiar pain shot through her. She finally understood. He was mad that she died, that she had killed their child, that he couldn’t protect her. She wanted to cry out in pain as he memories of their millennium marriage flowed inside her body. She slowly got out of bed and pulled on a robe. She carefully left her room and strode over to Nephrite’s door. It wasn’t locked. She came in and saw him sprawled on top of the sheets of the bed. His window was open and paper littered the floor under the window. She remembered as a member of the start community his job was to plot the position of each star, each life, and each destiny. In addition to that he also had to protect the prince.
“Nephy…” Mako whispered, the name familiar and sweet on her lips. He stirred. She knew he was a light sleeper. “Nephy, forgive me.”
“Makoto…" He groaned and sat up looking at her with a tired look. “Not now.”
“No, it has to be now. I understand now.” There were tears in her eyes.
“What are you talking about?”
“Nephrite I-“ she was cut off by a loud piercing scream. She and Nephrite snapped to attention. He bolted out of bed and looked out the open window. Under the streetlights a woman was rained of her life force by a dark creature.
“Earthia… I can sense her powers behind this.” Nephrite, who had fell asleep in his cloths, rushed out of the apartment. Makoto called after him but he didn’t answer. She pulled on her shoes and discarded her robe, rushing after him. By the time they got out of the apartment building the streets were littered with people who had been dragged from their homes at this ungodly hour by dark monsters.
The monsters were the size of human. They had tough forest green skin and large muscles in their arms and legs. Red eyed and white fanged; they jumped onto balconies broke windows and pulled out screaming mothers, fathers, and children. They sank their teeth into the fragile human flesh and instantly the humans shriveled up like raisins. Makoto watched in horror as a whaling child of ten cried and struggled against one of the beasts. Something inside her snapped and she ran forward, ignoring Nephrite’s voice. She shouldered the creature at full speed, knocking it too the ground. The child was released and gathered in Makoto’s waiting arms. The child cried into her shoulder and the creature growled. It hisses and snarled, waving it’s arms about the night air. Then it dropped dead. Makoto stared at the body surprised. Nephrite came up behind her, a few glowing stars in his hand.
“I’ve seen these before,” he said quietly. Makoto stared at him.
“Where?”
“On Earth during the Millennium Battles. They’ll come for us now.”
“Why?” Makoto panicked, holding the child tight.”
“You took its prey and I killed it. They are very noble creatures obsessed with revenge.” He took the child from her and laid him among the bushes. Under his spell the child slept. Deep growls surround them. Nephrite knew they had to move and fast. He grabbed Makoto’s hand and they ran through the streets of Tokyo. They had to find another, safer place to fight. There were too man witnesses and too many victims if they stayed. Soon they were among the open fields of one of Tokyo’s parks.
“This is as far as we can go. We’re completely surrounded.” Nephrite never let go of her hand. He wanted to protect her. He had too.
“How can you tell?”
“I just can.” Just then something dark jumped out of the bushes moving toward them at full speed. Makoto heard the creature, but in the dark she couldn’t see anything.
“Where-“ Her question was cut off as she heard the cry of the dying beast. Nephrite.
“Stay close. In the dark they are hard to see.” Another jumped out and Nephrite cut it down. After a long silence they all jumped out. In the light Makoto would have been able to count twenty of them, but in the darkness of the moonless night it sounded like one hundred. Eventually Nephrite had to let go of her head but he called out to her so that she would know that he was near. The battle raged on. Makoto punched and kicked but only made contact a few times. She screamed as something clawed at her back. She turned quickly and reached out, grabbing a beefy arm. She used all of her might and threw the monster over her shoulder. Another sharp swipe at her back; she spun around and kicked at her attacked, but it had learned from the others. It grabbed her leg and twisted it in the wrong direction. She felt the pain then heard the snap. She screamed and fell to the ground, nursing her wounded leg as she fell into eternal sleep.
Nephrite heard her scream and he had found her limp on the ground. He held her gently in his arms. The creatures were already dead, and the battlefield smelled of blood and sweat. He looked her over and carefully picked her up. Her groan relived him and scared him at the same time. Makoto, he had failed her again. He didn’t protect her and now she was hurt.
By the time the clock struck six in the morning Nephrite had bandaged her leg and nursed her. She made low noises as she slowly recovered. He stroked her hair and questioned himself. He was supposed to hate her, right? So why did he want to love her again.
“Gomen ne,” she whispered. Nephrite, startled, looked at her sadly.
“For what?”
“For not listening in the past and making you worry about me.”
“It’s alright.” His heart swelled. He prayed that he could tell her what his heart was telling him.
“Don’t hate me.” Her plea was pitiful and weak and made him want to cry out in shame.
“I… I don’t hate you Makoto… I just…” He sighed and ran a finger along his brow. “I was devastated when you died that night. Hating you… I just wanted to keep my heart from breaking again.”
“Because of me?” she asked.
“No… because I was scared. I was afraid that I’d loose you again.” Nephrite covered her with sheets and stood up to leave.
“Nephrite wait,” she called to him. He paused, but didn’t turn around.
“Is it too late?” she asked carefully, holding back tears.
“For what?”
“To say ‘I love you’?” He turned slowly and looked into the eyes of his wife, his true love, the one whom he had denied himself over the course of time. He sat on the bed gently and gathered her in his arms, careful to squeeze her too hard.
“No… no it’s not too late.” He waited. “I love you Makoto, I’ll love you forever, till death do us part,” he recited.
“And beyond?” Makoto asked falling asleep.
“And beyond.”
-Authors Note-
I have to say that this is a long piece, and it took long. It was hard putting Makoto and Nephrite into character. I know that the details were a bit choppy and the story is a bit rushed. Even the fight scene is short, but I think what happens at the end is the true kicker. At lest in this chapter you gain some insight on Kunzite and Earthia. If the mood strikes me I may do a revised version. I’m not overly pleased with my work on this chapter, but I promise that I’ll pour all of my soul, sweat and blood into chapter 11.
In the next chapter you see Rei and Jedite hook up. This one will be a lot more involved and will reveal more secrets of the Moon Kingdom. Rinko will show up and Earthia’s intentions will be made clear. Also be prepared because something major is going to happen in this chapter.
