His shadow walking through empty barren plains.
 The ground was like a rusty hue and two moons hovered overhead.
 I was looking at someone’s thoughtful blue eyes,
 Frighteningly misted in someone else’s dark shadow…
 …like my vision of the enemy ruling the storm.
 Then I was drawn to his kiss again where the Moon hovered at Hikawa Jinja.

 How come both of what I saw seemed so real?  Hino Rei tried to pick up her pace as she walked down Hikawa Jinja’s steps.  Because the night had taken her so far as to thinking what had happened the other day, she was a bit… indisposed this morning.  If only the stranger had realized who he was talking to, he would think twice before coming to trespass once again!  She didn’t care about him at all, just that she was asking what prompted those few visions to come to her head when he kissed her… Kissed her?  Why that little….!!
 But before she could give a blow at him, she’d have to know who he is.  And he’d have to return just so she could give him what he deserves!  If only he knew who he was talking to.  If only he knew that she could have transformed as Sailormars.  If only he knew who she was… then that fateful encounter with him would be so… different!
 He has to return!  He has to return just as he promised! Because the images I saw in my mind had seemed so real… as though it were happening at that same time.

 “Attacked you?” Kunzite could not believe Jadeite’s words.
 “How is that, Jadeite?” Nephrite asked, himself amazed at his friend’s story.
 But Jadeite’s gaze remained transfixed on the floor and his mind was somewhere in the illusion that he might have just created of her.  His experience the other day had been… strange.
 “Jadeite-kun!”
 Kunzite’s deep voice boomed in Jadeite’s ear.  At least, Kunzite was able to get the attention of his overwhelmingly earnest comrade.  He was the first to return back to the surface world and he was hoping that the result would have been fruitful.
 “Tell us why this happened, Jadeite,” Kunzite continued.  “That you had an unpleasant confrontation with this woman.”
 “She thought I was an enemy,” Jadeite answered with remorse.
 “Enemy?” Zoisite repeated.
 “This is not right, Jadeite.  You didn’t do anything to threaten her?” Kunzite asked nervously.
 Jadeite smiled weakly.  “On my part, that would be incredibly unthinkable!”
 “How did she then immediately arrive at that conclusion?” It was Nephrite this time.
 Jadeite smiled at what his friend insinuated, without yet looking at his face.  “She couldn’t have known anything, Nephrite!” Or could she?
 “Maybe you should be more careful next time, Jadeite.”
 “You worry too much.”
 Jadeite’s news had affected Kunzite in a way that he was also thinking of the same process in retrieving his memories.  The only problem was that Kunzite could not remember where he was last on the surface world, despite the many images of Queen Beryl and the Prince… his master, that appear in his head.  “Nephrite is right.  You should be careful next time.”
 “She will not be a threat to us, I assure you!” Jadeite had been very annoyed.
 The process didn’t help him much, Kunzite observed.  He massaged his temple to ease his headache.  All the memories had done that.  Jadeite was only able to recollect a few things upon coming to the surface world with the addition of an unpleasant meeting to which he seems to speak so highly of.  But Kunzite had made up his mind.  “I shall go for awhile,” he said before he exited from their midst.

 “Here it is!”  Makoto announced proudly, holding the masterpieces in her dish.  Each little hors d’oeuvre was like a famous display, complete with garnishing and other decorative pieces that Ami and Rei thought it a shame just for eating.
 “Oishii…. Delicious!”  Usagi cannot help but stare at Makoto’s proud little tidbits.
 “Very delicious!” Minako affirmed after placing three in her mouth.
 “Mako-chan, you have been busy in the kitchen for too long.  You have missed valuable minutes of study time!”
 Rei listened to Makoto apologize to Ami.  Even at her house, the same events always happen and she was impatient to end the study session so she could sit in front of her fire.
 “It’s delicious, Mako-chan!”
 “Really?”
 “Mmmmm!” Usagi was impressed that Mako-chan had the diligence of preparing some good food for them!  Each little thing they ate was like a model of precision whatever kitchen tool Makoto used!
 “You have sliced these little olives well, Mako-chan!”  Minako remarked in between chewing.
 “Thank you!”  Makoto appreciated all the compliments.  This was the one she liked to do most—to prepare something special for someone.
 “This is the right cut! “ Usagi continued, as she examined her piece of olive.  “I can never achieve success with our knife at home.”
 “Unless maybe if you try seppuku.”
 “Rei-chan!”  Usagi growled, as if smoke had been coming out of her ears.  But Rei had paid no attention to her usual protests, as she sat down and sipped her tea in unconcern.

 Kunzite had arrived in time when he saw three figures walk down the stone steps of Hikawa Jinja.  Quickly, he had leapt out of their view before they were able to see them.  He was sure not to have even his shadow spotted behind the large statue where he hid.  He would not make Jadeite’s mistake. He tightened the clasp on his mask.
 “Safe.”  Kunzite breathed his expression of relief. So far, there had not been any traces of his past that had come back to him.  Of course, this place had been Jadeite’s last mission and it was surely not his.  He could not retrace his steps starting from here!  But where would he start?  Maybe Jadeite’s own memories but might have a connection to his.  It was all worth a try.  After all, there would be no risks with it.
 “Chotto matte!” The one with the golden ‘bumps’ on her head spoke.  “Please wait!”
 From his corner, Kunzite watched how the girl who spoke gently bent down to pick her small handkerchief, with its adornment of lace and fancy embroidery.  Maybe her hairstyle had been a little unusual with the wave of golden hair flowing from the two odango atop her head.
 Odango?
 
 “I shall meet her, Kunzite.  You cannot stop me!”
 “The child of the Moon wishes to control us!  You cannot go back to her!”

 “Ikimashoo!”  The girl with the odango spoke again.  “Let’s go!”
 She spoke as if her voice had broken the spell of his memory’s return.  Like a flash, the image of someone with regal stature appeared to him again.  My Prince….  Seeing her had triggered it!  He now wondered how she was able to do that, if she did actually do that on purpose.  And now, other images had come.  Like flashes of light that were blinding him every moment.  It increased the pain in his head.
 “Wait….” Kunzite struggled to speak.  She was moving farther away but the weakness from all his past had overwhelmed his mind so much.  The pressure had been so heavy that it blurred his vision.  The last thing he saw the vision of a tall man with dark hair talking to him in his black suit of armor.  Then, it was the darkness.

 Could something have happened?  Nephrite wondered, as though some strange force had struck him at the very instant.
 The walls of the old Dark Kingdom had turned cold.  Remnants of a defeated Kingdom which had been their stronghold once.  Two of his comrades were bold enough to venture into the surface world without even discerning what it would be like to be there again.  Didn’t they remember quite well how it looked like?  The Earth, with its lush gardens of greens and flowers could be the most dangerous place that would destroy them again.
 Nephrite was ready to face it, except he had not fully understood the memories of his past yet.  Jadeite and Kunzite had been luckier.  Nephrite’s memories had been as blank as the walls of the old Kingdom.

 “Sayonara, Rei-chan!”  Minako waved happily as she was the last to emerge out of Hikawa Jinja.  Good thing that the afternoon has not been completely finished because her mother wanted her to be home before supper.  Except… how would she explain that she wasn’t hungry anymore after eating more of Makoto’s tidbits than Usagi.  This wasn’t usual.
 Ami, Usagi and Makoto had already left.  She had to stay for a moment in order to look for Artemis.  She wasn’t able to find him and she was a bit irritated that that cat had gone ahead without her.  Maybe he forgot her again!
 “Huh?”
 Minako was startled at the figure she saw.  In front of the large stone statue was the figure of a man sprawled over the grounds of Hikawa Jinja.  His gray shirt had been slightly dusted with dirt.  His lengthy cape had reached the dusty floor as well.  Who could he be?
 She approached him slowly, and she did tiptoe once she was near him.  She gently took aside the light hair that covered his face and found no connection with the stranger.  She could only think that perhaps he was handsome.  Perhaps he was kind.  Even if she couldn’t see who he really was behind his black mask.
 She continued to stroke his hair gently so that it wouldn’t touch his face.  How had he been unconscious here at Hikawa Jinja?  She now made up her mind.  He was handsome, alright!   There was a certain disposition in him that she somehow distinguished from all her other crushes.  A certain take-charge attitude and Minako was sure, that anyone with deep red lips and sturdy jaw like that was bound to be extremely serious!  The new pop singer at the mall was just like that when she met him!  But she hoped that he would at least be a little cheerful.
 She hoped so much and her curiosity was already taken the best of her reason.  What was behind the mask?  Is he a celebrity?  Maybe he is one of the rock idols who want to pass by unrecognized!  It would be impolite, though, to take off the mask without his permission.  But then, her hand was already reaching toward it….
 
That hand was grabbed immediately!  The stranger was awake and he was holding her hand with the firmest grasp!  She saw his eyes open and stare at her furiously.  The stranger stood up without letting go of Minako.
“What are you doing?”  The stranger asked.
“N-nothing….”  Minako trembled.
Kunzite saw how her eyes had widened in fear and surprise.  Had he scared her?  It was as if this place would again make him commit Jadeite’s mistake of being attacked.  He immediately let go of his grasp and felt sorry for her.
“Gomene….” Minako uttered her apology.
Kunzite looked at the stairs leading out of Hikawa Jinja.  He had missed the person who had brought back part of his memories.  She was gone.
“Are you okay?”
“Huh?”
“You were unconscious a while ago. Do you need a doctor?”
Kunzite was touched at her concern.  He was not well.  The sudden flush of memories had overwhelmed him that maybe his return to the surface world had been too sudden.  “I am ok.”
“Maybe you’ll miss your concert.”
“Concert?”
Minako saw his blank expression upon her question.  It cannot hurt to try again and ask.  “Maybe you are a famous actor?”
Actor?  Kunzite could not understand.  He could only see the concern in her large eyes, waiting for his answer.  The silence had made him seem uneasy.  “Uh, I shall go now.”
“Go?”  Minako was disappointed.  “Very well….”
Upon hearing her disappointment, however, Kunzite was all the more sorry for what he had caused.  “I’m sorry…. I-I… I’m sorry.” He said instantly and ran towards the stone steps.
He was gone in a flash.  Minako was all the more curious as to how he had done that.  However, she had met stranger characters before.
Minako.  Kunzite repeated in his thoughts in the process of his teleport.  As though he had heard the name before.

The dark of the night and Kunzite’s warnings had not prevented Jadeite from keeping his promise.  Among his comrades, only Nephrite had understood his return to Hikawa Jinja.  Nephrite.  Even though Nephrite had not yet come to the surface world, always telling them to be certain of many things before they venture out further.  Kunzite’s only reminder was not to repeat the mistake as before and that Jadeite was most certain of.  Why would he hurt her?
So here he was—standing in front of the shrine temple in order to keep his promise.  There were things he had to confirm.
Immediately, he entered the inner sanctuary where she could be.  The white panel doors remained dark at this time.  Where could she be?  It was as though searching for her was not a new situation, however unique in his life she was.  The search for her was long and very determined until he found the light illuminating behind the wooden panels.  By the time that he saw this, he had immediately come to the conclusion that she was not easy to find.
Jadeite pushed open the door to the chamber. His discovery wouldn’t let his emotions nor his memories rest, however.  He felt fear from where the fire stood, causing him to freeze in his position even if his own will wanted to speak to her.  To him, the fire seemed like an amazing power, however phenomenal it seemed.  And at that moment, as if the memories had spurred certain things to play in his head.  As though the fire had become bigger and more dangerous that it might scorch him!  Its tremendous power triggered the impulses to grant him more images of someone he could not remember.  It only allowed a more vivid picture of her in still slumber, with tears still fresh on her rouge cheeks.
When Rei felt his shadow descend upon her chamber, her hopes to see him were again revived.  Yet she was sure that it was the same intruder who was back at Hikawa Jinja to keep his promise.  She stood up and turned to face him.  The sacred fire continued to wield its flames which stood as her background, as though it recognized its mistress.
And with that, Jadeite was relieved to come near.  Her indifference still seemed inviting.
“You have returned.”  That was all Rei could utter even if she prepared her speech this morning.  Her heart pounded in conscious anxiety but she justified her feelings in a way that she was only concerned about his plans and nothing after that.
“I said I’ll return to you,” he answered simply.
“You must tell me who you are.”
“The time is not yet right.  That’s what I promised.”
“I shall tell who I am when you tell me—“
“—I already know… who you are….”
Rei was immediately astonished.  “It’s not fair.”
The fire had blazed powerfully at that time and Jadeite felt its might with such a great force. It had the power to heighten his fear.  He stepped back from it slowly.
“Nani?”  Rei asked when she saw his retreat.  She immediately grabbed onto his arm so he would not go immediately.  He had to stay for the mystery he owed her.  Didn’t he know that his presence was the one that triggered all her visions to surface?
Jadeite also held on to her arms and looked at her eyes in order to avoid his fear,  and at that moment, something different overcame him.  As if she held the essence of the fire within her.  Yet, her divine appearance provided him with such overwhelming satisfaction that she would probably never know… even if what was something in here was as astounding as the fire.  And always as beautiful.   “When I regain my past, I promise I will tell you everything!”
But Rei had become anxious and terribly impatient that she learn about him.  She held onto his sleeve and expressed her wish for him to stay.  But she felt the sensation of fear in his chest and she saw the anxiety in his deep blue eyes, as she was that close.
Jadeite took his step back and again commanded that he be teleported away from her.  He had again disappeared in her presence and always leaving her hanging in the end.  The past had always made itself clear to Hino Rei, it seems.  Although she still could not see that this was some sort of retribution to what she may have done before.  When he disappeared, the flames began to ease and its hands became weak from all the anxiety he had just caused.