"Jadeite-san!"
     He lifted his chin to her and calmly restrained his surprise. His instincts had proven him correct of who she really was. He granted himself a moment to look at her, then he bowed his head and resolved to continue his walk...lest he can't force himself to move.
     "Yamete," she begged frantically, taking a step forward to block his way. "Please stop, Jadeite-san."
     He was right again. Her anxious appeal had overcome his will and he wasn't able to coerce the need to go on. So he remained there with his eyes transfixed on the floor.
     "I-I...understand," she stuttered. "Gomen nasai, Jadeite-san..."
     He astonishingly drew his gaze back at her again. He was sure she was the same person who changed him. The same raven haired princess who was as cold as the fire she held in her hands... except that today she did not possess that distinction. A rueful countenance had set in her eyes, despite still carrying the same appeal from the first time he saw her.
     "...I'm sorry, Jadeite-san. It's true what you say."
     He nodded.
     "We are indeed allies." She extended her right hand to him, while the other stayed on her waist, nervously clasping her gown.
     Jadeite had noticed her anxiety and dismissed the idea that the Princess of Mars was just fickle. Because that moment, her boldness was replaced with humility and her coldness with remorse--things he discovered just then she was capable of. He then extended his hand to her....
     "We are friends, Jadeite-san...Tomodachi...The Earth and Mars."
      Friends. He heard her mention it in simple sincerity, much to his disappointment. But he still held her hand firmly as much as she held his.
     She looked at his face with a thankful smile. But she wasn't yet aware that everything was still not resolved. She looked down at the hand that held hers.  There were gray tattered edges on his glove....
 

     The Princess of Venus had also managed by accident to see these events transpire. She had seen their hands touch. Sure that their faces were misted with affection. Genuinely flattered by each other's presence in that coincidence. Minako gently put her hand to her chest and sighed heavily.
     "Oh, no." she whispered in her faithful corner.

     Makoto had entered the bedroom with Enyalis Rei's alternate feelings. The next night after the party, the kind general had offered to accompany her in her walk again. With his shadow beside her, she felt safe and at ease. And she was always beguiled by his warmth as if it touched every single aspect of him, especially his genuinely cute, amiable smile.
     But she found the Princess of Mars standing by the tall window with her hair swept by the wind, lost in her own worried state.
     "Rei-chan...." she called.
     Her friend smiled weakly, glancing at the Princess of Jupiter behind her. "Mako-chan!"
     "Are you really leaving?"
     She nodded her head. "I will return here if I am needed."
     The Princess of Jupiter walked to her side and saw even more of her troubled disposition. She put her hand on Enyalis Rei's shoulder and asked, "Is something wrong, Rei-chan?"
     "Mako-chan...?"
     It was never part of Enyalis Rei to share what she felt. Everything lay deep within her--her thoughts, her fears, her visions.  Makoto wished to reprimand all her anxieties but thought it would not be good to probe her about all this, considering the state she's in. Except she remembered the expression the time after the celebration, when they asked the Princess of Mars something about the dance.
     "General Jadeite..."
     "Huh?"
     "Does Jadeite-san have anything to do with this?"
     Enyalis Rei was shocked at Makoto's allegation and marveled at her perception. How had she known? "No," she answered. "It is not his fault."
     "Not his fault....?"
     Enyalis Rei nodded, adding to her friend's bewilderment. This time, she had her own resolve, however doubtful she thinks herself capable of explaining. She felt she had done enough to him and now she has to clear his name.
     "Makoto," she began. "We have met before."

     Minako engagingly watched the mild-mannered Princess of Mercury talking with General Zoisite, recklessly thinking, That's all I do--watch! This time, however, she had heard their full conversation by the halls, though she might not understand all of what they said.
     "I don't think so," she heard Ami say. "You may have a point, Zoisite-kun, but there may be another way--"
     Ami-chan in an argument? But the general beside her listened attentively. Totally caught up in her explanation! Maybe he would be the only one who would be able to understand her brilliance.
     Minako shrugged the persistent tap on her shoulder and continued to watch them in wonder. Waiting for something to happen--like the kiss she shyly told them about...if only something would stop. The tap on her shoulder continued stubbornly to disturb her rash moment!
     "Yamete!" Minako shouted back in an irritated tone.
     Kunzite was shocked at her agitation. And a little wildly amused, as well. He then put the hand with his persistent finger away. Her wan face was instantly turning a faint crimson and now he was inevitably discovering for himself the blue in her eyes as they grew larger in his presence.
     It took her awhile to speak. "Kunzite-sama...!" she grimaced astonishingly.
     And it took awhile for him to speak as well and that silence only added to her self-consciousness and the red in her cheeks.        "Princess of Venus," he began, trying to remember what he was supposed to say.
     "Minako." She whispered, disappointed that he did not know her name after all that happened two days ago.
     "That is your name, isn't it?"
     "What?" She tried to mask her surprise.
     "Minako." He repeated sternly. It took another few moments before he remembered the purpose of meeting her. Maybe it was the approach he took that became the distraction. Good thing that he remembered the information he needed. He then asked her about the Silver Millenium and what she knew about the alliance. And she knew everything. She answered articulately to every question he gave. Even if she did pause with avid laughter to conceal her confusion.
     "Is the Princess of Mars really leaving?" he asked.
     Minako bowed her head, suddenly feeling dejected. "I don't know," she answered softly.
     He bowed politely to her before he left.
     He doesn't know, she thought. She felt sorry for his naive concern. Somehow, she thought that he would not bring up Enyalis Rei, but then, of course he would. Maybe he would never forget and maybe she won't stop feeling deeply disappointed. Minako's frustration went unrecognized, as she watched him leave, maybe to find the answer to his last question.
 

     The Princess of Jupiter took one last look at the veranda. It was all true, she thought, still seeing that Nephrite finally took a fancy looking at the Earth. She left him there, ending their walks in silent exasperation. Then, she wished that she hadn't brought up the subject at all, except that she needed to know the truth.
     It was all too perfect. Even from the very beginning. And that was the fault of their relationship...if seemingly, they had one. And just one question. Just one, turned it all into something big. Now, she wondered if part of it had been her fault.
     Makoto took one last look at her general, who had grown far too distant from her that night. She waited for him to look back. Maybe he will. Maybe he really will. And again, one last time....
     Nephrite stood there and surely she wouldn't be able to see the despair in his face. Damn! His planet only reminded him of her! Only now, he was looking at it the same way she did--the same way she was mesmerized and asking the same questions that triggered her fascination. But he had not noticed nor heard her pleading in the shadows. He even failed to see her leave her place from the door.

     Jadeite sat in his room, locked in his usual pensive state. He took a glance at his tattered glove and removed it from his hand. It would be of no use to him anymore--treasuring something that doesn't really exist. He furiously threw it away, despite knowing that that was not the last thing she left an imprint on.
     He exited from his room with an ongoing dislike for Kunzite. Even if his only fault was to bring him the news about Enyalis Rei. At least, Kunzite got what he wanted. He wouldn't have to worry about the Princess of Mars and their friendship with the Silver Millenium.
     And her?
     Jadeite was unaware that he was walking fast--preparing to charge unexpectedly. He was completely unaware of the direction he was taking, except that he knew he was running out of time!
     Makoto, had, in the meantime, saw the intensely serious general striding in furious speed, as she stepped from the veranda. She felt sorry for his melancholic appearance. That was one time she was reprieved of her own troubles. She was supposed to allay her own fears having understood the real story behind it all. Except that Makoto saw that there was more than deep-seated infatuation on the side of Jadeite and even some strange fondness despite the Princess of Mars's aversion to men. Their story is so simple, Makoto thought, if they only knew.
     Jadeite found himself by the door where the Princess of Mars is said to stay. He was ready for the actual confrontation. He breathed deeply and with his naked hand, twisted the knob on the door. Slowly pushing its opaque structure away until it gave way to his entrance. He wondered if he had really ran out of time. His heart pounded faster at what he saw.
     A brilliant aura of burning red light greeted Jadeite.