A couple of hours later, Mercury opened her eyes. At first, all she could see was a blur, but with four or five blinks, everything started to define. She was on her stomach, pressed against the mud. She could feel water wetting her legs, and a strange weight over her. She tried to move, but whatever was on top of her, was heavier than she thought.

Her mind was still a bit dizzy, and the first thing she thought was that it was a rock. She also could feel something under her, something long and thin. She stood still, trying to remember what had happened.

Suddenly, a low breeze came from the waterfall, and some strays of orange hair appeared on her sight. It was only then when she realized that what was over her was hot and soft, not cold and harsh as a rock would be. With a heart-stopping clarity, she suddenly knew what it was.

It wasn't a rock, it was Zoisite! She blushed, happy that no one could see her. His body had kept her warm, avoiding the danger of frostbite. So, that long thing under her, was his arm. He was embracing her!

She started squirming, and slowly moved off under Zoisite. His limp body fell on the ground with a low thud, but he didn't move. Mercury sat down on his side, and turned him around. When her hands appeared in front of her, she saw a big red stain on her left arm.

Oh God. I think I broke my arm! Wait a minute, I don't feel anything.

She passed her right hand over it, and cleaned it as much as she could. Hey, hold on. This is not my blood. I don't even have a scratch. It means this is… Zoisite's blood!

Immediately, she looked at the general's body, and what she saw made her gasp in horror. In his right arm, over his elbow, was a big wound, still letting blood out! It wasn't big, but it appeared to be deep and painful. She cleaned the blood as better as she could, staining her white gloves completely red, leaving the wound for her to see. It seemed to have been made by a sharp blade. I'm sure this was my fault. He must have made it when we were falling. The rocks on the bottom must have hurt him. Please Zoisite, wake up!

She cupped some water in her hands, and wetted his face. He groaned, and opened his eyes. "Wha... where am I?"

"Zoisite, you are alright!" said Mercury. Dazed in happiness, she embraced him, clinging to his neck. Tears started dripping on her face, as she said: "Oh, Zoisite. I'm so glad you are alright. I thought you were dead or something."

"Thank you, Mercury. But now, could you please release my arm 'cause it's hurting like hell?"

"Oops, I'm sorry."

"It's Ok. Why does it hurt so much? Oh, I see. I remember now. When we crashed into the water, a rock in the bottom hit me. It must have been that. Now, what are we going to do? I'm not very useful with an arm like this."

"Sit down and relax. I have just seen some healing plants there. Let me get them."

Mercury walked to the forest that surrounded the pool, and searched for the plants. They were purple, with a green trunk. Going back to her Natural Science class, she remembered as the teacher said: "If you ever are in the need of healing somebody, and no one with magical powers is near, search for the Frutz Plants. It's this one on the left. You must grind its leaves, mix it with some water and wait for it to transform into a paste. Then, put it over the wound. It will hurt because of it acids, but that's a good sign, it means it's working. To finish, cover the wound with a piece of cloth, and leave it there until a Healer can take a look at it."

With a smile in her face, she searched for an appropriate rock, and found one easily. The waterfall had eroded lots of stones, leaving them like cups. She took one, and returned to Zoisite, who had put his hand over his arm. "What's that?"

"Oh, just a little healing paste for your arm. It will prevent its infection, and help it to heal."

They were silent, while Mercury smashed the leaves in the stone, leaving them like a juice. Without looking at him, she said, never interrupting her work: "Zoisite, tell me something. When we were up there, why didn't you let me fall?"

Zoisite didn't answer at first. I can't tell her how I feel! What if she doesn't feel the same?

"Well, I promised you I will get you safe to the Moon Palace. If I didn't help you, I would be breaking my promise." He didn't know if it was his imagination, but the sutile low on her shoulders could be interpreted as a deception.

They fell silent again, until Mercury said: "That's it. Now, could you stay still for a while? It will hurt at first, but it's necessary."

Zoisite stood still as Mercury kneeled before him, and started putting the paste in his arm. She was right. It hurts! But she is so precise, so gentle, so... she's so used to this.

When Mercury finished, she untied the bow on the back of her fuku, which immediately appeared again, and tied it in his arm. She was so confident doing this, but she had never done it before.

Guess it's him. Mercury, what are you saying? This man is just a friend, nothing more. Now stop thinking, and finish this. She tied it very tight, but loose enough for him to be able to use his arm as usual. "It's done now. Try to move your arm."

"Hey, it's great. It doesn't hurt anymore. Have you ever done this before?" She looked away to hide her blushing, started cleaning her gloves, which were red because of Zoisite's blood and answered: "Never. I just used what I have learnt in class. However, you need to go and see a Healer. This is just temporary. I would have cured it myself, but without our powers...."

"What do you mean you would have healed me? I didn't know that Mercurians had healing powers. I knew that the Saturn princess had, but...."

"I am the Mercury Senshi, right? Well, when I was born, God Mercury gave me a gift. It's his caduceus, the supreme wand of healing. I would have used it on you, but since our powers are gone...."

"You mean you would have used it on me? But I thought the Caduceus was only for very extreme occasions, and that it only can be used on the Royal Family."

"Well, yeah, but... Hey, come on. We need to walk. Maybe we can find our way back to the palace!"

Surprised for this strange answer, Zoisite didn't insist, but a little tinge of hope was now flaming on his heart. They started walking through the jungle. Mercury was a few steps behind Zoisite, watching as his back moved while he walked. She was so disappointed. She had thought that Zoisite felt something for her, because of the way he had reacted several timed when they were close. However, he had said that he saved her just for responsibility.