Memories: Mermaid of the Sea by: Elements of Desire -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The heart has its reasons in which reason cannot understand. -Blaise Pascal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Silver Millennium, the Grand Ball? "Ami-chan." A voice whispered to into her ear, as arms gently rapped around her waist. "Zoi-chan?" She asked, startled, her friends only grinned and nudged each other silently, as the shy blue-haired genius was lead out to the dance floor by the blond haired Prince, blushing a deep red, but going along nonetheless. "What did I tell you?" Makoto whispered to Rei as the two danced gracefully on the floor. Rei only smiled and whispered to Makoto, "Don't be a snob, go dance with your own Prince." Grinning Makoto smiled at Rei before running into Nephrite's arms and soon the two were lost in their own worlds. "Ami-chan I've missed you so much." Zoisite said with a soft smile, only then did Ami realized how vulnerable he was to her, for once Usagi had pointed out to her that Zoisite never acted so nicely to anyone but her, most of the time, as Rei so infamously said, he was a block of ice. "Zoi-chan, we were only apart for a few hours so that both of us can get ready for the ball, after all that training." She said, for they've been practicing together now. "But it felt like forever, my mermaid." He said with a smile, one she returned, for it was a nickname he had given her the second day after the feast in the honor of their welcome. She hugged him close, something against everything she had been taught, and every rule she had ever followed in her life, but it was worth it, for this once, it was he who was surprised, and not she. Looking over she saw that Rei was standing by herself watching them dance, a sad smile on her face, but as soon as she realized that Ami was watching she gave her a thumbs up and a wink. Ami though couldn't quite forget the look on Rei's face, a look that Ami never thought she'd see on Rei, not ever. When the two finally broke their embrace and started dancing again, Ami began to ponder on the situation, Zoisite didn't miss that look in her eyes. "What is it mermaid?" He asked, trying to lighten her mood. "Zoi-chan?" She paused, but then smiled. "I was just wondering, is there something between Prince Jadeite and Princess Rei? She refuses to tell us anything." Zoisite frowned, "Now that you mentioned it, it has been quite strange, that ever since our arrival here Jadeite has been keeping to himself, I'm really not sure why. He's definitely hiding something though, Jadeite's usually quite friendly and even loud, and he and Endymion always could talk. Endymion himself seemed to be keeping a distance from Princess Rei, it's as if there's a conspiracy, the two doesn't seem to want to share with any of us. Perhaps you should ask Princess Serenity about this, she's closer to the Prince than any of us, even if we are his guardians you know?" She smiled, "Arigato, Zoi-chan?for telling me the truth." "No thank you mermaid, for showing me what it is to love." They kissed on the dance floor, and for once Ami didn't care if the whole world knew of her love, all that mattered now was that she was with him, and it was right, perhaps not scientifically explainable, but every part of her heart cried out for its rightness, and for once in her life, she was no longer lonely, for that hole within her was filled with love. Present times, the palace? Ami ran into Rei's room, slamming the door open, only to hear the fire senshi groggily wake up from her bed, "Is something wrong?" She asked, Ami closed the door and ran to Rei's bed and flung herself onto the covers and cried, for the first time in a couple of thousand years did she allowed herself to really cry without any restraint, and was it a relief. At first Rei just stared at her in shock, unsure of what to do, but then gently she stroked Ami's hair and murmured reassurances to the water senshi. After awhile Ami gained control of her self and leaned breathing softly against the sheets, still in a kneeling position to the bed. Rei finally spoke, "Why don't you sleep here for the night Ami-chan, and we'll talk about this in the morning?" Ami now emotionally drained, groggily nodded her head as she climbed into Rei's bed. Rei got up and tucked Ami in before going into her closet, and dragging out a sleeping bag, she took a pillow and camped out on the couch. "Goodnight Ami-chan, may you have wonderful dreams tonight." Rei whispered in the dark, and soon steady breathing was heard from Ami's side of the room. Rei stared over toward her friend and fellow soldier, wondering what has gotten the other so emotional, now all she could do is wait for the morning, sighing she tried to go back to sleep. The Fall of the Silver Millennium? Ami ran, her blue visor already out, the royal ball was, unfortunately, interrupted by the youma attack and Ami cursed herself for not being more ready. Hadn't years of training taught her anything? She remembered what Minako had shouted over the screams of guests and partygoers. "We must assemble at the front in an hour, till then make sure these people are safe and sound! Ami-chan! Go make sure the shields are up so no reinforcements can be sent from the enemies side!" Trust Minako to handle a crisis like this calmly, and for the many times she battled, Ami was glade the way the team had been set up. "Don't forget to kick as much youma butts as possible!" Cried Rei, as the second in command. "Leave that to me!" Makoto had said as she cracked her knuckles, but then turned to try to make some order from the panicked guests. Ami only smiled reassuringly to all of them, before turning around and running out, they knew the routine, but they also know the best way to work together. The outers were already gone, and like their planets they have been silent, they still prayed that they were okay, and knowing Sailor Pluto, she would not be able to leave the Gates of Time to help them, it was totally up to them now, and Ami was both thrilled and frightened. "You guys have got to get out of there!" She yelled in panick into the communicator, "That thing's going to fall apart soon!" Rei came on, "Leave that to me guys, you have to go find Usagi and make sure she's safe, and be careful!" "Rei-chan, you have to leave!" Makoto's voice was heard over the communicator, "You heard what Ami said." "But there are still people in there! Makoto I'm higher in command then you, you have to go protect the Princess, now do your job." Makoto frowned but nodded and left. "Mina-chan, I'm not higher in command then you, but you are the most skillful, we need you in once piece, the Gods knows we don't have time to argue about this, please for once go out and help Ami-chan protect the castle." Minako only smiled, and rested her hand on Rei's shoulder as both Senshi dragged another pair of fear struck guests out of the building. "Rei, you owe me one." Was all Minako said as she raced to join Ami. "I'll be there in a sec Ami-chan." And Minako's face disappeared, Rei dragged another guest through the doors, she was still on. "Ami-chan," Rei said, her voice quivering a little. "If I don't survive this, please tell Jade-chan that I'm sorry, and that he'll always have my love." The screen of the communicator wavered with static and the Martian princess's face soon disappeared. "Gomen nasai min'na." Were her last words, as the communicator screen went blank. "No, Rei-chan, no!" Ami cried, but the communicator was silent. She didn't know when she had turned from the scene and started to type at the keyboard, trying to block out the screams, the battle cries, but a numb feeling was within her, a feeling of dread that it would be the last time she would ever see her friends in this life. Would it hours or minutes later, a crash brought her head up as she watched two red one deeper than the other, attack each other, then silence, broken by the crashing of marble. "Rei-chan?" She whispered, her eyes watered, why did you always have to suffer so? "So Princess Mercury, your little friend was not so lucky." A familiar voice said from behind her, and she turned in surprise to see? "Zoi-chan!" She gasped in surprise. "What are you doing here?" "No greetings for your lover Ami-chan?" The voice was mocking, it wasn't her Zoi-chan's voice, and yet it was. "It matters not anyway, your Zoi-chan is dead, and all I'm going to do is make use of his pathetic body." The voice, cold and cruel, replied. "And it is such a pretty tool too." A grin, so dark, that she gasped and stumbled back. "Zoi-chan what are you doing?" She asked in despair, but she already knew the answer, she knew her duty. "I'm sorry Zoi-chan." Was all she said, as he lunged at her with his sword. "Shiny Aqua-" It hurt, the sword imbedded in her belly, the smile that went with that sword. "Not so fast little girl." He said, as he twisted it and rammed it deeper. "-Illusion." She shouted her power out, more in pain from her wounds of both body and soul than for the power within them, and the ice came, her heart screamed in despair, screamed a scream that was vocalized by his own scream, as his face and body was frozen and shattered into pieces. "I'm sorry Zoi-chan," she said. "At least now, we can be together again." She curled up next to the fragmented pieces of ice and flesh. "Forgive me Usagi, in the end I've failed to stay alive for you, now I can only die for him." Her eyes closed and her world went blank, not even the screams of battle and pain can seemed to wake her from her sorrow-filled slumber. The blue light shoot up into the air, like a great fountain of power, and faded into darkness, the senshi of water had fallen at last. Crystal Tokyo, Rei's room? "Ami-chan?" Rei shook the sleeping senshi to wakefulness. Ami looked around puzzled, until the memories came. "Ami-chan, daijobu?" She asked gently. "I met Zoisite." She said dully, Rei only gaped at her. "You mean in your dreams?" She asked, uncertain. "No." And the story poured out, like the tears she cried the night before, she couldn't stop herself from this feeling of relief. Rei squealed, "I knew they were alive." But then startled, she looked back at Ami. "Ami-chan? Isn't this what you wanted?" "No!" She cried vehemently, "Hai?" She said softer, this time. "Oh, I don't know!" Moaning she clutched her knees to her chest, and only then realized that she hadn't changed at all, but her clothes were now all wrinkled. Rei smiled gently, "You know Ami-chan, first you should think about what it is you are looking for. Not what you have found before, not like Urawa, or even Zoisite himself, but think of what you need in a man, in a companion, and than if Zoisite is really that man, you should go to him and asked for his apology and start all over again. But think carefully Ami-chan, think before you act, I'm telling you this form experience." Ami smiled. "How is it that you had become so wise and I so lost?" Ami asked at last. Rei only snickered, "If Usagi can become graceful and wise, then anything is possible for me." And they both shared a laugh over memories, "But Usagi has grown Ami-chan, we have all grown. It's not possible for us not to have grown! Though the question is still there Ami-chan search your heart, and I know this is something you don't do a lot, but for once, it is your heart on the matter, let it decide, and not your mind, you will only hurt yourself that way." Rei's eyes misted, but then she shook her head before Ami could say anything. "Now go, before you get me into a crying mood, and don't forget to tell Minako-chan and Mako-chan the good news after you've decided." Rei said with a smile. "They'll be very glade, not only for you, but for this renewal in hope." "Arigato, Rei-chan." The two hugged, and Ami left, with Rei wishing her good luck before the door was closed and everything was up to her now, and once again she was alone to think. Ami had just returned to her room, she felt wonderful, and then the phone rang. Frowning she picked up the old antique on her desk, no one called her, most people don't even use phones anymore. She wondered whom it was that would have gotten her number without her remembering giving it away in the first place. "Hey, is there a Mizuno Ami I can speak with?" A very nervous voice said over the line before she could even open her mouth. "Hai, this is she. Who's calling?" She asked. "This is?uhhh?hi pretty lady." She nearly dropped the phone. "Look, I'm really sorry for whatever I did or said last night, it's just that you left your purse here the night before and?well?I guess I was itching for a chance to call you, but?uhhh?I-" "Zoi-chan." She said, and this time she was sure he was the one who dropped the phone. "Zoi-chan?" She asked, uncertain if she was doing the right thing, the confidence was fleeing her again. "Sorry, pretty lady, I?uhhh?you caught me by surprise and I kind of?" "Dropped the phone?" She asked. "Unfortunate, but true." And they both laughed at this, a little nervously, but it was a laugh that eased them both to a more comfortable state. "Can I see you sometime today?" She asked hopefully. "Sure!" He said, sounding excited all of a sudden. "Sorry, that was a little bit over the edge, huh?" She laughed and promised that she'd be over for tea later at the diner, afterwards she felt lighter and happier, and almost giddy, they all noticed it, Rei just smiled, but Minako and Makoto, and especially Usagi begun to suspect something was up. "Daijobu, Ami-chan?" Usagi asked. "Daijobu?" Minako piped in. "I'm fine, really, just happy." Ami said with a mysterious smile. "Come on Ami-chan tell us the good news!" Makoto pleaded. Ami finally couldn't hold it back anymore and gave Makoto a hug, which surprised the other woman. "I finally found Zoi-chan." Three mouths dropped open, Rei just smiled for she already knew the decision that Ami had made, but said nothing. "You-You mean, one of the generals is here?" Makoto asked in disbelief. "Umm-hmm." Ami replied, and soon three screams filled the castle as the girls all jumped and hugged and laughed together in joy. King Endymion rushed in, a rose ready in one hand and a sword in another, interrupting them. "What's wrong Usako?" He asked looking around nervously as five very startled women looked at him, puzzled. "Ami-chan has found her knight!" Usagi said excitedly. "Or should he be called General?" Minako said slyly. Endymion's mouth dropped, "You mean-You mean one of my Generals?" He asked in surprise. "Oh, yes Mamo-chan!" Usagi cried out in excitement and ran to her husband's side, giving him a tight hug. "Isn't it so romantic?" And giggled like a schoolgirl. "Usagi, stopped trying to suffocate Mamoru!" Rei said with a shake of her head. "Opps, sorry Mamo-chan!" Usagi quickly stepped back and laughed nervously, the rest of the room sighed. "So Ami-chan, have you told him that you're apart of the Royal court of your kawii leader Neo-Queen Serenity?" Everyone grumbled under their breath. "Some leader, Usagi." Rei said. "Rei-chan why are you always so mean?" Usagi wailed. "Girls, girls, please!" Mamoru quickly intervened, "I thought a few thousand years would mature you two." "You thought wrong." Artemis grumbled from behind Mamoru. "So, Ami-chan did you tell him?" Minako asked. "Not yet." Ami blushed. "We just met yesterday." "Oh, you got to bring him to meet with us! Perhaps he's got some General friends!" Makoto said, "Nephrite." Starry eyed, she blushed, as everyone frowned. "What about today?" Rei finally asked. "Ami-chan you're meeting him today?" Minako squeaked. "Well, yes, at the diner where he works." She said uncomfortably. "So tell him the truth!" Makoto said. "But what if he doesn't believe me?" Ami asked. "Make him believe." Usagi said softly, now she did look like the Queen that she had became. "We all know you can do it Ami-chan, never give up!" Smiling, the women all hugged, while Endymion shook his head with a smile and left the room. "Wait for me Mamo-chan!" Usagi said, leaving the group as she chased after her husband, and soon the two was out of sight. "Chibiusa!" A crash was heard, and then the squeal of a little girl, as another crash followed and more cursing. "Let's get you ready for this big date!" Makoto said, trying very hard to ignore what had just happened, the rest of the senshi did not protest and all rushed to Ami's room to get her ready, as well as to get away from the mess down the other end of the hall. Crystal Tokyo, Diner? Okay, I can deal with this, Ami thought as she took a deep breath, and opened the door of the diner and entered. "Ami-chan!" A warm voice drifted over to her, just as her eyes caught his and their gaze held. Oh, I can't do this! Her mind cried out in panic, what if he doesn't like who I am? Who I have became? I'm no longer just that Mercurian princess of long ago, I am Mizuno Ami, the senshi of Mercury, and the head doctor of Crystal Tokyo, perhaps he won't think I'm good enough. Zoisite frowned when she stood there staring at him, uncertainty shinning in her eyes, as if she was rooted to the ground where she stood. He tried to wave her over again, pondering what he did wrong this time and cursed himself for scaring her like that. Oh, but I have to, or else the rest of the inner scouts will slaughter me for running out like scared rabbit. This too was puzzling to her, she had fought evil threatening the earth many times, even came face-to-face with death more than once and stood her ground without flinching, and yet in seeing his face she wanted turn tail and run, this doesn't make sense! Her mind cried out in despair and a hint of fear, can I be losing control and composer? But she shoved all the questionings and doubts to the back of her mind as she stepped timidly, but determined nonetheless, towards the counter. "Ami-chan I-" He broke off and blushed, for reasons she wasn't sure about. "Here's your purse Ami-chan." He said quickly and thrusts her purse to her. Surprised and a bit nervous herself, all she was able to utter was an, oh, and blushed for her own stupidity before quickly clasping the object within her hand and take it the rest of the way to her lap. An uncomfortable silence set between them, as another customer walked in, he excused himself to attend the newcomer, she could only nod, too embarrassed and trying to gather enough confidence to look into his eyes. A beeping went off within her pocket, quickly snatching it, she opened the communicator and turned her back to where he and the customer was chatting. "Ami here, Daijobu?" "Ami-chan!" Minako's voice rang from the communicator, "Stop sitting around and get that guy! Or else I will!" Another voice was heard, as Rei tried to lower Minako's frantic voice, as Makoto snatched the communicator from Minako's hands. "Gomen Ami-chan." Makoto apologized, "Minako's just a little excited." And a glare was seen as Makoto looked away from the screen. "Mina-chan, settle down! I'm trying to talk to Ami-chan!" Turning back, she grinned sheepishly, "Ami-chan, she was only trying to help you know?" "I know Mako-chan, but it'd help if you guys would stop spying on me." Ami said calmly, and tried to suppress a grin at Makoto panicking now that they had been discovered. "Go home Mako-chan, I'll tell you guys all about it tomorrow." Rei quickly intervened, by snatching the communicator away. "Ami-chan, just remember what we talked about the other day, I have confidence in you! Good luck!" The screen went blank. "So is that one of your friends?" And Ami swirled around in surprise and came almost nose-to-nose with Zoisite, who was standing behind her. "Zoi-chan!" She gasped in surprise, but lost all her thoughts as she realized exactly how close they were. His eyes sparkled green, like newly sprung leaves of spring, and he smelled like the salty sea, they were just close enough that if she leaned over a little, they would be able to kiss. She blushed at such thoughts that did come rushing into her head. "Ami-chan?" He asked as he leaned over, their lips almost touched, as her gaze shifted a little and saw four faces plastered to the side window. Cool lips, met warm ones, but she quickly pulled away. "Min'na!" She whispered in surprise. "Gomen nasai, Ami-chan!" He quickly said, not realizing that she pulled away because of the shocked faces staring in, starry eyed all of them, customers too realized their presences and looked uncertainly towards the women in the window, all of them beautiful and all of them starring at Ami and Zoisite. "Ami-chan, please forgive me! Please talk to me!" She snapped out of her glare, and shifted her gaze back to Zoisite's pleading eyes. "Zoi-chan, it's not you-" "No, not that speech. I just?it's just that?" He looked down, feeling shameful, and hated himself for driving her away. Why did I do that? He silently asked himself, she was so close and smelled so nice, like the cool, fresh air after the rain, and she was so close. "Gomen Ami-chan." He straightened up and quickly exited the diner, running away, not noticing the shocked faces that he passed, all he knew was that he never seemed to be able to do anything right, and now Ami-chan hated him, and thus he hated himself. "Zoi-chan!" She tried to call out to him. Glaring at her friends as she passed, all of them looked sheepish and definitely ashamed. "Zoi-chan!" But he didn't hear her. So she tried to catch up, but he was taller than she was, and was definitely covering more distance. I can't believe I'm so out of shape now! She thought, as she chased after him. Zoi-chan, please forgive me, this is entirely my fault, I should've told you from the beginning?that I still and always will love you. He sat down frowning onto the ground, clutching his middle, as pain radiated throughout his body. Ami-chan. She hates me, and I hate myself because I made her hate me. He rocked back and forth, as the tears started to come, the pain was so great. Suddenly, a pair of white boots appeared before him, startled he looked up to find a young woman in a blue and white senshi fuku with transparent wings flexing on her back, standing before him before him. He gaped in surprise, as the young women before tried to catch her breath and talk to him, why does a senshi want to talk to me about? Is she an angel? He thought, strange, she seems so familiar, and blushed as he realized exactly how short her fuku was. "Zoi-chan?" Was all she was able to gasp out, and his jaw dropped open, there was only one person with a voice as sweet as that! It can't be! "Ami-chan?" He asked, timid, scared, and half-overjoyed to see her. "Gomen nasai, Zoi-chan, this is all my fault!" She quickly took off one of her gloves and brushed a hand against his tear streaked face and brushed one aside. "I didn't mean to hurt you Zoi-chan, I was just so surprised to see all my friends staring at us through the window when you?kissed me." She stammered and blushed faintly at the memory of his lips on hers. "It has nothing to do with you doing anything wrong." She gently stroked his other cheek, trying to brush away his tears, but he took a hold on her hand and stopped her. "Do you mean it Ami-chan? You don't hate me after all?" He asked, uncertain if he was only dreaming or he had died to deserve this angel before him, but also uncertain if he wanted to get his hopes up too much. "How can I hate you, Zoi-chan?" She asked with a smile as she laced their fingers together, and this time it was she, who initiated their kiss, "When I have loved you for over centuries and lifetimes." She whispered against his lips at the last moment before they met shyly at first, but growing passionate by the moment. His eyes widened, but then slowly closed as he pulled her down and the kiss lasted, when they finally broke away she was blushing again, but her eyes sparkled, while both of them tried to catch their breath. So many questions ran through his head, but first things first, he thought happily as he held the beautiful water senshi that had captured his heart. "So my blue-haired mermaid, you never told me you were an angel and a sailor senshi."