Guardians of the Millenium: Into the Fire Chapter Two: "Day when love appears" ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Author's Notes: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 1. Note: this has two time frames--Silver Millenium and the present, picking up with the events after Jaedite was found to be alive. 2. Comments? alinasan@yahoo.com GOM: 9 should be fixed now, if you were wondering about the end of that story. 3. Usual disclaimers + despite my intention to keep the spellings of the names consistent I think I reverted to Rei (rather than Raye). Sorry. I forgot, and I'm too busy to change it (I'd rather read the wonderful stuff that's out there or write more!) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Silver Millenium @)-->--------------- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The hot winds of Mars swept over Jaedite as he ran after the black haired Princess. She'd swept him away as easily as she had the stone steps of the sacred circle. Indignation mixed with desire and surprise, exploding in utter confusion in his mind. He wasn't sure why he followed her--to beg forgiveness or to knock her off that high platform of power she seemed to be on? He just knew he had to follow her. "Wait" he cried out at last, as they neared the base of the palace. She turned and met his gaze easily. "Are you willing to apologize? Or do I really need to explain your behavior to Endymion..." "Go ahead..." He dared, knowing Endymion would side with him, and laugh at the pretentious Princess. "or my father?" She added "You may be a guest on this world, and we treat guests honorably when they have their own honor. It is a grave matter to approach the Princess as you did, and in a sacred spot. If you were a Martian, your punnishment would be more severe." "Such a strict world." Jaedite said. "I think cleaning the canals way below my dignity..." "So was your behavior...We are not unfair or unjust--but respect must be learned. Are you going to clean the east canal?" She asked then. "NO!" He said...Her expression went blank, and she trudged off towards the canals. She sighed. "Then I suppose I will have to do it myself." "Wait...why would *you* do that?" He asked, following her. She looked over at him under her eyelashes, "Because my father thinks the task builds my character...and because it takes so long to turn all the wheels that I can never make it to the dances. I'm always so tired after it!" Jaedite nodded..he could see why her father didn't want his beautiful daughter around the distracting attentions of ...well, men like him. He grinned at that thought.. In response she gave him a radiant smile. "All you do is turn a set of wheels, to allow the water to flow...it's hard to describe but easy to do....it's actually quite a beautiful sight, at sunset." "So you were going to stick *me* with your duty?" He inquired as they neared the first wheel. The thing was massive, and he marvelled at how the slight girl turned the heavy golden wheel. She smiled at his expression. "Isn't that hard?" he asked, wondering if he should offer to help. Nervously, he crossed his arms, and sat down on the canal wall. The sun sat, casting a bronze glow over the girl and the large wheel. "On Mars we have a saying: Even the heavy wheel of destiny is light when turned in the right direction" She said as she spun the wheel. He laughed. "What does that mean?" "No task is beyond you, if you get the technique right" She beamed as the wheel turned smoothly. "I suppose then, you don't need any help" He said. She moved to the next wheel, patently ignoring him. Yet she kept glancing at him. When she wasn't looking, he moved so that he stood behind her. She didn't notice, and a slight scowl was on her face as she looked at where he'd been sitting. Her head turned to see if he'd left--then she noticed he was standing behind her. He smiled slightly, but the expression of his eyes was hidden by the faded light. "If I help you, maybe we'll make it back in time for the dances?" His breath tickled the back of her neck, as his low voice flickered over the words like a candle flame. She wasn't sure if it was deliberate, but his hands touched hers lightly on the sun-warmed gold. Craning her head around, she saw that his face was near hers, so she ducked a little when she responded "I'm glad you decided to accept your punnishment after all." He laughed, and said in a low whisper she wasn't really meant to hear, "My Lady, if this is how you punnish, I can't promise to behave." "Rewards are better--do a good job, and I'll see you when you're done." She squirmed out from under him as the wheel opened, heading back to the palace. He groaned as he noticed how many more wheels there were. What had he gotten himself into? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Present Day ----%@ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ He wanted to remember. He didn't want to be alone--he was distanced from even the memory of people who might have loved him. Who had he left behind? Why didn't they try to find him? Why couldn't he find himself? Too many questions, and no answers. Rei had told him little about how he'd originally come to work at the temple. She claimed he'd showed up, worked hard, and without a word dissappeared just as mysteriously as he'd come. She left out the details. Vague clouds of doubt surrounded everything he knew. And then last night, he'd had this dream: He was standing in a garden, a palace rising up in the distance. Rich green tendrils of plants and roses in rainbow of colors surrounded him. Yet despite the peace of the scene, he'd felt this uneasiness. He was tense. A beautiful woman with long dark Raven hair, a soft red gown stood before him. She said "Be safe my love--" "Your visions--why won't you tell me what you see? It hurts me that you carry this burden by yourself." He told her. "I must learn...for what am I to do when I am cut off from you--who knows how long it will be--" Came her reply. "What do your visions say?' He asked her. "Forever" she said under her breath, but forcing a bright smile. "You must keep a positive attitude--you will win, you must. And then, I'm just worryng needlessly. It's just with the moonshield--and the cessation of travel between our worlds..the war on yours...I'm feeling out of sorts...Oh, just hold me...that is why I came." She said. He opened his arms to his beautiful love. "It will be lonely without you." She said, her head nestled in his chest.. "You are in my heart--so I cannot be lonely." He replied, jokingly chastizing her. "Don't be so serious. I want to hear your laugh." "You are never serious. But take this." She said, handing him a scroll with silverly writing on it. "What is it?" He said fingering it. "If you are attacked--if your life is in danger,--use this and you can teleport right into the MoonKingdom, despite the shields. It...will only work for you once--but" "Does Queen Serenity know of this?"He asked. "No....I didnt tell her or anyone else...but only use this if you are in desperate need..or else you will be in grave danger!" She mock threatened...the sadness and fear were too strong for her threat to seem real. "Keep safe my love," She said, as she vannished in a red light, her clothes instantly changing to a short skirt adorned with bows. "Remember I love you." He called. "And with that love --nothing bad can happen." ** ** What the dream meant, he didn't know. The level of d etail made him feel as if the dream was more than just a dream...Was he looking at shadows for meaning? Jaedite pondered his situation, as he entered the meditation room. Perhaps soothing his mind would lead him to know more about himself...or at least ready himself for the knowledge. What would he do, he asked himself again, if he didn't like the answers? That is if he ever found any... Resolutely he narrowed his eyes, willing the world away. A sharp catch of breath brought the world, and Rei sharply into his focus. She was usually cool or angry, but she was definitely neither now. "I didn't mean to disturb you..." she said, visibly disturbed herself. "What's wrong?" He said, his own worries forgotten...that something was burning into her was obvious. Hot tears had recently streaked down her delicate face, and her eyes were limp, their usual sparkle hiding under the emotion that overpowered her. "Nothing...I..."She murmurred softly. "Then why were you crying?" "I wasn't--I ...oh, I stubbed my toe." The lie was obvious. " Are you done?" She said, though her reply was not as snappy as he was used to. "I want to meditate...alone" He was tempted to say fine, forget her, if she does not want his help. Yet he could see that beyond that wall, she was shaking inside. She did not want to ask for help but she needed it. "So what weren't you crying about?" He asked softly. "Where were you?" Maybe she would have started to tell him, but her grandfather came in. "AH! Jed...you did a good job on the trees--but now I have another chore for you. You must find more pretty young girls, for the ceremony...and .oh, hello Rei." He said noticing his granddaughter .."And of course ...he stopped, noticing her angry look. "Grandpa, have I not told you to stop..." "I'm not doing a thing--it is for a traditional celebration... " "Oh really? Which one? " she said. He smiled... "You should tell me. " He said mysteriously. "Where did you go today, young lady?" "I went to see Chad...but Grandfather..." Her grandfather was beaming, though he still cut her off. "Ah, yes, the life here has not been the same without him...it will be good for it to return to normal..." "Normal?" She asked, her voice tearing. "Someone from his family called to reserve the temple for a wedding....I should be angry with you Rei, for not telling me!" Her grandfather scolded. As he left the room, .."And at him for not asking permission! He'd get it of course..But I am so happy.. I have so much to do to prepare for the wedding!" "Congratulations Rei." Jaedite said dryly. Why did it bother him to know this girl was to be married? He had no claim on her life....or her heart...he pushed that emotion aside. "Who's the lucky guy? When's the wedding?" Rei looked as if she were about to explode. "Stop it! Stop it! Don't congratulate me!!" She screamed. "Why not? What's wrong? Don't you want to get married?" "Yes!" "Then what's the problem?" "Because, you dimwit, *I*'m not getting married!" She ran to her room. "Then why are we having the ceremony?"He called after her as he followed her there. "Chad wanted my grandfather and I to have the wedding here..his wedding to Sarah...." She put her head in her hands, mumbling the sounds. "Who's this "Cad?" He asked. "Chad. " "Whatever...who is he?" "he's...he was a discpile here...he was my friend.... outside of the Sai, er the girls, he was my best friend.. He was part of my life....." "And?" he asked, coming closer. He knew what she meant-- she didn't let everyone into her life--like the walls that surrounded her temple, she gaurded herself. For whatever reason, she'd let this Chad in, and he'd walked out... Jed wanted to hold her, physically hug the pain out of her...but he knew he couldn't get too close too soon. He wasn't behind the walls yet...and like fire, Rei needed careful handling, if he ever was to gain entry to her world. "And he was in love with me!" she looked up, her black eyes wet with tears. "I told him I couldn't love him. .and he left..." "So you turned him down..he found someone else....you should be relieved." "Should be...but I'm not...I ...feel like I just woke up--and its too late. I love him." Jaedite paused..He hadn't expected that. The thought occured to him, that he had an opportunity here--she was vulnerable...she'd been hurt.. but, no, he didn't want to win entry that way. He wanted her respect, her friendship...and if that was what he wanted, he had to deserve it. He edged away, and leaned against the chair. "It seems to me, that if you love this guy , then you can't just give up." "What do you mean?" "It's never too late for love, so don't give up." He said in an offhand tone...like he was reading a greeting card. It was trite and meaningless, and he knew it. "He's the one that gave up." "No...he may just be confused and lonely--Did you tell him how you feel?" He was more serious, his voice low, comforting. She paused as if thinking of something..or someone... "Why would that matter? Destiny guides you to your love." She said softly. "But not everything is meant to be... no matter how you feel." "Exactly...I don't think you should give up like this--arrange the wedding and smile all the while your heart is breaking? I'm just a stranger, and I don't know you...but I know that is not you." "No...I don't suppose it is...but neither is disrupting things that are meant to be. You don't know me if you think I would do that "She said... "It's not as if I've never stepped aside before....what if they're destined to be together? How could I stand in the way of destiny?" "You can't....but only cause it has no way.. Destiny exists only retroactively. It's merely what we call a chain of past events." "I don't believe that. Some things are just *meant* to be." "Maybe...but how do you know which? Who's version do you want to believe? One that makes you happy--or one that condemns you? Be fair to yourself." She laughed dryly, without amusement. "What do you know? A man without memory, morals or honor...what do you know about duty...love...justice" She said. To his credit, he let the unprovoked attack roll off him. He knew she wasn't angry at him but at the situation. "I don't remember myself enough to disagree with you." He smiled wryly. "Look, Rei, I'm only telling you what I believe...because I can't see life as worth living if my choices didn't matter.... We can't get in destiny's way--we create it." "I have a friend who'd disagree with that..." She said calmly. "Destiny is set" "In that case, even better, because you can't mess it up." He smiled. "You need to make yourself happy." "Happiness is most fleeting when pursued for itself" She said. "That is the difference between you and I. I believe that other people's happiness matters as much as mine." "Actually, that's not the difference. I think we both know people who's happiness matters more to us than our own" He paused, his tone lowering again ".but that doesn't mean sacrificing our own will make others happier...it may make things worse" He continued. "Your assuming they're meant to be without even, I bet, having seen them together or telling him how you feel. Right?" She lowered her head, staring at her hands "How could I say anything?" "How could you not? Rei, this is your heart... Give him a choice, and give yourself a chance..." He edged out the door. "And while your at it, Lady Rei, give me one to prove I'm not evil." Confused she stared after him. * * * Early the next morning, as Jed practiced the sunrise exercises, he turned to find Rei watching. She had to admire the graceful and powerful figure he made--he'd certainly caught on to the practices much quicker than Chad... "I'm going to do it." She said. "I'm going to get him back." Jed looked up and pushed away the urge to ask himself what he had done..And what he was doing? But the renewed sparkle in her eyes made him feel he'd continue. "Good. Now you need a plan." "A plan?" She asked..."Why?" "You have to time these things...its a delicate situation. Have you even met the fiance?" "Chad asked me to have tea with her tomorrow." Rei said. "There you go. Meet her, and maybe you'll see a reason why they're not right together. At least you'll see the competition." Jed smiled to himself. That was something he'd like to do-- meet this Chad. For he'd started thinking of him as the competition. "I won't view this as a contest." Rei said....though she couldn't stop picturing herself, crowned champion, with Chad as a trophy..embarrased she shook off the picture.. "No, it's war..."He said winking at her. Annoyed, but not sure why, she shoved him out of her way. His low, sonorous laugh followed her down the stairs of the temple. * * * "So, Rei why the sudden interest in how I make these things?" Lita said as she helped Rei prepare special sweets. "I have a tea tomorrow." Rei said, frowning as she tasted her product--still not quite right. "I have to try again. This isn't perfect..." "Of course not" Lita giggled. "This is hard, and took a lot of practice for me to make! Why don't we try something more basic?" "NO. It has to be *this*. " She said adamantly. "Why is this Jaedite's favorite?" Lita asked. "No, it's Chad's---"Rei said before she thought. "Chad?" Lita's eyes widened. "What about Jaedite?" "What about him? He was our enemy, now he's a man without a home, studying at my temple" "But you have memories..you and he were..." "He knows none of that." She said. "But you do..." "I try to forget it...The Jaedite I loved betrayed me. It's ancient history anyway...Jed's just Jed to me." "If Nephrite were alive..." Lita said dreamily. "You'd what? Don't tell me I should just welcome him into my life--Serena and Darrien weren't easy to get together...and they were *destined* for each other." "So, maybe we were destined for them" Lita said, her tone still dreamy but unsure. "It's what we've all thought... and you have a second chance.." "Second chance? There's no chance I will *ever* *love* that traitor...he may seem a different person, as if he's cured...but I can't trust him, let alone love him!" Rei caught up, went on "Don't you see-- I gave him my love, and he served BERRYL. ..we died twice trying to defeat her, or don't you remember?" "He's a new person now, Rei." Lita said, calmly despite her irate friend's tone, Lita didn't want to battle. "Just like we were reborn." "I don't care. That time of my life is gone. They're gone. It was never meant to be..." Rei said pounding the unfortunate tea delicacy. Lita's anger flared up at that. "Well, Miss Perfect,I think you're ungrateful. We saw what happened in the past--what you meant to each other. You can't walk away from that." "He walked away the day he betrayed me." She said with finality "And beside's, Jed's not the man I love...." Lita tried to calmm herself...."And who is?" Rei also snapped a lid on her temper. "Chad." The word came out like a sob. Lita's eyes went wide again..."When did you decide that?" "When I heard he was getting married." Rei confessed." To someone else" Lita slumped, gasping against the counter...aghast, she declared "I don't believe it!" She paused..." So that's why your not interested in Jed?" "No." She looked at her watch. "I have to go, or I"ll be late." "I can't believe it...Chad's getting married...." Lita sighed. "He always was so cute with you...too bad you didn't know how you felt about him before he found someone else.." Rei nodded....gathering her things. "didn't take long though."Lita added, earning a death glance from Rei. "Thank's a lot Lita" Rei sputtered, opening the door. "Still...Jed sure is cute...kind of like my old boyfriend..." Lita said, her eyes fogging up with thoughts of romance. "I wonder if he'd go for me?" "NO. STAY AWAY FROM HIM" Rei snapped. A second later, she calmed a bit, embarrased at her overreaction. She added "Goodbye, thanks for the cooking tips" Lita mumbled " Yeah...Bye....Well...how do you like that" she muttered to herself. The phone began to ring. Before answering it, she mumbled to herself, "She doesn't want him for herself, but won't let me have a shot... she's as bad as Serena was four years ago!" --------------------------------------------------------------------- Guardians of the Millenium: Ch3: A Fairy Tale of Days gone by *******************Past:********************* After dispensing with his weapons, and freshening himself up, Jaedite slipped out into the still air of the night. Somehow, though it had been a year since he'd seen the young princess of Mars the feelings she evoked in him had not lessened. He remembered their evening by the canal and felt her pull as strongly as the gravity on the moon was light. Perhaps part of the reason she fascinated him, he noted wryly, was the way she seemed unreachable. She was a challenge. The night he'd met her on Mars, he didn't even get to dance with her once. She'd sat by her father or cousin on the raised platform observing with amusement the spiraling figures. Once or twice she seemed to notice his staring at her. He whirled with one lady or the other, but his eyes stayed with her. Her expression always suggested she didn't even see him. Only when Endymion angrily asked him what he'd done to entrance his cousin had Jaedite realized that her indifferent expression was a facade. Jaedite even to himself couldn't articulate a reason for his stealthy approach to the wing of the palace where Mars lived. Unlike the silvery gracefully curved lines of the rest of the palace, these halls were more angular. They didn't immitate the square red rock construction of open planes and slabs used in Mars, but did manage to produce the same open feeling. The doors of the suite had sharp overhangs as if they were roofs outdoor.He ran his hand along the thin dark lines that decorated the surface of the wall. He could see a maid carrying a tray slowly approaching the door he assumed led to her prayer room. He'd observed her routine enough to realize that she reserved the late afternoon hour for contemplation. On Mars she told him she read the hot winds at that time. He was curious what she would do in the Moon Kingdom's cool breezes? He approached the maid, who steadily bowed despite the weight of the tray. "I'll take that." He said. The maid protested "This is tea for the Princesses of Mercury and Mars" , so he used a low grade mind control suggestion. Holding his hand up, he formed a small ball of light in his fingers. This he held in front of her eyes which widened. "Yes Lord Warrior Jaedite. I'll see that you are not disturbed. ..I'll inform the Lady Mercury that the Lady Mars has cancelled. " She bowed respectfully again, and returned down the hall. He smiled, as his soft knock was answered with Rei's "Enter." He did so, surprised to see her sitting before a rather large fire in a square pit. "Please set the tray on the table" She said without looking up. "Would you please check to see how much longer the Lady Mercury will be?" He answered her then. "She will not be joining you this evening." At the sound of his voice, she whipped around in surprise. Once again, he was surprised at her beauty as he tried not to stare at her in the dim glow of the fire. He manufactured some excuse for his appearance, which she accepted. He sat down, marvelling that his goddess was actually before him. "Endymion would kill me" Jaedite thought... "He thinks of her like his little sister....and since Endymion doesn't have any closer family..." He suppressed these thoughts--he wanted to charm her, which he couldn't do if he were thinking of the consequences. "At least," he thought looking at her graceful movements in pouring the tea, "I'll die happy if I'm with her." "Trust me, I'm better company than fire."He teased her. "That remains to be seen." She said demurely, handing him his cup. "Fool...ask her!" He thought...all he had to say was he wanted to escort her to the ball the next night...to make up for the dance she owed him from that evening on Mars. He could think of a thousand different ways to phrase it--but he couldn't utter a single one. They seemed to talk about everything else but the ball....after awhile, he found himself lost in the conversation... When at last they finnished their tea, he mustered a final attempt. ""I must get back...but I will see you at the ball tomorrow. " He said in a rush, hoping he didn't seem as awkward as he felt. He bowed nervously, and left wondering what she would have said had he simply asked her? ***************************************************** PRESENT: ******************************************* Rei was shocked at how young Sora looked. She'd just assumed she'd be older than herself, but the girl looked about a year younger. Perhaps too young to get married, Rei thought. "I'll finnish the high school in a month." The girl said. "But my father said I could complete the course work later --he wants the wedding soon." She was pretty. Rei couldn't deny that, the girls narrow face was delicate and framed by long tawny brown hair that was straight. Her eyes matched, but rather than looking dull, again had that caramel glow that warmed them. She was thin, and which made her look slightly taller than Rei, though they were roughly the same height. She oozed niceness..just as Rei seemed gaurded and controlled, this girl seemed as open,undirected and warm as a field on a summer's day. Rei liked her, but immediately found her irritating. She shrugged it off. "Why is that?" Rei asked, pouring the tea. "Oh! Because Chad's going to run for an office, a low-level one, of course. You know how this is... Isn't your father in politics?" "Yes." Rei said. She didn't want to talk about her father. She barely talked to him, and therefore, it didn't seem fair to talk about him. And she never really wanted to do that. "I didn't realize Chad was interested in government." "He's not--at least yet.. Daddy, and his father really want him to get into government...and it would be exciting. Oh its not for a year of course. He's going to take over the company--it's just one now that our fathers merged the companies. He'll be a vice president. " Sora chattered on. She didn't say all this in one stream, but with prompting from Rei slowly the picture emerged.. "Chad is so strong, brave..."Sora was chattering. "He's helped the scouts even..oh, he wouldn't claim that, but he's told me how monsters have attacked here and ...weren't you scared? I guess I wouldn't be if Chad were there..." Her love glowed so strongly...Rei wryly noted that she was so sweet the cakes didn't need sugar. Afterawhile, as the sun descended a little lower, Sora began to take her leave. "I was scared to meet you Rei. My Chad always speaks as if you were perfection itself--and I was honnestly a little jealous at first." She confessed in a rush. Rei, to her credit, had the grace to blush and sound genuine asking "Jealous of me? You're his fianc?! I'm just an old friend." "You're not *so* old! He worshipped you...you know that...and he told me that if you would have wanted him...he'd not have wanted to meet me." "But I didn't." Rei said, her tone flat. "Yes! As wonderful as my Chad is, I"m glad you didn't find him so...my life would be so unfufilled without him...and I feel so thankful...it was like I was destined to meet him and love him. " She smiled. "So you were my one worry...meeting you. You sounded like a goddess to hear him describe you." "But I'm not." Rei said. "OH! But you're so delightful, I see now why he cared for you as much as he did...and I can't help wonder at why he loves a silly girl like me, after you! But he explained that to me.."She smiled lost in her own memories. "You were so wise to know that you and my Chad weren't meant for each other, when he didn't!" "Wise...that's me." Rei said. "I' m so glad we had this tea--but I need your help!" She smiled, though her tone was dramatic. "I shall be miserable without your help! " "What?" "I need you to be -my maid of honor..you must." "I though you were to do a traditional ceremony here at the temple?" "Yes, but not that tradition! We just thought this would be a beautiful location. Oh, Chad at first did, but Daddy talked him out of it. They'll be a lot important dignarities, some foreign, so we want to make this a blending of modern and traditional ....it'll be beautiful..." She dashed off. "Say you will! Rei, you must help me. I shall be miserable if you don't!" The big brown eyes fixed on her, pleading, trusting innocent--what could Rei say? "Yes" She felt as if she had no choice. "I knew it!" Impulsively, Sora threw her arms around Rei and hugged her. "Oh! I'have so much to do! We'll go shopping later for your dress! We're going to be such good friends!" In a flurry, the girl hurried out. "She'd give Serena a run for energy. "Rei muttered, exhausted emotionally as she sank back against the door. "So how was the tea?" Jaedite said as he slipped into the room. "She's very sweet." Rei said. "I know...I have a toothache, just from seeing her..." Jaedite grinned. "I'm sorry but I overheard her "request." You made quite an impression." "Obviously..."A long sigh signalled that Rei was done discussing the subject. "You were wrong." "I was? I don't think so.. So she loves him. Does he love her?" "She's devoted to him! I couldn't intefere with that." "Again, you wouldn't be. She is very young. She may have a crush, and she may idolize him. But is that love? It sounds as if her father told her she should marry Chad, so she did. What if her Daddy had told her to love another? I bet she would." Jaedite said cynically. "You have no faith in love." Rei snapped. "I should not have listened to you--I know that your soul is empty. I won't hurt them. Stop subverting me." To himself, he thought it was strange that he didn't feel empty--when he was with her....but he didn't say anything . He shook the thought. "Rei, don't misunderstand me." "You're the one who misunderstands...You don't know Chad." Rei said. "He's nothing like you. His honor means much to him. He wouldn't agree to marry her if he did not feel the same." Jed nodded. "So he's honorable. Why are you suggesting that I am not?" She scorched him with a look. "Because you suggest I act dishonorably..." "Am I? If you act dishonorably because of how you interpret what I said, am I to blame for that?" He questioned her. "If you don't like my advice, don't follow it." Tired finally of her accusations, his voice was sharp and dismissive. "I offered my opinion because I wanted you to be happy..but you're determined to be miserable. Don't make me so as well." With quick strong steps he marched out, leaving Rei alone with her thoughts. Helplessly,her mind tumbled backwards...to another day, in another life. The next day, Rei waited impatiently with the other girls for Serena to show up for their day of shopping. Mina's family was going back to England, though Mina had informed her parents that she intended to live in Japan. Still the trip was the perfect excuse for Ami to find Gregg and convince him he was wrong about giving up on her. So Mina had talked Ami into going on a vacation in England with her family...and everyone else into helping the pair shop for travelling clothes. "Rei, *DON'T* tell me you're fine with Chad's marriage" Serena blurted out, as they passed a wedding gown store.. Of course, when Lita had talked to Serena, right after Rei had left her apartment, she'd mentioned what Rei had told her. There were few secrets in this group. "I'm not." Rei said. "So what are you going to do?" Serena said "What can I do? You need to get him back!! I won't see those in love kept apart!" "This isn't a battle, Moon-brain." Rei shot back. "What about Jaedite" Ami inquired. "What about him? Rei asked, handing Ami a blue halter dress that would look great with the jacket Ami was fingering. "Actually, he said I should go after Chad." "HE DID?" Mina asked surprised. "Wow, that's liberal." "He's not in love with me. I don't know why he told me that." "Because it makes sense" Serena said. "Anyone could tell you not to give up!" "So, if he's not in love with you,Rei, maybe I'll pay our amnesiac a visit before I go to England. " Mina said, fingering a light orange dress "Think he'd like this dress?" Rei all but exploded. "Stay away from him." "Oh yeah? Why can't I see him!" Mina said. "Because he's eng..." Rei paused, not sure why she'd been about to say he was engaged..."He's still under observation." "I know.. I want to observe him." Mina laughed. "MY observation. We can't trust him." Rei said. "Find someone else to flirt with." "Told you" Lita whispered to Mina. "Doesn't want a second chance, but won't let us near him." >>>@>------>>> The soft pink and white cherry blossoms hovered over their heads as Rei and Chad strolled in the park. The day was soft and warm, perfect really, thought Rei, except that an odd tension hung between her and Chad. He was at ease. She could tell. All the tension started and ended with her, pulsating from her own thoughts. "Sora is very nice." She said at last, breaking the silence. He had always waited for her to speak, when they walked here. At least, he did ever since the first time when she yelled at him for disturbing the peace of the afternoon. He'd been silent for fear she'd not let him go with her. That seemed so long ago. "Yeah...*she's* great...."He said distractedly. He looked tired. "Something wrong?" Rei inquired, noticing the sleepy expression and his lagging step. "Her Father..he's been working me really hard with this merger... Our competitor is this totally unscurpolous mega-company... We'd never been a threat to them, but now that we merged the two corporations...it's a different story." "You shouldn't let him work you so hard Chad! You know that at the temple we always maintained limits." "I don't have a choice...Even as hard as I worked at the temple, it strengthened me...this work drains me out...but I can't do anything else--" "Why not?" "The merger took a lot of cash to buy out shareholders-- we've got some major loans... and the bank's just been bought out by our competitors... Stanton Industries....they're merciless. If we're late...we're afraid of what could happen." "I see." Rei said. She was only half paying attention. Business not being her strong point, nor the point of their stroll. "Enough of my problems...what was on your mind? How's the wedding planning?" He asked, trying to change the subject. "OK. " That topic was even worse. " Look Chad, if you don't want to do this kind of work--don't let them run your life. That's why you ran away to the temple in the first place. I hate to see you lose your independence." Especially to Sora, she thought. Chad laughed. "I didn't feel so independent when I showed up at the temple...but you are right. I shouldn't let them walk over me...Grandpa taught me to face my fears...and I should." "But not right now...let's just enjoy the park. How about a row boat ride?" Rei said...that should get his mind off his work and onto her..."We never did this when you lived at the temple did we?" "Speaking of facing fears...I always wanted to ask you Rei... but you had me so scared!" He laughed... "Of What!" She said idignantly... "That you'd say NO..." he laughed..."or yes, and then get angry at me and push me in the water!" Rei tried not to let her irritation show..."I wouldn't do that." He smiled at her. "Then let's go!" Jed, observing the scene swore to himself, that they would now be harder to follow. He shook his blonde hair and melted back into the trees. He was not the only one observing the pair... Less well hidden were two figures, They shared the same thoughts about Chad's and Rei's excursion onto the water. One was cursed with a thick, stupid looking face and a voice to match. "Duh boss ain't goin' like dat we didn't nab her now...why couldn't they stayed in duh trees? Dere's too many people to see out there." The other hushed his dimwitted, uglier friend, and pushed back his own tawny brown hair. "I'm still not sure that is our target.