Remember Us
Chapter Three
"Love Long Lost"

Usagi was in a pensive and thoughtful mood as she walked down the streets of Juuban. A strange occurrence for a normally happy girl like her. It was finally Saturday, which meant no school until Monday, and she even had a date planned with Mamo-chan later, but still Usagi couldn't shake her strange mood. She ran over the occurrences of the last week. She wasn't completely sure, but she knew that the other girls had been hiding something from her. It was as if they were all preoccupied with something else.

Ami had been so out of it that she had actually gotten a ‘B' on a test. Then, when she received her grade, she didn't fuss about her imperfection and start studying harder, but nodded it off and started day-dreaming. Usagi tried to shake her friend out of it, but Ami insisted nothing was wrong. Usagi had tried everything to break Ami out of her newfound habit, but the blue-haired girl refused to say anything and started to ignore her.

Rei had gone on a shrine-maiden kick and absolutely refused to see anyone for the whole week. Usagi had learned from Grandpa Hino that Rei has virtually locked herself into the Fire Room and never came out except for tea once in a while. Even when Usagi had tried to coax her out by trying to wheedle some manga from her, the miko had not lost her temper, yelled at Usagi for being lazy, or even gotten angry! She said ‘No', calmly, once through the oak doors... and then began to mutter something about blue eyes.

Makoto seemed to lose it completely. She had nearly burned down her apartment and even her cooking had not been up to her normal standards. Usagi couldn't figure the tall girl out. Makoto's nerves were shot, and with prodding from Usagi, the brunette admitted that she had not been sleeping well. When Usagi had tried to glean more information, Makoto had started crying and wouldn't answer. Mako-chan! Crying!

Minako... well, Usagi worried about Minako. The blonde had attacked every man she saw with light hair. She kept pointing them out saying: "Too short... Too tall... Too fat... Too skinny... " and other such things. Minako seemed to be a whirl of activity and no one could keep up with her. Once when Usagi had asked what the point of the "Great Man Hunt" was, Minako started jabbering so quickly that all Usagi could make out were the words "tall... love... cute... white..." and "...cape."

Usagi shook her head. She just couldn't figure out why the girls were ignoring her. Was it something I did? No, I haven't been that klutzy lately. Maybe it's an attack from the Dark Kingdom... nah, we killed them all. Usagi continued thinking about the problem, but she was starting to get confused. Even Luna didn't understand. She remembered their conversation the other day.

"Hey Luna?"

"Yes, Usagi-chan?"

"Have you noticed anything weird about the others?"

"Weird? You mean like getting to school on time and passing tests?"

"That's not funny Luna! I'm being serious! Something is way weird with everyone and they won't tell me about it."

"Well Usagi, I think it's just them blowing off steam from the battle with the Dark Kingdom. They did die you know. All their memories are coming back, why Artemis told me that Minako unconsciously put her hair up into an old Venusian design last week. They need time to sort out their emotions and feelings. I'm sure they'll be back to normal in a bit."

"Well... if you say so Luna."

Well, Usagi had given them enough time. A whole week without being nosy or prying and they still won't give. Humph! I'm even starting to miss the fights me and Rei-chan had. Why do I feel so strange too? It's like... like they're all finding reasons to ignore me. To... stop being my Senshi. Usagi shuddered lightly. She couldn't even imagine not having them around to protect her and be her best friends. They couldn't leave her, she would be alone. The feeling within her was frightening. It was all so... different.

The distant peal of a far off clock caught Usagi's attention, and she hurriedly looked at her watch. She gave a shriek and began to run for home. She only had an hour before her date with Mamo-chan! Jeez Odango Atama! When are you ever gonna learn?!? she berated herself. As she dodged shoppers left and right, Usagi smiled ruefully to herself. Never!!!

***

A dark-haired man slowly crested a slight hill in Ichinohashi Park and took a slow look around him. As he looked in the direction of the lake, his eyes were greeted by a familiar sight. His Usako was leaning against the railing looking across the water. His Usako. Mamoru smiled to himself. It still brought a thrill to his heart whenever he thought about his Usako. I am a lucky man. Who would ever believe that Usako is mine in this life and in the past? The memories of the battle with the Dark Kingdom were still fresh in his mind, and Mamoru felt a bitter pang. Oh Usako, how could you be so strong?

Mamoru dispelled the melancholy thoughts as he saw a small boy run past Usagi. The boy tripped and fell to the ground, scraping his knee. Usagi had turned at the sound and kneeled in front of the boy. She wiped his face of tears and picked him up again. The boy broke out into a smile at whatever Usagi had said then ran off again. Usagi looked up briefly and straightened the skirt of the long white dress she wore. Mamoru caught the look of sadness that marred her features before she turned around and leaned against the railing again. Her sadness was so sharp that Mamoru could feel it through the bond they shared. Why would his Usako be sad? Mamoru walked quickly down the hill and silently behind Usagi. He stopped and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Usagi stiffened a little in shock, but at Mamoru's low chuckle she leaned back against him. She sighed from the depths of her soul.

"Usako? What's bothering you?" he asked. I'll fix whatever's wrong. You deserve to be happy, always.

Usagi shook her head. "Nothing's wrong with me, Mamo-chan."

"Usako. I can feel it. You can't hide this pain from me. What's wrong?"

Usagi turned around and looked into Mamoru's eyes. "I told you Mamo-chan. Nothing is wrong with me, but everything seems to be wrong with the others."

Mamoru frowned. "The others?"

"Ami, Rei, Mako-chan, and Minako. Something has been wrong with them all week, but they won't tell me. It... it scares me. I feel as if they're drawing away from me. I don't know what to do." Usagi hung her head and clutched her hands in front of her chest, as if to keep whatever was inside her from shattering and falling apart. The sight of Usagi looking so vulnerable tore at Mamoru. He knew how much Usagi cherished the girls who just happened to be her protectors. He lifted her face to his.

"Usako. Don't be sad. You know the girls would never purposely hurt you in any way. Do you know what could have caused this change?" Usagi's brow furrowed as she concentrated.

"Luna said that they were getting their memories of the Silver Millennium back. Like a let down after the battle with the Dark Kingdom. She said that they need to get used to the idea of being two people or something. But... I have my memories, well, most of them anyway, and I didn't go nuts or anything. Maybe I'm just being silly."

"The Silver Millennium? Hmm..." Mamoru sifted through his memories. He had most of his back too, and he had suffered no ill effects. But I do think about the battle a lot... especially after finding out about Jadeite, Nephrite, Zois... A stroke of genius hit Mamoru, and he smiled at Usagi. "If it has something to do with the Silver Millennium, I think I know some people who can help us."

"Huh? Who else knows about the Silver Millennium?" Usagi asked, thoroughly confused. However, Mamoru did not answer the question. Instead he led her to the people who could bring answers.

***

"Mamo-chan, what are we doing in your apartment?" Usagi asked. "I hope this isn't some way of getting me alone."

Mamoru laughed and came out of his bedroom with a small box in his hands. "No, Usako. Your father would kill me if I even thought about something like that. Sit down, I think we can get some answers to your questions."

Usagi sat on the couch as Mamoru set the gilded box on the table and removed its lid. A sharp feeling struck him as he saw the four stones inside. He sat down beside Usagi and took her hand.

"Mamo-chan? What are you doing with those rocks?"

"They're no ordinary rocks, Usako. You said that the girls were remembering the Silver Millennium. We might as well question those who remember more clearly than we do. Now, whatever happens, don't overreact. Nothing will hurt you."

"What do you mean...?" But Mamoru had already began the summoning spell. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the stones and the special people that they held. A slight golden glow covered him and he opened his eyes.

"Guardians. I call you. Come forth and answer our questions."

The golden glow spread to the box and the four stones rose into the air. Wavering shapes emerged from each stone and soon four men stood in their place. They looked about in confusion before focusing on Mamoru and Usagi.

"Endymion-sama. Serenity-sama. It's good to see you together again," the white-haired one said as he bowed. The other three followed suit.

That's when Usagi screamed. "KAMI-SAMA!!! THE FOUR GENERALS!!!"

Mamoru judged that her voice had gone up at least two octaves, and she was clutching his hand so hard he was afraid it would break. He also noticed that the four men had winced at her scream. Mamoru saw that Usagi had stood up and was holding her broach in her hand and hurried to calm her down. "Usako! Usako! I told you not to overreact! They won't hurt you! Calm down!" He managed to get her sitting back down on the couch again.

"What's going on here, Mamo-chan?!? How did you bring the Generals back?!?" The tense pitch was still in her voice. "They're supposed to be dead!!!!"

"We are dead, Princess," Nephrite's calm voice spoke, breaking through Usagi's wail.

Usagi was speechless and stared at the four men. "Mamo-chan... tell me I'm seeing things. Tell me I've gone nuts. Tell me I'm dreaming and I'll wake up."

Mamoru smiled. "No, Usako. You're not dreaming. They really are here."

"Yup, we're as real as any disembodied spirits can be," Jadeite remarked, trying to add levity to the situation. Zoisite muttered something and slapped Jadeite on the back of the head.

"Shut up, Jade. Princess... please don't be afraid. We won't hurt you." He looked at Mamoru curiously. "So why did you call us, Endymion-sama?"

Mamoru made sure Usagi was breathing steadily before he looking up. "You can drop the ‘sama' thing. You all know I never liked hearing that from you four. We just wanted to ask you some questions about the past. But, I think Usagi... uh, Serenity should explain."

Usagi shook herself partly out of her shock and tried to gather her thoughts. "Uh... yeah... I... I hope you can help me..."

"What troubles you, Princess?" Kunzite asked, genuine worry on his features "We'll do what we can to help."

Usagi opened her mouth to answer, but shut it again. Her brows knitted in confusion before she shot a brief look at Mamoru and faced the Generals again. "Why are you being so nice to me?" she asked suddenly, broaching the most obvious question on her mind. "You guys kept trying to kill me."

The Guardians all winced and Mamoru sighed. It would be a very long night.

Kunzite stepped into his role of leader once more. "We regret what we did to you Princess. We... weren't in our right minds at the time."

"Yeah, we were brainwashed by Beryl, the bit--"

"Jadeite! Watch the language around the Princess!" Nephrite snapped. He turned to Usagi and took a knee. "We are truly sorry Princess Serenity. Forgive us of our previous actions, and trust that we would never hurt you now."

"Believe them, Usako," Mamoru said, putting an arm around her. "They're no longer Beryl's lackeys. They're the friends we knew in the Silver Millennium." Mamoru looked into Usagi's eyes and could see the war within their blue depths. He hoped that she would accept the Guardians as friends too. He knew the pain and confusion she was going through, having been through it himself. But, he saw that familiar spark in Usagi's eyes as she frowned. Slight tears formed.

"Yes. Yes, I remember. They were your Guardians, I remember them from before. I think they can help me."

The men smiled and nodded, eager to be of assistance and prove themselves. "We said we would help in any way we could," Zoisite grinned. "What is the nature of your problem?"

Usagi frowned again and bit her lip. "Well... you know how we just defeated the Dark Kingdom? Well, uh, something has happened to the other Senshi."

The men blanched (a difficult thing for spirits) and Nephrite's jaw dropped. "What... what happened to them?" he asked tentatively. "They're not hurt are they?"

"Oh no! Nothing like that. But, I'm not exactly sure what is wrong with them."

"Usako said that the girls have been acting strangely all week. It has something to do with their memories of the Silver Millennium."

"Yeah. Ami... uh, Mercury has been spacy all week, Rei--Mars has gone into seclusion, Jupiter's been having bad dreams, and Venus, well... I worry about her."

"Are you sure this is because of their memories?" Jadeite asked. Mamoru could detect a agitated pitch in his voice. Usagi nodded and the men shared almost guilty looks. Mamoru picked up on their tension and uneasiness almost immediately.

"Do you know something? What is it?" he questioned. The Guardians all fidgeted.

"You do know!" Usagi exclaimed, pouncing on them. "Tell me, please. Their pain... it hurts me too. I can feel their suffering. Help me stop it. You said you would help me."

"Hai, Princess," Kunzite replied. The other men just hung their heads. "The reason the Senshi are so... distracted... is us."

"Nani???" Usagi and Mamoru exclaimed at the same time.

"It's true." Zoisite would not look up and seemed to find his hands very intriguing. "You've shown that you do not have all of your memories intact. Perhaps you do not remember this either."

"‘This' what?" Usagi asked, exasperated.

"We, the Guardians and the Senshi, we were engaged in the past." Nephrite placed a hand to his forehead in a motion of pain. "Oh stars! They know everything, they know how it still hurts to talk about those times."

"You... were engaged?" Mamoru asked in shock. He took a glance at Usagi and figured she looked the way he felt. Her jaw was slack and there was a dazed look in her eyes. I... the Guardians... they were my closest friends, and I never knew...

"Of course we were engaged!" Jadeite laughed. "What did you expect? With you always sneaking off to see Serenity, it was only a matter of time before your ever-faithful Guardians ran into the Sailor Senshi."

"I remember," Usagi whispered in a voice that seemed older than her own. "I remember. They were happy like I was then. I had Endymion and they had the four of you. Now... now we were forced to kill you..." Tears began to stream down her cheeks and all Mamoru could do was embrace her tightly as hot drops began to seep through his shirt. "By Selene, now I know what's wrong."

Mamoru held onto his Usako and looked at his Guardians through new eyes. He wasn't dense. He had known that the Guardians and the Senshi had been having affairs, but he hadn't known that it had gone so far. They had all been breaking the great taboo between the Golden Kingdom and the Silver Millennium. But, sometimes love and happiness didn't follow the rules. He watched as the four spirit-men moved closer. Zoisite held out a hand, as if he would comfort the sobbing girl, but instead his hand passed through her shoulder. He stared at the offending hand in shock for a moment before clenching it into a fist.

"Princess. We've told you what you need to know. We've dredged up our own painful memories. We know how you are feeling and we've done all we can to help."

"No. You haven't."

Everyone looked at Usagi in surprise. She pulled herself out of Mamoru's embrace and stood up, wiping her face. She faced the Guardians with a glint in her eyes.

"I have a plan to make everyone happy, and you're going to help me." Usagi placed her hands on her hips and grinned mischievously. "Or do I have to order you?" She smiled wryly at the men's dumbfounded looks.