Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

Author's note: I have been wanting to write this story for a while. This is an entirely different story from Memory Trap. It sets four years after the Dark Kingdom battle in Sailor Moon Crystal.

Name

Kunzite - Ken

Nephrite - Nobu

Zoicite -Sora

Jadeite - Junichi

~Mamoru~

"Good work today, Chiba." Prof. Yamada patted him on the back. Mamoru bowed with humility.

"Thank you, Sir."

This was his last year of medical school. Next year he would be a full-fledged doctor. Sometimes he felt it was hard to believe that. It seemed like yesterday he was a Tuxedo Mask trotting through the streets of Tokyo every night to find the Silver Crystal.

He had decided to stay in Tokyo and study at Yamaguchi medical school instead of studying in the U.S. It was a difficult decision, but he was glad he chose to stay here. Having Usagi by his side made all the hard, grueling study so much easier.

Mamoru walked to the doctor's lounge, took off his white gown, grabbed his bag and walked home. When he got outside, it was dark already, almost 9 o'clock. Working in a hospital always made him lose track of time.

The wind was too chilly for April, the breeze was getting stronger by the minutes. As he was walking through the park, he saw a group of guys playing basketball together. They seemed to have fun, teasing, talking and playing together. He thought of his Shitennou. Even though it was a lifetime ago, he still fondly remembered the memories of them spending time together. They were like brothers to him. He recalled how Jadeite helped him plot the plan to sneak out to see Serenity without his parents and the rest of the Shitennou knowing. But Jadeite couldn't keep a secret for the life of him. Soon Zoicite and Nephrite knew of his escapade too. They were reluctant to help him at first but eventually gave in. Kunzite, we were trying to avoid, but we didn't succeed for long. He caught us within a month. Mamoru still remembered how Kunzite yelled at them. Even though Endymion was trying to take the blame for Jadeite, Zoicite, and Nephrite, the Shitennou leader wasn't having it. Kunzite lectured the younger generals that their job is to ensure Endymion's safety, not following his reckless requests. Mamoru chuckled at the thought. Kunzite always acted like a father to the rest of the Shitennou. The three younger Shitennou's cowering faces when got yelled by Kunzite was quite a sight. Jadeite trying to look remorseful, even though Endymion knew he wasn't, Zoicite trying to argue, using every possible rhetorical strategy, and Nephrite citing code of conducts from the military guide as excuses. Kunzite's face was getting red from yelling at the rest of them. Kunzite was usually calm and collected, especially when dealing with soldiers, but the rest of the Shitennou was the exception. It was more of a brotherly love and bickering.

But eventually, even Kunzite couldn't resist Endymion's plea to follow his heart. One day after having scouted and cleared possible threats, Kunzite agreed to escort him to see Serenity in the forest outside of the palace. Fortunately, that was the day Venus accompanied Serenity to Earth. After that, Kunzite didn't seem to have any objection to him sneaking out to see Serenity. Well, as long as Kunzite got to see Venus, too.

Mamoru had wondered, many times, what it would be like if the Shitennou weren't killed by Metallia at the end of the battle and got to live their peaceful existences with them. It didn't seem fair that they never had the second (or third) chance at living normal lives.

Mamoru got back to his apartment. Sometimes he wished Usagi could stay with him. It would be so nice to come home and see her cheerful face. Her chipper spirit and chirping voice never failed to lift him up from gruesome days at the hospital. Mamoru walked into his bedroom, ready to take a shower when he glanced at his desk drawer. He tried to resist the temptation to open it but failed miserably. He pulled out the small wooden box from the drawer and put it on the desk. He sat down, looking forlornly at the box. He's always reluctant to call on them when there was no emergency. But tonight, he couldn't resist.

He opened the box, four stones glistering in the fluorescent light of his bedroom. He closed his eyes and focused his energy.

Four spirits manifested before him. "Master." They bowed with one hand laying diagonally across their chests.

"Nice to see you guys again," Mamoru said.

Kunzite had a worried expression. "Something wrong, Master?"

Mamoru chuckled. "What? I can't call on your guys if I didn't have any problems."

Jadeite stifled a laugh. Kunzite said, "You usually called on us when you faced new enemies."

"You can't blame him for jumping to this conclusion," Zoicite chimed in, he folded both arms together.

"It's always in dire circumstances that you called on us," he said with a mischievous grin.

"I know. But it's been peaceful for so long, and I missed you guys."

"Very flattering, Master," Nephrite said.

"We miss you too," Jadeite said with that boyish smile of his. Mamoru shook his head. Being sentimental with these guys always ended in a long, extensive bout of teasing.

"How have you been, Master?" Kunzite asked.

"I've told you many times. Call me Mamoru."

"That's a request we could not grant, I'm afraid. Old habits die hard," Nephrite said.

"Things are good. I'm in my last year in medical school now."

"That's good," Zoicite said and nodded.

Mamoru felt a twinge of guilt. He knew Zoicite wanted to be a doctor, had he not been his general.

"I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to get you out and live normal lives."

Kunzite looked at Mamoru with a gentle expression. Probably only Endymion, the Shitennou, and Venus ever saw this caring, protective Kunzite.

"You say that every time you called on us. Things are as it should be, Master. We are atoning for our mistakes."

There was a moment of silence.

"How's …Mars?" Jadeite finally asked.

Mamoru smiled, but sadness prickled his heart.

"She's doing fine. Hasn't got a boyfriend yet." Mamoru grinned.

Jadeite rolled his eyes. "That's not what I was worried about, Master."

"Are you sure?" Zoicite chimed it, casting a wicked look at Jadeite.

Jadeite kept rolling his eyes and shook his head, probably irritated from being teased again. Being the youngest Shitennou, he was always the target of brotherly verbal (sometimes physical) attacks. Most of the time he didn't seem to mind, though.

"They are all doing fine. Pretty busy preparing for college."

"People at this era sure study a lot," Nephrite said.

"I know. We finished with our basic training, when we were like, what? Fourteen?" Zoicite said.

"There's a lot more knowledge to learn these days," Mamoru explained.

"I'm happy to hear the Senshi are doing well, Master," Kunzite said.

Mamoru nodded. Noticing the four spirits slowly faded, he knew it was time to say goodbye.

"Be well, Master. Know that we are always here for you." Kunzite said. With that, they all bowed again and disappeared.

Mamoru felt a mixture of gratitude and despair. He had four loyal friends, not disappearing from, but not entirely in his life, either.