Title: Crystal Moon

Fandom: Sailor Moon / Inuyasha

Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Naoko Takeuchi and Rumiko Takahashi, creators of Sailor Moon and Inuyasha respectively.

Warnings: Shoujo-ai, non-explicit violence, character death

Main Pairings: Inuyasha X Serenity, Inuyasha X Usagi

Side Parings: Endymion X Suki, Endymion X Serenity (arranged), Mamoru X Usagi (past), Inuyasha X Kikyo (past), Sesshoumaru X Ami (more will be listed as they appear in the story)

Chapter Soundtrack / Theme Song: Aozora no Namida (Tears of Blue Sky) by Hitomi Takahashi (opening theme of Blood+)

Summary: The Senshi's memories of the Silver Millennium have always been incomplete, remembering little more than the night the Moon Kingdom fell. But what if things hadn't been as straight forward as those few memories made them seem? A mysterious malfunction with the Time Gates draws everyone to the past, where secrets will be revealed, and Usagi will be reunited with her past self's first love…

Crystal Moon

Secrets and Lies

Chapter 14: Shinjitsu

Queen Serenity sat with her head in her hands, trying to fathom the reports on her desk that she had only just read.

A rebellion. After everything she had done to cement the relationship between the two kingdoms, the people of Earth were rebelling against the Moon Kingdom. All of that work, all of that sacrifice, everything she had put her daughter through… it was all going to be for naught.

"I don't understand…" Serenity said weakly. "All I've done is try to unite the Kingdoms. I bent to their refusal to become a Guardian Planet. I thought things were going so well…"

"The commoners are not the royals, Serenity," Enyo said softly, placing a hand on the distressed Queen's shoulder. Serenity glanced up at the dark-haired Martian, a sympathetic look in her violet eyes. "Wasn't that one of the first things the previous Serenity always made clear? What we view as beneficial may not always seem, or even truly be, so to the common people."

"But how could this possibly be disadvantageous to them?" she questioned. "For our kingdoms to join together… how could the common people be against such a thing?"

"I don't know," Enyo shook her head, wishing she had the answers for the higher-stationed Queen. She couldn't truly fathom the stress Serenity must be under. She, just like the other Queen Guards, was Queen of her own home planet. But Serenity was a step above that. Not only ruler of her Moon Kingdom, but overseer of all the Kingdoms that made up the Silver Millennium. Some would argue that this took the power away from the hereditary Queens of each Kingdom, but the Moon Queen did not exercise her power carelessly. Each Kingdom was left to the control of their respective Queen, with the Moon Queen only interfering in extreme circumstances. So it had been since the Guard System had been established.

"Your Majesty, I apologize for interrupting," a voice spoke from the doorway. Enyo glanced up, a gentle smile coming to her face when she saw it was her firstborn.

Prince Ares looked so like his sister that many assumed they were twins, even though he had preceded Kasei by a full two years. His dark hair was a bit long for Enyo's personal taste, but whenever she suggested he cut the near shoulder-length hair he would teasingly comment on her own long waves, which brushed her knees as she walked. Both Prince and Princess had inherited the Queen's violet eyes, but it was rare to see Kasei's eyes sparkle with the same mirth that Ares' did.

In another Kingdom, Ares would be the one being groomed for the throne. But he had the poor luck to be born to one of the three Kingdoms whose monarchy was purely matriarchal. Even had Kasei never been born, the throne would never have gone to Ares, but to one of his female cousins. Enyo sometimes felt guilty about that, but her son assured her that he held no ill will. He didn't really have any interest in being King anyway. He was perfectly happy with his position as Commander of the Dragon Brigade.

"Was it me you wished to see, Ares, or your mother?" Serenity asked with a small, teasing smile. Ares returned the smile.

"As lovely as it always is to see you, Your Majesty, I wish to borrow my mother if you can spare her. It's no emergency, simply something I wished to discuss."

Serenity nodded. "Go ahead, Enyo. I can make do without you for a little while."

The red-clad woman nodded, following her son out of the study.

"What is it, Ares?"

"I'm… I'm worried about Kasei…" Ares said softly. Enyo's gaze softened as she looked at her son. Kasei and Kinsei were the only among the Princess Guards who knew the truth of her… change. And they, like the Queen Guards and the two advisors from Earth, were forbidden to discuss it with anyone who wasn't already aware of it. Kasei had not been taking it well. She had spent all the time she was not required to be at Serenity's side holed up in her room.

"I… wouldn't worry too much," Enyo answered. "She's fourteen, you know. She's at that age. Remember how you were?"

"Don't remind me," Ares' face flushed slightly as he avoided his mother's gaze. "Half the girls in the Kingdom refuse to speak to me anymore after all that."

"I'm sure that's an exaggeration," she chuckled. "Most boys that age tend to be flirts. You just took it a bit farther than most. But if you hadn't pushed the boundaries a bit, I'm not so sure you and Namine would be where you are now."

"Ah, that was another thing I wanted to discuss…" Ares' flush grew that much brighter. "Namine said she would discuss it with Queen Scylla as well. We… we'd like to make things official. Announce a formal engagement and begin making plans for the ceremony."

Enyo's face brightened at that. She had always adamantly approved of her son's relationship with the younger-well younger by twelve minutes- Princess of Neptune. They had been close friends from a young age, and had been in a closer relationship for the past year and a half. Of course Namine wasn't next in line for the throne of her own Kingdom; that fell to Kaiousei as the elder twin. But she still held an esteemed position, and if anything were ever to happen to Kaiousei, gods forbid, Namine would be the next Queen presuming her sister had no children first. Enyo knew the likelihood of that was small of course, and she certainly wasn't the type to plot an assassination just to make her son King, but the possibility was there.

"That's wonderful news!" she said brightly. "If Scylla approves, I absolutely do as well!"

Ares let out a relieved breath. As supportive as Enyo normally was, she could also be stubborn when she disagreed about something. A trait Kasei had inherited in spades. He loved his little sister more than anything- except of course Namine- but she could be a lot to handle at times.

"Thank you, mother. I hope Queen Scylla is just as quick to give her blessing."

xXxXxXx

Kumo cursed under his breath. All that planning. All that scheming. It was going to amount to nothing, all because the pitiful peasants could keep themselves under control until after the wedding.

"And what are we supposed to do now?" Gurin questioned, hands crossed over her chest. "You're the strategist here.

"I'm thinking, woman!" the normally composed man snapped, earning him a glare from the sorceress.

"Don't act like this is my fault! Everything I've done has been according to your plans!"

"Such bickering is so unbecoming of ones of your station…" a voice hissed.

Both Kumo and Gurin quickly turned in the direction of the voice. The speaker was obscured in the shadows, only a pair of glowing crimson eyes and a vague silhouette visible to the two.

"Who are you?!" demanded Gurin.

"A friend." The oddly hissing voice said. "You may call me Metaria."

"You don't work in the castle," Kumo said, eyes narrowed. "What are you doing on the palace grounds?"

"I don't think two manipulators- two traitors- have the right to question me." Metaria chuckled. Kumo cursed, reaching for his sword. Anyone who knew about their plans couldn't be allowed to live!

Gurin's magic was faster than Kumo's blade, a blast of wind swirling with blue rose petals shooting toward the taunting figure. But it vanished just before the spell would have struck it, instead taking out the pillar the form had been standing near.

"Impressive, but not good enough," the voice said, the figure once more appearing directly behind Gurin. The sorceress whipped around, only to freeze and stare just as Kumo already was.

It wasn't that the shadows had obscured Metaria's form to simply a silhouette. It was all the form there was, a twisting shadow holding the vague shape of a human.

"What in the world are you…?" Kumo hissed out.

"What is not truly important." Metaria chuckled. "What is important is that I believe our goals are similar. We can help one another."

"Help?" Kumo narrowed his eyes.

"Yes. You wish to control the Silver Millennium. I must admit, your meddling was a good plan until things… fell apart. But even had you succeeded, would you truly have been happy ruling from the shadow? Needing to use your foolish Prince as a puppet before the masses? Or would you rather rule out in the open? All the masses cowering before your power?"

Kumo clenched his fist. "It wasn't as if I had much other option. I have no extraordinary power. I am not of royal blood."

Despite no movement in the eyes themselves, Gurin could feel that the creature was now looking at her.

"And what of you? You carry royal blood, yet you seek to destroy the royal family?"

"It's not as if I have any claim to the throne?" Gurin's eyes narrowed. "My father was brother to the King, not King himself. And besides, with the exception of a direct child of the previous king, women are skipped over for the throne unless there are no men in the line. Were my father alive, the throne would fall to him should something befall Endymion, and then to me as his direct heir. But as he is not, my sex acts against me. Were I male, my father's death would place me next in line after Endymion. But I am not, and so all men in line would need to meet rather… untimely ends for me to claim any position."

Metaria raised a clawed-looking hand, placing it against Gurin's cheek. She had the urge to pull away at the cold feeling, but something kept her from doing so.

"Such ambition from you both. And such hidden potential… You could both be so powerful…"

"And you can somehow do this for us?" Kumo asked disbelievingly.

"Indeed." Metaria's voice was nearly a purr. "All you have to do is allow me in…"

Gurin turned pale blue eyes in Kumo's direction.

"Like I said, you're the idea man here. What do you say?"

Kumo processed the offer slowly for some time. True power, not simply controlling politics by manipulating a puppet King and his simple minded Queen…

"Very well. There is clearly a catch to this that you are neglecting to tell us. But I am willing to take that risk."

"Excellent."

The sudden surge of power through the two bodies was almost too much for them to bear. Even as a sorceress, Gurin had never felt any power so strong before.

"I did neglect to mention," Metaria commented idly. "Since the two of you are receiving a larger portion of my power than a simple pawn would, your physical forms may be… altered."

Just as the bodiless form had said, Gurin's long waves of black hair slowly bled out into a vibrant crimson, her previously sky blue eyes turning the same crimson as Metaria's. The fabric of her dress tore at the sleeves as what appeared to be horns pushed up from her shoulders, and she felt her ears beginning to change shape, becoming more pointed rather than rounded.

Kumo's own dark brown hair darkened further, growing black as night while simultaneously growing yet longer than they had previously been. While it had before reached to his shoulder blades, his hair now flowed in thick waves past his waist. He felt an odd rippling in his muscles, physical as well as magical power surging through him as his amber eyes turned a russet red, reminiscent of dried blood.

It took only a few minutes before the energy seemed to fade away, settling in the core of the two. They could still feel it within them, throbbing beneath the surface in wait for them to use, but it was no longer overwhelming them.

The two turned to one another, taking in the changes in their appearances. Gurin found herself slightly irritated that Kumo's change had been so much more subtle than her own.

"Excellent," Metaria praised. "I knew you two could handle the power. The old you is dead. Perhaps you'd like to make it official? What shall I call you now?"

The two former humans blinked. They hadn't considered this change would mean a whole new identity. But they supposed it made sense.

"Chyroseberyl. Queen Chrysoberyl." Gurin finally spoke.

"You royals and your mouthful names," the man formerly known as Kumo chuckled. "I'll simply call you Beryl."

"So long as you remember the 'Queen'," Beryl frowned.

"Of course, my Queen," he chuckled. "Just remember you are not a one woman show. Queen Beryl and King Naraku has quite a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

"Naraku? You don't think that might be a bit… on the nose?" Beryl smirked.

"What can I say? I'm a simple man."

Beryl turned her eyes to Metaria. "You mentioned pawns. Does that mean even with this power we aren't strong enough to take the Kingdom down on our own?"

"You have great strength, but never underestimate numbers. Especially a great empire like the Silver Millennium."

"A rebellion has already begun," Kumo stated. "Creating pawns of the people of Earth will not be difficult. It's easy to bend one to your will when they want the same as you do, especially when they are weaker. And I already know when we shall strike."

"Oh?" Beryl raised an eyebrow. "Do tell."

He smirked. "One month from now. Queen Serenity is hosting a ball to celebrate the engagement of Prince Ares of Mars and Princess Namine of Neptune. It's a guarantee that all of our prime targets will be in the Moon Palace for such an event. And the poor trusting Queen has such lax security during her little parties."

xXxXxXx

Endymion was having a hard time processing what he'd just heard. Gurin and Kumo, his beloved cousin and trusted advisor, were not only siding with the rebellion, but intended to place themselves as the leaders of it. He couldn't let this stand!

He had to get into the Moon Palace. Since news of the rebellion had reached the Queen, his engagement to the Princess had been effectively nullified, all access to the Moon Palace blocked to those from Earth. But he had to find some way. He had to warn the Queen…

And getting help from Serenity was his best chance. He didn't know why her feelings toward him had so suddenly changed a few months ago, but the previously objecting Princess was now smitten with him. It felt like using her, taking advantage of her feelings, to do this, but it was for the good of all ten Kingdoms.

xXxXxXx

Were he in his normal form, Inuyasha would have sensed the approaching youkai long before he had. Well, to be honest, he hadn't sensed him at all. But no one else needed to know that. It was the voice that got his attention.

"Hey, mangy mutt. Away from Kagome and the others? That not like you."

Inuyasha growled low in his throat. He did not need to deal with this right now.

"I don't want to hear your annoying voice, scrawny wolf," he attempted to snark, but it came out rather weak. He was so emotionally drained right now, he just didn't have the energy.

"What's got you so miffy? And why are you human? It's the middle of the day."

"Uh, that would be my doing," said a female voice. Both males glanced up to see Inuko approaching them.

"Woah, since when do you have a little sister, mutt?" Kouga questioned.

"I don't!" Inuyasha insisted.

"But she looks so much like you!"

"It's… a long story," Inuko sighed.

"Time travel, unraveling time lines, bumping into your parents before your own conception… It's really a mess," said another voice from near Inuko's feet.

"The cat talks?" Kouga questioned curiously.

"So you were a Mauian this whole time?" Inuyasha frowned.

"Yep!" Cynthia said brightly. She lifted a front paw, placing it against the bell that hung from the ribbon around her neck. There was a small flash of light, and an instant later the same crescent mark that Luna and Artemis bore was on her forehead.

"And you hid this… why?" Inuyasha questioned.

"Meddling in the past is delicate," Inuko murmured. "We weren't supposed to reveal our identities unless it became necessary." She shook her head. "I… I can explain more later. Right now, the others are off having their past memories restored. I thought you might want to be there when ma- er- Usagi-san remembers everything."

Inuyasha was warring with his own thoughts on that. He did want to be there, but Serenity couldn't even look at him right now.

"Trust me, she'll want you there," Inuko assured him. She then turned to Kouga, a small smirk on her lips. "I think you should tag along too."

"Me?" Kouga frowned at the hanyou girl. "And why would I want anything to do with the mutt?"

"Let's just say there's someone there the girl from the future highly suggests you meet." She pointed out. Then she remembered the mindset the okami would be of at this point in the timeline. "And Kagome-san is there as well."

"Kagome?!" the wolf instantly perked up, causing Inuyasha to roll his eyes. Talk about a one track mind…

xXxXxXx

Usagi felt like she was in a dream. But everything around her seemed so clear, so solid… She remembered this feeling. Not a true dream, but a message in her subconscious.

"I am so sorry, Serenity…"

She whipped around, the dark void around her giving way to a field of flowers. Her previously bare form was covered instantly in a familiar white dress, and a familiar fair figure stood before her.

"Mama…" she breathed. It had been so long since she'd seen her. But now that her memories were complete…

"Why, mama…?" she questioned, tears beginning to swim in her eyes. "Why would you let them do that to me?"

"I am so sorry," the Queen repeated, regret clearly showing on her face. "I did what I thought was best at the time. I didn't realize my mistake until it was too late."

"I just wanted to be with Inu-chan…" she sobbed. "I… I would have given up the crown if that was what it took!"

"I know, my dear," the older woman placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "At the time, I placed the kingdom before you. And there was no other heir to take your place should you step down. But I regret all of that now. Had I known then everything I know now… things would have been different. And now they can be."

Usagi turned questioning blue eyes up to Serenity, who was smiling gently down at her.

"Nothing is in your way in this life. And with your memories awakened, I didn't want anything to be. Not even any guilt you may feel from my disapproval. All I want now is for you to be happy, Serenity. Whether that is with the hanyou or Endymion, commoner or Queen of a new Silver Millennium, Usagi or Serenity, in the 14th, 20th, or 30th century… your happiness is all that matters now."

"I… I still have to defeat Naraku," she said firmly. "Can you tell me… I haven't seen his face yet. Is he?"

"Yes," Serenity nodded grimly. "The same Naraku who plotted alongside Beryl to overthrow us. Or Kumo and Gurin, as we knew them before they colluded with that… creature and altered their forms."

"He has control over four of the Senshi…"

"It's not his control. Not truly." Serenity sighed. "You recall now how Gurin manipulated your memories. Erased the memories of your Inuyasha, and bent those of Endymion to be favorable."

Usagi nodded. She was still honestly a little angry with the Queen for allowing such a thing, but she needed that to be water under the bridge.

"Gurin works alongside him in this life as well. But it is not as before. They are not partners. In truth, her memories of her life as Gurin have not awakened. But her power as a Sorceress of Lethe… he uses his control over her to channel it into himself. He uses it to turn those you love against you."

Usagi's eyes grew wide. That explained so much. How Haruka and Michiru had given in despite having stood strong against Galaxia. How Setsuna, herself a Guardian of a mystical place, had been able to hold out long enough to bring her the Garnet Rod.

"So if I bring them to Mnemosyne-?"

"It may be a bit more complicated," the Queen confessed. "Mnemosyne has used much of her strength. A Guardian is not meant to access their sacred domain so much at once. It puts a drain on their connection. She may be able to do a few more awakenings, if your other three friends desire it."

Usagi was confused as to what the Queen was implying with the pointed way she indicated the others in their group. She thought back on her newly recovered memories. Kagome's face wasn't registering anything at all. While the Queen clearly seemed to have known her, it didn't appear she had been anyone she'd known. But when she called up Sango and Miroku's faces…

"Do you think they really need to remember?" she questioned. "They weren't directly involved. They were… as much as I hate to call them this, collateral damage."

"Perhaps not a necessity. But I would recommend it. You don't want to be the only one to get your happy ending, do you?"

Usagi smiled softly. "You're right. All that plotting took their happy ending in the Silver Millennium, just like mine. They deserve every chance they have." She looked up at the Queen again. "But if Mnemosyne's power is draining, how can we save the others?"

"A new Guardian needs to be appointed. You already have one among you perfectly suited. She couldn't be made Guardian during our era because she was to become Queen. Traditionally, we avoided such a thing, with the exception of the Time Gate, always jointly guarded by the Queen and heir of Pluto. But… you don't need to follow the rules I set for you any longer, Serenity. You are the one in command, the one who will rule the Silver Millennium should you choose to bring it to fruition again. The laws are yours to make."

"I… I have one more question…" Usagi said hesitantly. Serenity smiled knowingly.

"About ChibiUsa and Inuko?" The blonde nodded. "Time is not a straight line, Serenity. As long as nothing happens which fully cancels out their futures, they both exist, as well as many futures with different versions of them. As long as you reach the branch point, even if you yourself head toward a future where you give birth to Inuko, another version of you exists who gave birth to ChibiUsa. Even if you find yourself in a future where neither comes to be, where you give birth to a completely different child, they still exist somewhere in the timeline. Don't think of what you decide to do as a choice between which daughter you'd rather have. Do what will make you happy. That is the right choice."

"Thank you , Mama." Usagi smiled.

"You're welcome, Serenity. I only wish I'd been as good a mother to you in life…"

xXxXxXx

Usagi woke with a start, finding all of her friends standing over her in concern. Even Inuyasha and Inuko had returned, with a male she didn't recognize.

"Serenity!" Inuyasha exclaimed, and it was at that moment she realized she was cradled in the currently human hanyou's arms. "Are you alright?!"

"Inu-chan." she smiled softly up at him, feeling a clenching in her chest. Seeing him for the first time with complete memories, even not in his normal form, she could only describe it the same way Mamoru had when he'd regained his memories. It felt like she'd been asleep for a long time, trapped in a dream that was at times pure nightmare and others just a little sad.

"Inu-chan!" she threw her arms around him, tears in her eyes. Inuyasha was stunned for a moment before he hesitantly wrapped his arms, blood still on his hands, around her.

"I remember! I remember everything!"she sobbed. "Everything coming back all at once… even if at the time I didn't remember you, having everything back all at once feels just like I lived all that time with you in my memories, but without you there. And I missed you so much!"

She felt his arms tightening around her, his face buried in her shoulder.

"It hurt so much… Having you here but not here at the same time. I didn't know what to do…" he whispered, the strain in his voice making her believe he was likely crying as well.

"I think we should give them a little privacy for a while," Minako suggested, a small smile on her face as she led the others away.

xXxXxXx

"That's all… kinda nuts." Kouga said once he'd gotten filled in on everything between Kagome, Makoto, and Inuko. Makoto had been giving him an indecipherable look the whole time, and he wasn't quite sure how he felt about it.

"Be that as it may, it's all true," Inuko shrugged.

"The reincarnation stuff isn't too tough to swallow. But this future thing… it's weird enough to accept with Kagome, and by extension these people from her present, but an alternate future? That's tough to swallow."

"What you think the future is just set in stone?" the dog-eared girl questioned. "That no choice you make has any real impact on anything that happens?"

"Well, no I guess not…?"

"Then why should there be only one future?"

"Alright, alright, I got it." the wolf frowned. "You're quickly becoming as much a pain in the ass as your old man."

"Yeah, maybe don't mention that part to him until I do," Inuko frowned. "I'd like to break it at least to him more delicately than I had to with everyone else."

"Our future what?!" Inuyasha's shocked voice could be heard from where they'd left him and Usagi.

"Well, there goes that plan," Inuko sighed, earning a sympathetic look from Kagome.

"So I'm curious," Minako spoke up. "Who do I end up with? Or is it someone I haven't even met yet?"

"Yours is a… complicated case, Minako-obachan," Inuko titled her head as she thought. "You've technically met him. But, like, not the VERSION of him you'll be with, if that makes any sense?"

"I don't really understand."

"Well, you've met him in the era you originally came from. But the version of him you fall in love with is born around the same time in the alternate timeline."

"So I marry a guy like five hundred years younger than me?"

"Well, technically yeah. But with long life from the Ginzuishou, things are looser in terms of exact ages. You were the same physical age when you met."

"So… how old are you then?" Rei questioned curiously. Inuko smiled.

"I'm not any older than I look. I really am only thirteen. In my history, you all put off having kids until you felt sure things were stable and safe to raise families in. And since you had future knowledge of the Dark Kingdom, Black Moon, Death Busters, Dead Moon, and Chaos, you chose to wait until those threats had been taken care of."

"Why didn't we just act in advance?" Ami questioned.

"Some things you did. But others weren't as straight forward. You were forced to wait until they came about of their own accord."

It was at this point Usagi and Inuyasha began making their way back to the rest of the group. Inuyasha had cleaned the blood from his hands, and one hand was firmly holding Usagi's at their sides.

"So… you're my daughter." Inuyasha said bluntly to Inuko.

"Potential future daughter, yes," she nodded, hands held nervously behind her back. She was very close to her father, and was very nervous about the possibility of this past version of him rejecting her.

"That's… going to take some getting used to," Inuyasha admit. "But I'm sure we'll work something out."

The girl smiled happily. "Can… can I call you papa?"

Inuyasha's flushed slightly. "Damn that'll be weird… but, uh, I guess so."

Usagi gently smiled at the exchange between the two before slipping her hand from Inuyasha's. She approached Sango and Miroku, a serious expression on her face.

"I know you two are still deciding if you want your old memories back or not. I can't force you. But I just want you to know that… I really think you should. I… You weren't given the chance to be happy then, and I'd really like that to be the case now. And… I can think of a couple others who would very much like you to have your memories back."

She cast a look in Rei's direction. The miko rolled her eyes, but had a slight smile she was trying very hard to suppress.

The two humans looked to each other uncertainly.

"Well, I will if you will, Sango," Miroku finally said. Sango hesitated for only a few moments before nodding her head. Usagi then turned to Mnemosyne.

"Your power is waning, isn't it?" she questioned. The fairy gave a soft smile, then nodded in the affirmative.

"I can reawaken Ares and Namine's memories if you wish, Your Highness. And once her soul is restored, hers as well. But I fear that would be the extent of my capabilities without resting for a long time, a century at the very least."

Usagi nodded in understanding. "Which means you wouldn't be able to help Harukia, Michiru, Setsuna, and Hotaru."

"Precisely."

"Which is why I'd like you to start training a successor."

"Oh? I've no objection, but who didn't you have in mind, Your Highness?"

"Ami."

"Me?!" Ami squeaked out. "Usagi, what-?"

"The Princess of Mercury, able to control water in all its forms, serving as Guardian of the River Mnemosyne." Usagi smiled. "It makes perfect sense to me! You would have been great as Guardian during the Silver Millennium too, but the rules forbid placing a Queen, or future Queen, in the position."

"Exactly!" Ami said, not getting where Usagi was going. "It was against the rules!"

"But I make the rules now."Usagi said, with a serene smile. "Even Mama said so."

The other Senshi stared at her in surprise. She'd spoken with Queen Serenity?

"So will you accept the role, Ami-chan?" Usagi asked. "I won't force it on you. If you don't want to do it, I'll try and find someone else. But I would really like it to be you."

Ami let out a defeated sigh. She really couldn't deny the blonde anything, even given a clear choice."

"Alright, I'll do it."

Usagi smiled happily before once more moving to Miroku and Sango. She grabbed them each by the hand, leading them back toward the river with Mnemosyne only a short ways behind.

"Your memories are very intertwined," the fairy pointed out as she began summoning the waters once more. "So restoring them simultaneously is a little easier than the rest."

As the memories began to pour into them, the two saw very similar scenes flashing before their minds.

"Ares! You damn pervert! Is that any way for a prince to behave!" Namine scolded the prince in question.

"So I like to flirt with girls a little. Big deal," Ares shrugged at his long time friend.

"It's not just flirting, it's groping! You have an image to maintain as a prince!"

"You're too proper, Namine," Ares sighed. "You need to learn to lighten up every once in a while."

"He's just at that age, Namine," Kaiousei assured her younger twin, running a brush through her sister's shoulder length brown hair. "True he pushes things a little more than most boys I've met, but I'm sure he'll grow out of it."

"And if he doesn't?" Namine huffed, seated on the edge of her bed in the room she shared with her sister.

"If I didn't know any better," Kaiousei smirked over her shoulder. "I'd say you were jealous."

"Jealous?! Of that pervert?! Hardly!"

"Come on, Namine, he won't bite," Ares grinned, trying to urge the girl to approach the large dragon. As commander of the Dragon Brigade of Mars, it was only fitting that Ares' dragon was the most intimidating that had every been tamed, a great black and red beast known as Broadwing.

"I know he won't bite, stupid!" Namine snapped. "You have a mental link. You wouldn't let him. I just… don't want to ride him…"

"And why on Mars not?"

"I… I don't do well with heights…" she confessed. Ares gave her a sympathetic smile.

"Well, then we'll just have to get you over that. Little steps at a time. I know you would love flying if you didn't have that worry, Namine. I'm certain of it."

"You really need to stop beating around the bush," Kasei said suddenly, not looking up from the weapon stores she and her brother were taking stock of.

"What are you talking about?" Ares raised an eyebrow, turning from the inventory list in his hands.

"Namine, you dolt." Kasei said with a roll of her eyes as she inspected a sword. "This one's looking dull. Better have the smith sharpen it before it's used in combat again."

"And just what about Namine?" Ares sighed, hating the way his sister managed to be both straight forward and cryptic at the same time. The younger sibling glanced up.

"Asking her to marry you of course."

Ares face flushed a deep crimson. He didn't even attempt to deny the allegation of having that desire, but he gave a sad smile once his embarrassment subsided.

"She would never say yes…"

"Don't be stupid." Kasei sighed. "Anyone with eyes can tell you both want to. But you're both so damn stubborn."

"I'M the stubborn one? Coming from you?"

"I don't deny it. Unlike you," she smirked."The worst that can happen is she says no."

"No, the worst that can happen is she says no AND never wants to speak to me again."

"Sometimes in love you have to take risks."

"And what would you know about that?"

"Nothing personally," she admit. "But let's just say I know someone who takes quite a few risks for love. And some people taking quite a few of their own on their behalf."

"Namine, please promise me that no matter what your answer is to this question, you won't hate me forever."

"Stop being stupid, Ares."Namine sighed. "You're a pain, but if I were going to hate you, it would have happened a long time ago."

"Well then would you do this pain the honor of being his wife?"

Namine stood there in shocked silence, staring at the other royal.

"Namine? Namine? Oh, gods,you hate me now. You're going to hit me!"

"You big, stupid idiot," Namine laughed lightly through the tears of joy beginning to fill her eyes. "Yes. Of course the answer's yes."

xXxXxXxXx

"This day has been far too eventful," Rei sighed. But she had to admit, she was glad so many things had been straightened out, even if they had a long way to go to solving all of their problems. And , even if she hadn't remembered missing him until a few hours ago, it was nice to have her big brother back…

"Yeah…" Makoto said non-committally. Rei turned to the brunette in confusion, noticing she was staring at the wolf who had stuck around and was now talking with Kagome.

"Oh, not. Please Makoto. Don't say it,"

"He's just like senpai,"she said, but not in the same dreamy tone she normally used.

"Not again…" Rei groaned.

"No, Rei, you don't understand," Makoto shook her head. "This isn't like before. He doesn't just share one feature that I latch onto. Other than the… well… wolfiness… and his hair being longer… he really is just like senpai."

Rei blinked before looking over at the wolf. She'd never seen Makoto's beloved senpai of course, but if they really were identical other than the "wolfy" bits… Was it possible the boy Makoto had so long pined for was a reincarnation of a youkai?

"Dammit, why is everyone around me falling for youkai?!" Rei grumbled to herself.

xXxXxXx

Chapter Title Translation: Truth

Author Notes: So I know on my FF profile and dA journal I said I was going to write a chapter of something else before I did this. But I decided to pick out the theme song real quick and as it was playing on my music player… inspiration hit me. For the first time in a LONG time, I actually got this all out in a single sitting!

As always, how many people are actually shocked by the reveal that Gurin is Beryl and Kumo is a previous incarnation of Naraku? I did intentionally name Kumo in a way that wouldn't be blatantly obvious, but that observant readers could figure out. Naraku's name while human was Onigumo "Demon Spider", so I simply named his previous incarnation Kumo "Spider". Simple to figure out, but not staring you dead in the face.

And changing it so that Beryl is technically her nickname… May sound weird, but ever since I started looking into mineralogy, partially inspired by Sailor Moon, I've always liked the name Chrysoberyl with Beryl as a nickname. I'd consider it for my own potential future daughter if I weren't worried kids would poke fun at it for the it being a homophone of Barrel… which I thought was actually Beryl's name for the first several years I watched the show until I got access to the internet!

Questions, comments, suggestion, and constructive criticism are always welcome! Just no flaming please…