Chapter 2 Summary: The gang is hoping to have a normal Valentine's Day this year, but with the arrivals of four mysterious strangers there are bound to be surprises.

Chapter 2

Part II

Sweet Dreams or Bitter Beginnings?

Achillean was quite familiar with storytelling. Guy had introduced him to the classics not only as means to ward off boredom but also to share a common interest with the newfound stranger he christened in likeness of the Iliad's protagonist. Photojournalism helped Achillean relay the truth through images as well.

One would think that the experience he had would have prepared him for discerning truth from fiction if he ever came in contact with someone from his past. It was hard to say with the story Naru presented.

Nephrite was the archetypal bad boy in need of saving. He was truly a good person, but like most bad boy characters he carried a dark past. Unfortunately he got caught up in a gang called the Dark Kingdom though Nephrite impressively hid his troubles behind his charismatic smile and savvy personality. Under the alias of wealthy entrepreneur Masato Sanjouin, he crossed paths with Naru multiple times. It was during their encounters that Naru's resilience won him over. A fellow gang member took notice of Nephrite's deep affection for Naru and used her against him in a bloody battle in which he bravely died protecting her.

"People with inhuman abilities, huh?" he murmured to himself.

She couldn't believe it at first either. However, Naru had been targeted enough times by strange beings to know there was something far greater than the planet's small existence.

A rectangular light shined through Naru's skirt pocket. The maroon corduroy fabric muffled the upbeat ringtone. She reached for her cell phone and scanned the display.

Gurio Umino:

Naru, where are you? I thought we were meeting at the cinema. The film is about to start. Are you OK?

Her throat tightened as she pressed the ignore button. He'll forgive me. This is more important. In the back of her mind, she knew that was a lie.

"Trust me, Tokyo is no stranger to those kinds of things," she said, stuffing the phone into her pocket, and watched him pace.

"Perception is reality," he countered.

"I have no reason to lie to you," she said.

"I can't remember anything before three years ago. Nothing! Do you know what nothing feels like? I have been traveling to places I feel drawn to, hoping that whatever I come across could jog my memory. And when I finally think I am closer to filling that blankness I am thrown another roadblock. It's like trying to catch air."

"Nephrite-"

"Achillean," he corrected, but even he was unsure.

Who am I?

"Achillean," Naru amended, "Let me stand by you. I can help restore your memory. Please believe me."

He plopped down next to her with his legs crossed, picking at the grass. "I need proof," he said with finality.

"I..." She hesitated, bristled by his hard look. "Seeing you here, being with you, that shakes me to the core because I was led to believe I made you up."

Can you not see how precious you are to me?

Naru rubbed her arms. Her long sleeved top offered little warmth when a cold chill settled around the two. A gentleman would have removed his coat and placed it on her shoulders. Her ideal prince did not.

"I'm sorry, but that's not enough. I need real proof- not some flowery story accompanied by some scratched up tree trunk." He patted her hand. "If that is all, I'll leave first then."

Leave? We were just reunited! Her heart pounded roughly, gears turning rapidly in her head, processing the little evidence she had in all their moments together. There had to be something important that would draw him to her, keep him at her side.

"Wait," she said quickly, "I know what it's like to question reality better than anyone."

"How so?"

Fainting spells may be a common occurrence among some individuals. Yet when it tends to happen to large groups of people at the same time on multiple occasions, she had to consider all realms of possibility.

"Have you ever heard of the Sailor Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen?" She took his confused expression as a "no." "The Sailor Senshi are a mysterious team of sailor suited soldiers, and with the help of a masked tuxedo clad man named Tuxedo Kamen, they protect the city in the name of justice and love."

He rolled his eyes again and shook his head in disbelief.

"There are no records of you existing, but there are about them." She reached for him.

Achillean frowned and pulled back his arm Naru clung to. "I don't know."

"Uh, loads! W-we just need to get in touch with my friend's dad; he's a reporter. With our combined efforts, I'm sure we can find the Senshi and get them to tell us the information you are looking for. Please give me a chance."

Achillean was not one for dramatics, but he had to hand it to the girl. Her desperation appeared genuine, albeit intense.

What did he have to lose? Time perhaps, but he could consider this one of the distractions he normally partook in.

The shuffling of feet came closer. "I think the ball went this way," a boy shouted to his friend.

She looked over her shoulder. "Uh, let's meet again."

He thrust his hand in front of Naru, startling her. "Fine. Is later in the week good for you?"

"Oh, well, um," she gulped, intimidated by the meaning behind the quirk of his brow. She had to think fast or she'd lose him. "Yes. Let's get together at San-chome? We can get a chocolate parfait."

Like Nephrite promised.

"While we go over the coverage," she added for good measure.

He liked chocolate. Achillean scratched his chin. "Sounds good to me."

* C * C * C *

"You know, it's nice to talk about stuff like this for a change."

Rei rested her fist underneath her chin, smiling gently. "Yes, living a normal life without a bad guy invasion does feel good for once."

Minako remained quiet, suddenly becoming interested in her nails.

"Usagi's wish finally came true," Ami sighed. "We're regular girls."

Artemis returned from his time-out and eyed Minako warily as he climbed onto Makoto's lap. The girls focused their attention on Artemis who was now poking at the large red package on the table.

"Oh, thanks for reminding me, Artemis." Makoto reached into her bag and passed out the chocolates she made for the girls. "Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!" said Makoto.

"We should really wait for Usagi before we start exchanging gifts," said Ami, though she graciously accepted hers.

"I think we waited long enough," Rei said. "Why should the rest of us be punished for her tardiness?"

Ami reluctantly acquiesced and dug in.

Another ten minutes passed when the door burst open to reveal a squealing Usagi. She slammed the door and rushed to the table to tell the girls her great news. No one could rain on her parade. No one.

"Guys, guess-" She paused taking in the sight: Ami delicately placing a truffle in her mouth, Minako involved in a tug-of-war with Artermis (her almost empty chocolate box at the center of the brawl), Rei biting into each morsel in order to check the flavor before consuming, and Makoto shaking her head at her friends' antics. Usagi shook her head firmly. "Even though I should be very upset since you started without me, I'm not because nothing can bring me down today. Because, guess what?"

The girls stopped in mid-action.

"Mamo-chan is coming home!" She then took the chocolate box Makoto handed her and hugged it to her chest as she twirled around. "One more week until I am reunited with Mamo-chan!"

* C * C * C *

"I appreciate what you are doing for me," assured Achillean.

Guy would probably say the acknowledgement was necessary. Naru is just a kid. You called her a crazy liar. It is surprising she did not break down and cry. Achillean pictured the old man wagging his finger, standing on a crate to reprimand him at eye level. Regardless if she imagined this Nephrite person or not, loss is loss.

He heard a high-pitched noise from his side- excitement hard to contain. Naru's hands were clasped as though in prayer, the tips of her fingers lightly touching her lips. The sentiment was noted.

Eyes wandering the quarter, he recognized the white buildings they had passed on the way to the park. Around the corner, he would be back where he started.

"Ah, I believe this is where we part ways," he said cordially.

Naru's giddy expression faltered. Achillean's gaze drifted across the street to a young woman shaded under a green awning.

"Hey, Makoto!" he shouted warmly.

The turn of events did not suit well with her one bit. Lips set in a firm line, Naru trailed after him, disregarding the constant vibrations of her phone for the ones of her heart.

Now the fucked up thing about reality is you can't blame an evil queen for your misfortune. Not this time, Makoto thought morosely as Achillean greeted her pleasantly with Naru's arm hooked into his. As far as she could tell, there was no mistaking the familiarity in Naru's gentle caresses.

This is what I get for listening to Usagi. She felt so stupid. Believing she too could have a fairy tale romance. Against her better judgment, she took a chance. Where did that lead her? Heartbreak and an endless tub of ice cream. She would not cry, at least not until she was alone at home.

"Ah, Makoto, this is-uh- Naru," he introduced in an uneasy tone. He thought he left her to her own devices.

"I know," she found herself saying politely.

"You know each other?" he asked.

"A mutual friend," Makoto said. She tried to ignore the tightness in her throat.

"Oh, yes. The daughter of the reporter I was telling you about," Naru mentioned cheerfully, seeing the opportunity to add credibility to her story. "We attend the same high school, actually."

Makoto shuffled uncomfortably. Noticing her awkward stance, Achillean jokingly inquired about the chocolates tightly held to her chest. "Is that any way to treat my Valentine's gift? Not that they would complain," he trailed off.

She hugged the box tighter. "No," she managed, "they're just extras."

"Is that so?"

He shook Naru off to fold his arms. Makoto gulped under his examination, wanting to look elsewhere, but his critical stare- her eyes were a lighter shade than normal, he thought- won out.

Naru's ears perked at the chime that resonated from the local department store's clock. The sharp black hands pointing toward the Roman numerals four and nine were a painful reminder. She abandoned her boyfriend. Knowing Umino, he would still be waiting for her rain or shine. It wouldn't be the first time either.

"Ahem, Achillean," Naru interjected, frowning.

"Hmm?" he responded noncommittally.

"I have to go now," she said regretfully. "I will see you later in the week at San-chome, okay? To finish our discussion from earlier?"

He turned to the girl tugging his jacket and gently pried her fingers from the zipper lining. "I'll see you then."

Naru gave them a curt nod and ran off to the cinema.

"Ok, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing is wrong," Makoto said forcefully.

"Really? So why are your eyes light green?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

He chuckled, boasting, "Makoto, I've known you for a while now. You could possibly call me a connoisseur in your mannerisms." A faint blush tinged her cheeks. Her chest tingled. She pulled the chocolate box closer in an attempt to suffocate the fluttering in her stomach. "Depending on your emotive state, your eyes change color. Light green means you're anxious. Is there something I should know?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Makoto declared. She shoved him as she walked past. His presence was stifling. She needed to leave and find a convenience store far far away from him.

Achillean sighed, muttering under his breath something like "This girl," and quickly grabbed her wrist (completely ruining her storming off moment, she might add) drawing her face-to-face with him. The box of chocolates was pitifully wedged between them. She blinked at their proximity.

"Why are you acting strange?"

"How do you know Naru?" she asked stiffly.

Achillean, amused, released her and shoved his hands in his pant pockets. "She thinks she can help me with my past."

"Oh," she said.

"Yes, oh," he said teasingly. "Who knows? This could be the real thing. I might have a lead."

If that were the case, then Makoto was terrified. She knew the makeshift friendship that had developed between them over the past year-in-a-half was going to come to an end eventually. She did not realize it would be so soon though. As soon as he remembered who he was, most likely someone with a big name, Makoto would no longer be in the picture. He would be too busy thwarting rabid fan girls and living the high life to focus on exploring Japan with plucky Makoto.

The parcel slipped onto the concrete. "I-I have to go," she mumbled quickly. "Meeting friends. Bye!"

Makoto was thankful for her height in that moment. Her long legs made her escape that much easier. It wasn't until she reached a pedestrian bridge four blocks away did she realize her hands were empty.

"Ah, Makoto," Achillian called out, but she was already gone. He reached for the box she dropped. Curious, he removed the lid and (to his delight) found an assortment of chocolates in the shape of Peter Pan characters.

Achillean glanced into the distance and sighed. "This girl."