Chapter 6

To say that the atmosphere was uncomfortable would be a lie. A big lie. Stuck in the room inside the shrine which his princess had lead them to. Even though his Princess hadn't been the leader of the senshi in the past, it was heartening to see everyone following her lead now. Despite the sense of low confidence, he had picked up on her, he could see that his princess took to leading just like a duck took to swimming.

It was then he felt a spike of interest shoot up inside his mind from his current reincarnation counterpart.

'Sailor Moon wasn't the leader in the past?' he could feel genuine curiosity burning through Mamoru. Also a hint of frustration at the lack of said memories. Though there wasn't much he could help them with that. For some reason both of their memories were fractured. Somehow in this reincarnation, even though they should have been one, they had two separate memories. It would have to be fixed at some point as this wasn't normal but Endymion would worry about that later. For now he simply decided to answer to his counterpart. With the denial and arrogance mask dissipating, he could see more of himself in his present counterpart.

'Of course not. Our Princess wasn't even a senshi, she was the Moon Princess. The rightful heir to the Silver Alliance. She was too important to be a senshi. The Moon Princess's were always prepared to be the queen in charge of the other planets in the alliance. While the other planets had their own royalty, the Moon Queen were the ones who had the final say due to the legacy of the silver crystal. The only planet which wasn't part of the alliance was Earth. The leaders of the senshis back in the day was Sailor Venus.'

Endymion send the thoughts to his counterpart. He felt further interest and bafflement increasing in Mamoru. He could feel that he had more questions but he knew he had to focus on the audience he had. An audience he couldn't ignore otherwise they would get even more restless.

An the audience certainly were uncomfortable enough. He was sitting in the shrine room, to his immediate left sat Serenity, still in her senshi uniform (a uniform she shouldn't have worn in the first place! The danger that Luna had dropped her in just made his blood boil). With said responsible cat sitting on her lap.

Then sitting directly in front of him were the other three inner senshis, Mercury, Jupiter and Mars, the latter being a late addition. Sailor Moon had lead them all to a shrine and standing in front of the steps had been Sailor Mars in her full glory. It was clear that one of them must have informed her through the communicator for she did not look surprised by him or their entourage.

That had lead them all to this situation. Him with his princess on his side while the others looked at him as if they were ready to attack.

He could feel all their glances, burning him as they looked at him. Mars glaring at him with the most suspicion, while Mercury and Jupiter just looked curious.

"So, are we just going to sit here in silence staring at the Prince of Earth or do something?" Jupiter broke the ice with a sheepish smile, while throwing Sailor Moon a concerned glance.

Usually Usagi was the one who broke the ice, no matter how uncomfortable, she would always do something to create a sense of normalness. She would do it instinctively, always. So, for her to be so…calm and demure was just odd. It didn't make sense. It also made her worry that perhaps Mamoru had hurt her more than necessary which was just ironic as it turned out that said guy had feelings for her. But she didn't have time to worry about that, they had a Prince to deal with. A prince who was the ruler of their current planet, how about that. So, she shook of her concern for her friend and hide them in a box. Afterwards, she would deal with that and talk to Usagi. A quick glance at Mercury's glance towards Usagi also made her realise that she wasn't the only friend worried. Later they would talk. For now…she just wanted everyone to calm down so they could talk to their Prince. Another person to protect.

"I find it highly suspicious that out of nowhere we have this guy, who has been collecting rainbow crystals, has been a Prince all along" Mars haughtily stated while glaring at him.

Endymion raised his eyebrows at the contempt while Mamoru scoffed. He could hear internally that Mamoru was not fond of Sailor Mars. That confused him, why on earth did Mamoru not like Mars.

'Her attitude towards her own leader pisses me off at battles.' Mamoru threw the thoughts back, with some memories coming through as well.

Endymion's eyes went wide as he felt a flash of annoyance and anger. The memories were not flattering as he felt a sense of dislike settling. Why would she treat Serenity that way? In the past they were good friends and they were protective over her. Why this intense attempt of insubordination? Ice settled inside him as he stared at her.

"Sailor Mars control yourself! I know exactly who the Prince is. The power he displayed was the power of the Terran Prince. And as the soulmate of the Princess, he is a high priority. His station is above yours and your duty is to protect him as well as the princess, so I would hold your tongue." Luna stated with clipped tone. Her statement had shocked looks from all the senshis, particularly Mars whose eyes were wide open. It held a hint of annoyance but she hid it well. She closed her mouth and then intently looked at him. He could sense a taste of satisfaction coming from Mamoru inside his head. Even he felt the same.

"Now Prince Endymion, despite the reincarnation you should be able to feel the bond so you can lead us to our Princess. Can you feel it? With the crystals disappearing day by day and Negaverse hot on our heel we need to find her as soon as possible to protect her. Can you feel her?" Luna asked, pleadingly.

Endymion looked at her and then looked at the senshis, even they looked hopeful. Eyes all trained at him for the answer. An answer which to him it felt ridiculous. How Luna, the moon guardian, couldn't tell when she had been right in front of her, was utterly ridiculous. A part of him wondered whether it would be a good idea to tell them when they and Serenity themselves didn't remember.

Endymion turned to lock gaze with the cerulean gaze of his beloved.

Sailor Moon's eyes widened as he caught her eyes and she looked down. Feeling self-conscious she ran her hand over Luna's head, patting her to distract herself. To say she was feeling conflicted would be an understatement. The whole day had been a whirlwind of emotion. First she got her emotions ripped to shred by Mamoru (a guy she regretted having feelings for. Despite how much she tried to deny it she couldn't, she had a crush on Mamoru even though he could be an ass and his words cut too deep as she had subconsciously wanted him to ask her out, no matter how unlikely it was). Then she lost her first kiss to Tuxedo Kamen in his new outfit, her second crush. How she was living with crush on two boys she didn't understand. It was too confusing. That's why she tried to hide her feelings for Mamoru.

Yet for once she got a good response, a response of interest from one of them. Tuxedo Kamen made her blush just by responding so…strongly. It blew her mind and left her heart stuttering. So, to hear that he wasn't hers but their Princess's soulmate, a princess she had sworn to protect. That broke her heart and set it on fire. She felt jealous and angry. As angry as she had felt to see Rei on date with Mamoru that one time. And she felt horrible. He was her charge now, like their princess. She was her supposed protector and now she didn't want to find the princess anymore as then she would lose him. It was an ugly emotion and she didn't like it. So, with heart heavy, Sailor Moon broke her glance from his and looked down. Waiting for the moment he would say it and they would go retrieve their princess.

"I can feel it," Tuxedo Kamen's voice boomed as he stated the dreaded words "I felt it, it is weaker due to the time but I know it. I even followed it. I know exactly where she is."

Her heart stuttered as everyone else looked excited, their eyes wide. Even Mars looked overjoyed.

"Well, why are we here then? Lead us there!" exclaimed Mercury, standing up instantly.

Reluctantly her eyes went over to Tuxedo Kamen. He seemed to have a knowing smirk on his face. That left her confused. Why was he reacting that way? Then to her surprise he turned. He took his gaze off them and turned them towards her. Before she could even say anything, suddenly he caught her chin and pulled her until the gap between their lips vanished. Her eyes widened as her senses were enthralled by the kiss. Her blood on fire. It was wrong, she knew it was wrong as she got a confirmation from Luna but she couldn't stop herself despite that. It just felt so right. Like a piece of a puzzle being put into place. She sighed into the kiss as she leaned it. A part of her awakening as everything felt perfect. She could vaguely hear the cries of her senshis but she didn't care. She was in a daze until he finally pulled away. His eyes taking her in with…with affection in his eyes?

Sailor Moon just felt confused. Why did he do it again? Even though he knew the princess was his soulmate? She didn't understand. She enjoyed it but she didn't want to be a second choice. Her heart didn't understand the confusion. Feeling confused, yet not awful she looked down at Luna. She expected scathing looks but to her surprise Luna was frozen in shock, her eyes frozen on her face.

"Luna? What is it?" she asked but Luna simply stared in shock.

It was then she also noticed that the senshis had stopped themselves. The screaming she heard was quiet. Too quiet. She looked up at them. Even they were frozen, their eyes all on her in utter confusion.

"What? What is it?"

"Sailor Moon…your forehead…" Mercury stated in bafflement.

Feeling subconscious she touched her forehead and then stilled. She couldn't feel her tiara.

"What…?"

"I knew my Princess. The bond always alerted me when she was in trouble and I've been protecting her from the start." Tuxedo Kamen stated again.

Sailor Moon's eyes widened as her breathing quickened. She knew who Tuxedo Kamen has been protecting from the start. Her eyes went on him. She understood what he was saying but that couldn't be true. It just couldn't…because that would imply…

"You're my princess Serenity..."

A pin drop silence overtook the room.