Chapter 5

The moment that they stepped through the doorway, they were no longer blinded by the light, but completely enshrouded in mist. It was thick, their limbs sluicing through it as it brushed and molded against them. There was definitely something otherworldly about it, and Makoto shivered as the skin of her arms pebbled into goosebumps, the hair rising at the back of her neck.

At one point, Usagi grasped her hand, slender fingers curling tightly around hers. Which was a good thing, because the mist was so thick, she couldn't see the blonde even though she was standing right beside her.

"Mako-chan?" Usagi whispered, her voice ringing out, echoing quite alarmingly around them, as the soft trilling chords reverberated loudly. "This is really creepy. Do you think we should go back?"

Makoto swallowed, her heart thumping a nervous beat in her chest as she risked a glance over her shoulder. She couldn't see the door anymore, of course. They had no other option but to continue moving forward.

With a small imperceptible nod to herself, her resolve strengthening, Makoto squeezed Usagi's hand. "It's alright, Usagi-chan," she reassured. "We can do this. Just one foot in front of the other."

Usagi didn't answer, but she did start moving, and soon, the mist began to part, waning in thickness enough so that she could at least make out Usagi's shivering outline beside her. They'd been wading through complete silence, so when the sound of crashing waves and the howling of a stiff breeze drifted towards them from ahead, it was practically deafening.

It was very clear when they reached the edge of the mist. There must have been some type of invisible barrier. When the fog hit it, it curled in slow fluid motions, seemingly prodding at it, before crawling back towards them and swirling around their limbs.

It was clear enough now that she was able to exchange a nervous look with Usagi, whose cerulean blue eyes were wide, a stark contrast to the neverending barrage of ghost-grey that surrounded them.

Makoto bit her lower lip, hesitantly extracted her hand from Usagi's, and took a step towards it. She lifted her arms, wincing in anticipation as she flexed her fingers and pressed forward. It didn't hurt, but it definitely felt strange. Like she was walking through a vibrating sheet of water that pulled slightly at her body before snapping back into place with a brisk popping sound.

On the other side, she was once again blinded by the light, and when her eyes finally adjusted to the difference, she gasped. Her breath caught in her throat, eyes widening with awe.

"Wow," Usagi exclaimed breathlessly from beside her. "Mako-chan! This is like Rainbow Road in Mario Kart. Except instead of a rainbow, it's sunshine? And instead of a big black void of nothingness under us, it's the ocean!"

Makoto slid her gaze onto the blonde, who already seemed grounded, bouncing ahead of her with a pep in her gait. The brunette shook her head, brows raised in amused disbelief as her frozen limbs thawed, and she took her first step forward onto the rainbow-but-not-actually-rainbow-road.

The corners of her lips quirked up into a smile. "That's an… interesting way to put it, Usagi-chan."

Usagi shrugged, her signature bubbly disposition back in place, as she skipped forward. "If interesting also means accurate, then, yes. I agree with that statement."

Makoto chuckled, the tension easing from her shoulders as she quickly lengthened her strides to match Usagi's pace. "Well, whatever this is, just keep walking straight," she reminded, training her gaze ahead of her. "We're so close."

The blonde nodded, bobbing her head excitedly, an anticipation-filled smile curled onto her lips when the dulcet tones of a song, carried on the curving cords of the wind, reached their ears. They both froze, and the breath caught in Makoto's throat as she became completely enthralled by the whispered beauty of the chords that seemed to twine together in melodic, perfectly sung harmonies.

Makoto was the first to blink, shaking her head to clear the mesmerizing effect that it seemed to have on her. "What the hell is that?"

Usagi didn't answer. She simply swirled around and wordlessly moved to the edge of the vibrating road of light. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she cautiously bent forward to peer down into the swirling masses of water below them.

Makoto inhaled sharply, quickly following suit as she nervously grasped at the blonde's arm. "Hey, careful," she admonished. "Don't fall in."

Usagi took a deep breath and shook her head, blonde tresses flipping over her shoulders with the movement. "I know, I won't," she responded, though her tone was off-kilter. "What is that, though?"

Makoto risked a glance down into the swirling waves below, brows drawing together, startled by the sight of rainbow-colored scales glistening suddenly just beneath the surface. She leaned over a little more, shocked when something rose from the waves; a slash of iridescent skin that seemed unnatural, but beautiful, as a woman's face smirked up at them from the water.

The music was coming from her, and by the multiple swishes of multicolored swirls in the water, she wasn't the only one.

Makoto gasped when it dawned on her exactly what they were looking at. "Usagi," she whispered, as if the lowered tone of her voice would help keep them hidden, "I think those are sirens."

The trilled notes of their song rang louder, more insistent, but Makoto was relieved that, while she was definitely mesmerized by their beauty, she was still in control of herself. "I think they might only affect men? So, we should be safe."

She nodded, relieved that the mystery was solved, and they could keep moving forward as she stepped back from the edge. She was ready to continue down the pathway when she noted that Usagi hadn't moved. Her entire body seemed tense, poised dangerously close to toppling over.

With a frown, Makoto cocked her head to the side. "Usagi?"

She realized that she was the only one that wasn't enthralled when Usagi slowly craned the slender curve of her neck to the side, casting a glassy-eyed look over her shoulder. "Did you see the cake down there, Mako-chan? So good. I need to eat it."

Makoto's eyes widened, and she took a slow step towards the blonde, hands raised as if she were approaching a feral animal. She was afraid one wrong movement would send Usagi falling to the watery depths and the deadly sirens below.

"Usagi," she began, lowering her tone an octave. "Listen to me. There is no cake in the ocean. It's only water and creepy siren monsters, okay?"

She didn't take into account that the creatures in the water might actually be listening to her conversation, and she flinched when the shrill screech pierced through the air around them. Apparently, calling a siren creepy was offensive. The cry was enough to send Usagi over the edge, though, and Makoto choked on a scream as the blonde graced her with one final, watery smile before simply letting herself fall over the edge.

She didn't hesitate, growling out an expletive as she barrelled forward and leapt after Usagi, who fell into the sirens clawed grips with a resounding splash.

When she hit the water, Makoto sucked in a breath as she was submerged into the roiling swells that pulled and tossed her around in its grip like a writhing bit of seaweed. Luckily, she was used to getting pulled into the violent clutches of the waves, and she ignored the way her lungs burned and her vision blurred as she stroked her arms forward, kicking with every ounce of strength she could muster, to search for Usagi.

Even though she was underwater, the cackling sound of eerie laughter and the clicking of teeth and claws was deafening as the sirens circled around her like she was prey. She twisted and turned, trying to fix her gaze on one of them, but they were like a whirlwind that made her dizzy, flicking their tails with the grace of a shark stalking a dying fish.

She was running out of time now. The urge to breathe was practically unbearable as her blurred vision began to darken at the edges. The void of unconsciousness threatened to overtake her if she didn't get some oxygen now.

It was at that moment that she caught a glimpse of blonde, a curtain of silk sedately rippling in the waves from within the grasp of the siren that was clutching Usagi tightly in its grip. The creature screeched, annoyed, because Usagi's hair was long, and, with her buns completely unraveled, her hair was everywhere, clearly impeding their view.

Makoto didn't hesitate. She kicked her legs out behind her, clumsily pressing through the water until she was close enough to grasp Usagi's wrist. With all her might, she smashed the heel of her shoe into the siren that was holding her, and, with an angry hiss, it let her go.

She'd managed to get a hold of her friend, but it didn't matter, because the minute she tried to pull the blonde towards the surface, the creatures attacked. Their movements were terrifyingly synchronized as they clawed at her legs and ankles. The twinge of pain sharply sliced up her limbs; their attacks merciless.

She was going to die in the water, in a different realm, clutching onto her friend that had followed the promise of a damn cake, either by drowning or being sliced into shreds by scarily pretty monsters that shouldn't exist.

The grief at the realization was painful as it coiled around her heart, and the threads that connected her to Nephrite roared out with fury, so angry that she'd come this far only to fail.

She was on the cusp of giving up when there was a sudden flash of silver light. It erupted around them like a halo of saving grace, burning hotly as it chased away the sirens, whose unearthly squeals of terror trailed behind them.

Without the relentless pulling and prodding from the creatures, Makoto miraculously managed to pull them up through the waves. She sucked in a greedy breath of air when her head broke through the surface, still furiously treading water as she hoisted Usagi up beside her.

The blonde was dead weight in her arms, her head lolling forward, and the next five minutes that followed their daring escape from the sea creatures were the most terrifying five minutes of Makoto's life.

She tried to remain calm, keep the rising sobs of panic that rose in her chest at bay as she swam like their lives depended on it. For Usagi, it did. Because, she had no idea if her best friend, reincarnated princess, and beacon of brightness, had drowned in the water. Was she uselessly toting the lifeless shell of her friend through the otherworldly waters in search of land? She tried not to think about it as she pushed forward, pressing with every last ounce of strength she had left in her limbs.

Five minutes felt like hours when a particularly large swell of glistening water fluidly washed them onto a beach of fluorescent colored pebbles that made a high-pitched twinkling sound as they rolled and clinked together beneath their bodies.

Makoto didn't have time to admire the beauty of the exotic beach they were on, as she forcibly pulled waterlogged limbs up into a kneeling position, pressed the heels of her palms into Usagi's shoulders and rolled her onto her back.

She choked on a sob. Usagi's head lolled to the side, a pale cheek pressed onto the torn white fabric of the sweater on her shoulder. "Usagi!" she croaked, her throat burning from the water she'd unwittingly swallowed.

She trembled with terror as she pressed her ear onto her chest. Holding her breath, listening for the sound of her heart beating. She couldn't discern between Usagi's heartbeat and her own, so she sat up, and utilizing the basic skills she'd learned in high school, she administered CPR.

She practically crumbled, sobbing with relief, when Usagi sputtered, coughing as a gush of water spurted out between bloodless lips.

Usagi groaned, wincing as she slowly pulled herself up into a sitting position. She blinked, cerulean blue meeting her gaze. "Ugh," she scoffed with an irritated curl of her lips. "What the hell? Those bitches totally promised me cake!"

There was a moment of stunned silence as Makoto stared at the blonde that was nonchalantly rearranging her hair before her words actually registered. She could have cried, wailed, screeched in displeasure. Instead, she burst into a bout of uncontrollable, slightly hysterical laughter.

"God! U— Us— Usagi!" she gasped in between breaths, clutching at her chest in a fruitless effort to will her thundering heart into slowing. "What the hell?"

The blonde arched a golden brow, cocking her head to the side, lips curled into an amused half-smile. "What?"

Makoto took a gasping breath and shook her head in exasperation. "Sirens in mythology lure unsuspecting victims into the water with their deepest, darkest desires, and you saw cake? Are you serious?"

Usagi grinned, shrugging with all the casualness of someone that hadn't just been dragged to the bottom of the ocean by freaking sea creatures. "If it makes you feel any better, it was totally your cake that I saw."

Makoto rolled her eyes. Though, she couldn't hold back the smile on her face as she pulled her gaze away from Usagi to finally take note of their surroundings.

Beyond the pebbled beach lay a forest of trees that she'd never seen before; twisting trunks in bright pinks and purples, intertwined and meshed together under a canopy of multicolored leaves. Though, if she had to compare it to something she recognized, she would say that the leaves looked like flower petals.

She glanced back towards the ocean, sighing with disappointment because she couldn't see the light path at all, anymore. Kunzite's warning not to stray from the path rang uneasily in her head as she stood, unzipped her soaked sweater, and tossed it into the pebbles in a sodden heap. Usagi followed suit, ditching her shredded sweater, as well.

"What do we do now, Mako-chan?"

Makoto shook her head, feeling discouraged as she turned to face the fretting blonde. "I don't know," she admitted, "We can't go back. We can only push forward."

Usagi's eyes widened as her gaze swept over the treeline. "Into the creepy princess forest?" she squeaked before Makoto watched her tilt her head up, chin jutted out with determination. "Yeah, okay. Let's do this."

Oddly enough, when they moved across the pebbled beach and entered the whimsical beauty of the forest, the threads of uncertainty that were curled up in her chest like painful wisps of fear smoothed out before disappearing entirely.

She wasn't sure what it was that had mellowed her out so quickly; the strangely potent scent of sage and honeysuckle that wafted through the air, the soothing way the trees wispily swayed in the warm breeze, or maybe it was just relief that she'd survived the sirens in the water. Whatever it was, she was giddy, feeling like she was walking on a cloud when they happened to stumble into a clearing filled with people.

They weren't just any people, either. It was like they'd come upon a party for the elite, a mixture of Adonis and Aphrodite lookalikes all lounging on a marble dais, in gold-threaded hammocks surrounding a pool of crystal clear water.

Regular Makoto, the one that was burning to see Nephrite and who'd spent most of her adult life wary and tortured, would have hissed through her teeth, grasped Usagi, and pulled them both away. Something was very wrong with her, though, because, instead, she giggled like a lovestruck schoolgirl. Her face flushed with the heat of excitement.

Usagi gave her an odd look, her eyes narrowed as she turned towards the Gods and Goddesses who'd all slid their perfectly symmetrical gazes onto them. "Mako-chan, are you okay?"

The blonde was clearly not affected by whatever the hell was happening to her, and she wanted to reassure her that she was fine. She could work through this. But instead, she fluttered her eyelashes in an uncharacteristically flirty manner and sighed wistfully while her eyes perused the beauty in front of her.

The tall, lithe form of a woman with endlessly long limbs and glimmering locks of purple hair, stood, and gracefully drifted towards them. The ample curl of her lip was curved into a winsome, welcoming smile, and the apples of her perfectly rounded cheeks were tinged with a becoming blush as she halted in front of them. She was swathed in a billowing confection of white, wispy material that seemed glued to the perfect dips and curves of her body.

"Oh, hello! Welcome to the land of youth and beauty!"

Makoto sighed, shoulders slumping with pleasure, at the delightful notes in her tone. She was so beautiful. She could stay here and bask in her perfection forever.

Usagi had other ideas, though, because the blonde curled her fingers around her arm, tugging at her with a look of alarm on her face. "Mako-chan, something isn't right."

The Goddess blinked, flicking her gaze onto Usagi's face, her smile only widening, flashing perfectly straight, white teeth. "There's nothing wrong, darling," she reassured, "Join us! Live peacefully, beautifully, forever."

There were shouted cries of encouragement from the laughing onlookers behind her, and Makoto nodded. This seemed like a good idea, actually. Why was Usagi fighting it?

Usagi's responding smile was tight, uncomfortable as she shook her head. "No, thank you," she replied politely. "We're trying to find rainbow roa— the light path to Lyonesse?"

A surge of annoyance swept through Makoto. What was wrong with Usagi? Why would they be looking for something else? It was perfect here.

The beauty blinked, tilting her head to the side as she studied Usagi's face. "Hmm, I don't know what that is," she admitted, a slight crease on her brow, marring the otherwise perfect smoothness of her complexion. "You shouldn't know what that is either. Your friend wants to stay, darling. Why don't you?"

Yes, she wanted to stay. Why was Usagi being so difficult?

The blonde took a startled step back, her gaze filled with panic as she pulled at Makoto's shirt. "No," she croaked, her voice laced with fear. "We aren't staying here! Makoto!"

Makoto scoffed, disgusted, and yanked her arm away from Usagi to step beside the Goddess. "Why are you being so rude, Usagi-chan?"

The woman smiled triumphantly as the others stood, slowly converging towards them, their eyes locked onto Usagi, who was stupidly backing away. Her expression was etched with disbelief and horror.

"Sometimes this happens, darling," the woman reassured, lifting perfectly manicured fingers to wag one at Usagi. "Every once in a while, a traveler that's swallowed too much seawater can resist the flowered scent of the trees. Please don't worry, love. We can fix this by having you drink from the water in our pool."

This all made perfect sense to Makoto. Why wouldn't Usagi want to feel this way? So content, so entirely in sync with the beauty around them.

Usagi shook her head, taking another step back, baring her teeth angrily. "Get away from me, you psycho!" she hissed before casting a pleading look Makoto's way. "Mako-chan, listen to me, Nephrite needs you. I need you! Step away from the soulless succubus!"

Makoto was offended on the Goddesses' behalf, and she gasped, outraged. She had no idea who Nephrite was. She wanted to live here, and if Usagi didn't stop being rude, they were going to cast them out!

She lifted her finger, pointing it at the blonde angrily. "You take that back!"

Her reaction must have pleased the others because there was a chorus of laughter and satisfied smiles as they pressed forward, ready to forcibly grab Usagi and feed her the dose of untainted water she so clearly needed.

Just as the first Adonis cutie swiped his muscled forearm forward, fingers grazing across the blonde, Usagi screamed, burying her head in her hands and sending forth a blast of silver light, just like she had underwater with the sirens. It was like a mighty sheet of warmth tore through her chest, and Makoto gasped, the wind knocked out of her as she fell backward onto the plush, spongy softness of the ground.

It was as if her mind instantly cleared. All of the strange thoughts about remaining here sizzled out with the burning brightness of Usagi's attack. It was when she fixed her gaze onto the others that were also pulling themselves up, confused and dazed, that Makoto realized she'd been the victim to some kind of powerful glamor. Because these people were ugly. Their skin withered and creased with age, stooping postures, and rotting teeth.

Makoto didn't waste any more time. She vaulted to her feet and moved to stand beside Usagi, who was seeing them all with fresh eyes, too. "Oh, my God!" Usagi gasped, horrified. "How did I do that? What happened to the supermodels, and are you, you again, Mako-chan?"

Makoto nodded. "Yeah, It's me," she replied with an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry, Usagi-chan."

Usagi's relief was short-lived, though, because the twisted forms of the stooped, former beauties were suddenly pressing in on them. Their leathered faces contorted into masks of rage.

"What have you done?" one demanded, clicking sharp teeth together with fury.

"Did you feel that power?" another one hissed. "I want it!"

While at first, they'd seemed less dangerous in these strange, unappealing forms, there was a desperation glistening in lopsided eyes as they stalked forward, hissing, that was so much more terrifying.

Usagi squeaked and pressed herself flush against Makoto's back, grasping her arm, inhaling sharply with fear. "Oh, my God, Mako-chan," she rasped. "What do we do?"

Makoto swept her gaze over the little gremlins, noting miserably that they were completely boxed in. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and tried to stamp down the rising panic bubbling up in her chest. "I don't know," she replied, her tone hoarse with fear, "Can you do that thing? With the light again?"

She felt Usagi shake her head against her shoulder blades and winced as her fingernails dug painfully into the skin of her arm. They were surrounded, more incredible creatures circling around them like they were prey. She supposed this time she should be grateful that they weren't underwater, and she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and braced herself for an attack. It didn't come, though, and instead, they were once again blinded by another flash of light. Except for this time, it wasn't silvery or warm, and it didn't come from Usagi.

The former-models-turned-gremlins screeched, forced back as the figure of a man appeared enshrouded in a circle of sunshine that looked like it had ripped a hole through the threaded, invisible fabric of the atmosphere in front of them. She blinked, frozen in shock, despite everything she'd seen so far, as he stepped forward and Makoto met the warm chestnut hues of his gaze.

Long-haired and strangely dressed like the others, Makoto had no doubt that this was the fourth and final Protector, Zoisite.

The confusion etched into the angled contours of his face melted away into shock, then delight, as his eyes darted between her and Usagi, who was peering over Makoto's shoulder, wide-eyed, lips parted in surprise.

"Damn! I knew I felt the power of the Silver Crystal!" His tone was breathless with excitement as he held his hand out, hurriedly waving them forward. "Juno! Your Highness! Let's go!"

Makoto didn't hesitate. She clasped Usagi's arm, her fingers pressing tightly around her wrist, and the blonde gasped as she roughly yanked her forward. Colliding into Zoisite and tumbling into the light just as the gremlins closed in on them, their withered claws a fraction of a centimeter away from sinking into Usagi's arm.

They were on the shimmering road of light again, the tapestry of threaded rays of sunshine vibrating warmly against her body as Makoto found herself lying on her back, panting, staring up into the vast expanse of a cloudless, blue sky.

Zoisite leaned over her, casting a shadow as angled features, bright with delight, peered down into her face. "Wow, Juno," he chuckled brightly, holding out his hand. "You are a sight for sore eyes."

Makoto grimaced, really feeling the multiple aching points in her body now as she pulled herself up and leveraged his grip to stand. Usagi was already standing, hands clasped tightly in front of her, the expression on her face oddly strained as her eyes darted anxiously between her and Zoisite.

Makoto stretched a particularly kinked muscle in her shoulder, wincing as it popped, before fixing her gaze onto her friend. "Hey, Usagi-chan," she murmured, stepping towards her. "Are you okay?"

The blonde blinked, eyes widening as she proceeded to nod. "Oh! Yes, I'm totally fine," she reassured with a giggle that sounded a little forced. "I just feel like… um, well, it's hard to explain. But, there's like this urgent, pully feeling?"

The ropes of energy that had always connected Makoto to Nephrite were taut, thrumming almost unbearably in the cavity of her chest, too. So she knew precisely what Usagi was talking about. She nodded in response, offering her friend a reassuring smile before turning back to Zoisite, who, just like the other Protectors, was staring at Usagi with a look of awed reverence in his gaze.

The long-haired Protector was practically beaming, and Makoto noted that his disposition was considerably brighter than the others. She wondered if that had something to do with the fact that he was the guardian on a road made of literal sunshine.

"You look exactly as you did, Princess," he praised, flashing her a wide, appreciative smile. "I can't believe I'm seeing you, both of you, once again. You can't imagine how long I've been waiting…" he trailed off, his expression taking on a wistful note before his brows drew together into a thoughtful frown. "It was fortunate that I felt a twinge of your power. Didn't Kunzite warn you not to stray off the path? What could have possibly managed to lure the Princess, powerful wielder of the Silver Crystal, away from the safety of the road?"

He sounded very distressed, in total disbelief that anything could sway Usagi from her goal to reach her Prince. Makoto bit the inside of her lip, flicking her gaze onto the blonde with a brow raised in amusement.

In perfect Usagi-like fashion, the blonde didn't feel an ounce of embarrassment. With a deadpan expression, she shrugged dainty shoulders. "Cake. It was cake."

Zoisite must have assumed that the former princess had developed a sense of humor because a light-hearted chuckle of amusement burst from his lips. His expression only sobered when he noted that Usagi was not budging, blinking baby-blues innocently, totally unfazed.

His eyes widened as he craned his neck towards Makoto, sputtering in disbelief. "She's not serious!" he proclaimed. "...Is she...?"

Makoto couldn't help it. She grinned, successfully holding back the bout of hysterical laughter that was attempting to bubble up in her throat. "She's completely serious."

She didn't give him time to respond, because the threads of purpose that wanted her to find Nephrite were becoming more insistent. "Look, I'm sure it would be awesome to catch up and everything, and I know you've been here for a really long time without anyone to talk to, but it's been one helluva a journey, and I really, really want to see Nephrite now."

Usagi nodded in agreement, tension etched into the squared set of her shoulders. Her generally optimistic friend was fighting really hard to keep a smile on her face. "Please, Zoisite," she pleaded in a very un-Usagi like tone. "I would like to free Endymion now, as well."

The lighthearted glint of brightness in Zoisite's eyes immediately hardened with determination, and he nodded curtly, shoulders squaring with purpose. He twisted on his heels, waved his hands in a circular motion until another tear, like the one that he'd used to bring them here from the beach, opened up.

Makoto's heart skipped a beat, and she exchanged a nervous look with Usagi because the other side of this doorway wasn't a sheet of warm, welcoming light. It was a rippling wall of dark, murky water.

Zoisite graced them both with a reassuring half-smile, gesturing them forward. "It's a bit jarring at first, but don't worry. Nephrite will guide you the rest of the way."

Makoto inhaled sharply, her vision suddenly blurred with tears. Because this was it. After all of this time, she was finally going to see him. Really see him.

Usagi grasped her hand, and the look on her face mirrored precisely what she was feeling. "I told you, Mako-chan," she reassured warmly, a smile curled onto her lips. "We're in this together."

The brunette nodded, grateful, as she let Usagi pull her past a grinning Zoisite, through the doorway, and back into the water.

oOo

Over the years, in her dreams, and in the last couple days alone, Makoto had become very well acquainted with what it felt like to be trapped beneath the violent swells of the ocean, with no way to make it to the surface. This was different, though, and the pressure that came with being on the ocean floor— without protective scuba-diving gear, no less— was painfully jarring, indeed.

She knew to ignore the automatic instinct to inhale, well aware that it would be water that filled her lungs instead of air, and her limbs flailed, treading through the resistance of the water as she adjusted to the change. The salt burned her eyes, and she winced as her gaze met Usagi, who was clutching at her throat in evident distress.

Makoto swam forward, grasping at Usagi's wrists, her gaze conveying the message that she needed to calm down and resist the urge to panic. It seemed to work, and the blonde nodded, though her features were still strained, etched with terror.

They didn't have much time before they drowned down here, and Makoto tried to take her own advice, calm her racing heart as she tried to surmise her surroundings.

It was almost impossible to see anything, trapped in the sunken ruins at the bottom of the ocean that was untouched by the rays of the sun. She tried not to think about what kind of sea creatures lurked in the crevices of crumbling stone as she released Usagi and forced her limbs to sluice through the ice-cold water.

It was only seconds after she started swimming that something sizzled in front of her, a sudden blaze of brightness that exploded through the darkness in a blinding display of gold, red, and blue incandescent slivers of light. It lit up everything; the crumbling remains of what had clearly once been a stone stronghold, and the forest of seaweed and reeds writhing in the waves.

Then her heart skipped a throbbing beat of longing because he was there. Floating near the source of the light, long, chestnut hair rippling around broad shoulders. His grin of delight was unmistakable, his eyes glistening with relief, anticipation, and every bit of emotion that was currently exploding in her chest like tiny little starbursts of contentment. Nephrite.

If she could have cried, gasped, or called out without drowning, she would have. As it stood, she only needed to blink and reach out for him, and he was there. Gathering her into the steel-like bands of his arms, crushing her body against the hardened expanse of his chest.

The second that he touched her, just like it had all those years ago, the need to breathe was nonexistent, and the burning ache in her lungs disappeared. She smiled, the tension leaving her body as she let him anchor her to him, tilting her chin up to brush her lips across the chiseled length of his jaw. His arms tightened around her, and she wished that she could laugh, or speak to him, at least.

Though really, she should just be grateful that she was no longer drowning, and she wondered what Usagi would say... She stiffened suddenly, eyes going wide as she twisted, inwardly cursed, wriggling her body around to face the blonde. The way that her limbs were flailing, her eyes blazing angrily as she clutched at her throat might have been comical except for the fact that her best friend was currently drowning.

Makoto bent her torso over Nephrites forearms that were circled around her waist and wrapped slender fingers around the blonde's wrist, leveraging Nephrite's chest pressed against her back to pull Usagi towards them. The minute she'd clasped her arm, Usagi instantly ceased struggling, her body going slack with relief. Apparently, Nephrite's ability to keep her from needing to breathe underwater had transferred to Usagi by extension.

Usagi's lips were pursed, brows furrowed in a baleful glare. Makoto was in the process of offering her friend a sheepish smile in the form of an apology, when Nephrite suddenly hoisted her against him, adjusting her in his arms so that he could grab ahold of Usagi, too. Then, in the next moment, he was moving, pulling them sideways into the light and through another doorway.

It was like when they'd entered the cave on the beach to meet Kunzite. They stepped from the dark, murky depths of a ruined kingdom through a rippling wall of water straight into the lap of luxury. It was as if they'd stepped into another world, and Makoto's breath caught in her throat as her gaze swept over the brightly lit interior of a… was this a library?

If it was, it was the most extravagant library she'd ever seen. A large fireplace with a white marble mantelpiece was the focal point for a room filled with all the luxurious amenities that belied royalty. Including, hand-woven tapestries with some kind of recurring sigil draped across stone walls, intricately carved floor to ceiling bookcases that were way beyond their time, and polished chestnut-colored tables with matching chairs that appeared to be strategically placed.

It was strange, out of place, even more so than all of the fantastical things she'd witnessed today.

If that wasn't weird enough, the sodden, torn tank top, leggings, and running shoes that she'd been wearing from the moment she'd left the slightly dilapidated room in Mevagissey this morning, flickered. The molecules of the textiles and fabric shimmering and molding into a billowing, curve-hugging gown in emerald green.

Usagi gasped, the sound filled with delight, and Makoto fixed her gaze onto the blonde who was twirling, dressed in a white gown of lace and silk that cinched at her waist and fell to the floor in delicate waves that rippled around her form.

Her face was flushed with pleasure, her smile dazzling as their eyes met. "Mako-chan! How flipping cute is this dress?" she exclaimed, her tone laced with glee. "It almost makes me forget that you almost let me drown."

The corners of Makoto's lips curled up into a smile because Usagi looked amazing. She was in her element. All of the optimism and perkiness that seemed to have been pulled out of her thread by thread on their way here was back in full force as the perky blonde squealed with delight when she discovered that the bottom of her dress had golden roses etched into the fabric.

It was only when Nephrites palms settled on her hips that her own threads of purpose and need began to thrum back to life. Vibrating and flaring with anticipation and excitement because she was here, and she'd found him.

She felt as the heat of a blush swept across her cheeks as she breathlessly swiveled around, her gown swishing around her legs with the movement until she was facing him. He was wearing a strange, ruffled shirt, the material coarse under her fingertips as she tilted her chin up, lips parted, eyes wide with wonder as she fixed her gaze onto the warm hickory hues of his eyes.

He was so beautiful, and her breath caught in her throat as he cocked his head to the side, an amused half-smirk on his lips, creases wrinkling the corners of his eyes as they swept over her face with a tenderness that made her want to squeal like the lovestruck girl that she was.

Her eyes welled with tears, and she sniffled, completely overcome with emotion.

Nephrite chuckled, the sound velvety and deep, rumbling in his chest as he brushed his knuckles across her cheek. Gently wiping away a tear that managed to spill from her eyes despite her attempt to blink them back.

"I don't remember that you were this emotional before, little one," he chided, his tone light and loving. "I've decided that I don't like to see you cry."

Makoto snorted, smirking through her tears, "Well, that's too bad, Nephrite. That's what you get for unceremoniously sweeping into my life and then burrowing into my very soul, invading my thoughts, literally destroying my social—"

He interrupted her tirade, swallowing her words with his mouth that pressed against hers. Their lips molding together in a perfect, breathtaking, mind-blowing kiss.

They pulled apart when Usagi loudly cleared her throat behind them. "Oh, hey," she enunciated, brows raised with amusement. "Remember me? Reincarnated Princess? Salvation to the Kingdoms, and all that?"

Makoto blushed even as she rolled her eyes, reluctantly pulling herself out of Nephrite's embrace to face her friend. "Yes, Usagi-chan. How could I ever forget about you and your unfailing optimism?"

Usagi cocked her head to the side, "Right, of course you would never actually forget about me," she agreed, her expression deadpan. "Oh! Except for that time… like five minutes ago, when I was drowning."

Makoto grimaced, "I'm so sorry, I—"

Usagi giggled, the sound as soothing as the twinkling wind chimes that had guided them here as she lightly punched the brunette in the shoulder. "I'm kidding," she reassured with a very un-princess-like snort as she flicked her gaze onto Nephrite, whose eyes were narrowed, clearly as confused by her disposition as all the other Protectors had been before him. "It's nice to meet you, water-ghost-man. Can you bring me to Endymion now, please?"

Just like it had with the rest of them, Nephrite stiffened, and his expression hardened with that purpose that seemed to be a driving force with all of them at the mention of Endymion. He nodded curtly and turned to lead them to wherever Usagi's prince was lying comatose, waiting for her to break the curse.

An involuntary rope of dread coiled in Makoto's chest, suddenly, and she sucked in a breath of air, the blood draining from her face as she leaned forward and caught his hand in hers. He probably could have pulled away easily and kept going to where it was that she knew they needed to be, but he stopped in his tracks. Peering down at her, frowning, eyes filled with confusion.

"What is it, little one?"

She swallowed, clutching at his hand more tightly, afraid that… well, she wasn't really sure what it was that was making her stomach churn with terror. She couldn't pinpoint why she was suddenly afraid.

When she didn't respond, her eyes more than likely conveying the emotion roiling inside of her, he offered her a tender, reassuring smile, comfortingly squeezing her hand.

"It's alright, you can let go, Juno. This is why you're here."

She nodded slowly, and then she did let him go, but she couldn't help the nervous twinge resonating at the back of her mind. She was here for him, wasn't she?

He guided them through winding halls that were just as luxurious as the library, and she noted that Usagi's gait became more hurried, anxiety-ridden with each step they took.

Finally, they reached the end of a hall, and Nephrite's gaze was solemn as he pulled at a brass handle that clicked loudly as he tugged a wooden door open. He had to duck to step over the threshold, and there was a loud, audible whooshing sound as the room lit up, torches fixed to the walls in curved, golden fastenings suddenly blazing with flames.

Makoto froze, eyes widening as they fixed onto Endymion. He wasn't lying armored on a marble slab like he'd been portrayed in the beautiful stained-glass window in Jadeite's shop. Instead, his prone figure lay in the middle of a four-postered bed, dressed in the comfortable, vintage style just like the others.

It was hard to imagine that he'd been lying there for thousands of years, because he looked untouched, still, and completely at peace with relaxed facial features and a fringe of inky-black hair that had fallen onto his forehead.

She was startled by the sound of Usagi whimpering softly beside her, and she couldn't tear her gaze away as the blonde slowly stepped forward, as if in a daze, curling her fingers into the fabric of her dress, bunching it up to she could kneel on the bed beside him.

Makoto was sure tears were glistening on her cheeks as Usagi brushed his hair back, tenderly caressing his cheek with a heart-wrenching expression of longing on her face.

It was such an intimate moment, and Makoto knew that she probably should have looked away, but she couldn't tear her gaze off of the couple. She was filled with awe and wonder because it was so clear just by looking at them that they were two halves that were only whole when they were together.

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask what it was that Usagi needed to do to wake him up, but the blonde already seemed to know. She gently cradled his face in tiny, delicate hands, and closed her eyes, long black lashes fanned the top of pink-tinged cheeks as she lowered her head and chastely brushed her lips across his.

Makoto felt the shift in the air when he woke up. Everything in her chest became a little lighter, and the atmosphere around them swirled and shifted. She imagined tiny sparks of gold and silver twirling, twisting and meshing in perfect harmony when Usagi pulled away, and Endymion's eyes flew open.

There wasn't a gasp of startled confusion. He didn't frown or move away abruptly in shock. The prince simply smiled. "Serenity," he rasped, "I've missed you."

It was when he curled his arms around her waist, deftly flipping the giggling blonde onto her back beside him, that Makoto knew it was time to discreetly exit the room.

Nephrite was of the same mind, and he grasped her wrist, grinning brightly, as he tugged her back over the threshold and quietly shut the door behind them.

Wordlessly they faced each other, silently coming to terms with all of the overwhelming pieces of emotion that washed over them in waves. The curse was broken, she felt it in her heart, but the threads of purpose inside of her still pulsed with impatience.

Now Makoto knew why.

Silver and Gold were reunited, and it was time to kiss the love of her life and free him from his curse. Releasing him from his prison of eternal torment. But… what if that meant that….

The thought that she might lose him after just finding him was too painful to finish, and Makoto refused to believe that was how it was going to end for them. Just to prove it, the brunette flew forward, curling her arms around his neck with a whimpered moan of desperation and roughly pressed her lips onto his.

He felt it too, and his groan was feral as the sound vibrated against her mouth. He buried his fingers into her hair, unraveling her ponytail under his deliciously rough ministrations as he coaxed her lips into parting, his tongue delving greedily in between them. It was perfection. The most erotic and passionate moment of her life until… until something changed.

It was like her dreams all over again as the strongly corded muscles in his shoulders started to flicker beneath her hands. Her eyes flew open, and she gasped into his mouth, alarmed as his whole body began to fade, and with it, the pulsing threads of purpose fixed into her heart.

She pulled away with an anguished cry of disbelief, "No!" The denial tore from her lips, even as his eyes widened, and her hands fell through the now corporeal version of him. "Neph, please, I love you. Don't leave me!"

It didn't matter, though. Nephrite didn't get to respond, because he flickered one last time before disappearing like the wisp of light that he'd always been.

Makoto choked on a broken sob of despair, stumbling backward into the wall as trembling fingers clutched at her chest. She couldn't feel it anymore. It wasn't there. The ropes of energy that connected her to Nephrite were just gone. She knew now what Jadeite had meant about ending their torment.

They were the Guardians and Protectors responsible for the downfall of their young, royal, infinitely powerful charges. They'd failed them. Nephrite had been doomed for thousands of years to live as a shell with that knowledge. She was lucky to have been reborn without it. Now, though, she'd freed Nephrite from his torment and was bound to begin hers. He was gone, and they didn't get a happily ever after.

The sorrow and grief raging through her with the loss was unbearable, and she crumpled to the ground, sobs wracking her body as she curled her arms around her midsection. It was challenging to come to terms with the reality of this curse that she couldn't even remember.

When her tears subsided, fury flared right beside her sorrow. This wasn't fair, and she knew exactly how she was going to beat this curse. If they couldn't be together in this life, they would be together in the next one.

The moment she made the decision, a calm, numb feeling swept through her. Her eyes hardened with determination. She angrily wiped away the tears on her cheeks with the back of her hand, and clutched at the wall behind her, leveraging it to stand.

Her strides were purposeful, filled with determination as she went back the way that they'd come with Nephrite to find Endymion. There was a pang of regret in her chest because she would have liked to say goodbye to Usagi, but she only hoped her friend would understand as she halted, poised and ready, in front of the rippling portal that led underwater.

She wasn't particularly fond of the fact that she was going to drown, but it seemed fitting given that the first time she'd met Nephrite was in the water. She clenched her eyes shut, took a deep breath, and blindly took a step forward. She was prepared for the impact of the water pressing down on her, the pressure popping painfully in her ears. So, when she met resistance, something pulling her back, the furious growl that spilled from her lips was automatic.

It took a moment before it registered that the resistance was two hands clamped tightly onto the curve of her waist, fingers digging painfully into her hips. She gasped, shocked when they swiveled her around, and she collided roughly into the hardened expanse of Nephrite's chest.

His jaw was clenched tightly, tendons pulsing in his neck, his eyes flashing down at her angrily as he roughly grasped her chin in his hand and forcibly tilted it upward so that her gaze met his.

"What are you doing?" he growled through gritted teeth. "You'll drown if you step out there!"

The words were poised on the tip of her tongue, because, how could she tell him how she'd felt so grief-stricken, her heart aching painfully at the thought of going on without him that she'd been willing to end it all?

In retrospect, it was stupid, and the exact same thing she'd done the night her parents had died. It was so much easier to think clearly when he was here, holding her.

She choked on a strangled breath, another sob bubbling up her throat. "I thought you were dead, Neph."

His brows rose, surprised by her admission, and the groan that tore from his lips was pained and filled with fury. "So, you were going to step out there on purpose?"

She averted her gaze, nodding curtly, her face burning with the confession.

"Look at me, Juno."

The tone of his voice was stern, angry, and it left no room for argument. Makoto winced before slowly lifting her gaze to meet his.

He released her chin, cradling her face in his hands instead. "I'm not dead. You broke the curse, and my projection was being pulled back into my body. But if I had been, It would devastate me to know that you would throw your life away like that." His expression softened as he leaned down and brushed his lips across the tip of her nose. "Don't do that again. Promise me."

Makoto nodded, the connection between them vibrating once again. It blossomed and unfurled in her chest, spreading throughout her in warm waves of pleasure. The driving urgency, the tortured thrumming, all of that was gone. It was now just a joy-filled feeling of absolute perfection.

She buried her face in the crook of his neck, curling against him like a content cat. "I promise, Neph."

She'd appeased him, and the tension in his body eased. He chuckled softly as he pressed his lips against the shell of her ear, tenderly stroking her hair. "By the way, I love you, too, little one."

She shivered in his embrace, eyes fluttering shut with a pleasure-filled sigh elicited by his admission. For the first time in her life, Makoto Kino felt at peace.

The end.