Sincerity to the cherry blossom 14 (final)

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine.

AN: You're either going to be disappointed because it's the ending or the fact that not much detail has been given since the very beginning. Either that or it's me being a freak. Sure hope this works out ^_^;;

****

Cerberus smashed through the window of Yukito's bedroom. The lamp remained lit dimly and the air felt amazingly cold. The guardian beast gasped in horror at the condition he saw his friend in. Yue was in a deep sleep, looking more tired than when he was losing his powers in Yukito's form.

"Yue, wake up! Sakura-chan and Lady Jupiter needs us!" Cerberus pleaded, shaking Yue's slumbering figure. Who the hell put him in this sleep? Couldn't he hear Cerberus' voice? He had to hear him. This was no ordinary sleep Yue was in. It was undoubtedly part of magic. And unbelievably it felt familiar.

But Cerberus didn't want to call himself a freak from making up such an assumption. He knew that whoever did this to Yue was watching his every move right this minute. What was important now was to wake Yue up so he could help Jupiter and the others. He was one of the only hopes of stopping these Doom Bloom girls if Jupiter wasn't able to call her friends from Juuban.

****

The cherry blossoming tree Clow Reed had grown looked fresh and rich in colour as he sat against the trunk, reading his book during the warm morning of summer. He saw Yue through the round glasses hanging on the tip of his nose. Cerberus was out in the field, chasing what looked to be three butterflies. Clow Reed beckoned him to come sit by the cherry tree. He was sure this was a dream. How else would he be able to see the real Clow Reed again? This wasn't Eriol.

"What is troubling you, Yue?" He questioned gently. Yue was being his sombre self, not smiling at anyone or anything. Clow Reed barely saw his creatures smile broadly as he did. The magician was always happy on the saddest and happiest days, it was just amazing how calm this man could be.

Before Yue had the chance to answer, laughter vibrated behind the walls leading to Clow Reed's house. That laugh! He recognised it very well. Lady Jupiter was with what appeared to be Lady Venus. Yue's grey orbs opened to a new view as he observed the brunette warrior laugh with her friend's jokes. Lady Venus almost reminded him of Princess Serenity though looked like a cheekier twin sister of the Moon Princess. He could see why most of the men in the Moon Palace were attracted to those two females. Their blond hair was as soft as healthy horse manes and admirers wanted to smell the fresh vanilla scent embedded in each strand.

But Yue thought someone else was attractive in a different view. Lady Jupiter's auburn strands had a wavy pattern that travelled from left to right in a gentle movement. And her green eyes represented the beautiful essence of nature. Yue wondered if this Sailor Senshi cared for nature as much as Clow Reed did and if her individual strands smelt more of vanilla and other flowers.

"Oh I see," Clow Reed interfered in Yue's mind. "You admire Lady Jupiter like I do…but not in the same way."

Yue frowned as he turned back to his master, " I have this unusual feeling when I see Lady Jupiter. Wherever she is in the Moon Palace, I feel drawn to her; even when she is with friends. My eyes only see her. What does it mean?" To his surprise Clow Reed chuckled at his explanation. "Master?"

Clow Reed cleared his throat, "It's called love." Yue looked at him strangely, obviously unsure about this emotion. He loved Clow Reed. Wasn't that the same? His master seemed to have read his mind and went on to say, "Your love and Cerberus' love towards me isn't the same. You love me because I am your master. Or your father if you wish to put it that way. But loving Lady Jupiter isn't the same, Yue. You're attracted to her because she is beautiful and because she is a kind person."

Yue admired Clow Reed's talent to help him understand about the society they lived in. He could really ask his master anything about the world and usually Clow Reed would give him an answer straightaway. He watched the brunette head disappear past the brick wall and desperately ran to see if he could look at her again. So he was in love Lady Jupiter. And it was because of her beauty and bravery as a Sailor Senshi. The emotions he had described did give him plenty of sense. Love was peculiar.

"You care for Sakura in another way of love," Clow Reed said. "Protect Lady Jupiter as though she was Sakura. You might be surprised at what you find out." He stood up to walk back to his house. Yue wanted to protest again but Clow Reed was already gone in a minute. Now he was alone. What did his master mean with what he would find out by protecting Jupiter as though she was Sakura? She wasn't the Clow card mistress. She was a fighter who had other skills that weren't identical to the cherry blossom. She was older than Sakura. Stronger, braver.

He didn't realize this dream was getting to his head to put him into deeper thought. He knew he had to get out of it. A familiar voice was calling him to wake up. It seemed so difficult for him to wake up. Why? Wake up Yue. Open your eyes and see who's calling you. Why couldn't Clow Reed come help him? Did he have to understand love on his own? It looked like it, didn't it? Turning his back to the cherry tree and Clow's house. Yue flew away from the grassy field I'll learn by myself. It'll only make sense to me.

****

"Yue! Yue! Wake up!" Cerberus shook his paws on Yue's shoulders and finally removed them when he woke up at long last. The beast wasn't sure how many minutes he had been shaking his friend to interrupt the slumber. Yue sat on his bed, shaking his head. "Why were you so tired? Your powers have been fully restored. Unless you're growing weaker again."

"No…someone gave me a powerful sleep spell," Yue replied tiredly. "I have a feeling it's an old friend."

"Yes, I felt him too. Though we could be both wrong." Cerberus cut to the chase and went on about the real deal, explaining that Sakura, Jupiter and the others were having difficulty against a group of Youmas and they would surely need some help. They didn't waste time as they set out through the window of Yukito's bedroom and flew into the sky back to the town centre in Tomoeda.

Yue was surprised that Jupiter knew these Doom Gloom girls, as they were the ones who ended the Inner Senshi's lives for the first time. His dream collided with his thoughts while he flew. Emotions towards the Thunder Senshi flooded back into him. What would happen if the ones he loved lost their lives and he wasn't able to save them? Not counting Clow Reed of course. If this was Jupiter then of course he'd be hurt. And with Sakura he'd think he would have failed his duty to protect her.

These were two people he cared for so deeply in different ways. He promised Touya he would protect his sister and he didn't want to lose that hope so soon. Lady Jupiter, don't sacrifice your honour and bravery. Princess Serenity would be too upset Yue thought, increasing his speed.

"Yue, wait for me!!" Cerberus exclaimed as he followed his friend's lead. Yue was already wide-awake, it seemed.

****

Jupiter screamed in shear pain at the strong electrical power surging her body. This was like a combination of all her attacks put together. It was too powerful to fight against. The Doom & Gloom girls seemed to be repeating history but instead wanted to change the story so that they didn't die. That made unbelievable sense, didn't it?

"We have to help Jupiter-chan!" Leaving Touya on the ground, Sakura began to run towards the four Doom & Gloom girls surrounding the Thunder Senshi with their thick branches. How could they just stand there and watch a friend let herself be hurt? That was complete insanity. Jupiter's voice forced her to stop and look into her struggling eyes.

"Sakura, get away please!" She said. "I'm taking these girls with me. It's the only way!" The Doom & Gloom girls immediately had fear written on their faces when she said this. Didn't this bring back lovely memories? If she wanted to kill them herself then that would mean they would ALL die this time. Previously two lost their lives and the other three perished separately, thanks to the other Inner Senshi.

Sakura was too shocked to move back so Meilin helped her.

"Listen to her, Sakura. She knows what she's doing," Meilin stated encouragingly. "We have to trust her."

Jupiter pulled a hopeful smile to Sakura before electricity enveloped her entire body. The Supreme Thunder charged into her with pain as well as success. Her lightning was giving the Doom & Gloom girls real pain. They were trying hard not to let the electricity destroy every part of themselves. Oh but it was too much for them, wasn't it? Jupiter wasn't afraid of death. She died enough times to know what the other side was like. Makoto-chan, no! Why do you do this? Sakura pleadingly pondered. She couldn't go in and help otherwise she'd be affected by the dancing of electricity. It was too dangerous to get near to.

Inner Senshi, Sakura, Syaoran, Touya, Yue…everyone I know. Forgive me Jupiter didn't care about her tears falling down her cheeks as the thunder continued to torture her and the others. The third Doom & Gloom girl gave into the pain and exploded to her death. The leader screamed an agonising no when she saw her partner go. Come on just pump up more power then you can eliminate every one of them. Those were the words Jupiter kept giving to her brain.

But it seemed that this was her maximum level. Nothing was changing. The leader, the second and fifth Doom & Gloom girl remained alive but struggling to fight the electrical currents. Swept dripped down the sides of Jupiter's head as she forced her power to unleash. She knew it was likely to kill her but that was fate, wasn't it?

"I can't watch this!" Sakura wept, turned her back and held onto Touya again. Syaoran and Meilin held her close and did the same. Out of nowhere the screams from the Doom & Gloom girls increased in volume and desperation. The three young fighters pivoted round to see what was going on and instant smiles of relief formed on their lips. Cerberus's fire came to strike each of the Doom & Gloom girls. They screeched as Yue's crystals sliced off the current travelling into them through their vines.

"Sailor Jupiter!" Syaoran, Sakura and Meilin yelled simultaneously, realizing Sailor Jupiter was now in the air, falling down. Yue flew in to catch her in time. He was completely horrified by how empty and lifeless her body felt. Her eyes opened but only halfway.

"Lady Jupiter," Yue said her name in a whisper.

She let out a pant when she recognised his long, white hair and grey irises, "Y-Yue…" Her head knocked back against the inside of his left arm and she was unconscious. It was Yue's turn to gasp now. Presently there were two bodies that were out cold. And it just made the tension a lot worse for everyone tonight as they came over to see the second lifeless figure, including Tomoyo who insisted she was okay to be out here rather than her hiding place. Yue felt the icy temperature begin to spread on Jupiter's skin. She wasn't dead, was she? She couldn't die just like that. What would the other Inner Senshi say?

Cerberus landed next to Yue, "We have to get rid of these three. NOW Yue. There isn't anything we can do to save her!" The Doom & Gloom girls flew above everyone's heads, encircling them so they couldn't escape anywhere. They smiled evilly at them even though they were still battered from the vicious electric shock Jupiter had given them a minute ago. They didn't want to give up that easily. The leader threw a thick fireball at the group on the ground but Sakura refused to let them hit her friends and used the Shield card.

"Don't think you've won already!" Sakura boomed angrily. "You'll pay for hurting Jupiter-chan!"

"Indeed they will," A calm new voice came into the open to cause everyone's head to turn. But the voice was definitely familiar – even to the Doom & Gloom girls. The shadow came underneath a lamppost and it pretty much sent utter wheezes of surprise. There was just one person who wore glasses, navy blue robes and held a wand that was as big as Sakura's. Hiiragizawa Eriol had come back to Tomoeda.

"Eriol!!" Sakura's intonation was the loudest as she released the Shield card's power.

"Master, what are you doing here?" The Doom & Gloom girl leader asked in amazement as she and the other girls flew to the ground to greet him. Master? What is Clow thinking? They tried to kill us. Did he send them to kill Lady Jupiter? Cerberus thought, looking at Yue who was likely to be asking the same question to himself. It WAS Clow Reed's magic that Yue and Cerberus had been sensing in Yukito's house. Thank goodness it wasn't down to freaking out.

"I have told you many times not to call me master," Eriol calmly argued. "Your real master is dead."

"Queen Beryl is dead because of HER kind!" The fifth Doom Bloom girl accusingly pointed to the stationary body of the Thunder Senshi held Yue's arms. Clow Reed's cool manner hadn't left him in his reincarnation as he smiled at the so-called servants.

"I know," Eriol replied simply. "Anyway, evil should never be toyed with nor should it be resurrected and that is why…" The three Doom & Gloom girls looked in despair at Eriol, not hoping for the worst that was to come. "…that is why I'm sending you back to as you were. You've provided me with enough trouble and hard work for the Sailor Senshi."

"What? We won't have another chance to gain revenge for Queen Beryl," the leader said.

"I only brought you back to life just to make this a part of a test. You never will be resurrected again." Eriol's indigo blue eyes moved to meet their eyes and his wand ascended. A bright light came from the top of his wand, aiming towards the three Doom & Gloom girls. It started to burn them. Burn them as powerfully as Cerberus would have done. Their screams echoed together as they exploded in the nightly air. An eerie silence came between Eriol and Sakura's friends. He walked closer to them but Meilin stood in his path.

"It's all right, Meilin." Syaoran nodded to her. Hesitantly she sidestepped to let him pass. Eriol gave him an innocent 'thank you' smile to the Chinese boy and walked towards Yue. He saw the Bishoujo sitting in his creation's arms and studied her closely.

"She is more amazing than I heard she was," Eriol commented. "Bring her down for me please." Yue brought Jupiter to the ground so his master could see her at a better view. His wand came to his side. Everyone else gathered and watched him curiously.

"What are you going to do, Eriol? Sakura questioned. His hand came on top of Jupiter's face, above her nose and eyes. A quick flash spread from her face to the feet. Eriol's hand pulled away and he looked down at the Sailor Senshi. He moved over to see Touya and did the exact same thing. Everyone was startled when they saw Jupiter and Touya's shoulders suddenly flinch and their eyes opened. Jupiter sat up and felt a migraine sink in. She noticed a strong hand on her left arm. Not only did it feel nice but it was comforting her too. Her emerald eyes switched to her right hand side.

"Are you all right?" Yue asked sympathetically.

She nodded silently then saw Touya sit up as well, "Touya, how do you feel?"

"Tired…in need of a shower," He replied and turned from the sound of a laugh. His eyes sharpened at the recognisable figure. "Eriol! What are you doing back here?" Jupiter blinked and realized she didn't see the new boy kneeling in front of her. Who was this? There was something oddly familiar about him that was unexplainable to her. He looked like he was the same age as Sakura and her friends. He had some weird costume and a large wand. Did he just do something to her and Touya?

"Who are you?" Jupiter pondered at the tiny boy and felt her muscles all over her body. "What did you do to me? And Touya as well."

"I healed both your wounds. You may know me as Clow Reed…" Eriol silenced her natural amazement as he went on. "But I'm merely a reincarnation of him. In this form I am known to everyone as Hiiragizawa Eriol." Jupiter scratched her head confusingly. How could this little boy be the powerful magician called Clow Reed? This whole reason for being in Tomoeda has pretty much given her more paranormal or mystery to her life.

She thought Clow Reed was taller and friendlier. This Eriol guy didn't feel like the same Clow Reed she had heard and remembered. Maybe this was why Yue was giving him a solemn stare. Usually he wouldn't do that if it was his master but like Eriol said he was a reincarnation. It didn't necessarily mean he had all the past memories in his cerebral.

Eriol grinned and straightened his robe, "I can imagine that you want to know more on the reason that brought you to Tomoeda, don't you Lady Jupiter?" The Thunder Senshi snorted humorously and stood opposite him.

"I'm sure everyone would like to know," She added slyly. Eriol proposed that they went to his house to speak and not disturb the quiet streets. Well now that the Doom Bloom girls had returned to their rightful sins the rest of the public were now fast asleep and unaware of the fierce fight that had gone on all night.

****

Eriol sat in his usual armchair, which was where the real Clow Reed sat in during the past. Everybody sat by an individual chair around the dining table though Yue was the only person who preferred to stand up. Since Eriol moved back to England none of the cloths that covered the armchair or the main dining table had been taken off and the chairs were what seemed to have remained clean and uncovered. Makoto got off her chair to stand next to Yue by the window.

"Where would you like me to begin then, Lady Jupiter?" Eriol asked.

"Please, Clow Reed uh I mean Eriol just Makoto, ok?" Makoto corrected firmly then became serious again. "OK I wanna know something really important - was it you who brought the other Youmas back to life and caused those trees to become real?" Dammit that cool exterior of his was beginning to honestly bug her. When was there a time he would NOT smile? Eriol may have a sweet Bishounen appearance but it was somehow affecting Makoto's confidence to question him properly. She guessed that his ongoing smile meant that his reply was a yes. There was no need to argue.

"How could you bring Sakura more danger again?" Kero-chan slammed at Eriol. "Last time you said it was a test to help her with transforming the Clow cards. What's the reason this time? We almost got ourselves hurt in the last few days because of what you created."

Eriol's casual blue eyes turned back to Makoto, "I believe YOU may have an idea, *Makoto* as to what your reason for being here is." This guy is rude for ignoring Kero-chan's question Makoto thought. Well maybe the reason for being in Tomoeda was obvious, wasn't it? She had to protect Sakura from…something. What if she was protecting her from nothing? How embarrassing would that sound? Or was that the truth after all? Makoto felt a little hesitant to share her views on what she believed in and looked at Yue for some help. He didn't seem to show any support hence it meant she had to figure this out herself.

"What was I protecting Sakura from?" Makoto asked the big question.

Eriol pulled his glasses back up on his nose, "Would you like me to tell you?" Makoto held back the temptation to call this guy stupid or spit out the word 'duh' to his face. Sakura and her friends leaned over the table to stare at Eriol with curious glances. Wasn't it apparent that every person in this room wanted to know what this whole scenario was about? Makoto crossed her arms over her chest, waiting to hear the reason. "I guess you do want me to tell you then…"

"Spit it out, Eriol. I'm tired," Makoto said impatiently, faking a yawn.

"Yeah so am I, Eriol. Get it out now," Touya added, using the same sarcastic tone as her. Sakura hit his left arm to tell him to cut off the teasing. Eriol giggled at the impatience floating in these young children. This was what made the kids so curious and lacking general knowledge of the world.

"To be honest, Makoto, there was no enemy. I brought back the half-lion half-dog Youma and the Doom & Gloom girls you remembered so well. I was the one who created the other monsters and gave you and Yue those special dreams." Eriol sat back in his chair, noticing how everyone's faces went into disbelief, mainly from Makoto. Her green eyes rolled angrily. She really couldn't believe this was happening. So she did all this protecting. All this sacrificial work against the Doom Bloom girls – for nothing!!!! It was all for no purpose or strategy to threaten the new evil she had to combat against. That special dream had to be the first time she dreamt of Sakura. But what did he mean by Yue's dream? When did he have a dream?

Oh she understood now. It was when he was away from the battlefield while she was against the Doom Bloom girls by herself in the town centre. She didn't care what Yue's dream signified just yet. She wanted to know more about her presence. Makoto stormed over to Eriol's chair; her rough hands slammed on the arms firmly.

"Was this a test for me?" She queried sharply. Eriol's face still had the charming façade on. "What was the test about then? Come on, oh great Clow Reed! Tell me! Tell us!" She gestured to the other people sitting behind her. Eriol touched her other remaining hand on the other arm of his chair. Oh so now this was going to be a palm reading session, was it? Makoto truly couldn't get this guy. How was he supposed to be Clow Reed? The master that Cerberus and Yue loved as a father figure.

"Lady Jupiter, although I don't recall every single moment in the Moon Palace, I remember the main compliments Princess Serenity had given about you in person," Eriol spoke warmly as he held Makoto's hand in a gentle fashion. The girl gulped at the mention of her princess. She had known what the Princess had said about her from Yue's summary. "I just took the name the princess gave to you, which was Senshi of Protection and put it to the test using my methods. I wanted to see how far you would go to help young Sakura-chan here."

He nodded to the cherry blossom who could merely raise her eyebrow more intriguingly and listen further through his explanation, "It would be obvious that you would do all you could to protect your fellow Senshi so I thought about giving you a test on someone you had never met."

Makoto threw her hand away from Eriol and snarled, "What's the judgment then? Did I pass or not?"

"Of course you did," Eriol confirmed. Makoto smashed her face into the window with pure frustration I don't believe this. What the hell was she doing here then? What did this mean to her? "You should all go back home now. The test is over." Geez he sounded like an examiner ending a class examination. Maybe he was a teacher in his past before the reincarnation. Meilin, Tomoyo and Kero-chan left the room in a pack whilst Touya, Sakura, Syaoran, Yue and Makoto stayed behind with Eriol. They all impassively looked at him, expecting more answers.

"OK now that the reason for testing me is out, let's move on. Why make Sakura the victim? She's a kid for goodness sake, Eriol and Kero-chan was right about you risking her life again," Makoto pinpointed heatedly.

"Do you feel a connection to Sakura and Touya?" Was Clow Reed the kind of person who spoke in riddles and gave you hints to solve mysteries? Ami would have been the best person to solve these things. But this was a personal aspect for Makoto. She had to work this one out for herself, wouldn't she? The question Eriol had given to her sounded sufficient. It certainly showed relevance to her closeness to the Kinomoto siblings. Makoto's head nodded slowly.

"Makoto, don't be afraid to think the impossible," Eriol stated as he observed the discouraging expression in her eyes. "What you may be thinking is quite truthful." He smirked proudly. "I can definitely see the family resemblance between you and Sakura." Makoto and Sakura were both taken aback at his sudden release of secrecy.

"Are you telling the truth, Eriol-san?" Sakura demanded timidly. Clow Reed's reincarnation bowed to them. The cherry blossom, the peach blossom and the sincerity of wood as siblings! This was quite remarkable. Sakura, Touya and Makoto exchanged startled faces. What could they say? The other people who had the room also heard the news and they too were just as shocked. Makoto could tell the others were looking at Sakura then at her, trying to see the identical features they both had.

It did make perfect sense most certainly since Eriol told the secret. Makoto was protecting her younger sister all this time. This wasn't Usagi or any other Inner Senshi. This was Sakura. Kinomoto Sakura to be precise. Speaking of names. What was Mako's real name then? Was it Kinomoto Makoto? Perhaps her real father shortened it to Kino because it sounded unusual. What was going to happen to her now that she had found two lost siblings? Eriol had told everyone for the second time to go home and rest. For once she agreed with him.

****

The rest of the week leading to Friday sped by after the 'test' finally ended for Makoto. She managed to pass her training in catering at Chez Nori and kept up-to-date with her latest subjects in Juuban High. Nobody was a pain in the neck to her anymore and it seemed like any normal school day for her. She wasn't sure how to react these days. Should she be happy that she passed Clow Reed's test and more of her family? Or should she be sad that she was leaving Tomoeda?

The test Clow Reed had given helped her learn that she was a true Senshi of protection. She would protect anyone who was close to her – whether it she was part of her family or a friend. Although all this was a test, Makoto did leave one final reminder to Eriol to not do this sort of experiment on her again. It was totally realistic. Who knows what other circumstances would turn up in this little test he devised? Sailor Jupiter could have become a mental fighter or a more violent person.

As Makoto reached the Kinomoto residence, she found a huge group of cheering people hurtling towards her. Sakura, Tomoyo and Meilin were at the front whilst Syaoran tagged behind. Kero-chan flew around Makoto's shoulders.

"Hi!" Makoto said.

"I can't believe you're going home already," Meilin complained. "We didn't get a chance to have a sparring session at all."

"We don't need a sparring session. I've seen your moves. You're good too, Syaoran." Makoto smiled. The Chinese boy blushed as always. "The coach leaves in twenty minutes. It was great being friends with you. Who would have thought this test would give me friends too?" Her eyes concentrated mainly on Sakura. She could feel herself becoming emotional. A pat on the right shoulder made her turn round and she prepared to hit the person whoever dared to creep behind her. She then saw it was Touya. "What did I say before?"

"Sorry, couldn't help myself," Touya sheepishly admitted then looked down at the other kids. "Would you guys mind leaving us?" Meilin whined offensively in reaction. "Kaijuu, you can stay here." Sakura apologetically glanced to her friends for her brother's need of privacy. After all it was a family thing, wasn't it? Grimacing a little at first then understanding what the older boy wanted, Tomoyo and Syaoran gave a firm nod together to give Touya their word. Syaoran held Sakura's hand briefly, smiled sweetly then left with Tomoyo and Meilin. Kero-chan flew to Sakura's room window and watched from above.

"We'll meet again someday, Makoto and we'll have a sparring session for sure." Meilin waved then ran off.

Now the siblings were alone. Touya, Makoto and Sakura looked each other then spontaneously moved closer. Makoto was in the middle as two pairs of arms embraced her from either side. This felt so comforting. So normal. Like a real family! Makoto had always wanted a brother and a sister. Older or younger didn't matter to her. Fate had granted her a wish, didn't it? Eriol explained that Sakura and Touya were like her and their memories of their past family were erased. From being in both Touya and Sakura's arms, family events came back to Makoto. It was just magical.

Did she have Eriol or Clow Reed to thank? She thought that wasn't important. Another figure was missing from this group. Yue!

"Where's Yue?" Makoto asked.

"I think he's still talking to Eriol from last night," Touya guessed confidently. "I have a feeling he has a lot to ask him." I wanted to say goodbye to him Makoto's face saddened as she saw the coach appear from the left sided street. It was time to leave Tomoeda. Her work was done and she succeeded in two tests. One was the catering and the other was Clow Reed's test. Why wasn't Yue here? Makoto wanted to stare into his hypnotic eyes again. Weird they may seem but they were full of imaginative wonders. What would Yue want to talk to Clow Reed about? It was his business. Makoto didn't want to be too nosy.

"Say goodbye to Yue and Yukito for me, will you? The driver is impatient when it comes to latecomers," She said to her siblings. "Write to me, Sakura. Keep in touch, Touya." She gave him a high five, picked up her bags and headed to the packed coach. Her head turned back to the two observers waving farewell to her. She'll come back to see them. She'll guarantee it.

****

Makoto re-read Sakura's letter while she lazily laid on her back on the bedcovers. The little cherry blossom had sent her a handmade teddy in a parcel this morning and it was sitting next to Makoto's pillow in a slumping posture. Makoto had finished writing her evaluation on what she thought about the catering training week and most of her sentences were full of positive feeling. The Sailor Senshi work gave her such life, her teacher told her she might get an A overall from taking a first glance at the evaluation.

Makoto forgot to close the window and wondered why the cold air was breezing onto her feet. She placed the letter down on the bed, moved her curtains away and reached to close the window. The face she failed to see yesterday suddenly appeared on the other side. Yue floated in front of her dazzled eyes.

"Yue!" Her hand covered her mouth.

"I'm sorry to not see you go," Yue said. "Can I come in?" Could he? Of course he could. A guest like him was welcome anytime. Makoto made sure the window was widely ajar as Yue folded his wings and entered into Makoto's cosy apartment. She wanted to protest about ringing her doorbell but didn't want to ruin Yue's fascination while he looked around her bedroom. He picked up the teddy bear Sakura knitted for her.

"Oh yeah, Sakura sent that to me this morning. Cute, huh?" Makoto stated. Yue smiled. Oh whoa. He smiled! A warm, sweet smile.  Makoto couldn't hold back her gasp very easily, could she? Yue smiled like a dream. Apart from his mysterious and hypnotic grey eyes and smooth white hair, he had a wonderful smile. She had more reasons to say why he was amazing. "Uh Yue, what did you talk to Clow Reed about yesterday?" His head straightened as he looked at the table.  Thick, smooth whiteness swirled in the air as his head turned back to look at her. Makoto could feel herself become stationary while she stared into his eyes. Yue took her hand and pressed against his chest. His right hand trailed a line down her cheek.

"Lady Jupiter, I have this emotion," He stammered. "I…love you." He couldn't think of other words to help him describe how he felt.

"What?" Makoto replied. "Was that what you talked about to Eriol?" He nodded.  She tilted his face so she could look into his grey eyes. Was he embarrassed about his honesty? Makoto couldn't stop the small flush deepening on her cheeks as her head repeated his three words.  Yue WAS embarrassed and shy.  Just like any boy would be. "Oh Yue, I…I had no idea."

"Lady Jupiter, seeing you reminds me of Sakura," Yue said. "You have the same hair and eyes as her but that's not my reason..." He pressed his hand hard around Makoto's fingers, determined not to give her another meaning.  She could feel his heartbeat in his chest.  It wasn't equally consecutive as normal hearts were.  "Makoto, since I first saw you in the Silver Millennium I have admired your courage and wisdom to protect and defend.  I thought you were braver than Cerberus and me put together whenever you came to fight defensively for Sakura.  You see you are special, especially to me."

She wasn't sure how to cope with the compliments Yue was giving her.  Nobody often told her she was special in the Sailor Senshi sense.  Everything involved either ice-skating or cooking.  But Yue was telling her she was one of the rare Sailor Senshi to be considered special and wise.  She reacted in slight shock when she finally felt the warmth of Yue's hand against her cheek.  Her hand glided through his front white strands smoothly and then touched his soft skin.  He was so beautiful.  She didn't know how else to describe him.  He was a beautiful angel.  Not many boys were like that.  Yue was special to her as well now.

"Yue, thank you for telling me this.  I…I'm honoured," Makoto said in a stammer.  She lightly kissed him on his right cheek then moved to meet his lips.  Her hands cupped his face gently.  It was a sign to tell him to relax.  Yue let the kiss flow into him.  This was the first time he kissed a human.  Clow Reed didn't teach him this.  He only explained the theory of love and human emotions. 

With his arms pressing on her shoulders, Yue pulled away from the kiss and said, "I understand emotions now.  I know what love is." Makoto smiled and came into an embrace through his arms.  He was warm and safe.  Yue could hold her like this and not let her physical presence leave him Thank you, Master. 

****

"You are welcome, Yue," Eriol said on the roof, observing his creature from above. "You are truly welcome." Smiling, he silently disappeared into the dark clouds in a quick flash.  His duty was done.  It was time to return home.

END