The Finding

By Bashfulglowfly

Chapter Five: Return to Duty

Kunz looked out the window and saw the airport below. The seatbelts on sign flashed on and he gently nudged Minako, had been sleeping on his shoulder, awake. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Are we there yet?" she murmured sleepily.

"Almost." He smiled, leaned over and kissed her because he needed to.

Minako smiled back at him then encouraged him to do a much better job.

"How far is your apartment from the airport? Will it be easier to get a taxi or should we rent a car?" He asked. He was thinking that renting a car would be easier because any sensible taxi driver would take one look at the mountain that Minako had purchased in London and refuse the fare.

"Don't worry about it. Someone is going to meet us." Her smile was sunny.

Kunz was immediately suspicious. He remembered that smile.

The plane landed and as he set foot on Japanese soil for the first time, he felt something deep inside him quake. They made their way to customs where they had to go into separate lines: Minako for Japanese citizens and Kunz for tourists. As he approached the line, so did three other men: two blonds of different shades and a brunette. They stared at each other for a minute and without speaking a word joined the line. Eventually they exited and joined Minako who had been joined by three other girls.

The girls stared at the four men. Minako sighed. "Men." She gestured. "Come on, we got someone else to meet."

The four men who were once known as the Shitennou didn't look at each other but walked by the sides of the women they loved.

Kunz felt his heart skip a beat when he spied the tall young man with dark hair and midnight blue eyes standing with a delicate blonde who barely came to his shoulder and had hair as golden as Minako's.

The group of eight stopped well before they reached the couple. Minako spoke softly. "Go to him. He's been waiting a long time for you."

The five men began walking towards each other. As they drew close, they stopped and stared at each other. Suddenly ancient connections reformed between the five of them, binding them. They were brothers once again. There were grins, laughter and brotherly hugs. Each of the Shitennou felt the need to apologize to their Prince. Who apologized to them in turn. "Trust me, there's enough blame and stupidity to go around."

They looked at the girls as they began arguing with each other. Kunz raised an eyebrow and said to the others. "Shall we act like the brave warriors that we're supposed to be and break it up so we can get out of this airport?"

"Hell no!" Drawled Jay.

"There's a bar over there." Pointed Zander.

"Good idea." Said Naldo.

Mamoru slapped Kun on the back and led the way to the bar. "First round's on me!"

"First, though," Kunz eyed Mamoru. "How big a vehicle did you bring?"

Mamoru stared back at his eldest brother. He just knew where this was going. "Twelve passenger van."

"It may be big enough."

Zander looked back and forth at the two of them. "What do you mean? There are ten of us."

"Minako went shopping." Kunz said simply.

Mamoru closed his eyes and moaned. "How many?"

Kunz sighed. "Seven of the largest suitcases she could find."

"Damn…how much did you pay in overweight fees?" asked Naldo.

"You don't even want to know."

"I'll get a couple of luggage carts." Volunteered Jay.

As they picked up the luggage, the five men thanked the Gods that they had extra-ordinary strength because Minako's bags where not only large but very very heavy.

Naldo rubbed one arm where he could swear he pulled a muscle from lifting one of the bags. "I hope like hell for your sake her building has an elevator."

Kunz contented himself with giving Naldo a dirty look while the other three snickered. Pulling the carts, they made their way to the bar and sat down, ordered drinks and started telling each other about their lives.

"I'm glad you're here." Admitted Mamoru. "Not that the Senshi need protecting but my hands are usually full with watching Usagi's back."

"It's going to take some time for all of the girls to get used to us." Said Jay.

"And a while longer for all of us to get used to fighting with each other as a unit." Added Naldo.

Zander nodded quietly. "But, we'll be able to do it."

"We've done it before." Said Kunz. "We can do it again." He was going say something else but the girls came into the bar. The argument was apparently over.

Usagi gave everyone a sunny smile. Kunz could see the princess she had once been in her face. "Have you become friends again?" The five men gave her their affirmatives. "Good, let's go home and get you settled in. There will be time enough for you to return to duty."

Kunzite smile. Return to Duty. He liked that idea very much. Looking down at Minako he could see that she liked the idea as well.

THE END.