Hope For A Happy Ending

[iceclouded]

Even in wintry Hokkaido, it's hot today. But it's a pleasant heat, a warmth that people can relax in with a cold drink, after a long day's work. The new Hokkaido palace, home to the youngest shitennou Jadeite, seems to almost glow in the last few sleepy rays of sun. The whole Earth, which was only recently covered in a sickly darkness, is renewed

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[waterfell]

Lady Mercury is a guest no householder would be foolish enough to turn away. The sight of her planetary sigil is enough to mark who she is, and open the doors to her.

At first, despite her incredible good fortune in arriving at Jadeite's home, she tells herself she won't hurry. But before she's halfway through the halls, her steps are coming quicker. A little further, and they become more rapid still. By the time she's almost to him, she's at the quickest pace that can still be called dignified.

This effect of dignity is rather spoiled as she reaches for Jadeite the second she's close enough and calls out his name even as she tries to enfold him in a fierce, impulsive hug.

[iceclouded]

It's probably a good thing he didn't have anything in hand, or it would have been knocked away. Jadeite barely has time to look up at hearing his name, and finds someone hugging him. He blinks for a moment, then returns the hug a little awkwardly, but sincerely.

"Ami...?"

[waterfell]

It has to go somewhere. All the flow of those dammed-up emotions has to find a new channel or it'll simply burst. Ami, Mercury's, new channel is the few people she can truly call friends, the ones she's suffered with and fought with and triumphed with.

She nods, but instead of explaining her presence (Jadeite's smart; he'll figure it out), she earnestly speaks her mind. "Are you coming back now?"

[iceclouded]

There's a another moment of silence, and Jadeite stares at the girl. He smiles then, and shakes his head. "Soon," he promises her. "There's just a little more I want to do."

[firextinguished]

One person is already familiar with the work done here. And even Rei can't maintain that stubborn resentment in the face of this sort of effort, not completely.

She does, however, have one of those wonderful cold drinks in her hand, and she holds it out to Jadeite.

[iceclouded]

Ooh. Jadeite takes the drink with an appreciative, "Thank you."

He motions for her to sit with him today, if she wants. After all, aren't they past that stubbornness that keeps them from civil conversation? ...Mostly?

[firextinguished]

Rei sits, closer to kneeling in the kimono she wears in the palace. She'll never forget Minako or Usagi, possibly she'll never fully understand why all of their lives had to take these directions because of the past, but she can look at Jadeite now.

"You turned out to be a good politician," she comments, thinking of her father who never quite seemed to understand more than ambition.

[iceclouded]

...Jadeite is pretty sure he didn't hear that right. He pauses, drink half-way to his mouth as he stares at the girl, then looks away just as quickly.

He's silent a moment longer, then, "Thank you?"

[earthvictorious]

Leaning against the doorframe as if he's always belonged there is Kunzite. He watches Jadeite thoughtfully for a moment before he tilts his head and finally greets his unexpected host.

"You've done well here."

[iceclouded]

All doors should have a Kunzite charm. He goes so well right there!

"Kunzite!" Jadeite gives the elder shitennou a surprised look as he rises to greet his equally unexpected guest. "I wasn't aware you were coming."

[earthvictorious]

He is not a decoration. He has Mercury for that.

"Well, neither was I," Kunzite remarks dryly. "Perhaps I'd be frightened if you had, in that case." His attitude as he speaks is anything but frightened, and he approaches Jadeite with a few brisk steps that bring him fully inside the room.

He was right to let Jadeite work out those frustrations for himself. Why he feels the need to tell himself this, he won't question.

[iceclouded]

Jadeite is pretty sure nothing scares Kunzite. He just shakes his head a little, and motions for the other shitennou to sit with him. He waits until Kunzite sits to sit back down himself.

[windunchained]

He seems strangely blind to the beauty surrounding them, but Zoisite steps inside the room where he can feel the evening breeze through the open doors. He stands near Jadeite in silence, as though unwilling to interrupt his companion's thoughts.

[iceclouded]

It doesn't take Jadeite long to feel that presence, even though Zoisite makes no noise. The shitennou glances up, and offers a small smile to the other. "Zoisite, it's good to see you."

[windunchained]

The day a shitennou could truly slip unnoticed by another shitennou would be a shocking day. Maybe Jadeite could do it; moving unnoticed has always been a strength of his. But there's rarely been need to hide from each other.

Zoisite does not hide now. He nods his head, and glances again at the view the doors afford.

"You have spent all the time here working for this?" he asks softly.

[iceclouded]

Jadeite nods, and the smile widens a little. "There's been a lot of progress. It's almost like it used to be--no, better. The earth is healthier now, thanks to the Golden Crystal."