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Seiya lay on the roof of his house, his hands folded behind his head, his gaze fixed on the clear, star-filled sky. The three moons of Kinmoku slowly traced their paths through the night, their light spreading like liquid silver over the rooftops. He loved these nights, calm and vast, giving him the feeling of being part of something greater.
It was in moments like these that his thoughts drifted back to Earth.
A year had passed since he had left, and still he could not forget her.
Bunny, his sweetheart.
He imagined what she might look like now, perhaps in a new dress or carrying a stack of books under her arm on her way to training. A quiet, wistful smile curved his lips. From the very first moment, she had fascinated him with her unshakable warmth and determination, which never faded, even in the hardest of times. The decision to leave her in another man's care had been the hardest he had ever made. But it had been for the best. She had her destined future with Mamoru, and he had his duty to protect his queen.
With a sigh, he sat up. There was no use dwelling on such thoughts. Bunny was happy with Mamoru, and her happiness mattered more than anything to him.
Still, he sometimes wondered how Yaten managed to deny his own feelings so stubbornly. To Seiya it was obvious that his brother had taken a strong liking to the beautiful warrior of Venus, yet the silver-haired man denied it every time with a vehemence that seemed almost defiant.
Seiya shook his head lightly, got to his feet, and a moment later jumped down through the small roof hatch. The instant his feet touched the floor, a sharp pain pierced through his chest. It was the kind of pain that stole his breath. Instinctively, Seiya's hand went to the spot over his heart. The pain did not feel physical; it was more like turmoil deep within him. It was not his own pain, he realized after a few seconds.
Before he could fully grasp what was happening, a single thought struck him.
If it was not his pain... He listened inwardly for a moment, and then he knew for certain. These intense waves could only belong to one person: the princess of the Silver Moon. His sweetheart.
Something was wrong with her. He felt it with a clarity that left no doubt. The agony that reached him could only mean trouble.
Seiya steadied his breathing until the pain dulled to a heavy pressure in his chest. Then he hurried off. The palace corridors stretched silent before him, and only the dim light of the crystals shimmered on the floor. He ran without looking back, for he knew this path by heart, even in his sleep. His goal was clear: he had to reach his queen as fast as he could.
Kakyuu would surely know what was happening.
He pushed open the door to her chambers even as he knocked, and stopped, breathless. Kakyuu rose from her seat; her movements were graceful as always, but concern shadowed her eyes.
"I thought you would come, Fighter," she said softly. "You felt it too, didn't you?"
Seiya nodded gravely. "Yes... What does it mean? Has something happened to her?" His voice faltered at the very thought.
The queen lowered her gaze briefly, the reddish glow of her hair shimmering in the dim room. He could see that she was searching for the right words.
"I wish I could give you a clear answer, but I cannot," she began at last. "All I felt was a call for help, so strong it reached even you, across another star system. But what exactly has happened on Earth, I cannot say. The future of that world lies shrouded in mist."
Seiya's hands clenched into fists. His heart pounded restlessly, urgency spreading through him.
"Then I'll go," he said with resolve. "I'll find out what happened there... after all, she called for me... I have to go... and if she's in danger, I will..."
Kakyuu raised her hand, stopping him.
"I knew you would say that," she interrupted quietly. "The princess still means a great deal to you, doesn't she?"
Seiya pressed his lips together and nodded.
"More than anything... She is so special... I cannot explain it, but I would give everything for her," he whispered, lowering his head.
A heavy silence filled the space between them until he felt Kakyuu's hand rest gently on his shoulder. The soft weight of her touch made him look up. In her red eyes lay kindness, but also the pain of farewell.
"Then you must go," she said gently. "I release you from your vow, Fighter. You have already done so much for me and for Kinmoku. This is the least I can do for you. Love is the strongest force that exists... and this will also show that Kinmoku still stands beside Earth. Please, join Serenity's guard to make our alliance clear."
For a moment he just stared at her, stunned by her words. He had not expected this. The sincerity on her face left him speechless. At once, he dropped to one knee as a sign of devotion.
"My queen..."
"No, it is all right, Fighter," she replied with a soft smile. "Do not worry. Kinmoku will endure without you. I will send you on your way at once so that we do not lose any time."
Seiya straightened slightly, still kneeling before her. "And what about Maker and Healer? I cannot just leave them... They know nothing yet..."
"I will take care of that," Kakyuu said calmly. "You must focus on your new mission. Go and find out what is happening on Earth, my friend."
She waited for no further protest. Lowering both hands to his shoulders, she closed her eyes. For a moment the entire room was bathed in warm light that grew brighter until it swallowed everything around them. The glow gathered around Seiya, filled him with energy, and swept him away.
An instant later he was gone. Only the pale shimmer of his aura remained, along with the quiet certainty that he would find his way back to Earth.
***
When Seiya finally came to, the first thing he felt was the hard ground beneath him. The impact still echoed through his limbs as he blinked slowly, trying to get his bearings. The room looked familiar, and after a few steady breaths he knew where he was. It was the apartment he had shared with Yaten and Taiki just a year ago.
He sat up and rubbed his head while taking in his surroundings. It seemed untouched since their departure. A thick layer of dust covered the furniture, and the air smelled stale.
Slowly he pushed himself to his feet. His head was still throbbing faintly from the journey, but he paid the pain no mind. There were more important things. In a flash he remembered why he was here. He had to find her as quickly as possible.
Bunny. His sweetheart.
Only a moment later, he knew exactly where to begin his search. With her parents. He could never forget the way to that house; he had walked it countless times, even in his dreams.
The streets looked as familiar as ever, as if hardly any time had passed. The same streetlights cast their dim glow across the asphalt, and somewhere in the distance a dog barked. Everything appeared just as he remembered it, yet somehow it all felt different.
When he finally stood before the Tsukinos' front door, he felt that dull ache in his upper abdomen again, the one that stole his breath. It was the same sensation that had followed him since his departure, constant yet growing stronger.
After one last glance through the small garden, he raised his hand and pressed the doorbell. Soon he would have certainty about what was happening here.
It took only a few seconds before he heard footsteps approaching from inside. The door opened slowly, and Bunny's mother stood before him. "Yes, may I help you?" Ikuko asked politely, eyeing him with curiosity.
Seiya scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and forced a polite smile. "My name is Seiya Kou. I was a friend of Bunny's from school and wanted to surprise her. Is she by any chance at home?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Ikuko's face, followed by a friendly but slightly regretful expression. "Oh, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you... Bunny moved in with her fiancé a few months ago. But their apartment isn't far from here. Would you like me to write down the address?"
A sharp stab went through his chest. The words echoed in his head.
Moved in with her fiancé.
He had suspected they were officially engaged by now, but hearing it from her mother made it painfully real. For a brief moment he wondered if coming here had been a mistake. He dismissed the thought as quickly as it came and somehow managed a small nod.
"Yes... that would be very kind, thank you," Seiya murmured.
"All right, wait just a moment, I'll get something to write with."
Seiya remained standing in the doorway, his eyes drifting through the small hallway that looked exactly as it had the last time he'd been there. Deep down he felt that something was wrong, that the peaceful surface was deceiving. Her cry for help had reached him, and he would not leave until he knew what had happened.
A short while later, Ikuko returned and handed him a small note. "Here, this is the address... and if you see my daughter, please tell her to get in touch. We haven't heard much from her lately."
Seiya forced a smile and bowed slightly in farewell. "Yes, I'll tell her."
With the note in hand, he stepped back onto the street. A sense of unease pulsed in his chest, driving him onward. Slowly, he lowered his gaze to the address written in delicate handwriting. To his relief, he knew the street and set off at once.
It didn't take long for him to find the building. It stood in a central but quiet side street, shielded from the noise of the main road. For a moment Seiya stood on the sidewalk, listening inwardly.
There it was again, that faint vibration in the air that he knew so well. It was the energy of the Sailor Guardians. He could clearly feel Venus and Mars, their auras as distinct as ever. But the deeper he focused, the clearer it became that something was missing.
There was no trace of Bunny.
A cold shiver brushed the back of Seiya's neck, his brow tightening slightly. He reached deeper inside, hoping to sense her after all. He could still feel a male aura—undoubtedly the Earth Prince—but of Bunny there was nothing.
He entered the building slowly. Tsukino/Chiba, third floor, he read on the mailbox. His muscles tensed, and the restlessness inside him grew as he climbed the stairs. Finally, he reached the apartment door.
Even from the hallway he could hear raised voices echoing through the air. "Something must have happened! We've already checked every place she could be—at least twice!" Minako cried desperately.
"Exactly, she can't just have vanished into thin air," Rei added, her tone firm but anxious.
A chill ran down Seiya's spine. His instincts had been right. Bunny was in trouble.
"I told you, I have no idea what happened! Yesterday morning everything was normal... when I got home from work last night, she was gone and her phone was lying in the kitchen. That's why I called you! She didn't come home all night..." Mamoru snapped, his voice strained.
Seiya hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should ring the bell, but decided he had heard enough. He had to find Bunny. She was missing—and most likely alone somewhere.
With a few quick steps he descended the stairs and stepped back out into the cool air. He had no idea where to start looking, especially since Minako and Rei had already searched all the obvious places. But that would not stop him.
At first he wandered aimlessly through the streets of Tokyo, his eyes scanning the alleys, his heart tense with worry. Then, suddenly, it began to rain. Seiya took shelter under a small awning, considering whether to pause for a moment, when he felt it—faint but unmistakable. In the background, barely perceptible, there it was. That gentle wave carried her signature.
His heart skipped a beat, then began to race twice as fast. It was her, unmistakably her—her aura brighter than any star in this solar system.
He followed that delicate energy through the rain, leaving behind the streets and the noise of Tokyo, until he finally reached the park. They both knew this place well. It was here they had their first conversation, without knowing who the other truly was.
His feet carried him forward through the muddy park as if of their own accord.
His hair was already plastered, dripping wet against his forehead, yet the thought of turning back never crossed his mind. Then suddenly his steps halted, because he had found her. She sat on the very bench where he had once lain. Her legs were drawn up, her head rested on her knees, and her arms were wrapped tightly around them. Her clothes were soaked through, and the sight of her nearly tore his heart apart.
Relieved, Seiya drew in a deep breath. At least physically she seemed unhurt. That was something, at least. He glanced around, searching for possible enemies or any visible reason for her condition, but found none.
With careful movements he approached her, but she gave no reaction. She seemed almost entranced. Only when he crouched down before her and gently took her cold hands in his did she flinch in surprise. Slowly she lifted her head, and when her tear-streaked eyes met his, his breath caught. Her wide, disbelieving eyes stared at him before they filled once more with fragile tears.
He had no idea how to interpret her expression, so he kept still for the moment.
"Sweetheart... what happened?" he whispered softly after a few seconds, brushing his fingers over her chilled skin.
Her icy fingers closed around his. "Seiya? Is it really you?" she murmured faintly.
He nodded. "Yes, of course. Who else could it be? Your call for help even reached me on Kinmoku," he said gently, brushing a wet strand from her forehead.
In the next instant, her arms wrapped around him and she pulled him close. She clung to him as though she would lose her balance otherwise. Her head sank onto his shoulder, and she let out quiet, broken sounds as her tears spilled freely now.
"Can you please take me away? Somewhere no one can find me?" she asked in a trembling voice.
He did not ask why. Instead, he placed his arms around her, lifted her carefully, and carried her through the rain-soaked park, then along the silent, wet streets of Tokyo, until they finally reached his apartment.
He carried her inside and quietly closed the door behind them. Without another word, he brought her to the living room and set her down on the sofa. Then he fetched a clean towel, handed it to her, and placed one of his shirts along with a pair of sweatpants on top. She looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Go take a bath first," he said calmly. "You'll catch your death if you stay in those wet clothes... I'll take care of you, sweetheart. You're safe here."
She nodded absently and disappeared into the bathroom with slumped shoulders.
Only when the sound of running water began did the tightness in his chest ease a little. Seiya remained standing in the hallway for a moment, then ran a restless hand through his hair. Water dripped heavily from him onto the floor.
Only now did he realize how soaked he himself was. With a sigh, he turned to the wardrobe again and roughly rubbed his long black hair dry until it no longer weighed so heavily on his shoulders. Then he peeled his wet shirt from his skin and changed into a clean one and a pair of sweatpants.
In the small kitchen he set the kettle on and prepared two cups. The scent of tea mingled with the damp air while the rain outside tapped softly against the windows.
After a moment's hesitation he reached for the phone. Minako and Rei were part of her guard, and he knew from experience how painful uncertainty could be. Fortunately, Minako's number was still saved, and after another moment he pressed the call button.
It rang several times before he heard the familiar voice of the blonde on the other end.
"Yes, who's speaking?"
"Minako, it's me, Seiya."
He heard her draw in a sharp breath, then silence followed. She probably needed a moment to let that sink in.
"I just wanted to let you know I've found Bunny. She's with me, safe. You can call off your search," he continued evenly.
More silence. Then came muffled voices and a faint commotion in the background. Apparently, Minako was speaking to someone. A moment later, Rei's firm voice came through the receiver.
"How is she? Where are you? And why are you back?"
Seiya's gaze drifted to the closed bathroom door behind which Bunny was.
"We can talk about that once things have calmed down. What matters right now is that she's all right. I'll be in touch."
With that, he ended the call.
Exhausted, he sank onto the sofa and stared at the ceiling. He had not expected to land in such chaos right away. He still had no idea what had shaken Bunny so deeply, but that did not matter at the moment. He had found her, and that was what counted.
It felt like an eternity before she finally stepped out of the bathroom. His pants and shirt were far too large for her, but she did not seem to care. Slowly she shuffled across the room and sat down beside him, leaving a small gap between them.
Seiya immediately straightened up. "I made us some tea. Want a cup? It's just Taiki's herbal stuff, that's all the kitchen had."
Bunny shook her head silently. The sight of her struck him hard; there was no trace of her former radiance left.
"Would you like to tell me what happened? I mean, your cry for help even left the solar system to reach me," he asked quietly, trying to learn more gently.
But at that moment Bunny suddenly began to cry again, uncontrollably. She drew her knees to her chest, buried her face in her hands, and sobbed unevenly.
Hesitantly Seiya moved closer, put an arm around her shoulders, and pulled her gently against him. Her head sank immediately to his shoulder, and he stroked her back in a soothing rhythm while she continued to weep softly.
Seiya waited patiently until she had calmed down again. With small, silent gestures he let her know that he was there for her. Eventually her tears subsided, and her breathing grew steady again.
For a moment he thought she had fallen asleep on his shoulder, maybe cried herself to sleep. But then he noticed her fingers moving. With faint tension he watched the motion. With trembling hands she was turning the delicate silver ring on her ring finger.
Gently he placed his hand over hers, stopping her. For a few seconds she paused and met his eyes. Then, suddenly and without a word, she slipped off the ring and laid it silently on the coffee table.
Seiya's brow twitched upward. The suspicion that he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle grew stronger with every passing second. Patiently, he decided to wait until Bunny was ready to open up to him.
"Can I stay here for a while?" she asked, her voice fragile, her head lowered.
"Of course," he answered softly. "As long as you want, sweetheart... But would you tell me what happened?"
He already had a faint idea, but he needed to hear the truth from her own lips.
Bunny visibly struggled before she finally spoke. "Mamoru loves someone else..." She let the words hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "He would never admit it, because of our prophesied future... and especially because of Chibiusa, but I saw them... and there was no doubt." Her voice trembled as she spoke. "I had suspected for a while that there was someone else. I thought that if we moved in together, he might come to his senses, that our love might still have a chance. I was so blind. For weeks—no, for months—I ignored the most obvious signs on purpose. I kept telling myself everything was fine... But I can't anymore. I can't live like this any longer. He constantly reminds me of what I should study as the future queen, what would be useful, how I should behave. In public, he plays the perfect ruler and devoted fiancé, but it's all a façade... I'm just not good enough in his eyes."
Her voice almost broke; the words blurred together until she stopped and struggled to hold back her tears.
Seiya drew her closer, his arms wrapping around her protectively, warm and steady, like a cocoon of safety. "You are anything but inadequate, my sweetheart... you are perfect, and if he can't see that, then he's nothing but a blind fool," he murmured softly against her ear.
She remained in his embrace until she finally drifted into an exhausted sleep. Her breathing grew calm while her fingers caught slightly in the blanket he had laid over her. Seiya brushed a still damp strand of hair from her face and watched her for a while. In sleep she looked fragile, yet peaceful—as though she had finally found a moment of rest, the rest she so desperately needed.
In that instant Seiya swore to himself that he would protect her from any further pain, no matter what it took. He was still sitting silently beside her when suddenly the doorbell rang. Frowning, he raised his eyebrows and stood up. The presence on the other side felt vaguely familiar. Mamoru.
Casting a brief glance toward Bunny, who stirred slightly in her sleep, he went to the door and opened it a crack.
But the moment he touched the handle, he felt a strong pressure pushing from the other side. Instinctively, he braced himself and blocked the door with his foot.
"Let me see her!" Mamoru's voice snarled from the hallway.
Seiya held firm, his hand pressing more tightly against the door. "Forget it. I won't let you destroy her again," he replied calmly but with weight in his tone. "Did you forget what I told you? Looks like it's my turn now."
"Let me see her!" Mamoru shouted again, louder and far more forceful. "She's still my fiancée!"
"I don't care," Seiya answered coolly. "She doesn't want to see you anymore. Not ever again... And I'll make sure it stays that way. A man who treats a woman like her that way doesn't deserve her."
For a moment he fell silent, then continued more quietly, though anger simmered beneath his words. "Bunny is the kindest, most wonderful woman I know. And when I see what you've done to her..." He stopped, words failing him as he thought of her current state.
Mamoru's voice came through the door, tense and sharp. "What are you even talking about?"
"I'm talking about you betraying her," Seiya said evenly, his voice steady. "You cheated on her with another woman... So get lost. I won't let you hurt her again. You already did when you left for America... and now you're doing it again. Enough is enough. Can't you see she's breaking because of you?"
A dull silence followed. Finally, Mamoru let go of the door. His resistance faded into the quiet that lingered afterward.
Seiya waited until he heard the footsteps fade down the hall, then closed the door slowly but firmly. He exhaled deeply before turning back to Bunny.
Bunny had been startled awake by the loud confrontation and now stood almost directly behind him. Her large, tear-streaked eyes looked up at him as though she were seeing him for the first time. Only then did she truly understand what he had meant the day they said goodbye.
Hesitantly, she lifted her hand and brushed her fingers across his cheek. "You love me, don't you?" she asked in a trembling voice.
Seiya placed his hand over hers and leaned his face gently into her palm. "Always have," he said softly. "From the very first day I saw you at the airport until my last breath, I will love you, Bunny Tsukino. That will never change. No demon, no apocalypse, no distance—not even if entire solar systems separate us."
For a moment, time stood still. Then Bunny instinctively pulled him into her arms and buried her face against his chest.
"From here on, I'll take the role of your protector," he said quietly, looking at her as if to imprint each word in her heart. "And if you'll let me, maybe more than that. But there's no rush, you hear me, sweetheart? We have all the time in the world. You set the pace. What matters is that we're together."