The Locket

Savagekitty

It takes a lot of work to make something as simple as a locket. A treasure that is loved and cherished need to have a lot of work put into it. It can change hands within a family, warming hearts and passing on memories. Or, like one locket…change the hands of time, spark the flames of love, and rekindle memories of the past…

It looked simple enough when the jewelry maker handed it to the Prince. Tall and handsomely dark, the Prince of Earth smiled as he opened the small star shaped locket. Music filled the room in a song he had picked out. Their song.

"Felio, you are truly the finest jewelry artesian within this solar system."

The old man chuckled, blushing, "Highness, you flatter me. It was a labor of love, that is all. I do hope the young lady likes it."

The prince put the locket back into the small blue box, letting the chain pool around it like water, "She will. Thank you."

The jeweler bowed as the prince left the shop into the bright sunshine, joining his guards, who milled around the shop. They were dressed plainly, trying not to draw attention to themselves as they passed through the tiny town somewhere in Switzerland. They moved back to the train station to take them back to the Earth Kingdom, situated in the lower planes in modern day Italy. It would take them a couple days to return to the Earth Palace, the Prince had to make ready for his wedding day, only a week away.

The two lead guards, Kunzite and Zoicite, entered the trains first, followed by Endymion, and then Nephrite and Jadeite. Kunzite and Endymion take a compartment by themselves as the three remaining guards takes shifts guarding the door. As the train jerks from the station and they start gathering speed, entering the mountains, the prince takes the locket from his pocket, removing the box. He looked at it and opened it to hear the music. A soft smiled lit his face, his eyes grew far away and dreamy, no doubt thinking of the princess.

Kunzite watches him with grimness written over his face. No one, save for the four of them and the prince knew that he was going to be married. It was to be a secret ceremony, between the prince and the princess of the Moon. The Earth people had long seen the Moon as oppressers and there was bitterness. Kunzite had felt this since he was born, and before he even became the prince's guardian, he felt the Moon should look at the other planets in the solar system and leave the Earth alone. Now, though, there would be a union between the Earth and the Moon that could war. Kunzite looked at the prince. He was being silly, love sick, and wasn't thinking of his station.

There was a time when the prince was nothing but a playboy to the solar system, and those were good times. Kunzite only had to contend with sneaking girls into the prince's rooms and then out again. They were magnets for the powerful, the rich, and they acted like it, dressed like it. Kunzite didn't care for the flash himself, but he could tell his comrades did. Then, a year ago, they had taken a trip to the Moon to pay respects to the Moon queen's daughter, who was having a birthday. The second that Endymion and Princess Serenity laid eyes on each other, it was over. It was like a change in him over night. He stopped seeing any other woman, he had cleaned up his act and took trips, alone, to the Moon frequently.

Kunzite had to admit, yes, the princess was beautiful. She had the bluest eyes he had ever seen, her hair was golden and shone like the sun. It was long, tied back into to buns at the back of her head and flowed into two tails so she wouldn't trip on them. She favored gauzy dresses, for it was rather warm in the moon palace's climate controlled artificial life support bubble. Her mother was just as lovely, but she had the air of intelligence the princess had not acquired yet, her hair silver where her daughters was golden. They wore the mark of the moon upon their foreheads, as did every member of the royal house.

Now, a year later, the princess was about to celebrate her 18th birthday. They five would go to the Moon for the party and then after the prince and princess were married, they would reveal their secret love and marriage to both kingdoms, and hope for the best. Kunzite crossed his arms over his chest and drifted off to sleep during the ride back home, listening to the simple, soft tune that came from the locket.

Returning to the castle, they had to make haste in preparations for the trip. Not only clothing for this trip, but armor and weapons as well. They had to prepare for the worst. Kunzite argued with Endymion about taking his plate armor while Nephrite, Jadeite, and Zoicite met in an unused office. Zoicite looked out the window that overlooked the stables, "Are you sure we should bring him in? She might not feel it's the best of plans…"

Jadeite lit a hand rolled cigarette and blew the smoke out, pacing the room, "She wanted all of us, as close to the prince as possible. He is the key to taking out the Moon, Zoicite. You know that."

Zoicite turned, looking at Nephrite, "You're quite."

Nephrite looked up from where he was sitting. He ran a hand through shoulder length aubirn waves and smiled, "Kunzite would be a welcomed addition to us. He is power, a strong fighter, and the closest to the prince. He would be the choice one to turn the prince to Queen Beryl's thinking."

Jadeite stopped, puffing away, nervously, at his cigarette. He pulled it from his lips and then grimaced, "How? How can we turn him? He is so uptight and proper. Duty and honor? He wears these like a coat."

"Don't worry." Zoicite said as he pulled his gloves on, "Kunzite and I are going riding before we leave tonight. I'll persuade him."

Nephrite gave Zoicite a knowing look, one that left Jadeite looking confused. Nephrite nodded to Zoicite, "So be it, just don't be late for the shuttle."

The ride out of the palace was long, but it was worth it. They stopped on a little hillside that had an excellent view of the palace grounds that swept over miles of country side with hunting woods, orchards, gardens, and the great palace itself. It was built of granite centauries ago with high towers, strong walls, and room enough to fit the thousands it took to run it day in and day out. From above, the palace looked like a huge circle with an even-armed cross in the middle. Colorful flags flew from the masts, declaring what royals were in quarters. Courtesans met here every day in different parts of the castle. And at the very heart of it all, sat the rose garden, for which the royal Earth family was very proud of. For generations, they were known as the greatest rose breeders in the solar system. Small villages dotted the Italian hillsides and far off in the distance, the ocean could be seen on a clear day. The sun was high overhead in the still aired early afternoon. Birds sang throughout the high grasses of the upper fields. Small coups of trees dotted here and there. In the lower fields, fluffy white sheep grazed lazily in the sleepy heat.

This is where the two men stopped. Kunzite dismounted and tied his horse to a tree. When he finished, he removed his gloves and leather jerkin from his gray tunic, also the tunic, for he was warm and sweating slightly already, even in the light summer material of the tunic.

Zoicite laid a blanket down in a shady spot, then brought a basket of sweet breads and wine, setting it on the blanket. He sat, Kunzite sitting beside him, going for the basket. Zoicite stopped his hand from reaching the basket and brought it to his mouth. Kunzite's eyes softened as Zoicite closed his own, kissing Kunzite's fingers and then the palm of his hand.

"You'll get us in trouble if we're late, Zoicite." Kunzite said as he moved closer. Zoicite laid back on his elbows, smiling at Kunzite, "Wouldn't be the first time."

Chuckling in his low baritone voice, Kunzite leaned over Zoicite, pulling back his tunic and kissed the area where neck met shoulder. Zoicite rolled his head back with a smile, allowing Kunzite better access…

"Zoicite?" Kunzite called to him as he flicked his wrist back and forth, his sword at the ready, "Are you ready? Stop daydreaming and wake up."

Zoicite, still standing by his horse opened his eyes, looking at the topless Kunzite. His friend was stretching, readying for a fencing lesson with Zoicite. Zoicite lingered on his daydream once more then moved around the horse with his sword still sheathed, "Why must we do this? It's so warm today!"

"Stop your complaining, you need all the practice you can get, my friend. This warmth will loosen your muscles and allow for a better lesson. Sword at the ready. Well come on man, what are you waiting for?"

Kunzite asked, his long silver hair tied back and out of the way. Zoicite sighed, where was she?

"Kunzite, it has been too long." A light, velvety voice carried over them. Zoicite gave a sigh of relief. A tall woman stepped from behind the shady tree where Zoicite's daydream had taken place. She was sultry, long red hair flowed around her shoulder, her eyes piercing, and her clothes leaving little to chance. The worst part of her, she knew the picture she painted.

Kunzite stood rigid, "Beryl. You were banished from this court and this land. You disbey the king with reappearing here."

"But Kunzite, I just wished to give the prince a…wedding present…" she smiled, red lips parting to white pearls of teeth.

Kunzite stiffened, "Wedding?"

"Don't play stupid, Kunzite. I know about the wedding. I have my ways. This can not take place, the prince is MINE! I will not let some little hussy from that over bred Moon Kingdom take him away from me…" she hissed.

Kunzite smirked, "Yours? He was never yours, Beryl. You were only a passing fancy to him. A bed warmer. Couldn't you take the hint? He had you throw from the kingdom when you disgraced yourself in public to him. You embarrassed him and yourself. Leave here before it happens again, you two cent sorceress."

She giggled, which turned to a cackle and then into raving laughter. Zoicite shifted nervously from foot to foot as he watched the two. Beryl calmed herself, stopping towards Kunzite. His body lines tensed and shifted into a better attack potion as she walked around him, touching his shoulders and bare back. She looked at Zoicite over Kunzite's shoulder, dragging her nails lazily over the bare skin. She smiled again as she came around to the front of the head guardian. She raised a hand to his face slowly, but he stopped her, gripping her wrist, "I broke your arm once, when you couldn't take no for an answer, Beryl."

"I remember Kunzite… How I remember…" She moved, quickly, like a snake. Kunzite jerked once and blinked. Beryl moved back from him, a dagger sticking out of his side. It bled quickly as Kunzite stumbled against a tree, hands going to the spot. Zoicite rushed forward, "NO!" He screeched, "He was MINE! You promised!!"

"True, Zoicite, but you forget your pact. As you all came into my service…" She pointed to Kunzite, who was looking to Zoicite, horrified, "What have you done to us, Zoicite…?" He grit his teeth as a soft pink glow wrapped around his body. He fell to the ground, writhing in pain, Zoicite watching, his face twisted in pain for Kunzite.

Kunzite stopped convulsing and was on his back. Eyes staring wide to the sky, the pink glow centered on his chest. There was a pause and a soft pink stone appeared over Kunzite's chest. Beryl grabbed it and removed a small cinched bag from a pocket. She dropped the stone into it, it making a clatter noise, as if stone hit stone. She looked at Zoicite, "Revive him. He is yours now. Have fun but do not forget the plan. The shuttle leaves soon, Zoicite. Your foolish boy-love will not ruin what we have worked so hard for."

Zoicite, who cradled Kunzite's head in his lap nodded eagerly, "I have waited so long… thank you my Queen… Thank you…"

Beryl seemed to fade out of light, with the dying of the birds song. Zoicite tended to Kunzite as a lover would. Somewhere on Earth, in the heart of man, an idea started to spread. It turned to voice and voice turned to action. Riots started to break out within cities. Small at first, put down quickly. But with every riot put down, two sprang up. The darkness had risen and was spreading.

End Part One