Title: Tainted giftsAuthor: Ree
Theme: Shitennou (ties)
Genre: General
Version: Manga/Anime silver millenium
Rating: T
Takeuchi Naoko had the wonderful imagination to create these gentlemen and their companions. I've just decided to borrow their look alike doubles and give them scripts.
Kunzite held back the aggravated sigh when he saw the red-head lady-in-waiting lurking near-by. 'There is too much that we have to get done. We don't have time to play romance games. Not while there is an enemy in our midst.' The four lords continued walking down the hallway. As they cut through the observatory, the woman approached them.
"My lords." She rushed towards them as she called out to them. "My lords. Please wait a moment."
The four lords eyes met for a brief moment. They knew this lady had the ear of the queen. It wouldn't be wise to ignore her. They stopped and watched her as she caught up with them. That was when they noticed she carried four small boxes.
When she reached them, she handed them each a box. "A small token for you. Please open them." She stood waiting, with her eyes fastened on them. Her anticipation was almost palpable.
Nephrite reined in his temper. 'If we open them quickly, we can get on with our duties.' A quick glance at his companions confirmed that they were thinking the same thing. All four of them quickly open the box and looked in. There, nestled in a bed of soft cloth, was a stone. Jadite's, Nephrite's, and Zoisite's were varying shades of green, but Kunzite's was a pale translucent pink.
Nephrite felt compelled to touch the stone. Slowly he reached his hand up and brushed a finger down the surface of it. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the others do the same. As his finger reached the end of the stone, he wrapped his hand around it and lifted it out of its box. That was when he felt it. The closing of a trap. He tried to throw the stone away from him, but his hand would not let it go.
Kunzite knew they had been caught. He also felt that there wasn't much time. The king and the prince needed to know who had sent them this gift, and that they had been caught. 'The lady. She has to run and tell them. She should know who sent the gifts.' Through the ever thickening bonds that were trying to control him, Kunzite forced himself to look at her, and try to tell her to get help. One look at her face told him that all was lost.
Instead he forced out an accusation. "You... It was you all the time."
A superior smile graced her lips. "You are a strong one. But soon you will be mine." Her eyes flickered over them. "You will soon be completely tied to me. Bound by your hearts, minds, and souls."
As they fought to escape, the unseen ropes looped themselves around the four prisoners. The red-headed lady stood there watching them as their bodies stood motionless, but their souls tried to flee.
In a triumphant voice, she taunted them. "You can't run away. You will never be able to escape me. Even in death you will be tied to me."
When their souls were locked into darkness, she knew that they were hers to control. Holding out her hand, she demanded. "Give me the stones."
All four held out the stones to her. "Yes, ..." A puzzled look crossed their faces. In her most regal voice she filled in the empty space. "Queen Beryl."
The four prisoners bowed. "Yes, Queen Beryl."