A/N: Well, here's chapter 2. Hope y'all enjoy it. Consider this my Valentine's gift to y'all. ;)
Chapter 1
When he woke up, he noted several things right off the bat. One, he was completely paralyzed. Two, he was aware of an acute pain throughout his body. Three, he wanted to throw up. And four, he was completely and utterly alone.
This terrified him. He didn't want to be alone. He hated being alone. Izou. Where was Izou? Where was he himself? His eyes flicked around taking in his surroundings carefully until he heard the sound of approaching feet. Immediately, he slammed his eyes shut and faked unconsciousness.
The feet stopped right next to him and he wanted desperately to open his eyes and see who was standing there. But he kept them shut. Fingers traced along his jaw line gently like the brush of a feather, but the very feeling of them somehow made him sick to his stomach. He fought for control and only just barely held himself in check. Then came the voice.
"Still sleeping I see."
The voice was definitely feminine. And although Kun would swear he had never heard the voice before in his life, there was another part of him that trembled at some unremembered memory that involved this very same voice. A voice that continued speaking.
"You're a hard one to break, Kunzite. You always were. But I know your weakness. Zoisite was always your weakness. You would do anything for your little rat, wouldn't you? Even kill for him."
The offending fingers brushed across Kun's lips and he had to struggle to keep from pulling away from them, biting them, anything to get them to stop touching him.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you two found each other in this life as well. Though, the fact that Nephrite and Jadeite were so close to you both as well was a welcome surprise in and of itself as well. All four in one blow. Not to mention all the energy gathered from all those pathetic humans as well." The voice laughed. "A very welcome surprise indeed."
Kun unintentionally shivered when he felt the tingling digits trail down his neck to the color of his shirt. By the time he realized what he'd done, it was already too late, so he opened his eyes and unwaveringly caught the eyes of his captor.
She was beautiful in her own, frightening way. Long wavy locks of flame red hair rippled down her back and over her shoulders framing an ivory face set with twin gold eyes. Blood red lips twitched up in a smile that brought icy tremors racing down Kun's spin. She has fangs!
"Well hello there, Kunzite. Sleep well?" she asked.
"Who are you?" he asked quietly never letting his eyes leave hers.
Her face became skeptical for a moment. "You don't remember me?" She seemed doubtful, even suspicious.
"I'm quite sure I've never met you before," the captive responded.
The woman's eyes hardened. "What's your name?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Tell me."
Kun shivered. "Saitou Kun."
"Saitou Kun," the lady repeated, as if trying out his name like a new piece of candy. "You really don't remember, do you." It was a statement and Kun didn't deign to give a response. Then the lady started laughing. Kun felt cold fear creep into his mind. That laugh, he was so sure he'd heard it before…somewhere. But where?
"How amusing," the woman said still laughing. "Well, my dear Kun, it seems I'm going to have the pleasure of completely rewriting you memories from scratch. This will certainly be entertaining."
"What do you mean rewriting my memories? Who are you?" Kun demanded, struggling to escape whatever bonds held him paralyzed.
The woman smiled and leaned down so her face was mere inches away from Kun's, her breath brush his lips, and a single, long-nailed finger brushing across his cheek, slicing it. "I am your old mistress. I am Beryl, Queen of the Dark Kingdom and servant to the Great Ruler, Queen Metallia. As you will once again be, my little icicle."
She leaned closer to Kun and licked up the drops of blood that had slipped from the slender cut lining his cheek. Kun squeezed his eyes shut and struggled with all his strength to move. But it was no use. All his efforts were able to get him was a chuckled from Beryl.
"Look at me, Kun."
Kun squeezed his eyes even tighter.
A nail touched the soft skin under his chin and Beryl whispered, "Look at me."
Something inside him forced his eyes open. The first thing his eyes settled on was a single, roughly hewn semiprecious stone held in the woman's clawed hand.
Mine!
The thought came suddenly and forcefully into his mind. He couldn't explain it, but he felt his insides reach for that stone and quake with the realization that it was in this woman's grasp.
"I see you recognize this. Good. Now, hear me Saitou Kun. Hear me and obey my commands. Forget."
Kun's body jerked and his eyes widened in shock as the memories he had of his life were slowly vanishing as if they had never been. No. No! I don't want to forget!
"You were never Saitou Kun. You were, are, and always will be Kunzite, leader of the four Shitennou of the Dark Kingdom. My Shitennou. Servants of the Dark Kingdom. My servants, loyal to me and only me."
Kun's body convulsed as it fought to reject the commands that seemed to fill every cell in his quaking body. He felt hot and cold. Sad and furious. Torn.
I will not forget! I will not. Izou. Light. Masato. I will not forget you. I will not forget my life. I will not forget. Endymion. I will not forg-- Endymion? Who is…Serenity…Venus…Elysium…Mother…Shitennou...Jadeito…Nephrito…Zoisito…Endymion…Elis…Beryl…Zoisito-koi. He remembered.
"Bitch! Where is Zoisite!? Where is he? Tell me where the Shitennou are? Tell me now!" Kunzite demanded coldly with all the power he could muster.
Beryl flinched then smirked. "I see, so you've remembered. Most interesting. You will be that hardest nut to crack. It seems I'll have to be more detailed with you than for the others."
"Where are they?" Kunzite growled.
Beryl chuckled. "Oh, so cold. You truly are deserving of the title of Ice King. Cold, unfeeling, unapproachable, forbidding, powerful, deadly. Ice. Ice. Of course, why didn't I think of it before? You are the Ice King. Why not be so more than just in name? How 'bout in practice as well, hmm?"
Instantly, Kunzite's precious memories of the Golden Kingdom were overwritten with false memories of another Kunzite, a Kunzite who was born, raised, and lived in the Dark Kingdom under Queen Beryl's command. His mother vanished from his memories completely. Endymion was replaced by a vague memory. Serenity became a symbol of hated and disgust. The Senshi not close behind. Queen Selena became the epitamy of hatred as his memories of dying with her permission and gentle presence became memories of cold, hard betrayal. Instead of her gentle gaze and gentle words guiding him to join his murdered beloved, he saw her cold grey eyes judging him and sentencing him to death and eternal imprisonment in the Dark Kingdom with his fellows. Elis became a weak king who deserved to be killed. Jadeite became a cold, loyal follower of Beryl. Nephrite became a ruthless, but nevertheless fascinating companion. Zoisite became… No! Not Zoisite! Don't change Zoisite! Don't change him! Not him! Please, not him. Zoisite became…No! Zoisito-koi, I will not forget you. I won't let her take you from me. I won't! Zoisite became his loyal follower, his little rat, his student who gazed at him with loving eyes, his boy toy. I love Zoisite more than that. He means more than that! Don't change him into—
His thoughts broke off as suddenly the power flow into his body and mind was cut off abruptly. His body thumped back to the surface he lay on gasping desperately for much needed air. His vision blurred until he lost consciousness completely. Zoisito-koi…I'll never let anyone take you away from me. …never…
Then oblivion.
XxX
Jadeite stood in the throne room flanked by Nephrite on his right and Zoisite on his left. They nervously eyed each other and the numerous Youma that surrounded them. This was the royal audience chamber. The high vaulted ceiling was decorated in dark shades of grey, black, and white. It was a cold place crawling with evil and hatred.
But the three were used to this; they were born in this realm, raised here. They knew this kingdom backwards, forwards, and inside out. However, this was the first time in their memory that they were ever personally summoned by the great queen of the Dark Kingdom, Beryl herself. Why she would do that was something none of them wished to consider, and yet couldn't help considering. They were terrified and determined not to show it.
Then the evil presence suddenly became heavier and Queen Beryl appeared before them. She was seated in a cruel imitation of a throne with her grey, claw-like staff hovering before her. She smiled revealing her pearly fangs. The three warriors shivered.
"Welcome to my throne room, my loyal warriors."
The threesome bowed formally at the waist, right hands fisted over their hearts respectfully.
"Rise, my loyal servants. I've summoned you here to promote you to your new ranks. From this day forward, you will be my second in command. You will answer to me and me only. You will be my most loyal servants, the Shitennou of the Dark Kingdom."
"My Queen," a timid voice spoke.
In a good mood, Beryl decided to let the slip pass and instead turned to her newly appointed Shitennou, Zoisite. "Yes Zoisite."
"You call us 'Shitennou' and yet there are only three of us. Shitennou means the four heavenly kings, not the three heavenly kings."
Youma whispered of the outspokenness of the prettiest Shitennou. How dare he dispute the queen's absolute word! But none dared to directly accuse the youth. They knew better.
But Beryl smirked, "So I did. And four there will be for now we come to the second reason for why I have summoned you here. As you all know, it has been several weeks since you have awoken from the slumber that the hateful former Queen Selena imprisoned you in 10,000 years ago. However, the fourth of your number has yet to awaken until recently. He will be the leader of the Shitennou and you will treat his word as absolute unless I personally tell you otherwise. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my Queen," came the intoned reply and combined bow.
"Very good. Now may I present, Kunzite, leader of the Shitennou and first general of my armies."
Everyone turned to where a shadow moved and stared in awe when a handsome young man stepped forward. His long hair was so white it shamed the very word. His almond eyes were iridescent silver and as cold as ice. The most prominent feature on his face was his chiseled nose. His build was slender, but not thin. He was a warrior, that much was obvious. The very way he stood and held himself betrayed that fact openly. His overall features were just as delicate and carved as the other Shitennou, but also like the others, he was not one to be misjudged.
His uniform was a lighter grey than the other three Shitennou's, and had light blue piping. He also wore a silvery cape lined with a violet underside pinned to his shoulders by blue jeweled epaulettes. His top right button was left undone so a flap of fabric hung down revealing the beginnings of a slender chest. His belt was jet black and the man practically radiated an air of formidable power and coldness.
Nephrite, dressed in his usual dark grey uniform with yellow piping, red shoulder button, blue boots, and two red epaulettes, could only stare, his blue eyes widening in shock as a faint blush brushed his cheeks. He couldn't help himself from ducking his head to hide his flush behind his long auburn curls. The man was beautiful, there was no doubting that. And so cold to. He shivered as if he could actually feel the room's temperature drop at the man's entrance.
Jadeite stared too, but with a little more mistrust than Nephrite. His own dark grey uniform with red piping and matching belt and boots made him seem almost the exact opposite to this pale man's uniform. His own cropped blond hair and baby blue eyes gave him an altogether boyish appearance, but he was ruthless when it came to completing tasks. But when he compared himself to this newcomer, he felt small and insignificant. It bothered him, but not to the point of hatred. Perhaps he could learn something from this man.
Zoisite just stared, mouth open and eyes wide. Heaven help him. That guy is gorgeous! Absolute, positively gorgeous! It took every ounce of self control he had to slam his mouth shut and blink as his cheeks began to burn unabatedly. I bet my face is the same color as my hair, he though bitterly.
He'd always resented his looks. How could he not? He looked like a girl with his long, curly copper hair tied back in a ponytail, and almond shaped jade eyes. He was the same height as Jadeite, but much more slender. Petite some would say, though those some were dead before they could repeat that observation. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and lowered his head to stare ashamedly at his dark grey boots, only a shade darker than his green lined uniform. His blue belt and gold shoulder button stood out to his fashion conscious mind. It was hard not to think of how insignificant, pathetically girly, and insanely small he was when faced with the kind of beauty that belonged to the newcomer. He folded his white gloved hands, entwining his fingers nervously as he awaited whoever would speak next. He knew it wouldn't be him.
Kunzite took in the three Shitennou who would serve under him with interest. He schooled his expression to be cold, icy, and distant, the exact opposite of his mind. He noticed the awkwardness and awe filled respect in the blonde's eyes, the faint flush in the brunette's cheeks, and the open adoration and shyness of the third. The third. He caught his eyes lingering on the third young man –girl?- a little longer than he originally intended. Shaking himself, he turned to face his queen.
"You majesty," he knelt and kissed Beryl's outstretched hand.
Beryl smiled. "Arise, Kunzite. Allow me to introduce your fellow Shitennou. Directly under you in Nephrite, second general of the Dark Kingdom. He is an accomplished stargazer and is known for his accuracy in predicting events of the future and reading the past. After Nephrite is Jadeite, third Shitennou of the Dark Kingdom. His is small but loyal and powerful. His loyalty to me is unquestioned as is his ability to fight.
"Last, but certainly not least, is Zoisite, fourth general of the Dark Kingdom. He is a master fighter, cunning if a bit underhanded. His mastery lies in ice crystals, fire, and believe it or not sakura petals."
"Sakura? I fail to see how sakura petals can be considered a weapon," Kunzite said, raising his eye brow in interest.
Beryl chuckled. "Neither did I until I saw one of my most powerful Youma felled by hundreds of those razor sharp pretties. Zoisite is not one to be undermined."
Kunzite nodded, accepting the slight rebuttal smoothly, although his eyes continued to study the beautiful youth who had lowered his head shyly so his lovely copper curls fell from his ponytail over his shoulders to hide his face from view. Pity that. Beauty should not be hidden.
"Now that we're all familiar with one another, you are all dismissed while I commune with the Great Ruler over our first move to bring the Dark Kingdom to its former glory."
With another bow, the Shitennou turned to depart, the Youma before them.
"Wait Zoisite. I wish to have a word with you first. Kunzite, I may need you as well."
"Of course, my queen," Kunzite bowed.
Zoisite paused in his movements and slowly turned back to his queen in nervous anxiety. Had he done something wrong? Had he somehow displeased Queen Beryl in some way? He paled and shuddered at the very thought. Instead, he bowed and approached his queen, trying desperately to hide his nervous fingers.
Once the hall was empty save for Queen Beryl, Kunzite, and Zoisite, the dark lady spoke. "Kunzite, because Zoisite is still young I would like to place him under your tutelage until you deem him ready. You are authorized to use whatever methods you see fit to teach him everything he needs to know. He has raw ability and cunning in large quantities but he tends to stray from my direct orders. He will accomplish his goal, but not always to my liking. Your duty, Kunzite, is to teach the boy control, subtly, and patience. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my queen," Kunzite bowed.
"Zoisite? You are to obey Kunzite's every command, no matter how trivial it may be. Failure to do so will lead to my wrath. Am I clear on this point?"
Zoisite shivered. "Crystal," he managed to answer as he bowed.
Satisfied, Beryl stood and strode to Metallia's chambers. "Good. You are dismissed."
When Beryl was gone, Kunzite turned to study his new student carefully. He noted the faint shivers that wracked the petite body. A part of him hated seeing that. He reached out and brushed his gloved hand against the youth's chin, raising it so their eyes met. Zoisite's jade orbs stared unwaveringly into his and gulped nervously.
"Come with me," Kunzite commanded quietly before teleporting the two of them to his private castle. His last thoughts before dematerializing in the throne room were of what it would be like to keep the beauty in his grasp permanently.
A/N: Hope that was interesting enough for y'all. I'll try to update Our First Breath of Life next, but right now, I'm going to bed. It's 12:25am. Happy Valentine's Day! :OZZZZZZzzzzzzzz…..
Rate and Review!!!! ;)