Title: Finally found - Fated meeting part 4
Author: Ree
Theme: Shitennou (cliche)
Genre: General
Version: Manga/Anime Crystal Tokyo
Rating: G

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.

Finally found - Fated meeting part 4

AN: Goshintai - the sacred body of the kami
A chihaya is the Miko outfit like Rei wears at the temple. Okuninushi - an Earth Kami

Kunzite settled down to meditate. Letting the world fall away, he walked the path into the heart of the stone. As he walked, he felt himself shedding the clothes he was wearing, and his uniform taking their place. When he had reached the center, he was once again Lord Kunzite.

The spirit marked his coming, and waited patiently for his arrival. When the high lord did arrive, Okuninushi offered him a seat. "I brought you here to heal, to rest, and yet you leave here hurting. I am sorry to have caused you this pain."

Kunzite shook his head in disagreement. He looked at the spirit that he had come to trust almost as much as Mamoru. To his surprise, he was able to speak even freer with it than he was able to with his King. "I am glad to have met her. My heart rejoices in that. Do you know if she has been there all my past lives, and I never found her? Has she been waiting that long?"

The ancient eyes studied the old soul sitting in front of him. He followed the ties that bound the man to his past lives. Tracing them, seeing all that he already knew of Kunzite's past, he spotted the presence of the priestess that was sworn to him. She was always near him in all of his lives, but never seen. When Okuninushi refocused on Kunzite, he caught a glimpse of the priestess near by, and heading this way. "She has been."

Chieko entered the glade making sure not to linger near the edges. She did not want to eavesdrop on them. Kunzite looked up as she entered. Smiling at him, she felt her heart skip a beat when he returned it. "The elder wishes to speak to you. So he asked me to retrieve you."

Kunzite looked down at her proffered hand, and contemplated taking it. 'This is so cliche. The one I love, I can't.. and yet here she is to save me.. to guide me.. offering me her hand... I won't take her up on that offer. No need to tie our souls closer together, all that will bring is more pain.' He bid his host farewell, and then, widening his smile to take the sting out of his words, he spoke. "I know my way out this time. Shall we go?" He gestured her to walk with him.

Upon awakening, Kunzite was dragged off by the head priest, and spent the next hour trying not to explain why he couldn't stay at the temple and continue his studies. When he was finally able to escape, Kunzite went to find Chieko. He couldn't leave without saying goodbye.

He found her in one of the temple gardens. Kunzite slowly approached her, trying to pick out the words he wanted to say. Just goodbye didn't seem quite right. "Chieko."

Chieko spun about. She felt her heart stop when she saw his face. Something bad was going to happen. She had been worrying about that since he wouldn't hold her hand earlier. So she waited, saying nothing.

Kunzite continued. He knew there was no way to sugar coat what he had to say, so he tried to make it as diplomatic as possible. "It is time for me to leave. Thank you for all the times you tracked me down and .." With a slight smile he continued. ".. saved me. I am most appreciative." He watched her face, hoping for any sign of her thoughts.

Chieko's thoughts ran in circles, chasing each other. He was leaving. The one she was fated to love was leaving her. Dragging up her courage, she let her thoughts out. "Why?" She stepped closer to him, resting her hand on his arm. "Why are you leaving? You know that we are bound together. I know you have seen the red string of fate that has tied us to each other. Why... Why are you leaving me?" Chieko finally looked into his cool gray eyes, hoping for understanding.

Her hand was branding his arm, as much as her questions were branding his heart. The plea, the pain in her voice almost made him change his mind. 'She has been waiting for so long. This isn't fair!' As much as he longed to rage at the bonds that held him, he knew it was useless. Duty called both of them.'Duty...'

"Duty. You know who I am. You have heard Okuninushi call me by name. I can't forsake my duty and neither can you. You have a duty to this temple." Even as he spoke he felt the ribbon tightening even more around his neck.

There was nothing more to say. Both stood looking at each other, thinking of all the might of beens. The ground rolled under their feet, bringing them together. As they tumbled into each other, their lips met. The start of the kiss was an accident, but the continuation of it wasn't. Kunzite finally raised his head, and stared down into the dark chocolate eyes staring up into his. At that moment he felt ready to forget everything else but the promise held in those eyes. But reality called, or at least the elder priest did. Separating slowly, Kunzite bowed to her and then left.