Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Naoko Takeuchi so don't sue me.

So far the reviews have been very encouraging so thanks to all my viewers and their comments. I have been anxiously holding onto this chapter because this is where the story beginnings for them.

Notre Epoque: Our Time

A Clash of Mercury

He walked through the great library marveling at the heights it reached. As he looked toward the ceiling, he saw a beautiful glass dome allowing light to span throughout the library. Books and scrolls hung on every shelf. Bookcases stood along the massive tile floor. Along the walls were levels of bookshelves that extended toward the tops of the incredible structure. Stairways spiraled upward allowing access to every level. Magnificent.

As he passed further down the aisles of bookcases, he finally reached an open area revealing a hearth. On either side of him were two great oak tables with two sets of velvet chairs meant for studious scholars. In front of the hearth stood two velvet chairs. Between the chairs stood an elegant Venusian craved table and on it was a beautiful chess set of ivory and ebony. Zoisite smiled at the thought. Although all the generals were skilled in chess, most could not match the skill of the youngest. General Kunzite, however, was considered the only exception in which Zoisite would protest was due to him being distracted or Kunzite cheated.

Looking once more at the splendor of the library, Zoisite approached a spiral staircase. Following the stairway with his eyes, he detected a slight movement amongst the levels of books. Princess Amelia? He was about to ascend when his ears caught a slight sharp sound. He turned his eyes to see a dark object quickly descending towards him. He recalled that the noise had sounded like an 'opps' then all went black.

He finally awoke to a mild cold sting pressing against his forehead. Slowly his green eyes opened to meet two fascinating blue eyes. Like the ocean. As his vision began to clear, he could see someone before him. I must have died and gone to heaven. Are you an angel? He must have spoken those last words aloud for the angel smiled at him and blushed slightly. Kawaii-ne. Her cool hand was resting on his head. He could now see her ocean blue hair. It was cropped to the nape of her neck. She wore a long blue dress that matched the color of her eyes. I could look into those depths forever. At that, the angel moved her small mouth to speak.

"Sir, are you alright?" The sudden sound of her harmonious voice brought heaven crashing down upon him as his head felt it would split in two. His attempt to sit up was put off by a small hand gently pushing against his hard chest. "No, you must stay still. You had a pretty bad accident." He lifted his glove-covered hand slightly to touch the soreness in his head. His glove made contact with her smooth one. It feels so cold even through this fabric. He wished he could cup that hand and warm it with his own. At the instance of his touch, the angel quickly withdrew her hand and he could feel the slight bump on his head.

"ETE! What hit me?" He sat up once more without interference. Taken back slightly by his outburst, the blue-haired woman pointed guiltily at the object beside him. He lifted the heavy book and turned to reveal the cover. Terran History: The Clash with Mercury. Clash is right. Ow…my head.

"Gomenasi." He turned his jade eyes once again to fully look at the girl. She was indeed petite in stature and seemed delicate. The concern in her eyes left his mouth dry. She intently looked at him as if waiting for a reply. He looked away from her intense stare. What's wrong with me? Zoicite had numerous encounters with members of the opposite sex. Why his mouth felt so dry was beyond him.

"Daijoubu?" She then lifted her hand once more to feel his forehead. The smooth cool caress of her hand made him finally speak since he didn't want her to believe he was dimwitted.

"Daijoubu yo." He smiled at her.

"Gomenasi. I was doing some light reading…and had carried too many books…" she blushed and tried not to look at him. "One slid off as I was climbing down…and I heard a loud thud and….found you here."

He touched his head once more trying hard not to touch the sensitive spot. "Light reading?"

"Hai." She smiled and pointed at the ten books stacked beside her.

Sweatdrop. Light reading, huh? This girl can't be real.

"Anoooo…Gomenasi…" bowing her head slightly, she returned her gaze to him revealing her amazing blues eyes again. "Are you well?"

"Please don't worry yourself, I'll be fine." He mustered a smile despite the throbbing pain.

She smiled at him again. After a slight hesitation, she began reaching over to him.

What is she doing? Just then he traced the trajectory of her hand and realized she wanted to reclaim the book situated right next to him. Hoping to assist her, he hastily tried to grab the item but it ended up in his face with a loud thud when she had pulled it up.

"Huh? O…Gomenasi. Are you alright?" Her porcelain face overcome with panic once again as the stranger ended on the floor covering his face.

He swiftly held up his hand to stop her from approaching him but when he saw the expression on her face, he felt reproachful for his thoughtlessness. He didn't mean to snap at her. Good going Zoi...now look what you did. The beautiful girl bowed her head once more and turned to gather the books up. Feeling that he had to make it up to her, he quickly tried to help her once more with her heavy load. "Princess Amelia, please let me assist you?"

"Nani?" She quickly turned around to face him only to realize that he was too close. With another loud thud, she knocked him to the floor. Realizing her mistake, she lost her grip on the stack of books and they landed smack on top of his feet. A loud howl echoed through the library. She quickly rushed to his side while simultaneously bowing her head. "Gomensai… Gomenasi…"

"Ohhhh….." he cried in pain. What a clash with Mercury! If the men could see me now, Jadeite would never let me live this down. A smirked appeared on his face at the thought of the second youngest general. Jadeite always seemed to have of a way of getting under one's skin especially when he was doing it quite purposely. He would never let Zoisite get away with what he would consider a grotesque display of charme sophistiqué.

Flashback

"Well…well… Zoi and a woman… welcome to the ranks of men." A 19-year-old Jadiete roughly pats his young friend on the back nearly tipping the slightly smaller general to the ground.

Shrugging off his comrade's arm, "Countess Vera is nothing like that."

"Yeah, sure. And her being one of the most beautiful in court has nothing to do with it." Jadiete smiled mischievously.

"Lay off, Jadiete," interjected the tall general, Nephrite. "…it's healthy that Zoi is taking other interests than his tombs." The general gave a smile while ruffling Zoisite's long sandy hair. Draping an arm across the smaller general's shoulders, Nephrite gave him a smirk. "Besides…it's nice to know that he won't die a 60-year old virgin."

"Shut-up, Neph." He shook off his friend's arm. Zoicite ran his hand through his ruffled hair and gave the generals a smirk. "Green doesn't suit you, gentlemen. I'm sure there are plenty of women who would endure your mediocre charms."

"Why you..." Jadiete and Nephrite made a swift pass at the young general and tackled him.

End Flashback

I must have hit him pretty hard.

He laughed, "I must admit…this is the first time I ever fell to my knees for a woman…or in this case my cheeks…" At the sound of his last words, he turned bright red for mentioning his rear to a lady. Now I'm going to get it. The eyes that met his, however, were smiling at him. Then a melodious sound filled the air as her laughter resonated through the library.

"Well…I must admit General Zoisite this is indeed a very peculiar meeting."

He smiled at that. "I see my lady knows who I am."

"Of course…" She turned slightly and shifted through the mess of scattered books and held up a small leather one. Reaching a page, she announced, "Lord Zoisite Esclair… 4th in command of the Terran Royal Guard and Lord of the Western Region." Closing the book, "Am I right?"

"Amazing what they put in books nowadays."

"…And what you hear in the local gossip," before she could stop herself. A small hand went up to her perfect little mouth and she blushed at him.

He merely grinned, "Then am I correct to assume that you are Princess Amelia de Marci of Mercury…daughter of King Hagan and Queen Atalan of Mercury and heiress of the Royal Mercuian Empire?"

She nodded her head as she stood up. He, in suit, did the same. "Welcome General Zoisite to the Moon Kingdom. I hope you are enjoying your stay?" She extended her hand towards him.

He cupped her slender hand between his while gazing at her intently. With a smile, he knelt and kissed her hand. "Thank you, Princess Amelia. It is indeed an honor."

She blushed. "Ami, please, General Zoisite." He gave her with a puzzled look. Embarrassed, she looked away from his gaze. "…Amelia always sounded so cold." She walked away from him, taking her hand away from his. Oh dear Kami, what has come over me? She was actually flirting. With a man I barely know. Did I just give him permission to use my nickname?

She turned to find him standing right in front of her. He's beautiful. She looked at his intense emerald eyes and slender build. He stood nearly a head taller than her. His uniform was a stormy grey accented with linings of evergreen. Yes, she had to admit that in all her 17 years, this man was beautiful. "…Besides…Bumping into each other like this, we are far from any necessary properness…won't you agree?" she finally finished with a smile.

He nodded, "If it would please, Ami-hime, call me Zoisite." He took her hands in his once again.

She smiled at him once more. "Would you like to play a game of chess… Lo…Zoisite-san?" She slightly hesitated in pronouncing his name on her tongue. It felt foreign but flowed well from her lips.

A bit disappointed at the lingering formal use of his name, he still returned her smile. "Arigato, I would like that very much but I must confess I am a formidable opponent," extending his arm towards her.

Smiling slyly and taking his offered arm, she led him towards the two velvet chairs in front of the hearth. "We'll see about that."

"Oh…that reminds me. I have a message for you."

"You can tell me over our game in which I will be sure to find a way to beat you."

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Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Windstrail's cheap glossary for Japanese translation:

Daijoubu?- Are you alright?

Daijoubu-yo- I'm alright

Gomensai- Sorry

Kawaii-ne- cute, adorable..etc.

Nani?- What?

-san- formal title such as Mr., Mrs, Ms., etc.