Finally, a long waited new chapter…! Thanks to Vee, as always, for proofreading the chapter.

Since the previous chapter brought the total reviews up to half a hundred, I must express my sincerest thanks to everyone who've stayed with me thus far:

Transcendent (you know I love you), kaze, cyjj, Shizuka Kaze (I'm honoured that you read my story!), winterrose46, MizzDL, Laura, Galaxystar, nurichanka, Forever His, xmizzscarlet, Gianna Reede, jd-anney, JoCrox (are you still reading this?), HankyPanky, GinaLash smartest in class, Anabella the school nurse, jojotheorange, deedee, Cosmo, bloody-awful-poet, ;) (whoever you are… thanks), usagigreenleaf657, The Deranged Assassin, manda, princessugar, Archangel Rhapsody, Shy Girl1988, Surreal, madam hawke (Look, I moved forward!), Edens-MoonlightAngel, lyss-ling, firegoddess382, v1786, Iris Mist, KeraJeir, Sheiakurei … and all the other folks who are also reading this. Thanks a gazillion.

Chapter Six – Close to the Fire

She was never drunk.

It wasn't like she could not tolerate the slightly sour taste when the liquor travelled down her throat. Quite on the contrary, she adored that tipsy feeling half a drink always gave her. However, when one had a bossy guardian like Artemis and a stoic boyfr ― male companion, she corrected herself ― like Kunzite, she could scarce have a single drop.

But right now, at this very moment, she didn't care. Didn't want to care.

The boys weren't anywhere close for all that she cared. She could become as drunk as she wished tonight.

She motioned to the bartender for another glass of tequila, downed it in one big gulp, and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. A familiar gothic tune, followed by a distinctly female voice, drifted into her ears. She closed her eyes, lost in the music.

…
Where is the adoration that was once there, my love?
I cannot find the warmth
There is only anger
I see in your eyes

Tell me while I am still here
Whether I have to run and hide
Or remain here to hear your answer?
…

How ironic and befitting. Was the singer talking about them in the song? What a coincidence that was exactly what she was thinking.

Run, run, run. Run until she was out of breath and could not tell left from right.

Duck and cover, before the anger in his eyes became so intense that she would surrender as his slave and execute all his inhumane biddings.

She smothered a giggle at those train of thoughts.

Kunzite would never become a dominating bastard. He was too loyal to Endy. His anger might be deadly, yet she also knew how to melt it. Just as he knew where her most sensitive areas were.

Now where did that come from?

She signalled for another drink. She had brought it close to her lips when an amused voice sounded beside her.

'I wouldn't drink another if I were you, Minako. How many have you had already? Six, or was it ten?'

She ignored his presence. "Go away, Ace. You are just a memory."

'I don't want to see you harm yourself.'

"And I can only allow others to do that to me. Like, for instance, you?"

She rested her cheek in her palm and regarded him. She could see the slight frown in his translucent form. She sighed.

"I am sorry. I know you didn't mean it to happen; you were only following your orders then…"

She stopped. The reminder of his betrayal swirled like a painful mass in her chest.

'Look, princess, I didn't come to haunt you…"

"Forget it." She picked up an ice-cube from her glass and chewed on it. "What do you want?"

She saw hesitation in his face. 'I don't know if I am allowed to do this. Be careful, will you, Minako? I can see only darkness in your future.'

She gave him a quizzical look. Swallowing the ice, she looked ahead of her. "We have no more battles to fight, Ace. What could possibly happen to me?"

'Just be careful. I must be gone now, princess…'

"Wait a mi―" she called out. But he had already disappeared into the chasm from whence he came.

Ripples of confusion coursed through her body. Doubtful, suspicious, uncomprehending. What could Ace's words imply? She could foresee no possible grave danger that she could put herself into. Peace was revered in the Silver Alliance. An interplanetary confrontation was the last thing any ruling figure would desire.

She stole a glance at her watch, and concluded it was almost time to leave. Parched and slightly disoriented from her encounter with Ace, she decided that another drink wouldn't kill her system.

"Give the pretty lady here another tequila, bartender. Include it in my check."

She swivelled her head to see a blond man slipped into the vacant stool beside hers. Her eyes narrowed, she gave him an once-over. She had to admit, he was quite a captivating young man.

Laser-like jade green eyes with shoulder length blond hair. Body-hugging black shirt and equally skin-tight dark pants. Ankle-length leather boots completed his ensemble. Not too bad.

And he was on the tall, lanky side too. She guesstimated that he was between six feet and six-two. She couldn't quite tell from the dim light in the club.

"I mean no offence, my lady. I have been watching you from my corner," he gestured to the dimmer side of the club where there were short tables and plush armchairs. "And I thought you might want to have a chat. Were you talking to your own phantom?" he asked with a smile.

She returned his feline smile, one that didn't hide the suspicion in her eyes. "What do you know about personal phantoms, mister?"

He grasped his drink with both hands. "I have one myself, my lady. She was my lover and partner." His eyes took on a faraway look before turning back to gaze at hers. "By the way, the name is…"

It turned out, they were two of the same persons. Both had a dark past they had tried in vain to bury. Time after time these deep wounds were reopened by the unsuspecting soul. Time after time they continued to search for an escape, though they never found one.

However, they lived on, knowing that someday they would be able to let go of the past. For now, their respite was brief, but they held on to their faith.

"You know, it was really nice talking to you," Minako declared amiably much later. "As much as I have enjoyed your company, I'm afraid I must be going."

Her new friend looked at the grandfather clock on the wall. It read 1.15am. "Goodness, I apologize for keeping you, Mina-chan. Can I walk you to your vehicle, whatever it may be?"

She shrugged on her coat and grabbed her purse. "Don't bother. I can walk myself home. Take care, will you?"

He hugged her briefly and counted some bills onto the counter. "You take care yourself."

As she left, she felt a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She touched her fingers to them, and wondered about the magic of the meeting with a total stranger. It had been a long time she was able to talk freely. With this stranger, she felt like she could pour out her heart and did not have to hide herself behind a mask. Relief was all that she knew and she had enjoyed the casualness around him.

She marvelled at this sudden elation and treasured it to her memory. The snapping sounds of the green light brought her back to her feet. She finally noticed, there wasn't much time remaining. Clutching tight to her purse, she hurried across the zebra-crossing to the other side of the pedestrian walk.

She didn't see the car coming towards her at breakneck speed.

Somewhere, in the confines of the Crystal Palace, a photo frame shattered.

The lyrics are inspired from Within Temptation's A Dangerous Mind, found in their album "The Silent Force". Points to anyone who guessed the blond buying Minako a drink ;)

A very short chapter, but it is the perfect place to end. I also noticed this is very different from my usual writing. Nonetheless, hope you didn't hate it. University life is hell. And don't forget to review.

Until next time.