Visiting the Moonpalace
Zoisite winced as a cold shiver ran down his spine. He quickly put one hand on his forehead but as usual, after the shiver the vision followed; the vision of a world in fire, ruins and destruction. It felt as if he was really there and he gasped several times until the images finally faded.
He stood up from the piano bench and walked to the window to look at the Moon in the sky.
His Master surely was already there now, escorted by Kunzite and… Nephrite, the one who despised the Moon and its habitants so much. He had been the one who had taken his place today. The reason was more than obvious, of course, at least for Zoisite.
He turned away from the window at once and walked outside of his room into the corridor.
Truth been told he wasn't a big fan of the Moon either. Ordinarily he wouldn't have minded that somebody else had taken his place to go up there, but this time…
"Next time I won't let you escape that easily again."
He stood still at once and closed his eyes. Oh, he would have been more than delighted to make his little warning come true. He remembered her beautiful and soft voice when she had started to sing that moment. In his whole life there hadn't been anything that reached to break his calmness, but that woman…
When he had been behind her last night, he had been so close he had even been able to smell her wonderful scent, and hear the beating of her heart. It had been so fast, like the one of a bird who was excited and scared at the same time.
"Venus," he whispered and it sounded almost like a curse.
He opened his eyes again and turned around, walking back to the library energetically.
That woman, she had done something with him. It was as if she had cursed him with her singing and now he was completely unable to forget her again. He hardly wanted to admit it but he had even been… glad to go to the Moon today. To see and tease her again, to make her blush and tremble and lose her control…
No!, Zoisite thought rebukingly, shaking his head to banish those images and desires, This mustn't be.
He entered the library and sat on the piano to play… only to realize that he was playing that song again.
"Not good. Not good at all," he whispered, but didn't stop his playing.
Every song deserves to be played to its end, he thought and couldn't avoid smiling, especially that one.
xxxxx
Kunzite saw, how Nephrite yawned again, and he hardly suppressed rolling his eyes. Of course it had been a mistake to take him with him. It wasn't just that he actually despised the Moon, but in the first place that boy was completely unable to bear an "event" like that one, where he had to stand still, smile friendly and be silent.
"Would you please stop fidgeting like that?" Kunzite hissed now toward him, so no one else was able to hear it, "Behave yourself for God's sake."
"But this is so boring," Nephrite whispered back.
"What did you expect? A big party with games and music? Now pull yourself together."
Nephrite sighed and stood straight again, while Kunzite suppressed a grin. To be honest he couldn't really blame Nephrite for his behaviour, at least not completely. The date between his Master and Princess Serenity had been anything but entertaining until now.
On their arrival the Queen and her daughter Serenity, who had been escorted by two of her Senshi; Venus and Mars, had kindly received them. This, obviously, seemed to have disappointed Nephrite, which made Kunzite thoughtful on the other hand. But there wasn't enough time to think about it. After the greetings they went to a big and elegant white room, where they had stayed until now.
The Queen, the Princess and Master Endymion were sitting around a table, drinking a hot, silver – and to Kunzite unknown – beverage. While they were chatting, the two Sailor Senshi and Nephrite and Kunzite were forced to stand around to guarantee their security.
Nephrite was right, this was indeed even more than boring.
"Can't I go out for a walk or something?" Nephrite asked now.
Kunzite ignored his question. Actually he knew that Nephrite hadn't come to the Moon today to prove how much he had changed or because he was curious. Or at least not just for that. Kunzite suspected that there was something more and for some unknown reason that suspicion bothered him, because if it was true…
A warning cough interrupted his thought. He looked at Venus who looked back very reproachfully before her eyes twitched quickly towards Nephrite. Kunzite followed her gaze and didn't know if he should curse or laugh out loud. Nephrite was standing there leaning on the wall behind, playing around with a little red energy-ball.
"For God's sake, Nephrite, get the hell out of here!" Kunzite finally shouted out trying to ignore the sudden silence and the boring gazes of the others.
Nephrite, however, smirked in satisfaction as he let disappear his energy ball. "Your Highness, your Majesties," he said with a bow, then he turned around and left the room.
"I truly apologize," Kunzite said.
The Queen nodded with an indulgent smile while the Princess and his Master continued their chatting as if nothing had happened. Kunzite saw that Mars was suppressing a grin; only Venus was still looking at him very seriously. Finally she walked over to him.
"Why did you bring just him here?" she whispered.
"He insisted. He was curious," he answered, knowing very well how lame that sounded, so he added: "And I thought it would be good for him getting used to it. After all it looks like if we will have to come here much more frequently."
"We both know that that's utter nonsense," Venus only replied, confirming his suspicion, and walked back to take her position again.
Of course it was nonsense. Nephrite wasn't curious, at least not about the Moon and it's habitants. Well, the habitants yes, but only one. And it had to be just the one Kunzite had been interested too…
xxxxx
Nephrite sighed in relief walking away from that horrible room. He knew that his behaviour had been absolutely wrong. In any other situation he would have known to walk the line, even he. But this was kind of an emergency. Who knew when he would have another opportunity…
He placed his palm on the pocket of his jacket to feel the precious object in it. Now there was only one question.
"Where can I find you?" he whispered.
He had to be honest: the Moon castle was more than impressing. He didn't expect that. Until now to him there had only existed the Earth and nothing else. But walking through the castle here now and gazing at the landscape through the large windows he had to admit that the moon wasn't that… unappealing he had expected. All right, everything was just white and silver but anyway – or maybe because of that – it looked really… beautiful, it was somehow relaxing and soothing.
Nephrite walked along the gangways. She had to be somewhere here around, but that castle was so big. Where to look for her?
A delighted and soft laugh caught his attention; he would recognize that sound everywhere. And he didn't care anymore why he felt like that. He followed that beautiful sound knowing very well that there, just around the next corner, she would be.
Nephrite turned around the corner and there she finally was, talking to the tall one with the green fuku. What had her name just been?
Who cares, he thought. All he saw, all that imported to him was she, Mercury.
Yet she hadn't seen him. She was all distracted talking to her friend. So Nephrite took out the little present that took him so many hours to find in the little stream in the wood. He wanted to walk over to give it to her, but suddenly… he couldn't. He wasn't able to move. For the very first time in his life he felt ungainly and… shy.
And so he just stood there looking at her in deep rapture.
.
"Oh Moon, that astonished expression on Venus' face," Jupiter said all amused and they laughed again. Actually Mercury hadn't believed that she would be able to laugh again. Yesterday it seemed as if it would be her last day as a Senshi, but now…
Jupiter coughed and indicated with her chin on something behind Mercury. "I think that someone wants to talk to you."
Mercury turned around and for a second her heart stood still.
What is he doing here? she asked herself.
"I'll better… take care of something," Jupiter said and before Mercury was able to reply, she was gone.
Slowly Nephrite walked towards her now and with every step he took, her heart started to hammer stronger against her chest. She only could hope that he wasn't able to hear it.
"Hello Mercury," he finally said when he was standing right in front of her.
"Hello," was all she was able to answer.
Silence again. They just looked at each other.
Those eyes, Mercury thought enchanted, as if I could swim and lose myself in them.
"I… I brought you something, " he finally said.
"Really?"
"Yes, it's nothing special, just a little thank you for… you know." He poked at his cape.
"That wasn't necessary, I…"
"It was," he cut her, "now we're even."
Mercury winced lightly about the harshness in his words, but she hoped that he wouldn't notice it. So this was the way he was thinking? The reason he came here today was just to be even?
He stretched out his closed hand towards her and as he remained like that she stretched out her open hand too now. He opened his fingers and she felt how something fell into her palm.
It was a little sparkling diamond whose form was a drop. A diamond water drop.
"That's… it's beautiful, Nephrite," she said truly awed by that precious gift. But he only shrugged indifferently.
"As I said, it's nothing special. Our rivers are full of them."
Mercury didn't really know why his words hurt her so much. She only forced herself to smile, hoping he wouldn't see, that it was a false smile.
"Well… thank you anyway," she was finally able to say, closing her hand around the diamond, "I'll keep it in honour."
Nephrite only nodded then he turned around to walk back the way he just came from, while Mercury tried to hold back her tears of disappointment. But what had she expected anyway? That he had come to the Moon today because of her? Just because she darned his cape? He was here as a Guardian and after all, she knew from the very beginning about the contempt he had for the Moon and its people. Maybe bringing her that present had taken him a lot of willpower.
The loud approaching steps took her out of her thoughts and before she was able to realize, that Nephrite had come back running, he had grabbed her by her shoulders pulling her against him and… kissed her.
Mercury's heart was beating strongly against her chest. She felt his warm and soft lips on hers and she almost desperately wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him closer to her. She felt him putting his arms around her now, holding her tightly against his chest, while his lips parted and she immediately let him in. She wasn't able anymore to figure out, where she ended and he began.
And finally it was him who ended the kiss. He didn't release her, but just retreated his head a little so he was able to look at her now with his deep, blue eyes. Oh Moon, those eyes!
"I'm sorry," he suddenly said, "I… I comported like the last jackass on Earth."
Mercury looked at him, feeling completely unable to speak. All she could do was to smile at him and then, before she was really able to think about it she whispered: "I hoped you would do that."
First it seemed as if he didn't understand, but then he smiled widely at her. "You did?"
She nodded and feeling the heat in her head she knew that she had become all red. "I… I hoped for it so badly."
And then she started to laugh. First Nephrite looked at her in surprise, but then he joined in her laughter, leaning his forehead against hers.
"So you hoped for it?" he asked. She nodded and he gave her a soft kiss on her cheek and his tenderness warmed her up from the inner of her body. As if with this simple and loving kiss he had just touched her soul.
"Well," he said then, "be sure that from now on you won't have to hope for it anymore. Because I'll kiss you whenever you want." He paused and looked at her very seriously and even insecure now. "If that's what you want."
She sighed happily. "Of course I do."
"You… really? … I mean… you and I… are we…?"
"Oh, Nephrite, please," she called out now, "just… shut up and kiss me again."
He grinned. "As you wish."
And then he bowed down to comply with her request.
xxxxx
Venus turned around and walked back the gangway. So it was true. Mercury and the attraction she felt for that red-haired Shitennou, Nephrite. He, of all the people.
She had suspected it from the very beginning, and when he had emerged up today together with Kunzite, comporting like an ill-bred boy – too ill-bred, even for him – it had been very clear to her. And when he had left the room it had been all obvious.
Venus hadn't felt at ease thinking of that hot headed man walking all alone through the Moon Castle. Actually she should have been looking for him even earlier, but her duties had prevented her.
"Darn," she thought, remembering the scene she had just been witness. So this had indeed been the reason he had come here, the reason why Zoisite hadn't…
She shook her head energetically. Why did that bother her anyway? Why did she even feel somehow disappointed?
Stop thinking about it, she rebuked herself. This shouldn't be happening to her. Why…?
"Next time I won't let you escape that easily again."
His soft voice, his warm breath on her skin. What would it feel like if he would touch her?
"No, no, no, stop it," she whispered in shock about her desire, "This must stop, immediately."
There really were enough problems to be resolved. First there was the relationship of Serenity and Prince Endymion. He had asked for the Princess' hand today and to Venus' disbelief the Queen had agreed, and now there were Mercury and Nephrite too.
That's what I must focus on now, my mission, Venus thought determined, there must be a way to prevent that wedding.
xxxxx
Could it really be that this was reality? It seemed too good to be true. Her arms around his neck, those soft, sweet lips on his.
No, Nephrite thought doubtfully, this must be a dream.
He cut the kiss and opened his eyes, but she was still there, Mercury, holding him tightly and smiling at him.
"Are you… all right?" she asked.
He looked at her beautiful face and suddenly big shame overwhelmed him. How could he have behaved so crudely? He was such a…
"Nephrite?" her soft voice took him out of his thoughts. He felt how she tried to make one step back and released her.
"Oh, Mercury," he said, "I'm so sorry."
"There's no need to be," she answered and he could feel the insecurity and confusion in her voice.
"Yes, there is. I was such an insufferable jackass… No, please don't interrupt me, just listen. The truth is I felt… attracted to you from the moment you walked through that door into the Throne Hall. I've never felt something similar before. Your voice… I didn't know how to handle these kind of feelings. Then it so happened that we had to fight together…" Man, what was he stumbling there?
"Don't worry," she said now calmly, "I can really understand that. It must be very frustrating to be forced to fight with a weak, inexperienced…"
"No!" he cut her and carefully took her hands into his, looking at her sincerely, "No, no, you don't understand at all! I… I felt completely insecure, a total idiot. I felt things I've never felt before and I didn't know… and when I realized that it was the first time you fought… I saw the fear in your eyes and suddenly I got scared too, because all I wished at that moment was to protect you. All I hoped for was to be strong enough so nothing would happen to you."
He released her again and clenched his fists, looking to the ground. "Pretty ridiculous, right? You showed me very clearly that you don't need a protector. I behaved like the biggest uncouth bastard and though I know that I don't deserve it I really hope you can forgive me… somehow."
Only now he dared to look at her again and saw that she was smiling brightly. She took one step towards him and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.
"Nephrite," she mumbled, "that has just been… the sweetest thing I've ever heard."
He frowned and grabbed her by her shoulders. "Have you really listened to what I've just said?" he asked now truly surprised.
"I did," she answered, still smiling, "and of course I forgive you."
"You… really? But… why?" There he was stumbling again.
"Oh, Nephrite, haven't you noticed it yet?" Mercury replied wrapping her arms around his neck again lifting her eyebrows very meaningfully before she whispered: "I've fallen for you, from the moment I walked through that door into the Throne Hall."
Nephrite didn't know what to say anymore. He was overwhelmed with relieve and happiness as he took Mercury into his arms again. Still this seemed to good to be true. Today he came here with nothing than a single little diamond in his pocket and now he was holding in his arms… the universe.
He bowed down and as he reunited his lips with hers he made an oath. He swore that he would do anything, no matter what it was, to protect her so that never ever any harm would happen to her.
xxxxx
"Do you think we should… tell the others?" Mercury asked, as they were walking through the garden. She felt how Nephrite's grip around her hand tightened and knew, that he was thinking just the same she did.
"I don't think that's a good idea now," he confirmed her supposition.
She nodded affirmatively. On one hand there was nothing she wished more than to shout out her luck to the world, but on the other hand…
"Maybe we better let them get used to the Prince's and Princess' relationship first," she said.
Nephrite put his arm around her shoulder pulling her against him.
"So let's keep it secret, just for now," he said affectionately, "Our time will come. I promise."
Mercury closed her eyes and enjoyed his tight and caring embrace.
"I have to go now," he finally said.
Mercury nodded. "When…" she started to say but cut herself. She didn't want so appear too intrusive.
He wrapped his arms around her and placed his lips on her crest. "Could you try to escort your Princess, next time she comes to the Earth?"
She nodded on his chest. "Yes."
"Good," he answered and sounded relieved, "because there's something I want to show you."
Mercury looked at him curiously. "What is it?" she asked, but he only smiled and shook his head.
"You'll see that when you come." He passed his fingers through her hair and took her face in his hands. "I hope it will be soon."
"Me too," she whispered and smiled.
"There's a little wood just behind the castle's garden," Nephrite explained, "I'll wait for you there on that day. Just follow the path and then look for the little stream that runs through it a few steps away. You'll hear its splashing very clearly once you're inside the forest. "
"I will be there."
He caressed her cheeks with his thumbs, then he bowed down to kiss her.
"I'll see you soon," he finally said. Mercury's heart was beating so fast she only was able to nod. Again Nephrite kissed her long and deeply, but then he stepped back at once and walked away. She looked behind him until he was out of her sight and only then she allowed herself to sink down on her heels. She knew that she was smiling like an immature adolescent, but she didn't care at all. The happiness she felt just now was too big.
She grabbed between the wrinkles of her skirt and took out the little diamond Nephrite had given to her. She laughed lightly as she remembered the way he had given it to her. He had been as insecure as she and his rudeness had only been his way to cover his timidity.
Mercury stroked the precious gift once, observing how it sparkled in the Moon's light.
"I'll see you soon."
She couldn't remember she had ever been so eager to go to the Earth and for the first time she was able to understand Princess Serenity who skipped out by night to see Endymion. Even if it was just to watch him sleeping.
"Nephrite," she whispered overwhelmed, feeling as if a swarm of butterflies was flying through her stomach, "Oh, holy Moon."
.
"Stupid boy, where are you?" Kunzite whispered as he walked along the gangway again. The only difference was that this time it was through the Moon's castle. He had been looking for Nephrite for half an hour now, but without any success. Where in the world could he have gone?
"You better keep an eye on that unbridled boy."
Kunzite turned around to look at Venus who was standing at the beginning of the corridor. Her expression was reserved as always, but there had been a strange tone in her voice that made him frown. "What do you mean?"
"Just what I've said," she simply replied and before he was able to make any other question she turned around on her heel and disappeared again.
Kunzite was just about to follow her, but then he heard the noisy and unmistakably steps of Nephrite's boots.
"Where the hell have you been?" Kunzite asked looking at Nephrite very suspiciously.
"I just went for a little walk," he answered innocently, "Have the Master and the Princess finally finished? Can we go now?"
"We've just been waiting for you," Kunzite said, but something was strange here. Though Nephrite seemed to be very bored – No, actually it only looked as if he was bored and eager to go back to the Earth – it seemed as if he preferred to turn around to walk back to… wherever he came from.
"You better keep an eye on that unbridled boy."
Kunzite clenched his fists, as he finally understood the true meaning behind Venus' words.
"Little brother, where have you been?" he repeated his question.
"As I've told you, I just went out for a little walk through the castle and its garden. It's not that bad I always thought. Even you would like their garden here."
Nephrite was telling only half the truth. It was easy for Kunzite to perceive that, as he practically raised him up. His sigh was unsteady and he didn't look straight at him but his eyes twitched from one point to another.
What did he do? He hadn't really…?
"Kunzite, it's time," the Master's voice resounded, "We have to go back before my parents return from their journey."
Kunzite turned around quickly. "Of course, Master, I apologize the delay. Nephrite, let's go."
"Finally," Nephrite said, but again Kunzite couldn't really believe in his relief. Actually he was sure to notice a very quick glance at the direction he just came from….
He didn't know why, but suddenly Kunzite felt a strange twitch in his chest. He ignored it and smiled at Nephrite as he grabbed him by his neck. "Come on, little brother, let's release you from this before you'll be able to do some nonsense."
"Why did you want to come here anyway?" Prince Endymion asked now while they walked to the waterfall that would guide them back to the Earth.
"I was curious, Master," Nephrite answered.
Endymion looked at Nephrite very interested. "So?"
Nephrite shrugged with feigned disinterest. "It's okay."
The Master laughed and patted his back. "Well, I'm glad to hear it's at least not a nightmare to you, because it looks like we'll come here more often from now on."
"Really?" Nephrite answered and for some reason Kunzite wished that it wouldn't sound that expectant.
"Yes, my dear friend, really. Because I asked for the Princess' hand today and the Queen gave us her blessings. And tomorrow the Princess and her Senshi will come to the Earth and I finally will introduce her to my parents as my official fiancée. Soon there will be a wedding."
"Master, that's… great. Congratulations!" Nephrite called out honestly pleased.
Suddenly Kunzite remembered Zoisite's terrifying words:
"I had a vision. A vision of the Master and the Moon Princess and the world was in flames."
Let's hope he's wrong, at least once, Kunzite thought as they reached the waterfall and walked through it back to the Earth.
11
