Back with an update! Everything starts to come together in this chapter and ties together events from earlier chapters. So without further ado, enjoy and please review.


She leaned back in her seat, trying to blend in as best she could within the shadows of the carriage. It embarrassed her to no end that tradition required the loud blaring of the trumpets being played upon her arrival at the palace. Since there were no curtains to hide behind, she had little choice but to blend in with shadows that refused to cooperate. The bright sheen of her golden hair would never allow her to fade into the darkness. It was, perhaps, a little ironic that she now clung so tightly to the same darkness that she had been concealed in because of her affinity for gold.

She raised her hands before her and looked over the smooth skin of elongated fingers. This gift had been a curse for so long until the previous monarchy came to an end. It was because of this gift that she could now finally marry the man that she loved rather than the one that she had been promised too. Endymion had been her savior when he rescued her from King James and she happily accepted his promises of marriage in thanks for what he had done. But all of that was then, and this was now. The announcement of her betrothal and immediate subsequent marriage was to be announced in just a short few days time. It was her hope that she would be able to wait out this time in anonymity, but Endymion would never allow for that to happen, which is why he immediately sent for her rather than wait till the agreed upon time. None of these details really mattered though. What she really wanted was to finally see him again after so long and to have his arms around her. It was just a matter of time now.

First she needed to survive the lingering embarrassment of this arrival ceremony.


Zoicite paced anxiously in the hallway near Ami's room. He instinctively knew that he should distance himself far away from this girl rather than face Kunzite's wrath once he emerged, but then again, he didn't always listen to his instincts when he knew he should. He saw the way that Nephrite looked at Makoto and the way that she had blushed back in return, and he knew that he should have said something more at that moment. The man would have to be blind not to realize that the girl was head over heels for him just like every other woman who seemed to grace the sheets of his bed. It didn't surprise him how cavalier Nephrite had always been to these flings with courtly girls, but it seemed a little cruel to play these same tricks on a servant girl who would not have a chance with him.

He growled and banged his open hand against the hard wall, instantly regretting his action by the pain surging through his wrist and up his arm. How had he ended up like this? Flustered like a young boy for having seen a naked woman's body. What happened to her that she went from being shy to a seductress? And the sudden pain that he felt when her hands touched his chest. How had she done that?

The door to the room opened and Kunzite emerged. For perhaps the first time Zoicite could remember, Kunzite looked tired. Normally he looked undefeatable no matter what conditions he was under, but now he looked as though he had had enough. "Kunzite," Zoicite said cautiously. Again his instincts warned him against lingering and bringing attention to himself, but wanted to make things right with the petite woman in the next room.

"Did I not tell you to leave?" Kunzite growled warily.

"I only – ." Zoicite took a step towards the door, stopping himself as he noticed the way that Kunzite was sizing him up. There was no doubt that he was an imposing man, that he nearly towered over Zoicite by several inches, but still Zoicite could not bring himself to back down.

"There is no time for your selfish desires. This girl has done more for this kingdom that anyone should ever be asked to do. Do not go near her again. Only your servant girl will be permitted in here for now on. Is that understood?" Zoicite's eyes narrowed as he opened his mouth in protest. "Do you understand?" Kunzite repeated more firmly. Taking the younger man's silence as acceptance he continued. "I want you to summon her and then meet me in Endymion's office. Due to Endymion's eagerness, things will be happening sooner than we planned."

"She's here?" Zoicite gasped.

"She will be shortly."

Kunzite continued on his way down the hallway and around the corner out of sight. Zoicite gazed at the doorway of the room belonging to Ami one last time before heading in the opposite direction of Kunzite in search of Makoto. His instincts continued to pull at him, but he suppressed the anxious feeling that he had, writing it off as battle weary exhaustion much like he assumed to be plaguing Kunzite.


"We can't do this here," Makoto exhaled between kisses. But they both knew that she didn't completely mean it. "We can't afford to get caught," she protested as his hand grazed over her breast, eliciting a soft moan from her.

"Do you want me to leave?" Nephrite whispered into her ear knowing how the feeling of his breath against her neck tickled her, making her weak in the knees. He pressed her further into the doorway enjoying the feel of the curves of her body pressing against his.

"What would it do to your reputation for you to be seen with your arms around a servant girl?"

Nephrite pulled back from her sharply and turned her head up to face him. "Don't speak of yourself in that way."

"I am what I am."

"I will not allow for anyone to speak to you that way. Once everything has run its course we'll figure this out. I will make this work."

Her eyes became moist with unshed tears as she took in his sentimental words. He had a way with words, but inside she knew that he meant every word he spoke.

"Makoto."

The sound of her name being spoken caused her insides to tighten and for a moment she debated whether to push Nephrite away from her or to use his larger body to hide her own. Her name wasn't being said in anger, though it was not being used in greeting either. Slowly she extracted her from Nephrite's arms, although it did not take much effort as his arms seemed to sag at being caught. "My Lady," she answered, bowing her head down at the sight of the blonde woman before her.

The blonde glanced around the hallway to make sure that they were still alone before continuing. "You are lucky that it is only me who found you here and not Zoicite. I think we both know that he would not be happy to find you like this."

"But my Lady -."

"No!" The blonde promptly cut her off, standing close to her. Makoto suddenly felt small besides this shorter woman who was dressed in a fine gown. It only served as another reminder of why her affair with the Lord Nephrite would never last. "Zoicite is looking for you, go to him." She turned her attention to Nephrite and pointed her finger at him. "You are needed now. Endymion wishes to speak with you, Kunzite, Zoicite, and the other man that he has sequestered somewhere around here. Go now."

Nephrite turned his eyes to meet Makoto's, finding himself disappointed when she refused to return his gaze. His fists clenched in anger at her defeated demeanor. Without another word he turned and walked away, leaving the two women standing in silence.

"Will you be alright?" the shorter woman asked.

"No," Makoto said quietly.

"I don't want to leave you like this, but the fewer people who see me the better for now. Otherwise everyone will know that my Lady is on her way."

"Makoto," Zoicite called out her name as he walked towards her quickly down the hallway. "I need you." He spoke kindly to Makoto, although as his eyes fell on the petite blonde next to her his gaze hardened.

"Zoicite," she said curtly.

"How your Lady tolerates your actions, I'll never know," Zoicite said bitterly. "I know of your attempted affair with Endymion and I don't imagine she will be pleased to know what you have done in her absence."

"There has been no affair with Endymion. You are mistaken," she retorted, forgetting to watch her tone.

"Kunzite has notified me that your Lady is on her way. Perhaps you should be making her bed in preparation of her arrival rather than attempting to sleep in it." He turned his eyes to Makoto. "Come with me, Makoto." His words were still bitter, but Makoto knew that the tone was not directed towards her. She knew that of Zoicite's suspicious nature towards the other woman, he had let slip some comments one night after having had too much to drink over dinner. He truly believed that she was attempting to steal Endymion's affections while his fiancée was forced to stay away, although many people were quick to assume that she and Zoicite were having an affair by Zoicite's affectionate nature towards her. That was perhaps Makoto's saving grace that others were so quick to assume that she was sleeping with her master that they were never bothered enough to notice the glances that Nephrite spared her.

Zoicite continued down the hallway in the direction that Nephrite had gone. Makoto spared one last glance to the other woman, noticing that Zoicite's last words had cut her deeply. Lost for anything better to offer than a weak apology, she quickly followed after Zoicite, leaving the blonde behind.


Jadeite walked over to the window and looked over Rei's shoulder, his chest lightly brushing against her back. "The trumpeters have taken their place I see."

Startled by the sound of his voice suddenly so close, Rei quickly stood upright and banged the back of her head against his forehead, causing him to right himself as well. She spun to face him, wanting to utter an apology for the accidental impact, but stopped herself when she saw that he was smiling rather than scowling. He rubbed his forehead with his hand, but she could tell that it was more for show than for comfort. "You did that on purpose," she accused him.

"I'm glad that you were able to see through me so quickly," he said pointedly. "Otherwise I may have missed out on my opportunity to be assaulted by you today."

"That does not count as assault."

"You injured me without cause. That is assault." She opened her mouth to retort, than quickly closed it again. He could see that she was fumbling to find an appropriate response and failing. His smile started to fade though when she reached up and moved his hand away from his forehead, her fingers brushing through his bangs as she looked at the impact sight.

She smiled at him. "Just as I thought," she sighed. "A lot of words for such a small cause. If so small of an injury has caused you this much distress I wonder how you manage for more severe injuries…." Her voice trailed off for a moment. "Such as a paper cut."

He paused to watch how her eyes lit up at her own commentary. Slowly his lips pulled into a small smile and before he knew it, deep laughter started pouring out. He couldn't remember the last time he had laughed like that. "First you cause injury to my physical well being, than you insult my stamina. There are very few that I take insult from."

Her eyes narrowed curiously. "And why is it acceptable from me?"

Jadeite cupped her chin in his hand. "Because I'm curious to know about you."

"And once you know my secrets?" she asked quietly, unsure if his comment should be taken lightly despite his content expression.

"That would be my secret."

She wanted to comment on what he meant. What was he doing with her? Why would he tell lies to keep her around when she would leave him once the opportunity presented itself? She didn't have the chance to finish as the door to their room opened and Kunzite walked in.

"Endymion is ready for you. Let's go." His statement was curt and it was clear that he expected an immediate response. Rei quickly turned her back on both men, her attention returning to the courtyard activities below. She could faintly hear their departing footsteps before the heavy sound of the door closing blocked out further noise.


Zoicite stood with his arms crossed, back to the wall, annoyance clearly displayed across his features. Nephrite stood nearby across from him in the hallway, wondering what it was that seemed to have made the other man angry. He opted not to say anything as his familiarity with Zoicite was limited. Prior to the war he had only heard the other man's name mentioned within circles that they both associated with, but they had somehow managed to never meet in person. Then, with the onslaught of the war, Endymion had requested that the two men lead his army and fight side by side. While they had developed a relationship of trust due to their circumstances, they had never really formed any type of friendship. And based on what Nephrite was doing behind his back, it was probably for the best.

It was no secret that Zoicite was very protective of Makoto, that was what initially started the rumors that he was bedding his servant. Many of the women of court gossiped about the sordid affair, their words harsh and insulting. Nephrite had also believed the rumors as Zoicite never took the time to comment. That had at the very least left Nephrite curious why the other man would not defend himself when it obviously cost him his reputation in the eyes of the courtly women who no longer wanted to pursue any type of relationship with a man whose standards were obviously lowered. Although now that it was Nephrite who was involved with a servant girl, he found the words to be cruel and unfair to the girl that was being demeaned.

The sound of footsteps carried over to him and he looked up to see Kunzite approaching, flanked by a blonde haired man. A smile crept across Nephrite's face as he suddenly recognized who the other man was. "You are probably the last person that I expected to see around here," he chuckled. "What happened to going down in a blaze of weapons and glory?"

"You'll make Endymion suspicious of me yet," Jadeite responded with a smirk. "I am here as a guest to our new king."

Jadeite's answer elicited laughter from Nephrite. "Then he doesn't yet know what he's getting himself into."

Zoicite looked up from the spot on the ground that he had been staring at upon hearing the voices around him. He was so deep in thought that he failed to notice the arrival of the newcomers. As his eyes met Jadeite's, a frown formed on his face. "Jadeite," he said, devoid of any emotion.

Jadeite walked up to Zoicite, despite the fact that Kunzite had stopped several feet back. The two men stared at each other briefly before Jadeite punched him. Nephrite quickly stepped in and pulled back on Jadeite's arm. He looked to Kunzite who seemed to have no interest in the dispute brewing.

"If Endymion has called me here so that you and I might work together than he was obviously mistaken in summoning me."

"It's good to see you too," Zoicite said, his hand rubbing his jaw.

"You're a bastard," Jadeite spat.

"You two know each other?" Nephrite asked, his grip on Jadeite tightening.

"He's my cousin," Zoicite answered.

"You are not of my blood," Jadeite retorted.

"Distant cousins," Zoicite clarified. "I see you're still bitter about our falling out."

"Ask me again in another ten years." Jadeite shook himself free of Nephrite's grip and walked away, standing behind Kunzite with his back against the wall. He crossed his arms over his chest, a scowl on his face.

Endymion approached the group, a grin pulling at his lips. "I'm glad that you were all able to make it. I apologize for keeping you waiting, but now that my betrothed is expected to be here early, things have been somewhat hectic." He ignored the snort that he heard coming from Zoicite's direction. His fiancée's lady-in-waiting had alerted him to her early encounter with Zoicite, and while he wanted to have words with him, now was not the time. He glanced over in Kunzite's direction and noticed the tense expression on his face. Kunzite had been unhappy to hear of Endymion's betrothal, but it was only because of her that Endymion was able to gain Kunzite's support in the battle. Otherwise the light haired man would have chosen to remain out of the war, leaving Endymion's troops outnumbered and undersupplied compared to King James' army. With some negotiations, he was able to buy the loyalty of a man who otherwise despised him. But that was in the past now, buried with so many other secrets that need never be brought to light.

The sounds of trumpets echoing through the hallways distracted Endymion from his thoughts. "And that would be my betrothed now," Endymion said warmly. For a instant Endymion was sure that he had seen a look of displeasure cross Kunzite's features before the taller man turned and walked away from where the sound of the trumpets echoed. "I shouldn't keep her waiting. Gentleman, if you will please go ahead, I would like Jadeite to walk with me."

Jadeite looked up at him sharply from where he now stood. Zoicite and Nephrite walked ahead with Nephrite giving Zoicite a nudge as he briefly locked eyes with Jadeite. With the two men gone, Endymion approached Jadeite. "You want to know what you are doing here."

"I can already assume what I'm doing here."

"Of course." Endymion started walking forwards, Jadeite falling into step. "I want to know that I have your allegiance."

"And you're concerned that you don't?"

"Everyone has their price. I can imagine that yours will be pretty steep. You are a man that has an eye for expensive items and a fondness for gold."

"And what do you know of me?"

"I know who you think you have with you. The woman with dark hair. It was actually my fiancée that you were looking for. Since you only seem mildly surprised I'm going to assume that you already know all of this."

"I've been made aware."

"I won't judge you for what you have done, nor will I discuss it with anyone else. I am prepared to offer you though, for your cooperation and loyalty, a post as one of my top generals. As part of what I ask of you, is that you give me a fifth of the army that you've amassed. This can be beneficial for both of us if you agree."

"What if I refuse?"

Endymion smiled calmly. "I would like to think that your refusal was not an act of aggression, however if you truly wish to refuse I will not force you to do otherwise."

"And what of the other men that you have gathered?"

"They've all already accepted what I have offered them. To be honest, negotiations with Zoicite and Nephrite were simple enough. Although I think our discussion will somehow go much smoother than mine and Kunzite's."

"You don't have your own men to promote? It doesn't seem like the most strategic route to bring together a group in part made of strangers and in part enemies."

"I want a united kingdom, no more of these miniature monarchs where people feel that they are fit to rule themselves and others. The four of you that I have chosen are not yes men and I believe will offer me the honesty that I desire." They paused as they stood outside the large doors leading to the courtyard. "You and your guest, my bride's lady-in-waiting, may stay here for a couple days to consider my offer. I'm sure the two women will be happy to be reunited."

Endymion patted Jadeite on the back and walked out into the sunshine where a large carriage had come to a stop near the doorway. Jadeite considered Rei's earlier words, her near admission to what court she belonged to.

From the shadows of the carriage emerged a beautiful woman with golden hair that fell down past her waist. She was dressed exquisitely in a pristine gown of deep gold and bronzed yellows. Endymion approached the goddess and reached for her hand as she descended down the final step of the carriage. Their eyes met and they exchanged a chaste kiss, which to Jadeite appeared to be nothing more than a formality. His eyes darted over to Nephrite and Zoicite, watching as they stood nearby at attention.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" a delicate voice whispered to Jadeite's left. Besides him stood a petite blonde whose hair was lighter than that of the lady who had just arrived, but whose features were no less noticeable.

"What is the name of our king's bride-to-be?" Jadeite asked in a low voice, noticing as the girl winced at the title he had assigned to the other girl.

"That is Princess Minako of the North Kingdom." She looked as if she wanted to say more, but did not elaborate. "If you will excuse me," she murmured, dipping into a light curtsy before approaching the royal couple.

Jadeite watched her depart, one part mildly interested in the recent events, while another part of him thought back to the dark haired girl that he had left behind. He was starting to understand the secret that she had been keeping from him although he had a feeling that the mystery was only beginning to deepen.