Chapter 10: Tuxedo Gamekiller
[Scene: Kunzite walks over to where Zoisite is lying curled up in the snow, more dead than alive. Kunzite kneels in the snow and gathers Zoi into his arms and brushes the snow from his face. He allows himself to admire how angelic Zoi looks when he's sleeping, with his soft lips, delicate features, molten gold hair, and impossibly long eyelashes. Kunzite brushes the damp strands from Zoi's face with his thumbs and holds him close. A band of energy appears between them, except instead of growing fainter, Zoi's aura grows stronger. Kunzite stops as soon as Zoi's breathing has become strong and steady.]
Kunzite: Zoisite. Can you hear me?
Zoi: No. Go away.
[Kunzite chuckles and rises to his feet, still holding Zoi in his arms like a sleepy toddler. Zoi's eyes open. They are a different shade of green. Darker and cloudier, more malachite than emerald.]
Zoi: Put me down!
Kunzite: [grins] You look awful.
Zoi: Put me back on the sidewalk!
[Kunzite ignores him and carries him like a baby into the nurse's office.]
Nurse Kaolinite: Oh my.
Kunzite: He fainted in biology class. [gently places Zoi on a cot] He's just a little weak. They are doing blood typing.
Nurse Kaolinite: [nods] There is always one. Just lie down for a moment, honey. It will pass.
Zoi: I know.
Nurse Kaolinite: Does this happen a lot?
Zoi: Never.
[Kunzite grabs a pillow and blanket from the linen closet and tucks Zoi in.]
Nurse Kaolinite: You can go back to class now, Kunzite.
Kunzite: I'm supposed to stay with him.
Nurse Kaolinite: I'll get you some ice for your forehead, dear.
[Nurse Kaolinite leaves. Kunzite pulls up a chair and sits by Zoi's bedside.]
Zoi: [turns on his side to smile weakly at him] You were right.
Kunzite: I usually am, but about what in particular this time?
Zoi: About ditching. That biology class sucks.
Kunzite: [smirks] You scared me for a minute there. A few more seconds and Nephrite would have been dragging off your dead body to bury it in the woods.
Zoi: Haha. I wish I had the strength to laugh.
Kunzite: Honestly, I've seen corpses with better color. I was concerned I might have to avenge your murder.
Zoi: Do I detect a hint of sibling rivalry?
Kunzite: [smiles] He absolutely loathes me.
Zoi: I guess that explains why he took off as soon as you got there. How did you see us? I thought you were ditching.
Kunzite: I was in my car listening to a CD.
[Nurse Kaolinite reenters with an icepack. By now Zoisite's color has returned *]
[*including his eyecolor]
Nurse Kaolinite: Here you go, dear. You're looking better.
Zoi: [Hands the compress back to the nurse.] Here, I don't need this. I think I'm fine.
[Zoi tries to rise, but the room spins, so he lies back down.]
Nurse Kaolinite: [hears the door to the reception area open] Oh, dear. It looks like we've got another one.
[Kunzite rises from his chair to make room for the new arrival. Mamoru walks in wearing gym clothes. He and Kunzite stare daggers at each other before Mamoru steals Kunzite's chair. Kunzite turns his back on them and rests his hands on the sink.]
Mamoru: I'm just here to check up on Zoi. We'd like a moment alone, if you don't mind.
[Zoi lies on his back and exhales. The chemistry between Kunzite and Zoi is undeniable and it's annoying Mamoru to no end]
Nurse Kaolinite: Sure thing, I'll be right outside.
[She leaves. Kunzite doesn't budge. Since Kunzite's bigger than Mamoru, Mamoru decides to just ignore him.]
Mamoru: [takes one of Zoi's hands in both of his] Hey there, buddy. I was afraid I might find you here.
Zoi: You're missing class just to check up on me?
Mamoru: I got worried when you didn't show up for gym class, so I faked an injury to come look for you. Had I known you weren't feeling well, I would have brought you more roses.
[Kunzite clutches the edge of the sink and trembles with rage]
Zoi: Thank you, but I'm fine. Really.
Mamoru: Great. I'll bring you back to class with me. Do you need my help getting ready for gym?
Kunzite: [growls] Try it and you'd just end up right back in here.
Zoi: Kunzite's right. I probably need to stay here and rest. [he looks at Kunzite and blushes a little]
Mamoru: No, problem, Zoi, as long as you're feeling well enough to keep our date next weekend.
Zoi: [mortified] Date? What date? I didn't agree to any date!
Mamoru: Don't you remember? Our beach date?
Zoi: [chuckling nervously] Oh, you mean the big informal get-together that Usagi's hosting, that she's inviting everyone to and that we both agreed to show up at. Sure, I said I was in. [steals a glance at Kunzite] I thought you meant a REAL date.
Mamoru: We're all taking Motoki's new van. We're meeting at the Crown Center at ten.
Zoi: I'll be there.
Mamoru: Great. I'm looking forward to it. [rises and heads for the door]
Zoi: By the way, did Usagi ask you to the dance?
Mamoru: [stops and turns] She sure did.
Zoi: That's great. You'll have a lot of fun.
Mamoru: [breaks into a sweat with his hand on the back his head] Well….
Zoi: You said yes, didn't you?
Mamoru: I didn't say anything. I pretended I had to take a phonecall to get out of answering her.
Zoi: Why? Why would you do that?
Mamoru: I was wondering if…well… maybe you were planning on asking me.
[Kunzite turns his head]
Zoi: …Mamoru. It's a Lady's Choice dance.
Mamoru: So?
Zoi: I'm not a lady!
Mamoru: You're more of a lady than I am.
Zoi: [goes red in the face] Mamoru. I think you should tell her yes.
Mamoru: Did you already ask someone? [Looks at Kunzite, who has turned back to the sink with a faint smirk on his face]
Zoi: No! I didn't ask anyone. I'm not going to the dance!
Mamoru: Why not?
Zoi: I'm ….um…going to take a bus to Seattle that day.
Mamoru: Can't you go some other day?
Zoi: No! So you shouldn't make Usagi wait any longer. That's rude!
Mamoru: Yeah, you're right. See you tomorrow.
[Mamoru leaves]
Zoi: I swear, it's almost worth getting sick just to get out of gym class.
[Nurse Kaolinite returns]
Nurse Kaolinite: How are you doing, honey?
Kunzite: Zoisite has gym this hour and I don't think he feels well enough. Actually, I think I should take him home now. Do you think you can excuse him from class?
Nurse Kaolinite: Do you need to be excused too, Kunzite?
Kunzite: No.
Nurse Kaolinite: [fills out a form] Alright. It's all taken care of. You feel better, Zoisite.
[Kunzite helps Zoi to his feet]
Kunzite: Can you walk, or do you want me to carry you again?
Zoi: [scowls at him] I'll walk.