Chapter Ten

Mina and Artemis moved swiftly through the lush lands of the Venusian court. They exited the land, which instantly morphed into the thick trees that were the Amor Forest.

Mina scanned the surroundings hesitantly. She soon directed her gaze to the soldier behind her. Her eyes narrowed.

"Don't be in sight. I don't want him to think I want you here. He isn't exactly the open type, it took me a long while to get him to even meet me here."

"You were going to Earth all this time!?" Artemis hissed in a hushed whisper. "Do you know the meaning of consequences Mina. If anyone found out, you could be tried with treason. Are you really that dense?"

Mina seemed to be ignoring the taller man. Her face was thoughtful as she tapped her finger on her chin.

"Don't call me Mina while were there."

"What?"

"You will speak to me as you do whilst we are in court. Only refer to me as Princess, or my lady. I don't want him thinking you do not respect me."

Artemis rolled his eyes.

"Must you do so much to impress this man? Perhaps you—"

"Don't you dare start with me about that. Do as I say, or else there will be dire consequences. I can reprimand you you know."

The silver haired man scoffed. He nodded his head.

"Very well my lady," his last two words were filled with venom. "So where will we be meeting this General?"

"Let's see…" Mina scanned the surroundings. She was looking for some sort of sign in the air.

The duo stood there for a long while. Artemis grew weary of this and began to look around as well for some sort of sign he knew not of. After a long while, the Princess' eyes lit up. She pointed to something hidden from other's view.

"Alright. I know where he is. Let's go, and remember…"

"I know, I know. Be invisible."

"Yes," the woman smiled warmly. "I'm glad you understand."

The goddess lifted her skirts as she began to trek through heavy amounts of brush. The knight followed, pushing the branches and twigs away with his strong hands.

They continued on this path for a long while. Soon, a clearing was in view. The brush had disappeared and the two stood where mass sunlight shined upon the land.

Mina shaded her eyes with one of her petite hands. After a few seconds, she spotted who she was looking for. She turned to Artemis, nodding.

"He's here. Walk behind me."

"Yes Princess."

Mina smoothed over her hair and gown. She softly touched her cheeks, as if she had a mirror in front of her to see her appearance. She turned to Artemis, her crystal eyes gleaming with anxiety.

"Do I look decent?" she asked nervously.

Artemis couldn't help but smile. He had never seen the woman act like this before. She would usually not care about her appearance; for she knew she was always the most beautiful woman in the room. Though he was suspicious of this Earthen General, he was enjoying seeing his beloved Princess so happy.

"Beautiful, as always. Any and every man will shudder in your wake."

"Excellent," she smiled happily. "Alright then, let's proceed."

The two proceeded to walk through the clearing. As they neared, Artemis noticed a massive oak tree. A figure was leaning against it.

"That must be him," the man muttered to himself. He was looking forward to seeing the man that could capture the ever promiscuous Lady of Venus.

Mina quickened her step. She was soon upon the man, leaving Artemis behind. She stopped in front of him, her eyes sparkling.

"Hello," she said somewhat nervously. She never knew how to treat the man; he was still a sort of mystery to her. But Mina loved unraveling mysteries.

The man looked up, revealing his handsome face. He flung strands of his silver hair over his shoulder. His stoic expression scanned the woman's form.

The woman looked at the man hesitantly. She was waiting for a response.

"Hello," he finally said. He moved away from the tree trunk, wrapping one arm around her petite waist.

The goddess giggled as she rested her head on his chest. She wished to put it on his shoulder, but he was far taller than the woman. This would have to do.

"How are you? Two visits on one day is a treat. Is something amiss?" Mina asked. She looked up into her lover's emerald eyes.

"I can't come see you without an ulterior motive," he replied. His tone was emotionless.

"Are…you alright Kunzite? I feel the tensity in your aura. Do you wish for comfort?" the maiden pressed her body against the man as much as she possibly could. Kunzite seemed not to notice.

"Someone's watching us. They were this morn as well."

"So you came back to see if they would come back as well?"

The General didn't answer. Instead, he scanned his surroundings.

"Kunzite, you needn't worry. That person was not a threat. He was the head of my royal guard. I told him about us, he is going to keep our secret. He insisted on coming here to guard me. He's a little over protective," she snickered warmly, trying to lighten the mood.

Kunzite looked out at a figure approaching the two. His eyes fixed on the others with intensity. The woman didn't notice, as she snuggled against the man's muscular chest.

The other came closer; his ocean eyes sternly focused on Kunzite's emerald ones. His silver hair gleamed in the sunlight.

"You must be the man the Princess is so infatuated with," the ocean eyed man growled. Kunzite's gaze grew fierce.

"I see you are the Captain of the royal guard I hear so much of. It seems that your love for her is great."

"It is. I will not let you harm her."

"Mine is greater. I will not let you belittle me, even if it does not affect Mina's mind. You may leave."

Artemis' eyebrows rose.

"I beg your pardon?" he responded indignantly. "You are not my superior. I only respond to the Princess' orders. I will stay until told otherwise."

"I am your superior," Kunzite's words were filled with venom. He sounded as if he were speaking to an insubordinate man in his troops. "I am the General of the earthen army. You are the Captain of the Royal Guard of Venus. Though we are from separate planets, you are still beneath me. Now do what I say and leave."

"Why you—"

"Please," the woman's voice was pleading. It sounded muffled against the General's chest. "I wished for your meeting to be pleasant. I do not wish for you both to be at odds because of me. Please, at least be civil. At least whilst you are in my presence."

The air grew silent as the two men glared at each other. It was soon after that their gazes softened towards one another. They were in silent agreement; they would be civil, if only for Mina's sake.

"So Kunzite, why are you so tense. You never answered my question," Mina asked.

The General relaxed his shoulders slightly, as if doing so would lower the woman's suspicion. Mina chuckled softly.

"Come now, you didn't think that would work, did you? Please tell me what is wrong."

"I will not with him here. I wish to speak with you in confidence. I know not of his loyalties towards you."

Artemis grunted harshly. He instinctly unsheathed his blade. The soldier pointed it at Kunzite's throat, making sure his blade was no where near Mina.

The goddess looked up at her guard. A mix of fear and rage filled her delicate features as she gazed at the man. The blade was held firmly over her head.

Kunzite did nothing but stare at Artemis. His gaze was emotionless, but still held a depth of lethal fierceness.

"How dare you question my loyalty," the guard hissed. His voice was barely a whisper. "I would never break my Princess' confidence. Perhaps you say such things, for you would do what you accuse me of."

"Artemis," Mina whispered. She fought back sudden tears which threatened to consume her being. "Stop it Artemis, you were supposed to be invisible, remember?" she pressed her face against Kunzite's chest. She breathed heavily, trying to conceal her grief.

The General wrapped his arm even tighter around the Princess' waist. His lips parted slightly as words formed on his lips.

"I will dismiss your incompetence if you lower your blade Captain. If you do this once more, I will not be as charitable. If our paths cross whilst the Princess is absent, a duel will take place. Now lower your blade."

"Please Artemis," the goddess had lifted her head. Her innocent eyes now focused on her guards.

Artemis sighed. He nodded, then lowered his blade. He sheathed it swiftly.

"Very well. But know this; I only do it for my Princess' sake. I harbor feelings of equal intent towards you."

"Thank you," was Mina's hushed reply. She focused her gaze on her love once more.

"Is what you wish to tell me about the war?"

"I do not wish to disclose anything while he is here. I will tell you, that I have sensed immense magic in the winds of Earth. It is not usual for Earth to have any trace of magic in its depths."

"You think something is amiss?"

"Yes. I've sensed something interfering with my magics as well."

"I thought Earthens did not have magic," Artemis intervened. His tone was filled with suspicion.

Kunzite ignored the other man and continued.

"I do not wish to speak any further while the Captain is present. I will come at the same time as our usual meetings Mina. I will locate a different place, for this one has been infiltrated," he glared at Artemis before returning his gaze to his love.

"I will see you next morn Princess. Farewell."

Kunzite pulled Mina away from his chest. He placed his hand on her chin, tilting her head slightly. He pressed his lips against hers softly, for one brief moment before he pulled away.

The General released her from his grasp. He turned, walking away without another look back.

Mina looked on dreamily until he disappeared from view. When he was gone, she turned to face a fuming Artemis. Her eyes narrowed.

"Well that was pleasant," she hissed sarcastically. "How nice, you truly do care about me. To ruin the little time I have with him must mean you are very loyal Artemis, thank you."

"Hush. I do not trust him Mina," Artemis spat back. "How can an Earthen have magic. He is not all he says he is."

"Hmph," she crossed her arms. "You will not accompany me any more, not if you act like this. Let us go back home."

"Very well my lady."

The two ventured back to the castle, their anger filling the forest air.

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Author's Note: I hope you guys like reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. I really wanted to get across that Kunzite and Artemis don't like each other. Poor Mina, as if she didn't have enough problems…ah well. As always, thanks for reading, a big shout out to all of my reviewers! You guys rock. Hopefully I'll update soon, I really enjoy writing this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter.