CHAPTER 9

Minako and Kaitou walked to this nice dessert shop about half a mile from Rei's shrine. They sat down at a booth in the back of the place and shared a banana split. Minako noticed that the waitresses kept coming back to the table to try and talk to Kaitou.

"Hi, this is for you." The waitress placed a chocolate shake beside Kaitou and smiled.

"I didn't order this." He replied.

"Don't worry about it. It's on the house," she winked.

"I'm not really a milkshake person. I'm feeling for a root beer float. Mina-chan, would you like to share a root beer float with me?" He asked. Minako was caught off guard by the nickname he gave her. She blushed and nodded. "Ma-am, I'd like one root beer float. Two straws please?"

"Sure… I'll bring it out in when it's done." The waitress replied in a sour tone, taking the shake back with her.

"You see what she was doing right?" Minako asked.

"Yes. And I don't appreciate that she kept coming here to bother us when she sees that we came here together. Some people just need to respect boundaries."

"Oh. When did you start calling me Mina-chan?"

"No I… Sorry. That was supposed to stay in my head." His tone appeared to be rather shaken.

"It's fine, Kaitou. It's very flattering." She flashed a smile at him and the waitress came to drop off the root beer float. She left no comment nor a gave a second glance to Kaitou. The two shared stories of their new lives until two familiar faces walked in. Ami and Makoto entered the building with two men. Kaitou looked at the two and made a shocking realization.

"Nephrite! Zoisite!" He stood up from the table. Minako quickly followed.

"Makoto! Ami! What are you doing here?" The two girls looked at each other and then looked at Minako. Their eyes were a scarlet red. "Your eyes… Kaitou! They're under mind control!" As soon as she finished what she was saying, Ami stuck her palm out and projected a blast making her back hit the wall. Nephrite and Zoisite transformed into their uniforms and drew their weapons.

"Kunzite," Nephrite began, "you are a traitor of the Dark Kingdom!"

"For your treachery, you will die!" Zoisite screamed and the two lunged at him. Kunzite jumped out of the way and launched explosive orbs at them. He ran to Minako and tried to help her up. Her injuries were noticeable. He casted a large force field around them.

"Minako, are you alright?"

"Yes…" she replied after a pause. She got to her feet. Kunzite noticed she had trouble getting to her feet.

"We have to get out of here!"

"I can fight!"

"No! You are injured! We must go! Get on my back!" She did not refuse. He knelt down and she got on his back. Her arms wrapped around them. He told Minako to contact Jadeite on her communicator. She did as she was told and got ahold of Rei. Jadeite was soon talking and Kunzite asked him to project a portal to them so they can get back to the shrine quickly. He did as he was instructed and the two were out of harm's way.

Kaitou held Minako in his arms. Rei led him to her room and he placed her in his bed. She was knocked out. When he removed his hands from her back, there was blood. A big cut was on her back. Rei called for Jadeite. He came running in. She told Kaitou to sit her up and apply pressure to her back so she wouldn't bleed out.

Rei and Jadeite came back with a large bowl of warm water, towels, and a first aid kit. Rei instructed the two men to get out so she could properly wrap her in bandages.

"Kunzite, what happened?" Jadeite asked.

"Nephrite and Zoisite. They found me and Minako and attacked us. Makoto and Ami were with them. All of their eyes were the same color as Endymion's. They are under mind control. I don't know how they could've gotten those girls. They were here when Minako and I left."

"I think I may know. When you and Minako left, Ami returned from delivering the blonde man to the hospital. Makoto was going to get groceries to make food for all of us and asked Ami to accompany her. My guess is that they must've ran into those two."

"We need to get them back… All of them and fast." Kunzite declared. He was really worried about Minako and thought on his feet. He quickly searched for Usagi and begged her to come with him. He told her what happened and she grabbed her Moon Stick and the two ran to where Minako was. Luna and Artemis followed. Usagi casted the Moon Stick's power onto Minako and her injury healed. Minako awoke to many eyes on her.

"What happened?" She asked.

"You were struck. Don't worry; you were healed by the Princess's Moon Stick. How do you feel?" Kunzite asked, scooting close to her.

"There is a pain in my back. Am I bleeding?"

"Not anymore."

"The effect of the Moon Stick takes a while to heal physical injuries, but you'll be fine. For now, we have to stay safe." Luna stated. Kunzite agreed and looked back at Minako. Everyone except Kunzite left the room. She punched him in she punched him in the shoulder.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"Some defender. I was injured because of your bright idea to retreat. I could've handled myself!"

"Well, four against two. You think about the odds."

"Come on. We are the leaders of both of our groups. We could've handled them."

"Sorry. Your safety was a main priority."

"Fine… Tomorrow, me and you. Training day. You used to be a better fighter than me, but now I'm not so sure." She teased. Kaitou was a little ticked off by her comment, but instead of reacting, he laughed.

"Fine, fine, Mina-chan. But I don't think you're up to my type of workout. By all means, let's see what you got."

"I'll give you a run for your money." She smirked. He chuckled a bit more. The two talked for a while. Kaitou was seated at the foot of her bed against the wall. Minako fell asleep from the pain medicine. Kaitou fell asleep at her the feet of her bed.

Hi everyone! Here's another update lol

I'm not really sure if I'll post one again tomorrow since it's my birthday and I'm not really sure if I'll have time to so yeahhh

A Battle Inside My Heart : I felt the same from the newest episode as well! I hope the Shitennou aren't permanently gone because that would suck! Like all of them just found their loves!

rubyalix : Thank you thank you!

Guest : Thank you thank you!

Don't worry everyone! I' really taking my time to build this. It's gonna be a little while before this is over so stay tuned! :)