WARNING: This chapter continues the themes presented in the previous chapter, "A Brief Interlude: Kunzite." If you are not comfortable with that chapter, please skip ahead to chapter 13, Destiny Shifted.
"You can take my life, but my vision lives on eternally." - Xandria, "Sacrificium"
A Brief Interlude, II: Zoicite
I am a man who has always been passionate about his ideals: love, purity and trust. Because my master has always stood by these ideals, I've been faithful to him since the day I turned my sword to his service. When my fellow generals approached me about Beryl, I pledge my loyalty to her under false pretenses. I merely wanted to stay close to Master Endymion, if only to protect him.
My undying love for him is also a motivating factor.
After my... encounter... with Kunzite, I had a hard time performing my duties. I spent most of that night in the washroom adjoined to my personal chambers, in an attempt to wash away the stains of violence and hatred. With my mindset concerning sex and love, I'd never shared my body with another. Despite numerous opportunities for pleasure, my heart was spoken for. I had lived my life in celibacy, and it was a burden I was glad to bear. The man I loved would never love me, but I derived joy in seeing that his needs were fulfilled. If those needs included the love of another, why should his happiness detract from mine? Such were the thoughts of one who desired to remain pure. To have that purity ripped away from me was devastating.
I'd always known violence was a very real possibility between Kunzite and myself, but I had never grasped just how twisted his mindset really was.
With my love unrequited and my purity stolen, I needed someone to trust. I'd placed an enormous amount of faith in Sailor Mars, and while I didn't want to jeopardize the beginnings of whatever friendship we'd formed, I felt as though she was the best person to turn to. I understood that Mars had seen her share of violence throughout her life, and I knew she was tired of watching others experience pain. I also knew that Mars held a very deep, if hidden, streak of kindness. Her unwavering convictions kept her temperament even and appropriate in most situations, despite the natural fire in her eyes. The extent of her patience startled me at times.
The next morning had been set aside for recreation, with diplomatic negotiations designated to begin after lunch. Sailor Mars spent most of breakfast scrutinizing me, and the intensity of that violet gaze unnerved me. After experiencing Kunzite's wrath, though, I felt as though I might lose my grip on reality at any given moment.
Our groups began to break away from breakfast slowly, with Sailor Jupiter offering to take Nephrite through the gardens, and Jadeite requesting a tour of the laboratories from Sailor Mercury. The tension between Kunzite and myself overwhelmed me easily, and I began to look for an escape plan. I felt his dark eyes bore into me as Mars and Venus exchanged a look, but said nothing. Mars arched a brow at me, and I had to shake my head to clear it. "Sailor Mars, I understand you've been looking for a sparring partner to gain experience with your new dagger." Grinding out the words took a toll on me. I had no desire to see another blade in my life, excepting the one strapped to my hip. The sound of my sword clattering against his floor still resounded in my head like thunder.
Despite my insecurity, I still felt as though Sailor Mars could be trusted.
The only question remaining was, could she trust me?
Mars studied me for a long moment, shock evident on her face. I had no basis upon which I could expect a reaction from her, and I felt as though I was walking blindly into uncharted wilderness. I tried to fight down the heat spreading across my cheeks, but I knew the struggle was in vain. After what felt like an eternity, I finally found the energy to turn away from her. I didn't even have the strength to break eye contact anymore upon first impulse.
Her features shifted into a sneer, and she growled. "That sick bastard." I had expected to be called a liar, some sort of villain. I had not anticipated the simple truth to be taken at face value. She moved toward me, and I felt myself flinch and turn away. From the reflection in her window, I saw the rage on her features dissolve instantly, and she cocked her head. "Zoicite. Please look at me." A long moment passed while I gathered my composure and took a deep breath. When I turned, her face was soft, but her eyes still held a deep hatred for my commander. I could trust this woman, who was not quite an ally, but I could not trust the man who had been tasked with leading me in such a way as to prevent my death or the death of my master.
Such was a twisted world we lived in.
"If the bastard wants information, I say we feed him information. Sailor Venus should be able to manipulate him in such a way that she will never be in any real danger." She extended her hand toward me carefully. "Venusians, you know, have a gift with empathy, much like us Martians have a gift with fire. Each race in the solar system has a gift handed down from the gods. Most of our gifts favor war, but Venus' race is one of emotion. All is fair in love and war, I suppose." I carefully took her hand. She was giving me something to feed to Kunzite, to help me save myself his rage again. "Martians... we are a race of war. The planet has seen so much bloodshed that the ground is stained red permanently."
"The red planet," I said simply. She raised an eyebrow at me. "From Earth, the planet appears red through our telescopes. We call it the red planet." She chuckled.
"Perhaps the bloody planet would be more accurate." I smiled despite myself.
"We refer to Venus as the Morning Star, or sometimes, the Evening Star. I feel as though either would be appropriate for your lover." She smiled wryly.
"Tell the bastard Venus has the ability to manipulate emotions. Just because the gifts are from the gods... Well, we have free will. Sometimes, someone will use a gift for personal gain." She smirked. "And he wants her badly. Let him know that some Venusians use that gift to assist themselves in securing sexual partners. She should meet with me while you're filling him in, and I'll tip her off to this conversation then." She laced our fingers together, but a frown crossed her features. "If he's figured out your feelings toward Endymion..." She took a deep breath and locked eyes with me. "Perhaps... it would be better if we created a distraction. Interest in a sexual relationship is certainly easy to portray." She squeezed my hand lightly; I'd forgotten our fingers will still linked. "You're clearly an excellent actor, Zoicite. Perhaps we can use that as a battle tactic."
"Trusting, but capable of deception." I laughed lightly, feeling comforted by the mere presence of her hand within mine. "We truly are kindred spirits, Mars." She tugged my hand gently and led me into the hallway.
"I'd like to show you something." The soft click of her heels fell into step, and I followed a half step behind her; our hands remained joined. I felt as if she may be daring Kunzite to see us.
After a couple of minutes, she led me into a large entertaining area. Comfortable seating was situated around a fire place, and in the corner, an old piano stood. "I've heard you play once," she offered quietly. "I'd like to hear it again." She released my hand and motioned toward the bench. I sat slowly and ran my fingertips lovingly over the keys.
Sailor Mars had her fire, but I had my music.
She smirked. "You know, so long as our comrades aren't around, you can use my given name." I shook my head.
"We've been left in the dark as to your given names."
"My name is Rei," she whispered beside me, her breath sweet on my face, as I began to play.
