Well, here I am again! Like I promised! I hope you will all enjoy! Thank you for your concern on my health. Thankfully, my fever is gone, but I still have sinus issues which involves a headache, stuffy nose, and a cough. Not fun. Anyway, enjoy! Oh! And by the way, I had a first date today with a guy I like a lot! And it was AMAZING! (The date included a walk, Starbuck's and bowling; I love bowling!)

I do not own Sailor Moon!

Untouchable

Ch. 12

What's gone on before

Mamoru's lips started to twitch, but he still managed a half smile. "Whatever you say, Princess.I choose Kunzite, then; my right hand man."

Usagi nodded. She already knew who he was going to pick. "Alright, fine!" She quickly scanned the area until her eyes landed on the cloaked figure of Minako as she was just coming out of the stable. Her aura was vibrant. Usagi could tell she was ready. She smirked and pointed to her hidden companion. "I choose that person, right there!"

Mamoru nodded seriously before asking the question Usagi was most hesitant about. "The stakes?"

Usagi hadn't the slightest clue what it was Mamoru would ask of her if he won. She was worried it might involve her occupying his bedchambers one night, and immediately spurned the idea from her thoughts. She hoped it would be nothing more than a single, stupid little kiss.

Then again…she wouldn't really mind that, now would she? As long as her pride stayed in tact.

On the other hand, she hadn't even considered what she wanted the arrogant Prince to do if she won. She'd loooooveto shove his loathsome face in cow dung, to bring him down a few notches, but she highly doubted he'd go for that. She was still pondering the idea when the devil himself brought her out of her musing.

"So, what is it you'll have me do if you win, Princess; have me eat pig slop?"

Usagi's eyes sparkled maliciously at the image and a rueful smirk crossed her face. "It's a good idea, but I think I can come up with a better one." She cast him a quick glance with a raised brow. "That is, of course, unless you enjoy eating pig slop?"

He grinned sardonically, his eyes narrowing slightly. His jaw was tensed when he asked, "Will you state your price?"

Usagi lowered her eyes and looked up at him through her long lashes. "After you. You were the one to come up with this little game, so I would much prefer what I was up against before I decide what it is I want you to do for me."

He gave a short bark of laughter and shook his head. Then he leaned dangerously close to her and didn't allow her to back away from him. "When I win this…" he stated in a low, menacing tone, "You will tell me everything I want to know about you…and you will only tell me the truth."

Usagi gasped, frozen for a moment in shock before her wide eyes turned to stare at him in disbelief and horror. That was the last thing she thought he would ever ask of her! At the proximity of his gaze she tried to take a backward step only to find that his arm was around her and wouldn't release her. It was then that she struggled, even while knowing it was futile. When she turned to look at him again his eyes were darker than a roaring sea at night. Her chest was heaving and she tried with all her might not to fall within the depths of his gaze, but to no avail. She couldn't find her breath. Her arms lay motionless at her sides, pinned by his hand and body and he held her to him. It was only then that he saw just how fragile this Princess really was, and it shocked and tore at his flesh.

"Why…" she whispered. It was the only concept that was able to run through her head.

Mamoru's dark eyes stared at her with guarded thoughts and emotions. She swallowed, and then parted her lips to ask again, "Why?"

His grip tightened for a moment before loosening and then freeing her completely from his grasp. She still stared up at him with her doe-like expression, her light cornflower blue gaze seeming to peer into his soul.

He cleared his throat. "I told you…" Even his voice had softened now. "I do not like it when people lie to me."

She averted her gaze, but not before he saw the pained expression that took place there.

"Not even if it's for your protection?" She asked in a strangled voice.

His face became stony. "Especially not then."

Usagi blinked before fisting her hands in determination and looking up at Mamoru with a willfully strong expression. He was slightly surprised by the strength in her gaze, but thought nothing of it.

"I know what I want, now," She stated in a serious, even voice.

It was his turn to blink. "Yes?"

Her brows lowered slightly before she lifted her chin and stated her stake. She stared him in the eyes. "Your trust."

So far everything was moving smoothly. Minako was in the stable with Star Gazer. She had just finished brushing him and now she was finishing up saddling him. Her cloak was large and hid her feminine frame from view, and the hood hadn't slipped once. No one even suspected her.

She opened the stable door to lead her horse out and along the row of other horses. As she and Star Gazer neared the stables' exit a latch swung open and a large ebony horse leapt into view, stopping right in front of Star Gazer with a large stomp. Star Gazer whinnied before lurching up onto his hind legs, eyes rolling. Minako hurriedly grabbed his reins with one hand and brought her other up to the gelding's neck in an attempt to comfort him. Slowly Star Gazer's attention was only on her and his front hooves finally re-connected with the ground. Minako sighed with relief and checked her hood to make sure everything was secure. When it was, she turned to the man who owned the black stallion and frowned sternly since he wouldn't be able to see anything from her nose up.

"You really need to learn how to take care of your horse," She bit out in the lowest voice she could register.

A half cackling scoff was the reply the man offered. "Youngin', you don't know nothin' 'bout horse flesh."

Minako fisted her hands and barely refrained from attacking the guy. "I know more than you sure do!" She spat out dangerously. "It doesn't take a man to sit upon a horse and strut."

"You nasty li'l fella…" He was half angry and half in awe. Minako couldn't see the spark in his eyes, however. "I do think I aughtta teach ye some manners!"

A loud slap was heard and Minako flinched. She couldn't see what happened, but the loud neigh that followed clued her in. She took a side step and tried to get away from wherever the horse's hooves would land. Unfortunately for her, she hadn't realized she put herself directly in the line of fire.

"Watch it!" A loud voice bellowed.

"Get the kid!" Another shouted, anger and worry clearly audible in his voice.

Before Minako saw anything that happened she found herself dragged backwards by her cloak and swung around. Her chest was being pressed into the wood of a pillar or stable door of some sort as a man shielded her. His arms were to each side of her and his firm chest pressed intimately against her back. Minako held her breath and clenched her eyes shut tightly until the neighing and stomping had quieted and the man pushing her against the wood slowly backed away.

The danger had passed.

Minako dared not to move. Her heart was beating frantically and the heady smell of the man was overwhelming her senses, even while being in a stable! Her fingers clutched at the wood where she was standing, her nails adding more unique patterns to the grain of the wood. When her eyes opened she lifted her head a little to see what was in front of her. A beautiful mare graced her with her presence. Minako gasped.

Mystic.

That could only mean…

It wasn't a cruel joke. Kunzite really had protected her, even though he thought she was a young fellow. Still…fate was totally unpredictable.

"Good one, Kunzite! That fellow would be a pile of broken bones if you hadn't intervened!" The guy speaking had the audacity to laugh and jest.

"Shut up, Jadeite. This fellow could have been seriously injured!" A hand came into view. "Are you alright?"

Minako flinched away. "Fine," she growled out, not liking being surrounded by the Prince's Generals.

"Sean, if you do anything like that again, I'll see to it that you will work somewhere other than the palace. Catch my drift?" The man who had first told her to "watch it" growled out. Now Minako recognized his voice as the very same as Nephrite's. Jadeite, of course, had to have been the one to make a joke out of everything. Zoicite must have been the one who said "get the kid!" and later asked if she was all right. Therefore that left Kunzite as the only one who could have saved her, and of course, Mystic gave that away already. Minako could feel her cheeks starting to burn.

She blocked out the Generals' conversation and went to Star Gazer's side. She was fuming, now. Not only did she fumble around inside the stables with this "Sean" character making a fool out of herself, but they were completely oblivious to the fact that she could take care of herself and win a race just like any other man! Not that they knew she was a female yet…

Minako led Star Gazer out of the stables with a spirit thriving for battle. She would win this. She couldn't make a further fool out of herself with Kunzite's kiss. No matter if she wanted it or not. She had to prove to Earth that they women were not weak! And she would do it! She was ready.

She joined the men at the start of the line and surveyed the track. Everything was just as it had been on her practice jog. A man came up next to her and brought her out of her thoughts. She snuck a glance and saw that it was Sean. She growled low in her throat and gripped the reigns fiercely. She decided to ignore him and placed her foot in the stirrup and mounted on Star Gazer's back. Sean followed suit.

"You were pretty stupid, picking an untamed horse such as he." Sean nodded in Star Gazer's direction and then spat in the dirt.

Minako made a face of disgust.

"He'll never listen to th' likes of yeThen again, no one would so I can't blame 'im!"

Minako tried breathing evenly, but all her muscles were taught and her insides were seething.

"I hope ye paid yer respects to mother earth, because if ye haven't, ye will have plenty of time once this geldin' tosses ye from his back and ye end up kissin' the ground." He laughed so hard after he said that, you would have thought he was drunk and laughing at his own folly.

"I'll be sure to leave the dirt-kissing to you," Minako bit out, her expression stormy. She wouldn't even look at him. "You'll be eating my dust."

Sean was about to respond to that but another man came up to Minako's other side. He was seated upon Mystic.

"Why, hello there, General!" Sean said, as if they were all buddy-buddy.

Kunzite didn't respond.

A heavy silence followed before Minako finally decided to break it. "Thank you—for what you did back there."

She heard him shift in his seat, and couldn't tell if it was so he could better look at her or if her thanks made him feel uncomfortable. She felt his eyes on her, but knew she hadn't given herself away yet. If only the race would start…

"It was nothing."

Minako froze. She turned to him, noticed his gaze lay ahead now, and then she turned to look at the track once again as well. A small smile grazed her lips as the last remaining horses got in line. She took a deep breath, then exhaled.

She could do this…she could win.

"On your marks!" A loud voice bellowed.

Minako shifted more comfortably in her saddle, gripped the reins tightly yet let them slacken, and leaned forward.

"Get ready!"

She concentrated on breathing, simply breathing.

"Go!"

Minako gave Star Gazer the signal and they shot forward at an incredible speed. Dirt flew into the air from upturned hooves as the wind clawed at her cloak. A huge smile plastered itself across Minako's face as she reveled in the feeling of flying. She was flying.

And now she had a race to win.

Minako kept Star Gazer at a gallop, urging him on with excited whispered commands. The feeling of the wind and dust tearing at her clothes reminded Minako of the first time she ever learned how to ride. She had been with her father, then. It had been before Minako had even met the Princess she would spend the rest of her life protecting. It was both the most exciting and most frightening day Minako ever spent during her training: she had to learn how to ride bareback on an unbridled horse. She would never forget that day, nor the horse that became her best riding companion.

Blinking out of reminiscing about her past, Minako felt determination settle over her bones. She urged Star Gazer into an all-out canter, trying her best to stay along the inside of the oblong track. The two horses that had been almost neck and neck with her were quickly left behind in Star Gazer's wake. Minako's gaze didn't leave her next victim. General Zoicite and his petite mare were barely three horse lengths in front of Minako. The mare was a small little thing—but she was quick! With an encouraged command and light tap of Minako's heel, Star Gazer easily overcame them.

They were now barely over the half-way mark on the track, and Minako knew if she wanted to win this she and Star Gazer would have to give it everything they had! The only two competitors in front of Minako and Star Gazer happened to be Sean, who was currently in second place, and General Kunzite, who happened to be in…first place!

With a yelp and lowered brows Minako gripped Star Gazer's mane and leaned forward to his erect ears. "It's now or never, boy! We have to do this!" With a double nudge of her heel she asked, "Can we beat them?"

Star Gazer's left ear had swiveled back in Minako's direction while she was talking. He snorted after he little speech as if to agree with her, and escalation ran through Minako's being. "For horses everywhere," she whispered. "Yah!"

Star Gazer pushed forward with all of his strength and slowly started to catch up with Sean. Minako kept her head down and her back side connected to the horse. She and Star Gazer were one; anyone watching could easily tell they were joined in more ways than physically. Their spirits were flying free…and they were going to win this!

They were almost to the third quarter marker. No, General Kunzite was almost to the third quarter marker. Minako and Star Gazer pressed forward with all their might until they were neck and neck with Sean's horse. He looked over at them angrily when he saw them and spit out, "You're out o' line, now boy! This isn't a play pen! So move downwind!" He urged his horse to the side to bump Star Gazer's flanks and nearly succeeded in running them off course. Minako was seething. Sean wasn't being very sportsmanlike! She gripped on to Star Gazer tightly when she saw Sean moving in to bump them again. She stared ahead at the marker she desperately wanted to pass, at Sean's scathing glare, and then at the back of Star Gazer's head. She squeezed Star Gazer's girth in warning before grasping the reins and reigning him back at the last possible moment, Sean and his horse flying off track as Star Gazer skidded to a halt.

Heart beating rapidly and time refusing to still, Minako didn't even cast Sean a glance as she urged Star Gazer at a gallop one final time.

"Come on boy! We're so close! We can't let this bring us down!" She urged.

They were off again, but more horses were coming up behind them as well. Star Gazer was sweating and wheezing, but his head was in the fight as well. They passed the third quarter marker and looked onward at their destination, and the single man that lay between them.

Kunzite… Minako thought, not bitterly, but perhaps a little stubbornly. Her eyed softened and then narrowed slightly. I will not be beaten by the likes of you! You will not make a fool of me! She urged Star Gazer on unrelentingly. They were so close—too close—to throw it all away. Star Gazer bantered on, ever so slowly coming up on Mystic's tail. Minako urged him on every step of the way with sweet encouragements and promises of oats and carrots and apples, and a wonderful grooming. She urged him on with every fiber of her soul, and slowly they were catching up. They had just over an eighth of the race to go.

Then she saw what no one else but purely horse-lovers could see.

He was taking his sweet time. Mystic had barely taken up a sweat, and here she was with Star Gazer, who no one could tame and therefore was rarely allowed out of the field, and he was giving this race everything he had—every fiber of his being. And Star Gazer was doing this for her.

Minako patted the gelding's sleek neck that was covered in a sheen of sweat. She knew Star Gazer could be great, but no one had the guts to tame him. She knew he had a driving spirit, but he didn't have the experience the other horses had. She pitied the horse, and wanted to do something to help the beast that was now her friend.

Minako noticed that Star Gazer was gaining speed and using his last reserves for energy. They were nearing the end of the race, and she knew they would be able to catch up. Once General Kunzite saw them though, he would simply urge Mystic onward and they would easily win the race. To help Star Gazer, though, she needed to win the race for him.

Suddenly a plan formed in her mind. One might consider it cheating, but if it helped Star Gazer at all, she would do it without any regrets. She sat up and grabbed the edges of her cloak before wrapping it firmly around her body. With a final slap on Star Gazer's behind, she easily slid to the gelding's side and disappeared from view, hanging on simply with her hands and her heels. Star Gazer's eyes rolled back in his head at first, as if afraid he lost her, but with a yelled command he shot forward until he was directly behind Kunzite's mare. Slowly he came neck and neck with Mystic, his wheezing form causing the mare's eyes to roll slightly, and then he leapt forward and ahead of the General.

Minako was hanging on with all her strength as a large grin found its way across her face. She had used Star Gazer's reputation against those who gave it to him, and to the horse's actual benefit. If Star Gazer was such an untamable horse, then why wouldn't he buck his rider off? And after doing so, wouldn't the horse be scared senseless and continue galloping toward the finish? A rider pays no heed to a rider-less horse. He doesn't need to, because the horse and rider are automatically disqualified.

Minako, smiling like a maniac now, flipped herself back into an upright position as the finish line came into view. They were almost there now. They had this in the bag!

Still grinning like an idiot, she turned to see the infamous General Kunzite seemingly miles behind her. When he saw her cloaked form a burst of outrage emerged from his throat and he urged his mare to her fastest speed. Minako's eyes widened at Mystic's fast pace and knew she might be able to overtake them before Star Gazer reached the finish line. She gasped and faced forward as she kicked at the gelding's flanks in order to urge him on once again. She wince and mentally smacked herself multiple times for not taking that into consideration and sitting up in her saddle too soon.

They were only two horse lengths away from the finish line now, but Mystic was gaining speed all the while. With Kunzite as determined as ever to win, she was starting to doubt herself and Star Gazer as well.

"Come on boy! Hurry up! Yah! Yah! You can make it! Yah! Yah! I believe in you!"

Star Gazer did a prancing step before finally leaping over the finish line, Mystic just barely at his heels. Minako sighed with relief as she slumped against her steed. She wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. She pulled him in and turned him back around to face the onlookers, allowing Star Gazer to walk and rest. She patted his neck and gave him kisses, her hands shaking from the adrenaline of the race. When Star Gazer came to a stop other horses were just coming in to the finish line. Some, like Kunzite's horse, turned and followed Star Gazer's example.

"Star Gazer is the victor!" A man yelled over the roaring spectators. "With Mystic coming in second!"

Minako wasn't paying the announcer any attention, however, because Mystic and General Kunzite came up next to Star Gazer and where she sat, still mounted after the slight excursion. "It was a good race, and a race well won," General Kunzite stated, his eyes carefully hooded so Minako couldn't tell if he was being polite and honest, or if he thought her a cheater. "I must ask, may I see the face of my victor?"

Minako smiled to herself, bowing her head so he couldn't see. There was definitely a tick in his voice, even if his face didn't show any emotion. "Why, certainly, good sir," She said without disguising her voice.

She grasped both sides of her hood and tossed the brown material backward, revealing her beautifully pale, albeit flushed, face, her clear blue eyes dancing in merriment.

Even Kunzite was unable to hold back the look of surprise that crossed his face, and Minako reveled in the feeling.

"You see?" She asked politely in a voice that also betrayed no emotion, "Some ladies are able to do things for themselves."

"Minako! Minako! You did it—you won!"

Minako laughed and turned to her Princess, who was running toward her with her arms flailing and a large Cheshire smile stretched across her face.

"I knew you would!" Usagi urged again until she came to a stop at Star Gazer's side.

Minako smiled down at the Princess that she loved and vowed to protect. It was times like these, when Usagi was full of such life, that Minako valued the oath she made when she was a little girl.

Minako turned her attention back to Kunzite, who was simply staring now with a closed expression on his face. Minako shook her head at the wall he had put up and tilted her head to the side. "You see, General, why I was unable to root for you? I did, however, keep my promise to you, did I not? I was, after all, waiting for you at the finish line."

Kunzite blinked, and his eyes would have widened briefly if he hadn't been trying desperately to hold all of his emotions back. Minako hoped that he wasn't angry, but with the General acting like this she didn't know what to think!

The other riders were now starting to gather around and guffaw about the woman that had beaten all of them. General Jadeite even had the courage to go up to Kunzite and slap him on the back, a silly grin plastered over his face and a twinkle in his eye. Kunzite had growled in response.

Minako dismounted as the rest of her friends came over to her. They congratulated her and took turns stroking Star Gazer and giving his long nose kisses. The others dismounted as well and some started heading to the stables to groom their horses. Makoto and Rei, however, felt like they had to make it clear that not all women were defenseless twits, and continued to imply that with the few things they said to the Prince's Generals while Ami blushed in shame.

Minako noticed Kunzite starting to head to the stables after the other men and she grabbed Star Gazer's reins and jogged up to him, Star Gazer trotting behind her. "General!" She spoke out, vying for his attention.

His gaze flicked in her direction for a second before looking back at where he was headed. "Yes, Princess?"

She winced. This wasn't how things were supposed to be. Yes, she wanted to win, but he wasn't supposed to act like this! She briefly thought how things would be if he had won, and if it would have been any better. She chastised herself for that thought almost automatically though. He would have had the largest ego of all if he had won, and Star Gazer needed this more than anybody!

"I noticed that Star Gazer hasn't been getting the proper treatment…" Minako closed her eyes and bit her tongue. That wasn't what she wanted to say.

General Kunzite stopped walking a few steps from the stable's entrance, Mystic stopping beside him. Minako and Star Gazer had nothing better to do than stop as well. She stared at him, waiting for what he would say.

He hesitated. "Star Gazer isn't known for allowing anyone to ride him. I guess he has made an exception for you…"

Minako saw her moment and went for it. "General…I want to try to train Star Gazer." Before he could protest she continued, "I love horses, and he deserves a chance to run and be free just like all of the others! He could be great, I know it! When was the last time Star Gazer was allowed to run free? He needed this, General! More than any other horse! I could…tame him…if that's what you want." Minako looked at the dirt on the ground and scuffed her boot in it, feeling as if she should be punished for what she had done.

Kunzite's voice was gruff when he said, "Star Gazer doesn't need a tamer…" Minako winced, but Kunzite continued, "What he needs is a friend."

Breathing wasn't an option for Minako, and neither was movement. After a few long seconds the blond finally looked up into silver-blue eyes that actually held come emotion there. The smallest smile she had ever witnessed graced his face, and Minako could only stare in awe.

"D-do you mean it?" She asked, her voice sounding young even to her."

He gave a firm nod of the head. "I would want nothing more for him."

Minako squeaked in the back of her throat before her eyes lit up and an excited smile crossed her face. Before she realized what she was doing she had leapt into the General's arms and hugged him tightly, not ever wanting to let go. Kunzite stiffened automatically as pure and utter shock crossed his face. Slowly he relaxed, but all he could do was tentatively pat her back with one hand, his arms being trapped by hers.

Blushing heavily, Minako finally realized what state they were in and she threw herself away from the man, trying desperately to re-gather her scattered senses. "S-sorry…about that…" she wouldn't look up into his eyes.

"Don't worry about it."

If he had been any other man, she would have bet her life that he would have been laughing.

Silence followed after for a while until Minako heard the sound of hoof-beats and footsteps heading toward the stable once more. Minako's eyes widened when she realized he was walking away from her and a pressure built up inside of her chest until she could no longer confine it.

"Kunzite!"

The hoof-beats stopped, and so did his footsteps. He turned to look at her from over his shoulder, his eyes betraying his confusion. It took Minako a minute to realize she had used his first name only.

Too late now, she thought to herself.

Minako re-gathered her courage and took a step forward. "I never stated what I wanted if I won the race." She stared him squarely in the eyes and lifted her chin stubbornly.

Now Kunzite's eyebrows were raised and he turned around to face her completely, his interest captured.

"And what, dear Princess, would that be?"

Minako took a deep breath before exhaling. "A kiss."