Chapter 25

Kunzite found himself completely alone in the apartment most of the day Saturday, and late into the evening. He guessed Neph, Jad, and Zoi were making progress with the girls. As much as it hurt him that he was no closer to making things right with Minako, he was happy for his brothers. They deserved it. Maybe more than he did.

Finding himself rather bored, and having already read most of his textbooks for his classes that wouldn't start for another 3 months, he pulled out the laptop he purchased a few days prior. Once connected to the internet, he searched for anything and everything on Sailor V. After he had overheard Minako's conversation with Usagi about what her parents had done, he found himself wondering just how badly her parents had taken advantage. What he found infuriated him.

There were tons of articles done on Sailor V. She had done two movies, multiple photo shoots around the world. There was merchandise, and even video games. It looked like a new video game was set to release in early December. If his assumption was correct, Minako should be able go live off what she had made in just a year from her role as Sailor V. Even with only getting 30%, she should be able to live comfortably.

No one knew, but he had tracked her thru their bond a few nights prior, and seen where she lived. It wasn't the worst neighborhood in the world, but it wasn't great either. The building was on the small side, and a bit run down. It also had no security to speak of, just a door that one needed a code to get in. He quickly discovered, from watching, that anyone could slip in behind a person entering or leaving the building, and no one stopped them. It wasn't safe. Especially for a young, beautiful girl, living alone. Sure she was a senshi, but if she wanted to keep her identity a secret, he knew she wouldn't transform, even if she was attacked.

The day she had her meeting with her lawyer, he "broke" into her apartment, just to see how secure it was. It wasn't. The window to the fire escape was locked, but it was easily jimmied open. He got the shock of his life when a little white cat attacked him. He was even more shocked when the cat spoke to him.

"Kunzite! What are you doing here? How did you get in? What are you thinking?" said the cat.

Kunzite was so confused, he looked around for another person for a bit, until he felt claws sink into his shin, and looked down.

"Yeah. Down here idiot. You may not remember me from the moon kingdom, but I remember you. I'm Artemis." The small white cat had said.

"Artemis? Well shit. I didn't know you were here." Kunzite said to the cat.

"Well I am. So is Luna. I'm Minako's advisor. Luna is Usagi's."

"Ah."

"Now you want to tell me what is going on?"

Kunzite sat down with the cat, and explained about him tracking Minako, his worry for her safety, and wanting to make sure no one could break into the apartment. Kunzite asked why she wasn't in a better place. Artemis stated it was what she could afford. That she magically locked the apartment when she was home. Artemis didn't say anything about the situation with Minako's parents, and Kunzite didn't let on that he knew. He left the way he came, with the promise that he wouldn't do it again.

Now here he was, the following afternoon, trying to figure out what happened. He looked up the cost of rent at her building, and discovered it was fairly low. Artemis had said that was all she could afford. How was that possible with 30% earnings? It didn't make sense to him. Unfortunately he couldn't find what her earnings really were, as that, and her contract were not public record due to her being a minor until recently.

Between what he already knew, and what he assumed happened, he found himself pretty angry for her. He had a feeling that not only had her parents been taking the 70% of her earnings, but also taking her portion of her earnings. If that was the case, he believed she may have grounds to sue them for embezzlement on top or everything else.

He set his laptop aside, and pulled out his course books to see what he could find on embezzlement laws. There wasn't much as he was starting with the basic courses so he pulled his laptop back to himself, and began researching. As he did so, he sent a text to Mamoru.

Why is it Minako live in such a small, unsafe apartment?

He hadn't expected an answer because he figured Mamoru was either still sleeping or out sightseeing with Usagi. He was surprised when his phone rang with a call from Mamoru.

"Hey Kunz. Hang on." Mamoru said quietly.

Kunzite heard the rustle of fabric, and a door shut.

"Sorry. It's late here, and Usako is asleep." Mamoru said.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." Kunzite replied.

"Oh. You didn't. I was reading."

"Oh ok."

"So what's up?"

"I saw where Minako is living. Why is she living in a place like that?"

"I take it things are going well then?"

"Not at all, but I'll come back to that. I tracked her few days ago thru our bond, and saw where she is living. It doesn't seem like a great place. Why is she there? I know her parents took 70% of her earnings, but even with 30%, she should be able to afford a safer place."

"I'm guessing you know about that because you overheard a conversation?"

"Yes."

"Ok. I'm not asking."

"I'll explain later."

"Ok. To answer your question, I honestly can't answer it. After that first meeting with the lawyer, and setting her up with an accountant, I stepped out of that aspect of the situation. I felt it was none of my business. She never got too far into it with me after that first meeting. The only reason I knew about her getting an apartment was because she needed a cosigner. The lawyer couldn't do it because he was handling her emancipation case. I tried to talk her into a better place, but she wouldn't budge."

"Oh. You cosigned for that place?"

"I had to. She needed a place to live, and refused to move into the Hikawa Shrine with Rei, or in with Makoto. She didn't want the girls to know so even if Usako wouldn't have thrown a fit about it, Minako wouldn't take my spare room either."

"Why would Usagi have thrown a fit about Minako staying with you?"

"Heh. Back then Usako had a bit of a jealous streak. Actually, that may not have been true. I had been gone for 7 months before the mess for Minako happened. Minako and I didn't want to take the risk, especially since I had just gotten back."

"Where were you for 7 months."

"Uh. I was supposed to be in America to study abroad, but ended up dead for 7 months."

"WHAT?!"

"Oh yeah. You don't know about Galaxia."

"No."

Mamoru filled Kunzite in on what happened with Galaxia, Chaos, and the Three Lights. Kunzite was angry that he hadn't been there to protect Mamoru.

"Oh shit! Why didn't you wake us earlier? We could have helped. We could have protected you." Kunzite snapped.

"You couldn't have gone to the states with me." Mamoru responded.

"We could have found a way."

"Kunz, it's pointless to argue about it now. It's two years in the past."

"Yeah. I guess."

"Anyway, back to Minako. As I said, I can't answer your questions because I honestly don't know the answers. I think only Minako, and maybe Artemis do. Artemis won't tell if Mina told him not to."

"Yeah. I guessed as much yesterday."

"It's pointless to try, so don't."

"I won't. Thanks any way."

"Sorry I couldn't help more. Want to tell me what's going on with you two?"

"Not a damn thing honestly. She ripped me a new one when I found her the night you guys left. Told me I was weak for getting captured, and possessed. Told me I wasn't good enough to stand by her side, and that she no longer loves me. That the soulmate bond was gone."

"Oh shit. I'm sorry. You do know the bond being cut stuff is bullshit, right?"

"Yeah. I've used it to track her, to make sure she is safe, and ok. That's how I found out about her parents. I followed her to Tokyo Tower, and heard her on the phone with Usagi."

"Ah. Just be careful man. Give her some time. She's going through a rough time right now. She may be taking her anger at her parents out on you."

"Yeah. You may be right. Thanks."

"Just give her time, and some space."

"I will."

"Listen, I'm gonna go get some sleep. Usako and I have a big day planned tomorrow. Night."

"Enjoy. Night."

He had just set his phone down when he heard the door open. He turned to see Zoisite standing there, holding a stack of books. Zoisite looked like he wanted to say something, but seem to be scared to do so. Kunzite decided to open the lines of communication. Of all of the guys, he'd been closest to Zoi, after Endy.

"What have you got there?" Kunzite asked, indicating the books in Zoisite's arm.

"Huh? Oh. They're books on emotional trauma, and distress." Zoisite answered.

Kunzite just raised a questioning eyebrow. Zoisite slowly made his way to the couch, set the books on the coffee table, and sat down, turning to face Kunzite.

"Ami recommended I take a look at them. She said they might have some suggestions for me, er, us on how to work through everything that happened to us. Maybe some ways for us to heal ourselves, as well as ways we can mend our friendships." Zoisite explained, nervously.

"Really? Did you find anything useful?" Kunzite asked. He was never one for emotional stuff, but if it helped his brothers, he would do what he could.

"Actually. Yeah. I did. I found stuff for all of us to do ourselves, and together. If we all wanted to of course." Zoisite answered, picking up a notebook.

He and Zoisite sat together for a few hours, going over what Zoisite found. Zoisite ended up handing over one of the books. The two of them were reading when Nephrite then Jadeite walked in. Nephrite looked a little dazed, and Jadeite looked very happy. When they both asked what he and Zoi were reading, Zoisite just handed over books, and went back to his reading. Kunzite sat up and read well into the night. The other three had long since gone to bed when he finally put the book down. He wasn't an emotional person, but a lot of what the book talked about pulled him in, and he seemed to connect with. When he went to bed, he vowed to go pick up his own copy of the book, and possibly a journal. It seemed he had a lot to get off his mind. Writing might help.