Chapter 28

Zoisite spent a lot of Saturday night, and Sunday morning thinking about the conversations with the guys. He had hoped the 4 of them would be getting closer, but apparently not. It would take time though. He was most worried about Kunzite.

Kunzite had always been the quiet one. The one who showed the least emotion. He knew that Kunzite felt the most though. Thru the years, as kids, and teens, if something happened to him, Nephrite, Jadeite, or Endymion, Kunzite would be the one to fix it. Kunzite was the one to mop the tears, patch the injury, run off the jerks, and feel the guilt for whatever had happened. This situation, though, was on a level all on it's own. Kunzite being directly involved, and being part of the things done, even just physically, may drive the man down a dark path.

Zoisite worried that Minako was only going to worsen the situation. Jadeite's anger wouldn't help either. Although he believed last night's conversations helped eliminate Jad's anger at Kunz. Kunzite was not responsible for what happened.

Zoisite had read all of the books from the library, and even done his own research. What annoyed him was there were a lot more recommendations for therapy than anything. Due to the odd circumstances of this whole situation, therapy was NOT an option, for any of them. None of them could really talk to anyone outside of their group about the events they all experienced. A therapist would lock them all up, and throw away the key.

Nephrite tended to be their peace keeper, but he was just as involved as the rest of them. Neph had his own issues to deal with too. That left him out. Zoisite was at a loss so he called Ami.

"Hello?" he heard her on the other end of the line.

"Hello my lovely lady." He said.

"Hello Zoisite. How are you this afternoon?"

"I'm ok. Looking for some thoughts from another great thinker."

"Oh. And who might that be?"

"Why you, of course."

"What is our topic today?"

"Relieving guilt."

"Ah. Anyone can one in particular?"

"Kunz."

"That is a tough one."

"Very much. Would you care to meet for lunch please? My research on the subject is bringing results I'm not happy with, and I could use a second brain on this."

"I would love to."

"The café by the library again?"

"Sounds lovely. In half an hour?"

"I'll be there. Thank you Ami."

Half an hour later Zoisite was standing out front of the café, when he saw Ami walking towards him, smile on her face, and books in her hand. He had to chuckle to himself as he had books and his new laptop too. He couldn't help it, he walked up to her, and kissed her check lightly. The blush that rose made him smile.

"My lady, after you." Zoisite bowed slightly, and lead Ami into the café.

"Why thank you." Ami replied, smiling up at him.

Once they had ordered sandwiches, and found a table, they spread their books, he opened his laptop, and got comfortable.

"So explain to me the problem." Ami asked.

"Well we both know that while Kunzite doesn't express emotion, he feels it deeper than most. I sense a lot of guilt, and self recrimination in him. It is clear that he feels everything that happened is his fault." Zoisite started.

"But in true Kunzite fashion he doesn't talk about it or show it." Ami finished for him.

"He's taken to hardly speaking when he is around us, worse than ever before, or locking himself in his room. It does appear that he got himself a journal, and has been doing a great deal of writing. Jadeite's anger hasn't helped either. I would like to think Nephrite, and I helped with Jad's angry last night, but I can't be sure."

"What has Kunzite said in the times he does speak?"

"He explained why he didn't fight when he was captured. He was captured by the 3 of us. He said he didn't want to injure any of us by fighting, even in his extremely weakened state. He also thought if he could get inside, and regain his strength, he could find a way to get us out. That didn't happen because he was dropped in a possession chamber as soon as he was brought in. He followed that by apologizing for it all."

"Did any of you accept his apology?"

"He left the room before anyone could."

"Hmmm. That's not helpful."

"For me it's worse."

"Why is that?

"I am the one who stabbed him in the shoulder to weaken him more than he already was. You see, he hadn't slept at all the night before from trying to locate Jad. His magic was depleted almost to nothing due to trying to shield the soldiers from the beasts, plus killing the beasts. The three of us walked up to him, of course he looked relieved to see us, not realizing we're possessed. I formed a crystal in my hand, and stabbed him in the shoulder. The blood loss weakened him even further. A beast drained even more of his energy, he was knocked out, and Neph grabbed him. Had I not stabbed him, he may not have been captured."

"Were you possessed at the time?"

"Yes."

"So you action was controlled by another?"

"Yes."

"So you are blameless."

"Logically I know that. Emotionally it is a different matter as in nightmares, it is my hand performing the act. Same with when I killed Neph, and…"

"Me."

"Yes. I know I was controlled, but it's my hands I see. It can be hard to separate."

"I'm sure it is. Tell me about the books, and your reading."

"The books have held some great suggestions, and I am trying to use them."

"But?"

"The main suggestion all of my research focuses on have one major theme. Therapy."

"Which is not possible in this situation. The therapy for all of you may end up being us."

"It appears that way. Jad said he has talked with Rei about somethings. I'm not sure about Neph."

"And Minako is ripping apart Kunzite every chance she gets?"

"He's only spoken to her twice. It doesn't sound like either time went well."

"You have not spoken to me much about any of it."

"I know. I find I have a hard time putting all of this into words. I have been keeping a journal of thoughts, feelings, and memories. My intention was to give it to you to read. Since this time I can't find the words to speak."

"If you are comfortable with me reading them, I gladly will."

"I am. I want you to read them."

Zoisite hands her his most recent journal, and smiles slightly at Ami.

"Do you want my thoughts on the entries?" Ami asks.

"I would love your thoughts, but do not feel pressured to share them." Zoisite answers.

"Ok. Thank you for sharing this with me."

"Ami, I would gladly share anything with you."

Ami smiles, and blushes. Zoisite is fighting himself to keep from kissing her. He wants to so bad, but worried about pushing too far, too fast. Instead he reached across the table, and takes her hand. She doesn't pull away, she links their fingers together, and slides her chair closer to him. Holding her hand sends sparks to his heart, and warms him, head to toe.

They spend hours in the café going over the books they both brought, research they found on the internet, and bouncing ideas off each other on how to help him, and the guys. When she finally said she needed to go, he asked if he can walk her home. To his surprise, she agreed. They walked hand in hand the whole way. When they reached her building, she looked almost nervous.

Zoisite, without thinking, gave in to the want he had been battling all afternoon. He gently placed his hand on the side of her face, lowered his head, and kissed her gently. The moment he pressed his lips to hers he felt the heart racing jolt. He tried not to deepen the kiss, or take it too far, but it was a struggle. When he finally pulled back, and looked at Ami, she had a smile on her face. Before he knew what happened, she leaned up to him, and kissed him again. Without thinking about it, he ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, and she instantly opened to him. He pulled her close as he explored her mouth, groaning softly. When she finally pulled back she placed two light kisses on his lips then smiled at him.

"I have missed you." Ami whispered.

"I have missed you as well." Zoisite whispered back.

When she finally went inside, he walked home with a spring in his step. They may have more to work on, but he knew in his heart he had his love, his angel back