*

* * *

"-So most of it is Wiseman's fault. If he hadn't been practicing black magic, we would all be down on Earth, enjoying all of it's wonders. But now, we're doomed to live the rest of our lives in the palace, with no association with the Earth or its people." Diamond explained. He took a second to rest as her hand kneaded his back, massaging him with skill.

He had ended up telling her more than he wanted to. Something inside him just opened around her, though he tried to control it. He hadn't let out the entire just of everything, but almost. About the only things he didn't tell her were either about his desire for the queen, and that the plan was to take over Crystal Tokyo. He was sure that she'd have some sort of rejection to it, as he did. Diamond didn't know why he was letting Wiseman control the plan. If they had just signed a treaty, they wouldn't have to be banned. It was Wiseman's plan, and Wiseman's revenge.

"That's so sad!"

They kept on talking and talking and talking and talking until the night ended. It was about three in the morning before they realized it.

"Wow, Diamond, it's so late." Ebony told him.

"Do you want to retreat for the night?" he asked her, placing his arm around her shoulder.

"No. I want to hear more about everything. Everything you say is just so fascinating, so captivating, I don't want the conversation to end." She ran her finger up and down his back, making him tremble.

"Alright. What else do you want to know?" he smiled.

"I want to know… what exactly is your plan?" her eyes fell to his.

Diamond froze. What was he going to tell her? He couldn't let her know he wanted her mother. He didn't know why… but he couldn't let her know. But could he lie to her? She, her eyes, dug into his soul, softly prying out information without even knowing she was prying.

"It is, it was, to take over Crystal Tokyo. I didn't think of it; it was Wiseman's idea. He came up with it years ago, to take revenge on those who banished him. I should have seen it, that old man manipulated my mind from the start… but I'm a heavy drinker… and I think I was probably drunk…" he hung his head in shame.

"Oh, Diamond, you're the prince! You can stop him." Ebony said with confidence that made him want to smile.

"That's not all though. I agreed to it… because… I wanted to see… I wanted to be with your mother…" he choked out.

Her smiled broadened.

"It's okay. You don't have to be afraid to tell me. If you tell the truth, you can't insult me." Taking his hand into hers, she looked to his eyes and saw the fear.

"For the longest time, I've had such a passion for your mother. Every thought was filled with her. I traveled to Earth a few years ago to try and make a treaty with her so that we may love on Earth once more. I took one look at her and I fell in this never-ending cycle of desire. She rejected me, burning me with her eyes…" he went on. This conversation continued for hours, Ebony opening up about things as well. And surprisingly enough, neither of them were offended or jealous of each other's wants or desires. They respected each other's thoughts and emotions. Diamond never knew he held so many emotions, let alone that he would share them with someone else.

"-but Mamoru was my future father! I couldn't believe that someone who was so incredible and young was my own father! I felt so gross after that, trying to deny any emotions that would come to me for him. It made me want to hurl, you know?" Ebony shook her head in disgust. Looking to the clock, she sighed. "Oh, Diamond. It's so late."

"I think we ought to go to bed." He suggested and sat up.

Pulling down the blankets on the top of the bed, he bent over Ebony and smiled.

"Come now, Lady." He took her hand gently, bringing her to his body. She gasped in surprise, which triggered something in Diamond.

"Oh, Ebony…" he cooed.

Glancing up to him, she smiled.

"Still hungry?" she ran her fingers along the sides of his hips.

The prince smiled lasciviously.

"Always."

They kissed intensely, once again aroused by passion to no extent.

Diamond awoke from his bed to find himself all alone. He shuddered and frowned. Where had Ebony gone? Maybe he had really dreamt her after all… No, he knew she wasn't a dream; that she really existed. But where had she gone?

Placing on his suit, Diamond yawned and walked out of his room. Something delicious caught his nose, bringing him involuntarily to the kitchen. There he saw Ebony, at the stove, frying up breakfast. She was wearing her black dress with a little white apron over top of it. He couldn't keep back the sweet little sigh that escaped his mouth. Walking up behind her, Diamond threw his arms around her waist and picked her up into his arms. She let out a surprised yelp, but then laughed when she saw who it was.

"Diamond, you scared me!" she hugged him.

"I scare many people!" he replied, laughing at her reactions.

"I was just cooking you some breakfast- you do like eggs, right?" Ebony asked him sweetly.

Diamond's heart melted. Nobody had ever cared enough to actually cook him breakfast. He was overjoyed all of the sudden, and so flattered.

"Yes. But you're even better." He kissed her, tasting her mouth and soul at the same time. After a second, she broke apart form him, placing her hand over his lips.

"Don't, Diamond… It's so hard to stop myself when you kiss me." She smiled, looking at the ground, then turned back to the eggs.

"And why would you try and stop that?" he asked with a sensual grin.

"You've got a hunger like a poor man, Diamond." She laughed as he walked up behind her.

"A poor man feeds from a queen's passion, dear Ebony. And you wonder why I'm hungry?" he purred, then licked the side of her neck to hear a playful giggle.

Diamond slowly let go of her as to not get too wishful of her.

"So, Diamond, what are your plans today?" she asked.

"I… have no idea. I can't really say- we live on Nemesis and we can't really do anything." He said ashamed.

"Well… hm…" Ebony thought. "Maybe, if we can't do anything fun, we can take advantage of this time to do business."

Diamond smiled.

"Not that kind of business." She said with a smile.

"Damn." He said, then laughed.

"You said that when it comes to Crystal Tokyo, you don't really want to take it over, right?" she asked.

"Yes. I don't feel it necessary to take over the city because it banished us. That's foolish." Diamond sat down with a cup of coffee. For some reason, he didn't want to take over the city now, even if giving up the mission meant giving up the queen. He was so confused, but proud enough to overcome it.

"Well, Even though I don't like the people there, I don't want it to be taken over, either. Wouldn't it just be better to threaten them, have me take over as heir, and you and I rule together?" she inquired, then turned to him.

She just amazed him more and more.

"You would take me by your side?" he asked her with joy.

"Why of course. Why would you ever think that I wouldn't?" She walked closer to him.

"You are, Ebony, one of the sweetest people I know."

"Diamond, I am the only sweet person you know." She laughed. "Set aside yourself."

She kissed him longingly.

"You're burning the eggs." He laughed.

"I'll burn more than that when I'm through." She whispered with a chuckle.

Walking back to tend the eggs, Diamond watched her body as her movement swayed swiftly from side to side. Kami, but he loved her body.

Sapphire sauntered in through the kitchen door. Seeing Ebony at the stove, he sighed with pity for the poor woman. Diamond must have some kind of magical touch- he trained them so well.

"Do you want some wine, Ebony?" he asked her politely, then looked to Diamond. "I know you'll be wanting some, Diamond."

"Uh, no thanks. I think I'll just have some coffee." The woman smiled.

Diamond glanced to her, then to his brother. If she wasn't going to have any, then why have Sapphire get it? He didn't know why he thought this, but he did. He felt extra kind. It was probably the fact that someone was cooking him eggs. Someone besides his brother.

"I'll take some coffee, too, Sapphire." Diamond smiled. "Please."

Sapphire stared at Diamond. What the hell had come over him? At first, he was loving it, but now it was beginning to scare him. His brother never turned down wine. Never. Something had to have been done. Maybe it had something to do with Ebony. Sapphire looked queerly at her. Things had been upside-down since the woman came. But what could she have done that Diamond, the bitter, drunken revengeful knave he had called his brother, would be acting sweet and staying away from wine? He was practically a drunk and had been for many years. Sapphire continued to stare, now at the loving way that Diamond gazed upon Ebony, seemingly entwined with her soul and not her looks. Even though Diamond had given her Black Crystal energy, it was almost as if the Silver Crystal, the lovely and blessed Ginzuishou was still inside her soul, affecting him in such a divine way.

Shaking his head, Sapphire waked over to the coffee machine and began pouring mochas for each of them.

"Wash up, Sapphire! Breakfast is almost done!" Ebony called with a smile. Then, turning to Diamond, she whispered, "I didn't want them to suspect anything, so I made for them, too. But they're mostly for you."

The dark-haired man looked up. She had made breakfast… for him?

Is she trying to poison me?!? He thought in a panic.

"Uh, no thanks, I think I'll pass." He smiled falsely.

"C'mon, Sapphire, it's not good for you to drink on an empty stomach." Grinning, she looked to him once more.

"It's okay, Ebony, thank you anyway." Ebony saw the look in his eyes and laughed.

"Oh my gosh, Sapphire, don't be so paranoid!" she giggled again. Picking up a fork, she poked it in the eggs and took a bite. "Look- see? It's totally fine!"

Sapphire glanced at her skeptically, then sat down at the table.

Choking down her laughter at the man's assumption, she shook her head and brought the platter to the table.

"Should I go fetch Wiseman?" she inquired.

"The old man never eats, really." Sapphire shrugged his shoulders, taking a bite of the breakfast.

"Then, where would I find Emerald?" She looked at Sapphire as he coughed fiercely at her name. "You alright, Sapphire? Oh, my god, it wasn't the food, was it?!?" She asked panickedly, rubbing his back and looking to Diamond for help.

He laughed hysterically, restraining from spitting food at the other two.

"No, Ebony. It wasn't the food," he managed to choke out before going into a fit of hysterical coughing and laughter.

"Are you okay?" she questioned, somewhat calmed.

"Yes, it's okay." He laughed again.

Ebony fell relieved and yet tensely, into Diamond's arms, not thinking about it.

"It's alright, Ebony." He soothed, laughing softly.

Sapphire stared at the two, totally awed. Ebony, who noticed the look of confusion, blushed and stood up slowly.

There was an awkward moment of silence between the three, obviously because of Sapphire's sudden desire to know what was going on.

Diamond stood up and took hold of Ebony's hand, then kissed her.

Ebony wrapped her arms around him, caught in the moment of Diamond's impulsive boldness. They seemed to glow in the morning light, and Diamond soon forgot he was showing Sapphire, but just kissed her for the joy of kissing her. An overwhelming feeling swept over him, and though he couldn't shake it, he didn't try.

Sapphire just watched them in awe as they tore at each other's souls with searching lips. It was almost as if they held an aura of their own, shining so bright and blissful. The man didn't know how this could be his brother, the same brother who slapped him for asking a question. Now the silver man was kissing a beautiful woman, not just because of the plan, he realized now, but for himself. And for her.

Suddenly, Emerald burst into the room.

"Diam-oh, hell!!!" she screamed startling the two, causing them to break apart, though still connected at the hands. Tears filled her eyes, and she turned around and ran.

Sapphire pushed back his chair in a rush and ran immediately after her.

Gazing at each other, Ebony got a soft smile on her face.

"Oh, Diamond. Thank you." She hugged him with force.

Diamond embraced her in awe. What had he done? He bit his lip.

Sapphire stopped abruptly to find Emerald collapsed on the floor, pulsing with sobs. Reaching down, he embraced her lightly. She tried to shrug him off, but he didn't let go.

"Emerald." He purred.

"Go away, Sapphire. I don't need your pity." She spat, but it didn't affect him.

"Good. I'm not here to give it." He told her, still holding her tightly with affection.

Emerald looked at him with anger and rejection, though it seemed to do no good.

"Look, Emerald, you can't go on letting Diamond hurt you like this. If you're ever going to live your life, you have to get over him." He soothed, stroking her hair.

"Why not?" she pouted like a child, jerking away from his hand on her head after a few seconds.

"Because… He's in love." Sapphire could find no other way to put it.

"He is not!" she cried, then wiped more tears. Sapphire reached to her cheek, smearing some of her tears from her face, though she didn't try and stop him. Instead she closed her eyes and let more tears fall, biting her lip.

"He is, Emerald. I have lived with him all my life, and I have never seen him like this. He's been so bitter, and through all my attempts, I have not been able to make him act like she has. And I know what people act like when they're in love." He rubbed his hand across the side of her face, then stood up.

Emerald looked to him, wide-eyed. In a sense, she didn't want him to leave.

"Sapphire, wait!" she called. He turned around slightly in acknowledgment. "I-I need someone to cry on. Would you… would you come and talk to me?" The look on Sapphire's face softened.

"Sure, Emerald." The man strode over to her again. Bending down, he hugged her once more. "I just hope I can help."

"I'm sure any help is better than none." She tried to smile, but burst into a sob.

"It's okay, Emerald. It's okay to cry." He smiled and wrapped his arms around her.

* * *

"Are you sure you want to do this, Diamond? I mean, you don't have to go through with this if you don't want to." Ebony asked, unsure.

"Yes, Ebony. I know." He smiled, and took her hand. "Just don't be afraid to say what you feel to defend yourself. You have every damn right to keep posture." He gazed at her, then noticed how off-poise he was, and grinned. "But you don't have to." He whispered softly in her ear, kissing it gently.

Holding her tight by his side, Diamond walked steadily with Ebony up to the place where Wiseman sat.

"Yes, Prince?" he asked, seeming almost annoyed that his prince had come to see him.

Diamond cleared his throat and glanced at Ebony.

"We would like to this futile mission before it had begun." She stated.

"What mission, woman?" the man snapped.

"The mission to take over Crystal Tokyo." Diamond strained to keep his cool, though the old man set his nerve ablaze. "It's high time to stop your pointless plans for revenge, Wiseman. It's gone too far and I know now that taking over the city, killing the monarchs, it's just wrong. This woman, Ebony, has helped me come to see that. So I demand that you discontinue the attack. It's meaningless and you know it."

Wiseman laughed.

"You fool! You have ended your whole life's mission, your project because of one little distraction- what's worse, because of a woman!" he laughed again.

"You give shame to laughter, old man." Ebony stated sharply. "I have a name- you will call me Ebony. And you will listen to every word I have to say, for I represent your prince." Though her voice was firm, it was also calm. Diamond smiled gently.

"I cannot see you destroy the lives of those who have done nothing. Maybe, if you weren't such a fool with your magic, we'd still be on Earth. Furthermore, what's to come after this is done? Why should we take over the city when we could make compromises with the queen to let us back on Earth?" he rambled on, speaking of such intelligent words that Wiseman's smile faded. Was he drunk? The old man thought. But no, as he looked to Diamond's eye, he saw something he never thought he would. He was sober.

"Pay attention, Wiseman." Ebony commanded, then stared at Diamond once more.

"I will not end this- she has played with your mind, Diamond and manipulated what you really think. You don't want to end this and give up your precious queen, do you?" he shot with a sly grin.

"I don't care about the queen anymore. And the only one who's been manipulating is you." His grip with Ebony remained tight for strength.

"Fine then, prince, but I absolutely refuse to stop this. I will continue, and I will keep your place, for I know that you'll join me again sooner or later." The man waved this hand over the black crystal ball in front of him.

"Then you're dismissed." Diamond said simply.

"I'll come back when you've gotten over whatever black magic she's putting over you." Wiseman snorted, then looked fiercely at the woman who glared back at him just as coldly.

"No, you're dismissed. You can pick up whatever items you have here aside from your crystal ball, which I naturally assume you'll take, and leave the palace. I am a grown man and no longer need you for assistance. I thank you for doing whatever you did to get us here and for trying to mess with my mind and whatever trouble you've ever gotten me into. I now know what mistakes I need not make. I give my thanks to your assistance, and can only hope you find some other place to do your biddings." He nodded, then turned abruptly to Ebony.

"You will regret this, prince. I will not, not now, not ever, discontinue this mission. Whether you help me or not." He sneered, then snapped and disappeared.