** Misunderstandings **, chapter 2: Or not...
by Lilian
lilian413@yahoo.com
********************
They sprinted in the water, splashing around. The two playful lovers were
back. When water reached their waists, Ami felt power gathering. And as she turned around, she smiled.
"Beware, Zoi, The Wave is coming".
"The wh--!".
That was all Zoisite could say, before a huge wave broke just upon them.
He was sent under, barely any air in his lungs. He felt as he was propelled forward
like a leaf. Soon, he found himself rolling on the wet sand, coughing...
"Tsk, tsk. Zoi-chan, getting too old for me?".
Gasping for air, he looked up, and saw Ami standing over him, a snide smile
on her lips. She appeared to have received the wave on a much better way than he had.
Damn water powers and all.
He would show her, whenever they had a crystal rain or something. If there
ever was something even remotely similar to that.
"No fair. You didn't warn me on time".
She smiled again, and stretched out her hand to help him up.
"Oh, I did too".
As he towered over her again, she did not back up an inch. She was
not afraid at all. Specially with---
"Zoi, I think I really got you this time".
"Why?".
He was brushing sand off his chest, the mud clinging to him like a second
skin.
"Ahem. Hair".
His hand flew up to his hair. It was one of his best features, and he
took care of it like it was his own life.
His fingers soon encountered resistance. He would've been cool about it,
if the 'resistance' hadn't budged under his touch.
It clearly was no shell or stone.
His gray eyes flew open, and fear flashed through them.
"Take it out, take it out!!!".
He bent over, and presented his head to her.
She giggled.
"Oh, little Zoi-chan is afraid of a little thingy?".
"What is it?. What *is* it?".
His tone was frantic, as fearful images ran through his mind, which was
frighteningly versed about strange things which lurked under the otherwise
peaceful sea waters.
Her fingers played with his hair, until he was practically jumping
in expectation. When she was sure she was going to burst in laughter, she decided
he had had enough. Softly, she pried the little crab from his orange locks,
and waved it in his face.
"See?. No need to fret".
As his astonished eyes watched her every move, she knelt down, and placed
the little animal on the sand. For a second, it seemed to stare at them angrily,
and then ran back into the water.
She giggled, both at the attitude of the crustacean and Zoisite's bewildered
stance.
"You must respect the sea, Zoi. You never know what surprises she may have in
store".
It didn't take long for him to recover. He could have an attitude too.
"Really?. And what's the penalty for making fun of the Queen of the Seas?".
Her eyes narrowed. She was suspicious about his sudden change of mood.
"I can't think of any... why?".
"Oh, I was just wondering--- Ami, look!. A dolphin!".
He knew what buttons to push. And he pushed them perfectly fine.
Dolphins were Ami's favorites... and they only lived on Earth. Salty water and
such. They had spent hours watching them frolic in the transparent waters of the
ocean.
Well, Ami stared at them. Zoisite, he stared at her.
As Ami turned around, her hair whirling around her, even wet, he took
his chance. He pounced forward, and tackled her.
Her shriek of surprise was music to his ears. As they fell, Zoisite cushioned
the fall with his own body. But still, it was more than enough to get all
the air out of her lungs.
Laughing, he held her still, which was kinda difficult, since she trashed around like a little hurricane.
"Zoi!".
She was whining. The regal princess of Mercury was whining. The thought
brought a smile to his lips.
"Now Ami, hold still".
She obeyed. As her form took a more relaxed stance, his arms snaked
behind her knees, and pushed them up. Her own hands, almost in a reflex,
snaked around his neck.
"What are you doing?".
Her eyes searched his own, from under the wet bangs covering his forehead.
"Just... having my revenge".
He walked into the waters, keeping her body still by pressing her against him.
Just then, a big greenish wave formed in front of them. It began cresting, and
the rumble in their ears was as loud as thunder.
"Zoi---!".
Her tone was beginning to tremble. She did not fear the water. She feared
the fact that Zoisite was holding her too still... she would not be able to move when it
hit.
"Hold your breath Ami!".
That was the last thing she heard, before the wave hit. They disappeared under the water. After the first instant of total panic, Ami realized Zoisite had
released her. She swam gracefully under the water, her lithe form moving quickly
through it... a few seconds later, they reappeared on the shore, both of them
rolling like spinning tops.
After laying there to catch her breath, she rolled over, and looked at him sternly.
"You--- little---".
His impish grin did not go unnoticed.
"But you enjoyed it didn't you?".
Even though he also was coughing sand, and taking seaweeds out of his hair,
his smile was genuine, and his laughter true.
"No I didn't".
Even if her tone was firm and angered, he could read her body language better
than he could read himself. And it said: 'I loved it'. The sparkles in her eyes
were a telltale sign too.
"You didn't... why does that sound like a lie?".
"It is not!".
Her eyes widened as he closed in upon her, and wriggled his fingers menacingly.
"Really?".
"Yes".
"Tickle tiiickleeee...", he singsonged, knowing how ticklish she was.
"Zoi, don't you dare!".
"Oh yes I dare!. And I will!".
He jumped upon her, and trapped her under his own body.
"Zoi!. Get off!".
Her small fists uselessly tried to pry him off her... he was way too heavy.
She could freeze him, using the little droplets of water still clinging to
his skin... but then, what would be the fun?.
"I won't. Not until you accept it".
His fingers had only gotten to trace her skin absently, not a caress not a
tickle, when she surrendered.
"Ok, Ok. I accept it!".
"See?. Told you".
The danger of being tickled to death gone, Ami recovered her
wits.
"You are crazy".
Zoisite's answer was just a knee-melting smile. Moving downwards, he kissed
her. She purred under him, and he could *feel* his own body melting. She placed
her hand on the back of his neck, and pressed his face harder onto
hers.
When they broke apart, panting, both from the need for air and the pent-up
passion, she managed to whisper:
"But you are *my* nutcase".
Zoisite nodded. At this time, he would've obeyed to anything she said.
If she asked him to jump into a pool full of sharks, he would've. And just to
see the love in her eyes... Gods!. As he stared into them, he lost himself
in them... so full of love and feelings. He felt overwhelmed.
It was like looking at the night's sky. Little sparks over deep cerulean
eternity. Stars... Constellations... love. Above everything, love.
They fell silent, lost in each other's depths. He could see as Ami's
cheeks blushed, but she didn't look away. He could not look away.
Her eyes, those bottomless seas of light, the passages to heaven,
the day-view of the night sky... those eyes drove him crazy.
"Have I ever told you, you are gorgeous?".
"A hundred times, but I never get tired of hearing it... specially from you".
"Aha, so you have someone else?. My heart is broken, I can't stand the pain".
He put his hand over his heart, and mock stabbed himself.
"You silly!. Of course I don't. Only my kawaii lion here by my side".
Her hand patted his head, and he purred in pleasure.
"Well, thank you, my little mouse".
After a few weeks of being together, nicknames had sprouted from their
lips, almost unnoticed. It was only when they were talking with other people in the
room that they realized they were actually using them.
Zoisite's orange hair remembered her of a wild lion, and his flashing eyes
somehow made her shiver with desire to hunt. A mouse was the perfect comparison
to Mercury's tiny body, and her meekness added to the picture... although Zoisite
knew that mice weren't always shy and timid... they could be passionate and sexy. But
that was only for them to know.
"Then, let me escort you to a drier place, my princess".
He stood up, and took her in his arms again. This time, Mercury didn't yelp,
and just relaxed in the comfortable embrace. Zoisite walked out of the water, heading to where their towels were, looking at her all the time.
He saw as her blue hair waved back and forth, almost dry now with the
blistering sun. As it brushed time after time on her cheeks, he began wondering
how would she look like with long hair, like Lady Venus or Mars'.
"Have you ever thought of letting your hair grow?".
"Why, you don't like me this way?".
There was an edge of worry when she spoke. Insecurity still managed to worm
its way through her new found self-confidence... although as time went by, it seemed to recede more and more. But, he knew she was still fragile, and a bruised ego was the least she needed right now. He hugged her reassuringly, and clearly felt as her body relaxed.
"No, I love you the way you are. You could be bold and ugly, and I would
love you anyway. I was just thinking how would you look like".
"That's it then. When I get home, I will shave all of my hair off".
Zoisite noticed her mocking tone, and nuzzled her nose.
"No you're not. Not when I'm around".
"You can't hold me like this forever".
"Wanna bet?".
She giggled.
"I would love to".
"Little minx".
She did not answer, and just snuggled deeper, and sighed in happiness.
Zoisite lowered his face, and met hers'. They kissed again, tasting each other lips, enjoying the feeling of closeness.
"Hmm", she purred, "I'm beginning to like this visit".
"Shh, don't say anything".
They remained quiet. Only the sound of water, the sea-gulls quirking and the waves
crashing on the shore could be heard.
A slight shiver ran down Zoisite's spine, and she realized he was
probably freezing. She was warm in his arms, with his own body heat... hell, she
was probably vacuuming him from it!.
She jumped out of his embrace, and walked to the discarded towels. She grabbed them, and tossed one of them to Zoisite. He caught it in the air, and began
drying his hair. The cloth covered his face for a couple of seconds, and when
he took it off, Mercury was sitting on the sand, stretching the towel to lay on
it.
She closed an eye, and put her hand over her face to protect it of the sun-
light.
"It's so good down here... I've always enjoy the touch of the sun,
but up there it is never this strong. The moon dome, or something".
Zoisite kneeled by her side, and laid on the towel himself.
She was right; the sun was great. It wasn't as strong to the point of burning, but
good enough to tan up the skin. He closed his eyes, and relaxed, letting the sun caress his body.
Boy, was he tired!. After entire weeks spent in the Palace, fixing Endimion's
mistakes and trying to read, and fighting off his friends attempts to
pry him off the books, and gagging at his Prince's sighs for Princess Serenity,
and many, many other things that only interrupted his time with Ami... anyone
would've crumbled under the pressure.
He hadn't. Yet.
Only Ami proved to be a way out of his life. And he loved her for it.
Among other things, as well...
Suddenly, something hairy was pressed against his chest. He did not have to
look to know what it was. He opened his eyes, expecting to see Ami's head resting
on him.
He wasn't wrong.
Her grin was wide and impish-like.
"Got a clearance for that?".
Her eyes twinkled.
"Oh, I pleased myself today. Besides, you wouldn't want me to go,
would you?".
She batted her long eyelashes, looking at him with puppy dog
eyes. He laughed, and stroked her hair.
"Not ever, in this world or the next".
As he absently caressed her blue tresses, silence settled upon them. There was no need to speak... their connection was so deep, they did not need words to express it.
Ami could not get enough their surroundings... things seemed to bright on
Earth. No plant was as green, no sky as blue, no birds sang as nice...
The Moon was sometimes so cold... only her friends and the recurrent presence
of Zoisite did something to warm her up. But even so, at night, she could not help
but shiver. Not that she did not like it--- she loved it!. But it was a home of marble and stone... and everything was so silver. Silver floors, silver ceilings, silver chairs, silver light... coming down to Earth brought a smile to her lips, and warmth to her heart.
Even so, now, her weariness was catching up. Lately, she had spent her entire days, and most of her nights in the Library, researching. She had just uncovered something. She wasn't quite sure what it was, but it looked big. And she needed a blast to enter the scientists' community.
And she was sure this was it. She had shared her discoveries with Zoisite,
and he had urged her on. He had even offered to help. She had accepted. It was
now their common project. The bad thing was, it was a secret.
Nobody knew what they were working on. And rumors were beginning to spread.
That Lord Zoisite was spending too much time on the Moon. That Lady Mercury looked
tired every morning... as if she hadn't slept at all. And Lord Zoisite did too.
They were doing the math, but they were coming up with the wrong results.
The square root of 4, can be either +2 or -2.
People tend to forget that, sometimes.
Hell, *all* of the time!.
Even Queen Serenity was looking at her with worry, probably wondering whether
the Maiden Warrior was still a maiden... just as everybody else. But they did not
answer any of the million questions people asked. Together, they would build their place among the most respected scientists of the Kingdom. And for that, they needed total secrecy.
Today, was one of the few days off they permitted themselves. And they were spending it on the beach, away from strangers and paparazzi.
But even if happiness flooded her heart, she was still tired. Her body was
demanding rest, and it was going to have it one way or another.
She was so comfortable... with the sand shaped in a comfy bed
under her, and Zoisite's relaxed breathing lulling her into sleep, it wasn't long
before she began dozing off. Minute by minute, she grew sleepier... every time she
closed her eyes, she was sure she would never open them again. Until one time, she did not.
She was asleep.
Zoisite noticed as her head lolled to the side, facing him. And he marveled
once more at his luck. Gods, she was beautiful!.
Every man on the Silver Millennium would give an arm and a leg to be with her, and she had chosen him. Him, of all people!. He knew about the gossip running
around the higher spheres of nobility.
The first few times, he had cringed in remorse. He knew most of the
comments were about his past... his unmentionable past.
The one plagued with women. Women whose names were spoken in hushed tones.
Women whom he had seduced, used, and discarded when the next best one came. Women
who most were married, engaged and/or forbidden to any man. He had broken
every rule, every lock and every qualm... when he wanted a woman, he got her.
His conquests were famous among people. He had become almost a fairy tale...
the handsome, evil Lord who betrayed and broke women's heart like a nutcracker
does with nuts.
But he had changed. After having his share of women, he had become tired of
them. After the first seven hundred times, they became boring. They were all the same. Vain, airheaded and hollow.
He had had it with them. And he had quit. He had been barely eighteen then.
He was twenty-three now, and he had re-discovered what it meant to be in love. Ami had showed him to care, to love and to grow. She was his ultimate conquest...
there would never be anyone else.
She knew about his past--- hell, she had even sighed for him at some point in her life, just like everybody else!. Every time he had tried to apologize, she silenced him with a kiss, and a silent whisper of 'what's past, is past. It will not come back if we do not disturb it'.
Ami was unique. He knew that by now. It was not her looks, or her intelligence, heck, not even her title that attracted him. It was *her*. Her compassion, her wits, her willpower, her friendliness, her happiness... everything. The list went on and on.
He had never met a woman like her. She had spoiled him forever. And for that,
he clung to her like a life savior... he knew that without her, he would've crumbled a long time ago. He had been lonely, bitter and desperate. And he hadn't even noticed it until he had seen the never ending energy she had. The love for life. The friendship.
He had become a new man. And it was only Ami he had to thanks.
But even now, in the throes of happiness, the stain of his past chased him.
It haunted him, like a lurking shadow... always in the corner of his eye. He
could hear the whispers, the hushed comments...
'Pervert. She's only sixteen'.
'They have probably slept together already. Pft!. Maiden Senshi, yeah right!'.
'Couldn't keep your hands off her, did you?'.
And they only got worse. After pummeling them into a pulp the first few times
he had heard them, he had realized it just wasn't worth the effort. Gossip was a
million headed hydra. Cut one head off, two more were born. It can only die with time.
In mutual agreement, they had preferred to stay silent, and let them comment
all they wanted. After all, only Ami and him had the real scoop, and they weren't
letting it out.
As he emerged back from his reverie, his eyes darted to her. She was like a
magnet... whenever she was near, he could not stop looking at her. He didn't mind
it at all. The only problem was, he tended to tune everything else off, which
had resulted in him running into quite a few trees and some benches.
Which was just for the better, because Ami would then kiss him and make
it all good again. Honestly, he had began running into things on purpose, just
for her to kiss his bruised forehead with that disarming smile of hers, and
melt into her arms.
As she looked at her, and marveled once again at his luck, he noticed something. Her eyes were shinning.
.
Raising his head, careful not to wake her, he took a closer view.
Yep, they were shinning. Through her closed eye-lids, a thin trickle of
silver twinkled under the sunlight.
Tears.
************************
TBc...
AN: I know that maybe Ami seems a little OOC, but I've always pictured her to be this lovely, sassy young woman, buried inside the layers and steriotypes of a 'genius'. I think that if she ever found love, this would be her behaviour.
by Lilian
lilian413@yahoo.com
********************
They sprinted in the water, splashing around. The two playful lovers were
back. When water reached their waists, Ami felt power gathering. And as she turned around, she smiled.
"Beware, Zoi, The Wave is coming".
"The wh--!".
That was all Zoisite could say, before a huge wave broke just upon them.
He was sent under, barely any air in his lungs. He felt as he was propelled forward
like a leaf. Soon, he found himself rolling on the wet sand, coughing...
"Tsk, tsk. Zoi-chan, getting too old for me?".
Gasping for air, he looked up, and saw Ami standing over him, a snide smile
on her lips. She appeared to have received the wave on a much better way than he had.
Damn water powers and all.
He would show her, whenever they had a crystal rain or something. If there
ever was something even remotely similar to that.
"No fair. You didn't warn me on time".
She smiled again, and stretched out her hand to help him up.
"Oh, I did too".
As he towered over her again, she did not back up an inch. She was
not afraid at all. Specially with---
"Zoi, I think I really got you this time".
"Why?".
He was brushing sand off his chest, the mud clinging to him like a second
skin.
"Ahem. Hair".
His hand flew up to his hair. It was one of his best features, and he
took care of it like it was his own life.
His fingers soon encountered resistance. He would've been cool about it,
if the 'resistance' hadn't budged under his touch.
It clearly was no shell or stone.
His gray eyes flew open, and fear flashed through them.
"Take it out, take it out!!!".
He bent over, and presented his head to her.
She giggled.
"Oh, little Zoi-chan is afraid of a little thingy?".
"What is it?. What *is* it?".
His tone was frantic, as fearful images ran through his mind, which was
frighteningly versed about strange things which lurked under the otherwise
peaceful sea waters.
Her fingers played with his hair, until he was practically jumping
in expectation. When she was sure she was going to burst in laughter, she decided
he had had enough. Softly, she pried the little crab from his orange locks,
and waved it in his face.
"See?. No need to fret".
As his astonished eyes watched her every move, she knelt down, and placed
the little animal on the sand. For a second, it seemed to stare at them angrily,
and then ran back into the water.
She giggled, both at the attitude of the crustacean and Zoisite's bewildered
stance.
"You must respect the sea, Zoi. You never know what surprises she may have in
store".
It didn't take long for him to recover. He could have an attitude too.
"Really?. And what's the penalty for making fun of the Queen of the Seas?".
Her eyes narrowed. She was suspicious about his sudden change of mood.
"I can't think of any... why?".
"Oh, I was just wondering--- Ami, look!. A dolphin!".
He knew what buttons to push. And he pushed them perfectly fine.
Dolphins were Ami's favorites... and they only lived on Earth. Salty water and
such. They had spent hours watching them frolic in the transparent waters of the
ocean.
Well, Ami stared at them. Zoisite, he stared at her.
As Ami turned around, her hair whirling around her, even wet, he took
his chance. He pounced forward, and tackled her.
Her shriek of surprise was music to his ears. As they fell, Zoisite cushioned
the fall with his own body. But still, it was more than enough to get all
the air out of her lungs.
Laughing, he held her still, which was kinda difficult, since she trashed around like a little hurricane.
"Zoi!".
She was whining. The regal princess of Mercury was whining. The thought
brought a smile to his lips.
"Now Ami, hold still".
She obeyed. As her form took a more relaxed stance, his arms snaked
behind her knees, and pushed them up. Her own hands, almost in a reflex,
snaked around his neck.
"What are you doing?".
Her eyes searched his own, from under the wet bangs covering his forehead.
"Just... having my revenge".
He walked into the waters, keeping her body still by pressing her against him.
Just then, a big greenish wave formed in front of them. It began cresting, and
the rumble in their ears was as loud as thunder.
"Zoi---!".
Her tone was beginning to tremble. She did not fear the water. She feared
the fact that Zoisite was holding her too still... she would not be able to move when it
hit.
"Hold your breath Ami!".
That was the last thing she heard, before the wave hit. They disappeared under the water. After the first instant of total panic, Ami realized Zoisite had
released her. She swam gracefully under the water, her lithe form moving quickly
through it... a few seconds later, they reappeared on the shore, both of them
rolling like spinning tops.
After laying there to catch her breath, she rolled over, and looked at him sternly.
"You--- little---".
His impish grin did not go unnoticed.
"But you enjoyed it didn't you?".
Even though he also was coughing sand, and taking seaweeds out of his hair,
his smile was genuine, and his laughter true.
"No I didn't".
Even if her tone was firm and angered, he could read her body language better
than he could read himself. And it said: 'I loved it'. The sparkles in her eyes
were a telltale sign too.
"You didn't... why does that sound like a lie?".
"It is not!".
Her eyes widened as he closed in upon her, and wriggled his fingers menacingly.
"Really?".
"Yes".
"Tickle tiiickleeee...", he singsonged, knowing how ticklish she was.
"Zoi, don't you dare!".
"Oh yes I dare!. And I will!".
He jumped upon her, and trapped her under his own body.
"Zoi!. Get off!".
Her small fists uselessly tried to pry him off her... he was way too heavy.
She could freeze him, using the little droplets of water still clinging to
his skin... but then, what would be the fun?.
"I won't. Not until you accept it".
His fingers had only gotten to trace her skin absently, not a caress not a
tickle, when she surrendered.
"Ok, Ok. I accept it!".
"See?. Told you".
The danger of being tickled to death gone, Ami recovered her
wits.
"You are crazy".
Zoisite's answer was just a knee-melting smile. Moving downwards, he kissed
her. She purred under him, and he could *feel* his own body melting. She placed
her hand on the back of his neck, and pressed his face harder onto
hers.
When they broke apart, panting, both from the need for air and the pent-up
passion, she managed to whisper:
"But you are *my* nutcase".
Zoisite nodded. At this time, he would've obeyed to anything she said.
If she asked him to jump into a pool full of sharks, he would've. And just to
see the love in her eyes... Gods!. As he stared into them, he lost himself
in them... so full of love and feelings. He felt overwhelmed.
It was like looking at the night's sky. Little sparks over deep cerulean
eternity. Stars... Constellations... love. Above everything, love.
They fell silent, lost in each other's depths. He could see as Ami's
cheeks blushed, but she didn't look away. He could not look away.
Her eyes, those bottomless seas of light, the passages to heaven,
the day-view of the night sky... those eyes drove him crazy.
"Have I ever told you, you are gorgeous?".
"A hundred times, but I never get tired of hearing it... specially from you".
"Aha, so you have someone else?. My heart is broken, I can't stand the pain".
He put his hand over his heart, and mock stabbed himself.
"You silly!. Of course I don't. Only my kawaii lion here by my side".
Her hand patted his head, and he purred in pleasure.
"Well, thank you, my little mouse".
After a few weeks of being together, nicknames had sprouted from their
lips, almost unnoticed. It was only when they were talking with other people in the
room that they realized they were actually using them.
Zoisite's orange hair remembered her of a wild lion, and his flashing eyes
somehow made her shiver with desire to hunt. A mouse was the perfect comparison
to Mercury's tiny body, and her meekness added to the picture... although Zoisite
knew that mice weren't always shy and timid... they could be passionate and sexy. But
that was only for them to know.
"Then, let me escort you to a drier place, my princess".
He stood up, and took her in his arms again. This time, Mercury didn't yelp,
and just relaxed in the comfortable embrace. Zoisite walked out of the water, heading to where their towels were, looking at her all the time.
He saw as her blue hair waved back and forth, almost dry now with the
blistering sun. As it brushed time after time on her cheeks, he began wondering
how would she look like with long hair, like Lady Venus or Mars'.
"Have you ever thought of letting your hair grow?".
"Why, you don't like me this way?".
There was an edge of worry when she spoke. Insecurity still managed to worm
its way through her new found self-confidence... although as time went by, it seemed to recede more and more. But, he knew she was still fragile, and a bruised ego was the least she needed right now. He hugged her reassuringly, and clearly felt as her body relaxed.
"No, I love you the way you are. You could be bold and ugly, and I would
love you anyway. I was just thinking how would you look like".
"That's it then. When I get home, I will shave all of my hair off".
Zoisite noticed her mocking tone, and nuzzled her nose.
"No you're not. Not when I'm around".
"You can't hold me like this forever".
"Wanna bet?".
She giggled.
"I would love to".
"Little minx".
She did not answer, and just snuggled deeper, and sighed in happiness.
Zoisite lowered his face, and met hers'. They kissed again, tasting each other lips, enjoying the feeling of closeness.
"Hmm", she purred, "I'm beginning to like this visit".
"Shh, don't say anything".
They remained quiet. Only the sound of water, the sea-gulls quirking and the waves
crashing on the shore could be heard.
A slight shiver ran down Zoisite's spine, and she realized he was
probably freezing. She was warm in his arms, with his own body heat... hell, she
was probably vacuuming him from it!.
She jumped out of his embrace, and walked to the discarded towels. She grabbed them, and tossed one of them to Zoisite. He caught it in the air, and began
drying his hair. The cloth covered his face for a couple of seconds, and when
he took it off, Mercury was sitting on the sand, stretching the towel to lay on
it.
She closed an eye, and put her hand over her face to protect it of the sun-
light.
"It's so good down here... I've always enjoy the touch of the sun,
but up there it is never this strong. The moon dome, or something".
Zoisite kneeled by her side, and laid on the towel himself.
She was right; the sun was great. It wasn't as strong to the point of burning, but
good enough to tan up the skin. He closed his eyes, and relaxed, letting the sun caress his body.
Boy, was he tired!. After entire weeks spent in the Palace, fixing Endimion's
mistakes and trying to read, and fighting off his friends attempts to
pry him off the books, and gagging at his Prince's sighs for Princess Serenity,
and many, many other things that only interrupted his time with Ami... anyone
would've crumbled under the pressure.
He hadn't. Yet.
Only Ami proved to be a way out of his life. And he loved her for it.
Among other things, as well...
Suddenly, something hairy was pressed against his chest. He did not have to
look to know what it was. He opened his eyes, expecting to see Ami's head resting
on him.
He wasn't wrong.
Her grin was wide and impish-like.
"Got a clearance for that?".
Her eyes twinkled.
"Oh, I pleased myself today. Besides, you wouldn't want me to go,
would you?".
She batted her long eyelashes, looking at him with puppy dog
eyes. He laughed, and stroked her hair.
"Not ever, in this world or the next".
As he absently caressed her blue tresses, silence settled upon them. There was no need to speak... their connection was so deep, they did not need words to express it.
Ami could not get enough their surroundings... things seemed to bright on
Earth. No plant was as green, no sky as blue, no birds sang as nice...
The Moon was sometimes so cold... only her friends and the recurrent presence
of Zoisite did something to warm her up. But even so, at night, she could not help
but shiver. Not that she did not like it--- she loved it!. But it was a home of marble and stone... and everything was so silver. Silver floors, silver ceilings, silver chairs, silver light... coming down to Earth brought a smile to her lips, and warmth to her heart.
Even so, now, her weariness was catching up. Lately, she had spent her entire days, and most of her nights in the Library, researching. She had just uncovered something. She wasn't quite sure what it was, but it looked big. And she needed a blast to enter the scientists' community.
And she was sure this was it. She had shared her discoveries with Zoisite,
and he had urged her on. He had even offered to help. She had accepted. It was
now their common project. The bad thing was, it was a secret.
Nobody knew what they were working on. And rumors were beginning to spread.
That Lord Zoisite was spending too much time on the Moon. That Lady Mercury looked
tired every morning... as if she hadn't slept at all. And Lord Zoisite did too.
They were doing the math, but they were coming up with the wrong results.
The square root of 4, can be either +2 or -2.
People tend to forget that, sometimes.
Hell, *all* of the time!.
Even Queen Serenity was looking at her with worry, probably wondering whether
the Maiden Warrior was still a maiden... just as everybody else. But they did not
answer any of the million questions people asked. Together, they would build their place among the most respected scientists of the Kingdom. And for that, they needed total secrecy.
Today, was one of the few days off they permitted themselves. And they were spending it on the beach, away from strangers and paparazzi.
But even if happiness flooded her heart, she was still tired. Her body was
demanding rest, and it was going to have it one way or another.
She was so comfortable... with the sand shaped in a comfy bed
under her, and Zoisite's relaxed breathing lulling her into sleep, it wasn't long
before she began dozing off. Minute by minute, she grew sleepier... every time she
closed her eyes, she was sure she would never open them again. Until one time, she did not.
She was asleep.
Zoisite noticed as her head lolled to the side, facing him. And he marveled
once more at his luck. Gods, she was beautiful!.
Every man on the Silver Millennium would give an arm and a leg to be with her, and she had chosen him. Him, of all people!. He knew about the gossip running
around the higher spheres of nobility.
The first few times, he had cringed in remorse. He knew most of the
comments were about his past... his unmentionable past.
The one plagued with women. Women whose names were spoken in hushed tones.
Women whom he had seduced, used, and discarded when the next best one came. Women
who most were married, engaged and/or forbidden to any man. He had broken
every rule, every lock and every qualm... when he wanted a woman, he got her.
His conquests were famous among people. He had become almost a fairy tale...
the handsome, evil Lord who betrayed and broke women's heart like a nutcracker
does with nuts.
But he had changed. After having his share of women, he had become tired of
them. After the first seven hundred times, they became boring. They were all the same. Vain, airheaded and hollow.
He had had it with them. And he had quit. He had been barely eighteen then.
He was twenty-three now, and he had re-discovered what it meant to be in love. Ami had showed him to care, to love and to grow. She was his ultimate conquest...
there would never be anyone else.
She knew about his past--- hell, she had even sighed for him at some point in her life, just like everybody else!. Every time he had tried to apologize, she silenced him with a kiss, and a silent whisper of 'what's past, is past. It will not come back if we do not disturb it'.
Ami was unique. He knew that by now. It was not her looks, or her intelligence, heck, not even her title that attracted him. It was *her*. Her compassion, her wits, her willpower, her friendliness, her happiness... everything. The list went on and on.
He had never met a woman like her. She had spoiled him forever. And for that,
he clung to her like a life savior... he knew that without her, he would've crumbled a long time ago. He had been lonely, bitter and desperate. And he hadn't even noticed it until he had seen the never ending energy she had. The love for life. The friendship.
He had become a new man. And it was only Ami he had to thanks.
But even now, in the throes of happiness, the stain of his past chased him.
It haunted him, like a lurking shadow... always in the corner of his eye. He
could hear the whispers, the hushed comments...
'Pervert. She's only sixteen'.
'They have probably slept together already. Pft!. Maiden Senshi, yeah right!'.
'Couldn't keep your hands off her, did you?'.
And they only got worse. After pummeling them into a pulp the first few times
he had heard them, he had realized it just wasn't worth the effort. Gossip was a
million headed hydra. Cut one head off, two more were born. It can only die with time.
In mutual agreement, they had preferred to stay silent, and let them comment
all they wanted. After all, only Ami and him had the real scoop, and they weren't
letting it out.
As he emerged back from his reverie, his eyes darted to her. She was like a
magnet... whenever she was near, he could not stop looking at her. He didn't mind
it at all. The only problem was, he tended to tune everything else off, which
had resulted in him running into quite a few trees and some benches.
Which was just for the better, because Ami would then kiss him and make
it all good again. Honestly, he had began running into things on purpose, just
for her to kiss his bruised forehead with that disarming smile of hers, and
melt into her arms.
As she looked at her, and marveled once again at his luck, he noticed something. Her eyes were shinning.
.
Raising his head, careful not to wake her, he took a closer view.
Yep, they were shinning. Through her closed eye-lids, a thin trickle of
silver twinkled under the sunlight.
Tears.
************************
TBc...
AN: I know that maybe Ami seems a little OOC, but I've always pictured her to be this lovely, sassy young woman, buried inside the layers and steriotypes of a 'genius'. I think that if she ever found love, this would be her behaviour.
