Of Kith and Kin: Chapter 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi! Sorry this is a bit late!! I really couldn't help it! These past weeks have
been HECTIC! And besides, I guess that it's better not to rush and submit work
that is not my best...besides, it's here now, so don't worry!! Anyways, to the
people who have e-mailed me, thank you lots! Hope to hear from you!! I realy do!
Of course, positive e-mail is always the best, but you can even send me e-mail
on what you think I should have done better, and I usually take it in stride:D!
The addy is smart_sweetlady@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from you, and as usual, all
da disclaimers apply. Blahblahblah. Happy reading!!
-Thalia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When she had reached the mansion, Sard Greenleaf had retired for a short
nap, but the rest of the servants, as well as Zoisite, were there to greet her.
Davy had run out to the front door, when he heard the limo's arrival, and as
soon as his friend had come out of the limo, had handed her a tiny bunch of shy
violets from the garden. Ami thanked him, and Davy scampered off grinning ear to
ear. A delectable aroma came from the kitchen, where Mrs. Neveson was cooking
for the banquet. Zoisite was tinkering with a fancy-looking stereo system in the
ballroom when he heard Mary call, "Why, Miss Ami, you look pretty as a picture!
Master Zoisite, do come and have a look at her!" Zoisite came out, somewhat
hesitantly, still recalling that impulsive but hauntingly sweet kiss that he had
stolen the night before. He looked at her, and felt his mind reel.
Ami was usually not one to flaunt her beauty, and even now she looked
more "lovely" than "striking", but nevertheless he felt about to faint. She was
wearing pale blue, neither too diaphanous nor too clingy, but just right. She
also wore, pinned on her bodice, a fresh, fragrant bunch of dewy violets. She
looked like a goddess...wait, no, that description was too grandiloquent and
pretentious for her...more like a nymph, or an angel. But none of these ideas
and thoughts were expressed. He simply inclined his head and said, "You look
very nice."
Nice? NICE?! That was all he could say? Ami sighed inwardly. His father
was right. Last night was definitely a "passion of the moment" thing. She shook
herself, and her floundering composure re-asserted itself. She nodded, her tone
as cool as his, "Thank you."
Zoisite looked at her, at her beautiful blue eyes. They were still the
same clear, cerulean pools fringed with feathery blue eyelashes, but they were
emotionless, almost glacial. He thought of last night, and how offended she
likely was now. An apology was necessary. "Umm, Ami, I just want to tell you
that I regret my hasty, rude actions and intrusive questioning towards you last
night. I will not offend you again. And, ah...Ami, I wish nothing but the best
for you and that doctor." His voice was cordial and calm, but seemed a trifle
forced.
Ami was silent for a moment, then replied, "Do not think too much on it
Zoisite. I promise you that I will never allow anyone to do anything to me that
I do not desire." She said carefully.
Zoisite looked at her, silent. Then, the tension in the room was broken
suddenly by the ringing of the doorbell. "Saved by the bell." Ami thought wryly
as Zoisite went to open it. Then, she heard his voice become warm once more, an
enthusiastic, "Jade! Rei! How are you? Welcome!"
A seraphically handsome blond man of 27, mischievous blue eyes bright,
the famed other singer of "Fire and Ice", with a strikingly beautiful raven
haired woman of 25 dressed in red on his arm, entered the sitting room. Ami
arose to meet them and Zoisite made the introductions.
"So this is the Ami that Zoi had been raving about all day today. It is
a pleasure indeed." Jadeite smiled, his face both charming and roguish at the
same time. Zoisite's face reddened slightly. Jadeite, noting with satisfaction
his friend's discomfiture, continued. "I must say, he has good taste." Now, it
was Ami's turn to blush. But she liked Jadeite: he was charming, polished, very
witty. His voice was a bit higher than Zoisite's, a bit more clipped, but still
very mellow, and she could see how the two together could sell a song. Both him
and Rei exuded an aura of crimson fire and passion. The group "Fire and Ice"
had been well-named indeed.
"Oh, do ignore him." Rei cut in, a warm smile on her face.
"Glad to make your acquaintance, Miss Rei."
"Just Rei, please. Where are you from? You do not sound English." Ami
smiled. This Rei was a strong person, she could tell, and much warmer and more
honest than the likes of Carnelian Greenleaf.
"I came from America. I went to college in Stanford before they gave me
the chance to study abroad at Cambridge. And I have been here since."
"You're from America too? So am I! But I lived out on the east coast. I
took theology and martial arts at Amherst."
"Really? When did you come to England?"
"Four years ago. Actually, I was not supposed to. I was at the airport,
just stopping in England, in the middle of a flight from a kendo tournament in
France, on my way home. But then, at the airport, in this cafe, I met Jade, and
we started talking. And to make a long story, we hit it off right away, and I
actually lost track of time and missed my flight! He offered to let me stay
with him, and I did, and I never left. Fell madly, crazily in love with him in
a matter of minutes. I didn't tell him, but the next day, because I didn't want
to impose upon him, I was about to call to reschedule a flight, and he told me
that he did not want me to. We got engaged that very day. Several months after
that, one day, I was out buying some food. There was a great number of people
at the store, and in front of me was this man who looked sad and lonely. As I
had nothing to do but wait until I got to the cashier, I started talking to
him. Found out that he was Zoisite Greenleaf, Jade's best friend, whom he had
been talking about. I got very excited and rung up Jade on my cell phone at
once. The two boys got together and now you have it: 'Fire and Ice'. And" Rei
grinned impishly, "I was the one who made it possible."
Ami chuckled. She liked Rei and felt like she could be friends with her.
Rei continued, "I think that what you are doing is wonderful, though."
"Oh, my profession? Yes, I enjoy it very much."
"No." Rei looked at Ami steadily with violet eyes that bored into the
soul. "You know very well what I meant. Zoisite had not been half as happy in
years. You have made him see what he was missing. Do you think that Jade and I
do not know his story? We do, but no matter how hard we tried, we could not
reach him. You have done something wonderful for both him and his father."
Ami looked down, a bit abashed. THAT? She had simply told Zoisite a few
blunt, outspoken truths. Perhaps Zoisite had not been ready to accept them til
then. It was nothing but correct timing...Ding-dong! The doorbell rang again.
At that moment, Sard Greenleaf descended the staircase. He reached the
door before Zoisite, who had been talking with Jadeite, could. "Ah, Leigh! Good
evening! Mina, always a pleasure. Welcome!"
Another couple, slightly older, entered. One was a tall and serious but
nevertheless very kindly and handsome looking man of 31 years dressed in gray,
and another was a beautiful woman slightly younger, wearing a dress as golden as
her plentious tresses, a sweet smile reaching her blue eyes. Sard Greenleaf was
the one to introduce the two guests this time. "This gentleman is Kunzite Leigh,
my indispensible personal solicitor, and his lovely wife, Mina, who in 3 months
or so will be the proud mother to a baby girl." The others gave their polite
congratulations, and Sard Greenleaf led Kunzite away as Mina joined the other
women.
Ami soon learned that Mina had a cheerful, optimistic temperament, a son
of four named Eric, a blissful marriage of 5 years, and a degree in psychology.
She was a respectable woman in her own right, not just as the wife of an eminent
solicitor, but as a first-rate psychologist for 3 years. She was 29 years old,
wholly free from any sort of artifice, snobbery or unkindness. Soon, she and Ami
and Rei were talking like old friends, as if they had known each other for all
of their lives. Her husband, Kunzite, had met her when the two were both at the
curb waiting for a cab on a rainy day. Finally, one solitary cab showed up, and
as both were unwilling to wait for another one, they rode together, then started
dating. That was almost 6 years ago, and as soon as Kunzite had finished his law
degree, the two had married. The two were very close to Sard Greenleaf, and were
his closest confidantes. Mina was sweet and tactful, but extremely sharp. Within
minutes, she had picked up on the covert glances that both Zoisite and Ami were
stealing at each other when the other was not looking. She smiled silently to
herself.
Soon, the last guests arrived, Miss Estrellita Ivy De Remie Kino, known
commonly as Lita, and her fiance Nephrite Starr Ralston. Like the other women,
Lita was genuine, unpretentious, strong and easy to get along with. She was an
independent, confident woman, having long been used to taking care of herself,
with the lack of a mother. Nephrite was perfectly likeable also, a professor of
astrophysics, who treated everyone with behavior befitting "an officer and a
gentleman". The two had met a year ago, when a flowerpot that she had carelessly
knocked off of her balcony in her penthouse apartment had barely missed hitting
his head as he had been passing below. Sard Greenleaf greeted both Lita and her
fiance warmly and asked them to sign a few things for his will. Then, dinner was
announced, and everyone filed into the dining hall.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After eating a delicious meal, everyone went to the ballroom. Jadeite
took the lead in conversation. "I hand it to you, Zoi. That song you wrote will
be a great hit. But it is surprising, you usally write wonderful sad songs and
fast songs, but this is the first love song you have undertaken. What sparked
that sudden change in your style?"
Zoisite's face was a blank mask, and he shrugged nonchalantly, "I do not
know, it just came to me one night."
"Ah, he must have a muse!" Mina said slyly. "How wonderful! But I wish
to hear the song."
"Certainly." Jadeite volunteered. He and Zoisite put the newly made CD
into the stereo system and the instrumentals started softly in the background.
Zoisite started to sing the first verse, his green eyes fixed on Ami. Jadeite
soon joined him at the chorus. The entire effect, with the instrumentals and the
addition of Jadeite's voice, made the song sound even richer than before, but
for some reason, Ami had rather liked it when Zoisite was singing it alone...
Her thoughts were interrupted by applause. The song had ended, and soft
music for dancing had been put on. The lights were dimmed, and soon, Kunzite
and Mina, Jadeite and Rei, and Nephrite and Lita started to dance slowly to the
music. Ami smiled wistfully, then quietly left them to go out to the balcony.
But Mina the psychologist was not about to let her go so quickly. She winked at
her husband, who understood and smiled indulgently, and the two started to dance
closer and closer to where Zoisite was standing, still fiddling with the blasted
stereo system. Mina "accidentally gave him a gentle kick with her high heel, and
coughed, then looked in the direction of the balcony where Ami was standing by
herself, and winked. Zoisite's face reddened slightly, but Mina simply grinned
wider than ever, and gave him an encouraging nod.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoisite walked toward the balcony, and soon stood right next to Ami,
whose face shimmered bluish silver in the milky moonlight, looking more lovely
and ethereal than ever. She turned and looked at Zoisite, her gaze gentle yet
penetrating, and she asked him softly, "Why are you not with the others?"
"I should be asking you the same thing."
"I am but a nurse, your father's employee. I do not fit in that scene."
"I do not, either."
"But, why not? You are of the same class as them, you do belong."
"No." Zoisite drew closer, holding her gaze so intently that a tiny tear
beaded her eyelashes. "What is wrong?"
Ami shook her head and smiled. "Is it not a beautiful scene in there?"
She said, gesturing the ballroom.
"Yes." Zoisite tentatively cupped her little face in his hands and wiped
away the escaping, mutinous teardrops. "But if you think it so beautiful, why
are you not in there?"
"Because I do not belong! I mean, look at them, look at how Mina leans
her head on Kunzite's shoulder! Look at how soulfully Nephrite looks at Lita!
Look at Rei and Jadeite, whispering sweet nothings to each other! How could I
possibly belong? But you should be there. You ARE the host, after all. Do not
neglect your guests for me."
"I belong right here with you, Ami." Zoisite said earnestly and gently.
"Jade was telling the truth when he said that I have never written a love song
worth anything before, and for good reason. I have never understood love before
I met you. Ami, I know that I have been presumptious, arrogant and rude to you
in the past. But can you forgive me enough to give me a chance? Because I love
you."
Ami looked at him, shocked. For a few moments, she was at a loss for
words. Zoisite looked at her, and mistook the meaning of her silence. He sighed,
and the polite but forced and mechanical Zoisite of the afternoon returned and
he whispered, "Forgive my presumption, Ami. I did not mean to offend you."
Ami gasped as he turned away to leave. It was time to take some action.
Going totally out of her usual composed, subdued self for once, Ami called out,
"Wait, I forgot something, I owe you something."
Zoisite turned around, looking at her, confused, but did not have time
to react when she, the initiator this time around, fastened a pair of soft,
sweet lips upon his own.
Zoisite felt time stand still as a pair of bare, soft arms wended their
way around his neck. Suddenly, a wave of protectiveness and emotion washed over
him, and as fiercely and desperately as she had initiated the kiss, he deepened
it. He embraced her lithe form tightly yet gently, his fingers grazing where the
back of her gown met silky skin.
They finally parted for breath, and this time, did not loosen their
embrace. Ami raised her hauntingly beautiful blue eyes to his face, drowning in
emotions, then leaned her head against his shoulder, unable to meet his intense
gaze. She felt his body tremble, his cheek pressed to her own damp one. She felt
her eyes overflowing again. Usually, she would have considered this inordinate
weakness on her part, but now, she felt totally safe in her very vulnerability,
as he whispered those three words, "I love you", into her ear....again....and
again....and again.
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All righty then! That was Chapter 4! Like it? Hate it? E-mail me! Okay, I know
that there wasn't much action here, but there will be MORE COMING!! Trust me!! I
have started Chapter 5 and believe me there will be more plot and drama and not
just sappy romance...so...anyways, with any other comments, e-mail them, as is
usual, to smart_sweetlady@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from you!! Chapter 5 to be out
in a week or two, look for it!!
-Thalia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi! Sorry this is a bit late!! I really couldn't help it! These past weeks have
been HECTIC! And besides, I guess that it's better not to rush and submit work
that is not my best...besides, it's here now, so don't worry!! Anyways, to the
people who have e-mailed me, thank you lots! Hope to hear from you!! I realy do!
Of course, positive e-mail is always the best, but you can even send me e-mail
on what you think I should have done better, and I usually take it in stride:D!
The addy is smart_sweetlady@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from you, and as usual, all
da disclaimers apply. Blahblahblah. Happy reading!!
-Thalia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When she had reached the mansion, Sard Greenleaf had retired for a short
nap, but the rest of the servants, as well as Zoisite, were there to greet her.
Davy had run out to the front door, when he heard the limo's arrival, and as
soon as his friend had come out of the limo, had handed her a tiny bunch of shy
violets from the garden. Ami thanked him, and Davy scampered off grinning ear to
ear. A delectable aroma came from the kitchen, where Mrs. Neveson was cooking
for the banquet. Zoisite was tinkering with a fancy-looking stereo system in the
ballroom when he heard Mary call, "Why, Miss Ami, you look pretty as a picture!
Master Zoisite, do come and have a look at her!" Zoisite came out, somewhat
hesitantly, still recalling that impulsive but hauntingly sweet kiss that he had
stolen the night before. He looked at her, and felt his mind reel.
Ami was usually not one to flaunt her beauty, and even now she looked
more "lovely" than "striking", but nevertheless he felt about to faint. She was
wearing pale blue, neither too diaphanous nor too clingy, but just right. She
also wore, pinned on her bodice, a fresh, fragrant bunch of dewy violets. She
looked like a goddess...wait, no, that description was too grandiloquent and
pretentious for her...more like a nymph, or an angel. But none of these ideas
and thoughts were expressed. He simply inclined his head and said, "You look
very nice."
Nice? NICE?! That was all he could say? Ami sighed inwardly. His father
was right. Last night was definitely a "passion of the moment" thing. She shook
herself, and her floundering composure re-asserted itself. She nodded, her tone
as cool as his, "Thank you."
Zoisite looked at her, at her beautiful blue eyes. They were still the
same clear, cerulean pools fringed with feathery blue eyelashes, but they were
emotionless, almost glacial. He thought of last night, and how offended she
likely was now. An apology was necessary. "Umm, Ami, I just want to tell you
that I regret my hasty, rude actions and intrusive questioning towards you last
night. I will not offend you again. And, ah...Ami, I wish nothing but the best
for you and that doctor." His voice was cordial and calm, but seemed a trifle
forced.
Ami was silent for a moment, then replied, "Do not think too much on it
Zoisite. I promise you that I will never allow anyone to do anything to me that
I do not desire." She said carefully.
Zoisite looked at her, silent. Then, the tension in the room was broken
suddenly by the ringing of the doorbell. "Saved by the bell." Ami thought wryly
as Zoisite went to open it. Then, she heard his voice become warm once more, an
enthusiastic, "Jade! Rei! How are you? Welcome!"
A seraphically handsome blond man of 27, mischievous blue eyes bright,
the famed other singer of "Fire and Ice", with a strikingly beautiful raven
haired woman of 25 dressed in red on his arm, entered the sitting room. Ami
arose to meet them and Zoisite made the introductions.
"So this is the Ami that Zoi had been raving about all day today. It is
a pleasure indeed." Jadeite smiled, his face both charming and roguish at the
same time. Zoisite's face reddened slightly. Jadeite, noting with satisfaction
his friend's discomfiture, continued. "I must say, he has good taste." Now, it
was Ami's turn to blush. But she liked Jadeite: he was charming, polished, very
witty. His voice was a bit higher than Zoisite's, a bit more clipped, but still
very mellow, and she could see how the two together could sell a song. Both him
and Rei exuded an aura of crimson fire and passion. The group "Fire and Ice"
had been well-named indeed.
"Oh, do ignore him." Rei cut in, a warm smile on her face.
"Glad to make your acquaintance, Miss Rei."
"Just Rei, please. Where are you from? You do not sound English." Ami
smiled. This Rei was a strong person, she could tell, and much warmer and more
honest than the likes of Carnelian Greenleaf.
"I came from America. I went to college in Stanford before they gave me
the chance to study abroad at Cambridge. And I have been here since."
"You're from America too? So am I! But I lived out on the east coast. I
took theology and martial arts at Amherst."
"Really? When did you come to England?"
"Four years ago. Actually, I was not supposed to. I was at the airport,
just stopping in England, in the middle of a flight from a kendo tournament in
France, on my way home. But then, at the airport, in this cafe, I met Jade, and
we started talking. And to make a long story, we hit it off right away, and I
actually lost track of time and missed my flight! He offered to let me stay
with him, and I did, and I never left. Fell madly, crazily in love with him in
a matter of minutes. I didn't tell him, but the next day, because I didn't want
to impose upon him, I was about to call to reschedule a flight, and he told me
that he did not want me to. We got engaged that very day. Several months after
that, one day, I was out buying some food. There was a great number of people
at the store, and in front of me was this man who looked sad and lonely. As I
had nothing to do but wait until I got to the cashier, I started talking to
him. Found out that he was Zoisite Greenleaf, Jade's best friend, whom he had
been talking about. I got very excited and rung up Jade on my cell phone at
once. The two boys got together and now you have it: 'Fire and Ice'. And" Rei
grinned impishly, "I was the one who made it possible."
Ami chuckled. She liked Rei and felt like she could be friends with her.
Rei continued, "I think that what you are doing is wonderful, though."
"Oh, my profession? Yes, I enjoy it very much."
"No." Rei looked at Ami steadily with violet eyes that bored into the
soul. "You know very well what I meant. Zoisite had not been half as happy in
years. You have made him see what he was missing. Do you think that Jade and I
do not know his story? We do, but no matter how hard we tried, we could not
reach him. You have done something wonderful for both him and his father."
Ami looked down, a bit abashed. THAT? She had simply told Zoisite a few
blunt, outspoken truths. Perhaps Zoisite had not been ready to accept them til
then. It was nothing but correct timing...Ding-dong! The doorbell rang again.
At that moment, Sard Greenleaf descended the staircase. He reached the
door before Zoisite, who had been talking with Jadeite, could. "Ah, Leigh! Good
evening! Mina, always a pleasure. Welcome!"
Another couple, slightly older, entered. One was a tall and serious but
nevertheless very kindly and handsome looking man of 31 years dressed in gray,
and another was a beautiful woman slightly younger, wearing a dress as golden as
her plentious tresses, a sweet smile reaching her blue eyes. Sard Greenleaf was
the one to introduce the two guests this time. "This gentleman is Kunzite Leigh,
my indispensible personal solicitor, and his lovely wife, Mina, who in 3 months
or so will be the proud mother to a baby girl." The others gave their polite
congratulations, and Sard Greenleaf led Kunzite away as Mina joined the other
women.
Ami soon learned that Mina had a cheerful, optimistic temperament, a son
of four named Eric, a blissful marriage of 5 years, and a degree in psychology.
She was a respectable woman in her own right, not just as the wife of an eminent
solicitor, but as a first-rate psychologist for 3 years. She was 29 years old,
wholly free from any sort of artifice, snobbery or unkindness. Soon, she and Ami
and Rei were talking like old friends, as if they had known each other for all
of their lives. Her husband, Kunzite, had met her when the two were both at the
curb waiting for a cab on a rainy day. Finally, one solitary cab showed up, and
as both were unwilling to wait for another one, they rode together, then started
dating. That was almost 6 years ago, and as soon as Kunzite had finished his law
degree, the two had married. The two were very close to Sard Greenleaf, and were
his closest confidantes. Mina was sweet and tactful, but extremely sharp. Within
minutes, she had picked up on the covert glances that both Zoisite and Ami were
stealing at each other when the other was not looking. She smiled silently to
herself.
Soon, the last guests arrived, Miss Estrellita Ivy De Remie Kino, known
commonly as Lita, and her fiance Nephrite Starr Ralston. Like the other women,
Lita was genuine, unpretentious, strong and easy to get along with. She was an
independent, confident woman, having long been used to taking care of herself,
with the lack of a mother. Nephrite was perfectly likeable also, a professor of
astrophysics, who treated everyone with behavior befitting "an officer and a
gentleman". The two had met a year ago, when a flowerpot that she had carelessly
knocked off of her balcony in her penthouse apartment had barely missed hitting
his head as he had been passing below. Sard Greenleaf greeted both Lita and her
fiance warmly and asked them to sign a few things for his will. Then, dinner was
announced, and everyone filed into the dining hall.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After eating a delicious meal, everyone went to the ballroom. Jadeite
took the lead in conversation. "I hand it to you, Zoi. That song you wrote will
be a great hit. But it is surprising, you usally write wonderful sad songs and
fast songs, but this is the first love song you have undertaken. What sparked
that sudden change in your style?"
Zoisite's face was a blank mask, and he shrugged nonchalantly, "I do not
know, it just came to me one night."
"Ah, he must have a muse!" Mina said slyly. "How wonderful! But I wish
to hear the song."
"Certainly." Jadeite volunteered. He and Zoisite put the newly made CD
into the stereo system and the instrumentals started softly in the background.
Zoisite started to sing the first verse, his green eyes fixed on Ami. Jadeite
soon joined him at the chorus. The entire effect, with the instrumentals and the
addition of Jadeite's voice, made the song sound even richer than before, but
for some reason, Ami had rather liked it when Zoisite was singing it alone...
Her thoughts were interrupted by applause. The song had ended, and soft
music for dancing had been put on. The lights were dimmed, and soon, Kunzite
and Mina, Jadeite and Rei, and Nephrite and Lita started to dance slowly to the
music. Ami smiled wistfully, then quietly left them to go out to the balcony.
But Mina the psychologist was not about to let her go so quickly. She winked at
her husband, who understood and smiled indulgently, and the two started to dance
closer and closer to where Zoisite was standing, still fiddling with the blasted
stereo system. Mina "accidentally gave him a gentle kick with her high heel, and
coughed, then looked in the direction of the balcony where Ami was standing by
herself, and winked. Zoisite's face reddened slightly, but Mina simply grinned
wider than ever, and gave him an encouraging nod.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoisite walked toward the balcony, and soon stood right next to Ami,
whose face shimmered bluish silver in the milky moonlight, looking more lovely
and ethereal than ever. She turned and looked at Zoisite, her gaze gentle yet
penetrating, and she asked him softly, "Why are you not with the others?"
"I should be asking you the same thing."
"I am but a nurse, your father's employee. I do not fit in that scene."
"I do not, either."
"But, why not? You are of the same class as them, you do belong."
"No." Zoisite drew closer, holding her gaze so intently that a tiny tear
beaded her eyelashes. "What is wrong?"
Ami shook her head and smiled. "Is it not a beautiful scene in there?"
She said, gesturing the ballroom.
"Yes." Zoisite tentatively cupped her little face in his hands and wiped
away the escaping, mutinous teardrops. "But if you think it so beautiful, why
are you not in there?"
"Because I do not belong! I mean, look at them, look at how Mina leans
her head on Kunzite's shoulder! Look at how soulfully Nephrite looks at Lita!
Look at Rei and Jadeite, whispering sweet nothings to each other! How could I
possibly belong? But you should be there. You ARE the host, after all. Do not
neglect your guests for me."
"I belong right here with you, Ami." Zoisite said earnestly and gently.
"Jade was telling the truth when he said that I have never written a love song
worth anything before, and for good reason. I have never understood love before
I met you. Ami, I know that I have been presumptious, arrogant and rude to you
in the past. But can you forgive me enough to give me a chance? Because I love
you."
Ami looked at him, shocked. For a few moments, she was at a loss for
words. Zoisite looked at her, and mistook the meaning of her silence. He sighed,
and the polite but forced and mechanical Zoisite of the afternoon returned and
he whispered, "Forgive my presumption, Ami. I did not mean to offend you."
Ami gasped as he turned away to leave. It was time to take some action.
Going totally out of her usual composed, subdued self for once, Ami called out,
"Wait, I forgot something, I owe you something."
Zoisite turned around, looking at her, confused, but did not have time
to react when she, the initiator this time around, fastened a pair of soft,
sweet lips upon his own.
Zoisite felt time stand still as a pair of bare, soft arms wended their
way around his neck. Suddenly, a wave of protectiveness and emotion washed over
him, and as fiercely and desperately as she had initiated the kiss, he deepened
it. He embraced her lithe form tightly yet gently, his fingers grazing where the
back of her gown met silky skin.
They finally parted for breath, and this time, did not loosen their
embrace. Ami raised her hauntingly beautiful blue eyes to his face, drowning in
emotions, then leaned her head against his shoulder, unable to meet his intense
gaze. She felt his body tremble, his cheek pressed to her own damp one. She felt
her eyes overflowing again. Usually, she would have considered this inordinate
weakness on her part, but now, she felt totally safe in her very vulnerability,
as he whispered those three words, "I love you", into her ear....again....and
again....and again.
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All righty then! That was Chapter 4! Like it? Hate it? E-mail me! Okay, I know
that there wasn't much action here, but there will be MORE COMING!! Trust me!! I
have started Chapter 5 and believe me there will be more plot and drama and not
just sappy romance...so...anyways, with any other comments, e-mail them, as is
usual, to smart_sweetlady@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from you!! Chapter 5 to be out
in a week or two, look for it!!
-Thalia