Part two
The Joy of Loving.
************************************************
"Prince Endymion." Greets a cool voice behind me.
Recognising the voice I smile over my shoulder at the handsome silver-green haired man coming up behind me. "Kunzite." I return the greeting. "Zoicite." I continue gazing at the slender man Kunzite hugs so protectively to his chest.
Over two weeks had past since the withdrawl of the Amazons and Nephlite's rescue of Zoicite and he was recovering well. Most of the cuts had scabbed over and his neck and ribs were almost completely healed, as was his spine. Though Kunzite still insisted on carrying him everywhere. Zoicite had flourished under the constant attention from his mate, his pale, feminine features holding a healthy glow that was at odds with his beaten and bruised body. Nephlite had also recovered well and was back to his full duties, though he seemed to be avoiding me and his fellow Guardians.
Neither he nor Zoicite would go into detail over what had happened except to confirm that Zoicite had been tortured to discover information on the city which surrounded the palace and that Nephlite had destroyed the Amazons involved.
I watch enviously as Kunzite lowers himself down besides me on the stone seat, settling Zoicite more comfortably on his lap. Often I had imagined myself in a simular pose though neither I nor Nephlite were of the temperament to sit on another's knee. Ever since Zoicite had woken he and Kunzite had no longer tried to hide their relationship, being as open about it as any other couple much to Zoicite's delight. Often he had confided a fear that Kunzite was ashamed of him. Now he had no reason to doubt Kunzite's feelings.
Gazing around at the garden full of flowers and shrubs which surrounds me, I grimace and drop my eyes to the grass, I am in no mood for beauty.
I feel a light touch on my shoulder and look up. Zoicite is gazing at me seriously but his emerald eyes are sparkling. "Your Father was searching for you my Prince."
I glance up at Kunzite who shrugs. "His Majesty was inquiring after Zoicite and asked us to inform you, if we found you, to meet him in the throne room."
Puzzled I stand. It is not like my Father to send for me via a messenger. Usually he simply sent his thoughts directly into my head telepathically. Suspicious I study them. Kunzite's face is in its usual expressionless state and Zoicite hides his, burying it in Kunzite's shoulder. They have never lied to me before and I don't really think that they would now, but something in their manner is off. Still unsure I mumble a brief see-you-later and head back through the gardens into the palace.
***
Just about to walk through the door which leads into the throne room. I pause as I hear a woman's voice raised in anger inside.
Soft footed I move closer to the doorway intending to somehow sneak past the arguing couple. But I am stopped short by the voice of a man. It is deep and filled with anger and I know it as well as my own. Nephlite.
Peaking around the door frame as something akin to jealousy stirs in my gut, I gasp in surprise at the scene ahead of me. Nephlite stands in the center of the deserted throne room, his back facing towards me as he argues angrily with a woman, dressed in a figure hugging navy blue dress, hovering in the air before him. She is a beautiful woman with long red hair, a lighter shade then Nephlite's and longer, reaching in curling waves down past her knees. Strange red eyes and skin as pale as ivory completed her statue like appearance. Normally as emotionless as the stone she resembled, today she was actually shaking with rage.
Beryl. I snarl, would she never give up? Just as I was about to storm around the corner, part of what she was saying reached me and I froze in shock.
"... your love. He evidently doesn't want it." She laughs cruelly. "I have gotten closer to him in just a few months then you have in years."
"My Prince would never be fooled by your lust for power. His fate has been sealed, it is his destiny to marry another." Nephlite cries, his voice dripping with hate.
"The moon brat, hah!" Beryl says scornfully. "She is six years away from being old enough to marry, and in the heat of passion a man can be made to promise anything. I will be married to him after the first night. A royal brat under my heart an unfortunate but necessary part of the plan."
"You are very open about this plan." Nephlite mocks. I can feel him gather his energy, ready to attack in an instant. "How do you plan on preventing me from telling him?"
Beryl's half crazy laughter rings out again. "I am not adverse to assassination. My first attempt failed. A pity because it would have wiped out two of you and left the most powerful of you an emotional wreck."
"You!" Nephlite snarls. "You betrayed Zoicite."
"So you finally work it out. Believe me, this time I will not fail and when the grief stricken Prince Endymion discovers your corpse it will be I who comforts him."
"What makes you think that it will be you who survives this encounter?" Nephlite demands, his energy level peaking.
I gasp as I feel Beryl summon her power. There is no way that Nephlite, strong as he was, would be able to defeat her alone. But even knowing this I find myself hesitating. There is something I need to know. Like a recorded message Beryl's first words repeat themselves over and over in my head. "Your love. He evidently doesn't want it."
"I will prove victorious simply because I do not have anything, such as love, to weaken me." Beryl snaps furiously.
"I do not see my love for Darion as my weakness but as my strength. Willingly will I die for him, but know that I will take you with me." Nephlite vows.
"Fool." Beryl scorns.
I feel my face twist into a snarl. Though it feels like my heart has stopped at the proof that Nephlite really does care in the way I have always dreamed, another, not stronger but more immediate emotion captures me in its burning grip.
"BERYL!" I roar, pure rage filling me as I step through the doorway drawing my sword. "BETRAYER!" I roar again hurling my sword towards her with all my strength, fuelling it with as much raw energy as I can gather, infusing the steel blade with the power to destroy a dozen enemies.
Taken by surprise Beryl is unable to move fast enough and my sword strikes her chest, plowing through her body like cheese, up to its pommel.
Nephlite dives out of the way as she shrieks in agony as the power I infused the sword with begins to consume her in a green fire hotter then any flame, destroying her body until all that remains of her is an oddly shaped black length of the room
Hesitantly I walk to where Nephlite is staring down at the place Beryl had been a moment earlier, a puzzled look on his face.
"She is dead my Guardian." I assure him
Nephlite shakes his head thoughtfully. "No there was something just before she disappeared, almost as if there was someone else here."
I frown concernedly, Nephlite's instincts had an unnerving habit of being correct. "Why do you think that?"
"I'm not sure." He answers slowly. "Another presence hidden behind, or perhaps joined with her own." He shakes his head, releasing his grip on his power. "I can't explain it. I am sorry my Prince."
Shoving a hand through my hair I shrug helplessly. Reaching out I grasp the pommel of my sword, pulling it out of the blackened marble wall. Suddenly a sharp pain lances through my hand and with a yelp, half of surprise half pain I release the smooth leather bound pommel. My sword hits the ground with a startling clang as my hand and wrist become numb. But I have no time to dwell on it as my hand is grasped in a strong grip and Nephlite's voice speaks urgently, close to my ear.
"My Prince, what is it?"
"It is nothing."
"Let me see my Prince."
I turn my head towards him to assure him that I am fine and discover just how close his face is to mine. His red hair obscures most of his features as he leans forward to examine my unmarked hand, but his mouth is visible, pulled into a worried line. Mere centimetres separate my face from his and it would be so easy to turn my head slightly and press my lips to his, kissing away the worry. Savagely I smother the thought my face flaming.
Almost pulling my hand out of his grasp, I stop and suck in my breath nervously as Beryl's words repeat through my head once again, "Your love. He evidently doesn't want it." But this time they are followed by Nephlite's passionate reply as he readies himself to face her, knowing that it will be his death, "I do not see my love for Darion as my weakness, but my strength." He had used my name then, not my title or my hereditary name. Darion, a name generally used only rarely by my Guardians, who since my sixteenth birthday had insisted on using my title, ignoring all of my objections, limiting their use of it to crisis situations and times of close friendship. Nephlite's use of it in such a way gives me a courage I have never before possessed and know I will not have again.
Hesitantly I reach out, and gently smooth the wine red hair from the handsome face, lovingly stroking the cheek exposed by my action with the back of my fingers. My other hand is suddenly clenched tightly in both of his, making me wince with the painful return of sensation, but I ignore it, watching as Nephlite's cheekbones colour slightly. But he doesn't look up and I repeat the caress. "Guardian." I breath softly.
Though I hear him draw in a ragged breath he refuses to look up and for a moment I fear that I am mistaken and that his love for me was no more then the love and devotion of a friend and soldier to his sworn Lord. Then slowly he presses his cheek into the palm of my hand. "My Prince. You heard?" He asks. His voice is so soft it is barely audible.
"I heard you say you would die for me." I answer, unsure why but deliberately avoiding the words he really speaks of.
"That is as I swore to you when I was fifteen and you first linked to me." He dismisses. For a moment he is silent, then he straightens and his eyes meet mine. Longing, love and uncertainty swim in the sapphire depths and I know that he must see the same emotions in mine. "I also said that I..." He swallows but doesn't lower his gaze. "That I loved you."
For a moment the room seems to spin dizzily and I close my eyes briefly, opening them when I feel Nephlite move away. He stands a little distance away, his back towards me and his head bowed.
"Forgive me Prince Endymion I should have said nothing." He says his voice breaking on a sob. "You don't feel the same."
"Nephlite." I begin urgently, reaching out and grasping his arm. "I feel... Oh the Gods damn it." I stop swearing as the sounds of voices and running booted feet come from the corridor outside.
Swooping down I gingerly retrieve my sword, relieved when there is no repeat of the earlier painful shock. "We can't talk here." I decide sheathing the blade. Glancing around at the throne room I figure that with Beryl safely dead I can explain what happened later. "Can you teleport us somewhere private?"
Wordlessly he nods and I step closer to him as a silver blue glow surrounds us and the throne room disappears.
Feeling solid ground under my feet I look around myself in surprise as I recognise where he has taken us. It was a clearing in a section of forest located on the side of one of the mountains which surrounds the Kings City. Inaccessible except by teleportation or by flight, Nephlite had often brought me here when he had been trying to explain his fascination with the stars to me years ago. I had not been here since then but it had change little. Trees still surrounded the clearing in a circle that left the sky clearly visible but hid us from view. A shallow river ran through the center of the clearing and I watch as Nephlite moves towards it, his long hair blowing around his shoulders. Shoulders that are bowed heavy with despair.
Gathering what remains of my earlier determination, I move until I stand behind him. Uneasy at the way he seems to be completely unaware of my presence I grasp his chin firmly, turning him to face me.
Pressing my hands to either side of his face I wipe away the tears that travel shinning paths down his cheeks, trying to tell him without words how I feel.
Hesitantly he raises a hand to my face, lightly tracing its contours, becoming bolder when I do not move away. His eyes glow with a fierce joy blazing into mine and out of no where the dream I had plays in my head. Smiling I hear myself whisper, "My dream."
"This is no dream my Prince." Nephlite says hoarsely, pulling me into his arms as his mouth tentatively replaces his fingers exploring my face.
"No." I sigh, pressing my lithe body closer to his muscular length. "No Prince Endymion, No Guardian Nephlite. Equals."
"Equals?" He asks. His hands are buried in my hair, tilting my head back, exposing my throat.
"Just Darion.' I murmur as his mouth makes its slow way down my throat. "Just Nephlite." I gasp as his mouth lightly kisses a sensitive spot.
Hearing his throaty chuckle I tangle my fingers in his long heavy hair and tug his head up until it is level with my own. Sapphire eyes, heavy with desire meet my own, equally desire filled dark blue ones, and silently we gaze at each other. I read a thousand dreams and emotions in those brilliant eyes, learning just how much I am loved, and I am unable to contain a joy filled tear which slides down my cheek.
Watching its progress downwards Nephlite lowers his head to kiss it away, but I turn my head slightly and meet his lips with my own. Immediately he returns the sweet pressure, his lips moving over my own with infinite gentleness. Feeling his tongue swipe over my lips seeking access, I sigh in enjoyment, my lips parting in an invitation which is eagerly accepted. His warm tongue invades my mouth exploring it hungrily and I shiver as delight courses through me. Oh how long have I wanted this, dreamt of this? Longer then I can easily remember. I'm not even sure when, if there was ever a precise moment, that the strong friendship I shared with my Guardian altered, becoming something deeper, stronger then I fully understood. Closing my eyes as our kiss grows more passionate, I tighten my arms around his neck as I hear Nephlite groan.
His hands leave my hair and glide down my back. My skin tingles through the heavy material of my jacket and I groan against his mouth as his hands push my hips firmer against his. My closed eyes fly open as I feel Nephlite's hands disappear under my jacket, pulling my shirt out of the waistband of my pants and I shudder feeling his hands against the hot skin of my back. Pulling away I force air into my burning lungs.
Both of us are breathing heavy and my blood is pounding through my veins so loudly that I am surprised he can't hear it, but before I can do little more then gasp for breath, his mouth is once more on mine, kissing me forcefully as his hands roam my stomach and back, undoing my sword belt, dropping the heavy steel blade to the ground. Feeling my love for him fill me to almost bursting I shiver in enjoyment and press closer. Never before have I experienced such a feeling of rightness that being in Nephlite's arms invoked. One hand tangling in his heavy auburn hair, I slide the other lingeringly across his shoulders to the top button of his uniform jacket, slipping it free. As I do so he pulls away and surprised I look up into the slightly taller mans, flushed face.
"I love you my Pr..." He breaks off ruefully as I frown. "My Darion." He corrects, my name flowing like a caress from his lips.
His hands are gentle on my skin, travelling over the muscled flat plains of my stomach and back, sending tingles of excitement up and down my spine making it difficult to concentrate. But smiling I whisper the words I have carried within my heart for so long. "I love you Nephlite."
Instantly I am crushed against him in a fierce embrace. "I have waited a lifetime to hear those words from you my love."
"I love you." I repeat joyously, dropping light kisses on his cheeks, his nose and finally his mouth, responding as he deepens the kiss immediately.
His lips still firm on mine we stumble our way backwards into the tree line. Dropping down to his knees Nephlite pulls me down with him gently, his grip loose to allow me to pull away from him if I wish. But it is the last thing I want to do. Tightening my own arms around his neck I pull him the rest of the way down to the ground so that I lie on my back with Nephlite above me. He breaks our kiss long enough to mumble something too low for me to catch, and briefly I feel a cool breeze on my skin and sharp objects pressing into my back, before my skin meets Nephlite's in a searing contact and all discomfort is forgotten.
***
On a nearby hill three figures stand watching the two lovers embrace with magical sight.
"Hah!" The smallest of the three figures exclaims clapping his hands together delightedly, his emerald eyes sparkling. "Looks like you two owe me an apology."
The tallest of the three figures smiles and wraps his arms around his exuberant companion. "I beg your forgiveness beloved Sakura." He whispers kissing him deeply. Silver-green and copper hair tossed by the playful breeze briefly obscures their faces from view as the third figure grimaces.
"Well don't expect me to apologise like that." Jadite says bluntly, ignoring the sharp look Kunzite sends him, used to the mans protective jealousy.
"Besides." He continues. "They never made it to my nudging scene Beryl saw to that. A pity really because I had a great speech prepared."
Zoicite scowled. "The bitch." He swore. "Do you think Nephlite's correct and she's not really dead?" He asks the man who still had a possessive arm wrapped around his waist.
Kunzite looks thoughtful as he plays with Zoicite's thick, loose ponytail. "Aye I do. Nephlite has always been sensitive to the power of the stars and as a result instinctively knows things generally only understood by the Star Mage's. If he says he sensed another presence then I don't doubt that he did."
"Prince Endymion is strong, stronger then his Father." Jadite murmurs turning back towards the city, gazing up at its fifty foot walls. "If Nephlite is right and Beryl did survive his attack I wonder what it is that gives her all this extra power. She was not as strong last time she came to court."
"No. But I can guarantee that the power hungry bitch will be back. She has always been scornful of the other planets in the Silver Millennium." Zoicite growls.
"First we have other problems to worry about." Kunzite cuts in not quiet calmly.
"Oh yes, the beauteous Amazon Queen." Jadite says his eyes flashing furiously.
Behind him Zoicite pales slightly, his eyes glazing over with the unpleasant memory of a high cruel voice asking the same questions over and over again and a small sharp blade, as cruel as its mistress.
"She will die, I swear it, for what she did." Kunzites voice was cold even for him.
Alarmed Zoicite whirls around leaping up slightly to throw his arms around his lovers neck. "Don't do anything stupid my love. Your death would be more pain then I could bare. She is too well protected for brute strength to defeat. Only cunning will kill that demon spawn." He says thickly, his mouth searching frantically for, and finding Kunzite's.
"By Gaia you two are enough to send the most chaste of men looking for warm company. Hardly a minute goes by without you two all over each other." Jadite grumbled good naturedly.
Zoicite grinned over his shoulder at the blond haired man and blew him a kiss. For once Kunzite didn't respond to the banter between them with his customary dangerous glare, and laughing Jadite ducked under the imaginary path of the kiss and teleported away.
"Beloved?" Kunzite asks softly, hesitantly.
"Hmm?" Zoicite turns back to him smiling widely. His smile slowly softens into something much more intimate at the look in his lovers eyes. Though his wounds were healing well they had caused Zoicite a great deal of pain over the last fortnight, to the extent that Kunzite had almost been afraid to touch him. He nods once a gentle hand on Kunzite's cheek, and in a flash of black and pink they too teleport away.
The End.
The Joy of Loving.
************************************************
"Prince Endymion." Greets a cool voice behind me.
Recognising the voice I smile over my shoulder at the handsome silver-green haired man coming up behind me. "Kunzite." I return the greeting. "Zoicite." I continue gazing at the slender man Kunzite hugs so protectively to his chest.
Over two weeks had past since the withdrawl of the Amazons and Nephlite's rescue of Zoicite and he was recovering well. Most of the cuts had scabbed over and his neck and ribs were almost completely healed, as was his spine. Though Kunzite still insisted on carrying him everywhere. Zoicite had flourished under the constant attention from his mate, his pale, feminine features holding a healthy glow that was at odds with his beaten and bruised body. Nephlite had also recovered well and was back to his full duties, though he seemed to be avoiding me and his fellow Guardians.
Neither he nor Zoicite would go into detail over what had happened except to confirm that Zoicite had been tortured to discover information on the city which surrounded the palace and that Nephlite had destroyed the Amazons involved.
I watch enviously as Kunzite lowers himself down besides me on the stone seat, settling Zoicite more comfortably on his lap. Often I had imagined myself in a simular pose though neither I nor Nephlite were of the temperament to sit on another's knee. Ever since Zoicite had woken he and Kunzite had no longer tried to hide their relationship, being as open about it as any other couple much to Zoicite's delight. Often he had confided a fear that Kunzite was ashamed of him. Now he had no reason to doubt Kunzite's feelings.
Gazing around at the garden full of flowers and shrubs which surrounds me, I grimace and drop my eyes to the grass, I am in no mood for beauty.
I feel a light touch on my shoulder and look up. Zoicite is gazing at me seriously but his emerald eyes are sparkling. "Your Father was searching for you my Prince."
I glance up at Kunzite who shrugs. "His Majesty was inquiring after Zoicite and asked us to inform you, if we found you, to meet him in the throne room."
Puzzled I stand. It is not like my Father to send for me via a messenger. Usually he simply sent his thoughts directly into my head telepathically. Suspicious I study them. Kunzite's face is in its usual expressionless state and Zoicite hides his, burying it in Kunzite's shoulder. They have never lied to me before and I don't really think that they would now, but something in their manner is off. Still unsure I mumble a brief see-you-later and head back through the gardens into the palace.
***
Just about to walk through the door which leads into the throne room. I pause as I hear a woman's voice raised in anger inside.
Soft footed I move closer to the doorway intending to somehow sneak past the arguing couple. But I am stopped short by the voice of a man. It is deep and filled with anger and I know it as well as my own. Nephlite.
Peaking around the door frame as something akin to jealousy stirs in my gut, I gasp in surprise at the scene ahead of me. Nephlite stands in the center of the deserted throne room, his back facing towards me as he argues angrily with a woman, dressed in a figure hugging navy blue dress, hovering in the air before him. She is a beautiful woman with long red hair, a lighter shade then Nephlite's and longer, reaching in curling waves down past her knees. Strange red eyes and skin as pale as ivory completed her statue like appearance. Normally as emotionless as the stone she resembled, today she was actually shaking with rage.
Beryl. I snarl, would she never give up? Just as I was about to storm around the corner, part of what she was saying reached me and I froze in shock.
"... your love. He evidently doesn't want it." She laughs cruelly. "I have gotten closer to him in just a few months then you have in years."
"My Prince would never be fooled by your lust for power. His fate has been sealed, it is his destiny to marry another." Nephlite cries, his voice dripping with hate.
"The moon brat, hah!" Beryl says scornfully. "She is six years away from being old enough to marry, and in the heat of passion a man can be made to promise anything. I will be married to him after the first night. A royal brat under my heart an unfortunate but necessary part of the plan."
"You are very open about this plan." Nephlite mocks. I can feel him gather his energy, ready to attack in an instant. "How do you plan on preventing me from telling him?"
Beryl's half crazy laughter rings out again. "I am not adverse to assassination. My first attempt failed. A pity because it would have wiped out two of you and left the most powerful of you an emotional wreck."
"You!" Nephlite snarls. "You betrayed Zoicite."
"So you finally work it out. Believe me, this time I will not fail and when the grief stricken Prince Endymion discovers your corpse it will be I who comforts him."
"What makes you think that it will be you who survives this encounter?" Nephlite demands, his energy level peaking.
I gasp as I feel Beryl summon her power. There is no way that Nephlite, strong as he was, would be able to defeat her alone. But even knowing this I find myself hesitating. There is something I need to know. Like a recorded message Beryl's first words repeat themselves over and over in my head. "Your love. He evidently doesn't want it."
"I will prove victorious simply because I do not have anything, such as love, to weaken me." Beryl snaps furiously.
"I do not see my love for Darion as my weakness but as my strength. Willingly will I die for him, but know that I will take you with me." Nephlite vows.
"Fool." Beryl scorns.
I feel my face twist into a snarl. Though it feels like my heart has stopped at the proof that Nephlite really does care in the way I have always dreamed, another, not stronger but more immediate emotion captures me in its burning grip.
"BERYL!" I roar, pure rage filling me as I step through the doorway drawing my sword. "BETRAYER!" I roar again hurling my sword towards her with all my strength, fuelling it with as much raw energy as I can gather, infusing the steel blade with the power to destroy a dozen enemies.
Taken by surprise Beryl is unable to move fast enough and my sword strikes her chest, plowing through her body like cheese, up to its pommel.
Nephlite dives out of the way as she shrieks in agony as the power I infused the sword with begins to consume her in a green fire hotter then any flame, destroying her body until all that remains of her is an oddly shaped black length of the room
Hesitantly I walk to where Nephlite is staring down at the place Beryl had been a moment earlier, a puzzled look on his face.
"She is dead my Guardian." I assure him
Nephlite shakes his head thoughtfully. "No there was something just before she disappeared, almost as if there was someone else here."
I frown concernedly, Nephlite's instincts had an unnerving habit of being correct. "Why do you think that?"
"I'm not sure." He answers slowly. "Another presence hidden behind, or perhaps joined with her own." He shakes his head, releasing his grip on his power. "I can't explain it. I am sorry my Prince."
Shoving a hand through my hair I shrug helplessly. Reaching out I grasp the pommel of my sword, pulling it out of the blackened marble wall. Suddenly a sharp pain lances through my hand and with a yelp, half of surprise half pain I release the smooth leather bound pommel. My sword hits the ground with a startling clang as my hand and wrist become numb. But I have no time to dwell on it as my hand is grasped in a strong grip and Nephlite's voice speaks urgently, close to my ear.
"My Prince, what is it?"
"It is nothing."
"Let me see my Prince."
I turn my head towards him to assure him that I am fine and discover just how close his face is to mine. His red hair obscures most of his features as he leans forward to examine my unmarked hand, but his mouth is visible, pulled into a worried line. Mere centimetres separate my face from his and it would be so easy to turn my head slightly and press my lips to his, kissing away the worry. Savagely I smother the thought my face flaming.
Almost pulling my hand out of his grasp, I stop and suck in my breath nervously as Beryl's words repeat through my head once again, "Your love. He evidently doesn't want it." But this time they are followed by Nephlite's passionate reply as he readies himself to face her, knowing that it will be his death, "I do not see my love for Darion as my weakness, but my strength." He had used my name then, not my title or my hereditary name. Darion, a name generally used only rarely by my Guardians, who since my sixteenth birthday had insisted on using my title, ignoring all of my objections, limiting their use of it to crisis situations and times of close friendship. Nephlite's use of it in such a way gives me a courage I have never before possessed and know I will not have again.
Hesitantly I reach out, and gently smooth the wine red hair from the handsome face, lovingly stroking the cheek exposed by my action with the back of my fingers. My other hand is suddenly clenched tightly in both of his, making me wince with the painful return of sensation, but I ignore it, watching as Nephlite's cheekbones colour slightly. But he doesn't look up and I repeat the caress. "Guardian." I breath softly.
Though I hear him draw in a ragged breath he refuses to look up and for a moment I fear that I am mistaken and that his love for me was no more then the love and devotion of a friend and soldier to his sworn Lord. Then slowly he presses his cheek into the palm of my hand. "My Prince. You heard?" He asks. His voice is so soft it is barely audible.
"I heard you say you would die for me." I answer, unsure why but deliberately avoiding the words he really speaks of.
"That is as I swore to you when I was fifteen and you first linked to me." He dismisses. For a moment he is silent, then he straightens and his eyes meet mine. Longing, love and uncertainty swim in the sapphire depths and I know that he must see the same emotions in mine. "I also said that I..." He swallows but doesn't lower his gaze. "That I loved you."
For a moment the room seems to spin dizzily and I close my eyes briefly, opening them when I feel Nephlite move away. He stands a little distance away, his back towards me and his head bowed.
"Forgive me Prince Endymion I should have said nothing." He says his voice breaking on a sob. "You don't feel the same."
"Nephlite." I begin urgently, reaching out and grasping his arm. "I feel... Oh the Gods damn it." I stop swearing as the sounds of voices and running booted feet come from the corridor outside.
Swooping down I gingerly retrieve my sword, relieved when there is no repeat of the earlier painful shock. "We can't talk here." I decide sheathing the blade. Glancing around at the throne room I figure that with Beryl safely dead I can explain what happened later. "Can you teleport us somewhere private?"
Wordlessly he nods and I step closer to him as a silver blue glow surrounds us and the throne room disappears.
Feeling solid ground under my feet I look around myself in surprise as I recognise where he has taken us. It was a clearing in a section of forest located on the side of one of the mountains which surrounds the Kings City. Inaccessible except by teleportation or by flight, Nephlite had often brought me here when he had been trying to explain his fascination with the stars to me years ago. I had not been here since then but it had change little. Trees still surrounded the clearing in a circle that left the sky clearly visible but hid us from view. A shallow river ran through the center of the clearing and I watch as Nephlite moves towards it, his long hair blowing around his shoulders. Shoulders that are bowed heavy with despair.
Gathering what remains of my earlier determination, I move until I stand behind him. Uneasy at the way he seems to be completely unaware of my presence I grasp his chin firmly, turning him to face me.
Pressing my hands to either side of his face I wipe away the tears that travel shinning paths down his cheeks, trying to tell him without words how I feel.
Hesitantly he raises a hand to my face, lightly tracing its contours, becoming bolder when I do not move away. His eyes glow with a fierce joy blazing into mine and out of no where the dream I had plays in my head. Smiling I hear myself whisper, "My dream."
"This is no dream my Prince." Nephlite says hoarsely, pulling me into his arms as his mouth tentatively replaces his fingers exploring my face.
"No." I sigh, pressing my lithe body closer to his muscular length. "No Prince Endymion, No Guardian Nephlite. Equals."
"Equals?" He asks. His hands are buried in my hair, tilting my head back, exposing my throat.
"Just Darion.' I murmur as his mouth makes its slow way down my throat. "Just Nephlite." I gasp as his mouth lightly kisses a sensitive spot.
Hearing his throaty chuckle I tangle my fingers in his long heavy hair and tug his head up until it is level with my own. Sapphire eyes, heavy with desire meet my own, equally desire filled dark blue ones, and silently we gaze at each other. I read a thousand dreams and emotions in those brilliant eyes, learning just how much I am loved, and I am unable to contain a joy filled tear which slides down my cheek.
Watching its progress downwards Nephlite lowers his head to kiss it away, but I turn my head slightly and meet his lips with my own. Immediately he returns the sweet pressure, his lips moving over my own with infinite gentleness. Feeling his tongue swipe over my lips seeking access, I sigh in enjoyment, my lips parting in an invitation which is eagerly accepted. His warm tongue invades my mouth exploring it hungrily and I shiver as delight courses through me. Oh how long have I wanted this, dreamt of this? Longer then I can easily remember. I'm not even sure when, if there was ever a precise moment, that the strong friendship I shared with my Guardian altered, becoming something deeper, stronger then I fully understood. Closing my eyes as our kiss grows more passionate, I tighten my arms around his neck as I hear Nephlite groan.
His hands leave my hair and glide down my back. My skin tingles through the heavy material of my jacket and I groan against his mouth as his hands push my hips firmer against his. My closed eyes fly open as I feel Nephlite's hands disappear under my jacket, pulling my shirt out of the waistband of my pants and I shudder feeling his hands against the hot skin of my back. Pulling away I force air into my burning lungs.
Both of us are breathing heavy and my blood is pounding through my veins so loudly that I am surprised he can't hear it, but before I can do little more then gasp for breath, his mouth is once more on mine, kissing me forcefully as his hands roam my stomach and back, undoing my sword belt, dropping the heavy steel blade to the ground. Feeling my love for him fill me to almost bursting I shiver in enjoyment and press closer. Never before have I experienced such a feeling of rightness that being in Nephlite's arms invoked. One hand tangling in his heavy auburn hair, I slide the other lingeringly across his shoulders to the top button of his uniform jacket, slipping it free. As I do so he pulls away and surprised I look up into the slightly taller mans, flushed face.
"I love you my Pr..." He breaks off ruefully as I frown. "My Darion." He corrects, my name flowing like a caress from his lips.
His hands are gentle on my skin, travelling over the muscled flat plains of my stomach and back, sending tingles of excitement up and down my spine making it difficult to concentrate. But smiling I whisper the words I have carried within my heart for so long. "I love you Nephlite."
Instantly I am crushed against him in a fierce embrace. "I have waited a lifetime to hear those words from you my love."
"I love you." I repeat joyously, dropping light kisses on his cheeks, his nose and finally his mouth, responding as he deepens the kiss immediately.
His lips still firm on mine we stumble our way backwards into the tree line. Dropping down to his knees Nephlite pulls me down with him gently, his grip loose to allow me to pull away from him if I wish. But it is the last thing I want to do. Tightening my own arms around his neck I pull him the rest of the way down to the ground so that I lie on my back with Nephlite above me. He breaks our kiss long enough to mumble something too low for me to catch, and briefly I feel a cool breeze on my skin and sharp objects pressing into my back, before my skin meets Nephlite's in a searing contact and all discomfort is forgotten.
***
On a nearby hill three figures stand watching the two lovers embrace with magical sight.
"Hah!" The smallest of the three figures exclaims clapping his hands together delightedly, his emerald eyes sparkling. "Looks like you two owe me an apology."
The tallest of the three figures smiles and wraps his arms around his exuberant companion. "I beg your forgiveness beloved Sakura." He whispers kissing him deeply. Silver-green and copper hair tossed by the playful breeze briefly obscures their faces from view as the third figure grimaces.
"Well don't expect me to apologise like that." Jadite says bluntly, ignoring the sharp look Kunzite sends him, used to the mans protective jealousy.
"Besides." He continues. "They never made it to my nudging scene Beryl saw to that. A pity really because I had a great speech prepared."
Zoicite scowled. "The bitch." He swore. "Do you think Nephlite's correct and she's not really dead?" He asks the man who still had a possessive arm wrapped around his waist.
Kunzite looks thoughtful as he plays with Zoicite's thick, loose ponytail. "Aye I do. Nephlite has always been sensitive to the power of the stars and as a result instinctively knows things generally only understood by the Star Mage's. If he says he sensed another presence then I don't doubt that he did."
"Prince Endymion is strong, stronger then his Father." Jadite murmurs turning back towards the city, gazing up at its fifty foot walls. "If Nephlite is right and Beryl did survive his attack I wonder what it is that gives her all this extra power. She was not as strong last time she came to court."
"No. But I can guarantee that the power hungry bitch will be back. She has always been scornful of the other planets in the Silver Millennium." Zoicite growls.
"First we have other problems to worry about." Kunzite cuts in not quiet calmly.
"Oh yes, the beauteous Amazon Queen." Jadite says his eyes flashing furiously.
Behind him Zoicite pales slightly, his eyes glazing over with the unpleasant memory of a high cruel voice asking the same questions over and over again and a small sharp blade, as cruel as its mistress.
"She will die, I swear it, for what she did." Kunzites voice was cold even for him.
Alarmed Zoicite whirls around leaping up slightly to throw his arms around his lovers neck. "Don't do anything stupid my love. Your death would be more pain then I could bare. She is too well protected for brute strength to defeat. Only cunning will kill that demon spawn." He says thickly, his mouth searching frantically for, and finding Kunzite's.
"By Gaia you two are enough to send the most chaste of men looking for warm company. Hardly a minute goes by without you two all over each other." Jadite grumbled good naturedly.
Zoicite grinned over his shoulder at the blond haired man and blew him a kiss. For once Kunzite didn't respond to the banter between them with his customary dangerous glare, and laughing Jadite ducked under the imaginary path of the kiss and teleported away.
"Beloved?" Kunzite asks softly, hesitantly.
"Hmm?" Zoicite turns back to him smiling widely. His smile slowly softens into something much more intimate at the look in his lovers eyes. Though his wounds were healing well they had caused Zoicite a great deal of pain over the last fortnight, to the extent that Kunzite had almost been afraid to touch him. He nods once a gentle hand on Kunzite's cheek, and in a flash of black and pink they too teleport away.
The End.