ya know, the response i'm getting is about what i've expected, so no worries there... (though it's always "the more, the merrier"....lol)
and the very positive support is giving me warm fuzzies! so yay for my reviewers!
and i won't keep ya waiting, so here's more! and look for another update soon!
"Beryl!" Kume became more demanding as the castle's chief of staff refused to answer her knocks. "Beryl! The queen demands to see you! You must come now!"
Still no reply. Although Kume wasn't completely sure that Beryl was in her room, other servants had searched the palace grounds and found no sign of the missing lady, and Kume was about out of options. "Beryl!!" Kume called again as she pounded even harder against the wooden door before her.
"Ber-" Kume paused and pressed her ear up against Beryl's door. Now she could hear a steady mumbling from somewhere within the chamber. Frustrated, Kume threw her body against the door, and to her surprise, it flew open. The scene that followed greeted Kume with shock. Beryl was kneeling in the far corner of the room, palms extended towards the wall. Except there was no wall - only a dark, cloudy mass that swirled in agitation before Beryl's reverent figure.
But Kume's glance at this was brief, because in the next moment, the dark swirl vanished and Beryl stood, whirled about, and was in front of Kume in a matter of only a few short moments. She grabbed the startled servant girl and pushed her against the wall none too gently. "What do you mean by entering?!"
"Please!" Kume begged nervously. "I only had a message."
Beryl stared hard at the girl for a moment, then her features softened ever so slightly. "Yes…yes, of course. You only surprised me."
She held Kume's arm tight for a moment longer, still thinking; then suddenly released Kume and shoved her out the door. "Go tell the queen that I will be with her shortly. But," and Beryl's eyes grew suddenly cold again, "On pain of death, do not speak on what you have just seen." Beryl's voice faded out and her expression became slightly thoughtful if no less icy. "It is not yet time, I think."
Hurriedly, Kume took the opportunity to escape with Beryl's message before older girl could threaten her further. Kume did not speak about the strangeness in Beryl's room, but she shook ever so slightly the rest of the day and the day after that.
"It is not yet time…"
What did she mean by that? Kume asked herself, reflecting on Beryl's ever-haunting words. Time for what? Maybe what Akito said is true. Maybe danger is coming. But then, what does Beryl have to do with it? She serves the royal family…doesn't she? Lost in her thoughts, Kume didn't see the shadow behind her.
"My dear Kume…"
"Aaa!" Kume jumped, nearly dropping the basket in her hands. She whirled about and frowned. "Jade. When will you learn to leave me alone?!"
"Jadeite," he corrected. "And I could never learn to leave a beautiful thing like you alone."
Kume turned her back to him, afraid that her eyes might betray her anxiety. "I would appreciated it if you would not refer to me as a "thing." I am my own person, and I don't need you stalking my every move. Now if you please…" And she made a motion to walk away.
Jadeite reached out and grabbed her upper right arm none too gently. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. These streets can be dangerous."
There was a glint in Jadeite's eyes that frightened Kume. Partially turning back to him, she fought against his grip on her. "Let me be!"
"That's hardly an option," Jadeite laughed.
"I'll scream," Kume threatened.
Slap!
Jadeite's hand moved with lightning-fast reflexes, though her cheek continued to burn in memory of the harsh strike. "Don't ever dare to threaten me. Ever!" Then, with a sharp tug on her arm, Jadeite pulled Kume into his own muscular torso against which she fought in vain.
"What's this?!"
At the voice, Kume let out an immediate sigh of relief and ceased all her struggles against the older boy. Jadeite pushed Kume away while still maintaining a tight grip on her arm, and dropped to one knee. "Your highness."
"Stand up, you fool," Darien seemed to speak with hostility, though a small bit of a gentle teasing was evident within his words. "But do explain what is going on here."
"My prince-" Jadeite rose to his feet, then gave a second, more slight, bow with his head. "I found one of your servants wandering about outside the palace. The ungrateful wretch." Here he shot a dark glance at Kume who shivered but kept silent. It was not her place to speak up yet.
Darien's look was one of surprise. "Ungrateful? Not at all. She is on an errand for me. I asked her to go through the market."
"I see," Jadeite frowned and shoved Kume in Darien's general direction. "In that case, my apologies."
Kume stumbled with the force of the sudden push, but managed to hold her balance long enough to reach the safety of Darien's arms. He let her rest in that surprised position for a moment before letting go and forcing her to stand. Kume gazed warmly up into the prince's crystal blue eyes. She knew she could never have him, but at times like this, his kindness was enough. Jadeite watched the two of them with a secret and dark look in his eyes.
"Thank you."
Kume spoke softly, then watched the full movement of Darien's lips as they answered in tender reply: "You're welcome."
Moments later, Kume remembered her place and stood back suddenly, grabbing down into her basket for a small package. "Here. What you asked me to get."
A smile lighting his face, Darien carefully unfolded the package, and lifted out a solid gold locket. When he lifted off the lid, a soothing melody played, and the glowing moon on the clock face was revealed.
"She will love it," Kume spoke softly, her eyes turned to the ground.
Darien nodded. "It is perfect." He draped an arm about Kume's shoulders much to the servant girl's surprise, and gave her a quick squeeze. "You are truly wonderful, Kume."
Kume hid the blush rising to her cheeks with a half-bow. "Thank you, my prince."
Kume nearly froze when she spotted Jadeite on the path to the gardens. He lounged casually against one of the pillars, as if waiting for someone. His face hidden in shadow, he was only recognizable by the soft blond crop of hair blowing in the wind. Taking a deep breath, and with her head held high, Kume shifted the garden tools in hand for a better grip on them, then began to walk the path near Jadeite. Only a few steps past him, Kume stiffened and hastened her steps as she sensed Jadeite moving behind her.
A hand touched her shoulder, and Kume did everything she could to muffle a scream. "Don't act so surprised," Jadeite's voice came in a whisper in her ear.
"Kume!"
The girl looked up in relief to see the figure running towards her. "Akito!!!"
Jadeite's grip tightened. "I will have you, Kume. I'll see to that." Then he let go and vanished into the shadows.
"Was that General Jadeite?" Akito asked in concern once he reached Kume.
Kume didn't answer, but angled her face towards the ground. Akito shook his head. "I don't know what's gotten into him. He's always been something of a womanizer, but…" his voice trailed off.
Kume shook her head. "Don't worry about it. I'll be all right."
Much to Kume's surprise, Akito rested an arm about her shoulders. "I won't let him hurt you. I promise."
Stunned, Kume could only manage to stammer, "Th…thank you."
With a slight blush in his cheeks, Akito dropped his arm and tried to turn the conversation to lighter words.
disclaimer: don't own sailor moon. don't argue.