A/N: I decided to carry this on after all and turn it into a long fic instead of a one-shot. It will follow the Action Series and use events as a basis, but will probably differ to the final outcome. Updates on this will take a while as, obviously, the Action Series has not finished airing in Japan and I have no idea what the final outcomes will be for the Shitennou – though I can make a couple of good guesses. R and R!

Act Two: Even

I shivered, wrapping the woollen blanket tighter around my shoulders as I did, stifling a sneeze. Even in Zoisite's quarters it was cold and damp. The damp clung to my uniform and I wondered if I would ever be rid of this feeling of loss and the sickness. My stomach had been clenched in cramps for the best part of an hour. I shifted my position slightly, my eyes aching at the whiteness of his bedroom. The bed, the dresser and even the walls were painted white. Every so often the melody from his piano drifted under the doorway and invaded my ears. Whilst the tune had bothered me in the past, now I found it to be soothing. My eyelids were growing heavy and I wanted nothing more than to lie down on the bed, to pull the duvet over my head and simply sleep off this pain. I did not. I couldn't. A part of me was always on guard, always looking for betrayals. Despite Zoisite's awakening, he was still a king and rival.

The tune abruptly ceased. I heard footsteps outside the door, moments before it was opened. I had to fight back the automatic sneer that formed on my lips as he entered. Shame overtook me and a sense of indignity when I saw the sorrow in his eyes.

"You should change out of those wet clothes" he stated, indicating the spare white uniform that rested beside me on the bed, "You will catch your death otherwise."

A sneer did escape me this time as I retorted, "I would never wear such garments clearly below my status."

Again the smile did not falter "Nephrite, we both know that our status means nothing anymore."

He was right. The sickness returned with a violent ferocity. I gasped and doubled over, tears forming in my eyes once more. Beryl… I betrayed my Queen even by being here. Zoisite was a traitor and I was allying myself with him… All I had wanted was to earn Beryl's love. I had not been worthy of her affections. That was why she had cast me out… or was it?

"How can you do this?" I asked.

Zoisite frowned, "Do what?"

"Betray Beryl."

"Beryl was never our true master, Endymion is."

"Endymion" I repeated, "Chiba Mamoru, or so you said."

Zoisite nodded, a flicker of fear in his eyes. I could understand his unease. Knowledge was power. Zoisite feared that I would betray him.

"Nephrite-" he started, but I shook my head and silenced him with:

"I do not plan destruction… I am not Kunzite."

Again his calm composure faltered at the mention of the first king and he pressed a gloved hand to his throat, almost as a reflex action. There was some unsaid history between them, this I knew. It was no matter now. His eyes said more than words could convey.

"What is Kunzite doing now?" I asked, wondering if I really wanted to know the answer.

"He attacked the Sailor Senshi with Dark Mercury. Sailor Moon was injured. Because of this, Kunzite's hold on Dark Mercury was weakened. He now toys with them in the Dark Forests."

"How pitiful" I remarked and it was. It truly was. Kunzite's behaviour of late had become more and more erratic. Could it be that he too feared failing the Queen? I dismissed this with a shake of the head. Kunzite did not care for Beryl. Something deeper troubled the first king. Something ravaged at his very soul. I did not have the powers that Zoisite possessed, but even I could see it. He was growing out of control… and someone as powerful as he could cause a lot of destruction. I voiced these thoughts to Zoisite and was stunned by his indifferent reply.

"Let him be. Endymion has gone. Why should we worry if Kunzite destroys the Sailor Senshi? Sailor Moon is the Princess, don't forget."

I had no answer to this. According to Zoisite, Serenity and Endymion's love had cast a shadow upon the Earth, all had perished. Their love was fated to end in destruction.

No, I decided. It was not Serenity for whom I feared, but her companion. Dark Mercury. Sailor Mercury. If Kunzite was as out of control as I thought he was then who knew what he was capable of? Dark Mercury. Even when evil, all I could think of was that gentle smile. Even that smile could make life in the Dark Kingdom a little more bearable. It was she who kept me going. She had never truly been under Kunzite's spell. Kunzite disapproved of our friendship. A part of her still held goodness within her heart. Like Zoisite, she had saved me from the pool. I owed her and my honour would not allow me to forget that. I was in debt to them both.

I stood, ignoring the pains in my stomach and even Zoisite's steadying hand upon my shoulder.

"Where is he?" I demanded of the other king.

"It is a dangerous thing, if you are hoping to thwart Kunzite's plans" the white haired king warned me.

I forced a smile, "Are you going to try and stop me?"

He frowned, his forehead creased up in thought. I waited, not wanting to fight the man who had saved me. After what seemed like an age, Zoisite released his grip on my arm.

"No" he said at last, "But you cannot face Kunzite in this state. Come."

He beckoned me back to the piano room. I followed, a part of me intrigued and a part of me annoyed. Zoisite seldom spoke and when he did he was reserved, almost as ice like as the first king. I had used to want someone to break the white haired man. A smirk would twist my face as I imagined being the one to do so. Zoisite rarely showed his true feelings. His frustrating calm and cryptic responses always caused me to react in anger and this anger did nothing but earn a small chuckle and the hint of a knowing smile from the third king. I had wanted to break him so badly and now I felt I had to earn his respect. I felt foolish for all my outbursts. Not even Beryl's invasion into his mind had broken Zoisite's spirit. I wished/prayed that I was that strong.

Zoisite had seated himself at the piano once more and without speaking he started to play. The notes were fast, simply light taps upon the keys before his fingers struck the next set. The melody was fast paced, and yet I was drawn to it. Even the throbbing in my stomach crept to the back of my mind as my eyes drifted closed. I allowed myself to be carried away in the tune… then it ceased.

Slowly I regained consciousness. I had not been aware that I had fell down until I felt the stone floor through the fabric of my uniform. I looked up and met a pair of blue eyes. He had cradled my head in his lap and now leaned over me.

"Your pain?" he asked.

I concentrated and could not feel even a stab of the agony of before. My eyes narrowed as I glanced back up at him. "Gone" I whispered in shock.

Zoisite laughed, that same soft chuckle and stood, pulling me up with him.

"Pain is relevant," he offered as an explanation, "If you are the one feeling it."

I stared intently into his eyes, seeking further information and I saw a twinge of pain flash across his vision and I knew where the agony had gone.

"Go" he urged when he saw me hesitating, "Interfere with him if you must."

I could have sworn I saw some merriment in his face at this prospect.

"But do not kill him" Zoisite added as I turned to make my leave, "This, you must swear."

"I swear" I found myself replying, though for the life me I didn't know why and Zoisite refused to elaborate.

I paused once more by the door, expecting to see him seated at the piano once more. He did not. Instead he walked through the adjourning door to his bedroom. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts I turned away. I had a debt to repay.

The clash of metal against metal rung loudly in my ears. I shuddered slightly as his blade pressed down against my own. Behind me I could hear the shocked gasps of the Senshi. I paid them little heed and instead concentrated on the man before me. He was angry… no furious and even though that fury should have terrified me, I felt some brief satisfaction as I said:

"I thought I would interfere with you."

Kunzite gave me a look and then was gone. With a swish of his cape he vanished into thin air. I turned, ignoring Sailor Moon and concentrating on her friend… Mercury. Our eyes met and she knew what I was thinking. She understood why I had done what I did. I turned, invoking a teleport I returned to the Dark Kingdom. We were even now.

The blonde king paused nervously outside the chambers belonging to his superior king. Chewing on his lower lip, Jadeite strained to here the familiar sounds of the piano coming under the door. For once the rooms were silent. He smirked. That suited his plans well enough. He closed his eyes and, with a thought, materialised upon the other side of the door. Shrouded in darkness, he could barely make out the shape of the piano, let alone tell if his nemesis was seated at it. Cursing the white haired king in all the languages he knew, Jadeite crept stealthily towards the closed bedroom door. Opening it a crack, he could just make out the crumpled uniform that had been tossed carelessly to the floor and the shape huddled in the double bed. The man seemed to be in some sort of distress and Jadeite considered finishing him off now. No, he told himself. He had a job to do. His pride would not allow him to kill Zoisite in such a manner. His revenge had to be drawn out and full of suffering.

The door clicked shut upon Jadeite's soft command as he walked back into the main room. He found his way over to the piano and placed a trembling palm atop the cold lid of Zoisite's most treasured possession. As Zoisite had done, Jadeite would use the piano against him. The king would pay for what he did to Jadeite many moons ago. He would pay with his blood. Jadeite smirked as the spell was cast. He could feel someone approaching, but it was no matter. His work here was done. The blonde disappeared in a flash of red light, as his soft laughter rang throughout the room.