Frozen Rain
Notes: Bows to the readers, Thank you guys so much for reviewing!
To Kaiya: I am so sorry about that error on my part, the word was misspelled and I had missed it on both the proofreading of the fic and the preview section. I am horrible when it comes to grammar and spelling and sometimes Microsoft can't catch everything. Please forgive me?
To cheeky-bear007: Uh thanks, but I don't think that you would want to live for my work since I tend to be somewhat unreliable when it comes to updates.
To Mistress of Ice1: Blue's face turns a very dark tomato red, Thank you.
To nova33: I am sorry if this is starting to become confusing but I promise that things will become clearer as the chapters increase. As for the other senshi they will come back, just give me another chapter or two before I bring them back into the plot.
To MercuryDestiny: Thanks!
To Steven: Hehe, too bad my mother and several of my teachers don't see sarcasm, mine especially, as a useful tool, thanks!
Chapter 5
The Limit
Ami
Within a blink of an eye the surprisingly warm meadow plunges into the artic freeze. The environment hasn't physically changed, I mean the trees, grass, and such is unaffected but I can still feel the chill. At first it is just like a cold wind that swirls around me but then it plunges into me, through my skin, into my breath freezing it in my lungs.
I can't breathe!
What is going on?
Am I going to die?
No it can never be that simple.
Turning my eyes above I can see nothing but a thick layer of ice, around me frigid water sinks into my bones, with each gasp that tires to suck in air I am drowned out by water.
I am sinking in further into the dark ice water, but I have to fight I have to reach the surface. I need to break through it to breathe. I try to struggle, kicking my legs to propel myself upward but the current beneath me is too strong. I can't give up. Turning myself to the left I try once again to fight against the persistent current but it still pulls me down.
It is so hard to fight. It would be so much easier to just let go, to fall. Breathe, life, I must fight against this.or that is what I tell myself until I am completely swallowed by the darkness.
"Lady Ami."
A voice? Calling my name?
Slowly I pry open my eyes, my vision is blurred for a moment but gradually it clears to reveal that I am no longer trapped in the frozen water. In fact this place couldn't be more opposite to my former prison of ice. It is very similar to the meadow that Kunzite had brought me too just minutes ago, only instead of a ceiling of rock I can see a twilight sky filled with stars and oh my god!
The Earth!
I can see the Earth hanging in the sky where the moon is suppose to be!
This is so wrong.
Where am I?
Behind me a soft feminine chuckle sounds as well as a rustle of cloth.
Turning my head I find myself face to face with.Usagi?
No, that can't be Usagi. Usagi has long golden blonde hair while this woman in front of me has long sliver hair. Usagi is very petite and childish looking while this woman, though very young and beautiful in appearance, carries this mature and wise aura. Other than those two traits though both in appearance and demeanor the woman and Usagi could pass for identical twins.
Who can she be?
The answer to my question comes from the most unlikely place, my own lips.
"Queen Serenity?"
Another short giggle escapes the woman's lips as she nods her head. The rustle of silk reaches my ears as she picks up the folds of her silken ivory gown to approach me.
'This can't be, you're dead. How can you be here?' I whisper.
Hearing my question a soft smile stretch across her face, "The question Lady Ami isn't what am I doing here? But how you came to this forsaken world?"
Kunzite
She refuses to let me drift away from the horrible place. Holding me captive she tosses me back into a world that I had long ago abandoned. Nightmares wrapped in pleasantry plague me as I find myself entangled in memories, only instead of living them as in the past lifetime I am both and observer and participant.
'A lavish room decorated in silken tapestries and rows of paintings in richly colored oils lined the wall, as did mountainous selves containing books. The walls, the balcony's above, and even the rafters seemed to be bursting at the seams from all the tomes that this one room contained. The atmosphere was one of reverent silence, a welcoming change to the clamor outside in the gardens and the ballroom. In addition to the tranquility the vast room seemed to be completely abandoned; two blessings that I for one was not about to take for granted. Collapsing into one of the tall plush chairs I feel exhaustion wash over me, what a night, and dawn is still several hours away.
Even with the rising of the sun I doubt the party will even be finished by then. It's not every day that two vastly important monarchs wed. It is an even rarer occasion when the groom of the said wedding happens to also be the future king of your world and one your friends. I know that I should be out there, either in the gardens or the ballroom, if not out of friendship but duty. On the other hand I personally can't stand crowds. Too many people crammed into too little of space, with all the dancing, chatter, and music, it's a blessing that I have yet to go insane. Maybe I'll go back after an hour or two of solitude. With that thought in mind I sink deeper into the chair, trying to stifle a yawn.
I am so tired. Why do they have to make these parties so long? My eyes blink, trying to droop into sleep, I make a half-hearted effort in fighting back sleep but when I let my guard down for a moment sleep conquers.
As to how long I was asleep I am not sure, but I do recall what had awoken me.
Being a somewhat light sleeper, a trait born out of a mix of heritage and training, I was rudely awakened by the small squeak, kind of like a frightened mouse, and a crash.
Reluctantly I pried my eyes open to see a petite looking girl franticly picking up the volumes that had fallen around her. She appeared to be very small in stature more like a child than a young woman. Short blue hair covered her head, pale peach skin wrapped in a gown of sapphire watermarked silk that left her shoulders bare only the have a good portion of her upper arms covered by fingerless gloves of white lace.
A courtesan.
Strange though, what would a courtesan be doing here? In a library of all places?
And here I thought the air headed bitches could not live without attending every single party, or having to go without an available member of the opposite sex to shamelessly flirt with. Don't get me wrong, I have met a few courtesans that have been very polite and down to earth, but they are few and far between the dogs that I have met at Court.
Hopefully she will not notice me.
I don't know what it is, but it seems that at every single social gathering these rabid, sometimes very racy, courtesans chose to hang around either my comrades or me, of course most men don't mind. In my case such women who can act so freely disgust me. Feigning sleep I watch the girl contuine to gather her books from under hooded eyes. So many tomes for one person; however if she is anything like the rest I suppose that she merely took them off the selves to take to her rooms all to impress a lover of hers when in fact she had no idea of the contents nor has read them.
Once she has all of the books together she stacks them again, carefully lifting them up into her arms while at the same time trying to hold together the very unstable balance of the books. She stumbles as yet another crash disturbs the peace. Sighing in defeat the courtesan bends down to began the tedious task of collecting the books all over again.
Before she can place the restacked pile in her arms I arise and approach her. At first she doesn't seem to notice, then she casually lifts her head, only to have her eyes widen in.fear? I lean down to help her finish collecting the books, the sooner she is out of this room the better, only to have her snatch it right from under my hand.
I lift my eyes to find hers but all I can she in a down turned head as her hands scramble to gather the books, her whole being indifferent to me.
I don't understand.
She looks like an aristocrat with the rich clothing and pale skin, but her shy behavior is more befitting of a servant's character.
What could be the cause of this timid behavior?
I glanced to my side to notice one book that had escaped her notice. Before she can turn to it I pick it up, holding it away from her grasp. She has no choice but to look at me. At first glance her eyes are large, having the appearance of a frightened or wounded animal. I move forward to give her the book but this sudden movement causes her to slide back a few inches, as if she fears that I will strike at her. Without warning she scooped up the other books, scrambled to her feet and bolted out of the library.
What in the world was that all about?
Courtesan or servant that girl was one very bizarre creature.
Turning back to my chair with the book still in my hand I sat back down, thumbing through the pages, only to find myself blown away by the content. This was some very deep stuff. Flipping the book to the cover the title read "Dothan's essays on the human mind, psychology, and philosophy." Very deep material, certainly not something that a servant would pick up let alone understand; then again she probably just grabbed the book to impress some "catch" of hers.
This didn't turn out to be the case though because less than an hour later the silence of the room is shattered, only this time from the slight creaking of the doorway. Turning my head to entrance I can see a wisp of dark blue hair and a heart shaped face before both the face and hair shyly disappear.
With a sigh I muse aloud as I place the book on a short table at my left elbow, "If you wish you to retrieve your book milady I can assure you that I will refrain myself from attacking you."
Without turning my gaze to the door I can tell that she either took my words to heart or that book means much more to her than her fear for I can hear soft footsteps scamper away from the doorway. Through the corner of my left eye I can see a gloved hand brush against the table to grab the book. Something about her behavior disturbs me greatly. If she truly is one of noble blood then what is with the timid nature?
Quickly I turn to grasp her wrist the moment before she reaches the book. Staring at her I try to read what might be going on behind those dark blue eyes but I can see nothing but fear. She must be hiding something though.
Her wrist is so small and slender, if I push too hard I might be able to break her the small limb like a tender twig. My eyes bore into hers as I chose my words carefully.
"What kind of game are you playing?"
For a moment she seems a bit dumbstruck by my question, her large blue eyes blink rapidly. Her soft voice replies questioningly, "Game? I am not playing a game."
I resist rolling my eyes. "Right. And I am sure that you read Dothan's essays for "fun"."
For a moment I can see a flinch cross the girl's face, almost like I had physically slapped her, but this moment quickly flees.
Her eyes that once appeared fearful were growing sharp and hard. A deep frown etched on her face as her now icy gaze clashed with my own. In reply to my sarcasm she counters with a mousy soft voice laced with soured honey.
"Not that it is any of your concern but yes I enjoy reading Dothan's essays. Oh but please don't let my honesty dislodge that stick that seems to be so comfortably stuck up your royal ass."
It takes a few seconds for her words to register. What in the seven realms of hell? This was a lady of court! By the time I recovered from the shock she made a break for the door book in hand. I scramble to catch her, reaching across the room I almost catch her but the oak door is slammed in my face. With a low growl I flung the door back to find her just a few feet up the hall; her form flat out running, but I sprint after her, easily catching her.
Grasping her right hand I twist her to face me. With her small stature she barely reaches my chest nevertheless she glares venomously as if it was I who had given the insult.
"How dare you speak to me like that."? I snarl. "Do you."
She snapped, "If you are going to ask if I realize who you are then let me save your breath by admitting to that yes I am aware. Lord Kunzite, high commander of Earth's army as well as the newly appointed captain of the guard.blahblahblah. But in the terms of disrespect it matters little to me whether you are a beggar or a king."
Finishing her outburst with an arrogant cock of her head she snatched her arm away from my grasp, yet she remains. Her posture eases back into her fearful stance, but her voice leaves no room for the meekness that she had shown in the library less than an hour ago.
"To answer your question, I "dare" to talk to you as such because I didn't appreciate that tone of yours and the fact that you were condescending me. So unless you wish to have you're over inflated ego punctured even further I suggest that you let me go this instant."
I gritted my teeth in annoyance; needless to say about now I would have much rather preferred her to be the empty headed courtesan that I had pictured her to be. Raising my hands in surrender I allow her to brush past me, her head arrogantly held up high. My inflated ego indeed! If anything she's the one who needs to be taken down a peg or two.'
Ami
"What do you mean?" I asked the woman.
The small smile that had graced her lips slowly faded into a slight frown.
"You mean that you don't remember? You don't remember anything about this place?"
I shook my head, "I have no idea. I don't even know how I got here." That wasn't a complete lie since all that I can recall was that Kunzite had taken me to this field, to "train". He told me to fight him, when I refused the meadow suddenly got dark and I found myself surrounded by ice. Then I ended up here.
Queen Serenity's frown deepens, "You say that you know nothing, yet you said my name quite clearly a moment ago."
I shrugged my shoulders, "Again I don't know. The name just came to me."
Queen Serenity turned her gaze away from me, her eyes appearing to search around us. Checking to see if someone was listening in on our conversation, or maybe I should say mutual inquiring.
"I don't understand," the elder woman confessed. "You couldn't have come here of your own accord unless something triggered a memory."
A memory? A memory of what I wonder.
Could it have something to do with this woman, this place?
Suddenly it dawns on me.
"Queen Serenity, you said that I wouldn't be able to come to this place unless something triggered some sort of memory correct?"
"Correct," she replies.
"What if that something was a someone?"
"Explain."
"I am not sure I can." I say, "It's just a very complicated situation, I am not even sure that he is even responsible for this."
"He?" Queen Serenity questioned, then a look of tenderness crossed her face. "Oh yes, I think I know who you are referring to. If that is the case then yes, he is more than likely the cause."
I did a double take, "You know Kunzite?"
The queen blinked her childishly large eyes in bewilderment. "Kunzite? Lord Kunzite? I was referring to your betrothed Lord Zoicite. Or at least he was your betrothed until." her soft voice trailed off. Shaking her head, I could hear her mutter, "Oh dear, this is not going well."
I am too shell-shocked to comment, but otherwise I would have agreed with her.
What in the world is going on?
First I "drown" in some sort of icy lake. Then I come to this strange, yet beautiful place, to find this queen whom I have never seen yet know her name. And now I am supposedly engaged to Zoicite! Can you say ewwww!
A hand tightly grasping my left wrist breaks my internal rant; lifting my head I find myself face to face with Queen Serenity. Looking into her deep blue eyes I can she that she is frightened and sadden.
" Lady Ami, I implore you, no beg you."
"What? What is it?" I ask, becoming worried over the sudden change in her expression.
"You must get away from Kunzite. He was the sole reason that our world was destroyed. He brought the horrible darkness to our realm."
"I don't understand." I pled.
"Trust me Ami, please." Queen Serenity begged. "You can't trust Kunzite. If you stay with him I am afraid that he will harm you."
I couldn't do anything; no words wish to escape my lips. I have no clue what she is talking about. True Kunzite is evil, sort of, but every chance he has had of inflecting harm on me he has refused to do so.
" Please Queen Serenity explain to me, help me understand why.."
She shook her head harshly, tears welling up in her eyes, "I wish I could Lady Ami but I am sworn to silence. Since you have yet to regain your memories I can't tell you anything. Doing so will condemn me not to mention damage you and the others. I beg of you take my warning to heart and escape Kunzite before he can destroy you."
I want to nod my head in agreement, anything to ease this woman's sorrow on my account; but I just can't bring myself to do it. I must know why.
Queen Serenity turns to walk away from me. I can't let her leave not when I have so many unanswered questions. I step forward to catch her but I don't get far because the ground begins to give away. Looking down I can see the beautiful grasses and flowers crackle and break apart. One by one the picture breaks, falling like rain only to scatter into a black abbess below. Standing on my patch of safe ground my eyes dart around trying to find stable ground but I can see nothing but the still retreating figure of Queen Serenity.
I call out to her, reaching out my hand for rescue, as my ground steadily breaks apart. Her slender form is framed by the tall trees of the forest, turning to her head to face me I can see two baby blue eyes, so like Usagi's, stare at me with tears falling down her face. Her expression is full of sadness, so much sorrow that you couldn't begin to describe, yet it is a look you'll never forget. Her lips formed the words, "I am sorry," just as the last piece of my footing shattered, leaving me to fall into hungry jaws of darkness.
Kunzite
I keep trying to push her away from my mind, but just when I think that I have her conquered she comes back to catch me unawares.
Memory after memory repeats before my eyes to the point that I want to beg her to stop before I go crazy. The only way to stop this is to break the mind link because I think the source of most of this torture is coming from a combination of her feelings and my memories; I am certain that Ami knows little or nothing of the past while these overwhelming emotions are coming from her. However breaking a mind link is easier said than done, for once you have crossed that thin line between thought and emotion you are as good as permanently linked to that person through thought and feelings.
It might already be too late for me to repair the damage since I have already crossed that line but I do know that I must end this now.
Ami
After falling for what seemed like hours I find myself coming to a stop again, only instead of waking up to new scenery I find only darkness. This is becoming frustrating to say the least. Standing on seemingly invisible ground I try to look around but see nothing but black. No wait I think I see.no that's just a shadow. Hell everything is a shadow!
I swear that if Kunzite is the one responsible for this I am going to torture him with insults and sarcastic comments 24/7. My train of thought is suddenly derailed by.voices? Oh great am going crazy, I just knew that this would happen one day. Why? Why now of all times?! The voices grow louder. Maybe if I cover my ears and pretend that they are not there they will go away, or maybe that's what you should do about bullies?
Oh well. Hmm, not listening, not listening.what the hell? Around me the darkness fades to reveal a child, a boy with long silver hair. He is standing off to the side as a group of boys about his age pick on a small girl who looks eerily like me. God what is going on? The little girl starts crying as one of the boys' pushes her around.
"Stop it! Stop! Just leave me alone," she cried as she was shoved to the ground.
The boys laugh and jeer at the girl as she tried to scramble away but her feet got caught in her long dress causing her to trip and fall to the ground again.
The.younger version, of Kunzite steps away from the wall and walks over to the boys, pushing one aside the others stop momentarily in their teasing of the girl to watch as the boy comes over to her and helps her off of the ground. The girl is at first reluctant to accept his help but looking behind him she can see her tormenters, so she slowly closes her tiny hand in his as he gets her to her feet. The spell of silence is broken when one of the boys begin the taunting anew only this time the words are directed at the dark skinned boy.
"Hey look guys, the gypsy bastard is helping the crybaby. Isn't that just too sweet?" he mocks.
The dark skinned boy's spine seemed to grow ridged for a moment; but instead of charging at the one who delivered the insult he merely turned his head, the expression on his face holding the beginnings of a cold sneer as he bent down to draw something from the top of his left boot.
"A gypsy bastard am I?" he said in a calm even tone that sounded far too mature for a child's body to carry. With a flick of his wrist the object opened with a click to reveal a wickedly curved knife, its' pure silver blade glittering in the late afternoon sun. The group of boys backed up a few feet as the "gypsy" stepped towards them.
He laughed, "Ha! Cowards! If all of you are examples of nobility," he clicked the knife again to reveal another blade, just a sharp as the first, "then I believe that I would much rather prefer to be a savage."
With those words the boy tossed the blade right at the head of one of the bullies. With a screech he ducked as the blade just barely missed grazing him. After that the boys scattered out of sight, leaving only the timid little girl and the "gypsy" boy, whom moved to retrieve his knife that had imbedded in the ground after missing its' target. Closing the weapon and stuffing it back into the cuff of his boot the boy turned to the little girl. Carefully he approached her holding out a hand, but the little girl shyed away from him, afraid that if she made him mad that he might throw the knife at her as well.
"Hey, it's alright. I am not going to hurt you," the boy assured as gently as possible.
The little girl just backed away a few steps, looking as if she was about to run, but then she stopped herself.
"Thank you," she whispered softly, almost too gentle to be heard.
The boy nodded, "You're welcome. It really wasn't too much trouble though. Most of these kids of "noble blood" are just stuck up, overdressed sissy's anyway."
"Y..you weren't really going to hurt them? Were you?"
The boy shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe. But if I really did want to hurt them I wouldn't do it just to save some girl."
"Then why?"
The boy turned away, refusing to face her, his fists clenched at his side, "You heard what they called me."
She nodded, "Yes, but I don't understand."
"Of course you wouldn't understand!" the boy snapped, his fists growing tighter. "No one really does understand,' he muttered under his breath.
Feeling a little bit bolder the girl carefully inched forward to the boy. "Do you feel bad because of what they said?"
"Leave me alone," the boy growled before he turned to walk away.
I don't know what happened next or if that was the end of the show because I soon found myself being pulled away. Opening my eyes again I can see the rocky ceiling and see the trees through the corner of my eye. My mind is still spinning from all I have seen and heard. I said it before and I will say it again if Kunzite has anything to do with this I am going to skewer him.
"What are you doing just laying around?"
Speak of the devil.
Lifting myself up to be supported on my elbows I come, once again, face to face with my enemy and now my personal mystery.
Kunzite
Finally, I thought that I would never be able to break the mind link. At first it was difficult because I kept getting bogged down with persistent memories, at last being able to "resurface" out from the mind link. Waking up I found Ami lying beside me, unconscious, something had gone wrong with the disconnection. I tried waking her up, nudging, shaking, yelling, even slapping her, but she wouldn't wake up; not that I really care personally if she lives or dies but I would like her to last at least long enough to make my plan work.
Then she started to slow awaken. As soon as she opened her eyes I had resolved to act natural, since I don't know what she has seen, if anything, of the past so for now it is just best to keep her in the dark.
I nod to her, "I think that is all we'll do for today. Let's go back."
She lingers on the ground, slowing picking herself off of the ground; small childlike features overlap her face, tears streaming down her face. No, not now. Nothing has changed. The past is the past, and frankly something that I would love nothing more than to forget everything. Yes, this is better, the past is best forgotten, and as for the present, one should never mingle it with fantasy. That was all that lifetime was, a fantasy that had evolved into a nightmare. Standing by my side I can see her, through the different faces during that life, everything I can see it clearly.
I can't even stand to look at her anymore not that I have made the connection between her and the witch who betrayed me.
I want her to fade away; she doesn't deserve to survive when the world that she had belonged in has long since died. Why can't she just die?
Yet as I ponder this question, I realize that I know the answer all too well.
She can't leave, because I am still holding out for something forbidden to me.
Notes: Bows to the readers, Thank you guys so much for reviewing!
To Kaiya: I am so sorry about that error on my part, the word was misspelled and I had missed it on both the proofreading of the fic and the preview section. I am horrible when it comes to grammar and spelling and sometimes Microsoft can't catch everything. Please forgive me?
To cheeky-bear007: Uh thanks, but I don't think that you would want to live for my work since I tend to be somewhat unreliable when it comes to updates.
To Mistress of Ice1: Blue's face turns a very dark tomato red, Thank you.
To nova33: I am sorry if this is starting to become confusing but I promise that things will become clearer as the chapters increase. As for the other senshi they will come back, just give me another chapter or two before I bring them back into the plot.
To MercuryDestiny: Thanks!
To Steven: Hehe, too bad my mother and several of my teachers don't see sarcasm, mine especially, as a useful tool, thanks!
Chapter 5
The Limit
Ami
Within a blink of an eye the surprisingly warm meadow plunges into the artic freeze. The environment hasn't physically changed, I mean the trees, grass, and such is unaffected but I can still feel the chill. At first it is just like a cold wind that swirls around me but then it plunges into me, through my skin, into my breath freezing it in my lungs.
I can't breathe!
What is going on?
Am I going to die?
No it can never be that simple.
Turning my eyes above I can see nothing but a thick layer of ice, around me frigid water sinks into my bones, with each gasp that tires to suck in air I am drowned out by water.
I am sinking in further into the dark ice water, but I have to fight I have to reach the surface. I need to break through it to breathe. I try to struggle, kicking my legs to propel myself upward but the current beneath me is too strong. I can't give up. Turning myself to the left I try once again to fight against the persistent current but it still pulls me down.
It is so hard to fight. It would be so much easier to just let go, to fall. Breathe, life, I must fight against this.or that is what I tell myself until I am completely swallowed by the darkness.
"Lady Ami."
A voice? Calling my name?
Slowly I pry open my eyes, my vision is blurred for a moment but gradually it clears to reveal that I am no longer trapped in the frozen water. In fact this place couldn't be more opposite to my former prison of ice. It is very similar to the meadow that Kunzite had brought me too just minutes ago, only instead of a ceiling of rock I can see a twilight sky filled with stars and oh my god!
The Earth!
I can see the Earth hanging in the sky where the moon is suppose to be!
This is so wrong.
Where am I?
Behind me a soft feminine chuckle sounds as well as a rustle of cloth.
Turning my head I find myself face to face with.Usagi?
No, that can't be Usagi. Usagi has long golden blonde hair while this woman in front of me has long sliver hair. Usagi is very petite and childish looking while this woman, though very young and beautiful in appearance, carries this mature and wise aura. Other than those two traits though both in appearance and demeanor the woman and Usagi could pass for identical twins.
Who can she be?
The answer to my question comes from the most unlikely place, my own lips.
"Queen Serenity?"
Another short giggle escapes the woman's lips as she nods her head. The rustle of silk reaches my ears as she picks up the folds of her silken ivory gown to approach me.
'This can't be, you're dead. How can you be here?' I whisper.
Hearing my question a soft smile stretch across her face, "The question Lady Ami isn't what am I doing here? But how you came to this forsaken world?"
Kunzite
She refuses to let me drift away from the horrible place. Holding me captive she tosses me back into a world that I had long ago abandoned. Nightmares wrapped in pleasantry plague me as I find myself entangled in memories, only instead of living them as in the past lifetime I am both and observer and participant.
'A lavish room decorated in silken tapestries and rows of paintings in richly colored oils lined the wall, as did mountainous selves containing books. The walls, the balcony's above, and even the rafters seemed to be bursting at the seams from all the tomes that this one room contained. The atmosphere was one of reverent silence, a welcoming change to the clamor outside in the gardens and the ballroom. In addition to the tranquility the vast room seemed to be completely abandoned; two blessings that I for one was not about to take for granted. Collapsing into one of the tall plush chairs I feel exhaustion wash over me, what a night, and dawn is still several hours away.
Even with the rising of the sun I doubt the party will even be finished by then. It's not every day that two vastly important monarchs wed. It is an even rarer occasion when the groom of the said wedding happens to also be the future king of your world and one your friends. I know that I should be out there, either in the gardens or the ballroom, if not out of friendship but duty. On the other hand I personally can't stand crowds. Too many people crammed into too little of space, with all the dancing, chatter, and music, it's a blessing that I have yet to go insane. Maybe I'll go back after an hour or two of solitude. With that thought in mind I sink deeper into the chair, trying to stifle a yawn.
I am so tired. Why do they have to make these parties so long? My eyes blink, trying to droop into sleep, I make a half-hearted effort in fighting back sleep but when I let my guard down for a moment sleep conquers.
As to how long I was asleep I am not sure, but I do recall what had awoken me.
Being a somewhat light sleeper, a trait born out of a mix of heritage and training, I was rudely awakened by the small squeak, kind of like a frightened mouse, and a crash.
Reluctantly I pried my eyes open to see a petite looking girl franticly picking up the volumes that had fallen around her. She appeared to be very small in stature more like a child than a young woman. Short blue hair covered her head, pale peach skin wrapped in a gown of sapphire watermarked silk that left her shoulders bare only the have a good portion of her upper arms covered by fingerless gloves of white lace.
A courtesan.
Strange though, what would a courtesan be doing here? In a library of all places?
And here I thought the air headed bitches could not live without attending every single party, or having to go without an available member of the opposite sex to shamelessly flirt with. Don't get me wrong, I have met a few courtesans that have been very polite and down to earth, but they are few and far between the dogs that I have met at Court.
Hopefully she will not notice me.
I don't know what it is, but it seems that at every single social gathering these rabid, sometimes very racy, courtesans chose to hang around either my comrades or me, of course most men don't mind. In my case such women who can act so freely disgust me. Feigning sleep I watch the girl contuine to gather her books from under hooded eyes. So many tomes for one person; however if she is anything like the rest I suppose that she merely took them off the selves to take to her rooms all to impress a lover of hers when in fact she had no idea of the contents nor has read them.
Once she has all of the books together she stacks them again, carefully lifting them up into her arms while at the same time trying to hold together the very unstable balance of the books. She stumbles as yet another crash disturbs the peace. Sighing in defeat the courtesan bends down to began the tedious task of collecting the books all over again.
Before she can place the restacked pile in her arms I arise and approach her. At first she doesn't seem to notice, then she casually lifts her head, only to have her eyes widen in.fear? I lean down to help her finish collecting the books, the sooner she is out of this room the better, only to have her snatch it right from under my hand.
I lift my eyes to find hers but all I can she in a down turned head as her hands scramble to gather the books, her whole being indifferent to me.
I don't understand.
She looks like an aristocrat with the rich clothing and pale skin, but her shy behavior is more befitting of a servant's character.
What could be the cause of this timid behavior?
I glanced to my side to notice one book that had escaped her notice. Before she can turn to it I pick it up, holding it away from her grasp. She has no choice but to look at me. At first glance her eyes are large, having the appearance of a frightened or wounded animal. I move forward to give her the book but this sudden movement causes her to slide back a few inches, as if she fears that I will strike at her. Without warning she scooped up the other books, scrambled to her feet and bolted out of the library.
What in the world was that all about?
Courtesan or servant that girl was one very bizarre creature.
Turning back to my chair with the book still in my hand I sat back down, thumbing through the pages, only to find myself blown away by the content. This was some very deep stuff. Flipping the book to the cover the title read "Dothan's essays on the human mind, psychology, and philosophy." Very deep material, certainly not something that a servant would pick up let alone understand; then again she probably just grabbed the book to impress some "catch" of hers.
This didn't turn out to be the case though because less than an hour later the silence of the room is shattered, only this time from the slight creaking of the doorway. Turning my head to entrance I can see a wisp of dark blue hair and a heart shaped face before both the face and hair shyly disappear.
With a sigh I muse aloud as I place the book on a short table at my left elbow, "If you wish you to retrieve your book milady I can assure you that I will refrain myself from attacking you."
Without turning my gaze to the door I can tell that she either took my words to heart or that book means much more to her than her fear for I can hear soft footsteps scamper away from the doorway. Through the corner of my left eye I can see a gloved hand brush against the table to grab the book. Something about her behavior disturbs me greatly. If she truly is one of noble blood then what is with the timid nature?
Quickly I turn to grasp her wrist the moment before she reaches the book. Staring at her I try to read what might be going on behind those dark blue eyes but I can see nothing but fear. She must be hiding something though.
Her wrist is so small and slender, if I push too hard I might be able to break her the small limb like a tender twig. My eyes bore into hers as I chose my words carefully.
"What kind of game are you playing?"
For a moment she seems a bit dumbstruck by my question, her large blue eyes blink rapidly. Her soft voice replies questioningly, "Game? I am not playing a game."
I resist rolling my eyes. "Right. And I am sure that you read Dothan's essays for "fun"."
For a moment I can see a flinch cross the girl's face, almost like I had physically slapped her, but this moment quickly flees.
Her eyes that once appeared fearful were growing sharp and hard. A deep frown etched on her face as her now icy gaze clashed with my own. In reply to my sarcasm she counters with a mousy soft voice laced with soured honey.
"Not that it is any of your concern but yes I enjoy reading Dothan's essays. Oh but please don't let my honesty dislodge that stick that seems to be so comfortably stuck up your royal ass."
It takes a few seconds for her words to register. What in the seven realms of hell? This was a lady of court! By the time I recovered from the shock she made a break for the door book in hand. I scramble to catch her, reaching across the room I almost catch her but the oak door is slammed in my face. With a low growl I flung the door back to find her just a few feet up the hall; her form flat out running, but I sprint after her, easily catching her.
Grasping her right hand I twist her to face me. With her small stature she barely reaches my chest nevertheless she glares venomously as if it was I who had given the insult.
"How dare you speak to me like that."? I snarl. "Do you."
She snapped, "If you are going to ask if I realize who you are then let me save your breath by admitting to that yes I am aware. Lord Kunzite, high commander of Earth's army as well as the newly appointed captain of the guard.blahblahblah. But in the terms of disrespect it matters little to me whether you are a beggar or a king."
Finishing her outburst with an arrogant cock of her head she snatched her arm away from my grasp, yet she remains. Her posture eases back into her fearful stance, but her voice leaves no room for the meekness that she had shown in the library less than an hour ago.
"To answer your question, I "dare" to talk to you as such because I didn't appreciate that tone of yours and the fact that you were condescending me. So unless you wish to have you're over inflated ego punctured even further I suggest that you let me go this instant."
I gritted my teeth in annoyance; needless to say about now I would have much rather preferred her to be the empty headed courtesan that I had pictured her to be. Raising my hands in surrender I allow her to brush past me, her head arrogantly held up high. My inflated ego indeed! If anything she's the one who needs to be taken down a peg or two.'
Ami
"What do you mean?" I asked the woman.
The small smile that had graced her lips slowly faded into a slight frown.
"You mean that you don't remember? You don't remember anything about this place?"
I shook my head, "I have no idea. I don't even know how I got here." That wasn't a complete lie since all that I can recall was that Kunzite had taken me to this field, to "train". He told me to fight him, when I refused the meadow suddenly got dark and I found myself surrounded by ice. Then I ended up here.
Queen Serenity's frown deepens, "You say that you know nothing, yet you said my name quite clearly a moment ago."
I shrugged my shoulders, "Again I don't know. The name just came to me."
Queen Serenity turned her gaze away from me, her eyes appearing to search around us. Checking to see if someone was listening in on our conversation, or maybe I should say mutual inquiring.
"I don't understand," the elder woman confessed. "You couldn't have come here of your own accord unless something triggered a memory."
A memory? A memory of what I wonder.
Could it have something to do with this woman, this place?
Suddenly it dawns on me.
"Queen Serenity, you said that I wouldn't be able to come to this place unless something triggered some sort of memory correct?"
"Correct," she replies.
"What if that something was a someone?"
"Explain."
"I am not sure I can." I say, "It's just a very complicated situation, I am not even sure that he is even responsible for this."
"He?" Queen Serenity questioned, then a look of tenderness crossed her face. "Oh yes, I think I know who you are referring to. If that is the case then yes, he is more than likely the cause."
I did a double take, "You know Kunzite?"
The queen blinked her childishly large eyes in bewilderment. "Kunzite? Lord Kunzite? I was referring to your betrothed Lord Zoicite. Or at least he was your betrothed until." her soft voice trailed off. Shaking her head, I could hear her mutter, "Oh dear, this is not going well."
I am too shell-shocked to comment, but otherwise I would have agreed with her.
What in the world is going on?
First I "drown" in some sort of icy lake. Then I come to this strange, yet beautiful place, to find this queen whom I have never seen yet know her name. And now I am supposedly engaged to Zoicite! Can you say ewwww!
A hand tightly grasping my left wrist breaks my internal rant; lifting my head I find myself face to face with Queen Serenity. Looking into her deep blue eyes I can she that she is frightened and sadden.
" Lady Ami, I implore you, no beg you."
"What? What is it?" I ask, becoming worried over the sudden change in her expression.
"You must get away from Kunzite. He was the sole reason that our world was destroyed. He brought the horrible darkness to our realm."
"I don't understand." I pled.
"Trust me Ami, please." Queen Serenity begged. "You can't trust Kunzite. If you stay with him I am afraid that he will harm you."
I couldn't do anything; no words wish to escape my lips. I have no clue what she is talking about. True Kunzite is evil, sort of, but every chance he has had of inflecting harm on me he has refused to do so.
" Please Queen Serenity explain to me, help me understand why.."
She shook her head harshly, tears welling up in her eyes, "I wish I could Lady Ami but I am sworn to silence. Since you have yet to regain your memories I can't tell you anything. Doing so will condemn me not to mention damage you and the others. I beg of you take my warning to heart and escape Kunzite before he can destroy you."
I want to nod my head in agreement, anything to ease this woman's sorrow on my account; but I just can't bring myself to do it. I must know why.
Queen Serenity turns to walk away from me. I can't let her leave not when I have so many unanswered questions. I step forward to catch her but I don't get far because the ground begins to give away. Looking down I can see the beautiful grasses and flowers crackle and break apart. One by one the picture breaks, falling like rain only to scatter into a black abbess below. Standing on my patch of safe ground my eyes dart around trying to find stable ground but I can see nothing but the still retreating figure of Queen Serenity.
I call out to her, reaching out my hand for rescue, as my ground steadily breaks apart. Her slender form is framed by the tall trees of the forest, turning to her head to face me I can see two baby blue eyes, so like Usagi's, stare at me with tears falling down her face. Her expression is full of sadness, so much sorrow that you couldn't begin to describe, yet it is a look you'll never forget. Her lips formed the words, "I am sorry," just as the last piece of my footing shattered, leaving me to fall into hungry jaws of darkness.
Kunzite
I keep trying to push her away from my mind, but just when I think that I have her conquered she comes back to catch me unawares.
Memory after memory repeats before my eyes to the point that I want to beg her to stop before I go crazy. The only way to stop this is to break the mind link because I think the source of most of this torture is coming from a combination of her feelings and my memories; I am certain that Ami knows little or nothing of the past while these overwhelming emotions are coming from her. However breaking a mind link is easier said than done, for once you have crossed that thin line between thought and emotion you are as good as permanently linked to that person through thought and feelings.
It might already be too late for me to repair the damage since I have already crossed that line but I do know that I must end this now.
Ami
After falling for what seemed like hours I find myself coming to a stop again, only instead of waking up to new scenery I find only darkness. This is becoming frustrating to say the least. Standing on seemingly invisible ground I try to look around but see nothing but black. No wait I think I see.no that's just a shadow. Hell everything is a shadow!
I swear that if Kunzite is the one responsible for this I am going to torture him with insults and sarcastic comments 24/7. My train of thought is suddenly derailed by.voices? Oh great am going crazy, I just knew that this would happen one day. Why? Why now of all times?! The voices grow louder. Maybe if I cover my ears and pretend that they are not there they will go away, or maybe that's what you should do about bullies?
Oh well. Hmm, not listening, not listening.what the hell? Around me the darkness fades to reveal a child, a boy with long silver hair. He is standing off to the side as a group of boys about his age pick on a small girl who looks eerily like me. God what is going on? The little girl starts crying as one of the boys' pushes her around.
"Stop it! Stop! Just leave me alone," she cried as she was shoved to the ground.
The boys laugh and jeer at the girl as she tried to scramble away but her feet got caught in her long dress causing her to trip and fall to the ground again.
The.younger version, of Kunzite steps away from the wall and walks over to the boys, pushing one aside the others stop momentarily in their teasing of the girl to watch as the boy comes over to her and helps her off of the ground. The girl is at first reluctant to accept his help but looking behind him she can see her tormenters, so she slowly closes her tiny hand in his as he gets her to her feet. The spell of silence is broken when one of the boys begin the taunting anew only this time the words are directed at the dark skinned boy.
"Hey look guys, the gypsy bastard is helping the crybaby. Isn't that just too sweet?" he mocks.
The dark skinned boy's spine seemed to grow ridged for a moment; but instead of charging at the one who delivered the insult he merely turned his head, the expression on his face holding the beginnings of a cold sneer as he bent down to draw something from the top of his left boot.
"A gypsy bastard am I?" he said in a calm even tone that sounded far too mature for a child's body to carry. With a flick of his wrist the object opened with a click to reveal a wickedly curved knife, its' pure silver blade glittering in the late afternoon sun. The group of boys backed up a few feet as the "gypsy" stepped towards them.
He laughed, "Ha! Cowards! If all of you are examples of nobility," he clicked the knife again to reveal another blade, just a sharp as the first, "then I believe that I would much rather prefer to be a savage."
With those words the boy tossed the blade right at the head of one of the bullies. With a screech he ducked as the blade just barely missed grazing him. After that the boys scattered out of sight, leaving only the timid little girl and the "gypsy" boy, whom moved to retrieve his knife that had imbedded in the ground after missing its' target. Closing the weapon and stuffing it back into the cuff of his boot the boy turned to the little girl. Carefully he approached her holding out a hand, but the little girl shyed away from him, afraid that if she made him mad that he might throw the knife at her as well.
"Hey, it's alright. I am not going to hurt you," the boy assured as gently as possible.
The little girl just backed away a few steps, looking as if she was about to run, but then she stopped herself.
"Thank you," she whispered softly, almost too gentle to be heard.
The boy nodded, "You're welcome. It really wasn't too much trouble though. Most of these kids of "noble blood" are just stuck up, overdressed sissy's anyway."
"Y..you weren't really going to hurt them? Were you?"
The boy shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe. But if I really did want to hurt them I wouldn't do it just to save some girl."
"Then why?"
The boy turned away, refusing to face her, his fists clenched at his side, "You heard what they called me."
She nodded, "Yes, but I don't understand."
"Of course you wouldn't understand!" the boy snapped, his fists growing tighter. "No one really does understand,' he muttered under his breath.
Feeling a little bit bolder the girl carefully inched forward to the boy. "Do you feel bad because of what they said?"
"Leave me alone," the boy growled before he turned to walk away.
I don't know what happened next or if that was the end of the show because I soon found myself being pulled away. Opening my eyes again I can see the rocky ceiling and see the trees through the corner of my eye. My mind is still spinning from all I have seen and heard. I said it before and I will say it again if Kunzite has anything to do with this I am going to skewer him.
"What are you doing just laying around?"
Speak of the devil.
Lifting myself up to be supported on my elbows I come, once again, face to face with my enemy and now my personal mystery.
Kunzite
Finally, I thought that I would never be able to break the mind link. At first it was difficult because I kept getting bogged down with persistent memories, at last being able to "resurface" out from the mind link. Waking up I found Ami lying beside me, unconscious, something had gone wrong with the disconnection. I tried waking her up, nudging, shaking, yelling, even slapping her, but she wouldn't wake up; not that I really care personally if she lives or dies but I would like her to last at least long enough to make my plan work.
Then she started to slow awaken. As soon as she opened her eyes I had resolved to act natural, since I don't know what she has seen, if anything, of the past so for now it is just best to keep her in the dark.
I nod to her, "I think that is all we'll do for today. Let's go back."
She lingers on the ground, slowing picking herself off of the ground; small childlike features overlap her face, tears streaming down her face. No, not now. Nothing has changed. The past is the past, and frankly something that I would love nothing more than to forget everything. Yes, this is better, the past is best forgotten, and as for the present, one should never mingle it with fantasy. That was all that lifetime was, a fantasy that had evolved into a nightmare. Standing by my side I can see her, through the different faces during that life, everything I can see it clearly.
I can't even stand to look at her anymore not that I have made the connection between her and the witch who betrayed me.
I want her to fade away; she doesn't deserve to survive when the world that she had belonged in has long since died. Why can't she just die?
Yet as I ponder this question, I realize that I know the answer all too well.
She can't leave, because I am still holding out for something forbidden to me.