My stomach was tied in knots bigger than my fist. Tonight was the night. It was the last few hours of my being a single woman, and no one knew about it. My room was in complete chaos. Rushing to get my blue hair clip I tripped over a shoe in the middle of the floor. I landed hard on the ground and stopped suddenly. I needed to slow down and breathe. Artemis looked up from his nap. He was curled up in a ball, snow-white fur covering my bedspread.
"Really, Minako you'd think your hair was on fire or something," he grumbled before he set his head on his paws again. He didn't fall asleep, but watched me intently. I knew something was going on in his little head. "Just what are you rushing about for anyway?" he asked. I knew it was coming. I stood up and straightened out, throwing my hair over my shoulder and turning away from him defiantly. I'd curled it previously and the golden ringlets shimmered in the light.
"I told you, Artemis, I'm going on a trip. I need to get ready very soon." I had a haughty tone.
"Well why didn't you do some of this earlier?" he mocked at me. I glared at him in my mirror. He might have been three years older, but that didn't mean he'd become any more mature.
"It was a very sudden necessity trip," I said. Though, it'd been planed for a month now. Artemis rolled his eyes.
"Right," he replied.
"Oh, shut up." I glanced casually up at a clock and realized I had less time than I thought. I clamped my hands over my head in an effort to focus. I didn't have time to fight with Artemis! "Just let me finish, all right?" I snapped at him. I had my half packed bag haphazardly tossed on my bed and looked around at my torn up room. A knock came at my door and I jumped. After that I froze. "Um…" I stammered than ran to the door and slammed into it in my hurry.
"Minako! Are you okay?" I heard the voice on the other side of the door. I went to open the door and fixed my hair again.
"Yeah, Rei I'm fine," I said as I opened my door, forgetting my room was a mess in my worry. I must have looked nervous because Rei didn't miss a beat.
"In a hurry?" she asked. I shook my head. "Your room's a mess!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah…I was chasing Artemis around my room," I turned and glared at him for effect. He returned the glare, without realizing he was helping my cause.
"You seem distracted," Rei continued. I shook my head.
"No, just kinda surprised."
"Uh-huh," she said dubiously.
"Was there something in particular you wanted?" I asked. I turned and let her into my room. I went back to my mirror then proceeded to put my hair up in a half bun with loose curls in all my hair. I hoped it didn't seem conspicuous. We watched each other through the mirror.
"There's something you're not telling me," she said. I followed her gaze in the mirror when I realized she wasn't watching my face. My necklace had pulled out from under my dress. I reached down and covered it up with my hand. I turned around quickly. There was no way to hide the apprehension now.
"Don't say anything…" I pleaded. Any shreds of saving grace I'd had were lost now. The exotic features of her face crinkled up into a smile.
"Why? What's the big secret?" she asked playfully. I didn't respond playfully. I held my gaze grave.
"Please, Rei. It's important this time." She became serious as well.
"Are you in trouble or something?" she asked quietly. I walked to the door, and was about to close it when Artemis perked up from the bed. In a moment of better judgment I picked him up and set him outside before closing the door, though he protested loudly. I stood against the door looking sullen. Rei sat down on the bed. "Minako?"
"We've been engaged for a month," I said finally. Rei's features lit up and stared at me.
"You're joking," she managed to say finally. "And you haven't said anything? Why?"
"You mustn't breathe a word of this to anyone, all right?" I said. I looked down again. "We were worried about people finding out and the repercussions of that. Like…my father or his father or…" I trailed off.
"I see," Rei said. "So today's trip is…"
"The end of being engaged." I worded it strangely.
"Oh my gosh!" Rei squealed. She jumped up and clamped her hands over her face. The sun that was streaking into my room streaked against her hair and it flashed in the light. For some reason that image stuck out in my mind. "I can't believe you've kept this secret."
"Oh, come now, it can't be that hard to believe," I set my hands on my hips, finally breaking a smile. Rei rushed me and hugged me.
"So that's what all the dressy white stuff is for. I was wondering!" she exclaimed. I merely nodded. "I have to help you get ready!" It was only fitting that my best friend from childhood would be doing this. I nodded numbly. She opened the door to go get something and Artemis ran in again, though I didn't see him. I was too busy perfecting my hair. Today seemed to be the only day where looking perfect truly mattered. Rei came back in carrying a beautiful white rose. I stared at her, and while I was doing so Artemis crawled into my already packed overnight bag.
"What's that for?" I asked. Rei didn't respond but just walked up to me and clipped the rose into my hair just behind my ear with the clip.
"You used to do stuff like this for me. So I get to do it for you now," she said quietly. She beamed at me through the mirror. I stared at my reflection. There was no doubt about it. I looked good. I was wearing a white dress of a gauzy material that hugged my body off the shoulders through to my waist, where the skirt of the dress fell around me like the wind in a visible form. The skirt flared out as it got to the bottom and the multiple layers swished against each other when I moved. The dress was fashioned like the ancient Venusian wedding dress, just the way it should be. I had a thin gold bracelet on my wrist and a pair of my mother's earrings that I'd managed to salvage in my flight, but had never worn before. The subtle make up I wore and the rose really set off my complexion, and I was staring at my reflection as if it were a captivating person I'd never seen before. I knew I was going to have to wear the cloak again to cover all this up, and it tore me up inside.
I'd hated not being able to tell my friends. Of all people they should know what was happening. Rei stood behind me like a shadow. I looked up at the clock again and when I did my face fell. I turned quickly to Rei. My room was still a mess and I still had to put my shoes on. She watched me and her contented look changed as well.
"What's wrong now?"
"I'm going to be late!" I exclaimed. Everything was laid out on the bed, but my room was still a mess…and I had to find my shoes. I saw one poking out from under my bed and reached down to grab it. "I have to clean this up…someone'll notice…" I moaned. I slid the shoe on and searched for the other, while surveying the muddle on my floor.
"Don't worry about the mess, I'll clean it up for you," Rei said soothingly then she bent down and picked something up. I turned and she handed it to me. It was the other shoe. I felt like crying. I was so happy…yet so sad. I was so torn. I hugged Rei tightly.
"Thank you so much, Reich," I said quietly. I smiled as I pulled back.
"Yeah, yeah…" she said, though she was smiling too. "Now, get going!" she said. I nodded and grabbed the cloak. I slipped it on as carefully as I could and picked up my bag, wondering why it was so heavy, but not caring. I put it over my shoulder.
"Okay, Rei…I'll be back sometime tomorrow, and then I'll tell you guys everything!" I smiled. "Bye!" I went out of my room. A sense of sheer urgency overtook me. I walked quickly down the halls until I was clear of being seen. Then I just tore down the halls to the transport room and was on my way.
I landed in the bright August green of Earth. Kunzite was waiting for me. Regret was far from my thoughts when I saw him. I dropped the bag and ran at him. There was a muffled 'ow' from inside the bag, but I didn't notice. Kunzite stood tall, proud and handsome, the sunlight lighting his clothes. They were the ceremonial Venusian robes. I was surprised to see him like that. But we were not ones to let the old customs die. I hugged him tightly, smiling brightly. The warm summer daylight caused me to take the cloak off as quickly as I could.
"You look stunning," Kunzite breathed. The white of both our clothes was blinding in the light, but it was glorious.
"I could say the same for you!" I exclaimed. Kunzite shook himself out of his reverie.
"We don't have much time," he said. He picked up my bag and hefted it over his shoulder. "What are you carrying in here, bricks?" he asked jokingly. I shook my head.
"I didn't pack that much, I can't understand why it is so heavy," I said as we started walking. The only thing I wished for then was that we were home. Being on earth changed everything about it. Kunzite put his arm around my shoulders as we walked.
"We're going home tonight, Mia," he said suddenly. I couldn't help myself. I stopped. I looked up at him, purely shocked. "What?" he said laughingly.
"Do you really mean that?" I asked.
"Yes of course!"
"Kunzite," I started, "I haven't been home in over ten years…" Just the sound of home was like melodic bliss. I was going home. I was going back to where I truly belonged.
"Yes, I know this…but we can't go there, until we get married." He declared. I felt as if I was going to cry again. I didn't. Instead I continued walking. We walked to the garden at the palace, the palace was unusually silent. I had a sinking feeling that this wasn't the best place for this to happen, but I didn't care. Nothing short of sudden death was going to stop us now. He took me to a secluded section of the garden. Flower petals were strewn across the ground but I couldn't tell if it was natural or intended for us. There was an arbor over our heads, and fragrant flowers dropped through and perfumed the area with a rich floral scent. Kunzite set the bag down against a bush and turned back to me. He took my hand and I beamed up at him. His eyes sparkled in the light, and it seemed as if his soul was singing within him. I couldn't help but let myself radiate the same exuberance. There was one thing I had to do. I took my necklace off and took the ring off the chain and slid it on my finger before I put the chain back on.
Just then a figure appeared in front of the arbor just behind us. We didn't say a word but turned towards the figure coming towards us. They were wearing Venusian robes as well and now I was quite curious as to exactly what Kunzite had arranged. As they came closer I could tell that the figure was a woman. Kunzite squeezed my hand and I smiled shyly up at him. Most of the first part of the ceremony was supposed to be in silence, but when the woman took off her cloak, I couldn't help a quick squeak of surprise. It was Kunzite's mother, Isabel. She smiled warmly at me. I'd forgotten that she was one of the royal priestesses.
She raised her hand and we both did the same. Then Kunzite and I knelt on the ground, with our arms raised above our heads. I closed my eyes and felt the warm sun against my back and Kunzite's strong hand in my own and it felt so perfect. Isabel took our hands in her own and pulled us up. I opened my eyes. Isabel was smiling warmly at us.
"I've been waiting for the day when I could see the two of you joined," She said. I'd forgotten just how beautiful her voice was. "Now let's get down to business," she said. The ceremony was short and sweet. Isabel ran us through our vows, all were spoken in the ancient language. I couldn't take my eyes off Kunzite's the entire ceremony. They shimmered. And I knew that every word he spoke he did so with his entire soul's conviction behind it. I was surprised at just how fast the ceremony went. I thought it would feel as if it were taking forever. Instead it felt as if it whipped by, like the wind on an urgent journey. When it was over none of us could stop smiling. Isabel hugged us both and Kunzite picked me up and spun me around. I didn't complain for a change. It was so relieving now, our path was unobstructed by fear or darkness all that was left was joy. Kunzite grabbed my bag once again and we took off for the transport. Isabel merely stayed and watched us go, happy for her son.
We hit the palace and kept running. Until I ran into Jedite. He caught me before we collided, but the short incident was enough for Kunzite to glance at me in worry. "Sorry!" I exclaimed quickly.
"Woah…how'd you get here?" Jedite asked. I smiled at him and was about to say something when Kunzite took my hand and started to lead me away. Jedite turned and watched us leave, confused. We didn't run after that, but hurried to get to the transport.
Within seconds I was back to the most familiar soil I had ever tread on. The spicy air swirled around me and the wind sang my name. The trees and flowers seemed to bend in recognition and I could feel the energy resonating all around me. It was sheer rapture encircling me. The vibrant colors enhanced the light and I knew I wouldn't want to go back to the dull pastels of the moon. I didn't belong there, this was my home, it always would be.
"Where in every thing that's holy are we?" A cry came out suddenly. I spun around, where Kunzite was staring at my bag. A small white furry head popped out of the bag and looked around dazed.
"Artemis!" I yelled. "What are you doing here?" he looked at me. Kunzite set the bag down and backed away. His jaw was set and he looked at me dubiously. "I assure you I did not intend to bring him," I said defensively. Kunzite sighed.
"Well, now we know why that stupid bag was so heavy," he said.
"I beg your pardon!" Artemis replied indignantly. I heard something in the trees around us.
"Shut up the both of you," I said suddenly. I herded the boys against a tree, where it was shaded. We were on palace grounds after all. I looked over at Kunzite who returned the look in a questioning way. The steps receded and I knew Kunzite heard them. He looked at me then motioned with his head to start off into the woods more. We wove in between the trees walking silently until we reached the road, a good ways away from where the palace was.
I was carrying my bag now, to pacify Artemis. He was tucked away in the bottom, sleeping. I reached over and grabbed Kunzite's hand. He smiled at me and squeezed my hand as we walked.
"So just where are we going?" I asked quietly. The golden landscape around us was hushed just as we were. Flocks of sheep watched us as we passed, their gentle eyes held respect for us. Kunzite was silent for a while.
"My home," he replied.
"Won't your family be there, though?" I asked surprised. He shook his head. "Your father?"
"He and my mother are vacationing on Earth. My mother had to do something about this horrid situation." Kunzite said as his jaw set in that familiar way, which I knew not to press the matter. "Our fathers have been conspiring against, us." I have to admit, that didn't overly surprise me.
"Oh?" I questioned flatly. Kunzite merely sighed.
"But let's not dally on that, shall we love?" he replied more brightly.
"Lets," We were almost to his family's plantation. I wondered if the servants would spy on us, or not. "Love, do you trust all of your attendants?" He looked down at me.
"The ones I don't are currently attending my parents," he responded slyly. I grinned at him. We were finally upon the manor house. The large carved oak doors gave way rather easily for a change. The stone interior glimmered in the brief sunlight. I knew this house well by now. The parlor was to our right, and I set Artemis down, in the shade, just inside the doorway there. Kunzite grabbed me around the waist and kissed me deeply. When he broke it off, I smiled sweetly at him. The house was very square with two wrought iron sets of stairs built on the left and right sides of the house. All the family sleeping rooms were upstairs. Downstairs was for entertaining. The kitchen was just ahead of us to the left and the patio was just directly in front of us, a small set of stairs led to the middle. This patio was the center of the bottom floor and all the rooms focused on that one spot.
In the patio was a beautiful garden that Kunzite's mother still kept up by herself. The sunlight trickled down into the garden and it illuminated the flowers. I could close my eyes and remember playing hide-and-seek in all the rooms of the house, playing tag with Kunzite and Ace, the sound of our mothers' laughter as they discussed some matter beyond us children- but this time the memories didn't make me want to cry. I only wanted to create new memories.
"What are you thinking?" Kunzite asked.
"Oh, I was just remembering all the things we used to do here," I replied. He smiled.
"We certainly had some good times here, didn't we? It's a shame it all had to end so early."
"But you see, it hasn't even started yet." I leaned up against him, and wrapped my arms around him, looking up into his strong face. We watched each other quietly for a while.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," he said. He kissed me, and we remained like that for a short while, confidant with the knowledge that no one would prevent us from doing so. "Are you hungry?" he asked eventually. The taste of him was still lingering on my lips, and I wasn't sure I wanted to taste anything else at the moment.
"Mmm…I don't know." I mused. "What would we eat?" Kunzite released me.
"Whatever they made for us," he shrugged.
"Oh."
"I don't know about you, but I am hungry. And I have a feeling, it'll be worth it."
"All right then, let's go." We walked hand in hand into the dining room, where a nice spread of food had been laid out for us. It consisted of a lot of fruits, some bread and wine, a few light deserts and some special Venusian pasta. Some of my old favorite dishes and some of Kunzite's. We ate until we were sufficiently filled then just settled in on the terrace in the back of the house to watch the sun set.
The one thing about Venusian nights that I don't think I will ever get accustomed to is the lack of the moonlight. Venusian nights are very dark and starry filled, but I'd become so used to the soft glow of the moon that it was very odd to be in a place that was so purely dark at night. I felt so at peace with everything around me. The night deepened, but a chill did not set in. A warm breeze blew past and I closed my eyes. This was home. And it was would always be home. I leaned over the terrace studying the landscape around the back of the house. The trees swayed in the breeze and the stars shone more brightly then they would have on the moon or on earth. I could easily pin point mercury and earth from where I stood. It was like magic seeing them from this far away, still. Kunzite crept up from behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He kissed my shoulder and looked up at the sky with me.
"I'm not used to seeing the sky like this anymore," he whispered.
"I was just thinking the same thing." I whispered back. Behind us Kunzite's room beckoned. As I reflected, I realized I'd never been in his room when we were children. I could tell now that it was an adult's room, not a child's like it must have been. I also wondered why they still kept a room for him. But it really didn't matter. I could feel Kunzite's breath on my neck and it made me shiver. Kunzite pulled me closer into his embrace.
"Are you cold?" he asked me.
"No," I replied, "Maybe I'm just nervous or something."
"What should you be worried about? I'm here and it's only me here."
"I can't help thinking what if something happens on the moon while I'm gone, or what if your dad comes home early, or what if Ace shows up, or what if something else happens…" He silenced me with a kiss.
"Nothing is going to happen to us or them while we're gone for one night, Minako." I closed my eyes and nodded.
"Okay, but kiss me again to convince me," I said. He laughed and did. Suddenly the door swung open. I jumped and Kunzite turned around and stood in front of me. Artemis stood in the door way looking startled. It seemed he didn't see us at first.
"Minako?" he asked timidly. As soon as I heard his tiny little voice my anger with him diminished. "Are you there?" He sounded as if he was going to squeak. I couldn't just ignore him, he was still very young. I walked around Kunzite and scooped him up. He curled up in my arms. I felt rather guilty for leaving him alone for all this time.
"What's wrong, Artemis?" I asked softly as I stroked his head to calm him down. He was shaking.
"It's so different here. It feels weird and it's so strange," he said. I nodded.
"Just try to get some sleep, hun, we'll be back, " I struggled with the word, "home in the morning." I really just wanted to stay here where I actually felt at home.
"I'm hungry too," he said. I shot a look back to Kunzite who merely shrugged. So I took Artemis and walked back down stairs. I wandered into the dining room where they were cleaning up for the evening. Artemis looked around him mistrustfully. It was the first time I realized I hadn't changed yet because the kitchen staff was staring at me.
"Do you have any leftovers I could feed Artemis with?"
"Of course your highness," one replied and turned to fix up a quick meal. I blushed.
"Oh please, you don't have to call me that," I said quickly. I was definitely not used to be called any name with royal connotations attached to it. Artemis stared up at me, and I made sure not to look at him.
"No, it is an honor to have you in our home again, mi'lady," another replied as she brought over a bowl with scraps and some decent pieces of meat in it. I could feel Artemis staring at me. "You don't know how we wait for your return." I set Artemis down on the table next to the food.
"No I don't suppose I would," I said shyly. Artemis nipped my hand. "Oh he might need some water as well." The girl nodded and went to retrieve another bowl. I looked down at Artemis.
"Something doesn't feel right," he muttered. I tensed up, knowing that I didn't feel anything and it made me worry.
"Just eat it." I said, hoping that was what he was talking about. The girl came back.
"Your father has wreaked havoc upon this land," she stated. I wondered suddenly just what it was she expected me to do about it. "When we lost your mother and you it was a very sad time."
"I'm sorry," I stated. I didn't know what else to say. The girl took my arm.
"You have to promise us that as soon as he's gone you'll come back to us!" I blinked. Artemis whipped around and stared straight at me. I took a wavering glance in his direction.
"I'll do my best," I merely stammered. Just then Kunzite came down stairs. He set a hand on my shoulder and the girl instantly released me. Artemis finished eating and pawed at my arm. He was good at playing a cat sometimes. Kunzite faked a yawn, and I tried hard not to break a smile.
"We've had a long day, haven't we, Mia?" I nodded. He turned to the kitchen girls. "I know you're all excited to talk to her and all, but may we continue this in the morning?" They nodded and Kunzite pulled me up out of the chair. The kitchen staff stepped back and I scooped up Artemis who did not look happy. He nearly growled at the darkness in the hall, and I felt bad for his paranoia, but it was his own fault for sneaking into my bag.
I stopped by a room that was across from Kunzite's. Kunzite stepped into his room and grabbed my bag that had been brought up for us. Artemis was shaking in my arms, and I didn't want to put him down until he was calm. The room across from Kunzite's was a guest bedroom and I set Artemis down on the bed there. He walked to the edge of the bed.
"Artemis, you have to stay in here tonight, okay?" I said.
"No, it's not okay!" he replied. Kunzite handed me my bag and I set it down on the bed next to me and pulled out my nightgown.
"You have to, Artemis,"
"No!" he argued back. I sighed.
"Look it's just for tonight, okay?" I said. He grumbled. I pulled out a skirt for him to lay on. "Sleep on this and you won't know the difference." Kunzite was leaning up against the door frame. Artemis huffed and lay on the skirt. I nodded and kissed his forehead gently. "Thank you." I closed the door as I left leaving it open a crack. Kunzite and I walked across the hall and he shut his door as well.
Inside his room, there was little light. Kunzite lit a couple of candles which barely decreased the darkness. Even though I knew I'd been waiting for something like this my whole life, I was still unnerved about it. I wrapped my arms around myself to prevent myself from shaking. A breeze blew in from the terrace and rustled my skirt and my hair. Kunzite stopped in the center of the room and stared at me. I had my back to the window, so everything I was wearing stuck to the back of me, and billowed out in front of me. I had forgotten just how strong Venusian winds could be sometimes. My pitiful attempt to curb my nervousness didn't work out. I shook anyway. Kunzite sighed and pulled me up against him.
"You're so tense," he whispered into my hair. He began to rub my back gently and slowly I stopped shaking. The wind called in the background urging me to be still and listen. It was actually the wind that told me not to fear this night, and as soon as I stopped shaking, the wind died down to a small breeze. Kunzite held me gently in his arms, as if I were a delicate china doll.
For the moment all I could do was stare up at him as if he were some seraphic creature. He seemed so peaceful at the moment, and more relaxed than I'd seen him in years. I noticed his blissful smile that went straight into his eyes. He was in his glory now, and my timid virgin fears were holding him back. What was I doing? My thoughts then turned to why I was so afraid of him. He was gentle and caring and protecting, loyal, patient and perfect. So why did I fear him? Was it because he was forbidden? Could it truly be that my perfection was some guilty please I knew I didn't deserve? The insecurity I felt building deep within me left a mark. How could I have possibly landed one of the most revered people on earth? I blinked as Kunzite kissed me again and his arms fell lower down my back.
Somehow I let go. I could feel the desire welling up in him, and ancient primal forces left me no choice other than to respond. The kisses grew deeper and less restrained. Our hands never stayed in one place for long, darting all over each other's bodies. And it was much more than passion that soon over took us both. Gradually, the frenzied pace quickened and before I knew it we were entwined in each other's arms on Kunzite's bed. Everything stemmed from there. The night grew on and lingered in the still hours, as we were completely entranced with ourselves. The night was a silken blanket that shielded us from anything that could have interfered with our rapture. That single endless night was the first night of the rest of my life.
Hours later as Kunzite slept docilely beside me I remained in stages that drifted between dreams and wakefulness. I felt at peace lying bare in his arms as he unconsciously defended me from my own demons. I had no idea what had just happened to me. So many ranges of new feelings and emotions were bottled up inside of me and I had no idea how to open the Pandora's box inside my soul. The graying light outside warned of the oh-too-quickly approaching morning. I lay still so as not to disturb him, but wanted no more than to run from him at the same time and figure out what had just happened. My mind was in one place, or too many I'm not sure, while my heart was in a completely different realm. I didn't know what I was going to do with myself. Kunzite shifted and held me tighter and I was once again reassured by him. Not much longer and I fell asleep in his arms again.
When I next woke, it was daylight and I wasn't in Kunzite's arms. He'd awoken before me and was propped up on one elbow, with his other hand entwined in my hair. My departure from sleep was slow and serene. As the last traces of mist from the dream world crept out of my head, I turned and watched Kunzite lovingly.
"Morning," he said quietly.
"Morning, love," I replied. I scrunched up my eyes in concern. "How long have you been up?" I asked. He yawned.
"Not too long," he replied. I nodded and buried my head in the crook of his neck, encircling his shoulders with my arms. He laughed. "What's wrong, hunny?" he asked.
"Nothing," I said quietly. Kunzite leaned back and pulled me up so I was level with him. For a few minutes, he didn't do anything. I sat quietly, wondering what he was doing.
"I forgot what I was going to say," he said at last. I looked confused for a moment then laughed.
"Only you Kunzite," I mumbled as I leaned in to kiss him softly.
"Hey!" he replied laughing as we parted. It was so nice to wake up beside him in the morning. It was the most peaceful morning of my life, and I wanted an eternity more of them.
Notes from Zellie
Yeah, I know I didn't write the whole wedding ceremony. There's only so much fluff I can handle at once and I wanted to save it for later. I'll stop making promises I can't keep. Otherwise I'll keep saying I'll get this next chapter out in jiffy quick time and it will never happen. Sorry guys, but school takes time. And since I'm not getting paid for this, I can't prioritize it as highly as I would like to. On another note, I'm afraid to say, I think Total Eclipse is drawing to an end. I'm thinking it might hit 21 chapters and then I'll finish it. And what a long time coming too…I started this story when I was in eighth grade. It's been five years so far. It's about time to finish, I think.