Chapter Five

Kunzite's eyebrows furrowed as he saw his comrade walk past. He could have sworn he saw Nephrite smile. And it wasn't his usual smirk, either. He's been in a cheery mood for the past few weeks, Kunzite pondered, as he polished his prized sword. They all seem chipper, he thought, remembering how Zoicite grinned while he played the piano the previous afternoon. I wonder what it could be. This had better not interfere with the Master's training!

Jadeite walked into the entrance hall, causing Kunzite to spring to his feet. "Jadeite, may I have a word with you?"

"All right, Kunzite." Jadeite answered.

Kunzite paced in front of the youngest Shitennou. "Have you noticed anything strange recently?"

"Strange? Well, the Master is in an especially good mood."

"It's not just the Master." Kunzite said with a flourish of his cape. "Nephrite is less surly."

Jadeite nodded. "Yes, I like it. He's being nice."

"But, Jadeite, why is he acting strange? And Zoicite as well. What's changing their mood?"

Jadeite shrugged. "The weather, perhaps?"

"Never mind. I'm sure it's nothing." Kunzite strode out to the grounds of the palace. Jadeite is very young and naive. I think those three are up to something. I wonder what it could be. Something caught Kunzite's eye. Nephrite and Endymion were walking towards a field far from the palace. Where are they going? He quickened his pace, making sure to keep a safe distance behind them.

Kunzite's brown eyes widened in confusion when he appeared in one of the gardens of the Moon Kingdom. He had made sure to teleport a little ways away from Nephrite and Endymion so they would not know they were being pursued. Is this the Moon Kingdom? He realized it must be, for the entire structure was new to him. Why are they here? Have Master Endymion and Nephrite fallen under a spell cast by Lunarians? What's so interesting about this place?

A beautiful young woman turned and began to walk into the garden. Kunzite dove behind a stone column, not wanting to be noticed. His stomach lurched uncomfortably. This maiden had silky long black hair, dark brown eyes, and the sweetest face he had ever laid eyes on. She wore a

blue gown of satin, and had gorgeous flowers in her hair. She walked past the pillar, unaware of the general hiding behind it. Kunzite took a shuddering breath. She's beautiful, he thought once she had gone. No... she's more than beautiful. She's.... indescribable. Kunzite smiled. Lunarian's can't be all bad.

The five princesses assembled in the music room. Serenity gracefully walked over to the large golden harp and sat on the cushioned bench beside it.

Rei picked up a silver flute. "I think I shall play this today." she mused as she perched ladylike on a wooden three-legged stool.

Makoto made a beeline for the trumpet. "I'm in the mood for a strong instrument." she said, receiving a giggle from Serenity and Ami.

Ami lifted a violin and positioned it in the crook of her neck, while Minako slowly approached the piano.

Serenity and Rei exchanged confused looks. "The piano?" Serenity questioned. "But, Minako...I thought that that was one of your least favorite instruments."

Minako said nothing, but placed her hands on the sleek black and white keys. Humming softly to herself, she began playing a beautiful and hauntingly familiar piece.

Ami stared at the piano and its player in surprise. That tune... I've heard it before, somewhere... then it hit her. Zoicite! That's the song Zoicite was playing when Nephrite and I were... she blushed. Were dancing. Is it a coincidence? No! Nephrite told me that that was an original piece! He said that Zoicite had been shut up in that room for days composing it! Which means... Ami couldn't finish thinking, because Rei began to whisper to her.

"Minako has been very distracted recently. She has been lenient on us in practice, she's been locked in her room a lot, and for the past week she hasn't said anything derogatory about Earthlings! Is it possible she is ill?"

"I'm not sure," Ami whispered, but she felt she had an idea as to what was wrong with the Princess of Venus.

"Wait up!" Nephrite called to a skipping Ami, her long black hair flying behind her in the wind.

She whirled around, causing her flowing white skirt to twirl. "Sorry," she grinned.

"It's okay," Nephrite responded, his heart flittering. Stop that! He commanded, pressing a white gloved hand over his chest.

Ami tried to calm down, but springtime made her excited. The flowers were blooming even brighter in abundance of bright colors, and the river sparkled like diamonds. It's beautiful, she thought. She turned around to Nephrite. "I get so excited around springtime," she explained, staring at him with limpid eyes. When she realized what she was doing, she quickly shook her head. Stop that! It isn't polite!

Nephrite stepped over to her, his scarlet cape writhing in the warm breeze. "The weather's uh... very nice," he commented lamely. Oh, that was great, he told himself sarcastically. The weather. Can't you think of a better topic for conversation?

Ami smiled sweetly. "Do you like spring?" she asked as she walked over to a pond.

"Yes, it's very...er...nice." Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! He scolded.

She stared at his reflection in the pond. His red and gold general uniform gleamed in the sunlight. What's your favorite season?"

Nephrite thought for a moment. "I've never really thought of that. Well, probably fall. I like how the leaves on the trees change colors."

"Me, too." Ami replied. "Nature is very interesting," she commented after a moment. "All of the elements and living creatures work together. It's like magic."

Nephrite nodded. Slowly, he reached over and took her delicate hand and clasped it with his own. Ami looked at him and gave him a smile that melted his heart.

A few days later, in a dark room deep within the Earth Palace, Kunzite sat staring at his reflection in the metal sword. That girl... he thought, remembering Princess Ami and her soft dark hair, her chocolate eyes, her innocent face. Kunzite loved everything about her. The way she carried herself, her soft laughter, everything. He slammed his sword into its sheath and crossed his dark brown sleeves over his chest. I must see her once again. Kunzite had traveled to the Moon Kingdom twice before during different times, gazing at the lovely princess with eyes of longing. He strode out to the secluded grounds of the palace, hidden by clusters of trees, so that no one could see him.

"Ami, hurry up!" Serenity laughed, running through the kingdom with her four best friends.

Ami quickened her pace to keep up with the retreating Moon Princess.

"Where are we going?" Rei shouted, gathering her long white dress so she wouldn't trip.

"The pond!" Minako responded, trying to keep Serenity in sight.

As the Princesses of the Silver Millennium disappearedKunzite stepped from his hiding spot in the shadows. She's so wonderful, he smiled to himself. Perfect in every way, shape, and form. I must find a way to make her mine, and mine alone. And with a wave of his long cape, the oldest Shitennou vanished.

Endymion pulled out his sword, and bowed his black head.

Jadeite did the same.

"All right," Nephrite directed, acting as referee, "Begin."

Jadeite and the Master's swords clashed into each other. Jadeite's sword weakened under the strength of Endymion's weapon. He shook blonde bangs from his blue eyes and recoiled. Metal clashed as sparks flew. Endymion threw his light blue lined cape out of his way and came down in one sweeping motion with his sword.

Jadeite's knees weakened as the black heels of his boots sank into the grassy ground. Panting for breath, he held up his hand as a signal of surrender.

Endymion chuckled as he helped his vassal to his feet. "You've been practicing, my friend," he said, helping to brush off Jadeite's purple sleeves. "Why don't we give you more practice? Nephrite?" Nephrite stepped up. "Would you?"

"Of course, Master," he said, bowing deeply. He unsheathed his blade and positioned himself in the fighting stance.

Zoicite came sweeping up to where the two Shitennou were dueling. "Hello, Nephrite," he said mechanically, causing Nephrite to look over in his direction.

Jadeite shot his sword in an upward fashion, knocking Nephrite's red blade far off into the bushes. "I did it!" he proclaimed gleefully.

Deciding not to point out that that wasn't a real duel, seeing as a real opponent wouldn't have his sword hanging limply at his side, Nephrite said, "Good job!"

Endymion watched Zoicite go into the oak front doors of the palace. "Um, let'sstop practicing for today. Nephrite, could you go get your sword?"

As the Prince and Jadeite left, Nephrite trooped over to the cluster of bushes and foliage and began to search for the lost weapon. "I know it's over here somewhere," he muttered, peering under the bushes"Ah, there it is!" He pulled the blood red handle out of the leaves. "I need to polish it," he commented to no one in particular, inspecting the smudges on the blade.

A sudden rustle in the green leaves made Nephrite jump. He tightened his gripon the sword. "Who's there?"

The leaves jostled some more, then a small brown bunny came into sight.

Nephrite sighed with relief. How could he have been so foolish? It was just a little bunny. He smiled. "Hey, you're kinda cute," he whispered, reaching out to petthe furry animal. His smile faded and he gasped. The tiny bunny was quivering, and his back paw stuck out at a strange angle.

"Oh, you poor thing," Nephrite said, carefully picking up the bunny in his arms. "Don't worry, little guy, I'll take care of you," he told the creature, taking off his capeand wrapping the bunny in it.

He sneaked into the palace, careful yo avoid any passers by. He opened the door to his bedchamber, tore away the hangings of his four-poster, and nestled the animal on the pillows. "There." Nephrite said, turning to leave. "I'll go get you some stuff, okay?"

He hurried down the many staircases. What's the matter with me? He asked himself. Why am I so concerned? So gentle? I don't understand why I'm doing this. He paused halfway down a flight of marble steps. Maybe...Ami is having an effect on me? He considered this. It's not so bad.

Nephrite entered the kitchen. "Excuse me," he saud to a women with an apron on. "I was...er...wondering if you could assist me."

"Certainly, sir," the woman bowed. "What do you require?"

"Could you give me a small basket with a bottle of milk and some lettuce?"

The cook gave a bewildered look, but made no remark. "Of course, sir." she quickly rounded up the basket with the supplies and handed it to the tall man. "Do you require anything else?"

"No, thank you." Nephrite answered, leaving. "Good day," he called.

"Good day, sir."

Nephrite dashed back up the stairs. Jadeite rounded a corner and walked towards him. "Hello. What have you got there?" he inquired, surveying the wicker basket Nephrite held.

"I was hungry." he explained.

Jadeite arched a blonde eyebrow. "For milk and lettuce?" he asked suspiciously.

"I...uh...had a craving." Nephrite stammered as he continued his stride. "Haven't you ever heard that being too curious is dangerous?!" he called to Jadeite over his shoulder.

Jadeite narrowed his eyes. Everyone's acting nuts, he thought, shaking his head and going down the staircase.

Nephrite closed the door to his large room with a sigh. What should I have said? He visualized a conversation in his head. "Oh, yeah, Jadeite, I'm nursing an injured bunny rabbit back to health." he shook his flaming head. Knowing him, he'd probably laugh. He lifted the fluffy animal in his arms. "How are you feeling?" he asked, and he was surprised to hear his voice sounded soft and sweet. "Weird," he commented. "Well, little guy, are you hungry?" Nephrite sat on the end of his bed and took out the bottle of milk and poured a few drops down its throat. The bunny licked Nephrite's gloved finger affectionately. "Okay, I guess you like it," he laughed in embarrassment, stroking the bunny's soft back.

"Now, we should deal with your injured leg." He retrieved a white handkerchief form his night table. "I'm not an expert," he told the animal, "But this should be fine." Nephrite clumsily tied the injured leg into a sling. "There. That will work. I think." He smiled and patted the bunny's head.