"Even here, in this region of wonders, I find
That light-footed Fancy leaves Truth far behind,
Or at least, like Hippomenes, turns her astray
By the golden illusions he flings in her way."
-- Hippomenes and Atalanta --
Kunzite had a restless night, tossing and turning on his bed; unable to take his mind off the goddess he has spoken to.
For the life of him, he could not forget her features. He guessed that she would now be forever entrenched in his mind.
This has been the first time that he thought of a woman for so long. Not to sound so arrogant like Jadeite but he knew that he had women flocking all over him. He could not see the reason why they did but they just did and as a man, needless to say, he could not complain. And who would if they were in his position? But… this was clearly the first time that he let a woman ran around on his mind.
Trying to think of something different to distract his thoughts from the woman, he thought of the celestial gems they need to find.
He fell asleep by the time the sun rose into the morning sky.
She watched him from the very shadow of his room, tossing and turning in his bed, unable to sleep. She ought to seek his mind, curious as to what he was thinking, but sooner shook the idea. That idea was ridiculous, even she knew that. He was, after all, entitled to his own privacy.
But… by the Gods she could not look away from him.
He reminded her so much of him. Her lover… from a very long time ago.
Same features. Same platinum hair. Those gorgeous eyes of his when he had looked at her from the temple…
Same built. Same height.
She sighed. She was losing her mind.
Kunzite…
That had been his name. Her lover from the ancient era. He had been the closest friend and personal protector of Queen Serenity's husband.
They had met when she had unintentionally accused him an emissary of Queen Hera. They had bickered and almost fought sword to sword, never backing out. Equally match.
She chuckled at the memory.
She, too, had been a sentinel. She had been Queen Serenity's personal protector and the leader of her army.
When she had taken him to Queen Serenity she later had found out, much to her deep mortification, that he had not been the enemy after all.
She had apologized and apologized later on but he had not forgiven her at all, the brute.
He had tormented her mercilessly about that encounter and she had not forgiven him about that.
Then, much to her consternation, Queen Serenity had appointed him as her cohort in leading the army.
Both of them as leaders.
At first she had not liked the idea. She had argued with Serenity, telling her in no uncertain terms that it was her duty to lead the army and did not need his help, but the adamant queen had not changed her mind.
Then she had confronted him, accusing him once again, about manipulating the queen, about using the king to get what he wanted.
She cringed now at the memory.
She knew she had acted childishly that night.
Then he had told her so kindly that he had not known about that. He had told her that if her position was so necessary to her, then he would gladly stepped out of her way. He had told her in his-oh-so-gentle voice, that her happiness was more important to him than any position in the world.
It was then, she recalled, that she had fallen in love with him.
She… who had not fallen in love at all in her life. She… who had so clearly believed that she did not need any man in her life… had fallen in love at last.
She had not regretted it though.
No… not even once… and she would gladly fall in love with him again given the chance.
She recalled the day she had told him of her feelings, of how much she loved him, and the fear in her about him rejecting her was so great that she almost had not told him…
But alas, he had not…
Indeed, he had also confessed his own affections. He had told her that he had also fallen in love with her.
In sight as a matter of fact…
This had excited her and she had felt the most wonderful joy in her heart that she had flung herself into his arms.
Then, with a deep blush on her face, she had apologized and planned to move out of his arms but he had also embraced her, assuring her that it was all right… that after all, they were a couple now.
She had glowed with so much joy and so much love for that wonderful, handsome man.
They had spent their days together ever since, inseparable, in love.
So, they had been partnered, two leaders who were well-matched to each other, leading the most powerful queen's army.
But then…
She later found out…
Greatest happiness comes with greatest sorrow.
They were to wed that day, about to bind their bond to each other for all eternity, when Queen Hera assailed the kingdom.
Till the end they had stood close to each other, side by side, hearts intertwined, trying to annihilate Hera's militia.
To their right, not far away from them, had also stood the queen and king, wrapped up in each other's arms, trying to ward off those disgusting creatures.
Then, HE had seen his king fell when he had been stabbed by one of them.
He had tried to save him, his closest friend, his only family, but only ended up being killed in the process.
She had witnessed this with her very own eyes.
She had watched him launched himself towards the king, using his body as a shield from the soldier's attack.
She had watched him bleed and grunt in pain.
She had watched him breathe his very last breath…
And then…
She had watched him closed his eyes, for the very last time, never to open them again.
She remembered how she had screamed his name so loud…
How she had move herself in rage, her position as the queen's protector clearly forgotten, only the vengeful need to go after her lover's killer, and attacked all Hera's soldiers, one by one, until not one of them had remained standing…
She remembered how she had tried in vain to attack Hera.
And also remembered on how she had lost…
She remembered walking towards him, remembered hugging his bloodstained body, whispering in his dead ears about his promise to never leave her forever.
She had wept and wept, begged and begged… for him to come back to her…
But she had known in her heart…
That he never would…
And so…
She had died when HE died…
She glanced again at the man before her, unaware of her presence in his room.
So much like him…
Perhaps he was reborn… in this life…
Then with a slight smile, shook her head at her absurdity.
She watched him closed his eyes, finally succumbing to sleep, at dawn.
She stayed for a longer more, watching him drew on shallow breaths, the evident of sleep…
Unable to tear her gaze away from him, unable to leave him…
Then, unwillingly, she finally left him alone, returning to the Elders; with the last thought that she knew she would see him again…
And soon…
-- The story is Copyrighted © by dloveheart 2002 --
(some characters excluded)