Lord of Darkness
Chapter 11
Transition
___________________
Thank you for all the reviews. I never imagined
that I would break the 100s mark. Thank you, thank
you. I always appreciate your comments and suggestions.
For the normal copyright notes, look at Chapter 4
*thoughts
//flashbacks
______________________
Lord of Darkness
Chapter 11
Transition
*********************************
The following few days were the worst in Kunzite's
memory, even worse the weeks and days after the death of his
parents' when he'd wandered aimlessly through the streets,
desperately trying to soothe the ravaging hunger that had
plagued him. Her reaction had completely stumped him, not
to mention that it stung more than he was willing to admit.
She'd be chattering amiably with the guards, servant maids,
his friends, but as soon as she saw him, her smile would
chill to somewhere below zero Celsius. True to his promise,
he'd not gotten within a ten-foot radius within Minako, but
that didn't mean that he never saw her. She still had to pass
through his room every night to get to hers.
She was an enigma, a puzzle, that intrigued him
beyond reason. Every time he thought he had her figured
out, she'd act in a way he'd never have predicted. It was
almost as if she enjoyed keeping him off guard. The day after
the ball, she had immediately giving the command to move
all of Rei's belongings into a different room. What amazed
him even more was her appearance as she had stumbled into
the dining room the next morning. Her cheeks were blotchy, her
eyes heavy-lidded, moving as if she'd ran a marathon the night
before instead of catching up on much-needed sleep, moving
with none of her usual confidence and grace. Later that day,
around mid-night, he'd found out why.
//
In the middle of the night, he'd suddenly awakened
to an eerie feeling in his room, something that wasn't
supposed to be there. A slender figure moving noiselessly had
caught his eye, and he knew that she'd been the disturbance.
At first, he'd thought that it had been Minako, but the
moonlight glinting of the person's dark hair set in a heart
shaped face with blazing violet eyes confirmed his hunch
that it was Rei. In a single leap, he'd lunged toward her, the
knife hidden under his pillow at her throat in an instant. She'd
never moved, showing no signs of emotion even as the blade dug
into the creamy skin and a thin trail of blood ran down.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
He'd snarled, removing the knife when she didn't appear
to be bolting anytime soon.
"What's that to you, bastard?"
She'd growled back.
"That's what I'd like to know."
A third voice had joined in, as a shimmer of light appeared
near the window, before condensing into the form of General Jadeite,
who had crossed his arms in the universally recognized 'pissed-off'
position just as the clock struck midnight. Kunzite narrowed his
silver-gray eyes.
"Did my room just turn into a midnight party and somebody
forgot to tell me?"
At that moment Rei's infamous temper, fueled by hours of
restless pacing and anger, had decided to make an appearance in
the form of a small spark that nevertheless sent the hems of Jadeite's
pants on fire.
"No, and shut up."
She'd snapped, using Jadeite's momentary distraction as a
perfect opening to push him out of the window, before closing it
with a snap. She'd then whirled back to face Kunzite, her hands on
her hips as the cut on her throat healed amazingly fast right before
his eyes.
"Do you know that she's been crying herself to sleep every
night ever since that ball?"
"How do you know?"
His tone had remained cool and aloof though her words had
twisted a knife in his heart. The violet orbs blazed in anger.
"Listen, beast, in case you've forgotten, let me remind you:
I've served and lived with her for over fourteen years. I'd think I'd
know if something was wrong. Besides, why else do you think she threw
me out of her room other than the fact she didn't want me to worry
about her?"
He lifted a shoulder in a attemp to appear unconcerned.
"I don't know. Maybe she got tired of your company; I, for one,
could definitely understand that."
"How dare you?!"
She'd shrieked, forgetting to whisper in the face of her anger.
Before he could answer, however, a soft voice had spoken from the door
leading to Minako's chamber.
"What's going on? And why are you here, Rei-chan?"
Rei had looked horrified as Kunzite turned to see the slim blonde
princess in the doorway, tear-stains on her face that she'd obviously
forgotten to wipe away.
"You're still awake, hime-chan?"
"No, but you were so loud that you woke me up. So, what were
you getting yourself so worked up about?"
"I, uhm, I mean, we, uhm, were discussing..."
She'd chanced a glance his way, warning him of a most torturous
death if he interfered.
" ... how to enhance and improve your soldiers' abilities."
Minako had looked incredulous.
"Let me get this straight. You're running around in the middle
of the night, in your night-gown, screaming at the top of your lungs,
worrying about the men's training and you honestly expect me to believe
that?"
Kunzite had jumped in to help her.
"No, Princess Minako. Lady Rei here had been sleep-walking, and
as she did not want to alarm you, she concocted this brilliant little
story."
Minako had ignored him, latching a hand onto Rei's wrist and
dragging her toward the door and outside, muttering something about a
midnight snack. Just before she disappeared out of the door, Rei'd
thrown him a glare that left no doubt in his mind that he would pay
for causing Minako to think that she was a psychopath.
The next evening he'd found what her revenge had been when
he'd slid into his covers, enjoying the feel of silk against his
hot and weary skin when he'd suddenly touched something soft and
squishy, and also definitely ... slimy. He'd whipped off the
covers to find two dirty leap frogs nestling quietly and comfortably
on his bed. A lock of dark hair that he had not noticed before was
peacefully lying on his pillow, telling him that Rei had been here and those
frogs had been her revenge.
//
Slowly, he began to hate the sight of Minako. Her cheeks grew
hollow, and her hair lost its shimmering luster, becoming as mass of
greasy, tangled blond strands. Her eyes dimmed, their sparkle
disappearing. Every time he looked her in the eye, it seemed as if
he was staring into a pond of dirty water rather than those dark
azure eyes that once had so captivated him. He never found rest. Awake,
or asleep, she haunted him, day and night. Everything he did or thought
about reminded him of her. She had been at the palace for no more
than three weeks, yet she had already left a deeper imprint on his
soul than anyone else, save maybe Endymion. He also started to shun
his room. The maps for battle strategies reminded him of her accurate
assumptions and keen thoughts. The huge leather chair conjured up a
image of the black leather almost swallowing her slender form. Even
the closet brought forth a memory of her going through his cloths,
looking for a pair of breeches. With all the disturbing thoughts,
we almost welcomed the hustle that the arrival of Princess Setsuna
and Prince Demanda would bring with them, but he was sadly mistaken.
On the third day, he'd awoken to see his fellow generals and
his liege at the foot of his bed, along with Rei, Ami, and Serenity.
Endymion had started directly with the problem, not even asking how his
first General was.
"Kunzite, what did you do to her?"
He blinked sleepily, his mind muddled.
"I did what to who?"
"Minako, Kunzite, Princess Minako. What did you do to her?"
"I fail to see why it is any of your business."
Endymion took a step closer to him, a strange fire flaring to
life in his eyes, and Kunzite was astounded to see that a hand had
formed itself into a fist and the prince was speaking through clenched
teeth.
"General Kunzite, you forget yourself. I am your Prince. And
to answer your question, yes, it is my business. She has been almost
like a sister to me ever since she came here, but something is wrong.
Do you realize she was barely eaten or drunken anything for the past
three days? And she never left her room yesterday except to inform Rei
that she wasn't feeling well. And the trays we'd sent up to her yesterday
had all been returned, untouched. So what in the bloody hell did you
do to her?"
The last sentence was yelled. Kunzite never got a chance to defend
himself as a gentle voice interrupted his almost-formed defense.
"Endymion, I'm surprised at you. You were ready to start a
discussion concerning me without my knowledge? Don't you believe that
I should at least have a chance to defend myself while you're
thoroughly analyzing me?"
The nine people turned to see Minako. Serenity moved forward,
gently hugging her unresponsive cousin, while Ami stepped up cautiously
behind her, worry marring her usual pleasant features. Even to the men's
untrained eyes, Minako looked sick. Her voice was high-pitched, almost
hysterical, and her eyes glowed with a feverish light. Her knees seemed
almost too weak to support her feather-light weight as she swanked back
and forth between the door frame. As Serenity released the blonde girl,
Ami placed a hand on her forehead, and - bit her bottom lip from crying
out.
"Oh my God, she's burning up!"
She whirled onto the people behind her, the shy, demure girl
they had known suddenly gone as she began snapping out orders.
"Endymion and Nephrite, get her into her bed immediately. Jadeite,
get a basin of warm water, and Rei, clean linen. Serenity and Makoto, help
her into a clean nightgown. Kunzite, get my healer's bag from the infirmary
and tell the servants that unless its an emergency, I'm unavailable. And
Zoicite, please go and inform their Majesties that we've a crisis here."
There was furry of movement behind her as everyone bowed to her
healing talent and rushed to do her bidding. Endymion and Nephrite barely
caught Minako before she hit the floor as she collapsed in a dead faint, and
Serenity and Makoto somehow were able to force her lifeless form into a clean
nightshirt. Kunzite returned from the healers first, lugging a huge bag
stuffed with herbs and small pouch with pills behind him. Rei and Jadeite
followed him. Zoicite appeared seconds later, with the monarchs on his heels.
King Sunaru stopped dead in his tracks, and his mouth closed and opened a few
times before three words came out.
"Oh my God."
Their Majesties truly loved the generals like their own children, and
Minako was no exception. Queen Gaia moved slowly forward, equally shocked as her
husband by the girl's deadly paleness. A hand settled itself on Ami's shoulder.
"Ami, this is a normal fever?"
The blue-haired healer shrugged, trying to keep her voice from trembling.
"It is a normal fever; at least, it was one. But this heat, it's unnatural,
meaning it's already progressed to the next stage. Unbalancing forces concerning
her nutritional values and life force are conflicting with the overall absorption
of vitamins and minerals. Lower blood pressure causes a decrease in metabolic rates,
and degrades the end-product. Enzymes burn up due to the heat, mitochondria malfunctions,
and RNA and DNA replication is interrupted. Active sites deform to either increase or
dramatically decrease any chemicals needed, and host cell rupture is usually accelerated.
Overall, due to these side effects of the heat, balance is lost and kinetic energy is
disrupted, maybe even with mutations in the somatic and germinal cells."
Serenity and Makoto exchanged a puzzled look, and the silver-blonde girl raised
an eyebrow.
"Come again?"
No one heard her as Zoicite took a cursory glance at the unconscious girl in
the bed and continued Ami's train of thoughts.
"Pertaining to the rise and fall of her chest, her heartbeat is slowing and
by observing her neck, it is able to determine that her pulse, though steady, is very
faint. The slowing of the heartbeat is the first sign of metabolic and chemical failure,
and as the flow starts decreasing, the body is devoid of any vigor. Oxygen level
falls shockingly fast, and the red blood cells are quickly dying. Shivers set in, for
while her inner life is way above normal temperature, her metabolism becomes slower,
and is unable to produce enough heat nor end-product to satisfy the sudden intense and
hurrying need of her body. Had we seen her condition tomorrow, it might have already been
too late. As it is, the self-destruction process has already started."
The blue-eyed girl was looking at Ami and Zoicite as though they were aliens.
Makoto also looked puzzled, and Jadeite furrowed his brow, but everyone else's eyes
reflected fear. Serenity tried again.
"Ami? Zoicite? What's going on?"
"Just know that Minako is on the brink of death."
Rei's voice was harsh, much harsher than she'd intended it to be, but who
could blame her?
King Sunaru was staring at Minako, his good-natured face worried.
"How did this happen? She was such a vivacious and lovely girl."
He and his wife faced Endymion, while eight pairs of eyes simultaneously turned
to Kunzite, and their Majesties followed the prince's gaze.
"General Kunzite?"
Queen Gaia promptly gently. Her only response was a muffled "Hum?" as the
silver-haired general didn't have much interest in anything besides the blonde angel
lying motionless on the bed. He had never felt such fear, and it frightened him that
he could have such deep feelings of a girl. But, on retrospective, he was confused that
fear would be so strange to him. Had she not, after all, awakened more emotions in
him than he'd thought possible? He had almost lost her, and suddenly, life without
her was unimaginable.
"General Kunzite!"
Endymion's voice snapped him out of his reverie. He stood bolt upright.
"General, how did this happen?"
Queen Gaia asked again, softly. A flash of something unspeakable had flown
over Kunzite's usual stoic features, and it worried her.
"How did what happen?"
"The fever, General."
"Malnutrition."
"How come?"
"It's been a while since she has eaten."
"Why?"
Rei was getting impatient with the step-by-step process, and her temper made
a quick appearance before she forced it under, and that was all she needed.
"For heaven's sake, General, just tell them! Tell them what you did to her,
tell them how you used her. Tell them the reason why she's on the brink of death, why
she barely ate for the past three days and why she cries herself to sleep everyday,
why don't you?"
"Lady Rei, that's enough!"
"What, afraid to hear your mistakes?"
"No, but I fail to see why I'm responsible."
"You broke her heart, bastard!"
Kunzite laughed bitterly.
"I broke her heart? You gotta be kidding me. She has no heart. No woman with
a heart and soul has spurned me as she has."
He nearly groaned as he remembered something. That day, the second day as a
General, he'd vowed to himself that he would fix that scarred soul of hers. But now,
he had only hurt her more. Rei's voice was vicious.
"You better tell them, General, or I will, and trust me, you're not going
to look very good in it!"
He raised to meet her flashing amethyst eyes calmly.
"All right, under the condition that you will not interrupt me."
"Fine, if you agree to tell the truth, and only the truth - as is verifiable
facts."
He gave a curt nod, and sat down on the side of Minako's bed, his large
hand holding and stroking her lifeless one. He stared straight ahead, refusing
to meet anyone's gaze, and retold the event with a detachedness that worried them,
a detachedness that he acquired when in battle.
A tense silence followed as Kunzite finished his narrative. Everyone, besides
Rei, who already knew the story, seemed shocked. Jadeite, as usual, as the first one
to speak.
"Wow, you've really messed things up, Kunz."
The First General fixed him with an ironic glare.
"Thank you, Jadeite, but I already knew that."
"What do you intend to do now?"
Ami's voice was comforting, and soft. However, the General seemed surprised
by that question.
"Do? Nothing!"
"You won't even try to correct your mistake?"
"I can't. Didn't you hear Rei's threat? 'If I see so much as your
shadow on her, you'll suffer the same fate as this tree.' The only reason I'm
not dead yet is because she's too worried to try to fry me."
Serenity laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, her eyes sad.
"General Kunzite, she still loves you, whether to wish to admit it or not. But
to bring her back won't be easy. She has build an icy wall around her heart, and you will
find that it will not be easy to break through."
The mighty high commander of the Dark Prince's army hung his head in defeat.
******************************
Princess Setsuna and Prince Demando arrived early afternoon, along with some
servants. Princess Setsuna had also brought along one of her Ladies-in-Waiting, Michiru,
and her personal bodyguard, Haruka. Rei had to be ordered to greet them, but she returned
as soon as possible. But Kunzite, however, did not go. No amount of threats and pleading
could to make him leave Minako. When Jadeite threatened to steal Minako as soon as she
was well again if he did not welcome Setsuna and Demanda, he calmly told the joint-third
General that if he ever tried that, screw protocol, he would personally take his head off.
After that, they left him alone, and Zoicite whispered a quick excuse on his behalf to
the visiting royalties. As Rei returned, she bore a tray of food, and shoved it roughly
into Kunzite's hand.
"You haven't eaten all day. We've no desire to worry about your health after Minako
gets better."
He stared at her in bewilderment, touched.
"Thank you, Lady Rei."
"I'm not doing it for you. Minako, no matter how much she hates you, would have my
hide if you had gotten sick!"
She bodily thrust him from the room, and ordered him to get some sleep. If he
'came back looking like the walking dead playing face painting with dark circles under
his eyes,' she would personally make sure that his life would be hell.
As dusk set in, Zoicite slipped into the room, bearing two bowls of steaming soup.
"Eat."
He commanded in a voice that brooked no argument. Both girls took the bowls reluctantly,
but the strawberry-haired General was right. It was no use to help Minako and then only get sick
themselves. Rei sighed, but as the liquid touched her lips, she suddenly remembered that the last meal
had been dinner the night before, and she was famished. Ami ate more slowly, her brow furrowed.
She caught the General's gaze as she placed the bowl onto the nightstand, her eyes unsure and
questioning.
"Should I..."
She fingered her pouch gently, and sighed at Zoicite's nod. He handed her a goblet filled
with steaming liquid, and she stared at him with accusing eyes.
"You already knew I would suggest that?"
He quirked a smile, and Ami couldn't help but smile back. She opened her healer's bag, and
pulled out a small bag, turning it upside-down over the cup. All kinds of herbs and roots and some
parts of an animal Rei didn't even want to think about fell out, ground to the finest powder. The
blue-haired healer closed her eyes as she began to murmur softly. A fingertip gently stirred the
surface of the cup, and Rei could almost see the power pouring into it. Sweat tickled on her brow,
and as she finally moved her hand away, the liquid had changed into the deepest shade of red, like
fresh blood. She one-handedly fumbled for her pouch, and dropped a pill in the liquid, watching
it dissolve with satisfaction.
"Rei, Zoicite, prop her up."
Ami moved toward the now-sitting Minako, pried her jaw open, and patiently forced her to
drink.
The healer turned intelligent eyes onto Rei as she sat back once more.
"I've given her a Yloh Pill mixed with the Genilaeh drink. It is used to bring back
people who are dangerously close to death. She'll wake around midnight, and will be hurting
like hell. Rei, do you have any idea how to keep her mind of the pain?"
The raven-haired girl bit her lip.
"We could start bashing Kunzite. I think she might be quite enthusiastic about it."
"No, she still loves him, and you'll only rip open fresh wounds."
"Maybe music?"
"Their Majesties will have our heads if we wake up our quests in the middle of the night."
"How about some snacks?"
"She's not allowed to have anything to eat within ten hours of taking the pill."
"But she'll be famished. She won't have eaten for two days, and how can you be sure she
won't die of hunger first?"
"She won't, trust me on this."
"Fine. We could help her think up wicked ways to make Kunzite pay for hurting her?"
"No, I don't think we should mention the First General at all."
"Well, I suppose we could read to her."
"Can't, the library is closed."
Rei bit her lip, trying to think. Ami interrupted, her voice a little hesitant.
"Rei?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think Minako might be interested in hearing of how I or Makoto came to the palace?"
"She'd delighted."
"Oh, good. So whose story?"
"Since you're here, while not yours?"
"All right."
No one spoke again, but as the moon rose slowly, shining brightly at the highest point of its
nightly route, Minako stirred. Ami and Rei were at her side immediately. Her eyelashes fluttered,
and her opened her azure eyes, staring at the people hovering over her, her body trembling with pain.
"Ami? Rei?"
"Minako, Ami was agreed to tell us how she came here."
The blond-haired girl's eyes lit up, momentarily forgetting that she was hurting all over.
"Will you really, Ami?"
The healer nodded, smiling sadly, and nudged Zoicite to start at she leaned back, the
vacant stare of her eyes obvious as she slipped back four years ago.
****************************
Chapter 11 finished. I know, not one of my best chapters, but I needed this bridge to
link it to more Ami to satisfy those rabid Mercury fans out there. However, I'm going on a
two week vacation, and I won't have access of a computer. I promise that there will be at least
one update before school starts, though. During the first few weeks, updating will be interrupted,
but it will be every other Wednesday after that. Please review!!!!!!
Chapter 11
Transition
___________________
Thank you for all the reviews. I never imagined
that I would break the 100s mark. Thank you, thank
you. I always appreciate your comments and suggestions.
For the normal copyright notes, look at Chapter 4
*thoughts
//flashbacks
______________________
Lord of Darkness
Chapter 11
Transition
*********************************
The following few days were the worst in Kunzite's
memory, even worse the weeks and days after the death of his
parents' when he'd wandered aimlessly through the streets,
desperately trying to soothe the ravaging hunger that had
plagued him. Her reaction had completely stumped him, not
to mention that it stung more than he was willing to admit.
She'd be chattering amiably with the guards, servant maids,
his friends, but as soon as she saw him, her smile would
chill to somewhere below zero Celsius. True to his promise,
he'd not gotten within a ten-foot radius within Minako, but
that didn't mean that he never saw her. She still had to pass
through his room every night to get to hers.
She was an enigma, a puzzle, that intrigued him
beyond reason. Every time he thought he had her figured
out, she'd act in a way he'd never have predicted. It was
almost as if she enjoyed keeping him off guard. The day after
the ball, she had immediately giving the command to move
all of Rei's belongings into a different room. What amazed
him even more was her appearance as she had stumbled into
the dining room the next morning. Her cheeks were blotchy, her
eyes heavy-lidded, moving as if she'd ran a marathon the night
before instead of catching up on much-needed sleep, moving
with none of her usual confidence and grace. Later that day,
around mid-night, he'd found out why.
//
In the middle of the night, he'd suddenly awakened
to an eerie feeling in his room, something that wasn't
supposed to be there. A slender figure moving noiselessly had
caught his eye, and he knew that she'd been the disturbance.
At first, he'd thought that it had been Minako, but the
moonlight glinting of the person's dark hair set in a heart
shaped face with blazing violet eyes confirmed his hunch
that it was Rei. In a single leap, he'd lunged toward her, the
knife hidden under his pillow at her throat in an instant. She'd
never moved, showing no signs of emotion even as the blade dug
into the creamy skin and a thin trail of blood ran down.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
He'd snarled, removing the knife when she didn't appear
to be bolting anytime soon.
"What's that to you, bastard?"
She'd growled back.
"That's what I'd like to know."
A third voice had joined in, as a shimmer of light appeared
near the window, before condensing into the form of General Jadeite,
who had crossed his arms in the universally recognized 'pissed-off'
position just as the clock struck midnight. Kunzite narrowed his
silver-gray eyes.
"Did my room just turn into a midnight party and somebody
forgot to tell me?"
At that moment Rei's infamous temper, fueled by hours of
restless pacing and anger, had decided to make an appearance in
the form of a small spark that nevertheless sent the hems of Jadeite's
pants on fire.
"No, and shut up."
She'd snapped, using Jadeite's momentary distraction as a
perfect opening to push him out of the window, before closing it
with a snap. She'd then whirled back to face Kunzite, her hands on
her hips as the cut on her throat healed amazingly fast right before
his eyes.
"Do you know that she's been crying herself to sleep every
night ever since that ball?"
"How do you know?"
His tone had remained cool and aloof though her words had
twisted a knife in his heart. The violet orbs blazed in anger.
"Listen, beast, in case you've forgotten, let me remind you:
I've served and lived with her for over fourteen years. I'd think I'd
know if something was wrong. Besides, why else do you think she threw
me out of her room other than the fact she didn't want me to worry
about her?"
He lifted a shoulder in a attemp to appear unconcerned.
"I don't know. Maybe she got tired of your company; I, for one,
could definitely understand that."
"How dare you?!"
She'd shrieked, forgetting to whisper in the face of her anger.
Before he could answer, however, a soft voice had spoken from the door
leading to Minako's chamber.
"What's going on? And why are you here, Rei-chan?"
Rei had looked horrified as Kunzite turned to see the slim blonde
princess in the doorway, tear-stains on her face that she'd obviously
forgotten to wipe away.
"You're still awake, hime-chan?"
"No, but you were so loud that you woke me up. So, what were
you getting yourself so worked up about?"
"I, uhm, I mean, we, uhm, were discussing..."
She'd chanced a glance his way, warning him of a most torturous
death if he interfered.
" ... how to enhance and improve your soldiers' abilities."
Minako had looked incredulous.
"Let me get this straight. You're running around in the middle
of the night, in your night-gown, screaming at the top of your lungs,
worrying about the men's training and you honestly expect me to believe
that?"
Kunzite had jumped in to help her.
"No, Princess Minako. Lady Rei here had been sleep-walking, and
as she did not want to alarm you, she concocted this brilliant little
story."
Minako had ignored him, latching a hand onto Rei's wrist and
dragging her toward the door and outside, muttering something about a
midnight snack. Just before she disappeared out of the door, Rei'd
thrown him a glare that left no doubt in his mind that he would pay
for causing Minako to think that she was a psychopath.
The next evening he'd found what her revenge had been when
he'd slid into his covers, enjoying the feel of silk against his
hot and weary skin when he'd suddenly touched something soft and
squishy, and also definitely ... slimy. He'd whipped off the
covers to find two dirty leap frogs nestling quietly and comfortably
on his bed. A lock of dark hair that he had not noticed before was
peacefully lying on his pillow, telling him that Rei had been here and those
frogs had been her revenge.
//
Slowly, he began to hate the sight of Minako. Her cheeks grew
hollow, and her hair lost its shimmering luster, becoming as mass of
greasy, tangled blond strands. Her eyes dimmed, their sparkle
disappearing. Every time he looked her in the eye, it seemed as if
he was staring into a pond of dirty water rather than those dark
azure eyes that once had so captivated him. He never found rest. Awake,
or asleep, she haunted him, day and night. Everything he did or thought
about reminded him of her. She had been at the palace for no more
than three weeks, yet she had already left a deeper imprint on his
soul than anyone else, save maybe Endymion. He also started to shun
his room. The maps for battle strategies reminded him of her accurate
assumptions and keen thoughts. The huge leather chair conjured up a
image of the black leather almost swallowing her slender form. Even
the closet brought forth a memory of her going through his cloths,
looking for a pair of breeches. With all the disturbing thoughts,
we almost welcomed the hustle that the arrival of Princess Setsuna
and Prince Demanda would bring with them, but he was sadly mistaken.
On the third day, he'd awoken to see his fellow generals and
his liege at the foot of his bed, along with Rei, Ami, and Serenity.
Endymion had started directly with the problem, not even asking how his
first General was.
"Kunzite, what did you do to her?"
He blinked sleepily, his mind muddled.
"I did what to who?"
"Minako, Kunzite, Princess Minako. What did you do to her?"
"I fail to see why it is any of your business."
Endymion took a step closer to him, a strange fire flaring to
life in his eyes, and Kunzite was astounded to see that a hand had
formed itself into a fist and the prince was speaking through clenched
teeth.
"General Kunzite, you forget yourself. I am your Prince. And
to answer your question, yes, it is my business. She has been almost
like a sister to me ever since she came here, but something is wrong.
Do you realize she was barely eaten or drunken anything for the past
three days? And she never left her room yesterday except to inform Rei
that she wasn't feeling well. And the trays we'd sent up to her yesterday
had all been returned, untouched. So what in the bloody hell did you
do to her?"
The last sentence was yelled. Kunzite never got a chance to defend
himself as a gentle voice interrupted his almost-formed defense.
"Endymion, I'm surprised at you. You were ready to start a
discussion concerning me without my knowledge? Don't you believe that
I should at least have a chance to defend myself while you're
thoroughly analyzing me?"
The nine people turned to see Minako. Serenity moved forward,
gently hugging her unresponsive cousin, while Ami stepped up cautiously
behind her, worry marring her usual pleasant features. Even to the men's
untrained eyes, Minako looked sick. Her voice was high-pitched, almost
hysterical, and her eyes glowed with a feverish light. Her knees seemed
almost too weak to support her feather-light weight as she swanked back
and forth between the door frame. As Serenity released the blonde girl,
Ami placed a hand on her forehead, and - bit her bottom lip from crying
out.
"Oh my God, she's burning up!"
She whirled onto the people behind her, the shy, demure girl
they had known suddenly gone as she began snapping out orders.
"Endymion and Nephrite, get her into her bed immediately. Jadeite,
get a basin of warm water, and Rei, clean linen. Serenity and Makoto, help
her into a clean nightgown. Kunzite, get my healer's bag from the infirmary
and tell the servants that unless its an emergency, I'm unavailable. And
Zoicite, please go and inform their Majesties that we've a crisis here."
There was furry of movement behind her as everyone bowed to her
healing talent and rushed to do her bidding. Endymion and Nephrite barely
caught Minako before she hit the floor as she collapsed in a dead faint, and
Serenity and Makoto somehow were able to force her lifeless form into a clean
nightshirt. Kunzite returned from the healers first, lugging a huge bag
stuffed with herbs and small pouch with pills behind him. Rei and Jadeite
followed him. Zoicite appeared seconds later, with the monarchs on his heels.
King Sunaru stopped dead in his tracks, and his mouth closed and opened a few
times before three words came out.
"Oh my God."
Their Majesties truly loved the generals like their own children, and
Minako was no exception. Queen Gaia moved slowly forward, equally shocked as her
husband by the girl's deadly paleness. A hand settled itself on Ami's shoulder.
"Ami, this is a normal fever?"
The blue-haired healer shrugged, trying to keep her voice from trembling.
"It is a normal fever; at least, it was one. But this heat, it's unnatural,
meaning it's already progressed to the next stage. Unbalancing forces concerning
her nutritional values and life force are conflicting with the overall absorption
of vitamins and minerals. Lower blood pressure causes a decrease in metabolic rates,
and degrades the end-product. Enzymes burn up due to the heat, mitochondria malfunctions,
and RNA and DNA replication is interrupted. Active sites deform to either increase or
dramatically decrease any chemicals needed, and host cell rupture is usually accelerated.
Overall, due to these side effects of the heat, balance is lost and kinetic energy is
disrupted, maybe even with mutations in the somatic and germinal cells."
Serenity and Makoto exchanged a puzzled look, and the silver-blonde girl raised
an eyebrow.
"Come again?"
No one heard her as Zoicite took a cursory glance at the unconscious girl in
the bed and continued Ami's train of thoughts.
"Pertaining to the rise and fall of her chest, her heartbeat is slowing and
by observing her neck, it is able to determine that her pulse, though steady, is very
faint. The slowing of the heartbeat is the first sign of metabolic and chemical failure,
and as the flow starts decreasing, the body is devoid of any vigor. Oxygen level
falls shockingly fast, and the red blood cells are quickly dying. Shivers set in, for
while her inner life is way above normal temperature, her metabolism becomes slower,
and is unable to produce enough heat nor end-product to satisfy the sudden intense and
hurrying need of her body. Had we seen her condition tomorrow, it might have already been
too late. As it is, the self-destruction process has already started."
The blue-eyed girl was looking at Ami and Zoicite as though they were aliens.
Makoto also looked puzzled, and Jadeite furrowed his brow, but everyone else's eyes
reflected fear. Serenity tried again.
"Ami? Zoicite? What's going on?"
"Just know that Minako is on the brink of death."
Rei's voice was harsh, much harsher than she'd intended it to be, but who
could blame her?
King Sunaru was staring at Minako, his good-natured face worried.
"How did this happen? She was such a vivacious and lovely girl."
He and his wife faced Endymion, while eight pairs of eyes simultaneously turned
to Kunzite, and their Majesties followed the prince's gaze.
"General Kunzite?"
Queen Gaia promptly gently. Her only response was a muffled "Hum?" as the
silver-haired general didn't have much interest in anything besides the blonde angel
lying motionless on the bed. He had never felt such fear, and it frightened him that
he could have such deep feelings of a girl. But, on retrospective, he was confused that
fear would be so strange to him. Had she not, after all, awakened more emotions in
him than he'd thought possible? He had almost lost her, and suddenly, life without
her was unimaginable.
"General Kunzite!"
Endymion's voice snapped him out of his reverie. He stood bolt upright.
"General, how did this happen?"
Queen Gaia asked again, softly. A flash of something unspeakable had flown
over Kunzite's usual stoic features, and it worried her.
"How did what happen?"
"The fever, General."
"Malnutrition."
"How come?"
"It's been a while since she has eaten."
"Why?"
Rei was getting impatient with the step-by-step process, and her temper made
a quick appearance before she forced it under, and that was all she needed.
"For heaven's sake, General, just tell them! Tell them what you did to her,
tell them how you used her. Tell them the reason why she's on the brink of death, why
she barely ate for the past three days and why she cries herself to sleep everyday,
why don't you?"
"Lady Rei, that's enough!"
"What, afraid to hear your mistakes?"
"No, but I fail to see why I'm responsible."
"You broke her heart, bastard!"
Kunzite laughed bitterly.
"I broke her heart? You gotta be kidding me. She has no heart. No woman with
a heart and soul has spurned me as she has."
He nearly groaned as he remembered something. That day, the second day as a
General, he'd vowed to himself that he would fix that scarred soul of hers. But now,
he had only hurt her more. Rei's voice was vicious.
"You better tell them, General, or I will, and trust me, you're not going
to look very good in it!"
He raised to meet her flashing amethyst eyes calmly.
"All right, under the condition that you will not interrupt me."
"Fine, if you agree to tell the truth, and only the truth - as is verifiable
facts."
He gave a curt nod, and sat down on the side of Minako's bed, his large
hand holding and stroking her lifeless one. He stared straight ahead, refusing
to meet anyone's gaze, and retold the event with a detachedness that worried them,
a detachedness that he acquired when in battle.
A tense silence followed as Kunzite finished his narrative. Everyone, besides
Rei, who already knew the story, seemed shocked. Jadeite, as usual, as the first one
to speak.
"Wow, you've really messed things up, Kunz."
The First General fixed him with an ironic glare.
"Thank you, Jadeite, but I already knew that."
"What do you intend to do now?"
Ami's voice was comforting, and soft. However, the General seemed surprised
by that question.
"Do? Nothing!"
"You won't even try to correct your mistake?"
"I can't. Didn't you hear Rei's threat? 'If I see so much as your
shadow on her, you'll suffer the same fate as this tree.' The only reason I'm
not dead yet is because she's too worried to try to fry me."
Serenity laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, her eyes sad.
"General Kunzite, she still loves you, whether to wish to admit it or not. But
to bring her back won't be easy. She has build an icy wall around her heart, and you will
find that it will not be easy to break through."
The mighty high commander of the Dark Prince's army hung his head in defeat.
******************************
Princess Setsuna and Prince Demando arrived early afternoon, along with some
servants. Princess Setsuna had also brought along one of her Ladies-in-Waiting, Michiru,
and her personal bodyguard, Haruka. Rei had to be ordered to greet them, but she returned
as soon as possible. But Kunzite, however, did not go. No amount of threats and pleading
could to make him leave Minako. When Jadeite threatened to steal Minako as soon as she
was well again if he did not welcome Setsuna and Demanda, he calmly told the joint-third
General that if he ever tried that, screw protocol, he would personally take his head off.
After that, they left him alone, and Zoicite whispered a quick excuse on his behalf to
the visiting royalties. As Rei returned, she bore a tray of food, and shoved it roughly
into Kunzite's hand.
"You haven't eaten all day. We've no desire to worry about your health after Minako
gets better."
He stared at her in bewilderment, touched.
"Thank you, Lady Rei."
"I'm not doing it for you. Minako, no matter how much she hates you, would have my
hide if you had gotten sick!"
She bodily thrust him from the room, and ordered him to get some sleep. If he
'came back looking like the walking dead playing face painting with dark circles under
his eyes,' she would personally make sure that his life would be hell.
As dusk set in, Zoicite slipped into the room, bearing two bowls of steaming soup.
"Eat."
He commanded in a voice that brooked no argument. Both girls took the bowls reluctantly,
but the strawberry-haired General was right. It was no use to help Minako and then only get sick
themselves. Rei sighed, but as the liquid touched her lips, she suddenly remembered that the last meal
had been dinner the night before, and she was famished. Ami ate more slowly, her brow furrowed.
She caught the General's gaze as she placed the bowl onto the nightstand, her eyes unsure and
questioning.
"Should I..."
She fingered her pouch gently, and sighed at Zoicite's nod. He handed her a goblet filled
with steaming liquid, and she stared at him with accusing eyes.
"You already knew I would suggest that?"
He quirked a smile, and Ami couldn't help but smile back. She opened her healer's bag, and
pulled out a small bag, turning it upside-down over the cup. All kinds of herbs and roots and some
parts of an animal Rei didn't even want to think about fell out, ground to the finest powder. The
blue-haired healer closed her eyes as she began to murmur softly. A fingertip gently stirred the
surface of the cup, and Rei could almost see the power pouring into it. Sweat tickled on her brow,
and as she finally moved her hand away, the liquid had changed into the deepest shade of red, like
fresh blood. She one-handedly fumbled for her pouch, and dropped a pill in the liquid, watching
it dissolve with satisfaction.
"Rei, Zoicite, prop her up."
Ami moved toward the now-sitting Minako, pried her jaw open, and patiently forced her to
drink.
The healer turned intelligent eyes onto Rei as she sat back once more.
"I've given her a Yloh Pill mixed with the Genilaeh drink. It is used to bring back
people who are dangerously close to death. She'll wake around midnight, and will be hurting
like hell. Rei, do you have any idea how to keep her mind of the pain?"
The raven-haired girl bit her lip.
"We could start bashing Kunzite. I think she might be quite enthusiastic about it."
"No, she still loves him, and you'll only rip open fresh wounds."
"Maybe music?"
"Their Majesties will have our heads if we wake up our quests in the middle of the night."
"How about some snacks?"
"She's not allowed to have anything to eat within ten hours of taking the pill."
"But she'll be famished. She won't have eaten for two days, and how can you be sure she
won't die of hunger first?"
"She won't, trust me on this."
"Fine. We could help her think up wicked ways to make Kunzite pay for hurting her?"
"No, I don't think we should mention the First General at all."
"Well, I suppose we could read to her."
"Can't, the library is closed."
Rei bit her lip, trying to think. Ami interrupted, her voice a little hesitant.
"Rei?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think Minako might be interested in hearing of how I or Makoto came to the palace?"
"She'd delighted."
"Oh, good. So whose story?"
"Since you're here, while not yours?"
"All right."
No one spoke again, but as the moon rose slowly, shining brightly at the highest point of its
nightly route, Minako stirred. Ami and Rei were at her side immediately. Her eyelashes fluttered,
and her opened her azure eyes, staring at the people hovering over her, her body trembling with pain.
"Ami? Rei?"
"Minako, Ami was agreed to tell us how she came here."
The blond-haired girl's eyes lit up, momentarily forgetting that she was hurting all over.
"Will you really, Ami?"
The healer nodded, smiling sadly, and nudged Zoicite to start at she leaned back, the
vacant stare of her eyes obvious as she slipped back four years ago.
****************************
Chapter 11 finished. I know, not one of my best chapters, but I needed this bridge to
link it to more Ami to satisfy those rabid Mercury fans out there. However, I'm going on a
two week vacation, and I won't have access of a computer. I promise that there will be at least
one update before school starts, though. During the first few weeks, updating will be interrupted,
but it will be every other Wednesday after that. Please review!!!!!!