The Heart Remembers chapter 39
Zosite let out a long enraged scream when she and Jedite reappeared in an unfamiliar room. She figured they were in the new Palace but was too angry to really give a damn and had no interest in sightseeing. Right then, all she wanted to do was wrap her hands around Jedite's neck and squeeze.
She whirled on him but was still mindful of the grip he held on her arm. "What in the hell do you think you were doing, You had no right to interfere, the fight was between me and Sailor Scout it was no business of yours."
"I beg to differ." he answered "I had every right or have you forgotten that our orders" he tapped his chin thoughtfully while he laughed at her with his eyes. "Let's see what were her exact words…um yes now I remember" he murmured "she said that under no circumstances were we to engage the Scouts in battle. Now tell me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that trying to kill Sailor Venus would consist as engaging in battle.
Zosite refused to respond to his unspoken threat. He thought that she had acted irrationally and hadn't thought of the consequences of her actions. How wrong he was. "What I do" she drawled icily "is of no concern to you. I suggest that in the future you mind your own business and stay out of my way."
Jedite's eyes narrowed "Tread carefully" he warned softly "You're already on thin ice" his grip on her arm tightened. "You wouldn't want me to break it."
Zosite refused to cry out and give him the satisfaction. "Try it."
Jedite gave a snort of impatience and released her. He wasn't about to browbeat her. He was the least of her concerns; there were far more dangerous things to be found in this place, and now she had probably managed to piss off at least one of them.
"To avoid any future misconceptions on your part allow me educate you on one important fact" he stated coldly "Everything concerns me, unless my Queen deems otherwise and what I mean when I say everything is exactly that everything. That everything in case you're still having trouble comprehending includes you, so you'd better get use to it."
Zosite kept the sneer off her face but just barely. She wasn't worried about him; she new what was in store for her and only regretted she didn't kill Venus when she had the chance.
He sighed at the look on her face, she could be so stubborn but she'd learn quickly enough, if she survived the day that is. "Now why don't you explain to me why you attacked Sailor Venus, I would have thought after your last brush with death at the hands of our Queen you'd be more cautious."
Zosite glared at him. "It's simple enough really" she drawled "I want Venus dead, and if you and those wretched Sailor Scouts hadn't interfered, she would be."
Jedite never believed that Zosite was stupid, nor did he believe that she had some sort of death wish, so what was going on? What could Venus have done to earn such hatred and animosity, enough so that Zosite would risk dying just for the chance to kill her?
"Perhaps you can explain something to me" he said his puzzlement obvious. "What did Sailor Venus do to earn such animosity? What could she have done that was so horrible that you would risk the Queens anger and your own life just to see her dead"
Zosite flinched, and quickly turned her back to him before he saw something that she didn't wish for him to see. If he knew the truth he would only use the knowledge against her, and she was vulnerable enough as it was, she didn't need to give him or anyone any more ammunition.
Let him think that it was the thought of facing the Queen's anger that caused her reaction, anything but the truth. And the truth was that she had accepted the possibility of her death and made peace with it before she had knocked Malachite unconscious and proceeded to hunt Venus. No that wasn't what made her flinch it was the reminder, the reminder of what brought her here to this time and place and the reason she wanted Venus gone from this world.
"My reasons are my own" she answered simply squeezing her eyes shut as she once again saw Malachite and Venus together, she tried to block the image from her mind but it refused to release its hold on her. Would this image continue to haunt her for the rest of her life, she thought bitterly, if so then perhaps death wasn't such a sad fate after all.
She could see them now, just as clearly as she had then. When she first came upon them at first she was too shocked to do anything but stare at them. She was too shocked to think too feel or even react, it was as she were once again incased in stone, frozen like a statue. All she could do was look on with wide eyes, completely removed from it all, as if she had merely intruded upon two strangers instead of her love and the one who would take him from her.
She stood by and watched as their lips drew closer. She heard Venus sigh his name and the feeling behind that one word hit her like a bucket of cold water and suddenly she could move again, feel again. Pain mixed with stunned disbelief quickly turned to anger and on its back rode a rage unlike any she had ever felt before. It was the rage, that had her forming an ice crystal and launching at Venus's back before she even thought the word attack. She had done it instinctively.
"My…my… my." Jedite murmured in wonder. She thought to hide from him but he wondered if she even knew that her body trembled with all her unexpressed emotions. His curiosity was definitely aroused. He had never seen Zosite in such a state before. He had seen her in temper many times before, but this time something was different, he could sense that she was barely holding on.
It was mystifying as well as ironic. He could remember a time not so long ago when he had been the one acting irregular and been on the verge of not only losing his sanity, but his life as well, and she had mocked him. Rightfully so at the time, since he had been a little off his rocker, what with seeing ominous shadows and threats in every corner, not to mention that he had tried to kill the Dark Prince a time or two.
Yes, she had been right to mock him and yet that didn't stop him from enjoying this moment, now that the shoe was on the other foot. He just wished he knew what Venus had done to earn such resentment; it had to be something big for Zosite to risk so much.
"Perhaps I should go back and investigate the situation myself." Jedite mused aloud only half-serious. He knew that before he did anything about this situation he would first have to concur with his Queen.
Zosite barely heard him. Her eyes burned with unshed tears and she realized she was trembling. Horrified that she was about to break down in front of Jedite she buried her pain and grabbed onto her rage with both hands. She couldn't afford to let her grief overtake her, not now, later when she was alone, but definitely not now. She turned on him in re-found fury. "I told you to mind your own damn business." she growled.
Jedite studied her in stunned amazement. He suddenly realized this was more serious then he first believed; Serena would have to be informed immediately. He eyed Zosite suspiciously. She was hiding something, something that she didn't want him or the Queen to know and she was using her anger to hide whatever that was.
He starred into Zosite's eyes, trying to read them, to see past the anger to what she was hiding. His breath caught in the back of his throat as he caught a glimpse of something. If he had to guess he would said that it was pain. It went deep; he stepped closer to her drawn by the look in her eyes, starring down into them, something inside him seemed to awaken in that moment.
He had no other way to explain it, no other he could begin to describe it, then to say that it was like a door. A metaphysical door, which was located somewhere deep within his mind, that up to this point had been closed to him, locking away all its secrets, but which was now slowly opening prepared to reveal all.
Before he could even blink or wonder what in the hell was happening, he was bombarded with strange emotions and that of a strange image that he couldn't make out. But while the image was unclear the emotions were not as he found himself experiencing pain anger and despair like none if had ever experienced before. The one thing, the only thing, that did come in clear; were the eyes. He found himself starring into a pair of eyes, familiar eyes, which held the same mind numbing pain that he was experiencing. They were Zosite's eyes.
"Zosite" he whispered hoarsely and as if the name held some sort of power, the door inside him began creeping open even further. The fog in his mind began to lift and the image started to come into focus. He found himself waiting with almost breathless anticipation. He felt as if he were on the verge of some great discovery when suddenly a different sort of pain exploded in his head and the door slammed shut.
"What the hell" he snapped as the image faded his hand went instinctively to his face he glared at Zosite in disbelief, too incredulous to be angry. "What was that for"
"It's a warning, next time stay out of my way." she stated coldly before storming away.
Bemused he called out "Hey don't you want to know where your rooms are"
His eyebrows shot up at her gesture "Fine" he grumbled "Good look finding it on your own, this place is like a maze."
Once alone his eyes narrowed and he rubbed his aching chin thoughtfully. With his increased strength and power, he could easily defeat Zosite; but he had been so lost in thought, that he hadn't even seen the punch coming.
He didn't know what came over him; the look in her eyes just now had seemed to awaken something inside him and suddenly he was submerged with feelings of pain, loss and despair. It had been like reliving a moment in time, which he knew was impossible, because he didn't remember anything that would fit with what he did see and what he had felt. That kind of pain and feeling of loss and despair he could never forget. As an ex-servant of Beryl's, he like most of her followers who had lived to tell tales and hadn't simply been vanquished, he was on a fist name basis with pain, having experienced it in almost every way possible.
Most people when they experience pain; experience it only two ways, physically and emotionally and then only on small levels. Only some are aware or could even comprehend the many different kinds of pain as well as its many levels. Or maybe they do have some idea, but it doesn't fit into their neat and tidy world so they don't think about it too much. That above all else is what disgusts him the most about this planet and the humans that inhabit it, and why he never had any problem inflicting pain as he relieved them of their energy.
Pain can be harsh and it can be unbearably sweet, in its intensity. It can make you cry out or steal your very breath. It can make you weep, break out into a cold sweat, and cause your body to tremble and shake. It can reduce you to many things, but most of all it can either break you or make you stronger. No, he was no stranger to pain and all it entailed, which was why he was so puzzled by this. If all that had been real and he really had been on the verge of remembering something, something that he had somehow forgotten, then why couldn't he even now, bring that memory into focus, if it was indeed a memory?
It didn't make sense but then again; nothing about that whole episode had made any sense, and what did Zosite have to do with it? Because there was no mistaking those eyes, which were the only things that he could clearly make out. The rest had been a blur, and just when it seemed that the fog was lifting and everything was starting to come into focus it was all snatched away by a solid punch to the face.
He closed his eyes trying to bring the image back to mind, He saw the eyes but when he tried to put Zosite's image with it something inside him rejected it. It sounded bizarre, but then again, what in the last few minutes hadn't been? He tried again, with the same results. He kept trying until he felt that his head was about to explode, he was just about to give up when he had an epiphany, what if it wasn't her but someone with her eyes. Yes, that sounded right, and more to the point it felt right, it didn't matter that it was also crazy.
Jedite snorted and opened his eyes. All this mumbo jumbo sounded like something Nephlite would be involved with or at least understand. Zosite, but not Zosite, Zosite's eyes but also someone else's. He thought he'd left all that crazy stuff behind him. Now it looked like he needed to talk to someone but not just anyone, perhaps if things worked out he would have the chance to discuss some of this with Nephlite. It was ironic that where as before he had avoided Nephlite because of his powers he now wanted to seek him out because of them. Well he really had no choice if anyone knew about weird stuff like this it would be him and maybe-he shook his head as the image of Sailor Mars came to him. No way, he cautioned himself, you have enough trouble without borrowing more from that fire breed.
He was about to leave and report his news to the Queen when the sound of fighting reached his ears. What now?
………………..
Serena knew the exact moment when Serenity awoke. She heard her call for help, and didn't bother to tell her that it was too late. There was nothing that she nor anyone else could do; Darien was hers.
She broke the kiss. Endymion wavered on his feet and she helped lower him onto his knees. She looked him over, satisfied what with she saw, although it might have appeared to anyone who didn't know better that he was growing weaker; the opposite was true. Nothing was being taken from him, his strength and power weren't being drained but empowered and it was overwhelming him and would continue to do so until the union was completed and he and Darien were made whole once again.
This above all else is what she desired the most. It is what she had planned for what she had waited for since the moment she had remembered who she was, and what they meant to each other and with that knowledge, came certainty. She knew with every fiber in her being that Endymion existed, it didn't matter what form he took this one or that of Moonlight knight, she had known that he was out there protecting her, always protecting her.
It had begun the moment she had awoken to find Darien unconscious on the floor and the Imperial Silver Crystal nowhere to be found. She had been overcome with memories long buried but never forgotten. Overwhelmed with emotions it took her awhile to focus her thoughts and too plot.
She found herself torn between finding Darien's other form and finding Beryl, so that she could tear her into tiny little pieces. Her desire for revenge was strong but her desire to find Darien was stronger it was only the threat of Beryl somehow interfering with her plans that made her decided to settle that score first. Afterwards all she needed to do was wait for the right time and opportunity to put her plan in motion.
Destroying Beryl had felt great but it was nothing compared to this. She looked over at Serenity and their eyes met. Smiling she lowered her head to Darien's, rubbing her cheek against the softness of his hair. "He's mine. Now nothing will come between us again." her blue eyes flashed "And anything that tries will perish." Just then the door slid open and Malachite and Nephlite rushed inside. Seeing Serena their eyes widened.
"Your knights I presume" Serena mocked gently, and with a flick of her hand sent the two of them flying. They hit the wall hard and fell to the floor, but were back on there feet almost immediately, only to there chagrin to have them knocked right out from under them. They started to rise from the floor again, only to be knocked back by what felt like a tidal wave of energy.
Serena shook her finger at them "Now be good boys and stay put. Or" she warned "you want like what happens next."
Serenity struggled to sit up, she was still weak and what little strength she did possess was being drained by Serena's mere presence. Although it didn't appear that she was aware of the effect, she was having on her. She didn't want to think about the condition she would be in right now if Serena knew what her mere presence was doing to her.
She had no idea that the Negative energy surrounding her was like some black whole sucking in all her energy. Her aura was so dark, darker then it had been the last time she saw her, when she still held out hope that Darien would be able stop what he had. Obviously her plan didn't work. Serena's presence here and the darkness that was an apparent part of her was proof of that. She wondered just how much time had passed.
She looked at Endymion. He was only a few feet away from her but it might as well have been miles. She could feel him slipping further away from her and further into the darkness, which reached out for him with greedy, grasping hands. It wanted to consume him, to own him and she couldn't allow that to happen. She had to do something before he was lost to the darkness forever and before she followed him. But what could she do, as weak as she was, all she could do was watch, watch and pray for some kind of miracle.
"Why are you doing this" Serenity cried "Why would you condemn him and yourself to eternal darkness? You must know that he would rather die then to continue to exist as the Dark Prince."
Serena smirked at her. "Are you really so foolish enough as to believe that? Darien wants to live because we live. Its not becoming the Dark Prince that he frightens him the most, it's the love he holds for us." she brushed her hand along the back of his head. "He's afraid as each day passes that his resolve will weaken, and that the day might come when he will given into the darkness calling for him just to be with us again.
"That's not true" Serenity gasped. "Darien would never give into the darkness he would die first."
Serena shook her head at her naivete, is it any wonder that she didn't chose to go back to the way she'd been before. "If it's a choice between the darkness and losing us forever, don't believe for one second that he's not tempted to chose us and accept the darkness with it." Serena stated. How could Serenity not see what she knew instinctively"Each day that passes the temptation grows. He knows that if he would just give in and surrender to the darkness that we could be together, forever."
"We will be together. " Serenity cried "But not like this. He's prepared to die to prevent us from falling into darkness."
"Yes I know." Serena said softly and for a second she reminded those looking on of the old Serena but it didn't last in a blink of an eye she changed and she looked at Serenity with eyes that were nearly black. "That's why I'm here, I came to save him from himself. I won't stand by and wait for him to try and destroy himself. I will not allow him to leave me because he mistakenly believes to save me."
"If you're so sure he'll chose the darkness then why are you forcing his hand." Nephlite asked hoping to by them some time, but for what he didn't know.
Serena turned her head to frown at him "I said he was tempted, and that is what makes him even more of a danger to himself, and that's why I chose to act now. He won't wait much longer before he makes his move, he can't afford too."
"What you're saying is madness." Serenity insisted "I know Endymion he would never sacrifice the Earth just to be with us."
Serena laughed, turning back to her she smiled. "If you truly believe that then you're lying to yourself and I should know shouldn't I. After all, weren't we in a similar situation when Beryl and her minions attacked the Moon kingdom and we chose to follow Endymion, forsaking our Kingdom, our mother and all of our people"
Serenity paled. "That was different. I sacrificed myself, not my people nor my kingdom."
"Yes, that must be why it still exists today." Serena said sarcastically"Oh no wait it doesn't, why because it was destroyed, and our mother used up the last of her power and strength to send us to Earth to be reborn." Tired of this discussion she looked Serenity over carefully satisfied that posed no threat she said "Now lay there and be quiet; this wont take to much longer and once Darien is made whole again it will be our turn."
She turned her attention back to Endymion and lowered herself to her knees before him. She cupped his face and lifted his head. His eyes were glazed, but brimming with the power of the Negaverse. "My beloved." she whispered and pressed her lips against his. Soon everything will be as it should be and I will never have to worry about losing you again.
Nephlite shared a look with Malachite, now was there chance, if they could reach her before she had a chance to cast that spell again they might be able to stop this from happening. Their only other option was just to stay here and do nothing, and they couldn't do that. They had to do ever thing in their power to make sure that Darien and Endymion were not made whole again at least not like this. If Serena succeeded in her plan, then everything that Nephlite had foretold would indeed come to pass, and everything that was innocent and pure on this planet would perish and darkness would reign for eternity. She had to be stopped.
As of right now their only hope was getting Endymion away form Serena long enough for him to regain his senses and help them out otherwise this was going to be a short-lived fight. They could feel Serena's power and knew that by themselves they were no threat to her.
"Now" Nephlite cried and they both sprang into action. They both reached Serena and Endymion at the same time, but each had their own target. As Malachite reached for Endymion Nephlite took a flying leap and plowed right into Serena sending the two of them flying. They landed hard on the floor with Serena winding up underneath him.
Serena cried out in rage, placing both her hands on Nephlite chest she pushed him off her, the force sending him flying back through the air.
Malachite had managed to raise Endymion to his feet and was beginning to lead him out of the room when Nephlite plowed into them and sent them all crashing to the floor.
Serena got to her feet and sent them a disgusted look. "I have plans for you that require you to be alive but I'm inclined to over look those plans if you interfere again."
"Serena" Endymion moaned and almost everyone looked at him with the exact same expression, that seemed to ask, what now? He sat up weaving back and forth slight. Nephlite and Malachite both reached out their hands to steady him and once they touched him something inside them screamed for them not to let go, so they didn't.
"Endymion." Serena called out softly "Come to me, and let us leave this place, together."
Endymion raised his head to look at her. He was dazed and confused, and had no idea what was going on.
Serena started towards him holding her hand out to him. "Come to me, my love."
"Endymion, don't." Serenity cried
"Serenity" Endymion murmured and swung his head around to look at her and had to fight back the feeling of nauseous that act created.
"Stay out of this." Serena warned and flexed her power.
Serenity felt a suffocating weight settle around her throat stealing her breath away; making it impossible for her to speak.
"What's going on" Endymion asked finding it difficult to focus. Their was something important that he was forgetting, he knew it, but he just couldn't clear his mind enough to focus on what that something was.
Serena stopped in front of him and raised a hand to cup his chin, turning his head until he was facing her. "Will you come with me" she whispered softly and ran her thumb along his lower lip "Will you stay with me"
"Serena." he whispered he couldn't remember much but her knew that he ached for her, the need to hold her, too place his lips across hers burned inside him and he reached for her.
"No" Malachite and Nephlite both cried out and the hands that they used to steady him now pulled him away from Serena until his back was pressed up against them. There grips on him tightened. "We won't allow you to take him." Nephlite growled.
"Stay back." Malachite snarled at the same time.
Serena lowered her hand now that she was grasping nothing but air and speared them with her eyes, they watched as her expression changed to one of anger and as her eyes darkened until they were nearly black. "I've had just about enough out…" she broke off in surprise as she noticed that something was happening to Endymion. He was beginning to…glow?
"Endymion" she gasped in alarm. What was happening to him? She closed her eyes as the soft golden light started to glow brighter and brighter. The light appeared to be coming from inside him. It seemed to recognize and welcome her even as it hurt her to look at it.
There was something about it that seemed familiar, it reminded her of something, and once she realized what that something was, she began to panic. She forced her eyes open and saw that Endymion was now on his feet but that Malachite and Nephlite still had a hold of him and that they too were starting to glow. "No" she cried. "Darien"
The light flared and she backed away from it until her back came up against the wall. That light it had almost the same feeling as that of the Imperial Silver Crystal. She looked at Endymion and knew that for the moment he was lost to her and that she had to retreat. I will be back she promised silently I wont risk losing you again.
Just as Serena disappeared, Endymion fell to his knees in pain.
……………………..
The scouts looked on in shock as the Dark Prince suddenly cried out and fell to his knees. They all looked to each other for an explanation but neither of them had a clue as to what was going on. Up to this point, the fight had been going all the Dark Prince's way. They didn't seem to be making any progress at all, just when they thought they had him he always manages to out maneuver them. But considering they were getting there butts kicked they didn't have much to show for that either since he seemed to be going out of his way not to seriously hurt them.
It was something they should have been able to take advantage of, but that wasn't the case here. Just when they thought they had him where they wanted him, he would either avoid their attacks at the last moment or take them head on, only to brush them off and keep fighting and all without breaking a sweat.
They didn't know what kind of game he was playing but it was obvious to them that he was indeed playing one and that they were apart of it. Was this just another one of those games or could something really be wrong and could it have anything to do with Serena?
The Dark Prince cried out again and fell to his knees. He knelt their on the ground shivering, and hugging his arms to his chest, for once not looking the least bit menacing or threatening.
"What in the hell's going on" Jupiter cried, At first, she thought that this might be another one of his tricks, but the pain was real, as was his sudden vulnerability. The only question now was did they take advantage of the situation.
"Guys you're not going to believe this." Mercury stated already working on her mini computer. "According to my readings his body is giving off enormous amount of energy."
"Tell me what's going on Mercury." Uranus demanded. She hated standing here doing nothing. They should be doing something other then standing by and watching. If this was indeed real now was their chance to strike while his guard was down, either that or take this time to search for Serena. Only something about the way he looked now stopped her from voicing her opinions.
"He's in pain." Venus murmured sympathetically. Although he was the enemy and stood between them and Serena she couldn't help but remember that he was also there Prince and Serena's soul mate, her one true love and he had sacrificed so much for her. Was what was happening now really his fault?
"It's like his body is at war with itself." Mercury stated and they looked at her in confusion and concern. What was going on now, and did it have anything to do with Serena? Endymion didn't really give them too many details concerning the change that the Dark Prince would go through once Serena turned. Was that what was happening here? Was Serena even now losing herself to the darkness?
"Look." Uranus commanded and they all looked up at and following her gaze all sucked in a surprised breath, the Dark Prince, was beginning to glow?
"Amazing." Mercury muttered, working furiously at her computer. She couldn't believe what she was seeing, the significance of it.
"Where is that light coming from" Venus wondered aloud
"It seems to be coming from inside him."
Mercury made a sound that was somewhere between agreement and excitement. Whatever she was reading on her mini computer was titillating her. She kept saying"It's amazing, just amazing," Over and over again.
"Mercury, are you going to tell us what's going on or not." Mars cried
Mercury opened her mouth to answer but instead let out a soft "Oh" and looked earnestly towards the Dark Prince.
The others looked at him as well he had stopped glowing and was looking at them with a strange expression on his face. "What's going on" He asked hoarsely, he looked startled and more then a little confused.
"What game are you playing now" Uranus demanded
"It's no game." Mercury answered softly "According to my reading the dark energy inside is body is receding fast."
The Dark Prince got to his feet and groaned "I feel like I've just been hit by a bus." he looked around and noticed the signs of a battle. He looked at them and saw that they only had minor injuries but what concerned him most was the noticeable absence of one particular sailor scout. "Where's Sailor Moon" as soon as the words left his mouth everything started coming back to him. He stumbled back "Serena"
"Darien" Mercury inquired softly
"Mercury." Jupiter warned only to have Mercury wave a hand at her, dismissing it.
"Darien"
Darien looked at her with anguished eyes. "How could I do that to her"
"Do what" Uranus barked and took a threatening step towards him. "What did you do to her"
Darien opened his mouth to answer but stopped short, a feeling was starting to come over him; a feeling that he recognized and it sent a chill down his spine. "Finish me off" he commanded "Now, while you have the chance."
"No." Mercury cried before the other Scouts could react. "The process is reversing itself, Serena is no longer in danger."
"It's not over." he hissed "I can feel it."
Mercury looked down at her mini computer and let out a sound of dismay,
"What is it" Neptune asked.
"He's right, the dark energy it's not gone. In fact it's rapidly regaining strength"
"You don't have much time." Darien warned "Serenity helped me before, he shook his head in confusion. "I don't know how she did it, but she broke through and reached me where no one else could and she pushed the Dark Prince back. But I was so weak." he grimaced "Too weak to save Serena."
"Could it have anything to do with Endymion, you think" Venus murmured softly but not softly enough.
"Endymion" Darien repeated in confusion"Of course" he breathed softly, he let out a bitter laugh. "It's ironic isn't it? I created him to protect Serena where I could not, and because I did, I didn't have the strength to protect her when she needed me the most." he cringed, the darkness was spreading fast, like a virus. He couldn't hold on much longer. "You have to destroy me now before he regains control."
"Who" Venus asked in confusion
"The Dark Prince." he growled impatiently, he didn't have time to explain things, couldn't they see what was happening before there eyes didn't they know the danger they and the rest of the world was in. "Do it" he commanded.
"No we can't"
"There has to be a way that we can stop this." Mercury cried
"There's no time." Darien barked "This is my decision, I did this to myself, I created him I was the one who went to Beryl and let her infect me with her energy and the dark energy of the Negaverse. I chose this existence, Serena didn't."
"But you did it to save her." Venus cried, "How can you ask us to destroy you?"
"I saved her once," he answered her soberly "And now it's your turn." he looked them, they didn't remember him and yet still they hesitated, and shed tears for him. "Don't cry for me, I knew what the outcome would be."
Venus turned to the others with imploring eyes. "We can't do this." she was convinced, now more then ever that destroying Darien was the wrong thing to do. Serena and Darien's had survived so much; their love for each other was so strong. They couldn't be the ones to take it from them
"I'm your prince and I just gave you an order" he barked and turned to Uranus"I know that you understand why this is necessary, not fair but necessary. I'm asking you while my powers our drained and he's still weak to finish me off, end this before Serena is lost forever."
"We might not get a better chance." Neptune said calmly while inside she grieved for her princess and her prince.
Uranus nodded her head. Her prince had called upon her to save their princess. He had given her an order, one that she couldn't refuse now matter how much she wanted to. Ignoring the pleading faces of those around her she began her attack.
"Uranus World…." Uranus cried out as a sudden blast blinded her and sent her stumbling back a couple of paces. "What the…?"
"Sorry to break up the party ladies but I felt that I just had to intervene."
They all looked up and above them was-
"Jedite." Mars hissed
Jedite smiled "Why Mars, is that joy I hear in your voice? I didn't know that seeing me again would bring you such pleasure."
Mars clenched her fist and said between gritted teeth. ""You wish."
"Now, now" he laughed "theirs no need to be coy. I'm sure after the way Sailor moon and the Dark Prince snuck around, your friends will understand you forming a slight attachment to me."
Mars wanted to scream. How dare he insinuated that she…of all the nerve. He's was nothing was an arrogant, egotistical...maniac she steamed. She was about to tell him where to go when she noticed the looks the other Scouts were giving her. "What?" she sputtered, "You guys can't actually believe any of that nonsense."
Venus opened her mouth to respond when Uranus cut her off. "Now's not the time." she barked "Focus on what's important. We'll deal with Jedite later, right now we have to take care of Darien."
Jedite chuckled, clearly amused. "I don't think that's going to be as easy as it was a few moments ago." he looked over at Darien and the other followed his gaze and saw that Darien was just standing there with his head down. They all watched as he suddenly threw his head back and bellowed. "Serena!"
"What now" Jupiter wondered aloud and the Dark Prince's eyes came to rest on them. Burning with anger he growled "Get out of my sight." and with a wave of his hand portals appeared at their feet. Mars had just enough time to mutter "Not again" when they all fell into them and disappeared.
"Where did you send them?" Jedite asked although he wondered why he cared, since it hardly mattered to him and it wasn't worth risking the Dark prince's anger over.
"I sent them back to the temple." the Dark Prince seethed. He couldn't believe how close they had come to destroying him, and all because of her.
Jedite ignored his slight sense of relief, he was use to it, ignoring things that he couldn't explain or confused the hell out of him that is, like his sudden need to save the Dark Prince from certain demise. If anyone had told him that he'd be saving the life of the one person who wanted to see him dead more then anyone else, he would have told them that they were crazy. Only now, the term seemed to be fitting him more and more.
He was certifiable. Having strange visions of things, remembering feelings that he'd never felt, and now saving the life of a man who wanted him dead. Yup certifiable.
"Serena" the Dark Prince roared again.
"There's no need to shout." came a dark reply, an instant later she appeared at the Dark Prince's side.
Darien turned on her furiously "Do you have any idea what just happened."
Serena shrugged her shoulders. "No and I don't particularly care right now" she pouted "Malachite and Nephlite just ruined everything, I don't know how they did it or what they did but I know that they had something to do with it.
The Dark Prince grabbed her by the arm, he looked down at her with angry eyes. "You've been keeping secrets, one that nearly got me killed. I think it's time we had ourselves a little chat."
……………..
In the throne room of Beryl's abandoned Palace the sound of ice cracking echoed through out the room, shattering the eerie silence. Following closely was a burst of light that enveloped the room and chased away the shadows. If any living soul had witnessed this phenomenon, they would have sworn that the light came from deep within the ice. The light flared brilliantly and just as sudden as it appeared, it disappeared.
…………….
The Scouts looked at each other, they were outside of the temple and everyone was accounted for.
"What just happened"
"We have to go back."
"Don't be ridiculous" Mars snapped"We just got our butts kicked."
"What do you think happened with the Dark Prince? Why did he suddenly revert back to the old Darien" Jupiter asked.
"Endymion might know, lets go inside and ask him."
"I can't believe that we didn't even get to see Serena." Jupiter muttered bitterly
"The Dark Prince is powerful, more so then before." Neptune responded "If we're going to save Serena where going to have to come up with some sort of a plan and I don't think we have much time.
"You don't mean…."
"You all know what she means" Jupiter grumbled"Darien didn't manage to tell us much but hard to figure out from what he didn't say. We have to face the facts, Serena has already begun to change and the next time we see her she might see us as the enemy."
"What are we going to do" Mercury whispered despairingly
"Save her." Uranus answered quietly and started up the temple stairs, the others followed behind her.
…………………
Malachite watched the others go over today's events, but he had distanced himself from them. Serenity and Endymion were both sleeping and since he had no idea what had occurred between him, Nephlite and Endymion he found his thoughts settling on Zosite.
He had hurt her terribly. He thought about what nearly happened between him and Venus and couldn't help but ask himself why. Why after all this time was he having these feelings? Was it because of that one kiss they shared or was it everything, his separation from the Negaverse, the strange dreams and the girl who haunted them?
Even now when he should be concentrating on the up coming battle, he couldn't focus on anything but what had happened early with Venus and Zosite. His mind was dominated by thoughts of the three women in his life. He loved Zosite he knew he did but he didn't know how he really felt about Venus and his mystery girl.
"We shouldn't plan anything until Serenity and Endymion wake up."
"Mercury you should go over all the readings that you gathered today." Luna stated briskly
"I wish I had read out of the energy Malachite, Nephlite and Endymion put out. I would love to have been able to compare it to the Dark Prince's. It just has to be related and the fact that the dark energy in his body was pushed back might just be the key we've been looking for to save him. If only we knew what it was and what it meant."
"Well maybe Endymion will have some idea's when he wakes up, but until then see what your computer can tell us."
Mercury nodded her head and headed off to find a quiet spot where she could be alone and focus.
"Endymion shouldn't be out for more then a few hours" Nephlite stated "I checked his energy level, whatever Serena did to him doesn't seem to have no lasting effect, he's more exhausted then anything else."
"Did you have time to discuss what happened" Neptune asked curiously
Nephlite shook his head. "He was pretty out of it. I guess were just gonna have to wait."
"How about Serenity and Rini" Artemis asked "How are they doing"
"Serena's presence seemed to set Serenity back some but she's still not as weak as she was and Rini could wake up at any time."
Venus watched as Malachite left the room and her heart sunk in her chest. He hadn't said a word to her since they'd been back. She could she that he was troubled, and knew that she was apart of the problem. She hated it, hated knowing that he was in pain, and that she was in away responsible.
She couldn't stand it she had to talk to him. Quickly before anyone could question her or delay her, she followed him out the room.
………………….
Malachite was at the top of the temple stairs when he heard Venus call his name. He stiffened. Stopping he turned to face her.
Venus walked over to him quickly just short of running. But once she reached him she was struck silent. She twisted her hands neverously. There was so much she wanted to say but didn't know how. She looked up to meet his eyes and quickly looked away. He seemed so distant and he had a look about him. She cleared her throat. "Are you going somewhere."
"Venus." he sighed and that was all it took, her eyes began to tear up, causing her to blink furiously she would not cry, she would not.
"You're going to see Zosite."
"I have to." he paused "I hurt her." he said quietly
Your hurting me she wanted to scream but instead she just nodded and said "I understand, you have things to talk about."
Malachite clenched his hands into fists. Why was this so difficult? He knew what he had to do, what was right, but he didn't want to leave, not like this. "Tell the others for me he said and turned and walked away.
Venus watched him, fighting back the urge to call him back. Don't leave me, she wanted to shout but instead she stood there and watched him walk away, not knowing if she would ever see him again. Only when he was gone and she could no longer see him did she wipe her wet glistening cheeks and turn to head back inside to search for a place where she could be alone. ………..
Nephlite walked into the kitchen and was surprised to find Jupiter inside cooking.
"I would have thought you'd be tried of cooking by now."
Startled Jupiter jumped and yelped as she burned her hand on the pot she was stirring.
Nephlite was across the room in a flash, taking Jupiter's hand he took her over to the faucet and placed her hand under the cold water.
Jupiter couldn't speak. He was so close that she could feel the warmth of his body, she wanted to sink into that warmth; her eyes fluttered shut as he began caressing the palm of her hand under the water. It was only as she found herself beginning to lean back against him that she came screeching back to reality. She jerked up right and looked up at him to see if he had noticed and found him starring down at her with an enigmatic look on his face. Completely mortified she pulled her hand away and quickly backtracked back towards the stove. "Thanks." She mumbled.
Nephlite could see she was embarrassed, he wondered at the reason but knew that now wasn't the time to push, so instead he allowed his attention and his eyes to roam around the kitchen. He noticed all the sweets, no doubt from all the baking she had done earlier that day. He was still amazed that she went through all the trouble of searching for his favorite dessert all on the hope of waking him.
"Why are you in here cooking instead of out there with the others."
Jupiter flushed. "Cooking helps me think; besides someone had to make dinner." she turned her back to him and faced the counter. "Is there something I can get for you"
"I came in here looking for something to drink."
She waved a hand off to her left "Over there, help yourself.
Nephlite eyebrows arched. "Thank you I will." he settled for some bottled cola and leaned up against the kitchen wall to watch her. She was an enigma and there was nothing he liked more then a puzzle.
Jupiter could feel her pulse racing and wondered what he was still doing in here. Why didn't he just take his drink and leave. Be patient, just be patient she cautioned herself you don't want to let on how uncomfortable he makes you, he might start to wonder why and that's the last thing you want. "Is there something else you wanted." she all but snapped and could have hung her head in disgust. Way to go, that was smooth, he definitely won't know something's wrong now.
"Do I make you nervous" he asked quietly setting his drink down.
"What?" Jupiter yelped and turned to look at him once again avoiding his eyes. "Of course not. Why would you think that" Probably because he does, she admitted. Oh be quiet.
"I don't know." he answered "You seem anxious to get rid of me and you wont look me in the eye."
Jupiter took a deep breath gathered her courage and looked him straight in the eye. She was instantly warm all over. "Happy"
"Yes." he said softly
Jupiter could feel herself blushing confused by what she was feeling and his motive for staying here she turned and grabbed the bowl and began stirring earnestly.
"I had no idea that you liked to cook."
Jupiter fought back a flinch "You're not the first one to be surprise that someone like me not only knows how to cook but enjoys it."
"The way you say it makes it sound like a bad thing, I didn't mean for it to sound that way. And what did you mean when you said someone like you, what does being a sailor scout have to do with not being able to cook and enjoy it"
"It's not because I'm a Sailor Scout and can cook that surprises people it's because I'm a tomboy and can cook that people seem to find difficult to believe." she announced abruptly
"A tomboy"
She turned around to give him a look of disbelief. How could he not know what a tomboy was? Oh wait was she thinking, of course he wouldn't know. She shrugged her shoulders. "I 'm not like others girls." Maybe if I were you wouldn't make me so nervous maybe you might even find me attractive. "Being a tomboy means that although I'm a girl I look and act more like a boy."
Nephlite looked her over slowly taking in everything. Her hair was bound in its usual ponytail, loose he knew it would fall in waves down to her shoulders. Although she wore an apron over her Sailor Scout outfit, it did little to hide the fact that she was indeed a woman and not a man.
"And the fact that I'm trained in martial arts and enjoy fighting is a mark against me, most people consider that unladylike" she tried to hide the pain that this caused her but those eyes of his missed nothing.
Jupiter knew that she should stop talking and that she was very likely making a fool out of herself but she couldn't seem to hold the words back. "Fighting is about more then beating people up, at least for me it is; it's about using the skills that I've acquired through hard work and training. In a fight, you have to stay focused on your opponent. You can't afford to think about other things; like how many friends you have or what people say about you…." she blushed and lowered her eyes unable to believe she had revealed so much to him.
"It sounds lonely."
Jupiter sighed, he saw a lot, maybe too much. "I guess it was sometimes, but meeting the others Scouts helped."
Nephlite got up and approached her; while Jupiter watched him with wary eyes he took her hand and started drawing her towards him.
"What are you doing" she all but squeaked
Nephlite reached up and gripped her chin, tilting her face up he muttered huskily "I'm going to kiss you."
"Why" she asked in disbelief then could have hit herself for asking.
"Because I know what it's like to be lonely and surrounded by people, because I can't believe that you don't know how beautiful you are, but mostly because I want to."
"Oh." she gasped completely dumbfounded. She didn't know what to say and when his lips first touched hers, she found the power of speech had left her. Her eyes drifted closed on a sigh as his lips moved gently across hers. Who could have believed that such a simply gentle kiss could produce such heat. She still couldn't believe this was happening, it had to be some sort of dream.
"Surrender to me" he muttered against her lips "don't be afraid."
"Huh" she muttered in confusion how could he talk to her and expect her to understand when he was inspiring such feelings inside her. She felt weak and warm all over.
Nephlite drew his head back breaking the kiss.
Jupiter missed the contact immediately but made no move to close the distance between them.
"You're holding back, I can feel it" he announced "Are you afraid to take a chance or was I wrong about this and this isn't what you want."
Jupiter stood there frozen unsure of what to say, he was right she hadn't realized she was doing it but she had been holding apart of herself back. Because despite the fact that this was happening apart of her assumed that it was still some sort of mistake, that he couldn't be here kissing her that it wasn't possible for someone like him to be attracted to her. After all Venus was more feminine, Mars was more sensual and Mercury was smarter what could he possibly see in her?
"I see." he stated quietly "My mistake." he lowered his hands and made a move to step back.
"No wait." she cried and reached up to grab hold of his arms. "Please." she pleaded She didn't want him to go. She wanted him to hold her and never let her go. And that's what scared her the most, because she didn't know if she was strong enough to let him stay. If he should stay now but leave her at some later point down the road, she wasn't sure if she'd survive it. She had been disappointed in love before, and bounced back with a determination that some times scared her. Perhaps because she had been afraid to think about the fact that she might spend all her days and night alone, that she wasn't meant to find that special someone that was meant just for her.
She knew that Nephlite was different. Looking into his eyes she could see everyone that had came before him and knew that they all paled in comparison. He could make her feel more with just one look into his eyes.
"What are you thinking about"
She looked at him with blurry eyes, she blinked rapidly and felt the tears sliding down her face. She watched as he shut down and shut her out his whole face went blank and he shrouded his eyes from her.
Her grip on him tightened. "Kiss me" she pleaded
He starred at her with that blank face and made no move to kiss her. Desperate, and afraid she had ruined this because of her fear she took the initiative and kissed him.
For a second, the longest second of her life he was unresponsive, and just when she thought he was going to reject her his arms swept around her pulling her close. He immediately took control of the kiss, where before he was gentle and cajoling now he demanding and hungry. The only thing Jupiter could do was throw her arms around his neck and respond whole-heartedly.
……………..
"Well you were one of the last people I expected to see in this place."
Malachite turned towards the owner of that voice. "I'm not here to fight with you Jedite I'm here to see Zosite."
Jedite rubbed his jaw and stepped away from the wall. "I don't think you want to do that, she's not in her happy place. I don't know what happened earlier but I couldn't help but notice that you were out cold on the ground while your girlfriend tried her best to send Venus into the after life. I don't know what the two of you did to piss her off." he gave him a sly grin. "I can only assume, but I know it had to be something bad enough to have her go against our new Queens orders and that simply isn't good for one's health."
Malachite tensed. He remembered the marks on Zosite's neck, and he remembered that the last time he saw Serena she hadn't been too happy. "Where is she Jedite" he asked and hoped he wouldn't say she was in the dungeon or worse.
"She's in her chambers, follow this corridor take the first right the second left and at the end of the hallway you'll find her room."
"Your not gonna try and stop me" He was mystified, he didn't believe that he'd be able to enter the palace so easily but since arriving here he hadn't seen a soul and had met with no opposition. Jedite was the first person he'd seen since coming here and now he was just gonna let him go about his way. If anyone had entered Beryl's palace without an invitation she would had wanted them brought before her immediately; she never would have allowed them to roam about the palace freely. He didn't know if the fact that no one appeared worried about his presence as a good thing or a very bad one.
Jedite gave a nonchalant shrug. "There's really no point; they know you're here, and since I haven't been giving any orders that say otherwise; do as you please." He turned to leave, then stopped and gave Malachite a sober look "I will give you one piece of advise though, change sides while you still can, their powers make a mockery out of Beryl's. I don't know what they have planned for you and Nephlite but if you continue to stand against them it will only result in your death." he gave a sudden laugh. "Although I have no idea why I even care about your fate.
He turned to leave only this time Malachite stopped him. "Wait, earlier today something strange happened with Nephlite, Endymion and me. Did anything out of the ordinary happen to you today? Something that you couldn't explain."
"No." Jedite answered and left.
Malachite starred after to him. He didn't know why but he knew that just now Jedite had lied to him.
……….
Mars walked into the room, looking around she almost missed Venus who was leaning back against the wall starring out the window at the night sky. "Finally." Mars cried "I've been looking all over for you and Malachite, it's time for the meeting, we need to discuss everything that happened today and come up with a plan." Mars frowned, when Venus didn't move or respond. "Why are you standing here in the dark anyway"
"Malachite's not here, and I just want to be left alone for awhile." Venus said still not moving or looking at her.
"Is something wrong"
"No, I just want to be alone."
Mars looked at her for a moment, Venus face was turned away from her but her body language spoke volumes; she seemed tense and impatient, as if she couldn't wait for Mars to disappear. Something was wrong. Usually she would nag her until she told her what that something was but with everything that was going on she could understand Venus needing a minute by herself. "Alright." Mars finally sighed "But we can't start the meeting without you, so whatever you're doing, or whatever you need to do, please just hurry up and do it." She turned to leave and then stopped. "By the way you wouldn't know where Malachite went off to would you"
Venus froze. Why, Why couldn't Mars have just left"He's not here." she cleared her throat "He left."
"Left" Mars repeated incredulously, How could he leave now after everything that had happened today, where could he have gone"Do you know where he went"
Venus bit her lip to fight back a sob as Mars unknowingly drove the blade home. "He's with her."
"With who" Mars asked in confusion, everyone else was accounted for.
"With her" she shouted suddenly unable to take it anymore. Why did Mars have to be so persistent why couldn't she have just left her alone? Why did she have to make her say out loud what she couldn't even bare to think about?
Mars looked at her in stunned disbelief. Venus anger had caught her off guard. Where was it coming from"Alright it's time to tell me what's wrong."
"I told you to leave me alone" Venus shouted "Why couldn't you have just left me alone."
Her own temper; which was never far from the surface started to flare in the face of Venus's attitude. "No, I won't leave you alone." she snapped. She might have been willingly to give Venus some space if she hadn't irked her, but now she wasn't leaving until Venus told her what was going on with her. "You can either tell me what's going on with you right now or I can go get the rest of the girls and we can drag it out of you."
Venus didn't want to talk about what was troubling her the pain was too fresh. "I don't want to talk to you or too anyone I just want to be left alone. Please just leave me alone."
"Hey" Mars called out softly her anger receding as she heard the pain in Venus's voice. Something was really troubling her friend. Reaching her she grabbed Venus by the arm and turned her around to face her. The sight of her friends tear stained face was like a punch in the stomach. "What is it? What's wrong"
"Nothings wrong." she sniffed rubbing at her eyes "I'm fine"
Mars rolled her eyes. "Yes of course you are." she shook her gently. "Now are you going to tell me what's wrong or do I have to go get the others"
Venus reached up and placed her hand over Mars. "No don't." She didn't want anyone else to see her like this, they would ask questions the same questions that Mars was asking; questions she didn't want to answer.
Mars reached her other hand up to grab hold of Venus other arm. "Then tell me what's going on with you." Her mind raced back over the last few days trying to see what she had missed there had to be some clues. When she had a sudden unbelievable thought she sucked in a startled breath, she remembered Venus's odd behavior and thought about how Zosite's anger had been focused on Venus and Venus alone. Venus, who at the time of the attack had been alone with Malachite.
What she was thinking was unbelievable but it made sense when you thought about everything. "Is this about Malachite" she asked softly, although she believed she knew the answer; she wanted Venus to confide in her.
"Malachite who" she asked
Oh my, Mars thought silently how could she have missed this, and when did they find the time"Do you want to talk about it"
Venus shook her head and took a deep breath and then another and then another before it all came gushing out, the words tumbled out of her mouth so fast that they blended together making an incomprehensible mess. So much of one that Mars placed a hand over her mouth and told her to slow down, which she did.
She explained how she felt after meeting him again. So fast that the words tumbled over each other, until she had to once again force herself to slow down. She told Mars how she had felt drawn to him from that very first meeting when they still weren't sure if he was a friend or foe. She hesitated a moment before revealing how she had snuck into his room in the dead of night, needing to see him, to look upon him without prying eyes including his own. She paused reliving that night in her mind, that was the night that everything became so clear, for that night was the night she lost her heart to him, it seemed appropriate since he already possessed her soul. She brushed a lone tear off her check.
It hurt to remember but she forced herself to finish and when she was through there was silence as they were both lost in there own thoughts.
"There's one thing I still don't understand " Mars admitted after awhile. "When Zosite attacked you she couldn't have known what happened between the two of you, so why was she so intent on hurting you"
Venus closed her eyes, and her expression suggested she was thinking about something and savoring it.
"He was about to kiss me when she found us."
"Oh my."
Venus sighed and opened her eyes. Would he still be here with her now if they had kissed; or would he have still gone to her?
"I don't understand" Mars admitted shaking her head. "How did that come about"
"It doesn't matter." Venus cried and tried to pull away from her "He's gone. He's chosen her and it doesn't matter."
"Venus stop." Mars ordered as she struggled to hold onto her. "You have to calm down. Now are you trying to say that Malachite went to go see Zosite"
Venus nodded her head as fresh tears streamed down her face.
Mars masked her confusion according to what Venus had told her they'd only kissed once so why was she behaving this way? She couldn't actually be in love with him, could she?
"Are you in love with him"
Venus gave her a stricken look that was all the answer she needed.
"Venus" she started gently "Until a little while ago he was the enemy, and as an ally you haven't known him for that long. Are you sure you're not rushing this"
Venus pulled out of her grasp angrily. "Do you think that I don't know my own heart. Do you think I want to feel this way knowing he loves another? I didn't choose to love him, I just do. I love him more then I've ever loved anyone." She covered her face with her hands. "I never dreamed that when I found the love of my life he would love someone else, want some else" she sobbed."
Mars was at a lost for words, what could she say, Venus had been in love some many times how could she be sure that this was for real"Venus you haven't known him long and most of the time you have known him he was the enemy."
"I know that."
"Then why haven't you ever mentioned feeling about him this way before"
Venus lowered her hands. "Mars you want me to explain something that I don't understand myself. I just know that he was meant for me."
"You'll find another." Mars reasoned trying to cheer her up but not really knowing how. She needed the others"You'll love another."
Venus wrapped her arms around herself, shaking her head. "There will never be another."
"That's nonsense" Mars said even though she was starting to believe that Malachite was indeed different from the others. "He's just a guy, just a regular guy, you'll meet someone else."
"My soul mate." She cried shocking Mars with the intensity and the absolute certainty that she heard in her voice.
Venus sunk down to her knees and started rocking back and forth "How could he love another, how could he?"
Mars looked at her in concern uncertain what she should say or do, this was not the Venus that she was used to. She wasn't treating Malachite like she had all the others in her past, she was actually calling him her soul mate. She couldn't image what Venus was going through. What cruel fate would allow her to find him only to sit back and watch him go off with another?
"I don't know what to do for you, tell me what to do."
Venus reached out hugged mars pressing her face against the other girls stomach"Just stay with me. I don't want to be alone any more. I keep picturing them together. I can't seem to stop."
Mars caressed her hair wishing for her Venus's sake that Malachite had never come back into their lives.
…………………………………..
Malachite stopped just outside of Zosite's room, the door stood ajar as if beckoning him to enter. Knowing this wasn't going to be pleasant but prepared to accept whatever she dished out he pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Zosite stood in the middle of the room with her back to him. For a second he just stood there relieved to see that she was as apparently unharmed. He didn't want to think about what might have happened to her thanks to him, what still might happen to her.
"Zosite"
Startled Zosite swung around, seeing him her eyes filled with fresh tears even as her mouth twisted with anger. "What are you doing here"
"I had to see you."
"I'm surprised you could tear yourself away from Venus's side, from what I saw the two of you appeared very cozy together" the last word ending on a sob
"Zosite please." he begged and started to approach her.
Zosite held up a hand as if to ward him off. "Don't. I don't want to see you. I don't want to hear what you have to say. There's nothing you can say that can change what I saw. So please just leave me alone."
"I want to talk about what happened."
"I know what happened" she cried harshly "I was there, remember." she brushed furiously at the tears that fell down her face. "I saw you. I saw you with her."
Malachite fought back a wince, he never meant to hurt her, and it tore at his heart that he had. "Please just let me explain." he had to make this right somehow.
"Explain what" she sobbed bitterly "I know what I saw, you were about to kiss her. There's nothing else left to explain.
"I didn't plan it, it just happened."
"Is that supposed to make it better, the fact that you didn't plan for it to happen" she demanded "Why don't you explain what you were doing kissing her in the first place."
Malachite winced what could he say. Was he supposed to tell her about his dreams? His dreams about another woman, and if by some miracle she accepted that was he then suppose to confess about waking up one night from one of those dreams to find himself kissing Venus. He didn't now how to tell her that or how that night had changed things for him and as days went by he found himself thinking more and more about Venus. He didn't know anyone who could listen to that and not only understand by accepted and understand it. Hell, he knew he wouldn't be able to. "I know you're angry and I know I hurt you…"
"Of course I'm angry, of course I'm hurt. You betrayed me."
Malachite was silent unable to rebut the accusation and not really knowing what to say. How could he explain something he didn't fully understand himself? How could he tell her that at the time he felt compelled to kiss her, it was almost as if he didn't have a choice, that kissing her was as normal and as necessary as breathing.
"Why Malachite, Why" she closed the distance between them and looked up into his eyes her filled with tears and glazed with pain. "I thought you loved me. You swore that you did and you swore, that would never change." Zosite cried pain lacing every word.
Malachite sighed and tried to answer her question as truthfully as possible he owed her that much at least. "I do love you. I don't know what happened or how everything got so out of control. I just wanted to…I just wanted to comfort her." he admitted, and winced as he realized how stupid that sounded, but it was true. It had hurt him to see such pain in those blue eyes of hers; he wanted to take it away.
"By kissing her" Zosite screamed and over brimming with rage and pain, she started to pummel at his chest with her fist.
Malachite didn't bother trying to defend himself against her attack knowing that he deserved it and more. Saying he was sorry just didn't seem good enough. He wanted to comfort Venus but he couldn't deny to himself that he wanted to kiss her as well and had been thinking about it since their last kiss, and that was inexcusable.
"Damn you." Zosite sobbed as she stopped hitting him and slumped against his chest. She grabbed onto his arms, her hold fierce and painful as she tried to physically hold onto him even as she felt him sipping away from her.
Malachite closed his arms around her shaking body as she cried out her anger and pain, all of which he was responsible for"Zosite." he murmured voicing his own sorrow and regret.
Zosite shook her head back and forth. She couldn't lose him. He was all she had and she would fight anyone and anything to keep him at her side. "I love you." she whispered frantically "I love you" and saying so leaned up to capture his lips with hers.
For a brief second, a very telling second, one that in her desperation Zosite thankfully didn't notice, Malachite remained passive in her embrace. He wanted to put it down to surprise; that she caught him off guard and he hadn't been expecting it but apart of him knew better and grieved for the both of them. For even as he returned her embrace and her kiss he couldn't help thinking about another embrace, another kiss.