Endymion emerged from his rooms surprisingly early the next morning for having such a rather eventful night. His blue eyes were lit from within when he plopped down in one of the arm chairs not far from where Kunzite's desk sat. Kunzite on the other hand, did not wake up in such a fortunate mood as his prince having spent his night off brooding while he finished rounds for Jadeite. He was too busy kicking his own ass for being so weak in the presence of a beautiful girl of all things, for letting Venus derail his thoughts and resolve with a wet uniform and a slow show of seduction. Perfect as she may be, her body was anatomically no different than any other woman he'd ever seen, so he told himself. Truly, it wasn't her shallow beauty alone that had a grip on him.
"Looks like we're going to the Moon." Kunzite's eyes raised to Endymion, a dimpled fools grin spread wide on his handsome face while he stared dreamily up at the vaulted ceiling above. "It's really happening Kunzite... we did it!"
"You would do well to be vigilant about the Venusian's advice. Perhaps strive to exceed her expectations." Kunzite cocked a brow, his lips tensed while Endymion only appeared more amused by the light disdain coating the General's tone. "Now that we have the Queen's attention it would be a shame to make fools of ourselves. Zoisite and I are to join you, correct?"
"I can't do this without you." Endymion sat up, raking a hand through his inky hair, face growing more serious with his tone. "You're my best friend, and aside from Zoi you're the best diplomat we have. I'm sure the Queen will be interested in our military, you're the best man I have, I need you Kunz." He winced at the nickname, one of the few his Princess had adopted for him though it seemed like everyone thought they could just call him Kunz when they felt like it. Endymion knew better and he didn't bother to correct him.
"When do we leave?" Kunzite knew better than to argue, he'd be a liar if he said he wasn't at all curious about the prospect of visiting a new world. Endymion shrugged and fell back against the armchair again lazily.
"In a week I assume, the acceptance hasn't been delivered yet. Venus was explaining all this before Jadeite came out of nowhere and tried to kill her." He winced in memory of last night's events, thankful for the reminder as he was needing to head to the training grounds for drills, and Jadeite was about to be issued a world of hurt for his antics. Of course speak of the Devil and he shall appear...
"Hooooooly shit!" Jadeite drawled, throwing the doors to the library open dramatically, falling sideways into one of the overstuffed arm chairs beside Endymion, the others filing in slowly behind. Kunzite was in no mood this morning, he rest his head in his hands, eyes closed to slowly count backward to keep his temper in check with fingers digging into his temples to try and ease the incoming headache. "I don't think I can have another woman the rest of my life! She barely TOUCHED me and I had to-" Kunzite's fist hit the desk with an echoing thud, causing the other three Shitennou and his Prince to jump in their place, staring at him with wide eyes.
"We really don't need to hear about your bodily functions you moron." He bit, but Jadeite only grinned widely in a manner that made Kunzite want to punch him in his pretty face. He was lucky he loved the bastard for all his intentional jabs. Truly Kunzite often envied Jadeite and his carefree manner, knowing beneath it all he was actually very serious, and very passionate in his loyalties. It wouldn't save him today though, not from Kunzite's wrath.
"I second that notion." Zoisite mumbled, waiting for the steam to clear from his leader's ears before taking his usual seat across from him at the desk. Zoi shot Kunzite an apologetic look, having been there last night he knew his patience for Jadeite would be non-existent today. To say that Kunzite was frustrated was an understatement. He spent the rest of that night wandering the gardens trying to think of anything but the young Venusian Princess whose name started with an M. THEN he too tried to sleep and lay in bed trying not to picture that look she gave him, or the sopping wet, sheer fabric of her uniform and ended up in an icy shower before dawn broke.
"I finished your rounds last night. You're welcome by the way." Kunzite mumbled, earning a hearty salute and a wink from Jadeite.
"These Interplanetary Goddesses are no fair, I don't think I could look at any normal woman the same ever again! Just thinking about it makes me-" An apple whizzed by his head before he could finish his sentence which only served to further amuse him when it hit one of the bookshelves instead. "Endymion knows what I mean, I saw that stunt you pulled last night Master." The Prince in question couldn't hide the smile that spread to his face, and Kunzite fought a groan.
"On that note," Endymion spoke up, gathering his wits though he could scarcely hide his excitement. "Kunzite, Zoisite and I depart for a Moon on a date yet to be determined so I suggest we be prepared for our absence here as well as our trip. We will be gone for three days, do you think you and Nephrite can manage to not burn Elysium to the ground?"
"How reassuring..." Kunzite muttered under his breath, burying his fingers in his hair when Jadeite crossed his heart with a finger.
"You have my word Endymion." Nephrite smirked, giving Jade a high five behind his back, not unnoticed by the Prince who shook his head with a broad smile.
"Great, the Elysian castle is going to turn into a brothel." Nephrite rustled Endymion's hair obnoxiously with his reply, his damn charming grin proving disarming to even Kunzite.
"We will take care of things around here... you know we wouldn't risk Kunzite's wrath. Especially today." Nephrite concentrated that grin toward the silver haired man in question, brooding uncomfortably behind his desk. "I guess Venus wasn't as kind to him as she apparently was to Jadeite, it's all he's been talking about."
No- Venus had acted civil, decent- well almost decent- toward Kunzite and he guessed later that night that her actions toward the blonde General were some form of game to her.
"Please don't get that idiot barking again." Kunzite groaned when the Eastern King's face lit up. "Speaking of, Jadeite, report to the training grounds. You will give me twenty laps around the palace prior, and you'll be my sparring partner today. Hand to hand only, no weapons." Jadeite's eyes went wide because Kunzite was almost as deadly with his fists as he was with a sword. Normally he would have risen to that challenge with another smart assed remark but there was a murderous glint in Kunzite's eye that morning that had him shuffling toward the door to start on his laps. "Oh and Jadeite, you'll be taking my night shift tonight as well. You know, since I had to complete yours." His face fell further, but was left little room to argue.
He had a long, full day of preparations and normal duties. Dodging Beryl as she seemed to be entertaining the King more frequently these days, and while she did little to hide her longing, Endymion was far too busy trying to solidify his place beside the woman he truly loved. The Prince never thought to pay her much mind anymore when she'd offer him a fortune, or lunch, or even a walk in the gardens as they had when they were young. Kunzite almost felt badly for her, though she gazed at him strangely when he tried to explain to her that Endymion was working much harder now that the King was otherwise indisposed. Surely she could understand his own duties had multiplied a great deal, and it was the perfect cover for the truth. Regardless with his schedule freed for the evening as Jadeite reported again for watch, Kunzite was allowed to finally relax, falling asleep with ease not ten pages into a book on philosophy he'd started.
It was late, or early, he knew that much when the yelling woke him. Kunzite groaned loudly, throwing the thin sheet off of him, already cursing as he shuffled out into the cool stone floor of his balcony in the humid summer heat. When his eyes finally focused, he guessed Serenity had made her appearance because there was yet another woman, a voice he didn't recognize currently calling Jadeite every name in the book, hoping he at least deserved it. Kunzite almost felt bad for him, throwing a thin white shirt over his shoulders and not bothering to change from the thin linen pants he wore that were loose and airy from back home. He wasn't about to bother dressing in uniform in the middle of the night.
Kunzite checked Endymion's garden first, seeing a familiar ward on the door he merely shook his head and walked in the direction of yelling. He wondered briefly if Venus might have joined them, knowing it wasn't likely since Serenity never brought more than one of her guard with her. There was a theory he wished to test on one of the other Goddesses, wanting to see if the draw he felt to Venus was unique, or if hopefully they all had that charm that might haunt him for the rest of the week. He found he craved talking with her, a dangerous craving that Kunzite had all but pushed out of his head though it was so much stronger in these late hours when the world held a softer more dreamlike quality.
The shrieking continued behind a wall of shrubbery which he stepped toward cautiously, abruptly halting their argument when he was spotted, still trying to shake off the sleep he'd been woken from. His eyes did widen when he saw this one. She was incredibly striking and intense looking with hair long as Venus' falling in deep black down her back with an oil slicked sheen that was almost violet in the light. She was clad in an identical sailor's uniform as Venus' but in red with a loud purple bow at her chest, clad in red heels that complimented the best set of legs he'd ever seen. This said a lot because he wasn't a "leg guy" as Jadeite had so gently put it because legs were his thing. Her eyes were like coals, burning around their violet hues that were intuitive and intimidating as hell, like she peered directly into his soul. Her skin was like ivory, lips a natural crimson too rich to be real and yet he could see the difference between her and those of divine birth as Serenity and Venus were.
She was far more beautiful than most Terran women still, but Kunzite's heart sank when he realized that as stunning as Mars was, he felt nothing like he did when faced with Venus and her sad blue eyes. His theory had failed him. He felt her power, but he found it hot and invasive, somewhat uncomfortable. She looked angry still, her stance aggressive and he gathered from the burning smell that she must have been Mars.
"Forgive my current state Princess, I am Kunzite, head of the Golden Army. I hope my fellow General isn't bothering you." She eyed him suspiciously, clearly not as open to alliances or trusting of strangers as her own leader or Princess, though he also knew it wasn't her first time on their planet. Jadeite never was one to keep a thing to himself, the man in question standing there grinning ear to ear with slight singed hair and uniform. She seemed to compose herself, giving the image of perfect alarming calm.
"Apologies for waking you General. Your man was starting to get a little handsy and I had to put him in his place." Her arms crossed over her chest, glaring over at Jadeite who shrugged in feigned innocence.
"I was just talking. You know, killing time, normal guard duty stuff. Not my fault the royals are otherwise occupied and it's a lovely night, an arm around the shoulder is hardly what I'd call handsy." Kunzite almost smiled, remembering a similar walk he'd taken with Venus on a night that felt so far away now. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep, but lowly as Jadeite acted it was exactly that of an act. He was charming and from what he could see, rather gentlemanly toward women outside their circle of men. Unless you were Venusian, his behavior with her still didn't exactly sit well.
"Speak as you will, but please do keep your voices down. While our gardens are empty there is still guard beyond that outer wall. There were mumbled apologies and promises to keep their bickering to a whisper to appease him, allowing Kunzite to head back to his rooms with an exhausted yawn.
He was woken a few hours later to loud moans of passion in the same garden and he got up again long enough to slam his balcony doors shut to muffle the sound- cursing Jadeite loudly as he threw the curtain closed also. He pulled a pillow over his head in attempts at bleaching his eardrums of the noise. Kunzite woke up with the Sun as usual, despite his very broken nights sleep, in an increasingly irritated mood. A singed and disgruntled looking Jadeite slapped his shoulder in passing in the hallway.
"Aphrodite has nothing on that Mars vixen, talk about playing hard to get, but my GODS when you get her..." He yawned, patting his shoulder again making Kunzite cringe as Jadeite staggered into his room he heard a muffled explanation- "Damn those legs!" Kunzite was about to break his- so much for effective night watch.
Later he saw fit to walk with Nephrite at the beginning of his watch, if only to go over everything one more time for during their absence. Aside from late night sessions over treaties between their lands, Kunzite hadn't seen the gentle giant of them much. He'd always been the calm, relaxed one of The Four, aloof and serious but the warmest soul he'd ever known. Kunzite peeled an apple as they walked, sharing it in an action all too familiar, though Nephrite was hardly a Venusian Goddess. He even chose not to point out that the taller General was in need of a shave, forever the opposite of Kunzite who did his best to appear refined where Nephrite was rugged. The warmth to his icy chill, his balance.
"We haven't seen much of you Nephrite, I can only suspect there's some girl you're keeping stashed away from us." Nephrite smiled in his gentle way, his kind eyes staring off in the distance. The huge man was a perfect mix of the four Shitennou. Cool and collected like himself, mischievous with an appetite for women like Jadeite, brilliant and calculating like Zoisite, warm and kind, with a sincerity that most men lacked in something very much like himself. The part of him that was so like Jadeite once had seemed to fade over the past weeks, something Kunzite himself related to as he'd either been too busy or too distracted to entertain his bed with the warmth of a woman.
"Is it that obvious?" Nephrite's brown eyes shifted to his leader who was just barely shorter than him then snapped to the ground in front of them when Kunzite met his eyes. He may have had more wit and charm than Jadeite but he had a horrible poker face. He thankfully had more social grace than the younger blonde soldier which was why his bashfulness took Kunzite off guard.
"Please don't tell me..." Kunzite's brow furrowed and he frowned, knowing the answer before Nephrite could respond. "The Jovian?"
"We've only met twice Kunzite, it's hardly a scandal. I'll admit I'm quite taken with her... I'm not interested in the perfection of a woman such as Serenity. Jupiter has a depth to her most women lack." Kunzite frowned deeper, it was a growing trend with the Lunar guard. All the beauty in the world with big hearts to match. "We just talk though, she's so easy to talk to. And no... nothing political." Nephrite smiled warmly at Kunzite who gave him a questioning gaze. He had an uncanny way of knowing what you were thinking sometimes, and when the stars were out it was like they whispered the information to him, revealing your secrets and telling Nephrite some of their own. "We talk about flowers, and food mostly..."
"Food?" Kunzite raised a brow and Nephrite flushed a little, raising his face to the stars as they peeked out one by one. The pale haired general tried to ignore the Northern Star directly in front of them. He didn't miss the gleam in Nephrite's eye when he shifted his brown eyes from one of the dippers to Venus.
"She's a brilliant cook apparently. She brought me the best crescent cake I've ever had in my life last time. Her planet is probably the most strict when it come to God's law. If she's found out she'd be stripped of all titles and potentially executed. Similar to us."
"And they call us barbaric..." Was all Kunzite could think to say "Speaking of, I expect you to knock Jadeite out if he becomes too big of a moron in my absence." Nephrite chuckled in that deep way that warmed your spirits.
"You got it boss." They walked in silence for a moment, Nephrite closing his eyes with his head back, his hair falling below his lower back with the motion in thick waves. "Boss?"
"Yeah?" Kunzite raised a brow up at him, he'd grown used to Nephrite calling him that, it was better than Kunz anyways.
"Watch your heart. The stars have some interesting things to say about you." Kunzite swallowed, knitting his brows.
"Like what?" Nephrite grinned, a wide toothy smile that had most women fawning to the floor. That, and it wasn't often that Kunzite forgot his usual icy exterior for something curious like that of a child.
"Aw man... you'll fall the hardest of all of us." Kunzite frowned, followed by the barking laughter of his companion who draped an arm lazily over his shoulders without his brown eyes having the courtesy to look at him. He damned those rude stars, not having the courtesy to speak to him as well. "The stars have their secrets boss- you'll find out soon enough."
It was in passing later, Kunzite hadn't even realized Beryl was in the palace that he passed her on her way out. It was late enough that he was heading for bed and her presence startled him. Normally she held a light demeanor, would tease him relentlessly because she knew he didn't care much for her, not that things weren't already awkward after that night in the tavern. Beryl wore her red cloak that almost matched her hair, yet she almost blended into the shadows of the hallway. She seemed off, eyes a bit lighter green than he remembered, they were almost yellow. He knew she entertained the King on occasion with fortunes and medicine though he only seemed to grow more frail.
"Good evening, General." Her voice purred a bit more than normal, there was no friendly edge as here had been only weeks ago and it made his hair stand on end. The small charms she wore on her ankles and wrists still chimed pleasantly, the noise no longer suited to her imposing posture.
"Beryl. You're here late this evening." He frowned, seeming to meet her in the center of the main hall by the palace entrance. Her green eyes gleamed up at him, her brow raised in an almost arrogant manner.
"Well it seems some still desire my services." Beryl smirked, shifting her mass of red waves behind her shoulder. He swore her hair was a deeper red before, now appearing too red. "I won't keep you, but do give my regards to the Prince for a safe journey." Kunzite frowned, the King must have said something.
"We'll not be gone long. A simple routine meeting." She smirked, slow and almost seductive, sidling up to him slowly. "The King is in no way to travel."
"Oh do be careful General. The fall is hard... but can you pick yourself back up?" She giggled, girlish but dark and sauntered away with laughter in her throat. Kunzite shivered, silver eyes narrowing after her as the doormen let Beryl out into the night, disturbed because he wasn't sure what she meant by her words.
Early the next morning, after a fitful sleep, a new face greeted the Terran trio in Endymion's garden. Kunzite gave the strange looking girl a once over, deciding she looked much like some water nymph from Grecian tales he'd read once as a child. Her hair was cropped short like a pixie in soft layers that framed her wide clear blue eyes that were both calculating and full of untold knowledge. Her hair color matched her eyes almost perfectly, a blue shade that was completely unnatural, except it was natural to her. Her features held that delicate softness he'd seen in the Martian in previous nights that Terran women lacked even if the Martian seemed like she was anything but soft. Her lips were a cool shade of pink that flattered her and matched the flush that rose to her cheeks when she appeared before them. She was quite timid, especially in comparison to the other girls he'd met so far. Her body was lithe but fit like that of a strong swimmer, not as curved as Serenity and he dared not compare her to Venus but she was beautiful all the same. The small wings on her silver sandals told Kunzite she was Mercury, the Messenger, and found it fitting.
Zoisite was staring, rather blatantly and Kunzite elbowed him gently. She was achingly beautiful to the youngest Shitennou in an alien way, all blue and silver and calm like a still lake. It was sad to him that he knew how Zoisite felt, never forgetting that first night in the garden. She seemed to notice his friend's grass green stare because she flushed brighter and had to force herself to speak.
"Good Morning Your Highness, Generals, it's a pleasure to meet you. I will be brief as I'm sure formal introductions will occur as soon as we arrive but you may call me Mercury. I am going to pull forth a small amount of your magic and lend you my aid to teleport. I must warn you that those not used to transporting in such a manner are often ill. It can be extremely disorienting." The flush seemed to spread down to her neck and chest when she extended her arms to them. Kunzite became intrigued that she could awaken a bit of their magic, his had grown some in the past weeks but not nearly enough to make a difference. Being so untrained in the ways of magic there was no one really qualified to train them aside from Beryl, and Kunzite declined that idea as soon as it came. Zoisite almost too eagerly took the girl's hand, Kunzite resigned to wrapping his large hand around her forearm so Endymion could take her other hand. He noticed the eye contact between Zoi and Mercury, how flustered she got when he smiled warming at her with his unique grass green eyes. He didn't look at her the way he looked at Venus, there was nothing clinical about it.
There was a sudden jolt up his arm like he had been struck by a bolt of lightning as she pulled her focus, a light sweat breaking over her brow. Something surged through his veins that filled him with warmth that Kunzite was uncomfortable with. His head was already swimming, needing to strain to hear her next words with his heart throbbing so loudly in his ears.
"Please take a very deep breath- the atmosphere is about to change." The group did as told, something humming through his blood like fire and ice all at once and he fought against the queasiness that began to settle in his lower abdomen. "Now focus on the moon, picture it's glow." She whispered. The three followed orders of the Mercurian and suddenly it was like a blow to the stomach, the wind sucked from their lungs.
When he opened his eyes, he took a few very deep breaths but nothing could prepare him for the ground spinning beneath his feet, the sight of a silvery white and dare he say dead landscape and a massive swirling planet above them or below them, it was hard to tell. He felt stronger, but he also saw everything around his line of sight darken around the edges of his vision. Kunzite was vaguely aware of someone retching in a bush nearby but he was more or less focused on breathing which came harder as the atmosphere was a lot thinner.
When things calmed down after what felt like an hour and was probably something more like five minutes, Kunzite realized they were in a courtyard outside the main entrance to a vast white palace. Zoisite was sprawled on his back on a bench, Endymion nearby leaning on a pillar speaking with the blue haired Mercurian girl. A strange looking man, tall with stark white hair that fell pin straight down his back stood behind her. He was also dressed in all white, pale skin with large eyes that were too green, his features almost feline as the dark haired woman beside him. Her eyes were wide and blue, quite beautiful in her yellow gown that was layered over a sheer black fabric that barely concealed her legs from the knee down. They stood arm in arm, the crescent symbols on their forehead spoke of Lunar descent or perhaps they were just marked for the royal court. Kunzite had been leaning against a pillar himself, right beside the bench Zoi was sprawled on with his head between his knees trying to get his bearings. He stood slowly, leaning over his friend to make sure he was still alive.
"She's really cute." He muttered, followed by a miserable groan beneath the arm he'd draped over his eyes. Yup, he was alive alright.
"Zoi, you okay?" Kunzite grumbled, voice sounding like he gargled gravel.
"I think so... just waiting for the ground to stop moving." He replied, muffled beneath the weight of his arm. The tall white haired man, who was quite thin and graceful moved toward them appearing almost amused by Kunzite's possibly green tinted pallor.
"Forgive the rough transport, it's really the only way for us to allow visitors. I am Artemis, I introduce my wife Luna. We are Mauan servants to the Queen Serenity and the Silver Millennium. Luna is guardian and handmaiden to Princess Serenity and Adviser to the Queen. I am essentially anything else the Queen needs, dignitary, coordinator, scholar... but most importantly Guardian to the Lady Venus. Should you need anything during your stay, please allow us to provide for you." Artemis bowed politely, but there was something in the way his green eyes appraised him that told Kunzite their presence wouldn't be so welcome by all of them. He offered the Mauan a bow in return, cursing his own curiosity.
"Forgive my forwardness, you said you were Mauan?" Kunzite took two glasses of water offered by Luna, nudging Zoi gently to sit up and hydrate himself while Kunzite attempted to take a polite sip instead of downing the whole thing. "The symbol on your forehead, I assumed that was a mark of Lunar blood?" He took a longer drink, the woman named quite fittingly Luna seemed to smile in understanding, growing more amused when Kunzite became physically jarred as Artemis stepped into the light. His pupils shifted into slits as he'd seen in the cats of Earth but it was quite another thing to see it from someone so humanoid. They were beautiful people, though strange and alien to him. Artemis did not seem so amused by his fascination. His wife seemed to take on the speaking, her voice lilted by an accent he couldn't place.
"We are a feline race, a civilization from a star not too far from here called Mau. we can shapeshift into cats when necessary, but our world was taken over by a dark force, destroyed by one of our own. Queen Serenity was gracious enough to save the few she could, and is guarding us here under her power. The least we could do was offer what aid we could to her cause." Luna smiled again, taking the empty glasses from the two soldiers. "I know this is far from what you are used to, but I do wish for you to make yourselves at home. You are most welcome here General Kunzite, Zoisite." Zoi was smiling at her, offering her a polite aristocratic bow that obligated him to do the same. "I understand the tensions between our great civilizations, but I think the Prince is very forward about his intentions."
Kunzite almost visibly winced at her words, if only she knew that his very Prince had already deflowered and defiled their pure little Princess...stupid Prince. He offered a very polite thanks, the two Mauan's walking away seeming to take their place for introductions Kunzite knew would take place very soon. He rubbed his head, fighting the beginnings of a headache to appraise their surroundings. What had once seemed dead initially in his blurry vision gave way to magic. The ground was like diamond dust beneath their feet, the palace sprawling and elegant in white and silver, smallest hints of gold and crystal. A vast city spread out for miles behind the walls and much like his own home there were gardens, the foliage a silvered green and crystal fruit hung from their branches. It shimmered, and hummed with an overpowering magic that had his stomach feeling at ease from the transport. He wasn't too surprised to see Endymion nearly unaffected save for a small headache. His magic was already far more pronounced than his or any of his men.
Kunzite hadn't been prepared. He leaned on his pillar trying to regain some semblance of composure once he finally caught his breath and was able to take in a bit more of the mystical silver lands around him. All he knew was the double doors to the palace opened, Endymion stepped to stand in front of him and Zoisite stumbled to his feet, still rather pale himself. They were greeted with mostly familiar faces, all of them so beautiful it was hard to not be taken captive by them immediately because not a single one of them didn't demand attention.
Mercury shuffled to join the group of five girls, falling into a formation Kunzite would have known anywhere since it was the same amongst his men. Princess Serenity was in the center of them wearing a gown of white and silver and a horrible poker face upon seeing Endymion, giving his Prince a look that nauseated him all over again. He exhaled the breath he held slowly through his nose, not realizing he'd stopped breathing. Zoisite seemed no better, his green eyes were bugging out and he clenched his jaw tight lest it fall to the ground at the sight of the five girls. If Kunzite knew any better the youngest of The Four would have a nosebleed, and he discretely handed Zoi his handkerchief. Kunzite did well to hold his posture as usual, struggling to keep his face as stone because she immediately caught his eye right away, stealing any hopes he had of breathing.
Venus stood on Serenity's right side, as he now stood at Endymion's. She wore a gown of pale silk, she often wore gold, but in the the light like this she was the embodiment of it. The silk was damn near translucent, just opaque enough to not reveal more than the shadows of her legs but the fabric flowed like air around her as she walked making it only slightly less noticeable. This gown was no different than the others he'd seen her in, it had the high slits up the sides to her hip bones and exposed long and toned legs when she moved, today paired with gladiator sandals a darker gold shade that laced all the way up to her knees. Venus had paired the pale gold gown with a solid gold corset, a complimentary matching shade to her sandals, carved with intricate patterns and spanned the length of her torso stopping just under her breasts to push them up slightly in ways that made the blood rush from his brain. It did him no favors that when the corset caught the light, the intricate carvings of it shimmered and drew attention exactly to her chest. Her hair was unchanged, yet new to him by the light of day, held half back, straight and smooth, by a vibrantly red ribbon bringing forth the lustrous sheen of her golden hair and insanely blue eyes. She defied the white and silver around her, and seeing Aphrodite incarnate without the veil of night was blinding indeed. Kunzite found he had to focus harder on his breathing.
Princess Serenity introduced her girls one by one, the fact that most of them had already met a near obvious thing because if the Moon Princess was anything, it was a horrible liar. It was almost a spectacle of fun and games for her and his Prince who dramatically dropped to his knee as he would have normally to kiss her hand. The grins they snuck at each other, Endymion's particularly deviant, made Kunzite want to kick him right in the ass. He felt it suddenly, seeming to halt whatever antics taking place, hidden or no. It seemed Endymion and Zoisite felt it too, as though the floor had been ripped out from under their feet, a rippling power that worked out all the tension of his worried muscles and eased the stress he carried on his brow. It was exquisite, this awesome power, and it wiped the smirk right off Endymion's face, replacing it with utter awe as he was the first one of them to see her.
The Moon Goddess Serenity, Selene, or Selenity as some of their people called her stepped into the doorway, almost floating out onto the front entrance to the palace. She was rather tall in comparison to her daughter, arms long and slender at her side. Her face was so similar to the Princess' but nearly emotionless as Kunzite had always imagined Gods would be that probably had more to do with his lack of faith than anything else. Her eyes were a molten-like silver as though two coins were constantly being forged, hair an almost white, fair silver. Her skin poreless and pink, the same as the Princess who was more crystal to her Mother's silver.
Kunzite had never felt, or experienced a power like this before, holding himself back from quaking in her very presence that dominated, and drowned out the harmonious mixture of power frequencies he felt from the five girls previously. He and his men held strong, though he could feel Zoi's fingers wrap around his wrist, his green eyes wide in something like fear and complete fascination. Endymion impressed, not breaking a sweat in his approach to the silver Queen, bowing down to one knee so Kunzite and Zoi followed suit in respect. Queen Serenity had stopped beside her daughter, her eyes seeming to assess the three of them as they bowed before her, and Endymion offered his hand. Kunzite was surprised for some reason that the Queen slipped her slender hand in his, and he kissed it without missing a beat.
"Your Highness. I am Endymion, Prince of the Golden Kingdom of Elysium, representative of King Adrian of Earth. I proudly introduce General Kunzite, Commander of the Golden Army and King of the Middle East, and General Zoisite, my Royal Adviser and King of the European Sect of Earth." The Goddess rested eyes on Endymion, then himself, and Zoisite last, returning to his Prince who stood just in front of him. It was strange when she smiled, how her whole face shifted and became warm and beautiful when she regarded them.
"We so welcome you, beautiful Prince of Elysium and you're so gracious Heavenly Kings. Your reputations truly do you no justice." Queen Serenity smiled graciously and Kunzite fought to not roll his eyes. King Adrian hadn't been kidding when he said they were lovely, the Queen was peace incarnate if he'd ever experienced it and yet she welcomed them after so many generations of Endymion's family trying to make peace only to fall short. He knew she only agreed because of the Golden Crystal, that the Shitennou were a signal to her that Endymion could be the one to unite them. Her smile was warm, even genuine, and confusing to him. It would be easy to understand their contempt of his people if she wasn't so kind, just as his King described. Being a logical man as he was, it told him there was more to it all, and he was only a mere insect unworthy to ask for answers to such ancient secrets.
"A humble thank you for your warmth and hospitality. Your kingdom is breathtaking Your Highness, I look forward to seeing more of it." Endymion stood slowly, unwavering in his eye contact with the all powerful Goddess despite his affair with her daughter who appeared adorably impatient beside them. "I've brought gifts of our world, a large supply of wood as well as some of Earth's finer grasses and flora I am told do not linger on the Moon."
"You are far too generous Endymion, you have my sincerest gratitude." She placed a hand on the plate armor of his shoulder and gestured for him to walk with her, her smile beaming, almost a replication of the Princess Serenity and Kunzite wondered if the younger girl would fall victim to this colder Goddess-like stoicism as she aged. Even he hoped she'd stay as she was, the girl was radiant and sweet, undeserving to end up so wrathful and emotionless. Serenity flanked Endymion and her mother leaving the other four Princesses with the two Generals and the Mauan guardians. Kunzite offered introductions properly to the Jovian and Mercurian girls, deciding right away that he wasn't sure there was another woman in existence so meant for Nephrite than Jupiter. She was as warm and welcoming as his soldier, and far more beautiful than he could have imagined.
He watched the airy shift of her skirts as Venus stepped toward her guardian, resting a gentle hand on his arm for a few hushed words. The Mauan couple, who he still couldn't stop staring at with their cat eyes, pointed ears and small fanged smiles, gathered the small bit of luggage the men brought along with them and began to carry it off. He'd read about the Venusian's guardian though not much was written on him other than he was witness to her birth and Knighted on Venus as her guardian, he would remain at her side always. He didn't miss the looks the Mauan gave them, the clear disdain for their presence. Kunzite told himself he was just being protective of her. Hoping in fact, that Venus might have someone to look after her since it seemed she was always looking out for everyone else.
She approached him then, the gentle sway of her hips equally distracting as those flashes of her legs and hips as she sauntered to greet him. Venus was so out of place in this world of white and silver, only hints of gold laced into the landscapes and architecture, even the royal's clothing. There was no place for her hear among the silver moonlight when she was pure sunshine.
"Apologies for the rough transport General, I'm pleased to finally make your acquaintance." She gave him a smile, gentle- that sad expression laced in like the gold in her eyes into the fibers of her soul. Artemis had stared at the two together for a moment, thinking he saw something strange between them but shook it off almost visibly. His jaw clenched, staring down into her unwavering blue eyes a bit unnerved that unlike her Princess, Venus was an exceptional actress.
"The pleasure is mine Lady Venus, your hospitality is appreciated." Kunzite almost winced at his choice of words sparking some amusement in her big blue eyes and he found himself unable to look away. He did note the tension of her guardian as though he had just propositioned the young Goddess. It made Kunzite miss his own guardian, wishing that Zara could be present to see this momentous step forward for Earth. Knowing she would have been so proud.
"May I show you to your rooms now? I'm sure you'd like to get some rest before our meeting within the hour." Kunzite had been studying her, the light doing her so much justice and not enough at once. He could see the flawlessness of her, and the mess behind her eyes that he had yet to figure out. Venus was perfect as she was legendary for being in beauty, which he could vainly bask in now that he could see her clearly, and longed to see her golden tones beneath the Earthen Sun.
"Yes, thank you." His arm extended to her in offering as a gentleman might, needing to swallow a lump of nerves in his throat at the familiarity of which her slender arm laced with his. Today he was all formality and white gloves, so regrettably he couldn't feel her skin against his own. Just that hum of her power that got lost amongst the many wavelengths of it surrounding him that now sunk into his skin through his own thick uniform. He shifted attention to check on Zoisite who was relentlessly speaking with Mercury, anxious to ask his billion questions no doubt and yet he remained polite in his request for a tour. She accepted of course, turning a beet red shade as she took Zoi's arm while he spoke. He was a skilled diplomat so he wasn't concerned about him doing something he shouldn't, but proper as he was Zoi was a damn charming man when he tried.
His own escort settled into a rambling one sided conversation as she pointed out various areas of the castle as they walked. Kunzite's eyes drifted around him observantly at the almost absurd amount of very elegant pillars and tall windows, blue glass skylights that cast a dream like quality over the white stone and marble. He fell into comfortable silence, content to take in the baroque and intricate details of the palace around him in efforts to not pay too much attention to the girl on his arm lest he make a fool of himself by falling back under her spell. Her scent was distracting enough, different than the sweet aroma he'd initially noted upon arrival, and far better. He could feel her fingers toying with the cuff on his uniform jacket while she chattered on adorably, delicate fingers tracing the buttons and embroidery which was far distracting enough.
They walked quite deeply into the castle, she noted that the Inner Sanctum was off limits and gestured down one hallway that held stairs leading upward. Kunzite assumed that was the Royal Quarter and gave her a silent nod. She gestured up some stairs opposite of her at the juncture of the hallway.
"My room's up there...I mean the Senshi wing... is up there along with our best Mercurian library." He could almost see the sweat breaking on her brow, and Artemis stiffened, his ear seemed to shift strangely and Kunzite saw him turn an eye back at them with an annoyed expression. Meanwhile, she fumbled to explain the security reasons behind the proximity to these rooms after the fact like a child caught in a lie. Artemis walked ahead of them toward one of the doors, Luna passed them having dropped off Zoisite things and offered the trio a smile. He nodded back but guessed Artemis didn't return the sentiment. Venus cleared her throat and pulled him gently down the hall to stop by the door that Artemis had disappeared behind. Kunzite couldn't help but think how close he was to the rooms that belonged to her. "Here is your room General, I hope it is to your liking."
"I'm sure it will be remarkable." Kunzite offered her a half smile to which she bit her lip. It was a nervous habit he realized, although quite appealing. A gentle cough from Artemis snapped his attentions away from her lush petal-like lips as he passed them with a silent nod, his hair stark white and pin straight down his back almost like a long tail.
"Queen Serenity has insisted business take place today, I'm sure you received the agenda but the afternoon will be yours until this evening. We have arranged for dinner for everyone in the gardens later." Her eyes finally met his again and he was painfully aware they were alone in the hallway. Even Venus seemed to shift nervously on her feet. Kunzite felt somewhat smothered, her presence had such command over him and he wondered if everyone felt this around her. "Otherwise we meet in the conference room in an hour so you can get settled in the meantime. Please let us know at once if there is anything we can get for you."
"Thank you, Lady Venus." He took her small hand in his and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles. She bit her bottom lip again in a very appealing manner and offered a short curtsy. Kunzite's lips were tingling when he entered the room and began to close the door when he heard her voice again.
"General...I hope this meeting goes well, for all our sakes." She gave a small smile, genuine and warm and whipped around in a flurry of gold to catch up with her guardian. Unsure of what she meant, Kunzite shut the door, assessing the very white and silver room before him and pressed his gloved fingers to his lips where he'd kissed her hand and smiled. There were so many meanings behind her carefully placed words and gorgeous eyes and he set out to explore them each over the next hour.
Kunzite filed into the conference room behind Endymion, Zoisite at his back. Venus and Queen Serenity sat together at the end of a very long table and the Queen gestured for the men to join them with a graceful hand. Luna and Artemis filed in as well, taking seats a few apart from the rest of the group, ready to take notes. Kunzite watched in mild amusement as Venus's stare bore holes into Endymion when he spoke with Serenity. He tried with all his might to avoid looking at her for too long, but she had changed into her own uniform, and he struggled to not remember every moment of her bathing in that fountain in it, or that look in her eye.
Endymion began the meeting, speaking about what exactly the Silver Millennium had to benefit by easing Earth into their Alliance. It was compelling, passionate and well planned out thanks to the note that Venus had so graciously provided Endymion. Every now and again Kunzite got caught up by Venus, she was taking notes and chewing on the end of her pen in what looked like fear or excitement. She'd glance up at him briefly, each time her lips would curl in an unassuming little smile that made his heart flip. All the while, Endymion was basically selling himself and their planet to an alliance Kunzite wasn't so sure they'd fit in, even if the Prince thought otherwise. Their politics had never sat well with Zoisite and he was inclined to agree.
Kunzite spoke of the Golden Army, and the minor armies lead by his own kingdoms, various points on their wars, and his own diplomatic resolutions. He couldn't help but feel like he was just handing them classified information, with a reminding look from Endymion that they were to gain Queen Serenity's trust. He'd thought his speech out well, selling his own experience in combat, the organization he'd so painstakingly spent years to achieve, and outlined his training regimens. He knew Queen Serenity saw a hard and cruel man when she gazed upon him- his reputation was well known and he made a point to let her know that while it looked like barbarism to some cultures it was effective, but he'd never push a man beyond his limit, only sought to make them stronger. Furthermore, Kunzite was nothing of the Sultan she would know of the Middle East. He had been a child then, and even as a child he'd done more good than harm in efforts to prove he was not his Father.
Zoi gave his presentation on Terrans themselves, their scientific advances and human nature and even Earthen view of her Silver Millennium and it's potential conflicts within the Terran planet. He'd caught her eyes once or twice during the meeting in brief glances that would have been hard to detect, but as the meeting drew on and Zoisite kept talking they lingered a bit longer. The light quirk of a smile on her lips was beautiful and he wanted to make her smile always. Kunzite had a brief idea of Zoisite's presentation already but they'd been sitting there for hours and even he was starting to get antsy. Earth's Head General was not used to sitting still for too long. Not when a scrutinizing Goddess sat picking apart their very existence and a Venusian that embodied Love, Beauty, and Sex kept looking at him like that.
Endymion began his conclusion, a ringer even Kunzite didn't see coming. Perhaps he should have, but when Endymion proposed a potential joining of kingdoms in the future by marriage, all jaws in the room almost hit the table but Endymion didn't miss a beat. He explained that with help, he could be trained to draw out his magics and wield Earth's Golden Crystal. Earth would rely on a closer partnership with the Moon Kingdom to do so, careful to not bring the Silver Millennium into their agreement just yet. He was more than willing to combine their powers under Queen Serenity's rule and join her house. The Queen and Venusian looked like they were seeing wedding bells already and Kunzite was seeing a death sentence.
There were many outcomes to this that his mind started racing to untangle, including a planet wide uprising against the Golden Kingdom itself since Terrans feared these powerful beings. He also had to question if Endymion would turn his back on his own people for the sake of his love for Princess Serenity if it came down to it. They were dark thoughts, thoughts he'd sit down at his desk and decipher when he returned to his home. They warranted further discussion. Queen Serenity seemed intrigued of course, he would be too if he held all the power of the Galaxy in one hand with another hand held out to receive more. He liked Queen Serenity despite himself, but he didn't trust her. Not fully.
Kunzite hadn't been so relieved for a meeting to end. His uniform was almost as suffocating at the Moon Queen and her gracious smile, not to mention those small smiles and hidden glances exchanged from the Venusian. He was partially to blame but looking at her seemed to make it all easier for him to handle. Kunzite brushed his gloved hand across her own as Artemis ushered them from the room, unsure in the moment what he meant by it, perhaps it was like a playful last word in this little game they seemed to be playing.
He wasn't surprised that Zoisite disappeared almost immediately, all he'd spoken of the past week was having access to a Mercurian library and Kunzite assumed the man wasn't going to sleep this entire trip. Endymion offered him a wide grin, all too pleased to himself as he wrapped an arm around his shoulder and Kunzite followed him back to his rooms.
"I think that went well, don't you?" Endymion took a swig of the bottle that Kunzite brought with him, raking a hand through his ebony hair making it messier than it already was.
"I think that has yet to be determined." He responded, taking the bottle for a long drink. It was funny to him that he found that Artemis made him more nervous than the Queen. Kunzite was grateful the Mauan took the time to speak with him, but he definitely had that fatherly thing down rather well. "Venus seems to be a good ally to have on your side, since she brought you the information prior to the meeting..."
"Yeah... I just hope it's not Venus the Queen tries to pair me with if we link Kingdoms. It would make sense given her status." Kunzite almost spit out the bourbon in his mouth, it didn't go unnoticed by Endymion who laughed and continued to poke fun at him. "There is no denying her beauty is... well there aren't words... and I can't imagine bedding her would be boring..." Feelings Kunzite didn't know he possessed began to surface their ugly heads as he pictured Venus with his Prince. They'd be a striking couple... but he felt sick just thinking about it. "She's a bit much for me though... she's too much like you except she embodies the emotion you deny. Love is always messy and she is the embodiment of it... No, I won't go through with it if it's not Serenity."
The thought of having to serve Endymion the rest of his life with Venus as his Queen was torture. His Prince didn't see the Venusian for the complex creature she was. To his Prince she was a beautiful thing with an iron will and command that intimidated him. Her beauty and nothing else. The idea itself put knots in his stomach. It was true though, Serenity was simple- pure, honest and forward, sweet natured like his their late Queen had been. Someone to anchor him when he became an arrogant ass, and could even stand up to his vicious flirtatious teasing. Serenity was his match, no doubt. Except he did have doubts. About the whole thing.
"It seems that maybe the Venusian has caught your eye?" Endymion raised a knowing brow and took the bottle for a drink. Kunzite raised his own brows at his Prince and shook his head with a laugh.
"Endymion, marriage to the Venusian would be marriage to the entire Alliance, you know her limitations in regards to that. Yes, from a political standpoint it does make sense though currently she cannot marry which you would know had you done your reading. I've even caught you in some appreciating stares." Endymion laughed, classic Kunzite to avoid questions so smoothly.
"I just admitted she's beautiful beyond words... but her beauty is harsh, sharp somehow. Serenity is all soft and just as gorgeous as her golden counterpart." He took a drink, sighing when he swallowed the amber fluid. To him there was no comparing the two, even if they looked similar, it was clear to Kunzite who was more beautiful. "You never answered me. Has Venus caught your attention? We've all noticed you've been rather absent from your usual taverns and throngs of women. Jadeite thinks you've taken vows and joined the order."
"I have been quite busy Endymion." He frowned, the hard look his Prince gave him told that he wasn't getting out of this one alive. "Venus is beautiful, I will admit this and only this. Any attraction I harbor to her is based on that alone." He tossed his silver hair over his shoulder and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, hoping he could convince his brain to believe his words. "The ball is in your court Endymion- you could request marriage to Serenity. That would make the most sense to merge the Silver and Golden crystals, correct?" Kunzite said smoothly taking another drink before passing it to his prince.
"We only just met from what they know- I would prefer to do this properly if possible."
"Don't you know yet? Preference doesn't always work the way you want it to when you are royalty." Kunzite thought to himself, his pale grey eyes staring at his home planet from the balcony rail.
"I think you and I know this better than most Kunzite." Endymion peered at his General knowingly. Kunzite could easily see the King rising out of the young Prince and he was suddenly grateful that the man he served understood.
"Just know that I am not discontented by this destiny. You could be a tyrant." He smirked earning a laugh from Endymion.
"As far as I am concerned Kunzite, we are equals. You deserve this happiness as well." Kunzite frowned, he always said this to him but he never understood. Kunzite was never to let his guard down or Elysian could end up without a ruler, and he would be without a brother. He would never marry or bear a son- a decision he'd set in stone when Endymion became so determined to wield the Golden Crystal, which would in turn, create unknown long lives for himself and the Shitennou. No, he'd never leave Endymion's side. No one else could protect him the way he could and if they all lived forever, then he would forever be by his Prince's side.
"We've had this talk Endymion." He retorted darkly.
"It doesn't make me believe it less." Endymion placed a hand on Kunzite's shoulder, his blue eyes locked with Kunzite's grey and he felt that love all over again. He felt so much and knew too little, but he loved his Prince all the same. "Come on, we don't want to be late for this dinner."
Kunzite sighed, staring down at the bottle in his hand while Endymion left the balcony. Admiring the landscape beyond the railing, the Earth hanging in the sky beyond the horizon was a momentary breath he allowed himself. Being on the Moon was beyond any realm of reality Kunzite knew, human nature allowing him to feel fear of it, the thrill and excitement of being on another world entirely. One of many forbidden worlds he knew to exist that had only been written in the mythology of their own story riddled world. Endymion called to him impatiently, forcing Kunzite abandon the bottle of liquor on his balcony.
He paused to run fingers through his long silver hair to ensure it still looked proper before he put his white gloves back on. He was prepared to play the diplomat, be proper and polite. Silence had always served him well unless there was something of importance to say. Silence had been his solace when he was young and his curiosity landed him with broken noses, black eyes, and welts from the brutality of his Father. Tonight Kunzite resolved that he would speak, openly and freely to those otherwise forbidden to him, one person came to mind of course as he rolled his eyes when Endymion ordered him to move his ass. Not many knew the boundless curiosity he harbored, the questions left unasked because he'd been taught so young that it was a burden worthy of violence.
"Come on, oh fearless Commander!" Zoisite had joined in on Endymion's impatience, both standing in the doorway to his rooms when Kunzite came in from outside. He simply gave them a hard look, gesturing for them to clear the doorway so they could leave. Perhaps it was being away from Elysium and all those hard worked duties, but he felt excitement for the first time in a long time for a social gathering. Fear as well because he knew that while they needed to stay professional, curiosity was a very dangerous thing to have.