Chapter 7 Romance is in the Air
Kunzite closed his eyes as he felt the whip connect with his back once again. Jadeite, still fuming over the insult the week before and Kunzite's subsequent disappearance after the two left the throne room, was taking his fury out on Kunzite with a leather whip. The two had been together in the small room for nearly two hours; Kunzite was tied to the wall, the sharp metal bonds cutting into his wrists.
"So you must truly love our Chambermaid Queen. Has she been teaching you the finer arts required to be a truly pristine Chambermaid?" Kunzite asked with absolutely no indication that he was injured in the least. Jadeite growled angrily as he brought the whip down harshly on the general's blood soaked back.
"This bastard never stops does he?" Naru asked as she walked in, Nephrite at her side and Zoisite trailing after. Jadeite scoffed and dropped the whip before he pushed out of the room. Zoisite walked to Kunzite's side as Naru said, "Hey Nephie-kun have you a knife?"
"There's a knife in my boot if you'd like," Kunzite said with a grin. Naru took Kunzite's knife as Zoisite grimaced. The short redheaded girl quickly and efficiently tied the knife to the whip and took a step back. Kunzite smirked at Zoisite and added happily, "Anything the Chambermaid Princess requires shall be hers. I do hope cleaning out the Great Queen's chamber pot isn't too rough on those delicate and sensitive hands of yours dearest Princess Chambermaid."
Naru brought the improved whip down on Kunzite's back and the general bit back a cry of pain. Zoisite moved away from the oldest general with a sad scowl. He muttered, "No sense of self preservation. None whatsoever."
Zoisite bit his tongue as he walked from the room. He could hear the occasional cry of pain as the knife dug further into his back than the whip could. Zoisite leaned against the wall and listened as the afternoon continued into evening. Several members of the Dark Kingdom walked past shaking their heads at the general's foolish behavior, but none dared to comment aloud.
Zoisite waited until Naru and Nephrite left the room before he dared walk back in. He frowned at the bloody mess, and slowly walked to Kunzite's side. Kunzite was breathing heavily as he grinned up at Zoisite. The younger general moved to leave when Kunzite's rough whisper stopped him, "It isn't near as bad as it looks. Would you please help me down Zoisite?"
Zoisite blinked and then blinked again when he noted most of the blood had vanished. He looked over Kunzite's back and noted that he had less marks than just moments before and he stepped closer. He poked the older general, checking to make sure the wound was real, and Kunzite hissed in pain. Zoisite blinked again and asked, "How?"
"Illusions, and I make one hell of a shield…only I couldn't keep it up all the time, it's really draining," Kunzite explained, a slight blush on his face. Zoisite nodded and removed Kunzite's bonds. The white haired general nearly collapsed on the floor, but Zoisite caught him and cautiously escorted him back to his room.
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Makoto Kino grinned as she surveyed her new room. She'd spent the last two hours unpacking all of her possessions and carefully arranging them. She turned and her grin grew as she spotted her brother Umino peek into the room. He grinned and asked, "Finished? Let's go get some food."
"Sure," Makoto said as she looked over her room once more. Satisfied she rushed from the room and followed her brother out of their apartment. They quietly walked down the streets admiring the sights. During their shortcut through the local park Makoto spotted a peculiar blond talking with a two men who seemed to be arguing, but she quickly focused on other things as they passed. She turned her gaze to a blue-haired girl and a black haired boy who were sharing a picnic under a tree. She smiled at the scene and followed her brother from the park.
"Hey there beautiful. Would you care to join me for a drink?" a smooth voice whispered in Makoto's ear as a gentle hand closed around her wrist. Makoto reacted immediately and turned to face her opponent. In a smooth action Makoto used the force of her spinning around to drive her fist into the tall man's face. He fell backwards as Umino stepped between Makoto and the man. Brown eyes looked up at Umino from beneath brown hair tinged red as Umino stepped on the man's hand.
"Touch my little sister again and I'll kill you," Umino said as he knelt close to the stranger. Umino's normally calm eyes held a sharp trace of anger that made the older man gulp nervously. The man nodded as Umino stood and crossed the street, Makoto at his side. She glanced back once to see the man slowly rise, cradling his sore hand.
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Ami grinned at Ryo as the two quietly watched the clouds. She was content just sitting around acting like a normal teenager. Tomorrow she was planning on thanking Usagi for suggesting the get together, but that could wait. A soft blush stained her cheeks as she gazed over at Ryo who was humming to himself.
"Ami, I'm glad that we're here today. It's so peaceful; you can almost forget everything else exists." Ryo whispered as he gently wrapped his fingers around Ami's. Ami gently squeezed his fingers in acknowledgement and continued to watch the clouds.
"I'm happy too," Ami whispered.
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Kunzite hissed in pain as Zoisite placed the last bandage on his back. Zoisite tsked and glanced around Kunzite's room as he said, "You should know better. Why did you anger them so much…better still why in Hell's name did you offer your dagger to Naru-san"
"Nephrite's blades hurt worse…they all have jagged edges, and tend to be covered in rust. I figured it would be better this way," Kunzite said quietly. He slowly pulled on a black dress shirt and stood. Zoisite watched the older general with a cautious eye, and wasn't surprised when the man nearly fell.
"You should rest," Zoisite said.
"I will, once I'm sure She's safe." Kunzite murmured as he slowly faded from Zoisite's arms. The younger general cursed and followed Kunzite.
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"Princess you should leave. This man's dangerous," Peruru said as he stepped between Usagi and the blond man angrily glaring at them.
"She won't get far, I'll kill both of you, slowly and painfully… so Kunzite learns his lesson." The blond growled as a sword materialized in his hand. Usagi gasped and took a step back as Peruru growled.
"Princess run, as far and as fast as you can," Peruru yelled.
Usagi took several steps forward until she stood beside Peruru and whispered, "No."
"Princess…you can't stay, he's serious." Peruru said.
"I know."
"You'll both die here," the man yelled as he charged towards Usagi. Her soft blue eyes narrowed into an angry scowl. Peruru turned his attention from the man to the dark portal Kunzite was falling out of before he looked back. His body moved before he had time to think everything through. He pushed Usagi aside and took the full force of the blond's attack.
"Peruru!" two voices screamed as the sword was pulled from his body. Usagi shook as the blond grinned evilly at her and Peruru collapsed to his knees. She watched in shock and horror as the man quickly slit Peruru's throat, blood splattering across the grass, the man and Usagi. The blond man smirked and moved to strike Usagi when she was suddenly pulled into Kunzite's arms. The general shook as both he and Usagi faded from sight.
"Bastard! What in Hell's name do you think you're doing you damned moron?" Zoisite said as he grabbed Jadeite and slammed him into a tree before he slammed a fist into the blond's stomach. A second fist landed on the general's jaw with painful accuracy sending the man to the ground.
Jadeite spit blond out and turned to face Zoisite. He held his stomach and slowly levered himself to his feet. Zoisite glared hatred as Jadeite said, "Punishing Kunzite."
"Moron, have you forgotten everything in your infantile rage?" Zoisite asked as he clenched his fists.
"The damned moron's less help than a shadow," Jadeite said. Zoisite stepped close again and landed a quick succession on blows, once again knocking the younger general to the ground.
"I don't care how much you hate Kunzite. I don't care if you feel the desire to punish the moron but you've endangered everything we've worked for!" Zoisite growled angrily. Jadeite growled softly to himself and stood once more. He threw himself at Zoisite and tried to hit the older man. Zoisite angrily grabbed the arm aimed for his head, growled and swiftly broke the young general's arm. With his other arm Zoisite quickly punched Jadeite's stomach, winding the man. "Come on you moronic bastard. I can't believe you were stupid enough to fail our Queen for something as petty as anger at a fellow general."
"Bastard…" Jadeite whispered as he slipped into unconsciousness.
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"Peruru…Peruru's dead…" Usagi whispered as she cried into Kunzite's shoulder. She could feel Kunzite's tears falling onto her shoulder as the two sought comfort in each other. The two sat together as hours passed and their grief hung close. After hours Usagi finally moved away from Kunzite and looked at her surroundings. A soft gasp left her lips as she spotted the ruins of an old kingdom, the serene image of Earth hovering in the background. "Where?"
"The Moon…what's left of Her Kingdom. I… I didn't know where else to go, Princess Usagi. I come here to remember; promises, the deceased, everything. You were of this place in a distant past… as I was. You and I. and dozens of other were revived by the great Queen of this place. We are Her legacy, Her hope. Most will never know of this place, they'll never remember, but…. I remember….I alone remember everything, and everyone. I… I wanted to protect them all, you and Peruru….and everyone She fought for…"
Kunzite stopped talking as he was overcome with the weight of his grief, and failure to protect. Usagi looked around once more before she hugged Kunzite close and cried with him. They cried for Peruru, for the Moon Kingdom, and the lost dream that was the Queen's greatest wish.
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Mamoru groaned as he looked up from his book and glanced at his best friend. The blond was finishing closing the arcade, Reika at his side talking happily. Mamoru grinned at the happy couple and packed up his books. He slowly walked from the arcade, waving to his friends who were dancing around the deserted arcade, and walked home. After a short walk Mamoru entered his apartment building and took the elevator to his floor.
Once the doors opened Mamoru exited the elevator and groaned softly. Sitting beside his door looking like a kicked puppy was his uncle. Mamoru sighed and slowly walked towards the man who had raised him since he was eight years old. The man stood as he heard Mamoru's approach and studied the young man before him. "Hello Mamoru."
"Uncle Goh, what happened?" Mamoru asked as he pointed at the man's black eye. Goh blushed slightly and lowered his head as Mamoru opened the door to his apartment. The two men stepped inside and took off their shoes.
"A dazzling brunette with a fist like iron, and her brother had quite a bit of a protective streak," Goh said as he gently rubbed his sore hand. Mamoru hung his head, shame and humiliation, clouding his thoughts. He purposely walked to the guest room, locked the door and closed it before he entered his own room. Once he was safely locked in his own room he dropped his bag on the floor. "Mamoru?"
"Sleep on the couch... I'm going to bed," Mamoru muttered as he collapsed on his bed.
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The next afternoon Kunzite walked into Queen Beryl's throne room followed by a myriad of whispers. Zoisite, Nephrite and Naru watched from the shadows as the man drifted across the floor, his natural flare for life missing. Even Naru, who knew very little of the man, felt a pull at her heart seeing the despair written so clearly on the man's face. The only person in the room who seemed pleased with Kunzite's despair was the man responsible, Jadeite.
Jadeite, his arm in a sling and moving as little as possible so as not to disturb his bruised ribs, waved at Kunzite with a cheeky grin. There was no reaction from the man aimlessly wandering across the floor, and Jadeite's smile wavered. Queen Beryl walked into the room and sat at her throne with a malicious grin of her own. She was pleased to see Kunzite wasn't acting like his usual self.
"Jadeite, how is the energy collection going?" Queen Beryl asked.
"It's progressing smoothly my Queen," Jadeite said with a bow.
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Usagi slowly walked through the park, her blue eyes dull with grief. She was headed for the Rose Garden seeking to calm the storm raging in her heart. The image of Peruru's death was haunting her, making sleep difficult, and the memories of him hard to endure. Nature's natural quiet helped ease some of her pain as she continued on her long walk.
Usagi rounded a corner on the path and gasped in shock, dozens of people were collapsed on the pavement around a small boy with a turtle backpack on. The boy turned revealing a turtle on his shirt and a frightening look of pure insanity. She took a shaky step backwards as the monster sent a stream of dark energy towards her.
Usagi fell to the ground as a tall woman appeared between her and the monster. The woman took the blast meant for Usagi and merely growled in anger before she turned to fight. Tears slipped form Usagi's eyes as she raced from the park, grief and despair filling her soul.
Sailor Pluto, an angry burn on her shoulder glared heatedly at the boy smirking at her. The two stared for a few seconds before Pluto calmly and deliberately whispered, "Dead Scream."
The monster jumped to the side, a second attack already aimed and the lone scout. Pluto dodged, the blast destroying the pavement she'd been standing on seconds before. A growl slipped from Pluto's lips as she landed safely in a tree and examined the boy. Pluto shot off another attack but the monster dodged again.
Pluto was furious as she raced in close to the monster. She used her staff and knocked the monster off his feet before she fired another attack. This attack hit the monster and it faded away with a shriek of pain. She winced, the monster's last attack had hit her as well, but she had won so she smirked viciously. She took a deep calming breath and tried to return to the Time Gate.
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Kunzite watched the sun sink and tried to smile; Peruru loved sunsets. Despair still clear in Kunzite's eyes he turned from the window and gazed around the crowded throne room. He had heard the whispers, and dealt with the scorn for not helping the Dark Kingdom, and now he was going to fight in his own way. He walked towards the center of the throne room, bowed slightly to Queen Beryl and said, "My dearest Queen it appears that I've been acting quite foolishly. For my actions I offer you my sincerest apologies and I now wish to repent."
"Oh, really?" Queen Beryl asked as she leaned forward and gazed intently at the white haired general.
"But of course, Dear Queen Chambermaid. I should not have let my despair cloud my ability to see the wretch of a creature you are. In all honesty I do believe I've met sludge with more admirable qualities than you possess. I must now bid you farewell, Almighty Queen of Chamber pots. I've better things to attend to than your infinitesimal brain could possible comprehend, like read a book." Kunzite said as he faded from the throne room leaving Queen Beryl fuming. Jadeite, after a look promising a long drawn out death from Zoisite, sighed in dismay but said nothing.
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Kunzite closed his eyes in despair as he knocked on Mamoru's apartment door. He'd done his best to act as he used to but it felt empty, and he was alone. After a few moments Mamoru opened the door and ushered his friend inside. Kunzite told Mamoru everything, from Peruru's death to his involvement with the Dark Kingdom and Mamoru quietly listened. When Kunzite was finished Mamoru asked, "None of that was a lie?"
"Not a word…I can't go back… I'm…." Kunzite shook with grief and shame as the apartment door swung open again. Mamoru's uncle walked into the apartment with a grin and Mamoru pulled Kunzite to a standing position.
As Mamoru led Kunzite to the guest room he called back, "You're sleeping on the couch Uncle. Kunzite's moving in, so there's no longer a guest room. Sorry."
"But…" both men muttered as Mamoru pushed Kunzite into the spare room. They both stared as Mamoru casually walked into his room and closed the door. Kunzite looked back at the older man and saw that he was already pulling out a spare pillow and blankets so he could sleep on the couch.
"Sleep Kunzite. Mamoru is right; a roommate gets the second room, while an impromptu guest gets the couch." Goh said as he turned off the lights. Kunzite smiled softly and went to sleep.
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After several hours of failed attempts to return home Sailor Pluto detransformed in and went in search of a hotel.