A/N: Welcome back! It's been a while. So what has happened? I have moved and started a new education that needs it's students to be 100 % on board... so yeah ^^''
I have sorta felt uninspired since the feedback has not been that great, but I'll keep trying. Very slow though. This chapter was meant to be double as long but you guys have been waiting for a long time... the readers who are still interested in this story anyway xD
Side note! Nega Minako's outfit was inspired by this artwork. Check it out, this artist is amazing!
art/Minako-aino-sailor-venus-431572894
ENJOY THIS CHAPTER!
No surprise... more crystal walls and floors.
The bedchambers that had been provided for the Shitennou were split up into four but joined together in a sitting room.
There stood Kunzite looking out of the massive stained-glass windows. He had removed his cape and jacket, revealing a white tunic. Nephrite, Jadeite and Zoisite were moping around somewhere else in the palace.
Kunzite had hardly slept that night. He had mostly just thought about a way for him and his brothers to leave this place and return home, it was his duty as their leader to figure this out. Maybe their Senshi knew? Perhaps I should try to get contact with Venus and – Hell, what am I thinking?
There was no need for those girls, and Kunzite got a bitter taste in his mouth when he thought about joining forces with the enemy.
Suddenly the double doors swung open with a bang and a certain blonde walked in. ''Knock! Knock!''
Just her very presence gave Kunzite a headache. He sighed in annoyance.
Aphrina swayed with her hips as she walked towards him. She was not transformed; instead she wore a red short dress complemented with a necklace. It was a golden locket tied to a black chain, and she also wore a blue jeans jacket and black boots.
''I had a feeling you were up,'' she mused and lay a hand on her hip. ''I need to discuss something with you.''
Kunzite grunted, ''What could we possibly have to discuss with one another?''
The corners of the lips turned upwards. ''Show us where the Golden kingdom is.''
There was a brief pause. ''What?'' Kunzite questioned.
Aphrina made gestures left and right with her hands. ''Dark Kingdom, Golden Kingdom, call it whatever you want – Just bring us there.''
''Why should we help you invade our home?''
''Technically it's not your home,'' she let two of her fingers walk on his chest. ''And think about it, you can achieve your goal as well, thanks to this deal.''
Kunzite pushed her fingers off him. ''Our goal?''
''To kill your Sailor Senshi of course… We can help each other.''
''What makes you think we need your help?''
''Don't get cocky with me sir.'' Her choice of words made Kunzite lift one eyebrow. ''Remember, we already got Nephrite, you got zero.'' Her thumb and pointy finger created an o and she looked through the ring like a telescope.
Kunzite stood still half turned towards her, and he let his eyes scan her up and down. He tried to spot all the differences between Aphrina and Minako. He had always thought Venus beautiful – Why deny what was clear as day? She was a worthy opponent as well. But for some reason, Aphrina was very off compared to her, odd since they are identical. How come he's just attracted to one? Maybe it had something to do with this girl's attitude? Aphrina was a snake for sure, and her choice in wardrobe –
Suddenly something sparked in his grey eyes. His gloved hand flew up and clasped Aphrina around her throat in a choking hold.
She let out a yelp of surprise but let her arms dangle at her sides.
Kunzite smirked. ''You are not transformed.''
''Nooo?'' she managed to choke out her confused response.
''You don't have your brooch.''
Aphrina let out a faint laugh as her hand reached up to her chest and she pointed at her locket. Kunzite narrowed his eyes and saw the Venus symbol on top. It was her transformation object. As she held it, she let her pointy finger tap on the symbol.
The symbol lit up, then the locket opened and started draining Kunzite's energy. He has no choice but to let her go as his weak body made him sink down to his knees. So this is how it feels to get your energy taken. His head hurt and all the muscles in his whole body pulsed with exhaustion. The ground became like a magnet and he was the metal scrap.
Aphrina stopped and closed the locket. Kunzite took heavy breaths and he coughed.
''There, there, you will recover soon.'' She took a hold around Kunzites chin and made him look up at her. Her sweet tone switched and became menacing, her eyes turned dark. ''Listen up! You Shitennou are gonna help us no matter what. You should be glad that we are offering our help to eliminate your enemy. If anyone knows those girls tactic, it's us… we are twins after all.'' She laughed at her little joke. ''Are we agreed?''
Kunzite looked up at her blue trickster eyes. No matter what huh? They want this Golden Kingdom, and we want the silver crystal. He closed his eyes when he realized he was giving in.
And with a bitter tone he answered hoarsely, ''Fine, we are agreed.''
''Yay~! Let me reward you for your cooperation.'' Kunzite eyes widened and his body went stiff as Aphrina bent down and gave him a steaming, deep kiss.
While the woman traced her fingers though his hair and made sexual noises, Kunzite remained not blinking and gave her nothing in return.
A moment went by and Aphrina backed away. Her tongue licked her pink lips. ''Hm… strange…'' she hummed. ''Not the same… too bad.''
She turned on her heels and walked out of the room leaving a disgusted Kunzite.
Jadeite stood by the threshold, leaning against the wall casually with his arms crossed. In the middle of this circled room was a round stone firepot. The fire shifted color, shape and size thanks to the raven haired beauty standing before it.
There was an opening at the ceiling giving the fire air and the smoke a way to escape. She stood with her eyes closed and her palms turned towards the hot element.
She wore a sleeveless half white half black top, a black skirt and on her feet, red wedge sandals. Around her neck was a red locket tied to a black chain. Her hair was still in a high ponytail and she wore a diadem. It made Jadeite realize how nice it looked let down. But still… very desirable.
''How long are you planning to just stand there?'' she spoked suddenly, not turning. ''You have no business here, leave!''
''Why so hostile?'' Jadeite started walking towards her. Still she did not turn. ''I'm being charming here, yet all you do is giving me looks of hate.''
Now she turned to look at him, her violet eyes narrowed.
''Yes…'' Jadeite said in a hushed tone, his eyes sparked with excitement. ''That's the look.'' Just like her, he thought.
''You are anything but charming,'' she hissed. ''He has always been a pain and you are no different.''
Jadeite frowned at her tone when mentioning him. Sure, his Mars had a bite to her, but this girl seemed to have grudge against him or something. ''It feels like there's something you're not telling me, Rei.''
''My name is Rehana!''
Mars, Rei, Rehana… it's hard to keep track anymore which names these ladies preferred.
''And I don't have the need to tell you anything! Tell me what you want then get lost!''
Rehana gasped in surprise when Jadeite suddenly brought his arm around her waist and drew her in, pressing her front body against his.
The general had a smirk on his lips, and he spoke playfully with a hoarse voice. ''Oh, I want something alright.''
Her eyes became bigger with disbelief. ''You gotta be kidding me…?''
''You can't deny that we are attracted to each other.'' He grasped one strand of raven hair and brought it to his lips, close enough for his sense of smell to pick up her perfume. ''I bet you're just being grumpy because you can't be honest with your true feelings.''
He let go of her hair, letting it fall back into place, before he closed his eyes and began leaning down towards her lips. But Jadeite didn't get his wish, as Rehana uttered the words, ''Wow… you are so sad.''
His eyes blinked opened and he leaned back in confusion. ''W-what?''
''You are so pathetic,'' Rehana pushed his arms away from her.
Now she began moving around him, circling him as she spoke, ''You are not here for me, not really. This is clearly special. This attempt to seduce me is because of your Sailor Mars, isn't it?'' Jadeite narrowed his eyes as he followed her every move. He could feel a bit of sweat on his forehead and his heartbeat increased it's speed.
She continued, ''It's so obvious that you are madly in love with her, but you can't have her because she is your enemy, so now you´re trying to live out your dirty fantasies through me.'' She stopped in front of him.
''It's so sad it's funny!'' Her laughter echoed and her words burned inside Jadeite's head so much it hurt. She was mocking him! He clenched his fists so hard they shook. Rehana noticed his anger.
''Aw… don't be grumpy,'' she leaned against him and brought her glossy lips to his ear where she whispered her final words. ''As you said; just be honest with your true feelings, General.''
Jadeite didn't move a muscle as she moved past him, again overwhelmed with laughter. The fire ceased to burn, and in the now darkened room, he stood alone. From under his boots, the floor turned into ice.
Such foolish girls, Zoisite thought as he hid behind one of the pillars at the foot of the massive stairs. By letting us roam around freely we can attack them whenever the time is perfect.
Just as he had predicted, the one Senshi who was on his mind was now walking down the stairs. Zoisite leaned back to stay hidden from view as he listened to the sound of her boots making contact with the hard crystal material of the stairs.
He took a peak around the pillar and saw the back of the blue Senshi as she descended from the last set of stairs and proceeded to walk towards the exit. Even though her hair was longer, her uniform revealed plenty of her silky upper back.
Zoisite's green eyes shined with mischief, his mouth opened to reveal his teeth in a playful smile. Got you know little one.
He moved up quietly behind her, summoned a bunch of flower pedals which formed into a knife shaped object and then became ready to strike!
''Goodnight! Senshi!'' The knife went through her body and pierced the floors, cracking it.
Zoisite was about to laugh in triumph, but then… Mercury's body made a static twitch and vanished into thin air.
He stumbled a bit when he realized it had been a double!
''Deja Vu…'' he mumbled, remembering the battle with Mercury before they were sucked into the portal..
''You didn't think I would notice you following me?'' the familiar female voice rang out.
Zoisite turned and saw the real Orithyia walking down the stairs. ''Be glad that I won't report this.''
''I guess the first round goes to you, my lady.'' He made a mocking bow as she walked past him, not responding to him.
Zoisite followed her as she moved to the palace exit.
Ori turned to look at the General. ''You can't walk in the city with me looking like that.''
Zoisite raised one eyebrow at the blue Senshi. ''Oh, you mean you can go out in your uniform, but I can't?''
Ori looked down at her transformed self. She then sneered and pushed her blue hair back over her shoulder.
She let go of her transformation and revealed a blue knitted sweater and dark blue tight jeans. Around her neck she wore a blue locket attached to a black chain, and on her feet she wore a pair of black ballerina slippers.
''I can,'' answering his question. ''But I don't want to bring any attention to myself when I go to the library. So please… don't be stupid.''
Zoi rolled his eyes. He then stood there thinking for a moment about his choice for a disguise. He finally took his pick as his uniformed was replaced with a pair of dark brown slim jeans, a grey belted jacket over a bronze cardigan and white top, and a green scarf around his neck. He also wore a pair of black high level boots.
''Always need something to match your eyes…'' Ori sighed, pointing out his scarf.
''Makes the ladies take notice as you clearly have proven just now.''
Ori rolled her eyes and turned to walk away. ''Whatever…''
The walk from the palace to city central wasn't that long. Zoisite took notice that Serenity's palace really stood in the middle of it all. The way it laid on crushed buildings made it look like it had just fallen from the sky and smashed everything under it. He thought of the possibility that people might have died, but just for a second before brushing it off.
He followed Orithyia into a small library corner. It was modern. The glass door opened by itself when the two entered. The floors where made of white carpet and the walls decorated with blue wallpaper with light wooden panels. The skylight brightened up the place with natural sun light.
Ori soon picked up some books and found a free table in a corner where she sat down and began her reading. Zoisite sat down at the opposite side of her and just stared.
Why did he come again? Maybe he was curious about this new Mercury, wanted to pick at her brain? Where the two girls even alike?
Zoisite suddenly leaned forward, and with one finger tilted Ori's head up to look at him. Her blue eyes meeting green. His thumb drew a line on her lower pink lip.
''What the hell are you doing?'' Ori grunted and pushed his hand away.
No sign of embarrassment on the girl's face. Not even a blush. For some reason, it made Zoisite feel irritated. He didn't even bother to answer Ori's question as he leaned back once again and started to rock his chair back and forth. He sighed.
Ori looked at him annoyed. ''If you are bored, why don't you just leave?''
He stopped rocking. ''Oh, you trust me to walk around freely?''
Ori raised one eyebrow. ''Where would you go?''
Good point… Damn it!
The blue haired girl shook her head at the man, and then tried to return to the world in the book she was holding. But then suddenly she caught the sound of giggles. Ori's head remained lowered but her eyes looked up to the left side and saw a young couple leaning against the bookshelves flirting with each other.
Ori saw the boy caressing the girl's waist and leaned in for a quick kiss. The couple laughed.
''Disgusting!'' Ori hissed. ''Don't they know this is a public place?''
The couple kissed again and Ori slammed the book down onto the table making Zoisite jump in his seat. He watched her as she took hold of her locket, her eyes menacing and she took one breath and the locket opened itself revealing a dark blue light. The light was small, yet noticeable. Someone might have seen it if the two had not seated themselves in a damp corner of the library with hardly any people walking around. Those who were were busy with their readings.
Ori closed her eyes, focusing.
The couple suddenly stopped laughing and began to wobble. The girl was the first to say, ''I… I don't feel so… good…'' They stumbled against the bookshelf – holding on to each other but their bodies were failing them.
Zoi looked on with a blunt expression as something familiar started oozing from the couple. A mist of fresh human energy, and it was being sucked by Nega Mercury's locket.
The corners of Ori's mouth turn up to form a smirk when she heard the couple finally hitting the floor with a thud.
Few people around them saw it happen and rushed over to them to aid them. Panicked voices asked if they were okay and someone called for an ambulance.
Zoi turned his head to only look at Mercury and her locket. Her hand holding the item started to shake as it engulfed the last bit of energy. Then her closed eyes snapped open and Zoi's own eyes widened slightly as he saw her eyes shining like the same blue light coming from the locket.
Ori took once again a breath, the item closed itself, disguising it as a simple fashion accessory, and her eyes turned normal as her gaze took focus again.
Ori sighed, then leaned back and started caressing the locket with her blue nail polished fingers. She giggled under her breath. ''Just what I needed''
The way her eyes flashed with greed, made Zoisite feel unsettled. To see Mercury like this felt so disturbingly wrong for some reason. Maybe he just liked his Mercury because she was such fun to tease, and so easily affected by his tricks?
The general turned and bit the inside of his cheek when he realized. Fuck… I miss that damn Senshi!
Nephrite leaned casually against the wall and with his arms crossed. Instead of his usual uniform he wore a white shirt with two buttons unattached, a brown leather jacket and grey jeans, and on his feet he wore a pair of nice black shoes.
His brown eyes scanned the gym floors, counting all the people lying unconscious after Jupiter's little jewelry trick. Why had he followed her here anyway? She said she was going to the gym and he was bored as hell.
Athena had marched right in, pulled forth her locket – green light and smoke – then bam! – The human's hit the floor.
Now she was practicing kicks and punches on the punching bag like nothing even happened.
Nephrite made a glance at the green stone that Athena had places on her towel on one of the benches before her turned back to the woman.
''So you can steal energy without using a Youma?'' he asked.
Athena kept on punching. ''What is a Youma?''
A frown made itself visible on Nephrite's forehead. ''They are monsters we use to drain energy.''
''You don't even do the work yourselves?'' she laughed, ''How pitiful.''
''Hey! We don't have the power to drain energy, we collect it!''
''Obviously you don't have the power to drain energy, you were never meant to.'' She gave the punching bag a kick to the side.
''Still going on about this Terran thing?''
''Whatever dude, you don't need to listen to me.''
Nephrite scoffed and turned his eyes to the side in boredom. Then a pulse of… something made him look over at the gym bag Athena had placed on one of the benches. On the bag was a towel, and on the towel was… the red stone. Soul stone, was it?
Somehow, it was pulling him towards it, like it wanted him to take it. Nephrite walked over to the bench as if he was in a trance, the world around him forgotten. He knelt down to look at the stone's every detail. The bronze red color, the perfect emerald cut… He reached forward, his fingers almost touching it… but he was stopped by a kick to his face. He landed on his back, hard. The side of his face was in pain and was burning red. He was in shock by the sudden hit, but still managed to snarl at her.
''Do you have a death wish?'' Athena growled at him and picked up the stone. ''Guess I have to keep him close from now on… what a pain.''
This little event made Nephrite realize two things.
1. He hated this Jupiter!
2. She really didn't want him laying his hands on the stone. So that raises the question… what would happen if he took it?
A/N: The Nephite and Nega Makoto may seem short, but that's all I could think about and what was needed for the scene.
Next chapter we go back to our goody goody sailor senshi.