Chapter 10

"Jedite! Nephrite!" Beryl yelled when the two men appeared in the throne room, "What is the meaning of this?"

"We were outnumbered," Jedite said coldly, looking at the floor in front of Beryl, "the Senshi and their warrior were too much for the dragons.."

"And Kunzite," Nephrite cut in falling to his knees, "Minako killed him."

Beryl looked at the remaining minions. Her troops were dwindling, and with all but Aldwin's soul destroyed, the portal sealed leaving only six dragons, four of which were now destroyed. "We'll strike again tomorrow," Beryl said, "This time, you'll take an army of Youma as well."

The remaining Shitennou left the room defeated. "He's really gone," Nephrite sighed collapsing in front of his door, "He might have been mean but, I never wanted him dead."

"Well he's gone," Jedite said sharply, "No sense in dwelling on the past, better just listen to Beryl's orders. You're a fool for listening to your feelings."

Jedite slammed his door leaving Nephrite alone in the hall. Nephrite sat for a moment, alone, Jedite's cold words echo in his mind. I've never followed my emotions, he thought, I mourn the loss of our leader, but, I'm generally so cold inside. So why does feeling something now feel so natural.

The dining hall was silent as the war worn fighters gathered around the table. Ziosite and the dragonborn were the last to walk in, carrying Kunzites limp body. They laid him down on a clear section of table and stepped away, heads down looking at the floor. Ziosite chanced a look up to search for Minako. He found her head buried in her arms in the corner of the room.

The dragonborn moved to stand beside him, "He's still alive, barely, but he's still there." He said quietly, but loud enough for Ziosite to hear, "If he's on our side, then I can revive him to full health."

"From Minako's reaction, I know he's on our side," Ziosite said, "It would possibly help our battle if he were revived."

"Then for the sake of our battle against the woman who bares Aldwin's soul," the dragonborn declared stepping toward Kunzite, "I'll revive him. LAAS YAH NIR."

Kunzite could hear voices around him, but none of them were louder than mutters. He almost felt like he was floating, moving without having to move. Am I dead or still alive? He asked himself searching for some kind of sign that would let him know. Suddenly, a warm energy washed over him, and he could feel the sting of the cut in his leg, the aching pain in his muscles, and a hard surface underneath him. Another wave of warmth washed over him, and the aches and pains vanished, almost like they'd healed completely. Kunzite opened his eyes to see Ziosite and the dragonborn looking down at him.

"Kunzite?" Ziosite said barely loud enough for him to hear.

"Hehehe," Kunzite chuckled, "I guess we're both traitors aren't we?"

"Or, we're not, and Nephrite and Jedite are," Ziosite suggested, "We were always their superiors either way. Other than that, I believe that you should let Minako know that you are alive."

"Minako!" Kunzite said bolting upright almost like he had forgotten something suddenly.

Minako stood up, looking through the crowd of shocked overseers. She could have sworn that Kunzite had just shouted her name, but that was impossible. She walked forward, weaving through the other Senshi to see Kunzite sitting up on the table, very much alive.

"KUNZITE!" she screamed running to him and wrapping her arms around his muscular waist.

Kunzite balanced himself with one hand and putting the other on top of Minako's blonde head, "Hey," he said slightly winded from the sudden blow to his stomach.

"Welcome back General Kunzite," Endymion said patting him on the shoulder.

"It's great to be back Master," Kunzite said looking up at Endymion with a thin grin.

"I have a feeling that Beryl will attack again tomorrow," Endymion sighed, "It's best you rest now… It's best we all rest."

"She'll be using the dark powers of Metaria," Kunzite said, standing up as Minako loosened her grip to allow him to move to talk to Endymion, "Meaning that Jedite and Nephrite will return with an army of youma, and the two remaining dragons."

"We'll prepare in the morning," Endymion said slowly, "For now we need to rest for the battle there."

Endymion turned and walked quickly out of the hall, Serenity following closely behind worry spread across her exhausted face. The others left without a word, Makoto and Ami left without even looking toward Kunzite and Minako, and Ziosite and Rei. Rei lead Ziosite off after hugging Minako quickly, and shooting a threatening glare at Kunzite.

"Well, lets get cleaned up and rest," said Minako with a smile crossing her blood, sweat, and tear stained face.

"Of course," Kunzite said following her as she lead him into her set of rooms.