Chapter Five

Needless to say, when Venus's planetary teleport did not work, they were both left in complete shock. But after a few minutes of discussion and brainstorming, they figured that when Selene said she'd fix the problem, this is what she must have meant. Venus wasn't nearly as annoyed as she thought she'd be, however. Nervous, yes, but not annoyed. She was afraid someone would find out. She was also apprehensive about being around this man for longer than just a few minutes. He'd already, without trying, made her break some of her own rules. The future, and what other rules might be bent, worried her.

She couldn't spend too much time worrying, however. She had to find a place for him to hide and work on a plan to get him home. The hardest task, however, would be keeping it all a secret. She wasn't the best liar, and with a little pushing, she knew that her friends could easily get the truth.

Back in her room, Venus handed Kunzite a pillow and a blanket. "I would take you to a guest room, but as of right now, they're full with representatives."

"So I get the floor?" He looked at her in disbelief. It wasn't that he'd never slept on the ground, he just hadn't expected this to be the arrangement. A whole palace, and nothing better than the floor?

She nodded. "More specifically, the floor right next to my bed, so that in the event that someone peeks in, they won't see you."

He nodded, although he was not pleased. He set his pillow and blanket down. Then, he started to take off his shirt.

"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Venus flailed her arms in the air protesting. Red overcoming her cheeks. They had managed to both be very calm about this whole thing until just this instant.

"What?"

"You're keeping that on."

He looked confused. "What? Why?"

She shook her head and sighed. What was his problem? Couldn't he see she was embarrassed? "Just because."

He sighed, looking down at all he wore. "I can't sleep with all this on."

"Then you won't sleep, I guess." She scurried into the bathroom and shut the door. A few minutes later, she walked out in a yellow nightgown and crawled into bed. Kunzite began to open his mouth to say something, but she said goodnight and blew out the candle before he could speak.

Sighing, he lied down on the blanket and began tossing and turning trying to find a comfortable position.

"Will you lie still?" she hissed, letting the frustration of what was going on get the best of her.

His voice was saturated with sarcasm. "Sorry, it's a little uncomfortable down here."

"You're the one who wouldn't let me deliver the letter," she replied coolly.

Venus awoke the next morning, on time—maybe even a bit early, and looked over the side of her bed. Ah! Where was he? She sprung up from her bed and ran to get changed. If he wandered outside the room and got caught, I'm going to kill him! She thrust the bathroom door open and immediately slammed it shut, blushing.

Kunzite got dressed and came out of the small room.

"So sorry…" she said, turning her head away, flustered.

He chuckled softly. Apparently he wasn't nearly as embarrassed as she. "Don't worry about it. I was turned around, wasn't I?"

She nodded. Even so, that hadn't made her more comfortable. It had been a very long time since she'd seen a man in that state, and definitely not this close up. She's accidentally walked into the men's shower once, but somehow she felt more embarrassed now. Why didn't you knock?!

He cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Well, I guess I'll be staying in here all day, won't I?"

She quickly cleared her mind of what she'd just witnessed and jumped back into her professional mode. "Yes, until I can find a way to get you back."

He smiled slightly, seeing that she was embarrassed—it was cute. "How long do you think that will be, Venus-dono?"

She shrugged, still not making any eye contact. "I have a lot to do today; I'm not sure. I may not come up with a plan until much later."

"Alright. Well, I guess you should get going. There's no need to clue anyone in."

She nodded. "Yes, that's true. We shouldn't involve anyone in this if we don't have to. I think we can handle it ourselves." She paused and then pointed to a small bookshelf. "There are some books there if you're interested. I really don't have much time to read, so there isn't much, but it'll give you something to do." She excused herself into the bathroom to get ready, glad to get away from his gaze. She was still so embarrassed!

After finishing and regaining her composure, she made sure to give him a few more instructions before she left for the day.

Venus went along the day as usual. She awoke Serenity, attended breakfast with her comrades and then left to go meet with Queen Selene and the representatives. When the meeting was over, she excused herself and went to eat lunch with her friends.

Venus sat down just as Jupiter came with the food. Everyone grabbed what they wanted and chattered about the day's events.

"What about you, Venus-chan? How was your day? Anything interesting happen? Interesting news from the meeting?"

If I could only tell you guys! She continued chewing her food and held up a finger to ask for a second to finish. "Today's been pretty average." Yeah, right. Just take away the strange man staying in my room and it'd be! "I had to attend that meeting with the representatives, but even that wasn't all that special. They kept saying the same thing they've been saying for months."

"I heard they were here to discuss the future of Earth in the Alliance," Mars stated.

"Yeah, the outer planet's leaders are worried, but the Queen and I helped subdue their fear. As much as we could. After that solar flare, and that dark spot appearing in their most southern point, they are untrusting, and wish to cut contact and negotiations."

"I can see their point though," Mercury stated. "The leaders may be peaceful, but the people down there are restless. They could rebel at any time and over-throw the leadership. And with that dark anomaly, who knows what will happen."

Venus nodded.

"Hopefully it won't come to that," Jupiter added. "I wish it would stay peaceful just like this."

Venus smiled and gave Jupiter a hug before rising. "Me too. Great lunch by the way."

"Are you leaving?"

"Yeah. I have to make a trip to Venus in a little while."

All the girls gave her a hug and wished her luck. Venus smiled and grabbed a bit of food to take with her-well, that's what she told them at least.

Venus opened the door to her room and shut it behind her. Kunzite looked up from the book he was reading and gave a slight smile.

She felt uncomfortable immediately. Every time he looked at her, her heart fluttered. It was annoying and unnerving. "I've brought you some food."

"Oh, good. Thank you, Venus-dono"

She walked over to where he was sitting and set the food on the table. "Jupiter-chan made this; She's the best cook."

He nodded and began eating the food. He hadn't eaten all day and it was pretty clear he was starved.

She watched him for a second and then spoke. "Well, it looks like you approve. I have to get ready to go to Venus. If anyone knocks on the door…" She looked around for something he could hide in or under. "Hide under the bed or something."

He smiled. "Alright. Well, I don't want to keep you. You should get ready."

She nodded and changed into a formal dress of yellow silk and lace. The dress itself was a bit uncomfortable to her, seeing as she was used to her sailor fuku, but it was custom for her to wear it when attending to any matters as the Princess of Venus. She said goodbye and then exited the room.

Kunzite finished eating his food and then pulled out a small, leather bound book—Venus' diary. He set it down on the table and stared at it, wondering if he should read it or not. She hadn't hidden it or anything; she'd left if out in the open, almost as if she wanted someone to read it. After much contemplation, he convinced himself that it was okay—though he knew his reasoning wouldn't stand up to questioning-opened it to a random page and began to read.

"...I had to retrieve Serenity from Earth again tonight. What is this, the third time this very week? She was with Prince Endymoin. This is becoming more frequent. She scolded me and told me that they were in love, and she did not care what anyone had to say about it. Oh, how I wish I could have someone like that! It's silly to wish though, isn't it? I know it's duty before love. I have no time for love. Being Serenity's guardian is a full-time job, not that I mind. Sometimes I just wish I could be the Princess. You know? I want to be swept off my feet by my prince charming. But even if I did find this prince of my dreams, and I had time, I doubt they'd be able to understand my duties. Acceptance that the one you call yours is very well not yours, I wager is not something most men would be willing to do. I wonder if there is someone out there for me? A similar soul. A soul-mate, even. And I wonder if there will ever be a time when I am able to pursue such a thing. Oh… what am I talking about impossibilities for? I just…"

Someone knocked at the door. Kunzite dove under the bed, dropping the diary.

Artemis peeped his head into the room and looked about. "Venus?" He took a step in and looked into the bathroom. "Venus?" He turned around and let out a sigh. Where was she? They were going to be late. He turned to leave, but stopped.

Kunzite froze. He sees me! Oh no! No. Calm down. Be quiet. Don't move. All those years of vigorous training, to be caught in a lady's chambers!

Artemis stooped over and picked up the diary. He shook his head, mumbling something about how she never took care of her things, and then set it back on the table before he left the room.

Kunzite sighed in relief and crawled out from under the bed. He was so glad he hadn't been seen. He stood and checked for the diary. Good, he didn't take it with him. Sitting back in the chair, he opened the book and began reading once more. Lady Venus was an interesting girl, and he felt this—reading her personal diary—might be the only way to get to know the real her better.