Chapter Nine

Venus delivered a letter every night following that night, waited, and then would bring a letter back to her princess. Some days, the prince would respond quickly, and she wouldn't have long to wait, but other nights, he took a much longer time to do so, and she would nap while she waited. Kunzite would often be waiting for her either when she arrived, or when she left, sometimes both. Each time she met with him, the more comfortable she began to get around him. She began looking forward to their short conversations more and more, even though all the visits weren't helping her lose the crush she'd developed. She convinced herself that so long as she didn't act upon it, it wouldn't be a problem. No harm in mild flirtation, right?

Two weeks had passed since she started coming every night, about three weeks since she'd returned Kunzite, and the prince was writing another of his lengthy letters. He'd gotten in the habit of warning her beforehand, so she could rest. Tonight, things did not go as they usually did. A few minutes after she arrived, Kunzite knocked on the door.

"Yes, Kunzite?" the prince looked up from his paper.

Kunzite motioned for him to go back to what he was doing. "I was actually here to speak with Venus-san, Endo. Please, continue you're letter."

The prince smiled and continued his writing. Venus, however, looked up from her chair, surprised.

"Well, come on, now." Kunzite gestured for her to get up and follow him. As she did, he reached for her hand, and the two left the room.

"Where are we going?" she asked finally, after they'd walked down a hall she didn't recognize. "And why?" What is this man doing?

Kunzite smirked. "You'll see."

"You didn't answer the why." What is he hiding?

"I just thought," he paused as they reached a set of doors. "That you would like to go somewhere else while he was finishing his letter. You've sat in that room every night for over two weeks now. I thought it was time for a change."

"Ah, is that so?" she teased. "How nice of you to save me from my boredom."

"Anything for you, Venus-san." He smiled as he pushed open the doors to the royal gardens.

It was one of the most beautiful sights she had ever seen. She'd been here before for formal events, but only during the day. The garden had a totally different look at night. It was magical. The fireflies were floating about, and a sweet, sweet nectar was lingering in the air. She spent a few moments looking around, admiring the flowers before she looked back at him. He was smiling at her, still standing near the entrance. "It's beautiful."

Shutting the doors, he joined her, and then led her to a secluded spot near a small waterfall fixture. Under a small tree, there was a blanket spread on the grass, two glasses, and a bottle of wine waiting.

Venus looked over to him nervously. Was this what she thought it was? A... date?

Kunzite recognized the look that had crept over her face. It troubled him a little. She looked scared. "Come, sit down." He took a seat on the blanket, and after a moment of reluctance, she joined him. He watched her, as she sat there and played with the blades of grass. He couldn't quite tell if she was disinterested or nervous. "Would like you like a glass of wine, Venus-san?"

Venus looked up at him finally, and nodded her head yes. She couldn't help but notice that he looked amazingly handsome in the glow of the moonlight. Her stomach fluttered as his skin brushed hers when she took hold of the glass. "Thank you."

He filled a glass for himself and turned back to her, holding his glass near hers. "Cheers, to a beautiful night, with a beautiful lady."

As they tapped their glasses together, Venus felt her cheeks flush. "Cheers." She took a sip from her glass, and glanced around the garden. She wondered how long he'd been planning this, and if he'd purposely told the prince to write a long letter tonight, and if not, how he knew that he would. Maybe it was just luck?

He chuckled. "There goes that look. What are you thinking about?"

Venus turned to him, and their eyes locked. It was apparent to her, that he'd been staring at her the whole time. She cleared her throat a bit, partially to muster some courage, but also because a lump had begun to form and she felt that she might not be able to speak. "I was just wondering how long since you devised this scheme to woo me."

He smiled, taking a sip of his wine. "Not long."

"Ah, and how did you know you'd have the chance to bring me here tonight?"

He took another sip from his glass. "Endo told me earlier that he felt he had much to say to her tonight."

"Did he know you had planned this?" She was making small talk now. Hoping to change the subject to something else so her heart would stop feeling like it would jump from her chest.

Kunzite smiled softly and sat his glass down. Then, he reached over and rested his hand on the side of her face. "Venus-chan, you know I did not bring you here to talk about Endo, nor anyone else."

Venus' cheeks were all red now. She tried to turn away, but he brought his other hand to the other side of her face and held it there. "Kunzite, I..."

"I have admired you for a long time now. And until recent, from a great distance. The more I learn about you, the more captivated I become. I want to know more. I want to see more. Every time you leave, I am filled with sadness, my heart aches, and I just can't figure out what to make of it. I just-"

She brought both her hands to his, and removed them from her face. "I need to go."

"Go?"

"Yes." She stood, accidentally knocking the glass of wine over. She reached out briefly, as if she was going to pick up up, but stopped, muttered something quickly, and then turned around to take off. Leaving Kunzite sitting there, confused, not caring that a wine stain was forming on his uniform.