Chapter Twenty-One

After the encounter in the library, Venus left without a word to go visit Kunzite. She needed to clear her head. Work out some frustration. Feel some compassion. Gods, all she wanted was a hug right now. Her secret was no more, her best friend just attacked her, and she felt like no one in the solar system was on her side. Oh, but he would be. He certainly would. If only one person were on my side, if would be Kunz.
After searching the Earth's palace to no avail, she learned he had gone home the day prior with the other generals, and so she left for there in an instant. She was a sobbing mess when she entered the room he and the others were holding their meeting in. It was just the four of them, but Kunzite excused himself and took her away to calm.

She spent a few days there. The information about the meeting on the Moon had been passed to Kunzite the first day, but she did not join them to discuss it until two days later. By then, they had time to throw together some possible strategies. After much debate, they decided their course. They all knew that failure could mean the end to everything.

"I don't want you to be here for this," he said calmly while brushing some strands from her face.

She looked over to him from her pillow, ready to counter. Ready to defy his wish. But, he placed a finger to her lips.

"I mean it."

A humph escaped her lips, followed by crossed arms.

"Your help is appreciated, and I know it would be easier if you go, but I can't have people looking at you as the traitor that went against the council's wishes." He paused, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You have done enough."

The next day, as he asked, Venus left the Earth, but she did not return to the Moon. She was not ready to face Mars, or the rest of the girls for that matter, now that the knowledge of her relationship was commonplace. So, she sought solace at her home planet. The palace was quiet when she arrived. No one was expecting her, though, and it honestly did not bother her. The peace and quiet would do her good. There were many things to think about.

As she settled into her quarters, and got ready for sleep, she reached over to write a journal entry. Writing was a good way to sort through things, and right now she felt like she could write a novel. Her hand touched bare wood. What? She stood from her bed and began rummaging through things, trying to find the tiny book. She'd left it here, where was it?
She had been searching a good fifteen minutes, when there was a knock at her door. She looked the room over once more, hands on hips, before she answered. "Come in!"

The door opened to reveal Artemis. He did not look happy. "Returned, I see."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

He let out an exasperated sigh and leaned against the door frame, arms crossed his chest. "You went missing after the meeting. I've been back and forth from here and the Moon looking for you for days." He paused, and then his tone turned accusatory. "How was your visit?"

Her eyes met the floor. She couldn't look at him right now. Not with the way he was looking at her. His face crestfallen and full of frustration with her.
"I don't trust him, Venus. Not a single bit."

She turned to him for a second, then looked away, angry. "How do you know anything about him?"
Artemis tossed something onto the bed. "I know more than you think."

Her eyes moved from the object on the wall she'd been looking at to her bed. There lay her diary. In that moment, she realized what he had done. She reached over and clutched the book to her chest. The anger flared in her throat and she grimaced at him. "You read my diary?! How dare you!"

He stared back at her for a few moments, face void of emotion. "I did." He took a deep breath, and gave her an empathetic look. "I didn't know what else to do. You've shut me out. You used to tell me everything. You've been secretive. And when I found out, you shut me out further. I don't know when I lost your trust-I know it's gone now." He paused again. "I didn't know what to do. I'm sorry. But I do know, he is not to be trusted. I have a bad feeling."

"Stop!" She stomped her feet on the ground, and let out a fit of frustration before she walked up to him. "You don't know him like I do."

"I know that you're not acting like yourself."

She glared, he tried to rest his hands on her shoulders to comfort her, but she shook them off.

"You asked me, once, long ago, to remind you if I thought you were being reckless. Made me swear I'd say something." He paused. "So, I'm saying something. Stop seeing him."

"What if it's not that easy?!" she blurted out. Some of what Artemis rang true to her. Mars had struck a cord earlier. Would she be so determined to help the Earth if it hadn't been for her feelings for Kunzite? Was she acting brash? "I can't just walk away. Not now."

Artemis paused another moment. He wanted to embrace her, tell her it would be okay. But telling her it would be okay, was not going to drive the point home. "Regardless of how you feel, it is not meant to be. Ancient law deems that to be true. You are not to be romantically involved. Your duty comes first."

She stared at him defiantly. "And who wrote such laws? Hm. Do you know? Living your life based on an ancient tomb is preposterous."

He returned the glare. "You know this to be truth. Stop pretending that you do not. Do you wish to throw everything away for him? Your life? Your friends? Your title as Serenity's guard? Is none of that important to you anymore?"

She looked away for a moment before pointing to the door. "Get out. Get out right now. I am done talking."

Artemis let out a long sigh. "As you wish." Just before he shut the door behind him, he spoke just loud enough for her to hear. "I love you, Princess. Remember that."