Chapter Twenty-Three

A/N: Things are getting ready to move fast. I may, stress on "may", come back later and expand on the events in this chapter, but we shall see. Apologies in advance. I know there is a lot of room here for some good scenes. I'm sure some will be left disappointed. Though, I think I'd rather you be disappointed that I didn't elaborate, rather than be disappointed in my poor writing skills. .

A few days later, Venus was leaving the dining area, exhausted from arguing with a representative who decided that breakfast was a good time to hash out their differences, only to catch sight of a nervous looking Artemis in the hall. She took him by the arm and they started walking away from the crowd. "Artemis, what is it?"

"You have a visitor. Back home. Who has demanded that I come retrieve you immediately."

She asked the date, thinking she'd lost track of time, but realized that Kunzite had come early, which wasn't like him. She wondered if something was wrong. Maybe Jed and Zoicite were right? Or maybe something happened? Dear Goddess!

The first chance she got, she informed Selene she had to return home briefly, and caught Mercury in the hall to let her know she would be back soon. The pair then left and arrived at Magellan. As they were walking down the halls to where he had left their guest, Venus grabbed his hand and looked over to him. "I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry, Artemis. I know you only think of my well-being. Sorry I've been such a brat lately."

He squeezed her hand lightly. "It's okay, princess. Matters of the heart can be messy. I'm sorry if I haven't been more supportive. You must understand-"

"I know." She squeezed his hand and let go, leaving the words unspoken. She didn't need to hear them. She knew.

Venus left her companion in the hall and entered the guest chamber, where Kunzite was waiting. "You are early, M'lord."

Grey eyes met hers as he looked up from the book he was reading. A smile swept his face as he stood to greet her. "I could not wait another moment."

As he placed light kisses on her forehead and ran his hands through her hair, a nervous smile crept on her face. "You are never early. What happened?"

Hands still entwined in her hair, he looked down at her, perplexed. "I told you. I could not wait to see you. I returned, read your letter, and could not wait the remainder." He paused, looking at her thoughtfully. "Is that not okay?"

Her eyes locked with his again. Something seemed off, though she couldn't explain it, but at the same time, nothing felt more right than being this close to him. She always wanted to be like this. Warm and safe in his arms. She found herself wrapping her arms around him and burying her face into his chest, shaking off the uneasy feelings. "Of course it's okay."

Despite her suspicions, Venus spent that night and the next day, carefree with her lover. She knew it may be one of the last encounters they would have for a while, and intended to enjoy it to it's fullest. He did not speak much of what had happened, but she knew there was no victory. And thus, bad things were about to happen. She considered for a moment, asking him to stay, to seek refuge there—but knew he would not abandon his Prince, nor friends. She would figure out what to do later. Now, things were simple. Now, it was just the two of them.

The second night of his stay, hours after she had succumbed to sleep out of sheer exhaustion of their love making, Kunzite slipped from her bed. He paused only momentarily when he thought she was stirring, but made his way to a table on the far side of the room.
On it, sat a stone. A stone she had used multiple times to travel from Moon to Earth. A stone she had said was not for him. A stone, that he was about to steal.

Venus awoke the next morning with a note left on the pillow. He had to leave. Something he had forgotten. There was an invitation to join him in two days, continue where they had left off. She smiled, set the letter onto her night stand, and went about getting ready to return to the Moon.

Back on the Moon, Venus strode through the halls with a smile, something she had not done in a while. Recent events were heavy, but her liaison was what she needed to perk up for the time being. For the moment, she was complete. For the moment, happy.
The happiness was quickly shattered, as her eyes caught purple and black. Mars was waiting for her in front of her room.

"Can I speak with you?"

A simple nod, and she followed the raven haired girl. Venus knew this was coming. She had spent time over the past few days thinking about what the others had said. Thinking of what she would say to her friend. Trying to find reassuring words that would take the fear away.

They entered Mars's chambers and sat near the fire she had going. The fire was calm until Mars let out a heavy sigh, then it momentarily jumped from the hearth, mirroring the emotions of the fire senshi. Venus tucked a piece of hair behind her ear nervously and waited to the firestorm to begin.

After a few minutes had passed, and Mars still hadn't said a word, Venus looked up and over at her, away from the strand of hair that had been so interesting moments before. She was staring at the fire, and wringing her hands. Concern for a scolding left her, and what was left was worry. "What is it?"

Mars chuckled. "I have a confession."

Venus cocked her head to the side, now curious. Mars never acted like this. She was never nervous, never apologetic for her actions, always sure of herself. It's why she always went to her for advice. It was why she was her second in command. If she ever faltered, she knew Mars would not. So what was Mars hiding?

"You are not the only one who has," she paused, searching for the correct word, "interacted, with one of Endymoin's generals."

Venus resisted the urge to jump from her seat and berate Mars with a million questions, including why she had made her feel so low when she had been doing the same. Instead, she just raised a brow. "Oh, really?" So, maybe this was what was really the cause of the anger. "So, I wasn't the only one being reckless."

Mars frowned and met Venus' gaze. "No. You were."

Venus chuckled. "How so?"

Mars sighed. "I met him, much like you, on a rendezvous to gather our Princess. I did not see him that often, but the spark was there. I ended it when he confessed his love for me."

"Mars..." she spoke softly. An attempt to comfort.

Mars shook her head. "No. Don't feel bad. It was the right thing to do." She paused again and took a deep breath. "When I saw, that you did not do the same, yourself, I got angry. Why did I have to give up what I wanted, but you didn't?"

"Mars, you did the right thing-"

She continued without stopping, ignoring Venus' comment. "Angry that I did not have the courage to stand up to a dumb rule. Not courageous like you were. I was jealous."

Venus relaxed and sat back into her chair. "But what about what the girls said? Afraid I'd be sent off, banished from the palace? Relived of my duties?"

Mars rolled her eyes, shaking her head in disagreement. "I had to tell them something. I couldn't admit to them what had happened, or what was really going on."

They both sat in silence for a few moments, letting the words they'd spoken sink in.

"So... are things okay between us, then?"

Mars, smiled. "I suppose."

Venus smiled and jumped across the space between them, giving her friend a hug.

Mars laughed and returned the embrace. "And hey, who knows what will happen. Maybe you and Serenity will be able to get rid of this rule. And if not," she paused, and smiled mischievously, "Maybe I'll get to be the leader when you're gone?"

Venus smirked and playfully hit her. "In your dreams."

Venus woke the following morning, and felt the best she had truly felt in a long time. No more guilt or worry looming over her head. Well, at least not any concerning anyone who mattered to her. She had mended things with Mars, could once again interact with her friends, and did not have to worry about choosing her lover over them. So, despite the fact that possible war was looming on the horizon, things were great.

Today, she was supposed to go meet with her lover, which admittedly, was one of the reasons she was in such a great mood. She would be a bit late, due to a meeting that afternoon, but by dusk, she'd be in his arms.

It was just before the meeting started that the palace shook violently.