Title: Happenstance
Author/Artist: sailorraspberry
Medium: Fanfic
Theme: Reunion
Genre: Romance
Version: Manga
Rating: PG
Venus broke the surface of the lake, arching her back away from the late afternoon sun.
Long, saturated locks of blonde hair fanned out across her arms and back, and as she drifted her way toward the shore, something kept her in the water.
Her curiosity peaked at the sight of a man.
He was patrolling down a dirt path, pant legs tucked into his boots and sleeves rolled up to the elbow.
She dipped back down, watching him through slanted eyelids. He was slowly approaching her destination, where she had stashed her clothes.
Her head disappeared beneath the surface, and as she paddled her way to the bank, she imagined a million different things.
What would he sound like?
What color would his eyes be?
What would he think of her?
As she neared, she watched his rippled shadow slant across the packed, wet dirt.
Venus pushed her head up just in time to see him lifting her gown.
"Excuse me, sir." She tilted her head and assessed him through narrowed eyes.
He was gorgeous.
He dropped the fabric onto its rock, eyes wide and shocked as he looked down at her. "Pardon me," he coughed into his fist. "I didn't notice you."
She smiled, twirling her finger around in the water. "That's quite alright. I was hiding from you."
A bout of clouds drifted across the sun, darkened the world for just a moment. "Forgive me, but I'm going to have to escort you off the palace grounds. You are an," he paused and looked hard at her. His cheeks burned red when he turned away. "An unsolicited guest."
Venus pouted. "Leave so soon?" She examined a hand. "But my fingers haven't even started to prune!"
"My apologies."
She decided to spare him some mercy. "Alright, but I won't leave until you tell me who you are."
His throat constricted as he swallowed. "Kunzite. My name is Kunzite."
"Kunzite," she tested it on her tongue like she did a fresh cup of wine. It tasted twice as good. "A wonderful name."
She emerged then, felt little droplets of water carve rivulets across her skin. The sun warmed her skin to a delightful pink. Kunzite stumbled backward and turned on his heel. "You should have warned me!"
"Of what?" She grinned, gathered her clothes into an arm, and disappeared behind a towering rock. She was just tall enough to see him scratch the back of his neck.
"I wouldn't have looked if I'd known you were indecent."
Venus laughed. "Indecent! Where I come from, being indecent is wearing this awful thing." When she finished dressing, she approached him silently. "Don't you want to know my name?"
He jumped, barely at all, and turned to her. "I do want to know your name." His eyes, grey, dark, and turbulent, examined hers. "I'm sorry," he seemed to be struggling with his thoughts. "Have we met before?"
"No," she twisted her hair and watched a curtain of water rain down. "You must have me confused with a friend. We look awfully alike." She began to walk, and he caught up to her in an instant. "But, I have a feeling we're going to meet again."
Kunzite looked over at her, bore a questioning gaze. When she did not meet his stare, he focused ahead and let the silence stretch out.
"My name is Venus."
When he glanced over in her direction, she was gone.