AN: Sorry about that obnoxiously long wait. I kinda burnt myself out this semester. Anywho...There are a couple of ways I could have put this chapter together structurally. So tell me if part of a scene seems out of place... especially anything regarding Cycnus, Minako, and Rei. Hope you all enjoy this chapter and that you had a happy holiday. Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, etc, etc... Whatever it is you celebrated, if you celebrated at all, hope you had a good one. FYI: the next update is supposed to be on the 1st but it might be late... depends on how New Years Eve goes. I'm going to try for the 1st but no promises. It probably won't happen.
9.) Return of the Crimson Guard
The human spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit – who can bear?
- Proverbs 18:14
MICHIRU
"Michiru, we need to talk. You've been avoiding me since I got here." My mother said sitting down across from me. I looked over at her, crossing my arms in front of me. "Haruka told me that you and Rei fought."
She was looking me over, trying to find something in my eyes. I looked away, unable to take it any longer.
"She was suffering this entire time because of me and you knew." I muttered. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"It was something we wouldn't be able to fix. I couldn't bring myself to tell you." My mother admitted, looking heartbroken. I could easily relate to her pain, she saw Rei as a daughter.
There was silence, lowered my forehead down to my knees, the sorrow I felt weighing me down.
"She visited a few times after you left." My mother told me quietly, almost as if she didn't wish to tell me. My head jerked up.
"What?" I asked. My mother nodded slowly.
"Why? I thought that..."
"She was hurt... the first time." My mother cut in. I raised a hand to my mouth as horror seeped through me.
"What happened?" I forced myself to ask. She sighed.
"She slipped up, that's all she'd really tell me." She replied with a faint shake of her head. I could see the sadness in her expression increase. "She never shares much information anymore.
"That's my fault isn't it? I'd destroyed the trust we'd had." I asked, meeting her eyes. Our relationship was strong enough that she wouldn't lie to me.
"It's a combination of things Michiru. It's not anyone's fault really." She told me, but we both knew Cycnus was mostly to blame. There was a pause between us. My mother looked apprehensive about something.
"Did you know she was having trouble sleeping?" She asked quietly. This time I could tell she was a little annoyed at me, she didn't like it when I withheld information about Rei.
I nodded, deciding it was time to tell her the truth.
"A few times she showed up in my room. We were..."
"I know. She told me that much." My mom said. I looked over. "How long had she been having trouble sleeping?"
All I could do was shrug. Rei never really told me and I never could bring myself to ask.
"Probably longer than she let on." I replied, biting down on my lip. "So, she finally said something to you?"
"I was going up to the infirmary to check on her before I went to bed, she had been up getting a book."
"That's not all that unusual." I remarked. As we got older, Rei would spend more and more time reading. She had worked her way through half our library in the latter years of our relationship. My mother sighed again.
"I suppose I should be a bit more honest with you. Rei was almost killed a few days before. She should have been resting but instead she was up, just coming back from the library."
"She almost died?" I asked, my voice rising along with the anxiety I felt. "And you never told me?"
"There was never really time. You and Haruka were on Neptune so rarely... I just couldn't bring myself to ruin that time you had with us. You were happier not knowing."
I bit down on my lip. I knew that Rei had placed the same premium on my happiness that my mother did, it was why she hadn't told me about any of this. I frowned, she had been sparing me from this and I had just... abandoned her. I needed to try and make this right. And yet, I still didn't think I could bring myself to face her. I had to find a way to make this right regardless of my feelings.
MINAKO
There was a soft knock on my door, I raised my head blearily from my pillow. The noise came again and I groaned softly to myself before getting out of bed. I made my way to the door slowly, trying to wake myself up before I got there.
I wiped my hand across my eyes once, feeling the familiar emotions from the other side of the door. I twisted the door nob, leaving the door open behind me as I turned around.
"What do you want Artemis?" I asked as I heard footsteps follow me into my room.
"I came to make sure you were awake. Obviously it was a good idea, you're nowhere near ready."
"Ready for what?" I asked as I entered my bedroom again, fumbling with my dresser drawers in search of clothes.
"The Martian delegation arrives soon, your mother wanted you to be there."
I looked over at him, doing my best not to roll my eyes.
"She's still dead set on getting us together isn't she?" I asked. Artemis nodded. "Fine, just give me a few minutes."
"Might need more than a few minutes." Artemis muttered as I disappeared into the bathroom. This time I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes. Sometimes he was worse than Eros.
I got ready as quickly as I could, not that Artemis could tell for when I left the bathroom he was pacing back and forth anxiously... looking slightly annoyed with me.
I gave a small laugh at his expression.
"Finally, it took you long enough Mina." He grumbled as he opened the door for me. I walked by him, not dignifying his statement with a response. I paused in the hallway, waiting for him to lead on.
Artemis placed a hand on my shoulder, turning me slightly.
"This way, we're meeting them out by the front gates." He said. I nodded and accompanied him to our destination.
Upon our arrival I noticed that Rei was already there, standing a fair distance away from the Lunar nobility. Her manner of dress struck me as somewhat odd, everything was well weathered and patched. I recognized the outfit though, it was what she had worn the first time I had seen her. I assumed it was her standard outfit on Mars, seeing as it was closer to armour than actual clothing.
This worried me for some reason, it was like she was expecting trouble.
Overhead the sound of an approaching shuttle reverberated through the skies. I looked up, seeing the transport draw nearer. It landed a fair distance away, the doors sliding slowly open.
A crowd larger than I had been expecting disembarked from the shuttle. Most of the planetary delegations had consisted of four or so people, there were at least a dozen in the Martian entourage.
As the Martians approached I noticed Rei's hand clench against the hilt of her sword. I heard Artemis sigh before he left my side, going to stand by Rei. He laid a hand against her shoulder, as if reassuring her before he stepped past her.
"Cycnus." He greeted. An austere looking man nodded in response, his critical gaze never leaving Rei. An expression of utmost dislike graced his features.
Artemis looked over to the man at Cycnus' right hand side and gave a slight nod. They seemed familiar enough with one another, though they didn't greet each other. Artemis looked back at Cycnus, looking apprehensive as there was a tense silence. Cycnus continued to study Rei.
This seemed to concern Artemis quite a bit. With a noise of disgust Cycnus finally turned his attention to Artemis. Instinctively I gravitated closer to Artemis, whether because of concern for him or interest in the conversation... I did not know. I felt oddly... defensive about something though. My eyes flicked to Rei.
"Theoroi, always a pleasure." He greeted, I could almost feel it as his eyes slid from Artemis to me. An almost hungry expression filling his gaze as I looked over at him. I fought the urge to shift uncomfortably. I didn't want to show him I was scared or intimidated.
"How are things?" Artemis asked politely, drawing away Cycnus' gaze again. I took notice of his measured words and tone. He was obviously treading carefully. And I could see why, even from this distance I could feel a menacing aura about Cycnus. I had always thought Rei was a true Martian... but now I wasn't too sure. This man was unnerving in every way imaginable. Rei seemed mostly harmless next to him.
"Things are the same Artemis, as always." Cycnus replied in the common tongue. "Politics never get any easier... though the sword certainly helps get things done. I cannot fathom how you get anything done by simply debating things."
Artemis gave a soft chuckle, I could hear the uncertainty in it though. He was obviously just going along with what was being said.
"So who's this?" Cycnus asked, looking in my direction for the second time. This experience was just as unsettling as it was the first time.
"This is Lady Minako." Artemis said, placing a hand reassuringly on my back. I did my best to smile at Cycnus.
"Beautiful girl." Cycnus grunted, before muttering something in the Martian language. Artemis' gaze flicked to Rei, who had taken a step forward.
Cycnus' eyes were drawn away from me again as he looked to Rei.
"You are to accompany me to the training grounds." He ordered Rei. "I'd like to see if your time on the Moon has... weakened you."
Rei gave moment's pause, as though considering his words.
"Yes... sir." She replied. Personally, I thought she looked a little bored by this. She turned her back on him with only the slightest hesitation. He glared at her for a moment as she started to walk away before he turned to me, an unnerving smile in place.
"Lady Minako, why don't you join us? I've been quite eager to meet you." He requested, Rei's head jerked around watching me, a curious expression on her face. After an indecipherable moment, her gaze turned steadily over to him, a look of cold calculation entering her eyes.
I paused, glancing at Artemis hoping he'd be able to give me some assistance. He stepped in to talk to Cycnus.
"I'm not sure the place for you two to become acquainted would be the training field Autokrator..." He stated. Cycnus laughed.
"Where else would we do it? Surely you don't want me to sit around a table and merely talk? I want to get to know her, not her political views."
Artemis nodded his head ever so slightly.
"Very well, we shall meet you there once Minako has attended to her other duties." He agreed. I glanced back over my shoulder as Artemis steered me away, Rei's eyes followed me.
"Artemis, this doesn't feel right." I whispered. His hand tightened on my shoulder.
"I know." He sighed, leading me on a circuitous route to the training fields. "I should have seen this coming. I was just... preoccupied. I had hoped that the fact you beat Rei would prevent this..."
"We both know I didn't deserve to beat her." I muttered, still sore about that encounter between us. There was silence, I could tell he wanted to talk to me about something urgent.
"What's going on?" I asked, Artemis opened his mouth before clamping it shut again. That was odd, usually once he made a decision he stuck with it, consequences be damned. But instead, he shook his head and began to speak, I sensed he was leaving something unsaid.
"Cycnus wants to test your abilities, it's to... position you within their hierarchy. All that will matter in the end is that you will end up above Rei."
"But I don't deserve that." I protested. "At least not by their standards. I didn't beat her."
Artemis shook his head.
"That's only one part of their system. The other part of the hierarchy involves your birthright. You are royalty in their eyes, Rei is not. This not only makes you her superior... but it also makes her inferior... She..."
Artemis fumbled for his next words.
"She is supposed to defer to your judgement." He finished in a steady voice. I could see he was hesitant about this still, like he thought he was telling me too much.
I studied him.
"That's what this is all about? That's why she lost to me? Because she was supposed to?" I asked, keeping our conversation hushed. "This is all about our birthrights?"
Artemis looked like he wanted to blurt something out but he held it back.
"Yes." He replied, he refused to make eye contact though. He was telling me to come to my own
conclusions about her. I frowned.
REI
I led the way to the training field with the Autokrator and the Crimson Guard following close behind me. I took a breath to steady myself, I didn't like having my back turned to them. I had made that mistake once before and that hadn't ended well.
As soon as I was able, I turned to face them. Instantly their swords were drawn, I closed my eyes shortly, searching for some sort of inner peace. I did not want to negatively affect any of the outcomes. I was trying to make the smallest impact on this world as possible and that probably meant I shouldn't kill anyone.
I drew my sword as carefully as I could, trying to read the movements of the others around me. With the slightest shake of his head Cycnus stepped forward, the Crimson Guard retreated a few steps. I focused in on him, knowing that he would want to test me himself.
If at all possible, he would want to kill me himself.
In a sudden flare of fire I felt heat whip across my face, the force of his power was blunted only by my innate ability.
My reaction was slower than it normally would be as I flinched, raising my injured hand out to quell the fire. My talent easily overpowered his command... I knew this was only a ploy however.
I parried his overhead slash as best I could, my arm giving out under the strength of his blow. I clenched my jaw as pain from my preexisting wound blurred my vision. I dropped to my knees so as to avoid the sword falling towards my body.
I rolled forward, hoping that he would not kick out. My rhythm was off today, impeded by the onset of fresh pain each time I moved. I could not focus on that right now. I couldn't let the weakness show too much.
I made it to my feet just in time to catch the blow aimed at my sword arm, I twisted away from it drawing my knife. I completed the circle around, directing the second blade at Cycnus' unprotected side.
My weapon was met by the blade of a member of the Crimson Guard. Cycnus paused, spitting on the ground.
"Is that really the best you can do?" He sneered in Martian. I kept my knife locked with the weapon of the soldier, my eyes however were locked with the Autokrator's. I remained silent.
"We had word of that attack." He continued. My eyes narrowed, I lowered my weapons slightly as I wondered where he could be going with this.
His hand reached out swiftly, catching my shoulder. I let out a gasp of pain, feeling as if the breath had been completely knocked from my body. The ache that had set in around the injury was revitalized, springing back to full fledged agony.
Once again my knees threatened to give out beneath me, the Autokrator's cold eyes studied my expression as pain lanced through my body.
I struggled to control my breathing. That was the first step in controlling the pain.
"You're nothing but a disgrace. Three enemies against four of your toy soldiers... and you're the one who gets injured. If nothing else, I thought I raised you to be better than that."
"You didn't raise me." I snapped back, unable to contain that comment as I jerked out of his grasp.
"No. I suppose that would be your whore of a mother coming out in you." I remarked. I let out a growl, feeling the flame course through me again, angry and powerful. He pushed me away roughly, this time the pain was less noticeable. He really should know better than to get me angry... At this his Crimson Guard approached.
This was where the 'training' would truly begin.
MINAKO
Artemis and I approached, watching the so called 'sparring' match take place between Cycnus, the Crimson Guard, and Rei. Personally I thought it looked more like the Crimson Guard were trying to kill her. I did notice, however, that Rei purposefully pulled back where they did not. It was like she was trying to draw them into something. I wondered if it was merely a ploy... or something of greater significance.
Heat radiated around them as the battle raged on, the dry ground cracking slightly under their feet. It was like they were each probing for a weakness in the others defence.
And then it was over. I hadn't seen any reason for the end but they all stopped in unison, even Rei. She stood there, her breath coming in quick intervals, sweat glistened at her forehead. She rose from her fighting stance.
Scowling, Cycnus turned his attention to me. I almost shrank back, glad that the fury held in his being wasn't directed at me. There was a moment that felt like forever as he watched me, as if throwing caution to the winds. His hard expression relaxed slightly, I could feel him smoothing over his emotions in his mind.
"Lady Minako, do you have any intention of marrying..." His voice started out in calm politeness, but there was a pause where he made a face, almost like the thought of her name in his mouth made him feel ill.
"Her?" He finished, spitting out the word as if it was dangerous. A flare of hatred radiated through me, I looked at Cycnus a moment longer. The depth of his hatred for Rei was appalling. I bit down on my lip, my eyes flicking over to Rei. She was standing nonchalantly as if she didn't give a damn about my answer. There was a tenseness about her that made me hesitate for a moment longer. My eyes travelled back to Cycnus. seeing a dangerous light in his eyes... something akin to hope. And that scared me.
I opened my mouth to give the only reply I could. It was only fair to be honest with him.
REI
"Lady Minako, do you have any intention of marrying her?"
I stood frozen, knowing this was my fathers real reason for asking her out here. He wanted to see if there was anyway he could get to me before I had the chance to disappear on him. I had no intention of leaving though. At least not to run away. I was sick of running and of fighting for my life. It was time to end this.
He just wanted confirmation on what we all suspected. He needed to be official. So he could kill me without reprimand.
Perhaps it would be best if he just got it over with. Perhaps this was the fate I should choose to surrender to.
I could do nothing but wait for Minako's answer. My fate was in her hands. And I was ready to die, I was at peace with my end.
MINAKO
Cycnus and Rei were facing one another, each standing stock still like they were daring the other to move. The outcome was waiting on me but all I could be was honest.
"I don't know if I'm going to marry her or not." I replied and instantly I felt the shift in his emotions. A raging disappointment trailed off into a towering hatred... only this time the hate was directed towards me. I looked up into his eyes in surprise, I had just realized what he had truly been asking me.
He had wanted permission to kill Rei, which I had just denied. I flicked my eyes towards Rei, she looked a little... lost? Almost disappointed, but that... didn't make sense. It couldn't make sense.
"Well, I hope you don't make the wrong choice." He said with a thin smile. Rei's eyes narrowed and Artemis took a step forward. Cycnus shook his head, looking back to Rei.
"Leave us." He ordered. Rei took a few steps back, glaring at him the whole time. Artemis stepped closer to me at her slight retreat. Quite honestly, I had felt better with Rei at my side. I had more faith in her abilities than my own.
"Cycnus, I don't think this is appropriate." Artemis stated clearly.
"Step aside Theoroi. One such as yourself should be able to understand the necessity of this." Cycnus replied. Artemis looked at me. I nodded, I had said that I would do this. I couldn't back down from this... especially not now that I knew what I knew.
Artemis' frown deepened but he stepped back.
Cycnus motioned to the Crimson Guard, who retreated. Rei remained close by, like she was staying as close as she dared.
Cycnus drew his sword again. I set my hand down to the hilt of my own weapon, unsheathing it as carefully as I could. I was slowing my breathing, trying to conquer my fear and concentrate what was coming.
I raised my sword in the standard Venusian salute and was surprised to feel genuine feelings of happiness from Cycnus. He pleased by the fact I was knowledgeable about at least one form of combat.
He mimicked my salute, allowing for a moment before the sparring began.
REI
Cycnus was toying with her. Minako was barely fending off his attacks, and judging by the look in her eyes... she recognized what he was doing as well.
I swallowed roughly, I could not stop myself from seeing the various ways he could kill her. I gritted my teeth. I had watched the match for as long as I possibly could.
"Enough." I stated as clearly as I could. I stepped in, grabbing Cycnus' sword as I positioned myself between him and Minako. His cold gaze met mine, his lip curling in disgust as he lowered his sword fractionally. He spat on the ground, sheathing his sword.
"You lost... to this?" My father sneered in our native tongue. A look of disdain fixing itself on his features.
"I thought you'd know by now that brute strength isn't the decisive factor. I apologize for overestimating you." I replied in the same language, unable to stop myself from baiting him. His scowl deepened but did not strike me. A few of his guards looked ready to attack me though. I could sense the tension in the air.
Cycnus' fingers traced the hilt of his sword as his nose crinkled further in disgust.
"You are a disgrace to the Martian race." He snarled. I met his gaze. That insult was becoming worn.
"The Martian people shame themselves through their very existence." I stated, seeing the raw fury rise up in his expression. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword. I decided to push the point, knowing that this wasn't the way things were supposed to go.
I chose to push him further in the Lunar tongue, wanting to distance myself from him as much as possible. I didn't want to be this anymore. This existence wearied me.
MINAKO
"War is a cowards escape from the problems of peace." Rei replied reverting to Lunarian. My eyes jerked over to her as I noticed an unfamiliar feeling, the aura was unlike any I had known.
Cycnus' arm came up and viciously backhanded her, the metal knuckles of his gauntlet raked across her face. Her head had rocked to the side after the blow. Thin rivers of blood coursed down her face as she steadily turned her attention back to him. Her eyes never wavered from his face, I felt as though I should do something... but I wasn't sure what it was I should be doing. It felt almost as if I was intruding upon something private.
There was silence after the blow had landed, an eerie calm had been cast over the grounds. Artemis had stepped closer, pulling me towards him.
Cycnus' sword was drawn again, his sword coming to rest just above Rei's heart. Rei did not flinch at this sudden movement.
"Draw your sword." He commanded, his tone ringing with power. Shadows of flame danced around Cycnus, there was a terrible kind of beauty to it.
I could feel the unrestrained power coursing through the air about us, the Martain wrath filling the atmosphere. Rei stood calmly in the centre of the rising flames her father had conjured.
"There are other ways." She said simply. The fire flared.
I was so engrossed in watching the confrontation I suddenly found myself immersed in Rei's feelings. She was wanting her father to end it with every fibre of her being, she wanted to die even as she met his gaze defiantly. Her soul was screaming at him to just kill her and get it over with, she was sick of this existence.
His sword swung towards her encased in fire and she didn't even raise a hand to defend herself. I pulled away from her consciousness so fast it made me feel sick. I didn't want to feel her die.
PROMETHEUS
From the edges of the training grounds I could feel things escalating again. I hadn't been fast enough to stop him last time but this time I was ready. As my father lashed out at Rei I grabbed his arm, hoping to reason with him. When my father turned to me, there was a wildness in his eyes, an unholy fire.
I held my ground, feeling my own anger rise to match his.
"You have no right to kill her, her life is not yours to take." I told him, keeping my grasp on his arm firm.
"I do as I like." He snarled, turning his attention back to Rei who remained unmoving, refusing to lift a hand in her own defence. Damn her.
"She is under the jurisdiction of her fiancee. You cannot touch her." I repeated, hoping to make him see sense. If we were to maintain any illusion of civility within the Lunar Kingdom we had to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
Cycnus pulled his arm from my grasp, whirling on Rei. I drew my sword as swiftly as I could, igniting the atmosphere around the blade, thrusting outwards. The weapon met with little resistance.
Fire erupted in front of me as my sword plunged into my father's back.
It was a necessary end.
I looked at Rei over my father's shoulder, his sword fell from his grasp. It had been inches from Rei's shoulder, it would have been a killing blow.
Rei had finally moved during this attack, drawing on her power to divert the fire away from those around us. She had not moved to stop his blow though. I frowned as I withdrew my sword, keeping my eyes on Rei as my father fell to his knees. The body finished its' drop to the ground, fading to ash as it landed.
I turned around, keeping Rei behind me as I faced the Crimson Guard. My sword remained ready, I wasn't sure what to expect from them. They were sworn to the service of the Autokrator and by Martian law I was now the Autokrator... I wasn't sure about how loyal they had been to Cycnus, many of them had been fanatical about their duties to him. I was not sure where their loyalties lay in the end.
One by one, the Crimson Guard bowed before me. I did however catch some resentful looks pass between them. That would have to be dealt with immediately. When I felt safe turning my back to them, I faced Rei again.
It was only right that I offered her what was rightfully hers.
I flipped my sword around in my grasp before kneeling in front of her. She had always been the true heir to my father's throne, there was no question about that. That was why Cycnus feared her so much.
She held true mastery over the arts we employed, having been blessed by the God of War. There was no way I could bring myself to stand between her and the throne, not when I knew she was deserving of it. If she wanted it, the world was hers.
Rei gave the faintest shake of her head before turning her back on me and all I offered. I gave a slight sigh. I could understand why she did this, she had no reason to want anything more to do with war.
I rose to my feet feeling a little bit disappointed. Rei was exactly the ruler we were supposed to have, one who wasn't driven by the desire for war, but by the desire of peace. I supposed that I shouldn't push her though,
Watched Rei walk away from us until she disappeared, the vague disappointment I felt was over shadowed by the feeling that I shouldn't lay further responsibility on her. She deserved to life the life she wanted for once. I nodded to myself, maybe some day in the future Rei would want the position but for now I was content to hold her place.
I looked away from where Rei had disappeared. Only a few non-Martains lingered around the training yard. One of them was familiar.
"Artemis." I greeted.
"Autokrator." He replied, bowing before me. My eyes trailed over to the Venusian girl. She was staring in the direction Rei had gone, a look of shock on her face.
"I think we need to talk." I told him, holding his gaze firmly. He nodded.
"Yes, we do."
MICHIRU
I had watched the arrival of the Martians from one of the overlooking windows. I had spent the entire time trying to convince myself to go to Rei. I couldn't though, I didn't deserve her. I never did.
Even from a distance I could see the situation escalate. The Autokrator had drawn his sword and Rei had scarcely reacted. My eyes were drawn away from Rei towards Minako. She had physically reacted when the Autokrator had attacked Rei. She had flinched away from the blow as if connected to Rei. My eyes widened, she had felt something for Rei.
I hardly noticed when Rei left the grounds, my eyes were so trained on Minako. If she had felt something for Rei... then there was some hope left. Someone just needed to show Minako the way.
If I couldn't help Rei directly I could at least make sure that Minako would reach out to her. I needed to make life better for Rei and this was a way to do that.
I knew that Venusians felt others emotions, and judging by her reaction she had felt something through Rei. It was the first time I'd ever seen the Venusian invested in Rei's well being.
I turned away from the window and descended the stairs, hoping to find Minako. If everything I'd heard about Venusians was true, Minako would be needing some help right now. Being assailed by someone else's emotions was not something that could simply be shrugged off.
As I rounded the corner, I encountered Prometheus, Minako, and Artemis. The two men were deep in discussion, conversing in Martian, barely pausing to let me past them.
Minako trailed behind them, looking lost and deathly pale. I reached out, laying my hand on her arm gently, feeling her shaking softly. Her eyes jerked up to mine as though I had surprised her.
"Are you alright?" I asked her. Minako opened her mouth to answer, but snapped it shut again. She shook her head, looking faintly green and unsteady on her feet.
Artemis and Prometheus had left us alone in the hallway so I accompanied Minako back to her room. The moment we were through the door, Minako bolted for the washroom. I followed her after a moment.
MINAKO
I could still feel the emotions assaulting my consciousness. The world swayed treacherously around me. I leaned over. Michiru reached out to me, holding my hair back as I got sick again.
"You'll have to guard yourself around her Minako. Feeling what she's feeling is dangerous. You need to learn how to manage it." Michiru told me softly. I wiped my mouth on the back of my hand.
"She wanted to die." I whispered. "I could only feel a fraction of what she did at that moment, but it was..."
"You don't have to discuss it if you don't want to Minako." Michiru told me quietly, laying a hand on my arm. I let out a soft sob. Gods above, Rei was...
"I'm partially responsible though." I managed to choke out.
There was a sharp intake of breath, she closed her eyes tightly. I could feel her emotions as she thought this over. There was anger... but also guilt. That combination made for an intensely painful mix.
I watched as she swallowed, obviously trying to control her emotions. The pain lessened. I looked over at her, her feelings told me everything she was experiencing. Somehow experiencing her pain made mine matter less. I did my best to sort through our pain, remembering that whatever the two of us were feeling... Rei was feeling much worse. The explosion of emotions I had experienced when I had been drawn into Rei's consciousness still shocked me. How had she been concealing that the whole time?
"How did you two meet?" I asked, wondering what could have happened to cause such a strong bond between them. Michiru was so attached to her. I could feel the guilt and concern from her, as well as a certain kind of love. A love that rivaled hers' for Haruka.
"We met about fourteen years ago. Rei was brought to Neptune by my mother. In the beginning I was just as afraid of her as you were... but that changed. I still don't know how or when it changed." She shrugged, with her it was a graceful movement. "But it did and for that I'm grateful."
I nodded. I was starting to understand things that I had completely missed before.
"You reached an understanding?" I prompted. Michiru nodded.
"Yes." She replied. This time I nodded. That was all we had to do then... reach an understanding.
We sat together in silence for a few minutes before I rose, running some cold water in the sink and splashing some on my face.
"Are you feeling better?" Michiru asked. I nodded.
"Yes, thank you. I should probably go join Artemis again. He seemed to want me to meet Prometheus..." I told her. She nodded.
"Yes, I have things I should be doing as well." Michiru replied. I had felt something change about her during out conversation. Some of the guilt she felt over Rei had lessened. Well, not so much lessened but over shadowed.
"You're going to see her aren't you?" I asked.
Michiru did not reply. We both knew the answer. We left my rooms together, I felt closer to her in that moment than I ever had before but we parted ways before I could figure out the reason for it.
I headed towards the common room as Michiru went in the other direction, towards Rei's room.
Upon entering the common room I found Prometheus standing alone.
"Lady Minako." Prometheus greeted in smooth Venusian. I gave a hesitant smile. For some reason I was less scared of him than I had been of Rei despite what I'd seen him do.
"Autokrator." I greeted in return, using the title I had heard Artemis use.
"Just call me Prometheus." He told me. I nodded, not sure what to say to this.
"So you're still not sure if you're going to marry Rei or not? I suppose it doesn't much matter anymore. She's out of danger for the time being."
"Why didn't any of you tell me?"
"About what?"
"That she would be killed if I refused." Prometheus looked politely confused
"I was under the impression that Venusians only married for love. Your mother was very specific about that, we were to leave you to make your own choice. She had faith that you would make the right one."
"But I didn't. The Autokrator, the former Autokrator..." I started, Prometheus raised his hand to stop me.
"From the moment of her birth he hated her, he thought that when she got older she would try and over throw me. I knew Rei, she wouldn't have done that. All she ever wanted was to stop fighting, she has never enjoyed it. It had always been obvious. My father did not understand this, so he looked for any excuse to try and kill her."
"What was it that your father did to her? What made you so angry?"
"In.. in our culture a mark, a scar, on the face is shameful. A disgrace. He had marked her as a failure and incompetent, it is a punishment reserved for traitors and cowards. Rei is neither of these. She never deserved this life."
There was silence between us. He sighed.
"Many times she has shown me the true meaning of strength and courage, she did not deserve this fate. I would not wish it upon anyone.
I pushed subtly with my emotions, wanting him to reveal his thoughts on this. Prometheus frowned, opening his mouth again... looking almost confused as to why he was still talking. I pulled back slightly, not wanting to push too much.
"At times I wish she wasn't my sister. Without the association with the royal family, she could have left Mars behind, lived a normal life. Could have been happy." He shook his head. "She could have done amazing things with her powers, the wars and the fighting was just holding her back all this time. She is so much more than just a warrior."
"Her powers?" I asked, forgetting all about the emotional manipulation. I was interested in hearing the Martian explanation of their bloodline.
"She... Before I met her, she was raised by a religious sect that valued mastery over oneself. She mastered more than that though, her control over the Martian blood trait is amazing. After she came into my father's 'care', the flames were her only friend. It was the only one that would play with her." He chuckled. "She truly is Ares' avatar."
It felt like I had been punched in the stomach.
"What did you say?" I asked, doing my best not to betray too much of my emotion.
"Rei is Ares' avatar."
My mind began to swim. Even on Venus we respected and acknowledged Ares. After all he was Venus's consort. My brain stumbled again. I was Venus's avatar or at least I was supposed to be. Suddenly I got the feeling the gods were playing with Rei and I. It was too much for me to take in.
"Excuse me." I muttered, getting to my feet. Prometheus nodded, giving a gracious bow before departing. I stood in the common room, unable to move.
Were Rei and I really intended to be together? By the gods even?
REI
I turned my back on my brother, leaving him and everything he offered behind. This wasn't what I had wanted. I had wanted my impact on the outcome of events to be minimized, apparently Prometheus had other plans though.
I was shaking by the time I reached my room. The events had finally caught up to me. I had wanted to die but I couldn't even do that properly... My hands were shaking so badly that I had trouble unlocking the door.
I shut the door to my room behind me, leaning back against it. A familiar feeling taking root inside me. I stumbled towards the bed as another headache grew. Before I made it, a flash of another scene blotted out my vision. I missed a step, falling to my knees. I reached up, gripping my head as I curled up. I was trying to block out the pain to no avail.
A scene flickered in front of me, too hazy to make out properly. It just looked like darkness to me.
A familiar voice spoke and that was clear enough to comprehend and identify.
"Kill her and anyone who interferes." He ordered, suddenly the shifting darkness in the room made sense.
I tightened my grasp on my head further. I didn't want to see anything else. I wanted this pain to stop. I bit down on my lip, the taste of blood coating my mouth. I attempted to concentrate on that.
Somewhere faintly in the background, there was a knock on the door. Pain spiked in my head as a different type of darkness fell around me.
MICHIRU
Haruka caught up to me when I was halfway to Rei's room. She strolled beside me, looking completely at ease.
"You're finally going to see her?" She asked. I looked over. "I wondered how much longer it would take."
Haruka reached down and took my hand in hers.
"So what inspired this visit?" She asked.
"Minako mostly. This whole thing between them feels... unsettling. Like it's not going the way it was supposed to. I want to make things better between them."
Haruka nodded, stopping as we came to Rei's door.
"You want me to wait here?" She asked, leaning against the wall as I knocked. I nodded.
"Please stay." I whispered, waiting for an answer. Silence stretched on as we waited, I glanced to Haruka, knocking again.
Again there was no answer.
"That's odd. I was certain she went in here." I murmured.
Haruka stood up straighter, knocking harder on the door. When there was no response, Haruka simply reached down and tried the door knob. It opened.
"Something's wrong." I commented, feeling worry seep through me. "She never leaves her door unlocked."
I stepped past Haruka, entering Rei's room. Rei lay on the ground, she wasn't moving. Haruka shoved her way by me, she knelt down by Rei's side.
"She's just asleep or something." Haruka told me. "She seems to be in a lot of pain though."
I stepped closer.
"Hang on, I'm going to move her to the bed. It's more comfortable." Haruka muttered, I knelt down, helping her lift Rei.
Haruka's eyes met mine, she was lighter than the two of us had been expecting.
As we laid Rei down on her bed I found myself studying her face. She looked so ill, bags had formed under her eyes and she was paler than normal. I bit down on my lip, taking her hand in mine.
"I'm going to go get some help." Haruka told me, kissing the top of my head as if trying to reassure me. "Be right back."
And with that Haruka dashed out of the room, her footsteps thundering down the halls.
I sat down on the bed next to Rei. How had I missed this? Rei stirred gently, her hand tightened on mine, her face tightened. I recognized the expression from when we were younger – she was trying not to cry out.
With my other hand I reached out, my fingers gently caressing her cheek, avoiding the gashes along her face.
I should have come sooner.
Again Rei stirred, her breath leaving in short gasps. Something was paining her. My hand trailed lower, brushing against the neck of her shirt. The fabric shifted, revealing a layer of bandages. I froze again.
What had happened?
I remained frozen in place until the sound of people approaching reached my ears. I stood, fighting down the panic that was rising within me.
"What happened?" I heard Ami ask as she came in, I shook my head. I didn't know. Ami immediately began tending to Rei, there was a soft sigh of disappointment as she discovered the bandages wrapped around Rei's chest. I looked across the bed at the others who had entered the room, Minako and Makoto both stood behind Ami, clearly trying to stay out of her way.
Haruka's hand rested on my shoulder as she came to stand behind me. I felt tears well up in my eyes at this. I turned around burying my face in her shoulder. She guided me from the room.
"She's gonna be okay." Haruka whispered to me.
MINAKO
Time stretched on as we waited for Rei to wake up. I had been with Makoto and Ami when Haruka had found us, she had explained the situation to Ami quickly then they had dashed off. Makoto and I both followed. I knew that Makoto had gone after them because of Ami... but I could not see why I had gone. I knew the reason but it had surprised me. The urgency I had felt upon hearing of Rei had surprised me. There had been a tugging in my chest that I couldn't quite understand.
I shook my head, looking out the balcony doors. Two ravens were seated on the railing, they had been there for quite some time.
I turned my back to them, feeling slightly unnerved by them. I looked to Ami and Makoto.
"How's she doing?" I asked Ami. She leaned back in the chair she was seated in, she gave a sigh.
"I don't know, it's hard to tell. I've never seen a wound like that before. It looked like a burn but... Something is off about it."
I nodded.
"Why was she unconscious or whatever?" Makoto asked, I looked over at her.
"I can't tell, there are so many factors to account for. It could simply be that she hasn't been getting enough sleep but it could also be a symptom of something more serious. All I can really do is wait until she wakes up so I can talk to her."
"How long will that be?" I asked, feeling genuine concern.
"A few hours I think. She seemed to be in considerable amounts of pain so I gave her something to lessen that. It should help her sleep as well."
"So we wait." I stated, taking a seat in one of the other chairs.
"You two don't have to stay." Ami said.
"I should stay." I murmured. Ami met my eyes, studying my intensely. She nodded.
MAKOTO
I remained in the room with the others, waiting for Rei to wake up. Nobody spoke much, we just sat in silence. Finally Rei began to stir, sitting up in her bed. If she was surprised by our presence, she didn't say anything.
"How are you feeling?" Ami asked as she watched Rei stand up. The blankets fell away, Rei seemingly tried to pull a shirt on over the bandages before we could truly notice how defined each of her ribs were. I'd never seen anyone so thin... I looked away.
"Fine." Rei replied curtly before leaving us alone in her room.
"That went well." I grunted. "How are we supposed to confront her about anything if we're all too afraid to talk to her?"
Ami opened her mouth as if she were going to reply but she snapped it shut again, as if thinking better of her words.
"I'm not afraid of her." Minako snapped, surprising Ami and I. She took a breath then continued in a softer voice. "I just don't want to hurt her."
"You're still afraid to talk to her." I pointed out. Silence fell between us, I frowned.
"Gotta admit though, I'm kinda afraid of her." I muttered. I caught Ami and Minako exchange looks and got defensive. Jovians never admitted to fear.
"Geez, think about it for a second, she's the size of a toothpick and she still managed to kick our
asses every day!" I growled. Ami rested a hand on my leg. I quieted down, leaning back in my chair again.
"I'll go after her." Minako said. After she left the room Ami and I shared a glance. Things were changing between them.
AN: At least the chapter was longer... Reviews are encouraged. And feel free to complain about the appallingly late update. Cheers.