Entry 3: The Penance Of A Stone
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Prompt 3: Stone
Setting: End of Sailor Moon SuperS
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"Fantastic work today," Artemis complimented Minako as they entered her bedroom. "You showed those monsters who's boss."
"Uh huh," Minako groaned as she approached her bed. In the blink of an eye she collapsed on top of it face first. "Night."
"Night?" Artemis wondered as he hopped onto the bed. "You're going to bed already? You didn't eat dinner. The monster attacked before the waiter could bring your order."
"I know," Minako grunted, not looking up. "I just want to sleep."
"O-okay," Artemis gasped, hsi concern betraying him. He had seen Minako exhausted but this seemed worse than usual. She'd skip meals before in favor of more rest but going to sleep without any type of beauty regiment was highly distressing. Even if she didn't do a full skin care treatment, let her hair down or change into her pajamas, she would at least take the time to wash her makeup off. Artemis' heartache as he looked at his exhausted and drained charge.
Just as Artemis was about to get the makeup wipes and attempt to clean Minako's face he heard a tap at the window. Jumping to the window ledge he looked out and saw Tuxedo Mask in the tree right outside.
"Mamoru-san," Artemis called after opening the window. "Is everything alright?"
"Well there is no new situation to worry about if that's what you mean," Tuxedo mask replied. "I'm more worried about Minako. I could tell she was worn out after the battle today."
"That's an understatement," Artemis agreed.
"I thought she could use a little visit from someone," Tuxedo mask suggested. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a very familiar stone.
"Are you crazy?" Artemis snapped, staring at the stone as if it were a weapon. "We agreed not to reintroduce them to the girls until they were ready."
"We can't keep delaying this," Tuxedo Mask insisted. "We've run every test imaginable and I have talked with them religiously this last year. All four of them want nothing more than to find a way back and reconnect with the girls."
"Minako is beyond emotionally and mentally exhausted right now," Artemis insisted. "If it turns out he is evil, this would be the best opportunity to manipulate her."
"Then consider this their absolutely last chance," Tuxedo mask spelled out. "If we find they betrayed any of us, even for a moment, they're gone. I will personally find a way to drop them into the mariana trench and let them suffer alone in the darkness forever."
"Wow," Artemis gasped, his eyes going wide. "That's hardcore."
"They may be my guardians," Tuxedo Mask observed, staring at the stone in his hand. "But the girls are the closest thing I have to a family. And I am a man who believes family comes before anything."
Artemis hesitated for a moment looking for the stone to Tuxedo Mask and back. Sighing. He nodded and used his tail to take the stone from Tuxedo Mask's hand.
"Just keep an eye on her tonight but try to get some sleep yourself," Tuxedo Mask instructed before leaping from the tree branch and disappearing into the night.
Artemis placed the stone on the ledge so he could use his tail to shut the window. Once it was closed the cat stared daggers at the stone.
"Listen here asshole," Artemis hissed. "It's three strikes and you're out. If or should I say when you fall into darkness for the third flipping time I will personally ensure you get sent to hell so Minako isn't hurt by your wicked self. I would find a way. You better not make me regret this."
PIcking up the stone with his teeth, Artemis approached Minako and placed it gently on the pillow next to her head. He watched as the stone began to glow with a faint light. The light caused Minako to shift in her sleep but she did not wake up.
"Here goes nothing," Artemis grumbled to himself, not taking his eye off the stone.
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Minako awoke to find she wasn't in her bedroom. She was in a field of bright canola flowers. The yellow pedaled plants stretched out around like a shining sea of plant life.
"This is familiar," Minako mused as she took in the scenery. Instinctively she turned and saw a large tree on a hill in the middle of the field of flowers. A familiar face was standing under the tree waiting for her.
"Hello Venus," Kunzite began with a sad smile on his face. "It's good to see you."
"Hello Kunzite," Minako replied, eyeing him skeptically. "This is a dream isn't it? Why does it feel like something more?"
"You are asleep," Kunzite confirmed. "I am reaching out to you with the limited power available to me so we may speak."
"Alright," Minako nodded, before folding her arms in front of her. "Speak."
"Kunzite sighed. "If I saw you everyday for a thousand years and offered my apology it wouldn't be enough. I fell into darkness and was used against you and everything I hold sacred. I was given another chance to make up for my sins when I was reborn in this timeline but again was corrupted."
Minako didn't respond. She only continued to stand with her arms folded and an annoyed look on her face.
Taking a few steps forward, Kunzite fell to his knees and bowed deeply. "Ask of me what you will. I will spend the rest of my existence to honor your request. When I have a body again I will use it to serve your wish. If it takes me 10 millennia I will do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness."
Minako walked forward and stood right in front of Kunzite's bowed form. "You are such an idiot who overthinks everything. All I want is a simple answer."
Kunzite raised his head and looked up at Minako. It wasn't hard to miss the tears burning in the corner of his eyes. Minako reached down and cupped his cheeks.
"Do you still love?" Minako asked, a worried tone in her voice.
"My very existence on this plane of existence is only for two purposes," Kunzite answered. "To protect my prince and to love you. I have no other purpose."
"Good answer," Minako replied, bending down and kissing his forehead. "Then I'll gladly accept all your unnecessary efforts to try and make up for being brainwashed. You can start right now."
"What can I do for you, my love?" Kunzite wondered, shifting so he was bending on one knee, almost as if he was going to propose.
"You're going to sit against that tree and be my pillow," Minako instructed. "Then you're going to whisper sweet nothing to me as you stroke my hair. I had a long day and all I want is a peaceful night's sleep."
"Your wish is my command," Kunzite replied, following her instructions. He was willing to crawl through Hell if it meant being forgiven for his crimes. Instead, thanks to the forgiveness of his beloved, Kunzite found he would not have to suffer for long at all.
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A/N: 3 down and 4 to go. This prompt went really emotional as I wanted to show just how remorseful Kunzite would be for being brainwashed by Beryl. He, being so stoic, would prostrate himself in hopes Minako would find it in her heart to forgive him. Its my believe they would eventually find a way to heal their relationship.
I realized I should probably go back and add settings to each of my prompts so they are a little better to understand when they take place in canon. I'll be doing this only for AO3 though as its easier to edit.
Reviews are love and they keep me going.