AN: I had the intro to this chapter for ages, but I just put together the rest of it over the past few days. It took a while to find something unique for Jadeite, but I think I managed.

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything Sailor Moon except some shirts and a few manga volumes.

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"And do not even think to tell me my childhood 'sucked'," Zoisite hissed at Jadeite.

The other blond had the good grace to look a bit sheepish. "To be honest, I kind of envy you. You never knew the people that abandoned you, really."

"You did," he murmured, understanding. "I am sorry that they found me so much more quickly than you."

"It happens, and I still got here eventually."

"So what did you find, Jade?" Endymion asked.

"Same as them," he replied absently, waving a hand.

"No, really. Come on."

"If we had to share, so do you," Kunzite added. It was probably a little childish, but he didn't want to have been the only one sharing a painful past. Jadeite normally avoided discussing what had happened to him before Elysian.

"Oh, fine," Jadeite grumbled good-naturedly. "I got a home."

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War constantly gripped China, but this threat was internal. Many opposed friendly relations with a neighboring dynasty, and someone within the court sought to supplant the sympathetic emperor by killing his only son and heir, who had just been born. People thought the baby's blond hair and blue eyes meant he was destined for greatness, so he was considered a threat. It broke his parents' hearts when they were told their son would have to be proclaimed dead and sent away to save his life.

The baby was rushed out of the capital in the middle of the night by the empress's most trusted servants, who carried him to a minister in the northern provinces. It was the first of the boy's many stops on a long and arduous journey. He grew up in the care of servants, always knowing who his parents were and what he had lost.

When he was eight, 'Jung', as he was most recently being called, was now living in the southernmost regions of China. He was never allowed out of the house, for fear of someone recognizing his strange coloring and connecting it with the supposedly dead prince. He had to listen to the servant who had stayed with him the entire time remind him not to show himself or reveal his continued existence to anyone but the old couple he was staying with. He was assured again and again that the trouble would end and he would be reunited with his parents.

"Are you even listening?" Piao, his servant, demanded irritably. "Boy, I am trying to teach you the things you will need to know when you are emperor."

"We both know I will never be the emperor," the boy said in an icy voice. "I don't know why you keep up this pretext."

"When it is safe for you to be revealed, you will be the crown prince. This has always been the plan."

"This plan has been in the works for eight years! My parents have replaced me, Piao. They don't need a son who's never been to court. I would be useless to them."

"Little prince…"

"Enough," he snapped. His tone allowed for no argument. In his anger, his newborn magic began to stir and he had to grab the table to keep it from changing his appearance as it so often did. Why his so-called gift seemed to consist only of illusion was beyond him, but at least he could still command his only companion.

One of the household staff came in and knelt in front of the boy, offering him a letter. He frowned before accepting it, casually tearing it open before realizing it bore the crest of the royal family. Eyes wide, he turned to Piao.

"I told you they would send for you when it was time," Piao said, sounding immensely pleased with himself.

The child scowled before turning his attention to the letter. It was indeed a summons, requesting that he be returned to the palace as the true heir to the throne and saying the danger had finally passed. It seemed so impossible he couldn't believe it, so he passed it to his servant without a word. Piao's smile grew wider and wider as he read. Finally, he got up and addressed the servant still prostrated on the floor.

"Inform the household that our belongings are to be gathered immediately and that we will require the use of a carriage. I also need to speak with your master."

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"My lord?"

Kunzite glanced up from the sword he was sharpening, surprised to be interrupted during his time off. "Yes?"

A maid curtsied. "The queen and king would like a word. Apparently a messenger came from the eastern kingdoms."

He nodded brusquely. "I will be there soon."

She dipped another curtsey and left the room. Kunzite finished with the sword and returned it to its sheath, which he then banished back to the armory. Task complete, he teleported silently to the throne room, arriving in a courtly bow.

"Oh, stand up, Kunzite," the queen said impatiently. "We need to talk, not deal with silly etiquette. You have to go to the Chinese capital."

"May I ask why?"

"We received a message from its emperor," King Tarin told him. "Apparently his first-born son, who was declared not long after he was born, was actually in hiding to protect him from assassins. The threat has passed and the child is returning to the palace, so they are inviting representatives of the courts. We want you to go as the ambassador of both the middle kingdoms and of Elysian itself."

"Of course, Your Majesties. When am I to arrive?"

"The boy is already on his way; it of course took the messenger some time to reach the island. That is part of the reason we are asking you. We know you can be there in time to greet the prince upon his arrival."

He was dismissed after that with instructions to leave immediately. While he wanted to be witness to the prince's return, first he had to stop and say goodbye to his own prince and their companion, both of whom would be upset if they couldn't find him later. Hyperion left as he entered the nursery, and Endymion and Zoisite hurried over for hugs. He indulged them before straightening.

"I will be going to the eastern kingdoms for a few days; they are celebrating the return of the crown prince and I am acting as Elysian's emissary."

Their faces fell. "Can't we go?" Endymion asked pathetically as Zoisite nodded.

"I am afraid not. There has been a great deal of turmoil in that area. The king would not risk the two of you on such a trip until you are older and more capable of protecting yourselves."

"We will miss you," Zoisite told him.

"I know. Be good for Master Hyperion while I am gone, boys. I will come here as soon as I return."

They nodded, so Kunzite teleported to his room and changed into his dress uniform before taking himself to the Chinese palace. He was greeted by the emperor's seneschal, who directed him to a suite he would be occupying for the duration of his visit. He was also informed that the prince – Kunzite was surprised to realize he had never heard the boy's name – would be arriving within the hour. He was to wait with the other visiting nobles in the grand hall until then.

The hour came and went, then another besides. The seneschal reappeared to assure them that they were not waiting in vain and that the roads may be causing the prince's carriage some difficulty. Other dignitaries began to get impatient, but he remained unmoving and calm despite the elapsed time. It was only when he sensed a magical disturbance several kilometers away that he began to worry.

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"These robes are uncomfortable," the boy complained sullenly. "And you tied my hair too tightly."

"You are a prince, not a common vagabond. There are certain standards to uphold. Now stop fussing with that topknot," Piao scolded.

He sighed in annoyance and let his hands fall into his lap. The past several hours had been a whirlwind of activity; after that, sitting quietly in a carriage was anticlimactic at best. He was not even permitted to open the curtains covering the windows.

"How much longer?" he asked finally.

"Another ten minutes. Sit still, Your Highness. You mustn't crease your clothes."

The further admonishment only annoyed him more. He quietly contemplated rebelling and flinging the window open so he could feel a breeze. Instead, he realized he knew nothing of the protocol he should be following and might well embarrass himself in front of every important person in the empire. The boy decided then and there that being a prince was not nearly as fun as he'd expected.

The carriage rocked sharply, making both of them look up in surprise. A second tremor made Piao frown, while the boy wondered what was causing it. Ruts normally wouldn't have that much of an effect. Before he could think about it, the world was suddenly on its side and flaming. Scared, he lost control of his appearance and became a larger boy he'd been bullied by at his last residence, though maintaining his bright eyes and blond hair. The old servant across from him wasn't moving.

The door, now over them, wrenched open and a man dressed in black dropped into the fiery carriage. He had a mask covering all but his eyes. The young prince struggled to disentangle himself from his heavy robes, knowing he was in danger. Before he had even removed the outer layer, the man thrust his sword into his shoulder, studied him critically, and climbed out again.

Agony was consuming him now, but he kept fighting to get free. His illusion flickered and vanished, and he realized the masked man had meant to kill him only to be fooled by the illusion's larger side. They thought he was dead. If he cried out, they would know he wasn't. If he didn't get help, the fire would make sure of it. He renewed his struggles, determined to save himself despite the overwhelming odds.

The poor child was on the edge of passing out from the smoke inhalation and wound when another man appeared in the carriage. He was terrified at first, then realized he was not wearing black or a mask. This tall man knelt by him as the flames retreated for no apparent reason.

"Who are you?" the boy demanded, making his voice as strong as he could. It might have been impressive if he hadn't started coughing as soon as he was done speaking.

Kunzite was stunned. There was power in the words, and not in the way of a master speaking to a servant. The boy had tried to compel him to respond with magic. Yes, a magical flare had led him to the flaming carriage, but he had not expected such strength from a half-dead, untrained child. The child was one of his.

"My name is Kunzite. What are you called?"

"I don't have a name," he responded blearily, losing focus.

That was dangerous. Someone that could speak and have the words become truly powerful was traditionally named in a sacred ceremony, given a name that would link directly to their power and could be used to control it until they were prepared to master their gift. For the boy to have gone without was extremely risky. He would have to take the risk and do it himself. He bent closer as he pulled the little blond from the heavy robes, which were beginning to singe. After a moment's consideration, he whispered a name into his ear and teleported both of them to Elysian. He needed a healer.

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It was fortunate indeed that Hyperion had been prepared for children with magical talents to be injured often, or they would not have had anyone capable of saving the boy's life before he succumbed to his wounds. Hyperion spent hours purging the smoke from his system, though at least the stab had been fairly simple to mend. As that was taken care of, Kunzite took Endymion and Zoisite to the audience chamber. He bowed low as the little ones hurried to the queen. She scooped them up and gestured for him to speak.

"I found a boy in a burning carriage after sensing a magical disturbance. He was wounded. Upon interaction, I determined that he was the source of the power and more, that he was exceedingly strong. I believe him to be one of the children we have been looking for."

"Do you have proof?"

"He has never been trained, that much is obvious, but through force of will alone he attempted to use compulsion. He has the power of words, sire. I know this beyond the shadow of a doubt. I had to name him so we could control it."

"He doesn't have a name?" the queen asked, appalled.

"It would seem the boy is the Chinese prince. Since he was smuggled from the city mere hours after being born, his parents would not have taken him to their holy man for the ritual and no servant would presume to do such a thing."

"But you would?" Endymion asked, curious. At nine years of age, he was interested in everything his hero did.

"Is that not his parents' decision?" Zoisite wondered.

"Normally, yes, but the situation was pressing. Since he is one of us, he will be entering my command as it is, so it is best that no one knows his true name."

"You do, though," Endymion observed.

"Rest assured that I would never abuse such knowledge." He turned back to the king and queen. "I am unwilling to return to China while the boy is still weak, but I would like to request another emissary be sent explaining the situation. He must stay here."

"Of course," King Tarin said. "Emperor Zhenzong is sympathetic with our goals. What are we calling the Chinese prince, then?"

"His true name will remain between the two of us, but he will be Jadeite to us."

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"Why can't I use my real name?" Jadeite asked after Kunzite patiently explained that he would be staying with them instead of rejoining his family.

"Your power is very rare. You can say things and make them true, or you can force others to obey you. It is… dangerous… if you are not trained, and because of the nature of your gift you are vulnerable to control if anyone discovers your truth – that is, your name. It must be kept secret."

"Even from Endy and Zoi? You said we're like brothers now."

"I imagine you will tell Prince Endymion in time, and whether or not you tell Zoisite is your decision, but you must wait until you are older. Things can change over the years, Jadeite. While I hope it never happens, there are things that might tear us apart. I will never tell anyone."

"But I want to tell them!"

"Jie," he said gently, "you can't. This is the one time I will use your name to command you, but you will obey me in this. You will keep your name to yourself until you are at least an adult, and then you will be circumspect before doing so."

"I like being called Jie," Jadeite told him. "Jadeite is fine, but Jie feels right."

"That is because Jie is now the name you carry in your heart. I know being Jadeite is still strange to you, but you will adjust. We will never speak of this again. Do you understand me?"

The boy hung his head. "Yes, Kunzite. But do you have a heart's name?"

"I do. My mother named me and I have always kept it close, but it is not the same for me. I cannot be controlled with it."

"What was it?"

"It was Kareem. It means 'noble'."

"What does my name mean?"

"Jie means 'prominent' or 'successful'. It is what I want you to be." Kunzite smiled at him. "Come; the others want to see what you can do. Welcome home, Jadeite."

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AN: I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I'm not sure about parts of it, but it does what I needed it to and I wanted to explore a little of Jadeite's ability while I was at it. It'll be a plot point in the related series, for those of you who read the TTT set. So, as always, I want to hear anything you have to say about this and that means reviews. Till next time!