Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ I Want to Hold You ❯ Golden Tears ( Chapter 1 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Author's Notes: Another Sailor Moon fic. This one is based in the olden days
back when the Moon Kingdom strived and the worries of Earth were a distant
concern. I'm not sure where it'll go, but it should be fun. Stick around and
see, won't you? As always, any comments are welcome.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

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"The Past"
==============

I had always dreamed of love. On Earth, I'd often find my eyes drawn to an
attractive maid and I'd be made to wonder what she'd be like. I'd wonder what
her skin would feel like beneath my hands and how her mouth would taste pressed
tightly to my own. Yet, nothing became of these thoughts.

Until my first trip to the Moon Kingdom.

Prince Endymion insisted I go along. I still think the only reason he really
wanted to go was to see that blond princess he's always had his eye on. At any
rate, I figured it would make an interesting trip. I had never seen the moon
except in the night sky and I've been told that the earth looks gorgeous from up
there.

We all went along with Endymion that time; all five of us. He said that there
was to be some big gala for the Moon Princess and that it was to be a huge
event. We didn't know anything about that, but the promise of a little rest and
relaxation seemed too good to be true.

Upon arriving, we were introduced to the Royal Court, all but the young
Princess. It seems she was in a tutoring session with one of her senshi. The
King, wanting to talk with Endymion, asked me if I'd mind going to find the
young Princess. I hesitated but, upon seeing that none of the others were about
to volunteer, reluctantly agreed.

I took my time about it, though. I wandered the lovely Palace Grounds.
Everything seemed to be done in the purest of marble and, even in the perpetual
dark, everything seemed to shimmer with its own inner glow. Water was
everywhere, too. Small reflective ponds and larger lakes; water so pure and
fresh that, to drink it must be like cutting your mouth open. Smiling at my
surroundings, I stepped into a clearing and first laid my eyes on the young
Princess.

She was beautiful, to put it simply. Her hair was the purest white and fell in
a gentle pool around her sitting form. Her eyes were so wide and so full of
light. Her skin was smooth and creamy. Her laugh, when it reached my ears,
reminded me so clearly of church bells on Sunday Morning. After a moment, I let
my eyes wander to the young woman sitting beside the Princess.

She, too, had blond hair, though hers was more golden than that of the Princess.
Her eyes, too, were blue, but a softer shade. She spoke softly to the other
girl, obviously trying to drill some point home that the Princess just could not
grasp.

"Excuse me." I murmured as I stepped into their line of sight. The Princess,
seemingly glad for any sort of distraction, glanced up and offered me a gentle
smile. The girl beside her glanced up as well, but seemed slightly less
enthusiastic. "I beg your pardon, Princess, but the King wishes to see you. If
you'd like I can escort you."

"No, that's fine." Serenity giggled and quickly got to her feet. "I can find
my own way. Why don't you stay here and keep Venus company?"

"Princess." The blond whispered in stern tones. "I think perhaps I should go
with you. I still have more that I'd like to discuss with you."

"Later, Venus!" Serenity shook her head and smiled. "It's alright. I'm sure
father just wants me to meet Prince Endymion and his Generals. I'll be back
soon."

So saying, the girl walked off toward the Palace. I watched her go silently. I
couldn't help the thoughts crossing my mind, just then, and I'm sure I would
have been punished for them. After a long moment, the girl that had been
tutoring the Princess got to her feet and came to stand at my side.

"So, you're one of Endymion's Generals, eh?" A smile shining in her powder
blue eyes, she glanced at me closely for a moment. "You don't really look it."

"Oh?" I turned to her and quirked a questioning eyebrow. "What did you expect
us to look like?"

"Oh, I don't know." The girl grinned and lifted a single shoulder in a half
shrug. When she did so, her golden hair bounced prettily around her face. "Big
muscular men in tight armor and the like."

"Hn." I grunted, but couldn't keep the grin from my features. "I'm afraid our
tight armor is at the cleaners and our muscles had to be returned because of
insufficient funds."

"Heh." The girl laughed softly and smiled at me. "I'm Sailor Venus. What do
they call you?"

"I'm Kunzite." I responded softly and offered her a hand to shake. "As you
said, I'm a General under Prince Endymion."

"So, you're one of the Earthians." She smiled faintly and tilted her head a bit
to one side. "I was always curious about you."

"Oh?" I grinned and crossed my arms. "About what sort of things were you
curious?"

"Don't know." She shrugged faintly again and glanced at something to her left.
"Just the basic things, I suppose. I always heard that the people on Earth hated
those of the Moon Kingdom. I heard that they were jealous that we got to live
here in this beauty while they had to toil away on the Earth."

"I don't know how true that is." I shrugged, but there was anger in my voice.
"The Earth isn't such a bad place. It's quite nice, actually."

"Hey." Venus, a concerned expression in her soft eyes, glanced at me. "I
didn't mean to start anything. I'm just curious."

"You must be busy." I murmured softly, eager to change the subject. "The
Princess seems as if she'd be a real handful."

"Hmm?" The blond blinked, at first not following the quick change in subjects.
Then, after a moment, she broke into a soft smile. "She can be a handful, but
she really is sweet. She'll be a good ruler when the time comes."

"I'm sure." I nodded and turned my back. I was sure that Endymion wanted me
with him when he talked to the King and his court, but I was really reluctant to
leave the golden haired Venus. "With a sweet and stern guide like you, I'm sure
she'll turn out just fine."

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At the party, I stood in a far corner and watched as each of the other Generals
eventually paired up with one of the Princess' senshi. Despite this, I
continued to stand alone in the corner. My mind kept going back to what the King
had told us in the meeting.

Endymion had told the King of the resistance group, on earth, that had been
building its power for quite awhile now. Apparently, they had a powerful leader
behind them and, beyond that, a power that could easily rival that of the famed
ginzuishou. That could spell big problems for both the Earth and the Moon
Kingdoms. Lost in these thoughts, I didn't notice the beautiful blond
approaching me until she was standing directly before me.

"Hey." She giggled and reached for my hand. "Are you always this anti-social
or is this just a special event for you?"

"No." I shook my head and smiled. "I guess I'm just a little preoccupied
tonight."

"Something on your mind?" Still grinning, she pulled me out onto the dance
floor and, after placing my hands in their proper places, began to move to the
music. "Is it something you'd like to share?"

"I don't know." I answered softly as I gazed deeply into her angelic features.
"I suppose you should be aware of it."

"It sounds serious." Venus' smile slowly faded. "Would you rather talk about
this somewhere away from prying ears?"

"Sure."

------------------------------------------ -

We went outside onto one of the many verandas. She sat lightly on the marbled
railing and peered at me intently. I was reluctant to tell her because I
honestly didn't want her to worry. Yet, at the same time, I knew that she had a
right to know. She was one of the Princess' protectors, after all. So, I
explained it all to her. I left out no detail. Afterwards, she was quiet for
quite a length of time. Growing concerned, I crossed to her and leaned on the
railing.

"So, it's true then." She commented after a long moment. "The Kingdom's in for
quite a battle." Brushing a bit of golden hair from her face, she glanced at me
sidelong. "Does the Princess know?"

"I'm not sure." I shrugged faintly and reached across to gently touch the
length of her soft hair with a few fingers. "I don't believe anything was said
in the meeting, but it's likely that Endymion has told her."

"That's too bad." She sighed faintly and brushed a single elegant hand over the
length of my pale hair. "I hate to see her worry. She looks her best when
smiling."

"She's like you, then." I offered quietly, earning a gentle smile from the
girl. "I hate to think that our meeting has been tarnished by such events."

"It doesn't have to be." She shook her head and leaned in closer to me. I can
still remember how her soft hair felt as it fell across my hand and cheek. "For
now, we can act as if the future is bright and promising."

--------------------------------------------

After an eternity, I raised my eyes from her graceful beauty and saw something
dark on the horizon. I was about to voice my concern when she let out a small
cry that had nothing to do with my touch.

"Oh no." She moaned, tears standing clear in her beautiful eyes. "It's
starting already."

"Listen to me, Venus." I whispered as I came to my feet. "Go inside and tell
Endymion what you have seen. After that, gather your senshi. Try to keep it
from your Princess, though. She must be protected at all costs."

"But.." She stood, beautiful in her indecision, and peered intently into my
face. "What about you? You can't stand alone."

"I'll be fine." I grinned and offered her what would be our final kiss. "Just
take care of yourself and your beautiful Princess. When this is over, we can
celebrate together."

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I guess I don't need to tell you what happened beyond that. Queen Metalia and
her troops brutally attacked the Moon Kingdom. They managed to raze it to the
ground. Endymion and his five generals fought bravely. The Prince was killed
trying to defend the Moon Princess. Unwilling to live without him, she was
killed as well. The senshi each fell trying to defend their Princess.

I was not killed. No, a worse fate lay in store for me. I was mortally wounded.
A young human woman found me in a pool of my own blood. For a moment, I thought
my beloved Venus had come to save me. I was delirious at that point, I suppose.

Anyway, she took me into her lap and peered at me with what I assumed was
concern. She told me that I didn't have to die just as long as I gave my life
to the Dark Kingdom.

I refused. I would live for Prince Endymion and the earth or I would die. She
merely smirked. It soon became apparent that I had no choice in the matter. Soon
thereafter, I was reborn as a General in the Dark Kingdom under Queen Metalia.

My memories of the past were erased as I took this new job. I even found a new
love, a fellow General. I was happy. Or so I thought. Shortly after I became
active, I discovered how horrible fate truly is.

Venus, my beautiful Venus, was a senshi. She was my enemy. She was one of the
ones I'd have to kill. Just seeing her once was enough to bring back the
memories of our short time together. I couldn't fight her, but I also couldn't
stand against Queen Beryl and Queen Metalia.

What could I do?




===========
The Present
===========

"What's the matter, Minako?" Usagi giggles and grabs her friend's arm. "You're
pretty quiet tonight."

"Mm." The blond girl forces a smile and quickly shakes her head. "It's nothing,
Usagi."

"Maybe she's just thinking about the enemy." Ami offers quietly.

"That's something the odango-atama ought to be doing." Rei huffs slightly. "She
is the leader after all."

"Meanie!" Usagi wails and sticks her tongue out at the dark-haired girl. Rei
responds in like. The other two girls try to break up the fight, but have little
success. Minako, sighing faintly, flops back and stares vacantly at the ceiling
high above.

It was he. She knows it was. She'd recognize those cold blue eyes and that
slightly crooked grin anywhere. It seems so cruel, though, that he'd be
resurrected as a General under the senshi's enemy. How can she fight him
knowing what she knows of him?

'I can't.' She declares to herself. 'I cannot fight him. I can't hurt him. I just can't.'

The rational side of her, though, has other ideas. How can she not fight him?
She is a senshi, after all, and her loyalty should lie with the Princess. Her heart
shouldn't take precedence over Serenity's safety. That was one of the first things
she was taught.

"I think I'm going to go for a walk." She declares cheerfully as she gets to her
feet. "I'll be back in a bit, okay?"

--------------------------------------------

Stand ing on a bridge near the shopping district, she closes her eyes and smiles
as the soft night breeze draws her hair back and away from her face. After a
moment, she glances at the people below.

For them, too, she has to fight. Her job as a senshi is to protect both the
Princess and the people of earth. She can't let something like love get in the way
of her mission. But, then again, she is the senshi of love.

"Oh, I just don't know what to do." She sighs and cradles her face in her hands.
"I don't want to hurt him, but I can't just abandon my post as a senshi."

---------------------------------------------

"K unzite.." Zoisite purrs as he comes to kneel beside his lover's chair. "You've
been silent and broody since the fight. What's wrong?"

"Zoi." The pale-haired general sighs faintly and peers into the concerned eyes of
his Dark Kingdom love. After a moment, he forces a smile and runs a hand
through the curly length of the General's hair. "It's nothing, really. I'm just
concerned about gathering all the nijizuishou and obtaining the ginzuishou."

"Don't worry about that, love." The blond murmurs as he leans his head against
the other's thigh. "We'll find them all and the ginzuishou will be in Queen Beryl's
hands."

"I know that you're right." Kunzite smiles. "Thank you for cheering me up, Zoi."
Smiling, he bends to kiss the other before getting to his feet. "I'm going to go for
a little walk. I'll see you in a little while."

As he wanders the dark halls of the Dark Kingdom, Kunzite allows his mind to
wander. He is concerned over the eventual capture of the ginzuishou, but the
appearance of Venus is even more frightening to him.

How can he fight her? Sure, they knew each other for only a few hours, but even
in that time they were able to see that it was meant to be. Can he abandon his
General duties to be with her?

No.

No, he can't do that. He won't do that. In fact, he'll prove to himself that he can
overcome such a trivial thing as love. He's Beryl's best general. He won't fail her
in this or any mission.

------------------------------------

"Hey, girl."

Minako twirls around at the sound of a sweet masculine voice and smiles at the
only too familiar form standing before her. Kunzite, dressed in more appropriate
clothing, returns her smile and extends a hand to her.

--------------------------------------

"So, what are you doing here, Kunzite?" Minako, peering over the lip of her glass, softly asks of the pale haired man. "I didn't think Beryl's minions much cared to be on earth."

"We don't." He chuckles and slowly shakes his head. "I-I had to come and see you, though. Ever since I saw you in that battle, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you."

"So you remember that, too." The blond sighs faintly and half-closes her beautiful blue eyes. "I had almost hoped that you wouldn't remember me."

"How could I forget my beautiful golden Venus?" He grins and reaches across to seize one of her hands. "But why would you not want me to remember?"

"To make things easier." She murmurs as she stares down at their entwined hands. "If you didn't remember, then you wouldn't have a hard time fighting."

"That's very sweet of you." The Dark Kingdom General smiles as he lifts her hand to his lips. "I'd expect nothing less. It does make what I have to do all the more difficult, though."

Minako glances up at him questioningly, but only finds a cold and unfamiliar grin where once had been a kind and generous smile. The pale haired man grips Minako's hand painfully and drags her across the table until they are but a breath apart. Smirking, he slowly shakes his head.

"You are a fool, Venus." He snorts. "You will suffer for this shortcoming."

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"Sailor Moon." Kunzite's form appears in the middle of Rei's room where the girls had gathered to study. "I demand that you come to me and bring me the ginzuishou. If you don't obey me, then I will kill your beloved Sailor Venus."

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"Why?" Minako sobs dejectedly. She is hung from the ceiling of an abandonded warehouse. She is bound at the hands, feet, and waist. "Why are you doing this?"

"Why?" Kunzite chuckles. "Why am I doing this? I'm doing this for you, my love. I'm doing this to prove to you that love is nothing in this world."

"That's not true!" Minako nearly yells. "Love is everything! I still love you, Kunzite. Please, you don't have to do this. Sailor Moon will kill you if you don't let me go." Tears streaming down her pale cheeks, she turns a desperate look to the general. "Please, don't do this?"

"Please?" The general smirks. "You're pitiful. You're not a warrior. A warrior doesn't cry or beg. You're not worthy to protect anyone."

--------------------------------------------------------- -------

"Moon Princess Halation!"

The Dark Kingdom General groans as his body is thrown back against the wall. His hair, once a fair greenish silver, is now stained a dark red. His neat uniform is torn nearly to tatters. His body is broken. The senshi had gotten the best of him. He failed as a general.

Bowing his head at this knowledge, he struggles to his feet. The senshi tense in expectation of another attack, but he doesn't even turn to them. Instead, he trudges slowly over to his bound love. In a few quick gestures, he has cut her down and set her back onto her own feet. Minako, ignoring her friends' cries, stares at her one time love and tries not to let the tears fall.

"Why?" She finally whispers after a moment. "I-I don't understand."

"I tried." He grins and blood trickles slowly from between his teeth. She gives him a confused glance and reaches to help him, but he waves her away. "I tried to do what Beryl wanted. I thought I could overcome love. I thought I could forget my feelings for you. Guess this just shows how stupid I was."

"You weren't stupid!" The blond senshi cries as she rushes forward and gingerly takes him in her arms. "It doesn't matter! You can be free now. You can work with us. Please..."

"No.." He smiles wanly and shakes his head. With a slightly trembling hand, he reaches across and brushes his fingers to her cheek. "It's done. I'll never forget you, Venus. I love you..."

He slumps forward against her body and lets out what would be his final breath. Minako, three singular streaks of red on cheek, blinks down at the still form and slowly shakes her head. She whispers his name, softly at first then more loudly when she doesn't get any response. Her knees giving out beneath her, she sinks to a sitting position with the dead general in her lap.

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< br> "I know you weren't so bad, Kunzite." Minako whispers to the freshening breeze. She had brought him to her favorite spot as a sort of last rights. "I just wish that it hadn't ended as it did. I'm sure we could have been happy." Sniffling back a tide of tears, she kneels and lays a beautiful stone on the ground. "Maybe, someday, we'll be happy again."