Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Lord of Darkness ❯ Transition ( Chapter 11 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Shizuka Kaze 
Immediate effects.
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Adventure / Action / Hentai | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 12.08.2004 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 735 | Status: Completed
Immediate effects.
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Adventure / Action / Hentai | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 12.08.2004 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 735 | Status: Completed
Lord of Darkness
Chapter 11
Transition
___________________
Thank you for all the reviews. I always appreciate your comments and suggestions.
For the normal copyright notes, look at Chapter 4
*thoughts
//flashbacks
______________________
Lord of Darkness
Chapter 11
Transition
*********************************
The following few days were the worst in Kunzite's memory, even worse the weeks and days after the death of his
parents' when he'd wandered aimlessly through the streets, desperately trying to soothe the ravaging hunger that had plagued him. Her reaction had completely stumped him, not to mention that it stung more than he was willing to admit. She'd be chattering amiably with the guards, servant maids, his friends, but as soon as she saw him, her smile would chill to somewhere below zero Celsius. True to his promise, he'd not gotten within a ten-foot radius within Minako, but that didn't mean that he never saw her. She still had to pass through his room every night to get to hers.
She was an enigma, a puzzle, that intrigued him beyond reason. Every time he thought he had her figured out, she'd act in a way he'd never have predicted. It was almost as if she enjoyed keeping him off guard. The day after the ball, she had immediately giving the command to move all of Rei's belongings into a different room. What amazed him even more was her appearance as she had stumbled into the dining room the next morning. Her cheeks were blotchy, her eyes heavy-lidded, moving as if she'd ran a marathon the night before instead of catching up on much-needed sleep, moving with none of her usual confidence and grace. Later that day, around mid-night, he'd found out why.
//
In the middle of the night, he'd suddenly awakened to an eerie feeling in his room, something that wasn't supposed to be there. A slender figure moving noiselessly had caught his eye, and he knew that she'd been the disturbance. At first, he'd thought that it had been Minako, but the moonlight glinting of the person's dark hair set in a heart aped face with blazing violet eyes confirmed his hunch that it was Rei. In a single leap, he'd lunged toward her, the knife hidden under his pillow at her throat in an instant. She'd never moved, showing no signs of emotion even as the blade dug into the creamy skin and a thin trail of blood ran down.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
He'd snarled, removing the knife when she didn't appear to be bolting anytime soon.
"What's that to you, bastard?"
She'd growled back.
"That's what I'd like to know."
A third voice had joined in, as a shimmer of light appeared near the window, before condensing into the form of General Jadeite, who had crossed his arms in the universally recognized 'pissed-off' position just as the clock struck midnight. Kunzite narrowed his silver-gray eyes.
"Did my room just turn into a midnight party and somebody forgot to tell me?"
At that moment Rei's infamous temper, fueled by hours of restless pacing and anger, had decided to make an appearance in the form of a small spark that nevertheless sent the hems of Jadeite's pants on fire.
"No, and shut up."
She'd snapped, using Jadeite's momentary distraction as a perfect opening to push him out of the window, before closing it with a snap. She'd then whirled back to face Kunzite, her hands on her hips as the cut on her throat healed amazingly fast right before his eyes.
"Do you know that she's been crying herself to sleep every night ever since that ball?"
"How do you know?"
His tone had remained cool and aloof though her words had twisted a knife in his heart. The violet orbs blazed in anger.
"Listen, beast, in case you've forgotten, let me remind you: I've served and lived with her for over fourteen years. I'd think I'd know if something was wrong. Besides, why else do you think she threw me out of her room other than the fact she didn't want me to worry about her?"
He lifted a shoulder in a attemp to appear unconcerned.
"I don't know. Maybe she got tired of your company; I, for one, could definitely understand that."
"How dare you?!"
She'd shrieked, forgetting to whisper in the face of her anger. Before he could answer, however, a soft voice had spoken from the door leading to Minako's chamber.
"What's going on? And why are you here, Rei-chan?"
Rei had looked horrified as Kunzite turned to see the slim blonde princess in the doorway, tear-stains on her face that she'd obviously forgotten to wipe away.
"You're still awake, hime-chan?"
"No, but you were so loud that you woke me up. So, what were you getting yourself so worked up about?"
"I, uhm, I mean, we, uhm, were discussing..."
She'd chanced a glance his way, warning him of a most torturous death if he interfered.
" ... how to enhance and improve your soldiers' abilities."
Minako had looked incredulous.
"Let me get this straight. You're running around in the middle of the night, in your night-gown, screaming at the top of your lungs, worrying about the men's training and you honestly expect me to believe that?"
Kunzite had jumped in to help her.
"No, Princess Minako. Lady Rei here had been sleep-walking, and as she did not want to alarm you, she concocted this brilliant little story."
Minako had ignored him, latching a hand onto Rei's wrist and dragging her toward the door and outside, muttering something about a midnight snack. Just before she disappeared out of the door, Rei'd thrown him a glare that left no doubt in his mind that he would pay for causing Minako to think that she was a psychopath.
The next evening he'd found what her revenge had been when he'd slid into his covers, enjoying the feel of silk against his hot and weary skin when he'd suddenly touched something soft and squishy, and also definitely ... slimy. He'd whipped off the covers to find two dirty leap frogs nestling quietly and comfortably on his bed. A lock of dark hair that he had not noticed before was peacefully lying on his pillow, telling him that Rei had been here and those frogs had been her revenge.
//
Slowly, he began to hate the sight of Minako. Her cheeks grew hollow, and her hair lost its shimmering luster, becoming as mass of greasy, tangled blond strands. Her eyes dimmed, their sparkle disappearing. Every time he looked her in the eye, it seemed as if he was staring into a pond of dirty water rather than those dark azure eyes that once had so captivated him. He never found rest. Awake, or asleep, she haunted him, day and night. Everything he did or thought about reminded him of her. She had been at the palace for no more than three weeks, yet she had already left a deeper imprint on his soul than anyone else, save maybe Endymion. He also started to shun his room. The maps for battle strategies reminded him of her accurate assumptions and keen thoughts. The huge leather chair conjured up a image of the black leather almost swallowing her slender form. Even the closet brought forth a memory of her going through his cloths, looking for a pair of breeches. With all the disturbing thoughts, we almost welcomed the hustle that the arrival of Princess Setsuna and Prince Demanda would bring with them, but he was sadly mistaken.
On the third day, he'd awoken to see his fellow generals and his liege at the foot of his bed, along with Rei, Ami, and Serenity. Endymion had started directly with the problem, not even asking how his first General was.
"Kunzite, what did you do to her?"
He blinked sleepily, his mind muddled.
"I did what to who?"
"Minako, Kunzite, Princess Minako. What did you do to her?"
"I fail to see why it is any of your business."
Endymion took a step closer to him, a strange fire flaring to life in his eyes, and Kunzite was astounded to see that a hand had formed itself into a fist and the prince was speaking through clenched teeth.
"General Kunzite, you forget yourself. I am your Prince. And to answer your question, yes, it is my business. She has been almost like a sister to me ever since she came here, but something is wrong. Do you realize she was barely eaten or drunken anything for the past three days? And she never left her room yesterday except to inform Rei that she wasn't feeling well. And the trays we'd sent up to her yesterday had all been returned, untouched. So what in the bloody hell did you do to her?"
The last sentence was yelled. Kunzite never got a chance to defend himself as a gentle voice interrupted his almost-formed defense.
"Endymion, I'm surprised at you. You were ready to start a discussion concerning me without my knowledge? Don't you believe that I should at least have a chance to defend myself while you're thoroughly analyzing me?"
The nine people turned to see Minako. Serenity moved forward, gently hugging her unresponsive cousin, while Ami stepped up cautiously behind her, worry marring her usual pleasant features. Even to the men's untrained eyes, Minako looked sick. Her voice was high-pitched, almost hysterical, and her eyes glowed with a feverish light. Her knees seemed almost too weak to support her feather-light weight as she swanked back and forth between the door frame. As Serenity released the blonde girl, Ami placed a hand on her forehead, and - bit her bottom lip from crying out.
"Oh my God, she's burning up!"
She whirled onto the people behind her, the shy, demure girl they had known suddenly gone as she began snapping out orders.
"Endymion and Nephrite, get her into her bed immediately. Jadeite, get a basin of warm water, and Rei, clean linen. Serenity and Makoto, help her into a clean nightgown. Kunzite, get my healer's bag from the infirmary and tell the servants that unless its an emergency, I'm unavailable. And Zoicite, please go and inform their Majesties that we've a crisis here."
There was furry of movement behind her as everyone bowed to her healing talent and rushed to do her bidding. Endymion and Nephrite barely caught Minako before she hit the floor as she collapsed in a dead faint, and Serenity and Makoto somehow were able to force her lifeless form into a clean nightshirt. Kunzite returned from the healers first, lugging a huge bag
stuffed with herbs and small pouch with pills behind him. Rei and Jadeite followed him. Zoicite appeared seconds later, with the monarchs on his heels. King Sunaru stopped dead in his tracks, and his mouth closed and opened a few times before three words came out.
"Oh my God."
Their Majesties truly loved the generals like their own children, and Minako was no exception. Queen Gaia moved slowly forward, equally shocked as her husband by the girl's deadly paleness. A hand settled itself on Ami's shoulder.
"Ami, this is a normal fever?"
The blue-haired healer shrugged, trying to keep her voice from trembling.
"It is a normal fever; at least, it was one. But this heat, it's unnatural, meaning it's already progressed to the next stage. Unbalancing forces concerning her nutritional values and life force are conflicting with the overall absorption
of vitamins and minerals. Lower blood pressure causes a decrease in metabolic rates, and degrades the end-product. Enzymes burn up due to the heat, mitochondria malfunctions, and RNA and DNA replication is interrupted. Active sites deform to either increase or dramatically decrease any chemicals needed, and host cell rupture is usually accelerated. Overall, due to these side effects of the heat, balance is lost and kinetic energy is disrupted, maybe even with mutations in the somatic and germinal cells."
Serenity and Makoto exchanged a puzzled look, and the silver-blonde girl raised an eyebrow.
"Come again?"
No one heard her as Zoicite took a cursory glance at the unconscious girl in the bed and continued Ami's train of thoughts.
"Pertaining to the rise and fall of her chest, her heartbeat is slowing and by observing her neck, it is able to determine that her pulse, though steady, is very faint. The slowing of the heartbeat is the first sign of metabolic and chemical failure, and as the flow starts decreasing, the body is devoid of any vigor. Oxygen level falls shockingly fast, and the red blood cells are quickly dying. Shivers set in, for while her inner life is way above normal temperature, her metabolism becomes slower, and is unable to produce enough heat nor end-product to satisfy the sudden intense and hurrying need of her body. Had we seen her condition tomorrow, it might have already been too late. As it is, the self-destruction process has already started."
The blue-eyed girl was looking at Ami and Zoicite as though they were aliens. Makoto also looked puzzled, and Jadeite furrowed his brow, but everyone else's eyes reflected fear. Serenity tried again.
"Ami? Zoicite? What's going on?"
"Just know that Minako is on the brink of death."
Rei's voice was harsh, much harsher than she'd intended it to be, but who could blame her?
King Sunaru was staring at Minako, his good-natured face worried.
"How did this happen? She was such a vivacious and lovely girl."
He and his wife faced Endymion, while eight pairs of eyes simultaneously turned to Kunzite, and their Majesties followed the prince's gaze.
"General Kunzite?"
Queen Gaia promptly gently. Her only response was a muffled "Hum?" as the silver-haired general didn't have much interest in anything besides the blonde angel lying motionless on the bed. He had never felt such fear, and it frightened him that he could have such deep feelings of a girl. But, on retrospective, he was confused that fear would be so strange to him. Had she not, after all, awakened more emotions in him than he'd thought possible? He had almost lost her, and suddenly, life without her was unimaginable.
"General Kunzite!"
Endymion's voice snapped him out of his reverie. He stood bolt upright.
"General, how did this happen?"
Queen Gaia asked again, softly. A flash of something unspeakable had flown over Kunzite's usual stoic features, and it worried her.
"How did what happen?"
"The fever, General."
"Malnutrition."
"How come?"
"It's been a while since she has eaten."
"Why?"
Rei was getting impatient with the step-by-step process, and her temper made a quick appearance before she forced it under, and that was all she needed.
"For heaven's sake, General, just tell them! Tell them what you did to her, tell them how you used her. Tell them the reason why she's on the brink of death, why she barely ate for the past three days and why she cries herself to sleep everyday, why don't you?"
"Lady Rei, that's enough!"
"What, afraid to hear your mistakes?"
"No, but I fail to see why I'm responsible."
"You broke her heart, bastard!"
Kunzite laughed bitterly.
"I broke her heart? You gotta be kidding me. She has no heart. No woman with a heart and soul has spurned me as she has."
He nearly groaned as he remembered something. That day, the second day as a General, he'd vowed to himself that he would fix that scarred soul of hers. But now, he had only hurt her more. Rei's voice was vicious.
"You better tell them, General, or I will, and trust me, you're not going to look very good in it!"
He raised to meet her flashing amethyst eyes calmly.
"All right, under the condition that you will not interrupt me."
"Fine, if you agree to tell the truth, and only the truth - as is verifiable facts."
He gave a curt nod, and sat down on the side of Minako's bed, his large hand holding and stroking her lifeless one. He stared straight ahead, refusing to meet anyone's gaze, and retold the event with a detachedness that worried them, a detachedness that he acquired when in battle.
A tense silence followed as Kunzite finished his narrative. Everyone, besides Rei, who already knew the story, seemed shocked. Jadeite, as usual, as the first one to speak.
"Wow, you've really messed things up, Kunz."
The First General fixed him with an ironic glare.
"Thank you, Jadeite, but I already knew that."
"What do you intend to do now?"
Ami's voice was comforting, and soft. However, the General seemed surprised by that question.
"Do? Nothing!"
"You won't even try to correct your mistake?"
"I can't. Didn't you hear Rei's threat? 'If I see so much as your shadow on her, you'll suffer the same fate as this tree.' The only reason I'm not dead yet is because she's too worried to try to fry me."
Serenity laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, her eyes sad.
"General Kunzite, she still loves you, whether to wish to admit it or not. But to bring her back won't be easy. She has build an icy wall around her heart, and you will find that it will not be easy to break through."
The mighty high commander of the Dark Prince's army hung his head in defeat.
******************************
Princess Setsuna and Prince Demando arrived early afternoon, along with some servants. Princess Setsuna had also brought along one of her Ladies-in-Waiting, Michiru, and her personal bodyguard, Haruka. Rei had to be ordered to greet them, but she returned as soon as possible. But Kunzite, however, did not go. No amount of threats and pleading could to make him leave Minako. When Jadeite threatened to steal Minako as soon as she was well again if he did not welcome Setsuna and Demanda, he calmly told the joint-third General that if he ever tried that, screw protocol, he would personally take his head off. After that, they left him alone, and Zoicite whispered a quick excuse on his behalf to the visiting royalties. As Rei returned, she bore a tray of food, and shoved it roughly into Kunzite's hand.
"You haven't eaten all day. We've no desire to worry about your health after Minako gets better."
He stared at her in bewilderment, touched.
"Thank you, Lady Rei."
"I'm not doing it for you. Minako, no matter how much she hates you, would have my hide if you had gotten sick!"
She bodily thrust him from the room, and ordered him to get some sleep. If he 'came back looking like the walking dead playing face painting with dark circles under his eyes,' she would personally make sure that his life would be hell.
As dusk set in, Zoicite slipped into the room, bearing two bowls of steaming soup.
"Eat."
He commanded in a voice that brooked no argument. Both girls took the bowls reluctantly, but the strawberry-haired General was right. It was no use to help Minako and then only get sick themselves. Rei sighed, but as the liquid touched her lips, she suddenly remembered that the last meal had been dinner the night before, and she was famished. Ami ate more slowly, her brow furrowed. She caught the General's gaze as she placed the bowl onto the nightstand, her eyes unsure and questioning.
"Should I..."
She fingered her pouch gently, and sighed at Zoicite's nod. He handed her a goblet filled with steaming liquid, and she stared at him with accusing eyes.
"You already knew I would suggest that?"
He quirked a smile, and Ami couldn't help but smile back. She opened her healer's bag, and pulled out a small bag, turning it upside-down over the cup. All kinds of herbs and roots and some parts of an animal Rei didn't even want to think about fell out, ground to the finest powder. The blue-haired healer closed her eyes as she began to murmur softly. A fingertip gently stirred the surface of the cup, and Rei could almost see the power pouring into it. Sweat tickled on her brow, and as she finally moved her hand away, the liquid had changed into the deepest shade of red, like fresh blood. She one-handedly fumbled for her pouch, and dropped a pill in the liquid, watching it dissolve with satisfaction.
"Rei, Zoicite, prop her up."
Ami moved toward the now-sitting Minako, pried her jaw open, and patiently forced her to drink.
The healer turned intelligent eyes onto Rei as she sat back once more.
"I've given her a Yloh Pill mixed with the Genilaeh drink. It is used to bring back people who are dangerously close to death. She'll wake around midnight, and will be hurting like hell. Rei, do you have any idea how to keep her mind of the pain?"
The raven-haired girl bit her lip.
"We could start bashing Kunzite. I think she might be quite enthusiastic about it."
"No, she still loves him, and you'll only rip open fresh wounds."
"Maybe music?"
"Their Majesties will have our heads if we wake up our quests in the middle of the night."
"How about some snacks?"
"She's not allowed to have anything to eat within ten hours of taking the pill."
"But she'll be famished. She won't have eaten for two days, and how can you be sure she won't die of hunger first?"
"She won't, trust me on this."
"Fine. We could help her think up wicked ways to make Kunzite pay for hurting her?"
"No, I don't think we should mention the First General at all."
"Well, I suppose we could read to her."
"Can't, the library is closed."
Rei bit her lip, trying to think. Ami interrupted, her voice a little hesitant.
"Rei?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think Minako might be interested in hearing of how I or Makoto came to the palace?"
"She'd delighted."
"Oh, good. So whose story?"
"Since you're here, while not yours?"
"All right."
No one spoke again, but as the moon rose slowly, shining brightly at the highest point of its nightly route, Minako stirred. Ami and Rei were at her side immediately. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her opened her azure eyes, staring at the people hovering over her, her body trembling with pain.
"Ami? Rei?"
"Minako, Ami was agreed to tell us how she came here."
The blond-haired girl's eyes lit up, momentarily forgetting that she was hurting all over.
"Will you really, Ami?"
The healer nodded, smiling sadly, and nudged Zoicite to start at she leaned back, the vacant stare of her eyes obvious as she slipped back four years ago.
****************************
Chapter 11 finished. I know, not one of my best chapters, but I needed this bridge to link it to more Ami to satisfy those rabid Mercury fans out there. However, I'm going on a two week vacation, and I won't have access of a computer. Please review!!!!!!
Chapter 11
Transition
___________________
Thank you for all the reviews. I always appreciate your comments and suggestions.
For the normal copyright notes, look at Chapter 4
*thoughts
//flashbacks
______________________
Lord of Darkness
Chapter 11
Transition
*********************************
The following few days were the worst in Kunzite's memory, even worse the weeks and days after the death of his
parents' when he'd wandered aimlessly through the streets, desperately trying to soothe the ravaging hunger that had plagued him. Her reaction had completely stumped him, not to mention that it stung more than he was willing to admit. She'd be chattering amiably with the guards, servant maids, his friends, but as soon as she saw him, her smile would chill to somewhere below zero Celsius. True to his promise, he'd not gotten within a ten-foot radius within Minako, but that didn't mean that he never saw her. She still had to pass through his room every night to get to hers.
She was an enigma, a puzzle, that intrigued him beyond reason. Every time he thought he had her figured out, she'd act in a way he'd never have predicted. It was almost as if she enjoyed keeping him off guard. The day after the ball, she had immediately giving the command to move all of Rei's belongings into a different room. What amazed him even more was her appearance as she had stumbled into the dining room the next morning. Her cheeks were blotchy, her eyes heavy-lidded, moving as if she'd ran a marathon the night before instead of catching up on much-needed sleep, moving with none of her usual confidence and grace. Later that day, around mid-night, he'd found out why.
//
In the middle of the night, he'd suddenly awakened to an eerie feeling in his room, something that wasn't supposed to be there. A slender figure moving noiselessly had caught his eye, and he knew that she'd been the disturbance. At first, he'd thought that it had been Minako, but the moonlight glinting of the person's dark hair set in a heart aped face with blazing violet eyes confirmed his hunch that it was Rei. In a single leap, he'd lunged toward her, the knife hidden under his pillow at her throat in an instant. She'd never moved, showing no signs of emotion even as the blade dug into the creamy skin and a thin trail of blood ran down.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
He'd snarled, removing the knife when she didn't appear to be bolting anytime soon.
"What's that to you, bastard?"
She'd growled back.
"That's what I'd like to know."
A third voice had joined in, as a shimmer of light appeared near the window, before condensing into the form of General Jadeite, who had crossed his arms in the universally recognized 'pissed-off' position just as the clock struck midnight. Kunzite narrowed his silver-gray eyes.
"Did my room just turn into a midnight party and somebody forgot to tell me?"
At that moment Rei's infamous temper, fueled by hours of restless pacing and anger, had decided to make an appearance in the form of a small spark that nevertheless sent the hems of Jadeite's pants on fire.
"No, and shut up."
She'd snapped, using Jadeite's momentary distraction as a perfect opening to push him out of the window, before closing it with a snap. She'd then whirled back to face Kunzite, her hands on her hips as the cut on her throat healed amazingly fast right before his eyes.
"Do you know that she's been crying herself to sleep every night ever since that ball?"
"How do you know?"
His tone had remained cool and aloof though her words had twisted a knife in his heart. The violet orbs blazed in anger.
"Listen, beast, in case you've forgotten, let me remind you: I've served and lived with her for over fourteen years. I'd think I'd know if something was wrong. Besides, why else do you think she threw me out of her room other than the fact she didn't want me to worry about her?"
He lifted a shoulder in a attemp to appear unconcerned.
"I don't know. Maybe she got tired of your company; I, for one, could definitely understand that."
"How dare you?!"
She'd shrieked, forgetting to whisper in the face of her anger. Before he could answer, however, a soft voice had spoken from the door leading to Minako's chamber.
"What's going on? And why are you here, Rei-chan?"
Rei had looked horrified as Kunzite turned to see the slim blonde princess in the doorway, tear-stains on her face that she'd obviously forgotten to wipe away.
"You're still awake, hime-chan?"
"No, but you were so loud that you woke me up. So, what were you getting yourself so worked up about?"
"I, uhm, I mean, we, uhm, were discussing..."
She'd chanced a glance his way, warning him of a most torturous death if he interfered.
" ... how to enhance and improve your soldiers' abilities."
Minako had looked incredulous.
"Let me get this straight. You're running around in the middle of the night, in your night-gown, screaming at the top of your lungs, worrying about the men's training and you honestly expect me to believe that?"
Kunzite had jumped in to help her.
"No, Princess Minako. Lady Rei here had been sleep-walking, and as she did not want to alarm you, she concocted this brilliant little story."
Minako had ignored him, latching a hand onto Rei's wrist and dragging her toward the door and outside, muttering something about a midnight snack. Just before she disappeared out of the door, Rei'd thrown him a glare that left no doubt in his mind that he would pay for causing Minako to think that she was a psychopath.
The next evening he'd found what her revenge had been when he'd slid into his covers, enjoying the feel of silk against his hot and weary skin when he'd suddenly touched something soft and squishy, and also definitely ... slimy. He'd whipped off the covers to find two dirty leap frogs nestling quietly and comfortably on his bed. A lock of dark hair that he had not noticed before was peacefully lying on his pillow, telling him that Rei had been here and those frogs had been her revenge.
//
Slowly, he began to hate the sight of Minako. Her cheeks grew hollow, and her hair lost its shimmering luster, becoming as mass of greasy, tangled blond strands. Her eyes dimmed, their sparkle disappearing. Every time he looked her in the eye, it seemed as if he was staring into a pond of dirty water rather than those dark azure eyes that once had so captivated him. He never found rest. Awake, or asleep, she haunted him, day and night. Everything he did or thought about reminded him of her. She had been at the palace for no more than three weeks, yet she had already left a deeper imprint on his soul than anyone else, save maybe Endymion. He also started to shun his room. The maps for battle strategies reminded him of her accurate assumptions and keen thoughts. The huge leather chair conjured up a image of the black leather almost swallowing her slender form. Even the closet brought forth a memory of her going through his cloths, looking for a pair of breeches. With all the disturbing thoughts, we almost welcomed the hustle that the arrival of Princess Setsuna and Prince Demanda would bring with them, but he was sadly mistaken.
On the third day, he'd awoken to see his fellow generals and his liege at the foot of his bed, along with Rei, Ami, and Serenity. Endymion had started directly with the problem, not even asking how his first General was.
"Kunzite, what did you do to her?"
He blinked sleepily, his mind muddled.
"I did what to who?"
"Minako, Kunzite, Princess Minako. What did you do to her?"
"I fail to see why it is any of your business."
Endymion took a step closer to him, a strange fire flaring to life in his eyes, and Kunzite was astounded to see that a hand had formed itself into a fist and the prince was speaking through clenched teeth.
"General Kunzite, you forget yourself. I am your Prince. And to answer your question, yes, it is my business. She has been almost like a sister to me ever since she came here, but something is wrong. Do you realize she was barely eaten or drunken anything for the past three days? And she never left her room yesterday except to inform Rei that she wasn't feeling well. And the trays we'd sent up to her yesterday had all been returned, untouched. So what in the bloody hell did you do to her?"
The last sentence was yelled. Kunzite never got a chance to defend himself as a gentle voice interrupted his almost-formed defense.
"Endymion, I'm surprised at you. You were ready to start a discussion concerning me without my knowledge? Don't you believe that I should at least have a chance to defend myself while you're thoroughly analyzing me?"
The nine people turned to see Minako. Serenity moved forward, gently hugging her unresponsive cousin, while Ami stepped up cautiously behind her, worry marring her usual pleasant features. Even to the men's untrained eyes, Minako looked sick. Her voice was high-pitched, almost hysterical, and her eyes glowed with a feverish light. Her knees seemed almost too weak to support her feather-light weight as she swanked back and forth between the door frame. As Serenity released the blonde girl, Ami placed a hand on her forehead, and - bit her bottom lip from crying out.
"Oh my God, she's burning up!"
She whirled onto the people behind her, the shy, demure girl they had known suddenly gone as she began snapping out orders.
"Endymion and Nephrite, get her into her bed immediately. Jadeite, get a basin of warm water, and Rei, clean linen. Serenity and Makoto, help her into a clean nightgown. Kunzite, get my healer's bag from the infirmary and tell the servants that unless its an emergency, I'm unavailable. And Zoicite, please go and inform their Majesties that we've a crisis here."
There was furry of movement behind her as everyone bowed to her healing talent and rushed to do her bidding. Endymion and Nephrite barely caught Minako before she hit the floor as she collapsed in a dead faint, and Serenity and Makoto somehow were able to force her lifeless form into a clean nightshirt. Kunzite returned from the healers first, lugging a huge bag
stuffed with herbs and small pouch with pills behind him. Rei and Jadeite followed him. Zoicite appeared seconds later, with the monarchs on his heels. King Sunaru stopped dead in his tracks, and his mouth closed and opened a few times before three words came out.
"Oh my God."
Their Majesties truly loved the generals like their own children, and Minako was no exception. Queen Gaia moved slowly forward, equally shocked as her husband by the girl's deadly paleness. A hand settled itself on Ami's shoulder.
"Ami, this is a normal fever?"
The blue-haired healer shrugged, trying to keep her voice from trembling.
"It is a normal fever; at least, it was one. But this heat, it's unnatural, meaning it's already progressed to the next stage. Unbalancing forces concerning her nutritional values and life force are conflicting with the overall absorption
of vitamins and minerals. Lower blood pressure causes a decrease in metabolic rates, and degrades the end-product. Enzymes burn up due to the heat, mitochondria malfunctions, and RNA and DNA replication is interrupted. Active sites deform to either increase or dramatically decrease any chemicals needed, and host cell rupture is usually accelerated. Overall, due to these side effects of the heat, balance is lost and kinetic energy is disrupted, maybe even with mutations in the somatic and germinal cells."
Serenity and Makoto exchanged a puzzled look, and the silver-blonde girl raised an eyebrow.
"Come again?"
No one heard her as Zoicite took a cursory glance at the unconscious girl in the bed and continued Ami's train of thoughts.
"Pertaining to the rise and fall of her chest, her heartbeat is slowing and by observing her neck, it is able to determine that her pulse, though steady, is very faint. The slowing of the heartbeat is the first sign of metabolic and chemical failure, and as the flow starts decreasing, the body is devoid of any vigor. Oxygen level falls shockingly fast, and the red blood cells are quickly dying. Shivers set in, for while her inner life is way above normal temperature, her metabolism becomes slower, and is unable to produce enough heat nor end-product to satisfy the sudden intense and hurrying need of her body. Had we seen her condition tomorrow, it might have already been too late. As it is, the self-destruction process has already started."
The blue-eyed girl was looking at Ami and Zoicite as though they were aliens. Makoto also looked puzzled, and Jadeite furrowed his brow, but everyone else's eyes reflected fear. Serenity tried again.
"Ami? Zoicite? What's going on?"
"Just know that Minako is on the brink of death."
Rei's voice was harsh, much harsher than she'd intended it to be, but who could blame her?
King Sunaru was staring at Minako, his good-natured face worried.
"How did this happen? She was such a vivacious and lovely girl."
He and his wife faced Endymion, while eight pairs of eyes simultaneously turned to Kunzite, and their Majesties followed the prince's gaze.
"General Kunzite?"
Queen Gaia promptly gently. Her only response was a muffled "Hum?" as the silver-haired general didn't have much interest in anything besides the blonde angel lying motionless on the bed. He had never felt such fear, and it frightened him that he could have such deep feelings of a girl. But, on retrospective, he was confused that fear would be so strange to him. Had she not, after all, awakened more emotions in him than he'd thought possible? He had almost lost her, and suddenly, life without her was unimaginable.
"General Kunzite!"
Endymion's voice snapped him out of his reverie. He stood bolt upright.
"General, how did this happen?"
Queen Gaia asked again, softly. A flash of something unspeakable had flown over Kunzite's usual stoic features, and it worried her.
"How did what happen?"
"The fever, General."
"Malnutrition."
"How come?"
"It's been a while since she has eaten."
"Why?"
Rei was getting impatient with the step-by-step process, and her temper made a quick appearance before she forced it under, and that was all she needed.
"For heaven's sake, General, just tell them! Tell them what you did to her, tell them how you used her. Tell them the reason why she's on the brink of death, why she barely ate for the past three days and why she cries herself to sleep everyday, why don't you?"
"Lady Rei, that's enough!"
"What, afraid to hear your mistakes?"
"No, but I fail to see why I'm responsible."
"You broke her heart, bastard!"
Kunzite laughed bitterly.
"I broke her heart? You gotta be kidding me. She has no heart. No woman with a heart and soul has spurned me as she has."
He nearly groaned as he remembered something. That day, the second day as a General, he'd vowed to himself that he would fix that scarred soul of hers. But now, he had only hurt her more. Rei's voice was vicious.
"You better tell them, General, or I will, and trust me, you're not going to look very good in it!"
He raised to meet her flashing amethyst eyes calmly.
"All right, under the condition that you will not interrupt me."
"Fine, if you agree to tell the truth, and only the truth - as is verifiable facts."
He gave a curt nod, and sat down on the side of Minako's bed, his large hand holding and stroking her lifeless one. He stared straight ahead, refusing to meet anyone's gaze, and retold the event with a detachedness that worried them, a detachedness that he acquired when in battle.
A tense silence followed as Kunzite finished his narrative. Everyone, besides Rei, who already knew the story, seemed shocked. Jadeite, as usual, as the first one to speak.
"Wow, you've really messed things up, Kunz."
The First General fixed him with an ironic glare.
"Thank you, Jadeite, but I already knew that."
"What do you intend to do now?"
Ami's voice was comforting, and soft. However, the General seemed surprised by that question.
"Do? Nothing!"
"You won't even try to correct your mistake?"
"I can't. Didn't you hear Rei's threat? 'If I see so much as your shadow on her, you'll suffer the same fate as this tree.' The only reason I'm not dead yet is because she's too worried to try to fry me."
Serenity laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, her eyes sad.
"General Kunzite, she still loves you, whether to wish to admit it or not. But to bring her back won't be easy. She has build an icy wall around her heart, and you will find that it will not be easy to break through."
The mighty high commander of the Dark Prince's army hung his head in defeat.
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Princess Setsuna and Prince Demando arrived early afternoon, along with some servants. Princess Setsuna had also brought along one of her Ladies-in-Waiting, Michiru, and her personal bodyguard, Haruka. Rei had to be ordered to greet them, but she returned as soon as possible. But Kunzite, however, did not go. No amount of threats and pleading could to make him leave Minako. When Jadeite threatened to steal Minako as soon as she was well again if he did not welcome Setsuna and Demanda, he calmly told the joint-third General that if he ever tried that, screw protocol, he would personally take his head off. After that, they left him alone, and Zoicite whispered a quick excuse on his behalf to the visiting royalties. As Rei returned, she bore a tray of food, and shoved it roughly into Kunzite's hand.
"You haven't eaten all day. We've no desire to worry about your health after Minako gets better."
He stared at her in bewilderment, touched.
"Thank you, Lady Rei."
"I'm not doing it for you. Minako, no matter how much she hates you, would have my hide if you had gotten sick!"
She bodily thrust him from the room, and ordered him to get some sleep. If he 'came back looking like the walking dead playing face painting with dark circles under his eyes,' she would personally make sure that his life would be hell.
As dusk set in, Zoicite slipped into the room, bearing two bowls of steaming soup.
"Eat."
He commanded in a voice that brooked no argument. Both girls took the bowls reluctantly, but the strawberry-haired General was right. It was no use to help Minako and then only get sick themselves. Rei sighed, but as the liquid touched her lips, she suddenly remembered that the last meal had been dinner the night before, and she was famished. Ami ate more slowly, her brow furrowed. She caught the General's gaze as she placed the bowl onto the nightstand, her eyes unsure and questioning.
"Should I..."
She fingered her pouch gently, and sighed at Zoicite's nod. He handed her a goblet filled with steaming liquid, and she stared at him with accusing eyes.
"You already knew I would suggest that?"
He quirked a smile, and Ami couldn't help but smile back. She opened her healer's bag, and pulled out a small bag, turning it upside-down over the cup. All kinds of herbs and roots and some parts of an animal Rei didn't even want to think about fell out, ground to the finest powder. The blue-haired healer closed her eyes as she began to murmur softly. A fingertip gently stirred the surface of the cup, and Rei could almost see the power pouring into it. Sweat tickled on her brow, and as she finally moved her hand away, the liquid had changed into the deepest shade of red, like fresh blood. She one-handedly fumbled for her pouch, and dropped a pill in the liquid, watching it dissolve with satisfaction.
"Rei, Zoicite, prop her up."
Ami moved toward the now-sitting Minako, pried her jaw open, and patiently forced her to drink.
The healer turned intelligent eyes onto Rei as she sat back once more.
"I've given her a Yloh Pill mixed with the Genilaeh drink. It is used to bring back people who are dangerously close to death. She'll wake around midnight, and will be hurting like hell. Rei, do you have any idea how to keep her mind of the pain?"
The raven-haired girl bit her lip.
"We could start bashing Kunzite. I think she might be quite enthusiastic about it."
"No, she still loves him, and you'll only rip open fresh wounds."
"Maybe music?"
"Their Majesties will have our heads if we wake up our quests in the middle of the night."
"How about some snacks?"
"She's not allowed to have anything to eat within ten hours of taking the pill."
"But she'll be famished. She won't have eaten for two days, and how can you be sure she won't die of hunger first?"
"She won't, trust me on this."
"Fine. We could help her think up wicked ways to make Kunzite pay for hurting her?"
"No, I don't think we should mention the First General at all."
"Well, I suppose we could read to her."
"Can't, the library is closed."
Rei bit her lip, trying to think. Ami interrupted, her voice a little hesitant.
"Rei?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think Minako might be interested in hearing of how I or Makoto came to the palace?"
"She'd delighted."
"Oh, good. So whose story?"
"Since you're here, while not yours?"
"All right."
No one spoke again, but as the moon rose slowly, shining brightly at the highest point of its nightly route, Minako stirred. Ami and Rei were at her side immediately. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her opened her azure eyes, staring at the people hovering over her, her body trembling with pain.
"Ami? Rei?"
"Minako, Ami was agreed to tell us how she came here."
The blond-haired girl's eyes lit up, momentarily forgetting that she was hurting all over.
"Will you really, Ami?"
The healer nodded, smiling sadly, and nudged Zoicite to start at she leaned back, the vacant stare of her eyes obvious as she slipped back four years ago.
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Chapter 11 finished. I know, not one of my best chapters, but I needed this bridge to link it to more Ami to satisfy those rabid Mercury fans out there. However, I'm going on a two week vacation, and I won't have access of a computer. Please review!!!!!!