Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Mage Princess ❯ Chapter Four ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter Four! Wow! I'm so proud of myself for actually finishing it
before this week ended! I was seriously expecting it to take another
week. Of course after all the threats I couldn't take more time... I
actually got an e-mail me telling me that I was EVIL! 207 times! I'm so
proud! ^^; So this chapter, as promised, is longer and full of juicy
details. I'm sorry for taking so long but I have been busy and I've
also been neglecting the Mage Princess since I hadn't had one of my
"moods" for a while. Then, all of a sudden, one took over me a couple
of days ago and when I get in these writing moods... well... let's just
say that nothing in this world (short of death) can stop me! ^__^
Anyway enjoy the story and, please, keep writing!

For all those interested: This series will probably be about 8 parts
(this includes prologue and epilogue) long. So expect more! ~.^

A few disclaimers: I don't own Sailor Moon... if I did I would be
publishing these stories because I would have enough money to do so...
I'm also an extremely poor college student who has to rely on her
scholarship to pay off the registration fees so don't sue me... you'll
get nothing out of it! One more thing: Washi is my character... Hou is
also my character and I guess that Kou is my character too since she is
so very different from Serenity ne? ~.^ Anyway I made all of them up so
don't steal any of them, okie? ^^

New disclaimer: Yuufu, Narcissus, Ohamu, and Abura Kakyuu are also my
characters. No stealing!

I guess it's on with the story!

The Mage Princess

CHAPTER FOUR
By: Sailor Berkeley


* * ~ ~ Rei ~ ~ * *


My fists are clenched at my sides and I'm storming down the
hallway, my raven hair flying behind me. I'm upset and am about to burn
down this entire castle. My blood feels like molten lava and my eyes
are burning. If I get a hold of that stupid, idiotic... My thoughts are
interrupted as I run smack into another person. I look up, expecting an
apology, and instead meet the most beautiful grey eyes in this galaxy.
They soften as they meet my own violet eyes and the look in
them makes the hot lava recede, though another warmth spreads over me
and my cheeks become ruddy. His eyes are getting closer and closer to
my own until our noses are touching and finally his lips brush mine and
I'm lost in the kiss. I draw away with a sigh.
"Rei, darling, why are you so upset?" his voice is soft and
feels almost like feathers to me. My heart beats an irregular beat. Why
was I upset? I was upset? How could anyone be upset when such beautiful
and loving eyes were right there?
"I... I don't know." I smile as he laughs. His laughter fills
me and makes me love him even more. If that were possible.
"Well, if nothing is the matter then we can talk and spend
sometime together, right?"
I nod emphatically. Oh, yes. Spending time with him would be
wonderful. He offers me his arm and I take it as we walk down towards
the gardens. He tells me about his current problems and I listen,
giving him silent comfort. And I know he feels better. People have a
hard time understanding him. The ones who don't know him find him
arrogant and proud. But I know better. I have seen his soft side, I've
seen him cry out and wake up from nightmares. I have been there to
comfort him many times and I know he is not arrogant; he is kind and
loving. It's not his fault his Gift makes him a very sad person. And I
love him even more for it.
He stops and it's my turn. My turn to vent out my anger and all
my frustrations. I stay quiet. Around him I have no complaints. My
anger dissipates and I feel the lava quiet down inside me. It certainly
was not a good thing for Sailor Mars. But Princess Hera Rei loves it.
And I notice that Hinekami is also happy. He enjoys this as much as I
do. I'm about to talk about Hinekami when I see Ami and Serena walking
towards us. Ami is happy and talking rapidly so I know she is speaking
of the wedding. I like being around her when she speaks of it. She is
so happy and excited that the feeling washes over everyone around her
and makes the entire palace feel her happiness. It makes us all joyous
to see the Mercurian Princess giggle like a schoogirl.
Serena gives me a smile and we share a knowing look. I had
missed her when she went away. It had been hard. I tried to follow her.
I tried to go to Angreemon. But I was Noohane, and they wouldn't accept
me. And what kind of Senshi would I be if I went to Angreemon and
forgot about my home planet and the protection it deserved from me? And
then, two years ago, Hinekami appeared. I still remember the first
moment I noticed him.

It was an extremely hot day, even for Mars, and I was walking
out in the Red Tree Forest and attempting to stay near the shadows that
the long trees cast when I heard a cry that I had never heard on Mars.
I was instantly on alert. I scanned in the entire forest and waited.
And waited. Nothing happened. I shook my head and blinked hard and
there it was again. An earth-shattering cry. A howl. Long, deep and
full of rage. I looked everywhere but saw nothing. I remember thinking,
in my subconscious, that I should leave, call for help, do something
other than standing there and waiting for whatever had made that cry to
appear. But I didn't.
It's hard for me to explain but I didn't feel scared. I felt
calm, expectant and powerful. I blinked again and heard the sound. It
took me a couple more blinks for me to figure out that everytime my
eyes were closed I would hear the wolf's cry. So I closed my eyes
tightly and stared behind my eyelids until my eyes hurt. I could hear
the wolf clearly, but I could not see it.
I was trying too hard. So I stopped trying and just closed my
eyes. Suddenly a huge red wolf jumped on top of me and started licking
my face. Once I got over the shock, I laughed and rubbed his ears. I
knew I was in my own mind, but this wolf was definitely not of my
creation. He had always been there. He was a part of me.
When he finally allowed me to get up I noticed the huge red
wings made of lava that extended out of his shoulderblades. I wasn't
surprised. It almost felt like I had always known he was there, I just
had never paid attention. I knew his name was Hinekami just as I knew
he was a part of me.

After that day Hinekami never left me alone. Despite his large
size and incredible set of fangs, he is really as playful as a puppy.
And I love him. I smile an ironic smile. I had finally received my
Wings. But only after I wanted them. I know that I'm the first Winged
Wolf. Just as I know that Ami is the first Winged Penguin, Mina is the
first Winged Cat and Lita is the first Winged Horse. All this knowledge
comes from the Martian flames in my blood. The empath abilities of my
people are amazing, to say the least. But I also know that the four of
us will not be the last. And the next generation of Mages with these
Guardians will do wonderful things and will accomplish a lot more than
we ever could. And I'm happy that I'm not the one who will need to
carry that burden. As Serena has.
I know that she wishes she could have been a normal Princess,
my empath abilities tell me these things. But I also know that she
would never let go of the Phoenix. Not even if she were given the
choice - especially if she were given the choice. Just like I would
never give up Hinekami. But my destiny is different than my Princess'.
I am allowed to ignore my Wings. And she is not. But I know she will be
happy. Sooner or later. She will be happy.
I smile up at Jadeite and feel content. With him I'm complete.
I'm home. And I'm exactly where I'm needed.


* * ~ ~ Ami ~ ~ * *


I always feel that wave of comfort over me when Zoicite appears
and there he is, coming around the corner right after Rei and Jadeite.
My heart swells and that feeling of completeness takes hold once more.
I love him so much that it hurts at times. My heart is so large that
it feels trapped behind my ribcages. I give him the smile I know he
likes best. The one that promises him that I will always be only his.
Rei starts talking to Serena and my subconscious is storing the
new information in my brain but I'm not paying attention. I can peruse
the conversation later. It always scared me, the way my mind could work
almost like a machine. Like a computer. Like there were files stored
into my mind and I could reach in and pull out the one I wanted and
look over it. Even if I saw something only once it would be stored in
there forever. When I was a child I thought that everyone's brains
worked in that fashion. It was such a large surprise to find that this
was not so and that I was one of the few. Maquins. That's what they
called us. The few people who had that type of storing capacity in
their brains.
I was regarded differently because of that ability. All my life
people treated me almost as a machine. As though my only function was
to record and replay. My eyes mist over as I remember how much I hated
this brain of mine because people could only see the brain and not the
person. That is, until I came to the Moon. Serena never treated me as
a Maquin. She treated me as a person. A living breathing person.
I give her a grateful smile and she smiles back at me, as
though she knows what I am thinking of. Then I met the other girls and
they treated me the same. Slowly I learned that people treated me as a
Maquin because I put myself out as one. I was too young to understand
emotions because my brain took over emotions. With the help of my new
friends, and later with Zoicite, I was able to separate the two. My
brain was used at times, and my heart and emotions were used at others.
They were separate entities and were kept as such.
I almost immediately noticed the difference. People treated me
differently. Took time out to make sure I was comfortable. Stopped
asking me questions that would make me overly use my Maquin
capabilities. And Zoicite had helped me through it all. Always there
for me.
I reach out my hand to him and he takes it in his own and pulls
me towards him for a short kiss. He then wraps his long arms around my
waist and I feel comfortable to just have him behind my back like that.
My hands rest on top of his arms and he kisses the top of my head as I
smile at him and bring myself even closer.
I notice that someone asked me a question and I close my eyes
and reach out into the file for that morning and look over the
conversation, which had started with Rei introducing Jadeite and Serena
and I notice that Serena is a little wary of Jadeite. She probably
senses his ability. Mina came bounding up the path and asks me if I had
a good time at the fountain.
I open my eyes and tell Mina that I had a wonderful time. This
all took the span of about half a second. My brain can do some amazing
things at times and I'm almost glad that I posses this unique Maquin
capability.
"Well, that's good. I was about to meet you guys there but here
is as good as there. Have any of you seen Kunzite? I know he must be
around here somewhere and I haven't bumped into him yet."
Zoicite squeezes me tighter and I smile, my knowledge not
escaping my lips, no matter how much it really wants to.
"Kunzite? Who is he?" Serena asks and we all suddenly remember
that she has really never met Kunzite. When she is here it almost feels
like she has always been here and we tend to forget that she has not
been living with us the past eight years.
"Oh. Kunzite is... well he's my..." Mina blushes prettily and
Serena starts laughing.
"Oh, I see. No need to explain, Mina... as long as he isn't a
Garandou it should be fine." She meant it as a joke, I suppose, but I
can feel Zoicite's arms harden and Jadeite has a pained look on his
face. Serena notices this, as a High Mage would and looks surprised.
"A Garandou? Kunzite is a Garandou?"
Mina nods very briefly and her eyes are ready to protect her
lover no matter what happens. I have seen her like this before, and I
know not to get in the way when her eyes flash like that. Serena, as a
High Mage, has seen worse and so does not take notice as much as I do.
"You must be joking. A Mirai," here she nods towards Zoicite,
"a Kuji, for I'm sure Jadeite here is a Kuji, and a Garandou? All we
need is a Douji and you rival even the Hito."
I cringe as I hear her hurt the one I love so much. I know she
doesn't know this. She doesn't know who they are and it's our fault for
not telling her. But Zoicite is upset and I know he probably had some
idea that this was going to happen.
"Serena," My voice is soft and I can barely hear it, I have no
idea how she is going to, and I don't care. "Zoicite, Jadeite, Kunzite
and Nephrite - whom you haven't met yet - are the Hito."
Right at that moment Nephrite and Lita walk in. By the serious
expression on his face I can tell that he came because the present told
him to. And he knows what has happened.
I see the shock on her face and she looks quickly up at
Zoicite, Jadeite, and Nephrite, who are silent and as still as statues,
with awe in her face. They hate that look. The one that tells them they
are different and are treated as such because of their Gift, their
Curse. I'm almost disappointed in Serena. I had thought she would have
taken it better. But then I hear her laugh and I look up with surprise.
"Well, then, we have quite a gathering." I quickly turn towards
Hou who had just come into the garden and was walking towards us. His
eyes were bearing down on Kou's and the two were sharing a very wide
smile. The rest of us were confused. I had no idea what was going on.
One moment she was in awe, the next she was laughing and now she had
some extra knowledge that we were not privy to.
"Indeed we do." Kou, for this is Kou and not Serena talking,
answered with a smile. "Isn't it wonderful?" Hou's eyes sparkle and the
two look like nothing could ever be better.
"Ummm... excuse me?" Mina's voice squeaks and she has her hand
up, as though she is asking for permission to speak. The two Mages look
at her. "What are you talking about?"
"It is the prophecy. It's coming true."
"What prophecy?" Zoicite is curious now, as am I. Both of us
enjoy reading and hold quite a bit of knowledge between the two of us
but we had, neither of us, heard of any prophecy regarding the Hito.
Hou looks at Zoicite and his voice takes a different tone, as
though he is reciting something that he has known his entire life.

"One dawn Time will meet Men
One morning Phoenix will meet Woman and Man
One afternoon the Two will meet Novel Wings
One twilight the Three will meet the Darkness
One night the Darkness will take over
One day the Three will challenge the Dark Rulers."

I shiver as I hear those six lines. Not a good prophecy at all.
My brain knows what it means quickly and I can almost feel it decoding
and putting things together again and presenting it in a more
understandable way.
Time meeting Men are the Hito. They are called the Hito for
their association with Time. Jadeite is a Kuji, the past whispers its
secrets to him. Nephrite is a Houji, the present whispers its secrets
to him. Zoicite is a Mirai, the future whispers its secrets to him. And
Kunzite is a Garandou, the one who takes past, present and future and
put is together to command and change Time. The four together are
called the Hito - they were born at the same exact moment and their
minds melded together at that moment. The first Hito in the universe.
Phoenix meeting Woman and Man can only refer to Kou and Hou.
The first time two Phoenixes existed at once. Novel Wings referred to
me, Rei, Mina and Lita - the first new set of Wings in centuries. The
Darkness can only mean something evil and horrible and somehow I think
that Narcissus has something to do with it. The last line I especially
do not like. How are we to challenge something that will take over what
I'm assuming is the universe? This is definitelly not a good prophecy.
I shake my head as I see Kunzite coming towards us. He knows
what is happening because his mind is melded with the others. He always
knows what is happening with his friends. They are his life force in a
way; if they die he does. Because he is so attached to them, even more
so than they are to him.
The eight of us stare at each other and ponder all that we have
heard. It's true. I can feel it. And I'm sure that somehow Kunzite had
some idea that this was going to happen. Mina, our leader, the one who
always held a smile but who was always the first to become serious in
battle, spoke first.
"Prophecy or no prophecy, Serena, we will always come to you
when we are needed." The rest of us nod vigorously. Of course we would.
Even at the cost of death.
"The Hito will always serve the Moon Kingdom, Your Highness."
Kunzite, always the formal one, of course would give his service freely
if it was needed. And he knew it was. He also knew that this was
necessary for the whole universe.
"I'm glad you will all willingly help. I'm afraid that the
Darkness is spreading. And I'm sorry to speak of such things when you
are all doing so well and so comfortable in life. I wish it weren't
happening, but Hou and I have found larger spots of the Darkness
spreading in the Magic. More and more Mages are becoming Dark and the
universe is feeling it. Dark Mages are not only bad because they tend
to attack innocent people, they also polute all the life force of this
universe. It is slowly deteorating. If the Darkness is not cleansed,
and soon, there will be no hope for anyone."
We take the information in with horror growing on our faces.
The universe detereorating? How could such a thing happen?
"I don't want all of you to become so serious that there will
be no more joking or laughing in the castle. On the contrary, that will
actually help fight the Darkness. But I do want you to be ready when I
call you."
I stepped outside of Zoicite's embrace and took Serena's hand
in my own. "We will be more than ready when you call. Do not worry."
She smiles at me and I know that for her, for my love, for the peace of
this Kingdom and for the entire Universe, I would be ready in a second.


* * ~ ~ Hou ~ ~ * *


"Narcissus?" I should have known it would be him. He was always
the one who would get into scrapes and, though we all loved his jokes
and his sometimes scandalous attitude, there were moments when his eyes
would turn cold and I would shiver and the Houou would warm me with his
lava wings, but I was always the only one who noticed. And I remember
the day we let him go. I was livid and I almost did not allow Kou to
see him. I wanted him dead, and quickly. I knew that Kou would allow
him to escape and I knew that she pitied him. I give her a small
reproachful look and then let it go. Not worth arguing over and I'm
sure she had not noticed the look.
"I know." I stop my thoughts and look at Kou. Her voice is soft
and barely audible. "I should have killed him when I had the chance." I
wince. She had noticed.
"It's done and in the past. It can't be changed so let's move
on. Did you track him?" I see her shoulders straighten and her voice,
once soft and vulnerable, takes on its sharp edge once again. I hate
having to talk to her this way, but I know that she doesn't like to be
weak and is grateful for my single-mindedness.
"I was able to get a broad tracking done. Not much of a lead
but a strong possibility."
"Where?"
"Kinmoku."
Within seconds we are both standing in front of the Kinmoku
palace. I feel the olive-scented magic of the planet caress the Phoenix
and then it is gone. We have been accepted into the planet. The large
doors open and a small man, his shrivelled hands grasping a cane and
his frame so fragile that it looked as though it would collapse and
crack with a small breeze, walked out to greet us.
Ohamu is 1,748 years old and has seen 53 Mages fill the
position of Zen'youkuhikouki. He is an Ancient and is revered among all
Mages. Despite his age, and the fact that he is blind, his grip on his
cane is still strong and his shoulders do not droop. And here I feel
that incredible urge to bow once again. I do not know where this
feeling comes from, or why I have it, but it comes and goes and it
always makes me uncomfortable. Kou looks as calm as ever and her face
is a perfect mask. I decide to follow her example and the two of us,
hands gripped together against our chests, a Mage sign, wait for the
Ancient to speak first.
My hands are developing tingles and are turning white with the
strength I'm pressing them together but I leave them there and do not
loosen the hold they have on each other. He may be blind, but he is an
Ancient and one never underestimates an Ancient.
Slowly, as though he has not done this in years, his knees bend
and the Ancient, Ohamu the Loon, bows to us. My eyes must be bulging
out of my head, and I suppress the urge my jaw has to slack open. The
Ancient has never bowed to anyone in his entire life, Mages do not ever
bow to anyone.
Kou, as usual, reacts first and almost runs towards him. She
makes it look like she is floating, but I know she is running. She
grips his arm and gently lifts him back up. I recover the use of my
muscles and slowly, though just as gracefully as Kou, walk towards the
two of them.
"Why bow, Ancient? We have not deserved this and we will not
allow it." My voice sounds like it's far away and I speak for both Kou
and I. In public, and in the presence of High Mages, we must sound as
one. Being Zen'youkuhikouki together means that we must have one will
in front of all Mages so we talk in the plural. It is too formal for
me, though, and I only do it for the sake of tradition.
"One bows when it is necessary, and when faced with the Saviors
of the universe." His voice sounds almost amused. I did not know that
the Ancient still posessed a sense of humor. "And one bows, especially,
to old friends."
Kou and I smile widly at him and her hand pats his arm as
lovingly as she would have her father's or grandfather's. The Ancient
had been a good friend, would always be a good friend, to Kou. I do
not know him as well, but I know that he has done many things for Queen
Serenity and he was once a regular visitor of the Moon Kingdom.
"We need some help from your Princess, old friend." I have
always been amazed at Kou's ability to sound so formal and powerful and
yet so loving and caring all in one sentence.
"Ah, Kakyuu should be glad to receive you. I'm sure that she is
never too busy for you. Especially not when such tidings could mean
disaster for Kinmoku."
"We were not aware you knew about this, Ancient," I am
surprised that he gleaned so much information from just one meeting.
"I know many things, Zen'youkuhikouki. I also know that he whom
you seek has been here. But I will let my granddaughter explain this to
you since I cannot interfere in this specific affair."
Kou and I don't even need to share a look, it has been shared
already, in our link. We both know that Princess Abura Kakyuu has been
a High Mage friend for years and that she would never do anything to
hurt the balance between Dark and Light. And I know that she is not the
Ancient's granddaughter, but rather his great-great-great-granddaughter
and that, though only a Princess in title, she is the actual ruler of
this planet. There are no Queens or Kings in Kinmoku, only Princesses
and they are, just as the Serenity line on the Moon, all named after
the first Kakyuu. Princess Hana Zeita Abura Kakyuu is actually Princess
Kakyuu XXIII and she comes from a long line of High Mages and Noohanes.
Not a single one of them has ever become Dark.
Kou and I walk behind the Ancient and walk at his pace, as
though all three of us are one body. No one openly stares, but I can
feel the eyes bearing down on us as we walk by. I doubt that the planet
of Kinmoku has Mage visitors often, less likely even that they would be
the two Zen'youkuhikouki.
We are led into a bright, airy room where the Princess rests
upon a small throne made of olive tree bark twisted together. Leaves
are growing from its sides and the flowers frame her body perfectly. As
is usual for Kinmoku, butterflies are all over, flying and landing
gracefully. Three land on my shoulder and four on my sleeves and I feel
as though I have somehow passed an unspoken test. Seven butterflies
circle Kou and land on her, as though kissing her, only to fly off and
land somewhere else again.
I look at the Princess and remember the last time I had seen
her. I don't remember why I had been on Kinmoku, nor do I remember when
it was, but I know that I had thought her to be delightful. She was
much younger then, no more than seven I should think, but she already
had that air of maturity and serenity that I see in the woman before
me. She has the renowned red eyes of her family as well as long black
hair that falls in a curtain around her face. The flower on her
forehead twinkles at me and there are seven butterflies on her hair and
they look like decoration, like they were put there for a reason. I
notice that seven is a reoccuring number here. There are seven pillars
in the room, seven windows and seven butterflies surrounding each of
the seven inhabitants of the room. I must remember to check why this
number is so important to Kinmoku, as it most obviously is.
She smiles at the two of us and her head bows to Kou,
recognizing her as the Princess of the Moon. Kou's head stays fixed in
place. She is acting as Zen'youkuhikouki and as me, so she must not
even acknowledge the Princess.
"I'm honored to have such guests at my palace. Welcome to
Kinmoku, Zen'youkuhikouki."
"Thank you, your Highness. We are very grateful for such a warm
and quick welcome. However, we are not here for pleasure today."
"No, I did not suppose you were." She looks to her three Senshi
and they all come forward to stand behind her throne. She sits up a
little straigther than before and the butterflies flutter down to
encircle her lap before resting on her hands. "What may I help you with
today, Zen'youkuhikouki?"
"We are looking for a Dark Mage. He has been traced back to
this area. We are not sure he came to Kinmoku or one of its neighboring
planets, but we do know that he was using Dark Magic and, therefore,
must have been noticed by your planet if he indeed had come here."
The Princess looked at Kou for a moment and was about to shake
her head when one of her Senshi slightly tipped her head. It was such
a small gesture that I doubt anyone else would have even noticed but
Kakyuu stopped at once and looked at her Senshi.
"I'm sorry, my Princess, but I have felt something Dark enter
our planet and then leave it after a couple of hours. I had meant to
fill a report but I thought that nothing would have come out of it."
I wait impatiently for the Princess to introduce us. It would
not be proper for me to ask any questions of the Senshi until the
Princess deemed it time for her to be introduced. "This is Sailor Star
Fighter, Minor Princess Yuufu of the Koda Clan." The Senshi bowed to
Kou and inclined her head towards me.
"What happened?" I notice the small frown that passed her
forehead as though she is trying to remember something.
"It happened very quickly, but I felt something Dark come into
the planet, and then leave it. The only piece of information I feel you
might benefit from is that right as it left I felt another Dark Mage,
this one much stronger than the one that left, meet it on its way out.
They both left towards..." here she stopped and looked towards the
ground and the seven concentric circles on it before she continued.
"Towards the Sol System. They left towards the Moon Kingdom."


* * ~ ~ Mina ~ ~ * *


Haneko is, once again, purring so loudly that I feel as though
my bones, even if I do not have bones in this place, are going to crack
in a moment. His bright yellow wings are folded over his back and he
has my legs trapped in his large body. I pet him as fiercely as I know
he likes and he finally lets me go. I open my eyes and sigh.
I'm not sure whether or not I should be glad that I can finally
tell people about Haneko. In fact, I wasn't even sure I was Winged
until I had heard that horrible prophecy. I had always thought I was
Noohane. The fact that Haneko had wings meant nothing to me, not until
today at least.
I hug my legs and rest my chin on my knees, staring out at the
blue sphere suspended in the air, millions of stars surrounding it and
twinkling at me. I hadn't been on Earth in at least eleven years. I
missed it. I missed it even more than I did Venus.
Of course Venus was home - it would always be home - but Earth
was where I had first met Kunzite and the time I spent there had been
some the happiest of my life.

I first arrived on Earth at the age of fourteen. I can still
recall its scent when I want to. A scent that I can never describe well
enough. An earthy smell, one that promises life and growth and plenty
of love and care.
I had come to Earth to visit the Hito, who were the special
Warriors, called Generals here on Earth, in charge of protecting the
Earthling Prince Darien Endymion. Serena was supposed to have come to
see the Prince but she had not wanted and the Prince was away. No one
outside of the Earth Kingdom, and even some on Earth, knew where he
was. He would come back sporadically and without warning. All this I
learned later on.
I remember looking up at the Moon and smiling and waving, as
though my friends could see me from there. I escaped to the Gardens the
moment I was left alone and quickly became amazed by the large quantity
of exotic flowers and beautiful trees all around me.
I was so happy that I started to run. Running frees me in a way
that nothing else ever does. To see the world in a blur always made me
think clearer, as strange and ironic as that may seem. It was then that
I met General Kunzite, the Garandou.
I ran smack into him. I can only imagine what I must have
looked like to him, hair all over, dress a little crooked and cheeks
red and hot from the exercise. Of course they became even more red as I
noticed that the person I had just run into was several years older,
quite handsome and in a very compromising position as he grabbed my
waist to regain his balance and we both toppled to the ground, me on
top of him and his lips barely inches from mine.
I quickly got up and tried not to notice how wonderfully bright
and mesmerizing his eyes were. They had changed colors three times
since I had met him and I could not decide whether they were green,
blue or hazy grey. Later I found out that since he was the Garandou his
eyes were the color of all the Hito. Nephrite's blue, Zoicite's green
and Jadeite's grey were all a part of Kunzite's eyes.
"I'm sorry, my lady. I did not mean to be in your way." He
bowed to me and then started to turn around. I had been so enchanted
by his eyes that his words did not register immediately. Not until he
started to leave did I make a sound.
"No, wait!" I had not meant to make it sound so desperate, nor
so loud and I blushed profusely. He turned around and looked at me
expectantly. "I should be the one to apologize. I was behaving wildly
and did not watch where I was going. I'm sorry I ran over you in that
manner." Oh, but I was not sorry. Not at all. If I had the choice I
would run over him again and again.
"Don't be sorry, I quite enjoyed it." And with that he left me.
To this day I have no idea how I made him say something as
inappropriate as that. Kunzite, I learned throughout the years, is the
most formal and conscious man I have ever met. It can become quite
infuriating at times, but I love him all the more for it. For I had
fallen in love with him right then and there.
The next few days consisted of me following him around like a
lovesick puppy and him pretending not to notice. I enjoyed every moment
of it. I was so sad when it came time for me to leave. I had packed all
my clothes and was just about to walk out of the room I had been given
the last few days when there was a knock at the door.
I was putting on my shoe as I walked towards the dresser for my
golden crown and eating toast at the same time when Kunzite walked in.
The toast fell on the carpet, forgotten, and my shoe stayed
half on as the golden Venetian Crown lay on the dresser and twinkled at
me in a loving way.
"Excuse me, Your Highness." He bowed and looked at me as though
he wanted to say something but was too embarrassed. I couldn't believe
that Kunzite would ever be embarrassed, especially not in front of me.
"I... that is I... I would like to..." I waited as he regained his
composure. My heart beat faster and I subconsciously reached my hands
out to him. I guess that was all he needed. He rushed to me and kissed
me so fervently I was shocked. He only stopped when we were both
breathless. I gave him a small smile as his eyes turned green and he
twirled me around once before whispering a goodbye in my ear and
leaving rapidly.

Since that day Kunzite and I had met about once a year and had
not shared one single kiss. I know that it's just how he is but damn
him! Talking to him and seeing him is wonderful, and I'm more happy
than ever when this happens but it's slowly becoming not enough for me.
I need a little more out of this relationship and if it weren't for
that astounding kiss I would probably have given up on any passion ever
developing between the two of us.
I sigh once more and slowly get up, hearing my bones complain
at being moved after resting for so many hours. I walk to my rooms and
play with the chain around my neck. No sooner had I thought about
Serena that I heard her voice in my head.
"Mina, anything wrong?"
"Oh!" I'm a little shocked at how quickly this thing worked. I
had not meant to call to Serena but now that she was there I knew that
I wanted to talk to her. "No emergency, just wanted to talk."
I gasp as she materializes in front of me. She immediately
takes my hand and we both walk into my room where we sit on the bed and
she looks at me as though she has all the time in the world.
"Are you sure I'm not interrupting anything important?" Her
brow furrows for a moment but then it's gone and I wonder if I imagined
it.
"Not at all. Nothing that can't be handled later. What's wrong?
Anything I can do for you? Anybody I can help beat up?" I laugh at that
and feel, once more, glad to have her home.
"Not really, just listen, I guess. I've been so frustrated
lately and did not know who to turn to." So I tell her everything that
has happened between Kunzite and I and how much I love him and how much
I just want to spend the rest of my life with him. Throughout all of
this Serena sits and listens to me, laughing, nodding, and patting my
hands all at the right times. "I know it's dumb of me to complain since
I know that Kunzite loves me but..."
"You just wish he would show it a little better?"
"Exactly. Thanks for listening to me, Serena. It made me feel
a lot less stressed." I give her a grateful smile and her eyes shine
back at me.
"Just give it some more time, Mina. If I'm not mistaken you
will soon get a surprise from this lover of yours." She winks at me and
disappears before I can ask her what she means.
"Well if that isn't just like her!" I shake my head and head
towards my bathroom. A nice long bath will do me good. I'm about to
turn the hot water on when I feel another presence in the room. I turn
around abruptly and am already dressed as Sailor Venus when I see the
tall hooded figure materializing before me.
A cackle fills the air and I shiver before I can stop myself.
It is not a pleasant sound. "Who are you?" I gather the beams of Venus
in my hand as I speak and their light makes the black figure turn a
dull grey.
"Someone you wish you had never met." Her voice is strangely
alluringly. I stop to wonder at this and have barely enough time to
dodge away as a crackling ball of black energy is hurled towards me. I
throw my beams at the person and cannot believe it as all of them stop
short of the target and stand in mid-air. I push them with my mind but
they are completely immobile. The woman's cackle fills the air once
more and all of my beams, my weapons, the ones I built from the love I
carry, shatter and are gone.
"Noohane magic. How pathetic." Another black ball comes after
me and I dodge it effectively only to be encountered with yet another
ball. They are everywhere I look. My skill as a Warrior is good but not
inexaustible and I feel myself becoming tired. And then I miss a step
and one of the balls hits me on the shoulder and digs into my skin,
burying itself in my body. I scream, or at least I think I scream. I'm
not sure anymore. I can't hear anything and then, suddenly, the pain is
gone and I'm standing next to Haneko. His body is tense and his hackles
are raised. A low growl resonates throughout the room and his tail is
lashing wildly.
I see a Vulture waiting outside of this enclosed room and his
eyes are bright beads of anger and hate. I shiver once again and know
that soon he will break through my barrier and then what would I do?
That's when I notice the whispering. As I notice this, it grows
louder and I know that it had always been there but I had never
listened enough to it. It is Haneko. He is talking to me in what sounds
like a whisper and yet like a scream. They are not words but they feel
like words to me. I'm not really listening to Haneko - he can't talk, I
know he can't talk - I'm just simply understanding him. And he is
telling me what to do.
I place my hand on his back, between his shoulder blades and
between his wings and feel the pure energy that runs through his body;
his body that is not really a body. When I look at him again he is made
up of small threads of golden light and these threads run through his
body and then into the floor and around us in a bubble. It is then that
I realize that this room that I had always called my mind was not
really mine. It was Haneko. The entire room was him. And then my hands
go through his body and I slowly pick up threads and take them out. And
then I'm weaving these threads together. Slowly the shape of a heart is
forming.
It seems like hours have passed and yet I'm still picking
threads from Haneko's body and weaving them into a heart. I almost feel
like a child once again. As though I'm making bracelets of grass for my
friends, as I used to do long ago. I know I've spent quite a long time
in here because I'm becoming tired and Haneko has long since laid down,
though the growl still resonates through the room.
Finally I am finished. The heart in my hand is as big as my
palm. I'm almost disappointed. I spent all that time making this tiny
little heart but I know it is going to help me. I can feel the warmth
inside of it and the love it carries. I cup my hands around it and,
through my cupped hands, blow at it. Soon my hands are a soft yellow
color and I know that the heart is glowing as bright as the sun. I then
open my cupped palms and watch the heart slowly float up and go through
the barrier which has grown considerably dimmer and shabbier since I
had started. Haneko had used too much of his energy and he was tired.
I watch as the heart wedges itself into the vulture and then it
glows so brightly that the vulture explodes. The sound is deafening and
I cup my hands around my ears. Suddenly I'm back in my room and my
shoulder feels like it's on fire. I look at it and notice that, though
it left a bad burn, the black ball is now gone from me. A cry of rage
and pain makes me look up. The hooded figure is clutching her heart and
I see threads of light making their way out of her body. She was the
vulture. The one I made explode.
I see Hou and Kou materialize before me and I feel a blackness
take over right before I hit the floor.

(AN: Wouldn't I be evil if I stopped the chapter right here? Hmmmm....
tempting thought... nah I won't do it, there's an even better
cliffhanger up ahead! BWHAHAHAHA!)


* * ~ ~ Kunzite ~ ~ * *


I have her hands cupped in my own and I brush her blonde bangs
back from her forehead and wonder, yet again, how I could not have seen
that this would happen. And hating myself for not being able to change
it. Changing the past was easier than the future - since the future had
many different possible paths - but it was still not something trivial.
I had been gathering my powers as soon as I had seen her but Jadeite
stopped me with a sad shake of his head. I had to listen to him. He was
the Kuji, and he knew better. I still hate myself for being so
completely and utterly helpless. If only... but I didn't dwell on it.
As Garandou I am not allowed to dwell on things because my power will
change things to please me. Without my consent, of course.
She stirs a bit and I hold my breath as a small sigh escapes
her perfect lips and she digs her head deeper into her pillow. I cannot
imagine life without her. And I promise myself that as soon as she
wakes up I will tell her of my feelings. I will propose. I think of the
arm-band in my pocket and know I must ask. I had bought this arm-band
five years ago and had not developed the courage to actually ask her. I
also had not the courage to kiss her again. No matter how much I might
want to.
My entire life I had never done anything on impulse, except for
that one moment when she was leaving and I was eighteen and unwilling
to see her go. I was so ashamed of it that it took me these last ten
years to get over it. And I just might have lost her before I told her
that I want to be as impulsive as possible with her. That she's the
only person in the universe who can make me act without thinking. And
that it's a good thing.
That woman was currently being held hostage by the two
Zen'youkuhikouki and I know that she is being interrogated to no avail.
I know that she is the harbinger of the Darkness. The beginning of the
Dark Rule. And I fear for my love.


* * ~ ~ Serena ~ ~ * *


The last two days have been hell. I look at the Jovian Prince
once again and almost shake my head in desperation. How my mother could
ever expect me to get married to such a dimwit is beyond me. Though she
had solemnly told me that she only wanted me to be nice to the idiotic
Prince, she had since attempted to get the two of us alone in a room
at least four times and he had managed to break five vases, three
chairs (STONE chairs), eight plates and my patience.
He was impossible. The first thing he asked me when he saw me
was whether I could put on a light show for him. Then he proceeded to
tell me that Royalty should never become Mages for it ruined the blood
lines and made them weak and diluted. I would like to know where these
ideas came from since they are quite untrue. He then decided to make
inappropriate comments about my dress, looks and manner of speaking.
Telling me to sit up straight, wear something besides my robes and try
to look presentable in front of him. I was about to throw a hot ball of
fire at him when Hou came in and rescued me.
That was yesterday. Today became steadily worse. I now must
have someone with me at all times because I won't be held responsible
for my actions if I come face to face with that idiot once again.
I look away from him and to the other people assembled at the
table. I look at Mina's empty chair and immediately feel remorse. I
should have gotten there earlier. But I must admit that she had taken
care of herself quite well. Not many could hurt a Dark Mage so badly
and still live through it. She would not wake up for at least another
day but she was recovering. Kunzite would not leave her room and the
Dark Mage was not being very helpful. She was very beautiful, even for
a Dark Mage, and was as silent as a statue. She had woken up this
morning and tried to escape at least twice to no avail. After she
recognized Hou and I she stopped. I know she isn't stupid and I know
that she can't escape any prison that Hou and I built for her. Being
Zen'youkuhikouki has its advantages.
Prince Rupert Heron is making what sounds like another stupid
comment and I look at Hou, exasperated. I am thinking about how much
longer I need to stay before I can excuse myself when a messenger
hurries in and announces that some visitors have arrived and demand to
see Her Majesty and the Princess. I frown and wonder who that could be.
I'm not expecting anyone and, from the look my mother has on her face,
neither is she. I barely notice Hou disappearing, to check on the
visitors no doubt, before my mother and I - accompanied by Ami, Rei and
Lita - make our way down to the docking bay. The Jovian Prince is left
behind and I certainly am not one to complain about that.
As the docks come into view I see a tall couple standing
together and waiting for us. I instinctively reach out to them and am
so shocked from what I find that I trip and Rei puts out a hand to
catch me before I fall. My eyes are misting over and I cannot believe
what my Mage skills are clearly telling me. There, in front of me, is
a presence that feels like velvet and smells of roses.

I'm in shock. I know that this is what I'm feeling but I can't
stop it. Married? The love of my life is married? To that horrid woman
with the beautiful face? I could not believe it, I did not want to
believe it. Not when his eyes looked at me just as they had eleven
years ago. And especially not when my heart thumped so hard at seeing
him once again. The man I am bound to for the rest of my life and no
matter what happens - that's what my heart keeps telling me.
I lean against the palace walls and the tears fall silently
down my face. Shouldn't this be it? Shouldn't my heart get over its
silly obsession and finally stop this emotion? I think it should. But
it doesn't. And it hurts.
I don't even notice Hou as he wipes the tears from my face and
I barely register his movements until he speaks.
"That woman is evil. Dark and evil. I do not know what to make
of her but I do know that she is not someone we want around. And your
love," I barely hear the sneer in his voice, but it's there, "your love
is married to her. I don't think we can trust him."
"Don't say that." The shock is starting to wear off and I'm
slowly coming back to my normal self. "He is not evil. He probably does
not know of Dark Mages and cannot have any idea who he is married to.
He..."
"Damn it Kou!" I cringe as Hou throws his fist against the wall
next to my head and leans against it for a minutes, his red eyes
bearing down into mine. My heart beats faster and I almost feel like
I'm betraying Darien for feeling this for Hou. How could I be so fickle
all of a sudden? He notices the feelings that pass through my face and
I know he understands them. He has known me too long not to understand
what I think. He leans closer to me then and I'm afraid that if he
kisses me I'll forget all about Darien and never want to be with him
ever again. But... was that such a bad thing?
Hou notices my hesitation and he whispers to me words I thought
I would never have heard from him ever in my life. "Don't you know that
I love you?"
The words hang between us and I stammer. "I... I mean... I..."
I hang my head and stop talking. I couldn't say anything. When I have
the courage to look up his eyes are so sad and lonely that I'm about to
reach out to him. They suddenly slit and he punches the wall once more.
This time, though, he used his magic and the wall cracked under his
knucles and fifteen feet of it came tumbling down to the ground as he
turned around and walked away.
I did not say anything. I couldn't say anything at all. Not a
single thing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So.... have I made you more interested in the story or what? Are you
looking forward to the next chapter? I know I'm evil for cutting off
the chapter right here but... where else would I cut it off? This was
the only possible place! Please tell me if you enjoyed reading this
chapter! I love getting e-mails! E-mail me at cfmc@uclink4.berkeley.edu
with your thoughts!