“You shouldn’t be here,” Sailor Venus said to the slowly approaching figure. Her eyes remained forward despite the presence arriving from behind her.
“I’m surprised that you heard me,” Kunzite mused.
“Despite your warped opinion about women as protectors I am a Senshi and I am always on watch. Nothing gets by me.” He stood next to her on the balcony overlooking the gardens. Her eyes scanned the gardens for any possible threats to her Princess who was strolling on the grounds below her leisurely arm-in-arm with Endymion. “I thought it was the blonde’s turn to play babysitter to your Prince.”
“Jadeite’s yes, it was. However I asked that he let me take over his patrol for the weekend.”
“What you mean is you pulled rank to get your pass here.”
“I asked nicely if it makes any difference.”
“You knew that it was my watch as well.”
“I did, that’s what made this exchange all the more important. I want to apologize to you Princess, I only meant my comment in jest, I never meant to embarrass you as I did.”
“It is already forgotten, Kunzite.”
“Then why have you refused to speak with me for so long? Have I done something else to anger you?”
“I am only concerned for the welfare of my Princess, there is no time for my own selfish desires.”
“Surely your Princess would be sad to hear you say that.”
“Then maybe you will be so kind as to not repeat my words to her.” Several moments of silence passed between them and Venus fought the urge to fidget. Having him this close to her always made her uneasy. He was handsome beyond her imagination and had the most addicting scent to him that it took all she had not to melt under the constant watch of his cool gaze. He would never understand how she felt nor would he return her feelings – according to everyone who knew him it was not his way. How had she found herself in this unrequited love? They didn’t even know each other yet somehow her instincts told her that she would be with him. Maybe if she were closer in his age he would give her more credit to her abilities. As it was he was only 6 years older, but right now it seemed as though it were 60. He stood tall and exuded confidence with every breath – why would he be concerned with a girl such as herself?
“I could be so kind if I choose,” his body faced hers and he gently placed his hand on her chin turning her face to meet his. “Or I could offer my silence in exchange for your forgiveness.”
She could feel her heart beating against her chest and wondered if he could hear it as well. Why did he have to stand so close that their bodies were practically touching? ‘I could kiss him,’ she thought to herself. ‘I could lean forward over the small distance and bring our lips together. But would he laugh at me? Would he think me to be the weaker sex?’
Their eyes continued to meet, neither blinking nor deferring their eyes elsewhere. Venus brought her hand to rest on top of Kunzite’s and leaned forward to kiss him. His free hand moved to cover the hilt of his sword while pulling back from her. She frowned as she noticed the new placement of his hand. “Do you mean to attack me?”
A small smile crossed his face and her heart fluttered in response. “The last time you kissed me I found my own sword at my neck. I’ve learned that you can be a dangerous woman, Minako.”
“Why would you call me that?”
“Isn’t that your name?”
“Here I am known as Venus.”
“But I prefer Minako, it is such a beautiful name for such a beautiful Goddess.” His hand skimmed the side of her face, carefully brushing away some stray hair that had been displaced by a passing breeze. She looked peaceful standing on the balcony with the breeze ruffling the skirt of her fuku.
“You’re too kind,” she replied softly.
“I speak the truth.”
“Is that why you traded shifts? To come to the Moon and whisper these words to me?”
“I told you, Minako, I came to see you.”
“And what would you want with me?”
“To do exactly what you have just done.” He leaned forward to kiss her again, his fingers tangling in her hair.
She pulled back from him. “We can’t do this, not here. Look for me tonight, I will meet you in my gardens.” Slowly she turned away from him and her long hair trailed through his fingers as the distance between them increased.
