Kunzite walked into the Princess of Venus’s private gardens to find the blonde beauty sitting wistfully on the edge of the heart shaped fountain. She always appeared to be deep in thought when he would approach her, but he knew that she was always alert despite her appearance. Her fuku was a reminder to him that this delicate girl was anything but, always trying to prove the strength of the soldier within her. Once she had shown him that she had no qualms or fears when it came to protecting her Princess and it was enough to make him wonder what type of a sparring partner she would make. The gentleman in him would force him to hold back, but the soldier in him would compel him to fight despite her gender – which part of him, he wondered, would dominate in the competition?
No words needed to be said, without any type of visual confirmation he knew that she was aware of him standing there. It didn’t matter how quiet he stepped or whether he stood upwind of her, she always knew it was him. When she was ready she would speak to him, until then he would have to wait. Patience had always been his strong suite, unless it involved her. Although after several moments passed he found himself itching to initiate the conversation with her. She was mysterious and he was drawn to her in these moments of silence.
“I’m surprised that you would ask to meet me somewhere so private, Princess.” His voice came across low and deep, rumbling slightly in her ears.
“You don’t need to address me so formally.”
“Then shall I call you Sailor Venus?”
“No….” her voice drifted off and hers eyes still never turned to meet his. “I like when you call me Minako. It reminds me that every once in a while I am still human despite all of my titles and powers.”
“Then Minako it is.” Her eyes closed tightly the moment he said her name. “Is something wrong?” The concern in his voice only made her want to pull back further. What was she thinking asking him to meet her like this? What would the others say if they found them here? Was it worth the risk to her reputation for him? Of course. He was worth the sacrifice no matter how great the cost.
“What are we doing?”
“At this moment we are attempting to hold a conversation, although I fear that we are not succeeding.”
She gracefully rose from her seated position and he watched as she straightened out her long form, her hair falling softly down her back. How did one woman manage to be so beautiful with such a simple movement?
“I fear that you are correct. Perhaps I was wrong to ask you to meet me like this. It isn’t proper for us to be off on our own when we have our lieges to protect.”
He closed the last bit of distance between them and placed his hand on her cheek. The action making her want to swoon as her heart started beating firmly against her chest again.
“I don’t care about appearances, Minako. As I said earlier, I came here to the Moon to see you.”
“And now that you have apologized what is left to discuss?”
“Us,” he said simply and confidently.
“Us,” she repeated, images of kissing him again floating through her mind. “And what of us?”
“I’m not sure. It seems like you are trying to avoid me yet your actions speak differently. I watch you, Minako, I see the way your eyes look over to me but turn away as I’m about to meet yours.”
“I’m curious about the Prince’s protectors.”
“No, you’re not. You’re curious about me.”
“Then I will stop.”
“I’m not asking you too.” His lips formed into a soft smile.
“And what is it that you are asking of me? To admit to feelings that I shouldn’t have? Will you laugh at my words?”
“I would hope that someone who kisses so passionately would also speak no less so.” She struggled to not blush at his words but despite her best efforts her checks still turned a soft pink. “I wouldn’t expect you to blush so easily,” he teased her, making her even more resolved to stop blushing.
“Because my element is Venus? You would believe me to be some seductress? Isn’t that a bit stereo typical even for you?”
She moved to step back but was halted when his arm reached around her waist, his hand resting on the small of her back. He didn’t hold her or stop her from moving any further away, he didn’t have to. “I learned some time ago to never make assumptions about anything when it comes to you.”
Her heart was beating faster by the second and she was sure that he could hear each echoing beat as it sounded against her chest. The throbbing echoed in her ears along with the baritone of his voice and the scent of him filled her nostrils, his warmth spreading over her skin. Within moments of coming in contact with him he managed to have this effect on her every time. How could this be?
“Can I kiss you, Minako?” His voice was deep and the depths of his eyes seemed endless. Words failed her and she merely nodded her head. Time stopped as she anticipated his kiss, his lips ever so slowly moving towards her own.
