“Kunzite, sit here by me!”
Venus tried not to appear unsettled by his appearance. It seemed their uneasy respite from one another was finally over. After all, he was here to establish a relationship between their two planets; that could be hardly done from inside his rooms. She couldn’t help replaying every scene from three nights ago as she watched him sit next to an excited Ashani.
She had done her best to fill her mind with other thoughts in the past few days. She threw herself into finding the Delars, but found it almost as frustrating as her thoughts on Earth’s general. They were clever and discreet, covering their tracks like an expert hunter. But she was no novice, either.
During the hours when most citizens were sleeping, she had jumped (from) rooftop to rooftop, unseen even in the warm light of the sun. She was just a blur of gold that blended well with the background. For once, she didn’t bemoan her uniform.
She had listened to the wind and the emotions of the city beneath her. Eventually, she found them. Their malice and treachery could not be hidden in shadows. They met in-between the crevice of two old buildings, conversing in hushed but excited voices. It was not a large enough group nor did she think of them as elders. They spoke of Savéol and of their leaders’ decisions. Unfortunately, the Delars were too smart for her taste. They spoke in codes and codenames, but she was able to attain the scarlet leader’s name: Phage. It was an unfortunate name, she thought. But that was his plan, wasn’t it? To spread his message to everyone he came in contact with, no matter the cost. They spoke of another meeting scheduled two days from now so she at least had something to go by now.
Her parents hadn’t considered the Delars anywhere near as alarming as she did. Venus made a point of relaying the warning that the Delars would bring the same risk as Kunzite to Savéol events, but his presence there was seemingly irrelevant. In fairness she did not, could not, explain why Phage sent such shudders of fear rushing up her throat that threatened to choke the very sanity out of her.
Some part of her wished they would show their masked faces today. At least she would have something to fight, something to vent her frustration upon. She was not afraid of meeting them in battle; it was the mind games they could play before then that frightened her. She would have to be quick, unrelenting. She was in a mood for such harsh tactics.
But everyone around her surged with happy excitement. The first official event of Savéol was about to begin. It was an intense game known as Savaloga, the game of love. There were five goals, but only one really mattered. The twelve people on each team raced against one another holding carved sticks and nets, each vying for the chance to make the winning score. People were likely to be injured, and over the many years of competition there had been a few deaths, but everyone on the planet took Savaloga very seriously. It was much like the game of love, indeed.
“Ashani, why don’t you tell Kunzite how the game is played? It will begin soon and I fear he will be lost without some kind of explanation,” Jocelyn said, passing this along the line of assembled royal family members. Venus was seated between her mother and her younger brother, with Ashani and Kunzite who sat a little further away from her. The king sat next to his wife, but his attention was focused on something much farther away. Savaloga was a moment he had waited for all year and not even political strife or the appearance of a strange ambassador from Earth could distract him now.
“Oh, right! Well, there are two teams and…”
Sailor Venus tuned her sister out, but carefully watched Kunzite from the corner of her eye. She had a delicate relationship with her brother, but there was little that tied the two sisters together. Marc was not even a month old when she was taken to the moon and Ashani came three years later. They sometimes visited the moon for council meetings and balls, and they talked through holo-calls, but it would never be the same, nor would they ever become close this way.
Kunzite seemed to understand Ashani better than she did. Her father had told her how the Shitennou had captivated them all that first night, especially her little sister.
He was making her smile, making her laugh, as if they had always been the best of friends. In a way she found it quite endearing. He was obviously good with children, even if he probably wouldn’t admit it himself. She hadn’t really expected that of him. She thought they were more alike, and Venus was horrible with small humans. She had talked to her sister about Kunzite a few nights past, but it was at the behest of Queen Jocelyn. If not for her mother’s mediation, Venus doubted she could carry on more than a five minute conversation with the thirteen-year-old.
A clear trumpet sounded throughout the arena and was shortly accompanied by the thrilled screams of eighty thousand Venusians. Venus wondered if Kunzite had any such structures quite like this one on his home world. The massive building sat in the middle of the four main cities, a centre point that linked them all together. It rose from the ground like a giant dragon’s egg, its top cut away so they were all bathed in Venus’ light. It was meant to hold their entire population in its embrace. Sailor Venus thought how large a stadium they would have had to build so long ago, when their numbers were greater.
A deep rumble shook the seats and for a moment the golden Senshi forgot her worries and was swept up in the momentous moment approaching them. Two tiny men walked to the center of the field wearing flowing red and orange robes. She could see them much better on the large floating screens placed strategically around the arena. Between them they held a large, ornate ring made of gold. It was the symbol of Savéol, and was carried by the winning team of this tournament to the final ceremony of the New Year.
She watched as they attached it to a wire almost too far away to see. Slowly the ring rose up as if by magic, but she could see the cables crisscrossed high above them. It was customary for the ruling king or queen to shoot a flaming arrow through the ring to start the ceremonies, and she expectantly looked around for the archer. Her father was a horrible shot and every year had a stand in take his place. It was bad luck for anyone to miss the ring, so his flock understood. Last year he had a modified weapon of Mercurian design shoot through the ring and up into the sky to explode far above their heads in sparks and multi-colored light. What was her father up to this year?
“If you’re wondering where the archer is, I would be prepared for disappointment, and for a scene,” her mother said beside her, “Your father has something planned that you will not like. Be ready.”
“What?” Suddenly, Venus had a very dreadful thought. “Wait. No, he can’t make me-”
“Citizens of Venus welcome to the beginning of our Savéol festivities!” her father’s heavy voice boomed over the announcement system.
“Mother, he’s not seriously going to suggest I shoot the ring with no practice or, or- what is he thinking?” Venus demanded as her father prattled on.
“He just told me a moment ago. I guess he was thinking it best if he surprised you and didn’t give you the opportunity to say no. He’s gone a little mad, darling, what with trying to impress Kunzite and the Silver Millennium always watching. You have no idea of the things he has planned.”
“But-”
“To compete with the events of last year, I have something even greater planned! To begin with, I have asked our own Sailor Venus to shoot the ring this year. Sailor Venus!”
The crowd erupted in applause and soon she saw herself plastered on every screen. She instantly cleared the look of shock on her face and put on a charming smile, but had a hard time rising from her seat.
“Go on, Loni. Get it over with,” her mother urged, forcing her to stand. “Oh, and please don’t miss!”
The walk to the launching podium seemed to take forever, but she still got there much too soon. She sent her father strong emotions of anger and a few visions of dunking his head under water, but he only laughed as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“I cannot believe you,” she whispered between grinning teeth. “I could never shoot that far, no matter what kind of fancy bow you gave me.”
“I wasn’t thinking of bows and arrows for you, my dear. I was thinking something more powerful, something all your own,” he said, dropping his hand to her lower back, and jiggling the chain held loosely there.
“But-”
“Let them all see your power and know we are still strong. This planet, our family, our Senshi. Let the Delars know you do not fear them and let our new friend learn not to underestimate us.”
He left her standing there alone and her eyes nervously sought out the one person she had been avoiding. Venus thought Kunzite would never underestimate anyone, but her father didn’t know him as well as she did. Their eyes locked immediately, as if he’d been waiting for her to turn to him. She realized he must not have any idea what was occurring, but with his powerful gaze she felt emboldened, and the crowd disappeared. He gave her a curt nod, probably unnoticeable had she not been looking at him like her life depended on it.
She bobbed her head in return and faced the thousands around her. She stepped closer to the edge, wanting them all to see her as her father had said. She closed her eyes and let her Senshi power engulf her. She could imagine what the others were seeing; she would be wrapped in a spiral of golden hearts like a sand tornado out on the dusty plains. She raised her arm and felt the metal chain around her waist move and come to life, ready to do its mistress’ bidding.
“Venus Love Me Chain!” she shouted, sending a piece of her eternal chain soaring towards the hoop. As she opened her eyes, seeing that everyone had fallen silent, watching almost in slow motion as her attack continued on its way. It sizzled, scorching the sky around it, crackling and twisting. When it barreled perfectly through the Savéol ring, the crowd let out its breath in a colossal scream of joy. They chanted her name as she called back her power and caught the chain in her gloved hand. It turned back into a silent, deadly accessory as she wound it around her waist.
“Well done, Loni. Thank you,” Marceneau said from behind.
“Just don’t think of pulling something like that on me again, or you may experience my powers on a more personal level,” she said, but she could not make her voice sound threatening. The experience rejuvenated her, filled her up with pride. It may have been what she needed in this dark time; to be reminded that she was a legendary soldier. She was the most powerful Inner Senshi and leader of Princess Serenity’s guard. She was a warrior of destiny and answered to no one.
She felt lighter as she walked back to her seat and sat in the middle of her family’s congratulations. Even Marc seemed happy for her.
They watched the game together, laughing and cheering for their favorite team. Venus hardly knew these anymore and simply cheered for the company her brother did not support. This annoyed him to no end, but he always ended his angry tirades against her with an amused grin.
By the intermission she was buzzing with actual happiness and perhaps a glass of wine or two. The members of the royal booth stretched their legs and moved about the box mingling with other guests. People gushed over her and the opening ceremony. She couldn’t help but smile back, even at some of the more ostentatious remarks.
She should have guessed she would run into him eventually. Before she knew it, they were both alone in a corner of the booth and she wondered if he had been stalking her, waiting for the right moment when he could catch her without a crowd vying for her attention.
“Lord Kunzite.”
“Sailor Venus.”
She was still floating on the events of the day and for a moment seemed to be able to forget the horrors of before. “Enjoying yourself?”
“It is a very interesting game, if a little confusing at first. I think your young sister was more interested in telling me about the players’ lives than the actual rules.”
“She can be a little ridiculous, I am told. You should sit next to Marc for the second half; plays and strategies is all he ever talks about. I wonder if his talents would be better spent on that field instead of the war grounds of an Omesa.”
“I was surprised to see women and men playing together. Such major sports on Earth are segregated, and this seems like such a dangerous pastime.”
“But it is the game of love Kunzite, of course it’s dangerous.”
“An impossible game then: one you do not lose, but lose yourself to.”
She laughed, clean and clear, and watched his face become transformed by a mere smile. She realized that something was changing between them, something shifting and blooming. Talking to him still made her heart race unnaturally. She could remember the tears she had cried while touching the place on her arm where their bodies had connected. Somewhere in the back of her mind she could not forget she was chained to duty, but she was forgetting some of her fears with him smiling at her like that.
When the trumpet sounded signaling the second half, she did not run away or recoil as he held out his hand towards her. She knew others must be watching by now, but she didn’t care. Sailor Venus was happy he was choosing to erase everything that happened between them yet again. A fresh start for them both.
When they touched there was the spark like before and she took a moment to soak it in as discreetly as she could.
“I’m sure the second half will be just as enthralling as the first,” he said, and she had a feeling that he was not talking just about the game.
They returned to their row to find Ashani huddled close with Jocelyn, and Prince Marceneau nowhere to be found. They sat together at the end of the line, shoulders brushing as if magnetically attracted. And perhaps they were. He kept his distance for the masses were watching them, but always seemed to have a part of him touching her at all times: his shoe against her own, his elbow against her ribs. It was like he was trying to soak up as much of this warm feeling that flowed between them as he could.
Did he understand how much he was tempting fate? Of course not, she told herself. He had no idea about their cosmic link. He was merely trying to be the charming ambassador of Earth he began as before she complicated everything. She was sure Prince Endymion had stressed how important it was to win her over; had the roles been reversed, she would have commanded the same thing. Kunzite must think her mad after their last two encounters and could only imagine what he thought of the force fluttering between them. Did he think it was her Senshi powers, and wish to know more about them by touch?
As if reading her mind he asked, “Was that your true power on display at the beginning of the ceremonies?”
She tried not to feel disappointed, but knew it would be easier on both of them should he forever stay ignorant of the truth. She might actually enjoy their time together here if things could stay the way they currently were. “It is one of my powers, yes.”
“A chain of hearts is what you use to kill monsters?” he said in an overly incredulous tone.
Was he actually teasing her? She squinted at him, as if narrowing her vision would see through his ruse. It must have worked for the curl of his lips gave him away. Her heart almost threw itself out of her chest at that look. It was full of an unspoken challenge; of what could be if perhaps they were completely alone and able to continue this playful conversation much further. She doubted words would be needed for long. She felt like she did that first day seeing him, scared but exhilarated by his presence all the same. She wished she could clear her head, but the mixture of emotions in the air and the wine in her blood made everything hard to focus on for long.
She should have expected him to be skilled in courting ladies of high society, but for some reason could never imagine Kunzite wearing a look so boldly. She supposed there was much she didn’t really know about him.
“Yes, a chain of hearts that fries the skin off my enemies and strangles the breath from them. Does it matter how it manifests when the results are frightening enough? Besides, I do not see you shooting elemental powers out of your fingers, Kunzite.”
“Love is an element?”
“Well, no, not exactly. My element is metal,” she revealed, touching the golden chain at her hip.
He paused for a thoughtful moment. “It doesn’t really suit you.”
She laughed at that. “No, I did not think so either.”
But she left it at that and turned their attention back towards the game. She knew Kunzite wanted to explore her answer further, but she could not let him know how she had changed her powers one day in the pouring rain. Even though her head was fuzzy, she knew there was a line she shouldn’t cross. She would reveal too much to the ambassador from Earth and no matter who he was to her, he was Prince Endymion’s right hand above all other things. She had a feeling, after the wonderful wine wore off, they would both fully realize that again.
They kept their conversations light and casually flirtatious at times for the remainder of the game. By the end she forgot who had won or even what the score was, but felt better than she had in days, even with Kunzite by her side. Her family seemed to notice the changes in both of them as well. Her mother smiled at her in the quiet way that spoke volumes, and her father’s laughter boomed over them all. Together they followed the river of people to the royal gala hosted after the games.
Sailor Venus lost Kunzite in the crowd of new people, but she felt his eyes always following her around the room. She stepped purposefully and gracefully under his constant gaze, laughing and smiling to get his attention even when she could not see him. She didn’t really know what had taken over her, but she found herself unconcerned.
There were people she was genuinely happy to see, like her Uncle Darvus. He looked so much like her mother, but talked almost as loud as her father and wasn’t as overbearing as Marceneau’s extended family. Everyone on that side was secretly after the crown in varying degrees of earnest. The former Secretary was there as well, his once full face now being hallowed out by old age. He had always been kind to Sailor Venus as they both found themselves following the king and queen throughout the castle.
After awhile both teams showed up in response to the sound of applause and wine bottles being opened. Some of them instantly made their way to her and profusely thanked her for blessing the game with her powers. Others were more serious in their praises, but she giggled at all their antics, especially those that kissed her hand and called her the most beautiful woman in the universe.
She took their compliments in stride, putting on the careless and lighthearted mask she usually wore every moment of every day for everyone else besides those that knew her best. It was like a piece of music she didn’t need the score for any longer or a dance practiced to perfection.
She collided with Kunzite and that clever smile halfway through the event. On his own, he was growing quite a following that night. He charmed and appealed to all those who came forward to greet him, even those that seemed unwilling to accept him at first. Most kept their discussions harmless, but like a skilled general, Kunzite maneuvered around those that wished to push the envelope.
Just like during the match he would often brush up against her, sending shivers through her at every caress. She felt encouraged by the crowd and atmosphere and would glide a finger over the fine fabric of his sleeve or drag her hand across his broad back. The logical part of her screamed at the tops of its lungs, but it was a warning overruled by her selfish side. As long as their secret was just that, there was no reason she should hide herself from him. It would hurt to feel his touch evaporating off her skin when the time came to leave, but with him so close she could not even picture that horrid moment. Eventually her father parted the crowd to whisk the foreign noble away and ended whatever game they were dangerously playing.
The rest of the night flew by and as the last guests began filing out, she finally was able to return to the earth. She had found herself exhausted as the night wore on and the wine wore off. Only she, the king and queen and heir remained with a roomful of servants to clean up. Venus was sure her sister had passed out hours earlier regardless of her youthful enthusiasm for such things. Marc looked on the verge of tumbling off his chair and Jocelyn gently prodded him to trudge to his rooms. He passed her and grumbled something akin to ‘goodnight’, or so she thought. Kunzite was nowhere to be found.
Venus watched her parents for a moment longer. They held each other as if they were alone and unconcerned at the servant’s downturned eyes. The queen laughed like a chorus of silver bells as Marceneau slowly started dancing with her in-between the chairs and tables. The love in their eyes made them more beautiful than any painting or piece of expensive jewelry.
Venus smiled at the sight, but could feel a sadness tugging on her heart the longer she watched. She didn’t want to be full of gloom anymore, not after such a good night. So she turned and left the ballroom and began her journey to her rooms. The halls were mostly empty this time of night, but she could hear the echo of late party goers somewhere down below. She wondered where Kunzite had gone. She didn’t think he would disappear without a word. It was very rude, after all, and he was nothing if not polite.
As she reached her final destination, she clumsily stifled a yawn. She wanted to melt right out of her uniform right there and then, but was very glad she resisted the urge when she heard his voice.
“How do you manage it?” She barely kept her yelp of surprise in her throat when he emerged from the shadows. He wore no perfected, playful smile now. Instead, his expression was that of a general’s stern face, the look of a man who demanded answers and did not tolerate defeat. She felt her skin freezing, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of scaring her further. She wasn’t sure what this turn in his demeanor meant, but she could pretend she knew well enough.
“Manage what?” she asked as lightly as she could muster, flipping her hair over her shoulder in a move to distract both of them. “To be so charming and lovely? It is a daunting task.”
“To wear that mask with such precision and not let it wear away the person beneath.”
She stilled herself, dropping her mirthful expression for the one that scared her soldiers into silence. “I imagine you would know exactly how I manage it, Shitennou. We all have our parts to play and I do what I must. You seem to have worked the crowd as well as I did tonight.”
“I have seen glimpses of the woman beneath and I think it would be a great honor to know her. If half the Sailor Senshi are as strong as you, they are indeed a force to be reckoned with.”
“I didn’t think you were one for frivolous flattery, Lord Kunzite.”
“I’m not, Sailor Venus.”
Even as her insides seemed to turn to ice, she could feel her cheeks foolishly burning. “You don’t know anything about me really.”
“Then why do I feel like I do?”
“I…It’s been a long night, we should both probably both head to sleep.”
“I went to the White Market with the queen yesterday. We were looking for a gift for the king. Queen Jocelyn informed me of the legends of Kirabatis and Savéol. It is a most interesting practice, almost religious in its nature. I know love exists; I saw my parents together, I am not that blind. But a true, destined love? It seems only the stuff of fairytales and fancy poetry. Would you not agree, Sailor Venus?”
If this was not unexpected enough, he started to seep emotions into her mind. They were quiet, like a baby’s first unsure words, but she could feel them all the same. There was curiosity, hope, a longing she could understand more than anything. Sailor Venus threw them all back like as if they were hot coals placed in her hands. She didn’t want to know what he felt, nor did she want to know by what means he knew how to do such a thing. Venus felt her stomach rise to her throat and her heart felt like lead inside her chest at what he might be implying. Her mother wouldn’t…
“Kunzite…”
“I’ve always been sure of my destiny but in coming here and meeting you, nothing makes much sense and I-” he all but sighed in frustration. “I am used to being in control, of knowing what to do and what to say. With you I feel…”
He approached her, slow and calculating. He was no longer confused like he was sleep walking through a dazzling dream. This was Kunzite; brave, demanding, passionate despite all his hesitancy. No one could throw themselves at destiny without having a fire in their soul. She didn’t care about her faux decorum now. Sailor Venus retreated from him and soon felt the cool wood of the door against the backs of her legs.
This could not be happening; he could not know her secret, their secret. But if her mother had mentioned Savéol, perhaps the actions tonight of the Terran ambassador were truly the actions of the man she was destined to love. Had he been testing her, venturing out into the war field that was their complicated romance? She felt terrified and must have shown it, for Kunzite softened his gaze. His feet stopped mere inches from hers.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Sailor Venus,” he whispered.
“But you will if you take a step closer, Kunzite.”
He paused, unsure of himself then. It was the perfect opportunity to diffuse the situation, to run away while the fire was not yet a dangerous blaze. She could tell he didn’t quite know for sure. She could chalk it all up to her natural Venusian powers of beauty and seduction and he would respect her theories. He may know something about Savéol, and she was sure her behavior didn’t help quell his suspicions, but things could be salvaged with a well placed laugh and a carefree word. They could go back to their uneasy alliance, always wondering, always wishing. The bridge was not crossed, crushed, and a pile of cinders just yet.
“Do you wish me to leave?”
He dropped his gaze to hers, crystal clear and bright with honesty. She could see herself in them, and in his eyes she liked the person she was, the person she could be. She could drown in them forever.
She was never one for bridges, anyways.
“No.”
Her world came crashing down as his lips finally touched hers.
And love, love will tear us apart again.
