The Dawn of Serenity

			   Chapter Nineteen



	Outside, the wind howled over the vast plains. Its tendrils 
dragged upon the dead land, picking up dust and ash and blowing it 
against the city and into the faces of unlucky bystanders caught in its
stormy wake. Irinushka pulled her scarf closer about her face as she 
rushed from the palace and into the human swells of the servant's 
quarters. The old buildings creaked and moaned against the elemental 
onslaught, but stood their ground, resilient in the face of nature’s 
unbridled fury. Every one represented a dying breed, refusing to relent
to the cold night, to completely give up hope and consequently their 
humanity. 

	As long as they were together, they would survive; huddled in 
a mass of bodies leaning against each other to the point where it was 
almost impossible to tell where one ended and the other began. With 
those thoughts she turned and entered the house where her family eked 
out their existence day-to-day, determined to protect those she loved 
from the cold world she knew all too personally. As a gust of angry 
wind heralded her entrance, all three occupants of the humble abode 
stood to face her. She touched each of them with her eyes, lingering 
especially on Shing's taut face. She wanted so much to comfort him. 
She hadn't known Minako was Shing's seemingly imaginary friend, but 
now that she had met the extraordinary blonde, she understood his 
inner turmoil. Minako was special, and already Irinushka felt different
around her.

	"Are you just going to stand there, or tell us what's going on?" 
the quick mouthed Ben asked as he folded his arms over his chest.

	"How much did you hear?" she questioned softly.

	"Something about an Underling attack ruining that woman's 
living quarters. But there hasn't been an Underling attack for weeks, 
and it was no where near a residential wing of the palace. We should 
know. We had to clean it up. What's going on, Rin?"

	"All three of you must forget anything you’ve seen or heard 
this afternoon. Why must you always get in the way!" she sighed, 
exasperated. "If the Lords find out you know...you have no idea how 
serious this is!"

	"Who is that woman?"

	"Someone who is better off dead, and that's what you'll be if 
you mention this to anyone, promise me you won't speak of this to 
anyone. I can't protect you if you don't help me. Please."

	"We won't tell anyone Sis, I promise," Aleksei said, and 
elbowed Ben in the ribs.

	"Yeah, okay. Way to get us in trouble, Shing."

	"Go back to work now before we have more problems to deal with," 
Irinushka ordered sternly in the calm but furious tone of voice all 
three boys knew to take seriously. One by one they bundled out for the 
trek back to the palace, and trudged into the tempestuous storm. As 
Shing walked passed her, however, Irinushka firmly gripped his 
shoulders. Surprised, he stopped mid stride as she gestured for him to 
walk with her. She wrapped herself securely once more against the cold 
and they stepped across the threshold, and exited the small house a 
few steps ahead of him. Slowly, she turned to face him, and it was then
he could see the sadness in that simple glance before she looked away 
quickly.

	"Go to them. They may be our last hope to saving her now," she 
whispered, and then stepped into the maelstrom.

+++++

	The gardens were in full bloom this time of the year, and even 
the shaken Shitennou relaxed as they breathed in the sweet air. Nearby,
Zoicite absentmindedly swirled the cool water of a trickling waterfall
pool with his hand, one of many within this vast labyrinth, branching 
out from the largest of these tumbling from atop the far wall. He could
hear its low rumble like the steady beat of drums.

	He stared into the water, seeing himself distorted from the 
many ripples lapping the banks of the rock pool. His reflection 
mirrored his inner self -- broken up by confusion and doubt. He 
remembered a time when he shied away from cataracts of water such as 
these, as he feared what lay in wait beneath the glossy surface. Now he
embraced the caress of the steadily flowing water, priding himself on 
the assembly of glistening pools located throughout this wild maze. 
Somewhere along the way during his long life, he overcame the childish
phobia, but he couldn't remember exactly how. The harder and farther 
he pushed his memory, the foggier it would become, and he chased it 
down until only voices and vague flashes of light could be reclaimed. 
Perhaps it had been the strength of his queen that saved him.

	Another mystery was wrapped within her smoldering mind as well.
Two weeks ago, when he had found Nephrite captivated by some kind of 
unknown force in the gardens, the dark haired general made a statement 
that stuck in his mind. Why had the queen allowed this place to thrive?
Why had she come to him after their dark war and demanded the things 
she had just destroyed to survive? He had done it willingly without 
question back then, but now...

	Maybe she didn't understand herself, the way he didn't 
understand his own need to collect as many contraband specimens during 
those dark days as he could. There were vaults and vaults of lost 
artifacts beneath their feet, and he never even told the other 
Shitennou about them. He knew he would be severely punished for his 
treason, but, he couldn't help himself. It was like he was protecting 
them for something, or someone. Maybe he did understand his queen, but 
the answers were perhaps just as dangerous as asking questions it 
seemed.

	Zoicite turned back towards his friends, but his eyes settled 
upon Kunzite. Their fearless leader had been as unrelenting as a stone 
pillar since all four had converged into a single force. Now, he stared
listlessly into a patch of yellow lilies. Something was changed about 
him, and it frightened Zoicite. If this plan was effecting the 
strongest amongst them so much, he knew there wasn’t much hope for
himself. After the previous night, he felt there wasn't much hope for 
any of them.

	Something had happened in those moments of golden brilliance 
and the absolute darkness. There was no sugar coated tale of what 
transpired; they had raped her mind, tarnishing her memories, dreams 
and wishes. There wasn't a single part of her mind untouched by their
brutal caresses. He shivered at the piercing screams still echoing in 
his head. He couldn't comprehend what it would feel like to be stripped
of one’s identity from the inside out, but he knew it was something he
never would want to experience.

	"Her rooms are complete," Nephrite declared in a quiet tone 
after finally beginning their meeting, "Irinushka moved her into her 
accommodations this afternoon."

	"Did anyone see them?" Jadeite asked.

	"No," Nephrite shook his head. 

	"Are you sure those barriers around her mind will hold?"

	"Yes, I'm sure. Without the influence of those leaders, her 
mind is no stronger than a slave's," he answered Jadeite's inquiry 
confidently. "If she begins to remember who she really is, I will know
about it."

	"All we have to do is decide which one of us will take on the 
challenge of rearing a Senshi," Zoicite said with an edge of 
satisfaction in his tone. The gardens fell silent as his statement 
floated about them, and he could no longer hear the distant rumble of 
the falls. Unconsciously, each of them cast their eyes upon their 
leader, watching him with expectant stares. 

	Slowly, Kunzite closed his eyes and let out a long, troubled 
sigh.

+++++ 

	Fire burst to life as the match struck fast against the rough 
stone, casting orange light against her graceful hand. Cautiously, she
reached out towards the copper colored candle and watched as the wick 
welcomed the flame. When the white stem danced with its own light, she
brought the small flame to her lips and blew it out, the smoke lazily 
curling upward into the air, filling her nostrils with the musty scent 
of ash.

	Irinushka put the spent match down and turned her attention 
back to her newest companion in this dark world. Minako sat on the edge
of the bed, her feet dangling a few inches from the floor. In her hands
she cradled a small porcelain music box. The coral heart shaped item 
sang an enchanted melody; soft and sweet like a mother's nighttime 
blessing. The sound Irinushka found peaceful, but she wondered how 
Minako heard it. She couldn't imagine how the younger woman was feeling, 
or what someone with no memory of who they were would think about. Do 
they wonder who their parents were, where they grew up, or do they 
think more about their dreams and hopes? Minako had rarely spoken since
arriving at her rooms, and the sadness in her dulling eyes seemed to 
be contagious.

	"That's a beautiful melody," Araya said from a chair near the 
bed. She was never one for uncomfortable silences and stood up for a 
better look at the delicate heart. "What do you think the words are?"

	"I don't know..." Minako whispered, distractedly.

	"It does not need words to have meaning," Irinushka answered 
sagely. 

	"Perhaps, I just thought it’d be fun to imagine," Araya pouted. 

	"I've...I've been trying to imagine who I am," Minako told them
softly, grasping their attention. "Have I heard this song before? What 
did I feel when I listened to it?"

	She looked up at Irinushka, pinning the older woman with a 
penetrating look that seemed to slash right through her. She closed 
the music box hastily, and the room fell into an eerie calm. 
	
	"What can you tell me about...everything?" she asked earnestly. 

	"Where would you like us to start?" Irinushka asked.

	"I don't know...tell me about you," she suggested.

	"Well, all right. I'm twenty-six, and I live here in the palace
with Araya. I have a younger brother, Aleksei, who likes to get into 
trouble more often than not."

	"What do you do here?" Minako probed, but Irinushka paused in 
answering.

	"We're concubines," Araya spoke up. "For the Lords… Well, only 
one lord. Lord Nephrite is our master. There are seven of us, three for
Nephrite, and two for Jadeite and Zoicite, although, Jadeite and 
Zoicite have other tastes sometimes. Jadeite has a lovely Youma that 
follows him everywhere and well, Zoicite...he takes advantage of the 
beauty of both sexes, if you catch my drift. Kunzite is the only one 
who doesn't have his own personal little harem. Don't know why, he must
get awfully lonely. Although rumors float around here about him and 
the queen, but be careful who you say that to."

	"Kunzite...?" Minako repeated quietly.

	"You recognize the name?" Irinushka asked, hopeful. After a 
moment’s silence, Minako shook her head.

	"No," she answered. "Am-am I a...concubine as well?"
	
	"No, my lady, you’re much more than that. You're very special, 
Minako. You-" A knock at the door interrupted Irinushka, and with a 
sigh she turned and hurried to open it. Her amethyst eyes found two 
towering lords returning her gaze, and the looks on their faces said 
everything that needed to be said. She glanced back into the room and 
flashed an apologetic smile. "Just a moment…."

	The door shut soundly behind her and she found herself cast 
into the company of two mighty men. Nephrite stood before her with the 
same shadows under his eyes that had been there for weeks now, but at 
least he wasn't trying to cover them up anymore with meaningless smiles
and intimidating stares. 

	The other, Kunzite, stood off to the side, his profile giving 
Irinushka enough reason to feel uncomfortable. He leaned against the 
wall with his arms crossed. His stare so intense, she thought any 
second the wall would break and cower in fear. Even though she knew 
little about the man behind the legend, Irinushka could see a gentle 
slump in the proud warrior's shoulders and wondered if the ailments of
which Nephrite seemed to be afflicted weren't only affecting him alone.

	"What is it?" she asked angrily, her voice but a whisper.

	"Any changes…?" 

	"No, she's still the same, but she's asking questions now -- 
about us, about herself. You interrupted me before I could weave your 
elaborate little tale concerning her past," Irinushka responded icily.

	"Well, you're relieved of your current duties for now. Call for
Araya, and both of you can go back to where you belong," he retaliated,
just as coldly. For a moment, he watched a dangerous spark ignite in 
her eyes, but it was quickly snuffed out as she glanced over his 
shoulder, and could only guess his powerful friend was saving him from
one of her tirades. Not that she ever yelled. The dark beauty's tone 
never rose above a soft condescending timbre, but there was power in 
her eyes, like a smoldering fire just waiting for that gust of 
rejuvenating breeze to release it. He knew he should punish her for 
such insubordination, but for some reason, he always loved the 
challenge she offered. Not many stood against him these days.

	"As you wish, my lord," she said and ducked back into the room 
for a moment. When she re-emerged, Araya was by her side. Nephrite's 
stomach tensed as the younger woman caught his eye, grinning slyly. 
She was beautiful and pleased her lord with exuberant enthusiasm, but
her mind was lost to the ephemeral musings of frilly conversations and 
insistent pleas. That's why Irinushka had become his favorite. But he
knew, after forcing her on this latest assignment, he could've possibly
broken something that could never be fixed.

	"I will walk you to your room," Nephrite said, indicating they 
walk on ahead of him with a sweep of his arm. Irinushka looked between 
him and the silent Hand of the Queen, concerned. She remained where 
she was, poised almost protectively between them and their prey. He 
gave her a warning glance, but knew she was too far away to heed his 
demands. A small part of him wanted to join her, to be free of what 
lies they were weaving. Kunzite then turned to face her directly, and 
under his intense glare she finally shied away from her post.

	Defeated, she followed in Araya's footsteps, and Nephrite was 
slow to proceed behind. He glanced back over his shoulder to give 
Kunzite a little reassurance, but the pale haired lord's attention was 
solely focused on the door before him. Nephrite knew he would have an 
unpleasant lady to keep him company tonight, but in so many ways, 
Kunzite's battle was far greater than his own.

+++++	

	After his long shift was over, Shing ambled to the house of the
Elders as Irinushka suggested. He didn't understand how she knew about 
their secret interludes, but he felt grateful he wasn't alone anymore. 
As he entered the house, the cold seemed to instantly leave his veins, 
as if deep inside, even his bones seemed to completely relax. He looked
around for the two hideous beasts that barred his way before, but was 
surprised to find something else entirely. On two brass stands, a white
bird perched upon each, their feathers seeming to catch the light like 
a shimmering pearl, and long tail feathers fell behind them like a 
wedding train. They called out to him -- a beautiful melody, deep and 
serene. He approached the first and bravely extended a hand. It moved 
to meet it, and chirped happily at his touch. He smiled, and in its 
purple eyes he swore he could see it smiling back.

	"Stop spoiling her and come inside," a voice requested from 
within, and he jumped in surprise. The bird squawked in protest it 
seemed, and he gave it an apologetic pat before passing through into 
the next room.

	Waiting inside was only one elder, and it was the one Shing 
was least familiar with. But the man smiled at him kindly, beckoning 
him with a gentle motion of his hand. Shing approached and bowed 
quickly, unsure as to what to do. 

	"You like birds, don't you, Shing?" he asked.

	"Yes sir," Shing answered, and the elder chuckled as he leaned 
back into his chair.

	"I could tell."

	"What...what happened to the dogs?" Shing questioned, curiosity
punctuating his words.

	"What indeed. You have not come here for them though, have you?
You've come because of Minako."

	"Minako…she's…she's alive!" Shing exclaimed. "I saw her today 
and she wasn't hurt, or dead!"

	"I would assume so," the elder chuckled again.

	"But, she...she was different." Shing's tone dropped to one of
sadness, as did the look in his eyes. "She didn't remember me at all. 
What they did to her...do you think they erased her memory?"

	"Hmm, it would seem so. This is most unfortunate. Without her 
memories, her loyalties to Serenitas will falter. I can only imagine 
Lord Nephrite will use his powers now that her defenses against his 
dark arts are down. Once they learn the location of Serenitas, they 
will invade and destroy that wonderful place, and all our hope will go 
with it," the elder riddled off, leaving a lump in Shing's throat.

	"Not to worry yet, though," the elder read his mind. Slowly, 
the old man got up from his chair, the small beads and jewels in his 
platinum hair chiming together as they moved. It took him some time to 
cross the room, but once there; his old hands opened a plain wooden 
box and reached inside.

	"Come here Shing, and take this." In his hands the elder placed
a small golden stick with a yellow globe on the top. A symbol was 
etched into it, but it was not one he could recognize.

	"What is this?" he asked.

	"Our only hope," was the answer. "Minako must have this; it 
will be the only thing that will save her...save us. You must get it 
to her at all costs."

	"M-Me…?" Shing stuttered, shocked.

	"Yes, no one must see you Shing, it is very important."

	"But I...I don't know if I can do this..."

	"Wouldn't you do anything to save your friend? This can." Shing
looked down at his hand, unbelieving that this small object was the 
answer to their problems. But the elder was right; he swore he would 
do anything he could to protect his newest friend. His finger tightened
around the stick, and he looked up into the elder's blue eyes, a new 
sense of determination firmly entrenched in his heart.

	"I'll do it."

+++++

	Kunzite stared at the door as if it were surrounded in a corona
of burning fire. He knew there was no turning back, but there was no 
way he could possibly make it out of this unscathed. Behind the door 
lay perhaps their only salvation, but also his damnation. He couldn't
tell the others --although he knew they weren't completely blind to his
current state-- just how much the petite blonde seemed to affect him. 
It didn't matter; he was their leader, and had to act as such, even if
his mind and soul seemed tortured at the very sight of her. As if it 
were his last act on this earth, Kunzite slowly and ceremoniously 
reached out and turned the handle, opening the way to his destruction.

	He glanced around the warm room quickly, breathing in the sweet
scent that lingered in the air. The stone furniture and golden colors 
brought back memories of the Venusian home world, and scenes from those
old times began to overlap over the present. The far wall became a 
green field full of vibrant red flowers, and he watched as a yellow 
sprite, hazy and mystical, dashed across the armoire and tables, and 
darted over the white, flush bed before it seemed to disappear right 
into her blue eyes.

	He had to stop himself from gasping as reality settled in, and 
he found himself locked in a stare with the presumed Sailor Venus. She 
held something in her hand, but it was forgotten now that he was there.
For a few moments they gazed at one another, and the frightened look in
her eyes tied his stomach in knots. He cleared his throat, knowing he 
must continue on, aware it was only a matter of time before she would 
drop what she was holding in her current state of shock.

	"Hello, Lady Minako," he said softly. She seemed to snap from 
her hypnotic torpor, and her graceful fingers closed around the box 
once more. She put it back in her lap, and kept her eyes trained on it
intensely. From here, he could see the blush on her bronzed cheeks. 
"Do you remember me?" he pressed. She only shook her head in response.

	"My name is Kunzite, leader of the Shitennou and the Hand of 
the Queen," he paused, even though he didn't expect her to reply. "I'm
here to answer your questions, in hopes you will remember who you are."

	"Why you…? You must be busy...I don't want to be more of a 
burden than I already am."

	"Because I knew you -- I know you best. We have been training 
closely for months now," he answered simply.

	"Training... For what…?"

	"Come, I have something to show you." He held out his hand, 
although he knew she had no intention of taking it. Slowly, she rose 
from the bed and placed the porcelain heart on the night stand, before 
cautiously making her way to stand before him. He moved his hand to 
point towards the door, and slowly -- like a bride gliding down the 
isle -- she walked towards her inevitable fate.

+++++
	
	Kunzite found himself weaving his way back up towards the 
spiral keep, although a more secretive route was taken this time. Halls 
only meant for the Shitennou led them higher into the palace, to the 
one place Kunzite never wished to see ever again. The corridor they 
took led them closer than he had been the day before, and he could see 
the end more clearly now. Slowly, he led Minako there as she tried to 
keep pace with his long strides.

	"What are we doing?" she finally spoke up.

	"It begins with a story. Long ago, we didn't rule this place. 
People ignorant and prideful corrupted this world. Far in the past we 
were almost successful in overthrowing their naive oppression, but we 
inevitably lost. We were resurrected a millennium later though, by our
loving queen, but it still was not our time to rule. The corrupt had 
changed not only our lands, but our strongest fighters. They turned 
against us and lost all knowledge of our true existence together. Then,
almost a thousand years ago, we finally had our chance."

	Kunzite ended his narrative as they finally reached the blue 
doors. They were solid metal and he could hear the electricity buzzing 
over their polished surface. Casually, he approached and pressed his 
hand against the crystal wall. A glowing panel appeared at his touch, 
the electric blue lines reaching out to embrace his fingertips. Minako
listened as she heard clanking and whirling beyond the door, and 
Kunzite could sense when the energy field had diminished. With a mighty
groan, the doors gradually opened, and Kunzite continued to lead her 
into the unknown.

	"Those that opposed us were not strong enough this time," he 
continued. "We defeated them and restored order to the world. But the 
price was high. We lost some of our greatest fighters. We lost you."

	"M-Me…? That's not possible," she laughed nervously. "I can't 
possibly be a fighter."

	They entered a large room with a heavy black screen set against
the far wall, their reverberating footfalls upon the reflective surface
of the obsidian floor being the only sound. She found that the room 
felt heavy and cold, and this she could feel deep in her bones. Even 
though the technology was young and alive, the room still seemed 
ancient and mysterious. The walls were a stark and blinding white 
compared to the dark screen and floor, and she found it hard to gaze 
upon the bleak scene around her.

	To the right was a smaller door, although she could tell it 
wasn't any less protected than the one they had passed through only 
moments before. She had it in mind to ask him where it went, but he 
interrupted her thoughts.

	"But you are one, whether you wish to believe it or not. It is 
destiny." He seemed to choke on the last word as he turned his 
attention to a small black panel before them. He pressed a few colorful
buttons, and a calm electronic hum filled the still air. "See for 
yourself."

	The black screen gave way, and instantly hazy blue lightning 
reflected off her eyes. As the screen slowly revealed what lay behind 
its metallic barriers, Minako gasped in utter horror.

	Seven women -- all young, all beautiful -- were suspended by 
electric chains; the blue lightning wrapped itself around their wrists,
waists and ankles to hold them aloft. They all wore the same interesting 
skirts and uniforms, but each of these a different color of sorts, each
unique in some way. They looked as if they were sleeping, but 
subconsciously Minako could feel something was not right about this.

	"They are the Sailor Senshi, legendary warriors for justice, 
and you are one of them," Kunzite said quietly, almost breathlessly, 
as she scanned their still faces. Bright golden hair heralded one in 
particular before she even set her eyes on the gorgeous woman, and 
Kunzite watched as Minako finally came face to face with her ghost. 
Seeing Sailor Venus and her counterpart together made his heart slam 
hard against his chest, and the look in Minako's eyes as a strangled 
gasp escaped her pale lips made him shift beneath the weight of a 
sudden bout of conscience.

	He watched her hand move to her chest, and her eyelids begin to
flutter erratically. Like a slow dance, she began to fall back, and as 
her reliable partner, Kunzite caught her gently in his arms as the 
world faded to black.

+++++