Peace

[kingoftruth]

There is an empty clearing, far away from the hurried training grounds frequented by most of the golden army, where a man is moving slowly, surely through different katas. This is his private training space, set in land he owns himself; a place he may go where no one will disturb him. There are few who know even of its existence, and fewer its

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[kingoftruth]

The presence of an outsider in his space is noticed immediately, but as no move is made to disturb him, no move is made yet to acknowledge him. Instead, Kunzite completes the kata fully before turning to face the newcomer, sword lowering and eyes still closed.

"Jadeite."

[kingoftruth]

If the younger man holds no ill will towards the prince, he has nothing to fear from the eldest shitennou. But that wariness- it is enough to tell him what he needs to know. This is not his Jadeite. Only with that knowledge does Kunzite open his eyes, looking to the young blond.

"Welcome to my private land."

[kingoftruth]

"This is the first time it has interfered here," comes the easy answer. It is then that his look becomes more intense, boring into the younger man. Before they proceed any further... there are things that must be known.

"A guest from the nexus, however, is not always welcome. Tell me, Jadeite. Where do your loyalties lie? For or against your master?"

[kingoftruth]

For a long moment, he simple stares at the youngest shitennou. Hearing words like that from him... There is so much of him, still, that is overprotective of Jadeite, and hearing those words makes him remember that twisted mockery he had encountered with the prince's alternate... The very one who had caused so much of his recent troubles. He manages to shakes the thoughts from his mind, however, and finally looks away. This is different.

"You would do well to follow the prince," are the words that eventually fall from his lips. "He is the one the shitennou exist to protect, the one who will one day rule and lead this planet. But so long as you harbor no ill will towards my master... You are welcome to stay here. This is- the 'past' life you are sure to have heard of. Perhaps it may jog your memories."

[kingoftruth]

...

He doesn't want to know. Honestly. Because if it was the princess telling him about Endymion...

"Take the princess' words carefully," he finally says, his tone somewhat wry, amused even. "She has a tendency to... exaggerate... when it comes to the prince, though she will not lie. She merely has the poor taste to believe Master's boasts."

[kingoftruth]

"Indeed," is the amused tone. It is perhaps a wonder that is he so relaxed, but somehow, it seems right in this moment. "I imagine she spoke of how often Master bests his teachers, among many other things. You shouldn't believe that. But you should know that if she spoke of a camaraderie... that much is true."

[kingoftruth]

Those are not words he is glad to hear of, entirely. It is good, to know that at least some of the shitennou are free of Beryl, but it does nothing to soothe him concerning his own counterpart... or Nephrite.

"You should work towards that, then. To be alone, for one of the shitennou... It is not a fate I would wish upon you. If you are able to have the others by your side, it will only strengthen you. Perhaps it will even help you to remember."