sm_monthly, 7/30/09, Prompt: Quote
For sm_monthly's thirtieth July Challenge.
Title: Ends and Means
Author: elvisvf101
Medium: Fanfic
Theme: "The last temptation is the greatest treason: to do the right deed for the wrong reason." -- T.S. Eliot
Genre: Angst
Version: Manga
Rating: G
Author's Notes: This piece is a continuation of the storyline from Volleyball, Masquerade, and Far Away. Thanks for all the kind reviews. They are much appreciated.
Kunzite fought every duel as though his life depended on it. And that was well. For blades held the power to cleave him in two. It was only a small jump for him to believe the wooden swords he and Endymion held in their hands now were the same. In his own mind, he believed his opponent to be someone bent on his blood, rather than his brother and comrade in arms. So he fought with every ounce of strength he had.
Endymion did not make the jump so readily. He still treated the duel as a game. And he fought as such. It galled Kunzite to think that they were currently only in a stalemate. If Endymion only ever knew what power he held, what potential he had, Earth could be united and at peace.
But it was not Kunzite’s place to question Endymion. It was to serve him. And he could only do so by bringing out the best in him. So he fought the duels with every ounce of strength he had, offering blood and sweat for the sake of his Prince, and the kingdom he defended.
A flick of the wrist and Endymion’s sword went flying out of his hands. The Prince laughed.
“And so the streak continues old friend.”
“Indeed. You must focus my liege. War is no child’s game.”
“It is fortunate then that we are not at war.”
For the first time since they began, Kunzite smiled. “Indeed.”
***
“Are you listening, my liege?”
“What? Oh, yes, of course. We’re delegating our foils to the Moon.”
The other Shitennou snickered, while Kunzite merely raised an eyebrow.
“As I was saying, we are expecting a royal delegation from the Moon, regarding our admission to the Silver Alliance. We also may discuss the reports about the strange disappearances along the border. They may be able to help with this threat.”
“I’d hardly call it a threat, Kunzite. It’s all unconfirmed rumors, hearsay. What are we so worried about?”
“Any threat must be treated with all due diligence. And that includes the delegation as well. We know nothing of the Moon and what powers they have. We must be cautious.”
Endymion went very red and rubbed the back of his head. “I’m sure they’re a very dangerous sort.”
The other Shitennou snickered again. Kunzite began to wonder what exactly everyone found so funny.
***
“What have you done?”
There was accusation in his voice, which was very unlike Kunzite, especially when addressing Endymion.
For once, Endymion did not take his high general’s accusations lightly.
“I have done nothing. What exactly are you insinuating old friend?”
“Do not play the fool with me. I know you far too well. You know precisely of what I speak.”
“Indulge me.”
“You have taken far too many indulgences. And you flaunt the will of the gods. The negotiations are no small matter either. We have no idea how the alliance will react if knowledge of your indiscretion becomes public.”
Almost without thinking, Endymion’s hand moved to the hilt of his sword and his eyes flashed.
“Mind your tongue. Serenity is no mere indiscretion.”
Kunzite met Endymion’s eyes and saw the truth.
“I know.”
The tension seemed to ease with that confession.
“But you’re right. I’ve made a terrible mistake.”
Kunzite smiled and placed a friendly hand on Endymion’s shoulder.
“Love makes us do strange things sometimes.”
Endymion allowed himself a wry chuckle. “That it does.” The smile fell from his lips as he considered matters for a moment.
“I wanted to tell you. I didn’t want to keep this from you. I was so confused, and I needed a friend.”
“But you knew my first reaction would be to tell you to not see her.”
“Yes. I’m sorry, I was selfish.”
“And I was so concerned with your destiny, I neglected to think of your happiness.”
“Well, at least one of us has to think of my future. I much prefer it be in your hands. They’re more reliable.”
“And much better with a sword.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“No, mere fact.”
The smile returned, as did the hand to the hilt. “Prove it.”
***
Kunzite was not given to overly emotional displays. So his pacing was a rather heated display by comparison. He wondered how much of it was due to the Alliance’s demand that Earth disband her armies and accept an Alliance garrison in order to receive admission, and how much of it was Endymion’s seeming acceptance of the condition.
He also began to wonder how much of it was due to Beryl. The woman was mostly a harmless court gossip, but she had an unnerving air about her. Her eyes were keen and her ears heard many things not meant for her. And her words spoke things that made him shiver.
“The royal family of the Moon are known for their great powers. I wonder if we know all of them.”
“It matters little Lady Beryl. We will be at their mercy soon enough.”
“What a precarious place to be, at the mercy of beings so fair. I wonder what is hidden behind the glamours and the magicks. Are they truly human like us? If so, they will bleed as readily as we do. Perhaps we need not be at their mercy after all.”
“Blood is precious. It should not be spilled needlessly.”
“Of course. We should only spill blood when necessary. We should only spill blood to protect ourselves. We should only spill blood to keep us free.”
“I cannot defy Endymion. “
“Nor can you ignore your duty. What will you do? Will you let Endymion fall prey to another of the schemes of these celestial witches? Or will you save him and ensure he reigns forever on the Golden Throne?”
“Mind your words. They are treason.”
She bowed, but the gesture was hardly one of contrition or humility. “Of course my Lord. I only offer my humble counsel. Like you, I live for Earth. I take my leave now.”
She left. Kunzite wished the misgivings went with her.
***
Being a skilled leader meant always being in control, always having a contingency plan, always knowing the options.
So it was a tad embarrassing for Minako to find herself cornered in her office by Kunzite.
She had been avoiding him, and she thought she was doing a good job. But Kunzite was always good at finding her and getting under her skin. She had little choice but to finally hear him out.
“What can I do for you General?”
“I’m not here as General of the Northern Army.”
“Then you have no business here.”
“On the contrary, we have nothing but unfinished business to discuss.”
Kunzite remained calm. It only served to infuriate Minako. “I have no intention of discussing
anything with you.”
“Then you chose to remain miserable in a world that is built upon hope and happiness?”
“Don’t speak to me of those things. Not after you took them from me.”
Kunzite’s mask slipped for just a moment. “I’d like to give them back.”
The break in his control and the glimmer of hope he offered were enough to prevent her from responding. Kunzite pressed his advantage.
“Why do you avoid me? You don’t fear me. And we once felt something. After a thousand years, I still do. That’s how powerful it was. Don’t tell me you don’t feel the same.”
“I don’t,” she lied. Kunzite saw through it.
“Look me in the eye and say that.”
Minako raised her head. Blue met silver. “I… I feel…”
Kunzite could feel her breaking. He stepped forward. Minako’s breath hitched. It stopped Kunzite. A tear began to make its way down Minako’s cheek, and Kunzite’s whole world became that perfect drop.
“I know, Venus. I feel it too.”
The feelings she wanted to deny were threatening to overwhelm her. Everything in her told her to flee. Kunzite sensed this. He closed the gap and took her hand.
It wasn’t that Kunzite had not touched her before. But Minako had forgotten how what it felt like to have her hand in his. She felt so many things; pain, longing, regret, melancholy, and something she hadn’t felt in a thousand years. She was so unprepared, she found that it just came pouring out.
“You’re the only one who can understand. You’re the only one who can know how I feel. I need you to feel what I feel. Otherwise, I’ll be all alone.”
Kunzite brought her face up to meet his.
“You aren’t.”
Title: Ends and Means
Author: elvisvf101
Medium: Fanfic
Theme: "The last temptation is the greatest treason: to do the right deed for the wrong reason." -- T.S. Eliot
Genre: Angst
Version: Manga
Rating: G
Author's Notes: This piece is a continuation of the storyline from Volleyball, Masquerade, and Far Away. Thanks for all the kind reviews. They are much appreciated.
Kunzite fought every duel as though his life depended on it. And that was well. For blades held the power to cleave him in two. It was only a small jump for him to believe the wooden swords he and Endymion held in their hands now were the same. In his own mind, he believed his opponent to be someone bent on his blood, rather than his brother and comrade in arms. So he fought with every ounce of strength he had.
Endymion did not make the jump so readily. He still treated the duel as a game. And he fought as such. It galled Kunzite to think that they were currently only in a stalemate. If Endymion only ever knew what power he held, what potential he had, Earth could be united and at peace.
But it was not Kunzite’s place to question Endymion. It was to serve him. And he could only do so by bringing out the best in him. So he fought the duels with every ounce of strength he had, offering blood and sweat for the sake of his Prince, and the kingdom he defended.
A flick of the wrist and Endymion’s sword went flying out of his hands. The Prince laughed.
“And so the streak continues old friend.”
“Indeed. You must focus my liege. War is no child’s game.”
“It is fortunate then that we are not at war.”
For the first time since they began, Kunzite smiled. “Indeed.”
***
“Are you listening, my liege?”
“What? Oh, yes, of course. We’re delegating our foils to the Moon.”
The other Shitennou snickered, while Kunzite merely raised an eyebrow.
“As I was saying, we are expecting a royal delegation from the Moon, regarding our admission to the Silver Alliance. We also may discuss the reports about the strange disappearances along the border. They may be able to help with this threat.”
“I’d hardly call it a threat, Kunzite. It’s all unconfirmed rumors, hearsay. What are we so worried about?”
“Any threat must be treated with all due diligence. And that includes the delegation as well. We know nothing of the Moon and what powers they have. We must be cautious.”
Endymion went very red and rubbed the back of his head. “I’m sure they’re a very dangerous sort.”
The other Shitennou snickered again. Kunzite began to wonder what exactly everyone found so funny.
***
“What have you done?”
There was accusation in his voice, which was very unlike Kunzite, especially when addressing Endymion.
For once, Endymion did not take his high general’s accusations lightly.
“I have done nothing. What exactly are you insinuating old friend?”
“Do not play the fool with me. I know you far too well. You know precisely of what I speak.”
“Indulge me.”
“You have taken far too many indulgences. And you flaunt the will of the gods. The negotiations are no small matter either. We have no idea how the alliance will react if knowledge of your indiscretion becomes public.”
Almost without thinking, Endymion’s hand moved to the hilt of his sword and his eyes flashed.
“Mind your tongue. Serenity is no mere indiscretion.”
Kunzite met Endymion’s eyes and saw the truth.
“I know.”
The tension seemed to ease with that confession.
“But you’re right. I’ve made a terrible mistake.”
Kunzite smiled and placed a friendly hand on Endymion’s shoulder.
“Love makes us do strange things sometimes.”
Endymion allowed himself a wry chuckle. “That it does.” The smile fell from his lips as he considered matters for a moment.
“I wanted to tell you. I didn’t want to keep this from you. I was so confused, and I needed a friend.”
“But you knew my first reaction would be to tell you to not see her.”
“Yes. I’m sorry, I was selfish.”
“And I was so concerned with your destiny, I neglected to think of your happiness.”
“Well, at least one of us has to think of my future. I much prefer it be in your hands. They’re more reliable.”
“And much better with a sword.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“No, mere fact.”
The smile returned, as did the hand to the hilt. “Prove it.”
***
Kunzite was not given to overly emotional displays. So his pacing was a rather heated display by comparison. He wondered how much of it was due to the Alliance’s demand that Earth disband her armies and accept an Alliance garrison in order to receive admission, and how much of it was Endymion’s seeming acceptance of the condition.
He also began to wonder how much of it was due to Beryl. The woman was mostly a harmless court gossip, but she had an unnerving air about her. Her eyes were keen and her ears heard many things not meant for her. And her words spoke things that made him shiver.
“The royal family of the Moon are known for their great powers. I wonder if we know all of them.”
“It matters little Lady Beryl. We will be at their mercy soon enough.”
“What a precarious place to be, at the mercy of beings so fair. I wonder what is hidden behind the glamours and the magicks. Are they truly human like us? If so, they will bleed as readily as we do. Perhaps we need not be at their mercy after all.”
“Blood is precious. It should not be spilled needlessly.”
“Of course. We should only spill blood when necessary. We should only spill blood to protect ourselves. We should only spill blood to keep us free.”
“I cannot defy Endymion. “
“Nor can you ignore your duty. What will you do? Will you let Endymion fall prey to another of the schemes of these celestial witches? Or will you save him and ensure he reigns forever on the Golden Throne?”
“Mind your words. They are treason.”
She bowed, but the gesture was hardly one of contrition or humility. “Of course my Lord. I only offer my humble counsel. Like you, I live for Earth. I take my leave now.”
She left. Kunzite wished the misgivings went with her.
***
Being a skilled leader meant always being in control, always having a contingency plan, always knowing the options.
So it was a tad embarrassing for Minako to find herself cornered in her office by Kunzite.
She had been avoiding him, and she thought she was doing a good job. But Kunzite was always good at finding her and getting under her skin. She had little choice but to finally hear him out.
“What can I do for you General?”
“I’m not here as General of the Northern Army.”
“Then you have no business here.”
“On the contrary, we have nothing but unfinished business to discuss.”
Kunzite remained calm. It only served to infuriate Minako. “I have no intention of discussing
anything with you.”
“Then you chose to remain miserable in a world that is built upon hope and happiness?”
“Don’t speak to me of those things. Not after you took them from me.”
Kunzite’s mask slipped for just a moment. “I’d like to give them back.”
The break in his control and the glimmer of hope he offered were enough to prevent her from responding. Kunzite pressed his advantage.
“Why do you avoid me? You don’t fear me. And we once felt something. After a thousand years, I still do. That’s how powerful it was. Don’t tell me you don’t feel the same.”
“I don’t,” she lied. Kunzite saw through it.
“Look me in the eye and say that.”
Minako raised her head. Blue met silver. “I… I feel…”
Kunzite could feel her breaking. He stepped forward. Minako’s breath hitched. It stopped Kunzite. A tear began to make its way down Minako’s cheek, and Kunzite’s whole world became that perfect drop.
“I know, Venus. I feel it too.”
The feelings she wanted to deny were threatening to overwhelm her. Everything in her told her to flee. Kunzite sensed this. He closed the gap and took her hand.
It wasn’t that Kunzite had not touched her before. But Minako had forgotten how what it felt like to have her hand in his. She felt so many things; pain, longing, regret, melancholy, and something she hadn’t felt in a thousand years. She was so unprepared, she found that it just came pouring out.
“You’re the only one who can understand. You’re the only one who can know how I feel. I need you to feel what I feel. Otherwise, I’ll be all alone.”
Kunzite brought her face up to meet his.
“You aren’t.”