[- Crystal Beginnings -] By: Lady Aiko -----Chapter 2: Connections and Innovations []-protrays thoughts "Saki, stop it." Makoto giggled as Saki once again stole a chocolate chip from under her nose, "I need it for my cookies." "Fine." Saki said flashing her a smile. Makoto almost melted. [He's so kawaii... and brave.] Makoto thought, as she remembered the time he had save her from the youma. However, Makoto's brow furrowed as she also remembered how he had save her. There were at least five youma attacking her and when Saki came running to her rescue he had yelled something incomprehensible, it kind of sounded like some kind of ancient language. Then the youma scattered away like dogs who have disobeyed their masters. Saki must have noticed her frown because he suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and kiss her gently on the cheek. "What's wrong, Mako?" "Oh nothing." Makoto replied, "Can you pass me the sugar, please?" [I wonder what minna-chan are doing tonight?] Ami thought silently as she walked down the streets of Juuban. [Oh yeah, it's Saturday the perfect night for lovers.] Ami sighed at the thought, [I wonder what it feels to be in love?] Ami stopped infront of a window display and studied herself in it's reflection. "When have you been so curious about love, Ami-chan." She asked herself. [Ever since that dream.] Her mind answered. Yes, the dream. The dream of those two soulful turquoise eyes staring at her. Even with the mist covering most of his face, she could tell that he was smiling at her. For his eyes, emitted the warmth of his smile. She had been having that dream for about three weeks now. She had it even before she saw the picture of the Shitennou. [That's right, the Shitennou with long blond hair he had the exact same eyes. Could he be the one I'm been seeing in my dreams?] Ami peered deeper into the store window and noticed a small green-blue stone twinkling in the starlight. [Zoisite...His eyes are the color of Zoisites.] She had to buy one, she just had to. However, it was late and the store had already closed. [I'll come back tomorrow.] All of a sudden, Ami felt her back slam against the cool glass surface . She could hear the sound of stagger breathing in her ear. She relucantly opened her eyelids to see a pair of red eyes glaring right at her, pupils dilated. The youma opened it's mouth and roared, Ami held back her bile when the smell of rotten flesh filled her senses. It eyed her hungrily and all she could do was watch as it's gleaming fangs got closer and closer to her chest. Zakichi had finally got off of his late shrift at Haagen Dazs Ice cream parlor. He was happy to finally be able to go back home and relax his sore muscles. Last night's youma caused him to strain one of his shoulder muscles, so scooping ice cream and carrying heavy trays became a painful ordeal. Flinging his jacket over his shoulder, he quickly made his way out to freedom. The cool night breeze played softly with his long, blond curls as his flittering white shirt showed off his lean figure. [Looks like there won't be any youma attacks for today...] Then his ears caught the sound of stagger breathing and then a roar. It was a roar full of victory and triumph. It was a youma roar, the roar that signaled that it had caught something that looked wonderfully delicious. Zakichi quickly ducked into a dark alley. When he was sure that no one was watching he took out a white mask and in a gentle flash of indigo, has clothes was replaced by a grey uniform lined with green silk. (AN: I'm sure you guys know what it looks like ^_^) [I guess Zoisite has to make an appearance once again.] [Minna, Sayonara, Minna!] Ami kept her eyes tightly shut, feeling the warmth of it's breath tickling her body. [This is it...It will all be over pretty soon...] Then the pressure on her body suddenly seem to disappear. She opened her eyes slowly and saw the youma on the other side of the street, still twitching from the pain of a crystal impaled in it's stomach. Relief flooded her senses and Ami fell to her knees releasing the breath she didn't know she was holding. She trembled as each muscle loosened slowly and let a slow and shuddering sigh escape her lips. "Are you okay?" Ami looked up and saw him, the Shitennou, with long blond hair and sea-green eyes. Even though those eyes were now hidden behind a mask she could see them, those Zoisite-colored eyes shinning with worriment. "Zoisite..." Ami uttered, as her vision started spinning. "NANI?!" "You're eyes they're the color of Zoisites..." Then the world around her started to wobble and fall. [His name...his name is Zoisite...] she finally gave into the darkness and collapsed into her hero's arms. [How did she know my name...] Zoisite/Zakichi thought, as he stared intently at the blue crop of hair against his chest. He reached for her bookbag, to read her ID tag. [Mizuno Ami...Juuban Heights #641...] Zakichi thought he recognize this girl, she was the genius Mizuno Ami, the one that had top scores in all the national Math, Science, and History exams. Zoisite carefully picked her up and started walking towards Juuban Heights. Looking up at the tall and elaborately decorated building, he quickly spotted the balcony for #641. [Her mother should be home, it is 11:30.] He jumped one balcony to the other and finally reached the balcony of Condo #641. He gently put her down on the marble floor, he brushed a lock of blue hair away from her forehead. The Zakichi inside of him marveled at her gentle beauty while the Zoisite within yelled stubbornly, [I will always be faithful to Mercury!] Zoisite knocked softly on the glass door, only loud enough for anyone inside to hear. He then jumped down landing safely on the ground. Zoisite quickly detransformed and walked away as Zakichi. [Sayonara, Mizuno-san.] "Okay, Rei-chan center your energy carefully and let go!" Rei's ruby sphere of fire started hurtling toward the walls of the Meditation Room. "Now, distinguish it!" The ball of fire was about a millimeter away from the expensive cherry wood walls when it suddenly flashed and died out. "Good Job, Rei-chan!" Minako was impressed. In just a few minutes Rei was able to master and contorl her powers, like an expert. "SHHH! Minako-chan, or Ojii-san(Grandpa) will hear you." "Hai, Gomen." Minako said, changing into a low whisper. It was 4:30 am in the morning and anybody in their right mind would be asleep by now. However, Minako had just woken up from another nightmare and couldn't bring herself to go to sleep again. She had found Rei mediating and was glad that her friend had not noticed her sudden and violent jerk back to reality. [That damn dream again. Why won't it just leave me be?] "Lost in your thoughts again, Minako-chan?" Rei said as she quietly opened the sliding door, letting the golden beams of the sunrise filter in. [The sunrise...the sunrise shining through the sulfur fog...] "Minako-chan?" "Hai..." "What are you thinking about?" "Miscellanous things..." "Oh." Rei watched the sunrise for awhile, reading the hidden messages in its rays. "What does the sunrise tell you about today?" "It tells of new dicoveries and possibly the answers to our questions." Rei said silently, still watching the sunrise, "Why do you think we have these powers, Minako-chan?" "I don't know. But it feels right somehow. Besides there are others like us." Minako's eyes glaze over as she felt the strong soul bond she had with these mystery people. "Hai. After meeting you, the connection became more distinct. There's one bond that feels tranquil and icy cold, one that is as bold as lighting yet as soft as rain, and one that feels gentle, warm, innocent, compassionate, and luminous, like the moon. I can feel them, they are our kindred spirits and we'll find them soon." They continued to sit silently, watching the sun streak bright colors across the sky. Until the squawking of Phobos and Deimos, Rei's pet ravens, woke them up from thier reveries. "Well, we better get ready for school." Rei said getting up. "Yeah." Minako said relucantly getting up herself, "Another day of school, another day of outwitting Himeko-san." "Is that the only reason you don't mind going to school." Rei laughed as she remembered what Minako did to Himeko last week. "Hai! Anyway, Race you!" Minako said and then sprinted down the hall to Rei's room. "Minako! That's unfair and you're going to wake up ojii-san!" Rei said racing after her friend, unaware of two pair of brown and green cat eyes, watching them from the bushes. Ami woke up with a ringing headache and the sun filtering through her baby blue blinds didn't help either. [What happened anyway?] Ami wondered, as she plopped her head back down on her pillow. She took a glance at her clock, 9 am. She was defintily late for school, but for some odd reason she didn't really care. She then noticed a blue slip of paper taped to her door. Ami got up on unsteady feet and went to retrieve it. "Ami, I want you to rest today. I have already called school about your absence and I want to talk to about last night. Love, Mom" Ami blinked blankly at the paper trying to remember the events of last night. It was like *someone* within her was trying to block away those memories. Trying to hide something from her...All she could remember was looking at a jewelry in the store window and everything after that was a blur. She couldn't even remember what she had been thinking about at that time. Ami decided to go back to the jewelry store, [Going there should certainly trigger something.] Ami got up, determined and quickly slip into her light blue spring dress and was out the door. It took Ami a long time to find the right one since she couldn't exactly remember where it was located and there were many jewelry stores in the Juuban area. She finally found it and she looked through all the jewelry in hopes that at least one of them would trigger something. <> Ami sighed. But then one stone caught her eye, it had the nicest mixture of blue-green she had ever seen. Then an image of warm sea green eyes flashed in her mind. She had to buy that stone! It had to be the key to what happened last night! Ami went in the store and gently asked the store owner,"Excuse me, Miss. You know the sea-green stone in you display window what is called?" "You mean this one?" The store owner said, as she took the stone from the window display and placed it infront of Ami. "Hai." "It's called Zoisite." The Lady answered amiably. [Zoisite...] The name sounded so familar, but yet she couldn't remember why. "I would like to buy it please." [Damn it, I really should be listening right now.] Kei thought as Takeuchi-sensei continued with their Pre-Calculus review. He tried relaxing a little and slowly forced his mind to focus on Takeuchi-sensei's lecture. "Now Class, you really must remember when you use...." [Damn it.] Kei swore bitterly, as his mind started tuning out the sensei's voice and recalling a breath-taking face with sparkling amber eyes and long tendrils of soft, silky golden hair. It's been like that for two days now, ever since he felt the warm, light power of Venus. His memories of her were more distinct then ever and were consistently replaying his percious reminiscences of her. He remembered his first impression of her, which wasn't really much. The fact that she was the leader of the "Inner Senshi" who protected the Princess Serenity, who just so happened to be his leige's love, commanded great respect from him. However, all he really saw in her was a woman that *actually* obtained the skill to fight and spar. They did talk often but since the conversations were mainly related to their duties, it was strictly protocol. He didn't care though, she was just another women. ----flashback---- As usual Kunzite's mind was filled with thoughts of duty and many other things that kept his mind preoccupied. Kunzite knew he would not get any sleep that night. Getting up from his bed, he quickly slipped on his gray jacket and went outside to walk around a bit. The artifical night breeze comforted him and helped him concentrate on the beauty before him. The palace was definitely elegantly decorated, with it's white marble floors and it's columns decorated with pearls and diamonds. He looked towards the night sky and saw among the vastness his home. He still found this disorienting and was awed at his home planet's beauty. It was understandable why these Lunarians were so fascinated by it. "Beautiful, is it not?" Kunzite let out a short gasp, but stop it in time before it became noticable. He quickly turned around and found marble steps leading down to a garden of pale yellow flowers. Sitting on the cool grass with her back towards him was none other than the Princess of Venus. "I am sorry, Princess Venus, for intruding. I pray you good night and I will take my leave." Kunzite said cooly, hoping to escape from the usual shallow women conversation. "Why such stiffness, Lord Kunzite?" The Venusian Princess said raising her eyebrows at him in amusement. "Please stay awhile, I would very much like it if you could tell me about your home." Kunzite sighed inwardly, seems like he could not escape this one. "Well, what you see around here is basically what earth is like." Kunzite said looking around at the nature magic produced. "However, you must agree that though the Lunarians make a very close imitation, it still lacks the feeling and warmth that earth has. It never snows, rains, or hails here, the weather is perfect and predictable. The flowers, though lovely, are not as fragant and vibrant as home. Even without visiting this planet I knew the Moon would be a cold and pale place." Kunzite trailed off hoping, that she had caught his slight insult so she would leave him be. However, Princess Venus only laughed at his bluntness and softly continued, "Princess Serenity, always did said the best thing about your planet was the weather and flowers." Venus smiled as she remembered the look on her liege's face when she had described earth's beauty to her senshi. "It's funny how the very planet the Lunarian Regime protect is the very one they long for. Earth must be beautiful indeed." "Maybe I can take you someday?" Kunzite said softly, a faint blush crossing his face, [What was that about?] Kunzite felt like punching himself in the stomach. The Princess of Venus' gentle laughter rang in the night air, "You sure are a funny man, wasn't it only a minute ago you thought me another silly woman." She turned to smirk at him. The magic-produced wind then played with the long trendrils of her golden hair and the pale evening light glittered in her soft apricot-colored eyes. Kunzite, for the first time, realized the beauty that had stood before him so many times before. "I pray you a good night milord, I thank you for your company. Till we meet again." She did a short cursty and disappeared down the hall. After that night, Kunzite thoughts were haunted by her image and he would find any excuse just to be next to her. He even *begged* his best friend, Jediate, into letting him sit next to her during mealtimes. Jediate was adamant about the subject and would not consent to his request unless he told him why. "I very much enjoy her company, Jediate, as do you." Kunzite explained cooly, dropping back to his commanding tone. Jediate raised an eyebrow at him, obviously not convinced. "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, almighty leader. You must be interested in her, right?" Kunzite flushed slightly and as his insides became flustered, however he answered with a controlled voice, "No, of course not." Jediate smiled at him, the kind of smile that told Kunzite that Jediate knew he was laying. "Fine," Jediate said, waving his hands in the air in defeat. "You can have my seat at the table. You sit right next to her, right? Maybe I'll even get to talk to the her." Kunzite nodded, knowing Jediate was talking about the Princess Mars. Jediate blushed excitedly, "Well, I best be off. Dinner will start in one hour, I better look good tonight." Jediate ran down the hallway like a giddy school boy. Kunzite was a happy man at being able to sit next to her and actually coverse with her. Over the table they became closer and often went to find the comfort of each others' company. His feelings for her deepened without him knowing that he harbored such feelings. He did not even know that he had slowly fallen in love with her. Until that day... Kunzite was looking for her again that day and knew exactly where she would be. She would be at her private garden, where they had their first conversation. "Adonis, I'm sorry. I love you but not to the extent that you do." Kunzite stopped still and quickly took shelter behind one of the flower bushes. Who is this Adonis? Why does she speak with him in such famliarity? Kunzite growled silently, Venus and him were still on the "Lady and Lord" basis. Kunzite saw the young man turn away. Venus gently put her hand on the young man's cheek, "Please, Adonis. Don't be like this, I promise you my friendship." "But your friendship is not what I want." Adonis said passionately. He grabbed her by her arms and press his lips on hers gently. That did it, the cool, collected General of Earth could no longer contain his feelings of love, anger and most of all jealousy any longer. He stormed out from behind the bushes and punched Adonis right on the side of his face. Sending Adonis flying across the garden. "Kunzite, you idiot! What were you thinking!" Kunzite heart cracked slightly when he saw the angry and hurt tears in her amber eyes. However that feeling was soon followed by immense pain. She had punched him directly in the stomach, knocking the wind out of his lungs. It was quite a long time before they talked to each other again. ----end flashback---- "Tsubana-san!" Kei was immediately startled out of his thoughts. "I am surpirsed, Kei-san. I hope you will more pay attention next time." Takeuchi-sensei said solemnly. "Gomen, Takeuchi-sensei." "Anyway, Kei-san. I have a call slip for you." Takeuchi-sensei then handed him a yellow slip of paper. "Arigato." Kei waited for his teacher to continue and then started reading the words on the call slip: Kei, Don't forget to call on Aunt Luna and Atermis Afterschool. Love, Mom Kei knew that this wasn't really from his mom, it was actually Atermis and Luna, they wanted to see him afterclass. [I wonder what this can be about?] Kei wondered. Pre-Calculus seemed to last forever. After the class was dimissed, Kei quickly made his way to the aged oak tree near the cafeteria. "Today, sure is a nice day to eat mochi and watch the moon." Kei said aloud, signaling to Luna and Artemis his arrival. "Koban wa, Kei-san." Luna suddenly appearing from the hidden branches of the oak tree, with Artemis besides her. "Koban wa. Luna, Artemis." "Let's get straight to the point shall we?" Luna said. "What about the others?" Kei asked. "Iie, these are for your ears only." Artemis answered, "We have found the Princess of Venus and Mars." Kei gasped, "Are you certain?" "Hai. They possess the blessings and powers of their planets." Luna answered. "In this time, Mars is known as Hino Rei and Venus, Aino Minako. They both attend the infamous T*A Girls' Private school and have already become as close as they were before," Artemis let out a short laugh, "Can you imagine it? Venus in a stiff Girls' private school?" "That's besides the point." Luna said cutting him off, "Anyway, you are not to tell Jirukichi-san about this, knowing how rash he can be about these kinds of subject. It is best that he does not appoarch her." "Why?" Artemis asked curiously. "Letting her see him, can result in serious consequences. We do not know the extent of thier memories. Remember the first time you guys appoarched Artemis and me." Luna said smiling. "Yeah, I remember." Kei smiled wryly, fingering the long jagged scar across his chest. "You better hurry to class," Luna said as she heard the bell ring. "You're not to see her, you understand? That was only for your information only." "Of course." Kei answered. However, he had already made up his mind on what to do with this new data. "Ami-chan!!!" Ami was startled by the high-pitched voice outside her room. Ami quickly put down the book she was reading and answered, "Hai!!!" Usagi then came bursting though the door of her room, following with Makoto carry a big Tiramisu. "Ami-chan? Are you okay?" Usagi asked worriedly, checking Ami's forehead. "Hai, Usagi-chan. Arigato for coming over." "Of course, and look what Mako-chan baked for you, your favorite Tiramisu!" Makoto settled it gently on Ami's white wood desk and cut a small piece of the delicious-looking cake. "Here try it." Makoto said, handing her the piece. "It's delicious, the coffee, wine and chocolate are all so nicely blended." Ami said smiling. "You always make the best Tiramisu, Mako-chan." Makoto blushed happily. "Sugoi! Ami-chan your necklace pendant is so pretty!" Usagi squealed. "Wow! Ami-chan!" Makoto gasped as she looked at it. It was made of white gold, in the shape of a female symbol. However, on the circle there were two little lines sticking up from the top like little ears. Not only was the frame beautiful but right in the middle of the circle was a bluish-green stone, that shined like the sea. "What is that stone called?" Makoto asked totally enraptured by the stone's perfect blend of blues and greens. "Zoisite..." Ami answered, as she unconsciously rubbed it. "I never heard of the stone before, but it's name... sounds so familar to me..." Makoto whispered her eyes glazed. "That's strange, I also feel the familarity in it." Usagi said, eyeing the piece of jewelry. "Ami, I see you have some visitors." Dr. Mizuno seemed to have suddenly appeared infront of the bedroom door, startling the living daylights from all three highschool girls. "Koban wa, Mizuno-sama." Usagi and Makoto said in unison. "Koban wa, Usagi-san, Makoto-san." Dr. Mizuno smiled at them sweetly, "Arigato for coming to visit Ami." "It was no real problem." Usagi replied sweetly. "It's so late already. Why don't you girls stay for dinner?" "Hai!!!" Usagi yelled, "Arigato, Mizuno-sama!" Makoto sighed, Usagi always became rash when she was hungry. As the long awaited 6 o' clock bell finally rang, announcing the end of all afterschool clubs for that day. As the girls of the T*A Girls' Private soon filed out the front gate, the attention and the good looks of a obviously, High School Male student, did not go unnoticed. All the girls passing by giggled and whispered among themselves. He was obviously waiting for someone, was he one of their classmates' boyfriend? The girls sighed at the thought and envied the girl who had such luck. Kei ignored the sighs of affections coldly, [Girls, such hopeless romantics.] That was when he saw her. It was her, he knew it. She had the same golden hair and the same big ribbon that pulled the strands infront of her face in place. Her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed, it was all the same. Kei felt the gap in him beginning to fill with the love he felt for her, 1000 years ago. Minako was laughing and giggling with Rei about the events of this afternoon. Himeko had sneakily put blue dye in Minako's shampoo. However, with the help of some of Minako's friends Himeko ended up the one with blue hair. "Oh, the expression on her face was priceless!" Minako giggled, promptly imitated it. Rei laughed heartly, Minako was the only that could ever make her laugh like that. [You're wrong, there is also someone else...] Rei frozed at the sudden voice in her head, but quickly covered her feeling of confusion lest Minako notice. However, Rei's effort was in vain for Minako was not looking at her but someone else faraway. Minako had the gut feeling that someone was watching her, rather intensely. Minako turned around quickly and spotted her admirer. It was him she knew it. Her eyes narrowed from the sudden contempt she felt inside. Something inside told her to get as far away from him as possible and this something was also filled with disgust at the emotions that were protrayed in his gray eyes. "Minako-chan? Daijobu?" Rei's concerned voice pierced through Minako's conciousness. "Let's go, Rei-chan." Minako said her voice in a low dead tone. Rei nodded her head and as Minako had her back towards her. Rei sneaked a glance at what cause Minako's sudden change. Rei noticed the head of silver and also narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Yeah, let's go." Rei agreed solemnly. When Kei saw the glare he recieved from his Venus, he felt his heart froze. Her eyes looked at him, with such hatred, it was overwhelming, they were actually hard and held no warmth. As if he wasn't confused enough, a steely glare from, what Kei deduced to be Mars, was also added. [Does that mean...they remember?] Kei wondered. He had to find out. He then silently followed the retreating backs of Mars and Venus. He followed them and noted how Venus dropped Mars off at the Hikawa Shrine. [Mars must live here...] Kei watched them, as they exchange thier good-byes and thier promises to see each other tomorrow. He notice how different Mars looked, with her raven hair and purple eyes. He knew that Jirukichi with his IQ would never recognize her, as his Mars. He quickly hid behind a tree, as Venus made her descent down the stairs. Her golden tresses flying in the air, reminded him the many times in the past, he was able to feel the silky strands caress his face. Making sure she was a safe distance away, he continued his chase after her. He carefully watched her turn a corner and as he made his way around...she wasn't there anymore! Kei scrowled in confusion, he had made sure he wasn't too far behind her and now she was nowhere to be seen. All of a sudden, Kei noticed that his back was now resting on hard asphalt and looking up at Tokyo's blue skies. "Who are you?!" A voiced demanded. Minako had noticed, Kei following her the whole time. Every attempt to lose him did not work and Minako was getting frustrated at this annoying young man. Also the nagging feeling of deja vu and dread did not help alleviate her annoyance. Minako finally decided on the direct approach, and while hiding in a hidden ally she was able to catch him unprepared and flip him. "Who are you?!" Minako demanded once more. While the young man kept staring at her with those dull, grey eyes. Once again looking at her with that soft, warm expression. Her senses warned her against this young man's feelings yet she felt herself longing for it. Minako shook her head, tossing the thought on the side of the road, letting the cars run over it. "Whoever, you are..." Minako continued, her eyes narrowing to two cold, blue slits. "I suggest you to stay the hell away from me!" *Dodges flying tomatoes* I am so sorry this came out so late. Anyway, I hope you guys understand what's basically going on. However, what's with Rei and Minako? Why are they so hostile to Kunzite? All these questions will be answered soon, please read and review and see you at chapter 3! Lady Aiko <3 e-mail: ainoangel@guardiansenshi.com