Revealing

Written for sm_monthly Silver Millenium month, January 2008

Theme: 5. Revealing

Zoisite had never taken training lightly, but he had never looked so threatening to Kunzite either. In between sword passes, he managed to shot small magical darts that only missed their target by an inch, and even scorched a strand of white hair.

When Zoisite took a serious risk to break through his defense, and his sword ripped off the orange ribbon tied to his shoulder pad, he called it a day.

"Excellent attacks today. A little too bold, maybe."

Zoisite defiantly sheathed his sword.

"But it worked. I have reached you."

Kunzite untied the ribbon shreds from his shoulder without looking away from Zoisite. He saw his emerald eyes narrowing as they laid on the orange fabric.

"Lord Kunzite, I request permission to cease training with you. Permanently. I hope you will agree that I am now fully capable to hold my duties."

The silence lingered a little longer than needed. Kunzite didn't show any reaction as he finally replied.

"Fine. I will tell King Ethlios and Prince Endymion that you're no longer my apprentice. You won't need my insignia any longer, then."

Kunzite walked closer to Zoisite and removed the white and light blue emblem pinned to his chest, ignoring how tense the young man became. Finally he looked up to meet his eyes again.

"You're a free man now."

Zoisite clenched his teeth then seemed to give up and opened his mouth.

"Lord Kunzite, I..."

Kunzite raised his hands to the pretty face and kissed him, softly but firmly. He finally broke away and watched him blink in surprise.

"Silly, Zoisite. Wouldn't that be easier to talk about it, instead of ruining an innocent gift from that poor Venus?"

The young man stood there startled, unable to answer. Kunzite sighed.

"I'm sorry. I wish things were different. I really do. But we can't break these engagements. They will ensure peace between us and the Moon Kingdom. Even if by some miracle we avoided these marriages, sooner or later we would have to accept another diplomatic alliance. Mercury and Venus are in the same situation."

Zoisite finally gathered his senses enough to snap back, as much a question as a sarcasm.

"Do they love each other?"

Kunzite smiled.

"I don't think so."

Zoisite mellowed.

"Lord Kunzite, when..."

"Don't call me that."

The young man frowned like a cat being tapped on the nose.

"Why?"

"You are no longer my apprentice. And that's the answer to both your questions. Why I didn't tell you earlier. I hoped we would have time. Then I thought we wouldn't have any... and that it was better not to start something that would just make it harder for us both to do our duty with the Moon Guardians. Don't make it harder, Zoisite."

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