Metalia-sama

Zoisite and Jadeite came to a stop at the nearest town to the palace. It probably would have surprised most that they had decided to stay just outside of this town. It wasn't permanent, and so long as the Master didn't know where they were, it was safe.

The pair dismounted and Zoisite left Kaze with Jadeite while he stopped to pick up food and a few other necessities to get them through the first couple of days. Jadeite looked around the town, and immediately noticed that he and Zoisite were getting stares and strange looks. Most everyone knew who they were, but it was extremely odd that they weren't in uniform. Word wouldn't have reached the town yet about their resignation, and Jadeite wondered what the general opinion of them would be when it did.

Thankfully, Zoisite didn't take too long. He packed the supplies and then they got back on their horse. Jadeite wrapped his arms around Zoisite's waist and they rode out of the town and in the direction of the lake.

The area was beautiful. Jadeite had seen it before, but never really had a chance to appreciate it. He could catch glimpses of the water through the trees on occasion, the sun's reflection shimmering off the lake.

Eventually they turned off the main road and into the forest itself, following a narrower path through the trees. It got darker, but beams of sunlight still managed to break through the trees and light of the forest a bit. They slowed their pace as the path narrowed further and then finally opened up. Jadeite spotted the cottage instantly. A small building built on the lake and surrounded by trees. It was completely secluded from the rest of the world, and Jadeite grew excited.

He jumped off Kaze before they had stopped completely and ran up to the cottage. It had a deck which ran around half of the home, and overlooked the large lake. Jadeite looked around in awe at his new home.

“Jade, perhaps you could help me unpack, and then we can have a look around?” Zoisite asked.

Jadeite looked back sheepishly. “Sorry,” he apologized, and then quickly ran to help his lover.

---

Nephrite was peaking through the door of the conference room at Kunzite. He and the Master were supposed to meet him here in a few minutes, but Nephrite hadn't entered yet for several reasons.

First of all, with the exception of escorting Jadeite and Zoisite out of the palace, he hadn't seen or spoken to Kunzite since he had nailed him in the side of the head. He didn't particularly feel like being alone with Kunzite just yet, just in case Kunzite said something else to piss him off.

Secondly, Kunzite was acting... strange. He was sitting alone at the large table, one hand covering his face. It was hard to see through the small crack in the door, but Nephrite thought that the man was crying. His shoulders heaved with the sobs he was trying to suppress. Nephrite had never seen Kunzite cry, ever. Would Zoisite and Jadeite leaving have done this, and if so, why? Was it just the stress of the last few days finally catching up with him?

“Nephrite?”

Nephrite spun around, trying to think an excuse for spying on Kunzite quickly for the Master. It wasn't working. “Master, you're um... early too.”

He raised an eyebrow, but thankfully he didn't ask for Nephrite to explain himself. Of course, by this point, Kunzite would have heard them, and had probably figured out that Nephrite had been spying on him. Wonderful. Nephrite just pushed open the door and walked in, and sure enough, Kunzite had relocation himself to a window and had his back to them, hiding his face.

Nephrite wasn't sure if he should sit down or not. The Master did, but Nephrite continued to hesitate as Kunzite had not made any indication that he had heard them come in.

“Are we ready to start?” Kunzite asked without warning. His voice was strong, Nephrite noted, so perhaps he had been mistaken earlier. He took a seat and acknowledged that he was.

“His Majesty wants replacements for Zoisite and Jadeite as soon as possible. We all know that that is impossible. He's willing to accept the two best members of the guard to act in their place, answering to both myself and Nephrite. Nephrite, I would like a list of nominations from you by noon tomorrow.”

Replacements? Sure there were several men in the guard with excellent abilities with a sword, but the Shitennou had been destined into these rolls from birth. How do you even begin to decide who is deserving of such a responsibility? “Right,” he agreed reluctantly.

“And Master, if you have any suggestions, I wouldn't mind hearing them as well.”

The Prince shook his head. “They haven't even been gone a day,” he argued, “they might come back.”

Nephrite looked at his Master, trying to ask as gently as he could, “Master, do you think they would be allowed back?”

Of course they wouldn't. The King had made that quite clear. Zoisite and Jadeite had been fully aware of their actions when they had resigned. The Master was quiet, his silence answering the question clearly.

“Kunzite.”

“What is it?”

He knew it was probably too soon to ask, but Nephrite didn't really care. “You know where they went, right? Zoisite told you?”

Kunzite looked back over his shoulder at Nephrite, but still did not turn around. “Yes.”

“If I were to write them a letter, you'd see that it was delivered then?”

“Yes.”

The Master's head shot up and over at Kunzite. “Then me as well?” he asked.

Kunzite paused before answering. “Zoisite said nothing against it, Master, however...”

“What is it?”

“Perhaps it would be best, for both of you, to wait a few days until they get settled.”

The Master nodded, perhaps a bit disappointed. “Of course, you're right.”

---

Kunzite continued to stare out the window, in the direction of the lake, eager for this meeting to finish. “That is all of my business, does anyone else have anything?”

Neither man said anything, and so the meeting was adjourned. Chairs scrapped against the floor as both stood. “Nephrite,” Kunzite said, stopping him before he walked out. “May I speak with you in private for a moment?”

“Yeah, sure,” he responded quietly, obviously not thrilled with the prospect. Kunzite knew that Nephrite had been watching him through the door before entering, and it had embarrassed him, but not nearly as much as his own actions the day before had.

After Kunzite heard the door close behind the Master he finally tore his eyes away from the window and faced Nephrite. He knew his eye was red, but Nephrite already knew, so what did it matter? “Sit,” he said, gesturing to the chair and doing so himself. “I owe you an apology.”

“Huh?” Obviously not what Nephrite had been expecting to hear.

“For yesterday.”

“I hit you, Kunzite.”

“And you were right to.”

Nephrite was looking down at the table, uneasy with the situation. He was always more suited to actions rather than words.

“I need you call me on things like that. You are my second now, and while your methods are certainly different from Zoisite's, it is part of your job.”

“Still, I shouldn't have hit you. Not the way I did.”

That angered Kunzite, but he tried to keep his voice as level as he could. “Don't you dare start treating me like an invalid, Nephrite.” Kunzite knew that his eye left him at a great disadvantage, but he would have to learn to fight without it. He would have to be more aware of his own surroundings, that was all. “I plan to do some training later tonight, I'd appreciate it if you came as well.”

“Sure,” Nephrite nodded.

“That's all.”

“Kunzite?” Nephrite said, not ready to leave just yet. “I know you can't tell me where they are, but are they close? A day's journey, a week? Can you tell me that much at least?”

Honestly, Kunzite wasn't sure how secret Zoisite wanted that information kept, but he did know that it was mostly the Master who was not to know, rather than Nephrite. “So long as you don't pass this information on.”

Nephrite nodded his agreement.

“Less than a day's journey. For now at least.”

“I see. Thank you.” Nephrite excused himself then and left Kunzite alone in the conference room.

Kunzite reached into his jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper that had been delivered under his door this morning. He unfolded it gently and once again read the delicately written characters.

Kunzite,

Jadeite and I have resigned. I am sorry I could not give you more notice, nor that I could remain any longer. I ask that our location remain a secret between myself, Jadeite, one of the palace servants, and yourself. Because of the Master's condition, we do not want him to know our location, for our own safety.

For now we will be on the lake, near the village of Kurokawa, in the Miyoshi cottage. Write letters if you must, but please try to leave us be. That part of our lives has ended, and we want to move on from it. Please address the letters to “Shirakawa Yasuo” when you write.

Burn this letter once you have read it.

- Zoisite

Kunzite refolded the letter and returned it to his jacket.