Metalia-sama

Kunzite woke late the next morning, and even knowing the time, he didn't have any desire to face the world. There seemed to be very little point in getting up in the morning, other than for the calls of nature.

On his way back to the bedroom, he stepped on a piece of paper. Looking down, he recognized it immediately as the letter Zoisite had given to him. He thought he had left it on the desk. Kunzite bent down to retrieve the letter and unfolded it once more. Perhaps where was something he could do today that would be worth leaving his chambers for.

He kicked his rumpled uniform out of the way and grabbed a fresh one from his wardrobe. He took the time to brush and style his hair, adjust the circlet so that it sat just right. He even splashed water on his face in an attempt to look presentable.

First, he had to find Nephrite, let him know he would be leaving for the day. It didn't take long, Nephrite was with the two 'replacements', whatever their names were. “Nephrite,” he said, grabbing the red-head's attention.

Telling the two men to wait, Nephrite joined Kunzite, a curious look on his face. “I'm rather shocked to see you,” he admitted.

“I'm going to see Zoisite.” Kunzite didn't bother to look to Nephrite for his reaction.

“So soon? Don't you think it would be best if-”

“I'm going. If there's anything you want me to bring, I would suggest you find it quickly.”

“The Master was going to write a letter. I will retrieve it from him.”

“Fine.”

Kunzite left Nephrite quickly and went to see about readying a horse as well as some basic supplies. He was in a hurry, and was beginning to find the servants annoyingly slow. Honestly, how difficult was it to get his stallion ready? He ended up pacing outside the palace, impatiently waiting for either Nephrite to bring the letter, or for the horse to be ready. If Nephrite didn't beat the horse, Kunzite was leaving without seeing him.

---

The morning was quiet following the previous evening's activities. Zoisite and Jadeite kept their voices minimal, and instead managed breakfast and most of the morning with light, but loving touches. There was no anger between them, but the setting was a pleasant change from the night before.

They left for work in the early afternoon, as Zoisite wanted to arrive in plenty of time to practice before the dinner crowd arrived. They were expecting a full house, since rumour had been spread, probably on purpose by the owner, of the new musician.

He could tell that Jadeite was nervous about the first night, but his job was simple enough, and Zoisite hoped that he would even make some friends with the staff. Before they entered the bar, Zoisite gave him an encouraging squeeze of his shoulder. Jadeite had nodded his understanding, and the two went their separate ways once inside the door. They both understood the importance of keeping the relationship out of their workplace.

He never admitted it, but Zoisite was nervous himself once he sat back down at the piano with an audience to hear him play. The selection he had for the evening was on the easier side of things. All pieces he knew well, but nothing technically complicated. With his time away from the instrument combined with his nervousness, he just didn't trust his own hands.

He played for a total of five hours that night, with several breaks to rest his hands. He was allowed to step into the back rooms of the restaurant during this time, and was able to catch a peek at Jadeite while he worked, but kept himself far enough away to be a distraction to his lover.

Once the restaurant closed for the evening, they remained while Jadeite cleaned the tables and Zoisite was allowed to play around with his music. He wanted to write again, and so he had acquired some lined parchment to do just that. He wouldn't tell Jadeite until it was finished, but the piece was for him.

It was dark by the time they left town and rode back to the cottage. Jadeite had expressed his enjoyment of the job, as well as Zoisite's playing. His playing had been adequate at best, but thanked Jadeite regardless.

As they arrived to the cottage, Zoisite immediately got the feeling that they were not alone. He dismounted and searched the area, both visually and mentally. “Is something wrong?” Jadeite asked behind him.

Movement by the sable caught Zoisite's eye, and Jadeite came close to screaming when he noticed it as well. Zoisite's eyes were already scanning the area for the nearest weapon before the person revealed themselves.

“What are you doing here, Kunzite?” Zoisite let his voice convey his displeasure with seeing his old commander.

“I thought I would see how the two of you are getting along.”

Zoisite turned his back on the man and returned to Jadeite, who had very nearly had a heart attack it seemed. “Go inside,” he instructed. “I'll put Kaze in the stable.”

Jadeite nodded, anxious for the safety of the indoors. Much to Zoisite's displeasure, Kunzite chose to stay with him as he put the horse away.

“Where have you been all day?” Kunzite questioned.

“Not that it is any of your concern, but we were working. We don't have everything handed to us anymore.”

Kunzite sighed. “If you need money, I can bring you some.”

Zoisite spun quickly, glaring at Kunzite for suggesting such a thing. “I appreciated the offer the first time, but we are fine on our own and wish to be left that way.” Finished with the mare, Zoisite then turned to the horse Kunzite had brought and tossed the reigns his way. “It's a long ride back, you should get going.”

Zoisite turned and started back to the cottage, but Kunzite grabbed his arm and spun him back around. “I've come all this way, and you won't even bother to let me in?”

Zoisite pulled him arm free, jerking away from Kunzite. “I see no reason to.”

Kunzite spoke through clenched teeth. “I have things I would like to discuss with you.”

It was getting cold out, and Zoisite was sick of trying to make Kunzite leave. He just wanted to get inside and relax for the rest of the evening, was that really so much to ask? Kunzite was a reminder of his past, and that always made him tense. “Fine, but make it quick.”

Jadeite smiled his way when the door opened, but it quickly faded when he saw that Kunzite followed. Zoisite silently conveyed his displeasure with the situation. “We're out of tea,” he lied to Kunzite, “do you want water?”

“No, I'm fine,” he replied.

Zoisite grabbed the fire poker and idly poked the newly forming coals. Jadeite had started a fire while he was still outside. “Then what do you want?”

Kunzite stepped forward beside Zoisite and handed him an envelope with a royal seal. “A letter from the Master, he wanted you to-”

Zoisite didn't bother listening, the letter was fuel for the fire before Kunzite had even finished. “Anything else?”

“You of all people should know that the person that wrote you that letter is not the person that hurt you.” Kunzite was obviously angry, but so was Zoisite.

“I said, 'anything else', Kunzite.”

“Yeah, could I have a word with you in private?”

Zoisite drew himself away from the flames and looked Kunzite in the eye. “Anything you are going to say can be said in front of Jadeite.”

Kunzite's gaze darted over to the third party and then back to Zoisite. “I don't think that either of us wants him to hear this.”

Zoisite just shook his head and turned from Kunzite. Jadeite was standing behind him, leaning back against the wall, studying Kunzite with a less than pleased expression. Zoisite pulled Jadeite into a semi-embrace, wrapping one arm around his waist, purposely doing so in front of Kunzite. He brought his other hand up to Jadeite's cheek. “The sooner I give him what he wants, the sooner he will leave,” Zoisite explained. “I doubt that whatever he has to say holds any real importance.”

Jadeite nodded, but he was disappointed. “That's fine.”

Zoisite shot a look at Kunzite, and then leaned down to kiss Jadeite softly on the lips. Zoisite could hear Kunzite clear his throat, but didn't care. He had barged into what was their home, he would just have to deal with the situation.

Satisfied that Jadeite would be fine on his own in the house, Zoisite gestured for Kunzite to follow him to the balcony.

“Was that really necessary?”

Zoisite raised an eyebrow at his old leader. “We're not going to change how we act in our home just because you decided to grace us with your presence.”

Kunzite shook his head and then leaned his arms on the railing. He looked out over the lake, probably taking in the view of the palace. Zoisite refused to look.

“I need you to come back.”

Zoisite wasn't sure that he had heard that properly. “Excuse me?”

“I need you back at the palace.”

“Perhaps you haven't been informed. We're not allowed back at the palace, nor do we wish to go there.”

“Jadeite can stay here if he needs to, but I need my right-hand man back.”

“Kunzite, I am not leaving Jadeite. Perhaps you are blind, but we are lovers.”

Kunzite scoffed at the comment. “We both know that that is not what this is.”

Zoisite could only shake his head in disbelief. “I am not having this conversation.”

---

As soon as the door was closed, Jadeite had gone to the window in the bedroom and opened it a hair. He could just barely see Zoisite and Kunzite from this angle, but he could hear them well enough. What had Kunzite meant by 'we both know that that is not what this is'?

Zoisite had turned to go back inside, but Kunzite grabbed his arm and stopped him. Zoisite's back was to Jadeite, and he could see Kunzite leaning in close and whispering something to Zoisite. Words Jadeite couldn't make out.

Whatever was said, Zoisite didn't like it. He pulled his arm free, but Kunzite promptly grabbed his shoulders instead. “You aren't listening to me,” Kunzite said.

“If that's all you have come to say, then you may leave now.” Zoisite replied heatedly.

Kunzite looked insulted. Jadeite needed to know what he had said to Zoisite. “How can you say that? Zoisite, we used to be close.”

“Were we?”

Kunzite released his hold and briefly raised a hand to his brow. “Gods, Zoisite. I don't even know you anymore.”

“No, you don't.”

Their voices seemed to be calmer than they had been a few moments earlier. Jadeite didn't entirely understand what was going on between the two of them. Not until he began to think back on the conversation he and Zoisite had had about Zoisite's ex... whatever that person would be called.

“I'm not going back to you, Kunzite.”

Jadeite's eyes widened. It couldn't have been Kunzite, could it? Jadeite began to think back a few years. They would have had plenty of opportunity, and it would be easy for them to cover for each other.

“Are there problems with Nephrite? Or is it Endymion?”

“No, Nephrite is good enough, but he's just not you.”

Jadeite was slowly convincing himself that it was in fact Kunzite that Zoisite had been sleeping with. And if that was the case, then Kunzite had feelings for Zoisite. Levels of jealousy in Jadeite were beginning to spike.

“May I ask about Endymion?”

Kunzite looked at Zoisite curiously. “What do you care?”

“He's still stable? In control of Metalia?”

Jadeite's attention perked and for a moment, he forgot his resentment of Kunzite.

“Yes, of course.”

“And no one besides you knows of our location?”

“There is no way he could have found out.”

“You've been keeping an eye on him? He hasn't left the palace?”

“Of course not. What is this about, Zoisite?”

There was no reply for a moment, and Jadeite didn't know what to think. He knew what he saw and felt was real, but both Zoisite and Kunzite were confirming that he was crazy.

“It's nothing. I just wanted to make sure.”

Jadeite turned away from the window. He didn't need to hear any more of this. He fell down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. What if Zoisite was right? Maybe the Master really hadn't been here. But... no, it felt too real. If it had been his imagination, something should have been off. His hand wouldn't have felt the same, or his voice wouldn't have sounded the same, or he wouldn't have looked...

Jadeite's train of thought stopped dead. He'd never actually seen the prince. He had been grabbed from behind, touched, spoken to, but Jadeite had never seen even a small part of him. His hands flew to his temples and he shook his head. No, he was not going crazy.

He heard Zoisite and Kunzite step back into the cottage. Slowly, Jadeite stood and peaked around the crack in the door.

“I have nothing to offer but the sofa,” Zoisite said, pointing to the piece of furniture. “And no spare blankets.”

“It's fine enough.”

Zoisite nodded and then started towards the bedroom before Kunzite stopped him. “Zoisite.”

Jadeite's lover turned back. “Yes?”

“I meant what I said.”

Zoisite nodded. “I know.”