The Past Life

I slept most of the night, to the approval of Dr. Hirai. While checking on my healing progress he told me that of the Shitennou, I was his favourite to have as a patient. Besides the fact that my healing capabilities were above those of the other Tennou, most likely due to my greater experience with magic, I did as the doctor ordered.

“If it were Kunzite or Nephrite, I'd have to tie them to the bed to get them to stay in it,” he joked.

Dr. Hirai was the best in his field. One has to be to be the head physician of the Earth Palace. His sense of humour was something I was currently not a fan of however. Each time I even lightly chuckled, more pain would shot through my stomach.

“Sorry,” he apologized for the second time that day. “You are healing very well, faster than I first though. You'll be able to leave later today I should think.” He finished applying the new dressing when there was a knock at the door. “Ah, probably your breakfast.”

While the doctor went to get the door, I attempted to sit myself up as best I could. The voices that came from the door surprised me.

“You are not who I was expecting to bring Zoisite his breakfast,” the doctor's voice said first.

“It's the least I can do. He did save my life.”

“That's his job, your highness.”

Having breakfast served to me by my own Master made me feel uncomfortable, to say the least. Sometimes his lack of formality was almost too much to bear. He smiled when he saw me and placed the tray of food on the bedside table. I looked at it, then back at him. “Master...” I said, shaking my head slightly.

“You're looking much better,” he commented, ignoring my obvious discomfort. “I'm glad.”

“Dr. Hirai says that I can leave here later today, though I won't be able to take on my full duties for a few more days at least.”

Master shook his head, “I'm not concerned with that, Zoisite. What's important is that you are still here. You're important to me.” He placed his hand on my shoulder as if to emphasize this.

I didn't know what to say in response, so I said nothing. He viewed me as a friend and an equal, but to me, he was my Master. I served him, there was no equality.

Master seemed to finally sense my unease. He squeezed my shoulder and gave me a sad smile. “Enjoy your breakfast. I'm sure the others will be coming to check on you soon.” And with that, he left.

I must have been staring at the tray for sometime when Dr. Hirai's voice commented, “you're supposed to eat it.”

His humour was lost on me this time. I simply nodded and reached for the tray. I wasn't particularly hungry, but I also knew that I needed the food.

Jadeite was the first to visit after Master. He looked as though he wanted to cry, but was successfully holding himself back. I vaguely recalled him freezing up when facing the situation the day before, it was probably a large wake-up call for him. The realization that we can and would die for our Master. Death is not something any normal thirteen year old has to deal with, but it had been thrown in his face.

“How,” he began, but stopped to clear his throat. “How are you doing?”

“I'll be fine.”

He nodded then opened his mouth to speak again, but seemed to have difficulty finding the right words. “About... yesterday...”

“We can talk about it later, if you want.” I was sure that Jadeite and I would have a lot of talking to do about the events yesterday, but here was not the place.

He seemed to understand. “Thank you. I'll see you later then.”

Jadeite hadn't been gone ten minutes when Nephrite entered. His demeanour would be a welcome change. “So, when does the Doc say you can get out of this place?”

“Later today,” I replied.

“So soon?” he asked, not hiding the surprise in his voice. “I thought for sure you'd be stuck in here for at least a week.”

“I guess that's what I get for obeying all the doctor's orders.”

Nephrite rolled his eyes, but his expression soon turned more serious. “Kunzite is waiting outside. He... wants to talk business.”

I nodded, knowing full well what business this was. No one wanted to have to deal with it, but it had to be done. “That's fine.”

Nephrite turned for the door, but paused for a moment. “I'm glad to see you're well.”

“Thank you.”

He left and there was a brief pause before Kunzite entered. He was quite solemn, which was understandable. He had a lot on his shoulders right now. We all did, even if we didn't want to acknowledged it.

“How are you feeling?”

“I'm well enough.”

Kunzite remained silent for a few moments to collect his thoughts. He decided to start with the easier items at hand. “The man driving the carriage claims to know nothing. He also has the papers to prove that he was hired for the day.”

“I figured as much. He didn't appear to know the... other man.”

“His majesty has agreed to let him go,” Kunzite said, referring to Master Endymion's father. “He'd be gone already, but he has asked to speak to you.”

“To me?” This confused me at first, but I supposed that he just wanted to make sure I was alive and well. “That would be fine,” I agreed.

Kunzite went to the door, slid it open, and gestured to someone outside. An older man, likely in his forties, entered the room. I recognized him as the carriage driver. He had short black hair, speckled with grey, and about a day's worth of stubble. He wasn't particularly tall either, though he was slouching. I couldn't tell if this was simply from recent events or if it was his usual posture. He slowly stepped up to the bed, but kept his eyes fixed on the floor. Kunzite waited by the door.

“I deeply apologize for my actions,” the man said quietly.

“You did nothing wrong.”

“I brought him here.”

“Did you know his intentions?”

“No,” he shook his head. “I would not have brought him if I had.”

“Then you have nothing to be sorry for.”

He finally looked up from the floor, meeting my gaze for a brief moment. “Thank you.”

“Have a safe journey home.”

“Thank you again,” he said as he bowed. He then turned and walked past Kunzite on his way out. Kunzite slid the door closed again and returned to the bedside, though he didn't speak.

“We can discuss it later, if you want,” I offered, though I knew that wasn't really possible. Kunzite wouldn't allow himself to put this off.

“No, we do this now,” he stated, pausing briefly to take a deep breath. “He still has not told us his name, nor who he is affiliated with. The name on the driver's papers was obviously a fake.”

“I assume you checked?”

“Of course, there was no brand.”

Members of the better known sects that wanted the Silver Millennium destroyed would have themselves branded with that particular sect's symbol. If there was no brand... “He either doesn't belong to a particular group, or...”

“Or new groups are showing up that we don't know about.”

“We can't be sure about that. Has he said anything at all?” I asked.

“Oh, he's done plenty of talking.”

I raised an eyebrow at this and waited for Kunzite to continue.

“I won't repeat most of what he's said, but he had voiced his displeasure with our Master, his trips to the moon, and the company he has been keeping there. He also freely admits his guilt.”

“... and his majesty?”

“He has spoken with the prisoner himself.”

I took a deep breath before addressing my next question. “When will it be?” I asked quietly.

“Two days,” Kunzite's voice had also dropped in volume. “Assuming you are well enough.”

“I will be, but that is quite soon.”

“The prisoner had said that there is no family he wishes to have contacted, and I have the feeling Master's father doesn't want him in the palace any longer than necessary.”

We both went quiet at that point, lost in our own thoughts. The palace had not seen any prisoners in the time that I had lived here, and certainly not... this. “Do Jadeite and Nephrite know?”

“They haven't been told, though I'm sure Nephrite has a pretty good idea. He knows the punishment for attempted assassination. Jadeite on the other hand... is rather naïve.” Kunzite left his spot and returned to the door. “Shall we meet after dinner?”

I nodded silently and Kunzite left, closing the door behind him. I eased myself back down so that I was lying on the bed. 'Two days,' I kept thinking. It was all happening so fast. In fact, it was just two days ago that we had been living in perfect peace, and now...

I went through the procedures in my head. I knew my role as well as everyone else's, but it was all theory, it had never been performed. Jadeite and Nephrite had the easiest jobs, I supposed, though even being present would be difficult enough for the youngest of us.

My role would be played next, and then... Kunzite's. I couldn't imagine what might have been going through his mind at that time. I knew he had no reservations about using his sword in battle, but this was not a battle. No one would be fighting back.