The Past Life

I looked over at Kunzite to see if he would mind, he didn't. After all, he had thought he would be working alone tonight.

I stepped into the outer room of my Master's chambers and closed the door behind me. I removed my boots and left them on the genkan before stepping into the room.

The outer room was quite large. It was equipped with plenty of seating, some small tables, as well as a small selection of drinks. I knew the only time Master would drink would be at an important dinner, and it would be a glass of wine. The room was well suited to entertain guests privately.

Master choose a stuffed armchair and gestured to the sofa beside it. “Please?”

I obliged and swept my cape out of the way before sitting, turned slightly towards my Master. He had changed out of his regular uniform and into a more comfortable yukata for the evening.

“I didn't think you would be on tonight,” he commented, starting things off with something that was easier to talk about. He sat hunched over, with his arms resting on his legs.

“Only for part of the night, Master. Dr. Hirai insists that I get my rest.”

“How's your injury?”

“It's healing well.”

“I'm glad to hear that,” he said before falling silent. He had yet to make eye contact with me, preferring to look vaguely in my direction, but more at the floor. I waited patiently for him to find his voice again, which took a few minutes. “I sent a letter to Serenity today.”

The Moon Princess. I had almost forgotten that she and her Senshi had been visiting that day.

“I told her what happened and... and that I wouldn't be visiting with her anymore.”

This news would please Kunzite greatly, even I felt a sense of relief upon hearing it.

“I've caused you so much pain...” he continued, “and I still am...”

“Master...” I started, but he raised his hand, silencing me.

“I tried to convince my father to call off the execution. He refused. This whole thing is my fault, but he wouldn't listen.”

“He is required to uphold the law,” I offered.

“I don't care, Zoisite. If I had listened in the first place, if I hadn't gone to see Serenity, that man would not have to die tomorrow.”

I choose my words carefully. “Master, he decided to do what he did. He could have decided not to attack you, but he didn't.”

“And now, the four of you have to...”

He wasn't listening to me. I got out of my seat and knelt beside him. He noticed my movement, but still refused to look at me. “Master.” Still nothing. I took hold of his hands with one of my own and repeated myself. He looked at my hand, then followed my arm to my shoulder and finally looked me in the eye. I held his gaze, though I don't remember for how long. There was pained look on his face, he was feeling an incredible amount of guilt. I had to do something, say something, that would relieve him of it.

“Master. The four of us, your Shitennou, we accepted our fates when we accepted our positions. We serve you and we protect you, even at the cost of our lives. When I stepped in front of you and took that blade for you, that was my purpose. Tomorrow, when Jadeite and Nephrite lead that man out, when I read him the warrant, and when Kunzite brings his sword down, that too is our purpose. We were born for this, and we have accepted it. Please, Master, accept it for yourself as well.”

I continued to look up into his eyes with all the confidence I could find. His expression finally began to change. The guilt had lifted, but there was still a sadness in his eyes. “Zoisite... is that all you think you are to me? A human shield and sword?”

I was a bit taken aback by this. Afterall, that was all I truly was. My entire purpose in life was to protect my Master, he just couldn't seem to accept that.

My silence seemed to confirm what he thought. He sighed and stood up, asking me to do the same. I had to look up at him when we were standing as well, as he was quite a bit taller than I. “What can I say to get you to understand?” he asked.

“Master...” I started to protest, but stopped when he stepped towards me, closing the distance between us.

I broke eye contact with him and diverted my gaze to the side. Many things were confusing me at that moment, his proximity being the main issue. I didn't particularly mind being close to him, it was just somewhat unusual.

“You're different from the others...”

I looked back up at my Master briefly when he said this, with that same depressed sound in his voice. I suppose I was somewhat different. I kept to myself more than the other Shitennou, preferring the company of my piano. Not that being around them was unpleasant, I simply enjoyed my music. “I don't socialize much...”

“That's not what I mean.” His voice was suddenly quiet.

I slowly brought my head back up again. I didn't know what to make of the entire situation, though it didn't take long before some things began to make sense. Some.

“Master?”

His left hand lightly grabbed my arm, while his right found the small of my back. His lips were on mine soon after.

Later I would rationalize my Master's actions. The last few days had been incredibly stressful for him to say the least. The sheer number of emotions he would have been hit with must have been incredibly hard to deal with. Of course, it was I who had saved his life, and so this emotional chaos must be what lead to his actions that night. My Master's actions could be justified.

What I couldn't explain were my own. I kissed him back.