Until You 6

Jadeite looked back at through the rear mirror and his frown went deeper when he realized that they had been surrounded. gWhat should we do now?h Jadeite glanced at his leader beside him. He fought down the panic that ran through his mind. Who wouldnft be panic? Be surrounded by more than five monsters in the middle of nowhere certainly mean one thing: Danger.

Kunzite narrowed his eyes at the monsters, trying very to think. Then he look ahead and saw something that made him said, gOne thing for sure, running away isnft an option.h

gWhy?h Zoisite demanded. gWe can teleport back and leave this car behind.h Zoisite looked at his silver leader and his eyes narrowed in anger when he saw Kunzite shook his head firmly. gI canft believe this!h Zoisite curled his hands into fists. gAre you trying to tell me that you want to fight those monsters? Are you completely NUTS?!!h

gIfm not that telling you that we are staying to fight those monster,h Kunzite said calmly but his eyes still shining as he continued looking at the thing that had capture his attention.

gThen?h Zoisite snapped.

gWe have an old friend to greet.h Kunzite quickly got out from the car, followed by the other three guardians. Strangely, the monsters didnft moved from their position but they didnft take that as a granted. The figure that prevented them from teleporting, becoming clearer as the vision of him became recognizable. He stood in front of the four guardians of Prince Endymion arrogantly.

gIan,h Nephrite spat a loathing tone that made the arrogant man smiled sinisterly. He hadnft changed a bit. Nephrite realized. His icy blue eyes still as cruel and sinister as ever and his blond hair gleamed beneath the afternoon sun.

gWhy Nephrite,h Ian spoke up. gIfm flatter you remember me. Howfs Jupiter? Any better for her illness?h His question puzzled Nephrite and at the same time angered him. gWhat the hell are you saying?h Ian answered his question with only an irritating laughed that nearly made Nephrite lurch forward to punch him if Jadeite hadnft stopped him.

gThatfs not very friendly, Nephrite.h Ian nodded his head at his monsters and they advanced, making the circle smaller. He laughed when he saw the four of them looked around cautiously. gTherefs not need of that, my friends. Unless you touch me, of course.h

gIfll do a whole lot more than touching you, bastard,h Nephrite hissed. His power increased, demanding for released. Ian nodded his head once again and this time the monsters were ready to attack. Ian slowly dissolved into thin. gGood luck! This is my goodbye present for you.h

The four guardians faced the monsters in different sides, getting ready to fight the battle. They quickly transform themselves and their swords appeared in their hands, glowing with energy. gDonft stay too far from each other, so we can back up one another,h Kunzite shouted an order and the three of them nodded their head.

The monsters started to attack them at the same time. The guardians quickly and skillfully dodged the monstersf attack and tried to attack the monsters back. Even though the guardians were very experience and expert in battle but being attack by three monsters for each one of them left them breathless and powerless.

Jadeite ducked the first of three monstersf attack and the second attack came fast but he managed to avoid it-just barely. As he tried regained his position, the third attack hit him straight at his back. He was thrown and blood tickled down from his lips. gJadeite! Are you alright?h Nephrite ran toward him, intending to protect Jadeite as he recovered from the shock of the attack but the second attack that was meant for Jadeite hit him at his upper powerful arm. Blood greedily rushed out from his firm flesh and Nephrite gritted his teeth, unwilling to let out any sound. Jadeitefs eyes narrowed in anger as he quickly stood up and raised his sword for second round.

Zoisite was having the same situation as Jadeite. He was wounded on his arm, forcing him to fight with one arm only. gDamn it. How does Ian get so powerful to control so many monsters at the same time?h Zoisite cursed under his breath as he watched in frustration the monsters advanced warningly. Carefully Kunzite went near Zoisite. gThatfs what I want to know,h Kunzite whispered back. gHow he got so powerful? Whatfs his intention? And most of all how did he resurrect himself.h

Zoisite was aware of the monstersf movement and when they tried to attack by lurching forward, Zoisite raised his sword, trying to slice the monster into two. But suddenly, the monsters stopped from moving and laughter echoed through the deserted road. A figure appeared.

gHow you have entertained me!h Ian smiled maliciously. gYou should really considered quitting this guardian job and be a clown or something.h Kunzitefs silver gray eyes shone in anger. From the past life until present life, all Ian think is insulting other. He tightened his grip around his sword.

gQuit beating around the bushes. What the hell do you want?h Nephrite snapped.

gThis is what I call introduction and a warning.h Ianfs face suddenly turned hatred. gThis time I let you go. But therefs no pity next time and be prepared.h At that, he disappeared.

gPity?!h Jadeite spat. gNext time be pity to yourself.h

* * * * * *

When the generals got back, they were surprised to see the ladies excluding the prince and princess at their penthouse. They were busy cleaning up their house, preparing for the food as if they were having an occasion tonight. Overcoming his surprise, Kunzite moved forward to block the girlsf view about the other generalsf injuries. gGood day, my ladies,h he said charmingly, despite what had happened earlier this morning.

Mina turned her golden head at openly showed her delight and surprise when she saw him, which made Kunzitefs heart swelled with happiness at the mere fact that she was pleased to see him. gKunzite! Youfre back early.h Mina ran toward him and held his hands, afraid to kiss him in front of her friends.

gWhat are you all doing here?h He asked lightly.

Mina put her fists on her hip with mock anger. gYoufve forgotten already, arenft you? Today is our princefs anniversary and youfve agreed to let us your place,h Mina rolled her eyes when she saw Kunzite smacked his forehead.

Suddenly, a soft voice rang from behind the couple. gWherefs the other? Why are you coming early?h Ami step forward, her huge sapphire eyes shone in anticipation.

gTheyfre right behind me~h Kunzite didnft manage to finish his sentence or to clarify their early arrival when the three ladiesf eyes widened at their wound and a matching frown appeared.

When Lita finally got alone with Nephrite, she put the first aid box on the bed, beside him and began to unwrap the soil bandage that Nephrite had struggled to wrap them on their journey back. She was undeniably yearned for answers for his injuries, his unexpected arrival and most of his entire dark mood.

Lita gently wiped off the dried blood around the wound and applied some medicine over the opening. If Nephrite feel any pain, he had done an excellent job hiding it because his face was as grim as death. When Lita started to wrap a new bandage around his muscular arms, Nephrite asked her something that made her froze because his voice was full of accusation and distrustful.

gWhat have you been hiding from me, Lita?h he asked her lowly, penetrating her eyes with her icy gaze. As Nephrite watched her, waiting for an answer, his mind relive the moment when Ian said something the made him absolutely uneasy. Ifm flatter you remember me. Howfs Jupiter? Any better for her illness? That swine had arrogantly asked him. No matter how sternly he told himself not to believe in anything that Ian had said, but his heart shouting, convincing him that Ian was deliberately trying to tell him something that Lita had been hiding for an act to provoke him.

Lita felt as if the air was stuck somewhere in her lungs. How did he know? Who told him? What am I to say to him? How would he react? She had promised to trust him fully but now, she was hiding something very important to him and Lita knew that Nephrite wouldnft like it a damn bit. Regaining her courage, Lita lifted the jaded eyes to meet him, determined not to hurt him as she told him about her illness. Biting her lower lips, Lita tried to find kinder words to protect him.

As if he was listening to her mind, his lips twitched in an amusement that he didnft feel. gIfm not like your other friends, nor I need you to choose your words in front of me.h

Lita looked at him and she bit her lips in uncertainty and hesitant. Part of her wanted to tell him all the burdens and pains that she endured but part of her loved him so much to hurt him again. He had been so gentle and understands and sometimes she felt that she wasnft worthy of his love and trusts because she had never given him her trust. By keeping her illness from him, he would know that she deliberately protecting him and unsure of his action if she did. And it would hurt his pride deeply. Lita looked at his very attractive grim face as she recalled the way he punished her for slapping him when they were deserted on island. He was the man with pride, Lita knew it very well and it touched her heart when she realized he loved her so much that even though sometime her acts challenged his pride, he never ever hurt her. She wanted to tell him but she couldnft.

Tears started to form in her eyes but she stubbornly held them back. She finished wrapping his bandage and put back all the equipment that she had used to treat Nephrite. Nephritefs icy blue eyes gaze at her. Damn her! She didnft even bother to answer his damn question! Is he not worth a single answer from her? He narrowed his cold gaze as he tried not to flare his temper to Lita. But the more he tried, the angrier he became and the more hurt he felt. He closed his eyes and his hands curled up into fists God, if loving made him this vulnerable, he would never try to love anyone. It hurt when the one you love shut you like that, acting like nothing had happened.

Suddenly he felt tired and the pain in his arm shot up like lightening as he moved into the blanket. Lita saw this and she began to help. But Nephrite just glared at her and gave her the most heart-scalding words that made Litafs eyes clouded in pain and rained with misted tears. gI donft need you,h he said lowly but firmly. gGet out of here.h Then he looked away and closed his eyes, dismissing her from this room.

Lita couldnft believe what she was hearing. Anger started to build. Who the hell think he was to dismiss her like that?! She just took care of his wound and when she offered her hands, he glared at her like he didnft know her. Lita turned away from him and walked angrily to the door. Her hand paused at the doorknob. She stole a glance to the powerful figure on the bed and her anger melted away.

Lita knew if he treated her the way she treated him, she would very furious. But Nephrite carefully strained down his anger. Lita knew how scary when she pushed his patient to its limit. Every time she tried to tell him, she got scared. Nephrite was wrong. She wasnft the courageous woman he loved. Her courage had gone together with the death of her master. She didnft even tell him her identity as a princess! All because she was scared of his reaction.

Lita slowly closed the door behind her as one hand drew up to her chest as if trying to soothe her broken heart. Tears that she had trying to prevent from falling, dropped freely to her cheeks. God! What was she going to do? Every time he looked at her with those capturing gazes, she knew that she would never, ever find the courage to tell him about her illness.

She leaned against the closed door behind her and slid down like a fallen leave. Slowly, she buried her face in her drew up knees, letting the tears to fall more. All she wanted to do was to make him happy but instead, all she had given him was pains and unhappiness. No matter how hard she tried, she knew she could never give him what he wanted. They were not meant to be together and that was the fact she had to face.

* * * * * *