More writing from the insane author? Oh yes. I’m just here to say that anything about the Frigid River Conservatory and it’s inhabitants, not to mention anything like it, is property of Activision. Hey, I gotta protect myself, people! Don’t sue me – this is non-profit. Sheesh, if I wanted to get rich, I’d use MY OWN characters. Oh, Janerin?

by Celeste Goodchild

g to your honourg

"I cannot believe this place," murmured Ami in wonder, the other Senshi mirroring her actions as they gazed at the Frigid River Conservatory in amazement, the flood control dam a low rumble in the distance. It was almost like a castle, or a temple. It was a huge marble construction, and the gang followed the other three in, as Zoisite sat amazed. She had seen it before, but it was still a sight to be amazed by. Then she scowled. "You guys! How do you expect me to get up there?"

Mamoru turned with a slight laugh, and Zoisite poked her tongue out at him. "Do you mind? My wheelchair isn’t exactly equipped with rocket boosters or anything."

Kunzite snickered good naturedly, and returned down the immense staircase, trailed by Ami and Makoto. "Need a hand there, little seito?"

"As always, dear sensei," replied Zoisite, rolling her eyes. She held out her arms, and Kunzite backed off with a friendly laugh.

"Uh uh! I am NOT carrying you up these stairs, I’d rather carry your wheelchair with you in it."

She pouted, and then turned to her erstwhile companion. "Mamo-chan? Darling, sweetheart?"

"Nah, I’ll help Kunzite with the chair. Besides, if Mako-chan is helping, we can get you up no problem."

The four converged on the chair, Ami and Kunzite on one side, Makoto and Mamoru taking the other. As she shrieked in protest, they pulled her up the stairs backward, and were greeted at the pinnacle by a woman of exceptional beauty and grooming.

Upon seeing her, Kunzite abruptly ‘stuffed’ the minds of the others whom did not speak perfect English, namely Usagi, Rei, and Makoto. The others all spoke good English, for differing reasons.

She smiled at them with her aristocratic features, her long dark blonde hair pulled into a neat chignon at the base of her graceful neck. She was fairly tall, dressed in a long, navy blue dress, with several strands of pearls at the throat. She watched the procession ascend, not paying any attention to the others. "Zoya, Doctor Rutherford. It is a pleasure to see you again."

Kunzite settled Zoisite down on the entrance floor, and shook her hand warming, simultaneously brushing strands of hair from his eyes. "The pleasure’s all ours, Madame Hamilton."

"He got friendly," muttered Rei in Usagi’s direction. "Remember what a frigid bast-"

Zoya giggled, interrupting Rei’s sociopathic comment. "Madame, I’d like to introduce you to some of my friends. They all just HAD to come and see me off."

Madame Sophia Hamilton smiled. She was not exactly a young woman, at the age of thirty-eight, but throughout her life, she had retained her great beauty. She appeared much younger than she was. "Of course, Zoya dear. So, who’s this delightful gentleman?"

"Oh, that idiot is my brother, Jonathan, and the girl with him is Minako Aino, a great friend of his. To their left is Rei Hino, and the one with the dumplings on her head-"

"Hey!" cried the ‘odango atama.’

"…Is Usagi Tsukino. Over here are Mamoru Chiba, one of my best friends," she said with a wicked grin, ignoring Rei’s coughing spasm. "Ami Mizuno and Makoto Kino. They’re the best friends I ever had."

"And what about me?" snapped Nephrite, but with a deal of good humour.

"Who said you were a friend? Madame, this is Masato Sanjouin, and I only put up with his annoying presence because of certain "internal politics." Long story, and fairly boring, too. Though I do believe Masato would sit down and tell you it all – as long as it was over several bottles of wine."

"Zoya," complained Nephrite. "You are constantly making me sound like some kind of alcoholic."

She smiled sweetly. "That’s because you are, my dear." She craned her neck to look into the conservatory, and Madame Sophia chuckled.

"I guess you would like to get settled in, hmm? Well, this way then." She indicated they should follow her, and two servants came out, taking Zoisite’s bags. Jadeite and Minako were only too glad to relinquish them. "It’s been wonderful, you coming here Zoya. The other students are really looking forward to meeting you, though unfortunately, they are on a field trip at present. The only student still here is Alexandria, and she’s in practice right now. I’ll get her later, but first, I’ll show you to your room."

Entering the stately building, all were overwhelmed by the feelings it instantly invoked in them. Though the grand building was as silent as a mausoleum, it was almost as if one could still hear strains of ancient melodies floating through the still, hushed air. The marble walls seemed to have life energy melded into them, the music was a part of the building itself. It was this silent power that wound its way into all of them as they entered, and Madame Sophia smiled at the wondrous expressions on all of their faces. "I take it you like my academy?" she asked with an almost smug voice. The others nodded, while Zoisite smiled.

"I bet they do, Madame Sophia."

She smiled even wider, and guided them towards the marble staircase, indicating that they should go upstairs.

Zoisite nodded at Kunzite, and he extended a hand, helping her to her feet. Zoisite was able to walk, just as long as she didn’t over-exert herself.

Madame Sophia looked on with mild concern. "I have a friend who is a doctor…his name is Erasmus Sartorius…if you have any medical needs, I’m sure he can help you."

Nodding, Zoisite creased her brow in concentration as Kunzite assisted her up the stairs. The others trailed behind, with the two servants bearing her bags. Madame Sophia lead them to a large dormitory, consisting of areas separated by walls and curtains. Each small "cell" contained a double bed, a vanity table and a large chest of drawers. Zoisite’s was down the right, the one on the very end, opposite that of another.

"Those are Alexandria’s things," said Madame Sophia. "You’ll be sharing this space with her…and you needn’t worry, she’s a wonderful girl, very easy to get along with."

"I’m sure we’ll be fine," replied Zoisite, gratefully sitting on the violet coverlet of the soft bed. The others gave each other meaningful looks.

"I suppose we should be heading home, hmm?" asked Nephrite, giving Kunzite a powerful look. He nodded faintly, and Mamoru added his comment.

"Let’s let them say a private goodbye, hmm? After all…they’re going to be married when Zoya gets home…"

"Really?" asked Madame Sophia. "Oh, isn’t that nice…well, it was a pleasant experience meeting you all…I hope to see you all again."

Minako leant down to give Zoisite a brief hug. "I’m miss you, Zoë. Stay spooky, you hear? And no chasing guys…Karl’s enough for any girl…" She gave him a wink, and he blushed. "Trust me – I know!"

"Minako!" admonished Jadeite, nudging his girlfriend. She laughed merrily, and planted a kiss on his lips. "But I love you best, Jeddy-teddy!"

Nephrite pulled on a long strand of Zoisite’s hair, and she batted his hand away. "I ain’t gonna miss you, buddy," she sneered with a friendly smile.

"Ooh, I am so scared," he smiled back.

"I promise you, I’ll get you later," Zoisite grinned maliciously, and Nephrite sighed mockingly.

"Oh, there’s a big surprise…I think I’m going to have a heart attack and DIE from that surprise…"

Ami smiled, and hugged Zoisite. "Be careful…odaji ne, okay?"

"Sure I’ll take care of myself," she assured, as Rei and Makoto echoed Ami’s words. Usagi smiled, and pulled a Gameboy from her pocket.

"Something to remind you of us," she said with a wink. "Play it, and remember all us at the Crown Arcade, won’t you? Oh, and eat plenty of donuts for me…"

The others then moved out, leaving Zoisite, Jadeite, Kunzite and Mamoru. Jadeite gave his sister a huge hug, and then moved quickly to rejoin Minako downstairs.

Mamoru looked at Zoisite and laughed nervously. "I guess this is goodbye, hmm?"

"I guess so," she replied enigmatically, and she motioned that he should sit beside her on the bed. He instantly produced a large red rose, which she smelt accordingly, and placed it on the vanity table, with the beautiful antique mirror. "I’ll…miss you."

"Me too," he echoed, while Kunzite watched at a discreet distance. He had always known there was something unusual between the pair, there always had been. Even back in the Silver Millennium…they had been close friends, until some great falling out.

And their relationship during their reincarnations…it had been a mistake, but they had enjoyed it…and now they were even more tightly bound than before. They had had love, then hatred, and were now back to love again.

He embraced her suddenly, and held her for a long minute, before releasing her, planting a kiss as soft as roses on her lips. "You be careful, okay? We’ll find Nepheline Syenite…and who knows, maybe we can even heal Morganite."

"Oh, great. Someone remembers I’m here?" asked Morganite, sounding more than slightly put out. Mamoru grimaced slightly as he released Zoisite’s body. He had never really liked Morganite. He stood, and quietly left.

Kunzite took the space he had just vacated, and smiled sadly at his younger lover. "Is it already time for us to part, little seito?"

Smiling sadly, she wrapped an arm about his waist, leaning against his side. "Yes…and it seems…wrong. We only just got ourselves back together, and now we’re parting…"

"Only for a short while," he assured her, and he wrapped an arm about her shoulders, before turning her completely to face him. "Zoisite."

"Kunzite?"

"I rarely told you this…but…I love you, you know that…don’t you?"

She nodded mutely, and leant her body into his. He needed no further provocation, and he eagerly, but gently pulled Zoisite’s frail body to meet his, crushing his lips over hers. He was slightly surprised at the urgency with which Zoisite returned the amorous gesture, but he couldn’t say he didn’t like it.

Her long hair had tumbled loose from the precariously loose band, and her glasses had fallen slightly askew. But neither cared – they were more concerned with one another, and the delightful contours of one another’s bodies.

"I love you," she murmured as his lips left hers, seeking out new territory on her long, slender neck. "Kunzaito-sama…always and forever, I love you…"

They fell back onto the softness of the bed, stretching out next to one another as they continued to kiss one another, Zoisite’s hands moving restlessly over the body of her lover, her other half.

"I would never stop loving you, Zoi-chan," he breathed, finding her lips again a second later. They continued to surrender to the passion of their kisses for several more minutes, before Kunzite got other ideas.

As he kissed her, his skilled, deft fingers moved to the buttons of her loose white shirt, and before she realised it, he had undone every one, and was taking it off her shoulders, revealing she wore a baby-t beneath it.

"Kunzite…wait…I…we can’t…"

"It’ll only take a minute," he protested gently, and she had to laugh.

"Typical male," she snickered in a friendly manner, and slowly pushed her from her. Still, he came back with more sweet kisses, his large, warm hands moving under her t-shirt and up her back. His lips still met hers, and she began to wish they did have the time – and the privacy – to say goodbye properly.

She ran her own hands under his shirt, shivering in delight as she touched his dark skin. A dull, but not unpleasant ache, began inside her abdomen, and she began to moan gently as Kunzite continued to alight her skin with his lips.

"Oh, I’m sorry!"

The pair split apart in shock, Kunzite almost toppling from the bed. A very pretty girl, a violin in one hand and a bow in the other, stared at the pair, her fair skin tinted with a bright red glow. "I didn’t realise…"

Zoisite laughed embarassedly. "Oh. Well…uh, it’s okay. I’m Zoya Troubetzkoy…"

"Alexandria Wolfe," she replied, setting her instrument down on the other bed, and extending a hand towards her. "I guess I’m your roommate, huh?"

Zoisite stood, and good-naturedly returned the gesture. "Guess so…oh, this is Karl Rutherford, my fiancé…"

"That explains a few things," Alexandria replied with a grin, slightly unnerved by the silence of the tall, silver-haired man. He was staring at her with beautiful cerulean blue eyes, like he was seeing a ghost.

"Karl?" probed Zoisite gently, surprised and almost frightened by his reaction to the girl. It was almost…Kunzite actually seemed scared of the young girl…and it took a lot for Kunzite to show any kind of fear whatsoever.

"Oh…I’m sorry…I guess I should be going, the others will be wondering what’s happened to me…it was nice meeting you, Ms. Wolfe…"

Kunzite turned back to Zoisite, and spontaneously pulled her into a tight embrace, delighting in the softness of her wonderful hair. "I can’t live without you, Zoi…I will be back, as soon as I can…it’s been proven to me once that I can’t live without you, and I will learn from my mistakes," he whispered into her ear, causing her heart to sing. "I won’t take you for granted, never again…"

"I know," she whispered, and she kissed his lips gently. She then pulled away, and motioned towards the door. "Go," she murmured, tears stinging her hooded eyelids.

He stared at her, momentarily stunned. But then he remembered…Zoisite was like that. She always wanted any pain quickly over. She would not draw out this goodbye.

Kunzite walked quickly to the door, and then turned to see Zoisite standing beside the bewildered Alexandria.

She shook her head faintly. "Go."

Nodding, Kunzite quickly turned, his heart already aching for his beloved. Though Alexandria quickly turned his hurt to confusion…

g g g

Alexandria smiled nervously at the newest addition, taking in the girl’s appearance. She was still staring down the dormitory, in the direction her fiancé had disappeared in. She could tell from the way she was biting her lip, and the way her emerald eyes shone with unshed tears, that she cared for this man than her somewhat harsh brush off warranted.

Not that Alexandria could blame her. The man had been gorgeous, in an unconventional way. His hair was imply amazing, too…Alexandria ran a thoughtful hand through her own hair, which was a rich brown, short and curly.

But he had unnerved her, too…she felt like a part of her knew the man, almost…like a part of her loved him…not in a romantic way, but like…

Like the way she loved her father, Bishop Francois Malveaux. He was not her real father, he was the head of the monastery that had taken her in because she was an orphaned infant…

Shaking her head, the violinist turned her wandering attention to the young girl before her. She must have been about twenty, she estimated. She was certainly very pretty, even beautiful. She had gorgeously coloured wavy hair that fell to below the waist band of her blue jeans, and her eyes were green…like the emerald she had compared them to a moment ago.

Her face was a little sharper than that of most females, but the slenderness of her entire body only enhanced this ‘flaw,’ and made her even more extraordinary.

"Zoya?"

She spun to face her, her wan expression melting away. "I’m being rude, aren’t I? I’m sorry…I’m Zoya Troubetzkoy…did I say that already?"

"Well…yeah," replied Alexandria, not wanting to lie. "But at least I’ve had in confirmed…it is an unusual name, isn’t it?"

"Where ever I am," she agreed with a strange smile. "Yeah, it is weird…but I digress. So you’re Alexandria…and you play the violin?"

"It’s my greatest hobby," she agreed, and she picked it up, looking at it lovingly. She offered it to Zoisite. "Do you play?"

"Oh, no…I play the piano…the violin requires too much skill for a butter-fingers like me," replied Zoisite with a laugh, backing up slightly. Alexandria shrugged, and placed it under her own chin, dancing her bow across the strings easily.

Zoisite marvelled at the skill the girl possessed, and wondered why she felt such a tug at her heartstrings, listening to the beautiful music being played with such emotion by this extraordinary girl…for she was extraordinary.

Zoisite reached out with her mind-powers, and she could quite easily sense a great power about the girl, that belied great potential hidden within her.

But what was unusual…the fact that there seemed to be two powers in her…one pure and light, even more beautiful than Usagi’s great purity of heart, and one dark and deep, and powerfully over shadowed by the true power of the girl.

It seemed she harboured some kind of spirit…but that was impossible. It wasn’t big enough, or defined enough, to be any kind of spirit, not even that of a youma. Anyway, if it was a spirit, it would be like Morganite, able to speak and act through Alexandria’s body.

"That was beautiful," whispered Zoisite, and she looked to the door. "Where’s the nearest piano?"

Alexandria laughed merrily. "This way…you know, Zoya, I think we’re gonna get on just fine."

"I hope so," she replied softly, and Alexandria felt her sadness.

"I know you’re going to miss Karl, but you can’t just pine for him forever…you have to go on living."

"How?" she asked sadly, and Alexandria’s lips curled in a smile. "I’ll tell you the secret to life."

"What’s that?" she asked, temporarily distracted from her Kunzite-thoughts.

Alexandria laughed out loud. "The trick is to keep breathing…"

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