Sailormoon is property of Naoko Takeuchi. Also, the title is actually the name of a song (Voices Inside My Head), I think it's owned by The Police. I've never actually heard it- I was looking for a different song but that one came up.

Questions? Comments? Criticism? Flames? PLEASE send them to: sd_kunzy@hotmail.com I answer all messages, including the 'not-so- nice' ones! :o) BTW, the 'sd' stands for 'super-deformed'. You know how the animators draw the really weird child like characters of full grow ones- well that's it!

Voices Inside My Head, Echoes of What You Said

Written By: Dalles-sama (A.k.a Super-Deformed Kunzy)

"Shut up!" He yelled unconsciously, startling himself into a standing position, knocking his chair over. His heart pounded, his face dripped of sweat, his eyes blood shot and red. Kyanite stood there for moment, struggling to stay upright beneath his gelatinizing legs. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, running his hands through his hair. Anatase had always liked the short length it rested at, the way its wavy texture gave him such character, the way his stringy bangs sometimes fell into his eyes, the was it gave life to such a pale, uninterested face. Kyanite walked over to his bed and sat down, yanking off his boots and undoing his uniform jacket. Sleep. He needed sleep. He lay his head down on the pillow and gazed lazily at the wall. Kunzite had always told him to be strong, never to let your opponents know your weakness. God, he should speak for himself. All the subtle hints about he and Zoisite sneaking around was enough to drive a man to murder. But in the end he was right, he should have heeded the words of his former mentor with a little more caution- but it was no time for regrets some regrets. He closed his eyes and saw images of Anatase…images of her dying. He tried to open his eyes but couldn't. He could not suppress these memories forever; they would only come back to haunt him, only more strongly and more vivid. He let the images come- he hadn't seen them since they were born. It was almost comforting, seeing her there- but now it was time to remember

The Moon Kingdom it all started on the Moon Kingdom. They were spies and they had the information they needed to bring it down, but their 'getaway' never did show, the room, the time- it was all set. The task least worried about had failed them.

"I don't understand," Anatase said, her brow furrowed. "They said they would meet us here, the hour of four in this room. They said the hole would already be opened. We have the information we need and I know the monarch is on to us- I do not understand why they would fail us now!" She ran her hands through her long honey brown hair, undoing the braid that once held it.

"Don't worry, they'll show." He replied blandly. Kyanite eyed the old grandfather clock against the wall, it read 4:11am. The sun would be rising soon and once again this wing of the castle would become active.

"We shouldn't have stayed around for that stupid ball should have grabbed the documents and left." He mumbled, pulling at his shirt collar.

"Oh come now hon, it wasn't that bad." She said going to him. "I don't even think they noticed if we were there or even if we left."

"Whatever I just can't wait till its over, I haven't got the nerves for this job."

"Oh, this is just your first mission, you're obviously experienced and trusted enough to handle something like this."

"I wasn't trained to spy. I was trained to fight. Hell, you trained me in hand to hand combat and swordsmanship, you of all people should know that!" He corrected, running his hands through his face. She cocked her head at him and gave him a flat smile. He looked up at her, returning the favor.

"I really don't like this." Her face turning to a frown. "They would have at least sent an eye to scout out the room, to make sure we were present."

"Maybe we should try and open a hole ourselves? We may have enough energy combined." Kyanite suggested, stand up from an old armchair.

"No, It wouldn't work. There are to many threads running through the castle, they would detect it the second we began to pool our energy- outside we might have a chance without being detected."

"Then lets go."

"Shhh!" She hushed. "Did you hear that?"

"What?"

"Footsteps." She whispered. Kyanite closed his eyes and concentrated, indeed there was someone or something coming down the hall.

"I'll check it out." He whispered, "Stay right here."

"Right here." She said, pointing to a spot on the floor.

"I'll be right back-"

"Be careful- don't go dying on me." Kyanite smiled lovingly at her.

"At least I don't have to worry about you." He sent back before slipping into the corridor. The second he left the weirdest feeling come over himself- something about what he said.

"Nerves!" He whispered hardly, shaking his head for a moment. He began cautiously walking down the hall. It was a nice palace, a shame it would be flattened in days. He wasn't far from the room before six palace guard marched around the corner and stopped him.

"Lord Kyan, for what reason are you in the East wing of the palace?"

"I am lost. In which direction is my room? One of the other guards eyeballed him for a moment.

"Where is Lady Anatase?" He spoke.

"We were separated. She's probably back at our room." He replied quickly, giving a hint. He stood there silent for a moment, while two of the guards conversed amongst themselves. 'God, I hope they haven't seen through me!' He thought nervously.

"Continue straight and turn right at the statue- you should know where you are when you arrive." The guard finally answered.

"Thank you." He replied bitterly before marching off, but one of the guards grabbed his arm.

"What!" Kyanite spat.

"Forgive me Lord, but we must search you, some vital documents have become missing and we fear the worst. Also, have you noticed anything odd in this part of the castle recently?"

"No, it has been perfectly quiet while I have been wandering about, looking for someone. Despite its desertion, it is a delightful area- Why?" He spoke while being searched quickly.

"Oh, we've had reports that this is the location of a spy from the Dark Kingdom- its probably nothing, ever since the monarch of Earth had lost four of their commanding guards a little over a year ago everyone seems to be a little more paranoid than usual."

"Well if I seen anything I will inform someone immediately. Now I must return to my room. I'm sure it is just nothing; this is the Moon Kingdom." Kyanite replied and marched off in the direction pointed to. Really, the first corner he came to he darted around and sprinted back towards Anatase. He continued down the long corridor and rounded the corner leading to his room but stopped short at the sight of two guards at the door. 'God no!' He thought almost crying. 'They couldn't have found her They couldn't of! She's too skilled to be found out! It should have been me!' Part of him wanted to rush the guards and save her, but part of him wanted to turn around and run; saving himself and some of the knowledge that the documents held. He was caught in an even game of tug of war- each side with their pros, their con's and their chances. He stared at the guards- he could kill them in a second, but what about the others, could he take them on if Anatase is injured? Deciding that it was a chance he would have to take, he sent a frigid blast of air at them, freezing them where they stood. A small smirk curled his lips as he approached the door leading to the kingdom's fate. He drew his sword and stood there for a moment, staring at the intricate designs carved into the door. It was so beautiful, yet something more beautiful lay inside. Snapping out of his twisted delusion he kicked the door open and stood in its entryway. He only caught a glimpse of Anatase and the Captain of the guard before two more guards rushed him. The first came at him head on; quickly Kyanite lunged his sword into the attacking opponent- who obviously wasn't trained by the best. The second was more cautious ant came at him from the side seconds later. Not having enough reaction time, Kyanite shoulder rolled to the side, confusing the soldier. The second he finished, he turned around and shot a cold cone of ice at the guard, hitting him hard in the chest sending him backwards- his head landing with a 'crack' on the small table. Even if the guard wasn't dead, as soon as he awoke he would wish he were. Kyanite stood up quickly and yanked his sword out of the guard's chest and looked around. He had killed four and only the captain lay in the room that was only five guards, where was the sixth?

"Your suspicions are correct." The captain assumed, his long dagger tightening around Anatases' neck. "I sent one for reinforcements well trained reinforcements." He shot a look at the dead guards. "There's no way out- just give me the documents and I promise you your death will be quick and very painless."

Kyanite shook his head and looked over at Anatase, her eyes pleaded with him- not to save her, but to take his chances and run the captain. If only he had known the outcome if only "I do not have the documents and there is no way in hell I would die by the hand of one of YOU!" He yelled raising his sword above his head, taking a swing at the captain. The captain shoved Anatase to the ground cutting her neck before sliding out of the way of Kyanites' fury. He drew his long dark sword and pointed it at Kyanite threateningly, who pulled up his sword that had cut clean through the small table that the captain had stood in front of.

"Well, you had your chance" The captain spoke smugly. A small, arrogant smile befell his mouth sending a curt, belittling chill his way. Kyanite had always had a nasty temper- a shorter fuse than the Queen herself- he always killed first and asked questions later. Both his mentors had warned him about it, telling him he would pay the ultimate price in time, he had only laughed; he never knew why- it was one of those things that seemed to fit, but never did.

Anatase awoke dazed on the floor. She tried to look around, but her vision was blurred and shooting with color. She could make out the sound of Kyanite and someone arguing and the clashing of metal. She rolled over onto her back, her hand darting to the shooting pain across her collarbone. She raised her hand above her clearing eyes- blood. It must have been a failed murder attempt on the behalf of the captain. She looked around the room again, her eyes falling on Kyanite and the captain fighting. The two worked they're way through the room, swords flying, threats being shot through the air. Kyanite lowered his sword for a split second, slugging the captain across the head- he responded by swinging his sword waist height at Kyanite. The two continued on, each anticipating the others move. Then something happened, something Kyanite never expected. The captain swung his sword around, hilt facing upwards and jammed Kyanite in the abdomen; sending him short of breath to the floor, whacking his head when he arrived. The captain smiled that annoying smile that he did and backed up a ways, jabbing his sword in to a nearby chair. He bent down slightly drawing a long dagger from his boot. It was a dagger Anatase was too familiar with. Ever soldier in the palace had one. Its long blade, so silver it was almost white, its hilt a tarnished, blackened steel. Every agent from the Dark Kingdom feared dying by the hand of one. He raised the long dagger up, aiming it at Kyanite; preparing to forever silence him. Anatase still lay on the floor, unnoticed by the captain. She stared up at the dagger- both awed by its beauty and by its power it was the light that was so painful for the agents its purity. It took her a few seconds to realize what he was doing with it. In a split second decision she summoned every untapped source of strength she had left in her body and in what dark soul she had. She rose to her feet and rushed the captain slamming into to his back with full force. She went down with him but rose seconds before he did. He stabbed at her immediately, but she grabbed at his wrist, holding it up in the air. He yanked her hair back with his free hand, but she whacked him across the face. Kyanite slowly became conscious looked on with horror to what was happening. How could he have done that- just to leave her there, to assume she was no more how could he have done such a thing? He grabbed the hilt of his sword and leapt to his feet, preparing to finish what he had started. But what happened before his eyes right then broke his heart in two. Poor Anatase had caught a second of his movement and had turned her head, ever so slightly to confirm her suspicions, this movement giving the captain enough time to strike back. They say even now, to this very day her screams still echo through the hall. And even rumors floated about saying that the captain even doubted what he had done. Wondering that not even the evil Queen they call Beryl could experience such pain. Anatase gripped the dagger that lay embedded in her chest and stumbled back choking on her own blood. Kyanite looked on with disbelief, his sword hanging limply at his side. All he could do was stare into her crystal clear eyes. Deep within them he could see an eternal pain- it was sin enough to just stand by and watch. Suddenly, as if the Gods themselves gave him the strength, He raised his sword and ran the captain with such force he could have killed him twice. The two struggled not long before he was shoved onto the table. He lay there looking down at Anatase for a moment- watching her struggling to stay alive long enough to say good-bye. At this very moment a transformation took place, like nothing anyone had seen- or rather been alive to tell. It was as if man turned to demon. Kyanite's eyes suddenly grew dark as he raised his sword over his head, slicing it down onto the captain, who, almost was caught off guard by the look in his eyes. The two swords clashed- the captain fighting to stay alive and Kyanite fighting with the darkness that lay in his heart. His sword began to glow a bright light as it cut though the captain's sword, but the brightness grew- enveloping the captain as well. When it was all over he fell to the floor, not minding the pain as he crawled to Anatase. She lay there limply with short erratic breaths as blood dripped down her chin.

"Anatase!" He cried shaking her gently. Her eyes flickered open and she smiled sweetly. "Come on, we must leave quickly!" He continued as he began to pick her up. She moaned and coughed up more blood.

"No," She choked. "Leave me please. My time has long since passed. Taking me will only be you death sentence al well." She spoke barely above a whisper as single tear rolled down her cheek.

"No" He spoke weakly. "I- I can't leave you if it will be my death then so be it I- I..." He struggled to fight the tears and find the words.

"Go." She whispered. Kyanite stood up and let the tears run freely.

"The documents- where are they?" He sighed. Anatase motioned to the old grandfather clock in the corner. He walked over and opened the case and found them tucked snugly between the frame. He pocketed them and walked to the doorframe before turning around. He walked back to Anatase who continually mouthed the word "go". He bent down and kissed her forehead.

"Farewell my love." He spoke barely audible to even himself. He stroked her cheek one last time before he walked away, not even looking back.

"Ai shiteru" She whispered as she watched him leave.

Kyanite ran down the hall full speed, tears streaming. He didn't care if he drew attention to himself. He didn't care what people would say. It mattered not. He had just made the biggest mistake of his life and would never let himself live it down.

His eyes fluttered open to find himself in a type of glen. A thick mist lay settled about the land making a few dead trees near him almost invisible. He walked over to one and touched it, feeling a splinter set in his hand. 'What kind of dream was this?' He thought.

'I can feel pain and texture. I can feel the cool mist against my face- where am I?' Then he heard a noise.

"Hello?' He called out in to the darkness. But there was nothing.

"Show yourself I say!" He called out again. This time there was a sigh. He turned around to see a form standing a couple of feet behind him.

"Who are you?" He asked beginning to approach the form.

"Stay back." Called a familiar voice.

"Anatase." He spoke unable to believe the voice he was hearing.

"Kyanite, I've missed you." She said taking a step forward. Kyanite took a step back and put his hand to his face.

. "Am- am I dead?" He asked looking at his hands. "Is this what death is?"

"No, no" She replied. "This is not death- only your mind"

"What?"

"Your mind. I've come to help you, to guide you. I passed back over the rim risking my damned soul even further just to be with you only in spirit."

"But how can this be?" He asked walking towards her.

"Please, stay back!" She stopped him inches from her form. "I am not alive, I do not hold a form- I am simply a voice inside your head."

"But- but." He stammered. She brought her finger to his lip. He looked up at her with surprise as she leaned to kiss him.

Kyanite awoke with a start shaking his head and running his hand through his hair as he swore remembering his dream. 'Why does my conscience do this to me?' He wondered. Then he felt something sticky on his forehead. He fingers reached up to touch it blood. Kyanite froze for a moment pondering if he should open his hand or not. Trembling with anticipation and with fear he opened up his palm and gazed at it. The splinter was still there!

"Anatase so you are with me." He smiled pulling on his uniform jacket.

The Queens' words echoed through her hall as he stood before her- her empty words running through Kyanite like everything else for the past four days. He looked up at her with respect, but behind the scenes his mind began to wander. He would have passed off the ordeal as just a bad dream if not the scar that now laid his hand. 'Why hasn't she talked to me again? Maybe it's only in my sleep?' He adjusted his slumping posture automatically before Queen Beryl barked at him.

'Anatase, where are you?' He wondered sadly.

'I'm here my love, don't worry.' Her voice echoed.

'Anatase!' He thought excitedly. 'Where have you been?'

'With you I would hope.'

'Please stay with me- I can't get through the day without hearing your voice. I need you here with me.' He begged.

'But you have survived four days already, it doesn't appear to me that I'm needed.' She replied sadly.

'If there were a fifth I would have surely gone mad!'

'Are you sure, I don't want to be in the way.'

'You could never be in the way dear Anatase. I can only hope you will stay with me when my-'

'Training starts again.' She finished. 'Fear not my love I will be with you now your training will soon begin, perhaps you should leave now, the Queen, she looks at you strangely.' Kyanite put his thoughts aside for a moment and looked up at his Queen, she looked down at him expectantly.

"Very well my Queen, I will proceed at once." He replied unsure as he teleported to the training area. The Queen drummed her fingers as her eyes narrowed into little slits.

"Kunzite," She called, shooting Kunzite Kyanite's intended look.

"Yes, my Queen."

"Keep an eye on him. Ever since that little incident he has been acting stranger and stranger. Be sure his disrespects me no further- he is a good King and dare not seem him spoiled yet."

"As you wish my liege. And if he fails shall Jadeite be replacing him?" He replied.

"You won't fail. And if the case may be that, you shall die trying." She threatened shooting Kunzite a warning. He breathed in deeply before teleporting away, vowing that Kyanite would soon submit to his powers.

Kyanite circled the training area, drinking in his surroundings vengefully. He hated every inch of that room. All the memories of being beaten badly by youma. All the memories of failing, and all the memories of the arguments he would have with Anatase. Frustrated, he kicked at a rack of swords- knocking some to the floor.

"And what did those swords do to you?" Kunzite asked snidely. Kyanite spun around to see Kunzite levitating in the middle of the room.

"Well then, let's begin." Kyanite bent down and picked up a sword. "I haven't got all day." He finished pointing its end in Kunzite's direction. Kunzite raised an eyebrow whimsically, floating gracefully to the ground.

"I never knew you had a death wish dear Kyanite." Kunzite walked over to the fallen rack and picked up a sword. "Very well, you shall have part of you wish."

"Part?" Kyanite replied stubbornly.

"I will fight you, but I will not kill you." Kunzite looked over the dull blade and sighed. "No, no this won't do at all…" He let the blade go, allowing it to float in mid air for a moment before melting away and being replace with a more extravagant, intimidating one.

"Hmm I suppose this will do." He spoke to himself, looking it over.

Kyanite gulped in fear for a moment. What was he doing anyway? Nephrite was practically the only other king to challenge Kunzite and survive. 'Maybe I can still get out of it?' He thought hopefully.

'How can you do this to me?' Anatase echoed.

'Kunzite put it best himself- it is a death wish!' He replied back with annoyance.

Don't you see who it is? I can't believe you would turn your back on me!' She shot back with more strength. Kyanite looked up at Kunzite- that was all he saw.

'Look harder!' She shot again. Kyanite shut his eyes for a moment and reopened them. For a moment he saw Kunzite but he began to change- to take the form of the captain.

'What!' He screamed with surprise. 'I am so sorry Anatase. Please find it within your soul to forgive me, please!' 'I shall but you must remember what he did to you, to me to us!' She spoke calmly. The memories all of a sudden flooded back for the hundredth time, but clearer, more realistic. If he concentrated hard enough he could feel her warm blood still on his hands.

"Damn you!" He yelled as he charged Kunzite, catching him off guard. Kyanite fought with all his mite, never weakening, and never surrendering. The two continued to fight viciously, Kyanite's power eventually overtaking that of the captains'. In the end, he found himself with the blade of his sword at the throat of the captain and smiled sickly.

"Soon my most awaited moment will come. I have longed to kill you!" He laughed insanely.

"Kyanite! Have you lost you mind or are you in another world?" Kunzite yelled, slapping him, then kicking him in the side (for no apparent reason). Kyanite reopened his eyes to find the exact same situation- except reversed. Kunzite stood above him, sword point nicking his throat painlessly. Kyanite looked to the side and found that he had only moved a few feet.

"Don't ever waste my time again, do you hear?" Kunzite spoke as he backed off. "When the time comes, perhaps we will fight- but never before that! Understand?" Kyanite nodded shamefully, how could he have been so stupid? Kunzite rammed his sword into the training mat.

"Keep it- maybe it will bring you fortune- a little." He spoke snidely as he teleported away.

'Why must I do such stupid things?' He wondered bitterly. 'Why Anatase?'

'My love, he is much stronger than he looks take his sword take it'

'Why Anatase, I don't need his charity.'

'Look carefully at it, it is my nemesis.' She retorted, her voice filling with fear. Kyanite glanced up at it, for a moment it was just another steel bladed sword; then he glared at it. It shortened in size, its hilt darkened and blood ran down its sides and onto the mat. How he hated that sword.

'What! How could that be? The captain still has it! I cannot take it you tricked me before- there is nothing special about this either!'

'My love, forgive me- but it was him, it was the captain and that is his sword. Please take it for me.' Kyanite licked his lips and stood up reaching out for the sword. As his hands folded around the hilt memories of hate and revenge filled his mind. Kunzite HAD been the captain; he resurrected him for Kyanite's pain. He HAD gone to the Moon Kingdom and taken the sword from Anatases' body. He HAD the power to save them but didn't. Now that Kyanite thought about it, the other Kings could have been in on it, they had power too- no they WERE in on it, they are all against him. He raised the blade to eye level and smiled sickly.

'No! What am I thinking, my friends wouldn't do this to me, they wouldn't they couldn't!' He thought frantically.

'But they did!' She whispered harshly. 'I don't want to believe it, but they did. The other Kings don't care what happens to you and Jadeite is after your position.'

'But why?'

'Because you have a large untapped power, you could rule over the Kingdom in a heartbeat. The other Kings know this, Beryl knows this, Kunzite knows this and is trying to stop you he is the only one preventing me from coming back!'

'What!' He cried. 'How could this be? What am I to do?' 'Kunzite, he is the only one between us you know what must be done.'

'What! You wish of me to murder my mentor and superior?' He screamed.

'It may seem a lot, but it isn't- his death should have been long ago, but he cheats it, and may never die. But if you do not care for me I shall leave then' She retorted sadly.

'No, no I still care for you.' He trailed. The thought of assassinating Kunzite did not disgust him all that much any more after what he did and what he is doing he does deserve it.

'My love, I will; but not for me, not for us, but for you.'

'You are forever in my debt but quickly you must go, he rests in his quarters, I know a secret way he and two other youma know about now go!' Anatase spoke. Kyanite gripped his sword even tighter and looked around the room. Then he saw it, a small glowing apparition floating towards the northern wall, then passing through. He walked over and ran his hands up and down the side until he hit something, a type of magic latch opening up part of the wall. Smiling grimly he passed through into the darkness.

Kyanite walked down the small cave like corridor with a type of silent determination. Soon he would reach Kunzite, soon he and Anatase would be together and soon he would rule over all. He half smiled at the thought. As he rounded a corner he stopped suddenly in his tracts. He could barely make out the form of another hiding in the shadows, quite possibly waiting for him. It was too tall and human like to be youma. Kunzite must have sent one of the Kings to watch over- half expecting something like this. He raised the sword and jumped the individual before they had time to see him. He slashed their arm, missing their neck entirely. The King yelled out in pain, and stumbled into a small shaft of light coming from an unknown location. Zoisite narrowed his eyes and glared at him.

"Psycho." He spoke bitterly. "If you're trying to kill me, it didn't quite work!" Zoisite, registering the pain for a second time grimaced and held the large slash on his arm. Kyanite lowered his sword, almost in defeat.

'What are you doing?' Anatase whispered.

'I've already failed.'

'No you haven't, he doesn't even believe you could beat him or have you already forgotten me?' Kyanite narrowed his eyes and looked up at Zoisite, only half of his interest was directed at him, he didn't even consider Kyanite a threat! Gripping his sword again he rushed Zoisite with full speed. Zoisite narrowly missed the blade's point and shot a blast of cherry blossoms at Kyanite, knocking him to the ground. Almost, as if on cue Jadeite appeared and, seconds later Nephrite. The three stood side by side, looking down at him- almost in pity.

'Oh I'm sorry Anatase, I've failed you no matter what my power I cannot take on three warriors twice my strength. They are my friends and I cannot bring myself to kill them for you! I'm sorry.'

'You can my love, find it in you heart-'

'There is nothing in my heart, nothing warm. Only pain and hatred.' Kyanite cut in angrily.

'Then use that pain, that hate- it's what they did to me. Our love was destroyed because of them. We will never be together as long as they live!'

'They?'

'Look!' Kyanite looked up at them. Their faces darkened and almost seemed to mock him. He blinked for only a second and there, stood before him the captain, Kunzite and the youma that failed him.

Kyanite narrowed his eyes glaring up at them, how he hated them but something in the back of his mind kept nagging him, something about them didn't seem right. Despite his loathing for them they seemed familiar, almost in the way of friendship. But that couldn't be right. Yet Anatases' words still seemed to repeat themselves in his head. Should he attack or shouldn't he? And, within a matter of seconds the most simple of questions seemed to present an impossible answer- kill or be killed? His mind told him their blood on his hand would be indifferent, yet his gut gave him hesitation. As if sensing his uncertainty, the three began to rush him- hastening his decision. Kyanite leaped to his feet grabbing his sword as he rose. As they began fighting, which was already impossible because, against Kyanite's amateur swordsmanship skills, there wasn't a chance of him beating them yet he was. And still, Kyanite's gut feeling continued to warn him. Fighting them was impossible, beating them was impossible, he could even swear they were his friends moments ago…it wasn't even their style to rush somebody…King or otherwise. And then the realization came to him, he wasn't even fighting his enemies, the sword he held was a training sword, chance was, in reality he was probably on the loosing side too.

"STOP!" He yelled throwing his sword to his feet. His three attackers stopped to, unsure if he was talking to them, or to himself. Kyanite grabbed his head and his body started shaking.

"Shut up!" He yelled. "Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!" He continued grabbing his head even harder. The trio continued to stand there, first the Youma dropped his sword, and then the others followed too and they seemed to become more concerned by the moment.

"Kyanite-chan, are you okay?" The Youma asked quietly. Not waiting for answer, he took a step forward and repeated the question.

Without, as so much flinching, Kyanite shot a burst of cold air in his direction, a warning to all three. The Youma stepped back to a safe distance and the three shot each other looks.

"I am NOT your-friend?" Kyanite replied stopping to think half way through the sentence.

'Maybe it is just Jadeite.' Kyanite thought. 'It could be him, maybe I'm not going mad, I could swear they are my friends. Or maybe they aren't and my mind is playing tricks on me. But then who is-'

'Kyanite, please, don't do this to yourself,to us.' Anatase cut in. ' Everybody has doubts, these are just your own, they will pass, unless of course you want to believe their trickery and lies?'

"SHUT UP!" He yelled again. He looked up and met eyes with the Kings they were looking more and more like them with every moment. But then his head felt dizzy and pain shot through it, Kyanite grabbed it even harder. Life-like, vivid images shot through his head, like he was there. He began to remember when he and Anatase met, the life she seemed to give him, but also the pain he felt when she had died if Kyanite thought hard enough he couldn't even remember if their relationship went past student-teacher.

"NO!" He yelled. But the images kept coming. Their love, for a moment, but then her death replayed itself over and over in his head. And how cold the Queen was to him, how cruel and abusive Kunzite and the others were too him they just kept coming and coming and coming.

"Kyanite," Nephrite spoke, seconds before he could have sworn it was Kunzite. "Please, take my hand, it'll all be over, but please take my hand." He continued, cautiously stepping forward with his hand stretched out. Kyanite looked at it with hope- but then the images would shoot through his head with even more intensity. He began shaking his head back and forth he didn't even know what was real and what wasn't anymore.

"Please, take it." Kunzite/Nephrite continued. Kyanite, before ho could stop himself, snapped, whipped up his sword and swung it at Kunzite, slashing his flank. Nephrite yelped in pain, jumping back and picking up his own. Sometimes Kyanite would see Kunzite and swing his sword with such force he would crack the cavern wall when he missed, but then other times he would see Nephrite and fall short, stopping himself. He couldn't even hear himself think anymore the images were so life like.

"Shut up you!" He yelled at himself. "Anatase! Stop it!" Nephrite stopped a moment, lowering his sword ever so slightly.

"What?" He yelled.

"Stop it Anatase! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" He yelled back, swinging his sword in sync with his words. Nephrite continued fighting on, unsure if he should kill him now or wait until he calmed down…if he ever did.

"I understand you pain Anatase! But stop it! Please!" Kyanite yelled again as he backed Nephrite into a corner. Without as so much blinking, Kyanite knocked the sword from Nephrite's hand and raised his own above his head, in preparation for the final blow.

"Kyanite, put the sword down." Nephrite spoke his voice quavering.

"Put it down…I can help you we all can, don't do anything stupid."

"You don't understand…you never have and you never will Kunzite. I'm sorry, but it's the only way. Your what's keeping her from returning" He replied, looking down for a moment, and then up at Nephrite's shocked expression. He opened his mouth for a moment to add to his words, but stopped himself and swung the sword down to end Nephrite. But he stopped. He froze midway. First his hands started to tremble and then the rest of his body. He stumbled to the cavern wall and leaned against it, trying to catch his breath. He looked down at his chest to see a damp crimson spot next to where his heart used to be. Coughing up his own blood now he stumbled around to meet the eyes of Jadeite and Zoisite, who held a blood red sword with stained hands. He dropped it and ran to Kyanite's side.

"I'm sorry…" He stammered. "I-…you …you were going to kill Nephrite…I had too…I…" He continued, looking for forgiveness. He shrugged Zoisite's comforting hand from his shoulder and stumbled away, first collapsing to his knees, followed by the rest of his body.

"Kyanite, I'll get you a doctor." Jadeite yelled as he began to run back down the long corridor.

"No!" Kyanite managed to yell. The three kings approached him and knelt down.

"You delirious." Nephrite spoke.

"No!" Kyanite choked again. "Please, let me die in peace." He motioned for them to move away, but they didn't budge. Summoning the last of his strength, he managed himself to his feet, took a couple of steps and fell to the ground once more.

"Anatase." He whispered. "I'm sorry Anatase, but I'll be with you shortly. I'm sorry I ignored you before, but that'll never happen again Anatase. Please guide me…I…I can hear your voice I-" And Kyanite died. The kings stood up and returned to his huddled form.

"Is he-" Zoisite began.

"Yes." Nephrite replied.

"…Gods…" Jadeite murmured. They weren't sure how long they stood there, but eventually Kunzite's form awoke them from their trance.

"Kunzite-sama!" Zoisite spoke, startled by his appearance.

"Who did this? Who murdered this man?" Kunzite demanded walking amongst the three of them. He eyed the bloody sword, and then Zoisite's hands.

"Zoisite." He spoke firmly, grabbing his arm. "Did you do this?"

"It was self defence." Nephrite broke in. Kunzite whipped his head around to meet Nephrite's eyes. He looked him over quickly and noticed the slash on his side. He turned back to Zoisite and noticed the cut on his arm.

"Why?" Kunzite questioned. "Why attack you?"

"Something about Anatase…" Jadeite thought aloud.

"Anatase?" Kunzite said with surprise. "But she died."

"He kept calling to her." Nephrite said quietly.

"Like she was there." Zoisite continued.

"But she wasn't." Jadeite finished.

"I think he wanted to kill you Kunzite." Zoisite stated.

"He thought I was you." Nephrite said. "He said it was 'The only way', that you were the only thing keeping HER from returning."

"Anatase." Kunzite guessed. "But why…how am I supposed to explain this to Queen Beryl-sama?"

"Well it appears the case is obvious." Jadeite declared. The other kings turned around in surprise. "There were voices inside his head."

"Echoes of what she had said." Nephrite added quietly.

Kyanite had never feared death much, and found no reason to now. Death was strange he decided. It held no mass, no existence, yet those captured by it did hold an existence and also a conscious mind. Why was that so? It was almost as if he wasn't completely dead, It only felt as he had simply passed on into a higher plain of living- the physical form gone, yet the mind seem so much more sharper. And what about feelings? It had only taken himself a moment's time to find her, yet those moments lasted and eternity. When he told her he had herd her voice, that she guided him here that it as she who never broke the bond…well she had only smiled, thanking him and then replying that that was impossible, impossible to pass back over the rim into reality. How strange, life was as strange as death. He didn't want to try to analyze them, only accept them…how strange…

'Kunzite.' A voice whispered inside him. Kunzite froze.

'Who is this? My conscience?' Kunzite demanded. The voice laughed.

'If only that were so, Kunzite-sama.' The voice continued.

'Kyanite.' Kunzite said flatly. 'You are nothing but a figment of my imagination, brought on by the stress of your passing. Go away.'

Oh, I'm so sorry to be such a burden…if I am nothing, then how can I go somewhere. You know what I am, you just can't accept it.'

'Leave! The Queen will summon me any minute, I wish to present myself well- I don't dare to anger her further.'

'Oh, you think she cares? She just going to inform you of Jadeite's new position, or the filling of my old one.'

'I don't care, and I won't listen to you.'

'Why so, do I speak the truth?'

'No!'

'Then why does everything I say bother you? Well, I'm going to tell you something you won't like at all.' Kyanite chuckled. 'Zoisite is going to die…and it's going to be all your fault.'

'Shut up! I'm not listening to you!'

'None the less, Zoisite is going to die…and it's going to be all your fault…'

- dalles (A.k.a Super-Deformed Kunzy)
sd_kunzy@hotmail.com

NOTE: If you didn't pick it up at the end, Kunzite went mad.