Chains of Love - Repercussions

      Kunzite sat on the window seat and stared at Minako sleeping on the bed. Since they’d returned from Earth two days before she’d been sleeping fitfully. Ami stood in the doorway and smiled at him. "Mind if I turn on a light?"
      He waved his hand and soft light filled the room. "She’s slept all day."
      Ami sat next to her friend who immediately opened her eyes. "Hey Ami-chan," her voice was hoarse.
      "Hey Mina-chan. How are you feeling today?"
      "Better," she managed to sit up and smiled at her friend. "When can I get up?’
      "Soon. Let me look at you." She opened her gown and pressed lightly against one of the chain marks. "Does it hurt?"
      "No. Not until..."
      Kunzite stood and walked out of the room, his back stiff. Ami watched him go then turned back to her.
      "When he touches me, they burn just a little. He feels guilty." Minako pulled her shirt closed and sighed. "He’s mad that I didn’t tell him about the voices and that he didn’t come soon enough."
      "He loves you. He wants to protect you." Ami squeezed her hand. "Want to go for a walk?"
      "Sure." She stood shakily and leaned on her. They walked slowly from the room into the main suite. Kunzite was sitting on the couch next to Zoicite. Both girls stopped abruptly. Ami’s voice shook. "We’re going for a walk."
      "We’ll join you." Zoicite stood and walked to Ami’s side.
      "Maybe you’d be happier if I stayed?" Kunzite asked.
      "No." Minako reached her hand out to him and took his arm. He watched sadly as she flinched.
      "You don’t have to..."
      "Yes. I do." She met his eyes. "I love you. I won’t let Beryl destroy that."
      The four of them walked out into the garden and Minako gasped. It was just past sunset and the air sparkled with fireflies and candlelight. "It’s beautiful." The light caught her eyes as she looked up at him.
      "Minako!" Usagi ran up and hugged her friend. "You’re up!"
      "Hi Usagi. It’s good to see you." She hugged her back. She looked past her friend and met Endymion’s eyes. "Hello."
      "Hello Minako." He smiled at her nervously as the fire in his soul ignited again.
      She let go of Usagi and walked up to him, spurred on by the same fire. The burn marks were pulsing, pulling her to him. "You look well."
      He didn’t answer her. He reached out and touched her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. "Mina...." He whispered.
      "Let her go." Kunzite stepped up next to Endymion and grabbed his arm. "Now. Or so help me, you’ll die."
      Minako stepped away and clung to Kunzite as if nothing had happened. "Sorry. Let’s go for a walk."
      Usagi met his tortured eyes. "Kunzite? Could I see you in my court tomorrow morning?"
      "Of course, My Queen."


      Ami tucked Minako into bed and tried to smile. "Are you sure you’re okay?"
      "You’ve taken great care of me Ami. Of course I’m all right." She smiled, "and don’t worry about them." She motioned to the living room. "They’re just friends. Hold my hand."
      Ami took her hand. "What?"
      Minako closed her eyes and focused. "Look at them. And think about them, their relationship. Tell me what you see."
      "White. A white chain connecting them. And all these others branching out. A lavender one connecting Zoicite to me."
      Minako took a deep breath and let go of Ami’s hand. "You haven’t slept with him?"
      "No!" Ami blushed. "Is that what lavender means?"
      "White is friendship, blue loyalty, red lovers, purple for passion, black for anger and hatred. If they were lovers it wouldn’t be white Ami."
      "What if they’re just not lovers again yet?"
      "It would be purple." Minako laughed softly as all the pieces fell into place. "You’re nervous about making love to him!"
      She giggled. "Maybe a little."
      "Talk to him. Find out how he feels. Don’t start with secrets or fears."
      "What about you and Kunzite?"
      "Red! Blood red!" she giggled as well.
      "And Endymion?"
      At the mention of his name, Minako purred. "There’s nothing between us."
      Ami watched in awe as her friend lied to her. While she thought of Usagi’s lover, Minako’s burn marks faded almost completely. "I should let you get some sleep. Goodnight Mina-chan."
      "Goodnight. Oh, and Ami?"
      "Yes?"
      "Go for it!" She smiled then burst into giggles.


      "Did you find anything out?" Zoicite stood as Ami walked into the room.
      "Some. I’ll explain it to you tomorrow in Usagi’s court." She looked shyly at Zoicite. "Perhaps I could tell you while you walked me to my room?"
      He smiled happily. "Certainly." He nodded to Kunzite. "Goodnight."
      "Goodnight you two." He watched as they walked out together, glad that it didn’t hurt.
      "They left together?" Minako stood in the doorway, her shirt barely reaching the top of her thighs.
      "Hai."
      "Good. She was worried." She raised her hand to brush her hair back, causing the shirt to rise even higher. "Are you going to watch over me again tonight?"
      "Yes." He stared at her, desire like a fire in his eyes.
      "I’d rather you didn’t."
      "Oh?"
      She slid her shirt over her head and stood naked in front of him. Her burns seemed to glow in the soft light. "I’d rather you didn’t just watch."


      Endymion lay next to Usagi, staring out the window at Minako’s guardian planet. The moment he’d seen Minako, the ache had started again and it had yet to fade. This time it was growing stronger much more rapidly. He closed his eyes and he could see her - her eyes closed, her body glistening with perspiration, her breasts heaving, her nipples hard. He realized he was seeing her through Kunzite’s eyes as he made love to her and she was in the midst of a powerful orgasm. His body tensed with hers and he moaned.
      "Mamoru? Are you okay?" Usagi asked sleepily.
      *Tell her,* he thought. *Obviously the healing wasn’t complete.* "Everything is fine. Just a dream."
      She snuggled close to him and sighed. "Goodnight."
      "Goodnight." He closed his eyes again and watched as she looked up at Kunzite. *Goodnight my love.*


      Ami paced the length of the throne dais. When Usagi walked in, she rushed over to her. "When is Kunzite due?"
      "Ami!" Usagi’s mouth gaped open as she realized what had happened the night before. "You didn’t!"
      Ami blushed. "That’s not the issue. I need to talk to both of you. It’s very important."
      Kunzite walked in and bowed. "My Queen. Lady Ami."
      "We have to talk. Now." Ami looked around. "Privately."
      Usagi snapped her fingers and servants closed the room. "Can you explain what happened yesterday?"
      "The spell is still active. We all suspected that last night. Before I left Minako last night, I asked her about Endymion. She said there was nothing between them, but all of the burns faded." Ami sighed. "I think it’s the burns that connect them."
      "Do you think that’s why she feels pain when I touch her?" Kunzite sat on one of the chairs and buried his head in his hands. "Yet last night she..."
      "After she saw Endymion," Usagi sighed.
      "Keep him away from her Serenity." Kunzite stood, his anger reminding both of them of facing him when he served Beryl. "Cape boy will not touch her. Or I will kill him."
      "You will not kill anyone."
      "Beryl trained me well." He turned to walk out of the room.
      "No. I will not allow you to let your anger bring about the fall of my kingdom again!"
      He stopped. "I cannot let him have her. I will not."
      "We’ll find a way to stop this."
      "She slept with me last night and thought of him," he snarled, although both women heard the deep pain underlying the ire. "Beryl nearly destroyed me when I thought she’d killed Zoicite. I will not allow it to happen again."
      "Do not stand against me." Usagi stood tall, staring up at him defiantly. "Work with me Kunzite. I want this to end as much as you do. She is your lover. He is mine."
      "Maybe we should let them consummate the relationship?" Ami asked.
      "No." both said at once.
      "It might work."
      Kunzite shook his head. "I don’t think it would. Before Usagi used the wand, perhaps, simply because Minako didn’t want to. Beryl would have enjoyed him forcing her. It would have given her enough negative energy to return, which is what this must be about. With a transmuted spell...I’m afraid it would be even worse." His platinum eyes held no hope. "An ultimate betrayal."
      "So what do we do?" Usagi sank to the floor.
      Ami comforted her friend. "We’ll figure something out."


      Minako stared out the window at the ballroom where this had all started. She felt completely out of control.
      "Hello princess." She looked to the door. Endymion stood there in casual clothes.
      "Don’t let Kunzite hear you call me that. He might take offense."
      He shut the door behind him. "What’s going on between us, Minako?"
      "Usagi’s cure didn’t work." She pushed away from the window, but didn’t walk toward him.
      "It’s different. It doesn’t hurt anymore." He could feel the pull between them and couldn’t help moving forward.
      "She changed the spell? I don’t know." Tears filled her eyes. "My heart doesn’t want this, but I can’t stop..."
      "You think I do? You think I want to hurt Usagi? Do you honestly think I want to close my eyes and see you? You think I want to close my eyes and see you beneath him?" His voice deepened as he inched closer to her. "Do you think I like knowing he’s inside you instead of me?"
      She met his eyes. "Are you jealous?" As he came close enough to touch, Kunzite was the last thing on her mind. Her smile grew feral, her breathing heavy and fast. "Wish it was you? Want me for yourself?"
      "Don’t let him touch you again. I’ll know. And the pain will come." His eyes darkened to black , the bond between them throbbing so hard it hurt.
      "Am I interrupting?" Kunzite stood in the doorway, taking in the sight before him. Both of them were breathing heavy, the air was thick with desire.
      Endymion spun around quickly and a red rose landed at Kunzite’s feet.
      "Don’t threaten me boy." Kunzite’s eyes glowed with fury.
      "You’re a poor substitute for me. But then you always have been. Even for Beryl." Endymion walked up to Kunzite, his hatred almost as hot as his desire. "You couldn’t do anything to me then and you can’t now. Beryl’s dog and now Usagi’s."
      "Better Beryl’s dog than her lover. Does your lovely Queen know you fucked her mortal enemy?"
      "Better than you, fucking a little boy." He sneered at his longtime rival. "Usagi should have left your soul embedded in the crystal we found it in."
      Minako had moved closer, the hatred almost as satisfying as the lust. She circled them, licking her lips in anticipation. She stopped behind Endymion and ran her hands over his back. "Oh please," she moaned. "Don’t stop."
      He closed his eyes and leaned back against her. Kunzite smirked. "Idiot." He smiled in satisfaction as his fist found Endymion’s jaw.
      Minako stared at him, eyes narrowed and glassy. "You hit him. Your power..." She stepped closer.
      "Sorry, little princess. I’m no one’s substitute. Most especially not his." He walked out of her room, wishing it didn’t hurt. A servant stood nearby. "Clean up the mess please. And send Lady Ami to Endymion’s quarters. He may need medical attention."


      Ami sat at the palace’s computer running thousands of programs to try to decipher Beryl’s spell. She’d put in a call to both Luna and Artemis, hoping that they would know something. Usagi sat on her throne, swinging her feet. "Anything yet Ami-chan?"
      "Sorry. I haven’t heard from the guardians yet."
      "Have Rei pray for guidance?"
      "I’ve already requested it."
      Usagi felt tears spring to her eyes. She wished she had her mother’s guidance or even some of her wisdom. She wished Luna was here. She wished Mamoru - her Mamoru - would come in and give her a hug. She looked up as the door opened and tried to hide her disappointment when she saw it was Makoto. She was smiling widely.
      "Good news?"
      Her smile faded. "Um, no. It’s just something that needs Ami’s attention."
      "What?"
      "Apparently Kunzite punched Endymion."
      "Why?"
      "I don’t know the details, but I do know it happened in Minako’s room. She was crying too hard to fill anybody in."
      Usagi slammed her fist onto the arm of the throne. "Damn it! Damn her!"
      "Minako?" Makoto’s eyes widened.
      "No. Of course not. Beryl. I will not let her destroy my kingdom." She stood and started to leave the room.
      "What will you do?"
      Her bravado disappeared. "I have no idea."


      Kunzite stood in the deep black miasma of nothing. The silence enveloped him like a cloak. He closed his eyes and let his mind drift, his only conscious thought of Minako. He stood, unmoving, for hours. Frustrated, he opened his eyes. In front of him, swirling like a mist was an image of Beryl.
      "Who disturbs my rest?"
      "Release her."
      She laughed, her voice wickedness given form. "Pity. I was hoping you’d go back to Zoicite. I guess you have to give both sides a chance, hmmm?"
      "Release her now. In exchange for my soul. I will not have you drive her mad."
      "This is not about souls Kunzite. You know what I desire." She solidified briefly. "Did you know he sees through your eyes when you touch her? And she sees him, not your pretty face. And I see through her. Soon Kunzite, I will love him again and will rip your soul from you. In the end I win either way." Her wispy form began to fade in and out. "Your memories of the silver millenium tainted you, destroyed my last effort. But I will rise again Kunzite. And your sweet lover will open the door."
      "She won’t make love to him."
      "Love has absolutely nothing to do with the Negaverse." Beryl’s eyes met his. "You can’t save her. Just like you couldn’t save Zoicite. The world will be mine again. And you will stand by my side again and Endymion will exact his revenge."
      Kunzite’s anger manifested itself and the powerful blast shattered her faint form. But her taunting laughter lingered.


      Usagi, Ami and Makoto listened as Kunzite explained his conversation with Beryl. "What you did," Usagi hissed through clenched teeth, "was stupid, irresponsible and unauthorized."
      "I had no other choice."
      "So she really is under Beryl’s influence?’ Makoto shuddered.
      "Only when Endymion in near her or when she’s engaged in a sexual act." He shook his head. "And I fear that if she manages to have sex with Endymion, it will increase Beryl’s power and allow her to return faster."
      "So we just have to separate them?"
      "No." Ami looked up from the computer with a small smile. "That would simply serve to drive Minako mad." She looked at Kunzite. "You have to fight him. And win."
      "What?" Usagi pouted. "I don’t like the sound of that."
      "Endymion and Minako are under Beryl’s influence to varying degrees. The scars on Minako lead me to believe she’s the most effected. Kunzite has to fight on the side of love and justice and destroy Beryl’s hold on him. He was the original carrier of the spell."       "So if I beat him, we cancel each other out?"
      "I believe so. It won’t be easy. Beryl is in each of your heads. She’ll try to influence the fight. Her power is still relatively weak though."
      "And Minako?"
      "She’ll have to watch. And choose."
      "Choose?" Makoto asked.
      "If she chooses Endymion and he loses, she will go mad. If she chooses him and he wins, our greatest fears are realized. If she chooses Kunzite and he wins, it should defeat Beryl’s spell and she’ll be okay."
      "And if she chooses me and I lose?"
      "My honest opinion?" She looked nervously at Usagi. "I think he’ll take her in front of both of you and she’ll kill herself."
      Makoto looked up in surprise. "You’re always looking at the bright side, aren’t you Ami-chan?"
      Usagi closed her eyes. "What will you do?"
      He respected her strength. "Win."
      "Don’t hurt him too badly."
      "Promise you won’t interfere."
      Usagi started to cry. "Don’t hurt him."
      "Promise My Queen."
      She wiped the tears away. "Hai."


      Rei led Minako into the exhibition hall. "Why are we coming here Rei?"
      "There’s going to be a battle. Usagi thought you might want to watch."
      "Oh." She sat down next to her friend in the viewing box, feeling slightly confused. She was surprised when almost everyone joined them. "Where are Mamoru and Kunzite?"
      Rei pointed onto the floor. "There."
      They stood in the center of the floor. Endymion dressed in his blue dress outfit and Kunzite in his charcoal uniform. Endymion smirked at Kunzite and walked over to Minako. "Hello little princess."
      Her heart started to beat faster. She stood and kissed him, deep and hard. He started to lift her out of the box when Kunzite stopped him. "To the victor goes the spoils." He met Minako’s eyes and hoped he didn’t just imagine the spark there. "Ready Cape Boy?"
      "Anytime."
      "Very well." Kunzite tightened his grip on his arm and threw him back to the center of the room. He landed hard, flat on his back. "Let’s begin then." He sent a volley of boomerangs toward Endymion who casually deflected them.
      "A pitiful attack."
      "At least I don’t throw roses, pretty boy."
      "You would notice. How nice that Minako doesn’t mind you playing both sides of the fence. You ever tried it with both of them? Beryl might like that."
      There was a blur as they flew at each other. No one could see clearly until they parted. Kunzite had drawn first blood.
      "Damn," Minako snapped.
      Usagi sat directly behind her holding the Imperium Silver Crystal. She wanted this all to end without anyone getting hurt. She wanted to be able to say the magic words and make it all go away.
      "Does it bother you that she’s thinking of me when you’re with her?" Endymion wiped the trickle of blood from his cheek. "It must be horrible to experience that."
      Kunzite’s kick caught him directly in the stomach. "If you were really who she was thinking of, she wouldn’t be so satisfied. Beryl’s had you before. Obviously wasn’t happy with your performance."
      "And what leads you to that conclusion, you backstabbing bastard?"
      "She cursed me." He smirked. "She needed a man to satisfy her, not some effeminate boy who needs five fourteen year old girls to save him."
      "The same fourteen year old girls who defeated you, as I recall."
      There was another blur of motion and this time Kunzite was hurt. He licked his lips and tasted the blood.
      Endymion faced him. "She wants me. Burns for me."
      "She loves me..."
      "Really?" he laughed as they began circling each other. "Minako!"
      "Yes Mamoru?" she stood.
      "Who do you want to win?" He smirked at his opponent. "Who do you love?"
      Minako closed her eyes. She felt like her free will was entirely subverted. She clenched her hands into fists, her nails digging into her palms, drawing blood.
      "Do you love him Minako? Or does his love for Zoicite hold him? If he loves you, if you love him, why does his touch hurt you?"
      Her mind screamed to resist his taunting, the answers in her head that she knew were not her own. Finally, she couldn’t resist any longer. "Mamoru, I want to lie with you in the bed of rose petals you promised me."
      Beryl laughed as she felt the energy from Minako’s inner battle begin to gather around her, giving her the physical form she craved.
      Kunzite stopped circling. He tried to meet her downcast eyes. Was she refusing to look at him so that he couldn’t see her pain, or so she wouldn’t see his? Seeing his distraction, Endymion materialized a rose and threw it like a dagger towards Kunzite’s heart.
      Beryl looked down at her now fully formed body. As soon as the rose pierced his flesh, Endymion would take Sailor Venus in front of Kunzite’s dying form and Usagi’s broken heart. And the Crystal Palace would crumble once again. And Beryl would be free.
      In the same instant the rose flew, Usagi placed the wand against Minako and whispered, "Moon Healing Activation." She hoped that having Ami, Makoto and Rei holding it with her would cure her hurting friend.
      Minako watched at the rose flew at her lover and knew, without a doubt what was going to happen. What she had let happen. What she had caused to happen. And all in that one instant, that one moment of time, a voice of pure love and pure willpower rang out in the silence.
            "VENUS LOVELY CHAIN!"
      Her body convulsed as the chain flew from her hands, striking down the rose and wrapping itself around Endymion. She looked down and realized that the chain she was using was formed of the links that had been embedded, burned into her flesh.
      As it wound around him, it unwound from her, and as the last link faded from her flesh, she collapsed.


      A bright orange chain pierced the unfathomable blackness and circled the fragile physical creature that was Beryl. Her body, newly formed, pulsed once then shattered into a mist that dissipated into the nothingness. The chain scattered it’s target and then fell endlessly through the abyss.
      Beryl screamed with all her mental powers, her frustration lending fire to the words as she cursed Minako and Kunzite’s names. Plunged back into formlessness, she called out for her one time lover. *Endymion!*


      Kunzite walked over to Endymion as Usagi helped Minako out onto the battleground. The three stood together, no one speaking. Finally Minako sank to her knees next to Endymion. Usagi and Kunzite both braced themselves. She touched the chain and it faded then disappeared. She looked down at her clothing, torn where the chain had ripped from her body. She smiled when she noticed the burn marks were no longer there.
      "Are you okay?"
      His eyes met hers. "Yes. You?"
      She smiled up at Kunzite. "I will be soon." She held up her hand to let him help her stand. She looked into the platinum eyes, hoping to heal them. "I’m sorry I hurt you." She focused on her aura and let everyone see it. The chain was gone. "It’s over."
      Relieve flooded him. He picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. "You think so?"
      She nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. "Hai."
      "Not so, Sailor Brat." He winked at Usagi. "I’m going to have to put you through the agony I’ve been through these past two weeks."
      She giggled. "Promise?"
      Bowing his head to Usagi and the rest of the group, he patted her bottom. "Count on it."

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Epilogue

Sailor Moon

Equal Romance

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