Chains of Love - Unrequited by Laura Smith
Chains of Love - Unrequited


          Minako leaned back against the trunk of the tree and balanced herself on the limb. She closed her eyes briefly and inhaled the scent of the garden below her. The fountain was soothing background music, as was the sound of children. She looked out to the play area Usagi had required and smiled at the sight of the four kings playing table tennis for their cheering, predominately female, fans.
          She wished she could be that carefree. Ever since the night of the ball, her thoughts had not been completely her own, the voice in her head a strange mantra, yet familiar somehow.
          The kings were paired off. Zoicite and Nephrite were playing hard, their long ago rivalry coming to life in its mildest form. Kunzite was playing against Jadeite, making it look all too easy. She smiled, remembering the image of him draped across her bed. As wonderful as the image was, her smile was sad. They had both agreed to be low key about their relationship, her because of the questions the voice brought up, him…she wasn’t sure. At times, she felt if they were any more discreet, she wouldn’t even know.
          The thought crowded out the voice wondering when she would see Endymion again and she giggled. The soft, sweet sound caught the attention of several others enjoying the peaceful day.
          "Hey Minako!"
          The object of her suppressed thoughts swung up on the branch and sat near her. "I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you would have gone down to Tokyo with Usagi and the others." Endymion smiled at her, feeling strangely drawn to her sad look.
          "She has enough protectors."
          "I realize that." His eyes seemed to see through her, causing her to look away. "I wasn’t implying you were shirking your duty. I just thought you’d like to be with your friends."
          "Actually, I’d rather be alone." She stared straight ahead, refusing to look at him or close her eyes. She could feel the chain connecting them pulling on her, trying to pull her closer to him.
          "What have I done Minako? You’ve been avoiding me."
          "Nothing. I’m just not in the mood for company." She shifted ever so slightly away from him as the pulsing energy grew stronger.
          "Usagi tells me you’ve been distant with her and the other scouts since the night of the ball. Is there something wrong?"
          She sighed. They were a perfect match. Neither he nor Usagi could take a hint. "Fine. Yes, something is wrong. What do you see as my place in the kingdom?"
          "What do you mean?"
          "Ami is the healer. Rei is the priestess. Makoto is the chef and mother hen. Usagi is queen. What am I?"
          "You’re Usagi’s closest confidante."
          "She tells me nothing she doesn’t tell the others. So fine, what are my talents? I’m athletic, energetic and empathetic. What does that qualify me for My King?"
          Endymion stated the first unbidden thought to come to his head. "My mistress."
          She finally met his eyes. "What?" The impact of his look hit her hard. The chain was circling her, frustrated at not connecting. And it glowed a dark, violent purple.
          "Is there a problem?"
          Minako looked down into Kunzite’s platinum eyes. She let herself half slide, half fall from the tree into his arms. Her body seemed to pulse and tremble in his hands. She felt completely out of control. "I’m sorry Kunzite," she whispered as she ran away on shaky legs.
          His eyes followed her, clouded with worry. He hadn’t intended to come over until he’d felt her grow frightened. "What did you say to her?"
          "Nothing."
          "Nothing? She ran off shaking like a leaf. You said something."
          Endymion looked down on him, obviously annoyed at being questioned. "She asked what her place was here, what she was qualified for."
          "And?" Patience was not one of Kunzite’s strongest features and his meager supply was vanishing rapidly.
          "I suggested…" Endymion mumbled the rest of the sentence, his courage in the face of Kunzite’s anger dwindling as Minako grew further and further away.
          "Suggested what?"
          "I thought she was perfectly qualified to be my mistress."
          The boomerang appeared from nowhere and would have done considerable damage had a red rose not deflected it. "You may be king, but it makes you no less a bastard." Kunzite stormed off toward the palace, determined to find Minako.

          Usagi sat silently in her throne as Makoto read the note aloud.

                    ‘My Queen. My friend. My friends.
                    I apologize for my abrupt departure.
                    I feel I can accomplish so much more
                    away from here. I am so sorry Usagi.
                    For everything.
                    Minako.’

          "Why?" Usagi’s question echoed throughout the room. All three of her friends were silent. Finally Ami spoke.
          "Perhaps Lord Kunzite knows?"
          "Madam?" One of the house servants bowed. "she spoke to his Highness and Lord Kunzite this afternoon in the garden."
          "Very well. Find Endymion and Lord Kunzite. I’ll see them both at once." She nodded to the servant who hurried out, then sighed. "You’ll all stay?"
          They nodded. Rei pulled out her wand. "Perhaps some formality is required?"
          "No. I don’t want Kunzite to get the wrong idea." Usagi smiled as she looked down at her shorts and halter top. "Although I should probably change." She touched the Imperium Silver Crystal and was suddenly Neo-queen Serenity. She laughed and made a silly face. "Much more formal."
          The door opened and Kunzite stood there, his head bowed. "My Queen."
          "Come in."
          "I was summoned."
          "A moment of your time?"
          He was about to nod when Endymion stepped up beside him. Kunzite bared his teeth at him, the slightest hint of fangs showing.
          "Lord Kunzite!" Usagi snapped.
          He bowed his head and stepped away. "My apologies."
          She nodded. "I was informed you both saw Minako today."
          "Hai," both answered.
          She stood, her gown sparkling like starlight. "I returned to the palace today to find a note of apology from my friend. I want to know why she left and…"
          "She’s gone?" Endymion asked, his heart beating wildly.
          "Do you blame her?" Kunzite snapped.
          "Well, obviously we’ve found the right people to ask," Makoto smirked to Rei, earning her a look from Usagi and Ami.
"Kunzite," Usagi’s voice was soft but firm. "You are my sworn liegeman, are you not?"
          His eyes widened at the oath she was invoking. "Hai."
          "And as so you are so sworn to tell me any truth I require and perform any task I request. Are you not?"
          "Hai."
          "Where is my friend?"
          "Gone. I don’t know where."
          "Do you know why?"
He nodded.
          "Tell me."
          "He asked her to be his mistress. Implied to her that it was the job best suited to her talents. He practically exudes lust around her…."
          "Enough. Endymion, you stand accused. Is it truth?"
          He looked at the floor for a long moment before nodding. "Hai."
          Her heart sank. "Fine. I don’t care right now. My friend is alone and hurting. And I will not have that. Lord Kunzite, find her. Bring her home."
          "I can’t My Queen."
          "Oh? What’s the matter Kunzite? Zoicite starting to look good again? I knew you couldn’t get over your fixation for little boys."
          A soft sound, almost a sob, came from Ami who ran from the room.
          "Enough!" Usagi stood and walked down to Kunzite’s side. "Why not?"
          "After I left him and went after her, I found a note from her telling me she needed to be alone for a while. She asked me not to follow her."
          Endymion laughed. "Fairly soon after consummating the relationship for the brush off, isn’t it?"
          Usagi silenced him with a look, part anger part pain. "Fine. For now I will not ask it of you. However, you will tell me if the link she has to you changes."
          "You see our link?"
          "I fought for love and justice as Sailor Moon. I share her ability to see love."
          He smiled for the first time since he’d walked into the garden. "I will My Queen."

          "Usagi…"
          "I do not wish to speak to you right now."
          "I didn’t…"
          "Didn’t what? Mean to hurt me? Or hurt her? Or insult the both of us? Or maybe you just intended to use your power as my King to sleep with whomever you want and not get caught?"
          "No. I…"
          "I don’t want to hear it. My concern is for Minako. And thanks to your careless words, Ami." She turned and left the room.
          Endymion tried to meet Makoto and Rei’s eyes. "I’m sorry."
          They both turned and followed Usagi out the door.

          Sailor V tied the knot behind the thug’s back and leaned him into the crates on the loading dock. "Don’t. Ever again." She pushed him back with her foot and watched as he fell completely to the ground. Approaching sirens told her law enforcement was on it’s way. She winked down at the captured criminal and walked away.
          "Quite a performance." Jadeite sat on the fence surrounding the dock. "The wink was a nice finishing touch."
          "What are you doing here?"
          "I was sent."
          "By the good side this time?"
          "Usagi is worried about you."
          "So now you can tell her I’m fine. Fighting crime like a good sailor should."
          "Your friends miss you."
          "Give them my love."
          "Kunzite…"
          "Stop." She bit her lip at the mention of his name. "Please Jadeite. Tell Usagi I’ll come for a visit soon. I promise." She paused as she jumped the fence and walked away. "How is Ami?" She sighed when he didn’t answer. "Tell her I promise her Zoicite loves her."
          "Tell her yourself."
          "Go home Jadeite. Now." She turned and ran away from him, her hair streaming behind her like a golden cape.
          He teleported back and stood in Usagi’s court. Kunzite was sitting in his chair below the dais as she heard various arguments. They both looked up at his arrival. Usagi’s eyes searched his face. "Well?"
          "She’s fine, My Queen. She was in Tokyo tonight where she first met the scouts, but I believe she is heading to London." His eyes darkened. "She won’t come back. And she wouldn’t let me speak of you Kunzite."
          The silence was thick. The older man rubbed his left wrist where she had wounded him during their first fight. Finally he spoke. "Thank you Jadeite."
          "Of course."
          "Rei asked that you join her at the temple when you finished."
          "Hai," he smiled. "Oh, and if you see Ami, please tell her Minako said that she promises Zoicite loves her."
          Kunzite’s smile was relieved. Endymion’s constant taunts of the past couple of days had made him wonder…at least now he knew Minako knew the truth. "We’ll be sure to tell her." He leaned back in his chair as his friend left and brushed the hair out of his eyes. "What will you do now?"
          "I’m not sure. I don’t ask questions these days where Endymion is concerned. I wonder why she doesn’t want to talk about you." Realizing what she’d said, she blushed furiously. "I’m sorry."
          "Don’t be." He walked over to a window. "I didn’t think I would miss her so much, My Queen."
          "Kunzite, please call me Usagi. Even Sailor Brat would be better than all this My Queen."
          "I would like to go to her now, as you requested."
          "Why?"
          "Because I love her."
          "You loved her before."
          "I didn’t realize it then."
          Usagi nodded. "Hai. Go. With my blessing."

          Minako leaned against the rail of her balcony and gazed unseeing at London below. It had been several days since the encounter with Jadeite and she was beginning to wonder when her next visitor would arrive. Usagi didn’t give up this easily.
          She closed her eyes and visualized her aura. There was still a vibrant red chain linking her to Kunzite. She wished she had the courage to see him and see if his end held true. But now, just the thought of him caused her the sensation of pain.
          Also hovering around her aura was the chain of purple connecting her to Endymion. She felt like it was a dog sniffing her heels, seeking attention. Attention she would not give to it or to the voice in her head that constantly cried out for Usagi’s lover.
          She turned away from the window and walked to her bed. She was about to sit when she heard a soft meow. A small white kitten was curled up on her pillow. It looked much like Artemis had when she’d found him. "Oh, Artemis, I miss you."
          "He misses you as well, little princess."
          She spun around, her heart pounding. He stood there, regal in his black uniform, Kunzite’s endearment for her poison on his lips.
          "Your Majesty." She felt the wave of thwarted emotion wash over her. The voice in her head came back full force, louder and more powerful than ever.
          *Join him*
          "Are you finished proving your point? Are you finished putting us both through this agony?" He sat down at a table across from her and stared at her tired face. "I am aching for you. And on top of that, Usagi barely talks to me, the other girls treat me like a pariah, and my three advisors refuse to talk of anything but business."
          "Three?"
          "Kunzite has left the court."
          "Where has he gone?"
          *Love him*
          "Oh, he’s still there. He attends Usagi’s court. Perhaps he’s getting in touch with his feminine side for Zoicite." He watched in delight as she flinched. "He refuses to attend any function where I may be present. Probably a good thing. I’m getting tired of dodging those damn boomerangs."
          "Why are you here?"
          *Do not deny me any longer*
          "You know why. To ask you to come home. The way I see it, it’s my best opportunity to restore myself in Usagi’s good graces."
          "Home to what?"
          "I shouldn’t have said anything."
          "You shouldn’t have thought it!" Her blue eyes blazed. "You formed a like with me that I cannot break. Your desire, your lust hangs around me like a perfume. Being this close to you, I can breathe it. I will not live like that!"
          "I can’t make it go away. Since the night of the ball when you disappeared to you room, whenever I close my eyes I see you , I smell you." He stood and walked over to her, the overwhelming ache driving him on. He could not resist it any longer. He held up a trembling hand. "I shake from my desire for you."
          "Go away," she whispered, the magnitude of his emotion pounding her like the sea against the shore.
          *yes*
          "You want a position in the kingdom? Be my healer, Mina-san." He reached out to stroke her cheek. "I need you."
          "No," she breathed as he leaned down to kiss her.
          *yes, my love*
          The moment Endymion’s lips met hers, she felt the connection. The purple chain wrapped around her, embedding itself into her flesh. She whimpered against the kiss as an image of Beryl and Endymion engaged in a passionate embrace filled her mind.
          "Being near you is like having thorns jab into me. But kissing you is like lying in a bed of roses petals." He looked into her eyes, not seeing her fear or pain. "Let me love you Minako."
          She stood paralyzed as his closeness continued to wind around her like some kind of spell. It was like being trapped in one of Kunzite’s shrinking domes. The thought of him brought on a fresh onslaught of pain. "No," she moaned. "Please stop. Don’t do this." His hands found her hips and pulled her close to him so she could feel his growing excitement.
          "It will happen," he whispered against her neck. "Either way. But it would please me if you said yes."
          "I think not." Kunzite picked Endymion up by his collar and flung him against the wall, smashing a mirror. As he released her, Minako collapsed onto the floor, her body wracked with sobs.
          "You bastard. Go back to Zoicite. Leave us alone. We’re busy." He pulled himself to his feet.
          "Planning on forcing yourself on her cape-boy?" Kunzite knelt beside Minako and lifted her into his arms, trying not to notice her struggle to get away. He sat on the bed and gently cradled her sobbing figure. "Ssh, Mina-chan. It will all be okay."
          The voice, Beryl’s voice, was now screaming in frustration. She was so close. Minako’s voice shook with unshed tears. "How?"
          "Usagi can heal you both."
          Her blue eyes were hopeful. "She can?"
          Endymion glared down at Kunzite, the emotion still raging strong. "She can do no such thing." He reached down and took Minako’s hand. "There’s is only one way to heal us. You know that."
          Kunzite stood. "I’m taking her home."
          "Won’t that put a cramp in you love life? I understand Zoicite’s a jealous lover." He stepped closer and pulled Minako to him, out of Kunzite’s arms. The voice stopped screaming. "Go back to your little lover. Leave Minako to me."
          Suddenly, there was a brief flash of light. Usagi stood there with Ami, fire in her eyes. "Both of you stop it. Mamoru, put her down."
          Ami helped Minako to the bed, where she curled into a fetal position. "She seems to be all right."
          Usagi met her lover’s eyes. "Why has this gotten out of hand Mamoru?"
          The fires still burned in his eyes. "Go away Usagi. Leave us alone. Take your dog with you."
          "Beryl…" Minako whispered. "Please Usagi make it all stop."
          "Beryl?" Kunzite laughed harshly. "She must have cast a spell."
          "On whom?"
          "Me? Minako? Endymion? An ultimate betrayal."
          "Usagi?" Ami’s expression was worried. "She’s getting worse."
          Minako stared at Endymion, her eyes wide. "It hurts Usagi. It hurts so much to resist." She held out her hand to him, her whole body throbbing in pain. "Please make it stop."
          Kunzite reached out to touch her, drawing back when she screamed.
          "Looks like she’s not too thrilled with your touch." Endymion picked her up and held her to him. "Give in Minako."
          *Do it*
          Usagi grabbed his shoulder. "You will bring her home. Now."
          His lust filled eyes focused on her. "We need to be alone."
          "No." She brought out her wand and transported the fire of them back to the Crystal Palace.
          Minako screamed again as the power of the palace weakened Beryl’s hold on her. Endymion held her close to him and began whispering in her ear. She couldn’t stop trembling. The emotion between them was building, weakening her and she couldn’t resist as one of his hands stroked her breast. She moaned, half passion, half pain.
          "Enough! Moon Healing Activation!" The Crystal Palace increased the power of the wand, sending a wave of warmth at the two of them. Ami and Kunzite stood beside Usagi as the wave swept through the room, two moans echoing over and over.

          They both lay on the floor, wrapped in each other’s arms. "Mamoru?" Usagi ran to his side and disentangled them. "Mamoru? Are you okay?"
          "Usagi?" He sat up, shaking his head. "Is it over? Did I hurt her?"
          "Oh Mamo-chan!" She glomped onto him happily. "You’re okay!"
          Ami rolled Minako onto her back and gasped. "Minako…" The other three rushed over. Her shirt was ripped open and there were bright red chain marks burned into her flesh. "Usagi, can you help her?"
          Kunzite sank to his knees and pulled her to him. "Oh Minako. I’m so sorry." Her small body still trembled. He brushed the hair back from her face and closed his eyes.
          She moaned. "Endymion?"
          He moved over to her and helped her look at him. "Yes, Mina-chan?"
          "Is it over?" she tried to focus on her aura, but was too weak. "Are we through?"
          "I’m so sorry Minako. I’m sorry that I hurt you, but I think it’s over." He hugged her close, aware of everyone’s eyes on them. He met Kunzite’s. "I owe you an apology. Several of them. And you Ami."
          The platinum eyes never left Minako’s tear stained face. "Let her go and I’ll think about forgiving you."
          He did and Kunzite met her blue eyes. "Mina?"
          She sobbed and fell into his arms. He absorbed the impact with pleasure. "When the scars fade, You’re forgiven."
          Rei and Makoto rushed into the room followed by the three kings. "Is everything okay?" Rei asked.
          "Yes. Usagi broke the spell. Beryl's spell." Ami stood and went to Zoicite’s side, causing him to smile.
          "And Minako and Endymion?" Makoto asked.
          "Everybody’s okay." Usagi helped him stand. "I think we should leave Mina-chan and Lord Kunzite alone. She needs her rest." She stared at her friend for a moment and then her lover. With a small frown, she nodded to Kunzite. "And a protector."
          "Usagi?"
          Everyone turned to look at Minako. "Yes?"
          "Thank you. It doesn’t hurt anymore."
          Usagi smiled. "I’m glad." But as her blue eyes met Kunzite’s she looked anything but.

Chapter 3 - Repercussions Sailor Moon Equal Romance