Disclaimer: I've sunk to an all time low... *standard disclaimers apply*... *hangs head* I'm sorry! *wails* I'm so disclaimer uninspired... *sniffles* Forgive me...*waaahhh*

Chapter Three

Nephrite took a deep breath before slowly raising one hand to rap lightly on the thick oaken door. There was a long moment of silence before he heard the muffled call to come in and with a stubborn set to his jaw he entered.

He closed the door softly behind him as he looked around Kunzite's study. His eyes took a minute to adjust to the low lighting provided by the dying flames in the fireplace before he found Kunzite, sitting in a high backed, unpadded chair, the sparsest piece of furniture in the plush room. He looked smaller in stature as he sat behind the great desk, and older as well. So much so that Nephrite stopped and stared, hesitating even more. Annoyance flickered briefly across his imperial features.

He waved an impatient hand at Nephrite. "You've already bothered me, come in." Suddenly decided he strode forward and took a seat himself. His gaze flickered to the desk and felt his throat tighten. The smiling faces of five young men looked innocently back and he shivered. Drawn by his gaze Kunzite smiled bitterly, his silver eyes hardening to a shuttered granite.

"We took that one year before Endymion left us... If only we knew then what we know now..."

"Would it have made a difference to Endy?" Nephrite snapped, voice unforgiving. Silver turned molten and the older general turned away momentarily until he regained his composure. Nephrite winced. He hadn't meant to provoke him...

Things used to be so much simpler, so much better between them. Emperor Sol and Prince Endymion were brothers. Sol was older by about ten years and had always been groomed to become King. Nephrite, Kunzite, and two others, Jadeite and Zoicite, were ranking nobles of impressive military backgrounds. They had come as young boys, picked to begin training at the palace as Prince Sol's personal guard. And something unexpected had happened. The Queen, almost past her childbearing years, had become pregnant and nine months later bore another child, a boy with jet black hair and blue eyes that could read someone's soul.

And somehow, as Endymion, the child grew, he had became friends with them, the newly christened Earthen Generals. When the Queen had died several years later the country had mourned but the King, to be honest the King was pushed over the edge. In his madness he clasped onto an idea so bizarre... He wanted to rule the world.And he did, so much so that with his last breath he proclaimed Sol First Emperor of Earth. And Emperor Sol had made his father's quest his own with a zeal that sometimes even disturbed Nephrite. All in all the wars and turmoil that followed the King's wrath had little affect upon him or the other Generals. Their lands were already loyal to the King, there was no rampage there, or rapine. But the affect on Endymion had run much deeper. Endymion had served as diplomat and ambassador for the other kingdoms of Earth and had seen friends and lovers die on the blades of his father's men. When Sol assumed the throne he had thought the death would stop but the King's cause had become Sol's own, only he had broadened it. Where the King was mad Sol was ambitious. The world wasn't enough for him, he wanted the universe. And when he proclaimed his intentions and began to gather men the Moon Kingdom, who all the Earthen kingdoms formerly had an uneasy truce with, cut all ties with Earth.

Sol wanted war but wasn't ready, yet. The Moon Kingdom was powerful then, it was made of every planet save Earth. Eager to play the diplomat he was at heart Endymion had traveled to the Moon as an official Earth ambassador. There wasn't war, not yet, but things were close. He never came back.

He had fallen in love with the beautiful Princess Serena, heir to the Moon Kingdom. That had been nine long years ago. They had married. For two years there was uneasy peace and then, Rose had come to seal a pact with them and the Moon Kingdom. Two years later a formal treaty was to be drawn up. Negotiations had gone well. And on the return trip to the Moon they had all died. In that horrible, stupid accident. And Sol, eager, impatient, to achieve his aspirations which he saw slipping away with peace used it as an excuse to unleash all the forces he had secretly been gathering for four years.

Five years after that Earth ruled the universe. And Sol's wife, a sorceress named Beryl, was carrying his child. Nephrite's jaw tightened. He hated how things were now. He hated Sol's blood-thirstiness. He hated Beryl and the terrible magic she wielded. He hated the child she carried that would be perverted and warped into its parents' twisted image. He hated the fact that the woman he loved was dead. He hated that Endy, one of his best friends in the world lay beside her. He hated the fact that thousands had died because of him and the cause he fought for. He hated that millions more would suffer. He hated that the blood of one innocent princess was on his hands, that two more lay in near death because of him, and that another would never see the light of day without chains on her wrists. That he was ordered to do the same to a fourth, a woman his wife called sister. A woman... a woman who would die before she lived in chains...

He looked earnestly at Kunzite and the older general sighed as his features softened. "Damn it all," he said gruffly, "what is it? I didn't mean to snap..." Nephrite slumped lower in the chair, his face desperate.

"Gods, I don't know what to do! How in all hells am I supposed to find this Princess Jupiter, Lita? Sol will have my life if I don't find her soon. She's all the remains between him and total subversion of the planets. There's still too many rebellions. People know she's free and they won't submit to us until all the princesses are subdued." Kunzite scowled.

"I'm perfectly aware of that. You may be in charge of the princesses but I am in charge of converting the planets into good little Earth Colonies. Just as Jadeite is in charge of helping Sol rule Earth and Zoicite is in charge of attempting to conquer Pluto. Now what would you have me do? I can't find Princess Jupiter for you. I've already given you all my spies for your use and have my soldiers who are stationed at the planets listening for rumors." Nephrite shook his head.

"Yes, I know, and I'm grateful. Its... sometimes I just find myself doubting everything we stand for... Don't you?" Kunzite growled, his hawkish features strained, before replying.

"I know my duty and responsibilities Nephrite. I live by a code of honor that has been ingrained into me since I was just a boy. It doesn't matter what I think or feel, I've sworn vows that cannot, will not, be revoked." Kunzite looked away, full mouth tightening with pain.

Nephrite massaged his temples. He told himself that duty was enough but why was there still a hole gaping within his breast?

'Rose...'

"Lita is my problem, I know, but there is something, someone you can help me with." Interest sparkled briefly in his eyes. Kunzite leaned back and eyed Nephrite speculatively.

"And just who might this someone be?" Nephrite hid a grin.

'Got him.'

"Princess Venus, Mina. She doesn't know where Lita is, all the pity, but she herself represents an important step in totally subduing the colonies. Sol wants her to openly endorse Earth. I've tried talking to her because if she won't agree with persuasion Sol has ordered me to leave her to Beryl... Please try to convince her to help us Kunzite... I don't want another death on my hands, a death that could have been prevented. If Beryl gets her claws on her..."

"Careful," Kunzite warned in a low voice. Beryl was not Empress but she still held power, over both them and Sol, to an extent. "What makes you think I will succeed where you didn't?" Neprhite sighed.

"Because in her eyes I will forever be the murderer of her friends and family. Besides, you are our leader, as she leads the princesses." Kunzite snorted before nodding slightly.

"I will try."

Mina fingered her golden necklace as she closed her eyes. She hummed softly to herself, lost in memories. When she moved and her chains chimed in response she was brought back to the present, and reality. She cursed darkly, sapphire eyes gleaming with frustration and deeper, anger. "Venus," she whispered, longing in her voice. She missed her golden home... She missed her people, and most of all she missed the power of Venus. Her throat tightened.

Since Serenity's death they hadn't been able to transform into warriors, since Serenity's death where once the warm glow of magic filled her there was only emptiness, and for the leader of the senshi that was aiken to death.

'I failed. I failed my duties as leader and thousands have died because of it, because of me. I should have found some way to regain our powers but there was nothing... I even tried to reach Pluto.' She shivered. She had tried and failed, oh she had succeeded in seeing Pluto, Setsuna, but the older woman had been of no help.

Well, not toally. The lost and desperate look in those somber burgandy eyes was all the answer she had needed. They were on their own. And she was trapped here, and had been for three months since her capture.

A creak alerted to her prison opening and she stood fluidly to face the man who entered. Her mouth hardened. She never met Nephrite sitting. But the man in the doorway wasn't Nephrite, he was a stranger. She stepped back, surprised as the tall man entered. The first thing that struck her was his features, sharp, angular. White hair framed silver eyes that gleamed in the semidarkness of the room. A strong mouth was pursed sternly. He was tall, over six feet, several heads over her golden one, with the lithe grace of a mountain cat. He was slimmer in build than Nephrite but he was better defined, his muscles showing slightly under his gray uniform, a standard Earth Army issue. His stance was aggressive and she stiffened in response to it but she wasn't afraid. She feared no living man, not any more.

His frank gaze studied her carelessly and she felt anger stir in response in the pit of her stomach. There was impatience there too, it was hid well but she was a princess, bred in lies, raised in intrigues. No other could see past masks like a princess. He nodded slightly and she crossed her arms, purposely making her chains rattle. One side of his mouth quirked in a small smile before the man bowed.

"Forgive my intrusion... Lady." She noticed the slight pause and raised one golden eyebrow in query. Silver eyes darted to her sword roughened hands and she felt startled. Not many noticed details like that... "My name is General Kunzite of Earth. General Nephrite asked me to become your guide for your stay at the palace. His services are needed elsewhere and he cannot devote the attention to you that you deserve." Mina looked at him for a long moment before snorting and turning away.

Kunzite's gaze narrowed. He had seen the slight tensing of her body at Nephrite's name. "Lady?" he asked in a polite tone, careful to keep emotional inflections out of his voice. She turned back to him, anger gleaming fully in her face.

"Well done General Kunzite. Not many could have given so eloquent a speech without mentioning that my 'stay' at this 'palace' is imprisonment and that those 'duties' Nephrite is attending to is the capture and death of one of my dearest friends. Tell me oh honorable General of Earth, how do you sleep at night?" Silver and cerulean eyes locked, the silver flashing gray, the blue burning with intense cobalt light. One side of his mouth quirked upwards again, bitterness etched deeply in his features as he answered with another bow and stiff flourish.

"Not well Lady, not well." Caught off guard by his caustic openess Mina smiled sardonically. She snorted once more, softly.

"Not Lady," she corrected, "if your Emperor should have his way you may very well be the man who takes my life, either you or one of the others... I believe there can be more familarity with your murderer. After all Nephrite was never so formal. Call me Mina, or princess if you must, but not Lady. I haven't been a Lady in a long time."

"I noticed." One strong hand reached out and caught her own. She flushed as he held it up in the light, examining it. "No Lady I know has the hands of a warrior." He released her and she stepped away, still embarassed. Her reaction amused him.

"You said we should drop all pretenses, did you not? I take it Nephrite was not that informal." Her jaw set she answered, false brightness in her voice.

"Actually he was less so. I have rarely been as ill treated since of late." Recognizing the heavy irony in her statement his mouth twitched.

"I doubt that princess..." Mina's eyes grew cloudy.

"So do I in fact..." Kunzite studied her. He had wanted to approach what they wanted directly. He had wanted to offer her a deal, corroperation or death but he sensed she wasn't ready. Instead he decided to bide his time, for now. Beryl could hurry Nephrite but only Sol could overturn Kunzite's order. His trust was absolute and more importantly, proven to the fickle Emperor of Earth, his loyalt hadbeen too highly bought to let the witch Beryl command him like she did the others.

"Well I have come to see to your comfort... What do you require of me?" Mina turned and waved at the sparse, ill lit room.

"Some lace draperies and silk sheets and danishes..."

"No Lady," he said forcefully, interrupting her sarcasm as he strode nearer to her, so close that he was looking her in the eyes, his steely ones clashing with her vibrant. She met him as an equal, rage sparkling in the pools of sapphire.

"What I really want?"

"Yes Lady."

"I want to see my friends."

Lita, Lena, bowed her head and hurried past the guards, her back hunched over. She heard their racous laughter and tried not to stiffen as fury lit in her heart and ignited. 'I'm just a servant... Servants don't fight, they flee. Servants don't respond... Servants accept what ever fate their masters hand them.' Except her 'master' was no longer the kind hearted Tess. Lena tried to calm herself as she felt her hands tremble in response to her anger. Jupiter she itched for a sword, or just a good old brawl, either would suit her just fine.

One man reached out to grab her and she deftly avoided him, unfortunately she lost her load of laundry and her 'master's' dress shirts went flying across the yard. She cursed roundly and dashed after them, taunted by still more laughter. She felt Jupiter's power rise briefly in her and she clenched her teeth.

'Not yet,' she thought desperately. 'Save your power... I can't use it yet. I need to plan more, know more, before I can act.' She sensed distant agreement and the white hot magic that trilled through her veins suddenly vanished. She tried not to cry. Meanwhile she managed to gather up all of the shirts. Still keeping a wary eye on the men in the courtyard she edged back towards the kitchen entrance to Tess's house. Tess's house only Tess didn't live here any more, or her husband. Not since one month ago, when the Earthen soldiers had come. Lita ground her teeth together. Three months since Mina's capture and two months in this small border town of Mercury. In the onemonth before Earthen occupation Lita had made some headway. Apparently Tess, while not in charge or directly contacted, knew some rebels, people who were buried deep underground but who would do anything to overthrow the Earthen Empire. Lita had talked to some people, coaxed, and formed some hesitant plans. All of which had flown straight to hell when Earthen troops, alerted by the increased number of uprisings on Mercury and more specifically the surrounding countryside, had moved in.

Most of the regular peasants had been shipped off in chains, as slaves for those colonies and people truly loyal to Earth and Emperor Sol. Those that aided in the enslavement effort by turning on their bretheren were allowed to remain. Tess and her husband, while hardly noble, were well off enough to convince the officers, with some heavy bribing, to let them take the first sky carriage to Jupiter, Lita would be with them of course. But of that the officers would have none.

Tess's darling niece was poor and with the price the officers were asking for they could only afford two. Tess had tried to remain and let Lita escape with her spouse but Lita had put her foot down. Tess had done too much for her already, she wouldn't let her sacrafice her life needlessly. And in truth the officers would have been suspiscious had she forfeited her own fare in favor of Lita, or Lena, her orphaned cousin.

As it was Tess had bargained with 'Governor' Pharl, the puppet Earth had installed in this province to keep order. For the rest of their savings Pharl had agreed to let Lita, Lena, become his housekeeper since his had recently retired at the age of fifty two. She wasn't a slave but she wasn't free. She wasn't fighting Earth but she was alive. She was also as frustrated as hell.

Unconsciously her back straightened and her bearing became briefly, more proud. Emerald eyes flashed as she contemplated her unsatisfactory situation. With a sigh she entered the kitchen.

"What do you think?" Governor Pharl asked the man standing next to him. Zoicite frowned as he watched the woman vanish into the house.

"Perhaps," he murmured. "We shall see." Satisfied Pharl turned and left. Zoicite stared hard, mulling over what he had just seen. The woman Pharl employed as a housekeeper was obviously much more than that. What he wasn't sure. The way she avoided those guards spoke of a warrior's training, as did her grace in capturing
the errant garments. Her walk, her presence bespoke of a Lady though, a noble mayhaps. Green eyes narrowed.

"Perhaps, we shall see. I have legendary luck but somehow I doubt even I am that lucky... And yet..." His mouth curved into a secretive smile as he mused out loud, "Oh Nephrite would just die!"

Authro's Notes: Hallo peeps! Waaasssssuuuuppp? I know, that was ssooo last year but its fun and you get the stick your tongue out at the end like this.. *nah*... See? Umm yeah...right... Oh yeah, the story(no I'm not always *this* ditzy). EMAIL! PLEASE! *crawls and begs, sobbing as inbox curls up and dies in my hands* Must have mail. Must have mail. inspiredthoughts@hotmail.com

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