When Zoisite returned to Kunzite's chamber, he was slightly disappointed as he saw that Kunzite was asleep. The room was dim, and only Kunzite's shock of ethereal white hair could be seen as he slumbered. It seemed to glow, almost, catching the barest light from the room around it, and Zoisite reached out to touch in fascination.

Almost as soon as his fingers made contact, Kunzite started, turning around partly to look at him. Zoisite pulled back into the shadows a bit, still giddy and confused from touching the crystal. It almost had the same affect as a drug, and vaguely he recalled the first time he had touched it, how he had reacted to Nephrite, and how Nephrite had reacted to him.

He was afraid that the same would happen with Kunzite.

Kunzite was watching him in the darkness, his normally narrowed eyes almost wide. He looked vaguely... vulnerable. Perhaps it was only the light.

"Kunzite-sama?" he asked politely, moving forward as slowly as possible. He wouldn't be able to cope if there was anger in those eyes. Metallia or no, he couldn't deal with Kunzite's coldness. Not now.

"Zoisite, what are you doing back?"

Zoisite stared at him.

"I thought... I thought I was always welcome here, Kunzite-sama?" He forced a playful gleam into his eyes that he hoped didn't look fake. In reality his heart was pounding furiously in his chest.

Kunzite stared at him for what seemed like an eternity, and then his eyes softened.

"Of course, Zoisite. But... I thought you had left for good."

Zoisite moved closer, crawling up onto the bed without ever taking his eyes from Kunzite's. He felt more sure of himself now, more confident. He knew why, as well. The crystal. He wondered vaguely what other benefits it might give him as time went on.

"Why would I do that?"

"Zoisite, I make no presumptions as to why you do anything." The old biting humor was back in his voice, his barriers back up, but Zoisite felt strangely warm all over. He reached out with two fingers for Kunzite's cheek, stopping just inches away from it and then making contact with his strangely cold yet soft skin, running his fingers down the length of it. Kunzite watched all of this with expressionless eyes, accepting it as he accepted everything. Zoisite leaned forward and kissed him tenderly, more softly than he had ever done before. He knew that his own love shaped that kiss, made it into what it was; something soft, something gentle and unhurried. Kunzite responded just as gently, perhaps knowing that Zoisite wanted and needed to be touched with something other than desire. He reached up to bury his fingers into Zoisite's hair at the nape of his neck, his other arm wrapping around Zoisite's slender waist and bringing him closer.

"Kunzite, I angered you before... I need to make it up to you," he spoke breathlessly against Kunzite's lips, but the general shook his head.

"No, it's all right Zoisite. Sometimes this place makes people do things they would never normally do."

Zoisite settled his cheek against Kunzite's chest, smiling as Kunzite toyed with his hair. "Like what?"

"Like stabbing their lover in the shoulder. You have to understand... this isn't some sanctuary we live in. This is a punishment from Serenity. The longer you stay here, the more it eats into your soul, buries who and what you used to be. After a while, you become cold, unfeeling, and you can't even remember what it's like to feel anything but hate."

"That will never happen to me," Zoisite said firmly, eyes closing to fully appreciate the sudden warmth that Kunzite was exuding, not like the sadness that had been eating away at him for so long.

"So sure, are you? It happened to me."

Zoisite stiffened as the words struck him like a blow. Kunzite's tone was cold, harsh, and Zoisite's face flushed with emotion as he looked away from him. His words couldn't have been any more hurtful if he had simply said that he didn't love him.

But... that meant that not only didn't Kunzite love him, he felt nothing for him. Didn't hate him, no, but he might as well have. In fact, it would have been better if Kunzite hated him. Like he had told Jadeite, they are two sides of the same coin. If Kunzite hated him, than it was closer to love than not feeling anything would ever be.

Kunzite felt nothing for him.

Zoisite felt tears sting into his eyes, closing them abruptly to shut them in, not allowing them to escape. Well, why should Kunzite feel anything for him? He had always been a nuisance, to everyone that had ever known him. His parents, his sister, Nephrite, and now Kunzite. Everyone that had meant something to him, he had meant nothing to them. Nothing.

"Kunzite-sama?" He forced his voice to sound casual, but there was nevertheless a single tremor as he uttered his love's name.

"Yes?"

"Do you... care for me?"

Kunzite said nothing, and for a moment Zoisite wished that he hadn't spoken up, hadn't asked.

"I... I care for you, Zoisite."

Lies, lies, when has he ever told you anything but lies?

"No, you don't. I mean nothing to you. How can I? I've never meant anything to anyone. Why should you be any different?" His words were bitter, and they tore from his mouth before he could stop them.

Kunzite pulled away to look at him, his brows furrowed in confusion, his mouth grim. "Zoisite, I..."

"No, please don't say anything," Zoisite cut him off quickly, looking away and missing the slight flash of emotion that passed over Kunzite's cold features. He shook his head emphatically; he didn't want to hear it, not from Kunzite's own lips. Hearing the words would make it final, and he didn't want that. He wanted to keep his pathetic hope that someday Kunzite would love him. Forcing a sly smile to his face, he turned back and kissed Kunzite passionately on the mouth, stifling whatever other words he might have wanted to say. When he pulled away, Kunzite's eyes were troubled.

"Don't worry, Kunzite-sama. I already know. Gods, what have we ever been to each other but a way to survive this place! That's how it was with Nephrite, and that's how it is with us. I know... you don't have to say anything." Again he stifled Kunzite's reply with a kiss, ignoring the sharp pangs of suppressed tears that threatened his eyes. With a surge of frustration, he forced them away, again smiling and ignoring the fact that it almost physically hurt him to do so.

His smile softened as Kunzite's mouth moved over his more insistently, his weight settling over him ever so slightly. Sometimes, it was simply better not to think at all.

"Aah! Damn it!" Zoisite tossed his hair back frustratedly, smoothing out his disheveled uniform as he tried to get back up with a modicum of dignity intact. Why had he thought it was a good idea to train without Kunzite-sama? It was embarrassing, falling on his ass every five seconds.

True, he had the levitation down flat. But... diverting his attention in order to attack from that position was decidedly more difficult.

He knew he had to do this... it was no use levitating away to escape an enemy if you couldn't come up with a counter attack. If Nephrite had decided to suddenly attack him with his inferior powers, Zoisite would not have been in good shape. Luckily, the auburn haired general lost focus when he was angry, just the opposite of himself.

He would have to remember that in the future.

Sighing, he stood up and levitated into the air again, closing his eyes and focusing on that alone. He slowly diverted his attention from that task, thinking about other things.

Where did Nephrite get off treating him like a common enemy? It was almost fascinating how angry he became merely by being in Zoisite's presence. Fascinating in the strange way that watching bugs scurry around on the floor is fascinating. That was all Nephrite was to him now; an insect. Something that could be squashed easily, tormented, made to suffer on a whim. He giggled to himself as he imagined Nephrite with six spindly legs, ripping off each one as the auburn haired general gasped in pain.

An interesting concept.

Zoisite opened his eyes and focused on the target in front of him, taking a deep breath and slowly strengthening his power, so that it spread throughout his body and into his hands, making them a bit warmer. He clenched his fists, feeling the power grow stronger, imagining that it was Nephrite's face he was aiming at instead of a mere, lifeless target.

Reaching out with a taut arm and splaying his fingers, Zoisite sent a strong blast of gathered energy straight into Nephrite's nose.

With a giggle, Zoisite grinned and smiled to himself as he stayed moderately airborne. Mission accomplished.

"Well done," he heard behind him, and rotated slightly in the air to face Kunzite. He was leaning against the far wall, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes narrowed. Zoisite felt a sudden shiver of mingled desire and pride. Kunzite had been watching him! He blushed furiously as he lowered himself to the floor, eyeing the hole in the target with glittering eyes.

"Damn. I thought it was Nephrite's face! Oh, well, time enough for that later." Zoisite walked towards Kunzite's lounging form shyly, meeting his eyes through his own thick lashes. Kunzite merely watched him with a bemused expression, the corner of his mouth turning upward almost imperceptibly as he tried to hide a smile.

"What are you planning, pretty one?" he asked suspiciously, eyes narrowing further but expression becoming oddly more affectionate.

Zoisite examined his nails innocently. "I don't know what you mean, Kunzite-sama. Planning?"

Kunzite gave a low chuckle, shifting ever so slightly to stand up straight, forcing Zoisite to look up at him. His eyes remained locked to Kunzite's, his own expression becoming slightly more impish as Kunzite closed the distance between them.

Slowly, Kunzite reached out with his thumb and forefinger to lift Zoisite's chin ever so slightly, his eyes puckering in something akin to scientific inquiry. Zoisite grinned, dropping his chin suddenly to take Kunzite's thumb into his mouth.

Kunzite raised one eyebrow. "Feeling better this morning?" he said huskily, his expression never wavering as Zoisite teased his thumb with his tongue. Zoisite smiled, biting down on it playfully before releasing it.

"Yes, well, a morning full of healthy exercise will do that to a person," he said with mock shyness, tucking a stray lock of blonde hair behind his ear.

"I know that look, Zoisite. You're planning something. Mind letting me in on it before you make an utter fool of yourself?"

Zoisite pretended to act nonchalant, but his eyes flashed as he was stung by those words. So, Kunzite didn't think he could do anything on his own? Well, he would make it a point in the future to prove him wrong.

"I wouldn't dream of keeping anything from you, Kunzite-sama. I was just... daydreaming."

"About?"

"Smashing Nephrite's nose in with a powerful blast of energy."

Kunzite chuckled, moving away from him ever so slightly. Zoisite felt a wave of disappointment, but forced his exterior to remain untouched by it.

"You're talent is improving. I think even Queen Beryl has noticed," Kunzite murmured, looking away from Zoisite to look at the charred target behind him.

Zoisite groaned. "Oh, yes, is that why she completely stepped over me to give Nephrite the job of collecting energy? I could do it twice as fast, if she gave me a chance to look for that damn Ginzuishou."

"You haven't told her about it yet?"

"I... assumed you would..." Zoisite's voice became slightly shy, his eyes dropping as Kunzite sighed.

"I can't do everything for you, Zoisite. You're a competent General, powerful in your own right. You have to learn to take responsibility for yourself."

Zoisite suppressed the flash of anger at this remark. Why was Kunzite acting so strange? It was almost as if he was angry, talking down to him like an uncomprehending child... almost as if he was fed up with something.

"Are you all right, Kunzite-sama?" he asked quietly.

Kunzite fixed a pair of heavy lidded silver eyes on him, his gaze unwavering, and Zoisite looked away guiltily. "Of course not. Why would you say that?"

Zoisite blushed. "You just... seem to be angry with me. Have I done something wrong?"

"No, Zoisite. Nothing. Continue with your exercises. I'll be in the Main Hall if you need me." Kunzite turned with a sweep of his cape and strode out of the room, his white hair stirring slightly as he was moving very swiftly away. Zoisite watched him with a concerned expression, then quickly hid it in case...

In case of what? He wondered. What exactly am I afraid of?

Shrugging to himself, he glanced at the target once more. No fun just blasting targets. He wanted a taste of the real thing.

He also wanted to find out what had been bothering Kunzite. Frantically, he tried to recall if he had said anything that would compromise his relationship with the white-haired general. He couldn't think of anything, and he had covered up last night's bout of depression with a good dose of indifference. In fact, he had even impressed himself.

But... could that be it? Perhaps Kunzite cared about him after all. Perhaps his nonchalance towards the situation had hurt his lover somehow.

That seemed highly unlikely. Like everything that went through his mind pertaining to Kunzite's feelings for him, it was probably just a fantasy. In fact, he was probably angry that Zoisite hadn't told Beryl about the Ginzuishou, angry that he had treated such an important matter so lightly.

All right then, he'd just have to prove him wrong.

Setting his jaw and stifling the sudden overpowering sensation of nervousness that the prospect of facing Beryl alone created, he teleported to the throne room.

Beryl didn't even glance at him when he entered. It was different than it had been the night before, almost teeming with youma, Beryl sitting calmly at the throne with her eyes narrowed as she watched it all, her fingers drumming on the arm of the throne rather than caressing the crystal ball in front of her, which was an odd change.

It suddenly occurred to him that perhaps Beryl had been... feeding off of it, as he had.

"Zoisite," she said without looking towards him. Her voice held the barest hints of annoyance as he stepped forward, refusing to meet her eyes. What if she knew? What if she punished him for taking more dark energy when he had had neither her consent nor her good will to do so? For all he knew, she was just waiting to blast him into oblivion.

But Kunzite was right. He had his own responsibilities to take care of. He couldn't rely on someone else to do all of his dirty work for him...

Or could he?

"Beryl-sama," he said politely, kneeling down on one knee and bowing his head in respect. When he looked up, to his surprise, she had a smirk on her face.

"Is there something that you want, Zoisite?"

Zoisite couldn't take his eyes from her. She seemed so... in control. So powerful. The dark power inside of her seemed to radiate from her very pores, casting a red glow around her. Why had he never seen it before?

"My Queen, I have acquired some information that could be of use to you."

Beryl raised one slender eyebrow, her smirk fading as she leaned closer. She was... dangerous. Like a caged animal, just waiting to strike out. Zoisite swallowed his fear and met her gaze without flinching, forcing himself to be confident. If she killed him, at least he could die with dignity.

"What could you possibly know that I do not?" She was mocking him now, her smile returning and her eyes flickering away just briefly to fix on a point behind him. Zoisite stiffened. He hadn't even felt Kunzite's presence...

No, not Kunzite. Nephrite had appeared behind him. He could feel it, the skin of his back tingling with the auburn haired general's presence. He whirled around to face him, a wave of anger flashing through him as he saw Nephrite's bemused expression.

"Ah, Nephrite. Zoisite was just about to tell me what information he has found for our cause. Perhaps it could be of use to you in your quest."

No... no! This isn't how it's supposed to be! The Ginzuishou is supposed to be mine!

"Of course, Queen-Beryl. I am always open to suggestion by my peers." Nephrite's expression was triumphant as he moved to stand next to Zoisite, glancing dismissively at the smaller general though the corner of his eyes. Zoisite could not help the scowl that spread over his face. This was not going according to his plan at all.

"Zoisite? I do hope that you are not wasting my time." Beryl's taunting voice called him back.

Oh, this was the worst. To be humiliated in front of Nephrite, of all people. Not only that, but he wasn't sure that Beryl didn't already know about he Ginzuishou. After all, she seemed to know about everything else. It wouldn't have surprised him if she knew about this too.

"Your majesty," he began, forcing the anger to leave his voice as he spoke through clenched teeth. Charm them, Zoisite. Use your beauty and your strength. Zoisite took a deep breath and flashed a dangerously sweet smile at Nephrite, who scowled. "It has recently come to my attention that our quest to release Metallia would be hastened if we were to find the Ginzuishou."

Beryl's eyes widened, and she stared at Zoisite as though he was a scorpion. Zoisite forced his expression to remain calm, clenching his fists at his sides as Nephrite glared at him.

"H-how did you know about that?" Beryl's voice was a hiss, tremulous with barely repressed anger, and Zoisite couldn't help but flinch. Not only does she know about it, but she is angry with me for finding it out!

"I- I heard about it. In a dream. Metallia spoke to me." The words seemed almost conceited as they escaped his lips, but he couldn't help but say it. After all, how else would he have known? And by this time he was fairly certain that the raven haired woman in his dream had in fact been Metallia.

Beryl's scowl softened, and she glanced at the crystal ball before her, staring at it expressionlessly. She looked almost... jealous? That Metallia had told him something that had been kept from her? Perhaps she hadn't know what it was... or rather what it was for...

Beryl thrust her hands onto the crystal, closing her eyes tightly, her brows furrowing as she concentrated. Despite their hatred, Nephrite and Zoisite exchanged a wary glance. Moments later, she released her hands from the crystal, opening her eyes to fix them on Zoisite. She did not look pleased with whatever answer she had found.

"It seems..." she said directly to him, forcing her voice to be calm, "That Metallia favors you. She has favored you with this vision of the Ginzuishou. Unfortunately-" Now, her gaze swept to Nephrite- "the Ginzuishou no longer exists. I happen to know that it was destroyed thousands of years ago."

Zoisite diverted his gaze to the floor, a blush creeping over him. Destroyed? But... wouldn't Metallia have known that?

"It was a very powerful crystal, no doubt capable of releasing my goddess from her prison," ...'my goddess'? Zoisite thought skeptically "If we could obtain it, Metallia would be free."

"But... if it was destroyed..." Nephrite started, then cut himself off as Beryl's razor sharp gaze cut into him.

"Metallia seems to think... rather, tells me that it still exists, though I don't see how that is possible. If you could find this Ginzuishou, it would be a great asset." Now, she spoke only looking at Nephrite, and Zoisite seethed with anger.

"Forgive me, my Queen," Zoisite cut in sharply after glancing dangerously at Nephrite, "Wouldn't it be more logical for you to assign me to this task, as I was the one who informed you of it?"

Beryl stared at him, her red eyes taking on a venomous heat. For a moment, Zoisite was sure she would blast him right then and there.

"I am assigning no one to the task, Zoisite. Whoever does find it, however, will be rewarded. The one who is left without the prize... well, simply keep in mind that I did not hesitate to punish Jadeite for his failure. You are dismissed."

"Yes, my Queen. The Moon Kingdom will be defeated, I assure you." Nephrite cast one more infuriatingly conceited glance in his direction before vanishing, but Zoisite remained where he was, staring at the floor, his face red with anger. Beryl said nothing, merely watched him in a way that was just as infuriating as Nephrite's haughty looks. He forced himself to remain calm, ignoring the rush of noise in his ears and the whispered taunts of the surrounding youma.

"Is there something else, Zoisite?" Beryl asked, her tone not even a pretense of politeness. Zoisite glared at her, seething from the taunting smile on her face, but unable to do anything about it.

"No, my Queen," Zoisite forced the words out from between clenched teeth, vanishing from her view with a flurry of pink petals. He teleported to the Training Room and erupted into a flurry of exercises, blasting every target he could find with a solid ray of deadly energy. Not fair! It was not fair! It was almost as if Beryl was trying to make him angry, to humiliate and degrade him in front of Nephrite. She seemed to be almost jealous of Metallia's favor of him, and he scowled as he blasted another ten targets merely to blow off steam.

You can't do anything right, can you?

Zoisite tossed a stray lock of hair from his eyes, glaring at the destroyed targets. It was no use. He wasn't the type to be able to relieve his anger with mindless violence. He had to do something about it, not just get frustrated. That was Nephrite's way, not his.

He sat down dejectedly in the corner of the room and glowered at the floor, his mind working furiously as he clenched his teeth to keep from screaming.

But what could he do? Beryl had been quite obvious that this was a free-for-all type of task, and that whoever the loser was would meet the same fate as Jadeite. And Nephrite had made it quite clear that he wanted to free Metallia and defeat the Moon Kingdom, rather than letting Zoisite get all the glory...

Wait a minute. How did Nephrite know about that?

Zoisite remembered that fateful day, when Kunzite had told him about the Moon Kingdom and finally indulged Zoisite's longing by becoming his lover. Kunzite had told him all of it, but before that, he had only known what Beryl chose to tell him. Everything else had been a mystery until Kunzite had confided in him...

Beryl had told Kunzite. And Jadeite and Nephrite. But not him? Why?

Zoisite glared at the floor, trying to figure this out but failing miserably in his task. It didn't make any sense? Why would Beryl treat him any differently than the others?

<< It seems... that Metallia favors you.>>

Could that be why? Beryl, jealous of one of her Generals? But why?

<< Because, she has devoted her life to me, and thinks that I should favor her above all others. I do not. You, Zoisite, are a very powerful young man. Someday, if all goes as planned, you will defeat her. With my help, of course.>>

But why? Why are you helping me?

<< I told you. You remind me of myself. Beryl becomes more and more useless as time goes by. She was a promising young woman when she first began her devotion to me, her quest for power was what led her to seek me out. But now... she cares more for her own pursuits than for mine. She is jealous of you, and she will try to destroy you once she has used you for her own gains. Do not let her, Zoisite. Do not allow her to win.>>

How? How can I defeat Beryl? I can't even defeat Nephrite, for gods' sake.

<>

What do I do?

<< Nephrite now knows about the Ginzuishou, and will try to beat you to it. >>

Yes, and?

<< Let him.>>

Zoisite remained silent for a moment...I see. You want me to let him find the Ginzuishou for me, and then kill him and steal it. That way, I kill two birds with one stone.

<< Ah, Zoisite, you are truly a cunning creature. We think alike.>>

Won't Beryl try to destroy me anyway, once I've found- er, stolen it?

<>

Yes...

Zoisite stood up from his perch on the floor, tossing his hair behind him and stretching languidly. A million strategies ran through his head as he teleported back to Kunzite's chambers, and he reappeared with a massive grin on his face.

Kunzite was writing something, and looked up distractedly when he entered. He raised one eyebrow and shut the book in which he had been writing, turning to face him.

"Well, you look like that proverbial cat that ate the canary, Zoisite," he said suspiciously. "What have you been up to?"

Zoisite smiled lazily and sat down on the bed, lounging on one elbow. "I just told Beryl about the Ginzuishou."

Kunzite's eyes widened a tenth of a millimeter. "And?"

"Nephrite showed up, of course. It seems there's going to be a competition between us after all."

Kunzite stared at him, his brows furrowing. "Why do I get the impression that you are about to do something I will regret?"

Zoisite laughed, standing up quickly to grab Kunzite's face and plant a hungry kiss on his mouth before falling back gracefully onto the bed again. "Because I am. Oh, don't worry Kunzite. I have it all planned out. I'm going to let Nephrite find the Ginzuishou for me."

Again, Kunzite looked intensely suspicious. "You're going to kill him, aren't you?"

Zoisite just smiled.

"I knew it would happen someday, Zoisite, but I hope you realize that you are playing a very dangerous game here. Nephrite is more powerful than you give him credit for, and he has more reason to hate you than you have to hate him."

Zoisite raised his eyebrows, leaning up to look at Kunzite and judge his seriousness from his expression. He looked serious enough. In fact, he looked downright worried.

"You think I don't know what I'm getting myself into. That I'll be impulsive and careless as usual and will get myself killed."

Kunzite said nothing, merely watched him as he spoke, a flicker of... something, flashing in his eyes as he said those words.

"I know what I'm doing. For once, I'll prove to you that I can take care of myself. I can prove it to everyone."

Kunzite remained silent, then stood up languidly to sit next to him on the bed, bringing him up for a kiss that was surprisingly tender and sweet, something that didn't happen often with Kunzite. Zoisite watched him, slightly fascinated, as Kunzite stroked his golden hair with that same gentle touch. "Just be careful," he murmured, his voice unusually husky and tender. Zoisite reached up to take one of his caressing hands in his own, kissing the palm slightly as he watched for Kunzite's reaction. The older General's eyes closed languidly, his breathing calmed, his thumb absently caressing Zoisite's cheek as he pressed his lips against that cool, soft flesh.

"Afraid I'll leave you for good?" Zoisite whispered, his query merely a brush of whispered air against Kunzite's skin. Kunzite opened his eyes to look at Zoisite when he said this, and then drew the younger man backwards into his arms.

"As a matter of fact... I am. You- you dull the pain of this place."

Zoisite closed his eyes and leaned back into the embrace, sighing with inner sadness but not allowing Kunzite to see that. I dull the pain... but you don't love me.

Patience, Zoisite. Patience.