Zoisite landed neatly on the roof of one of the large Earth buildings. It was...a strange sensation. He had no recollection of Earth being like this; it was oddly fresh, heady and strong with the mingled scents of the people walking below him and the clear, crisp air filled with all of the sweet fragrances of spring. The sky was so clear; it called up memories inside him, of sitting on the banks of the lake, watching the stars through the holes in the canopy of pink flowers overhead. He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath of the air and letting it clear his head of some heavy dullness that had been there for so long he'd forgotten what it felt like to go without it. He knew what it was... it was the darkness. It was being chased further inside of him by the goodness all around him. He had never really appreciated the innocence of this place, not until Kunzite brought him to a place where there was none to be found.

But I don't regret it. I'd rather spend an eternity of darkness with him than spend one day of freedom without.

He narrowed his eyes as he saw a familiar figure walking the street below him, leaning forward both to get a closer look and to hide himself against the dark blue backdrop of the night sky. Nephrite was strolling the sidewalk, wearing Earth garb, some sort of expensive suit that even Zoisite could appreciate by way of fashion, his hands in his pockets and his head bowed. He shuffled his feet slightly as he walked, exuding an air of confidence despite his carefree attitude, and people on either side of him gazed at him with a mixture of awe and of fear. They knew not to get too close, perhaps sensing the power he possessed as a deer senses the hunter nearby, but too fascinated by the wealth and power, and yes, even beauty that he emanated to run away. They were cast in his spell of glamour, caught up in the false image of him as a rich, kind benefactor, and not really listening to their instincts which screamed to run from him as fast as they could.

Zoisite chuckled to himself. How quaint.

He leapt to the next building, his strengthening talents of levitation allowing him to jump with more ease and gracefulness than usual, and he grinned as he cleared the small space between them with an elegant leap, like a dancer.

He again moved to the ledge of the building, peering down to watch Nephrite walk again. It was terribly boring, watching him stroll down the sidewalk as if he owned it. But he was determined to find something that he could use against the auburn haired general. He already knew that his anger made him weak, which was strange. He had never seen Nephrite when he wasn't angry in the past, had wondered if such a state even existed, but watching him now, he could sense the power in him. It was greater than he had thought, and he realized that he would need to be careful. He scowled. Careful was definitely not his area of expertise.

Suddenly, Zoisite heard something from below that caught his attention. A young red haired girl, not possibly any older than fourteen, bounded up to him with ceaseless energy, calling out a false name with her high, girlish voice.

Nephrite turned around, annoyed, when he heard it. The girl smiled sweetly at him, slowing to a walk when she reached his side, hugging her elbows with her hands as she strolled next to him. Zoisite strained to hear better.

"...thought maybe you'd like to go for a sundae or something. You seem so lonely, out here by yourself."

Zoisite almost burst out laughing as he heard this. Imagine! A fourteen year old mooning over Nephrite! It was almost too funny!

"I have too many things to do, Naru. No time for such trivial pleasures, I apologize."

That was even funnier! Oh, he was being so polite, but his annoyance was evident from beneath his cool exterior. Zoisite knew when he was annoyed, could almost sense it because it was so strong, but Nephrite was being kind to her. That... didn't make any sense.

For some reason, it made Zoisite feel almost... angry.

"Oh, please Sanjouin! It would mean so much to me!"

Zoisite rolled his eyes, but nevertheless strained to hear his reply.

"Like I said, I have other obligations. Perhaps some other time, Naru."

The girl left him dejectedly, her head hanging in defeat, and as she walked away Zoisite noticed that Nephrite watched her, followed her with his eyes until she was out of view. Then, he shook his head as if to clear it, and continued walking.

Well, this was interesting. Nephrite, having lustful thoughts about a young human girl? But then... why would he just dismiss her like that? It would have been more Nephrite-like to lead her on and then just take her as a lover, discarding her when he was done. It was simply the way Nephrite was, the way he'd always been... hadn't it?

But something made him want to remember soulful blue eyes and a light tipped smile on that face he usually associated with hate and scorn. Why? Why was he remembering this, of all things? Surely Nephrite had never been anything but a harsh, hateful lover, someone who merely wanted him for violent sex and didn't care about or appreciate his fragile beauty the way Kunzite did. Of course, he had never even pretended to love Nephrite. He had openly scorned him and embarrassed him in front of both Jadeite and Kunzite.

Kunzite...

Despite himself, he was eager to get back to the Dark Kingdom and simply forget all about his problems in the warmth of Kunzite's arms, perhaps convince him to take a little time off of whatever it was he did these days to engage in more... stimulating pursuits.

But this girl with Nephrite was certainly an interesting development. A lot could happen to a young girl like that, who had unknowingly latching onto a very dangerous soldier of the Dark Kingdom. A soldier with many enemies. She could become a target for those enemies. Enemies like Zoisite.

Smirking to himself, he vanished in a whirl of cherry blossoms and his smile widened as he saw Kunzite pacing the room, waiting for him. Kunzite looked up with raised eyebrows as he appeared, stopping in mid step to stare at him.

"It seems our dear Nephrite has a female admirer." He walked forward to lose himself in the warmth of Kunzite's arms, just as he'd fantasized about moments earlier, but was suddenly caught by a strong surge of desire. Titling his face upward, he caught Kunzite's mouth with his own and kissed him hungrily, desperately, using his greatest talents to try and arouse Kunzite's interest in a little amusement before he went off by himself to train. It didn't take much coaxing on his part. Despite the fact that Kunzite... didn't love him... he responded to the smallest of Zoisite's touches with a desire that matched his own. It was extremely flattering, even if it meant nothing.

Kunzite steered him toward the bed, his deft fingers barely struggling with the buttons of his uniform. Within seconds, it was cast off to the floor, so that he was only clad in his trousers and boots. Kunzite lowered him onto the bed, running his hands greedily along his chest, then lowering his face to tease his nipple elusively with his tongue. Zoisite stiffened, letting out a small cry of surprise as Kunzite bit it teasingly. Kunzite's attraction to him was merely physical... though it was undeniable that he did care about Zoisite just a little, sort of like a fond affection. It wasn't love... but Zoisite was finding that little fact easier to ignore each day. He smiled to himself, burying his fingers in Kunzite's hair and tilting his head back, a small sigh escaping his lips. This was where he loved to be, this was the only thing worth all of the trouble he went to. Defeating Nephrite, finding the ginzuishou... it was all for him, for Kunzite, so that he could love Zoisite with the same fervor that Zoisite loved him. When he proved himself worthy of that love, he was sure it would be given freely, with no more hesitation on Kunzite's part.

He was sure of it.

"What are you planning?" Kunzite's question was a vibrating breath of warm air on his stomach, and he shivered, giggling as he pulled Kunzite upward to kiss him ravenously. When he pulled away, Kunzite's eyes were hard.

"Oh, don't worry about it. It'll all work out. Nephrite couldn't defeat a two year old..." Zoisite smothered Kunzite's mouth again, trying to wrench some sort of reaction from him, but Kunzite was adamant.

"Zoisite, this is a dangerous game your playing."

Zoisite sighed, sitting up and straightening his hair, which had become horribly disarray. He looked at Kunzite sideways, still extremely aroused but knowing that when Kunzite wanted an answer, he could become rather torturous at the least opportune of moments. Better that he just tell him now, then have to tell him when he could no longer form coherent thought.

"I'm going to use this girl to get to him, somehow. She has an effect on him... he might not be able to see it, but I can. It's... the way he looks at her, the way he's nice to her even though he would usually blast someone so annoyingly cheerful. He might even be in love with her..."

Kunzite frowned, his gaze never wavering. "You really want to hurt him."

Zoisite looked at him, startled. He'd never heard Kunzite sound so... forlorn. He shrugged, tucking a stray lock of hair behind his ear and looking up at the ceiling to try and escape the heat of that gaze.

"Why shouldn't I want to hurt him? That's all he's ever done to me."

Kunzite frowned even harder, something like regret flashing in his eyes as he pulled Zoisite toward him. Zoisite, awed and slightly confused by this sudden gesture of warmth, turned in Kunzite's arms to look into his eyes.

"You don't trust me."

"It isn't that, Zoisite. I have no doubt that you can do it."

"Then what is it?"

"I think you will regret it, if you do."

Zoisite frowned, pulling away from him. Regret it? Why would he possibly regret it? It was a showdown, between him and Nephrite. If he didn't win...

"Would you rather I let him find the ginzuishou and resign myself to my own fate when Beryl puts me in my own crystal for eternal suffering?"

Kunzite flinched, looking away from him as though he couldn't bear to do otherwise. He shook his head.

"No, Zoisite." He frowned. "Do what you will. Just... try not to get yourself killed in the process."

Zoisite grinned, moving closer to his lover and pulling his face towards him with one insistent hand on his cheek. Kunzite's eyes were hard, like ice, showing no emotion. Zoisite wondered if that was what he truly felt, or if it was just a mask to hide what he was really feeling...

That is, if he was able to feel.

He pressed his lips to Kunzite's in a gentle gesture, almost asking for forgiveness for whatever it was Kunzite was so upset about. Kunzite pulled him closer, wrapping both arms around his waist and responding to his gentleness with his own fervent desire.

When they finally pulled away from each other, Zoisite was flushed, his lips swollen from the force of the kiss, but Kunzite was reserved as always, his eyes showing nothing but coldness. Zoisite leaned into his chest, smiling to himself when Kunzite held him tightly in his arms.

Kunzite may have seemed to be an icy bastard to others, but Zoisite knew differently.

Kunzite was his icy bastard.

"Oh, dear Nephrite, what are you up to now?"

Zoisite leaned over the side of the railing in the loft of Nephrite's mansion. He was... chanting something, speaking to his "stars". Zoisite suppressed a giggle as the walls around him seemed to glow, to become animate.

Nephrite still had no idea of what Zoisite was planning. He knew exactly what Nephrite thought, that he was an incompetent baby who couldn't do anything for himself. Well, he would prove everyone wrong when he destroyed Nephrite. Everyone. Not even Beryl would be able to keep him from his happiness. He was sure that once Nephrite found the ginzuishou, everything would be fine.

Something was glowing in front of Nephrite, and Zoisite peered at it to try and figure out what it was. He saw Nephrite smile, his eyes triumphant, as a long black crystal fell into his outstretched palm.

Zoisite's eyes narrowed. What was this? Had Nephrite actually found the ginzuishou already? But... that couldn't be, this crystal was dark, not silver. Straining his ears, he could just barely hear Nephrite speak.

"At last, the kurozuishou. Now, I will be able to find the silver crystal wherever it is hidden, and I will at last be rid of that hyena Zoisite."

Zoisite scowled, but stopped himself from giving Nephrite a nice friendly blast in the behind. No... he had to learn patience, to wait until the time was right...

Perhaps he wouldn't need Nephrite to find the ginzuishou. If he stole this strange crystal that Nephrite had found, then he could find it himself, without taking the risk of Nephrite using it against him once he had it. Yes... that was the more logical way to do this. Now, he only needed to figure out how he was going to kill Nephrite...

He grinned. Oh, he knew exactly how to do it! He'd been contemplating this for awhile, just how he was going to make Nephrite suffer. He thought his idea had been a stroke of pure genius... obviously, it was.

He vanished in a flurry of blossoms, leaving before Nephrite sensed him and realized what he was up to. He teleported to the throne room, moving immediately to the where the youma stood, watching their Queen absorb energy. If she knew he was there, she gave no indication of it. She merely stared into the crystal, concentrating.

He found exactly what he was looking for. In his time in the Dark Kingdom, Kunzite had given him an overview of the youma, telling him that they would be at his disposal whenever he wished. There were three in particular that he thought could suit his needs, three female demons with various abilities, all which worked together for a common goal; the needs of whatever general wanted their service. He grinned at them, approaching them cautiously despite his knowledge that they would not dare harm him.

Each had their mouths and noses covered by some sort of material, and he wondered what they looked like under their masks; probably hideous. They watched him approach with slight interest.

"Please, come with me," he asked with a malicious gleam in his eye. One raised its eyebrows, the other two looked at each other in confusion, but they did as he bade. He didn't want Beryl to know his plans... not yet, anyway, and thought it more prudent to tell the youma on Earth, where Beryl did not have supreme authority to know and see what she wanted. They teleported after him, and looked around curiously as they saw that they had reappeared on the roof of an Earth building. Nephrite was somewhere below them, Zoisite could feel it. He had taken his kurozuishou in order to search some likely places that the ginzuishou might be found in. Zoisite grinned, and then turned to the three female youma.

"I want Nephrite dead," he said simply, raising his eyebrows at them. "How loyal are you willing to be?"

One of the youma stepped forward, her eyes reflecting slight fear, and he felt a wave of triumph. Obviously, they were not going to go against him.

"We will do whatever you bid us, Lord Zoisite."

Lord Zoisite? This was interesting. He had only ever been called 'general' before. He raised one eyebrow, his gaze flickering from one to the other.

"I understand that you can absorb the energy of an enemy when one of your tendrils pierces the flesh. Is this true?"

"Yes, Lord Zoisite."

"Ah, very good. I want you to lure Nephrite into a relatively secluded place, like a factory or abandoned building, and kill him. Only..."

"Yes?"

"I want him stabbed in the shoulder. Is this understood? It has to be the shoulder."

The youma exchanged glances, but didn't dare ask him why. They merely nodded.

"But- Lord Zoisite.."

"Yes?"

"How will we lure him there?" She asked, her eyes nervously avoiding his own. He grinned, looking down at the sidewalk below them, where "Sanjouin Masoto" was trying to ignore a small, red haired girl who was running after him.

"Kidnap her, the girl who's fawning after him. That should get him interested enough."

The youma grinned, exchanging glances, and Zoisite took one more look downward to see Nephrite eyeing the girl warily as she spoke in a lovelorn voice to him. He still didn't know how he felt about her...

Well, Zoisite would change that, and when he did it would be too late.

"And... ladies?"

They turned to him, eyes wide, afraid perhaps that he had changed his mind and decided to kill them for some reason. He only smiled beautifully at them.

"Don't fail me."

Zoisite teleported back to the Dark Kingdom, unable to keep the smirk from his face. He collapsed onto the bed, feeling Kunzite's presence next to him almost as quickly as he had appeared. He kept his eyes closed, smiling when he felt a cool, delicate finger trace down the length of his cheek.

"You've done it."

Zoisite smiled, leaning into the touch without opening his eyes. "What did you expect, Kunzite-sama? I said I was going to have my revenge, and now I will have it. Nephrite won't even suspect a thing until it's too late."

"And you're sure it will work? How do you know he'll go after her?"

Only now did Zoisite open his eyes, fixing his own on Kunzite's as the general leaned over him, his smile faded as he grew more serious.

"Because if I were him, I would do anything to save the one I loved."

Kunzite's eyes flickered away from him as he said this, and he ignored the twinge of pain he felt at that wordless rejection. It had only been implied love, yes, but... Kunzite knew. He had always known. It was no use denying that anymore.

"And you think he will do the same as you?"

Zoisite smirked, capturing Kunzite's hand and pressing it into his cheek as he closed his eyes. "I know him, I know how he thinks. He pretends to be so hard and uncaring, but when push comes to shove, he'll do what is... 'right'."

Kunzite frowned and pulled away from him, his eyes hard.

"And what is 'right', Zoisite?"

"Sacrificing himself for his human love. What could be more right than that?"

His plan was working, Zoisite could feel it.

Not long after he'd charged his three female youmas to do his 'dirty' work for him, he'd felt the intense drop in Nephrite's power. He'd been 'watching' them, more with his senses than his eyes, keeping tabs on how the youma were faring. They seemed to be doing well enough, kidnapping the girl, luring Nephrite into the park...

But he was literally pacing with anticipation. He wanted to see it. It was no fun, just sitting here and allowing it to happen. No fun at all. He wanted to see Nephrite in agony, desperate for mercy, pleading... he giggled. Oh, yes, that would be the most fun. To see the tears in Nephrite's eyes as they had once been in his own. Yes, that would be the ultimate revenge.

Setting all of his caution aside, he teleported to the park, hovering in the air to watch the scene unfold.

Nephrite was sitting under a tree, with Naru next to him, talking to her. He had been injured... but that was all. Zoisite frowned. Could he have possibly underestimated Nephrite? Perhaps the youma were already dead.

But... no. He could feel their approach, thought Nephrite was too weak to. The red haired girl, Naru?, was wrapping his wound in a strip of her nightshirt, her eyes huge with unshed tears, and Zoisite almost rolled his eyes. How could anyone care about Nephrite enough to cry over him? It was just too funny...

He pulled back into the shadows as the youma approached the lovebirds, immediately grinning as he saw Nephrite kneel in front of Naru to protect her.

Oh, silly general. Don't you know that it's you they're after?

The youma had the two of them surrounded, and Nephrite was glaring at them defiantly while he motioned for Naru to stay behind him with one hand. She complied, the fear in her eyes not for herself but for... Nephrite.

Zoisite frowned. This was... odd. He'd half expected the girl to be scared stiff for herself. That she was actually fearful for Nephrite...

Well, why would anyone care about that bastard anyway?

One of the youma thrust it's plantlike tendrils towards Nephrite, and he thought it was aimed at Naru. He pitched forward, trying to protect her...

Zoisite grinned as Nephrite fell to the ground, his shoulder pierced by the energy-absorbing tendrils of his youma. This was it! The moment he had been waiting for ever since he and Nephrite had become enemies...

But then... why wasn't he enjoying it more?

Nephrite's face was twisted in pain, the electric quality of the tendrils absorbing his energy. Zoisite peered more closely, waiting for the surge of triumph to come over him. But... wait- Nephrite was bleeding... green?

What was this? He and Nephrite were both humans! Why was his blood green? It had to be something about the weapon the youma had used against him, had to be...

But why... green?

Zoisite finally had had enough of standing on the sidelines, watching Nephrite die. He teleported more closely to Nephrite, hovering in the air over him. Nephrite seemed to sense this immediately, ignoring the frantic crying of Naru beside him and fixing his hate filled blue eyes on Nephrite.

But... again, an image filled his mind. Those eyes, he remembered seeing them softer. Why? Why was he remembering that, if it had never happened? Nephrite had always hated him, from the beginning. It had always been that way.

He planted both feet firmly on the ground and approached Nephrite cautiously, aware that despite his loss of energy, he was still strong, and could still attack. Nephrite made no move to stop him, merely watched with pure hatred in his eyes.

Zoisite knelt before him, ignoring both the stares of the youma and of Naru, and merely fixed his eyes on Nephrite's. Those blue eyes never wavered, but they did soften a bit as Zoisite gazed into them. Without knowing why, he moved brushingly close to Nephrite's lips, looking up into his eyes and wondering why... why he wasn't suddenly filled with malice? This was his moment! This was the end of his most hated nemesis!

Zoisite frowned. "We meant something to each other once... didn't we?"

His voice was merely a whisper against Nephrite's mouth, and the auburn haired general's scowl softened into a frown. His eyes were suddenly... sorrowful. Sad. Zoisite was fascinated, and couldn't tear his own eyes away.

He kissed Nephrite gently, cupping Nephrite's cheek with his palm and pulling him closer. The general stiffened at first, but then kissed him back just as gently.

What are you doing, Zoisite? He tortured you for all that time! He is your enemy! Have you forgotten how much pain you were in for so long? He's only ever been out to get you, to destroy you before you destroy him. This is a trick.

Zoisite opened his eyes, finally noticing Naru beside them. Her eyes were wide, tears streaming down her cheeks, her mouth wide open in shock. Zoisite frowned... why was he hurting these people? What had they done to him?

You're weak, Zoisite! Kunzite will never love a weakling who is afraid to do what needs to be done. Remember, it is either you... or him. Beryl will not accept mercy.

The rushing started in his ears again, blocking out his conscious thought, rage taking the place of the pity he felt. He remembered that day, when Nephrite had stabbed him, and the voices had been so loud... so taunting, but no one had cared! Except Kunzite. And this was the only way that he and Kunzite could be together as they were meant to be.

Zoisite's lips curled upward maliciously at Naru, and then he looked back at Nephrite, who had become suddenly serene. He didn't look angry anymore, just confused... and Zoisite didn't like it.

Well, he could change that.

Smiling sweetly, and noting the trust in Nephrite's eyes, he grabbed one of the tendrils with his gloved hand and pushed it farther into Nephrite's shoulder.

"Auugh!" Nephrite winced in pain, the hatred suddenly coming back to life in his eyes as though he'd been awakened from a trance. Naru screamed, lurching towards him with fearful eyes on his attacker, and Zoisite stood up, brushing off his clothes in disgust.

"Where is the kurozuishou, Nephrite dear? Give it to me."

"Go to hell!" Nephrite growled. Zoisite leaned down suddenly and grabbed his hair, pulling it backward. He smiled as he noticed that Nephrite's unwounded arm had a clenched fist. He traced down Nephrite's arm with one finger, smiling teasingly as he did so, but Nephrite only scowled.

"Hm, could this be it?"

He tugged harder on Nephrite's hair, causing the general to lose his grip on the crystal, and then snatched it away with the deftness of a thief. Smiling at the youma, he floated languidly upwards as Nephrite watched him with an expression of pure hatred. He couldn't help but laugh at that look. It was just so amusing!

"Carry on, ladies. Just make sure the job gets done right."

He teleported away, Naru's frightened screams and Nephrite's moans of agony following him like wraiths as he disappeared into the waiting silence of the Dark Kingdom.