Zoisite was met at the house by Kunzite. He smiled, proving his mouth wasnÕt permanently set in a look of disapproval.
ÒThen weÕre having a baby?Ó he whispered. Zoisite nodded vigorously. Kunzite wrapped her in his strong arms and held her close to his heart.
ÒIÕm so excited,Ó she breathed.
That day was supposed to be a day for Zoisite to train on her own. The morning, of course, had been used up thanks to more important matters, but after a celebratory lunch with Kunzite, Zoisite felt she should at least make an appearance down at the practice arena.
ÒDo you want me to come with you?Ó
ÒNo, IÕm a big girl now; I think I can find the place on my own, mÕlord,Ó Zoisite said with a wink. ÒBesides, you-Ó
ÒI was just think-Ó
Zoisite bowed her head. ÒSorry, go ahead.Ó
ÒNo, nothing, what were you saying?Ó
ÒJust Ôbesides, you wouldnÕt want to shove the whole defense plan onto SphaleriteÕs plate, would you?ÕÓ
Kunzite chuckled. ÒYouÕre right. HeÕs already feeling a bit neglected.Ó
ÒAll right, then IÕm off.Ó Zoisite backed out of the room. ÒIÕll be over for dinner unless youÕre busy...Ó
ÒNo, of course not.Ó
ÒTrying to work off some extra weight, Zoisite?Ó
ÒHah, Jadeite, I didnÕt know comedy was part of your repertoire.Ó Her pause for conversation weakened her concentration and her shield, letting an attack get through. ÒDamn it!Ó she yelled, clutching her injured hand. To the youma opposite her, she made a dismissive gesture with her head. ÒAnd,Ó she pivoted around and continued, ÒI most certainly do not have extra weight!Ó Zoisite shoved Jadeite lightly in the shoulder.
ÒHeh, just teasing my favorite female general.Ó He shoved her back. ÒSo really, whatÕs new? I havenÕt seen you in a while.Ó
ÒI know! Ages, right?Ó What was new? What wasnÕt new, the question should have been! She had a whole other person inside of her that he knew nothing about. Suddenly she felt the news of her baby was bubbling inside her like a cauldron ready to overflow, and she told Jadeite the story sheÕd told Queen Beryl in a tumbling, rushing mass of words.
ÒThe babyÕs KunziteÕs, isnÕt it?Ó
It had slipped her mind somehow that Jadeite knew about her teacher and her. ÒShhh!Ó she yelled, glancing to both sides at all the others in the arena.
Zoisite smiled. ÒBut yes, it is.Ó
ÒThatÕs fabulous!Ó
ÒYou wonÕt breathe a word of this to anyone.Ó She became suddenly harsh. ÒSwear it!Ó
ÒI wouldnÕt think of telling.Ó
Zoisite was crudely awaken by a feeling of intense nausea. Pupils dilated in the light of the barely-realized dawn, she slid out of bed and into the bathroom. Zoisite caught sight of her sallow complexion in the mirror. A disgusting encounter, made worse when her cheeks bloated and she was forced to bend over the toilet.
The sound of retching is never a pleasant one to be roused by, especially if one was awaken in a displeasing manner the morning before as well. Kunzite wanted nothing more at that moment to roll over and and occupy the extra space in his bed that had just been created, but on the other hand, he could never forgive himself if he didnÕt check on his little student.
Kunzite lumbered into the washroom, blinking the sleep out of his eyes.
ÒOh, Zoisite,Ó The sight of his lover that met his eyes there, blood drained from her face and fists balled up with pain, caused him to drop to his knees and wrap his arms around the tiny, shivering figure. ÒWere you drinking again last night?Ó
Zoisite shook her head greenly. Her voice was only a weak cry. ÒNo, Lord Kunzite, I swear!Ó
ÒWell, you canÕt be sick, your magically-enhanced immune-Ó
For once she interrupted him, ÒNo, my lord, itÕs morning si-Ó She stopped. Kunzite felt Zoisite swallow and her head jerk forward slightly as if in spasm. He pushed her head lightly to the side to face the toilet again.
When she was done, he replied, ÒI know itÕs morning already, Zoisite. DonÕt worry about it; I wonÕt be making you go to Sparring in this condition.Ó
She curled up, knees to chest, and lay across his lap, chuckling a bit, if sickly. ÒMorning sickness, Lord Kunzite,Ó she whispered. Kunzite stayed with her, rocking her gently for a few minutes until he decided to scoop her up and place her back in bed.
ÒJust in case,Ó he said when he conjured a large bowl. She smiled wanly and let him go make her breakfast. Even if his fried eggs were always a little overdone, so were hers.
Kunzite returned via the stairs, a plate of food and a goblet of juice balanced above his hand as if on an invisible tray. Zoisite rushed out to meet him, clean, dressed, and looking ready to go.
ÒHey, love, I was feeling a lot better, so-Ó
ÒBACK into bed, Zoisite. You are SICK.Ó
ÒBut-Ó
ÒBut nothing.Ó Kunzite turned her around with his free hand and marched her back into the bedroom. Obligingly she climbed back into the four poster and picked up the plate of eggs. As expected, they were browner and crisper than most liked. Cooking with a magical fire was difficult indeed. She finished, took a swig of orange juice, and hopped up.
ÒThank you for making breakfast, my lord. I feel fine, can I go?Ó
Kunzite sighed. ÒI wonÕt stop you. But if toss your cookies on one of my subordinates, I expect an apology.Ó He winked and put an arm around her waist. ÒOne more thing: the four generals are having a meeting ten hours after daybreak at your house. I meant to tell you after dinner last night, but you, well...Ó
ÒFell asleep on the couch most inopportunely?Ó Zoisite asked. He nodded. ÒItÕs alright,Ó she said. ÒFour oÕ clock, my place, then?Ó She walked downstairs and the half mile it took to get out of the range of the hampering wards.
ÒWhat to do with me? I donÕt need you guys to do anything with me!Ó she exclaimed. ÒAnd I will never be too big to continue with my work!Ó
ÒYou asked what the meeting was about Zoisite...Ó Jadeite responded.
ÒWell IÕm not happy with the answer.Ó With a Òhmph,Ó Zoisite crossed her arms.
Nephrite teleported in, glad that the only female general had no force-fields against teleportation. It was so much easier to make a stylish entrance this way. The other three attendees to the meeting were already there; heÕd come late, of course.
ÒAh, Nephrite,Ó Zoisite greeted him. ÒI was wondering where youÕd gotten to. Not to Hell as IÕd hoped, I see.Ó To her surprise, Nephrite did not join in the banter, only flashed an alligator smile.
His gaze moved from Zoisite to her teacher as he remarked, ÒYou must be very proud.Ó
Kunzite stared saucer-eyed for only a moment before his facade of composure was back. ÒWhy should I be proud, Nephrite? IÕm very disappointed. Zoisite should not be so careless in her sexual excursions.Ó
Zoisite looked fixedly at her boots in an attempt to seem crestfallen.
ÒYou fools,Ó Nephrite took a seat in an armchair. ÒI know.Ó
Zoisite glared at Jadeite, who made a face. She couldnÕt believe he had betrayed her confidence, and to Nephrite of all people!
ÒSo Jadeite knows too, eh?Ó he commented. ÒDonÕt waste your dirty looks on him, Zoisite, itÕs not his fault you two are so obvious.Ó He leaned back. ÒAnd now youÕve had a baby. If it comes out with white hair and blue eyes, do you think your story will still be believed?Ó
Zoisite instinctively reached for KunziteÕs hand, hoping he would say something to make it all better. What she really wanted to reach for was something to throw at this sneering man.
Nephrite noticed KunziteÕs eyes piercingly staring at him. Malicious intent was expressed very clearly. ÒYou wouldnÕt hurt a friend just to keep your dirty little secret under wraps, would you?Ó he said, trying to break the hostile silence.
ÒFriend or no, Nephrite,Ó Kunzite replied darkly, ÒIf you so much as hint to anyone that ZoisiteÕs report to the queen was untrue, I will personally slit your throat.Ó
ÒOo, IÕm scared,Ó he mocked. He knew, however, that Kunzite would make good his threat. He continued a minute later, ÒFine.Ó
No one talked again for what seemed like forever, the tension was such in that room. Zoisite alternated glaring at Nephrite and looking worriedly at her lover. Kunzite rubbed the hand that he held in an effort to warm his studentÕs fingers. Nephrite seemed to sulk as he examined his nails, and Jadeite was unable to take the silence for very long. ÒOkay, Ò he said, trying to sound cheerful. ÒWeÕll reconvene at a later date. Everyone go home!Ó he said with a forced laugh.
ÒOne week good for everyone?Ó Kunzite asked. Affirmative mutters came from around the room.
ItÕs not the end... but IÕm having a bit of writerÕs block... I canÕt figure out how the story should end. Feel free to e-mail me with suggestions.
