Zoisite is now a guy in my notes because one: I couldn't have done it gender-neutral like the story, and two: gradually over time I stopped liking Zoisite-as-a-female as much (made it difficult to rework my second fanfic, if you can imagine ~.~).
The passage I'm referring to is in red.
Weakling is one of the worst insults in the Dark Kingdom. Beryl weeds out the weak people from her ranks. In short, if you're weak, you're dead.
Zoisite was just labeled inadequate. He's not about to show that he needs help.
Zoisite really doesn't think he's worthy of Kunzite. His teacher's been criticizing him for too long, and it's interfered with his tendency toward being arrogant.
Zoisite can't prove that he's strong after Kunzite defeated him so easily, so he gives in and lets his superior help him up.
Kunzite now knows that Zoisite is actually afraid of him. Zoisite is shivering with the fear of rebuke and physical pain from his teacher. Kunzite is showing that a slap is not the only way he can touch someone.
Zoisite is expecting a harsh gesture from his teacher, what he's known all his life. Instead, Kunzite responds with kindness, and it's almost too much for him.
Kunzite is finally realizing how much he's hurting Zoisite. He knew he was being cruel to his student, but Zoisite's mask of toughness never let him see that he wasn't strong enough to take it.
Kunzite wants to prove to Zoisite that he's not exploiting, mocking, or fooling him. He knows his pupil has no reason to trust him, but this seemingly simple gesture does its job. It's still the most affection he's shown to anyone in more than a decade.
Zoisite is totally being dramatic. His friendship with Jadeite is fine, and it will certainly not be the longest two days of his life.
Nephrite is calling him weak again. That'swhy he gets so mad. Plus he doesn't even want to be there...
Kunzite is proud of Zoisite's determination, and he knows it. He also wouldn't reprimand Zoisite so soon after his outburst about how much Kunzite criticizes his work.
Zoisite has no intention of complying, but when he's really serious about it, he won't allow witnesses.
Zoisite feels safe when Kunzite is in the room down the hall, ready to protect him from anything. Even when he thought he wasn't worthy to be with him, he knew Kunzite's honor would never let him allow harm to come to his pupil.
Jadeite actually infers more than Zoisite implies, but he still hits it right on the nose. Talking about missing Kunzite was, of course, an extremely stupid mistake on Zoisite's part.
Jadeite still sees Zoisite as the scared little boy he was when he first arrived. Jadeite was nice to him, and he didn't trust him. Even so, it's that skill that saves many Dark Kingdom residents from being stabbed in the back, Jadeite can't be too upset.
