Planet Bound: Venus by Marj Please e-mail your comments and constructive criticisms at . Thanks! You guessed it. Still no definitions to type down. Disclaimers: The characters of Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon were created by Naoko Takeuchi-san, its copyright owned by Toei Animation, Kodansha, Nakayoshi, Sterling Animation Inc., and many other companies scattered throughout the world. Meaning, I cannot claim the characters as my own, and am mearly borrowing them. The character Ayukawa Himeru and all the characters of the . . . umm . . . characters not found in the manga are mine. So please don't sue, as I don't earn anything from this other than the satisfaction of making a story. Chapter Eighteen: Past Betrayal "Captain! The Earthen Generals have arrived!" a lieutenant from the Moon Defense Force announced. "Thank you, lieutenant. The Senshi and I can handle things from here," Sailorvenus said. Saluting, the soldier walked away. Entering the war room where the other Inner Senshi were situated, Sailorvenus could feel the high tension inside the room. "Okay, listen up everybody! I know that the Earth was just invaded by the forces of the Dark Kingdom . . . but there could be some good news coming from the Earth Alliance. Let's all relax, all right?" After a few moments, the Earthen Generals, led by High General Kunzite, entered the room. "Good day, Sailor Senshi. We have come to deliver the news that the forces of the Dark Kingdom have indeed entered our kingdom . . ." Chaos erupted in the room. Kunzite raised his hand. "BUT . . .! Some - considerably most of - the Earthen forces are still intact and are fighting to stay alive." All of the Inner Senshi breathed a sigh of relief. But a serious look still remained on Venus's face. "How long do you think the Earthen forces can last against the Dark Kingdom?" she asked. Kunzite shrugged. "I don't know . . ." "Are they strong enough? Perhaps we should send some of our forces there . . ." Sailorjupiter suggested. Nephrite waved his hand. "I'm sure our forces will be able to handle things out on their own. The stars say so. And they're usually right." "Usually. What if they're wrong this time?" Sailormars asked. Nephrite glared at her. "Never underestimate my friend's ability, love," Jadeite said. "He knows what he's doing." "In the meantime," Zoisite said, already cuddling up beside Sailormercury, "we can spend some time together before the real battle begins." "Umm . . . Zoisite-kun . . . are you sure? I mean, this is your planet we're talking about," Mercury stammered, blushing furiously. "The planet is fine. Our forces will take good care of it. Have they ever failed us in an invasion?" "I . . . I guess not . . ." "Wait a minute. This is preposterous! Don't you all go and think that I will let you out of this room without getting anything done! Not when the whole solar system is in danger!" Venus warned, giving her Senshi a cold glare that reminded them of who the leader was. "We were not planning on going with them, Venus. We know that evil is about, and we've got duties to fulfill," Mars assured her. The blond-haired girl nodded at the Senshi of Mars. She suddenly felt an arm slide down her slender waist. "Kunzite-kun . . ." she said. "Let them be, my love. Just this once. We won't be leaving the moon until we do what we are supposed to do." Venus turned around to look at Kunzite. Was this the man who had always placed the safety of the Earth and of his prince before his own wishes? Was this the same person who had shared almost the exact same views with her about duty and responsibility? "We have to get our work done first. There will be plenty of time to be together later," she said in a harder voice. "No, there won't be. There won't be." Kunzite kissed her cheek. She swallowed hard. "Trust me, please. Just a few minutes. Then we can get back to our agenda." the Senshi of Venus thought. "If you won't let us spend some time with the ones we love, then we might as well leave," Jadeite said after a few moments of silence. "If you leave, then we will not be able to get anything done," Jupiter reminded him. "Don't you understand? When we finish our agenda, we have to go back, no questions asked," Zoisite said. Sailorvenus asked herself. Something was nagging at the back of her mind. She just couldn't tell what. "All we ask is for a few minutes. Please." She looked at her Senshi. They were looking at her, some of them obviously wanting to go but they were being restrained by her command that they stay. "All right. I'll give you five minutes," she said in defeat, leaning on the table in front of her. The generals stood up, taking their loved ones with them. "You won't regret this," Jadeite said. Mars looked up at Jadeite, still looking hesitant. Venus' mind was screaming. Mars had never been that hesitant in accepting time with her loved one before. She watched helplessly as the other generals led her reluctant Senshi out of the room. "Kunzite, I don't think this is the time for romancing . . . I mean, for god sakes, there's a planet at risk!" Kunzite locked the door when they were all alone. "Do you know the reason why we're doing this, my love?" "I'm more of confused. Why?" He went closer to her and hugged her. "Because . . . I will never see you again." Venus understood his fears. "I . . . I see. Yet, I know you'll survive, my love. And I will be waiting for you," she said, hugging him back. "You're wrong . . ." Kunzite said. "I will never see you again . . ." "Kunzite . . . please, don't say that. You'll live through this." "You're right. Unfortunately, you won't." Venus's eyes widened and she tried to push him away, but she was too late. Kunzite stabbed her in the back with a long knife. She clutched her chest where the knife had gone through as she fell to the ground. She stared up at Kunzite and finally saw what had been bothering her since he had first entered the war room. His eyes were not the warm gray that she remembered. They were ice cold now. "Ku . . . Kunzite . . . why . . . ?" she asked weakly. "Yes, there are some Earthen forces fighting against the Dark Kingdom. But did we say they were ours? We said our forces will be victorious, and those are the forces of the almighty Queen Beryl!!!" Kunzite laughed evilly. " . . . no . . . you can't be . . . the Dark Kingdom couldn't have . . . Kunzite . . . please . . ." He leaned down and fingered the outline of her face. "Too bad you had to be the leader of the Senshi, or you would have been the last to die. But since you are, then you had to go first, for a group without a leader is already down for the count." Venus was losing blood fast. She cried for letting her guard down, she cried for herself. She cried for her love. "Ku . . . Kunzi . . . te . . .” With extreme difficulty, she reached out to gently touch the hand that was touching her face. The warm, familiar touch of her loving hand startled Kunzite. He closed his eyes as the warmth filled him. Suddenly, as if awaking from a deep sleep, he glanced up and observed his surroundings. Someone was knocking - no, hitting the door with all his might. He looked down and stared at the dying Senshi in front of him . . . "No . . . no . . . what have I done? NOOO!" he cried, cradling the Senshi in his arms. "My love . . ." Venus's vision was impaired from lack of blood, but she could feel Kunzite's tears falling down her already wet cheeks. She smiled weakly at him, glad that he had returned to her. He embraced her gently. "I'm sorry . . ." he whispered. "Don't . . . let me go," Venus pleaded, barely above a whisper. She felt Kunzite's lips graze against hers. There was a loud noise, like something had been broken. She could hear people shouting, but she could not understand. All she cared about was that her love was there with her. But she was wrong. After they kissed, she heard him cry out in pain. Through her blurred vision, she could see something dark enveloping her love, slowly making him disappear. It was not long before she could not feel his loving hands on her immobile body. She could feel no warmth from his vanished presence. Someone else was holding her, not with love, but with urgency. She didn't know where they were taking her, and she didn't care. She wanted to be held by him again, not by those who were presently causing her pain. She suddenly felt hollow, as though something had been ripped away from her. And she cried as she finally realized one startling truth before she mercifully passed out. Her loved one was dead.