Hi all!
          This story is dedicated to Cairnsy and her soulbonds Nephrite and Jedeite. I hope you enjoy this one guys! :) 
          This story isn't a lemon but I thought it should have a strong warning as it contains a rather voilent sceen. Please do not read this if that sort of thing bothers you. 
          As always I do not own these characters and am only borrowing them for this story.
                Hugs 
                Shara


Damned If You Do; Damned If You Don't

In the dark realm of the negaverse a Queen presided over a court that looked like it had been formed from out of nightmares.  Monsters of every size a verity filled the cavernous great room. At the head of the throng stood four handsome men. The generals of the dark kingdom stood quietly at attention while their leader fumed. Queen Beryl scowled angrily at the youngest of her generals. Jadeite was a handsome blond man who stood apart from the other three generals.  Tapping her long claw like fingernails against the armrest of her throne Beryl narrowed her eyes. "I grow impatient Jadeite. Have you anything to show from your plans yet?  

Bowing humbly Jadeite spoke with his eyes downcast.," Not yet my queen. But I have thought of a new plan that is sure to work."

Zoisite shook his head, his long blond hair shimmered in the light as it swayed with his motion. Lifting a delicate hand to cover his smirk he let out a small bark of laughter. "That sounds familiar. Are you certain your little plan will work this time?"

Ignoring the older general, Jadeite waved a hand at one of his minions. The female demon that looked like a bad cross between a human and a bat bowed before darting from the room. When the demon returned she was holding a large plant bulb. Simpering at her master she handed the bulb over to the general. Jadeite didn't even look at her as he accepted the bulb. Relived of her duties the demon rejoined the other demons who stood behind the generals. "This plant is the key." He spoke as if he had never been interrupted. Jadeitie held the plant up so that the queen could get a good look at it. "It will create flowers that will sap the energy from anyone who has one of the flowers it creates. It is capable of creating hundreds of flowers."

The queen leaned forward in her throne looking greedily at the plant. "Ah yes, That could create a great deal of power." Beryl's eyes took on an unholy glow," Go ahead with your plan Jadeite."

Holding the plant carefully Jadeite bowed pleased at Queen Beryl's reaction," This time I will not fail you." Straitening up he faded from the thrown room as he shifted over to the human's realm. 

"You had better not." Beryl stroked the arm of her throne as she watched the young general fade from view. 

One of the three remaining generals frowned at the scene before him. "I don't like this," Nephrite thought to himself running a hand through his long chestnut colored hair. " His plan seems reasonable, but the Queen is in a foul mood. I hope for your sake Jadeite, that you do not fail this time for I can't say what she might do if you don't fulfill your mission. "

A sharp voice brought him abruptly out of his musings.  "What's this?" Zoisite asked dryly. "Why I do believe you look worried dear Nephrite. Are you afraid for little Jadeite?"

"I was just thinking about something. You should try it sometime Zoisite. It would make a nice change for you." Nephrite didn't even look in Zoisite's direction as he answered him.

Zoisitie growled dangerously looking daggers at the taller general's back. 

Nephrite bowed his head to the queen," If you are finished with us may we have permission to retire."

The Beryl waved a hand at them," Yes, go. Your nattering is becoming bothersome to me."

Zoisite's face twisted into an evil grin as he watched Nephrite stand stiffly at attention before leaving." Well what do you know.  I think my jibe may have struck a nerve. "  A laugh bubbled out of him as he savored that thought.  Quite pleased with the way Nephrite had reacted to his jibing, Zoisite wondered what delights the rest of this day would hold.  In  a swirl of petals Zoisite disappeared from the room.

In the human realm Jadeite was already hard at work. He stood in a small grassy field near several large buildings.  No one was around so the general had time to plant his bulb. Still he took no chances that the resulting plant might be seen hiding it in a group of hedges. Bending over the mound of earth that covered his plant he fed it evil energy, forcing it to grow at an incredible rate.  A small shoot popped from the ground gaining size rapidly. When it had grown into a large pod the size of right size he fell to his knees gasping for air. A dark light enveloped the pod as it slowly opened to reveal hundreds of carnations of every color imaginable. Gazing at the fruit of his labors Jadeite smiled. "It took a lot of energy out of me. But it will be worth it. These flowers will harvest everything I lost and much more besides. Now all I need do is deliver these little gifts to some unsuspecting humans and their energy will belong to the negavurse. "

Pushing himself up Jadeite left the bushes and began to pace," Now all I have to do is wait for my targets" A high voice caught his attention and Jadeitie looked around the small grassy field he was standing in.  A group of 6 young women were walking towards him from the direction of the nearby school.  Reaching into the bushes Jadeitie snatched up a handful of flowers smiling at his luck. 

The girls came towards him as he waved them closer. They all appeared to be about 13 or 14. Excuse me ladies, but I am a flower merchant. Sadly I have had to retire but I still have some flowers I haven't been able to sell. Would you kind ladies accept these flowers so they will not go to waste?"

The girls giggled whispering to themselves as they approached. When they finally noticed Jadeite the girls sighed as one their eyes getting a dreamy look in them. Jadeite watched them in wonder. "Do they get together and practice doing that? It must be hard to synchronize a sigh like that."

A redhead with wavy shoulder length hair stepped forward. Blushing ferociously she smiled up at Jadeite." We would be happy to help you."

Making himself return her smile Jadeite held out a flower to the young girl. " I thank you very much. If you have any other friends I would be very happy if you could tell them about my problem."

"Oh how pretty!" The redhead exclaimed as she accepted the flower.

" They are beautiful! I don't know why people didn't want to buy such lovely flowers. Thank you for letting us have them!" Cried a brunette who reached out to take a blue carnation from Jadeite.

With dreams in their eyes the remaining girls snatched up the flowers wide smiles lighting up their faces. "We will! We will!" they promised as the fled back the way they had come with their prizes held gently in their hands.

Jadeite couldn't help laughing," This is going to be easier than I thought." Walking over to the pod he reached out to stroke it lovingly. A soft glow emanated from it proving that it had already started to drain energy from the girls who carried the flowers. Taking up an armful of flowers he left the hedge to look for more naive humans.

The general's eyes sparkled as he watched more girls approach. He had chosen this place to grow his plant specifically because it was so near a school.  Getting the silly girls to take his negaflowers would be a simple matter of word spreading through the grapevine. Already a small flock of ladies had begun to gather. He played the gracious vendor glad he wouldn't have to keep up this act long. With as quickly as the flowers would drain the girls energy he would be able to head back to the negaverse in a few days. 

Nearly all the flowers had been handed out when a shrill scream broke the air causing Jadeite to look up. Something was seriously wrong. The bulb was pulsating with its stolen energy. The general frowned, 
"It shouldn't have gained that much energy yet. I wonder what's wrong"

The plant was pulling in the energy much to quickly. Looking across the school yard he could see that some of the first girls he had met were beginning to faint from the energy drain. Biting back a curse he looked down at the plant wondering why it was behaving this way.  "It shouldn't be drawing the energy so quickly. Why is it doing this?" As he pondered the problem Jadeitie happened to look up at the nearly cloudless sky. The sun was shining brightly down upon the schoolyard.

"That's it! There is more light here than in the negavurse so the plant is more active." Jadeite tilted his head to glance at the bulb from an angle. "Hmm, I hadn't counted on this. I hope I can get enough energy to take back to Queen Beryl by tonight. Because this bulb is drawing too much power to remain unnoticed for long." 

As if summoned by that thought an unwelcome visitor appeared. Her long blond pigtails floated behind her  as she ran up to the place Jadeitie was standing. "So its you who has been handing out those nasty flowers negacreep."

"Sailor Moon, Fancy meeting you here." Jadeite sneered as he faced the sailor scout.   

"You should be ashamed for turning pretty flowers into something evil. I bet that glowing plant has something to do with this." The pretty blond took a fighting stance as she glared at Jadeite.

"You think so?" Jadeite asked sarcastically as he shook his head at the sailor scout. "Gah, what a bubble head. Could it be anything else."

For the sake of those flowers and the moon I will punish you! Sailor moon glared at him a moment before grabbing her tiara and flinging it at the bulb. "Moon tiara action."

"NO!" Jadeitie screamed throwing out a bolt of power to divert the tiara, just in the nick of time. Seething at the near loss the general gathered his energy preparing to fling it at the annoying Sailor moon. 

Sailor moon squealed as the dark energy flew towards her. Jadeite threw his hands over his ears at her wailing. Turing away from the energy she dodged to the left aiming directly toward the hedges. Tripping over her own feet she fell forward into the bushes and onto bulb crushing it. The energy flooded back into the owners of the flowers as the plant was destroyed. 

The youngest general of the dark kingdom watched in horror as Sailor moon squashed all hopes of his mission being a success. "She must be the luckiest twit in the universe. How could this have happened." Anger filled him then and he would have released its full fury against the hapless sailor scout but he could see two other scouts coming his way. "The odds have suddenly changed, I had best make a tactical retreat for now. But Queen Beryl isn't going to be pleased." Cringing in anticipation Jadeitie left the human realm.

Beryl was enraged when he appeared in front of her. "You said this plant of yours would succeed.  But it failed as you have so often in the past. I am tired of your failures." Everyone in the room could feel the gathering of energy at the queen's fingertips as she pointed her hand towards Jadeite. 

Nephrite stepped forward. He couldn't let this happen no matter how much Zoisite teased him for it later. "My queen, I beg you. Show him your mercy, He is the youngest of us. All young things make mistakes."

Jadeitie's back stiffened at Nephrite's words. He knew Nephrite was just standing up for him but still it rankled to have his failure so openly spoken about. Clenching his fists the youngest general took a deep breath making himself calm down. Right now he had bigger problems to deal with than his reputation. 

The queen looked thoughtfully at Nephrite for a moment. "Perhaps I am being a little hasty Nephrite. But it seems Zoisite was right. You do have a soft spot for this failure." Beryl impaled Jadeite with a long stare before glancing back at Nephrite. "I think this could be entertaining." The queen paused in thought stroking a long nail against her bottom lip. 

A black smile enveloped her face. Her pointed teeth glimmered brightly in the darkness of the room. "Ah I know what sport we shall have. Jadeite will be punished for his lack of success. If you wish for him to live I will make his life your responsibility. Nephrite hold out your hands." 

Into Nephrite's hands fell a long leather whip. He stared at it dubiously not wanting to know what it was going to be used for. He had a very bad feeling that he knew exactly what Beyrl had in mind. 

"Nephrite, If you wish to save Jadeite's life you will whip him until he can no longer stand under his own power. If you pull your blows I will strike him down. And Jadeite, if you fall before the pain forces you down to spare yourself or Nephrite, I will strike you down. " The queen's eyes glittered dangerously as she waited to see what Nephrite's decision would be. 

Nephrite's blood ran cold. For a second he couldn't breathe. "Either I have to beat Jadeite to a pulp or watch him die? How can I do either." Paralyzed by his own emotions Nephrite couldn't take his eyes off of the whip in his hands. 

"Please Nephrite." Jadeite asked softly when Nephrite hesitated. The youngest general glanced over at Nephrite. The older general was a handsome man and despite the gravity of the moment Jadeite appreciated the view. "I think he likes to have me around if only to have someone to tease. The question is, does he like me enough to keep Beyrl from killing me." 

"Look at the high and mighty Jadeite now," Zoisite," He's begging to be beaten."

"Be quiet Zoisite," Nephrite growled aiming a deadly glare at Zoisite. His hands curled around the whip's handle as he lifted his eyes to meet Jadeite's."

Jadeite's eyes widened in disbelief. He had expected to see any number of emotions in those beautiful eyes. But he hadn't once considered that he would see the depth of emotion that now shown from them. 

Shoulders straight head held high, Nephrite stepped into position in front of Jadeite. Locking his gaze with the youngest general's he cracked the whip to test it's strength.  Zoisite giggled gleefully at the sound of the whip. Jadeite found he couldn't look away from Nephrite's eyes. He felt like he was falling into sapphires. 
Nephrite's beautiful face appeared calm but in those bright eyes he could see a depthless pain. As the whip arched upward at Nephrite's command, he knew the older general was not doing this out of any kind of pettiness. 

Trying not to tense up, Jadeite refused to look at the whip. He kept Nephrite's eyes as his focus as pain lanced through his chest. He couldn't help looking down to assess the damage even though he knew it would only get worse. His coat had ragged tear through part of it. Underneath the fabric Jadeite could already feel a welt rising. 

He watched fascinated as the whip snaked out for his chest in a blur of motion. It was as if this was all happening to someone else.  Distantly he could hear Zoisite's laughter echoing in the cavernous room.
Jadeite ground his teeth to keep from shouting as the whip bit into the tender flesh of his chest. This time he knew there would be a trail of blood there if he looked down. Instead he looked back up into Nephrite's azure pools half-afraid that the emotions he had seen there earlier had been a trick.  

Nephrite met Jadeite's gaze evenly but with such sadness it was obvious that this was no trick. "But why is he doing this." Jadeite's heart cried out in confusion. "Why would he hurt himself so over me."

The pain the whip was bringing to him was nothing compared to the torture in those beautiful blue eyes. 

Nephrite nearly felt his heart give out when he saw the look on Jadeite's face. The younger man had looked sober but determined. Now there was confusion in Jadeite's eyes.  "He must have seen something in my eyes." Nephrite thought to himself. For he could see the question written plainly across that classically beautiful face. "Why?" It asked. "Why are you doing this"

Knowing he couldn't say anything aloud, Nephrite channeled his answer into his face. The negavures narrowed until all either of them could see or hear was the other and the buzz of the whip as it sliced through the air.  The whip danced and spun in Nephrite's hands. Each time he felt flesh beneath the whip he looked at Jadeite. "I do this,"Nephrite's eyes said," Because I love you. I do this because I do not want to lose you. Your life means more to me than my pain."
Awestruck Jadeite found he suddenly couldn't breathe. The throne room was tilting at an odd angle and his knees were wobbling badly. The floor was rushing up to meet him when something strong and warm stopped his decent. He whimpered slightly as Nephrite inadvertently brushed against one of the welts on his arm. 

With cold eyes Nephrite stared Zoisite into silence as he had been laughing uproariously though out the entire affair.  Turning back to the Queen he bowed his head. "As you have asked I whipped Jadeite until he could no longer stand. Has his punishment satisfied you?" He asked in a neutral voice.

"I know I enjoyed it" Zoisite murmured under his breath. "I love seeing you squirm Nephrite."

Nephrite growled low in his throat but did not look up.

"That is enough Zoisite, The punishment has very much pleased me. I shall let him live this time.  Nephrite, take him away and clean him up. I don't want to look at him any longer."

Standing gingerly Nephrite hefted Jadeite up into his arms before transporting himself and the younger man into Jadeite's room. 

He set the wounded general down on the bed and pealed off the bloodied shirt. Gently he began laving water from the water picture Jadeite had in the room. Nephrite could feel Jadeite's eyes following him as he washed the blood away. 

Finally Nephrite felt he had to say something, so he said all he could think to say." I am sorry, Jadeitie."

"Why? There is nothing for you to be sorry for. I was the one who failed not you. You didn't have to whip me if it hurt you so much. But you did it anyway." Jadeite's voice dropped to a whisper full of wonder. "You did it for me. I should be the one thanking you." Looking up Jadeitie reached up a tired arm to touch the side of Nephrite's face. "Thank you, Nephrite."

Taking Jadeite's hand into his own Nephrite clasped it tight. "You shouldn't thank me for hurting you. I don't ever want to do that again. Promise me next time you go on an assignment you will be more careful." 

Jadeite smirked he couldn't help it. Nephrite sounded so much like a concerned mother it was just too funny not to laugh a little. "Yes mother." 

Nephrite stood up abruptly," I am leaving for now. You are obviously tired and need to rest since you're being so silly. You have to take this more seriously Jadeite." To take the sting out of his words Nephrite leaned down to brush his lips against Jadeite's " I don't want to lose you, Baka. Queen Beyrl's patients is running thin. I would miss you if you were not here." A bright flash filled the room and when it passed Jadeite was alone.

Jadeite touched his fingers to the spot where so recently Nephrite's lips had been. Looking down at his fingers he started to smile. "I would be missed." He couldn't understand why this was such an appealing thought. Gazing at the space Nephrite had just left, Jadeite reached out his hands.  His heart leapt as he revealed his heart to the silent room "I believe I would miss you to"