rue Love Part Twelve ~

Zoisite realized that soon the class would end and that meant her privacy would be gone. Through a blur of tears she rose and gathered her things together. Squeezing her eyes shut, Zoisite tried to focus her powers, so that she could teleport herself out of the academy. No way was she going to stay there and wait for Malachite to come get her. He was the last person she wanted to see at the moment. With shaky breaths she called up the energy she needed and willed herself back to the castle.

Once back in the relative safety of her room, Zoisite slumped on the floor, tears spilling from her green eyes. How could she ever be a Negaverse warrior? She was much too weak, too innocuous for the task. "I've failed so far. No one will ever respect me as a general," she thought miserably. The question she had often asked herself popped into her mind - just what was she doing in this place?

Moments later, so silently that she did not hear, Malachite entered the room and looked at Zoisite, huddled on the floor. "Why is she crying?" he thought. Did she get hurt in class today? Poor Zoisite looked so sad. Malachite wanted to comfort her, but he was hesitant to do so. It wasn't usual for him - the "ice king" - to be so concerned and caring. Malachite wondered whether he should say something or not. Just then his dilemma was solved since Zoisite raised her head to find him there. Her mouth dropped open in shock, and she quickly lowered her head again.

"Why are you crying?" asked Malachite. Warriors don't cry, you know." He had meant it to be teasing, but the statement came out a little harsh.

Embarrassed to be caught crying by Lord Malachite, Zoisite used her uniform as the excuse for her tears. "Someone has damaged my uniform," she told him. "The queen will be most upset."

Malachite picked up the sky-blue trimmed jacket and examined it. Indeed someone had slashed the catches off. A cold blue fire burned in his eyes. Who would dare do this to his pupil? "How did this happen?" he demanded.

Zoisite looked up at him. She could see he was not pleased. "I'm not sure. I found it that way after class."

Malachite had known there could be trouble for his young student. She needed to mature, and quickly. "Zoisite you will have to be on your guard. Trust no one. The Negaverse is filled with vicious people who will do anything for power. Anything, Zoisite. You must understand that."

"So I am learning," she said softly.

"I will have Yasha make a replacement for the jacket. But remember - next time something like this happens, it could be to you personally," said Malachite. "So, be careful." He wished to say more, but found himself unable. Awkwardly, he placed the torn jacket on the bed and left Zoisite to herself.

"It's already happened," whispered Zoisite brokenly.

***

Malachite made his request to his youma and then set off for the academy to find Zoisite's instructor. "Lord Malachite," Jirele bowed. "It is an honor. How may I help you?"

"I want to know who is responsible for destroying Zoisite's clothing," he demanded. "Her jacket was ripped apart and it was no accident."

Jirele was surprised. "Well, I'm not exactly sure how that happened." But I do have a hunch, she thought. "It could have been during a match."

"She was not wearing it during class. Someone did this without her knowing."

"I didn't see anyone, though it could have been her sparring partner. She is very ruthless towards her opponents."

"And what have you done about it?"

"My lord, I can't really do much except train my girls. You know that Zoisite must learn to protect herself."

"I understand that fully," replied Malachite. "But I expect that she will be looked out for until she can do just that. Beryl will not be happy if Zoisite is not treated with the respect due her."

"Neither will Beryl be happy if Zoisite does not earn that respect. I cannot baby her, as you know."

Malachite knew. Even though at times he wanted to "baby" the girl himself, he could not. He decided he'd better leave. He was acting like an overprotective mother, for goodness sake.

"Yes, I have warned her to be on her guard. But I trust you will intervene in the case of any serious trouble." His eyebrows shot up in warning.

"Yes, of course, my lord."

***

Jedite held the piece of dark green stone in his hand, looking it over. Apparently this mineral was very abundant in this kingdom. What could Beryl want it for? He wondered if it could have anything to do with the new general, Zoisite. After all, it was her namesake, and supposedly she drew special power from the stone, as some sorcerers could. Jedite's name was derived from "jade" - a semi precious stone that enhanced his natural talent. He would never be as powerful as a mage like Malachite, for example, but he had strong abilities such as telekinesis. From what he gathered, Zoisite had stone-enhanced power as well. And she seemed to know a good deal about the subject.

Zoisite. She sure is pretty, thought Jedite. Even more than…what was her name? He seemed to recall someone he thought he once knew - but it didn't matter now. Jedite wondered how a girl like Zoisite got herself into the Negaverse army. It wasn't really a place for a woman, especially one so young and delicate. Titana, a female army captain, was an older woman with strong muscles, rough, weathered skin and coarse hair. She was tough and hard, nothing at all like the ethereal young girl who was training to be a general. Maybe there was some mistake? Or maybe Malachite had chosen her for her looks rather than her skill. He would have to spend most of his time with her, so Jedite could see why he'd want a pretty girl to train. Just how much control did Malachite have over the girl? Was she expected to serve him the way his youma did? Malachite was very cunning, and he usually got his way. He could manipulate anyone if he wanted to, by his charm and his dark seductiveness. Jedite preferred not to cross paths with him. But he was interested in this new girl. The trouble was, how to go about it without getting blasted.

Jedite noticed some of his youma lagging about in the quarry. "Hey, you - get back to work!" he barked. "We still have much of this mineral left to mine for Queen Beryl." And I want to be rid of this job as soon as possible, he thought. Supervising was not too difficult, but it was boring.

***

"I will have to become real tough, like Malachite," Zoisite decided. It seemed that was the way in this place. Zoisite herself was not used to being so austere. With her servants in the past, she had never been unkind or harsh. It would be difficult to change her personality. But she knew she must if she was to survive in this dark world. She would have to practice some savagery in her relationships. And a little sarcasm wouldn't hurt either, she supposed. But how could she deliberately act like that? "Well, I don't really have any friends here. I guess it can't be too hard," she thought.

Zoisite stood straight and tall in front of her mirror. She made a graceful motion with her fingers and the tear tracks faded away. Zoisite knew that she didn't want to cry anymore. She didn't want to be weak, either. So she would be just as cold as anybody else in the Negaverse.

End of Part 13