What may she be dreaming about? It must be shocking. Moving slowly, he took her by her shoulders, and raised her. They were both sitting now, Mercury's eyes closed, the tears running down her cheeks. She seemed to wake a little, and as she opened her eyes, and saw Zoicite in front of her, looking at her with worry, she awoke completely.

"Zoi! What's going on? Oh my God, I fell asleep! I'm sorry, it's just that it was so warm, and relaxed, that I... "

"Ami, listen to me."

She stopped, hearing the serious tone in his voice. "What?"

"Here, look". He took her hand, and passed it over her eyes. When they did, Zoicite showed it to her. Her hand was wet, as was her face.

"What's this? What happened?" Mercury's blue eyes were scared, or so it looked to the general.

"Ami, there's something bothering you, and you haven't told me about it."

"Hiding something you mean? No, of course not. This is just... the sun. An allergic reaction maybe. We should be leaving now..." As she talked, she brushed the tears away, and stood up, turned around and walked away. She had not even taken two steps, because a hand firmly took her wrist. She turned her head, and saw Zoicite holding her firmly.

His eyes were now showing deep, deep worry. They had turned from light green to a grayish color, which she knew only appeared when he was very, truly worried about something. "Ami, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I already told you."

"Ami..." His voice had a warning tone, but she held firmly.

"*Nothing* is wrong. Stop being so paranoid. Now let me go."

"No, not until you tell me!"

"Let me go I said!"

"You know you are not going anywhere, so you'd better tell me!" His tone was now final, and Mercury knew she couldn't do anything to turn him back. She sighed in defeat, but still tried to lie. "Just the sun, I've never had so much, it's only that..."

"Ami, you are not going to fool me."

"Okay, then. I guess I'll have to tell you."

Zoicite's eyes returned to their natural color, but weren't calm at all. It was like if a storm had gotten loose in there. The emotions go and went with nothing to hold them steady. Mercury knew that she couldn't refuse. The necessity of knowing what was wrong, to protect her from whatever it was, to comfort her, and make her smile again was burning inside him. She looked to the floor, and as she felt tears gather again in her eyes, whispered: "Zoi, you are so good to me. Thanks!" Then, she just threw herself into his arms, and cried into his chest. He hugged her, thankful for her to reveal her secrets to him.

"Sssh, Ami. Don't cry. It's Ok now. I'm here."

"I... (sob) know (gasp)." The young girl cried her heart out, letting all the sorrow of the past years flow out. Every nasty thing anyone had told her came back to her memory, every lonely moment she had passed during her childhood, every time she had watched the others play while she just looked, every little thing that had happened to her was flooding her mind.

Zoicite felt as if his heart was breaking. There was nothing he could do to avoid her inner demons to control her mind, except just be there for her. He stroked her hair, humming a baby-song for her into her ear. She seemed to calm down, and when she stopped crying, she started humming back.

"Don't cry anymore baby, I'm here for you. Let's play and sing, sweetie; no one will harm you anymore"

She relaxed now, and stepping back, cleaned her eyes. "Thanks, Zoi. You don't know how much this meant to me."

"I think I do."

She smiled, and nodded. She seemed reluctant still, and Zoicite said. "Ami, tell me".

"Well, it's that... I... since we... you... Oh God, I don't know how to say it!"

"Ami, whatever it is, I'll always be there for you."

Mercury felt as if the chains that were holding her back had broken, and sitting on the sand, waited for Zoicite to sit next to her. He did, and put a hand over her shoulder. She put her own over his, crossing her arm over her chest. Mercury sighed, but kept quiet.

"Ami, do you want me to guess?"

The young girl couldn't look at him, and just nodded in acceptance. Zoicite started recalling everything she had told him about her past. Memories, as if they were his own, flashed through his mind. "Is it anything that happened before we met?" She said no with her head.

"A bad memory?" She said no again.

Suddenly, a thought made his heart stiffen. Could it be? But she looked so happy... on the other hand... He felt as if he was being torn apart, and his whole body contracted, as he opened his mouth to ask the question that had being wondering over his mind.

"Ami, is it... about us?"

Mercury stiffened also, and whispered an almost inaudible, "Yes." His whole body went limp, as he heard the words he had feared. It knew this was too good to be real. She was faking all the time. But I can't hate her, no matter what... Mercury kept silent, trying to get her thoughts straight. Her mind was spinning. She had said what had being troubling her all along, but Zoicite hadn't said a thing.

"It's...well, I know you love me and all, but I... I can't... I can't love you," she couldn't go on, and turned her gaze upwards. Looking straight at him, she saw as his eyes showed betrayal, shame and sorrow. They were so full of sadness; they were no longer bright green, but cold and pale. Standing up, Zoicite spoke, with the coldest voice Mercury had ever heard come out of his lips: "I'm sorry then, Lady Mercury, for wasting your time. You will no longer see me. Good-bye, Princess."

Mercury was shocked, and stared in disbelief at the man in front of her. What is he doing?

"Zoi... what's wrong?"

"Please, Lady Mercury, call me Lord Zoicite. Informality isn't good in these situations. I won't bother you anymore. Please, never appear in front of me again."

Mercury just looked at him blankly. Zoicite turned around, and muffling a sob that was coming out of his throat, whispered: "Ami..." He disappeared in a flash of light, leaving Mercury alone on the beach.

She was still on the floor, her eyes very open, and her mind whirling at incredible speed. He... left. He left. He doesn't want to see me again... were the thoughts passing time over time in her head.

Suddenly, she realized what had happened, and a cry of agony left her mouth. "ZOI!" She stood up, only to crumble again into the floor, her body shook with sobs and tears. Her heart had broken; she had heard it. She was alone... again... only herself against the world... with no one to support her. Her heart, her mind, her soul... were alone. Hot tears trailed down her cheeks, wetting her legs and hands. They were hot, but her heart was cold. It was dead... there was nothing left... nothing... It was too much for her to bear, and fortunately for her brain shut down, bringing her to unconsciousness...