To Rule the World | A Zodiac Story

Peace No More

The explosions eventually stopped. Jaiden had fell asleep under Aries' arm. Pisces has fallen asleep on a pot and Aquarius fell asleep on Pisces. Cancer and Aries were sleeping on the floor. Gemini was stress baking while Virgo watched.

"I think the attack is over," Virgo stated plainly. "We should be okay."

Gemini nodded, aggressively mixing cookie dough. "Perfect. We just have to clean everything up, fix the town, oh, and find a way to stop a war."

"Pretty much, yeah," Virgo agreed, nodding cooly.

Gemini started balling up the cookie dough and putting them on a pan. "Piece of cake."

Cancer stirred in her sleep. She proceeded to slowly sit up and run her eyes. "Whats going on? Did the attack stop? Are we safe?"

"For the moment," Virgo replied, staring at her.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Cancer asked. "The bookseller?"

"Yeah. I'm Virgo," he said, holding his hand out to shake. Cancer shook it.

"I'm Cancer," she replied.

"I'm Gemini, welcome to my lovely bakery," Gemini welcomed her.  "It was lovelier before the windows shattered."

"And the roof caved in," Virgo added.

"And the roof caved in," Gemini repeated, shoving the cookies into the oven.

"Here, Gem. Why don't I watch everyone and the cookies and you and Cancer can clean up the glass." Virgo took of his glasses, which were shattered at the lenses. "I'd help, but my vision is impaired at the moment."

Cancer nodded and slowly sat up. "That's a good idea. C'mon, Gemini." Cancer took her arm and lead her into the front of the bakery where glass was all over the floor.

The two cleared away some glass and sat on the floor. Gemini grabbed a dustpan and Cancer a mini broom. They sat there in silence for a moment.

"So, you're Jaiden's aunt?" Cancer asked.

"Not exactly. I'm more like a big sister or something, he just calls me that," Gemini replied.

"Are you okay? You were pretty shaken when that kid stopped crying," Cancer said, looking at her with concern.

"I was just really scared for that poor kid," Gemini replied, wiping her hair out of her face.

"You really love kids, don't you?" Cancer asked with a chuckle.

"You have no idea," Gemini replied, smiling.

"Are you going to have some one day?" Cancer asked.

Gemini's smile melted away and she seemed to look older. "I can't," she said hoarsely.

Cancers heart skipped a beat. "What?"

"I can't have kids," Gemini repeated. "I was tested about a week ago. Just before I met Pisces. I can't have children." Tears were slipping down Aries' face.

"Oh, Gemini..." Cancer pulled her into a hug.

"You can't tell anyone. Especially not Aries or Pisces or Jaiden or Virgo or Aquarius or anyone. Definitely not Jaiden," Gemini pleaded.

"I promise," Cancer told her. They heard a crack from the door.

Both whipped their heads around to see Aquarius standing at the door way. Gemini started crying again.

"Aquarius... how long were you standing there?" Cancer asked him.

Aquarius uncomfortably pulled on his collar of his shirt. "A bit too long. I'm really sorry.... Gemini, was it?"