Chapter 2: The Pull of Infinity
Everyone sat around the tables in the dining hall chatting and enjoying their food. Kiyoko had a few large tables brought in so that there'd be enough places for everyone. Kiyoko's mother, Usagi, sat next to her and told her, "You did an amazing job getting everything ready here. The silver and gold everywhere is a nice reminder of Earth."
Kiyoko was about to thank her mother when Seiya interrupted, "She's been working all of the staff to the bone preparing all of this for days now, insisting everything had to be perfect!"
Usagi laughed, "Just being here with you is perfect my precious daughter. You worry too much, as always." She squeezed Kiyoko's hand and then took a huge bite of the chocolate cake Kiyoko had insisted on!
A little later Makoto came over, Nephrite in tow, and put her arms around Kiyoko's shoulders. Nephrite still more formal simply bowed to Kiyoko. Makoto craned her head around Kiyoko and said, "This is all wonderful. The food here is very interesting, but I can't wait to get into that kitchen and teach your chefs how to really make Earth cuisine." This made both Kiyoko and Makoto laugh.
Kiyoko placed her hand on one of Makoto's, "Trust me Mako-chan, I have already warned the kitchen staff of what to expect from you." They exchanged a grin then Makoto and Nephrite went to get more food.
The festivities continued for some time. But eventually her family began making their way to their individual rooms to get settled. Each of the couples hand been given adjoining rooms. Helios had his own room and Usagi had volunteered to share a small suite with Usa-chan.
Ruka and Endo were completing their lessons with Atsuko in the castle library, much to Ruka's dismay. Taiki and Yaten had left to tend to their normal duties. That left Kiyoko and Seiya alone. Kiyoko was such a jumble of nerves that she didn't detect Seiya come up from behind her. She covered her eyes, chuckling, "I have you now my Queen. What will you do?"
This was a game they'd come to play in the last few months, both to cope with the stress of the wedding preparations and just for the fun of it. In the blink of an eye Kiyoko had flipped Seiya over and had her pinned on the ground, smiling, "They call me queen for a reason Sailor Starfighter." They both laughed and then Kiyoko kissed Seiya passionately.
Seiya kissed her back, but also took advantage of her distraction and gained leverage to roll and end up pinning her down instead. She broke the kiss and grinned, "And they call me Fighter for a reason as well." Kiyoko chuckled and used her knees to push Seiya over until she lay on the floor. And before she knew what was happening Kiyoko had grabbed her fiancée and actually flown out a window that she'd opened telepathically. They landed on the roof of the castle, Seiya pinned down once again, "I concede my Queen. You win again." This was always the way it turned out, but they both enjoyed the game of cat and mouse. With her concession Seiya pressed her lips against Kiyoko's firmly and found herself electrified as Kiyoko ran her fingers up and down Seiya's sides. Kiyoko broke the kiss, breathing heavily, and started making a trail of kisses down Seiya's neck, chest, and naval…. But not stopping there. Soon they were lost in one another's body and passion and didn't even notice that the sun had set on them.
When Kiyoko finally realized how much time had passed she looked at Seiya sadly, "I'm afraid we have to stop my love and tend to our family."
Reaching up and caressing Kiyoko's cheek, Seiya sighed, "If you insist my Queen." But she pulled her close and held Kiyoko's naked body against her own for a few minutes, taking comfort knowing their time was infinite, before the two of them dressed and made their way back into the castle.
They found some of their family in one of the sitting rooms. Usagi, Helios, Usa-chan, Ruka, Endo, Haruka, and Michiru. Usagi and Helios sat with Usa-chan and Endo chatting, while Ruka sat with Haruka and Michiru. It appeared that Haruka was telling one of her old battle tales. Usagi looked up at Kiyoko and Seiya and asked, "Where have the two of you been?"
Haruka looked up as well, a tone in her voice, "Yes Kiyoko, where HAVE you two been?" The look on her face showed clearly that she already knew the answer, to a degree anyway.
Kiyoko shot Haruka a look and then turned to her mother, "Seiya and I were on the roof of the castle." As she caught a glance of Haruka's face out of her periphery Kiyoko saw shock and humor settle over her. She was glad she could still catch her off guard on occasion. Looking back in Haruka and Michiru's direction, "So what old war story are you telling her today? She's probably heard it before."
Haruka laughed, "She says she's never heard this one. I was telling her about the great battle her mother fought to free Estara from darkness." Kiyoko blinked, surprised. Ruka had been telling the truth, it wasn't something that was discussed very often.
Kiyoko smiled, "Well, then I'm sure you've bored her to death. It's not that interesting a story." She'd worked very hard to keep the depths of her power from her children. She never wanted them to feel any pressure because of it.
Ruka shook her head, "No mamma! It's the best story EVER! I can't believe you healed our entire planet!" She ran up and hugged Kiyoko. Kiyoko breathed a sigh of relief that it didn't seem her fear of pressure had come to fruition.
The next day they all took a tour of the capitol city. When they reached the school Ruka and Endo attended Usa-chan begged the two of them to take her on a tour, and so the three of them split off. Usagi looked at Kiyoko, "Will they be alright?"
Kiyoko laughed, "I pity anyone who tries to harm them. They will be fine mother." She held tighter to Seiya's hand and thought to her beloved, "I'm not certain which one of them I'd be more afraid of."
Seiya chuckled and thought back, "That is an excellent question…. But honestly, Endo… Ruka can be to rash sometimes. Endo is calculating." Kiyoko nodded and they continued the tour, walking hand in hand, knowing this wouldn't be the last time they'd have to give this tour in the next month.
That evening Kiyoko sat down with Nana, the wedding planner that had been taking care of most of the preparations. Her mother and Haruka were there as well. Haruka was very annoyed by Nana's bubbly nature. She put her hands down on the table, "I don't care if Seiya is wearing black and so you think Usagi should too. I am NOT wearing maroon! And nothing with ribbons, ruffles, or bows!"
Kiyoko was suppressing her laughter, "I warned you about all of this Nana. Mother, do you have a problem wearing this design in maroon?" She tapped a drawing on the table of a beautiful gown with puffy sleeves, lace around the edges and a bow in the back.
Actually giggling, Usagi replied, "Of course I don't have a problem with it. Besides this one suits Haruka much more, especially in black." She was looking at a sleek gown that flared at the ankle and thin straps at the top, with long gloves.
Nana looked exasperated, but Kiyoko was glad that was settled. Arrangements were made for them to meet with the seamstress who'd been making all of the clothing for the wedding the next day. It would be in the afternoon because the party from the planet Shibo was slated to arrive in the morning.
Early the next day Kiyoko and Seiya went out to meet the ship as it landed. Seiya seemed more uncomfortable than Kiyoko. She hated this. But being raised as royalty it was something that she'd been taught to deal with. Life as a Senshi didn't include this kind of training. Kiyoko held her hand to comfort her.
The first to step off of the ship was Prince Seishin. He was tall, slender, with dark hair and eyes. His hair was just long enough for a ponytail, though a few stray strands hung about his face. He wore a navy blue suit and an infinity necklace in silver. Kiyoko sensed something strange about him, but she couldn't put her finger on what. As she looked at his eyes again she felt a force that pulled at her while making her feel cold at the same time.