Chapter Four: Kakyuu's decision

Starfighter grimaced as she rested her body on a dead star on the outer edges of her home star system. She should have listened to the rumors about teleporting to the Dragon's star. She sighed heavily her body was weary and because of her stupid idea now it would take longer for her to reach the dragon, the space warp had sent her all the way in the opposite direction. Hopefully this would set her fellow Senshi off her trail, she couldn't believe that Princess Kakyuu was willing to seal her powers and that her fellow Senshi would have allowed it.

She grabbed a piece of rock and flung it away from her angrily, how could Kakyuu of all people not understand her love and devotion for Usagi. How could she not understand that Usagi meant more to her than anything else in the world? Did they not truly know what it was like to love? She couldn't believe how easily they believed that Usagi and Mamoru were meant for one another and that she was incompatible with Tsukino Usagi. She was frustrated to say the least she couldn't understand why everyone seemed to be against her love for Usagi and recollecting the events that had happened earlier in the day only made things worse. The image of Mamoru kissing Usagi was branded on the inside of her eyelids and every time she closed her eyes she could see it. Mamoru's possessiveness was disgusting and how no one else found it so escaped her. She couldn't understand why Usagi would allow herself to be treated as a possession instead of as an equal. Why would Usagi want that?

She slammed a closed fist into the thigh of her leg. Why can't she see how much I love her? Doesn't she understand that I can be everything that she's ever wanted? Why won't she understand that I can love her so much more? Am I not enough for her? If she can't see how much I love her then I'll make her see how much better I am than Mamoru. That's the only reason why I need to go see the Dragon. I need his help, the only way to make her see how much better I am I need to go to the past and make her forget all about Mamoru. Her love for me will transcend everything she imagines she feels for Mamoru.

With her decision made she decided to rest on the dead star keeping her senses on the alert for her fellow Senshi. The day slipped away with no sign of her former comrades and she smiled as she thought that her stupid attempt to teleport to the dragon's star had thrown them off. Little did she know that Princess Kakyuu had called them back to the Imperial Palace.

Starhealer and Starmaker were confused as to why their Princess would suddenly summon them back to the Palace. "You've summoned us back?"

"We could feel traces of her energy on the outer star section in the direction that leads to the Milky Way."

"Perhaps she was headed back to Earth? Yet I don't understand why she didn't just teleport there."

"No she was not headed to Earth but to the Dragon's Star. She probably tried to transport there and the space warp sent her in the opposite direction." Prince Tatsuo said grimly as he sat on the throne to the right of his Princess.

"The Dragon's Star?"

"She wouldn't dare…"

"No, she would dare, her infatuation has grown into an obsession and how she managed to hide it from us I am unaware."

"I simply thought it was a fleeting crush."

"No, she intends to turn back the hands of time and force Usagi into loving her instead of Mamoru."

"The Dragon does not give something for nothing. It will expect something of her for its services, she is mad. We should be out there chasing her not in here bandying words."

"Perhaps that is true. However, as to the reason behind the summons, I need your attentions elsewhere. Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion have decided to allow Starfighter to try to divide them."

"Why would they take that risk?"

"They must really believe that their love is strong enough to overcome this."

"You've seen that love firsthand. The motivating factor behind Usagi seeking Galaxia was Mamoru." Princess Kakyuu decided that there was no way she could not inform them of what had taken place. "Besides I was there when the gods decreed that both they and the fates had blessed this union and what they had united no one would tear asunder."

"They have the blessing of the gods and the fates?"

"Not only that when they kissed their heirloom crystals merged as one into a lotus blossom and their hearts were connected by a red string."

"So they really are soul mates?"

"Yes, they really are. One soul in two bodies, it is a rare thing to find the other half of your soul."

"Surely not that rare after all you have Prince Tatsuo."

"Yes, I do." Kakyuu said softly as she gripped her beloved's hand tightly. "However even as long as my love and I have been together that is eclipsed by the time that they have been in love. Millennia have passed since those two first beheld one another, that kind of love cannot be destroyed by anything much less a wish granted by a dragon."

"So then what are we doing here?"

"We need information on the dragon. Plain and simple all of us are needed to track down this information."

"We promised Serenity and Endymion that we would help them by getting them the information that they would need. It was the least that we could do since Starfighter is one of Kakyuu's protectors."

"Very well, what would you like for us to do?"

"I need both of you to scour the Imperial Libraries and find any and all information pertaining to the Dragon. I will release a visual communication across the empire asking that all people bring any information even if it is just rumors."

"Very well then we'll head to the libraries and start who knows how much time we have until she arrives there."

"She more than likely has spent a lot of her energy when she tried to teleport there so it might take some time before she fully rejuvenates that lost energy." Prince Tatsuo said even as he waved away one of the many servants. "However, that does not say that we have all the time in the world. We must be quick and diligent in what we do."

"Yes, Prince Tatsuo. We will report any information that we can find immediately. Take care of our Princess."

"Of course."

"Stay safe my Starlights."

"Yes, Princess." They said in unison as they both teleported out of the throne room.

"Now for that vi-comm."

"The subjects will wonder why the sudden interest in the Dragon Star."

"We will inform them. I have never lied to them before and I don't intend to start now."

"This will mean that when we can capture Starfighter, you cannot change your mind. You will be unable to show her any form of leniency even if that is what you wished to do, your subjects will not stand for it."

"I am well aware of the repercussions of the truth, my love, but I cannot lie to our people they need to be made aware of the situation and I do not wish to be lenient with Starfighter. When we recapture the rebellious Senshi, she will no longer be a Starlight. She will be stripped of her title, her powers, her lands and her name shall be stricken from every record. Her name will be forbidden none shall speak of her unless they themselves wish to court death. She will be an exile branded so that any who may come into contact with her will flee from the sight of her."

"That is indeed a harsh punishment for you to dole out, my beloved."

"It is only fitting for one whom has abandoned her station and her duty and whom has put in jeopardy the alliance we have with the monarchs of the Milky Way Galaxy."

"Fitting it is, but harsh for one that you have centuries of memories with."

"No amount of goodwill on my part or of remorse on hers' could ever change my stance on this matter. The fact that she abandoned her place as my protector and ran off to go try and change the course of history to force someone to love her will remain unchanged. Not even I can protect her, this will be the harshest punishment besides the obvious one of death. She will serve as a reminder to those who would try to fight the will of the Gods and the fates."

"Unfortunate that she did not listen when you and the other Starlights tried to warn her of her folly."

"Princess Kakyuu," a timid voice interrupted the royals, "The Vi-Comm system is all set up and ready for your declaration."

"Thank you, Elizabeth." Kakyuu said as she turned to look at the owner of the timid voice. "We will begin now." Princess Kakyuu gathered her skirts as she stood and made her way to the communications room.

Prince Tatsuo followed behind her and handed her a cup of water so that she could clear her throat and to give her some last minute advice. "Think about what you're going to say because once it's been said there is no taking it back. Do not think I am trying to tell you how to make your decisions I will always support you no matter what you decide. However, I do not want you to regret any decision you make."

"I am well aware of what will happen and I understand why you are bringing this to my attention. Starfighter has not left me with any other decision."

"As long as you are resolute in your decision I will stand behind you."

"I appreciate your support." Kakyuu said as she turned towards the vi-comm screen. "People of the Kinmoku star system I have some important news to share." Kakyuu took a deep breath to calm her racing heart, "Sailor Starfighter is on the run, she has put our alliance with the Sol System in jeopardy. Starfighter believes that she is in love with Moon Princess Serenity, and that love has turned into an obsession. She has run from her duties to me and our star system. Should anyone come across her, please report it immediately because of this obssession she is seeking the Dragon. Should anyone have any information whether it is rumor or legends please share it with me." She inhaled and tried to look as ruthless as possible, "When we apprehend Sailor Starfighter she will be branded and banished. Her name stricken from every record we hold, execution would not be suitable for someone whom has abandoned her position and is seeking to destroy a union that the Gods and the Fates have tied together." Kakyuu tried to pace herself and keep from sounding rushed, "I will be grateful for all the information and help that any of my people can provide. I thank you for listening and understanding my position on this matter."

Kakyuu's smile was strained even as the vi-comm screen was powered down. She meant what she had said about Starfighter but it still hurt to know that one of her closest friends had not only betrayed her but had betrayed the cause that she had strived so valiantly to champion.

"I knew this would be hard on you." Tatsuo said as he reached out to pull her into his arms.

"I didn't think it would be this difficult." Kakyuu sobbed as she broke down into tears in her lover's arms. "How could she dismiss my advice so easily? How can she be so ready to tear down everything I've tried so hard to build? The alliance with the Sol System could crumble, and my empire could very well crumble beneath me. She has insured that I can never publicly forgive her and that I must take extreme measures to make sure that in the end our kingdom survives this fiasco."

"I'm aware of how hard this must be on you. She is one of your Senshi, one of the few people who have been with you since your birth and the fact that she would so easily destroy everything is hard to stomach."

"We will have to choose a group of girls from her planet."

"What in the heavens for?"

"Once I strip her of her powers, they will search for the next suitable candidate. I would like to try and have a ready selection for whomever the gods decide to choose."

"If that is the wish of my beloved then so shall it be, as soon as can be allowed I will send my own personal guard to search."

"I thank the heavens daily that you are by my side once more. I do not know how I would handle this situation if you were not here beside me."

"I thank the heavens that Galaxia was destroyed and we were able to be united once more. I never wish for you to go through that ever again."

"Your Majesties!" An excited voice cried out as they entered the room.

"Yes, Catarina."

"The first people with rumors have started to arrive outside the palace." The young girl said as soon as she could catch her breath, her face flushed from the excitement. "The people support your decision, My Princess, and they are eager to help you find the answers you seek."

"Then let them into the throne room and let us hope that someone has answers." Prince Tatsuo said as he led his Princess through the hallways and back to the throne room. "If they are rushing in like this then perhaps they understand the gravity of the situation."

"Yes I pray to the gods we find the answers sooner rather than later." Kakyuu said as she squeezed her Prince's hand and tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach. As they walked into the throne room they noticed that it was not the few people they had been expecting but rather a few hundred. Kakyuu smiled as she saw all her people willing to help and it eased the anxiousness that had settled in her stomach. These people were the reason that she could not allow Starfighter to be forgiven, why her actions against someone she loved dearly would have to be brutal. They outweighed everything and everyone, for their good and the good of every star in her system she could not allow her personal affection with anyone cloud her judgement. I am truly sorry Starfighter but you brought this down upon yourself.