Curiosities

The next day Kiyoko and her family had no plans that they were aware of. But without fail her mother showed up early and kidnapped her children, planning a picnic and horseback riding with Usa-Chan, Haruka, and Michiru. There was something her mother wasn't telling her, but she was still too sleepy to delve into what it was.

After the children were up and on their way Kiyoko slid back into her bed with Seiya. Just as things were getting steamy between them there was another knock at the door. Kiyoko groaned and Seiya attempted to redirect her attention, determined to ignore whoever was at the door. Kiyoko wanted to do so as well, but she let her magic spread so that she at least knew whom she was ignoring.

When she realized who it was she unhappily had to break away from her beloved. Seiya sighed. She caressed her cheek, "I'm afraid it's Helios. We should answer him." At that same moment Helios knocked on the door once again. Seiya conceded and they both dressed quickly.

When Kiyoko opened the door she was greeted by a smiling Helios. She returned his smile, "What can I do for you my dear brother?" She gestured him into her chambers and closed the door behind him.

Helios turned to look at Kiyoko, "I've actually come to steal your beloved for the day." This statement caught Kiyoko and Seiya both off guard. Kiyoko knew that Helios liked Seiya, but hadn't expected him to come here for her. Most often it was Kiyoko's attention that Helios required, spending so many years as high priestess.

Seiya exchanged a curious look with Kiyoko and then looked to Helios, "Alright, if the King of the Earth requests my company, how can I refuse?" She smirked as she bowed momentarily and then went over to Kiyoko, "There's nothing to worry about, and it's not like its Haruka." She laughed and kissed Kiyoko's cheek, "Until later my love."

Kiyoko was left with nothing to do except nod and kiss Seiya's cheek as well. As the two left her chambers, "I promise to bring her back in one piece. Besides, you have kidnappers of your own that will be here soon. I suggest you ready yourself for a day out." This had Kiyoko further stumped. Sometimes she felt like life would be easier if she'd just read everyone's mind regardless, but she could never do that.

Once they were on their way Kiyoko heeded Helios' advice and got herself ready for whatever might await her. She adorned the black and white gown she'd worn just before leaving for Estara, even going as far as to wear the simple golden Tiara that was similar to her mother's. Just as she was slipping into the black heels she'd used to wear she heard a knock at the door. Her sense told her who it was and she rolled her eyes. Helios was correct, she was definitely being kidnapped.

She heard giggling before she'd even reached the door. She shook her head, but smiled in spite of herself. When she opened her door she saw Minako, Ami, Rei, and Makato standing before her, all wearing simple knee length dresses of yellow, blue, red, and green respectively. Kiyoko knew it would be pointless to fight these four, so she simply asked, "So what do you four have in mind for this royal kidnapping?"

Minako was the leader of the inner Senshi and the most outspoken. She stepped forward with a sly grin on her face, "Well….. We thought we'd have a little fun. There's nowhere we can go without being recognized, so why not go to the one place that no one else is?"

Kiyoko thought on this for a minute, then it hit her, "Really? I doubt anyone has gone there since I used to sneak off when I was young. Serenity never wanted to go. She said it made her sad."

Ami smiled at her this time, "I know it did. And you're right, no one goes there anymore. But we know how much you enjoy it there." Ami was right. Kiyoko did enjoy it there, just as much as she enjoyed it in the Temple or the field where the sun and moon meet. It was also one of her favorite places.

Finally Kiyoko turned, grabbing the choker she always wore, back with a golden sun hanging from it. As she came back to the door she smiled widely at the others, "Alright, let's be off. The ancient Moon Kingdom waits for no one!"

The five of them went to the same launch pad that Kiyoko's ship had landed on, but they had no intentions of using the ship. Calling on their planetary powers, they held hands and streaked through the sky as beams of light. Within moments they'd landed on the place that had once been the home of the Silver Millennium.

It was still as beautiful as when it'd been restored after the defeat of the Dark Kingdom so long ago, according to the images Kiyoko had received over the years from the inner Senshi. They were the only ones who would ever agree to bring her here. She'd always been intrigued by it. Her sister said that it made her sad to think of two entire civilizations lost.

Kiyoko looked around, they were just outside of the amazing castle that once was home to an amazing people. The castle was beautiful and so quiet. Kiyoko felt like sometimes that was the most appealing part of coming here. The quiet…. But there were still echoes of the society that once existed here. As Kiyoko experienced the awe that was the ancient Moon Kingdom with all of her senses, she heard hushed laughter from the others. They always found her fascination with this place amusing. She turned to them, "You four, will you ever stop getting a kick out of this?"

Makoto was the first to respond, a huge grin, "Not likely. To see someone so often reserved and spiritual be so completely absorbed. It's an adorable sight. It's like the first time I made to try cooking without using any of your intuitive powers to understand the recipe before trying." She started giggling at recalling what a disaster that had been.

Kiyoko blushed, "That was NOT fair Mako-chan!" She shook her head at Makoto, unable to keep herself from giggling as well. She walked up and sat down on the steps of the castle. Many times this was as far as she went, just experiencing the magic and majesty of this place was enough for Kiyoko. She looked up and saw the Earth way most saw the moon and smiled.

The others came and sat on the steps around her. This time it was Rei who spoke, "Your mother was always captivated by that view as well. She couldn't help but be curious. Princess Serenity, as she was called then, was just as much trouble as you are." She leaned her head against Kiyoko's shoulder.

Minako spoke up next, "But in the end we have to be thankful to her. Her curiosity and determination led her to your father and us to them…." Minako's voice trailed off sorrowfully. Endymion's four generals on Earth were a bit of a sore subject among the inner Senshi. Just as her mother had fallen in love with her father the four of them had fallen in love with his four trusted generals.

But when the Moon Kingdom fell they'd been brainwashed by the dark forces…. And that vicious cycle repeated itself in the 20th century. Even worse, when they died the second time their spirits never reincarnated. The inner Senshi had tried to find love in other places, but it was never the same as what they'd experienced with Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoicite, and Kunzite.

Kiyoko leaned into Mianko and looked at all of them, "It's so unfair that the four of you were robbed of true love twice." Her heart bled for them. Kiyoko couldn't imagine her life without love now. The very idea of a world where Seiya no longer existed sent a chill down her spine. She understood her mother's urge to retreat from the world so much better. Kiyoko couldn't imagine what it was like for the four of them, 1,200 years of loneliness.

Rei, fiercely dedicated Rei, looked firm as she responded to Kiyoko, "Life is not fair Kiyoko. We all know that. And we have our duty. We will always protect Earth and the Silver Millennium." But the grief in her eyes betrayed her feelings. She accepted her duty, yes. However, that didn't mean she truly wanted to spend her unknown lifespan alone.

Kiyoko stood, hoping to bring happiness back to her beloved guardians, "Come on now. Let's not sit here all day. We have castle exploration to catch up on!" The others stood, trying to shake their sadness and enjoy the time they had with their prodigal princess. The five of them spent the rest of the day wandering through the old castle and gabbing happily. When they realized it was close to sundown in Crystal Tokyo they finally went back to Earth, Hearts lighter than before, but never completely forgetting what they'd lost.