Chapter 11
Sweet Dreams
Dinner was interesting to say the least. It appeared that everyone had heard her words, but Haruka still looked a bit hostile toward Seiya. And Seiya, she was goading Haruka. She found every reason to brush Kiyoko's hand, and while it was rooted in the desire to simply have contact with Kiyoko there was also a satisfaction in the discontentment on Haruka's face. These two would kill her, not the enemy or the unstable crystal.
After dinner Taiki and Yaten offered to clean up. It was the most friendly they'd been this whole time. Kiyoko felt like perhaps she'd really reached them. Haruka looked about and announced that they'd all sit down and plan their strategy in the morning. Then she turned to Kiyoko and Michiru, "Kiyo-chan, you should get ready for bed. I'll be in shortly." She shot Seiya a look, but didn't say anything, baby steps Kiyoko supposed. Haruka then laid her hand out for Michiru, "Let's do a system's check and get your course all set for the night." Michiru smiled, "Yes dear." She hugged Kiyoko and the two were off to the cockpit.
Momentarily Kiyoko simply stood there. She felt her presence behind her and knew she was about to have arms around her. She turned to face the owner of those arms, "Please Seiya. Taiki and Yaten are right over there. I meant what I said, the mission has to come first." Seiya curved her hips and looked over her should, "They're not paying attention," she whispered. Kiyoko had begun shaking her head when she felt Seiya's hands on her face, stopping the movement. Kiyoko's eyes widened as Seiya leaned in closer and brushed her lips against Kiyoko's. Just as quickly she leaned back and smiled, "Goodnight Kiyo-chan." Kiyo-chan? Was Seiya going to call her that now too? The past, it always comes back.
With the thousandth sigh of this journey Kiyoko went to her quarters. After brushing out her hair, she got into bed. Soon Haruka came in. She milled about a few minutes and then got into bed herself. With a start Kiyoko felt herself being pulled close, against Haruka. It wasn't often that Haruka showed this gentle side of herself. It made Kiyoko feel special. But she could feel a fear, a restlessness in Haruka. She couldn't let it go without saying something, "You are genuinely afraid Papa." If Haruka insisted on calling her Kiyo-chan, she would keep calling her papa. Haruka's voice was small, "I simply want to protect you. I always have. And not just because it was my duty. I meant what I said, you are like a daughter to me." Kiyoko chuckled, "Most fathers don't hold their daughters like this." Haruka chuckled as well, "I just can't help it. Keeping you close to me is the only way I know you won't slip away like your mother did."
"It burdens you all, doesn't it? Her sleep," it was Kiyoko's turn to use a small voice. Haruka sounded broken, "Yes, my princess." Kiyoko looked up into Haruka's eyes. She kissed her cheek without thinking, just like she had her father whenever he looked sad. Haruka grinned, "You're going to make Michiru jealous." Kiyoko almost died laughing. Haruka looked very confused, "What did I miss?" When Kiyoko regained her composure she replied, "You and she are truly two halves. I am genuinely blessed to have you with me." Haruka's expression turned soft again, "No, Kiyo-chan, it is we who are blessed to have you. Sleep my princess and know that no harm will come to you tonight." Kiyoko wondered if Seiya or any other lover would be able to live up the high standards her fathers had set. She drifted off peacefully soon after and dreamed…. Not of monsters in the dark, but of her mother.
In this dream she was sitting in the field of roses, where the sun and moon met, and next to her was her mother: Neo Queen Serenity. Was this merely a dream? It felt much like her encounter after the untethering spell. Kiyoko decided just to be direct, "Is this simply a dream or something more?" Her mother turned to her, a kind smile, "Something more Kiyo-chan." Again with that old name! Her mother laughed, "What has you frustrated my dear?" "After not being called that for 100 years, it seems everyone has decided it needed to return," Kiyoko shook her head. Her mother laughed, "It was a cute name." Kiyoko was so happy she rested something in her mother that made her come alive, even if only in dreams. Her mother's face turned introspective, "I loved bringing you here when you were a child. Almost as much as I loved watching you practice your magic with Endymion from the trees. Kiyoko leaned against her mother, "I miss you mom." "I miss you too Kiyoko," she said placing her hand on Kiyoko's. Tears started welling up in Kiyoko's eyes, "Please wake up and come back to us. Everyone else misses you too." Neo Queen Serenity exhaled, "I know. But the time isn't quite right yet." Time? Did her mother have some plan she wasn't aware of? Kiyoko didn't get to voice her concerns though, her mother's next words dumbfounded her, "You'll stop this evil. I know you will….. And never fight love Kiyo-chan. You'll never win. It's the strongest force out there. Seiya is a good person." Quickly her mother kissed her head and stood up. And just like that the dream dissolved.
Kiyoko sat up in the bed, sweating… and glowing…. Haruka was sitting up like lightening, taking Kiyoko's hand in hers, "Another nightmare?" For a moment Kiyoko couldn't speak. She closed her eyes and was able to regain a bit of control, "No, Haruka. The sweetest dream I've had in a hundred years." Haruka looked at Kiyoko, "What do you mean?" "I dreamed of my mother…. No, it wasn't exactly a dream. It was real. And she told me we'll stop this evil." Kiyoko couldn't tell Haruka about her mother's words on love. Haruka gasped, "Are you sure?" Kiyoko nodded, "Absolutely." As the glow faded, Kiyoko felt herself get heavy. She was excited and exhausted at the same time. Haruka seemed to pick up on this and pulled Kiyoko back down to the bed, "Sleep my princess. My Kiyo-chan." And Kiyoko did just that, no dreams, good or bad. No dreams at all. The last thought she remembered was wondering what Seiya would say about her dream. Her mother was right, fighting love was a losing battle.