Chapter 12: Only Moonlight

*Shinigami*

Stepping into the darkened stone chambers, Kori's magenta strands fell about her face as she bowed to her master, Shinigami, and her hazelnut eyes shifted upward to gaze upon him, "You summoned me my lord?"

Shinigami smiled down at his servant, his knowing electric-green orbs falling upon her. He knew how Kori felt about him and what she wanted from him. He would never reciprocate her feelings, nonetheless he also would not hesitate to use them to his advantage. A crooked smile crossed his ice colored face, "Yes I did, Kori. Stand."

Obeying her master's command, Kori stood and the heels of her boots made an interesting sound as they made contact with the stone floor. Mesmerized by Shinigami's eyes, Kori asked, "What is it you require of me, my lord?"

The crooked grin becoming even wider as he saw her anticipation to serve him. He hoped that she would still be this obedient when he had taken his prize…. The one that would be his bride, whether she liked it or not. Regardless, he forced his expression to soften a fraction, knowing the effect it would have on Kori, and replied, "Kori, I simply require that you accompany me to a masquerade ball tomorrow evening. This ball is everything."

Kori could not hide the absolute pleasure her master's words gave her and her tone could not either, "Of course, my lord. Anything you wish of me, I will do." Shinigami questioned her commitment, however she was useful and if she became otherwise, he knew what he would do.

*Endo*

He sat in the parlor with Usa-chan in silence. Endo could feel something was afoot, however he did not know what. Upon receiving his Aunt's invitation, Rei was so upset that Jadeite had been forced to sway her into the temple. So, his plan of getting someone to try and get through to his mother had failed. Of course, Endo was determined to try again in the morning. He planned to speak with Nephrite or Zoicite. Nephrite had been the one she had spoken to before. In addition, it was his understanding that Zoicite had helped her on Estara. Someone had to get through to her.

As he thought of all of this, Endo sensed people approaching. Immediately, he recognized two of them. However, Endo did not know the third strange energy and aura that was with them. Exchanging a glance with Usa-chan, the two of them stood together and faced the door.

The doors opened and the first person that his cerulean blue eyes fell on was his grandmother, Queen Mother Usagi-Serenity. Endo bowed slightly and a smile crossed his face, "Good evening grandmother." His smile grew as he saw his sister, Ruka, bolt from behind his grandmother and before he knew it she was hugging him tightly. He returned the hug and spoke gently, "I missed you too Ruka." Then Endo caught sight of the edge of an unusual white wing and a wisp of pink hair with a soft azure tip.

Ruka let one hand release Endo and motioned in their grandmother's direction, "Come on out Michiko! Don't be shy!" The smile on her face and comfortable way Ruka addressed their new sister dumbfounded Endo.

Timidly, Michiko stepped from behind their grandmother and looked upon Endo with eyes that seemed to mirror his own. He took her in, noticing her soft pink and azure hair that was worn in the traditional odangos of the Silver Millennium. Her expression was gentle and she still wore her Senshi uniform. Her Fuku was an interesting combination of the Starlight look and the look of the Earth Senshi. It was as if being created across time and space had made her a true pairing of the two groups. She spoke with the same gentleness displayed on her face, "It is a pleasure to meet you Endymion. I am Michiko. Ruka has told me quite a bit about you." She curtseyed in a way he had only seen Ruka do half a dozen times in her life. Then Endo watched as his new sister turned to their cousin, "Princess Chisana-Usagi, it is a pleasure to meet you as well."

Endo could sense Usa-chan's desire to accept and welcome Michiko into their family. She and Ruka seemed to have the same mentality. Neither of them seemed to want to punish Michiko for the mistakes his mother had made. He met Michiko's eyes and told her politely, "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Michiko." Then he turned his attention back to his sister, "What in the world are you doing here Ruka? You didn't come on your own, did you?" He would not put that past his bold and adventurous sister.

Shaking her head, Ruka replied, "No way! Papa brought us! She felt it! What is happening to Mama. She is going to try and get through to her." The arm still held onto Endo squeezed him once more. Endymion was stunned into silence. His Papa was here? What did that mean? Did that mean she was ready to forgive their mother? Or was she just here as a dutiful Senshi? He doubted that. His Papa loved his Mama too much to allow her to slip into oblivion. Yet, somewhere inside of Endo he wasn't certain everything would be alright.

Ruka stepped away from Endo and he watched as his sisters de-transformed. It was an interesting sight. Ruka wearing her usual attire that consisted mostly of boots, durable yet refined pants, and shirts that would be considered very casual for a princess. This evening she would a blue that mirrored that beauty of the night sky. Michiko on the other hand, was wearing an elegant dress in a was almost a magenta hue at the top and a wine color toward the bottom with matching dress slippers. Michiko even wore her princess tiara. Such a contrast to his twin. He also noted the difference in the royal symbols upon their foreheads. Ruka's was a star, while Michiko bore a crescent moon the same as he did and the same as Usa-chan…. This cofounded him.

Ruka guided their sister toward Usa-chan and in her undeniable way, she got the girls talking and the three of them began chatting away. Endymion looked on in silence. Then he felt his grandmother's hand on his shoulder and she whispered in his ear, "What's the matter my sweet Endo?"

He did not look at her, but whispered in return, "I'm sorry grandmother, but I find that I do not know how to talk to her." His eyes locked on his new sister, the mysterious Michiko… The child who defied time.

She smiled at him knowingly, "Give it time, Endymion. Give it time and give her a chance. Take a cue from Ruka." Perhaps his grandmother and Ruka were right, yet Endo still couldn't move.

*Seiya*

Having adorned herself in a black cloak with a hood that mostly hid her face, Seiya stealthily made her way through the courtyards and gardens of the Crystal Palace. She wasn't sure about this approach. It was silly, and sentimental, and over the top. It had been Usagi's idea. Fearing all of the commotion and questions that would ensue if Seiya went through the castle directly, Usagi had told her to make her way to Kiyoko's balcony and surprise her. It made Seiya feel idiotic, but if this is what it took then it is what Seiya would do.

At last, she'd made it to Kiyoko's balcony, or beneath it rather. Now she just had to climb up to it. Easy, right. Even Seiya wasn't convinced of the bravado in her head. Regardless, she found a foothold and began scaling the wall. After almost slipping and falling to her death a few times, Seiya made it onto the Balcony. Her feet making the smallest of sounds as she landed.

Of course, the smallest of sounds was all that it took. From within the room Seiya heard Kiyoko call out, "Who is there?" Two things sent a shiver down Seiya's spine. One, Kiyoko sounded like herself yet not herself at all. Seiya couldn't think of another way to describe it. Two, the fact that she was so lost in her own despair that she did not know who was on her balcony made Seiya's heart sink.

Without answering Kiyoko, Seiya slipped through the cracked door and into her chambers. Kiyoko sat, facing away from Seiya with a faint golden glow all around her. Seiya slipped back the hood of her cloak and took I the room with shock. The bed posts, the roses, Usagi had warned her about all of it; yet seeing it for herself somehow made it real. Taking a few steps forward, Seiya finally spoke, "Kiyoko." It was one word, but it was all she needed.

In an instant Kiyoko was on her feet and turned in Seiya's direction. The sight Seiya's dark blue eyes saw made her heart break in an entirely different way. Kiyoko looked fatigued and showed small signs of malnourishment. It was clear that her magic and power was out of balance and her heart as well as her mind in tatters.

Kiyoko's hand reached out tentatively and then pulled back. With a small voice, Kiyoko asked, "Is that really you Seiya? Or is this yet another dream come to taunt me?"

Seiya walked forward, attempting to close the distance between them. However, Kiyoko strode backward with fear written all over her. Seiya could sense that this was not fear of her as a person, but fear from whatever dark dreams were tormenting her now. If there was one power Seiya almost wished that Kiyoko did not have… It was the visions, so often brought to her in dreams. That was the thing that Seiya worried would undo her mind one day; it almost had before. She reached her hand out and spoke gently to her beloved, "I am here Kiyoko and I am real. I heard you, felt you, from across the galaxy. Please let me help you. I love you Kiyoko and I promised never to let you fall." With that last sentence Seiya raised her other arm, holding her hands out to show Kiyoko that she was not afraid and wanted nothing more than to embrace her.

Tears streaming down her face, Kiyoko practically fell into Seiya's arms squeezing her tightly around the waist as she cried in loud sobs. Slowly Seiya closed her arms, enfolding Kiyoko in her warmth and simply stood there, her head leaning down on Kiyoko's. Only moonlight from the balcony filtered into the room as the golden glow faded from Kiyoko's skin. The one thing Seiya said to her was, "I have always loved you and I always will. You don't have to be afraid anymore." Her words only made Kiyoko cry more, Seiya did not care… She did not care how much it hurt or how difficult it was; she would never leave her side again.

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