Chapter 12
Acceptance
Kiyoko woke, feeling like she'd slept for a long time. When her eyes opened she saw Michiru toweling off her hair. Where was Haruka? She sat up, "Good morning Michiru. Are you going to sleep now?" Michiru did look tired. She turned to Kiyoko, "Not yet, not until after the strategy session. Haruka wanted to shower." She snickered as Kiyoko blushed. Michiru came and sat on the edge of the bed, "Princess of the Silver Millennium and a high priestess blushes at two lovers showering?" Kiyoko fiddled with the blanket, "You know I've never had a lover." Michiru pulled Kiyoko's face up by the chin gently, "Perhaps. But something tells me that is changing." This statement brought a question that had been bothering Kiyoko to the surface, "Why aren't you hostile about this, like Papa?"
Michiru paused a moment, but then replied, "Two reasons: No matter how I feel, love is love and there's no point in fighting it. And Haruka is being hostile enough for the both of us." Kiyoko was reminded of last night, "My mother told me something similar." "Yes, Haruka told me about last night, but she didn't mention anything about love," Michiru looked at Kiyoko skeptically. Kiyoko swallowed, "I may have left that detail out. Remember, hostile." Michiru nodded, "I understand. But you should get yourself ready for the day. We have our strategy session and Haruka thinks we'll be able to land before nightfall, if we can find a safe place to land."
Kiyoko agreed and got up and started walking toward the door, headed for a shower herself. Michiru called after her, "Mamma says… Alone." Kiyoko blushed as she left the room, mostly because she couldn't deny the thought crossing her mind.
After Kiyoko's shower, it was time for the strategy session. Everyone sat around the table, Kiyoko happy that she managed to get to sit next to Seiya again. To begin with, Haruka asked the Starlights to give them the layout of the planet. Taiki, Starhealer, took the lead here. As she started to speak Kiyoko felt Seiya lay her hand on top of hers and thoughts started floating into her mind, "I hope you slept well. You seemed very happy on your way to shower. I almost followed you." The preverbal wink in Seiya's mind put some pink in Kiyoko's cheeks. She was about to respond when she heard Michiru clear her throat. Right, she needed to focus, "Behave. We'll talk later." And with that she pulled herself back to the matter at hand.
From Taiki's description it sounded like the planet, coined Estara (E-star-ah) in honor of their star seeds, had a topography similar to early Earth, most of the land was in one large continent, with little area untouched by Hina's darkness. But there were a few isolated areas, mostly in the southern region. There was a rural area with some mountains and great valleys that would be their target for landing. They felt like there was one valley in particular that was large enough to land in, but surrounded by mountains as well for concealing their arrival. Luckily the Starlights knew the land. They assured the others it would take less than a day to reach the Capitol and that'd be where they'd find Hina. She'd taken over Princess Kakyuu and the Starlights base of operation. Yaten had said that he felt like calling it a castle felt like too much. It was more comparable to a small mansion by Earth's standards. The Starlights knew of some secret tunnels that had been built for evacuation a long time ago, but never used.
Yaten had taken the helm of the conversation by this point. He looked at Kiyoko, "Once we're in we will make our way to the throne room. But that's where you have to take over Princess Kiyoko. We don't have the power to defeat Hina. But by the radiance of that crystal alone, I think you have a chance." She took a deep breath and decided to share things with the Starlights, "I know I can beat her. Between the powers I was born with and the power of the Golden Crystal, I am certain. And my mother told me she knows we'll win. She appeared to me in my sleep last night."
Of course Haruka and Michiru already knew this, but the Starlights all seemed surprised, Seiya in particular. Yaten spoke up first, "Well, I'm glad. She defeated Galaxia and sealed chaos. I trust her judgement. I'm sorry I haven't been more open to you Princess Kiyoko." Taiki expressed similar feelings. This was a pleasant surprise to Kiyoko. And of course Seiya couldn't be left out, "I have no doubt in my mind about you, Kiyo-chan." The statement seemed to have a double meaning which Kiyoko felt confirmed as Seiya squeezed her hand.
Haruka cleared her throat VERY loudly, "Now that we seem to have a plan, I'd like to see Starhealer in the cockpit to go over some specifics about landing this thing." She leaned down and kissed Michiru's cheek, "And you need to sleep." She stood there for a second, staring at Kiyoko and Seiya, well at their touching hands, "Would my dear Priestess like to join us and learn more about piloting?" Haruka knew this was one area Kiyoko had no interest in, and Kiyoko knew the question had nothing to do with actually learning about piloting. She loved Haruka very much, but she wasn't going along with this one, "I'm fine Haruka. You know it's not of interest to me."
Haruka blew out a great breath and left with Taiki. Yaten said she was going to go back to their quarters. So there they sat, alone at last. But Kiyoko and Seiya couldn't do what she knew Seiya wanted. She could feel the direction her thoughts were headed… to the shower… She blushed again. Then she squeezed Seiya's hand, "Haruka is right. You are bad news!" "I guess so," she smirked and drew Kiyoko closer to her, looking as if she were going to whisper something in her ear. Kiyoko couldn't get a read on her thoughts, it's like she was trying to hide them. So caught up in that, Kiyoko didn't realize until Seiya's lips pressed against hers what was happening. But the warmth she'd been feeling turned into a crackling flame. She pressed back and put her hands around Seiya's neck, not wanting her to break this moment. She felt like she could stay in this moment of time for all eternity. Seiya ran her fingers through Kiyoko's long, wavy raven locks. But soon, too soon, she pulled back. Kiyoko felt flush. Seiya caressed her cheek softly, "I've wanted to do that from the moment we met." With a start, Kiyoko realized she had too.
Kiyoko and Seiya soon moved to a long couch. They didn't kiss again, but Kiyoko leaned into Seiya's arms. Thinking to herself, she realized this trip had been strange in so many ways, another one occurring to her then. She'd spent most of her life with this thin veil between her and anyone outside of her family, blood or not, using her magic. But not on this trip. It was a nice sensation, letting others in. Seiya didn't say anything for a long time. Kiyoko could feel her thoughts wandering, but didn't want to pry. Finally she whispered, "This is so comfortable. And thank you for not intruding. I can feel you trying not to." "I want to know everything about you, but only when you're ready," Kiyoko snuggled in closer. Seiya started stroking her long hair, "When this is over Kiyo-chan." Kiyoko realized that she had decisions to make, but Seiya's presence was enough for now.
Michiru emerged from the sleeping quarters sometime later. Seiya and Kiyoko had not moved, not one inch. The other two Starlights had also left their room and sat in chairs across from them. They'd not said anything, but it appeared that they were genuine in their desire to accept Kiyoko. When Kiyoko felt Michiru behind her she looked up, "It's too late Mamma." Michiru smiled and furrowed her brow at the same time, "I know Kiyo-chan, I know. But you might want to sit up. We're approaching the planet. And Taiki, Haruka wants us both in the cockpit."
Kiyoko sat up. So it was time to begin the real mission. She held tightly to Seiya's hand. Seiya kissed her cheek,