Reckless

When Haruka and Kiyoko materialized on the landing pad outside of the castle they were surrounded, in a sense. Of course Michiru and Usagi were still there. But Serenity, Minako, Helios, Setsuna, and Yaten had joined them. Haruka shifted, both out of weariness and from everyone's stares. She could imagine what Kiyoko must be feeling, especially after that…. Kiss… She shook her head at everyone, "She's okay. Can you all just give her some space?" She looked at Kiyoko, "To your chambers? Or the communication room?"

No one spoke or dared to move. They were stunned into petrification, figuratively, from both Kiyoko's appearance and Haruka's chastisement. Kiyoko looked around for a moment, her eyes looking with Yaten's briefly, and then she looked at Haruka, "My chambers please. I think I'd like to rest before I talk to her." Haruka looked at Michiru, hoping she'd understand, and then walked Kiyoko away from the others and toward the castle, still holding her hand.

Fortunately no one followed them. They reached Kiyoko's chambers fairly quickly. She stopped and smiled at Haruka, "You can go if you want. I am okay now. I'm fortunate enough to have two people in the Universe who understand me completely now, one at each end of the galaxy." She looked at the door and made it open with her magic. Kiyoko's smile grew, she hadn't done that since she left Earth the first time.

She started to pull her hand from Haruka's, but Haruka didn't let go. She wasn't sure if she simply wanted to protect her or if it was because she wasn't ready for everyone's questions, but she really didn't want to let go. She whispered, "Thank you, but I'd like to stay, if you don't mind."

Kiyoko blinked, surprised at the timid tone in Haruka's voice. It was so unlike her. But she supposed after what she'd shared with her… She nodded, "Of course. You're always welcome Haruka. Are you tired? That kind of magic can drain you." Haruka didn't say anything, but nodded affirmatively. Kiyoko tugged at her hand, "Then let's go to bed. I will contact Seiya afterwards. I do owe her that much."

And so they entered her chambers, the door closing behind them. Kiyoko went into her walk-in closet and came out wearing a soft black nightgown that was similar in design to the one she'd created out of magic, but the fit was looser and the material had a cotton feel for comfort. She looked at Haruka still wearing her fuku, "You can borrow something of mine if you want."

Shaking her head, Haruka replied, "I'll be fine. I just want to take off my boots." She sat down on Kiyoko's bed and slipped off her boots. Kiyoko climbed into the bed and laid on her side facing Haruka. Haruka put her arm around Kiyoko once she laid down and they both drifted off to sleep, knowing there'd be much to deal with when they woke.

Kiyoko woke before Haruka. She looked as though she were still in deep sleep, obviously still recovering from the magic. Kiyoko thought to herself that Haruka reminded her of when Seiya slept, just a little. She slipped out of the bed and went to change. Kiyoko walked through her closet, looking for what she could wear with the wings she'd acquired. Finally she found a black dress that dipped low enough in the back, it was silky and went to her mid-calves. She put on her favorite black heels with the ballet ribbons. And she headed for the door silently, knowing she had to contact Seiya right away. Kiyoko looked at Haruka as she passed the bed. She couldn't wake her, hopefully she'd be alright.

As soon as Kiyoko stepped out of her chambers she saw Yaten, who'd obviously been waiting for her, leaning against the outside of her own door. Her expression was a mic of concern and anger. Kiyoko sighed, she thought Yaten had been on her side. She tried to smile, even though she felt so much more at peace it was still a little difficult, "Have you been waiting long?"

Yaten stood up straight, "Well, you've been sleeping for at least three hours so…" She looked stiff and of course Kiyoko could sense she had things she wanted to say.

Kiyoko bit her lip, "I'm sorry you waited Yaten. I'm on my way to contact Seiya, walk with me and you can tell me what's on your mind.

Yaten nodded, "As you wish." They began walking in the direction of the communications room and Yaten spoke, "What happened? I've heard it from the others, but I want to hear it from you."

Kiyoko walked slowly as she replied, "Michiru came to see me yesterday afternoon. We argued about resurrecting the Shitenou. I got so angry… I was just so tired of having the same argument over and over. Somehow it caused something to happen with my magic, making the wings grow from my back."

Yaten interrupted her, "They just grew on their own?" She shook her head as if to clear it and asked, "Why did you leave? You had everyone so worried. I seriously considered contacting Seiya myself. But I knew she'd immediately head here and that would do no good for Ruka and Endo, or Estara."

Kiyoko chewed on her lip again as she responded, "I'm not sure. I just wanted to get away from everything. Minako and I had taken a trip to the old Moon Kingdom this morning and I'd actually been happy. I wanted that feeling back." It was a little annoying to be explaining this because she knew she'd have to repeat it all to Seiya.

Yaten stopped and looked at her very seriously, "I am sorry that the others have their doubts and that those doubts hurt you, but what you did was reckless. Please, if you feel the need to leave again inform me so that I can go with you. I'm not just your escort, but it is my duty."

Kiyoko nodded and they finished making their way to the communications room. Again, Kiyoko decided to flex her magic and opened the doors using it. Yaten walked just behind her. When she entered she saw that Ami was on duty there this morning. Ami's eyes widened a fraction and then returned to normal, calm in the storm as always. She stood and bowed briefly, "Good morning Kiyoko, Yaten. I assume you're here to speak with Seiya."

It was nice to hear her voice. Kiyoko felt like she never got to spend time with Ami because she was always buried in her duties and her never ending pursuit of knowledge. Kiyoko replied, "Good morning Ami. Yes, I am. And actually I would like some privacy. Will that be a problem?"

Ami smiled, "No, of course not. Yaten and I will wait outside." Yaten was a little irritated that Ami had spoken for her, but she didn't object. The two of them left the room, closing the door behind them. Kiyoko sat down at the console and attempted to connect to Estara.

Surprisingly it was her son, Endo who appeared on the screen. Kiyoko was perplexed, "Good morning Endo, shouldn't you be in school?"

Endo had just as perplexed a look on his face, "What happened to you mother? Why do you have wings?" His face flushed as he realized he hadn't answered Kiyoko's question, "I'm sorry mother, but it's not a school day here."

It took Kiyoko a moment to realize Endo was correct. She smiled, "No, I apologize. It seems I have lost track being here. Would you please get Papa for me? And don't say anything." She had no intention of telling Endo before Seiya.

He nodded, "Of course mother. Please stand by." He disappeared from the screen and Kiyoko waited, hoping no one else would catch sight of her before Seiya.

Luckily, possibly, the next person to appear was her fiancée. Kiyoko saw her eyes grow incredibly wide as she took Kiyoko in and caught sight of the tops of her wings. Seiya stammered, "What… What happened Kiyoko? Did you… Did you do the spell?"

Kiyoko understood where Seiya might think this was the result of the massive magic in that spell. She shook her head, "No, my love. Please let me explain." And so she told her the story of what had happened with Michiru and her departure to the moon. Seiya's face was as still as stone as she listened and Kiyoko wondered what she was thinking, this was an occasion that she couldn't make a guess. She reached the part about Haruka coming to get her back and stumbled, unsure how to tell her about the magical kiss they'd shared.

Seiya's face finally changed and her eyes narrowed, "What are you afraid to tell me? Please, whatever it is tell me. Don't keep anything else from me." There was an edge to her voice, clearly she was still angry.

Kiyoko swallowed, "When we were on the moon…. I was so upset, feeling so alone. I just wanted to feel like someone here understood me the way that you do." She mentally cringed because that probably wasn't the best way to put things, but she kept going, "Haruka, well you know what she means to me." Seiya's eyes narrowed further but she didn't say anything. Kiyoko bit her lip, "I used my magic to help her understand…. Well, everything…. But I was so emotional I could only think of one way to focus the magic…. So I kissed her."

First the color drained from her face and then it flushed very red, "You kissed her! You kissed the woman who'd love nothing more than to see us torn asunder! Are you fucking serious?" Kiyoko was speechless, a swirling of guilt, fear, and frustration running through her. Yaten's words came back to her… what you did was reckless….

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