Decisions

When Kiyoko entered the courtyard it was virtually a mirror of three days ago. Again the Inner Senshi stood on the left, Sailor Mars squeezed her hand as she went to join them. The Outer Senshi stood on the right, an encouraging smile on Haruka's lips while Pluto's face was stone. Kiyoko knew that Setsuna knew what she'd kept to herself and that must be why she'd been avoiding her. At the fountain sat her mother, her face once again serene, with her sister and brother-in-law surrounded by the Asteroid Senshi.

Again wearing the fierce face of Priestess and Queen Kiyoko walked to where her sister was and bowed in greeting. Serenity smiled at her, "Good evening my sister, Queen of Estara, Priestess of the Silver Millennium. Shall we begin?" Kiyoko nodded and Serenity stood, clasping her sister's hand.

Kiyoko was surprised, but pleased, and so she spoke, "Again, we would like to thank you for gathering here to discuss what was proposed three days ago. I know that I have spoken with many of you and I can imagine Queen Serenity has as well. I know that I still stand by that proposal. And while I know that not all of you are in favor of this, I hope that most of you can support it."

Serenity picked up there, "As Kiyoko stated, I know that not everyone is supportive of this idea. I have spoken with my guard," she said as she motioned toward the Asteroids with her free hand, "as well as my husband. It is the consensus that if Kiyoko and I do this, that they will support the idea because of their faith in us. Now I ask all of you what your feeling is here. Where do you stand?"

The Inner Senshi all exchanged glances and nods and looked to Minako. She stepped forward and bowed, "You're Highnesses, it is with great faith that I speak for those of us from the Inner Solar System. We have chosen to support this endeavor, not for ourselves, but for them." She bowed again and stepped back into line with the other Inners.

Kiyoko looked toward the Senshi of the Outer Solar System, knowing that if Serenity supported this so would Hotaru as her best friend. She knew how Haruka and Michiru felt. It was Setsuna who was the wild card. She smiled at them regardless, "What do the Senshi of the Outer Solar System say?"

Haruka and Michiru stepped forward in one of their amazing simultaneous fluid motions and bowed, "We stand with both of you. We will support you." The quiet Hotaru bowed and nodded in agreement.

Setsuna stepped forward and bowed, "If the others support you than I will not stand in the way. That is all I can say my Queens." Her face still the mask of the guardian of time.

Serenity spoke to Yaten, "Do the Starlights still support this? Do you still have that faith that you spoke of three days ago?"

Yaten thought momentarily. She knew there was a piece of information missing. But she expected that would be revealed soon. She knew what Seiya thought. She knew what she felt in her gut. So Yaten looked at Serenity and replied, "Yes, Queen Serenity, that faith in my Queen is still there, and in you as well."

And so everyone looked at Usagi, Queen Mother of Earth, to hear her thoughts on the matter. She stood and spoke, "Well, everyone was given three days to consider the matter at hand. And it seems that everyone, or most everyone, has come to support this effort to resurrect the Shitenou. I can't say that I don't still have my reservations, but I look to my two strong daughters and trust them. If they believe in this, than I will not abandon them in it." She looked to Kiyoko specifically, "Now my dear Kiyoko. Please explain where we go from here."

Blinking from shock it took a moment before Kiyoko could speak, but then she began, "Thank you mother. Thank you everyone. Thank you for your support, your understanding, and your love throughout the years. Now, to the matter at hand." Her face became very serious, "I've explained the spell to Serenity and we believe that we can make it work. We will do the spell at noon tomorrow. First we have to carefully remove the stones from my father's sarcophagus. I would ask that you do that Helios." She looked to her brother-in-law.

Helios replied, "Of course Kiyoko. It would be my honor to do so." He knew that Kiyoko was trusting him in great measure with such a delicate task.

Smiling, Kiyoko nodded and continued to address everyone, "Due to the jarring nature of this experience for the Shitenou themselves, I am sorry but I must ask that only a certain few be present. I would ask the Inner Senshi of course, as well as our mother since they're those who knew them. I would ask Helios, but I think it'd be best if he tended to his duties as King. And out of respect for my home, Estara, I ask that Yaten be with us. However, I am not sure what state the Shitenou will be in when they are revived and do not want to overwhelm them."

There was a low murmur until Usagi stood and spoke, "Please don't be foolish. Kiyoko is right in this. None of us know how they'll react and three unfamiliar faces, as well as dealing with Endymion's death is enough."

Kiyoko continued, "Thank you mother. Now, we come to the one thing that is key to making the spell work. It has to be done on the site where they perished. So those of us going, must go to the North Pole and the ruins of the Dark Kingdom." She stopped and waited, knowing that this could cause trouble which is why she'd kept it to herself until now.

It was Helios who actually spoke first, "My dear Kiyoko. That place has been desolate and deserted for over a millennia. And there are still ripples of the dark energy that once thrived there."

It seemed everyone was waiting for Kiyoko's response. She looked around and then at him, "I understand that, brother. But it is the only way to make the spell work. This part is not up for debate. We must go there, or will we allow the Dark Kingdom to have one last victory?"

The next voice was her mother's, strong and filled with conviction, surprising everyone, "No. The Dark Kingdom will never have another victory again. We will leave first thing in the morning. Everyone going is to meet in the throne room then."

Sometimes it was ironic to think that her mother was no longer the official ruler of Earth because she would always have as much, if not more say than Serenity or Kiyoko. With it clear that this discussion was over everyone started to disburse. The Inners, her mother, and Serenity promised to see them in the morning. Helios assured Kiyoko that the stones would be ready, of course she had no doubt. The others trickled out, Haruka exchanging a brief glance with Kiyoko as she and Michiru left.

*Haruka*

It pained Haruka to not accompany Kiyoko, but she couldn't fault the logic that having everyone there could be disconcerting. As she and Michiru were walking back to their own chambers, having split off from the others. Someone approached from behind. When Haruka turned she saw Yaten walking toward them. She looked at Michiru, "I wonder what she wants." Michiru shrugged, but didn't leave her side.

Yaten reached them and spoke frankly, "Haruka, I have a favor to ask. Well, technically I am merely following Seiya's instructions."

Haruka interrupted her, "And what is it Seiya wants, other than my head on a platter undoubtedly?" She was not in the mood to be bitched at by Yaten, especially on Seiya's behalf.

Yaten's face showed clear irritation, which made Haruka the tiniest bit happy, as she responded, "Despite her temper and feelings of jealousy, she isn't asking for anything for herself. She is asking for Kiyoko, not that Kiyoko would admit to needing it. When I spoke to her earlier we discussed the risks of the spell and my suspicions about Kiyoko limited the parties involved. We're concerned about the strain it will take on Kiyoko."

Michiru interrupted this time, "We're all concerned about the strain it'll take on her. Estara may be her home now, but we'll always be her family."

Nodding, Yaten replied, "We know that. And as much as it pains me to deliver the message, and more so the pain it causes Seiya to have to ask this of…. You… She asks that you speak with Kiyoko and insist on going with us tomorrow. Seiya believes that with the bond you now share will allow you to support her and she fears that Kiyoko will need it."

It took a minute for Haruka to say anything. She was so distraught by the idea that Seiya would ask her this. But she finally recovered herself, "Don't you think I want to be there?"

Michiru patted her shoulder, "Go and speak to her. She will listen, especially if she finds out that Seiya set aside her own feelings to ask for this." She smiled and told her beloved to go, kissing her on the cheek.

*Haruka*

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