Chapter 35: Botan's Secret

*Michiko*

Michiko had been drawn toward the front gate and as she approached it, she understood why. There she was, a keeper at their door step. The young princess debated on whether or not she should transform. She clutched her Sailor Senshi Star, but did not change into Sailor Starshine. Her instincts told her that she needed to hear this keeper out.

She stopped at the gate, not opening it, and just stared at the keeper in front of her. Her sapphire blue eyes bore into the one before her. Finally, the crimson eyed keeper broke the silence, "I am not here to kill you, child."

"I know that Hestia," Michiko said but did not open the gate, "However, that doesn't mean that I trust you. I know you aren't here to kill me, but I don't know why you're here and I don't like that." There was a fierceness that was not characteristic of the princess of Estara. But she was would protect her family.

Hestia literally chuckles, "You are definitely a daughter of time. None of us like not knowing things." She held up her hands, "I assure you that I mean no harm in coming here. Your aunt is here, correct?"

Automatically, Michiko felt her body tense in response and gave herself away, "Yes…. What do you want with her?" Michiko had spent a little time with her aunt since everything had settled and she felt a great deal of sympathy for her.

Looking past Michiko, "Why don't I just explain it to you all at once." Her brow pinched as she continued staring.

Turning slightly, not letting Hestia out of her sight completely Michiko saw them. She saw her Aunt Botan, her grandmother, and her papa all running to the gate. Michiko wondered if it had been her mother or her aunt who'd figured things out. It really didn't matter, did it? She was glad that they'd gotten her mother to stay behind. She needed her rest.

The trio reached them and Botan narrowed her eyes at Hestia, "What in the name of Apollo are you doing here keeper?" Her voice was a hiss as she spoke the last word.

The fire haired keeper shook her head, "Of course…. You would never swear to Selene, unlike most of your compatriots." Her gaze turned somber, "I am here for the same reason you are. Well, to help with it at any rate."

The princess of Estara, the daughter of time, did not know what to say. She felt like this was something to be settled by Botan and Hestia. However, her papa didn't seem to share her feelings. With clear hostility Seiya addressed Hestia, "Why in the hell should we believe you, you despicable keeper? You and your sister tried to kill my wife and child!"

Usagi placed a hand on Seiya's shoulder, "Seiya, remember… Hestia wasn't like her sister. She spoke up for them in the end. I think we should give her a chance."

Seiya and Botan both looked at Usagi incredulously. Botan nearly shrieked, "You have got to be kidding Usagi! She is a KEEPER! Her entire existence is about destruction!" She turned back toward Hestia and saw nothing there.

Michiko pointed behind them and they all turned to see Hestia standing there. Michiko spoke, "The barrier wasn't stopping you." She looked over to her aunt, "Perhaps grandmother is right." Michiko bit her lip, fearing both her papa and her aunt's reactions.

Seiya and Botan looked at Michiko like she had just said something as ridiculous as the sky was falling. Botan's eyes with filled with harsh judgment, which did not make sense to Michiko. Botan had been trapped in a living coffin for thousands of years because of her own mother's poor judgment and assumptions. How could she be so narrow minded toward Hestia? Michiko swallowed hard, uncertain of what to say now.

Hestia nodded at Michiko and then turned her gaze back to Botan, "If you think that I am misleading you, see for yourself." She slipped off her white glove and extended her hand toward Botan with a morose expression.

Botan just stared at the extend hand before her for a few seconds. Michiko stared at it as well. Then she watched as her aunt took the hand and closed her eyes. Her telepathy was not nearly as strong her Michiko's mothers. But it was there nonetheless. Only a breath had passed when Botan's eyes popped open and she nodded, turning to Usagi, "You're right Usagi. This one, Hestia, means us no harm." However, as she turned back to Hestia her tone changed, "However, if her sister shows up… Do not hesitate to defend your kingdom. She still holds a grudge."

The keeper looked at the ground and whispered, "Yes, she does." Hestia took a big gulp of air and then turned her crimson eyes back up to meets Botan's own coal black ones, "Not to be forward, but there is not time to waste. We should take this inside, her daughters deserve to hear this too." As Hestia said it, she waved a hand in the Queen Mother's direction and slid her glove back on.

Botan nodded and began walking back to the Palace itself when Michiko's stubborn papa interjected again, "What the hell Botan? You've been holding back something! We all knew it!" Her eyes flicked to Usagi's and Michiko's and then she went on, "But the way that you two are talking, it sounds like you've been holding back something BIG!" Michiko stayed silent. She knew that her frustration at being without all of the information did not come solely from her connection to the time stream.

Usagi looked from Seiya to Michiko and Michiko could see a conflict in her grandmother's cobalt eyes. After a brief pause, Usagi spoke, "Seiya, you're right to be upset. However, whatever it is that she's waited to tell us, I am certain there's a reason, isn't there?" Her eyes shifted to Botan.

Botan sighed, "Of course there is Usagi. It needed to wait until the tether switched hands. But I swear that I will tell you, all of you, everything once we are inside. Hestia's correct, your girls need to hear this too."

Michiko could see a rebuttal forming on her papa's lips and so she placed one hand on hers, "Papa, they said we need to hurry, so let's get inside to mother. Please." She saw her papa look into her eyes and Seiya sighed in resignation. That said, they all made their way into the Crystal Palace silently, all eyes on Hestia. It seemed everyone still had their guard up.

*Kiyoko*

Kiyoko opened her eyes and looked at Serenity and Helios. It seemed Helios was starting to come around. She felt relief wash over her for an instant. Then she thought about the exchange she'd seen through Seiya's eyes. Kiyoko whispered, "Serenity, Botan is ready to talk."

Serenity looked from her beloved husband to her precious sister, the irritation of Botan's silence returning to the surface, "Well, it's about time Kiyo-chan."

The doors swung open and in walked Kiyoko's beloved Seiya, her Starshine Michiko, her mother, her aunt, and the keeper Hestia. Kiyoko and Seiya locked eyes and Kiyoko smiled, her eyes beginning to fill with tears. She did not know why, but her heart had already begun to ache. Seiya came and picked up Kiyoko so that she could sit her in her lap. Michiko walked silently to stand behind the two of them and Kiyoko felt her warm energy emanating from Michiko.

Usagi sat down on the edge of the bed beside Kiyoko's poor son. Endymion was still passed out. She would have to remember to scold him and thank him later. That left Botan and Hestia standing before them. Hestia was quiet and Botan shifted uncomfortably under everyone's gaze.

Kiyoko could see the conflict all over her aunt's face. She looked up at her and spoke softly, "Whatever it is Aunt Botan. We can face it together. Just tell us." She felt Seiya's hand upon hers, showing her support. How had she allowed herself to jeopardize love like this? Kiyoko stopped that train of thought and reminded herself to focus.

Botan looked from Kiyoko to Serenity and then to Usagi. She walked over and got down on one knee in front of the Queen Mother, "Usagi… Please forgive me for not telling you sooner…." Her voice trailed off.

Usagi smiled at Botan, that smile Kiyoko knew so well. Her mother was so full of unconditional love. She replied, "Do not fear Botan. I will always forgive you. You are my sister." She clasped her hands around Botan's.

Slowly Botan nodded and looked back at Hestia, who was silent and scarcely breathing. Then Kiyoko felt the anxiety rising in her aunt. She wondered what in the name of Selene was this secret, this information, Botan had been keeping from them.

With a deep exhale and tears trickling down her cheeks, Botan spoke just above a whisper, "He's alive Usagi…. Endym… Mamoru is alive." Her eyes remained locked with Usagi's and now there was scarcely any breathing in the chamber at all.

Kiyoko could not believe her ears…. Her father… He was alive…. How could this be? How could he be alive and none of them know it? No! It couldn't be! She looked into her wife's midnight eyes to see a reflection of her own shock. That seemed to be the theme in the room with the exception of Hestia…. Hestia did not seem surprised at all.

In her mind Kiyoko saw them again, those sapphire eyes that had appear when her magic had touched the Crystal of Apollo and his message… … The priest of Elysion will keep watch… Something about those words… Could her father really be alive and none of them know it?

Something inside of Kiyoko snapped and she stood, screaming at Botan as tears streamed down her face dripping at the chin, "YOU ARE A LIAR! MY FATHER IS NOT ALIVE! I WOULD KNOW IF HE WERE! LIAR!" She felt a surge of energy and then everything went dark!

THE END

SEE YOU SOON!

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