**This is kind of a short chapter. Sorry! But hope you like it any how! Remember, Sailor Moon is not mine, and please review!**
Evening Star
For Love of the Past
Chapter 5
Kiaya fell to her knees in grief, sobs racking her slender body. Never in her life had she known, or felt such pain. Her heart ached with such intensity that she couldn't breathe. Kiaya knew from that moment on her life would hold no joy, that she would know no peace. Or so she thought, as most do during a time of loss. But fate had not left Kiaya without hope; a hope she was reminded of when she felt a small hand rest softly on her bowed head.
"Please don't cry pretty lady," a young, soft voice breathed. Kiaya looked up to see Aurora standing over her, smiling down. Her tears ceased as she looked into Aurora's eyes; suddenly she faced a reality her grief stricken mind was not completely capable of grasping. For in her eyes, Kiaya saw no spark of recognition. She saw no tears, no sorrow, and no pain. All of these things, and many more, Kiaya had expected to see. For one so young to lose so much, Kiaya had expected to see in Aurora's eyes a reflection of her own tortured soul. But none of this could be found in the young silver eyes, which gazed down upon her. Kiaya was overwhelmed as utter disbelief, and complete confusion seized her soul. How it was possible was a concept entirely beyond her grasp, but she could not deny it; Aurora remembered nothing.
Kiaya became almost hysterical. Her tears recommenced, flowing incessantly from her deep blue eyes. How?! How was it possible that she did not remember? She grabbed hold of Aurora by both of her arms, shaking her slightly. " Aurora?! Aurora?! Please! Remember! Don't you remember who you are? Why?! Why don't you?!" Her sudden, erratic actions frightened Aurora. She began to fight against the hold this strange, unknown woman held her in. Tears came to her eyes as Kiaya's grip tightened around her arms, hurting her. "Please stop," she begged, "Please! You're hurting me!"
The sight of Aurora's tears, and her pleas for mercy fought through Kiaya's chaotic mind, and found the last part of her that had yet to be affected by her raging emotions; emotions which threatened to destroy all of the control, and sense she had left.
Kiaya stopped suddenly as the realization of her actions dawned on her. Looking into Aurora's frightened eyes, she fought to gain control over the chaos that threatened to shatter her very soul. Slowly her mind began to clear, and began to register the events that had occurred within the past few moments. Events that were life altering, shattering, and would forever be with her, haunting her and Aurora- if she remembered. Kiaya enveloped Aurora in a tight embrace, an action that soothed the turmoil within her. She felt Aurora's body tense in surprise and fear, as Kiaya held her close, kneeling in front of her. She put her hand on the back of Aurora's head, guiding her to rest it against her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry, my little one," Kiaya cooed soothingly, "I didn't mean to frighten you, and I certainly I did not mean to hurt you. Today I lost someone who was very dear to my heart; that's why I was crying. And through my tears I thought that someone was you. I became so sad when I saw you; I lost myself in my sadness. I didn't know what I was doing, and I'm so sorry for that. But now I've found myself again, and everything will be all right. Please forgive me, Little Star." Kiaya's calming words soothed Aurora, putting her at ease. Happily, she put her arms around Kiaya and said joyfully, " It's okay, pretty lady, I forgive you! Don't be sad anymore, I'm sure you'll find the someone you lost! Just wait! I bet they'll find their own way home!" Kiaya smiled in spite of herself. "I'm sure they will too. In fact, I think I've already found what I was looking for."
Aurora looked up at her questioningly, " What do you mean?" " What is your name little one?" Kiaya asked cautiously, ignoring her question. Aurora opened her mouth as if she was sure of the answer, but said nothing. A look of confusion crossed her face, as she closed her mouth, stunned. " I don't know my name. I… I don't know who I am!" She looked to Kiaya, panic rising in her voice, tears alighting in her eyes. Kiaya could sense the sudden fear that was gripping her niece. "It's all right, Little Star, don't cry. It's alright if you don't know who you are, because I do." Aurora looked to her, surprised.
Kiaya knew the damage that would be done to Aurora should she ever remember what happened on Earth. She did not know what had transpired to erase her niece's memory, but decided quickly, for the time, it was for the better that she not remember. "Something very bad happened to your parents, Little Star, and they can no longer be with you. They asked for me to care for you, and I promised them I would. They told me that your name is in fact Aurora, and that no matter what, they love you, and will always be with you." Aurora remained silent, unsure of what to say. Her tearful eyes looked up at Kiaya, and sadly she asked, " But why don't I remember them?" Kiaya held her in her arms once again as Aurora cried. " I don't know, Little star, but you're safe here with me, and with me you will stay." For that moment, they stayed in each other's arms, and found peace within their aching hearts, and wounded souls.
Suddenly a young, male voice was heard, coming from the other end of the throne room, where Kiaya and Aurora were holding one another. " Your majesty?" Upon hearing his voice, Kiaya stood, turning to face him, and dried her eyes. Aurora, frightened by the stranger within her midst, hid behind Kiaya, peeking out from around her gown to look at the young boy that stood in front of them.
" Malachite, I would like for you to meet someone. She will be staying with us from now on." Malachite stood intently watching his Queen, waiting for her to continue, when a slight movement from behind her caught his attention. He laid his steely blue gaze upon Aurora, who remained hidden behind Queen Kiaya. When she noticed him looking at her, Aurora ducked back into hiding. Aurora's efforts to hide herself from Malachite's gaze did not go unnoticed by Kiaya, and so to ensure a proper greeting, she stepped to her left, leaving a very frightened Aurora out in the open. "Malachite, I would like you to meet Aurora. Aurora, this is Malachite."
Aurora made no move to venture closer to the young boy standing in front
of her. She looked at him cautiously. He stood about 5 inches taller than
she did, with white, shoulder length hair. His eyes were a steel blue,
and even for his young age, held much coldness towards the world. He was
dressed in a white suit, with a doubled-breasted blazer, dress pants, and
dress shoes. From his shoulders, a beautiful white cape, with blue interior
lining cascaded down his back. The cape was attached to his shoulders by
two smooth, blue gems set in a base of silver. The base could only be seen
as a small circle of silver surrounding the edge of the
The positioning of these trimmings was much the same as the uniform he would later wear under the command of Beryl. With the exception that his collar was not left open (see the accompanying disk "Kunzite" for a better understanding). He also wore, on his hands, white gloves. This was, unknown to Aurora, the traditional dress for a Royal Prince of Pluto.
Seeing her hesitation, Malachite took it upon himself to make the proper introductions. He stepped up to Aurora, gathering the right edge of his cape in his hand. He then drew his hand (with the cape) to the middle of his chest, and bowed before her. Aurora was quite taken aback by his sudden act of chivalry, and looked at him surprised, as he stood up before her.
Having witnessed the death of his world, and his parents, Malachite had long since closed himself off to the world around him. His life consisted only of his duty to keep the traditions of Pluto alive, even at his age of 7 years. He felt very little, as he had snuffed out the flames of his emotions long ago, so as to spare himself the unbearable loneliness felt by being the last Prince of Pluto. Only Queen Kiaya had been able to touch his life in the smallest of ways, as even the mighty little Prince Malachite could not numb himself to her unconditional love. At times, her motherly attentions even made him smile. Those moments, however, were far and few in between.
Though as Malachite stood up from bowing in front of Aurora, he found himself looking into her eyes for the first time. He stopped dead, unable to look away. Aurora's eyes were brimming with tears; the fear of being left stranded in front of this stranger known as Malachite was evident in her eyes. Standing in front of him, Aurora looked so small and helpless. Malachite became overwhelmed by the sudden need to protect her, to ensure her that everything was all right; she was safe here on the Sun. Emotions he had long since buried deep within his soul, began to make their way to the surface. Malachite's breath was taken as he realized what stood before him was an angel- his angel.
Gently he reached out to take her hand in his. At first, Aurora was frightened beyond the capacity to move, but she soon realized this stranger meant her no harm. And as she looked into his eyes as he bent to kiss her hand, she was overcome by a sense of peace and security; she was no longer afraid and knew he could be trusted. As he looked up from kissing her hand, she smiled at him warmly, sweetly. Her smile lit up her whole face, making her eyes shine like the stars in the heavens. Malachite remarked to himself the wondrous color her eyes were. A beautiful, shinning silver, an eye color he'd never seen before.
Her smile warmed him, and for the first time in a long time, he felt
happiness. In return for this precious gift she'd given him, Malachite
smiled down at her, as they stood there, looking at each other. Queen Kiaya
stood silently by and watched as a friendship was born.