Author's Note: I would like to thank my friends in the group Sailor Senshi Guardians on FB for adding inspiration to this chapter.

Chapter 4: The Noble Prince

*Haruka*

Before she had even noticed where she was going, Haruka found herself standing at the top of a cliff beside a great waterfall. She knew this place, but not what made her come here. As she looked over the edge of the cliff Haruka saw a figure standing at the bottom of the falls, on the shore. She knew right away who it was. The long raven hair whipping in the wind gave her away. Haruka wondered what had brought her here of all places.

It only took her a few minutes to make her way down to the bottom of the falls, Haruka had been venturing through these lands for over twelve hundred years. The Senshi of the Sky stood there, silently watching Kiyoko even though she knew that the golden queen could sense her presence. Sure enough, Kiyoko addressed her without turning around, "Haruka… I was curious as to when I would see you."

Usually found a sense of comfort in Kiyoko's abilities, but for some reason they grated on her, "If you knew I would find you, why didn't you just come see me?" When Kiyoko didn't answer immediately it only made things worse, "Are you still avoiding me?"

Without warning, the wind whipped about and Haruka could feel the magic in it. As she expected Kiyoko turned to face her and Haruka found herself wishing that she hadn't. Her face was etched with pain and anger. Haruka found her own sense of frustration vanishing under Kiyoko's gaze, "Kiyo-chan… I'm sorry."

She watched as Kiyoko took a few steps forward, not quite closing the distance between them. The wind whipped again and Haruka was mesmerized by the raven locks flying everywhere, the deep blue eyes, the gold and red dress, and the petals flowing between them. Haruka noted that Kiyoko wore her new Senshi brooch. That caused a twinge of pain since her transformation clearly favored Estara over Earth. Haruka wanted to close the distance, but knew she could not. Then she noticed something else different about Kiyoko, "Where are your odangos?"

Kiyoko stared at Haruka for a moment and then her eyes were almost aflame, "My odangos? My father is alive and I had no idea! And you want to talk about my hair?" She shouted at Haruka. It was not like her. But Haruka could see the pain there and she couldn't be angry in the face of that.

She nodded, "No, I don't." She wanted to ask her about why she couldn't accompany her on this journey, but Haruka couldn't get the words to come out. She looked at Kiyoko, the wind around them almost howling and at this point she couldn't tell if it was her, Kiyoko, or both.

The golden queen looked down, her voice barely audible over the wind, "I'm sorry for not bringing you with us Haruka… I truly am." A few tears ran down her pale cheeks as she apologized to the blades of grass.

The pain in her was so tangible that Haruka couldn't stand it anymore and she made the last steps towards Kiyoko and placed her arms around her, "You didn't do anything wrong." She paused, "I… wish we could stay like this." She leaned her head on top of Kiyoko's and closed her eyes.

Just then a set of unmistakable footsteps approached and the voice that went with them penetrated the wind, "I don't think your WIFE would like that Haruka." Haruka looked over to see Seiya standing there with her arms crossed.

Haruka looked down at Kiyoko and kissed her cheek, "Your prince is here." She gave her one last look and then she was gone, the wind all her now as she left her precious Kiyo-chan to the hands of the shooting star. She had to be better at keeping her promises.

*Makoto*

She was staring down at him again, beginning to question why he had agreed to this. Makoto held out her hand and helped him up, smiling at his flowing chocolate locks that had escaped the ponytail he'd put his hair in. He rubbed his chest, "Mako, I thought this was sparring not actual combat." Even as he said it she could see the love in his eyes.

She bowed her head, "I'm sorry Nephrite. I guess I got carried away." That was the truth. Makoto had been so wrapped up in her rage over Usagi and the others going without most of them that she had stopped paying attention to the force in her strikes.

Nephrite placed his thumb under her chin and forced her to look him in the eye. Oh how Makoto could get lost in those eyes forever! He leaned in and kissed her softly, "Do not apologize. We're all upset. But we have to respect their choice Mako."

Somehow that melted all of the sweetness from her and Mako snarled back at him, "How can you and the other Shitenou just stand by?"

His hand dropped and Mako felt a bit guilty. Nephrite turned as he responded to her question, "How? Well, because we trust her… All of them. But we trust Kiyoko's strength and ability to make difficult decisions in the face of adversity." His voice got a touch smaller as he went on, "Look at the opposition she faced when she wanted to restore us."

That made Makoto squirm a little, after all she had been one of the ones who had deemed their resurrection too risky. Of course, she was thankful each day that Kiyoko had stood her ground then. Was Nephrite right now? She just didn't know. Makoto wanted to protect Usagi, that had always been her mission. But more than that, she wanted to protect Serenity and Kiyoko. They were like daughters to her and most of the other Senshi. She found herself wrapping her arms around Nephrite from behind, enjoying as she always did that he was actually taller than her. She told him, "I'm grateful too. I am just worried. Aren't you?"

Nephrite placed his hand on Makoto's and spoke as softly as he had kissed her, "Obviously we are all as worried as you are. The difference, Mako, is that we accept it's not in our hands." He chuckled as he thought about Kunzite's initial reaction, "Some of us better than others though."

Mako still leaned into his back and sighed, "You have so much faith…. I just don't want anything to happen to them."

Nephrite turned and his eyes were filled with empathy, "I know Mako. We all feel that way." He took Makoto's chin once more and leaned in to press his lips to hers and for a breath of time all she could concentrate on was how lucky she was to have him. She supposed that meant she needed to trust in Usagi, Serenity, and Kiyoko because without them she wouldn't have a heart filled with love.

*Akemi*

Today was her day off from patrol and surveillance, but that was mostly due to the fact it was her day to volunteer at the clinic. As she worked, Akemi thought about what Hana and Hikari always said about the clinic's head doctor, Dr. Chiryō-shi. It ticked Akemi off that she didn't have the same powers as her compatriots. Hell, even the good doctor always seemed to know just what was wrong with a patient and caught things that the other doctors missed. Of course, that was part of the reason he was in charge. Akemi also saw the natural leader in him. No, he wasn't an obvious leader. Dr. Chiryō-shi's ability to lead and sway others was much subtler. She hoped that one day she could be half as good a doctor as he was. Akemi approached the doctor with the dreamy deep blue eyes and told him, "I think that was the last patient. Do you need me to do anything else before I leave?" Akemi was normally brash and outspoken, but there was just something about Dr. Chiryō-shi.

The doctor shook his head and smiled warmly at Akemi, "No, nothing else today. Besides, I'm certain that Hana is anxious to see you." His eyes softened as he looked at her.

Akemi nodded, thankful that the doctor was accepting of her relationship with Hana. She wished that everyone was like him. Sadly, their people hadn't reached that point. She'd heard whispers that there were worlds out there that accepted love like she shared with Hana. It made her angry to think that Shinsei was so far behind in most ways.

The good doctor broke into her thoughts, "Go Akemi. And tell Hana hello for me please." Not saying another word, he went back to his work quietly. Akemi remembered something Hikari had told Akemi and Hana many times, that Dr. Chiryō-shi was a noble prince or like one at any rate.

She walked out of the clinic, looking at the sun setting and the moons of Shinsei beginning to show themselves in the skyline and Akemi stopped as she was completely caught up in the beauty of it. After a minute or two, Akemi started towards home. Oh how nice it was to have a home… especially with Hana.

A little while later Akemi opened the door to the apartment she shared with Hana. It was a simple one bedroom, but Akemi loved it! She could smell Hana cooking and she bounded into the kitchen. Akemi snuck up behind Hana and covered her eyes, "Guess who!"

From behind Akemi actually got a response from a different voice, "No time for that now Akemi. We need to talk. I think they're going to make a move soon."

Akemi's hands dropped and she replied frankly, "Well, I guess that means we had better be ready Hikari." She could feel herself going cold as she thought about the intruders that threatened her home.