Chapter 6: How do You Say Goodbye?

*Kiyoko*

The sun had just set for the day and Kiyoko knew that her sister was spending the evening with Helios. Her mother was with Botan and Setsuna had requested that Seiya and the children who would be accompanying them to Shinsei tomorrow join her and Michiru for dinner. Ceres was holed up in one of the training rooms with the other Asteroid Senshi. Setsuna's invitation had confused both Seiya and Kiyoko. However, Kiyoko had finally been able to convince her wife to go. She trusted Setsuna and Michiru, in spite of everything with Chronos. Of course, Kiyoko knew Seiya was still bitter.

She had taken a walk out into the courtyard, the very one where she had told everyone of her decision to go to Estara years before. Kiyoko sat at the fountain as she had then. Memories flashed through her mind. Serenity announcing their course of action. Everyone looking in disbelief. Haruka snapping at the Queen of Earth because she was that protective of Kiyoko. The golden queen smiled as she shook her head. Oh how it seemed that some things never changed.

Kiyoko looked and saw the moon rising in the sky above her and her eyes filled with tears. She had made her choice and did not regret it. But in this moment, she wished so very much that she could see Haruka and say good bye to her properly. Kiyoko thought back to when Haruka had come to see her after she escaped to the moon, so filled with hurt and frustration. Kiyoko had wanted so badly to have Haruka and Michiru's support when she set out to resurrect the Shitenou. There Haruka stood on that balcony in the dim light of Earth the same way that the moon lit the Earth at night. There she had come to understand Kiyoko… And probably to realize Kiyoko's feelings for her, still she did not speak of them then…. Neither of them spoke of those feelings, not that night….

As she thought about these things the name slipped from her lips, just above a whispers, "Haruka…" In that exact moment, Kiyoko felt a presence. She knew that presence. When Kiyoko lifted her gaze she saw Haruka standing in the entryway to the castle wearing a cotton white dress that synched at the waist and fell to her mid thighs. It wasn't her typical attire, nonetheless Kiyoko couldn't deny how gorgeous it looked on her.

Upon making eye contact with Haruka, Kiyoko experienced a sudden gust of wind whirling around her. Then it was gone and Haruka with it. Pausing a moment in bewilderment, Kiyoko stared at the entry way. However, just as quickly she found herself taking off after Haruka without thinking about what she was doing.

Kiyoko followed her energy as Haruka had made a very twisted path through the Crystal Palace, but of course she ended up outside the doors to Haruka and Michiru's chambers. As she allowed her magic to spread Kiyoko sensed Haruka, but could not sense Michiru. She and the others must still be having dinner. Her brow furrowed and then she remembered what had brought her here. The golden queen placed her hand on the door and spoke to Haruka, whom she knew to be standing against its other side, "Haruka… Why would you run from me? We are friends… family… We should be standing together, not running away from one another."

On the other side of the door Kiyoko could sense anguish in Haruka as she spoke. For a split second she wished that they were bound once more so that she could know what Haruka was thinking, what she wouldn't say… At last, Kiyoko found herself pounding on the door with tears running down her cheeks, "Haruka…. Please don't make me leave without saying goodbye!"

Kiyoko turned and slumped against the door, her pain coming in heavy sobs now. Behind her the door opened and when she looked up, Kiyoko saw the tears of pain reflected on Haruka's face just as they were on her own. Haruka extended her hand, "I could never let you leave without saying good bye…. No matter how much that good bye hurts." Kiyoko nodded and took that hand, allowing Haruka to pull her inside and close the door.

Once in Haruka's chambers Kiyoko found herself staring at the floor as she had the grass before, uncertain of what to say. Haruka stood very close to her and waited only a brief time before placing her fingertips and pulling Kiyoko's face up by the chin so that she was forced to look at her. Kiyoko swallowed as she felt herself being penetrated by those steel blue eyes of Haruka's. She stammered, "Haruka… I… I… well…" She exhaled as she could not find the words she wanted.

Haruka nodded, closed her eyes, and kissed her cheek, "I know Kiyo-chan. I know." She locked eyes with Kiyoko once more and spoke sternly, "Please don't die out there. If Seiya lets you die…." In her eyes, Kiyoko could see the torment that thought brought her behind a hardness that she knew was Haruka's armor against all of the ills of life.

She took Haruka's hand and placed it on the same cheek she had just kissed, "I promise not to die out there. I am getting my father back… And I am coming home safely." Haruka began smiling and then it became a frown. Kiyoko understood the conflict there. She was about to say something when the door opened and Hotaru walked in. She looked between the two of them and Kiyoko felt disapproval in her. She turned her attention back to Haruka and spoke softly, "I should go. Good bye Haruka." The golden queen spared one last kiss and placed it upon Haruka's cheek before slipping from the room and running as fast as she could away from there. She had made a choice and still she did not regret that choice, nevertheless it had not changed her heart…. She loved Seiya and she would choose her for eternity… But she loved Haruka too and always would. It was just the way things were and sometimes it was so excruciating that Kiyoko could scarcely breathe.

*Yaten*

The white haired Starlight sat in the garden her queen had been nurturing for ten years. The flowers were bright and colorful and they always brought Yaten a sense of comfort, not that she would let on about that. The sun was rising and it made everything seem as if it were glowing. As Yaten looked around her eyes clouded a little. The normally brash and outspoken soldier was happy to be alone at the moment. She couldn't help but worry about everything that was going on. She had to get herself in order before the children came home tomorrow… And that… That woman was coming as well. Yaten did not trust her, but she would respect Kiyoko's decision. It was her duty.

Of course that was not all that Yaten was concerned about. She let out a heavy sigh as she looked around. What would happen to this garden, to their world, if Yaten's fears became reality? She stood up and let out a deep breath. Then she turned around to face her old friend, whom was standing there watching her silently much to her dismay, "What do you want Taiki?"

The Starlight with the chocolate color hair stood there with her arms crossed, "I want you to talk to me. You're unfocused and moody and that could affect your ability to protect our home if need be." Taiki's lavender eyes probed Yaten's face for any sort of clue.

Yaten looked at Taiki with a dumbfounded expression momentarily, but then she found her voice, "I can't believe you! Yeah, I am unfocused! I am worried! Aren't you?"

Nodding and letting out an exasperated sigh, Taiki replied, "Yes, I am worried too Yaten. She is out there risking her life again…. With us not there to protect her AGAIN! We must have the most reckless and courageous queen in the galaxy!"

Shaking her head, Yaten retorted, "She will come through this alive, of that I am sure." As she spoke she walked over to one of the rose bushes that had been brought from Earth. This one was full of bright rose the same color as the sun. Yaten picked one and held it to her nose, one tear trickling onto the petals.

Taiki watched her and her brow furrowed, "What else has you so upset? What else could you be so worried about?"

Her neon orbs turned to her fellow Starlight and she spoke with such anguish, "Taiki… I know how much her father meant to her, how much he means to her… What if she chooses to stay with him… with them back on Earth?"

The tall and typically stoic Starlight paled as Yaten's words sunk in. The two of them stood there, looking at the rose Yaten held as if it held all of their hope within it. How could they lose the queen that had saved their world, saved their friend from loneliness, and brought prosperity and happiness to them and everyone on Estara? How could they say good bye?

*Hakai*

She pounded her fist on the table! The icy daughter of the reaper stared at her brother, "Why are we still waiting! We know what they did! We can go after them once this is finished!" She huffed as she got to her feet.

His hard fiery orange eyes met her, "Why do we wait Hakai? Are you really so stupid?" His eyes were as cold as their father's even with their warm color.

Hakai spat back at him, "I am not stupid you oaf! But please dear brother, enlighten me." She crossed her arms, eyeing Yukio's sword in the corner. Would it be worth it? She was not certain it would at this point, maybe later.

Yukio rolled his eyes, "You couldn't do it, even if you wanted to. Now listen to me." He paused and waited. Hakai really wanted to strike him now. She had always been calm and detached unless she were talking to her brother. Yukio always pushed her buttons. After a moment she nodded, forcing herself to at least appear collected, and Yukio continued, "We are waiting for a few reasons Hakai. The target is surrounded for one. For two, they're coming here." Hakai opened her lips to speak, but Yukio cut her off, "Trust me, they'll come. And once they're here, we will destroy our target… We will destroy the heirs of the Silver Millennium... We will annihilate this entire planet for what they did!"