Chapter 9: Aether

*Queen-Mother Usagi*

It felt as though this journey could not pass quickly enough for Usagi. All she could think of was Endymion. He was alive and well. Even if he did not remember their life together she was ecstatic. She was certain she had paced for hours now as the ship rocketed through space. As she began another loop her sister spoke up, "Usagi, you're going to wear a hole in the ship if you keep this up. Come and sit down please."

Usagi watched as Botan patted the cushion next to her. So much about her sister was still a mystery to Usagi. They're life in the Silver Millennium, her powers, and even her allegiance. Usagi wanted to believe that Botan's heart was pure. But even she knew that the road back from what she had suffered was not simple or short. However, Usagi made herself sit down beside Botan, "I am sorry Botan. I am anxious I suppose."

Botan peered at her and nodded, "That is understandable. This world he is on is a strange one, that much is clear."

Usagi remembered some of what her sister had said about the world they headed to. They did not like outsiders and did not welcome alien presences at all. This alone was going to make things more difficult. Their culture was similar to Earth's, but not as advanced. And worst of all, there were hostile aliens already lurking in the shadows of this world. Fear gripped Usagi as she wondered if they were after the reincarnation of her husband. She pursed her lips, "Do you think that this world… Do you think that there are Senshi there? Perhaps if that is the case, we could talk to them. Perhaps they could help us with the world's distrust of aliens."

Shaking her head, Botan sighed, "I got no indication that there are Senshi there. If there are, they're operating in deep secrecy. I still believe our best course of action is to attempt to blend in with the surroundings and find him that way."

The Queen-Mother looked down and saw her delicate hands balled into fists, "I just want to protect him." She had been telling herself that since they began preparing to leave.

A pale hand appeared on top of one of those fists, "No, dear sister, you want him to remember you and you want him to love you again. There is no point in denying it. You have loved him forever and will continue to love him that way."

Turning to Botan, Usagi broke into tears, knowing that she was right. She leaned into her sister and cried, "What if he never remembers?"

Botan held her sister and attempted to sooth her. Neither of them willing to say what they both were thinking. None of that matters if the real intruders kill him first.

*Hikari*

The early morning sun shone down on her as Hikari lay out in the sand. She stared up at the clouds, trying to think things through. She thought back to the dream that Hana had told her about a few days ago. It stirred mixed feelings in her.

In Hana's dream… Well, it began the same as the one that they all had… Fighting off a figure with eyes of copper and then searching… Searching for their princess. They had never seen her, but all of them knew that was who they were looking for. Yet, a few days or nights ago, Hana had caught the first glimpse of her. All she saw was a pair of dark eyes, fair skin, a crest on her forehead, and raven hair whipping in the wind around her. Or that was all that Hana could remember. Nonetheless, it was the most that they had ever had to go on.

Frustration at not knowing what to do about any of this was eating at Hikari. She was their leader and yet she did not know how to find their princess or what to do about the intruders encroaching upon her home world. Feeling restless, she got to her feet and decided to go for a jog. Running always made Hikari feel better.

Hikari began running down the beach, small waves lapping at her feet as she did. She paid them no mind though as she worked to increase her speed, succumbing to the call of the wind. It rushed over her and made Hikari feel alive! It always had. After a few minutes she hit the part of the beach that most people came to for fun and had to slow down. Her typical speeds would arouse suspicion. Most Shinseins could not run as fast as Hikari could.

Soon she had left the beach itself and found herself running down the sidewalk of the nearby shopping district. As she did, Hikari caught sight of three young boys all crowded together. Something about it bothered her and so Hikari approached them, "What are you boys doing?"

They all jumped and their eyes bugged out as they looked at Hikari. Hikari had always caused reactions like this from those of the male species. She was tall, slender with sapphire eyes and full long hair that matched. Despite her strength, evening about Hikari screamed delicate and beautiful and so no matter the age, boys reacted. The only exception to that seemed to be Doctor Chiryō-shi, who complimented her but never looked at her like she was a doll and not a person.

Having had enough already, Hikari crossed her arms and cleared her throat. The boys seemed stunned by her hostility and they ran away. When the dust settled, Hikari's gaze fell on a small white kitten whose ears lay flat as she looked back at Hikari with the prettiest violet eyes. As she looked at her, Hikari noticed something else. The cat had a mark that looked like a star on her forehead.

Hikari leaned forward to get a better look at it when the cat sat up, locking eyes with her. She opened her mouth and Hikari expected a cute little meow, but that is not what she got. The cat spoke, "It's you, isn't it? You're one of the Senshi her. You're Sailor Aether, aren't you? I am sorry I'm late. My name is Persephone!"

In spite of usually being reserved and composed, Hikari panicked and yelled, "You can TALK?" As she did, Hikari stepped backward, tripping over her own feet and fell flat on her ass.

*Hestia*

Once she landed the ship on Estara, Hestia took a deep breath as fear of leaving that cockpit knotted within her. She knew that they would not turn her away. Their queen had given the order. Regardless, that didn't mean that they would welcome her presence either. Hestia sat there, attempting to mentally prepare herself for an icy reception.

The journey itself had been easier than Hestia had anticipated though. Princess Michiko had shown her no distrust or hostility, which she appreciated very much. With her help, the young Prince had been able to overcome his apprehensions as well. He had wanted to read her mind initially so that he could KNOW he could trust her. Luckily, his sister had talked him out of it. Hestia sighed in relief when she did. There were things in her mind no one could know and things that shown on the horizon of the future that he could not know.

But now the real challenge would begin. Convincing the Estarans, especially the Starlights, to trust her would take more than faith in Michiko's judgement and she knew that. As Hestia thought about it, the cockpit doors slid open and there stood Michiko. Hestia plastered on a smile, "May I help you princess?"

Michiko shook her head, "If there's one thing that I have learned in my short life, it's that Estarans aren't so big on formalities. As I told you before, just call me Michiko."

Hestia nodded. It was ironic because she knew how poised and formal Michiko could be. However, she knew that the princess was correct as well. Formality was not an everyday occurrence here. She rephrased, "Of course, Michiko, what may I help you with?"

The smile on Michiko's face was genuine as she held out her hand, "Please, Hestia, come and meet everyone, properly this time." Hestia smiled genuinely in return. There was something undeniable about the princess of time with that pink and blue hair. She stood and took her hand and let Michiko lead her off of the ship trying desperately to be hopeful.

The first sight to greet her was a pleasant one. Young Prince Endymion… or Endo as most called him was waiting for them and he smiled at the two as they exited the ship. His voice carried on the wind, "I knew she'd get you out of there. My sister, she seems to have the same persuasive power as Ruka."

The Keeper laughed and replied, "No, young prince, Michiko's abilities favor your mother. I believe your other sister would have dragged me off of the ship." Both the children of the royal family laughed in concession to Hestia's point.

Unfortunately, the light mood was broken when the Starlight with the white hair… Yaten, that was it… appeared next to Endo. She stood there with her arms crossed and addressed Hestia in tone filled with snark, "Hello, I would welcome you. But that would be a lie. You're here because Queen Kiyoko commands it. That said, do not think that you will be trusted." Hestia watched as Endo shot her a look and Yaten sighed, "I'm sorry Endo, but the last time she was here she was on a mission to commit murder… The murder of your mother and sister. That is not easily forgiven."

Hestia nodded, "It's alright prince Endymion, I expected this reaction. She is right not to trust me. Trust must be earned, and I have much ground to make up in that department." Her gaze turned to Yaten, "Sailor Starhealer, thank you for your honesty. I will endeavor to prove my sincerity and appreciate the opportunity to be here." Hestia bowed to demonstrate her respect for the Starlight. She was surprised at the strange look upon Yaten's face when she rose. Then she heard Endymion chuckling under his breath and that only served to confuse Hestia. The keeper had spent so long watching the universe, how were people such a mystery to her?