Chapter 12: Questions of Fate

*Kiyoko*

The Golden Queen sat in the bath, missing Seiya already. Her love had gone to relieve their daughter of her duties, not having gotten any of the sleep she had intended to get. As she sat her own exhaustion began to kick in and she started to drift off. As she did she was overcome by this feeling. At first she did not understand it, but then an image started to take shape in her mind.

Kiyoko rose from the tub, jolted out of her mind and nearly slipped showing that she was indeed the daughter of Usagi Tsukino. She bolted from the bathroom in a long black robe, water still dripping off of her as she headed toward the cockpit. She was met halfway by her beloved wife. Seiya worked to catch her breath and speak at the same time, "What… What was that?"

"I… I don't know, but… Michiko," she spoke with tears welling in her eyes. She felt Seiya's hands clasping her own and then heard doors open, her mother and sister entering the common room of the ship.

Usagi's high pitched panic echoed through the room, "What is WRONG with my granddaughter?"

Serenity's voice mirrored her mother's, "What has happened to Michiko?" Her hands wringed the fabric of her dress.

Botan followed Usagi out and finally spoke, "Michiko… The child of time…" She paused and all eyes fell on her, Kiyoko squeezing Seiya's hands.

Kiyoko opened her mouth to address her aunt and then she was rocked with another feeling as her as met her mother's Kiyoko could see that Usagi felt it too. All she could do was breathe the word, "Father…"

Serenity looked between them and nearly squeaked,"Father, you can sense him?" Her crimson eyes widened to saucers.

At that moment, Ceres voice came through the ship's intercom system, "We have now entered the solar system of the planet Shinsei. We should arrive in approximately two hours."

The Golden Queen began shaking as she was flooded with overwhelming emotions and finds herself being held up solely by her beloved wife's strong arms. Her words unable to escape her lips, Kiyoko listens as Seiya asks Botan to tend to Usagi and Serenity. Both were in a similar state as Kiyoko. Seiya helps Kiyoko to sit down on a sofa in the common area and disappears to make contact with their home and check on their youngest daughter.

Kiyoko sits there, trying to keep herself calm, thankful that Ruka was asleep at the moment. She didn't want to worry her daughter until she had to. A few moments later, Seiya returns and her grave emotions flowed easily into Kiyoko's being. The queen stumbled, but got the words out, "How… How bad is it Seiya?"

Seiya sighed and sat down beside her, "She is unconscious and will not wake. They have had her examined by the physician for all of the good that did."

Feeling and hearing Seiya's pain struck a chord in Kiyoko and she tried to pull herself together, "She is our precious gift. Fate would not be so cruel to take her from us now." Deep down, Kiyoko prayed that her words were true. Would fate be so cruel?

*Hakai*

She concealed herself from view as she watched the two Senshi arrive at the home of the third, the leader's home. The ice beauty dug her nails into her hands, having watched that damned little guardian appear. This was continuing to complicate matters and she didn't like it. She wanted to strike and yet here she was watching from a distance.

In her mind she heard her brother's voice, "We watch and we wait. We follow the plan Hakai. Do not let your emotions cloud your judgement."

Hakai ground her teeth and continued watching, her arms crossed. She would not disobey her brother, but the longer they waited the more complicated this became.

*Chiryō-shi*

The good doctor Chiryō-shi walked down the trail that edged the wilderness around their town, enjoying his quiet contemplation as the wind blew a warm breeze all through the trees. As the thoughts run around and around once again, the doctor begins wandering off the trail without noticing it.

A few moments later he looks around to see a man standing before him. Chiryō-shi scratches his head and chuckles nervously, "I am sorry. I must have lost my way without realizing."

The man's silvery blue hair glints in the sun along with the gold in his eyes as he nods, "You should be more careful doctor. One never knows what is lurking in the woods."

There was something unsettling about this man. Chiryō-shi took a step back and stiffened up, "Thank you for the advice. I think that I will head back to the trail."

The man with the golden eyes smirked at him, "I do not think so fallen prince." He lunged toward Chiryō-shi.

The next thing that Chiryō-shi knew there was light flashing everywhere and then he was on the ground with a pounding resounding through his head.

He sat up and looked around, but the stranger was gone and all Chiryō-shi could concentrate on was the pounding in his skull. He scrambled to his feet and made his way back to the trail, panting and trying to catch his breath.

Again his mind spun with questions. Who was that stranger? What did he want? What was that light? And why couldn't he shake the feeling that this wasn't over?

*Ami*

She sits in the library, remembering the festivities from the night before with the celebration of Minako and Kunzite's engagement and smiles. It was strange, but ever since Ami couldn't stop thinking about marrying Zoicite. It was completely illogical and she was maddening. Ami set her book down and shook her head, wondering what was overcoming her.

As if summoned by her thoughts, Zoicite appeared in the doorway to the library, "What has you so troubled Ami? Are you worrying about Usagi and the others again?"

That only served to make Ami feel guilty, as she had been so consumed by her own feelings that she had not been focused about the royalty that she had sworn to serve. Unable to lie to Zoicite, Ami whispers in return, "No."

Zoicite smiles and walks over to her, pulling her up into his arms, "Let's take a walk Ami."

Ami nods and takes Zoicite's hand as the two walk into the gardens of the palace grounds. As Ami looked around and frowned, "The roses are a bit wilted, that is unusual."

"Yes, that is unusual," Zoicite noted as the two of them continued walking under the warmth of the noonday sun.

They walked a bit longer until they reached one of the cherry blossom trees and that is when Ami noticed it. Zoicite was nervous. That was not like her beloved at all. She looked up at him in confusion, "What is on your mind?"

Zoicite smiled down at her and kissed her softly, making her blush lightly. Ami was not one for public displays of affection, but she supposed this was private enough for a simple kiss. But then her eyes widened as he got down on one knee and held out a small box, "Ami, my guardian of intelligence, I pray to Selene that you would do me the great privilege of becoming my wife." As the words spilled from his mouth he opened the box, revealing a stunning white gold ring with a simple sapphire in the center,