Chapter 13: A Taste of Loss

*Setsuna*

She could see the ripples, the shifting waves in the sea of time. Its flow was not linear, but chaotic at the moment. So much uncertainty and unknown made Setsuna's skin crawl. This was so much worse than any shifts she had experienced before.

As she stood at the gate she was rocked with this feeling of dread that she could not place. It made her feel as though her heart itself were cracking. She hugged herself tightly and did not turn, but addressed her visitor, "What brings your majesty to the time gate?"

Helios chuckled, "Has anyone aside from our golden child ever caught you by surprised Setsuna?"

"She has long since been anything but a child my King," Setsuna replied as her mind's eye watched the storm raging on the other side of the gate.

The king of Earth and holder of the Life Crystal of Apollo approached, stopping beside Setsuna, "That is very true. She was not a child even when she was a child. She has much in common with Princess Michiko… And yourself…"

"Yes, Kiyoko was always too wise and too mature…. I always wished that she could have simply enjoyed being a child. Hotaru suffered in much the same way," Setsuna replied with a sense of resignation.

"It is the way of fate Setsuna, we all know that. Even poor Usa-chan has had to endure more pain than I would wish for my precious daughter," Helios spoke with the sorrow that only a parent could.

Setsuna felt something in that though… Sorrow that could only be known by a parent. It was as if her mind collided with one of those rageful waves. And she was brought to her knees by the force of it. The guardian of Time could not look up as the tears stung her eyes and she murmured, "How…. how could fate be so cruel?"

*Botan*

She looked out the window of the ship, seeing this now familiar place as she listens once again to her niece's frantic questioning. Botan allowed this to go on for a few more minutes before speaking, "Please… Kiyoko… Panic will not help your daughter."

"So tell me then…. Aunt Botan… What WILL help my daughter," Kiyoko snapped back at Botan as her magic saturated the room.

She shook her head, "The Sky King has had as much influence on you as either of your parents dear Kiyoko. Do not let your temper consume you."

Hearing the clack of her heals Botan turned just in time to feel her neice's slap across her face and without thinking she react. Botan reached out and grabbed Kiyoko's throat and spoke in ancient Lunarian. As she did her own eyes went coal black and Kiyoko quickly lost consciousness, landing on the floor.

Reason returning, Botan gasped as she looked down and murmured, "I am so sorry." With that she disappeared.