Chapter 14: Shen

*Rei*

The Senshi of Fire just sat there, staring at her king. After a time Serenity began to boil as she crossed her arms, "What do you mean?!"

Inhaling sharply, the King replied, "I mean what I said Rei. I think… I think someone is going to die."

Reisnatched up a book and was preparing to throw it at Helios when the quiet Pallas entered their chambers with her head bowed. "Excuse the interruption your majesty." As she peeked up her eyes bulged at the sight before her.

Realizing what she looked like, Rei placed the book behind her back and laughed awkwardly, "What is it you need Pallas?"

Pallas stood up and sighed, "We've received word from Estara." She paused and Rei bit her lip. Swallowing, she continued, "I'm afraid that Princess Michiko has collapsed and appears to be in some sort of coma."

Rei inhaled and tried to keep the tears from her face. She was Pallas' superior after all. Meanwhile, Helios nodded at Pallas, "Thank you for keeping me abreast. Please return to the communication room and wait for any new information."

Bowing, Pallas excused herself and returned to her post. As soon as the doors closed Rei fell back into a chair, dropping the book, "No…." Her violet eyes bore into Helios.

He could not give her what she wanted, all he could do was come to her and place a hand in her own, "No matter what happens Rei, we will make it through."

"Do you think that… that Kiyoko will make it through? What if she…" Rei could no longer fight the tears as her mind spun with possibilities and fears. Furiously she tried to wipe them away with no success.

The white haired king frowned as re responded, "We can only hope so." In his heart he held the same question he knew Rei could not put voice to. That fear which they all had lived with for a long time now.

*Akemi*

The Senshi of Imber opened the car door for her lover and partner. She scowled as she extended her hand to Hana. Hana snickered and kissed Akemi's cheek as she stepped out of the care, "You'll get wrinkles if you wear that look too long my mermaid."

Akemi rolled her eyes, "This had better be good! Disturbing our… time like that!"

Hana's laughter grew in volume as she looked past Akemi. From behind her she heard, "So sorry to interrupt your roll in the hay Imber, but I assure you this IS important."

A near growl escaped Akemi's lips as she turned around, attempting to smile. It didn't quite work though, "So, what is so important that our spinster leader called us here?"

A small white cat stepped from behind Hikari and came to sit in front of the other two Senshi. Hana knelt down to pet her and smiled, "Such a pretty cat you are."

Much to Akemi's shock, the cat looked directly into her lover's eyes and spoke, "Why thank you Sailor Terra." Akemi yanked Hana's hand back.

As she did Hana raised one eyebrow and retorted, "You're welcome. Are you a Shen come to see the spirit of Terra?" A devilish smile played at her lips. Akemi growled at the thing before, knowing Hana was just covering….

On the other hand, Akemi had no qualms about speaking her mind, "What in the hell is that cat doing talking?" She took a single step forward and stop partially in front of Hana.

She watched as Hikari cut the cat a look of exasperation and reached down to pick it up, "She means no harm. Now stop making a scene and come inside." Hikari turned on her heels and Akemi could hear her scolding the feline under her breath as she made her way inside.

*Hestia*

The sunlight on Estara was warm, but different then most worlds the fiery haired keeper had visited…. Visits made at the order of her father. Visits made with the intent to commit murder. There was so much blood on her hands. Looking at the Snow White gloves she wore made her think of that stubborn Starlight. She mused to herself, "Would she ever hold these dirty hands?"

As she looked up she saw the other one, Taiki, approaching. She wondered if another interrogation was coming and then she saw something in the eyes of Starmaker. When she reached her, Taiki bowed, "I want to…. to apologize." Agony etched into her features as she went on, "Please accept my apologies for not trusting you as my queen has." Taiki reached out and gripped Hestia's hands.

Unable to help herself, Hestia burst into a fit of laughter at the sighted it. Taiki looked at her with deep confusion. Hesitate managed to stifle her laughter and took a deep breath, "It's nothing, I assure you. Thank you for your kind words."

Still looking at her strangely, Taiki let go of her hands and put her own behind her back, "Would you do me the honor of walking the perimeter with me Hestia?"

Hestia smiled and touched her cheek, "I would like that very much Starmaker."

A smile spread on Taiki's face, as did a soft blush, "Please call me Taiki." As she said that she extended an arm and her smile broadened as Hestia took it.

The two of them simply walked in silence for a time. Eventually Hestia couldn't take the questions written all over Taiki's face, "Please, whatever it is… Just spit it out already!"

Taiki stopped and looked into Hestia's dark eyes. Her voice cracked a little as she replied, "What was the hardest… the hardest death sentence you ever had to carry out?"

*Seiya*

This couldn't be real, this just couldn't be real. Her daughter was… lost… and now her wife was fading away… FAST. She sat in their quarters beside the pale and nearly icy form of her beloved, the golden queen of Estara. Looking at her, she could see that Kiyoko's skin was almost translucent. All Seiya could do now was to hold her hand and give her energy. But would that be enough? Was it even making a damn difference?

She surely couldn't do what she truly longed to do. Seiya knew she was no match for Botan. Yet, she kept imagining choking the very life out of her.

The sound of sliding doors brought her out of her dream of vengeance, still she didn't turn. Soon she felt a hand on her shoulder. Seiya looked up, "Hey Odango," as she spoke she could hear a hollowness in her voice.

Usagi sat down in a chair next to the bed and looked at Kiyoko. Seiya could feel Usagi's guilt oozing out of her, but she could offer no words of comfort. She had none in her at the moment. Finally it was Usagi who spoke, "My sweet magical girl, please come back to this. You're children need you. And you're such a better mother than I ever was. Please."

Seiya snapped, "This is no time for self-pity!" She couldn't take the crybaby that still loomed deep inside Usagi, not now.

Taking a handkerchief to her eyes, Usagi nodded, "Of course not. I am sorry Seiya." She chewed her lip a moment and then inquired, "Do you… do you feel anything from her?"

Another deep breath was necessary before she could answer, "Kiyoko is in pain." She never took her eyes off of her wife.

They sat there for a time and then Usagi reached out to take Kiyoko's hand. Seiya took note of the lavender glow about her and she gripped Usagi's hand, "No! If you do that you won't have the strength to get Mamoru back and Kiyoko would never forgive you… or me."

She saw the protest forming on Usagi's lips when Ceres' voice came over the intercom, "Preparing for landing on the dark side of Shinsei's moon."