Chapter 2: Betting Against the Future

*Kiyoko*

Kiyoko was amused to find that it really was noon by the time the two of them had emerged from their chambers. She and Seiya walked leisurely through the castle halls, holding hands and smiling. Making love to Seiya and that wonderful and relaxing bath had pushed that dream away so that it was just a tickle in the back of her mind. She was determined to ignore that tickle and enjoy this day. Kiyoko turned to Seiya and said, "So, Ruka is practicing her sword use with Haruka and Michiru. And Endo is in the courtyard with Usa-chan and Setsuna. I am going to assume Helios had something to attend to."

"So to the courtyard it is," Seiya chuckled as she said it. As much as she loved watching her daughter learn the ways of the Senshi. Something in her just couldn't handle Haruka today.

Kiyoko actually laughed, an uncommon response to Seiya's snipe toward Haruka. Then she said, "You know, if I thought you two would ever get along I would ask you to try. But you should remember that she's done a lot for me, and for our children." Seiya just glared in the general direction she knew they'd have to take to get to the archery fields, even though Kiyoko was correct it was not something Seiya intended to acknowledge aloud. Kiyoko shook her head and turned, pulling Seiya in the direction of the courtyard where Endo was.

As they got closer Kiyoko could sense the happiness in everyone and welcomed it, a nice change from the nightmares. Anything that chased them away was welcome! She and Seiya continued walking hand in hand into the courtyard, the sight before them amusing and amazing at the same time.

In the middle of the courtyard Endo stood with Usa-chan, both of them holding onto the staff her father, the late King Endymion, had given her. Endo had begged her to let him practice channeling his power with it. And from what she'd seen in Seiya's mind as recollection of the battle with Sikana, it wasn't a bad idea. Kiyoko was also amazed to see Usa-chan growing into such a beautiful young lady, actually looking a few years older than she was. But she looked so adorable in her lavender dress with the dark purple bows and beading, her dress shoes matching and actually having a small heel on them. Somehow Kiyoko wondered if it was the magic that was accelerating the development of these children. She just hoped it would be to their benefit in the long run.

Continuing to watch from the edge of the courtyard, Kiyoko caught sight of the staff beginning to glow. She was so proud that she couldn't stop herself from clapping and shouting, "Well done!" Unfortunately that caused the two of them to lose their concentration and the glow stopped. Kiyoko felt just a bit guilty as she and Seiya walked closer and sat down at a small table with Setsuna, having given themselves away.

The three women watched as they tried again. Setsuna turned toward Kiyoko and Seiya, "I hope you two are enjoying your honeymoon. They certainly are!" She motioned toward Endo and Usa-chan. She sighed as she continued, "They've been at this since just after first light! They're frustrated that they haven't been able to do much, only making it glow like that a few times. But they're dedicated, I'll give them that!"

Amused, Kiyoko nodded. Then she looked at Seiya and told her, "I'll be right back." She stood back up, but Seiya hadn't let go of her hand.

Looking up at Kiyoko, Seiya chuckled and retorted, "Do not make promises you can't keep Kiyo-chan." Kiyoko just shrugged, knowing Seiya was likely right.

She walked over to where the children stood, smiling and asked, "May I demonstrate?" Both of them nodded and gave her the staff. She took hold of it with both hands and aimed it high, making sure there were no birds overhead.

Back at the table Seiya chuckled again, looking at Setsuna and smiling, "I'll bet you just about anything that she's going to change the timeline on you again."

Setsuna smiled back, never having guessed that she'd be able to sit and chat like this with Seiya of all people. But she shone brightly when she was with Kiyoko. Setsuna shook her head, "I don't make bets I will likely lose." They both laughed and turned their attention back to the three in the middle of the courtyard.

After chuckling at overhearing Seiya and Setsuna, Kiyoko addressed Endo and Usa-chan, "Do not look just with your eyes, utilize all of your senses, which includes your magical sense." They nodded, even though she wasn't looking at them. She narrowed her eyes and called out Smoking Bomber and a great white energy blast shot high into the air. Kiyoko let it go after a split second.

Seiya cheered loudly for her beloved wife as did the children. Then she looked back over at Setsuna, intending to make a joke, but stopping when she saw how wide Setsuna's eyes had gone. She spoke, her voice sure but not entirely happy as the nightmares came to her mind, "Damn. I guess I win the bet."

It took a moment for Setsuna to return to the world, but when she did she replied with a serious tone, "Yes, you do."

At that moment Usagi came up and sat down in Kiyoko's empty seat. Completely unaware of the exchange that had just happened, she looked at Seiya, "So what did I miss?"

Seiya looked at Setsuna, around the back of Usagi's head, taking in her stiff and serious look. She turned back to Usagi, "Apparently I just won a bet."

Usagi was about to question Seiya when a light appeared streaking through the sky. Seiya, Usagi, and Setsuna all got to their feet simultaneously. Kiyoko was already looking up, sensing something or someone coming. No vision, no intentions, just a presence. It was unsettling. But at least they were safe here. One of the precautions Serenity had put in place when she took the throne was to expand the magical barrier that kept those not of the Silver Millennium line, without permission, out to the walls that now enclosed the entire castle grounds.

But the light got closer, heading straight for the courtyard they stood in. Kiyoko watched, waiting for it to hit the invisible shield but it didn't. She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the faint ripple as it passed right through. Kiyoko had personally worked on that barrier, it was sound!

Regardless, it had happened and so she gripped the staff tighter and took a position in front of the children, quickly joined by the transformed Setsuna, Usagi, and Seiya. A moment later the light hit the ground about ten feet away. Standing before them was a woman, hair similar to Kiyoko's but with only two buns instead of four, tall with dark eyes, and fair skinned. But what felt more important is that she wore a dress that clearly looked like it belonged to the royal line of the Silver Millennium, a crown similar to her mother's, and that she bore a crescent moon on her forehead. She also wore elegant elbow length gloves with black edging.

The woman bowed and smiled, but there was something cold in that smile, "Serenity, is that you?" She was looking at Kiyoko's mother when she said it.

Out of the corner of her eye, Kiyoko saw Setsuna, Pluto, stiffen further as the woman spoke, almost as if the sound of her voice was painful. Who was this woman and why did Pluto look so anxious? Kiyoko covertly took one of her hands off of her staff and reached back for Endo's hand, speaking to him telepathically, "Take Usa-chan and go inside, now. Go and get your Aunt Serenity and Uncle Helios. Go." She let go of his hand, hearing him pull Usa-chan away.

The woman spoke again, still looking at Usagi, "It is you, isn't Serenity? Of course it is… It's the silver hair! Just like hers…." Again the question came to Kiyoko's mind, who was this woman?

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