Chapter 4: Half-Truths

After a little while, Usagi insisted on taking Botan on a tour of the castle, though Kiyoko knew that her mother wouldn't show her everything it still worried her. When everyone stood Kiyoko looked at Helios and asked him, "Dear brother, would you see to arrangements for some quarters for Botan, the best of the guest suites." Looking at Botan, "I am sorry, I should've asked you if you'd like to stay."

Seiya hoped her expression didn't reflect her dumbfounded feeling. She asked Kiyoko telepathically, "What are you doing my love? Inviting a potential enemy in!"

A barely perceptible shake of Kiyoko's hair and a message back, "The guest suite I speak of has extensive surveillance. Helios knows exactly what I am doing. As the say, keep your friends close…." She let the thread trail off there as she felt understanding creep over Seiya.

But then a feeling of shock washed over her, "Do you mean the suite Taiki, Yaten, and I stayed in here when you and I met? We were being watched?" There was a tone of irritation in her thoughts.

Pursing her lips on the outside, her thoughts to Seiya, "I am sorry Seiya, but that time it was Serenity's idea and not mine." Seiya believed her and so she didn't press the issue, but she did let out a huff as they started trailing Usagi and Botan into the castle.

Botan looked at Kiyoko as the four of them walked, "Thank you so much Kiyoko. I would love to stay!" The smile she wore seemed to look sweet and sinister at the same time. Kiyoko smiled back politely, but didn't say anything.

Fortunately Kiyoko was correct in that her mother didn't take Botan to places such as the surveillance room or the temple. Instead she took her to see the extensive kitchen, the beautiful throne room, and now they'd arrived at the library. Normally a trip to this huge repository of knowledge would excite Kiyoko, but not today.

Botan took in the shinning white shelves, tables, and chairs and smiled, "Somehow this reminds me of the library on the moon. It was huge as well." She turned to Usagi with tears rimming the edges of her eyes, "Oh how I wish you could remember those days that we shared. You used to pull my hair to try and get my attention when I was reading, wanting me to come and play with you."

Seiya interjected, "Princess Botan, how old were the two of you when you were separated?" What she was describing sounded like Usagi should've been old enough to remember.

The corner of Botan's mouth went up as she responded, "I was five and Ser… Usagi was six Seiya. I was a progeny, learning to read at three years old." She went back to staring at the bookcases.

"You were five and I was six? What happened that took you away from our kingdom Botan," Usagi asked with concern in her voice. From what Kiyoko could sense, her mother was concerned, but she was trying to get information from Botan as well. Perhaps Kiyoko had underestimated her.

Botan turned back toward Usagi and looked thoughtful, "Something took me away… I don't know what or how…. But I was taken to the darkest reaches of space, trapped somehow for a long time. I'm not sure how long. But as soon as I was free I began my journey back to you. I'd heard the whisperings of the White Moon's fall, but that you were alive on Earth. Something in me just had to find you. Searching all alone until today."

Usagi went over to her and took both of Botan's hands, "I am so sorry, you were alone all that time. But you never have to be alone again." Her heart ached at the loneliness Botan must have felt. She was still a bit skeptical, but any being who'd been alone like that deserved compassion as far as she was concerned.

Even Kiyoko wasn't certain what to say to that, if it were true. For a second she found herself wanting to believe Botan as well. Seiya picked up on that and squeezed her hand, cautioning her telepathically, "People lie. She may be a victim, but she may also be a very good actress." Kiyoko nodded.

After they left the library, Usagi led them to one of the castle's music rooms. As soon as she realized it, she grew angry, her thoughts flowing to Seiya, "She is actually expecting us to perform for Botan! Unbelievable!"

Seiya smiled and answered with her own thoughts, "Perhaps she is simply trying to distract her while Serenity confers with the others. Besides, I love singing with you." This made Kiyoko blush.

Sure enough, a short time later they found themselves in a music room, Usagi begging them to sing. Eventually Kiyoko conceded, huffing at her mother, "Alright, alright. I will accompany the great Seiya Kou of the Three Lights." She loved teasing her wife about her time as a teen idol on Earth.

*Chibi-Usa*

Finally Serenity had all of the Senshi called back from patrols and gathered together, with the exception of Ruka, the young Sailor Starbright. Serenity was following her sister's advice and had one of Usa-chan's tutors take them for a trip into the city. She knew that they could defend themselves if necessary, but she wanted them away from Botan until things were sorted out. She'd even pulled Pluto from the surveillance room after everyone was present. They all sat together in the temple, Serenity felt it was the safest place to speak frankly.

And so she laid everything out before them. Of course there was a great commotion that broke out. Serenity gave it a minute and then commanded their attention, her voice strong and regal as she spoke, "Stop! Speculation and gossip are not helpful. As we speak this woman, Princess Botan, is with my mother, Kiyoko, and Seiya. Kiyoko is attempting to gather information as we have little to go on." Her eyes darted to Setsuna briefly and then she continued, "As of right now, we will treat her as our guest, a visiting diplomat if you will."

The words came spilling out of Haruka's mouth before she could stop them, "Yes, that worked out so well on Estara." Part of her felt guilty for questioning their queen, but another part of her felt it needed to be said.

Serenity sharpened her gaze and responded sternly, "This is not Estara, we are all here together with both the silver and golden crystals. There is strength in numbers." It wasn't until recently that Serenity had started to gain confidence in her abilities as queen. It had taken many talks with her mother, and watching her sister do it so well, even if her watching was from afar.

Minako nodded and spoke, "The queen is correct. There is nothing that we cannot face together. And just perhaps, she is telling the truth and there is no threat." She didn't really believe it, she wanted to, but she'd been a Senshi too long to trust so easily anymore. This wasn't like when the Starlights had appeared on Earth again out of the blue. She'd known they were allies.

"What baffles me is that there are no records of her existence," Ami said incredulously. Her eyes fell on Setsuna and she felt a bit guilty, "Not that I am trying to imply you're lying Setsuna."

Shaking her head slightly, Setsuna replied morosely, "I know Ami. And I wish that I could tell you all more, but I cannot." She hung her head, wishing that she could tell them everything more than any of them could possibly imagine.

Helios had slipped into the temple and to Serenity's side as the others were speaking. He addressed them in his gentle way, "Princess Botan will be staying with us, at Kiyoko's request. At this point I believe that all we can do is keep watch and wait. I trust that Kiyoko had a reason for inviting her to stay. All of the arrangements have been made."

There was some further discussion, but Serenity agreed with Helios and they all prayed this was not a mistake. As everyone was given their orders and began to disburse, Serenity pulled Haruka and Michiru aside. She looked at them with more vulnerability than she'd shown in front of the others, "I don't know why Setsuna can't tell us more about Botan, but it worries me. Also, I have to ask you about something else Haruka." Her face became even more concerned, "There have been whisperings today among the castle staff that they heard screaming from Kiyoko's chambers last night. Is she still having nightmares?" Serenity had heard the tale of what had happened on Estara and was concerned for her sister. And this mysterious aunt showing up out of the thin air wasn't helping.

Haruka sighed, knowing that Kiyoko didn't want anyone to know that she was still having nightmares. However, she didn't want to lie to Serenity either, especially after the intensity of the last one. Haruka didn't experience the nightmares per se, but the feelings connected to them. Torn between betraying her queen and betraying her Kiyo-chan, she finally answered Serenity, "I believe that she is, but she hasn't discussed them with me." It was true, since the wedding ceremony Kiyoko hadn't discussed much with Haruka, but then again Haruka had offered to take over Ruka's training while they were on Earth. And Ruka was as demanding of a student as her mother had been. Michiru had actually teased her about it a few times. However, Haruka couldn't tell Serenity that they were still happening every night or how much worse they were getting. She simply couldn't betray the bond they shared that way.

Serenity looked grim, "Thank you Haruka. Thank you for looking out for my sister." She dismissed them to see to their duties. And set off to her own, Helios at her side.

*Kiyoko*

After the impromptu concert Botan said that she was tired and so Usagi offered to show her to her room. Kiyoko and Seiya went back to their own room, after inquiring about the children's whereabouts. She was happy that Serenity had listened to her. The two of them had dinner in their chambers, Kiyoko had insisted.

As they ate dessert, chocolate cake of course, Kiyoko spoke, "I just don't understand why it is I can't get a read on her. It's so infuriating."

Seiya stood up and grabbed Kiyoko from her chair, scooping her into her arms, "My love, my wife, everyone is on guard. Please don't let this mystery ruin our honeymoon." She carried Kiyoko to their bed and the two of them lost themselves in their passion for each other once again.

When they drifted off Kiyoko was pulled into that nightmare again, it was the same carnage as before… Friends turned to enemies… Family lying dead on the ground…. Kiyoko feeling helpless…. But when she looked up this time there were two shadowy figures…. One of them sent a beam of dark energy straight through her mother's chest. She stood there frozen in front of her sister's body, surrounded by Ami and Michiru's bodies on each side. And then mother collapsed. Kiyoko was trapped, a spectator here. She watched as Seiya ran to her mother and dropped to her knees, crying tears like she'd never seen. The last thing she heard was Seiya whispering, "Odango… No…."