Chapter 8: Who are you?

*Seiya*

Looking at Usagi, Seiya spoke somberly, "She left a note in our room that said she went to the old Moon Kingdom to try and figure out what is going on with her nightmares." She hated talking about the nightmares when she knew Kiyoko didn't want others to know.

It was Helios who responded to Seiya's statement first, "So, they're getting worse then. There is no other reason Kiyoko would leave at a time like this."

Turning to Helios, Seiya said with sorrow in her voice, "Yes, they seem to be getting steadily worse. But she won't talk about them. Not to me anyway. I don't know if she's told Haruka anything." Helios looked at Serenity and she nodded. Helios exhaled, "I will go and get someone to find her. We have to know what's going on." He walked out of the room swiftly.

Seiya watched him leave and something occurred to her. She turned her attention back to Usagi, "Where's Botan?" She didn't like any of this.

Usagi answered her in a tone that seemed both defensive and concerned, "She said that she was tired just after you left us and went to lay down for a while. Rei and I walked her to her suite."

A groan escaped Seiya's throat. She didn't like this at all…. Again the thought struck her, why had Kiyoko chosen NOW to run away?

*Kiyoko*

Kiyoko didn't know what to say. Haruka had asked her to tell Haruka about herself. But what could she tell her that wouldn't cause problems? She chewed on her lip as they walked up the street, her arm still in Haruka's and Kiyoko leading the way to nowhere in particular. Eventually Haruka spoke again, "Why are you being so quiet Atsuko-chan? Do I make you nervous?" Even though there was a flirtatious tone to Haruka's words, Kiyoko felt like there was a double meaning in them.

Somehow this made Kiyoko even more flustered, causing her to blush. She replied softly, "I am simply a bit shy Haruka-san." Oh how Kiyoko wanted to use her telepathy to read Haruka's mind right now! She found restraining her power in the twentieth century much more difficult than at home.

Eyeing her suspiciously Haruka spoke bluntly, "You don't strike me as shy at all. Something tells me you can be very bold when you want to be."

Damn! Haruka knew her so well, even though she didn't know her. First the cake and now this! Kiyoko smiled, forcing the nervousness down, "You're right Haruka-san, but only once I get to know someone."

Haruka nodded and continued on, asking another question, "Why didn't you want to go with Koneko-chan and Minako-chan to watch those pop stars perform? Most girls would've jumped at the chance."

Kiyoko knew that Haruka was right, from the history that she knew anyway. So she just replied, "I'm not a fan of the Three Lights. Would you have rather gone with the others Haruka-san?"

"Hell no! I don't like people like that," Haruka said adamantly. For a moment her face was serious, but then she put the flirtatious look back on her face, "So, what do you like to do?"

This game was going to become more difficult as they went along. Kiyoko put a similar look on her face, "Lots of things Haruka-san. What about you?"

"I love anything fast, cars, motorcycles, and track. I love to feel the wind," Haruka answered rather honestly.

Kiyoko smiled a mischievous smile. She wanted to turn the tables on the flirtatious interrogation here. She had to. So she asked the next logical question, "Fast, eh? Would you take me for a ride sometime?" She put a look similar to the one she normally saw Michiru where when the two of them spoke flirtatiously back home.

It seemed to have accomplished Kiyoko's goal of putting Haruka off her game. She actually blushed lightly. Haruka never blushed! Clearing her throat, Haruka responded, "Perhaps. We'll just have to wait and see."

Haruka's comment made Kiyoko think…. It may take some time to get to Setsuna. This wouldn't be as simple as she thought. That created another problem. If Kiyoko stayed here she would need money, remembering the cafe. There was no way that she would risk using her powers if she could avoid it. She'd need food, a place to stay, and clothes. Conjuring anything more than what she had already would be dangerous. What could she do for money? Money had never been an issue for Kiyoko. She was royalty with magical powers. Well, this trip would test her in more than one way. She took a chance and took a deep breath, "Haruka-san? What would you do if you needed money and couldn't get a job?" She felt like getting a job would create a larger impact on the timeline.

Looking at Kiyoko with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, but she answered bluntly, "Well, that necklace with the pink stone you're wearing looks like it'd be worth a lot. You could sell it to a jeweler. But why do you need money Atsuko-chan?"

More chewing on her lip commenced as Kiyoko thought of how to answer her. Then it came to her, "I told you my aunt requested that I come here. But what I didn't say is that we had a fight and she kicked me out." Kiyoko put a morose expression on in order to drive the point home. Again, it wasn't entirely untrue. Looking down the street she saw a jewelry store. Fortunately the necklace she wore that Haruka was referring to was not one she wore every day, though she hoped that when she got home Makoto would understand. She'd given it to her when she was young. Kiyoko put her eyes back on Haruka, "Thank you Haruka-san, but this time I really must go! I hope we see each other again. I'd rather like that ride!" Actually winking as she said it threw Haruka off long enough for Kiyoko to break free and get away.

As Kiyoko entered the jewelry store and looked around. It was a nice place. Hopefully she could get enough money to live on for the presumably brief time she'd be here. A brunette that appeared to be about Usagi and the others age approached her and bowed, "Welcome to my mother's store. How may we help you?" This young lady was so polite!

Smiling at her, Kiyoko unclasped the necklace from around her neck which was priceless and held it up, "Does your mother ever buy jewelry?" The young lady just stared at it with wide eyes. Kiyoko prompted her, "Miss?"

She blinked and replied, "Not normally, but let me go and ask her." She walked briskly and despite not using her telepathy, Kiyoko were fairly certain she would walk out of here with enough money to get by.

Luckily Kiyoko was correct, though she did have to use her magic just a little to convince the owner to give her the money in cash. So Kiyoko walked out with a black zippered pouch with a very large sum of money. Though she hadn't expected the sight she encountered when she got about a half-block away. Haruka stood there, leaning against a tree, clearly waiting for her.

She stood up and eyed the fat black pouch, "Well that worked out well. How much was that necklace worth?" Her eyes made their way up to Kiyoko's face.

Swallowing Kiyoko made her face a mask of serenity, putting her royal upbringing to work again. She had a feeling she would be doing this frequently until she returned home, "It was very expensive, a gift actually, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices in life."

The look on Haruka's face was hard, and a little haunted for a moment, "That is very true. There are many sacrifices that are necessary in life." Even in this era Haruka understood duty and how high its price at times. This made Kiyoko think of the Haruka she knew and Kiyoko was overcome by the desire to comfort her. Without thinking she reached out and touched her cheek tenderly.

With the speed of the wind, Haruka brought her hand up to Kiyoko's, presumably to remove it. But when she touched Kiyoko's hand it was like she was frozen. Her eyes widened just for a second and then she spoke, "Just who are you? Really."

Kiyoko didn't move and smiled a heartfelt smile, "I am a ghost, and I am not important Haruka-san. Focus on your mission. See you around." Then, as swiftly as the wind, having learned from the best, Kiyoko ran far. She made certain her route was anything but a straight line. Kiyoko wasn't certain she'd said the right thing. But that couldn't be her concern right now. She knew she'd see Haruka again. Kiyoko was counting on it.

Author NOTE: I am starting a class this week, working full time, and have a family…. Please be patient if I am not able to update as quickly as I have this summer. Thank you!

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