Chapter 10: Games

*Botan*

Botan had returned immediately to her room in the Crystal Palace after the confrontation with Kiyoko. From what Bugendai had said, she wouldn't have enough power to return without the golden crystal. Now her mission was to figure out where Kiyoko had hidden it. Luckily Botan had exceptional hearing and so she heard a couple of castle staff outside of her door whispering about Kiyoko…. Something about her running away. That suited Botan just fine. Without her being considered "missing" that would give Botan a defense when they came and tried to question her, which she knew that they would.

So she climbed into the bed in her suite and waited. Sure enough, a little while later she heard banging on her door. When Botan got up and opened it she saw her sister, Seiya, and the one called Sailor Uranus. Seiya and Uranus both looked suspicious and furious. Ser…. Usagi looked sad and apologetic. Her sister really was naïve, no matter the era.

Botan tried to look appropriately surprised. It was taking some getting used to, being around others and what was expected in a given situation. She addressed Usagi instead of the two Senshi, "Dear sister, what is going on?"

Usagi started to open her mouth, but didn't get a chance to speak. That Senshi from outside of the system, Seiya. The one who'd hopped from one Daughter of the Silver Millennium to another, she spoke in a tone filled with fury and ire, "That's what we want to know! You show up out of the blue and now…" Her voice trailed off there. It was everything that Botan could do to keep from smiling.

Usagi picked up speaking for the group, "I'm sorry Botan. But my daughter has left under some questionable circumstances. There are concerns about you having a hidden agenda here."

Uranus huffed at that, growling, "Concerns is an understatement. We don't trust you." She wore a look that mirrored Seiya's. From the bit she knew about the two of them, Botan wanted so badly to laugh.

However, she had to find that golden crystal. Botan couldn't be found out yet. She spoke remorsefully to them, "I understand your concerns, but I do not know anything about Kiyoko's leaving." It was a lie, and perhaps a bold one.

Nonetheless, Usagi nodded morosely, "Thank you Botan. However, I am afraid that Queen Serenity has ordered that a guard be posted in proximity to you at all times. Seiya has volunteered to take the first shift. Then Usagi looked at Seiya, "Sailor Vesta will relieve you in a few hours. Please behave." Seiya huffed. Botan's wheels began turning. So her next targets would be coming to her instead of her having to seek them out, perfect.

*Kiyoko*

When they got to Kiyoko's room, she was a bit embarrassed. She'd forgotten that she'd just thrown her clothes on the futon when she brought them back earlier. Setting down the groceries on the small counter space she had, Kiyoko apologized, "I am so sorry Haruka-san. I will have everything cleaned up in just a moment. Kiyoko slipped off her shoes and went to fold the clothes put them in the small trunk in the corner.

Haruka looked around and then at Kiyoko's frantic tidying up, laughing. She said, "Don't worry about it Atsuko-chan! You just got this a few hours ago. A little settling is expected." She went over and started unpacking the groceries, putting things away just the same as Kiyoko would have. It made Kiyoko grin. Once things were taken care of, Haruka pivoted to face Kiyoko, "So what are we having for dinner?"

That was an excellent question! What could she make…. Thinking back to the most simplistic lessons Makoto had given her, Kiyoko decided and told Haruka, "Well, I am having beef and potato stew. If you'd like some…." She allow the sentence to drop off there. It was true that she'd offered to make her dinner, but being coy made the game more fun.

The look on Haruka's face was quite amusing, flirtatious but a little caught off guard. She arched an eyebrow and said, "Well, beef and potato stew it is then."

Kiyoko shooed her to the table as she set to work cutting vegetables, adding snow peas to the pot of water her had brewing on her little two burner set up. She hummed while she cooked as she'd seen Makoto do many times while cooking.

Haruka stood against the balcony door frame and watched Kiyoko as she continued, beginning to slice the beef into thin strips. When she put it in a pot of oil she'd prepare, Haruka couldn't contain her curiosity anymore. She asked Kiyoko, "Do you know Koneke-chan's friend Makoto?"

The question made Kiyoko freeze for a brief moment. She hadn't realized how much she must act like Makoto when she cooked. Clearing her throat she answered Haruka without looking away from her work, "No Haruka-san. I am afraid I don't. You, Michiru-san, and Minako-chan are the only friends of Usagi-chan's that I've met." She didn't bother with why because she knew the answer all too well.

Eventually Kiyoko added all of the vegetables and water to the pot and set it to cook. She assumed the next move was hers. So Kiyoko asked, "You mentioned something about rehearsing with Michiru—san earlier. What do you play?" It was again a question to which she knew the answer, but she had to act as though she were simply trying to get to know her.

Haruka walked a little closer to her and said, "I play piano. But it is nothing compared to Michiru on the violin. To hear it once is to fall in love with it." She paused and turned the question around on Kiyoko, "Do you play Atsuko-chan? What was that song you were humming?"

Damnit! Kiyoko hadn't thought about the fact that she was humming the lullaby she sang to her children. Still not looking at Haruka, Kiyoko answered, "I played the piano when I was young. My family insisted I learn. I also took voice lessons, but that song was just a lullaby I learned a long time ago." She kept an eye on their stew and waited.

"Oh really? Well, I will make a deal with you Atsuko-chan. I will take you for a ride on my motorcycle sometime… If you'll sing it for me," Haruka spoke almost like she was daring Kiyoko to say no…. Which left her no choice…..

Swallowing and clearing her throat again, Kiyoko began singing about the star that fell in love with the moon. It might hit a little too close to home with Haruka considering the course of events that should be in motion if her memory served her correctly, but she knew it'd be worse if she had refused. Haruka listened intently, scarcely breathing. When Kiyoko had finished, Haruka whispered, "That was very beautiful. I ask again, who are you?"

Holding back all of the things that she wanted to say, Kiyoko turned off the stew, grabbed two bowls, filled them, and then turned to Haruka, saying, "I am simply the woman who owed you a meal Haruka-san." As they ate Haruka didn't say anything, but judging by the way she looked at Kiyoko she was certain there was a lot she wanted to say.

As soon as they finished their meal Haruka told Kiyoko thank you, but that she needed to go. After she'd left, Kiyoko went and stood on her balcony. When she looked down she saw Michiru standing out there, obviously waiting. Haruka exited and took her hand. As the two of them walked away, Michiru looked back and it felt as if she were looking right through Kiyoko. She wasn't sure how to interpret the look, suspicion or jealousy. If only this Michiru understood that she had nothing to be jealous about.