Chapter 14: Some Things Cannot be Run From

*Seiya*

Crystal Tokyo

Seiya sat at breakfast with Usagi and her children, Endo and Ruka. It was awkward and silent. Seiya didn't know what to say to them about Kiyoko leaving. Looking at the two of them, it was obvious something was wrong. Endo looked very tired and Ruka just looked frustrated. Finally Seiya asked her son, "Endymion, did you have trouble sleeping last night?" Endo did say anything as he stared at the eggs on his plate, not eating them. Seiya tried again, "Endo?"

Endo blinked and looked up at his papa. He pondered his response, but in the end he knew he couldn't keep this to himself, "I did. I kept having this nightmare. It was creepy and terrifying. Everyone was fighting, some even died." Recalling it made a shiver work its way down his spine.

This worried Seiya and by the look on Usagi's face, she was worried too. Somehow she felt like Endo's sudden nightmare was linked to Kiyoko's nightmares. What was it? Was it a premonition of things to come? Ruka interrupted Seiya's thoughts by slamming her fists on the table, "What is going on papa? Why isn't anyone talking to us about mama? We know she's gone. We've both proven ourselves, yet we're still being left out!" Yes, there it was again…. The reminder of Ruka's namesake.

Usagi and Seiya exchanged a look and Usagi nodded at Seiya. Seiya looked back and Ruka and told her, "You're right. The two of you have proven yourselves. I am sorry we've left you out of things, we've only been trying to protect you. But you can't protect someone if you are keeping secrets from them." She sighed.

Usagi could see the distress in Seiya and so she picked up the conversation, "You're mother didn't stop having nightmares after the Shibons were beaten on Estara. Actually, they only got worse. About a day and a half ago she left, going to the old Kingdom on the moon to seek solitude and guidance. We're all worried about her."

It was Endo who responded to her, his voice ragged with his fatigue, "Thank you grandmother. Am I right in guessing that you're worried my nightmares last night are somehow connected?" Usagi nodded and Endo continued, "That would make sense since I know that my psychic abilities come from her. Now, is anyone going to tell us about this Princess Botan everyone keeps whispering about?"

"Good morning, why don't I tell you myself young prince," Botan said as she approached the group eating in the courtyard, Sailor Pallas trailing behind her. She looked Endo up and down, "Such a wise young man. I am your great aunt Botan. It's a pleasure to meet you both." She bowed to Endo and Ruka.

Seiya was pissed, shooting Sailor Pallas a look that could kill. She just shrugged. Everyone knew that Botan was to be kept away from the children. What in the hell was she thinking! Seiya stood up and looked at Botan coldly, "I'm sorry princess, but I'm afraid we have prior engagements." Then she looked at Ruka and Endo, "We'd better get going." Her voice left no room for questions and so the two of them simply stood and followed their papa out. Endo was left with a chill from that woman's eyes as he walked past her.

*Kiyoko*

Kiyoko sat there, staring at Seiya's outstretched hand. It almost made her laugh, thinking back to their first meeting in the future. Then it was she who stood reaching out to Seiya, broken and in pain. The universe obviously had a sense of humor. However, Kiyoko couldn't bring herself to take that hand, to touch Seiya. So she managed to get to her feet on her own and bowed, apologizing, "I am so sorry. Please excuse me." Kiyoko hurriedly walked around Seiya, Kiyoko's long hair whipping past her. As she moved past her she began picking up the pace, prepared to run like she had from Haruka.

From behind her she heard Seiya call after her, "Miss! Wait! Please!" And she heard the footsteps picking up behind her. Kiyoko supposed it was time to run. With that thought she took off, running from that missing piece of herself as she'd told Rei this morning. But no matter how fast she ran, Kiyoko heard Seiya's footsteps behind her.

Eventually she stopped and pivoted on her heels to face Seiya, masking all of the longing within her and wearing a hard expression. She put her hands on her hips and snapped, "Why are you following me?!" If she could be cold and hard as she'd heard Haruka and Michiru were to the Seiya here, perhaps he'd leave her be. It'd be easier that way.

Seiya had stopped as well, not far from Kiyoko. She seemed like she were about to snap back at Kiyoko. From what she knew that was common from her beloved in this time, of course that was true in her time as well so it wasn't surprising. However, when she looked Kiyoko in the eye it was like she was frozen and so was Kiyoko. The snark evaporated from her expression and she spoke in a sympathetic tone, "You seemed so upset. I just couldn't help myself."

Unable to look away from that gaze Kiyoko whispered, "Thank you for caring." It seemed so inadequate a sentiment, but it was all that she could get to come out of her mouth at the moment.

It seemed Seiya had regain a bit of herself, flashing Kiyoko that same confident smile she shown her when they first met, "So, what's your name? I haven't seen you around here before, and I'd have noticed a beautiful girl like you."

That flirtatious nature was comforting and it made Kiyoko smile. She replied, "I'm not from around here, but then neither are you Seiya Kou."

A little taken back, Seiya asked her, "Hey, how do you know my name?" She was honestly dumbfounded.

That did make Kiyoko laugh for a moment. Among chuckles she said, "Who doesn't know Seiya Kou of the Three Lights?"

Seiya's cheeks turned a bit red and she snapped back, "I guess I don't think about it when I am out by myself like this." Then she narrowed her eyes and said, "You never told me your name."

Bowing, Kiyoko said, "I am Atsuko. Nice to meet you. But I really need to get going." Kiyoko was still determined to get away from this dangerous territory.

She blew past Seiya and used the same trick she had to get away from Haruka the day before. At last Kiyoko's hotel was in sight! She knew that there'd be more tears in her future. Seeing Seiya standing there, just walking done the street in a pair of jeans and a black shirt helping someone in need had wrenched at her heart. It didn't matter what she wore or what she did, it didn't matter what the time period, Kiyoko's heart belonged to Seiya.

Kiyoko made herself a simple dinner and sat down to eat it alone. While she cherished her time alone in her study on Estara, this kind of lonely just made her feel broken. As she picked at her food Kiyoko ran through the events of the last couple of days in her mind. While she was proud that she had been able to figure out how to take care of herself, she couldn't take this loneliness anymore. Kiyoko made up her mind to find Setsuna tomorrow, even if she had to use her magic to do it. She needed to get home.

After she had finished her meal and cleaned up, Kiyoko changed into some pajamas she'd gotten, this cute red and white top and these black shorts, and slipped on her slippers. Then Kiyoko headed out onto her balcony to enjoy the breeze that was blowing this evening.

Sliding the door behind her, Kiyoko leaned on the railing and looked up to the moon as her hair blew around her, it was as comforting to her as the sun was energizing to her. She was the daughter of the sun and moon after all. That is often how she saw her parents…. Silver and gold, Sun and moon, King and Queen, but always those who loved her unconditionally. The more Kiyoko looked up at the moon the more it made her want to sing that lullaby again. She supposed it wouldn't do any harm. No one except her neighbors would hear and hopefully they wouldn't mind. And so Kiyoko gave into the desire and began singing as she continued staring at the moon, almost full.

From below her she heard her voice call up, "Atsuko! I found you!" Kiyoko stopped in mid-sentence and looked down, her eyes resting on a clearly exhausted Seiya. Had she been looking for her all evening? Seiya smiled and shouted again, "A beautiful voice and a beautiful face! Please come down here!"

Kiyoko looked herself over. Seiya couldn't be serious! She couldn't ignore her in this situation, the Seiya of the twentieth century was proving to be as persistent as the Seiya she knew. Kiyoko called back, "Come on up!" As soon as the words left her lips she questioned their wisdom, but it was too late now…. Seiya had already bolted into the building. A couple of minutes later Kiyoko sensed the woman that would become her wife someday and heard a knock at her door. Kiyoko thought to herself, definitely too late now….