Chapter 15: Feeling Alive

*Endo*

Endo had went with his papa and his sister and had done some training on how to use the staff he'd borrowed from his mother in combat, even though Endo knew he'd never be the warrior his sister was. However, he understood the importance of the exercise. Endo also knew that part of the goal had been to get him and his sister as far as possible from Botan.

After a while Endo had asked his papa if he could return to his chambers and lay down for a bit, still tired from the lack of sleep he'd suffered. The young prince went inside, kicked off his shoes, and collapsed on the bed. It was so comfortable, Endo felt as though he could stay there forever. When he rolled over he noticed a small wooden box with an intricate carving of a crescent moon on it. From inside the box he could sense something, something that was calling to him. Endo reached towards the box.

Before he could touch it, his attention was drawn to his doors opening. To his relief Endo saw Setsuna, Sailor Pluto, standing there. She looked at him fondly, "Good morning young prince. I understand you didn't sleep well. Perhaps a little adventure would do you some good."

Sitting up, Endo asked her, "What did you have in mind Setsuna?" He loved spending time with Setsuna.

Setsuna grinned, "We were hoping you might like to take a walk and practice some more with the staff, not combat though."

Endo arched an eyebrow, "We?" Just then he heard a giggle from behind Setsuna.

Usa-chan leaned sideways so that he could see her, "Come on now! We're going to the field where the sun and moon meet. Hurry up!" Endo grinned and jumped out of the bed, grabbing the staff and leaving the box untouched. Setsuna was glad, it wasn't quite time for that.

*Kiyoko*

Opening the door, Kiyoko greeted Seiya, "Good evening. Come in." She bowed and then stepped aside.

Seiya stepped inside and slipped off her shoes, looking around she said, "Nice little room you have here Atsuko." Then she went and took a seat at the table for two.

Kiyoko followed her, replying, "Thank you very much, Seiya-kun." As Kiyoko sat down she asked the obvious, "Have you really been looking for me all evening? Or was it just my singing?"

Wearing that grin that Kiyoko loved, Seiya told her, "I'd been looking for you, but was drawn to your voice, so both I guess." Her eyes were hypnotic, just like the Seiya that Kiyoko knew.

"Ever the charmer, I suppose. Why were you looking for me," Kiyoko questioned Seiya as she played with a strand of her hair.

Seiya laughed, "Don't believe everything you read about me. I'm not the playboy they make me out to be."

This made Kiyoko think of the one-sided romance between Seiya and Usagi and she frowned, "I know. You're someone who can't help but fall in love though."

Seiya looked confused, "What do you mean by that Atsuko-chan?" Seeing a few tears escape Kiyoko's eyes, Seiya leaned forward to wipe them away.

It was so painful, but Kiyoko pulled back and wiped the tears herself. Standing up, she said coldly, "I think you should go. It's not proper for you to be here this late. This was a mistake." She felt like she was rambled.

Seiya stood and walked the few feet between them, speaking with a pleading in her voice, "Please don't ask me to leave. I don't think that I can." Then, before Kiyoko could stop her, Seiya leaned in and kissed her, setting her ablaze as she always had.

For just a moment Kiyoko allowed herself to melt into that kiss. Michiru had told her that she appeared to feel at home with Haruka, and she was correct. But this kiss… It felt like coming home after a long journey, it felt right…. However, Kiyoko knew she shouldn't allow it…. This wasn't her home…. She broke away and more tears trickled down her cheeks, making them warm and wet. Kiyoko looked at Seiya, who seemed more confused than before. This made her heart a flurry of emotions: longing, pain, love, even anger…. She turned away from Seiya and whispered, "What about Usagi-chan?"

Stunned by… well everything… The way it felt to kiss her, the way it felt to have her pull away, even the way it felt to hear the pain in her voice…. It frustrated Seiya and so she snapped, "What about her?"

"I know how you feel about her… Yet here you are… kissing me," Kiyoko shot back, still unable to turn around, tears continuing to trickle down her cheeks.

At first all Seiya could say was, "Oh." She stood there for a moment and then she put her hand on Kiyoko's shoulder, "To be honest Atsuko, since you bumped into me today I haven't thought about Usagi at all. But maybe I should go now."

She turned and walked toward the door. Kiyoko could hear her hand on the knob when she found herself pleading, "Don't go. Please Seiya…."

Kiyoko turned, fearing what she would see, whether Seiya stayed or left it didn't matter, it would be disastrous either way! As Kiyoko pivoted, her eyes fell on Seiya, closing the door and locking it. Then she turned toward Kiyoko and asked, "Just who are you Atsuko?"

Walking over to Seiya, Kiyoko took Seiya's hand and placed it on her cheek. She rubbed her face against it and told her, "I am just a lost soul. Like you, this is not my home. I am a ghost in this place, but tonight I want to feel alive again."

Seiya's cheeks flushed, though she didn't pull away. She whispered, "That would be complicated."

"How would it be complicated? There is nothing complicated about two women spending the night together, feeling alive together," Kiyoko whispered back.

Looking as surprised as she was flushed, Seiya kept her hand on Kiyoko's cheek and breathed, "You know…"

Kiyoko nodded into that cheek, "Yes, I do. I know your secret Seiya Kou. You and the other members of the Three Lights are women who disguise themselves as men. I also know you have reasons for doing so. Gender is not what makes a person who they are, it is what is in your heart that matters."

Bringing her other hand up, Seiya cupped Kiyoko's face and kissed her softly. When she pulled back slightly Seiya told her in soft tones, "Such radiance is blinding. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up." Kiyoko nodded and the two of them began kissing again. The logical part of her brain was screaming. It kept telling her that what she was doing was a mistake and she HAD to stop. But every other part of her refused to listen, could not stop.

Much later the two of the laid tangled together on the room's meager futon, not saying anything as they stared at one another for a long time. Eventually Seiya asked Kiyoko, "Why are you still wearing those beads? Seems silly to me."

Kiyoko smiled, "That is not for you to know Seiya Kou." She ran her fingers in trails up and down the side of Seiya's body that wasn't covered.

Seiya laughed, "So mysterious…. I suppose we all have secrets." Then she closed her eyes and Kiyoko followed suit, wondering what the consequences of all this would be. She'd been willing to face hell before, why should now be so different? Nonetheless, she knew there would definitely be hell to pay….. Now or later….