"It's nice that you all managed to grace us with your presence today, Starlights, " was the first thing Fighter heard from King Hyousuke as soon as she entered the throne room.

"Especially you, Fighter, " added Queen Mao, eyeing the dark-haired woman with her golden eyes. "Why did it take you so long to arrive? Are you falling ill?"

Resisting the urge to swear under her breath, Fighter joined her companions in their current kneeling position in front of the royal family. "I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience, my lady. I got caught up with checking on our injured in the clinic, " she stated and bowed her head to show respect for the royal couple.

The king hummed, "That is quite gracious of you, Fighter. That's why you're our best general in the entire kingdom. Surely we wouldn't have won without you or your colleagues. Am I right?" He addressed his question to his wife and the servants within the room, earning a few nods.

Queen Mao, however, snapped, "But that doesn't excuse her for being late to this very important meeting regarding their homecoming banquet! She must learn how to refrain from being so reckless!"

King Hyousuke stroked his bread thoughtfully. "You do have a point, my dear, but …" he turned his brown gaze onto Mao, "they deserve time to themselves, love. They have been away from home for practically a year at least. The least we could do is allow them downtime before we send them back out."

Maker lifted her head to look at the royal couple. "Your Highness, if you don't mind my bewilderment, what do you mean by 'sending' us back out? I thought that we collected enough intel and rid the kingdom of our enemies."

He gave a nod. "That is true, but our insiders have notified us of our enemy plotting to try and get revenge against us once again. They're not quite happy about you three overthrowing them, so now they're looking for ways to retaliate."

"When shall we leave then?" questioned Healer, her feline-like eyes piercing into the king with their intensity.

"In 3-4 days. The sooner, the better – we mustn't wait any longer than that in case they feel the need to retaliate against us very soon, " stated the orange-haired queen, casting her eyes upon Fighter as if daring her to protest.

I have to leave Serenity again? I can't believe that I have to …. And so soon? Why can't we just be alone for much longer than a few days at a time nowadays? I'm always being sent away and she -.

"Fighter?" Maker's slightly deep voice cut into the other woman's thoughts like a knife, causing her to nearly jolt.

"Yes?"

"What do you have to say about all of this?" asked the red-haired monarch, eyeing her evenly.

With everyone's eyes on her, the bluenette warrior gave a bowed her head. "As you wish, Your Majesty. We shall leave promptly in 3 days, " she said, feeling sick to her stomach about having to break this news to a terribly ill Serenity.

"Great! That'll be the day your banquet shall be held!" exclaimed Queen Mao, a smile spreading across her face.

"But I thought you said that it was to celebrate our homecoming, not our departure, " pointed out Maker, confusion apparent on her face.

"It is a little of both, Maker. It's quite important to give the kingdom something to -."

"Mama? Papa?" called a small voice from beside Queen Mao's throne.

The queen reached for the toddler being held within one of the servants' arms. "Oh, Kakyuu-hime. I'm right here, my dear. Come to momma …"

"You three are dismissed to do whatever you plan to do today, but please no sexual rendezvouses or anything that goes against the Starlight code of conduct. Understand?" bellowed the king after the queen had disappeared, narrowing his eyes at the Starlights.

"As you wish, " they responded in unison, giving one last bow before taking their exit.

Fighter wandered through the gardens, her thoughts racing.

I can't believe that I have to leave her so soon … Especially when she's so ill … I must see her now!

Racing to her room for her cloak, the dark-haired woman waited till it was dark once more outside before disappearing into the night in search of her love.

Please, stars above, let her not catch her death over this … Please let her ask me to clip my wings for her, so we can run away to somewhere far from here. I don't care where as long as I have her with me …

She was unaware of the pair of eyes watching her departure from a distance. Amusement bubbled up within the person as they made a note to question her later, or better …