Reservations
The trip to Earth took about two days with the power of the golden crystal, though it didn't seem nearly that long to Kiyoko and Yaten. When they arrived on the landing pad at the palace in Crystal Tokyo they were greeted by Queen Serenity and the Queen Mother, Usagi. Yaten bowed to both of them and Kiyoko hugged her mother first, "Hello mom. I've missed you." She then turned and hugged her sister, "Hello Serenity. I've missed you too. Thank you for meeting us, both of you."
Serenity smiled at her sister, "I'm happy to meet you and that you're here. It just makes me sad that I won't be able to be at the wedding. It could solve this maid of honor issue at once." Kiyoko felt guilty that her sister couldn't be at her wedding. But everyone had agreed that it was important for it to take place on Estara.
Her mother interjected, "I agree Serenity, but they'll be here for their honeymoon so that is something." Usagi was correct, it was the compromise that had been made in order to have the wedding on Estara and not have Serenity's feelings hurt. It'd also show the people of Earth Kiyoko hadn't forgotten them.
Yaten cleared her throat, "Perhaps we should get settled before the others bombard you my Queen." The three others laughed, both at Yaten's blunt statement and at the fact she was probably correct. Kiyoko was honestly surprised Minako wasn't out here, waiting to pounce.
They all agreed and Serenity and Usagi accompanied the two of them to their chambers. Kiyoko would stay in her chambers and Yaten would stay in the chambers across the hall, where Endo and Ruka had stayed before. This would keep her close to Kiyoko and give Kiyoko her privacy. She was glad her family still knew her and her preferences, especially this trip.
After a few hours rest, Kiyoko knew she needed to contact Seiya. She walked to the surveillance/communication room and found Setsuna waiting for her. Setsuna had knowing look on her face. She looked at Kiyoko and said, "Welcome back Kiyoko. I think we should have a chat."
Kiyoko smiled that serene smile she'd used so much recently, "Thank you Setsuna, and I would love to chat with you. But first I must contact Seiya and let her know that we made it here. I promised her." Setsuna nodded and agreed to wait for Kiyoko to speak with Seiya, but she didn't leave the room. Kiyoko knew this was a bad sign. Kiyoko sat down at the viewing console and attempted to make contact with Estara. It didn't take long to see her beloved on the screen. Kiyoko wondered if Seiya had spent the last two days sitting in that room, waiting for her, "Hello my love. It's good to see your face."
Seiya was nearly beaming to see her beloved, "It's wonderful to see you to Kiyoko. I miss you. I'm glad you and Yaten arrived safely."
Kiyoko smiled at Seiya, "Yes, we arrived safely a few hours ago. I am sorry I didn't contact you sooner. I really needed a little rest. How are things there?"
"Everything is fine my love. Ruka has decided that her walls need to be covered in vines, but if that is the worst of it I won't fight her. As much as I don't want to I am going to let you get off of here so that you can take care of business and get yourself back home. I love you." With that Kiyoko told Seiya to give the children her love and they ended the transmission. She actually wished the conversation had lasted longer so that she could avoid Setsuna.
Gathering her courage, Kiyoko stood and faced Setsuna. The look that Setsuna wore was nearly as frightening as some of the looks Haruka wore. She waited, refusing to be the first to speak. Finally, Setsuna broke the silence, "So… You're here to choose a maid of honor?"
It was so like Setsuna to begin this way. Kiyoko smiled at her, "Yes, as I told Minako it's been difficult to decide." She knew that Setsuna wouldn't believe her, she was Setsuna. But that was what she'd told Minako.
Setsuna shook her head, "Oh Kiyoko, we both know that you've already chosen your maid of honor. You're just afraid to ask her." Her face took on an even more serious expression and she took a step closer to Kiyoko, "We both also know that it not the main reason you're here. What you are planning to do is VERY dangerous."
Kiyoko met Setsuna's eyes, knowing she had to stand her ground, "I understand your concern. I also understand you won't interfere. You cannot do so as the Guardian of Time. And no, I am not so naïve that I think you'll be the only one to have a problem with this. Now if you'll excuse me Sailor Pluto, I need to see my sister." With that she turned and left the room, knowing that while she was right, she'd also probably just hurt Setsuna's feelings. Standing by what she believed in was never easy and always painful somehow.
Kiyoko made her way to Serenity, she could sense that she was in the courtyard with Usa-chan and Sailor Mercury. That was not ideal, but Kiyoko went anyway. When she arrived in the courtyard Usa-chan was working on her mathematics studies with Ami. Serenity sat nearby, watching the two of them. She smiled when Kiyoko approached her and gestured for her sister to sit down on the bench next to her. Kiyoko did so, trying to keep a smile on her face as well. Serenity seemed to pick up her sister's deeper anxiety, "What's wrong Kiyoko?"
Kiyoko laughed a small laugh, "You know me well my dear sister. I have a lot on my mind. There's simply so much to be done." She placed her hand on Serenity's and smiled.
Serenity took her other hand and clasped Kiyoko's, "I remember how complicated wedding planning can be. I think Minako's feelings were a bit hurt when I asked Setsuna to help me, and when I chose Hotaru as my maid of honor." She sighed, "Though she shouldn't have been surprised. I love her to death, but her ideas are a little over the top for me, which means that they are likely VERY over the top for you."
Kiyoko nodded, feeling like she needed to discuss things right away, but not in front of Usa-chan and Ami. So she gathered her courage, "Would you like to take a walk with me Serenity?" She hoped her sister would agree.
Luckily Serenity smiled, "Of course I will." She looked over at Usa-chan and Ami, "We'll be back shortly. But if you two finish her lessons, feel free to take her back to Kea." Kea was Usa-chan's nanny, though she spent a great deal of her time with the Senshi as Serenity and Kiyoko had as children. Serenity and Kiyoko both felt it was important to have another set of hands. They didn't want their children lonely or to interfere with the other duties of the Senshi.
Kiyoko wasn't sure how to begin as the two of them walked. Serenity actually spoke first, "Are you trying to figure out how to ask Haruka? I think Minako is the only one who hasn't realized why you haven't chosen a maid of honor." She smiled at Kiyoko encouragingly.
This wasn't untrue, but it wasn't what she'd set out to discuss with her sister either. But Kiyoko nodded, "That's part of it. I've hardly spoken to her in the last six months, and every time I do she still seems upset about the whole thing. I can't imagine her agreeing to stand beside me as I commit to Seiya for eternity." She saw sympathy in her sister, but continued before Serenity could speak, "There's something else I wanted to speak to you about however."
Serenity arched an eyebrow, "Really? What is it Kiyoko? You seem so distressed." She looked patiently at her sister. The two of them had certainly grown into their place as royalty. It made Kiyoko smile momentarily.
Kiyoko took a deep breath, "I found a letter from our father in the spell book I took back to Estara. He asked me, no both of us, to do something. But it's not a simple task. He asked us to help those who were robbed of their lives by the Dark Kingdom." Serenity did not say anything, she simply gasped and stared at Kiyoko, speechless.