Burden and Trust

A bit later Yaten showed up at the door of Kiyoko's chambers. She allowed her escort in and offered her a seat. Yaten refused it. She was obviously upset. Evenly she spoke, "What is going on Kiyoko? I understand that all of the planet's Senshi are gathering soon, but no one seems to know why." Yaten stood there, expectantly.

With resignation Kiyoko replied, "They're gathering to discuss something that I have proposed to my sister. Something I didn't tell Seiya or anyone else about except Serenity…. Well, and Helios at her behest." She could sense the anxiety and anger in Yaten and continued, "I should have discussed this with you, with her, with all of you. But I was afraid you'd all try to stop from even coming to Earth."

Yaten cut her off, "If that's the case then you're right, you should have told us, Seiya in particular. Anything so monumental that it requires the assembly of every Senshi on Earth should've have included your own people from the beginning…. Or was I wrong, are we not your people after all?"

Her words were like daggers, of course the people of Estara were Kiyoko's people now. She really had been selfish here. How could she make this right? She looked at Yaten, "You weren't wrong. The people of Estara are my people. It is my home. You are my family. I am sorry that I have acted so selfishly. But please join this meeting of the Senshi, be the voice of the Starlights."

Yaten's expression soften, but only a little, "Thank you. I intend to. But what about Seiya? When are you planning on discussing this with her?" She uncrossed her arms, but her expression still wore anxiety.

Kiyoko swallowed, it seemed that everyone was of the same opinion, making her feel worse. She chewed her lip and then responded to Yaten's question, "It may still be selfish, but I intend to wait until after this meeting. If what I am proposing is squashed, there's no point in worrying her." Yaten looked like she was about to speak, probably to lecture her some more, but Kiyoko cut her off, taking her hand, "I need you to trust me Yaten, I hope over the last ten years I have earned that much. Now if you'll excuse me I would like to take a bath before meeting with everyone." Yaten looked thoughtful as she left Kiyoko's chambers. That was something.

As Kiyoko sat in the bath tub her mind wondered. She thought again of the letter her father left her. It brought her to a conversation she'd had with him when she was younger.

*Evocation*

Kiyoko and her father sat in the castle's library, pouring through old texts as they often did. Endymion looked up at his daughter and smiled, "My daughter, scholar of Crystal Tokyo. Someday you will do so many amazing things with the power you have."

I wasn't the first time her father had said something like that. It always made Kiyoko blush, "Oh dad, I think you're biased." She started to go back to the book she was reading.

However, Endymion addressed her again, his voice soft as a whisper, "I'm serious Kiyo-chan. You and your sister will someday inherit this world. We both know that she will be Queen here because she is the eldest. But the things that await you are just as amazing. You're such a unique lady and your future reflects that." He put his hand on Kiyoko's. This made them both smile. Endymion spoke one more time, "But you have to trust those around you. You do not need to carry every burden by yourself." Kiyoko nodded and they both went back to their reading.

*Evocation*

Sitting there, Kiyoko felt terrible. She'd always done exactly what her father had said not to…. She'd tried to carry all of her burdens alone. With a sadness hanging over her she finished bathing and dressing. Just as she put her tiara onto her head there was another knock at the door, it was Setsuna.

Kiyoko called her in, not sure why she was there. But based on their earlier conversation she feared it would only hurt more. Setsuna looked at Kiyoko and stepped forward, not to put salt into her wounds, but to hug her. She spoke in a soothing voice, "You can't go and make your case looking so sad. Where is the fierce and passionate Priestess and Queen? That is who you must be tonight."

Her words surprised Kiyoko. She knew Setsuna didn't support what she wanted to do, yet she was here comforting Kiyoko. She replied in a small voice, "I was remembering a conversation with my father. He'd warned me not to try and carry my burdens alone…. Yet that is what I always do."

Setsuna smoothed her hair and replied, "You've been trained to be a strong Priestess. And you've always been closer to those of us form the outer solar system. We've probably not set the best examples there. We've always taken on our burdens ourselves, and none of us are good at asking for help."

She was right, but it was still something Kiyoko didn't like about herself. She should trust her family, especially her beloved Seiya. Still, she feared how her fiancée would react. Setsuna pulled back and helped Kiyoko wipe away the tears from her eyes. Just then Yaten entered and told the two of them that everyone else was waiting for them. It was time to face her family, most of it, and propose something that could kill both daughters of the Silver Millennium. Kiyoko chuckled at her thoughts ironically and the three of them proceeded to the courtyard of the temple.

When they arrived Kiyoko saw that indeed everyone was gathered. Looking to her left she saw the Inner Senshi, to the right she saw the Outers with the exception of Pluto, at the Fountain she saw her sister, Helios, her mother, and on each side of them were two of the Asteroids. Pluto squeezed Kiyoko's hand and went to stand with the other Outer Senshi. Yaten followed closely, flanking Kiyoko on the left.

Kiyoko walked to where her mother and sister were, looking straight ahead. She had to be fierce and passionate as Setsuna had said. When she reached them she bowed to the royal couple and her mother, who looked as serene as always. Kiyoko wondered if she would still look that way when this was done. Serenity nodded to her and motioned toward the others. So again, Kiyoko was on her own to present this information.

She took a deep breath and walked to where she could get a good view of everyone in attendance. Kiyoko began, "Thank you all for gathering here. I know that you have many duties to attend to. I have made a request of my sister on behalf of our late father that we feel is important to share with you." There were many gasps and Kiyoko saw her mother's face change from serene to confused, "Please allow me to present this without interruption and I promise everyone will have the opportunity to respond."

The glances that the Senshi were exchanging told Kiyoko that they were starting to worry, unfortunately it wasn't without cause. Nonetheless, she continued, "When I went back to Estara six months ago I took the ancient spell book that my father bequeathed me before he died. Inside I found a sealed letter and a spell. The letter was from my father and it requested that we attempt to resurrect the Shitenou that once served him. According to the letter, their star seeds are trapped within the stones encrusted on his sarcophagus." She paused to take everyone in, the Inner Senshi all looked at her intently. The outers were already showing opposition. And Kiyoko couldn't get much of a read from the Asteroids as usual. So she pushed on, "However, the spell is VERY complex, more complex than the untethering spell. It also requires a massive amount of energy, in other words both of the crystals. It's risky, which is the truth. But it was our father's wish and he had faith in us. In addition, it is my belief as well that these souls deserve better than being trapped for eternity."

The whirl of conversation was immediate, but no one was speaking to Kiyoko or Serenity. And Usagi sat there, clearly feeling a mixture of fear and pride. That much Kiyoko understood. Finally her sister rose and addressed everyone, "Excuse me! We will not get anywhere like this. Please take turns and do not speak over one another." Her face was hard, but she was Queen here.

Everyone began looking at each other, waiting for someone to speak. Not shockingly, the first to voice an opinion was Haruka. She bowed to Serenity and then looked at Kiyoko, "You'll have to excuse me you're Highness, but that is insane. How the hell can you consider risking both of the crystals and your lives to do this?"

This was what Kiyoko'd expected, especially from Haruka. She looked at her and replied, "To begin with, speak to me appropriately. Secondly, I can consider it Sailor Uranus because it was my father's wish. More importantly I can't ignore it because we are talking about lives of good men that will never have another chance at living without us."

Haruka stiffened, seeming almost wounded, but spoke anyway, "It is our duty to look out for the greater good and the needs of Earth… and Estara… and both far outweigh the lives of four men, no matter who they are or were. This shouldn't even be up for discussion!" The other Outer Senshi nodded. They agreed, of course Kiyoko knew Setsuna was against it already.

Surprisingly Rei, Sailor Mars, stood up. Kiyoko was certain the first Inner Senshi to speak would be Minako. Rei bowed to Serenity as well and then she also fixed her gaze on Kiyoko, "Queen Kiyoko… I appreciate what you want to do. But I have to agree with Haruka. It's not worth the risk."

Kiyoko was taken aback momentarily, but she responded, "I thought that you would be on my side here. These are men that you loved. And none of you has found true love since." She looked at Rei and was shocked to see her becoming angry.

Rei clenched her fists and huffed, "That may be true. But our love lives aren't worth the risk! I miss Jadeite every day. However, I would never risk either of you to have him back! We are Senshi, we serve! That is all there is to it."

Serenity's face hadn't changed, she looked at Yaten and spoke, "Yaten, Sailor Starhealer, what does the representative of Estara say to all of this?"

Yaten looked a bit stunned to have been addressed by Earth's queen, but she bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, thank you for the opportunity to speak. I believe this is very risky. Perhaps too risky. But in the time I have come to know Queen Kiyoko I have learned to have faith in her. I am not sure that others on Estara would agree with me. However, I have seen her fight for the lives of complete strangers. I've seen her work to rebuild an entire world. I am not even certain there is a limit to what she is capable of. And you appear to be as competent and wise as your mother, so I choose to trust in your power as well."

There was complete silence for a moment. Everyone was speechless. Astoundingly, the person who broke the silence was Usagi, also known as Sailor Moon or the Queen Mother of Earth. She stood, "Thank you, my wise daughters for sharing such a momentous thing with all of us. But this will not be decided tonight. It's very risky. It's also a good cause. We all need to take a breath and think this over. Is there a time limit on the completing the spell?" She looked at Kiyoko.

Kiyoko stammered slightly, but responded, "No mother, there is not. But…" Her mother cut her off with a wave of the hand, it was so formal, and so unlike her as of late.

She nodded, "Good. Then we all have time to think. We will reconvene on this in three days. You should all return to your duties." The Senshi started to disburse. Usagi walked closer to Kiyoko, "And you Kiyoko, I will speak to you in your chambers right now!"