Duty First

Kiyoko just stood there for a moment, so caught off guard was she. But she shook her head and regained herself, "Please come in Sailor Uranus." She wasn't sure she should be so formal, but after last night she was ready for a fight. Kiyoko put a look of stone on her face. She couldn't let Haruka make her feel guilty too, she had enough of that on her own. She had to stand by what she believed in, no matter what. Kiyoko had to be the strong and passionate queen she was last night.

Quickly her door opened and closed. Haruka looked at her for a split second and bowed, "Thank you for your time my dear Queen." Haruka was being just as cold as Kiyoko was.

Kiyoko smiled, "You're welcome. What is it I can do for you? I was preparing to go and contact my fiancée." While it was true, Kiyoko knew it was cold too.

Haruka's eyes narrowed for a second before she responded, "I've come to speak to you about what you proposed last night. You assured everyone they'd get the opportunity to speak about it."

This was not how Kiyoko had wanted to start her day. She kept her face stone as she spoke, "Well, if I remember correctly, you voiced your opinion last night Sailor Uranus. You made it clear that you object to the idea. What else is there to say?" She started to walk by Haruka, planning to end the conversation there.

However, Haruka grabbed her arm, speaking in a low and angry voice, "You're just going to dismiss like I am some random solider?" This brought Kiyoko up short. Haruka continued, "I meant what I said last night, it is my duty to look out for the greater good, and this would be putting the needs of the few before the needs of the many. However, do you really think that's all there is to my objection?" She sounded offended at the idea of it.

Kiyoko had to be strong here, "What else would there be? You told me that you loved me before I left for Estara, but have barely spoken to me in the last six months, despite having the ability to do so. So clearly, I am simply part of the Silver Millennium line to you now." It was hurtful, but it was the only way she could protect herself and what she was fighting for.

Haruka's response was overwhelming. She whirled her around making her and Kiyoko face to face. The face she wore was possibly angrier than when Kiyoko'd agreed to marry Seiya in the first place, "Simply part of the Silver Millennium line? You can't be fucking serious! I have watched over you your entire life! I've been "Papa" to you since Endymion died! And I voice an opinion that should tell you that I don't want you to die! Seriously?!"

Kiyoko pulled her arm from Haruka's, "Exactly! You watched over me my entire life…. Until I chose a life outside of these castle walls! Until I chose to give my heart to Seiya! Until I chose to marry her! You're Senshi, so of course my life is of value to you. But as far as any other attachment…." She stopped mid-sentence because of the pain in Haruka's eyes.

"It was a mistake to come here. You obviously aren't listening to me. You stopped listening to me a long time ago." Haruka snapped at Kiyoko.

This made Kiyoko angry because Haruka's opinion was one of the most important to her. Simply because she didn't do everything she said didn't mean she didn't listen. She replied, "I've always listened to you! You're opinion has been important to me for as long as I can remember! But I have a mind of my own. And you know that when I believe in something, I stand by it. You are one of the people I learned that from! And in case you've forgotten how significant you are to me, I named my daughter after you! I've spent her entire life telling her stories of the great Sailor Uranus, a warrior I wish I were half as strong as!"

Haruka shook her head, "You wish you were half as strong as me? That's ridiculous. You're stronger than all of us put together. And you are wise, intelligent, and caring. But sometimes you care too much. This is one of those times. It's not worth the risk of losing you. I don't think I could live with myself if you died, it'd hurt nearly as much as losing Michiru."

This shook Kiyoko from some of her anger, but not all. She sighed, "Everyone goes on and on about how strong and powerful I am… But no one has faith in me. I believe that I can do this. My father believed that I could do this. Do you think he would've asked Serenity and I to do something if he thought it would kill us? Yes, it's risky and I want to be upfront with everyone about that. But I trust that if my father asked us to do this that we can do it."

Haruka replied, "Your father was a good man, and an excellent King. But I don't understand what he was thinking here! I don't get how he could suggest this."

Interrupting Haruka, Kiyoko spoke, "You don't understand how he could want to help the men that had served him faithfully for so long? How he could want to free them from an existence trapped in limbo? If it were Michiru, or Hotaru, or even me…. What would you do?"

Kiyoko peered intently as Haruka thought on her words. Finally, Haruka looked her dead in the idea, "Duty comes first. Michiru and Hotaru understand that." Kiyoko would've have been horrified if she couldn't sense that Haruka was much more conflicted about that than her statement implied.

Pushing forward, Kiyoko took Haruka's hand, "We both know it wouldn't be that simple. I know it wouldn't be for me. I have so many people I love and care about, I'd fight to the end of the universe to save all of you."

Kiyoko could tell that Haruka's emotions were churning inside of her. She believed in her duty, it was who she was. But she too had people she wanted to protect. Uranus looked at the ground, "I wouldn't ask you to do that for any of us. You have an entire planet to care for. Dammit Kiyoko, you have to remember your duties as queen."

Kiyoko could feel the pain coursing through Haruka, "I am remembering my duties. My duty is to help and protect those in need. That is what I want to do. Come here." She took her by the hand and led her to the text that still lay open from the night before. Letting her magic flow, Kiyoko let Haruka see the letter through her eyes as she had with her mother. This was something Kiyoko didn't do often and Haruka's eyes grew wide when she saw it. Kiyoko looked over at her tentatively, "Well?"

Haruka gathered her composure, "I can see why you'd want to do this. But I also saw that your father knew we wouldn't all agree on this. And I still don't." Her face was sad, like she knew she couldn't give the answer Kiyoko was hoping for.

With a sorrowful look, Kiyoko let go of Haruka's hand, "Please just think on it, and trust me. That is all I ask." With that she kissed her cheek and walked out the door, leaving Haruka standing there staring at the open book. The letter gone from her sight, but not the spell.

Working to center herself, Kiyoko walked to the communications/surveillance room to contact her beloved Seiya. She supposed it was time for round two in her fights for the day. Unfortunately, she wasn't sure it would be her last.

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