Minako

Eventually Kiyoko was able to pull herself together and leave the communications/surveillance room. As she was walking back toward her chambers, wanting nothing more than to crawl back into her bed and stay there for the next three days, Kiyoko felt a presence approaching her from behind. It was Minako. Kiyoko did NOT feel up to her cheerful wedding micro-management at the moment, so she pretended not to notice and kept walking. However, Minako caught up to her and blocked her path.

Immediately Minako picked up on how upset Kiyoko was. She didn't move, but grabbed both of Kiyoko's hands, a sympathetic expression on her face. Kiyoko looked up and really took her in. Minako wasn't wearing her Senshi uniform, many of the Senshi didn't inside the castle unless there was need anymore. She wore a beautiful yellow sundress with golden sandals and her trademark red bow in her hair. But it was her face that really caught Kiyoko's attention. It was genuinely sympathetic.

Minako spoke softly, "What's wrong Kiyo-chan?" She still held Kiyoko's hands and stepped a little closer to her.

Chewing on her lip, Kiyoko responded, "I've made such a mess Minako. It seems virtually everyone is angry with me and against me…. And I've hurt… so badly…." The tears threatened to take hold again. Kiyoko tried to push them down. She'd cried more on this trip than she had in at least a hundred years.

Minako nodded, "Oh Kiyo-chan. Let's go and talk. Just you and I. But where to go?" She thought a second and knew the perfect place, "I know! Let's take a trip back to the old Moon Kingdom. That seems the most appropriate place." And without giving Kiyoko a chance to respond she began pulling Kiyoko in the direction of the launch pad. Kiyoko didn't have the strength to fight her and so it didn't take long to find themselves standing on the pad, Minako smiling at Kiyoko encouragingly.

Kiyoko smiled back weakly, but nodded. The two of them channeled their energy and were off in beams of light. They landed on the front steps of the old Moon Kingdom Castle. Minako smiled and tugged at Kiyoko's arm, "Come on!" and she pulled her through the castle until they ended up on the balcony her mother used to gaze at the Earth from, once up a time.

The view was so captivating and Kiyoko couldn't help but be lost in it for a few minutes. She'd always loved it. Minako stood silently, letting Kiyoko have her moment. Kiyoko turned and smiled, more genuinely this time, "Thank you for bringing me here Minako. I still feel terrible about things, but this view…. It helps." She leaned forward on the railing and just looked at the Earth.

Minako came to stand next to her and leaned on the railing as well, "You remind me a lot of your mother in moments like these. In love with this view, with that planet. But also in her willingness to give everything for what she believed in." She placed her hand on Kiyoko's. Many images of her mother flowed from Minako's mind to Kiyoko's, all of them showing Usagi standing strong.

Timidly Kiyoko spoke, "Thank you. Though I don't think she believes in this." A single tear escaped her eyes. She felt Minako's grip tighten and she looked at her.

Minako was still smiling, "She believes, I'm sure she does. But you're both her precious daughters. She's being a good mom, wanting to keep you safe. As a mom, you understand, don't you?"

Kiyoko blinked, feeling stupid for not considering it from that angle, "I do. I would do ANYTHING to protect Ruka and Endo." Thinking of Ruka and Endo made her think of her conversation with Seiya, "Seiya's is afraid I'll die and they'll suffer for it."

Minako's tone wasn't angry, but it was serious, "If you died, they would suffer. She is right about that." She titled her head, "But I believe in you and Serenity. I don't believe you'll die, either of you."

Shock took over Kiyoko, "Really? You believe in this? I'm sure it would be wonderful for you to have Kunzite back." She wanted to give her precious family another chance at the love they deserved.

With a wistful glance up Minako responded, "Of course I'd love to have Kunzite back. But that's not really why I support you. I agree with you. It's horrible to think of them trapped in those stones forever. And I think that if Endymion asked you to do this, you should try. He knew your powers better than any of us. I trust his judgement, and yours."

Kiyoko was speechless. No one had seemed to show her this level of support, except Yaten. And honestly she hadn't expected it from Minako as the leader of the inner Senshi. She just stared at Minako wearing a look of surprise.

Minako laughed, "You hadn't expected me to be on your side I take it?" She put one arm around Kiyoko, "You assumed I'd be against it as a Senshi. It IS difficult to think of the risk involved. But like I said, I agree with you."

Kiyoko nodded and found her voice, "You really do… It seems like no one else except you and Yaten do. And with Yaten it is more support than actual agreement." She looked up at the Earth again, "I spoke with Seiya this morning. She is so angry…. She feels betrayed…. And she has every right to because I didn't tell her before."

Her face becoming serious again, Minako spoke, "That's why you were so upset." She sighed, "Honestly, I can't say that I blame her for being hurt. But she loves you so much. I've only seen that kind of love between your mother and father. She will forgive you, I just know it."

If only she could be as confident as Minako. Kiyoko looked back at Minako, "I pray you're right Minako. If Haruka won't stand with me, you've got the job. This is what I needed. I know I made mistakes in how I handled this, but this task, this mission, I still believe in it. Hopefully, Seiya will come around."

Minako smiled, "I'd be honored. And despite everyone's opinion. I always knew Haruka was your first choice. All I wanted was for you to make it known and make up with her. She's been miserable these last six months, even Michiru's been trying to get her to talk to you. However, we still need to talk about those dreary colors!"

Both women laughed and leaned into each other. Kiyoko grinned, "Not going to happen Minako. Not going to happen." They stayed there a while just talking about things, many things. Kiyoko asked Minako to tell her what Kunzite was like, before the dark Kingdom. The picture of the serious and dedicated man she painted made Kiyoko's commitment stronger.

It wasn't until what would be late afternoon on Earth that they returned to the Crystal Palace. Kiyoko felt strengthened and refreshed. She was happy Minako had caught her. Minako was glad she could help Kiyoko. But she knew not everyone, even among the inner Senshi, felt as she did. She knew Kiyoko had more opposition to face. Kiyoko knew it too. But it felt a fraction easier to face, knowing someone was on her side. The two parted ways and Kiyoko went back to her chambers. She found Rei waiting for her.

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