Transformation

Kiyoko started to rise from the tub, until she sensed who it was. With a sigh she debated on how to proceed. Before she could even knock, Kiyoko spoke, "Come in. I wondered when I'd see you." She turned and rested her crossed arms on the edge of the tub.

There was the slightest hesitation on the other side of the door, and then Michiru entered. She bowed to Kiyoko and then smiled, but it was not sweet, "You have been difficult to find alone today you're Highness."

Kiyoko laughed, "Well, lucky for you Seiya is back on Estara then I suppose. Are you here on your own behalf or hers?" She narrowed her eyes. Kiyoko had no desire to be cold to Michiru, but if she was going to use titles….

"Both actually." Michiru took a single step closer to the tub," I can't just sit idly by and watch you sacrifice yourself for a few men. And I most definitely can't sit by and watch you continue to break her spirit in the process."

Kiyoko thought on her words and her mind went back to the tear spots on the page of the spell book. But that wasn't what she chose to address first, "You're the first person, including her, who hasn't expressed concern over Serenity's life. Why?"

Michiru actually chuckled a little, "Am I? Well, perhaps I am the only one who has thought through what would happen if things went south with this spell. I have no doubt that Serenity will be alright…. Because I have no doubt that you'll sacrifice your own life to save hers and stop the spell if necessary."

Shocked by the truth in her words, Kiyoko was silent a moment before she responded, "Yes, you're correct. I would do that…." Her voice trailing off because even she hadn't thought of that possibility consciously.

"You may have your mother back, but this mamma still knows you well. Just as I knew you were in love with Seiya before you did, I know you'd never allow your sister to die. That is why you bore the brunt of the exhaustion when you untethered your crystal ten years ago. It wasn't simply because it was your spell, it was because you wouldn't endanger her, and you won't now. No, instead you'll take the brunt of the drain again, and possibly kill yourself this time."

Sensing the anger rising in Michiru, she responded, "And you're angry because it will hurt her? Losing a princess…. I know I am still a princess that she serves, that all of you serve. I understand that." When it came out it sounded harsher than Kiyoko had intended, but it was too late now.

Michiru replied, "It will hurt her…. And me…. Because you are a precious daughter to us! Of course we are duty bound, but we love you as if you were our own child!" A tear escaped her eye. This knocked the wind out of Kiyoko. Neither Michiru nor Haruka cried often and she'd made both of them cry today.

"What is it you'd have me do Michiru? Would you have me ignore their suffering? Ignore my Father's request? Ignore my duty to help those in need?" Kiyoko looked at the floor, afraid of seeing another tear from Michiru.

Michiru took another small step closer, "If I thought you could ignore those things I'd say yes. But I know you can't. But how can you do this and take yourself away from so many people who love you?" Kiyoko couldn't believe her ears!

She was so tired of the guilt practically everyone was laying on her, Kiyoko's own anger began to rise, "I have faith that we can do this! My father had faith that we can do this! Yaten and Minako have faith that we can do this! Why can't anyone else have faith?"

Michiru's voice was still angry, but it was tinged with sadness, "I have faith in you and so does Haruka. But you don't understand the effect losing you would have…. Putting Earth aside for the moment…. It would leave Estara without her Queen and greatest protector. It would leave Seiya without the love of her life. And it would leave your children without one of their parents…. Do you remember what it was like for you when you're father died? And you were grown up…. They're still children…."

This was too much! Kiyoko actually rose from the tub and knew she was emitting the same golden glow she had when the golden crystal was unstable, though this time it was because she was that angry. She snapped, "How dare you! You act as if I don't know what will happen if I die! I do! I know the risks involved…. I am sick of having the same fight over and over! I've had it with Setsuna! With Haruka! With my own mother! Does everyone think I am so dense as to not know what is at risk?"

Michiru seemed almost frightened at the sight of Kiyoko. She wanted to calm her, "Kiyoko…. Please calm down. You're glowing." She took a step closer, her hands raised.

But Kiyoko was done. She was done being diplomatic, especially with Michiru. Michiru had supported her on their mission to Estara. She'd understood when Kiyoko had fallen in love with Seiya. Why couldn't she understand now? If she could understand, Michiru could help Haruka understand! But no, she couldn't or wouldn't even try to understand! Somehow the criticism felt so cruel coming from her and Kiyoko was finished with it.

And so the glow actually grew brighter! And without intention, beautiful golden fairy-like wings appeared on her back. Astonishment was written all over Michiru. Kiyoko was honestly too angry to notice. She pitched her voice low, "I will not calm down! I am Queen of Estara, Princess of the Silver Millennium, a High Priestess of Magic, Keeper of the Golden Crystal, and daughter of King Endymion and Neo Queen Serenity, and still no one has faith in my abilities!"

Michiru was speechless. She stood there completely frozen, a feeling she'd never really experienced in her long life.

Without a second thought Kiyoko used her magic to create a maroon sheath of a dress on herself and took off in a beam of light. Luckily she didn't damage anything in her wake.

Michiru blinked and took off running. Just after she flew out of Kiyoko's door she ran straight into Haruka. They both fell down and Haruka groaned, "Michi, I love you, but watch we're you're going."

Haruka looked up and saw Michiru's bewildered and almost frightened face. She shot over to her, "What's wrong Michiru? What happened?" Her eyes darted toward Kiyoko's open chamber door.

Michiru swallowed, "She's gone…. " She too looked toward the open chamber door, tears threatening to break through again.

Haruka shouted, "What do you mean? Where did she go?" She put her arms on Michiru's and was squeezing tightly, "Tell me what happened."

Michiru responded, "We argued. I must have hit a nerve. She channeled the Golden Crystal, creating fairy wings without a blink and then she was gone in a beam of light."

Haruka got to her feet and pulled Michiru up, "We have to tell the others. We have to tell Usagi!" Michiru nodded and they both took off.