Laughter

It was late afternoon when Ami and Kiyoko parted ways. Kiyoko couldn't believe that it'd been nearly two days already since everyone had gathered. Tomorrow night at sundown everyone would gather and decide the fate of the Shitenou. She hadn't seen her mother or Serenity since returning from the moon. Actually she really hadn't seen them since that night. Kiyoko felt guilty about that. But she wanted to speak with someone else…. The one other person she really felt she needed to know where she stood with. Spreading her magic out she found that her target was actually in the castle's kitchen, which worked out perfectly because she was famished!

The smells wafting out of the kitchen were divine! When Kiyoko entered a few of the regular staff bowed to her and then politely excused themselves. That left her standing there, watching as Makoto worked tirelessly on what appeared to one her favorite dishes, a cherry pie. Walking up to her Kiyoko asked, "Would you like some help?"

Makoto looked up from her work and smiled, "It's been a long time since we've cooked together. Would you mind getting the top crust ready for me?"

Nodding, Kiyoko pulled up a stool next to her and got to work. Soon the two of them had the pie ready, another culinary masterpiece by the talented Makoto. Carefully Makoto placed the pie in the oven and set its timer. Then she sat down next to Kiyoko, "So, I suppose it's our turn to talk about things?"

Still smiling, Kiyoko replied, "I'd like to know what you think, Mako-chan. This is… well, it's personal for you." Kiyoko put a hand over Makoto's. She knew that Makoto could be nearly as private as Ami sometimes.

Makoto looked at the counter, making swirls in the remaining flour with her free index finger, "It is. But it's my understanding that you don't want to do this just for us…. Is that true?"

Kiyoko replied honestly, "No, it's not simply for you. I think it's cruel to leave them trapped and suffering. But I feel like the four of you have a strong stake in this. You've all spent a long time waiting for men whom you believed would never return to you."

The swirls Makoto made grew more and more skewed as she continued, "Yes, I guess we have been waiting, deep down. We've all tried to move on, to love someone who was actually here. But in the end it never worked out. What have the others said?"

Replying frankly Kiyoko said, "Minako and Ami have both said that they would support it. They trust my abilities and they believe the Shitenou should be freed if possible. When Rei and I spoke she was still concerned, but even she understood why I would want to do it. She said she would spend some time searching the fire for answers, but I haven't seen her since."

Makoto nodded, but didn't say anything. Kiyoko was a bit surprised, Makoto usually went with her gut. She was so passionate about things. It was a quality Kiyoko admired in her. This uncertainly wasn't like her at all. She finally addressed her, "Makoto, what's wrong? You don't seem yourself."

Makoto looked up from the flour covered counter, "I don't know. I feel selfish. I want to protect you and Serenity, but I want Nephrite back. I want to be with him. To be his bride one day. Even more then that I want him to find happiness, or peace, or anything better than his current state of being. But it seems so wrong to allow you two to risk so much for those reasons."

Gripping Makoto's hand, Kiyoko responded, "There are nothing wrong with your reasons. He deserves freedom, and if you two can have a second chance at the life you should've had in the process I see that as good a reason as any. Besides, as I've told the others, my father wouldn't have asked this of me if he thought we would fail, or worse….."

A little smile appeared on Makoto's face, "That's true. Mamoru knew your capabilities better than anyone. If he believed in you, than we should too." She reached forward and hugged Kiyoko. When Makoto's hands touched Kiyoko's wings she could feel shock from her. Makoto got the look on her face that Kiyoko had come to affectionately refer to as her Dish It! Look, "So are you going to tell me how you ended up with those amazing wings? We still have some time before the pie is ready."

Laughter escaped Kiyoko's lips, both because of Makoto's change in attitude and the fact she hadn't even looked at the timer. And Kiyoko knew she didn't need to. So Kiyoko told her the story of what happened with Michiru and on the Moon, blushing a little when she got to the part about kissing Haruka.

The laughter that exploded from Makoto made Kiyoko's blush worse. When she was able to stop herself she smiled at Kiyoko, shaking her head, "Only you could get away with that! I remember when we all met her. Everyone one of was at least a little infatuated with her. But you actually kissed her!"

Turning an even darker shade of red, "How many people do I have to tell it was not romantic? Why does everyone assume that it was?" She was so frustrated with this.

Makoto raised an eyebrow at her, "It may not have been romantic, but you're still the only one among us to have actually kissed her, aside from Michiru. If she didn't stop you, then you're very special. Of course we all knew that already. I have to admit that until you fell in love with Seiya, there were worries that you'd be alone because none of your suitors could live up to her."

Even Kiyoko had to laugh, recalling the few who had dared to attempt to court her so long ago! Makoto had a point, none of them lived up to her expectations… And certainly her relationship with Haruka had played a factor…. The two of them talked until the pie was ready and then they made a meal of the delicious creation. Afterward Kiyoko thought that perhaps she should go and see her mother.

She started down the hall, her heart a little lighter, feeling like she might actually garner the support she needed. Her mind wondered as she walked down the hallway and so absorbed was she in her own thoughts that she didn't sense the presence approaching from behind. But a hand found hers and she turned, instantly knowing who it was. When she turned her face flushed red once again with Makoto's words ringing in her ears. Kiyoko looked idly at the hem of her black dress and spoke softly, "Good evening Haruka. I'm glad to see you've recovered and are well."

Haruka pulled Kiyoko's head up gently by the chin, "What's wrong Kiyo-chan?" She was puzzled at the idea of Kiyoko being embarrassed after what they'd shared.

Kiyoko shook her head and forced the flushed look from her face, "Nothing really. Just something Makoto said. It's not important." She sensed that Haruka hadn't just run into her, "Why were you looking for me?"

Haruka blinked, curious about what Makoto had said, but remembering that she had been looking for Kiyoko, at Usagi's request, "You mother has asked to see you, more accurately both of us." Kiyoko nodded and motioned for Haruka to lead the way, pulling her hand away purposefully. As they walked she made sure to keep a distance between her and Haruka. Eventually Haruka stopped and blocked her way, "Before we see Usagi you need to tell me what's going on. What's wrong Kiyo-chan?" Kiyoko stared, unsure of how to respond…. Damn Makoto….