Sleepless
Despite how tired she felt, sleep wouldn't come to Kiyoko. She wasn't sure why. For a long time she just stared at the ceiling. Kiyoko wished Seiya were there, but she wasn't. The tiniest part of her considered summoning Haruka, but that would just fuel the teasing and chastisement over the kiss. Though at least she knew Michiru would be alright. Kiyoko felt fairly confident about that. She got up, not sure what she was doing. She tried mediation, but it didn't work. So she began pacing. A little while later there was a knock on her door. Kiyoko looked up, "Come in Yaten."
Quietly Yaten entered, shutting the door behind her, and bowed, "What is troubling you? You should be sleeping." She looked genuinely concerned.
Exhaling, Kiyoko replied, "I'm not certain exactly. I feel restless and when I lay down all I do is toss and turn, and stare at the empty half of my bed."
Yaten asked Kiyoko, "It can be difficult to sleep alone sometimes when you're not accustomed to it. Would you like me to fetch Haruka for you?" Kiyoko was surprised Yaten would actually ask her that. Haruka wasn't popular among any of the Starlights because of her treatment of Seiya, though they didn't harbor the same feelings as she did of course.
However, at that moment Kiyoko's door opened, "That won't be necessary Yaten. I'm here." Haruka said, slipping through the door and walking up to Kiyoko.
Obviously a little uncertain of how to respond to the situation, Yaten addressed Kiyoko, "Well…. Do you need anything else my Queen?"
Shaking her head just a little, more focused on how Haruka happened to show up at that moment, Kiyoko replied, "No, nothing else Starhealer. I will see you in the morning. I am going to speak with Queen Serenity and would like you to accompany me."
Yaten nodded, "Very well. I'll see you in the morning Kiyoko." She bowed and excuse herself from Kiyoko's bedchambers.
That left Kiyoko and Haruka standing there. Kiyoko was the first to speak, "What are you doing here Haruka?" She just simply didn't know what else to say.
Haruka shrugged, "I think in some ways your magic has done something similar to me that it did to Seiya when the two of you first met. I could just tell that you couldn't sleep well and part of it was being alone. So I spoke to Michiru and came to keep you company."
Kiyoko was glad that she'd spoken to Michiru, but it felt odd to have someone besides Seiya connected to her in this way, though she supposed it had been what she'd wanted, in a sense. She replied, "This could take some getting used to. But thank you."
Nodding, Haruka took Kiyoko by the hand and led her to the bed, "Now let's get you to sleep. If you're facing Chibi-Usa in the morning you'll need your strength." The two of them climbed into the bed and Kiyoko smiled at Haruka. She felt so much better. It didn't take long for her to drift off.
When morning came Kiyoko heard a soft knock at the door, sensing who it was she nudged Haruka who merely grumbled and rolled over. It was just like Michiru had always described, though only on Earth had Kiyoko seen the Haruka who slept like the dead. So Kiyoko got up herself and walked close to the door, opening it with her magic. Standing there was an anxious looking Michiru. Kiyoko waved her in and shut the door. Kiyoko led Michiru to the table she was becoming to think of as her magic table. The two of them sat down and Kiyoko spoke softly, "What's wrong Michiru?" Kiyoko hoped she wasn't angry about last night after all.
Michiru replied, "I came because when I saw your mother this morning she told me that if I saw you that I was to remind you to visit your sister, and I didn't want her coming to remind you herself. From what Haruka told me she was giving the two of you a hard time already. Of course between you and me, the only ones who have the right to an opinion about that kiss are Seiya and myself. And I understand. Though I did make her make it up to me a few times yesterday." Michiru giggled at her own statement and then went on, "How did Seiya take it?"
Kiyoko chuckled, though it didn't have real feeling to it, "She's not taking it as well. But she is trying. On the upside, she agreed to support my plan to resurrect the Shitenou." Kiyoko smiled, happy that Michiru was genuinely okay with things between herself and Haruka.
Michiru nodded, "Haruka talked to me about that as well." She took a deep breath and spoke evenly, "If Haruka stands with you, so do I. Besides, I think you're right that it's cruel to leave them that way."
So overcome with happiness at having both of their support, Kiyoko leaned forward and hugged Michiru tightly, "Thank you Mamma! Thank you for… well, everything!"
Michiru returned the hug just as tightly, "You're welcome Kiyo-chan. Now you should probably go get ready for your visit with Serenity. I'll keep an eye on sleepyhead." Kiyoko agreed and went to dress for the day. She put on a deep rose colored dress that dipped low in the back. She was finally grateful for the phase Minako had gone through many years ago where she insisted Kiyoko wear things like this. It was when her first failed suitor came to call.
When she slipped out the door she found Yaten waiting for her, dressed in her Starlight uniform. It was how she spent most of her time on Earth. Yaten bowed, "You look lovely my Queen. You were able to get some sleep then?" Kiyoko nodded and off the two of them went. Kiyoko was surprised to sense her sister in the castle library.
Upon entering the library Kiyoko was astonished at what she saw. Her sister was surrounded by books, what looked like spell books as a matter of fact. Kiyoko stood there, taking in both the sight of her sister and the library itself. She missed this library so much. It was massive, having an open floorplan with two levels that were packed and packed with bookshelves filled to the brim with books on every topic imaginable. It had been an undertaking that Ami, Setsuna, and her father had spearheaded long before she was born. Everything here was a shining white and there were tables with gilded chairs scattered throughout. But it also had an amazing skylight that let in both the sunlight and moonlight, making the room that much more beautiful.
Serenity looked up from the book she was reading, "So you've finally come to talk to your big sister? Get through everyone else?"
Well, obviously Serenity was upset with Kiyoko. She steeled herself and smiled at her sister, "Good morning to you too Serenity. I haven't seen much of you the past two days. What have you been up to?"
Her nose crinkled slightly as she responded, "Other than worrying about you running away? Studying all of THIS…." She held up the book she'd been reading, "Trying to get a better understanding of magic in general." She set the book down and gestured to the other chairs at her table, "You and Yaten should sit down." Shocked into silence Kiyoko sat down, Yaten following suit. Serenity had NEVER shown an interest in the type of magic she used. She pondered what could have changed her mind.