Compromises

Once Seiya had returned Haruka left to go see Michiru. She felt like she could do so at last. She hadn't left Kiyoko's bedside the entire time she'd been unconscious. Everyone had been in and out to check on them, but Haruka'd refused to leave. Michiru had sat with her often though. Seiya didn't bother to sit down next to Kiyoko this time. She simply laid down in the bed beside Kiyoko. She stroked her cheek with tears falling from her eyes, "You scared me half to death, you know."

Kiyoko nodded, she did know. She could feel it. She brought her weak hand to Seiya's own cheek, "I am truly sorry my love. But I am so glad you're here. How long have I been out?"

Taking hold of Kiyoko's hand, Seiya pressed her face into it and replied, "A week, you've been unconscious for a week. From what I was told you nearly died there at the pole. But Haruka carried you back here, and helped you heal. I'm just glad Usagi came and got me." Her tone was a combination of irritation and gratitude. Some things would never change.

Kiyoko smiled, "I'm glad she did….. On both accounts. I'm so happy you're here…. And that I am too." She tried to move and curl into Seiya, but she didn't have the strength.

Realizing what she was trying to do, Seiya pulled her close and whispered, "Don't waste your strength Kiyo-chan. I love you so much!" More tears ran down her face as she held Kiyoko.

Kiyoko nuzzled her face against Seiya's, "I love you too Seiya." She paused and then said, "Also, Haruka agreed to be my maid of honor."

A small laugh, laced with a hint of bitterness escaped Seiya's lips, "Alright…. Just promise me you won't run off with her. Usagi may have forgiven her because she saved your life. But I will always worry."

Kiyoko sighed, "I know my love, I know." And with that she drifted back to sleep, secure in the arms she'd missed, having nothing but sweet dreams as her body continued to mend and recuperate.

The next morning she woke, or at least she thought it was morning, and Seiya was gone. Panic struck her until she sat up, just a little, and saw that her mother was sitting there. She smiled, "Good morning mother."

Usagi smiled, "An underground room with no windows and you still know its morning. My magical girl. How are you feeling?"

Kiyoko laid back down and replied, "Better actually. I can feel my strength returning little by little."

Her mother clasped her hand, "That is wonderful Kiyo-chan! You know, I hate admitting when I'm wrong, but I am glad that whatever there is between you and Haruka was able to save your life. When you went down and none of the rest of us could move or it would've destroyed everything….. Well, seeing her watch over you….. And the determination she showed getting you back here, it was admirable. I'm sorry I've been so rough on you."

Hearing her mother's words made Kiyoko overjoyed, "Thank you mother. And thank you for going and getting Seiya. It means a lot."

Usagi looked surprised, "It actually wasn't my idea." Seeing the confused look on Kiyoko's face, her mother sighed, "Neither of them told you? It was Haruka's idea. As soon as we returned to the palace she told me to go."

Shocked, Kiyoko blinked, "She did? Wow." Kiyoko was floored, feeling so blessed. She was so fortunate to have such love in her life. She looked back at her mother, "How are they, the Shitenou?"

Usagi responded happily, "They're alright. They've spent the last week with Minako and the others learning about everything they have missed. I think they'd all like to see you, when you feel up to it."

It made Kiyoko happy to hear they were alright and able to have time with the women they loved, "I'm glad. And they're welcome to come see me whenever they'd like."

Her beloved Seiya appeared in the doorway, "Absolutely not! They can see you when you're strong enough to be up and walking my love." She came and sat down on the other side of the bed, "You need your rest."

Kiyoko patted the spot next to her, "Yes dear. Lay down with me then. If you're here I will regain my strength more quickly." Seiya couldn't resist and so she laid down next to her fiancée and stroked her hair.

Her mother stayed with them a while and then left them so that they could have some time alone. Once Usagi was out the door, Seiya leaned over and kissed Kiyoko so deeply. It stirred passion that she wouldn't have thought her body capable of just then. When Seiya pulled away she smiled, "Now that kind of kiss belongs only to me." Kiyoko laughed and pulled Seiya back to her, finding enough strength to enjoy Seiya's gentle kisses and touches all over her body.

That lasted a long time. Eventually Kiyoko's stomach began to growl. Seiya looked at her and chuckled. She smiled and said, "I think something gave me my appetite back." Seiya nodded and kissed her before going to get her something to eat.

While she was gone Haruka appeared in the chamber. She came and sat down at the edge of the bed, "You look like you're feeling better." There was a knowing expression on her face.

Kiyoko blushed, "I am as a matter of fact. I can't thank you enough for what did for me." She reached out and took Haruka's hand. A sense of joy and just a tinge of jealousy in that touch.

Just then Seiya returned with some soup. She looked at the two of them, pushed her own feelings down, and then addressed Haruka, "Help her sit up so that she can eat. The queen is finally hungry." Haruka did as Seiya asked and then started to leave. Seiya set the tray down and then grabbed Haruka's wrist, "Wait. We can both stay. We're going to have to coexist" Haruka nodded grudgingly and sat down on one side of Kiyoko with Seiya on the other. It certainly wasn't as though they'd be friends anytime soon, but it made Kiyoko feel contented to have both of them there, that they both cared enough to be there.

By the next day Kiyoko was able to be up and walking and so she insisted that the Shitenou be allowed to see her. Since no one would let her to leave the temple, she met them near the main altar. Seiya had insisted a comfortable chair be brought in however, making Kiyoko feel like she was sitting on a throne again. Seiya stood on her right, with Usagi and Serenity next to her. On Kiyoko's left were Haruka, Michiru, and Helios. This only served to make things seem that much more formal.

Quietly they entered: Kunzite and Minako, Zoicite and Ami, Nephrite and Makoto, and Jadeite and Rei. The sight of them together elated Kiyoko. When they reached her, all four of the Shitenou bowed deeply with respect. Then Kunzite stepped forward, "Thank you you're highness for risking so much to bring us back to life. We've all discussed it, and as you're Endymion's heir and the one who saved us we'd like to serve you as we did him so long ago."

Kiyoko was stunned, this had never been her desired outcome, "Thank you for your kind words, but I didn't help you to gain your servitude. Besides, I'm certain you know I no longer live on Earth and it is your home."

"We can make our home anywhere now, thanks to you," Nephrite said stepping forward as well. Jadeite and Zoicite nodded and stepped up as well.

Touched as she was, Kiyoko had to refuse, "No. You belong on Earth, with the women you love. It's what my father would've wanted." She genuinely believed that.

Her mother spoke up, "My daughter is right, Endymion would want you to have lives full of love. But I understand your desire to serve her. She is amazing and worthy of your service." Usagi then looked to Kiyoko, "Perhaps a compromise can be made. The shitenou can continue to live on Earth, unless there is need for them on Estara? Now that we have stable communication and the ability to travel quickly it should work for all."

Kiyoko loved her brilliant mother. Her proposal allowed them to fulfill their sense of duty and give them the love Kiyoko wanted for them. She nodded, "That sounds perfect mother. Thank you."

And so all of the arrangements were made. About a week later it was deemed that Kiyoko was fit for travel. She went to her bedchambers to gather her things. She'd left poor Seiya with Minako, who'd gone back to obsessing over their wedding. When she had just finished packing her bag, she smiled and called behind her, "Come in Haruka."

Haruka entered and came to stand behind her, "I just came to say goodbye." She wrapped her arms around Kiyoko, carefully avoiding her wings.

Kiyoko laughed, "Now that the wedding has been moved up, it'll only be three months. Don't fret Haruka. And we'll have a month on Estara before the ceremony." She twisted her body around so that she was facing Haruka. Kiyoko smiled and kissed Haruka's cheek, "Give Michiru my love when she returns from patrol."

Haruka kissed the top of her head and then stepped back, "I will." With a smile on her own face Haruka extended her hand just like a gentleman, "Shall I walk you to meet Seiya?" There was still a bitterness in her, in both of them really, but there was a tolerance as well. They loved her too much. Kiyoko grinned and took her hand, walking joyfully with her best friend… her papa… to meet the love of her life and return home to her children and the world that depended on her.

Until next time…..

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