Wavering Destiny

Chapter 2: Storms

Fighter trudged down the palace's long hallways to her room. The setting sun spilled in through the cathedral-style windows giving everything a soft, pink glow. She had finished her guardian duties and was heading straight to bed. The lack of sleep was starting to give her a throbbing headache. She let her transformation go in a flash.

"Seiya!" a distinct voice echoed from the end of the corridor. Yaten approached her from the shadows, walking slowly as if she expected the world to wait for her.

"Yeah?" Seiya asked, exhausted. All she wanted to do was lie down.

"The Princess wants to talk to you," Yaten replied, a serious edge in her voice.

"Oh?"

"I'm not sure what it's about. She seemed worried though. She wants you to come to her room." Yaten raised her eyebrow as she spoke.

Seiya was shocked. Rarely did the Princess ever invite anyone there. She gave a nod to Yaten and made her way to the Princess's quarters. Have I done something wrong?

At the end of the hall, she raised her fist and gently knocked.

"Princess?" she called softly.

"Yes, Fighter," replied Kakyuu.

Seiya pushed the door open and stepped into the Princess's room. The walls were a soft pastel orange, with plush cream carpet at her feet. It was large and dimly lit by candles along the walls. She'd only been in there a few other times, and the interior never failed to take her breath away. Kakyuu was sitting on a sofa in the corner. She motioned for Seiya to come and sit next to her.

She lowered herself uncomfortably on the edge of the soft sofa. "You called, Princess?"

Kakyuu nodded. She raised her orange eyes to meet Seiya's. The dim light made them shine.

"Fighter... I know you are most likely tired, so I will get straight to the point. Something has been bothering you lately, hasn't it?"

First Yaten, and now the Princess. Was she that off lately?

"I'm fine, Princess," Seiya answered, realizing Kakyuu was waiting for a response. She held her gaze steady to be more convincing.

Kakyuu smiled warmly. "You can tell me anything. You do know that, right?"

Seiya nodded without a moment's hesitation. "Yes, of course."

"You know, it's almost the anniversary of our return. Perhaps you're reminiscing of your time on planet Earth? With Sailor Moon?"

Seiya flinched, but hid it well. A bloom of pink tinted her cheeks.

Noticing the subtle reaction, Kakyuu said, "I understand. It was an interesting journey for you three. Through Chibi Chibi's incense burner, I only caught glimpses. Now that things have returned to normal, it may be difficult to adjust to our previous lives. But I have a feeling that that isn't what this is about..."

"Yes," Seiya admitted.

"Sailor Moon... You were very close to her, weren't you, Fighter?"

Seiya hesitated and found herself whispering, "Yes. I...loved her." There was no point in trying to hide it, the Princess knew them better than anyone.

Kakyuu sighed, not surprised at all by her confession "That is what I was afraid of," she said.

The two of them sat in silence for a few seconds.

"I know I should have let this go by now." Seiya looked up. "But I'll never forget her."

Kakyuu placed her hand on Seiya's shoulder. "It's alright to love her. Sailor Moon is a good person and we all respect her for what she's done. But you and I both know very well that she already has somebody dear to her."