Tension of The Past

Part 6

*~*~*~*

I will live for the princess and no one else. Seeing my friends again has lifted a weight off my shoulders… but I can’t mistake that feeling. It isn’t the same. There is no one else but her. I’ll make sure of that.

*~*~*~*

“It’s incredible,” gasped Saturn as the senshi waited at the border of the galaxy. A formidable line of all the colors of the rainbow, they faced the ever-growing planet in view. It wouldn’t be long before it reached the senshi.

“Thank you,” answered Sailor Star Maker.

“You created it?” asked Saturn. Star Maker nodded, and the young senshi returned to her gaze with a renewed sense of awe.

“Can you sense anything?” asked Uranus, directing the question to Star Healer.

“Anticipation…” said Star Healer, and Neptune nodded. “No fear though, or pain…”

Doubt, though… ever so faint… but it’s there. Seiya? Is that your heart in confusion? Wondering if your love for Sailor Moon has really died away? If you hurt our queen, I will never forgive you.

“I hate it when we over play a situation,” said Mars. “This is a big deal anyway, but I guess we still haven’t gotten used to peace.”

“I know how you feel,” said Star Healer.

“Serenity seemed really worried, though… something is definitely going on,” Sailor Venus murmured, more talking to herself than anything. Neptune and Uranus looked at each other, and then back to the foreboding planet.

“What will happen when they get here?” asked Mars. “The planet seems very bright. Will it effect anything on Earth, or will the sun disturb any of the life on your planet?”

“New Kinmoku has a self adjusting device. The hotter the stars’ light, the darker the land gets. The closer it gets to Sol, the more it will look like a planet related to Earth.”

“Incredible,” Saturn whispered again.

The planet was now around the size of a large beach ball, and the Outer Senshi began to shift. They were getting so close… the speed on an object that big was incredible. The planet would arrive within the next few minutes.

“Healer… Fighter… are you there?”

“Queen…” they gasped. The Soldiers of Earth turned and watched them inquisitively.

“I’m so glad you hear me! It feels like I’ve been trying forever. It must seem a surprise that we’ve come.”

“Is anything wrong?”

“No… nothing… I’m so sorry if I’ve disturbed the peace of Earth…”

“That voice,” gasped Mars. The sweet musical tone was entering the minds of the others now.

“Please forgive our intrusion… we give you our word as friends and soldiers that we will not violate your solar system.”

“Why are you here?” asked Uranus.

“We have come to visit Earth in hopes of an alliance. We were cloaked in invisibility, but we found that since you have the Divine Protection, that is no longer possible. There was a chance that Earth was not ready for an alien relationship, in which we would have left without a trace.”

“What do you think, Uranus?” asked Neptune. “These are our friends… they fought beside us against Galaxia. They mean us no harm. I place the power of Neptune in favor of Queen Kakyuu. Let them pass through the lines of the system.”

“I agree,” said Sailor Saturn. “I place the power of Saturn in favor of New Kinmoku.”

Uranus nodded.

“Queen. You have no need to stay out of the border of our system. The system of Sol is open to you as far as Neptune. If you wish to enter Earth, you must ask the inner guardians of Earth for permission. May your visit be safe and pleasant.”

“Thank you.”

“Queen Kakyuu.”

“Sailor Venus.”

“You said you desired to make an alliance? If you wish this, you will need to make an audience with Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion. As leader of the inner senshi, I give you permission for you and any family to enter Earth, and an audience with Queen Serenity is granted.”

Sailor Mars nodded her head in an affirmative.

“Thank you, Sailor Venus…”

“We shall escort you to the palace.”

“We will be there momentarily.”

Two brilliant flashes of light erupted from the dimming planet and sped towards them. Within seconds, Sailor Star Fighter and Queen Kakyuu stood in front of the Senshi of Earth. Star Healer and Star Maker bowed then moved to their queen’s side.

“May I ask where your other guards are?” asked Star Healer.

Kakyuu smiled. “They are on the planet, taking care of the palace.”

“Do we have our positions back?” asked Maker.

“If you wish them, it is done.”

“It doesn’t feel like home without you two,” said Fighter.

Sailor Venus felt a stabbing pain in her heart, and confused, she covered her chest with her hand. The pain immediately stopped. Mars looked at her for a moment, but Venus shook her head slightly. No one else seemed to notice, but Uranus’ face seemed slightly darker.

“Welcome to our System,” said Sailor Neptune.

“Welcome to Earth,” said Sailor Venus.

The nine women bowed to each other. Kakyuu looked at her guardians. “Would one of you mind staying to help them with Kinmoku? I’m wondering if the people will feel safe with out us…”

“I’ll go,” said Star Healer quickly. Star Maker and Star Fighter looked at her with gratitude.

“Thank you, Healer,” said Kakyuu, and she placed a hand on the soldier’s shoulder. Venus clutched her heart again, the pain stronger than before.

“Are you all right?” asked Kakyuu. Venus locked eyes with the startled queen.

“I’m fine.” She smiled, and tried to ignore the stares of the other soldiers. “Shall we go?”

Kakyuu nodded, and the queen, her guardians, and the inner senshi traveled down to the native planet.

“What on Earth was that all about?” asked Uranus.

“No idea,” answered Neptune. The two senshi looked to Star Healer, who shrugged, but her eyes betrayed her concern.

“Shall we direct our visitors to a safe place?” asked Neptune. Uranus nodded.

“I can’t wait to see this planet,” breathed Saturn, and they traveled to the man made world with heavy hearts of lightness.

*~*~*~*

“Endymion!”

“Serenity.” They held each other, and kissed before Chibi-Usa hugged her father. “You’ve grown since I saw you last, Small Lady… you’ll outgrow your name before too long.”

“Welcome back, King,” said Jupiter and Mercury.

Endymion nodded his head and smiled. “It’s good to see you.” The atmosphere darkened somewhat. “Do we have any new information?”

“The star like object is in fact New Kinmoku,” said Luna who stood beside Artemis and Diana. “The Sailor Star Lights have returned. We don’t yet know what the matter is though. Personally, I don’t believe the situation is what we’ve concluded it to be.”

“And what is that?” he asked.

“A new enemy.” There was a pause.

Serenity lowered her head, and Endymion watched her for a moment. “What’s wrong?”

She looked at him, and shook her head. “I agree with Luna. It isn’t a dangerous situation yet…”

Endymion opened his mouth to speak when a voice called out to him.

“King! You’re back!”

“Sailor Mars. What’s the word?”

“Queen Kakyuu wishes an audience with you and Queen Serenity to propose an alliance.”

Luna nodded with satisfaction.

“Let’s meet them in the throne room,” answered Endymion. Mars nodded, bowed and walked away.

“What should we do?” asked Serenity.

“I think our hearts have already answered that question.”

She smiled sadly. Don’t be afraid… the future is never certain. But how can I not be? These are my loved ones. I promised to protect them, and if joining with a planet of people we’ve only known personally will destroy them… but seeing them again lifts my heart even as it pains it. I am not certain that they will die. But I’m not certain I want to take that chance.

“We’ll meet them in the throne room. Gather the soldiers of Earth,” said Serenity. “This will be a joint decision.”

*~*~*~*

Venus walked into the throne room, Star Fighter next to Kakyuu right behind her. The alien marveled at the strength and grace the soldier of love walked with, a subtle change, but one that transformed the soldier completely. Seiya had almost always wondered why the senshi considered her the leader of the inner senshi, but watching her now he had no doubt in his mind that she was fit to lead.

But something else was in her mind as well. She loved Kakyuu. Loved her with a passion, the queen was her soul mate. But she still feared the feelings inside of her for Sailor Moon. She had forgotten what kind of love it was. Time had masked her emotions… but within seconds, once her and Sailor Moon’s eyes met... would everything change?

And there she was sitting on her thrown in front of them, a near blinding light of love. She was so beautiful, and that smile of joy of seeing them all again…

“Welcome, all of you.” Her voice echoed throughout the room. “I am honored that you have traveled so far to visit us.” Every person in the room bowed.

“We are honored that you have accepted our visit,” said Kakyuu. “And we hope that no pain was given at our arrival.”

“There was none.” They all bowed again.

“We were wishing to not only to be in your presence again, but also to create a joining in our planets now that we are both at a time of peace…a permanent time.”

There was a small silence, and Kakyuu tried to find the right words. Unfortunately, there was nothing formal in what she wanted to say. Maybe the time to be formal had passed.

“When I first came here,” she began. “The reason was simple. This was the only place left not controlled by Galaxia. But even in hiding I grew to love this place. To watch you as Sailor Moon as you helped your friends… to watch my guardians act in a way I had never known. This planet changed me… protected me, and when I was in danger, you did not hesitate to help me either. All of the senshi of Earth wanted to help us. I was deeply moved.

“We are all alone now… a drifting planet, and even with all it’s beauty and wealth, we are homeless. Earth is a place that I have always thought of somewhat as a home. More than anything now, I wish in some way to be a part of this planet again. To share the love of my own world with you, for you to come to love Kinmoku as I have come to love Earth.”

Small tears filled the queen’s eyes.

“I feel as if we are all afraid to move on, to open ourselves again to the universe. This is what is holding us back from truly ever being safe again. It is no longer about outside enemies, but the ones within. Earth is a place where I can feel what safety is like. I want that safety for my entire planet.”

She bowed, and felt the eyes of the queen move from her. Looking up she watched as Serenity looked at Sailor Venus, then to her husband, then back to her.

“Queen Kakyuu,” she said lovingly. “I am deeply moved by your words. But the decision is not mine alone. Please give us a moment to decide.”

“Thank you so much.” They all bowed for the last time, and the three aliens left the room.

Serenity sighed heavily and stood up, and stepped down to the floor with her husband to meet the other senshi.

“There is something I must tell you before you all say yes,” she said. “I have had a premonition. And all of your lives may be endangered if we make this alliance. They are our friends, but you are my family, and I don’t want anything to happen to you that would bring pain. I want this alliance to work, but I don’t want anymore death.”

All but Venus nodded.

“I still say yes,” said Mercury. “These are our friends. I don’t want to shut them out.”

“I say yes, too,” agreed Jupiter. “Nothing’s ever certain anyway.”

“Same for me,” answered Mars. “I’ve had tons of premonitions that never came true.”

“I agree,” said Endymion. “Things never happen the way we plan.”

The only one silent was Venus. The small party turned to her.

“Venus?” asked Mercury. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking that I’m not so sure about this…” She lowered her gaze. “I know that my decision would break or make this thing, but I can’t decide. We fought together, we aided each other in times of crisis… but it was the same in the Silver Millennium wasn’t it? With the Earth and the Moon? That time ended in tragedy. Divine Protection is upheld only if we don’t invite them in. I wish I had known about this sooner before we let them enter the solar system.”

“Venus!”

“I know I sound harsh… but it’s the truth. I’m here to protect this planet, and if creating an alliance with friends will destroy everything we’ve created… then I say no.”

Serenity nodded, but moved to face her friend, their faces nearly touching.

“Minako.” Serenity moved to her guardian. “I know how you feel. Wondering if one thing we do will destroy everything else. But I also feel that we’ve been controlling our lives using events from the past as experience. We may be the same people from then… but we are also different. I won’t force you to say yes, but what if agreeing to this alliance will make a change for the better instead of the worse? That’s one of the reasons why I kept it from you. We can fight anything. I’m not strong like you anymore, but we’ll make it out all right. I can’t blame you for a part of you not wanting us to do this… but think of what might NOT happen if we reject them.”

We’ll never see them again. Taiki for Ami… Yaten…

“…Yes.” She looked up at everybody. “I agree then. I feel we are powerful enough. I place my trust in them. If we are betrayed, I am part of the responsibility.”

There was a large collected sigh of relief. And surprisingly enough, Venus was one of them too. I want them to be here. Yaten… I want you to be here so I can see you all the time... even if it’s from a distance.

“I’ll get them,” she said, and rushed to the door. Everybody hurried to get to their spots near or on the thrones, lifting their composure, and Venus opened the door, a huge smile on her face.

“Welcome home.”