Cosmic Destiny - CH3 - The meeting

The whole room grew silent. The four senshis, princess, and little gray cat, were all attentive, for they were the only ones who didn't know what was going on. Setsuna strode forward, her staff clicking softly on the glassy floor. She spoke, "We, the outer senshi and our royal counterparts are all aware to an extent of the increasing situation. The queen is becoming more and more violent and destructive, almost to the extent of how she was when she tried to kill Haruka and Selene." Haruka and Selene exchanged knowing glances, Setsuna continued, "But now with reports that the King and generals have given us and our common knowledge. It seems that a war is brewing."

"Hmp," said Haruka. All eyes turned to her. "The war has been brewing for years. The only reason the Queen is so excited now is because Selene's birthday, the day of Becoming. You know this, we all know this so why don't we take the initiative and attack first!" Haruka said, finishing her speech yelling.

"No," Mamoru said forcefully and loudly, startling the group. He was known for his level headedness and the temper check. It was usual for the king to raise his voice. He let out a long sigh and said, "No, we mustn't attack. We don't know anything for sure. She may attack or she may not. We know nothing for certain."

"How can you say that? She may not? Of course she will, there is so much to point to it. For one she's already tried, second Selene's birthday is coming, and third so is her day of becoming which is why the queen tried to kill her in the first place!" Haruka yelled, her anger rising.

Michiru was quickly at Haruka's side to clam her down. "Haruka please, this matter is not as simple for the king as it is for us. We will attack the queen no matter what, it's our purpose but our king will lose no matter which side he chooses. Our path is clear; to protect the princess at all costs but his is clouded."

"I don't know what I'll do. Right now I'll remain undecided?" Mamoru said quietly.

"So, you'll aid in the death of your daughter, because doing nothing is just as bad as aiding the Queen!" Haruka yelled at him.

"Are you saying I should kill my wife then!" Mamoru yelled taking a step toward the princess of Uranus.

"Father, Haruka! Please!" All eyes turned to the princess who was in essences the whole reason for this looming war. "Please, just stop? We shouldn't be fighting each other."

"She's right, now is not the time for petty long standing arguments," The strong voice of Kunzite cut in.

Setsuna steps close to the group and said, "But this argument is not petty, especially now. What would happen if our strategy were discovered by the inners because our king had a change of heart and decided to back the Queen? As it stands the fact that you are here with information to disclose to us it would seem that you have chosen to back the little princess?" Her crimson eyes looked to the blue eyes of the king's.

"No, the fact that I'm here does not mean anything. I do wish to disclose information to you, anything that would help my daughter live I will gladly give." He wrapped an arm around Selene's shoulders and gave it a warm squeeze. Selene smiled up at him and he smiled back. "That is except my military support. I will admit, my wife, dear Usagi? her insanity has grown worse and worse over the years. She's not the woman I married; she's? not the wife I remember. I will just continue to 'visit' between the two of you? if I happen to find some information that is of help to you then I'll have to disclose it now won't I." He again smiled down at Selene who grabbed her arms around his waist and gave him a hug. Selene understood what her father felt, she felt his pain? The pain of being torn between to people he loved.

"I guess I should admit something too?" Kunzite said, "I think I speak for all the generals when I say I do not wish to fight against your outers." His eyes scanned all those present stopping on Setsuna's. "We have all come to love you dearly as friends. The inners? I fear the queen's insanity has seeped into them as well?" The rest of the generals nodded in agreement. Setsuna looked away from Kunzite's eyes, much to his dismay.

"Excuse me?" The quiet voice of Hotaru said.

Setsuna smiled and urged her to speak, "Yes, Hotaru, do you have something to say?"

The dark haired girl clasped her hands in front of her and nodded. "Well, I was just wondering? What's the information you wanted to tell us?"

"Yes, what about the information!" Haruka said, or more like spat out in the King's general direction.

Mamoru released his daughter and spoke up, "Yes, we do have information to provide you with. They're preparing to their forces for a 'campaign'. I heard straight from my wife's lips. We all did. Now, like I said before, we're not certain if this means she will attack, but I advise you to prepare yourself. Double your training and be on your guard. We will all keep our eyes and ears open and report anything that may affect Selene to Artemis who will report it to you, Setsuna." Setsuna and Artemis both inclined their head in acknowledgement.

"Papa, how long will you be able to stay?" Diana said while tugging on her father. Artemis clutched his daughter and looked to Mamoru for an answer, as did the other generals.

Selene looked hopefully up at her father. "I'm sorry Diana, Selene, everyone? but we can only stay the night. We have to go back to crystal Tokyo tomorrow."

"Yes, if we're gone any longer the queen could get suspicious," Nephrite added.

Selene let a heavy sigh escape her lips, 'at least it's longer than last time?.' She thought sorrowfully.

"Well if there is nothing else to add then this meeting is over. We will all meet up at dinner and discuss anything else that has come to mind," Setsuna said. The group began to disperse, leaving Selene and her father alone.

The two embraced again and Selene began to cry.

"Shh? Selene, it will be all right? I'm sorry that I can't stay here with you, but your mother? It's hard to explain. You're so good about this Selene, hopefully we won't have to live like this much longer. One day we'll be together as a family again?" Mamoru said, stroking his daughter's hair.

"You always say that?" came Selene's muffled voice. She pushed away from her father and yelled, "You always say that every time I see you! Every time!" Selene fled from her father so she could be alone to cry. Setsuna stayed just outside the door and saw her go. She now entered to confront the king. He pushed the dark hair from his face and slid to the floor, his back against a pillar. He sensed her there and with out looking at her began to speak.

"I can't blame her, all this been through? but?"

"No buts, that girl has been through hell, all at your extent," Setsuna accused. The kings face turned to look at her, she could see he was crying. "Why are you so un-deceive? You know the Usagi's sanity is leaving her, yet it is your daughter who suffers the most for this." Setsuna approached the king, kneeling down at his side. "Mamoru?" She whispered. "Why do you do this? Your daughter is suffering, you are suffering, and your generals are suffering all because you refuse to admit that the old Usagi is not coming back." Setsuna said quietly. Mamoru cries became sobs and he buried his head in his hands. Setsuna slid over even closer to him, placing an arm around his shoulders. "Mamoru, I've known you for so long. You're too caring for you own good?" she whispered to him. Mamoru pulled his head from his hands and placed it on Setsuna's shoulder, leaning against her. The two of them remained like that until the gong sounded for dinner.