===================================== Title: Tomoe Hotaru Started: 7/15/99 Finished: 7/18/99 Written by: DW Rated: PG.....I think ^^;;; Writer's Note: I learned of Hotaru through websites and review pages, just recently I've learned Kaori (the housekeeper) wasn't the nicest person in the world to Hotaru, but whether or not I'll change the fic is the question --;;; Check out my new web page, nothing flashy, but it's there, and it's new. http://www.netcom.com/~dataserv You can e-mail me at dataserv@ix.netcom.com, I need response, :P badly. Thanx so much. ^_^ Okay, here it is. ===================================== Long, purplish eyelashes open softly. Rising, the small girl allows herself a brief stretch before immediately slipping on her Mugen Gakuen school uniform. Going to the bathroom she does her usual toiletry routines, not risking a shower lest she wake up her father. Tiptoeing past the hall, Hotaru peeks around the corner and breathes a sigh of relief. All clear. Kaori (housekeeper) was probably still asleep. *You should sleep more,* a voice nags in her head, *You're too weak. You don't have to go to school so early. You need more rest.* *And let father catch me here so late?* Hotaru quavered at the thought, now munching on some toast. *It's better to go early, he would be upset.* Quickly finishing her breakfast, Hotaru opens the refrigerator door, downs a small glass of water, looking contemptuously at the gallon of milk Kaori insisted she drink. Sighing, she gathers her books and quietly slips out, a small note saying she was going to school for Kaori. Tomoe Hotaru (Firefly of Earth) is a small, frail girl with shoulder-length, straight hair of a dark purple color and deep violet eyes. She attends Mugen Gakuen at sixth grade and is twelve years old. She walks slowly to the school, making sure she does not exert herself in any way lest she should collapse . . . like yesterday. ~flashback~ "Hey freak," a taunting voice sneers. Hotaru closes her eyes briefly before staring at her path to home. She hugs her books to her chest, walking painfully slow. "Hey freak, are ya deaf? C'mere," the boy sneers, now walking beside her, glaring down at the small girl. Hotaru ignores him, praying he would go away. The boy grunts, then shoves a hand at Hotaru's shoulder. Gasping, the small girl falls against the wall at her left. Her eyes flit up to the boy's, then looks down at her books, now sinking in a puddle of water from last night's rain. "Ya weak freak," the boy takes a step back, "You don't start giving us diseases, ya freak, that purple light'll kill us all." Hotaru whispers something, trying not to cry. The boy leans forward, mockingly, "What? Didn't hear ya. Mebbe you're mute, too." Hotaru closes her eyes and opens them, keeping her gaze trained to the ground, "Leave me alone Yamakabe," she whispers. He cranes his neck, "What?!" he says loudly, attracting attention from his friends down the street, who are laughing. "Did ya say somethin' freak?" "I am not a freak!" Hotaru shouts at him in a strained whisper, sobbing she picks up her books and races down the street as fast as her frail legs can carry her. She falls around the corner and collapses beside the bench. She heaves a breath, exhausted. Gasping for air, her books drop beside her once again. Choking and sobbing, she passes out, weakly hiding in her small corner of the bench. ~end flashback~ Hotaru's stomach clutches once at the recent memory, but she pushes it away. No sense in thinking about what can't be helped. She had revived just several minutes later, to her relief, she hadn't wanted to cause a scene. Trudging even slower to home, she arrives late. Kaori does not reach her before her father does, Professor Tomoe, who immediately starts his experiments, yelling at her for being late. Hotaru shakes her head weakly to try and force the thoughts from her head. Looking up, she sees the familiar school building. Sighing, she hangs her head as familiar voices catch her ears. -"She's so weird. Like a witch." -"Nah, a healer, 'member? Probably chants jumbo mumbo in her sleep." Laughter. -"I know, who wants to turn out like her?" -"She just yelled at Yamakabe for no reason. Jeez she was freaky! I'm glad she didn't see me, probably would've melted me on sight!" More laughter. Hotaru turns her head away as she walks past them. Their voices hush as she passes. She can feel their stares, their cold, taunting looks cuts through her. If they could just understand, if just one person would just try to understand, Hotaru would be so happy. The bell rings to Hotaru's mild surprise, it took her longer than usual to get to school. Shifting the weight of her books, she steps through the doors. There, many of her peers are talking, crooning over the latest magazine. *Children,* Hotaru thought with a faint touch of scorn, *We are the same age yet they need babysitters and a pile of detention slips.* The voice level toned down slightly as Hotaru walked down the hall. Glances were made in her direction, then immediately looking away, whispering. She always wished she could hide someplace, behind someone, but there was always a wide clearing wherever she walked, no one wanted to be around her. *Well, what'd you expect? You're a freak with purple light,* a voice sneered in her head, it sounded like Yamakabe. *No, I'm not,* Hotaru answered back, *I'm just someone they don't understand.* Looking around her, she mentally sighs, *I wish I had a friend.* (***) *Science lab,* Hotaru thought, trying to squash the bitter feelings inside her. *Once again, no lab partner.* She skimmed through her assignment, and tried to cheer herself up, *You'll get farther by yourself,* and with that, she got to work. (***) "May I borrow those test tubes?" Hotaru asked timidly. Lab team two looked up and backed away a foot. "Sure," one of the girls said shakily. She didn't know Hotaru, but had heard enough of her. The boy tossed five tubes bundled together in rubber bands. Hotaru, taken by surprise, tried to catch it. The tubes fell to the ground with a crash. Silence. "What happened?" the teacher ran to the lab table from her office. "Gomen nasai, sensei {I'm very sorry, teacher}," Hotaru apologized shamefully, "Kane-san tossed them to me and I dropped them." Sensei turned to the boy, "Kane-san, you know the rules with the lab equipment." "He didn't throw them, sensei," Yamakabe spoke up, "Tomoe-san is just trying to get him in trouble. She dropped them." A murmur of agreement. Hotaru shook her head, "Kane-san tossed them to me and I dropped them. I will pay for the cost." Sensei turned to Yamakabe, "Is this true?" she asked. He nodded vigorously. Sighing, the teacher turned to Hotaru, "Very well, detention after school," she handed Hotaru a slip and went back to her office. Hotaru looked at the slip through tearing eyes. She looked up at Kane-san, who turned away. Wordlessly, Hotaru walked back to her lab and finished her assignment. (***) "Gomen nasai, father," Hotaru bowed her head, "I had to do some things after school." Professor Tomoe's eyes stared down at his daughter contemptuously, "Do your work and then sleep. I do not need you today." Hotaru bowed and walked away. She had finished her short essay for detention early and had done her homework in the rest of the time. Kaori had gone out but had left food on her desk for her to eat. Eating quickly, Hotaru turned off her room lights and climbed out the window. *Father won't realize,* she reassures herself as she creeps away to the park. (***) It was close to five-thirty when Hotaru reached the park. Sitting on the bench, she rested. *It's nice at this time,* Hotaru let a small smile escape. She closed her eyes and inhaled a breath, *The air is just perfect. Sweet and ripe with the tree blossoms.* "Wait! Stop hat!" a young voice cried. Hotaru's eyes opened to see a small girl, perhaps seven or eight with the most peculiar hair. *Pink odangos,* she mused. The little girl runs after her hat, who is racing with the wind. "Stop hat!" she cries, chasing after it. On impulse, Hotaru runs after it, though she knows the consequences. Catching the hat, she is forced to stop, breathing heavily. She's exhausted. The small, pink-haired girl with odangos catches up to her. "Thankyousomuch!" she breathes in relief, taking the hat. But instead of inspecting the hat of its condition, she peers at Hotaru, concerned. "Are you alright?" she asks, her voice small, but cute. "I'm fine," Hotaru takes in another breath, "Just need to rest. I'm not supposed to run." "Here," the girl helps Hotaru to the bench. Sitting down, Hotaru regains her weak strength and smiles at her, "I'm fine," she assures. Then notices a small cut on the kawaii little girl's leg. "Oh!" she puts a hand on her leg, concentrates, and heals the cut with a small flash of purple light. "Wow!" the girl squeals in delight, "Thanks so much. It was really bothering me! Couldn't catch that darn hat." Hotaru laughs softly, not realizing how long it's been since her last laugh. The pink-haired girl hops in front of Hotaru, "I'm Usagi, but everyone calls me Chibi-Usa," she says with a bright smile. "Tomoe Hotaru," the purple-haired girl smiles back shyly, shaking Chibi-Usa's hand. "Hotaru-chan," Chibi-Usa pouts slightly, "Are you sure you're alright?" Hotaru nods, catching her breath, "I've just been sick awhile." Chibi-Usa's eyes seemed to waver, "Oh, I'm so sorry," she sniffs. Hotaru smiles, but her mind is racing, *She's so concerned! You would almost think she wanted to be my . . . friend.* "Come on, want to take a walk?" Chibi-Usa grasps her hand. Together, they walk around the park, Chibi-Usa bringing out a laugh in every turn. (***) *She's so friendly, so nice, so innocent,* Hotaru sighs. *I hope I'll see her again. I promised her I would go to the park tomorrow, at the same time.* Creeping back into the window, she turns on the light to find her way around. A shadow looms over her. A stab of fear and Hotaru turns around slowly. "F-F- Father?" she quavers. Professor Tomoe glares down at her, "Horrible daughter," he spat, "Sneaking out in the night. Leaving me so worried. Ungrateful child," he raises his hand and brings it down full force. Crying out, Hotaru falls to the ground, her hand weakly going to her red cheek, where a dark bruise awaits her. "Ungrateful child," he repeated, his eyes burning, "Don't ever try that again. Or there will be real punishment." He stalks out. Sobbing, the frail girl collapses on her bed and cries herself to sleep. (***) "Yes, Tomoe Hotaru will be absent today. Yes, she's in relapse again. Very well. I'll pick up her work for today. Yes, thank you," Kaori hangs up the phone. "I'll be back," she says to the quivering girl. "Don't worry, everything will turn out fine." She disappears out the door. Hotaru shivers involuntarily. On her left cheek is a large, black bruise. Her eyes are bloodshot and swollen from crying and her hair is tangled. Bowing her head, she walks quietly to her room, so as not to disturb her sleeping father. Words echoed in her mind as she closed her door and sits weakly on her bare, stiff bed. 'Ungrateful child . . .' 'Ya weak freak . . .' 'Horrible daughter . . .' 'witch . . .' 'chants in her sleep . . .' 'who wants to turn out like her?' "No one," she whispers, though it makes her jaw and cheek ache, "No one wants to even be around me." 'Hotaru-chan!' "Chibi-Usa?" her eyes open at the thought of the short, pink-haired girl with odangos. 'Thankyousomuch!' Hotaru's uncontrollable shivering seems to cease. Pout-'Are you sure you're alright?' Hints of a smile cracks Hotaru's bruised face. 'Stop hat!' A smile breaks through. 'We'll be the best of friends! Meet me back at the park, same time okay? Ja ne for now!' "Oh, Chibi-Usa, you make my life worth living," she whispered and falls asleep, a small smile on her face. (***) "Have . . . to finish . . . there!" Hotaru announced triumphantly, she tosses her pencil onto her desk and packs away her assignment for science. She had already finished the half required in lab and the rest had been written work. Glancing at the clock, she sees it's almost ten after five. The time she had been waiting for was almost there. Quietly, she creeps out the door and down the sidewalk. Her father is taking a trip out of town for lab supplies and to 'stay away from that insolent brat' for several days. He had left that morning. As she walked, Hotaru felt a growing nervousness. What if Chibi-Usa wasn't there? What if she decided she didn't want to come? What if she ran away when she saw Hotaru? Hotaru the ugly freak. Self-consciously, her hand went to her face, gingerly touching the swollen bruise. She couldn't find anything to treat the bruise and she had not dared to ask her father. Walking painstakingly slow, Hotaru goes around the bend to the entrance of the park. It's almost five thirty. If only Chibi-Usa will come . . . "Hey freak!" *Oh Gods, please, have mercy,* Hotaru immediately prays. "I'm talking to you," Yamakabe marches up to her, pushing her back. "Whatcha think you were doin', getting Sorakai in trouble like that." In a mockingly sweet voice, he says, "Gomen nasai, sensei, Kane-san tossed them to me and I dropped them." "It's the truth," Hotaru said in a brave whisper. "Is it," he sneered, "You leave us alone, purple witch. Probably cast spells on us, huh? Come on, turn me into a frog!" he starts laughing. "HEY!!!!!" His head snaps back, Yamakabe looks for the source of the voice. "Don't make fun of my friend!" a pink-haired girl appears on the park wall. Yamakabe looks up, then starts laughing again, "Hey pink fluff girl! What are you going to do? Cry to mommy?" he laughs uproariously. "Oh mommy mommy, that bad boy is making fun of a freaking witch!" Chibi-Usa shouts out, "Luna-P!" A ball made to look like a purple cat's head appears out of nowhere, hopping beside Chibi-Usa. The small girl picks up the ball and throws it at Yamakabe's head. "Ow!" Yamakabe rubs his head, briefly stopping from his laughing, then resumes, "HA HA HA! Oh, that really hurt. Next thing you'll be throwing balloons at me! HA HA HA!! Renegades from the circus! A pink haired shrimp and a purple freak!" "WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT BOY?!" Yamakabe is suddenly dangling a foot in the air, the collar of his shirt is being held by a tall girl, several years older than Hotaru. She has chestnut brown hair and her green emerald eyes are flashing with anger. "DON'T YOU DARE LAUGH AT CHIBI-USA AND HER FRIEND OR I'LL-" "Mako-chan, what's wrong?!" A short, blue-haired girl pops her head from around the corner. She looks to be the same age as the tall girl holding Yamakabe. "This nasty bully," 'Mako-chan' gives him a shake by the collar, "Is making fun of Chibi-Usa and her friend!" "WHAT?!" Another girl pops up, running. She has long blonde hair in the same odango hairstyle as Chibi-Usa. "Did I hear someone making fun of Chibi-Usa?!" a beautiful, raven-haired girl demands. "Ooh, where is he?!" A blonde girl marches up. Bewildered Hotaru seems to have lost her voice. "Not me!" Chibi-Usa pipes up, "He was making fun of Hotaru-chan! He called her bad names!" "I'm alright, Chibi-Usa," Hotaru says quietly, almost meekly. "Put him down where I can reach him, Makoto!" the blonde odango girl exclaims. Makoto shakes her head, at the same time shaking Yamakabe, "You leave them alone," she growls, "They're friends and no one hurts our friends, got it?" Whimpering-"Uh huh," Yamakabe falls to the ground and runs away, crying in terror. Chibi-Usa hops off the wall. "Are you okay, Hotaru- chan?" she asked, sniffing at a thought. "Yeah, he didn't touch you, did he?" Makoto asks, her voice now surprisingly gentle. Blushing, Hotaru shakes her head weakly, "No, I'm fine. I'm sorry he made fun of you, Chibi-Usa. He usually does this only at school or on the way there." "Nani? You have to live with this creep every day?!" the blonde girl exclaims. Hotaru's blush deepens. Her school uniform was becoming very uncomfortable. "By the way, I'm Aino Minako. Mina-chan, okay?" the blonde gives a dazzling smile. "Hino Rei," the raven-haired said. "Mizuno Ami," the blue-haired girl speaks up. "And I'm Tsukino Usagi-chan!" the blonde odango girl says enthusiastically, "We're friends of Chibi- Usa!" "Pleased to meet you," Hotaru says shyly, *They're so friendly, and protective!* "Hey, what happened?" Ami's eyes widen as she sees the large bruise dominating the left side of Hotaru's face. "Oh," Hotaru covers the bruise with her hand, "I fell and bruised my face." "Must have been some fall," Makoto frowned. Hotaru looks down, "I've been sick for awhile." "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Minako impulsively gives her a hug. Hotaru smiles shyly. They were so friendly! And kind, and wonderful . . . "Hey, can you come to us to the temple?" Rei asks. "Yes, I'll be able to treat that bruise," Ami says. *She does look like the doctor type. That gleam in her eyes is unmistakable.* "Come on Hotaru-chan, let's go!" Chibi-Usa grasps her hand and they walk down the street, the rest of the girls not far behind. (***) "She seems so sad," Rei said softly, referring to the meek girl, Tomoe Hotaru. Chibi-Usa's chattering hid their conversation. "Yes, and she's so pale. She must have been sick for a long time," Ami says. Minako glances at the small, purple-haired girl. "I don't think she has a lot of friends." "Chibi-Usa just met her yesterday, she ran after her hat," Usagi piped up, "She said to her that she wasn't supposed to run. Chibi-Usa thought she was going to faint." "Poor girl, and to think she has to deal with creeps like that guy every day," Makoto frowns, "Didn't that story about her bruise seem kind of . . . I don't know-" "Lame?" Rei supplied. Makoto nods. "I don't think she could have caused such a bruise like that from just falling," Ami shakes her head, "She takes a lot of abuse from other kids. I think I've seen her before, goes to Mugen Gakuen. She was always standing alone." Usagi sighs, "No friends. How can someone live without a single friend? I couldn't. Without any of you-" she stops, sniffling. Rei shakes her head, "Usagi no baka, we'll always be friends," she gives her a hug. (***) "Oh gosh, it must be so nice to live here," Hotaru breathed, taking in the serene atmosphere of the Hikawa temple. "It'll be good for your health," Rei added, a small excuse for them to get to know her better, "You should come here more often." Hotaru nodded, blushing slightly, "I'll have to try. It's so nice." "Here," Ami comes up with some salve and medical things. "Just stay still and I'll have this fixed up in a jiffy," she said cheerfully. Chibi-Usa chattered away so that Hotaru could close her eyes and focus on her voice. It was easier to ignore the pain on her face. Ami gently touched the large bruise, growing concerned when Hotaru flinched slightly. Glancing at the girl's closed eyes, Ami drew out her computer and scanned her face. Several moments later Ami's entire body stiffens. She rechecks the computer's analysis several time before she can believe it. "Ooh, this is some bruise, I'll be right back. There are some stronger salve in the back room," Ami stood up abruptly, "Rei, can you help me look for it?" The raven-haired girl starts, then looks up to see the desperation on Ami's face that she was hiding in her voice from Hotaru. "Hey, let me help. There are lots of heavy boxes," Makoto stands up as well, seeing the look as soon as Rei does. "I think I know where they are," Minako pipes up and the four girls leave the two odango girls and Hotaru. (***) "What's wrong, Ami-chan?" Rei asks worriedly. Ami sits on one of the boxes, taking in controlled breaths. "I-I think . . . Hotaru," she stops and looks away in an attempt to hide small tears. Makoto looks at her two other friends, alarmed. When was the last time they saw Ami-chan cry? "I was able to take out my computer while her eyes were closed. There are-" Ami shakes her head, takes out her computer and shows the small screen to them. It shows the bruise on Hotaru's face. But a yellow trace line has been marked. Imprints of a hand. (***) Ten minutes later, four sober girls walk out the back room. The three other girls turn to them. "Did you find it?" Usagi asks innocently, she had never noticed the secret discussion about the 'salve'. Ami starts, then blushes, "I believe I was mistaken. This was the strongest they had." She knelt beside Hotaru and finished applying the medicine. She hands her a smaller bottle, "Put this on it daily, it should heal within a week." Hotaru nods gratefully, feelings tears burning behind her eyes, "You people are so nice." "We're friends, Hotaru-chan," Makoto says firmly, putting a strong hand on her shoulder, "We're here to help. That's what friends are for." Hotaru starts, then stares up at Makoto, "Really? Friends?" she asks in a small voice. Chibi-Usa giggles, "Of course, silly. We're all friends." "Oh," Hotaru says softly. Almost ten seconds of silence later, she suddenly puts her arms around a startled Chibi-Usa and starts crying softly, "You're all so nice. Thank you so much. I've never had friends before." "Well, everyone who's been mean to you are too dense to realize what a sweet, wonderful girl you are," Minako says softly. The others nod in agreement and gather around for a group hug. (***) "Wow! The Sailor Senshi are so sugoi!" Chibi-Usa exclaims. "Who?" Hotaru asks innocently. She and the rest of the girls were at the temple again. They had been together for two weeks and Hotaru was quickly turning into a girl of her age-fun, laughing, happy. "Nani? You don't know who the senshi are?!" Minako exclaims. Hotaru shakes her head, "No. Should I?" "You bet!" Usagi goes on to telling about the senshi with the others adding little comments and opinions. "Personally, I think that Sailor Mars is the coolest," Rei said airily. "She has powerful attacks and cool moves." "No way! Sailor Moon is the all-awesome leader!" "Who's always late to come and running away!" Rei snaps. "How do you know, REI?" Usagi said, emphasizing on her name. Rei stops, sweatdropping, "Still, Sailor Moon always have to be saved by the others," she insisted. "No, she's so cool!" "Mars is better!" "Moon!" "Mars!" "Moon!" "Mars!" "PPBBBBTTH!!!!!" "PPBBBBTTH!!!!!" Hotaru smiles at their childish tongue war, "So the senshi are named after the inner planets?" she asks. Ami nods. Hotaru pauses, thinking, "Well, what about the outer planets? I mean, there's Pluto, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune." *Why does that sound so familiar?* There's an eerie stillness in the air. Usagi and Rei's argument suddenly ceased. Hotaru glances up at them from her thoughts, "What is it?" she asked concerned. Minako shook her head, "There is a Sailor Pluto, she guards the Gates of Time, so she's rarely around. Then there's also Sailor Neptune and Uranus-" she stops, visibly uncomfortable. Makoto continues, "But they're not a part of the senshi team. They claim the senshi don't have what it takes. Their mission was to find the three talismans and stop it." "What's 'it'?" Hotaru asks, her mind picking up little things at the same time. She doesn't miss the sudden tenseness in the room, nor the enthusiasm about the 'inner' senshi as she was coming to call them. Makoto shrugs airily, pretending not to know, "Something called the Silence." Hotaru gasps, feeling a sudden pain in her chest. "Hotaru-chan, is something wrong?!" Chibi-Usa cries, hugging her friend. "Y-Yes," Hotaru didn't bother trying to hide it. "Feels . . . something-trying to . . . take control. Unh," she shudders, "Horrible." Her eyes dilate and then turn a dark, deep violet. Breaking away from Chibi-Usa, Hotaru clutches her head with her hands, doubling over in pain. "Hotaru-chan, what's wrong?!" Usagi wailed. "No! The Dark Messiah," Hotaru's eyes glow as she fights for control, "To bring the Silence . . . Master Pharaoh 90." Screaming out, the glow in her eyes disappear as they suddenly return to normal. With a moan, she collapses into Chibi-Usa's arms. (***) "I've noticed before she has an incredible amount of energy, especially when she's healing people," Ami shakes her head, "Hotaru-chan is something I can't place my finger on." "Or don't want to," Mamoru said quietly, a pointed look, "She talked about the Silence, the Dark Messiah, and Master Pharaoh 90. Sailor Uranus and Neptune have spoken of that." "What are you saying, Mamoru?" Makoto demands, angry at what he was suggesting. He shakes his head, "She's somehow involved with all of this. Not anyone can heal people with purple light. That girl plays a big part in our troubles whether she knows it or not." (***) "Gomen nasai, Kaori-san says I have to go home now," Hotaru gives Chibi-Usa a hug. "Are you sure you're alright?" Chibi-Usa asks worriedly. Hotaru smiles weakly, "I just blanked out awhile. It happens. Don't worry. Ja ne for now!" she disappears around the bend. "She doesn't remember," Minako stated flatly. Chibi-Usa sniffles, "Is Hotaru-chan going to be okay?" she asks Usagi through watering eyes. The blonde doesn't answer, "I have a bad feel-" "Minna-chan!" Rei runs out the door, stares into the direction Hotaru walked off to. "Hotaru-chan!" (***) "Stop Senshi of Death!" Hotaru wheels about, feeling a dark presence /inside/ her. "Wh-Who's there?" she trembles. She was no match to a mugger. No matter how much better she had been doing lately, it would be a miracle if she could run away. "Sailor Saturn!" Two young women clad in senshi uniforms appear from the mist suddenly surrounding Hotaru. "Invited by a new age, I am the senshi of the sea, the elegant Sailor Neptune!" "Invited by a new age, I am the senshi of the heavens, the magnificent Sailor Uranus!" In unison they shout-"And you, Sailor Saturn-senshi of destruction, are to be destroyed before you end the world!" Hotaru whimpers, falling back in fear. "Please don't hurt me," she whispers in terror. The two figures take a step forward. The sandy- haired blonde draws forth a sphere of power. The turquoise-haired senshi does the same. "Wh-What did I do?" Hotaru pleads, "Please leave me alone," tears threaten to spill. She had no idea what was going on except they wanted to kill her. The senshi seem unmoved. "WORLD SHAKING!!!!!" "DEEP SUBMERGE!!!!!" "Aaaah!" Hotaru weakly covers her face with her arms. "SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!!!!!" A lash of electricity stops one of the attacks. "BURNING MANDALA!!!!!" A blast of fire envelopes Neptune's Deep Submerge, efficiently stopping it. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Sailor Moon screams at them, not bothering with her (in)famous introduction. "She is Sailor Saturn-destined to destroy the world. She must be eliminated before she does so," Uranus says coldly. "Don't talk to Hotaru-chan that way!" Sailor Chibimoon shouts at her. "If she lives, everyone on the world will die," Neptune says indifferently, "We have no choice but to destroy her." "SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!!!!!" A blast of ice surrounds both Uranus and Neptune, who are caught by surprise. "Jupiter, take Hotaru-chan outta here!" Tuxedo Kamen shouts, "We'll distract them, GO!" The senshi of lightning nods briefly. She gently picks up the terrified girl and leaps away. The sounds of battle fade away as Hotaru blacks out. (***) "Will she be alright?" Chibi-Usa asks again, frantic with desperation. Ami sighs, hiding her small exasperation, "Yes Chibi-Usa, she'll be fine. She passed out from all of the confusion. She'll wake up soon." They were at the temple, 'in the most protected room' as Rei claimed. She had cast dozens of warding spells and chants to hide themselves from Neptune's sixth sense tracking ability. Whether or not it would block the mirror's power was the question. Almost a half an hour had passed since the battle between the senshi. Mars had followed Jupiter to make sure their trail would be covered. The others joined up just a while later. "Unh," Hotaru stirs. "Hotaru-chan!" Chibi-Usa cries joyfully, hugging her gently. "Oh, Chibi-Usa, what happened?" Hotaru murmurs weakly. "You don't remember?" Ami asks cautiously. She shakes her head, then immediately regrets as the world swims around her. "Everything's a blur," she whispered. Closing her eyes, she says, "Why can't it stop spinning?" Ami observes her quietly, "I have some questions for you, Hotaru-chan," she says softly, "I need you to try and remember exactly what happened." Hotaru lets out a sigh, "I'll try." Concentrating, she goes back to the point she remembered. "I was walking home . . . a flash of light . . . two people. They want to kill me. They called me-" Hotaru stops abruptly, crying out. "Oh, stop Hotaru-chan!" Chibi-Usa begs as Hotaru tosses her head back and forth in obvious pain. Hotaru snaps her head up, a dark light circling around her, "GET OUT OF ME!!!!!" she screams before collapsing, her body twitching. In a split second, all the inner senshi are there. "Dark evil," Rei shudders uncontrollably. "Hotaru-chan?" Chibi-Usa asks timidly as Hotaru's body stirs once more. A dark chuckle escapes Hotaru's lips. Turning, she faces the senshi. Her eyes glow with evil temporarily controlling her. "AAAAAAHH!" Chibi-Usa falls back, her body limp as her heart crystal hovers above her. Placing a hand around the crystal, it swallows into Hotaru . . . Just as Sailor Uranus and Neptune burst through the door! "I am Mistress 9, the Dark Messiah," Hotaru-who- was-not-Hotaru said. "I prepare for Master Pharaoh's arrival. The Silence nears." Troops of daemons suddenly appear behind the Dark Messiah, who had already called them. "DEEP SUBMERGE!!!!!" "WORLD SHAKING!!!!!" Mistress 9 stares at them, unconcerned as the attacks has no effect against her. "Thank you senshi, your battle caused enough energy for me to break through Hotaru's will." Without looking back, she smiles, "Daemons, see how strong the senshi are. Attack." With a laugh, she disappears. (***) *Where am I?* Hotaru wanders aimlessly in the dark void filled with purple streaks and thundering clouds above her. *In your mind,* a voice says. Hotaru spins, *Who's there?!* At the same time, images circle around her. *These are your memories,* the voice said. Before her, a vision of herself, standing alone. She sees her fellow peers with their backs facing towards her. She is watching them ignore her with watering eyes. Why couldn't they understand? Why did she have to be so different? *Hateful,* Hotaru whispers. Another vision surfaced, this was a more recent time. It was Hotaru, in the middle of a circle of girls, all of them laughing and talking cheerfully. Talking to /her/. *Who are you? What's happened?* Hotaru asks rather calmly. No sense in panicking, if she wanted to be back with her friends, she would have to think straight and get answers. *A dark force has taken over us,* the voice says, *Mistress 9. She is to prepare Master Pharaoh's arrival, he will bring the Silence. Hotaru gasps in recognition. Lately she had been getting weird flashes, nightmares, warnings, threats in her mind. She had ignored them, not telling them to the girls because she didn't want them to leave her, thinking she was a freak like everyone else. *Who are you?* Hotaru whispers. A figure appears before her, flickering. She wears a familiar uniform. A senshi uniform. In her hand is a long staff, a glaive. She's not very tall, shoulder length, dark hair. *I am you, your senshi spirit. Sailor-* *Saturn,* Hotaru breathes in remembrance. *Mistress 9 has taken over our body, we must prevail.* Hotaru shakes her head, *You're not supposed to exist. You-we'll destroy the world.* *Not if you take control over yourself,* Saturn says softly, *We deserve a chance for life. We are the senshi of destruction-yes, but we are also the senshi of creation.* *You will never win!* a voice cackles. Hotaru snaps her head up, her physical illness no longer a limitation. She knows that voice, it was the voice of her nightmares, the voice whispering evil things in the back of her mind, taunting and teasing. *Mistress 9.* A dark mist is tumbling toward her. Hotaru backs away, knowing she cannot let it reach her. Sailor Saturn is watching as well. Turning to Hotaru, she tosses a metal object. *Follow your instincts,* the senshi shudders, her figure is flickering out like a dying light bulb. The dark mist appears behind her, threatening to envelope her. *Go Hotaru!* Saturn cries, now being forced back by the mist. *Think of our friends! Our dreams! Our hopes! Follow your instincts, I'm counting on you Hotaru!* she disappears. Hotaru takes one moment to stare at the empty space where the senshi had once stood, then sprints off. The metal pen still in her hand. (***) *You will never escape! I have full control of your body!* Mistress 9's voice cackles around her. *Never,* Hotaru gasps as she continues to run. The black mists were slowly gaining on her. The ground she was running on was unpredictable, collapsing and moving without warning. Taking a chance, she looks down at the object she's carrying. It feels familiar in her hand, like it belongs there. Voices echoed around her, taunting, teasing, hateful words she had heard since she could remember. -"Isn't she so weird?" -"Not weird, freaky! She's like a demon." The black mist is reaching her threateningly close. As the voices continue, Hotaru slows, almost wanting the dark mist to catch her. It grabs at her ankle. Unconsciously yanking it free, she continues to run feeling its presence suffocating her. Terrified, she realizes that she almost wants it to reach her, reach and never let go. So she wouldn't have to face all those uncaring, ignorant people anymore. -"I wish she could just go away, she's giving me the creeps." -"I wonder how she got into Mugen Gakuen in the first place. The administrators should kick her out." *That's right,* Hotaru whispers, *I should just go away. No one needs me. I'm evil, hurtful. No one loves me. No one-* -"HOTARU-CHAN!!!!" Hotaru's head snaps up, still running. *My friends,* she murmurs, *You tried to treat me different and I've hurt you. You were my only friends. Gomen nasai. I don't deserve you.* -"STOP! Hotaru is still alive!" Hotaru briefly stops, then resumes. *I know that voice,* she pants. . . . . *Follow your instincts! I'm counting on you Hotaru!* Hotaru blinks away the sweat running down her face, *My instincts . . .* She shifts the pen in her hand. -"Daughter!" Hotaru almost trips. "I always loved you. I gave my soul for you. Hotaru, you made my life worth living." Around her, she can see through Mistress 9's eyes, the shape the senshi are in. Professor Tomoe standing there, pleading. No, not Professor Tomoe . . . her father. Her /father/. *Papa,* she whispers. The black mist falls back, Hotaru runs faster. -"Hotaru-chan, please come back." Chibi-Usa's voice murmurs to her. Images of their friendship, all of the senshi float around Hotaru as she continues running. *Follow my instincts,* she repeats, feeling the strength of her friends, the power of their friendships, the love of her father . . . and Chibi -Usa, her first friend. Through Mistress 9's eyes, she can a small, limp body with pink odangos. *That's a friend.* *That's my best friend.* *That's /Chibi-Usa/.* *She's going to die.* *Because of me . . . * *NO!!* Grasping her pen, she suddenly stops running, turns and faces the black mist towering over her. *I stand for the silent world Saturn. I am the senshi of destruction and creation, Sailor Saturn! SATURN STAR POWER!!!!!* (***) "What's happening?!" Sailor Mars gasps. Mistress 9 is screaming out, fighting something inside of her. "NOOOOOOO!!!!!" A purple light streams from her forehead. In a brilliant flash of light, Mistress 9 disappears. Sailor Mars blinks until the spots fade away, and slowly looks up. Standing before them is a young girl, clad in a senshi uniform, holding a long staff with a blade at the top. "I stand for the silent world Saturn. I am the senshi of destruction and creation, Sailor Saturn!" Another light glows from her chest as a crystal hovers in front of her. "Thank you," she murmurs, "Chibi-Usa, Papa, my friends. You have saved my life." The heart crystal sinks back into the limp form of Chibi-Usa. "Chibi-Usa, my first-best friend, I'm so sorry for hurting you," Hotaru whispers. *Let me help you, Hotaru. Let the senshi spirit guide you,* Saturn whispers in Hotaru's mind and their once separate minds join together as one. The glaive flashes as Saturn twirls it expertly in her hand, "Master Pharaoh 90, your end has come!" (***) "DEATH REBORN REVOLUTION!!!!!!!!!!" Saturn stands weakly over the remains of the evil force that had threatened the world. Looking around her, she sees the senshi, haggard, wounded, exhausted. Too tired to speak, Hotaru just wishes for a new beginning, another chance . . . to be innocent. The battle had taxed most of her strength, she can barely stand. Leaning on her silence glaive, she takes in a breath. *How did this happen?* she wondered weakly. *Is this real? Will I wake up from a dream to find myself back in that bare room, alone, without friends?* Feeling some of her strength return, she stands full on her feet, still wondering. *Have I been isolated because I am Tomoe Hotaru, a strange girl with purple light, or because I am Sailor Saturn, the senshi of destruction . . . and creation?* A glow circles around her, as if answering her thoughts. *Reborn as an infant, you will be given the childhood you never experienced. May peace be given to you as well.* The glow gently starts to burn around and through her, but it doesn't hurt. It's cleansing, purifying. "My friends," she whispers softly, but the force in her voice brings all of their heads up to look at her. "You have saved myself, and the world. I fought because of friendship, love, and faith. And now," she looks down at herself, smiling softly, "I am given another chance. Have peace, you are in my heart." And the glow is complete. Standing on the pillar is no longer Sailor Saturn-senshi of destruction and creation, but a small infant, sleeping soundly, innocent to the world. Tomoe Hotaru. End. ! !