Chapter 4

“Reenie, you’re just being silly! Serena and Darien won’t love you any less just because they’re adopting Hotaru!”

Reenie frowned and shook her head. “They don’t need her! They already have me!”

Amy sighed and asked, “Reenie, did you ever stop and think that maybe it’s Hotaru that needs them?”

“What are you talking about?” Reenie asked, a puzzled look on her face.

Amy closed her eyes in thought. “Just imagine it, Reenie. Don’t you miss your parents a lot?” The little girl nodded, and Amy went on. “I bet Hotaru does, too. But there’s a difference. You can go back home to your parents, but Hotaru can’t. Her family’s all gone, and she has no one to take care of her.”

“But why does it have to be Serena and Darien?” Reenie wailed. “Can’t she get someone else to do it?”

“You forget, Reenie. Hotaru’s family died the same way Darien’s did. If anyone can help her get over the pain, it’s him. Maybe that’s why Andrew asked him to do this.”

“Raye? You just passed Amy’s house!”

Raye slammed on the brakes as Mina’s voice broke into her thoughts. “Sorry, Mina. Guess I wasn’t thinking.”

Mina grinned. “I’d say you were thinking...about Sailor Earth, anyway.”

Raye blushed and backed up the car. “Whatever! Let’s just get inside, okay?” Mina nodded, but that annoying grin remained on her face.

“So, what do you think she’s like?” Raye asked as they walked to Amy’s front door.

“Hotaru, you mean? Andrew says she’s an angel, but I haven’t met her yet,” replied Mina. “By the way, you’re changing the subject again.”

Raye rolled her eyes and rang the doorbell. “You’re the one that says he’s not available, so what else is there to talk about?”

“How about the fact that you’ve still got a crush on him?” Mina replied, with that same annoying smile still on her face.

Raye didn’t get a chance to answer because Amy opened the door. “Hi guys, come on in! Serena and Darien aren’t here yet, though.”

“Great!” Mina said. “Now we can all talk about Raye’s favorite subject!”

“Mina, don’t you dare tell her!” Raye shouted.

“Tell her what?” Reenie asked as she ran up to them.

Mina barely had time to breathe before Raye clamped a hand over her mouth. “We’ll talk about it later,” Raye hissed.

“From now on, this will be your room, Hotaru. What do you think?”

Hotaru walked slowly around the room, examining every inch of it while Serena watched.

Darien walked in a few seconds later, lugging Hotaru’s heavy black suitcase. “Never thought girls had anything this heavy,” he remarked as he pushed it over to the wall. Hotaru immediately ran over to the suitcase and sat on it.

“Hey, it’s okay! I wasn’t going to open it!” Hotaru just stared accusingly up at Darien with those violet eyes of hers.

“She still doesn’t trust us,” Serena said, taking Darien’s hand. “Let’s leave her alone for a while.” Darien nodded and followed her out of the room. Hotaru ran to the door and watched them walk down the hall. When she was sure they were gone, she closed the door and pushed her suitcase in front of it.

Interlude 2

Sailor Pluto ran her hands through her long green hair. She looked in the mirror for a few seconds, searching for any split ends or knots. As usual, there were none. She smiled and reached for her Time Staff. She tapped it once, twice against the wall, and then a third time. Something resembling a bubble flew out of the wall and began spinning wildly around the room.

Pluto raised her Time Staff, and the bubble slowly floated back to her. Placing her left hand on the bubble, she closed her eyes and whispered, “Show me the girl.” Instantly, the bubble flashed with a blue light, and a picture could be seen in it. Pluto started at the image as it slowly began to sharpen. She could see a sky-blue colored car, with three people in it. The first she recognized was Serena, and then little Hotaru, who was sitting in the back. Then there was Darien, who kept his eyes trained on the road as he drove. “Ah, the ever-watchful protector,” Pluto whispered. “I fear he’ll learn the hard way he can’t protect everyone he loves.”

The bubble returned to the wall, and Pluto replaced the Time Staff in its nearby holder. She walked gracefully to her bed and sat down, thinking about the events of the day. The slightest of smiles crossed her face as she lay down, slowly closing her eyes in peaceful slumber.

Only a few moments had passed before another person entered Pluto’s chamber. A shadow passed across Pluto’s sleeping face as the person neared the wall, and then quickly doubled back to the door. There was a slight pause, and then the figure neared Pluto’s bed, watching her sleep for several moments. Perhaps struck by a sudden passion, or a long-hidden desire that had resurfaced, the figure leaned over and cautiously kissed her pouting lips. Pluto only moaned and rolled over, but she remained asleep. And, like a stray leaf in the wind, the figure silently vanished from Pluto’s chamber, never to be seen there again.