Chapter 2

Serena woke up when she heard a scream echoing through the apartment. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, she found that it was only 3:47 A.M. She quickly slipped out of bed and made her way to Hotaru’s room. “I wish Darien was here,” she mumbled as she opened the door. The sight that greeted her weary eyes was not an expected one.

Hotaru sat on the floor in the middle of the room, blankets wrapped tightly around her small frame. Her violet eyes were wide with terror, and sweat coated her face like a second skin. When she spotted Serena in the darkness, Hotaru screamed again and disappeared underneath the blankets. A sudden flash of light lit the room for a split second, followed by the roar of thunder.

Serena turned on the light, hoping it would calm Hotaru down. But the little girl remained hidden under the heavy blankets. “Come on out, sweetie,” Serena said softly. “I won’t hurt you.” Violet eyes emerged from the mass of blankets and blinked. “Remember me?” she asked, reaching out to Hotaru. The little girl shrank back and jumped onto the bed. She pulled the oversized pillow over her head and shivered. “Okay, we’ll try something else then,” Serena suggested as she ran back to her own bedroom.

After two minutes, she found what she was looking for: a snow white teddy bear that Darien had given her. Serena ran back to Hotaru’s room and stopped in the doorway. Hotaru’s violet eyes peeked out from behind the pillow. Serena smiled and held out the bear. The little girl’s eyes widened a bit, and she stretched out her hand for it. But Serena only grinned wider and remained where she was. Hotaru finally got the idea and slowly walked towards her. She stopped right in front of Serena and reached up, her little hands grasping for the bear. Serena shook her head and kept the bear out of Hotaru’s reach.

The little girl stopped reaching for the bear after a while, and Serena could see the tiny tears rolling down her face. She sighed and wrapped her arms around Hotaru. “I’m sorry, baby,” she whispered, “but you have to learn to trust me. I just want to take care of you and make you happy.” Hotaru sniffled and lightly tugged on one of her pigtails. Serena smiled and handed over the bear. “Here you are, kiddo. Max always helps me get to sleep when I’m scared.” Hotaru took the bear and hugged it tightly.

“Ready for bed now?” Serena asked. Hotaru nodded, turned, and climbed back into her bed. Serena pulled the covers up and tucked her in. “Need anything else?” The little girl’s violet eyes grew wide as she pointed frantically at something. Serena turned around to see a tall man with flowing black hair. Traces of blood stained his forehead, and his eyes, which were trained on Hotaru, were almost totally white. He wore a loose-fitting black cloak over a blue and green outfit.

Serena’s first concern was for Hotaru’s safety. She backed up a bit and sank down on the bed, drawing her arms around the girl protectively. “Who are you? What do you want here?” she asked.

The man blinked as if hearing her for the first time. “You must not recognize me, Sailor Moon. But my appearance is not important now. Are the rest of the Sailor Scouts here?” Serena shook her head. “There’s no time then,” he said, pulling a small object out of his pouch. He pressed it into Hotaru’s hand. “Don’t forget me, my little one. I’ll never forget you.”

Then he turned to Serena, his face deathly serious. “Protect her as I have, Sailor Moon,” he stated. “I wouldn’t ever harm you otherwise, but the child’s well-being is of the utmost importance, and if she should happen to die while in your care, I will personally be forced to end your life.” Serena swallowed nervously. “I sense you have a maternal side you have yet to discover, Sailor Moon,” he said. “I have no doubt that you will watch over Hotaru as if she were your own.”

Serena nodded and asked, “Sailor Earth, is that really you?”

“It is good that you know me out of my usual armor,” he said with a smile. “Perhaps the inner spirit of love and trust that binds us is stronger than either of us first realized?”

“Um...what?” Serena asked.

Earth chuckled. “Never mind. I must be going. Good luck and farewell, Sailor Moon.” He patted Hotaru’s head and stroked her cheek. “Goodbye, my little one. Remember all that I have taught you.” Hotaru grabbed his hand and squeezed it, her violet eyes filling with tears again. Earth gently lifted her from Serena’s arms and kissed her forehead. “Do not weep for me, child. The time for that has long since passed.”

Hotaru sniffled and pressed her face against his chest. “Please don’t go, Earth-san,” she whispered. “I need you here to protect me. Please?”

Earth shook his head and wiped her tears away. “I can’t, my little one. There’s something that I have to do, and I must do it alone. Sailor Moon shall guard you as well as I have, if not better. No harm will come to you.”

Hotaru threw her arms around his neck. “Sayanora, Earth-san,” she said, “and come home soon.”

Earth smiled and handed her back to Serena. “Farewell, my treasured ones,” he said with a sigh, “until we are reunited.” Then, with a flash of blue light, he was gone.

Serena blinked and looked at Hotaru. “So...ready for bed now?” Hotaru nodded and slid under the blankets. Serena tucked her in and paused. The little girl looked up expectantly. “I’m sorry, honey,” Serena said, “I’ve never really had anyone to tuck in. It’s kind of a new experience for me.” Hotaru tugged lightly on one of her pigtails until she leaned closer. “What is it?” Serena asked.

The girl reached up and placed her hands on both of Serena’s cheeks. “Goodnight, Mama-san,” she said quietly, kissing her nose.

Serena smiled and returned the kiss. “Goodnight, baby,” she whispered as Hotaru closed her eyes.