Chapter 1

Ever since her family died, Hotaru had, for the most part, separated herself from social contact. She had long forgotten the reasons for it, not that it would have mattered to her then. But now, after being exposed to Raye, Amy, Lita, and Mina, Hotaru was beginning to remember just why she had chosen to become an individual.

“Serena, she’s soooo cute!” Mina had squealed upon spotting Hotaru for the first time. Hotaru had faint memories of people treating her like a baby, and didn’t mind that part so much. In fact, she rather enjoyed it. Even when Amy had grabbed her and wrapped her in a gentle hug, Hotaru retained her silence and smiled warmly. But when Raye and Lita began to argue over who should get to play with her first, Hotaru felt like some sort of toy being bickered over by a couple of spoiled brats.

Much to her own confusion, Hotaru didn’t see why the girls got so upset when she ran from them. She was only trying to survive, and in her mind, thanks to Sailor Earth, that was one of the most important things to do. After all, Hotaru would much rather run in circles for ten minutes straight than to be ripped in half by two girls who wouldn’t let go of her arms. She had gotten over the initial shock pretty quickly, and after escaping Raye and Lita, she ran to the only person she was sure she could trust.

“Guys, you really shouldn’t chase her like that!” Serena yelled. “You’re just scaring her!” Raye and Lita were all but deaf to Serena’s cries. So they ran after Hotaru for what seemed like hours to her. When the girls finally grew weary of chasing her, Hotaru dove into the safety of Serena’s arms and held on for dear life. She was shaking like a leaf in the wind until Serena shushed her and stroked her violet hair. “Calm down, baby. Mommy’s here.” Much to the surprise of the others, Serena’s gentle tone worked its magic, and Hotaru was back to her normal self in a few seconds. But whenever Raye and Lita came near her, she clung to Serena and shut her eyes tightly, and Serena would have to calm her all over again.

“Wow, Serena! You’re really getting into this foster parent thing, aren’t you?” Mina asked.

Serena shrugged and kissed Hotaru’s head. “I never really got a chance with Reenie, but with Hotaru, it’s like a second nature. She just makes things so much easier. I really don’t even think of myself as her foster parent, just as her mother. Hotaru seems to think so, too.”

“Hey, where is Reenie?” Raye asked, trying to change the subject.

“Oh, she’s still taking her nap,” Amy replied, “but she was pretty excited when I mentioned her getting a new friend the other day. I’ll go wake her up now.”

A few moments later, Reenie bounced into the room. “Is this my new friend?” she asked as she ran over to Hotaru, who was partially hidden in Serena’s arms. Serena nodded. Reenie leaned on Serena’s arm and peered up at Hotaru. “Hello,” she said quietly. Hotaru looked at her in silence. Reenie held up a piece of white paper. “I made this for you!” she said, smiling brightly. Hotaru slowly reached out and took the paper. It was a picture of Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask.

“Thank you,” Hotaru whispered.

Reenie grinned and grabbed her hand. Hotaru’s eyes widened as she pulled back. Reenie frowned a bit. “What’s wrong?”

“Hotaru’s a little shy,” Serena said.

“Didn’t mean to scare you, Hotaru. Still want to be my friend?” Reenie asked. Hotaru gazed at Reenie’s outstretched hand. Then she looked up at Serena.

“It’s okay, honey,” Serena assured her. Hotaru slowly reached out and took Reenie’s hand.

Reenie smiled warmly and said, “See? Nothing to be scared of!”

The words were barely out of Reenie’s mouth when a column of green light burst through the ceiling. Reenie dove into Mina’s lap, while Hotaru screamed and buried her head in Serena’s arms. A black canine-like creature wearing a spiked collar crawled from the column and sniffed the air, as if searching for something. Its head instantly snapped towards Serena, and the creature growled and leaped into the air, baring its saliva-dripping fangs.

The creature was only a few feet away from Serena when a hard tug on its collar sent it sprawling near the column of light. A tall woman with green hair emerged from the column and delivered a swift kick to the creature’s stomach. “I must apologize for the intrusion, Sailor Scouts,” she said as she glanced around the room, “but I have reason to believe that one of you has stolen the Time Staff! At least, that’s what my companion here suggests.” She pulled on Nivek’s collar, and the whimpering beast slowly got up and sat on its haunches.

Serena glared at the woman and stroked Hotaru’s back. “I’m a little sick of you Outer Scouts just appearing in my apartment! This is the second time this week one of you has frightened my baby!”

Reenie slowly looked up from Mina’s lap. “PUU!” she screamed as she threw herself towards Sailor Pluto and clamped onto her leg. Even Nivek was frightened, and he quickly slipped behind Pluto.

Pluto smiled weakly and patted Reenie’s head. “It’s good to see you, too, Reenie. But I’m afraid this isn’t a happy time at all. Nivek, have you found the thief yet?”

Nivek nodded and jerked his head towards Serena. “That one has a faint scent that matches the one from your chamber, mistress. Plus, the child she holds is coated in the scent! Nivek can smell them both!”

“What are you talking about?” Serena asked. “I didn’t even know she had a chamber until now!”

Pluto turned towards Nivek. “Are you saying that Sailor Moon was responsible for the theft of the Time Staff, Hunter?”

Nivek shook his head. “No, mistress. But if she did not take it, then they have been in contact with the one who did! Nivek swears this, on his oath as a Hunter!”

Pluto growled in frustration. “I doubt anyone the Scouts know would take the Time Staff, Nivek. We leave now!” But as she turned to leave, something caught her eye. “Wait, what is that?” she asked, pointing at an object next to Serena.

Serena picked up the snow white teddy bear. “This is a teddy bear I gave to Hotaru. What’s that got to do with anything?”

Hotaru pulled it from Serena’s hand. “Max,” she said quietly, cuddling the bear. Pluto walked towards Hotaru and peered at the bear.

“Yes, but what is that thing around its neck?” Pluto pointed at a small object hanging on a silver chain around the bear’s neck. Everyone crowded around to get a better look.

Hotaru smiled as she pointed at it, for the one who gave it to her would forever remain in her heart. It was a gift that meant he would never forget her. As Pluto stared at the object, carved out of a violet stone, not only did she recognize the stone itself, but the craftsmanship. But even if she hadn’t, the inscription would’ve told her all she needed to know. For carved on the rear of the violet sphere, shining in gold cursive script, were the final words Sailor Earth had spoken to Hotaru and Serena: “Farewell, my treasured ones, until we are reunited.”

Pluto sighed and fell to her knees. “He did it. I can’t believe he did it. How could he?”

Reenie looked at her with concern. “What’s wrong, Puu?” she asked. Pluto shook her head, failing to hold back the tears that ran down her face.

Serena stared at the sphere, not understanding. “I don’t get it. What is that thing? A globe?”

Pluto shook her head again. “No, my friend. It’s the moon.”

Serena still looked confused. “So what does that mean?”

Pluto stood up. “The man who created that object made it for two people: you and Hotaru. The color matches Hotaru’s hair and eyes. The shape was meant for you, Sailor Moon.”

“I still don’t understand. What does Sailor Earth have to do with the theft of the Time Staff?” Serena asked.

Pluto sighed again and wiped the tears from her eyes. The green column turned into a fine mist and surrounded the girls. “Prepare yourselves, Sailor Scouts,” Pluto whispered, “it’s time for a very long journey.” Nivek padded over to his mistress and nudged her foot. Pluto looked at him and said, “Thank you, Nivek. You’ve served me well.” Then she looked at Serena. “Sailor Moon, you had a question. I’m afraid to say that right now, the answer is: everything.”