Helping Hotaru

Prologue: The First Day

It had been a year since Galaxia's defeat at the hands of Eternal Sailor Moon. The Senshi had finally been able to live moderately normal lives, with the occasional random Youma attack. However this story focuses on one in particular. One Tomoe Hotaru. Hotaru wasn't your average girl, being the reincarnation of the living essence of Death and Rebirth tends to skew ones lifestyle a bit, but barring that, she still wasn't an average girl. However she wasn't demented, thankfully, though she did have random mood swings from time to time…or was that just her period…who knows? But mostly, she was a shy, kind, soft-spoken girl who tended to blend in the background…unless with her best friend Chibi-Usa of course. But still, even then she was quiet for "normal" standards. Dressing in mostly dark violet or black clothing, but not skimpy clothes like she sees frequently, especially during those warmer months, and tending to stay to the sidelines and observe, she was often ignored or passed over by most.

Of course all that would change today…for today was special…

Hotaru's POV

(Play Astal: Into the Darkness)

BEEP BEEP BEEP BE-

"Stupid alarm…"

Knowing I couldn't go back to sleep after this…even if I wanted to, which I did, I sat up and stretched while letting out a yawn that as my "parents" would say, made me resemble a lion waking from his slumber. Wiping the sleep from my eyes I got up and trudged over to my dresser and pulled out my essentials. Shirt, pants, panties, bra…the usual girl crap…though I did need new bras…damn things were getting a bit tight…stupid boobs. Grabbing one of the random towels lying around my floor (what can I say, I needed to clean my room, I've been feeling lazy lately), I stalked over to the bathroom and unclothed. Jumping into the at first freezing shower (stupid water's taking longer and longer to heat up lately) I was further awakened.

Doing the usual bathroom rituals, washing my hair (no I am NOT using that weird stuff Michiru-mama uses…I prefer staying in the shadows…), brushing my teeth, cleaning myself…shaving my legs…(I still get a blush on my face whenever I talk about that with them…) I relax, and try to block out what's coming ahead. Normally I wouldn't be awake at this ungodly hour (what? Anything earlier than Ten I consider ungodly…a trait that rubbed off on me from both Usagi and Chibi-usa), but today was special…I started school again today. I'm sure you can hear the sarcasm just dripping from my words. Since Mugen High was destroyed, I'm going to a different one. It's still somewhat of a private school, but it's nowhere near as elitist as Mugen used to be. I just hope it doesn't turn out as bad as my old one…no friends, my only "family" never really being around…the usual depressing crap. Yes, I say crap a lot now. After dying twice, I think I'm entitled to it.

I stepped out of the shower, and opened the closet door. Staring right back at me was my reflection. Full-body reflection, mind you. I looked at myself. Short black hair…which when reflected in light made it look almost purple, violet eyes…but pale as hell skin…I'd tried a few tanning lotions and stuff…but it's like my skin refused to gain color. Chibi-usa said I looked cute…I really wouldn't know. Mostly I stared at my body. At age fifteen, though technically I was only what, three? Anyway, at age fifteen, with C-cup breasts, slender body, all the curves in the right places...according to Ami…I DEFINITELY matured too fast. Well…looks like I'll see if she was right today. Unless I'm still a master at being invisible.

"Hotaru-chan! Breakfast is ready!"

"Coming!"

Ahh…I forgot about that. My 'sweet melodic voice' as Minako-san put it. Again, I'm not too sure. But like I said, today will prove things…and disprove others…I REALLY hope today doesn't suck.

Gin-Inochi School (Silver Life)

Universal P.O.V.

The day started well enough. She got to know her new classmates for the year, the standard beginning of the year stuff. Met the teachers, learned the hallways, the usual crap. There was someone she recognized slightly though. A boy, he looked different, but she knew those eyes anywhere. She never caught his name, but he used to go to Mugen with her. He was one of the few that never shunned her…but he didn't exactly go out of his way to speak with her either…nor did he stare at her like she was a freak, and a plague. Of course she paled even further when she saw him, fearing that he'd spill her secret, but she needn't have worried about that. All she got from him was a raised eyebrow, and a nod of recognition, before he promptly turned around again. His name was Kurayami, Kairyuu. But apparently everyone just called him Kai. She thought it was an interesting name, but ignored it…

Besides, her secret came out anyway.

End of the Day

Hotaru was leaving the building when she saw a small scuffle between some of the upper students and some of the lower ones. It wasn't much, just a few big headed morons beating up one of the freshmen. But she saw Kai step in and everyone stopped fighting. She didn't hear what he said, but the leader of the group apparently decided not to bother with him. A lot of her classmates had gathered around, and parted when the elder group left. She saw it then. The one they were beating seemed to have a bad slice on his arm. Without second thought she rushed over to examine it. Everyone backed off for some reason. Before she realized what she was doing, Hotaru had her eyes closed, and was summoning her inner energy to her hand. Unknown to her, some of the students began to step closer as they saw her hand, and the wound on the boy's arm begin to glow a soft violet. Kai however, stopped them with a wave of his arm, his eyes narrowing. She opened her eyes and realized what she had done. She gasped in horror and fled, leaving her bag and a startled group behind.

What she didn't know was that instead of fear and disgust on their faces, was shock, and surprisingly awe and respect. The boy she healed looked to Kai as if telling him to do something. The brown skinned boy flicked his wrist at the gate at the entrance of the school, but he was too late, the gate slammed shut just after Hotaru had dashed through. He cursed to himself, then helped the boy up.

"Don't worry, I'll find her. I've got her aura locked in my mind."

"Ne…why'd she run off like that?"

"Mugen."

The group looked to him.

"It's not my place to say, for the story is hers, but you know I used to go there right?"

Nods and noises of affirmation.

"She did as well, she and I were the only survivors when the school was obliterated. Hotaru, as you just saw, has a power…the power to heal…but I think she might have more than that, but my thoughts are irrelevant to this matter."

"So why run off Kai-kun?"

"She was treated like a leper. The others in the school that knew of her power constantly called her a freak, and shyed away from her. I watched this happen, not taking part, but not helping either…sometimes I regret that. But none the less, her gift was seen as a curse, as others treated her like a witch. It didn't help that back then she wasn't too healthy."

"Really? But she looks so beautiful."

"Indeed…nature does strange things for certain people, this is known. Anyway, I will fix this, and I request that you at least attempt to treat her the same way you do me. We're nothing special, we just know how to tap into power that lies in everyone."

"We know Kai. Your classes on teaching us how to access that power have been really helpful."

"Hey, maybe you can teach her how to expand that power better!"

"Quite so. I plan to. Very well, Kouji, is that arm alright?"

"Yeah, doesn't feel bad at all…hell even the rest of me feels better. Go talk to her man, and tell her I said thanks will you?"

"Of course. You have my word."

He knelt down and picked up her scattered belongings.

"Well, I'm off."

Everyone said goodbye.

"Bye Kai-sensei!"

He gave a smirk and flicked his wrist. The gates opened and he stepped through them, extending his senses. The trail is thinning, I'd best hurry before it's too late.

I figured I should write another Hotaru fic…one that will make sense. I say that a lot don't I? Eh, I've been kicking this around for a while. I'll be mostly writing this, or my DoA fic. Next chapter for that should be soon. But then It'll be a while, seeing as Tales of the Abyss comes out this Wednesday. Oh, should I take my other SM fic off, or leave it up?