Usagi Tsukino, Minako Aino, Rei Hino, Makoto Kino, and Ami Mizuno: 19
Setsuna Meiou, Haruka Tenou, and Michiru Kaiou: 23
Mamoru Chiba: 24
Hotaru Tomoe: 7 ( Is it me, or is Hotaru's age hard to grasp? In Stars, she seems really young as Hotaru, but as Saturn she seems older. I don't really know how old she is, so I left it at that.)
Souichi Tomoe: 27

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon, or anything for that matter. Goes for the rest of the story.

Until the Sun Rises No More
Chapter 1
Forlorn Reality

It had been only a short while since the defeat of Sailor Galaxia and mostly everyone had gone back to their normal, happy lives. Mamoru had been returned to Usagi and the two couldn't be happier, and the inner sailor senshi were off on their usual happy escapades. However, the outer sailor senshi were facing more difficulties. Since Saturn's powers were not necessary anymore, it was time to return Hotaru to her rightful guardian and to live a normal, happy life. They knew that it would eventually happen once the battle had ended, but never did they think that they would feel like they were a family and that it would end so soon.

Haruka and Michiru were sitting at the table in their kitchen with cups of tea. A solemn air hung about the couple as they sat there in silence. Haruka ran a hand through her dirty-blonde hair and looked into her lover's blue eyes and saw the sadness they contained. She took her hand placed it gently on top of hers and gave a warm smile.

"You knew this day would come. We all did."

"I know," Michiru said quietly as she flipped her wavy, teal hair out of her face. "But, I didn't want it to end so soon."

Before their conversation could continue, Setsuna, a young woman with deep green hair that flowed down to her calves walked into the room and took a seat. She sipped the cup of green tea that Michiru had left for her and glanced at the couple.

"Is something the matter, Setsuna?" Haruka asked her garnet-eyed friend. She had noticed even more sadness in her usual pain-stricken eyes.

"I've neglected my duties for too long," she started, though the two next to her knew her next words. Those dreadful words. "I must return to The Gate of Time. It cannot be put off any longer." An uncomfortable silence occupied the room for a while before anyone spoke.

"When are you leaving?" Michiru asked quietly.

"Tomorrow," she said almost sullenly as she her normal, stoic facial expression remained strong. Haruka looked worriedly at Michiru as anger filled her eyes.

"It's not fair that you must stay there," Haruka muttered. "I don't know how you deal with it."

A small smile spread across her ruby lips as she answered. "You forget that I am the guardian of time. My fate has always been to guard the Gate for all eternity."

Haruka slammed her fist into the table at her answer. "Fate or not, it's still not fair!" She quickly realized the way she yelled at her best friend and corrected it. "Sorry Setsuna. I just hate the thought of you staying at that place all alone."

"Is something wrong, Haruka-papa?"

They all looked to see Hotaru standing there with a worried look on her face. She was a frail young girl with violet eyes and black hair with purple tints that touched above her shoulders.

"No, Hotaru. Everything's fine," Michiru answered. "Here," she added, motioning towards a cup of water sitting on the table.

"Thank you Michiru-mama." Michiru nodded her head and smiled at her 'daughter'. Hotaru quickly finished her water and jumped up.

"When are we leaving?"

"In a little while, go finish packing," Setsuna answered with a slight smile.

"Can you help me, Setsuna-mama?"

"Of course," she smiled.

With that, Hotaru took off skipping towards her room with Setsuna following her from behind.

"I'm becoming more and more worried with every minute she spends at those forsaken gates," Michiru sighed. "Do you think she'll come back soon?"

Haruka eyed her silently before answering. "Honestly? I don't think so," she said, looking away. "But, I hope I'm wrong."

A little while passed before Hotaru had come running out from her room. Setsuna stood behind with a small smile playing across her lips.

"I'm ready to go now!"

"Alright, I guess it's time to leave," Haruka responded, offering a hand to Michiru to help her get up.

"Hotaru, you know your welcome here anytime," Michiru added.

"I know, Michiru-mama." With that, the four of them made their way outside to Haruka's yellow car. Haruka placed all of Hotaru's belongings in the back and then they began the drive. For the most part, they all remained pretty much quiet. Haruka stopped the car slowly and sighed as it was time to get out.

"Here we are," she said. "I'll get Hotaru's bags from the trunk." Haruka added as she went around and pulled out a few bags and put them on her shoulder.

"Come to see me soon," Hotaru said as she plopped out of the car.

"Of course," Michiru smiled. "Come now, your father is waiting for your arrival."

With that, everyone made their way up to the front door where Hotaru rang the door bell. It was several moments before the door opened slowly and a man stood in it. He was very attractive and tall with short, misty white hair that had a lavender hue to it. He pulled a soft smile at the sight of the three young women as he looked down at his daughter and smiled even more.

"Papa!" Hotaru exclaimed with joy as she skipped over to him.

"Hotaru," he said softly as he lifted her into his arms, not too surprised at her abnormally significant aging. Being able to hold her again triggered memories from the day she was taken from him.

It was a sunny, clear day with cherry blossoms whirling around in the gentle breeze. A baby Hotaru was sitting in her cradle in a dreamy like state before she became excited as the blossoms blew across her face. Souichi walked up to the cradle and picked her up.

"My, aren't you excited today," he said to her. "Have you been dreaming? Maybe something I can never imagine."

His happiness and merriment was suddenly interrupted by the feeling of a presence from behind him. He turned with his daughter in hand to see a beautiful young woman with green hair and garnet eyes in front of him.

"Hotaru, I've come to pick you up," she said.

He didn't respond, and continued to look at her, unsure of what she meant. Hotaru squirmed in his arms as she held her arms out towards the woman and cooed softly. The woman walked over and gently took Hotaru from his arms, and he didn't try fight her. Something told him that it would be alright, and that his daughter was in no danger.

"Hotaru will be returned to you, I'll ensure her safety," she said with a small reassuring smile before turning around and walking away.

He remembered that day like it was yesterday. His life had finally become joyful again after he regained his memory and his injuries healed. He could vividly remember the battle between the sailor senshi against the death busters and Mistress 9, the horrible being that took over Hotaru and her mind. He could also remember that Hotaru had awakened as Sailor Saturn, and that was the reason that he let the mysterious woman take his daughter. Though she had been reborn as a baby she still had a powerful and abnormal aura. The woman had the same aura about her that Hotaru had, letting him realize that she too was a senshi and that she would protect her.

He snapped back to reality when he realized that Hotaru and the other women were looking at him strangely.

"Hotaru, why don't you go inside?" he suggested.

"Okay," she responded as he placed her down. "Bye, come to see me soon!" she said to Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna as she ran off.

"Thank you for taking such good care of her," he said with a smile.

"It was no problem. I am sorry if we had you worried, Professor Tomoe," Michiru said.

"Just Souichi, please."

"Of course," she replied. "Oh, and I'm Michiru, and they are Haruka and Setsuna."

Souichi nodded at the two women, taking an extra interest in Setsuna for a few moments. She smiled towards him silently with no words coming from her mouth.

"Well, we must be going," Haruka added abruptly.

"Have a good day." Michiru added.

Haruka and Michiru turned and headed towards the car, but Setsuna noticed one of Hotaru's bags sitting on the step.

"Oh, here. Hotaru forgot this," she said, picking it up and handing it to him. Afterwards she turned to leave as he spoke.

"Please come to see Hotaru anytime," he said.

She simply smiled and nodded her head and continued walking. Souichi couldn't help but to take another look at her before he closed the door. Setsuna walked to the car, but decided not to get in.

"I think I'll take a walk back."

Haruka seemed surprised at her statement. "Are you sure about that Suna, it's quite a long way?"

"Yes, I'll see you later."

Haruka looked towards Michiru who had a worried look in her eyes before she spoke up. "Set-," she started before being interrupted.

"Let her, I think she needs some time alone," Michiru said as she put a hand on her lover's shoulder. Haruka nodded as she started the car up and sped away.

Setsuna had been walking slowly down the sidewalk for a while, trying to enjoy her last day there before she would return to her duties as Guardian of Time. Unbeknownst to her, the inner senshi were walking towards her.

Usagi, Minako, Rei, Ami and Makoto were walking along, chatting like they usually did. Rei and Usagi were bickering with one another, Ami was reading a book, completely oblivious to anything in front of her, and Makoto and Minako were admiring any guys that passed by them. Minako was looking across the street, scouting the area for anyone interesting.

"Hey, is that Setsuna?" Minako asked as she pointed across the street. Makoto looked towards where she was pointing and nodded in accordance.

"Yes, that's her."

"Let's go see her." Ami said, closing her book as she nodded her head at the group. With that, they ran across the street and approached the green haired senshi.

"Hey, Setsuna! Wait up!" Usagi screeched, panting wildly before her.

Setsuna stopped and turned at the voice of a young woman and saw Usagi. She was a short girl with blonde hair pulled up into two odongoes, and she had bright blue eyes. Minako was the next one to approach her, she looked a lot like Usagi, but her blonde hair flowed down to right below her waist with a red bow atop her head. Ami smiled at Setsuna when saw her. She had short cropped hair that was deep blue with matching eyes. Makoto was very tall with brown hair put up in a ponytail, and Rei had purple eyes with black hair that ended several inches below her waist.

"Hello everyone."

"It's so good to see you!" Minako jubilantly explained.

"So, what are you doing walking by yourself?" Ami asked.

"I decided to take a walk back home is all."

"I heard that you, Haruka and Michiru returned Hotaru back to her father," Rei added. "Right?"

"Yes," she sighed. "That's where I'm coming from." They noticed the depressed tone in her voice and all seemed to have the same idea about cheering her up in their minds.

"Hey, do you want to come to get ice cream with us?" Usagi asked in a bubbly tone.

"No, that's alright."

"Well, would you like to meet us for lunch tomorrow?" Makoto inquired.

"I'm sorry, I can't. I'll be returning to my duties tomorrow," she said sullenly.

"When will you be returning?" Minako asked, knowing the sad reality that was her duty of Time Guardian.

"Not any time soon, I've neglected my duty for too long."

"Please come to see us soon," Usagi added.

"I will try. Have a nice day," Setsuna added with a small smile.

"Bye Setsuna," they said sadly in unison as they watched her walk off.

"Hey, we should do something for her before she leaves," Minako suggested as she kicked a pebble along the sidewalk.

"That's a good idea," Ami said. "We should tell Michiru and Haruka too."

"What should we plan?" Makoto asked.

"Let's so figure it out. We'll have a little party!" Usagi exclaimed.

The five young girls took off towards Hikawa Shrine to plan what they would do for Setsuna before she left. Setsuna only continued to walk, her loneliness beginning to overtake her once again.