Chapter 1: New Beginnings
She had confronted many evils
as one of the Sailor Senshi. She'd seen
things that no one, no matter how young or old, should have to see in their
lifetime. But none of the nightmares
she'd faced could have prepared her for this experience: Shopping with the
girls.
"That dress is so kawaii!"
"Let's go to that store!"
"I'm hungry! When
are we gonna eat?"
"Over there! Cute
guys!!"
"Look! There's an
ice cream store!"
"Can we stop by the tracks while we're here?"
"Hey, they're having a clearance!"
"I could use some new paints."
"I'm starving!"
"I'm going to kill myself."
Hotaru said as she walked amidst the squealing group of girls.
"Did you say something honey?" Michiru asked.
"It was nothing."
She answered. "Maybe we should
do this some other time. I mean, I thought
just you and Haruka-papa were coming to help me."
"What!" Usagi said
turning to her (and forgetting her hunger.), "How could you think that we all
wouldn't want to be here for this!"
"I just thought you all would have more important things to
do."
"Are you kidding?!"
Minako jumped in, "What could be more important than this?"
"Face it Hotaru, you're stuck with these guys." Haruka
said. "It isn't everyday that one of
your close friends gets married."
Three years
had passed since the confrontation with Metallia, and the reunion of Adrian and
Hotaru. He had continued to live in the
Outer's house after the danger had passed, much to Hotaru's pleasure, and to
Haruka's annoyance. And then, on
Hotaru's eighteenth birthday, Adrian had proposed to her. Hotaru was so ecstatic that she accidentally
knocked her cake over on Usagi. She
said yes immediately.
Hotaru
smiled at the engagement ring on her finger as she walked down the street with
the rest of the girls.
"Alright everyone," Haruka began, "For the remainder of the
day we have only one objective: To help Hotaru find her wedding dress. Agreed?"
"Agreed!" Everyone
cheered.
"Maybe I'll even get a head start on finding my own wedding
dress!" Usagi suggested.
"Usagi! This is
Hotaru's special occasion!" Rei shot
back, "Yours can wait!"
"But I don't have much time left until my wedding!"
"You have over a year!"
The rest of
them groaned as the two shot back insults at each other. This continued until Rei noticed:
"Hey, where'd Hotaru go?"
All of them
stopped at Rei's question and turned around.
Hotaru was a few steps behind them looking at something in a display
window. Everyone turned and walked to
see what she was looking at.
"How lucky is this!"
Makoto exclaimed as they came to the display window of the bridal shop.
"Well don't just stand there, let's go in!" Usagi and Minako said and pushed Hotaru into
the store.
The two
sales attendants looked up in surprise as the girls stampeded into the
store. Each girl ran in a different direction
and came back with a dress for Hotaru to try on. Hotaru had to hide behind one of the stands until they went to
the other side of the store to look for her.
She came out after they left and went to what had originally attracted
her to the store in the first place. It
was her dream dress.
The upper
part was tightly fitted with a lily lace pattern swirling all around. The shoulder area was bare with the straps
only an inch thick. From the waist down
the dress just flowed out leaving a small train behind. The veil went down to the floor, and also
had little lace lilies hanging from the side.
"Excuse me." Hotaru
said to one of the attendants, "I'd like to try this on."
A few
minutes later everyone came out of the store with Hotaru carrying her new
dress.
"The flower one would have looked great on me." Usagi whined, "Why wouldn't you let me try
it on!?"
"Because," Rei began, "We were in there for Hotaru, NOT for
you!"
"Why don't we go get lunch now?" Minako said, stepping in-between the two.
"Food!" Usagi
squealed while jumping in the air.
"Where are we eating?"
"That baka said he'd meet us at the 10th Street
Café." Haruka said, "I think Mamoru
will be there as well."
"Mamo-chan? Why?"
"Because they got their tuxedos today. Mamoru is going to be the best man after
all."
"That's right!"
Minako exclaimed suddenly, "Who is going to be your maid of honor
Hotaru?"
"What!" Hotaru
jumped back, "Well, I originally wanted it to be Chibi-Usa but…"
"But she's gone back to the 30th Century so now
you need a replacement."
"I'd make a perfect maid of honor!" Usagi said.
"You're joking right?"
Rei said, "I'm much more qualified to be Hotaru's maid of honor!"
"What about me! I
want to be Hotaru's maid of honor!"
Minako said.
"What about you?
What about us!" Ami and Makoto
jumped in.
"Calm down you guys."
Setsuna said, "Don't you think we should leave this up to Hotaru?"
"Hotaru! Who do YOU
think should be your maid of honor?"
All four girls said as they turned to Hotaru.
"Um…" Hotaru said quietly as she slowly backed away. "I have to go meet Adrian now so I'll see
you all later BYE!!" She yelled and
made a run for it.
"Hotaru!"
"Wait a minute!"
"Where are you going?!"
"Wait for us!"
The rest of
the girls began to run after Hotaru, who was already halfway down the
street. She paused a minute as she
rounded the corner, then sped up again.
A group of people at the bus stop were watching with amusement as the
chase continued. The bus came and they
all got on, except for one man. He
continued to watch, but his eyes were focused on Hotaru.
He was a
middle-aged man, his suit and tie a little tattered, and on his lap he firmly
held what appeared to be a small black jewelry box. He cracked it open, and began to whisper to something
inside. He listened for a second, then
nodded his head and shut the lid. He
looked up again, but Hotaru had already disappeared from his sight. Instead of following, he got up and walked
the other way, and vanished around the corner.
