"She's so sweet isn't she? She's sleeping like a baby." Hotaru heard a woman's voice in her head. Her eyes were still closed.
"She is, isn't she," another voice called out. Hotaru fought the dark underside of her eyelids and began to open her eyes. As much as it hurt, she began to rise up out of bed.
She faced down and her dark hair shadowed her face leaving just the white light that twinkled in her eyes. The world was still blurry to her. Her body woke up but her mind was still locked away.
Hotaru lifted her head and saw two pretty women just gawking at her. "Where am I?" She called out.
"Don't worry sweetheart, your safe. The big mean girl's gone." Hotaru recognized the hair. She stared at her beautiful mature face and wondered if it was even possible to be that beautiful.
"Let's go Michelle, she's fine now," Hotaru looked passed Michelle's shoulders. A women with short blonde hair stood impatiently staring at her watch.
"Thank you for everything," Hotaru's weak voice had barely left her mouth but Michelle knew. Michelle smiled and patted little Hotaru's head and walked away.
"Take care, Hotaru!" She turned back before closing Hotaru's door.
Hotaru still sitting in her sheer white blanket looked down at her hands. The room around her was pure white, giving off an essence Hotaru was not used to.
I'm so used to being alone and in the dark. Is this what it's like to have friends? Hotaru quickly snapped out of the fantasy when she heard whispers beyond the door.
The women haven't left yet, she thought. Hotaru got up silently putting on white slippers that were provided by the hospital.
She pressed her ear close to the door and closed her eyes to listen. "We know she's a danger, why can't we take her out already?"
"She's still a child Amara, we can't do that. How do we know for sure?"
"Everything about that girl is dark. She's not a weak little girl we think she is. One day, Michelle, she's going to destroy the world. She's a monster."
Hotaru's eyes shot open and she stepped backwards away from the door. She held her mouth not making any noise and crawled back into bed. Why are they doing this? I am not a monster. I have never hurt anyone.
Hotaru's eyes wept salty tears once again down her face. She held her face under a pillow so no one, especially the women outside would hear.
She pulled her blanket over her head digging a hole for herself. I just want to disappear, she thought. Her small pale hands wiped her tears. Her eyes hurt and stood out blood-shot red. She was tired of crying and being weak and defenceless.
She lay silently under the covers staring up at the bright white light that seeped through the blanket. A shadow of a hand suddenly appeared above her and covered the light. Hotaru's heart clenched and her body stiffened.
"Who's there…" she called out with her scrawny barely-there voice. The hand proceeded to get closer and grabbed the blanket above her. The blanket moved off her face and Hotaru got into fetal position with her eyes closed.
"Let me be, please. I haven't hurt anyone!" She cried out loud hoping to be spared. A soft hand stroked her hair gently. An entity sat next to her on the bed. She smelled a strange musky perfume that was oddly hypnotising.
"You're safe. It's only me." Hotaru looked up into the face of Saturn. Inside she lit up a bit but the feeling resisted showing on the outside.
Hotaru did not speak. She hugged Saturn tightly, hiding her face from the cruel world she lived in. The lights in the room dimmed.
Hotaru looked around her. "I know all this light must be blinding your poor soul." Saturn spoke softly hoping to calm Hotaru down from her frenzy.
"Why do they hate me?" Hotaru asked with anger. Saturn continued to stroke Hotaru's hair. She laid Hotaru on her back and stood up to look down at her small figure.
She began to sing.
Don't be discouraged my sweet.
The journey has just begun to unfold,
You will be the greatest one they seek,
You will leave the world so cold…
She repeated this verse several times with her eyes glowing. Saturn's voice was high but strangely soothing. Hotaru felt hypnotized and enticed by the eyes, the singing and the sweet smell that radiated from Saturn.
Slowly Hotaru's eyes closed and what Hotaru saw in her mind was great power. A symbol began to burn itself on Hotaru's forehead. Hotaru began to clench her body trying not to scream. Saturn opened her mouth to speak, her words came out as if they were echoed, "You have been marked Hotaru."
Hotaru screamed as the power within her spilled out in rays of light. Sudden wind blew around her raising her hair straight up as she looked down.
Tears ran down Hotaru's eyes. "What are you doing to me?" She cried choking on her words. "Help me Destiny! Don't let me fall into darkness!"
Saturn's eyes dimmed again and all wind and power had suddenly disappeared. Hotaru breathes heavily. She looked around and Saturn started walking close to her.
"Why are you doing this to me?" Hotaru hid behind her frail hands. Saturn approached her slowly. "I'm sorry I have no choice. I must pass on my powers, for one day you will become me."
Hotaru looked up at Saturn's frowning face. "What are you?" Hotaru asked with manners.
"I am Sailor Saturn, the Sailor of destruction. I bring on the end of the world. I don't choose to"—she grabbed Hotaru's hands and stared into her gazing eyes—"but I have to. It's who I am and you are the only one I could pass this to."
Hotaru sat in disbelief. "Sailor of destruction?"
"You must find the other scouts, though I am sure they are out to find you right this moment. Please Hotaru, stay strong. You aren't weak. You possess great power and if you wish, you could destroy every last bit of what bothers you."
I am a monster, Hotaru let go of Saturn's cold hands. "Okay," she said and turned away facing the floor again.
"It will all be over soon. Don't forget I am always here if you need me. Now I am giving this because I trust you Hotaru. I know you can use this for good. Something about you is special."
She handed Hotaru a charm with the symbol of Saturn the planet on it. She pulled out a small wand that had a golden star attached to it.
Hotaru watched Saturn closely. The little charm fell nicely inside the purple amulet that was inside the star. Handing it to Hotaru, she stood up.
Hotaru stared at the little wand. "What am I supposed to do with this?"
"If you are ever in trouble, Hotaru, call out Saturn Star Power. That is all I can say Hotaru. Please be careful, the journey ahead is dangerous. Find the other scouts, and I wish you luck." Saturn began to walk away holding her long silver wand.
"Will you be back, Destiny?" Hotaru rose out of bed. Saturn turned to face her with her glowing purple eyes. "I am your destiny. Farewell." Hotaru ran towards Saturn as she disappeared.
She looked down at the wand then the empty room around her. I must be strong. I matter. This is the beginning of my life. She closed her eyes and held the wand dear to her heart.
