Until the Sun Rises no More
Chapter 4
The Return to Life
Rei and Setsuna arrived quickly at the entrance to the room where a lot of laughter was heard. Rei slid the door open but no one noticed because Minako was making a strange commotion which was making everyone laugh. She noticed Rei and ran towards her with the magazine in her hands.
"Rei, look!" she squealed, pointing to another guy in her magazine. Rei simply cleared her throat and stepped aside revealing Setsuna who was behind her. Minako dropped the magazine from her hand in surprise as her blue orbs widened.
"Setsuna?!" she cried along with everyone else.
"Hello," she said before she was strangled by Usagi and Minako who hugged her tightly. Haruka pushed herself through the gathering and spoke quickly.
"What's wrong, Setsuna? Has their been a disturbance in the time line?" she asked knowing that she rarely ever showed up unless there was a serious crisis at hand. Everyone quieted; nervousness growing in the silence.
"Nothing is wrong, Haruka," Setsuna added, laughing ever so slightly at what her sudden appearance had brought. She hadn't realized it before, but it seemed that whenever she showed up, it only worried people. It caused her to suddenly frown.
"Setsuna has some wonderful news," Rei said.
"What is it, Setsuna?" Makoto asked.
"I no longer have to guard the Gates of Time. I have been relieved of my duty..." she said quietly, strangely with a look of sadness. Concern was immediately replaced with excitement after she spoke.
"This is truly great news," Michiru said.
"Congratulations Setsuna," Ami said kindly with a smile.
"Thank you." Haruka stood for a while as she watched everyone; one question on her mind.
"Who is guarding the Gates now?"
"My father," Setsuna responded, looking away guiltily.
"Your father is still alive?" Usagi asked, completely dumbfounded.
"Usagi," Rei growled. "Her father is Chronos, the God of time."
"Oh...right!"
"You never have to return?" Minako asked.
"My father shall take over forever. I am no longer allowed there."
"Can you still transform into a senshi?" Makoto asked.
"Yes," she said simply.
"This is so great!!" Minako cried as she hopped up and down. "Now you can hang out with us and have fun!"
----
Afterwards everyone took a seat at the table and began chatting happily. Minako and Usagi sat beside Setsuna as they going on and on about what they were going to do together.
"So, you guys are going to see Hotaru today?" Ami asked.
"Yes," Michiru responded. "In a little while."
"Hey, Setsuna? Do you want to come with us?" Haruka asked. "I know Hotaru will be overjoyed to see you again."
"Of course," she responded.
"Do you mind if we come too?" Minako asked. "We haven't seen Hotaru in a while."
"I'm sure that Hotaru would be happy to see you all," Michiru said.
"Why don't we get going?" Ami said as she stood up.
---
Everyone exited Hikawa Shrine and made their way outside. They stopped beside Haruka's car and looked at each other questioningly.
"Are we going to walk? We can't all fit into Haruka's car," Rei said.
"I don't want to walk!" Usagi whined. "It's too far to go to Hotaru's house then to the park."
"I think Usagi is right for once..." Minako muttered.
Immediately after Mamoru pulled up in his car as he greeted the girls.
"You girls going somewhere?" he asked as he stepped out.
"Mamoru!" Usagi screeched as she ran to him and latched onto his arm. "Can you give us a ride?"
"Where are you going?" he responded.
"We're going to see Hotaru," Makoto said.
"I'll go with Mamoru," Usagi said as she jumped into the passenger seat. "Come on!" Ami walked over to his car and got into the back seat as Makoto did the same.
"Do you mind if I go with you, Haruka?" Rei asked.
"No, get in," the tall blonde said. Rei walked over to Haruka's yellow convertible and took a seat in the back. Setsuna quietly took a seat next to her.
"I'm coming too!" Minako squealed as she ran to the car and plopped beside the two women. Rei grunted as she squeezed tightly.
"Minako," she hissed. "Go with Mamoru, there's not enough room." Minako grinned and seemingly ignored her request.
"I've never ridden in a convertible before." Rei sighed as Michiru, who was now in the passenger seat, spoke to them.
"Hold on you two," she winked.
Within ten seconds the car started and they sped off. Minako squealed with delight as her blonde hair was thrown back in the wind. They soon arrived in front of the large house as they waited for the others who arrived about two minutes later. Minako and Rei stepped out as they tried to fix their now wild hair.
"That was fun!" Minako laughed.
"I think I'll go with Mamoru on the way back," Rei muttered.
"I'll be back to pick you up," Mamoru said as he sped off.
With that the eight young women strolled up the walk way and arrived at the front door as Usagi rang the doorbell. Within a few moments the door opened and there stood Souichi.
"Hi!" Usagi said cheerfully.
"Hello," he responded, slightly confused as to the large group outside his door at that moment.
"How are you, Mr. Tomoe?" Ami asked.
"Just Souichi, please. I'm alright," he said. "I'm sorry but what are your names?"
"Oh, I'm Usagi. This is Ami, Minako, Makoto and Rei. I think you already know Setsuna, Haruka and Michiru."
"Are you here to see Hotaru?" he asked.
"Yes, do you mind if we take Hotaru out for a while?" Michiru inquired.
"Of course. Let me get her." He said as he walked off.
The girls stood quietly, making idle conversation as they waited. Minako, Usagi and the others could only chat about Souichi and how different he looked. He returned two minutes later with Hotaru running ahead of him.
"Hi everyone," he said happily.
"Do you want to come out with us for a while?" Minako asked with a smile.
"Yes," she responded.
"Oh, there's a surprise for you," she added as she pulled aside. Hotaru looked past her to see Setsuna.
"Setsuna?" Hotaru walked over to her as Setsuna bent down.
"What are you doing here? Are you in trouble?" she whispered.
Setsuna smiled softly as she put a hand on her shoulder and looked into her violet eyes. Without any words the news was transferred somehow.
"Congratulations, Setsuna," she whispered in a sweet tone.
"We'll have her back in an hour," Michiru said.
"Oh hey," Usagi said. "Would you like to come with us, Souichi?"
He thought for a moment and looked at his daughter before responding. "Sure, that sounds nice."
With that the group began their stroll into the park. Eventually the group began to form separate groups as they walked. Haruka and Michiru walked together as Haruka held her lovers hand and admired the landscape, Souichi and Hotaru walked together, Usagi walked with Ami as Usagi made her laugh, and Setsuna, Makoto and Minako walked together in between the other groups.
Minako leaned over to the other two young women and whispered. "Hey," she said. "Don't you think Souichi is cute?"
"Minako," Makoto scolded as she rolled her eyes. "Knock it off."
"Sorry, Mako," she muttered. "Can't take a joke?"
"Hey, Setsuna?" Makoto said. Setsuna turned her attention from Hotaru to the tall brunette next to her. "Would you like to have lunch with Ami, Minako and I tomorrow?"
"Of course," she replied with a smile. "I'd enjoy that very much."
Afterwards Makoto and Minako carried on with a conversation as Setsuna went back to her thoughts. She looked ahead at Hotaru again and observed her skipping happily beside her father. Setsuna smiled slightly just as Souichi turned his head and caught a glance of her. He smiled softly at Setsuna and she returned one with a small nod of her head. Haruka caught the small gestures out of the corner of her eye and thought for a moment before putting it quickly aside. Souichi couldn't help but think how extraordinarily beautiful she was. He was very appreciative of how she and the others treated his daughter while she was away from him. Hotaru talked of the woman named Setsuna very much and spoke very highly and lovingly about her.
The day carried on quickly as the group ended their two hour long stroll in the park. Everyone said their goodbyes and parted ways...