Fourteen Days with my Family by Hotaru Tomoe.
Chapter Fourteen: Friday II.
As you can imagine I was a nervous wreck going to school today. Somehow, someone had figured out that I was Sailor Saturn, and by default he or she probably knew the identities of the others as well. The mere thought that I had somehow betrayed everyone's trust in me made me physically ill.
After the phone call yesterday, coming on the heels of my conversation with Yuko, I finally told my parents, Hoshiko, and the others, about all of the calls I had been receiving. I had dismissed them as harmless, but annoying, pranks, but now I knew how totally wrong I had been. I was so upset that I even offered to quit being a Sailor Senshi as a result. Luckily Usagi and the others turned me down flat.
"Look you made a mistake Hotaru, but what's done is done. You can't change that. Request denied." Usagi stated.
"Right, it's finding out whose responsible and putting a stop to them before they do any more damage, that's the most important thing right now." Luna added.
"Not to mention undoing all of the damage they've already caused." Artemis added.
"When did these phone calls start Hotaru?" Ami asked.
"I received the first call two weeks ago on Sunday, right at the beginning of spring break when Hoshiko arrived." I replied.
Hoshiko stared at me in shock and surprise. "You do not think that I had something to do with it?" She exclaimed.
"No, I'm sure you had nothing to do with it Hoshiko." I replied. She smiled in gratitude.
We sat there in silence racking our brains and coming up with nothing. Finally Minako broke the silence. "Look it's getting late and we've got school tomorrow. Besides Hotaru has another chapter of her report to do." We all stared at her in shock. "What? What did I say?"
"Hotaru's report! Of course!" Ami exclaimed.
"You're right Ami!" Setsuna-mama exclaimed. "Minako you're a genius!"
"Huh? I am?" Minako wondered.
"Huh? She is?" Usagi, Makoto, Rei, Artemis, and Haruka-papa exclaimed. Minako just glowered at them.
Michiru-mama just sighed and shook her head. "Isn't it obvious? Someone has managed to get a copy of Hime-chan's unedited report."
"Oh." Usagi, Minako, Rei, Makoto, Artemis, and Haruka-papa replied. I think the rest of them gave up at that point, I know I did.
"How could anyone get a hold of Hotaru's report?" Usagi asked.
"How many copies of your report did you make?" Ami asked.
I sat and thought about it for a moment. "Well there were the disks I gave each of you, but I used the encryption software that Ami gave me to protect each copy. There's only one printed copy that I lent to Hoshiko, and my own copy. That's it." I replied.
"There isn't a copy on your computer's hard drive, is there?" Mamoru asked.
"No, I saved it onto a disk before deleting it from my computer's hard drive." I replied.
"And I did the same with the computer in our study." Setsuna-mama added.
"Do you still have those disks?" Rei asked. We nodded and went to find them. A few minutes later I came back with my copy. Setsuna-mama hadn't returned yet though. I handed my disk to Ami who ran it through her laptop. While she was doing that, Setsuna-mama returned with another CD and a puzzled expression.
"This isn't my handwriting." She stated as she held up the disc. On it was written 'Hotaru's report' and a date. It wasn't her writing or Haruka-papa's or Michiru-mama's for that matter.
After we verified that my copy was okay, we put Setsuna-mama's copy into the computer.
The disc was blank.
"That's impossible!" Setsuna-mama exploded. "I kept that disk in a locked drawer in the study and the four of us have the only keys!" She pulled out a key chain and showed us her key. The three of us did the same.
"Could someone else have gotten into the drawer somehow?" Rei asked.
We sat there pondering her question until Haruka-papa slapped her forehead. "Damn it! Of course! It had to be them!"
"Who?" We all exclaimed. So Haruka-papa told us.
"You're right! It's the only thing that makes sense!" Setsuna-mama said.
"I knew we should have searched them! We shouldn't have even let those two into the house!" Michiru-mama said.
"I can't believe that anyone could stoop that low." Usagi commented, shaking her head sadly.
Michiru-mama frowned slightly and opened her mouth to speak but Setsuna-mama leapt in before Michiru-mama could chastise her. "I know Usagi, I know, but it's a sad fact of life that we have to deal with."
"I know that Setsuna. As the three of you keep telling me, it's not a black and white world out there." Usagi replied sadly. "I sure as hell don't have to like it though."
Michiru-mama's frown turned to a look of surprise then she smiled as she went over and knelt beside Usagi and took her by the hand. "No, I guess you don't, but you have to work at it to make the world a better place for everyone. Even if it takes one person, one heart at a time then that's what it takes to make a difference."
Usagi smiled at Michiru-mama. "Yes it does, thank you Michiru. Now let's figure out what to do about our little troublemakers. And help out Hotaru as well of course." She turned and smiled at me. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm so lucky to have friends like her.
"That's the spirit! Anyone have any ideas?" Setsuna-mama asked.
"Go over to their house, get the disk back, and beat the crap out of them." Makoto replied bluntly, cracking her knuckles.
"I'm all for it!" Haruka-papa put in.
Michiru-mama sighed. "I think she meant something a little less violent. Not to mention something that would make sure that our identities don't get exposed." Both Haruka-papa and Makoto looked disappointed.
"Actually, I have an idea or two." Ami stated.
"Let's hear them Ami." Usagi replied. Ami smiled and began outlining our plan…
That was last night, but today I was a bit nervous going to school. I walked along feeling as though everybody's eyes were on me, probing me, watching my every move. I was going to have to do one heck of an acting job to get through the day I thought.
Actually, in that regard I got pretty lucky that today was actually a pretty uneventful day at school. Nothing totally weird happened during school at all, except for the fact that Katsuji didn't join me at lunchtime like he usually did, which was odd. I figured he must have been busy in one of his classes. I missed his company but I wasn't worried. Still I would have liked the opportunity to ask him about why he was so concerned over Megumi and Keiko.
By the time school let out I was fairly relieved that nothing major had happened. Kimyo was walking beside me looking concerned as we got on the bus.
"Are you okay Hotaru? You've been pretty worried about something all day. I hope nothing's wrong at home." Kimyo said.
"No, everything's fine at home. We're just getting ready to see Hoshiko off since she was going home tomorrow." I replied.
"She's going home tomorrow?" Kimyo exclaimed.
"Yeah, we've got a little farewell party planned for tomorrow. You and your Mom are invited too." I replied.
"Thanks Hotaru, I'll tell Mom when I get home." As she spoke we pulled up to her stop. "I'll call you later Hotaru, bye!" She hopped off the bus and headed for her home and I went on to my stop.
"Mama, Hoshiko! I'm home!" I called out. Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama were out getting groceries leaving Setsuna-mama and Hoshiko at home.
"Hello Hotaru. How was your day?" Hoshiko asked as she walked up. She had an armload of clothes with her that she'd just pulled out of the drier. She'd be taking a few things with her as souvenirs, the rest we would be putting into storage or possibly giving to charity.
"It was okay, I guess." I replied. I was still apprehensive about someone finding out about us and I guess it showed. Hoshiko put down her bundle into a nearby chair and walked over to hug me.
"Don't worry Hotaru I'm sure everything will work out. I have a lot of faith in you and the others." She assured me.
"Thanks Hoshiko." I said. Then it registered with my brain what she'd just said. "Hey, you finally used a contraction."
She smiled gratefully. "Yes, Setsuna has been coaching me a bit while we did some laundry."
"It's a start anyway." I told her. I heard the phone ring and Setsuna-mama got to it in the kitchen before I could get it.
"Hello? Oh hi! Just a moment I'll ask." Setsuna-mama poked her head into the room. "Hotaru, did Kimyo come home with you?"
"No, she got off at the stop near her place. Why? Isn't she home yet?" I asked. Hoshiko looked worried as well.
"No she hasn't made it home yet. Her Mom was going to go out and look for her." Setsuna-mama replied.
"We'll help as well!" I announced. Hoshiko nodded in agreement.
"We're on our way over now." Setsuna-mama assured her. We grabbed our jackets and car keys and were heading for the garage when the doorbell started ringing. Whomever it was very persistent as well.
"You two head for the van while I get rid of whoever it is." Setsuna-mama stated. Hoshiko and I nodded and headed for the garage but were stopped when Setsuna-mama exclaimed; 'What the hell?"
"What is it Setsuna?" Hoshiko asked as we ran up to the door. I saw a girl run around the corner as we got to the door.
"Kids these days…hey! What's that?" Setsuna-mama exclaimed as she bent down to pick up something that was on the doorstep. It was a letter. "Hotaru? Isn't this Kimyo's necklace?" Wrapped around the letter was the gold chain with a star at the end that Kimyo wore. Worse still, my planetary symbol was on the letter.
"Oh no. Oh please no." I whispered as Setsuna-mama opened the letter. "Is it about Kimyo?" I asked fearfully.
"I'm afraid so Hime-chan." Setsuna-mama replied softly as she handed me the letter. My hands were shaking as I read it.
Sailor Saturn/Hotaru Tomoe:
We have your friend Kimyo. If you want her back, and if you want your secret to remain a secret, you will come alone to the following address by midnight exactly!
The address was someplace in the warehouse district. There was also a postscript.
Do as we say or your friend will pay the price!
"I'll kill them." I whispered as I crumpled up the note and tried to throw it away but Setsuna-mama grabbed me by the arm.
"You will do no such thing young lady!" She admonished. "I will not let you throw your life away because of those two! I absolutely forbid it!"
"She is right little one. Revenge solves absolutely nothing, believe me I know." Hoshiko said as she put a hand on my shoulder. I looked at them, then down at the floor in shame.
"You're both right. I'm so sorry." I said.
"That's okay Hime-chan. We don't want you running off alone without a plan." Setsuna-mama said. Hoshiko nodded in agreement. I smiled and nodded in agreement as well.
"We'll figure out a way to save Kimyo." Setsuna-mama promised. "Ami called an hour ago saying that she's figured out a way to make sure that our identities remain safe as well."
"Good, then let's get everyone here then so we can plan our next move." I said. Setsuna-mama nodded and reached for her communicator.
2350 hrs, the warehouse district.
Several hours of planning and having dinner later, I found myself outside the warehouse in question feeling more than a little apprehensive. I felt as though the fate of the world, or at least our destiny, would be decided by what happened here tonight. It was a heavy burden for me to carry I can assure you.
"Radio check." Ami's voice called into the earpiece I wore. One of Ami's new innovations; throat-mikes and small earphones for our communicators that would make communicating during battles a bit easier, at least that was the idea.
"I read you Mercury." I replied nervously.
"You'll be fine Saturn. Just take a few deep breaths and focus." Luna said.
"Easy for you to say, you're not the one going into the warehouse first." I whispered back.
"We know that, but we'll sneak in and cut off any means of escape and leap in when you give the word." Makoto replied.
"Just try not to worry, okay sweetheart?" Michiru-mama added.
"Okay Mama, everyone, thanks. I'm moving in now, Saturn out." I said as I made my way towards the door. I saw two cars and a van parked outside. Our plan was fairly simple; I'd go into the warehouse and stall our adversaries long enough for the others to move in and for Ami to work her magic on her computer. She reasoned that they would be sending out our secret identities over the internet so she would tap into the building's phone lines and scramble their connection. On top of that she would send a rather nasty virus into their computer which would wipe their computer's hard drive, and any evidence away. All I had to do was buy her the time she needed, simple right? And if you believe that, I have this bridge that I'm selling…
I went up to the door and rang the buzzer at precisely midnight as the note instructed. Several seconds later I noticed a camera swivel in my direction, and soon after that a buzzer sounded and the door unlocked allowing me access. I took a deep breath to steel myself and went inside.
"Glad to see that you're on time Sailor Saturn, or do you prefer Hotaru Tomoe?" A voice I knew and loathed called out through the loudspeaker. The warehouse was full of cargo containers and poorly lit save for a set of lights that marked a trail to the opposite end of the warehouse. I could feel my pulse quicken as I gripped my Silence Glaive tighter.
"I'm in no mood for games right now." I shouted back. "Show yourselves!"
"Now, now, let's not be too hasty. Remember that we hold all the cards Tomoe. Now follow the lights to the rear of the building." The voice ordered. I was seething now as I walked down the path between several cargo containers, wary of anyone trying to attack me. Part of me hoped that they would try something so I'd have the excuse to take them out once and for all. Only the thought of harming Kimyo prevented me from doing just that. Well, that and what Setsuna-mama and Hoshiko told me earlier.
I made my way down the path until I reached a clearing at the rear of the row of containers and stopped dead at the sight in front of me. There was a long table with a laptop computer sitting on top and Keiko sitting behind the desk looking insufferably smug. Megumi was standing in front of the table with a cat-got-the-canary grin on her face as she placed a microphone down next to an amplifier. Kimyo was tied to an armchair next to her. She was gagged and awake and she started to struggle a bit as I approached. I looked at her closer in the dim light and saw that she'd been roughed up a bit. Her left eye was nearly swollen shut and I could see several cuts on her face.
"Don't be shy Tomoe, you can come closer. We're all friends here." Keiko taunted. Kimyo struggled with her bonds and started to shake her head violently.
"Gladly." I snarled and stepped into the clearing, my Glaive poised to strike. As I did so a pair of powerful hands grabbed my right arm in a vice-like grip that made me wince, while another pair prevented me from swinging my Glaive around. Aya and Rumi, the lapdogs.
"What zoo did you two come from?" I asked, trying to appear nonchalant. Rumi snarled and held my arm as she raised her fist to strike, while Aya stood back and watched with a grin on her face.
"That's enough!" Megumi barked. "Don't let her goad you. Besides there will be plenty of time for that later. Now bring your little toy here and place it on the table. We wouldn't want you getting any ideas now, would we?" She sneered as I placed my Glaive on the table beside her, keeping a wary eye on her and Keiko. The lapdogs pulled me away from the table after I'd done what I was told.
"You don't need to hold onto her, she's pretty useless without her Glaive. Isn't that right?" Keiko sneered. That's what you think. But Rumi released my arm and I stood there rubbing it to get my circulation back.
"Well I'm here, what do you want?" I growled. Kimyo stopped struggling and slumped down in her chair, defeated.
Megumi smiled and walked up to me. "Oh I can think of a few things you can do. Most of them you'll find extremely unpleasant. Some will be downright embarrassing even. You are going to convince your parents and your friends to work for us, doing a few 'favors' as it were."
"What kind of 'favors'?" I asked.
"Oh nothing much, a few bank robberies, some jewel heists, some other stuff. Your friend, oh what was her name, Ami? She's pretty smart by all accounts. I'm sure that she could be convinced to do a little hacking on our behalf. Oh and your 'Haruka-papa'? Getting her to throw the odd race now and then while we bet on her competitors would be a start. The possibilities are endless."
In your dreams you cow! I thought to myself, but I would play my part. "And what do we get out of this?" I asked.
"Well, I imagine that the 'good' names of the Sailor Senshi will be ruined because of this even if we don't release the information." Keiko chortled. "And after all of you are caught and arrested we'll release your names anyway. You'll spend the next several years in prison knowing that it was all your fault!"
"Your family and friends will hate you forever! Well at least as long as a whiny loser like you will last in jail anyway." Megumi laughed. Kimyo was crying now, which made me even angrier.
"My God Megumi, that's going too far! I never agreed to this!" A voice said from the darkness. I whirled around as Katsuji stepped out from behind a container.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I blurted. "What do you mean you never agreed to this?"
"Um well…" Katsuji began but Megumi and Keiko laughed.
"Aw, how sad. The poor little girl just got screwed over by her 'boyfriend." Keiko mocked.
"I could just cry." Megumi added. Both Rumi and Aya snickered as I stared at Katsuji in shock. Kimyo was glaring at him as well.
Katsuji stood there fidgeting while he struggled to say something. "I don't know how to say this but…"
"Oh don't be so coy Katsuji dear." Megumi purred as she went up and put her arms around him. "Tell her the truth."
"You mean that you and…that…that…thing! You're her…?" I stammered feeling suddenly very nauseous. Megumi snarled as she ran up and slapped me.
"You dyke! You'll pay for that!" Megumi screamed as cocked her fist back but Katsuji caught her arm.
"No it's not like that at all!" Katsuji shouted. "Megumi is my half-sister!" Megumi growled, tore her self free, and stomped back over beside the table and glowered at us.
"Half-sister!" I shouted. I wasn't sure if I should be relieved or violently ill. I settled for righteous indignation. "So what, did she put you up to being friends with me and us having lunch together? All of that?"
"At first, yes." He admitted. I was ready to pound him into the floor, but I was waiting for the others to get into position. "She convinced me to try to gain your confidence and become your friend so I could find out more information about you and your family. But then as I got to know you better I couldn't bring myself to carry through the rest of Megumi's plan."
"What was that?" I asked softly, tears in my eyes.
"She wanted me to seduce you." He replied. My blood ran cold. I could hear a squawk in my earpiece and I could imagine the others were restraining Haruka-papa right now.
"What stopped you?" I asked. I began to grow hopeful that he wasn't as bad as his sister was after all.
Katsuji came up to me and cupped my chin between his thumb and forefinger and lifted my eyes to meet his. We stood there gazing into each others eyes as he leaned closer to me. He took a deep breath and said; "What stopped me was the fact that I really do care for you a lot Hotaru and I can't bear to see you get hurt."
"What!" Megumi and Keiko squawked. It was nice to see that the shoe was on the other foot for a change.
"But why are you doing this for them?" I asked, hoping that things would work out after all.
"Because they are blackmailing me like they are trying to do to you." Katsuji confessed with his head bowed in shame. "They found out that I slept with another classmate and she got pregnant. Our parents used their influence to cover it up and force her and her family to move out of Tokyo, but these two cows won't let it go!" He whirled on Keiko and Megumi angrily who just stared at him in shock. "I loved her and they won't let me know where she and my child are unless I perform for them. Well no more! I have had enough!"
"You'll pay for that, both of you!" Megumi shrieked. She tried to grab my glaive to use it on us but she found that she couldn't lift it. I grinned, I love magic.
"What's the matter? Can't budge my 'little toy'?" I taunted.
"Get them!" Keiko shouted at Rumi and Aya who started to charge at Katsuji and me.
"I don't think so! Now everyone!" I shouted.
"Right Sailor Saturn!" Usagi called out. Then all the lights came on at once blinding us. I blinked a few times and saw that Minako, Michiru-mama, Setsuna-mama, and Haruka-papa had blocked the terrible trio's exit while Rei pointed a Flame Sniper at Aya's head and Rumi turned around to find Makoto standing there.
"You little bitch!" Megumi screamed as she reached for another weapon, a knife. As she did so, a rose landed in between her outstretched fingers and she pulled her hand back quickly. I didn't need to turn to see that Mamoru and Usagi were standing on top of the container behind me.
"You people!" Usagi began. "You would try to shatter a poor girl's heart and use her for your own selfish gain! I am Sailor Moon and I will not stand for it! In the name of the moon, you will be punished!"
Keiko laughed as she lunged for the computer. "You haven't won yet! We can still expose you to the world! Say hello to CNN for us!" She reached the laptop and pressed the button to activate her Internet connection.
"What the hell?" She exclaimed. She had turned the screen around so we could witness her triumph and instead of Microsoft Outlook popping up, she got the image of a white-gloved hand with the middle finger extended (Haruka-papa's idea no doubt) superimposed over a golden crescent moon. On the bottom of the screen were the words; 'SCREW YOU. YOU LOSE.' Then the computer went black. Keiko stabbed frantically at the buttons to no avail. She screamed and threw the computer across the room and collapsed to the floor with a sob.
"It's over Megumi. We've wiped your computers files, and with the nice confession we recorded I don't think your Daddy's high-priced lawyers can help you wriggle your way out of kidnapping and extortion charges." Ami said as she walked in with Luna and Artemis in tow. She held up a tape recorder for all to see. Megumi whirled around and looked at me as I tapped the microphone I wore.
"No! NOOOO!" She screamed as she ran away from us, shoving Ami and Setsuna-mama aside and running down the aisle before we could stop her. She tore down the aisle towards the exit, the rest of us in hot pursuit. She was nearly at the exit when Hoshiko, in full armor, stepped in her path. Megumi skidded to a halt at Hoshiko's feet and stared up at her in fear. Hoshiko makes for a very scary sight indeed when she is in her gear and glaring at you with a mixture of fury and contempt like she was glaring at Megumi. The sword helps a bit too.
"Who are you?" Megumi cried as she tried to back away.
"Who am I?" Hoshiko growled. "Pathetic creature! I am Sailor Galaxia, the most powerful of all of the Sailor Senshi! I am here to pass judgment upon you, and my judgment is that you must die!" With that Hoshiko raised her sword above her head causing Megumi to scream and run back towards us.
"Run coward!" Hoshiko called. "You shall not escape my wrath!"
"Don't let her get me!" Megumi cried as she threw herself at Usagi's feet groveling for the mercy she didn't deserve.
"Okay I think she's seen the error of her ways now." Usagi called to Hoshiko. Hoshiko looked a bit miffed as she sheathed her sword. I nudged her as she went past.
"Hoshiko, don't you think that you went a little over the top there?" I whispered.
She looked at me in surprise. "What do you mean by that?" She asked. I sighed. I give up, she's hopeless. I turned back to the others as the terrible trio was being guarded, while the lapdogs were tied up and secured in an office. Michiru-mama had released Kimyo and Ami was looking after her while we pondered what to do with them. A quick search of the laptop bag revealed my report disc which I gratefully took back. I would destroy it later.
"Are there any more copies?" Setsuna-mama demanded.
"Megumi and I each have a copy at home on our computers. Those are all the copies we made, I swear it." Keiko replied. All the fight had gone out of the three of them and they looked worried as well they should.
"Are you going to kill us now?" Katsuji asked. Megumi just sat there and whimpered, casting the odd nervous look at Hoshiko.
"No, we are not going to kill you." Usagi declared. Haruka-papa just snorted and shook her head. "But we are going to erase your memories of our identities, and if you are willing, I will try to cure you of your evil impulses." She added the last part with a smile. Usagi sees the good in everyone, and she is always trying to help people no matter what. Despite everything they've done, she would help Megumi, Keiko, and Katsuji even if the rest of us felt that they didn't deserve it.
"But after this, you will go far away and never come back. Is that clear?" Usagi added.
"We understand we'll do anything you ask." Katsuji spoke for the three of them. Usagi smiled and drew out her crystal to begin the purification process.
Meanwhile, I went over to see how Kimyo was doing. It looked like Aya and Rumi had treated her badly, but she was smiling as I came up. "How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Like I was used as a punching bag." Kimyo replied honestly. "Oh man, Mom must be going out of her mind now!"
"Don't worry, she's safe. We left her with Usagi's family while we came to rescue you." I replied. She looked over and saw Usagi using her crystal and nodded. Then she staggered a bit, her injuries were taking their toll. "Let me help you." I said as I started healing her injuries. Within minutes her cuts and bruises were gone.
"Whoa, that is amazing! You really are Sailor Saturn!" She exclaimed. "And the others…"
"Are really the Sailor Senshi, yes." There was no use denying the truth, she'd seen and heard enough over the last few hours.
"I don't know what to say." Kimyo said.
"Well as long as you don't say anything to anyone about this that'll be all right." I replied.
Kimyo smiled and nodded. "Hotaru, you have my word; I will never tell anyone that you and your family are the Sailor Senshi. This I swear." She looked at me hopefully. "Can I at least tell my Mom? We don't keep secrets between us you know."
I smiled. "I know. Well I guess its okay, as long as she doesn't tell anyone else."
"She won't. She'd sooner jump in front of a bus than rat on a friend." Kimyo replied.
"I hope it doesn't come to that." I said.
"I hope so too Hotaru." Then she grinned as she threw her arms around me. "My best friend is a super hero! That is so cool!" I laughed and hugged her back as the rest of my family joined us.
"We won't need to do anything with her will we?" Rei asked.
"No we can trust her." I replied. Kimyo grinned at me.
"Hey I was right! You do make a cute couple." Haruka-papa said with a huge grin.
"PAPA!" I shouted as Kimyo and I turned beet red and quickly broke apart. Everybody laughed. The whole ordeal was nearly over and we could finally relax.
Well almost over, I saw Katsuji sitting down on a crate with his head bowed in shame and I went over to him. "Are you okay?" I asked.
He smiled a bit and invited me to sit beside him. "Yeah I'll be okay, now that it's all over." He sat there wringing his hands nervously for a moment before speaking again. "I'm really sorry for all that's happened Hotaru. I hope I can make it up to you somehow."
I took one of his hands in mine. "If you're still willing to be my friend, that's okay with me." I replied with a smile of my own. I could see Usagi giving me a thumbs-up and a smile of approval.
"Do you really mean that?" He asked, looking like a drowning person who's just been thrown a life preserver.
"Yeah I do. But you'll have to have some of your memories erased, like the parts about our identities. It's for your protection as well as ours."
Katsuji nodded. "I understand, and I'm willing to do what you ask." He smiled and extended his hand and I shook it. "Just as long as we can still have our daily lunches together at school."
I laughed. "Sure, no problem. And Katsuji? I really hope that you find her and your child."
He smiled even more warmly. "I hope so too Hotaru, and thank you for being my friend." We hugged each other briefly before he went over to stand before Usagi and the others. Along the way Haruka-papa blocked his path and glowered at him. Katsuji gulped nervously as he looked up at her and then extended his hand. She glared at him for a moment before taking it, a slight smile playing across her face as she began to squeeze his hand in a firm grip. I could hear the bones squeezing from where I stood. To his credit he looked uncomfortable but didn't pass out. Finally Haruka-papa let go and he staggered over to Usagi aided by a pat on the back that nearly sent him flying across the room. That's my Papa for you.
"What about them?" Kimyo asked, indicating Megumi and company.
"Hopefully we've managed to erase the knowledge of our identities from their memories and we've gotten the disk back. It's now a matter of making sure that we've gotten all of the information. Ami is sending a program to their home computers that will wipe out all traces of the information they have on us." Luna replied.
"We'll have to make sure that their families don't know about us, not to mention making sure that they all leave town. But we can manage." Artemis added.
Kimyo stared at them. "Those cats talked!" She blurted. Both Luna and Artemis looked a tad miffed and I laughed as I introduced them. They didn't take offense and Kimyo was happy to make their acquaintance.
"Well all's well that end's well." Minako commented as we wrapped up. Megumi and co had been sent on their way and our secrets would remain secrets. It was just a matter of getting Kimyo reunited with her Mom and everyone home to bed now.
"I don't believe it! She got a proverb right!" Makoto exclaimed.
"It must be a sign of the apocalypse!" Rei added.
"Oh shut up." Minako growled before breaking into a giggling fit. We went our separate ways at this point.
"You and your Mom are welcome to come over to Rei's for Hoshiko's farewell party." Michiru-mama said to Kimyo.
"Thank you Miss Kaioh, I appreciate that. We'll be there." Kimyo replied as we pulled up in front of her home. We had called Usagi's parents and Mr. Tsukino had driven Mrs. Hoshi home. She was standing on her doorstep looking anxious. "Good night everyone!" She called as she jumped out of the van and ran into her Mom's arms. We watched as they were happily reunited once more, then we waved and went home, a good night's work after all. I let that thought comfort me as I wrote this up before going to bed. Tomorrow we would be saying farewell to a dear friend.
AN: Okay, I've revised this chapter a bit, and I am working on the final chapter now. Hopefully everyone will like this a bit better.