Over the next year, Ami a.k.a Sailor Mercury, Rei a.k.a Sailor Mars, Makoto a.k.a Sailor Jupiter again, and Hotaru again fell pregnant. Here is how each happened: Hotaru had gone through birthing Erika, which came out smoothly, but this time did not happen. Erika's father was a tall, dark-skinned man, but he left Hotaru when he found out the baby had his skin tone as he wanted a daughter with Hotaru's skin. So, Hotaru had gotten together with a similar man, and she was expecting again, yet this man left her when he found out about the baby, not even knowing what he/she would look like. So, Hotaru was heartbroken throughout the early days of her pregnancy, but Neo-Queen Serenity knew this could kill the baby and was there to calm and comfort the young Senshi, all the girls were.
Hotaru did not want to neglect Erika in such a state, so she was sent to Souichi Tomoe, Hotaru's father, to raise, informing him Erika will have a sister or brother soon. For his part, Souichi was overjoyed his timid, frail, and lonely daughter had become an outgoing, friendly, strong, confident, and fearless warrior, even though she had her heart broken twice, AND he was going to have TWO grandchildren! Sadly, Hotaru was unsure if her 2nd child would even come to exist as she began to feel sick over the first few months, not normal morning sickness, more like as sick as had been when she was possessed by Mistress 9! However, Neo-Queen Serenity's Silver Crystal did not sense anything evil there, so Hotaru had to accept this might be normal. The next shock is when Hotaru started to have her baby on Feb. 13...25 weeks in (6 months!)
Haruka drove Hotaru to the hospital with Setsuna and Michiru for support. Trisha (8 years old) and Holly (3 1/2 years old) l wanted to help too, so they stayed quiet but put their hands either on Hotaru's and smiled comfortingly, and Hotaru could not help but smile back.
"Hang on, Hotaru. We're almost there!" Haruka tried to sound encouraging, but she was a bit panicked inside.
"I know your child is going to be as strong as you..." Setsuna was concerned, but she could feel through her connection to the Underworld this child would not die at this stage in life.
"And as beautiful," Michiru added, though worried too as they thought 25 weeks is too early.
"Thank you. I appreciate the compliments. I wish I could have my baby at my palace, Titan Castle, though..." Hotaru moaned.
Titan Castle, located on Saturn's moon of the same name, is a breathtaking, lilac-colored, swirly structure! It was given to Sailor Saturn by Queen Serenity when she was born and housed in the Holy Grail's power.
"It's not your fault the baby decided to come early," Haruka commented.
"Is there anything I can do to help ease your pain, Hotaru?" Trisha questioned.
Before Hotaru could answer, Holly, piped up.
"Hotaru, boo-boo?" Holly asked, reaching up and kissing Hotaru on the cheek, hoping to make her "boo-boo" better.
"Thank you, Holly. Just being here for me is enough. Thank you, Trisha." Hotaru hugged the two girls gently.
At the hospital, Hotaru was actually able to give birth with no complications in that area. Still, the baby was taken to NICU (Neonatal *Newborn* Intensive Care Unit) only a minute after seeing her. Setsuna, Trisha, Haruka, Holly, and Michiru tried to console Hotaru. A few minutes later, a nurse came in.
"I'm sorry for the unpleasant separation, and I regret to inform you that your baby is quite sick. We are doing everything to improve her breathing, heartbeat, getting a feeding tube attached, and taking blood samples. She is no bigger than a head of cauliflower at 13.6 inches in length and 1.5 lbs." The nurse promised as she saw the young, distraught mother, but the nurse had to leave to make sure the baby would live.
After a few hours, a doctor came in with the same nurse.
"Miss Tomoe, I'm Dr. Niro. I'm your baby's pediatrician and primary care physician. I'm happy to inform you, your baby's breathing is getting better. Low blood pressure was detected, but she's being administered medicine. It's helping close a blood vessel next to the heart called "the duct," the blood vessels on the back of her eyes are growing too fast, causing retinopathy, but you don't need to worry about that until she's, at least, 25 years of age. Also, she may have mild learning disabilities, but other than that, brain, blood, and movement are all normal." Dr, Niro informed.
"So... she's going to survive?" Hotaru prayed she was right.
"Yes." The doctor let the small family rejoice. "Now, we need to discuss your...um...feeding as your baby will get hungry often." Dr. Niro picked his words carefully as Trisha and Holly were paying close attention as they believed good children should.
"I'm not certain if Hotaru is healthy enough to feed her baby." Setsuna had not needed to breastfeed Trisha, Haruka, and Michiru had decided on formula, and though Minako did breastfeed, she had been healthy.
Hotaru had been sick in her previous life and reborn to age rapidly until her Sailor Saturn powers emerged, so was she safe enough to breastfeed?
"If she decides not to, due to health complications, the baby can have formula milk." Dr. Niro offered.
"No! I want to hold her." Hotaru complained.
"Hotaru! We all want to see you hold your daughter, but you have to think of what's best for her...and you." Haruka spoke, forcing Hotaru to decide on the formula milk option.
Months passed, and Hotaru visited her baby as often as she could, being a Sailor Senshi. Also, Hotaru volunteered to bring Trisha, Holly (now 4 years old), and Gracie (1-year-old) because it was only fair for the new Sailor Senshi to see Emily as Hotaru had named her daughter. What troubled Hotaru the most now is Emily, being born so early, had been too sick to show any signs of being the new Sailor Saturn, but she was healthier now, wasn't she? Fewer tubes meant stronger to Hotaru. So, why was she still not showing any response?
"Emily...You have to survive. We need you, and the universe needs a Sailor Saturn. Your so strong. You can beat this." Trisha recited as the symbol for Pluto shimmered on her forehead, and, amazingly, so did Holly and Gracie's!
With three Sailor Senshi activating their power at once in such proximity, Emily's Saturn symbol burst to life on her forehead, and she opened her brown eyes and began to wail.
"Emily..." Hotaru sobbed in joy as nurses rushed into the room and began adjusting Emily's monitors, only to realize her readings were all normal.
Puzzled but accepting this anomaly, Hotaru was allowed to take Emily home! Not quite understanding how they did it, but overjoyed they did, Trisha and Holly jumped for joy as Emily was finally strong enough to come home! Though not even a year old, Emily loved to crawl behind the other girls alongside Gracie, no matter where they were. Emily just liked to experience everything her friends did. Emily is not like Hotaru at all and the fact she had friends, who loved and cared about her, is why she survived.