The school day seemed to drag on forever. Hotaru glared at the clock, trying to make the minute hand move faster than it really was. When the bell rang at three, Hotaru raced out of the classroom, threw a few books in her bag, and began to run home at top speed.
Hotaru had been thinking about
Adrian the whole day. She'd tried to
pay attention during class, but her thoughts kept drifting back to him. Hotaru had a hard time thinking up excuses
for the teachers when a few of them caught her dreamily staring out of the
window during the lesson.
"Thank
God I convinced them not to tell the others." Hotaru thought as she rounded the corner to her house.
Her face fell as she came into view
of the driveway: Empty.
"The
car isn't here. They must still be
shopping." Hotaru said to herself, "I
was hoping he'd be here by the time I got home."
Hotaru walked a little more slowly,
dragging her feet as she opened the door and entered the house. She took off her coat and put her keys down.
"Is
anyone home?" She asked.
"In
here kitten." Haruka answered.
Hotaru
walked into the kitchen to find Haruka sitting at the table.
"How
was school today?"
"It
was ok. Although I did get a lot of
homework because of the long week-end." Hotaru said as she sat down.
"Well,
I want you to try and finish it soon. It looks like we're going to have a busy week-end."
"Um…Haruka-papa?" Hotaru began, "Are Adrian and Michiru-mama
home yet? The car isn't in the
driveway."
"Oh
they finished their shopping and were home before lunch. Michiru had to go back out and get some more
food. That baka has a black hole for a
stomach! I'd wager that his appetite is
worse than Usagi's is!"
"You
mean he's here?!" Hotaru said
excitedly.
"Yea,
he's in your room." Haruka pointed down
the hall. "Been in there since
lunch. Said something about cleaning
up."
"I
think I'll go start my homework now." Hotaru announced standing up (Not looking too excited.).
Hotaru picked up her school bag and
went quickly to her room. She opened
the door and peeked in.
"Adrian,
are you in…here?"
Hotaru looked in astonishment. Her room was completely fixed. All the debris was gone, and her wall was
intact. Still looking rather amazed,
she walked in and shut the door behind her. And then she saw Adrian. It
looked like he had been waiting for her and fallen asleep on the bed. Hotaru couldn't help staring at him. He was barefoot, wearing long blue jeans and
a white shirt with a button up front.
Hotaru walked over and sat down
beside him. She took her hand and
gently caressed his face. He smiled.
"Welcome
home Taru." He said opening his eyes.
"I
thought you were asleep!" Hotaru said
blushing.
"I
was, but I heard you and woke up. Didn't feel like getting up, so I thought I'd stay put and let you come
wake me up. This could become an
afternoon ritual." Adrian said, still
smiling.
He got up and wrapped his arms
around Hotaru, kissing her lightly on the lips.
"So
what happened to my wall?" Hotaru asked
after their kiss had ended.
"I
used a little magic and fixed it up for you. I noticed last night that the monster had made a little mess out of your
room. I couldn't allow you to live in
that, so I took the liberty of fixing it. It left me a little exhausted, and I fell asleep while I was waiting for
you."
"Thank
you." Hotaru said, giving Adrian
another kiss.
They sat there in each other's arms,
saying nothing. After a few moments,
Hotaru looked up.
"Adrian?"
"Yes
Taru."
"I
was wondering, how did you get the star crystal? I thought you gave it to me?"
"I
was wondering about that too. After
your…after you were killed, and I went to the Moon Kingdom, it just appeared in
front of me one day. But just seeing it
gave me hope. I knew I would see you again
someday, and return it to you."
Hotaru looked at the star pendant.
"It's
very pretty. It shines just like the
silver crystal. I'm glad you returned
it to me, but it made me even happier to be reunited with you, Adrian."
"Me
too. I love you, my firefly." Adrian said, pulling her closer to him.
Just then the door opened.
"Alright,
break it up!" Haruka said as she
entered the room.
"Do
you mind, we are having a moment here." Adrian said.
"Hotaru,
you are supposed to be doing your homework."
"But
Haruka-papa…"
"No
buts young lady, get straight to the books. And I want you out of here." She
said pointing at Adrian, "Why don't you earn your keep and go do some work
around the house."
"Work! What do you call that?!" Adrian pointed at the wall. "It didn't just grow overnight, that took me
a lot of work!"
"Sure. Snapping your fingers and saying a few words
is a lot of work." Haruka said
sarcastically, "Now get to your homework Hotaru. And you, get out!"
"You
are really starting to annoy me grandma."
"WHAT!"
~
"Why
are you doing this
Haruka-papa!" Hotaru said, almost in
tears.
"This is a little extreme Haruka." Michiru said as she watched Haruka lock the door to Adrian's room, with him in it.
"I
don't trust him Michiru. At least this
way I'll know where he is."
"But
Adrian would never do anything to me!" Hotaru pleaded with her, "Can't I at least say goodnight to him?"
"I'm
not opening this door until morning. Now get yourself to bed young lady."
"Fine!" Hotaru said, stomping to her door,
"Goodnight Michiru-mama, Setsuna-mama…HARUKA-PAPA!" She yelled before slamming the door shut.
"That
was a little harsh." A male voice said
behind her.
Hotaru turned around to see around
to see Adrian sitting on her bed. She
rushed over and jumped into his arms.
"Adrian! How did you get in here?"
"With
a little magic. Haruka seriously doubts
my powers."
"They
also call that using the window."
"Yea,
that too." Adrian smiled.
They both looked at each other and
laughed.
"I'm
sorry." Hotaru said to him,
"Haruka-papa can be a little extreme at times."
"It's
alright," Adrian said as Hotaru lay down beside him, "She's only like that
because she cares about you."
"I
know. I just wish that she wouldn't
take it so hard on you."
"Don't
worry, we'll get through it together."
Hotaru yawned as she snuggled closer
to Adrian. He wrapped his arms around
her.
"Goodnight
Taru. Sweet dreams." Adrian said before they both fell asleep.
A few hours later everyone in the
house was asleep. The moon shone
through the window onto the sleeping couple. Everything was quiet. Suddenly,
light began to come from Hotaru's mirror. A dark portal opened up, and a shadow came through and made it's way
toward the two sleeping figures. Sensing something wrong, Adrian jumped up, waking Hotaru up in the
process. Then, dark hands grew from the
shadow.
"Watch
out Hotaru!" Adrian said and shielded
her.
The hands shot out, and grabbed onto
Adrian. They knocked him down to the
floor and pulled him toward the portal. Hotaru grabbed on and pulled him as hard as she could. But the shadow was too strong. They ripped Adrian from Hotaru and pulled
him through the portal.
"ADRIAN!" Hotaru screamed.
~
Adrian looked helplessly as he was
torn from the woman he loved.
"HOTARU!" He screamed back as her face disappeared.
"Hotaru…no." Adrian said clenching his teeth.
"Well,
long time no see."
Adrian spun around upon hearing the
voice.
"Metallia!"
Queen Metallia sat before him on a
throne holding a small crystal ball, a look of triumph on her face.
"Metallia! Why? What do you want with me?!"
"With
YOU?" She said, standing up, "Oh don't
make me laugh! I could care less about
you now. But I need you if my plan is
going to work."
"Plan? What plan?"
"A
little trap that I've set. I only
needed something to attract my prey, and you turned out to be the perfect
bait." She said smiling evilly.
"The
perfect bait? Wait, you don't mean…"
Adrian's eyes opened wide in horror, "Oh God! Hotaru!!"