"So, where are we exactly? I don't exactly have a road map of the galaxy…"
"Ah, yes this is you're first time here, isn't it?" Setsuna asked, a smile playing across her lips. "This is where I live… when I'm not with you guys." She added when she saw confusion surface on Hotaru's face. "This is my Temple of Time. This is where I watch the universe, for all time.
"Ah… I see." Hotaru replied. "I missed you, Setsuna. Why were you gone so long?" Hotaru asked her. She couldn't help but smile as she sat there talking to a dear… friend. She always admired Setsuna. She thought she was drop dead beautiful, kind and compassionate, and so smart, too.
"Well… I missed you, too. I've just had a lot to do. I've been scanning time for a while. Something big will happen soon. And, Firefly, I must say, you're gonna have a big part in the future proceedings." Setsuna smiled back at the teen. "I must say, though, that I get lonely here. It's nice to have some company. Which reminds me, how exactly did you get here?" She sent a sceptical look at Hotaru, who hung her head.
"I don't really know… I just wanted to get away from
everyone. It's one of those things that
'you-don't-know-how-to-do-it-but-deep-down-inside-there's-that-sailor-part-of-you-that-knows-everything-and-always-gets-you-out-of-jams'."
Hotaru said it all in one breath, and the Pluto couldn't help but giggle.
Hotaru did, too, and soon they were laughing uncontrollably.
"Yeah, I know that feeling all too well. I remember, ages
ago, as far back as I remember, I had no idea what I was doing, but there was
this voice inside me that always pulled me through.
"Exactly! When I first became Saturn, I had no idea what was going on, I just did stuff that a voice told me to do!" Hotaru agreed.
"Yeah, but over the years, I got used to the feeling, and
it was like I integrated that person into who I am, and it's made me stronger."
Pluto said. "Although, there are the times that I wish I was normal. Just to
have fun and be myself without worrying about the whole concept of time
continuum."
After a brief pause, Hotaru spoke up. "I know. Everyone
hates me because I'm the Senshi of death and destruction. I hate it, it really
tears you up." Setsuna took her hand and wrapped her arm around her slender
shoulders. "It's not like I want to be death, even saying I'm death doesn't
sound right, as if that's not the whole truth… but… I don't know, I just feel
like they're not giving me a chance. They don't say much to me, it's like
they're all afraid that I'll hurt them. I can see why they think that, not many
people last very long around me, but it still hurts. I'm so lonely, all the
time." Hotaru let out a bitter laugh, trying to hold back tears. "And the irony
gets to me, because I've thought about killing myself, but what good would that
do?" she asked Setsuna. 'I've thought about it, too, little one.'
"What's the point when you just keep getting reborn, eh?"
Setsuna said. Being the Keeper of Time, she's wondered the same things over and
over. "But don't think like that, firefly, cause what would happen if you did?
I'd have to wait until you grow up all over again to have a friend to talk
to."
"Setsuna, you like me… don't you?" Hotaru asked. That question caught her off guard, and she didn't know what to say. She looked down at the young woman's slender face and deep violet eyes.
"Of course I do! What ever would make you think
otherwise? I love you as if you were my daughter.