Chibi-Usa was alone with Hotaru, as they sat along the edge of a giant crater. Hotaru seemed distant, as if she was in deep thought, but Chibi-Usa could tell it was more that that. 'Oh the things I want to tell you, Hotaru!' Chibi-Usa thought as she looked at the girl once more. Chibi-Usa, while she was in the future, had been told what was going to happen, and the tasks she needed to do, but she was also burdened with the fact that numerous paradoxes would form if she deviated from her work. She wanted to tell Hotaru about all the things she had seen in the future, how Hotaru was one of the Sailor Senshi chosen to protect the kingdom. She wanted to tell of all the wonderful things she would do, all the happiness she'll have, but Chibi-Usa knew that she couldn't. If only she could tell her about the family she'd have, who she's destined for… maybe then she'd have a little more hope for the future. But then, she didn't know if that future would stay the same, with this new enemy appearing straight out of nowhere, even through time. She also wanted to tell her of the things that would happen in the upcoming future. She hated knowing that her friend would be in pain, but she had promised on many occasions to Setsuna that she wouldn't notify Hotaru. It could severely damage the timeline.
Chibi-Usa, in the future, loved spending every minute available with Hotaru, who was her chosen guardian and protector. Hotaru and Chibi-Usa loved being together, not out of duty, but of friendship and love. They did have a couple disputes, like last month when Chibi-Usa had… never mind, but they always worked around that. It was during a walk in the park that she first got a glimpse of what would send her on a dangerous mission.
*Flashback*
They were walking through a park in Crystal Tokyo, Chibi-Usa and Hotaru. Setsuna would have been there with them, but something urgent had called her away. Hotaru had pried herself away from her duties and family, and Chibi-Usa and Hotaru were playing on the swings, when suddenly Hotaru cried out in pain and collapsed onto the ground. Chibi-Usa had run over to her, and was trying to wake her up, but it seemed like Hotaru was fading in and out of reality. Before Chibi-Usa could call out for help. Sailor Pluto appeared out of a time gate. She appeared pretty bruised and beaten, but otherwise didn't show any outward signs of a battle.
"Setsuna, what's wrong with her?" Chibi-Usa asked, her eyes glazing over with tears.
"A disturbance in time… something's happening in the past that is affecting Hotaru. She won't even exist here." Setsuna said, placing her hand over Hotaru's forehead. The sigil appeared, and a dark red glow emanated out of Hotaru's body. Setsuna carefully picked up the prone Hotaru and, with Chibi-Usa close behind, created a warp point to the Gates of time.
*End Flashback*
And so it stayed that Hotaru, protected by Sailor Pluto,
was shielded for a time from the changes in the past. Pluto said that an enemy
had corrupted the timeline, and was affecting the past. After hours of
discussions with Neo-Queen Serenity, they decided it was best for Chibi-Usa to
go back and see what might have happened. They knew some details, but the rest
was sketchy.
And so she was sent, sitting here beside Hotaru while the others decided the best course of action. Hotaru looked sullenly at the sky, then over at Chibi-Usa. She slowly got up, then dusted herself off.
"Chibi-Usa… thank you for being here. And for not asking any questions. And for being my friend…" Hotaru said slowly. Chibi-Usa nodded.
"You're quite welcome. It means just as much to me just seeing you here." Chibi-Usa replied, smiling at her best friend, afraid to think of a time where she might not exist. She weakly smiled back. "Come on, let's go see what the others are up to." Chibi-Usa said, grabbing her hand and puling her off in their direction. Hotaru resisted, but finally gave up and followed her.
"So, guys, what'cha talkin' about?" Chibi-Usa asked as they approached the others, who stood in a circle.
"We're trying to figure some stuff out. If we should go home or not, what's been happening, who's been attacking us…" Ami spoke up. At the mentioning of the attacker, Michiru and Haruka's eyes darted towards Hotaru, who looked to the ground.