For those of you who need a timeline to work with, this comes from the manga
(I'm more familiar with the manga version of S). This is just after Hotaru's
mother died. I'd say Hotaru's about 8 or 9 (didn't the manga say her mother
died when she was 8, correct me if I'm wrong)


Just for a reference, I LOVE feedback, even harsh (my English
teachers used to specialize in that department). I'll even
accept grammer errors. Write to me (queenserana@yahoo.com).

Disclaimers: I don't own Sailor Moon. I'm just a broke college student.

Firefly's Dream

by

Electra_D.

The wind was hot and dry as it blew across Hotaru's face as she sat in the
grass.

"Hotaru, come inside, it's time for bed," a warm voice called.

"Just a minute, Papa. I want to watch the fireflies," she
begged, turning enormous violet eyes up at him.

"Well . . . " he hesitated, "Alright."

He was rewarded with a beautiful grin before the small black head whipped
around and returned to her object of study. Hotaru watched mesmerized as the
fireflies danced before her. Soon, they would begin to glow, she observed, and
she trembled with anticipation. Hotaru's eyes lit up with amazement as they
began to shine one by one, and she leapt up to catch one of them. She ran
around the yard, her hands grasping everywhere, trying in vain to catch one of
them. But they were too quick for her, and she collapsed, exhausted. Tears
welled up in her eyes, and she wiped at them with fists balled up in
frustration. Her father, who had been watching the scene with amusement, ran
over and caught her up in his arms.

"I think it is definitely bedtime for you, young lady," he said
firmly, but his eyes were smiling.

"But Papa," Hotaru protested as the tears began once more, "I just wanted
to catch one of them and show it my room."

"Well, they must be silly fireflies indeed to turn down an offer like
that."

Hotaru smiled at him despite herself. "It would have been my . . ." she
searched for the word she wanted, her brow furrowed up in
concentration. "What was that word in the story we were reading the other
night, the one that began with a C?"

"Ah,' he nodded in understanding as he entered the house and carried her up
to her room, "I believe the word you want is confidant."

"That's it," she confirmed, "I wanted a confidant." Her eyes were shining
as she spoke, as she thought how grownup and elegant she must sound.

"Well, I'm sure that you'll find that confidant of yours," her
father said gently as he laid her down in bed and pulled the covers over her.

Hotaru smiled in her sleep as she dreamed of the future, of the day when
she would meet a friend whom she could share secrets with and who would take her
up on an invitation to see her room.