Ages:
Hotaru: 13
Sora: 14
Riku: 15
Selphie: 13
Wakka: 15
Tidus: 13
Leon: 25
Yuffie: 16
Cid: 42
Cloud: 22
Kairi: 14
Hotaru Goes to Destiny Islands
Chapter One
By:
Vale (Saturn Angels)
The raven-haired girl sat silently in deep thought on an old wooden park bench that was weather stained with rain and harsh sunlight. She felt numb almost, the day before it had rained but she felt that the rain would suit this day much more then yesterday. Her father and her mother…her Haruka-papa…and Michiru-mama… she shut her eyes tightly not wanting to dwell on the memory for fear of breaking out into sobs again. The doctor had called her home a few hours ago saying that her guardians had been in an accident. He had said guardians…they were more like parents then anyone had ever been. He told her that they had been in a severe accident and were rushed to the emergency room. Hotaru had immediately alerted the other senshi and asked Usagi to drive her as quickly as possible to the hospital they were staying at and had waited in the damn waiting room that smelled thickly of medicines, cigarettes, and perfume. The other senshi, including Setsuna, were at the hospital as well, probably still were. She couldn't stand it any longer though… she couldn't cope with the fact that after so many cycles of rebirth…Haruka and Michiru might not come back to her.
So here she was.
Sitting on an old wooden chair trying to make herself believe that it was all just a nightmare. But the pain was all too real to just be some dream. She missed them already and they weren't even in their grave yet. She hated to think of what she would do at their funeral…
With a loud cry she buried her head in her hands, her messy hair clinging around her face creating a sort of curtain as she sat hunched over,They aren't going to die… she thought sullenly and as if there was another person inside her head she answered herself
Then why do you have to remind yourself?
She shuddered she could see it now… she would be clinging onto her mama's closed casket sobbing and creating a scene…then later her birth father would send some policemen to check on her later that day at her house to make sure she hadn't killed herself. The only one of her adoptive parents that was, and always would be living was her Setsuna-mama. Setsuna…was the guardian of time, Sailor Pluto. She must have known about what would happen. But why didn't she tell us?? Hotaru felt completely lost…she felt as if the bottom of her life had just suddenly fallen out; she had no center anymore. Her world was turned upside down and she felt as if the contents were spilling out somehow. She felt empty.
It was then that her communicator, which Haruka had rightfully dubbed -the watch thingy, began beeping. She sniffled and answered trying to make her eyes look less red, though she really couldn't tell the extent of which they looked so she just had to settle by straightening her hair a bit. Once she opened her communicator; so to speak, Usagi's face appeared on the miniscule screen.
"Hotaru! You have to get over here! The doctor is just bringing us some news on Haruka and Michiru's current situation." Hotaru nodded slightly, she was pretty sure she knew what the doctor was going to say, though she just nodded and said she was on her way. She stood up and grabbed her bag figuring she should take it with her just in case she had to stay there the night. Her eyes began watering again and she felt like just sitting down in a really, really deep hole and curling up into a ball and staying there for eternity. She didn't want Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama to die. What would the world do without Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune? Why was this happening to them? Why now?
Oh yeah. That's right. The Sailor Senshi weren't allowed to have peace and quiet. Nope. Something always had to make either: one or all of their lives living hells.
She was walking towards the hospital now…down the gray cement path that led to her destination. She really felt that there was much more that Setsuna wasn't telling her. When she got to the hospital she would be sure to confront Setsuna-mama about her feelings.
It was about a minute later when she reached the hospital, she walked in passing through the big silver gates that reflected the sunlight, like a mirror of some sort, passed the small gardens which were on each side of the gravel path that led to the hospital's front door. Some little children were playing in the garden on her left side chasing butterflies while their mother sat on one of the stone tables sobbing with her head resting on her arms on the tabletop. Hotaru gave an understanding glance at the mother, who didn't really seem to notice as she kept weeping.
Hotaru gave a sharp sigh as she walked through the electronic double doors which slid open when she was two feet in front of them. She walked in and prepared herself for the worst. She walked to the room where she was sure still sat all seven senshi. Chibiusa had returned for the future just to comfort everyone, she had found out about Michiru and Haruka because one day she woke up and Haruka and Michiru were no longer in the palace.
Which, everyone knew, meant that they weren't going to live.
Though Setsuna looked strangely calm about all of it…like it was part of her huge master plan or something. She opened the door to the lobby and immediately the senshi turned to look at her.
"Hotaru…I'm glad you came," Usagi said with a sad, comforting smile.
"The doctor said he'd be back in a few seconds with Haruka and Michiru's report…" Ami said slowly.
All Hotaru could do was nod and sit down between Setsuna and Chibiusa.
Chibiusa put a hand on Hotaru's shoulder trying to comfort her.
Setsuna sat still looking a bit impatient as the doctor took his sweet time in walking towards the group again.
The doctor approached them holding a notepad and a pen, which he had taken from one of the shirt pockets in his white laboratory coat, "I have bad news for you all…" he said slowly as if he had to choose his words carefully. "According to our reports and statistics on both Ms. Kaiou, and Ms. Tenou… they won't make it through the night. They probably only have…less than an hour to live. We're doing all we can to save them, but nothing seems to be working." He paused to let them take in all he was saying.
"Can we visit them?" Rei asked as her eyes began glistening with held back tears.
The doctor nodded, "Of course. Take all the time you need…but if they're resting, I ask you not to disturb them…"
Everyone nodded and the doctor called a nurse over to show all of them to Michiru and Haruka's hospital room.
They walked in silence, their footsteps echoing eerily through the empty hallway. The nurse turned then held open a door and let the senshi enter the room, "I'll be back in a few minutes to give them their injections. At that time I'll ask you all to leave."
Makoto, Usagi, and Minako stood by Haruka's bed. Chibiusa and Hotaru stood in-between them both. And Ami, Setsuna, and Rei stood by Michiru's bed. Michiru's eyes parted slightly and she groaned a bit. Hotaru rushed to her mother's side and looked worriedly over her.
"Michi-mama…" she whispered quietly fearing that if she spoke too loud, her fragile mother would die somehow. "Michi-mama…how are you feeling…?"
Michiru blinked slightly, "Hotaru? Is that you…?" she asked sounding confused, "Where…?" she looked around a bit, "I can't see very well…what's wrong with me? My head hurts…"
Hotaru grasped Michiru's hand, "Don't worry Michi-mama…you'll be fine. You're in the hospital right now…"
Michiru's eyes widened slightly as she seemed to recall everything that had happened, "Where's Haruka?!" she tried to sit up, but because at least three of her ribs were snapped she lay back down in pain.
"Haruka-san is in the bed next to you…" Ami said quietly.
Michiru bit her bottom lip as her breathing became labored, "What's wrong with me?"
"…You're internally bleeding…and you've punctured some of your organs…" Rei said softly as she held onto Michiru's other hand.
Michiru closed her eyes and let out a sigh, "How long?"
"Not very long…" Setsuna said walking to Michiru's bedside.
Michiru nodded slightly, "And Haruka?"
"Not much longer." Setsuna answered looking grim.
Michiru nodded again then looked towards Hotaru then back at Setsuna, "Is the rebirth cycle ending for us? Or will be reborn to protect our Usagi-hime?"
Setsuna looked a bit taken aback by the question but put her head down and shook her head uncertainly, then looked up, "It depends…"
Michiru, strangely enough, nodded and seemed to understand.
It was then that all of them noticed that there was a long beeping sound. Just one long note and they looked over to the heart monitor to see the green squiggly line straighten into one long line that went from one side of the screen to the other.
Hotaru let out a strangled cry as she knelt by Michiru's bed, laying her head on the edge of the bed, and; still holding Michiru's hand, began weeping.
By this time Usagi, Ami, Hotaru, Chibiusa, and Minako were crying softly.
"Hey, Haruka is beginning to wake up!" Makoto said and the ones who were by Michiru's bed reluctantly left it and walked over to Haruka.
"Hotaru-chan!" Haruka said with a small smile, "Glad you could come to my death."
Hotaru let out a small breath of exasperation, "Haruka-papa, you shouldn't say things like that…!"
Haruka waved her hand a bit, "Yeah, yeah…" she suddenly became very serious, "…I know when it's my time, Hotaru-chan," she said with a small reassuring smile, "Hey…but maybe I'll get to make it to heaven this time!" she held her hand up to her mouth as she suddenly began coughing, the senshi were concerned at the sight of the blood that dripped from her fingertips, "Where's Michi?" she asked looking at the group around her.
Everyone put their heads down and Haruka looked at Hotaru, "What happened to Michiru!?" she yelled becoming agitated and fearful of the answer. "Where is she!?"
Hotaru frowned, "M-Michi-mama is gone. She died scant seconds before you woke up…"
It was at that time that everyone turned to look at Michiru's bed, where she lie completely still and unmoving; her creamy skin looking as pale as death.
Haruka drew in a deep breath as she too saw the sight, "Michiru!" she cried but there was no response. "Why haven't the doctors noticed yet!? Where are they!!!"
"They'll be here any moment…Haruka you should calm yourself…" Setsuna said as she placed a hand on Haruka's forehead.
Haruka seemed to obey Setsuna's order as she exhaled slowly and reached her hand as far as she could so she could intertwine her fingers with those of her love, "Ja ne minna…see you again sometime…" she mumbled before her heart monitor was reduced to that one tone signifying that both senshi had passed now.
Hotaru drew a deep, shaky breath and followed the other senshi out of the room. Once they were outside once more everyone gave her either a hug or some other form of trying to comfort her. Setsuna drove Hotaru back to their Outer's mansion, they drove in silence and when they drove up the driveway they stayed in the car remaining silent. The house seemed dark and empty without Haruka and Michiru…it was as if the house itself knew that two of its owners were not returning. Hotaru would be living alone now…
And that scared the hell out of her.
"I know what you're thinking Hotaru…" Setsuna began quietly then spoke normally, "You're thinking that I knew this was going to happen…and you're angry with me for not forewarning you."
Hotaru glanced at Setsuna.
"And you're right. I wasn't sure about it…but…I had the idea. It was…the only way they could get you to help."
"They?" Hotaru asked confused.
"It's in another world. In fact there are many worlds. Each star…is a different world. Scientists…believe that stars blow up sooner or later, though…that happens when a world is destroyed. Astronomers are noting that…many stars are "blowing up" at this time. They're blinking out one by one. A few days ago someone visited me from a different world…he didn't give me his name, but Hotaru…you've been chosen to save different worlds from destruction."
Hotaru furrowed her eyebrows, in confusion trying to comprehend what all of this meant.
"If you don't do this Hotaru, our own world…will eventually vanish. Do you accept?"
Without even a second thought Hotaru nodded, "Mission…accepted."
Setsuna looked relieved and she hugged her adoptive daughter, "I'm so proud of you Hotaru. Haruka and Michiru would be proud too…"
Hotaru sniffled slightly, even with this new mission coming up…it still hurt extremely to even think of her parents.
Setsuna pulled away from Hotaru, "Get your stuff ready in your subspace pocket. You leave tonight."
~*~*~End Chapter One~*~*~
Vale: Yeah…I know, their deaths were a bit rushed but I'm getting a headache ^^; I may revise this a bit later on, but I'm not going to right now so *sticks tongue out* bweh!
Vale: Please review and I'll tell the Easter Bunny to visit you on Christmas so you two can…erm…push Santa off the roof or something! ^^; Please, please review! I have confidence in this fic and if hardly any people review my confidence will be shattered and I won't update any of my fics! And I'll er…erase all of the other's new chapters for their stories so you won't get ANY updates from this penname! If you flame I will hunt you down with a shotgun and …I'll wear a bulletproof vest! Yeah!
Arnvid: …Vale, you really are retarded aren't you? Scare 98% of our readers away why don't you!
Vale: …hmph. Oh yeah! Do you guys want me to hook her up with Riku, or Sora...or someone else?? VOTE PWEASE! (I'm probably gonna do Riku/Hotaru since I LOVE RIKU!!!!!!!! He's mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) *runs off with a little Riku plushie*
