Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon, or Kingdom Hearts! There, I said it…again.

Vale: n_n Big thanks to all who reviewed!!! Well, Since only one person paid attention to my little poll of Sora/Kairi I'll only put a lil' bit of it in *sigh*

Arnvid: See? Now Vale will sink into depression and become so fat that she won't fit in her room.

Vale: *eating French fries and sobbing*

Arnvid: See?

Vale: Hm? *sniffles then glares at fries accusingly* NO! I refuse to let Arnvid be proven right!! *goes to aerobics class*

Arnvid: …^^;

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 Four
By:
Vale (Saturn Angels)

~*Last Time*~

"I get top bunk."

Hotaru pouted slightly as she jumped from the ladder and fell onto the bed on bottom. She became only slightly aware of Riku's presence and the redish-orange glow coming from the window as the sun set. The bed was so comforting after a long hectic day that seemed like a never-ending nightmare. She tried to convince herself to wake up but her body wasn't complying with her wishes. She took a deep breath before she fell to the will of sleep.

Just a bad…dream…

~*This Time*~

It wasn't until hours later that Hotaru woke up though she felt like it had only been a few minutes since she had closed her eyes. She looked out the small window and saw that the night was dark. She noticed that that the moon wasn't out night making what shadows there were seem more ominous. She was about to go back to sleep when she remembered her lost communicator. After some consideration she slid out of bed careful not to wake anyone.

She decided it was a bit too risky to climb out of the window so she instead tiptoed to the door of the hut and once outside safely she walked down the steps. It was a calm night, with a warm breeze but underlying it all Hotaru could sense something boding evil. Suddenly feeling that the warm, welcoming breeze had turned harsh and distant she pulled her cardigan closer to her frail body but continued walking until she felt the soft sand beneath her boots. "This should be around wear I left it…" she mumbled to herself trying not to wet her feet in the tide.

"Come out, come out wherever you are…" she said incoherently speaking to herself as her eyes continued to dart along the sandy surface. "I seriously hope it didn't get washed into the ocean." Hotaru paused in her search to look out at the horizon, she noticed that storm clouds were beginning to approach the island, "Oh great." Hotaru watched the clouds move steadily closer then she deepened her voice to sound like a news-reporter, "Hotaru reaches the island and suddenly a storm approaches like one the island has never seen before. Watch as Hotaru is the only survivor and is left alone, as always."

It always seemed to work out that way, kill off Hotaru's new friends and kill off a little bit of Hotaru, she'd just be a lifeless shell unwilling to live anymore if this continued to happen. A long time passed like that: Hotaru staring out at the storm clouds deep in thought as they approached seemingly gaining speed.

Then she sighed and was about to give up her search for her communicator all together when a muffled beeping sound met her ears. "Perfect timing!" Hotaru exclaimed, a bit louder then she had intended to but she didn't care. She dropped to her knees listening more closely to the noise, "Left…left…left…forward," she paused where she heard the noise loudest and began digging, in less then five seconds she had uncovered it and by instinct she flipped the top up so she could see and hear the person communicating with her. The link was fuzzy so she couldn't see the person's image.

???: Go to the docks.

"The docks?" Hotaru asked confused, "Setsuna, is that you?"

Pfffffffffft. Crackle. Silence.

"Setsuna?" Hotaru asked again even though she knew that the connection had been lost. She only had the option of trusting the person, so that's what she did. She stood and brushed as much sand as she could from her pants and fixed her communicator so it was around her wrist like a normal watch would be, she began running towards the pier all the while trying to keep her hair from flying into her face.

She made it to the docks just as the wind seriously began to pick up she looked up for any sign of what to do next and what, or rather who, she saw wasn't quite who she expected. "Riku?" her question was lost in the fierce winds and she had to repeat it much louder to get even the slightest reaction.

At first she wasn't sure if he had heard her until he turned to look at her questioningly, he asked her something but she couldn't understand what he said.

He continued looking at her puzzled yet nonchalant and he raised his voice so his next question could be heard, "What are you doing here…?"

Hotaru paused she couldn't really say, 'looking for my magical item that allows me to communicate with people from another universe' that would sound too…strange. "I was looking for some fresh air." She tried to push back the hair from her face, "This is a bit much! Eheh…ehe…"

He furrowed his brow at her, allowing only the small twitch of his lips to show that he had recognized what she said as a joke. He pushed back some of his own silvery-blue hair out of his face, "You should go inside. You are not a part of this."

"I'm more a part of it then you are." Hotaru replied out of instinct, she hadn't really meant to say anything like that. He raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth to say something but of course that was when he just had to break the eye contact and look down at the ground in surprise. So of course again by instinct Hotaru followed his gaze and her eyes widened when she saw that every inch of the ground was covered in shadow; like a thick blanket. It was no regular shadow just sort of a vast darkness that seemed to be trying to drag everything down with it.

So of course Hotaru wasn't completely surprised that she began feeling a gentle tugging at her feet. But she didn't exactly want to live the rest of her natural borne life in such a immeasurable emptiness so she did what any normal person would do.

She let out the breath she had been holding in a short yelp as she tried to stumble forward to grasp something to help her out of the void.

But the more she struggled the faster she seemed to sink in, like quick sand. To say she was a bit frightened would be an understatement. Just because she represented death didn't mean she felt no fear.

Before her head was completely submerged she felt someone grab her hand.

Riku! Hotaru thought thankful that someone was there to save her.

"Hotaru!" Riku called as he tried to pull her upwards, but the harder he pulled the heavier she seemed to become.

Hotaru tried to turn her face upwards fighting with the dense liquid she tried to take in as much air as she could, "Hel-" she tried to finish the word but before she had the chance to Riku's grip on her hand lessened before being gone completely.

And she was tossed into darkness.

Riku stood looking at the ground which was still covered with the strange substance more confused then he'd ever been. He had been called outside and when he arrived Hotaru was there looking confused, and now she had vanished. And he was still there.

He looked down at his own feet to see them standing on firm ground, why didn't he sink through like Hotaru had done?

The wind and noise died down to a low hum and time seemed to pause as a cloaked figure walked towards him.

From what Riku could see the hooded-figure was male and was shaking his head as if amused, "This world has been connected."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Riku asked watching the strange person cautiously, "Who are you?"

"You understand so little. One who knows nothing can understand nothing. The door has opened. Opened so this world will be eclipsed by darkness and you will be able to go to those precious worlds of which you seek."

Riku continued to stare at the man dumbfounded, "What's going on?"

More was said between the two that should remain between them as it was meant to be, however Riku came to what he thought was understanding and his question was answered then the man disappeared and once again the noise became deafening.

Suddenly Sora was running to him looking relieved yet still worried, "Where's Kairi? I thought she was with you!"

"The door has opened." Riku replied almost casual in his tone.

"What?" Sora asked blinking as he stopped a few feet in front of Riku.

"The door has opened! Now we can go to the outside world!"

"What are you saying? We have to find Kairi!"

"Kairi's coming with us!" Riku explained looking excited at his knowledge, "Once we step through, we might not be able to come back. We may never see our parents again. There's no turning back. But this may be our only chance. We can't let fear stop us! I'm not afraid of the darkness!"

"Riku!" Sora called to his friend confused by all that was happening, and especially confused with the strange things Riku was talking about.

Suddenly a dark shadow engulfed the two, Riku standing as if he was unaffected by it. He reached out his hand for Sora to join him but Sora couldn't reach Riku's outstretched hand. And when Sora resurfaced out of the deep shadows he looked around him and realized Riku was nowhere in sight. Riku had disappeared.

-Scene Change: Hotaru - Traverse Town-

Headache… was the only thought that passed through Hotaru's mind as she brought her hand up to her forehead applying slight pressure to try and lessen the pounding. She noticed that she wasn't in either a bed or on a beach but instead on a hard floor. Like tiles.

Though tiles are much smoother… she noted before blearily opening her eyes slowly. She had to shut them quickly as a bright light invaded her vision, "Itai…(ouch)…" she mumbled before slowly sitting up an opening her eyes slower this time looking at the floor.

Once her eyes had adjusted she looked around at her surroundings. She seemed to be in some sort of town. She thought she was back on earth once more but then she saw a small white creature with a strange pom-pom type object on his head. It was currently staring at her, she looked at t he sky to realize it was dark, so she looked around for the source of light then found that she was seated underneath a lamp-post.

She stood slowly, gripping the steel pole of the street light for support. Based on the tiny cat-like creature, which walked upright, she figured she wasn't on earth. So…where was she?

She looked at her wrist to make sure her communicator was still in its proper place. Once she was sure that it was she sighed heavily and decided to try and ask people exactly where she was.

She chose to go to a two-story building with a wooden sign hanging above the door which made it seem that the building was in fact an accessory shop.

"Like some role-playing game…" Hotaru mumbled to herself as she opened the door.

"How can I help you?" the man behind the counter asked, without even looking up at his customer. He had blonde short hair, pilot goggles which rested against his forehead, and basically looked like one of those fighter-pilots you see on television. All in all he looked very out of place behind the counter.

He looked up at Hotaru then frowned, "Damn it, just a @*$#ing kid…"

Hotaru blinked in surprise, "I'm sorry …"

The man studied Hotaru for a moment before sighing, "Alright then, what the hell do you want?"

Hotaru bit her lower lip, "Um, I'm not quite sure exactly where I am."

"Didn't you see the sign? That's what it's there for. It says 'Welcome to $#@*ing Traverse Town'."

Hotaru blinked then looked down in embarrassment, "Does it really say that?"

"Hm? Oh I forget that most kids these days have those 'pure little' mouths, eh? Pure my @$$. Anyway the sign says that, minus the bit of improper language. So, how'd you get here and not know where you were? Veer of course in your airship ((A/N: gummi ship sounds too stupid))?" he chuckled, "No, you're too young to be able to fly an airship."

Hotaru remained silent, "All I wanted to know was where I was, and you told me. Thank you, and I'm sorry for bothering you." Hotaru bowed and turned quickly to exit the store.

"Wait. Before you go- if you run into a girl named Yuffie, don't look away from her for a second. She's a real thief, oh and also if you see either Yuffie or Aerith then tell them Cid says hi."

Hotaru nodded then left the shop walking back outside. The town was huge compared to Destiny Islands yet tiny compared to the crowded city of Tokyo. Which she missed more then anything now.

"Hey!"

Hm? That voice sounds familiar…

"Hotaru, you're here too?"

Hotaru pinpointed where the voice was coming from and looked above her, she needn't have because in a few seconds the owner of the voice jumped from the building landing catlike on his feet in front of her before straightening with a relieved look on his face.

"Riku!" Hotaru exclaimed happily looking at the older boy standing in front of her, his hair illuminated slightly by the light that was two to three meters behind him.

He smiled slightly, more of a smirk then a smile as only one side of his lips was upturned, before he put his hands behind his head and looked around them, "Find out where we are?"

"Traverse Town." Hotaru replied as she too averted her gaze from her companion.

"Hmm…so, I…we actually made it to another world.." he paused and turned from Hotaru to look at their surroundings more clearly, "But where are Kairi and Sora? Shouldn't they be here by now?"

"Maybe they're somewhere else?" Hotaru suggested shrugging her shoulders slightly, "Or maybe they'll arrive at a later time?"

Riku turned his attention to Hotaru and nodded, "You're probably right."

"…What do we do now?" Hotaru asked not wanting to delve too much in the silence that continuously threatened to take the two.

"I don't know."

Silence.

Silence.

Hotaru nodded slightly, "Do you have any money?"

"Not much."

"There should be an inn of some sort around here, right?"

Riku blinked, "Well I guess it wouldn't hurt to look for one."

Hotaru nodded a bit and followed him when he turned and began walking in a random direction.

Not long had passed before they found an inn, they both walked inside, Riku first and Hotaru following close behind.

He slowed his pace and looked at the old woman behind the counter ((Note: …I don't think there is anyone behind the counter in the fame but there is now.)) after a while of Hotaru and Riku standing in front of the desk the old woman slowly raised her head to look at the two, "May I help you children?" the old woman asked as she slowly grabbed her glasses and put them on yet she continued to squint at the pair.

"We…need some place to stay. We have no where to go and we've been separated from our parents, this is my little sister, we've been out in the streets wandering around trying to find our parents for days and we're both very hungry. No one else would except us into their home." Riku said as he looked at the ground feigning shame.

The old woman studied the two, "You look nothing like each other."

"She takes after our mother." Riku said as if he had already known the woman was going to ask that question.

"Hmm, what did you say your names were children?"

"Riku."

"Hotaru…" Hotaru replied meekly then bowed slightly.

The woman nodded, "You poor things. What's the world coming to? Not housing little children separated from their parents. Poor, poor things. I'll give you both a place to sleep and I'll send someone to bring food to your rooms, you must be hungry."

"Famished." Riku replied.

"Starving." Hotaru added trying to get extra food.

The old woman nodded, "Well if you both need anything then you just be sure to call for me. My name is Edea."

"We'll be sure to do that, umm…" Riku looked in both directions, "Which one is our room?"

"Oh, I almost forgot, I guess that comes with age," Edea laughed slightly then took a key from the rack behind her that hung on the wall, "Your room is the one with the little leaf insignia on the door. Here's your key, without it you wouldn't be able to open it." the woman chuckled, "I know children your age are usually very rowdy but try not to be too loud, the people in the room next to you are celebrating their honeymoon."

Hotaru sweatdropped and giggled nervously (ehehe…heh…) and Riku sweatdropped yet nodded, "Don't worry we won't… disturb them…"

Edea nodded, "No jumping on the bed's either, I'm letting you have this room for free so please don't break anything. I know you two won't because you seem like such good siblings but I'm just telling you so you know."

Edea was saying this to them in a calm, sweet voice so Hotaru trusted that Edea wasn't angry about letting them have a room for free, Hotaru bowed slightly, "I am sorry for the inconvenience this causes but I am also thankful that you allow us to stay here. Thank you, and I promise my and …my brother will both behave."

Edea didn't notice the pause in Hotaru's speech so she smiled at the young girl, "You remind me so much of my daughter…" she sighed sadly then smiled, "I'll have the food brought to you as soon as it's made. You two go and get settled in your room."

~*~*~End Chapter Four~*~*~

Vale: And the plot thickens... ^_^ Yeah, I added some exact game dialogue so those of you who haven't played the game know what I'm talking about and stuff ^_^ (even though in the game Riku was on the little separate island thingy, oh well!) *sighs in relief* I liked this chapter more then the other one because Hotaru wasn't as OOC and there was a point to this chapter =^_^= so...enough of my babbling, here's the *drum roll* shout-out list!

invader cel, Invader cel (^_^), Hotaru Hope Maxwell, lilbirdy, In the Light of the Moon, Adyen, Michelle Ann Myst Lady (Myst Lady ML-chan), Silver Author, Lady Fireball, Kirei-chan, kapies, Black Aura-Sama, Tenshi, Jenn, Seishi Sairensuno, Seishi Sairensuno (^_^), (blank), (blank), (blank), (blank), (blank)

Vale: Most blank spaces in a row ^_^ heehee.

Arnvid: haha, yeah...that is quite a bit.

Vale: But it's cool, because there's copy and paste! teehee

Arnvid: Even though you were too stupid to use it...

Vale: ...shut up.

Arnvid: ^_^

Vale: Note: As you can see I have Cid's personality as it was in Final Fantasy VII not in Kingdom Hearts…cuz… *shudders* I don't like how they changed him. ^_^

Other Note: I probably won't bring in any of the other senshi. Only Pluto and that'll be on rare occasions and then the other rare occasions that she'll communicate with some of the other senshi, but no other senshi are going to go to that world with the way I planned it. Sorry but I won't change my mind ^_^

Arnvid: Well now that we've lost 50% of our readers...

Vale: ...wah! Don't say mean things like that!

Arnvid: R/R ^^;