DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own any of the characters in this story. NONE. Do you understand that? I don't make any money off of this, either, I just find pleasure in writing fan fictions. Thank you.

~Chapter Four: The Truth~

The following night, Trista went to dinner with Kurama, just as planned. Amara and Michelle decided to go out for tonight as well, and Hotaru stayed home. Having nothing better to do, she went for a walk to the park.

Meanwhile, Hiei, Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabarra were on a mission. A monster had made its way to the human world, and they were supposed to get rid of it. But when they found it, it ran and they lost it. Kurama suggested that they split up to find it, so they did.

Back at the park, Hotaru began to feel like something was following her. At first, she tried to tell herself that it was only her imagination, but she knew that it wasn't. She decided to run, but that didn't do any good, because whatever it was, it was fast, and it was in front of her in a moment, not intending to let her pass.

It was an enormous creature, and ugly too. It was large and gray, and looked like a cross between a cat and a bear. Hotaru was about the size of one of its paws. So Hotaru did what she thought was the best thing that she could.

"SATURN PLANET POWER!" She cried, and in a moment she had transformed into her alternate form, Sailor Saturn. She was now wearing a white blouse and a purple mini-skirt with knee-high purple lace up boots. On her forehead was a golden tiara, and in the center was a sparkling white fluorite gem. In her hand she held her weapon, the Silence Glaive. She was ready to fight.

The creature roared and raised its paw to attack.

*

When Hiei arrived at the park, he heard a loud roar. He knew that it was the monster that he needed to find, so he followed the sound. When he got to it, he was stunned to see a girl wearing a mini-skirt trying to fight the beast. What surprised him the most was the weapon that she held- it was a glaive, the very same weapon that Hotaru claimed that she could use...

He jumped into a tall tree to watch from above. In fact, it was the very same tree that he and Hotaru had been in the day before. He watched the battle with interest. He wanted to see how long this human girl could last.

She used her glaive expertly. Anytime the beast would attempt to attack, she would act quickly and counterattack.

The beast tried to pin her to the ground with its paw, but she moved away, jumped onto its paw, and stabbed it with her glaive. The monster shrieked in pain. The girl attacked again while the creature was distracted.

Hiei was impressed so far. This girl wasn't bad- for a human, anyway. But there was something familiar about her, and the fact that she had a glaive was a very odd coincidence. But still, Hiei watched in interest.

The monster leaned down to try and grab the girl in its jaws, but the girl once again made a swift movement, and while the creature was low to the ground, she stabbed it in the heart. With a last outcry, the animal fell, and its movement ceased.

Hiei jumped down from the tree, and the girl turned to face him, her glaive ready to attack if need be. But when she saw who it was, she lowered her glaive, and stared in surprise.

"Impressive display." Hiei said simply, "What is your name?"

"Sailor Saturn." The girl said.

*

Sailor Saturn was nervous. What if Hiei recognized her? She decided to try and pretend that she didn't know him, and asked for his name. He said that his name was Hiei, and asked yet another question.

"That's a fine weapon you have. It's a glaive, isn't it?"

"Yes," Sailor Saturn answered, "It is. Why do you ask?"

"No reason. You know, you seem familiar. Have we met before?"

Sailor Saturn's eyes caught the moonlight, and Hiei saw that their color was purple; yet another similarity to Hotaru. Even her hair was cut at the same length.

"I don't believe we have." Sailor Saturn lied.

"I see." Without another word, Hiei left. There was nothing more he wanted to discuss, and he had to find the others to tell them that the monster had been defeated.

Once he was gone, Sailor Saturn changed back into Hotaru, and returned home.

*

The next day, Hiei and Kurama were together again at the park, and Kurama could tell that Hiei had something on his mind. Kurama was about to ask what was up, but Hiei spoke first.

"Kurama, how high is the chance that more than one person in this city could have a glaive?" He asked.

"I'd say that it's low." Kurama answered, "Why, do you want to find some one else that uses a glaive because Hotaru won't show you?"

"No, that's not it. Remember, last night, I told you all that the monster was destroyed. The one who had destroyed it was a girl that had an incredible resemblance to Hotaru. She also had a glaive."

"That's interesting."

"Yes. I asked the girl for her name, and she said that she was known as Sailor Saturn."

"That's... an odd name..."

"That's beside the point. She had the same hairstyle as Hotaru. She had the same eye color. She looked to be the same age. She seemed to be the same height. Her voice sounded the same. And to top it all off, she had used a glaive to kill the monster, and Hotaru just recently claimed that she uses one. But she said that she and I had never met before."

"So you're thinking that this 'Sailor Saturn' is Hotaru? But why would she give you a different name and act like she didn't know you?"

"That is what I plan to find out." Hiei said, and vanished.

*

Hotaru was surprised to see Hiei at the door. Especially since he didn't seem to be there against his will.

"Hi, Hiei. What a surprise." She greeted him.

"I wanted to talk to you." Hiei told her.

"Oh, well come in then."

So Hiei came in, but he said nothing. He looked at Hotaru accusingly and smirked.

"Hotaru, do you know anything about someone named Sailor Saturn?" He asked her.

Hotaru's eyes widened.

"N-no, I've never heard that name before." She lied.

"I was just curious. I met a girl last night that went by that name. She carried a glaive."

"Really? What a coincidence..."

"Stop acting so naïve, I know that it was you."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I think you do."

"I don't."

There was a small silence, but Hiei broke it.

"Yes you do."

Just then, Amara came into the room.

"Oh, hi, Hiei." She said.

"Hn." Hiei grunted.

"So what are you two up to?"

"Nothing. Just talking." Hotaru answered quickly.

"I was just about to leave." Hiei stated, heading out the door, "I will see you again, Hotaru. You'll talk." Hiei left.

"What did he mean by that?" Amara asked.

"Nothing, Amara." Hotaru answered, retreating to her room.

*

On his way home from the store, Kurama saw Hiei. Of course, he stopped to say hello.

"Hi Hiei." Kurama said to him.

"Hi." Hiei answered.

"So, where are you headed?"

"Nowhere."

"What do you mean, 'nowhere'?"

"I mean nowhere. I'm trying to think, that's all."

"About what?"

"The girl. Sailor Saturn. I know that she is Hotaru. And I'm going to prove it."

"How?"

"That's what I'm wondering."

Together they began walking in the direction of Kurama's house, but continued their conversation.

"So what do you think?" Hiei asked Kurama.

"I think that you're jumping to conclusions. If she says that she isn't Sailor Saturn, there is a possibility that she is telling the truth."

"She isn't. You should've seen the look on her face when I confronted her about it. She was obviously hiding the truth. But my question is why?"

"Maybe she isn't Sailor Saturn, Hiei, but maybe she knows who Sailor Saturn is. Did you consider that?"

"I did." Hiei stated, "Kurama I thought about every possibility, but anything that I came to would make no sense. If Hotaru isn't Sailor Saturn, then why does she look so much like her, and why did she have a glaive? Why did she sound the same? I know that Hotaru is lying. There is no other explanation."

"If you're so sure, why do you need to prove her identity?"

"Because she's lying to me. If I prove her to be Sailor Saturn, then I might find out why she's keeping it such a big secret."

"Why do you want to know?"

"Why do you keep asking me pointless questions?"

"Because I'm curious, Hiei. Can you blame me? This is making you act so strange. Ever since you met Hotaru I've noticed a difference in you."

"Hn."

There was silence. Hiei watched his feet, thinking. Finally, he had an idea. Kurama saw him smirk as he removed the white bandana on his forehead, revealing a large purple eye. The Jagan Eye.

"Hiei, what are you-?" Kurama asked, staring at his friend.

Hiei also removed his shirt. Luckily, no one was around, so no one but Kurama saw him change into his true form. Hiei's skin turned green and eyes opened all over his body. Only three eyes were on his face: the Jagan, and his normal right and left eye, which had changed to a yellowish color. He smiled maliciously.

"Hiei, what are you planning!?" Kurama demanded.

"Fun, Kurama. I'm planning to have a little fun." Hiei smirked once again before he vanished.

"Oh, no..." Kurama sighed, "He better not do what I think he's going to do..." Kurama dropped his grocery bags and hurried off in the direction of Hotaru's house. He knew that Hiei was going to be there LONG before him, but he still had to get there before he did something unreasonable- like kill Hotaru!

*

Hotaru was home alone again, for a little while. So she was sitting in the living room reading a book. She thought that she heard something outside, but thinking that it was most likely nothing, decided to ignore it. She could not, however, ignore the sound of a knock at the door.

She put her book down and got up to answer the door, but when she opened it, nothing was there. She closed the door and started walking back to the couch to continue her book, but before she got there, there was another knock. Once again, she answered the door, but no one was there. She closed the door again, this time standing by it so that if whoever it was knocked again, she could open it quickly and catch them.

Just as she had expected, she heard a knock again. She opened the door immediately, but still saw no one. This time she stepped outside.

"Who keeps doing that!?" She shouted, "Whoever you are, you'd better stop it!" Hotaru looked around again, and once she assured herself that no one was around, she turned around to go back inside. But when she turned around, she saw something standing in front of her. It had green skin and eyes all over it. It smiled in a strangely familiar way. At his side was a sword.

Hotaru screamed in surprise when she saw it- him- she decided. It was definitely male.

He stepped closer to her, and, instinctively, Hotaru stepped backwards.

"What do you want?" She asked nervously.

He didn't answer her question. He only laughed.

"Go away!" She cried, and ran in the opposite direction. At least, she tried to anyway. As soon as she was facing away from him, he appeared in front of her.

'He's fast!' Hotaru thought, 'But what is it he wants from me?'

Since he was no longer between her and her house, she tried once again to run, this time toward the house. But again, he was in front of her in a split second.

This time, however, he attacked. He charged at her with a punch, but she blocked it. Now she knew that it was a fight that he was after, and if he wanted a fight, she'd give him one.

"Saturn planet power!" She shouted. Just as she had the night before, she transformed into Sailor Saturn.

*

(Hiei's point of view)

That was all that I had wanted to see. She had just proven me right; she was Sailor Saturn, and now I knew it for sure. But why stop now? I wanted to have some more fun with her. I didn't see any reason why I couldn't have a short match with her. But, I wasn't going to try and kill her, I just wanted to see some more of her skills. I wouldn't hurt her badly, I would just pretend to be attempting to kill her.

I drew my sword and attacked. She blocked with her glaive and pushed me back. I was surprised at her strength, her appearance was certainly deceiving. But the look on her face showed that she was planning to end this game by killing me, but, of course, there was no way she could possibly defeat me.

*

(Hotaru's point of view)

There was something extraordinarily familiar about this... thing. But I couldn't figure out why. All the same, he was trying to kill me, and by doing so he had signed his death sentence!

But there was something strange about the way he was fighting. It seemed like he wasn't even trying to do any damage to me. It was almost as if he thought of this as a game.

He attacked me again, but I easily moved out of the way and attempted to slash him from behind. I thought I had, for it seemed like my glaive had gone straight through him, but it felt like I was slicing through nothing but air. In a second, he wasn't even there anymore. It was his speed. That was what had confused me. He moved so fast, that to me it seemed like he was there for a moment after he had moved.

I sensed that he was coming upon me from behind, so I swung my glaive behind me, and this time I knew I had hit him. But my glaive hit before I had fully turned, so I never got to see him there. He had moved again.

I caught a flash of green by the corner of my eye. I turned to look, and he was now standing before me, holding his right arm. I saw that it was bleeding, and I knew that it was me who had done it. Seeing an opportunity to attack, I moved forward and aimed the blade of my glaive for his neck. However, I didn't get to hit him, for again, he had moved away.

"Stop."

I turned around. He was standing behind me now. Had I just heard him tell me to stop? I stood looking at him questioningly.

"You're very skilled." He said with a smirk.

I gasped. I knew that voice! And the way he smirked was way to familiar. But it wasn't possible! Was it...?

*

(Hiei's point of view)

She stared at me, wide-eyed. She recognized me, I could tell, but she didn't seem sure.

"You know, most people I fight have no idea where I am. I move too fast for them." I told her. Maybe if I kept talking, she'd know that it was my voice. "Most everyone's eyes are too slow to notice my movements."

She still stayed silent, but continued to stare. She started to pale. She was definitely wondering about who I was.

"But you." I continued, "You. You were able to figure out which direction I was coming from, and actually managed to cut me. I should've been more careful. Any higher and you could've had my head." I smirked at her. I decided that she wasn't going to let herself believe that I was Hiei, and decided to prove it to her. I changed back into my human appearance.

"Hiei...!" She exclaimed, dropping her glaive, "It IS you! No... why... why did you attack me like that!?"

"Hello." I said with a smirk, "Hotaru."

Her mouth dropped open. She knew that I had won.

"No! You actually... tricked me into showing you..."

"I knew I would find a way to prove who you were."

*

(Normal point of view)

Hotaru was stunned. She had been tricked. Hiei knew who she really was now.

"Hiei, WHY!?" Hotaru shouted at him, "Why did you have to do this!?"

"You were lying to me, Hotaru." Hiei stated, "And I knew it. I wanted to have some fun with you. I wanted to see the look on your face when your little secret was revealed. Now you can tell me: why the secrecy?"

"No one is supposed to know who I am, it's a rule! You won't tell anyone- will you? Hiei, please, promise me you won't tell anyone! Please!"

"Give me at least one good reason why I should." Hiei smirked at her. He knew that she was panicking. He knew that she was serious and didn't want him to tell, and he planned on keeping it a secret for her, but he wanted to toy with her emotions for a bit.

"HIEI!" Hotaru cried, "Don't you DARE tell anyone!!"

"You aren't giving me a reason."

"You tell, and next time I WILL have your head!!"

"You seem awfully confident about that. This whole time I was only having fun with you. I can annihilate you in a real fight. You wouldn't even get a chance to attack."

"You don't know of my real power, either, Hiei! You have no idea what I'm capable of! I could destroy this entire planet easily if I wanted! I could do the same to you! The only thing that kept me from killing you in this fight was my curiosity. I couldn't understand why you were fighting like you were. I knew it seemed like you weren't trying, and now I know why. But tell ANYONE about me, and those will certainly be your last words!!"

"I like your attitude, Hotaru. Or would you prefer me to call you Sailor Saturn?"

"Shut up and promise me that you won't tell anyone!"

"How can I promise you that if you just told me to shut up?"

"Hiei..." Tears were beginning to form in her eyes. Hiei realized that she really thought that he was planning to tell. "Please, I beg you, don't tell anyone! It's really, really important that no one finds out!"

Hiei decided to stop. He knew he had gone too far.

"You have my word." He promised.

"Thank you..." Hotaru sighed. She became herself again, and right after that, Kurama showed up.

"HIEI!" Kurama shouted. "You better not kill her!

"Calm down, Kurama. It's over already, you missed everything. I wasn't going to kill her. I would never kill a friend."

Both Hotaru and Kurama stared at him in shock.

"What?" Hiei asked.

"Hiei, are you aware of what you just said?" Kurama asked.

Now Hiei did realize what he had said. He had called Hotaru a friend.

"I didn't mean that!" He shouted, glaring at both of them, "I... I meant..."

Kurama smiled and gave Hiei an 'I-told-you-so' look. Kurama had been right all along. When he said that Hiei would admit friendship to her sooner or later, he didn't think it would be this soon.

"Hn." Hiei grunted angrily, looking away.

Hotaru smiled. She and Hiei were finally friends, and she was sure of it. Trista, Michelle, and Amara had been right. He did like her, he just didn't want to admit it. And now he had. Even though it was an accident, he had.

"Hiei," Hotaru said sweetly, "Go ahead and deny it, I don't care. Even if this is a secret friendship, it'll still be a friendship. So if you keep your promise and don't tell anyone what just happened here, I won't tell anyone that you and I are friends. It'll be between us. Okay?"

"Even though I attacked you, you still want to be friends with me? You even saw my true form and you don't seem to care."

"You just said that you wouldn't have killed me. I get it, okay? I know that you just wanted to prove to yourself that I was Sailor Saturn. Now that you know, there's no changing it. And as for your real appearance, I don't care what you are or what you look like. We're friends."

Hiei looked at her, and stared at her for a while. Finally, he nodded in agreement.

Kurama blinked and stared at Hotaru.

"So then, was Hiei right?" Kurama asked, "Are you Sailor Saturn?"

Hotaru looked over at him and sighed. She nodded.

"But please," Hotaru pleaded, "Kurama, please, promise me you won't tell anyone."

"I promise." Kurama answered.

(A/N: Longest chapter yet! Yay! Anyways, thanks for reading, I hope you liked it. I'll get to work on the next chapter as soon as possible. ~Starflash)