Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VI OR Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon… *looks around* you didn't expect me to say anything else did you? Cuz if you did I can always rewrite this disclaimer.
Ages (Once again, just guessing):
Hotaru - 18
Edgar - 21
Terra - 19
Locke - 20
Celes - 19
Cyan - 27
Sabin - 20
Gau - 19
Setzer - 24
Shadow - 22
Hotaru Goes to Figaro
Chapter Two
By:
Vale (Saturn Angels)
Hotaru sat contentedly; though slightly out of breath, as she listened to her Megumi Hayashibara CD. It had taken forever to get into the airplane but she made it just in time.
Everything seemed to be going wrong today.
First, she wakes up late and has to hurry up and get dressed and drive to the airport, which takes at least an hour and a half. Then when she gets to the airport it took forever to park the car, get her bags checked in, go through the metal detector that, with her luck, went off and she had to wait for them to check through her carry-on, and then she had to get her ticket, and then run as quickly as she could- twisting her ankle when she tripped- and then make it onto the plane five minutes before circling around the run-way.
But she made it, and was on her way to America.
She smiled at ease as she listened to 'Cherish Christmas' playing softly through the headphones. She had the window seat so she looked out the small circular window at the tiny roads, it looked like a map really.
As she was gazing out the window she began to feel a little drowsy again and had her eyes half closed when someone pulled on her headphone cord causing one of the earpieces to fall out. She turned her head to the right to see who would do such an annoying thing.
"So! Is this going to be your first time going to America? You'll love it. There're many things to do there. It is a very fun place to just hang around, going to California?" the man asked.
Just her luck. "…no, actually I think it's Boston."
"Oh well. I'm heading over to California, I go there every year. It's very warm, but there do tend to be a couple of earthquakes-you get used to it though, a lot of Asians are in California so naturally I suspected that you'd be going there as well."
"That's wonderful but-"
"Boston is nice too, they have some fun stuff to do there too I bet. I've never been there but I've heard it's real pretty during the fall."
Hotaru nodded and giggled a little bit, "Sir, I'd really like to catch up on some sleep this flight, my-"
"Oh yes. Well, you can save sleeping for later right? I mean this is a flight that's around 15 hours long. We should get to know each other better, my name is Katawari Kenji."
"Tomoe Hotaru."
"Hotaru, eh? That's a pretty name. So how old are you? 18? 19? Heading off to college?"
"Mmhmm." Hotaru raised the volume on her CD player so the music played loud in her left ear.
"Yale?"
"Harvard."
"Ohhh, Harvard. You must be either really smart, or really rich."
"Really now?"
"Yes, it's hard to get into those colleges, their called….what was it again? Ivy League colleges. They're the best in the U.S."
"Wonderful."
"I bet you're mighty proud to be going to one of those, am I right? Hm?"
"Quite."
The man chuckled, "I can't wait until our first meal on this flight. I'm starving, I didn't get to eat breakfast."
"That's too bad."
"Yes, I was in a real hurry trying to get here."
"Hm."
"By the looks of your ankle I'd say that you were in more of a hurry then I was," he paused here to chuckle and Hotaru laughed lightly which sounded more like 'eh-he…he…'. The man continued speaking, "Anyone you know in America?"
"Nope."
"I could introduce you to some friends I know that live in Boston. I met my wife in Boston…I was so young back then…only turned 20…that was five years ago." The man sighed, "…it seems like so long ago…"
Hotaru thought about saying '5 years is sort of long…' but decided against it, "Tell me the story." She said in hopes that he would continue speaking to her while she listened to music and slept not listening to a word he was saying.
"Alright then, when I was 20 I was taking my first flight to America, and I was very nervous. I was heading to California but the plane stopped in Boston. So I got off the plane and wandered around feeling alone, trying to look natural…"
~*An hour later*~
"…and she invited me back to her house and she introduced me to her family…"
~*Another Hour Later*~
"Her poodle, Fifi, died the next day…poor thing…"
~*Half an Hour Later*~
"Her favorite food was peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches…she loved them."
~*Twenty-five minutes later*~
"So that's when we moved to California."
"z…zzZz…ZzZZzz…"
"So I went back to Japan the next week after moving and still frequently go back to visit my brother, and my parents."
"…ZZzzz…ZzzzZzzZ…"
"Miss? Miss? Are you asleep? Did you fallen asleep during my story?"
"ZzZzzz!"
The man looked quite putout as he decided he too would take a small catnap.
It was around fifteen minutes later that Hotaru was awakened as the plane hit turbulence. She sat up in her seat causing her CD player to fall to the floor beneath her seat causing her CD to skip. She looked around her and after a while decided that the turbulence had stopped when the plane jerked downwards and then to the left.
The man next to her seemed to be freaking out shouting something that Hotaru wasn't listening to at the moment.
The PA came on and the flight attendant cleared her voice, "Gomen nasai minna-san (I'm sorry everyone) for the turbulence the flight is encounter-" she paused suddenly as the plane jerked to the right, "-ing. I assure you everything will be fine once the pilot rights the plane. Thank you for your patience, please be seated and put your seat belts on."
Everyone on the flight complied as quickly as they could.
Hotaru looked worriedly out the window, 'Perfect time for turbulence…' she thought as she looked down at the large expanse of water beneath the airplane.
The plane suddenly jerked violently then began to do a nosedive, that was when many people began screaming, some grabbing the vomit bags to use them properly. Hotaru felt like she was going to be sick, she grabbed onto the armrests trying to calm herself down as the water seemed to be coming closer.
Closer.
Closer.
"Please do not panic! Grab your life-floats from underneath your seat and hold onto them tightly."
Closer.
"We're going to crash!!!"
Screams…
"I never got to say good-bye!"
Closer…
Too close..
The plane hit the water as if it was some Olympic diver nose-first. The force of the water caused some of the windows to pop off resulting in water beginning to fill the plane.
The screams became louder and more frantic as water began filling the plane rapidly.
Many of the people were crying.
Fear.
They were afraid…so very afraid.
Why?
Hotaru unbuckled her 'seatbelt' and stood calmly, or tried to stand which was incredibly hard due to the tilt of the plane.
The man next to her was on his cell-phone, most likely calling his wife…
Hotaru looked at everyone sadly, 'All of these panicking people…don't they know they're only making everything worse?' Everyone was scrambling for the one exit door that wasn't submerged in water.
The power had gone out in the plane casting the inside in darkness, the only light source coming from the circular windows…the water was everywhere, screams were coming from everyone's mouth as the weight of the people scrambling in back caused the plane to try to become flat the plane gave a loud groan.
"mommy!" a small frantic voice said half-covered in water, "mommy!! I'm scared!"
"I'm coming…I'm coming, hold on! Please!" A woman began treading in water towards the little girl, though she moved slowly her wet clothes weighing her down. There was an even louder groan from the plane as it snapped in half.
"MOMMY!" the little girl let out a scream before disappearing beneath the water depths.
"Oh my god…!" the woman whispered once as she looked at where the other half of the plane was then screamed it louder a second time her voice filled with more pain then Hotaru thought possible. "IIE(NO)!!!"
The weight of the people in the back caused the last half of the plane to tilt backward and people for all their worth ran trying to even it out. Everything was in chaos as the plane denied the wishes of the survivors and began sinking backwards this time going completely upwards before beginning to sink. Many people were crying holding each other close, they were doomed to a worse death then the ones before them. People who had been close to the top had fallen downwards to the crowd of people that were gather in the very back, unable to climb to the top, some hitting the seats on their descent down.
"…Holy Mary mother of god…"
Some sobbing, especially from the one Hotaru had seen try to go to her child.
"…pray for us sinners…"
Hotaru located the priest who was praying then looked upwards at the small opening where light flooded in, and she felt fear, for the first time she was gripped with a feeling so terrifying that to no extent could it be described. The people had all quieted down waiting for their deaths. The priest had begun another prayer as he held a rosary in his right hand.
'…Just like the Titanic…without an orchestra.' Hotaru thought grimly continuing to look up as many of the people did, water slowly began seeping over the edges of the opening into the plane weighing it down more, there were some gasps and some crying. Then all at once a flood of water began pouring in and the people screamed but were quickly silent as the last half of the plane was fully submerged sinking to the oceans depths.
……Silence.
Complete…silence.
Waves…
Gentle…waves
Lonely… …lonely
Quiet…
…Beckoning peace.
Death.
"Dou shiteru… ka na…anata no…koto…? (How are…things… I wonder, …with you?)" a small frail voice broke through the silence as the person rested her head on the cushion of an airplane seat as she sang softly not knowing what to do. Her communicator had been lost in the accident and she was unable to contact someone to rescue her.
Tears filled her eyes as she thought of how helpless she was. Drifting in the middle of an extremely large ocean, singing.
"Tsumetai kaze ni…sukoshi…omotta. (In the cold wind… thought …of you.)" she didn't like feeling vulnerable, she hated it. It was a weak emotion.
"Eda ni…motarete…hanashita yo ne.. (We leaned against a branch…and talked that…time)" Hotaru sniffled and rested her cheek against the scratchy material. Her damp hair resting gently on her face as it slowly dried. The sun burned…and the breeze was like a healing touch against her scalding skin.
She wasn't sunburned yet. She hadn't been out long enough for that.
She felt it had been days but the sun hadn't even begun to set yet.
"Tasùketè kuré (Help)!!!!!!!!!!" she yelled as loud as she could and the only response she got was some seagulls flying ahead squawking at her as if telling her 'Shut up, and act like you're supposed to act; dead.' She whimpered slightly, "Tasùketè…kuré…(Help…)" she mumbled knowing that no one could hear her no matter how loud she yelled.
She had heard stories of how people had survived a week out in the ocean with nothing at all. How long could she survive?
She was stronger then most people, but she had become emotionally weak as of late. She had become dependant on her fellow senshi, they were her friends. So of course she depended on them. She had become soft. And now she was afraid, and alone. And her friends weren't there with her, to help her through this.
Any company would be wanted, even Kenji, the annoying man from before.
What was she to do?
There was nothing to drink…except the seawater but too much of that would cause her to lose her sanity.
And what of all the dangers in the ocean? Sharks, mainly. Supposedly they can feel vibrations…your heartbeat, any movement you make. They were predators and she was their prey.
Hours passed, with her thoughts like that. Fearful, angry, sad, exhausted, and lonely. She'd experienced loneliness before. She'd been shunned more then her share of times.
But when no one was even around….it felt as if she was the only one in the world alive. The only person, being hunted by sea creatures she had been told about when she was younger. But she knew she wasn't the only one alive. Somewhere in Japan was Usagi, watching cartoons giggling about stupid things; Chibiusa was in the future learning her 'princess skills', Rei was at her temple; Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna talking over tea or coffee; Makoto cooking; Ami studying; Minako watching the television searching out someone new to stalk; and here was Hotaru…floating around in the middle of the ocean.
Then all at once the TVs would have a special news report about the tragedy of her flight, no survivors found yet. And Usagi would contact Rei who would contact Ami and Chibiusa. The rest would know…whether it be from the café television, or radio.
They'd find out and give her a funeral thinking she was dead because she never contacted them telling them otherwise.
But she wouldn't die.
She refused to let something so small defeat her.
If other people could live through it so could she.
All she had to do was wait, and try to not go insane.
"Mou ichido aeru sa…(One day we'll meet again…). Wasureru koto nai, daisuke no tomodachi (I won't forget you, my beloved friend)" Hotaru paused slightly, "That's the end to that song. Stay tuned for 'Aoi Hitomi' by Sakamoto Maaya! Right after these commercials…" she deepened her voice, "Are you feeling restless? Can't get to sleep at night? Try SleepEx, a new development, fall right to sleep. Common side effects are drowsiness. Take only when necessary." She closed her eyes as she spoke becoming sick of seeing nothing but water; "Now we're back. After Aoi Hitomi is 'Yume wo Kasanete' by SES. And here's the song you've all been waiting for!"
After Hotaru had successfully both songs she sighed heavily and opened her eyes slightly watching as the sun hit the horizon creating a reflection of orange and red hues on the water's surface. It was beautiful…and eerie.
After the sun set Hotaru became quiet, feeling comfortable with the darkness. There was no need for words or meaningless singing. The darkness comforted her…and the moon reflected on the water's surface…shining gently and softly down at her. She was just glad it was a peaceful night…she wouldn't know what to do if it began raining…and the waters thrashing around. It'd be like a nightmare.
But she was comfortable. The water was surprisingly warm and the stars shone brightly unlike in the city. They were untainted and beautiful…like a thousand fireflies placed in the sky. Hotaru turned slowly so she was floating on her back the sight of the sky was magnificent! And she felt completely at peace…and then she remembered everything that had led up to her being in the exact place she was in and she began crying.
Not loud yelling sobs, but simple silence as tears rolled smoothly down her cheeks to join the ocean. How many people's tears had gathered in the deep-sea?
She pondered this question for a while toying with the fact that the ocean used to be nothing at all, and then people's tears and sorrows slowly filled it so it covered ¾ of the world. Maybe that's why the sea is filled with salt water.
Hotaru closed her eyes once more allowing herself to be completely at peace.
She wasn't quite sure how much longer she drifted like that but the next thing she knew was when she next opened her eyes the sun was rising and the only thing that remained wet was her feet. She was resting on sand; it was a beach of some sort.
She looked around her ecstatically then frowned when she saw no trace of people or any sort of civilization. But she wasn't in the water anymore. For that she thanked whatever God there was and she stood and began journeying away from the sea.
It wasn't long before she found a large desert in front of her. Exactly what continent was she on? First an ocean and now a desert. Rain forest she wouldn't mind, but being exposed to the extreme heat of a desert wasn't exactly the top of her list. She had no choice but to walk through.
Half an hour later each direction she looked was sand. And she was thirsty, and she her cardigan was over her head trying to keep her hair from setting on fire. Why'd she wear black and dark blue? She stumbled but made herself continue walking. She looked around her not sure whether to keep going forward or go back. She continued walking forward and after a few steps she stumbled once more, and this time fell to the ground.
She wasn't feeling well.
She wanted to be home with a cool ice pak to her head as she listened to the radio and read a book. With a bottle of water next to her desk and next to that her favorite snack.
It was when she thought about giving up that she noticed something shimmer not too far away. 'A city?' Hotaru thought happily then she figured it was her imagination; nonetheless she got up and began sprinting towards that direction with renewed energy.
~*~End Chapter One~*~
Vale: You see? This chapter had a mix of humor in the beginning then dramatic angsty-ness. And it was long ^_^ *long sigh*
Arnvid: Please review! Vale really did work hard on this chapter…and she was about to stop the chapter after the plane crash and stuff but decided not to.
Vale: *nodding*
Arnvid: So, review.
Vale: Bye everyone!
Arnvid: Well, Vale….forgetting a couple things aren't you?
Vale: Um… … ?_?
Arnvid: *cough*…shout-out list…*cough*
Vale: Oh yeah!! And also so far who's paired with Hotaru-chan!
Arnvid: Exactly!
Vale: So! Shout-out list:
Jewel: YAY! ^_^ my first reviewer! Thanks a bunch…for your…one word…review. Lol.
Myst Lady: Indeed. ^_^ Thanks for your review ^_~ no cheating next time, I'd like ta seen different reviews for my stories *giggles*
Ankle: Glad you love it! ^_^ and I hope you continue to like it! Teehee!
Tenshi: So, what'd you think of this chapter? Sort of sorrow-filled, huh? Well, I promise it'll lighten up a bunch in the next chapter!!!! ^______^ I have plans for our favorite senshi… *kukukuku*
Tenshi Cat: Well so far it IS a Hotaru/Edgar fic since there's only been one vote ^_^ heehee.
Twinsnake Coatl: This chapter wasn't so comical-but yes, most of the other chapters will be comical until we get into the quest thingy. If there's gonna be a quest, I dunno whether to make it before, after, or during. And I'll definitely take your tip into consideration ^_~
lilbirdy: ^_^; what's with the sweatdrop and all the periods? Lol ^_^ I liked your review nonetheless. LoL. ^_^ I hope you continue to view this fic as 'interesting' heehee.
Vale: ^_^ YAY! Beautiful reviews! Beautiful!
Arnvid: Aren't they though?
Vale: Now! *ahem* So far…here are the results to the poll/vote thingy:
Hotaru/Edgar = 2 (What? My vote counts too! Lol)
Remember! I can pair Hotaru with ANYONE in this game! I'm talented ^_~ So review and VOTE! HAHAHAHAHA!
Ages (Once again, just guessing):
Hotaru - 18
Edgar - 21
Terra - 19
Locke - 20
Celes - 19
Cyan - 27
Sabin - 20
Gau - 19
Setzer - 24
Shadow - 22
Hotaru Goes to Figaro
Chapter Two
By:
Vale (Saturn Angels)
Hotaru sat contentedly; though slightly out of breath, as she listened to her Megumi Hayashibara CD. It had taken forever to get into the airplane but she made it just in time.
Everything seemed to be going wrong today.
First, she wakes up late and has to hurry up and get dressed and drive to the airport, which takes at least an hour and a half. Then when she gets to the airport it took forever to park the car, get her bags checked in, go through the metal detector that, with her luck, went off and she had to wait for them to check through her carry-on, and then she had to get her ticket, and then run as quickly as she could- twisting her ankle when she tripped- and then make it onto the plane five minutes before circling around the run-way.
But she made it, and was on her way to America.
She smiled at ease as she listened to 'Cherish Christmas' playing softly through the headphones. She had the window seat so she looked out the small circular window at the tiny roads, it looked like a map really.
As she was gazing out the window she began to feel a little drowsy again and had her eyes half closed when someone pulled on her headphone cord causing one of the earpieces to fall out. She turned her head to the right to see who would do such an annoying thing.
"So! Is this going to be your first time going to America? You'll love it. There're many things to do there. It is a very fun place to just hang around, going to California?" the man asked.
Just her luck. "…no, actually I think it's Boston."
"Oh well. I'm heading over to California, I go there every year. It's very warm, but there do tend to be a couple of earthquakes-you get used to it though, a lot of Asians are in California so naturally I suspected that you'd be going there as well."
"That's wonderful but-"
"Boston is nice too, they have some fun stuff to do there too I bet. I've never been there but I've heard it's real pretty during the fall."
Hotaru nodded and giggled a little bit, "Sir, I'd really like to catch up on some sleep this flight, my-"
"Oh yes. Well, you can save sleeping for later right? I mean this is a flight that's around 15 hours long. We should get to know each other better, my name is Katawari Kenji."
"Tomoe Hotaru."
"Hotaru, eh? That's a pretty name. So how old are you? 18? 19? Heading off to college?"
"Mmhmm." Hotaru raised the volume on her CD player so the music played loud in her left ear.
"Yale?"
"Harvard."
"Ohhh, Harvard. You must be either really smart, or really rich."
"Really now?"
"Yes, it's hard to get into those colleges, their called….what was it again? Ivy League colleges. They're the best in the U.S."
"Wonderful."
"I bet you're mighty proud to be going to one of those, am I right? Hm?"
"Quite."
The man chuckled, "I can't wait until our first meal on this flight. I'm starving, I didn't get to eat breakfast."
"That's too bad."
"Yes, I was in a real hurry trying to get here."
"Hm."
"By the looks of your ankle I'd say that you were in more of a hurry then I was," he paused here to chuckle and Hotaru laughed lightly which sounded more like 'eh-he…he…'. The man continued speaking, "Anyone you know in America?"
"Nope."
"I could introduce you to some friends I know that live in Boston. I met my wife in Boston…I was so young back then…only turned 20…that was five years ago." The man sighed, "…it seems like so long ago…"
Hotaru thought about saying '5 years is sort of long…' but decided against it, "Tell me the story." She said in hopes that he would continue speaking to her while she listened to music and slept not listening to a word he was saying.
"Alright then, when I was 20 I was taking my first flight to America, and I was very nervous. I was heading to California but the plane stopped in Boston. So I got off the plane and wandered around feeling alone, trying to look natural…"
~*An hour later*~
"…and she invited me back to her house and she introduced me to her family…"
~*Another Hour Later*~
"Her poodle, Fifi, died the next day…poor thing…"
~*Half an Hour Later*~
"Her favorite food was peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches…she loved them."
~*Twenty-five minutes later*~
"So that's when we moved to California."
"z…zzZz…ZzZZzz…"
"So I went back to Japan the next week after moving and still frequently go back to visit my brother, and my parents."
"…ZZzzz…ZzzzZzzZ…"
"Miss? Miss? Are you asleep? Did you fallen asleep during my story?"
"ZzZzzz!"
The man looked quite putout as he decided he too would take a small catnap.
It was around fifteen minutes later that Hotaru was awakened as the plane hit turbulence. She sat up in her seat causing her CD player to fall to the floor beneath her seat causing her CD to skip. She looked around her and after a while decided that the turbulence had stopped when the plane jerked downwards and then to the left.
The man next to her seemed to be freaking out shouting something that Hotaru wasn't listening to at the moment.
The PA came on and the flight attendant cleared her voice, "Gomen nasai minna-san (I'm sorry everyone) for the turbulence the flight is encounter-" she paused suddenly as the plane jerked to the right, "-ing. I assure you everything will be fine once the pilot rights the plane. Thank you for your patience, please be seated and put your seat belts on."
Everyone on the flight complied as quickly as they could.
Hotaru looked worriedly out the window, 'Perfect time for turbulence…' she thought as she looked down at the large expanse of water beneath the airplane.
The plane suddenly jerked violently then began to do a nosedive, that was when many people began screaming, some grabbing the vomit bags to use them properly. Hotaru felt like she was going to be sick, she grabbed onto the armrests trying to calm herself down as the water seemed to be coming closer.
Closer.
Closer.
"Please do not panic! Grab your life-floats from underneath your seat and hold onto them tightly."
Closer.
"We're going to crash!!!"
Screams…
"I never got to say good-bye!"
Closer…
Too close..
The plane hit the water as if it was some Olympic diver nose-first. The force of the water caused some of the windows to pop off resulting in water beginning to fill the plane.
The screams became louder and more frantic as water began filling the plane rapidly.
Many of the people were crying.
Fear.
They were afraid…so very afraid.
Why?
Hotaru unbuckled her 'seatbelt' and stood calmly, or tried to stand which was incredibly hard due to the tilt of the plane.
The man next to her was on his cell-phone, most likely calling his wife…
Hotaru looked at everyone sadly, 'All of these panicking people…don't they know they're only making everything worse?' Everyone was scrambling for the one exit door that wasn't submerged in water.
The power had gone out in the plane casting the inside in darkness, the only light source coming from the circular windows…the water was everywhere, screams were coming from everyone's mouth as the weight of the people scrambling in back caused the plane to try to become flat the plane gave a loud groan.
"mommy!" a small frantic voice said half-covered in water, "mommy!! I'm scared!"
"I'm coming…I'm coming, hold on! Please!" A woman began treading in water towards the little girl, though she moved slowly her wet clothes weighing her down. There was an even louder groan from the plane as it snapped in half.
"MOMMY!" the little girl let out a scream before disappearing beneath the water depths.
"Oh my god…!" the woman whispered once as she looked at where the other half of the plane was then screamed it louder a second time her voice filled with more pain then Hotaru thought possible. "IIE(NO)!!!"
The weight of the people in the back caused the last half of the plane to tilt backward and people for all their worth ran trying to even it out. Everything was in chaos as the plane denied the wishes of the survivors and began sinking backwards this time going completely upwards before beginning to sink. Many people were crying holding each other close, they were doomed to a worse death then the ones before them. People who had been close to the top had fallen downwards to the crowd of people that were gather in the very back, unable to climb to the top, some hitting the seats on their descent down.
"…Holy Mary mother of god…"
Some sobbing, especially from the one Hotaru had seen try to go to her child.
"…pray for us sinners…"
Hotaru located the priest who was praying then looked upwards at the small opening where light flooded in, and she felt fear, for the first time she was gripped with a feeling so terrifying that to no extent could it be described. The people had all quieted down waiting for their deaths. The priest had begun another prayer as he held a rosary in his right hand.
'…Just like the Titanic…without an orchestra.' Hotaru thought grimly continuing to look up as many of the people did, water slowly began seeping over the edges of the opening into the plane weighing it down more, there were some gasps and some crying. Then all at once a flood of water began pouring in and the people screamed but were quickly silent as the last half of the plane was fully submerged sinking to the oceans depths.
……Silence.
Complete…silence.
Waves…
Gentle…waves
Lonely… …lonely
Quiet…
…Beckoning peace.
Death.
"Dou shiteru… ka na…anata no…koto…? (How are…things… I wonder, …with you?)" a small frail voice broke through the silence as the person rested her head on the cushion of an airplane seat as she sang softly not knowing what to do. Her communicator had been lost in the accident and she was unable to contact someone to rescue her.
Tears filled her eyes as she thought of how helpless she was. Drifting in the middle of an extremely large ocean, singing.
"Tsumetai kaze ni…sukoshi…omotta. (In the cold wind… thought …of you.)" she didn't like feeling vulnerable, she hated it. It was a weak emotion.
"Eda ni…motarete…hanashita yo ne.. (We leaned against a branch…and talked that…time)" Hotaru sniffled and rested her cheek against the scratchy material. Her damp hair resting gently on her face as it slowly dried. The sun burned…and the breeze was like a healing touch against her scalding skin.
She wasn't sunburned yet. She hadn't been out long enough for that.
She felt it had been days but the sun hadn't even begun to set yet.
"Tasùketè kuré (Help)!!!!!!!!!!" she yelled as loud as she could and the only response she got was some seagulls flying ahead squawking at her as if telling her 'Shut up, and act like you're supposed to act; dead.' She whimpered slightly, "Tasùketè…kuré…(Help…)" she mumbled knowing that no one could hear her no matter how loud she yelled.
She had heard stories of how people had survived a week out in the ocean with nothing at all. How long could she survive?
She was stronger then most people, but she had become emotionally weak as of late. She had become dependant on her fellow senshi, they were her friends. So of course she depended on them. She had become soft. And now she was afraid, and alone. And her friends weren't there with her, to help her through this.
Any company would be wanted, even Kenji, the annoying man from before.
What was she to do?
There was nothing to drink…except the seawater but too much of that would cause her to lose her sanity.
And what of all the dangers in the ocean? Sharks, mainly. Supposedly they can feel vibrations…your heartbeat, any movement you make. They were predators and she was their prey.
Hours passed, with her thoughts like that. Fearful, angry, sad, exhausted, and lonely. She'd experienced loneliness before. She'd been shunned more then her share of times.
But when no one was even around….it felt as if she was the only one in the world alive. The only person, being hunted by sea creatures she had been told about when she was younger. But she knew she wasn't the only one alive. Somewhere in Japan was Usagi, watching cartoons giggling about stupid things; Chibiusa was in the future learning her 'princess skills', Rei was at her temple; Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna talking over tea or coffee; Makoto cooking; Ami studying; Minako watching the television searching out someone new to stalk; and here was Hotaru…floating around in the middle of the ocean.
Then all at once the TVs would have a special news report about the tragedy of her flight, no survivors found yet. And Usagi would contact Rei who would contact Ami and Chibiusa. The rest would know…whether it be from the café television, or radio.
They'd find out and give her a funeral thinking she was dead because she never contacted them telling them otherwise.
But she wouldn't die.
She refused to let something so small defeat her.
If other people could live through it so could she.
All she had to do was wait, and try to not go insane.
"Mou ichido aeru sa…(One day we'll meet again…). Wasureru koto nai, daisuke no tomodachi (I won't forget you, my beloved friend)" Hotaru paused slightly, "That's the end to that song. Stay tuned for 'Aoi Hitomi' by Sakamoto Maaya! Right after these commercials…" she deepened her voice, "Are you feeling restless? Can't get to sleep at night? Try SleepEx, a new development, fall right to sleep. Common side effects are drowsiness. Take only when necessary." She closed her eyes as she spoke becoming sick of seeing nothing but water; "Now we're back. After Aoi Hitomi is 'Yume wo Kasanete' by SES. And here's the song you've all been waiting for!"
After Hotaru had successfully both songs she sighed heavily and opened her eyes slightly watching as the sun hit the horizon creating a reflection of orange and red hues on the water's surface. It was beautiful…and eerie.
After the sun set Hotaru became quiet, feeling comfortable with the darkness. There was no need for words or meaningless singing. The darkness comforted her…and the moon reflected on the water's surface…shining gently and softly down at her. She was just glad it was a peaceful night…she wouldn't know what to do if it began raining…and the waters thrashing around. It'd be like a nightmare.
But she was comfortable. The water was surprisingly warm and the stars shone brightly unlike in the city. They were untainted and beautiful…like a thousand fireflies placed in the sky. Hotaru turned slowly so she was floating on her back the sight of the sky was magnificent! And she felt completely at peace…and then she remembered everything that had led up to her being in the exact place she was in and she began crying.
Not loud yelling sobs, but simple silence as tears rolled smoothly down her cheeks to join the ocean. How many people's tears had gathered in the deep-sea?
She pondered this question for a while toying with the fact that the ocean used to be nothing at all, and then people's tears and sorrows slowly filled it so it covered ¾ of the world. Maybe that's why the sea is filled with salt water.
Hotaru closed her eyes once more allowing herself to be completely at peace.
She wasn't quite sure how much longer she drifted like that but the next thing she knew was when she next opened her eyes the sun was rising and the only thing that remained wet was her feet. She was resting on sand; it was a beach of some sort.
She looked around her ecstatically then frowned when she saw no trace of people or any sort of civilization. But she wasn't in the water anymore. For that she thanked whatever God there was and she stood and began journeying away from the sea.
It wasn't long before she found a large desert in front of her. Exactly what continent was she on? First an ocean and now a desert. Rain forest she wouldn't mind, but being exposed to the extreme heat of a desert wasn't exactly the top of her list. She had no choice but to walk through.
Half an hour later each direction she looked was sand. And she was thirsty, and she her cardigan was over her head trying to keep her hair from setting on fire. Why'd she wear black and dark blue? She stumbled but made herself continue walking. She looked around her not sure whether to keep going forward or go back. She continued walking forward and after a few steps she stumbled once more, and this time fell to the ground.
She wasn't feeling well.
She wanted to be home with a cool ice pak to her head as she listened to the radio and read a book. With a bottle of water next to her desk and next to that her favorite snack.
It was when she thought about giving up that she noticed something shimmer not too far away. 'A city?' Hotaru thought happily then she figured it was her imagination; nonetheless she got up and began sprinting towards that direction with renewed energy.
~*~End Chapter One~*~
Vale: You see? This chapter had a mix of humor in the beginning then dramatic angsty-ness. And it was long ^_^ *long sigh*
Arnvid: Please review! Vale really did work hard on this chapter…and she was about to stop the chapter after the plane crash and stuff but decided not to.
Vale: *nodding*
Arnvid: So, review.
Vale: Bye everyone!
Arnvid: Well, Vale….forgetting a couple things aren't you?
Vale: Um… … ?_?
Arnvid: *cough*…shout-out list…*cough*
Vale: Oh yeah!! And also so far who's paired with Hotaru-chan!
Arnvid: Exactly!
Vale: So! Shout-out list:
Jewel: YAY! ^_^ my first reviewer! Thanks a bunch…for your…one word…review. Lol.
Myst Lady: Indeed. ^_^ Thanks for your review ^_~ no cheating next time, I'd like ta seen different reviews for my stories *giggles*
Ankle: Glad you love it! ^_^ and I hope you continue to like it! Teehee!
Tenshi: So, what'd you think of this chapter? Sort of sorrow-filled, huh? Well, I promise it'll lighten up a bunch in the next chapter!!!! ^______^ I have plans for our favorite senshi… *kukukuku*
Tenshi Cat: Well so far it IS a Hotaru/Edgar fic since there's only been one vote ^_^ heehee.
Twinsnake Coatl: This chapter wasn't so comical-but yes, most of the other chapters will be comical until we get into the quest thingy. If there's gonna be a quest, I dunno whether to make it before, after, or during. And I'll definitely take your tip into consideration ^_~
lilbirdy: ^_^; what's with the sweatdrop and all the periods? Lol ^_^ I liked your review nonetheless. LoL. ^_^ I hope you continue to view this fic as 'interesting' heehee.
Vale: ^_^ YAY! Beautiful reviews! Beautiful!
Arnvid: Aren't they though?
Vale: Now! *ahem* So far…here are the results to the poll/vote thingy:
Hotaru/Edgar = 2 (What? My vote counts too! Lol)
Remember! I can pair Hotaru with ANYONE in this game! I'm talented ^_~ So review and VOTE! HAHAHAHAHA!