Shanu stumbled into the main room of the lair. Ra and three others stood in front of him, arm crossed. "Well?" demanded Ra.
"What happened to you?" asked a boy with short, sandy hair and brown eyes wearing a gold robbed outfit. "Finding the Golden Crystal shouldn't kill you, Shanu."
"Shut up, Tut-Tut!" Shanu snapped back. "It was both yours and Ra's job to capture all the Senshi! Explain that!"
"Hey! You can't blame us for not knowing!" whined Tut-Tut.
"Silence!" Ra snapped. "Shanu. Until you have healed, Thoth will take your place. Osiris, see what you can learn about this Sailor Earth. See if she really posses a threat." Thoth, a woman with black hair, eyes, and outfit; and Osiris, a woman with brown hair, blue eyes, and light-blue dress; stepped forward, turned to Ra, and bowed. "Yes, ma'am."
Shanu growled as the women left the room. "Shanu!" snapped Ra. "Hold your tongue!"
Tut-Tut started to snicker. "You as well!" Ra snapped.
Tut-Tut lowered his head. "Gomen, Ra-sama."
Ra turned her attention back to Shanu. "Enter the Healing Chamber! Now!"
Knowing it was of no use to argue further, Shanu nodded. "Of course, Dear Sister."

Solana and two other girls walked into the Eastern Café. "I didn't think he was that cute," Solana commented.
One of her friends rolled her eyes. "Sure you didn't."
"You were only flirting the whole time," said the other.
"Leiko-chan! Haru-chan! I was not!" insisted Solana, blushing like mad.
Haru pointed to one of the booths. "Isn't that Kin-san?"
Solana put her school bag in the booth and looked over. "Sure is. Hey. . .!"
Leiko's hand covered Solana's mouth. "Don't call her over here!"
Haru stuck out her tongue. "Gross. Seriously."
"Why don't you girls like her?" asked Solana as she sat down.
"What I don't see is why you like her," said Leiko. "Besides, we aren't the only ones who can't stand her."
"But what I'm asking is why you two don't like her," Solana repeated.
"She's creepy," said Haru. "She's always talking to herself."
"She seems to be completely out of it all the time," added Leiko.
"She is always depressed," continued Haru.
Solana put up her hands to stop them. "Girls! That doesn't make her a bad person or anything."
"Yea, but that makes it so that nobody can stand her," said Haru.
A tear ran down Hana's face. I know they don't like me, but they don't have to be so hateful about it.

It was time for lunch at Gaea Jr./Sr. High School. Hana stepped outside and scanned the area for a place to sit. It wasn't like it was going to be difficult; while Gaea City was a business-mecca, the actual population was so small, only fifty students attended the entire school. The lack of students made it easy to spot Solana, Leiko, and Haru sitting under a tree, preparing to eat their lunch.
She's creepy. Haru's words echoed through Hana's head. That was cruel.. . .Still, I am too serious. I should try to lighten up.. . .But not too much. Then they'll know I overheard.
She approached the group. "Konnichi wa, Solana-chan! Miyo-san. Amaya-san. May I join you today?" Hana could see Leiko and Haru inwardly groan. To their credit, though, they tried not to show it.
"Sure," said Solana. She patted the ground next to her. "Saved you a spot."
Hana smiled. "Thanks!" She sat down and unwrapped her brown and light-brown stripped lunch bag. "Solana-chan. Here's that piece of chocolate I owe you."
"Arigato! I have been craving chocolate all day," Solana told her.
Hana looked over at Leiko and Haru. Here goes nothing. "I have extra. Do you two want a piece?" she asked.
Leiko and Haru gave each other "Should we?" looks. "Uh, sure."
Hana smiled again. "If you want more, just let me know."
"Hana-chan, what did you think about that pop quiz in English?" asked Solana.
Hana picked up her sandwich. "Ugh. It was murder. I didn't remember going over any of that stuff."
"I remembered a little," said Solana.
"What about you two?" asked Hana.
"I found it to be pretty easy, actually," commented Leiko.
"Well, ya," said Solana. "You spent four years in England."
"Really?" asked Hana. "What was it like, Miyo-san?"
"I was about nine when we left, so I don't really remember much. I do remember it being cold a lot," Leiko told her.
"Wow. I have always wanted to go to a different country. Even going to Tokyo would be a treat for me," said Hana before she took a bite of her sandwich.
"You've never been to Tokyo?" asked a surprised Haru.
Hana shook her head. "For some reason, my parents don't want to leave this city. Something about being content with what they have now and not needing more."
"I believe everyone should get out of their hometown at least once in their lives," stated Haru. "You could learn so many things by going to the next city even."
"Try telling my parents that." Hana pointed to a cloud. "Hey! It's a car!"
"I see it!" Solana said. "That one looks like a turtle."
"Bunny!" said Leiko.
"Frog!" found Haru.
"What do you think that one looks like, Kin-chan?" asked Leiko.
Hana smiled at her new name. "Which one, Miyo-chan?"
"That one!" Leiko pointed to a cloud that slightly resembled the Golden Crystal. Hana gaped at it for a few seconds before finally replying, "I don't know. I feel as if I should, but I don't."

"Gin-sama! What are the police still doing here?" Hana asked. She screamed when he turned to answer her. "What the hell is on your face?!"
Gin-sama's lips, chin, and nose were just caked in blue lipstick. He had red mascara on his eyelashes and lids. White stars were painted on his cheeks. "I'm a clown. Can't you tell?"
Hana shook her head in disbelief. "Yes, you are. You really are.. . .I ask again: Why are the police still here?"
"What police?"
"The people in the uniforms wondering around the store."
"Oh, those aren't police."
Hana leaned forward. "Well, then, what are they?" she asked in a low voice.
"They are customers." Gin-sama smiled.
Hana rolled her eyes and groaned. "You apparently drank too much of your namesake."
"Nani?"
"Drinking. Like beer. . .Never mind. Dude!" Hana looked for her co-worker. "Dude! What are the police still doing here? I thought they were suppose to be gone by now."
"They're still looking for clues," Dude told her.
Hana let out an exasperated sigh. "I told them. . ."
"I know what you told them. But you described a new Senshi and until the police have confirmed that this Sailor Earth is real, they are not going to believe you."
"I know what I saw," Hana said. "They will soon find out that I am right."

Osiris and Thoth were in the kitchen eating lunch. "What do you think we should do?" asked Osiris. "Attack now or wait a few days to let her guard go down?"
Thoth took a slurp of her soup. "I believe we should attack now. I would like to see Sailor Earth in action."
"Good idea. Where?"
"How about where she first showed up?" Thoth suggested.
"Good idea," agreed Osiris. "How about right now?"
Thoth stood up. "Why not?"

"I believe you, Kin-san, but the police don't," Dude continued. "There is nothing I can do about that. Ma'am, can I help you?" Dude walked off to help a customer.
"This is ridiculous," Hana muttered under her breath. She rolled her eyes behind Dude's back as she headed towards the back room.
Hana stepped into the changing room and pulled the curtain shut. She pulled her work outfit out of her school bag and slammed both on the bench.
You must control your anger, Hana-sama.
"I know, I know. But it's hard not to be angry when nobody believes you."
I believe you.
"I know you do, Earth. I would like a human to believe me, though. I interact with them as well."
If they don't see it, they don't believe it. I have noticed that to be part of human nature.
"Then why are so many willing to accept God when they have never seen Him?"
Humans are also full of contradictions.
Hana chuckled. "That we are." Hana checked herself in the mirror. She smoothed out some wrinkles out of her pants. She then pulled a brush out of her bag. "Gotta tame these wild hairs," she mumbled.
Hana-sama! Stay where you are!
"Huh?" asked Hana.
In the store, people began screaming. "Freeze!" yelled a policeman.
Osiris smiled. "Actually, I prefer water's liquid form." She touched the crescent moon on her forehead with her fore and middle fingers, then aimed at the officer. "Nile's Fury!"
Hana watched as three policemen were slammed into a wall. "Alright! I'm going in!"
Be careful!
Hana nodded. "Hai!" She raised her henshion stick above her head. "Earth Planet Power! Make Up!"
Osiris smirked and touched her crescent moon again. "Ni-!"
"Hold it right there!" Sailor Earth stepped into the room. "You wanna pick on someone? Then pick on me!"
"Well, that's some very tough talk," said Thoth. "But just who in the hell are you?"
Sailor Earth took a deep breath. "I am the Protector of this Planet! Daughter of the Goddess, Gaea! I am Sailor Earth! On behalf of Earth, I shall punish you!"
Thoth crossed her arms. "So you're Sailor Earth."
Osiris places her right hand on her hip. "You don't look so tough."
"We can take you," added Thoth.
This pissed Sailor Earth. "Why you. . .Earth Leaf Cyclone!"
Both Osiris and Thoth were shocked as they were knocked off their feet and into a glass case. Osiris got up. "We will not be beaten by a little girl!"
"Little girl?" repeated Sailor Earth. "I'll have you know that I am 18-years-old!"
"So? I am 999 years old," stated Thoth as she stood up.
"And I am 1,005," added Osiris.
"That's funny," said Sailor Earth. "You don't look a day past stupid."
Osiris became confused. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing; she is merely trying to insult us," said Thoth.
"Congratulations! I crown you The Smart One!" said Sailor Earth sarcastically.
"That does it! Nile's Fury!" yelled Osiris.
"Earth Leaf Cyclone!" The attacks met in middle of the room. Customers, employees, and even the police headed for the exits.
"Oooo. Pretty lights!" marveled Gin-sama. Dude grabbed his arm. "Come on!"
"Think those little leaves will stop me?" yelled Osiris.
"Yes, I do!" Sailor Earth yelled back. She began to overpower her opponent.
"Perhaps I could be of some assistance," said Thoth.
"Why aren't you now?" Osiris yelled at her.
"Sacred Writings!" yelled Thoth.
When the two attacks combined, Sailor Earth was instantly thrown back. She clutched her chest in pain. "Owie," she moaned.
Osiris and Thoth approached her. "She did put up a good fight. Should we take her back with us?" wondered Osiris.
"Well, we did only come to see what she was about," answered Thoth. "However, we may never have this opportunity again. This shall be your call."
Sailor Earth looked up at them as they looked down at her. "I say we should," concluded Osiris.
Sailor Earth suddenly lunged at Thoth. "Never!" As they landed on the ground, Sailor Earth's knee landed in Thoth's stomach. Thoth screamed in agony and pushed Sailor Earth off her. Thoth curled up into a ball as Osiris came to her aid. "Sailor Earth, we shall return." They teleported away.
Sailor Earth rubbed her chest as she stood up. "I wonder how many more there are."

Hana entered her apartment. "Hey! I'm home!"
The TV studio audience laughed. Her father turned the page of his newspaper. Her mother continued her knitting. Her brothers, Tai, Kaida, and Yoshi, were playing a board game. Her sisters Mimi and Kimi were looking at some teen magazine. No one seemed to notice that she was home.
"Hey. I'm home," Hana repeated. Nothing. Hana sighed. "As usual," she told herself forlornly and headed to her room.
On her door was a note. "Hana-chan! I'm over at my friend's house tonight. I'll see you after school tomorrow! Ken."
Hana smiled. "At least you care."
"Hana!" yelled her mother. "I need you to clean the kitchen floor! You didn't do it yesterday like I told you to!"
"Yes, I did! If you would actually look. . .!"
"Don't take that tone with me!"
"Whatever," Hana mumbled.
"What did you say?"
"Whatever!" Hana yelled back.
"Would you two hold it down to a dull roar?" yelled her father.
"You stay out of this!" yelled her mother.
"You do this every night! When is it going to end? Huh?"
Hana slammed her door behind her and leaned against it. She gazed around her room. Her walls and ceiling were a light-blue. Earlier in the year, she had painted clouds on the ceiling. She had done a pretty good job considering the fact Solana teased her about her about needing help with stick people.
She placed her bag on her "desk", which was really a low table. Her "bed" was nothing more than an air mattress with a pillow and comforter. Five years ago, Hana's mattress and bed frame broke. After waiting a week for her parents to do something, she found the sleeping bag too uncomfortable and bought the mattress so she would have somewhere to sleep until she received her new one.
It never came. In fact, Hana knew her parents hadn't even noticed, just like they hadn't noticed the mini-fridge in her room. Nor did they care that there were times when Hana would spend two, three weeks at Solana's house. The only person that truly seemed to care was Ken.
Ken's first and third grade pictures hung on the wall next to her bed. Pictures of him and her covered her dresser and mini-fridge. It still amazed her that the only person in the apartment that wasn't related biologically was the only person that accepted her. As she stared at the pictures that had been taped to the bedroom door, she thought, And to think, I didn't want you. How stupid. "Adopting you was the best thing Mama and Papa ever did for me," she told his baby picture.
She heard a door slam, then the muffled screams of her parents. "As soon as I get out of here, I'm taking you with me, Ken-chan. I don't care what happens to me. You deserve better than this." You deserve better.

Chapter 4