Chapter 5 – Sparking the Flame
Hotaru just sat there, feeling terrible. It must have been awful for Serena to lose someone she cared so much about. And even though Serena claimed that she had been too needy and that Darien deserved better, Hotaru felt that both were to blame for the split-up. Minutes passed and nothing was said. Hotaru stared awkwardly down at the stained, tattered carpet while Serena gazed off into space, wiping a tear every now and then. Finally Hotaru spoke up. "I'm really sorry. Is there any way…" she let her voice trail off. Serena blinked, clearly surprised. "Oh, no! Hotaru, there's no way that Darien and I could ever get together again. We have such different lives now…besides, by now, he probably has some rich, successful girlfriend that he's gaga over!" Serena said the last part bitterly, and yet Hotaru could tell that her depression was beginning to fade and that she was starting to feel better. Hotaru jumped at the opportunity to change the subject. "I doubt that. Really I do. But if you insist that it's really not possible, then what about the other Sailor Scouts?" Hotaru asked, leaning forward, feeling like a reporter again. Then a light bulb went off in her head and she reached for her back pack. Digging through clumps of papers, she finally found the list that she and her dad had made. She handed it to Serena, who immediately snatched a pen from the end table beside her and began scribbling.
"Trista Meiou…how did your dad know she was a Sailor Scout? I thought she kept her secret pretty well hidden! Anyway, I'm afraid that she died before you were reborn, rescuing Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus from a crashing helicopter. She was so helpful and kind…oh, too much sad stuff for one day! Moving on…" Serena's voice changed tones as she talked, and she talked more to herself than to Hotaru. She crossed out Trista's name. "Let's see…gosh, your dad is very observant! He managed to remember every single one of us, plus mine and Rini's real names!" Serena exclaimed, scanning the list. "Sailor Venus...her real name is Mina Aino. Have you ever heard of 'Starlight'?" Serena asked, raising an eyebrow. Hotaru grinned and nodded. "Starlight" was a popular television show themed around romance, cherry blossoms, and sushi that took place in a beautiful village in the mountainside. The girl who played the lead was gorgeous. "Yeah, well, you know 'Kori Sparrow', the main character? That's Mina. She always said she would be a star one day…" Serena said with a laugh. Hotaru's eyes widened. "Mina is Kori Sparrow?" She gaped. Serena laughed harder. "Wow…that's amazing!" Hotaru said once the shock wore off.
Serena continued to laugh for a moment before returning to the list. "Mercury's real name is Amy Anderson. I haven't heard from her in ages. Jupiter's real name is Lita Kino, I haven't heard from her in a while, either. Mars' real name was Raye Hino…but she's married now. I forget what her last name is. She invited me to the wedding, but I was too busy planning mine and Darien's wedding to go. I think she and her husband, Chad, still live at the Cherry Hill Temple not far away-" before Serena could say anything more, Hotaru stood up. "Then let's go! What are we waiting for?" she practically yelled. Serena was obviously uncomfortable with this idea, considering as she hadn't seen Raye in a long time and the visit would be much unexpected, but seeing the look on Hotaru's face and the joy in her eyes made it impossible to say no. "Alright," Serena sighed reluctantly.
After calling her dad to tell him her plans, Hotaru hopped in the front seat of Serena's small car. Serena climbed into the driver's seat and backed out of the driveway. By the time the car hit the road, Hotaru could tell that this would be a bumpy ride. Serena apologized for her poor driving skills as she nearly crashed into a mail box. The ride was smooth while they rode down the wide, straight road, but the minute they turned onto a narrower, more winding road, it was BANG! THUMP! HONK! And a loud screech that left Hotaru's ears ringing. She hoped that no one would report them for such reckless driving. And she couldn't help wishing she'd chosen to ride in the back seat.
After a last minute trip to "DoDoDonuts" (Serena claimed that she was hungry and that she would pretty much be re-earning that money through her job, anyway.) and ten miles in the wrong direction (which meant a rough turn-a-round that left Hotaru's insides feeling mushy) they finally arrived at the Cherry Hill Temple. Hotaru bolted from the car as politely as she could without looking desperate to get away, and then began making her way up the small, grassy hill upon which the temple sat. It was truly a lovely area. It reminded Hotaru of one of the temples in "Starlight", because it was surrounded by dreamy pink cherry blossom trees, and because, despite the fact that it was open to everyone who wished to enter, it appeared sacred and intimidating to outsiders. Approaching the open sliding wood door, Hotaru swallowed hard and took a step inside. Serena trailed close behind. Before she had time to lose her nerve, Hotaru called out, "Hello? Is anybody there?"
She waited for a response. She could hear Serena nervously shuffling around behind her. Suddenly, a man with rather tan skin and long, scraggly brown hair appeared from behind another sliding door. Almost right away, he called out, "Serena!" Hotaru could tell by Serena's voice that she had relaxed a bit. "Yep, it's me!" she replied in a giddy tone. The man turned and called to someone behind the door, "Raye! It's Serena Tsukino! Your old friend!" In a flash, a woman with dark hair and indigo-colored eyes was standing next to the man, her facial expression one of astonishment. "S-Serena? Hotaru!" the hurried over to where they were standing. She wore a priestess outfit, which included traditional sandals with slightly-raised heels. She seemed excited to see her old friends, and then a look came across her face as though she didn't know what to do or say. So Serena made the first move. She gave Raye a huge hug, and Hotaru noticed tears in her eyes. Tears came into her own eyes as she thought about what it would be like to go for so long without seeing anyone you cared about, just living in solitude and loneliness…and eating donuts all day. Tears came into Raye's eyes as well. "I missed you, Serena. Why did we lose touch?" she asked, sounding as though she was not only asking Serena but herself. "I don't know. I guess…I guess because I was busy planning my wedding with Darien, which didn't even turn out…" Serena said, and Hotaru could hear the sadness return to her voice for a second before it was replaced once more with happiness. "Didn't turn out?" Raye asked, pulling away. Serena shook her head and gave her a half-smile. Now it was Raye's turn to look sad. She furrowed her brow. "Then what about Rini? You guys can't split up! You get back together right this instant! For everyone's sake! Is his last name still Shields? I'm looking him up and calling him and telling him that I just can't-" Raye continued to ramble as she stomped into another room, where Hotaru guessed the phone was located. She expected Serena to look upset, but Serena just smiled. "I'm used to Raye's stubbornness. It fits her role as the warrior with the power over fire. A fiery personality," Serena chuckled. "Aren't you going to stop her before she calls Darien?" Hotaru asked incredulously. "Nah, then it would be just like old times, when we used to be at each other's throats all the time. I'd like to think that we've matured since then," Serena said cheerfully. Hotaru stared at her. Serena continued to smile. And then a funny look, somewhat like realization, crossed her face. "Raye, you better not call him! I'm serious! You'll be sorry!" Serena screamed.