Love Among Slavery
Chapter Sixteen: Confrontations and Memories
Hotaru fell back down to her feathered bed, completely exhausted and tired. She had been training, for the last six hours, non-stop! She knew it was no excuse, that she only had eighteen hours to finish this up before going back to Earth. Apparently, 24 hours on Saturn was a week on Earth. How... not so great. Her mother and father were probably worried about her and her grandfather was probably ill now, wondering where she went.
"We need to continue," Death, or now preferred to be called as Eternal Sailor Saturn, said. She was floating above her, looking down at her in urgency.
"Okay..." Hotaru whispered back feebly as she forced her limbs to cooperate with her mind.
Six hours later, she didn't even make it to her bed before she collapsed onto the marble floor of her room. The last twelve hours were piling up on her. All that information, magic, physical attacks, just everything was slowing crumbling her resolve. The amazing thing was, she was grasping the concept and everything more quickly than she assumed she was. Death, Sailor Saturn that is, claimed it was because she grew faster than any average person and her mind just temporarily forgot all the things she learned before in her past lives. Please notice plural: lives.
And now all those lives were toppling on top of her one by one.
"We have to finish this in twelve hours," Sailor Saturn said.
"A-alright," she shuddered and used her bed to help her up off the floor.
Another six hours later, she didn't even get to take a step before she flopped onto the barren Saturn ground. Eighteen unbearable hours, she was surprised she even lasted so long. Bruises have formed on her arms and legs, her body was so weak that she even had trouble breathing, and she ran out of sweat to keep her cool. It was impossible to finish this, but she knew she had to. For her Queen... and King...
No, she would not dwell on him.
"Six more hours, I promise," Sailor Saturn begged, transparent as a ghost, and floating calmly down beside her shivering form.
"I-I k-k-know," she gasped for air and hazily got up.
Last six hours later, she fainted. It was good, according to Death, because now all that training and education was being sucked into Hotaru's frail form and transferred through her veins. Sailor Saturn sat down beside her fainted present form. Soon, in a few more minutes, she, the Star Seed of Saturn, will float back into Hotaru and give her all the strength she needed for the challenges ahead. This was ridiculous. There were practically no more challenges except for Trowa Barton. But he would be defeated easily enough. He'd never harm Hotaru.
What the greatest challenge would be was for Hotaru to give up her heart for the Universe. She needed to give her love away. She needed to give Legolas away to Serentiy.
The ghostly form of Eternal Sailor Saturn blinked, disappearing and reappearing over and over again. It was time.
She closed her eyes and turned into a Star Seed. No longer was the Star Seed shaped like a diamond, but of a violet Pure Heart. It was the result of the love Hotaru had shared with Legolas. And it was because of this, did Super Sailor Saturn turn into Eternal Sailor Saturn. The Pure Heart-shaped Star Seed floated into Hotaru's unconscious form, it's purple light made the Planet heave upon its greatness. And when the Star Seed was gone, Hotaru's haggard breathing became calm and even again.
Then it was empty.
A silent wind blew Hotaru's hair away from her face as she slept peacefully. It caressed her like a father would.
In the distance, two shadows appeared. They walked closer to her until the light from Saturn's ring revealed their features. One had short, boyish sandy blonde hair and dark blue eyes. The other had long wavy aquamarine hair and sharp eyes of the same colour. Both were wearing eternal senshi fukus. One navy blue, the other aquamarine. The one in aquamarine had a mirror close her face, the other stood leader-like in front of her.
"We found her, Uranus," the aquamarine breathed in relief.
"Yes, Neptune, we did," Uranus, the blonde, said and walked up to the fainted form of their little Firefly.
"We'll have to bring her back to Earth soon," Neptune said as she watched her lover gently pick up their Firefly.
"I don't want to," Uranus whispered, a bit bitter.
"There is nothing we can do," Neptune insisted, although she, too, did not want to. "The Princess' orders."
"As much as I love the Princess," Uranus said. "I love Hotaru more."
"I know," Neptune agreed. "But Pluto would never forgive us if we do not return her daughter."
"Big deal!" the other spat. "We're her family too, we can be her guardians!"
"And let the Moon Kingdom perish?" Neptune whispered, eyebrows furrowed in worry.
"No," Uranus answered after a moment of silence. "But I don't want to see her suffer."
"Me either," Neptune put in. "But we can not do much against the Royal Family."
"Let's go then," Uranus heaved a sigh before they both teleported away to Earth.
Souichi watched as the two outer senshi settled his daughter's unconscious form carefully onto the feathered bed. He knew the end was near, he had seen it in his visions of the future, apparently one of the "advantages" of being the King of Pluto and the husband of the Time Guardian. Speaking of which, his wife was sitting near the bed, holding onto one of the limp hands of their daughter and brushing her forehead affectionately. Yes, even the Queen of Pluto and the Time Guardian herself knew that the Evil will strike soon.
The first thing Hotaru noticed when she awoke, her eyes still closed, were the memories rushing through her mind. Each one significant in finding out who she was, and each one was as clear as day. When she dared to open her eyes, she was greeted by a relieved smile from her mother, Setsuna Meiou, Setsuna-mama- Sailor Pluto. She sat up slowly, assisted by her Aunt Michiru Kaiou, Michiru-mama- Sailor Neptune. She then looked at her beloved father, Souichi Tomoe- the scientist. Over by the window was her Uncle Haruka Tenou, Haruka-papa- Sailor Uranus.
She leaned against the headboard as thoughts ran swiftly through her head. No longer would she view things as before, she now knew who exactly they were and what their places in the world were.
"How do you feel, my Firefly," Souichi asked, brows furrowed together.
"I…" she started to answer, but then fell silent again in deep contemplation. She was tired, hurt and confused… very confused with her emotions.
Haruka and Michiru shared a look.
"I'm fine," Hotaru lied and they knew, but they questioned her no farther.
A soft knock was then emitted from the door. Hotaru looked up to see whom it was, and breathed deeply as she forced a smile onto her face to greet her King. The sunlight streamed from behind him, magnifying his handsome face. He smiled back and she responded by clenching her hands into fists.
"I heard that you were feeling unwell," Legolas said, slightly worried. "That would explain your absence from our activities all week."
"Yes…" she trailed off.
Michiru clucked her tongue and they got the message.
"We have some things to take care of, your highness," Souichi said as he got up and bowed apologetically. "Please, if you would…"
"Of course," the elfin king said. "You are dismissed."
As one, the others got up and left, afraid to meet the Firefly's eyes and the accusation of betrayal they held. Hotaru silently cursed them for leaving her alone with the one thing she could never have or even touch.
"Hotaru," he called softly.
She looked up and caught his pale blue eyes. She cursed those beautiful eyes… those beautiful eyes that scorned her in the end. She closed hers from him and grew bitter. He thought that she had been sick all week. This made her wonder if he even attempted to visit her. And if not, was he going to apologize for not?
She felt hope.
"Hotaru," he began again when his eyes grew starry, not even looking at her. "Princess Serenity surpasses all my imaginings."
Hope dashed away.
She bit the inside of her mouth in jealousy and anger. Jealousy for Serenity and anger for Legolas. Princess had everything already, didn't she? And didn't Legolas swear to her that he would love her forever? Despite death and everything?
"She's sweet, intelligent and graceful," he went on, not noticing her abnormal silence. "And so… beautiful."
"That's," she almost choked. "That's great."
She should have known… should have known that he'd repeat his actions. Who was she, an ugly moth, to compare herself to Serenity, a lovely butterfly? Who was more appealing and had more beautiful designs on her wings.
She scolded herself for being drawn to him once more, like the moth she was to a flame. And like the moth, she would burn, back off and burn again. And no matter how bight the flame was, it could never evaporate the tears of the moth.
She swallowed painfully and squeezed her eyes shut to prevent the tears from spilling.
Legolas smiled wistfully and confessed, "I think… I think I love her."
Hotaru held back a gasp. It was funny how much it hurt no matter how many centuries had passed. Every time she heard him say it, it still hurt. She bowed her head so that he didn't see her silently cry.
"I know," she said sadly. "I think… I think you're perfect for each other. You complement each other so well. I know you'd be happy with her."
"Well," he said and stood up, energized. "I'm glad you approve… because I was worried."
He sounded solemn all of a sudden.
"What's wrong?" she asked, taking great effort to restrain herself from trembling.
"You're my friend, Hotaru," he said, still not looking at her. "I was afraid you wouldn't like her… and if you didn't… I wouldn't know what to do."
"Well…" she brushed the tears from her eyes. "I approve."
Legolas turned to her with a relieved smile, "And I'm glad."
The moment Milliardo felt her presence, he let some time pass for her to settle down before seeking her out. When he did seek her out, taking great care to avoid one Senshi of Love, he found her in a little circular area made from wall-high bushes in the garden. She sat on a chair surrounded by the heavy scent of flowers. Vines, letting only small amount of sunlight to seep through, made the canopy.
She left him breathless.
He hid behind the bushes, content in just watching her… and afraid to confront her.
"Do not hide from me," Hotaru spoke coldly. She recognized an aura, the aura of the man who foolishly lost her heart long ago in a stupid bet, the aura of her Prince, Milliardo, who gave up his throne when he was forced to wed in order to claim it. He could not wed anyone but her, and by that time, he had already lost her. There was no point in being King, if she were not his Queen.
Milliardo came out while she kept her head slanted upwards to stare at what little of the sky that showed through the vines.
"Should you not be with Minako?" she asked innocently enough.
His heart clenched. A direct hit.
"You remember," his throat was suddenly dry, achingly so.
"Yes… I do remember," she answered. "And I know what I have to do."
He wanted to reassure her that things would be alright. He wanted to hold her close and kiss her silent tears away.
He stepped towards her and reached for her chin gently. He tilted her face towards his and sank into her saddened eyes. He frowned and felt heavy. It hurt to see her like this. Her body was so close to him… and her breathing was so near…
His lips softly descended upon hers, hesitant and yet wanting everything. He reveled in her very being. She tasted just as delicious as before, but tenfold that. He moaned at the back of his throat and wondered if it were a dream. His heart was ready to burst and his mind ready to explode. When he pulled back, he was met with emotionless violet eyes.
She stood up stiffly and looked at him.
He felt heartbroken that she didn't respond and didn't seem to have felt anything afterwards.
She turned and prepared to leave.
"I love you," he whispered desperately, eyes tearing.
She paused in mid step, her back to him.
"I know."
And then left.
They faced each other in the library.
The moth and the butterfly.
Alone.
The butterfly was agitated by the moth's presence, afraid of what she could do.
The moth was emotionless, restraining her feelings in order to protect herself.
"You're back," Serenity started smoothly.
"I am," Hotaru answered simply.
Silence.
The butterfly almost fluttered her wings in agitation.
The moth was still.
"You remember," Serenity stated.
"Yes," Hotaru replied.
Silence.
"Legolas and I are to married," Serenity spoke aloud, more to convince herself than the other.
Inside, the moth flinched, broke down and cried.
"I am happy for you," Hotaru said. "Good day."
The moth retreated obediently.
The butterfly was triumphant.
It's been three days… three extremely agonizing days. Three days of watching them smile, laugh and share hesitant kisses when they thought no one was watching. Three days of observing them exchange glances, whisper endearments and Legolas giving Serenity small gifts.
And now, now he was pacing in front of her in her room. She craftily hid her emotions effectively from the others, but somehow she couldn't seem to manage as well in front of him. The elfin elders could see through her, and some could even see through their King…
"Hotaru, I really love her," Legolas told her, feeling feverish.
She couldn't help herself from smile softly at his strange behavior.
"Yes… I know… everyone knows," she gave a light laugh.
He blushed modestly and looked her in the eye and said, "Hotaru… I want to marry her."
She grimaced in the inside, but outside, she was happy.
"You will," she reassured him, "in time."
"That's the thing," he tried to explain. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
She laughed again.
He closed his mouth and swallowed a hard lump down his throat. Was it his imagination, or did her laugh sound fake? No. Hotaru would never deceive him.
Legolas breathed in deeply and started again, "I can't wait anymore, Hotaru."
She stopped laughing and waited patiently for him to elaborate.
"I want to marry her as soon as possible," he said, and immediately warmed to the idea.
Her insides twisted and she hugged herself unconsciously.
"Today."
She sobbed.
Legolas' elated expression immediately fell upon hearing her cry and he quickly held her by the shoulders, "What's wrong?"
She hiccupped and answered, "Nothing…"
He frowned, not believing her. Seeing her this way disturbed him… especially his heart, which he could hear thumping heavily in his ears.
"I-I'm just happy," Hotaru lied convincingly. "Ha-Happy for you… and Serenity."
He smiled gently and drew her in close.
"You're being silly," he scolded jokingly.
She knew she shouldn't, but she let herself be held by him. He was so warm and soft and comforting. Immediately, she calmed in his arms, her forehead resting against his chest. Hearing his heart made her sigh and feeling her heart near his, he unconsciously ran his fingers through her silken hair. His eyes began to close without his permission as his cheek rested perfectly on top of her head. It felt so right…
"You can dote on me all thee want, Princess of Saturn, but my love for Serenity will not wither under your persistence."
She jolted back from him as if he had struck her. His head shot up and he looked at her in confusion.
"You should talk to her."
He shivered at the coldness in her voice. He tried to meet her eyes, but her head was bowed. His hand reached out, feeling hurt for some unspeakable reason, but then snatched it back. What was he doing being so… intimate with her when he had just come to a conclusion of marrying another?
"Ye-Yes," his voice shook. "I'll go see Serenity."
Her hands clenched tightly together after he left.
"Always Serenity…" she murmured to herself, tasting acid. "Always her…"
She bit her lower lip, grabbed her pillow and threw it across the room in anger. She needed to vent. She needed to kill!
"Why!" she screamed. "Why her? Why not me?"
She choked on a sob and fell to her knees.
"Why can you not love me like before…" she whispered. "You promised…"
"You promised."
Trowa wanted to kill him… slowly and painfully.
He watched from the shadows as his Ebony Goddess cried in agony.
He wanted so badly to come out and comfort her. To hold her in his arms, to soothe her broken heart and to kiss her lush lips. He wanted to kiss the hollow of her neck to make her moan, pick her up, put her on the bad, and make slow, passionate and pleasurable love to her all night long.
And then make the Knight suffer to ease his hatred for him. Then make the Fair-haired Goddess suffer to ease his lover's feelings… such fragile feelings that needed to be handled with care.
He could do that, he was willing to do that.
He was willing to love her and solely her and not go back on his word.
Not like that damned Knight.
Soon…
But not today…
Unfortunately.
It had been announced a few hours back of the official engagement and soon, in a few days, the wedding of King Legolas and Princess Serenity.
Gandalf released the collected smoke from his mouth as he thought through the situation they were in. If the Evil did not strike, then things would end right… or as right as things should be. However, if the Evil were to strike… then things would be complicated.
And his granddaughter, his precious granddaughter…
There was no saving her.
His son sighed heavily beside him.
"What are we to do, father?" Souichi asked with a broken heart.
"You're asking me?" Gandalf replied. "You're the Pluto King. You can foresee the future, can you not?"
Souichi frowned, "I can not see it all, only brief glimpse… and they terrify me."
Gandalf withdrew into silence.
"I want to save my daughter."
"You can't. I can't… No one can."
Two more days until the wedding and Hotaru found herself in Princess Serenity's bedchamber. Her princess was getting her wedding dress tailored as the others complimented and gushed. Minako and Rei especially.
It was obvious that her princess wanted to flaunt her good fortune in front of her.
Fine.
She'd play.
"What do you think of this veil, Hotaru?" Serenity asked, displaying a transparent white veil that swayed gracefully at any small movement made.
"Lovely," and it was.
The princess smiled.
"What about the engagement ring?" Minako just had to take a jab at the girl who had her man's heart.
Serenity stretched her wedding finger out to show the heart-shaped diamond surrounded by many smaller diamonds. It reflected the sunlight right into Hotaru's eyes, perfectly blinding her. However, she did not falter and did not blink.
"It's beautiful," and it was.
The princess smiled again.
"And what do you think of this wedding altogether?" Rei asked, smiling.
"It is going to be perfect."
And it will… hopefully.
Haruka punched the wall in frustration, effectively producing a hole.
"Haruka," Michiru scolded.
"Can you not hear them in there?" the blonde seethed.
Michiru closed her eyes sadly and said, "Yes… I can hear them mock her… but there's nothing we can do."
"Setsuna?" Haruka called for assistance, but then flinched.
The Time Guardian had her eyes drawn to the floor, crying silently for her child.
"Oh, Setsuna," Michiru said and then enveloped her in a hug.
"I wi-wish…" Setsuna breathed. "I wish I could do something for her."
"We all do," Haruka assured her and then chuckled bitterly. "If only we didn't bring her back…"
Legolas was getting his own wedding clothes tailored under the ever-watchful eyes of an Elder. The elfin elder watched as his King smiled and hummed delightfully to himself, dreaming of his future with the infamous Moon Princess. He dreamed with the eyes of a man in love… but the Elder could see that under the layers of love was hesitation.
Legolas suddenly stopped humming, his face withdrawn and his eyes dim.
"We are two different people, Hotaru. We can never be, we knew that in the very beginning. I love Serenity now... you can go back to Prince Milliardo... he loves you. And I... I can never remember the love I once held for you."
He frowned and blinked in confusion, looking into the pale blue eyes of his reflection in the mirror. The tailors continued to sew as if nothing had happened. But he swore he heard his voice.
"I don't want Milliardo. I want you, and I always will. Goddesses Legolas, I love thee with all mine heart."
Hotaru? That was her voice… he was certain. She loved him?
"But I do not love thee. You can dote on me all thee want, Princess of Saturn, but my love for Serenity will not wither under your persistence."
Yes… yes… he loved Serenity and Hotaru loved… whoever - just not him… right?
"I love you... Legolas..."
A thin line of blood flowed from the corner of her lips, the very lips he kissed himself. The lips formed a face, the very face he caressed lovingly. The face had a nose, the very nose he would take great delight in kissing when she was half awake. And above the nose were eyes, violet eyes, the very violet eyes he had spent content hours just looking at them.
"I love you my goddess, now and forever. And I promise to love you throughout the ages to come..."
"Hotaru," he muttered involuntarily.
The Elder had caught him.
"Pardon, your majesty?"
"Huh?" Legolas blinked.
"Are you alright, your highness?" the Elder asked carefully.
"Of course," the King replied easily. "I am going to marry the woman I love in two days… Of course, I'm alright."
The Elder was silenced by his King's blissful smile.
Hadn't he just looked stricken?
It was the day of the wedding, and to spite her, Serenity made her a bridesmaid. To make it worse, Hotaru was going to wear soft lavender. How perfect, to wear her favourite colour on the day her Knight was to be married to another, the Fair-haired Goddess. She would never look at purple the same ever again.
Her mother, Setsuna, helped her into the off-shouldered dress made of the finest of silks.
"It's a very nice material," the Goddess of Time tried to comfort her daughter.
"Nothing but the best for our princess' wedding," Hotaru answered hollowly.
Setsuna didn't reply.
What was there to say?
A knock from the door and her father entered, smiling at how lovely his little Firefly looked. Behind him was an elfin Elder, giving a sagely smile. Hotaru put the circlet made of intertwining violet flowers on her head and then picked up the purple bouquet up gracefully.
"Lady Hotaru," the Elder gave a slight bow. "If I may, I wish to speak with you."
Hotaru nodded.
Her father took her mother by the elbows gently and led her out. Setsuna did not want to leave her daughter alone, in a room… where sharp objects could be hidden by said daughter and could be used at any time to relieve her.
The door closed softly.
"May I ask what you wish to talk to me about?" Hotaru asked politely.
She sounded dead to him. Was she silently suffering too?
"It is about my king," the Elder began. "His majesty is…"
He was pacing when she entered his room, a habit that certainly grew on him the past few days. So into his nervousness was he that he didn't even look up when someone entered his room. She shut the door firmly behind her and waited for him to notice her. He looked so handsome at that moment, with the sun setting and the moon just awakening.
It was fitting to have the wedding during a full moon.
"The Elder had said you were nervous, but this is ridiculous," she teased while hurting terribly on the inside.
Legolas stopped and looked at her for the first time. He was sweating, he swore he really was. His heart was jumpy, and his blood was racing. He was nervous and extremely agitated. So many people watching… anything could go wrong. And worse, what if Serenity changed her mind.
"I am nervous," he said. Even his voice was jumpy.
She couldn't stop herself from smiling softly, "I can see that."
"Anything could go wrong," he ranted.
She just nodded and settled herself on a nearby chair. This was going to take awhile, she could tell.
"She could…" he hesitated, not wanting to jinx himself.
Reading his thoughts, since he was so predictable after all, she reassured him, "She won't change her mind."
His head snapped to her and asked frantically, "How do you know?"
Her smile turned sad, he noticed, "Because anyone who doesn't want to marry you is an idiot."
Legolas quieted and was grateful for her calming presence He went over to her and placed his head on her lap and breathed her in. Hotaru turned stiff, but then relaxed when she realized that all he needed was reassurance.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
She hesitantly let her left hand brush his head, "Yes… because Serenity loves you…"
He smiled into her lap and closed his eyes, remembering the feel of her palm on his head. He moaned and her heart skipped a beat. It was horrible, what he was doing to her… so horrible. She clenched her teeth painfully and wanted so badly to tell him.
But she couldn't, it would ruin everything…
… and if she didn't, she would regret it forever and for all the ages that were to come.
"And I…" she paused.
He drew his head from his lap to look at her, "What's wrong?"
She swallowed, feeling herself start to drown in his eyes once again.
And then he knew, no words were needed.
"I love you... Legolas..."
His eyes widened and so did hers.
They both heard.
Legolas backed away from her in horror and disbelief.
Hotaru ran.
Here it was, the moment for him to turn back if he wanted to. He looked into Serenity's eyes, and they briefly flashed violet. He looked down. His heart was in turmoil. He didn't know what to do now. It was all too confusing.
Hotaru loved him.
She didn't say it, but he heard it anyway.
But he loved Serenity.
He knew that.
He met Serenity's beautiful eyes again.
He had to be.
"I do."
Wasn't he?
Hotaru's heart was broken beyond repair.
It was worse than the time when Milliardo rejected her because Legolas picked it up and put it back together.
It was worse than the time when Legolas had first rejected her because Trowa was there to steady her.
It was worse than the time when Trowa had used her because she got to reconcile with Legolas.
This time… this time there was no one-
She turned sharply, glaive at his throat, gleaming deadly in the moonlight.
His one visible green eye flinched at the tears he saw trailing down her cheek. He was in awe of her, glowing in the full moon that settled just behind her. Out here, in the balcony, the wind blew coldly, dancing with her ebony hair and sending the faint scent of the flowers from her hair into the air. Music from the ballroom flowed around them, soothing them. And the dress showed her skin, as pale as the moon and as smooth as Saturn's ring.
"I love you," Trowa said without hesitation.
"You think I will listen to your lies now?" Hotaru asked coolly.
"I'm not lying," he said, "and you know it."
Her jaw clenched, then she lowered her weapon from his neck and turned her back to him.
"I would never hurt you," he told her honestly.
"That's what you said the first time."
He was composed enough to not cringe.
"I'll never hurt you again," he promised.
"Leave me…"
He circled his arms around her from behind and she stiffened. He bent his head and nuzzled her neck affectionately, raking his teeth against her earlobe. She shivered. He smirked, glad that he still had an effect on her. He was about kiss her neck when she pulled harshly away and faced him with furious violet eyes.
He shuddered.
Gods, how he loved those eyes of hers.
"Not again," her voice was painful.
"You would rather him?" he asked and she winced. "You rather watch him from afar and slowly die from the inside out?"
She did not reply and he took that as his cue to continue.
"I'm here," he said. "I am right here… for you. I'd shield you away from him, and her. I won't let her abuse you anymore and I won't let him take you for granted anymore. I will cherish you, care for you and love forever and ever… and unlike him, I'll keep my promises."
She swallowed.
She looked beautiful.
"Come with me," Trowa said, his voice intoxicating.
He sounded so sure, and looking into his eye, she felt so… safe.
She took a sure step towards him.
"Marry me, Serenity, and I will rid of this insane Destroyer for you, my love."
She retreated a step back, fresh tears from her eyes.
His heart tore as he realized that he was now the cause of her tears.
"Together, we will show that Knight that you were the right choice… not that stupid Moon Child," he whispered delightfully into her ear.
Her violet eyes dimmed and she smiled, "I believe you… I really do."
"I love you," Trowa said, more truthful than he really meant them, and smirked in triumph.
Hotaru spun around in his arms to meet his face with one of the brightest smiles she had ever bestowed him. His heart pumped erratically, and almost exploded when she confessed.
"I love you too!"
She was so close… so very close. A few steps and she'd be his. His to hold, to kiss, to love. Her smile… he so wanted to see her smile like before. The smile that made his heart melt. But she was backing away from him, face horrified. No… it cannot be… certainly she couldn't be remembering.
He took a step towards her and she only back away.
His throat constricted.
Suddenly, he couldn't breathe properly.
She took another step back.
"I love you," he cried desperately. "Please… please don't leave me."
Hotaru stopped, watching him as he finally showed emotion.
A lone tear escaped his eye as he fell onto his knees and begged desperately, so desperately, "Please… please don't leave me again. I love you so much."
The tears hit the floor of the balcony and she gasped.
She held him as he continued to cry. He was shaking and holding onto her for his dear life. He dug his face into her stomach, listening her heart and basking in her warmth. The smell of tea, the tea she made for him, wafted in the air, comforting him. Her scent, her intoxicating scent, was addictive. He didn't know how he could have lived so long without her.
"Trowa?" Hotaru whispered comfortingly. "It's okay…It was only a nightmare."
Hearing this, he hugged her closer to him; afraid she'd disappear if he let go.
She brushed his hair and kissed the top of his head.
"Care to tell me?" she asked with a soft smile.
He closed his eyes in bliss and then it all spilled out.
"I dreamt of… you," he said.
She frowned, "Am I that horrible?"
His arms tightened around her and he shook his head, "No… you could never be horrible…"
She blushed prettily.
"I dreamt of him, the Knight," his throat felt so dry. "I dreamt… that he took you away from me…"
"Everyday, I wake up, hoping that everything had been a dream," Trowa said. "But it's not!"
Hotaru bent down.
"It's not!" he cried. "And I hate myself for it… I had everything… I had you!"
She wrapped her arms around him and he sunk his head onto her lap like so many times before. Her warmth and scent blanketed him and he shuddered in pleasure.
"And I was a fool," Trowa confessed. "I was a fool to lie to myself… to believe that I was using you all along… when all that time I was falling, falling so fast and true."
He breathed her in.
"I love you, Hotaru…" he said. "I love you so much."
She patted his head and kissed it. He closed his eyes in shivered in her touch and presence.
Seeing her… holding him…
"He's evil," he told her, his stomach rolling in unease.
"He's not evil," she said, not meeting his eyes. "He's just… misguided."
Poor naïve Hotaru.
"He's not misguided," he insisted. "He takes pleasure in the pain and death of others."
Her head shot up and she glared at him, "You don't know him like I do."
"Hotaru…" his trailed off. "He'll hurt you."
"He would never do that," she said. "He loves me."
The blissful look she had on her face when she spoke those words sent him in a sea of confusion and… pain?
"You believe him?" he asked in disbelief.
"Of course," she said.
Her eyes softened and his heart compressed painfully.
"Because I love him too."
Tears fell from his pale blue eyes.
They settled on a nice patch of grass with the light of the full moon bathing them. Fireflies danced among the flowers, illuminating them in an unearthly glow. She leaned her head onto his shoulder and he smiled as he wound an arm around her. They both looked at the lake and the reflection of the starry sky.
"Oh," she jolted up and then pointed at the sky. "A shooting star!"
He smiled at her innocence.
"We should make a wish," he said and she nodded in agreement.
She closed her eyes and began to make a wish. He watched her and marvelled on how the moonlight made her skin glow. Her eyelashes fluttered in the breeze and he contemplated on whether or not he should kiss her right then and there. His pale blue eyes softened and he sighed inwardly.
Suddenly, her eyes shot open and she smiled.
And he melted.
"What did you wish for?" he asked.
She shook her head, "Uh uh, I can't tell you or it won't come true."
He smiled and she felt her heart beat against her ribs. She had felt his eyes on her when she was making her wish, and she felt so warm.
"Well…" he said with another smile. "I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."
She thought about it and then nodded, "I wished that you'd be safe forever."
His heart softened like putty.
"What did you wish for?" she asked. Now she really wanted to know. No way was she gonna let him of the hook.
Truthfully, he answered, "I wished that we would be together forever."
She blushed and they both leaned in.
His stomach sank, his heart tightened and his limbs numbed. The music from the ballroom faded out and the air suddenly felt too solid to breathe in. All he saw was her… so lovely under the moonlight… the very moonlight that made her skin glow.
"Hotaru!" he shouted for her. "Don't go!"
She gave only one look back at him, her violet eyes telling him that they weren't his anymore. His heart wretched and he desperately gasped for air… but his air was turning her back to him. Battered and bruised on the floor, he reached out a hand to her, but she was already gone.
The Evil kicked his hand away and ground it onto the floor with the heel of his boots. He cried out, eyes tearing.
Trowa revelled in the Knight's pain and inner turmoil. His one visible green eye laughed madly at him. He bent down and what he whispered next into his ear, broke him once and for all.
"She's mine now, Legolas."
Legolas choked on a sob seeing Hotaru holding onto Trowa. His vision blurred and his heart was madly trying to commit suicide so that he may be relieved from this pain. His head pounded, his blood froze and he was dizzy. But he couldn't move… he didn't have strength… he didn't have any strength left in him to do anything at all.
"We are two different people, Hotaru," Legolas had said, looking at the ground, afraid to meet her tear gathering eyes. "We can never be, we knew that in the very beginning. I love Serenity now... you can go back to Prince Milliardo... he loves you. And I... I can never remember the love I once held for you."
"I don't want Milliardo," Hotaru had cried. "I want you, and I always will. Goddesses Legolas, I love thee with all mine heart."
"But I do not love thee," he was suddenly shouting. "You can dote on me all thee want, Princess of Saturn, but my love for Serenity will not wither under your persistence."
It felt like something punched him in the chest, knocking him out of breath… out of his very life. It was him… he was the one who broke them apart. Why? Why would he just end it with her? His lovely Firefly Goddess?
"Why?" he asked himself.
"I love you... Legolas..." her voice ended in a deathly whisper, a thin vein of blood coming from the corner of her mouth, and then she went limp in his hold.
He cried out in agony, as he flung a seal towards the numb-ridden Evil. He then held her cooling corpse to his body, somehow hoping that his warmth would bring her back. He felt tears coming from his eyes, but ignored them, it did not matter if he showed how weak he was when it came to his beloved. The moments they had shared flashed vividly in front of him. Her laughter, her smile, even her tears. He was already missing them... he was already missing her. How foolish of him to let her go!
"I love you my goddess, now and forever. And I promise to love you throughout the ages to come..."
With that he-
"Legolas."
He robotically turned around and met Serenity…
His wife.
Serenity froze on the spot, looking from his tears to Hotaru holding onto Trowa, unaware that they were being spied on. She met Legolas in the eyes and they were both speechless…
"Serenity," Makoto came up to them followed by the rest of the Goddess and then they all stopped.
"No," Serenity whispered painfully.
"I remember," Legolas said.
"No," Serenity shook her head, not believing him.
"I love her."
"NO!"
Hotaru turned her head to the direction of the scream and became immobile. They were all there… all the Goddesses… staring at them. Her mother watching her sadly, her uncle and aunt torn on what to do, and the inners looked at her accusingly. Her Queen looked at her with infinite hatred and Legolas…
She stood up and once again, violet clashed with pale blue like so long ago.
"Legolas…" she whispered.
Trowa looked up and saw the Knight with the Fair-haired Goddess. No… they couldn't be here, right now. They'd ruin everything!
"Hotaru…" he whispered and took a step towards her.
"NO!" Serenity cried and held onto her husband. "You mustn't. You're married to me! Not her!"
"And I'd die before I let you take her again," the Evil rose from the ground, an ominous aura surrounding him.
The Knight drew out a bow and arrow from thin air, the Evil unsheathed his sword and the Goddesses followed suit.
And Hotaru…
Hotaru was torn.
A/N: Okay, I'm thinking... one more chapter to wrap things up? I don't know, depends on much I feel like writting... I mean, this was 23 pages people, so you better reivew!
Silver Author