Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

A/N: I spent the weekend at CONvergence and was hit with some overdue inspiration!

Chapter 14: The Ties That Bind

-Crystay Tokyo: Distant Future-

- Five Months Earlier-

"It's amazing the amount of junk that can accumulate in a thousand years," Setsuna muttered half to herself as she pulled another box toward her place on the floor. They'd been in the basement for hours searching through many lifetimes worth of artifacts.

"It's not junk," Hotaru replied, grinning as she carefully opened the box in front of her. "It's history." She lifted a half-rotted container and grimaced as dust cascaded into her lap.

"Hmmph…" Setsuna pushed her current box aside and reached for the next. "It would help if we'd thought to organize this room. Ever." She eyed the date written in faded letters on the cardboard before standing. "It's going to be further back than this."

Hotaru joined her, gazing over the piles that stretched back to the far end of the room. She pushed her hair back from her forehead, huffing softly as it immediately fell back into her face.

Setsuna smiled at the gesture, which had become a frequent habit for the younger girl. She'd been letting it grow out for years, keeping it at the middle of her back for at least the last century. She wasn't sure what had inspired her to cut it off a few weeks earlier, but it was clear that Hotaru still wasn't used to it. She turned, catching Hotaru's face with one hand and using the other to comb the dark hair back with her fingers. When it stayed put, she smiled.

Hotaru laughed and leaned forward to hug the older woman, prompting her hair to return to its previous position. "I'm getting used to it," she chuckled. Setsuna kissed the top of her head before releasing her. She stood back, fists at her hips, and stared at the sea of boxes left to search. "It is here somewhere, right?" Hotaru asked, looking up at her.

Setsuna glanced down at her adopted daughter. Her posture was tense as her narrowed eyes scanned the mess again. Tomorrow they would be sending her on her own into unknown danger. If she could do something to bolster her, Setsuna was determined to try. She stepped back, calling her staff and holding it so the gem on the end was at eye level. She heard Hotaru gasp but concentrated on the ruby glow spreading before her. In a moment, a small window seemed to open within the red light. She saw Minako, many years ago, holding a bundle to her chest as she looked around. Setsuna widened the vision, watching as the blonde moved to the wall where an old chest stood alone in a clear space. She unwrapped the bundle briefly to caress the leather of the cover, then carefully set it inside. Setsuna smiled as the vision faded. She banished her staff and turned to meet Hotaru's open-mouthed stare.

"It's over here," she said calmly, striding past the shocked girl to the edge of the room. She began moving boxes to the side, digging through to the place where the trunk had once stood. Hotaru began helping, grinning at her as she went. It wasn't long before they'd unearthed the ancient trunk and Hotaru was carefully lifting a bundle wrapped in dusty cloth.

She sat back on a pile of clutter and reverently unwrapped it. The book was a little more cracked than the memory Setsuna had tapped into, but still seemed mostly intact. Hotaru wrapped it back up and tucked it safely under her arm before turning away.

"Don't you want to look through it?" Setsuna asked, surprised. After all the effort they'd gone through, her reaction was a little anti-climactic.

"Not yet. Not until the others can see it too."

Setsuna smiled at her triumphant grin, following her back toward the door. She was looking forward to what the others would say about this long-forgotten treasure. Then she sighed. Before they returned to the group, there was something she and Hotaru needed to discuss alone.

"Hotaru, wait a moment." The girl paused, watching her curiously. To Setsuna, she seemed to look impossibly young, clutching the aged book to her chest. She wished there was some way she could spare her daughter the burden she was about to be handed, but she knew there was no other choice. "Sit down, please. There's something we need to talk about before you leave."

After glancing around, Hotaru settled cross-legged in the middle of the floor. Setsuna sat across from her, trying to find the words she needed to say.

"Is this about tomorrow?" Hotaru carefully set the book in her lap, giving the older woman her full attention.

"Yes, but also…" Setsuna sighed. "I want to make sure you understand what you'll be facing and… what you must do."

"I know what I'm facing," Hotaru said with an attempt at a smile, "I've known them my whole life."

Setsuna dropped her gaze briefly, struck by the truth of Hotaru's words. In fact, she had known this enemy her whole life, even if she didn't realize it. "You won't be facing them, Hotaru." The girl frowned at her but didn't speak so Setsuna continued. "This darkness inside of them is part of something larger. It's something old and powerful. It seems familiar, but I haven't been able to find a specific source controlling it. It seems to be everywhere yet nowhere. But whatever it is, it is controlling them. It's become so deep a part of them that I'm not sure you will be able to separate it from the people they were."

Hotaru's eyes widened at her words. "What are you saying?" she whispered.

"No matter what, this darkness cannot be allowed to spread beyond them into the other planets. If Chibi-Usa can't heal them, if the darkness has become too ingrained, you will have to take it into yourself. You know the root of your power, the very deepest primal base, is darkness." She reached out to grasp Hotaru's hand in one of her own. "You are the only one who can do this."

Hotaru's eyes began to shine with the beginnings of tears. "But the only way I could take it from them-" she broke off, shaking her head. "I can't. I can't do that. How could you ask me to?"

Setsuna felt her own eyes fill, wanting to take away the pain her daughter was feeling. But she knew in her heart that this was the only way. "The darkness that has infected them will continue to spread. Through them it will take over their planets and still continue here." Hotaru was shaking her head, trying to deny the words. Setsuna caught her other hand, holding both tightly. "It will take over Michiru and Haruka, then me, then the Queen. Everyone will suffer in darkness for eternity unless we stop it now."

Hotaru choked back a sob, staring up at her helplessly. "Won't it take over me too?"

Setsuna shook her head. Hotaru's power was greater than the girl realized, but also more terrible. She could see the realization as the girl's eyes darkened and went dead.

"It can't because of the darkness already inside me," she said in a flat voice. "I would be the only one left, forced to watch all of you suffer."

Setsuna felt a tear slide down her cheek. Hotaru's expression cleared, but her lip still trembled as she looked up at her. "I won't let that happen. I'll do whatever I have to if it will keep all of you safe."

Setsuna leaned forward to place her hands on Hotaru's shoulders. "It may not come to that."

Hotaru nodded, pulling the book to her chest as she stood. "But if it does, I'll be ready." She wiped her eyes on her sleeve and offered Setsuna a small smile. "Let's go show this to the others."

-Distant Future : Deep Space-

Ami was sitting on the couch in the living room, surrounded by papers and notes. She had her mini-computer open on her lap and a map of the central city of Mars was up on the big screen. They still had nearly two months before they reached their destination, but she was determined to be prepared when they landed.

She glanced over one of her notes briefly before typing the coordinates into her computer. On the larger screen, one of the streets was highlighted and labels appeared on the surrounding buildings.

She heard footsteps but didn't turn until she'd finished the paragraph she was reading. When she did, she found Makoto standing awkwardly a few feet from the door.

"Hey."

Ami turned back to her computer. "Did you need something?"

She heard paper rustling behind her. Irked, she looked back and found Makoto gathering her notes into an unruly pile. "What is all this?" she asked as she claimed the other end of the couch.

Ami stared at her for a moment before snatching her papers back. "Notes on Mars," she replied. She closed her computer and set it aside as she began to reorganize them.

Makoto watched her as she silently shuffled the papers on her lap. "You've been at this for days," she said finally. Ami paused to glare at her. "Maybe you want to take a break?" She gestured to the training corner, watching her hopefully.

Ami's lip curled as she looked past Makoto to the weapon rack. "I suppose it would be good to move around a bit." Makoto nodded, smiling a little. "And after a good sparring session we'll have worked out all of our issues and it will be like none of this ever happened. I'll forgive you, you'll forgive me and things will be just like they were before you left."

Makoto sat back a little at the venom in her tone. "That isn't what I…"

"Like in the village," she continued, her voice rising. "One good deed washes away all the bad because you're just so easy to forgive." Ami stood, sweeping up her notes and computer into her arms. "After all, that's all it took with Hotaru, right? Now you're friends again and she can tell you all the things she's been keeping from me."

Makoto got up as well and blocked her as she attempted to storm out. "Ami-"

"It won't make a difference, you know!" Ami exploded. She gave up trying to step around Makoto and dropped everything back on the couch in a pile. "You think she's forgotten everything you did? That it's all back to normal? It's not! It won't ever be!"

Ami was aware that Makoto had moved closer to her but tears were blurring her vision. It was as though a dam had broken inside of her and the words kept pouring out. "They won't ever be what they were to you because you're not the same person. You've hurt too many people. The blood on your hands…" She stared down at her own hands, imagining them stained crimson again. Like they had been in her labs when she'd torn open the youma, digging through their bodies for a hint of understanding. Like on Mercury with the people who had died while she perfected her machines, making them flawless workers without fear or doubt. It didn't matter what her intentions had been, the reality was that she was a killer. Even the people closest to her weren't safe from her. Even the person she'd loved more than any other. She remembered the feeling of Makoto's blood running over her hands as she stabbed her.

She felt warm arms wrap around her shoulders and sank forward, letting Makoto lower them both to the floor. She sobbed against her shoulder, letting the warmth of her body fight the memory of the cold dagger in her hand.

"I wish that she'd killed me on Mercury," she whispered.

"Don't ever say that," Makoto insisted, tightening her hold. "I may not know everything that happened while I was gone, but it couldn't have been so bad that you don't deserve forgiveness."

"You don't know what I've done," Ami said between sobs. "Terrible things…"

Makoto shifted so her back was propped against the couch, moving Ami with her. She stroked her back lightly as she spoke. "You're right, I don't know. I wasn't there. But I know you." Ami pulled away enough to look up at her through her tears. "I know you would never do anything malicious or cruel, and you would certainly never do anything without a good reason. Whatever happened, I'm sure you had the intention of doing something good."

Ami sat back a little, staring at her former lover in shock. Makoto's words were exactly what she'd wanted someone to say to her for months. She wiped her eyes and offered the other girl a tremulous smile. Despite feeling foolish for breaking down, she actually felt better than she had in a long time. "Thank you."

Makoto nodded, smiling softly at her as she continued to run her hand lightly along Ami's spine. "Any time."

They continued to watch each other as the silence lengthened. Finally, Makoto lifted her free hand to catch a strand of Ami's hair between her fingers. "Your hair's gotten long." She slid her hand down then back up to brush Ami's cheek. "I like it."

Ami leaned into her touch, melting into the contact after so many years alone. She met emerald eyes and found herself leaning closer. She slid her hand up Makoto's arm to her shoulder, causing a shiver of response. With a sharp breath out, she pulled back, dropping her hand to her side. "Don't. Please." She moved out of Makoto's arms and got slowly to her feet.

Makoto followed, stepping back to put some distance between them. "I'm sorry."

Ami shook her head. "I just can't…" she found herself lost for words as she stared up at her former lover. Her head was in turmoil and her heart ached. She swallowed the growing lump in her throat and turned away. Without another word, she left.

Ami had spent the better part of the previous week perfecting a speech in her head. After her talk with Makoto, she had resolved to confront Hotaru no matter what. Since making the decision, she'd been carefully organizing her arguments and preparing to face the younger girl. So, after two cups of coffee and a long shower, she was ready to find her.

Chibi-Usa was alone in the cockpit, curled in her favorite chair and watching the black expanse out the window. She'd been friendly but distant, seeming lost in her own thoughts. Ami had found Makoto in the common room, stretching on the sparring mat. Before the brunette could send Ami's thoughts shooting off on a tangent, she had backed out of the room and continued to scour the ship for the remaining member of the group.

Now, Ami stood outside her bedroom door, working up the nerve to knock. Obviously, Hotaru would not be happy to see her. She'd been pulling away from the others since their return from Jupiter. Ami had barely spoken to her since then. But, she reminded herself, that was exactly why she needed to do this. She rapped her knuckles lightly on the door and waited.

There was a long silence so Ami tried again. "Hotaru, it's Ami," she called. Still she was met with no response. Her eyes drifted to the control panel beside the door. She was sure Hotaru was inside and had just made up her mind to barge in when the door slid open.

Hotaru was in her pajamas but the dark circles under her eyes suggested that she hadn't been asleep. She stared at Ami for a moment before turning to trudge back into the room. Ami followed hesitantly. Hotaru threw herself onto her unmade bed and stretched out on her back, covering her eyes with one forearm.

Ami dropped into the chair by the desk, her careful speech evaporating at the sight of her adversary so exhausted. "How… are you?" she asked, feeling more awkward by the second.

Hotaru lifted her arm long enough to shoot her an annoyed look before returning to her previous position. "Fantastic," she replied in a flat tone. "Was that all?"

Ami's grip on the back of the chair tightened in annoyance. "No, that wasn't all," she said curtly. "I'd like to talk to you."

Hotaru gestured vaguely with her free hand. Ami took the movement as permission to continue. "I think we need to talk about what happened on Jupiter."

Hotaru huffed, shifting to lace her fingers behind her head and stare at the ceiling. "You were there. You saw what happened."

Ami leaned forward, willing the younger woman to look at her, but Hotaru's eyes stayed stubbornly focused straight ahead. "I've already talked to Chibi-Usa. She doesn't know how she called the crystal. As far as we can tell, it's just responding to her subconscious when she's in an emotional state." Ami winced internally at her words. She hadn't realized she sounded so clinical until now.

Hotaru glanced briefly at her. "Well, it sounds like you've got it all figured out."

Ami let out a breath, trying not to respond to Hotaru's tone. "Some things," she ground out.

"So, what are you still doing here?"

Hotaru still wasn't looking at her, instead speaking the words to the ceiling. Ami's patience finally snapped and she stood, striding over to the bed. Hotaru's bored expression didn't change, only her eyes followed Ami's movements.

"You don't want to talk? Fine. You can just listen." Hotaru's eyebrows drew together a fraction but she didn't speak.

Ami moved away from the bed to pace a circuit along the wall. "On Mercury, Chibi-Usa wasn't expecting things to go badly. But you were." She glanced over, but the other girl was staring at the ceiling again. "Just like on Jupiter. She hadn't considered what would happen if she couldn't bring us back. But you had." Hotaru shrugged one shoulder in response.

Ami watched her for a moment before plowing forward. This wasn't exactly what she'd planned but it felt good to let out the thoughts that had been swirling through her head. "So, what about Rei and Minako? They've been gone a lot longer than us. What if she can't help them?" She moved back to the side of the bed. Hotaru's jaw tightened and Ami saw that her eyes were beginning to shine with unshed tears. "She won't think about the possibility but I know that you have. If she can't fix them, if she can't get the darkness out of them, you're going to kill them."

Hotaru let out a shaky breath and turned onto her side, facing the wall. "You don't understand," she managed to choke out.

Ami had completely abandoned her original speech. She was simply speaking her thoughts as they entered her head. "Maybe not," she conceded. "But I think I've got a good idea."

"You can't let this darkness, whatever it is, spread further than it already has. To stop it, you've got to stop each of us. So, either Chibi-Usa can cleanse us with the Silver Crystal or…"

Ami paused, considering the girl before her. She looked small and vulnerable now, but Ami had seen her power many times before. Her abilities were incredible and, when fully unleashed, terrible in their destruction. She was the Senshi of Death and Rebirth, always right on the line of darkness and light. Ami always felt closer to darkness and death when Hotaru's eyes went black with her power.

Suddenly she realized what she'd missed. What Setsuna must had told her that she hadn't shared with anyone else. "Either Chibi-Usa can cleanse us with the Silver Crystal or you can take the darkness from us into yourself."

Hotaru's arms tightened around her pillow and she curled forward so Ami couldn't see her face. Ami sat down on the side of the bed, feeling shocked at her own words. "And the only way to do that…" She shook her head. A shudder ran through Hotaru's body. Ami realized something else and felt a rising pity for the shaking girl beside her. "Does anyone else know?"

Hotaru shifted to scrub the back of her hand across her eyes. "Setsuna," she whispered.

"No one else?"

Hotaru's only answer was a sob muffled against the pillow she was clutching. Ami considered the situation the younger girl had been in all this time. "I suppose not," she answered herself after a moment. After all, who could she have told? More things were falling into place in Ami's head. The way Hotaru sometimes looked at Makoto and herself, with a mixture of guilt and relief. Her seemingly intentional detachment from the others. The long silences and distraction that seemed to be increasing the closer they got to Mars. Even the added distance between Hotaru and the princess made sense. How could she possibly add a burden like that to Chibi-Usa?

"You know, you can talk to me if you want," Ami said softly. "We were friends once."

Absently, she laid a hand on Hotaru's shoulder. Instantly, she sat up and moved around her to stumble to her feet. "Don't," she growled, swiping angrily at the tears on her cheeks. "This is what I do; it's who I am. I'm the only one who can stop it and I'll do whatever it takes."

"Hotaru-"

"Don't," she repeated. "If you want to help them, help Chibi-Usa. Help her find a way to use her power so I don't have to use mine." She was breathing heavily, but she didn't seem angry now so much as sad. She looked pleadingly into Ami's eyes. "Don't tell her. Please."

"I… I won't." Ami promised. "But-"

"Just help her," Hotaru interrupted. "She's the only one who can save them."