Chapter 2

Thank you to everyone who has review so far. I'm sorry that I'm so sucky with updating lately. My life has just changed a lot since I started this story and being an adult it hard. This is dedicated to everyone still out there reading!

Home in Japan

The next week was an awkward one in the Taylor, or rather Ten'ou, household. Sarah was silent, spending all of her time in her room when she wasn't at school. She didn't even talk to her friends anymore. Melissa assumed it was because of what had happened and Sarah just let her assume that because, in truth, that was part of it. Amara, on the other hand, had spent the week secretly looking over what she considered to be her past: pictures of her friends and Michiru, letters, and just general little keepsakes that reminded her of the life that she had once lived. The only time the two women met up was when they ate their meals and when Amara went to make sure that Sarah was awake for school or in bed at the right time. It was on the ninth day that Sarah finally broke the streak.

"Mom?" she asked as she came into her mother's room.

Amara was sitting on her bed looking through an old scrapbook. Usagi had put it together a few weeks before Amara had found out about her baby and left them all. It was pictures of their group of friends as collected throughout the years. There were pictures of the inner senshi throughout all of their years as friends, pictures of just the outer senshi, pictures of duos, trios, and quartets, and even a few pictures of just Usagi and Mamoru, since Usagi had made the same album for all of the girls and Mamoru (although Mamoru had been granted a few extra pictures of himself and Usagi). There were pictures that were planned and some that were candid, some that brought up sweet memories and some that brought up sour. All in all, though, this was the greatest gift Amara had ever been given and she was grateful for it. It was almost as if Usagi had known that she would need something to remember them by. (Or, as she insisted, there was a sale on scrapbooking stuff and she just had to make one for everyone)

"Yeah?" Amara asked softly.

Sarah walked across the room and crawled onto her mother's bed. She settled in next to her and looked at the pictures. "Even though I saw them briefly, I recognize all these people. They're your old friends, right?"

"Yes." Amara turned to a page that was a group shot and began naming people off, "Ami, Rei, Makoto, Minako, Usagi, Mamoru, Chibi-Usa, Hotaru, Setsuna, myself, and Michiru."

Sarah stared the longest at the right side where her mother and the woman named Michiru stood. Their body language had them inclined towards each other and there was no doubt that these two were once in love. There was a glint in their eyes that made it look as though they had a secret. Though it was hidden from the camera, they were without a doubt holding hands.

"She's so beautiful," Sarah commented. She had known for years that her mother was not at all interested in men and she didn't mind. "Whatever makes you happy, Mommy!" she had said when she was six.

"She is," Amara replied fondly.

"Wait. Why were you wearing boy clothes?" Sarah asked. She hadn't really taken in the apparel of the group, just their faces.

"My school didn't have a uniform in my size, so I just wore a boy's uniform. It didn't matter much to me, anyways. You know how I feel about skirts," Amara said.

Sarah laughed. She knew all too well how her mother felt about wearing any type of skirt or dress. But still, the image of her mother in her senshi uniform reminded her that her mother had given up her battle at least once before. "What about your uniform?"

"That's different. I had no say in the design in that and I'd never go against my foremothers to destroy it. Although I am please to see that it's always evolving itself," Amara said, remembering how different Sarah's had been from her own.

"How many senshi has there been throughout the years?" Sarah asked, further settling into the pillows.

Amara was pleased to see that Sarah was warming up to talking about senshi business. "It's impossible to say. I know that my mother was one, and her mother was one, and her mother was one. I know that there were always planetary eight senshi, although there were cases where there was a ninth, thanks to the rare Sailor Earth. We all know, of course, that we aren't the only senshi. Some families give birth to more than one senshi at a time and so they must wait until their powers appear to find out which is the most dominant senshi, or the one who will carry on the planet's name. Venus is quite famous for that, actually. And then there are the senshi whose powers are based on the stars, or the sun, or even the galaxy itself."

"I can't believe there is a history out there that no one really knows about," Sarah said.

"And it's strange to think that you belong to it too, huh?" Amara added.

"Yeah," Sarah replied. She went back to looking at the pictures. It was at that point that she came across a group shot featuring Seiya, Yaten, Taiki, ChibiChibi and the inner senshi. "Who are they?"

Amara rolled her eyes. "People that I'm glad are gone. This one," she pointed at Seiya with a decisive glare, "tried to destroy the future. Not intentionally, of course, but if he had succeeded, our future would have been greatly altered and this one," she pointed to Chibi-Usa on the opposite page, "would never exist."

"Whoa. Why's that?" Sarah asked, intrigued.

Amara laughed. "That's a story that I'm going to have to tell you another time. It's longer than the one I told you before."

"Oh. Alright," Sarah replied, slightly letdown. She went back into silent mode as she continued to flip through the pages. She asked questions now and then about whom a girl was or what was happening in the picture. She spent the most time looking at pictures of her mother and Michiru, although she also spent a good amount of time looking at the pictures of Usagi and Mamoru.

"Were these two a couple?" Sarah asked. When she turned the page, she saw a picture of them kissing and blushed. "I suppose so, huh?"

"Yes they were and still are. They're part of that long story. Let's just say that they're destined for one another," Amara said.

"He looks so much older then she is," Sarah said.

"He is. But he's perfect for her, so no one ever minded. No one that is, except for her father." Amara smiled at fond memories of silly stories.

"Would you care if I dated a guy older then me?" Sarah asked.

"No. Whatever makes you happy, baby," Amara replied, a loving mimic of her daughter's word eight years ago.

Sarah smiled and snuggled closer to her mother. "I've been thinking a lot lately and I think that we should go to Japan."

Amara started. "What?"

"Well, it's almost summer break and I figured that since you obviously miss it so much and you're not attached to any contracts right now that we could go on a trip. We could go visit with your friends and see your Michiru. Who knows, she may even come back with us. I just think it would be fun if I saw the place of the heritage and if your friends saw you again," Sarah offered.

Amara stared down in amazement at her daughter. "Are—are you sure this is something you want?"

"Positive. I want to support you through this, Mom. I really think it's time that you visit them," Sarah replied with confidence.

Amara crushed her daughter to her side and could feel the tears brimming. She was never one to giving in to tears, but at this moment she did not care. Her daughter was truly amazing. She kissed the side of Sarah's head and gave a small sigh of happiness. Soon, she'd see Michiru again. She would be home.

The next few weeks went by in a flash. Sarah had managed to pass all of her classes and avoid any other detentions while Amara busied herself with planning the trip. They decided that they would stay for a month, settling on a fancy hotel that Amara insisted was not very Japanese but Sarah insisted was very necessary. ("Those hole things are cool and all, but Comet and Stella would be so not happy in them," Sarah had used as an excuse). When it came time for them to leave, the house looked like they were preparing to move. Amara had had her bike sent ahead and Sarah had packed nearly her entire wardrobe. She thanked God for MP3 players and the convenience of laptops, the technologies having cut down her bulk of the luggage immensely. When Stella and Comet were in their crates and the neighbors reminded to water the lawn and plants, mother and daughter set off for Japan.

The plane ride was uneventful and bored Sarah to sleep. She had only lasted two hours before falling asleep, while Amara remained high wired the entire time. Her mind, and heart, was racing too much for her to find sleep during the long flight. She couldn't even read, finding that she was reading the same paragraph over and over again because of her distracted mind. When the plane landed, she bolted up and almost ran off the plane when she remembered her daughter, who was busy getting her bags together.

"Hayaku, Sakara," Amara said urgently as soon as it was time to get off the plane. Sarah looked at her mother blankly. It took a moment for Amara to realize that she had spoken in Japanese to her daughter. "Hurry, Sarah," she translated.

Sarah did as she was told and followed her mother through the crowd of passengers, most of whom were still gathering their effects. Amara thanked the crew of the plane in a strange and rushed mix between Japanese and American, Sarah sticking with the only language she knew when returning their farewells. She only had time to pause for a moment to give the cute, young flight attendant who had been checking her out the entire flight a flirtatious smile before Amara pulled her away, much to her chagrin.

The rest of the time that they were in the airport went by in a blur for Sarah. Amara used her long legs to her advantage as she moved through the crowd, Sarah thankful that she had inherited those same legs in order to keep up with her mother. Baggage claim had gone by quickly since most of their things had been sent ahead early to the hotel, so all they had needed to grab were the cats, who were all too happy to see their owners. There was a limo waiting for them when they exited the airport much to Sarah's relief. She had suggested the idea a few days before and had never heard back from her mother whether or not it had been taken into consideration. Sarah didn't like to think of herself as spoiled, but she refused to show up to one of the nicest hotels in Tokyo in a smelly old cab, and especially after such a long flight.

"How long until we get to the hotel?" Sarah asked as soon as they settled into the comfortable leather seats. Amara was busy looking out the window and chewing her lip in movements so small that had Sarah not spent her entire life with her mother she would have never noticed. "Mom? Why are you so nervous? We are just going to the hotel."

Amara turned to her daughter with a look that would make one believe that she had just realized that Sarah was there. "Nani?"

Luckily, Sarah had recognized this word. "Chill, Mom," she soothed. She laid her head on her mother's lap and sighed into the comfort surrounding her. She looked up at her mother and smiled reassuringly. "You'll be fine, Mom. Just don't think about it."

"Thank you, Sarah," Amara said. She leaned over and kissed her daughter's forehead. She decided to listen to her advice and relaxed into the cool upholstery. The ride was relatively short, although that did not stop mother or daughter from falling asleep. Only when the driver opened the door did Amara open her eyes. After shaking her daughter awake, the two women grabbed a cage, their smaller luggage, and made their way into the hotel.

"Ten'ou, Haruka," Amara said when she approached the front desk.

The clerk cheerfully greeted Amara and Sarah, speaking in rapid Japanese and smiling that frozen type of smile that comes from working too much. After a short conversation, the clerk handed over a few key cards and a bellboy approached to take what few luggages that they had with them. He escorted them to the elevator and the three of them stood in semi-awkward silence as the elevator climbed up to the top floor.

"Welcome home, babies," Sarah told the cats when they entered the room, letting them out of their crates.

Amara tipped the bellboy before seeing him to the door. Comet went to her straight away, purring in appreciation. Amara laughed at this and leaned over to pet the cat. "I bet it feel good for you to be out of there, huh boy?"

"This place is gorgeous, Mom. Sure we can't stay for more then a month?" Sarah asked as she wandered around the living room.

Amara laughed. "Well, if you want to sell the house back home, sure. This place is costing us a pretty penny. I think I had to use up your college fund," she teased.

Sarah laughed and went to one of the windows. "What a pretty view." She turned to her mother. "I'm going to go unpack. C'mon Stella, Comet."

Amara followed suit and made her way into the master bedroom. As per her request, all of her luggage had been left piled near the closet, the boxes and suitcases stacked neatly. Gingerly, Amara removed the top box and set it on the bed before unpacking all of the other boxes. When clothes, shoes, and toiletries were stored in their proper places, she turned her attention to the box. With gentle hands that few thought she could possess, she unpacked the box of her old effects. She placed about the room picture frames and trinkets from her old life in Japan, the objects instantly making her feel sick with nostalgia. The finishing touch was placing a dual picture frame on the nightstand, one that had a picture of herself and Michiru on one side and herself and Sarah on the other.

"The two women who mean the most to me," she mused quietly as she looked at the picture.

"Hungry?" Sarah asked a few moments later, standing in the doorway. She took a few steps into the room and looked around. "Very cozy. I think there is more personal stuff in here then there ever was in your room back at home," she observed, taking in the sight of the pictures and trinkets that she had only just seen for the first time in her life a few weeks back. She picked up a little toy racecar and smiled at it. "Cute. Or, erm, kawaii," she said, trying out what little Japanese she knew.

Amara laughed at her daughter's attempt before turned around and putting an arm around her shoulder. "We're going to have to work on your Japanese, kiddo." She glanced at the clock. It was nearly seven in the evening. Her stomach growled. "I'm going to take a shower and then we can go get some dinner, alright?"

Sarah nodded excitedly. "Alright! I can't wait to try some authentic Japanese food. Not that I don't love yours, of course."

Amara rolled her eyes playfully. "Watch yourself, Sarah."

Sarah went back to her room, which she had just spent the last hour transforming into a space she could live in. The first transformation had been to the bed. She had brought her own bed clothes and immediately rid the bed of its boring hotel comforter and sheets. After hers had been put in place, she had attacked the closet. With help from IKEA, she made it into a downsized copy of hers at home, everything properly separated and stored to her likings. And then she had put up her posters and her artwork on the walls before attacking the desk with her technologies and pictures. Her final touch with setting up an area for her cats to live in, putting their beds right next to hers. She was proud of her transformation and felt instantly at home.

Sarah fed her cats before taking a shower and readying herself to go out on the town. She dressed in a simply black pleated skirt, white blouse, and black shoes, tying her hair back in her signature ponytail. Just as she was putting on a little bit of makeup, Amara poked her head into the bathroom.

"Ready to go, kiddo?"

"Yeah!" Sarah replied.

With a farewell to the cats and the double-checking of having key cards, the two set off into the streets of Japan.

-End of chapter?

"Since this is your first night here, how about we eat fancy?" Amara offered as they walked out of the hotel.

"Sounds fabulous to me," Sarah responded with a smile.

They walked down a few blocks until they approached a restaurant that Amara had at with Michiru a few times. Amara wasn't one for the fancy, expensive scene but her lover had always be a lover of the arts and all things fashionable. Michiru had even played there a few times and Amara had tagged along to appreciate her talent.

"What's going on here?" Sarah asked as they approached the restaurant. There was quite a crowd gathered around outside, chattering in excitement.

"I don't know," Amara replied with uncertainty.

"Wanna go somewhere else?" Sarah asked.

Just before Amara could reply, the source of the excitement became known.

"Kaiou-san! Kaiou-san, will you look this way please?"

"Kaiou-san, where will you be playing next?"

"Kaiou-san, are the rumors true?"

"Michiru-san, Michiko-chan, could hold that pose please? Oh that was a beautiful one."

Amara's heart exploded then sank. There was her beautiful Michiru, the love of her life, looking as beautiful as she ever had. Her aqua hair was pinned up in an elegant twist and she was wearing a sleek evening gown, the dark blue silk shimmering with all the flashes going on around her. She looked so serene and happy, her eyes sparkling in happiness and a smile playing on her supple lips. Amara fell in love with her all over again as she stared at the center of attention.

And next to her was another aqua haired beauty. She was young, around Sarah's age, and already a vision of beauty. Her hair was curly and to her waist, some pieces pulled away from her elegant face, showing off high cheek bones, a sweet nose, perfect lips, and sea form green eyes. She was dressed more elegantly than Amara had ever seen a girl her age dressed. She was wearing a sparkling gown of emerald green, the cut modest and the skirt to her knees. Her smile was Michiru's, her eyes were Michiru's, and her grace was Michiru's. There was only one reason for this.

"Mom, isn't that your Michiru?" Sarah gasped as she took in the face of the elder beauty. "Who is the girl with her? Does she have a little sister? You didn't tell me about that."

Amara's heart was in her throat. She wanted to cry as she spoke. "She has no other family. It can only be her—her—her daughter."

Sarah gasped at this revelation. She had to admit that the similarities between the woman and the girl were too great for them to be simply sisters. Even the way that they moved was the same. They could only be mother and daughter. And the high society kind, too, judging by their dress.

"Let's go," Amara murmured. She turned away from the scene and clenched her fist. She wanted to hit someone, something. She couldn't stand the agony in her heart.

"No!" Sarah said. She grabbed her mother's hand and turned her around. "No, we have to tackle this now."

"No Sarah, we don't," Amara responded fiercely. "Let's go."

"Mom—,"

"Haruka-papa?" a female voice gasped.

Amara turned to the familiar voice. Michiru and Michiko were gone into the waiting limo, unable to see the scene. But Hotaru Tomoe had. She knew the face of the woman she once considered her substitute father anywhere, and with longer hair there was still no difference.

Amara felt a surge of pride and fear as she took in the appearance young woman Hotaru had become. Her hair had grown past her hips, reminiscent of the days she had been possessed by Mistress 9. But the surprised, happy purple eyes would never match those of the evil witch. She was dressed in a dark purple gown that accented her slender, young adult body well.

Not to Amara's surprise, Setsuna was behind her. Her ageless face was surprised by the sight of her dear friend. But other than that, she was unchanged. Her dark green hair was swept away from her face in her usual style and her black dress reminded Amara of the princesses that they once were.

"Haruka-papa, is it really you?" Hotaru asked. She broke through the paparazzi and approached the pair. She smiled and then threw her arms around the older woman. "Haruka-papa, I have missed you so much!"

"Mom, who is this?" Sarah asked, not understanding a word Hotaru was saying. She could only tell that the girl knew her mother well, for not that many people hugged her.

"Hotaru-chan," Haruka gasped. When the two separated, Haruka looked to Setsuna. "Setsuna-san." It was a statement. Not a greeting nor a question. Just a simple acknowledgement. Haruka knew Setsuna enough to know that a warm greeting was not to be had.

"Haruka-san, so nice to see that you have returned," Setsuna said. She looked over to Sarah, who looked confused but otherwise comfortable. "I see that you have a companion."

"Sakara-chan, Hotaru-chan," Haruka introduced.

Sarah recognized her birth name and looked to the young woman no more than a few years older then herself with a warm smile.

"Konnichiwa, Sakara-chan," Hotaru greeted warmly.

Sarah mimicked her with slow, unsure Japanese. Hotaru look to Haruka and then to Sarah lazily. And then did it again sharply. And again. And then once more, so that she was absolutely sure.

"Haruka-papa, is she?" Hotaru gasped.

Setsuna put a hand on Hotaru's shoulder. "Haruka-san has been gone very long. Let's let her be for now. Michiru and Michiko are waiting for us."

Hotaru looked torn between going with Setsuna and staying where she was. "Will you come see us?" Hotaru asked.

Haruka nodded. "Hai, Hotaru-chan. We will come see you."

With a small smile, Hotaru went back to the waiting limo.

"Where is Setsuna-san? We have to get going," Michiru asked when Hotaru entered the limo.

Hotaru did not even hesitate. "She ran into an old friend from the lab."

Michiko moved to sit next to the girl she thought of as her sister. "Will you help me with my homework when we get home?"

"Hai, imuoto," Hotaru replied affectionately.

Setsuna stepped into the limo. "It was so nice to see Yoshida-san again," she said with an easy smile.

Outside, Amara held the photo in her hands. She was tempted to rip it up, to attempt to believe that it wasn't true. But she couldn't. She knew that she couldn't.

"Mom, who were they?" Sarah asked.

"Friends of mine," Amara replied hollowly.

"What did she give you?" Sarah asked as she reached for the picture.

In it was a tired but happy looking Michiru holding a newborn Michiko. Setsuna was next to her, a young Hotaru looking down fondly at the baby she would be raised with. There was now no denying it. The girl was Michiru's daughter.

"Oh Mom," Sarah whispered. She hugged her mother close. She searched for the right words to say but found none. She couldn't promise that it was going to be okay, nor claim that things would turn out right and that maybe this was a misunderstanding. But she knew that would be lying. So she instead stuck with hugging her mother.

"Let's go eat, Sarah," Amara said with surprisingly strong voice.

"Are you sure?" Sarah asked.

Amara nodded. "C'mon."

-End of chapter.

I am SO sorry that this took forever to update. And I know that Haruka was pretty OOC in this chapter, but she's going through a lot so she can't always be strong. Also, don't freak out too much about Michiko. An explanation for her birth, and Sakara's as well, is on it's way. I will try to update as soon as I can.

Oh, and what Hotaru said to Michiko was "yes, younger sister". Any other Japanese that you don't recognize, feel free to ask me about!

Also, I will be drawing my characters soon. I'll post the link when I do.

Serenity