I still don't own Sailor Moon and I'm still sad about it.

(Ok, here is where I take a few more liberties and cross even more of the Sailor Moon Universe together. Yes, now I am bringing in tidbits of the manga. I'll leave the notes at the bottom of the chapter. Things just gote VERY interesting for Usagi. ^_^ I hope you enjoy. I'm thankful once more for the reviews, readers, and subscribers.)

Sometimes You Just Need to Believe Chapter 20

Michiru looked at Rei sweetly. "She's just upset about Hotaru. They've become closer than she'd like to admit."

"I know. She won't say it, but she's like an open book."

Michiru giggled softly. "That she is, though I try not to let her in that I know it. She prefers to have people believe she is closed off. It protects the people she cares about if an enemy ever wanted to get to her." Michiru's face grew serious. "Tell me what you noticed about our friends tonight. I want to compare notes."

"Well, first of all, Ami-chan was off-the-charts bizarre. Its like she wanted Hotaru-chan as far away from her as possible. She seemed to want us all far away, actually, but mostly Hotaru-chan. She was clouded with so much fear that I didn't know what to make of it. I got the impression that she was afraid of the princess."

"Usagi-chan?"

"No."

"The duel personality sharing Usagi-chan's body from your earlier visions. But I did not sense Serenity at all tonight. It was like she wasn't even here."

"I didn't sense her either. At first I thought perhaps they had joined as one, but…"

"Why would Serenity leave Endymion for Seiya?"

"Exactly."

"Now the question becomes did Usagi-chan overpower our princess, or if Setsuna-san is in fact moving against Serenity as we believe, has she done something to cause this?"

"Did you see the singularity between Usagi-chan and Sailor Moon?"

"Yes. There is also now only one Mercury."

"Strange." Rei brought her finger to her lips in thought. "Why are Mamoru-san and Taiki-kun so distrusting of Ami-chan?"

"I had hoped I was wrong about that, but I felt it too."

"Another funny thing is how Seiya-kun and Mamoru-san seemed as one in their resolve to protect Usagi-chan."

"Mamoru-san and Endymion are one in this as well."

"What I want to know is why would Endymion want to protect Usagi-chan more than Serenity?"

"That is more than just a bit unusual."

"There was something about Hotaru-chan as well."

"I sensed it too."

"She was guarded beyond my ability to see, though she did allow some emotions to get through…I think she did that on purpose."

"She was saying goodbye like she meant it."

"And not as a child who believes it out of fear, no…No, this was Saturn with all of her experience and wisdom. She seemed as though a period of mourning would soon begin."

"I hate to keep secrets like this from Ruka, but for now this would be too much for her to handle."

"I agree. She seems to be taking Hotaru-chans extended absence pretty hard."

"Come on. I'll drive you home. Ruka's in no mental state for it. I don't trust her judgment behind the wheel when she's this upset."

"Thank you. Shouldn't we say goodbye?"

"She wants to be alone right now, trust me. She might even be sleeping."

Haruka lay on the bed. This was one of those rarest of moments when she had actually allowed herself to shed a few tears. She had heard every word of the conversation. She wanted to be angry with Michiru for deciding to keep it a secret, but she understood the intentions and saw the love behind it. 'I'll play ignorant for a while. It will make her feel better. God help me I love her.'

Usagi and Seiya reached the Tsukino home. Since it was well before her curfew, Usagi invited Seiya inside for a snack.

"Usagi? What are you doing home," Ikoku asked in confusion. "Weren't you staying over at Ami-chan's house tonight?"

Usagi went blank for a moment but decided it best not to correct her mother. "Oh, I came to pick up a few things."

"Alright, dear," Ikoku said.

Usagi and Seiya went upstairs in silence to pack a bag. Usagi packed several days worth of clothing, her pearl necklace, her diary, her address book, and some personal items like her toothbrush. She was not sure why, but her instincts told her she would be more than a day or so gone. Something was very wrong, but considering that even Chibi-Chibi-chan and Chibi-Usa-chan had been able to shift reality enough to confuse her family, Usagi's mind did not go directly to thoughts of an enemy.

Seiya helped by holding open the bag and following Usagi around. She seemed to only be grabbing important things. A couple of things she grabbed caught his attention. Usagi went to her desk and pulled a box out of her drawer. When she opened the box she pulled out a rather large and obnoxiously pink pen. The only thing Seiya could think when looking at it was how uncomfortable it must be to write with. Usagi then pulled a box from deep under her mattress. Gingerly she opened it and pulled a folded bunch of pink crushed velvet. She unraveled the cloth to reveal a decently sized golden star-shaped object. She opened it and a sweet yet sad tune began to play.

'I used to feel something deep inside when I heard this song,' Usagi thought. 'I wonder why I don't feel that now.'

'This song sounds so familiar,' Seiya thought. 'Where have I heard it before?' He watched Usagi wrap up the music box again and put it inside her purse.

"I think we're ready. I'll need to find a place to stay. I need to call Mamo-chan to see if he can keep Hotaru-chan a few more days since someone has decided to be me for a while."

"Come stay with me." Seiya's voice was low and sent ripples down Usagi's spine. "Please," he said pulling his girlfriend close and breathing into her neck.

"Yes," Usagi breathed heavily. "Yes, Seiya-chan, I'll stay with you." Usagi could feel her blush build up, but for some reason she felt like this would be right.

The two left and Usagi's family did not even seem to notice. It was as if she no longer existed. Even Shingo had no interest in trying to annoy her on her way out. Seiya was just as confused as Usagi.

Once outside, Seiya insisted on carrying Usagi's bag. He slid his arm around her and drew her close as they walked. The lovers did not head straight for the Starlight's apartment. Instead, they took a walk through the park they enjoyed frequenting. The two found a bench facing a lovely lantern-lit garden fountain and decided to take a seat. The mood was not so much romantic as it was reflective. Seiya chose this moment to ask about Hotaru. He just had to know. "Odango, can I ask you something about that young girl, Hotaru? She was terrified back there. You said that Haruka-san and Michiru-san had planned something for her before."

"Hotaru-chan has not had an easy life. She has the heaviest burden of all my friends."

'She does not call them her senshi. She shares Kakyuu-sama's love for her senshi.'

"Hotaru-chan's power frightens Haruka-san and Michiru-san. She has four main abilities. One of those is open to her even when she is not transformed."

"She has a natural power! I thought only the high princess of each system's main kingdom possessed such gifts."

"She is special, Seiya-chan. She was just a shy little girl when we met her. My daugh…" Usagi began to tear up suddenly.

Seiya understood that Usagi leaving Mamoru may have changed the future she knew.

"Chibi-Usa-chan was going to be our daughter…Mine and Mamo-chans…Now that we have our doubts about Setsuna-san I am not certain she will still exist."

"But if you remember her surely she exists somewhere."

Usagi smiled and leaned into Seiya. "I know deep down you're right." Usagi placed her hand on Seiya's knee. "Well, Chibi-Usa-chan had a chance meeting with Hotaru-chan in the park. Hotaru-chan was so surprised that Chibi-Usa wasn't put off by her illness or her healing powers."

"Her illness?"

"Hotaru suffers from a seizure disorder. Her body is also quite weak with anemia as well."

"Oh, I had no idea."

"Its alright. Haruka-san and Michiru-san have helped her to get on medications that help her a great deal. She rarely has seizures anymore and her anemia is controlled through vitamins and her diet. She does still need regular blood tests to make sure that her iron and B-12 levels are decent. She doesn't mind it now so much since she has friends who don't judge her for it."

"Ahh."

"Well, Hotaru-chan's history is not a very happy one. When she was a small child she was fascinated by her father's scientific experiments. He was a well-known scientist. He brought his wife and daughter to see an experiment one day in the lab. I'm not exactly sure what the experiment was. Ami-chan would know better. What I do know is something went terribly wrong."

Seiya's face dropped. "What happened?"

"There was a massive explosion that killed most of Professor Tomoe's staff as well as his wife and daughter."

"She died?"

Usagi nodded. "Professor Tomoe was mortally wounded himself. As he was dying holding onto Hotaru, he was visited by an inter-dimensional being called Pharaoh Ninety. This being offered to save the professor and either his wife or his daughter."

"What an awful choice."

"True, but he chose Hotaru-chan."

"A father's love knows no bounds."

Usagi was surprised by Seiya's statement but it was comforting. "There was a terrible price he had to pay though. He had to allow a part of Pharaoh Ninety to live in his body and give the being called Mistress Nine, the Sovereign of Silence, Hotaru-chan's body."

"And he agreed!"

"He did what he had to to save his little girl's life. Over the years Professor Tomoe was overcome by Pharaoh Ninety and it seemed that the being inside Hotaru-chan was trying to bring out Pharaoh Ninety's cull form. The being within her began calling herself the Messiah of Silence. Professor Tomoe took on a team known as the Deathbusters consisting of the Witches Five who were led by a cruel woman called Kaorinight. She acted as Hotaru-chan's governess. She only allowed her to be looked after by doctors who were a part of Professor Tomoe's team. The Deathbusters were searching for an item that would release the final seal between the dimensions and allow Mistress Nine to open the door and bring Pharaoh Ninety across completely engulfing our world in the Great Silence."

"But Hotaru-chan wasn't at fault."

"Of course, not. The Deathbusters needed to find the three Holy Talismans sealed inside the pure hearts of three humans."

"So they had to kill the people to get these talismans."

"That's what we believed. When the Deathbusters first began their search we met Haruka-san and Michiru-san. They did not seem to respect us much and did not tell us they were Sailor Senshi for quite some time. When they realized that Hotaru-chan not only had Mistress Nine within her but that she was also Sailor Saturn…Well, they believed that Sailor Saturn was a dangerous and evil being as well. Their plan was to kill Hotaru-chan and be rid of them both."

"So what happened, Odango?"

"Well, believe it or not, Haruka-san, Michiru-san, and Setsuna-san were the talisman carriers. But they did not have to die. Well, not really. They died but by some miracle their pure hearts were restored to them and the talismans released the Holy Grail."

"So you were the one who could use it I assume."

"For a while. I know I am not the true user now, but at the time I was the only one who could. It always left me weak after I was done. In the end Hotaru-chan overcame Mistress Nine, though she had already consumed Chibi-Usa-chan's pure heart and used the Grail to open the door."

"How did she get the Grail?"

Usagi cast down her eyes. "I gave it to her."

"You what!"

"Her father was no longer under Pharaoh Ninety's control and said it was the only way to save Hotaru-chan's life."

Seiya's face returned to normal. He knew his Odango would never sit back and allow an innocent to die, even if they were being controlled by something evil.

"When Saturn took control I could no longer use the Grail to transform into Super Sailor Moon."

"Saturn was the true user?"

"I'm not sure if we'll ever know. Its gone now. I was weak from the fight. Saturn told me she was to go to the core of Pharaoh Ninety and release the ultimate destruction. She thanked me for protecting her, but raised her glaive to me when I insisted on helping. She said she alone had the power to defeat the Silence and that her life would be the price. She simply said goodbye and dove into the core."

"Such a burden for a child."

Usagi nodded with sadness in her eyes. "I cried out desperately trying to transform again. It was only when all of my friends leant me their power that I was able to become Super Sailor Moon again. I dove in after Hotaru-chan. She unleashed a power I had never imagined possible and hope to never see again. Pharaoh Ninety was destroyed along with about ten city blocks. My luck helped me to carry the newly reborn Hotaru back to safety. She would have been lost if I were not there to bring her back."

Seiya's eyes grew wide. 'Taiki was right. Saturn was bound to be born to die for all time. What a sad and lonely existence.'

"Since her poor father was killed in the incident, Haruka-san and Michiru-san adopted Hotaru-chan after that. They seemed to finally understand that while Saturn had this power, she was not likely to use it recklessly."

"So she can heal as well as cause the greatest destruction…What else can she do?"

"She can shield magical attacks, unleash death itself, and she is the master of rebirth."

"All of this in such a small and weak body…What happened to Chibi-Usa?"

"The spirit of Sailor Saturn visited Mamo-chan who was doing his best to tend to Chibi-Usa-chan as she was dying slowly. Saturn returned her pure heart, thanked Chibi-Usa-chan for her kindness, and vanished.

Seiya finally understood this fear. If Setsuna had plans for Saturn to use these powers, the poor girl was going to die. Seiya leaned into Usagi's neck and kissed it tenderly. "You ready to go home, Odango?"

"Home…I think I like that idea." Usagi smiled.

Seiyaa stood and offered a hand to Usagi. She took the hand and allowed Seiya to help her stand. Together they walked all the way to the apartment. Explaining things would be interesting.

Mamoru opened his apartment door. Hotaru ran into Setsuna's arms with tears in her violet eyes. Setsuna swooped the child in her arms.

"Oh my sweet little girl!" Setsuna twirled with Hotaru in a circle.

"Setsuna-mama, I'm so happy to see you!" The smile on Hotaru's face was proof of her sincerity.

"Just remember to call Haruka-san tomorrow morning. She'll flip out if you don't check in with her at least once a day. She thinks you're coming to work with me tonight though, so wait until I come home, ok?" Mamoru smiled and headed for the kitchen to fix his lunch for work.

"So, Haruka-san took your leaving pretty hard I take it?"

"Yes. But I hugged her so tight and told her how much I love her. Setsuna-mama, she told me she loved me too."

"She did take it hard."

"Ladies, I need to get going if I don't want to be late. I'll call when I'm on my way home. I want to stop by the grocery store and pick up some food for us all," Mamoru said.

"Thank you so much for letting me stay with you, Mamo-chan." Hotaru hugged Mamoru closely.

Mamoru left for the night waving to both Hotaru and Setsuna.

Somewhere far away, a beautiful woman surrounded by a warm light looked into the golden orb of her white staff. "The time is drawing near." Her voice rang out like a choir of angels. Her journey would be long and she needed to leave soon. Her temple in the center of the universe was built at the site of the Big Bang occurrence. She herself could not even remember how long ago she had come to be in this place. The Milky Way galaxy was close to the outermost edges of her ever-growing empire.

Smiling a gentle smile, the woman launched from her temple at a speed unfathomable by human standards. Stardust glowed in her wake and spread out to the edges of the universe in all directions. Each particle would become a new star. "Yes, she will be perfect."

(Ok, in the manga, Professor Tomoe did not survive the incident and Haruka and Michiru adopted Hotaru right then and there. There is something else, but I am not too familiar with the character and so I may be WAY off on her...I have not mentioned any names but fans of the manga probably know who I am talking about. ^_- As far as Hotaru's illnesses...I have mentioned to a couple of you that I have both epilepsy and anemia...specifically pernicious anemia which is a vitamin B-12 deficiency. I relate a lot to Hotaru-chan because of this so I may have focussed too much on those aspects of her. Sorry about that. ^_^ At least I know that my coverage of her illness is good. I am about to start the next chapter. We will be seeing the lovely Princess Kakyuu soon. )