"That's an interesting name," said Hades. "Hotaru. Just perfect." He was beaming, just as proud as any new father would be.
Trista couldn't believe it. "How is this possible?" she asked Fate.
"Ah, well, you'll see. These things happen for a reason. I cannot tell you how many times I have to say this," Fate answered.
"Wait—the symbol of Saturn. Is this…?" Hades let the question hang.
"Yes, she's the sailor scout of the planet Saturn."
"How fitting, considering her birthday."
"It's the same as Hotaru's birthday. I didn't even consider it," Trista admitted. It was starting to make sense, though some of the details were a little fuzzy.
"What does Hotaru mean, anyway?" asked Karma from the other side of the room.
"Firefly," answered Trista. "My little firefly," she whispered.
**********************************************************************************************************************
It still confused her, but she was happy to know the truth. No wonder Trista had felt so motherly to Hotaru. No wonder she had always been paired with Saturn whenever they were battling foes. No wonder she felt so close to the girl—and no wonder Hotaru could practically read her mind.
I bet she doesn't even know, Trista thought. It would certainly be exciting to tell the truth to her—and with this, she could even straighten out the misunderstanding between herself and Michelle and Amara. Certainly they would see, since they love Hotaru so much, that this was necessary.Fate's words echoed back to her: These things happen for a reason. You yourself may not know it know, but soon you will learn. You will look back and see that you and I have fixed a destiny for you, a destiny unique to you—a destiny you must fulfill. Despite the hardships that lay ahead, you must keep to the path, for if you go astray, you shall be in an eternal pit of despair and grief.
Trista rested herself for a week, grateful for the help of those living in the castle. Hotaru herself seemed to be a perfectly happy and healthy baby. It would be wonderful to share this good news with the rest of the scouts—especially Hotaru herself.
Charon even came to visit, temporarily leaving his post in the care of Kito in order to see his niece. "It is wonderful that she is a girl," he had said. "Very powerful woman she will become indeed." Trista had not liked the look in his eyes, though, when he stared at the child—almost as if he hungered for her. She disliked it even more when Hades told his brother what the child would become one day—the Saturn soldier. Trista didn't fully trust Charon, although Hades seemed to ignore his feud with his brother during this happy time. She was ever so glad when Charon finally left.
Another week passed, and Trista had enough strength to move about the castle, showing her child to the different people and parts of the castle. Hades was in such a good mood—even the slight increase in dead souls did not make his spirit falter. He was proud and happy.
Even Cerebrus took well to Hotaru. He acted like an overgrown puppy and tried to play with her, though Trista became worried the large dog would step on her and quickly pulled her away.
Everything seemed perfect. It was almost too good to be true, to use an old cliché.
One day, Trista approached Hades with Hotaru in her arms. "Dear, I was planning to make a trip up to the world above. It would be good for Hotaru to see the other side of the world—plus I would like to introduce Hotaru to the other girls."
"But of course. Just return soon. I missed you enough when you alone left on these trips. I'll miss the both of you when you leave now," he said, kissing Hotaru sweetly on the forehead.
"I'll return soon," Trista promised.
*************************************************************************************************************************************
Trista didn't want to open the portal back to her old room at Michelle and Amara's apartment, though, so she transported herself to Serena's room at a time when she thought Serena would be at school. She surprised herself and Serena, however, when it turned out that Serena was indeed in her room, reading comic books. "Pluto!" she exclaimed. "Oh, and the baby!"
Trista nodded. "I thought you were at school," she said to Serena.
"It's Saturday."
"Oh…" Trista shook her head. It was difficult to keep up with the days when so much had been going on.
"What's her name?" Serena came over to see the bundle in Pluto's arms.
"Hotaru."
"Oh, just like our Hotaru?"
Pluto cleared her throat. "She is our Hotaru."
"Wha…how?"
"I am not exactly sure yet, though I'm hoping to find out soon. At least, that's what Fate told me."
"Oh," Serena replied. "May I hold her?"
"Of course."
"She's so wonderful. She really looks like our Hotaru too—I remember when Hotaru was reborn as a baby."
"As do I." It had been after a rather difficult with Pharaoh 90, when Hotaru as Sailor Saturn proved to be the Messiah of the Holy Grail. Pluto cringed, thinking of the hard future that lay ahead for her little one.
Serena looked at her. "At least Michelle and Amara won't be mad at you anymore, not after you show them Hotaru."
"That's what I hope."
"We can go together," the blonde suggested.
Pluto smiled. "That would be nice." She looked down at her scout outfit. "I guess I should change, huh?"
Serena giggled. "Yeah, you should. My parents are downstairs."
*****************************************************************************************************************
Trista raised her hand to knock on the apartment door, hoping that Michelle and Amara would not refuse her right away. It turned out to be Hotaru who answered the door. Trista was unsure of what would happen if Hotaru met herself, but nothing seemed to happen immediately, other than a smiling grown Hotaru welcoming her and Serena inside. Michelle and Amara glared at Trista from the couch, but said nothing and had apparently decided to ignore her.
"So what's her name?" Hotaru asked as they walked towards the kitchen.
"Hotaru," Trista answered.
"You named her after me?"
Trista cleared her throat. "She…is you."
This caught Michelle and Amara's attentions. "What? How is that possible?" inquired Amara, coming over to look at the child.
"I don't know. It just is. When she was born, she had the mark of Saturn on her head. Also, look at her—does she not look like our Hotaru when she was born? It has to be her."
"But that's impossible," declared Michelle. "Isn't it?"
Amara said, "Not necessarily. I've learned one thing these past few years; nothing is entirely impossible. Strange, but not impossible."
Serena spoke up. "I think it's wonderful."
Michelle looked at her, then at Trista. "I suppose we owe you an apology then."
"And I do as well," replied Trista. "It is not an issue for two people to love one another—so long as you stay true to each other and continue to love. Love is certainly better than hate, and I should be happy you both have found someone to be with."
Amara and Michelle looked at each other, and then at Trista with a grateful look in their eyes. "Thank you," choked out Michelle.
"Hmm…were my eyes really that big when I was born?" asked Hotaru.
That set off a chain of giggles throughout the room.
********************************************************************************************************************
