...

Frame by frame...red speed ahead.
A city dissolving... the thread of your love in the headlights.
Is it safe now? Will your arms be open?
I'll just have to kiss you...try and stop me.

Closing in... I hope that you make it.
Closing in... I hope that you find your way.
Closing in... its all that I want in the whole world.
Closing in... please be there, please be there.

Hotaru panted hard as she ran through the streets. She had been running since leaving the school, and the only time she had stopped running was when she had ridden the Metro. She was exhausted, but she had to get to any of them. Her body felt stronger as she approached Juban. She was close! She could feel it! They were nearby! Hotaru rounded the corner with a gasp. A large police officer stood there and she slammed into him at full speed.

"Hey," Hotaru didn't stop though. She slammed into him, but in an instant she was balanced again and running past him. He grabbed hold of her arm before she could get far. "Hey, are you okay?" His concerned eyes were looking her over, and she pulled away frantically. "Hey, Osaka-san!" He called out over his shoulder and Hotaru could see another officer making his way over. No! Hotaru's heart began to race wildly and she pushed away hard as she kicked his shin. "Ow! What the-" Hotaru rushed into the street and two cars honked angrily as they slammed on the brakes "Hey! Wait!" The cars honked again as the officer made his way after her. Hotaru's breathing was uneven from the run and her increasing panic. If they caught her they would find out she was from the school. They would send her back! She might never get another chance like this, she had to succeed in her mission, or... everything was lost.

Hotaru cut into the nearby ally and began to climb over the fence that ended it as it lead to a parking lot. Hotaru dropped down onto the pavement and continued to run without looking back to see if the officer would do the same. Hotaru's eyes whipped around frantically trying to find a new path of escape, but all she could see was the vast parking lot. She had cornered herself! She had been following their energy signals and now she was trapped! She had been so close! They had been so-

She slammed hard into someone else as she panicked. It was just not her day...

"Woah, a little hurried there aren't we?" She looked up in fear expecting to see the other officer, but her eyes met a set of deep blue eyes that were so familiar to her.

"Mama..." Hotaru became teary-eyed instantly, and there was nothing she could do to push it back. Michiru frowned.

"Excuse me?" Hotaru wrapped her arms around the unsuspecting woman and pressed her head against her stomach tightly.

"Mama..." Hotaru whispered again.

"Is there something I should know, Michiru?" Hotaru looked up again to see Haruka who stood beside them.

"Papa..." Hotaru released Michiru and grabbed hold of Haruka even more tightly. "Papa!" Hotaru pressed against her and began to cry into her shirt. Hotaru could hear the sound of a fence clanging, and she tightened her grip on Haruka even more. The officer was coming, and there was no time to run. But Hotaru didn't want too run anymore. Not when she had finally found what she had been dreaming about for years.

"Tell him I'm your daughter." Hotaru demanded not looking up as she heard the officer hit the ground running. "Tell him I was lost!" Michiru frowned.

"Who are-" The officer's running slowed and stared at the scene in front of him in confusion. Hotaru squeezed Haruka more tightly.

"I've got her." The officer spoke into his radio. "Sorry about this." He said to Michiru and Haruka as he stepped closer. "You know her?" Hotaru looked up from Haruka's shirt; her eyes pleading with the two standing over her.

"N-" Michiru stopped as she glanced over to Haruka who stood there not speaking as Hotaru's violet eyes met hers in desperation. "Haruka?"

"Yes, she's our cousin." Haruka said finally looking up at the officer. "Sorry about this, she was lost. We were looking for her." The officer frowned. He didn't believe them, but there was no way to prove otherwise. Michiru was peering at Haruka with an unforgiving glare. "Come on now." Haruka said to Hotaru with a smile. "Lets get you home." Hotaru nodded, but remained hugging Haruka as she walked awkwardly away from the officer. Hotaru could hear the officer talking to Michiru, but his voice was too low for her to hear her words. She glanced back to the scene playing out behind her to see the officer now talking into his radio, and Michiru following behind them. The trio turned the corner leading to another section of the parking lot, and the officer was not entirely out of sight. Hotaru's breathing was becoming more and more steady, but still she clung to Haruka as they walked. Her eyes scanned the lot in search of the yellow convertible, but it was no where to be seen. Hotaru's eyes opened wide in realization; they weren't taking her to the car. "There we go." Haruka's arm began to try and pry Hotaru off of her, but Hotaru clung on tighter; threatening to cut off circulation to her arms. "Come on! The acts over. He's gone!" Haruka reasoned. Michiru stood silently to the side of them.

"You don't remember." Hotaru's voice echoed in her ears as she pressed tightly to Haruka and tears began to form in her eyes again. "Papa..." Haruka sighed, but then pushed harder.

"I said he's gone!" Hotaru refused to let go even with Haruka pressing against her.

"No." Hotaru's voice came out like a two-year-old arguing with their parent. Michiru grabbed hold of her from behind finally fet up with the scenario.

"Let go." Michiru ordered with force. Hotaru's eyes watered even more, but she obeyed and Michiru lead her away from Haruka. "Now, we don't know what trouble you're in, but we have more important things to do than help delinquents out of trouble." Michiru was angry at Haruka; Hotaru could see it. Her blue eyes were brewing silently.

"You can't go!" Hotaru said reaching out to them as they began to walk away. "Mama! Papa!" Michiru turned around sharply.

"We are not." She said in anger. Many people would not be able to hear the anger, but Hotaru could. There was an edge in her voice; a ruthless tone underneath her calm demeanor. The tears final spilled over her eyelids.

"You have to remember." Hotaru's voice came out weak and soft. "We have to make everything right again." Michiru kept walking away dragging Haruka behind her. Haruka was looking over her shoulder at Hotaru, but there was only pity in her eyes. Hotaru began to breath hard again. She couldn't let them just walk away! Not after all of this time! Hotaru dried her eyes quickly and she stood up straight in the middle of the parking lot. There were red streaks on her face, but there were no more tears in her eyes. They had to help her... She could not do this alone.

Her eyes were now as cold as ice.

"Uranus, Neptune..." Hotaru's voice was just a simple whisper and the two kept walking away from her. Hotaru lifted her chin and she stood determined with her fist clenched to her side. "Uranus! Neptune!"

The two in front of her froze in horror.

The wind whipped through Haruka's short hair as she sped down the road in the yellow convertible with Michiru sitting beside her with a serious frown on her face. Normally driving would help her ease any worries she had, but right now it couldn't even begin to because each time Haruka would glance upwards into her rearview mirror the source of her worry would be seated plainly in view.

Haruka stared at the young girl in the back seat for the millionth time. The girl sat staring with her chin resting on her hand as she peered out into the city as the world sped by them in a blur. Her short black hair whipped around her face carelessly, and she seemed unaffected by Haruka's dizzying speed. The violet eyes that had thrown Haruka into a confused state were now no longer desperate like they had been as she had latched onto Haruka. They were now cold and mirrored Michiru's serious gaze. Despite this cold and new stoic attitude, Haruka still found herself drawn in by her. No matter how hard she tried to avoid looking into the back of the car, she just couldn't obey herself.

The girl's desperate eyes had captured Haruka in their snare. The moment the girl had wrapped her arms around Haruka she had felt something... Something had stirred within her, but Haruka couldn't understand it. Usually things she couldn't understand would send her into a furry, but this girl... this nameless girl... had the opposite affect. She had utterly silenced Haruka and she had sent Michiru, usually the calmer one of the two, fuming angrily at her defiance. The girl had stood strong under Michiru's harsh verbal attack and interrogation, and Haruka could only stare at the scene play out in front of her without her. She doubted her involvement would have mattered anyways. The girl refused to answer any questions until they were at 'home'. This had thrown Haruka into an other round of stirring emotion. The girl had spoken as if she included herself as an occupant of their apartment. This had silenced Michiru as well, and Haruka could tell the whole thing was throwing her for a loop just like it had done to Haruka. She had never seen Michiru so flustered, but it comforted Haruka to know that she wasn't alone in this confusion.

Haruka looked back to the rearview mirror to see the girl hadn't moved at all, but that her eyes were still peering out into the city. It was as if she were searching for something or perhaps someone. Haruka's grip on the steering wheel tightened. The girl could easily be leading someone to them, but then Haruka had to throw that possibility out. The girl had known who they were so it would make no sense. Why would she have to lead someone to them when she already knew everything about them? This caused Haruka's chest to tighten. She knew about them, but they knew nothing about her!

Haruka passed another car quickly and she grunted in frustration. They needed answers...

She refused to look back at the girl any more knowing that nothing would come of it. She just needed to focus on driving and getting to the house as quickly as possible. Once there they could settle this mystery! A few minutes later Haruka found herself giving in and glancing back to check on the girl. She no longer looked out into the city, but her eyes were now closed but her chin remained resting on her hand as she leaned against the car door.

She looked almost peaceful...

Haruka forced herself to look back to the road as she came closer to their exit. Who was this girl that made Haruka feel so drawn? The only person who had ever done this to Haruka was Michiru when they had first met. How was this girl the same?

Haruka looked her partner over. Michiru was taking this harder than Haruka was, and she didn't understand why. Perhaps she could sense something about the girl that Haruka couldn't. She had noted that The Deep Aqua Mirror had remained out of view the entire time, and this had worried her. If Michiru thought it was unsafe for The Talisman to be seen by this mystery girl then she must have felt something dangerous.

Haruka forced herself to keep her eyes on the road and didn't look back to the girl. She put her foot down hard on the gas and they raced forward onto their exit. Haruka took her foot off of the gas and let the car begin to coast as they entered into the ordinary streets a few blocks away from their apartment. They were inside the suburbs, but close enough to have easy access to the city when they needed to; or when it needed them. It was just a few blocks away from the nearest library and park: the perfect place to raise a family, and the house they rented was entirely too big for the two of them. Another whole couple could live in it! Whatever had possessed them to decide to rent the place was beyond Haruka, but Michiru had agreed whole heartedly. There was a sort of nostalgic feeling to it, and it was calming to just be in it. Especially after a long tour, or a fierce battle, it was great to come back with Michiru by her side.

Haruka pulled into the driveway and after she had turned off the car she took a deep breath before turning around at the same time as Michiru to face the mysterious girl...

Haruka sighed again but had to smile a bit, and Michiru's hard gaze lightened. The girl sat with her eyes closed and head drooped in between her shoulder and forearm as she remained pressed against the car door. Her dark hair hung around her face and her even breath moved it back and forth...

She was asleep.

Haruka opened the car door and Michiru did the same. They stood at the girl's door not speaking. A part of Haruka wanted to wake her, but another part just wanted to keep her asleep. She looked serene, but also so worn out.

"Now what?" Michiru whispered. Haruka bent down and unbuckled the girl and slid her arms under her. The girl was probably 14 or 15, but she was incredibly light. Haruka steadied herself as she lifted the girl up out of the car, and Michiru held her back as Haruka threatened to lean back too far.

They entered the house and Haruka put the girl down gently on the couch. She didn't even stir from the movement. She lay on the couch with her chest moving up and down slowly; the only indication that she was still even alive.

Michiru stepped closer to the girl, but then halted. Haruka could see that she was just as torn as Haruka. Haruka put her arm around Michiru's shoulders and the woman's blue eyes met hers.

"What do you make of it?" Haruka asked. Michiru's frown returned.

"We cannot trust her." She said. Haruka pressed her lips more tightly together. "We have to keep our guard up at all times."

"You felt something about her didn't you?" Michiru nodded.

"Something dark and dangerous." Michiru's muscles refused to loosen up even as Haruka moved to massage her back. "I don't like this." She said. "We have to remain firm in this. We can't let her manipulate us even if she knows our identities." Haruka nodded, but she didn't entirely agree.

"She seems so gentle when she's asleep." Haruka whispered. "Its hard to believe she could be dangerous."

"Those piercing cold eyes say differently." Michiru replied, but the eyes Haruka were thinking about were the desperate ones that had looked up at her when the girl had wrapped her arms around her tightly. Perhaps that was what would make her dangerous. Haruka knew from experience that desperation brought out the recklessness in people.

Herself included.

Michiru included.

Though Michiru would argue that point.

"So what do we do when she wakes up?" Haruka asked. Michiru's head tilted to the side as they both examined the girl in front of them.

"We don't give in." Michiru said finally. "We have to keep in control of the situation." Haruka shook her head. She didn't feel in control. She felt at the mercy of the small frame sprawled out on the couch. This girl who drew her in with those beautiful violet eyes, and mysterious personality: Cold and warm at the same time. Not much different than Michiru's at times. "She must be exhausted." Michiru mused softly, the strong determination she had just possessed had melted away into a gentle pity. Haruka kissed Michiru's forehead.

"It seems we both have a soft spot for her." Haruka said softly, and Michiru's muscles tightened.

"No, I was-" Michiru stopped. "We will not let ourselves be taken by her." She stated, and Haruka nodded.

"No, not at all." She lied. She was already taken. The girl was desperate, worn out, and had apparently trusted the two of them enough to let herself fall asleep. Or maybe this was just a ploy to get them to let their guards down? Haruka didn't like this! She felt torn between following Michiru's suggestion, and her own want to trust, to protect even, this young girl. "How about we take this slowly?" Haruka suggested. "We shouldn't jump the gun and label her an enemy. Perhaps she needs our help?" Michiru glared at her.

"There is something not right about her. We have to be cautious." Michiru argued.

"Exactly." Haruka countered. "We can't just rush head long into this, accusing her and bombarding her with questions." Haruka looked down at the girl. "She may be playing us, but until we know for sure, I suggest we treat her..."

"What?" Michiru pushed.

"A guest, I guess." Haruka finished. Michiru steamed over the suggestion for a moment, but then nodded.

"Fine." She said harshly. Haruka smiled a bit. Michiru wouldn't agree to something she didn't want to do either, or what she thought was necessary. Haruka could see through Michiru's anger. She probably felt the same stirring as Haruka did and it was sending her over the edge as it merged with the warnings about the 'something dark and dangerous'. In fact, Haruka was sure that was what it was, and then there was her never ending devotion to duty.

"Come on, lets get you in front of your mirror, and I'll sit nearby pretending to be helpful." Haruka said kissing her neck, but Michiru shrugged her off. She did reveal The Mirror though and they left the girl behind on the couch and entered into the kitchen. Michiru sat down and Haruka stood over her as the glass of the mirror began to cloud. Michiru was instantly frowning. "What?" Michiru shook her head.

"I should have known." She said putting down the mirror and rubbing at her temples. "I wont be able to get even an inch deep into the mirror with my mind spinning like this!" She complained. Haruka didn't speak as Michiru continued to vent her frustration in a long line of explanation. "And even if I could, there probably be an outside force interfering. She is probably interfering!"

"Come on." Haruka said massaging her back again. "Just calm down for a moment, and then try." Haruka suggested. "Maybe you can read into her dreams while she sleeps." Haruka said. Michiru glared up at Haruka, it seemed she was getting more than her fair share of glares today. "It could give us at least a clue as to who she is." Haruka said defensively. Michiru sighed and her eyes closed. Her breathing evened out and Haruka smiled as her eyes opened again a few minutes later and she picked The Mirror up off of the table.

"Perhaps I can..." She whispered as she peered deep within The Mirror. Instantly the glass was consumed in darkness and the two gasped as the image of a castle appeared...

Then... it was crumbling...

And a piercing scream came from the living room.

"No!" Haruka rushed into the living room and she heard Michiru following after her. The girl was thrashing around on the couch in a panic whereas she had been so peaceful minutes before. "No! Stop!" Haruka wrapped her arms around the girl in order to restrict her movement, but still the girl kicked and Haruka tried to wake her. The girl's head fell backwards and a replay of what had happened the night before occurred as her body began to glow a soft purple. "CHIBIUSA!"

The girl's eyes snapped open and the soft glow vanished around her. Haruka held her more tightly; afraid she might thrash out again.

"Its okay, it was just a nightmare." Haruka said trying to calm her. The girl's eyes met hers and she stared at Haruka with true fear in her eyes.

"Papa!" The girl broke into tears and buried her face in Haruka's shirt. "Papa..." The girl's shoulders quivered as she cried desperately into Haruka's shirt. Michiru's hand touched Haruka's shoulder as she leaned closer to the girl.

"It was just a dream." Michiru said trying to help Haruka calm her. The girl's grip on Haruka's shirt as she cried tightened.

"Yeah, it was just a dream." Haruka agreed. "It was nothing. It wasn't real." The girl's face lifted and her eyes flared in anger.

"No! It was real! It happened! Its not just a dream!" She shouted. "I'm not crazy!" Her eyes pressed closed and she sobbed slightly again. "Chibiusa..." Her eyes opened again. "I... I couldn't stop it..." She then held Haruka's shirt tightly. "Everything is wrong!" She declared loudly. "We have to fix it! We have to figure out how this happened!" Her voice was growing into a plea. Haruka and Michiru stared at her concerned by her sudden changes in personality. Her eyes were transforming before their very eyes: from frightened, to desperate, and now they were freezing over again in determination. "I know you've felt it." She said in an even tone. "The Earth is calling out, but there seems to be nothing wrong." The two of them held back their nods of agreement. She was still talking. "But everything is wrong..." She continued. "All of time and space... Its all wrong..." The girl's eyes dropped downwards and she was sorrowful again.

"Who are you?" Haruka asked. Haruka stopped breathing as she looked upwards again.

The girl's eyes... they were just like the woman in their dream: so sad and worn. They appeared ancient and yet young at the same time. They were eyes that appeared to have seen too much for her years.

"If I told you, you would kill me." She said, and Michiru's grip on Haruka's shoulder tightened.

"And why would we do that?" She asked. The girl didn't speak up. A frown came to Michiru's face and she opened her mouth to attack her again verbally, but then she stopped. She had promised Haruka, and she would be cruel to attack someone who looked so down. "Can you at least tell us your name?" She asked more kindly. The girl looked up at her with her eyes still saddened.

"Tomoe Hotaru..." She replied and Haruka smiled. Finally, a name to attach to the mystery.

"Nice to meet you, Hotaru-chan."

Usagi's eyes scanned the area as she walked: looking for Luna hopefully. It was only 4 in the afternoon, not even 24 hours since her awakening as Princess Serenity, and already she felt worn and tired. The others had tried to convince her to let them walk her home, but she had refused them. She knew they were afraid of an attack, and were still not completely convinced Luna wasn't an enemy, but still she had ordered them to let her walk alone. All she wanted was Luna, and... Usagi stopped walking with a sigh. The heavy sorrow was dragging her down. Too much had happened to her in the last 24 hours and she just wanted a break. She needed something happy; something wonderful. Usagi's hands twisted violently as tears began to form in her eyes again. She had cried probably a million tears since last night and she was tired of crying.

"Odango..." Usagi froze as he spoke behind her and she didn't even breath. She couldn't see him right now, it would be too hard, to saddening, but her heart was beating wildly with desire. She just had to see him. She couldn't live without him. Reluctantly she turned around expecting to see him standing a few feet away, but as she turned she found him right on top of her. His hands touched her cheeks and she gasped in surprise, it was all happening to quickly to comprehend, but then his warm lips were touching hers without warning. A gentle warmth erupted in her soul and her eyes closed as it spread through out her body, and he pulled her close.

"Is this a dream?" The weights that had been dragging her dropped off of her and she clung to him like life support. The only thing that separated them momentarily was the need to breathe, but Usagi knew that was actually a lie. She could live longer without the air than she could without him. "Mamo-chan..." He kissed her again and the whole experience repeated, and the warmth grew into a brilliant fire in her heart. "Mamo-chan..." She whispered again as he hugged her tightly. Her ear was pressed close to his heart and underneath she could hear the steady ticking of a watch underneath his clothes.

"Usagi..." The tears were building up in her eyes again. She was in pure ecstasy. At that moment everything felt right and as it should be. "Meet me." Her continued to whisper. "Meet me at the central fountain. Tomorrow at noon." Usagi stared up into his deep blue eyes to see them shimmering just as happily.

"H-hai." It was all she could say as he bent down and kissed her again. Usagi couldn't breath; her soul was in rapture. The warmth of his kiss was gone suddenly and he stood over her staring into her eyes; threatening to pull her in again.

"Tomorrow." He reminded, and Usagi nodded. She would be there! Nothing would be able to stop her! He kissed her again, but as he did she felt a sudden chill sweep through the two of them. He let her go and his eyes stared down at her wide eyed for a moment, but then his eyes warmed, and he was smiling again. "Don't forget." He said. Usagi nodded. He let her go and rushed down the street away from her; leaving her standing there confused, but... incredibly uplifted. She didn't understand what had sent him back to her, but... it didn't matter. He was coming back for her again! They would be one! They would be happy and reunited just like that memory! Usagi spun around happily as she let out a childish giggle. She couldn't wait to get home and tell Lu-

Mamoru closed the door to his apartment behind him and he stood there leaning against it as the happiness surged through him. His breathing was now coming more easily as everything began to fall into place. Usagi had agreed to meet him... His hand went to his burning chest. It hadn't stopped since the night before, and Usagi's kiss had sent power flowing through him at an even more alarming speed. Never had he known that such power had dwelt within him, not even in his past life. Though, with all of its heat, it had not stopped the ice cold vision from piercing through him as he had kissed Usagi that last time. The coldness had mingled with the blazing heat and within his closed eyes he had seen a grand castle of either ice or glass shattering into a million pieces. Fear had gripped him, but once he opened his eyes again the vision was gone and Usagi had taken its place: the happy, warm Usagi.

His Princess... They had found each other, and after tomorrow, Usagi and him would be able to start their lives together; just like they had wanted in the past.

Mamoru yawned and pulled out the sleek pocket watch and frowned. The hands were directly underneath the full moon pictured in the background above the two hills that took up the bottom portion. It was only about four-thirty. He put the watch back into his left jacket pocket and continued to lean against the door. He had been running and searching for Usagi all day... His eyes were drooping now in the shadow filled apartment. His mission was complete.

Mamoru leaned his head back against the door and closed his eyes as he breathed his first real breath in forever. With it he imagined all the tension and worry he had bottled up within him leaving with it, but in truth there was still something tugging at his heart as he remembered the fact that tomorrow Kimi and Usagi's worlds would collide. Mamoru opened his eyes and continued to stare up at the ceiling. Was it really alright? He looked down the hallway towards his room and he shrugged off the uneasiness as he walked forward. His legs had lost their energy and they moved like lead weights as his restless nights took their toll. His last real sleep had been the night before last. Last night he hadn't slept a wink as he waited for the morning to come, and for his search to begin. He hadn't known Usagi would prove to be so hard to find! Usually they were attracted to each other like the opposite sides of a magnet and couldn't avoid each other even if they tried.

Mamoru rubbed his chest as the power flared in his chest, and then he stopped mid-step as the sound of two sets of girlish laughter echoed through the apartment. He scanned the area around him but no one appeared from the shadows... it had been in his head. He shook his head and rubbed his forehead. Great, now he was hearing things! He stepped around the corner to his room. He just needed a good night's sleep.

He collapsed onto the bed face first and he could only succeed in kicking his shoes off carelessly. He had forgotten all about them at the door. His eyes drifted closed and he let out another deep sigh as his muscles relaxed. His chest continued to feel warm, but its warmth was relaxing along with his body. It was so warm, and Mamoru found himself feeling happy for the first time since waking up at the hospital with no memories.

Usagi's kiss had stirred up so many emotions in him, and his chest had flared passionately. Mamoru smiled again for the fourth time that day as he pictured her in his mind: his princess. He released all of his tension in its entirely and he let himself fall into a deep sleep, and for the first time in weeks, he slept soundly.