Crystal Flaws � Part 01 Crystal Tears

The three Outer Senshi had finally completed the planet evaluation project and returned to Earth. The preparation and actual colonization of each planet or moon would still take many more years, but the necessary preliminary work was done and the process was set into motion. Uranus, Neptune and Saturn along with the King were finally able to begin the CTEM project.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hotaru had made it her personal mission to drive Setsuna insane. Setsuna was certain of it. Every morning Hotaru visited the time guardian and asked her the same question. Of course she was polite and would chat with Sailor Pluto about the Palace’s daily goings on but eventually she always managed to bring it up.

This particular morning Setsuna was in an exceptionally good mood as she greeted Hotaru with their usual breakfast of pastries and coffee.

They chatted while they ate and Setsuna patiently bided her time. Finally, Hotaru nonchalantly asked, “Setsuna, do you think the Princess will be coming back soon?”

A slow Cheshire cat grin curled the Time Guardian’s lips and her eyes twinkled with suppressed mirth as she sat there silently.

Hotaru looked up when she didn’t hear Setsuna’s usual pat answer of, “Sometime soon I expect.” Seeing Setsuna’s expression, Hotaru\'s violet eyes grew large with hope, “Setsuna-Mama, is she coming back…today?”

Setsuna startled, then began to laugh as she pointed out to her grown adoptive daughter, “You haven’t called me ‘Mama’ since before the great freeze!”

Hotaru blushed then impatiently whined, “Just answer my question already!” which only made Setsuna laugh harder.

Realizing her poor daughter was about to pop from suspense Setsuna finally admitted, “The Princess Small Lady Serenity will be returning from the past this afternoon at exactly four forty-seven Crystal Tokyo time.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hotaru thought the day would never end! She sighed as she again tried to focus on her work. Ruefully she reminded herself it wasn’t a good idea to mix chemicals when distracted. She watched as the sticky green ooze she had made climbed up over the top of the beaker, quickly spread out onto the table then harden into rock.

It was only three fifteen and Hotaru decided she needed some fresh air. As she stepped out the door into the palace gardens she was momentarily blinded by the bright sunshine. Hotaru ran smack into a new palace guard recruit.

“Ow!” Hotaru exclaimed as she stumbled back.

The recruit reflexively caught Hotaru by the arm to keep her from falling. “I’m so sorry!” he exclaimed, “I’m late and I didn’t see you come out the door. Are you okay?”

Hotaru was certain she had ran into a brick wall, but realized it was a soldier when she looked up into his midnight blue eyes. She tried to assuage the worry she saw reflected in those eyes as she answered with an embarrassed smile, “I’ll live. I wasn’t looking where I was going either. Thank you for catching me.”

The soldier grinned back as he ran his hand through his dark hair, making its mahogany highlights flash in the sun, “I’m glad you’re okay. Um…I’m late. I better go, bye.”

The soldier hurried into the palace and Hotaru continued her walk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At four forty-five King Endymion, Neo-Queen Serenity and all the Planet Senshi, both Inners and Outers except for Pluto, stood by the Palace medallion as they impatiently waited.

Haruka could see Hotaru was especially excited and was standing next to the King and Queen. Reaching forward, Haruka grabbed Hotaru’s arm and pulled her back to stand with her and Michiru.

Hotaru’s surprise turned into annoyance. “What’d you do that for?” she exclaimed.

Michiru leaned over and pointed out, “I know you haven’t seen her in a long time but let her parents have a chance first.”

Hotaru wanted to pout but reminded herself she was far too old for it. For some reason her parents always made her feel like a child. It also didn’t help that they were right.

The sky above the group began to shimmer and swirl. Soon the Time Guardian and the Princess materialized above them then gently floated to the ground.

Small Lady looked up at Sailor Pluto and said with a smile, “Your landings are much smoother than mine are. Thank you, Plu.”

Princess Small Lady Serenity then turned to the group, properly curtsied and threw herself into her parent’s arms. Amidst the greeting confusion, Pluto smiled and silently returned to her post.

Usagi exclaimed, “Welcome home, Small Lady!” with a catch in her voice.

Mamoru didn’t say a word as he hugged his two girls. The possibility of never being able to have his family in his arms again had been way too close for his comfort.

After taking as much as she could, Small Lady started to struggle and exclaim, “I can’t breath! Let me out!”

Chuckling, Mamoru let go. Usagi still held her tight as she laughingly decreed, “I’m not letting you go until you give me my presents!”

Small Lady sighed theatrically as she explained, “Of course, I would *never* forget your presents, Mother, but I need my arms to get them!”

Usagi finally also let go and Small Lady pulled a backpack around off her back. She explained, “I have yours and Poppa’s right here. Everyone else will have to wait for me to unpack.”

Small Lady looked up after saying that and spotted a pair of large, uncertain, violet eyes that were staring at her from behind Sailor Jupiter. With a gasp she asked, “Hotaru? Is…is that you?”

Hotaru stepped out from behind the other Senshi and was promptly glomped onto by a sobbing princess. “Hotaru! Oh, I’m sooo… *happy* you’re here!” she exclaimed.

Usagi reached down at her feet and chuckled as she picked up the forgotten backpack. Whatever was inside didn’t sound like it had survived the fall. However, she decided the look on her daughter’s face had been well worth a broken present.

When Small Lady finally pulled away from her best friend, Hotaru happily exclaimed, “Welcome home, Chibi-Usa-Chan. Um…I mean Small Lady.”

The Princess laughed and said as Hotaru blushed, “I don’t care if you call me ‘Teeny Rini’! I’m just happy to see you!”

The Princess finally took a look around at all the Senshi. As she finished scanning the group a shadow briefly crossed her expression. She thought, [I had hoped, but I didn’t really think he’d be here.] She then greeted everyone with a smile.


The End!


This story in a very unintentional and roundabout way became the first book of a five book series called, “Crystal Flaws”. I will begin posting book 2 “Crystal Fears” soon. Please look for and read it too. ^_^

I would also like to thank Sophia Prester for reading this story over and helping me to improve it. ^_^


Thank you for reading my story. If you liked it, or if you have any (politely worded) suggestions/comments about my story, please let me know. I truly appreciate feedback. ^_^ You can email me at ndeblock@att.net .


Bye, Luna Hope

Disclaimer>Sailor Moon and all her friends don’t belong to me. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I just borrowed them for a little bit of fun. ^_^