Fourteen Days with my Family by Hotaru Tomoe.

Chapter Fifteen: Saturday II.

Disclaimer: I still don't own any of the Sailor Moon characters.

Today was the day I hadn't been looking forward to; the day Hoshiko would be leaving us and returning to the stars.

I was feeling some rather mixed emotions as I got up this morning. One the one hand Keiko and Megumi had been dealt with and our secrets were safe again, for the moment. Maybe we'd reveal our identity to everyone one day but now wasn't the time. Katsuji was at home resting. He'd be waking up soon to find an email from a friend with a possible location of his girlfriend and child. I hoped everything worked out between them.

On the other hand I was sad because Hoshiko was leaving us, possibly for good. In the short time she'd been here she's become part of our little family and it hurt to see her go. I put those thoughts aside as I got ready for the gathering at Rei's temple.

"Good morning Hime-chan, did you sleep well last night?" Michiru-mama asked when I came downstairs for breakfast.

"Good morning Mama. I slept as well as could be expected I guess." I replied as I sat down at the table for breakfast. Michiru-mama heard the note of sadness in my voice and she came over and hugged me reassuringly.

"We'll all miss her." She said as she kissed me on the top of my head. I took her hand and we sat there like that for a few seconds until I felt another hand squeeze mine. I didn't have to look up to see that it was Haruka-papa.

"She'll be back home again soon, don't worry Firefly." Haruka-papa assured me.

"Thank you Papa, Mama. I know she will." I replied. Haruka-papa kissed me as well and soon Setsuna-mama was there as well.

"If you've learned anything over the last two weeks Hotaru, it's that faith manages. If we keep her in our hearts, she'll be back." Setsuna-mama stated as she put her hand on mine. We sat there huddled together for a few more seconds and then a flashbulb went off in our faces startling us.

"I am sorry. I just wanted to record this moment with this device." Hoshiko said as she fussed with the digital camera we were giving her as one of several going away presents. She was wearing the simple blue dress that she had arrived in and a large travel bag waited by the kitchen door.

"No apologies are necessary Hoshiko." Michiru-mama replied as she smiled at the rest of us. "Let's move into a different position so she can get a better shot okay?" We nodded and shuffled around a bit until we weren't all hunched over. Hoshiko smiled and took a second picture.

"Much better, thank you all." Hoshiko smiled then a look of alarm flashed over her face. "Michiru!" She cried as she pointed at the stove.

"Oh no! My crepes!" Michiru-mama exclaimed as she ran over to the stove and the burning mess that used to be crepes. She quickly grabbed a towel before grabbing the handle of the frying pan and ran over to the sink. Soon the crisis was over.

"Damn it!" She fumed as she scraped the burnt mess into the trash. Tears of anger and frustration welled up in her eyes as she cleaned up.

"Don't worry Michi we'll just have to do with cold cereal and toast today." Haruka-papa said as she put her hand on Michiru-mama's shoulder.

"But I wanted to make something special for Hoshiko's last breakfast with us!" Michiru-mama cried. Hoshiko just smiled and took her by the hand.

"Michiru, every breakfast with you, Haruka, Setsuna, and Hotaru over the last several days has been special to me. You have all made me feel like a part of a family again, a feeling I have not, forgive me, haven't had in a long time. (At least she was still trying to use contractions.) Every meal with you, every moment spent with you, will be with me forever. And it doesn't matter what we eat as long as we eat together. So I don't care if we have scrambled eggs, or pancakes, or crepes, or even…" She reached out and picked up a box of cereal that I had placed on the table. "Fruit Loops?" She shrugged and put the box down. "As long as we are enjoying breakfast together that is the important thing."

Michiru-mama stared at her for a moment before sighing in resignation. "Fine, pass the Corn Flakes then." But she did smile gratefully at Hoshiko as she did so. The rest of us grinned and dug in and soon everything was back to normal.

After breakfast we helped Hoshiko pack up the rest of her clothes that we had bought her and stored them away. Then we got ready to head over to Rei's home. We took a few more pictures of us in front of our home and we were on our way.

Grandpa Hino greeted each of us in his usual manner by asking if we would like to be his shrine maidens. We laughed at the sight of poor Hoshiko turning bright red as Grandpa seemed especially taken with her. Rei came along and chased off Grandpa before she could commit to anything like his marriage proposals.

"I'm sorry about that." Rei apologized to a furiously blushing Hoshiko. "He can be a handful at times."

"That's all right I understand. I had a Great Uncle who was the same way, although he wasn't quite as aggressive." Hoshiko replied. ". Mind you he was married to my Great Aunt for over fifty Earth years which may have helped." Rei laughed and lead the way onto the temple grounds.

Everyone was there to greet us as we arrived. Usagi, who was actually early much to our surprise, was there with Luna and Mamoru. Ami and her Mom were there as well. Minako and Artemis were there too helping Makoto making sure the food was ready. Kimyo and her Mom were there too, much to my relief. Mrs. Hoshi looked a little shocked and I guessed that Kimyo had told her everything. She promised that she would keep our secret safe.

Hoshiko was overwhelmed at the huge show of support she was receiving and wept openly when everyone came up and hugged her, each giving her a small gift and some words of encouragement for her journey. We took pictures of everyone with Hoshiko and Ami's Mom took a big picture of all of us together save Kimyo and her Mom.

We talked and laughed and danced and such until it was well into the evening. Kimyo and her Mom had gone home earlier as they were going over to Kimyo's Grandparent's home tomorrow, while Ami's Mom had to leave suddenly because of an emergency at the hospital leaving just us Senshi, which was appropriate.

With great reluctance we turned off the music and slowly made our way to the center of the temple grounds and formed a semi-circle around Hoshiko. Hoshiko smiled at us and changed into her armor. Sensing that the occasion called for it, we each changed into our own Senshi uniforms while Usagi changed into her Princess Serenity form and Mamoru into his Prince Endymion form. Hoshiko smiled warmly at us and took a deep breath before speaking.

"My dear friends, mere words cannot express the gratitude and affection I have for all of you that I am feeling right now. When I arrived here on Earth a short time ago, part of me feared that I would not be welcomed given our past. I worried that you would even attack me given what happened before. But I was wrong. Instead you, albeit with some reluctance in a few cases…" We laughed as she looked at a slightly embarrassed Haruka-papa at this point. "You welcomed me with open arms into your lives and homes and for that alone I shall be eternally grateful."

Hoshiko walked over to Usagi and Mamoru and took one of each of their hands and clasped them together between hers. "Usagi and Mamoru; the two of you have proven time and time again that love can indeed overcome all obstacles. Your love binds the two of you together and gives you strength and inspires others. It is my hope that the two of you will continue to love each other and inspire others to make this world a better place."

"Thank you Hoshiko." Mamoru replied for the two of them as Usagi was too overcome to speak properly as she hugged Hoshiko. Hoshiko embraced both of them and then gave Luna a gentle scratch behind the ears.

"Look after them Luna." Hoshiko said softly.

"Someone has to, Usagi can barely tie her own shoes much less govern a world." Luna quipped causing Hoshiko to laugh.

"Luna! Why you…ooh!" Usagi fumed before she stopped herself and gave her guardian a quick peck on the cheek. Then she and Hoshiko embraced one another. "Safe journey my dear friend."

Hoshiko moved over to where Rei, Ami, Makoto, Minako, and Artemis stood. "My dear friends, over the last several days you showed me that you are more than willing to put your personal problems aside and help each another when you are needed the most. My wish for you is that you continue to help and support each other along with everyone else." They smiled as one by one they hugged Hoshiko and gave her their words of encouragement.

"Thank you Hoshiko." Rei replied. "May the spirits watch over you and guide you in your journey."

"Thank you so much and don't forget that we're here if you need us." Ami said.

"Thanks Hoshiko, and if you ever need help in a big scrap, come look me up okay?" Makoto stated.

"Thanks Hoshi! 'Live long and procreate' okay?" Minako added, causing Hoshiko to blush fiercely.

"That's 'Live long and prosper' Mina!" Artemis sighed.

"Yeah, that too!" Minako replied. Artemis gave Hoshiko a long suffering look. Hoshiko chuckled and scratched him under the chin.

"Keep them out of trouble, okay?" Hoshiko asked. Artemis smiled and nodded. Hoshiko smiled and moved over to Michiru-mama, Haruka-papa, and Setsuna-mama.

"Michiru, Haruka, and Setsuna, despite everything that has passed between us you accepted that I had indeed changed and welcomed me into your home and lives without reservation. Well, almost without reservation." Haruka-papa looked a little sheepish but smiled anyway. Hoshiko continued; 'You showed me what the true meaning of family is and I will be forever grateful. My wish for you is that you stay together forever as one happy family."

"We will. Thank you Hoshiko." Michiru-mama said.

"Thanks Hoshi, and what Makoto said? Well that goes double for me." Haruka-papa added with a grin.

"Good luck my friend, and please remember that you are always welcome here." Setsuna-mama said.

"You're welcome my friends. Oh, and before I forget…" Hoshiko smiled coyly as she leaned over to whisper something in Haruka-papa's ear. I'm not sure what she said, but I've never seen Haruka-papa blush like that before! Michiru-mama and Setsuna-mama howled with laughter while Hoshiko came over to me.

I tried to smile reassuringly but instead I just stood there staring at the ground, tears stinging my eyes. I felt as though another person I cared for was leaving me for good and I was miserable. I felt Hoshiko's gentle touch on my face and I looked up to see her smiling through tears of her own.

"Hotaru, don't be sad. I'm not leaving forever. I will return one day. And when I do I will need you again. I will need you to help guide me once again around this wonderful world of yours." She smiled as she reached into her bag and produced the books I had given her for her journey, Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories. "As Mr. Holmes himself put it so aptly 'I am lost without my Boswell'."

I was at a complete loss for words at that moment as I stared into her smiling face. No words were needed as she opened her arms as I reached out and hugged her as tightly as possible, not wanting to let her go. Both of us were crying as we held one another.

"Thank you so much Hoshiko. Please come back, come home again soon."

"I will little one. I will come back home soon, I promise you." She replied as she kissed me lightly on the cheek.

Finally though I had to let her go and face her destiny. Hoshiko stood and walked into the center of our circle. She smiled as turned in a slow circle, looking at our faces one last time.

"Farewell my friends, we shall see each other again soon." And with that, there was a bright flash of light and Hoshiko returned to the stars once more.

We stood around silently, wondering what to say or do next. All of us had tears in our eyes as we saw a bright beam of golden light slowly disappear into the heavens. Finally Usagi let out a mournful sigh and changed back into her normal self, the rest of us following suit.

"I'm already missing her." Michiru-mama commented softly.

"We all are." Mamoru assured her.

"Any idea how long until she comes back?" Makoto asked.

"No idea." Rei replied.

"Hoshiko and I talked about it the other day. She figured that she might be able to return the remaining Star Seeds to their homes in about five years." Setsuna-mama said.

"That seems to be an awfully long time for someone to be out there all alone." I said sadly.

"But we've given her a reason to finish her duty soon. We've given her a home and a family again. And most of all we've given her hope." Usagi assured me as she placed a hand on my shoulder. I smiled at her, she was right. I knew then that Hoshiko would return again, one day. I looked back up at the stars again.

"Safe journey Hoshiko."

A voice spoke to me in my mind causing me to smile; 'Do not worry little one, I will be back before you know it.'

"You okay kiddo?" Haruka-papa asked. "You kind of zoned out there for a moment."

"I'm okay Papa. Let's go home okay?" I replied. Haruka-papa smiled and nodded in agreement as we said our farewells and headed home.

Once we got home, we sat down together in our living room in silence. "I'm not particularly feeling like going to bed right now. Does anyone else want to watch a movie, or play a game, or something?" Setsuna-mama asked.

"Sure, I'm not feeling tired either." Michiru-mama replied. Haruka-papa nodded. "Any ideas?"

"I have one. Why don't we read a story together like we used to?" I asked.

Haruka-papa smiled as she reached for a particular book. "Sounds like fun. And I think I have the appropriate book right here." She showed us the cover and we all smiled.

"Why don't you start us off Hime-chan?" Michiru-mama asked as we huddled together on the sofa.

"Okay Mama." I replied. I sat in Haruka-papa's lap while Setsuna-mama and Michiru-mama curled up on either side of us. I opened up the book and began reading.

"To Mr. Sherlock Holmes she was always the woman…"

In conclusion, as you can see I have a rather unique family, wouldn't you agree? But I love all of them to death anyway. Sure we have our ups and downs like everyone else, but what matters in the end is that we are still one big, happy family and that is what truly matters.

End of report.

Author's note: Yes I know it took me forever to finish this, and I am sorry. But despite everything I hope you enjoyed it.

I don't think I'll be doing another story like this anytime soon, as I would like to work on a few of my other stories. Hooky is tied into this story a bit, and an upcoming one shot featuring Sailor Lead Crow and Sailor Aluminum Siren will as well.

Will Hoshiko return to Earth? I think so. Hopefully it won't take me five years to write that story either. Until then, keep smiling.

Oh and the passage I quoted is the opening line of the Sherlock Holmes story A Scandal in Bohemia in case anyone is wondering.