Disclaimer: Chibi-Usa, Hotaru, and other characters of

 SailorMoon legally belong to Naoko Takeuchi, Toei Animation,

 and Cloverway.

 

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

 You've Got A Friend

 

 by Sailor Aphrodite/Rami

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

 

 Hotaru strolled down the concrete steps of the Mugen school.

 She blinked at the hot sun above. She walked onto the pavement,

 the soft breeze blowing through her black hair and plaid skirt.

 She made a turn for her house, when suddenly a group of kids

 ran past her in the opposite direction. "Let's go to the 

 playground!" one of them cried. The others cheered and

 giggled.

 

 Hotaru stared at them, interested. 'I wish I had friends like

 those,' she thought. Then after a moment's thought, she decided 

 to follow them. "Wait for me!" she called out, as she tried to 

 catch up.

 

 The children stopped at the sound of the familiar classmate. They 

 all turned and stared silently as she ran up the sidewalk.

 

 "I want to play too!" Hotaru's weak heart began to beat much faster,

 and she began to gasp for breath. 'Oh no, not again,' Her hand

 reached for her chest, but she didn't stop running. Unfortunately,

 she didn't notice that small crack in the pavement, and she tripped

 and fell. Her briefcase flew out of her hand and into the bushes. 

 "Wait, please..." she said between huffs.

 

 The students just stared. "Should we help her?" murmured a red-haired

 girl to the others.

 

 "No way!" replied another. "Did you see what she did to Tommy last

 week?!"

 

 "She spassed-out on him! He had to go to the hospital!" said one

 of the boys. 

 

 Hotaru gazed up at them from her position on the ground. Her eyes 

 began to sting. 'What are they talking about...? I didn't hurt

 anybody!'

 

 ~*When you're down and troubled*~

 

 "Then she went up to him and her hand started to glow! She's

 an alien or something!"

 

 "Why should we play with her? That little freak."

 

 "Yeah!" the red-haired girl stamped her foot angrily at Hotaru. 

 "Anyway, it serves you right for falling!"

 

 The children scowled in agreement, and ran off, leaving the small

 girl behind.

 

 She watched sadly as the others ran through the grass and have 

 fun. She looked down at her scraped hands. Tears rolled down her

 cheeks and dotted the concrete. 'Why is everyone so mean to me?

 So what if I'm different? That's no reason to be nasty.'

 

 ~*And you need a helping hand*~

 ~*And nothing, nothing is going right*~

 

 Slowly, Hotaru stood up, and brushed the dirt off of her school

 uniform. She picked up her briefcase and stared up at the sky.

 Closing her eyes, she wished more than anything that someone

 would someday come up to her and ask, 'Hey, Hotaru, wanna play?'

 

 ~*Close your eyes and think of me*~

 ~*And soon I will be there*~

 ~*To brighten up even your darkest night*~

 

 "Hey, Hotaru!"

 

 The firefly turned around. There stood a familiar 7-year-old 

 with fluffy pink hair, in a blue uniform, waving to her.

 "Hi! I'd knew I'd find you here! Ya wanna play?"

 

 ~*You just call out my name,*~

 ~*And you know wherever I am*~

 ~*I'll come running to see you again*~

 

 Hotaru stared at Chibi-Usa strangely, wondering if

 her wish had suddenly come true. Then she smiled.

 "Okay. We can go to my house."

 

 Chibi-Usa clapped. "That's great! Mamoru just taught

 me this new card game, and I can show you if ya want!"

 

 Hotaru giggled. She had always admired Chibi-Usa's 

 everlasting cheerfulness. Ever since she met her in

 the park, Chibi-Usa had added some sunlight into Hotaru's

 gloomy life. She began to forget all about those other kids;

 Chibi-Usa was more important to her now. 

 

 The two girls continued to laugh and talk, as they walked 

 down the street to Hotaru's house.

 

 ~*Winter, spring, summer or fall,*~

 ~*All you have to do is call*~

 ~*And I'll be there, yes I will*~

 ~*You've got a friend*~

 

 Later that week, there was a huge thunderstorm. And

 since Hotaru's father was too busy to come and pick her 

 up from school, Hotaru had to walk home with nothing

 but an umbrella. She trudged down the wet sidewalk

 holding onto the rod, hoping that the wind wouldn't blow

 the umbrella inside out.

 

 ~*If the sky up above you*~

 ~*Should turn dark and full of clouds*~

 ~*And that old north wind should begin to blow*~

 

 Hotaru shut the front door behind her, glad to be

 out of that horrible storm. She leaned on the doorknob

 as she began to have another asthma attack.

 

 A woman with long red hair appeared in the hallway.

 "Hotaru, are you all right? Here, let me take your jacket--"

 

 The small girl pushed her away. "I'm fine, Kaori! I can

 take care of myself!" Hotaru grabbed her books and headed

 to her bedroom.

 

 Kaorinite scowled. "Well, I was just trying to help, you

 ungrateful brat! I just can't comprehend why your father spoils

 you so much! Why, if I were your mother--"

 

 "YOU'RE NOT MY MOTHER!" Hotaru screamed before

 slamming the door and locking it. She didn't know why she

 was so mean to Kaori, maybe because there was just something

 about the woman that Hotaru didn't like. Besides, Hotaru

 didn't want anybody replacing her mom, who had passed away

 some time ago.

 

 ~*Keep your head together..*~ 

 

 Hotaru went over to the bed and lied down, hoping that her

 attack would stop. 

 

 'What is happening to my body? I can hardly breathe. I

 need someone to help me...someone who cares...' 

 

 ~*And call my name out loud*~

 ~*Soon you will hear me,*~

 ~*Soon you'll hear me knocking on your door*~

 

 10 minutes later Hotaru heard a familiar voice:

 

 "Is Hotaru home?"

 

 Like a flash, Hotaru jumped out of bed dispite her

 condition. She ran out into the hall before Kaorinite

 could turn Chibi-Usa away.

 

 "I'm here! Come on in, Chibi-Usa-chan!" Hotaru breathed.

 

 Chibi-Usa grinned as she slipped off her muddy boots and

 ran past Kaori, her Luna-P ball floating after her.

 

 Kaorinite frowned. "Hotaru, you know you're not well enough

 to play right now."

 

 "I'm FINE, Kaori!" she shouted at Dr.Tomoe's assistant. Then she

 turned to the pink-haired princess. "Come on, we can talk in the den."

 

 "Oh, I can't stay long, I got a dentist's appointment in a little

 while. I hate the dentist!" She stuck out her tongue.

 

 "So do I. Last time I went to the dentist I hated it." Hotaru did

 the same.

 

 Chibi-Usa giggled in that oh-so familiar fashion and handed her

 a piece of paper. "We're having a picnic next Saturday and I 

 want you to come. Here are the directions to the park, so maybe 

 your Dad can drive you..."

 

 She then casted a nervous glance at Kaorinite. "Or maybe she can 

 drive you..."

 

 "Oh, that's okay. My Daddy is off on Saturdays, so he'll be able to 

 drive me." Hotaru replied as she read the invitation.

 

 "Hooray! I just can't wait 'til Saturday, we're gonna have so much fun!"

 Chibi-usa threw her arms around Hotaru's waist.

 

 Hota-chan looked down the girl, alittle surprised. But after a moment's

 thought, she hugged her back.

 

 "Well, I gotta go deal with the tooth-monster, so I'll see you later! Come on,

 Luna-P!" The girl grabbed her toy and ran outside onto front lawn.

 

 Hotaru went to her bedroom window and watched as Usa-chan skipped

 home, also noticing that the rain had suddenly stopped. 

 

 A small smile appeared on the firefly's face. 'Chibi-Usa...why do you

 care about me so much? You have better future than I will ever have.

 I don't even know why you like me. But, whatever the reason is, I

 hope we stay friends forever. I can't wait to see your bright face

 again.'

 

 ~*You just call out my name*~

 ~*And you know wherever I am*~

 ~*I'll come running to see you again*~

 ~*Winter, spring, summer or fall*~

 ~*All you have to do is call*~

 ~*And I'll be there*~

 ~*Yes I will...*~

 

 ~*You've got a friend*~

 

 ~*Ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?*~

 

 The weather the next day was much nicer. Well, for some

 people. Hotaru's asthma attacks just wouldn't stop, because

 they were becoming more frequent by the day. Hotaru just

 happened to be suffering one on the way home from school

 when she suddenly collapsed.

 

 Hotaru clutched onto her shirt in agony. 'Please stop...

 please let me breathe...'

 

 "So this is the demon-girl I've heard so much about?"

 

 Hota-chan looked up startled, only to meet the faces

 of two seventh graders. 

 

 One of the girls snickered. "Don't worry, Hotaru, we'll help

 you." When she spotted Hotaru's metal pencil case lying on 

 the ground, she stepped on it, crushing the metal and breaking

 whatever pencils that were inside.

 

 ~*And people can be so cold*~

 

 Hotaru clamped her eyes shut, trying not to cry. Her body

 was killing her physically and emotionally at the same time. 

 She couldn't bear it. 'Please...just let this be a nightmare...

 let me wake up...'

 

 The girls laughed evilly at the younger girl's pain until one

 of them said, "Let's go check out what the boys are doing."

 And finally they left Hotaru, suffering on the pavement.

 

 ~*They'll hurt you, and desert you*~

 ~*And they'll take your soul if you let them...*~

 

 Tears streamed down the girl's cheeks. She wanted to

 die, right there and then. Everything was going wrong, 

 and there seemed to be no hope. Dying would stop

 the endless pain and suffering. Hotaru couldn't think 

 of one person who would miss her.....

 

 ...until the moment she showed up.

 

 "Oh my gosh, Hotaru!" Chibi-Usa ran over to her friend, 

 concerned. "Hotaru, are you okay?"

 

 "Yes...*huff* I'm okay...just tired, that's all..." She continued

 to breathe for all her life's worth.

 

 "Hotaru, why are you crying?"

 

 When Chibi-Usa recieved no answer, she helped by putting

 Hotaru's books and supplies back in her bag. Then she supported

 her legs in order to stand up. "There's a place not too faraway 

 from here where can rest. Do you think you can make it?"

 

 The raven-haired girl nodded, unable to speak. 

 

 Slowly and carefully, Chibi-Usa carried Hota-chan's bookbag and

 helped her walk, her arm holding onto hers. Finally they reached 

 a playground, where they stayed away from the other kids.

 

 Soon Hotaru was able to breathe normally again. But the emotional

 pain didn't stop, for she just kept crying.

 

 Chibi-Usa was very worried now. She kneeled on the grass and 

 put her hands on Hotaru's shoulders. "Please tell me what's the matter."

 

 "Chibi-Usa, what's wrong with me?" she sniffled. "Why am I so different?" 

 

 The future princess was confused. "Whaddya mean?"

 

 "People are so mean to me...they say I'm wierd and that I'm a freak...

 and sometimes...I think they're right..."

 

 "No!" Chibi-Usa shouted so loud that Hotaru looked up. "Don't you dare

 say that! There's nothing wrong with you! People are just plain nasty!

 Don't you ever let them get to you like that! 'Cause they're wrong!"

 

 ~*Oh but don't you let them.*~

 

 Hotaru stared at Usa, shocked at the hint of anger in her friend's voice.

 She didn't mean to make her mad. "I'm...I'm sorry."

 

 Chibi-Usa smiled. "Don't be. I just don't like it when my best friend is

 convinced that something is wrong with her when it's certainly not true."

 She flopped back down on the soft grass. "Let's forget about them and 

 relax. Look, I see a dinosaur-shaped cloud."

 

 Hota-chan looked up at the sky. "It does look like a dinosaur. And there's

 a car-shaped cloud next to it." She pointed upward, her sadness drifting

 away like a cloud.

 

 "Do you think the car is trying to run over the dinosaur?"

 

 "If so, the car is going to lose."

 

 The two girls laughed, and continued to play "Spot-the-Cloud". An hour

 passed, and by that time the other children had gone home, leaving

 the two destined Sailor Scouts by themselves. 

 

 As the sun began to set, the pink-haired girl glanced over at her best

 buddy. "Hotaru?"

 

 She glanced back. "Yeah?"

 

 "I'm very glad we're friends." 

 

 Hotaru's eyes shimmered with compassion. "Me too."

 

 Chibi-Usa reached out her hand to her. "Friends forever?"

 

 She replied by taking ahold of Usa's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

 

 "Friends forever."

 

 ~*You just call out my name*~

 ~*And you know wherever I am*~

 ~*I'll come running to see you again*~

 ~*Winter, spring, summer or fall*~

 ~*All you have to do is call*~

 ~*And I'll be there*~

 ~*'Cause you've got a friend*~

 

 The girls continued to lie there in quiet thought. After awhile Hotaru sat up. 

 "It's getting dark. We should go home, Chibi--"

 

 But when she looked at Chibi-Usa, the small girl was fast asleep.

 

 Afraid to wake her up, Hotaru decided to carry her home. She reached

 down to pick her up, and when she did, Hotaru was able to lift her with ease.

 

 'She's so light...' she thought in awe. 'It's like she doesn't even weigh 

 anything.

 Hopefully, I won't have any attacks carrying her.'

 

 And Hotaru didn't. She was able to carry the weightless princess to her house

 without any trouble at all.

 

 Hotaru softly knocked on the Tsukinos' door, only to realize that someone left 

 the door unlocked. She quietly carried the girl up to her room, trying not to 

 wake

 anybody up. 

 

 "There," Hotaru breathed as she gently layed Chibi-Usa down on her bed

 and covering her with the blanket.

 

 Hotaru stared at Chibi-Usa's sleeping form for a moment. She looked so innocent,

 so sweet and pure. It was difficult to believe that this child would do anything 

 to

 harm her best friend.

 

 'Thank you, Chibi-Usa. A moment ago I thought I was all alone in the world,

 but now I know that I was wrong. You mean the world to me. I love you, 

 Chibi-Usa.'

 

 Surrendering to this new feeling that was overwhelming her, Hotaru leaned

 over and gently kissed Chibi-Usa on the cheek. It was something Hotaru

 had never done in her entire life, and probably wouldn't do again anytime soon.

 But she didn't care.

 

 By that time, the young firefly was close to tears. 'Friends forever. I 

 promise.'

 

 Then Hotaru left the quiet residence, and walked home, knowing that there

 was at least one person in the world that cared about her. 

 

 And that was all she needed to know.

 

 ~*Ain't it good to know*~

 ~*You've got a friend*~

 ~*Yes it's good to know*~

 ~*You've got a friend*~

 ~*I'm so glad I've got a friend in you*~

 ~*And I know you're glad*~

 ~*You've got a friend in me...*~

 

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