Usagi drummed her fingers on the table in annoyance and frowned at Setsuna.
"I still don't get it.How could they claim to be the daughters of the four generals?It doesn't make any sense."
"Actually,It kind of does."Setsuna replied."We aren't certain for how many years the Dark Kingdom was awake before the Sailorsenshi were awakened.It could've been hundreds for all we know.The problem is,we became aware of their presence only after they began terrorizing everyone.During those years,it is entirely concievable that Beryl would have had an affair with any,or all of her generals."
She paused for a moment as Unazuki placed their drinks before them.Outside Fruit Parlor Crown the rain pounded mercilessly on the pavement.The night sky cracked with thunder and lightening.Usagi did her best to ignore it,but still kept inching closer and closer to Mamoru everytime.
"Even so."Usagi protested."What makes them think that this is their Kingdom?And why is Galen working with them?And why would Galen have kidnapped Arashi?If they were as tight as everyone says...."
She let her voice trail away as she noticed a very familiar couple sitting a few booths away.They were talking in hushed whispers and kept looking out the window.
"Usagi?"Haruka nudged her with her elbow."What are you staring at?"
Usagi turned towards her and pointed. "Those people look really familiar."she whispered.
"What people?"
Usagi turned and looked to where she had been pointing,but the booth was empty.
"I could have sworn....."
Michiru raised an eyebrow and looked towards Haruka.
"It's getting late.I think we should call it a night."
Usagi nodded but kept staring towards the booth.A sudden feeling of foreboding swept over her.She shuddered slightly as if the room had gotten cold.
"Usako?"Mamoru looked at her,worried.
"It's nothing."she smiled reassuringly.
Asanuma did his best not to smile as Makoto invited him into her apartment.She placed her keys on the coffee table and turned to him.They were both absolutely soaked from their run home in the sudden storm.
"I can't believe how hard it's raining!"Makoto exclaimed as she made her way into the kitchen."We're both going to get sick if we don't get out of these wet clothes."
She paused,thinking silently to herself."Of course I have nothing for him to wear."
He noticed her hesitation and smiled warmly."Just give me a towel and some hot tea and I'll be fine."
"Okay."Makoto nodded and set the kettle on the stove."I'll be right back." She retreated to the bathroom,where she quickly changed her clothes and then ran into the kitchen as the tea kettle began to whistle loudly. Asanuma sat quietly in the living room thinking over all they had talked about that night.Makoto sat down next to him,handing him a cup of tea.
"Asanuma....I've been thinking.Things are getting pretty dangerous as of late for the Sailorsenshi.Are you sure you want to put yourself in a position where you could get hurt?"
"I won't let you fight alone."he said,looking over the rim of his cup.
"But I won't be alone.I've got the other senshi to back me up."
"That's what you said the last time,and you ended up missing for several days.I don't want that to happen to you again."
Makoto stared at him,a little shocked.She was even more so when he suddenly took her hand into his. "If I can do anything to help protect this earth...and you...I would do it no matter what the consequences."
"Asanuma-chan!" She pulled away from him suddenly and was saddened by the hurt look on his face.
"I don't want anything to happen to you either.That's why I'm telling you not to get involved!!"
"I already am involved."he said angrily,then gathered his things and slammed the door on his way out. She stared after him for a moment then picked up her soaking wet jacket and ran after him.
Arashi leaned back,testing the lengths of her chains and smiled weakly at Lunako who sat shivering in the dark beside her.
"Aren't you cold?"Lunako asked through chattering teeth.
Arashi nodded."Yes,but it's better not to let them know that you're cold.It enhances the enjoyment they get out of watching us suffer.So why are you here anyways?"
"I can't say."Lunako looked away quickly for fear her eyes would reveal her secrets.
Arashi shrugged."To each his own I guess.If you've got secrets to keep then I won't force them out of you."
"Thank You."Lunako said flatly.
"But why,with all your powers were you hanging around with mortals?"
Lunako turned to her in surprise but quickly tried to cover her reaction. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Elves can always tell if another person has elven blood.I'm surprised you didn't sense that about me."
Lunako shook her head."I don't know what you're talking about.And even if I did,I sure as hell wouldn't tell you."
"Testy!"Arashi laughed."Cool down that temper miss.We're gonna be in here for awhile."
Lunako was quiet for a moment."Well then,what about you?What's your connection to all this?"
"Pretty much I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.I followed my heart and it lead to disaster.I should have never gone to see Endymion."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"No,that name you just said.Endymion.You know him?"
"Yes,why?"
"I know somebody who was looking for him."
"Asanuma wait!!"Makoto yelled after him as she chased him down the darkened streets of Tokyo.The rain hadn't let up at all,and she was getting more drenched by the second.He finally stopped for her under the awning of Fruit Parlor Crown.
"What's wrong with you?"she yelled angrily.
"Don't tell me not to get involved.I already know way to much to just sit idly by!"
"You can if you try hard enough!"
"Don't you want me to protect you?!"he retorted hotly.
"I am the senshi of protection!I'll do the protecting!"she replied, stepping up to him until they were almost face-to-face.
"Even you need someone to watch your back!I don't care if you like it or not.I'm going to help you fight these people!"he yelled leaning forward. Makoto stared at him as the rain fell around them before she suddenly grabbed him and kissed him passionately.He went limp for a moment then pulled away.
"W-what did you do that for?!"he stammered.
"Sorry.I guess the moment just took me?"she said,unsure if that was the right thing to say.
"Well!"he exclaimed."Good answer!"then threw his arms around her an returned her kiss.They stood in silence for a moment,before suddenly realizing that someone was watching them.Makoto turned,then paled suddenly.
Oniko was standing under a lampost,the light shining down reflecting the rain.Makoto pushed Asanuma behind her and glared at Oniko.
"What do you want?"she demanded.
"You always were my father's favorite."Oniko said quietly,but her voice was full of menace. Makoto didn't wait for her to continue,she reached for her henshin pen,only to find it wasn't there.She forgotten to take it out of her other clothes when she had changed them.
"Having problems?"
Makoto grabbed Asanuma's hand and ran down the street.She couldn't fight now without transforming.If she fought in human form,there was a good chance that both she and Asanuma would die.
"What are you doing?"Asanuma yelled to her.
"I can't fight now!I can't transform!"she answered.
Asanuma's eyes widened."Mako-chan!"he yelled pointing. She screeched to a halt when she realized that Oniko was standing directly before them.
"You can't escape."she grinned."I won't allow it."
Makoto suddenly threw herself over Asanuma as she realized what was to come next.Oniko balled her energy into her fists then launched the attack at both of them.It slammed into Makoto's back sending them both sliding against the pavement.As she struggled to push herself up,another blast slammed into her, knocking the breath from her lungs and causing her to fall against him.
"Mako-chan!"he whispered,his voice quavering."I'll watch your back."
"What?"she struggled to say,but it came out in a choked whisper. As Oniko launched another attack he quickly rolled over,pulling Makoto under him and shileding her the best he could.The blast slammed into him with unrelenting force,knocking him away from Makoto and slamming him into a nearby wall.Makoto pushed herself of the ground and stared in horror as he slumped forward,unable to move.Behind her Oniko laughed in delight.
"Asanuma-chan!"Makoto whispered,crawling forward to hold his head in her hands."Hang in there!Please!"
"Jupiter!"
She paused,listening.Someone had called her name.
"Jupiter!Can you hear me?Answer me!"
She turned,tears falling from her eyes.She recognized that voice.It was the Lady Morrigan,her half-sister.
"Morrigan!I hear you!"she yelled.
The street faded away until she was standing in a forest.The moonlight was gently falling through the trees above.
"Jupiter."
She turned around and gasped.Morrigan stood behind her,holding a small glowing ball in her hands."Dear sister."she smiled.
"Morrigan?"Makoto gasped."How is it that you are here?"
"Your soul cried out to me.You want to protect this boy?"
"Yes."
"Then take this power from me."she held out the glowing orb.
Makoto reached out to take it,but it floated gently to her and into her body.She could feel a warm power grow in her heart.
"This is your Eternal power."Morrigan whispered."It will help you protect the ones you care for."
"Morrigan...."
"My time here is very short.I must go now.But please take my blessing, and go quickly."
The forest suddenly faded away and Makoto found herself standing once more in the street.
"Where the hell have you been?"Oniko demanded.
"Jupiter Eternal Power Make-Up!"Makoto yelled. The sign of Jupiter suddenly appeared on her forehead as her clothes melted away and were replaced by the Eternal Sailorfuku of Jupiter. Oniko jumped back,incredibly surprised by her transformation.
"What's with you people!"Oniko shouted."Everytime I attack you you power up!"
"Jupiter Eternal Tempest!"Jupiter shouted into the sky.A fearsome wind began to howl as green lightening cracked the sky.A huge boom of thunder split the heavens and shook the ground around them causing Oniko to loose her balance and fall to the ground.Lightening struck the ground inches from her.
"Hey Jupiter your aim is off!!"Oniko taunted,only to get blasted by the next strike.
"Right on Target!"Jupiter laughed.
Oniko stood,dusting the singed dirt from her dress. "I grow weary of this battle.We shall continue another day."
Oniko vanished suddenly,leaving behind only a scorched mark on the pavement to show where she had been.
"Mako-chan!"
Jupiter turned to face Asanuma who was standing behind her and grinning broadly.
"I knew you could do it!"he exclaimed.
"Thanks!"Jupiter smiled."Just promise me one thing."
"What's that?"he asked.
"Don't ever do anything that stupid again!"she laughed.
He blinked in surprise then waved it off."You're welcome!!"