The Nine Kingdoms

by Aldsvider

Makoto is living her peaceful life on the shores of Enlil. Until one night she is caught up in a maelstrom of events that will change not only her own fate, but that of the Nine Kingdoms as well. Pairings include: Makoto Minako, Rei Usagi, Haruka Michiru.

1. Chapter 1:Shipwright

This story contains Shoujo-ai

I do not own Sailor Moon. (Bet that's a shocker...)

Author's Note:

This just hit me like a bag of shiny nickels last week and it wouldn't stop, so I just had to write it. It is, in a sense, the complete opposite of "Makeweight Guardian". This will be an alternate universe fic. Also, I'd like to note that the pairings are different from "MG"; it took me forever to decide them for that story, so this one will take care of the other pairing that I've been wanting to write. It should, or at least I'm hoping, satisfy anyone who wasn't so excited about the couples in that story. Yes, the main character is Makoto, and no, don't assume pairings based on the first chapter. Alright, fine, I'll tell you. It's a Mako/Minako fic. There, but I'm not telling you anything else! (I will tell you that it's practically impossible for me to right a short story, so expect lots more chapters for all my stories.)

Chapter 1: Shipwright

The day had been longer than most for the young woman. With the sun sinking into the ocean to the west, she walked the length of the sandy beach at a slow pace. The wet sand was flat and hard beneath her bare feet. Cool water washed in and out along the shore, rising to her ankles and then retreating again only to be back moments later. The ocean was beautiful around this time of the evening, when the sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the shining surface. She liked to be here during this time, where the only sounds were the waves, an occasional gull, and the wind blowing through the beach grass. Sounds that were like music to her ears, which heard nothing but the bustle of a busy shipyard all day. She loved the ships, but she needed to be free of them sometimes. She mused at how ironic it was, since she'd refused a finer estate, far up-shore, nestled above a cliff and overlooking the ocean. It was indeed a very rich dwelling, which would leave her wanting for nothing. However, that wasn't who she was. Makoto, herself, found solace in the shipyard, where her people worked hard at their trade. The act of making something so grand had always fascinated her, and she studied and labored until she was the best of the best. Her name would soon be known throughout the nine kingdoms, and she was awaiting the day she would be Master Shipwright. For the present Master was getting along in years, and soon, he'd retire and hand the title down to her. Being assistant wasn't all bad as it was, but who wouldn't jump at this opportunity?

The wind picked up, and Makoto pushed her long brown hair back from her sun-darkened face. She hurried her pace a bit, wanting to make it back before dark. Remembering that she still needed to check the shipyard one last time before retiring to her quarters for the night. There wouldn't be much to check today, considering the ceremony that was held earlier. They'd finally launched one of the small vessels that was giving them trouble for months. Strong wood just wasn't readily available. With the problems arising in the last year or so in the other kingdoms, they were unable to acquire proper materials. Plague and famine were running rampant in Ki and Moros. There were struggles for power, both political and economic. War had also sparked across the lands. Something had triggered these events. Nobody knew what it was, or at least, none of the common folk had a clue. Makoto had an idea that the nobility knew. The King of Enlil seemed to be doing a good job of keeping his land under control, so as long as she kept it up, what should it matter to Makoto? Here in Enlil, the days were pretty much peaceful. They had plenty to export, even if importing was becoming harder and harder. She had a good, quiet life here, and no one would hear any complaints from her. If whatever the King was doing kept it that way, then she had no complaints. She didn't need more problems to come knocking on her door, so she had nothing to do with any of it. Let the Nobility play their games.

The wind was practically howling now, as she reached the outskirts of the shipyard. By this time, the sun was a sliver on the horizon. The yard was almost completely deserted, since construction on the newly commissioned ship wouldn't start until next week. Makoto and the others were given a week's rest before they begin night and day work on the vessel that would take months to build. It was to be a warship, and as much as Makoto hated the thought of what it would be used for, she was still a shipwright, and that meant that she would build any seafaring vessel. To be picky would limit her skills too much. Take the good with the bad; the money was most definitely good. They were going to be paid a great sum for this ship. A group of merchants, surprisingly enough, had requested the project. It wasn't her area to ask why merchants needed a warship, but she guessed maybe the seas were getting pretty rough for any kind of expedition. The number of pirates and raiders had increased, along with black-marketing by illegal merchants. Makoto's place was here on the shore, though, so she need not worry. As long as someone was sailing the seas, she had a job.

Walking farther into the shipyard, she noted that everything seemed to be in order. It was clean and neat, just the way she liked it. The yard was huge, and was filled with many partially finished boats and ships. She supposed this week "off", she would finish up with a few of the small fishing boats that she'd promised to some friends a week ago. She'd have help, for some of the others were just as restless as she was; always doing something. After about half an hour of walking, she finally deemed it fit and headed for her small cabin at the other end of the yard, closer to the docks. The shipyard was just outside the capital city, Anu, and the docks were surprisingly crowded as of late. The King was getting plenty of visitors, and she noted that few were merchant vessels.

Darkness had descended on Enlil, but Makoto walked in the light of the lanterns. Ones that a small boy was hastily lighting while casting glances at her for approval. She smiled at the youth and tousled his hair, receiving a proud grin in return. He then hurried off to illuminate the rest of the yard. She continued walking to her cabin, the smile still on her face. As she neared her dwelling she caught sight of a figure sitting in front of her door. Her smile got bigger when she saw who it was. The girl, seeing Makoto approaching, stood and waited, fidgeting with something in her hand.

"Good evening," the girl said, as Makoto stopped in front of her.

"Yes...at least, it is now," Makoto grinned at the girl, making her blush.

Makoto loved this reaction, among others, and stepped closer to the small red-head.

The girl stammered, "Um, this is from my father," she held out a bottle of wine. She was the winemaker's daughter, and her father had the finest winery in the Kingdom. "It is to thank you for fixing his boat yesterday, even though you said no payment was needed."

Makoto took the bottle, "You're father is very thoughtful. I thank him for such a fine gift," she looked over at the girl, "he does know my taste very well." If at all possible, the girl's face turned an even darker shade of red.

"He really didn't have to do this," she put an arm on the wood over the girl's shoulder, "and it's making me feel a bit guilty now," she brought her face down, next to the girl's ear and whispered, "considering that I've already tasted his finest vintage." She let her hand fall on the girl's arm, feeling her shudder. Smiling, she brushed her lips against the smooth skin of her neck. Makoto was just slipping a hand around the girl's waste when her quarry evaded her by ducking and moving behind her. Makoto turned around with a surprised look on her face.

"Oh no you don't Makoto. I will not be facing my father's wrath tomorrow morning. Last time I had to make up the stupidest excuse, and I will not embarrass myself in such a way again." She was flushed as she went on, "He'd set the guard to looking for me this time I bet."

Makoto tried again anyway, "Are you so heartless? That you'd leave me alone on this cold night." She put on her best pout.

The girl giggled lightly, "Ha! You're not fooling me. I'm sure you'd find someone to warm your bed soon enough. There's probably a line of them at the tavern, you know, just waiting for you. And besides, it's approaching mid-summer you lack wit."

Makoto feigned surprise, "Do you think that I'm a player of women?"

The girl shook her head, "I know that you are," she stuck her tongue out at the brunette.

"Oh, now don't tease me like that if you're just going to leave."

"The girl who can tease you would be a force to be reckoned with," she answered.

Makoto arched an eyebrow.

"Well, I'm leaving now. Another moment here and my father will think I've been snatched; he worries."

"As he should, who knows what predators are out at this hour." Makoto smirked.

"Dummy."

"I'm off all week!" she yelled to the retreating figure.

"I've heard that before!" was the reply as the girl disappeared into the darkness.

Smiling, Makoto sat in front of the cabin for a while, just listening to the noises of the night. She breathed in the salty ocean air, thinking about the plans for her own ship, laying within the cabin right now. Would it ever be realized? It took a lot of money to build a ship, and she didn't even have a fraction of the amount. Once she was master shipwright, though, there would be more money, and maybe even a chance at being patented by the King himself if she proved worthy enough. Shaking her head, she shivered as the cold wind blew harder. Was there a storm coming? Makoto decided it was time to retire, and entered her cabin. Fumbling a bit in the darkness, she found the lantern, lighting it. Her cabin wasn't much, just a big room with a smaller one connected. The smaller she used for storage, and her basic living needs were met by the larger. That being a bed, a table, and some bookcases that contained more trinkets and various other paraphernalia than they did actual books.

Sighing, she uncorked the bottle she held and took a long drink, not realizing how thirsty she was. It was a lot better than the stuff she got at the local tavern and she planned on making it last a while. Makoto set the bottle on the small table by her bed and sprawled out on the thin mattress. Staring at the ceiling, she listened to the wind howling outside. It really was picking up. It was windy most of the time in this part of Enlil, but not usually like this. She rolled onto her side, facing the wall to get more comfortable...and froze. On the other side of the room, in a corner just out of the lantern light, a dark shape was hunched down behind a chest she had placed there. She wouldn't have noticed it, had it not been for the fact that she'd just put the chest there yesterday, so it was still an unfamiliar object in her cabin. Reaching under her pillow slowly, she felt the cold handle of the knife she kept there.

"Are you a thief? Or did you plan on murdering me in my sleep maybe?" she asked the shadow. "I don't have much, but what I do have is mine and I will not part with it easily."

A tiny voice answered her, "N-No...I had neither intention," the voice was clear and obviously foreign. Makoto sat up, leaving the knife under her pillow. She didn't think this person was a threat to her, but she was still annoyed.

"How do I know that? Come on out of there. Let me see your face."

The girl moved, climbing awkwardly over the chest and practically falling in her haste to obey.

"Under the bed might have been a better place to hide you know."

"I'd thought of that actually, but then I heard voices and ducked behind the closest thing."

The girl finally came into the light, close enough for Makoto's inspection. The first thing Makoto noticed were her eyes. They were light blue, no one in Enlil had blue eyes, they were all dark colors. Also, her skin was pale and fine; she was no peasant. Makoto could tell nothing else about the girl, though, because she had a black cloak drawn close around her, the hood concealing her hair.

"So, why did you break into my home, hmm?" she asked, but was soon distracted by a noise outside her cabin. Over the howling wind she could hear what seemed to be horses. The trotting of many hooves resounding in the distance. They were getting louder, which meant closer as well. She looked over at the girl and recognized the look of fear in her eyes. Then suddenly the girl was in front of her, kneeling before Makoto.

"Please help me. Please!" she begged hastely. "I'll give you anything! Anything that I have, even...even my body. Just please, don't let her take me back there!" the girl sobbed, gripping the cloth of Makoto's pants' leg.

Makoto sat, stunned into silence. She knew who was coming now. Exactly who was after this small, frightened girl. What are you gonna do Makoto? What are you gonna do? You can just turn her in; you didn't ask for this after all. You owe her nothing, and she broke into your cabin. She stared at the girl, who was silently crying into her black cloak now. What could she have done to warrant them to chase her? She looks harmless enough. Maybe she's just one of the King's run away concubines or something.

Reaching down, she pulled back the hood of the girl's cloak. Long blond waves of hair fell around the pale face before her, pooling on the floor around Makoto's bare feet.The brunette's eyes widened.No, this girl most definitely did not belong here.She reached out, brushing the golden locks back, away from the girl's face, then placed two finger's below her small chin, tilting her face upward. She could feel the girl shaking below her touch. There was fear in those blue eyes, but there was hope as well.

'You're going to regret this later,' she thought to herself. "What's your name?" she asked in a low voice.

"U-Usagi," came the timid reply. The girl stared back at her, tears streaming down her perfect features. Makoto was sure that they both were aware of the sound in the shipyard, beyond the cabin door. The horses had come to a stop...

Makoto took a deep breath and started undoing the tie that bound her hair behind her. Once loose, she tossed it onto the floor, letting her brown locks fall around her shoulders. While tousling herhair a bit with one hand, she opened a drawer in the table next to her bed and pulled out a silver flask. Usagi watched Makoto curiously as she opened the flask and poured a bit of the liquid into her cupped hand. She then closed her eyes and rubbed the contents onto her face and neck. Done with that, she placed the flask on the table and began unbuttoning her shirt. Footsteps could be heard approaching the cabin.

"It's too late now," she heard Usagi whisper in defeat.

Makoto smiled, looking down at her, "Says who, little princess?"

Usagi looked confused at her statement and opened her mouth to say something, but Makoto silenced her. She swiftly grabbed Usagi's shoulders, pulling the girl to her feet. The cape she'd been wearing was removed and stuffed beneath the bed, which left her wearing a plain white dress. In seconds Usagi was on the mattress and below the older woman. She would have protested if it hadn't been for Makoto's finger pressed against her lips, halting her.

"We can get through this Usagi, but you're going to have to cooperate and do as I say. Do you understand me?"

A moment, and Usagi nodded. Makoto removed her hand. "Trust me. I won't hurt you."

Usagi nodded again, and Makoto gathered the girl's hair in her hands and slid it beneath the sheets, trying to conceal it as much as possible. "Alright, now just follow my lead."

Usagi looked confused, but the expression changed to something like surprise when Makoto leaned down and kissed her. She felt the girl tense below her, but she did not break the contact. There was an awkwardness to it, telling of inexperience on Usagi's part. Not wanting to frighten her, she broke the kiss only long enough to mumble, "It'll be fine, bear with me." Then captured her lips once more.

Behind them, a gentle tap against the door, echoed in the room. Usagi jumped slightly at the noise, obviously frightened. Moments crawled by and then another tap, this time a little louder. Another few moments and the tapping was now a knocking, accompanied by a voice, "Makoto, I know you're in there. Can you please open the door? I am not averse to breaking it down with the mood I'm in..."

Makoto laughed lightly against Usagi's lips, "Ever the polite one," she whispered. "I always leave the door unlocked, she knows that..."

As if those were the magic words, she could hear the door swing open, almost hesitantly, and the owner of the voice walked in. Heavy boots made their way across her floor, but stopped abruptly. Makoto could almost imagine the woman behind her spinning on her heels to face the door she had just come through. "Mako-Makoto, I-I'm sorry, I did not realize that you were...er...busy. I did knock though!"

Chuckling, Makoto couldn't help it, she had to tease the woman who'd just come in. "Hey," she whispered. Usagi looked at her through glazed eyes. "Do you think you can moan for me?" The girl suddenly looked very alert, and shook her head slightly. "Is that a can't, or a won't?" Usagi shrugged.

"Oh well," Makoto said, leaning into the girl and kissing her neck, letting her hand roam a bit lower. Usagi started breathing heavily, and Makoto prayed that the gods didn't strike her dead for her actions as she heard the girl whimper. The sound of Usagi's loud moan filled the room, causing the woman behind them to start and walk towards the door.

"Makoto! There is an important issue that I mustdiscuss with you right now! I'll be waiting out here." And with that the door slammed and they were alone in the room once again.

Makoto pulled away from Usagi and looked down at her. The girl was flushed, and breathing rapidly. Makoto arched an eyebrow at her, "Didn't know ya had it in ya, huh?"

Usagi looked away in embarrassment.

"Come on now, it's alright. You're part's over, and I'll have you out of this mess in no time." She gave her a warm smile. "Now just stay here and be prepared to pull the sheet over your head and screech if she comes back in, okay?"

Usagi nodded slowly, still a bit rattled. "Will she come back in?" she asked quietly, fear tinging her voice.

"Na. Don't worry, she's too polite for that. It's just a precaution." She stood from the bed, "I'll be right back...Oh, and don't try to sneak out the back door." She grinned at Usagi's guilty look. Turning Makoto headed for the door, opening it and slipping out into the cool night air.

"Finally," a voice complained in greeting.

The first thing Makoto noticed were the soldiers walking through her shipyard, spread out searching for something; she could guess what. The next thing she noticed was that the owner of the voice was decked out in some of her more formal attire. "Since when do you dress up to come see me at this time of night Haruka? Sorry, but I'm entertaining someone else at the moment. Maybe if you came back tomorrow night..."

"Oh shut up Makoto, this is important."

"I should hope so, with all these strangers out here, going through my shipyard," she said defensively.

"It is necessary, and I apologize for the inconvenience, but we are looking for someone. It is not something I would have done. The orders...they came from my father."

Makoto gave her a sympathetic look and nodded. "Well, who is it then?"

"A young woman. She's around 20, you will not be able to miss her. Fair of face; her hair is like gold and her eyes like the blue sky. She speaks with a foreign accent as well, and when she does speak, it is as soft as a breeze."

Makoto looked at Haruka's sad expression and felt a twinge of guilt deep within. "Ah, so that's it then? You seem to know a lot about this girl. Have you finally taken concubines then Haruka? Is she one of yours?"

"No!" came the quick reply, "Of course not! I would never do something like that to her..." she trailed off.

Makoto coughed, "Um, okay. Then why are you after her with so many soldiers? What's she done?"

Haruka looked out towards the yard, unable to meet Makoto's eyes. "I cannot tell you. I have been given orders, and again, I apologize." she then looked back at Makoto, a serious expression on her face, "It is really not something that you would want to get mixed up in either my friend."

Makoto held her gaze for a moment, then looked away with a light laugh, "Yeah, you know me, keep you're royal issues to yourself. I would appreciate it, though, if you'd keep the winds down a bit. I mean, I know it can get like this when you're worked up, but try to remind yourself that we weren't meant to fly, we'd like to keep our feet on the ground." She grinned.

Haruka laughed and some of the strain melted away from her regal features. Running a hand through her sandy blond hair she spoke, "Yes, it can be hard sometimes. I'm still learning and father is helping me a bit when he can. That has not been much lately though. When mother was alive it was so much easier."

"Hey, you're a goddess! You've got a lot to live up to, unlike us normal people."

"Since when have you ever been normal Mako?" she looked toward the cabin door then back at the brunette, narrowing her eyes. "I do hope that that is not the cooper's daughter you have in there. Because I will have you know that the last time, her father actually came to the palace in person to summon a search party."

Makoto looked up into the sky fondly, "Yeah, I remember."

Haruka rolled her eyes, and the good part of a minute went by before either spoke again.

"Um...the Blacksmith's daughter then?"

"Nope."

"The Carpenter's?"

"No," her tone was bored.

Haruka hesitated, "...the Ferrier's?"

"Ack! Are you kidding? That girl looks like the horses her father shoes!"

"Mako, that is not nice."

"Fine, I'm sorry...I shouldn't insult the horses."

"Mako!"

"What? You're always so worried about being polite and nice. I don't need either."

"Well, I'm a lady."

"Okay then, Lady Haruka Anu, it looks like your lackeys are done with my shipyard. You gonna be on your way now?"

Sure enough, the soldiers were gathering in some semblance of order a little ways from them. Haruka lingered, "Very observant of you. Yes, I am leaving, and I will trust you to keep an eye out for this young woman. If you see her, do not hesitate to contact me." She turned to leave, but stopped, "I am hoping that I will not have to send two search parties out on this night, Mako." Her eyes went to the door again.

Makoto shrugged, "It's just gonna eat you up not know, isn't it? Alright, fine, it's Celeste..."

"The winemaker's daughter?"

"Yep, that's the one," she looked conspiratorial, "but you don't know that, okay?"

Haruka sighed in exhaustion, "if she is gone from here in half an hour, then no, I do not."

Makoto frowned, "you aren't human."

Haruka grinned, "Right you are my friend." Then she was on her horse and looking down at Makoto. "You really need a bath too. You smell of wine, and you are soaked with sweat."

"I'm a hard worker."

"So I have heard," Haruka waved to Makoto and urged her horse into a gallop, heading out of the shipyard.

"A good night to you my stalwart soldiers!" Makoto yelled to the group. Some replied, others just smiled, and one even winked at her. She laughed and headed back into her cabin. Upon entering she found Usagi sitting up on the side of the bed. She was very alert and her eyes kept darting to the door.

"She's gone. You're safe now."

The girl visibly relaxed and turned so that she was sitting on the bed facing Makoto. "Thank you," was her simple statement.

Makoto pulled a chair away from the table and turned it around, straddling it and leaning her chin on her arms over the back. "No problem my little fugitive," she tilted her head, regarding the small girl, "Now then, would you like to tell me why I just lied to my best friend to save you?"

Usagi's eyes widened at her statement, and Makoto watched as the color drained from the blond's face. 'Was it something I said?'

Continued...

And yet another Author's Note: I apologize for any spelling or grammar errors you found in this chapter. Also, I've lived in the South all my life, and we like to take shortcuts in our speech most of the time. Sometimes it tends to slip into my writing, but I'm working on correcting this habit. So, please bear with me on that aspect. :) (Makoto and Haruka's dialects, however, are meant to be different, so this does not apply to their dialogue.)