Sorry about the late update. I've just been super busy with exam block. Hope you enjoy this next chapter :) xx


Finding Friendship

I rise earlier than the rest of the other Senshi and make my way to the Training Arena. It is empty, except for Minako, who is performing stretches on the floor. Like me, she is wearing training gear instead of her Senshi uniform.

"Hey, Mako!" she glances up at me as I enter. "What are you doing here?"

I smile and take a long-sword from the weapon rack. "Just getting in some practice perform Uranus kills us. What about you?"

Mina laughs and runs a hand through her long, blonde hair. "Same. I don't want to look like a total klutz and fall on my face like last time."

"You just need to be swifter with your attacks," I say as I strike the training dummy hard with my sword. The head severs from the body with a clean slice, hitting the ground with a soft thud. Mina praises my work.

"You're really good," she exclaims as she rises and walks towards me. "Could you teach me? You'd probably be way better at teaching than Uranus."

I chuckle lightly, but hand her a sword. "Sure," I say. Mina grasps the hilt awkwardly, and I quickly correct her technique. My father always tells me that victory comes in technique not in power; something which I always stand by. Being a girl, I am never treated the same on the battlefield. Even though I am just as strong and talented, the Jupiter soldiers ridicule me. Nevertheless, I have won many battles for my planet through my precision and technique. It is something I regard extremely highly. I explain this to Mina.

"If you hold it like this," I explain, moving her wrist slightly. "Not only is it more comfortable, but you have a greater range. You're wrist can move more freely and therefore, it is easier to parry blows and make unpredictable attacks."

"Thanks. You are really good at this. Are you a soldier or something on Jupiter?" Mina gushes.

I nod. "Yes. My father has always allowed me to train with the Jupiter army and fight on the battlefield."

"You're really lucky," says Mina sadly. "I'm never allowed to do anything. My mother forbids it. She says that Princesses must act like ladies, and it is not lady-like to train and fight." She giggles a little and swings her sword, a little clumsily but overall fairly well, at the dummy and lodges it underneath the arm. "What would she say if she saw me now?"

"It's not that great," I admit as I slide the blade threw my dummy's ribs and stab the 'heart'. "I've been around men my entire life. My mother died when I was very young and my father raised me like a son. I've never met any girls my own age, except when I came here and met you and the rest of the Senshi. It's nice. I feel as though we are all connected somehow, like we are sisters or something, even though we've only just met."

"I feel the same way, too," says Mina. "I would die to protect all of you, even the Princess, though she's a little naive about some things."

I laugh. It is a nice change for me to laugh after being serious my entire life. "You've got that right. I had to do her lessons with her last night," I give a melodramatic sigh worthy of Serenity. "It was a nightmare! She's so different to me; so different in how she sees the world. It's... refreshing."

"I have to help the Princess tonight."

I playfully punch Mina's arm and give her a face. "Good luck. She hates studying."

"Oh, joy," laughs Mina.

Talking with Mina is comforting. It makes me realise all that I have missed from only being around men since childhood. Looking over at Mina, I find I envy her. She is beautiful (I don't really blame her flirtatiousness when she is that lovely), she is fairly smart, she is kind and laughable and light hearted, but knows when to take things seriously. I could certainly learn a thing or two from her. At times, I can be too serious.

But my amiable chat with Mina is put on hold as Uranus enters the Arena. She has a formidable aura about her, as though she can capture the attention of everyone. But she is still yet to earn my respect. I haven't forgotten how she tormented Ami, Rei and Mina yesterday. She won't get away with it. Uranus gives us a curt nod as Ami and Rei follow behind her. Unlike Mina and me, they are dressed in their Senshi uniforms. Rei looks unimpressed.

"Why aren't you in your uniforms?" demands Uranus crossly.

I frown. "Because this is how I normally train on Jupiter."

Uranus eyes me irritably. "Does this look like Jupiter to you?" she snaps. "No. So put on your uniforms. Both of you!"

Mina nods quickly and drags me out of the room.

"That right old meteor!" I curse angrily. "She's about as pleasant as a dying sun!" My anger at Uranus increases with every step I take. She is so... infuriating. Who does she think she is anyway?

"You've got that right," says Mina bitterly. "I hope none of the other Outer Senshi are this bad."

We part to our different bedrooms to change into our Senshi uniforms. I tie the laces of my ankle boots furiously, cursing darkly under my breath. One day, I will show Uranus that she can't just order me around. But, she is still a really good fighter and I can learn a lot from her. I just wish she wasn't so mean. Mina waits for me outside my door and together, we make our way back to the Arena. She is still sporting her red bow, as I am wearing my blue beaded hair-tie and rose earrings. It is funny to think how similar we are in ways; not wanting to part with those precious articles that define who we are. My respect towards Minako is increasing bit by bit.

As we enter the Arena, we see that Uranus has got the other Senshi hard at work. Mercury learning to fight with a sword, and performing quite clumsily and arrows are raining down over where Mars is, continuously shooting arrow after arrow. She never misses a target though, unlike Mercury, who trembles as Uranus towers over her and barks orders. I feel so sorry for the poor girl. She really is out of her comfort zone.

"Ah, finally." Uranus finally acknowledges us. "Jupiter, go practice on the dummy. Venus, come with me."

Venus casts a fleeting glance at me and I give her a reassuring smile.

"You'll be fine," I mouth at her. She seems grateful for my support and I can't help but feel proud. I might actually make some friends with people my own age and sex.

Uranus glares at me to get going, so I jog over to the practice dummy, chose myself a weapon and begin training. Today I chose, instead of my long sword, a large, double-ended blade. I've only ever used this a few times and never on the battlefield, but I am confident enough with a normal sword that I should strengthen other areas. I immediately get to work, swinging the sword like the Mars Fire-Twirlers that sometimes visit Jupiter on special occasions as entertainment. After a few minutes of hard work, I am already dripping in perspiration and yet I do not stop. My warrior training has never allowed me to give up, even if my arms are burning and my hands are cramping. Besides, I want to show Uranus what I can do.

I soon feel eyes on me, and after I finish a spectacular move, I tilt my head to the side. Mars is staring at me, wide eyed, one hand clutching her bow and the other a single arrow. Mercury is trying to copy what I'm doing. But the person who gives me the most hope is Venus. She watches with admiration and happiness swimming in her light blue eyes and it makes me feel loved for the first time. I might actually have a friend in Venus, a good friend too. I smile back at her. Until Uranus ruins the moment and demands us all to stop gawking and get on with it. No problem, Uranus, I think to myself as I slice off the dummy's head. I could do this all day.

By the end of training, my arms and legs are burning and I hobble up to the Palace against the will of my protesting muscles.

"Once again, you prove yourself to be a competent fighter," says Uranus, her long legs easily catching up to me.

"Competent?" I snarl, my fists clenching. How dare she call me 'competent'. I am far better than her and all the others put together. I am from Jupiter. Battle is in my blood.

"Yes," says Uranus coolly, not recognising that she has insulted me. "You fight with precision. It is good to see such strength and accuracy in one so young."

I hiss and am about to send back a nasty retort when, Uranus bows her head and disappears into the distance. My blood is boiling with the rage I am trying to contain. Who does she think she is?

"Woah, Mako," says Mina, hurrying up to my side. "You look like you're about to explode."

I turn to Mina and scowl. "Well, I hope Mt Makoto explodes in that direction," I growl, pointing to the retreating figure of Uranus.

Mina laughs. "I'm sure we would all enjoy seeing that. Rei especially."

"You know what she called me?"

"What?"

I can barely contain my outrage. "A competent fighter!" I spit. "Competent. Me?"

Minako looks slightly shocked. "Well, if that isn't the understatement of the millennium. Didn't she see you today?"

I shrug my shoulders bitterly. "Who knows? Anyway, I need a shower. I'll see you later."

Minako gives me a dazzling smile and hugs me quickly. "See ya, Mako," she cries as she dashes off to her room. I can't help but keep the smile off my face as I enter my bedroom. I think I just made my first female friend.


What did you think? I don't know... I've just always had this idea in my head of Mako and Mina being really good friends. I'm not sure where I got this idea from but I hope you enjoyed it. Mako doesn't really have that many friends so this is a big moment for her. Please read and review :) xx