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"You have to fight."

"What?" Makoto's emeralds darkened as her fists clenched with anticipation. She knew this was for no good.

"Makoto-"

"Don't," she shot shortly. "You're no longer welcome here."

Nephrite observed her with a deep sigh. He thought she might say that but he still had to try. The conversation was going so well until he got to the part he had long been anxious to explain. This was his chance at redemption, his shot at somehow compensating for his past deeds. His heart was heavy as he recalled his memories. How could he allow himself to be so consumed by darkness? More so, how could he have allowed himself to harm the woman he loved?

"Mako-chan." He ignored her threatening gaze and continued anyways. "You accepted this war the moment you accepted this job. Even before that, you were born into it. Your participation is inevitable."

The creased brow of confusion marring Makoto's features was understandable. He knew she had no way of comprehending what he said since the stars had told him many incredible things concerning her. Why he hadn't dispelled everything to her was beyond him as he felt a sense of secrecy because he didn't want to ruin some unwanted "surprise".

"This war is not mine to fight," she refuted. "So long as Usa is not involved, then I refuse to intervene."

Again, Nephrite found himself dispelling a breathy exhale. She was so stubborn and hardly ever wavered in her resolve. He supposed that was the reason he had grown so fond of her before. People that displayed easy submission often disgusted him, but it was never something he had witnessed from Makoto. Her firm standings on her principles and duty were so commendably alluring. However, her stubbornness also spawned opportunity for regret and he feared that she might lead herself down a path of inopportune misery.

"Makoto, there will come a time when you'll have to make a choice. I only hope that you make one that you won't come to regret."

The sincerity coating his deep baritone voice was undeniable. Even his features bore a semblance of warning and distraught caution towards her. Makoto's emerald hues softened irrevocably as she acknowledged his genuine counsel. What did he mean by his words? Moreover, why couldn't he just tell her everything he had been told by the stars? Her mind raced as she pondered the motives behind his ploy only to reveal minute details of what was to come.

"I'm afraid my time here has come to an end."

His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach as he encountered her confused gaze. Had she wanted him to stay? Was she ready to forgive him for his betrayal? He grimaced. Though he had hoped she would be able to forget his past sins, he knew it would make no difference. The opportunity he had to come back came with limitations and those limitations barred him from staying on this plane for too long. His first goal was to find Makoto and now that he had, he wanted to be sure that he helped her as much as he could. He imagined now that he had become some kind of "guardian angel" that is, if he was still allowed to be recognized as "an angel". He frowned. Maybe he could just be considered an omniscient counselor instead.

"Why?" It was perplexing to fathom how Makoto's view of Nephrite had changed so drastically. The wave of changing emotions was tiring, her own inhibitions slowly dwindling in the process.

"I died," he answered. "But fate has smiled upon me and given me one last chance at seeing you. My change of heart moments before my death had a lingering affect I guess."

"Nephrite—"

"Makoto," he interrupted. "You don't know how thrilled I am to have a chance like this. I only hope that you will take into consideration all that I have said. I know my credibility is something to question but I promise you I only mean the best for you."

A hand gently caressed her chin as his lips inched dangerously close to hers. In the last centimeter apart, his lips changed course and met with her forehead. He closed his eyes leaving a sincere token of concern for her to remember and ascended. "Be safe, my princess."

"Welcome back!" Duo stood proudly greeting the tall green-eyed brunette.

In response, Trowa merely nodded and passed by. The unexpected strain in this trip drained him both mentally and physically. It was a wonder how he was even able to make it back. His fellow pilots could be seen sitting at the kitchen table but he continued to his room and placed his bags down. It appeared she was fitting in well here as his brief glance in their direction spotted the comfortable expressions on each person's face. It was good, he reasoned, that they were able to accept her. After all, from his findings there was nothing that condemned her as someone they couldn't trust. He sighed.

He eased himself onto the edge of his bed in silent contemplation. Kino, Makoto as orphaned after the death of her parents. Cause of death, a plane crash leaving the six-year-old girl alone without any known relatives. Four months after their death, a distant cousin of her parents, whom she called Aunty, took her in. At the age of fourteen, she somehow managed to move off on her own using the money willed to her by her dead parents. She chose to relocate to Juuban district where she acquired her first actual group of friends. Many hours of her days were lost to activities that he was unable to verify but he couldn't bring himself to concern over it since his mind was so painfully distracted…

His back slowly drifted into his mattress. Kino, Makoto. His thoughts were jumbled, unable to discern exactly how he felt. She was a sweet girl, he could tell. As a matter of fact, nothing about her really screamed otherwise. From what he had learnt, she was a loyal friend that enjoyed home-making activities, cooking being her favorite. A minute tinge of meager gratification stung at his chest but was overwhelmed by a crashing wave of regret and turmoil. The flurry of emotion was too much for him to bear. He couldn't even remember clearly the last time he had felt this way about anything.

His body shot up from his bed as a cross feeling diced through his conscience. Something was not right. A booming sound of a gun confirmed his suspicion, his body automatically taking action out of habit. Unfortunately, he was too late. Four surrounding men stood a safe distance away with guns steadily trained on him. In defeat, he raised his hands.

Makoto's heart was racing, her body wracked with anticipation as they stood hopelessly cornered by the enemy. War raged ceaselessly inside her, the thoughts crushing her skull, as she stood motionless. She promised herself that she would no longer intervene in these events. She promised! It wasn't as if intervening the first time did her much good…

A part of her demanded that she do something, the words of her estranged past-life companion filling her mind. Even before that, a part of her would always, ALWAYS egg her to battle for the safety and protection of those in need. It just seemed that he appeared to intensify her instincts. Her heart wrenched as the churning in her stomach worsened leaving her almost to drop to her knees in pain. Stalling the urge to fight took more of a toll on her body than expected. She felt sick.

Relena's eyes were fixated on her pleadingly. Why did she look to her like that? Her sapphire hues were dripping with fear as she silently begged Makoto to do something. Only two men were around her, carelessly holding their weapons as the leader of the pack stood directly in front of her marveling at his successful invasion. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself that they would kill her in an instant, it didn't seem to set in as truth.

They underestimated her, assuming that her position as a chef/maid disqualified her as being a threat. They hadn't even forced her to her knees as they did the men, her tall frame still standing with the broomstick at her feet. One quick attack and she could have the leader in her grips…she shook her head. No. If she did this, then after the soldiers were gone, she would have to deal with the suspicious Gundams pilots along with Milliardo Peacecraft, the prince of war. At least with these men invading, she stood a chance at survival. They found no threat in her so they would probably imprison her and from there she could escape. Makoto dropped her head to avoid the piercing stare of the princess. Shame drenched her soul near tears, her emeralds desperately keeping the droplets from being released. The sting of her decision bore no sympathy as it ridiculed her for her insubordination to her senses. This fight was over Princess Relena. Since this princess was not placed under her protection, this princess would not receive it.

The man chortled as he observed the situation. The world-renowned Gundam pilots were frozen in their tracks, again unable to protect Relena Peacecraft, the most sought after royal and politician. The amusement was nearly unbearable as he watched them scowl at him for even ambushing them in the place where they were supposed to stay undetected.

"It's funny how easy it was to defeat you," he gloated. "Not even a drop of sweat and the Gundam pilots are on their knees!" His laughter roared excitedly throughout the house as he settled his eyes on Relena. "Dear princess. Don't look so distraught, I have no plans to harm you as long as you do what I say."

She glared at him resentfully, his smug smile irking her every soul.

"I would never stoop so low as to even consider doing as you say," she spat.

His smile broadened at this, something in his countenance suggesting he had hoped she would say something like that. "Are you sure?"

Relena gulped in uncertainty, her mind trying to discern why he would seem so confident. She nodded her head slowly in affirmation, quickly regretting it as he signaled a soldier to shoot. Her breath caught in her chest, her eyes immediately shedding streams of tears. She held back a whimper when she heard a muffled grunt followed by a soft thud.

Makoto's eyes shot up at the sound, her body throbbing in anticipation. Quatre's body was keeled over, the fabric over his shoulder moistening in crimson. The blood seeped through his sleeves, slowly dripping onto the floor.

"Monster!" Relena cried, her body shaking uncontrollably in response. The man only smiled.

"You brought it on yourself," he crooned. Another wave of his hand, and the soldier standing above Quatre harshly stomped his foot onto the blonde's wound. His body collapsed to the ground his ragged breathing wheezing in discomfort. Makoto stepped towards him, the action causing the two soldiers around her to lift their arms hastily. Her eyes stung, single drops creeping their way down her cheeks. There was something climbing up her throat, the putrid taste nudging her to vomit. Why was it she felt like a traitor by just standing there? She owed none of these men anything but still the guilt was undeniable.

"Tell me princess, would you like to reconsider your claim?" Relena bit on her lip as it quivered disdainfully. The soldier was grinding his foot in amusement as the leader awaited her answer.

"I…" she paused wiping her tears, sobs threatening to break out. " I'm sorry," she whispered coarsely. Makoto winced. The other pilots were fuming in their helpless states she could feel it. Their minds were racing with ways to rescue Quatre without casualties but they knew it was almost near impossible.

Tension was growing in the brunette's body, her heart hastening even more. Her fists clenched, the presence of the lax men on both sides getting to be more distinctive. She closed her eyes.

"What was that, princess? I'm afraid I couldn't hear you."

Relena gulped.

"Please…forgive me for my disrespect."

"And…will you do as I say?"

"…"

The soldier's foot pushed harder, Quatre's weakened body hissing in agony.

"That's enough!"

Everyone in the room seemed to jump, the view of the female chef swiftly lifting the broomstick to her hands and cleanly knocking her two captors unconscious leaving each person in a stupor of thoughts. The leader's eyes appeared to be bulging in disbelief, his reflexes attacking her in an effort to put her in her place. The woman clad in a white dress adorned with the gifted plaid apron dodged his blows with ease, her own hands planning his demise. He pulled out his gun on her and pulled the trigger. Time must have slowed because the brunette could see perfectly the projection of the bullet as she sidestepped, grabbing his wrist, and roughly punching her hand against his elbow. The cracking of his arm elicited a wail of pain, the brunette's hand then taking his gun. She twisted his good arm behind him and held his body securely in front of her, the gun pointed directly beneath his chin.

Makoto's eyes were dark and flaring, the bystanders still shocked by the sudden change in power.

"Put down your weapons."

I must apologize to everyone. This story was never one that I liked so I feel that kind of keeps me from fully engaging in the plotline. I'm sorry if it seems that the story is going down hill but I'm doing my best to keep it interesting. Review and let me know what you think =/ Thanks for reading.

JPandS