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A soft moan escaped the brunette's lips, gaining the attention of the young male. Shinozaki let out a soft gasp, as he turned his attention to Makoto. he grabbed her hand gently. Makoto opened her emerald hues and stared up at Shinozaki. She appeared confused for a second, before she sat up in a panic.
"What?" Makoto asked, before she grimaced in pain. Shinozaki gently pushed her down to lay back down.
"You shouldn't be moving," he told her gently. His prussian eyes studied her intently. She could tell he was hiding something for her and she didn't like it. Makoto felt her mouth grow dry, taking in her surroundings. "I have a couple of questions, Shinozaki." The young man looked at her, waiting for her to continue. "First, where are we?"
"The outers mansion," he whispered. Her eyes widen. "Usagi, Ami, and Rei are here as well." Makoto started to sit up again, but Shinozaki kept her down. "Now don't get up. You need to rest. I'll answer your questions." Makoto let out an irritated sigh. She hated to be down. She was one stubborn person and Shinozaki knew this.
"Fine," she whispered. She let out a deep breath, before looking at Shinozaki. "My next question is..where is Nephrite?" Shinozaki instantly closed his eyes. Makoto felt dread rise within her, and when Shinozaki turned his head to hide his face from her, she knew something was wrong. "Shino-Shinozaki?" She squeezed the hand he was holding. He turned to her again and she was shocked to see tears in his eyes. "No," she breathed out.
Shinozaki bowed his head, as a sob overcame him. Makoto felt her head spinning. She couldn't grasp the concept. He is gone...dead? Makoto felt his grief overcoming her. Shinozaki wrapped his arms around her, slightly holding her in his arms. She was shaking uncontrollably. "No!" She managed to scream. Shinozaki held her to him, not wanting her to feel any more pain.
Haruka raised her head, when she heard Makoto scream. Michiru, Setsuna, and Hotaru looked at the tall blond. The blond turned her head in the direction of the bedrooms. She bowed her head. "She must have learned of Nephrite's fate." The other three nodded, knowing their princess was in pain. The grief of losing her love rocked the core of her soul.
Usagi walked into the room, with Ami and Rei behind her. Haruka turned her. "Was that Makoto?" Usagi asking in a soft tone. Haruka nodded. "Then why are you not checking on her? She asked incredulously. "You will do nothing?"
"This is my house, Princess of the Inners," Haruka began in a hushed tone. Her eyes narrowed at the petite princess. "But here, we do things our way. If she needs us, she will summon us. For now, we will leave her be with Shinozaki. He can handle this situation. She needs a familiar and friendly face. Don't forget your place in my house. You asked to be here. I can easily throw you out."
Michiru came up behind Haruka, placing a gentle hand on the blond's shoulder. The blond looked up at her lover. "Now now, don't be so hasty and rude, Haruka. They are our guests and I am sure Usagi is worried, just as we are." Usagi gave a small nod, as Haruka let out a soft sigh.
"Apologies," Haruka said in a low voice. Just then the door opened and Shinozaki walked in. "Well?"
Shinozaki sat down and let out a deep sigh. "She threw me out of the the room and demanded I stop lying about Nephrite..she doesn't believe me," he concluded. Haruka got to her feet.
"Please excuse me," Haruka apologized, before leaving the room. She entered the door in the hallway on the far left. She opened it and saw Makoto sobbing into a pillow. "Ko-Chan," Haruka whispered. It was a nickname she gave the Princess, when she was little, Makoto looked up, staring at Haruka with tears falling from her emerald hues. Haruka sat besides Makoto, when Makoto wrapped her arms around her waist, her face against Haruka's stomach. Haruka stroked her hair gently, as her sobs quieted down.
"Ruka-Chan, please tell me," her words were muffled. "Tell me of Nephrite's fate." She knew Haruka would never lie to her. Haruka let out a small sigh, before she could gather her wits.
"Shinozaki was not misleading you, Ko-Chan," she whispered. "Nephrite is gone." She felt Makoto grow limp in her arms. "Makoto!" She held the unconscious brunette in her arms, allowing tears to fall from her eyes. She just hoped Makoto would be alright with time.
Months past for Makoto, who seemed like she was living in a nightmare. The Negaverse was gone, but at the cost of her boyfriend's life. Makoto stopped in front of Crown's, raising her eyes. She saw the Inners in there, staring at her. Usagi offered a smile through the window and motioned with her hand for Makoto to join. She hesitated before walking inside. Usagi moved over, as Makoto sat beside her. Ami and Rei both offered smiles.
"How are you?' Ami asked seriously in a low tone.
Makoto bowed her head before answering. "These past few months have been rather hazy," she admitted. "But...I think I may take Shinozaki's offer." The girls raised a brow.
"What was that, if you don't mind me asking?' Usagi asked, sipping on her chocolate shake.
"To move back to Osaka with him," she barely whispered. "Or move in with the outers. I had two choices. I can't stay here anymore. I'm sorry." She jumped to her feet and ran out of Crown's. She allowed the tears to fall. Makoto knew they were concerned. Her grades were dropping, she wasn't eating, she wasn't taking care of herself.
Makoto waked into the apartment complex she lived at and went into her unit. Sitting on the couch was Haruka, Michiru, and Shinozaki. She was a bit shocked to see them. "What are you guys doing here?' Her voice was a low whisper.
Haruka took in Makoto's appearance. Her hair was in a ponytail, looking limp, her eyes were dull and lifeless, and she looked like she would pass out any moment. "Princess, listen to me. You need to take care of yourself. This is healthy. Look at yourself!" Makoto winced under Haruka's tone. She let out a small sigh.
"I'm f," Makoto started to say.
"You are not fine, Kino Makoto!" Shinozaki interrupted, anger in his eyes. Makoto looked at him with shock and surprise. "You need help and we are going to offer it whether you like or not." Makoto only gave a small nod.
"Let her change first," Michiru offered, walking up beside Makoto. "This is my department." She let Makoto into her room. She then helped Makoto with a quick shower, and picked out clothes for Makoto. Michiru and Makoto emerged from the bedroom 20 minutes later. Makoto was wearing blue jeans and a green burnout peplum top, making her hues sparkle with life. Her brown hair cascaded down her back in luscious curls. She offered Haruka and Shinozaki both a smile, though they knew she didn't really want to to smile.
"Now you look wonderful," Shinozaki whispered, offering Makoto his hand. She accepted t, staring into his prussian hues. She looked away, as her cheeks redden. "Let's go," he whispered. Haruka grabbed Michiru's hand and gave it a soft kiss.
"You did a wonderful job," she said in a soft voice.
"Someone had too," she grinned at her lover. "Let's go enjoy our day." Shinozaki took the three women to restaurant, though he kept his eyes on Makoto most of time. Haruka and Michiru were also watching it. She managed to eat a chef salad.
"Is this really necessary? I mean I am a big girl," Makoto whispered.
'You're 14 years old, Ko-Chan" Haruka reminded her. "We are old enough to watch you, which you need someone too." Makoto didn't bother replying to that. She knew Haruka was right. She took a deep breath, as they all left the restaurant. She was walking with Shinozaki, her fingers intertwined with hers.
"Shinozaki," Makoto whispered. "I need to speak with you alone." Haruka and Michiru walked into a small cafe, giving the two teens so alone time. "I feel like..how do I say this? I love you, Shinozaki. You know that. But I feel like I am with you, it would be as though Nephrite was nothing to me."
Shinozaki placed his hand under her chin. "Do what you want, Makoto. I will never force you to do anything you are uncomfortable with." Shinozaki bowed his head. "I know how much he meant to you and if you give me a chance, I'll help you understand that Nephrite was someone. Someone important to you and someone who I can't replace and I am not trying to replace, okay?" Makoto nodded. She raised his head with her hand and landed her lips on his.
"I love you, Miyake Shinozaki," Makoto whispered, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
"And I love you, Kino Makoto," Shinozaki whispered back, his arms around her waist.
Author's Note: There. Next is the epilogue. Hope you enjoy.