Time of the Senshi

Jupiter Act IV

The brunette breathed in the air, her limbs shaking with anticipation. After days of constant mental attacks her defenses had crumbled leaving a maze of rubble to defend. The once proud princess of Jupiter now acted more animal than human, and it disturbed Sul'dam and damane alike. Her eyes had turned a golden hue, and it had been decided the only thing to be done was send her to the battle field where she just might do something useful.

Makoto crouched closer to ground and let her gray dress drag through the mud. Her hands were caked with the stuff but she didn't care. The taste of battle was close, as were her friends. When they came she would be free, and then she could honor the memory of Rakka.

Miss P and Makoto only fought together once before. The fight had been intense, and in the end something had snapped deep in the soldier's mind. She fired off volley after volley of lightening bolts into enemy ranks all the while keeping an eye on her friend. Rakka ignored orders. The small girl plunged straight ahead into the thick of the fighting and dragged her Sul'dam screaming with her. Each cry of desperation seemed to make the chained girl smile wider. When the arrow hit her chest, and the sword cut through the Sul'dam's nonexistent defense, Rakka laughed out a river of blood.

The warrior of Jupiter watched it all. The shock of witnessing the death of someone she knew froze her. Pain grew in her chest, and Makoto let out a howl that caused several to turn toward her in fear. She became a wild animal and attacked everything she could. Eventually P had to knock her out and remove her form the field.

Makoto knew it was almost time to fight again; they would be stalking their prey this time. Bright root would avenge Two tails.

The girl peered behind her to the woman holding her leash. That one will pay. Bear Keeper?

We are here, Bright Root. A gruff voice assured her. Makoto's eyes appeared to glow with glee as she padded forward, careful not to trip on her skirt. We advise caution. The male's are moving.

She could do two things. Warn her captors that the prey knew they were coming, or do nothing. Memories of Rakka calmly stating her decision fluttered through the girls mind and Makoto grinned wolfishly. She wouldn't say anything.

Bear Keeper was like a living shadow as he moved from tree to tree, hiding from the weak eyes of the two-legs. The wolf kin was so close he could smell her, but not quite yet. Timing was important. They had to strike when the humans when they were distracted for best results.

Flying Rain watched the human pack from his position hidden in the tree branches. As a pup he had always hated the squirrels for outrunning him and seeking shelter in a tree. Now, much older and clever, he had developed a system of leaps that usually enabled him to reach the lower branches of trees. Then he could stalk as he wished unnoticed. Looking up was the hardest thing to remember. It was where he got his name.

The male wolf would wait patiently in the branches as his pack herded the selected prey toward him. Then he would jump, fly, onto the victim and the resulting attack would spill blood in every direction. The force of Flying Rain's landing would break the creature's back 8 out of 10 times, and if it wasn't dead from that the wolf could quickly rip out the throat. He was Flying Rain. He waited for the opportune moment.

Ginger had recently joined the pack. She small but quick and named after a root she used to eat as a pup. In some circumstances the slight female could pass for a large dog. The fur on her back stood up as the wolf-kin passed, their gold eyes meeting briefly. It was almost time.

Makoto caught sight of a flicker in the bush. Her mind received images of a root she used to cook with. Ginger… the smell of male channlers was close now. Too close.

The soldier smiled bitterly and clenched her fist as her knee's creaked in the effort to resume a standing position. She had given into the instincts for too long. It was payback time.

"Kenya? What are you doing?" Her mistress asked with a hint of uncertainty in her voice. Makoto let the growl in her throat resonate and grow as she cocked her fist back. It would hurt, true, but she knew her own limits and could work around them. She had died a thousand times over under the pitiful excuse for a woman. Once more couldn't hurt.

Makoto's fist slammed into her Sul'dam's face with a satisfying crunch, though the Senshi of Jupiter's head rocked back as well. Explosions marked the arrival of their enemies but Makoto didn't care. She shook of the pain and gripped the woman's wrist as blood oozed from her nose.

She distantly noticed her wolf kin bursting from the undergrowth and causing the horses and cats to go into a panic. She felt them surround her and fight back against the armored soldiers. She didn't care. All that mattered was that the woman that dare call herself her mistress and better be in as much pain as possible. Makoto ripped out several strands of long hair and bit into the woman's shoulder as she screamed out commands. The silver collar demanded she release P, and help defend their forces but Makoto ignored it. Acid rose in her throat and Makoto let it come, pouring over the woman she held.

Someone made it through the wall her wolves had made. A magic user. He tried to calm her but Makoto kicked out and sent him flying. Her prey would not escape!

Another tried calling her name, but she didn't pay attention. Revenge was all that mattered now. Revenge, and the blood that came with it.

Mina rushed past the men. She felt the wild energies associated with lightening magic and knew her friend was close. When Makoto walked into a room it was like a second wind, but now Mina knew not all was right. When she finally got to the point the pull was coming from she stopped dead in her tracks. Many of the Asha'man surrounded a pair of women confused about what to do. Wolves growled out threats as Makoto, gentle and misunderstood Makoto, beat the living daylights out of her captor. Each hit sent her own body reeling as if struck but she continued on.

Tears pricked in Mina's eyes. This was not what they were supposed to be. "Makoto! Mako-chan! Stop! This isn't right!"

The cold metal of her pen warmed and Mina bit her lip. It was now or never. Artemis nuzzled her thigh from where he sat on Minako's head. "You have to snap her out of it. She's not all there, Mina. You're the only one who can."

"Hai…VENUS…MAKE-UP!" Mina shouted as she thrust her pen in the air.

Like a lover the magic caressed her skin, and she embraced it whole heartedly. As the transformation finished she un hooked the chain from her waist and used it as if it were a lasso. Makoto growled angrily as the love-chain pinned her arms together and the air crackled with electricity.

"Mako-chan! It's me! It's Mina! I don't know what they did… but please come back!"

Asha'man watched in awe as the beautiful girl slowly approached the crazed one, ever mindful of the zealous wolves guarding. The Love-me chain began to smoke and as it did Makoto's eyes seemed to focus on the blonde woman.

"Mina?"

"Makoto… are you okay?"

The Senshi of Jupiter felt her barriers break down at long last and the wolves let Mina through as years of memories flooded their minds. The two-leg was a friend. Makoto wrapped her arms around Mina a cried as the blonde removed the collar. She wasn't alone. She would never be alone again.

END.

A/N- Wow. I got this one out relatively quick. Makoto here has issues with loneliness. To escape the pain of loosing her one friend, she let herself be carried away by the wolf instincts Perrin is always worried about. Luckily for various reason's she wasn't totally under the influence and managed to find her way back. The next chapter will be on… I'm thinking Hotaru. She needs to get some food in her!

Thanks for reviewing people! It makes me want to finish this!