It had been four days since she faced the Vash with Mina and now here she was, sitting down on the soft grass under a large tree, relaxing in the shade, and reading over her history homework. Her friends had to suddenly leave her to go deal with a creature that had decided to start sucking the life force out of children who were playing on the other side of the park. She could just make out the Sailor Scouts attacking the creature and she wished she could be there helping. Sometimes she could still feel the Vash enzyme running through her body, especially when she was tired and she just wanted it to be gone. Not being able to help her friends made her feel pretty down and she was counting down the minutes before she could try transforming again. Two days to go she hoped and not the three Luna thinks it'll take.
Hearing the shrill scream of the creature turning to dust, it didn't take long after before her friends re-joined her, acting as if nothing happened.
"I so don't want to be doing my homework, it's such a beautiful day, I could be at the arcade," Usagi said in an almost whine as she lay down on her back.
"We need to do our homework and study for our tests otherwise we may not pass and I can't be held back," Ami replied, with her head already in her math book.
"We won't be held back," Rei commented as she took down some notes in her science book.
"I think I'm done studying for today, I started to feel a little tired, I'm going to call it a night," Mako said, beginning to pack away her stuff.
"I'll walk you home, I need a distraction," Mina offered, shoving her schoolwork into her backpack.
"You two behave, don't go having fun without us," Rei interjected, feeling that something was going on between her friends.
"We will," Mako smiled as she flung her school bag over her shoulder. "We'll see you guys tomorrow."
Walking out of the park, Mako and Mina gave their friends one last goodbye for the day as they crossed the street and headed around the corner.
Noticing that the street was empty, Mina gently slid her hand into Mako's and gave it a soft squeeze before lacing their fingers together. "How was your day?"
"It was good I guess. I don't like not being able to see you during the day while we are at school. I kind of miss you. Hopefully none of our friends figure us out just yet, I want a few more days of just us if that's okay," Mako replied, absentmindedly caressing Mina's hand with her thumb.
"I want to at least wait until the enzyme has left your system which should be any day now," Mina responded as they walked around the corner. Able to see the apartment building they fell into a comfortable silence as they walked the rest of the way there.
Seeing something out of the corner of her eye, Mako pulled Mina back and signalled for her to be quiet. Pointing to a spot off to the side of the apartment building near a bush a flash of purple darted across the ground, gone after only a few seconds.
"We need to get upstairs as soon as we can," Mina said, seeing another flash of purple in the yard of the next apartment building.
"Let's go the back way," Mako replied. Making sure she had a good hold on Mina's hand, Mako led them down the small alley between the buildings and to the fence. Moving a piece of metal sheet out of the way, a small hole in the fence was visible and it was just big enough to let them through.
Going through the hole in the fence, they kept an eye out for the flashes of purple. Making it to the back entrance to the building, they quickly let themselves inside and ran up the stairs to Mako's apartment.
Making sure to lock the door behind them and close all the windows, Mako quickly pulled down the curtains so nothing could be seen from the outside. Sitting down at the table, she placed her school bag next to her and rested her head on her arms. "I don't want to be the one to say it but that purple whatever reminded me of the Vash darting to avoid attack."
"It definitely did. I haven't mentioned this yet but on the night you were really ill and I had to go to control with the barb, I saw the same flashes of purple then too. I didn't bother to stop or anything when I saw it because I needed to get back here to make sure you were still alive," Mina replied, joining Mako at the table.
"I think it's most likely the Vash that attacked us and it's been watching and waiting. If your attack did injure it when we first encountered it, it could be gathering its strength while in wait," Mako responded, letting out a sigh.
"If it's injured it's probably why it hasn't tried to attack us yet. The Vash knows you're injured too so it probably thinks there is still time before we are at our strongest," Mina said, sitting a little more upright in the chair.
"I know it's only been four days since I got injured but I think we need to see if I can transform. It may be worth knowing and if I can we can try and get the Vash," Mako suggested, pulling her pen out of her pocket.
"Absolutely not, if you try this early you'll be in excruciating pain. If you really must I would really appreciate it if you waited until at least day five. I think it's too dangerous at the moment and you are still feeling the enzyme in your system," Mina replied, not liking the idea at all.
"I just want to try as I don't like being left behind when you guys go and fight bad guys. I miss being able to help and protect the world from evil. It's in my blood and every time I miss out it just makes me feel useless," Mako honestly said, wanting Mina to know where she was coming from.
"I understand completely." Reaching across the table Mina held Mako's hands in her own. "In three days at most you'll be back on your feet and up to helping fight evil once again. For now I just want you to rest and gather your strength, and watch movies with me so we can cuddle on the couch."
"I think I can do that for you," Mako smiled, unable to keep it off her face.
Hearing a sharp scratch on glass, both Mako and Mina covered their ears and got down low under the table. Hearing it again but this time on the other side of the apartment, they looked at each other and nodded, knowing they had to go see what it was.
Heading to the front door, they quickly exited the apartment and ran down the stairs taking them two at a time until they were standing just outside of the building, their backs up against the wall.
Seeing the flash of purple darting around the floor the apartment was on, Mina grabbed her pen and quickly ducked behind the large bush.
Keeping her eye on the Vash, Mako made sure she couldn't be seen as she analysed the creature. It was trying to taunt them, rattle them up, but as it darted back and forth it got slower and slower. Getting a good look at the creature for a moment, Mako noticed that there was a gash on its side, golden yellow around the wound, holding it together.
Noticing Sailor Venus appear next to her, Mako pointed to its current location. "It has a wound on its left side, it's injured and getting slower and slower."
"I'm going to round up on it and get it from behind." Heading away from the side of the building, Mina used the bushes to hide herself as she got to where she wanted to be. Making sure none of the other residents of the building were around, she jumped out of her hiding spot and aimed her crescent beam at the Vash, hitting it in the shoulder.
Watching as it fell to the ground, Mina stood tall in front of the Vash. "I'm Sailor Venus and you hurt my friend."
"Quiet child, no one needs to hear from you."
Jumping up and backward, Mina watched as the creature's arm extended from its body and shot out at her like a whip. Missing it by only a few centimetres she sent out another attack which only grazed the creature's arm.
Biting her bottom lip as the Vash sent out another attack on Mina, Mako held on tightly to the transformation pen in her pocket. She wanted to go help Mina, she wanted to protect the world from evil and at the moment she knew she couldn't. Seeing a kind of energy beam come out of the creature, she heard Mina scream as she was hit by it, flying backward into the fence.
Feeling tingling energy course through her body, warming her up from the inside, she felt her love for Mina shining through and she knew she needed to go and help her. Taking her pen out of her pocket she held it up and closed her eyes. "Jupiter power!"
Letting out the breath she didn't know she was holding, she felt the familiar feeling of transforming. Opening her eyes she was Sailor Jupiter. Running over to Mina, she gently brushed the hair out of her face and made sure she was okay.
"Aren't you meant to be injured?" The Vash snarled, looking her over.
"Not even you can hold me back. I'm Sailor Jupiter and I'm here to kick your arse!"
"We'll see," the Vash replied as it struck out at Mako, its eyes glowing with malevolence.
Easily avoiding the attack, she kept it on its toes by making it move constantly. Trying her best to wear it out as Mina recovered from the attack, she ducked behind a few bushes and came out into an opening. Noticing the Vash's back was turned to her, she took a stance and a deep breath with it. Quickly exhaling, she positioned herself and let out an attack on the creature. Feeling the electricity leave her hands, she watched as her sparkling wide pressure hit the Vash and engulfed it in a blinding light.
Seeing the light disappear, a small pile of shimmering purple dust fell to the ground and gathered in a small pile. Knowing the Vash was no more, Mako could feel pain starting to course through her body. Quickly transforming back, she ran over to Mina and saw her transform back too.
Kneeling by Mina's side, Mako gently cupped her face and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay, I'm good," Mina replied as she pulled Mako in for another kiss.
Helping Mina off the ground, Mako intertwined their fingers together and softly smiled. "Let's go watch a movie and cuddle."
There was a slight chill to the air inside of the living room as Mako sat down on the soft couch. Watching as Mina sat on the floor in front of the television going through the DVD's she let a small smile appear on her face. Noticing Mina holding up two movie choices, she pointed to the one in her left hand and heard the familiar sound of the DVD player opening.
Hearing the movie starting, Mako moved over a little as Mina sat next to her. Grabbing the thin blanket off the armrest of the couch, Mako placed it over both of them and draped her arm over Mina's shoulders.
Feeling Mina cuddle into her side, her head resting in the crook of her shoulder, Mako felt the butterflies once more as she held her a little closer. Closing her eyes for a moment and allowing herself to feel content, she pressed a soft kiss on Mina's head as Kiki's Delivery Service played on the screen in front of her.
Mako looked down, smiling, and thought how grateful she was to have Mina. Together, they could face anything.