Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, nor do I own the song "Storms in Africa." I am borrowing them for entertainment purposes only; no money is being made from the writing or reading of this story.
Pray for a Storm
©2000-2001 by Kei
Chapter 1
Siúl trí na stoirmeacha
Gabh trí na stoirmeacha
When she awoke, Makoto immediately realized that she was nude underneath some blankets wrapped tightly around her. She was sweating profusely, yet remained freezing. She saw a couple of nurses milling around, and one came over and placed a damp cloth on her forehead.
"I see you're awake, my dear," the middle-aged lady said with a smile. "You've been asleep for the last three days with fever."
"Three days?" Makoto managed to say in astonishment. "Could you tell me where I am, please?"
"Of course, dear. You're in Ilndena Castle," the woman told her. "Just what happened to you? Lord Nephrite brought you in and you were shivering and coughing. Sometimes you would wake up in the middle of the night vomiting. Poor thing, you were so very ill."
"Shivering, coughing, vomiting? Lord Nephrite?" Makoto questioned, feeling faint again. She collected herself after a few moments and spoke. "During a storm I fell down and I used a lot of my energy helping Lord Nephrite. I guess my weakened state made me vulnerable to infection," she shrugged.
"Well, I hope you feel better, dear. You have a visitor. Shall I let him in?" The nurse winked at Makoto, who nodded slowly. She patted the girl's hand and exited the room.
"So, you're awake," her rescuer remarked, approaching her. He pulled up a stool and sat down next to her. She felt very self-conscious and gripped the top edge of her blanket. "I'm glad to see that you're feeling better, Miss Kino."
"Just Mako, please," she requested weakly. He still made her quivery and nervous, even after years of separation. She wanted to leap into his arms naked and kiss him until she had no strength left.
"Alright, Miss Mako. Where did you come from?" he inquired, his gaze penetrating her to the depths of her soul.
"Far away…close by…I honestly don't know, Lord Nephrite," she told him the truth, and turned her head to break away from his stare. She couldn't handle looking into those deep eyes without falling apart inside. "I came from Tokyo. Have you heard of it?" Within her, a small flame of hope shined bright, begging him to know what Tokyo was.
"No, I haven't heard of Tokyo, Miss Mako," he shook his head. Makoto wished she could stretch out one of her trembling hands and caress his warm cheek.
"Where are my things, Lord Nephrite?" she said, eyes darting around the room suspiciously.
"Your trousers, shirt, and underwear were all contaminated with infection, so they were burned. The little rod in your trousers is right here," he replied, indicating the green pen lying on a small bedside table. "More suitable clothes have been provided for you, Miss Mako." He pointed to a chair in the far corner. "And if you would like to see your appearance, a vanity is over there." In another corner sat a white vanity with a large mirror atop it.
"Thank you," she murmured. "Could you leave for a few minutes, Lord Nephrite? I need to get dressed."
He complied and exited the room. Makoto untangled herself from the pile of blankets and went to the chair in the corner where a forest-green dress awaited her. It had a scoop neck and ankle-length skirt. It was sleeveless, but a pair of off-white velvet gloves was also present. Makoto noticed that her hands and knees had been bandaged, though red spots showed she still bled a bit.
The vanity had a brush lying on the surface, so she picked it up and combed her hair and retied it up in the usual ponytail. Then she called Nephrite back in.
"You look very pretty," he complimented her.
"Thanks," she said, blushing and studying the floor.
"Shall we go upstairs?" he asked, holding out his arm.
"Sure," she answered. She grabbed her transformation pen, tucked it away safely, then took his offered arm and he escorted her upstairs.
When they arrived in what seemed to be a throne room, Nephrite seated himself on a golden chair padded with scarlet cushions made of velvet. He had a servant bring up an elaborate chair for Makoto to sit in.
"Why were those people chasing you, Lord Nephrite?" she inquired immediately after sitting down.
"Our kingdoms are at war," he explained. "They wish to take over all the kingdoms in the world, and we and our allies fight against them to stop that from happening."
She nodded silently. "Have you lived here all your life, Lord Nephrite?"
"I don't know, Miss Mako. I woke up one day in the field we met in, without any memories except the one of my name. The people in Ilndena were without a ruler, so I gathered them together and united them. They sort of elected me to be their leader, and here I am," he told her, grinning. She sighed habitually and forced herself not to enter a dream-like state over his bright eyes and smile.
"I promise that I will help you win this war, Lord Nephrite. You can count on Sailor Jupiter," she said with determination and a smile.
"Sailor Jupiter…sounds so familiar…" he mused. "Miss Mako, would you like to accompany me to tonight's ball? It's in an hour or so, and you're already dressed, so I think it would be convenient."
"I would love to go to the ball with you!" she blurted out, then flushed and clapped a hand over her big mouth. 'Stupid,' she berated herself.
"You're so enthusiastic, Miss Mako," he started and she bit her lip, hanging her head in shame.
"One of my many faults, Lord Nephrite," she said dejectedly.
"Oh no, Miss Mako. It's good to see a change. All the women courtiers are bland and boring and emotionless, but you are a ray of light in their dark, cold faces," he told her.
"Thank you, Lord Nephrite. You're quite the poet. Say, do you like to cook?" she asked eagerly.
"How did you know?" His eyes twinkled. "I make all my own meals."
"I do, too. Would you show me your kitchens, please?"
"Of course."
He stepped off the throne, offered his arm, and they walked to the royal kitchens together.
Walk through the storms
Go through the storms