0 2 : Encounters

Makoto drove her motorcycle down the streets of Shinjuku barely looking at the activities around her. Instead she wondered about the dark chill she'd felt for the past two days.

"There is a storm blowing in," she murmured while passing under the bright lights of the city. "Something evil like Galaxia, but different."

Traffic was slowing up ahead and Makoto steered herself less known street to avoid it with the familiarity that came from living in Toryama. Three months ago, Makoto had moved to the city on Haruka and Michiru's advice. Michiru had told her that the university there held excellent culinary courses she should take when the new school year started and Makoto had made up her mind to move within a month.

Rei, Ami, Mina, and most of all Usagi, had been shocked but they'd adjusted to the idea of Makoto living so far away quickly. Soon they hadn't even thought twice about it. However, when the trip to the United States had been presented the girls had felt sad about Makoto staying behind. Makoto had had to explain that the reason she couldn't go was because she needed to get fully situated in her new home. For now, Makoto allowed the foreboding feeling of an awaiting storm to blow over her a moment as she allowed herself to enjoy the night air.

She drove back onto one of the main roads again and a moment later screeched to a halt as she came upon a wall of stopped traffic and screaming people. Makoto's instincts urged her to get ready for a fight and she took of her helmet. She was just standing when someone shoved her off her bike and took off with it.

"Stop!" she screamed, taking a few running steps after the thief only to lose sight of them when frightened people shoved past her.

She growled in anger and turned around towards the mayhem.

"Someone is definitely going to get it." she growled and headed over to an ally where she would be able to transform without to much notice.

She stood in the shadows as people continued to flee in terror and looked up as lightning tore across the sky while rain began to fall simultaneously.

'This must be the work of a new enemy. This isn't a natural storm.'

A henshin wand appeared in Makoto's right hand and she held it into the air.

"Jupiter Crystal Power, Make-up!"

Lightning flashed once more, and where Makoto Kino had once stood was now Sailor Jupiter, her eyes narrowed as the feeling of danger intensified. She peered out of the ally-way and saw a number of gray armored soldiers walked down the street, obviously the cause of the stampede. Moving with the enhanced speed of a Sailor Senshi, she ran into the street and leaped up onto an abandoned vehicle.

Not bothering with an introduction Jupiter summoned upon her powers.

"Sparkling, Wide, Pressure!" she shouted as lightning gathered into a ball in her hand.

She threw it a large number of the gray creatures and watched them crumble to dust. The gray soldiers turned their attention to her and began to run forward, their moans reminding her of the sounds the possessed humans made back when Fiore had shown up.

"I don't think so," she taunted as she flipped off of the car and landed with her feet right into a soldier, causing it to crumble. "As they say... The bigger they are, the harder they fall."

She ducked and wove through the soldiers as they attempted to stab her with their weapons and then leapt up onto a one story building's roof. She threw another ball of lightning and watched as they crumbled.

"They are certainly destroyed easily. Not like the Daemon or Youma." she murmured, looking down from her perch.

Suddenly she sensed something behind her and turned to see a brown armored figure with a large No Dachi. Without warning he raised his weapon and cut down upon her, forcing her to retreat with a back flip off of the roof. She landed on the street below and stifled a gasp as she was sliced on her arm by a sharp weapon from soldier she'd been unprepared for. She leaped away without further injury and managed to get to a relatively safe spot.

"Too bad the others aren't here." she whispered, lightly holding her bleeding arm.

She could already feel the tug of fatigue on her body and knew that if she won this fight she'd be sleeping at least a week.

"I'm not giving up." she exclaimed more to herself, straightening up. "I can beat these guys."

She felt a warm tingle on her forehead, but it was gone quickly and she raised her arms over her head as she began to spin.

"Jupiter, Oak, Evolution!" she shouted, sending a spray of green energy over the soldiers surrounding her now, and destroying them.

Feeling even more drained now, Jupiter stumbled back a bit, breathing hard. Then she saw the brown armored figure land down amidst the piles of destroyed soldiers. For a moment they stood assessing each other and then Jupiter moved into a defensive position.

"Who are you and why are you attacking the innocent?" she demanded.

"I am Anubis of Corruption," said the armored man with a sneer. "My master wants to rule this world and I am here to remove the opposition."

"Well, Anubis of Corruption" exclaimed Jupiter angrily. "I'm Sailor Jupiter, and I'm not going to back down. I'm not letting you or your master hurt the people of this city!"

Anubis let out a jeering laugh and she clenched her fist.

"You have no idea of what your up against girl. It's time to end your pitiful and naive existence!" sneered Anubis as he raised his sword.

"Black Lightning Slash!"

Jupiter reacted with split second timing and leaped into the air a moment before the dark electricity struck the ground where she'd stood and exploded. With a small smirk on her face, Jupiter landed on a lamp post.

"Two can play at that game!" she called confidently and positioned her hands before herself.

"Supreme Thunder Dragon!" she shouted, and released her attack of electricity that bore the head of a dragon.

Anubis evaded the attack and she watched as it tore into a building and blew it apart. She winced, feeling sorry for whoever owned it. Using her distraction, Anubis raised his sword and ran forward, his sword aimed for her head. She managed to jump away in time to avoid the sword as Anubis jumped up at her and leaped down to the ground gracefully, Anubis following close behind. She continued to weave with increasing speed, avoiding the sword's sharp swings.

Suddenly she saw an opened and made a daring move that had her roll underneath him. As she passed beneath him she shot her legs forward and kicked him forward from behind. He was shoved forward a few feet and then caught himself. Jupiter had just gotten to her feet when Anubis swung around with his sword and caught her left hand with it's razor sharp tip. She gasped in pain and clutched it to her chest as it began to bleed.

Anubis laughed maliciously slowly walking towards her, "It's been amusing fighting you, but it's time to die girl!"

Jupiter glowered at him, "I'm not giving up this easily."

"Foolish child," jeered Anubis raising his sword. "It is time to meet your fate."

Jupiter tensed for another attack and gasped when a green blur appeared between herself and Anubis.

"Have you taken to fighting girls, Anubis?" asked a young man in green armor.

"I guess if he can't beat us he'd try it," said a young man in red armor leaping down from the left.

Jupiter backed away in surprise and watched as three others appeared, each in a different color armor. The rescuer looked back at her and she was met by his violet eyes that seemed to be concerned.

"I've seen eyes like his before, but where?"

"We'll fight again," exclaimed Anubis breaking her thoughts as he pointed his sword at her. "And you won't be so lucky next time."

Jupiter crossed her arms with skeptical eyes. She didn't pay any attention to the blood that dripped freely down her arm and from her hand. Instead, Makoto watched as Anubis vanished into the shadows as quietly as he'd first appeared to her.

"Uh... Who are you?" asked the red armored one, drawing her attention back to himself and the other armored youths.

"I'm Sailor Jupiter, protector of the planet Jupiter and earth," she answered, eyeing them cautiously. "Who are you guys?"

"We're the Ronin Warriors," said the one in dark blue armor. "I'm Touma of Strata."

"I'm Ryo of Wildfire," said the red armored boy.

"I'm Shin of Torrent," said the light blue armored one, smiling slightly.

"I'm Shu of Hardrock," said the one in orange, crossing his arms.

She looked to the green armored figure and found her eyes locking with his violet ones once more.

"His eyes.."

There was silence till Strata used his bow to tap the green warrior's back and gave a soft a-hem.

"I am Seiji of the Halo," said the green warrior, not shifting his gaze from her.

Jupiter's hand began to throb and she jerk her hand to her chest with a gasp.

"We need to get you bandaged up," said Ryo stepping towards her in concern.

"No!" exclaimed Jupiter, taking a step back in alarm. "I can't let you do that."

The guys looked a little surprised and she gave a half smile.

"I can take care of it myself. I need to go," she explained, not adding that the Senshi avoiding too much contact with people, even possible allies.

"Wait!" said Shin as they watched her leap up onto a rooftop effortlessly.

Jupiter stopped and looked down at the ones that had helped her out.

"I'm sorry. We'll probably meet again, maybe in better circumstances. Then maybe we can talk about this."

She disappeared from view and Shu jumped up onto the roof in pursuit. However, his face filled with confusion and he looked down at the other Ronin's.

"She's gone already." he reported in surprise. "It's almost like she teleported or something."

Shu leapt back down and the five Ronins looked at each other in silence.

"I thought the Sailor Scouts were only myths," murmured Shin, breaking their musing.

"Apparently not," corrected Seiji. "Jupiter was definitely real."

"You figured that out by starin' at her so long?" inquired Touma teasingly.

Seiji looked startled a moment and then turned slightly pink, "She reminded me of someone I used to know."

"Oh, did Seiji have a girl friend?" asked Shu in a sing song voice.

"No!" exclaimed Seiji as his blush deepened. "She wasn't my girlfriend."

"Who then?" asked Ryo interested.

"She was a student at my grandfather's dojo for a while. She was always getting into fights. Then she and an older man came in and talked to my grandfather. After that day I never saw her again," said Seiji thoughtfully. "And she had these intense green eyes just like Sailor Jupiter's."

Shin and Shu smirked at each other as did Touma and Ryo as Seiji dropped back into his musings.

Name translations of the Ronins, Warlords, Other Characters, and Senshi

Ryo - Ryo Sage - Seiji Rowen - Touma Cye - Shin
Kento - Shu Lita - Makoto Mia - Natsuti Yuli - Jun
White Blaze - Byakuen Kayura - Kayura Cale - Anubis Sekhmet - Naaza
Dais - Rajura Anbus - Shuten Talpa - Arago
Serena - Usagi Amy - Ami Mina - Minako Raye - Rei
Hotaru - Hotaru Michelle - Michiru Trista - Setsuna Amara - Haruka
Darien - Mamoru