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Part 5 : Bifuu no Hoopu { Gentle Breeze of Hope }

Makoto smiled softly as she sat on the front porch watching the five young men she'd come to know during the past week and Yuli give White Blaze a bath. However, White Blaze had had other ideas and escaped mostly dry, and the bath-time had turned more into a water fight between the males. She giggled as Sage had a bucket of water dumped on his head by Rowen that matted his hair down over both his eyes.

She gazed off towards the lake as she remembered calling her friends. In all truth, only Setsuna had tried to call her again. The others had been too busy, and Setsuna hadn't been too worried for some odd reason. She'd talked to Mina, and told her what had taken place, and then retold the whole story to Setsuna who promised to tell Haruka and Michiru in private. With that over with, she'd given them Mia's number.

A smile came over Makoto's face. Mia had asked her to stay with them. She'd even paid her landlady for the damages. Then she and the others had moved her possessions to Mia's house. Most of it had gone to the basement and attic, but a large portion was also placed in the guest room that had become Makoto's.

"Hey!" exclaimed Makoto as she was brought out of her thought by a spray of water.

Kento stood grinning at her with an empty bucket in his hands.

"Kento! You're going to pay!" she shouted.

Kento laughed and she jumped to her feet. She swung over the bannister, to his surprise, and began to chase him towards the lake.

"Go Makoto!" shouted Cye as Makoto began to catch up.

Makoto laughed as the others joined in cheering for her.

"You're going down Kento!" she shouted cheerfully as she suddenly lunged forward and caught him around the legs.

"Ouch," said Kento with a grunt as he hit the ground.

Makoto giggled and jumped to her feet, "I still owe you for the soaking Kento."

Kento had a split moment to get to his knees before Makoto was lifting him into the air and running for the lake. His eyes were wide with surprise as she carried him the last few yards and threw him into the water. He came up from the water sputtering and then stared at her in surprise as she laughed.

"I didn't know you were that strong!" he exclaimed in surprise.

Makoto stopped laughing and her face turned red in embarrassment.

'I thought I was trying to be more feminine!' she thought in disgrace. 'And now I'm rough housing!'

"Makoto?" asked Kento, worried at her face. "It's ok. I'm not hurt or anything."

Makoto didn't answer but turned and ran towards the house.

"That was great..." started Cye but was surprised when a very red faced Makoto ran past him and the others and into the house.


Mia gently tapped on the door to Makoto's room. She heard a muffled 'come-in" and entered, shutting the door quietly behind her.

"Are you ok Makoto?" she asked, walking over to where Makoto laid on her bed, looking up at the ceiling.

Makoto sighed and looked at Mia, "Yeah. Just disappointed in myself."

"Why? For dumping Kento in the lake."

Makoto answered with a miserable nod.

"Why would you be ashamed of that. You should be proud of your strength," said Mia in surprise.

Makoto didn't answer and Mia silently left the room, sensing Makoto needed to be alone.




"Makoto Kino," echoed a voice in the mists.

"Who's there?" asked Makoto.

"I am the ancient," said the voice, as a figure slowly materialized in the mists.

"The one Mia spoke to me of."

"I am." said the Ancient. "And I have come to tell you to find the source of your power."

"Isn't Hoopu the source."

"No." said Hoopu, appeared out of the mists from behind the ancient. "I am merely the spirit who watches your armor."

"Could Hoopu show me?" asked Makoto looking to the Ancient.

"No. It's is your job to find the source of your power," said the Ancient.

"But.." started Makoto.

"No, Makoto. He's right." said Hoopu gently.

Makoto sighed and lowered her head, "All right."



Sunlight split into the room and Makoto sat up. For a moment she gazed sleepily towards the clock and then she jumped out of bed.

"I need to tell the others about that dream!" she exclaimed and began to change into her cloths.

She was downstairs less then five minutes later. There was a lone note on the counter and she quickly read it.

"They've all gone too." she said quietly. "Mia and Yuli aren't here either."

She went to the back door and put on her shoes without any further words and left the house, making sure to lock it after her.

*Find the source of your power* echoed the Ancients thoughts in her mind.

Makoto looked upwards at the sky and a gentle breeze blew through her hair.

"The wind." she murmured. "How do you find the wind."

She walked down the lake side and sat down, closing her eyes. Slowly she fell into meditation, just as Rei had taught her to calm her after the harder battles. The wind picked up around her and her kanji flared up on her forehead.

Her eyes opened and a smile came over her face.

"Maybe.."

She stood up and pulled the armor ball from her pocket.

"Armor of Whirlwind! Dao Kibou!" she shouted throwing it into the air.

Her subarmor was on her an instant and then cherry blossoms and silk ribbons fluttered about her as her armor came about her. A moment later she stood in a sleek, aerodynamic armor of a pearl color. She looked down into the water at her reflection.

"I definitely like this more than the skimp senshi uniform." she said with a small laugh.

The wind blew past, reminding her of her purpose and she became serious.

"Now to find myself a storm." she murmured in a set fashion as she began to run, swifter than the human eye could see, the winds seeming to give her wings.



A few hours later she stood on the point of Boso Peninsula looking out at Pacific Ocean. Around her a large storm rages, casting high speed winds around her. However, she was unaffected by the winds, standing unmoving on the precocious perch on the rock she'd chosen.

Three times she'd felt something happen while she'd been on route to where the armor had led her. Without understanding, she knew it had to do with the others. Lightning struck and her thoughts turned to when she'd still had her scout powers.

Even now her broken wand was in her pocket beneath the armors she wore. Would she ever be Sailor Jupiter again? Light laughter penetrated the wails of the wind and Makoto say cherry blossoms seeming to come from no where.

Instantly she was on alert and jumped to a stone pillar a number of feet away, the wind carrying her. She landed and turned to see a bolt of light striking where she'd stood.

"You'll have to be faster if you want to hit me!" shouted Makoto, her voice ringing over the winds that seemed to accompany her voice.

Clouds parted above and a female fell down and landed gracefully on another pillar nearby.

"Who are you?" asked Makoto, crossing her arms.

"I am Lady Kayura of the Dynasty." said the woman with a small smirk.

Makoto's arms moved behind her and she unsheathed the sword that hung from her back. She held it before her green eyes narrowed.

"What do you want?"

"Your armor." said Kayura. "Surrender yourself."

"Why should I?" demanded Makoto, controlling the rage building within her.

"We have the Ronins Hardrock, Torrent.." Kayura paused and smiled, "And Halo."

Makoto's eyes flashed with anger, "If you harm them you will die."

Kayura smirked again and Makoto growled. The woman's attitude was getting on her nerves.

~Don't let her provoke you. She wants you to grow angry.~ called Hoopu's voice.

Makoto forced herself to calm and stared hard at Kayura, "You're plan won't work Dynasty Witch. Go back to Talpa and tell him he isn't getting the Whirlwind armor!"

"Don't underestimate me." said Kayura, her voice showing no trace of her previous mirth. "I can take you easily."

"I'd like to see you try." said Makoto.

Kayura raised her swords, "Star Sword Scream!"

Makoto leaped into the air and the wind carried her to another pillar moments before her previous pillar exploded.

"Like I said Kayura, you've got to be faster." taunted Makoto and raised her more traditional sword. "Now, care to test you swordsmanship, or are you afraid that I could beat you."

Kayura studied her a moment and nodded, a strange glint in her eye. Makoto wondered if Kayura had guessed that Makoto didn't know her own sure-kill.

Kayura leaped through the air and slashed down at Makoto with her katana. Makoto blocked with her sword and kicked Kayura away fiercely, surprising the older woman with her strength. Makoto followed Kayura as she fled to another pillar, attacking with her sword.

Single minutes turned to ten as they danced about eachother, leaping from pillar to pillar in the wind, the rain now falling around them, making it harder to fight. Suddenly Makoto lost her footing and fell from her pillar. She fell down towards the ground, but was stopped when a white light radiated from her armor and created a sphere around her.

She floated a moment and then she touched the ground. Kayura stood above watching her speculatively a moment and then jumped down after her. Once again the sword play ensued, both fighting with silent fury, neither relenting for the other.

~Makoto, you need your sure-kill if you are to win this round.~

'How?' she asked between a parry.

~Use the power of your armor~

'I don't understand!'

Makoto shoved Kayura away from her with a back kick and ran a few steps away, panting for breath.

~Look within yourself and around you.~

'What?'

Makoto ducked under one of Kayura's swords and used her own to block the second.

~Have hope.~

Kayura jumped away and looked at Makoto, panting slightly less than Makoto was.

"This ends now." said Kayura, raising her katanas.

Makoto closed her eyes and raised her sword.

"I can do this." she whispered. "I can do this. I have to do this."

Slowly the kanji of hope appeared upon her forehead and her armor began to glow. She opened her eyes.

"Spiral Whirlwind!"

Winds suddenly gathered about her and began to glow with energy. Kayura stood awestruck a second and then jumped away, right as Makoto swung her sword in Kayura's direction. The winds tore away from where Makoto stood and slammed into Kayura's retreating form, the energy in the attack lacing about her.

Kayura screamed in pain and landed against a pillar. Then she stood to her feet in anger and turned.

"Makoto!" shouted a voice beyond the winds.

"You will lose in the end." said Kayura and vanished.

Makoto stared a moment and then leaned against a pillar wearily, feeling drained.

"Makoto! You're ok!" exclaimed a relieved voice.

Makoto felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her and she looked back to see Ryo grinning at her in relief with Rowen not close behind.

"Hey guys." she said gently right before passing out from exhaustion.



Part 6 : Into the Dynasty


Makoto awoke stiffly and sat up, surprised to see she was still in full armor.

"Good morning!" exclaimed Yuli cheerfully, jumping up at the end of her bed.

"Hello Yuli," said Makoto. "What's going on?"

"Rowen and Ryo are downstairs arguing" said Yuli. "They've been talking ever since they brought you home last night."

"Oh," said Makoto softly as she slowly got out of the bed and stretched her stiff muscles.

"I'm going to my room," said Yuli quickly, and ran out, leaving a picture on the floor.

Makoto walked over and saw it was a stick figure drawing of all the Ronins, including her at the end with Yuli, Mia, and White Blaze sitting nearby. She smiled and placed it on her bed side table before leaving the room with a slightly stiff gait.

She walked downstairs and followed the sounds of the heated argument.

"We need to get them where they're in unfamiliar territory," said Rowen.

Makoto walked into the room behind them and walked to the basket of fruit that sat by the sink.

"I agree, but I don't know if we can beat them! Makoto took a bad beating last night and we're down three other warriors!"

"I dished out pretty good too," commented Makoto dryly as she grabbed an apple.

Both young men in sub-subarmor swung around and looked at her in surprise.

"Good morning," she greeted, not smiling. "So what's the plan?"

"We're going to draw the warlords out into the open," said Rowen. "Fight them in our element, not theirs."

"If you're feeling well enough," put in Ryo quickly.

"Takes more than the likes of Kayura to beat me up," said Makoto with a smirk. "I'm in if it means I get a crack at Cale."

"Cale?" asked Ryo in surprise.

"Let's just say I owe him a few," said Makoto darkly.



Makoto sat silently in the back of Mia's jeep, listening to Yuli chatter to Ryo while Mia drove. Rowen merely stared out at the passing scenery, lost in his own thoughts. Makoto didn't blame him, things were happening so quickly.

The Ancient had appeared to them, only it hadn't been the Ancient, but Anubis, the former Warlord of Cruelty. He's taken the Ancient's place, having left Talpa's side. They'd demanded that he taken them to the Netherworld to help free their friends, only for him to admit that he couldn't.

Makoto had wanted to cry right then, but had remained hopeful that Anubis could find a way to get them there, even as he had promised he would.

'Sage. Hold out, please.' she sent out.

She was surprised when that plea was answered.

"He's a survivor. Don't worry," said Rowen softly.

"What?" whispered Makoto looking at him in surprise.

He blinked towards the trees and looked back at her.

"You just wished Sage well right?"

"Yeah, but no aloud" said Makoto in a low voice.

"That's something the armors let us do," said Rowen quietly. "We can talk to eachother like that sometimes."

White Blaze let out a low growl and Mia suddenly slammed her breaks, sending the car skidding in a 360. It stopped and Ryo, Rowen, and Makoto saw Kayura standing with the Star Swords in her hands.

"To Arms!" shouted Ryo, jumping out of the jeep with Makoto and Rowen close behind.

"Armor of Wildfire! Dao Jin!" shouted Ryo, and transformed.

"Armor of Strata! Dao Inoachi!" shouted Rowen, transforming next.

"Armor of Whirlwind! Dao Kibou!" shouted Makoto, following in her transformation.

"It's good to see you all again," said Kayura.

"To bad it'll be short lived," said Rowen sharply.

Kayura smirked and stood her ground as Ryo raised his katanas and connected them.

"Flare Up Now!"

The fire was shot at Kayura, but she dodged it easily.

"Arrow Shockwave!" shouted Rowen as he aimed his arrow at Kayura and fired the high energy attack at her.

She once again avoid it and Makoto began to run forward, raising her sword. Kayura raised hers and they clashed against Makoto's.

"Ready for a rematch?" asked Makoto of the older woman. "Or are you getting to old to give a good fight?"

Kayura's eyes narrowed and she began to attack more fervently. Makoto went on defensive and found herself flying away from a back kick from Kayura.

Ryo was up against Kayura a split moment later, dueling with his katanas against hers. Ryo backed away as Rowen shot another arrow.

Kayura evaded and leaped through the air to land before Rowen. He lifted his bow and blocked her swords as she swung them down upon him and then was thrown back as she kicked him away. Makoto ran to Kayura in one swift moment and knocked her away from Rowen as she'd pursued him, pressing her sword into Kayura's.

Ryo came up behind her and swiped downwards at her left arm, but she blocked with the sword in that hand, using the right to continue fighting Makoto. Ryo backed off as Kayura let out a surprising yell and Makoto was caught off guard as Kayura smashed her fist into her open face and then kicked her away forcefully.

Makoto landed on her back and Ryo and Rowen came up beside her.

"Star Sword Scream!" shouted Kayura, releasing her blast at slightly unprepared group with her swords.

Suddenly Anubis was before them with his staff raised. The staff glowed and the blast was redirected, creating a pillar of energy.

"Look out!" screamed Mia as the pillar moved forward towards the Ronins.

Makoto's widened and she prepared to run when she was engulfed along with the other Ronins.



Makoto stood agape, looking around the beautiful landscape around her.

"This can't be the Netherworld." she murmured in surprise.

"It has to be," said Rowen looking around in surprise.

Ryo couldn't speak, he was so taken the it's beauty.

"It's hard to believe anything so evil could live here," said Makoto softly.

"I know what you mean," agreed Ryo as they began to walk towards a large gate.

Ryo led them through and they paused once more, taken by the immense beauty of the land. Winds blew past and a feeling that Makoto had come to know well crept up her.

"Spirits," she murmured, looking around, while bringing her sword out from it's sheath at her hip.

Ryo and Rowen also tensed and they watched as winds swirled and darkened into a face.

"What are you?" demanded Ryo.

"We are the priest of the Netherworld." it answered.

"What do you want?" Ryo demanded further.

"We only ask for peace. We don't wish to see our land in war. Please, just enjoy the beauty of our lands."

"Peace nothing," said Rowen. "You've got our friends and we want them back."

"We'll fight the entire Dynasty army if we have too," said Ryo fiercely.

"So be it," said the face, and dispersed.

"How did you know?" asked Rowen as they moved onwards again.

"Sailor Mars is a Priestess. Some of her influence in supernatural had to rub off some way," joked Makoto lightly.

"No really," said Ryo, interested. "Do you have ESP like Sage?"

Makoto shook her head, "No. Just two and half years of fighting demons to other scouts."

"That long?" asked Rowen in surprise.

Makoto nodded and gazed at the sword in her hand.

"Gee," said Ryo, sympathetically. "Is there ever a break for you?"

Makoto gave him a half smile, "Not really. We just finished our largest battle a few moths ago."

"And they're all on vacation while your fighting again," said Rowen. "Sounds like you got the short end."

Makoto smiled, "No. I think the armor is worth it. Now I can say I'm stronger that Sailor Uranus."

Rowen snickered and Ryo laughed outright. Makoto wrinkled her brow and then blushed.

"Don't ever do that in her presence or she'd knock your head in." warned Makoto.

~ RYO WATCH OUT! ~

Ryo's eyes widened and he looked at Rowen and Makoto, who'd also heard it.

"They are alive!" exclaimed Makoto, her face breaking in a hopeful smile.

Ryo grinned and raised his katanas.

"Let's go get them!"

"Yeah!" shouted Makoto raising her sword.

"All right!" seconded Rowen, lifting his bow.

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