Well sorry this took so long. My life is yet again irrupted in chaos. Hopefully I will be able to get the next one out, but it will be a while. I have no time off in the next week and next weekend is no better. I will write on it every time I get an hour or two but who knows. For all you Makoto/Nathan and Rei/Jason…well you should enjoy this chapter.
~Ravyn~
Disclaimer: Stupid. Stupid. I no won. DUH/
Minako starred at the council in front of her. Her face was glowering and her eyes snapped with what could be only called pure out rage. After she had completed her bath -which had been interrupted to tell her of the meeting she was late to- she had found herself here.
And the rest of the Senshi was seated around her as they 'position' of importance were to the council. Minako considered it a series of bullshit but well the council had to have their 'Leader'. As far as she was concerned she carried only a slight advantage over the Senshi, and she knew that it was that factor which kept her hear.
Rei would have been her choice if she could have railed in that temper, but it was the temper that made her Mars. Right now all they could do was pester the Fire Senshi about her latest transformation. Rei's only outward sign of anger was the slight twitching of her lips.
Makoto -undoubtedly the strongest- when she was set onto an idea was so single minded that it would get the troops killed. That was the only reason -besides the fact that she hated tactics- that she was not in charge.
Ami simple did not have the backbone it took to face down the armies with the full responsibilities of their lives. It was one thing to come up with the tactics that could kill or save lives…it was another to have to have make those decisions with a superior telling you weather they were good or not.
And she, Minako, was the only option left. She kept her head when mad, as she was know, and used the anger to full her strength not weaken her logistics. She would rather it be her nightmares than her friends that were haunted by the screams of nameless shoulders asking why. Rei's dreams were chaotic enough. Ami barely got the sleep needed and Makoto was so sensitive behind her wall.
So that was why she was sitting next to Serenity and praying Mars would keep her cool. The faint throb of anger pulsing in her mind was not giving her the hope that she would.
They were attempting to explain that they were going to have to move out sooner than thought -tonight if possible- and the council would have none of it. All they could talk about was what there stuck up their ass noses could think of.
Rei slammed her hands on the table in on swift movement, conveying the swiftness of the dragon she directed. " Listen, I do not know how I transformed…. besides the point that I was supremely PISSED OFF. Now you are taking me to the boiling point and I am more than willing to give you a personal lesson. Now shut up and sit down before it gets a little hot in here. ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE?" Rei finished her voice raising above the natural tone of voice.
Everyone, including Serenity, winced and snapped their jaw -some had been hanging in shock- shut. Minako took charge of the silence with the air of superiority.
" Now, Zavier, do we have what we need to move out tonight or the next day?" Minako questioned as she stood to her full height her posture daring anyone to question her authority.
" Yes…there are a few things that need to be finished -such as transportation and so on- but we should be able to move at the latest in two days."
Minako nodded and looked at the council. " Any objections?" They all shook their heads and remained silent -possible the combined glares of Mars and Jupiter leaving them slightly tongues tied- their expressions solemn.
Serenity quickly adjourned the meeting before anyone could say anything to object. After the council had left Minako dropped her head on the table and repeatedly banged her head on the table.
" So…Minako…" There was a slight snicker to Zavier's voice and Minako mentally groaned. " Did you get to finish that bath?"
Minako slowly looked at the smirking General and noticed that Jason was giggling so hard that he had slide from his chair. Nathan had simply laughed putting his head on the table. Artemis slicked back recognizing the look in her eyes.
" Huh?" Rei questioned. Her expression looked at Jason with a slightly dangerous look that belayed the calm expression on her face.
" Bath?" Minako said slowly her eyes snapping although she kept her tone calm. Kris just shook his head at Zavier's stupidity.
" Since you seem to have such a fascination for them, Zavier," Minako drawled, " Why don't you swim a few laps around the lake? And when you get done…I think Makoto don't you have a few Wrestling tips you picked off that big guy you wanted to practice on someone? Ami, did you know Zavier volunteered to be you guinea pig? And Zavier Kris tells me you getting a little slow on counter stroked, so want to work with me on it?" Minako growled, her voice dropping with each punishment, each would have sent a recruit home in tears. Zavier just gulped and sent pleading eyes to Kris who refused to meet his eyes.
Zavier groaned and slammed his head down.
~*~
Beryl looked over at her hoard of armies and smirked. She was going to send that little brat packing and take Endymion for herself. There was no way that she was going to win this battle. Not when she was so confidante.
The only small thorn in her side was the rumor that Mars had somehow transformed into something far more powerful than anything they had ever done before.
Well that was impossible. If Ianna could have boosted up a level then she would have. The rumors about how Chad died were simply that, rumors. Ianna was bright, she loathed evening giving her that, but she refused to except the fact that she could have anything else.
Beryl looked over the grounds as her yoma trained with the Vampire armies. The yoma would keep the pesky Senshi busy while she killed Ianna. Hopefully they would also ware the Senshi down.
Beryl looked at the golden crystal that hummed in her room and sighed with frustration. They had found it and moved it up here, but it seemed to refuse to allow her to touch its power. She would use it against those annoying Senshi. She would.
~*~
Makoto Heaved the pole and balanced the weight of the water logged tarp and felt the water pour into her eyes. She could barely make out Rei's violent cursing as she tried to pound the pole into the ground. The mud was causing her to slip even as she applied force to the mallet she was using.
Makoto felt the weight taken off her shoulders as Rei and her succeeded in keeping the tent up. Rei looked up and groaned. Makoto felt her lips twitch as Rei shoved a muddy and particular soggy strained of hair out of her face. Her glare warned Makoto to shut up.
While her friends were miserable -as she herself was as well- there was something about braving it out in the harsh conditions that caused her heart to pump and her adrenaline to race through her body. She loved to battle the elements and most importantly…win.
The loud cursing from Minako's department was enough to cause Rei to pull and exasperated breath. In these conditions Rei and Ami were popular bunkmates. Ami kept the cold out and Rei could warm the clothes and keep the fire going. She herself was pretty much guaranteeing that you would not get hit by lighting.
Makoto and Rei walked forward and she agilely moved forward to catch the smaller woman from doing a face dive into the mud. They had somehow managed to get Serenity safely in her tent before the storm had hit -if not she would be having a heart attack- and they now had to put there own tents up.
Rei and Makoto were camping together so that Rei could relay all the information to Makoto that Minako had. Makoto had the hardest time with the mental accepts of the part of being Senshi. Makoto believed that she more than made up for it on the battlefield with her quick instincts -and temper- that kept her and the others alive.
Several hours later they were all still slightly damp and sitting inside the intimate conditioned tent with Serenity, Endymion, and the annoying Generals. Of course there was no way she was going to think Nathan annoying in private, but it was best if he thought so.
Minako was curled into Kris' side and wrapped in his cloak. Her face was relaxed as she sipped the hot chocolate that Serenity had handed out. Everyone was tired and it was quite only interrupted by the soft sounds of sipping.
Rei ran a hand through her hair and sighed. The couples in the room were a stark reminder that she and Jason were not. Her eyes planted on the steaming cup in front of her was the only think that keep her from staring at the man across form her. She had made the mistake of looking at him after had come in and had liked what she had seen.
The water and ran off his chest and the hair on his head slightly curled at the ends. The water clung to his lashes and the wet shirt stood out in relief.
Rei almost growled but caught it at the last second. Rei forced her body to relax and smiled and Serenity with all the friendship she had been missing. For with her memories also came a best friend. Images of schemes and tricks the two had come up with but a flush back into her cheeks. Rei managed to keep her gaze away from Jason.
Sometime hours later Rei snuggled into her sleeping bag and let the waking world slip from her vision. Makoto watched with a smile as the brunette fell back asleep.
Makoto slipped outside and looked at the cloud-covered sky and sighed. Now the only thing missing….
" Don't you know you could catch a cold?" A low voice mummered somewhere to her left. Makoto turned around and smiled at the tall man who leaned against the tree. The ran had stopped for a short time and he appeared to be taking advantage of it. Of course she was to.
" Yes…did someone forget to send you the memo?" Makoto teased back.
Nathan smiled as he walked up to her and just stood there. The look on his face-highlighted by the lamps around the tents- was gentle. Makoto was taken by the fact that he was even better looking now, his face having added character instead of lines.
" You should try to get some sleep." He mummered to her. Something in his voice told her something.
" I know." Makoto mummered. But how did you tell a man that you could not sleep because you were in love with him? Something in her expression must have tipped him off because he turned her to him and searched her face.
Makoto looked back, her own gaze searching, and her heart must have found what it was looking for because of the smile that slowly bloomed on her face. Nathan leaned down -only a few inches- and brushed his lips with hers.
Makoto relished the feeling of his lips on hers and when he tried to pull away she calmly slide her arms around his neck and pulled him as close as she could. She felt his arms wrap around her waist. Makoto sighed mentally.
A moan and the sound of Rei tossing and turning inside the tent broke them up and Makoto rested her head on his shoulder. " She has been having nightmares for a few days." Makoto grumbled, not at all happy about loosing the feeling of his lips on hers.
Nathan returned the sigh before his eyes glinted. " I know something that always helped her sleep." He mummered in her ear and the note of mischief in his voice caused her to pull her head up.
" What?" Makoto asked her tone suspicious.
" Jason." He answered; his eyes laughing at what she knew was a shocked expression. Makoto bit her lip and was about to say no way in hell when Rei thrashed and groaned again.
" Fine." Makoto mummered. " I am worried about her and if can help then great. I don't think she has gotten more than two hours the past three days. When she is not sleeping or eating she is meditating."
~*~
Rei woke up barley surpresing a scream. Terror clawed at her throat and caused her breathing to come in heaves. Sobs threatened but Rei shoved them down as far as she could. The tears that were glinting on her cheeks-results of the dream- were enough to make her feel ill.
The dream had come again. This time it was even more vivid and the heartbreak she had felt in her dream resonated in her soul. Her pressed her hands to her mouth and she closed her eyes in attempt to keep them in. There was no need to wake Makoto.
She was completely startled when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist and she was pulled up against a hard, muscled, and flat chest. Rei gave a startled gasp and looked up. It turned out to be a mistake. The pure compassion, understanding, and love that radiated from the eyes that locked hers caused her to loose the slight hold on her emotions that she had.
Rei buried her head in his chest and sobbed. The only sound that was heard was the slight heaving of her breath. Rei had always cried silently and it always tore his heart to shreds. Jason rocked Rei silently and shushed her, even as her hands fisted in his shirt.
A few minuets after it started it ended, as abrupt and startling in its intensity -to begin and quit- as the woman he held in his arms. Rei just allowed herself to be held and silently hiccuped once in a while. Lack of sleep and exhaustion adding to the sensations that tortured her dreams.
Jason tipped her chin and looked into her eyes. They were dull and filled with the pain she had never allowed the world to see. It broke his heart to see her that way. The fire that normally showed in her endless gaze was hidden in a cloud of pain, confusion, and misunderstandings.
Jason sighed as he ran his hand over her cheeks erasing the tears that glinted there. How long had he wanted her here, in his arms, and safe from the world? How long had he wanted the opportunity to be Jason with no more games, no more hot glances and intense tempers? No more running, just him and the woman he loved.
It was probably not the best time to be telling a women he loved her, not the best time to kiss the fire out of a person, and not the best time to wish to just hold her. But Jason soon found himself doing all three.
The surprise he felt when he heard her mumble to words back, the three little words that completed his soul and made him whole. The moment she wrapped her firm arms around his neck. The moment when he realized that he had her back, Jason sighed and was content.
