The Nine Kingdoms

by Aldsvider

Makoto is living her peaceful life on the shores of Enlil. Until one night she is caught up in a maelstrom of events that will change not only her own fate, but that of the Nine Kingdoms as well. Pairings include: Makoto Minako, Rei Usagi, Haruka Michiru.

6. Chapter 6: Lady Tiamat

4-11-06

Chapter 6: Lady Tiamat

Minako's voice filled the starry night, as all gathered to listen beneath a cloudless sky. Moonlight shining upon the large ship as it drifted soundless through the still waters. Nowhere in the Nine Kingdoms would one be able to find a more beautiful voice, and after hearing the sweet melody it was likely to be something remembered for the rest of your days. It was a slow song, about lovers meeting in the late hours of the night, finding comfort in each others' arms. It was a sad ballad as well. As upon the death of one lover, the other could not go on living, and thus, killed herself in an attempt to put an end to her own misery.

Minako continued to sing as her audience dwindled gradually, retreating to their cabins for the night. Her soft song lulling them to sleep. At one point, Makoto sat up from her spot on the deck where she'd been lying with her arms behind her head for some time, just as engrossed in the tune as everyone else had been. Looking around, she noticed that it was now only she, Usagi, and Rei who occupied the deck.

Makoto had a lot of time to think these past few hours, and quite a bit to think about. Earlier, she'd been sent to find the Captain by Minako and, upon finding the woman, stumbled into an interesting conversation. After hearing almost everything that Usagi and Rei had discussed, she was left dumbfounded at first. However, her shock dwindled after some thought, for she had expected that something big was going down, so this shouldn't be so surprising. Thinking on it had given her mixed feelings. She knew that Haruka was trying to capture Lady Suen to protect Enlil, but did she really believe that it was right? Was she so totally under her father's control now? Makoto never wanted to get involved in this type of stuff, but if Haruka needed help, she should have told her. Makoto was confused as to why Haruka had allowed Usagi to be locked up like that. Haruka just wasn't the type of woman to allow it. Then again, Makoto had seen the worry in Haruka's eyes that night, the night she helped Usagi escape. There had been so much doubt in her eyes. Maybe, subconsciously, Makoto had done it for Haruka in some way. She'd just felt the need to help the girl, to protect her.

But why? Usagi was nothing to Makoto. There was no reward in helping a captive flee from your best friend. Nothing good had come of it at all. Still, Haruka was coming after them. Whether she knew of Makoto's betrayal by now or not, she was going to get Usagi back. She had to for the sake of Enlil, and Haruka wouldn't let her people down. She remembered Rei mentioning Ami in her plan. Had Ami then joined their side? Would she tell Haruka of the plan? Then a thought even worse entered her mind. Was Ami Haruka's enemy? No, Makoto could not even consider that. They had all been friends for years. Ami had more sense than them both put together. Ami was wise beyond her years, and knew what to do with such information. She would not make a rash move. Their plan wasn't exactly a bad thing, but it was utterly impossible! There was no way Ami would join them on such a ridiculous goose chase. Finding the Four Horsemen? The world is a huge place, and there wasn't enough time, nor did they have the manpower. The King of Enyo would have all of their heads before the year's end, and probably Makoto's too if she wasn't careful. What idiots. She let her eyes travel over to where Minako was. What a waste. She looked away. 'Why am I trying to convince myself anyway?'

Minako. What was her secret? It was another thing bothering her. She'd been unable to catch the low conversation between Usagi and Rei about Minako, and the curiosity was eating her up. 'What is she hiding?' Makoto looked towards Minako again, and found the blonde smiling at her. Makoto looked elsewhere quickly. She just couldn't bring herself to look at Minako for too long. At first, she'd ignored the way her eyes always found Minako on deck. Then she'd put a stop to going out of her way to cross paths with the blonde. Finally, it occurred to her that she was continuously seeking Minako out, wanting to just look at her, or be near her. It was weird. She had unconsciously been carrying out these actions, and she hoped the other woman hadn't noticed before she did. Well, it was only looking after all. Nothing wrong with that.

Still, she felt frustrated. Like she was having withdraws or something stupid like that when she wasn't near Minako. Why? Hell if she knew. It wasn't as if she needed to be around the woman. It would have been so much damn easier to ignore Minako if she had turned out to be a spoiled, annoying bitch,...but she wasn't. She could be a tad annoying sometimes, and seemed to always be nosey, but Makoto found those traits endearing in a way that frightened her. It would be so much easier to ignore Minako if she didn't have so many amazing qualities. If she didn't have that beautiful, long, golden hair, and those clear blue eyes that seemed to make her smile ten times as powerful. 'If her eyebrows didn't arch the way they did when she was teasing you, to make your thoughts wander to what other circumstances that same expression would be so much more delightful under. What would her soft tan skin look like by candlelight? How might it feel by candlelight? Would her slim body fit perfectly against your own? And that voice! How much more lovely would it sound repeating your name in the throes of passion? Makoto. Makoto. Makoto–'

"Makoto?" The voice she imagined was suddenly real, and very close to her. Makoto jumped at the touch on her shoulder and caught herself before she fell over. She looked at Minako, who was crouched next to her. She bore a concerned look and studied Makoto closely. Makoto could feel her face burning with embarrassment. 'Am I blushing?' She thought in disbelief. Without really thinking, she reached up and touched her own face. 'Well, imagine that. I didn't even know that I could.' She then looked back at Minako, who was grinning. 'What are you so happy about?' Makoto grumbled inwardly. Then a thought hit her. 'What if her secret is that she can read minds!'; a very stupid thought, one might add. Makoto tried to maintain a calm and serious expression as she looked Minako in the eye. 'Can you read my mind?' She tried to concentrate on Minako's eyes, but was startled when the blonde leaned forward, which caused Makoto in turn to lean back, away from Minako. At this point gravity took the whole situation out of her hands, or, that is, her elblow slipped on the well-polished deck, landing Makoto flat on her back in a rather painful reminder that one law was still firmly in place aboard this ship. Makoto groaned in response to the pain shooting down her back.

"Are you constipated?" Minako asked casually.

Makoto sputtered dumbly, not knowing where in hell that came from, "W-What kind of question is that?"

Minako laughed at her reaction, "I'm just teasing you," she said, "which is surprisingly easy to do."

'And that's what I'm afraid of.' Makoto thought, spreading her arms out on the deck and looking at the blonde who was now almost hovering over her. Minako's hair came to rest over Makoto's abdomen, and she swallowed, feeling its weight across on her skin through the thin material of the tunic she wore. Makoto relaxed her entire body, not minding the simple touch. Closing her eyes, she could feel Minako's presence near her and smell her fresh, clean scent.

"I've been wondering," came Minako's voice, "what are we going to do with you when the wind returns?"

Makoto opened her eyes and smiled. "Send me back to Haruka? String me up to dangle from the rigging? Or maybe you could make me walk the plank."

"Come on now, it's not that bad on this ship. It's a rather pleasant atmosphere once you get used to it."

Makoto didn't agree. "I don't like being surrounded by water night and day."

"But you work on ships." Minako countered.

"On land," she stressed, "I work on ships on land. That doesn't mean that I want to be on one for months upon months."

"But we'll be making many stops, and we may even be on land weeks at a time."

Makoto was still doubtful. "I'm not very fond of traveling. I like to stay in one place, which I can't say that I've succeeded in that very well so far in my life."

"Well, get used to it." Minako said finally. "Worrying will do no good. Try to look at the positive side."

"There is one? Quite the optimist."

"I try. Anyway, right now I'm trying to at least give you a choice of what duty you'd like to be given next. Maybe I could suggest it to Rei."

"I wouldn't like to be given any duty next." She replied.

Minako persisted. "Well then, I'll just throw you in the kitchens. That should be fine." She was waiting for Makoto to protest.

"Fine." Makoto wasn't up for it.

"That's it? You don't care?"

"Why should I care? It doesn't matter where I'm put next. I'm still not gonna like it." Makoto sat up. "Why are you trying to give me a choice anyway?"

"Well, you've worked hard, and hard work deserves some sort of reward," Minako said in confusion.

"That's the reward?" Makoto asked flatly.

"What would you rather have?"

Makoto thought for a few seconds before she finally said the first thing that flew into her mind. "Bedding you wouldn't be so bad." Maybe that was a bit much?

Minako immediately frowned, and Makoto suddenly wished she had settled for a kiss or something far tamer. She watched as the blonde's face took on several expressions of annoyance and finally settled back into the initial frown. Makoto looked around, wondering how to get out of this situation that she'd jumped headfirst into. Minako seemed to be fishing for something to say as well. She found it before Makoto did.

"You know, the first time, I blamed it on the dus–," here she cut herself off, then started again, confusing Makoto in the process. "I blamed it on the fact that you were drunk. But now I see that even sober you are just as bad. I'll not make that mistake again." She went to stand, but Makoto was up before she was.

"I'm not really sure what you're talking about. Since I must have been too far gone at the time, and I can't remember anything that happened before I woke up in that room in chains, but," Makoto gave her a stern look, "I'll have you know, that I am a young woman in the prime of her life. I like what I like, and I want what I want. I have desires, just like you do."

Minako rolled her eyes as Makoto walked past her to leave. As she passed the blonde she said lowly, "And besides, nothing can stop me from looking." 'Not even myself, evidently,' she thought in surrender as her eyes moved over the blonde once more.

Minako glared at her, and Makoto looked elsewhere, her eyes landing on Rei, who now sat alone with a scowl on her face. "Somebody's not happy," She jerked her thumb in Rei's direction, diverting Minako's attention for a moment. Taking advantage of the distraction, she whisked by the blonde and headed to the relative safety of the lower deck.

-+-+-+-+-+

Minako glared after Makoto, but was curious about Rei's change in mood as well. She'd been quite pleasant earlie. And Minako had observed that she and Lady Suen had been getting along well it seemed. Where was the Lady now though? Minako had a hunch that she left the deck in a bad temper, and she would bet her whole Kingdom that Rei's actions or words had put her in that state.

Minako blew out a frustrated sigh and plodded over to sit next to the Captain. "So, what did you do now?" She asked expectantly.

Rei donned a defensive expression. "What makes you think that I did anything?"

"Because your attempts to hide your emotions from me are about equivalent to trying to hide a horse behind a thimble."

Rei said nothing.

"Come on, tell me what's wrong."

"You won't be able to help."

"Since when are you clairvoyant?"

Rei huffed. "Fine! Gods forbid that I should keep my problem to myself."

"Glad that you understand."

"She is being difficult," Rei said abruptly, hugging her knees in a childish gesture.

"I thought that you two were getting along fine. What happened?" Minako asked.

"She won't take my room." Rei growled. "I told her that I'd be fine sleeping in one of the other cabins, but she just wouldn't agree to it."

"Well, you did say that you'd treat her as an equal."

"Yes, but regardless of that, she is still a gently bred lady. You can't just throw her in any old cabin. She nearly made me have a stroke when she suggested that we share the room."

Minako raised her brows and cocked her head to one side. "And what would be wrong with that?"

Rei turned to her, incredulous. "Everything! In Bellona, sharing one's bed with another is a sign of great intimacy. Even if you merely sleep in the same bed. It also shows extreme trust, for you are lying with someone in your most vulnerable state. I have never shared my bed with anyone." Rei was very animate in her explanation, making Minako want to giggle at the sight of her.

"Does she know that?" Minako asked with mirth.

Rei paused in her fuming and seemed to think about it. "No, actually I don't think that she does."

"There you have it then," Minako slapped Rei on the back, thinking that all was right again.

It wasn't. "You can't be serious, Minako. I wouldn't do that to her. Even if she doesn't know, could you imagine the embarrassment if she were to find out? Mine and her's? And what of everyone else?"

"What of everyone else, Rei?" Minako interrupted. "You're the Captain. On this ship, your word is law. What should it matter what the crew thinks about who you sleep with?"

"Don't say it like that," Rei hissed.

"All you're doing is sleeping. Unless of course, you don't trust yourself to keep your hands off of our little Princess." Minako nudged Rei playfully with her shoulder and tried to get Rei to look at her.

Rei glared at Minako from the corner of her eye, but as Minako continued to smile, Rei soon joined her. Rei shook her head and leaned against Minako's shoulder, letting out a short laugh. "Such a stupid thing to fight about. Why am I wasting my time worrying about it? Here we are in the middle of a fight amongst gods and forces of evil so strong that we are fools to even consider challenging them. There is danger at every turn, and death may await us on the horizon..." Rei trailed off.

"And here you are worrying about who's going to be lying next to you when you sleep tonight. I think that you should be worrying more about protecting her life than her reputation." She watched Rei's face for a reaction, receiving none. "But that is such an endearing quality about you. It's very cute."

That did get a reaction. Rei turned to her, eye wide with shock. "Cute!" she almost squeaked. "Do not associate that word with me." Rei stood abruptly from the deck, as though putting distance between Minako and herself would give the word less power. She marched away, towards the stairs. "I am the Goddess of War. War is not cute, and neither is fire."

Minako snickered and dealt her another blow. "Oh come on Rei, just sleep with her!" She practically shouted this, a hand beside her mouth for projection.

Rei glanced around the empty deck in a frenzy. Coming to the conclusion that they were indeed the only ones who could have heard the statement, she growled at Minako, "Would you shut up! Don't say it like that, and definitely not so loud!"

"You really shouldn't make a face like that. It could end up stuck that way." She grinned.

Rei made an extremely rude gesture in Minako's direction then stomped off the deck and out of sight.

"I certainly hope that you won't be touching Usagi with those dirty hands!" She shouted after her, laughing when she got a reply of curses. She was going to say something about that dirty mouth as well, but decided against it, figuring that even Rei had a limit to how much teasing she could take.

-+-+-+-+-+

A week later, and there was still no wind. Makoto had gone about her duties with no complaint at all. By this point, she was almost fitting in with the rest of the crew. Almost. No matter how Minako looked at it, Makoto obviously didn't fit in. To look at her, you would think that she was a runaway noble herself, Minako mused one evening when a sweaty Makoto came up from her shift below deck. 'She just doesn't fit in with the crew, but neither did she belong in that shipyard either.' She watched Makoto lift her arm to run it across her sweat soaked bangs. She'd taken to wearing sleeveless tunics, rendering them that way by tearing the sleeves off herself. She used part of one sleeve as a makeshift headband, and reaching up now, she untied it and shoved it in one pocket. They'd given her enough clothes to keep her comfortable enough. The clothes were no better or worse than what the rest of the crew wore.

Makoto walked across the deck and sat down unceremoniously in the corner made between the starboard and the half deck. She leaned forward on her knees and closed her eyes tiredly. Minako was about to walk over to see how she'd been fairing this past week, but was surprised to see a few of the crew members move to sit with Makoto. First, it was just two women, who sat down on either side of her. One tapped her on the shoulder, and Makoto, opening one eye, looked at her with some amusement. Minako was just close enough to hear them.

"Can I help you with something?" asked Makoto.

"I doubt you could help anyone in your condition," the red headed woman giggled.

"Yeah," the other said, "What happened to your relief? He didn't come in mid afternoon."

"Really? I hardly noticed," Makoto said sarcastically. "Nah, it's just that he's sick or something. I saw him yesterday, and I'd have to agree. He doesn't look too great."

"We never thought he looked too great to begin with," one of them joked.

"Lately, though, the spot where he used to sit has been a lot easier to look at. Much easier on the eyes, I'd say," she said suggestively.

Makoto closed her eyes again, still leaning on her knees. "Hm, he's a pretty nice guy, don't say anything too bad about him, eh?"

They looked at each other over Makoto's back and smiled, "Sorry then," one apologized, "Tell you what, anything you need, you just ask us."

The other bent down next to Makoto and said a little lower, almost so low that Minako couldn't hear her, "And we mean anything, okay?"

They waited a moment, and she didn't answer, then one poked her in the side lightly. "Huh?" Makoto lifted her head a little. "Oh, ...um...I dozed off there for a bit, sorry."

"Is this bunch keeping you awake?" Another woman joined them, sitting on the deck in front of Makoto. Minako recognized her as one of the prettier women among the crew, and her long emerald hair was now blocking Minako's view of Makoto. "You really should let her rest. We all saw how hard she worked today." The three laughed conspiratorially.

"Um, could you move just a little to your right? That way a little?" Makoto's voice broke through the laughter as she motioned to the woman sitting in front of her. With a confused look, she did as she was told. Minako could now see Makoto again, and their eyes met for just an instance before Makoto looked down, "I just don't like feeling closed in is all," she said to the women around her, but it felt like this statement was directed more toward Minako herself.

"Oh, sorry then, I'll remember that." The woman's smile never faltered.

Makoto smiled back and closed her eyes again. One of the younger men in the crew joined them then, and they all talked amongst themselves. Sometimes coaxing a response from Makoto every now and then.

Minako sighed in exhaustion, shifting her weight to her other foot. She'd been standing around for an hour or so, observing the crew, and being bored out of her mind. She hadn't gotten much time to herself lately, and it was making her restless. Between worrying about Haruka on their heals and keeping Lady Suen comfortable, she was becoming totally worn out. It was mostly due to the fact that she exerted her powers so much lately. She'd never had to do this back home on such a regular basis. Keeping a sense of harmony among the crew was one of her main priorities, and what made her so valuable to Rei. If the crew was happy and content, then things ran smoothly. Rei didn't need petty fights and squabbling to interfere with her mission, and it made life on the ship a lot easier for everyone all around. No one, of course, knew that they had a third Goddess watching over them, except Rei and now Lady Suen.

Minako looked over to the corner where the group was still talking, and noticed that Makoto wasn't with them anymore. More alert now, she looked around her, and found that the brunette was walking towards her. When their eyes met, Makoto gave her a little half smile and came to stand next to her. "I'm the one who's been rowing all day, but why are you the one who looks like she needs rest?" She asked tiredly.

Minako shrugged, "We've got a lot on our plate right now. You know, complications."

She nodded, "By 'we', I'm assuming you mean you and the Captain."

Minako heard the annoyance in her voice and smiled. "Yes. The Captain and I. Problem?"

"No. No problem, just wondering." She was silent, but it was a short lived silence. "I was under the impression that the two of you were joined at the hip, but I haven't seen much of her around lately."

Minako found it humorous that Makoto hadn't seen much of Rei lately, since she was around quite a lot. She was correct, however, in saying that Rei wasn't around Minako a lot, which made her question exactly where Makoto's eyes spent most of their time. She grinned and decided to tease her, "Well, we've never been joined, Rei and I."

Makoto's head tilted a little, "Hm?"

"At the hip. We aren't joined at the hip." Minako looked up at Makoto innocently. "We don't spend all our time together. Why would we?"

"Well, I dunno. None of my business if you did anyway." Makoto was tapping the deck with one bare foot, her arms crossed.

"You seem to be getting along nicely with the crew," she motioned toward the group in the corner.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that." Makoto avoided looking over at the group, and the emerald haired woman who was stealing glances at her.

"You have an admirer," Minako grinned wickedly.

"Heh," Makoto's short laugh was a bit agitated, "Really?"

"Really." Minako taunted. "I'm sure that she wouldn't mind an evening with you, though, I doubt you're up for it."

Makoto frowned. "Who says I'd have her?"

"Just a thought," Minako defended.

"Yeah, well, keep em to yourself..." Makoto trailed off muttering under her breath, while Minako looked over at the emerald-haired woman who was no longer watching them.

"There's no rule against it aboard this ship, just so you know."

"What are you going on about?" Makoto said hastily, not looking at Minako.

"Well, I know how you have your wants and desires and all..." Minako said sarcastically.

Makoto huffed and rolled her eyes, "Will you just drop that already. I said something stupid and I'm sorry. Shouldn't you be more worried about what Haruka is going to do when she finds all of you. She'll tear this ship to pieces."

Minako put on a cocky grin and proceeded to reply to Makoto's challenging statement. "Well, Haruka will have to catch up with us to even try it, and I don't see any sign of that woman, nor do I expect to any time soon. We should be reaching land by tomorrow anyway." She waited for Makoto's answer, watching her auburn hair whip around her face and shoulders in the light wind, the smile on her face reaching her green eyes. She was so intent on studying Makoto's face that she almost didn't notice the obvious. Yes, the wind was blowing Makoto's beautiful auburn hair into her face. Around them the crew cheered, as they had also noticed the wind's return.

A smile spread across Makoto's tired face as she looked back at Minako, "Hm, should we take this as a sign?" she stretched her arms behind her head, sighing, "Thank you Haruka, you've answered my prayers." She laughed at the ironic statement. "No more rowing for me my friend."

Minako bit her lip and knitted her brows together in disappointment. "Well then, remember our conversation from last week. Hm?"

Makoto continued smiling, "Which one was that?"

"The one in which we decided where you would be placed when the wind came back," said Minako, in a bothered tone.

Makoto was looking around with that same smile on her face. "We decided? Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter where you put me. Anything is bound to be better than rowing." Here, she stretched again. "Am I to start in the morning then?"

Minako nodded, "The head cook will show you what to do. And don't be too surprised by the size of the kitchen, it's quite larger than what you'd usually find on a ship."

"Very little surprises me anymore." Makoto said confidently and turned to go, when a small object flew straight at her, startling the tall woman and causing her to jump back. "What the hell!" She yelled, as a small owl fluttered in the air before her. She stared, her mouth partially open. Getting her bearings, she quickly reached into her pocket, procuring the cloth she'd tucked into it earlier. She swiftly wrapped it around her extended arm for the little owl to land on. It took the invitation and alighted immediately. The owl's flapping stopped when it was steadily perched on her arm, relaxing and cheerfully hooting at Makoto.

Minako came up close behind Makoto, wearing a triumphant expression, and looked around her shoulder at the bird. "Hm, that is very little, isn't it?"

Makoto laughed lightly with mild embarrassment. "Yeah, she's really tiny."

"She? How do you know that it's a girl?"

Makoto shrugged, "Um, I know a bit about birds..."

Minako was suspicious, but said nothing more. She watched Makoto reach out and stroke the bird gently with the backs of her fingers, taking care not to touch its wings. The bird seemed to like Makoto a lot, almost as if it knew her... Minako noticed something hanging from the owl's leg and pointed it out to Makoto.

"Wonder what it is," Makoto said, slipping it off of the owl's leg. When Makoto went to inspect the object, Minako coughed, holding out her hand. Makoto frowned, but handed it to her, and went back to stroking the owl. Turning it over in her hand, Minako found that it was a tube of the sort used to hold letters. She'd heard of them, but never actually seen one before, never having communicated via a winged messenger. She located the latch that released the end of the tube, and slid her fingers in, feeling cold metal at first until she encountered another object, this one rougher. Pulling it out, she held a piece of parchment in her slender fingers. She was just unfolding it, when she was interrupted by someone coughing. Looking up, her eyes met those of Rei's. Rei's hand was extended toward her expectantly. Minako frowned, but handed her the parchment anyway. She glanced at Makoto, who she could have swore was trying to restrain herself from laughing.

Rei held the message, not reading it. She was looking warily between Makoto and the owl.

Minako arched one eyebrow, giving Rei a questioning look, but Rei ignored her.

Makoto glanced at Rei, noticing her attention. "Haruka won't be too far from us now. She's given the wind back, so she must be pretty confident that she can catch up to you."

"I've yet to see a faster ship than this one. Your friend is foolish."

"She's a foolish wind goddess then. Think you can make it to safety in time? To Enki?"

Rei's eyes narrowed slightly, then returned to normal. "You were listening then... Not that it matters if you know or not, but you have only complicated things for yourself. I can't let you off of this ship until our mission is complete now."

Makoto didn't seem affected by this news. "I'll leave when I see fit, and I don't think that you'll be able to stop me, oh goddess of Fire." She shot Rei a challenging glare.

"Try me." Rei met her challenge.

Minako was becoming annoyed with this. "Will you two shut up. I wanna know what the note says." They turned to her at the same time. Both wearing looks of mild chagrin. Then Makoto looked at the owl, and Rei down at the parchment in her hand. She was reading it to herself, while Minako tapped her foot impatiently. Makoto began walking around a bit on the deck, not exactly pacing, but sort of looking around. Minako was about to ask what she was doing, when Rei sighed, letting her hand fall to her side. "It's a request to peacefully hand Lady Suen over. If we don't, she's threatening to acquire her through means of force." She paused, looking over at the owl, and the disappointment was evident in her voice as she went on, "well, looks like we'll have to tell Haruka that we've got her friend."

Makoto started and came closer to the two. She regarded Rei, "Now, you didn't really think that Ami would side with your ilk, did you?" She grinned. "Ami's a lot smarter than that. She's from much better blood than you too. I've never had any use for a Bellonaen."

In happened in a instant. Rei swung at Makoto, her fist swiftly flying through the air at the taller woman's face. Minako watched in surprise as Makoto intercepted Rei's fist, inches from her face, holding it back. Makoto's grin stayed. "What's wrong? Can't you handle a mortal?"

Rei's eyes flashed with anger, turning red in color, and Minako knew what was going to happen if she didn't do something. Suddenly, Makoto jumped back, away from Rei. She was holding the hand that blocked Rei's fist moments before. "Shit," she breathed, "That stings." She looked back up at Rei. "Had to resort to fighting with fire, huh? No fair." Opening her hand up, she held it out to inspect. The inside was very red; Rei had burned her hand mildly.

"Rei!" Minako chastised her. "Quit reacting as a child would!" Rei continued to glare at Makoto, and Makoto glared back, her eyes alight with something that frightened Minako.

Rei cast her gaze around the deck at the lingering crew members. "Everyone to their rooms, now!" She barked the order at them. The crew cleared the deck faster than Minako had ever known them to. Minako, Rei, and Makoto were soon the only ones left. Minako thanked the ancestors that Lady Suen was already in bed, and not here to witness this.

"You aren't normal," Rei said calmly, watching Makoto closely. "Who are you really?"

Makoto laughed, an eerie sound in the night air. "Who am I? You know...I really couldn't tell you."

Rei arched one eyebrow, "And you speak of 'my ilk', when you won't even tell of your own? Are you that embarrassed?"

Minako couldn't be sure what Rei was trying to do. She knew, though, that Makoto was acting differently now, and that Rei must have realized it as well. Makoto had a pained expression, sweat glistened on her skin, and her breathing was heavy. "Shut up," She said forcefully, the laughter gone from her voice.

"You stink of blood," Rei continued, her voice calmer now, "You are covered in it."

Minako looked over at Rei in surprise, wondering why she hadn't told her about this aspect of Makoto before.

"I can think of few who would kill so many. Maybe that is why you're Haruka's friend. You're just like her, aren't you?"

Makoto's breathing was more strained now, she had one hand over her stomach, "Don't speak badly of Haruka. You've got no idea what you're talking about, so don't assume that you know so much. You're just as blind as the rest of them. Besides, you're one to talk." Makoto shot Rei a hostile look. "Daughter of the War God. I don't believe for one second that you are so innocent. Just because you're a goddess..."

"I have never denied my guilt! I have accepted it, and I will accept any punishment that is forthcoming. There is no running from my past, but I can change my future and the future of this land. This, I promised myself and my friends. It is the least that I can do for the crimes I have committed against mortals..."

Minako was watching Makoto as Rei finished speaking. The owl, that had startled earlier in Makoto and Rei's small fight, was now resting on her shoulder, close to her face. Makoto's body shook for a moment and she closed her eyes hard and held her breath. 'What is she doing?' Minako wondered, watching her body finally relax. The brunette fell weakly to the deck, catching herself with her hands. She let out one long breath. "Shit, I...give up."

Rei looked over at Minako in confusion at Makoto's statement. Minako shrugged and waited for Makoto to continue.

Looking up at Rei, Makoto said, "I'll help you."

"What!" Rei asked incredulously.

"Just know that you'll most likely fail. The chances of accomplishing what you're setting out to do are very slim. I find it hard to believe that you actually think you may have a chance of succeeding."

"What concern is it of yours?" Rei snarled angrily. "And what makes you think we need your help at all?"

"What it is to me is my own business, and I have my own reasons for the decision I'm about to make. I can't make you accept my help and I won't ask you to trust me. Just tell me this. Can you so easily kill your own father?"

Rei didn't even blink. "He is evil, and I will do what I must to stop him."

"I hope, for your sake, that you can."

Rei drew her brows together and frowned, but said nothing.

Makoto pushed herself up from one knee and stood rather unsteadily before them. Minako took a worried step forward, but stopped, not completely sure that Makoto was all herself yet.

"I have to help you. It's none of your concern why," Rei opened her mouth to interrupt, but Minako elbowed her, as Makoto continued, "You can kill me whenever you want because I will not betray my friend, Haruka, nor let any harm come to her."

Rei looked at Minako in annoyance. "Is she serious?"

Makoto took the owl from her shoulder and smiled sadly at it. "I can't do it anymore." She spoke to the owl, not to them. "I cannot express the depths of my regret in what I did to you by aiding her, but I saw it in your eyes, and somewhere within me, I knew this was what you wanted. I hope that you will not think less of me for my actions now. Somehow, through this, I will set you free. As you once did for me my friend. Even if you hate me now, I'm going to do this for both of us." Here she stopped and stole a glance at the two of them again. Then she went on in a more subdued voice to the owl. "It's become more difficult lately, harder than we thought. This shouldn't be your burden, or anyone else's anymore. Just know, that I'm joining them for a good reason. You know me, and I want you to trust me. So, until we meet again, don't worry about me. Do what you feel you have to do."

She lifted her arm in the air for the little owl to take flight, "Guess I'll see ya around." The small bird hesitated for but a moment, and then took to the air, disappearing into the evening sky.

Rei was already beside Makoto, who was looking crestfallen. "What the hell did you do that for? I needed to send a response."

"She heard it all. Don't worry."

"WHAT!" Rei yelled, looking back into the sky after the small bird.

"That was Ami's owl..."

"You mean Lady Matise. I already knew that."

"Ami shares a deep connection with her owl, Omni. She sees through her eyes and hears with her ears. If she so chooses, she can share that connection with others as well. Others, like Haruka."

Rei suddenly looked ill as she remembered exactly what Ami's roll had been in her plans. The fact that she was Haruka's friend only now sinking in. The implications nearly drowning her hopes. "Then, Haruka knows of my plans now. She'll probably have traps laid out everywhere. Ambushes, armies lying in wait. Shit..."

Minako felt her heart beating more rapidly, just thinking of the possibilities as Rei was. If Haruka knew of their plans, then she would have told her father, and then that would be the end of them. But then, how would they have already gotten this far? Getting the princess back and evading Haruka to this extent?

"No, you don't have to worry about Ami. She's smart, and is most likely already on your side. She and her mother will take any opportunity to bring down your father, as you had guessed. I doubt, though, that she ever tried to talk to Haruka about it, for her loyalty still lies with her father. Maybe Ami came to Enlil with hopes of telling her and was pulled into this mess. There are many reasons that she wouldn't share this kind of information with either of us before now."

"That's what you call friends?" Minako found herself asking. She felt a small droplet of water hit her face and looked up. It was starting to rain, but lightly.

"As I said, we have our reasons. We do trust each other, but there are complications. Things that can't be controlled."

"Why are you so important to Haruka?" Minako couldn't help but ask another question.

Makoto looked a little surprised. "Well, we've known each other for a long time. She is very important to me."

"How important?" Minako found herself unable to tear her gaze from Makoto's sad eyes. She held her breath, waiting for the answer.

"Enough questions already Minako!" Rei's voice barked, making her jump and causing her to frown at the woman. "I have some problems with this whole scenario that I'd like cleared up right now."

"What is going on up here?" A gentle voice floated through the evening air and steady rain.

They all at once looked to the stairs of the deck, where Usagi now stood, staring at them in puzzlement.

Rei and Makoto looked back at each other, then away. Minako decided to take the initiative. "We were just clearing up a few misunderstandings is all. Something very good has happened too!"

Usagi's brows rose in question.

"Makoto has decided to help us with our mission, she's not a hostage anymore!"

"Now, that's not final yet!" Rei's sharp voice interceded. "I've still got a thing or two to say about it. Quit taking things upon yourself Minako!"

"This is wonderful, Makoto!" Usagi was smiling. It was one of the only times that Minako had seen her smile since she boarded the ship. She was quite pretty when she smiled that way. "So you told her, and she thought it was a great idea as well?" She looked to Rei, who was still fuming. "You are absolutely brilliant, Rei!"

Rei's consternation seemed to crumble in the face of that statement. She froze, looking back at Usagi for a long moment, not speaking. Then, very abruptly she slipped back into her irritated composure and, glaring one last time at Makoto, she stormed past Usagi and down the stairs to the deck below. Usagi was left in confusion. She looked at the other two. Makoto was still staring at the deck, and Minako found herself staring at Makoto. The rain was falling faster now. If they stayed out here any longer they would be soaked.

"Makoto?" Usagi pulled on Makoto's arm, shaking the woman from her thoughts. "Come below deck, or you will get soaked."

I should have done that, Minako thought bitterly to herself.

Makoto made to go with Usagi, but stopped and looked over at Minako. "Come on," she motioned. "We need to get out of this rain." Minako followed, feeling the warm rain slide down her skin, tasting it on her tongue. It was salty, like the sea. Or tears maybe. When she'd looked at Makoto's face, she almost thought that the woman was crying, but it was just the rain. Her eyes were so sad for some reason. Then it hit Minako. Makoto had been talking to Haruka, right? And if she figured correctly, by Makoto's words to that owl, she had said goodbye to her best friend. She basically told Haruka that she may never see her again.

Staring at Makoto's back, Minako followed them below deck, and through the narrow halls. Minako was confused as to where they were going at first, but soon realized that it was to her own room. Usagi stopped before her door and turned to Minako. "Could you please take care of her from here, I am going to go check on the Captain." She seemed worried as he spoke which concerned Minako a bit, but she nodded anyway. Usagi smiled and turned back to Makoto, who wore a listless expression. She put a hand to Makoto's cheek, gaining her attention. "I am not sure what is wrong, but I am sure that things will work out. I know that you are tired, and you should get some rest. Try talking to Minako about what is bothering you. It does help to talk about things." She removed her hand and turned to go. "Goodnight to you both." Minako gave a small bow and Makoto remained passive, leaning against the wall now. They lingered in the hall until Usagi was gone.

Minako let her eyes fall on Makoto's tired form. The woman must have been close to collapsing after such a long day of working and then all of this mess on top of it. Minako reached out and took her arm, leading her into the room. Once inside, she left Makoto standing near the doorway, and went to find something to take care of the burn on her hand. Minako's room wasn't as extravagant as Rei's, but it was still superior to most other rooms on the ship. Unlike the others, she had a full bed with a feather mattress and pillows, along with sheets of silk. Her wardrobe stood in one corner, and a large mirror took up space in the other. A circular rug of gold and blue, bearing a radial design of a sun covered most of the floor. The walls held a few tapestries, none of which she was very attached to, though they were quite beautiful.

No, the one thing she was most fond of in here was the painting of a desert that covered the southern wall of her room, right across from the side of her bed. It was the first thing that greeted her when she awoke each morning. And it was not just any desert, it was her homeland. Smooth dunes of sand sloping under the hot sun, the wind warm and inviting. A view that she would see from the balcony of her room in the Palace. She so hoped that she would see it again. The painting had been a gift from one of her brothers, created by his own hands. It made her ache for home, where she was surely missed. She couldn't bare to think of how her father had taken the news of her absence. She was sure that the rest of the family would comfort him. He would have no shortage of company, for she had a large family. Six brothers and four sisters. Her father was husband to four wives, but it was Minako's mother whom he loved the most. He never said this, but all could tell that it was true. It was a strange and foreign idea to Minako. She would never understand this idea of having but one lover? How could anyone, god or mortal, be satisfied with one? She shook herself mentally, trying to gather her straying thoughts back to the task at hand. She cast her eyes back to the doorway, only to find Makoto gone. Looking around, she spotted her. She was lying on Minako's bed, propped up on one elbow, looking at the painting that Minako had just been thinking about. Minako came to stand next to the bed, holding some bandages and a bottle in one hand. She handed Makoto a towel with the other, for her to dry off with.

"You're from Assur, aren't you?" Makoto's voice sounded as tired as she looked.

"Yes, how did you know?"

Makoto sat up as Minako took a place on the bed next to her. "Haruka would tell me stories of her travels sometimes. A while back they had to make an emergency stop in Assur. She went inland while repairs were being made to her ship. She told me of the deserts, and about the ships that sail through oceans of sand. It's hot, the sun is blazing, and the sky is orange." She looked at Minako and smiled. "I'm sorry. Am I making you homesick?"

Minako shook her head. "It's alright. You just describe it so well, I felt like I was back on one of those ships for a moment there. Haruka must be quite the story teller."

"Not near as entertaining a one as you," Makoto said as Minako took her hand to inspect it.

Minako tilted her head down a bit more as to hide the small blush she felt creep onto her face. It was a sincere compliment from someone other than her family, which she did not get often. "I usually sing for my family back home. I've never really preformed for anyone else before."

"You're a wonderful bard. I'd like to hear more from you in the future."

"It'll be a long trip, so I'm sure that you will." Minako looked closely at Makoto's hand, noticing that the burns were not as bad as she had thought they would be. "Strange," she said, almost to herself.

"Hm?" Makoto asked.

"Rei must not have been too mad. Your burns aren't very serious at all. I'd thought it would be worse." Minako was puzzled.

Makoto flexed her hand a little. "Huh, imagine that. Might as well bandage it up anyway though, eh."

Minako nodded, and Makoto went on, changing the subject rather rapidly. "Is it true that the sun never sets in Assur?"

Minako unrolled the bandages she held. "Oh, it does set. It just doesn't seem like it to foreigners. And it's only true for part of Assur, that would include the part I live in. The sky turns a dark orange at night, just enough for the stars to be seen and for shapes on the horizon to become silhouetted. It is as sunset would be on Enlil, as I have seen one now, but it stays that way for the entirety of the night, and then the sun rises again in the morning. Oh, and the nights are longer than the days. I had actually never seen a real night sky until I began traveling with Rei."

"Sounds great. I love sunsets. Let's hope that I can visit your homeland in the future." Makoto's voice was hopeful, as though she really did want to.

"Alright, I will be your guide when you do." She was bandaging Makoto's hand now as silence fell between them.

When she finished, Makoto flexed her hand again. "It doesn't bother me that much now you know."

"Well, the burns weren't that bad."

"No. I mean...leaving home. It wasn't exactly my home to begin with."

"Oh." Minako looked away from Makoto, wondering why she was saying this all of a sudden.

"She told me to talk to you."

"Hm?"

"Usagi."

"Are you saying this because she told you to, or because you want to?" Minako asked, feeling a bit agitated.

"I can't say for sure. I feel like I want to do what she says, no matter what it is." Makoto knitted her brows in confusion, holding her injured hand and staring at the bed sheet. "I feel a need to protect her, but I have no idea why."

Minako found herself smiling inwardly. There was something about Usagi that made one want to protect her. Maybe it was the fact that she was their future Queen, and maybe it was just that she seemed so damn helpless sometimes. Either way, yes, Minako had felt it too.

"You're not the only one. Rei and I feel it as well. She's going to save us all, and we need to give her that chance, where others will try to stop her."

"I want to save Haruka too." Makoto said suddenly.

"Save her? Is she in danger?" Minako asked, confused.

Makoto shook her head. "Haruka has always been confined. No matter how far she ventures from Enlil, no matter where she goes, her father's iron grip is about her. She's never truly free. If we can do this, though. If we can stop your Captain's father, then it will free not only Haruka, but the King of Enlil as well. That is, if he is not already too far gone."

"I know that we can do this, and I am sure that Haruka will still be your friend when this is all over." Minako added.

Makoto nodded. "I made this decision on my own. It's time that I started paying back everything that I owe. I technically have no right to decide what is done with my life anymore. It was selfish of me to think that I might make a life of my own in Enlil."

Why was she talking like that? It almost made Minako mad to hear those words. "What is that supposed to mean? You have every right to live a life of your own as the next person does. It's no more selfish than wanting to breath."

"Even that is something I should be denied." Makoto said flatly.

"Then why do you still live?" Minako challenged.

Makoto thought for a moment. "Because the gods weren't done playing with me." She fell back onto the bed, her hands folded across her stomach. "I'm not allowed to die yet."

Minako looked her over with a mixture of worry and curiosity. "Makoto...tell me about your past." It was a bold question, and she knew that she may be out of line asking it.

"No," was the firm reply. "It is not something that you would want to hear about. It is not something that anyone would want to hear about."

"But, I do."

Makoto shook her head and rolled onto her stomach, away from Minako. "I'm sorry, but the answer is still no."

Minako let out a frustrated sigh, and pulled her arms around her own legs on the bed.

Makoto looked back at her, an annoyed expression on her face. "Just so that you don't feel betrayed or fooled later, I will tell you this. Even if it makes you hate me, I am still going to help you people." She looked away and continued. "I'm a murderer."

Minako had figured as much from Rei's words above deck, but she said nothing.

"I'm a horrible person and I have done things that you could not imagine. I'm someone that you might come to hate in the future."

Minako was surprised at this self-incrimination Makoto was displaying. It was one thing to say that she was a murderer, but that last bit was just a tad ridiculous. And there was another thing that was definitely wrong with what Makoto was saying. "Don't you mean 'were'?"

Makoto turned to her, wanting further explanation.

"You say that you are these things. Don't you mean that you were?"

Makoto shrugged, neither denying or confirming her question. "Either way, don't feel betrayed later on when we run across my past, because we're gonna, I guarantee. There are some things that you shouldn't know, things that your friend Rei should definitely not know. She may well destroy me if she did."

"I doubt that." Minako said firmly.

"I don't. If she's going against her father as she is, then I wouldn't stand a chance."

"What is it?" Minako asked in concern.

Makoto smiled at her curiosity. "Nope. I'm not telling, just like I don't think you'll tell me of your own secret." Her smile widened at the look of surprise Minako gave her.

"You forget, I was eavesdropping on the Captain and Lady Suen. Though, I didn't catch any of her talk about your secret, and I have to admit that it's struck my curiosity."

Minako quirked a smiled back at her, "Well then, we'll just keep our secrets I suppose."

"Mmhmm. So, now that that's settled, what say I do tell you at least a little tiny bit about the tamer part of my past, maybe as a bed time story eh." She rolled to the edge of the bed and motioned for Minako to lay on the other side. Minako gave her a suspicious look, not moving.

"I'm not going to try and take advantage of you, don't worry. It's a huge bed anyway, and I'm too tired." She stopped for a moment, seeming to rethink what she'd just said. "Well, actually, I don't think I'd ever be too tired for..." she trailed off at the accusing look Minako was giving her. "Do you wanna hear this or not?"

"Okay, okay." Minako gave up and fell onto the bed next to Makoto, adjusting her head comfortably against the pillow behind her.

Makoto then began, "Alright, so, here goes. I don't remember anything before twelve years ago, and I have no idea how old I am. For these past seven years, I've known Haruka. I will not tell you about those years."

Minako was shocked. "You don't remember? What do you mean? Did you have some sickness that caused you to forget?"

"I don't know that myself actually. I woke up one day in a small house owned by a farmer and his wife. I was alone, the only possession I had was my name, and I still don't know why I remembered that."

"What did you do?"

"I stayed with them. It was in Enlil, on the eastern shores, far away from An. While I lived there, I worked as a carpenter and apprentice boat wright, and soon found my way to ship wright's apprentice, 'cause I had a knack with it you see. For five years I was there, earning my living and helping my new family. They sort of adopted me." Makoto turned away from Minako a little, so that she was unable to see her face. "Then things changed. I did something...something very wrong. In the end, I had to go to An. That's where I met Haruka, and that's where the story stops."

"Quite a short story."

"More of a summary."

Minako nodded at Makoto's back. "It must have been hard for a child to do what you did. Take such responsibility."

It took a while for Makoto to answer. "I...wasn't a child."

Minako rolled onto her side, towards Makoto. "But you look to be around twenty-something now. That would make you a child or even a teenager twelve years ago." She stated this plainly, as though it were fact. She also remembered that Makoto had told her that she was twenty five and a half.

"I know how it sounds. I might be in my thirties now. I just look young is all. I had to guess my own age." Makoto rolled over to face Minako. "I'm probably older than you either way."

"I doubt that." Minako said before she could catch herself.

"What makes you say that?" Makoto asked tiredly, her eyes drooping slightly.

"Nothing really, if you don't know how old you are, there's no reason to compare." She cast around for a change of subject. "Why don't you just go to sleep now?"

Makoto looked down at the bed. "But I'm in your room."

"It's fine. You did say that it's a big bed. Just stay on that side and you should be fine."

"I should be fine?"

"Did you want a bit more of a threat?"

"No...that should be fine."

Minako smiled and scooted away, giving them both some distance. She saw that Makoto was still looking at her, eyes wide open. "What?" She asked.

"Aren't you going to change?" She sounded almost hopeful.

Minako smirked and answered. "I'll change in the morning."

"Hm. Something to look forward to."

"The only place you'll be looking is at a large kitchen. Don't forget your duties in the morning."

Makoto groaned and buried her face in a pillow.

"Goodnight Makoto."

"I'm sure it will be."

Minako just smiled and rolled over, trying to forget that there was another person in the bed with her. A person who was intriguing her more and more with each conversation, but who had better keep her hands to herself.

-+-+-+-+-+-+

Rei was a very complicated person. Usagi had come to that conclusion not long ago. She was an enigma that the young blonde could not figure out. As she lay watching her rest along side her, Usagi wondered if she ever would understand what burned behind those intense violet eyes. Usagi had finally managed to convince Rei to share the room with her if she wouldn't let her have her own. The brunette was just so stubborn in her refusal to allow her to stay in one of the other cabins. So, they negotiated. Rei would share her room until they reached Enki, at which time Rei would acquire the means to prepare another cabin aboard the ship for her, as she would have to do the same for Lady Tiamat as well.

Usagi didn't know what had transpired above deck before she arrived. It was obvious that Rei did not agree with it one bit, but the news that Makoto was no longer a hostage had made her so happy. She hoped that it was true. And the return of the wind meant that Makoto would not have to row anymore. She was very pleased about all of this, but for some reason she was still dissatisfied. And the origin of her displeasure lay beside her breathing steadily in the still darkness of the room.

Usagi's own breathing was not so steady. She wished that she knew what caused Rei to be so unhappy. For some reason, when this woman was sad, Usagi herself was affected. 'What is wrong with me?' She rolled over and found herself a bit closer to the warm body next to her. She stared at Rei's back. The thin black night shirt that she wore clung to the muscles there. Her hair was spread behind her and Usagi could just feel it brushing against her hand. She couldn't resist the urge she felt to touch it, so she let her fingers slip through the silky ebony strands, allowing it to fall gently from her grasp. She repeated this motion several times. 'Why does she fascinate me so?' Her mind wondered idly. Usagi saw that some of her own hair had managed to fall somewhere between them, overlaying Rei's dark tresses. 'Because, we are so different,' she thought, noting the contrast of the blonde and black. 'Yes, that is it. It is not so strange to wonder about something that you have no knowledge of.' Her hand was still touching Rei's hair, her eyes never leaving Rei's sleeping form. Gradually, sleep claimed her, and she dreamed. And, in her dreams, she still ran her fingers through Rei's beautiful long hair.

-+-+-+-+-+-+

Haruka smiled slyly as she stared at the small speck of land in the far distance. The Kingdom of Enki. For an average mortal to look across the ocean as she did now, there would be no land in sight. Not even a hint. Haruka's eyesight, however, was superior to any being of this world, and for good reason.

"Haruka, is this really wise?" Ami's uncertain voice came from behind her. Haruka was standing on the bow of the ship, arms crossed at her chest.

"Probably not, but I was never considered to be the wise one between us."

Ami's voice grew insistent. "If you are caught, they will surely destroy you."

"Then I will just have to make sure that I am not caught." She was being haughty now. When Haruka got this way, she was nigh invincible, or so she liked to think. There wasn't much to say now, after what she'd heard two nights ago from Makoto's own lips. Her friend was joining the enemy. At first, yes, she had been mad, almost furious. But then when she'd got to thinking on it, the furry eased, the anger dissipated. Now, she found that this was going to be quite a game for them. It had been so long since she and Makoto had played like this. Yes, it was to be a game. A game of war. What fun it would be moving there pieces against each other. Something like chess, she mused.

After hearing the whole explanation from Ami, of the conspiracy that was brewing between the heirs of the other Kingdoms, she found herself questioning many things. Was she to continue to pursue Lady Suen, armed with this knew knowledge? Inside her, she knew that it wasn't right, it wasn't just. Could such a small group, immortal or no, really stand against two of the most powerful gods in existence? Did they even stand a chance? Ami seemed to think so, but as long as Haruka stood by her father, there was nothing she could do. Haruka's loyalty was suddenly torn between her friends and her father. Makoto had chosen, but Haruka could not. Had Makoto felt that same need to protect Lady Suen, as she had? If Lady Suen really could stop the Horseman, wouldn't it be worth the risk? Haruka shook her head. She had seen the frail girl already, and the doubt overwhelmed her again. Still, if there was a chance, even the slightest, she might take it. Only if, that is, she saw proof. I need proof that you can do this. Give me a reason to protect you. I need a reason.

"I have never liked that look on you Haruka. It is a lot like the one Makoto uses, but scarier."

Haruka turned serious eyes on Ami. "Proof," she said abruptly.

Ami knitted her brows in question.

"I want some proof that this girl can do what everyone thinks she is so capable of, and I want to see one of these Horsemen for myself." Her voice was stern and demanding. "Until then, I will carry out my father's orders as given me. I will not trade my loyalty so easily over rumors and words." She turned back to the sea. "And quit smiling as if you have beaten me in a duel."

Ami bit her lip, trying not to let out the giggle that was forthcoming. That Haruka was even considering such a thing was victory enough. It was progress. Even if the others might think that such a thing as recruiting Haruka was impossible, and even unwelcome, she was still going to try. Having Haruka on their side would make them that much more powerful, and would be a heavy blow to the King of Enlil, one of their toughest obstacles. Makoto had already seen it; this was a way to free Haruka from her father. A way to take the darkness from her name, and make her the Goddess that she should be. Makoto might even see a little redemption for herself, though, Ami never did see why she blamed herself so much for the events of the past. Haruka's father was the one guiding the two of them back then. It was he that the blame should fall upon.

"I should be leaving now," Haruka's voice informed her. "The night is upon us, and do not worry, I will make sure that none see me. They do not even think that I would set foot upon this land anyway."

"One of your greatest enemies is Lady Tiamat. She hates you with a passion, with her whole being."

"A little harsh, is it not?"

"She thinks that you killed her mother. It is not something taken lightly."

Haruka sighed. "She is right to be angry then I suppose, but I have never even met her."

"Not many have, Haruka."

"She really needs to get out more." Haruka nodded and knelt, hands on the ground in front of her. "Either way, I am going to see if I can get anywhere near the Palace. Who knows, maybe I will be fortunate enough to snatch up Lady Suen while I am at it."

"Do not try anything so stupid. You are just taking stock of what they have. Manpower and so on. Try to find out as much as you can without approaching any of them."

"Fine, fine." Haruka took a breath and let it out. "Let me get ready here."

Ami nodded and watched Haruka as she glowed a dull gold in the moonlight. It lasted for an instant, no long than the blink of an eye. Ami looked upon her with admiration. Haruka in her true form, the form of the Wind Goddess. Light plate armor adorned her chest, a smoky black color, etched with intricate designs as golden as the bracers on her wrists and the circlet that was just visible through her wind tousled fall of sandy-blonde hair. She now wore dark leather boots upon her feet, and pants that matched the grey of her eyes. They were soft leather, and clung snugly to her long legs. And the one thing that completed her, were those wonderful wings folded against her back. They were as black as night, sparkles of gold dashed here and there. Gold at the tips of the glossy black feathers. Her father's wings had been completely black, but Haruka's were an oddity among their family. They seemed to have more gold in them every time she revealed them, though Haruka had denied the observation. Haruka had always wished that they were a complete glossy back as her father's, or even as pure white as her mother's had been. She was never proud of her wings, for no one in her ancestry had ever had such a strange coloration before her. Therefore, it was rare that she showed her true form to others. Ami couldn't help but think of how naive Haruka was by thinking so lowly of her form, but the woman never payed her compliments on her appearance any mind, replying that Ami was only saying what any friend would to another. Ami let it go, for one day someone would get it through Haruka's thick skull.

"Hmm, it is a nice night for flying." Haruka looked up at the sky in appraisal.

"Do not get to carried away with having fun. This is a mission, remember."

Haruka nodded. "I will see what I can find out, and be back before dawn." She looked at Ami for a long moment. "I meant what I said Ami. If you want to go ashore and join them, then I will not stop you, though, I have to say that it would not change my actions on the matter either. I am going to get Lady Suen, and even Makoto back. If I have to destroy a few gods or goddesses in the process, then so be it, but I am not apposed to you siding with them. It is your choice."

Ami smiled at Haruka and answered. "I am going to stay with you on this until the end. My mother would not let me leave you like this. It would not be right. As for who's side I am on...well, if they cannot manage to evade you, or you end up defeating them, then I doubt that they could have gone through with their entire plan to begin with. You already know my opinion on all of this, but I will help you as long as you need me. Both of us are a part of this now, whether we like it or not. It is just a matter of who is more determined, who has the most motivation and the strength to carry out their cause. Right now, I would say that they do."

"I have motivation aplenty, Ami." Haruka said forcefully. "I will show you my determination. I will even go into the heart of enemy territory." She gave a wicked smile and bolted onto the figurehead at the bow of the ship, then with a mock salute she launched herself into the air and spread those beautiful wings, ascending into the air as a silhouette against the starry, moonlit sky. Ami took one last look at the disappearing figure, wondering if her words might have been a mistake. Perhaps Haruka would get a bit too cocky now, and that usually led to error on her part. With a sigh, Ami headed below deck, to await Haruka's return in the morning. There was no doubt in her mind that Haruka would indeed return. It was just a matter of what havoc she may cause ashore, or what she might bring with her, that worried Ami.

-+-+-+-+

"We've been here for a day already. When will this woman see us, Rei?" Minako's voice was impatient in Makoto's ears as she stared ahead of her at the water dancing merrily in the blue and white stone fountain that was the center of the open courtyard. They had arrived at the Castle of Tiamat just yesterday morning, and this would be their second day behind these stone walls. It was rather boring waiting around as they were. Makoto had received a warm welcome, being that she was still a hostage, she'd even acquired her own escort, and it was two armed guards at that. Makoto felt a bit flattered that she was considered so dangerous. They followed her everywhere she went, which was restricted to a small area of the castle. Between Rei's constant watchfulness and the guards' obvious disdain of her, she couldn't find much of a reason to want a to take a leisurely stroll about the castle. So here she was, listening to Minako bicker at Rei about how tired she was of being held up in this castle all night and day.

"You can go outside, Minako. Nothing is keeping you in this castle." Rei replied stubbornly. "I am not going to rush Lady Tiamat if she is not ready."

"Aren't we wasting time here? We're just giving Haruka more time to set up whatever trap she may have for us. She might even be so bold as to try and come ashore to take Lady Suen."

"Didn't I tell you that Haruka doesn't lay traps." Makoto butted in.

"You stay out of this." Rei and Minako said in unison.

Makoto huffed and shrugged. 'Like they know so much about Haruka.' Really, she wanted to be out of this castle as much as they did, but for different reasons. And she wasn't so excited about meeting the future Queen of Tiamat, considering how her meeting with the previous Queen of Tiamat hadn't gone so well. Makoto's thoughts were straying to bad memories that she'd rather not revisit at the present time. Looking for a distraction, she got up from her seat on the stone bench and walked around the courtyard a bit, noting that her guards were now at a respectable distance since she was with Rei. She wasn't too fond of the Captain, and vice versa, but the woman did have a way of keeping things in line. There was no doubt that she didn't trust Makoto, and frankly, Makoto didn't care. As long as Lady Suen trusted her, then the Captain would have to deal with it. They'd come to some sort of unspoken agreement that kept them from strangling each other. Though, Rei was a goddess, and Makoto a mortal. She could pretty much figure out how any fight between the two would turn out. So, Makoto still bore the title of hostage in Rei's eyes, but Makoto wasn't going to give up so easily. She'd prove that she was serious about all of this, somehow.

Minako was still complaining as Makoto stepped up onto the fountain and proceeded to walk about its edge. "The ship has already been restocked and the crew is as ready as we are. What do you think is taking her so long?"

Rei looked at the ground. "I'm just as frustrated as you are, okay, but we are under her roof and in her land. Anyway, it was you who were complaining before about being tired of the sea, and now you want to get right back out there."

"I don't care about the damned sea, Rei, it just feels as if we are wasting precious time sitting around here. It makes me feel so, oh I don't know...so damn helpless." She looked over to where Makoto was now trying to keep her balance while walking the rim of the fountain. "Makoto! Get down from there before you hurt yourself!"

Makoto nearly did fall from the tone of Minako's voice, and Rei actually looked relieved for the distraction.

"Yes mother." Makoto said flatly and hopped down off of the fountain, and glaring at the guards who were snickering. Makoto felt angry at their laughing. Who were they to laugh at her? She could snap them like twigs if the urge struck her. They would not laugh at a warrior such as herself if she held a sword right now. Makoto stopped in her tracks. Since when did she start calling herself a warrior again? She shifted uneasily from foot to foot. Well, it was to be expected. They were going to face many dangers in the future, and it was almost certain that she would have to fight as well, if she was going to be of any help. But could she fight again? Could she control herself?

Footsteps to her right caught her attention. It was Usagi, her hair flowing loose behind her. She was dressed in a white gown and smiling giddily. "I just love it here!" She praised the castle, twirling with her arms spread wide. Makoto laughed at her childish innocence. It was so refreshing.

"Have you seen the other fountain? And there is a lake inside!"

"I think that would be the pool my Lady" Rei stated. She was smiling now.

"Pool? Ah, we do not have one of those back home. What is it used for? Are there fish in it?"

Makoto watched Rei give Minako a disbelieving look. Minako giggled and shrugged, motioning for Rei to explain. Before Rei could, though, Makoto took the conversation up. "It's really amazing Princess. The mermaids sleep in there."

Usagi's eyes went wide at that, and she clapped her hands over her mouth. "Really!" She squealed excitedly. "We must go back there at once! I wish to meet a mermaid." She was bouncing in place lightly on the balls of her feet, hands now clasped together under her chin, eyes on Makoto's grinning face. Makoto sputtered, trying not to laugh at such a display of gullibility, but she failed and ended up laughing out right, the sound echoing in the courtyard and making her dozing guards jump to attention. Usagi maintained her ear to ear smile and bounced over to Rei, taking her hand firmly.

"Rei, please, will you take me to see the mermaids?" Usagi's soulful eyes pleaded with the war goddess.

Rei looked disappointed and crestfallen at first, probably wishing that their really were mermaids in the pool, then she seemed to turn that reaction into anger and directed it at Makoto. "Don't tell her foolish things like that you half wit." Makoto gave Rei a smug smile and sat on the edge of the fountain, quite satisfied with herself.

Rei put a hand on Usagi's shoulder and tried to calm her down. The Moon goddess now held an expression of confusion. "Usagi, Makoto was just trying to fool you. The pool is a place where the Neptunian people swim for pleasure and exercise. It is like a lake in that way, just minus the plant and animal life." Her expression was one of consolation. She was trying her hardest not to upset Usagi. "Besides," she laughed, "there's no such thing as mermaids."

Usagi frowned the instant the words came out of Rei's mouth, and Minako murmured something that sounded like "Bad move," beside her.

Usagi stuttered, "But that's just...that's just..."

"A foolish and presumptuous statement." Another voice joined into the conversation. One that none of the room's occupants recognized. It was smooth and melodious, and maybe even a hint of amusement laced those words. Makoto looked up, surprised to see the woman standing across the courtyard. 'Not bad,' Makoto thought, letting her eyes travel over the woman's body mercilessly. Her long hair was the color of the sea, tied back to hang between her shoulder blades, her back bare. Eyes the color of midnight appraised all before her, and she held herself with grace as she walked elegantly across the stone-tiled courtyard. The light pouring in from above caused her blue dress to sparkle as it reflected off of the small silver flecks woven into the cloth. Anyone could tell that she was a well bred woman. She looked so delicate to Makoto, but at the same time she radiated such power that it made her stare all the more at the beautiful creature coming towards them. "Not bad at all," her mind echoed. Makoto's eyes lingered on curves that were well defined by the cloth that hugged her slim frame. Then, she let her gaze wander over to Minako, and she was a bit thunderstruck to find the blonde looking back at her with a slightly nettled expression on her face. 'What's she so pissed about? I got off the fountain, didn't I?' She frowned and looked away, feeling a teeny bit ashamed and not knowing why.

The enchanting woman stopped before Rei and Usagi, smiling at them both despite her words moments before. "Saying there is no such thing as Mermaids." She turned to Usagi. "I will have you know that there are Mermaids here in Enki. They live along the coast, and in the Lagoons. I speak with them quite often, though, their language is different from ours."

Usagi visibly brightened at her words, but Rei still looked a bit skeptical. "May I ask your name?"

"Certainly," the woman replied, inclining her head, "I am Princess Tiamat Michiru."

Rei smiled and sighed in relief, shooting Minako a look of triumph. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you Lady Tiamat," she bowed more deeply than Michiru had, and Minako rose to do the same. "I am Enyo Rei of Bellona, this is Suen Usagi of An," she motioned at Minako, "and this is Ish-" she stopped, coughing suddenly, then continued in a higher voice than normal, "this is Minako of Assur."

Michiru inclined her head again and beamed at them. "I hope that you did not mind waiting for so long. I had quite a bit to wrap up here these past few days."

"Not a problem at all. It is a wonderful castle my Lady."

"I think that calling me Michiru will be just fine if that is all right."

Rei nodded. "And you may call me Rei, or Captain. Whichever suites you."

"Call me Minako." Minako said in an unenthusiastic tone.

"I want you to call me Usagi, Michiru." Usagi said this with much fervor.

Michiru seemed amused with Usagi's enthusiasm. "I will do just that."

"When will you be ready to leave?" Minako said abruptly.

If Michiru noticed the tone, she didn't show it. "Tomorrow morning," she looked at Rei, "if that is all right with you Captain."

Rei nodded firmly, shooting a warning glare at Minako, which Makoto found funny. "Perfect." She agreed.

'So', Makoto thought, 'that's her. What an act she must be putting on right now.' There was no way that this woman was the true Lady Tiamat. Where was the fierce warrior that she had expected? The eyes burning with revenge and the eagerness to set off in search of her mother's murderer. Was she truly her mother's daughter? 'What a disappointment. Haruka has nothing to fear from her.' Just as she thought this, those midnight eyes turned on her.

"It seems that you have left someone out of the introductions." She said, looking towards Rei and Minako for an answer.

The two of them looked at each other, then at Makoto, and then back to Michiru. "Well," Rei began, "she-"

"She saved my life," Usagi's voice broke through the tension between the three, and they all looked at her.

Rei got her bearings and, her voice firm, she explained, "this is Makoto...of Enlil."

Michiru waited for more, her hands clasped loosely behind her back.

"She is Haruka's friend."

"Oh." Michiru's voice held no hint of what she thought of this development, but she did look at Makoto again. In a more analyzing way this time. Those eyes were a little different now. Yes, there was a fierceness to them. When Makoto met her gaze, she knew exactly how much Michiru hated Haruka. It was startling at first, but then Makoto could understand her anger. She didn't know any better after all.

Michiru's voice was lower this time when she spoke, and Makoto couldn't help but feel some sense of foreboding in the tone. "Captain Rei. I think it is time we had that talk about what you mentioned in your last letter,...now."

-+-+-+-+-+

Rei felt a certain tenseness in the air about her. Michiru had brought her to this room in order to have their talk, but excused herself upon entering, saying that she would return shortly. Rei walked about the room with much nervousness. There was a fire burning in an ample fire place in the far side of the room. The walls were a plain, dull red color, and there were no windows. It felt cramped and uncomfortable. Rei stood before the fire, watching the flames dance in their exotic way, drawing what little comfort she could from the warm glow.

Had Michiru changed her mind? Rei was not certain, but she thought she knew what Michiru was referring to when she'd reminded Rei of her last letter. In it, she had consented to Michiru that she would receive some sort of payment in gratitude for her help. They were to discuss it before they left. It was not something that had worried Rei at the time, for once she controlled her Kingdom, she would have ample funds to satisfy whatever price Michiru named. She had made it clear that it was Michiru's sole decision to make. What was she going to ask of her now? Might she ask for more than she could give? Maybe learning of Makoto's presence on the same ship caused her to raise her price? Even so, if that was what she had to pay, then she would have to concede, for Michiru was going to be a very powerful ally.

The door to the room opened abruptly, causing Rei to turn, startled by the noise. Michiru walked in, setting a stack of papers on a table that occupied the middle of the floor. With it, she had an inkwell and a quill. There was no doubt in Rei's mind when she observed this, that there would be some sort of contract made today. Whatever Michiru's price was, she would be sure to get it. The look on Michiru's face was calm but rigid as she arranged the objects.

"Does something displease you?" Rei asked.

Michiru did not look up as she answered, "Captain, though we have just met this day, I think you know plenty about the things that displease me."

"Haruka." Rei replied simply.

Michiru finally looked up, having finished what she was doing, and pulled a chair away from the table, seating herself. She indicated that Rei should do the same.

"It is the entire royalty of Enlil that I despise."

Rei nodded, not really knowing what to say to that.

"You know why I have brought you here?"

"Your price," Rei nodded again, "what will it be?"

Michiru smiled, not answering at first. "I had thought this over before you came, and I was completely ready to name it." She picked up a piece of parchment from the stack and handed it to Rei. "However, there have been some slight changes in my request. Only minor, nothing too great. I am sure that it is nothing you are too attached to." Rei wanted to sigh in relief when her eyes skimmed the document...at first. She had expected that Michiru would want any rights to taking Haruka as a prisoner (if that were at all possible), and some other miscellaneous agreements about trade and such, but the one thing that she would not have expected in a million years was the last request on the page. She frowned and looked up at Michiru, an incredulous expression on her features.

"You want Makoto?"

Michiru nodded. "Is this a problem?"

Rei opened her mouth to answer, but closed it before her words could come out. She looked at Michiru, then down at the paper. Was it a problem? Makoto was their hostage, but they didn't really need her anymore. If Michiru wanted the life of Haruka's friend, who was she to say no? They were going to gain a great ally, and lose some extra baggage. It was more of a blessing. Rei smiled, not really thinking much more on the matter.

"No. Not at all." She answered. "She has no papers, nor a family name. Technically, once she is off of Enlil, she has no rights and must abide by the laws of whatever Kingdom she lands in...or ship." Rei felt a weight lifting from her shoulders at the thought of getting rid of such a dangerous woman like Makoto. Just one more problem taken care of. "I even have a way of transferring her over to you legally. I don't think anyone will be able to question us on the matter."

Michiru looked pleased with all of this, and handed Rei several more pieces of parchment. "Well then, shall we get started?"

Rei took the quill from Michiru, and began signing the various documents. In the hour that passed, after the initial signing of the original contracts, Rei made one of her own. One that she tried not to feel any guilt over. It was necessary. She could think of a few people who might have something to say about it, but Rei was the Captain, this was her decision. Besides, after they had Michiru on their side, who would miss Makoto? She finished the last line of the contract and signed her name, then her seal. Looking over at Michiru, she slid the parchment over to the woman, who had sat quietly this whole time. "Sign here," Rei indicated on the parchment, "and she is yours."

Michiru took the quill from Rei and, after reading through the text, she added her own signature to the parchment. And with those few simple motions of the quill, Makoto belonged to the Kingdom of Tiamat.

Continued...