A/N: I'm not doing the laws anymore. I'm too bogged down with work, and thankfully it doesn't detract from the story. I am, however, going back to England on April 3rd to see my partners again for a month! WOOOOT! Love all y'all for reading this fic.

Warning: ...Y'all know what's up. Nothing horrible in this chapter. Aside from AGGRESSIVE NOTE PASSING. And stuff.

With love,
Korrupted.

Disclaimer: Still don't own Sailor Moon.


Rei could count on one hand the chance of success Minako's plan had, and still have all five fingers left over. She could foresee, however, Minako failing horrifically due to her own ability to generate bad luck.

"Okay, I have everything ready." Minako stated, looking over the bar, Elizabeth rolling her eyes. "Sound stone, and prompt sheets." She looked through small scraps of paper she had jotted down conversation ideas onto. "Now, all we need is for Makoto to come down early enough that we aren't open."

"I have that." Rei offered, trying to hide her skeptical smile. "Give me five minutes, and she'll be here."

She turned and gracefully walked off, going up the stairs to Makoto's room to knock at the door.

"Come in!" She heard the slave call out.

Rei opened the door and stepped in as Makoto finished lacing up her boots.

"Rei, nice to see you here. What's up?"

The former miko shrugged absently. "Minako is thinking up some sort of idiotic idea. Not sure what, but you should probably go and watch her."

"Jakli's spear. Not again." Makoto sighed and briskly walked out, huffing slightly. "She needs constant supervision, I swear!"

Rei followed at a sedated pace, listening to the mutters and curses that the taller woman slung under her breath. This was going to be good.

Makoto swiftly marched towards the unsuspecting blonde just as she moved to sit on the bar, arms folded under her bust. "Mina, what in the name of the GODS are you doing?"

Minako was so shocked by the sudden voice of Makoto that she squeaked and her momentum carried her too far. Her rear slid clear off the bar and with a thud, she hit the floor, Elizabeth roaring with laughter. In a flash, a now blushing Minako was back on her feet, looking flustered as she tried to collect herself. "Mako! Oh, ummm... What a pleasant surprise! EEEEKKKK!"

She tried to place her palm on the counter to take her weight, missing altogether and falling on her face as Elizabeth began to cry from how hard she was laughing. Again, Minako sprang back up and tried to play it off as if it never happened, leaning on the counter. "H-how are you doing?"

Makoto looked torn between worried, suspicious, and confused, taking a slow step closer. "I'm just fine. Your lip is bleeding though."

Minako wiped her hand across her mouth to see a small trail of crimson left on the pale skin, trying to salvage this entire situation. "That? Totally nothing."

"Uh-huh... Mina, are you feeling alright?"

"Yep! Totally fine!"

Makoto arched her eyebrow questioningly. "Riiiight. What are you plotting, Mina?"

"I'm not plotting!" She denied, her face burning at being caught.

"You're not, huh?"

Arianna poked her head out of the kitchen. "Mako? Great, I need your help in here!"

"Coming!" Makoto called back, stalking off to the cook.

Minako whined and pouted at her utter failure, Elizabeth struggling to control her breathing and tears as she used the bar for support as she howled and roared with laughter.

Well, this was off to a great start.


Haruka sat with her feet propped up on a chair beside her, arms crossed as she watched Makoto like a hawk. The auburn haired woman sat at her own table as well, scanning the room; which admittedly, Haruka was supposed to be doing as well. However she still had to unearth just who her friend had a crush on. And since Michi wasn't around to occupy her time, she had plenty of time to get into trouble with.

Hotaru and Diana both rushed food back from the kitchen to patrons, both trying to make themselves as useful as possible the other workers. Luna and Setsuna kept a very firm eye on the two children, ready to throw out anyone who dare touch them.

Haruka snapped her fingers and motioned for Hotaru to come over when she had delivered a plate to a noble woman who sat with Ami, the girl grinning as she skipped over. "Give this to Mako." The guard handed over a slip of paper to her. "Don't read it, okay?"

"Okay!" Hotaru beamed to her, skipping over to the slave happily to hand her the notes. "Mako, this is for you."

Curiously, Makoto accepted the note with a nod of thanks, opening it as the girl skipped off to the kitchens once more to read the simple message.

'Is it Luna?'

Instantly she glared at the blonde, motioning over to Diana as she passed by. "Hey, kiddo. Could you get me paper, ink, and a quill?" She questioned.

"Yeah, sure!"

Off the girl went to fetch the items, Makoto inwardly seething. Why couldn't Haruka just leave her the hell alone? It had been five days, for Hieldar's sake! The moment Diana returned, she knew exactly what to write, and within minutes sent her back over.

Haruka arched an eyebrow at the grinning child as the paper was handed over, curiously opening it.

'No. And if you don't stop, my boot will be up your ass.'

"Hotaru?" Haruka summoned once again, jotting down another note to send her off with.

'You sure it's not Rei? I really think you two would be great when you get like this.'

Makoto exhaled hard through her nose before motioning to Diana.

'I swear to the GODS, Ruka. I will hurt you.'

'So, is that a yes or no?'

Haruka suddenly felt a wad of paper hit her head and bounce off, glaring at a livid Makoto as she found the note turned projectile.

'NO.'

'What about Krista?'

Another wad pelted her face.

'NO.'

'Arianna? You two getting some kitchen magic on in there?'

Makoto stood up, clearly furious, and walked past Haruka, throwing her paper directly down the blonde's tunic, the guard scrambling to retrieve it.

'NOT A DAMN CHANCE. GOOD NIGHT YOU DAMN ASSHOLE.'

Haruka watched the woman storm off, pouting at still not having an answer to her mystery. This was getting harder than she thought to get the truth from her friend.


Max watched as Ranait wiped away the blood from her mouth, the trembling in the young girl's hand unsettling at best. As much as she was improving at dealing with both the steadily increasing power that was pulsed through her and the aftermath, Max still hated watching her charge suffer so.

There was not a word from the advisers, which greatly disturbed her for many reasons, and as such Ranait had not been out of her sight in weeks. The brothel could sense the tension from her, but her concern was for the girl before her more than any profit she could gain. Nothing could change that she deeply cared for Ranait, nor that she loved her queen, but deep inside the two different loves she had for them needed to be closely examined.

"Max?" Ranait's voice was vaguely hoarse. "Shall we go downstairs? I want t'sing t'night."

Max smiled warmly, nodding. "Of course, Renny. But, first I want to ask something of you."

Obediently, Ranait sat on the bed, watching her guardian curiously.

"You know that you must remain a virgin for the Queen. However, I don't think that you being a virgin has a damn thing to do with being the Beacon. So, when you are twenty, I will..." Max took in a deep breath. "If you want, I will also see you through your virgin night. Do you... Would you want that?"

Ranait stood dumbly for several seconds, unsure of what to say to the offer. Max was offering everything her heart desired to her, and woodenly she nodded without thinking.

"It's settled then. I'll see you down stairs, Renny."

With a tender kiss to her forehead, Max left her to herself, Ranait scolding herself internally for agreeing. Yes, she would sleep with Max at twenty. But was it out of love, or pity that she would have her first time? Max had the Queen, she had the love of her life. There was nothing that she could possibly offer her, and the thought of them sleeping together meaning nothing was almost too painful to think about.

Max had taught her that she was worth far more than empty words; all of the women were, regardless of their chosen profession. Ranait didn't want to sleep with her if Max didn't love her back, she could let herself be hurt by that.

She wouldn't.


"Good, good! You're really great at this, Mina." Makoto praised as they danced smoothly, grinning widely.

Minako was entirely too excited at the idea of them getting measured for the ball tomorrow, wishing that she could explain away the warm glow in her heart each time Makoto touched her. She was falling so hard for her friend, and she still had yet to woo her. Each attempt had been a more terrific disaster than the last, and now the ball was looming far too close to be trying to help Makoto fall in love with her.

A knock on the door halted the two of them, both turning to see Magistrate Gareth watching them with a bemused smirk. "Well, Madam Aino. I never thought I would ever see you dancing so well. One would think a nobleman had taught you, not a simple slave."

Minako felt Makoto stiffen her posture, moving subtly to stand between her old flame and her current. "What can I do to help you, Magistrate?" Her tone was vaguely sharp, her eyes hard.

"I have things to discuss with you." He stepped closer, waving absently at Makoto in a dismissive gesture. "Leave us, slave Makoto."

Makoto instantly bristled. "Anything you have to say to her, you sure as hell can say in front of me."

Grey blue eyes narrowed in seething fury. "Don't you dare be insolent with me, slave."

Makoto stepped between them purposefully. "Or what? You'll have me whipped publicly for a crime I didn't commit?"

Gareth seemed to lose his temper at long last. "Why you insolent little cur!"

Minako could only move in slow motion as Gareth slapped Makoto, a deep rage bubbling up as she shoved him back and slapped him across his face in return. However, when the furious man raised his hand to her, Makoto twisted his arm viciously behind his back, shoving him over a table.

"Now you listen to me, you IDIOTIC man." Makoto snarled at him. "Hit me, beat me, use the scourge on me, that's fine. I've dealt with worse than you could EVER do to me." She twisted his arm higher, listening to him grunt in pain. "But if you ever touch Minako, I swear to Jakli that you will never know anything like the pain I will show you."

When she released him, Gareth turned to see a trail of blood slide down Makoto s chin from a split lip as she watched him with pure hate in her eyes, his own teeth bared. "Minako! Your slave attacked me!" He shouted, holding his sore arm.

However, she merely glared at him. "After you struck her and attempted to strike me."

"She was insolent!"

"Makoto is concerned for my wellbeing. She has kept me safe, and I trust her. Anything needed to be said to me, can be said in front of me."

Gareth growled low in his throat, but snapped out, "I wish to purchase your services, Madam Aino."

Minako watched as Makoto tensed up to lunge at her old client, holding up her hand to halt her attack. "I no longer take patrons, Magistrate. If you seek a companion, one of my girls should be happy to be of service."

He shook his head angrily. "No. I want you. One thousand gold kogis for one night, Madam Aino."

"I told you, I don't take patrons anymore."

He took a step closer, watching Makoto carefully. "Minako, just... One night. Please."

Again, the woman had to decline. "I'm sorry, but no amount of gold will change my mind. I will bed who I choose, and gold will no longer be the factor. Good day, Magistrate."

Gareth once again exploded in fury. "Do you think yourself better than the others, now that you're the madam? Is that it?! You're still no better than the other whores here!"

Minako had to jump onto Makoto to keep her from strangling Gareth. "You BASTARD! Whore or not, these women choose who they take! And you stay away from them all!"

With a final huff and growl, Gareth turned on his heel and stormed out, leaving Minako to calm the raging slave.

"Mako, Mako! Calm down, please! He's gone!" She urged, waiting for her friend to calm enough.

The moment she could, Makoto wiped her mouth. "Bagiyah." She hurled at the door Gareth had left through.

"Here, come here and let me look at it." Her master urged gently.

Makoto obediently shuffled over, letting the vaguely calloused hands touch her face as she did all she could to suppress a blush. The expression she found on Minako's face was tender, compassionate, and those warm blue eyes searching for any other wounds.

"He shouldn't have said that." Makoto blurted out. "Not about the girls, and not about you."

Minako found a cloth and wet it, gently wiping away the blood. "He's a man. He doesn't understand. Men who don't live this life can't be expected to understand."

A sun-kissed hand took hold of the one holding the cloth, lowering it slowly. "That's no excuse. If he cares for you at all, then he should never have said such cruel things. Just because he doesn't understand, doesn't mean he can act like an animal."

Minako's thumb absently stroked Makoto's cheek as she took in her words, finally realizing what she was doing. Quickly, she removed the hand and blushed, murmuring an apology. "Sorry. Come, let's get going. We need to change before the brothel opens."


Haruka was stubbornly angry. It had been nine days, and still Makoto refused to tell her anything about who she had a crush on. Clearly, it had to be herself, Rei, or Ami. There couldn't be any other woman for the slave to fall for. She walked towards Makoto's room with the intent of finding out just who she wanted, and then going from there to help if she could.

"You should see Ami about your lip, Mako." She heard Minako chide tenderly from around the corner, leaning cautiously to glance at the duo.

The blonde was looking up at Makoto as they stood in front of the slave's door, Makoto shrugging absently. "Ames will just clean it again. Nothing to do but wait."

Minako huffed slightly. "Still, please tend to it. I really can't believe he hit you."

"Next time he comes near you, I'm throwing him from the roof. I mean it, Mina. I... I don't want him sleeping with you. Not like that."

Haruka felt her jaw drop slightly, noting the slight jealous tone in her friend's voice. She hadn't seen this coming, but part of her felt like she should have.

"I won't sleep with him, Mako. He's not the man I once loved, in a way. And I'm not the girl who once loved him. He always seemed to put distance between us, and he's gone too far this time." A shy smile played on Minako's lips, a faint blush on her pale cheeks. "Besides, the next time I do bed someone, it will be the one I love. Not because I am paid to."

Haruka watched Makoto lean down and kiss Minako's golden hair softly, sending her smaller master off towards her own room. She didn't miss the longing in those verdant hues, nor the sadness at watching her go. As quietly as she could, the guard walked over to stand beside her friend, bumping elbows gently and nodding in the direction Minako had gone off in. "It's Mina, isn't it?"

For a moment, it looked like Makoto would deny it, but in the end she simply ran her hand through her auburn hair and nodded. "But... It doesn't matter. I'm a slave, she's a very important woman." Watery emerald eyes met kind royal blue. "What could I possibly offer her that a free person can't?"

Silently, Haruka watched Makoto go into her room, looking between the door and where Minako had gone. If this was true, then Makoto couldn't hope to try to have Minako fall for her through her own actions; it would risk the slave's life. Her only hope would be for Minako to fall for her on her own. And Makoto had a very butch, blonde guardian angel to help with that.

She just didn't know it yet.


Gareth threw books at the wall in his fury, each thud another bolt of rage through him. Damn that slave! Damn her and her insolence! Damn her and her spirit! He was furious at the unruly woman for challenging him. For forgetting her place. It was her fault, all of it was.

He sat hard in his chair, his face in his hands. No, it was his fault. He could curse Makoto all he wanted, but he had raised his hand to Minako. He had struck the slave. He had been the force of slavery that Minako loathed. Makoto was guilty of nothing more than protecting the woman he loved from him.

Gareth cried softly into his hands, hating himself more and more. He had been the cruel patron. He had been the violent slave supporter. And Minako deserved far better than that.

She deserved far better than him.