AN: So this is late in updating. Readers, blame yourselves. I asked for three reviews, and I got two. Just two. So I was cross and sat on this for a few days. I hope you're satisfied.

Disclaimer: No change. I own nothing.

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Makoto sincerely hoped that the broken nose hurt. Obviously his foot had already healed, but she wanted him to feel what she had done. It was no less than he deserved, the idiot.

He snarled. "You shouldn't have done that."

"I can do it again, if you'd like."

A low growl sounded in his throat, and his body began to… well, the best description she could think of was 'run'. He seemed to liquefy and begin to reform into something else.

She darted forward and slammed a few quick punches in, but it was largely ineffectual. Though the blows slowed the formation, she was smaller than it was, and a momentary setback in one spot wasn't enough to stop it overall. She took a few steps back and quickly considered.

'No time. No advantages.' She glanced down at her long skirt. 'It's got to go.'

She managed to spare a moment's regret for the lovely gown, but forced it aside as she ripped the skirt away mid-thigh. With any luck the extra fabric could be useful.

By now, Kurosawa's shape change was complete. Her sempai had been handsome and confident. She would not have expected what he had become.

He was a wolf. That wasn't too strange. The odd part was the nature of the wolf.

He was made of black swamp muck.

Makoto snickered, and the wolf- which still had Kurosawa's eyes- glared. It only made her laugh harder. When it took a snap at her hand, she jerked it back and frowned.

"If that's the way you want to play this…"

The wolf paced toward her, testing the water with swipes of his paw and the occasional false bite. He managed to snag the heavy silk and shred it, but it gave her a moment to jump back. When it got too close, she threw punches, but it just sidestepped and avoided every shot.

It was entirely too obvious that the thing had a lot of advantages- its speed and strength easily outclassed her own, superhuman though they were. She was left with agility. She hoped. And wished the others would arrive in time or she could duck away long enough to henshin.

Neither was likely to happen.

The damnable wolf had all the agility of the non-monster variety. It was constantly able to twist away in the very last moment, rendering whatever attempts she made to hurt it useless. At best a blow would glance off its flank rather than hit its eyes or ears like she intended. In the meantime, she was decorated with various minor scratches. It howled in something like triumph, pacing closer. Makoto had no choice but to back away.

"Makoto-san!"

Her eyes leapt to the entry of her garden in shock as the Daimon's did the same. Sanjoin Masato was there, again trying to rescue her. He leapt onto the wolf's broad back, one arm fastened around its throat as the monster growled. He had no way to know that the thing was likely to rip him apart for it.

Makoto yelled and leapt forward, delivering an incredible blow against its snout as it shook the man off. Even as the punch flattened the creature's muzzle, Sanjoin fell against a tree, his head connecting harshly. As it did, an intense pain shot through Makoto's own, and she cried out in pain.

That instant was a fatal distraction. The Daimon was no longer interested in playing, now that its prey had wounded it and another had interfered. Its tongue uncoiled, revealing the star mark dark against even the already black swamp muck that the rest of the creature was composed of. The beam shot out and slammed forcefully into Makoto's chest.

The pain was immense. For the battle's sake, she had been ignoring the lingering sensation from the first attack. Now, the Daimon was not likely to fail, and she could feel the essence of something deep inside her being torn away. She managed to endure the assault for a full minute before it overcame her, and Makoto crumpled as her heart's crystal came free.

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Kunzite arrived only in time to catch her falling form as the wolf-Daimon wrapped its tongue around the girl's stolen heart. Shifting her gently, he eyed it and debated the use of attacking alone. He was saved the trouble when Zoisite appeared just beside him, out of breath and clearly worried.

"Watch her," the Shitennou's leader instructed gravely as he shifted her weight to the slighter man. Zoisite stumbled a little with the effort, but managed to right himself. "Whatever may occur, keep her safe. We will see to this monster."

"Mako-chan!" Venus cried from the gate. The others were grouped behind her.

"No!" Sailor Moon gasped. "Mako-chan! MAKO-CHAN!"

"Be careful; there's a civilian here too," Mercury warned. He had fallen to the side, but he could still be trampled during a fight. She hurried to him, ready to act if the monster came too close.

Without warning, Sailor Uranus' attack slammed into the Daimon, shaking Makoto's heart crystal from its grasp. The delicate thing floated into Neptune's hands, and she studied it intently.

Somehow, Makoto's consciousness hadn't fled entirely. She could understand what was happening around her, but it seemed vague. She almost didn't believe it had anything to do with her.

'They were waiting for it to attack me. They could have stopped it.'

"Give it back!" Sailor Moon shouted. "You have to give it back!"

'Why didn't they stop it?'

"This isn't it," Neptune murmured to her partner.

'Why?'

Uranus nodded and took it herself, tossing it gently to Sailor Moon. "Return it to that girl. It isn't what we're looking for."

The younger girl didn't reply, racing to Zoisite's side to help lead Makoto out of the garden and out of harm's way. Kunzite, Mars and Venus hurried to confront the Daimon.

Once in the next garden over, Sailor Moon hurried to press the crystal back into her friend's body. It slipped in easily, as they all did, and moments later her green eyes returned to focus. And to anger.

"You're all right!" her worried leader gasped.

"We need to help them," Makoto said, hearing the pained gasps of her sisters. She had no trouble believing it had been enough to overwhelm them. The Daimons were more than a match for the Guardian Senshi when they weren't even defeated by the attacks of the Outers. "They're in trouble."

"You cannot fight now," Zoisite protested, his healer's nature too great to ignore her pain. "Your injuries-"

"They don't matter. That thing is going to pay for what it's done."

"Mako-chan, who is that Daimon? It's a human, isn't it?"

The brunette looked away. "It's the sempai that broke my heart."

Her mouth opened and closed, but Sailor Moon had no response for that. Eventually, she sighed and shook her head. "Then we should deal with it."

Makoto nodded. "JUPITER STAR POWER, MAKE-UP!"

She charged back into the battle like the warrior she was, showing no sign of weakness or fear. When she realized that the monster had both of her sisters pinned under its heavy paws, Kunzite hovering nearby unable to interfere without risking them, she growled and gathered her power to her.

"SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!"

The force of her attack sent the wolf jolting off of them, and Mars and Venus were on their feet moments later.

"Now, Sailor Moon!" Mercury called.

"MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK!"

Kurosawa hadn't even hit the ground yet before Jupiter rounded on Uranus and Neptune.

"How could you?" she shouted. "How could you stand there and let someone nearly die?"

"What are you talking about?" Venus demanded.

"They were here all along," Jupiter snapped. "Weren't you?"

Uranus simply nodded. "Of course."

"THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU DO SOMETHING?"

"We don't need to explain ourselves to you."

Her hands fisted. "You were going to let me die."

"You- Jupiter, don't be absurd," Sailor Moon began.

"No! THEY KNOW WHO WE ARE!"

Silence fell in the small garden.

"What do you mean?" Mercury asked gently as she worked to heal the injured man's concussion.

"They saw Sailor Moon de-henshin that night. How could they not know who we are after that?"

Stunned, Sailor Moon spun to face them. "You know who we are and you still…?"

"We need the Talismans. If one of your Senshi have to die for that, so be it."

She stumbled back. "No…"

Jupiter growled. "And what will you do when she's the target? Will you forget that you ran to save her life that night? That you were so angry with us for risking her? I trusted you! I remembered that you came and protected her. I was willing to ignore the fact that you were keeping things from us, but this? You can't just ignore the lives at stake!"

Neptune spoke up for the first time. "If Sailor Moon possesses one of the Talismans, we will mourn her loss."

"Mourn- or you could save her!" Mars shouted, now incensed as well. "Like any of us would do for you!"

"Why do you think we never told you?" Uranus barked. "You're too soft to make the hard choices. You wouldn't sacrifice one for the greater good."

Sailor Moon shook her head, eyes on the ground. "The hard choices?" Her voice grew stronger now, more intense. "What do you know of the hard choices? I've lost everyone I love for that 'greater good'! I've died for it! Don't tell me I can't make the hard choices!"

The two Outer Senshi only turned away, and Jupiter growled again. She leapt toward Uranus, more than ready to fight her, but Uranus was faster and delivered a nasty punch to the gut before Jupiter could do more than leave a bruise on the other girl's arm.

She dropped to her knees, wheezing, as they ran off.

"Are you okay?" Sailor Moon asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," she answered a moment later, straightening. "The guys?"

"The boy's Daimon egg broke," Zoisite reported. "He is entirely human now."

"And the other man? The civilian?"

"He had a concussion," Mercury answered as she joined them, "but he's fine now. He should wake up soon. Do you know him?"

"He's the one that saved me from the Daimon earlier."

"Are you all right?" the genius girl pressed gently. "You seem… unsettled."

"It's nothing. Can we make sure he gets home?"

"I will be able to teleport you to his home if you know the location," Kunzite told her.

Jupiter nodded and helped Kunzite lever the unconscious man upright so that they could keep a decent grip on him. She waved to the others as they began to head out. Just as they vanished, she realized that her garden- aside from the general mess on the path- was fine.

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Kunzite lingered only long enough to deposit his burden into the bed before departing, leaving the now de-henshined Makoto alone with him. She sank tiredly into the chair he had been in a matter of hours before watching her and waited.

About ten minutes later, he began to come to. She realized her hands were shaking in her lap and forced them to stop.

"What happened?" he asked groggily.

"You were thrown into a tree and hit your head," she answered, proud when her words came out steady. "You've been unconscious for about fifteen minutes."

"Where am I?"

"Your apartment. A friend of mine helped me get you here."

He managed to open his eyes a moment later and look at her, though they slammed closed again as soon as he recognized her. "Makoto-san. I- you were being attacked. I tried to stop it… but… Are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

"It didn't hurt you? That monster?"

"I said I'm fine."

He peeked out from his lashes, and Makoto cursed the part of herself that admired how he looked. "You're angry about something?"

"Oh, are you a psychic now?"

"Well- I-"

"Damn it!" she exploded, and he flinched back against his pillow. She ignored his pained wince. "How could it have been you? I trusted you!"

"I don't know what you mean," he answered cautiously.

"Don't you? NEPHRITE!"

Nephrite paled slightly, but he pushed himself into a seated position. "No one should know that name."

"How could I not?" she asked bitterly. "I killed you last time you wore it."

Understanding lit his eyes an instant later. "You're Jupiter."

"Don't act like you didn't know! Was this some sort of plan- rescue me so that we would accept you back? Help poor, weak Jupiter to win our cooperation?"

"Makoto, I don't-"

"WAS IT?"

"No," he answered quietly. "There was no plan. I never knew who you were."

"Like I can believe that!"

He shook his head slightly, and this time she winced as he did. "I can't make you believe it, but it's true. I wasn't plotting. I didn't even know who I was until I hit my head and my memories returned."

Makoto scoffed. "A third betrayal in one night. I must be setting a record."

"I really don't know what you mean." Nephrite studied her. "You did not remember earlier, though. You would have known me on sight."

"I didn't remember until you showed up in my garden," she snapped. "You seemed familiar, but that was it."

"What was familiar?" he asked.

"I don't know!" she answered, frustrated. "Your voice, I guess. It reminded me of something."

"Of?"

"For an injured guy, you're being awfully nosy."

"Consider it an effect of the bump on the head. What did my voice remind you of?"

Makoto frowned at him before walking to the window and looking out. "I… I think you sound a lot like this voice I hear sometimes. It's a warning voice. At night, during a storm, I hear a voice when I can see through a break in the clouds."

He nodded. "Interesting."

She waited for him to explain, but he didn't. "So? You wanted to know so badly."

"I did. It certainly is interesting. I don't know how you might have heard a voice in the stars. It wasn't something you ever did before." She sniffed, and he froze. "You're crying. Why are you crying?"

"I'm not crying," she responded, but he could hear the tears in her voice.

"Makoto? Don't cry." He struggled to find his feet, and managed it with only one near fall. "Please don't."

"You said nothing would hurt me here," she gasped through the beginning of her sobs. "You lied to me! You hurt me!"

"I assure you, it wasn't my intention to do so. Makoto, I didn't know." He was practically pleading now. "I didn't want to hurt you. I liked that you trusted me."

"I can't deal with this right now," Makoto decided. She shot out of the door, out of the apartment, before he could move an inch to stop her.

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Nephrite wasn't very surprised when Kunzite appeared a short time later, but he didn't move from the chair that was now directly in front of the window. He stared out over the city, into the storm that raged overhead.

"I am happy to see you well. Your injuries earlier were not serious, I hope."

"Nothing that Mercury apparently didn't fix. Aside from a headache, I'm fine."

"Good." He looked at the dark clouds. "She is upset, I take it."

"Brilliant deduction."

Kunzite took a seat at the edge of the bed. "I am surprised that it is enough to draw the storm so soon."

"She always had a way with them."

"Yes, but her powers have not yet reached that point. The storm chose to come at her call. Her pain is enough now, it seems."

"What happened that she's so worked up?"

"She discovered tonight two betrayals that no doubt have wounded her deeply. She must see your identity as a third."

"The first two?"

"An old boyfriend, or so I am informed, was turned to a monster and sent after her. The second was when we discovered that Uranus and Neptune would have let her die had she been in possession of an item they desire."

He whistled through his teeth. "Two very tough breaks for one night."

"Indeed."

"And I'm number three."

"Yes. Makoto-sama was clearly unhappy with you for whatever reason tonight, and it allowed me to deduce your identity. I do not think the others have yet realized."

"Where are the others?"

"Zoisite returned only a short time ago. Jadeite's whereabouts are as yet unknown, but we hope he is alive." Kunzite studied the younger man. "Have your powers returned with your memory?"

"I think so. It's hard to tell through the storm, but I can hear the starsong. I should be able to henshin if the need arises."

"Excellent."

The elder general was content to allow silence until his junior could organize his thoughts.

"You look good," Nephrite said finally.

"My thanks."

"Venus?"

"She is well."

"No, I- that is, are you and she…?"

"Venus is very young yet, but she has long possessed her memories. We are together and will most likely remain as such."

"And Zoisite? Did he and Mercury…?"

"To my knowledge they are friendly. I do not think they have yet taken any steps toward a romantic relationship."

"The prince and princess?"

"They are alive and well, though they have encountered difficulties even in the time since your unfortunate death."

He sighed. "Jupiter hates me."

"I think not," Kunzite replied. "There is a degree of forgiveness in her even now, for despite her words she does remember the good turn you did her today. More, she was willing to accept Zoisite's presence and mine with little difficulty. Tonight has simply been a great deal at once, and she does not know how to cope."

Nephrite glanced at him. "Do you really believe that?"

"I do, but my opinion is hardly the pressing issue. What matters is if you believe it."

"I don't know if I can."

He studied Nephrite. "If you do not have faith in her, she will find none for herself, and it has been shaken enough already. Remember that despite knowing now who you are, she did not raise a hand against you nor reveal your presence to any that would."

"An excellent point."

"I should leave, but should you need me…" Kunzite gave him a paper. "This is my address and my personal phone line. Do not hesitate to call."

"Thanks."

He rose. "And, Nephrite?"

"Yes?"

"Welcome home."

He vanished again, leaving Nephrite/Sanjoin Masato to his thoughts.

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Makoto was glad of the storm. Its violent raging eased some of her own as she danced through it. Its wildness made hers grow dull.

"Mako-chan, you should go inside!" Usagi called as she reached the other girl.

"No!" she shouted back. "This is too amazing!"

"What happened? Mako-chan!"

Makoto ground to a halt. "Nothing happened. Why would you think something happened?"

"This storm came out of nowhere," Usagi answered. "And tonight has been enough to upset anyone."

"You have no idea," she muttered, though the words were lost as thunder sounded nearby. "Go home; you're going to get sick at this rate."

"What about you?"

The taller girl laughed. "There's nothing in a storm to hurt me."

Usagi frowned. "If you want to be alone, just say so. And remember, I'm always there if you want to talk."

She disappeared into the dark night, leaving Makoto to her beloved rain and lightning. Never mind that she took their appeal with her. With a sigh, she turned and trudged back to Nephrite's apartment.

He was still in that chair when she came in, and he turned to face her at once.

"You came back."

"I had to. It was…" she paused to consider. "It was unfair to be accusing when you were obviously telling the truth. I'm… sorry."

"There's no need to apologize," he said quietly. "You've had a difficult day."

"So have you. How's the head?"

"Much improved. Mercury helped a great deal."

She kind of flopped onto the bed. "That's good. I- I don't want you to be hurting because of what you did for me."

"I do not regret what I did."

She rolled onto her stomach and stared at him. "Why? Why would you go to such lengths to help a stranger? Why go up against a wolf for someone you didn't know?"

Nephrite could only shrug. "It was the right thing to do. And… you looked so beautifully defiant, facing both the boy and the monster. It would have been a shame if something had happened to you." He got to his feet, and there was no uncertainty now. "Come here."

Reluctantly, Makoto did, walking up to him. He was still several inches taller than her. "You know, in the memories I had, they told me you changed in the end."

"How so?" He was toying with a loose curl, shaken free by the night's events.

"The other girls said that you fought to protect someone, despite knowing what it meant."

"If only the truth had been so flattering."

She looked away. "You know… I met you after. Well, another you. Somehow Usagi-chan brought all four of you from a different time. He was my friend, and he told me that I would always feel the void you had left. I'm only know realizing he was right."

"He does sound very wise," Nephrite agreed solemnly.

Makoto leaned into him, and his arms went around her without a thought. "I… I want to trust you. Can I trust you?"

He looked down at the top of her head, at the wet fall of curls still somewhat pinned in place, and he knew the answer to that. "Yes. I would never do anything to hurt you again."

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AN: Awww… Okay. So like I said, I didn't release this within the week like I normally try because even though I asked, I didn't get enough reviews. Guys, this story is hard enough on me already- I hate the S season, and I'm finding it nearly impossible to rework it into something worth my time. If you can't support me, I don't know how long it'll take to finish this. So please, take a minute to let me know what you think. Your reviews mean a lot to me. Till next time!