A/N: HOLY CRAP this chapter took forever to write. I know four days is still fast considering the uploading speed most chapters take, but I feel kinda bad it took this long for this one. BUT, it is long as hell. Lots of info, plot, and so on in this one. And other stuff that will come to light in the upcoming chapters. So, as always, thank you to all who favorite and follow this story. I really find it heart warming that y'all enjoy this twisted literature.
WARNING: DARK THEMES. Contains rape, blood, violence, adult themes, adult language, and graphic scenes. Read at your own peril.
With love,
Korrupted.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SAILOR MOON. I still wish, though.
Makoto had awaited this moment for almost two weeks, standing on her own two feet as Rei and Ami stood close by just in case her leg gave out, a huge grin on her lips. Ami was beaming, Rei still in her kimono and hakima from the shrine as the brunette drank in the unique scent of the miko when she moved a bit closer, enjoying the scent that was part the spice of fire, part sweat, and part what Makoto could only describe as exotic flowers. Ami seemed to have a perpetually clean scent made of of alcohol swaps, fresh breezes, and the most pure rain on a summer evening, the still healing girl still fighting what she refused to believe was affection for her two nurses.
With her arms outstretched, she took a step forward, trying to walk as she put weight on her leg, the result a stream of profanity that would make a sailor blush; Ami was partially convinced that her friend had even gone so far as to create her own curses just to properly express herself. Both Rei and the medical student quickly put the swearing teen's arms around their shoulders to walk her back to the couch where she sat, leaning back and panting loudly. "Kami-sama... That was a bit uncomfortable..." Rei giggling. "And to think we told you to not try this yet. Baka." Makoto playfully glared into impish violet eyes, almost feeling like she wanted to hug and strangle her friend at the exact same time. "Rei-chan, be nice to Mako-chan." The bluenette urged gently, giving the priestess a mildly scolding glare.
The senshi of thunder was trying desperately to be able to go to Minako's private album launch party and dance. She knew that she would go either way, but she wanted to be able to walk, dance, and even do a full hurricane kick in heels if she so desired. However, time was not on their side for this endeavor; tomorrow evening the limo would arrive to collect them, ensuring that the idol and her friends would arrive in style. While she was not particularly fond of the notion of wearing a dress, heels, or make-up, she figured that she should at least dress her gender once before she died. Again. And Minako had also spent a good sum of money to have a tailor fashion dresses for each of them and Makoto refused to be wasteful, the girl reaching her hands up to the air in front of her, speaking in a playful tone. "Minions, let's try this again. Help me up, please?"
Rei was filling the tub as usual, humming to herself softly as Makoto wheeled herself into the bathroom, watching her silently. She could feel those powerful green eyes burning into her back through the black shirt she had changed into, her long raven hair pulled back into a low ponytail, her heart thrumming unbearably loud in her chest. She tried to ignore the way that Makoto's presence affected her, but it always failed her. "Is the water ready, Rei?" Was the soft question, the fact that 'chan' had been left off making the shrine maiden turn towards the other female, suddenly seeing how shaken she looked.
Instantly, the water was stopped and the now concerned warrior hurried over to Makoto's side, hastily brushing tears back as they slipped from the shining emerald eyes. "What happened, Mako-chan?" She breathed, her face both fierce and worried, angry that this was an enemy should couldn't expel with a well aimed Flame Sniper, Youma Taisan, or a single Burning Mandala. "Rei, was... Was I..." Tears poured down from amethyst and emerald eyes, Rei gently taking Makoto's hands in her own before nodding, unable to meet the haunted gaze of the woman she loved. "H-hai... How much do you remember?" It was only a few seconds before she received the answer, but it felt as if each moment was a painful lifetime. "Only pieces, still... But... But more now... I remember screaming... Oh Kami-sama... It was me screaming, not Usagi..."
Rei felt the injured girl fall forward, pulling Makoto close as the seemingly invulnerable senshi broke down and sobbed, clinging to the shrine maiden as if she was the only thing that could protect her now. The psychic girl shushed and whispered to her emotionally destroyed friend, her left hand tenderly stroking at her wavy brown hair, her only words, "I'm here, Mako-chan... I'm here. I won't leave you, you're safe... I'm here..." She didn't dare lie and tell her that this was alright; nothing was alright about it.
Internally, she was seething at her own failure at having been able to prevent this, wishing that she had waited just another half hour that fateful night. The door was tugged open quickly, Ami looking in as Rei mouthed to her, "She's starting to remember", the bluenette backing out swiftly; it seemed she was confident that Rei could help better than she could at the moment.
Makoto took a deep breath through her stuffy nose, inhaling Rei's strange yet grounding scent, slowly calming down. She could hear men laughing, grunting, lewdly complimenting her, groaning, her own terrified begging and agonized sobs ignored as they mingled with their sounds. Images were hazy at best still and very few at that, but it was the sounds that were damningly clear to her. They had broken her body and nearly her spirit along with it, certain that she had nearly died that night. She slowly stopped sobbing, clinging tightly to Rei as she just remained against the shorter girl, taking comfort in the protective way the miko held her. She turned her head to rest her cheek against Rei's shoulder, listening to the heartbeat that resonated from inside of her. She closed her eyes and relaxed, assuring herself that this was something that had no romantic emotions connected and it would only be for a moment and then she would try to get up. It would only be for a moment.
"Hai. Rei-chan is trying to calm her now." Ami whispered to Saeko, the elder Mizuno's voice filled with concern. "Is she acting irrational?" Sapphire eyes rolled slightly. "Iie. Just like anyone else who started recovering horrible memories. Should we cancel the party tomorrow? Minako would understand completely." The line was silent as her mother seemed to be carefully considering the idea, finally replying, "Iie. I think it may be good for her. You and Rei-chan use your best judgement, though. You are there with her and I am not."
Ami pursed her lips as she thought it over, her razor sharp mind trying to think of every possible outcome to each scenario, deciding that maybe it would be good for her after all as well. "Hai. The Shitennou are going with us as well, so it should be safe on all fronts." Her mother reacted to a vague hospital page then told her daughter, "I must go. I will talk to you tomorrow, Ami." And swiftly hung up, the younger Mizuno shutting her phone and returning to the bathroom, half surprised to see Rei still kneeling on the floor with Makoto curled against her, sleeping. "Help me get her up" The make-shift human bed mouthed, but not releasing her charge.
After some shifting, rearranging, and lifting, Rei carried the taller girl to her futon and gently lay her down, both she and Ami holding one of her hands. "How much does she remember, did she say?" Ami pressed in a hushed voice, hearing an equally quiet, "She knows that she was... raped. Sounds are coming back, voices. The time I scryed, she could only recall one sentence in her dream, and the men were distorted." The bluenette simply watched the dozing senshi for several minutes in silence before adding, "Arigatou, Rei-chan."
"Eh?" Rei was looking at Ami in confusion, the bluenette responding, "For being able to help her." The tiny smile on Ami's lips was gentle yet full of worry. "We might both want her, but you are better at saying what she needs. You can protect her from these things better." She wasn't prepared for Rei's rebuttal. "Iie. You make her smile easily. You are able to know how things should be healing. I should be thanking you, Ami-chan."
The muttering of Makoto in her sleep distracted the miko, her left hand tenderly stroking the long, wavy brunette hair in a soothing gesture that she found herself using more and more, Ami standing slowly. "Ano... I must go and see Nephrite. Gomen. He is not feeling well." She lied, Rei so preoccupied that she swiftly accepted the story. The younger Mizuno left the room and journeyed to her car, plugging in the general's address and turning the engine so she could speak to him; she needed to know more about when he had found the tall warrior and he had been refusing to speak to anyone about it.
Nephrite sat across from Ami in his one bedroom apartment at the table, staring at his hands for a while. "Doushite?" He questioned in a very soft voice, her equally as quiet words, "Because you need to talk about it, Nephrite-kun." Her blue eyes trying to look into his black hues, a sigh escaping him. "Are you certain?" After a moment, Ami answered, "Hai."
The Shitennou took a deep breath and closed his eyes, speaking in a hushed tone. "Ami-chan... It might... It might be better if I show you..." His eyes turned shocking blue, his hair slowly turning more and more red until he was simply a general in human clothing, laying a trembling hand on her soft hand as he sent her his memories, her eyes wide.
-Nephrite held his sword firmly, moving as slowly as he could to open the door one handed. He could hear the bar sounds quieting, trash littering where someone seemed to have barreled into the boxes nearby, an empty alley in general otherwise. Usagi was whimpering as she tried to keep still in the makeshift sling, the man inspecting every corner for danger as he walked, moving at a snails pace to ensure no one could sneak up on him to cause the princess more harm. "Th-the... alc-cove..." He heard her whisper, moving a bit faster, both hands on his blade just in case.
As he moved to the brick area, he gazed in through the doorway, his sword clattering to the ground in horror. "Mako...to...?" His blue eyes almost couldn't understand what he was looking at, partially thinking this was all a horrible nightmare that he had to wake from. He gently sat Usagi propped up against the brick wall away from her friend before he even considered going closer.
Makoto looked utterly broken, part of the general afraid she was dead until the labored rise and fall of her chest told him otherwise. Her clothes were torn, tatters that littered the concrete like rags, her brown hair tangled, matted in places with blood, her lightly tan skin marked with bruises, cuts, blood, and a dried substance Nephrite knew was semen. Her face was swollen, her nose broken, her lip split, her left arm at an absurd angle next to her as he drew slowly closer, her left ankle far too swollen. He wasn't sure if the red that filled his vision was rage, or the violated warrior's blood, but it was all he could see. How dare someone simply do this to her and leave her in the middle of this space like a broken toy?!
He yanked off his shirt and apron, gently draping the items over the naked girl as he very carefully moved her. Before trying to lift her, he went back to the openly sobbing Usagi, getting her once again on his back before lifting up her friend. "M-m-mak-ko-chan... G-go... Gomenasai..." He heard the blonde sobbing, telling her in a shaking, haunted voice, "Usagi, close your eyes." Teleporting them far closer to the hospital as he reverted himself to his human look, hurrying to the ER as quickly as he could while minding the injured women. How could he have failed them? The blood on his hands and arms was painting his skin the color of death and regret. How could Ami forgive him after this? How could Mamoru stand to look at him?
"HELP ME! Please, my friends need help!" He was shouting, the formerly silent area now loud with commotion as doctors and nurses extracted Usagi from the sling, others coaxing Makoto from his arms as a few others tried to look at him. "I'm fine, just save them!" He demanded, feeling tears run down his face. He would never forget how lifeless Makoto looked on that gurney, how much pain was on the face of the princess, the general dropping to his knees and just staring after them. Helpless. Afraid.-
Ami gasped for air before retching when he broke the link, finding a waste bin in front of her in Nephrite's hands, expelling the contents of her stomach into the receptacle. She couldn't get the images out of her head, how the storm senshi had looked, how Usagi cried in guilt, she felt all of the rage and helplessness Nephrite had mirrored in herself. After she had finally stopped her heaving, Ami simply sat and cried, letting Nephrite hold her to his chest gently and whisper comforts to her. She felt so angry, hurt, and afraid; when Makoto recalled everything, how would she fare? The senshi of wisdom just didn't know, and just clung to her friend, letting him comfort her.
Nephrite held onto Ami, his hand stroking her hair very gently as he rocked the sobbing girl back and forth. He had never felt so close to her, yet so far at the same time. As much as he wanted to tell her that she and her disgusting cookies always made him happy, he was only able to comfort the bluenette right now. But this was Ami, and he would do anything she asked of him. Even wait forever.
Jadeite unlocked the door to Makoto's condo, his motions silent as he entered and shut the door behind him before glancing around. Saeko had called him to check in on Makoto and the girls, the general wearing jeans and a tank top as well as sun glasses, the items perched in his short, curly, blond locks. As he eased through the house, he heard snores, still summoning his crystalline daggers just in case. He looked into the master bedroom to see Rei and Makoto sleeping peacefully on the futon; Makoto had her back to Rei's stomach, her arms and legs drawn to her body as the flame warrior dozed with her left arm under her own cheek, her right draped over her companions' waist in a protective yet affectionate gesture.
As Jadeite watched, Makoto turned in her sleep to snuggle closer against the senshi of fire, the raven haired miko sleepily tightening the arm around the taller girl. He was glad that they were such good friends; then again, they were also comrades in arms. 'In more ways than one, right now.' He smirked at his own thought, idily wondering if they might have feelings for each other, but it seemed doubtful. Both Makoto and Rei were very strong personalities, two people who were likely to want to be the more dominant in a female relationship. There was no way it would work in his opinion.
Ami and Rei were giggling as they helped Makoto into the long black dress with roses along the skirt, the senshi of thunder looking gorgeous yet utterly unreal in the gown. Green eyes were watching the two pairs of hands as they fixed her hair, blushing when she heard them tell her she looked beautiful, reminding herself she was most certainly not falling for them. Ami stood to grab the box that contained the shoes, grinning as she extracted a pair of wedge heels. "Minako-chan must have been trying to keep your leg comfortable." The studious girl noted, watching the brash brunette slip on the footwear. "I wish these were combat boots instead..." Was the soft complaint, the tall girl holding her hands out to let the two others help her up, taking cautious steps. She was walking, but Makoto was likely only going to dance a few times if at all.
A knock prompted Kunzite to open the door, the guard grinning at Nephrite and Zoisite. "Hey! Time to go!" He called over his shoulder to the trio, watching as they all walked together. He smirked at how pretty they all seemed; he probably would have to keep anyone who saw them from drooling on themselves.
Nephrite was staring at Ami, enjoying the sight of her silver and blue skirt that went beautifully with the white dress shirt, the low V-neck drawing his attention down to her modest bust before he reigned himself in once more. She may not have the biggest chest, but for her more delicate form it was perfection. Part of the general was concerned that there may be strange animated hearts fluttering about his red tipped hair, but the other part of him just forgot how to care about that petty detail. "A-ami-chan... You look... w-wonderful." He admitted, his checks flushed slightly as he chose to inspect the carpet.
The bluenette smiled at him, not wearing her false glasses for the occasion. "Arigatou, Nephrite-kun." He had always been such a good friend for her. "We must go. The limo is here." The shy Shitennou informed them, Kunzite lifting the protesting Makoto into his arms to carry her down the stairs, hearing her very unladylike threats and assertions all the way down to the vehicle.
"Mako-chan! You made it!" Usagi squealed, hugging her friend as soon as she was plopped into the limo with them, Minako smiling at them as Jadeite watched the television. "Mako-chan, how is the leg?" The idol inquired, a thumbs-up the silent reply as the other four crawled into the spacious vehicle. "Where's Mamoru?" Rei asked, settling herself between Nephrite and Makoto, her red and black dress both elegant and fun.
"Endymion-sama is already there." The white haired Shitennou answered, flexing his fingers before adding, "I composed a new piece. Would you like to hear it?" Everyone instantly chorusing "Hai!" as he rested his fingers on an invisible piano.
Zoisite's fingers began dancing across unseen keys, a soothing melody flitting through the air from the non-existent piano he played. His eyes were closed as he let the music flow through his hands and played the requiem for his friends; most of which formerly his most despised foes. He had been so concerned for the sake of his Master, he hadn't seen the error of his ways until it was almost too late. By the time he finished, everyone was in a peaceful mindset, his eyes opening to see them all smiling before the applause broke out. "Arigatou, everyone." He thanked in his soft voice, bowing slightly.
Minako was beaming at the male, her blue eyes excited. "Zoisite-kun, you and I should make a song together on my next album." She told him, the general simply bowing to her in thanks. Ami was chatting away with Usagi and Jadeite, her blue eyes noticing that Nephrite was blushing faintly, unsure if maybe he was coming down with a cold; she would need to tend to that later. Her blue hair had a few silver pins in it, her strappy silver heels glinting a bit in the low lighting that shone upon them, her smile easy and relaxed.
Rei looked at Makoto, taking her hand and offering a gentle squeeze of support as she smiled at her, glad that Makoto smiled back at her. "Are you feeling okay?" The miko questioned softly, worried that her friend could be getting upset but relieved when the other girl nodded. "I'll let you know, Rei-chan." The brunette assured, releasing her friend's hand only when they drew near the building.
Minako looked at everyone, smiling as she straightened the bow in her blonde hair, camera flashing wildly as pictures started being taken outside, the photographers eagerly awaiting the door to open. "Everyone, just smile and wave." She told them, opening the door to step out first, people calling her name as she grinned innocently, her friends following suit as the cameras kept flashing at them. The group began walking to the door, Usagi seemingly starstruck by all the attention the media was pouring onto them, smiling absently. The door opened up into a very nice club, the atmosphere casually classy with the blue lighting, maybe thirty or forty people in attendance. One of the men seemed to be whining about the fact that a ton of American bikers were at the bar behind them, another scoffing that they were just hairy, dirty apes in leather. The group sat off to the side, Usagi dashing off at the sight of Mamoru only to trip halfway, her irresponsibly long pigtails flapping behind her like banners of defeat as she flopped rather ungracefully to the floor.
Makoto seemed happy to simply watch, remaining with the four Shitennou as Minako mingled with her guests, Ami and Rei excusing themselves to the dance floor. The miko glanced over her shoulder at the only sitting senshi worriedly, but relaxing as the four males started talking to her and keeping her company. She saw a rather attractive man almost hesitantly approach her, extending his hand to her with a gentle smile on his face. "Ano... Excuse me, but may I ask you to dance?" His voice was pleasant, the shrine maiden accepting more out of courtesy than an actual desire to dance. To her eternal hatred, a slow song was up next, the male leading her to the center of the dance floor, the senshi of passion noting that Ami had her own mystery male that she looked equally uncomfortable with.
Casting a glance over her shoulder to check on Makoto, she could tell the brunette was having fun talking to Jadeite and the others; maybe she was worried over nothing then. As she and her partner began to move about the dance floor, Rei discovered that she was sorely lacking in grace for this, but the man opted to have a conversation to distract her from her slight stumbles, but something about him seemed familiar. "So, a friend of Minako's? I think I have seen you around before at the studio."
The reminder of her own time as an idol was amusing, realizing he must work at Minako's studio. "Hai. Mars Reiko." The man laughed, introducing himself belatedly. "Hazuma Ichiri desu. I came here with my three friends. We are from the band No Romance." He gave a small bow, Rei grinning at him kindly before noting from the motion the healing marks on his face. "What happened to your face?" She inquired politely, Ichiri shrugging vaguely. "I got into a fight at a bar a while back."
Rei looked at Makoto again, only this time seeing a confused expression on her features as her green eyes followed both her and Ichiri as they danced. It looked almost as if she was trying desperately to recall some long forgotten memory. Apparently, her partner had followed her gaze to Makoto, his voice curious as he inquired, "A friend of yours?" Rei nodded, looking away from the girl when the Shitennou started trying to help distract her again. "Hai." "She has very pretty eyes. Just like emeralds."
Every ounce of oxygen left Rei's lungs at his words, her violet hues looking up at him with barely masked horror, seeing a hint of lust in his expression, his grin unmistakably the man from Makoto's dream. Suddenly, the cuts became crystal clear as her body felt void of the fire she governed; gouges that had healed from Makoto's nails. She looked back to see that Makoto was no longer with the generals, glancing around wildly to try and see her. The very second the dance ended, Rei had to resist the urge to wrench herself out of Ichiri's hands, a shaking pardon leaving her lips as she swiftly walked to the couch and talking in a hushed voice to the four men. "Where is Mako-chan?" Kunzite pointed behind him and stated, "Bathroom. You look pale, Rei-chan. Are you feeling alright?"
Rei's mind was moving a million miles an hour, pointing the opposite direction of what Kunzite had. "Iie. The bathrooms are that way. Zoisite, that man I danced with? Don't let him out of your sight." The white haired man nodded even though he looked concerned, Jadeite hissing, "The man Ami-chan danced with is talking to him. Is there something bad?" Rei turning to see two men talking to Ichiri, her heart dropping. There had been four in her vision, and he had even said he came with three friends. "Kami-sama..." She breathed, hurrying in the direction Kunzite had given her, seeing an exit at the end of the hall, pausing for a moment to quietly utter, "Mars power, make-up!" Transforming into Sailor Mars for added power before rushing out the door.
"UGH!" A male voice grunted, Mars trying not to trip on her heels in her effort to get to the source as quickly as possible. Only five yards offered her the sight of several large bikers standing around in a semi-circle, two others beating a single male to a pulp in front of them. From the horrendous accent, she gathered that these must be the Americans one of the guests had complained about, a few of the vicious looking men spotting her and looking at her warily, "Mars!" She heard Mercury call, rushing to her side. "Where's Mako-chan...?" The raven haired senshi shook her head as one of the huddled men knelt down to talk to whatever they may have been guarding.
He stood back up, his yellow glasses an odd contrast to his black goatee, a bald head and strong nose making him look terrifying in his denim and leather. But he helped someone to their feet, the gaggle of men parting to reveal- "Makoto!" Mars and Mercury exclaimed, the crying girl rushing over to them and hugging them tightly. "She had come back here and he followed. We saw him scaring her, so we stepped in. I hope that's okay." The foreign man explained, looking worried that they would think they hurt the young woman. "Iie. Arigatou. Arigatou." Mercury exhaled to him, the two men that had been pummeling the lone male coming over with bloodied knuckles, one heavy set with a close cropped beard and tired back, long, medium brown hair, the other smaller with a longer beard streaked with silver hair, his long auburn hair also tied back. They both looked so vicious, and the bloodied state of the man who had followed Makoto out proved that observation to be so very true.
The bald male was clearly the youngest of the three, motioning to the older man who was putting on a pair of glasses. "This is John." Then to the heavy set man. "Vince." And then offered a small bow to the girls. "And I am Craig." The names sounded so strange to the senshi, but these men had defended the brunette; the terrible pronunciations and odd names were so very easy to ignore when they remembered that fact. "Arigatou, Vince, John, Craig." Mercury thanked with a bow, casting a glare at the groaning man on the ground. "He... He had harmed Makoto." She admitted, hearing one of the bikers growl in fury. "Too bad we can't kill him..."
Makoto gave soft, timid thank yous and bows of gratitude to her rescuers, the men bowing respectfully, albeit clumsily, in return. "We are just glad we could help. Stay safe, Makoto." Vince told her, the men filtering out in a subdued silence that was later punctuated by the roaring of motorcycle engines, then even that fading to leave the trio with the unconscious man, staring at the quiet side street. Finally, the two changed back to their normal forms before Ami called an ambulance to assist a possibly dead rapist, and headed back in. "There you guys are. I have been-" Minako halted at the sight of the still trembling Makoto, her blue eyes narrowed. "Who...?" Rei stepped in to speak. "He has been dealt with." Her words short and full of ice, the senshi of love simply nodding in approval.
Before Rei could explain about the other three, their communicators went off, Luna's voice explaining, "Youma at the zoo! Hurry!" Ami looking at the warrior of Jupiter questioningly. "I am going. I need to start getting back into my duty anyways." The resolve clear in her voice. No one wanted her to go, but at the same time it was clear she would have to return to being a senshi sooner or later; and Makoto was not one to simply remain idle. To avoid being seen transforming, the four girls located Usagi and dragged her with them towards the zoo, glad that the streets were empty at three in the morning. "Venus power, make-up!" "Mars power, make-up!" "Mercury power, make-up!" "Jupiter power, make-up!" "Moon power, make-up!"
Finally, all five senshi stood together again for the first time in over two months, the five of them running the rest of the way to the location to see a youma crafted of crystal and metal stumbling through the exhibits as if intoxicated. "Venus Love-Me Chain!" Sailor Venus called out, the belt extending to wrap around it's arm and halt the creature in it's tracks.
The youma looked at the five figures, it's entire air changing to one of more focused intent. It looked more like a suit of armor with a face twisted in lunacy on the helm, a stuttering laugh that likened to a hyena escaping from below the visor. "Sen...shi...?" It questioned in a voice wrought with insanity, the metal clattering from the force of the deranged laughter that followed, unnerving them all. What manner of creature had their new foe crafted into such an unstable form? They really didn't want to find out, but the armor dashed at them with a speed that should be impossible for an enemy so clunky. "EEEEEEEEEEEKKKK!" Sailor Moon screeched as she raced out of the way, Sailor Venus finding herself dragged along behind it before abandoning the chain and rolling to a stop.
Mercury helped her up swiftly, the blonde commander of the senshi assuring her she was only scrapped up before noting the youma was racing at them, talons of black crystal on it's fingers as it wildly slashed, crazed laughter still echoing from deep inside of its helmet. "Youma Taisan!" Mars shouted, the creature rolling out of the attacks way and charging at her. "Mercury Aqua Mist!" The bluenette called, Rei dodging as the incurring fog blanketed the area, the youma halting somewhere in the clouded area.
An eerie laugh derived from pure insanity echoed from within the cover, both the enemy and the senshi unable to see. However, Jupiter remained as silent as possible, listening, waiting. The moment she heard the faint motion of that gaudy armor, she pounced, shouting, "Supreme Thunder!" The blinding bolts striking the youma as it yelped in pain and clattered to the ground.
As she drew near it, the sound of it's laughter started back up, finding it lash out at her with an open palm to her stomach, Sailor Jupiter feeling all the air be pushed out of her lungs from the impact. But she could have sworn that some sort of energy had been shot into her body as well, but it was probably just the bits of lightning that still jumped along the suit of armor. "Crescent Beam!" "Youma Taisan!"
The golden beam punched a hole in the armor followed quickly by a ball of fire, Sailor Jupiter regaining her breath to dodge out of the way of the falling but vanishing youma, the creature gone from the world like it had never existed. "Jupiter!" Sailor Moon called, the tall senshi waving at the princess as she held her stomach. The impact had hurt, but it was fine now, the energy indeed identified as electricity though it was slightly warped from contact with the youma. 'Feedback...' She mentally sighed. She had to be careful; she wasn't immune to her own lightning and if she got hit with too powerful a dose, it could kill her.
As the five girls regrouped with the sky slowly growing lighter, Rei and Ami lead the now slightly limping Makoto to the taxi Minako had called for them, Mamoru driving the snoring Usagi home. As sore as she was, and as stressful as the party had been, Makoto had missed being a senshi and was glad to be back to fighting. Ami snuggled against her as she slept in the vehicle, Rei barely awake as her bleary amethyst eyes kept drooping closed only to fly back open. Maybe life was going to start getting closer to normal now that her attackers were one less in number. Makoto wasn't certain, but she dared to dream.
A/N: Poor Nephrite... Nephrite: Lord of the Friend-zone! Don't forget to comment and review for it encourages me to keep writing this madness out. As my cat snores next to me. Alright y'all, I hope you continue to enjoy this story. Please note that I now have a playlist on my profile for the songs that inspired the chapter titles. This list will be updated with each new chapter so it will be current. See y'all!