A/N: I finally have another chapter of this up! Bwahahahahahahahahahaa! Still rotating through as inspiration hits. Frozen Hearts is still giving me the writers block from HELL, but I am plucking away at it. Deal With It already has a second chapter in the works, and the others are being plucked away at.
WARNING: This contains violence, language, and a few possible trigger warnings. READERS BEWARE. But it's incredibly mild, especially when compared to chapter ten. THAT was a really dark chapter.
Shout outs:
manticore-gurl071134: Yes, I actually will. I do like having her as friends with the Outers, but Sadly Sets is not in this one. I wonder if I ever will eek her into this fin. I guess only time with tell! *bad pun alert*
A special thanks to all of my readers: Seriously. This started off with the idea to only be written for me to read. I never imagined others would fall in love with this completely messed up fanfiction. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. And we all might want to look into some serious therapy.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Sailor Moon. Everyone should take a moment to thank their personal deity of choice, or just be glad at that fact.
As sunlight poured in through the windows of the shrine, the warm rays of light began to illuminate two figures that seemed to be intertwined on a single bed. Arms were tangled together, loose hair splayed about their heads, legs curled slightly as the two women slept soundly together, clad in their autumn sleep clothing.
And then the peaceful silence was shattered unceremoniously by a disturbingly loud belch from the formerly slumbering brawler, the noise shocking her lover awake as well. Rei recoiled and wrinkled her nose, catching traces of the heavily spiced and herb laden curry on Makoto's breath, the cuddle session cut short. "Oh, Kami-sama. That smells awful, Mako!" She tiredly whined groggily waving a hand in front of her nose.
A sleepy yet apologetic grin settled onto Makoto's lips, trying to reclaim her former human pillow. "Sorry... It's just me trying to keep you warm with my love..." The brunette cheesily excused, cracking open a single emerald toned eye.
Violet hues rolled, scooting a bit farther away. "Ew. It may be a bit cold, but I am not that desperate for warmth." She countered, squirming away more.
With a devilish grin, Makoto swiftly sat up and grabbed the comforter that lay over them both, her taller frame towering over the wide-eyed miko as the sleep pants and t-shirt clad psychic stared up at her. "LET ME SMOTHER YOU WITH MY LOVE!" The lightning warrior playfully shouted before trapping her girlfriend under her.
Rei squealed and wriggled in a desperate attempt to get free, flailing uselessly against the stronger woman only mere moments before the belching started, both girls under the heavy cover, the item trapping the horrible smell in with them. "EWWW! Makoto! This is disgusting!" The firebrand cried, the strong arms of her lover keeping her trapped in the smelly prison.
"MY LOVE SHALL WARM YOU! Feel it Rei-chan, FEEL IT!"
-Haruka was grinning softly against Makoto's lips, feeling the younger girl press against her body as Michiru remained standing behind the busty brawler. She knew that those cuffs marked her as untouchable, and that was the three of them were currently doing was bordering on treason, but she was too caught up in Mako's sweet kisses to care. She felt the auburn haired Jovian groan into her mouth as her girlfriend roamed her slender hands along the green gossamer fabric that covered her large breasts, Michiru teasingly biting at Makoto's back as Haruka ran her own nails against the younger woman's lower back. "H-haruka~! Michi, please..." They heard her whimper softly, her form trembling heavily as it remained between theirs.
Haruka moved her lips to the soft, tender flesh right below the slightly shorter guardian's right ear lobe, kissing her. Makoto's head was tilted up and to the side limply, her hands gripping the butch warrior of the wind tightly through her tunic. The three of them knew what they wanted, but Haruka had to be cautious, had to be responsible. They had to wait a while longer before they took this too far, lest they be caught and both she and Michiru were sentenced to death by the Court. She could feel one of her aqua haired lover's hands moving down Makoto's front as it was pressed against her own as well from their positions, another throaty moan escaping the Jovian from the sensations. Well, they could still have a bit more fun before she had to stop...-
Zzzzzzztttttt! Zzzzzzztttttt!
Haruka snarled wordlessly as the buzzing of her cell phone went off, effectively pulling her from her sensual dream. Her frustrated midnight blue eyes snapped open, locking onto the offending item before grabbing it and throwing it at the wall with the roar of, "FUCKING PHONE!"
Haruka didn't care who it was calling them; she was livid at yet another dream being interrupted of herself, Michiru, and a certain emerald eyed fighter. She felt slender arms sleepily wrap themselves around her waist from behind, her lover grumbling in her sleep at the noisy protest. The blonde settled back in, her cheeks burning with a blush as she squirmed slightly; already she was losing bits of her dream to the foggy haze of the waking world, details blurring until only the general idea of what happened remained. Why did it feel like she had forgotten something important along with the dream?
"Mmmmm... Mako..."
Haruka stiffened at the sound of the lightning soldier's name coming from her girlfriend's lips, but at the same time a coy smirk edged it's way onto her face. It seemed as if she wasn't the only one having dreams of the auburn haired beauty. 'Wait... Auburn?'
Makoto had chocolate brown hair with the barest traces of rich auburn. Frowning, the sky soldier narrowed her eyes as she began to claw at the memory of the dream, frantically scrabbling to find all of the missing pieces and fit them back into the whole thing. Maybe Michiru could help. Haruka turned over and gently shook her smaller lover, hearing the artist groan in irritation. "Hey. Hey, Michi. Michiru, wake up." She urged softly.
Royal blue eyes fluttered open, glaring at her awake lover slightly. She had been having such a nice dream too. Haruka and Makoto... Her eyes went wide as she realized that her butch girlfriend may have heard her say something, her face turning beet red. "Whu...? Haruka, why are you waking me up? It's only..." She turned over to glance at the clock, using it to regain composure. "Five twenty one."
But, the always impatient woman had her own questions, wasting no time in asking unless she wanted Michiru's dream to fade too far from her mind as well. "Michi, what were we wearing? In your dream, what were you, me, and Mako-chan wearing?" She urged, hoping that her gentle girlfriend would be able to remember something.
The artist's face went paler than usual, but she could see the confused desperation in her girlfriend's face. "Dresses. Mako-chan and I wore dresses, but you had on blue and gold pants and shirt." Her eyes narrowed as she tried to pull the fading memories back towards her, one detail seemingly more important than any other. "Mako-chan also had some sort of gold cuffs on both her arms. Here." She touched her biceps roughly where she recalled the metal items." I can't remember anything more."
Haruka frowned, knowing those golden items were incredibly important, but for the life of her, she couldn't remember why. "Alright. I had a dream about her too." A wide, childish grin spread across the butch's lips. "Don't worry. I won't tell if you won't, Michi."
The aqua haired artist rolled her eyes and flopped on her side to watch her typically jealous girlfriend. "Right. And if you hadn't been awake, you still wouldn't have known." Her cheeks had a small blush on them, the only sign of her embarrassment. "And it had been such a nice dream too."
Haruka moved to hover above the smaller woman, kissing her lips tenderly. "Is that so? Well, I could always make a good reality out of it." She offered in a seductive purr, kissing the soft pink lips a few more times.
Michiru smiled coyly into her lover's mouth, her voice low. "Ohhh, I don't know about that, Haruka." She teased, groaning softly as strong hands slid along the satin that covered her sides.
"I bet you I can." Was the desire laden reply.
"Mmmmnnn... But Mako-chan was awfully good with her tongue. And I don't mean with yelling either."
The blonde woman sat up swiftly, a look of indignation on her face. "Oh! Oh! Is that so? Well, then take this!"
Before Michiru could process what was going on, Haruka was straddling her, tickling her sides much like a child. Instantly, the violinist started flailing and shrieking in involuntary laughter, kicking the bed wildly as she tried to escape the powerful, topless woman atop her. "Ha-HARUKA!"She panted, still fighting for her freedom.
"Then admit I'm better than Mako-chan in bed! Say it!" The unruly race car driver demanded, completely unrelenting in her tickling.
"Har-ruka! This i-is ridiculous!" The smaller woman protested as her face flushed in a mix of breathless laughter and embarrassment.
"Say it, or I don't stop!"
"Yuh... You are better th-than Mako-chan in bed! I said it, I SAID IT!"Michiru shouted, panting with relief when her girlfriend stopped and swiftly got off of her as promised.
And that was the very moment that Haruka realized that she had made a terrible, terrible mistake.
In a flash, Michiru had reached onto her nightstand to snatch up her transformation wand, shouting her incantation aloud as the butch backed up a few more steps, lights and the sound of the sea filling the room. Finally, Sailor Neptune stood before her, glowering darkly; Haruka suddenly recalled just how much the woman hated being tickled as a revenge. "M-michi...? Michi, calm down." She pleaded, her hands moving slowly in front of her, trying to soothe the woman like someone would try to soothe an infuriated animal.
At the gleam in those royal blue eyes, the warrior of the winds took off in a mad dash through the house, the sound of heels pursuing her. As fast as she was, while not transformed there was no chance for her to outrun her lover forever. But that wouldn't stop her from trying. She jumped over the couch and ducked into the den, not stopping her futile fleeing.
"Neptune Deep Submerge!"
She had to drop to avoid the attack, scrambling up as the aqua haired woman continued on after her. "Can't we just talk about this?!" Haruka yelled over her shoulder.
The angered Senshi glared more. "I told you I HATE being tickled!"
"But you insulted my abilities! What in the name of Kami-sama was I supposed to do?"
On and on the chase went, Michiru smashing things within the residence in her ire to catch her lover, Haruka running as if her life depended on it. All in all, another typical fight between the two lovers.
Makoto stepped out of the tiny shrine wash room, clad only in the towel wrapped around her body, her wet chocolate brown hair a bit mussed from being roughly toweled, a green and pink toothbrush in her right hand. She approached the blushing Rei who sat on the bed with Minako, who was suddenly heavily fascinated by the ceiling, and exhaled in the firebrand's face quite suddenly. "Better?" Was the simple inquiry, her emerald hues curious.
The raven haired woman's face scrunched up, waving her hand before her nose. "Ugh, no. It still smells like curry and regret. You are never allowed to order that again, Mako-chan."
The pout on her lover's face was adorable, but then the guardian of courage simply tapped their blonde idol on the shoulder and breathed into her face as well. "I brushed my teeth like, fifty times! It can't still smell like curry!"
After blinking a few times, the singer grimaced visibly. "Well, I don't smell curry and regret. But I do smell garlic and hate with a hint of despair. Kami-sama, Mako-chan, don't EVER eat that stuff again!"
The pout grew deeper before Makoto stalked back off to the wash room, closing the door once again to likely return to brushing her teeth in an effort to rid her breath of the last thing she had eaten the day before. Rei was still blushing slightly from her girlfriend waltzing out in only a towel, but her attention was once again on their commander. "Continue, Minako-chan. Please." She prompted the giggling blonde.
The idol had no idea that Makoto would ever do that, but the look on Rei's face was priceless. It had been worth nearly being killed by halitosis via curry. "Ah, yes." Her expression became more serious as she recalled the reason for her visit to the shrine. "Still no luck finding Ichiri. I worry that his name is an alias, unlike the other men. I am trying to find him with the description you and Makoto have given me, but as hard as I am trying, I have had nothing turn up." Blue eyes darkened. "If I ever find that bastard, I swear to Kami-sama he will pay."
Rei could feel the hatred for the last surviving man who had raped her girlfriend rolling off of the warrior of light's aura, her eyes softening for her friend. "Minako-chan, I really appreciate you looking for him. I know you are very busy with your shows and photo-shoots, but thank you very much."
The singer smiled at the miko tenderly. "Rei-chan, she's my friend too. I love all of you like family, and I also am your commander. It's my job to try to keep you all safe too."
Before the firebrand could respond, Makoto walked back out on the bathroom, clad in a black satin bra edged in green, and a towel wrapped around her waist, the burn scars on her abdomen exposed. She rummaged through the bag next to the simple dresser to pull out a pair of matching satin boxers before walking back to the bathroom as if it was nothing, both of the guardians on the bed blushing and blinking.
"I can see why you don't protest her walking around half naked. I may not be into women, but KAMI-SAMA, does she have a nice body. Hey, what size is her chest? I would say she is very-"
"Minako-chan, don't say it." Rei warned a bit playfully. "We were kids and you all teased us enough about it."
"Talented."
The sound of an open palm smacking on Rei's forehead was soft, but clear, amethyst eyes rolling. She never was going to escape that old argument with Mako, was she?
Metani and Vafore were getting antsy, and that made Nymphia nervous. The two younger Fates were bickering, the youngest of the trio trying to sway her brother. "But, Vafore-kun! What if we just try to explain? Maybe they can help us!" Metani pleaded, her brother scowling.
"Metani, the Senshi would fight us! They would try to kill you first, and not even care for hearing your words. That's just the way of humans. This is their home, they don't need to struggle to return here." He rebutted, his mist-like hair whipping about slightly in his irritation.
"Both of you, stop it." Nymphia commanded. Her oily eyes seemed to look between them sternly. "We must remain hidden for now, Metani. And you, Vafore." She rounded on her brother. "Perhaps you are being a bit hasty. After all, we are trying to harvest energy and they don't know why. If they were on our planet, we would be just as aggressive against them for the same reason."
The male grumbled and sat, Metani stepping forwards. "Nymphia? What if we never make it back?"
"Meta-ko... Don't think that." The eldest Fate urged softly. "We will, I promise."
Nymphia turned back to the glass dome before her. She had no right to promise that to her sister, but she had to give her hope. As the lava haired woman pressed an opal looking gem into the surface, she internally sighed. Maybe they would have to do things Metani's way in the end, but for now they would continue on as they had done.
Makoto was smiling softly as she walked down the sidewalk, Haruka on her left with an arm casually slung over her shoulder, Rei on her right, holding her hand with their fingers intertwined, and Michiru walking behind them much like a sentry. It was comforting to walk with the three other women, a familiarity to it as they had done this before, but only with Michiru holding her hand and no one bringing up the rear. "So, Kitten. Would you like to check out the arcade with us? It's been a few weeks now, and I want to see if anyone beat my scores on the racing games." The butch woman offered, seeing green eyes light up.
"Of course, Haruka-chan. It would be nice to see Motoki-kun and Nephrite-kun as well." Was the cheerful reply.
Rei was smiling, happy to see that her girlfriend was willing to go back still even after all that had happened. That one incident had caused them to meet at the shrine, or Makoto's condo for many, many months. They were still tip-toeing around the old base, cautiously watching over the busty guardian whenever they occupied the old karaoke room, but relieved that she was typically calm and unbothered by it. It was only when they had to leave that she showed any sign of anxiety; it was usually just shifting nervously, or clinging to Rei or Haruka's hand. But every few nights, she would wake up screaming, drenched in a cold sweat as tears rolled down her cheeks. The miko would have to calm her down, coax her into her arms as she sobbed and trembled. It was the only time that Makoto's strong mask would come away; late at night when it was just the two of them. Haruka had seen it twice, both times, helping to sooth the guardian of courage without any hesitation, whispering to the young woman gently. "Alright! Let's go, then!" The sandy haired woman cheered, the group smiling.
It only took about ten minutes to walk to the Crown, the four women grinning and waving at Nephrite and Motoki as they entered. "Ah, Mako-chan, Rei-chan! Oh, Haruka-san, Michiru-san! Welcome back!" The manager called, the turtle loving man then returning to the customers before him.
Haruka made a beeline straight for the driving games, swearing slightly when she saw her score had dropped to fourth place before fishing out her yen. Rei and Michiru stood behind the bucket seat as she grumbled, feeding the machine coins and getting ready to drive, Makoto leaning down to tell Rei, "I have to use the restroom. I'll be right back." And then kissed the now blushing shrine maiden's cheek before heading off.
The emerald eyed woman was washing her hands, looking into the mirror as a scent hit her; a particular brand of aftershave and musk that caused her to stiffen, her eyes wider as they darted around the stalls. Her heart rate sped up just a little, her mind running on high alert, and her hands clenched into fists ready to pummel. That scent was ingrained into her mind, muddled by fear and the smell of too much alcohol, and three other men; it was one she could never forget.
"What pretty eyes y'have. Just like 'meralds..."
She shuddered, fighting back the urge to vomit as she splashed water on her face. No, this had to be her mind playing tricks on her. The bathroom was empty, and it was probably just a coincidence or the like; Ichiri wouldn't show his face here in broad daylight. Still, her eyes focused on her own reflection, wishing that the other Makoto was there to offer the assurance of the man's untimely demise should he be there. But she could only see her own worried expression, taking several deep breaths to calm herself before drying her hands and walking out of the facility. She shuffled through the crowded corridor, finding her arm in a vice like grip, turning to face who she thought was Haruka. The second she saw his face, she jerked away and backed herself into a wall, panting in terror. "N-no..."
Ichiri grinned down at her, watching with great satisfaction as she cowered slightly, the people milling around them not sparing a second glance. His face was marked with faint scars across the surface, his dark, soulless eyes stealing away the strength that she had been holding around herself. "Hello there. Fancy seeing you here. Where's your pretty, dark haired friend?"
Makoto shook as she set her jaw, trying to fake her own courage. "Wh-where are your friends? Or maybe y-you'd like to join them." She knew her voice trembled, but there wasn't much she could do about that.
His hand flashed out to grasp her left arm, Makoto stiffening as the memory of bones breaking surfaced, her verdant hues wide in terror. "You know who killed them? Then I'll fucking kill you, you bitch." He snarled in a low rumble, moving closer. "Right after I have one last taste."
"Please, please, don't..." She pleaded, tears pouring from her eyes helplessly. She was too scared to move, too terrified to fight back, too frozen to scream. Everything had evaporated but the two of them and the cold fear that flowed through her body.
"HEY! Let her go!"
The voice of Haruka cut through everything moments before the dark form fled, Makoto dropping to the floor and shaking violently. Three people rushed over to the crying warrior, Haruka cupping her cheeks in her hands to force the brunette to look at her. "Mako? Mako, please, snap out of it! Was that him?" The older female questioned in a soft but dangerous voice.
The smallest of nods was the only reply, Rei and the guardian of the sky glaring in the direction he had taken off it. "Michi, watch over Mako-chan for us, okay? We're going to deal with this fucker." She lightly stroked the shaking girl's cheek with her thumb before standing. "Unless you want to leave it to me, Rei-chan..."
"No. I've gotten a better look of him than you. I'll go with you."
Michiru quickly swooped down and took over the task of trying to calm the younger woman, sparing the two enraged woman a glance. "Both of you stay safe. We can't lose either of you." The artist informed them.
Haruka's midnight blue eyes softened for a moment, watching Michiru holding the object of their affections close in an attempt to quiet the sniffling and fearful squeaking. She could only stiffly nod as rage bubbled higher in her chest, turning to race after the man that she hated with every fiber of her being. She was going to enjoy killing that Ichiri -or whatever he called himself- man, and the guardian of the wind was more than happy to make it as drawn out as possible. He would pay, and it wouldn't even begin to fix what he had done to Makoto.
Her Makoto.
One minute, Rei had been watching Haruka gain the lead in her game and be poised to break every record, then the next she was staring in shock as the female racer swiftly abandoned her game and began to walk with a dangerous purpose towards the hall towards the bathroom. Michiru had exchanged a confused look with her as they followed, the trio fighting against the small crowd that was milling around the hall before they saw it; Makoto cowering and trying to shrink into the wall, and a man grinning at her in a way that made the miko's skin crawl. Her eyes never left the fleeing man's form, her body trembling in fury at the knowing of who is had been. She had glimpsed the scars and knew it had been Ichiri, and it made her blood boil in ways she had never before known. "No. I've gotten a better look at him than you. I'll go with you." She stated in a voice laced with hate.
Before long, they were running out after him, cursing at his lost trail before transforming. Leaping to the rooftops, the enraged duo glanced about, spotting the still fleeing man a few blocks away before taking pursuit. Their communicators both went off at the same time, Uranus opening it hastily to be greeted by Luna and Artemis' face. "Youma at the junior high school! We need everyone there!"
Mars snarled. "No, we're chasing Ichiri, and Mako-chan is in no condition to fight." The shrine maiden replied.
"Rei-chan is right." Michiru's face popped up next, judging by the backdrop, she was halfway back to her house. "Mako-chan can't come, and I am not leaving her alone."
"Then what are the other Senshi supposed to do?!" Artemis cried in very clear dismay.
"We'll be fine." The voice of Sailor Moon interrupted moments before her image did. "Mars, Uranus, continue what you are doing. Michiru-san, please stay with Mako-chan. Mamo-chan and the Shitennou are already on their way."
The two cats exchanged worried looks, but decided to not push the issue, Sailor Moon remaining linked to the coms after they disconnected. "What happened?"
Uranus and Mars had started racing again, once again locating their target before the butch warrior responded. "He cornered Makoto at the arcade. He took off when we saw him, and I am not letting that bastard get away again!"
"Mars, stay with her." The guardian of flames nodded. 'Don't let her kill him or go too far' was the unspoken order from their princess, and she wan't entirely sure if she could comply with that command herself. This was the man who had stabbed Usagi, raped Makoto with his friends, and then left the brunette fighter for dead; how was she supposed to keep Sailor Uranus in check when a very large part of herself wanted to kill him as slowly as possible?
She couldn't think too much on that as the two guardians caught up with their target, leaping down behind him silently as he stood against a wall, panting. Mars took several moments to take in their surroundings; when had they made it to the industrial district? "Going somewhere?" Uranus growled in a deadly tone, Ichiri whirling around to see them.
"Kami-sama! Who the fuck are you two?!" He blurted out, only to be met with a fist directly in his face.
He stumbled, helped along by a barrage of blows from the enraged leader of the Outer Senshi as she knocked him into a small alley. She paused, allowing him to scramble to his feet and try to hurry past them, but Sailor Mars was ready. "Flame Sniper." She hissed, a flaming arrow catching his jacket sleeve and dragging him backwards to pin him to the wall.
The two women stalked closer, their bodies radiating their hate for the man before them. "L-look, I didn't do anything!" He pleaded, his eyes wide in terror in his scarred face.
Uranus punched him in his gut hard, the air pushed violently from his body as he doubled over. "Don't you even DARE to try to feed me that shit. We know what you did, Ichiri. You and your buddies raped a friend of ours a few years back, and I am going to make you pay."
His dark eyes were half crazed with fear and rage, locking with ice cold midnight blue. "Ichiri? Ha! I only used that name at that fucking launch party. I have so many fucking names that you won't know who I am, or will be." He spat a large glob onto Uranus's face, snarling violently as his free hand fumbled for something. "Your friend was a good whore for us. Nice voice, better moans. Hrah!"
He thrust out a knife to stab the blonde guardian, but he was easily disarmed by a simple snapping of his wrist, crying out in pain moments before another arrow of fire found itself lodged into the wall, this time through his leg. "Shut. up." Sailor Mars snarled, her amethyst eyes full of burning hatred. "Don't you ever talk about my girlfriend like that again."
Ichiri hissed in agony, glaring up at the women mere seconds before the butch woman began to pummel him violently. She threw all of her hate, rage, frustration, jealousy for Rei getting Makoto, and sorrow into each and ever strike she landed, only halting when it was clear that her target was only hanging onto consciousness by a thread. "What you did to her was unforgivable..." the soldier of the sky's voice was thick with unshed tears and sadness, her scimitar appearing in her right hand. "But you won't get another chance to do it again!" She raised the weapon, poised to bring it down into his skull.
However, a pale hand gripped her wrist, not able to hold her back should she choose to stab the pitiful man pinned to the wall, but enough to get her attention. "Wait. Please, wait." The younger warrior pleaded. "No more killing. She wouldn't want you to do this. Not for her. Not either of us..." Sailor Mars stated, barely able to control her own desires to kill Ichiri. "Don't do it, please."
With a small snarl, the taller woman relented, shaking in rage. "Y... you bitches... You'll pay... I'm gonna m-make you suffer... I know who she is, and you'll n... never see me coming." A weak but dark chuckle escaped the beaten man's lips. "I swear that I'll see her beaten and fucked by me again, mark my words..."
The commander of the Outer branch knelt to eye level with the injured male, lifting him by his hair to force him to look into her eyes, her blade pressed against his cheek. "If you ever go near her again, if you ever touch her... If you ever so much as look at her and we find out, I'll be back to finish the job. And I promise you, I will make it as slow," The sharp edge pressed deeper, dragging along the surface to reopen the scars that Makoto herself had gouged onto his face. "and painful as I possibly can."
"We both will. I am giving you your life this once. Do not dare to cross me again, Ichiri. Because if I ever hear about you being anywhere near her again, I won't stop my friend here a second time." Her violet eyes narrowed further, fire gathering in her hands. "In fact, I'll be helping her."
"But..." Sailor Uranus grinned. "She never said I couldn't maim you a little."
"Uranus..." The raven haired woman stated in a warning tone.
"Oh, I won't kill him." She assured in a voice far too cold to be kind. "But I will make it clear exactly what kind of monster he is. For everyone. We don't need another Mako-chan..."
Before Mars could mention that Uranus had spoken at least the nick-name of her girlfriend aloud, the blonde woman shoved his head into the wall harshly and began to carve into his chest with her blade. With each stroke, Ichiri screeched, the letters R-A-P-I-S-T slowly bleeding into existence on his body. It seemed that the tall brawler really did want to ensure that no one would ever be fooled by him again.
Michiru held a sleeping Makoto against herself on the bed that she and Haruka shared, feeling incredibly torn about the entire situation. On one hand, this was the very object of her desires, alone in her bed with her, locked in her embrace. But on the other hand, Makoto was clearly an emotional wreck and this was not the way she had ever wanted to see the woman driven into her arms. And of course, there was that pesky detail about her dating Rei as well. She and Haruka would respect that, but it was incredibly hard for the artist to not kiss the brunette's forehead tenderly as she held her, whispering soft assurances. It had already been a few hours, and the younger guardian had gone from sobbing, to squeaking, to sniffling, and was finally at quiet, occasional tears. A large part of the aqua haired woman was concerned about their respective lovers until the front door opened, and the loud voice of Haruka called, "Michi! Mako! We're back!"
"Up here!" Michiru replied at a soft yell, minding how close of a proximity she was to the green eyed senshi of courage's ear.
Footsteps quickly raced up the stairs and the oaken door opened to reveal both women looking a bit nervous but relieved. "How is she?" Rei inquired, making quick strides over to kneel next to the bed.
Royal blue hues softened at the bare concern in the miko's gaze. If they had to lose to someone for Makoto's affection, she was glad that it was to Rei. "Mako-chan is fine. Still a bit distressed, but that's to be expected. The others should be arriving soon."
As if summoned by the mere mention of their goal, the front door opened again, and this time a whole host of voices was heard, footsteps loudly stomping in haste to the stairs. Haruka turned and exited the room, scolding them all into a more subdued hurry as they filed in. Usagi neared the bed, gently brushing away a few stray hairs from the brawler's face. "Is she alright?"
"Yes. She'll be fine. A bit shaken up, but it's Mako-chan. You know she'll bounce back again." A slightly rueful smile edged onto the artist's lips. "She won't let anything beat her, she's too damn stubborn."
The blonde princess nodded somberly, stepping away. "Alright." Her gaze shifted to Rei and Haruka, silently questioning them only to get a grudging nod from the priestess that soothed her. "I see. We should go, and let them rest. Maybe she should have some ice cream when she wakes up!"
With a grin, the short warrior of the Moon walked out, closely followed by Minako, Mamoru, and the four generals, leaving only Ami behind. "Is... Are you certain she will be alright?"
For some odd reason, the question annoyed Michiru, her brow barely furrowed. "In time, she will be again. This isn't something that heals in a matter of hours, weeks, months, or even a few years. I don't know if she will ever be the Makoto she used to be, but you know she will do her damnedest to try."
The bluenette seemed a bit taken aback by the sharpness of her words, even Haruka quirking an eyebrow at her before looking at the doctor in training. "Look, if she needs anything medically, I promise that we will call you right away. But, Ami-chan, right now she needs rest. Okay?" The butch fighter assured, placing a gentle hand on the unsure woman's shoulder.
It seemed to do the trick, and finally the four women were left alone, Rei standing to try and pull her girlfriend against her body in an attempt to carry her. She could try to get her to the shrine so that the two women could have their house to themselves, but she wasn't nearly as strong as Makoto or Haruka; this would be a challenge. "What are you doing, Rei-chan?"
Violet eyes met confused midnight. "I'm... trying to take her home."
Michiru shook her head fiercely. "No, that won't do. Mako-chan can rest here, and you can stay with her. Haru and I can use one of the guest beds."
The miko looked horrified. "But, this is your house!" She protested.
"And you are our friends. You two take our bed for tonight. It's okay." Haruka stated, leaving no room for debate as she and her lover left the two women alone.
Rei sighed in defeat and crawled into bed next to Makoto, hearing her tall girlfriend grumble in her sleep a bit and shift closer, her sun-kissed face a bit scrunched. She would have a horrible rash of nightmares tonight, the woman was sure of it, but she would stay right by her side through all of them. She hadn't felt bad about letting Haruka cut into that man like she knew she should have, nor any guilt at searing the wounds shut into horrific looking scars so that the bastard didn't bleed to death. In fact, it was disturbing that a very large part of her hoped to each and every God known to man that he would take his own life as a result, but that was the truth. And yet, she didn't regret her enforcing Usagi's command to not kill him. Makoto wouldn't have wanted them to take his life, even if he had raped her, and a tiny voice in the back of her head was saying that she wouldn't have been able to kill him anyways.
With a sigh, she snuggled closer to Makoto, closing her eyes in a small bid to try and get some rest. Rei knew that she could wake up the moment the nightmares started, so she wasn't too worried about napping. A small belch escaped the taller woman rather unceremoniously, the very faint but horrible smell of what Rei could only describe as curry and regret reaching her nose. She grimaced, but chose to suffer in silence. Makoto needed her, and curry-breath or no, she would be there for her.