Notes: Episode 105, "Wanting More Power! Mako-Chan's Lost Path". Or, "The one where Mako goes to train in the mountains."

Episode 105

Mako charged her opponent, propelling herself with a vicious, guttural battle cry. Her eyes were locked and unwavering as her hands curled into fists, ready to deliver the final, fatal blow. She drew back her arm, tensed for a moment, then let loose with all her rage, her frustration.

And hit nothing.

Confused, Mako spun around, and was then flying through the air. She landed hard on her back, finding little comfort in the minuscule mat padding, and grunted as all the air was forced from her lungs. She lay there for a moment, her eyes clenched, then spent the first bit of oxygen to return to her.

"Dammit!"

She pounded the mat, and it felt so good she did it again. When Mamoru leaned into view, she pounded for a third time, lest she strike out in the opposite direction.

Odds were good Usagi wouldn't be too appreciative of that one.

"You're distracted," Mamoru said, offering her a hand.

Mako took it, swallowing down the angry response boiling in her throat. She settled for a noise of abstract agreement as she got to her feet, then one of thanks as he offered her a towel. Wiping her face, she used the temporary shield to make sure her eyes were dry.

She had to be better than this.

"Let's go again." Mako tossed the towel aside and dropped into a battle stance.

The look of concern that flashed across Mamoru's face only caused Mako to grind her teeth.

"Again!"

But Mamoru continued to just look at her, and she wasn't sure what to make of his expression, but if she saw PITY in it, Mako would just have to apologize to Usagi later for the state of her boyfriend.

Mamoru tilted his head. "Is this about last week?"

Images flashed through Mako's mind. The daimon, the … STUPID daimon. Sometimes that was the worst part, the fact that they looked like living cartoons. Whoever was making these things deserved to be punched in the face forever for that alone. Bad enough to get your ass kicked, but by something that looked like a fucking household appliance with legs?

It wasn't that one specifically. This had been building and building. A twinge here, a poke there. They were supposed to be guardians. They were meant to protect the princess.

What the fuck good was a protector that had to be saved all the time?

"Does it matter?" Mako growled, not dropping her stance.

Mamoru just smiled, and Mako was again struck with the urge to put Crystal Tokyo at risk. "It matters to me. Let's talk."

Talking. Because that's why they were here in a sparring room wearing workout clothes. But oh did Mamoru love his words. Mako sighed and stood as relaxed as she could manage. The sooner he talked the sooner she could take revenge for that flip.

"Fine. Talk."

If her brusque reply was meant to put him off, it didn't work. "Usagi told me about the fight. It sounded like any other."

"That's the problem!"

This time Mamoru DID recoil slightly, and Mako immediately regretted her sharpness. She couldn't beat the enemy so she'll beat on her friends instead.

Good job, Mako-chan.

Mako deflated. All the anger and tension fled, and her shoulders slumped. "I couldn't do anything. I tried but I couldn't hit it. My attacks weren't strong enough. Everybody was counting on me, and I couldn't do ANYTHING."

An arm wrapped around her shoulders, but she continued to gaze at the floor. "It worked out okay," Mamoru said with a reassuring squeeze.

"THIS time. What about the next time, or the time after that?" Mako looked up, her eyes filling with tears. "I can't lose anyone, Mamoru-san. I CAN'T."

Mamoru said nothing, instead pulling her into a tight hug, which Mako gratefully returned. He did love his words, but also knew when not to use them, and she was grateful for that, too.

The hug was fierce, but brief. Mako stepped back and wiped roughly at her wet cheeks.

"You're a team, Mako," Mamoru said with a fond smile. "You girls will always find a way together."

The best Mako could manage was a gesture that really meant nothing at all.

Mamoru considered her for a moment then went to his bag. She watched as he rooted around for his wallet then pulled out a piece of paper, which he handed to her.

A name and address, along with train and bus information, were written on it. "Kakusui Yakushiji?"

"I missed the fight because I was at training for my new job, the one at the hotel?" At Mako's nod, Mamoru continued. "It's kind of isolated, so the regular staff know just about everything about everybody local. They kept talking about this guy." Mamoru tapped the paper in Mako's hand. "He's a monk who's been training at a nearby temple for the past few years. He's looking for his path, they said. When Usagi told me how you were feeling, I thought maybe he could help you."

Mako chuckled. "Paths and monks and temples? Sounds like something for Rei, not me."

"Maybe," Mamoru agreed. "But since Rei's not the one feeling bad right now, maybe there's something to it."

He had a point.

Mako folded the piece of paper and slipped it into her pocket. "When does the next train leave?"