| The 10th Warrior Chapter 5: Bifuu no Hoopu {Gentle Breeze of Hope} |
| Makoto smiled softly as she sat on the front porch, watching the five young men she'd come to know during the past week and Yuli give White Blaze a bath. However, White Blaze had had other ideas and escaped mostly dry, and the bath-time had turned more into a water fight between the males. She giggled as Sage had a bucket of water dumped on his head by Rowen that matted his hair down ove both his eyes. She gazed off towards the lake as she remembered calling her friends. In all truth, only Setsuna had tried to call he again. The others had been too busy, and Setsuna hadn't been too worried for some odd reason. She'd talked to Mina, and told her what had taken place, and then retold the whole story to Setsuna, who promised to tell Haruka and Michiru in private. With that over with, she'd given them Mia's number. A smile came over Makoto's face. Mia had asked her to stay with them. She'd even pay her landlady for the damages. Then she and the others had moved her possessions to Mia's house. Most of it had gone to the basement and attic, but a large portion was also placed in the guestroom that had become Makoto's. "Hey!" exclaimed Makoto as she was brought out of her thought by a spray of water. Kento stood grinning at her with an empty bucket in his hand. "Kento! You're going to pay!" she shouted. Kento laughed and she jumped to her feet. She swung over the banister, to his surprise, and began to chase him towards the lake. "Go, Makoto!" shouted Cye as Makoto began to catch up. Makoto laughed as the others joined in cheering for her. "You're going down, Kento!" she shouted cheerfully as she suddenly lunged forward and caught him around the legs. "Ouch," said Kento with a grunt as he hit the ground. Makoto giggled and jumped to her feet. "I still owe you for the soaking, Kento." Kento had a split moment to get to his knees before Makoto was lifting him into the air and running for the lake. His eyes were wide with surprise as she carried him the last few yards and threw him into the water. He came up from teh water sputtering and then stared at her in surprise as she laughed. "I didn't know you were that strong!" he exclaimed in surprise. Makoto stopped laughing and her face turned red in embarrassment. I thought I was trying to be more feminine! she thought in disgrace. And now I'm rough-housing! "Makoto?" asked Kento, worried at her face. "It's okay. I'm not hurt or anything." Makoto didn't answer, but turned and ran towards the house. "That was great..." started Cye, but was surprised when a very red-faced Makoto ran past him and the others and into the house. Mia gently tapped on the door to Makoto's room. She heard a muffled "Come in" and entered, shutting the door quietly behind her. "Are you okay, Makoto?" she asked, walking over to where Makoto laid on her bed, looking up at the ceiling. Makoto sighed and looked at Mia. "Yeah. Just disappointed in myself." "Why? For dumping Kento in the lake?" Makoto answered with a miserable nod. "Why would you be ashamed of that? You should be proud of your strength," said Mia in surprise. Makoto didn't answer and Mia silently left the room, sensing Makoto needed to be alone. "Makoto Kino," echoed a voice in the mists. "Who's there?" asked Makoto. "I am the Ancient," said the voice as a figure slowly materialized in the mists. "The one Mia spoke to me of." "I am," said the Ancient. "And I have come to tell you to find the source of your power." "Isn't Hoopu the source?" "No," said Hoopu, appearing out of the mists from behind the Ancient. "I am merely the spirit who watches your armor." "Could Hoopu show me?" asked Makoto, looking to the Ancient. "No. It is your job to find the source of your power," said the Ancient. "But..." started Makoto. "No, Makoto. He's right," said Hoopu gently. Makoto sighed and lowered her head. "All right." Sunlight split into the room and Makoto sat up. For a moment, she gazed sleepily towards the clock and then she jumped out of bed. "I need to tell the others about that dream!" she exclaimed and began to change into her clothes. She was downstairs less than five minutes later. There was a lone note on the counter and she quickly read it. "They've all gone, too," she said quietly. "Mia and Yuli aren't here either." She went to the back door and put on her shoes without any further words and left the house, making sure to lock it after her. *Find the source of your power,* echoed the Ancient's thoughts in her mind. Makoto looked upwards at the sky and a gentle breeze blew through her hair. "The wind," she murmured. "How do you find the wind?" She walked down the lakeside and sat down, closing her eyes. Slowly, she fell into meditation, just as rei had taught her to calm her after the harder battles. The wind picked up around her and her kanji flared up on her forehead. Her eyes opened and a smile came over her face. "Maybe..." She stood up and pulled the armor ball from her pocket. "Armor of Whirlwind! Dao Kibou!" she shouted, throwing it into the air. Her sub-armor was on her an instant and then cherry blossoms and silk ribbons fluttered about her as her armor came about her. A moment later, she stood in a sleek, aerodynamic armor of a pearl color. She looked down into the water at her reflection. "I definitely like this more than teh skimpy senshi uniform," she said with a small laugh. The wind blew past, reminding her of her purpose and she became serious. "Now to find myself a storm," she murmured in a set fashion as she began to run, swifter than the human eye could see, the winds seeming to give her wings. A few hours later, she stood on the point of Boso Peninsula, looking out at the Pacific Ocean. Around her, a large storm rages, casting high-speed winds around her. However, she was unaffected by the winds, standing unmoving on the precocious perch on the rock she'd chosen. Three times she'd felt something happen while she'd been on route to where the armor had led her. Without understanding, she knew it had to do with the others. Lightning struck and her thoughts turned to when she'd still had her scout powers. Even now, her broken wnad was in her pocket beneath the armors she wore. Would she ever be Sailor Jupiter again? Light laughter penetrated the wails of teh wind and Makoto saw cherry blossoms seeming to come from nowhere. Instantly, she was on alert and jumped to a stone pillar a number of feet away, the wind carrying her. She landed and turned to see a bolt of light striking where she'd stood. "You'll have to be faster if you want to hit me!" shouted Makoto, her voice ringing over the winds that seemed to accompany her voice. Clouds parted above and a female fell down and landed gracefully on another pillar nearby. "Who are you?" asked Makoto, crossing her arms. "I am Lady Kayura of the Dynasty," said the woman with a small smirk. Makoto's arms move behind her and she unsheathed the sword that hung from her back. She held it before her, green eyes narrowed. "What do you want?" "Your armor," said Kayura. "Surrender yourself." "Why should I?" demanded Makoto, controlling the rage building within her. "We have the Ronins Hardrock, Torrent..." Kayura paused and smiled. "And Halo." Makoto's eyes flashed with anger. "If you harm them, you will die." Kayura smirked again and Makoto growled. The woman's attitude was getting on her nerves. ~Don't let her provoke you. She wants you to grow angry,~ called Hoopu's voice. Makoto forced herself to calm and stared hard at Kayura. "Your plan won't work, Dynasty Witch. Go back to Talpa and tell him he isn't getting the Whirlwind armor!" "Don't underestimate me," said Kayura, her voice showing no trace of her previous mirth. "I can take you easily." "I'd like to see you try," said Makoto. Kayura raised her swords. "Star Sword Scream!" Makoto leaped into the air and the wind carried her to another pillar moments before her previous pillar exploded. "Like I said, Kayura, you've got to be faster," taunted Makoto and raised her more traditional sword. "Now, care to test your swordsmanship, or are you afraid that I could beat you?" Kayura studied her a moment and nodded, a strange glint in her eye. Makoto wondered if Kayura had guessed that Makoto didn't know her own sure-kill. Kayura leaped through the air and slashed down at Makoto with her katana. Makoto blocked with her sword and kicked Kayura away fiercely, surprising the older woman with her strength. Makoto followed Kayura as she fled to another pillar, attacking with her sword. Single minutes turned to ten as they danced about each other, leaping from pillar to pillar in the wind, the rain now falling around them, making it harder to fight. Suddenly, Makoto lost her footing and fell from her pillar. She fell down towards teh ground, but was stopped when a white light radiated from her armor and created a sphere around her. She floated a moment and then she touched the ground. Kayura stood above, watching her speculatively a moment and then jumped down afte her. Once again, the swordplay ensued, both fighting with silent fury, neither relenting for the other. ~Makoto, you need your sure-kill if you are to win this round.~ How? she asked between a parry. ~Use the power of your armor.~ I don't understand! Makoto shoved Kayura away from her with a back kick and ran a few steps away, panting for breath. ~Look within yourself and around you.~ What? Makoto ducked under one of Kayura's swords and used her own to block the second. ~Have hope.~ Kayura jumped away and looked at Makoto, panting slightly less than Makoto was. "This ends now," said Kayura, raising her katanas. Makoto closed her eyes and raised her sword. "I can do this," she whispered. "I can do this. I have to do this." Slowly, the kanji of hope appeared upon her forehead and her armor began to glow. She opened her eyes. "Spiral Whirlwind!" Winds suddenly gathered about her and began to glow with energy. Kayura stood awestruck a second and then jumped away, right as Makoto swung her sword in Kayura's direction. The winds tore away from where Makoto stood and slammed into Kayura's retreating form, the energy in the attack lacing about her. Kayura screamed in pain and landed against a pillar. Then she stood to her feet in anger and turned. "Makoto!" shouted a voice beyond the winds. "You will lose in the end," said Kayura and vanished. Makoto stared a moment and then leaned against a pillar wearily, feeling drained. "Makoto! You're okay!" exclaimed a relieved voice. Makoto felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her and she looked back to see Ryo grinning at her in relief with Rowen close behind. "Hey, guys," she said gently right before passing out from exhaustion...TO BE CONTINUED |