She had heard that things had turned for the worse for Saturn ever since the civil war started, but she had never expected things to be this bad.  Mako watched the starving people lying on the filthy street of Craven, the once beautiful proud capital of Saturn, with a sickening feeling in the stomach. Men and women, young and old; most wore the same kind of look; a look of despair and desolation. It was as if they knew that all hope were gone and this was the reality that they had to accept because no other kind would ever be offered to them. They lived and yet they were not alive. They moved but without any meaning or purpose other than to survive for just another day.  She could not help but to wonder, if this was how the capital looked like then how much worse was it outside in the countryside?  How did the rest of planet fare? How could this be possible? How could a planet at the height of its power reduce to a society on the brink of destruction in just a few years?  Mako glanced at her surroundings her vivid green eyes taking in not just tattered clothing and the filth but the decaying buildings, the battered street. Where once majestic cobbled stones paved the street, now lay only empty sockets here and there, signs of the battles that had once raged at this very place. She wondered if it had been really worth it. Was power really worth the price that was paid? What did it matter which side won if the planet they were going to rule was this? It was a place where law and order did not live and only power and strength decided whom would survive. No wonder the amount of refugees to the other planets never subsided. Who would want to live in a place like this? Except for criminals that is, Mako added grimly.  She stopped in front of an establishment, the worn sign above showing three dices. On it was written in Common: Devil�s Luck. Briefly she hoped some of that luck might rub off on her when she entered the place. Straightening her back and making sure that the knives she had strapped to her body were within easy reach, Mako took a deep breath and entered the place.  The blast of music and shouts slammed against her like a fist and only by the sheer force of will did she keep herself from staggering back. As she walked through the grimy place, where food and ale littered the floor along with cards and dices and some things that she did not even want to know what they were, her full lips thinned slightly in disgust.   Instead of taking a seat by one of the three empty tables by the wall, Mako purposely headed for the counter on the opposite side of the entrance. She used the time to observe her surroundings, taking in the positions of the windows and the doorways as well as the patrons. The smoky haze filling the place clouded her visions but she was sure she could count at least twenty heads if not twenty three. The table by the corner was shadowed by the great furnace and she could not make out if it was only one or four sitting there. Every one of the men in the inn looked dangerous and Mako knew that while the women seemed harmless, appearance could be deceiving. Mina had taught her that.  �What it be?� The man behind the counter asked all the while not stopping from polishing the mug in his large beefy hand. The rag he was using, Mako noticed was darkish brown and most certainly not its original color to start with.  �Mead.� Mako told him gruffly.  The man cast one dubious look at her and set the down the mug in his hand with a slam. Hard training kept her from jumping though it was a close call. Instead Mako met his eyes steadily. Seeming satisfied with her reaction, the man grabbed the mug and left to pour her drink. From the corner of her eyes, Mako observed the people sitting closest to her. None however fit the description of the men she was looking for.  �Twenty copper.� The man barked as she slammed the mug back on the counter. Mead sloshed over, splattering on the surface and on Mako�s hair and leather clothing.  Without a word, Mako tossed the coins to him. They disappeared quickly into his fist and in a hidden pocket, no doubt one of many. Twenty copper? Talk about highway robbery. She could buy a round for that back home. What did the man think he was serving? Venusian red?  Mako lifted the mug, took one swallow, grimaced and spit it out the content on the floor. She slammed the mug down, hands going for the ugly looking hooked knife resting against her hip and demanded. �You have a secret wish to see your maker, old man?�  The inn had gone deadly quiet as all eyes focused on the scene at the counter.  The man looked at her carefully, his dark eyes carefully taking in her show control and started chuckling. �Yer alright, kid�  It was as if the room took a deep breath of relief and suddenly the volume increased once more as everyone went about their business. The man took away the mug, wiping his ever present rag on the surface and set down another mug of mead in front of Mako. Mako cast a suspicious look at the thing but seeing the slight smile on the man�s face, she grudgingly picked it up and drank. She never could resist a challenge.  It tasted just fine.    �I gather yer new to town.� The bartender said.  �Aye. Came straight from Jupiter.� She figured there was no need to lie. She had the typical looks of a Jovian.  The man nodded his head as if having his suspicions confirmed. �Is there any need to ask what drew ye here?�  In reply Mako gave him a devilish grin.  He shook his head in resignation. �Ye and the rest of the fools of this system.�  �It�s a great way of making a name.�  �And an even faster way of dying.� Came the reply.  A chill ran up Mako�s spine. Not because she feared death but because the tone of his voice. What kind of a thing were these Tournaments? Still no matter what, she needed to find Bear and if that meant she had to walk through the very fires of Hell to do that, then so be it.  Lifting her chin defiantly she said, �Only the weak will fall. And I�m not one of those.�  He shrugged in reply. �Ye had yer warning.� His tone said clearly that if she wanted to be foolish enough to kill herself then it was none of his business. She should feel annoyed but somehow the fact that he was looking after her, a total stranger, moved her somewhat.  �If this place is so bad. How come you�re staying?� She asked mildly and took another swallow. This stuff wasn�t so bad considering the place.  �No place else to go. Here I make a living. I rely on myself. Better that than become like those dogs waiting on hand and foot for Selenity and her nobles to throw them a scrap of food whenever the mood strike.�  Mako stiffened slightly at the insult, her instinctive protective nature coming to her Queen�s defense but a small voice warned her to thread carefully and to remember her agenda.  �True. I would rather rely on myself too, which is why I�m here.� She took a lazy swipe of the mead.  �Yer that confident?� She did not answer him but the look she gave spoke volumes.  �So ye want to try yer hand at replacing Mook huh? Words travel fast. Yer the fourteenth person to approach me now.� He shook his head, a clear gesture that said he thought she was a fool.  Now they were getting somewhere.  Looking steadily in the eyes, Mako said softly. �No I mean to finish the job he was never able to and that is to win.�  �Great words. And what makes ye think ye can manage that? We get a lot of loudmouth here, Mook was one of them and when was time to deliver the goods he failed, fatally.�  �That was his problem and my gain. If you can arrange for me to meet Grim I�ll prove that I can do the job right.� Mako met his eyes steadily and fought hard not to show the eagerness. She couldn�t believe her luck. Maybe the place wasn�t so badly named after all.  There was a long moment of silence between them and in the end he broke it by chuckling. �Yer bold. I give ye that. And certainly fresher in yer approach than the others before.�  He did not say anything more but looked at her expectantly. Mako knew what he wanted but something told her that it would be the wrong move so instead she crossed her arms over her chest and waited. His eyes followed her movements and for a moment there they lingered there, the fight fitting leather enhancing her generous forms and then he smiled.  �Ye got guts. I like that. Very well wait.�  He threw down the rag and disappeared through one of the back doorways. Mako fought hard not to show the jubilation she felt. Things were going far smoother than she had anticipated. Of course she knew this was only but the first step. She still needed to convince Grim that she was skilled enough to join his team for the next tournament. Time was of an essence here. She did not know how long she had before Mina dug out where she was and hauled her back at the scuff of her neck. In the sense of digging out information, the woman was scary.  The appearance of the bartender, had Mako pushing thought of Mina�s wrath, which could outshine any Mako or Rei had given, and punishment to the back of her mind. Moving lithely on her feet she followed the man as he led her further inside the inn, down the basement and along narrow dark tunnels that even challenged her good sense of location. In the end she saw the light at the end of the tunnel and soon they reached a small room that was starkly decorated except for the great amount of weapons and armors stacked against one wall.  There were five men in the room ranging from big to small, each wore black headbands. Mako focused her attention the man that was sitting down. He looked to be about in his early forties. The fire flickered and reflected on the top of his bald head. A pair of long bushy eyebrows hung down at the side of his face. The eyes were small and reminded her of hard marble balls and showed as much in emotions. Despite his not so impressive figure, the man reeked of danger.  No wonder they said the warlords of Saturn were among the most dangerous criminals on this system. And from what she heard Grim was considered as one of the less harmless ones, she wondered how the others were like then. Warlords such as Druscilla, Lance and Criton.  �So Bob here tells me you want to join us.� Grim said. His marble eyes observed her and as they roamed over her body and the tight fitting clothes he sneered.  �In case you haven�t noticed little girl, this is a competition about skill, about power not a beauty contest.�  His men snickered from the side.  Obviously women were not considered highly among them. Typical, the moment society moves backwards so does the position of women. Any other day Mako would have taught them a lesson but now was not the time to fight for the Women�s Liberation Front.  �I can assure you I did not choose the clothes because of how they look but for their practical use.�  �Hardly easy to shed.� One of the men sneered from the side.  Mako cast him a glance and the next moment a knife flew from her hand and thudded against the wall. There was a wild oath coming from the man as he staggered back. He was touching his left cheek and when he lifted his palm, there was blood on it. A thin red line stroked his cheek.  �You bitch. You�ll pay for that.� He snarled and pulled out his scimitar from the scabbard.  �Stay your hand.� Grim ordered. �At least for the moment.� He added and gave Mako a speculative look. �You have a lot guts, girl. Drawing weapon and attacking my men in my presence. I like that in person but don�t get too cocky.�  Mako lifted her chin. �I came here to offer my fighting skills. Not to be insulted. I don�t tolerate it outside and it does not mean I will start doing it here.�  Grim stroked his chin. �What�s your name, girl?�  �Tasha�  There was a brief silence.  �I heard about you: a ruthless woman who seeks fame and travels around the system finding fitting opponents to challenge. Rumors had it you were captured on Thebe, by the Jovian militia.�  Mako waved a hand. �No more than a slight inconvenience. My opponent and I were in the middle of a battle when the local militia came. He knew he was not my equal so he made sure he had some backup. Anyways I quickly rectified that mistake.�  �Impressive. I hear the Lord Captain captured you. Not many can beat him.�  �He was a difficult opponent. If there wouldn�t be such a hassle over his death I would much have liked to have had a real match with him. But as it was then I was more interested in escape.�  �And now you figured you�re lonely wandering days are over and you need to find partners. So you came here to Saturn, the paradise for outlaws, criminals and scum of the societies.�  �Well I can think of many other ways to describe myself than the ones you used but yes I guess you�re right.� Mako told him dryly. �So what do you say? My reputation itself should tell you I�m far more skilled than that poor sod Mook, not to mention the lackeys you have here.�  �Watch it, bitch. Before I cut that tongue of yours.� The warning came from a small man crouched by the wall. He wore a mixture of black and red clothes, his black face nearly hidden in the shadow but there was a rabid look in his eyes that spoke volumes of the nature of his mind.  Mako ignored him instead she looked at that Grim, knowing that it was him that she had to convince.  There was a long moment of silence. The tension lying heavily in the room, like a snake poised to attack. Everyone was waiting, waiting for what Grim would say.  Grim shifted and looked up at her and in his eyes she knew the truth even before he opened his mouth to speak.  �Kill her.�  The moment he finished his sentence, the room exploded in activities.  Mako already prepared, moved quickly, pivoted and slammed her boot into the first attacker. She dodged a slashing sword, even as she threw the knives hidden inside her clothes as more weapons came sailing her way. She dodged to more attacks but the third one slammed against her stomach sending her sailing against the wall. Pain exploded along the back and she tasted the saltiness of blood in her mouth. Jumping to the side she hit another man on the wrist, a disarming chop that Rei had taught her and the weapon he carried immediately clanged to the floor. Mako jumped down caught hold the weapon, somersaulted and came back on her feet with the sword slashing in a wild arc. The slight reflection of weapons warned her just in time and she managed to parry as the small man who had threatened to cut out her tongue earlier attacked her with two strange looking knives with three blades. As luck would have it she the blade of her sword caught in between his. She used all her strength and pushed the man backwards sending him flying against one of his partners.  Breathing slightly heavily, Mako took a moment to observe the battlefield using the time she had bought. She cursed her bad luck when she realized that she was stuck in the middle of the room with all four men between her and the exit and Grim still sitting behind her.  Each man carried a different weapon but all four wore the same look, the look of a predator as it sensed a prey and was just on the brink of attacking. Dangerous men to begin with, but turned even more deadly with the combination of bloodlust. She wasn�t sure she could take them on for long without being powered up as Sailor Jupiter. But she couldn�t use that, not without blowing her cover and warning her enemies. So all she could depend on at this moment was her skill and luck. Something told her that if she could only survive for another ten minutes than her problems would be over.    She set her teeth and angled her head in a way that her friends would have recognized as her pose when she was determined to see things through to the end; even if it did turn bloody. She came here for answers and she would not leave without one.  For the next few minutes the battle was fierce. She received more injuries and cut in that short period of time than she had in the entire ten years training under Artemis� tutelage. Never before had she been glad of the strictness and harsh training that she had gotten from her mentors than just then. She needed all the stamina, speed, strength and fighting skill she could muster to just keep herself alive. Her muscles were aching and she could hear the roaring in her head as blood coursed through her body the pace increased due to the fastened heartbeats. Strangely it was exhilarating as well. Because she was pitching her skills against men whom were known for being dangerous and skilful fighters and she was actually managing to hold on her own without being powered up. It gave her a sense of excitement with each attack she managed to parry and a great sense of satisfaction seeing her enemies react from each wound she inflicted.  Then all of a sudden the fight was interrupted by the appearance of something very large as it launched in to the room and right against Mako�s opponents. Mako only managed to register the roaring sound of an animal right before she saw three of her opponents fly across the room like dolls, connecting against the wall with a cracking sound. The last enemy remaining was cut down from behind by a tall man that suddenly appeared from the darkened tunnel.   �Come let�s go.� The stranger told her and before she could react he grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled.  Still reeling from the whole incident, Mako followed without thinking, reacting to the firm command in his voice. She managed to catch the look of the animal, a bull? stomping and reeling in the crowded space, right before she was pulled into the darkness. The sound of the roaring animal and shouts and curses followed them.  Once the surprise had worn off however, Mako started to resume control of her wits. Precaution kicked in and the realization came that she might just have jumped from the frying pan into the fire. She tried to pull out of the man�s grasp and was both surprised and annoyed when she realized that she wasn�t able to manage that.  �Unhand me.� She ordered her �rescuer�.  When he didn�t comply she planted her feet in. It was not exactly the smartest movement she could have made.  The sudden halt she made had him nearly pulling her arms out of its socket. Her eyes crossed with pain. She stumbled and would have fallen straight into the sewer water if he hadn�t reacted quickly and moved. The lightning speed surprised her. One moment she was falling and another she hit against a muscular chest. The impact was not really that great, but she found her breath catching in her throat and the very air around them seemed to sizzle with energy.  Frightened for the first time since her arrival to Saturn, Mako reached out with her free hand, which was still holding the sword and pointed the edge against the man�s neck.  �Thank you for your assistance, but you can unhand me now.� She told him softly. It was dark in the tunnel and she had could barely make out the other man�s features.  �I�ve heard about a lot of ways a person can thank another for saving her life. But pointing a weapon against the rescuer is the first.� The dark timbre of his voice carried across the darkness like velvet. He had an accent but she could not make it out from where but there was no mistaking the glitter in his eyes that he did not appreciate having a weapon pointed at him.  Well that was just fine with her because she didn�t appreciate being manhandled either. And most importantly she disliked having someone interfering in her business.  �I never asked for your help.� Mako pointed out levelly. She increased the pressure on her weapon this time enough to draw slight blood.  Even in the dim light, Mako could see his eyes glitter and narrow. She felt his hand tighten on hers and then all of a sudden he started chuckling. �You sure are one of a kind, Lita.� He let go of her and stepped back.  �Thank you.� Mako told him glibly and fought against the impulse of massaging her wrist. �Now if you don�t mind why don�t�.� Her voice trailed off as the name registered in her head and she whipped her head upwards, sending the braid that flowed down her back to whip against her shoulder with enough force to make it sting. �What did you just call me?�  �Well I�m glad at least that it was your real name that you gave me.� Her rescuer told her and there was a solemnity in his voice and a meaning in his tone that she could not quite grasp.  �Who are you?� Mako asked warily and backed away from him slowly. Lita wasn�t a name she had used often even as she grew up. It was in fact her second nickname and those who knew of it never called her that anymore. She looked at the man, tall nearly a head taller than her, with broad shoulders and long hair. It had been wavy and dark with reddish tint, she recalled right before he had pulled her out of that room. Yet for the life of her she couldn�t recall who he was. It was certainly not Freddy that much she was sure.  The man sighed. �Look its obvious that you remember me and while I would like to fill in the blanks for you, now is not the time.� The man told her. He nodded down the tunnel they had just come from. Shouts were coming from there along with splashing sounds that told them, pursuers were coming.  �Why don�t you fill me in now and let me decide. How do I know you�re not in league with them and trying to lure me into another trap the moment my guard was down.� Mako told him suspiciously.  The sounds of pursuers were growing nearer.  Her �rescuer� blew out his breath in frustration. �Damn you sure have turned into a suspicious person. What happened to the friendly warm hearted girl I got to know?�  �Oh I don�t know, it depends on when I was �supposed�,� She made a quotation sign with her free hand. �to have known you. Obviously I must have been a kid who didn�t know better since you claim I befriended you.�  �Obviously.� The man snorted. �If I knew she would have turned into a brat like you I would never have bothered to rescue you back there.�  �Well for your opinion, I never asked to be rescued there. I was handling myself perfectly fine.� Mako told him heatedly and took a step closer. She did have in mind enough to lower the sword in her hand so that the point was facing down. She rather felt like knocking him with her fist than skewering him. What an arrogant bastard!  �Yeah getting yourself killed by your own recklessness.�  �I wasn�t being reckless. I had the situation perfectly under control.�  He snickered. �Yes I could see that being sliced up an all.� He gave her arm a pointed look.  Mako looked down and realized that she was bleeding steadily from a cut on her left upper arm. With the knowledge of the wound came also the pain and she grimaced slightly.  �You�re going to have to have that taken cared of. �  She was about to tell him to mind his own business when the sound of someone calling out orders caught her ears. Both of them tensed up at the same time.  �Well they sure are persistent.� He murmured.  Mako growled under her breath and prepared to pull her sword out of the sheath when he halted her.  �I have something better in mind.� He told her.  Mako watched him with cryptic eyes but decided to see what he had up his sleeve. The determination in his eyes told her it might get interesting.  Her eyebrows nearly vanished into her hairline when he clasped his hands together and starting murmuring under his breath. The guy was praying? At a time like this? She felt like kicking him.  The sound of pursuers came nearer and grumbling under her breath in annoyance at men in general, Mako prepared to shift into battle position when she felt the tingling in her body that told her magic was being used. Whipping her head towards the source, she let out an audible gasp of surprise as she saw the tall man suddenly starting to glow in the darkness. There was a globe of red light coming from his clasped hands and the light seemed to spread throughout out his body giving off a reddish aura.  �What �� Her words were cut off when suddenly a red light shot out from his clasped hands and hit the water. The surface started to bubble like it was boiling. Smoke rose and something or she should say some things were starting to rise. Mako stared in fascination when two girls started to emerge from the surface. Both blonde with flowing long hair and tiny, they looked like each other�s mirror except that one had green-blue eyes and the other had blue-green eyes. The only thing they wore were tiaras with a large agate stone in the center.  �Gemini, I have some problems coming up. Would you please take care of them?� Mako�s rescuer asked.  �No problem, love. Sis and I will deal with them, won�t we?� One of the girls, the one to the right with blue-green eyes winked.  �Anything for you, Nephrite.� The sister in question tossed a golden mane over one shoulder and cast a smoldering look at their summoner.  Nephrite cleared his throat. It was too dark to determine but Mako could nearly swear that he was blushing slightly.  �Try not to let your sense of practical joke get carried away and be careful, okay? These are criminals of the worst kind. You got about ten minutes.� Nephrite warned them before taking hold of Mako�s hand and pulling her off.  After one futile tug and an annoyed glance at the tall man, Mako looked back at the two strange women and caught them waving at her with a combination of cheerfulness and glee. She wasn�t even surprised when she realized that a building headache was starting to appear in her right temple. The day kept getting stranger and stranger. All that she needed was Mina appearing suddenly and hauling her sorry ass back to Moon.  �Where are we going?� Mako asked and quickened her steps so she was running alongside him instead of behind him.  Nephrite was silent for a long moment. It was almost as if he was debating over something and he couldn�t decide. I'm taking you to see my friends. Seeming as our goals are the same, I think we can be of help to each other.� He told her. Mako frowned as she wondered who these friends were. The man reluctant feelings did nothing to assure her. Add to the fact that she was getting a strange tingling feeling at the back of her head when he mentioned his friends, it was enough to make any girl wary. She knew him, that much she was sure now. Yet she still couldn�t remember where she had met him. Still, she decided, there wasn�t much to it now. The only door in to the Death Tournaments and reaching Bear had just been slammed in her face. Maybe Nephrite and his friends might just be what she needed. The possibility that this might be a trap didn�t get past her either. If this was a trap she was willing to chance it. She already knew when she decided to go after Bear that she might have to face Death himself. All she could hope while keeping her eyes open and senses alert, that maybe this was Celes way of blessing her on her quest for justice