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Jupiter didn't have much time to analyze this memory. She was loose enough to reach for the blade and cut herself down. Sensing that the monster was practically on top of her beloved, she wasted no time in rushing it. Since it had turned its back on her, she was in a good position to make the kill.

Swinging the sword around without making a sound, she made contact with its head, which then went rolling to the ground. It landed several feet away from her, looking at her as its body fell backwards. It was right in front of Ite.

"You b***h!" it exclaimed as it died, turning into potato dust.

Makoto looked at the sword in her hand, studying it for a few moments before looking back to Ite. "Are you OK?" she asked.

Jupiter suddenly felt sick to her stomach. Queen Serenity... Really said and did all that? Why? She was supposed to be good! She recalled her feelings. Although she's agreed to Serenity's sands, she did not agree with them. After all, Serenity was the main woman in charge of these parts, and it was her sworn duty to do everything she could to protect the Kingdom. Jupiter wasn't one to play with someone's heart. Not when hers was so vulnerable. She remembered vowing to avoid the Youma Hunter for as long as possible, using her other duties as a shield until fate brought them together. It was too bad that fate was only kept at bay for a few days...

"Ite, are you alright!?" she cried, shaking him as she pulled the potato roots out of his mouth. "Please... Please don't tell me this is the Moon Kingdom in reverse... I just found you! I don't want to lose you now!" she cried.

Jupiter hugged him tight, absentmindedly squeezing his head into her chest. "I was so scared I had lost you." she said, breathing a sigh of relief. Changing back, she smiled. "Come on. Let's go home."

Her groceries were still where she had left them. She had an idea as to why he couldn't transform. But she didn't have all her memories of how the situation in the moon kingdom had unfolded. Besides, hadn't the Youma Hunter still had his powers when the Silver Millenium was destroyed? She couldn't remember... There was too much missing for her to analyze these memories. Or was it that she didn't want to face what was inevitably the truth?

Makoto picked up the food and noticed Ite's bag. "Whatcha got, there?" she inquired.

Makoto helped Ite up and the two began walking. "You could give me an onion ring and I'd still cherish it." She teased. Marriage was a long way away. Though their love was rekindled, she still had to get to know him all over again. And she had to win over Nariko as well.

"A steak, eh? Well, I don't have a grill but I can work my magic on it." she promised. "You know, even though I live alone, I have family- and a trust fund-that takes care of me. If you and Nariko move in, you'll never have to worry about what food comes through the door ever again." She promised. "Both of you will be well fed. And I can teach Nariko how to make a meal you could not only digest but enjoy as well." she half teased. "Although she doesn't like me, I'll do what I can to protect her, too."

Makoto wanted nothing more than to be with Ite. The question was, when he found out about Serenity's orders, would he still want to be with her? Or would he throw her to the curb?

Makoto continued to smile as she enjoyed the conversation. "I can understand and respect that." She agreed. "But you can't just work yourself to death, either. One job." she said, somewhat sternly. "With reasonable hours. You still have your studies to worry about. Bring whatever you want into the house. But don't overdo it. It's simply not necessary."

They reached Makoto's apartment and went inside. Makoto set the groceries down and heard a rustling coming from her bedroom. Cautiously, she crept over, ready to beat the shot out of whoever it was that had come unannounced. But as she entered the room, posing to attack and letting out a loud "Heeyah!" she stopped in her tracks.

There, going through her closet, was none other than Nariko herself.

"Jesus Christ, do you have any idea how close you were to getting the crap beat out of you!? You don't just sneak into somebody's house like that!" Makoto snapped.

"What!?" Nariko spat. "I just wanted to have a look around. I wanted to know of what kind of person the girl who is seducing my brother really is!" she exclaimed.

"And you thought you could figure it out by going through my underwear drawer?" Makoto asked, confused. In Nariko's hands was a pair of white, lacey panties, with several other sexy pairs piled around her. Nothing else had been tossed to the floor.

"Well, um-" Nariko stuttered, throwing the panties to the floor. "Well it's easy to tell if the woman whose shaking up with my brother is a good person or not by the kind of panties she wears!" Nariko blurted. "And you... Are a seductress!" she pointed directly at Makoto. "But you don't have any black panties, so you're not the devil and that's a good thing!"

Makoto looked at Ite's in shock. "Um... OK..."

Makoto had no idea where Nariko's thoughts were going, either. Perhaps she or one of her friends watched too much anime? Maybe she'd even gotten into some dark tentacle hentai.

"Well what am I supposed to do!?" Nariko blurted. You went El creep-o on me. Then you didn't come home for several days. Now you're with her and you just met her!" Nariko snapped. Nariko took a deep breath and sighed. "I'm trying to figure out how to accept this. Really, I am. But it's too much!" She admitted.

"You feel discluded, don't you?" Makoto asked.

"Well, yeah. It's like now that he's got a girlfriend, he doesn't need me anymore. He replaced me with you!" she pointed to Makoto.

Makoto could see the heartbreak in Nariko's eyes. She nodded in understanding. "Ite is all you have, isn't he?" Makoto pried. "You're used to him being around. To fill the void that your parents left when they passed. You need him as much as he needs you, don't you?" Makoto asked her.

A small tear welled up in Nariko's eyes. She nodded and began to sob. Makoto looked to Ite. She wanted to hug Nariko, but knew that she wasn't the one who should be doing it. She looked at Ite and gave a light gesture to him.

"Nariko, what if the three of us became a family together? You, me and Ite. I lost my parents, too. We can depend on each other and none of us will ever have to worry about being left out."

"How are you going to support both of us with less jobs?" Nariko asked. "We can't afford another person in the house!" she exclaimed.

"I have been supporting myself since my parents died." Makoto said softly. "I have some family that does help me. But I have never wanted for anything. And I never have to worry about making the bills. We could all get a bigger apartment, and live comfortably if you'd like. You wouldn't have to worry about food, bills or anything anymore. Instead, you can focus on school and friends. How does that sound?"

Nariko stared at Makoto. "Well we can't just mooch off of you! I mean, what's in it for you? Do I become a live-in Cinderella in turn!? No thanks!"

Makoto chuckled at Nariko's obsurd remark. "No!" she laughed. "Everyone will do their own parts to upkeep the house. But I like to clean, so I'll do the heavy stuff. And I can teach you to cook better, too!" she offered.

"There's nothing wrong with my cooking!" Nariko said, chucking a frying pan at Makoto, who caught it in one swift, quick motion.

"You should know that hitting and throwing things at me isn't going to work, by now. I'm a black belt in Karate. And you are a small fry in comparison with my skills." she teased. "But I can teach you that, too. What do you say?"

Nariko gripped at the miss. But finally nodded and grumbled (in a hardly autible tone) "I guess so."

"What was that?" Makoto asked.

"I said its fine!" Nariko shouted.

"Woo-hoo!" Makoto threw herself at Nariko and hugged her. "We're all going to have so much fun together!" she squee'd.

"Let go of me before I change my mind!" Nariko barked.

Makoto got up and looked at Ite. "I'm gonna go make dinner now!" She said, prancing out of her room.