Takiko jumped into Makoto's lap. Makoto smiled at her. "Takiko, what did you see?" Takiko was a talking dog. (Hey this is fiction! :p)

"Makoto, Ken! It is awful! They are burning down our village, and the palace is being taken over by big oafs. The survivors were being forced to bow before this ugly lady that claims to be the new Jupiter Queen. They killed both of your parents, Makoto. There are so many awful changes. I brought you the magical mirror, like Michiru's. You can look in it to see anything that you wish to see, but I warn you, it is not a pretty sight."

Makoto was in tears, tears of helplessness, tears of remorse, tears of regret, tears for those she knew who died, tears for the beautiful kingdom she once called home, and tears for the future that she knew may be ruined. Ken consoled her by holding her close and offering her strength and comfort. Her tears were falling onto Ken's shoulders, they were warm tears, the kind you get when you have just fallen. Makoto was feeling comfort from Ken, she didn't want to cry, but she couldn't help it. Ken knew how hard it must be for Makoto. He kissed her forehead. He knew that she was wondering why it had happened; he was too. He could not take Makoto being in so much pain. It felt awful to look into the beautiful eyes of the lovely young girl who was usually so cheerful and find sadness. It felt like looking at a pitiful sight. Ken looked at Makoto, and she grabbed his shirt and tugged on it, probably hoping that it would release some anger.

Makoto got a grip. She apologized for being in such hysterics, but Ken understood. Makoto felt like she had the best husband in the world; nothing she did would make him love her any less. He loved her so much that he had even given up so many things for her. She appreciated him and he knew it. Sasami was their pride and joy.

Takiko missed her family. They were killed before she could save them, but she knew that it must have been for the better, or for a reason. Takiko was quite an optimistic dog, she believed that everything happened for a reason, and it probably did.

Makoto sang a lullaby to Sasami, "There is a castle on a cloud, I like to go there in my sleep. Aren't any floors for me to sweep, not in my castle on a cloud. There is room that's full of toys, there are a hundred boys and girls. Nobody shouts or talks to loud, not in my castle on a cloud. There is a lady all in white, holds me and sings a lullaby. She's nice to see, and she's soft to touch. She says Sasami, I love you very much. I know a place where no one's lost, I know a place where no one cries. Crying at all is not allowed, not in my castle on a cloud." (Note: this is a song, "Castle On A Cloud," from Les Miserables, a Broadway Musical.)

Sasami cooed a bit, then she fell asleep. Makoto sighed with relief. Ken looked into his lovely wife's eyes. He took Sasami into his arms. "Mako Chan, we should get going. The guards may be coming soon."

Makoto looked straight at him. She felt like telling him she didn't care if she died, but that wasn't true either. She had a child, her child, to protect. "Yes, Ken. I hope that we may one day come back to the kingdom to win it back. Do you suppose it is possible?"

Ken looked at her. He could never lie to his beloved wife, but then again, he couldn't just say no. That would bring her into a further depression, and that wouldn't help the situation in any way. "I suppose it is possible Makoto. I don't know the statistics, but I hope, I really hope so."

Makoto looked a bit unsure as to if her husband was trying to comfort her or he believed it. Makoto was never quite sure. Many times, he had believed what she did, but sometimes, when she was this upset, he said things just to comfort her. She picked up Takiko. Takiko was a cute Cocker Spaniel. Makoto loved her blonde/brown fur. Takiko's big, brown eyes were so sweet; you couldn't help but love her. She was a very small Cocker Spaniel. Makoto picked her up so that she wouldn't lag behind. She put the two gold handles to the little hand mirror on her tie to her robe. Makoto felt awkward. All she had on was her Emerald Green nightgown. Not that it was a bad nightgown; it was in fact a lovely one. It had lace the color of Sugar Pink on the end of the sleeves and the bottom of the nightgown. The Emerald Green silk was very fine indeed. There was a tiny Sugar Pink bow at the top. It was made with Emerald Green lace at the top that covered the inner part of silk. The lace was put there to make it look classier. Makoto also wore a Sugar Pink robe, which was also made of silk. The robe had Emerald Green trimmings. She had on silk, Emerald Green slippers and an Emerald Green bow in her hair. Along with some jewelry she wore to bed, like her rings and pendant, ect...

Ken had gotten dressed quickly before they left. He was wearing black slacks and a white blouse. It was very quick and easy to put on, but Makoto's dresses seemed to take forever to put on.

Takiko was in her sweet, little, silk nightgown and robe. It was exactly like Makoto's only smaller. She wore Emerald Green booties.

Makoto wished that she could have saved more of her jewelry and belongings, but more than that, she wished she could save her family and friends; as well as the kingdom. "Ken, do you think that we can save our daughter's future?"

"I do, but we will have to live somewhere else and start all over. We will have to work in shops, I know we were brought up to live in palaces and mansions, eat fine food, and have a lot of money, but that is not the way anymore."

That saddened Makoto. She had never imagined she, a princess, would be a commoner. It wasn't really selfishness, but she couldn't believe that she had lost everything. She was contented that her small family had escaped safely. Takiko had some bruises, but was otherwise fine. Makoto saved her just in time.

"Ken Sama, where shall we live?"

"Another planet." Came the soft reply that struck Makoto like a knife.

'Why is he being so cool about all of this?' Makoto thought, but before she could say another word, they were surrounded be soldiers.

"Ken, these aren't soldiers from home. Sorry I had to tell you!" Makoto said nervously.

Ken took Makoto's hands. He wished for them to be safe, he really wanted this nightmare to end. "Makoto, please go ahead. I will fight them off."

"You can't! I will help."

"But..."

"Ken! No ands, or, or, buts about it. When I was younger, I took ten years of Karate! It was my dad's orders." Ken knew that Makoto had a one-track mind. What she said, she meant. Once her mind was made, you couldn't change it. Ken thought her stubbornness was cute, especially when she stood up for what she believed in. Ken sometimes made her act stubborn, just because she looked so cute when she was being stubborn.

Makoto wished that she could just turn into some sort of super hero and save everyone. She couldn't and she knew it. Makoto needed to do something with Sasami. Sasami was crying. Makoto needed to protect her. "Takiko, protect Sasami!" Makoto put Sasami in a bush. Takiko ran over and guarded her.

Ken held Makoto's hand tightly. "This is it." He smiled at her. Makoto had often practiced her Karate skills on the guards at home. They were the ones that had helped her train to become so good at the defensive techniques that she knew. Ken had seen her practice; she was quite good.

Makoto did a series of kicks and punches on one enemy guard; Ken did a few moves that Makoto had taught him on another enemy guard. Makoto felt her arm being restricted. She tried to look back, but someone was holding her. The enemy guard she was beating before immediately started slapping her silly. Ken looked over; he ran to protect her. Of course, the enemy that he was beating on followed him. He hadn't the slightest idea of what to do. If he were at the palace, he could get his sword. He hadn't had time to grab it. Sasame was crying loudly. Ken was running at her when another guard knocked Ken unconscious. Makoto cried, "Ken!"

Makoto needed to help him. Poor Takiko was trying to protect Sasame. She was biting everyone and looked tired. Makoto realized that she had been over-confident. She longed to just curl up and die. She wanted to save the remaining family she had left. Makoto started to tremble. She felt agony from all the beating that she was taking. Makoto got up a sudden amount of bravery. Makoto was indeed very brave. She could take anything, unless it emotionally hurt her, but even then she just got angry and fought back. Her theory was that if the world gives you a beating, you take it and fight right back. This was one time her theory was wrong. She was receiving a beating, but she couldn't fight back. She felt like crying, but she could never give her enemies that satisfaction. She looked at Ken, Sasame, and Takiko. Makoto drew in a deep breath. "Please, take me and leave my family alone!"

The guards smirked at her. Feeling that their mission was accomplished they took away Makoto. Makoto, for the first time felt agony that cut through her heart like a knife that had just been sharpened. She whispered, "Goodbye Ken I love you! Protect my beloved daughter always!" She felt regret as she saw Ken waking up. Ken started to run after her.

"Takiko!" Ken cried.

"Yes?"

"Do you have a human form?" Ken asked.

"Of, course! You don't think I can talk for nothin' do ya'?" Takiko responded as if it was a no duh question.

Ken got an exasperation drop. "Transform into it, then get Sasame."

"Ok! Ok! Don't get so sassy!" Takiko turned into a beautiful, tan young lady with golden hair that flowed down her back. Her eyes were big, brown, deep, and beautiful. She had on a dress that was white, plain, yet pretty. The dress was nothing special, pretty much a commoner dress. She received a baby sling and put Sasami into it.

Ken thought that she was beautiful, but nothing in comparison with Makoto, his Makoto. Ken kept running stealthily after the guards. Since Takiko was originally a dog, she quickly caught up. Sasame didn't seem alarmed, in fact she looked like she was having a ball.

"Takiko, why didn't you transform into a human earlier?"

Takiko looked at him. "Because you didn't ask me to!"

Ken got yet another exasperation drop and slapped his head.

"Ken, why is it that you are following them? I know to get back Makoto, but couldn't they catch you if you were this close to them? Look at how close you are. Maybe we should kick two people's butts, and take their armor. That way we could be disguised."

"Good point, Takiko. Very good point."

The two went up, got the two lagging guards, beat them up, and put the armor over their normal clothes. The helmets were the worst parts to both of them. Ken found it stuffy, but bared with it. He was after all a fully-fledged knight. Takiko thought that it stunk in the helmet. She wondered if this guard ever brushed his teeth or bathed.

Makoto had a plan in mind. As if she was going to let them take her! She could fight them off. She still couldn't believe that they had expected her to go along with this. 'They are so ignorant' Makoto thought.

Ken and Takiko were in the palace soon after. Makoto had that smirk on face that Ken knew oh so well. He knew Makoto wouldn't give in so easily. He should have figured that earlier, but he hadn't.

When Makoto was brought before the new queen, Ken and Takiko tore off the armor giving them back their old clothes, which were underneath the armor. The queen didn't look surprised. Makoto looked a bit confused.

"I figured that you would follow the Princess Jupiter, so I have a little surprise for you two." The new queen got an evil look on her face as she pressed a button which trapped Ken, Takiko, and Sasame.

Makoto gave her an evil eye and kicked the guards holding her unconscious. "It is not fair that you are separating families and destroying my kingdom! I WON'T HAVE IT!" Makoto glared at the new queen angrily as she said that.

The new queen looked at Makoto and smiled sinisterly. "This may be a kingdom, but it isn't yours anymore. I have taken over it. You three fled and left the others to fend for themselves. You didn't even try to help them. You would make an awful queen."

Makoto felt for sure her blood was boiling. "I couldn't help it! I was doing it to save my family!"

"But you didn't help your friends or kingdom."

Makoto felt tears jerking to come out. She couldn't let this witch tell her that it was her fault, but she couldn't help but feel it was.

"You do hate me. You should. I have been waiting to overthrow this kingdom. I can't believe I have been planning for this so long, but it did turn out to be a piece of cake."

Makoto said, "I don't hate you. I definitely don't like you, but I find it impossible to hate anyone. If others hate then they need to find help to break their hearts of stone. Love may cause pain sometimes, but it's worth it. Life without love is not a life that I want to live. Why can't you see that? Why did you have to separate a loving couple! I felt pain for my people, but..." Makoto couldn't bear it any longer. The tears seemed to come out like fountains.

"Well, Makoto, that is your opinion. Next, you die. I have hated you for so long! I did this whole entire thing basically to spite you."

Makoto replied, "Why do you hate me so much?"

The new queen replied, "You were always prettier, smarter, more favored, and everything you did was better than what I did. You were after all, my cousin."

Makoto looked shocked. She had only had one cousin, but her parents had said that she had died.

Makoto felt sympathy for her. No matter how awful she was, no one should hate like that. No one. "If you want, you can just take your revenge on me. Just leave my family, friends, and kingdom alone."

The new queen couldn't believe how forgiving and sweet this young princess was. She was going to give her what she wanted, revenge. But she was sacrificing herself for it.

The queen left, “Mind me, I’ll be back!”

Makoto blinked rather quickly as though to hold back tears. She ran up to her room, Ken quickly following. “Mako Chan, what’s wrong?”