Important Note for the story:

This story takes place 6 months after the defeat of Chaos/Sailor Galaxia in the Sailor Stars season in the SM universe. This also takes place three weeks after the Ryo receives the Kikoutei/Inferno swords from Kenbukyou/Saberstryke in the YST/RW universe. From here on out, the YST/RW universe is going to be a bit different then the original was.

Author's Note about the Rewrite:

When I first began to write the 10th Warrior I had only seen bits and pieces of the Ronin Warriors. I was actually in the finally chapters of the story when I saw a full episode (let along an episode occurring in the time period I was writing about)! Now I am rewriting the 10th Warrior and hopefully it will end up better than this story is now. ^_^ ... Also, one final note. All the names will be in Japanese with the exception of the armor's names and their original kanji/symbols (unless people find that too confusing).

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Makoto allowed her gaze to travel over the general activities surrounding her. Airport security could be seen every so often, making checks on bags people carried, and passengers milled about at the different boarding gates, waiting for their flights to board.

"I wish you'd reconsider coming with us," said Usagi sadly as she came up beside her.

Makoto looked away from the crowds and down at her shorter friend who was looking up at her in concern. A second later Mina also stood beside them, and gave a semi-evil grin.

"I'm sure we could smuggle you on board in my luggage." she told her in a whisper.

Makoto laughed, "I don't think you'd be able to smuggle me past customs Mina."

"Mako-san should be fine for two months," came Ami's gentle chide as the blue haired girl came over to the three with Rei close behind.

Rei grinned and clapped her hand on Makoto's back with a solid smack, "But she's going to call us so we don't worry. Right Mako-san?"

Makoto grinned, "Of course, but you guys won't have time to worry about me. Mamoru's going to show you everything in the States. Right Usagi?"

Usagi gave a half hearted grin, and it was plain to see she was doing her best not to cry.

"Now boarding passengers on flight 23 to Los Angeles, California - United States."

"I guess that's our cue." said Rei cheerfully, wrapping her arms around Makoto a second before hopping away.

Mina did the same and then whispered, "Find a cute guy for yourself."

Makoto laughed and batted her blonde friend away before turning to Ami. Ami smiled timidly and gave her a hug and a book.

"I thought that you'd enjoy trying to make some of this while we were gone," said Ami sweetly, giving Makoto one of her best smiles.

Makoto's hand gently traced the name of the cook book on the cover and grinned broadly down at Ami.

"Thank you Ami-chan. I'll be sure to make something from it once a week."

Makoto watched as Mina, Rei, and Ami boarded the plane and then turned to Usagi who had been staring at her the entire time. For a moment she remembered the old days, when she'd met Usagi. She'd had no friends, and was constantly lonely. Then Usagi had shown up and shared lunch with her and Makoto had never been short of friends again.

So much had happened in her life the past three years. She inwardly smiled at the fact that there had been no need to call the Sailor Senshi together since the defeat of Galaxia six months ago. Since then they'd all been able to get into lives that they'd pretty much lost since becoming scouts. Makoto had taken pleasure in watching everything become semi-normal again.

Mina, thanks to the help of Yaten Starlight before he had left, had become a pop sensation in Tokyo and was even going to meet with some American recording companies while in the United States. Meanwhile, Rei had written a number of songs for Mina and had been running the temple with her grandfather successfully while Ami had surprised her friends by getting a internship at the city hospital.

At the same time, Haruka and Michiru had been traveling though Japan while Haruka raced her car. They had both agreed to go to the United States with the others with the idea that Haruka would try racing there a bit. Hotaru had another aging spurt for the first month after the last victory and now as old as Usagi. Joyfully, along with the aging spurt came a strengthening in her body which had allowed her to become quite the athlete, making her dad and Haruka quite proud.

Then there was Setsuna who had been granted a brief break from the gates of time by Neo Queen Serenity. She'd chosen to go with the group to the States as well, and Makoto had noticed the almost hidden excitement on the mysterious woman's face. Finally, there was Usagi who had made a serious effort to learn how to cook and succeeded, pleasing her parents and Makoto proud.

Not only cooking had been Usagi's accomplishment. Usagi had lost the awkward movements she'd held and gained much of the grace her future self held in Crystal Tokyo of the future. Perhaps the most astonishing change in Usagi has been her honest decision to study more seriously, and winding up with a B average in her second year of high school.

Usagi still had her moments, but she had improved greatly in the last few months, making everyone she loved proud of her. As all this flashed through her mind Makoto smiled and opened her arms to the girl she valued as a sister.

"Well, are you going to give me a hug?" she asked with a fond grin.

Usagi made a small whimpering sound of sorrow and stepped closer, only to have Makoto step forward as well and swoop her into a near-crushing hug. She didn't let go till Usagi began to wiggle and looked down at the petite blonde with one of her silliest faces. Usagi's lips quirked and then turned upwards as she began to giggle at Makoto's antics.

"That's better," Makoto cheered and placed an arm on Usagi's shoulder as if to confide a dark secret to a conspirator. "Usagi-chan, I have a mission for you. I want you to go to the United States and sweep Mamoru right off his feet, and you have to bake that cake I taught you to make. Also, don't let the girl's bully you. You're our future Queen, and you have to show them who's boss."

Makoto flexed an arm while she spoke and scowled over dramatically, making Usagi laugh out loud.

"Hai, I will Mako-san!" chirped Usagi, tears still in her eyes, but no longer for the same reason.

"And we'll make sure she can," came Michiru's elegant voice, laced with it's usual amusement.

Usagi and Makoto smiled at Michiru as she came leading Haruka by the arm while Hotaru and Setsuna followed.

"Come on meatball-head!" shouted Rei's voice from the boarding ramp. "Don't take all day!"

People laughed nervously and Usagi rolled her eyes, "Baka."

Makoto chuckled and then gave a gentle prod to Usagi to get her moving.

"Tell Luna and Artemis to have fun for me."

Usagi nodded and waved before giving her ticket to a stewardess and boarding the ramp.

Makoto laughed slightly and then jumped slightly when a hand clamped onto her shoulder.

"Take care of yourself Mako-chan," said Haruka solemnly coming around to face her. "Keep an eye on things while we're gone."

Makoto nodded seriously, "Of course I will..."

She trailed off as Hotaru suddenly handed her a package.

"What is this?" she asked in surprise.

"An early birthday present," said Michiru, smiling at her.

Makoto's eyes widened in surprise, "But it's not for a month!"

"We know," said Haruka with her boyish, half flirtatious grin. "But we won't be here. Hurry and open it."

Makoto bit her lower lip as she quickly tore open the wrapping paper and then threw the trash into

the nearby trash bin with perfect aim. When she opened the box that was now unwrapped her eyes shot up to look at the Outer Scouts.

"Why?" she whispered, sincerely touched.

"We wanted to wait till you were seventeen," said Setsuna with a gentle smile. "But we weren't going to be here, so we decided to give it to you now. Makoto, Jupiter is an outer planet in the Milky Way and although you never stayed with us, you acted the part of the strongest of the Inner Scouts before we came. You protected the Princess before we came and you deserve the recognition. From four outer scouts to another."

Makoto gazed gently at the painting within the box. On it was the solar system with emphasis on the five outer planets and the face's of Michiru, Haruka, Hotaru, Setsuna, and herself on the side of the painting wearing their tiaras. She was silent a moment and then looked at the younger, and older girls.

"Thank you. You have no idea.." started Makoto, tearing up.

Haruka grinned and leaned in with a whisper before Makoto could continue.

"When I get back from the States I want take you racing. Would you like to come?"

A single forgot tear tracked down from Makoto right eye as she grinned excitedly, "That would be great!"

Haruka moved away, still grinning ear to ear, and hooked her arm through Michiru's again, "Then it's a date. Lets get on the plane everyone. Don't won't them to leave without us."

"I think you're just worried about your car, Haruka-papa," laughed Hotaru and then gave Makoto a hug and placed a small object in her hand. "Bye Mako-san. Take care of that for me?"

Makoto looked down at the locket in her hand and smiled, "Don't worry will."

Hotaru smiled and then went to give her ticket.

"Good-bye Mako-chan." said Michiru waving to her gracefully as Haruka lead her away.

Once the three had disappeared down the boarding ramp Makoto turned to Setsuna, who had been waiting quietly with a fond smile.

"Makoto." said Setsuna presenting a simple looking box. "There is something else I want you to have. Something the Queen Serenity had wanted you to have when you were older."

Makoto closed the box and set it at her feet carefully and took the new box she was offered. She opened it and looked at it curiously.

"What is this?" she asked.

"This is H..." whatever Setsuna was going to say was cut off as the final boarding call went.

"You'll have to call me later and tell me," said Makoto quickly, putting the locket from Hotaru inside the small box next to her new present and closing it.

Setsuna nodded and embraced Makoto with a smile, "Take care Mako-chan. Whatever happens while we're gone, remember us."

Makoto blinked in surprise and then grinned, "Of course I will. You all are my family, now and forever."

Setsuna smiled and walked to the boarding ramp where she gave her ticket and walked away.

Makoto walked over to the large window where she could look out at the plane and watched the technicians shut of the luggage area and removed the wood blocks from the wheels of the plane. For a moment she remembered a scene similar to this when her parents had taken off in a plane from this very airport. It had been the last time Makoto had seen her parents.

"No. They'll be fine." she whispered, shaking her head. "They'll be fine."

The plane finished it's last check-ups and the boarding ramp pulled away from the side of the plane. Makoto stood still as she watched the plane taxied onto the take off strip and disappear a few minutes. Then a moment later it zipped into view and rose of the ground. Makoto's heart sped up as she watched it lift of and she laid a hand on the cool glass surface of the window.

"Good-bye everyone. See you soon." she whispered.

Name translations of the Ronins, Warlords, Other Characters, and Sailor Senshi
Ryo - Ryo	Sage - Seiji	Rowen - Touma	Cye - Shin
Kento - Shu	Lita - Makoto	Mia - Natsuti	Yuli - Jun
White Blaze - Byakuen	Kayura - Kayura	Cale - Anubis	Sekhmet - Naaza
Dais - Rajura	Anbus - Shuten	Talpa - Arago
Serena - Usagi	Amy - Ami	Mina - Minako	Raye - Rei
Hotaru - Hotaru	Michelle - Michiru	Trista - Setsuna	Amara - Haruka
Darien - Mamoru