Shawn, Alantas and Terra had finally reached their destination; their home turned out was not that far from Rei’s grandfather’s temple - just seven blocks away. Their home was about the same size as Usagi’s parent’s home was. Shawn turned to Terra and smiled gently as they walked into the house after removing their shoes.
“Is anyone hungry?” asked Shawn, as she walked towards the kitchen.
“I am,” spoke Alantas, as he looked at Shawn and then to Terra, who nodded. “And so is Terra.”
“Okay, I’ll make double portions,” giggled Shawn, as she knew there was now two huge stomachs to fill.
It was about an hour and a half later, they were stuffed. Shawn started to clean up the table as Alantas and Terra started to wash and dry the dishes that they used for dinner. Shawn knew they needed to get Terra’s room ready. She wondered what the first night would be like for Terra. She hoped it would be pleasant. She headed to the guest bedroom and started to make the bed ready to accept Terra.
“Hey! Cut that out!” yelled a male voice.
“No way!” yelled a female voice.
Shawn wondered what was happening in the kitchen and headed over to the kitchen to find both Terra and Alantas in a water fight flinging water at each other. They were smiling and laughing. “I hope the two of you will clean this mess up when you’re done goofing off. Hey, you do not get me wet!”
Shawn got splattered by two water splashes coming from Terra and Alantas as both raced outside each one grabbing a water hose and using it on each other. Shawn grabbed her towel and her communicator. “Solace-san, I think you might want to come over here and watch this. It’s hilarious.”
“What?” asked Solace.
“Alantas and Terra having a water fight with hoses,” smiled Shawn.
“I’ll be right over, I’m at Rei’s grandfather’s temple something strange is happening here, but I’ll be there shortly.” Solace spoke.
“All right, I’ll be expecting you,” said Shawn, as she looked out the window to see them still doing the water fight.
~~~~~~
Solace turned towards his fellow Sensei and spoke, “I’ll be blunt, this looks like we have a new enemy and our new enemy may be stalking Terra.”
“Stalking Terra, Solaris-san, no offense but how do we know that this new enemy is targeting her?” asked Hermes.
"She is the most likely target, with her newly developing abilities and her skill-level still that of a novice." Solace stated. "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link."
“And this new enemy will go after her. Perhaps we should not let her be alone at any time till we are able to catch this new enemy or destroy it?” spoke Hisharo, looking at them.
“I have to agree with him, Solaris. It is the best plan for now. With her staying with Shawn and Alantas, they can keep her safe but during school, the Sailors will have to watch her,” said Eros.
"It might be best if some of the Inner Soldier Senshi transfer to Terra's school. Kafir is already in attendance there so he can watch over Usagi."
“I’ll see what I can do about transferring over,” spoke Michiru.
"Haruka and you may need to remain at Mugen to protect Hotaru if there is an enemy."
“As you wish, perhaps Shawn and Eros transfer over?” asked Michiru.
"And Hermes as well,"
“Agreed,” said Michiru.
Solace nodded as they arranged to keep an eye on their newest member of the team. He then, headed off to see Shawn, Alantas and Terra. He saw Shawn waving him over quickly. He tried to speak but she shook her head and pointed to the back yard where he saw Terra soaked to her skin but Alantas was the same way. Solace couldn’t help but to laugh as he looked at them.
Terra and Alantas turned the hoses towards the laughter and nailed Solace before he knew what hit him.
Shawn yelled, "Stop it both of you! You hit our Prince!"
He blinked and looked down at himself. "It’s alright, Shawn, no harm done."
"Oops, sorry." spoke Terra, as Solace wiped the water from his face but his smile was still there.
Alantas noticed that he was there alone and Solace had a look in his eye that stated there was something wrong. "Solaris-sama, is there any trouble?"
"There might be, but we are not certain. A strange footprint was found outside Rei's temple."
“Let’s go inside and talk,” spoke Alantas, looking at him.
Terra spoke, “I’ll be in my room. I need to get it ready.”
Shawn was about to tell her that it’s all set, but noticed that Solace nodded and she kept her mouth shut as something the way Solace stood meant something was possibly after Terra. When Terra was within the house, Shawn turned to Solace and asked, “Something is after Terra, right, Solace?”
"I believe so." the Prince of the Sun sighed. "Currently she is our weakest member, therefore the most vulnerable."
Alantas asked, “What are we doing to protect her?”
"I have ordered for Eros, Hermes, and Shawn to transfer to her school."
“Some of the Sailors are at her school already. I know Kafir has transferred to her school to watch over Usagi,” said Shawn, looking at him.
They spoke about how they were to protect her at home and at school. Solace knew Terra would be well protected from this new enemy of theirs till they find out who it is. He bid them good night and left their home. He knew Terra would be all right.
Shawn and Alantas looked at the time and knew it was time to go to bed. “Terra, it’s time for bed.” Shawn said, as she looked into Terra’s room to see her tucking the bed sheets in her bed even more tight than it was done.
Terra stopped and looked. She smiled, “All right, I am tired from the water fight Alantas and I had. Good night, Shawn.”
“Night Terra,” Shawn said, as she closed the door and headed for her bedroom which she shared with Alantas. “Think this new enemy will show himself or herself to us soon, Alantas?”
“You can never tell with a new enemy. This one may be our toughest one to date and to keep Terra safe will be our top priority,” replied Alantas, as he removed his clothes and got into his tee-shirt and his boxers, climbed into bed and wrapped his arm around Shawn.
They fell asleep soon after they climbed into bed. Their sleep was peaceful but down the corridor the sleep Terra was having at the time was not. Alantas stirred as he sensed distress in their link and he knew it was Terra. He tuned his mind towards the Earth and made sure that there would be no effects to the area if she created one.
Terra bolted awake, breathing hard eyes searching the room hoping beyond hope that he was not there and only after she realized where she was at. Even though she was not in the home of her brother no more, she was afraid still. She hurried towards the door and slipped out and treaded quietly down the hall to her cousin’s room. She slipped within and walked to the bed.
Alantas was breathing so even and deep she didn’t know if she could wake him but she needed him. She reached her hand out to his shoulder and shook it gently. “Alantas?” she whispered.
Alantas woke with a start even though he was partially awake. “Terra, what’s wrong?” he whispered, as he rolled onto his back and seeing her within their room.
“I had…a nightmare. Can I…may I cuddle with you?” asked Terra.
"Of course," Shawn pulled the covers back and beckoned for her to join them.
Terra thanked her and climbed between them. She curled up close to Alantas as she closed her eyes and soon fell fast asleep. Alantas knew she was asleep as did Shawn.
Alantas looked over at Shawn and whispered, “She saw him in her dream again.”
Shawn nodded slightly knowing that Terra’s nightmares might not fade for a long time. She sent a message to Usagi asking her if she’s okay and got a response from her that she’s okay. “Usagi hasn’t had a nightmare, Alantas. Maybe it gives us hope that Terra’s nightmares will fade over time.”
“True but Terra’s nightmares may last a lot longer than Usagi’s as she was tormented much longer than Usagi.” Alantas whispered, as he looked down at Terra, her hand wrapped around his hand.
“She will need time and our love to help her get over these nightmares, Alantas.” Shawn whispered, before she too closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Alantas knew what Shawn said was true as Terra did need time to get over her nightmares that she would have during the night as he glanced down at Terra and started to close his eyes.
~~~~~~~
© 2004 Beth Brownell