Senshi Kurai
Part 5:  Off to Terra's House We Go
Jackie Chiang
http://sailorneptune.simplenet.com

Quick Copyright notes: This is a fanfic based on Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon,
 an anime/manga created by Takeuchi Naoko.  Characters belong to her and
 all others associated with rights [Toei, Bandai, Kodansha, etc], but the storyline,
 ideas, and any other characters are created by me.  1996 - Jackie Chiang


"Mizuno-san is not here?" the Sensei asked, surprised, peering at the
 class from his glasses.

"She's sick, Sensei," Makoto said, as truthful a tone as she could 
muster, from the back of the class.  She sighed, relieved, when 
Sensei nodded, marking her absent.

Usagi was silent throughout the entire school day, her friends noted
 worriedly.  Ami's kidnapping must have shocked and hurt her 
deeply.  At lunch, they sat outside, eating, while the two cats 
ought over an ice cream bar Hotaru brought for them.

"Don't worry, Usagi-chan," Minako said, placing her arm around 
Usagi's shoulders.  "We'll get Ami-chan back and toast those weird
 Senshi Kurai."

Usagi smiled weakly.  "I can't stop worrying about Ami-chan...  
Earth said that they wouldn't kill her, but she didn't say whether they
 would hurt her..."

"Earth seems familiar..." Hotaru said.  "It's as if I've met her before."

Makoto nodded.  "I have that same feeling..."

Just then, Terra walked by, her nose stuck in a book written in an 
odd language, heading towards the door.  No one could identify 
what language it was.

"Hi, Terra-chan!" Minako said, waving at the girl.

Terra looked up, startled, and nearly ran into Miten, who was 
walking outside from the same door.

"Watch it," Miten whispered viciously to Terra.  Terra nodded, her 
eyes flashing as she recognized her fellow associate.

Miten watched her, smiling without humor.  The spell was working 
perfectly; Terra's personality was drastically changing.  In another 
week, she should no longer remember anything about her former 
life and instead, be dedicated to Hecate.

"Hi, Minako-chan," Terra said as she walked towards them, smiling
 at the blonde.  "Where's Ami-chan?" she added innocently, knowing
 perfectly well where she was.  She looked down to see the cats.  
"What cute cats!"  Terra reached down to pet them on the head.  
Luna and Artemis purred.

"Um, well, she's sick," Makoto filled in quickly.

"That's too bad.  When will she be back?" Terra asked sympathetically,
 inwardly enjoying their discomfort.  That gave her a start. What's 
wrong with me? she wondered. These are my friends.  Why am I 
torturing them? 

Stupid girl, a foreign voice said mockingly.  They don't like you.  
They're just like the others, pretending to be nice when they'll backstab
 you.  Your true friends are Hecate and her followers.  They need you.

You're right, she answered dully, her control over her old self slipping
 a notch.

Of course I am, the voice said soothingly.  Now why don't you just
 pretend to be their friend...  Just like Hecate said to.

Terra focused back on the conversation.  Haruka had just answered a 
quick answer.

"I'm sorry," Terra replied, filling in an appropriate response.  "Hey, do
 you guys want to come over to my house after school?"

"You have a _house_?" Makoto asked incredulously.  "That must have
 been some inheritance!"

Terra shrugged.  "My parents were very rich.  They left me their house.
  All I really have to do is pay the bills and taxes, and that's easy enough."

"Sure we'll come over," Usagi said enthusiastically, quickly changing
 moods from depressed to ecstatic.  "Is that all right, minna-chan?"

Everyone nodded, smiling.  They were evidently excited about it.

"Great," Terra said, smiling in genuine delight.  "I'll be waiting outside
 near the front, OK?"  She waved and walked away.

Miten, who had been silently observing the scene, quickly came to 
Terra's side.  "Remember, _cousin_," she whispered viciously, "what 
your job is."

Terra nodded slowly, disappointment flashing in her eyes before being
 erased by a confused blankness.  Miten paused.  Just another week, and
 she'll forget all about them except for her burning hate for them, she 
thought.  Another week...


"That was nice of Terra-chan to invite us over," Hotaru said, watching 
Terra leave, reading her book as she left. "She must be very lonely."  
Her eyes grew a trifle sad remembering her own friendless childhood.

Makoto nodded.  "Poor girl, not having any friends.  We all remember 
what that was like."

The others, except for Usagi, agreed with Makoto's statement.

"Usagi-chan?" Luna said, slapping Artemis on the paw as he tried to 
get the ice cream.  "Are you sure you want to go?  You're still not 
depressed over Ami-chan?"

"Not really," Usagi said happily.  "We'll get her back...  Besides, I think
 Terra-chan needs some friends."

"OK," Haruka said briskly.  "We'll go to her place after school.  Let me 
just call Setsuna.  Michiru, you call Rei."

Haruka and Michiru got out their cellular phones and called their other 
two friends.  Both girls were quite agreeable, even though Rei was upset
 that the call had come during class.

"Great," Usagi said, smiling.  With that, she settled back into eating her 
(and everyone else's) lunch.


"So, where do you live, Terra-chan?" Rei asked.  They had all met in front
 of Juuban High School and were currently following Terra.  Luna was 
riding on Usagi's shoulder, and Artemis was on Minako's.

The girl said modestly: "Juuban Gardens."

"What?!" Minako stopped abruptly, causing the girls behind her to
 collide into her.  They all fell in a heap onto the ground, including
 the cats.  Michiru, Setsuna, and Hotaru laughed at the others.

"Is something wrong?" Terra asked anxiously, turning around.  "I 
mean, you still do want to come over, don't you?"

"No!  I mean, yes, we want to see your house!" Rei sputtered, getting
 up.

"You live there?!" Makoto squeaked out at the same time.  "That's 
one of the richest areas in Tokyo!  And they have houses there!"

"I do believe that's where Ami lives with her mother in her apartment,"
 Haruka said casually, glancing at Michiru.

Michiru smiled at her partner.  "That's where we used to live, ne, 
Haruka?"

"Yeah, before we got bored with all those people there and moved."

The Inner Senshi ran into each other again.  Hotaru giggled at the sight.

"I guess the people there _are_ rather stuffy," Terra laughed.  "We turn 
here."

The group started entering the entrance of Juuban Gardens.  The younger
 girls gasped at the sizes of all the houses and apartments.

"That's my house," Terra said, pointing to a secluded house at the end 
of the street.  As they walked closer, it became larger.  They finally got 
a good look at it when they stood in front of the gate.  It was large with 
many windows, surrounded by trees.  It was made of all red brick, with 
black shutters.  A huge gate surrounded the outskirts of the property.  
The land itself was huge, spanning to at least six acres.

"My parents favored large land and an American style home," Terra said, 
shrugging.

Even the older girls were impressed and amazed.

"Terra-chan," Usagi said, tearing her eyes away from the mansion, "what
 exactly did your parents do?"

"My father was just in charge of some large company that expanded into
 the five continents.  My mother was a successful painter, musician, and
 actress."

"Is that all?" Haruka murmured sarcastically under her breath.

Terra didn't hear the comment.  She was busy entering the code for the
 gate to open.

"What happens if the electricity goes out?" Setsuna asked curiously.  
"Aren't you stuck outside?"

Terra shook her head and smiled.  "The house has an emergency generator.
  If that's out, I just climb over the gate."

The gate swung open silently as Terra punched in the last button.  
The girls walked inside slowly and quietly, awed by everything.  Inside, 
there was a large garden and a fountain.  A path led straight to the front
 door.

"All the nice things, like the lake, maze, green house, and outdoor 
gardens, are in back," Terra remarked.  They finally made it to the 
front door, where Terra unlocked the front door.

"Voice check," a voice said before they could enter, startling everyone.

"Yukiru Terra, coming home from school," Terra said calmly.  "Entering
 with eight friends and two cats."

"Confirmed.  Proceed." the artificial voice said.

"What was that?" Makoto asked, impressed as they were let in.

"My security system.  My parents lived in America for many years and 
were paranoid about safety for obvious reasons.  They loved technology."

"Surprises around every turn," Haruka whispered to Michiru.  The 
blue-green haired girl laughed.

Once inside, no one could say a word.  It was all white.  The floor was
made of marble, and a large stair case looped around so that you could climb
 them from two sides.  A marble fountain was in the middle, and the water
 constantly circulated.  A large golden chandelier hung from the ceiling.  
Several doors led to various parts of the house.  Paintings of flowers, people,
 and scenery were on the wall.

"You can leave your things in the closet," Terra said, showing them the closet,
 which was actually a small room with hangers and shelves.

Terra waited patiently while everyone deposited their things.  "What would 
you like to do?  Look around or do something?"

"What do you have to do?" Usagi asked.  I'll bet this place has everything,
 she thought, not too enviously.

"You can go swimming, play some video games, visit some of the things
 outside that I mentioned, or whatever."

"May I look at the greenhouse?" Makoto asked.  "I love flowers and plants."

Terra smiled.  "Sure.  It's out in back.  Just follow the hall straight until 
you reach the kitchen.  Take your first right, then your first left into the 
sunroom.  Then go right again, and your third right.  You go out of the 
patio doors, take the path straight in front of you, go past the maze, through
 the gardens until you come to the greenhouse.  It's right next to the lake."

"Um, ok...  What happens if I get lost?" Makoto said, worried, and her eyes
 were bright with confusion and terror of never finding her way out.

"That's right," Terra said suddenly.  "I forgot.  My parents had some miniature
 computers made for guests in case they did get lost.  I believe they were 
made after my former great aunt was lost for three days.  I've never used 
them since I never have had guests over before.  Be right back."

"Her aunt was lost for three days in here?!" Minako exclaimed.  "This 
must be really big!"

Haruka studied the front entranceway.  "It certainly is," she said, glancing
 at the fountain.  "Bigger than I imagined."

"Can you believe someone actually _lives_ here?" Rei said, turning around.
  "It seems like a museum, not a home."

Michiru grinned, remembering her old house with her parents.  "Reminds
 me of home," she said.  The others stared at her, and she sweat dropped. 
"-Except a trifle bigger," she amended quickly.

"No wonder she doesn't have too many friends," Hotaru murmured quietly.
  "All the girls must be intimidated by her wealth or been using her."

Luna spoke for the first time since they had entered the subdivision.  "I'll 
bet the house doesn't have any mice."

Usagi laughed, petting her feline affectionately on the head.

"I think I saw some squirrels, Luna," Artemis said, too eagerly.  "Wanna
 go chase some?"

Minako rolled her eyes, thinking about Artemis's one track mind, and 
bopped him on the head.

Makoto went up to one of the paintings on the wall.  "These are beautiful.
  I wonder if her mother painted them?"

Just then Terra came rushing back.  "Here are the mini computers," she 
said, handing everyone one.  "See, you press this button to see the map of 
the inside, and press it twice to see the outer map.  If you get really frustrated,
 you can press this other button to speak to the main computer, which will
 answer any of your questions.  You can keep them if you want.  It's not 
like I'd ever use them again."

"Thanks, Terra-chan," Usagi said, and the others thanked her as well.  The 
black haired girl flushed, unused to being thanked for anything.  Makoto 
smiled and left, heading towards the greenhouse.

"How about we all go to the maze?" Minako suggested.  "It would be fun."

The others agreed.  Terra said she had to do something, so the girls started 
messing with the mini computers to find their way to the maze.


As soon as they were gone, Terra transformed into Gaia, and teleported to
 Hecate's throne room in the nether regions.  The Princess and her guardians
 were all seated on their thrones, Hermes, Aphrodite, Hecate, Ares, and 
Zeus, respectively.  Hermes had her glasses on and was reading a book, 
while Aphrodite was playing with her super miniature computer.  Ares was
 playing with her yo-yo, and Zeus was reading a cook book.  Hecate had 
been petting Cynthia while Phoebe was sleeping on his bed.

"These primitive Terran books are remarkably informative," Hermes 
remarked, glancing at Hecate.  She noticed Gaia, as did the others.

"Hello, Gaia," Aphrodite said, smiling.  "How is everything?"

"Everything is going according to plan, your Majesties," Gaia said 
respectively to the Hecate and the other princesses.  "Jupiter is in the 
greenhouse, and the others are wandering in the maze."

"Very good," Hecate said, nodding.  "You have done well, Gaia.  You will
be recognized for your loyalty.  Now what about this Sailor Earth you promised
 to destroy?"

Gaia squirmed inwardly.  Drat.  Hecate just _had_ to remember that minute
 detail.  "She's quick," Gaia hedged.  "I am carefully studying her and hope
 to find her true identity soon."

Hecate smiled coldly.  "I hope so, Gaia.  I have waited more than enough
 time for you to get rid of her.  This plan better not fail, unless you want
 to end up like Narcissus."

Gaia shuddered.  Narcissus was the commander she had replaced.  He 
apparently had failed Hecate several times, and had been "transferred." 
 Last she heard, he was lost somewhere on Mercury.

"I will serve you well, my Princess."

"Dismissed," Hecate said, and Gaia vanished.

"You heard Gaia?" Hecate said casually.  "That the Sailor Senshi 
have been split up?"

Zeus nodded, setting down her book that she had been reading.  "This 
would be an excellent time to strike, Hecate."

"Exactly," Hecate said, smiling approvingly.  "That's why I want you, 
Aphrodite, and Ares to attack them, and bring back three of the girls."

Aphrodite groaned.  "Ares is sure to mess up again."

Ares shot up.  "What's that supposed to mean?"  Her lovely face was 
marred by her childishness, Hermes thought.  Too whiny for her own 
good.

"You heard me," Aphrodite said callously.  She played with the arrow
 in her hand.  "You're such a baby, Ares.  Hit once and you're reduced 
to tears."

"Aphrodite, you-" Ares shrieked.

"That's quite enough," a voice interrupted.  The girls all turned to see a
 blue-green haired girl enter the throne room, carrying a trident.  She 
had an exact replica of the fuku everyone else had on, but it was a blue
 greenish color with the signs of Neptune.  She wore high heels, and 
ribbons wrapped around her ankles.  Small planets shaped like Neptune
 hung from her ears.  Everyone immediately recognized Poseidon, the 
best sorceress in the kingdom, and a princess to boot.

"Poseidon," Ares said sarcastically, as they did not like each other, "and
 what have we done to have the honor of your presence?"

Poseidon smiled sweetly.  She was above resorting to trading silly insults
 with a childish girl.  "Hecate requested me," she said.  "I am pleased 
to be of _use_ to the Princess."

Hermes and Aphrodite snickered, noticing how Poseidon emphasized 'use.' 
 Ares sulked, noticing the carefully placed slight.  Zeus shook her head, 
smiling.  Poseidon always did have the elegant way with words that Ares
 lacked.

"Poseidon," Hecate said, glancing at the princess, "we have a situation with
 our prisoner.  She is acting up, and none of our spells seem to be able to
 control her."

Poseidon declined to comment that Hecate had enough power to control
 her, but she knew that Hecate was saving her power for another.  It was
 not even worth mentioning the fact.  "Very well," Poseidon said, 
flipping her short blue green hair over her shoulder.  "Let me see 
Mercury."

Hermes led the way to the dungeon, followed by Poseidon, Zeus, and
 Aphrodite.  Hecate knew Poseidon would accomplish the task, and
 Ares was still in a sulky mood.

"Here she is," Hermes said, her voice bitter and angry, as she showed
 Poseidon Mercury's cell.  Her eyes shot out sparks at the glaring 
prisoner.  Poseidon nodded and teleported into the cell.  Mercury 
looked up at her, glaring.

"Greetings, Mercury," Poseidon said, her voice bland.  "My name is 
Poseidon, and I'm here because you seem to have a small problem
 with cooperating, ne?"

Mercury glared at the girl, who looked exactly like Neptune.  "Why
 am I here?" she snapped.

"You will find out shortly, Mercury," Poseidon said, twisting her trident
 easily in her right hand, "when you are all together.  Now, let's try
 a sleeping spell.  That should suffice for several hours.  Don't want 
to overdo it."

"It will never work," Mercury said, forcing bravado.  "My friends 
won't be taken so easily."

Poseidon ignored her comment, and started concentrating.  Aphrodite,
 Zeus, and Hermes, only level 3 magicians, watched with interest as 
Poseidon, level 1, cast a sleeping spell.  Poseidon closed her eyes and
 chanted under her breath.  A blue green mist surrounded Mercury's 
face.  She tried in vain to resist, but eventually succumbed to the spell.

"I'm impressed," Hermes said, impressed.  "I've never seen anyone 
work one like that so fast."

Poseidon smiled briefly but honestly.  "Sunaru can do it faster, but it's 
not as effective," she admitted.

"She's a level 1 magician as well, correct?" Aphrodite said, watching 
the enemy sleep.  You'd never know how hellish she really was, she reflected.

Poseidon nodded, her eyes softened as she thought about her partner.  
"Cronus and Hades are level 1 magicians too."

Zeus laughed.  "And Ares is only level 5..."

Poseidon smiled, but a little sadly.  "Unfortunately, if she doesn't improve,
there is no way that she will ever defeat Mars on her own.  Mars is 
dangerous and strong, and, I must admit, a great deal better than Ares."

"Do you think you will have problems with Neptune?" Hermes asked.  
She had heard much about the Outer Senshi; they were more powerful
 than the Inner Senshi.

"Maybe," Poseidon said.  "It depends.  Neptune is clever, strong, and 
fast, and her Talisman holds much power.  Plus Uranus is always with 
her.  Sunaru and I are working on a plan together."

:Very good, Poseidon.  I thank you for your help.: Hecate's voice said 
through telepathy to all of them.

:You're welcome,: Poseidon answered.  :I am glad to help my Princess.:

:You may leave if you wish.: Hecate's voice was sweet and kind, just like
 it had been so long ago.  It was the voice of Hecate when she wasn't 
obsessed with revenge.  Poseidon allowed herself a private, bittersweet
 smile.  They had all been that way, even Ares, before.  So nice, gentle,
 and helpful, full of love and consideration.  Before the Sailor Senshi 
had ruined their lives.

:Thank you, Hecate,: Poseidon said, her voice gentle in return, and she 
vanished away.

:Zeus, Aphrodite,: Hecate said, :Ares has already left for Gaia's home. 
 If you wish to catch her, it would be advisable to go now.:  Her voice 
was annoyed, but tinged with amusement.

Zeus rolled her eyes at Ares's little stunt, but she and Aphrodite left, 
thirsting for their turn at retribution.

To be continued.
