Chapter 4:Homework and Another Dream

The weekend passes with relative regularity, with the exception of now having a dog to take care of, but even that isn't to hard. Dane pretty much takes care of himself, I only have to take him for walks, usually long ones, which wasn't all bad. We talk about various things, the Silver Millenium, my life on Earth up to this point, who we think the enemy is, and also just miscellaneous stuff. I find myself not minding the biting cold wind as much while trying to worm out of him what he was going to what he was going to look like as a human or listening to stories of my childhood that I have long forgotten. Finally, Sunday night comes and Dane finds me scrambling to do my homework. "Princess! It's an hour before you have to go to bed, what are you doing, doing your homework now?! You should've started that Friday afternoon!"

I roll my eyes, still scrambling while trying to talk to him, "I know, I know. I was relaxing when I saw it, I forgot, ok? Look, check my Geometry would ya'? I think some of my proofs are off."

Dane sighs before jumping onto my bed and cracking open the math book with his mouth. We work in silence for a while before it gets to me and I try to start a conversation. "So, was I like this back then? With school work I mean."

Dane doesn't look up as he replies, "You did number five wrong, and a little. More so when you were a teen. I remember almost having to pull teeth to get you to do your studies. It's not that you were unintelligent, far from it. I think studying honestly just bored you. School work never really challenged you, so you spend more time amusing yourself than actually doing the work."

I sigh as I struggle with conjugating fifty million verbs for Spanish, "That's sure not true now. I have to almost work more than play just to keep up."

Dane finally closes my math book and pads over, somehow finding a comfortable position in my lap, "I find that difficult to believe princess. Maybe you're just holding yourself back, so the work will be challenging. Don't worry, starting tomorrow if you have any questions regarding scholastic matters I'll be able to help at least a little more than I have tonight."

I finally put my Spanish aside and lean back, relieved that I'm done. I glance at my clock and smile, done with ten minutes to spare. "That reminds me, have you found a way around your choir conundrum? I've been wondering about that."

Dane clears his throat before answering, "Yes, the school saw how much a student teacher helped earlier in the year, so they decided to try another one. They chose the best one based on credentials. Unfortunately, his classes keep him very busy so he will only be able to come in for one period."

I smirk, "Oh, you sly fox you!"

Dane tries to look innocent, which looks absolutely comical on that little dog face of his, "Who? Me? Princess, why ever would you think that? Now come princess, it's time for bed."

I roll my eyes as I get ready to go to bed, afterwards glancing down the hall to see my brothers already ready. I walk to my mom's room and say good night before continuing on to my brothers' room. I tuck Caleb in and exchange a few last sarcastic words with Zac before turning out the light and going back to my room.

I crawl into bed and Dane hops up beside me, "Princess, I noticed that you did this last night as well. Is it custom in this culture for the eldest to put the younger siblings into bed?"

I chuckle as I settle down and turn off the light beside my bed, "Not really. One night Caleb asked me to and I didn't feel like arguing. He did it night after night for about a week before it just kinda worked into my routine. It's not that big of a deal, really." I shrug as I take off my glasses and turn on the alarm on my clock.

As my eyes adjust to the dark, I see Dane smiling at me, "it's good to see your heart has lost none of its kindness and compassion. Good night princess, see you in the morning." He says, trotting to the foot of my bed and curling up.

"Good night Dane." I say, knowing that he wasn't sleeping and wasn't planning on going to sleep anytime soon. I know that as I fall asleep it's under his watchful eye.

Which is good, considering the nightmare I had Saturday. It was the same dream as Friday's, only it didn't start wonderful. It started at the palace and went only a little further, but it was a hundred times worse. After my beloved's life was ripped from his body, the shadow turned to me, yellow eyes bored into me greedily. I panicked and ran, my heart ripping itself apart in agony. I got to the man courtyard and stopped dead cold. They were all dead. My friends, all on the ground, bloody with vacant staring eyes. I then turned and there behind me was an army of yellow eyes, all greedy for blood. Slowly the thousands upon thousands of eyes and forms melt into one giant black image, towering over me and laughing evilly with a loud booming voice that shook me to my soul, "Now, little Jupiter, you know what fear is. You cannot win, so give up and accept death. Leave me to reign over this pathetic star system."

I closed my eyes and fists, forcing the gear from my soul before opening my eyes again; "You've killed everyone I ever cared about. I'll make you pay!" With that I poured everything I was into one attack, intent on avenging my loved ones.

The figure just laughed, "Pathetic." The held its hand out and a burst of dark energy flew at me, completely engulfing my attack before heading straight at me. I was terrified as I watched it come at me.

I woke up just as it hit, to see Dane had reverted to his natural form and was looking down at me worriedly, "Princess, are you alright?" I just looked at him for a moment before sobbing into his chest.

I shudder as I think about it and turn over, hoping I won't dream tonight.