I've always imagined that Sheena's and Raine's relationship would develop into an awesome friendship, so that's mainly what this chapter is about. Well, I hope you like it.
"Oi, Sheena! SHEEEENA!"
With a very irritated expression, the bearer of the yelled name glared over at the yeller.
"What do you want, idiot Chosen," she practically snarled back, the pen in her hand on the verge of being snapped in half.
The red-haired man feigned a look of hurt. "Oh, my dear lady ninja, how bitter you sound. Is something ailiing thee?"
From her position in front of her table, Sheena continued to glare at the man, who was comfortably dressed in a pale blue striped yukata. "Drop the fancy talk and what do you want?"
The man exaggeratedly shook his head, as he sat down next to her on the tatami matted floor. "My, my, you are not happy to see your husband, are you?"
The irritated woman looked back at the papers in front of her and sorted the misplaced ones into appropriate piles, after making sure they bore her signature. "Well, no thanks to you, I hardly got any sleep last night. Sen was screaming and crying the whole damn night. The whole DAMN NIGHT!" Her last couple words laced with even more venom then her previous ones.
Resting an elbow on the low table, and then his cheek on his hand, Zelos gazed sympathetically at the woman beside him. "I'm sorry, Sheena. The mission really wore me out," he attempted to explain.
"Pfft, you were so worn out that you couldn't hear your kid in the next room," she snapped back, her gaze still focused on the papers in front of her.
"Sheena, I'm sorr—"
"Sheena, are you awake?"
The ninja's hand dropped the wooden spoon into the pot in front of her, and her attention quickly landed on the woman standing beside her. Raine was gazing at the Mizuhoen chief with concern.
"Are you alright?" her friend then asked. "Your mind was definitely somewhere else."
Sheena felt small arms wrap around her legs, and one of her hands found the head of the boy. Stroking the boy's hair with that hand, she used the other to continue stirring the pot of oatmeal in front of her. "Yes, I'm fine. Just thinking back on this dream I had," she smiled, looking back at the oatmeal.
While setting her bag down on the counter, Raine raised an eyebrow in interest. "Oh, what was it about?"
"Mhmm, nothing really," the younger woman lied, as she tapped the spoon on the rim of the pan before setting it down. In truth, the dream was taking over her thoughts. To her it didn't even seem like a dream; it seemed too real to be one, but she didn't feel like discussing the matter.
Raine mentally sighed, knowing very well Sheena was lying, but she decided to change the subject. "Well, while I was outside with Sen, I heard the most curious news," she started, hanging up her cloak on a hook.
Sheena's ears perked up, while she placed the pot on the dinner table with Sen following closely behind her, spouting observations he was making at the time.
"My neighbor was saying that both she and her husband experienced a brief moment of black-out this morning. It's strange, though, because the same thing happened to me, soon after I woke up. I wanted to discuss it more, but apparently she had a boat to catch. It's very convenient—or inconvenient, depending on how you look at it—how that happens. You want to discuss something so intriguing, yet the other person needs to leave." The half-elf let loose a forlorn sigh.
Sheena rolled her eyes, not really thinking about what the other woman said and helped her son into a chair. "Here you go, Sen," she said, and gave him a spoon. She then smacked his hand when he began to dig into his breakfast. "Nah-ah. What do we say before our meals?"
"But I'm hungry," he whined to which Sheena huffed. After Raine and she were seated, Sheena clapped her hands together and looked over at the boy. Seeing that he was doing the same, the pair simultaneously said "itadakimasu", though Sen stumbled over the pronunciation.
When the breakfast was finished, Sheena had Sen bring dishes over to Raine, who began washing them. Soon the table was cleared, and the now clean dishes were returned to their homes. Raine pulled out some toys she bought for her children, and the boy was soon occupied with those.
"Wow, your boy is easy to entertain," Raine commented, as she took her place at the table again.
Sheena resumed her seat as well. "Yeah, I'm lucky for that. I can't imagine having a boy who's picky with how he spends his time." Her gaze lingered on the playing boy before turning her attention over to Raine, who she saw smiling at her.
A slight blush formed on her face. "What?"
With closed eyes, Raine softly shook her head, still smiling. "I was just thinking that you are a good mother."
"What makes you say that?" Sheena inquired, still embarrassed.
"Just how much you care about him," she stated. "Now, shall we resume our conversation from last night?"
"Yes, did you figure something out?" The ninja excitedly asked, hoping for some revelations.
"Well, after last night I have been thinking a lot and conducting some research as well," Raine stated matter-of-factly as she stared at the ninja from across the kitchen table.
"Yes," Sheena replied eagerly.
"I have come to the conclusion that I regrettably have no idea how this has come to happen."
First Sheena's jaw dropped, but then she let out a sigh and rested her head on her hand.
"Drawing from my knowledge and what I researched last night, there is no recorded history of anyone experiencing the situation you are in." Seeing Sheena's downcast expression as she now looked forlornly at the young boy playing, the professor added, "I'm sorry, Sheena. I'll keep looking."
"No, no, it's fine," the ninja practically whispered. Clearing her throat and showing a smile, she continued, "Thank you, for all you have done. I appreciate it, really."
"It is no problem, Sheena. This is what friends are for, right?"
"Jeez, you are sounding like Lloyd," Sheena laughed.
"I suppose you are right," the older woman smiled. Straightening up she continued, "Anyway, let's go over your next action, shall we." She looked Sheena in the eye to make sure she was paying attention. Seeing that she was very attentive, she said, "I know you will most likely find this distasteful, but I believe your best choice is to return to Mizuho. There is chance someone there may have an answer. I can accompany you if you would like."
"I knew you were going to mention this," the ninja hissed. She held her weary head in her hands, her elbows resting on the table. After letting out another sigh, she used her hands to wipe her face. "Stay here. You have your own family to worry about, and your job."
"Are you sure?" Raine asked, concerned. "I don't like the idea of you traveling alone. I really sho—"
"It's fine, really," she flashed the half-elf a smile, "Come on, I'm a ninja. I can take on anything."
Now it was Raine's turn to sigh. "Being a ninja did not stop you from falling down those holes during the journey."
"Come on! Have a little faith in me!" She replied with a hint of hurt in her voice.
Raine just shook her head.
"Come on, Sen," Sheena called over to the boy, who immediately turned his head towards his mother, "We're leaving."
"What?" Raine and Sen asked simultaneously. The latter put on a pouty expression, while the former wore a face of disbelief. Sen grudgingly stood up, and started over to his mother.
"You are leaving now?" The professor questioned. "Wouldn't you be more comfortable resting a little longer?"
"I would be more comfortable knowing what the hell is going on!" Sheena insisted, while standing up and pushing her chair in.
"We could go to the library here. I read a lot of literature there last night, but I may have missed something," she added, following the younger woman's movements with her eyes.
Sheena squatted down began picking up the toys Sen left lying on the floor, keeping one of her hands on her belly. Seeing what his mother was doing, the boy scampered over to help. "No, I think it's best if I go back home, but thanks for offering." She was just placing a wooden hero figurine into basket, when she suddenly looked back at the silver-haired woman. "Wait, how late did you stay up last night?"
Raine was still sitting at the table, and now Sheena was able to tell how tired she appeared. Dark circles based her weary eyes, and her back was just slightly slumped forward. "Oh, till one—no—half past one," she answered.
Putting the last toy into the basket, and having Sen scoot it back where Raine acquired it from, Sheena walked back over to the half-elf. "Raine, you got up early too, so that Sen had someone to supervise him, didn't you?"
"Mhmm, yes, and we had fun, didn't we, Sen?" she asked the boy, who now scampered back over to his mom.
"Ya," he grinned, and scooted over to the sitting woman, grabbing her hand.
"Raine…" Sheena started but trailed off, not really knowing how to respond. She knew Raine and her were good friends now in contrast to when they first met, but she did not expect the half-elf to do so much for her.
Raine rubbed Sen's head, and stood up. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with? I'm really worried about your and the baby's health."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," she assured her. "Now, we'll get out of your hair. Just let me get my things." After saying this, she quickly climbed the stairs and soon returned with her and Sen's belongings.
With concern, Raine quietly observed as Sheena promptly tied Sen's hair up like hers and as she fitted a coat on his small frame. Finally, she put on her haori and hoisted her pack on her shoulders.
"Well, we'll be off now. I think we're ready."
"Here, just a minute", Raine said, and she went to the kitchen and soon returned with a bundle in her hands, "Here's some food for your journey. It's the least I can do."
Sheena's face turned green, and she waved her hands. "No, No. You've already done a lot. I really can't accept this."
"Just take it. Emery made it a couple of days ago," she huffed, turning Sheena around and shoving it into Sheena's pack.
"Oh, thanks, then," she sweat-dropped.
"You guys are so cruel sometimes. My cooking really is not that bad."
Sheena's only response to this was a nervous laugh.
"So it looks like you must be going," Raine sighed. "You are lucky there are no classes today, otherwise I would be terribly late."
"Heh, sorry, Raine, and please get some rest."
"Hmph. Now be safe, and I will continue researching. I'll see if I can check Meltokio's records. I have to go there tomorrow on university business anyway."
"Jeesh. You sound like you could be my mom," Sheena grinned. "But, thanks agai—"
"Kaa-san! Are we leaving?" Sen asked impatiently as he tugged Sheena's arm. He was now excited for more adventures on the road with his mom.
"Oh, sorry. Yeah, we are." She smiled at him. "Thank you," she said, turning back to Raine, shooting her a very grateful look.
"Yes, yes, on you go. I have work to do!" Raine exclaimed, while she opened the door for the two.
"Bye, Auntie Raine," Sen cheerfully said as he was shooed out the door. Raine gave him a smile, and she watched the pair as they walked further down the street and until they disappeared into the crown. Part of her wanted to collect her own things and follow after them, but her memory constantly reminded her that that was not Sheena's wish. With one more worried glance at her friend and her newfound son, she sighed and shut the door to her home, already formulating new plans and yearning for her own family to return home.
"Auntie Raine is weally nice isn't she, mom?" Sen chipped in, after they were out of view of Raine's house.
"Mhmm,"she hummed in response, still attempting to comprehend why her friend did so much for her.
"Are we going back home?" he asked looking up at her.
The question caused Sheena to frown in worry, but just like she had been doing the past few days, she forced a smile on her face. "Yep, we are. You excited?" She glanced at him, unconsciously rubbing her stomach.
"Yeah, I can't wait to see Gwandpa again! He always gives me tweats!" He beamed, excitement clearly showing on his face.
"Hmph, he probably can't wait to see you, too," she mumbled, worry churning in her gut again, and she continued to step towards the exit of the college town.