Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ Requiem of Summer ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

A/N: Hello, everyone! Welcome to the first chapter of Requiem of Summer! This story is the third installment of the "Evil Torrent" series. If you did not read the first two stories, please do so. You will not understand what is going on unless you do. I do not own any of the characters from the Ronin Warriors. I only own Hana, Natsumi, their family, and the villains. Also, a huge thank you to, Halogazer, who beta read my whole story! Please review to let me know what you think. :)

 

Cye, Ryo and Hana all gawked at the two-story, white-painted house in front of them, the front door and the shutters were painted a forest-green. The curb appeal wasn’t bad, either. There were two Japanese Holly bushes on either side of the door, and small pink and yellow tulips were blooming in a flower bed in front of the house. To their right was a big old Japanese maple tree that was starting to bud. It was definitely something they weren’t expecting when they were called for a meeting.

Kento stood to the side with a big grin on his round face, his arms crossed over his broad chest. “It has five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a basement, kitchen, and living room,” he explained. “There is also a pool in the backyard. Neat, huh?”

The three friends all turned their heads at the same time to look at him.

“Kento, how did you obtain this house again?” Cye inquired. Shock was clearly still on his face along with the others. There was no way he could have afforded such a huge house. There had to be a catch or something.

“A regular at the restaurant was talking about this house. My mom overheard him and asked about it. He gave her a deal on it,” Kento replied. He looked at the building in front of them. “She wanted me to have a place to call my own. But the house is too big for me, so I want you all to move in.” He could feel a sense of pride at his friends’ reactions. It wasn’t every day that he was able to present something this big to them.

“All of us?” Ryo asked dubiously. “Are you sure about this?”

Kento snorted at the question. “Dude, we all lived together at Mia’s house. What’s the difference?” Kento asked with a grin. “Of course I’m sure about this.”

There was silence as everyone pondered over the situation given to them. Hana walked over and wrapped an arm around Kento’s shoulders, a smile plastered on her face. “Sounds like fun. Count me in,” she said. “Of course, I’ll be paying rent.”

“There is no rent,” Kento said, looking at the dark-haired woman next to him. “Ma already bought the house.”

“Still, it wouldn’t feel right,” Cye added as he walked over to his friend. “I got a job at the aquarium, so I can give you some money.”

“The one you brought me to? With Umi?” Hana asked, looking at Cye.

“That’s the one. I’m going to be monitoring the aquatic life and giving medication when the time comes. It’ll be good because it’ll put my knowledge to the test,” Cye responded with a smile.

“That’s great!” Hana exclaimed as she gave him a big kiss on the lips. “You said you would like to work there someday.” Cye smiled gently at Hana.

“Dude, if you keep cooking me food, that’s all the payment I need,” Kento said with a wave of his hand. He would choose Cye’s cooking over anything.

“I guess I should look for a job,” Ryo said. “I don’t want to be a freeloader, either.” He was used to living on his own already being that his father was always out on excursions. He didn’t really have to worry about money. But now things were going to be different if he was going to be living with his friends.

“Why don’t you work with us at the restaurant?” Hana suggested. “I’m sure Mama Faun can use you.”

Ryo simply shook his head. “My place isn’t in a restaurant. I would like to work outdoors if I can. Let me see what I can dish up.”

“So, it’s settled then. All of us will be sharing the house,” Kento confirmed with a fist pump in the air. “When Sage and Rowen come to visit, they’ll have a place to stay.”

“What about Natsumi?” Hana asked. “Can she have a place, too?”

“Doesn’t Natsumi live with her father and her uncle?” Ryo asked. “We could ask her, but I don’t know if she’ll want to.”

“She does live with her father,” Cye said. “However, whenever I talked to her about her family, she always changed the subject. Maybe this will be good for her.” He thought back on the time when he went to her house. He looked into a room that sent chills down his spine, the room with no windows. When Natsumi found him, it looked like she was about to have a panic attack. “It seems life at the home isn’t all roses and sunshine.”

Hana thought about what Cye had said. It was true that Natsumi never mentioned her family around them. Her expression always seemed to change, and she always tried to dodge any questions if asked. “I’ll meet up with her and toss the suggestion to her.”

“All right. I’ll go tell Ma the good news. We should move in as soon as possible. I want to get this move done and over with,” Kento said with a wink.

 

The next day came with a clear blue sky and the sun smiling down on the Earth. Spring was in full bloom as people walked the busy streets of Tokyo in light attire. It was around noon when Hana met Natsumi at a small café to discuss some matters regarding the house.

The brunette sipped her iced-cold lemonade, enjoying the chill against her throat and the taste of fresh lemons on her palate. A plate of various cookies slammed onto the white plastic table. Natsumi looked up with a start to find Hana smiling down at her.

“I didn’t know what kind you liked, so I got a whole bunch,” Hana said as she sat across from her friend. “In my opinion, the chocolate and mint cookies are the best here.” She took a cookie and popped it in her mouth, savoring the mixture of chocolate and mint on her tongue. “So good.”

“I’m trying to go on a diet,” Natsumi said with a small laugh as her hand moved up and down her arm. “These aren’t going to help me, but they do look delicious.”

Hana raised an eyebrow at the woman in front of her. “What diet do you need to go on? You have an awesome body, and I’m sure Ryo wouldn’t object to that,” Hana smiled as she popped another cookie in her mouth.

Natsumi’s milky-white skin suddenly turned cherry-red at the comment. “I… I mean… he hasn’t even seen…” she stuttered as she looked down at her hands, which were now on her lap.

“I know. It has only been a month,” Hana said with a roll of her eyes. “I’m not pressuring you. I’m just saying it’s been a while since you agreed to be his girlfriend. I attacked Cye on our “third date?” I can’t remember.”

Natsumi fidgeted in her seat. “I guess I’m just shy. I never had a real boyfriend before.” It did take her a while to get over what had happened between her and Cye. Having Ryo confess his feelings to her and then ask her out on a date wasn’t something she was prepared for. However, after a month, they went on their first date.

“It’s fine,” Hana said with a wave of her hand. “I’m only teasing you. We’re here for more important matters.” She took a lemon cookie this time and popped it into her mouth.

“You said that over the phone,” Natsumi recalled. Hana called her earlier that morning with eagerness in her voice. She insisted that they meet at the small café, for she had something she wanted to ask. “What kind of important matters did you want to discuss with me?”

“Apparently, Mama Faun, Kento’s mother, got him this five-bedroom house. The thing is huge, but not as huge as Mia’s house,” Hana stated. “Anyway, he wants all of us to move in with him.”

“All of us?” Natsumi asked in surprise.

“Yes. I asked about you because I think it would be fun if you joined us. You can be with Ryo,” Hana beamed with excitement. A frown settled across Natsumi’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t move in with you guys,” Natsumi said sadly. “I have to be at home.” Anxiety was rising within her.

“Well, I’m sure your father would like you to move on,” Hana said. She looked at Natsumi, noticing a change in her actions. It looked like her body was tensing up at the situation.

Natsumi shook her head. “I…I can’t, and that’s my final answer,” she said. “If you will excuse me, I have some things I have to get done before going home.” The timid girl got up from her seat and hurried out the café door, almost bumping into Ryo without noticing him.

“How’d it go?” Ryo asked as he walked over to Hana, who was looking at the entrance in shock.

“I’m sure you just saw her run out of here like she had fire on her heels,” Hana said as she looked up at him. Not just fire, but a look of fear.

“I told you she wouldn’t go for it,” Ryo said as he sat down in the chair Natsumi recently occupied. “There is something with her family she doesn’t want us to know about. Even with me, she doesn’t want me to meet her at her house. I always had to wait for her a few houses down from her place. I haven’t questioned her about it.” He looked down at the plate full of baked goods. “What’s with all the cookies?”

“I got them for the two of us,” Hana sighed as she took another chocolate mint cookie. “I guess we can bring them back to the house. I’m sure Kento will annihilate them.” A small smile broke out across her pink lips.

“I’m sure he will,” Ryo chuckled as he took a lemon-frosted one. He slowly chewed the cookie as he looked out the café window at the crowds walking past them.

Hana stared at the sweets, deep in thought. “Ryo, how is she with you?” Hana asked as she looked up at the dark-haired warrior.

“What do you mean?” Ryo asked as he looked back at her with a raised brow.

“She’s happy, right? It’s been four months since the last battle. I just want to know if everything is okay,” Hana said softly.

A smile formed across his lips. “For someone who was tortured because of her, you really have grown to care for her. Not something we expected, to be honest with you.”

“After what happened and hearing the truth, I couldn’t be mad at her. I’ve hurt so many more people than her,” Hana said, her voice almost cold. “I hurt Cye in more ways than she could ever have to me.” Hana could see that Natsumi was a follower and not a leader. She didn’t seem to have much confidence in herself. It also seemed like she didn’t have many friends before she met Cye and the others.

Ryo placed a hand on her small shoulder. “Like we have said to her, it’s not your fault. Evil has a way to manipulate us. And to answer your question, she is very happy when we are together.”

Hana smiled at her fiery friend. “I’m glad to hear that.”

 

The men grunted as they moved the three-seated, black, leather couch into the living room. The heavy furniture landed with a thud onto the grayish carpet below. Kento wiped his brow of the sweat that had accumulated during the move. Both Cye and Ryo sat on the couch, their chests rapidly moving up and down with heavy breaths.

“Where did you get this couch?” Hana asked as she distributed water bottles to the exhausted men.

“It was actually in the garage at my parents’ house,” Kento answered. He took a swig of the iced-cold beverage, his body instantly cooling down. “I would say it was there for a few years. My ma got a new couch, and we didn’t really want to get rid of the old one, so we put it in storage.”

“It’s a very nice couch,” Natsumi commented as she ran her delicate fingers across the smooth material, the scent of genuine leather teasing her nostrils. “It almost looks and smells brand new.”

“Yep, and it’s ours now,” Kento said with pride as he patted the armrest to the furniture.

“This place is huge,” Natsumi said as she wandered the area. She entered the kitchen that had marble countertops and a gas stove. The cabinets were made of cherry wood. She made her way back into the living room, impressed. “How many bedrooms did you say this place had?”

“Five. Hana and Cye are claiming one of the bedrooms on this level. There are three on the second level of the house. Ryo has a room, and I have a room. When Sage and Rowen come to visit, they can share a room,” Kento explained.

“But I only counted four rooms. What are you going to do with the fifth one?” Natsumi asked as she counted her fingers.

Ryo got up from his seat and walked over to her. “Let me show you,” he said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He guided the girl over to the bedroom on the main level of the house, with the others following suit. When he opened the door, there was a twin-sized bed and dresser occupying the space. Natsumi looked up at Ryo dubiously. “When you are ready, this room is yours.”

“T…this is my room?” she asked. “But-”

Ryo placed an index finger over her mouth before she could get another word out. “When you are ready. We aren’t forcing you, but we will be here for a long time. If, by chance, you decide to join us, you have a place here.”

A small smile appeared across her pink lips. “Thank you, all of you.”

“No need to thank us,” Cye said. “We hope that someday you can use this room.”

Natsumi’s eyes saddened as she looked at the display. It would be nice to live with her friends and not have to worry about anything. Ryo looked down and noticed the solemn look in her eyes. He squeezed her shoulder gently, rousing her from her thoughts. “You okay?” he asked softly.

She nodded her head and smiled. “I was just thinking about how I have such great people in my life now.”

“Aw, shucks. You’re making me blush,” Kento said as he rubbed the back of his head.

“We still have the basement the check out,” Hana mentioned as she grabbed Natsumi’s hand. She nearly dragged the girl down a flight of stairs to a fully finished basement. The room was fully carpeted and was filled with boxes in various sizes. “I have no idea what is going in here.”

“I would like to put a pool table down here,” Kento said as the rest of the crew made it down to the bottom level.

“I didn’t know you played pool,” Cye said looking at his friend. “Since when do you play pool?”

“On occasion,” Kento shrugged. “And I always saw pool tables in basements on TV.”

“That doesn’t mean you need to have one,” Cye objected. “I say an aquarium would fit nice down here.” He walked over to the nearest wall and placed a hand on it. “It could go right here.”

“Hold on, if I can’t get my pool table, you can’t have your fish friends,” Kento said as he pointed a finger at his water-loving friend.

“Seriously, you two?” Ryo asked as he looked at the both of them with a raised eyebrow. “You sound like a married couple.”

“Well, what would you put down here?” Kento asked, folding his arms over his broad chest. “Let’s hear it.”

Ryo stood where he was for a moment, pondering on the possibilities of the area. “If there was a place for a fireplace…” Ryo said.

“No fire!” Kento and Cye both exclaimed.

The two girls watched with wide eyes as the men argued over the vast space. Laughter soon erupted throughout the room as the two girls laughed out loud, making the three men stop their bickering. They looked at the two girls with questionable looks on their features.

“And what’s so funny?” Kento asked with his hands on his hips.

“You guys,” Hana laughed as tears beaded at the corners of her eyes. “I’ve never seen you guys act like this. If you ask me, I would say it was a three-way marriage.” Her arms wrapped around her mid-section as she continued her laughing fit.

“Three-way marriage?” Ryo asked with a raised brow.

“I’m sorry, Ryo,” Natsumi said as she wiped the few tears from her eyes. “I didn’t mean to laugh at you.”

Ryo smiled and shook his head. “Don’t apologize. I love seeing you laugh and smile. It warms me up seeing you happy.” Natsumi blushed and smiled back at him.

“I guess you guys are going to have to duel each other in order to find out what goes down here,” Hana said, her laughter dying down.

“A library could go down here,” Natsumi suggested with a giggle.

This caused Kento to scrunch up his nose at the idea that was just presented. “A library? That’s so boring! Who would want to come down here to read?” he asked.

“People who can actually read?” Cye said with a smirk.

Kento grabbed Cye’s head under his armpit in a head-lock. “You think you’re a real jokester, huh?” Kento asked as Cye struggled to get free from Kento’s grip.

Ryo shook his head at the two and placed a hand on Natsumi’s shoulder. “We’ll resume this matter later,” he said as he looked down at his girlfriend. “I should take you home. It’s getting late.”

Natsumi looked at her watch, noticing the late hour and nodded. “Yeah. Thank you for having me over,” she said.

“You are always welcome here,” Cye said, who managed to get free from his pit trap.

Natsumi waved at the others as she followed Ryo back up the stairs.

 

The stars twinkled in the dark sky above the couple as they walked down the sidewalk hand in hand. The spring breeze blew gently against them. Even though they were still in the city, it was pretty quiet. The typical bustle of the city had quieted with the fall of night. Natsumi’s hand tightened within Ryo’s as she smiled to herself.

“You know I don’t have to be home right away,” she said. “My father is out on a business trip for a few days.”

Ryo chuckled to himself. “You caught me,” he said, flashing his pearly whites at her. “I just wanted to spend some time alone with you.”

Natsumi smiled up at Ryo as he led her to a park. The area was practically deserted when they entered; a few couples lingered on some of the benches. The two of them sat on the cool grass, bodies close together as they looked up at the starry sky. Natsumi pointed at some of the constellations she knew. She looked at Ryo and noticed he was staring at her; his eyes had that sincere look.

He placed a hand on her soft cheek, looking into her gorgeous Persian-blue eyes. His face slowly moved in closer before taking her lips with his. Her whole body went limp as his tongue explored her mouth. His other hand grabbed the other side of her face as the kiss deepened. Natsumi moaned softly as she kissed him back, her tongue meeting his in a dance.

Ryo slowly placed Natsumi on her back, his lips still connected with hers. A moan escaped his throat as he broke the kiss. He looked down at the woman he’d come to love and placed one more kiss on her swollen lips before sitting up. She sat up with her breathing uneven as she looked at him.

“Why did you stop?” Natsumi wondered.

“I’m not going any further until you tell me it’s okay,” Ryo said. “I don’t want to end up doing something that you don’t want me to do.”

Natsumi smiled and placed her hand on top of his. She was lucky to have someone who understood her. He also asked before doing anything. “Thank you, Ryo.”

A smile broke across his face as he kissed her forehead. “I love you, Natsumi.”

“I love you, too, Ryo,” Natsumi said softly as a warm sensation filled her entire being.

“And I want you to be ready,” he said. She nodded as she got to her feet. Ryo followed suit and took her hand back into his. “We should get you home.” Natsumi nodded in agreement, a sad expression plaguing her features as they exited out of the park.