Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ Uncertainty ❯ Aftermath ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4: Aftermath

The next morning dawned bright and clear. The rain long forgotten. Mia groaned when she realized that there was a kink in her neck from sleeping on the floor. She started to rise, wondering what time it was, as she blinked uncomprehending eyes at the nearest clock. The roman numerals seemed to mock her every effort. But it had to be late, she could hear Kento and Rowen's voices coming from the kitchen. She smirked slightly at this last part. Rowen up at this time of day, when he had almost zero sleep the night before, and coherent, no less. She wondered aimlessly into the kitchen, the beginnings of a headache forming.

Kento was busy eating breakfast while Rowen had his head pillowed on his arms still half asleep. Kento was the first to notice her standing in the doorway. "Morning sleepyhead. Since when have you turned into Rowen?"

Mia groaned at his half-hearted attempt at deviltry. "Kento," she attempted to say threateningly.

"Um yes?"

"You are so dead." Mia started to advance around the kitchen table on Kento, who quickly tried to hide behind Rowen's barely conscious form.

"Ah, Mia you know I didn't mean it, honestly." Putting his hands up in surrender; he began to back away from the stormy glare that Mia was casting his way.

Mia continued to stalk around the table, giving off the impression of a predator stalking its prey. Grinning evilly at Kento, she sank gratefully into his vacated seat next to Rowen and promptly began eating what was left of his breakfast, which wasn't much, but she felt like tormenting him some more.

"No, Mia. Oh how could you?" Kento moaned as the remnants of his meal quickly vanished.

Mia simply smiled impishly at Kento. "That's what you get for picking on me. You know I was up half the night worrying about all of you."

Rowen raised his head off the table at Mia's teasing tone. "Morning Mia" he said sluggishly, blinking owl like at the young woman. It was way too early for him to be up. He simply did not have enough sleep last night, no matter that it was already one in the afternoon.

"Morning Rowen." Mia smiled down at the sleepy young man. "So are you awake enough to tell me what was going on here last night?"

"Yeah, guess so" Rowen mumbled. Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs, he looked over at Kento to see if he wanted to start the story.

"Don't look at me, man. You know more about what happened than any of us do."

'Should have known that would be his response.' Rowen wondered where he should start without giving away Cye's secret. "All right, Mia. Here's the short version. I saw Cye come in last night totally soaked. We talked for a little while before he collapsed with some sort of fever. I tried to link with him to see if he was all right, but all I could see was a wall of flames. The other guys heard me cry out mentally when Cye collapsed, and came to find out what was wrong." As an afterthought, he added "Kento and I also had a brief disagreement."

"Yeah," interjected Kento. "But it was soon cleared up. Anyhow, while Rowen and I were bickering, Ryo tried to link his mind to Cye's. He thought that he would be able to get through Cye's defenses without any problem since his element is fire. But something went wrong and he ended up in Cye's mind along with Cye."

"Which is the reason that both Ryo and Cye are still out. That's it in a nutshell, Mia."

Mia considered the two teens standing afore her. She could tell Rowen wasn't telling her everything, but she decided to let the matter drop. He would tell her only when he wanted to, and no amount of cajoling would make him tell her any sooner. "Well, what do you think happened to Sage then?"

"We really don't know what happened to him, Mia. You know as much as we do, since you were there when I found him. Guess we'll just have to ask him when he gets up." Rowen said shrugging his shoulders.

"Ask me what?" came a new voice from the hallway.

The three present in the kitchen whirled at the sound of the voice, mouths opened in shock. "Sage, you ok? What happened last night? One minute you were sleeping on the chair, the next you are out cold on the floor next to Cye's bed, with a gash on the back of your head." Rowen peered closely at the swordsman. Something was not right. Sage looked off for some reason, sort of disheveled. Sage was never disheveled even under the worst of circumstances.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Just a little tired from using Korin so much last night." 'Course waking up next to Ryo this morning didn't help my constitution none, especially when I realized that Ryo's arms were locked about my waist.' He thought wryly to himself. He had a difficult time unwinding himself from Ryo's still unconscious form without waking the sleeping teen. Shaking the uncomfortable thoughts away, he turned his attention to Mia who was staring out the window lost in thought. "Mia?" No answer was forthcoming so Sage walked over to the girl and placed his hand on her shoulder.

Mia jumped about a foot when she felt someone's hand on her shoulder, but relaxed when she realized whom it was. Sage was peering inquisitively at her, the violet in his eyes dancing softly. "Sorry Sage, did you say something?"

"Are you all right? You looked kinda spaced out."

"Oh, I'm fine. I just have the beginnings of a headache, thinking about all that happened last night. Are Ryo and Cye awake yet?"

"No. They're still sleeping. But Ryo should be up any time. I just don't know about Cye." Sage's voice trailed off as he noticed someone standing just outside the door to the kitchen. Or someone's he should say. Ryo and Cye were both leaning against the doorjamb looking at the group with amused expressions on their faces.

Mia noticing Sage's gaze, turned her head to see what he was looking at. Gasping slightly, she rushed to the two boys still leaning against the door. "Ryo, Cye are you both ok?" She gave each of them a quick hug, holding on a little longer than necessary. Both boys began to blush slightly.

"Morning Mia and yeah, I think we are both fine." Cye looked over at Ryo for confirmation. Ryo simply shook his head that yes, he too was fine.

"Cye, man, you nearly gave us a heart attack last night. You sure you're fine?" came Kento's worried voice.

Cye turned to his best friend and gave him a slight smile. "Sure Kento. I'm just a little tired is all." Cye reached his hand up to brush his hair out of his face, when he felt someone brushing against his mind. He raised his eyes to Ryo, who was looking Torrent over very critically. Cye almost felt like cringing but knew better. Ryo would then think he was hiding something; instead he opened his link wide to the other Ronins, who absorbed his calm serenity.

Ryo broke his gaze from Cye's, apparently finding what he was looking for. Taking a couple of cautious steps into the kitchen, Ryo was grateful when he was able to sit down. He still felt weak from having passed through Cye's fire wall. "So Sage, what happened to that juice you were supposed to be getting me last night?"

Sage started imperceptibly. He had been hoping that Ryo would have forgotten his request. He really did not want to tell the others that he took a side trip down Cye's mind, which ended up knocking him out. The aftereffects were not as severe as Ryo's were, because Sage did not have to pass through any barriers to get there, while Ryo had had to struggle his way through Cye's fever. Sage gave the five individuals surrounding him a beseeching look, hoping that someone would rescue him.

"I think I can answer that Ryo" came Cye's soft British voice.

Sage turned wide eyes onto the spearman. Surely, he wouldn't tell the others what he had carelessly done. He would never live it down, especially after he had repeatedly warned the others to be careful. Sage started to sweat. 'Cye, please don't tell them' he cried silently to the quiet warrior.

Cye watched the play of emotions flicker briefly over Sage's face before he managed to control them. The bearer of Halo was silently shaking his head, pleading with Cye. Cye tried to smile reassuringly at the young man. He wouldn't say anything if Sage did not want him to, but he would have a talk with him about it as soon as they were alone. Turning to Ryo, who was impatiently waiting for an answer he calmly said, "Sage just stopped to check on me and I guess he tripped over the chair that Rowen had left by my bedside. Guessing from Rowen and Mia's concerned looks, I take it he had a bad fall?"

"Well, when I found him, he was laying unconscious on the floor, a slight gash on the back of his head. It wasn't long after, that Korin began to heal him though." Rowen looked at the shy warrior of trust. Cye knew something else he wasn't telling. He could tell by the pained expression Cye wore, when he found out that Sage had hurt his head. It was almost as if Cye felt guilty about it. But why? He was out cold at that time. There was nothing that he could have done that would have caused Sage's accident. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks. Turning scolding blue eyes onto the warrior of light, he carefully studied him. Sage was looking slightly pale and was having trouble maintaining his balance. Glancing at Ryo's dark form, Rowen began to compare the symptoms. Yep, they were definitely similar, though Sage's seemed to be less extreme. Sage must have fallen into Cye's mind last night, and when Cye pushed him back out, he must have stumbled, weak from the experience. "Hey Sage, isn't there something you would like to tell us?"

Sage glanced at the blue haired archer in apprehension. Gulping he said, "What do you mean?" Maybe, just maybe Rowen was bluffing, but judging from the storm that was raging in Rowen's eyes, he thought then again, maybe he's not.

Rowen could not believe his ears. Sage wasn't going to admit it. "Damn it Sage!!" the expletive tore from his lips as he ran out of the room. He had to get away before he did something he would later regret, like slapping the self-centered jerk. "Why Sage, why can't you trust us, trust me?" Rowen slammed his bedroom door shut, walked out onto the balcony and pulled himself up on top of Mia's roof. The sunshine felt good against his wet cheeks as tears coursed down them.

Sage stared after the departing figure, wondering what had upset his friend so much. Looking around the room, he noticed that the others were also staring after Rowen's fleeing figure in alarm.

"What the hell has gotten into him?" Ryo looked at the others in bewilderment.

"Honestly, I don't know but I am going to find out." Sage strolled out of the room, glad that his steps did not falter. Heading up the stairs, he tried the door to his room. Finding the door locked, he frowned. "Rowen, let me in please?" No answer. Sage pressed his ear to the door hoping to catch any sound that the archer might be making. Nothing. Wondering what to do, Sage got an idea. Heading for Ryo's room, he stepped out onto the balcony that also ran outside of his and Rowen's room. Crossing his fingers that the balcony door leading into his room was unlocked, he tried the handle and was mildly surprised when the door swung open. Stepping inside, Sage looked around at the empty room.

Swiveling back to the balcony, Sage started to sweep the skies for his wayward friend. Strata often took to the skies when he was distressed. Sage hoped that wasn't the case, since Rowen would only come back when he wanted to and there was no way for Sage to find him. Sage hung his head, wishing he knew what had upset Rowen so much. Standing there, lost in thought, he didn't hear the soft crying for a couple of minutes. Looking up, he saw Rowen rocking back and forth on the roof, his arms wrapped around his knees. Sage approached the archer discreetly. Sitting down next to Rowen, he pulled the archer into his arms. "What's wrong Rowen?" he asked softly.

Rowen felt himself being pulled into someone's arms, where he went willingly. The scent of sandalwood filled his nostrils, as the light that was Sage's aura penetrated his senses. Stiffening slightly, he heard Sage's voice murmuring softly in his mind. The voice was soothing, however and Rowen began to unconsciously relax. He was still upset with Sage, though. "Sage, what are you doing here?" he asked quietly, wiping his eyes dry. He didn't want Sage to see him crying but it was too late.

"Looking for you." Sage paused slightly as he regarded Rowen's tear streaked face. "Rowen why did you run off?"

"Nevermind, it's not important."

"Of course it is, if it has you this upset. Tell me Rowen." Sage gripped Rowen's jaw and forced the young man to look at him, demanding an answer.

Rowen glared at him. "Drop it Sage."

Shaking his head, Sage replied "No way am I going to let this go. Not until you tell me why you ran out."

Growling, Rowen swung his fist at Sage, who managed to stop the blow inches from his face.

"Rowen . . . What has gotten into you?!" Sage cried. Hurt and a bit surprised by Rowen's actions.

Rowen slumped in defeat. Sage was now going to be even more persistent, especially after he tried to hit him. His eyes like ice, Rowen stared at Sage's violet eyes. "Fine Sage, you want to know why I am so upset? Well, I'm upset because YOU obviously don't trust us. You don't trust ME enough to tell me the truth, and if that's not bad enough, you went and dragged Cye into it as well!" Rowen struggled to free himself from Sage's grasp.

Sage looked uncertainly at the struggling archer. Trust him? Of course he did. He trusted all of them with his life. He just didn't want to be made fun of because of his mistake. "Rowen, I do trust you. I trust all of you."

"Yeah right. Then tell me the truth."

Sage knowing that he was defeated, caved. "Fine, I fell last night because I ended up in Cye's mind like Ryo. I was stupid and I let my guard down, and before I knew what was happening, Cye was pushing me back out. I fell against the chair hitting my head. You happy now? Now that I feel like a total idiot, especially after I warned you and the others that we could be pulled in, if we delved too deeply. I'm upset because I didn't realize that I was falling victim to it, until it was too late." The words tasted bitter but he felt better telling Rowen the truth.

Rowen stopped struggling as he turned in Sage's embrace. His lips threatening to quirk upwards. "Sage, you have nothing to fear about us possibly ridiculing you. You should know that by now. Besides if anybody says anything then I'll deck them, all right? So, truce?" Rowen crossed his fingers praying that Sage would agree.

"Yeah, truce. Come on, let's get down from here." Sage started to climb carefully back to the balcony when he felt Rowen grasp him about the waist. Startled, Sage turned to Rowen, trying to see what he was up to, when he felt his feet leave the roof. Gasping, he clung tighter to Rowen's form as Rowen carefully lowered them to the ground.

Rowen smiled at Sage's expression. It was priceless. "Sage?"

"Yeah?"

"You can open your eyes now." Rowen laughed as Sage's violet eyes flew open, as he realized that he was on solid ground.

Sage snapped at his friend. "Don't ever do that again!! You know I don't like it."

"Sorry Sage, I just couldn't resist it since it seemed to be the fastest way down." Rowen gave Sage his best innocent look. "Do you want to help me out with something?"

"What?"

"Well, you know that each of us has a thing for Mia, right?"

"Yeah. It's kinda hard not to with our link and all. So?"

"Well, the discussion that Cye and I were having yesterday concerned Mia. Cye wants to admit his feelings to her but is afraid of what everyone's reactions would be if he did so. I thought that we could help him out."

Sage smiled, so that was what Cye had been hiding. He had been wondering at the tension that kept coming from Cye's link. "Sure, I'll help. What's the plan?"

Rowen grinned as he began to outline his plan to the swordsman. He could tell that Sage liked it. The plan was simple. Get Mia and Cye alone so that they could talk uninterrupted. Which meant, everyone else was going out for the evening. Rowen headed into the house in search of Kento and Ryo. The two of them quickly agreed with Rowen's suggestion. Smiling, he headed for Mia's room. Knocking softly, he entered the room to find Mia working on her computer. "Hey Mia."

"Oh Rowen, it's you. Did you and Sage work everything out?" Mia asked cautiously. She had been worried when Rowen bolted from the kitchen a couple of hours ago.

"Yeah, everything's fine. Sage just needed to be reminded that he could tell us anything. Anyway, the guys and I thought that we would go out tonight. We need some time away after everything that happened last night, and we didn't want to disturb Cye, since he's sleeping. So, would you mind looking after him tonight for a little while? We won't be gone long. Three or four hours tops." Rowen gave Mia his most charming smile, praying she would say yes.

"No, that's fine. You guys go ahead but don't be gone for too long and keep Ryo off of his feet. He's still a bit unsteady. Actually, Sage probably shouldn't be walking around too much, either. He kind of looked unsettled earlier."

"Yeah, I know but I think we are going to the movies. There's this new movie out that Kento has been dying to see. So neither one should be doing much walking."

"Well, that's a relief. I'll see you later then." Mia turned back to her work on her computer as Rowen left the room.

Calling back over his shoulder, he said "Thanks Mia. You're the best." The four Ronins then left the mansion, laughing because their plan had been set into motion. Now, Cye just had to wake up.