Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ Yokoi no Death and Rebirth ❯ Chapter 8: Remember to Breath ( Chapter 9 )

D.L.: I'm so, so sorry. I've been so busy. I got a new job and I've just been so busy.

Seiji: Here she goes again.

D.L.: First I wake up at 7:15.

Shu: So.

D.L.: Then I go to work from 7:30 am till 7:00 pm.

Touma: Whoa talk about your long work days.

D.L.: I know and that takes a huge three hour chuck of my day away.

Nasty: Poor Destiny.

D.L.: *sniff, sniff* Then once I finally get off I have to do home because I go to college on Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. And then I have to work on my personal company for a few hours or maybe I'll go workout for a few hours; can't let the fat build any more then it already has.

Shin: But I thought you play basket ball at the gym.

D.L.: So.

Shu: Well that's not really work is it?

D.L.: I didn't say it was work I said it was to keep me from getting fat.

Shu: Oh but your already fa…

SMACK!

Saya: Ouch.

Shin: Oh Shu are you ok?

Ryo: Look at the size of that bump, wow!

Nasty: He deserved that. You're not fat Destiny what do you weight? 115lb 120lb.

Destiny: 120 something…

Touma: That fine though you could stand to lose a few… *Saya grabs his mouth as a grumbling Shu rubbed his head.*

Shu: ….

Saya: Oh does the baby have a bump?

Shu:…

Chapter 8 Remember to Breath

Shin yawned making his way through the empty dinning room devoid of all most all furnishings and into the kitchen. He was tired and rightly so since he'd gotten little to no sleep that night or morning depending on how you looked at it. Waking up every thirty minute was not fun and after the fourth time he'd decided he might as well get up and see about fixing breakfast.

"Ohayo Shin-san!" Shin looked up to the mystery voice's owner who was not quite in sight. As he entered the tiled kitchen he laid eyes on the newest member of the Trooper mansion. She had her head buried a blue laptop, her finger busily typing using the every popular hunt and peck method, though he was a bit surprised at her speed. Suddenly the type stopped, a sigh escaping from her lips before she turn her full attention to him.

The two studied each other briefly before Shin's training kicked in and he greeted her politely.

"Good morning Saya-san. I'm quite surprised to see you up this early, did you sleep well?"

"Yeah," she answered quietly her eyes gaining a distant look before she blinked refocusing on Shin. "Did Kaos-sama leave?"

"Yes last night, though I get the feeling that he's still near by."

"I see, well I made coffee but I'm sorry I didn't start breakfast. I… I wasn't sure when every one would get up so I decided to wait, but I can start it now if…"

"No, no I've got it really, just relax Saya-san," Shin motioned for her to stay. "I'm not sure when the guys will wakeup either so I'll just make it as they arrive. Any requests?" He asked as he opened the refrigerator his eyes taking stock of its contains. /We'll have to go to the store today. /

"No I don't normally eat breakfast," she admitted as he felt her eyes following him.

"Really?! You know it is the most important meal of the day right?" He asked as he started pulling out pans and bowls. He glanced back at her his eyes hitting the laptop on the table. She noticed and smoothly closed it her face never leaving his, but before she did his eyes caught one full line. "

`-no choice. The armor of Death and Rebirth was created for the judgment of all yorois and you, Resario Saya, must carry out this task. The stones-'

"Yeah, but I never have time for breakfast. I stay up pretty late most nights and I don't wake up until I absolutely have too. So breakfast always suffers,"

"I see well, I'll have to put a stop to that," Shin smiled waving a stirring spoon in her direction.

"You can try," Saya replied. It was weird, Shin knew that there were more important things that they should be talking about but at the moment neither felt the need.

Silence followed for a while as Shin continued preparing breakfast Saya watching him. He glanced at the clock noting that it was almost 9:30. Shu would be down soon, of that he was sure. He heard rummaging upstairs and assumed it was Seiji since it wasn't come from his room.

"Shin-san, I haven't gotten a chance to thank you yet, for taking care of Touma and Shu. I know that you risked you life for the two of them and I'm grateful," Saya told him her eyes beaming as Shin sense the flow of emotions pouring from her simple words. /Love, respect, fear… /

"Don't mention it, they probably saved me more times then I saved them."

"Maybe…" she muttered, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Do you think Kaos… do you think he meant to kill me? I mean you're the warriors of Suiko you can sense people's true intent, ne?" Shin blinked at her, completely surprised by the question. /Well it seems someone's mind been on the important things all along. /

"No, I don't believe Kaos would do something like that at least not to an innocent. And you were and are an innocent. You have no really choice in this matter. Like us."

"That's not true Ojo and Shuni asked to me to accept them back when my parents died though I think they were around before then. I choose this path, this armor."

Shin stood silently the sound of lightly boiling water filling his ears as he observed the girl her shoulders slumping somewhat as she sighed. Her emotions hidden from him suddenly. /That's strange before I could sense them but now…/

In the middle of his musing Saya head lifted as she called out.

"Ohayo, Seiji-san," her tone was surprisingly warm completely throwing Shin for a loop. The blonde who had just entered glanced at the young girl his light eyes focusing on her for a half second as he returned her polity good morning though his was devoid of any really feeling. Shin blinked at the intense flicker of emotion he felt from Seiji before it disappeared. /What was that?! /

Seiji turned nodding a good morning to Shin as he pulled a cup from the cabinet followed by the tea bags. The small group fell silent again as Shin turned back to cooking, Seiji to his tea and Saya to her laptop. / Well this is interesting. /

Shin stirred the rice before placing a lid on top of it. The house was still so quiet as if it were taking a nap after all the action it had seen yesterday.

"I'm going out to meditate, for a well." Seiji announced.

"Be careful Seiji," Shin automatically replied to which Seiji waved a `I heard ya.' before slipping out the door. The minute he did the loud tromping of a rhino could be heard from the hall then through the dinning room before the smiling face of Shu appeared at the door.

"Hey breakfast!"

"Hey Shu!"

"Ohayo Shu," Saya and Shin greeted as the earth trooper immediately began to interfere in Shin's cooking.

"Shu out!" the red head ordered, as Shu reached for some rice balls Shin had just made. "Not yet!"

"But I'm hungry," Shu whined as Shin slapped his hand, the rice ball hitting the counter with a thud.

"Come on just one!" Shu begged give Shin his `I must eat or I'll starve look.'

"Shin-san don't fall for it, I say we put him on a diet starting now," Saya called.

"Diet, I don't need a diet!!"

"Oh yes you do."

"Are you saying I'm fat?!"

"Don't ask questions if you already know the answer," Saya smirked mischievously look in her eyes.

"You little brat! You're luck you're a girl otherwise…."

"You'd want me even more,"

Shin blinked at the meaning of that statement were as Shu simply turned an interest shade of pink and then red.

"Call me when breakfast is ready," Shu grumbled deciding to leave the comment alone.

/Was he red because he doesn't like guys or was he blushing because he does…?/ Shin ponder for a moment before he realized the batter was burning.

"Oh no!"

The rest of the morning carried on about the same. Comments being thrown here and there as the rest of the group slowly may there way down stairs. Shu kept Shin on his toes by continually trying to steal food while sneaking from the living room to the kitchen.

At last breakfast which by then was more like lunch was done. They gathered in the front room since they had no dining room table. Shin laughed as Saya and Shu argued over who fault it was that the table was broken in the first place though Saya apologized repeatedly fro causing it to Nasty and everyone else.

They settled into the living room the television playing in the background as the breakfast was passed about.

Shin watched Ryo who stared blankly at the screen his mind obliviously on important topics hanging in the air around them. Saya and Shu were laughing about something when she suddenly stopped a big grin spreading across her face. She quickly placed her plate on the table and made for the dinner room door. Shin leaned back to see what she was doing as they heard a cheerful.

"Aoi-kun!" followed by a thud. They all stood peeking around the door to see what had happened.

/How cute. /

Touma was seating on the stairs with Saya face buried in his chest. Shin instantly noticed that Touma was actually dress this morning for breakfast instead coming down in his PJs or worse yet his boxers and a tee. Instead Touma wore a white and red tank top with jean shorts his hair still damp from a shower.

Shin heard Saya whisper something and Touma smiled a sleepy smile not lacking in joy or interest. The two of them pulled apart slightly only to join again in a soft peek.

Shin blinked as he felt another strong flicker of emotions. Glancing behind him Shin saw everyone else watching the couple but it was Seiji's face that drew his attention. Seiji gazed coldly at the two his eyes a paler then their normal violet. The couple sensing the eyes on then glanced at the group in the doorway a slight blush staining their cheeks.

"Ohayoo mina!" Touma called as he managed to stand his left arm still draped around her waist as he right pulled on the banisher for support.

"It's about time you got up I've been dealing with the brat all morning," Shu teased pointing a waging finger at Saya.

Saya simple grin a venom filled smile as she released Touma's shoulders grabbing his hand saying, "Shin made breakfast,"

"As always." Ryo added, "It so good to have you back, Shin. Your breakfast is the best."

"I see all my hard work in that kitchen went unnoticed," Nasty snapped.

"What?" Ryo asked have no clue why Nasty's voice sound so angry.

"No, no Nasty I noticed, Shin is just…"

Smack!

Touma had somehow made his way over to Ryo in time to smack his hand over Ryo's mouth. /Close one. /

Nasty's eyes narrowed at the fire trooper before turning back to the living room. Touma sighed releasing the struggling Ryo.

"Touma what the hell was that for!" He hissed a red hand print painted on his face.

"Sorry Ryo but god you're dense," Touma said making Ryo even more confused.

"Like you can talk," Shu added.

"If Touma can't talk then neither can you," Saya chimed in grabbing Touma's hand to drag him into the living room. Shu followed as Shin patted Ryo's shoulder.

"Come Ryo you're food is getting cool."

**********************************************************

It had taken hours but at last Shuten had found the gateway he'd been looking for. Sighing Shuten knew that it wouldn't take long for his fellow mashos to realize he had left their realm and then there was Kayura to worry about. Though the mashos were the only one that would sense him leaving Youja Kai, Kayura would sense the gateway opening. It was a given that they would come looking for him and that left Shuten very little time.

/I must do this. She will have an answer. Be it death or life we must have peace. /

^Yes Shuten we must have peace. ^

Where exactly this gateway opened up the red head wasn't sure but he knew that it was far enough from the troopers that they probably wouldn't notice his arrival.

Closing his eyes Shuten summoned the energy needed to open the gateway, a power that once came easily with the aid of Arago now took a great deal of effort.

He felt the ground rumble and then it arose shooting into the air. Dust signaling the gates arrival.

Shuten's hair bellowed about his body before coming back to rest upon his unarmored back and shoulders a thick gray and maroon colored robe covering his body.

/Alright no turning back. /

********************************************************

Kayura jump at the sensation. /A gate… But who? /

"You must find out who it is," The spirit hissed as it rubbed against her. He was one of the only spirit that had remained with Kayura and her servants after Arago's defeat.

"Shuten…" Kayura's voice floated through the air like ghostly mist.

"You must stop him. None can escape you Kayura, for you are the Queen of Youja Kai." Kayura stood her eyes flashing like crimson fire for moment.

"Yes I will rule everything."

********************************************************

Breakfast was finished off and soon after an uneasy silence fell on the group. The plates were gathered and sent to the kitchen where Shin and Mia started working on them refusing help from the others as they remind them of the dreaded chore list.

Ryo sighed trying to think of a good way to start the conversation. There was just so much to think about and resolve that the trooper leader was afraid he'd forget something.

To his left Shu was flicking station so fast that all Ryo could make out were blurred light flashes.

"Shu I'm getting sick of the stomach can you please slow it down." Saya called from the other side of the room. She was sitting next to Touma, of course, her head resting sweetly on his shoulder.

Ryo felt a pang of jealousy for a moment but brushed it off. /Now is not the time to worry about my love life or lack there of. We've got much more important things…/

"Will you please slow down," Shin called as he entered the room.

Ryo could see the frown on Chinese boy's face as he stop pushing the channel button.

"Thanks." Shin replied with a grin gain he several kongo grumbles.

~So you're saying that the scientific community has no explanation for the light that blanked the world last night.~ the man on the tv screen asked a clipboard of sorts in his hand.

~As of right now no. The bright light has been narrowed down to an earth phenomenon but the cause has not yet been determined.~ An older woman with long white hair and explained as she set across a table from the younger man.

~Let's show the clip from the Russian Satellite again and perhaps professor you can explain to us what we are seeing.~

~I'll try.~

Ryo's muscle tensed as the scene flash to an outer space view of Japan. The picture seemed normal enough until a white blotch began to appear over Tokyo. It expanded at an amazingly fast rate.

~As you can see the energy start in Japan and then widened to engulf the entire world.~

~So then is this connected with the other strange events that have been plaguing the world and Japan particularly?~

~ If you are speaking of the earthquake then yes perhaps so but if you are referring to rumor of magical being and such then of course not. We are in the twentieth century not the Feudal Age.~ A phone could be heard ringing in the background.

~Well it seems we have quite a few people who seem to disagree with you. Caller you're on.~

~Yes I just like to remind the Professor of the missing days, the matching dreams and the armored shells that have been found in various places all over the world.~

~ Yes well there are some mysterious yet to be…~

~Sorry, ~ the interviewer interrupted ~We've got to take a break, but will be right back.~

"Well if that isn't a hint that we should start talking I don't know what is." Ryo sighed as the commercials started.

"It could be the end of the world but they still be trying to sell cola." Touma muttered.

"At least we won't be thirsty," Shu added as he stared mindlessly at the screen.

"So what do you think we should do?" Shin asked looking over at their leader.

"Well it pretty oblivious that Saya is going to have to stay here and…"

"What?! I can't. I can't stay here. It would be too dangerous. I'll only bring you more trouble if I stay."

"Saya you have to stay here. Don't worry about us we'll be fine it's you that we're worried about." Touma told her.

"Yeah, we've handle this type of stuff before." Shu added sitting so that he could look at the others.

"No! You don't understand this armor is to judge other armors. It will judge you guys too. I could stand it if…"

"Saya, Kaos already told us that and he said we'd been fine."

"But Tou…"

"You're stay, Saya." Ryo glanced as Seiji who was leaning against the door frame behind Touma and Saya. "So don't argue."

The girls head lowered as she let out a nasalize sigh her lips pressed tightly together.

"I don't want to be a danger or a burden. You five have your work cut out for you without adding me to your troubles."

"Oh, but you're already one of our troubles." Shu told her with a smirk that she probably didn't see.

"One that we are very willing to take on," Shin added walking over to sit next to her. Touma gave Shin a weary look and shook his head when Shin went to comfort her.

^What?^ Shin asked a little confused and hurt that Touma would let him help.

^She doesn't know you well enough.^ Shu replied.

^Saya doesn't like to be touched by people she does know.^ Touma added.

This confused Shin even more.

^Why? What happen?^ Ryo asked.

^Nothing. We'll talk about it later.^ Touma said his focus returning to Saya.

"Saya…" Touma called but she didn't response "Saya we only want you to be safe. It would be far too dangerous for you to go back a life in Tokyo by yourself."

"Yes love, be sensible about this."

"I am. I just…"

"Listen, we'll be fine, besides even if you left we'd still be worried about you at least if you stay here we can watch out for each other." Ryo smiled as he walked over to knee in front of her.

"They're right you know, Saya-chan," Nasty said as she lean over the couch raising Saya's face to hers. "You are stay here and that is final." Ryo blinded as Nasty's behavior. Saya seemed just as surprised as the older girl smiled down at the brown eyed girl.

"But…"

"I said final." Everyone waited to see if the teen would protest again but when she simply blushed and looked away Ryo figured it was a done deal.

Nasty released Saya's face walking around the couch to set next to the black haired swordsmen.

"No that that's settle, we should probably begin training you," Ryo said a looking toward the ceiling as his mind worked on the other necessities.

"And you'll need to contact you're family to let them know you're going to be staying here for a while."

The girls blush faded instantly as she scowled looking to her hand that were clenching in her lap. Touma leaned over whispering something in Saya's ear that had her blushing again before she nodded.

"Good and what about clothes and personal items," Shin asked.

"Well I brought toiletries and clothing but only a few changes."

"Then I guess we'll have to go back to Tokyo to get your stuff." Nasty stated and Ryo watched as Saya tension eased a bit. "How about we go tomorrow?"

"How about we go today?" Shu suddenly exclaimed.

"Why half the day's already gone and…"

"Let go, everyone can come and meet Mama and Papa and Fai and…"

"But Shu we wouldn't have time for that." Shin protested. Shu jumped from the couch and his eyes circling the room until the landed on Saya.

"Saya's we can stay at Saya's place."

Saya slowly looked up at him her eyebrows raised in a skeptical look. There was long pause as she stared at Shu dark blue hitting golden-brown.

She took in a huge breath which appeared to hold enough force for a fierce scream. She opened her mouth and said,

"…sure…"

Ryo blinked as Shu grinned from ear to ear.

"Alright, it's to Tokyo we go, to Tokyo we go, hi ho she's Saya Resario…."

"To Tokyo we go…" Saya mumbled.

"Yeah!" Another long pause fell upon the room before everyone fell into a fit of painful laughter.

*************************************

It took another hour before every one was ready and making their way toward the door.

"Well at least I'll be able to get Akira."

"Akira?" Ryo questioned from Shin left.

"Oh no, not Akira, Saya!" Touma almost whined as he tromped down the stairs.

"Who's Akira?!" Shin asked unable to keep back the growing curiosity.

"Don't ask." Touma groaned.

"Oh sound like sounds like someone is jealous." Saya teased tapping his nose.

"Who is he an old boyfriend?" Nasty ask grabbing her keys before Shu could reach them. "No way Shu."

"Ah man!"

"So is anyone going to answer the question?" Ryo called exasperated.

"What question?" Seiji add is voice to the clutter as he came down after Touma.

"Who's Akira?" Ryo shouted.

"Her bike," Shu answered matter a factly. <-not a real word. HA)

"Her bike!" they group exclaimed turning to look at him as they all crowded together in the entryway.

"Yeah," Touma sighed. "And once it gets her she won't pay any attention to me." he continued pouting.

"Oh Aoi-chan, don't be blue or green for that matter."

"Touma is jealous of you bicycle," Shin inquired cause the two brothers and Saya to burst into laughter.

"Not. A. Bicycle. A. Motor. Cycle." Saya responded in between gasping for air and laughing.

"A motorcycle?"

"Not just any motorcycle Ryo, my man, this baby is top notch, a circuit modified engine, with custom purple and black panels and chrome everything else. The seats are soft and the panel in space age looking."

"But the best part is what she wears when she goes out riding," Touma stated received a jab from Saya. /Motorcycle… but those are… don't say it Shin, don't hold it…/

"But Saya, motorcycles are dangerous are you sure…"

"Shin do you lay eggs?" Shu asked.

"Wha… no!" Shin answered confused as to why the earth trooper would ask such a strange question.

"And does Saya have yellow feathers?" Touma asked. Shin looked to Saya, Shu and then Touma before it hit him.

"Oh shut up!"

"Baco, baco, baco!" Shu waved his arms around like chicken while scuffing his feet across the floor. The trooper around him started laughing again as Nasty called.

"Alright children time to go and Shu stop scuffing my floor!" The group six yokoi bearers and one college student made their way out the door overnight bags in hand and headed toward the car.

"Hey Tou…" Seiji called to the archer just in front of him. Shin listen still trying to figure out what was going on with the blonde's recent change in attitude. "You up for that ride now?" He heard Seiji ask. Shin stopped next to Nasty's jeep glancing back at the scene. He instantly noted that Saya was not with the archer and must have went back in to get something.

"Sure I…" Touma stopped as Saya came out of the house carrying two bags one for a laptop and the other a nearly empty red and blue backpack.

/There it is again. What is it? Why do Seiji emotions always seem to change with her presences…/

"She can come to of course," Seiji mumbled.

"Alright. Hey Saya-chan were going with Seiji."

The look of shock plastered to Saya's face as she stopped walking and eyed the blonde disappeared almost as quickly as it appeared.

"Sure ok," Shin watched her force out as she started toward them again.

/I have to find out more. I have to…/

Shin started toward Seiji to see if he could ride with them but a strong tugged pulled him into the jeep his head banging on the door frame.

"Ouch!!"

"Hurry Shin!" the bigger teen called as Ryo slipped in the back while Shu strapped up in the drivers seat sticking the keys into the ignition.

"When did you get her keys?" Ryo asked Shin's question.

"It's not the when that's important here, it's the how," the warrior of Kongo replied.

"Shu!!!"

*************************************

The three masho's stood in the middle of the city once called Edo.

"Where the hell did he go?" Anubis hissed as the racketed from below filled his head.

"I don't know, but we better find him before Kayura finds out he's left or that we have for that matter," Rajura said as he scanned the city for their missing comrade. Eyes were unless here and Yami knew it. /But with Shuten hiding his aura from us the chances of us seeing him are just as good as us sensing him./

^Come on Shuten-kun! Where are you?^ Naaza tried for the umpteenth time that hour.

"We'll find him," the spider masho assured him.

"Hopefully before he get his ass kicked by the troopers," the scarred warrior added.

They had already check the mansion and found no signs of the troopers or Shuten, but they could sense that the Troopers were somewhere in this city among its huge structures and indiscernible masses.

/We must hurry I have a very bad feeling about this. Something bad is going to happen. The foreboding hangs in the air like a thunder cloud ready to burst and drown the world in sorrow./

^That was poetic Yami.^ Rajura said not bother to look at him.

"Shut up.^

"You don't think he's come here to get revenge on that girl do you?" Naaza asked a hint of fear in his voice.

"I hope not. Surely Shuten is not that foolish," Rajura stated his eyes never leaving the city streets.

/Yes I believe that is exactly what Shuten has come to do. Though I wish it were not. /

***********************************

Ryo set in the back with a very annoyed Nasty as Shu bobbed his head to Latin music. The city zoomed by and they bucked to a stop as Shu hit the brakes rather suddenly.

"Do you even know what they're saying?" Nasty grumbled her arms folded in a huff.

"Nope," the driver responded. "But then again it's no different then listening to you or Touma talk." Nasty started to bop him but must have thought better of it.

"You're luck you're drive or I'd have given you a knot for that one."

"Well then Nasty-san I guess," Shu glanced back looking directly into her eyes. "I better get as many joke in as I can before we park."

"Hey Shu, shouldn't you be watching the road.?" Ryo asked as the eye contact between Shu and Nasty continued as Nasty smiled shaking her head.

"Sure, sure. But I know where I'm going."

"Then you must know a short cut because Seiji turned left on that last street," Shin pointed out from the front. Ryo could see Shu frown before he recovered.

"Oh well I guess you guys get to meet the family early."

********************************************

"Umm… I think Shu decided to have an early dinner," Saya said from the back as she watched Nasty-san's red jeeps go straight through the light.

"Yeah probably. So now that they're not following us care to show us what this baby can do?" Touma asked.

"You sure?" Seiji asked a slight smirk coming to his lips.

"Of course, floor it Seiji!" Without anymore notice Seiji hit the gas slamming Saya back into the leather seats with an, "Ogh!"

"Sorry about that," Seiji called though something in his tone made Saya doubt his sincerity.

"Umm are you sure you…"

"Don't worry Saya, Seiji is a champion race care driver."

"Oh well that makes me feel better."

"Just let me know if you're going to lose you're lunch back there." Saya didn't miss the insult in that and replied.

"I can handle any thing you can through at my blonde… and then some." Touma only snickered at the challenge.

"Alright then." The car surged forward as Seiji continued to pass other cars left and right until…

*********************************
"I still can believe you got a ticket Sagey," Touma teased as the three of them stepped into the apartment the smell of strawberries filling the house. "I mean what happen to that sixth sense of yours?"

"Shut up Tou," the swordsman growled. Saya was just in front of the two of them.

"Hey Aoi can you lock the door?"

"Sure, Say." Touma heard Saya snort as the short version of her already short name.

"Well Seiji, here we are the kitchen she motion to the white kitchen as she flipped on the light a single white bag of garbage sitting in the kitchen, next to a few empty boxes of cereal and such. /Oops forgot to grab that before we left./ Touma remembered the exact moment Saya had asked him to take it out. /Better grab it before she notices. I'll call it mission unlikely./

"Here's the living room, I figure two people can take the couch since it folds out and…" Touma listen to Saya as she showed Seiji around. Quickly he grabbed the bag and the four small boxes before heading back toward the door. He struggled trying not to drop anything as he pushed at the lock with his elbow. Slowly he felt the bag stretching as he struggled. /Oh no, should have bought glad. / A commercial played in the archer's head as he imaged the contains of the bag spilling across Saya's clean entryway.

Frantic he work with the lock and just when he though it was all over and he be pick up the contains of the bag with his teeth a small tanned hand slipped in between him and the door unlocking and opening it.

"Uh thanks." Touma smiled hopeful his eyebrows meeting his hair line. She only shook her head a grin touching her lips. Touma smiled watching her before he felt the bag stretching to its limits as tiny holes broke through his finger slipping through the plastic. "Yuck!"

"Better hurry Tou-kun." Saya thumped his nose playfully as she pulled the door open some more for him.

****************************************

"Shu!" Mrs. Faun exclaimed as she looked up from the closing register to the door a tiny chime signaling her costumer's entrance.

"Hiya, mama!" Shu greeted as he made his way around the counter hugging his mother tightly.

"What are doing back so soon?" she paused catching sight of the two other boys watching them. They both had shaggy hair, one with red hair the other black. "And with guest."

"Yeah these are the friend I mentioned. Sanada Ryo, Mouri Shin and Yagiyu Nasuti." The older woman blinked as Shu motion to the young woman.

"You're Yagiyu, I knew you were young but… Are you sure you're up to watching five teenage boys.

The young girl who looked as if she wasn't any older then 21 nodded.

"Yes though they can be a handful, I assure you Mrs. Faun that I can handle it. In fact I think it is an honor to be able to take care of them and help them in anyway I can."

The Chinese woman studied the girl for a moment sizing her up as it were. /I don't know about this. She's so young…/

"Shu!" Dai wos, her second oldest son shouted.

"Hey Dai! How you been?" Shu patted the ten year old on the head.

"Fine," he replied a smile filling his cheeks.

"What are you doing back so soon?" The boy looked at his older brother suspiciously. "Did you get thrown out?"

"Wow, Shu he really knows you well." Ryo jeered grins covering everyone's faces except Shu's.

"No actually we came back to get Saya's stuff she's going to be stay out at Nasty's with us for a while."

Mrs Faun felt blood rush to her face.

"What?!" /That little tramp staying in the same house as my boys, no way. I won't allow it. /

"Mama, calm down. Saya has to come and stay with us it is not safe for her to be by herself." Shu tried.

**********************************
The look on the others faces was one of shock and confusing as they watched the big woman's tan face turn redder and redder.

Shu sighed inwardly. /That was stupid Shu… Now look she's all upset./

"Why, what she got into. I told you that that girl is nothing but trouble!"

"Mama it's not her fault."

"It's true Mrs. Faun, Saya is not to blame for this," Shin piped in.

^Shu! What's going on why is she so pissed?^ Ryo asked.

^Umm well she and Saya don't really get along,^ Shu tried.

^That's not it,^ Touma's voice came through the link. ^Mama just doesn't like her. Saya's never done anything. ^

^Yeah that's true. ^ Shu agreed nodding.

^Well that does really matter, what matters is get her to accept the fact that she'll be living with us. And since me and Touma are over here we'll leave that to you guys.^ Seiji stated.

^Oh hey blonde that sounds fair leave her to us,^ Shu's thoughts dripping with sarcasm.

^Sound fair to me, besides it's like you said bro and I quote, `You never did no how to deal with our parents.' End quote. So I wouldn't be much help would I?^

^Throw it back in my face why don't you.^

^Won't it be ear?^ Ryo injected gaining collective groans. ^What?^

"Shu!" His mother shouted. "Did you hear me?"

"No not really I was just mind speaking with my friends. Touma says hi." The look on her face said it all. /Wow I'm good at this. /

^Your one true talent. ^ Touma shot back quickly before closing off his link.

/Brat…/

*************************************

Touma stood stretching, "I think I'm going to go check on Saya." Seiji looked up from the TV program they were watching about the `strange event' that were take place around the world. It was fun to see how the masses viewed things.

/They're all just so confused./

Seiji nodded his eyes going back to the television. Leaving the room Touma headed down the white halls toward Saya's bedroom.

As he neared he expected to hear the sound of packing but instead the room what dead silent. /To knock or not to knock…?/ Touma opted for the latter slowly turning the knob as he called softly.

"Say." He was surprised to see her standing by the big bay window her cheek leaning against the glass. The second she saw him she instantly set up shaking off the distant sad look he'd seen and replacing it with her blushing smile.

"Sorry I'm almost done…" There was something about her in that moment something that had Touma rushing to her. He wrapped his arms around her as if he were afraid she would suddenly disappear.

"Tou…" she gasped at the suddenness of the embrace her body tensing, but she soon relaxed leaning against him. Neither one of them said anything as Saya wrapped her arms around his shoulders pulling away slightly so that they could confirm the others want. Her eyes were their glistening gold, brown rimming her pupils as they look up at him longingly. That was all Touma needed to see as he brought his lips down to hers. They touched with the subtleness of petals to grass testing their boundaries before taking a step over. The kiss deepened with their need as arm instinctively tightened. After a long head spinning moment the two parted, Touma's heart beating so loudly that he was sure even Seiji could hear it. The brake didn't last long as he dove in for another kiss.

Saya moaned slightly as their body pressed tighter together the intensity growing as he moved his lips from her moving to taste her skin. Her neck craned up as his mouth descended. / She tastes like…/ Touma tried but he could describe it, all he knew was that he wanted more.

*********************************

Shuten could hear the mysterious armor calling to him, beckoning his soul to it. /She's near, I can sense the yokoi. It's so close. /

TBC…

D.L.: Thanks everyone for all the reviews and I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to put out this chapter. I was planning on releasing a chapter a week, but…

Seiji: She's lazy.

Shu: And she'd rather read other people's fanfics.

Touma: And she plays online games.

Shin: And…

D.L.: Enough, thank you! I'll have you five know that I work over 10 hours a day, get less then 6 hours of sleep and spend the rest of the time…

Ryo: Goofing off.

D.L.: That's it next chapter you four are all mine.

Shu: Ohhh like we're scared.

D.L.: You will be baka, you will be.

Saya: *snicker* Now do I really have to say this.

Nasty: No I'll say it. A.A.W. R&R.

Shu: A.A.W. Ass and Wipe. No, Air and Wipe.

Shin: No it As All Ways.

Touma: But always is one word.

Nasty: So?

Touma: So, it doesn't work.

Natsy: Oh Shut Up. /Know it all./