Storms of the Past
By: Lady Ava
Disclaimer: I don't own the Ronin Warriors, but any minor new character I do own the rights to.
Chapter One
Ocean Bound
"The ocean weather is suppost to be perfect this week. You boys picked a excellent time to go to shore." Kayura called from the family room. Mia had invited the former warlord to stay with her for the week that the five Ronin were going to the beach. Because their beloved friend and tenant wanted them to get out of the mountains for a week, she had suggested her family's beach house down the shore. That would give them a great time at the beach and would give her some peace and quite.
Kento lugged the last piece of baggage down the stairs. It was a large trunk that was covered with stickers of bands and hilarious sayings. Glancing up the stairs, the hard rock warrior huffed. "Rowen! What the hell did you pack in here?"
Appearing at the top of the stairwell, the blue haired youth grinned innocently. "Books. Why?"
"It feels like you put your whole bookshelf in here." Kento replied, cracking his back from carrying such a load.
Walking through the living room quickly, Sage was running over a mental list of things that still needed to be taken. "Let's see…car keys. Wait, Ryo's driving, those are his problem. Um, what else?"
Grinning as he came to the base step, Rowen rolled his eyes. "Sage, calm down. This is suppost to be a non-stressful trip."
"Besides," Kayura chimed in as she stood from the couch, "I thought you were suppost to be the calm one of the group."
Sage felt his face grow red under his blond hair. "Yea…well…I get very high strung before the whole trip starts. If you went on vacation with my family, you would understand." Picking up one end of the large trunk sitting at Kento's feet, the Halo warrior began to roll it away. "I mean, every time we would have to leave early for the airport, I would always hear one of my sisters shout, 'Sage, where's my hairbrush?' or 'Sage, could you carry this?' Brother, what I wouldn't have given for a brother." He continued to mumble as he walked outside.
Kayura, Rowen, and Kento sweatdropped as they watched their friend leave. Clearing his throat to end the uneasy silence, Kento asked. "Hey, where are Ryo and Sai at? We're leaving in a few minutes."
"Ryo is outside trying to give White Blaze a bath. The last time I checked on them, Ryo was the one in the water and White Blaze was completely dry." Kayura told as she took the ribbon out of her hair, letting the locks fall to the back of her knees.
"And my buddy Sai?"
Rowen glanced up at one of the opened doors that was Sai's room. "He's still packing."
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Sai sat up in his room as he finished packing his suitcase. He could hear the sound of laughter from below as the others started loading the jeep for the long five-hour drive that they had before them. But Sai didn't care about the drive. As long as he could surf and swim in the ocean again, he would drive five hundred hours.
"Let's see," The Australian boy said aloud as he stared down at his overflowing suitcase. "Wetsuit, kanji orb, clothes, books, toothbrush and paste." He named as he scanned through the bag. "What am I forgetting?"
Looking around his room, it struck him. Standing from his bed, Sai ran over to the dresser. Opening one of the many draws, he withdrew a small wooden box that had carvings of dolphins jumping through water on it. Setting it down on the table, Sai opened it carefully. There were a lot of little trinkets and such scattered about inside. But there was only one that the youth wanted. That was a shark tooth necklace. The tooth was curved a bit and the sharpness of the rims of it had been dulled. It was on a simple, yet sturdy, piece of black string.
Withdrawing it from its wooden box, Sai smiled. "I can't forget this." He murmured under his breath as he tied it around his neck.
"Hey Sai." Mia's voice stated suddenly, causing the boy to jump. Looking over at the doorway, the familiar smile of Mia Koji glittered at him. "Are you almost ready to go? Kento and Sage are almost done loading the car."
Placing the box back into the dresser, the Torrent fighter smiled back. "Yea. I just need to bring my bag down. By the way," He began, grabbing the girl's interest. "Did the guys put my board in the car the way I asked?"
Stepping into the bedroom, Mia nodded. "Yes Sai. Just the way you said to so that the fin won't break. They listened. For a change."
"Cool. Then, I'll bring this downstairs and we'll be on our way." Smiling, Sai zippered his suitcase shut and locked it tight.
All of a sudden, the sound of wet sneakers became clear from out in the hallway. Appearing the doorway, Mia and Sai couldn't help but laugh. Ryo stood before them, his hair and clothes hanging heavily because of the water that had been absorbed into them. "Take your time Sai. I need to go change."
Wiping the tears of laughter from his eyes, Sai asked, "Did you give White Blaze a bath or did he give you one?"
Rolling his eyes, Ryo turned and stalked out toward his room. "Very funny." He mumbled as his shoes squeaked away.
****************88
After Ryo dried off and changed his clothes, the five Ronin Warriors sat in the jeep saying their good-byes to Mia and Kayura. "Now remember," Mia said as she leaned through the window of the car. "Have a good time and just don't wreak the place."
Leaning over Rowen's seat, Kento flashed the victory sign. "Hey, don't worry. We'll make sure to leave the place a total mess." He laughed.
Pushing the ash haired teen off his head, Rowen leaned out the window. "The same goes for you guys. Don't do anything dumb while we're gone."
Kayura walked up to Rowen and flipped a piece of his hair out of his face. "Don't worry about us. We'll be just fine." Then, bending down, Rowen and Kayura locked lips in a passionate kiss.
The Ronins rolled their eyes as the Strata warrior and the ex-warlord kissed. Reaching over, Sage and Ryo pulled Rowen back into the car. "That's enough Romeo. Let's get a move on." Ryo laughed as he put the keys into the keyhole.
Facing the rest of his friends, Rowen wiped away some of Kayura's light pink lip-gloss. "Very funny." He said in a joking annoyed tone.
As the engine roared loudly from their new jeep, the five teens all waved to the two women. "We'll see you guys in a week. See ya!" Sai said from the back seat.
"Call us when you get there." Mia told them, sounding like their worried mother.
"Sure. Bye!" Rowen called as the car began out of the long driveway.
Chasing after the car a bit, Kayura waved as they drove away. "Bye Rowen! Bye guys! See ya in one week!" She called as they zoomed off towards the main road.
*********************
The drive down to the ocean was not exactly boring. For the first thirty minutes, the guys found great joy in taunting Rowen about him and Kayura. The two of them had been dating for six months, which the guys didn't really seem to get but just shrugged it off. Besides, it added on something fun that they could get Rowen on if ever needed.
"Oh Rowen, you're so cute." Kento laughed, trying to mock Kayura's voice.
"Really Ro, I have never seen any two people lock lips like that. Even Sage hasn't done something like that." Ryo told as he slipped a cd into the stereo.
The blue haired youth sunk down into his seat and buried his eyes in a thick book about psychology. "Would you all shut your traps already? My god, it was nothing." He mumbled, feeling his face begin to turn a charming shade of red.
Leaning forward, Sage placed a hand onto his friend's shoulder. "Rowen, I hate to say this. But right now, it's open season on you. So, dude, when were you two going to come up for air?" He asked.
Slamming his book shut, Rowen faced the rest of the group. "Why can't you guys just leave me alone? You never gave Sage this much trouble when he was dating that cheerleader."
"Actually we did." Sai said, sliding up into his seat to join the conversation. "You were too busy making out with Kayura to notice though." He added, high fiving Kento at a well taken shot.
Curling his upper lip, Rowen sunk back down into the seat up front and opened his book again. "Whatever…" He mumbled.
The rest of the car trip was the normal behavior the each of the Ronin. Sage and Ryo were looking over the map, trying to find the correct exits. Kento sat playing Super Mario on his Game Boy Advanced. Rowen had given up on his Psychology book and had reverted to the third Harry Potter.
Sai sat staring out the window. He watched as the other cars passed the quickly, while others would stay at the same speed as them for a moment and then either speed up and pass them or revert back to a slower speed. He always thought the car rides before reaching the ocean was always the best. He remembered when he was little and would sit in the back seat of his family's car with his older sister. Every five minutes he would ask if they were there yet and he would hear his father laugh and say, 'a few more minutes Sai.' As he continued at stare out at the cars, Sai felt his eyelids become very heavy and before he could resist, he fell asleep.
**************
Sai was running down the boardwalk of an Australian beach. Because it was tourist season, the shopping district was very crowed with people buying goods and such to take back after their vacation was over. The sun that shown overhead was hot, but it didn't bother the youth. Being a native to the land down under, Sai had become accustom to hot weather.
Turning around on his heels, the small boy faced his mother, sister, and father who smiled at him widely. "Hey come on. The surf shop is this way!" He called happily.
The Mouri Family followed their youngest child into a small surfing store that was one of many on the ocean seaboard. It was a bit cramped inside, due to the overwhelming amount of boards and other surfing gear that was set up. It was well air conditioned and had only a few other people inside, looking around at the different styles of long boards. Every style of board was like a massive sea of color. They had everything from the custom yellow boards to hot pink, which was easy to find in the water if you wiped out.
Walking up the counter, Mr. Mouri rang a small bell. Suddenly, a man dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts with sunglasses came out of the back room. "Yea? Can I help you?" He asked in a very thick accent. As he strolled up behind the cash register, his eyes suddenly widened from behind his blue sunglasses. "It can't be. Is that you, Chris? Chris Mouri?" He asked.
Laughing a bit, Sai's dad nodded. "Hey Len. Long time no see."
"So what brings you to my humble shop? You need a new fin? Last time I heard, yours split on some coral during the big competition Hawaii weeks back." Len asked as he leaned back against the wall.
Shaking his head, Mr. Mouri looked over his shoulder at his five year old son who was examining some of the boards closely. "Actually, I need a board for Sai. He's going to learn to surf today."
"Really? So, the champ is trying to raise another one, huh? The youngest Mouri is going to learn the fine art of riding the waves from his old man." The old surfer stated, sounding very beach bum like.
Glancing over at his son, Mr. Mouri laughed. "Yea. I figured I should start him out now. Hey Sai, come here for a second."
Perking his head up from the boards, Sai smiled widely as he ran over to his father. Letting his parent scoop him up, Sai was placed onto the edge of the counter. "Sai, you remember your Uncle Len, right?"
Facing the scruffy man, Sai smiled. "Hi Uncle Len. I'm going to surf today." He said proudly.
"So I've heard." Len laughed as he saw Sai try to act all tough. "I have just the board for you." Running into the back room, the man returned quickly with a dark blue and white board. On the nose of the board, there was a picture of a dolphin painted on. "This is just like your old man's board. If you're anything like him, you'll be able to surf with this."
Looking at the surfboard in aw, Sai smiled at his father, mother and sister happily. "Thanks mom. Thanks Lily. And a big thanks to you daddy." He shouted as he clung around his father's neck.
"You're welcome Sai." He father laughed as he hugged him back.
*****************
Sai sat in the water, clutching onto his new board tightly. He had wiped out for the tenth time that day was beginning to feel like just giving up. "Come on Sai. You can't quit so soon." Lily called as she paddled out onto the waves so that she was sitting next to her brother and father. "You barely just got started and you are already giving up?"
"I just can't do it. You and daddy are just to good for me." The little boy moaned as he clutched onto his board.
Holding his son's board still, Mr. Mouri smiled as he watched his boy clamored back onto his wooden ride. "Hum, I know what you need Sai. I have just the thing that will make you surf your best." He said. Reaching up around his neck, the man removed his shark tooth necklace and placed it around his son's neck. "It's my lucky necklace. I think you should have it. I think you need it more than I do."
Examing the new piece of jewelry around his neck, he smiled up at his dad. "Thanks."
**********************
"Sai, Hey Sai. We're here." He heard Sage murmur into his ear. Opening his eyes, Sai saw that he had moved from his place against the windows. His head was resting on Sage's shoulder comfortably as the car suddenly came to a halt.
Pushing off of his friend, Sai instantly apologized. "I'm really sorry Sage. I didn't mean to—"
"Hey, it's okay. You were tired and so I let you sleep." The blond haired Ronin told, cutting him off. "Besides, you only rested on my shoulder a few minutes ago."
Stepping out of the car, the five Ronins were met with a spectacular view. The house was on top of a sea cut cliff and a bit ways back from the edge. But it wasn't exactly like a surf shack. It was more like a modern version of Mia's house back home.
Upon entering the house, the teens dropped their luggage in shock. There was a spiral staircase that lead up to the bedrooms upstairs. Everything was done with the though of modern Beverly Hills in mind. Everything was spacious white, from the floors to the rugs, to the furniture. "Damn…" Were the first words out of Kento's mouth as he stared at large crystal chandler that hung above their heads.
"This place is great. It's so…so…" Sage began as he walked over to examine the family room's massive fireplace.
"Modern." Ryo finished as he walked past the family room and into the kitchen.
Sai took hold of his luggage and started up the large staircase that spiraled out over the family room. Upon reaching the landing, the Australian began his search for a room. As he peered through all the doors, he saw that there was a work out room, a small theater like the ones the movie stars had, and a large spa like bathroom. Turning a corner, Sai found the hallway that was where the bedrooms were. Walking past the other rooms, Sai went straight for the two double doors at the end of the corridor.
Opening the doors slowly, Sai found the master bedroom. There was a large king size bed and a massive dresser that had a huge mirror that stretched across the entire wall. Off to the side, there were two walk-in closets with full-length mirrors on all the doors. Then, if you went past the doors to the closets and turned a small corner, there was a large bathroom that was larger than the one in the hallway.
Throwing his bags onto the bed, Sai collapsed backwards on the soft sheets. "I claim this room." He said aloud to himself. Sitting up, the torrent warrior walked over to the two large glass doors that lead outside onto a small balcony that over looked the ocean.
Slipping outside, the teen was greeted by a soft ocean breeze blowing on his face. The sound of the waves crashing onto the rocks below was very calming to him. Over the horizon, the sun was beginning to set. The giant ball of flames looked as if it was sinking into the body of water. Reds, oranges, yellows mixed with the clear ocean water, creating the effect of the sky and sea becoming one. Seagulls sang above as they soared out over the ocean wind currents. They flapped their powerful wings strongly as if trying to fight to see who could stay floating the longest.
Breathing in the salt air, Sai sighed. 'I love this. It reminds me of back in Australia. This is just like before that day when…' The boy quickly stopped his own thoughts. Lowering his gaze to the soaked rocks, he felt his shark tooth touch his chest. "Father." He mumbled.
"Hey Sai." Ryo's voice said softly from behind the teen. Turning around quickly, Sai saw his friend and trusted leader standing in the balcony doorway. "I put your surfboard in the garage. You're still going to teach us how to surf tomorrow, right?"
Smiling, Sai nodded. "Yea, of course."
Stepping out onto the balcony, Ryo stared at Sai carefully. His tiger blue eyes seemed to pierce right through all of the negative thoughts that the Torrent fighter was feeling in his heart. Ryo's eyes were always understanding and calming to stare at. "Are you alright?" That was another one of Ryo's best traits. He could see if you weren't yourself and were acting differently.
"Yea, I'm fine." Sai answered calmly, trying not to let anything slip out. Ryo raised a questioning eyebrow. "Honestly Ryo. I'm fine."
Shaking the feeling away, the Wildfire warrior nodded. "Alright. Just making sure. Hey, we're going out to eat. Care to join us?"
"Of course. As long as one of you are paying." Sai told as he leaned back against the railing of the stone landing.
Laughing, Ryo smiled an evil grin. "Mia has a tab at a steak place around here. She told me so herself. So, she said that she would pay for it when the tab is sent back home."
"Great! Let's go." Sai said enthusiastically. As he and Ryo started back inside, Sai turned back to look at the setting sun once more. The orb had almost vanished from sight over the horizon and the sky began to turn a darker blue as night began to settle in. A light breeze kissed Sai cheek, causing him to grin as he followed Ryo inside.
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