The New Edition
Chapter One: Why Can't You People Just Let Me Sleep?!

By: Winter Peacecraft-Yuy
With additional help from: Meilin Rae, Trowa'sgal2004, and MiMeQ


Disclaimer: Ronin Warriors and co. are © of Sunrise and Bandai entertainment. Rekino Sanada, Hana Rai-Utano, Ameko Amaya Kazeno, Josephine Rei Faun, and all of the other characters that you do not recognize belong to MLR, TG, MiMe, and myself. Also we do not own: Hardee's Restaurant, the Tommy Hilfiger clothes line, the Dove company, the song "Too High for the Supermarket", or Thermasilk shampoo. They are © of their own creators. Please keep this disclaimer in mind for future reference. Thank You!

*~*

The sun shone through the curtains of the apartment as the birds outside sung their morning song. Hana Rai-Utano had been up since six o'clock that morning. She had a doctor's appointment around seven-thirty and planned to actually be there on time so she could get out quick. Her morning class started at eleven o'clock, which she had with her three best friends: Rekino Sanada, Amaya Kazeno, and Josephine Rei Faun.

Speaking of Rekino, Hana wondered if her raven-haired friend had awakened yet. She put the finishing touches on her make-up and walked across the hall to her friend's room. She knocked lightly, which would've done no good. Rekino was a heavy sleeper. There were only a couple of things that could wake the temperamental raven up: a very annoying sound, such as an alarm clock or phone, or someone physically removing her from the bed.

Hana peered into the room to see that Rekino was sleeping soundly. Trying not to make a sound, Hana made her way into the room and peered down at her friend. She seemed so peaceful in her sleep, not a care in the world. Hana knew Rekino had a dark and horrible past, as did she. The two had been friends since grade school. They endured everything together. Pain, happiness, and disappointments…they did it all together…

Which included saving the world from an evil demon…

Hana sighed as she continued to study her friend. Rekino was lying on her side, and perched in her arms, was a small, stuffed rabbit that she had received from her grandmother. It was her security, Hana had told herself a thousand times. Peering at the nightstand, Hana checked to make sure Rekino's alarm was set for ten o'clock. It took the woman about an hour to get ready. Not because she had to make herself look good, but rather waking herself up every morning was a problem all in it's own. Rekino stayed in the shower at an estimate of twenty to thirty minutes every morning.

The figure in the bed stirred and amethyst eyes opened, "What are you doing?" Rekino mumbled sleepily. She hadn't expected to be woken up.

Hana smiled, "Just checking to make sure that your alarm was set. Honestly Rekino, it would be a shame to miss our first official day of college."

Rekino grumbled in her dismay and stretched her muscles. She had had a rough night. Making a mental note to stop staying up until two in the morning on the computer, "What the hell time is it?" She took a quick glance at the alarm clock and did a double take, "It's six twenty-two in the fucking morning, Hana! Couldn't you have just called to make sure I was up? Damn…"

"Well excuse me for having your best interest in mind, Rekino-chan. You'd think you'd be a little more appreciative," Hana crossed her arms and glared at her friend, "I need to work on your people skills."

Rekino rolled over and pulled the covers over her head, "Go away! It's an ungodly hour to be awake!"

"Suit yourself. I'll see you at the university. Bye," Hana walked out of the room and closed the door behind her softly. She and Rekino had this fights often. It's not that they didn't get along; they just disagreed on some things.

But that was the whole point of living with someone.

Swinging by the bathroom before she left, Hana made sure her hair was straight and her makeup was perfect. She walked out of the bathroom, grabbed her car keys and backpack before heading out. She locked the door to her apartment that she shared and made her way to her car.

*~*

Ring…ring…ring…

The soft sound of sleep was the only thing that answered. In her dream, she was holding someone. Her hands ran through his blue hair as she kissed his rose petal soft lips.

Ring…ring…ring…

His hands roamed under her shirt, massaging her breast through the cotton of her bra. His tongue ran across her bottom lip as she opened her mouth to allow him entrance. They fought for dominance of the situation - her tongue fighting for control over his.

Ring…ring…ring…

She pulled away from him reluctantly, gazing into the deep blue hue of his eyes that she had gotten lost in. He caressed the side of her face and kissed her lips gently and smiled at her. His smile – oh heavens – his smile! His eyes sparkled with the intensity of the moment. Just as she bent down to kiss him again, something stopped her. A noise…a very familiar noise at that.

In the back of her subconscious, she identified the noise. It was a phone. Turning her attention back to the man of her dreams, she noticed he was fading away. He grabbed her hand softly as she tried to hold on. She cursed as he slipped from her grasp and was brought crashing back into reality.

Ring…ring…ring…

"Son of a bitch…" Rekino whispered and rolled over. She reached for the portable phone on her nightstand, which turned on after she took it off the cradle, and brought the phone to her ear, "Hello?"

The person on the other side giggled slightly, "It only took twelve rings to wake you up. Were you having a good dream or something?"

"Dammit Mia! It's…" Rekino looked at her alarm clock, "eight fifteen in the morning. Hana already woke me up once. What the hell do you want and couldn't it have waited?"

Nasuti Yagyu, better known as Mia Koji, sighed into the receiver. She had met Rekino, Hana, Amaya, and Josephine at a spring festival two years ago. They clicked automatically and started hanging out after that night. Mia had told them of the five companions that lived in her house, who had recently moved out, all except for Mia's lover, who happened to be Rekino's older brother, Ryo Sanada.

"Actually, it could have, but since you're the quote-unquote 'leader' of the group. I thought you should know. Lady Tenku has been restless lately. I can feel it, Rekino-chan. Something is coming," Mia said softly into the receiver.

Rekino was now half awake, "I haven't felt anything out of the ordinary. Are you sure you're not imagining things?"

"Yes, and that's probably because you're asleep half of the day," Mia said sternly, "Honestly Rekino, you should learn to get up earlier."

Rekino grumbled, "You sound just like Hana. Always telling me what to do. I'm eighteen years old, dammit. I'm an adult and I can take care of myself." She quickly changed the subject, "How's Ryo doing?"

Mia smiled at the mention of her lover, "Fine. He's still completely oblivious to the fact that you're here."

"Just how I want it. I don't want him to know I'm here until something happens, understood?" Rekino had ordered Mia not to tell Ryo of her existence. For all he knew, Ryo thought Rekino had died years ago with his grandparents in a fire. "As for the weird feelings, I'll look into it. I haven't felt anything from Lady Rekka yet. So, maybe it's just you."

"Yeah, maybe, but I can't shake the feeling just yet," The teacher glanced at her watch, "I was on my way to Sengoku and just thought I'd give you a call."

"Hey, Mia. Who're you on the phone with?" A voice Rekino hadn't heard in ages said in the background. She drew in a deep breath to try to stop the tears the threatened to spill over. She wanted to see her brother so badly. To hug him and tell him she was sorry and that she loved him and would never leave him again, but that time would come eventually.

She was his guardian, after all…

"Just a friend. No one special," Was Mia's reply to his question.

"GEE! Thanks, Mia! I love you too!" Rekino said playfully, "Listen, if that's all you had to tell me, can I got back to sleep now? I don't have to be up for another two hours and I really would like to get enough sleep to stay awake in my classes."

Mia sighed as she understood her friend's statement. Rekino was one of those people who were easily bored, and tended to fall asleep during lectures. She was still in the dark on how Rekino ever managed to pass high school. Not only that, but she passed with honors!

"As you wish. I'm dropping by the university this afternoon around fifteen till four. You'll be out of 101 by then, right?" She asked quietly.

Her only reply was a grunt.

"I'll take that as a yes. I'll see you and the others later. Bye."

"…bye…" Rekino turned the phone off and placed it back on the cradle. She rolled back over and brought the stuffed animal she slept with close to her chest. Maybe she would be able to get some sleep before ten.

*~*

Hana walked out of the doctor's office and unlocked the door to her green Ford Explorer Sport. She sat down in the leather seat and cranked up the car. Not even a minute after she pulled out, her cell phone rang. She cursed out loud remembering that she had left her hunter green Nokia cell phone in her purse. While rummaging through her purse for her phone, Hana had been flicked off by someone driving beside her.

I hate people. Hana thought. She finally found her phone and checked the caller id before answering. Hmmm, why would Amaya be calling me? She pressed talk and brought the phone to her ear.

"Hello?"

The voice on the other end was shaky, "Hana, something's wrong. Lady Suiko has been giving me a strange feeling."

Hana became slightly worried. Amaya wasn't as skilled as she was in sensing evil, but she usually felt it before anyone else did, "Are you sure? I haven't checked on Lady Korin lately. Maybe – " Hana was cut short, "HEY! Watch where you're going!"

Amaya raised an eyebrow, "Did I call you at a bad time?"

"No. Just stupid, idiot fucking drivers," Hana said. She had forgotten something important…

"HANA! Watch your language! A lady shouldn't say curse words. Especially that one!" Amaya's stern French voice was one be to reckoned with. Amaya may have only been five foot six inches and weighed around one hundred and fifteen pounds, but she could pack a hard slap.

"Sorry, Amaya. I forgot. You know how I get when I'm angry," Hana laughed half-heartedly, "Have you told Rekino yet? Maybe she needs to know."

Amaya sipped on her coffee, "No, I haven't. I'll call her later. Where are you headed?"

Hana applied pressure to the brake pedal as the light changed. "To get something to eat. After that, I'm going to the university."

Amaya and Hana stayed on the phone for another minute or two before hanging up. Hana put her cell phone in the passenger's side seat and turned her attention back to the red light. She sighed, knowing that this was the slowest red light in the city of Tokyo. As she observed the scenery, Hana's eyes darted to her left. There, she just stared in amazement. Beside her, was a convertible hunter green Mitsubishi Eclipse. The car wasn't what had her staring - it was the person inside.

Blonde hair covered his right eye. Hana had never been speechless before when it came to men, but this was different. This man was everything that she fantasized about. He was muscular, and was he ever mysterious! The hair over his eye sent chills down her spine. She saw that he gripped the wheel with one hand. That leaves a hand free for me. Hana thought. She smiled to herself. He looked over at her quickly, but did a double take. Hana liked the attention that she received from men. Well, some men. She shot him a smile and threw her hair back. She turned back ahead, but she wasn't paying attention. When she looked back to check the guy out again, he was gone.

Beep! Beep! Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

Hana turned around and yelled at the person behind her, "SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU ASSHOLE!" She turned forward again, but this time, she noticed that the light was green. She mumbled to herself about how short the lights were. "Can't even check out a hot guy without getting fucking beeped at …" Hana pushed the gas lightly and continued on her way as the light changed back to yellow.

*~*

Ring…

Rekino's eyes opened slowly. No, I have to be imagining it! She snuggled into the covers and closed her eyes again. That same dream had haunted her. She felt like she should know that blue haired angel. Something inside told her she should. Just as she was about to drift back into dreamland, it happened again…

Ring…

She held her breath. She counted backwards from ten. This wasn't right! She reached for the phone, madder than a hornet, "Hello!"

The voice on the other end sounded rather scared, "Rekino?"

"UGH! GOD! Why can't you people just let me sleep?!" She was royally pissed off. She couldn't get a decent hour of sleep without someone calling her. What was it with everyone? Did the Gods have a thing for her today? It seemed like everyone in the whole damn country of Japan was calling her every hour! "What do you want, Amaya?"

"For the love of the Pope, Rekino, why do you have to be so ill?" Amaya's sweet French voice turned rather crude, "I was just calling to tell you that I have a funny feeling about something!"

Rekino felt bad. Amaya was one of the sweetest people in the world. She was kind by nature, and quick to forgive, but she was also very gullible. She sighed, "I'm sorry, Amaya. I've been woke up two times already. I'm really sorry."

Amaya smiled, "It's quite alright. I'm just not used to you being so crude on the telephone. As I was saying, Lady Suiko is telling me something is coming."

"Did you tell the blonde bombshell yet?" Rekino laughed slightly at the mention of Hana's nickname, which the young blonde woman didn't really like.

"Yes, and she told me to tell you," Amaya said quietly. She finished mixing the ingredients for Josephine's breakfast, "I'm sorry for waking you. I should let you get back to sleep now."

Rekino smiled. Amaya was always so considerate of others. Just like a mother, "Yeah, I've got another hour to go before I have to get up. I'll see you in Western Civilization. Bye."

"Bye."

Rekino placed the phone back on the cradle for a second time and looked up at the ceiling. It was ten after nine. She had a good fifty minutes before she had to get up. She prayed to whatever higher power that she could actually rest in that short amount of time. Without another thought in her head, she drifted back to sleep, holding her bunny in her arms.

*~*

Hana pulled into the Hardee's and drove around to one side, looking for a parking spot. She spotted a green convertible Eclipse. I wonder if it's the same guy that I saw at the light. LORD! I hope so. She parked next to the car carefully and got out to inspect the car. It looked the same as the one she had seen. She shrugged and went into the restaurant. She was too hungry to worry about it now.

When she walked in and got in line, she received the answer to her question. The blonde guy from the light was right in front of her in line. She breathed in deeply and waited for her opportunity to check him out fully. She took her chance when the man in front of him moved back. The blonde man scooted into Hana, and she grasped a handful of ass, pretending like it was an accident.

The blonde man turned around and raised an eyebrow at Hana. "I'm so sorry," Hana said innocently. She flashed him a smile full of teeth and blinked her eyes like a child, as if she was just as innocent.

"It's fine," he replied in a friendly manner. He said no more. The male "blonde bombshell," as Hana thought of him, turned around and brushed it off as if nothing had happened.

Hana smiled to herself. No, honey, you are fine. And you have a nice ass! It's so firm and healthy. You must do squats and exercise all of those wonderful muscles, baby. Oh, and did I ask this yet? Where you stay? Hana moved up in line as the blonde man placed his order: three gravy and biscuits. Hana almost jumped on him. He has the exact same taste as me! We were meant for each other! We're soul mates! It's destiny! You can't fuck with that.

When the man had ordered, she placed her order for a single gravy and biscuit and coke. She took her cup and filled her drink, watching the man carefully. He took a seat at a table and Hana looked away. She walked back up to the counter to take her order away. She sat at a table close to the blonde man.

Before she could even open the plastic fork and napkin, two other guys sat with the blonde man. One of them was Ryo. She took in a breath. I can't move now. That would just attract attention. What do I do now? She decided to act normal. That was all she could do. She was about to take a bite, but she noticed that the other man that had sat with Ryo and the blonde had blue hair. How odd. What is it with people who have freaky hair nowadays? It's all too much for me. What a strange person.

Hana ate slowly, trying to make out what the guys were talking about. It seemed that they were discussing college, but Hana couldn't be sure. They discussed a class or something, which bored Hana, so she ignored it. She focused her thoughts on her food. Before she was finished, Ryo interrupted her meal.

Ryo tapped her on the shoulder. "Excuse me, but do I know you from somewhere? You look very familiar." Ryo looked at her oddly. He didn't sense anything special about her … or did he? He couldn't be sure about what he was sensing, but he thought for sure that he knew her.

Hana tried to stay calm. Did he recognize me? I am such an idiot! Why couldn't I just move when I thought that I should? I am so stupid! "No, I don't think so. I don't recognize you at all. Sorry." She flashed him a friendly smile. Ryo shrugged and returned to his seat. Hana breathed a silent sigh of relief. Good. He didn't notice who I was. Thank God. I gotta get out of here before he does. I don't want any kind of confrontation. I don't think that I could live if I got kicked out of Hardee's.

Hana stood up and dumped her tray in the trashcan next to her. She walked over to the door and tried to make a silent exit. She didn't notice that the blonde had followed her. When she got outside, she noticed the tag on the Eclipse. She had never taken notice to it before. It said "Korin." Hana looked deep in thought. That's weird. Before she could process any more thoughts, a tap on the shoulder interrupted her. She tensed and hoped that it wasn't Ryo.

When she turned, Hana saw the blonde man. He was smiling at her. "Hi," he said politely. Hana didn't respond. "How are you?" he asked her. He stood in front of her. She could have easily escaped to her Explorer Sport, but she didn't.

"I'm fine, thank you. How are you?" Hana smiled at him again. She couldn't stop doing that … flashing a smile at him. Am I trying to seduce him, or am I just too damn nervous to do anything else? God, why is this happening to me? I can't do this more than once in a lifetime. This is confusing me.

"I'm doing well, thank you. I just wanted to know your name. I recognized you from the light. Are you following me or something?" the blonde man asked playfully. He smiled the same seductive smile that he had shown her in the line, hoping that it would somehow affect her thinking. She didn't look like she was the smartest person in the world. After all, she was blonde.

"I'm sorry. I can't give you my name." Hana smiled at him again. I need to quit with the goofy smiling. I must look like a fool. Why can't I stop? I need to take control of this situation.

The blonde man drooped his head slightly. "What about a number? Certainly you can give me something to contact you. I would really like to see you again." He wasn't lying. When he had first seen her at the light, he couldn't stop thinking about her. She did something to his mind. She was quite unforgettable. "I have to go to Tokyo University after this for classes, so I will be around town to contact you."

Hana smiled. "I attend Tokyo University, too. What a coincidence. Maybe you'll see me there this morning. As a matter of fact, I was just leaving for class. I have to meet someone there. I'm sorry that I couldn't stay and talk more." Without the slightest hint of a goodbye, Hana walked the short distance to her Ford Explorer Sport, got in and drove off, leaving the blonde man standing there alone.

*~*

Rekino was having that dream again. She saw the man with the blue hair putting his hands up her shirt again and touching her breasts. She was really enjoying this dream. Suddenly, and without warning, she heard that familiar sound again. It was like she was destined to never do anything with that man. When she identified the sound, her alarm clock, she slightly awoke and reached her hand over to her nightstand.

With immense force, she slammed her hand down onto the clock. Groggily, Rekino spoke, "Shut the fuck up, you annoying piece of shit." She rolled back over when the clock slammed onto the floor. "Good," she mumbled. "I'll be able to get a little more sleep." Before long, Rekino was snoozing away again, trying to find the dream in her subconscious.

*~*

Josephine awoke with a start. Her alarm clock was going off like a mad man. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she turned off her alarm clock and got out of bed. She stretched and sniffed the air. Mmm…Amaya's cooking breakfast! She grabbed a hair tie off the vanity set and walked, rather fast, into the kitchen to see Amaya placing breakfast on the table.

"Bonjour, Josephine. Comment allez-vous?" Amaya asked in her home language as she smiled.

Josephine cleared her throat and tried to remember her French classes from high school, "Uhh…Je suis très bien, merci.  Comment allez-vous, Amaya?" She pulled out her seat, sat down at the table, and started eating her breakfast.

"You're getting better at that, Jo. I'm glad that I could teach you something," The young French maiden sat down at the table beside her friend and observed. Josephine was at least about five foot seven inches tall. She weighed around a hundred and thirty-nine pounds. Her long, ash blue hair hung to the middle of her back, "Are you ready for today?"

Josephine could only shrug. She didn't want to speak, or rather; she couldn't speak at the moment. She was busy stuffing her face full of Amaya's homemade supreme omelet and bacon. She took a quick glance at Amaya. The young French woman was ready for the day. She wore a light blue sundress with white sandals. Her brown hair, which had a purple streak from each temple, barely touched her shoulders. Josephine took note that Amaya wore little makeup that day. Her dark brown eyes looked rather sad. It was normal. Amaya may show that she was happy on the outside, but inside, she was slowly dying from all of the pain she had endured.

Of course, that could be said for her as well.

"Don't you ever eat, 'Mya?" Josephine asked nicely. She brought her cup of coffee to her lips and blew in it slightly to cool off the hot liquid, "You've been the same size since tenth grade."

Amaya giggled slightly, "Of course I do, Josephine. I eat before you get up every morning. By the way, I called Hana and Rekino this morning. I told them about the evil I was sensing. Hana seemed very curious about it, but Rekino…"

"You woke her up, didn't you?" Amaya nodded, "HA! Rekino's the worst person to wake up in the morning. She's so violent and ill tempered. No wonder she can never keep a boyfriend for over a week!"

Amaya slapped Josephine on the arm playfully, "That's not very nice, Jo. You should be more considerate of others!"

The Chinese descendent held up her hands, "Well, it's true! But that's beside the point. I checked with Lady Kongo after I went to sleep. I felt it too, 'Mya. I can't wait to fight!"

Amaya sighed, "Yes, more of the useless fighting. Is it just me or does it seem that when we finally start to settle down in life, another evil force arises."

"No, it's not just you. I understand how you feel, but fighting is so much fun. Just to see the look on the other guy's face when you kick their sorry as—butt to where they belong!" Josephine had stopped herself before she said too much. Amaya was rather sensitive when it came to fighting and cursing.

Amaya laughed slightly at Josephine's comment. She also noted that her friend had stopped herself before she said something that Amaya didn't approve of. She was glad that Josephine was learning some manners while living with her.

After Josephine finished her breakfast, she placed her dirty dishes in the sink and headed to take a shower while Amaya cleaned up. By the time Josephine showered, dressed, and put on her makeup, it was ten thirty. Deciding to be rather casual that day, Josephine just pulled her hair up in a ponytail and checked herself before she left. She wore an orange Tommy Hilfiger shirt and blue jeans. After she finished tying her New Balance tennis shoes, she met Amaya at the door.

Amaya locked the door to their apartment and looked across the hall. She wondered if Rekino was up yet, but shook the thought from her head. Amaya and Josephine walked across the street and climbed in Josephine's orange Ford F150. The two usually took turns driving, and today was Josephine's day. Amaya had a little bit of trouble getting into the truck, but managed.

Together, the two friends pulled out of their parking spot and headed on their way to Tokyo University for their first class, Western Civilization.

*~*

It was silent. Too silent…

Rekino woke up on her own this time. She yawned slightly and turned over to go back to sleep. She looked at her nightstand and noticed that her alarm clock wasn't on it. She raised one raven eyebrow and peered over the bed. She found the alarm clock on its side. She gasped as her eyes went wide. She threw the covers off of her body and ran to the closet.

It was 10:45 A.M., and her first class was at eleven o'clock sharp! She panicked.

"OH SHIT! I'm late!" Rekino dug through her closet and pulled out a pair of khaki pants and a simple red Nike t-shirt. She quickly opened her dresser drawers and pulled out a clean white cotton bra and silk, flower designed thongs. She didn't bother to close the drawer.

She ran down the hall and threw all of her clothes into the dryer. She started the machine and turned on her heel. As she ran into the bathroom stripping all of her clothes off, the only thought that ran through her head was: Hana's gonna kill me! Hana's gonna kill me! Hana's gonna kill me!

Turning on the hot water, she stepped into the shower and immediately started bathing herself. She grabbed a bar of Dove and ran it over her body, not bothering to get a rag. She decided on not using her shampoo, but just used her Thermasilk conditioner instead, which would help with her tangles.

Rekino took a shower in record time: seven minutes. By the time she got out and put on her robe, it was already five till eleven. She let out a whole line of curse words and started brushing her ankle length black hair. She quickly braided it so she didn't have to deal with it later that afternoon. She took off her robe as she ran out gloriously naked. She stopped the dryer and took out her clothes. She put on her bra and underwear first and grabbed her pants, putting them on and buttoning them quickly. She pulled the zipper up to the button and took off down the hall with her shirt in hand.

Rekino stopped by her room again as she remembered she forgot to grab her socks. She reached in her already open drawer and pulled out a pair of solid white Nike socks. She speed walked into the living room, put on her shirt, and slipped on her tennis shoes, which were already tied. She decided a long time ago that keeping her tennis shoes tied would prove to be much less of a hassle during the mornings.

She didn't bother to check herself before she left. With her keys in hand and backpack over her shoulder, she locked the door quickly, and, deciding to save time, she hopped over the railing – correction – she jumped over the railing of the second story apartment building. As she ran across the street, her braid bouncing behind her, she unlocked the door to her 2002 4-Runner and jumped in the car, cranking it. Locking the seatbelt in place, Rekino turned on the radio and started fiddling with it.

"Nope," She turned the station.

"Talk show," She turned the station again

"Boring," and again.

"That song sucks," Yet again, she turned the station, "Aw hell! Fuck it!" Opening the glove box, she pulled out her CD case and started looking for a CD.

Rekino spent five minutes in the car before finally deciding on something to listen to. She popped in one of the many burnt CDs she owned and turned it to number five. The tune of "Too High for the Supermarket" by The Uninvited poured out of the speakers as Rekino pulled out of her parking spot and sped down the road. At the first red light, Rekino glanced at her the clock on the dashboard.

It read 11:10 A.M.

"Dammit! I am so dead!" Rekino sighed as the light turned red.

If luck were on her side, she would be able to be at Tokyo University by twenty after. Oh man, Hana's not going to be happy with me. I really should learn to get up in the morning. Either that or get more sleep at night.