AWAY FROM HOME:

RATED PG. FOR THE ACTIONS AND MILD VIOLENCE. PROMISE IT IS VERY INTERESTING. SUMMARY: ROWEN WAS SENT TO AN ALL BOYS AND GIRLS PRIVATE SCHOOL IN AMERICA. HE LEAVES HIS FRIENDS –RYO, CYE, SAGE, AND KENTO- HIS FAMILY, AND HOME BEHIND. WHO GOT HIM GOING TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOL? HIS FOLKS THAT'S WHO! WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THIS TEENAGE ARCHER IN HIS NEW SCHOOL? READ IT TO FIND OUT. Since there will be some Japanese talking, there will be a glossary at the end of the chapters Review and have fun!!!

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Chapter 1: Going Away

"Don't worry Rowen. You'll like it there." Rowen's father reassured. "How do you know if I'll like it there? You are never home to know what I like and don't like!" Rowen protested. "That's why your mother and I decided to move you to a private school on campus. We figured that if you stay here, you will be always home alone. Your mother and I work practically every hour of every day. You are always home. Plus the private school you'll attend have kids your age and have talent like you." Mr. Hashiba said.

"I'm not alone! I have friends!" Rowen said. "In that school, you'll have more friends. International friends too. Don't worry, on the vacations, you'll come home and will be able to be with Sage and your other friends." Mr. Hashiba said. Rowen threw his hands up in defeat. "I can't believe it that you guys are moving me away from my own home town without my consent." He said before running out of the house. "ROWEN TOUMA HASHIBA! GET YOUR BUTT IN HERE NOW!" Mr. Hashiba roared. Too late. Rowen left and was half way up the block.

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Later:

"I can't believe it Ro." Ryo said as he shook his head in denial. "Tell me about it. How in God's name did my parents got me moving to an American private school. Especially in the middle of nowhere in Arizona." Rowen said. "Hey bro. We fell your pain. It's going to be hard for all of us too." Sage said. Rowen sighted "They think I'm always alone in that apartment. Tell me why I'm alone in that apartment all the time? Because of my parents that's why!" He said as he slammed his fist onto the coffee table. "So what you want us to do?" Kento asked. "There's nothing no one can do. The damage has been done." Rowen said gloomily. The other former ronins looked at him in pity. "So when you leave?" Cye asked. Rowen sank deeper into the chair. "Two days from now" he muttered. "NANI!!!!!!!" The others said in unison. "That's right. This Friday night at eleven. My parents are taking me there." Rowen said. "I can't believe this is happening!" Ryo said. "Yeah well start believing on it Ryo!" Rowen said as he got up. "It's my butt being sent to another school. Not yours, Not your brothers or sisters or cousins or grandmothers. It's mine!" Rowen continued. The other ronins looked at him. Rowen sighted before continuing. "Sorry guys. I just don't know what to do now."

Sage stood up before saying something. "Rowen. You will never be forgotten by us. Away or not, we will always be your friends. That was one of our vow we made after Talpa's defeat." He said as he held his hands out. Rowen smiled at it and places his hands on top of Sage's hands. "You are right Sage. We will still be the Ronin Warriors!" He said. The others placed their hands one on top of each other's. "ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE!!!" They all said in unison.

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The days went by fast. Rowen tried to beg his parent's form sending him away. But it never worked. Friday afternoon finally came. Rowen sat lazily on his chair. It was his last class and he dispise it badly for being his last. "Okay students. Next Monday is our exam on all the material we've gone over. Please take note that it won't be a simple exam. It will have short essay questions, fill ins, essays……." The teacher said. Rowen was lost in his thoughts on how the new school would be. The whole school knows about his departure that day. Everyone talked about it. There was no stopping someone from a crowd to say his name and about his departure.

"Mr. Hashiba" The teacher said. Rowen snapped back to reality. "Gomen nazi sensai. It won't happen again" he said. "And it won't Hashiba-san. Since you leave this school as of the end of this class, it won't happen again. Keep in mind that a private school in America doesn't tolerate with daydreaming." The teacher said. Rowen heard the snicker of his classmates behind him. Then the bell rang. Rowen gathers his stuff and ran out the door. "Hashiba-san" His teacher called him. Rowen walked back to the classroom. "Hai sensai?" He asked as he bowed down. The teacher placed a hand on his shoulder. "Good luck on your journey Hashiba." He said. Rowen smiled purely. It was the first time in a long day that he smiled. "Thank you sensai" He said.

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Five o'clock in the evening. Rowen didn't say a word to his father or mother –who suprisenly was there. He went up to his room and slump himself on his former bed that was stripped off from all sheets and blankets. His room held a chill feeling of emptiness. Rowen finished up his packing until his mother called for him. "Touma-Kun, your friend is on the other line." She said cheerfully. Rowen groaned on his middle name. He picked up the phone that was still connected in his room. "moushi-moushi" He said.

-Hey Rowen! You still didn't left? - Kento asked him.

"Iee. I'm leaving at eight. Which is in two hours and a half." Rowen said.

-Great! The guys and I were wondering if we could tattle along and say our good-byes in the airport. - Kento said.

"What about transportation?" Rowen asked.

-You worry so much. Relax man! Sage's dad is coming along to drive us back home. Jeez, for a genius you sure worry like a mother hen- Kento committed.

Rowen couldn't help but laugh. "Sure then you guys can come along."

-GREAT!! I'll tell the guys about it. See you at your place at 1830 hundred hours. - Kento said in his would to be military voice.

"All right then. See you later."

-Right. Ja-ne-

"Ja-ne" Rowen said as he hung up the phone line.

"Who was that sweetie?" His mom asked as she entered his room. "My friend mom." Rowen muttered. "Well don't worry honey. You'll make more friends in America." She said as she stroked her son's hair. "It's the best for all of us." She said. "NO IT AIN'T!" Rowen said as he bolted up from the bed. "You nor dad know what is the best for me. It is great for you and dad, but not for me. I feel much better here." Rowen said, as he trusts a finger in front of his mom. "That is what you expect Touma. You are so used to living in a crowded city, going to a regular high school, having the freedom to wear what ever you want, and going to bed at your time. Once you give a chance to this place, I know your attitude will change. The principle told your father and I that it is always the same attitude in a child when being transfer to a private school. " Mrs. Hashiba explained.

Rowen didn't had the strength to continue to protest. He sank to his knees and hugged his mother and began to cry. "It's all right sweetie. Your father and I would never do something wrong to hurt you or make you feel bad. This will be a great opportunity for you. In the summer you'll return home so you can catch up with your friends here. Just take it as a long trip to the unknown." Mrs. Hashiba said as she soothed her son. Soonly, Rowen fell in to a deep slumber. Mrs. Hashiba laid her son down. She walks out from the room to find herself in front of her ex-husband. "God I hope it's the best for Touma" she said to him. Mr. Hashiba nodded his head. "It will be Marian. It will be."

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10:25 PM

The night went slow. Rowen stands there looking outside the window. The airplanes were all lined up picking up passengers that were going to different parts of the world. Rowen sighted as he looked back and saw his four best friends looking back at him. "Well guys, this is good-bye. For now." He said. Cye approached him and places his hands over Rowen's shoulderes. "It's never good-by my friend. Just a see you later." He said. Rowen took out his armor orb and gave it to Ryo. "Take care of Strata for me." He said. Ryo gave it back to Rowen. "No Rowen. No one can care of Strata like you. Keep it. Strata will give you the strength, comfort, and the fillness on empty nights." Ryo said.

"Passengers leaving to Arizona please arrive at gate 65D now." The loud speaker said. Rowen sighted and looked at his friends. "Well I will mail you every time I get. Keep in touch." He said. "Touma honey time to go." Mrs. Hashiba said. Rowen looked at his friends again. "Screw the rumors of hugs is for girls. Group hugs." He said. The guys and Rowen gave a group hug that lasted for more than a minute. After giving a bow, Rowen picked up his bags and gave an appropriate bow before leaving. "See you guy's this summer." Rowen said before disappearing into the crowds. "Ja-ne!" the guys said in unison.

END OF CHAPTER 1

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AUTHORS NOTES:

HI EVERYONE! AS PROMISE, I WILL PUT A SMALL GLOSSARY OF SOME TRANSLATION OF JAPANESE WORDS. NOW WITH MY TRANSLATOR, TOUMA HASHIBA!

ROWEN: HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU NOT TO CALL ME TOUMA.

MANIKA: SORRY ROWEN. ANYWAY, YOU PROMISE TO HELP ME ON THIS TRANSLATION.

ROWEN: RIGHT I REMEMBER THAT. OKAY EVERYONE! HERE ARE THE TRANSLATIONS:

NANI-WHAT JA-NE-LATER HAI-YES IEE- NO SENSAI-TEACHER GOMEN NAZI-SORRY

MANIKA: WELL THAT'S IT! OH AND IF I SPELL THOSE JAPANESE WORDS, CORRECT ME WILL YA. AND IF YOU HAVE ANY GUYS NAMES FOR OUR NEW CHARACTERS, PLEASE SEND IT IN. AND ONE MORE THING, I DO NOT OWN ANY CHARACTER IN THIS STORY. WELL HOPE ON HEARING FROM YOU. ROWEN BE NICE AND SAY GOOD-BYE TO OUR GUESTS.

ROWEN: C-YA ALL! REVIEW PLEASE!