I don't own Ronin Warriors.
Chapter 9
Tiffany walked into the house, leaning against the door. She sighed, kicking off her shoes and wanting nothing more than to lay down. She walked into the lounge and plopped down on the sofa, burying her face in the pillow.
Cye walked into the room, taking in Tiffany's appearance. She was lying on her stomach with one arm laying on the armrest of the couch and her other arm dangled over the side. Her legs were on the couch but she curved them so her feet were a bit over the edge. All in all, Tiffany just seemed done with everything.
"Rough day?"
"Mmm," was Tiffany's muffled reply.
"Would you like some tea?"
"Mmm."
"Is that a yes?"
"Mmhmm."
Cye chuckled. "Ok, it'll be ready in a few minutes."
"Mmm."
Cye walked out of the room to start the tea, leaving Tiffany to lay on the couch. Tiffany felt something brush against her arm and peaked out from the pillow to see White Blaze staring at her with Kalana on his back. Tiffany smiled at them and gave her attention to both animals. The smell of tea coming from the kitchen made Tiffany roll off the couch, and walk into the kitchen to retrieve her cup. Tiffany walked over to the refrigerator and took out some honey, and walked it over to the table where Cye had finished the tea and placed the cup on the table. Tiffany poured some honey into the tea and, as she stirred in the honey, Tiffany noticed it was quiet in the house. "Where is everyone?"
"Sage, Rowen, and Kento are upstairs. I was going to start dinner so they went upstairs to do their homework."
"And Ryo?"
"He's still at college. Apparently, he and the new girl are getting coffee."
Tiffany turned to him in confusion. "They are?"
Cye looked at her. "Ryo didn't tell you during lunch today?"
"No, he said there was a new girl, but nothing about getting coffee with her." Tiffany paused, staring at her cup. "Do you think he lied to me?"
Cye shook his head. "No, but…"
"But what?"
"The new girl did talk to me and she asked about you."
"Me?"
"Yeah, she asked if you were weird or if I saw something different in you. And when I asked what she meant, she changed the subject."
Tiffany was quiet, thinking about what Cye had said. "Do you think this girl could be one of those stalker girls?"
"I hope not, but I'll keep a lookout on her."
"Thank you." Tiffany took a sip of her tea when the front door opened. Both of them were still as they heard footsteps approaching them and then Ryo appeared in the kitchen.
"How was coffee with the new girl?" Tiffany asked.
"Her name is Mika," snapped Ryo.
"Don't get snippy with me!" Tiffany placed the cup on the table, making Cye relieved that she didn't slam it on the table. "I was only asking how coffee was, and I didn't know her name. So don't go defending her when I don't know anything about her."
Ryo sighed. "Look, I had a long day and I would rather be by myself than talking about my day." He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge then turned to Cye. "I already had dinner so you don't need to cook as much tonight." He walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs, leaving Tiffany and Cye gobsmacked. They couldn't believe the attitude he had nor how he just acted in front of them.
Tiffany ran towards the stairway and, from the bottom, shouted, "If you're going to be like this for the rest of the night, then sleep in the guest bedroom!"
"Fine!" Ryo shouted back and Tiffany screamed in anger, walking back into the kitchen, grabbed her cup, and walked outside, slamming the door shut behind her.
Cye stood where he was, trying to process what had just happened when he heard footsteps coming down the steps. Sage entered the kitchen, concern etched on his face. "What happened?"
"I really have no idea. Ryo came home with an attitude and him and Tiffany got into an argument."
"We heard Tiffany yelling at Ryo, and that's when we became concerned."
"I know that they are sleeping in separate beds tonight." They were both quiet for a moment when Cye asked, "Should we go talk with them?"
Sage shook his head. "I think they need to cool off before we say anything to them. They can both be hot-headed when they're mad."
Cye looked towards the back door. "I really think one of us should at least go talk to Tiffany."
"I'll go." Sage walked outside and over towards the gazebo, where Tiffany was sitting. Kalana was curled up next to her and Tiffany was holding the cup in her hand. Tiffany looked up when she heard the footsteps to see Sage walking towards her. "Is dinner ready?" Tiffany asked him.
"No, I just wanted to talk," Sage sat down across from her. "I heard the argument between you and Ryo and came to see if you were ok."
Tiffany sighed. "I'm fine, only frustrated." She stared down at her now empty cup. "I only wanted to know how coffee was with the new girl and he got snappy with me, telling me what her name was. When he did that, I couldn't believe he got so protective of her. We've been together for two years and he meets a girl today that he's protective over." She looked up at him. "Do you…is Ryo…" Tiffany stopped; she couldn't finish the sentence. Was Ryo cheating on her? Does he not want her anymore?"
"Don't," Sage stated, reaching over and placing a hand on her knee. "Ryo would never do that to you and, even if he did, all of us would be beating the shit out of him for doing that to you."
A small smile spread across her face. "I know you would, but…I just don't know why Ryo is acting this way."
"We can find out for you if you want about the new girl. See the reason why Ryo is acting this way."
"No, but thanks for the offer," Tiffany smiled at him and Sage smiled back. He patted her knee then stood up. "Want me to take the cup in for you?"
"Yes."
"Do you want more tea?"
"No, I'll be ok. I think I'll stay out here until dinner is ready."
"Ok. We'll be inside if you need anything."
Tiffany nodded and Sage walked away. She turned her attention towards Kalana, stroking her companion's back. She didn't know why, but something was telling her that something happened to Ryo back at college.
"You did well, Maria," praised Sephiran then smirked. "Or should I say Mika?"
"Thank you, Sephiran." Mika bowed before him. "I was able to get him away from the temptress's spell."
"Don't push your luck," Karver stated, smirking at her. "He may turn on you tomorrow."
"What do you mean?"
"Karver is right," intercepted Kai. "The potion I gave you will wear off after some time. You will need to keep giving him the potion in discreet ways until the spell has completely worn off." Kai walked up to Mika and handed her a tiny bottle filled with a light blue liquid. "Use this to put in his food or drink to keep the spell off him."
Mika nodded. "I understand."
"My dear, why don't you go rest," input Asami. "You've had a long day and you will need your energy for tomorrow."
"Yes, Asami." Mika bowed before Sephiran and then took her leave. Once the doors to the throne room close, Sephiran turned to his generals. "It's time to start luring my daughter to us."
"Shall I go to her, my Lord?" Karver asked, a smile spreading across his face.
"I don't think that's wise, Karver," stated Kai, giving him a pointed look. "You might get too…excited around her."
"She's already seen me so it's best if I don't go," Malice said. "Fuzen or Naga would have to go."
"Why don't we both go?" suggested Naga. "She might like the attention of two men talking with her, especially since Ryo is under a spell."
"Actually, I have an idea," Fuzen said.
At the mall, Tiffany was distant most of the time, not really focusing on her job. Her mind kept on going back to the fight her and Ryo had last night, and this morning they didn't acknowledge each other nor did Ryo say if he was going to meet her for lunch. She didn't know if she should make herself lunch or not and decided to see what happens.
"Tiffany!"
Tiffany jumped at the shout, dropping the pile of clothes she was holding. She looked up to see Iris standing in front of her, one eyebrow raised at her. "I'm sorry, Iris." Tiffany knelt to pick up the clothes. "I-"
"It's all right, my dear." Iris knelt to help pick up the clothes and the two started folding them. "Is everything all right? I called you many times but you didn't answer."
"It's just…Ryo and I had a fight last night."
Iris gave her a sideways glance. "About?"
Tiffany shook her head. "It's stupid."
"Tiffany, if something is bothering you, you can tell me."
"I thought I should leave all my personal problems at home."
Iris gently laid a hand on Tiffany's shoulder, and then gave her a small smile. She looked at the store, staring at her employees working. "I don't consider these young women my employees. I consider them my children, and I want my children to be happy." Iris placed a hand on her stomach. "I never had children of my own, that's why I became a nanny. But then, when I became manager of this store, I decided to treat everyone as my children. Like I am a foster mother and all of you are my adopted children." She turned back to Tiffany. "I do want my children to be happy so tell me, my child, what is wrong?"
Tiffany stared at her and then sighed. "Ryo went out to get coffee with a new girl at college and, when I asked him about it, he got defensive over her. I just…I didn't know how to take it, and we couldn't stand to be in the same room that night. We didn't say anything to each other this morning and it was terrible." Tiffany looked down at the neatly folded clothes and shut her eyes tight. She opened them and looked over at Iris. "What should I do?"
Iris stared back at her, noticing the tears swimming in Tiffany's eyes. She gave Tiffany a soft smile and then brought her into a hug. She rubbed her hand up and down Tiffany's back to calm her down. "Talk to him. I know it seems redundant, but if you two don't communicate with each other, it's only going to get worse from here." Iris pulled away, laying her hands on Tiffany's shoulders. "Now, wipe away those tears, and let's see that pretty smile."
Tiffany chuckled, a small smile spreading across her face.
"Excuse me."
The two looked up to see a man standing in front of them, a smile across his face.
"Yes, can I help you?" Tiffany asked.
"I'm just looking for someone to give this beautiful necklace to." The man held up a V-shaped, diamond necklace, all the diamonds having different shades of pink. The diamonds were of different sizes as well, making the necklace look bulky but also elegant at the same time.
"That's not my necklace," Tiffany said, even though she couldn't help but admire the beautiful jewelry in this stranger's hands.
"Well, a man told me to give this necklace to the beautiful blonde with sapphire eyes. He also said to meet you in the food court for a special surprise."
Ryo did this? Tiffany thought to herself and then a wide smile spread across her face.
"May I see this necklace?" questioned Iris, extending a hand out to the man.
The man glanced at her. "This is for her, not you." Without warning, Iris snatched the necklace away from the man's hands, and held it close to her face, expecting the jewelry. Iris narrowed her eyes and settled her gaze back on the man. "Whatever prank you're trying to pull, stop it."
"Iris, what-" Tiffany started but stopped at Iris's raised hand. "This isn't what you think it is." Her expression got darker and, in a low voice, said, "leave my store. Now."
The man glared at Iris, but complied, walking, or more like stomping, out of the store. Iris watched him go then turned back to Tiffany, her kind smile appearing back on her face. "It's all right now. Go back to work and I'll dispose of this." Iris walked away from Tiffany, leaving her stunned. She walked into the backroom, and out the back door, closing it behind her. Iris checked to make sure no one was around and then took out the necklace. The diamonds had disappeared, showing its original design: a twisted piece of twin with a black pendant attached in the middle. Iris threw it on the ground, crushing it with her foot, and watched as black smoke fizzled around the broken necklace before evaporating in the wind. Iris glanced up at the sky, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she stared at the clouds rolling overhead. Kaos, if you can hear me, we're going to need help.
Naga marched into the food court, an irritated expression on his face. Their plan had stumbled into a roadblock, and he didn't know what they were going to do.
"What's wrong with you?"
Naga looked up at Fuzen's puzzled expression. "We might have an issue."
"What do you mean? Isn't the girl wearing the necklace?"
Naga shook his head. "Another lady took the necklace away. It's almost as if she knew what it was."
"Damn," muttered Fuzen.
"What are we going to do now?"
Fuzen was silent, but an idea popped into his head. "If we can't get the girl away from the warriors, then we'll get the warriors away from the girl."
"What?" Fuzen pulled Naga closer to him, filling him in on his new plan.
