Chapter 10
Dusk settled over Toyama and one by one street lights and residential lights began to come on. The sunset was remarkably beautiful, but one person was not enjoying it. Ryo sat on the couch going through the mail, separating them into various piles. "Bill, bill, Cye, bill, junk, Rowen, bill." He sighed heavily. All of the bills were in Mia's name, and it was she who paid all of them.
He felt guilty. It was not right for her to pay all the bills. But what could he do to help? Money was the answer, and the only way to acquire it was having a job.
Ryo felt frustrated as he continued to study the expenses. In just one month each bill had risen to twenty five dollars. In his opinion that was too much in such a short time. But then what could be expected for a house of nine people and three large animals? He was suddenly glad Yulie did not come over as often as he did as he imagined the bill to be higher. Something had to be done about this.
Cye came into the living room and sat on the sofa. He looked content as if cleaning the kitchen had been his delight. However his happiness changed to concern as he looked toward his friend. "Are you all right, Ryo?"
Ryo could not lie to his friend. He picked up the bills and handed them to Cye. "Take a look at these."
Cye went through the bills one at a time. His brow creased as he scrutinized each one. Shaking his head he set the bills down and said, "We have been using more energy than normal."
"That's why I'm freaking out," Ryo admitted as he stared at the bills. "We can't expect Mia to pay for all of this."
Rowen came out from the computer room as he overheard the last part. "Pay for what?" he asked as he looked at his friends.
"These bills," Cye answered as he held the utility bills up for Rowen to see.
Rowen studied each one with a frown on his face. Now he understood why Ryo seemed so upset. Energy expenses always seemed to rise each year, particularly when more was used.
"We have to do something about this," Ryo said as he took them back from Rowen and stared at them once more.
"Take it easy, Ryo," Rowen told him. "It's only normal that the utilities would rise with more people living here. We have more of a demand for these expenses."
"I think we need jobs," Ryo said.
"But we already have jobs as Ronin Warriors," Cye pointed out.
"Talpa is dead," Ryo said. "Surely we have time for work."
"I wouldn't fret over it too much, Ryo," Rowen said as he sat next to Cye. He leaned back against the couch and smiled a little. "You always worry too much. If Mia was having such a difficult time she'd say something."
"But I feel so guilty," Ryo said as he sighed. He set the bills down, but continued to stare at them as if he were entranced by them.
"That's your problem, Ryo," Cye said as he became more serious. "You don't know when to relax over certain things. Learn to let go, okay?"
Ryo sighed and nodded. What choice did he have? Looking back to the past, he realized he was quite fortunate. Spending those long, lonely nights at the cabin, just waiting for someone to come to him once had a profound effect on him. But he had this inner fear, that if he did not help in someway, he would lose whatever friendship he gained. The problem was, he couldn't admit it to anyone.
Sage felt sympathy, perhaps more so than he had ever felt in his lifetime. Now he understood Thunder's fear and could not blame him for it. Whatever he had gone through as a child was indeed horrifying, and the bearer of Halo did not wish for him to relive that memory. And yet, in order to heal his mind and spirit, he would need to bring it up. But perhaps he could use the Halo armor to guide him. It was worth a shot at least.
"Thunder, what happened to you wasn't your fault. You were only a child who had been left alone in that yard. That man who abused you, mistreated, and used you was no normal man. He was obsessed with power, your power. My guess is, he sought to overcome the scientific world with it. But to do so he wanted to understand how it worked."
"Do you think that is why he was drawing my blood?" Thunder managed to ask. He had told Sage everything that had happened, so he might as well keep talking about it. Though, it truly pained him to keep remembering, he knew that sometimes talking was the best way to let things go.
"It's possible," Sage said with a nod. "But I can't be sure. I don't know where exactly you get your healing powers from, especially since you once told me that you've had your powers since you could remember, even before you found your armor."
"I was told I was born with them," Thunder said quietly. "We never found out how they came to be, and we never sought them out. It makes me wonder why I have them to begin with."
"Don't feel regret for having them. You could help millions of people with health issues. I can only heal injuries in armor, but you can heal more than just that."
"Yes, but there is something you can do that I can't, Sage."
"What?"
Thunder looked Sage squarely in the face as he smiled a little. "You can heal the spirit and the mind. I don't think I would have been able to talk to anyone else about this. I feel better, though I still have trouble letting go of the past."
Sage smiled a little. "Letting go of the past is never easy. But think of it this way. When you think of the past so much, and when you allow yourself to be consumed by it through your day to day actions, it has total control of you. It holds power over you."
Thunder was silent as he listened to his friend speak. He had never thought of it that way, but it wasn't easy to stop the images. He knew he wouldn't be able to fully rest until the man who had abused him was no longer on the planet. And though Thunder could not stand death, that was one exception he was willing to make.
Sage continued on. "You have to be willing to let it go. The doctors will not hurt you. Besides, I imagine if any of them tried to do so, you can bet your friends would be defending you."
Thunder smiled as he felt touched. He wasn't sure how Sage had done it, but the pressure of the fear lifted from him. He didn't think it was totally gone, but he no longer felt the concern as he once did, and he no longer felt angry. The lights stopped flickering altogether. "Thank you, Sage. I don't know how I could ever repay you."
Sage smiled as his left eye flashed a bit. "Actually, I was thinking of something. Do you remember that club that opened up several months ago? It was when you and your friends first arrived. Club Bonsai?" Seeing Thunder's nod, he continued, "Why don't we go there for a good time? We can bring the others. There will be food, drinks, dancing, karaoke, and even games. It'll be fun."
Thunder took a moment to think about the offer. Getting out of the house to have some fun didn't seem like a bad idea to him. It definitely beat staying home sulking. "Why not?" he said as he stood up. "I'm sure the others would like to go too."
"Flash is in her room," Sage said. "Cye, Ryo, and Rowen are downstairs. Mia's teaching a class, and I'm not sure where Scorpio is."
"Scorpio went horseback riding earlier," Thunder informed him. "He left a few minutes after we got back from my appointment. I can text message him on his cell phone."
Sage nodded in agreement and headed for the door. "I'll see if the others want to go. You talk to Flash." He left the room and headed downstairs as Thunder went to Flash.
Scorpio smiled happily as he gently pulled the horse to a stop. It had felt enjoyable to be horseback riding again. It was something he had not been able to do for a couple of years. Oh how he missed it.
After they had left the doctor's office earlier, Sage had taken a detour due to an accident. The detour had taken them through some farm land, and Scorpio had seen the riding stable and had planned to return to it. When they had arrived home, he had informed Flash and Thunder where he was going, and now there he was.
"You weren't kidding when you said you could ride like a pro," the stable manager said as he stood outside the corral. His eyes were filled with admiration.
"I've ridden horses since I was five," Scorpio told him. He dismounted the pinto gelding and held the reins. The horse would need to be cooled down, and Scorpio began to walk him.
The stable manager followed as they talked. "Seeing the way you handled the horse without my guidance, I can tell you grew up around them."
"I grew up on a farm actually."
"Did you?"
"Yeah." And Scorpio proceeded to tell him about the farm. It was a large farm with many different kinds of stock animals , ranging from cattle to sheep, pigs and goats. There were horses and donkeys, cats and dogs, fish and rabbits. "We have geese and ducks too, and a swan."
"Impressive!" the stable manager breathed in awe. He was thinking as they made another round around the corral. Usually, he did not think about getting an extra hand as half the people who came to him knew so little about the magnificent animal. But this boy knew about them! Why he even knew how to saddle the animal, how to bridle him, how to mount and dismount. And he even knew to walk the animal. And the way he had ridden the horse; the walk, the trot, and the canter were excellent. He did not doubt the boy could gallop the horse and even lasso as well.
The stable manager looked toward Scorpio. "Listen, how would you feel about a job?"
Scorpio blinked at him. "A job?"
"I'm always needing some extra help a few days a week. My son is a college student, and he can only help out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have a few hire hands, but a few of them lack the motivation to properly care for all thirty horses."
Scorpio frowned. The job sounded wonderful, but there was one problem. "Sir, I'm not a citizen of this country."
"Do you have a passport and ID?"
"Yes."
"Well, that's all I care about," the man said. "I can take your name and number and contact the proper people, and maybe I'll be able to hire you, depending on what they tell me. What do you say?"
"Sounds great," Scorpio replied. "How much is the pay?"
"Eight fifty an hour. Shifts are five hours per day of hire."
Scorpio nodded, feeling a bubble of hope rise within him. If he could be around horses for a few days a week, he would be thrilled.
After the gelding had been cooled and then taken away to the stable, Scorpio gave his name and number to the stable manager who promised to call. Scorpio thanked him and eventually found himself at his motorcycle. As he was mounting the bike, his cell phone beeped. He took it out and flipped it open. There was a text message. 'Meet us at Club Bonsai. Thunder'
Scorpio smiled as he put his phone away. He put his helmet on, started his engine, and was on his way.
Flaming candles adorned the walls, casting off lights that created shadows. The shadows flickered and danced about, making the hall seem eerie in a sense. But one shadow was different from the rest. This shadow did not dance about, but moved through the hall, growing and growing. Footsteps echoed the corridor in a syncopated beat as Akea came through. There was a smirk upon her face.
She came to the end of the hall and allowed herself through the double doors, coming outside of the castle. There, waited a male half breed between two horses. She sauntered to him and demanded, "Do you have it?"
He held up a small bottle for her to see. Inside was a bubbling, yellow colored potion. But it wasn't the color nor the texture of this potion that mattered to Akea. It was what the potion could do that made Akea grin.
The two half breeds were soon on their way. Akea had chosen this particular one to travel with her to the spot she had coerced Merrick into meeting her at. She knew of his strong aim and could not wait to use it.
The sky was dark, but their keen vision enabled them to see as if it were day. They were silent, but wary of their surroundings. There was no telling when a pure blood could be waiting in low for them. At this current time, Akea did not wish to engage in a blood lust battle against the House of Anata. She had a different plan altogether.
Their horses traveled through rocky terrain in a single file. The night was void of activity, which suited them just fine. They came to a shallow river and crossed it, coming to the other side which was a meadow of tall reeds. Beyond the meadow was a dark forest. The two half breeds halted their horses as they stared through the forest, as if they were expecting something to come through.
"When you see her, Sen, aim it directly at her face. Merrick will not dare assail us as he will be too frantic about his precious Layla." Akea sneered in contempt as the very name of her ex lover's wife burned the tip of her tongue.
Sen nodded his head. He did not need to be told what the potion did as he would find out soon enough. He remained still as he waited for the main target to appear.
Akea shifted slightly on her horse. She was getting restless. 'Merrick had better show up if he knows what's good for him,' she thought to herself.
The wind blew, and the horses became slightly agitated. The two half breeds became alert. They were there.
Merrick could see the woman he had turned centuries ago. Unwarranted anger flared in his eyes as he would never forget her betrayal. It was her fault the master was dead. It was her fault there were two houses at war. He wanted to wring her neck. He wanted to rip her heart out, drain her blood, and then position her carcass for all to see as a reminder of her crimes.
Layla frowned at her husband. She reached over and gently touched his hand. "Merrick, do not let her get to you," she advised. "It's exactly what she wants."
"This I know, my dear Layla," Merrick said with a growl. "But she will pay for her treason and for the murder of my master, your father. I will not rest until then."
They moved their horses forward, heading toward the meeting place.
Sen could see them now. He waited for Akea's signal as he held the bottle close to his body, ready to launch it at a moment's notice. They really had no idea what was in store for either one of them. The fools.
Akea smiled as Merrick and Layla came closer and closer. Soon it would be all over for them. They would regret ever messing with her. She would show them that she was the most powerful in the world.
They were a five feet away. Four feet. Three feet. Two feet. This was it. The payback she had waited for. She snapped her fingers, and Sen tore the cap from off the bottle and threw the bottle into the forest with precise aim.
Layla gasped when she felt something strike her against the side of her face. She tentatively reached a hand to it, feeling one cheek. It was wet and slimy, and this puzzled her. Beside her, Merrick stopped his horse and watched in concern. And then it happened.
Layla's cheek began to burn and melt as if holy water had been splashed on her. A flame appeared suddenly and slowly began to make its way across her face. She screamed.
Merrick jumped off his horse and took her down. He managed to put the flame out, but Layla's face was slowly melting in an agonizing and tormenting way. He did not know what had happened, but he did know who was responsible for it. She would pay. Right now, he had to get his beloved wife home and treated to, particularly before this foreign substance destroyed her. He hoped he would not be too late.
Club Bonsai was filled with activity. Maxine, the owner, had opened up karaoke night and all were welcomed to try their hand at the stage. Not a single table was empty in the club, and employees worked hard to make sure everyone was tended to with food and beverages.
The dance floor had several people dancing to the music as those watching clapped to the rhythm. At one of the tables, Ryo sighed in content. "You guys were right. We needed this."
"Yeah," Rowen agreed. "We've not gone out like this in a long time, except for Kento's and Kaye's reception."
"I wonder how the two love birds are doing?" Flash asked as she dipped a fry in gravy and then ate it.
"If I know those two, they're probably staring into one another's eyes, saying, 'I love you. I love you more," Cye innocently said as he sipped his Sprite.
Ryo laughed as he shook his head. "You're a riot, Cye."
"I aim to please."
Thunder smiled as he finished off his chicken nuggets. He took a drink of his coke. He was thankful that Sage had suggested coming here. To his relief not a single girl bothered him. Then again, Flash was sitting next to him, which actually felt nice. Though something didn't feel right. Ever since he had sat down, he had felt someone watching him. Someone with a dark aura. It made him uneasy.
Sage stood up suddenly. "Okay, I'm trying my hand at karaoke."
"Think you can?" Scorpio asked. He had arrived there about twenty minutes ago, and was still waiting for his meal to arrive. He hadn't told his friends of the offer, deciding it was better to wait. For now, he wanted to have a good time, and teasing Sage seemed just the thing.
Sage smirked at him. "Want to wager it?"
"Sure!" the bearer of Current said. "Ten bucks says they boo you off the stage."
"You're on!" Halo declared as he turned and walked toward the stage.
"This should be interesting," Ryo said as he leaned back.
Thunder stood up after a moment. "I'll be back," he said. "I'm going to the restroom." He left the table and headed to the restroom. At the same time a man in dark clothes and sunglasses followed him.
Thunder finished his business and then went to the sink to wash his hands. He felt more uneasy. He couldn't explain it, but something definitely wasn't right. Beside him a man stood at the next sink washing his hands well. He was near the paper towel dispenser, and Thunder had to move past him to get it. "Excuse me," the Warrior of Storm said as he moved past him to get what he needed.
The man nodded, but watched him out of the corner of his hidden eyes. He had much to tell his queen. He watched as the boy left the bathroom, and then a minute later followed him out.
Rowen looked up when Thunder rejoined them at the table. "Hey, you missed it. Sage won the bet."
Thunder looked toward Scorpio who only sighed and shook his head. "The moment he started singing, the girls went wild." He pointed toward the stage where Sage was still singing. See that? He even got flowers!"
Thunder chuckled as he sat down. "This is why I never enter into bets."
A server arrived at the table and handed Scorpio his long awaited meal. He thanked her and began to eat. "Boy, this is nice," he said after a moment. "We should do this once a week."
"I agree," Ryo said. "Though with soccer practice coming up, I'm not sure about it."
"Ryo, sometimes you have to learn to let go," Cye said. "Enjoy yourself. You think of training way too much."
"Training is cool though," Flash said.
"Yeah, what she said," Ryo said, nodding his head.
Cye shook his head with a small smile and a sigh.
Rowen frowned as he noticed something was off about Thunder. He had noticed his friend looking uneasy, and it was more so now since he had returned from the bathroom. What was bothering him? "Hey, Thunder, what's the matter?" he asked quietly.
Thunder frowned as he looked toward Rowen. "I'm not sure. But ever since we got here, I've felt nervous. I feel as if someone is watching me. Someone with a dark aura. It was pretty strong in the men's bathroom."
Rowen frowned. He looked about the club to see if he could spot what Thunder was feeling. He himself could not feel any dark aura, but as his eyes traveled to each person in the club he noticed a man, dressed in dark clothing, watching Thunder. This didn't seem good at all. Who was that man and why was he watching Thunder?