Laina sat back and thought about it. I mean the guy was right, Wyatt wouldn't find her out here. Her brother would be safe. Laina sighed in defeat. Even if Wyatt did show up, this huge tiger would scare the snot out of him. Laina chuckled looking at White Blaze.
Anna laughed, "I was thinking the same thing. Ryo wouldn't have to worry about Wyatt, because White Blaze would scare the crap out of him!"
"Alright, you win! I guess I'm your aide now. Just don't expect me to do everything for you!" Laina said.
Ryo laughed, "You couldn't do everything for me if you wanted to. You're too short to reach the top shelves, and I can wipe the floor with you at soccer. Don't expect me to go easy on you, either! I play harder than Seiji gets when he looks at Anna!"
Seiji spit out his sandwich laughing and coughing. Laina cracked up laughing and swatted Ryo's arm.
"Ryo!" Anna yelled, laughing and covering Masons ears.
"What? He's only three. He won't get it till he's older," Ryo said with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Okay, you got me there. But don't expect me to go easy on you, either! I'm going to teach you how to be independent if it kills me… and it might," Laina said, "I could die of a heart attack from mayonnaise sandwiches!"
Ryo smirked and grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, "Better make your own sandwiches then."
Laina shook her head and glanced up at Seiji who quirked an eyebrow at her.
"Yesterday I asked him to make me a sandwich. It was literally just mayonnaise and it plopped out as I ate it," Laina explained.
Seiji chuckled and took his plate to the sink. Laina shook her head, she had the feeling Seiji was just as bad as Ryo.
"Well I'm kind of glad you're here, Laina. I feel like Ryo's going to be taken care of better. I was worried about him and the messes he made. It's not healthy for anyone," Anna said picking up a yawning Mason, "I'm just going to put this guy down for a nap."
Laina smiled at Anna, at least someone appreciated her. Then she thought about Shin and smiled to herself, maybe two people. Maybe she could have friends again, it was nice feeling like someone cared about her.
"While she's doing that, let's train you to fight. I brought the wooden swords," Seiji said with a smile, "I do still owe you."
Laina nodded and they went out to the front where Seiji gave Anna a backpack. She looked at it surprised. Had Matt gone to Wyatt's apartment? This was her bag from there. That meant they were actually her clothes. I hope Matt didn't get hurt, Laina thought. Seiji noticed her expression.
"Something wrong?" Seiji asked pulling the wooden swords out.
"No, it's nothing," Laina said. They went through the house where Laina dropped the bag by the washing machine. It smelled like smoke and she knew she'd have to wash everything. Then she followed Seiji out back. Ryo held a sword and was smirking as Seiji came at him. Laina sat on the step and watched as Seiji didn't hesitate, or slow down for Ryo, but Ryo met him head on. The wooden swords clacking hard against each other. Laina's eyes widened as they moved like this was second nature for them. White Blaze padded behind her and laid down, resting her head on her paws like this was nothing new. They moved so fluidly, the clacking getting harder with each thrust or swing they made. Anna came over and sat beside Laina.
"They're amazing, huh?" Anna said staring at Seiji.
Laina smirked, "They sure are. I can't believe how well he moves, even without his sight. I mean people work for years to get that good with their other senses, but Ryo seems like he's already got it down. He threw a water bottle at us yesterday and knew where we were before we even said anything."
"Yeah, he is really impressive, huh?" Anna said, "You look like Shin's type, too. He was here yesterday, right? What did you think?"
"I think there should be a law against these guys being friends. I mean who's allowed to look that good and have friends that look the same! Not only is Shin hot, but he's nice too!" Laina said shaking her head. Anna laughed and nodded.
"What do you mean by his type?" Laina asked after a moments pause.
"Shin's into blondes," Anna replied elbowing her and smirking.
"Oh," Laina said blushing, "I'm not ready for a relationship right now, though."
"I know," Anna said, "And I think you might end up with Ryo instead."
Laina shook her head, "God no! I can't even tell you how big that no is!"
Anna laughed, "Why not? He's a really nice guy, and he'll make you feel safe. He's actually pretty easy going, and a good listener. You'll see. I think you'll get to like him once you get to know him better."
Laina shrugged, "I don't know, I guess I'll see for myself. Right now, I think he's pretty cocky, and grumpy."
Anna laughed, "No, he's a really great guy, and he deserves someone nice like you."
Laina looked at her and realized that Anna may at one point, have had a little crush on Ryo. She seemed to be absolutely in love with Seiji now, but maybe Anna was looking out for the guy. Laina smiled. It was nice to hear that Anna actually thought she was a good person. Laina used to think that way before Wyatt told her otherwise.
"On the plus side, your bruises are starting to go away," Anna said with a smile, "Do they still hurt?"
Laina shook her head and smiled, "No, they're a little tender, but they don't hurt like they did."
"He shouldn't have hurt you; you know? You don't deserve that," Anna said with a frown, "I almost hope he shows up here so Ryo can take him down."
"Don't say that! I really don't want anyone to get hurt because of me," Laina said with tears in her eyes.
Anna laughed, "Him, hurt Ryo? That's funny! Ryo can take him out with one hand behind his back."
Laina thought about it and remembered the way Ryo had forgotten she was there and pinned her to the table. He probably could take Wyatt out. Maybe they were right, maybe she was safer here. Ryo knocked Seiji's sword so hard it cracked and shattered. Laina's eyes widened.
"Aw man! You did it now! Looks like we're not training Laina today," Seiji said with a chuckle and scratched his head.
"Sorry," Ryo said with a shrug and handing Seiji his wood sword, "Shin was teaching her to fight with fists yesterday. She's probably still sore from the workout anyway."
Ryo looked her way and winked, "I saved you Laina!"
Laina laughed and rolled her eyes. Anna nudged her with her elbow and whispered, "He likes you, see."
They happily chatted away as Anna and Laina made dinner together. Ryo got up and left while they were talking. He came back with a messy haired Mason, who was snuggling into Ryo's shoulder with a smile on his face. When Mason spotted White Blaze, he reached for her and Ryo set him down on the ground. White Blaze purred as he approached her and climbed up on her back. Laina smiled, she still couldn't believe that the tiger would let a little boy climb on her. They ate dinner and enjoyed each other's company. Laina was actually feeling tired after they finished eating.
"Well, Ry, it was great and you taught my son many things, some he shouldn't have learned," Seiji said elbowing him and making Ryo laugh, "But I'm afraid it's getting late. I have to head out."
Seiji picked up Mason off of White Blaze. Anna got up and gave Laina a hug and then Ryo.
"It was great seeing you again. I hope Laina sticks around so we can come by again," Anna said as she walked out, "The house is much safer and cleaner!"
"Thanks," Ryo said with a smirk, "I guess I have to keep her around."
Seiji gave Ryo and Laina a hug before following Anna out the door.
"Aren't you the popular one?" Ryo asked after they left.
"Who, me?" Laina asked.
"No, White Blaze! Of course, you. I haven't had this many visitors in a while," Ryo said sitting down on the couch.
"I'm sure they are only here to see you, and make sure I'm doing my job," Laina said rolling her eyes and plopping down on the couch next to him, "It was nice having them over to hang out though."
"Yeah, I haven't seen Mase since his last birthday, and I think his third one is coming up soon," Ryo said forlornly, "I miss actually seeing the kid. He's fun."
"I told you they would come if you keep your house clean," Laina said with a frown.
"Maybe I'll get Touma and Mia coming back by, too. Just to see you, I'm sure," Ryo said with a shrug.
"Are they friends of yours too?" Laina asked.
Ryo pointed to a picture frame of him with the other guys and a girl, "All the way on the left is Shin, you know him."
"Yeah, and then Seiji," Laina said picking up the picture.
"Then me, and Shu, and next to him is Touma. I'm not sure, but I think that one has Mia, and Jun too," Ryo said. Laina looked at their faces. They looked so young and happy.
"Does Shu come to visit?" Laina asked.
"Yeah, most of the time, he comes on Thursdays. His wife is sick though. Like real sick apparently, so he comes when he can and that's about once a month. I mean I get it," Ryo said with a shrug, "It wasn't so bad when it first happened because all my friends were there, but then they have their own lives. A lot of the time it's just me."
Laina nodded, "You have great friends though. They really look out for you. I can tell."
"What about your friends?" Ryo asked. He laid down on the couch, his head resting on her lap. Laina sighed and ran her fingers through his hair. She didn't know why she did it. It was like an automatic thing. She used to be comforted by her mom running fingers through her hair, and she would do this with Matt, and even Wyatt, though she'd rather not think about him. Ryo's hair was silky and soft. He closed his eyes as she ran her fingers through it, brushing it to the side in the process.
"My friends don't talk to me anymore. Wyatt's friends tried to and he got mad at them, so they don't talk to me either. I guess I have Matt," Laina said watching the way Ryo's long dark lashes feathered out, over his cheeks. She used her thumb and ran it along his eyebrows. He smirked.
"You should have more friends, this feels nice," Ryo said, turning his head so it rested on her stomach, "Oh, and you should take a shower. You kind of smell."
Laina dropped her head against the couch and then pushed him off her lap as she got up. Of course, he would make a comment and ruin the moment. Ryo chuckled as she stomped up the stairs. She looked back before she went into the room to get her clothes and saw him laid back with his hands under his head. She sighed and went back to what she was doing.