Change of Plans
Chapter Four
Next Day: Evening
"Lita you should wear that green dress." Mia suggested as she brushed the brunette's hair, not to mention very excited.
"But Sage said something casual."
"Okay, put on this black jeans and that white spaghetti tank top. You should wear your hair down and a light touch of make-up."
"That sounds good."
Downstairs, Sage was pacing nervously in the middle of the leaving room while that guys watched him. Kento was about to tell him to sit down when Lita and Mia came down stairs. "Sage."
The guys all turned towards the stairs and their mouths literally dropped. Mia smirked her job was done. While Lita blushed a little and smiled. She stood in front of Sage. "Ready."
He nodded and grabbed his keys and wallet. He held her hand. "Lets go. See you guys later."
"Bye guys." Lita said as she stepped out.
"Have fun!" Mia yelled quickly before Sage closed the door. "Well," she sat down and her blonde bangs brushed her eyes. "I hope nothing goes wrong with their date."
"Mia we're really sorry about the die thing." Ryo said. "But it really fits you."
"I know you guys are sorry. I forgave you a long time ago, I just wanted to see you guys sweat." She grinned at the three who gave her death glares. While Cye laughed in the back.
^*^*^*^*^
"Yeshio failed master, I shall take his place in bringing the princess." A males voice boomed from the darkness.
"What makes you think you will not be a disappointment too?" The voice spoke
"Cause I have a full proof plan."
"Then go but do NOT fail me."
"I won't."
^*^*^*^*^
"Serena!" Raye yelled at the blonde pigging out.
"Wut?" She asked as she swallowed.
"People are staring." Ken answered with a sweat drop on the side of his head. The gang was in the crown at their favorite hang out waiting for Andrew to finish.
"So?" Serena continued stuffing her face.
"This is why you don't have a boyfriend!" Raye grumbled.
"Umm...Raye she does have one....remember Andrew?" Mina whispered to Raye but she stock her nose in the air.
"I wonder how Lita is doing?" Amy said ignoring her two bickering friends.
"She's probably fine." Mina said as she leaned back on Ken. "I hope so."
"I know she is." Ken spoke. 'I Hope.'
^*^*^*^*^
"That movie was great Sage!" Lita said as she and Sage came out from the theater.
"I know." he replied with a smile. "Come on the night's not over yet." He got a hold of her hand and ran to his car. He stopped driving and Lita turned to him with a puzzled expression. "The park?"
"You'll see." He got out and smiled as he opened the door for Lita and wrapped his arms around her waist. They walked in the park until Sage stopped and turned her around, her back facing him in the hug. "So what do you think?" He whispered in her ear. Above them was a magnificent view of the stars, each shining brightly.
"It's beautiful, Sage." She whispered and leaned on him.
They slowly laid down still in each other's arms facing the stars. Lita placed her head on his chest. "Lita?"
"Huh?"
"I want you to know that I will never let anything hurt you or take you away."
Lita looked up to him, "Really?" She asked.
"Yeah, " He nodded and smiled. "I never felt like this for anyone else. Even though I only just met you, I feel so close to you." He whispered.
Lita smiled at him. "Sage I feel the same way. At first I was scared because I never had this feeling and scared you'd might reject it."
Sage tightened his hold around her waist. "Well, now you don't have to be afraid, cause I'll always feel this way about you." He watched as she fully turned to face him, sitting up a bit . "You know...I won't leave here if you want me to stay. I'll stay with you and the others. All you have to do is say the word."
A moment past without a word. Sage wanted to say yes! His heart screamed it. He wanted her with him but something stopped him as he remembered her family and friends she would be leaving behind. He couldn't let her do it even though he wanted her to stay. "What about your brother and friends? I don't want you leaving them for me."
"So you would want me to leave you?" She asked with a hint of sadness that he caught.
His arms encircled her again as he stood up pulling her to him. She rested her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. "Oh itooshi, please don't take it the wrong way Lita. I don't want you to leave but I don't want you to leave your only family and friends because of me." He whispered in to her hair.
"Let's not talk about this now, please." She spoke as she fought her tears.
Sage felt something-wet trickle down his neck and slowly pulled Lita away from him to look at her. He was surprised to see tears. "Why are you crying?"
"It's nothing really." She quickly wiped her tears away and gave him a killer smile.
"So you ready to see the rest of our date?" He asked grinning not wanting to ask her about the tears again.
"There's more?" She asked a little surprised
"Of course come on!" He took her by the hand and then ran through the night sprinklers laughing.
^*^*^*^*^
"They're really taking long." Mia said as she and Rowen Played a card game.
"What time is it?" Ryo asked
Cye checked his watch and said. "Ten minutes before midnight." Everyone's eyes all widen in surprise and shock.
"But isn't it raining?" Kento asked as he looked up from the arm wrestling between him and Ryo.
Before anyone replied the front door opened and two laughing teens came in soaked head to toe. "God, I haven't had that much fun in a long time!" Lita said as she laughed.
Everyone blinked as they stared at them. "Do you know what time it is?"
"What happened?"
"Yes we know what time it is---we were getting out the park and the sprinklers came on. It started to rain so we had to cancel the rest of the date." Sage said as he took off the drench coat.
'Rest of the date?' Mia and the others whispered as they looked at each other.
Lita waited for Sage to hang his coat. He turned to her and placed his around her and they both walked upstairs. Ryo, Cye and Kento had one eyebrow up as they looked at them and Mia and Rowen grinned. "Well, that was interesting." Ryo said as he rolled his eyes.
"Hush Ryo, you're just jealous that Sage finally got a girl and you didn't." Mia teased.
"Please, I have my eye on someone else." He lied.
"Who?" Both Kento and Rowen asked getting into the conversation.
"I guess you know her-----well, I'm going up stairs. See you tomorrow." Ryo ran upstairs before his friends could stop him. He walked down the hallway and stopped at a door he knocked. "Lita are you dressed?"
"Yeah, come in Ryo." He heard her say. He walked in the room and blushed. Lita had only a man's T-shirt on, her wet hair clung to her face shaping it nicely and her long legs were exposed. 'Man, Sage is so lucky.' He closed the door and stood by it.
"Sorry, I was just going to bed." She said a little awkward about the situation. "Take a seat if you like." She said as she laid on the bed on her stomach. Ryo swallowed hard before approaching a chair by the bed she laid in. The room was placed in a heavy silence for a long time, none of them not knowing what to say.
"So----what did you wanted to see me for?" Lita asked as she looked at him with her emerald eyes.
"You see I have this problem with this one girl and I don't know what to do about it." He answered truthfully.
Lita looked at him surprised that he would come to her with this. "Why did you come to me though?"
"Well, you happen to know her."
"Who is it?"
"----"When he didn't answer she looked into his eyes to try and figure it out, and she saw the truth. Her eyes widen as she sat up. It was her! She was the girl!
"Lita I---"
"Don't say it, please." She pleaded.
"I'm sorry, it won't come up again." He quickly said.
Lita just stared at him for a long time thinking how she had put herself in this position. "It's okay." She smiled. "But we are still friends right?"
Ryo nodded thinking it would be wise. He didn't want to lose his friendship with Sage, but his heart was aching. "So---how was your date?" He inwardly winced at the word date.
Lita's face brighten up a bit. "It was fun! He took me to the movies and we saw 'Romeo Must Die.' I loved it! He then took me to the park, we walked around looked at the stars and we talked for a while---"
"What about?" Ryo asked as he listened intently.
If I should stay or not and other things. When we were coming out of the park the sprinklers came out and we ran through it. We just acted like six-year-olds. He was about to take me somewhere else but it started raining." She said with a little disappointment.
"Where was he going to take you?"
She thought hard for a minute or two. "I don't know he said it was a surprise." They talked about anything and everything, dislikes and likes. They got to know each other better in the next thirty minutes they spent talking. The door opened . "Lita, I'm sorry I didn't knock I thought you were sleeping. You------" Sage stopped when he saw Ryo sitting by the bed Lita laid. "You forgot your earrings in my jacket."
Lita stood up and walked over to him and he gave her the earrings. She stood on her toes and leaned towards his ear. This was the first for her! She was the one always bending but now she was on her toes! "We were only talking Sage." She whispered.
"Don't worry about it." He whispered back and pecked her on her cheek. "I'm off to bed. I'll see you guys later." With a smile he walked out.
Lita placed her earrings on the table and Ryo watched as she did. "Lita, it's getting late. I'm retiring too."
"Okay, I was getting sleepy anyway." She said as she yawned and stretched.
"Goodnight Lita." Ryo said before he closed the door.
"All alone princess?" A cold voice called out.
Lita narrowed her eyes as she looked around her. She readied her henshin pen away from eyes view. "Where are you?" she sneered.
"You look nice," A man with ebony long straight hair, icy blue eyes that made her shiver. He wore the exact clothes that Yeshio wore but the color was red instead of green.
^*^*^*^*^
A portal opened and Serena and the gang gasped when they saw Pluto come out of it. "I need one of you."
"I'll go." Mina said and stepped in with Pluto and vanished leaving the rest worried.
^*^*^*^*^
Lita raised her pen up. "Jupiter,"
"Sorry princess, I can't let you do that." He mentally commanded the pen out of Lita's hands and it landed roughly on the ground under her bed. Without warning Lita found herself trapped by tentacles. "Sage!" She screamed as electricity and black energy hit her full force.
Sage and the others jumped out of bed and ran out their rooms, all meeting in the hallway. They heard something shatter and a small cry of pain. "Lita!" Sage yelled as he and the others ran to her room. As the door slammed open they saw a guy jumping out of the window after Lita who was blasted through the window. They all ran downstairs and out the house. They saw a very injured Lita trying to get up while the man was walking towards her.
An extremely pissed off Sage yelled. "Armor of Halo! Tao Chi!" Soon as the armor appeared on his body he leaped and landed right in front of Lita blacking the man's path. The others took his example and stood in a line, like a wall in front of Lita blocking her from the man and Mia went to take cover but continue watching as a tugging feeling was pulling at her heart and mind as she watched the bad guy. As if she was suppose to remember something.
"Get out of my way!" The man snarled. 'The plan was working too! I should have just snatched her when I had the chance!'
"No they won't!" A voice echoed in the night. The men all looked around but Lita knew better. It was her best friend, Venus. "How dare you mess with my friend you disgusting filth! I Venus will punish you." A teenage girl about the age of Lita jumped out of a tree and landed in between the Ronins and the man . Her long blonde hair was held in a red bow flowing in the wind. Her fuku was the mix of orange, and white.
"Venus." Lita whispered.
Venus turned her head slightly to look at Lita and her eyes grew cold towards the man in front as she turned back at him. She had cuts everywhere. "Lita are you okay?"
"Yea." came back a weak respond.
"You shall be sorry and pay for every mark on her body, creep!"
"The only thing I'll be sorry for is not getting her when I had the chance." The man growled.
"Ryo do you know what's going on?" Kento asked.
"Not a damn clue." He replied.
"Who the hell are you and why are you guys so damn desperate to get Lita?" Sage yelled at the man in anger. He was tired of this, and it was pissing him off.
The man seem to smirk. "You can call me Keiji. I come for the princess." He stepped forward. "So hand her over, now!"
"In your dreams pal!" Cye yelled. "Super Wave SMASHER!!!" He yelled and a huge amount of water rushed over to Keiji, who dodged it effortless. Sage rushed over to him and with a swift move with his sword he strike Keiji. "You guys protect Lita I'll deal with him."
Venus and the rest of the Ronins nodded. The Ronins formed a circle around Lita and kept watched for any tricks, while Venus ran to her friend.
"Lita you okay?" Venus asked in a very concerned voice.
"How did you get here?" Lita asked tired
"Pluto." Venus noticed Lita was holding her wrist in pain. "What's wrong with your wrist? Is it okay?"
"No, I think I sprained it when I landed. It was also cut when that guy threw me out the window. Damn it, why do these things happens to me?" Lita grumbled.
"Here this should stop the bleeding." Venus removed her red ribbon and wrapped Lita's wrist.
"Dark winds!!!" Keiji yelled and Sage was surrounded by a tornado look a like and he yelled as he was thrown into a tree.
"Sage!!!" The Ronins yelled
Lita looked up to find Sage struggling to get up. She immediately stood up and with out thinking she ran towards Sage. "Lita come back!" Venus yelled after her friend almost pleadingly. Keiji moved quickly and took hold of her hand, but Lita pulled with a strength that surprised him and he lost his grip on her. She ran towards Sage who had just stood up, "Sage you ok?"
"That's it! I had it with this child's play! You're coming with me." With a mental command he pulled Lita away from Sage and to him. He held on to her with an iron grip.
"Lita!" Sage shouted.
"Venus Crescent Beam!!!" With a scream of fury a yellow beam shot out of Venus' finger and hit Keiji in the back. The yellow beam went through his left shoulder merciless. Keiji lost his grip on Lita and held his shoulder as pain shot through his upper body. Ryo saw Sage was too hurt, so he ran to Lita and picked her up before Keiji could take her again and leaped away.
"I'll be back and you'll pay!" Said Keiji with venom through his gritted teeth and vanished.
"Lita!" Venus and the others ran to her. Ryo placed her down and let her go as she tried to balance herself, but she lost balance and fell. Sage caught her before she hit the ground. He pulled her up gently as he could and whispered in her ears. "Itooshi, are you okay?"
"Yes, I just felt dizzy." She whispered back.
Pluto appeared behind them. "Venus." She called.
They all turned to look at Pluto and Venus nodded. "I guess we'll see each other soon Lita. Take care." She winked at her friend and turned to the others. "It was nice working with you. Bye!" She ran to the portal and vanished. "Lita, we'll see you soon." Pluto said before she slipped in and vanished as the portal closed.
Mia came out and ran to Lita who was now leaning on Sage for support. "Lita!" She yelled as she saw the cuts on her arms and legs. Lita tiredly looked at Mia. "I'm alright, Mia."
Sage picked her up as he transformation died down and he was now just Sage. He entered the house with the others behind him . Carefully he placed Lita down on a single one-man chair, without a word he went to the kitchen and came back with a first aid box. The others sat down and watched as their friend cleaned the wounds of his girlfriend's body. As he finished Lita fell asleep.
"This is getting too dangerous for her." Mia said.
"If we only knew what they want her for." Cye whispered.
"That is simple." A voice said from behind. They all turned around and gasped at what they saw. A woman who looked identical to Lita stood in front of them in a long elegant green dress that shaped her body perfectly showing her curves. The guys couldn't help but stare. "I am Princess Jupiter. In other words I am she." She pointed at Lita trying to ignore the looks from the guys. Her cheeks turned red.
"How can that be?" Rowen asked Mystified. He noticed she was blushing and snapped out of it.
"She is the reincarnation of me, we are the same person but we just have different titles. What they want is simple. It is I. They want the princess of Jupiter but mostly my power, so they targeted Lita. To get this power they have to have the princes of Jupiter in their grasp. We hold extreme amount of power only Princess Serenity can over power us. If they have Lita, they will get the power from her and me to take over Jupiter and once they do they'll come for the rest of the world. Since we are close to Serenity they know that if Lita is taken the Princess will come and if she does they win. Please, keep her away from them." Princess Jupiter floated to Lita and became transparent. "Both yours and our worlds will be in danger if Lita is in the hands of Takiru." With that said she disappeared once she touched Lita's forehead.
"Does that answer your question?" Kento asked as he looked at Cye who nodded.
"But who's Serenity?" Ryo asked.
"Princess Jupiter said they were close friends---so I guess that one of Lita's friends is the reincarnation is the ultimate princess right?" Rowen thought.
"Could be." Mia said. Something was tugging at her mind but she couldn't figure it out.
"I wonder if Lita knows this Taki--Takiru guy?" Kento questioned
"I don't think so Kento." Ryo answered as he looked at Lita who was sleeping on the long couch with her head on Sage's thigh. A prang of jealousy ran through him. Suddenly, a portal opened and a blonde girl with a weird hairstyle that the guys and Mia had never seen before came through followed by Ken, Raye, Amy, and Mina. "Who are you?" Sage asked the blond.
"We are Lita's friends." She said with a smile. She looked at Lita who was sleeping, her head rested on his lap. 'They look sooo-----god Lita.' She knew Lita had fallen for him.
"And we come to take her home." Raye spoke as she also looked at Lita then at Sage regretfully.
"What!!!" All Ronin and Mia yelled and waking Lita up as well with the shouting.
"Sage what's wrong?" She whispered groggily. When he didn't answer she turned around. What she says surprised her she slowly sat up. "Guys?"
"We're here to take you back Lita. It's was to dangerous for you here." Ken spoke.
Lita surprise turned into shock as she heard him. "What makes you think Tokyo is safer?" She asked. "I'm not going." She whispered and all eyes went to her.
"Not going? What do you mean by 'not going'? Mina just told us what happened and how _lucky_ you were. You almost got captured." Raye spoke a little angry and disappointed at her friend's decision. "You're going home."
"I'm sorry but I'm staying here. Besides it doesn't matter where I'm at they'll still come."
"Lita are you sure? They could protect you better." Rowen asked.
"Lita please come with us." Serena begged. Lita looked at her and saw that she was on the verge of crying. "Serena----"
"Lita if those men or what ever they are capture you our world and theirs will be in danger, please come with us." Amy pleaded.
Lita narrowed her eyes as she looked at her friends. "You know, this would have never happened if you guys didn't decided to put me here in the first place." She sneered and watched her friends winced. "I never had a choice on my own in coming here. You assumed it would be safer, so in the middle of the _night_ you put me here without warning!" She was now yelling. "Now you want me to go back? I'm not a toy to be carried around. I'm sorry but I'm staying."
"Lita---"
"I'm staying here!!!" She screamed and ran upstairs. Sage followed her.
"Damn it!" Raye whispered. "What are we going to do now? She won't go unless she goes kicking and screaming." She turned to Serena and her anger died down. "Serena?"
Everyone turned to Serena who was almost crying. "Sh-she made her choice. There is nothing we can do now Raye. We'll keep watch of her that's all we can do for now." She looked at the Ronins. "I know all of you won't let anything happen to her, right?"
"You have our word." Ryo spoke for all of them.
"Protect her for me, if you need help we'll assist you." Serena said with a half smile. She watched as the guys nodded.
"Serena, I'm not leaving without her." Ken decided and gained the others attention.
"Ken, you heard what she said." Mina said as she looked at him. "She won't leave."
"She only said that because of what we did and because of someone. We made a mistake and we can't turn it around. I'm not leaving without her Mina, she's the only family I have left. You understand right?" He whispered as he looked at her with pleading eyes. Mina smiled. "Yea I do, but Ken where are you going to stay? You don't know anywhere here."
"He can stay with us." Mia offered. "One of the Ronins can share a room with someone or Lita can sleep in my room." She looked at her friends. "Unless they go against it."
"It's okay with us." Kento agreed for everyone.
Mina looked at Ken as a portal opened. "I'll see you soon then. Stay safe, I like you in one piece." She jester. Ken laughed a little. "Of course."
"Don't let anything happen to Lita too."
"You know I won't." He hugged her. "See you later." He kissed her quickly on her cheek and She and Serena steeped through the portal. As she stepped out with Serena, the tears she had kept in fell and Serena hugged her. "I'm going to miss him."
^*^*^*^*^
"Lita, why didn't," Sage started they were in his room.
"They pissed me off Sage." She whispered angrily. She sat on her bed.
"But Lita you have to know that they did it because they want to protect you. They wouldn't have done it if they thought it was no good." He tried to convince her. He sat on the bed as well.
"Yeah but I don't understand why they couldn't have told me----and----" She looked down at the floor finding it really interesting all of the sudden. Sage waited for her to say what she wanted to say. "And----besides I love you, itooshi. I don't want to leave you----unless you want me too." She looked up at him. Her face was like an open book to him, he can see that she meant it and it made him sooo happy, yet surprised and shocked. He gathered her into his arms after a while. "Lita, I love you too. With all my heart, you know that. But are you making the right decision? I mean you haven't finished high school yet, and you would be leaving your family and friends. Are you sure you want to do that?"
"More than anything in the world. I know I'm under age but I don't care." She hugged him. "My heart tells me to stay, and I will. Don't push me away please."
"Oh koibito, I want you by my side no matter what." He smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head. Lita looked up at him and their eyes locked. Slowly Lita moved closer and her lips found his. She kissed him with all the love she had for him, and he gladly returned it. She felt his hands snake around her small waist and shiver of pleasure ran down her spine. "Koibito, I love you." She said between kisses. Sage stopped the kiss long enough to say, "I Love you too, Lita."
The door opened and a gasped was heard. Sage and Lita turned to the door and blushed furiously. An embarrassed Mia and a grinning Ken stood by the door.
"Ken!"
"Mia!" They both stood up blushing with humiliation. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm so sorry, I should have knocked. We just wanted to tell you that Ken will be staying here for a while and that we need to decide who will move with who." Mia explained.
Lita looked at Ken puzzled. "You're staying Kennie? How did Mina take it?"
Ken looked at his sister with a sad smile. "She tried to cover it. But She'll be okay, Li."
"Are you guys coming?" Mia asked as she turned around. Ken followed. "Kennie?" She asked teasingly.
"It was a childhood's name she used to call me. I don't think she'll ever stop though." He smiled. "But I see you changed your hair back to its original color." He whispered and Mia looked at him confused but He didn't say anything else.
Sage smiled and held her hand and kissed it. He looked up and found she was blushing. "Let's go." Hand in hand they walked downstairs where all the others waited. Now that they had confessed their love for each other, they knew it was to late to go back and they welcomed it. They each promised inwardly that they would never let anything happened to either one.
"So, who will go where?" Ryo asked.
They all but Lita, Sage and Ken had sly smiles as they looked at each other then at the couple. Lita and Sage stared at them blankly then blushed when they realized why the others were looking at them. "Umm…I'm not sharing a bed though." Lita said.
"I guess so." Sage said. Both speaking at once. They stared at each other and blushed more. The others laughed. "I guess it's settled. Ken you'll be moving in Sage's room for the time being." Rowen said.
"Thank you, I didn't mean to impose." Ken Said
"Like we told Lita before it's our pleasure." Cye reassured.
"It's late, I'm going to bed." Lita said as she stood up. She was still wearing the large T-shirt that was too big for her.
"You mean it's early! It's 3:00am." Ryo corrected.
"Well, either one, I'm still going to bed." She stuck out her tongue at him and he pretended to be hurt by it. Lita giggled. She turned around but before she went up-stairs, she whispered something in Sages ears. The others saw the shocked expression and wondered what she had told him. He watched her go up-stairs before he turned to the others. "What did she tell you?" Kento asked.
Sage looked at them for a long time before realizing what the question was. He his cheeks reddened a little. "Nothing." He uttered quickly as he ran upstairs. They all chuckled saved for Ryo, Ken noticed but kept quiet as he studied his face and smiled sympathetically as he guessed what was wrong. Cye and Rowen stood up. "We're off." They headed up-stairs.
"I'll show you to your room." Ryo said as he stood up. Ken followed him. "This is Sage's room, don't worry about the things in there. He'll get it out later today."
"Thanks. Where's Lita's room?" The brother asked.
"Down the hall, last room on the left facing Mia's room." He explained.
"Alright, thanks." He opened the door but before he stepped in he turned around. "Hey Ryo," He watched as the warrior of Wildlife turned to face him. " You like her don't you?"
Ryo looked at ken slightly shocked. He shook his head negative. "It's deeper than just like Ken, but I don't want to lose my relationship with Sage."
"I--I see." His gaze was sympathetically towards the younger man. "Well I better leave you, good-night Ryo."
"Yeah, night." Roy replied as he went to his room and laid down on his bed by the window. "Lita" He whispered as he feel asleep.
Ken sat on his bed and took out his wallet. He opened it and looked at a picture of him and Mina holding each other in a fair. "Oh Mina, I wish you were here already."
^*^*^*^*^
"She's too guarded, damn it!" Keiji spoke as he watched the group in the house, they were all going to bed. "I'll just have to wait."
^*^*^*^*^
Chapter Four
Next Day: Evening
"Lita you should wear that green dress." Mia suggested as she brushed the brunette's hair, not to mention very excited.
"But Sage said something casual."
"Okay, put on this black jeans and that white spaghetti tank top. You should wear your hair down and a light touch of make-up."
"That sounds good."
Downstairs, Sage was pacing nervously in the middle of the leaving room while that guys watched him. Kento was about to tell him to sit down when Lita and Mia came down stairs. "Sage."
The guys all turned towards the stairs and their mouths literally dropped. Mia smirked her job was done. While Lita blushed a little and smiled. She stood in front of Sage. "Ready."
He nodded and grabbed his keys and wallet. He held her hand. "Lets go. See you guys later."
"Bye guys." Lita said as she stepped out.
"Have fun!" Mia yelled quickly before Sage closed the door. "Well," she sat down and her blonde bangs brushed her eyes. "I hope nothing goes wrong with their date."
"Mia we're really sorry about the die thing." Ryo said. "But it really fits you."
"I know you guys are sorry. I forgave you a long time ago, I just wanted to see you guys sweat." She grinned at the three who gave her death glares. While Cye laughed in the back.
^*^*^*^*^
"Yeshio failed master, I shall take his place in bringing the princess." A males voice boomed from the darkness.
"What makes you think you will not be a disappointment too?" The voice spoke
"Cause I have a full proof plan."
"Then go but do NOT fail me."
"I won't."
^*^*^*^*^
"Serena!" Raye yelled at the blonde pigging out.
"Wut?" She asked as she swallowed.
"People are staring." Ken answered with a sweat drop on the side of his head. The gang was in the crown at their favorite hang out waiting for Andrew to finish.
"So?" Serena continued stuffing her face.
"This is why you don't have a boyfriend!" Raye grumbled.
"Umm...Raye she does have one....remember Andrew?" Mina whispered to Raye but she stock her nose in the air.
"I wonder how Lita is doing?" Amy said ignoring her two bickering friends.
"She's probably fine." Mina said as she leaned back on Ken. "I hope so."
"I know she is." Ken spoke. 'I Hope.'
^*^*^*^*^
"That movie was great Sage!" Lita said as she and Sage came out from the theater.
"I know." he replied with a smile. "Come on the night's not over yet." He got a hold of her hand and ran to his car. He stopped driving and Lita turned to him with a puzzled expression. "The park?"
"You'll see." He got out and smiled as he opened the door for Lita and wrapped his arms around her waist. They walked in the park until Sage stopped and turned her around, her back facing him in the hug. "So what do you think?" He whispered in her ear. Above them was a magnificent view of the stars, each shining brightly.
"It's beautiful, Sage." She whispered and leaned on him.
They slowly laid down still in each other's arms facing the stars. Lita placed her head on his chest. "Lita?"
"Huh?"
"I want you to know that I will never let anything hurt you or take you away."
Lita looked up to him, "Really?" She asked.
"Yeah, " He nodded and smiled. "I never felt like this for anyone else. Even though I only just met you, I feel so close to you." He whispered.
Lita smiled at him. "Sage I feel the same way. At first I was scared because I never had this feeling and scared you'd might reject it."
Sage tightened his hold around her waist. "Well, now you don't have to be afraid, cause I'll always feel this way about you." He watched as she fully turned to face him, sitting up a bit . "You know...I won't leave here if you want me to stay. I'll stay with you and the others. All you have to do is say the word."
A moment past without a word. Sage wanted to say yes! His heart screamed it. He wanted her with him but something stopped him as he remembered her family and friends she would be leaving behind. He couldn't let her do it even though he wanted her to stay. "What about your brother and friends? I don't want you leaving them for me."
"So you would want me to leave you?" She asked with a hint of sadness that he caught.
His arms encircled her again as he stood up pulling her to him. She rested her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. "Oh itooshi, please don't take it the wrong way Lita. I don't want you to leave but I don't want you to leave your only family and friends because of me." He whispered in to her hair.
"Let's not talk about this now, please." She spoke as she fought her tears.
Sage felt something-wet trickle down his neck and slowly pulled Lita away from him to look at her. He was surprised to see tears. "Why are you crying?"
"It's nothing really." She quickly wiped her tears away and gave him a killer smile.
"So you ready to see the rest of our date?" He asked grinning not wanting to ask her about the tears again.
"There's more?" She asked a little surprised
"Of course come on!" He took her by the hand and then ran through the night sprinklers laughing.
^*^*^*^*^
"They're really taking long." Mia said as she and Rowen Played a card game.
"What time is it?" Ryo asked
Cye checked his watch and said. "Ten minutes before midnight." Everyone's eyes all widen in surprise and shock.
"But isn't it raining?" Kento asked as he looked up from the arm wrestling between him and Ryo.
Before anyone replied the front door opened and two laughing teens came in soaked head to toe. "God, I haven't had that much fun in a long time!" Lita said as she laughed.
Everyone blinked as they stared at them. "Do you know what time it is?"
"What happened?"
"Yes we know what time it is---we were getting out the park and the sprinklers came on. It started to rain so we had to cancel the rest of the date." Sage said as he took off the drench coat.
'Rest of the date?' Mia and the others whispered as they looked at each other.
Lita waited for Sage to hang his coat. He turned to her and placed his around her and they both walked upstairs. Ryo, Cye and Kento had one eyebrow up as they looked at them and Mia and Rowen grinned. "Well, that was interesting." Ryo said as he rolled his eyes.
"Hush Ryo, you're just jealous that Sage finally got a girl and you didn't." Mia teased.
"Please, I have my eye on someone else." He lied.
"Who?" Both Kento and Rowen asked getting into the conversation.
"I guess you know her-----well, I'm going up stairs. See you tomorrow." Ryo ran upstairs before his friends could stop him. He walked down the hallway and stopped at a door he knocked. "Lita are you dressed?"
"Yeah, come in Ryo." He heard her say. He walked in the room and blushed. Lita had only a man's T-shirt on, her wet hair clung to her face shaping it nicely and her long legs were exposed. 'Man, Sage is so lucky.' He closed the door and stood by it.
"Sorry, I was just going to bed." She said a little awkward about the situation. "Take a seat if you like." She said as she laid on the bed on her stomach. Ryo swallowed hard before approaching a chair by the bed she laid in. The room was placed in a heavy silence for a long time, none of them not knowing what to say.
"So----what did you wanted to see me for?" Lita asked as she looked at him with her emerald eyes.
"You see I have this problem with this one girl and I don't know what to do about it." He answered truthfully.
Lita looked at him surprised that he would come to her with this. "Why did you come to me though?"
"Well, you happen to know her."
"Who is it?"
"----"When he didn't answer she looked into his eyes to try and figure it out, and she saw the truth. Her eyes widen as she sat up. It was her! She was the girl!
"Lita I---"
"Don't say it, please." She pleaded.
"I'm sorry, it won't come up again." He quickly said.
Lita just stared at him for a long time thinking how she had put herself in this position. "It's okay." She smiled. "But we are still friends right?"
Ryo nodded thinking it would be wise. He didn't want to lose his friendship with Sage, but his heart was aching. "So---how was your date?" He inwardly winced at the word date.
Lita's face brighten up a bit. "It was fun! He took me to the movies and we saw 'Romeo Must Die.' I loved it! He then took me to the park, we walked around looked at the stars and we talked for a while---"
"What about?" Ryo asked as he listened intently.
If I should stay or not and other things. When we were coming out of the park the sprinklers came out and we ran through it. We just acted like six-year-olds. He was about to take me somewhere else but it started raining." She said with a little disappointment.
"Where was he going to take you?"
She thought hard for a minute or two. "I don't know he said it was a surprise." They talked about anything and everything, dislikes and likes. They got to know each other better in the next thirty minutes they spent talking. The door opened . "Lita, I'm sorry I didn't knock I thought you were sleeping. You------" Sage stopped when he saw Ryo sitting by the bed Lita laid. "You forgot your earrings in my jacket."
Lita stood up and walked over to him and he gave her the earrings. She stood on her toes and leaned towards his ear. This was the first for her! She was the one always bending but now she was on her toes! "We were only talking Sage." She whispered.
"Don't worry about it." He whispered back and pecked her on her cheek. "I'm off to bed. I'll see you guys later." With a smile he walked out.
Lita placed her earrings on the table and Ryo watched as she did. "Lita, it's getting late. I'm retiring too."
"Okay, I was getting sleepy anyway." She said as she yawned and stretched.
"Goodnight Lita." Ryo said before he closed the door.
"All alone princess?" A cold voice called out.
Lita narrowed her eyes as she looked around her. She readied her henshin pen away from eyes view. "Where are you?" she sneered.
"You look nice," A man with ebony long straight hair, icy blue eyes that made her shiver. He wore the exact clothes that Yeshio wore but the color was red instead of green.
^*^*^*^*^
A portal opened and Serena and the gang gasped when they saw Pluto come out of it. "I need one of you."
"I'll go." Mina said and stepped in with Pluto and vanished leaving the rest worried.
^*^*^*^*^
Lita raised her pen up. "Jupiter,"
"Sorry princess, I can't let you do that." He mentally commanded the pen out of Lita's hands and it landed roughly on the ground under her bed. Without warning Lita found herself trapped by tentacles. "Sage!" She screamed as electricity and black energy hit her full force.
Sage and the others jumped out of bed and ran out their rooms, all meeting in the hallway. They heard something shatter and a small cry of pain. "Lita!" Sage yelled as he and the others ran to her room. As the door slammed open they saw a guy jumping out of the window after Lita who was blasted through the window. They all ran downstairs and out the house. They saw a very injured Lita trying to get up while the man was walking towards her.
An extremely pissed off Sage yelled. "Armor of Halo! Tao Chi!" Soon as the armor appeared on his body he leaped and landed right in front of Lita blacking the man's path. The others took his example and stood in a line, like a wall in front of Lita blocking her from the man and Mia went to take cover but continue watching as a tugging feeling was pulling at her heart and mind as she watched the bad guy. As if she was suppose to remember something.
"Get out of my way!" The man snarled. 'The plan was working too! I should have just snatched her when I had the chance!'
"No they won't!" A voice echoed in the night. The men all looked around but Lita knew better. It was her best friend, Venus. "How dare you mess with my friend you disgusting filth! I Venus will punish you." A teenage girl about the age of Lita jumped out of a tree and landed in between the Ronins and the man . Her long blonde hair was held in a red bow flowing in the wind. Her fuku was the mix of orange, and white.
"Venus." Lita whispered.
Venus turned her head slightly to look at Lita and her eyes grew cold towards the man in front as she turned back at him. She had cuts everywhere. "Lita are you okay?"
"Yea." came back a weak respond.
"You shall be sorry and pay for every mark on her body, creep!"
"The only thing I'll be sorry for is not getting her when I had the chance." The man growled.
"Ryo do you know what's going on?" Kento asked.
"Not a damn clue." He replied.
"Who the hell are you and why are you guys so damn desperate to get Lita?" Sage yelled at the man in anger. He was tired of this, and it was pissing him off.
The man seem to smirk. "You can call me Keiji. I come for the princess." He stepped forward. "So hand her over, now!"
"In your dreams pal!" Cye yelled. "Super Wave SMASHER!!!" He yelled and a huge amount of water rushed over to Keiji, who dodged it effortless. Sage rushed over to him and with a swift move with his sword he strike Keiji. "You guys protect Lita I'll deal with him."
Venus and the rest of the Ronins nodded. The Ronins formed a circle around Lita and kept watched for any tricks, while Venus ran to her friend.
"Lita you okay?" Venus asked in a very concerned voice.
"How did you get here?" Lita asked tired
"Pluto." Venus noticed Lita was holding her wrist in pain. "What's wrong with your wrist? Is it okay?"
"No, I think I sprained it when I landed. It was also cut when that guy threw me out the window. Damn it, why do these things happens to me?" Lita grumbled.
"Here this should stop the bleeding." Venus removed her red ribbon and wrapped Lita's wrist.
"Dark winds!!!" Keiji yelled and Sage was surrounded by a tornado look a like and he yelled as he was thrown into a tree.
"Sage!!!" The Ronins yelled
Lita looked up to find Sage struggling to get up. She immediately stood up and with out thinking she ran towards Sage. "Lita come back!" Venus yelled after her friend almost pleadingly. Keiji moved quickly and took hold of her hand, but Lita pulled with a strength that surprised him and he lost his grip on her. She ran towards Sage who had just stood up, "Sage you ok?"
"That's it! I had it with this child's play! You're coming with me." With a mental command he pulled Lita away from Sage and to him. He held on to her with an iron grip.
"Lita!" Sage shouted.
"Venus Crescent Beam!!!" With a scream of fury a yellow beam shot out of Venus' finger and hit Keiji in the back. The yellow beam went through his left shoulder merciless. Keiji lost his grip on Lita and held his shoulder as pain shot through his upper body. Ryo saw Sage was too hurt, so he ran to Lita and picked her up before Keiji could take her again and leaped away.
"I'll be back and you'll pay!" Said Keiji with venom through his gritted teeth and vanished.
"Lita!" Venus and the others ran to her. Ryo placed her down and let her go as she tried to balance herself, but she lost balance and fell. Sage caught her before she hit the ground. He pulled her up gently as he could and whispered in her ears. "Itooshi, are you okay?"
"Yes, I just felt dizzy." She whispered back.
Pluto appeared behind them. "Venus." She called.
They all turned to look at Pluto and Venus nodded. "I guess we'll see each other soon Lita. Take care." She winked at her friend and turned to the others. "It was nice working with you. Bye!" She ran to the portal and vanished. "Lita, we'll see you soon." Pluto said before she slipped in and vanished as the portal closed.
Mia came out and ran to Lita who was now leaning on Sage for support. "Lita!" She yelled as she saw the cuts on her arms and legs. Lita tiredly looked at Mia. "I'm alright, Mia."
Sage picked her up as he transformation died down and he was now just Sage. He entered the house with the others behind him . Carefully he placed Lita down on a single one-man chair, without a word he went to the kitchen and came back with a first aid box. The others sat down and watched as their friend cleaned the wounds of his girlfriend's body. As he finished Lita fell asleep.
"This is getting too dangerous for her." Mia said.
"If we only knew what they want her for." Cye whispered.
"That is simple." A voice said from behind. They all turned around and gasped at what they saw. A woman who looked identical to Lita stood in front of them in a long elegant green dress that shaped her body perfectly showing her curves. The guys couldn't help but stare. "I am Princess Jupiter. In other words I am she." She pointed at Lita trying to ignore the looks from the guys. Her cheeks turned red.
"How can that be?" Rowen asked Mystified. He noticed she was blushing and snapped out of it.
"She is the reincarnation of me, we are the same person but we just have different titles. What they want is simple. It is I. They want the princess of Jupiter but mostly my power, so they targeted Lita. To get this power they have to have the princes of Jupiter in their grasp. We hold extreme amount of power only Princess Serenity can over power us. If they have Lita, they will get the power from her and me to take over Jupiter and once they do they'll come for the rest of the world. Since we are close to Serenity they know that if Lita is taken the Princess will come and if she does they win. Please, keep her away from them." Princess Jupiter floated to Lita and became transparent. "Both yours and our worlds will be in danger if Lita is in the hands of Takiru." With that said she disappeared once she touched Lita's forehead.
"Does that answer your question?" Kento asked as he looked at Cye who nodded.
"But who's Serenity?" Ryo asked.
"Princess Jupiter said they were close friends---so I guess that one of Lita's friends is the reincarnation is the ultimate princess right?" Rowen thought.
"Could be." Mia said. Something was tugging at her mind but she couldn't figure it out.
"I wonder if Lita knows this Taki--Takiru guy?" Kento questioned
"I don't think so Kento." Ryo answered as he looked at Lita who was sleeping on the long couch with her head on Sage's thigh. A prang of jealousy ran through him. Suddenly, a portal opened and a blonde girl with a weird hairstyle that the guys and Mia had never seen before came through followed by Ken, Raye, Amy, and Mina. "Who are you?" Sage asked the blond.
"We are Lita's friends." She said with a smile. She looked at Lita who was sleeping, her head rested on his lap. 'They look sooo-----god Lita.' She knew Lita had fallen for him.
"And we come to take her home." Raye spoke as she also looked at Lita then at Sage regretfully.
"What!!!" All Ronin and Mia yelled and waking Lita up as well with the shouting.
"Sage what's wrong?" She whispered groggily. When he didn't answer she turned around. What she says surprised her she slowly sat up. "Guys?"
"We're here to take you back Lita. It's was to dangerous for you here." Ken spoke.
Lita surprise turned into shock as she heard him. "What makes you think Tokyo is safer?" She asked. "I'm not going." She whispered and all eyes went to her.
"Not going? What do you mean by 'not going'? Mina just told us what happened and how _lucky_ you were. You almost got captured." Raye spoke a little angry and disappointed at her friend's decision. "You're going home."
"I'm sorry but I'm staying here. Besides it doesn't matter where I'm at they'll still come."
"Lita are you sure? They could protect you better." Rowen asked.
"Lita please come with us." Serena begged. Lita looked at her and saw that she was on the verge of crying. "Serena----"
"Lita if those men or what ever they are capture you our world and theirs will be in danger, please come with us." Amy pleaded.
Lita narrowed her eyes as she looked at her friends. "You know, this would have never happened if you guys didn't decided to put me here in the first place." She sneered and watched her friends winced. "I never had a choice on my own in coming here. You assumed it would be safer, so in the middle of the _night_ you put me here without warning!" She was now yelling. "Now you want me to go back? I'm not a toy to be carried around. I'm sorry but I'm staying."
"Lita---"
"I'm staying here!!!" She screamed and ran upstairs. Sage followed her.
"Damn it!" Raye whispered. "What are we going to do now? She won't go unless she goes kicking and screaming." She turned to Serena and her anger died down. "Serena?"
Everyone turned to Serena who was almost crying. "Sh-she made her choice. There is nothing we can do now Raye. We'll keep watch of her that's all we can do for now." She looked at the Ronins. "I know all of you won't let anything happen to her, right?"
"You have our word." Ryo spoke for all of them.
"Protect her for me, if you need help we'll assist you." Serena said with a half smile. She watched as the guys nodded.
"Serena, I'm not leaving without her." Ken decided and gained the others attention.
"Ken, you heard what she said." Mina said as she looked at him. "She won't leave."
"She only said that because of what we did and because of someone. We made a mistake and we can't turn it around. I'm not leaving without her Mina, she's the only family I have left. You understand right?" He whispered as he looked at her with pleading eyes. Mina smiled. "Yea I do, but Ken where are you going to stay? You don't know anywhere here."
"He can stay with us." Mia offered. "One of the Ronins can share a room with someone or Lita can sleep in my room." She looked at her friends. "Unless they go against it."
"It's okay with us." Kento agreed for everyone.
Mina looked at Ken as a portal opened. "I'll see you soon then. Stay safe, I like you in one piece." She jester. Ken laughed a little. "Of course."
"Don't let anything happen to Lita too."
"You know I won't." He hugged her. "See you later." He kissed her quickly on her cheek and She and Serena steeped through the portal. As she stepped out with Serena, the tears she had kept in fell and Serena hugged her. "I'm going to miss him."
^*^*^*^*^
"Lita, why didn't," Sage started they were in his room.
"They pissed me off Sage." She whispered angrily. She sat on her bed.
"But Lita you have to know that they did it because they want to protect you. They wouldn't have done it if they thought it was no good." He tried to convince her. He sat on the bed as well.
"Yeah but I don't understand why they couldn't have told me----and----" She looked down at the floor finding it really interesting all of the sudden. Sage waited for her to say what she wanted to say. "And----besides I love you, itooshi. I don't want to leave you----unless you want me too." She looked up at him. Her face was like an open book to him, he can see that she meant it and it made him sooo happy, yet surprised and shocked. He gathered her into his arms after a while. "Lita, I love you too. With all my heart, you know that. But are you making the right decision? I mean you haven't finished high school yet, and you would be leaving your family and friends. Are you sure you want to do that?"
"More than anything in the world. I know I'm under age but I don't care." She hugged him. "My heart tells me to stay, and I will. Don't push me away please."
"Oh koibito, I want you by my side no matter what." He smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head. Lita looked up at him and their eyes locked. Slowly Lita moved closer and her lips found his. She kissed him with all the love she had for him, and he gladly returned it. She felt his hands snake around her small waist and shiver of pleasure ran down her spine. "Koibito, I love you." She said between kisses. Sage stopped the kiss long enough to say, "I Love you too, Lita."
The door opened and a gasped was heard. Sage and Lita turned to the door and blushed furiously. An embarrassed Mia and a grinning Ken stood by the door.
"Ken!"
"Mia!" They both stood up blushing with humiliation. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm so sorry, I should have knocked. We just wanted to tell you that Ken will be staying here for a while and that we need to decide who will move with who." Mia explained.
Lita looked at Ken puzzled. "You're staying Kennie? How did Mina take it?"
Ken looked at his sister with a sad smile. "She tried to cover it. But She'll be okay, Li."
"Are you guys coming?" Mia asked as she turned around. Ken followed. "Kennie?" She asked teasingly.
"It was a childhood's name she used to call me. I don't think she'll ever stop though." He smiled. "But I see you changed your hair back to its original color." He whispered and Mia looked at him confused but He didn't say anything else.
Sage smiled and held her hand and kissed it. He looked up and found she was blushing. "Let's go." Hand in hand they walked downstairs where all the others waited. Now that they had confessed their love for each other, they knew it was to late to go back and they welcomed it. They each promised inwardly that they would never let anything happened to either one.
"So, who will go where?" Ryo asked.
They all but Lita, Sage and Ken had sly smiles as they looked at each other then at the couple. Lita and Sage stared at them blankly then blushed when they realized why the others were looking at them. "Umm…I'm not sharing a bed though." Lita said.
"I guess so." Sage said. Both speaking at once. They stared at each other and blushed more. The others laughed. "I guess it's settled. Ken you'll be moving in Sage's room for the time being." Rowen said.
"Thank you, I didn't mean to impose." Ken Said
"Like we told Lita before it's our pleasure." Cye reassured.
"It's late, I'm going to bed." Lita said as she stood up. She was still wearing the large T-shirt that was too big for her.
"You mean it's early! It's 3:00am." Ryo corrected.
"Well, either one, I'm still going to bed." She stuck out her tongue at him and he pretended to be hurt by it. Lita giggled. She turned around but before she went up-stairs, she whispered something in Sages ears. The others saw the shocked expression and wondered what she had told him. He watched her go up-stairs before he turned to the others. "What did she tell you?" Kento asked.
Sage looked at them for a long time before realizing what the question was. He his cheeks reddened a little. "Nothing." He uttered quickly as he ran upstairs. They all chuckled saved for Ryo, Ken noticed but kept quiet as he studied his face and smiled sympathetically as he guessed what was wrong. Cye and Rowen stood up. "We're off." They headed up-stairs.
"I'll show you to your room." Ryo said as he stood up. Ken followed him. "This is Sage's room, don't worry about the things in there. He'll get it out later today."
"Thanks. Where's Lita's room?" The brother asked.
"Down the hall, last room on the left facing Mia's room." He explained.
"Alright, thanks." He opened the door but before he stepped in he turned around. "Hey Ryo," He watched as the warrior of Wildlife turned to face him. " You like her don't you?"
Ryo looked at ken slightly shocked. He shook his head negative. "It's deeper than just like Ken, but I don't want to lose my relationship with Sage."
"I--I see." His gaze was sympathetically towards the younger man. "Well I better leave you, good-night Ryo."
"Yeah, night." Roy replied as he went to his room and laid down on his bed by the window. "Lita" He whispered as he feel asleep.
Ken sat on his bed and took out his wallet. He opened it and looked at a picture of him and Mina holding each other in a fair. "Oh Mina, I wish you were here already."
^*^*^*^*^
"She's too guarded, damn it!" Keiji spoke as he watched the group in the house, they were all going to bed. "I'll just have to wait."
^*^*^*^*^