The Sixth Ronin Warrior
Chapter 7
Aftermath
The Nether World, once again, was free of the dynasty. The Ronin Warriors, the Sailor Scouts, and I returned to the house. We slept the next day to regain some lost energy and sleep.
The city was back to normal after twenty-four hours. The people didn't forget their ordeal with the dynasty, but they dealt with it. Crews went straight to work rebuilding toppled buildings.
To all of our delight school wasn't to start again for another month or so because of the chaos. We spent our free time having fun, making up for the lost time.
* * *
Winter
"Hey guys! Do you want to go to the ice cream shop?" Kento asked with enthusiasm as he finished off the last of the cookies made by Lita and Sai.
"I'm in!" Mina jumped up.
"Me too!" Serena said.
It didn't take long for everyone to agree to go. We took off down the street on foot. It was dark outside. It was very cold too. The ronins put on their ronin varsity jackets.
Darien was with us and a little disappointed that he missed the battle. I knew for a fact he would've been a liability. He and Serena held hands the whole way to the ice cream shop. Ack! Disgusting!
Of course the other scouts were just as bad. Mina was all over Ryo and Lita clung to Sage's arm (he didn't mind at all). Raye (I don't have a clue why) stayed near Kento. Sai, Rowen, Amy, and I stayed toward the back of the "mob." Amy and I had no interest in having a boyfriend, so we stayed together and talked about some the books we've read lately. Rowen took interest and joined our conversation. He loves to read too. As we neared the ice cream shop, Sai was telling us about his favorite foods to cook. Food is a weakness of mine and he had my full attention.
"Yum! All this looks so good!" Kento said. "I'll take a scoop of everything."
"Kento I hope you're buying," Ryo reminded him.
"Don't worry, bud, I'm buying my own so you guys don't go broke."
Ryo smiled at him and waited for his turn to order.
"Does Kento always eat this much?" I asked Rowen as I sat down at a booth. I might as well wait for my turn sitting down.
"Yep and sometimes more," Rowen replied.
"Jeez, I wonder where he puts it all!"
"Now that's a mystery we would all like to solve."
We laughed together.
"What are you going to get?" he asked.
"I was going to get some hot chocolate. This place makes the best. I don't see the point in getting ice cream when it's cold outside," I declared.
He nodded, "That's not a bad idea."
The waitress returned with our orders and Kento's VERY big bowl of ice cream. He began to eat right away. Rowen, Amy, and I had hot chocolate, while the others crammed their faces with ice cream. We all congregated at one big table and talked for at least an hour after we had finished off our treats.
* * *
I was relieved when it was time to leave. Lita, Raye, and Mina wouldn't stop flirting for more than a minute or two. Sage was just as bad. Ryo excused himself several times to go to the bathroom. I wonder why.
My parents said it was all right to spend the night at the ronins' house. I was glad because I didn't want to have to walk home with the scouts. Serena and Darien would be lost in their own world, while Raye, Lita, and Mina would start talking about boys. They would also try to hook Amy and I with someone. I wouldn't have appreciated that.
I was wearing my rainbow jacket, but I only became colder as we walked down the sidewalk. My hair was up in a ponytail, which was a mistake. I took it down and shook my hair into place.
"What's with the lion's mane, Lisa?" Ryo asked. He had a grin on his face.
I smiled as I punched him the arm and replied, "I'm cold and my hair will keep my head warm."
"Okay, that makes sense. Of course Sage's hair is always on the flip side."
We laughed.
Sage spoke to defend himself, "Well I don't see yours staying in one place all the time."
Sai put his hands up. "Okay guys, I didn't know hair was such a hot topic. All Lisa did was put her hair down for a very good reason and you guys make a big deal out of it."
"I don't mind. I always wondered what they thought about each others' hair," I laughed. They glared at me in a friendly way. They knew I was just playing around.
Their two-story house came into view. Heat. I need heat. A shiver ran down my spine from the cold damp air. After that cup of hot chocolate, I'm still cold! Oh well.
I sprinted off toward the house. The others followed close behind me.
"Wait for us!" Rowen yelled.
I smiled mischievously. They were gaining on me and I ran harder and faster to the door. I laughed. There was a big scramble to get into the door first. I won because I had a head start, otherwise, they would've easily overcome me.
When we were all inside, we all collapsed on the floor in the living room.
"Man! This is great! No more dynasty jerks to mess up our plans and lives," Ryo said.
"That's the truth," sighed Sai.
"Hey everyone look at Kento," Sage whispered.
I looked to see him sound asleep on the floor. White Blaze growled softly.
"Okay who's going to help me carry him up the stairs to his room?" Rowen asked with a smirk on his face.
I volunteered, " let me help.
"I'm going with you two to make sure you don't drop him down the stairs," Ryo declared.
Rowen grabbed Kento's arms while I held on to his legs. It took all of our strength to keep from laughing and waking him up. I swear he looked almost unconscious except for the fact that he was snoring and talking in his sleep. Ryo snickered the whole way up to Kento's room. Ryo tried to open the door but found that it wouldn't open all the way because of all the junk behind it.
"And I thought my room was messy," I said as the door finally shoved open far enough that we could "walk" in. There were clothes and all kinds of junk lying on the floor. It was more like tripping than walking, but we laid Kento in his bed and left his room semi-quietly.
Ryo, Rowen, and I laughed all the way down the stairs. We had to laugh sometime or I don't know what we would have done.
When we reached the living room, Sai and Sage were sitting on the couches talking.
"Hey guys! How's Kento sleeping?" Sai asked.
"Just fine. He should be up and awake in the morning with a mild stomach ache," Rowen determined.
I lied down next to White Blaze on the floor and stared at the ceiling. The ronins continued to talk about various things, while I drifted to sleep. Their voices faded in and out until they became a soft murmur.
* * *
I awoke on the floor of the living room beside White Blaze, where I had fallen asleep the night before. Ryo, Sage, and Sai were sound asleep sprawled out on the couches. They looked silly; I giggled to myself. However, I did not see Rowen anywhere.
I looked around and got up to walk to the back porch. There he was sitting in a chair reading a book. I smiled. It was so like him to read a book anywhere anytime. This was also one of the first times he has been able to since we stopped fighting the dynasty.
I leaned on the door jam and watched the sun rise ever so slowly. I am so glad I got to see another sunrise. It's so beautiful. Then I thought about my grandfather and the daily walks he takes on the beach each morning. He rates the sunrises and times how long it takes the sun to move just above the horizon. I remember him telling me that it takes only two minutes and sixteen seconds. I smiled. The colors were gorgeous.
He looked up from his book. "Good morning," he said with a smile.
I smiled back and sat in a chair next to him. "Good morning. How's the book?"
"Really good. It's a mix between science fiction and fantasy."
"Oh cool. I love those kinds of books!"
He closed the book and peered out across the lake at the finished sunrise. His eyes were dark with thought and his hair was unruly over his headband. He looked really cute. My face grew hot and I smiled.
We sat in peaceful silence for what seemed an eternity until he turned to me and held my hand. His hand was warm and strong. I felt a small grin spread across my face. It was nice having a friend like him. Our eyes held, but I was the first to avert my gaze.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked. His voice sounded concerned.
"No," I replied. "I'm just remembering…oh I don't know. I'm going for a walk. Would you mind?"
"Go ahead. I'll wait for you. Breakfast will be ready."
I shot him a surprised glance, "I hope you're not cooking."
"Oh," he laughed and scratched the back of his head. "Of course not, Sai will be cooking and I'll be reading."
I laughed and stood up. I made my way to the lake's edge. The day was pleasant, even though the nights were very cold. I stood on the bank and peered across the glassy water.
I heard footsteps behind me while the wind tousled and played with my hair. I was Ryo.
"I see you're up," he said as he let out a long yawn.
"Yup, but I see that you're still sleeping a little," I joked.
"I wouldn't mind sleeping in, but Kento decided to act like a human alarm clock with his bellyaching."
I laughed, "So, he did wake up with a stomach ache."
"Man did he ever! He won't stop blaming Sai for letting him eat so much junk food," Ryo explained.
"In that case I think I'll stay outside for a while," I said, my eyes still on the lake and mountains."
"Okay, suit yourself. Do you want any company?"
"Not really."
With that he waved and turned back toward the house. I noticed that his eyes were an even more intense ice blue than usual and his hair set them off. I waved back and started my walk around the lake. I wouldn't circle the whole perimeter, because it was way too long, but would go as far as I wanted and then turn back.
* * *
Back at the house:
"Sai!!" someone yelled.
Sai came running to see what was wrong with his best friend. Ryo and Sage covered their ears.
Kento was in great pain; it was obviously more than a mild stomach ache. His large frame moved back and forth on his bed trying to minimize the agony. It wasn't working.
Sai giggled at his friend, knowing full well that he shouldn't have eaten all that ice cream.
"Kento calm down. Take these pain pills," Sai said softly as he handed the blue-haired boy a glass of water and pills. The pain went away after ten minutes and all was almost quiet.
* * *