Precarious Hopes and Dreams
Chapter 3
The Ronin Reality
The day following that one was a major challenge. I had to take the Ronin Warriors to my school. That was the only way they'd be officially part of the community and able to complete their mission.
I was introduced to Ryo, Sage, and Kento formally the night before.
Ryo was very serious and uptight, but very kind and pleasant. His hair is jet black, which contrasts his ice-blue eyes. Very cute! His actually a lot of fun to be around when he manages to remove his thoughts from the mission.
Sage is reserved, but definitely not modest. He likes to meditate and practice with his no-datchi. He is an expert swordsman by the way. His blonde hair covers one of his eyes (it's the style). The color of his eyes is indigo.
Kento is not compact. Let's just say that he loves to eat. He wouldn't fight on an empty stomach if he had any say in the matter. He has dark blue hair and eyes. He also has an orange bandana that he wears around his head.
I was also able to learn and find out more about Cye and Rowen. Both seem to be really nice—or at least to me.
Cye is very quiet. He's like a mediator for the other Ronins, which is good. He has light brown hair and blue eyes. He is an expert swimmer.
Rowen is probably the most levelheaded of the five. I'm not joking when I say that he is smart. He loves to read a variety of books. His hair is dark blue, as are his eyes. He wears a light blue bandana around his head.
They appeared to have adjusted to the general schedule. Each of them had totally different classes, which is good. More students can be investigated and watched at one time.
Rowen was placed in all of the advanced classes, one of which was my honors English class. Ryo shared my algebra two class and Sage was in my drama class.
Even though none of them had my lunch period class, somehow we managed to have the same lunch.
"Woah! Food! Catch up with you guys later," Kento exclaimed as he disappeared among the student.
"Go figure. I don't believe we'll see him again until school is over and he finished emptying out the vending machine," explained Cye. "Has anyone discovered anything unusual yet?"
Ryo was the first to answer, "NO, but be patient. I really didn't expect to find out anything new today."
Rowen had his nose buried in a book throughout the entire lunch hour. Everyone I know kept walking by asking who the cute guys were I was sitting with. I just said that they were old friends and I was telling the truth to some extent.
"Sage," Ryo said. "Please do not ask out any girls while we are here. We cannot afford anymore liability."
Sage whined, "Why not? It's harmless, really." He pauses and thinks as a sly look crosses his face, "Can I flirt?"
Ryo sighs heavily. "Sure, why not. I can't keep you from everything."
I smiled behind my drink and then retired to my own thoughts. Who could the enemy be? What do they want? What will they do to us?
Rowen breaks out of his own world to see me deep in mine. "Hey, Lisa. Snap out of it," he said, waving his hand in front of my face.
I shook off the trance and smiled at him, "I'm here. I'm just a little sleepy, that's all."
"I think we have a second Ryo on out hands," Sage says while he ate his potato ships, crunching very loudly.
Ryo breaks in to defend himself; " I don't think so. She's not at all as good looking as I am." He was obviously joking around because he started prancing around and running his hand through his hair.
All of us burst into uncontrollable laughter including Ryo. Then, the bell rang. An irritating sound that ended our brief reprieve free of teachers, work, and tests.
Returning to class I noticed a few suspicious-looking students staring at us. They all appeared to be wearing dark leather jackets, which sent a shiver down my body. All of them were good-looking----a perfect cover. Of course, looking at them I felt a sense of darkness and evil envelop me. I then felt a sense of fear rise in the pit of my stomach.
* * *
The days grew eerie and I kept my eye on those students. They seemed too obvious, but why shouldn't they be? I mean, they could be using it as a disguise to fit in with the others that dress in leather. It's not like other teenagers don't dress identical, but their style was strange. It's the aura that I sense around them that sends my skin crawling.
I sighed as I walked down the hallway. The time was about one o'clock and there was a fire drill. Talking and noise filled the hallways as the students and teachers filed out of the building. However, this drill wasn't protocol, someone had flipped a switch. I didn't see any smoke and there usually is not a drill in the middle of a lunch period. That eerie feeling grabbed my emotions once more and I shivered.
Suddenly, an arm shot out of nowhere and covered my mouth while another secured my arms tightly. I tried to cry out when the person started to drag me into one of the bathrooms. I fought furiously, but to no avail. I looked up to see the leather jacket students who had been following me.
"Where are your friends? Would you tell me if I ungagged you?" the speaker asked forcefully. He was a good looking, tall boy with green eyes and black hair. Much like Ryo, he was well built and had long black hair, but his extended to his waist in a ponytail.
I nodded. I lied, but they don't know that it's not like they are trying to earn my trust. Besides, I was willing to do anything to get out of there.
"Will you scream?" he asked. He was careful, but, obviously, not very friendly.
I shook my head. The gag loosened and I was able to breathe through my mouth again. What a relief!
The speaker's accomplices held me by the arms firmly. I would not escape easily. They look similar to their leader, except for the fact that they were shorter and their eyes were dark brown.
"Who are you?" I asked quickly.
"Nevermind that. Just answer my question. Where are your friends, the Ronin Warriors?"
I remained silent. He became irritated.
"Well, girl, speak!" he yelled.
I couldn't resist actually barking like a dog, so I did. Then I laughed. "No, no. I'm kidding," I said urgently. "I don't know where they are right now," I said. I was telling the truth.
"You're lying!" he screamed impatiently. "Tell me now! This drill can last only so long!"
So he did trigger one of the fire alarms! I stared at him with a strong, even glare. Then, I took a big gamble and screamed, "Help! Get me out of here!" as loud as I possibly could.
The speaker punched me in the stomach and I crumbled to the floor. My world spun for minutes as I moaned in pain, then it settled.
"Stupid girl," the speaker said.
Before they could escape, a school administrator walked in to see the bully pull back from his punch. It was Mr. Baker.
"Hey! You there. My office now!" he ordered. "Hang on a minute, miss. I'll get you some help," he said to me as he marched them off. He sent the first person he saw to tend to me.
It seemed like God knew exactly who needed to be there and when. Ryo ran in and saw me lying on the floor.
His voice wavered some as he said, "Are you okay?"
I stammered as I said, "As long as you don't blame yourself for this incident. Promise me and I'll be fine." Ryo had a tendency to blame himself for every little bad thing that happens to his friends and makes everyone miserable worrying about him.
He laughed, "Okay, I promise." A smile crept onto his face as he helped me to my feet. "Let's get out of here."
"The enemy knows you're here," I said. "They were targeting me because they can't locate any of you guys individually."
"We can change that easily. Where are they right now?"
"I think they're in Mr. Baker's office, " I replied.
"Let's go then."
"No! We can't. We shouldn't initiate a fight on campus. Anyway, we need to find out more about them before we fight."
We still stood in the bathroom talking. His expression shifted and then he said, "You're right. You need to tell the others exactly what happened and what these people look like. From now on, you don't go anywhere without one of us around."
I nodded, but then pouted. I felt like a little defenseless child that doesn't know a thing. Why don't I just stay at home? I'd definitely be safe there. Ryo supported me down the hallway to the nurse's office. I noticed he had grown quiet and solemn. I sighed as the nurse examined the huge developing bruise on my stomach.
"Well it doesn't appear that you have any broken bones or anything," the nurse said soothingly. "If anything changes or something unusual occurs either come back here or see a doctor."
I nodded and walked outside the office where Ryo stood waiting on me. "Do you want to go back to class? Or do you want to leave and talk about this some more?" he asked.
I thought for a moment then said, "Let's just finish this day out and then meet with guys and talk it over."
"Okay, but let me walk you to your class," he insisted. I wasn't going to argue with the "wildfire," because they are known to be stubborn and fierce tempered.
* * *