~~~~ Chapter 2~~~~

By: Cat Paws

            That afternoon they gathered outside. They were dressed in work out attire and had various weapons to be used in sparring. Kento had agreed to showing her the basics of kung fu. In the mean time, the others paired up and went to work on their techniques; Cye with Rowen and Ryo with Sage.

            Each pair spread out and began their own thing. Mia was having a ball making Kento mad. For some reason she had a serious case of the giggles and, unfortunately for Kento, there was no end in sight.

            "This is just not working today, I'm sorry." said Mia.

            "I agree," said Kento exasperated. "You got the basics, right?"

            "Yeah, I guess. Hey, let's watch the others."

            "Fine." They trudged over to a spot that would allow them to observe the more successful practice sections. Mia stretched out on the grass. Kento plopped down beside her. Before them were Cye and Rowen.

            Cye and Rowen each had a staff and were trying out new moves on each other. With a few quick swipes, Cye knocked Rowen down taking him by surprise. "Wow! Where'd that come from?" exclaimed Rowen from the ground.

            "Just a little something I'd been working on."

            "It worked good. Let's see if you can do that again." He jumped up and they started once more.

            "To think, one day I will be able to do that." said Mia to no one in particular.

            "If you can concentrate." said Kento.

            "I'm sorry, but today is just not a good day."

            Deciding to give it one more try, Kento jumped up and said, "Come on. Let's try again."

            "No." She arranged herself upright and cross-legged. Kento sat back down, a defeated look on his face.

            "Kento, you look bored. Care to join us?" offered Cye, seeing the disappointment in his friends eyes.

            "Sure." He went and got another staff and joined them.

            Mia watched them for a little longer, then turned to Sage and Ryo. They were lost in their own world. No words were spoken between them. Each seemed to know the other's next move, and so responded with their own. The clashes of their blades created the rhythm that their dance was following.

            Mia was amazed. She had never seen them like this. The swiftness and flow of their movements appeared to come from some other level of awareness. Their faces showed the intensity of their fight.

            Ryo's was set in a determined frown, his eyes showing rage. Sage's expression was calm yet harsh, his eyes reflecting Ryo's.

            This went on for some time, neither side giving in or slowing down. At times, it seemed they had sped up little by little. The other guys joined Mia, who was by now lost in what was happening. She was so mesmerized that she did not hear Kento talking to her.

            "Mia? Earth to Mia."

            "Hhn? Oh, Kento. Did you say something?" she asked, coming back to her self.

            "What are you staring at?"

            "Them." She pointed to the two warriors. "Look at them. They've been fighting like that for... forever and they haven't stopped."

            "Really? Wow," said Cye.

            "Sage, NO!!" screamed Mia, jumping to her feet. Sage had just kicked Ryo down, and before he could raise his kitanas to block, Sage brought his blade down above Ryo's throat. As Mia tried to go and stop Sage, Rowen placed a hand on her shoulder stopping her.

            "It's over," She looked at him a little puzzled.

            "What do you mean over?"

            "They've stopped, right?"

            For a few minutes they stayed that way. The two warriors; one poised over the other, ready to kill him. They seem not like themselves.

            Finally, Sage pulled back and offered a hand to his comrade. He took it and stood. "What happened?" asked Ryo.

            "I don't know," said Sage.

            "Are you two all right?" asked Cye as he and the others walked over.

            "Yeah, I think," said Ryo.

            "I'm okay," said Sage.

            "That's enough for today, guys;" said Rowen.

            "Great. I'm starved," said Kento happily walking towards the house, then the kitchen. Cye and Rowen followed. Mia backed away still staring at Ryo and Sage, then she too, went to the house.

            Sage and Ryo stayed outside for a moment longer, each contemplating what had happened. "That was so weird;" remarked Ryo.

            "Yeah…weird," said Sage rather distantly. Not noticing the tone of Sage's response, Ryo proceeded to think our loud.

            "It was like I wasn't, yet I was, in control of myself. Like another side of me took over or something. And then there was this strange sound, like a whistle or some kind of flute that was playing. Did you hear it?"

            "Yeah. It sounded familiar."

            "Really? You heard it before?"

            "I'm not sure." He had heard the strange almost eerie, sound of the flute before. The thing is, he could not remember when. It was during the night, or maybe the day, no it was the night. Or maybe he imagined it. " Hmmmm..."

            "What is it?" asked Ryo as Sage walked back to the house.

            "Nothing. Just trying to think."

            Jogging to catch up to his friend, Ryo asked, "About what?"

            "I'm not sure."

            "Are you okay?"

            He stopped and looked into the concerned eyes of Ryo, "Yeah, why?"

            "Well, you've been acting kind of strange the past few days. That's all. I don't mean to pry or anything, but the guys and I are always here if you need someone to help figure things out."

            "I know, and I thank you. But this might be something I have to do alone."

            "Hey, we're a team, remember? We can do this together."

            Looking at the ground, he answered flatly, "No, not this time."

************

            After cooling down and taking a shower, Sage had slipped into the den. He sat next to the window, watching the sunset. Another painting was being made in the sky; only this time with rich reds, oranges, and pinks followed by light blues, dark blues, and finally deep, almost black, purples. A shiver ran down his back. It was not that he feared the loss of light, when night took over, but his mortal enemy had always attacked in total darkness and the memories of those battles were still clear in his mind.

            "Hey, we're ordering pizza. What kind do you want?" asked Mia from the door.

            "Whatever. Doesn't matter." Sage said coming back to reality.

            "Okay. By the way, everyone is pitching in, so get your cash."

            "Kay." He jumped up and ran up stairs.

            When he came back down, Mia was trying to get the order straight.

            "Okay. We have six pizzas. One vegetarian, one with everything, one with everything and anchovies--"

            "Ahhhahh, gross. Do you have to get anchovies?" asked Cye, totally disgusted.

            "But I love them." said Kento.

            "They're not that bad," said Ryo.

            "But they're little fish," said Cye, a mixture of disgust and horror on his face.

            "We just wont let you see them, okay buddy?" Kento said slapping his back good naturedly. He knew his friend loved water life and hated to see them as a side dish or any dish. But Kento loved anchovies more and they were the best on pizza.

            "Fine. Just keep it away from me," Cye crossed his arms and pulled away stubbornly.

            "Don't worry, I will," Kento grinned devilishly.

            "Two pepperoni, and one just cheese. That's it, right?" continued Mia.

            "Yeah, that's it," said Rowen.

            "Great. I'll go and order in the other room. Excuse me," Mia left the noise of the dinning room.

            "I still can't see how you could possible eat fish," Cye said, grimacing.

            "Same way you eat animal," remarked Sage.

            "Oh yeah. I'm going to shut up now," his face getting a little red.

            "It's okay. I wont hold it against you."

            "Thanks."

            "Ooooh, sarcasm," said Ryo.

            "Not really," said Sage.

            "I'm heading out to pick up the pizzas. Anyone want to come?" called Mia from the door.

            "I'll --" before he could finish, Ryo, Cye, and Rowen tackled Kento.

            "Sage, you go help Mia. We'll hold Kento," said Ryo.

            "Ahhnn, come on guys. I was gonna leave you some."

            "Yeah, a few crumbs," said Cye.

            "See ya later," said Sage as he left, laughing.

            "No, no. A whole pizza, I swear" said Kento, trying to wriggle out from under them.

            "Yeah right. The last time all we got were empty boxes," Ryo said, putting Kento in a headlock.

            "Oh yeah, I forgot."

            "I think they're gone," said Rowen, releasing the beast. The others followed suit.

            "Ya know, that was very rude," stated Kento, sitting up and dusting himself off.

            "Like you're one to talk," Ryo said as he sat in a chair.

            "Hey! What's that suppose to mean?"

            "Nothing." He shrugged and gave a little smirk.

            "Now what do we do?" asked Cye. He, too, had taken a seat at the table.

            "I don't know. Wait, I guess. I hate waiting," said Kento. He was still sitting on the floor, cross-legged.

            "Me too," added Ryo.

            "It's starting to rain," said Rowen, who had walked to the sliding glass doors and was looking out.

            "I love the rain. It's so refreshing and clean. It seems to wash away all the dullness, making everything new," said Cye. He joined Rowen at the door. He was tempted to go out and run in the rain. To let the rain, in a sense, renew him. Water was his element, and he tried to take every opportunity to be near it.

            "When did you become such a poet?" asked Rowen sarcastically.

            "I'm not," Not noticing the tone of voice, Cye thought happily, if it's still raining tomorrow, I'm going out.

            White Blaze browsed through the room, roared his greeting and went to his dish in the kitchen. "Hey, White Blaze. Where ya' been?" asked Kento. He roared an answer not bothering to stop. " Um, okay."

            "Any one want to play cards?" asked Ryo, who had gone and retrieved a deck.

            "How about 52 pick-up?" Rowen offered as he walked over, leaving Cye to the window.

            "Sure, you go first." Ryo flung the cards in the air, scattering them all over the room.

            "Oh joy."

************

            "I was surprised that Kento hadn't come," said Mia as she and Sage went to the city.

            "The guys tackled him before he made it to the door."

            "Oh." She giggled. There was a long moment of silence after. The windshield wipers swished back and forth, cleaning away the steady drizzle that had started.

            They picked up the food and headed back, still nothing was said between them. It was kind of an awkward moment. Mia was unsure if she should say anything to Sage about this afternoon. Sage was in his own thoughts about the past events.

            Finally, Mia could not hold it in any longer. She had to say something.

"Sage, what happened this afternoon?"

            "What?"

            "When you and Ryo were sparring. You looked like you were going to kill each other. What happened?"

            Barely a whisper, he answered, "I'm not sure."

            "You can tell me." She probed in a gentle voice.

            "No, I can't."

            "Why?"

            "I don't understand it myself. How am I suppose to explain it to you?" She tensed up a little at his sudden out burst.

            "Oh, I'm sorry," she said quietly.

            "I didn't mean it that way. It's just that...I'm confused." He turned his attention to looking out the window of the vehicle. The rest of the ride was in silence except for the swishing of the wipers.