The New Phoenix
Chapter 5
Rocky Oberlin
Disclaimer: As mentioned above, I don't own the Ronin Warriors. Shucks.
It was late evening when Mia, Ryo, and Anubis dropped into different chairs in the living room. Windy entered a few minutes later and took up her seat by the fireplace to wait for her bed to be vacated for the night. Mia felt an absent twinge of remorse for letting the ghostly woman sleep on a couch when everyone else was at least in a futon.
"Don't worry about it Mia," came an answer to her remorse. "I've spent nights in worse beds then your couch. Actually it is quite comfortable; I just wish some people would keep their feet out when they horse around it."
Ryo looked down and blushed and Mia smiled. Anubis wasn't paying attention to his new sister or her protector. He had the same look of guilt from the dinner a few days ago. He did his best to avoid Lady Kayura except when they had to train for the day. On those events, Anubis would not talk, but push himself and his partner. More then one person had gone to Mia and Windy about his behavior, but Windy shook her head. Anubis would have to face what he had been hiding sooner or later. Mia had a good idea of what was going on, but kept her mouth shut. Ryo was starting to figure it out when Anubis finally burst.
"I don't know how the Ancient ever forgave me for betraying him. I was supposed to be his protector and what happens, I fall quickly to Tulpa's empty promises."
Windy turned from watching the fire to face the frustrated Dragon. "Is that the real reason or is it much deeper?"
The two Guardians and the Protector stared at the woman. Fire seemed to reflect off her white clothing and the red cord in her hair made a startling contrast; like blood on snow. "What do you mean?" asked Mia.
"Anubis, are you afraid of falling back to Tulpa or do you fear for something else?"
Anubis lowered his gaze and sighed. He knew that Windy would broach the subject of his Protector after his outburst. "It's more about Lady Kayura then me, Bailiff. I'm worried about her."
"How so?"
"Tulpa took over her mind twice, I'm afraid that he will do it again. May be not to Lady Kayura, but to me or someone else close to us."
Windy smiled at the worried Dragon and answered, "If he promised you everything you desired, would you go back to him?"
Anubis shot up his head. "Never!"
"Then you have nothing to worry about. As for one of the others, it is up to them to decide if he is telling the truth." Windy looked thoughtful for a moment. "Although, I could give them a good, swift kick in the head if they need reminding of what Tulpa did last time." The tense trio broke into chuckles and the atmosphere in the living room changed.
"Well, I suppose we should go to bed. Mia and I have school tomorrow and then we have to practice," said Ryo.
"Don't practice too hard. I'm thinking that we should have a little fun. Too much tension is going to give somebody a hospital bill the way things are going in this house," said Windy.
"Yeah," added Mia. "Cye almost brained Rowen for even stepping into the kitchen and Kento was all but washed out when he tried to sneak a snack."
"And then Cale and Sage are giving each other death glares," mentioned Anubis.
"So it's settled. What are the usual diversions around town?" asked Windy.
"Well, there are the theaters, movies, clubs, bars," started Mia.
Windy wrinkled her nose. Theaters would not do for some of the group. Kento would want something to eat, Ryo may fall asleep, and the Seasonals would do anything from falling asleep to making a nuisance of themselves. And Windy didn't really want to think about bars; being killed in front of one by a drunk driver was not the most pleasant of memories, or dreams for that matter. She always ended up screaming that could bring down the house after dreams like that. "How about we see what movies are playing and go from there. May be we can find a decent club."
"Sounds like an idea," said Ryo.
"Especially if we can keep certain people in line," continued Mia, glaring at Ryo. He gave her an innocent look.
"Let's get to bed," suggested Anubis. "We don't want to miss out on breakfast because Hardrock beat us to the table. Besides, you said that you had school tomorrow." The three rose from their seats and bade Windy good night. She answered the same and settled down for her own slumber. In the middle of the night, White Blaze joined the woman on the couch. It was too crowded in Ryo's room.
The next morning found Windy pinned under the great housecat. She glared at the tiger, but he ignored her. Windy moved her legs in hopes of hinting to White Blaze that she wanted up; after all it worked on her cat most of the time. White Blaze, being true to the feline family, studiously ignored her and continued to catnap across her legs and up to her stomach. It didn't help that the Seasonals and Ronins came down and laughed at her predicament. They were in for it when she got up.
"White Blaze, breakfast is being served, why don't you go beg something off Ryo?" wheedled Windy.
The tiger glanced at her and the look seemed to say, "He's not a soft touch. I don't get much from him."
"Well, how about you get off me and I get you breakfast?" bargained Windy.
White Blaze looked at her for one moment and then laid his head back down. His whole posture said, "I'm comfortable right where I'm at."
"Well, I'm not. You asked for it." Everyone in the dining room heard a huge crash and a bright light. A blur of white swept past them, followed closely by a black and white streak.
"Looks like Windy made White Blaze mad," commented Kento.
"Wonder who's going to win this fight?" asked Cye.
"My money's on White Blaze," said Sage.
The four Seasonals looked at each other and smiled. "I'm betting on Lady Windy myself," said Cale.
Sage rose to the bait. "Fine. If White Blaze wins, you have to do all my chores and sharpen all the swords in the practice room."
Cale nodded.
"For a month."
"Deal. If the Lady Windy wins, you have to not use a half an hour to get ready for school in the bathroom."
Sage's mouth set in a straight line, but he nodded.
"For the rest of the semester."
Sage was going to protest, but Ryo and Seckmet cried, "Witnessed." The two were now stuck in the bet.
The whole table waited for ten minutes before Windy came into the back door dripping wet. "Ryo, I have good news and bad news. The good news is White Blaze doesn't need a bath for a while. The bad news is he's in a snit and I wouldn't recommend going anywhere near him for a while."
"What happened?" asked Lady Kayura.
Windy looked around for a towel to squeeze her hair out with as she replied. "He chased me to the lake. I stopped and threw him in as he jumped for me. Unfortunately, he was able to drag me in with him. Now, I'm going up to take a warm shower. If I get a cold shower, heaven help the person who took the hot water." Windy stalked out of the dining room and up the stairs to the bathroom.
"I wonder if we should tell her that Sage used up all the hot water," mused Kento.
A scream answered that question a few minutes later. Everyone could hear Sage's name being echoed from the rafters. Sage looked a little pale and said that he was heading out for school now. The rest of the Ronin Warriors decided to join him for the sake of self-preservation. The Seasonals took the hint and made themselves scarce as well. Only Mia, Lady Kayura, and Anubis remained at the table.
Windy came down a little later a bit warmer and a small smile lifting one corner of her mouth. "The cowards left quickly then?"
"Very. I think it was the scream reverberating around the house that scared them the most," said Lady Kayura.
"Good. May be I won't have to mess with the hot water heater for a decent shower after this," grumbled Windy.
"We'll see," said Mia. "We'll see."
Practice was different for the Ronins and Seasonals. Windy, Mia, and Anubis didn't practice with them and Ryo seemed distant at times. At times Lady Kayura spaced out, but quickly regained herself before her partner could use it to his advantage. Cye broke off an hour before dinner to start cooking and Windy slipped through the door after him.
"How was practice with Mia and Anubis?" he asked conversationally.
"It's going very well. They are getting used to their new abilities. I suppose that Ryo and Kayura were affected?"
"Ryo spaced out a lot and Lady Kayura would not respond for a second before coming back." Cye looked puzzled about Lady Kayura.
"Mia and Ryo are tied close then. I'll have to talk to Anubis about Lady Kayura though," mused Windy.
"Talk with Anubis about what with Lady Kayura?" asked a figure in the shadows.
Cye turned to see who sneaked up on him, but Windy kept rooting around the shelves to find something to go with what he was making. "It is Dragon Guardian business, Cale," she said. "You can ask Anubis if you wish, but don't ask me to divulge anything. I'm just the bailiff of the Court."
Cye just shrugged his shoulders and turned back to the meal. Cale scowled at Windy's back and returned out to the practice grounds. May be he could get Wildfire to spar with him Halo was getting predictable.
During dinner Mia decided to bring up the suggestion that was made the night before. "Ryo, Anubis, Windy, and I thought that we could go out for a movie and may be go to a club." It was well received by all the recipients.
"Yes! Party time!" yelled Kento.
"Club?" asked Lady Kayura.
"A place to dance and socialize," supplied Sage.
The three other Seasonals smiled wolfishly at each other. "So what should we wear?" asked Dais.
"Something casual and nice," said Cye. "Slacks and a nice shirt usually work."
"I'll help them with their clothes," said Windy. "The rest of you just get ready. Is there something good showing, Mia?"
"There's a couple of possibilities, but I think we should look at them before making a decision."
Everyone rushed through dinner and raced upstairs to change. Windy took the three Seasonals and Anubis to one room and started to look through her bags for something that would look good on them. "It's a good thing my cousin's have taste, otherwise we would all be in trouble. Here, Cale, this might work."
She handed him a pair of black jeans, a white collarless button down shirt, and a black vest. Dais was given black jeans and a maroon silk shirt. Seckmet had tan slacks and a green collarless shirt like Cale and Anubis was given blue jeans and a tan shirt.
"So what are you going to wear?" asked Cale.
"You'll see," Windy smiled. She walked up to Mia's room and knocked on the door. "It's Windy, can I come in?" The answer was affirmative as she opened the door and slipped in. The four older men shrugged and went to change.
When all the men in the house was assembled in the living room the waited "patiently" for the women to come down.
"What is taking them so long?" growled Kento.
"They have to look nice," said Cye.
"So they have to put on a ton of make up and do up their hair," continued Sage.
"I find Lady Kayura doing any of those things hard to believe," said Seckmet.
"I'm surprised that you would think that of any of us," came a miffed voice. Mia walked down the stairs in a short red dress. Ryo walked up and offered her his arm. Mia smiled at him and said quietly, "Thank you Ryo."
Lady Kayura came down next. She was in a violet dress that came to her knees. Anubis smoothly walked up and offered her his arm, but held it at that. Rowen looked like he was hit with a board from the way he was staring at Lady Kayura. Anubis noted this and pushed a mental note to the back of his mind about talking with Rowen and Kayura separately about their feelings for each other.
Windy came down last, everyone expected her to be in white, but she surprised them all by having black jeans and a green silk shirt. On her ear hung an ear clip with green and black feathers and beads. She smiled at the dropped jaws and said impishly, "What, can't I wear something ordinary once in a while?"
The group divided up to get into the two cars in Mia's drive, but came up short with two left over. Wind solved this problem by wheeling out a motorcycle and offered a ride to Anubis. Soon the group was immersed in a movie subtitled from the US and avoiding Kento with his extra, extra large pail of popcorn.
"That was good," said Rowen as they left the theater.
"The subtitles were wrong in some areas, but it was interesting. I don't know how anyone could like _that_ though," commented Windy.
"Didn't you like it?" asked Seckmet.
Windy shook her head. "My tastes run a bit different. I agree with my brother on that movie though. I hope Mom and Dad don't try to rent it when it comes out on video."
"I don't know, I thought it was hilarious," said Kento.
"You would," said Cye. "I think I agree with Windy. My interest wasn't captured by it."
"So where to now?" asked Dais, trying to ward off a fight for once.
Sage looked around. "There's a club not far from here. We could go there." Since no one had any other ideas, they followed the Ronin of Halo to the club he knew. Everyone was carded at the door, but was able to get in. Sage led them to a large table in the corner where they could watch the dance floor.
"Trying to pick someone up?" asked Ryo.
Sage glanced at Ryo then looked at Windy. "May be."
Windy didn't look at him, but watched the dancers gyrating on the floor. After a bit she was able to pick up on the beat, but she didn't quite care for the music. The Ronins and Seasonals came and went from the table and Ryo and Mia danced almost exclusively with each other, but Windy sat there nursing her Sprite and listening to the music.
"Wanna dance?" It was a drunk and, by the looks of things, he wasn't going to take no for an answer.
"The lady promised this dance to me," growled a voice.
Windy smiled up at Cale and joined him. "Sorry, I'm booked for the rest of the night," she said. As she and Cale walked onto the dance floor, she said, "Thank you for the save. I don't want to think what would have happened to him if he tried pushing the issue."
"He may have a problem when he wakes up and you would feel guilty for doing it to him," responded Cale. "I think that we should keep an eye on you."
Windy raised an eyebrow. "And what about Mia and Lady Kayura?"
"Ryo, Anubis, and Rowen are taking care of that problem."
"So I'm the last choice?"
Cale started to look uncomfortable. "No, it's just that we aren't finding many people that will dance with us."
"Oh, so it's for your own good as well as mine?"
Cale blushed and Windy laughed.
"Alright, I'll help you. It'll keep the drunks off me anyway. Thank you."
Cale's smile could have been a match for Sage's Halo armor at that moment. He eagerly claimed the dance he lied to the drunk about. Seckmet, then Kento, claimed the next dance. Everyone seemed to forget the trouble that was waiting for them, when it decided to remind them.
It was just before midnight, when the lights went out and everything stopped. Windy and Cale started to round up their night-blind friends, but before they could ease their way to the door a thick fog rose from the ground. Windy cursed under her breath as she started to give off a faint light of her own, showing that an evil presence was near by. The rest of her group was alerted to the presence along with the rest of the club goers when a chilling laugh bounced around the walls of the club.
"Tulpa."
More then one person spat the name, but Mia's was more with a bit of fear. She knew that she would have to face him soon, but she didn't feel that she was ready.
"Greetings, my Warlords and Lady Kayura. Greetings, Ronin Warriors. Greetings, Lady Phoenix and Lord Dragon. Ah, there is the Bailiff. It is nice to see you too, Lady Windy."
Ryo's eyes narrowed and he edged closer to Mia. Anubis stepped closer to Lady Kayura and Windy raised her head a bit higher and stared in the direction of the voice. The look she gave could have frozen Hell and was a match for any royal in the world.
"Why are you here, Tulpa?" ground out Ryo.
"To get my revenge. To get the power that is mine. I want my armors and the four powers of the Court of Magic."
"The power is not for you. It was denied when the four Guardians went into hiding," snarled Windy. "They are denied to you now. They will die before handing you their power."
"We will not hand you the armors either, Tulpa," ground out Dais. "You fooled us once, but not now."
"We shall see, Lady Bailiff. We shall see, Ronins and Warlords."
The fog lifted and the club was silent. Everyone in the building was unconscious on the floor. Windy did a quick look and proclaimed they were drained for power and should recover in a few days. "But we must leave. It is no longer safe to go out alone," she cautioned. "Tulpa will be waiting for a chance to make good his threats."
The group quickly left the city to return to Mia's house. Sleep was few and far between. Even Rowen and Windy had trouble falling asleep later in the evening. Mia had nightmares, which required Windy to guard her dreams that night. Any sleep that was taken was short and brushed near being awake. No one was rested the next morning, but there was nothing that could be done. Tulpa had raised the ante.
"Grandma?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Why did you have to guard the Phoenix's dreams?"
"She had enough nightmares, she didn't need Tulpa trying to approach her in the dream realm."
"Why didn't he try it with the others, Mom?"
"Because she was the newest and he considered her the weakest. Actually they all were protected by something, I just had to wait for Mia's to grow stronger."
"Mom?"
"Hmm?"
"Did I say how much I love you lately?"
"Yes, but I don't mind hearing it more."
"I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, Bill. And I love you, my grandchildren."
Chapter 5
Rocky Oberlin
Disclaimer: As mentioned above, I don't own the Ronin Warriors. Shucks.
It was late evening when Mia, Ryo, and Anubis dropped into different chairs in the living room. Windy entered a few minutes later and took up her seat by the fireplace to wait for her bed to be vacated for the night. Mia felt an absent twinge of remorse for letting the ghostly woman sleep on a couch when everyone else was at least in a futon.
"Don't worry about it Mia," came an answer to her remorse. "I've spent nights in worse beds then your couch. Actually it is quite comfortable; I just wish some people would keep their feet out when they horse around it."
Ryo looked down and blushed and Mia smiled. Anubis wasn't paying attention to his new sister or her protector. He had the same look of guilt from the dinner a few days ago. He did his best to avoid Lady Kayura except when they had to train for the day. On those events, Anubis would not talk, but push himself and his partner. More then one person had gone to Mia and Windy about his behavior, but Windy shook her head. Anubis would have to face what he had been hiding sooner or later. Mia had a good idea of what was going on, but kept her mouth shut. Ryo was starting to figure it out when Anubis finally burst.
"I don't know how the Ancient ever forgave me for betraying him. I was supposed to be his protector and what happens, I fall quickly to Tulpa's empty promises."
Windy turned from watching the fire to face the frustrated Dragon. "Is that the real reason or is it much deeper?"
The two Guardians and the Protector stared at the woman. Fire seemed to reflect off her white clothing and the red cord in her hair made a startling contrast; like blood on snow. "What do you mean?" asked Mia.
"Anubis, are you afraid of falling back to Tulpa or do you fear for something else?"
Anubis lowered his gaze and sighed. He knew that Windy would broach the subject of his Protector after his outburst. "It's more about Lady Kayura then me, Bailiff. I'm worried about her."
"How so?"
"Tulpa took over her mind twice, I'm afraid that he will do it again. May be not to Lady Kayura, but to me or someone else close to us."
Windy smiled at the worried Dragon and answered, "If he promised you everything you desired, would you go back to him?"
Anubis shot up his head. "Never!"
"Then you have nothing to worry about. As for one of the others, it is up to them to decide if he is telling the truth." Windy looked thoughtful for a moment. "Although, I could give them a good, swift kick in the head if they need reminding of what Tulpa did last time." The tense trio broke into chuckles and the atmosphere in the living room changed.
"Well, I suppose we should go to bed. Mia and I have school tomorrow and then we have to practice," said Ryo.
"Don't practice too hard. I'm thinking that we should have a little fun. Too much tension is going to give somebody a hospital bill the way things are going in this house," said Windy.
"Yeah," added Mia. "Cye almost brained Rowen for even stepping into the kitchen and Kento was all but washed out when he tried to sneak a snack."
"And then Cale and Sage are giving each other death glares," mentioned Anubis.
"So it's settled. What are the usual diversions around town?" asked Windy.
"Well, there are the theaters, movies, clubs, bars," started Mia.
Windy wrinkled her nose. Theaters would not do for some of the group. Kento would want something to eat, Ryo may fall asleep, and the Seasonals would do anything from falling asleep to making a nuisance of themselves. And Windy didn't really want to think about bars; being killed in front of one by a drunk driver was not the most pleasant of memories, or dreams for that matter. She always ended up screaming that could bring down the house after dreams like that. "How about we see what movies are playing and go from there. May be we can find a decent club."
"Sounds like an idea," said Ryo.
"Especially if we can keep certain people in line," continued Mia, glaring at Ryo. He gave her an innocent look.
"Let's get to bed," suggested Anubis. "We don't want to miss out on breakfast because Hardrock beat us to the table. Besides, you said that you had school tomorrow." The three rose from their seats and bade Windy good night. She answered the same and settled down for her own slumber. In the middle of the night, White Blaze joined the woman on the couch. It was too crowded in Ryo's room.
The next morning found Windy pinned under the great housecat. She glared at the tiger, but he ignored her. Windy moved her legs in hopes of hinting to White Blaze that she wanted up; after all it worked on her cat most of the time. White Blaze, being true to the feline family, studiously ignored her and continued to catnap across her legs and up to her stomach. It didn't help that the Seasonals and Ronins came down and laughed at her predicament. They were in for it when she got up.
"White Blaze, breakfast is being served, why don't you go beg something off Ryo?" wheedled Windy.
The tiger glanced at her and the look seemed to say, "He's not a soft touch. I don't get much from him."
"Well, how about you get off me and I get you breakfast?" bargained Windy.
White Blaze looked at her for one moment and then laid his head back down. His whole posture said, "I'm comfortable right where I'm at."
"Well, I'm not. You asked for it." Everyone in the dining room heard a huge crash and a bright light. A blur of white swept past them, followed closely by a black and white streak.
"Looks like Windy made White Blaze mad," commented Kento.
"Wonder who's going to win this fight?" asked Cye.
"My money's on White Blaze," said Sage.
The four Seasonals looked at each other and smiled. "I'm betting on Lady Windy myself," said Cale.
Sage rose to the bait. "Fine. If White Blaze wins, you have to do all my chores and sharpen all the swords in the practice room."
Cale nodded.
"For a month."
"Deal. If the Lady Windy wins, you have to not use a half an hour to get ready for school in the bathroom."
Sage's mouth set in a straight line, but he nodded.
"For the rest of the semester."
Sage was going to protest, but Ryo and Seckmet cried, "Witnessed." The two were now stuck in the bet.
The whole table waited for ten minutes before Windy came into the back door dripping wet. "Ryo, I have good news and bad news. The good news is White Blaze doesn't need a bath for a while. The bad news is he's in a snit and I wouldn't recommend going anywhere near him for a while."
"What happened?" asked Lady Kayura.
Windy looked around for a towel to squeeze her hair out with as she replied. "He chased me to the lake. I stopped and threw him in as he jumped for me. Unfortunately, he was able to drag me in with him. Now, I'm going up to take a warm shower. If I get a cold shower, heaven help the person who took the hot water." Windy stalked out of the dining room and up the stairs to the bathroom.
"I wonder if we should tell her that Sage used up all the hot water," mused Kento.
A scream answered that question a few minutes later. Everyone could hear Sage's name being echoed from the rafters. Sage looked a little pale and said that he was heading out for school now. The rest of the Ronin Warriors decided to join him for the sake of self-preservation. The Seasonals took the hint and made themselves scarce as well. Only Mia, Lady Kayura, and Anubis remained at the table.
Windy came down a little later a bit warmer and a small smile lifting one corner of her mouth. "The cowards left quickly then?"
"Very. I think it was the scream reverberating around the house that scared them the most," said Lady Kayura.
"Good. May be I won't have to mess with the hot water heater for a decent shower after this," grumbled Windy.
"We'll see," said Mia. "We'll see."
Practice was different for the Ronins and Seasonals. Windy, Mia, and Anubis didn't practice with them and Ryo seemed distant at times. At times Lady Kayura spaced out, but quickly regained herself before her partner could use it to his advantage. Cye broke off an hour before dinner to start cooking and Windy slipped through the door after him.
"How was practice with Mia and Anubis?" he asked conversationally.
"It's going very well. They are getting used to their new abilities. I suppose that Ryo and Kayura were affected?"
"Ryo spaced out a lot and Lady Kayura would not respond for a second before coming back." Cye looked puzzled about Lady Kayura.
"Mia and Ryo are tied close then. I'll have to talk to Anubis about Lady Kayura though," mused Windy.
"Talk with Anubis about what with Lady Kayura?" asked a figure in the shadows.
Cye turned to see who sneaked up on him, but Windy kept rooting around the shelves to find something to go with what he was making. "It is Dragon Guardian business, Cale," she said. "You can ask Anubis if you wish, but don't ask me to divulge anything. I'm just the bailiff of the Court."
Cye just shrugged his shoulders and turned back to the meal. Cale scowled at Windy's back and returned out to the practice grounds. May be he could get Wildfire to spar with him Halo was getting predictable.
During dinner Mia decided to bring up the suggestion that was made the night before. "Ryo, Anubis, Windy, and I thought that we could go out for a movie and may be go to a club." It was well received by all the recipients.
"Yes! Party time!" yelled Kento.
"Club?" asked Lady Kayura.
"A place to dance and socialize," supplied Sage.
The three other Seasonals smiled wolfishly at each other. "So what should we wear?" asked Dais.
"Something casual and nice," said Cye. "Slacks and a nice shirt usually work."
"I'll help them with their clothes," said Windy. "The rest of you just get ready. Is there something good showing, Mia?"
"There's a couple of possibilities, but I think we should look at them before making a decision."
Everyone rushed through dinner and raced upstairs to change. Windy took the three Seasonals and Anubis to one room and started to look through her bags for something that would look good on them. "It's a good thing my cousin's have taste, otherwise we would all be in trouble. Here, Cale, this might work."
She handed him a pair of black jeans, a white collarless button down shirt, and a black vest. Dais was given black jeans and a maroon silk shirt. Seckmet had tan slacks and a green collarless shirt like Cale and Anubis was given blue jeans and a tan shirt.
"So what are you going to wear?" asked Cale.
"You'll see," Windy smiled. She walked up to Mia's room and knocked on the door. "It's Windy, can I come in?" The answer was affirmative as she opened the door and slipped in. The four older men shrugged and went to change.
When all the men in the house was assembled in the living room the waited "patiently" for the women to come down.
"What is taking them so long?" growled Kento.
"They have to look nice," said Cye.
"So they have to put on a ton of make up and do up their hair," continued Sage.
"I find Lady Kayura doing any of those things hard to believe," said Seckmet.
"I'm surprised that you would think that of any of us," came a miffed voice. Mia walked down the stairs in a short red dress. Ryo walked up and offered her his arm. Mia smiled at him and said quietly, "Thank you Ryo."
Lady Kayura came down next. She was in a violet dress that came to her knees. Anubis smoothly walked up and offered her his arm, but held it at that. Rowen looked like he was hit with a board from the way he was staring at Lady Kayura. Anubis noted this and pushed a mental note to the back of his mind about talking with Rowen and Kayura separately about their feelings for each other.
Windy came down last, everyone expected her to be in white, but she surprised them all by having black jeans and a green silk shirt. On her ear hung an ear clip with green and black feathers and beads. She smiled at the dropped jaws and said impishly, "What, can't I wear something ordinary once in a while?"
The group divided up to get into the two cars in Mia's drive, but came up short with two left over. Wind solved this problem by wheeling out a motorcycle and offered a ride to Anubis. Soon the group was immersed in a movie subtitled from the US and avoiding Kento with his extra, extra large pail of popcorn.
"That was good," said Rowen as they left the theater.
"The subtitles were wrong in some areas, but it was interesting. I don't know how anyone could like _that_ though," commented Windy.
"Didn't you like it?" asked Seckmet.
Windy shook her head. "My tastes run a bit different. I agree with my brother on that movie though. I hope Mom and Dad don't try to rent it when it comes out on video."
"I don't know, I thought it was hilarious," said Kento.
"You would," said Cye. "I think I agree with Windy. My interest wasn't captured by it."
"So where to now?" asked Dais, trying to ward off a fight for once.
Sage looked around. "There's a club not far from here. We could go there." Since no one had any other ideas, they followed the Ronin of Halo to the club he knew. Everyone was carded at the door, but was able to get in. Sage led them to a large table in the corner where they could watch the dance floor.
"Trying to pick someone up?" asked Ryo.
Sage glanced at Ryo then looked at Windy. "May be."
Windy didn't look at him, but watched the dancers gyrating on the floor. After a bit she was able to pick up on the beat, but she didn't quite care for the music. The Ronins and Seasonals came and went from the table and Ryo and Mia danced almost exclusively with each other, but Windy sat there nursing her Sprite and listening to the music.
"Wanna dance?" It was a drunk and, by the looks of things, he wasn't going to take no for an answer.
"The lady promised this dance to me," growled a voice.
Windy smiled up at Cale and joined him. "Sorry, I'm booked for the rest of the night," she said. As she and Cale walked onto the dance floor, she said, "Thank you for the save. I don't want to think what would have happened to him if he tried pushing the issue."
"He may have a problem when he wakes up and you would feel guilty for doing it to him," responded Cale. "I think that we should keep an eye on you."
Windy raised an eyebrow. "And what about Mia and Lady Kayura?"
"Ryo, Anubis, and Rowen are taking care of that problem."
"So I'm the last choice?"
Cale started to look uncomfortable. "No, it's just that we aren't finding many people that will dance with us."
"Oh, so it's for your own good as well as mine?"
Cale blushed and Windy laughed.
"Alright, I'll help you. It'll keep the drunks off me anyway. Thank you."
Cale's smile could have been a match for Sage's Halo armor at that moment. He eagerly claimed the dance he lied to the drunk about. Seckmet, then Kento, claimed the next dance. Everyone seemed to forget the trouble that was waiting for them, when it decided to remind them.
It was just before midnight, when the lights went out and everything stopped. Windy and Cale started to round up their night-blind friends, but before they could ease their way to the door a thick fog rose from the ground. Windy cursed under her breath as she started to give off a faint light of her own, showing that an evil presence was near by. The rest of her group was alerted to the presence along with the rest of the club goers when a chilling laugh bounced around the walls of the club.
"Tulpa."
More then one person spat the name, but Mia's was more with a bit of fear. She knew that she would have to face him soon, but she didn't feel that she was ready.
"Greetings, my Warlords and Lady Kayura. Greetings, Ronin Warriors. Greetings, Lady Phoenix and Lord Dragon. Ah, there is the Bailiff. It is nice to see you too, Lady Windy."
Ryo's eyes narrowed and he edged closer to Mia. Anubis stepped closer to Lady Kayura and Windy raised her head a bit higher and stared in the direction of the voice. The look she gave could have frozen Hell and was a match for any royal in the world.
"Why are you here, Tulpa?" ground out Ryo.
"To get my revenge. To get the power that is mine. I want my armors and the four powers of the Court of Magic."
"The power is not for you. It was denied when the four Guardians went into hiding," snarled Windy. "They are denied to you now. They will die before handing you their power."
"We will not hand you the armors either, Tulpa," ground out Dais. "You fooled us once, but not now."
"We shall see, Lady Bailiff. We shall see, Ronins and Warlords."
The fog lifted and the club was silent. Everyone in the building was unconscious on the floor. Windy did a quick look and proclaimed they were drained for power and should recover in a few days. "But we must leave. It is no longer safe to go out alone," she cautioned. "Tulpa will be waiting for a chance to make good his threats."
The group quickly left the city to return to Mia's house. Sleep was few and far between. Even Rowen and Windy had trouble falling asleep later in the evening. Mia had nightmares, which required Windy to guard her dreams that night. Any sleep that was taken was short and brushed near being awake. No one was rested the next morning, but there was nothing that could be done. Tulpa had raised the ante.
"Grandma?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Why did you have to guard the Phoenix's dreams?"
"She had enough nightmares, she didn't need Tulpa trying to approach her in the dream realm."
"Why didn't he try it with the others, Mom?"
"Because she was the newest and he considered her the weakest. Actually they all were protected by something, I just had to wait for Mia's to grow stronger."
"Mom?"
"Hmm?"
"Did I say how much I love you lately?"
"Yes, but I don't mind hearing it more."
"I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, Bill. And I love you, my grandchildren."