The sun rose the next morning and shone through the windows...its early morning rays hitting a mass of hair and shining it spun gold. Sage's visible eye peeked open with a small, serene smile. He loved being woken up by the sun, absolutely loved it! It was like being embraced from a loved one and feeling their warmth throughout your body. Slowly sitting up with a small stretch, still a little tired from last night's/early morning crash, he stood and looked around.
A smile came as he took in the scene. Part of him felt like laughing, the other in dire need of a camera for blackmail. This was too funny.
Kento was spread out on the couch, a blanket wrapped around one leg...Cye crouched in the corner of the other side. Sage's lips pressed together. Those two nearly stumbled inside and crashed on the couch, initially sleeping against the back. Where Kento got that blanket from was a mystery...unless Mia woke up in the middle of the night and draped it over him.
Violet took in the floor and softened. White Blaze was curled up around both Mia and Ryo. It was adorable the way the tiger selflessly let them use him as a pillow. Being so tired when they finally came back in, probably around two, the only thing he remembered hearing from them was Mia insisting to use White Blaze because he was her live-in roommate...and Ryo because he always slept on White Blaze when he was a kid. They let the tiger stretch out and used him as a pillow, laying on their backs in the beginning. Now they faced each other, foreheads nearly touching from White Blaze's curled position. He wished he was here when they woke up. The noise they'd make would be enough to wake ROWEN.
He and Rowen went at it like cats and dogs when it came to throwing back sarcastic comments, but he was still Sage's best friend...despite their many differences. And they still ended up sleeping in similar positions...as scary as that was. Sage lengthened his form along the back of the chair, stretching his legs for comfort, using the back cushion as a pillow. Rowen held much the same stance, save for he was slumped over to the arm...and apparently not in any pain. But he was going to wake up with one heck of a crick and back ache.
Shaking his head in total amusement, he cast a look at the hallway to the front door from the living room and quietly walked around everyone. Instead of heading for the front door, he went for the stairs and to change into clean clothes. Last night - or was it this morning? - they stumbled in, sat down somewhere, and dropped off. There was no time to change into any kind of sleepwear. The only person who still wore theirs was Mia.
After shutting his and Rowen's room, he headed down and out the door without looking to see if anyone was even up. He was the only one who woke up to the sun every morning, whether he had school or not. If anyone was, they fell right back asleep. No one would wake up this early.
After hopping the stairs to the ground, hands shoved into his jeans pockets, one lightly clenching. In a brief flash of silent light, he stopped paces in front of the house and took a deep breath as if a man renewed. His eyes closed as dew met his nose, and let the magnified feel of light cleanse his mind. Opening them to the forest ahead, he gave an eager smile and took off at full speed, more than was humanly possible.
Half an hour later, a pair of sleepy blue eyes fluttered open and her head startled back at the peaceful vision mere inches from her. Still too tired to totally comprehend how she got into this position, Mia sat up and stretched. After a huge yawn, tired mind wishing to go back to sleep, she looked around in wonder why she woke up in the first place. Eyes blinked as she absently took in the chairs and cushions, trying to figure out why something seemed different. She twisted around and squinted when she nearly got blasted in the eyes with the sun. It was dawn, Sage was up. If he didn't change any in the month he was away, which she doubt he DID, then he'd be up with the sun...as always.
Knowing that, Mia would've thought it was time to go back to bed. The mystery was solved. Time to lay back on White Blaze and stay a SAFE sleeping distance from Ryo - and ask later HOW they ended up sleeping so close, when she tried to purposely stay at a distance.
But there was that niggling in the back of her head that refused to go away. It was a fact that Sage normally went to his 'place' to think. Sage thinking meant he was taking something highly serious. And the sister side of her mind just had to find out what.
Slowly, she stumbled to her feet and gave a long yawn and stretch, feeling a more woken up afterwards. Looking down at the pajamas she'd yet to change from, Mia decided it was okay since she spent all day yesterday in them. Basically tiptoeing to the front door, foregoing coffee and tea for, she quietly clicked the door shut and stopped to admire the view. With a deep inhale at the crisp air, she smiled in appreciation before heading to a place she often sat at herself.
~*~*~
"Do you know how scary it is that I KNEW you'd be out here at this time of the morning...and in THAT??"
A visible eye peeked open from his meditation, calmly looking to Mia down below at the edge of the large rock. A blonde brow rose at her playful, put out look. He smirked. "You're up. That's a surprise." He taunted, lips twitching higher.
Mia's brow jerked with a wry smile, but knowing full well she only got about five or six hours. "Mind giving a girl a hand up?" She asked, propping hands on her hips.
With a smile, Sage jumped down, wrapped his arms around Mia's waist before she could move, and jumped into the air with a loud yelp in his ears. After they landed, he let go and sat back down, looking up in total amusement. "Better?"
Mia slumped from the receding adrenaline rush, trying to get her hands to stop shaking and her heart rate back to normal. Instead of answering, she glared at him and ignored the quiet snicker. After a brief bout of quiet, Mia gave a small poke to his green and white. "Hey...care to share with the class?"
"Nani?" He asked, casting her an odd and confused look. What? "Share??"
Mia grinned and nodded, casually wrapping arms around her knees against the chilled wind. Blue stared at the distance, taking on a wise tone. "I don't know YOU Sage, but I know your behavior since the war and know that you come out here to think. Care to share what's on your mind?"
Sage looked away with mildly wide eyes. He hadn't told Mia much at lunch, since he figured everything was practically the same since he was over LAST month. He was thinking about a certain small annoyance in his routine life, and DEFINITELY didn't tell about that. There was nothing to tell. Now was just one of those times he was going to use to sort out how to fully deal with her.
Then Mia showed up and threw him a curveball. "It's nothing big." He quietly sidestepped looking to the distance.
Mia cast a quick glance over, but couldn't see Sage's expression due to that curtain of hair over his side. She hated not being able to fully look him in the eyes. Though she still found him HIGHLY attractive, a female of ANY age would have to be blind NOT to, she kept it as friends. Sage was more comfortable around her as a friend - though that took some maneuvering. With a small smile, feeling her 'mothering' mind kick in, she scooted a few inches over. "Aww, come on...share what's on your mind with little ol' Me-a." She joked, grinning.
Sage grinned. What was there to TELL? Epiphany Marzellos was an annoyance who kept changing how he was able to act around her. The beginning was easy...just keep your distance and life went on as normal. But he never intended for Rowen to shoot his mouth off and get her to let the others peek into the hallway of her mind. Now that he knew she wasn't a total snob - basically a downright bitch - he knew being outright rude was disrespectful. He still didn't like her to begin with, so what good would sharing do? It was no surprise girls made him uncomfortable, had ever since his sister tormented him. That and his grandfather's teaching.
"There's nothing much to tell really." He absently muttered. "Have the guys told you about a girl we go to school with?"
Mia's smile turned positively sibling-style evil. "So...it's about a GIIIRRRL, ne?" She goaded, giving his arm another poke.
His cheeks started burning on low and he looked away, even though his hair already obscured his vision. "Forget it." He mumbled, hating to feel embarrassed.
"Aww Sage...I was only KIDDING!" Mia whined, trying not to laugh. She NEVER heard Sage talk about a girl before...no matter who it was! Mia forced herself to keep from making fun and focused on getting information. "Come on...you KNOW you can tell me and I won't make fun of you anymore." She answered, tone serious.
In a brief bout of silence, he quietly sighed and slowly looked to his friend, seeing honesty. Lips pursed and he looked back to the sunrise. "The girl's annoying." He bluntly answered, keeping eyes ahead.
Mia blinked. "Why is that?" It wasn't private news to know Sage didn't like girls and tended to hold them on a low opinion level. But he was never so brazen to ADMIT their faults. Mia considered herself lucky Sage respected her, since he didn't to many others. "How's she annoying?"
He sighed. Did he have to tell EVERYTHING? Two months full of school instances was too much to recall. Since he mostly never paid attention. "When Kento first introduced himself, she purposely ignored him, and did so for an entire month until she apparently got over whatever problem she had and bothered to introduce herself back." He almost bitterly muttered, eyes narrowing a little.
Mia mildly shivered against the small bit of anger in his voice. He really must not like this girl... But there HAD to be more than what he was saying... "Have YOU even talked to her?" She queried, giving a wondering look.
Sage's head shook, almost venomously. "I don't WANT to. She bumped into me in the very beginning and never even APOLOGIZED for it! She had no need to start conversation, so I haven't bothered to start one even NOW."
A light started turning on. A slow smile appeared. "I see... Did anything ELSE interesting or earthshaking happen before you came up?"
"The guys dragged me with one Saturday to show her around the city."
Every little comment he made only started confirming something in Mia's mind. Being drug along, the fact that he didn't want to talk to this girl, feeling resentment at their first bump-in, and initially feeling snuffed when Kento extended his hand. Mia's grin turned to knowing and she cast her friend a quick look, finding his eye watching her. "Is THAT the problem?" She asked, still smiling at his speculative gaze. His eye narrowed a little more in small confusion. "You're mad at this girl because she injured the others' pride?"
"What're you TALKING about?" Sage burst out, mouth gaping open in shock. Was Mia MAD? There was NO way he was insulted just because Epiphany didn't say hello to Kento when they first met! Why SHOULD he be? He didn't say that much to Epiphany in the first place! The only thing he held against the Hispanic girl was walking into him.
Mia's eyes rolled, figuring Sage would hold his friends so close that he adopted their thoughts. He was mad for all the wrong reasons. "Sage - how do I PUT this?" Mia's gaze dropped to the gray rock, lips pressing together. "You're not really mad at this girl."
Sage's brow shot up and gave her a look. Who was Mia FOOLING? She wasn't him and she didn't know what he felt! She wasn't there during all those stupid instances between them and the whole group. "NANI?"
Mia looked back, finding Sage's eye a little irritated and totally confused. She fought laughter at the comical look. "Sage...you're more angry with her for injuring Kento's pride...if she even DID. Since you haven't said much, or been around her much, you're more angry at the treatment she gave the others. From what you said, the only time she injured yours was from running into you. Has she done so, or ignored you since then?"
Sage's mouth pursed into an almost stubborn pout as he looked away. "No." He muttered.
Mia grinned. "Then why are you angry at her in the first place? Sure she injured Kento's pride, but I HIGHLY doubt Kento held it against her. Kento doesn't seem like the type. Rowen yes, Ryo maybe...you DEFINITELY...but not Kento." Mia stifled a laugh when Sage almost primly turned his nose at the comment.
"You don't know the whole extent of it." He defended, feeling his pride take a swing. Mia wasn't right...was she? She was correct in some of her assumptions, but she didn't know the whole story. The girl was just annoying, plain and simple. The way she acted around her sister and cousin, purposely keeping silent and always acting embarrassed...
"Then tell me the whole extent Sage. Just so I'm not making assumptions."
"Really...the whole thing I told you is the short version. Everything else takes too much time to tell."
Mia looked away, knowing Sage was trying to dismiss the topic. If that's how he wanted to play it, she couldn't argue. Pushing Sage was dangerous if it involved the wrong topic. And girls were DEFINITELY the wrong subject! "Fine then...I'll just have to stick with my original assumption, since that's all I've got to go by." She pleasantly answered.
~*~*~
The sun rose a few inches by the time they returned. They made short work of the distance, Mia trying to hurry inside to blessed heat, and Sage's longer legs easily stayed in stride. Maybe a dozen feet to the steps, a crash rang through the air, loud enough to be heard outside. Mia gave a quiet groan, knowing exactly where that was.
Sage smiled despite his mood and pressed lips together. Mia's groaning got a little louder when loud voices sounded seconds later, one pleading, the other irritated. "Can't those two grow up and BEHAVE?" She almost rhetorically questioned.
"If they did," Sage mused, "would the day be as exciting?" Mia grinned. As the two topped the steps, Mia held the screen open door. As he crossed the threshold, there was a split second flash of blinding light and then he was back in normal clothes again. He shut the door after Mia and the two headed into the kitchen to see what everyone was doing.
"I said OUT Kento!"
"But Cye...you ALWAYS take too long with breakfast! Can't I just have ANOTHER?"
"ANOTHER?! You've already snuck TWO!"
Mia stopped in the archway, leaning on one side, arms crossing in amusement. Sage copied as they took in the scene. Rowen sat at the table, a book in his hands, chair angled back to be more comfortable. He didn't look very awake, but kept sneaking entertained glances above the pages. Ryo was nowhere to be seen. Cye was at the stove with a large spatula in his hands, currently waving it at Kento, who was licking his fingers and waving the other. A small red mark could be discerned on the waving hand, probably the one Cye smacked for trying to snatch part of breakfast before they were all assembled.
Cye's attention diverted to them and he gave a loud huff. "Thank gods you're back. Sage, are you going up to your room?"
Sage's brow shot up, but he was entertained as Rowen about the scene and it showed. "I might...what do you need?" He queried, a smile quirking his lips.
"Torrent." Cye ordered, giving Kento a fierce glare. "If I can't strong-arm Kento out of here, then I'll use my armor to sure kill him into submission!" As if it seemed like a good idea, Cye started for the open door.
"No buddy you can't mean that!" Kento answered, eyes wide. He took a few steps into the middle of the kitchen/dining room.
Mia let Cye pass, knowing he wouldn't REALLY use his Super Wave Smasher on his best friend. That was another threat he intended on using to chase Kento away until they could get breakfast made. As the auburn's steps clomped away to the next floor, Mia looked to the kitchen and found Kento already going for another waffle. "Kento!" Though Cye wouldn't use his armor, Mia wasn't too sure Cye wouldn't use subarmor.
Kento halted and turned. He grinned. "What? I figure I can get a few for the road and make tracks through the front door." He joked, picking a few off the shortening stack.
Not giving Cye a chance, Mia stormed in and pulled his arm back, taking the waffles. "If you keep this up you're going to have less room for breakfast! Though I doubt that's possible...be NICE to Cye once for a change. He makes you breakfast all the time when you're here and all you do is eat! Go take a shower, or change into your clothes and BEHAVE for an hour or so!" She ordered, giving a reprimanding look.
It worked. Kento blinked a few times before giving a good-natured grin and salute. "Can do, I guess..." Kento walked past Sage and seconds later, the front door lightly slammed shut.
Now silent, Mia went to the stove and continued on where Cye left off...tearing strips off a waffle as she went.
"Now you did it." Her head swung over to Rowen, a brow rising. Rowen just grinned and looked back to his book. "I was HOPING to see if Cye's sure kill would ACTUALLY put Kento down till breakfast." Mia rolled her eyes, not dignifying a response.
A short silence span later, Cye walked back in, still normal clothes. "Well...where is he?"
"Mia booted him out." Sage quietly mused, still in the same position. He cast a look to Cye's mute look. "You missed your chance to use Torrent."
"Hey you guys, where is Ryo at?" Mia queried, not looking from the stove.
"Here Mia I can finish that."
"Probably still up in the shower if I'm correct." Rowen answered. "He said he was going to grab one before Cye and Kento started in on world war three."
"You'd better take over Cye... If I don't go and get him out NOW, he's liable to use up all the hot water." With a smirk from her cooking affiliate, she passed Sage and up the stairs. She stopped in front of his room and pressed an ear against the closed door. The quiet sound of water sounded. After a quick knock, the only answer she got was a scratching on the door. She opened the door and gave White Blaze a good-morning scratch under the ears. "Hey Blaze..." The greeting smile dropped. "Is Ryo still in the shower?" The tiger gave a kitty nod and passed her, heading down the stairs.
Mia stalked into the room, stopping in front of the closed bathroom door. Steam was coming from underneath it and she knew that hot water heaters, even one in every room, only worked for so long. "RYO?" She called, one fist pounding on the door. "Get out of that shower NOW. You've probably used up all the hot water!"
Without a word, the shower shut off and Mia waited with a small scowl, ready to lecture Ryo on using up the hot water again. So WHAT if his kanji was fire?? And big deal if there was a hot water heater in the room that only he slept in - not to mention in all the bathrooms in this huge place? She was the one paying for it all. So she was extremely well off...she didn't want to waste the money.
The door slowly opened and she whirled around with a small, wide-eyed 'eep!'. She looked at the ceiling, as Ryo sheepishly grinned. "Sorry Mia...but you know how much I like hot showers." He absently answered, drying his chest off. One towel was around his shoulders to catch the excess water he couldn't wring out of his hair, drying off what was still dripping down the back and front of his chest, glowing a rosy hue from the heat of the water.
Mia's face was burning...she just KNEW it was. How odd that Ryo's kanji was virtue...yet he walked out in only a pair of sweatpants. Apparently he thought that was good enough.
Silently clearing her throat, heart pounding, she walked to the door as Ryo sat on his bed to dry his hair. "Well, I won't lecture you again...just keep in mind that I'm paying for it all you know..." She mumbled.
As if mildly confused by Mia's strange behavior, but also amused, Ryo gave Mia an odd look, a brow raised and a small smile on his face. "Can do Mia. Sorry again for using up the hot water..." He muttered, going back to his hair.
Mia stopped at the door, gripping the handle. She looked back to Ryo to show him she wasn't really mad, just a little frustrated, and whipped around when she caught sight of his back. A nicely toned, SHIRTLESS back. "Just don't do it again." She quickly answered, almost slamming the door. Exhaling a deep breath, a hand slapped her forehead. "Good going Koji." She quietly berated. Shaking her head to ignore the blunder she grossly executed, Mia headed back downstairs to help with breakfast, committed to forgetting the whole thing.
~*~*~
It seemed like dinner sped by too fast. And then the five were packing their things and putting them by the door in preparation to leave. It saddened Mia, and she couldn't do or say anything to get the heavy feeling in her chest to leave. She kept a smile up and joked around, half into it. Soon, they would leave for their lives and she would be left with just White Blaze. Though a very good one, especially when sensing her emotions, he wasn't Ryo, Kento, Cye, Sage, or Rowen. He was a friend, but wasn't human.
After the five silently, but pleasantly, helped clear the table and dishes were done, everyone shuffled into the living room and Ryo lit a fire by request. Mia let him because she knew he didn't get to play with his element very often and wouldn't let the fire escape the hearth. He was in control and the fire understood it.
She let Kento heat marshmallows in front of it. Though Mia knew Kento had three servings at dinner, and was miraculously hungry not even an hour later, she felt the need to indulge him. This was the group of people she'd come to know and love like family from the war. They were all she had. They shared an experience, and the Ronins could use their powers without fear of others knowing. The Koji estate was out in a recluse place so they were safe to be as crazy and noisy as they liked.
Provided it didn't interrupt with Mia's SANITY.
Rowen was, of course, going through a novel he kept at the estate in case there was nothing to do. Mia didn't feel ignored that he wanted to read, more comforted by the quiet crackling of fire and flipping pages. He was reclined across the couch, a pillow helping to prop him up.
After Kento had three marshmallows, Cye and Ryo joined him, muttering about the smell being too tempting to ignore. Mia smiled and got them another bag, knowing with Kento, the first would be used up in no time. In the meantime, she brought out a tray of green tea she made and set it on the coffee table. Without a word, she handed Sage a cup, which he thanked with a pleasant nod. She knew him enough to know he'd want one as well.
After sitting down with her own, she watched the back of Cye's head as he stayed as close to the fire as was necessary for the bearer of Torrent. His element was total opposite of Ryo and Cye made doubly sure to play it safe. She watched the three and felt a felt a little envious of their kinship. Cye looked over at Ryo and grinned from a whispered comment, and her eyes mildly burned. She was going to miss them all greatly after they left. It was like they were already gone...
Blue diverted to her glass and, feeling eyes, looked over to see Sage watching her. She gave a self-conscious smile and looked back down...wondering how long Sage was watching. She didn't want them to know how sad she was feeling, even though they were still around. They were really the only people she knew, and saw on occasion. Work kept her busy, but mostly a way to be closer to her grandfather.
Mia tightly blinked and snuck another peak back to Sage. His gaze still rested on her, but his brow was furrowed a little in confusion - or was that worry? She let a caring smile show, but it didn't last for long. Sage knew what she was feeling, he wasn't blind. Even without his armor, he was still wise enough to know she was miserable.
The two locked eyes. Mia absently held the glass in her hands, barely aware of the heat to her fingers. Sage took a sip of his, not looking away. If he was trying to say something, she wasn't getting it. When the glass moved away, he gave a small nod and held up the glass a little. She smiled and demurely lowered her eyes. Sage was complimenting in his own way and it made her feel better because he wasn't open about praise like the others were.
She inhaled the aroma and looked to the fire again, a small smile gracing her lips. This felt more like home than it did the rest of the month. Nobody was saying anything, for once. Everyone was behaving and getting along, though they normally did to a POINT. It was a good feeling, and Mia gave up the melancholy to experience the warm fuzziness of home.
~*~*~
As seven rolled around, the bags left the door and were stuck in the back of the van. Six humans and one tiger stood in front of it, a small, awkward silence surrounding them. It was hard to part, as it always was. Each felt free here, with a sister figure to take care of them. Here, they could be the Ronin Warriors and not their individual selves, weighed down with the world and responsibilities of their families. And it was always saddening to leave that feeling for another month.
Clenching her jaw, Mia looked up from the ground with a deep breath and strong face. Putting on a smile, she stepped forward and hugged Kento, feeling him return with twice the strength. "You five be good now." She announced, letting go to give another to Cye.
"We'll miss you Mia." Cye whispered. He smiled for what Mia knew was her benefit. The lanky youth followed Kento to the van and driver's side when she turned and gave Ryo a hug.
Ryo gave a quick squeeze to his female friend and pulled away with a small smile. He knew everyone was feeling down about leaving, as he was for leaving his animal friend, but knew they'd be back next month as always.
With a quick ruffle to her dark hair, his grin widened when a hand lightly swatted him in the shoulder. "We'll see you at the end of September Mia." His arms threw around White Blaze and fiercely hugged. He was going to miss his tiger the most. That raspy tongue licked across Ryo's face when he pulled away, understanding the distress. Ryo stood before the tiger could read the shine in his eyes and gave Mia a final look. With a quick wave, he rocketed to the passenger seat before the others could.
Mia barely walked to Rowen before he wrapped her in a tight hug. She responded and felt his chin on her shoulder. "You behave at school now Rowen." She gently kidded, giving his back a pat. "No bragging to the stupid kids now." Rowen gave a humorous snort. Mia knew that Rowen was going to miss her, since he had few friends. She heard about his studies from jokes of the others. He cherished those he was close to, and was sad when he had to leave them behind.
When Mia slowly detangled from his grasp, she blinked to see a shine to his eyes. She gave a smile and patted his cheek. "I'll see you next month Rowen. You be sure to have plenty to tell me about." She chided, wagging a finger. Rowen smiled and gave a playful salute. He headed into the back of the van to stretch out, leaving her to say goodbye to one last person.
Mia faced Sage and looked to the ground, not really knowing how to say goodbye. It was harder than it was with the others, since she didn't hold too many attachments to them. She just needed to get over this silly crush, she KNEW that. But...
Mia looked up and saw some of the sunset light Sage's hair goldish red and harshly swallowed.
...It was sure HARD!
Forcing a smile through the butterflies, she stepped up and threw her arms around him, giving a light hug. Sage wasn't vocal as much as the others by a long shot, so if he was feeling sorrowful about leaving, the only place he showed it was his mind. When he hugged back, she allowed a small smile now that she was out of view of the others.
"You think about what I said this morning Sage." She quietly ordered. "Do it for me." She kidded, grinning. Sage gave a small, amused smile. "Heck, if you want to...bring her with next time." She added. "What's one more person? It'd be better not being the ONLY female around here..."
Sage smiled and let go. "See you next month Mia." He answered, giving a small nod. The van started with a low hum and the four waved as the vehicle slowly pulled down the drive, Cye purposely giving them time for a last glimpse. As Mia strained her vision, she thought she saw his arm stuck out the driver's window with the others. It got further and further away, soon to be a small speck in her view. She stopped following with a goodbye smile on her face and waving arm.
As soon as they were totally gone, she dropped to the concrete and rested on her knees, still hands in her lap. They were gone...AGAIN. All she had to do to keep occupied now, was go back inside and clean up after her friends, now that they were gone. Gods what she wouldn't give to go WITH them this time. She was tired of being left behind with five of her only friends, left behind with just Ryo's 'pet' for company. It was a shadow of their personality.
White Blaze sat down next to her hunched over figure and gently rubbed his head against her shoulder. With a teary smile, one already falling down, Mia looked up and quickly wrapped her arms around White Blaze's neck. This happened whenever they left. She cried and White Blaze was there to comfort her. He was just good that way, being patient and the rock while she pulled everything together.
When she pulled away, feeling a chunk of the hole in her heart lift, she gave her friend a teary smile and locked eyes. Brown told her he understood his best friend was gone as well, and stayed behind because she was all he had. He knew she was lonely and he also couldn't live with Ryo in Toyama...knowing the chaos he caused when he was there in the beginning of the Dynasty Wars. Having a full grown Himalayan tiger running around like a common housecat was reason ENOUGH to call the cops and animal control. Like they did the FIRST time he and Ryo wandered the streets.
With a sniff, wiping away the tears she forced away, Mia stood and patted White Blaze's head. "I think we should go back so I can clean up that mess those five left me." She answered, trying to make her voice sound humorous. Another tear fell, as if her emotions were saying THEY weren't going to be fooled. White Blaze slowly butted against her legs, making sure not to knock her over. He could feel her pain because his heart bled for the want of his human companion. Mia smiled and hopped on his back, letting him run the short distance. It felt good to feel the wind, even though the distance wasn't much.
Once inside, she deeply inhaled, resolving that acting like this was foolish! They'd be back at the end of September and she had to make sure everything was clean and ready when they arrived again. More determined and lighthearted than before, Mia strode to the living room to clean up the marshmallow mess Kento and those two were liable to leave behind.