The end of month five was approaching at near breakneck speed and she wasn't ready for it to come. Despite all the barriers she erected after leaving America, and how many times she kept telling herself friendship wasn't worth the heartache...they still broke down everything and weaseled their way in. Most of her didn't care anymore, having accepted the fact and had many happy times and plenty of laughs.
Her tongue darted out. With a small sigh bouncing off the bathroom walls, she sunk further into the bath water and stared at the ceiling. Her legs stretched out in the bath in her parent's room, taking it after everyone left.
Today was Sunday and she had no interest in the family outing. Ever since her father started muttering about their extended stay a month ago, he wanted to go check the city out. It seemed the first company he finished with spread his good name to many other high-tech corporations and this was the third he was on. After the second started, he took the group on outings every Sunday as a ritual, partially as business. She knew he was hoping for more opportunities to spread his business cards around. The excursions with her family lacked the fun it did with the five though, and she wasn't in the mood today.
She couldn't complain though...even if she was getting MORE than tired of hearing him talk about work and computers at dinner and whenever the weekend strolled by. She was happy to be in such a stationary location for such a long time. If the sixth month rolled around Japan would be the longest she EVER stayed in one hotel, even if America held the record.
Five years...five years of learning more English and all the slang, of understanding southern and New York accents. And five years of seeing familiar Hispanic faces down near the southwestern part of the country. She was grateful to have a small spice of home added to the dreary travels she always endured.
Hands idly splashed in the hot water, barely seen above the suds from the bubble bath. Rarely did she get the chance to indulge in life, and this was prime opportunity. While she was alone and all was quiet. No Willow barging in, no parents on the other side of the door, no talking about business or schoolwork. Finally...she could let her mind wander and think of things she hardly ever did.
Like Sage That bit on her birthday two months ago still ate at her. The words he whispered in her ear were evident enough that he danced with her as a present, and also to show the others he wasn't such a stick in the mud. Her lips pressed together, remembering the spectacle they must've made. Lord...he was such a strong person, even though his body wasn't extremely muscular.
'Streamlined.' She thought...face breaking out into a full blush. Her head sunk under the suds, trying to keep the grin off her face. As if someone would see her girlish mood and ask what was up.
But with the elation and high of that night also brought many questions and horrible realizations. Her head slowly surfaced with a small frown. She liked him so very, very much! So much it was a longing to see him at lunch everyday, even if she couldn't see his face all the time. The spats she and Rowen got into only brought her attention from of the fact.
Schoolwork helped. Learning some Japanese from request to the others helped even more. Ryo, Kento, and Rowen all seemed eager to help build a small vocabulary. Cye also helped, teaching her nouns and simple commands. She did it as a way to get closer, as a way to have something more in common. Even if none asked to learn Spanish, she was still willing to try this.
After clearing her eyes, they blankly stared at the open frosted window, head dully thudding against the porcelain. The past few months were better than she ever thought possible really. It was like that dance brought out a new change in Sage and freed all those inhibitions between them. Granted the blond was still quiet and 'traditional' - as Rowen put it - but she could tell the difference.
He would look at her for one, and they would exchange a few words at lunch and gym. There even came a time when Sage played in one of their quickly ensuing Friday basketball rituals, always winning at 'White Blaze'. Her head shook with a small smile. She didn't understand the name when they began, and STILL didn't.
In all actuality, it did no good to think and wonder about Sage Date...even though it was all she COULD do. Her mind was cluttered with his face, with those eyes... Her lips pressed together with a frown instead of a smile. She was torturing herself with something that would never be. Though it also COULD never be.
She knew Sage was barely accepting her as his friend...expecting ANYTHING beyond the bounds of common courtesy and small smiles was too much. She always got her hopes up and that cost her.
Slowly getting out of the bath upon discovering wrinkled fingers, she drip-dried with a darker mindset than when she got in the tub. Life just wasn't FAIR sometimes. True she met many dateable men in her life, but NEVER was one so out of her reach.
Her head quickly shook. No. Best not to think about anything like that.
After donning one of the comfy, terrycloth robes, she grabbed a towel for her hair and shut the frosted window before leaving the room. It was getting pretty cold outside, since it was nearing the end of December. Winter vacation was almost over and she was actually HAPPY to get back. Back to see her friends again
Even though the temperature was a little above forty, normal for being in such a lower part of the hemisphere, the breeze made it seem lower. She heard from the others at school that winter didn't really happen here all the time. The place somewhat reminded her of Spain in that aspect. Rarely did it snow in Spain, and it stayed warmer there during these months. It was probably summer again, since she was halfway around the world and the timeline was highly different.
She went out onto the balcony, just to feel cool wind against hot skin from the bath. Resting an elbow on the granite to prop her head up, she stared at the city in bare feet and exhaled, watching the puff cloud quickly evaporate.
Wind of the high altitude blew her hair, left undone to keep from letting the towel blow away. She casually looked down and found a small layer of white around everywhere.
A small wistful smile appearing. She didn't notice it snowed, having been inside all weekend long, for the past three days as well. Sleeping in during a normal school day - though short-lived with Willow waking her up - was a blessing. She was thankful such hard-working and pushy schools let students out for vacation to relax.
With a small sigh, she continued to look down to the ground below, wondering what they were doing. She almost wished she had the guts to look up their phone numbers and call them, to see if they wanted to spend a day of fun outside. She knew they had their own lives outside of school and aside from the few instances they shared, she was most likely a school-type friend, not a take-home-and-hang-out friend.
The wistful smile tilted higher. She knew whatever those five were doing, be it separate or in some kind of group, HAD to be interesting...
~*~*~
THWAK!
A small amount of snow collided with the back of raven hair. "CYE!" Ryo shouted, shaking the snow off his head.
"I didn't do that one!" The auburn Ronin humorously protested behind his shield. With barely an effort, he jumped away and for the trees to safety. Snickers immediately followed.
"I did!" Sage called, an evil grin on his face as he sat back and watched the fun.
Scooping up a bit of snow, mindful there was a grateful three inches on the ground, Ryo turned to the wide expanse of trees, tiger blue playfully narrowing. Mia told them earlier this morning to get outside and have fun before their vacation was done with and to stop BUGGING her. What better way than donning their armor to keep warm and stay out all day?
The five - currently in subarmor for speed and agility - played a small game of snow tag/hide and seek in Mia's 'backyard'. Hiding in trees or behind the makeshift snow forts concocted out of some of their precious snow was the ONLY way to spend three or four hours.
"Alright..." Ryo mumbled, now 'it', "time to locate my NEXT prey..." There was no place to hide amidst the lack of foliage, with the bright colors of their armor...save for white. And there wasn't any way to cover that up with snow. The dolts would be caught in plain sight if they didn't jump out of the way in time. Ryo's smile widened just before he leapt into the branches, mindful not to slip. "Gotcha!" He shouted, tagging Rowen.
"Agh!" Rowen shouted, nearly falling off the wide branch he was perched on. Arms flailed to keep his balance, even though there was no danger in him being hurt by the single story drop. He knew Strata wouldn't let any harm come to him. It was the stinging cold amount of snow in the side of his NECK he didn't like! "How did you FIND me?" Rowen insisted, figuring he had everything planned perfectly.
"ROWEN'S IT!" Ryo called, idly sitting on the branch. No tag backs in the game was a rule they made up, since snow could be grabbed off a branch and thrown back at in the blink of an eye before the previous 'it' could even get to hide.
"Easy shot, easy shot!"
"Betcha can't FIND us star-boy!"
Rowen's eyes narrowed at the stupid nickname Sage pegged him with. He jumped to the ground and reached for a missile as eyes scanned the area. "Keep talking Cye and Sage...you'll give yourselves up and I won't have to even WORK!" Rowen taunted, taking off to the forest.
Ryo snickered as he watched the receding of dark blue, soon lost under branches. He listened as the crunching footsteps vanished and inhaled the crisp air. It wasn't much colder here, since Mia lived on the other side of Japan...but these times were worth it! The five gained access to have their vacation at Mia's, mostly through a LOT of begging and pleading from those with families. Ryo already intended on spending it with Mia and White Blaze, to keep them both company...and to keep HIM company. He was glad the others were able to come. It wouldn't have been the same without them.
"Ryo? Kento? Sage? Anybody OUT here??"
Ryo jumped down and headed for the sound of her voice, figuring it was time to come in. He didn't know how long they were outside, but he was getting tired and they could always play later. It was time to do something that included Mia. "Over here Mia!" He called, taking off in a jog.
The two found each other, Mia bundled up in coats, mittens, and scarf; Ryo in his subarmor. Mia grinned at that aspect. "You guys ready for some hot chocolate to warm you up a little more?" She asked. "Your nose is as red as Rudolph's." She teased.
Somewhere amidst the trees came a direct hit echo and two pairs of eyes shot in its general direction. "Hey...AH!!"
"GOT ya Kento!"
A resounding THUMP was heard seconds later and Mia and Ryo burst out laughing. "Would that make KENTO it?" She asked through laughter.
"You okay Kento?" Cye distantly asked, humor in his voice.
"He snuck up on me when I wasn't paying attention!" Kento burst out, good-natured irritation echoing.
"Well in orange you're easy to SPOT Hardrock!" Sage mused.
"Green ain't much BETTER!"
"Hey guys!" Ryo called, using his hands as a megaphone. "Let's go in! Hot chocolate!"
A few resounding cheers were heard and running their way. Seconds later, each color of subarmor was spotted jogging around trees, Kento leading the way. The four stopped next to Mia and Ryo, and Mia giggled at the snow still clinging to Kento's hair. "You're 'it' I assume?" Mia kidded.
With a jovial grin, Kento shook his head and ran a hand through his hair to get rid of more snow. "When we get back, I'm tagging Sage for that color comment."
"Try it orange-glo, you won't even tag me!"
"Says YOU!"
"I DO say so!"
"Fight about it INSIDE." Mia loudly mused, gaining their attention. "I've got chocolate on the stove and don't want the place to burn down." She joked, already walking back to the estate.
The two stalled the playful bicker to catch up, the six heading back. Though they weren't very cold and could easily play outside some more, Mia was thoughtful enough to know when they needed some downtime to warm up and rest. Later they'd play a fifth round...their third today. And hot chocolate, the way Mia made it, was NEVER turned down!
~*~*~
After dinner, everyone helped clear the table, as was custom. Unless you didn't eat in Mia Koji's house, you helped pull your weight with everyone else. The only one who wasn't allowed to do that much at all was Kento...on account that he kept eating the leftovers to be put away.
Standing in front of the sink with suds to her elbows, hands cleaning one of the plates, Mia gave a smile as another glass was set in the other side. "So," Mia suddenly announced, a small grin on her face, "anything else you guys want to tell me that you forgot about?"
Almost all the Ronins stopped and looked at her, and a few eyes narrowed. Some looked at each other, but shrugged and kept clearing the table. "I think we pretty much caught you up Mia." Cye mused, walking and grabbing a towel. He grabbed one of the plates off the rack and started in.
Mia's smile rose a little more. "Really?" She queried. "I do recall remembering something a few months back that SAGE mentioned..." Deep blue looked over her shoulder, meeting confused violet. "There's someone I think you forgot to mention in the past few days worth of stories I heard about." Letting Sage wonder and think, Mia's gaze went to the task in front of her.
Sage felt the eyes, and tried to think. His mind whirled as he thought back to every conversation he and Mia had since school started. Months ago?? "I really don't remember what you're suggesting Mia..." Sage wondered, heading to the sink with a small stack. He met her eyes briefly.
Mia looked to Sage, seeing he truly didn't get what she was insinuating. She decided to tell him, since he most likely didn't think about the girl as much as she figured. Every time he and the others came to her home, everything from the outside world slipped from their minds. "Do you remember talking about that girl?" She hinted, eyes going back to her task.
Sage's brows rose as he carefully set the dishes in the sink. "Why do you wanna know about HER?" He queried, already heading back to grab more dishes. When Mia and Cye cooked, normally there was plenty to do.
"When was THIS?" Ryo queried, stuffing a few things in the fridge.
"What'd you two talk about?" Kento asked, handing over another large pot from the table.
"Sage went out and - thank you Kento - he went meditating and I knew there was something mildly serious on his mind." Mia decided to leave out his irritation to the girl, knowing the others would most likely already know of it. "We talked and I found out a little about the girl you got to know at the beginning of school. Not much though. Anyone care to enlighten me about one of your friends?"
Ryo, Rowen, and Kento all looked at each other from positions in the room. Collective brow roses as their eyes spoke small wonder and amazement. Ryo looked to Sage, searching violet. Just what did they talk about?
A friend? Was she? Kento went back to stacking the rest of the dishes off the table with Sage delivering them to the sink, and Rowen putting everything in something for the fridge, Ryo putting it away. Their minds buzzed. Sure Epiphany was ten times more open than what she was when the year started...but did they REALLY consider her their friend, and visa versa?
Ryo looked up to the others, subtly catching Kento's eyes. The smile on Hardrock's face was enough to tell Ryo that Kento did consider the Hispanic girl his friend. Ryo stood and went to the table for another container to put away.
It was hard to say whether or not he did. Sure Epiphany was nice and all, as he was with her, but there was never a true moment when they could talk and be close than their normal lunchroom and gym play. It was interesting to think of. Friends were dear to him, as they were with the others, and he wasn't inclined to let just ANYONE in.
Rowen set another bowl on the table and continued on, nearly finished. Kento ate most of the leftovers and had to be told there'd be nothing for midnight snacks if he ate them all now. But honestly...he couldn't give a definite yes or no to Mia's assumption. Sure they talked quite a bit, but that was always near to total joking around. Except for showing her the city and studying, there was rarely a time when they were serious...save for that time in the library.
Rowen fought a blush and handed Ryo one of the containers. Thinking back, being closer to the girl than he was then, Rowen knew he was in the wrong. Shooting his mouth off was not the way to handle a situation like that. He knew that now. But a friend wasn't something he did know. They were just pleasant around one another.
"Where to start??" Kento broke in, scratching his head. He looked to the back of Mia's head, as if she could give them a timeframe. "There's quite a bit to tell...any ideas?" Everything was finally done and over with...time to sit down and relax, and let the others finish their tasks.
Mia smiled. "Why don't you tell me about her? First impression I got wasn't a very GOOD one." She mused, lips quirking higher. She gave Sage a sideways glance when he put the dishes in the sink, but he turned for the rest and pointedly ignored her.
The others blinked and looked to Sage, but the blond ignored all their gazes and juggled the last small stack.
"Personality wise?" Rowen asked, brows in his bandana. He looked to the others, trying to find a way to explain Epiphany with a short conversation. "Well...she's SHY for one."
"But she's got a good sense of humor." Kento added, grinning.
"AND highly protective." Cye muttered, his attention on a glass.
Mia smirked. "So...what's her NAME?"
"Epiphany Sundance Marzellos." Sage quietly answered, lips tilting.
Mia's brow rose. "That's quite a mouthful." She muttered.
The others tried to account a few more details some from classes they shared, others from lunch. Mia's image of this girl grew and she formed a small opinion of her own. From what Rowen said, the girl was shy, but she had an entirely different side when you got her to open up. This Epiphany had a lot of problems to get used to in her young life.
When the dishes were done, dried, the table was cleaned, and everything put away, the six moved into the living room. Ryo insisted a fire be started to warm up the room...and Mia let him because he wanted to be in his element. Winter for a fire kanji was NOT something for the raven-haired Ronin. And he never got to 'play' in Toyama, why not indulge him?
The five took turns in front of the fire, making Smores as dessert. Mia was content to let them have their fun while they were at her home. She watched in comfortable silence as they clowned around. Most of her mind was curious about this girl. When she first talked to Sage about Epiphany, she told Sage he could bring her with them next time. That never happened, but now that she knew more about the girl, maybe she should reiterate herself.
Why NOT? Though she didn't mind having all five to herself, to clown around with and talk to, the added estrogen WOULD be a bonus.
When the five finally finished the batch they were working on and sat back to let everything cool, Mia sipped her tea. "Hey guys, I was thinking..." The five turned or looked over their shoulders. A small smile graced Mia's face. "Why don't you guys talk to Epiphany and ask if she'd like to come up here next time?"
They all looked, save for Sage, with mildly wide eyes and at each other. Sage gave Mia another somewhat confused look at her second offer. Why did she want Epiphany to visit that much? "WHY?" Sage queried.
Mia met Sage's eyes, giving him an even stare. "Same reason I told you LAST time...and it'd be nice to get to know one of your friends." She shrugged and went back to her tea. "Why NOT? Is there a problem with that?"
They looked back to each other, small skepticism in their eyes. "No..." Ryo slowly drawled. He looked to Mia and after a while, gave a shrug. "We can ASK her." What Ryo didn't say -but what was also on the others' minds - was whether or not she'd still be around to go.
~*~*~
Night fell. The rest of the family sat around in the living room, a contented quiet surrounding the suite. "So...how'd the day go?" She asked, sneaking a peek from her school book. She could tell by the late hour when her mother, cousin, and sister got in that her father went to check out companies.
Philippe looked up from the news section of the magazine, eyes still awake. She knew it'd been a good excursion by the level of conscious in his eyes. "Bueno. Looked around the city more and I had a few conversations with some of the electronic companies. They think there's a few overseas that might be interested in my work."
Her heart nearly froze. Did that mean they'd leave?? She almost forgot to breathe. NO! "R...Really?" She stuttered, trying to quell the nervous fluttering of her heart. "Did they say...where??" She continued, hands clutching the book tighter. If her knuckles were turning white, she didn't notice.
Consuela did. She lowered part of the newspaper she and Philippe shared, and blinked at her daughter's subtle, unsettled appearance. "No one said any details hija." Consuela quietly answered, trying to reassure her. She gave a small, comforting smile. "They suggested su padre check out other companies. I wouldn't be surprised if he already worked with them." A proud smile tipped the elder's lips as she looked to her husband before she gave the same glance. "It's nothing to worry about now."
That's WHEN she needed to know. She didn't want to wait for half a month and then get the news sprung on her and give those around her a week or so to say goodbye. With the way things worked out SO far she figured they were staying for at LEAST the full school year.
Her father's computer security program 'business' worked well in this country. A program that would hourly check for any defects, misaligned or broken systems without human aide, but still alert security to any problems. It was high tech, and almost verging on the possibility of A.I. Her father painstakingly installed it and went through every program with the system, acquainting the computer and system operators. When something new was uploaded or old systems deleted, the computer would make note of it and update files on its own. She didn't deny her father was a computer genius...but his genius was turning her life upside-down.
Still, her father did do enough business in different countries that she was hoping these people the businessmen talked about already had her father's system on their computer. But if THAT was the case, they would just send the family somewhere else for her father to work with.
It didn't make sense. Her father long ago paid off every college fee he owned and had enough saved up that they didn't need to keep moving around so much. Surely there were places in Spain that still needed her father's business...
She tried not to worry...REALLY she did. It was the possibility of moving had actually recessed into her mind to the point where she started gradually accepted that she'd be here for a while. Part of her even accepted that and opened up to the others in that time. Otherwise, would she've bothered?
She let the topic die and looked back to her book, though she didn't see any of the words. Brown slowly burned as worry ate at her mind. This couldn't happen! She was SO tired of moving! Now that she FINALLY found some friends, just like what happened in America, she was going to lose them again. Probably never talk to them again.
Her eyes hardened. No. That COULDN'T happen. She risked a lot by opening up to those five and gaining a little of their trust. They gained her trust and through these past few years, she learned to not trust at all.
Something niggled in the back of her head, though what she didn't know. It evaporated the worry and hardened the resentment and anger against her father. Long ago she felt this way, just after leaving America. She almost let those same emotions drag her under, to encompass her mind and make her strong. Her eyes slightly narrowed, even though they were still focused on the book.
She wanted to feel this way...to feel the anger and rage and unjustness of it all. But, most of her mind still prevailed. Because she LOVED her father. Didn't she?