"You've GOT to be kidding me..." Sage muttered, flipping pages. His eyes narrowed in confusion and a tiny, amused look. With a quiet snort, he reread the front of the first page, wondering how much time he had to respond. This HAD to be a mistake. What was she THINKING?! "I hope she doesn't SINCERELY plan to go through this." He mumbled, quickly getting from the chair. Without really thinking, but knowing the OTHERS would want to see this proof, Sage grabbed his jacket and keys, leaving without a word. There was only one place he could really go without feeling a burden, and he sped off in that direction.

It didn't take long for him to get to Rowen's house. After a quick ring of the bell, huddling in his coat as the wind struck again, the door finally opened. He met Rowen's surprised and confused eyes. "Sage?" Rowen blurted out, immediately stepping inside when the cold slapped him in the face. "Come in." The door quickly shut behind them, the quiet swallowing up the wind. "What's up?"

Sage headed into the living room like a man on a mission. He honestly didn't know whether or not to be insulted by the implications she just provided. He heard Rowen follow him inside and plop down on the couch. He took the other side and turned to his good friend, grabbing the envelope from his back pocket. "You're not going to believe this..." He mysteriously answered, handing the whole thing over.

Rowen eyes widened from the address, but he had to smile. "So, you got another one, eh?" He kidded, grabbing the folded sheets. There was only two this time, and he eagerly unfolded it, knowing Sage NEVER showed their contents to anyone. He felt like a little boy with a toy that no one else was allowed to play with.

Dear Sage-chan,

Yea I know I shouldn't add that to your name since I don't NEED to, but you know I'm practicing. I just thought I'd try out my vocabulary. Classes are going GREAT. My teacher says I'm doing pretty good as far as absorption goes, even though this is only my second year. So I thought...what the heck? I should get started on using it, so that way I won't feel so embarrassed or moronic next time we talk and you don't give my writing the oddest look I can probably imagine.

And I hope that to be soon. Probably sooner than YOU think. You know my family has always been more than well off with my father's business, which he's still at believe it or not. I had a long talk with my aunt, and both my parents the past few months and my father is giving me enough money for a small...excursion as my Christmas present. I can also claim credit for it with my classes too, as a small...internship as it were.

If you haven't guessed by now, which I think your sharp mind would, I'm coming back to Toyama! I'm so excited!! I'm beaming right now if you can't tell. I just can't sit still in class with the thought of being able to come back and see you guys! I want to pack right now, even though that's pointless. That's how eager I am to go back there. But don't tell the others...I want it to be a surprise! Well...I imagine you'll probably tell them, I don't know. I wouldn't be mad if they knew; cause then I wouldn't have to worry about going to THEM and surprising them.

Anyway...chichi-san sent me enough cash for the same hotel we stayed in, just nothing as fancy as that. I got a two week vacation set up there, so just make sure you come see me every so often. I'm not able to drive in Japan, so I'll have problems going to YOU if that happens. I also intend on going shopping for you all, so see if you can talk everyone into it. Though I'm sure they won't MIND clearing their schedule...at least I hope not. I'm not going to be able to make THAT a surprise since I don't know what you all like. Let's just hit up the mall and what you see, I'll buy.

So how IS everyone doing ANYWAY?? Is Ryo-chan still the workaholic you told me about? That boy needs to UNWIND. More to the point, I think he needs a girlfriend. Heh. I could just SEE that...college boy and also full-time worker trying to juggle THAT and an onna. It makes me laugh just thinking about it.

And is Kento-chan still working with his mother? You're right in his needing classes. He shouldn't just get work experience and leave it at that. He should get a few business classes at the university in order to give his future some solidity. I'm surprised the others haven't talked him into it, but he might still be learning how to run that place. You'll have to take me there sometime so I can see their business. The food sounds good too.

That's too bad about Cye-chan's schedule. I couldn't see having to inherit the whole business just because you're the guy of the family. How does he intend on using his major if he's to take over the business?? If he lived HERE, whoever wanted it would be able to have it. But from what you say about his mother's health, I suppose Cye-chan taking it over as quickly as possible would be smart. It's sad to hear that she's doing so badly. I imagine that she'd be as nice as he is, since Cye-chan is very polite to others. Even me. Heh...THAT brings back memories.

But I think that's great that Rowen-chan is also pursuing something he likes. I remember that time when he sniped at me in the library when he had an Astronomy book in his face. He seemed to like it, so it's good that he's pursuing the topic. I'm glad he can. But from what you say of your weekends, he still hasn't changed. He still as prideful and sarcastic as when I was there? I kind of hope so, I want to get into one of our 'talks'. I miss those, they're always fun to see how you four break it up. Heh!

I hope this letter reaches you before I get there. I'll be arriving the twenty-second...probably around mid afternoon if the plane ride is smooth and on time. I'll check in to my room around dinnertime I assume, and see what I can do to look you up. I hope we can spend a few days together outside the group, if you don't mind, and take in the city again. Maybe you can show me around instead of everyone...and maybe even the park again. I'd like to see what it looks like in the winter and...well......maybe even relive a few memories I still hold.

But anyway, I'll let you go. I've got to get to college and let my teacher know what I've got planned. I assume she'll be ecstatic to know that I'm going over. She told me once she came from that area and used to travel all over. Kinda like how I did. But I digress...

See you soon Sage-chan!! Feliz Navidad...Meri Kurisumasu...Merry Christmas! How EVER you wanna put it! Heh.

E.S.M.-chan

Rowen's brow shot into his hairline once again. It had throughout the letter, for many reasons. He hadn't known that Sage was more open to Epiphany than before. Last time he knew, they just talked, not TALKED. This made him wonder about those OTHER letters Sage owned, and what she responded back with. And what he sent HER.

Rowen finally folded the papers in silence and handed the envelope back to his friend, giving him wondering eyes. "So...she's coming here, eh?"

"And staying in a HOTEL." Sage reiterated, tucking it in the back of his slacks. "Why would she DO such a thing??"

Rowen's brow rose AGAIN. He stared at Sage and wondered about his behavior. If Epiphany came back...this was DEFINITELY going to be interesting! He wondered just how much Sage kept her updated with things in their lives. It would be funny to ask, since Sage would ignore him on that one. But the problem at hand was her return. Not that she was coming BACK, Rowen was excited at the fact to see an old friend again, but the main point was her stay. "So why does THAT get you riled up?" He asked, lips tipping.

Sage's eyes shot to his friend's and almost felt heat rise to his face. He turned and let the curtain of ever-present hair hide his features and idly tapped a finger on his pants. "You know Mia would gladly let her stay with her if asked. I don't know why she didn't just have me ask and then let me write her back."

Rowen's grin widened. "Maybe because she wanted it to be a surprise? At least she told YOU. From that letter, she said she didn't want us knowing she was showing up, but then there'd be no real way for her to get in touch with us. We never even gave her our addresses."

Sage's lips pursed, almost in a knowing way. "She has them." He muttered, almost inaudibly.

Rowen's brow shot into his hairline. "You gave her our addresses?!" He sputtered, gazing on in shock. His friend hadn't moved to look at him, but he looked utterly uncomfortable. Sage nodded minutely. Rowen slowly gained an evil grin as something became clear. "So...you intend on spending time with her like she wrote?"

Sage finally turned to look at Rowen, mostly from the tone of his voice. A brow rose in wariness. "Of course I will. That's partially why she's COMING here...to spend time with us."

"Are you sure it isn't YOU?" Rowen tossed back, his grin widening when Sage looked to his tapping finger. Bull's eye. "I see your feelings for Epi have changed JUST a little." He prodded, nudging Sage's leg with his foot. He snickered when Sage pinned him with a small glare and looked away. "Hey, just be glad SOMEONE knows. Cause when she gets back, we're ALL going to know. You think you're going to be able to hide something THIS noticeable to the others? You think you're going to hide if from KENTO?"

Sage snorted and leaned against the cushions. His gaze looked around the room and his ears perked to the silence. "So where is he today?" He queried, quickly changing the subject. As he figured, Rowen quieted. His gaze slowly looked to his good friend.

"I think dad's at the lab again. I don't know when he left, but I'm pretty sure it was early." Rowen mumbled, stretching his arms.

Sage gave a small smirk. "I guess the early rise sleep habit didn't transcend to the next generation." He purposely kidded, seeing Rowen smile a little.

Rowen snorted. "Hey...we let YOU have the early mornings remember?" He joked back, meeting amused eyes with his own. "And you're welcome TO them. You don't know what you're missing by staying up on cold nights when there's no precipitation to make clouds. The stars are pretty nice."

Sage snorted back and stood. "Not my element. But I DO stay up late, and have in the past, whenever I'm with you." His foot rose and tapped Rowen's leg. "You just don't know what you're missing with sunrises. They're breathtaking, especially when there's a wisp of cloud that gets turned pink from the rising sun."

Rowen also stood and headed for the kitchen. He heard Sage's muffled footsteps on the carpet follow. His hand waved, as if batting the statement aside. "I'd like mornings if they started later." He announced, heading for the fridge. Sage chuckled behind him. "So, you going to show that to the others?" He asked, grinning behind the half gallon of orange juice. His eyes spotted his good friend's widen almost in fear before he took a swig from the jug.

"Well I intend on TELLING them about this..." Sage answered, evading the question. "I'm pretty sure they'd want to know. Kento for sure. He'll be happy to know she's coming back for a visit." A dry grin popped up. "She intends on trying out some of her Japanese on us, so be prepared if she starts spouting off."

Rowen nearly choked on his drink. He coughed through his laughter and put the jug away. "Oh now THAT is going to be FUN to play with. How badly can we embarrass her?" He asked, eagerness in his eyes.

Sage shook his head in amusement, going to lean against the table. "Go easy on her will you? She's only two years into learning. She's been taking classes ever since she graduated from high school. And I'll have you know she graduated a year before we did."

Rowen's brow twitched again as he gave his friend an amused glance. "HOW much do you know about her?" He asked, getting his answer by Sage's face blocked again with that curtain of hair.

"Enough." He answered, arms absently crossing. "So...I'm headed out to Ryo's. Think he'll be there?"

Rowen snorted. "It's Saturday right? We all don't have classes then. You can bet he'll be at work. Let's head for Kento's. It's one; he should be up by now."

Sage snorted again, but nodded. "I'm driving."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"This is so GREAT!"

"Calm yourself Kento. There's still a few weeks left before she even GETS here." Rowen answered, grinning despite himself.

"So? You think she celebrates Christmas? I'd like to get her something, now that I know she'll be here for it." Kento pinned Sage with a glance. "DOES she celebrate it?"

"Why are you asking ME?" Sage asked, getting a knowing snicker from Rowen. Violet glared at him again. "Yes she does. She also intends on getting us all something." He shrugged. "If you want to, go ahead."

"Good." Kento answered, nodding. He leaned back against the wall against his bed and stared at Sage. "You'll have to come with me to give me some ideas."

"Why ME?" Sage asked, scowling. "I don't DO public, crowded places."

Rowen's grin turned evil again. "Because YOU'RE the one who's kept in touch with her faithfully since she left over two years ago." He answered, getting another glare. "Hey...don't give ME that look. You don't need to be embarrassed." The glare hardened.

"But I don't know why she's staying at a HOTEL." Kento muttered, tapping a finger against his cheek. "Does she not think we'd be hospitable enough to put her somewhere with us for two weeks?"

Sage gave Kento a bored look. "Epiphany still hasn't changed THAT much since you last saw her. She's still shy and easily embarrassed. She doesn't even KNOW any of our families. Not to mention MINE would go nuts with a girl in the house; Ryo's never at his apartment; I don't trust Rowen with her-"

"HEY!"

"-And Cye's house is as busy as yours is."

"If not more." Kento cheekily answered, grinning. "You been able to get back to her yet? Let her know that you think Mia will house her?"

"I don't know if there's enough time." Sage gruffly answered, crossing his arms. "Our letters take a few weeks to a month to get delivered. I don't think it'd make it in time, and I don't know if she'd just up and cancel her reservation if we caught her in time at the hotel. She'd be stubborn and stay there, I just know it."

Rowen's brow twitched as he gazed at Sage. Another playful retort was just waiting to be said, but he bit his tongue and kept quiet. He had plenty of time to pick on his friend about Epiphany, more so than now. He knew the others would as well, as soon as they got over the pleasant shock of the news. It was unsure if the playful side of his mind should give them all clues, or let them figure it out on their own. "Sage also told me she's been learning our language and intends on using it when she comes back." Rowen reported, unable to hide his grin.

Kento's brow rose, but he smiled back. "She is? That's great! What can we do to see how much she knows?"

"You guys..." Sage muttered, shaking his head. "Can you at least give her a DAY to settle in before you pick on her??"

Kento's grin widened. "Hey, I come from a family of five buddy. Childish pranks are my specialty." He laughed.

Sage couldn't help but chuckle with the others. He couldn't help the fact that his mind also wanted to tease Epiphany as far as her language was concerned, but he wouldn't be as blatantly outward as he knew the OTHERS would. "Anyway...shall we go let Cye know what's going on? Maybe we can find a way to let Epiphany know so she can change her plans."

Kento hopped off the bed and went for his closet to grab a sweater. "We can see what he's got going on." He answered, pulling a bulky knit over his head. "If we're lucky, we can save him from his homework again."

Rowen's eyes rolled. "When you hit college up Kento, we're going to bug YOU and see how YOU like not getting anything done that involves your future."

Kento just smiled and headed toward the door, hearing the others follow. "You wish Rowen. You think ma will let you in the house if I've got homework to do?" He laughed as the three headed to the front door.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Konnichi wa Sayoko-san." Hello Sayoko.

"Konnichi wa minna-chan." Good afternoon everyone. Sayoko stood in the doorway with a small smile. "Ototo-chan is...doing homework you guys." She answered, giving an apologetic look. "And he doesn't want to be disturbed."

"Much like last time." Kento piped up, nudging his way forward. He shouldered past Rowen and leaned against the doorway. "But we've got some news he'll DEFINTELY wanna hear!"

Sayoko's lips pursed in thought. She knew Cye didn't want to be distracted with his paper in the works...or lack thereof. He had gotten a few ideas from that strange girl yesterday and was trying to figure out a small short story to build on. She wouldn't have known except he came home with such a distraught and thoughtful face that she HAD to ask what the matter was. "Well..." Her mouth pressed together. "Promise me you won't take too long? I don't want to keep ototo-chan from his homework. But if you SAY it's important..."

"Oh it is." Rowen insisted, already pushing Kento inside. He was FREEZING! "And we promise we won't stay long. I'm sure NO ONE wants to be around Cye after that little bit with Kimon!"

The three headed for Cye's room, wondering about the turnout of the incident from yesterday. Of course Cye rambled his worries to Kento on what the problem was to cool off, and Kento told everyone else his good friend was having troubles. Save Ryo, since he was so busy, the rest wondered about the outcome with the silent girl they met not too long ago. To a tiny degree, they were curious about her and wanted to know if there WAS a way to help him up his grade. The two let Kento knock, also the one to let Cye know what was going on. They interacted with Cye alright, but Kento and he were better friends by far.

Even before Cye could say anything back, Kento opened the door and strolled in. "Hey Cye buddy! Do we have some news for YOU!"

The three stopped and blinked at seeing something all too comical, but odd. Instead of sitting hunched over on his desk like normal, the bearer of Torrent was laying on his bed with his head hanging over the side, legs lying against the wall. In his hands was a piece of paper. It pulled away and he blinked. "Hey guys. What're you DOING here? I assume you know Sayoko gave you orders not to bother me."

Rowen shrugged past this strange position for his friend and sat on the edge of Cye's bed. "Well we've got some news that's going to brighten up YOUR day." Blue eyes pointedly looked over his form. "Which must be going worse than this position looks uncomfortable." He grinned and ignored Cye's scowl. "You remember Epiphany?"

Cye's brow rose. "Marzellos? Of COURSE I remember her. It's only been two years!" He answered, giving Rowen a bored look. "What's your point?"

"She's coming back for two weeks." Sage answered, leaning against Cye's desk. He looked on in amusement at his friend's position.

Cye smiled and swung his legs over to sit normally on his bed. "Really? Great! It's been a while. I wonder if she's changed any."

Rowen grinned again on the inside track to Cye's question. "Ask Sage, HE'D know."

"Rowen..." Sage warned, giving him a dangerous look. He was tired of being inadvertently embarrassed by all of his friend's hints. If this kept up, he'd give in to the peer pressure and not even WANT to see Epiphany when she came back.

"So when does she intend on coming back?"

"The day before our break starts. I assume hers is around the same time. But she wrote and told me she made reservations for the same hotel she stayed at when she was here two years ago." Sage reported.

Cye gave his friend an odd look. "Why? Didn't she think that we wouldn't allow her here for a while? I'm sure none of our families would mind ALL that much. Epiphany is the type who'd be on her best behavior..."

"I figured he'd say something like that." Kento joked, grinning. "Well we're trying to figure out a way to get a message to her before she gets here to say that we don't think Mia will mind housing her for those few weeks."

"Have you even ASKED Mia??" Cye asked, giving a skeptical look.

"It's MIA Cye. She even asks about Epi when she thinks Sage is going to get another letter." Rowen answered, giving his friend a bored look. "I'm PRETTY sure she wouldn't mind the company. Remember when Epi was here and met Mia? Mia took a liking to her, and she even offered to house Epi when we had our more routine visits. We'll just tell her the situation and I'm almost positive she'll mention it."

"Right before one of you says you were HOPING she'd say that??" Cye pressed, raising a brow.

"DETAILS Cye..." Kento butt in, grinning. "Now, you going to go with us to make that trip or not?"

Cye gave his good friend an incredulous look. "I WAS working; I'll have you know Kento! Just because we don't have classes doesn't mean I planned on screwing around! I've got a story to work on...one that has to be an 'A' and bring my GRADE up!"

"How DID that go anyway?" Rowen asked, cocking his head to one side.

Cye looked to the piece of paper in his hand and bit his lip. There were a few lines of things that Kimon gave him ideas for, some that were spurred by her trying to teach him the better ways of writing. He didn't know what to expect when she told him to meet her at the cafeteria after classes were over with, but she didn't even bother with small talk. Apparently, during some free time, she had worked up something for him to read and explained a few things with some of the questions he had. She didn't even bother to say hello or goodbye when her ride suddenly showed up. She just said if he needed further help to talk with their teacher and then to let her know so she could get some more lessons in. It was quite odd and he didn't know how to take it.

"Well..." Cye looked to his paper again. "I don't really KNOW. I'm not too sure how to take it."

The three just stared at him in blinking confusion, but shortly decided to drop it since the look on their friend's face looked like he was trying to grasp something he wasn't going to be able to comprehend. "Anyway..." Sage cut in. "If we help you come up with some ideas, you wanna come with us? I'm driving."

Cye's face scrunched up in pure thought as he looked from Sage to the accursed paper. It would be nice to get some help, but he didn't feel it would all be done by HIM alone if the others helped. Even though he was having the worst case of writer's block right now. It seemed that whatever was out of his element wasn't something to easily pluck from creativity. His mind whispered that he DID let Sayoko and his mother try and give him a few ideas earlier... What harm could three other minds do? In all honesty, he had two weeks to come up with something original and GOOD...and he hadn't even STARTED yet. "Deal. Let's hit it on the way. Maybe something about Toyama will spark inspiration."

"What's the topic you have to write about anyway?" Sage wondered, backing from the desk as Cye went for it.

"Anything that comes to mind...but it's a narrative paper. So I'm just looking for something interesting and what can grab a reader. So far I've got about four ideas, some of what Kimon gave to me to help." Cye stuffed the few things in his pack for the ride. "But I want to come up with something on my own though."

"Well, maybe we can help you in the car. Or Mia can help when we get there." Kento offered, heading for the hallway.

"Why DO you want me to come with you guys so badly ANYWAY?" Cye queried, curious about the reason.

"Because you're the one who helps out more. We're hoping if OUR attempts fail, that you'll be able to soften her up." Rowen kidded, grinning.

Cye's eyes rolled at his friend's bad humor as they headed for the car.