"One-chan...Kento-chan's trying to steal from the pot again!"

"Kento how many times have I told you if you keep eating before we all sit down to dinner that I'll thwack you with my stirring spoon!"

"Yea, yea... Sheesh...you tattletale."

"Hey...you know the rules around here. You've been here longer than I have."

"Are you bothering my koishii again Kento?"

"Humph. Don't think you'll always hide behind Cye just because you can Kimon-chan."

An evil grin appeared. "I hide behind no one." Detangling herself from Cye's protective, loving arms, she reached forward and tousled that dark blue hair.

"Hey! Come back here!" He shouted, taking off after her laughing figure.

"Will you two stop running through the house?! Come back here, we're ready to get dinner started!" Mia called, shaking her head. Those two became quite the pair through time and it was never a dull moment. They were about as bad as Rowen and Sage were when it came to throwing out comments and annoying the other!

Kento nearly screeched to a stop and jogged back in, quickly helping to bring stuff to the table. The sooner everyone sat down, the sooner they could eat in his mind.

She nearly stomped back in with a small pout, arms crossed. When Kento finally met ice blue across the way, she humorously glared. "So I take it food is more important than trying to get revenge on me??"

A thick hand waved in her direction as he sat down, impatiently watching everyone else do so. "I'll get you back later." He absently muttered, going to fill his plate.

"I feel so loved..." She dryly muttered, going to her seat.

Mia's head shook. She knew Kento would keep good on his promise too and tonight was bound to have no peace and quiet. "Just don't tear the place apart. Onegai? It takes long ENOUGH to clean up after you five when you leave."

The smells of dinner soon attracted more than just Kento, and White Blaze and Beethoven strolled in. A hand instinctively reached out and affectionately petted her old seeing-eye dog. After giving a quick sneak to Mia's face, making sure she was distracted, a hand whipped to her plate and pulled a small chunk for her dog. After getting used to sight more and more, she treated Beethoven with the respect he deserved for his long years of devotion. He was her baby in a way and she tended to spoil him with the excuse of 'how can you resist that face??'.

"Imoto-chan...you'd better not be giving him table scraps again." Mia muttered, not even looking in Kimon's direction. In the time of living together, she'd come to know Kimon's new moods and ways. The girl still stuck to a schedule and habit, and was easy to predict half the time.

She looked up with wide eyes, even as Beethoven licked her fingers clean. "How did you know?!" She breathed, trying to look innocent. She ignored those who smirked.

"You're too predictable imoto-chan." She answered, digging in. Her gaze still didn't look up. "You need to knock that off."

"But...but, how can you resist that face??" A lithe hand swung down to the happily panting dog, tail wagging in eagerness to get more human food.

"Just don't look at him." Cye answered, grinning at his girlfriend.

She pouted. "Now that's not fair koi! I can't just ignore him like that! I mean...RYO-CHAN'S feeding WHITE BLAZE!" A hand pointed across the table, catching Wildfire in the act. "Look! He's doing it right now!"

Mia's gaze whipped up and she mildly glared at tiger blue, getting a sheepish look. Ryo looked to ice blue and scowled. "Traitor." He grumbled, pulling his own hand from below the table. His cheeks burned red as everyone snickered.

Her chin rose. "Hey, if I can't feed mine, then you don't get to feed yours."

"You shouldn't feed an animal table scraps ANYWAY." Rowen wisely pointed out, eyeing the two.

"Yea...they're getting too big as it is." Kento added with a smirk.

"So are you." Cye shot back, mimicking his grin. With a yelp of surprise, he shot from his seat and took off from the table as Kento bounded after him with promise of revenge on his face. A small scuffle and bickering could be heard outside the dining room.

"Don't make me dump your plate Kento!" Mia calmly called, not fazed by their antics. This never failed to happen between the two, but she knew how to quiet it down in an instant when need be.

The scuffle ceased with a final yelp and grumble. Not even a minute later, Kento came strolling in with Cye easily thrown over his shoulder.

"You get some sick, demented pleasure in doing this?!" Cye retorted, banging a fist on his friend's back. He didn't receive an answer, but was unsteadily set on his feet. Female giggling got his attention and he returned to his seat to poke her in the side. "You're a big help. Couldn't you at least insist he knock that off??"

She was still laughing behind her hand as her head shook. "No way...too much fun to watch you get picked on. Almost as much as I do when he visits." She happily answered, feeling her stomach start hurting.

An auburn brow rose as he suddenly pulled her hand away and kissed her. He pulled away before she could respond and eagerly kiss him back and grinned. The unsatisfied look on her face was revenge enough. "You're such a brat." He muttered, tapping her nose.

"You still love me though."

"That I do." He answered, heaving a sigh as if it taxed him.

A quick jab to his leg got a sudden cry and he looked across the table with a glare, meeting blue eyes. "What was that for??"

"Will you two cut that out?? We ARE eating here..."

"You're just jealous Strata." She poked, going by his warrior name. In time, she'd become so accustomed to the secret and calling them their Ronin Warrior names at times that no one really minded anymore. It was almost natural that she know their secret now. Not only was it a good bluff to restore her sight back then, but it changed her mood for the better. Apparently she wasn't always so shy and timid...there was an evil streak and humor she possessed that made her more outgoing to the rest. It was amazing how she changed in only a few months.

His tongue stuck out at her and she copied it before a pair of chopsticks clicked together almost in warning. "Grow up you two." Mia absently answered, not needing to say anymore.

~*~*~

"So how's college doing?"

"Didn't you ask me that a week ago? And then I saw you just after classes a few days ago. You know the answer to that."

"Don't get smart with me again koishii...I'm just asking."

She batted away the hands that tried to tickle her and settled more firmly against him. "Wakarimasu, wakarimasu..." She muttered, happily sighing as they watched another sun set. This made the dozenth time they'd seen one together and she wanted to add twice the amount to that record. "I'm almost done. I'll be graduating soon...so you can start on that party." She teased, smiling.

He chuckled and twisted her to face him, leaning back a little so they were both more comfortable. "You really want one? Because I can give you one. I'm sure okaa-san and one-chan won't mind coming and helping." He winked. "I'm sure Mia wouldn't mind holding it here, and even if she did for some reason, we could always have it at my house. You know my mom won't mind."

She smiled and settled against his chest, her ever acute hearing listening to his heartbeat. Her senses had yet to dull to normal with her sight through all the placating and pretending she did since regaining her sight. Since college took up so much of the day, she always had to adjust more to sight than her other senses. They were still so reliable and she could still walk around the house with her eyes closed and do everything she used to. All she had to do was concentrate and pretend she was blind again and it would be like old times.

She acted normally in town, knowing not everyone knew her. After she graduated, she was going to take a few months and hopefully start the beginning planning she wanted for a book that sounded like a good idea. Then perhaps a little later, she could always say her sight returned in that time period. It was as easy as mentioning that her sight was always able to be corrected with surgery and everyone assumed that. They never thought differently and she always threw out tiny white lies to protect the deepest secret she had yet. Lying to protect that was getting easier and easier, even when she could see.

"You're so quiet all of a sudden for someone who was jabbering on about nothing just seconds ago." A hand snaked under her chin and directed her gaze to his. Soft, intense blue stared back as a small grin formed. "I like that. You know I've always valued your silence, even though you've become so outgoing. I hope you never lose that quality about yourself..."

She blushed and sheepishly grinned. The need to kiss him again was strong, as it always was. Lithe hands gently gripped his shoulders as she pulled herself up a few inches, eyes still on his. They momentarily widened in shock, but shuttered close a little bit with a fire that started churning in those depths. She connected what she felt and saw, knowing it was the same in her body. They'd never done anything more than serious kissing yet, too scared to continue and knowing they didn't need to take that step yet. But...there were times when they indulged and let themselves go. This was one of those times.

Her lips quickly touched his, pressing against him. Her hands snaked around his neck, going where she could in his hair and massaging his scalp. A quiet groan sounded before his hands returned the gesture, knowing it still affected her badly. She clutched him tighter as the fire in her body heightened. Her heart thumped and she could feel nearly the same pace in Cye's chest. It felt so good...as it always did... She never wanted it to stop, but a sudden cough separated their lips as if they were burned.

Both looked up from their prone positions on the porch swing and broke out into full-blown blushes. Even if it was rather public, they were hoping for the privacy to be able to be a LITTLE intimate for a few minutes... Leaning against the doorway stood Kento and Rowen with Ryo's head peeking out in the space over Rowen's shoulder.

"If you two are through making out now," Rowen kidded, evilly grinning, "we were going to head in the back and go find something to do before Mia goes insane."

The others chuckled around him, bypassing the glares and focusing on the embarrassed looks in both sets of blue eyes. "Unless, that is, you'd like to continue. We'll be happy to leave you to go at it..." Ryo added, his grin widening.

"Just one question...what happened to those morals you were telling me about Cye?" Kento piped up, a brow rising. He was highly enjoying this and he knew the others were as well. Even if, deep inside, they were jealous and envious of the closeness between the two. Not just physically either...they had a deep bond that could never be broken and the more the group hung out with Kimon, the more they realized that.

"KENTO URASAI YO!" Both shouted, looking to each other with stunned looks. Kimon's head dropped onto his chest with a grin and his head shook.

"That was just too scary for words..." Ryo breathed, eyes wide. The trio looked to each other with odd looks as the couple shifted to stand.

Swiping a hand through her hair, ice blue found one trouble maker missing. "So where's the last of your little group?" She retorted, trying to make herself look presentable.

"Sage didn't want to get in the middle of the fun." Rowen answered, getting that same grin again. "We think it's because he's too nervous with Epiphany coming back in a few months and doesn't need to be reminded of his fantasies."

"WHAT WAS THAT?!"

Everyone looked inside, the couple crowding around the others. They quickly backed away at the fierce glare in Sage's violet gaze, directed at Rowen. He stormed to the front door upon hearing that little remark. Previously calm and collected, he was merely heading to find out what was taking so long and the deal behind the shout he heard inside.

Rowen stood his ground as he suddenly found himself nose to nose with his best friend. The grin on his face and the way he was biting his lip was telling how much he was trying to hold back laughing at his friend's discomfort.

Violet narrowed to slits. "I'll ask you again. What. Did. You. SAY??" Sage hissed, his fists clenching. He had no such thoughts about his girlfriend and even if he DID, he didn't enjoy having them so publicly announced. As if he'd ever tell such things to Rowen ANYWAY. Getting teased about it until the end of time was not on his fun list. A small tinge started to take over his face when he felt everyone's eyes. Nice to know they were enjoying his distress.

Rowen couldn't hold in the pass to make a jab at his friend's account. Picking on Sage to get him to show more emotion was always such a fun thing, as it was necessary. He knew his friend needed to get out more and experience things the others did. He was just doing his best to help...and keeping entertained while doing it. "Aww...is Sagey-wagey EMBARRASSED he was caught with impure thoughts?" A hand rose and patted that blond mop. Knowing he was asking for it, and not waiting for the warning, Rowen pivoted and jumped off the stairs, taking off at high speed for the back of the forest with Sage on his tail, shouting retribution.

She sighed and shook her head as the yelling finally receded to even HER hearing. "Those two never change. And I thought Kento and I were bad..."

Kento grinned and met her eyes. "I don't think we can EVER be as bad as those two..." He admitted, chuckling. "Rowen goes LOOKING for trouble when he opens his trap like that."

"Amen to that." Ryo added, shaking his head in helpless amusement. "That boy doesn't need Dynasty Warriors to kill him; all he has to do is provoke Halo's temper."

Cye just sighed and wrapped his arm around Kimon's waist when the others headed inside. "I guess we'll have to wait until Sage drags Rowen's unconscious form back inside before planning something else to do." He kept their walk slow and let the others pass. When the trio walked through the archway to the room, he stopped them and gently swung Kimon against the wall.

"Cye-kun... nani-" She was silenced with a deep kiss and her arms quickly wrapped around his neck as she kissed him back.

"Happy one year anniversary Kimon-kun." He breathed, kissing her again.

"Oi! Are you two coming?? There are innocent people with kanji that don't need to see or hear that stuff you know!"

"KENTO!" Ryo shouted.

Two eyes peeked open and stared at each other mere inches apart. Contact was broken when smiles started forming on both their faces until they both started laughing. They listened as shuffling and stomping sounded in the other room, stopping with a muffled WHAP. Curious at what was going on NOW, they peeked around the corner and Kimon quickly found a pillow heading in her direction. She ducked with a cry and fell to the ground, taking Cye down with her as she went to grab hold of something.

"Okay that's it...not that I mind this position half the time, but they're asking for it. That couldn't have flown needlessly."

He gave an odd look and shifted as she went to get up. "Now you're reading too much into it." He humorously chided, grinning at her childlike look.

"Am not." She instantly retorted, going for the pillow. Giving it a small tap with her hand, as if readying her weapon, she gave her boyfriend an evil grin and headed back into the room. "I suggest you grab a weapon koi, things are going to get nasty."

He heaved an amused sigh and headed her advice as a throw pillow went sailing next to his head. A hand quickly whipped out and caught it, since the others were right next to the couch and he might not be able to grab one before getting hit. A few feathers littered the coffee table and floor of the living room. "Especially when Mia sees this mess." He muttered, walking to the group.

He was proved right when footsteps padded in with a curious voice. "What exactly is going on in AAAHHHHHHHH!!!"

Movement stopped at the screech, everyone instantly pointing to one another.

"Kento stared it!"

"Did NOT! Ryo was the first to throw that pillow!"

"Yea, but Kimon-chan was the one to retaliate and break one!"

"Only because you hit me in the BUTT!"

"Can we stop shouting please?"

"ENOUGH!" Mia shouted, putting a hand to her forehead. She strode in the room and ignored the amount of feathers sparsely littering her wood floor and picked up one of the torn pillows. She looked at it mournfully, before heaving a sigh, turning even eyes to the group. "Who was the one to throw the first pillow?"

All fingers pointed to Ryo who weakly glared back at them. "Gomen nasai Mia, I-" He was cut short when her aim suddenly smacked him in the face, wobbling him off-balance and to the floor.

"Alright! New player in the game!" Kimon gleefully shouted, going back to her original objective of whacking Kento for chasing her earlier.

"Hey! That's it, you're going to get it you little-"

"Hey...leave my koishii alone!"

"This'll teach you to throw my pillow and get feathers everywhere Ryo!"

"You're the one using a torn pillow Mia!"

By the time Sage and Rowen returned to the house, both tired of running through the surrounding forestry in the dark, the room was littered with feathers and bodies. A quick look at the front door and light from the nearest room drew them near, as did the lasting laughter. They took in the scene with wide eyes, blinking at the half dozen pillows lying in tatters on the floor.

Finally, Rowen heaved a big sigh and flailed his arms at the scene before them. "Aw MAANN!!! We ALWAYS miss all the fun!"

"Only because you can't shut up." Sage muttered, stepping into the room.

"Hey! I can't help it if I speak out what you won't say!" He defended, following his friend inside.

Sage stopped next to the couch, eyeing everything around him. Before Rowen even knew what was going on, a pillow flew straight for him and hit him square in the face.