Note: I do not own Ronin Warriors. In chapter stories I may forget to put it on all besides the first chapter but it still applys. Sorry, this happened on Ninja Family Problems and I just am to lazy to fix it right now. All character names that are not part of the two original series belong to me!- Alkvingiel
Part 3
Visions of Doom
Ryo woke up again this time with tears streaming from his eyes. "Is everything okay Ryo?" Sage's voice broke through his pounding mind. Ryo looked up to see his friend sitting in a chair, a book open in his lap and glasses held in his hand as he took them off. Sage's face was full of concern as he looked at Ryo.
"It's nothing just a dream. A very weird dream." Ryo answered wiping his tears away.
"Want to tell me about it?" Sage asked.
"Naw, it was just a dream. Maybe later, what time is it?" Ryo replied.
"Almost 6, their coming at 7 to take you in for the x-rays, and then tomorrow morning I'll be here to take you home. Good thing it's Saturday." Sage told him closing his book. Ryo was sharing out the window with a faraway look in his eyes. "Ryo?" Sage asked.
"Suzako." Ryo whispered.
"What?" Sage questioned.
"I don't know where that came from. Wait a minute, Empress Suzako. Of course! Queen Beryl isn't in power any more. It's Empress Suzako, tell Mea that's who she needs to research on." Ryo explained. Sage had many more questions he wanted to ask Ryo but the nurse came in to take him to x-ray. As she wheeled him out the door Ryo looked at Sage fear in his eyes again. "Sage…" Ryo said quietly.
"Don't worry I'll be right here waiting when you come out." Sage called as she pushed him through the doors. Ryo turned and smiled. Sage smiled back. Just as the sun was going down the nurse brought Ryo back, he was dead to the world. "What happened to him?" Sage asked.
"He started shaking during the x-ray and they have to be perfectly still. We had to give him some sedatives, he'll wake up soon." The nurse explained putting him back into the room. Just then as they nurse left Mea walked in.
"Any news?" Mea questioned.
"They just brought him back from x-ray. Should be back in an hour to tell us what it said. His fear is what made them put him to sleep. Said he couldn't stop shaking." Sage told her.
"Poor Ryo he must have been a nervous wreck." Mea whispered.
"He wants you to research a woman named Empress Suzako." Sage said.
"Who?" Mea questioned.
"He had a dream or something with this Suzako in it. Woke up crying. He wouldn't tell me about it then but he said maybe later." Sage replied.
"Weird. I'll be sure to, if he's that serious about it then it must be important." Mea told him. Ryo groaned as he started to wake up.
"I can't believe this took all day." Sage whispered to her. Mea just shrugged with a smile.
"Uhh… what did they do to me in there?" Ryo groaned rubbing his head.
"Welcome back. The nurse had to give you some sedatives because you started shaking during your x-ray. But don't worry about it, tomorrow you're going home." Sage answered with a smile. Ryo looked downcast. Mea came over and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't be sad Ryo. It's not your fault. We're always here by your side." Mea whispered. Ryo looked up at her.
"Thanks, Sage did you tell her?" Ryo questioned.
"About Suzako, of course. Told her when she came in." Sage replied. About an hour later the doctor came in with Ryo's x-rays.
"Your arm is healing just fine. But I would like to see you back in two weeks for a checkup. I want you to stay out of school for the rest of the week so you won't be tempted to carry anything heavy, like your books. I'm sure one of your friends that I have met can bring you your homework." The doctor explained.
"I don't know they can be pretty picky about what they do." Ryo smiled.
"I'm sure one of us could find the time between our many social things." Sage told him. They all laughed.
"If you wish you can go home now. That is if your friends want to take you home." The Doctor told them. Ryo looked at Mea and Sage his eyes pleading.
"All right Ryo get your things and we'll go." Sage told him. Ryo jumped up smiling, Mea went to help him. Meanwhile Sage thanked the doctor and paid him. Sage got into the driver's side and started the jeep. Mea helped Ryo with his seatbelt and then climbed into the passenger side seat.
"So Ryo… Sage said you had a dream about someone named Suzako. Is there anything else I should know?" Mea questioned turning in her seat to look at him. Ryo was looking out into the darkness and didn't answer right away. He was thinking about Raven's face as they were pulled apart.
"There is nothing else its just that name came to me after the dream. The very sound of it sends a shiver up my spine." Ryo replied finally.
"Okay then, if anything else happens be sure to tell me." Mea told him. Ryo nodded and then turned his attention back to the night. The next morning when he woke up the guys had all gone to school and Mea was in the library working on the Suzako mystery. Ryo got up and changed his clothes. He had to fight back tears as he slid his shirt over his arm. White Blaze walked beside him to the library.
"Morning Mea. Having any luck?" Ryo asked still holding his arm.
"A little but not much. There really isn't much info offered." Mea replied.
"Here try this first." Ryo said and he typed a name in, he typed Queen Beryl. Mea looked up at him.
"Who's this?" Mea questioned.
"I believe it's her mother." Ryo answered. Mea looked at him again and noticed he looked pale.
"Ryo? Are you okay?" Mea asked worried.
"I'm fine. But I think the pain medication they gave me has worn off. My arm is killing me." Ryo explained.
"Well, why didn't you say so? They gave me a few shots for pain before we left." Mea told him. She got up and they walked down to the kitchen. Mea used the cloth that the hospital had given her and then gave him the shot. "It should start to work in a few minutes." Mea said with a smile.
"Thanks. You know I don't know what I would ever do without you. You're always there for me Mea. So thanks for being here." Ryo thanked her.
"Your welcome Ryo. Just don't try and get yourself killed anytime soon. Your still good for a few things like… dusting." Mea told him with a smile as she held up a feather duster.
"No! Come on Mea! I'm injured here!" Ryo complained.
"You can dust with one hand, now go." Mea demanded as she headed back up stairs. Ryo watched her leave and then stared at the duster in his hand.
"Man…" Ryo groaned to himself and then got to work. It took him 4 hours to get finished and by that time he was ready to go back to sleep so he took a Tylenol and crashed on the couch. Mea came down the stairs a half an hour later to show him what she'd found but smiled at the sight of him.
"I really should tell him this but he looks so peaceful, I'll wait until the others get home." Mea thought. Around 4 the others came in. Ryo woke up hearing their voices.
"Hey Ry, how ya feeling?" Kento asked patting his good shoulder.
"I feel fine." Ryo replied with a yawn. Mea and Cye walked in from the kitchen.
"I'm so glad you guys are finally home. After Ryo typed in a new name I found a bunch of info. Not on Suzako but her mother Queen Byral and you'll never guess who her father was." Mea told them.
"Who?" Sage questioned.
"Talpa." Ryo whispered.
"How did you know?" Mea asked.
"A lucky guess?" Ryo replied.
"Oh well, it's the truth. Queen Beryl started a war with the Moon Kingdom of long ago. But 5 ancient warriors stopped her with the help of 5 women. Ryo I'm guessing that you saw them coming back to help us. They are the 5 you were telling us about before you hurt your arm." Mea explained. Ryo stood up then.
"Where are you going?" Rowen asked.
"Cherry Hill it's been a few days since I've been. I bet the old man is wondering where I've been." Ryo answered.
"I don't think you should Ryo. I know how that old man is, as soon as you get there he'll put you to work. If you want to go just wait a couple of days. Why don't you come help me some more?" Mea suggested. Ryo looked at the door for a minute and then turned back to her.
"Ok Mea, I'll help you. But don't try and stop me in a couple of days because it won't work." Ryo replied as they headed upstairs. Each of the guys smiled at each other. Later on Rowen and Ryo started a chess game, it lasted for 3 hours! And finally when Ryo thought he was done for he blinked and saw it. He moved his queen diagonally to the left 4 spaces and smiled. Two pones and a knight blocked Rowen's escape. "Check mate." Ryo whispered looking at Rowen's face.
"No way! I had you beat! How?" Rowen demanded standing up. Sage came down stairs to see what all the yelling was.
"What happened?" Sage asked.
"Ryo beat me at chess! Me!" Rowen yelled. Sage looked at Ryo, who was still looking at the board. Sage looked back at Rowen and started laughing, he walked away unable to stop. Rowen followed after him arguing all the way leaving Ryo to clean up. That night he slept through fitful dreams of someone calling to him. Someone was looking for him but he didn't know who it was. All he knew was that it was a woman and he knew her from somewhere. Where that was he wasn't sure but he just knew that it had to be someone close. He'd never had these dreams until just lately. The next morning he woke up ready to get out of the house. It had only been two days but he couldn't stand being cooped up any longer.
"Hey Mea if you need me I'll be at Cherry Hill Temple helping the old man. See ya later." Ryo told her as he walked out the door with White Blaze.
"Ok Ryo. Be careful and don't do to much that will hurt your arm." Mea replied waving bye. Ryo hopped on White Blaze's back and rode him to Cherry Hill Temple.
"Ah! Ryo-chan! It has been awhile! Nice to see you!" Grandpa-son greeted him.
"It's good to see you to Sir. Sorry I haven't been around, but in the championship soccer game I broke my arm. The doctor told me I couldn't even go to school because he didn't want me carrying anything heavy. But I couldn't stand to be at home anymore." Ryo explained.
"So I see Ryo-chan. It is to bad that you came now." Grandpa told him.
"Why is that? I thought you would be happy to see me." Ryo replied.
"You just missed my grand-daughter, she just left for school. I can't wait until you meet her. I'm looking for someone to marry her and I think you would be perfect." Grandpa explained.
"What! Uh… I'm sorry but I don't think I'm ready to get married yet. I mean I'm getting through school and hopefully going to college next fall so I think I should wait until after all that." Ryo told him hastily.
"Yes…yes I could see why you would want to do that so I won't pressure you. Okay, now let me see. I need you to sweep the sidewalks and if you can scrub the sides of the steps where someone has spray painted them again." Grandpa explained handing him the broom. Ryo nodded and got to work. Meanwhile at school Raven and Lyta were waiting for the rest of the guys to show up when Takeo walked up to Raven.
"Hey Raven, I have a message for you from Ryo. It's taken me a few days to come up with an easy way to tell you this but…" Takeo started.
"Just go on and say it Takeo before I turn 60." Raven replied.
"Okay… Ryo is really pissed at you." Takeo told her.
"Why? He didn't seem pissed when I walked into his room and helped him get to sleep." Raven said surprised.
"That was before he knew that you'd said you were his sister to get in to see him. You see when Ryo was little he had a sister and then one night their house caught on fire. He and his parents made it out but she didn't. Rowen told me he gets real touchy when they talk about family stuff." Takeo explained. Takeo watched as tears sprung to her eyes.
"Gosh… I didn't know. I was just so worried about him and I just had to make sure he was okay. The nurse told me that only family members and friends could see him so I told her the first believable excuse that came to my mind. When you see him tell him I'm sorry." Raven said not meeting his eyes.
"Don't worry as long as you promise to never do it again he'll forgive you." Takeo promised as he got up. The guys sat down just after Takeo left. Lyta started talking to them but Raven took out pen and paper. She had to write a letter to Ryo telling him how sorry she was. Finally after writing a 6-page letter and folding it she asked Sage to give it to him.
"Damn Raven no girl has ever written me a letter this long. You must really care for Ryo. And it's about time he has someone who cares that much about him." Sage told her with a smile.
"No! I…I don't. I just feel bad for making him mad at me," Raven started and she saw their looks. " Just give him the damn note will you?" Raven finished.
"Don't worry I will." Sage laughed as the bell rang. They each went their separate ways and prayed the end of the day would come soon. When it finally did Lyta and Raven started to walk to their apartment.
"I might be home late Lyta. I promised Grandpa that I would wash the steps since the guy who was helping him hasn't shown up in a few days. So now I have to do all of his jobs." Raven said as they got close to the temple.
"I would help ya but my Math teacher gave me so much work I think I'll have to pull a all-nighter just to finish it." Lyta told her.
"That's alright I can handle it." Raven yelled as she ran up the steps not noticing how clean they were.
"Rei! You're home! Come dear there's someone I want you to meet." Grandpa called when he saw her.
"No Grandpa I really need to get to work." Raven said as she tried to pull away.
"What work? There is no work." Grandpa questioned.
"What! You said you wanted me to come help you because that slacker hadn't shown up." Raven answered.
"I already explained I was sorry and have worked my butt off today to make it up, I'm not usually a slacker even if I'm hurt." A voice said from behind her. Raven turned and gasped when she saw who'd she'd just called a slacker to his face. It was Ryo!
"Oh Ryo! I'm sorry! I didn't… I didn't mean it! Please forgive me!" Raven gushed. Ryo smiled and chuckled.
"Don't worry about it. I can understand why you would think of me like that." Ryo replied.
"You two know each other? Darn I really wanted to be the one who introduced you." Grandpa pouted.
"Well go ahead." Ryo encouraged. Grandpa's eyes grew wide and a smile crossed his face.
"Alright then! Ryo Sanada this is my niece Rei." Grandpa introduced smiling.
"Konnichi-wa miss Rei. Would you give me the honor of going on a walk with you?" Ryo asked bowing. Something flashed through Rei's mind. Something was just so familiar about the way he bowed and asked that question. But just like Ryo remembering about her flute the thought left as quickly as it came.
"I except." Raven replied. Ryo stood and offered her his arm and Grandpa watched them walk away through the trees.
"Oh yeah! I'm good!" Grandpa thought as he walked back into the temple.
"I thought your name was Raven?" Ryo questioned.
"Well it is my name, my nickname. My tribe gave it to me in India because a bunch of Raven's always hung around me. And it seems they have followed me here." Raven explained looking up at two of them in a tree. Ryo watched her.
"Well not to make you mad or anything but I happen to think Rei is much prettier." Ryo told her. Raven looked at him to see if he was being serious. And to her surprise his gaze never wavered.
"Oh and like you don't have a real Japanese name!" Raven laughed.
"Actually I do. My full name is Rekka No Ryo Sanada. But Rekka just sounds to old and all my friend's know me as Ryo. Nothing more and nothing less." Ryo said as they started walking again.
"Somehow I know he's lying about something he just said." Raven thought. And he was, the guys knew him as their leader and the one who had saved their lives many times along with the world. But she didn't say anything.
"Can I show you my favorite spot?" Ryo asked.
"Of course." Raven replied. Ryo smiled and took her hand. He led her down a winding path she hadn't been down since she was little. Ryo stopped a little out of breath from running and he smiled at her. "Wow." Raven whispered. Ryo had brought her to where the wall went around the side of the hill and cut into the dirt. It must have been at least a 30-foot drop but the view was incredible. The sun was setting just below the trees and the sky was so many colors. Ryo sat with one leg hanging over the edge and the other brought up to his chest. His left arm rested on that knee and his chin on that arm a small smile was played across his lips.
"I love this place. I feel so clam when I sit here. It's like nothing can go wrong." Ryo whispered. Raven sat down beside him.
"Your right it is nice here." Raven said quietly. They sat in silence then until slowly Raven slipped her hand over Ryo's free one. Ryo blinked slowly as if coming out of a trance and laced his fingers through hers. They sat like this for a long while completely content with themselves and the world around them. Finally after the last bit of sun disappeared they looked at each other. "I'm sorry Ryo, I didn't mean…" Raven started.
"Don't worry about it. Well I have to be going my friends will be getting worried about me. It has been very nice sitting here with you tonight. I hope we can do it again sometime." Ryo told her standing. He helped her stand and kissed her hand. He started to walk away but she didn't want him to leave.
"Ryo! Tonight has been so cool and you've been so nice to me, is there anything I can do to thank you?" Raven asked. Ryo turned and looked at her.
"Well if you wouldn't mind could you stop by my locker and get my sketch pad. Just ask one of the guys to drive you to the house and I'll draw a picture of you. I need a portrait for my Art class. Please?" Ryo said kinda begging. Raven smiled.
"Okay. Anything else?" Raven questioned.
"Yeah… could I call you…Rei?" Ryo asked quietly. Raven was quiet for a minute surprised by his question.
"If you want." Raven replied.
"Okay from now on to me you are Rei." Ryo answered and he turned away again this time disappearing without Rei stopping him. She stood there watching as he disappeared and then turned back toward the sky.
"The battle will be none to soon I think." Rei thought. Slowly she turned and walked back to the temple. Ryo had called White Blaze and left. He got home with a smile on his face and a dreamy look in his eye. The others saw this but said nothing. Ryo went on up stairs and took a shower then came back downstairs.
"Hey Ryo. How was your day?" Rowen questioned.
"Fine, anything new at school?" Ryo asked sitting on the floor by White Blaze.
"Just the dance coming up. The girls have to ask the guys. It's 3 weeks from now. Your arm will be healed by then and some girl will ask you probably before any of us." Cye joked. They all laughed.
"Oh! Ryo, Raven wanted me to give you this." Sage told him as he pulled the 6-page letter out of his notebook.
"Thanks." Ryo replied as he took it and began reading it. Once he was done he put it in his pocket and sat there the others staring at him. "What?" Ryo questioned.
"What did she say?" Kento asked.
"None of your business." Ryo answered. Kento sighed but didn't bug him. "Sage will you give Raven a ride here tomorrow?" Ryo asked.
"Raven? Why?" Sage questioned putting his book down.
"I have a drawing due in Art class and she's coming by so I can draw her." Ryo explained.
"All right." Sage told him and then Ryo got up.
"I'm going to bed. Night." Ryo said as he started up stairs.
"Night." They called. Ryo went to bed that night with no dreams and the next morning he was gone before any of them got up and they all knew where he'd gone, Cherry Hill. The only one who saw him leave was Sage because he always got up at 4 to fix his hair. That morning Raven woke up feeling different. She brushed her hair and put her necklace on. Then walked out onto the balcony waiting for Lyta to call her in for breakfast. She twisted her necklace between her index finger and thumb. She watched the sun rise.
"Rekka." Rei whispered. (she remembers his name but not that he wears armor)
"Hey Raven! Breakfast is ready!" Lyta yelled. Rei didn't move. "Hey I'm talking to you." Lyta said walked up to her.
"Huh? Oh I'm sorry I was just… remembering." Rei told her.
"Remembering? Remembering what?" Lyta asked.
"Rekka." Rei answered.
"Who's Rekka?" Lyta questioned.
"That was Ryo's name so long ago, in the Moon Kingdom. Rei said.
"The Moon Kingdom? That…that was where we used to live. All of them had different names then…Shu…my love…Kento. Oh my god!" Lyta gushed sitting beside her.
"I know how you feel, it's just now we need to make them remember. And the other girls should be here soon." Rei explained. And she was right that day 2 new girls started school. Both had blonde hair and blue eyes. All four of them became quick friends and by the end of lunch Lyta had asked Kento to the dance. And Mina asked Cye quickly, so quickly that he asked her to slow down.
"I know we just met and all but I really want to go to the dance with you. Cye will you go to the dance with me?" Mina asked. Cye watched her for a minute. She was in his animal care-taking class. And had been really good with the animals, even the ocean animals which he loved. Most of the girls in that class didn't want to have anything to do with sea creatures.
"Sure, how about we go out this Friday night?" Cye questioned. A smile broke out across her face.
"Let's do it!" Mina exclaimed. Just then a girl with long blonde hair pulled back into two buns on the top of her head came running up.
"Mina! I told you to wait for me! Now I got detention! On my first day!" She yelled.
"I told you not to fall asleep before lunch Serena. Now hurry up you only have 10 minutes to eat." Mina told her.
"Oh no! Food! I need food!" Serena yelled running to the bars set out. They all started laughing after she left.
"Why don't you guys come over to Cherry Hill Temple after school. We can have girl talk and get to know each other." Raven suggested.
"Sounds cool." Mina replied. Just then the bell rang and they could hear Serena crying from the bars. 2 more class periods and the last bell rang. Ryo was waiting for Rei outside. Mina and Lyta were on either side of her.
"Wonder who the new girl is?" Ryo wondered seeing Mina.
"Ryo! What are you doing here?" Rei asked hugging him around the waist.
"I thought you might like a person to walk home with." Ryo replied. Rei smiled and Lyta cocked an eyebrow at her.
"Oh! I forget about coming over to be drawn. I made plans with my girlfriends for a meeting at the temple." Rei gasped.
"Well if you don't mind I could draw all of you… uh… a portrait of my friends. Hey Sage!" Ryo yelled seeing him.
"Ryo! Mea actually let you come to school?" Sage questioned walking up to him. The rest of the guys followed behind him.
"Well… she was going to make me dust again but… I escaped. I'll be in deep shit when we get home but yeah." Ryo smiled. Sage laughed. "But anyway… I was wondering if I could get you guys and the girls to poise in a drawing? You guys are like my family so it would be perfect. Could I use your cell phone? I'll get Mea and Yulie in it to." Ryo questioned. Sage pulled it out of his pocket and handed the phone to him. Ryo dialed the number and it rang twice before Mea picked up.
"Ryo you'd better have a good explanation for running out on me like that!" Mea screamed. Ryo quickly pulled the phone away from his ear and murmured, "ouch". Rei felt a ping of jealously, Who was this Mea? And Yulie?"
"I'm sorry Mea but I'm at school. I had to come and see if Rei still wanted to be in my drawing. When I got here she had made some new friends so I got to thinking about drawing a friends and family drawing. For that I need you and Yulie in it. After all your so nice for letting me live with you and Yulie is the best for taking care of White Blaze when I'm not around. Please? And could you not throw my clothes out in the yard like the last time you were mad at me…" Ryo explained and he paused. "What do you mean you already did it? Mea! Okay I'm sorry. I'll do the dusting and I'll cook tonight. How's that? Hey it's a great offer, epescially when you think about whose night it is to cook." Ryo told her. (It was Rowen's night to cook) Lyta looked and Raven when Ryo used her real name.
"All right Ryo. I'll pick up your clothes and I expect a really good meal tonight." Mea replied and she hung up. Ryo sighed as he handed the phone back to Sage and glared at Kento who was laughing his head off.
"You keep laughing and yours will be in the volcano." Ryo told him. Kento stopped laughing and mumbled he was sorry.
"Whose Mea and Yulie?" Rei asked.
"Well when the five of us first came to Toyama a lot of shit happened to us. She took us in and gave us a home. Yulie is just a kid we met and befriended." Ryo told her as they got his sketchpad and then walked back out the door to walk home with the guys. Half way there Sage's cell started ringing. He answered and then handed it to Ryo.
"It's Mea." Sage whispered. Ryo took the phone.
"Yes?" Ryo questioned.
"We have one more for supper. Yulie was riding his skateboard here when he fell off. This girl saw him getting up and stopped to ask if he needed a ride seeing that his board broke in half after hitting a rock. For her kindness I invited her to stay. I hope that doesn't bother you." Mea explained.
"No that's fine. So that's what? 11. Ok." Ryo told her and then hung up. "How am I going to cook for 11? Rei can you cook?" Ryo asked.
"No way. But Lyta here can. Boy she is the best." Rei answered.
"Now that's where you're wrong lady. My buddy Cye here is the best." Kento told her. Cye blushed.
"Well then Cye, looks like we'll have to have a cooking contest sometime. Sound good?" Lyta challenged.
"You're on." Cye replied. They walked out of the woods a few minutes later. A little boy of about 12 came running out of the house.
"Ryo!" He yelled running toward them. Ryo jogged forward a little and caught the boy in mid jump.
"Who's that?" Rei asked.
"Oh him? That's just Yulie, he's Ryo's number one fan. In his eyes Ryo is like God." Sage told her as they walked to the house. She could hear the little boy talking quickly about how his day had been and what he'd done. Ryo just listened as they walked asking a question every now and then. Mea greeted them at the door. Rei again felt a pang of jealously. This woman was just a bit taller than she was with green eyes and brownish red hair, very pretty. But Ryo came up beside her and put his arm over her shoulder.
"Hey Mea, this is Rei. And these are just tag-a-longs but they do have names. That's Lyta, Mina and Serena." Ryo explained. Mea shook all their hands and walked them in.
"Well we got another guest. Rowen meet a girl that just about matched him at books so he just had to bring her home. This is Ami, and this is Keiko, the girl who helped Yulie." Mea told them as she smiled at Ryo.
"You want me to get started now?!?!?!" Ryo complained.
"Yes Ryo, there are 13 hungry people here. The sooner the better." Mea scolded.
"Ok, Lyta I'll show you where everything is just tell me what to do." Ryo said as they walked to the kitchen. So Lyta told and showed him what to do with Cye sitting at the table helping whenever needed. Meanwhile Sage, Keiko, Kento, Rei, Mea, Yulie, Serena watched Rowen and Ami play an every intense game of chess. Every move Rowen made Ami had a counter for. While playing they traded knowledge of many different things. By the time supper was ready, two and a half hours later they liked each other very much. (they still weren't finished with their game of chess)
"Food!" Kento and Serena yelled at the same time. Everyone else followed and sat as Ryo, Lyta and Cye set the food on the table. Rei sat by Ryo and noticed how little he ate.
"Aren't you going to eat more than that?" She questioned.
"I never eat much. I have to keep my weight down or I won't be able to beat anyone at Sage's grandfather's dojo. We go there and fight every weekend. Also I like having only 4 percent body fat… unlike Kento's 99 percent." Ryo whispered with a smile. Rei giggled. After 30 minutes they were all done and Kento was smiling.
"Ryo dude that was great! Man next time it's my turn to cook you can take over." Kento told him as he patted his stomach.
"No way, and it's all thanks to Lyta and Cye here. I just did what they told me." Ryo replied as he stood and started to take up their plates.
"Here Ryo let me help you." Rei said standing. They both picked up the others plates and took them to the kitchen to wash. "You need to draw the picture, so we'll just run water over them and then wash them later." Rei told him and he nodded. So they went outside, Ryo was a great drawer and it took him only an hour to get what he need from them all sitting there. Afterward he and Rei went back to the kitchen. It took a good 30 minutes but they finally got done. "Well it's getting really dark I think we should leave for the temple now. When we get there you guys can call and ask if you can spend the night." Rei suggested to the girls.
"I can give you a ride on my bike and Sage can take the others." Ryo told her.
"Is that okay you guys?" Rei asked.
"Great." Keiko answered and she smiled at Sage who blushed. So Ryo went around back and got out his bike. It was one of those new sleek types that was black and had fire climbing its sides. Rei's mouth as well as the other girl's mouths dropped open.
"What a bike!" Lyta squealed. Rei could only nod. Ryo handed her a helmet smiling.
"Thank you." Ryo thanked her. Rei put on the helmet and climbed on behind him. "See you there Sage!" Ryo yelled and he did a wheely leaving the driveway with Rei hugging his waist tightly. A little over halfway there Ryo's head suddenly jerked to the left and Rei wondered why but couldn't ask him until they got to the temple. 5 minutes later Ryo helped her off the bike.
"What did you do that for?" Rei asked.
"Do what?" Ryo replied.
"Halfway here you turned or head to the left, why?" Rei questioned.
"I thought I saw a deer and was making sure it wasn't going to run at us." Ryo answered. She could tell he was lying but didn't press him. Just then Sage pulled up with the rest of the girls. They got out as Ryo gave Rei a light kiss on the cheek. He and Sage shared a glance saying, "I felt it" to each other just before Ryo slid his helmet back on.
"I'll be at school tomorrow. Ja Ne til' then." Ryo told her and he started his bike. Sage said goodbye to them all and got back in his car. Halfway back to the house Sage pulled over on the side of the road. Ryo's bike was lying on its side it's wheels still spinning. Sage jumped out of the car fearing maybe Ryo was hurt but then he saw him standing near some fallen rocks and trees.
"Ryo?" Sage questioned.
"They're looking for me Sage. I'm getting to close." Ryo said quietly.
"Who Ryo? Suzako?" Sage asked. Ryo nodded.
"I'm figuring out to much. Sage if anything happens to me… take care of Rei. I have a feeling that somehow they will change me. I don't know how and I don't know when but it will be every dangerous. I must find him… before they do." Ryo explained turning to him. Sage wanted to ask who him was but Ryo was already on his bike. "Follow me as close as you can Sage I don't feel safe. We'll talk more when we get back to the others." Ryo told him and then started his bike. Sage ran back to the car and started it. He followed Ryo as close as he could without running over him. Once home Sage helped Ryo lock up his bike and then they went inside. Everyone was sitting around the TV was on and Rowen had a book.
"Why do you think they're watching you?" Sage asked as they walked into the living room. Everyone's head came up and looked at them.
"I don't know, all it is…is that I felt something when we passed there but then it disappeared after then again when I pulled off. It was there until you got out of the car." Ryo replied.
"What's going on?" Mea asked.
"Suzako sent a warrior to watch us as we were driving the girls home. And I just feel that they're watching me." Ryo answered.
"What could it mean Ryo? Does she want a fight?" Cye asked.
"I don't know. But I have a feeling that her plan somehow involves me. That battle will be soon, hell for all I know it could happen tomorrow. But it's not likely. She's toying with my mind and she wants to wait until our minds are off it. Whatever you guys do… do not let your guard down. Come on White Blaze we need to get some sleep." Ryo explained then he and White Blaze headed up stairs to their room. "Keep alert tonight Blaze. We can't let our guard down either." Ryo whispered and then turned out the light.
TBC…
