Shadow Dancing chap 3

-Celesta SunStar

I don't own the Ronin Warriors. I make no profit from this.

*

Kento set himself down in front of Sage in a manner that indicated that he would not be moving until he got whatever it was that he wanted. The huge grin on his face revealed that he expected to be very happy about it, but that in itself was not reassuring. Kento had been known to come up with some very devious practical jokes from time to time.

Sage set aside his notebook and pen, "Is there something you wanted Kento?" Kento's grin seemed to widen a fraction more.

"Just wanted to know who was making you so happy Sage." Kento was very happy for his friend and even happier when he realized from the faint frown on the blonde's face that he had figured something out before Sage had.

"What are you talking about?"

"You just seem to be more happy, kind of like you're settling in to get to know someone, and I know that it couldn't be that Wendy friend of Rowen's, she's not complicated enough for you."

"Gwendolyn."

"Yeah, whatever, Sage. So, you gonna tell me who it is?"

"Why do you think I have met someone?"

So far, so good; Kento noticed that while the small frown Sage was wearing was still there, he wasn't getting tense or giving off 'uncomfortable' vibes like he did unconsciously when he didn't want to talk to people. "Well, I've been noticing some little things for a couple weeks now, and I've been working at putting it together." He started out slowly. Anticipating Sage's next question he began to run down the list of things that he had seen or heard that had stuck in his mind, and his reasoning about what was behind them. "You've always been one to disappear for awhile, but some of your disappearances have started to become more regular. You smile a bit more often, and sometimes when you do there's a far-away look in your eyes, like you're thinking about something said or done by someone not around; 'cause if they were around, you'd be looking at them and not staring into space.

"You've never really been a person who loses his temper, but I've seen you get annoyed at certain things, and they don't seem to be annoying you anymore, but sometimes other things do. And your speech patterns have changed a bit... not a lot, but you'll use a word or a phrase that I don't think you would have used a month ago. And I know for a fact that you aren't using contractions as much anymore. When you're thinking about somebody and trying to figure them out, you start to mimic how they say things or how they gesture. I've noticed that in Cye when he's thinking about Catherine, or Rowen when he's talking about Mia's latest research."

Kento let himself feel a bit of smug pride at the surprised smile on Sage's face. "You know Kento, you are going to make one hell of a cop when you finally earn that badge you are working toward."

"Does that mean you are going to tell me who it is?" Kento couldn't resist asking even though he already suspected the answer.

"No," the sunny smile squashed any disappointment Kento could feel about the expected answer. "Since it is not just about me, I do not have the right to assume what information would be right to tell you."

"Okay, then," Kento shrugged and got up. "Let me know when you can."

"Of course." Sage watched as his friend walked away whistling and wondered about what he was supposed to do now.

*

"So it was Hardhead who finally noticed something? I would not have expected that."

"Kento is smart Dais. He may not be a genius like Rowen is, but he is not stupid." Sage twisted away with a grunt of effort, only to find himself on the ground 'dead' moments later. Part of that was because he was working to master a short sword and dagger, while another part was because it was difficult to carry on a conversation and a fight at the same time. Most of it though, was because Lady Kayura was so damned fast.

"Take a breather, Oh Wise One, you should never be so tired that a simple trick like that can catch you." She told him, not unkindly. Sage couldn't help feeling the tiniest bit resentful since she didn't even seem to be breathing hard.

"Yes, MOM."

"Good boy," She patted his butt in response as he left the stone ring that delineated the training circle. He fought the urge to growl at her and eased himself down beside Dais. He found himself a bit glad that his armor was the Halo, and started to clean his blades as Kayura chose her next victim. "CALE, get your butt down here and in the ring so I can beat you up!"

"What, now!?"

"Yes, now. Move it!"

"So what are we going to do about Hardhead, Sage?"

"That is just what I was going to ask." Seckmet said as he settled down on Sage's other side. "Any ideas?"

"I don't want to lie to them, but I just cannot accurately predict how everyone is going to react." Sage sighed as he thought about his teammates. "I was thinking about just approaching Cye first, with Cale... but Cye would not be able to keep it a secret, even if he felt he should. And we did agree that it would not be wise to just drop this into their laps.

"Rowen would trust Ryo's opinion, but Ryo is a bit hot-tempered. Whether Ryo would trust White Blaze is up in the air." Sage looked over to the mound of mystical white tiger that opened a brown eye and then contentedly went back to sleep. "The best thing I could think of would be to talk to Kento, believe it or not. I'll make sure to get his promise before I say anything. Right or wrong, Kento takes his promises seriously."

Seckmet frowned thoughtfully as they considered it. "Well, you have the most experience with the rest of the Ronins, other then across the blade, so if you're sure..."

"I only think, I cannot be sure." Sage interrupted, "but plan or not, we will not be doing this today." He rose fluidly, and started gathering his gear. "Dais, are you ready to go set up that bank account now?"

"Ready when you are."

Sage smiled and bowed mockingly, "Well then, when you have changed, you may follow me to the car."

*

TBC

Author's Notes:

Reviews are always welcome and appreciated, please let me know what you think.

Fortunately for my bank account but not for my free time, I have taken on another part time job. I wake up about 6:00 (AM) so that I can have a car, drive to a camp 45 minutes away, where I work on the water with a bunch of kids. I have just enough time to drive home, take a shower and go to my other job (as a lifeguard) where I can't write.

I'm getting home about 10:15 PM every day.

Wednesday and Saturday are the only days I have time to think about something other than dinner or sleeping... but I'm a college student and that's life.

I'll try to get a part out every Wednesday, but don't count on it, it may turn out to be every other Wednesday.

I have said previously that this story may end up yaoi. I would like to update 'may' to 'will eventually.' What I will do however, is try to keep what is posted to Fanfiction.net as G-rated as possible. The story in its entirety (including the adult stuff) will be posted on my site with appropriate warnings. I will notify those interested in the future Author's Notes.

That being said;

I would like to thank:

Split Persona and Shadow of Arashi for being enthusiastic and complimentary, especially since they also happen to be two of my favorite authors.

Brennend for being very through in her reviews (after I badgered her into it) ;)

Akima Miota for checking several times a day to see if I've updated.

And Texas Aries who has promised her help in writing the asked-for orgy (when the time comes.)