LOST STARS
By: Alithiel

Disclaimer: Aiyah! Alithiel is now employed! (And the peasants rejoiced."Yay.") Because of that, It may be a while before I can update again. Gomen to everyone, since I know my posts are kinda erratic anyway. As usual, I do not own any of the Ronin Warriors, tho I can dream, right? Gracie, I'm writing as fast as my little fingers can go! This chapters gonna be a fun one, since I need all the fun I can get now. (And the peasants rejoiced."Yay.")

*Throws a brick at the peasants*

DAMN PESANTS!!

Alithiel Daystar

Chapter 8: Friday!

Lorelai secured the last bit of tape. "There! Finished."

She placed the brightly wrapped present on her dresser as Celesta emerged from the bathroom in her robe, toweling her hair dry. "The bathroom's open, if you want to use it."

"ME FIRST!!" Jade screeched, leaping up from her bed, dashing in and slamming the door shut. Phoebe just shook her head and continued to comb her hair. "Goofball."

Lorelai pouted playfully. "But I wanted to shower.and she's already showered today!"

Phoebe winked, getting up from her bed and opening the adjoining bathroom door slowly. Celesta quietly snuck in and flushed the toilet, ducking out of the room just as Jade screamed.

"COLD!!!!!!! AAAAAIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!"

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Kento laughed. "That had to be Jade. I'd recognize that screech anywhere."

"Crazy girls." Sage sighed as he combed his hair. Rowen glared peevishly at him: he'd been doing this for half and hour already, and here he was saying girls were crazy. The five guys were in various places in Ryo's bedroom, getting ready for his birthday party. Ryo laughed from where he was digging around in his closet.

"As I recall, you and Kento did the same thing to me once." He said chidingly, as Rowen got frustrated enough with waiting in line for the mirror to head toward the door. He caught his friend just as he was about to leave.

"Hey, Ro. You gonna talk to her tonight?" He whispered so that the guys wouldn't overhear. Rowen simply nodded, his face going red. Ryo chuckled and slapped him on the back. "That's my man!"

"Huh?" Cye asked curiously.

Rowen sighed. "Nevermind."

Choosing that moment to poke her head around the doorjamb, Mia smiled at her boyfriend. "Ryo?"

Ryo threw his arm around her shoulders, giving her a quick kiss on the mouth.

"GET A ROOM!" Cye hollered from his seat on the windowsill while the other guys made gagging noises.

Mia glared at them in mock anger, and turned her attention to Ryo. Her blue eyes sparkled. "The girls and I are going to leave now and get everything set up at the club, alright?"

"That's fine with me.hey," he winked at her, grinning foolishly, "you DID get me a present, right?"

Mia raised an eyebrow. "You'll get it later." She quickly kissed him and left. Rowen and the others collapsed with laughter when Ryo turned bright red.

"Hey Ryo! You match your armor!" Cye choked out between guffaws.

"Just quit, ok?

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The guys stopped outside Club Geo a half-hour later. It being Friday, and one of the more popular waterside clubs, it was pretty crowded, and the line stretched out the door. A big, burly man stood outside the doors, admitting some people and turning away others.

"It's a teen club right?" Cye asked, brushing a bit of lint off his sea blue, button down shirt as he hopped out of Kento's van.

"Yeah. No booze, and no one over 20." Rowen supplied as he climbed out as well.

Looking confused, Kento adjusted his orange tee-shirt. "Then, how'd Mia get in.she's older, right?"

"Yeah." Sage added absently, looking at his hair in the window of the van. Ryo smacked him on the back of the head.

"Her family was friends with the owner. He gave permission this one time." The birthday boy was dressed in a black shirt and red jeans. Rowen shook his head. It was a far cry from his own more sedate kakhi pants and dark blue shirt. His friend stood out like a firecracker. "Well, Ry, if Mia misses you in there in that getup, we're toast. Come on!"

He grabbed the sleeve of Sage's gray shirt, dragging him away from his beloved reflection and toward the door. After giving the bouncer their names, they were ushered inside the dark club.

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The man inside the doors directed them toward the back of the noisy, crowded club filled with an epileptic nightmare of flashing lights. Skirting around the crowded dance floor, where the DJ was playing the loudest music he could find, they made it back to an area covered in bright red crepe paper. Three tables had been set up, one piled with gifts, all with brilliant red tablecovers. Mia waved from one of the tables. Her red tanktop and black pants sparkled with silver glitter flames when she rushed up, throwing her arms around Ryo. She kissed him, quickly pulling away when the others whistled and making a face at them.

"Where's the others?" Sage asked.

Phoebe glided up to the table, three pitchers of soda in her hands. Sage caught one before he dropped it, placing it on the nearest table beside the other two. She nodded her thanks to him, brushing a stray strand of silver hair out of her eyes. Her hair as braided, and silver hoop earrings hung in her ears. Her single strap, violet top shone vivid against her white skirt.

"Celesta's getting the pizza." She said, plopping into a chair. At that moment, the aforementioned glided up.

"What about Celesta?" She laughed, passing one of the trays off to Cye. Her gold, shimmery halter shirt glittered in the flashing lights of the dance floor. Her hair was braided too, and black capri pants finished her outfit.

"We were wondering where you were." Cye stammered, blushing a red so bright that he matched the tablecloths. Celesta giggled and winked at him, smiling when he relaxed a bit.

"HEY!" Jade came running up, an excited grin on her face. She nearly tripped over her excessively baggy black pants, sliding on the floor before Kento caught her and set her upright again. She yanked down the bottom of her tight silver tube top, which insisted on riding up her stomach. Eventually she gave up and grinned, running a hand through her short, dark hair. "They're having karaoke tonight.and they have anime music!"

Celesta laughed aloud. "You gonna do it?"

"No way! You know I can't sing!"

"You should do it, ya know." Phoebe added. "You sing fine, and." She leaned over and spoke in a stage whisper. "Kento would be impressed."

"WHA?"Jade squeaked.

The whole group laughed. A voice called over the thumping music. "What's so funny?"

Rowen spun around. Lorelai stood there looking at the group expectantly. Her brown-gold hair swung around her bare shoulders in shining curls, and her white tank top sparkled with iridescent sequined spirals, her scars unnoticeable in the dim light. Rowen grinned. She didn't need long sleeves anymore.

Lorelai couldn't help but laugh as the guys gaped at her. All week, she had worn nothing but long sleeves, and not one of them had seen her without them.except. She grinned at Rowen, green eyes alive with mischief as she shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans.

"Did you say.karaoke?"



Rowen stood by the side of the dance floor, watching the people dance to 'Like I Love You'. All the girls, including Cye, Sage, and Kento, were out there with them. Of course, Kento was making an idiot out of himself, occasionally break dancing and eliciting peals of laughter from those around him.

"Tired, Rowen?" Ryo asked, coming up beside him with a soda.

"Nah.just watching."

Ryo noticed where his eyes were and raised his dark eyebrows questioningly. "Watching Lorelai?"

Rowen blushed, and that was all the answer Ryo needed. He gave his friend a hard shove. "Go talk to her, idiot. You may be a genius, but you're clueless when it comes to girls!"

Rowen sighed. "You're right." He focused midnight blue eyes on the girl currently spinning wildly around the dance floor, laughing at the top of her lungs.

The music ended, and the DJ came over the speakers. "Hey everyone!! Anyone interested in trying karaoke come on up here now and sign up!!"

Rowen blinked as he saw the four girls approach the booth. Ryo laughed at the expression of confusion on the other guy's faces as they came to stand beside him. "This is gonna be good!"



The club erupted into cheers and clapping once Jade was done singing "Hella Good'. She bowed outrageously, laughing with them. Phoebe and Celesta had sung before her, choosing to do 'Wild Wind' from Yu Yu Hakusho, and a few people later, she had gotten to sing. She had seen Kento grinning at her, and that made her feel good. However.there was something that her friend needed to do, and Jade would be there to support her.

"Ok everyone!" The DJ hollered over the crowd, which immediately quieted at the sound of his voice. "Our last singer is Lorelai Daisuri, singing Avril Lavigne's 'Thing's I'll Never Say', and she's sending it out to a very special person! She's asked that her friends be backup singers for her, so here we go!"

Lorelai stepped forward, taking hold of the microphone and smiling at Rowen as her friends lined up beside her. She pointed at him and winked as the music began.

Sage jabbed him in the side with a grin. "I think this ones for you."

Rowen watched her in surprise as the music started.



I'm tuggin' at my hair/ I'm pullin' at my clothes/ I'm tryin' to keep my cool/ I know it shows

I'm starin' at my feet/ My cheeks are turnin' red/ I'm searchin' for the words/ Inside my head

I'm feelin' nervous/ Tryin' to be so perfect/ 'Cause I know you're worth it/ You're worth this, yeah!

If I could say what I want to say/ I say I wanna blow you away/ Be with you every night/ Am I squeezing you too tight?/ If I could say what I want to see/ I wanna see you go down on me/ Marry me today!/ Guess I'm wishing my life away/ With these things I'll never say.

Ryo took a quick look at Rowen. He was watching Lorelai, his midnight-dark eyes wide and hopeful. Mia smiled up at him, mouthing 'It's working'. He smiled at her before looking at his cousins three friends. They were all beaming as they sang, and that told him that they planned this. Ryo laughed aloud.

It don't do me any good/ It's just a waste of time/ What use is it to you/ What's on my mind?/

If it ain't comin' out/ We're not going anywhere/ So why can't I just tell you/ That I care?

And I'm feelin' nervous/ Tryin' to be so perfect/ 'Cause I know you're worth it/ You're worth this, yeah!

If I could say what I want to say/ I say I wanna blow you away/ Be with you every night/ Am I squeezing you too tight?/ If I could say what I want to see/ I wanna see you go down on me/ Marry me today!/ Guess I'm wishing my life away/ With these things I'll never say.

Rowen watched her sing. There was such happiness in her eyes as she sang, up there with her friends, but the song she chose.She looked directly at him then, something more in her eyes.something for him and him alone. His heart surged with wild hope hen he saw the look in her green eyes. Maybe.?

What's wrong/ With my tongue?/ These words keep slipping away!!

I stutter/ I stumble/ Like I've got nothing to say.

I'm feelin' nervous/ Tryin' to be so perfect/ 'Cause I know you're worth it/ You're worth this, yeah!!!

Lorelai glanced at Rowen, heart beating hard as she sang. The smile on his face could have lit up a whole city! Her heart rate increased, and she saw her three friends smile at her as she began the final part.

Guess I'm wishing my life away/ With these things I'll never say.

If I could say what I want to say/ I say I wanna blow you away/ Be with you every night/ Am I squeezing you too tight?/ If I could say what I want to see/ I wanna see you go down on me/ Marry me today!/ Guess I'm wishing my life away/ With these things I'll never say.

With these things I'll never say.

The song came to a close with wild applause and loud whistled, especially from the guys. Her and her friends bowed, but when she looked up, Rowen had vanished. Her heart sank.

The people were surging back onto the floor when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Ryo smiled at her. "He's waiting outside." Her cousin gave her a tight hug before turning her toward the door leading to the deck and giving her a gentle shove. "Go for it, sis."

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Muahahahahaha!!!!!!!!! You know what THIS means! Woo woo, SAP ahead!! I just couldn't put it here, ya know!

*wicked grin*

Avril Lavigne owns 'Things I'll Never Say', and No Doubt owns 'Hella Good'. Don't want the copyright gods on my tail.

Alithiel