Destiny Chapter Ten, a ronin warriors fanfic

Destiny (Ronin/Witchblade Crossover)
By: Yin-Yang & JanimeLee

~Chapter Ten~

"These pictures are beautiful!" Dini gasped.

"Thank you," Delia said as she took the now empty tray from the picnic table and carried it indoors, while the four girls stayed outside near the garden area and looked through Zenida's aunt's wedding photos.

"Is that your aunt?" Lupia pointed to the woman on the left in front of the elephant statue.

"Yup," Zenida pointed out the rest of her estranged family. "My uncle, his wife and their children-"

"How many does he have?" Naomi couldn't help asking.

"Eight," Zenida said. "The youngest is almost three. And there are my grandparents."

Her friends noticed the sadness in her voice. The only blood-related grandparents she still had alive and they refused to speak to their daughter and granddaughter because Delia had eloped with Anubis, which had "disgraced" her parents and intended husband by arrangement.

"Hey," Lupia smiled and patted her shoulder, "give it time girl. Maybe they'll finally see how happy your mom is they'll accept you."

"And you still have us, you know," Dini smiled and patted her hand.

Zenida smiled and nodded her thanks. "You guys are the greatest, you know?"

"Yeah we do, but we like to hear it now and then," Naomi smiled and looked at a photo of her aunt and her husband dressed in their wedding outfits. "This is very cool. Can you imagine what our weddings would be like when we get older?"

"I want mine to be totally out of control!" Dini grinned widely.

Naomi looked at her. "I hope your husband has a sense of humor."

"To marry her, he better," Lupia chuckled and Dini swapped her arm.

"When would you like to get married, Naomi?" Zenida asked.

"I don't know," the green-haired girl pushed a few strands away from her face, "in the fall, when the weather is cool--maybe early November. What about you?"

"Early spring." Zenida turned to Lupia. "When would you like to get married?"

"New Year's Eve," Lupia grinned. "Out with the old year and in with the new along with my husband."

"That's symbolic. Dini?"

"I'd get married in the late summer," she answered before swinging her arm at Lupia again.

"Hey watch it!" she said as she blocked it and grinned. "Oh I have got to tell you about this totally cute guy in class today! All the girls in class were swooning all over him!"

"Hey that's weird, there was a new guy in my class too," Dini blinked and ran her fingers through her hair. "I think I might pass chemistry with his help this year."

"There's also a new student in my English as well. He's nice and he likes Zen just like me. Oh! And Mrs. Shiniko's son had a baby boy," she said happily, "She's got the news during class."

"Oh wow that is so cool! Babies are so cute!!"

Naomi rolled her eyes but was glad for the teacher. She was an okay lady. "Glad for her, she's pretty cool as well. Just like this new guy in my class. He's was also cute-" she shut her mouth quickly and looked away, trying to vainly hide the blush that stained her cheeks once the words fell from her lips. Naomi never used the word cute!

"You have the hots for him, don't you?" Dini said bluntly.

"I do not!" Naomi blurted out but the rosy color on her cheeks only deepened.

"Eyes to die for?" Lupia started jeering. "You always go for the eyes."

"What's his name?" Zenida couldn't help smiling.

Naomi shifted in her seat. "Cye Mouri."

"Cye, oh Cye," Dini said, accenting on the boy's name.

"Hey cut it out already!" she snapped, making the others laugh at her.

"Something funny ladies?" Delia asked as she came back outside and walked over to them.

"Naomi has a boyfriend!" Dini teased.

"He's not my boyfriend he's just a new guy in class!"

"Talking about some new students in class mom. So far we agree that each one in our class are cute."

"Aah young love. You all are growing up so fast... I wonder how your fathers would take the news of boys catch their little girls' eyes," the older woman gently teased, smiling in thought. The men were just like any father who would do their best in protecting their little girls.

"Heaven help them!" Lupia giggled, imagining what the look on Sage's face would be like after her father would, without a doubt, threaten him if he tried anything on her.

"Just be careful what you tell them," Delia became serious. "And pray that they never find out the hard like we did." She went back into the house.

"Boy, are we going to have problems if we go out on a date," Zenida said.

"Dinner and a movie already planned?" Naomi grinned. "And who is your cute one?"

"Rowen Hashiba--he's very nice and sweet."

"Really now? Do tell," Dini asked as she leaned forward. She loved to play Cupid time to time and then tease her friends' if they had crushes.

"Well he's quiet, and likes to read. I overheard from some students that he's a kind of nerd that always gets straight A's," she said honestly.

"Hey you two are perfect!" Lupia smiled and looped her arms around her shoulders in a hug, "bookworms to the very end!"

Zenida tried to pull her arm off but instead settled for smirking and reached behind her, running her fingertips along her friend's side. She reacted the way she wanted, jerking away while holding her side. "Speaking of dates what does your new crush look like?" she asked in an innocent way.

"Sage Date, total bishe (bishounen). First thing in class when Ms. Odei said to pair up all the girls swarm over to his desk asking to be his partner! But I kept my cool," she said proudly, flicking electric blue strands over her shoulders.

"So what happened?" Naomi asked, now a little intrigued.

"Ms. Odei paired us off, and I ended up as Sage's partner. We have to do a report on Hawaii; it's due in three weeks."

"The perfect island for young lovers," Dini smirked.

"Okay, Miss Smart Mouth," Naomi turned on her, "and just who is your boyfriend?"

The young girl just rolled her eyes but smiled brightly. "His name is Kento Faun and he is just so sweet! We're lab parents in chemistry and when I accidentally burned myself."

"You what?? Where?!" Zenida grabbed her hand and looked at he marks but didn't see much except for some small white spots.

"You have to be careful, you could've seriously hurt yourself. Can you imagine what uncle Dais would do if you did hurt yourself like that?" Lupia said with concern.

"I know I know," she sighed and took her hand back, smiling some, "but when Kento took me to the nurse and held my hand..." she sighed dreamily. "My prince charming on a white horse."

Naomi held out a napkin. "You're drooling."

Glowering, Dini swatted at her hand.

"Play nice, girls," Anubis said as he walked out onto the patio. He leaned over next to Zenida's ear. "So what is this I hear about you having a boyfriend?" His daughter immediately turned red as the garden roses as her friends started to giggle. "I wouldn't mind meeting this young man who seems rather special to you."

"Daddy you're embarrassing me," she said in a low tone but was smiling.

"Is that what we're suppose to do?" he asked with a smile, rubbing her shoulder to mean he was teasing.
"She's not the only one with someone special in her life," the older woman said with a smile, this time the other girls were blushing as well in delight.

"They're super nice and not to mention cute so what could go wrong?" Dini said happily, placing both her hands behind her head.

"I can think of a few things," Delia said. "Sometimes you wonder if men actually car about their cars as much as they brag about them."

"Oh, and I was supposed to know we were going to run out of gas?" Anubis looked at his wife. "Not that you made any complaints."

"Can't say that I did," Delia grinned.

"I don't think we should be hearing this," Zenida said with a slightly disturbed look.

Both adults laughed softly and apologized. "Sometimes we just get caught up in the moment."

"I think it's wonderful," Dini said with a smile. "I hope I have lots of happy memories when I get a boyfriend."

"Doesn't everybody?" Naomi stated as she rested her chin in her hand.

"Even if it's the new boy with the cute eyes, Cye Mouri? Ack!" Lupia and Dini both barely had time to move back before they get on the receiving end of one embarrassed/upset green haired girl's fist. "You're not suppose to hit girls!"

"Boys aren't supposed to hit girls!" Naomi growled. "That rule doesn't apply for other girls!"

"It does if Uncle Sekhmet hears about it!"

"All right," said Anubis. "That's enough, girls. Supper will be ready in about forty-five minutes."

"Oh let them have their fun, you're only young once," Delia said with a smile, taking his arm in her own.

"Dog pile!!" the youngest girl of the group said happily as she launched herself on the older girl's back. Naomi staggered a bit at Dini's sudden weight and glared at her over her shoulder.

"Dini get off!! I am not your personal pony ride!"

"Giddy up!"

Zenida couldn't help but giggle softly but Lupia was almost laughing her head off as she rested her head on the table. "If you guys don't stop I'll get the hic-cups!" she managed between laughs. Sure enough she began to hic cup and laugh at the same time.

"Well?"

"They have them. There's no doubt about it."

"Have you met them, Ryo?"

"No, Lady Kayura, but the others have."

The dark blue-haired woman pushed herself up in her cushioned chair. She seemed paler than usual the last few days. It was as if her age was showing through her young appearance. Ryo watched as Mia, his betrothed and attendant to the Lady Kayura, help the frail woman sit more comfortable.

Kayura looked at the other four young men. "Each of you has met one of them?"

"Yes, Lady Kayura," answered Rowen. "Each of us shares one class with one of their daughters."

Kayura looked at the other four young men. "Each of you has met one of them?"

"Yes, Lady Kayura," answered Rowen. "Each of us shares one class with one of their daughters."

She held the staff closer to her, looking up at the golden wings and circles for guidance. This was what kept her going all these centuries. I should pass this on to Mia, the ancient woman thought. But not yet; she's not ready for this burden. I cannot do this to my brother's only descendant. After her first born, then I will pass it.

"So what do we do now?" Cye asked softly, knowing what they had to do but he didn't like it very much.

"And what happens when we meet the guys?" Kento said with a weak smile. "I don't think they're gonna like the idea of us hanging with their daughters."

"What choice do we have? Now is not the time for any of us, not even the former Warlords to be picky," Sage explained rather calmly as he always did.

"True," Ryo said quietly.

"When you meet the Warlords, say nothing to them about the armors," Kayura instructed. "Do not give any indication that you know about their pasts. You, Ryo, will have to stay away from them for the time being. Then we will bring all nine armors together again. That is all for now."

"Milady," all five bowed and left the room.

Mia pulled the chair up closer and looked at her worried, very concern for her health. "Is there anything you need? Some tea perhaps or another blanket?"

"I am fine," Kayura smiled at her. "Mia, I know that you and Ryo are not to be married until next fall… but my time is running out. At least one must carry our line…"

Mia nodded. "I understand."

"I don't mean to force you-"

"You're not. I already am. I found out this morning."

Kayura smiled widely and happy tears welled in her eyes. She took Mia's hand in hers. "I will live to see your child, Mia."

The older woman smiled and squeezed her hand in both her own. "You should get some rest. If anything happens I'll let you know." Getting up she retrieved another blanket and covered her lap with it, not seeing how if she was comfortable why should she be moved. The staff was still held in her hands and she smiled softly as she watched the last of her clan let lotus blue eyes drift shut. Please... let her live just a bit longer... w still need her, she softly prayed, watching the lady sleep and for the moment, let her mind wander a bit.

"How about we make a bunch of leis for the class?" Lupia suggested. "You put them on the girls and I'll put them on the boys like they do after passengers get off the plane in Hawaii."

Sage nodded. "Sounds like a good idea but use fake flowers, not real ones."

The two geography partners were sitting at the ice cream shop at the corner not far from their school. So far the couple had gathered a lot of information about Hawaii but they still needed to do a demonstration for the class.

"How about you dress up in a grass skirt and hula?" Sage grinned.

"Hmm sounds good but that means you'll have to dress in khaki shorts and onna those flowery shirts playing a ukulele," she smiled, imaging him actually wearing something like that and couldn't help but giggle a bit. She never cared for Geography must but working with Sage it was lots of fun. "I think we might actually get an A in this project."

"Well after all the work we're putting into it I think we deserve it, or a B plus," he pointed out and sipped at his milk shake some.

"Words spoken from an A student!" she said happily eating at her banana split and could not stop smiling. Life is so good right now, she thought to herself. I guess this means I have to ask Auntie Delia to teach me how to belly dance.

Zenida raised her arms above her head and sighed.

"Class wasn't that boring," said Rowen.

"Please," Zenida rolled her eyes, "even you started to nod off when she started diagramming sentences." They laughed. Both were sitting under a tree in the schoolyard. Classes had long since ended but the two had stayed behind just to talk before heading home.

Rowen then laid down on the grass, which also allowed him to rest his head in Zenida's lap. She reached out and started to twirl the piece of hair that always hung before his eyes around her fingers.

"Have you thought of maybe just once brushing this back or at least cutting it?" she asked, noting how soft it was and the way it reminded her of the sky.

"That's why I wear my headband," he pointed out with a wink.

The young girl laughed softly and nodded her head. "Doesn't seem to help but I guess now I can't really picture you without this then."

Rowen just smiled, and Zenida noticed the look in his eyes. "What?"

"I'm just trying to picture you in a bikini," he said.

Zenida started to swat at him lightly. Rowen grabbed her hand and pulled her down; their faces merely inches apart. Zenida leaned further and closed the distant between their lips.

A soft and tender kiss was shared between the students, slowly pulling back Zenida looked down at Rowen with bright yes, blushing lightly. "Rowen… I-"

"Zenida… you're unlike any girl I ever meet," he said softly, squeezing her hand and smiled. "And I mean that in a good way."
"I don't know what to say except… you're a great guy and I… I'm really glad I meant you," she said softly, squeezing his hand some and leaned down to softly kiss him once more. Nothing could go wrong at this moment.

"So how did I do?"

Cye slid the paper facedown on the library table over to Naomi. She picked it up and looked at it, her eyes widened. "Only two wrong?"

"Two out of twenty-five is good," Cye praised. "You're getting better."

"I have a great teacher," Naomi smiled. And a cute one, she thought to herself.

Cye returned the smile then excused himself as he left for the restroom. Naomi watched him jog up the stairs and out of sight. Sighing a little in content, Naomi looked down at her left wrist. ~Hey, ~ she said to her invisible Guardian with her mind. ~You've been quiet for the last couple days. Is something wrong? ~

The bracelet said nothing but the jeweled eyes shifted to look up at her. ~Lately the others and myself have felt a disturbance... so to speak. We did not want to alarm anyone just yet so have kept quiet.~

~Does this mean grandpa is about to attack of something?~ she asked almost hesitantly. It was hard to believe that her father's father was trying to hurt them and was getting worried if he tried to come after her grandmother.

~... We are not sure but no. It seems... perhaps deeper...~ it trailed off and fell silent once more. The others felt the same way but until they knew what it was they decided to stay quiet for now.

"Naomi?" The teenager visible jumped and looked up at Cye, looking a bit nervous.

"Oh hey Cye. Didn't hear ya."

"You okay? You looked deep in thought," he asked with some concern.

"Yeah guess you can say that... say how about we go celebrate me getting my first passing grade?" she smiled, pushing the so-called threat back and gathered her stuff together.

"Okay," Cye nodded and gathered his things.

The two went outside and bought a couple blueberry snow cones from the ice cream man. They sat down on a bench that was under the protective shade of trees.

"Is my tongue blue?" Cye asked and stuck his tongue out.

"Yup," Naomi nodded. "How about mine?" she asked, also sticking her tongue out.

"It's blue."

"If we keep comparing tongue colors, people are going to think we've lost our minds."

"We're teenagers," said Cye. "According to most adults, we're not supposed to have minds."

"Hmm that is so true," she smiled and took another bite. "Hey Cye... I just wanted to say thanks for helping me out and such."

He smiled and nodded to her. "You're welcome but I'm sure anyone else could've helped you study for the tests."

"No... Except for three other girls I know I don't have many friends. I don't know if you heard but many kids stay out of my way. That's I'm just some punk girl who goes looking for trouble." She shrugged as if it didn't make any difference to her. "I don't care. I am what I am no matter what anyone says."

"Family trait," Cye murmured.

"What?"

"Nothing, just thinking out loud. I know how you feel. Family, I just have my mom and my sister. A few guys I've know since childhood are practically brothers to me."

"Didn't you say that they're in our school, too?" Naomi asked.

"Ryo isn't--he's home tutored," answered Cye. "Sage, Kento, and Rowen are."

Sage, Kento, and Rowen… Naomi pondered. "Sage Date, Kento Faun, and Rowen Hashiba?"

Cye blinked at her. "How did you know that?"

"Because Sage is in Lupia's Geography class, Dini and Kento are in Chemistry, and Rowen has the same Literature class with Zenida."

Cye remained quiet as he just stared at her. "Okay…" he said, "that's freaky."

"Yeah... so um..." she looked back down at her snow cone, taking a few bites to keep it from melting in her hand and wondered what to say next. What is going on? she thought to herself quietly. Were we destined to meet or something?

the young man looked at her and slowly reached over to touch her shoulder. "You okay?"

"Huh? oh yeah, just thinking... Cye? Do you believe in fate?"

The question caught him off guard; Naomi could tell by the look in his light-blue eyes. "Well, I guess I do," he answered. "If some things happen that can't be explained by any means logical, I do believe it is fate."

Naomi smiled. She leaned closer and kissed Cye, tasting the blueberry flavor on his lips. "You know what," she said, "I'm glad fate sent you to my school."

"Me too," Cye whispered and they kissed again.

Dini was in sheer heaven as she ate the delicious food spread out on the table. "Wow! Kento you're parents are great cooks! My mom has to get these recipes from them so she can make them at home!"

The bulky youth smiled and grinned. "Hey there's an idea! You already meet my folks and I really wanna meet yours" Even I already know you're dad, he thought silently. "Let's dig in before it gets cold."

The young girl just agreed and both began to eat but remembered their manners, talking and having fun. These past few days had been wonderful and spending them with Kento was the best. Life was so very good at the moment and she felt so glad. Kento was a great guy with his own sense of charm and lots of humor. Maybe that's why she liked him so much.

"Dessert?" Kento's mother walked into the room carrying a tray with two pieces of vanilla cake and a large scoop of chocolate ice cream.

Dini's eyes bulged and she started to drool as the plate was set in front of her. "Domo arigato…" she finally managed to say.

"A great meal," said Kento, "a great dessert, and then cigar accompanied by a glass of wine."

"The last two," Mrs. Faun eyed her son, "not in this house, young man."

"Aww ma," but he smiled and also thanked her.

"Your mom is so nice! I'm sure our moms would get along great," Dini said with a smile after Mrs. Faun left.

"Hey you know, maybe this weekend we can all meet. I wanna know more about you too."

"Aww you're making me blush." it was turn. A faint pink touched her cheeks that nearly matched her bright pink hair.

"You look just as pretty," Kento said and smiled as the color deepened.

Dini smiled as she put her chin in her hand and looked at with hunger in her eyes.

"What?" he asked.

"Oh nothing," Dini licked her lips, "just wondering if you'd look better with a tight T-shirt or a tank top."

Kento dropped his fork onto the plate, which caused a little gravy to splash and land on his shirt. He quickly grabbed a napkin and wiped it off. A few small streaks were all that remained.

The young girl softly giggled as she looked at him. She had never felt this way about anyone, especially a guy but this was different. In a good way. Moving her chair closer to his she leaned forward and softly kissed him on the lips.

Kento looked at her wide eyed when he felt the kiss but he didn't pull away. After a moment he returned the kiss and found that her lips felt so soft and sweet. As they pulled apart he looked into her pale blue eyes and smiled, taking her hand in his own.

"Dini... you're a great girl and... I care about you a lot," he told her softly, looking at her anxiously for her reply.

"Oh Kento... you are too sweet for words." she squeezed his hand and smiled prettily as it reached her eyes. "I liked you a lot, with all my heart."

"Are they still behind us?" Sage asked.

Lupia angled her compact mirror between them. "Yup."

"Oh brother…"

"I can't believe they've been following us since we left the ice cream shop," Lupia sighed.

"Well, I guess everyone's entitled to a hobby."

"I didn't know hunting you down was on the hobby lists."

"Apparently it is." Sage rolled his eyes. "Any ideas how to get rid of them?"

"Maybe," Lupia stopped and faced him. "That depends if you wouldn't mind going along with it."

"Please," Sage begged. "At this point, I'm willing to do just about anything."

Lupia threw her arms around Sage's neck and kissed him. She knew she had caught him off guard and that was just how she wanted him to be."

The young blonde looked at her wide-eyed but the longer it lasted the more he realized that he liked this. Slowly he let his eyes almost shut and wrapped his arms around Lupia's waist, holding her close. The band of school girls that had been following them all froze on the spot and watched with wide eyes as the cutest guy at school was kissing his partner in geography. Disappointed but also upset they slowly left them alone. But even with them gone the two of them were still in a tight embrace. Slowly the kiss broke off naturally and they looked at each other for a long time.

Lupia didn't realize that just a simple kiss could make her feel this way as she slowly reached up to touch her lips then his. "Sage, I..." but the words died on her lips. Her mind was a complete blank and all she could do was look at him, her blue-green eyes unnaturally bright.

"So, um…" Sage seemed to be having a hard time gathering his thoughts. "After we finish our report, do you want to go out to a movie?"

"Sure," Lupia smiled.

They walked to her apartment building.

"I'll see you in class," Sage said quietly. "Lupia… I really like you a lot."

"I like you too," she smiled. "Why not?" Lupia kissed Sage again.

~End of Chapter Ten~