Destiny
(Ronin/Witchblade Crossover)
By: Yin-Yang & JanimeLee
~Epilogue~
"Naomi, you okay?" Cye asked.
"Yeah, I guess so," she answered. It had been two months since they had returned from the Dynasty. Ineisha, Sekhmet and Naomi were still morning over Reficul. It was mostly difficult for Ineisha--she had lost the man she loved twice. The only comfort she had was that Reficul was now free from Talpa.
The young man moved closer and took her hand in his own, running his thumb over the back of it in a loving gesture. "I know it's hard... but despite our losses Reficul is free. He's not a puppet anymore."
"I know it's just... I never really knew him and now he's gone..." she sighed and rubbed at her eyes. "It's like a part of me is missing."
"I know what you mean. That's how I felt when my grandfather died."
"I just wish that there was something else we've could've done…"
Cye put his arm around her shoulders. "You were there, Naomi. I think that's all he needed."
Naomi looked at him, and then kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Cye."
"Anytime," he smiled back, hugging her tightly as they continued with their walk through the courtyard. Despite the battle they had fought they still had school but if they could defeat a Demon Lord then passing some high school classes shouldn't be all that difficult.
Sage and Lupia's project for their History class had been a big success with more of the girls trying to get the blonde out on a date but he told them nicely that he was already taken. But there were still ladies who tried. Dini had been able to get through Chemistry without blowing up anything else anymore, due to Kento's help and watchful eye; there were still little mishaps but not enough to evacuate the classroom. Rowen and Zendina also seemed to be getting closer and could be seen spending time together, enjoying each other presence or were sometimes reading together. If anything the battle brought them all closer together. Ryo and Mia were still just as much in love as they were when they first began going out and would always be like that. The young successor to Kaosu and Kayura's clan also knew the girls on a better level, glad that the spirits of the armors had found such worthy young adults.
"Naomi! Cye!"
The couple looked up to see the rest of their group; Dini waving frantically.
"You okay, Naomi?" Zenida asked.
The green-haired girl nodded slightly. "I'm okay."
"Are you sure you still want to do the Talent Show?" asked Lupia.
"I can do it," Naomi said.
"Okay, but you sure about it?" She just nodded.
"Hey no worries. You know me," she smiled weakly. "So when's practice?"
"Well I talked to the drama teacher and he said we could use the stage after school. People in the talent show are also gonna use it but I said it was no problem." The young girl smiled brightly at them. "Now we just have to decide on a play."
"What kind of play?" Sage asked.
"We decided to do one from Shakespeare but a lot of us want to do different scenes from different plays. I like the three witches from Hamlet," his dark love replied with a wink.
"What happened to A Midsummer's Night Dream?" Zenida looked at Lupia.
"The thought of dressing in grass again does not appeal to me."
To me it does, Sage thought.
"What about you, Dini?" Kento asked.
"Doesn't matter to me," she winked.
"That's because there's a least one crazy person in Shakespeare's plays," said Naomi. Dini glared at her as everyone laughed.
"So it's a draw between Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and if nothing else Dini could always do that magic trick again on Zendina."
"Do you girls enjoy seeing me locked up in a trunk for hours on end?" their friend glared but laughed if off.
"Hey I just had an idea!! Why don't we do a play on one of Grimm's Fairy Tales??" You could see the stars in the young actress' eyes as she looked at her friends. "With the guys helping us we'll have a full cast!!"
The first bell rang. "Guess we'll talk about it after school," said Rowen. Everyone else agreed and went to class.
The ride back home was set almost in argument as they finally decided on the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. Now the girls were all arguing who should be sleeping beauty. Actually... Dini and Lupia were fighting over the part.
"It was my idea so I should be the beauty!!" Dini yelled.
"That's not fair and you know it!!" Lupia yelled back. The yelling was getting so bad even as they entered the house that Megumi walked out of her room. She took the pins out of her mouth and whistled sharply.
"Okay now hello and what's with all the noise?" she asked with a sigh.
"Hair of sunshine gold and lips red as the rose," said Naomi.
"You lost me."
"Which of these two could you see as Sleeping Beauty?" Zenida asked.
"Don't ask her that!" Lupia shouted. "Of course she'll say Dini!"
"Acting isn't really one of Dini's strong points, though," Megumi said.
"Thanks, Mom," her daughter glared at her.
"I'm just stating the truth dear."
"Well we can't ask our dads, they'll pick us." They looked at their boyfriends who shook their heads.
"Oh no we are not gonna be dragged into this!" Kento said as he held his hands up.
"I think you should try someone else," Sage said with a wry grin. The girls looked at each other before smiling.
"Ryo can judge for us!!!"
Ryo blinked. "Why me?!"
"Considering the fact that you're not romantically tied to any of them," Rowen pointed out, "and you are the leader…"
"Oh brother," the raven-haired boy sighed.
"I think it's a good idea," said Mia.
"You are not going to make me do this, are you?"
"Of course not," she said, "Not by yourself. I'll judge with you."
"Mia…" Ryo looked at his wife.
"Great!" said Cye. "We'll bring the girls over after school tomorrow and then you can decide."
"Let me guess," Ryo turned to his friends, "whoever we pick as Sleeping Beauty, the boyfriend is going to be Prince Charming."
"Of course," Sage grinned.
"What have you guys gotten me into?" he groaned softly.
"Just remember man, it all comes down to you," Kento added.
"Hey no pestering the judges!!"
The four Ronins left, leaving Ryo, Mia and White Blaze in the living room. Ryo sank on the couch next to his wife. "I am a dead man."
"Don't worry," Mia rubbed his shoulder. "We're in this together. For better or for worse, remember?"
"I didn't know contest judging was in the worse category," Ryo leaned his head on Mia's shoulder; he placed his left hand on her abdomen and smiled as he felt the strength of his daughter's spirit. "So much has happened," he whispered.
"I know," said Mia as she kissed his cheek. "But we'll be fine. She's ours--now and forever."
Ryo looked into her eyes. "Did I ever tell you how much I love you?"
"Yes, but I love hearing it."
"Then I'll tell you everyday. I love you Mia Sandana.
She just smiled and covered his hand with her own, resting her forehead against his as she looked into his sapphire blue eyes. "I love you, Ryo Sandana."
At one of the Warlords' home Naomi was sitting in her room, looking out the window as she hugged her knees to her chest. What Cye had said earlier had helped but still... She sighed deeply and hid her face in her knees. Try as she might she could not stop the tears from falling. 'We won and yet... we lost. What if there was someway to stop it from happening?'
"Naomi?"
She looked over to her bedroom door where her grandmother stood with a concerned look. Ineisha walked over to her granddaughter and sat on the window seat beside her. "What's wrong?"
Naomi looked out the window. "Do you think… that maybe we could've saved grandpa? That there might have been another way to stop Talpa?"
Ineisha put her arm around her granddaughter. "I honestly don't know. You see, even though your grandfather still had his free will, he was bounded to Talpa for too long. If there was any other way--if we could have saved Reficul--I would have done it. I would have traded my life for him to be free again."
"I think dad would say the same thing but..." she sighed and closed her eyes once more, slowly wrapping her arms around her. "In a way it was grandpa that saved us all. But he was willing to risk it all for us. What was he like? I mean before Talpa and the armors?" she rubbed at her eyes with her sleeve before looking up at her.
"A wonderful man," her grandmother smiled. "You would have liked him, Naomi. He was caring, strong-willed, compassionate, fun to be with, and very charming." She laughed a little. "I could say a few other things but you don't need to hear it."
"No, but it would probably explain why dad is here."
"True. Reficul was also sad at times. His village was destroyed during those feudal days… I guess that's why he opened the gate to my world. He needed a place to escape to."
"I guess what they say is true. Birds of a feather flock together or something." She weakly laughed before sitting up but didn't move away. "Grandma? Maybe you could explain something to me."
"I can certainly try."
"When the girls and I were with Rowen, we had to swim through a deep lake. Venom said something about mood swings but he didn't explain himself. He said I should ask you." She looked at the bracelet, trailing a finger over it before looking at her. "What did he mean?"
Ineisha's eyes grew wide and she looked at the ceiling. "Oh boy…" she sighed, "Well, I'll explain this as it was explained to me." She turned back to Naomi. "You're sixteen, correct."
"Yeah…" Naomi answered.
"Alright, the mood swings as Venom called it is actually something female Nagashin go through every few years. By your human blood you've been ready to have children for a while now. By Nagashin blood you're defiantly ready to have children and…" Not want to say it out loud, Ineisha whispered in her granddaughter's ear.
Naomi's eyes grew so wide they almost fell out of her head. "You mean that the mood swings means that I'm-"
"Ready to be with a man."
She blinked before her entire face seemed to turn bight red. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing could come out. After her impersonation of looking like a fish out of water she looked at the floor, having suddenly found it very interesting to look at. "Um I... I don't know what to say. I mean Cye--I mean we--I mean... actually, I don't know what I mean." She sighed and rested her face in her hands, sighing deeply.
"Don't worry," Ineisha patted her hand. "I'm sure he'll understand when you tell him."
"Does this mean, if I ever have kids, I'll only have one every six, seven years?"
"No, it just means that you'll be more… in the mood."
"…Okay…" Naomi said.
"Anything else you need to know?"
"That's all for now… I think…"
"I'm sorry, Naomi," Ineisha couldn't help chuckling at the look on her face. "But that's the Nagashin side--you have to know what you might go through."
"Might?" Naomi had a look of panic.
"Don't let it get at you dear," she said soothingly, giving her a hug before getting up. "I'm here if you do want to talk though."
"I know grandma. Thanks." Smiling she watched her leave before reaching over for her phone and dialed Cye's number. She really had to talk to him.
"Checkmate."
Zenida scowled at the chess pieces and then knocked her king over. "You must worship this game."
"Don't be upset," said Rowen. "You just started playing. Want to play again?"
"I know I can be a glutton for punishment but I'm not that bad."
"No you've actually gotten better," he smiled as he took his pieces back and placed them on the correct squares.
"You've taught me everything there is to know about it," she smiled, reaching to take her knight back when their fingers brushed together. Looking up at him she couldn't help but blush lightly.
Rowen noticed her looking at him. "What?"
"Nothing." 'No dirty thoughts! Bad Zenida!'
"You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine," Zenida smiled nervously. 'Great Buddha help me…'
The phone rang; Rowen stood up to go answer, and Zenida let out a huge sigh.
'I cannot be thinking thoughts like this, I can't! Despite the fact that he is really smart and cute and nice and cute and wears armor like me and cute...' She realized she kept commenting how cute he was. Groaning she rested her head on the table. "Why me?"
"Why you what?" Rowen asked as he came back into the living room.
'Teenage hormones are a nightmare…' Zenida thought. "Oh nothing; just thinking about all that's been going on the last few months."
Rowen nodded. "That was my dad. He and mom are stopping at a hotel for the night. He's tired and he doesn't want to drive off the road. And mom hates driving at night."
"Oh. Okay then." She was happy but also a bit disappointed but she quickly pushed the thought to the back of her mind. "So what should we do now? How about we watch a movie?"
"Sounds good." Rowen walked over to the shelf by the TV and looked over the titles. "Let's see… anything in particular?"
"Whatever you come up with."
"Okay. Why don't you make the pop corn and I'll pick the movie."
"Alright. Pick something good." Smiling she went to the kitchen and found a bowl. Locating a bag of pop corn she put in the microwave and started it. Soon she heard Rowen say he found a good movie and said it was on. "Coming!"
Zenida quickly went back into the living room. Placing the popcorn bowl on the coffee table, she sat on the couch next to Rowen. He put his arm around her and she leaned against him just as the movie started.
"Thanks for meeting me, Cye."
"So what's wrong, Naomi? What's the big thing you have to talk about?"
"Well… um it's kinda hard to say but I think its better I tell you what grandma told me." Taking a deep breathe she explained about the Nagashins and the mood swings she was going through. She kept blushing the entire time and she couldn't look him in the eye but she wondered how he would take it all.
Cye remained quiet a while after Naomi finished explaining. "Whoa…" he finally said, "you go through that?"
"Not all the time, you know…"
"I know."
"It's just that when it happens…" Naomi turned to look at Cye in the eyes, feeling her face turn redder, "will you help me?"
Now it was Cye's turn to change color. "Um… oh boy…"
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, Naomi," said Cye. "Things happen, and the time does come, I'll be there for you."
"Thanks, Cye," Naomi hugged him.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you," she whispered softly, looking up at him before their lips meet in a gentle kiss. She would get through this, with the help of her friends and family but more importantly, with Cye by her side.
"And voila!"
"Where's the watch?"
"Rats!" Dini reached inside the cloth bag and pulled out Kento's watch. "It got caught," she grinned sheepishly.
He laughed as he took his watch back. "You had me worried there."
"One of these days my tricks will go right," she complained, thinking back to all her earlier attempts before plopping next to him.
"Hey one of these days it will. I'm sure of it!"
"Does that mean you want to be my assistant for my next trick??"
"As long as you promise not to chain me up."
"Not in front of a public audience."
"Dini…"
"Yes, Kento?"
"You little minx," he smiled at her.
Dini grinned. "Hot Hikaru and Libido Lee, remember?"
"Oh yeah... I never would have pegged you for that kind of girl, Dini." He smiled as she moved next to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. The young girl sighed and leaned into him more.
"Kento? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"When we first meet, what did you think of me? I mean honestly."
Kento swallowed and looked at the ceiling. "Promise that you won't hurt me?"
"Promise."
"I thought that you were a little flakey."
Dini looked up at him. "And now?"
"You just need to lay off the sugar," Kento said. They both started to laugh. "What was your opinion about me?" he asked.
"Well, don't get mad but I thought you were like the jocks at school. All brawn and no brain but if they did have one they don't use their head."
"I hope your opinion changed."
"D'uh! I mean you're strong no doubt, but you're smart in your own way, you're a great guy with good friends and loving family, you're way cute, and an added bonus that we both wear armor."
"So you like me only for this?" He held up his wrist with the bracelet.
She wrinkled her nose before taking his hand in her own. "One is enough for me thanks. Besides, I liked you long before I found out that you had Armor."
Kento leaned close and they kissed. The sound of a car pulling into the driveway made the young couple break away. He looked out the window. "Ah, parents have returned with late supper," he said, "and spoiled the mood."
"Another time then." Giggling she kissed the tip of his nose and got up as the front door opened.
"We're back!!" Kento's father yelled from the front door. "Oh, Dini. Kento didn't say that you were coming over."
"Yes, he did," said Mrs. Faun. "I forgot to tell you."
"So that's why you bought extra meat."
"Yes, dear."
"What are we having?" Kento asked.
"Meatloaf," his father jokingly answered in a deep voice.
"Meatloaf??" the young man said with a whine. But Mrs. Faun smiled and lightly jabbed her husband in the side with her elbow.
"Don't tease the boy now. Dini, would you like to help?" she asked kindly.
"Oh can I?? You cooking is great!!" she said happily.
"Follow me, my dear." Mrs. Faun walked into the kitchen.
"How many?"
"Five."
"Oh God…"
"They don't when to give up, do they? Even after we kissed."
"Apparently not," Sage shook his head. "Fortunately, though, the number has decreased."
The young girl smiled and leaned into him once more, enjoying his company more than anything. Life had been good to them so far and she just hoped it would stay that was for a long time. "This is just too perfect but then again... why do I feel jumpy? Like something is going to ruin this innocent moment?"
"Sage!" one of the girls shouted as she ran up to them.
Something like her…Lupia thought. "Hi, Eiyu.
Eiyu was the most popular girl in school. Or most popular bitch depending on which side of the line one stood. She ignored Lupia's semi-civil greeting as she practically threw herself at Sage.
"Want to go to the movies tomorrow night?" Eiyu asked.
"I already have plans," Sage said politely, "with Lupia."
"You're giving up a date with me to go out with the runt of the litter?"
"Better a runt than you," she muttered under her breathe, thinking no one heard but apparently Eiyu had good hearing.
"I wasn't talking to you, Sasaki so I suggest you keep your comments to yourself."
"Oh forgive me for interrupting her royal highness!" she said sarcastically while doing a mock bow. "Do us a favor Eiyu and get a clue!"
"Why you little-" she growled and made to hurt her but the young blonde stepped in. Lupia immediately became quiet, knowing Sage could fight his own battles but it didn't help her relax the least bit.
"Eiyu... I thank you for your kind offer but I must decline. Perhaps you could ask another?" Although he should have expected it it still came as a surprise when the young lady made a face of fury before bring her hand back to slap him but it never came. Lupia had enough and she was not going to stand by while she acted like such a spoiled brat!
"I suggest you don't try that again Eiyu or you'll have me to deal with and I can assure you, you do not want to get on my bad side," she growled angrily, feeling her bracelet shift ever so lightly on her wrist.
Eiyu glared at Lupia, opening her mouth to say something but she quickly shut it as her eyes widened. Behind the couple was a humongous translucent wolf.
And it did not look happy.
The wolf narrowed its glowing eyes at Eiyu then bared its teeth.
~It would be wise, ~ the wolf spoke in her mind, ~for you and your companions to leave.~
Eiyu stepped back. Sage and Lupia watched in silence, faking confusion. "Eiyu, are you okay?" asked Lupia.
"You look a little pale…" said Sage.
Eiyu said nothing as she quickly turned on her heel and ran off. The four other girls watched her retreating form, looked at Sage and Lupia, then looked at each other shrugging, and left.
"Thanks, Wolfie," Lupia sighed.
~My pleasure.~ The form slowly faded and the bracelet became still once more. ~No one displeases my bearer and her mate.~ It would seem strange that the two youths looked at each other, both flushing a bit brightly but then again they weren't able to hear the voices of ancient spirits within their minds.
~Now you've gone and embarrassed them both,~ Halo frowned, the emerald glinting in the light from Sage's wrist. Darkness just snorted.
"I think your term was a bit…" Lupia couldn't finish.
"Um… we really haven't gotten to that subject yet…" Sage said as he looked around nervously.
~See! They're too young to think of such things!~
~I was their age when I found my mate!~
~That was centuries ago, times have changed.~
~Well you're still a stick in the mud like before.~
~I am not!~
"Hey guys can you cool it?" the girl hissed at the bracelets, looking around so no one noticed them. "You may not be alive but we still have to hear you argue."
~He stared it.~
~I did not!~
"I think we should take this somewhere more private," Sage smiled, taking his girlfriend's hand in his own as they continued their walk. True they haven't talked about the next step but what was the rush? Besides, she didn't even want to think about their parents. She wasn't sure how hers would react but Sage came from a traditional family. She sighed inwardly and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Okay, we've seen their acting capabilities," said Ryo. "And lack of acting capabilities."
"They were good in some parts," Mia said, "and not so good in other parts."
"Try awful in other parts."
"Well, which couple do you think it should be?"
Ryo leaned his head back, stared at the ceiling. "I have no idea. Why don't we use the name-in-hat drawing?"
"Only option left," Mia sighed as she got up to retrieve a hat and a slip of paper. Coming back she set one of Ryo's baseball caps on the coffee table and wrote the ladies' name on the slips of paper. Folding them she picked up the hat and shook it around some. "Okay Ryo, pick." She held the hat to him, holding just high enough so he couldn't see inside yet still be able to reach in.
Ryo swirled his hand around in the hat then finally grabbed a piece of paper. He stared at it for a minute then looked at Mia. "I'm afraid."
His wife put his hands over his. "We're in this together," she said and they opened the folded paper.
"I guess this'll mean my dad'll have to order a long blonde wig for you, Zenida," said Dini, "And fairy wings for the three of us."
"Look on the bright side," Zenida said as she poked through the Megumi's pattern box, "none of you are playing the wicked witch."
"I'd tell you where to stick the spindle," Naomi smirked.
"So who we gonna get to play the witch then?" Lupia asked.
"No idea. Maybe Sage get ask one of his many admirers to play that part?" The bearer of Winter growled but kept quiet. "Did I miss something?"
Dini laughed softly as she poked through the costumes. "Hey!! Maybe one of the guys can play the witch! I mean the costume is just really a large cloak with a staff and I am so an expert on make-up!!"
"Not to mention we need king, queen and guards," said Dini. "Since you need a blonde wig, Zenida, why don't we have Sage play the king?"
"No!" Lupia almost shouted. "Unless you get someone else to play the third fairy so that I'm the queen."
"But I wanted you as my fairy godmother," Zenida whined mockingly.
"Why don't we ask Mei to play the third fairy?" Naomi suggested. "She's Sage's cousin and she loves theatre."
"Sounds good to me. Any objections?"
"Nope."
"Not from me."
"But what about the rest of the cast?"
"If nothing else some of us will have to play double parts or we can ask Mei if she knows anyone who would like to help out," Dini sighed as she went on a search for a piece of paper to write a cast list.
"Move aside and let the price through."
"You may be a prince, Rowen, but I am the king," said Sage.
"Shut up; you're ruining my moment."
"I love it," Kento said as he picked up a handful of Doritoes. "Sage has a queen, Rowen has a princess," he turned to Cye, "and you and I got fairies. I say the two of us made out like bandits."
Cye nearly spit out his soda, trying not to laugh.
A pillow went flying across the room and made direct contact with the face of a certain Earth Warrior. "Hey!!" He retorted by throwing the pillow right back at his attacker.
"All in all I think this will be a great play. We've all heard the story before so remembering the lines shouldn't be that hard," Cye said after making sure he didn't choke on his drink.
"I wonder what the costumes will look like. The girls have been a bit secretive about that part," the archer said as he rested his chin in hand.
"Dear lord, I hope they're not going to make us wear tights," Cye folded his hands and looked up. "Snug jeans are my limit."
"You two don't have to worry about that," said Rowen. "You're playing the guards. Sage and I have to worry about tights."
"Just make sure before you put them on you shave your legs," Kento said and then started running for his life as Sage and Rowen gave chase.
No matter how hard he tried to keep it in the laughter just burst free. However, Torrent was polite enough to double over as he laughed softly; all the while the other two Ronins chased their comrade in arms around the house. This was certainly going to be an interesting play indeed.
It was the big night and the girls' would be going on last so they would enough time to do their skit with out worried about another else's time slot. Now they were all in costumes, their make-up applied, and the props were set up. Their moment had come.
"Quick everyone get in your spots!" Dini hissed as she made sure her wings were alright.
"Anybody seen my crown?" Lupia asked.
"Here," Zenida pulled it off the tie on the other girl's back.
"Thanks," Lupia put the crown on her head.
"You're welcome, mommy." Everyone laughed.
Cye looked at Naomi. "Ready?"
"Yes and no," she answered. "Our families are out there..."
Cye kissed her. "Remember, the gift of song."
Naomi smiled and watched as Cye walked out on stage with Kento and the two guards began to tell the tale.
~You look beautiful.~
"Thanks, Venom."
~It wasn't me,~ said her guardian.
Naomi blinked at her bracelet.
~Behind you, Naomi.~
She turned and gasped. "Grandpa..."
Reficul smiled at her. ~Did you think I would miss this?~ he asked and then vanished.
"Grandpa..." It took everything she had now not to cry but even so, she couldn't help but smile some. "Thanks..."
"Naomi, you okay?" Dini asked, noting her teary eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I'm fine, really. But I'll tell you later." She smiled at her friend and carefully wiped her eye. "Let's get this show on the road.
"Okay, we're almost on." The three fairies stood ready to walk out.
"Remember who has which gift?" Mei asked.
"Dini has beauty, I have song, and you have the kiss," said Naomi. She turned to Rowen. "By the way, nice legs."
He just glared at her.
"I can see why Zenida goes out with you," Mei chuckled
"Ah, shut up," Rowen grunted as he scratched his hip. "These things are going to drive me crazy."
"Blue is definitely your color, Rowen," Dini smiled.
"Why couldn't your mother make a pair of slacks like she did for Sage?" the archer pulled the stretchable fabric at his hip to relieve some of the itching.
"One word: Lupia."
"Huh?" She just pointed to where the 'queen' sat and she did not look happy.
"I was there, she actually begged mom to make him something else to wear instead of tights," the young fairy girl giggled.
"And can you imagine the reaction if he did wear tights?" Mei pointed to the curtains and most of the audience was girls that came just to see the blonde.
"They'd charge the stage," Naomi stifled her laugh.
Rowen grumbled something inaudible as he leaned against the wall.
"Oh come on, Rowen," said Mei. "Maybe once they get to see what you've got you'll be their object of affection."
"I can see Zenida going on a rampage if that happens," Naomi said.
"Me too," said Dini. "Scary, isn't it?"
The girls couldn't help but laugh softly but tried to keep it down so they didn't interrupt the play. Soon it came for their turn and they came out on stage. As the two fairies bestowed their gifs the wicked fairy came out, wearing a large cloak with a deep hood and carrying a knarled staff. The audience thought it was a bit weird when the cast were trying desperately to hold back smiles and could barely make out soft laughter but then again, they had no idea who was playing the witch.
~I am never doing a favor like this again,~ Ryo thought to himself as he said his lines, glad he didn't go to school. He even had make-up on but he refused to let anyone see his face.
"Who would have thought that your husband would be such a good sport," Abigail whispered to Mia.
The other pregnant woman smiled and nodded. "Indeed."
"You blackmail him in someway?"
"A little."
"You must tell me how sometime."
"I promise."
"What are you ladies talking about?" Dais whispered to them. They just smiled and looked at him innocently.
"Nothing."
The play was going along great with almost no mishaps that when beauty pricked her finger. She lay on a mat and soon Prince Charming was coming to her rescue. Rowen, however, refused to go out on the stage. There was a bit of a struggle before he was pushed out into the spotlight. He did not look very happy in tight, very scratchy, tights. He blushed when he heard some girls in the back begin to giggle.
"Poor Rowen," said Anubis. "I feel sorry for him."
"I can relate a little," Cale said.
"You wore tights?"
"No, that summer program I went to after our junior year--I was in the kabuki show. My hakama fell down and I wasn't wearing anything underneath."
Anubis and Delia almost burst out laughing.
"Now you know why I married you," said Liana.
"Thank heaven you never divorced me," Cale grinned.
The rest of the play went over smoothly without a hitch and when the guards declared it was over the curtains closed. Everyone clapped, the parents being the loudest as it opened once more and the cast was lined up. They all bowed, happy that it was done but win or lose they had fun. Once again the curtains closed as everyone went back stage as the principal made his way out.
"First off I would like to thank all the students that participated in this year's talent show. This goes to everyone who preformed to the ones working the lights to the people that painted backgrounds and props. I would also like to thank everyone for coming and hoped you enjoyed a nice evening. And now, for the moment of truth." He smiled as he held up three cards to announced third, second, then first place winners.
Dini blinked as she shook her head, making sure she wasn't hearing things. "We won?" The others slowly shook their head before she scared them by squealing loudly in pure joy. "We won!!!"
"Let's give a hand to Ms. Kuroma and her friends for a job well-done on their play of 'Sleeping Beauty'." The principal said as he clapped and soon, it was being echoed all around the building. Dini practically bounced onto stage, taking the trophy with thanks before bowing. She was bouncing in place so much it looked like she had too much sugar yet again.
"Remind me to put her in a sugar-free diet," Dais whispered to Megumi.
"We tried that once. She ate twice as much and yet was still able to be bouncing along the walls like crazy," she sighed.
"Oh yeah. Never mind," he sighed. It was a never ending battle with their daughter and her love of sugar.
By the time the show was officially over Dini had calmed down considerably. She was still fidgeting in place but you could see just how proud she was of winning.
"This deserves a group photo," Delia smiled and held up a camera.
"Oh please make copies!" Mei smiled as the friends gathered together.
"I'll make a copy for everyone. Okay everyone smile and say—wait, someone's missing." She lowered the camera and continued heads. "Where's Zenida and Rowen?"
Rowen sighed as he scratched his head, waiting for his girlfriend outside the girls' restroom. She had suddenly felt the urge to be sick and with him being the closest helped her. Now he was waiting and wondering if she was alright.
'Maybe she ate something? No, she was too nervous to eat,' he thought to himself, frowning. Hearing the flush of water he got off the wall and watched as she slowly made her way out. "Hey you okay?"
She slowly shook her head and leaned against his hest, taking a deep breath. "Rowen… do you remember that night… that I stayed at your house?" she asked softly.
"That night… that was couple of weeks ago wasn't it?" he asked, gently petting her hair but thinking hard about it his eyes widen. That was also the night they took their relation to the next level.
"Well… I was suppose to start my period yesterday but I just thought I was late so I didn't worry about it. Until now." Taking a deep breath she looked up at him, hands still holding onto the front of his costume as his hands were holding her steady at the waist. "My armor just confirmed it.
"You… You mean…"
"I'm pregnant."
~The End~