Storms of the Past

Chapter Three

The Storm Begins

By: Lady Ava

Disclaimer: I don't own Ronin Warriors

The Five Ronin decided to drive down to the beach side town to get some breakfast at a local IHop. Then, after watching Kento pack away three short stacks of pancakes, the boys then went to a surf shop to rent boards for Kento, Sage, Rowen, and Ryo. Sai suggested starting them out on the long board first, mostly because the short boards were for more experienced riders.

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Waves broke loudly on the beach when the teens arrived. Setting up a quick lesson for them on the beach, Ryo, Sage, Kento, and Rowen learned the basics in a crash course in surfing. Finally, they were ready to head out into the water.

Sai felt the coolness of the water splash up against him as he entered with his board by his side. The last he had been in the ocean was when he was fighting Sekmete after he was brought back after being reanimated. Sliding his board out in front of him, he reentered his domain. The water was his place. No matter how much people tried to pull him away from it, he couldn't help but be drawn to it.

Paddling out to where the waves were the best to ride, Sai sat up and turned his board around. While he sat there, straddling his surfboard, he watched the others start out slowly. "Come on guys! Do it just like I showed ya." He called cheerfully.

"That's easy for you to say torrent!" Rowen called back as he and the others panted. Upon reaching where Sai was, the others turned their boards as well.

"So, now what?" Ryo asked.

Smiling back towards the shore, Sai let the breeze brush his hair around his face. "We wait."

Kento raised and eyebrow. "We wait? That's it? We just sit here?"

"Until I say go, you wait." Sai said firmly. Glancing behind him, he saw the swells of water starting to form in the way that was perfect to ride for beginners. "Ready guys? Cause here comes your wave." As the water began to move in, Sai shouted. "Go!"

The four other Ronin did as Sai instructed on land without too much difficulty. They all managed to get up and keep their balances all right. But one by one they all soon wiped out. Rowen was the first to go down hitting the water feet first. Then, Ryo went in the same way. Sage fell off on his side while Kento landed in the water on his back. They all broke the surface of the water, laughing their heads off.

"Hey Sai, aren't you coming?" Ryo called out to the Australian youth who was still sitting there.

Looking behind him, Sai quickly got onto his stomach. Then, as he started to approach the standing point of the ride, the massive wave came into perfect view. Sai quickly jumped up onto his board and began to ride. The salt water splashed his face as he started to do some simple tricks like walking the board and turns. 'Len was right. These are smooth waves to ride.' He thought as a smile spread across his face. Suddenly, he couldn't hold onto the ride any longer and fell face first into the water.

Sai broke the surface and shook his head as he reached over to grab his board. He panted for breath as he sat there, floating in the water. Climbing up onto his surfboard, Sai started into shore where the others were waiting for him.

As he came up onto the shore, Kento slapped him on his back. "Sai, where the hell did you learn to surf that well? I mean, I know you said your were good. But I didn't know that your were that good."

"Back in Australia. I started when I was five." Sai told him simply as he grabbed a towel and started wiping the water from his face.

"Man, I wish Kayura and Mia could of seen that. We were actually surfing." Rowen said with a laugh.

Sage smiled evilly as he came up behind his friend. "Of course you wish Kayura was here." He joked.

Rowen quickly jumped to his feet. "Alright! That's it! Enough is enough!" He shouted angrily as he began to crack his knuckles. "I'm going to give you until the count of three to start running. If you don't move fast enough, you will be thrown into the water. One…two…three!" Rowen took off like a bullet after Sage, who was laughing his head off as his best friend chased after him.

Kento, Ryo, and Sai laughed full-heartedly as they watched Rowen try to catch Sage. Suddenly, a loud crash of thunder roared across the sky, causing the teens to be silenced quickly. Looking up at the sky, they saw that large black clouds had begun to roll in. The wind started to howl as they continued to stare at the sky.

"We should go." Ryo told Kento and Sai who both agreed. Looking over at Rowen and Sage, Ryo called over to them, "Hey Dumb and Dumber! The heavens could open at any moment! We're leaving. Come on!"

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Grabbing their stuff quickly, the Ronins ran up to their car and loaded their stuff quickly into the trunk. Then, after making a quick stop at the surf shop to return the boards, Ryo and the rest of the group drove as quickly as possible back to the house.

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The rains came as soon as the garage door shut behind the car. "That was a close call." Kento said as he helped Sai take his surfboard from the trunk. "We almost got stuck in the rain."

"Although it really won't have much mattered considering we are already soaking wet." Sage told as he walked into the house.

Placing his board against the cement wall of the garage, Sai jumped at the sound of the thunder outside. "Boy, this was certainly a surprise. The forecast said that is was suppost to be clear the whole week." He told the others.

Placing his hands behind his head, Kento shrugged. "This just proves that you can't trust weather men or women." The ash-haired teen started. As he went back into the house with Rowen close behind, he added,  "Whatever they say, the opposite always happens."

Ryo shook his head and smiled as he watched the hardheaded warrior enter the kitchen. Then, turning back to Sai, he cleared his throat. "Hey Sai, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it?" The brown haired boy asked a grin on his face.

Walking up to the garage door opener, Ryo pushed it opened. The rain flooded into where the two boys were standing. The entire sky had been completely covered in dark clouds, creating a nighttime feel to so early in the morning. "Sai, are you afraid of something? Something that is happening out there, right now?" He asked, pointing down towards the stormy beach.

Gulping a bit, Sai simply shook his head. "No, why would you ask such a thing like that?"

"Because, you seem high strung about something. Like you're scared of the water or something." He said innocently.

Sai felt anger run through his body. It began to course through his blood and then into his hands, causing them to form fists of rage. "Are you saying that I'm afraid of my own element?" He questioned to his leader, the angry beginning to swell into his voice.

"No, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that---"

"That you think I'm unable to handle unsteady water? That I'm afraid of storms?" He asked, his voice growing in volume. "Well, guess what Ryo? Perhaps, for once in your life, you don't know anything."

Taken aback by Sai's harsh words, Ryo felt his blood begin to boil as well."Look, all I asked was a simple question. You don't need to bite my head off." He yelled back.

Storming past him, Sai marched over to the door. "Well, guess what? I did. And I don't want you to come near me until the end of this trip!" He shouted.

"Fine!" Ryo yelled back.

"Fine!" And with that, Sai sprinted past the others at the kitchen table and up to his room, slamming it shut behind him.

Ryo walked into the kitchen and slammed that door shut behind him. Kento, Rowen, and Sage stared at their angered leader and then at the steps that lead upstairs. "Um, what just happened?"

Walking past the small questionable group, Ryo murmured, "Nothing."

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~ Gasp! That plot thickens. Please read and review! ~