Disclaimers: The same.
Warnings: Don't steal my OC's. Other warnings: Same as before.
PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I appreciate all input.
CHAPTER 3 There's More Angels?
"Let's just wake him up and see if he's alright." Kento insisted loudly and Ryo woke up before anyone could disagree with him. He let go of Seiji and sat up rubbing his eyes tiredly. He looked around.
"Did I fall asleep? I'm sorry. I stayed up late last night." Ryo leaned away from Seiji against the couch and Seiji sat up as well already missing Ryo's inferno hot body. They kind of looked at him oddly. "What?" He questioned and yawned deeply.
"You looked like you were having a nightmare a little while ago and you woke up with a start." Sye answered and Ryo stared at him like he had three heads. He shrugged his shoulders.
"Sorry if I worried you or something. I don't remember a nightmare though. I remember something about floods and cats, but that's it. It's all a blur."
Seiji tenderly touched Ryo's arm with his slender fingers, touching the warm skin as softly as possible, and Ryo snapped his head to the side to look at him.
"Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
Ryo smiled and nodded.
"Well, its getting pretty late. Maybe we should all just turn in for the night?" Rowen sighed and stood up stretching. It was almost eight o'clock now and they were all tired after ten hours of almost none stop movies. They had stopped a few times for the bathroom, food, and power outages.
Everyone agreed for the sleep and stood up. Yuli said good night to them all and headed for the door, and his drive home.
Ryo sat on the couch a while longer saying good night to everyone as they passed by. Leaving each of them with a touch to their face or kiss on the cheek. They all smiled at his new customs. Rowen leaned over the couch.
"You can stay in my room. No one stays in there, 'cept me." Ryo nodded and yawned again. Rowen looked appalled. "Don't do that!" He snapped and Ryo shut his mouth. "It's contagious!" Ryo smiled and laughed along with Rowen who then yawned and punched Ryo. "See! Told you, it's contagious!" They both smiled and left the room. Seiji had been waiting at the top of the stairs for Ryo so he could ask him if he wanted to sleep in his room that night. When he saw Rowen tell Ryo he would meet him upstairs, he abandoned the idea.
Ryo ran up the stairs, but his footsteps were so soft, Seiji didn't even hear him coming. Ryo bumped right into Seiji and they both tumbled over. He rubbed his stomach while helping Seiji up.
"Sorry, dude. I didn't see you there." Seiji smiled not wanting to let the gentle, but strong hand go. They stared into each others' eyes, almost level with one another.
Sye watched the two from all the way down the hall and bit his lip so hard it almost bled.
"Go for it, Seiji. You only get one chance to live." Sye whispered encouragingly.
Back down the hall Seiji still wasn't about to let Ryo's hand go. "Where are you sleeping tonight?" Seiji asked nervously.
"Rowen's room." Ryo answered calmly, not about to say anything about Seiji's hand yet.
"There's only one bed in there." Seiji tried to laugh a little.
"I'll sleep on the floor." Ryo forced a smile. Seiji had run out of smart things to say.
"You could sleep in my bed." Seiji smiled, scared.
"Where would you sleep?" Ryo still didn't get it. He could be very naïve sometimes.
Seiji couldn't take it anymore, Ryo was so close, it was such a dark hall, and –as far as Seiji knew- no one could see them. Seiji leaned forward and covered Ryo's lips with his, in a kiss of love. He shoved Ryo against the wall with a thud, not breaking the kiss. Ryo gasped, opening his mouth, and Seiji took the opportunity. He slid his tongue into Ryo's mouth briefly, before he caught a hold of his senses and pulled away completely. Looking into Ryo's eyes for only a moment, he saw pure shock, but couldn't tell what he was thinking. He quickly ran down the hall to his room, ran in, and shut it quickly, putting his weight against the door for support.
Ryo got his senses back a minute later and closed his mouth. He slowly touched his hand to his lips. He could still taste Seiji and feel how desperate Seiji was.
When he heard Rowen coming up the stairs he informed him that he would be sleeping on the couch and Rowen raised his eyebrow, then shook it off and nodded.
*****
Try as he might, Ryo couldn't fall asleep. He walked onto the back porch and sat there looking up at the stars. He couldn't clear his head of Seiji though, and how scared he looked. Ryo stood up and pulled off his shirt. Maybe flying around would clear his mind. He opened his wings and quickly took off.
*****
Sye had watched him take off –still marveling at Ryo's godly body with wings- then walked back upstairs to his room worriedly. He wished Ryo had talked aloud so he could have understood his feelings, but now he was in the dark and unable to comfort Seiji much at all.
*****
Seiji may have rushed into his room, but he had done it quietly so as not to wake Cale who looked already asleep. He sunk down to the floor and touched his lips.
Ryo had tasted so sweet and heavenly. He couldn't identify the taste, but he wanted more of it. He wanted to taste every part of Ryo.
After two years of traveling around desolate places Ryo had picked up a very unique smell and he imagined a very unique taste as well.
Unbeknownst to Seiji, Cale was just pretending to be asleep and was actually listening to Seiji's breathing and he was ready to jump up and console his friend. He had heard Seiji and Ryo talking and then he heard a body pushed against the wall. If Ryo had done anything to Seiji he would deck him good.
He sat up and Seiji looked up at him shocked that he had been awake. Cale scowled.
"Are you alright?"
Seiji was glad that the room was dark. He didn't much want Cale seeing the emotions that were clearly showing all over his face and lips. He had pushed so hard on Ryo's lips that it had made his own quite sore and red.
"Fine." Seiji squeaked and cleared his throat. Cale stood up as Seiji did and he walked over to Seiji who turned away. Seiji didn't want the warlord of darkness to see his expression so he scowled to hide it when Cale turned his face to him.
"Did Ryo do something to you?" Seiji almost laughed, but didn't. Cale had worry for the warrior all over his face.
Seiji was starting to understand just how good of a friend Cale was.
"He didn't do anything." Seiji whispered looking at his bed. Cale turned his face to be level with his dark blue eyes. Their faces were mere inches apart and Seiji blushed. "He didn't do anything. I kissed him." He whispered, staring right into Cale's eyes. When Cale loosened his grip on Seiji, he jumped onto his bed and pulled the covers over himself. Cale looked at the lump in the sheets that was Seiji.
"What did he do?" Cale asked calming his voice now and sitting on the side of Seiji's bed.
"Nothing." Seiji whispered.
"Tell me." Cale insisted.
"I did tell you. He did nothing. He just kind of stood there shocked and I ran in here quickly."
Cale sighed and put his hand on Seiji's leg, through the bed covers.
"Do you love him?" Cale whispered not wanting it to be true, it would kill Seiji if it was, because Ryo might just leave with Zoë.
"I don't know. I've always been able to have anyone I've ever wanted, but Ryo was just different from the others. He didn't ogle me at all or show any interest. From that point on I just kept liking him more and more. I would try everything to get him to notice, but he never really did." He paused smiling gently, but so Cale couldn't see. "Now that I say it aloud it sounds more like a conquest than anything else." Seiji laughed a bitter laugh to himself.
Cale went to his own bed and stared at Seiji's bed until he heard slow even breaths that told him Seiji was finally asleep.
In the morning everyone kind of woke up at the same time. Ryo had found his way to the couch some time in the early morning and had finally fallen asleep. Sye suggested a nice swim in the lake, considering this was an oddly hot day. About eighty degrees with a lot of wind, but still everyone went for a nice, freezing swim.
Sye challenged Ryo to a tread across the lake to see who could hold their breath underwater the longest. Ryo agreed and they went off at the same time.
"I'm taking all bets." Kento laughed and smiled as everyone voted against Ryo. Three minutes after the betting had stopped a head poked up out of the lake gasping for breath.
"Who is it?" Yuli questioned standing perfectly dry on the bank, squinting. He had pulled up a few minutes ago.
"It's Sye!" Sekmet shouted puzzled. He looked like he had made it about three quarters of the way across the lake.
"Is Ryo over there!" Sye shouted looking around.
"No!" They all yelled back curiously. Sye raised his eyebrow and felt something touch his leg. He screamed as it pulled him under. They all looked worried. After a minute of waiting Ryo and Sye's heads popped up right in front of them all. It startled everyone.
"What'd you do that for?" Sye yelled as soon as they came up. Ryo wasn't even out of breath, he just smiled.
"You took so long to get that far across the lake that I just went ahead without you and on my way back I decided to have a little fun." He laughed.
Everyone dropped their mouths.
"What do you mean, 'on your way back'?" Sye snapped.
"You couldn't have gone that far, that fast, underwater. You would have had to come up, or cheat and use your power." Sye scowled, but Ryo shook his head.
"No, I didn't come up once until just now." Ryo was totally sincere.
"That's impossible!" Rowen gaped.
"How'd you get him back here so fast if you didn't use your power? He was most of the way across the lake." Yuli pointed out curiously. It dawned on everyone that he did do that pretty quickly.
"He's gotten much stronger on his journeys!" They all looked up to see Zoë and another angel flying above them. They zoomed over to the bank and landed gently. Grass and flower's bloomed around their feet as well, like before. White Blaze came running up quickly behind Zoë and she pet his head then raised her eyebrow at the bunch.
The male angel standing tall next to Zoë was wearing a very distinguishing ensemble. He looked like an Arabian. Baggy black pants, held by a cloth belt, that tied in the front and dangled to his calves. His black shirt was extremely constricting like Ryo's, showing off every muscle. A white cloth dickey was around his neck, which really brought out his sapphire blue eyes.
Yuli was just gawking at the angels, but Ryo jumped out of the water and closed Yuli's mouth as he walked by him.
Ryo blushed, he didn't exactly look dry enough to bow and have it not look funny. Zoë was back to wearing her angel clothes and she smiled waving her hand at Ryo. He was suddenly dry and in his angel clothes as well. Ryo nodded a 'thank you' and bowed to one knee in front of Orion who smiled a white smile. His long silver hair flared beautifully, like his gorgeous blue eyes.
"Did you enjoy your visit with your friends?" This tall man asked with his strong voice. Ryo rose from bowing and smiled.
"Yes, thank you. Do you need me today or may I stay a while longer?" Ryo bit his lower lip. He wanted to stay, but if he was needed then he would go. The man looked down to Zoë who pulled gently on his puffy sleeve. He smiled looking at her sassy face.
"Another Wraith was sighted yesterday." The man announced and Ryo's expression turned to anger as he remembered what his friends had said about his nightmare. He scowled, clenching his fist, he glared at the ground. "I know that you sensed it, Ryo, but I can't make this any easier on you. Zoë will be able to handle this for now, if you wish to stay longer, but..." Ryo looked up suddenly into this man's eyes.
"Orion?" Ryo whispered squinting his eyes against the sun. All of his friends were behind him sitting on the large rocks near the bank watching the conversation. This man, Orion, took a step toward Ryo with his eyes closed and Ryo stood, looking up slightly into Orion's face.
Zoë glared at Ryo's friends and put one gloved finger to her lips. They all saw her and stayed silent.
"Ryo, I need to know if you are going to stay here with your friends, or if you will come with us." Orion looked into Ryo's eyes, but Ryo was looking at the ground now, with his gloved fists clenched in frustration. He looked up finally.
"I have to see this thing with the Wraiths through, but I can't give you an answer just now because I honestly don't know."
Orion put his hands on Ryo's shoulders, comforting him. They both smiled.
"I understand. Please, tell me when you know. It would be a shame to lose such a remarkable warrior like yourself, but if you must stay, you have my blessing." Ryo smiled happily. Knowing that Orion would still be kind to him either way, gave him a great peace of mind. He tilted his head up to Orion who leaned forward and kissed his forehead gently. Ryo smiled as Orion took his hands off of him and jumped backwards flying up. Zoë walked up to Ryo and touched his shoulder.
"I'm going to look around for the Wraith. He won't take anymore people, I promise." Ryo frowned and Zoë kissed his cheek. He kissed her forehead and she rubbed his shoulder then flew after Orion and they took off.
"What was that all about?" Yuli questioned as soon as they were out of hearing range. Ryo turned around to his friends and plopped onto the bank. He leaned on his arms.
"Wraiths." Ryo seethed. "Evil monsters that appeared one day and started taking humans. The angels didn't pick up on them at all until they first struck. We haven't actually ever seen what they really look like because they wear cloaks. They also have some kind of device that protects them from letting us find them so we don't even know when they'll strike. A while ago Zoë and I had cornered one of them, with more angels with us. I was going to try to hog tie him from using his claws, but he grabbed a hold of me and used me as a shield." Ryo dug his fingers into his hair, messing up his bangs. "He was about to run free so I bit into his arm hard. I don't know what it was, but some kind of blood got in my mouth and I gagged. He quickly threw me in pain and I was knocked unconscious. I guess I swallowed the blood and I've been having those nightmares ever since. I don't know what they mean. Orion came to the conclusion that they were some kind of instinct the Wraiths were having. Its' blood in me was kind of like a warning, that they were about to strike on some innocent person. They're obviously transmitting the message to other Wraiths in the area though, so I'm not the only one seeing the images." Ryo growled in fury and his hair flared, his power as a Ronin charging to the surface.
They were all getting closer and listening to his story with some towels around themselves. Yuli put his hand on Ryo's shoulder. Seiji came up on the other side of him and knelt down.
"What will you do?"
Ryo looked up to him scowling, his power was still not satisfied. His fury was growing and he couldn't control it. His temper seemed to be something that hadn't changed from before.
Ryo ruffled his hair up furiously and Yuli yanked his hand away blowing on it because it now burned.
"I don't know!" He shouted. "Orion thinks that the nightmares will stop when all of the Wraiths are gone." Tears suddenly stung Ryo's cheeks. Seiji gaped as the tears fell to the ground. "I hope so. They plague me every night. I can't sleep at all. I haven't been able to sleep for months now. I know that every time I shut my eyes those evil monsters will be there, taking the life of some child or the fiancée of some guy!"
They all gathered around Ryo trying to comfort him, but he was boiling, making it impossible to get too close. Rowen kneeled down opposite of Seiji and touched Ryo's shoulder. He ignored the pain and Ryo just turned into his friends grasp and wept. Ryo soon cooled down and Cale carried him into the house.
They all talked for an hour, understanding all the details and having questions answered. It was silent for the longest time after that. Yuli broke the uncomfortable stillness.
"How did Zoë make you dry?" Yuli questioned. Ryo looked up to him, not really hearing the question, but knowing what he said. He leaned forward onto his knees and sighed.
"It's just a power Zoë has. Orion taught it to her, because it comes in handy on more than one occasion, this being one of them." White Blaze licked Ryo's cheek, but Ryo remained unresponsive, closing his eyes and forcing himself not to cry again.
"Ryo, know we're always here for you." Sekmet whispered in his deep tone.
"We are a team. You can count on us all." Dais assured. Ryo bobbed his head once and there was silence.
Ryo was winding his fingers in his hair with one hand and grasping his head in anger, with the other.
Seiji just wanted to hold Ryo at that moment, but he didn't know what Ryo would think of that now. He suddenly frowned on himself in his own mind.
He stood up from the couch and kneeled down in front of Ryo, who looked up, his eyes watering. Seiji held Ryo's face in his hands and they just stared at each other for the longest time.
At the same moment they both leaned forward kissing each other. Ryo and Seiji both shed tears during the kiss of passion. Ryo tasted Seiji's mouth out of pure comfort and love. He had spent all of last night figuring out his feelings and he was sure that Seiji had done the same. The space around them seemed to fall on deaf ears as there was only their bodies and their mouths connecting in that moment.
Seiji wanted to make Ryo lose his sadness and despair. He kissed Ryo with all his might claiming his love's mouth as his own. They pulled away and embraced one another.
Sye smiled happily.
He wanted to kiss them both. They finally got together. He wondered what would happen now if Ryo decided that he couldn't give up his ability to fly. It would break Seiji's heart.
Yuli ogled the two Ronins as they kissed. He realized he had never seen Seiji with anyone before, nor had he seen Ryo with a girl or guy for that matter. They were perfect for one another. Yuli suddenly wished he had someone like that, but who could he find? He wondered what it felt like, to kiss someone with so much love for them. He watched hypnotized as Seiji kissed Ryo's tears away, and Ryo licked Seiji's face clean of the salty drops.
Yuli almost jumped out of his chair when Rowen wrapped his arm around his waist. Yuli smiled, Rowen's warmth was reviving and freshening.
There was a sudden blast to the house and everyone looked up. The floor shook as if it were an earthquake. The shelves wobbled and things could be heard breaking throughout the mansion. A second blast went to the house before the first could even settle, and everyone jumped up to get out quickly.
Books flew off the shelves, glass fell off tables and cabinets. The ceiling was coming loose on them. A long wooden beam came down hard above Seiji. Just in time, Ryo pushed him out of the way, but tripped on the end table, toppling over, the beam fell on him.
"Ryo!" Seiji screamed. The bookcase tipped over onto Ryo, and Kento turned around helping Seiji get the bookcase off Ryo who was barely conscious. Kento carried Ryo outside and they were the last ones out.
They all looked ahead angrily at their culprit and there the monster stood. Bat like wings on his back. He was smiling under his cloak. He beady eyes glowed green for a moment, then they returned to being empty black pits of everything evil.
A/N: I like how it's going so far. Hopefully you all do too. I have a nasty cliffhanger for every chapter and it will continue like this unless I get someone to review my story. At least three people. It's aggravating. You know? I'll come out with the next chapter after I get some reviewers.
Warnings: Don't steal my OC's. Other warnings: Same as before.
PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I appreciate all input.
CHAPTER 3 There's More Angels?
"Let's just wake him up and see if he's alright." Kento insisted loudly and Ryo woke up before anyone could disagree with him. He let go of Seiji and sat up rubbing his eyes tiredly. He looked around.
"Did I fall asleep? I'm sorry. I stayed up late last night." Ryo leaned away from Seiji against the couch and Seiji sat up as well already missing Ryo's inferno hot body. They kind of looked at him oddly. "What?" He questioned and yawned deeply.
"You looked like you were having a nightmare a little while ago and you woke up with a start." Sye answered and Ryo stared at him like he had three heads. He shrugged his shoulders.
"Sorry if I worried you or something. I don't remember a nightmare though. I remember something about floods and cats, but that's it. It's all a blur."
Seiji tenderly touched Ryo's arm with his slender fingers, touching the warm skin as softly as possible, and Ryo snapped his head to the side to look at him.
"Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
Ryo smiled and nodded.
"Well, its getting pretty late. Maybe we should all just turn in for the night?" Rowen sighed and stood up stretching. It was almost eight o'clock now and they were all tired after ten hours of almost none stop movies. They had stopped a few times for the bathroom, food, and power outages.
Everyone agreed for the sleep and stood up. Yuli said good night to them all and headed for the door, and his drive home.
Ryo sat on the couch a while longer saying good night to everyone as they passed by. Leaving each of them with a touch to their face or kiss on the cheek. They all smiled at his new customs. Rowen leaned over the couch.
"You can stay in my room. No one stays in there, 'cept me." Ryo nodded and yawned again. Rowen looked appalled. "Don't do that!" He snapped and Ryo shut his mouth. "It's contagious!" Ryo smiled and laughed along with Rowen who then yawned and punched Ryo. "See! Told you, it's contagious!" They both smiled and left the room. Seiji had been waiting at the top of the stairs for Ryo so he could ask him if he wanted to sleep in his room that night. When he saw Rowen tell Ryo he would meet him upstairs, he abandoned the idea.
Ryo ran up the stairs, but his footsteps were so soft, Seiji didn't even hear him coming. Ryo bumped right into Seiji and they both tumbled over. He rubbed his stomach while helping Seiji up.
"Sorry, dude. I didn't see you there." Seiji smiled not wanting to let the gentle, but strong hand go. They stared into each others' eyes, almost level with one another.
Sye watched the two from all the way down the hall and bit his lip so hard it almost bled.
"Go for it, Seiji. You only get one chance to live." Sye whispered encouragingly.
Back down the hall Seiji still wasn't about to let Ryo's hand go. "Where are you sleeping tonight?" Seiji asked nervously.
"Rowen's room." Ryo answered calmly, not about to say anything about Seiji's hand yet.
"There's only one bed in there." Seiji tried to laugh a little.
"I'll sleep on the floor." Ryo forced a smile. Seiji had run out of smart things to say.
"You could sleep in my bed." Seiji smiled, scared.
"Where would you sleep?" Ryo still didn't get it. He could be very naïve sometimes.
Seiji couldn't take it anymore, Ryo was so close, it was such a dark hall, and –as far as Seiji knew- no one could see them. Seiji leaned forward and covered Ryo's lips with his, in a kiss of love. He shoved Ryo against the wall with a thud, not breaking the kiss. Ryo gasped, opening his mouth, and Seiji took the opportunity. He slid his tongue into Ryo's mouth briefly, before he caught a hold of his senses and pulled away completely. Looking into Ryo's eyes for only a moment, he saw pure shock, but couldn't tell what he was thinking. He quickly ran down the hall to his room, ran in, and shut it quickly, putting his weight against the door for support.
Ryo got his senses back a minute later and closed his mouth. He slowly touched his hand to his lips. He could still taste Seiji and feel how desperate Seiji was.
When he heard Rowen coming up the stairs he informed him that he would be sleeping on the couch and Rowen raised his eyebrow, then shook it off and nodded.
*****
Try as he might, Ryo couldn't fall asleep. He walked onto the back porch and sat there looking up at the stars. He couldn't clear his head of Seiji though, and how scared he looked. Ryo stood up and pulled off his shirt. Maybe flying around would clear his mind. He opened his wings and quickly took off.
*****
Sye had watched him take off –still marveling at Ryo's godly body with wings- then walked back upstairs to his room worriedly. He wished Ryo had talked aloud so he could have understood his feelings, but now he was in the dark and unable to comfort Seiji much at all.
*****
Seiji may have rushed into his room, but he had done it quietly so as not to wake Cale who looked already asleep. He sunk down to the floor and touched his lips.
Ryo had tasted so sweet and heavenly. He couldn't identify the taste, but he wanted more of it. He wanted to taste every part of Ryo.
After two years of traveling around desolate places Ryo had picked up a very unique smell and he imagined a very unique taste as well.
Unbeknownst to Seiji, Cale was just pretending to be asleep and was actually listening to Seiji's breathing and he was ready to jump up and console his friend. He had heard Seiji and Ryo talking and then he heard a body pushed against the wall. If Ryo had done anything to Seiji he would deck him good.
He sat up and Seiji looked up at him shocked that he had been awake. Cale scowled.
"Are you alright?"
Seiji was glad that the room was dark. He didn't much want Cale seeing the emotions that were clearly showing all over his face and lips. He had pushed so hard on Ryo's lips that it had made his own quite sore and red.
"Fine." Seiji squeaked and cleared his throat. Cale stood up as Seiji did and he walked over to Seiji who turned away. Seiji didn't want the warlord of darkness to see his expression so he scowled to hide it when Cale turned his face to him.
"Did Ryo do something to you?" Seiji almost laughed, but didn't. Cale had worry for the warrior all over his face.
Seiji was starting to understand just how good of a friend Cale was.
"He didn't do anything." Seiji whispered looking at his bed. Cale turned his face to be level with his dark blue eyes. Their faces were mere inches apart and Seiji blushed. "He didn't do anything. I kissed him." He whispered, staring right into Cale's eyes. When Cale loosened his grip on Seiji, he jumped onto his bed and pulled the covers over himself. Cale looked at the lump in the sheets that was Seiji.
"What did he do?" Cale asked calming his voice now and sitting on the side of Seiji's bed.
"Nothing." Seiji whispered.
"Tell me." Cale insisted.
"I did tell you. He did nothing. He just kind of stood there shocked and I ran in here quickly."
Cale sighed and put his hand on Seiji's leg, through the bed covers.
"Do you love him?" Cale whispered not wanting it to be true, it would kill Seiji if it was, because Ryo might just leave with Zoë.
"I don't know. I've always been able to have anyone I've ever wanted, but Ryo was just different from the others. He didn't ogle me at all or show any interest. From that point on I just kept liking him more and more. I would try everything to get him to notice, but he never really did." He paused smiling gently, but so Cale couldn't see. "Now that I say it aloud it sounds more like a conquest than anything else." Seiji laughed a bitter laugh to himself.
Cale went to his own bed and stared at Seiji's bed until he heard slow even breaths that told him Seiji was finally asleep.
In the morning everyone kind of woke up at the same time. Ryo had found his way to the couch some time in the early morning and had finally fallen asleep. Sye suggested a nice swim in the lake, considering this was an oddly hot day. About eighty degrees with a lot of wind, but still everyone went for a nice, freezing swim.
Sye challenged Ryo to a tread across the lake to see who could hold their breath underwater the longest. Ryo agreed and they went off at the same time.
"I'm taking all bets." Kento laughed and smiled as everyone voted against Ryo. Three minutes after the betting had stopped a head poked up out of the lake gasping for breath.
"Who is it?" Yuli questioned standing perfectly dry on the bank, squinting. He had pulled up a few minutes ago.
"It's Sye!" Sekmet shouted puzzled. He looked like he had made it about three quarters of the way across the lake.
"Is Ryo over there!" Sye shouted looking around.
"No!" They all yelled back curiously. Sye raised his eyebrow and felt something touch his leg. He screamed as it pulled him under. They all looked worried. After a minute of waiting Ryo and Sye's heads popped up right in front of them all. It startled everyone.
"What'd you do that for?" Sye yelled as soon as they came up. Ryo wasn't even out of breath, he just smiled.
"You took so long to get that far across the lake that I just went ahead without you and on my way back I decided to have a little fun." He laughed.
Everyone dropped their mouths.
"What do you mean, 'on your way back'?" Sye snapped.
"You couldn't have gone that far, that fast, underwater. You would have had to come up, or cheat and use your power." Sye scowled, but Ryo shook his head.
"No, I didn't come up once until just now." Ryo was totally sincere.
"That's impossible!" Rowen gaped.
"How'd you get him back here so fast if you didn't use your power? He was most of the way across the lake." Yuli pointed out curiously. It dawned on everyone that he did do that pretty quickly.
"He's gotten much stronger on his journeys!" They all looked up to see Zoë and another angel flying above them. They zoomed over to the bank and landed gently. Grass and flower's bloomed around their feet as well, like before. White Blaze came running up quickly behind Zoë and she pet his head then raised her eyebrow at the bunch.
The male angel standing tall next to Zoë was wearing a very distinguishing ensemble. He looked like an Arabian. Baggy black pants, held by a cloth belt, that tied in the front and dangled to his calves. His black shirt was extremely constricting like Ryo's, showing off every muscle. A white cloth dickey was around his neck, which really brought out his sapphire blue eyes.
Yuli was just gawking at the angels, but Ryo jumped out of the water and closed Yuli's mouth as he walked by him.
Ryo blushed, he didn't exactly look dry enough to bow and have it not look funny. Zoë was back to wearing her angel clothes and she smiled waving her hand at Ryo. He was suddenly dry and in his angel clothes as well. Ryo nodded a 'thank you' and bowed to one knee in front of Orion who smiled a white smile. His long silver hair flared beautifully, like his gorgeous blue eyes.
"Did you enjoy your visit with your friends?" This tall man asked with his strong voice. Ryo rose from bowing and smiled.
"Yes, thank you. Do you need me today or may I stay a while longer?" Ryo bit his lower lip. He wanted to stay, but if he was needed then he would go. The man looked down to Zoë who pulled gently on his puffy sleeve. He smiled looking at her sassy face.
"Another Wraith was sighted yesterday." The man announced and Ryo's expression turned to anger as he remembered what his friends had said about his nightmare. He scowled, clenching his fist, he glared at the ground. "I know that you sensed it, Ryo, but I can't make this any easier on you. Zoë will be able to handle this for now, if you wish to stay longer, but..." Ryo looked up suddenly into this man's eyes.
"Orion?" Ryo whispered squinting his eyes against the sun. All of his friends were behind him sitting on the large rocks near the bank watching the conversation. This man, Orion, took a step toward Ryo with his eyes closed and Ryo stood, looking up slightly into Orion's face.
Zoë glared at Ryo's friends and put one gloved finger to her lips. They all saw her and stayed silent.
"Ryo, I need to know if you are going to stay here with your friends, or if you will come with us." Orion looked into Ryo's eyes, but Ryo was looking at the ground now, with his gloved fists clenched in frustration. He looked up finally.
"I have to see this thing with the Wraiths through, but I can't give you an answer just now because I honestly don't know."
Orion put his hands on Ryo's shoulders, comforting him. They both smiled.
"I understand. Please, tell me when you know. It would be a shame to lose such a remarkable warrior like yourself, but if you must stay, you have my blessing." Ryo smiled happily. Knowing that Orion would still be kind to him either way, gave him a great peace of mind. He tilted his head up to Orion who leaned forward and kissed his forehead gently. Ryo smiled as Orion took his hands off of him and jumped backwards flying up. Zoë walked up to Ryo and touched his shoulder.
"I'm going to look around for the Wraith. He won't take anymore people, I promise." Ryo frowned and Zoë kissed his cheek. He kissed her forehead and she rubbed his shoulder then flew after Orion and they took off.
"What was that all about?" Yuli questioned as soon as they were out of hearing range. Ryo turned around to his friends and plopped onto the bank. He leaned on his arms.
"Wraiths." Ryo seethed. "Evil monsters that appeared one day and started taking humans. The angels didn't pick up on them at all until they first struck. We haven't actually ever seen what they really look like because they wear cloaks. They also have some kind of device that protects them from letting us find them so we don't even know when they'll strike. A while ago Zoë and I had cornered one of them, with more angels with us. I was going to try to hog tie him from using his claws, but he grabbed a hold of me and used me as a shield." Ryo dug his fingers into his hair, messing up his bangs. "He was about to run free so I bit into his arm hard. I don't know what it was, but some kind of blood got in my mouth and I gagged. He quickly threw me in pain and I was knocked unconscious. I guess I swallowed the blood and I've been having those nightmares ever since. I don't know what they mean. Orion came to the conclusion that they were some kind of instinct the Wraiths were having. Its' blood in me was kind of like a warning, that they were about to strike on some innocent person. They're obviously transmitting the message to other Wraiths in the area though, so I'm not the only one seeing the images." Ryo growled in fury and his hair flared, his power as a Ronin charging to the surface.
They were all getting closer and listening to his story with some towels around themselves. Yuli put his hand on Ryo's shoulder. Seiji came up on the other side of him and knelt down.
"What will you do?"
Ryo looked up to him scowling, his power was still not satisfied. His fury was growing and he couldn't control it. His temper seemed to be something that hadn't changed from before.
Ryo ruffled his hair up furiously and Yuli yanked his hand away blowing on it because it now burned.
"I don't know!" He shouted. "Orion thinks that the nightmares will stop when all of the Wraiths are gone." Tears suddenly stung Ryo's cheeks. Seiji gaped as the tears fell to the ground. "I hope so. They plague me every night. I can't sleep at all. I haven't been able to sleep for months now. I know that every time I shut my eyes those evil monsters will be there, taking the life of some child or the fiancée of some guy!"
They all gathered around Ryo trying to comfort him, but he was boiling, making it impossible to get too close. Rowen kneeled down opposite of Seiji and touched Ryo's shoulder. He ignored the pain and Ryo just turned into his friends grasp and wept. Ryo soon cooled down and Cale carried him into the house.
They all talked for an hour, understanding all the details and having questions answered. It was silent for the longest time after that. Yuli broke the uncomfortable stillness.
"How did Zoë make you dry?" Yuli questioned. Ryo looked up to him, not really hearing the question, but knowing what he said. He leaned forward onto his knees and sighed.
"It's just a power Zoë has. Orion taught it to her, because it comes in handy on more than one occasion, this being one of them." White Blaze licked Ryo's cheek, but Ryo remained unresponsive, closing his eyes and forcing himself not to cry again.
"Ryo, know we're always here for you." Sekmet whispered in his deep tone.
"We are a team. You can count on us all." Dais assured. Ryo bobbed his head once and there was silence.
Ryo was winding his fingers in his hair with one hand and grasping his head in anger, with the other.
Seiji just wanted to hold Ryo at that moment, but he didn't know what Ryo would think of that now. He suddenly frowned on himself in his own mind.
He stood up from the couch and kneeled down in front of Ryo, who looked up, his eyes watering. Seiji held Ryo's face in his hands and they just stared at each other for the longest time.
At the same moment they both leaned forward kissing each other. Ryo and Seiji both shed tears during the kiss of passion. Ryo tasted Seiji's mouth out of pure comfort and love. He had spent all of last night figuring out his feelings and he was sure that Seiji had done the same. The space around them seemed to fall on deaf ears as there was only their bodies and their mouths connecting in that moment.
Seiji wanted to make Ryo lose his sadness and despair. He kissed Ryo with all his might claiming his love's mouth as his own. They pulled away and embraced one another.
Sye smiled happily.
He wanted to kiss them both. They finally got together. He wondered what would happen now if Ryo decided that he couldn't give up his ability to fly. It would break Seiji's heart.
Yuli ogled the two Ronins as they kissed. He realized he had never seen Seiji with anyone before, nor had he seen Ryo with a girl or guy for that matter. They were perfect for one another. Yuli suddenly wished he had someone like that, but who could he find? He wondered what it felt like, to kiss someone with so much love for them. He watched hypnotized as Seiji kissed Ryo's tears away, and Ryo licked Seiji's face clean of the salty drops.
Yuli almost jumped out of his chair when Rowen wrapped his arm around his waist. Yuli smiled, Rowen's warmth was reviving and freshening.
There was a sudden blast to the house and everyone looked up. The floor shook as if it were an earthquake. The shelves wobbled and things could be heard breaking throughout the mansion. A second blast went to the house before the first could even settle, and everyone jumped up to get out quickly.
Books flew off the shelves, glass fell off tables and cabinets. The ceiling was coming loose on them. A long wooden beam came down hard above Seiji. Just in time, Ryo pushed him out of the way, but tripped on the end table, toppling over, the beam fell on him.
"Ryo!" Seiji screamed. The bookcase tipped over onto Ryo, and Kento turned around helping Seiji get the bookcase off Ryo who was barely conscious. Kento carried Ryo outside and they were the last ones out.
They all looked ahead angrily at their culprit and there the monster stood. Bat like wings on his back. He was smiling under his cloak. He beady eyes glowed green for a moment, then they returned to being empty black pits of everything evil.
A/N: I like how it's going so far. Hopefully you all do too. I have a nasty cliffhanger for every chapter and it will continue like this unless I get someone to review my story. At least three people. It's aggravating. You know? I'll come out with the next chapter after I get some reviewers.