Chapter Three

By, PT

Sage and Rowen rushed after the tiger as it lead them through allies and side streets. The cat would stop to allow them to catch up before taking off again. The boys grew weary but kept going feeling a sense of urgency they could not explain. Soon they arrived in front of an older home. The house looked like it had seen better days. The paint was peeling from the walls, and the yard itself was over run by grass and weeds.

The tiger ran to the door and vanished causing both boys to jump and stare in shock. Unsure as to what they should do, Sage went to the door and knocked. They waited for the door to open, trying to figure out who it was that lived here. Sighing they were about to leave but the door opened and there stood Blake, buckling his belt back into place.

"Yeah what do you want? If you are selling anything we are not interested. If you are here to see Ryo, he is a bit busy and cannot talk to you right now. So go away," Blake said, as he was about to shut the door in their faces.

Rowen could not believe that Ryo lived here, but then he figured that not everyone was as fortunate to have rich parents like he did. He was about to turn and leave when Sage stepped forward.

"Excuse me sir, but we must speak to Ryo. We are in his history class at school and need to go over a project with him that is due tomorrow. May we speak to him for five minutes? Then we shall be on our way," Sage said as he stuck his foot in the door, preventing it from closing.

Blake looked at the kid in shock unable to believe this kid was standing up to him. But he knew that if he did not let them see Ryo they would wonder about him and start to ask questions. He suddenly got an idea and grinned to himself.

"Fine you can see him, but out here. Wait while I go get him," Blake said pushing Sage back and shutting the door. Rowen and Sage looked at each other again with concern and wondered what was going on.

Blake pounded up the stairs and unlocking the door to Ryo's room, he walked in. Ryo sat on the floor where Blake had thrown him earlier after he was done beating him. Smiling at his handy work, he walked over to the boy and lifted him up by his arm, causing a hiss to escape from his lips.

"Now listen to me boy. You have two friends from school that are down stairs waiting for you to go over some history project. I want you to go down stairs and talk to them. DO NOT let them come in or talk you into letting them come in. I want you to tell them that you will meet them early in the morning to go over the homework. And what ever you do DON'T let them know what goes on in here or there will be hell to pay. The punishment that you got earlier will seem like a tickle if you let them know. Do you understand me," Blake said as he squeezed Ryo's arm.

Ryo winced and nodded his head. Sighing to himself and wishing this was all a nightmare, Ryo stood and slowly made his way down the stairs. He stopped any cry of pain from escaping as he made his way down. He finally reached the door and taking a deep breath and not trying to react to the way that pulled on his broken ribs, Ryo opened the door.

Ryo was not sure who was at the door, for he had not told anyone where he lived. He could only hope it was not his two new friends from school. When the door opened and he saw who it was, Ryo stood in shock. These were the two boys from the cafeteria incident earlier today. He could not remember their names, so all he could do was stand there and look at them.

"Hello. Hope we did not come at a bad time. Your father said that you were busy. Sage and I just wanted to stop by for a bit and go over that history project we had. Do you have time," Rowen asked. He could for some reason sense the other boy's confusion.

Sage stood off to the side looking at Ryo with his cool violet eyes, tying to get a gauge on Ryo's condition. On the surface it looked as though nothing was wrong, but Sage could see a tiredness the other seemed to hide. Knowing something else was wrong and have a feeling they needed to get him out of the house tonight, Sage stepped forward.

"Ryo, I know we were suppose to do it in the morning. But our teacher changed his mind. He wants it first thing in the morning. So we will not have time to work on it other wise. We need to work on it tonight. Would you like to stay at my place tonight, and you can ride with me to school in the morning," he said.

Ryo looked at Sage. Was he being invited over to someone house? Could it be these boys really wanted him to come over? But his thoughts turned dark as he heard Blake clear his throat in the background.

"Thanks for the offer guys. But I can't. I have my other classes' homework that I have to finish. And I do not want to be a bother. But thank you any ways," he said with a false smile on his face.

"But if we do not get it done tonight and turned in, you will fail history for this semester. And since this is a group project, everyone in the group will fail, and I cannot afford to fail. Please sir, would it be all right if he stays the night. We will make sure all his work is done, and he will make it to school on time tomorrow," Sage said looking at Blake.

Blake looked at the blonde standing before him. Looking in to the one eye that was not being covered by his hair, Blake felt fear for the first time. Those eyes were heartless, and spoke of pain and heart ache. Knowing if he said no, and Ryo failed history would look bad on him, he nodded his head yes.

"Fine, but when you get home tomorrow Ryo, I want to see this report and your chores will have to be done before anything else. Come on lets get your stuff. Give him a minute," Blake said as he turned and headed up the stairs.

Ryo looked after him in shock, and moved to follow him as fast as he could. Blake was letting him go to another person's house? He never let him go anywhere, what changed his mind?

He was pulled out of his thoughts when he found him self once again in Blake's grasp. He hissed in pain as Blake began to squeeze his arms.

"I am letting you go this one time. Do NOT let them see your injuries or you will be sorry. I want you back here right after school, or you will be in trouble. Now hurry and get out before I change my mind," he hissed as he shoved the boy in to the wall. Releasing him, Blake sat back and watched as he packed.

Soon Ryo was ready to go and Blake followed him downstairs. Giving their thanks and bidding farewell the three left.

A/N:

Sorry everyone that this took so crashed, had to go buy a new one and then get caught up on everything else..BTW I am looking for a new beta reader anyone interested in helping me out? Enjoy the chapter..am working on the next one right now..

Replies:

Harry2- Sorry for the was messing everything up….should be fixed now.

Soon to be world renown Gracie- Update is here..real life got in the way sorry about that…

AnimegirlH- Thanks for the review…and I hope this one wasn't an evil cliff hanger for you?

Just Jill- Thanks for the review…here is the next chapter…

Rekkaboziegirl- Your questions have been answered..

zorra – Here is more for you..enjoy.

MorganRay-Glad you liked the first chapter..and sorry for the Rowen/Sage being gay thing..I know in the anime they aren't..but that's the way I see them..hope you stick around for more? And to answer your question..if no one knew then yes…how do I know..had friends go through it..so it can happen.

Rekkaboziegirl- Next chapter is here..enjoy.

JillyBean3- Thanks glad you liked it..

Heather- Thank you..glad you liked it..here is the next chapter and enjoy.