Riding Life's Currents

Chapter 5

By Kiyoko

7-28-02

Moments later Toshiro jumped in wear his usual black converse and dickies, studded belt and all.

"Well ladies, ready for one hell of a ride?"

***

"Where are they? What's taking so long?" Aya asked. Lavender looked over at her and shrugged her shoulders saying she had no idea.

"Who knows. Maybe Toshiro fell out of that tree."

"Please, this is my brother we're talking about." Aya said looking out the window for any sign of him.

"Did he tell you about the girl he met?" She asked.

"Yeah, he seems very fond of her from what he told me." Lavender replied while idly playing with her long tresses. Aya sucked in a breath then let out a little laugh.

"Did her tell you who she is?" Lavender shook her head 'no'.

"Kira Winner." Aya grinned at her older cousin who sat up from her lounging position, eyes wide.

"What?! He never told me… when I get my hands on him he's dead." Lavender hit her right palm with her left fist.

"Well you see the thing is, he doesn't know who she is and vice versa."

"You're kidding right? How can they not know!"

"Jordan thought it would be funny if we didn't tell them so don't say anything! Besides imagine how funny it would be when they find out." Lavender giggled and flipped her hair over her shoulder.

"Oh trust me. I won't say a word. This is going to be fun."

Soon the three of them were climbing out of Jordan's window into the tree conveniently outside her window. Toshiro climbed out first helping the two girl's onto the branch below him. Once safely on the ground, they headed toward the front of the house and down the road a bit where Toshiro's truck was parked. When they got there Toshiro opened the door for Jordan and Kira before going to the driver's side and getting in.

"Girls this is Kira, Kira this is Aya and Lavender." Lavender smiled then said," We've met before. How is your father doing? Well I hope, he was under a great deal of stress the last time I saw him." Kira gave a nervous glance in Toshiro's direction.

"He's good. I heard you attended the summit in Florence, Italy. I was going to attend but my father had business here in the Sanq Kingdom."

"Don't worry, you didn't miss anything. It was a complete snooze. Those bloody diplomats can be so dull." Kira nodded full heartily. She just noticed that they had already begun to move. Ten minutes later they pulled onto the side of the road and everyone piled out of the truck. Toshiro hopped into the back then jumped out with five blocks of ice still in the bags.

"Hey Lav, can you grab the towels. I've got my hands full." His cousin nodded in his direction and climbed into the back and grabbed the pile of towels in the corner. Kira looked around the area they stopped at. They were completely surrounded by trees and since it was quite dark out she could barely see thirty feet down the road.

"Where exactly are we going?" Kira asked. Still looking around.

"Just beyond those trees," he said pointing past the trees on the right side of the road, " there's a huge hill. Don't worry its not that far. Besides I know where I'm going." Toshiro gave Kira a reassuring smile before handing out an ice block to everyone but Kira.

"Hey, how come Kira doesn't have to carry one?" Aya complained.

"Because she is a lady and you're not." Toshiro said over his shoulder as he began to lead everyone through the forest. The forest they entered was fairly thick. The trees were lush and there was hardly any foliage on the forest floor. Kira looked to her left and saw a squirrel scamper up a large tree. As they continued to walk the trees began to thin out. Kira could see a moon lit hill ahead. Once they got out of the forest she saw a chain-link fence she hadn't noticed before. Toshiro set down the blocks of ice and climbed up the fence then jumped to the ground on the other side. Jordan followed him up to the fence and handed over her block of ice to the other side. She then picked up the other two Toshiro had dropped and handed them over too. This process continued until all the blocks and towels were over. Jordan hopped the fence followed by Kira. Once Kira got on the other side of the fence, Toshiro held onto her petite waist to help her down. Kira turned around in his arms and smiled up at him. He was so hansom to her. She loved the way he looked at her, it was like he was never going to let go. His beautiful deep blue eyes stared back at her with an intenseness that made her heart beat faster.

"Thank you."

"Your welcome." Kira moved away from him and picked up one of the awaiting ice blocks on the damp grass.

"Oh Toshiro, do you think you could help me down too? The fence is ever so high!" Lavender said in a mocking tone. Toshiro looked up and glared at his cousin for ruining his short moment with Kira. Lavender smirked at him then jumped down from the top of the fence and landed nimbly when she hit the ground. Toshiro picked up the remaining block of ice and took Kira's small hand in his own then led her up the hill. Kira blushed in response to his touch, though it was hidden by the darkness. Soon they reached the top of the hill. About a mile past the forest they had come through they could see the ocean in the distance and the light tower to the far right.

Toshiro ripped the plastic off the block of ice he was holding and draped a towel over the top.

"The hill is still somewhat wet and muddy from the rains a few days ago which provides a top notch ice blocking condition." he said. The girls began to copy what he had done with their own ice blocks. A few moments later everyone was ready and was lined up in a row at the top of the hill.

"Is everyone ready? At the count of three we'll go. One, two, three!" Toshiro lifted up his feet while holding onto the side of the ice block with his hands. He sped down the grassy hill picking up some speed. The block began to wobble a bit and near the end of the hill he fell off, rolling a bit to add dramatics. Once he stood up he realized that he was the only one down there.

"Oi, what are you guys waiting for?" Toshiro called up the hill to the others.

"Well we didn't really know what to do so we watched!" Aya yelled back. He picked up his block and ran back up the hill. He could see that his sister was fidgeting somewhat nervously while the rest were looking at him expectantly.

"Do you think you guys can handle it this time around?" All the girls nodded in response and set up their blocks again. Kira set hers up next to Toshiro's while Jordan was on the other side of her. Lavender was next to Toshiro and Aya was on the other side of her. On the count of three, courtesy of Jordan this time, everyone pushed off and took off down the hill. Half way down Aya fell off her block sliding down a few feet on her butt. Jordan took the lead down the hill (she cheated), laughing the entire way down.

Kira had no idea that going down a hill on a block of ice could be so much fun! The wind whipped in her face giving her an extreme feeling of exhilaration. When she neared the bottom of the hill she slid into Toshiro causing them to fall off their blocks and roll down the hill in a heap. She began laughing so hard it began to hurt. When she got up her pants were quite damp along with her shirt.

"I won!" Jordan said. Lavender glared at the younger girl.

"That is only because you cheated. You went before you said three."

"I did not!" Lavender just rolled her ice blue eyes and headed up the hill. She would kick her ass the next round. As she walked up the hill she looked over her shoulder and saw Toshiro helping Kira off the ground then peeling leaves off her shit and out of her hair. She smiled secretly to herself, man were those two in for a surprise.

The group continued their activity for a good forty five more minutes. By the time they finished everyone was quite muddy and wet.

"You look beautiful Lavender, just like that one time I pushed you into that huge mud puddle when you were seven!" Toshiro said. Lavender had some mud streaked across her right cheek. She had taken a bad spill at the bottom.

"Like you're one to talk, you've got mud all over your ass. And if my memory serves me right I pulled you into that mud puddle along with me." she replied a smug look on her face. Suddenly Aya went rigged and pale.

"Sshhh! What's that noise?" everyone quieted down and listen. Slowly they turned in the direction of the sounds and what they saw made them freeze in their tracks. Twenty men were marching over the next hill, guns slung over their shoulders. Finally common sense knocked Toshiro in the head before he began moving backwards.

"We gotta go, now!"

"Halt! Trespassing is illegal on Preventer soil! Stay where you are." the man out in front of the troop yelled.

"Run!" Lavender screamed and all the teens started booking it down the hill. Jordan made it the fence first and jumped over quickly. In he back they could hear the lieutenant yell, 'Capture them they are trespassing and could be dangerous!' Lavender and Kira got to the fence next and jumped over. Toshiro boosted his sister over just as the first man reached the top of the hill.

"Stop! You are to be arrested for trespassing! Running from the government is in major violation of the law!" Toshiro landed on the other side of the fence just as the man reached the middle of the hill. Toshiro easily caught up with the rest of the girls. They were already half way through the forest when he heard the soldier jump the fence. The group kept running through the dense forest and Toshiro had already started fumbling for his car keys. Aya was trailing behind so he grabbed her hand and dragged her along behind him in order for her to keep up. A few moments later he and Aya burst out onto the road. His truck was parked about twenty five feet to his left so he jerked Aya along with him as he ran. Ahead he could already see Jordan, Lavender, and Kira reaching the truck.

Aya had never been so scared and excited in her whole life. This was the first time she had ever done something illegal. She had let herself be pulled along by her brother, jumping over dead logs and stray rocks. When they finally reached the truck she felt a huge wave of relief, that is until she heard the gun shots. She heard her brother let out a quite curse as he ushered her into the car. On the opposite side Lavender, Jordan, and Kira crammed into the car. Once Toshiro heard the passenger door slam he hit the gas full force. The lurched forward and the four hundred horse power went to work. Aya heard another gun shot and ducked her head.

"I though you said tonight was clear!" Lavender yelled from the back seat.

"I did!" Toshiro yelled back concentrating on the road ahead," the schedule for the 30th was clear!"

"IT'S THE 31ST YOU BAKA!" Lavender screamed even louder.

"No it's not it's the 30th!"

"IT'S BEEN THE 31ST FOR OVER AN HOUR NOW!" Lavender was now red in the face and fuming.

"Well how was I supposed to know they would schedule night maneuvers in the morning!"

The rest of the car ride was in silence until they pulled up into a late night diner.

"What are we doing here?" Jordan asked.

"I think we all need to settle our nerves before we go home. Besides, I'm starving." Toshiro said getting out of the truck followed by Aya. Once she was out she gave her brother a big hug.

"Thank you for helping me, I wouldn't have made it without you." she said smiling up at him.

"You know I could never leave you behind no matter how annoying you are sometimes." Aya swatted him playfully before heading into the diner. Inside, the diner had little booths set up around the windows and normal tables with chair situated in the middle. In the corners large round booths occupied the space. At the cashier station ahead of them a man stood wearing a button up shirt and a pair of slacks. When the group approached him he gave them a smile and asked how many. A moment later they were seated in one of the corner booths, menus out in front of them.

"That was soooo close!" Jordan said smiling. To her the whole thing had been one big adventure. She even somewhat thought it would have been fun to be caught, even though it would have been hard to explain to her dad. But its not like they would have been in that much heat, after all they were children of Gundam Pilots and that did have a blanket of protection against most things. Come to think of it her dad would probably think the whole thing was funny.

"Thank you for stating the obvious Jordan." Toshiro said sarcastically, " you obviously have no idea how much trouble I would be in if I was caught. Do I have to remind you about my arrest yesterday?"

"You got arrested again?" Lavender asked amused. Her favorite cousin never ceased to amaze her. The boy had brass balls. That fact alone that he was willing to sneak onto Preventer soil after an arrest proved his worth enough.

"Yep, I punched some matire'd at a restaurant." he said grinning

"So what would have happened if you got arrested again?" Lavender asked.

"You don't want to know. If it came down to it though, I would have fought those soldiers. That is how bad it is." Toshiro said. He took a sip from the glass of water before him.

"Preventer soldiers are easy to beat though." Jordan said

"Might I remind you that they had guns? An unarmed Preventer is one this, an armed one is another." Lavender said.

"Have any of you actually ever fought one?" Kira asked giving everyone skeptical looks.

"Of course, we all have, even Aya." Toshiro replied

"Not hand to hand, we used rapiers." Aya said.

"Perhaps we could have a duel sometime. Are you up to the challenge Aya?" Kira asked, her eyes lighting up. Her mother was perhaps the best fencer on the Earth and Colonies and she had taught her daughter well. Aya looked very nervous as Kira's eyes bore into hers, challenging her. Kira looked so confidant Aya was about to turn her down, but something inside her stirred. Yuy's did not back down from a challenge.

"You're on. A Yuy never turns down a challenge." Aya said. Toshiro could see the fire in his sister's eyes. He had seen his mother's eyes look like that before when she was addressing stubborn politicians who saw the world through rose colored glasses. She was ready to take on the world.

Kira smiled at Aya. This could prove to be interesting indeed. Soon a young man wearing a white shirt and a black apron around his waist walked up to them. His hair was styled in liberty spikes and Toshiro had the feeling he had met him before.

"Hi my name is Andrew, what can I get you?" Toshiro watched his cousin's face morph into that of a predator. Before Lavender had a chance to utter a word Toshiro kicked her in the shin. Anger took over her beautiful features and her head whipped in his direction to give him a glare.

"Hey haven't we met before?" Andrew said to Toshiro.

"Out of all the people at this table I'm the one you notice?" Toshiro asked. The waiter blinked a few times before really looking at the table's other occupants. Lavender smiled seductively at him while Aya just smiled.

"Whoa…whoa." the waiter mumbled and was taken aback at the way Lavender was looking at him. Princesses were not supposed to act like that.

"Anyway to answer your question we met at the A.F.I. concert on Sunday night."

"That's right," Andrew replied," seems like we keep on bumping into each other."

"Don't you have school tomorrow?" Lavender asked.

"No I'm a freshman in college so I only go Tuesdays and Thursdays." he replied. Usually girls made him nervous. Lavender had him terrified and she was only dressed as a normal civilian. Her long lavender hair was pulled up into a high pony-tail and she was wearing a pink tank top which looked like it had some mud on it. In fact they all had mud on their clothing and arms.

"Did you guys fall in a mud puddle or something?" he asked eyeing them all.

"Surprisingly erotic isn't it?" Lavender said. Everyone's head whipped around to face her. Andrew's jaw dropped open. Princesses were most certainly not supposed to act like that.

"My god Lavender! Why don't you just throw yourself at him?" Jordan said obviously annoyed. They couldn't go anywhere without her trying to pick up some guy.

"Because that would be tactless Jordan. Anyway would you like to join us Andrew? Your company would be most enjoyable." She said smiling at the waiter before her.

"Uh I still have twenty more minutes until my shift is over." he said then watched as her features changed into something not as pleasant.

"Well you see Andrew Aya and my time is very valuable. Many a man would pay a fortune for a minute of it and here we are offering it to you for free." Lavender said. Normally she wasn't so arrogant but when it came to boys she was every inch the spoiled princess.

"I'm sorry but I have an obligation to my job. I have to pay for my tuition some how." he replied. Personally he wanted to get as far away as possible from the crazy Princess. She was quite unpredictable, he didn't know what she was up to. Wait scratch that, he had a very good idea of her intentions toward him. He just didn't know if he could handle her.

"Well then," Lavender began," I expect you to be sitting here," she motioned to the empty space beside her on the seat," in exactly twenty minutes."

Andrew took their orders quickly and nearly ran away from the table. Maybe he could get Jeff to cover his table while he slipped out the back.

Twenty minutes later they had finished their meals that Andrew had brought them. The waiter brought them their check and placed it on the table in the middle. As he was walking away Lavender grabbed him and pulled him into the booth.

"Where do you think you are going? Its been well over twenty minutes." Andrew gulped, frozen in his seat. Lavender was hot he had to admit. No one that beautiful had ever hit on him before, but she was scary and manipulative. Before he knew it, Lavender had placed his arm around her petite shoulders. He looked around at the others, pleading for help with his eyes. Apparently no one heeded his call for help so he just sat there on the squishy booth, not saying a word.

Ten minutes later they left the diner after Jordan's incessant whining that she had to go to school the next day. Much to Andrew's relief he was able to go home, but not without promising Lavender a date. Toshiro's truck pulled up to Jordan's house ten minutes later. He got out with the two girls so he could help them up the massive tree outside Jordan's window. As they walked down the grass toward the tree, Toshiro reached out and intertwined his fingers with Kira's causing warmth to course through her hand. When they got to the tree Toshiro placed his hands in a cradle for Jordan to step on. She grabbed his shoulders and put her foot in her hand before he boosted her up into the tree.

"Tonight was a lot of fun. Hopefully we can see each other again soon." Kira said squeezing his hand. Toshiro couldn't help but admire her beauty in the moon light. She seemed so unreal, the way her skin almost glowed, how bright and expressive her eyes looked. Unable to hold back any longer he slid his arm around her small waist pulling her petite form to him. He could feel her warm breath on his neck and he could feel her breathing quickening. Toshiro looked down at her one last time before slowly bringing his lips down to hers. Kira had only a moment to take in another dose of oxygen before his lips met hers. Slowly he opened his mouth and let his tongue move over her bottom lip asking for permission to enter. She answered him by opening her mouth to let him in. Their tongues began to slowly dance with each other in sweet caresses. Kira brought her arms around his neck to pull his head down more. Toshiro took that as a good sign and held her tighter while he deepened the kiss more.

After a minute or so the kiss ended as the two pulled apart. Kira gave him a shy smile before he boosted her into the tree.

"Goodnight Princess." he whispered so that only she could here him.

A/N: yay! Done with chapter five! Hope you enjoyed it. I don't know when I'm going to get the next one out because I'm going to be busy over the next few days, plus I've got some very good ideas for my other story D.N.A. Phoenix that I want to get down as soon as possible. Please review, it lets me know how I'm doing and sometimes inspires me to get chapters out quicker.