A/N: Well, I decided that since Ceo is available, I'm going to go ahead and get this one done. I introduced Ceo to a site about Ronin Warriors, so she knows more about the show now. Hope you're enjoying it so far. I posted a disclaimer in the previous chapter. If the characters are a little OOC, it's because I haven't seen the show in nearly five years, and Ceo has never seen it. I am inserting Japanese phrases because I remember how helpful fanfics were when I first started learning Japanese. I think I learned more useful phrases on the internet than I did in class. -laughs- This chapter is edited by Hiro no Tsuki. If you like Mercedes Lackey or Shrek, check out her stories. I have Gaiden now, so I know that my version of Sage and Rowen are OOC. I've decided that that's okay since this is an alternate universe, so they didn't have to go through what they did in the series. My birthday is coming up, and I might just get the entire series on dvd! Okay, that's enough babbling. On with the story.

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Chapter 3 : Dojos and Little Sisters

Rowen sighed as he crossed the street to the school. Last night his father had taken him to the hospital, and he had spent half the night in the waiting room. It turned out that he did have a broken arm, and now his left arm was adorned with a dark blue cast. He had taken a silver permanent pen and decorated it with constellations the night before. Rowen had gotten to school early this morning because he wanted to be sure that he was on time. He really didn't want to have his right arm throb from holding a bucket. He unlocked the classroom and went in.

Sage decided to be a little early to school that day, just in case a rushing Rowen decided to run into him again. He didn't want to be late and have to hold the buckets. 'Yes, that's exactly what I need; to hold buckets because a teacher can't stand students being 15-30 seconds late,' Sage thought as he entered the school.

Rowen settled himself at his desk and set out his pencils and notebooks. He was already thinking about the classes. They would be getting homework from every class, so at least he would have something to do when he got home. He grabbed Which Star Is That? and picked up from where he stopped the day before.

Sage was looking forward to what he and Rowen had planned to play on the English teacher. He looked in his satchel, praying he hadn't left anything at home because he couldn't make another trip back home and still be on time for class. Thankfully, he did have all the items he needed, including the little Webster's Dictionary Rowen let him borrow. Sage made his way into the classroom to get settled in before the herd of students started flooding into the classroom. Rowen was so absorbed in his book that he never noticed Sage enter the room.

Sage made his way to his desk, not looking up until he noticed Rowen reading his book. "You must really like that book."

Rowen jumped and looked up, setting his book down and revealing his arm at the same time. "It's all about the positioning of the stars and telescope settings. I'm loving it so far."

"That's good." Sage looked down at his friend's arm, then back up at his face. "How did that happen?" Sage asked, pointing to the cast.

Rowen sighed. "I was going up the stairs back to my apartment when I tripped over my shoelace and fell down the stairs. My arm was broken in the fall."

"Ouch. That has to hurt," Sage said, neatly setting all his pencils and notebooks on the desk.

"Yeah. It does. I only came this early because I was afraid that I would drop my bag and scatter everything again if I was caught in the morning crowd." He glared at the offending limb.

"I came early just in case you were rushing to class and accidentally ran into me again," Sage said, laughing a little.

Rowen flushed slightly and mumbled, "Sorry about that." He looked up. "Well, bad news. Tonight's off. I can't make the goop with only one arm. Sorry. We can't do it until the cast is off."

Sage nodded in agreement, turning to face the front of the classroom. "Well, the teacher is spared for now." Sage chuckled, turning back to look at Rowen.

Rowen grinned, but the early bell rang and more students poured into the room. "Prepare for the first day of torturous work. Or so I've been told." He smirked.

"Yep, the first day is heaven, the second day is hell," Sage said, turning to face the front again as more and more students came into the room.

Rowen smiled and put away his book as the second bell rang and the teacher came in.

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Sage walked out of the school building, relieved that he had survived the second day, which was supposed to be one of the hardest days. He saw a tree in a corner of the school yard and decided to wait there for Rowen, just in case he was trying to get his attention that day.

Rowen walked out a few moments later and saw Sage. He approached him and smiled. "So, I see you survived your second day unscathed. Do you think you need any help today? I'm free and bored. I finished the homework during the last period."

Sage pondered for a second. Did he need any help? He had finished half of it during the duration of the day, and only had about half a page of English work to do. "No, not really. I have just about all of the work done for the day."

Rowen shrugged. "Okay then. Could I tag along to the dojo? I want to see what it looks like on the inside." The word dojo reminded him of something. "Drat it. I just realized that I can't practice archery until this cast comes off." He thumped the cast in irritation.

Sage snickered a little at the irritated action. "Sure, you can come to the dojo. My grandpa and parents may be surprised to have company over for a change, though."

Rowen laughed. "About as surprised as my dad was?" he inquired.

Sage laughed. "Just about, or maybe even more surprised."

"Wow. You must really have very few guests, then." Rowen started towards the dojo.

"Yeah, it is extremely rare that we ever have company," Sage said, following his new friend. He looked up at the clear blue sky. "But it is a very peaceful place, if only because it doesn't have mobs of people going in and out of it."

"I'll bet. I know how peaceful our home can be when all the surrounding apartments are quiet. Good for meditating, ne?"

"Hai, it is a wonderful place to meditate," Sage replied, looking towards Rowen and smiling.

"Breaking my arm seemed to get rid of all the klutziness. Nothing has gone wrong today." He thumped the cast again. "Maybe I can be slightly thankful for it."

"Ah,ah,ah. You say that now, but you never know. You could just be jinxing yourself," Sage pointed out, waving a finger at Rowen.

Rowen sighed. "It wouldn't much matter. What could happen that's worse than breaking your arm?"

"Much, much worse. Think about it. You got off with just a broken arm when you could have ended up with some major injuries that would lay you up in the hospital for a very long time," Sage pointed out as they neared the Date dojo.

"I see your point. Still, to me, breaking an arm is just as bad as dying or ending up in the hospital. At least in the hospital I could read all the time, and if I was dead, then I'd probably never be bored. With a broken arm I'm up and about and can realize what all I'm missing." He started crossing the street to the entrance.

"True, but a broken arm will heal and then all the things you are missing out on, you can enjoy again," Sage said, walking through the entrance to the dojo.

"Sage nii-chan!!" A girl ran up to Sage to give him a big welcome home hug.

Rowen hung back and watched the girl, who didn't look too much younger than Sage, hug her older brother.

"Hello, Satsuki. How are you?" Sage asked, momentarily forgetting his company.

"I'm fine. Ne, Nii-chan, who is this?" Satsuki asked, looking over at Rowen.

"Oh yes. Rowen, meet my younger sister Satsuki. Satsuki, this is my friend Rowen." Sage introduced the two.

Rowen bowed. "Hajime mashita. Douzo Yoroshiku." He rose from the bow and smiled at her.

"It's nice to meet you too." Satsuki bowed in return.

Rowen smiled slightly. "You're welcome."

"I like your family already, Sage-kun." Rowen turned to look at the dojo.

Sage laughed a little, turning to Satsuki. "Silly girl." Sage rubbed the top of Satsuki's head, messing up her finely combed hair.

Satsuki glared at her brother. "Do you know how long it took to comb my hair?"

Sage looked at his glaring sister. "I have no idea, Satsuki. How long?" Sage asked her, eyes dancing.

"35 minutes to get it all nice and straight, and you ruined it," Satsuki hissed through her teeth

"Sorry, Satsuki. I'll make it up to you, ok?" Sage said, winking at her. "Now, let's go inside so we can sit down." Sage started through the doors to the dojo. Rowen looked disappointed.

"Oh, you'll make it up to me, all right." Satsuki took a running leap towards Sage and latched onto his perfectly styled hair. She started running her hands through the blonde locks, doing her best to mess them up.

Rowen whooped. He'd been wanting to do that since the first time he'd laid eyes on the blonde, especially when his hair hadn't been at all ruffled after being run over by him.

"Ack! Satsuki! Help! Rowen! Satsuki, get off please!" Sage pleaded as his younger sister continued to mess up the blonde hair.

Rowen just stood there laughing, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle before him.

Satsuki continued to mess up the hair. "Not until you say uncle! I won't stop until you say uncle!" Satsuki laughed.

"I won't say it, Satsuki! You know I won't say it!" Sage refused to give into his sister's demands.

"Hmmm...I wonder if I should chop some of it off," Satsuki said, not really intending to chop her brother's hair off. Rowen couldn't breathe because of how hard he was laughing. Sage gaped for a second.

"You wouldn't dare," he stated, pausing in his struggle to get her off of him.

Satsuki magically produced a pair of scissors and made a couple of snipping sounds. "Oh, I wouldn't, would I?" His sister laughed evilly, getting dangerously close to the hair.

Rowen decided to intervene. He came up behind Satsuki and plucked the scissors from her hand. "If you did that, you couldn't have any more fun messing up his hair," he pointed out.

"True. I wasn't really going to do it. I just wanted him to say uncle." Satsuki smiled up at Rowen, jumping off of Sage now that he knew her cruel plan wasn't really as cruel as he thought it was, and wouldn't say uncle for the life of him.

Rowen looked at Sage. "You can't say I didn't help. Now, are we going to stay out here and continue chatting?"

Sage looked at Rowen and started trying to fix his hair into the same position it was in before it had been Satsukied.

Rowen finally gave up and walked in of his own accord. "Slowpokes!" he called back to them.

Sage and Satsuki hurried after him and were greeted by their grandfather. "Where do you two think you are going without introducing your guest to me?" the grandfather asked, looking sternly at the three people that had entered the room

"Grandfather, this is Rowen. Rowen, this is my grandfather," Sage quickly introduced Rowen to his grandfather before he got into any trouble.

Rowen bowed very deeply. "Douzo yoroshiku, Date-sama."

The grandfather returned the bow. "Douzo yoroshiku, Rowen-kun."

"I hope these two have been good hosts while you have been here," the old man said, giving Sage and Satsuki stern looks.

"Hai, Date-sama. Exemplary." Rowen was truly intimidated by this man.

"That is good. I will let you three be on your way," the grandfather said, turning away. "Oh, and by the way, Sage, the next time you stay out, give your family a call."

"Yes, sir," Sage said, then turned to lead Rowen to his room.

"Oh...Grandfather is mad at you, Nii-chan." Satsuki pointed out the obvious once their grandfather was out of sight.

Rowen looked at Sage with admiration. "You LIVE with him? He's scary."

"Yeah. He is the one that taught me kendo and discipline when I was younger," Sage informed him, continuing down the pathway.

Satsuki sighed a little. "Grandfather is really strict, which makes him really scary."

Rowen gave him a sympathetic look. "I'm sure that you learned well."

She laughed a little. "He learned well alright. He had to take up bonsai and bamboo flute, all for the sake of learning to discipline himself."

Rowen perked up. "Bamboo flute? I can understand bonsai, but bamboo flute?"

"Satsuki, couldn't you have kept that to yourself?" Sage glared at his younger sister. He sighed a little. "It was grandfather's idea- to help me calm myself," Sage explained.

Satsuki spotted her room. "Well, it has been a blast, guys, but I need to tend to a few things. I hope you enjoy your stay here Rowen." Satsuki bid the two farewell and disappeared into her room.

Rowen turned to Sage. "I like her. She's fun."

"Yeah, she is a lot of fun to be around. She certainly makes life around here more interesting," Sage said, laughing a little

Rowen smiled. "I wish I had a little sister. It would be nice."

Sage laughed a little at that comment. "I can handle her better than I can my older sister."

Rowen looked at him. "What's wrong with a big sister?"

"A lot. She likes to tease me and such," Sage said, thankful she wasn't at the dojo at the moment.

Rowen shrugged. "My mom's like that. She's older than you'd think from the way she acts."

"Oh, what does she do?" Sage said, opening the door to his room and letting Rowen enter first.

"She acts like a teenager, and as though I'm still really young." He bowed his head to Sage in thanks.

"That is odd for an adult," Sage said, walking into the room

"Well, she was very young when she had me. She's in her early thirties, and she's a journalist.

She travels all over the world." He smiled slightly. "I guess she's more like a little sister, or an annoying slightly older one."

Sage smiled, then heard someone calling his name

"Sage!" an older woman called while heading towards the room.

"Oh, that sounds like my mother; don't worry. She isn't nearly as scary as my grandfather." Sage winked at Rowen then went over to the door to open it.

Date-san looked at her son for a second, then, spotting Rowen's blue hair, said, "Sage, I didn't know you had company."

"It's all right. Rowen, this is my mother. Mother, this is my friend Rowen."

Rowen bowed once again. His back was going to get sore if he had to do this too many more times. "Douzo Yoroshiku, Date-san."

The mother bowed. "Douzo Yoroshiku, Rowen-kun."

Rowen rose from his bowed position once again and smiled at Sage's mother. "You have a very lovely family."

"Why, thank you! Such a polite boy." Sage's mom returned the smile. "Dinner is in an hour and your friend is more than welcome to join us."

"Doumo arigatou, Date-san."

"You are very welcome, Rowen-kun. Sage, don't forget about dinner in an hour."

"All right, Mom. We'll be down on time," Sage said, giving his mom a soft smile.

Rowen grinned as Sage's mom left the room. "So far I really like your family. Is there anyone else that I'll be meeting?"

"My Tou-san, but he might not be home till dinner. He works on the police force," Sage said, taking a seat on the floor.

Rowen looked at him curiously. "So you're full Japanese? With blonde hair?"

"Yeah. I know it's kind of odd, but I am full Japanese," Sage answered, chuckling a little.

"The one-eyed Dragon," Rowen said quietly. "I remember reading a story about him. Decided to imitate him?"

"Yeah, one day, hopefully," Sage said happily

Rowen stared at him for a second, and then laughed heartily. "I can see it now. Sage, the one-eyed Date dragon. Will it be your title in Kendo?"

Sage smiled. "Yeah. I'll win the upcoming tournament, and that will be the name I use when I'm famous." He struck a pose, then chucled.

Rowen cracked up, and when he recovered he wiped some tears from his eyes. "That was priceless."

Satsuki listened to the laughing boys on the other side of the door. She knocked on the door, then opened it a little to see both of the boys laughing like maniacs. "Um...Are you two ok?"

Sage laughed a little more before answering. "Satsuki, you missed the fun," Sage said, continuing to laugh.

"Your brother struck a POSE!" He shot a grin at her.

Satsuki started laughing at the image of her brother striking a pose.

Rowen finally got himself under control. "That's great. I will remember that forever."

Sage and Satsuki calmed their laughing also.

"I missed it, and I'll still remember," Satsuki said, leaning against the doorframe.

"Do it again," Rowen said. "Please? She has GOT to see this one."

Sage stood up, trying to keep himself from laughing before he struck the pose.
Satsuki collapsed to the floor with laughter. Sage just started laughing again at the pose.
Rowen made sure he wasn't looking so that he wouldn't laugh.

"Nii-chan, never pick up modeling, please," Satsuki said, calming her giggles.

Rowen smirked. "Oh, I don't know. He might be a hit with blonde hair."

"Yeah, if he was so funny to look at when he stuck a pose," Satsuki said, winking at her brother.

"Am I really that funny looking?" Sage asked, looking at what he could see of himself.

Rowen shrugged. "No. She's your little sister. She's messing with you."

Satsuki looked at Sage, and back at Rowen. "I'm just playing, Sage."

"Did you need something, Satsuki?" Sage asked, looking at his sister

"Well, what I came in here for you already showed me, and I have to help Mom with dinner," Satsuki said, getting off the floor and bowing to them before closing the door and heading towards the kitchen.

Rowen raised an eyebrow. "That was interesting."

"Yeah, that was," Sage replied, sitting back down on the floor.

Rowen sat in silence for a moment. "So....Is there anything to do that will entertain us until dinner?" he asked, becoming bored.

Sage leaned back, thinking. 'What is there to do other than Kendo?' "We do have a TV in the front room. It has a game console."

Rowen smiled, but shook his head. "Nah. Could we try kendo? I've wanted to try it out for a while now. I need something to do other than archery," he replied.

Sage smiled. "Sure, but are you willing to deal with my grandfather?"

"What do you mean by 'deal with?'" Rowen shot back.

"Deal with as in willing put up with him teaching you some Kendo," Sage clarified.

"Isn't that the point?" Rowen asked. "True,."

Sage laughed a little. "I'll go ask him if it is ok."

Rowen smiled and stood. "I'll go with you." He opened the door for Sage and followed him out.

"Thank you," Sage said, walking towards the Kendo room where he knew he would most likely find his grandfather. Sage opened the door, seeing his grandfather in the middle of the floor looking like he was praying.

Rowen leaned around him and saw what his grandfather was doing. "Maybe now wouldn't be the best time to interrupt," he said quietly enough that only Sage could hear.

"Yeah, it isn't. Maybe after dinner he can," Sage whispered back. Sage closed the door.

Rowen nodded. "So, how about that video game?"

Sage led him to the front room. "Well, we don't have the best selection of games."

"We can work with what you have." Rowen sat down in front of the TV and grabbed a controller.

"Well, since you are the guest, you can choose," Sage said, pointing at the little shelf of games.

Rowen grinned and snagged a game called Super Smash Brothers off of the shelf. "I love this one. It's the best." He popped it in and chose vs. mode, then picked Link with a dark blue outfit.

Sage smiled. "Same here." He chose Zelda and kept her regular outfit.

Rowen gave him an annoyed look. "How come everyone chooses her when they play me?" he asked as the fight began. He charged and attacked so fiercely that Zelda couldn't do anything. She was ko'ed in no time.

Sage became even more determined at the KO and turned into Sheik. He got Link with a wave of punches. "She is my favorite character to play on here. Just ask my sister."

Rowen managed to get away and used the attack where Link spins really quickly (A/N: Forgive my lack of intelligent terminology.). He followed up with constant slashing, causing nearly 300 damage.

Sage saw one of the big hammers fall and decided to disappear, which caused him to hit Link because Link was so close to grabbing the evil hammer.

Rowen moved Link up three levels above Sheik so that he couldn't get him with the hammer. Once the hammer was gone Link dropped down two levels and used that little chain thingy (A/N: I have no idea what it's called; I haven't played Ocarina of Time in years.) to grab hold of Sheik and toss him off the side of the bottom platform.

Sage gave Rowen a frustrated look. He was determined to at least tie this game when his mother called from the kitchen. "Sage, Rowen-kun, dinner's ready."

Rowen grinned. "I win," he declared, then stood up and went into the kitchen. "Doumo arigatou, Date-san. It smells delicious."

Sage grumbled a little before getting off the floor and heading into the kitchen. "It smells excellent, Mom."

Rowen went to the table and stood there, wondering where he was supposed to sit.

"Thank you, Rowen-kun, Sage." Sage offered Rowen a seat next to him. Satsuki came in, excitedly taking her seat next to her mom, and Sage's grandfather went to the head of the table as Sage's father came running in, just in time to get the other end of the table, still in his uniform.

Rowen took the seat offered to him. He looked over at Sage's dad. He didn't have blonde hair either. Where did it come from?

"Father, this is Rowen. Rowen, this is my father." Sage introduced them.

Rowen bowed as best he could while sitting. "It's nice to meet you, Date-san."

"Nice to meet you also, Rowen-kun. I heard Sage spent some time at your house the other day. Hopefully it wasn't too much trouble." Sage's father tried to start a conversation as Sage's mother went around giving everyone food and something to drink.

Rowen laughed softly. "Not at all. It was good to have someone over." He nodded his thanks to Sage's mother when she served him.

"That is good." Sage's father started to eat his food because after dinner he had to get back to work. He was working really late that night. "It's nice to have someone here for a change."

Rowen smiled. "It's good to be somewhere besides home, Date-san." He started in on his plate with an appetite.

Sage looked over at his grandfather. "Grandfather, Rowen is interested in some Kendo lessons. Could you teach him?" Sage asked

"That is up to Rowen. If he really wants to do it I won't turn him down," the grandfather said, eating his food.

Rowen looked up eagerly upon hearing this. He had perfected his archery skills already. "Thank you, Date-sama. I'll work hard. Could we work out something to pay you back? I don't get an allowance, and I don't think my Tou-san would be willing to spend the money that he could use for buying chemicals. Maybe I could teach Sage how to use a bow?" he offered.

The grandfather looked up at that offer. "You have yourself a deal, Rowen-kun. You start teaching him tomorrow after school. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" he said. "When should I start my kendo lessons?"

The grandfather looked at Rowen's arm, which was still in the cast. "How about after that comes off?"

Rowen looked down at his arm, suddenly remembering that it was there. He blushed lightly. "Sure. I had...forgotten about it." He ducked his head slightly.

There was some brief chuckling at the table, then Sage's father stood. "Well, I must be off. I have to do a double shift today. I'll see you all in the morning."

Rowen nodded. "Sayounara, Date-san."

"Bye. Rowen-kun, I hope you enjoy your stay here. It was very nice to meet you," Sage's Tou-san said, leaving the room.

Rowen looked to Sage. "He's nice."

Sage looked at Rowen and nodded. Then Satsuki chimed in. "Hey, you two. You played Super Smash Bros. without me." She pouted.

Rowen looked over at her. "What character do you normally use?"

Satsuki grinned. "I don't use a set character."

Sage rolled his eyes. "That's what makes her a difficult opponent."

Rowen sighed. "If I used Link, what character would you use?" he asked.

Rowen laughed. "I guess you'll be harder to beat than your brother, then. I'll play you next."

Satsuki pondered on that for a few, "I feel like Marth today."

Rowen smiled. "Sword to sword. This should be interesting."

Satsuki smiled, "either him or Ray on of the two it just all depends."

Rowen shrugged. "It doesn't matter to me." He finished off his dinner.

Satsuki jumped up from her seat and ran over to plug another controller into the console. "Come on, you two! I'm not going to wait all day." Sage got up to grab his own controller, and they waited for Rowen to join them.

Rowen stood up and took up his controller. "How is this going to work? Are we all just going to attack each other?"

Satsuki and Sage both nodded. "This is going to be fun," Satsuki declared as she and Sage both choose their characters. Sage got to Ray before Satsuki did, leaving her with Marth. "That is mean, Niichan." Satsuki made a face at her brother.

"No one said I have to be nice." Sage smiled sweeely at his younger sister.

Rowen smiled at their bickering and chose Link. He was best with Link, so he always chose him.

Satsuki choose the field they were going to fight in. "I love the Pokemon Stadium field." The match was about to begin and Satsuki caught Link off guard, slashing at him and her brother at the same time, and KOing Sage. She then turned her main attention to Link before Ray got back in the field, not knowing Ray was charging up his attack. Sage hit his sister's character, blasting Marth out of the field. "Onii-chan, that wasn't fair!" Satsuki said, coming back from KO.

"There's nothing against it, Satsuki. The rules are just to fight your opponent and get them out as many times as possible," Sage said, fighting Link.

Rowen laughed at the siblings' antics. He used Link to hit Ray so many times that he went flying from the field into the distance. "Bye bye, Ray."

They continued to play the video game until it was pitch black outside. Sage had lost countless times to his sister and Rowen. Sage's mother had been watching the three play the game for quite a while before their grandfather came in. "I hate to interrupt the excitement, but I am sure Rowen has to go home sometime soon. It's pitch black outside."

Rowen looked up. "Oh! I totally forgot! I need to bring dinner to my dad! He probably hasn't eaten yet today," he said, standing up and forgetting the game. "Thank you for having me over, Date-san, Date-sama, Sage-kun, Satsuki-chan," he said, bowing to them all after grabbing his bag. "I'll be sure to come by with Sage after school for my lesson tomorrow afternoon, Date-sama. Goodbye," Rowen finished, leaving their home and running off towards his house.

"Bye, Rowen! See you tomorrow," Sage called after him as he left the room, then stretched and went to his bedroom to finish the homework he had left undone.

A/N: I think I'll stop there. Longest chapter I've ever written. Thank you, Ceo Shinji. I hope you enjoy this one! I'll be waiting for your reviews on my longest chapter ever! Woot! (I love that word.) Tata!