Arise on the Occasion
Chapter IV
SIN Productions
The blue moon was shining brightly in the velvet sky above London, England. But what is a blue moon?
What was what the saying? Once in a blue moon?
But even this particular blue moon was odd. Completely erratic and eccentric, it's coloring off and eerie. Anyone's whose wandering eyes made the mistake of looking up at the moon this night quickly diverted their attention elsewhere when a feeling of cold fear would wash over them.
Perhaps it was this blue moon that was driving Sage insane.
Sage pulled Vigil in through the sliding glass door, watching and waiting for one of the 'other' Ronins to spot him. Thankfully he was allowed time.
Kento, Ryo, and the life Ronin were no where to be found. As well as Cye, which meant he was probably giving them a tour of his condo...
Hm, either in the bedrooms or in the kitchen...
"Sage." Vigil hissed, and pretended to smile at one of the guests, "This isn't going to work.
Sage gritted his teeth, "Well I'm going to make it work."
Vigil visibly pouted but didn't say anything more as Sage continued to lead her around the living room in a leash sort of fashion. Vigil didn't quite go along completely with the plan, but she acted neutral. At least no one questioned their sudden attachment.
Vigil glared daggers at the sanguine blonde, "This is surreal. Cye won't believe it for a moment."
"We're not trying to convince Cye." Sage pointed out bluntly, "Cye will merely raise his eyebrows in question and won't ask anything about it until in private."
"And you will tell him your plan..." she raised an eyebrow and awaited an answer.
Sage pondered that for a moment. He didn't know what he was going to tell Cye. But at the moment, it wasn't irrelevant. He could always think of something later. Sage remained level headed and calm, "Cye will understand." He answered surely.
Vigil rolled her eyes and mouthed the word, "Like hell he will."
Sage continued to drag Vigil around the living room and finally, noticing his nerves, decided on getting a glass of punch. "I'm going to get some punch. You stay here."
"Yes my dear fiancée, I would like some punch too." Vigil demanded and rolled her eyes for the upteeth-million time that night.
"Of course, honey." Sage replied just as impolite.
When Sage brought back a cup of punch for him and Vigil, she took the punch thankfully and then tried to escape the madness the night was turning into.
But Sage wouldn't let her go that easily.
"Vigil." The tone of his voice said it all. It was stern, sincere, and completely...begging. And that tone of voice rarely ever came from Date Seiji.
Vigil knew when to not cross the line.
Vigil sighed in defense, hung her head, and degradedly slipped back into her position as Sage's soon to be wife.
--
Vigil stared down at the gleaming silver ring on her ring finger feeling awkward and strange. The ring kept sliding off and she kept having to slide it back on, trying desperately to feel like she was doing the right thing posing as someone's fiancée when in fact she was far from it.
The whole enjoyment of the party had left her long ago and she couldn't understand Sage's reaction to his old friends visit. Shouldn't he be rejoicing in their reunion? Shouldn't he at least try to make amends?
She sighed to herself and once again replaced the ring in it's spot on her finger. She shook her head and looked up to see Sage holding a glass of pink champagne laughing loudly at one of the guest's sad excuse at a joke.
The atmosphere in Cye's condo had shifted considerably since the arrival of Kento, Mei, Ryo, Mia, and Rowen. The emphasis on Rowen had to be made. It was painfully obvious there was an electrifying tension building in the room which made Vigil squirm with discomfort.
She only wanted the best for Sage, but this?
This was unnerving.
Sage and Vigil found themselves at the expense of Cye's friends, or specifically Tate Westin and Angelina Fisk. A couple...an annoying couple. They seemed to laugh just a little too loud, talk in an unruly manner, and kiss just a little too long for a "casual" party.
Or a "get together" as Cye put it.
Sage found himself tapping his foot in anticipation, he was nervous but he tried desperately to keep his cool and not struggle. At least not in front of him. The last thing he wanted was to make him think that he hadn't survived. That he hadn't succeeded.
That he hadn't moved on.
Because Sage did. Sage had moved on. Sage had the job of his dreams...he loved London...he had Vigil...what more could he ask for?
He took a sip of his drink and hoped that Tate and Angelina would shut up for a minute so he could think clearly. But it didn't look like they would.
"So I was telling Angelina the other day..." Tate started again, straightening his Gucci tie, "The sushi at Sakura isn't half as good as it is at Takamatsu. You two just have to give it a try. Are you fond of sushi? Being an acquired taste and all..."
Vigil concealed a small smile, finding the last comment the only interesting thing Tate had muttered all night. Little did the two know that Sage was of pure Japanese blood. "I dunno." She answered, stealing a glance at her best friend, who was deep in concentration, "Sage do you like sushi?"
Sage immediately caught on to her joke, even though his mind was wandering onto different topics and quickly shot her an annoyed look. "No." he responded sarcastically, "I don't think I've ever tried sushi."
"Ah, what a shame." Vigil batted her eyes innocently, "I think you would find it irresistible. We'll have to try Takamatsu soon, how bout it?"
"Sure." Sage replied coolly, shrugging his shoulders indifferently.
And Vigil left it at that. She looked at Sage and with a polite voice stated, "It was good to meet you Tate, Angelina. I'm sure we'll see more of you tonight. Excuse us." Vigil got a hold of Sage's hand and yanked him in the direction of the kitchen.
Sage could only follow. He knew what was in store for him. A lecture.
The moment they were in the privacy of the kitchen Vigil opened her mouth to speak, but Sage was faster. "Look Vigil, I'm sorry. Really I am. But-"
Sage was surprised when Vigil lifted a tender finger up to his lips to quiet him. She smiled gently and nodded, "I understand, it's just that..." she sighed and her shoulders slumped considerably, "You're going about this all wrong."
Sage knew what he was doing was wrong. But he was panicking. He hadn't expected him to show up and he sure as hell hadn't planned on ahead what he would do if he had shown up.
And he had.
He looked up and into Vigil's eyes, letting the truth of the situation cloud over in his eyes, "I know what I am doing is wrong..." he closed his eyes and prayed she would understand him.
"Well..." he heard her say, "Alright then."
Sage's eyes popped open and he looked grateful. He nodded his thanks and was obliged that she always understood him, and was always there for him.
She was the only one he could trust since the incident. Well, besides Cye. Cye of course was the Ronin Warrior of trust, so that much was to be expected. He hadn't counted on being abandoned by Ryo and Kento, but he had come to terms with how things turned out to be.
He always knew he was different. He would have to learn to deal with the consequences.
Sage took a deep breath and Vigil patted him on the shoulder, encouraging him with whatever decision he had decided on.
The two started to walk out of the kitchen when an unexpected visitor entered.
Sage had been looking down at the tile, and his thoughts were interrupted when an unsure voice spoke up, "Um..."
Sage looked up and hadn't counted on running into them already. He didn't say anything back.
"Hi." Vigil was always one for conversation, and never shy to get right into it, "I don't believe I've had the chance to meet you." She smiled amiably, "I'm Vigil, and you are...?"
"Ryo." The bright blue eyes blinked in surprise, "My name's Ryo, nice to meet you." And thankfully Ryo was alone.
"Likewise." Vigil looked up to Sage for a hint on what to do.
Sage sucked in a shaky breath and forced a somewhat happy expression on his face. Why did he have to act? Why did he have secrets? He questioned himself.
But the truth of it all was because they didn't understand. And he feared they never would. They were almost brothers, but the bond just wasn't strong enough to keep the five of them together.
And Sage knew that. He had been taught that since he was young. Bonds were meant to be broken. Promises were never to be kept. You had to expect the worst.
"Ryo..." Sage trailed off, wishing he hadn't sound so blank. "It's good to see you."
Ryo nodded dubiously, "You too." he agreed. He looked around nervously, but then a small smile appeared on his face. A small sign that small traces of the old Ryo was still in there. "It's been a while." He commented.
"Yes, it has." Sage found himself saying, and then realized if he was going to go through with fooling him he would have to start with Ryo. So he did what anyone scared shitless of someone they had cared about would do.
He lied.
"This is my fiancée." Sage used his hands to announce Vigil's title.
Miraculously Vigil didn't flinch at Sage's use of words. She kept a clear head and just smiled...sort of. He had expected her to groan, or flinch, or do something then just take it...amazingly calm.
It was Ryo who seemed surprised. "Fiancée?" his tone of voice always gave away what he was thinking. That was just Ryo's personality. He took a second glance at the young woman and then turned back to his old comrade. "Wow, Sage! Congrats, man!" and instantaneously warmed up.
He stepped forward and hugged Sage like he used to, and playfully patted him on the back. "When is the big day?" he seemed like an excited little kid. Always eager...
Vigil threw Sage a look that showed her skeptical attitude towards his estranged plan. But Sage played it off. "We're hoping for next March, we haven't set a final date, but sometime in March."
Ryo's face was lit up and his grin literally went from ear to ear, "That's great news! Wait till I tell Kento and Rowen!"
Ryo made a quick exit, leaving Vigil and Sage alone once again.
"Thank you." Sage simply said, starring over at his savior.
"You're welcome." Vigil looked up, sadness in her eyes. "You do realize you just let the cat out of the bag?"
When their eyes met they both understood each other. Just like that.
--
"Hey man, nice place you got here." Kento referred to Cye's condominium. He smiled at his best friend.
It had been way too long since the two of them had seen each other, almost a year.
"Thanks Kento, I thought you guys weren't going to show up!" Cye's exasperation still hadn't faded since they had arrived was made very evident.
"Yeah well..." Kento gave him a sheepish grin and put an arm around his wife, "We weren't sure, and besides...we wanted it to be a surprise. We've never even been to England, Cye- it's great!"
Cye laughed, and was about to say something when...
"Hey, hey guys!" Ryo interrupted, running up to the group, almost out of breath.
Mia looked to her husband strangely, "Ryo, what is it?" she smiled, chuckling at his excitement.
Ryo full out grinned, "Cye, how come ya never told us?" he looked at the Brit.
Cye looked around for a moment, slightly confused, before asking, "Tell you guys what?"
Ryo face vaulted, before breaking the news. "That Sage's getting married!"
Mia nearly jumped, "Oh my God! Is he really?" she nearly squealed.
Kento laughed loudly, "Wow! Sage, whoa..."
Mei turned to her own husband and asked in her Chinese accent, "Sage? Who is Sage?"
Kento immediately went into an explanation. "Well Sage is Ro's best friend, I-" Kento tried to catch himself, but couldn't.
The damage was already done.
Ryo, Mia, Mei, Kento, and Cye all looked to the blue haired man standing sheepishly behind Mia, awkwardly. He was looking at his hands, seeming somewhat baffled and... bewildered.
He had lost his color and was completely withdrawn.
But that's how Rowen developed in the last few years. Withdrawn, anxious, anti-social...
Mei apparently didn't understand the situation since she had never heard of Sage. No one had told her what had happened between Sage...and Rowen...
Mei smiled politely and furthered her question, "Rowen, I didn't know you had another best friend." Her English was choppy, but her words were crisp and clear to Strata.
Rowen stiffened nervously, "Well, I, I..." he looked around for someone to help him. He looked to Kento, to Ryo, to Mia...to Cye...but none of them could help him come up with an answer.
And Rowen knew why. Because he was an asshole, and he didn't deserve sympathy from them- or anyone. He struggled to find the right words, but couldn't.
There were no correct words to describe what horrible things he had done to Sage.
Rowen swallowed and gave the group a fraudulent smile, "Let's not change the subject." Rowen finally managed to say, "So, Sage is gettin' hitched huh?"
Cye cleared his throat, "Well, I guess..."
"Wow." Rowen's voice cracked as he mimicked Kento's earlier words, "That is some news..."
to be continued...