Shadow within the Darkness

(Day 3)

By: Little Ucchan

Lying within a meadow of grass, Sage rested quietly with his hands behind his head, gazing at the endless blue sky. He had long realized that he was roaming around in his subconscious, in the same dream world that forced him to wake up at night in a cold sweat. And the only way out was to relive his dream.

Sage wasn't too hot about the idea and didn't make an attempt to go anywhere. He wanted to stay there forever and never see that dream again. Even though he knew that he couldn't run forever, it felt like the right thing to do at that moment.

He didn't stir for a few more minutes till a cute little head popped up directly in his line of vision. Sage blinked twice, his mind confused by the sudden appearance of the girl. For a moment there, he had believed that she was upside down when, in fact, Sage was lying on the grass staring up at the little girl leaning over him. She gave him a cutesy smile and giggled.

"You want to play with me?" the girl had asked, praying that this young man would grant her wish. Sage stared back into her eyes, the ones that sparkled with hope. He noted how pale they were, but the paleness had only amplified her own features. It made her look even cuter. She'll be real pretty when she grows up.

Seeing that she was still waiting for a response, Sage half got up from his laid back position. The girl stepped aside a bit as Sage reclined back on his elbows. He looked at the girl now standing at his side waiting patiently. Sage didn't know what to say so he reverted his gaze back up to the sky. The young girl followed his example and stared at the sky as well, smiling in delight.

"Look! That one looks like a bunny rabbit!" she exclaimed, pointing her little finger to one of the clouds floating by. Sage turned his attention to the cloud that she was referring to, and cracked a smile. It did look like a rabbit.

"And there's a pretty flower!" The girl pointed to another cloud that resembled a rose. She was letting her imagination run wild now. Her eyes widened with excitement as she focused on another cloud.

"And a castle too!"

"A castle?" The little girl only nodded.

"Mm-hmm. A castle in the sky." Sage stared at her for a few moments before turning to look back at the clouds. The cloud that looked like a castle was there, drifting high above.

"A castle…in the sky…" he said more to himself, remembering his friends and the battle they had fought in Talpa's castle…residing within the clouds.

"Hey mister, Are you okay?" Sage cut his thoughts short, startled to hear the girl speak to him again. He could only gaze at her for a few more seconds till she screamed out in realization.

"Oh my gosh I'm late!" Sage was utterly confused at this point. "Sorry, but Mama doesn't like me staying out too long. I have to get back home." She climbed up a hill before Sage could say anything. Once reaching the top, she called back at him, a huge smile on her face.

"It was nice meeting you! Bye!" She waved a cheery good bye. After that the girl traveled over the hill and was gone. Sage watched her fleeing figure as reality suddenly dawned on him. He shot up in an instant. His eyes became horror stricken as Sage ran after her. She's heading for the city! She'll be killed! Sage couldn't bare the thought of knowing that an innocent child would die if he refused to help. He wouldn't forsake the others citizens either.

Although Sage was fully aware that by entering the city he would trigger the fire that would consume the very lives he wished to protect, he still ran forward. He knew that the only way for him to finish his dream was to continue where he had left off. Nothing would change that. And nothing could save the lives of the people that died before he had arrived. Sage could only protect those who were waiting to be saved.

Within seconds he arrived in the town square. Sage probed his surrounding area with his senses, spotting three ninjas to his immediate left and two in front. He felt another circle behind him from his right. He didn't like his odds.

One of the ninjas at his side lunged forward, bearing a katana blade. Sage immediately ran ahead, barely missing the blade as it sliced through air. He rushed the two ninjas in front of him, catching them off guard. One quick movement of his leg had a ninja sprawled on the ground. Sage turned around as his other opponent drew his fist back, readying himself to attack. Upon the ninja's release, Sage had dropped to the floor, swiftly kicking his enemy's legs from under him.

He ran past the two previous ninjas as the other four chased after him. One had matched Sage's speed and was now running along side him. Unsheathing his weapon, the ninja charged. Instinctively, Sage jumped back as another one attacked from behind. He swerved to the right as the blade came in contact with the bare earth only to be forced back again by another blade.

The ninjas now had Sage backed up against a wall. He shivered as the cool surface of the house came in contact with his skin. His eyes darted to each of his enemies, waiting for them to attack. Looking for a way out, his hand moved to his jacket pocket. He'd hope that his orb was there this time. It wasn't. His eyes narrowed at the ninjas' approach. Although Sage failed to show it, his fear was present.

***

A young man quietly sat in the comfort of his own desk, not exactly waiting for anyone in particular. His friends weren't here. They wouldn't be for a while. And the one person he thought would be here this early in the morning wasn't present. He sighed and wondered why his friend was late, yet again. But it didn't bother him as much. He liked the stillness of the room, only hearing the cheerful songs of the birds and the small rustling of the trees.

The boy stood from his seat and strolled towards the open window of the classroom. He rested his arms on the windowsill, leaning forward to get a feel of the wind. The breeze played gently with his jet-black hair, causing it to sway slowly, following the flow of the wind. Closing his tiger blue eyes, he enjoyed every minute of the calm peace that washed over him. He loved how the autumn breeze felt against his skin.

"Nice weather we're having." Ryo was surprised at the sudden appearance of another student. He didn't even here her come in. Ryo didn't make an attempt to face her, not wanting to tear himself away from the serene feeling he still had. She understood and even though she knew it was rude for someone to talk to her with his back turned, she didn't scold him.

"Yeah. It's so peaceful in the morning."

"Is that why you're here so early?" Ryo nodded.

"No one's in the room this early. They're usually off doing something else. It's the only time I can really relax and gather my thoughts before school starts." Laura knew how that felt. Just wanting to be alone, lost in your own little world. She'd escape to the quiet residence of her thoughts whenever she got a chance. To her, reality was too cruel.

She'd been standing at the door longer than Ryo had first thought. She witnessed him sit there earlier, staring blankly into space. She also saw him head for the open window. At first, Laura wasn't going to bother with him and just act like she always did, a hater of all men. But then again, she didn't want to shatter his feeling of peace. Sage's words from the other day came back to haunt her.

"Why wouldn't I? You're being very rude to everyone and they don't deserve that type of treatment, regardless if you have a reason or not. They didn't do anything to you."

"And what right do you have to question my actions like that? Well?"

"I'm just saying that you shouldn't be so cruel to other people. I know you have your reasons for being distant with everyone, but you don't have to go so far as to tell off anyone that comes near you. The least you could do is be polite. Besides, what's wrong with guys telling you that you're beautiful? Most girls would have enjoyed the compliment."

"I'm not like most girls."

It was true. She wasn't like most girls. In fact, she wasn't like most teenagers her age. They never had to face the hardships that she had to endure. Thinking back to the students that did talk to her, Laura realized that Sage was right. They just wanted to talk, nothing more. They wanted to make her feel welcomed, but regardless of that fact, she treated them like they were nothing at all, like they weren't worth talking to.

If granted her situation was different, Laura would have been very popular in Han'a High. She was naturally sociable and always enjoyed a good party. That was in elementary school, before that fateful day. Even since then, she trained herself to be cold-hearted and unfeeling. She sealed her fun-loving nature behind a wall of ice that was her heart.

Laura kept everyone at a distance in order to protect them. She was doing what she thought was best for everyone else, but it wasn't the best for her. She could feel her cold attitude slipping each day. She really wanted a friend, but that was impossible. Even if she did return to her old self and made friends she would only lose them again because of her past life. She'd only be condemning the ones that she would call her 'friends'.

Ryo had noticed how quiet his companion had grown. He pulled himself away from the window to face her. Laura didn't pay attention to him. She was lost in her own stream of consciousness.

"You okay?" His words snapped her back into reality, back to the world where she would be forever alone. Laura stared back into Ryo's eyes. She saw the look he gave her. The look of concern that was unmistakably true. She never had someone look at her like that, not in a long time.

"I'm fine," she finally said, her eyes softening. Maybe just this once, I can be nice. "My name is Laura Kinoku. I'm sorry but I don't know your name."

Ryo was stunned beyond words to hear Laura speak so kindly to him. This was the same girl that sent Sage to the infirmary with a splitting headache, the same one that hated all men, the same cold-hearted girl from the other day. But then again, Laura was kind of nice to him yesterday. Finding his voice again, Ryo answered back.

"Right, I'm Ryo Sanada. I saw you the other day talking to Sage." Ryo slapped himself mentally, remembering that mentioning Sage's name to her wasn't exactly the smartest of all things to do.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up," he quickly apologized before she could speak.

"It's okay. Besides, you're the one who approved of my actions," she said with a slight hint of amusement at Ryo's attempt to not say anything that would get her mad. I've only been here for three days and already people are watching what they say to me. If only she could say the same thing about a particular blonde haired boy.

"Are you sure you're his friend?"

"Of course I am!" Ryo replied as soon as she had questioned him. He then lowered his voice, a bit ashamed that he lashed out like that. He thought that his friendship with Sage was obvious, as with the rest of his friends. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, favoring me over him isn't something I'd expect a friend would do."

"Oh that. I already told you that I saw the whole thing. Even if he is my friend, I thought Sage was way out of line. Actually, I'm kind of surprised that he acted the way he did."

"Oh? You mean Sage isn't always that rude and obnoxious?"

Smiling at Laura's shocked expression he replied, "Not always. Sage is usually calm and even-tempered. But he does have a tendency to speak his mind, even if it makes him seem uncaring."

Laura didn't say a word. She seemed to be letting this information sink in very slowly. Ryo thought that she was probably debating whether to believe him or not. Ryo couldn't blame her. After what Sage had said the other day, one would only think that he's a total jerk. She must be really something if she could make Sage loose his calm, smooth attitude in less than five minutes. But then again, Sage seems to have the same affect on her as well.

"So, throwing insults is natural for him?"

"No way! Maybe around friends but it's always in a joking manner!"

"Then, why is he always acting the way he does around me?"

"I haven't figured that out yet. But you don't hate him, do you? I mean, you've only known each other for two days."

"That's long enough, if you ask me." Ryo could tell that the direction the conversation was headed was starting to irritate her.

"Let's get off the subject, shall we?" Laura nodded a reply.

"So, how do you like Japan?" Ryo asked while following her to her desk.

"How do I like…Japan?" Laura repeated while she sat down, placing her book bag by the leg of her desk. Ryo pulled out a chair from the desk in front of her and sat in it backwards, resting his arms on the backrest of the chair.

"Yeah. I heard that you were from another country and that you just moved here recently."

"Well actually, I had always been a resident of Japan. But I had moved to China four years ago."

"Really. So you've been living in China. What made you come back?"

"Oh I don't know. I think I wanted a bit of a change. Being in China for four years, you kind of get tired of it. Besides, I wanted to come back to Japan. It's my home." Ryo was taken aback by what she had said. Judging by the way she was talking, it seemed like she made the decision to move!

"So you moved here by yourself?!" Ryo blurted out. Laura stared at him. He'd caught on quick.

"Yeah. Isn't it a common occurrence in Japan?"

"Well it is." Cye, for example, lived in an apartment complex by himself since he wanted to attend a school in Tokyo. His house, where his mother and sister live, is actually in Hagi in Yamaguchi. But he's never heard of someone moving across countries. "But I didn't expect your parents to agree about you moving back to Japan by yourself."

Laura didn't answer back. She had reverted her eyes from Ryo's curious gaze and was now staring down at her desk.

"Did I say something wrong?" She didn't answer.

"Laura?"

"…My parents…are dead." Ryo didn't speak. He knew he shouldn't have said anything when Laura had grown quiet. But his curiosity and concern for the newcomer had gotten the best of him.

"…I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"What?" Ryo wasn't expecting this kind of answer out of Laura. She looked up at Ryo, still staring at her in disbelief, and smiled back at him as if nothing had happened.

"I've gotten over them already, so you don't have to feel sorry for me."

"Do you mind talking about it?" Now it was Laura's turn to gawk. The request seemed a bit odd.

"No, not at all. Actually, I like talking about my parents. It helps keep my memories of them alive."

"I know how you feel."

"You do?"

"Yeah. My parents are deceased as well." Laura wasn't expecting this sudden confession from Ryo at all. She didn't think that he would trust her with this bit of information so easily. Actually, Laura was surprised herself on how she was able to talk to Ryo about the subject. She liked to talk about her parents but never did. There was no one to talk to.

"Oh Ryo."

"Tell me. Did you remember your parents well?"

"I did. They died when I was ten. How about you?"

"My mother died when I was very young. I don't remember her as much. My father was a wildlife photographer and died while he was on an expedition. I was six at the time."

"So where do you live?"

"I live with my Grandfather within the wildlife preserve on the outskirts of the city."

"You're kidding?! That's at least a 7 mile walk to the nearest bus station."

"Nine miles, actually."

"How do you get to school on time?"

"By waking up very early." Laura stared at him a bit longer before she allowed herself to laugh. Soon, Ryo joined her. It was the first time that anyone had made her this happy. She enjoyed the time she spent with Ryo, even though this was their first real meeting. This might actually work.

***

"And you didn't even see it coming?!" Kento cried in amazement. Sage shook his head. He was telling Cye and Kento about his little run-in with Laura the other day. He wasn't planning to at first, but Cye insisted on the truth since he didn't believe the excuse Ryo gave them for being late.

"I did warn you about her," Cye stated, reminding Sage that he brought this on himself. "What made you ask all of those questions anyway?"

"I only had one question."

"Yeah, and that one question had you lying down in the infirmary for an hour. We were waiting for you two you know," Cye shot back, looking a bit displeased.

"I'm surprised that you called her a 'tomboy'. I thought you knew your way around women? What's the matter Casanova? Loosing your touch?" Kento teased. He was obviously enjoying the fact that Laura had showed him up, yet again.

"No way! She's just…different." Sage didn't know how else to describe her.

"Nice excuse Sage," Kento commented dryly.

"Hey! Give me a break, will ya!"

"What made you say those things anyway?" Cye interrupted. "You're usually calm and in control. I thought you'd watch what you say around her."

"What are you talking about Cye? Sage is always blunt and to the point." Sage shot a poisonous glance towards Kento's direction, which he shrugged off indifferently. Cye remained quiet, waiting for his answer.

"I don't know."

"Oh come on Sage!"

"I don't!" He really didn't know why he acted the way he did. He had some ideas but they weren't good enough. Seeing that Cye wasn't satisfied with his answer, Sage tried to explain some more. "At first, I was just curious about her."

"You ever heard of the phrase 'curiosity killed the cat'?" Kento inquired.

"Yeah. But I'm not a cat."

"Same difference," Kento retorted.

"What are you talking about?" Sage questioned.

"Look, you only took a blow to the head and you were seriously out of it. Not even one of the former warlords was able to do that to you."

"Maybe you should just stay away from her," Cye suggested.

"That's what Ryo told me."

"Well obviously he knew what he was talking about."

"It's just that…she really gets on my nerves somehow. So that's why I don't care what I say to her. I don't feel like I'm obligated to being nice to her. She started it anyway."

"Don't you think you're being a bit childish?" Cye asked.

"Yeah. No offense but from what you've told us, I think you deserved that hit. Think about it. It was the only way to shut you up." Sage resented that last remark from Kento. But he was right. Maybe he was a bit out of line.

"Maybe you're right but…"

"Will you just leave me alone?!" All three heads turned in the direction of the sudden outburst. Up ahead was a girl followed by a group of boys. Sage squinted his eyes against the brightness of the sun to get a good look at the girl. He recognized her on the spot.

"No can do sweetheart," one of the boys had said.

"We can't just leave you alone. Not after what you did to our friends." One of them jumped in front of Laura, blocking her path. She stopped. So did the other five boys who were behind her.

"Oh, so now all the perverts band together for one common goal, to teach me a lesson. What a brilliant show of camaraderie!" Laura exclaimed in an all too sarcastic manner.

"Why you!!" The one in front drew his fist back, ready to strike at her. The next thing he knew he was lying down on his back with a not-so-happy-looking blonde boy towering over him.

"I think that's enough," Sage said with an icy tone. Kento and Cye were by his side, ready to back him up if they wouldn't listen to his warning. The boy scrambled to his feet, more pissed off then afraid at Sage's interjection.

"This isn't any of you business!" he cried as he rejoined his other friends, leaving Laura standing in between the two groups.

"Well we're making it our business!" Kento shot back.

"We weren't doing anything," another replied.

"Yeah right," Cye muttered. A long uneasy silence washed over the group. Each of them stood there, waiting to see if the other would make a move. All the while, Laura was standing there exchanging glances between the two groups of boys. This is stupid.

"C'mon, let's go." With that all of them turned around and left, just like that. The four of them stood there for a moment, watching the group's fleeing form. Kento broke the silence.

"So, they really are all talk and no action."

"You okay?" Sage had a genuine worried tone in his voice. Laura only glared at him as if he had said something offensive.

"What the hell is your problem?!" She didn't appreciate them butting in like that. She definitely didn't need any help, especially from him.

"What's my problem?!" Sage yelled furiously. He was only trying to help her out and here she was, screaming her head off. He didn't even know why he bothered in the first place. Sage didn't care anymore. What little grip he had on his temper had disintegrated. He couldn't stand it anymore. "What the hell is your problem?!"

"Me?!"

"Yes you!! The least you can do is show us some gratitude!!"

"Why?!"

"What do you mean why?! We just saved you from those guys!!"

"Incase you didn't notice, I had the situation under control!"

"Not from where I was standing."

"Well maybe you need to get your eyesight checked!!"

Kento and Cye were watching the both of them bicker. They never thought it was going to be that bad. They watched as their friend had turned from the calm and composed person that they knew, to the rude and hot tempered young man that he was capable of being in less than a second. Seeing enough of this heated battle, Cye decided to end it (or at least try).

"Excuse me miss, but we are sorry for troubling you."

"No we're not!" Cye ignored that last comment from Sage and continued.

"But we only did what we thought was right. We were just trying to help."

"Well next time don't!" Laura snapped, turning to address Cye. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Sage crossed his arms and turned slightly so his back was facing the others.

"Sure you are," he muttered sarcastically. Laura diverted her gaze to the back of Sage's head, her eyes narrowing in hatred at his insolence.

"I'm not a weakling you know! Don't underestimate me just because I'm a girl," she said in a deadly tone.

"Why would I underestimate you? I don't even consider you as a girl."

At that last remark, Laura spun on her heel and swung her book bag over her shoulder in such a way that it effectively struck Sage at the back of the head. Not at all ready for that last move, he stumbled forward but quickly regained his balance. He clutched the back of his head and winced as even more pain shot through his skull. Sage turned to watch Laura leave while rubbing the spot where he knew a bruise would form.

Growling menacingly, he yelled at her, "THAT HURT YOU KNOW!!"

"IT WAS SUPPOSED TO!! BAKA!!" she screamed over her shoulder. Sage growled even louder, but didn't say anything else to retaliate. He then moaned as the piercing sensation at the back of his head became even sharper.

"What does she keep in there, lead?!" he asked aloud.

"Ah, one of the many things kept in a woman's purse," Kento said in a philosophical tone. It was meant as a joke, but Sage didn't take it that way. He just stared at Kento like he was some kind of retard.

"Now I know why you can't stand her," Cye spoke.

"Why?"

"Cause she can't stand you." Sage raised an eyebrow in confusion of the simplicity of his words. It was true. If she had just been nice to him in the first place he wouldn't hate her so much. But he couldn't change the past. He could only adjust to it.

Sage looked towards the direction that Laura had gone. "I'm going to get her. I swear it."

Cye and Kento exchanged worried looks to each other. There was no doubting Sage's tone, or the determination seen in his one visible eye. He was serious!