Shadow within the Darkness
(Day 11)
By: Little Ucchan
Yesterday was a very busy day. There was nothing dull about it. Not only did Laura succeed in making a fool of him, Sage also got detention, almost passed out from a relapse of his dreams, found out that the armors were stolen, AND had a confrontation with Lady Sierra. Yes… yesterday was very "fun" indeed. So, after returning home from a long day, Sage had went straight to bed, hoping to find a sanctuary in his sleep. He had totally forgotten about his dreams.
Speeding down the corridor, Sage cursed under his breath as he was being chased by the demon from the other night. He could feel its aura gaining on him. His only hope was that hidden staircase.
Rushing into the room, he swerved around right time to execute a roundhouse kick, his heel catching the demon right under the chin and sending it flying into the nearest wall. Having had bought himself some time, Sage went straight for the far corner of the room. Pressing his shoulder against the portion of the wall where he remembered the passage to be, he leaned his weight into it, pushing until he felt a shift from the pressure.
A block of the wall receded backwards and then slid to the side, giving him access to a dark and narrow staircase. Sensing the demon's movements behind him, Sage grabbed the nearest object, being a chair, and hurled it at the demon, creating a diversion that gave him a head start down the stairs.
It was dark inside, causing him to stumble several times. And the fact that he was running, taking two or more steps at a time, didn't help much, forcing him to occasionally slam into the wall due to lack of balance. But Sage had no choice. Feeling the demon closing in, he picked up the pace, dangerously jumping from step to step to cover more distance.
This wasn't enough. The demon was right on his tail. He glanced back just to narrowly avoid being sliced in two by its sharp claws. But he lost his footing, falling forward and crashing through the door, landing hard at the base of the stairs.
Sage cringed as the pain surged through his skull. But he forced himself to get up. He had only managed to rise to his knees when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the demon leap towards him. Claws drawn back, its teeth bared, it would have killed him in mere seconds. But just when Sage thought doom was imminent, the demon was thrown back once it came close to the doorframe.
Screeching in anger, it made another attempt. But the results were the same. A flash of light and the demon was back on the steps screaming in pain. Cursing at Sage and whatever godly power that had decided to keep vigil over the young man, the demon gave up its prey and left.
After a minute or so of pure silence, Sage finally allow himself to breathe a sigh of relief, falling onto the floor for a quick break. Only into the first ten minutes of his dream and already he was out of breath. This was too much.
While lying on the cold concrete, his gaze wandered to the entrance to the staircase. There was nothing peculiar about it. The frame was made of simple stone slabs curving into an arc at the top, giving it that kind of old style dungeon look. And yet, there was something about it that had saved his life.
Rising from the floor, Sage cautiously made his way to the doorframe, squinting in the dim light to get a better look at it. Scanning up the structure, his eyes came to rest at the center of the arc where a small circular plate embedded with a symbol laid. A demon ward, Sage assumed, having had recognized the emblem from one of the books he had at home. So that's what stopped it.
"We'll be safe down here."
His heart skipped a beat when he realized that he was no longer alone. But his momentary uneasiness faded away when he recognized the voice. Turning to the side, Sage smiled slightly at the child he met at the hilltop.
The girl returned the gesture, giggling as she smiled. "All the entrances have a magic seal on it. So none of the demons can enter."
"I see. And… how did you know about this place?" Sage asked, trying to create small talk so the girl wouldn't become alarmed.
"My papa told me," was her reply. "He told me to come down here if there was any trouble. And so, here I am."
The young girl's expression suddenly went serious, a sense of sadness and worry mixed into her face. "Have you seen my papa? He said he'd be here."
Sage didn't know how to answer, knowing that the king wouldn't be coming back to meet with his daughter. "Princess… I…"
A loud rumbling sound coming from high above had drowned out his response. Sage immediately knelt down next to the child and shielded her with his body as the ground shook, causing pieces of the ceiling to fall around them. The castle was going to collapse. If they stayed here any longer, they'd be buried underneath all the rubble and chaos of the demon invasion.
Feeling the worst of it was over, for now, Sage scooped up the child in his arms and began to run. He was determined to keep his promise to the girl's father and to the soldier that had saved his life. He was going to save this girl. The one that an entire country had sacrificed their lives for.
***
Light footsteps rhythmically traveled down the hall, leisurely making its way through the house and then coming to a stop. The next noise that followed was the sliding of the large shoji panels, exposing to the viewer the veranda that opened up to the garden. Stepping out into the morning fresh air, Grandfather Date sighed. This was the ideal way to start the day.
But this sense of inner peace was short lived as he heard the frantic footsteps of his grandson running down the stairs followed by his daughter's scolding voice.
"Seiji!! No running in the house!"
"Gomen nasai Okaasan! But I'm really late!"
After that, the running came closer as Sage speeded by his grandfather, giving him a quick goodbye. He was out the door and through the gate before Grandfather Date could give him a proper response.
"That boy," Mrs. Date shook her head as she came up to her father's side. "He's overslept for this whole week. And last week as well."
"He's gotten good at running. Maybe now he'll be faster during kendo practice."
"Be serious Otousan!!" Mrs. Date cried, not liking her father's joking manner. "Sage wasn't like this before! I'm worried about him."
Grandfather Date chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll talk to him."
***
Damn it! Late again!! Glancing down at his watch, Sage cursed at the time. He only had three minutes until the last bell. And if he wasn't in the building by that time… well… that'll be another day of detention added to his "after school activities." Today was supposed to be his last day, but it's been pushed back to Wednesday because of the numerous "offenses" he's committed this week. And most of them weren't his fault either. Sage sighed as he rounded a corner and speeded towards school. Ever since he met that girl… his life had taken a turn for the worse.
"Hey!!"
Running alongside the school wall, Sage looked up to see who had called out to him. On the second floor of the school, two of his friends were sitting by the open window of their classroom. Rowen waved a casual hello while Kento had this smirk on his face.
"You'd better hurry!!" he yelled with a mock grin. "You've got one minute!!"
Sage scowled at the boy. "Thanks for telling me Kento!! Don't you think I already know—"
He wasn't able to finish. Not watching where he was going, he accidentally slammed into another person, coming to a stop right in front of the school gates.
Regaining his balance, he quickly apologized. "I'm sorry. I—" And then, seeing who it was, took back his apology all together. "Oh it's you."
Laura gave him the evil eye. "And what does that mean? I don't deserve an apology?"
"Well…" Sage pretended to think about it for a moment and then replied, "No. You don't."
"I see. Not 'manly' enough to take the blame for your own faults."
"Hey, you ran into me."
"Only because some baka pretty boy wasn't watching where he was going!!"
Rowen watched with mild interest as the two teenagers began their fight of the day. Knowing all too well that this was just the tip of the iceberg, he sighed in remorse, lowering his head. "They were so close too."
Kento nodded solemnly and then looked at his watch. "…3 …2 …1 …"
*RIIIIIIIIIIIIIING*
***
"It's too early for this," Sage groaned, standing in the hall with a water bucket in his hand.
"And I was standing right at the gate too," Laura sighed, leaning against the wall. She then looked over at Sage who did the same. Both of them continued to glare in silence until neither one could take it anymore.
"This is all YOUR fault!!!" they cried simultaneously.
"You were just looking for a fight this morning!" Laura shouted.
"How could I not after what you did yesterday?!" Sage yelled back.
"I didn't do anything!!"
"So I suppose throwing me on the ground doesn't count as 'doing anything?!'"
"You deserved that after mocking me!!"
"Only after you did the same to me!!"
After an unexpected pause, Laura sighed, diverting her gaze away from Sage. "We're not getting anywhere are we?"
"Afraid not," Sage answered, thankful that there was a break in their verbal bout but, at the same time, wary as to why there was a sudden switch in her tone. He remained silent, waiting for her to speak.
"Listen Sage… let's call a truce ok?" Laura proposed. "Our fighting isn't helping either of us. And, believe it or not, I'd like to graduate without being held back as a delinquent student."
Sage was going to make a comment about this, but wisely refrained from doing so. It was so sudden that she'd spring an idea like this. But the way she had brought it up made him believe that this wasn't some spur of the moment notion she was throwing out at him. Maybe Laura has been thinking of a way to settle their dispute without both of them being expelled.
"I'm listening," he said, urging her to go on.
"So… let's just forget about our past history together and pretend we don't know each other ok?"
"…That's a nice thought," he said after a period of thinking.
"But?" she asked, knowing there was more to it.
"There's a problem."
"…Which is?"
"Your sister. My family and friends. Especially Ryo and Rowen," Sage replied. "They might have something to say about this."
Laura sighed, having had overlooked all the people that she had become friends with who also knew Sage. Acting as if they were complete strangers and not acknowledging each other's existence might get a few people aroused. Might even provoke some to do something about it.
"Okay… do you have an alternative?" she asked.
"…"
"Well?"
"Thinking."
Laura let out an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes. But she remained quiet, allowing Sage some time to sort out his thoughts.
"Let's do it this way," he began. "I won't pry into your personal business if you'll do the same for me. We'll talk to each other when deemed necessary, like when we're with friends or in front of my family or for one of those rare cases that shows up every now and then."
"Should I be taking notes?"
"Laura…"
"Sorry," she apologized. "Continue."
"The last thing is that there's to be no revenge plotting to settle past grudges. I've noticed that's what gets us into most of our fights."
"But what if it's absolutely necessary," Laura asked with a slight grin.
"We're trying to have a truce here and you're already coming up with exceptions?" Sage shot back rather annoyed.
"I'm just asking," she replied. "You already know first hand that I have a tendency to shoot my mouth off a couple of times."
"Try to restrain yourself."
"Fine. I'll swallow my pride and tolerate your ignorance."
"…You just had to get that out of your system didn't you?" Sage asked, not liking that last comment.
She shrugged. "Might as well since I won't be able to later."
"Are you quite done?"
"Quite."
"So truce?"
"Truce."
***
"What's this about Rowen?" Cye asked.
"I dunno," he shrugged. "Geez. Why'd you ask me?"
"Isn't it obvious? You're the closest one to Sage," Ryo replied.
"Hate to break it to ya, but I'm just as clueless at the rest of you guys."
During the early part of the day, each Ronin had, one way or another, gotten a message from Sage to meet him up at the school rooftop during lunch. So all of them complied with the request and were now waiting at the designated area. The only one who wasn't there… was Sage.
"Well all I know is that he'd better get here fast," Kento growled impatiently. "I'm missing my lunch."
"Sorry I'm late you guys!" Sage apologized, running up to them from the staircase. "I got held back."
"Sensei Teri?"
"…How'd you know?"
"Lucky guess," was Ryo's response.
"So what did you need to tell us?" Cye asked.
Sage hesitated for a moment, dreading the response he was going to get. "I ran into Lady Sierra on my way home last night."
"You WHAT?!" Kento cried out in shock.
"What happened?!" Ryo asked. "Did you fight her?! Did she try and take your armor?!"
"No I didn't fight her. And I still have my armor orb," Sage replied.
"So then… what did she want?" Rowen asked, curious to know why Sierra had paid his friend a visit.
"She was checking me out."
"She met with you secretly just to flirt!?" Kento seemed even more surprised. "Damn!!"
"Kento! Don't encourage him like that!!" Cye cried. "And Sage! How can you think about women at a time like this?!"
"I'm NOT!!" Sage yelled.
"You guys…" Ryo interrupted, a sweatdrop at the side of his head. "I don't think that's what he meant."
"…Oh," Cye managed to get out, slightly embarrassed for overreacting.
Coughing a bit, Kento quickly asked, "So Sage. What did you mean then?"
Rowen sighed, knowing the answer to that question. "She was spying on us, wasn't she?"
Sage nodded leaving the rest of the group speechless. "I somehow doubt she was able to hear our conversation at Cye's place. But I do know that she was nearby. Mainly to scope out Ryo and I since we're her next opponents."
Feeling that his privacy was being violated, Kento looked around him suspiciously. "But what if she…"
Sage shook his head. "If she was in the apartment then we would have sensed her."
"But what about now?" Kento insisted. "We're out in the open!"
The others automatically scanned the surrounding area, a bit edgy at the thought that they were being watched. But none of them sensed any presence other than their own. They were alone.
Looking at his watch and seeing that he was pressed for time, Sage decided that it was about time that he'd tell his friends the real reason why he called them out here. "There's something else you guys need to know." He paused until he got everyone's full attention. "The match this Saturday is rigged."
"…What?" Cye asked hoping that he had misheard him.
"The match is rigged," Sage repeated, causing several looks of surprise and dread to appear on his friends' faces.
"Are… are you sure?" Ryo asked, not wanting to believe it. But Sage's affirmative nod got rid of all chances of hope that he had.
"How did you find out?" Rowen had asked, being the first one of the group to regain his normal demeanor.
"I asked her directly," he said.
"You did?" Kento cried, stunned.
"Yeah," Sage nodded. "I was skeptical as to why she challenged both Ryo and I at the same time. I knew she was planning something. So I told her exactly what I thought."
"And what did she say?" Cye asked.
"She didn't tell me much," he confessed. "Only that whatever she had planned would guarantee her possession of both of our armors. Even if it is two against one."
"But that's impossible," Ryo cried. "She can't win against both of us."
"Maybe she's bluffing," Kento offered.
"But even if she is we can't exactly take the risk," Rowen said. "Not many fighters declare victory three days before a match, especially when it's 2-to-1. And we can hardly consider that girl to be arrogant."
"We've got no choice but to take this threat seriously," he finished.
"Do you think her confidence has anything to do with her use of shadow magic?" Cye inquired.
"Could be," Sage nodded. "We've got to learn more about her and her fighting style if we hope to find out what she's planning."
"But how can we?" Kento asked, obviously distressed. "We've got no leads as to who she is! And it's not like some clue is going to magically fall into our laps."
"Laura!" Ryo suddenly cried out.
"That was random," Sage replied dryly.
"Nani?!" Kento screamed. "You think Lady Sierra is Laura?!?!"
"No!" Ryo sighed in frustration. "She's our lead! The best one we've got."
"But what connection would she have with Sierra?" Sage questioned, not really liking her involvement in this.
"There is no connection," Rowen stated flatly. "But she belonged to a clan of demon hunters. Her knowledge of that, plus her heritage as a ninja might actually prove useful to us."
"If we needed to learn about ninjas then why don't we ask Ryo?" Kento inquired.
"Because I was never raised in a clan," Ryo explained. "I wouldn't know that much about it aside from what my family has told me."
"Laura has lived in her clan till she was 10," Rowen added. "And then stayed with its counterpart in China. So she'd know a lot just from memory."
"You're well informed," Cye said, quite impressed.
Rowen shrugged. "It was a topic of conversation."
"So… Laura, huh?"
"What's wrong Sage? Don't like the idea?" Kento grinned.
"Whatever," he said, ignoring him. "So long as I'm not involved."
"That's fine. Rowen and I will talk to her," Ryo said, casting a sideways glance at his friend. "Right?"
The other man nodded.
"So we'll meet…?" Cye let the question hang in the air.
"Tomorrow, after school," Ryo finished for him.
"At four," Sage added, which earned him questionable looks from all of his friends. "I have detention."
Sage glared at Kento when he started to snicker, but the younger man ignored it. "So, where are we going to meet?"
"Let's do it at my place," Rowen offered.
"Sounds good."