Ronin Warriors: The Final Victor

by Onikage

Raiko swayed to his feet and saw the large mythical minotaur getting ready to charge him. His head dipped several times before coming at the dazed warlord at a speed that rivaled any beast he had ever known. ::HIATUS::

33. Wrath

"Ronin Warriors: The Final Victor"

By Onikage

Scroll Thirty-Three: Wrath

Nothing but the sound of the rain pelting the windshield and the roar of the motor filled the inside of the car as Sage drove back to Rowen's apartment. He glanced over at Domo, dressed in his own clothing. Because of all the rain and the fighting, the only clothes that were dry were his. Sage didn't mind in the least; he had his sub-armor after all. His only worry was if she would be warm enough in them. He stared at her face, buried into the silken, snow white fur of Korin as she sat curled up in her summoner's lap. She seemed to have fallen into an unresponsive lull, yet her grip upon the smaller wolf held tight. She hadn't uttered a word since she asked him to take her home... She even let him dress her in silence. Ivory-lidded eyes opened slowly and stared up at Sage.

= "... Just drive, Halo..."= she told him. = He said nothing and reached for his phone, dialing. "... Sai? Huh? Y-yeah, I-I know about the building... We're... fine... Listen," he began softly, "Can you head to the pharmacy and pick up a few things? Something happened at the apartment. What?... Oh ... I'm about a half hour away," he said. He glanced back over at Domo with a sigh. Her eyes were open now, but she didn't look at Sage. "... Just restock the first-aid kit and some extra pain medication... What? I... I'll explain later. Please, Sai?" He switched off his phone and looked back at the road: traffic hadn't budged.

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Ryo calmly searched the aisles to restock the first aid at home. He and Tori had offered to make this pit stop before they returned. They had to pick up Mia's photos anyway. He sighed heavily. He had a sinking feeling that the peace and quiet they all wanted wasn't going to last. He snatched up a roll of gauze and set it in the portable basket... then grabbed about fifteen more. "... Good thing Mia's got kick ass credit..." he murmured thoughtfully and cringed when the bill would arrive in the mail... with another bill attachment for large document shipping. Ryo sighed again. "I'm gonna need a bigger basket," and went to get a cart.

Tori frantically examined the seemingly sea of a thousand different bottles of painkillers in the middle of the local pharmacy, thankful that it was open twenty-four hours. "This one's strong, but Domo's got a weak stomach... no... This one's got that safety capsule coating, but you need to take it every four to six hours..." She cursed to herself when she knocked over a few bottles, ignoring the falling tears collecting on the floor.

"Hey, Tori! Did you get the... hey..." Ryo walked briskly over to her and kneeled beside her. "'Ri-san?" Tori dried her eyes and frowned.

"I keep... k-knocking over stuff. I'm so clumsy..." She hastily returned the items to the shelves. Ryo touched her shoulders.

"Tori."

"God... I KNEW something bad was going to happen!"

"Tori!" She fell silent and hung her head.

"I'm just worried about her, 'Yo... I..." Ryo pulled her to her feet.

"I know... We all are." He plucked a box of tissues from a nearby shelf and opened it, drying her cheeks. Tori giggled, taking the tissue.

"You aren't supposed to do that, Ryo..."

"Why not? I'm buying it, aren't I?" he laughed. She glanced into the shopping cart and gasped.

"Ryo?! Did you pilfer the WHOLE shelf?" Ryo scratched his head. "We're only supposed to get more stuff for Rowen's house!"

"Well, we were running out at home, so... I thought we could use some more... stuff? I hope Mia won't have a cow that I used her card... again..."

"Did you restock on your boy scout reserves too?" she giggled, lifting a box of condoms in front of his face. Ryo blushed with a slight frown. He snatched the box and returned it to the shelf, before taking the larger size. Tori blushed as she glimpsed at the box taking full notice of the word 'ribbed' on the side.

"Gotta think of you girls too... Besides," he began over his shoulder, "you grabbed the wrong size..." Tori blushed some more.

"You're such a pervert, Ryo."

"YOU brought up the subject!" he laughed. Tori held up two bottles of the painkillers she was looking at for his inspection.

"Which one? They're both really good..."

"Get 'em both and grab a bunch more," Ryo stated and found an economy size of rubbing alcohol. "Like ten more..."

"Ryo... can we really afford it? Look at it all! They're gonna think we've got hostages or something!" she hissed.

"No, we'll just claim that the end of the world is coming and we're stocking up," he replied calmly and grabbed another bottle. The cart was getting a little full. Tori raised an eyebrow. "What?" Ryo asked. "It's true!" he laughed. Tori sighed and threw the bottles into the smaller basket she carried.

"Hey, don'tcha need girls' stuff?" he reminded.

"Excuse me?"

"You know... tampons, MORE painkillers... fresh pack of 'D' batteries," he said, mumbling the last one. Her cheeks flared brightly.

"RYO!" she squeaked. "... You're confusing me with Mia and Kayura..." Ryo stopped in his tracks.

"KAYURA?" Tori blinked.

"What?" Ryo looked sheepish and did not meet her eyes.

"... She... has one?" he asked softly. Tori frowned.

"Why do YOU care? It's none of your business anyway..." Ryo blushed softly.

"I... I know..." Tori blinked.

"... You like her, don't you?"

"NO."

"Liar..." Ryo blushed again.

"... Little bit..."

"And you haven't TOLD her?!"

"... N-nah... She's gotta thing for Red..."

"Oh, bullshit... I don't recall her making out with him when we left a day and a half ago..." Ryo started unloading the cart onto the sales counter.

"W-well... what about you and Red? Hm?" he defended. Tori's face caught fire.

"What ABOUT him?" she snapped angrily.

"Don't tell me that the little sweet goodbye he gave you was JUST a goodbye..." Tori frowned and turned away.

"... Doesn't matter... Whatever he's sweet to, it isn't me... just someone who I look like," she whispered. Straightening and swallowing a large lump in her throat, she walked away. "I'm gonna go pick up Mia's photos..." Ryo watched her go to the back of the store. The sales clerk gave him an odd look.

"Keeping hostages or somethin'?" he asked. Ryo hung his head with a sigh.

"I wish," he sighed heavily.

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Kayura blinked at another photo that Mia showed her. "... I'm sorry, Lady Mia... None of these are striking any bells about the other four armors. The only thing I can recall is that there IS another armor to be found using the remaining four, but how to acquire it, let alone USE it... I don't know where to begin." Mia stacked the small photos beside the journal.

"I had a feeling you'd say that..." She sat back in her computer chair and sighed. She felt Dais' strong hands start to rub her shoulders from where he stood behind the chair. He ignored the heated glares that Cale threw. "Well, so much for that..."

"We'll think of something, my lady... Don't push yourself too much now..." She smiled up at Dais. Anubis flipped through the pictures and frowned.

"What's wrong, Anubis?" she asked.

"Hm? Oh... Kayura... Are you POSITIVE that these are our armors?" he asked handing her the photograph in question. She peered over his arm.

"... Why?"

"Because these look nothing like ours..."

"... The boys' armor have been changed... Shouldn't ours too?" Dais thought aloud. Mia sat straight in her chair. "Something amiss, my lady?"

"... Hm? Oh, yes... I remember the boys telling me about Suzunagi and what she did... Some kind of test, but they wouldn't say any more than that. It doesn't matter anyway. She was a ghost and Ryo put her to rest. That was years ago though," Mia said.

"Wait a moment," Anubis began. "Kaos said that he created the nine armors using Talpa's armor and the runes..." He set the photos down. "But one disappeared and he had to use himself to finish the process."

"Yes, Anubis. We know that!" Sekhmet gruffed.

"Let him finish!" Kayura hissed.

"... All right... Talpa was unable to sway five of the armors ... WHY?" Anubis asked.

"Because of our demonic heritage?" Cale suggested. "It makes sense that Kaos was able to turn you more easily than us. You're half human."

"Yes, I thought so too," Anubis began, "but think about this. He had possession of which runes? Fire, water, light, earth, and wind... Those all correspond with their elements and the runes have always remained out of evil hands with the exception of one. The darkness rune disappeared halfway through the completion of our armors. That's why Talpa had control over us so easily. He had it. Fou-Lu working for him proved that."

"But, wait. If Kaos had to use himself, wouldn't his spirit be powerful enough to prevent that?" Mia asked. Anubis shook his head.

"No. The man was the guardian of the mortal world... but he wasn't a god... Like Talpa, he had limited control over the powers of the armors."

"What are you getting at?" Sekhmet asked angrily. His head was starting to hurt from all the running around his brain had to do.

"Maybe... maybe the reason our four did not change was because of that link we share with Kaos. Kaos was less than a god, but he still had some power of heaven. Suzunagi was probably able to change them because she was more in sync with the armors. She was once human and probably a representative of some kind... Like they called to her or something like that.... I think that our armor link resides in heaven. Our armors haven't changed and can't be change by someone who isn't from there..."

"So what you're saying is that in order to get stronger and possibly possess Amaranthine is to have the GODS give it to us?" Sekhmet asked after careful thought. Anubis nodded. "Might as well jump into hell and get it over and done with," he muttered.

"I see that your brain still works..." he smirked.

"My fist pounding the side of your skull works too, Halfling!" he snapped starting toward him. Cale and Kayura pushed him back into his chair.

"Sit down," they chorused.

"Boys..." Mia growled.

"... So now what? Get on our knees and pray?" Cale suggested dryly.

"No. We talk to the guardians when they return," Anubis said. "They know something they're not telling us and I'm going to find out what it is. I'm sick of playing mind games..." he frowned. Kayura blinked.

"Let me see if I have this straight... Five of the armors are more in tune with mortals because of human virtues. The remaining four are more in tune with the gods because of Kaos. The boys can summon Inferno. So... then we'll be able to summon Amaranthine because-?"

"Amaranthine is Heaven's Inferno," Mia answered.

"YEP!" Anubis smiled. Kayura rolled her eyes.

"I could have thought of that!!"

"I'm sure you could have, my lady," Sekhmet said sweetly to her and patted her head. She elbowed him.

"Do shut up..."

Mia stood up and stretched. "Now that we've got a relatively decent hypothesis, we can all get some sleep." She yawned. "Good night, every one."

"Good night, my lady," Dais and Cale chorused. They glared at each other silently. Anubis blinked and turned to go.

"That was a little too creepy..." he murmured to Kayura as they left the study together. She nodded in agreement.

"Oh, how is that baby bird you found?" she asked and followed him into living room.

The night before Anubis had made a small bed for the tiny creature inside a shoebox Mia had given him. He had tried to get it to eat something for over half of the night. He left it in the living room on the coffee table. It was the warmest room in the house. He sat on the couch and took the box. "I checked on her earlier. She seemed to be doing fine. Nothing is broken, but she won't eat from my hand." Kayura leaned on his arm as he gently uncovered the bird.

Small black beaded eyes opened slowly. Kayura smiled. "It's so cute..." The small bird stood as he lifted the towel gently from her back. He smiled when she flapped her wings. He let out a sigh of relief. "Thank the gods... It didn't look like she would make it though the night. The poor thing flew into the window. Scared me half to death!" Kayura extended her hand and the bird hopped onto her finger. It chirped. Anubis frowned.

"She bit me the last time I tried that," he pouted.

"It's because you're a boy," she smiled.

"That's stupid."

"... I was joking. She's probably afraid of you... Birds and other animals can sense things... You probably were thinking about something else that she didn't like..." Kayura explained and walked to the window. She opened it slowly with one hand with the bird still on her hand. Anubis followed her to the window. "Think she'll be all right?" she asked him.

"... The rain stopped finally... Actually, I think she lives in the birdhouse in the garden. Lady Mia said that a family of red ones made a home in it just recently," he said. Kayura took his hand and gently set the bird on it. It chirped and cocked her head at him. He smiled and extended his hand out the window. It took flight. Kayura hugged his arm.

"... Now what were you thinking about just now?"

"E-excuse me?" he sputtered.

"Tell me!" she laughed. Anubis sighed.

"... I was wondering how I was going to apologize to Tori about the other day..." He frowned when Kayura beamed. "What?"

"OHHH, nooothing!" she sang. Anubis stared out the window and tried to ignore it.

"You... don't understand," he said softly; his face more concerned than annoyed. "She... What I did was... inexcusable. I shouldn't have even been thinking about Zeal... The resemblance is so strong... Gods... The way she looked at me... what she said... those tears... I... I'm an idiot," he murmured. He reached up at touched the cut on his cheekbone. Kayura thought for a moment then smiled again.

"I have an idea!"

"What?! No, I'm not listening to your little schemes... I bet it's got something to do with getting us together," he grumbled.

"It does not!" she snapped. "Now shut up and listen!" Anubis covered his eyes.

"If this is what I think it is, Kayura, I swear-"

"Shut UP and listen!!!"

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Nasake removed the ice pack from her cheek as she and Rowen lay on the couch while listening to the gentle patter of the rain. "Rowen? Um, how are we gonna convince Sobo to leave? She's so stubborn..."

"Put it back on your cheek," he ordered. He sighed. "... Hm... You can tell her that the building has been condemned."

"It has been... a couple of times..."

"Rat infestation?"

"Pierre killed one late last week..."

"Who's Pierre?"

"My poodle. Don't laugh. I like that name!" she pouted.

"I wasn't!" he laughed. "...You could always tell her the truth." Nasake fell silent.

"... That's not a good idea. I don't think her heart could take it..."

"You could tell her that you found a better place to stay, but you'd have to stay here for a little while until the paperwork goes through..." Nasake thought for a moment.

"Yeah... that could work... and she kinda likes you anyway,' she giggled. Rowen paled.

"No offense to her and all, but... she's kinda creepy."

"ROWEN!" she laughed.

"She grabbed my ass, 'Sake. I know I'm irresistible an' all..."

"Uh huh." She rolled her eyes. Nasake squeaked when he kissed her fully. She stiffened and like clockwork, she relaxed and pulled his body onto hers. She felt him smile against her mouth. He pulled his mouth away. "You were saying?"

"What? I said 'uh huh'. I was agreeing with you!" Rowen rolled his eyes as she did.

"Uh huh..."

"Hey!" she laughed. She pushed him off of her with a jolt when she heard the keys outside the apartment. "Are they back?" Rowen sat up.

"Only Sage has a key..." He kissed her cheek as he stood.

"... Watch your head," Sage said softly as he carried Domo inside. He stopped suddenly when he saw Rowen. "... I... didn't know where else to bring her," he whispered. "What happened to your lip?" Rowen touched it. It was still bleeding.

"Never mind that. What happened?" he asked when he saw his best friend in his sub-armor. Sage shook his head.

"I'll explain later... The others should be on there way too..." Nasake gasped at her catatonic friend in Sage's arms. "Nasake... can you get a hot bath ready for her?"

"S-sure!"

Rowen was about to latch the door when he heard scratching. He opened it and Korin limped inside. "What on earth happened out there?!" he breathed. Korin looked up at him with sad eyes, before following Sage and Nasake into the bathroom.

Nasake brought a warm and soapy washcloth to Domo's back and washed it gently. The older girl sat inside the tub with her knees pulled against her chest. She hadn't said a word. "... Want me to make you something to eat for later? Sai made some yummy soup," Nasake said softly. Domo shook her head. She watched her hair float in the water silently. There was a soft scratching at the door. "Who's there?" The scratching came again. Nasake opened the door and Korin stepped inside. Her left leg had been bandaged. "You wanna talk to her alone, huh?" she asked. Korin nodded. "Come get me if you're hungry, 'kay?" Korin padded over to the tub and shape shifted into her human form.

"... It wasn't your fault for being fooled," she said and started to wash her summoner's skin. "We all were..."

"He... he killed him..." Domo breathed. "Ryu... He's..."

"I know..." Korin took a towel and wrapped Domo in it warmly as she stepped out.

"I can't remember... everything. It's a blur... I just remember Sage and I... but it wasn't him..." Korin brought another towel to her face and brushed tears off her cheeks.

"Your mind manifested him to try and handle what happened... Your reaction was purely the cause of the poison in your system..."

"But... I was thinking about him before he bit me... I..." Korin smiled softly.

"Perhaps you have more room in your heart for Halo than Ryu. It isn't a bad thing if your feelings about someone change... The bad thing would be lying to yourself about them..." Domo fell silent.

"I can't with him... not... now," she whispered. "What Raiko told me... I..." Korin pulled Domo against her gently.

"Take your time, my lady..."

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"We're back!" Ryo called as he and Tori lugged the bags into the apartment. Sai greeted them with a soft hush.

"Nasake's trying to sleep... Kento took Megami and Sakura home. Their parents are probably worried about them after the panic..." He took the bag from Tori.

"What about Domo?" she exclaimed almost a little too loudly.

"Shh... She's all right. Korin is looking after her. They've been in the bathroom for about an hour. Tori turned to Ryo.

"I'm staying here," she said defiantly. "I'm not leaving her... Damn that Ryu!" she hissed softly. Sai gave Ryo a look. "What? What was that look for?" she demanded.

"Ryu is dead," he murmured softly. "Sage hasn't told me the whole story. He found him and another girl dead... He didn't say how... or what else happened... Domo is practically catatonic... and Sage," Sai didn't finish as he helped unpacked the bags in the kitchen.

"Think it's Dynasty related?" Ryo asked. Tori rubbed her arms.

"I hope not..."

"All I know is that Sage came back in his armor, Domo was pretty banged up, Korin was limping-"

"Korin's here?!" they exclaimed.

"Yeah... Anyway, whatever happened... I'm sure that we won't be seeing the last of it... It could be Zeal or even Kurai..." Sai finished. He pulled out several rolls of gauze. "... He said to restock, not plunder..."

"... We were running out of stuff at home... I got carried away," Ryo mumbled guiltily. Sai smiled softly... until he pulled out a questionable box. He held out his hand and frowned.

"Give me the credit card," he ordered. Ryo pouted and gave up the card. "I can't believe you! Rowen has an entire cabinet full of them at home!" he hissed. Ryo blushed.

"But they're too small!" he practically whined. "It hurts..."

"Then borrow Kento's or Sage's," he snapped. Tori put herself in between them and dug into her pocket.

"Ah cool it, Sai. Here. I bought them. How's that?" she sighed, taking the box and hitting Ryo gently in the chest with them. She handed Sai a wad of bills before digging into the bag, pulling out a box of pocky and heading to the bathroom in the hall. She found Sage sitting by the door meditating.

"Seiji-kun?" she called and sat beside him. She saw the minor scrapes on his cheek and arms and swallowed. Parts of his body appeared severely bruised. He opened one eye.

"... Hey." Tori wrapped her arms around his waist. "Tori?"

"Thanks..." she sniffled. Sage sighed and touched her hair comfortingly. He said nothing. He hadn't told any of the others what had exactly happened. Tori smiled. "Ooh. You smell good!" she laughed. Sage chuckled softly.

"... Did you get all the things I asked for?" Tori nodded.

"I think we maxed out Mia's card... Pocky?" she offered.

"... No thanks..." Sage pulled his knees to his chest.

"What happened?" Tori asked. Sage lowered his eyes.

"... I was sitting in my car when Korin showed up out of nowhere. She said that she lost contact with Domo and wanted to check on her." Sage sighed. "... When we got up there... There was a trap."

"TRAP?"

"Shh!" he hissed. "I don't want to worry the others... I'll tell you because you're her best friend... It was Raiko... He... had drugged her and... I couldn't stop him from," he fell silent. A solitary tear rolled down his flushed cheeks. She grasped his arm.

"He... r-raped her?" Tori asked in a shaking voice. "Is... does she re-remember?" Sage shook his head and raked his hands through his hair.

"N-nothing. She knows what was going on, but... He tricked her... Ryu is dead. I found them in the bathroom."

"Sa-sai told me..." Sage slipped an arm around her. "Did you kill him?"

"... Yeah. I don't know how he came back. Sekhmet crushed his skull... I saw it..."

"So we dunno if he really is gone..." Sage leaned his cheek against her hair.

"I wasted him to a pile of ash. He BETTER be..." he chuckled. Tori closed her eyes and listened to the gentle rain on the rooftop. Sai and Ryo's low voices were heard in the living room and kitchen, but she couldn't make out anything coherent. It was a long while before she spoke again.

"... You love her a lot, don't you?" she asked.

"... Y-yeah," he whispered solemnly. "... It's the only explanation for that crazy rescue operation... Kento's bad habits are rubbing off on me..."

"You sound as if it's a bad thing... Helping her 'cause of how you feel..."

"It is when your love is one-sided. It's selfish and... pathetic... especially when you know that they care for someone else. It makes you do crazy things... You can't help it..." Tori looked down at her socks and swallowed.

"Y-yeah... You're probably right."

The door suddenly opened and Domo stepped out slowly with Korin by her side. Tori scrambled to her feet and almost knocked Domo off balance with a large hug. She started to cry. "Dummy!" she cried. "I told you not to go out and party with out me!" Domo pulled her arms around her back and closed her eyes.

"... S-sorry... You didn't miss much," she said with a hint of a smile. Tori stood straight and frowned.

"Like hell! No one's allowed to beat you up except me... and... Sage!" she said in between tears. Domo stuck out her tongue with a frail smile.

"You couldn't even if you tried." Tori dried her eyes and looked at the box she held.

"I bought you Pocky... on sale..." she mumbled. Domo's face lit up.

"Orange???"

"S'good..." Tori sighed heavily and banished her tears. "I'm gonna go help Ryo and Sai unpack s'more..." She leaned close to her ear. "Sage's been waiting here a while... He was really worried..." Domo just stayed silent. Tori turned to the tall platinum blonde girl standing beside her. "Wow... You're Korin???"

"Yes..." she smiled. Tori blinked.

"... Who does your eye make up? It's awesome!" she beamed. Korin flushed as Tori dragged her into the living room. Domo shook her head.

(She got over that quickly...) She swallowed when she and Sage were left alone. He held out a shirt and a pair of boxers for her shyly.

"Here... They're mine. It's not much, but they're warmer than that towel you have on," he said softly with a blush. Domo took them silently. She was a little shocked to see him turn to go.

"Seiji-sama?" she called. He turned.

"... Is... is it all right if... I stay the night with you? I don't feel... comfortable being by myself tonight," she said, blushing with shame. "Just for tonight, though..."

"... Sure. I-I understand..." Domo smiled softly.

"Hot damn! Nice dress, Domo!!" Kento called and entered the hallway. Domo jumped and blushed. Sage frowned.

"I'm gonna kill you, Ken-" She squeaked when he encircled his arms around her.

"Megami and Sakura told me to... Don't worry. I won't grab your butt," he said softly.

"Do it and I'LL kill you," Sage smirked. Kento backed off with his hands in the air.

"I feel ya... Chill, dude," he laughed. "Domo, we got you some ice cream in the freezer from this kick ass shop."

"Thanks, Kento-kun." She kissed his cheek before he retired to his room. She did the same to Sage before going to the bathroom to change.

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Rowen slipped out of bed careful not to wake Nasake. He blinked at the clock: a little after midnight not that he cared. He couldn't sleep anyway. He heard lowered voices from the direction of the kitchen and decided to investigate.

"... Geez... You think he bought enough?" Kento gaped as he and Sai sorted from the large stock Ryo and Tori had brought home into two duffel bags. Sai chuckled.

"Well, not unless you keep getting hurt in silly accidents at home..." Kento pegged Sai in the forehead with a bag of cotton balls. "Hey!"

"Not my fault Yuli leaves a death trap outside every bedroom door... Damn army people hurt my feet!"

"Shh! You'll wake the two love bunnies," Sai hissed softly, indicating to the couch where Ryo and Tori had crashed with an afghan. Kento blinked.

"Wait. What?" he asked. "'Love bunny'? What's with everyone using the word bunny after everything? Why can't you use... I dunno... 'love kitty' or 'love monkey'?"

"'Love MONKEY'? What are you talking about???" Sai asked.

"Ryo an' Tori... OW!" A coaster had smacked him in the back of the skull from the direction of the couch. Kento growled and glared at Ryo. (Deadly aim... Damn freak...) He glared back as he lifted Tori in his arms and carried her to his room.

"I told you that you were too loud,' Sai warned.

"What is UP with those two?? I thought he had a thing for Kayura?"

"... Dunno. I try not to ask anymore..."

"Mnn... Hey guys," Rowen greeted. "What're ya doin'?" He yawned and slumped into a chair beside them. "Whoa... That's a lotta cotton balls."

"Ryo and Tori went on a shoppin' spree," Kento replied. "Pocky?"

"Nah..."

"Rowen! What happened to you lip?!" Sai hissed. Rowen flushed and touched it.

"O-oh... I uh... fell on a doorknob." Hardrock and sai blinked, looked at each other, blinked again, and turned to him.

"Bullshit," Sai and Kento chorused. Rowen swallowed hard. "What happened?"

"Nasake..." he mumbled guiltily.

"The hell did you do?" Kento asked.

"... I uh... got a little rough." Shame crept across his cheeks. Sai's mouth dropped open.

"You HIT her?!"

"DUDE!" Rowen winced at their raised voices. He just nodded silently.

"WHY?!" they exclaimed

"... She... wouldn't tell... me..." Rowen whispered softly. "She... God," he didn't finish and held his head in his hands. He sniffled and wiped away angry tears with a frown. "He... he RAPED her..." he gritted out.

"Who?" Sai said softly. "What happened?"

"That god damned landlord!" he snapped, throwing the chair aside. "He fucking raped her!!" He slammed his fist against the wall with an angry cry and sank to the floor. "Dammit! God dammit!!" he shouted. Sai knelt beside him and touched his shoulders. Rowen wrenched away. "Get off me!!" he ordered and leaned his forehead against the wall. Sai backed off almost immediately.

"... Rowen... calm down," Sai said. "You'll wake her..." Rowen's back hitched suddenly and he started to weep for a few moments before pulling himself to his feet. He made his way to the front door.

"Dude! Where are you goin'?! It's midnight!" Kento called.

"... Out," Rowen hissed slamming the door behind him.

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Takanawa lit a cigarette and tossed a wad of bills at his midnight companion. He laughed at the younger girl as she scrambled for it. "Heh, heh. Fetch," he sneered, brushing his long dark hair out of his eyes. He stretched back across his bed and took a long drag of his cigarette. The girl slid against him and dragged her nails across his bare chest lightly. "Can I call you?" she breathed into his ear, nibbling on the lobe gently.

"Don't expect me to pick up," he laughed.

"Oh, don't be like that," she said gently. He turned to her and blew a plume of smoke in her face. She coughed loudly and yelped went he threw her to the floor.

"Is that better?" he hissed. "Get out." She picked herself up and pulled on her clothing quickly.

"Got a phone?"

"... Hurry up," he answered, pointing to it. She picked it up.

"... It's dead. Maybe if you didn't spend all your cash elsewhere you could pay your bills on time," she hissed. Snarling, he grabbed her by the hair and put his cigarette out on her cheek. "Get the fuck out!!" he yelled, dragging her to the front door and throwing her into the hall. She hit the wall with a whimper as he slammed the door. Takanawa ripped the phone from the wall and hurled it at the door with an angry cry. It shattered. "Fucking bitch..." He lit up another cigarette and pulled on a pair of jeans. He went over to his beside and stared at the board on the opposite wall. He smiled darkly and put out his cigarette. "Time to pay the phone bill, Miss Nasake," he chuckled and opened his side table drawer.

He went to pound on the apartment door when he found it slightly ajar. He grinned, mentally proud of himself for procrastinating to get some of the doors fixed. Takanawa opened the apartment door farther, finding darkness greeting him. At first glance, no one appeared to be at home. Every light had been switched off; they had either gone to bed or weren't at home. He was about to leave when he heard soft music playing gently from one of the bedrooms. From the look of things, it seemed like the old hag had gone out for the evening. (Or is passed out from drinking,) he chuckled. His smile grew wider when he found her bedroom empty with the exception of that rat of a dog on the bed asleep. He shut it silently and crept down the hall. He licked his lips, breathing growing heavy with the sheer excitement. He pushed open the door at the end of the hall, catching his breath in his throat as he saw a silhouette underneath the bed sheets. He casually tossed away his shirt and crawled on top of the bed. He was about to rip off the sheets when the light turned on. "Sorry, but I like it better with the lights on," Rowen snarled and ripped Takanawa off the bed and into the wall.

Takanawa snarled and clutched his head as he stood. The lights went out and felt a hand snag his long dark hair and a fist in his stomach. He doubled over and coughed loudly, groaning in pain.

"Get the fuck up, you sick bastard..." Rowen ordered. He kicked him over onto his back. "I said get the fuck up, asshole!!" he roared. Takanawa snarled as something heavy and made of metal crushed his left wrist. He looked up and saw dark cerulean eyes glaring down at him through an armored faceplate. The metal gleamed dangerously in the streetlights and paled at the sight of the angry, vengeful eyes "Wha-what the hell are you?!" he screamed. Rowen snatched him by the throat and pinned him against the wall with one hand. Takanawa clawed at the armored clamp and kicked frantically.

"You want to breathe, don't you?" Rowen hissed. He eased up on his iron grip slightly for an answer. "DON'T you?" he repeated, grabbing his crushed wrist and squeezing. He hissed.

"Y-yes!!" he gasped. He looked into Rowen's eyes. They were no longer angry. Instead they were empty. It didn't take nearly any effort for Rowen to pull on his wrist to dislocate his entire arm. The screams echoed through the apartment until they were cut short by armored fingers constricting his throat sharply. Rowen calmly dropped him to the carpet, ignoring the gentle piano ballad and the whimpering from the man at his feet.

"Who... Why are you-GAH!" Rowen buried his armored heel in his stomach.

"... Let's go outside, shall we?" he inquired in monotone and shattered the bedroom window with a fist.

"What are you crazy?! What the fuck's wrong with you?!" Takanawa exclaimed as Rowen held him by the edge of his jeans. Rowen dragged him over the shards of glass and up the fire escape to the roof. "HELP!! SOMEONE!!!"

"... Think about where you are," Rowen murmured and tossed him onto the gravel-covered roof. "No one comes to 'help'... not in your line of work..."A cigarette lighter and a pack fell out of the back pocket. Rowen kneeled down to pick them up.

"These can kill you... then again... so can I," he said calmly. He saw Takanawa's eyes grow wide.

"What the hell have I done!?" he exclaimed. Rowen opened the lighter, igniting the flame with one swipe of his hand, and then closing it with the return path several times. He said nothing; he only stared at him blankly. Takanawa tried inching away from him, dragging his limp, battered arm. "Don't kill me, pl-please... I haven't done an-anything-" Rowen shut the lighter with a quick snap, silencing him. He snagged a handful of hair sharply and opened the lighter again, a large flame growing from the barrel.

"... Is this what you like to do to her?" Rowen whispered, lightly burning small patches of hair. Some strands flared up quickly. The stench of burning hair surrounded them quickly. "Burn her hair?... Her skin?!" he snarled and let some flaming fuel drip onto his chest. Takanawa squirmed painfully. He cried out when Rowen slammed his head into the ground. "Shut up..." He pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He blew a plume of smoke in his face. Takanawa winced as the fumes burned his eyes. Rowen examined it. "These things are disgusting... Thank go I quit..." he said calmly. "I don't wanna litter... let's see..." He grabbed a handful of Takanawa's hair. "Open up, garbage."

"Wh-what?" he breathed.

"Open that shit hole you call a mouth!" He twisted his shoulder and Takanawa opened it hesitantly. Rowen smirked and set the stub on his tongue. "SWALLOW." He obeyed and groaned in pain.

"Please... stop..." Rowen tossed away the lighter and slapped his face.

"Why?" he asked, hitting him again. "Why should I?!" He struck him again, bleeding his nose.

"No more!" he pleaded. Rowen picked him up by his hair and shoved him against the smaller structure leading down back into the apartments. Takanawa fell to the ground. Rowen made a small laugh in disgust. "How does it feel? To beg... beg like a dog?!" he demanded. "To be humiliated..." Takanawa leaned huddled against the wall. He looked up into Rowen's face. The faceplate slid away. His eyes widened.

"Y-you..." Rowen banished his armor and snagged his hair sharply. (I don't need my armor to take care of this asshole...)

"Yeah... ME..." He presented a switchblade to his throat, pressing hard enough to draw blood. "... And I'm just getting started," he hissed. Takanawa's fear melted instantly.

"So it's about little Miss Nasake, is it?" Rowen snarled and stabbed the blade into Takanawa's hand. He howled.

"I see you CAN think with out your dick," Rowen sneered. He snarled when a fist popped out and hit him square in the jaw. He stumbled backward.

"Battery? Assault? Trespassing? Attempted murder?" Takanawa gritted out with a smile. "I'm gonna get you put you away for a long time, you little shit." He stood warily and clutched his shoulder. Looking at the wall beside him, he slammed his shoulder into it, reconnecting it with a sickening crick. He snarled loudly.

"I doubt that..." Rowen frowned.

"What do you want, kid? To rough me up? Teach me a lesson? Or perhaps get a few... tips? Hm?" he laughed. Rowen frowned.

(What the hell? Just a second ago this guy was shaking in his boots...)

"She is a little wildcat, you know... Does everything juuust right... And that tight little body... Once a month keeps her from getting too loose."

"Shut your mouth..."

"What? I am just supplying you with... tantalizing information, son..." He stooped down and whipped out a semi-automatic pistol from a holster underneath his jeans and aimed it at Rowen. He chuckled looking down the barrel of his gun. "You know... she likes it when I fuck her with the pistol... Cold barrel against that wet, hot flesh... She LOVES it..."

"Shut up!" Rowen ordered; his body was shaking with anger. (Why did I take my armor off?! Damn it...) Takanawa fired the gun in the air.

"I don't think you're in the position to give me orders anymore. How 'bout you drop the knife," he sniffled, wiping the blood from his nose. Rowen snarled and let it slip from his fingers. "Now that I know you're human with some freaky ass powers... A lotta weird shit's been happening since that attack four years ago. Iced me a lotta metal bozos like you... I wonder if you'll turn to smoke too?" he laughed pointing the gun again. He fired...

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Nasake bolted upright in bed gasping. She looked around for Rowen and found her beside empty. "Rowen-kun?" she called. She slipped out of bed. (Where did he go?)

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Rowen cried out another bullet ripped through his thigh. Takanawa smirked. "Hm... You bleed... Shoulda killed me when you could have, freak." He fired again at Rowen's shoulder. He stepped over him and pressed the gun to his chest. He sat on Rowen's hips and smirked.

"Well equipped I see..." he whispered softly, grinding gently. Rowen snarled, thoroughly sickened. "I bet you'd beg for it just like she does... She comes willingly you know... and boy does that girl come," he sneered. "How 'bout one more go before meeting your maker, hm? I usually don't do guys..."

"Fuck you," he gritted out. Takanawa's brow twitched before he fired into Rowen's chest. Rowen's eyes widened and his mouth hung open, blood starting to pour from the opening. Takanawa sighed.

"Miss Nasake knew better... Pity... Fucking the both of you would have been nice." Takanawa leaned his hand on his elbow as he watched Rowen gasp. "You know... I'm getting kind of tired bank rolling two apartments. Perhaps I should just kill that old hag and let Miss Nasake stay with me to work of her debts... What do you think I should do?" he asked.

Rowen snatched his throat in a shallow grip and in one motion he grabbed the knife at his side, slashing open Takanawa's throat. Blood gushed from the opening and down Rowen's arms and body. The gun fired several times in an uncontrolled fashion, several bullets embedding into Strata's body. Takanawa slumped to the gravel, twitching madly gasping for air much like a dying fish out of water before falling still. Immediately summoning his sub armor, he shoved Takanawa off of him, gasping and heaving loudly. He rolled onto all fours and stood wearily. "... Go fuck yourself," he hissed. "Shit... One, two... Damn... Eight bullets... Fuck..." He sank to his knees and felt his vision blur.

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"NO!" Sage gasped, jolting up in bed. His scream roused Domo from sleep. Sage let out a breath and held his head in his hands, trying to regulate his breathing.

"... Sage?" Domo murmured. "What's wrong?" She sat up, concerned when he gave no reply. He lifted his head.

"It's nothing... I... nightmare," he whispered. He slid out of bed slowly. "I just need some air..." He kissed her hair softly and touched the long locks gently. "Go back to sleep, all right?" She watched him leave the room. Korin lifted her head and jumped on the bed. Domo shook her head.

Sage met the others in the hall, not at all surprised to see them. "Did you guys feel that too?" he asked. "Where's Rowen?" he asked.

"He left in a rage..." Sai murmured.

"What happened?"

"... He found out why 'Sake's always getting uneasy around us... Someone raped her," Kento replied softly. Ryo and Sage's eyes widened.

"And you let him go?!" Ryo hissed. "Are you nuts? You know how hot headed he is!! He's worse than you!" Kento frowned.

"What the hell are you yelling at me for?"

"Enough!" Sai hissed. "We have to go find him... He might-"

A noise silenced him as something crashed in the kitchen. "What the hell was that?!" Kento hissed.

"Burglar?" Ryo suggested.

"I doubt it..."

"A ghost?" Sai asked. Kento froze and ducked into his room returning with a baseball bat. The others gave him an odd look. "What? We can't bust out in our armor, duuuh..." They shoved him forward.

"Then YOU can go first," they whispered. Kento frowned.

"Pansies..." Kento swallowed hard.

He crept through the house slowly and silently, the others following him closely. He slipped next to the kitchen door and looked back at the others. They shooed him silently. Kento swallowed hard. (MAN. I freaking hate ghoooosts...) He took a deep breath and rushed into the kitchen. "Okay, jerk off! Drop the food and no one gets hurt!!!" He froze when he saw a masked face.

"WAHHHHH! It's a ghooooost!"

"Ghoooost? Where?!" Nasake screamed and dropped the broom. Kento screamed again and the others rushed in. "WHOA!"

"Where?! Where's the ghost?!" she exclaimed. She stopped when she saw Kento sitting on the ground, hiding behind the bat. The others stared at her in surprise, then laughed.

"Kento! You wuss!" Ryo laughed.

"Some ghost!" Sai chuckled. Sage just shook his head and helped him to his feet.

"Get up, you retard. Nasake's your ghost!" Kento turned slowly and swallowed. Ryo flipped on the light. A white night mask covered Nasake's face. Kento stepped closer and blinked before touching it. It smelled like coconut. He licked his finger. "Hey!! It's coconut!" he smiled.

"KENTO!" they laughed. Nasake went to the sink and washed her face.

"You scared me!!" she snapped. "And what's with the bat?!" Kento hid it nervously.

"S-sorry..."

"What are you doing up?" Ryo asked. Her stomach growled loudly. She blushed.

"I didn't eat anything... Where's Rowen? He was gone when I woke up." They fell silent and looked at the ground. "Guys? What-"

The front door crashed open with a bang, startling them from their spots. Kento gripped the bat nervously, looking around quickly. "W-w-w-w-what was that?!" Nasake rolled her eyes.

"You guys are awfully jumpy..." She walked out into the hall and screamed. "ROWEN!"

"Oh shit!!" Kento exclaimed, seeing all the blood pool out onto the tile. Nasake pulled his head into her lap.

"What happened?!" she whimpered.

"God," Ryo choked out; his throat seemed to constrict. Rowen lay in a half conscious state, mumbling unintelligibly. Sage moved forward on unsteady legs and gaped not knowing where the blood started or ended. He tore open Rowen's shirt, revealing three bullet wounds to the chest. "Shot!?" Sai gasped, tears rising from his eyes. "Sage, do something!" Sage covered his chest with his hands, immediately closing his wounds. Rowen coughed up a mouthful of blood. Instincts taking over, Sai and Kento rolled him onto his side, clearing the airway.

"What's going on?!" Tori exclaimed and rushed into the hall.

"Rowen!!" Domo exclaimed.

Nasake sniffled and dabbed at Rowen's forehead with a cool cloth as the young man slept on his bed. The clock chimed six in the morning "He's lost a lot of blood," Sage murmured. "We need to get him to a hospital," he added.

"And tell them what? 'Oh, 'scuse me, nurse, my friend's been shot EIGHT times. We don't know how or why. Please help him!'" Ryo hissed. "Do you know what we'll have to deal with? Cops."

"Ryo," Tori warned. "He could die..."

"I know that... But we don't have time to mess with them... It might make things worse..."

"Ryo, he needs medical attention!" Sage argued. "I'm not going to let him die just because YOU'RE afraid of the police!" he snapped.

"STOP FIGHTING!!" Nasake pleaded. "It won't do any good to yell at each other!! Please!! He needs help!!"

"Oh, stop shouting!!" a voice ordered. Nasake jumped with a yelp. Ryo and Sage turned and found Korin standing beside a taller man, dressed in sleek black armor similar to her own. Dark indigo blue hair matched the clock draping off of his shoulders. His bandana and belt glistened in the morning sunlight. An angry look silenced them. He walked across the room to Rowen's bedside. "Honestly, you mortals are awfully loud for such weak creatures..." He looked down at Rowen and sighed. "My, my... Strata you are so brash sometimes... Running off in the name of love... What a pain." He turned to Korin. "Are they SUPPOSED to do this???"
"... Annoying, isn't it?" Korin smirked at Sage. He flushed.

"Um... 'Scuse me, but... Who are you?" Tori mumbled. Nasake blinked.

"You can't recognize him? It's Tenku-sempai!" Tenku blushed.

"... I'm too YOUNG to be called that," he sighed. He noticed Sage and Ryo blinking at him. "... Yes?"

"You look like Rowen!" they chorused. Nasake looked at him, then at Rowen.

"I don't see it," she said.

"Can you help him?" Tori asked. Tenku sighed and folded his arms.

"I suppose so..." He eyed Sage, then Ryo. "... You, the one with the messy hair, come here." Sage held up his hands.

"Hey, that's you, man," he said to Ryo.

"My hair's not messy!" he pouted. He obeyed and rolled his eyes. "What?" he spat. Tenku raised an eyebrow, grabbed him by his shirt, and kissed him thoroughly. Ryo squeaked, his eyes wide, and face a dark red. Tori and Nasake watched with flushed faces. Sage just stared. Tenku pushed him away and licked his mouth. "... Not bad."

"DUDE! WHAT THE FUCK!?" Ryo sputtered, wiping his mouth roughly. "Me, male, NOT GAY!" he said simply. Tenku rolled his eyes.

"You, boy, leader," he spat back. "You've got plenty of energy to spare, don't be such a prude," he sighed. Ryo suddenly yawned and blinked his eyes.

"Duuude... I'm SO freaking tired now..." Nasake turned to Tori.

"I feel so dirty cause I saw that," she murmured. Tori nodded.

"But wasn't his face just so cute?!" she giggled. She yelped when Ryo spun her around and kissed her roughly. He pulled away slowly.

"Muuuch better..." he breathed. Tori frowned.

"RYO!!" she exclaimed, slapping him hard. "You JERK!! I'm telling Kayura!!" she snapped and flounced out of the room. Ryo yawned and chased after her more slowly.

"Wait... No... Lemme s'plain..." Korin beckoned Sage.

"Come Halo... You need to rest now," she said. He looked back at Tenku before following her out of the room.

Nasake looked up at Tenku. "... How come you haven't shown up like this before? And how come Korin couldn't do that?"

"Frankly... it... exhausts me, my lady... And Korin is too lazy. She thought it would be funny watching Wildfire squirm..." He touched her hair gently. "Don't worry about Strata... He'll be fine," he said. Tenku sat beside Rowen, leaned down and kissed him softly, giving him the much needed energy to recover. Rowen murmured softly and opened his eyes just as Tenku lifted his head. He blushed. "... Kay... S'going on? I'm havin' dreams about sleeping with myself," he mumbled. "What happened?"

"Next time you decide to do that, keep your armor on," Tenku ordered. He stood and reverted to the silver colored tiger. He pawed out of the room. Perhaps he would scare Hardrock.

"What happened to you!?" Nasake sniffled. "I woke up and you were gone!" Rowen took her hand and closed his eyes.

"You won't have to worry about Takanawa anymore..."

"Wh-wha? HE did this?!" she whimpered. Rowen reached up and cupped her cheek.

"Whoa, hey... easy... He's... gone."

"What do you mean 'gone'?" she whispered.

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Kento yawned tiredly as he flipped through the channels for cartoons. Sai returned from the kitchen with a cup of coffee for both of them. "Put it on the news, Kento. I want to see the weather..."

"... HUAAAAAAAH... 'kay..." Kento clicked over and frowned.

"Man... all it is, is that building collapsing yesterday... How depressing..."

"Wait... no it isn't... Listen," he said and turned it up.

== "... In other news, a downtown landlord was found dead at his home. The victim's name was Takanawa Ken. The victim was found stabbed in the temple on the rooftop of the apartment building earlier this morning with a switchblade knife. A semi-automatic gun was found beside him with several rounds missing. There are reports that there was the sound of gunfire between the hours of one and two this morning. The police are currently investigating this homicide. We will continue to keep you informed as more details of this investigation become known... Now we'll go to Miss Aki Yuki with the weather..."==

"Kento! Isn't that...?"

"Aki Yuki? Yeah, she's hot," Kento yawned. Sai frowned.

"Not her!! The murder victim!"

"What about him?"

"That WAS Nasake's landlord!"

"So? The guy was a perverted son of a bitch that had it coming to him."

"Think about it! Rowen came home full of bullets," he began in a hiss, "he left in a rage because of what that man did to Nasake, and the man is DEAD!" Kento was wide-awake now.

"What do we do, man? You don't think he would..."

"You guys really think I would kill some one in cold blood?" Rowen asked. He padded very carefully out of his bedroom. Nasake was behind him. "I'm feeling the love in this room... Sheesh..."

"ROWEN!!" Kento beamed. "Dude... you're... awake... How?" Tenku lifted his large, furry head over the back of the couch and batted Kento's face.

"Boo."

"YEEEEE!"

"... Relax it's Tenku..." Rowen said.

"You didn't really kill him..." Rowen lowered his eyes.

"... Not on purpose... I went over there to scare him really... How was I to know that he had a gun? And a hell of a right hook... damn."

"Rowen! You killed someone!" Sai hissed.

"... I know... I'm not going to the cops either. The guy tried to kill me... Almost did... He had me pinned. He shot me. All I could do was grab the knife I had..."

=="I don't see the problem. He was supposed to die today anyway... He was supposed to fall asleep, and burn to death because he failed to put out his cigarette... Strata actually SAVED lives today. Twenty people, including Nasake's grandmother were supposed to die in the fire..." == Tenku said and yawned.

"I'm just glad that he's okay," Nasake said. "He deserved to die!!!" she shouted and ran back to the bedroom. Rowen leaned against the window and sighed.

"Aren't you going to go after her?" Sai asked. Rowen just stared out at the rising sun over Tokyo Bay.

== "... Dark clouds and cold rain all the rest of this week... Better get out the raincoats and the hot cocoa! Back to you Jien..."==

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"Tori, you need to understand... It was just a kiss, you don't have to get so mad!" Ryo pleaded.

"It's not that! You are horrible! You should have at least ASKED!"

"I'm sorry! Next time I'll ask, okay?" He sat beside her and hugged her from behind.

"I forgive you, besides... It would be a waste of MY money if you didn't use that whole box of boy gloves I bought you," she sighed. Ryo flushed. Tori pulled back the blankets and yawned. "Wake me when lunch is ready..."

"Sure..." he mumbled and went to the window. He frowned. (I know you're out there...) he said to himself. He looked back at Tori who had all ready fallen asleep.

== Ryo followed Anubis into the kitchen after he had calmed Tori down. "What is it, man? We gotta go!" Ryo said. Anubis lowered his eyes.

"May I ask a favor?" he asked. Ryo saw the sudden concern in the ancient teal eyes. He nodded slowly.

"S-sure..."

"While you are in the city... can you keep an eye on her for me?" he asked softly.

"Huh? Why? I mean I would for everyone, but... why the request??" Anubis flushed softly.

"I promised Kaos a while back that if something should happen to him, I would take care of her. I am asking the same of you, Wildfire... Please. Act in my stead... As the only person who has ever bested me in combat, you are the only one suited for this... I have an awful feeling that something is going to happen to her... Please..." He held Wildfire's shoulders firmly. Ryo lowered his eyes.

"You know... you really hurt her today... She needs someone now more than ever because of what happened. Think about that until we get back and I'll do my best." Anubis blushed.

"I thank you, Wildfire..."==

Ryo sighed and looked back out at the city. A dark haze of smoke and debris floated over the downtown area along with an ominous feeling that today was going to be a long one...

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A/N: Geez... this one was twisted, ne? Tee hee! Threw s'more boy x boy goodness in there! More to come... Oh, I dunno if orange pocky really exists... I just picked a flavor that would sound yummy!