Chapter 3
Sage stood by the door of his family's dojo waiting for one of his friends to arrive. They had promised that one of them would be there to support him today. The granddaughter of an old friend of his grandfather's was arriving this morning and he needed all the support he could get. The way his mother was talking, he was worried that she would try to arrange a betrothal between them. Sage was not ready to date only one girl, much less get married.
The doorbell rang. Sage quickly answered it. It was Rowen.
"I lost," Rowen said simply as Sage opened the door.
"Thank you for coming," Sage replied. "Is anyone else coming?"
"No, just me," Rowen answered.
Sage breathed a sigh of relief. He was glad to see Rowen. Anyone else would complicate the matter. Kento is known to fall for every pretty face he saw. Cye was a sap for a sad story. Ryo was so depressed lately and that made him unpredictable. The best person for the job today was definitely Rowen.
"This girl can't be too bad," Rowen said.
"I wouldn't know. I've never met her." Sage replied.
"You've never met her. I can't believe that this never came up in conversation." Rowen said incredulously.
"I never said I met her; I only said that I didn't want to be alone with her."
"Then why you need me or anyone for the matter"
"I told you last night, with the way my mother has been talking up this girl, I thought I would need back-up as an excuse not to spend a lot of time alone with this girl."
"Fine, whatever."
"You can hang outside and read, workout one of the rooms, or practice in the archery range while I'm teaching this morning."
"The archery range sounds good."
"Great, we can spare after class."
Rowen grabbed a set of practice bow and arrows from the practice weapons shed and went to the archery range. Sage headed to the classroom where he would be teaching his beginners class this morning. He was hoping the granddaughter wouldn't show up at all.
Rei jerked awake. She was having another one of those dreams. They were disturbing her. She wondered if the dream she just had was the past. It felt like the past. There were men wearing olden clothes and the same armors as in previous dreams. The clothes made her think that it was the past. Rei was getting a bad feeling about this, and she didn't like it.
Rei went to the bathroom to clean up and spend some time alone to calm down. Her friends knew her too well and would sense that something was wrong. Unfortunately, for Rei, the bathroom was being used and Ami was waiting in line. She had forgotten that some of the girls were early risers like her. Actually, the only girl who was an early riser besides her was Ami and Ami always got up later than, not by much, only about an hour. This in itself was strange, because Ami went to bed late too. However, she didn't need a lot of sleep to function.
"What are you doing up?" Rei asked Ami. "And who is in the bathroom?"
"I thought you would be up earlier," Ami answered, "it is 8 o'clock."
"It is." Rei said in a shocked voice. She had thought that it was earlier. "I didn't realize it was so late. We have to be going soon to meet that friend of my grandfather's. I told him we would be there by 10."
"Makoto is in the bathroom. She wants to look nice for her date this morning."
"Oh"
"What's wrong? Did you have another one of those dreams?" Ami asked. Rei had told her about the dreams yesterday afternoon before the rest of the girls showed up. She had made Ami promise not to mention it to any of the girls.
"What dreams?" Makoto interrupted as she walked out of the bathroom.
Both Ami and Rei looked at each other. Rei didn't want to share the dreams yet and Ami didn't want to destroy the confidence Rei had instilled in her to tell her about the dreams.
"Nothing," Ami replied quickly.
"No dreams," Rei replied at the same time.
Makoto glanced from Ami to Rei with a doubtful look on her face. Both girls had a stubborn and secretive look on their faces. She knew that if they weren't ready to share with the group, they wouldn't.
"What are you wearing on your date today?" Ami asked.
"Is it really a good idea to go out with a guy you just met?" Rei asked.
"We're meeting at a public place. Beside I can protect myself if necessary." Makoto replied. "Minako and Usagi are going with me. We should be fine. I need to wake them soon so we can pick out what I'm going to wear."
"Let me use the bathroom before you wake them. I need to shower before my meeting." Rei replied.
"You go first," Ami said looking at Rei. "Makoto and I can get breakfast while you are in the shower. I'll go next, while you eat and Makoto wakes up the others. Then we'll go to your meeting."
Rei smiled. "Great idea, that way, we can help spy on Makoto and her date."
"Or you can join us, he wanted it to be the group," Makoto replied.
"A group," Rei repeated, "then why are you getting so dressed up?"
"I'm hoping he'll look at me, and then decide to ditch everyone else," Makoto replied.
Ami laughed and Rei didn't look happy about this plan, but she knew she didn't have a choice about it. She worried about the girls, but she couldn't and didn't want to change them.
Rei jumped into the shower while Ami and Makoto went for breakfast. They ordered rolls, coffee for Minako, tea for Rei and Ami, hot chocolate for Makoto and Usagi. Minako always started her day better with a cup of coffee. Rei and Ami preferred tea with their breakfast. Ami liked green tea and Rei liked herbal tea. Makoto picked hot chocolate for Usagi and herself because it was something warm to drink. Besides, hot chocolate didn't have a lot of caffeine in it, something Usagi didn't need a lot of.
While Ami was in the shower, Makoto and Rei started the arduous task of waking Minako and Usagi. Minako was a little easier, especially when she smelled the coffee. Usagi was more difficult because of the late night. However, when Rei mentioned Makoto's date, Usagi woke right up. Nothing excited Usagi and Minako more than potential love and romance.
As Rei and Ami left for Rei's meeting with the old friend of her grandfather, Minako, Usagi, and Makoto were planning what Makoto should wear on her date this afternoon.
"Wear this shirt," Usagi said holding up a blue shirt of Minako's.
"No, that one is too small. Besides, I don't want it stretched out. No offense, Makoto." Minako replied. "What about that emerald colored polo shirt of yours, Makoto? That will look pretty."
"I can wear that," Makoto replied. "But, what pants should I wear?"
"I like your pair of crops that you bought on-line. They are the perfect length." Minako replied. "You look amazing in them."
"It is amazing that you found that specialty store on-line for your pants." Usagi replied. Makoto had trouble finding clothes that fit her. Her height at 5ft 10 was always a problem and usually her bust was as well. Minako also had trouble finding clothes that fit on occasion, but her size was easier to find than Makoto's.
"I told you. You should shop with me in LA once, Makoto. You would be amazed at the amount of clothes there in your size." Minako said.
Makoto and Usagi glanced over at Minako. Minako knew that Makoto never flew in an airplane. She probably never go to LA for that very reason.
"I like this outfit we picked out. I'll go try it on." Makoto said, ignoring Minako's previous statement.
As soon as Makoto left the room, Usagi said to Minako, "I think you hurt her feelings. You know she doesn't fly and it does cost a lot of money she doesn't have to go to LA."
"I forgot," Minako said in a guilty voice. She forgot sometimes that the some of the girls didn't have as much money as she did. Minako and Ami were the wealthiest of the girls. Ami was the wealthiest by far. Her mother was shopping for a condo to buy for Ami for graduation and was paying for Ami to tour Europe with Minako for the summer. Rei's father was wealthy, but she would never ask him for anything. Usagi's family was comfortably middle class. Makoto had to plan and budget everything. The girls lied about the price of the hotel room, so that Makoto would come with them.
Makoto came out of the bathroom dressed.
"Wow, you look fantastic," Minako said.
"You'll knock him dead today," Usagi said.
"You think so," Makoto said while she looked down at her outfit. She looked unsure.
"Definitely," Minako replied. "We should get going. We need to scope out the place before he gets there. You want to find the best place to wait at and position to sit while waiting."
Makoto, Minako, and Usagi walked out of their hotel room and headed towards downtown.
Sage and Rowen were about to spare in a practice room at the dojo when Sage's grandfather interrupted them.
"Why don't you boys clean-up? My friend's granddaughter called earlier for directions. She should be here soon." Sage's grandfather said.
"Yes sir," both boys replied.
Sage and Rowen headed into Sage's room. Rowen waited in Sage's room for Sage to get ready. Rowen walked about the room looking at the books on the shelves.
"You can do this by yourself, you know," Rowen told Sage.
"I appreciate your help," Sage replied.
Rowen grabbed a book and read the back. "I want to borrow this book."
"That's fine."
"What are your plans this afternoon? I know you have a class at 1."
"After that, nothing."
"Kento has a date with the girl he met at the club last night and invited everyone for lunch and then the arcade.
"Why is everyone going?"
"He's kinda nervous about it, and wanted everyone to come with. When you're done with your class, you can meet us."
"Seiji," Sage's mother said as she knocked on his door. "Our guest is here and your grandfather would like you to come and meet her. Touma, you may come too."
"I'm coming, Mother," Sage replied. He glanced at Rowen and said. "What time are you meeting?"
"I don't know. Kento will call when he's done. He said we can meet at his family's restaurant and eat dinner there."
"Sounds good."
Sage and Rowen walked downstairs and headed towards the front room. When they arrived in the front room, they were greeted with two of the girls they had met last night.
Sage's grandfather introduced Sage and Rowen to the two girls. "This is Hino Rei and her friend Mizuno Ami. Hino-san's grandfather is an old friend of mine. We went to the university together."
Rei stood up. Sage couldn't help but admire her now that her mouth was closed. She was a beautiful girl with long dark hair with violet highlights and violet eyes. She was exotic and mysterious looking, the kind of girl who he would normally go for. However, she was argumentative, as he learned at the club, and that was definitely not the kind of girl he usually dated.
Ami Mizuno, the girl Rei came with, was also beautiful. However, she was more delicate looking. She had short dark hair with tint of blue in it and blue eyes. She had a slim, petite build. There was an air of intelligence around her. This was the girl Rowen talked to and danced with last night.
"Hino-san, this is my grandson Date Seiji and his friend Hashiba Touma," Sage's grandfather continued with the introductions.
As Rei stood, she glanced at the two young men who walked in the room and inwardly groaned. The blond one was the guy she argued with at the club last night. It was just her luck today that the one person she argued with earlier is the one person her grandfather wanted her to meet. If he could be on his best behavior today, then so could she. However, if he said anything, all bets were off.
"Hino-san, how is your grandfather? What is he doing now?" Sage's grandfather asked.
"He is doing well, Date-sama. He has an apprentice who he training to help him while I am attending the university. Thank you for asking" Rei answered
"Seiji-kun and Touma-san, will you show Hino-san and Mizuno-san a tour of the grounds while I get the package for her grandfather." Sage's grandfather asked the two boys.
"Yes, Ojii-san," Sage replied. "Please follow me."
Both Rei and Ami bowed to Sage's grandfather and mother before following Sage and Rowen out of the room. Sage showed Rei and Ami the gardens behind the shrine.
"This is one of my favorite places. We use it for meditating." Sage said.
"It is beautiful," Rei replied, "but the shrine is more beautiful."
Sage opened his mouth to argue but change his mind. He wasn't going to be rude. "Since I have never seen your shrine, I can't judge." Sage replied. "But I can't imagine anything more beautiful."
"Then, you'll have to take my word for it." Rei said. "Or, you can ask Ami what she thinks."
Ami glanced at Rei and replied, "They are both beautiful in there own way. It is difficult to pick the more beautiful one."
"That is a very diplomatic reply," Rowen whispered to Ami.
"Just trying to keep the peace," Ami whispered back to Rowen.
Rei glared at Ami, and Rowen couldn't tell if she wanted support or was offended that Ami didn't agree with her. Either way, she wasn't happy with Ami. Then Rei did something that surprised Rowen.
"Ami is right. This place has its own charm. I can see why you like it." Rei said. "It must be a nice place to meditate in during the early morning hours."
"A girl with your temper must need to meditate a lot," Sage said under his breath.
Rei opened her mouth to say something, but Ami put her hand on her friend's shoulder. Rei seemed to calm down. Ami must be the calming influence in among her friends like Cye was among their friends. That impressed Rowen. His temper sometimes got in the way.
"Here is my favorite place to meditate." Sage said as he pointed to an area near a bridge and a small steam. It looked like the area near the shrine.
"You must not meditate here a lot." Rei said, "or do you need more practice?"
As Sage opened his mouth to argue, Ami and Rowen walked away from the pair. They didn't want to be around when the next argument started.
"I thought your names were Sage and Rowen," Ami asked after they left the arguing pair.
"Seiji and Touma are our given names. Sage and Rowen are the ones we prefer to be called. Sage's Ojii-san is old-fashioned and disciplined." Rowen replied.
"Rei's Ojii-san is the opposite. He is very modern and friendly. Everyone is welcomed at the shrine. Its weird how two very different men can be friends." Ami said.
"Much like you and Rei. I've never met two girls so different." Rowen said.
"What do you mean?" Ami asked.
"You are so soft-spoken and sweet and well Rei is well you know." Rowen replied. He knew he was entering a bad conversation, but he couldn't stop himself.
"No, I don't know, tell me," Ami said. She was trying to keep her temper. She and her friends have said similar things about Rei, but a complete stranger didn't have the right.
"Well, she's rude, argumentative, and stubborn, I bet. She has Sage in a mood I've rarely seen him in."
"You've just met her. How dare you judge her," Ami said. Her temper was finally breaking. No one could say that about her friends.
Just when Ami was about to tell Rowen off, Sage's grandfather walked into the gardens. All arguments ceased.
"Here, Hino-san is the package I wanted to give to your grandfather." Sage's grandfather said.
"Thank you, Date-sama. I will give to you. And, thank you Date-san for the tour and your hospitality. However, Ami and I must be going. We are meeting some friends soon." Rei said politely.
Rei and Ami bowed to Sage's grandfather and walked out of the dojo and its gardens. They headed towards town.
Makoto, Minako, and Usagi sat at the cafe they was meeting Kento and his friends. They sat at one of the table outside.
"Where is everyone? I thought we were meeting them at noon." Minako asked.
"We're just early for a change. They should be here soon." Makoto replied.
"This is why I'm never early," Usagi said, "I hate waiting."
Minako nodded her head agreeing with Usagi's statement.
"That isn't the reason you are always late," Makoto said, "The reason you are always late is …." Makoto's statement was interrupted by a scream. Makoto, Minako, and Usagi started running toward the scream.
Ami and Rei were walking to where they were meeting the girls. When they heard a scream, they started running toward the sound of the scream.
Kento was running late today. He was usually running late, but today he was running later than usual. He was supposed to meet Cye and Ryo fifteen minutes ago. When a scream filled the air, Kento started running faster.
Sage and Rowen were walking to the arcade. Sage didn't have to teach his 1pm class because his mother subbed for him. So, Sage and Rowen decided to meet everyone at the arcade. They were going to stop and get a bite to eat on the way. The arguments early made both young men leery about spending time talking to the girls; however, at the arcade they could easily avoid talking to both girls. A scream filled the air and both young men headed toward the scream.
As all four groups ran toward the scream, they skidded to a stop. A youma was shooting fireballs at a group of girls. The youma was a tall creature with a pig's snout and a cylinder body. The fireballs were coming from the creature's snout.
Two girls were crouched on the ground, injured from the fireballs. One of those girls was Satsuki, Sage's younger sister. The rest of the bystanders were running from the youma.
"Satsuki," Sage yelled as he saw what was happening,
At the same moment, Rei saw what was happening. She grabbed an O-fuda scroll she kept with her and glanced at Ami. The two of them had a plan to get those girls to safety. Rei threw her O-fuda scroll to paralyze the youma. At the same time, Ami grabbed the one of the injured girls and carried her to safety. Rei grabbed the other girl and carried her to safety as well. They told the rest of the girls to run.
As soon as Ami and Rei got far enough away, two men who saw what happened, grabbed the injured girls, and carried them the rest of the way.
Sage stood there, staring at Rei and Ami. Because of them, his sister was going to okay. He would have to say thank you to them. But now, he had a monster to take care of. Sage wondered how he was going to transform with all these people here.
After the pre-teen girls disappeared, the youma started to attack those left. Ami and Rei had to duck behind a parked car to avoid one of the blasts coming straight towards them.
A second blast was shot toward Makoto, Minako, and Usagi. Makoto and Minako ducked behind another car. Usagi stood there frozen. Makoto reached up and grabbed Usagi by the arm just the fireball was about to strike her.
"That was a close call," Minako said to Usagi and Makoto as another fireball went over their heads.
"You need to pay attention more," Makoto told Usagi.
"Thank you for saving my life, Makoto," Usagi said.
Then the youma threw fireballs at Sage and Rowen, unfortunately there was nowhere for them to duck behind. They had to dodge the fireballs.
"Hey ugly," Kento yelled at the youma as he threw some rocks at the youma to divert the fireballs from Sage and Rowen. They used the diversion to duck behind the car that Ami and Rei hide behind.
The youma turned toward Kento and shot three fireballs quickly at him. He ducked quickly behind a parked car near him. The fireballs barely missed him.
"Kento," Makoto yelled, "Are you okay?"
"Yea, I'm okay. It was a close call." Kento yelled back, "How about you?"
"We're fine here," Makoto yelled, "Ami and Rei, how are you?"
"Everyone is fine here," Rei yelled back. "Does anyone have a plan?"
"How to destroy this monster or how to escape?" Kento asked.
"Either one," Sage asked.
"Nope," Kento replied, "anyone else."
"No idea," Makoto yelled back, "Ami, I know you have to have some plan."
"I'm working on one," Ami replied. "Just keep dodging the fireballs."
"I'm a fire priestess, this shouldn't be happening." Rei yelled.
"Then stop them, Pyro," Usagi yelled.
"I would if I could, Odango," Rei yelled back. She looked over the car she hid behind.
"Have you seen Ryo and Cye?" Rowen whispered to Sage.
"I haven't," Sage whispered back, "If they aren't here, then they can transform and take out this monster."
"Exactly," Rowen whispered.
"What are you whispering about?" Rei asked and glared at the two boys. Ami grabbed Rei's arm as the youma shot a fireball at her.
"If you're not careful, you might become a Rei kabob," Sage said teasingly.
Rei looked at him and said "Shut up. We need a plan. I don't plan on spending the rest of my life dodging fireballs with these two morons."
"Then you think of something," Sage said.
'Screw it,' Rei thought and decided to transform.
Just as she reached into her pocket to grab her transformation pen, she heard a voice call out. "Super wave smasher,"
Both Ami and Rei glanced toward the voice. They saw a young man in a light blue armor and another in a red armor. They were the two of the young men Rei saw in her dream.
"Looks like my job is done," the youma growled as he flashed away.
"Is he gone?" Minako called out.
Rei walked out from behind the car and said, "I think so, I don't feel the youma's malevolent energy anymore."
"What just happened?" Kento asked as he too walked from behind the car he was hiding behind.
"I don't know," Makoto replied.
Ami walked to the spot where the youma was and looked around. Usagi walked to join her there.
"Any clues?" Usagi asked.
"None," Ami replied.
"Is it our enemy or an enemy of those armored men?" Usagi whispered to Ami.
"I don't know," Ami replied.
"Well, this was made me hungry. Let's grab a bite to eat." Usagi said.
"What doesn't make you hungry, Odango," Rei said.
"That is so funny, Pyro," Usagi replied sarcastically.
The girls walked away, forgetting about the guys and Makoto's date. They had a lot to discuss.
"Ah, man, now Makoto is gone, my date is ruined, and I still haven't eaten." Kento whined.
"Come on, we'll get Ryo and Cye and put food in your stomach," Rowen replied.
"Besides, we have a lot to talk about; the main question is what that thing is." Sage added.
"Fine, but let's eat first," Kento said.
"We'll do both at the same time," Rowen replied.
The girls picked a small crowded café to discuss what happened.
"I'll do a fire reading when we get back," Rei said after they ordered.
Ami pulled out her mini-computer. "I already started researching the mysterious armored men," she said. "When I find out more, I'll let you know."
"We should call the outers when we get back," Usagi said, "and talk to Luna and Artemis."
"Haruka and Michiru are in the US," Minako said, "Setsuna usually contacts us, and Hotaru is spending time with her dad. I would hate to interrupt them."
"Let's contact the outers only if necessary," Makoto said, "When they get back to Tokyo, we'll let them know what is happening."
"They're not going to be happy," Ami replied, "when they get back."
"We'll deal with that then," Minako replied, giving the final word, "I don't want them to cut short their trip to help us, especially if it isn't our enemy to worry about. Besides, they need the break."
The rest of the girls nodded in agreement and sat quietly for a few minutes.
"At least we know that the city is safe with those armored guys," Minako said.
"True," Ami said in agreement.
"It's not fair; they get armor and all we get are short skirts," Rei said.
"Maybe their enemies fight with swords, not magic," Minako said.
"I would rather have armor and weapons, better protection," Makoto said.
"I don't know about that. You get less mobility with armor. We can move pretty fast in our skirts." Ami replied thoughtfully.
"That's because you don't have to run in high heels. You get a pair of boots with a short heel." Rei said.
"Let's enjoy the rest of our trip," Usagi said changing the subject.
"I want to swim when we get back to the hotel." Ami said.
"Typical," Rei said.
Makoto laughed and said, "Sounds like a plan."
"I think I'll join you, at least sit in the sun while you swim," Minako said.
The girls ate their supper and went back to the hotel. They spent the rest of their trip in peace.
The boys, except for Sage, headed back to Kento's restaurant. Sage went to his family's dojo to check on his sister. All the way there, Kento complained about his broken date.
"She was probably tired," Cye said, "after the monster who could blame her. Call her tomorrow and see how she is doing. Then set up another date."
"She's leaving tomorrow," Kento said.
"You can still call her later tonight and see how she is doing," Cye replied.
"I'll call her tonight," Kento said. "What should I say?"
"As fascinating as Kento's love life is, we should probably talk about the monster that attacked the city." Rowen said.
"Rowen is right," Ryo added, "what was that thing and why did it attack?"
"We didn't destroy or wound it," Cye said, "it simply left after we started to attack."
"Do you think it will come back?" Kento asked.
"I hope not," Cye replied.
"Sage and I will research it. I'll e-mail Mia and see if she recognizes the monster from any of her research." Rowen said.
"It attacked near my apartment. We should all keep on look out for anything out of the ordinary." Cye replied.
"Sounds like a plan," Ryo said.
"Good, I'm hungry," Kento replied.
The boys sat down and ate.
Rei finally had the first full nights sleep in weeks. No disturbing dreams invaded her sleep. She wondered if the incident was what her dreams were foretelling. If the dreams were telling her about the armored men, then hopefully, they were over.
It was time to return home, and the girls had to pack.
As Ami sat her bag by the door, Makoto sat up straight and exclaimed, "My date, I forgot all about it."
"Call him and explain that the attack left you tired and you totally spaced it," Minako replied.
"You need to call him and apologize," Ami added, "I'm sure he'll understand. He probably felt the same way."
"Here, use my phone," Rei said.
Makoto went into the bathroom to get some privacy for her conversation. While she was on the phone, the rest of the girls packed. They were ready to go home.
Makoto left the bathroom and said sadly, "We decided just to be friends."
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Usagi said, "I knew you wanted to be more."
"Well, least I have you guys," Makoto replied.
"Well there are more lobsters in the tank," Minako replied.
"That's fish in the sea," Rei replied, "Let's go; we don't want to miss our train."
The girls left the hotel and caught their train. The trip back to Tokyo was uneventful.