Stir of Shadows
by Queen of Sarab
[email protected]

Chapter Three

“Sage?”

Startled at the sound of Kurai’s voice, Sage spun around from the getting a glass of water at the sink. Kurai smiled at him.

“It is Sage, right?” she asked.

“Uh...yeah.”

Kurai smiled again, standing up and walking over to him. She looked up at him through her eyelashes.

“I...I just wanted to say thank you,” she spoke slowly. “I mean, for everything.”

“Well,um,” Sage stuttered. “You know, it’s really not my doing... you should thank Mia or Ryo or something.”

Kurai moved in closer until she was practically pressed against him.

“Oh, but I like you so much better,” she smiled.

“Um, I...” began Sage, but the door flew open before he could say anymore. Kurai jumped back away from him.

“Kurai?” Ryo pushed Mia forward. “Mia will take you to a guest room,now, if you want, and get you some clean clothes.”

“I would love that, “ Kurai smiled sweetly, sweeping out the door.

With a frown, Mia hurried to catch up.

“There’s somethin’ just not right with her,” muttered Rowen as the door shut behind the girls.

Sage turned on him. “ What’s that supposed to mean?” he snarled.

“Just what I said,” Rowen scowled. “I don’t think she’s being completely honest with us, eitha’.”

“Are you calling her a liar?”

“What’s wrong with you, Sage?” Rowen shot back. “ Why are you being so defensive of some girl who, for all we know, could be trying to kill us?”

With a cry, Sage threw himself at Rowen,knocking him down.

“Sage! What are you doing?” Sai cried as he, Kento, and Ryo pulled them apart.

Rowen rubbed his arm, scrambling to his feet as Sage was pulled away from him. Sage jerked out of Ryo and Kento’s grasps, glaring at Rowen. Without a word, he turned and stalked out of the room.

“What’s his problem?” Kento asked, staring at the door.

Ryo chewed his lip thoughtfully. “ I don’t know, but we’re going to find out.”

“Kurai?”

Spinning around from where she was sorting through a pile of Mia’s clothes, Kurai could see Sai peeking around the edge of the guest-room door.

“Yes?”

Sai stepped into the room, looking around him nervously. “I was just wondering if you were getting settled all right, and if you needed any help with anything.”

“I’m doing great,” Kurai said. “But I was about to take a break from going through these clothes--maybe you’d like to stay and talk for a minute?”

With a small smile, Sai sat in the chair Kurai indicated. “Sure,” he said lightly.

Author's note- Wahoo! That was fun... PLEASE e-mail me! Please? 'Kay, thanks...once again, it's [email protected]...