Stir of Shadows
by Queen of Sarab
[email protected]

Chapter Four

Rowen skidded to a halt in front of Mia’s room and knocked twice.

“Mia?” he called softly. “It’s Rowen. Can I come in?”

“Sure,” Mia’s voice came, muffled, through the door. Mia was hunched over her computer, fingers flying over the keys.

“Found anything?”

Sighing, Mia stopped to stretch, then wheeled her chair around to face Rowen. “Sorry. There is absolutely nothing on Shuzoku no mayonaka except for confirmation that it means ‘tribe of midnight’. And that in itself was very difficult to find.”

Rowen bit his lip. “Nothin’?”

“Did you not just hear what I said?” Mia sighed. “And frankly, I’m beginning to think maybe we are being a little judgmental about this girl. We really haven’t even given her a chance.”

“But what about my dream, Mia?” Rowen urged. “I know that was the girl from my dream.”

Mia sighed again. “I don’t know, Rowen. Maybe you’ve seen her before and you just forgot. People dream lots of stuff. I mean, not all dreams are some kind of premonitions.”

Defeated, Rowen ran a hand through his hair. “Ye’a, guess you’re right.”

Seeing the dejected look on her friend’s face, Mia frowned, then smiled slowly.

“Of course, your dreams usually do mean something, and I really never was one to pass up a challenge like this...”

Rowen broke into a grin, wrapping Mia in a sudden hug. “You’re the best, Mia!”he called enthusiastically, bounding out the door and off down the hall. As he skidded around the corner, he almost ran into Sai, who was leaning against the wall, arms folded, looking ready to kill someone.

“What’s the matta', Sai?” asked Rowen, suddenly concerned.

Scowling, Sai turned on him. “I heard you and Mia talking. Why can’t you even give that poor girl a chance?! Are you really so paranoid and blind that you would think that innocent girl would be associated with such evil things?!”

Shocked, by Sai’s outburst, Rowen backed up against the wall. “What’s wrong with everybody today? Usually you’re at least open-minded to things.”

“You’re the not being open-minded!” Sai cried. “You just don’t understand!”

“Sai, you’re right. I don’t. But apparently you don’t, either. Besides, she’s been here, what, 15 minutes now?”

“Yeah- she’s been here 15 minutes, hasn’t even done anything, and you’re accusing her of plotting our deaths!” Sai growled menacingly.

Before Rowen could retort, Mia came crashing around the corner. “Oh, um, Sai, Ryo needs to see you in the kitchen.” Sai threw one last angry glance at Rowen, then stalked off. Mia looked after him worriedly.

Rowen released a big breath. “Thanks alot, Mia,” he sighed. “I hope Ryo keeps him busy for awhile.”

Looking guilty, Mia giggled. “Well, um, he didn’t actually want to see him...I just heard Sai yelling and didn’t want another fight to break out.”

“What, you lied?!” Rowen feigned suprise. “I am shocked, Mia! How could you?”

Giving him an exasperated look, Mia turned to leave. “When you’re done being shocked, Rowen, I’ll be looking for more information.”

“Wait, Mia,” sighed Rowen, suddenly serious. “I think we really have a problem on our hands.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, think about it- Sage is alone with Kurai, he attacks me when I say something about her,” Rowen mused.

Realization dawned on MIa’s face. “And before Sai yelled at you, he came up here to check on Kurai.”

“Exactly,” Rowen nodded. “So now what?”

“I guess we warn Ryo and Kento before they’re alone with her, too,” stated Mia.

“I’ll do it,” agreed Rowen. “You see what you can find out.”

Author's note- Now it's starting to be a little more interesting... I hope. Yet again, it's [email protected]...