Stir of Shadows
by Queen of Sarab
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Chapter Five

The door to the living room was closed-and something was wrong. That was immediately obvious as Rowen bounded down the stairs. From under the door came a dull green glow, like a TV had been left on. But that wasn’t what seemed wrong. It was the feeling that flowed through the area around it, letting off a general air of despair and evil.

“This can’t be good,” Rowen murmured, and, taking a deep breath, threw open the door. It was immediately obvious the glow didn’t come from a TV. In fact, the glow had died as soon as Rowen had opened the door.

In a chair next to the couch, where Ryo sat, was Kurai, who spun around angrily as the door was thrown open. And, just for a second before she composed herself, Rowen could have sworn Kurai’s eyes glowed.

“Ryo?” Rowen said softly.

As if coming out of a daze, Ryo focused on Rowen.

“Are you, um, ok?” Rowen asked.

Ryo smiled eerily. “Of course, man. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Oh, no reason...um, what are you doing?”

“We were just talking,” smiled Kurai sweetly.”Ryo, why don’t you go get me some water?”

Nodding, Ryo stood and started to leave, but Rowen held him back. “I’ll go with you,” he said hurriedly.

Smiling coyly, Kurai motioned to Ryo’s former seat. “Why don’t you stay and keep me company, Rowen?”

“No!!” Rowen yelped. “I mean, no thanks, I’m kinda busy.” And, pushing Ryo along with him, he hurried from the room.

Ryo turned to him as soon as the door closed behind them. “That was really rude, Ro -- you really should try to be nicer to our guests.”

Not wanting to get into another arguement, Rowen shoved Ryo towards the kitchen. “Uh-huh, I’ll try that, gotta go talk to Mia, bye!” Leaving Ryo bewildered and calling after him, Rowen skidded off and bounded up the stairs two at a time.

Bursting into Mia’s room without knocking, he collapsed in a chair next to Mia’s desk, panting.

“You look like you just ran a marathon,” Mia cried out, shocked. “What’s the matter?”

Taking a deep breath, Rowen shoved a strand of hair out of his face. “She’s got Ryo.”

The clock next to the guest bed read exactly 11:59.

One minute left, thought Kurai nervously, until he comes. One minute until mayonaka.

The clock changed.

Suddenly, as if on cue, a spot of purple light appeared in front of Kurai -- and exploded into swirls of light, intertwining and weaving together in time with it’s words.

“HAVE YOU SUCEEDED?”

Trembling, Kurai spoke, almost inaudibly.”Al..Almost, Great One.”

“WHY NOT COMPLETELY?” Anger began to fill the room, causing Kurai to grasp her head in pain.

“I have all except one, Great One...” she moaned. “I will get him soon enough. But I believe he and the girl are suspicious.”

“THE GIRL IS NOT IMPORTANT - GET RID OF HER, IF NEED BE. I MUST HAVE THE RONINS' ARMOR - AT ANY COST.”

“I understand, Great One,” Kurai managed to choke out, the pain in her head building to unbearable heights.

And, as suddenly as they had come, both light and pain disappeared.

Author's note- Just a reminder- e-mail me at [email protected]...