Author: Mai Lynn
Started: Dec. 4
Finished: Dec. 4
"Oh help me Obi Wan, you're my only hope!"
"Kento! GET OFF!" Screamed the irritated Brit. His best friend merely laughed at him, keeping Cye captured in his strong bear hug. The smaller boy could only struggle and scream, which made Ryo and Rowen, howl with laughter.
"C'mon Cye! Use those lightning-quick Jedi reflexes!" Rowen teased over the freshly painted backdrop. Cye's already flushed face became redder as he kicked and screamed some more. With a wide grin, Kento began to parade about the stage, showing off his 'treasure'.
"Use the Force!" Another one of Rowen's quirks sent Ryo to the floor with laughter. It was short lived however, as Cye was suddenly ripped from Kento's grasp. The bigger boy blinked a few times in confusion before looking around.
"Alright, who's da smart guy who took m- Aw man!" He whined upon seeing Sage's steely glare. Cye grumbled from behind the blonde boy, rubbing his sore shoulders.
"Aw Sage! Man, it was just some FUN! Y'know, fun?" He pleaded. His pleads were met with Sage's non-wavering glare though and the boy grumpily went back to setting up the props for Luke Skywalker's home. Ryo wiped the tears from his eyes as Rowen muttered something under his breath. This caught poor Ryo off guard and into another fit of giggles. Sage cast his glare at Rowen.
"What did you say?" He questioned, annoyed with the antics. They had been painting scenes and making props for weeks in preparations for Yuli's class play. It was starting to drive him insane and he wished only for the play to be over with. Rowen grinned as he slowly dipped his brush into the paint bucket. After a few moments, he quickly slapped the brush, laden with paint, onto Sage's shirt.
"Girlfriend, that color is SOO you!" The blue haired youth beamed in the new dripping in paint glare of Sage Date. Absolute silence overtook the auditorium, even the kids outside of the circle of five Ronins knew Rowen had stepped over a line. All eyes trained on the used to be white shirt, which was quickly soaking up the beige paint. Sage's face was blank, his eyes staring at his shirt. A few seconds passed before the blonde's shoulders began to shake. Everyone tensed up, holding their breath, even Rowen, whose cocky grin had faded. With bated breaths they awaited either the expected laugher or the horrendous cry of war. The blonde took one slow step towards Rowen, who nearly jumped out of his skin in fear and surprise. Rowen cocked his head to the side as Sage stood in front of him with shaking shoulders and a lowered head. Strata hesitantly reached towards his friend but before he could even touch him, Sage's head snapped up to look at Rowen. Rowen, in turn, gasped as he saw tears falling from Sage's one visible eye.
"Sa-"
"ROWEN I HATE YOU!" The usually reverend boy unexpectedly screamed as his hand rose and slapped the shocked boy in front of him. Everyone's mouths dropped to the floor as Sage turned heel and fled the stage similar to a girl running. Another span of stunned silence passed before Ryo spoke softly.
"Let's all get back to work..." No one opposed as they quickly returned to their individual tasks.
*~* =^.^= *~*
A few days had passed since Sage's mysterious outburst. Yuli's play had gone off without a hitch. However, Sage had not shown up for the night of the play. The Ronins had thought this odd, knowing Sage to be a loyal friend. All of them began to worry. Was the outburst over the paint more than what it seemed?
"He hasn't been real patient lately." Rowen thought out loud as he sat against the headboard of Ryo's bed. The group of four had decided to solve Sage's saddened mood by spending the night at Ryo's house. Ryo's grandmother had left to spend sometime with her sickly friend, leaving the peaceful house quiet and alone- Perfect for four plotting boys.
"What does that have to do with depression?" Cye asked, lying on White Blaze's stomach with Ryo beside him. Kento was stretched out behind Rowen, holding his head up with his hand.
"Well it-"
"We annoyed him to the point of no return!" The Chinese boy interrupted Rowen. The boys smile a little at the joke, but it had struck a chord in their minds. Had they annoyed Sage into depression? They contemplated silently; the only noise in the room was White Blaze's purring as Cye absent-mindedly rubbed his stomach. Ryo was the first to speak.
"Well... One night I was over his house, studying. I was playing with my lucky lighter when he asked me to light some scented candles... I lit his bonsai tree instead..." Ryo mumbled the last part sheepishly. There was a brief pause before everyone started to laugh and soon they all began sharing stories about Sage's misfortunes.
"I replaced his shampoo with purple hair dye!"
"Ha! He was on some date with a raunchy chick when I chucked water balloons at them!"
"Oh yeah? Well I threw paint on him!" The laughter died down at Rowen's second boast. Silence once again reigned over Ryo's room.
"How many pranks did we name?" Cye asked quietly.
"Ten?" Kento guessed, "Fifteen?"
"Try twenty-three." Rowen sighed, "And countless more that we didn't name. Maybe we DID drive him into depression, which made him snap when I..."
"Well no use in mopin' 'bout it! We gotta do somethin' for him." Kento sat up, looking thoughtful. A few seconds passed before Cye suggested apologizing to Sage and offering him gifts for redemption. Everyone agreed and soon they all were asleep, dreaming of the next day's work.
*~* =^.^= *~*
"Hi Mrs. Date. May we come in and see Sage?" Rowen humbly asked. He and the rest of the crew (minus White Blaze of course) stood outside of the Date home, each carrying a small box. Mrs. Date eyes the boys suspiciously before noddinga nd letting them in.
"Sage is up in his room. Please be quiet so as not to disturb him." The usually sweet voice ewas laden with anger as shse slammed the door behind them. Shamefully, they ascended the staircase and walked with soft footsteps to Sage's room. Without knocking, they filed into the dark room which was only lit by a single candle upon the nightstand next to his bed. Sage lay upon the bed with his quivering back facing the four. From the sounds of his muffled mouth, they could tell he was crying. Cyr was the first to apporach.
"Sage, I'm really, REALLY sorry for spoiling your breakfast sometimes." Bowing, he placed the small gift next to the candle. Taking a step back, he motionsed for someone else to come up. Ryo bowed to Sage as he placed the gift next to Cye's.
"I am VERY sorry for burning your bonsai tree Sage... VERY sorry." He bowed again as he stood next to Cye. Kento came up to the bed, falling to his knees. Groveling, his voice rose above the carpet.
"OH SAGE, HIGH AND MIGHTY DOJO MASTER! I BEG OF YOU TO FORGIVE YOUR UNWORTHY FRIEND FOR CHUCKING WATER BALLOONS AT YOU AND THAT RAUNCHY CHICK! OH PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE FORGIIIIVE MEEEEE!" Finished, he stood with a calm face, setting his gift on the nightstand. Cye and Ryo groaned as Kento stood beside him with an expression as if he was at church. All thoughout the apoogies, Sage's state had not wavered. This made Rowen nervous as he sat on the edge of the bed, placing a hand upon Halo's back.
"Sage... I'm sorry for the paint. I know it was foolish of me and I had no reason to slap it onto your new shirt. Please forgive me." Rowen paused, adding as he placed his gift by Kento's, "I'm also sorry about the purple hair dye." He watched Sage for a reaction. Upon getting none, he stood. Suddenly though, he felt a warm hand grab his wrist. All eyes were upon Sage as she sat up. His blank face stared at them before it began to crack into a smile. Before anyone knew it, Sage began to laught hysterically, holding onto his midsection as he releasede Rowen. Bewilderment settled upon the Ronins before Kento realized what had happened.
"HEY! You tricked us, didn't you BLONDIE?!" He shouted, flicking on the lights. Cye, Ryo and Rowen looked shocked before they became angry as well.
"Sage! How could you?!" Rowen growled as he tackled the laughing boy.
"You had me worried sick!" Cye mothered as the last two Ronins joined Rowen in tearing apart the laughing Sage. Cye eventually jumped in as well and all five began to wrestle and laugh on Sage's squeaking bed. Mrs. Date watched merrily from the doorway at the five laughing and reunited boys. She chuckled at the antics of her son, glad that he possessed SOME humor in him. Turning, she went down the stairs to take out the batch of freshly baked cookies in preparation for the boys. They would be hungry after all.
"PLEASE tell me I smell the delicious and scrumptious Mrs. Date's cookies?!" Kento's voice rose above the ruckus.
"KENTO!" The boys shouted as more laughter filled the house.
*~* =^.^= *~*
C & C's are always loved and loathed, flares even better (Just kidding)!
[email protected]
