Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

Wild Child
By : FlayraDowitcher
Category: +M to R > Ronin Warriors
Views: 1521 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own RW/YST. I'm making no money off this fic.
Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Warnings: Language

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

Chapter 6

'Of all times for him to come into the tub! Jeez! Is someone up there against me?'

"Hey Ro. You looked lonely over here so I thought I'd join you!" Kento said, splashing around in the water behind him. "Man, this water is like soup! How can you stand it?"

Rowen wouldn't turn to look at him. "What are you? Dense or something? You know that I tend to get cold often and need to be warm! This water could actually be warmer than it is!"

"And there's that attitude again." He slapped the water. "What do you have to be pissed about?"

Now that Kento had found a way to annoy him the arousal he had disappeared. It was for the better. How would he explain to the guys if he had to get out the water with a hard-on? "Sorry to snap at you. That wasn't my intension." He glanced back at him. "You just interrupted my thoughts…and you know how much I hate that."

Kento rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I know. So, why don't you come on over!" he grinned and pat the top of the water. "I'll rub your belly!"

Rowen crossed his eyes in annoyance, and then turned to Kento with a smile. "I don't think we need to subject the guys to that."

He raised a thick brow. "You're turning down a tummy rub? Was there something in that oatmeal?"

It was difficult to turn down a tummy rub. The only issue was that Sage is watching them; and how would the blonde react seeing him so close to Kento? But he didn't want to alert Kento to his attraction of Sage either. It was still too early in the game to reveal such secrets. So without another word, Rowen pushed himself away from the tub wall and backed in to Kento's chest. He let himself settle comfortably against the strong body, and sighed as the hot water, mixed with the immediate tummy rubbing, lulled him into a light sleep. It had only last a moment, the little snooze, and he opened his eyes with a smile, cuddling further into the wet warmth of his friend. But when he looked over at where Sage was he found the man to be missing. His brows furrowed slightly when a tuff of blonde appeared over the rim of the tub, and then the full form of Sage as he climbed the steps. Rowen had to advert his eyes when Sage removed the towel and settled into the hot water opposite of them. No one said a word, but Kento continued with the rubbing, which now had no effect. Rowen was too distracted by the object of his arousal sitting calmly across from them.

"Hey, is this where the party went?" Came Ryo's voice as he and Cye joined in the tub.

Rowen was relieved. 'Yes! Thank you Ryo and Cye!'

"Oh, this feels good." Cye sunk until the water level was beneath his eyes.

"How can you all stand this heat?" Kento asked. "I feel like a boiled chicken!"

"Well," Rowen started "If we're ever all stranded in the woods and dying of hunger, we know who to eat first. We'll call it, 'Kento Chicken Soup'." The others all laughed, except for Sage.

"Sage? Is anything wrong?" Cye asked.

"No. Nothing at all. I was just trying to relax in the water. Everyone was loud."

"Every party needs a pooper." Rowen laughed.

Sage's eyes narrowed in Rowen's direction. "I can be very delightful company at a party because-" Ryo interrupted with a snort of laughter and Sage jerked his head towards him "Something funny, Ryo?"

"No sir." Ryo sunk down into the water to hide his smile. Sage was 'delightful' all right. Delightfully boring. Yet it was all part of his duty to keep up the appearance of proper nobility. Yet Ryo could never see his friend as the hit of the party.

"You know, maybe I should rethink my-" Sage was interrupted again when a servant girl came hurrying in. She was tripping over her dress and panting from exhaustion.

"Lord Sage! Lord Sage!" She cried.

He turned around and leaned over the edge of the tub. "What is it?"

"Lord Sage, it's your father! The apothecary says he hasn't much time life! He has taken a turn for the worst! You must go to him!"

Sage's body went numb, but his mouth was able to speak. "I will be right there." The servant hurried out of the room.

The other four were silent, all exchanging glances wondering what they should do or say. Rowen still was unsure of how to read Sage, or what the man would want them to say. Was he the type to be standoffish and act like nothing is wrong? Or would he seek out the company and companionship of friends? Most likely the first, but this was Sage's father whom they were speaking about. Finally it was Cye who broke the ice when Sage climbed out of the tub.

"Sage? Is there anything we can do?"

He wrapped the towel around his waist but wouldn't look at them. "Just stand by. That's all."

"Stand by for what?" Kento asked. "Do you want us to be there?"

"No." Sage replied, flatly. "This is strictly a family matter. I just ask that you all stand by and…keep an eye on things around here. With my father's…final hours…there are bound to be some men snooping around. Good news travels fast."

"I hope things turn out all right?" Ryo tried to add some ray of hope to the dreary situation.

"Thank you for your hopeless words, Ryo." Sage's response was rude yet it held no tone of anger or sarcasm.

Ryo looked a little hurt by the response but a friendly hand on his shoulder from Cye made him feel better.

"Just let us know if there is anything we can do." Rowen stated. "For you or anyone else in your family, okay?"

"I will keep that in mind."

The four men remained in the tub while Sage dressed and left the bathing room. It was Ryo who spoke first. "So what should we do?"

Rowen looked over at him. "You know Sage better than us." He gestured to Kento. "What do you think we should do? How does he handle these types of…difficult situations?"

Ryo turned to Cye, who slowly tucked a strand of his wet auburn hair behind his ear. "He has known this day would come for quite some time now. I think the worst of it is over by now. I believe he has grieved and suffered and maybe even cried within the privacy of his own chambers already. It's not as much of a shock now." His green eyes looked at the others. "Still, I think we should stay very close to him tonight. If his father doesn't last much longer…then Sage will need trusted company."

Rowen crossed his arms, looking down at the foggy water as he spoke. "I agree with Cye. Once Sage's father has passed away the title goes directly to him. Although he is not of age yet he still holds great power, wealth, and land." Blue eyes lifted to look at Ryo. "How many old men are willing to kill a young one just to lay claim to a large establishment?"

Ryo clenched his fists under the water. "Then I'll be sleeping with my blades tonight; for Sage's sake."

"Maybe we should all sleep with a weapon." Kento suggested. "Even Sage."

"But we don't want to look obvious either." Rowen pointed out. "We still have his uncle, who, for a pompous old ass, is quite the troublemaker." His eyes widened and he stood up quickly from the water. "I need to get to the document room!"

"Whatever for?" Cye asked.

"Sage has that signed paper from his father stating that he is allowed to choose his own council! If someone else gets their hands on that then we're all screwed! Kento and I go back into chains, Cye and Ryo, you're back to dining at the servant's table! We can't make any changes that way! I need to get that document!"

Kento stood up as well. "I'll go with you."

"We'll go to Sage's father's chambers." Ryo said. "We'll keep an eye on things there."

"Good. Don't even blink! Keep any suspicious activity or person in mind and we'll discuss it later. Let's roll, Kento!"

"All right! Time for some action!"

/

Rowen and Kento hurried their way through the halls, dodging all the other frantic nobility and servants after hearing the news of the current lord. With any luck, all this chaos would make getting into the document room a lot easier. When they got there, the doors were open and scroll men were scurrying around like mice. In their arms were rolled up documents, each on pertaining to the death of a lord and the making of a new one. The men were too busy to care that Kento and Rowen were inside, looking in the most recent document in the current files section. Rowen hissed after looking at each one and not finding the one they needed.

"There should at LEAST be a copy!" Rowen groaned in frustration.

"Why don't we check Sage's room? Maybe it hasn't gotten here yet?"

Rowen gasped and slapped his forehead. "HIS ROOM! OF COURSE! Remember to slap me thoroughly later for that mishap!"

"As long as you put it in writing?"

Rowen just took his wrist and led them through the crowds and to Sage's room. But they stopped dead in their tracks as a young serving boy exited from the chambers, holding a piece of rolled up paper. It had the tied ribbon and seal of Sage's house. Whether or not it was the document they were looking for the young boy was still a thief. Rowen shouted 'hey' at the boy, who, after spotting both men, chose to flee. Kento and Rowen ran after him but the boy was smaller and faster. They couldn't lose that scroll! Thinking on his feet, Rowen saw a decorative display of weapons as they chased the boy into the armory. He grabbed a bow and some arrows, readied it, and with swift aim, fired a warning shot. The arrow whistled through the air and passed the boy's head, startling him to let out a yelp of fright. It stopped the boy in his tracks, and he yelped again when another arrow ripped the document from his hand. The arrow crashed into the wall far ahead and the boy looked back at Rowen who had another arrow ready. He shouted 'I'm sorry' and ran out of sight, leaving the document where it lay.

"Kento, go get it." Rowen tossed the bow to the floor as his friend received the paper. Rowen took it from him, pulled out the arrow, untied it, and rolled it open. It was the correct document but… "Uh oh."

"What 'uh oh'?" Kento looked around Rowen at the paper and saw a bunch of holes all in a line from where the arrow pierced it. The last two sentences sported the holes, even the spot where Sage's father's signature was. Kento glanced up at Rowen. " 'Uh oh' is right."

"Shut it." Rowen said with a hiss. "Damn! This is going to complicate things!"

Kento took it from him. "It's not that bad." He held it up to look through the holes at Rowen's frowning face.

"Give me that!" He snatched it from him. "I may be able to get this to work to our advantage."

"How? You butchered it."

Rowen rolled up the document. "This is solid proof that 'someone' was trying to steal this document and we saved it. That means there are plots out there to destroy Sage, just as he thought." He tucked the paper into his belt. "Let's get to his father's chamber and see if Ryo or Cye have noticed anything."

When they arrived at the master's chambers there was a small grouping of people, nobles and servants, all waiting silently for news on their lord. They spotted Ryo and Cye by the windows and went over to them.

"Any word?" Rowen asked.

"None yet." Replied Cye. "All we see is the trusted servants coming in and out with various items. What did you find out?"

"Well, Rowen was right in thinking someone would steal that document because we caught a young boy trying to do it! But then he showed off his bow and arrow skills to snag the document and…well…" Kento motioned to the document on Rowen's belt.

"Yeah, yeah, you like to see me mess up, don't you?" Rowen took out the document and held it out to the others, letting it unravel in the air.

"Are there supposed to be holes in it?" Ryo asked.

Rowen sneered. "No, there's not supposed to be holes in it!" When he saw Ryo's look of embarrassment he quickly apologized. "Hopefully this will still work for us. You can still make out his father's signature…it's just some of the words are missing. The most important stuff is stated, though. That should be all we need."

"Hey guys, heads up." Cye whispered and jerked his head towards the arrival of Sage's uncle and a few personal servants and guards. "There's trouble ahead."

Sage's uncle, covered completely in black robes for the mourning of his brother, stopped in his walk when he spotted his nephew's four 'councilmen'. The only one to give him a hard stare was the blue haired one.

'Ah, my nephew's slut and servant group of advisors. How deliciously humorous this is.' He spoke in the old tongue so they could not understand him. However, he had forgotten that the blue haired one could speak the language.

'Do not speak of what you do not know, old man!'

'You speak the old tongue!'

'Yes. Seiji, your nephew, has chosen us four as his friends and councilmen. Upon my person is the document stating so. We will all be working along side one another, good sir. Best get used to seeing us.

'Seiji will rule this house very shortly. It is my duty to help guide him until he comes of age. Sixteen springs is hardly a reasonable age to chose your own council. His choice of you four is simply out of rebellion and lust.'

'Regardless of what you say, we have the document stating differently. Words cannot hurt us.'

'Then only time will tell. What is your name, boy?'

'Toma.'

'Well then, 'Advisor Toma', I guess I will be seeing you soon. Many sweet dreams in my nephew's bed.'

Rowen's lip went up in a sneer as the man's entourage entered the chambers of their lord. The last guard to enter turned to the others waiting and dismissed them from standing in wait. Everyone was forced to leave the area.

"What did he say?" Ryo asked.

"Not much, but we have to watch our backs with him around. It's not just Sage we have to worry about now."

"What can we do?" Cye asked.

"Let's make sure to stay in small groups." Ryo suggested. "We really shouldn't be alone if we can help it." He took a glance at a window and noticed the sun was setting. "Uh oh, I need to get back to the barracks and make my rounds. Kento, come with me for this."

"Sure Ryo." Kento turned to Rowen and Cye. "Will you two be okay?"

"Yes," Cye assured them "We'll go and get Sage's chamber ready for him. You two take care."

Heading to Sage's chamber, Rowen took careful notice of how the servants and guards were acting. Most of them appeared shocked, saddened, or frightened as the news of their lord's demise was spreading fast. That was a good thing, for it meant that there were less people involved with Sage's uncle. Most of the men must be other nobles who are on the uncle's side; all men in the head council that Rowen would have to speak to. It would be hard to keep a straight face and maintain an even tone when speaking to those vultures.

"Rowen, we're here." Cye got his attention. "You're in deep thought. I can tell because your brows are crinkled." He chuckled.

"Sorry. Let's check the room first to make sure no one is here. These next few days are going to prove difficult for all of us." He checked under the bed. "Sage's enemies are now our enemies…and we are their enemies."

Cye checked the wardrobes. "Sometimes I think back to my simple little life in that fishing village. How quickly things have changed. These are all clear."

"The room is empty." Rowen passed the curtains and entered onto the balcony, checking up, down and all around. He came back into the room. "I don't think open balconies like this are safe right now."

Cye raised an auburn brow. "We can't do anything about the structure of the house. That's what the guards are for."

Rowen looked at the sheer curtains. "In a time of peace this is a nice idea. I think it would be safer if all of us stayed here together tonight. Take shifts watching. And if Sage is as smart as I think he is…he'll move his room to his father's chambers instead."

"His father has no balcony."

"Exactly. His father is the important figure in this house."

"Help me make the bed. Sage likes fresh silk sheets every night."

Rowen rolled his eyes but helped Cye strip the bed and replace them with white silk sheets. He stared at Cye as the slight man took out a small glass bottle from one of the wardrobe drawers. He then started splashing small amounts of the liquid content onto the sheets and pillows. Rowen smelt the faint scent of lavender and vanilla. "He isn't too pampered, is he? Sage wouldn't last a DAY in my clan village."

Cye corked the bottle and smiled at Rowen. "I don't think you give Sage enough credit. He may have courtesy and grace, but he also knows how to get his hands dirty. If you're able to have nice things, why not enjoy them and indulge a little? Life is short."

"You going to put a rose on his pillow, too?"

"Perhaps. Come with me to the garden well. Sage needs fresh water in his basin." He picked up the basin water pitcher.

"Scented water?" Rowen asked with a slightly snobby tone as he followed Cye out of the room.

"Don't be unkind. This is a hard time for Sage right now. We need to be supportive and positive. No jokes."

"It's a defense mechanism on my part. Pay it no mind."

Out in the gardens, where Rowen had yet to be, the sun was setting and turning the sky a light orange. The garden was large and well kept, with hundreds of varieties of flowers. There were hedges and archways full of wisteria, ivy, and other hanging flowers. The garden would take some time to explore but it would have to wait for another day. The well was closer to the house for easier access. Cye handed him the pitcher while he sent the bucket down the dark well. Rowen peered down and watched the bucket slowly disappear from sight. But soon the sounds of voices traveled through the air and both men turned to the direction of the sound. Through the stone arched gate, they could see some of the workers, servants, and even city peasants hurrying by.

"Where they going?" Rowen asked.

"If my guess is correct, then they are heading to the window of the current lord." Cye lowered his eyes. "It's tradition that when a great lord of nobility is ill or close to dying, or a noble woman is giving birth, the people gather around under the window to await a sign. For if it is death, the candle at the window gets blown out. If it is new life, then two candles are lit."

Rowen frowned. "Should be go too?"

"I rather we go back to Sage's room and await him there. That's where he will retreat to."

"Wouldn't he mourn with his mother?"

Cye pulled up the bucket. "Sage is funny that way. I couldn't tell you if he would come to his room right away or stay with his mother. I've seen very little of her. She's barely ever here. She came back after her husband fell ill. Normally she lives in her family's house where Sage's sisters and grandparents are."

Rowen looked surprised. "He has sisters?"

"Yes. An elder one and a younger one. He is the only boy. Chances are she'll go back to them after all this is over. I believe she is closer with her daughters than she is with Sage." Rowen held the pitcher still as Cye poured the water in. "I think the father's relationship with the son is more important that the relationship with his mother."

"I bet that's why he leans more towards the bed company of men and not women."

Cye left the bucket on the edge. "Probably. Whatever the reason, we'll support him and say nothing about it. Let's head back. Ryo should be coming in soon too. The barracks will be shut down to mourn the death of a lord."

"Right. Although he's probably not going to care about this water or the silk sheets. Not after the day he is having."

"Still I rather keep things the same and normal for him. I never know just what he is thinking or what he wants, so best to have everything ready anyway so he can pick and choose."

/

Sage exited his father's chambers to the sounds of his mother and a few servants wailing while the candle was put out. The hall was empty save for a guard or two. Sage paid them no mind and in a dazed, numb state, he walked to his chambers. This day had finally come; and it was miracle that his father had actually survived this long. The apothecary said that the illness was a strange one that he couldn't find a cure for. All the man could do was prolong death and he had. Still, something didn't feel right in the pit of his stomach. His father had fallen ill mysteriously one day while riding his horse with a few men. Sage was shocked at how quickly a strong, healthy man could grow so sick so suddenly. His father was a good man who was respected by many, if not all, of the nobility. People would only want to see him dead for the right of his title, house, and land. Sage had suggested that he had been poisoned when the illness first started but the apothecary had ruled it out. Sage still wasn't completely convinced.

When he reached his chamber doors he heard voices coming from behind it. Outside the door lay White Blaze, who must be on guard duty. The tiger acknowledged Sage and purred deeply. Sage glanced at the large animal and then leaned towards the door. Listening closely, he recognized the voices belonging to Ryo and Cye. Sage rests his head against the door, closed his eyes, and prayed for the strength to be nice to them. He knew they were in his room to 'comfort' him but he didn't need sympathy; he needed to be alone. Taking a deep breath and counting to ten, Sage opened the door to the sight of not two men but four. Ryo, Cye, Kento, and Rowen all looked up from their activities when he had entered the room. No one spoke a word to him, nor did Sage choose to say anything back. He calmly acknowledged all of them with a straight face and closed the door behind him.

"I know why you're all here and while it is appreciated, it's unnecessary. I would rather be by myself, if you don't mind?"

"Actually, we do mind." Rowen said, standing up from the floor where he was reading a book. "Sage, Kento and I caught someone trying to steal the document stating that we are your chosen council members. I was able to get it back before it was taken and destroyed. We all think your life may be in danger, so we thought it would be best if we all stayed together."

"I'd rather not have company."

"Sage," Cye started "you don't have to speak to us or anything if you don't want to, but I think we should stay here."

"Yeah, it's been a tough day for you." Kento added in. "You're the new lord and all, so you've got a ton of stuff to do now. Take a load off for a bit."

"We'll help you out." Ryo, patting the hilts of his swords. "And I think you know as well as we do that it's not safe for you. How many times have you told us that?"

Sage narrowed his gaze, moving from one man to the other and meeting their stares. Deciding to keep their company, Sage's gaze focused on Rowen. "Come with me to the rooftop."

"Why me?" Rowen asked, but Sage's firm stare was all the answers he needed. "Sure."

"Will you two be alright?" Cye asked.

Rowen answered for them. "Yeah, we'll be fine. Order yourself some food and hang out here. We'll be back."

/

Out on the rooftop the stars were twinkling bright above them. Sage stared up into the dark sky, his arms crossed with feet planted firmly on the floor. The blonde was silent the whole way up and Rowen found himself doing the same as Sage. He was unsure of what to say, how to say it, or if he should say anything. Sage had called him up here so the man must want to talk about something. Rowen figured it was best to wait until Sage spoke first. The silence was long and awkward, making Rowen shift uncomfortably back and forth. He had to stare out at the city for a bit because his neck was cramping from looking up. Finally, Sage spoke, and it startled him.

"What do you believe is up there, Rowen?"

"Huh?"

"You heard me."

It wasn't the question Rowen thought his friend would say, but he had to answer. "What do I believe?" He looked back up at the stars. "Are we speaking of the afterlife or science and astrology in general?"

"Just give me whatever you have."

Rowen had a feeling this was going to be a long conversation so he chose to lay along the roof's ledge. "No one knows for sure until they're up there. Could be something else greater than us up there. Maybe all the stars in the sky are the spirits of those who have passed on."

"Nonsense. There aren't enough stars."

"Back in my sky there are." Rowen smiled. "The sky is littered with millions of them. Some shine brighter than others yet they are all together."

Sage looked at him. "Suppose your theory is correct; what would a shooting star be? A new spirit? One that maybe falls back to earth?"

Rowen sat up and looked at him, resting his arms on his knees. "What do you want me to say, Sage? Are we talking about your father here? Do you think he's up there?" he pointed up.

"I don't know what I think. I don't think anything, actually. That's what frightens me. Should I?"

"What? Think that there's something beyond this life?" Rowen laid back down. "Maybe. Maybe not. It's comforting to think that's there's another world out there where we'll meet everyone again. But we'll never really know until our time comes. We just need to keep living." Sage fell silent again and Rowen turned his head to look at him. The blonde seemed to be in deep thought, probably analyzing what he just said to explain his emotions. Which, he would add, were completely unreadable. Rowen couldn't tell if he was sad or angry. It irked him.

"I'm through thinking about this. Everything is going to change now. He no longer has to suffer nor carry the burden of this family."

"When will you be allowed to rule legally?"

"At seventeen. In another four months. I need to remain alive until then or better yet…just leave this place for awhile."

Rowen looked over at him. "Leave? Where would you go?"

"It's not going to live somewhere else per say. More or less like our plan to invade the Dynasty."

Blue brows shot up. "Whoa. Sage, we don't even know what the outcome of the vote will be!"

"The Dynasty will be fought one way or another! I rather not stay here for very long. I have no problem letting my uncle run the family home until I am of legal age. He's always been beside my father so he knows how to run it. He's just…" he couldn't finish the sentence. "What I'm saying is that I want to leave. After my father's pyre funeral and my mother's departure, I want to set out for the Dynasty. All five of us."

Rowen sat up again with a crooked smile. "Sage, you're speaking out of rage and sorrow for the loss of your father. It's perfectly natural. I think you should take a break for a little bit and let the reality of the situation sink in before making such rash decisions. I mean, me and the guys will join you in taking on the Dynasty; no issue there. But we don't want to rush in head on unprepared. That's how I ended up here; because Kento charged into battle without thinking. I'll be damned if I become a slave for the Dynasty!"

Sage gave a sigh. "You're right. I don't know what I'm feeling. I'm just a mix of so many emotions that…" he dropped his head back "I need to mediate."

"Go ahead. I'll stand by and keep an eye on you until you're ready to go back in."

"That may be a while." Sage said as he sat down.

"I'm not doing anything. Take all the time you need." He lay back on the ledge. "I'll watch the stars."

/

"What do you think they're doing up there?" Ryo asked the others from the balcony, craning his neck to try and see the roof.

Cye was seated on the bed, trying on some of Sage's circlets. "Enjoying one another's company?" He held out a gold hand mirror.

"That's all they better be doing." Kento muttered from the table, picking his teeth with a toothpick after cleaning his plate of dinner.

Cye narrowed his eyes at Ryo's form through the sheer curtains, shaking his head as the man was nearly dangling over the edge trying to see up. "Ryo, for crying out loud, get back in here! Don't be so nosy!"

Ryo hurried back in as commanded. "I was just curious, that's all. They could be hurt!"

"I'm sure they're fine." Cye assured him.

The black haired man snuffed. "Put those things away or I'll tell Sage you're wearing them." Cye stuck his tongue out at Ryo.

"Let's go find them." Kento suggested.

"You just want to catch them together." Cye wagged his finger at him. "It's Rowen's decision in the end, Kento." Kento didn't answer back but pretended to be fascinated by his toothpick. "What you two have is a courtship and a strong bond of friendship. You have no right to be jealous. Isn't that right, Ryo?"

Ryo looked frightened. "Don't drag me into this! I don't know!"

Cye waved Ryo off with his hand. "Hearts can change, Kento. Even yours."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." He tossed the toothpick onto the plate. "It just sucks." He leaned back on the legs of the chair and propped his feet up on the table. "It's because he's blonde, isn't it?"

Cye laughed. "I doubt Rowen goes for physical traits like that. He's solely a personality seeking guy."

"Then he and Sage will get along well." Ryo said, and then quickly apologize to Kento.

"Don't mention it."

"It's getting late. Maybe we should go get them." Cye offered.

"We'll give them a few more minutes." Kento suggested.

/

Letting out his last exhale of breath, Sage opened his eyes feeling both his mind and body completely relaxed. The death of his father was still on his mind but it was manageable now. He stood up from the roof and cracked his back but then took notice of Rowen's sleeping form on the ledge. Sage walked over to him, looking down at the angelic sleeping face and marble skin; much like his own. The moon shone down upon the sleeping figure, giving the illusion that he was glowing. Sage was transfixed by the image of this sleeping archer before him and for a moment it helped to ease his mind away from his troubles. Rowen was a beautiful young man, anyone could see that. Sage had originally been attracted to him for just his looks, now it was more than that. Maybe it was the death of his father or the swarm of enemies he now had, but Sage's affection for Rowen suddenly heightened. He wanted this man for his very own and not just for his council. Something had attracted him to Rowen from that very first day and now that he had a chance to gaze longingly upon this man he knew he wanted to possess him. But Rowen wouldn't be one to give in so easily. Yet if he were to take Rowen as a lover now with his new position it would only add to the current issues they faced. Rowen was a man and unable to bear children, so Sage would need a woman if he were to keep his house and lands. Having Rowen by his side would never be allowed. But that was a long way ahead still, and he would see where this will lead first before making a solid decision.

Deciding to be bold, Sage leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Rowen's thin lips. The lips were warm and smooth against his own. As he pulled away the pair of blue eyes were opened and gazing at him in stunned silence. Sage said not a word as his own gaze bore into Rowen's. Then, the archer flushed brightly and shot up from the ledge. Sage had to reach out and steady him before Rowen toppled over the side.

"W-What was that about?" Rowen almost screeched at him.

"I'm sorry…I just couldn't help myself. You looked so…stunning in the light of the stars and moon that I…I just wanted to kiss you."

Both men looked away in opposite directions, one more flushed than the other.

"S-Surely you've kissed another man before? You have Kento."

"Yeah I have. I just…wasn't expecting that from you!" Rowen's face felt like it was on fire and it was so unlike him, but a part of him wanted to do a cartwheel of joy. Sage had kissed him! But he couldn't just give himself the blonde so quickly! Sage would have to work for it. They also haven't known each other that long to make such a commitment. "And what the heck are you blushing for? You've been with Cye!"

"That is irrelevant." Sage answered quickly.

They were both silent again, but Rowen was the first to speak. "So…do you…want to do that again? When I'm awake?" It was Rowen's turn to be bold. He turned to look at the blonde who still wore a faint blush but his expression was flat.

"Then this is alright with you?"

Rowen nodded. "Yeah." He smirked. "Let's try it again. Your lips were so cold…and I think you can use the distraction."

"So you like this?" Sage gave a small smile and held out his hand to Rowen, pulling the other to his feet. He as an inch taller than Rowen but that made the blue haired man a perfect size for him.

"I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see!" Rowen couldn't help himself and he leaned up to lock their lips together. This kiss held a little more passion than the last, but it intensified when Sage embraced him. Rowen embraced back, letting the palms of his hands rest against the blonde's blades. It was Sage who pulled away first but he still held Rowen close to him.

"I think you've been waiting for that." Sage stated, which yearned a snort from Rowen.

"Don't flatter yourself! You've simply peeked my interest. We have many things in common and I can relate to you on a much higher level than the other guys."

"So that's why you REALLY came to my house. You wanted to be with me."

Rowen rolled his eyes and smiled. "Think whatever you want." He moved his hands so they could thread through Sage's silky blonde hair. "You know…you look handsome in the light of the night as well. I should call you 'moon boy'."

Sage chuckled. "No, that would you be you." He lowered his eyes when Rowen pecked him on the cheek. "Careful. If you do little things like that in public people will say we're in love."

"Let them say what they want. Time has a way of making and breaking things." He smirked and took Sage by the hand, pulling him back to the roof door. "And I'm up for the adventure!"

This was more of a reaction than Sage thought he was going to get from Rowen. He could rule out that the archer had actually been attracted to him but was hiding it all this time do to egotistical pride…much like his own. And Rowen was right; this was a much needed distraction that will help to get him through the next difficult days. So he followed the wild archer back inside and they hurried to his chambers. A guard was posted outside the door and acknowledged Sage with a bow, standing aside to let them enter. The chamber was completely dark with only the moonlight shining through the sheer balcony curtains. Cye was sound asleep on the bed, burrowed and nestled deep under the covers. Kento was snoring against White Blaze, his hands folded over his belly as it rose and fell with snores. Where was Ryo?

"Oh, hey you two." Ryo peeked through the curtains and smiled at them. "The other guys were tired and needed to crash." He whispered. "I have the first watch, so you guys can sleep."

"Thanks Ryo." Rowen said, and then glanced at Kento. Looking at his friend and 'intended', Rowen feared what he would tell Kento tomorrow morning when he saw them together. His friend would be heartbroken, but their friendship would not end. Hurting Kento was like kicking a very loyal dog that would look up at you with pure love, sadness, and hurt as it kept its distance from you. He was not looking forward to telling him. And then there was Cye, Sage's first friend and 'comfort' bed mate. Cye was with Ryo, but from what he could tell the two men weren't 'in love'. It was almost as if the three of them; Ryo, Sage, and Cye would freely sleep with each other without having any romantic ties. Cye may even be as hurt as Kento when they all find out. And then, a curious thought just occurred to him. A curious, devious little thought that broke a crooked smirk to his lips. He looked from Kento to Cye three or four times before grinning madly. His grin attracted the attention of Sage.

"What's that look for?"

"I'll tell you in the morning." Rowen pulled him to the bed. "Now I guess you'll sleep in the middle?"

"I always sleep in the middle. I'm the lord here." Sage boasted flatly, removed his boots and shirts, and slipped under the covers. Cye must have sensed his arrival for the lithe man rolled over with a content sigh and cuddled into him.

Rowen slid in beside him. "If it were anyone else other than Cye or the guys, we'd have a major problem right now."

"So you're possessive?"

"I might be."

"Well, I'm possessive as well. If not more so than you."

Rowen couldn't resist the urge to give Sage a quick kiss on the lips. "We'll see about that. But for now, let's get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow…and it's not going to be easy for you. But we're all here for you."

Sage closed his eyes and sighed. "I'll worry about it in the morning. But you are right, we should get to sleep." He pulled both Rowen and Cye closer to him. "Good night, Rowen."

"Goodnight."

Ryo had heard their little whispered conversation and he smiled, looking up at the moon shining down on him.

Kento had woken up from all the movement on the bed behind him. He too had heard their conversation.

End Chapter 6 TBC
- 5
- 6
- 7
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Wild Child	By : FlayraDowitcher Category: +M to R > Ronin Warriors Views: 1521 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own RW/YST. I'm making no money off this fic.

Wild Child