Reminder there is a title naming contest for this story! I don’t own the Ronins and I’m sorry about the typos in the last chapter. I’m not the world’s best speller.
Part 2
Going Home
The train station was crowded with holiday traffic. Rowen had left twenty minutes ago leaving Kento and Cye alone to wait for there train. “I’m really excited about going home.” said Cye wishfully. “I haven’t seen my family in so long. But I still wish we had all stayed together. I’m going to miss the guys, and poor Ryo.”
Kento shrugged. “I know what you mean, but hey, Ryo’s a big guy. I’m sure he’s used to being alone.” Cye glared at Kento. “Besides I couldn’t stand to be away from your cooking for to long. My mom doesn’t even cook as good as you.” Cye blushed.
“Kento, you really shouldn’t say such things. People will here you.”
“Let them hear me. My best friend is a great cook.” Kento bellowed. People turned to looked at them. Cye blushed a deep scarlet and hung his head.
Kento seeing how much he was embarrassing his friend quickly lowered his voice. “Sorry man didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I know how you don’t like to be the center of attention, you and Ryo.” He laughed a little, uncertainly.
Cye looked up at the sky, “Ryo.” He murmured. “He must feel so abandoned right now. We should never have left him like that.”
Kento put his hand on Cye’s shoulder. “Hey man Ryo’s cool. It wasn’t your fault. You asked him if he wanted to come. We all did. Ryo’s just not the kind of guy to except charity out of pity.”
“Pity?” Said Cye Confused.
“Hey now, I know that we didn’t invite him along because we pity him; but I bet that’s how he sees it.” stated Kento.
“You’ve been hanging around Sage to long. Your starting to sound like him.” Teased Cye jabbing Kento in the ribs with his elbow.
“Ow. Hey what’s that supost to mean.” Protested Kento.
“Nothing.” said Cye lightly, “Look here comes our train.” The train pulled into the dock and the two boys shoulder their packs and claimed aboard.
* * *
Rowen laid sprawled across the Star Comforter on his bed. He was trying desperately to ignore the screaming his mother was doing on the phone at his dad. Right now he wished he could have stayed at Mia’s. He almost had. Being eighteen now, his parents no longer had authority over him and it was his own choice whether or not to see his dad. Mia however, was leaving town for the holiday and didn’t want anyone at the house. She’d even sent poor Ryo away. Rowen still didn’t understand why Ryo and him (at least) couldn’t stay. They wouldn’t break anything or mess up the place. Still Mia said no. Rowen was going to stay with Sage at the dojo but his mother had pleaded with him to come home and he finally agreed against his better judgment. He was still trying to figure out how he’d managed to get talked into staying with his dad in Zama for the New Year. He wouldn’t even be home that night and Rowen would have to stay in.
Rowen thought back to the week before. His mom had called while Mia and the others were at the store. Not wanting the ringing to wake Ryo, who’d fallen asleep on the couch while reading, he got up to answer it. It was his mother. Oh great just what I need right now. He thought sarcastically. His mother asked him to come home for the holiday and some where along the line talked him into spending some time with his dad even though she herself refused to see him. Rowen had stood there for several minutes quietly arguing with his mom. He had looked back to the living room in frustration. He spotted Ryo lying on the couch looking at him. For a brief moment, Rowen could see tears in Ryo’s eyes. Accompanied by a deep sadness that never seemed to go away it just got deeper and deeper. Ryo broke the gaze. Rising from the couch he strolled past Rowen to the front door and slipped his shoes on. Rowen stared after Ryo as he went outside Re- membering the sadness he’d seen in Ryo’s eyes. A ping of guilt streaked through him. Ryo didn’t have parents and Rowen should be grateful that he did. Even if they didn’t get a long. Rowen realized that his mother was asking him if he was still on the line. With a sigh Rowen agreed to come home.
Man, this is so boring. Thought Rowen. He had nothing to do, no one to hang with, and his mom hadn’t left him alone since he’d arrived. There was a nock at his door and a woman’s voice called, “Rowen dinners ready.”
“I’ll be right there.” Rowen called back. With a sigh he sat up and swung his legs over the end of the bed. I wonder if the others are having as much fun as I am.