Chapter 3

Cole sat on the couch, he was up earlier then Cye. He was tired and hungry too. The last thing he wanted to do was mow the lawn. He looked outside at the wet lawn. He was feeling too lazy to do a stupid wet lawn. Wet lawn was hard to mow too. He should have left when he could so he wouldn’t have to his chores. If he would have left, Lynn would have to take over the vacation house. But he was nice he was going to mow the lawn for her. Plus they had to go to that stupid swim park…yay…Not that Cole hated the swim park, just that it was always crowded. He liked having room to move, not standing in a line for like an hour to go on a slide. And without Scott there, it wouldn’t be the same! (Scott left early this morning to his friend’s place to go camping)

Cye came down and looked at the tired kid that was grabbing a breakfast bar. Cye shook his head as he went to fix breakfast. He sighed and thought why the heck Cole would be up earlier the he? He was up always before anyone else. Oh well, probably personal matters. Cye grabbed a pan and started some eggs.

Robyn woke a little after Kento and Sage did, she walked into the living room and looked at Cole, who was leaving into the backyard to the shed for the lawn mower, and smiled. Cye, Kento and Sage were sitting at the table chatting happily. Robyn walked in and sat down to warm eggs and pancakes in front of her. She looked up at Cye and then over to Kento who was already done and heading outside to see if he could help Cole. After realizing that they were waiting for her so they could go, she started to eat.

The morning came slow, and when everyone was up, no one wanted to work or do anything. Lynn sat on the couch while Rowen and Cole talked about going to this swim pool. Cye and Robyn sat at the table, Kento, Ryo and Sage went outside to take in some sunlight.

“So you think we should go? I mean, it would be fun, just really crowed,” Cole explained as he threw his hat on the table.

“Yeah, I say we go…how crowed does it really get?” Rowen asked with much curiosity.

“Really, sometimes they stop letting people in.” Cole lifted his feet on the table next to his hat and breathed heavily.

“Well, I don’t want to go if it’s too crowed we can’t move…” Rowen thought out loud.

“Let’s go…uh…I got an idea! I will take you guys to a swimming slash rock climbing place! This way you can do what you want,” Cole nodded and leaned his chair back.

“YEAH, please Cole, let’s go!” Robyn jumped up. “It’ll be fun!!”

“Okay then, get everyone together and I’ll take ya.”

Everyone did get together and into the trucks. Cole, Lynn, and Robyn set their minds on racket ball while Cye, Ryo, Sage went swimming. Kento and Rowen went rock climbing. They weren’t the only ones there, there were other little kids and that made it difficult since they had to kind of teach them how to rock climb. Rowen thought it would be fun to show off to the little kids.

“Dude…” Kento looked down as he realized that a kid was glaring at him. They were all looking at the bigger kids climb and dreaming they were that good. ”If I make one mistake I will feel awful!”

“Messing up isn’t the bad part,” a kid yelled.

“It’s when you slip and fall…and fall…and you can’t stop so you hit the ground with so much force you knock your self out and then we dial 9-1-1 and they come and say you broke your back and have amnesia,” another kid yelled from below.

“Why,” Rowen started to repel down to his friend.

“Cause they are all looking at you! What if I slip or something, they will think I suck! Why don’t we just throw them up here and show them they can do it? What if he’s right, what if I do get hurt?”

“Because…I think they like seeing us mess up and they can learn from our mistakes. Plus you can’t get hurt; I’m pretty sure your safe buddy.” Rowen lowered the rest of the way.

“Show off…” Kento grunted.

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“How ‘bout some water basketball,” Ryo asked as he threw a ball to a net.

“Bring it on Ryo,” Cye threatened as has tossed the ball to Sage.

“The teams wouldn’t be even….” Sage thought out loud as he tossed the ball back to Cye.

“…Good point, How about I play winner of one-on-one…..” Ryo offered.

“Sure, Sage and I will go and then you take winner on,” Cye dunked the ball.

“Well what are we waiting for? Go, I wanna play too!” Ryo threw the ball to Sage who started the game.

Cole, Lynn and Ryo were deep in a game of racket ball and Cole seemed to be targeted the most. Robyn and Lynn hit the ball with so much force and they hit it from and angle, Cole would constantly get hit. Everyone got hit but Cole was hit more.

“Dang ball,” Cole hit the ball, “I wish it would just leave me alone!” Cole jumped up and dodged the ball.

After getting hit like 40 times, Cole packed up and got ready to go home. Robyn went and told Cye and the others that she was going home to help Cole and Lynn. On the way to the car, Cole slipped on wet grass, hit his head on the way into the car, and tripped on the way into the house. Lynn and Robyn agreed that he had bad luck but Cole said he never has bad luck.

Lynn gave Cole some Tylenol and Cole lay on the couch and took a nap. Robyn and Lynn wondered outside. They played ball with Colt, and had a small water fight.

Lynn found some water guns in the shed and filled it up behind Robyn’s back. When Lynn came back out, Robyn had her gun all filled up and a small water fight broke out.

“Come out; come out, where-ever you are Robyn…” Lynn chanted over and over looking for the hidden Robyn.

“Over here!”

Lynn turned around and got a face full of water.

“Oh…...You are so going to…” Lynn stopped when the phone rang. She looked at Robyn and then at the house. She started walking to the house and then turned to give the unsuspecting Robyn a little squirt before running inside.

“Hello,” Lynn said as she answered the phone.

“Hey baby…”

“Hi mom…how are you!” Lynn looked at Robyn who was coming in.

“Oh good…as always, father says he cannot come over for the week, he has to go to Texas for a Plane meeting thing. He says he’s sorry.”

“That’s fine…Tell him I miss him so….I miss you too.” Lynn quietly motioned Robyn to give her a towel.

“And we miss you! I am going to let you go. Tell Robyn that your father will take her home when she wants. He is going to be traveling over there in a couple weeks.”

“Yes…I will. Love you mom! Bye!”

“Bye honeys…stay safe with Cole.”

“Promise,” Lynn smiled as she nodded and hung up. “My dad says he will take you home. He’s going over there soon so he can fly you guys over.” Lynn said as she dried herself off.

“Does she know that Cye is here?” Robyn asked as she moved into the living room.

“No,” Lynn laughed, “She would have a cow.” Lynn went upstairs to change.

After swimming for a while, Cye, Sage, and Ryo moved to the rock climbing room with Rowen and Kento. It was getting late and they need to get back home so Cye climbed up the last wall. Ryo and Sage were already taking off their gear. And Kento walked in. Rowen glazed up at Cye and then back at Ryo.

“Is the almighty Cye stuck,” Rowen laughed.

“No, I was doing one last hill before we had to take these things off.”

“Well hurry up, you’re the only one up there,” Kento called from below. “I’m starving!”

“I’m coming,” Cye repelled down, “Let’s go to the store to get some stuff and I will Bar-B-Q tonight.”

“Mmmm….Bar-B-Q…” Ryo and Kento dazed off.

“What are we waiting for then! Let’s go,” Rowen said impatiently as Cye took his harness off.

Robyn sat down in a chair in the living room. She turned on the TV but kept it down since Cole was sleeping. She looked over at Cole; he had a light blanket over him and was without a pillow. So Robyn got up and lifted Cole’s head to place a pillow under him.

But before she could turn and walk away, she felt a hand grab her hand. She turned around and saw Cole holding her hand.

“Hey you’re awake. You feel better?” Robyn sat on the table across from Cole.

“Yeah, a bit, still a bit tired though,” Cole smiled

“Well, I heard you did stay up late.”

“Yeah…” Cole sat up and stretched

“You need any thing?” Robyn stood up.

“…Some water would be nice….” Cole yawned. “No body’s back yet.”

“Not yet,” Robyn smiled. “They should be here soon according to Kento’s stomach.”

Cye opened the door.

“See,” Robyn left to the kitchen.

“What's up, Cole,” Kento asked roughly.

“I’m having a bit of bad luck…” Cole grinned.

Kento nodded and went down stairs.

Robyn returned to give Cole his water and then went outside with Lynn. Rowen followed with Sage.

“I do,” Robyn insisted. “He’s so cute!”

“My gosh, Robyn! You did not have this big of a crush on Scott when you were with us last time!” Lynn sipped her lemonade. “He’s really not THAT cute…”

“He is a dreamer….” Robyn giggled.

“Girl talk,” Sage mumbled. “I hate girl talk.”

Rowen then spoke, soft and then stern, “And all I gave you…you still choose an American. How do you know he cares for you? How do you know he isn’t like…Jason or Derek?”

“I can guarantee Scott is not like Derek or Jason.” Robyn looked at the two in the door way. “Scott is better…”

“My gosh!” Rowen chuckled. “He’s another guy who probally likes to play with girls like you!”

“Not Scott,” Robyn laughed.

“Yes Scott,” Lynn laughed.

“No,” Robyn laughed and shook her head.

“I’m joking,” Lynn took a deep breath. “Scott’s cool. I just don’t see how you can like HIM.”

“Who,” Cye asked behind Rowen.

The three Ronins came out.

“Robyn likes Scotty the Hottie…” Rowen teased.

Sage left. He was getting tired of this worthless talk.

“So,” Robyn grinned. He’s cute!”

Cye left too. He didn’t really want to hear this.

Rowen shook his head. “I don’t find him cute.”

“That’s good to know, Rowen,” Lynn laughed.

Later, Robyn came in and saw Cye cooking dinner. She couldn’t help but bother him.

“Hey,” she smiled.

“Do you really think Scott’s cute,” Cye asked quietly.

“Yeah…do you not want me to,” Robyn chuckled.

“I’m just worried about you,” Cye looked at her. “You changed so much…It’s hard to just stand back and allow you to flirt.”

“If you don’t want me to flirt with guys around you I wont Cye,” Robyn put her hand on his shoulder.

“It’s not really that. It’s the fact that you are so vulnerable…”

“Cye….”

“I’m serious! I…I cherish you and you will not be your self if Scott gets a hold of you!”

“Cye….Rowen, Kento, you…I’m vulnerable around all of you. But I aint going to fall for some boy I spent my childhood in America. Don’t worry about my please. If I need help, I’ll always come to you. It’s not like he’s going to abuse me or rape me…or something along those lines. Scott’s not like that.” Robyn took a deep breath.

Cye laughed humorlessly, “Robyn, I will not let anything happen to you and if Scott touches you wrong or hurts you in any way, so help me I will kill him instantly!”

Robyn stood the looking at Cye as if he had a pot of gold for her. How could he love her that much? Was this all true? Wait, why would Cye think she would let any body touch her or hurt her anyway?

“Cye, I wouldn’t let it get that far. You know that,” Robyn got up and went to rub his back. She felt so connected and open to Cye. She hoped Cye felt the same way. Cye loved it when she rubbed his back too.

“Cye, I….I’m glad you care so much for me…” Robyn wrapped her arms around Cye’s neck and rested her head on Cye’s shoulder while Cye continued with dinner.

Dinner wasn’t as bad as Cole thought it would be. But he later claimed that Saturdays he got to grill. That was his specialty. They went to bed early, Sage, Ryo, Lynn, Cole, and Kento. But Cye and Robyn lay in Robyn’s room talking while Rowen gazed up at the stars and wondered if Cye was ever going to leave so he could go in there and get his turn.

“Are you sure? Because I am not convinced that someone like Scott would do that,” Robyn was laying against the pillows wile Cye looked up at the ceiling.

“Robyn…Guys would do anything to get you. Make out with you, I am not saying that I personally want some, but Scott seems to have that power. You admitted that he was the cutest. Just please be careful while we are here. I know you like Scott; I will be on you and him just to let you know. And if there is anything you want to talk about, I’m here.”

“Thanks…Cye, You ever…I mean with the Dynasty, did you ever have a ‘lover’?”

“….No…except Mia…She was the only girl I had real feelings for…But back then everyone did.” Cye laughed, “I don’t think about that anymore. And I hope you don’t either.” Cye looked directly at Robyn.

“NO! I mean, it’s the hormones that do that! But still…” Robyn snuggled into the blankets.

“Just be careful okay.” Cye smiled.

“Yeah, I will. I promise you will be the first to know…” Robyn laughed.

“I don’t think I want to know…Good night Robyn, sweet dreams. “Cye placed his hands on her cheeks to bring her head forward and kissed her forehead softly. In return, Robyn kissed him on his temple and lay down to sleep. Robyn didn’t know why Cye kissed her or why she kissed him. It just seemed right at the moment.

“Good night,” Robyn got comfortable as Cye left turning off the lights and shutting the door.

When Robyn was almost asleep, her door opened and she wanted to kill the pervert who dared to enter her room at this time. But when she sat up she saw Rowen. She looked at him in curiosity and worried that he wasn’t going to leave her to her sleep. In her mind, she was thinking he wasn’t going to leave her alone because she squealed on him earlier. Then again, he could be there for some loving. But she was not in the mood to put up with him now, more like in the morning. But he came in and jumped on the bed making him self comfortable after shutting the door. Robyn gulped as she felt the boy crash on her bed and come upon her. He tickled her to lighten up the tenacity in the room, and for a while, it worked.

When Rowen stopped, the tenacity had gone down a bit and he hovered over her while she just looked blankly into his eyes. He slowly let her up and placed his hands on her sides. Robyn’s body refused to move as Rowen moved his hands toward her back and back down to her sides.

“Rowen! I would like to go to sleep,” Robyn removed his hands from her sides.

“All I wanted was a kiss good night.” Rowen leaned forward, making his face inches from hers. His heart raced for her to acknowledge his love and for her to return some.

“This is what you call a kiss good night?” Robyn raised an eyebrow.

“Sort of…But I thought since I was going to be in here…together…” He came closer, his hands back on her sides.

“Rowen, not tonight thank you,” Robyn said softly with a bit of sarcasm in her voice; and cuddled back into the blankets.

“No, we don’t have to do that…but maybe stay here and talk about what we are going to do when we go back for college…” Rowen raised an eyebrow.

“Rowen, why don’t you go to bed in your own room. I’m tired…” Robyn looked like she was going to kill Rowen for the lack of sleep but Rowen was smiling at what his accomplishment was. “Plus if Cye comes in…you won’t be around for more then a couple seconds.”

“Don’t worry about him,” Rowen grabbed Robyn and held her close, his hands around her waist and his head resting on her head. She let him. She was too tired to do anything and figured maybe if she just let him do what he wants for a while, he would leave when his guy thing turned off. Infact, she felt comforted with him there and hugged him back. He was above the covers anyway. She felt his heart pounding and realized that he wanted some loving; he wanted to be closer to her. And he was scared. Scared of Cye, he wanted to love her and stay with her, but everyone knew that Cye would never have that! She breathed softly into his shirt, relaxing against his body. Rowen sensed her relaxation and relaxed himself. But he stiffened again as a thought came to mind.

“Rowen…what’s wrong?” Robyn asked as she pulled her self away to look at his face, both sitting now.

“Nothing, just I wish… I… could be more like Cye so… I could hold you more. Like we are now…Don’t you wish… that… this would never end?”

Robyn looked astonished. He has never been like this before. Was he just playing or did he really love her? “Rowen, Rowen, Rowen, you are who you are. I love you for that,” Rowen noted the word love, “And I love Kento and Cye for who they are! Understand? I wish we could be together…but not forever… But…If I could, I would lay here with you. And when did you smell so good,” Robyn took a deep breath, burring her nose in his shirt.

“Since I took a shower with Scott’s shampoo,” Rowen smiled, by this time they could see each other’s faces in the dark. “Robyn…”

“Hmm…”

“Can… I… just stay here? I love it where I am ….With you and alone…”

Robyn looked at Rowen for a moment. He was asking more then Cye. If she let him sleep with her, he could rape her or worse…but would Rowen really do that!? Would any of them do that? What would happen if Cye found out? He was asking so much and too much. She wanted to say no but his face told her that she would break his heart if she said no. Robyn took a deep breath and went back under the covers. “…If you have a death wish and keep those clothes on, I don’t care,” Robyn whispered sleepily. “Just let me sleep…”

“Thanks…” Rowen got under the first cover and reached over grabbing Robyn softly pulling her toward him. Rowen wished they could do this forever. How they were positioned, with his hands resting softly around her and Robyn’s head buried in his chest, and she didn’t shy him away! He did feel kind weird since he never got to hold her. Rowen leaned forward and kissed her forehead goodnight. Robyn was barely awake to feel it.

Robyn was just glad to have company, she hated being alone. Especially with being back in America, she was glad he was there to comfort her though; and Cye, very happy that Cye was trying to understand her.

Robyn woke and left Rowen to sleep. Having to crawl out of the bed was a hard task especially when a Rowen Hashiba sleeping with her. His legs were everywhere while his arms trapped her from getting out. She went and took a shower and went to meet Cye and Sage in the kitchen for breakfast. She mentioned nothing about Rowen and her night. But instead smiled when Sage rose and eyebrow at her.

“Have a good night?” Sage asked, taking the second to look away from his pancakes.

“Yeah,” Robyn grabbed her plate and sat down next to Cye with a smile.

“Well do you know that Rowen wasn’t in our room when I woke?” Robyn nodded her head slightly. “Do you know where he is?”

“Well he came in and slept on the floor. He said he couldn’t sleep, I let him on my bed,” Cye’s eyes grew. “But he didn’t do anything, I know.”

“You still had no reason to let him even in your room!” Cye shook his head as he went back to his plate.

“Cye…He said he wasn’t feeling that good and needed to be held. You’re a guy, you should know!”

“Robyn, I don’t know what to think! You know I don’t like him in your room…”

“Promise me you wont say anything to him Cye…Please, it wont happen again.”

“As long as you promise it won’t happen again….I have to tell him!” Cye growled, Sage didn’t move. He noted to himself not to get in bed with Robyn….EVER.

“Just please don’t make a big deal about it…” Robyn looked at Cye with pleading eyes.

“NO! I am going to make a scene! …Just promise me that won’t happen again…and…I’ll try to talk to him man-on-man.” Cye then stood and put his dish away.

Ryo came down had breakfast and then dragged Cye and Sage out with him for a jog up the hill in the back yard.

Kento came down about 5 minutes after Cye left. After him, Cole then Rowen. Lynn and Scott were downstairs doing something but they had been awake for a while now. They had breakfast and then settled on going outside to bathe in the sunlight. Cye, Ryo, and Sage weren’t going to be back for a couple more minutes, they took a trail up into the hills behind the house. Robyn sat in a chair by the table and Lynn sat across from her. Rowen went straight to Robyn and planted himself next to her, Kento didn’t notice, he sat across from her but gave her warming smiles every time she looked at him. Cole sat in between Lynn and Robyn.

“So, you all have a good night sleep,” Cole asked as he poured himself some tea.

“Yeah, actually I did,” Rowen smiled. A lovely night with a precious girl.

“Yeah, I did…Robyn…you have a good night?” Kento grinned.

“Huh?” Robyn lifted her head; she was still a little sleepy. “Yeah, I had a good night.” Yeah, a good night with a wild sleeper.

“Cool,” Lynn stood up and went to feed Colt.

“So, I heard Rowen and you having a good time,” Kento grin grew.

“Dang, shutting the door didn’t work…” Rowen snapped his fingers in disappointment.

“Rowen, you know if Cye would have caught you he would have killed you.”

“Yeah, but this morning he was too sleepy to do the job.”

“No, you weren’t up stupid,” Robyn hit her head like ‘DUH!’

“So when he gets home……”

Robyn and Kento nodded.

“Dang….” Cole laughed, he never seen someone so protective except himself. Except, he let Lynn go see other people, Cye seemed that no one was aloud with Robyn for 10 seconds. Robyn had a right to be with Rowen, but did Rowen have the right to be with Robyn? But maybe that was what Japan was like; they were in a different country, one with more then the one they were from. Maybe it’s because Rowen and Cye hate each other…

Lynn walked up and thumbed the 3 people coming down the hill. They were back early. Cye looked at Robyn ad Rowen and growled to himself. Sage also looked at Rowen but nicer like ‘hey’. Ryo just ran up and went inside to get some water.

“Hey Cye…” Rowen smiled trying to hide his fear.

“Do me a favor…save me the torment of killing you and don’t step into Robyn’s room for the rest of the trip.”

That wasn’t enough for the Bearer of Strata though; he was beginning to have fun. “Why? I mean, you know that Robyn had a good time. Ask Kento, Robyn told him we had a good time.” Kento was now involved.

Cye’s face grew red, “….” Then Cye jumped at Rowen but Rowen jumped up as Cye chased Rowen around till he had a chance to shut the guy up. Cye knew that they should have never brought the guy along.