Teenage Dirt bag

by Korin Washu

Chapter 5 (Late)

                The phone rang through out the Koji mansion.  Mia enters the kitchen with her head looking down to the ground.  (On Sundays they stay there for the day)  It's been a hard day for Rowen after that afternoon.  She can't believed that happened to him and not to mention Roxanne.  I knew there was a spark between those two.  It's sad that they both are apart.  Even though they never got together, she thought.  Mia picked up the phone after six rings.

                "Koji Residence, may I help you?" she knew she sounded like some kind of secretary and felt really stupid saying it.  Since she didn't know what else she can say.  Mia was stunned at the person at the other line's voice.  How much can that boy take in one day?

                "Rowen is feeling down today.  I don't think he can talk right now," she said.  The muffles of the voice insisted on seeing Rowen.

                "That depends if he want's to talk and I don't think this is the right time."

                "It's okay Mia," Rowen stood right next to her.  Mia held onto the phone for a while, then nodded.  She handed him the phone and walked out of the room to leave him alone.

                "Hello father," he said to Mr. Hashiba.

                "Hi son.  I feel guilty for not visiting you when I had a break son.  I should of canceled.  I'm sorry."

                "That's okay dad.  I knew you had to do it.  It's your job dad," Rowen held the hem of his shirt and twisted it, out of all the different emotions he has.

                "But that doesn't excuse what I could of done.  I'll promise I'll make it up to you.  And to think I swore I wouldn't do what my father did to me."

                Rowen's eyes widened in surprise.  Two unexpected things in one day.  This one seams is heading in a different direction.  That one sentence was almost what he wanted to hear, most of his life. "Dad?"

                "Your not the only one who feels that way son.  It still hurts, but somehow it's slowly going away," his father knew what he was going through.  Someone who has left him alone for time and time again, had the same thing happen to his father.

                "I know you'll never forgive me about the past.  So I took my first vacation just to be with you,"  Rowen felt this overwhelming joy in his face.  He finally did what was being asked of him.  A vacation with his son, "But," But? But? Please no more buts. Rowen thought, "You have to leave home for a month.  On Tuesday.  I know you'll miss your friends.  My boss will only let me have my vacation only this month.  You don't have to go Rowen.  It's your choice."

                The choice would be a difficult one to make.  He has to leave his friends for this important opportunity to be with his father.  What if something happens?  He didn't know what to do, "Dad, I'll call you back.  I got to think about this."

                "That's fine son.  I'll talk to you later.  Bye son."

                "Bye dad," Rowen hung up the phone.

                All the Ronins, plus Mia and White Blaze are all sitting in the living room, worried about their friend.  Ryo stood up as Rowen entered the living room.  He waits for the right moment. "Hey, Rowen.  Anything wrong?" Ryo asks.

                Strata replied with fake smile, "I need to ask you something..."

                "What is it Ro?" Ryo asked.

                "My father just called... and...," they all know his father just talked to him.  Mia quickly called half of the Ronins to the living room and informed them of the situation.  Rowen sighed and quickly took a glance at each and every one of them.  Including White Blaze who has just as concerned a look as the rest of them. "He asked me to go with him on vacation for a month.  Starting this Tuesday," Rowen just looked at his reflection on the window and sighed. "What do you guys think?"

                Sage stood up from the couch and looked at Rowen. "Ro, you know we'll support you on your decision.  This a good opportunity for you and we aren't getting in your way."

                "Sage is right," Cye starts to speak. "It's only a month."

                Rowen smiles on how supportive they are.  It's almost like they can read each other's minds.  Well Sage might, he is the mentally strongest of the group.  Who knows.  Roxanne still sticks out of his mind.  He has to see her again and say his good byes, " I'm going to miss you guys.  Promise you'll send me letters."

                "It's a promise," they all said in unison.

***

                Monday, at school everyone heads to their class they'll be staying all day long.  Sage looks at Rowen walking down besides him looking at the floor while he walks.  All the students turn to Rowen and Sage, whispering about that Sunday in the park.  -------- did you hear?  Rowen cheated on Roxanne.-------- Your kidding me.-------- No I'm not.  My sister saw it all. ------ Poor Roxanne.-------- Oh so that's why she didn't come to school today.----- They whispered amongst themselves.   Rowen lowered his eyes to look at his feet.  Sage was angry and glared at everyone.  But then behold, Charlene strutted down with devious grin upon Rowen and Sage.

                Rowen looked up and glared at her, "It's her," he spat out.  He turned his back to her and ignored her.  Sage can see how much he hated her and her evil doings.  He observed her, felt her aura, and saw what her plans were through her eyes.  She stands in front of Sage. "Can I see my boyfriend Sage?"

                Rowen shuddered at the word boyfriend.  He never was or will be her boyfriend.  His anger was rising and didn't know what to do with it.  Sage can also feel Rowen's anger and decided to do it for him.

                "He never was or will be your boyfriend," he spoke loud enough so the people around them who stuck their noses in everything can hear.

                Charlene giggled, "His kiss said it all Sage.  Butt out, it's none of your business."

                "It is my business.  He's my bestfriend and when you mess with him you mess with me," every one crowed around the two.  Rowen left the two and headed to the front door to go home.  He needs more time to think.

                "He is my boyfriend now and there is nothing you can do about it."

                "He is not your boyfriend!  Rowen doesn't care for you at all.  I know what happened!"

                "How do you know, you weren't even there?"

                "That's not the point.  You kissed him because you can't stand all the attention Roxanne was getting.  She couldn't careless about popularity.  You did," he looked at everyone else.  "You hurt two of my friends for your own reputation Charlene."

                She can't believe how dead right he was.  Every word he said was true.  Charlene opened her mouth but no words came out.  How does he know?  I can read your mind, she heard in her head.  Yes it's me.  No one believes you now.  Confess now or I will curse you for the rest of your life.  (he was joking on the curse thing) Her eyes widened in shock.  Was she going crazy?  Sage removed that hair in front of his right eye.  She nearly fell over at how pure his eyes are. 

                Charlene yelled and fell on her knees,  "Your right!  He didn't kiss me, I forced him!"

                Sage smiled and put his hair back. "You did the right thing.  At this moment Anyways,"  He turns his back to her and walks to his classroom. 

                ----------- It was her all along. ------------ I never liked her, she is really pushy. ----------- I guess we were wrong about Rowen then.------------  The hallway was filled with whispers again.

***

                Standing next to his bed packing, Rowen picked up his shirt and stared at it for a minute.  There was a knock on the door, "Come in."

                Kento popped his head in and grinned as always. "Hey Ro!  Wasup!?  Your packing already?"

                Rowen nodded and put his light blue shirt in his suitcase.  "I am leaving tomorrow afternoon you know."

                "Yeah I know.  Did yah hear?  Sage really freaked that nasty chick out.  She spilled her guts in front of everyone!"  he jumped on the chair and put his elbow on the desk. 

                "That's great Kento," he sighed and closed his suitcase to start packing his books.

                Kento smiled warmly, "I'm going to miss you dude.  Then who will I pig out with when Cye bakes a cake?"  Rowen laughed.

                "I'm going to miss you too and your hard head Kento."

                "Are you thinking about Roxanne, Rowen?"

                He sighed and glared at Kento. "It doesn't concern you, you know," he smiled. "Let's go play some games before your mother finds out your in my apartment and skipping work."

                Kento jumped up from the chair, "Yeah!  I'm the Viper car!" and ran off.

                "No, I'm the Viper!" he ran downstairs after him.

***

< Tuesday at the airport >

                The rain was pouring down from the sky.  All of the Ronins and Mia sat on the chairs half asleep waiting for the plane to arrive.  Rowen looks at the rain outside through the glass windows and wishes that she heard his message he left for Roxanne in the answering machine.  He sighed and hopes she will say one last good bye to him.

***

                "Hello, Roxanne.  It's me Rowen.  I called you before but you didn't answer.  I already told you what happened.  I'm going home today at four.  My dad is finally taking a vacation just to be with me.  I hope you can make it to the airport.  Good bye," Roxanne sat on her bed with her knees up to her chest.  She played that message to help her think over things for an hour. Salty tears flowed down her eyes and drop fell on her photo album on the picture her and Rowen took at the photo booth.  The drops of rain drummed down her window making her feel cold.

                The answering machine beeped again and recorded an new message, "Hi Roxy.  It's me Carter.  I can't help but to feel bad on what I did to help my sister.  I'm sorry!  I helped Charlene with her plan to get you and Rowen apart!  I'm so sorry, I was just jealous!  You are my friend and I'm sorry I hurt you.  Bye,"  he hung up. 

                She quickly ran down stairs and took the car keys.  Her bother took the keys from her and shook his head no. "I'm taking you.  It's too dangerous to drive in this rain," she nodded.  She literally dragged her brother to the car and yelled, "To the airport!" the car sped off to the airport.

***

                < The airport (again) >

                Ryo sighs as Rowen's plane finally lands, "I guess this is good bye for now."

                Everyone hugged each other and quickly separated.  Kento and Rowen hit each other's fist and so did everyone else.  Mia hugged him good bye and waved to him. "Later guys," Rowen said.

                "Good bye Ro.  Remember to stay away from sweets!" Sage said.

                "I'll remember.  Maybe."

                He walks up to the flight attendant and hands her his ticket.  He looks back at his friends waving good bye.  All of them looked like they drew a smile on their faces.  Their link was going to be a little weaker from the distance so it's going to be harder to reach any one of them from Hawaii.  Rowen walks into the plane and looks out the window at the rain.  Roxanne was nowhere to be seen.

***

                Roxanne, soaking wet runs with her brother right on her tail inside the air port.  She pushed a number of people out of her way.  "Move it this is an emergency!"  when she finally recognized the group she ran to the giant window and plastered her face on it.  "Rowen!" she yelled. 

                The plane was in the air now.  All the Ronins and Mia looked at Roxanne with helpless eyes.  She missed his plane.  Just to say a simple good bye.  Tears came running down her eyes once more and looked at them.  Cye came up to her and said, "It's only a month," he hugged her tight and she wept into his arms.

***

< In Hawaii >

                It's been two weeks till he left Japan.  Rowen smiles and walks to the hotel clerk to see if he got any mail from his friends.  The clerk nodded and handed him two letters.  One was wrinkled and dirty.  The other one was clean and strait.  He opened the mutilated one first.  It said...

                Dear Ro-chan,

This is Sage reporting the strange events.  I'm sorry if the letter looks like crap.  It's Kento's fault.  Good news!  Charlene is a loner now so she changed schools.  The rest of us are doing fine.  Ryo won six trophies.  Kento got an 'A' on math.  I still think the cheated!!!  Cye won some golden metals of his own.  I'm just doing fine.  My grandfather is really riding me and the job in the restaurant is really getting lonely.  We need you!!!!!!  That was Kento.  Anyways, have fun in Hawaii and get me a souvenir!  See you in three weeks!  Bye!!

From the very annoyed,

Sage

                Rowen laughed as he read the letter.  He knows everything was going OK.  He then looked at the neat letter and opened it.  He was surprised at the name in the front of it.  Rowen quickly unfolded it and started to read it with hopeful eyes.

                Dear Rowen,

It's been a while.  I know what happened and I'm sorry for not listening to you in the first place.  I really miss you and I'm sorry that I didn't say good bye.  I've been thinking and I'm having these feelings for you.  LOOK, this is really embarrassing so bare with me!  I hope you feel the same way.  Please.........  Until next time, call me.  Or.... maybe you want to go on a date?  Ooooo..... how embarrassing!  You can tell I'm blushing as hell.  I miss you.  Adios my amor.  Bye....

P.S. I need help with my Spanish.

from,

Roxanne

                There was one of the pictures he and Roxanne took that day.  He was sticking his tongue out and making bunny ears on her.  She was nearly on top of him and kept pouting her lips for some strange reason.  He laughed at how much fun they had for only those short weeks.  He put it in his wallet next to the picture of his friends.  Rowen took a flower from the vase and stuck it inside where the picture of him and Roxanne. 

Fin

***

The end.  Well, I'm finaly done with my first fic.  Remeber it's my first.  The Ronin Warriors don't be long to me they belong to some one else.  I said it a million times before!!  Good night!  Hope you liked my fic.  If you did then tell me.  Byes!!!