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Urban Legend

Chapter Four

"Hello," came a distracted male voice after Rowen had called the number three times in a row.

"Dad," Rowen said. "Finally. Are you all packed?"

There was a pause on the other end. "Packed for what?"

"For the weekend, Dad, to go to the ski resort."

"What? You know I don't ski."

Rowen rubbed the bridge of his nose. He knew this was the conversation they would be having. "No, Dad, not to ski. I'm getting married tomorrow, remember?"

"Married?" came the indignant voice on the other end. "You didn't tell me the wedding was so soon."

"Yes I did. Several times. I also sent you an invitation."

In the silence, Rowen could just picture his father glancing at the pile of unopened mail that practically hid the kitchen table. Hopefully in that silence he was also recalling past conversations with his son about this wedding.

"I don't have a suit," his father finally said.

"I have it, Dad. I have everything you will need for the ceremony, I just need you to pack for the weekend. Don't start any other projects. Stop what you're doing and pack right now. Sage will be there in about a half an hour to pick you up."

"I may have to bring some paperwork with me. I'm right in the middle of—"

"Bring whatever you want, I don't care. I just need you physically at the location. So you better start packing now. Sage has orders to put you in the car in whatever state of readiness he finds you in."

Another pause, then a sound of amusement. "Alright, son. I'll start packing."

Rowen ended the call, an important item now checked off his to-do list. His father's lack of attention to the world outside his own mind would not hinder this wedding. Everything was going to be perfect.

.

"It should be right past this curve in the road," Mia said to Kento. The warrior of Hardrock nodded, keeping his eyes on the road as he drove. So far, the roads were clear and it hadn't snowed in two days, but he didn't want to take any chances.

"And we have vetted this place," Cye stated, brows knitted with worry. They didn't have a great track record with hotels in the mountains.

"I've been here a few times for university events," Mia confirmed. "It was on the list of places I suggested to Regan. I can vouch that there will be no sea serpents or monsters at this resort."

"No Tschugimos, either," Kento added.

Cye closed his eyes. "Please, if there is any deity listening, no unexpected wedding crashers." Dealing with the aftermath of his own ruined wedding reception had been a nightmare. The cake had been unsalvageable, half of the decorations ruined, and the tattered tuxes had cost a pretty penny. Apologizing to every traumatized guest with gifts and long-winded phone conversations attempting to explain away what in the hell attacked the wedding tent had been exhausting (some wild animals, yes, there had been sightings and warnings by local forest preservation officers and we didn't heed them, so terribly sorry). Disruption was simply par for the course as Ronin Warriors, but his and Mia's wedding had been the first openly public and costly disruption. He wouldn't wish that on anyone.

"I hope their guest list is small," Cye added.

Mia reached up to swat her husband on the arm with the wedding invitation. "Don't jinx them," she scolded. "And I believe it is, as a matter of fact." She thought about that, then frowned. "I think they might have actually done it because of our wedding."

"Could be cost, too." Kento's eyebrows rose as the ski resort came in sight. He whistled low under his breath. "Damn, this couldn't have been cheap."

"Regan's grandmother made a generous donation," Mia said. "Dowries are still a thing in India. Marriages are a huge deal in their culture."

Cye made a face. "That strikes me as a little archaic."

"She didn't have positive things to say about the custom either, but I guess her grandmother insisted that it's just a wedding gift."

They parked and Kento sent a text in the group chat that they'd arrived. All three had weekend bags with them, including Kento and Cye's suits in garment bags. Although they were at a midway point in the mountains near Toyama, the air was still much colder, bright and crisp in their lungs as they approached the warm and inviting resort. They passed skiers and snowboarders, dressed for the ski runs and chatting excitedly with each other.

The resort lobby was open yet cozy, with a crackling fireplace, deep-cushioned low couches and seats, and warm wood walls. Mia and Cye checked in, but Kento didn't have to; his room was already set up. He set down his bag to text Robyn; 'Hey roomie, where you at?'

The response was quick: 'In Rae's room with her family. 317. Come on up! I have your key. Fair warning: Her cousins will fawn all over you.'

Kento grinned. "Bye, guys."

Cye looked around at him. "Found Robyn?"

"Yeah. I guess we'll meet up again for dinner, wherever that is."

Mia and Cye's room was also on the third floor, and faced a glorious view of the nearby snow-covered mountains. Mia carefully laid her bridesmaid dress over a chair, which at the moment was little more than a very long bolt of beautiful cloth. She wasn't even attempting to put that sari on until either Rae or one of her family members showed her how.

Cye stood at the window, overlooking the picturesque winter landscape, and Mia snuck behind him to slip her arms around his waist. "A nice little weekend vacation," she said, her voice sweet and inviting in his ear.

"I think it will be. I hate that I'm worried," he confessed.

Mia pressed a kiss to the back of his neck. "I know. We don't have a great track record. But things have been quiet for months."

Cye turned to hold his wife, their cheeks nuzzling. "Mrs. Mouri, I hope you don't have plans after dinner this evening," he said lightly.

She smiled as she gazed into his beautiful sea-green eyes. "I do," she countered with a grin. "You."

.

Kento really had no intention of staying after he picked up the key card from Robyn, but it looked a lot more fun than trying to track down Ryo and Sage. Regan's cousins and aunts did indeed fawn—hell, so did Rowen's mom—and their attention was flattering and amusing. Robyn grinned at him as she ate fruit and chocolate and looked comfortable and cute wrapped in someone's colorful robe, yoga pants peeking out from underneath the silky material. Regan was getting henna drawn on her hands and feet by a woman he suspected was her grandmother, judging by her long, wavy grey-streaked hair and traditional sari.

"Are you getting it, too?" he asked Robyn as he watched the older woman's steady hands squeeze the dye onto Rae's hand to create small, delicate flowers and vines.

"Oh, I wasn't sure if I should."

"Of course you should," Rae said among a similar chorus from her relatives. "But only if you want to." She winked at her best friend. "I can do it for you later. Kento, you can have some, too."

"I want a dragon."

"You will have to make an appointment," Rae's grandmother quietly teased in a musical accent. "All these girls I must do. Then, maybe a dragon. Are you Robyn's young man, hmm?"

Robyn flushed. Kento cleared his throat and said, "I'm her friend, ma'am."

The old woman clucked her tongue but said nothing. Robyn looked briefly uncomfortable, then stood. "Kento, I'll show you the room. Rae, text me when your hands are free?"

"Definitely not until then."

With that, they slipped out of the room.

.

After dinner, when everyone was well fed, Regan asked that they all meet together again in her grandmother's room after changing into more comfortable clothes.

Rowen was the first to notice the tarp protecting the carpet when they arrived. He took one look at his future wife and asked, "Is this where you kill me?"

"We do require a sacrifice," Regan deadpanned.

"Does there have to be an audience? I'm sure we can work something out in private."

He belatedly realized that Regan's grandmother and his own mother were in the room, and inwardly cringed. His mother only laughed, and Regan's grandmother smiled.

"We have to do one last thing before the wedding tomorrow." Regan's tone was stone cold serious. "This ceremony is sacred, meant to ward off evil spirits, to purify and cleanse, and to calm nerves. Please, sit."

The ronins, Jude, Robyn, and Mia sat in a semicircle, with Rowen seated in front of Rae. Her grandmother handed her a pot of something, and she placed it in her lap. Rowen's mother was grinning as if she knew what was about to happen, and that made him nervous. "This is haldi," his fiancée said. "Normally, our loved ones would apply this, but I wanted to start with you myself. After this, we can't see each other again until the ceremony."

"I have questions," Rowen said.

Regan just smiled at him. "There are more pots like these on the desk. Once you see how I do it, everyone is free to grab one and "bless" someone else." She scooted closer to Rowen and dipped her hand in the pot. "And in order to make sure you're cleansed, I have to be thorough." A bright yellow paste was slathered on her hands, and before Rowen could move, Regan streaked the paste down his cheeks. "Very thorough," she said with a grin as she got his forehead, then pulled out more and ran it through his hair, the bright yellow shocking against the blue strands.

Rowen knew he probably looked ridiculous, and the paste felt grainy, but it smelled good and it was nice to have her touching his face. "Please tell me I get to do this to you," he said, his eyes closed as she kept at it.

"You sure do."

"This is… a real ritual? Slinging yellow mud at each other?"

Regan and her grandmother laughed. "It is," her grandmother answered. "It's a gesture of love and protection toward another. And fun."

Rowen gleefully scooped out more of the turmeric yellow paste and covered Regan's cheeks with it, her nose, her forehead. By the time he streaked it through her hair they were both laughing, getting more of the paste on each other's necks and shoulders.

Mia thought a ceremony like this was quite beautiful—not too serious, but loaded with meaning, and she wasn't paying attention until something cold smeared on her cheek. "Cye!" she gasped. Torrent smirked at her as he casually reached for more to finish the job. She jerked away and grabbed for his hand, but it only flung paste on her shirt.

"Face painting!" Robyn cried. She grabbed a pot, and since Kento was the nearest ronin to her, crooked her finger at him.

"Nothing too girly," he warned.

"I'll draw you a manly flower."

To her surprise, Hardrock was game, and Robyn dipped her finger in the paste and drew a sun on his cheek, instead.

Then, wet hands clapped themselves on her neck from behind and Robyn gave a shriek. "You!" she cried, turning to Jude.

His response was to palm her face and she immediately smooshed her own mud-covered hands in his.

"Oh, now you're going to get it," Jude promised. She fell backward with a squeal as his hands smeared under her shirt around the stomach.

"Ah! No! Stop!" Robyn laughed as he tickled her.

"Jude!" his grandmother's voice cut through the air. He immediately paused and backed away as the elder chastised him in a language only the family understood. Jude returned to a kneeling position, looking properly humbled while his grandmother gave him a sharp eye.

It took Robyn a moment to recover from her laughing fit before she quickly skirted away from the male twin. Rowen and Regan were still engaged in their own fight for the pot as most of their exposed skin gradually turned yellow.

Robyn brought a pot with her as she approached Ryo, who had stood off to the side and was trying to stay out of it. Especially when Jude had gotten a little too handsy with the redhead. He had felt his fists clenching of their own regard and Ryo fought the urge not to punch the twin right in his stupid, grinning face.

Those fists loosened at the sight of Robyn in front of him.

"Now it's your turn," Robyn told him.

Ryo blinked. "Oh, no, I…"

"Too late." Even though Ryo reared back, as if afraid for Robyn to touch him, she did it anyway. She traced one slender finger over his cheek, this time making a warpaint-like pattern; lines and dots and squiggles. She did it on the other side, too, a smile playing at her lips as she worked.

Ryo swallowed hard. He was not prepared for how it would feel to have her touch him like this; so delicately, an innocent gesture, and yet one he felt all throughout his body. He stood stock still as she worked, afraid to move. A glance down at all the yellow hand prints on Robyn's shirt made his temper roil a bit in response.

"All done," she announced joyfully. "A little good luck for everyone."

He just smiled at her, his throat feeling dry.

Meanwhile, Regan was pleased that Rowen dug the ceremony; his eyes glittered with laughter as they doused each other in paste, then turned on their friends. She was thrilled with the day finally arriving and this chance to let off some steam and be silly that she didn't watch where she was going as she turned.

She bumped right into a solid chest, and a hand braced against her hip to steady her. The damage was done, however; her cheek smeared yellow on the blond's grey shirt. "Sage!' Regan exclaimed. She backed up, horrified that she'd accidentally stained his shirt. He didn't look mad, but she couldn't read his expression as they stared at each other. "I'm so sorry." It was so absurd that her voice trembled with laughter, and she tried to cover it by pressing the back of her hand against her mouth. "It will wash out with baking soda, I promise."

When he looked down at the stain with a mild frown, Regan lost her battle with the giggles. "Why am I not surprised," he said calmly, "that your culture has such messy rituals."

"They're fun," she defended. "They bring us together and…" she stopped when he looked back up at her and his eyes twinkled faintly with amusement. "Would you like a proper blessing?" she asked him.

Regan didn't expect him to say yes, so it surprised her when he replied, "I would, thank you." Even though she offered, she felt a little self conscious as she took the excess paste from her fingers, rose on her tiptoes, and brushed it across his forehead. Then, because he foolishly allowed her access to his person and he was just so serious all the time, she dragged the heels of her palms across his cheeks to leave an imprint, his violet eyes widening at the gentle assault. "There we go," she said, smiling at her handiwork.

"It matches your hair," Rowen called. Sage glowered at him.

They all took pictures of each other covered in the yellow paste before leaving to get cleaned up. Rowen was barred from following Rae, so Kento invited him to crash in his room for the night while Robyn stayed with Regan.

"Is it supposed to burn?" Robyn asked as both girls were inspecting the paste on themselves in the bathroom mirror.

"No," Regan said, looking up. "Here, let me see." She wiped some of the mud of Robyn's cheek with a wet cloth and frowned. "Your skin looks a little red. Maybe you're allergic to something in it. You shower first."

"You sure? You've got it way worse than me."

"Yes! I don't want you covered in rashes in my wedding photos! Wash it off!"

As soon as it was decided Robyn was to shower, she began to feel queasy, but kept that to herself. She made haste for the shower, throwing her clothes off. The burning sensation instantly lessened as the water washed off all the muck. But the skin certainly was still red underneath. Robyn touched her cheeks, wondering what her face looked like. Hopefully, whatever redness was there would fade before the next morning.

.

Sage hurried Rowen to the shower as if his best friend's filthy appearance personally offended him, but not before he had a chance to wash off the blessing Regan had streaked across his face. As Halo wiped the paste off with a towel, he couldn't help but smile to himself.

"You done in there? I'm dripping!"

"Don't stain the carpet," Sage called. He let Rowen have the bathroom, and as soon as the shower turned on, he began singing loudly over the rush of water. Sage sighed and decided to quit the room until the other ronin, and his terrible concert, was finished.

He wandered the venue, admiring the rustic motif of the hotel. The lobby was comfortable with lights down low and the fires high while various guests relaxed on the plush couches.

He was entertaining the idea of finding himself a place to sit and read when something outside the large picture windows caught his attention. Sage couldn't say why it drew his attention. It was now dark outside and impossible to see past the reflection in the glass. Even moving closer did not help. But with feeling the chill from the glass came a second chill that raised the fine hairs on his neck and arms.

Stepping outside onto the wide first floor deck, his breath puffed in the cold. Despite a mere sliver of a moon, the white snow reflected the world around him perfectly. Everything seemed as it should be. Beautiful, serene, and still. Yet his senses were on notice more than ever.

Out of the dark forest came a dark figure, footfalls crunching audible into the snow, marring the smooth blanket. Sage would have been suspicious of such a thing, but he could already feel the familiar warm aura of fire his teammate gave off as he neared the light of the lodge. Sage walked out to meet him, away from the banks of windows of the lodge.

"Ryo," he greeted carefully. It was clear both of them had felt the urge to investigate the night for the same reason.

Ryo's body language was serious, battle-ready. He looked at his teammate and then turned to glance out at the woods. The white flakes of random snow in his hair told he had been stalking around outside for a while, but he was only in a light jacket. Neither cold nor heat ever seemed to touch Wildfire. Sage, however, was feeling the effects of stepping outside in just a sweater.

"They're out there," Ryo said simply.

Sage felt the hairs on his neck rise a little higher. "What's out there?"

"I don't know. But they're there."

Confused, Sage peered into the dark. Nothing; nothing moved except their breath frosting the night air. After a glance around for witnesses, Ryo stretched out a hand. In a burst of warmth, one of the Wildfire swords appeared in his grip. He pointed it to the night and a shot of fire launched into the distant snow, lighting up the world around it like a small flare.

In that light, small, black, and unidentifiable creatures scrambled to hide.

"I've had a feeling they've been around for months," Ryo said as Sage's eyes widened, then narrowed. "Tonight's the first time I've seen anything."

"What are we supposed to do? Do you want to tell the others?"

Ryo stared hard into the darkness. This was concerning, but despite the disaster of the previous wedding, he was hesitant to do anything at this point. There were things out there, but they were small and seemed more intent on not being confronted than actually trying to hurt anyone. At least for now.

"Tell the guys if you think we need to. But not Rowen."

"That's just what I was going to say," Sage agreed. "I don't want him or any of the girls to know. Let Rowen and Regan have their wedding. We can deal with it while they're on their honeymoon and he can be mad at us for leaving him out when he gets back."

Ryo continued to watch the forest. It wasn't an ideal plan, but he would do whatever he could to give his friends a blissful, hassle-free wedding if he could. For now, they would keep their silence and hope for the best.

.

The morning of the wedding was a happy sort of chaos, with family members and friends in and out of hotel rooms in various states of dress. The resort's event planner was taking care of details and setup downstairs, and occasionally popping in to check on Regan or Rowen.

"I like these better than the tuxes," Ryo confessed. "What did Regan call them?"

"Jodhpuri suits," Rowen answered. He was standing in front of the full length mirror in Sage and Ryo's room, judging his hair's natural cowlick, which he had never cared about until today. He knew Rae would walk out looking like a fairy tale princess, and he wanted to look good for her, too. He couldn't while this cowlick was being a bitch.

"They remind me of our old school uniforms," Ryo continued behind him.

"The look is close," Sage confirmed. He figured Ryo would like it, since there were no ties or bowties to worry about. The jackets were high-collared, with a row of buttons down the center in a military style. They were charcoal gray, with red handkerchiefs tucked into the right breast pockets.

"Where did Kento and Cye get off to?" Rowen asked.

Sage exchanged a look with Ryo before answering, "With Mia." Cye was; Kento was doing a sweep outside the resort. Torrent and Hardrock were now debriefed of the strange creatures seen skulking about the night before. Kento had volunteered to patrol around the building until the last second, while the others were in charge of making sure no one else noticed. Especially not Rowen. He was already getting nervous, and desperately trying to hide it. Sage tugged on his jacket one last time before moving over to Rowen to help him with his hair.

Strata batted his hand away. "I've got it."

"I'm better at it," Sage reminded him. The blond fetched his bag of hair products and went to work.

When Cye and Kento finally showed up a few minutes after one another, and Sage decided that Rowen was presentable, the blue-haired ronin was finally able to lug out a large suitcase from the closet that he'd squirreled away earlier.

"I didn't make these super individual like Cye did," Rowen confessed. "I don't have that kind of time."

"Of course you don't," Cye quipped.

Rowen unzipped the suitcase and sifted through the contents. Nothing was wrapped either, which didn't surprise a single one of them. However, when Rowen pulled out each item and handed it to the appropriate ronin, they realized he had gifted them new canvas duffle bags, all color coded; a deep red for Ryo, pine green for Sage, burnt orange for Kento, and ocean blue for Cye.

"Kento gave me the idea," Rowen explained, "after he dragged out his ratty, ancient duffle for practice. I figured it's time we had something sturdier for training, or whatever you want to use it for."

"These are nice," Ryo said, pleasantly surprised. He already knew he could use it for more than training and keep emergency medical equipment and material tucked away in case he needed. He didn't miss that their names were discreetly embroidered in the material.

"This is really thoughtful," Cye admitted. "Thank you, Rowen."

"And they weren't cheap, so take good care of them," Rowen shot back, but he was smiling. "I don't have a sappy speech in me—I'm saving that for Rae—but you're my brothers. You already know what I'd tell you."

"How are you getting married again?" Kento wondered. It prompted a brief tussle, and then Sage scolded them both lest his job on Rowen's hair get messed up.

.

The wedding party waited in one of the small, empty conference rooms near the banquet hall where the wedding would take place shortly. Regan's cousins, and a few of her and Robyn's friends who could make the trip all the way out to Japan, moved about in fluttering fabric, saris draped over shoulders and arms, being tucked back into place and perfected. The groomsmen stayed to one side, snacking on the light h'orderves provided by the resort.

Robyn worried at a pleat coming undone, feeling a low level of panic at the thought of this thing unraveling as she walked down the aisle. Saris were beautiful, but they were also just one long big piece of fabric held together by safety pins, pleats, and the will of God. She was so glad they wouldn't be wearing these for the reception.

"Need some help there, Rob?" Kento asked.

"I don't want anyone to make it worse," Robyn replied, a thread of panic in her voice.

"I've got it, babe."

Robyn whooshed out with relief when Jude approached. "What'd you do to it?" he asked.

"Nothing!"

Jude chuckled as he pulled back the sheer, colorful fabric from Robyn's arm and went to pull it away from draping across her front. Robyn's eyes widened; she didn't want her bare midriff flashing with all the other guys right there. "It'll take two minutes," Jude reassured her, "but I have to wind it back to fix the pleat." Nevertheless, he turned her so she wasn't facing the guys and members of the Sundari family she didn't know.

"That one," Robyn identified, touching her fingers to his hand to get him to pause at the right pleat. "It feels loose."

"Got it. Kala?" he called, and one his cousins perked up her head. "A pin, please?"

Ryo needed to stop watching. He needed to stop noticing how comfortable Robyn seemed with Jude, of all people, helping her fix her dress. Or how Jude's hands touched her so casually. When they smiled at each other and he said something to make her laugh, Ryo felt a pressure in his chest that was suffocating. When he finished, Jude kept his hand on Robyn's waist while they talked some more. Right by her bare skin. Robyn smiled into his face and didn't move away.

"Dude," Kento said softly. "Raising the temp, man. Cool it."

Ryo blinked, then let out a breath. His fists were clenched, and they ached when he released them. Thankfully, the conference room doors opened, and the event planner stuck her head in.

"We're ready," she said. Paused, then added, "Wow, it's really warm in here."

.

Regan wasn't prepared for how her breath would hitch at seeing him under the mandap canopy, standing next his best friend and the rest of his team. He looked so tall and devastatingly handsome, his regal face solemn as he spoke to Sage. When he looked her way, she was not prepared for happiness so bright and heavy it hurt to overcome her as his face lit up. He looked so excited to see her. They had been through so much together in the relatively short time they'd known each other. Spending her life with this man would be an adventure she could not wait to embark on.

"No running down the aisle," Jude quipped to her quietly.

"Sorry," she whispered, although her feet wanted to sprint. She squeezed her brother's arm to ground her as she grinned back at her fiancé.

When it was time to give her away, the twins faced each other. "Should be Dad up here," Jude said, his smile sad and wistful. "But I'm honored it's me instead. No, none of that; you'll ruin your eyeliner."

Regan gave a watery laugh and tried not to wipe at the tears in her eyes. They embraced for a long time, and then Jude kissed her forehead and stepped away so his only sister could go to Rowen.

Strata surprised Jude with a clap on the back and a quick hug. He didn't say anything, but he didn't need to; Jude could read the room loud and clear. He cleared his throat and looked down at the floor to collect himself as the ceremony began.

Meanwhile, Rowen didn't see anything but Rae. He'd never seen her in a sari before, and the one she chose was maroon red, per Hindu tradition, the fabric embroidered with a midnight blue hem and leaf-like gold stitchwork. The choli top was midnight blue and gold, and the delicate sari draped over one shoulder and down her arm. The sheer fabric gave him a discreetly sensual hint of her bare midriff. There were sprigs of jasmine tucked into her side braid, which draped over one shoulder. Her happy, pale green eyes met his gaze, and he forgot anything he was about to say. He wanted to drop to his knees in front of her.

"Ready, handsome?" she whispered.

"Before you change your mind and realize you're way too good for me, yes, I am so ready," he whispered back.

"I think you have that backwards."

Rowen scoffed, but his chest was tight with emotion when he reached for her hands and intertwined their fingers. Her hands were trembling. "Don't be scared," he said soothingly. Funny, that; he always thought it would be him who'd be terrified to get married. In this moment, he felt steady as a rock. "I'm right here."

She nodded, her eyes bright. She wasn't scared per se, but didn't want to speak too much in case she started crying. His eyes were so beautiful and warm, with love and humor and everything that made him Rowen. She was more scared of taking care of the gift she was being given than anything else, because he was precious, to her and to the world. She sent a prayer up to whoever was listening: Please, help me keep him safe and loved. "I'm ready," she finally said. "I love you. Let's do this."

He pressed his forehead against hers, mindful of the jewel dropping like a tear from her hairline. "That's my girl."

.

Rowen didn't see his parents during the ceremony; he didn't see anyone else, really, except the bride before him. He found them afterwards when they had a few hours to spare before the reception that allowed for pictures and for guests to relax and change if they wanted to.

It gave him a pleasant shock, as it always did, to see his mother and father in the same room together, talking to each other. He couldn't remember the last time it happened. Had it been high school?

"Mom? Dad?"

His parents turned to look at him. His mother had been laughing and companionably squeezing his dad's arm, who looked vaguely befuddled to be in a suit and at his son's wedding. "There's my son and daughter! Oh, darlings, look how beautiful you both are!"

Rowen hugged his mother. "Thank you for coming. Dad? This is Regan, my wife." It felt like the heat of a star unfurled in his chest at saying those words.

Regan gave him a dazzling smile and then turned to his parents. "Dr. Hashiba, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

While the family conversed, the photographer tried to wrangle the rest of the wandering wedding party for pictures. No one could locate Ryo until the very last minute, when he casually trotted in from another room. He spoke quietly to Kento and Sage; no one could confirm where Ryo had gone. When the pictures were taken, both inside and outside, Rowen never noticed how his teammates observed the woods, and then occasionally disappeared throughout the night. The guys made sure the girls didn't notice, either.

Except Robyn did. She didn't know what to make of it, other than good old fashioned paranoia well earned, and decided not to say anything when she saw Kento slip out of the reception hall after dinner. If they were really concerned about something, they would say something. For now, they felt the need to be careful, and she trusted their judgment.

"Who are you looking for?"

Roused from her thoughts, Robyn looked up at the dashingly handsome groomsman she danced with. "None of your business," she teased. Jude rolled his eyes good-naturedly.

He led her into a slow, dreamy twirl. She was never good at dancing, but he always made it so easy to follow his lead.."It hasn't been too bad, right?" Robyn asked hopefully.

"It was a nice ceremony," he admitted.

"Everything is going to be fine. Rae is so, so happy and that's all that matters, right?"

"Right," he sighed.

"And she could have picked a worse husband, even if he's from another country."

Jude said nothing. He wasn't yet ready to admit that he was starting to like the guy. Even if he was someone who knew all of Regan and accepted her for who she was, Jude still wanted to be bitter about this arrangement a while more. Giving his sister away a few hours ago certainly made that easier.

"Everything will work out fine," Robyn repeated.

Jude glanced at his twin sitting with her new husband at the main table. They chatted away like they'd known each other their whole lives. "For her, it's fine anyway. I suppose it's all I could want for her. She is very happy. Look at her. She's so enamored with that guy, it's like we don't exist right now."

"You're always going to be her brother, Jude, and the most important family she has. That's not going to change."

He returned his gaze to the redhead. "I suppose you'll be next to fawn over some foreign guy and forget all about me."

It was Robyn's turn to glance at Regan. "I don't get all twittery over love. That's not me."

Jude actually laughed. "No, it isn't." He suddenly picked her up and spun her around before dipping low. So low, she felt his nose brush below her collarbone. His breath on her skin had her cheeks flush as she was pulled up again. Jude looked very satisfied with her reaction.

"You're not behaving yourself," Robyn warned.

"It's a wedding," he laughed, rubbing his nose against hers. "It's the perfect place to get drunk and flirty, and hook up with pretty girls." His voice lowered as she frowned at him. "And I have a pretty girl in my arms right now, and a nice hotel room all to myself. You're welcome to join me tonight."

Robyn and Jude had many a frank and honest conversation about love and intimacy over the years, including Robyn's discomfort at physical touch. Both in seriousness and in jest Jude had offered to help Robyn get over her hangups in any way she wished. Robyn, of course, never accepted, but it was such an old topic by now it was almost a running joke. At least he wasn't bringing it up in the middle of a bakery.

"It's probably your last chance," Jude continued. His face pressed against her neck. "You should make sure I'm not alone tonight. I'm vulnerable."

Robyn snorted, then outright laughed. "You could get any single woman here, and you know it, you butt. Don't try to make me feel bad for you like you're so lonely."

He pulled away and gave her an amused smile. "I guess I would be more worried about your loneliness. I can see Rowen is blindly devoted to Rae, but these other high school friends of yours, how will I know they'll look after you when I'm gone?"

Robyn nearly laughed again. If only he knew how protective they could be. "It will be fine. They're good people."

"What about the broody one over there?" Jude nodded in a certain direction. Robyn glanced that way to see Ryo standing by himself, darkly watching the dance floor. His hair, which had been perfectly styled for the ceremony, now looked disheveled in an on purpose sort of way, black strands falling into his eyes as he glowered at the dance floor like its presence offended him. Two timid girls thought about approaching him, saw his face, and then quickly went on their way.

"He used to not be so broody. He was so silly and happy in high school. People grow up and he's had a lot to deal with." It made her sad to think back on it. Ryo really had changed; they all had, in a way that she didn't wish for them, but it couldn't be avoided. Not with who they were. "Don't judge him, you don't know his life. I've seen you brood with the best of them yourself."

"I just didn't think he would be your type."

Robyn sighed. She had forgotten that Rae told him about that. "It was just a little crush. I'm over it. We're friends and it's fine."

The song ended and the two pulled away. "Good," Jude said, satisfied. "You're too good for him, anyway."

The comment startled her. Now it was clear Jude really had no idea who or what these guys were. It was actually weird to talk to him now. Robyn had gotten so used to being with the ronins and Mia and Regan. Everyone in the circle knew how amazing they were, what they had done for the world. Jude just saw them as a bunch of punks taking his girls, his family, away from him. She wished she could explain to him, but it was probably better that he never know.

She grabbed his arm, steadying him as he seemed to still be swaying a bit. "Go easy on the booze. How will you hit on all the pretty, eligible ladies if you're blackout drunk?"

Jude scoffed at the suggestion that he didn't know when to quit. Though that didn't stop him from getting himself another cup of whatever the bartender poured for him. He was perfectly fine. He was so perfectly fine that he could still hear that inner voice reminding him, like a broken alarm clock, that he was leaving in two days and he would be leaving his sister and Robyn behind. And no matter how his brother-in-law tried to sugarcoat that reality, it still hurt like a bitch. He carried the drink with him to lean against the wall next to Ryo, a.k.a. Broody McBroodface, without really thinking through why he was doing it.

Jude could feel the irritation radiating off of the other man when he stood by him. It was almost a taste in his mouth; metallic and bitter. Good. Let him be irritated. Jude was sick of looking at them. Sick of looking at all these pretty Japanese boys that apparently were so amazing, girls were just dropping everything to be with them.

He glanced over at Ryo, disgusted all over again. "You don't like me, do you?" Jude said as he peered over his glass.

Ryo said nothing, but continued to frown at him, clearly wondering why the hell Jude came over. Even though he was getting exceptionally drunk, Jude was still quite good at reading people. And something about this sour Japanese jackass just made him want to mess with him.

"Let me guess. You're the de facto leader of your little boy band. You're usually quiet, but when you want something to happen, all your boys just jump to your tune. You like to have control of things. But you don't have control of me and that irritates you. Especially when it comes to..."

He glanced over in Robyn's direction as Ryo glanced in the same direction. Broody McBroodface stiffened and his eyes narrowed. Bingo. He had this guy's number. "She's not going to dance to your tune either. You'd be better off with someone else."

"And she would be better off with you?"

So, he did speak. And with a lot more bite than Jude expected.

"We have a history. You lot had her for a school year. And I may just keep her company tonight because someone already fucked up their chance." Jude side-eyed Ryo pointedly, and the angry reaction he got from the man was so satisfying, he couldn't help but chase it to see how far he could push this guy's buttons.

"You've got this amazing girl and you let her slip through your fingers. Were you even aware she's a virgin? We've done a few things together already, and she knows I'm happy to be her first anytime she wants to. I don't want her to miss out, and this is her last chance. A nice little goodbye gift: the memory of screaming my name all night." Jude meant to say that last thing mentally to himself, but the alcohol made it slip out.

All of the casual chatting, the dancing, the sense of romance in the air—all of it came to a halt as Jude stumbled into a table, holding the left side of his face. Ryo stood over him, fists clenched, practically seething.

"That's enough," Ryo said, voice low and dangerous.

Jude's cheek throbbed where Ryo hit him, but it only infuriated him more. "Enough of what?" he spit out. He went low, aiming for a sucker punch to the gut as payback for the sneaky hit to his goddamn face, but the shorter man was surprisingly agile and strong, capturing his fist and twisting his arm at lightning speed until Jude's knees threatened to buckle.

Before it could escalate beyond a brief tussle that almost upset a dinner table, both men felt their bodies curiously freeze, like a movie put on pause. Ryo's eyes widened, and he found himself instantly looking for Regan—but found Regan and Jude's grandmother standing nearby instead. Apparently the twins did indeed come by their abilities through genetics. The older matriarch was the picture of irritation; hands on the hips of her sari, pursed lips, dark and aggravated eyes. "Out into the hall."

Both nearly fell onto the floor when they gained mobility in their limbs again. They glared at each other, but did as they were told. Ryo felt heat rush to his face when he realized that nearly everyone in the room stared at them as they left. Jude averted his face when he caught his sister's gaze, confused and then crestfallen.

When the banquet doors shut them out into the hall with Jude's grandmother, the smaller woman whirled on them. "Is this how grown men act?" she challenged. "At a sacred ceremony?"

"No, madam," Jude said at the same time Ryo mumbled something similar.

"You." she pointed at her grandson. "You shame this family by striking a guest. You shame yourself by dishonoring your sister on her wedding day." She switched to the family's native language, and Jude cast his eyes down to the floor. Whatever she said sobered him up right quick. She finished with, "You stay out here, ice your face, and let the celebration be a happy one. Come back when you can look Regan in the eye and make amends.

"And you." Wildfire nearly cringed when she aimed her sharp, shrewd eyes at him, so similar to his own grandmother's when he'd been a boy and had displeased her. "Was it worth it, young man?"

Ryo let out a deep breath, his previous anger and resentment cooling, but firing up anew every time he looked at the other man. Even so, embarrassment and guilt worked their way through him. He didn't mean to lose control like that, and he was disappointed in himself for making a scene at his teammate's wedding. "No," he said softly. He bowed to the smaller woman. "I am very sorry, and I will extend my apologies to your granddaughter and my friend."

Regan's grandmother eyed them both severely, and then sighed. "Work it out. Come back inside when you're adults again."

The woman swept away with a flutter of colorful fabric. Jude and Ryo eyed each other resentfully.

"Don't talk about Robyn like that ever again," Ryo warned him. "Like she's a conquest." He hated even saying it.

Jude huffed out a breath, thanked the hotel staffer that handed him an ice pack. "I wasn't watching what I was saying," he admitted. "I love Robyn, I didn't mean it…the way it sounded. But you piss me off." And the fact that he felt like Ryo hadn't even used half his strength to punch him pissed him off even more. How strong was this guy? He was so...short!

"That makes two of us."

"You've been a grouchy asshole ever since I met you, how do you expect me to react to you?"

"Did I hurt your feelings?" Ryo asked sarcastically.

Jude could feel his anger rising again until he spotted bright red hair. He put the ice pack to his face. "Lecture me later, please," he told her as she walked up. "Let me nurse this broken jaw first."

"You owe Rae an apology," Robyn fired back.

"He hit me first!"

"No doubt provoked!"

"Later," Jude pleaded. "I just need a few minutes and I'll go back in." He waved them off and walked toward the lobby's hotel bar, holding the ice pack against his cheek.

Robyn crossed her arms and glowered at Ryo. "You do, too."

Ryo couldn't hold on to his anger in front of Robyn. "I know," he sighed. He could still hear Jude's taunts ringing in his ear; that he'd messed up, that he wasn't good enough for Robyn, that they barely had a history together, not like what Jude and Robyn had. But that wasn't true. That didn't feel true. Sure, Robyn had been in their lives a brief time when they were teenagers, but she had become one of his very best friends. His buddy that he played soccer with and studied with and expressed some really hard truths to, things that he'd never told anyone outside of his team. She had accepted him and cared for him even after his armor had hurt her. All in that short time, and again when she came back. For Jude to make that seem insignificant hurt. He loved Robyn, too.

He loved Robyn.

Everything clicked into place in that moment. Ryo understood it with such sudden clarity he almost gasped. He'd spent so long hung up on Natsuki leaving him and clinging to the hope that she'd come to her senses after running away that it blinded him to what was right in front of him. He didn't have to chase after someone to love—she was right there. And he couldn't fucking stand it when Jude pretended to be that person because he wanted to be that person. He wanted to dance with Robyn even though he was terrible at dancing; he wanted to make cookies with her even though he was a terrible cook; he wanted to love her better, because she wasn't just his friend anymore.

Robyn had his heart the entire time and he didn't even feel her take it.

"Ryo?" Robyn looked at him with worry now. Was he only just noticing that her hair liked to escape any updo it was forced into? Wisps of red hair framed her face, and he thought it was adorable. "Are you okay?" she continued. "I lost you there for a minute. You've been…you haven't seemed like yourself these past few weeks."

"I haven't," he admitted, then cleared his throat because it came out like a croak. "I guess I…Jude said some things that upset me, and to be honest, I've had a hard time warming up to him."

"We couldn't tell," Robyn said wryly. When Ryo flushed a little, she added, "What did he say? I know Jude can be an obnoxious brat, but it's been a long time since someone's punched him for it."

Ryo rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously. His heart was still pounding from the revelation he'd just had. "He clearly cares for you," he said bluntly. "Whatever feelings he has, based on your guys' past relationship…he's not over them and I've just felt like he's tried to take advantage of you or tried to convince you to do something you didn't want to do."

Robyn blinked at him, and then laughed a little, although it wasn't a happy sound. "Oh, Ryo, no. We never dated. Jude doesn't have feelings for me, not in that way. And frankly, I don't either. Did I entertain it, for maybe 60 seconds when I first met him? Sure. But Jude and I have never been anything more than friends, and we never will."

Ryo stared at her. "You don't like him?"

"Not like that."

"But you…when you're…"

"The PDAs? Jude and Regan are both touchy people. It's a twin thing. And Jude is just naturally flirty with everyone. Don't worry about it. I'm still perfectly happy being single."

Ryo didn't like hearing that. Because it also reminded him of one minor detail: Robyn had liked him. Had asked him out. And he turned her down.

What the hell was he supposed to do now?

.

After the minor drama from the fight, the reception continued without a hitch. One ronin at a time kept disappearing every so often, with hardly anyone the wiser, and yet nothing appeared out of the trees. Sage took one final lap around the resort as the night drew to a close, and he was cautiously optimistic. He could sense something out there, but it stayed away, as if afraid of the light and happiness flooding the area. Threatened by it, even. As it should be, Sage thought. But when would it ever make an appearance? How long would they have to wait?

When he walked back down the hall to the reception room, he met Regan out into the hall, coming out of the bathroom. She happily greeted him, then walked with him the rest of the way.

"Thank you for all of your help with today," she told him, squeezing his arm companionably. "And while we're out here, Sage, I just wanted to say that Rowen's home is still yours, too. I know marriage can make things weird, but I don't want either of you to feel like your friendship has to change." She stopped them before they entered the reception hall and looked up at him, her expression sincere and earnest. "You're welcome anytime. Me living there doesn't change that. You're important to Rowen, and you're important to me, too."

Sage didn't know what to say to that, so he let his actions speak for him; he gave her a hug. The strength of her embrace was a pleasant surprise. He couldn't remember the last time someone hugged him like they meant it. "Please know that road goes both ways," he said. "If you need anything—even if it's to vent about Rowen, and if we're being honest, especially if you need to do that—you can talk to me, or any of us. I know you have to leave your brother behind because of this move, but you've gained four more. Remember that."

"Oh, no, don't make me cry," Regan laughed as she wiped her eyes. "At this point, I'll gladly put Jude back on a plane. He was awful tonight."

"We can't choose our family," Sage said as they walked into the reception hall.

"We can choose to cut them out of the will as a deterrent."

Sage chuckled as they returned to the group. The atmosphere was much more intimate this late. Many of the guests had retired for the evening; a few still danced to the slower music playing, but the rest of the ronins and the girls were the main group left sitting together at an abandoned dinner table, finishing off cake and wine.

"There they are," Kento boomed as Sage sat and Regan sat next to Rowen, who wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her forehead.

"Do you need to get that bladder checked out?" Rowen asked Sage innocently.

"It functions perfectly fine," he said smoothly, giving Ryo a slight nod.

"Want some more cake?" Robyn offered as she lifted a small plate with a slice of cake in his direction.

"No, thank you."

"More for us," Robyn said happily, digging into probably her third slice.

When it became apparent that everyone was getting tired, Ryo cleared his throat and raised his glass. "Guys, I want to apologize again for earlier. I didn't meant for that to happen."

"Are you kidding?" Rowen exclaimed. "I'll get to say that there was a fistfight at my wedding. That's awesome."

Regan rolled her eyes. "At the very least, it gave people something to talk about."

"And it was not a monster," Mia added helpfully.

"Hear hear!" Kento called. "Cheers for no monster crashing—only brawling. Can't have a ronin wedding without fisticuffs, can we?"

"And congratulations," Ryo continued before everyone got too excited and he couldn't finish his toast. "Welcome, Rae. Take care of each other. I'm happy for you, Rowen. Still surprised, but happy for you."

They all laughed and completed the toast. When everyone finally retired, Ryo did one last sweep outside.

He felt them out there. He didn't see them. He didn't hear them. But he felt their presence.

Time would only tell what was coming for them next.