Rowen let out a sigh as he stared out of the hospital window. Vehicles went past, and sometimes he would shiver with fear, thinking that his father would appear anytime soon. But then he remembered his father was dead. The abuse was over. The state had immediately declared him a ward of the state, and Mia was already trying to go through the necessary terms to adopt him. He wondered how long that would take. He still thought of his mother wondering why she would leave him like this. He missed her, he missed her laugh, her smile, her gentleness whenever he had a bad dream. Where was she?

Rowen heard the door creak open. "ROWEN…….." a raspy voice called out to him. His heart froze in his chest, and it took all of his willpower just to turn around. He gasped in complete shock. Standing there was a very unrecognizable and burnt man that had once been his father. He immediately backed away. His grotesque father stepped toward him. "Rowen," he rasped, "you killed me. And now I’ll kill you!!!"

Rowen sat up right in bed, gasping as he held tightly to his bedsheets. Sweat poured off his forehead, and it took him awhile to calm down and realize where he was. He was in the room he shared with Sage at Mia’s house.

"Just a dream," he told himself as he looked toward Sage’s bed. The bed was empty. He heard several voices downstairs. He had to smile. It had only been a day since he was out of the hospital, and already he felt more relaxed.

He hopped out of bed and went to his dresser where he still had some clothes left before when they had all stayed the time when Talpa first attacked. Aside from a few books, and his telescope that had been left here as well, everything else of his was gone, destroyed by the fire.

He headed for the shower and hopped in, liking the way the cool water ran over his skin. After his shower, he was dressed and heading down the stairs.

Sage looked up from the couch when he heard the footsteps. He smiled. "Rowen, you’re up!"

Rowen grinned. "It looks that way, doesn’t it?" Sage just smiled and nodded his head as Rowen descended off the last step.

"Where is everyone?" he asked.

"Oh, well Mia and Ryo are at the Children’s Services to request adopting you. Cye and Kento are at the movies, and well you and I are here with White Blaze."

Rowen nodded as he sat down in the recliner. He reached up and adjusted his headband and looked toward the TV. Sage was watching some racing show. Although Sage was his best friend, car racing didn’t interest him. Then again Sage wasn’t interested in space either. But still they were the best of friends. And Rowen would have it no other way.

Ryo let out a sigh as he and Mia waited for the lady behind the large mahogany desk to finish up her business. As of now she was checking criminal records to make sure Miss Koji had no wanted records or a criminal report. And this was only the beginning. She would have to search more, and then talk to Rowen Hashiba himself, and check out Miss Koji’s home and land, to see if it was suitable for a sixteen year old boy.

Dang, how much longer? Ryo wondered. Patience wasn’t one of his virtues, and he tried his hardest not to just come right out and say, ‘are you almost done? Because we have things to do.’ Mia would be angry with him if he said anything like that.

"Well," the lady said finally. "I see nothing here referring you as a criminal, and you’re not wanted for any crimes. Tell me, have you ever dealt with children before?"

Mia nodded. "Yes, I baby-sit a nine year old boy Yulie after school and every other weekend and for three weeks out of the summer. I also have a fifteen year old boy living with me."

"And is the fifteen year old your son?" the lady asked.

"No, he isn’t. He is living with me so he can go to school here. He was a foreign exchange student from England."

"I see. And what his name?"

"Cye Mouri."

"And is anyone else staying with you?"

"Yes, but only on the weekends."

"And these are?"

"They’re boys too. "Sage Date, he’s seventeen, Kento Rei Faun, he’s fifteen, and him." Gestures toward Ryo."

"And how old are you?" the woman asked.

"Eighteen," Ryo replied.

She nodded again, and copied something into the computer she was using. For several minutes she was busy, typing repeatedly. Finally, she looked up. "Alright, I’m going to need the boys’ home phone numbers, including the little boy Yulie’s and Cye Mouri’s. If all goes well, and if we can’t find Rowen’s mother, or any other relative, you will be first on our list to adopt, but only after we’ve talked to those other parents, and checked out your living arrangements to see if they meet our standards."

Mia nodded, and Ryo asked, "And how long will this take?"

The woman folded her hands and stared at him. "It shouldn’t be more than a couple of weeks at the most."

Ryo nodded as he and Mia stood up to go. "Thank you very much," Mia said as she slung her purse over her shoulder.

"Any time," the woman said. And Ryo and Mia walked out of the office.

Sage was working out in the front yard. His movements were graceful, and he seemed

to be one with the sword he was using. He was able to concentrate a little better than he had been before, but he was still worried about Rowen. Would Mia be able to adopt him, or would some unknown family show up and whisk Rowen away for good? He hoped not. He had a bond with Rowen. He could feel whenever Rowen was sad, hurt, frustrated, angry, or even when he was extremely hypered. They shared their secrets with one another, ones they never even told the other guys.

Sage let out a sigh as he practiced hacking away at a makeshift target. At least now he

thought, Rowen wouldn’t have to worry about his dad anymore. But in the back of his mind he was wondering where Rowen’s mother was. How could a mother just leave her child into the hands of an abusive father? Or had she been abused too? What had happened to make her leave? Sage didn’t know. He did know however that no one was ever going to hurt Rowen again.

Star sat on the couch in the living room. She was busy going through the phone book, s

searching under the letter H. Firestorm was somewhere around the house, doing who knew whatever. Probably talking to someone on the internet. Let’s see, Haakening, Hachia, Hackening, Hashiba: several names for Hashiba though. Donald J, Cindy M, Lou R, Dela L, on and on it went. Star shook his head. She already knew that Rowen’s father wasn’t listed here. The address wasn’t in the phone book, but which of these women was Rowen’s mother? Or was she remarried? And then she brightened. Wait a minute! She grabbed the phonebook and flew up the stairs to where Firestorm was sitting at the computer.

"Hey, Firestorm, I need you to do something!"

"What?" the girl asked as she turned around, staring at her friend with one eye.

A few minutes later after hearing Star explained, she sighed and turned back to the

computer. Give the names then, and I’ll see if I can find anything."

Star smiled widely. She was only happy to do it, and hopefully Rowen’s mother would

be found soon.

Kento and Cye walked out of the movie theatre. Kento was talking excitedly and Cye

smiled and nodded his head. He was talking about the movie they had seen Godzilla, and Kento was almost ready to go and purchase another ticket to see it one more time.

"Not now, Kento," Cye said. "We have to get back to Mia’s."

Kento was about to pout, but then he smiled. "You’re right, Cye. Food’s calling!" And

he grabbed Cye by the wrist and hurried for Mia’s place.

Firestorm let out a grin. "Found her!" she cried triumphantly. Star came over and stared

at the screen with a surprised happy look on her face. "I can’t believe it! You did it, Firestorm-chan! And all the teachers think you’re a baka!"

Firestorm smirked. "I can’t help they’re talking about themselves!" Star grinned at her,

as she hit print. According to the file Firestorm had come across Rowen’s mother was living in Tokyo at a small apartment building. Her name was Rachel Lynn Hashiba. She had been married to Douglas Kirk Hashiba- now deceased- of 1545 Kadio St. Children born, a son of the name Rowen Keith Hashiba. She was 36 years old and had divorced from Douglas a year ago.

"Poor Rowen!" Star nearly wept. To be abused that long? I know some are abused

longer but still it’s….."

"Pathetic," Firestorm supplied as she took out the neatly printed paper. She pointed to

at the end of the paper. "Here’s her telephone and address number."

Star hugged her tightly. "Arigatoudomo! Thank you so much!"

"Yeah. Yeah! Don’t worry about it!" Firestorm smiled brightly, just cocking her head

slightly. And Star smiled back and ran out of the room and down the stairs.

Rowen sat at the kitchen table with a cup of hot tea in his hands. He was listening quietly to everything Mia and Ryo were telling him. Sage, Cye, and Kento were there as well, listening and waiting to see what Rowen’s reaction was. For now he was quiet and nodding his head at every word said.

"So that’s it," Mia said. "They’ll be coming over here in three weeks to check this place

out to see if it meets their standards of qualified living. They’ll also be calling Cye’s mom, and Yulie’s. And they’ll be talking to Sage’s and Kento’s parents."

"Why are they going to do that?" Kento asked.

"They need to see how the other parents feel about Mia," Ryo explained. "They need

other parents’ opinions and the facts from them."

Kento nodded his head. He did not understand why they needed to check with their

parents, but maybe there was a good reason for it.

"So, Rowen, is this OK with you?"

Rowen sipped at his tea, thinking quietly. He set the cup down and wiped his mouth

with the back of his hand and let out a small slow sigh. "I really don’t want to go to another foster home," he said distastefully. "I’d rather you be able to adopt me, Mia, but uh, if my mom comes back, or if I can find her, would you give her full custody rights again?"

Mia smiled brightly. "Of course I will, Rowen. Whatever made you think that I

wouldn’t?"

Rowen shrugged as he sipped his tea.

"Where is your mom anyway?" Ryo asked, placing one hand on the back of the chair

next to Mia from where he stood. "I remember you told us that your dad knew you tried to call to her."

Rowen nodded his head, looking down. "It was a setup," he said dejectedly. "My dad

did that just so he could beat me. It wasn’t even her number. I found that out when I called the number in the hospital, the same night you call came to visit me."

"Whose number was it?" Cye asked gently.

"Some lady’s. She was elderly, but kind, but it wasn’t anyone I knew. All she said was

‘I’m sorry, dear, but you have the wrong phone number. No Mrs. Rachel Hashiba lives at this address. I hope you find her.’ And that was it. I don’t know why my dad would use that lady just as an excuse to beat the crap out of me."

"He’s an ass, what do you expect?" Ryo spat. Rowen just nodded staying quiet. The

doorbell rang.

"I’ll get it!" Kento cried and dashed from the kitchen. He found White Blaze staring at the front door, almost looking excited. He pulled the door open.

"Hi!" Firestorm greeted with a smile. "What’s up?"

Kento blinked at the two girls. "You guys again?"

"Gee, what a nice welcome," Firestorm rolled her eyes.

"Can we come in, Kento?" Star asked. Kento nodded and stepped back to

let them in. Firestorm immediately latched onto White Blaze. "Hello, handsome! You are such a beautiful baby, yes you are!"

"Sweet talking my cat again, huh?"

Firestorm looked up to see Mia and the rest of the boys there. She smiled and nodded

and turned back to White Blaze who loved all the attention he was getting. He licked her face, and she scratched his ears.

"So what brings you here?" Cye asked politely.

Star shrugged. "Oh, we were in the neighborhood and thought we stopped in to see

what you were up to." She looked toward Rowen. "How are you feeling, Rowen?"

Rowen smiled a little. "I’m still recovering, but I feel more at peace though. I don’t have

to worry about my dad or being afraid for my life anymore."

"That’s good. Fear is bad."

"Totally!"

"Would you girls like anything to drink?" Cye asked.

Firestorm found it hard to answer, but Star nodded her head. "Yes, please."

"Be right back!" He disappeared into the kitchen.

Mia smiled kindly at Firestorm. "You like him, don’t you?"

"Nani?"

"Cye, you like Cye."

"How can you tell?"

Mia smiled again. "I just can. You freeze up everytime he talks to you, but you’re able

talk to the other boys very easily."

Firestorm nodded. "You’re right I do, I’m just scared. Everytime I get with a guy I like

I always end up getting hurt by them.

"Cye would never hurt you," Ryo said firmly. "He likes you too. He was talking to me

last night. Go and talk to him. He won’t bite your head off."

Firestorm sat next to White Blaze, thinking. She looked at her friend who was busy

having her own conversation with Rowen. Both were smiling and laughing. Finally she nodded her head, got up, and went into the kitchen.

Sage had been watching both girls. His Second Eyesight showed him something he

thought he would never see on someone else before. These two girls were glowing brightly. Star was glowing a baby blue color mixed with a light purple, and had the kanji of compassion pulsing from her forehead. Firestorm had been glowing pink and purple, and had the kanji of honor pulsing from her forehead. His first thought was, oh my gosh! They’re the new Ronins!

A knock at the door. White Blaze let out a silent growl as he sniffed under the door.

Everyone looked at other as if to say, who’s at the door, and which of us is going to get that? Sage looked out the side window. He turned to Ryo. "Some lady’s at the door. Get White Blaze upstairs, Ryo."

"White Blaze, come on, upstairs." The tiger turned and followed his young master up

the stairs as Sage got ready to open up the door. Mia sat there thinking, it couldn’t be the Children Services already!

"May I help you?" Sage asked the woman standing at the door, just as Cye and

Firestorm came from the kitchen carrying drinks for everyone. They both looked toward the door.

"Uh, yes, I was wondering, is Rowen Hashiba here?"

Rowen looked up with a gasp. That voice! He recognized it. He jumped from the couch

and flew for the door, practically throwing Sage aside. "MOM!!!" he cried.

Rachel’s eyes lit up, and tears flew down her cheeks. She quickly wrapped her arms

around him, drawing him close and stroking his hair. "Oh, my Rowen, how I searched for you. I am so sorry! I’ve missed you so much!"

Rowen cried happily on her shoulder, hugging her. He thought he would never see her

Again. But now from some miracle here she was. How did that happen?"

Mia cleared her throat. "Mrs. Hashiba?" The woman looked at her, still holding her

son to her. "Won’t you please come in?"

Rachel did, her arm around Rowen. Rowen knew there would be a lot of explaining to

do on both sides, but none of that mattered right now. What mattered was that his mother was back, and he could go back to having a normal life once more.