School was over, and Mia was picking the boys up. Yulie was there, chattering away about what he had done at school, and the new girl who had come.

"What she look like?" Kento asked.

"She's got long pink hair that's up in a high ponytail. Her eyes are..." he paused... "I guess they're blue, or green. I don't know."

Ryo smirked. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say Yulie has a crush on her. What's her name?"

Yulie crossed his arms. "Her name is Deserae, and I do not, Ryo!"

Ryo only smirked, then looked back at Rowen. His nose was stuck in that book again. He shook his head.

Sage tapped Rowen on the shoulder. "Rowen, can you join our simple carefree conversation for once?"

Rowen blinked and lowered his book. "Uh, what, Sage?"

Sage looked him in the eye. "That's all you've been doing for the past week, Rowen. Studying. Have some fun for awhile."

"Sure, when I ace that test," Rowen replied, going back to his book.

"Dude, you could glance once at a book, and still pass a test without studying," Kento said.

"This is different," Rowen muttered.

"How is that?" Cye asked.

Rowen only shook his head and didn't answer. The other four Ronins all gave each other a worried look. Even Mia seemed concerned. She was struggling to keep her attention on the road instead of on Rowen. He didn't seem to want to do anything at all, but just study.

By the time they got home, Rowen disappeared upstairs to his and Sage's room. Ryo was greeted by White Blaze and fed him. Cye got started on dinner while Sage kept Kento out of the kitchen. After feeding White Blaze, Ryo just decided to relax and watch TV.

Yulie was working on his homework, occasionally getting some help from Mia when he didn't understand something.

"Man, I feel sorry for you, Yulie," Kento said.

"Why's that, Kento?"

"Because you've got homework and we don't."

Yulie stuck his tongue out and turned back to his work.

"Cye's got homework," Ryo said. "He's in tenth grade. They always get homework on Fridays."

Mia looked up. "Cye has homework?" Ryo nodded his head. "Cye!"

Cye came from the kitchen, wiping his hand on a dishtowel. "Yeah, Mia?"

"Homework now." Mia pointed at Cye's light blue backpack.

Cye frowned. "I have to finish dinner though."

Mia sighed. "Cye, I can finish dinner. You need to get your homework done."

"But!"

Mia's hand silenced any further protests. With a defeated sigh, the bearer of Torrent marched over to his backpack.

Mia made sure that Yulie could finish his homework on his own before going into the kitchen.

Upstairs Rowen sat crossed legged on his bed, his large book in his lap. All sounds from downstairs were blocked out as he studied.

He reached for a bottle of pills. Just one more week of these, than I can toss them. The guys will never have to know. He swallowed one pill and returned to his intense studying.

"Rowen, dinner's ready!" Rowen did not look up. His eyes were glued to his book. The voice called him again, but either Rowen was ignoring it, or he could not hear. Whatever the reason, he wasn't answering.

The door flung open, and Sage stared at him. "Rowen, didn't you hear? Dinner's ready."

Rowen looked up at his friend. He looked into that one violet eye. If Sage knew anything, he wasn't saying so. And Rowen wasn't saying anything either. He had to play it cool, especially when his friend could see right through lies.

"Are you coming?" Sage asked.

"Uh, yeah sure." Rowen marked his book and followed the bearer of Halo downstairs and into the dining room where everyone else was.

"He joins us!" Kento managed through his mouthful of food. Rowen didn't answer. He only sat down and grabbed a plate.

Mia decided she was going to get the Strata bearer talking. He had been awfully quiet lately, and she was starting to miss his voice. "So, Rowen, read any good books lately?"

Rowen took a bite of chicken, and shook his head. "Haven't had time to read."

Everyone blinked at him. That was unusual. Rowen always read a good novel, everyday. Ryo kept staring at his teammate. Rowen's eyes were glassy again.

"Took another of those pills again, uh?" Ryo said.

Rowen nodded as he ate.

"Rowen, I don't know if I like you taking those pills. Someone's going to think you're getting high."

Rowen clenched his fork tightly. "I'm not getting high," he seethed. "They're just pills to keep my eyes from watering. Nothing more."

Sage frowned, but didn't say anything. He had a feeling that Rowen was lying. For what he didn't know. But until he found out what Rowen's problem was, he couldn't help him.

"OK, OK," Ryo said as he took a bite of beef noodles. "I was just concerned that's all."

"I know, Ryo," Rowen said. "But I'm not a baby. I can take care of myself."

Before Ryo could answer back, Cye cut in. "Just where did you get those pills anyway?"

"From the doctor's," Rowen answered.

"I never knew you went to the doctor's," Kento said thoughtfully as he stuffed his mouth.

"That's because you're too busy eating and looking at girls!" Rowen retorted.

"Hey!"

"Alright, you guys," Mia warned.

"Looking at girls is *my* job," Sage said with a grin.

"Yeah, that's why the rest of us don't have girlfriends," Kento mumbled. "Cassanova takes them all."

Rowen rolled his eyes and downed his milk. He got up and pushed his chair back. "I'm going upstairs," he muttered.

"That's all you're eating?" Cye asked.

"Yes, Cye," Rowen seethed. "That's all I'm eating." He left the dining room.

Cye had his head down, staring unblinking at his food. Kento was scowling. "Geeze, what his problem? All Cye did was just ask a simple question."

"It's OK, Kento," Cye said. "I know he didn't mean it."

"Whatever!"

"I don't know, guys. Rowen's been acting weird lately," Sage said quietly. "Everytime we go to bed, I hear him getting up just when I'm about to fall asleep. And when I wake up in the morning, he's not in his bed."

"That is strange," Mia said.

"When I woke up late during the night to get a glass of water, Rowen was still up," Cye said.

"What was he doing?" Ryo asked.

"Studying. He promised that he would go to bed as soon as he finished one more chapter. But I don't think he went to bed."

"I say something funny's going on with him," Kento said.

"If I were you four," Mia said as she sipped her milk, "I'd watch Rowen very carefully."

Ryo's eyes flashed. "That's exactly what we're going to do."

Rowen could hear them talking about him downstairs. He knew they were concerned about him, and he felt bad that he was hiding everything from them. If they found out what he was really taking, they'd flip and make him go get help.

His eyes drifted over the problems of his book. He was writing down the answers in his notebook. He let out a yawn, and reached for one of his pills, and popped it in his mouth. He took two more just in case.

As soon as I pass all of these tests, bye bye pills.

That night when everyone was getting ready for bed, Sage noticed that Rowen was leaving the room. "Aren't you going to bed?" he asked.

"I'm not tired, Sage."

"Rowen, you've been doing this a lot lately, "Sage said. "You need your rest. We have practice tomorrow."

Rowen whirled around, his pale face red and his eyes burning. "Sage, would you stop acting like you're my father!" he snapped. "I said I'm not tired! I'll go to bed when I freaking feel like it!"

Sage watched him leave the room, slamming the door shut behind him. He bit his lip worriedly. Rowen.

Rowen bumped into Cye on his way down the hall. "What? You gonna say something too?"

Cye blinked, a little surprised. He shook his head. Rowen pushed him out of the way, and continued down the hall. Ryo came out of his bedroom with White Blaze at his side. White Blaze growled worriedly.

"You're staying up again?!" Ryo asked in surprise.

"Yes, Ryo! I'm staying up again! Now would you mind your own business!"

Ryo's temper flared up. "When one of my teammate's has a serious problem, it is my problem! You've been acting weird ever since you found out that you can take those tests to go to whatever college you want!"

"That's not your concern! I may be a year younger than you, Ryo, but you are not my father!"

"I'm not trying to be your father!" Ryo snapped. "I'm just concerned about you! When's the last time you've actually slept anyway?"

Rowen glared at the Wildfire bearer and continued down the stairs. "Don't worry about it."

Ryo glared at Rowen's back. He was angry at his friend, but more concerned. He felt three other presences surrounding him.

"I wish he would just tell us what was wrong," Sage said.

"Yeah, he's been snapping off everyone lately," Kento said. "I haven't seen him smile in what four days?"

"He's hiding something that's for sure," Cye said. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm worried."

"All of us are, Cye," Ryo said.

Mia stepped out of her room, dressed in her bathrobe. "Is anything wrong?"

"Rowen and I just got into an argument, Mia," Ryo said.

"About what?"

"About him not sleeping, and the way he's been acting."

Mia frowned. "Well, the argument's over, and I'm sure when Rowen is ready, he'll tell you what's bothering him. He's probably just stressed because of all these tests he has to take. You know how he likes to pass any test handed to him."

"But this is the worse he's ever been," Cye said.

Mia managed a small smile. "I'm sure it will pass. I'm going to bed. Try to keep it down some, will you? Good-night."

"Night," they said. Before long they were heading for their rooms too.

Sage laid in his bed, staring at the empty bed across from him. He didn't want to admit it, but he felt lonely in the room. And he knew that if he went downstairs Rowen would just snap at him. Somehow, he had to find out what Rowen was hiding from them all. What was making him act this way. Sage didn't care what it took. He was going to find out what Rowen's problem was, and help him all he could. He could only hope that Rowen would be accepting.

During the next few days, everyone felt as if they were walking on eggshells whenever they were around Rowen. They had to be careful with what they said, otherwise Rowen would just snap at them. Practice wasn't any better. Rowen always demanded that they get it done and over as soon as possible, so he could go back to studying.

"I don't get him," Kento said one day. They had just finished practicing, and Rowen had already disappeared inside the house. "Everyday, that's all he's been doing. Just studying."

"Is it just me, or does Rowen look like he's lost weight?" Cye asked.

"Yeah, I've noticed it too," Ryo said. "And his eyes are always glazed because of those pills." He turned to Sage. "Sage, do you think you could ask your mom if she knows any type of medication that would cause someone's eyes to glaze over like that?"

Sage nodded. "I'll call her in a few minutes."

"Yeah, and I'm getting me some food!"

Cye shook his head at his friend. "Is that all you think about?"

Kento shook his head. "No, I think about other stuff too."

"Like what?"

"Girls!"

Cye shook his head and followed Kento into the house with Ryo and Sage behind him.

Rowen glanced up when they came through the front door. With a heated sigh, he gathered that huge book into his arms and started for the stairs.

"Hey, Rowen, want to watch a cool flick?" Ryo asked.

"No, and don't ask me again!" Rowen went up the stairs and into his room, slamming the door shut.

"Rowen, don't slam the doors!" Mia scolded.

Ryo shook his head. "I sure wish he'd get out of this act." He plopped down on the couch and flipped the TV to the station he wanted.

"So what's on?" Cye asked.

"Legend. It's got Tom Cruise in it. Supposedly, he has to battle this Devil guy, and save a princess from his grasps, not to mention protect these unicorns, who are wanted for their power."

"Sounds interesting," Cye said.

Sage was on his phone. Mia just glanced at him, and shook her head. Sage saw that. "I'm calling my mom."

Mia blushed. "Oh, sorry." She laughed nervously.

Kento returned with a plate of two double deluxe burgers and a can of Pepsi. He sat down beside Cye and began to eat.

The movie started, and they sat back to watch it. Sage was speaking to his mother. "Mom, I need to know something. Is there any type of medication that can cause a person's eyes to glaze over?" He waited patiently as she answered him. He kept nodding his head as she spoke to him.

Ryo's eyes were on the TV, but his ears were listening to the conversation. Sage finally said good-bye and set the phone down. "She said there are several type of medications that can cause the eyes to glaze over. Especially if one is overdosing."

Silence filled the living room, except for the droning of the TV. Could Rowen be overdosing on his medication?

"So what do we do?" Cye asked.

"Simple we make Rowen show us his medication, what else?" Kento said.

"Forcing him isn't going to do it, Kento," Sage said as he sat down and crossed his arms over his lap and leaned forward. He stared at his shoes.

Kento rolled his eyes. "But we have to do something!"

"We will do something, Kento," Cye assured him. "But if we make Rowen confess to us, it will cause him to rebel against us, and then we'll all be worse off than we were before."

Ryo nodded his head. "Cye's right. I say we wait and gradually suggest to Rowen that he has a problem, without really saying that out loud. Once he tells us what's wrong, we'll go from there."

It was agreed.

The next day Rowen walked down the hall of Hana High. His hair was a mess, and his eyes were still glazed over. A teacher asked him if he was feeling all right.

"I'm fine, Sensei," he replied. "I'm just on medication that's keeping my eyes from watering up. They've been doing that a

lot lately."

The teacher accepted that and let him continue on down the hall.

Someone tripped him. Rowen quickly got up, his temper rising uncontrollably. He turned and faced Deisel Witcheka, a kid with pure black hair with white streaks. and dark green eyes. Deisel was always picking on the intelligent kids in the school, especially Rowen. However he had picked the wrong time to do that.

In less than two seconds, Rowen had slammed Deisel against the locker, and began banging his head against them.

Deisel was shocked. Rowen was very angry and just kept banging the jerk's head off the lockers. Deisel yelled loudly, trying to signal someone.

"Someone get this nut off me!" he cried. Rowen was a lot stronger than he had thought.

The banging and shouting had alerted a few teachers and several students. A teacher grabbed Rowen off Deisel and had to pin his arms down at his sides to keep from getting hit by the wild teenager.

"HASHIBA!" the teacher yelled, causing the students and other teachers to jump. "What is going on here?"

"That dick tripped me!" Rowen yelled, his eyes burning with anger. "He deserves exactly what he got!"

This surprised them all. As far as everyone knew Rowen was usually so mellow and avoided fights in the hall.

The teacher glared down at him, but Rowen was too angry to notice it. The teacher looked over at the other teacher. "Is he OK, Mr. Wong?"

"He just has a bump on his head that's all. Still I'm going to take him to the nurse's office to get checked just in case."

The teacher nodded, then looked down at Rowen. "Principal's Office now!"

Rowen got his book from the floor and marched away, ignoring everyone's stares.

Principal Chule (pronouced Chu lee) was very surprised to see Rowen Hashiba in his office. Rowen was sitting there in the chair, glaring off into space.

"Well, Rowen, this is quite a shock. Why are you in my office?"

"Got sent here."

"Can you tell me why?"

"Slammed a punk against the lockers."

"What punk?"

"Deisel Witcheka."

Principal Chule raised thick dark eyebrows in surprise. "And why did you do that?"

Rowen seethed. "He tripped me. A person can only take so much, and everytime I tell a teacher, all he gets is a warning and maybe a slap on the wrist."

The principal sighed and took out a paper and a pen. "Alright, Rowen. Since this is your first fight, I'll let you go. I know how that upcoming test is important to you, so that'll be kept as well. But the next fight you get into, I' afraid you'll have detention, and your chances to take that exam will be very slim. I'm going to write you a note so your next period teacher doesn't gripe you because you're late to their class."

Rowen nodded. Principal Chule handed him the pass and let him go.