At home Rowen was studying harder than ever. He kept himself in his room, and didn't come down to dinner when he was called. Cye decided he would be nice in bringing Rowen his plate up.

Rowen however did not appreciate it. His eyes were completely glazed over and he was shaking uncontrollably. "Didn't you see the Do Not Disturb Sign on the freaking doorknob?!"

Cye dropped the plate of food in shock. He stared at Rowen as if he didn't know him anymore. He looked questionably at his friend. "Rowen, there was no sign. I just came up to give you your dinner, so you could eat when you wanted to." His seablue eyes drifted down to the floor, and the mess. "Too late now."

"Yeah, it is too late. Now get out!"

Cye bit his lip, feeling very hurt. Rowen looked up at him and narrowed his nightblue eyes at him. "Are you going to leave, or do I have to throw you out?"

Cye left the room as quickly as he could. He bumped into Sage.

"Whoa, what's wrong, Cye?"

"It's Rowen," Cye's voice quivered. Sage knew he was on the verge of crying. Already his eyes were watering.

"What happened?"

"I... I just came to gi... give him his dinner, and he... he just snapped at me. I think I did something wrong."

Sage shook his head. "No, Cye, you didn't do anything wrong." He was angry though, and Sage angry is not a good sight. He gently pat the younger Ronin on the shoulder. "I have had enough of this. I'm going to find out what's wrong with Rowen once and for all."

Cye watched him go. He wiped his eyes watching as the tall warrior headed for his and Rowen's room. I hope you know what you're doing, Sage. He went downstairs.

Sage stepped carefully around the mess, not even concerned that it was there on the floor. He stared at Rowen who was ignoring his presence. He slammed the door shut to get his attention. Rowen ignored him.

"I hope you know that Cye is crying," Sage spoke heatedly.

Rowen shrugged carelessly. "The fish will get over it," he said.

:"That was uncalled for."

"He shouldn't have come in when I had a Do Not Disturb sign hanging out there!"

Sage sighed. He wasn't impatient, just very concerned. "Rowen, there was no sign out there. When's the last time you've slept?" There were dark circles under Rowen's eyes. Rowen shrugged.

"Doesn't matter," he said gruffly.

"It does matter! You've been snapping off to everyone lately, and beat some kid up in the hallway! You haven't been eating, and I haven't seen you sleep all this week! What kind of medication makes you act like that anyway?"

"Would you just leave me alone, Sage! You're just as bad as Ryo! I don't need you or anyone else's concern!"

If Sage was hurt, he didn't show it. He shifted to his Second Sight and began scouring the room. He finally saw a bottle of pills lying underneath Rowen's mattress. Without saying a word, he reached under the mattress and grabbed the bottle.

Rowen looked up and gasped. Before Sage could blink, the bottle was gone from his hand, and Rowen was opening it up.

It suddenly hit Sage. These pills were the reason why Rowen was acting this way. He shook his head. No more! He tackled Rowen and knocked him down to the floor, trying to wrestle the bottle out of the archer's hands. Rowen struggled, his eyes tearing up.

"Give me them!" Rowen screamed when the bottle was snatched from him. Sage threw the bottle at the opposite wall where it smashed and spilled at least a dozen pills all over the floor.

Rowen pushed Sage off him, and crawled over to the fallen pills as quickly as he could. Before he could gather them up, Sage's arms went around him, holding him firmly. Sage began to glow green as he administered mental healing to his friend.

Tears streamed down Rowen's eyes as he stared helplessly at the fallen pills. He trembled, needing them badly. It was then that he realized that he was addicted.

He broke out into terrible sobs, holding onto Sage. "Please help me!"

Sage nodded. "I'm going to, Rowen. Just tell me why you're taking these things."

"I needed to take something that would keep me awake so I could study more," Rowen said quietly. "I didn't know it would effect me like this. I just wanted to make sure I absorbed enough information so I can pass those exams. If I don't pass them, then I'll have to live with my dad again."

Sage nodded. He knew all about Rowen's homelife. And it angered him that his bestfriend would be beaten by his own father. "Rowen, you're bright enough to pass those exams. But if you don't get the sleep or nourishment you need, you won't be able to take that test."

Rowen nodded. He sniffled some tears back. "I think I realize that now."

"What are you going to do?" Sage asked.

"Sage," Rowen said quietly, "could you dump those pills down the toilet?" he asked. "I have a mess to clean up and lots of apologizing to do."

Sage smiled and let him up. "Sure." He let Rowen leave the room as he gathered up the pills and shattered pieces of the broken bottle. As he went to the bathroom to flush them down the toilet, he could hear Rowen apologizing to Ryo, Cye, Kento, and Mia. He dropped the pills down the commode, and flushed it, then threw the shattered pieces away. He headed downstairs where Rowen was getting a group hug. Sage smiled and joined them.

Ryo was the first to break away. "Rowen, do you think you should get help for your addiction?" he asked.

"I haven't exactly thought about it," Rowen admitted, "but it might not be a bad idea."

"There's a drug rehab in Sendai," Cye said helpfully. "It's on Wu St. I hear they're very good. They might be able to help you."

Rowen nodded. "I'll give them a try tomorrow." He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked at Sage.

"I'll go with you," Sage said. Rowen smiled at him.

Mia was relieved. She promised that she would support Rowen all the way, until he was better. And Cye, Ryo, and Kento promised they would stick by him.

During the next few days, Rowen got help. The counselors were kind, and Rowen was able to express his feelings quite easily. He began eating again, and putting on weight, and he started sleeping. At first he slept most of the day, going to bed as soon as supper was finished, and waking up for school the next morning.

The other Ronins supported him. They kept it quiet when he was trying to study, and convinced him to sleep when they saw that he needed it. They also kept him strong before he even thought about getting another pill.

A week later, a Monday to be exact, Ryo, Kento, Cye, Sage, Mia, Yulie, and White Blaze all sat tensed in the living room. The TV was off and so was the stereo. Yulie looked at Ryo. "When's Rowen coming home?" he asked.

"As soon as he takes that exam, Yulie," Ryo answered.

Yulie nodded and leaned back. "I'm just bored that's all."

White Blaze got up and tugged on Yulie's shirt. Yulie looked down at him. "You wanna go outside, White Blaze?" The tiger roared softly and nodded his big head. Yulie got up and followed the white and black tiger out the door.

The moments ticked by, each second felt like agony. Occasionally someone would let out a sigh and look toward the clock, or the door. They could all hear Yulie laughing outloud, and White Blaze's happy roar.

"This is driving me crazy!" Kento said. "What's taking him?"

"Those exams are huge, Kento," Sage said as he brushed his hair back. It fell right back into place again. "It takes time to complete them."

Kento snorted, then got up. "All this waiting made me hungry."

Cye shook his head as his friend headed off toward the kitchen. Ryo let out a sigh. I wonder how he's doing? Ryo thought. Last week sure was rough on him. I hope this week will be much better, and it will be, if..."

The front door opened, and Rowen came in followed by Yulie and White Blaze.

Everyone looked at him as he quietly shut the door.

"Well?" Ryo demanded as Kento came out, grubbing on a sandwich.

"Well what?" Rowen asked innocently.

"Did you pass the exam?" Sage asked.

"Yeah, did you?"

"Come on, tell us, mate!"

Rowen looked at each face, each hopeful, but frightened face. He kept a straight face for several minutes, and placed his arms behind his back as he looked down at his shoes.

"Well....." he began.

"I knew it!" Kento bellowed angrily. "He f...."

"I passed!" Rowen cried elatedly.

The others stared at him in surprise. He had been toying with them! But it didn't matter. Rowen was happy at last, and would be going to the college of his choice.

"So what are you going to do now, Rowen?" Ryo asked.

"Well, first, I'm getting something to eat. Then I'm taking a very long nap cause I need it. And tomorrow, I will be signing papers after school to attend college."

"Which one?" Mia asked.

"Stratos Heaven University. It's on the north side of Toyoma."

"That's great!" Cye said happily. "We're all proud of you, Rowen. Say why don't I bake a cake to celebrate your success?"

"Alright!" Kento exclaimed. He proceeded to follow Cye into the kitchen, who demanded that he get out. Sage and Ryo went to help Cye keep the bearer of Hardrock out, while Mia escorted a filthy Yulie upstairs to change. His parents would have a fit if they saw him that dirty!

Rowen didn't mind any of this though. He had his life, his friends and their support, and he was going to the college he always dreamed of. Yes, sir, life could not be better! He sat down on the couch and turned the TV on, deciding he could wait to eat. Cake did sound pretty good right now! And Rowen smiled a happy smile. Life could not be better from him.