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rwfanficrw · 6 months ago

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Getting the Signature

Sayako's first appearance.

So Cye isn't "legal" yet in the eyes of Japan. (Don't ask him, you'll just piss him off. He's like 2 years away. I was searching legal age or something for insurance for all of this and it said 20 yrs? so I ran with it. Yes I dug into legal documents because I became curious for real. XD). But because of this he can't just have procedures done without parental approval. Or so I made it. SO. Sayako has to get their mother to sign something and it just goes down hill from there.

(I read something like it about it or something but then I just made it worse and made it fit for me. I highly doubt it works like this.)

"Sayako, any word? The doctor really needs to get that bloodwork done tomorrow." Sage explained as he moved about the small apartment kitchen making dinner. He sighs as he chops the vegetables up scooping them into the big pot on the stove. "Cye needs to get this done."

"I haven't heard anything from my mother. I was hoping no new was good news." She groans frustrated. "I'll go visit her myself. How is he today?"

"About "normal"." The blonde glanced over his shoulder at hearing Rowen call Cye's name followed by a heavy thunk. "…I think he just fainted again, hang on." He wipes his hands on his apron then hurries into the other room, phone still against his ear. "Rowen? Is everything ok?"

Rowen looks up as he eases their unconscious friend to the ground leaning him back against the wall. He pants giving a thumbs up, "A-As okay as it can be."

"Sage? Is he okay!?"

He tilts his head, "..is that Say?"

"Sayako, it's okay. He just fainted. Rowen caught him before he hit the ground." Sage explained as he kneels down beside the two of them. "No, he's still out I'm afraid."

"I'm going to head to my mothers house now. It'll take me 20 minutes to get there. If she says no to this I don't know where else to go." She sighs heavily into the phone. Sage can hear the jingling of keys and wallet. "Since he's not legal in Japan yet, he has to have two guardians sign for tests like these."

"I know… go try. I'll see what I can find out. My family helps run a few hospitals. There has to be a way to get a patient help when their loved ones refuse."

"Thank you. I-I'll call later. Hopefully I can talk to him when I do." She asks hopefully before hanging up.

Sage hangs up on his end before standing back up. "I don't know Rowen… we're running out of options here."

"Runnin' out of options for what? We can't just stop here. Cye needs help. This is his fifth time fainting in an hour. AN HOUR."

"F-Fifth?"

"Yeah. The one before this one he didn't feel weird or anythin' and just went down on me. This time he was able to tell me he felt woozy." Rowen explains shrugging. "Each time I feel like we're gettin' somewhere, we go backwards."

"What can we do if his mother won't sign off on it? Since she's still alive, she has to do it."

Rowen sits back, one of his hands holding Cye's head up by his forehead, "I dunno…. Wait. There is something we can do. I don't know what it's called here. When I was a kid, in America, my parents weren't really in the picture. I was raised by two nice cops and their families… he had to get a special kind of guardianship to make sure I was taken care of. Someone else in his family would need to be there on top of Sayako to approve it."

"Are you sure?"

"I mean, Sage, I was 8. But I remember a lot of conversations about it.. Now that I'm older, I think it's used for kids whose parents don't really care about them, ya now?"

"I hate to say it but Cye's mother is getting pretty close." Sage sighs shaking as his head. "I need to go back and finish dinner. Can you take care of the rest?"

"Yeah, we should be fine." A groan is heard as the other wakes up moving slightly. Strata smiles as Torrent starts to move. "There we go. Welcome back, buddy."

*~*

Sayako knocks on the door repeatedly, "Mother, open the door! I know you're there. You can't ignore me forever." She groaned loudly frustrated with it all. Why would she just sign the damn papers?

At getting no response she undoes her purse and finds her key. A small ceramic fish dangled off it, Cye had made it for her years ago. She pulls the door to the side opening it, "I'm coming in." She shouts as she steps inside kicking her pumps off.

She stops seeing a blinking light by the phone. "Are you kidding me?" There were 21 missed calls and messages that her mother had yet to listen too.

She looks around the two main rooms in the traditional Japanese home not finding anything. It was hot in here, almost hotter than the air outside. She reaches into her pocket pulling out a hair tie before pulling her red hair back into a ponytail. "Damn it, mother.." She mutters to herself as she walks over to the one of the larger rooms and pulls the side door all the way open to let the summer air in. She bends down and turns on one of the fans as well before heading deeper into the house.

"Mom?" She calls again, her frustration starting to turn to worry. "Don't tell me she's down at the kiln again."

She checks the masterbed room on the first floor finding it empty as well. After opening up the side wall she makes her way down to the kitchen.

She stopped at the main sitting room and made her way over to her father's picture. She knelt down in front of it, lighting the candles on either side giving him her respects. "Papa, give me strength to handle her crazy. She's lost her mind again and this time it's over Cye."

She started to explain more when she heard a some liquid splashing. She stands up and hurries into the kitchen. The light was on but no one was there. On the stove was a boiling over tea kettle. She hurries over picking up a towel and pulls the lid off so it can stop bubbling them moves it off the burner turning it off.

She turned and saw her mother's work shoes were gone.

She was at the kiln.

She sighs and steps into a pair of her brothers worn rainboots by the side of the back door before hurrying down the worn pathway that lead to their kiln where they made their clay pots. "Mother?" She calls out.

"Oh Sayako, you decided to visit. I didn't hear you."

"Really? You didn't hear me?" She pants leaning against the doorway. "And why is the house so hot? You know you have to air it out during the summer!"

"Well you know how weak I am. Those doors are just too heavy for me." The woman says not lifting her eyes from the piece she was making.

"Too weak to slide open doors but strong enough to do this?"

"That's no way to speak to your sick mother."

Sayako rolls her eyes, "Yes mother, I apologize."

"To what do I owe the visit of my daughter tonight?" The older woman finally lifts her gaze, her hands moving the clay as they had done numerous times over the past decades. She didn't need to watch what she was doing, she knew it by heart. "Are you finally here to have dinner with me?"

"I visit every Monday and Friday. I was just here yesterday. We had dinner, remember?"

"Oh yes.. Forgive me. My memory isn't what it used to be."

Sayako's eyes darkened, "Quit the BS, mom. Have you checked your fax machine? I sent some papers over. And what of your phone and the numerous messages I left? This isn't a joke! Cye needs more blood work, he can't wait any longer."

"I don't know what's gotten into that boy. When he lived at home he never went to the doctor this much." She shakes her head sadly. "I knew living away from home was bad for his health."

"So you haven't even looked at it."

"What is it now? He's always needing something signed. He was never this dramatic when he lived at home." Their mother sits back and gently picks up the cup she had made carrying it over and setting it beside the others she had made that night.

"You think he's doing this to be dramatic? Mom, he's SICK. He's trying to figure out what's wrong with him. The doctors are leaning towards what you have."

The woman shakes her head getting to her feet. She leans on a decorative cane limping past her daughter.

"Why are you shaking your head? Don't tell me you're still in denial?"

"My youngest child is not a female. He was born a male. Men can not have POTS. It's a blood pressure disorder that targets females only."

"Mother, that's not true!" Sayako calls frustrated as she follows her back down the path towards the house. "Why are you doing this?! Why are you hurting him like this? Is it because he couldn't save Papa?"

The other turned around growling angerily, "Your father would be ashamed of what he's turned into."

"W-What he's turned into!? Mom he saved the world, TWICE. What more do you want from him!? He does all he can to please you and to help you around here and all you do is berate him until he leaves."

"He hasn't visited in well over a year."

"There are two very good reasons for that. First, I won't let him visit you unless I'm there as well. Second, he's sick! He can't travel right now."

"If he's so sick how is he getting to the doctor?"

"Two of his close friends are living with him currently: Sage and Rowen. They are helping him until he can figure out what's going on." She explained. "I told you this a month ago."

"I see. He can't even care for himself. Pathetic."

Sayako heaves a heavy sigh realizing she's not going to get anywhere. "Sign the papers." She stomps down the hallway to the fax machine and back to her. She slams them onto the table along with a pen. "Just sign them. Then we'll leave you alone."

"I'm just not sure if this is in his best interest."

She was seeing red. Her blood pressure was rising. She shook her head taking a few deep breaths. She needed to do this for her little brother. She had to grin and bear it.

"Mother, this is in his best interest. They need to do bloodwork, so they can figure out what's wrong with him. He's fainting several times a day and if Sage and Rowen weren't there, he could have seriously injured himself by now. Please. Sign the papers."

"And what of these "friends", are you sure they are polite enough? Good for him? What if they are causing it? Not to mention, I haven't seen him for myself. What if he's faking it."

Something snapped inside of Sayako as she twirled around, her green eyes on fire. She dropped the proper japanese house wife and spoke in her english voice. Her accent heavy.

"You're not getting near Cye while I have a say, you hear me? The last thing he needs is you nagging him and putting him down over every bloody little thing. His friends are the best thing he has right now." She bends down in front the other woman's gaze pushing the paper towards her. "Sign. It. Or I won't visit for dinner until you do."

"Sayako, how dare you say such a -"

"Sign. It."

The older woman scoffed insulted as she quickly scratched out her name with the pen before pushing the paper towards her glaring. "I thought I bred that awful accent and attidude out of you."

Sayako took the papers stacking them and checking that they were correct before she looks up grinning evily, "You can't breed something out of me that YOU gave me, mother. You forget, you're from England. Father is from Japan. You're not better than any of us so drop the high and mighty act.

She then turns on her heels and pulls out a cell phone from her pocket book. Her mother watched horrified, "Where did you get such a thing?!"

"___ gave it to me. It's so we can keep in touch while he's out at sea and for things like this." She dials the number on the phone before holding it on her ear heading towards the front door. "Sage? Yeah, I got it. Finally. I'm going to bring them over myself. It'll be a few hours. Is that okay?" She stops pulling her pumps on before she sighs, "Yeah.. I'm fine. I just… I need to see my brother for myself."

"Sayako, don't you run out on me! I need your help!"

She ignores her mother's voice as she walks out of the house to the car that was waiting on the side of the road. She didn't look back as she drove off.

*~*

Rowen startles awake at hearing a knock on the door. He sits up slightly looking around for Sage. Cye was curled up against him and he didn't want to wake him. "Sage?"

The blonde was probably back in the bedroom putting some clothes up.

He sighs looking down at the smaller one who looked content for once. "COME IN. IT'S OPEN!"

He heard the door open and turns to see who it is. His eyes widen as Cye's sister comes in, "Sayako? What are you?"

She looked to be frustrated and half angry as she stepped out of her shoes making her way to the sitting room. Her red hair and green eyes were identical to her brother's but she was taller and had more of their father (according to Cye) on her features. While Cye looked more european, she looked more Japanese.

"A-Are you ok? I'm sorry, I couldn't answer the door… h-he's finally comfortable and sleeping." He stumbled over himself, his body always confused when he saw her.

She takes a deep breath before looking down to where the bearer of Strata was sitting. Beside him on the sofa was her little brother curled up on his side hugging a well worn stuffed whale. She sighs before walking over and kneeling in front of them. She reaches out gently placing her head on his head smiling, "….he still sleeps with Suki."

"Suki..? Oh, yeah the whale… he won't out right ask for it but when he feels crappy, he'll take it." The other explained.

Her hand moved from her brother's hair down his cheek, "I-I'm sorry Cye that mother is such a… such a…" She couldn't bring herself to say it out loud. "Rowen, there has to be another way to do this. I-I can't keep doing this. The things she says about him, like he's not her son….I can't take it anymore."

"S-Sayako.."

She stops and lowers her gaze watching her brother wake up. She wipes her eyes forcing the best smile she could, "Hey there!"

"What are you… are you doing here?"

She was unable to respond at first, a shiver runs through her, her brother's usually bright green eyes were dull and unfocused. They were only made worse by the dark circles under his eyes and his pale flushed skin. He was still her brother but only a shell of his usual self. He'd lost so much weight and looked almost lifeless.

She was scared.

She swallows her fear and forces another smile before reaching out to ruffle his hair gently, "I figured I'd come visit my favoritest brother ever and see how he was doing."

"I-I'm your only brother.." He sits up unsteadily wavering a bit. He hunches over, his hands going to his eyes.

"Cye? You ok?" Rowen asks worried.

"Just dizzy…"

"I got mom to sign the papers, so you can get these tests done, ok?"

"You what?" He startles slightly as arms wrap around him into a hug. He feels her face bury itself into his shoulder, her own shoulders shaking. He reaches up and hugs her back as best he can, "S-Say.. Are you ok?"

"I-I'm alright…" She pulls back slightly. "Just really worried about you. Are you eating?"

"Kind of." Rowen responds. "Unforuatnely most of what he eats comes back up. We're still trying to find food that he can keep down."

"W-What..?"

"Yeah. Sage has been working tiredlessly trying to find some good recipes. Right Cye?" He glances down and watches as Cye goes limp falling into his sister. They both fall back onto the ground. "Oh geez! H-Hang on! I've got him."

"No." She whispers hugging her brother to her chest. She shifts slightly before supporting his head on her shoulder. "I-I've got him. I-It's ok little brother.. You're going to be okay." A few tears started to roll down her cheeks as she held him unable to look Rowen in the eyes. "We're not giving up on you, Cye. So you can't give into …whatever this is, you hear me?"

Rowen kneels beside her and smiles sadly, "He'll be okay. He just fainted. Sadly, this is his new normal. Just have to let him come back." He sighs. "I'm sorry you had to hear your mother say those things just to get a signature."

"S-She can say what she wants about me but when she starts putting him down and telling herself lies that she believes… it's just…" She shakes her head hugging him tighter. "I can't bear it. His entire life, he's done nothing but try to please her and be the best son he could. He was the apple of her eye until our father passed away…" Her eyes darken as she bites her lip sniffling. "…t-then it all changed. He could do nothing right. Just his existence made her mad. The way she treated him a-and what she said to him… he never once shouted back at her. I used to hate him for that. I hated how calm he always was, always smiling, always taking it in and never giving it back… now I know he knew there was nothing he could say o-or do to make her love him again."

The other sits down nodding as the other breaks down. He's unsure how to help. Then he smiles, "Sage is calling his uncle. In fact that maybe what he's doing right now. His uncle owns one of the largest hospitals in Japan. If anyone knows how to get around this legal mess with your mom, he will."

Inside he was livid. He had no idea it was THAT bad at home. He had to keep a straight face though, it would do no good to freak out with her. He reaches forward and feels Cye's pulse sighing with relief, "He'll be waking up soon. Here, if ya don't mind, I'll take him and we'll sit him up, see if that helps any."

"…how do you do this?" She starts relucantly handing her brother off to him. She watches as he's gently sat up agaisnt the couch and his head held up by Rowen's hand. "I-I couldn't bear to see him go through this so many times."

"You just learn to live with it. It's not easy. It scares me each time it happens b-but as long as I'm there when he wakes up, he won't be as scared and he won't panic."

"He's lucky he has such good friends."

This time his grins, "We try." He shifts his gaze to the youngest warrior at hearing a groggy moan. "Welcome back, buddy. You were out for awhile. Just take your time comin' back. Sayako is here. She came to drop off some papers. You fainted on her."

Sayako swallows her nerves and crawls over sitting in front of her brother. She smiles getting into his field of vision. "I just came to make sure you were ok."

"…Say…" Cye looks around groggily as his living room starts to come into focus. He turns and sees Rowen smiling down at them then finally his sister's face appearing in his vision. "I-I'm sorry… I-I don't remember-"

"No, don't be sorry, Cye. It's okay." She reassures him holding his hands.

"Did someone offer you something to eat o-or a drink…?"

She blinks then smiles laughing. She wipes a tear away relaxing.

"W-What? It's not that funny…i-its bloody rude. Rowen did you not ask her?"

She leans forward and hugs him giggling. "No, it's ok. I don't need a drink. I declined his offer." She lied hoping to get Rowen out of trouble, he was just starting at the two of them a bit dumbfounded. "I just came to visit and make sure you're doing alright."

She pulls back looking him over forcing another smile.

He tilts his head seeing through her lies, "What are you really doing here?" He looks down and sees her bag, their house key was nearly falling out of it, the fish charm he had made her dangling heavily on the side threatening to fall onto the floor. "You went back home."

Her eyes glance over to where his eyes are looking and sees the key. "…I had too. Sage and Rowen were telling me you need some blood work done as soon as possible. Mom wouldn't sign the papers, so, I went over there to force her."

"F-Force her? She…She still doesn't believe me does she?"

Sayako looks to Rowen sadly before looking to her brother shaking her head, "I'm sorry, Cye… s-she's adament that you don't have it."

"…oh." He hung his head trying not feel anything from it. He knew this. He didn't expect anything different and yet it still hurt. He startles feeling a hand on his head and lifts his gaze to see Rowen.

"You ok, buddy?"

"What? …oh. Yes, of course." He forces a smile but is unable to hide the hurt in his voice. "Thank you for going over there and getting it signed. O-Only two years left then….then it won't matter anymore."

Sayako gives Rowen a look that said what Cye wasn't. It was really hurting him inside. She leans forward and hugs him gently. "Any time, little brother."

"Sayako?"

Everyone looked up to see Sage coming out of the bedroom a pad of paper in his hands. She smiles and gets to her feet walking over to him, "Nice to finally meet you! I've met Rowen a few times."

"Like wise."

Sayako bowed in front of him, "T-Thank you for taking care of my brother. Both of you."

"Woah.. No need for that…we're his friends. Of course we're going to help." He looks past her seeing Cye was wavering again. "Cye, are you ok?"

"…yes.. Just tired."

"Can you use Halo?" Rowen asks curiously. "I'm wondering if I just need to put him to bed. He's been fainting a lot and then falling asleep, it's a never ending cycle."

"No. I'm alright. Sayako is here a-and I don't need to go to bed."

Sage walks over and kneels in front of the youngest warrior watching worried as the tired green eyes come and go out of focus every few seconds. He closes his eyes and concentrates, he and Cye both glowing green.

Sayako watches wide eyed, "W-What the.."

"You're exhausted, Cye. It would be best if you went to bed. I'm afraid no amount of food or drink will help anymore tonight and your fainting spells will become more frequent the longer you wait." The blonde explains smiling sadly. "You would do better if you went on and crashed."

"Don't worry, Cye. I won't stay much longer. You need to go rest." She walks over and sees the well worn stuffed whale on the couch. She picks it up remembering what Rowen said. "H-Here, you can take Suki and go curl up."

She expected to get a resounding no. After all a grown man didn't sleep with a stuffed well, especially one who saved the world or something like that, he would say.

This time her heart sank a bit as he wordlessly took the stuffed animal hugging it to his side.

Rowen sees the look in her eyes and smiles down at Cye, "Come on. Let's get you to your feet. I'll go help ya get dressed. You can say good night to your sister then we'll get the bed all warm and comfy."

Cye nods sighing as he gives in. Sage wasn't lying. He was exhausted. It was hard to keep his eyes open as it was.

"Sage, you wanna give us a hand? Stay back Say. Let us get him up." Rowen explained as he helped Cye get to his knees. He kept both hands on the smaller waist as Sage walked over and pulled Cye up slowly by his arms. "Breathe through your nose, Cye. Slowly. Slowly.."

Sage concentrates watching the youngest warrior's face for any clues that they had moved too fast. "That's it." He staggers slightly catching the other's weight completely as he stumbled. "Deep breath, Cye. You can do it. Remember what the doctor said? Take it slow."

Sayako didn't realize she was holding her breath until her brother made it to his feet and she exhaled. She sees his favorite hoodie laying on the back fo the couch and goes to pick it up, "Here. You can wear this tonight. It's your favorite." She smiles relieved as he takes it.

"Will you be alright, though? I-I mean if I leave you with these two?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I-It's just not proper to leave ones sister with two men."

"I can handle myself Cye and I doubt they will hit on a married woman. I expect that out of Kento, not Sage and Rowen." She winks getting a laugh from her younger brother.

"Oh alright, you've got a point."

"Besides, I think Rowen's heart is already taken. He's fallen hard too."

"Hey what?" Rowen blinks confused as Sage bursts out laughing. Cye didn't get it either.

Sayako walks over and hugs her brother one last time, "You take care of yourself alright? I'm going to try and call once a day. I want an update. Listen to Rowen and Sage and let them help. We'll figure this out somehow."

Cye hugs her before she pulls away. He feels Rowen wrap an arm around his shoulders and start to walk him to the bedroom. "B-Be safe getting back home."

"I will, don't worry!" She watches him go down the hallway then looks to Sage smiling nervously. "H-He's really not okay is he?"

Sage sighs heavily unsure what to say. He had learned within the past year to not just come out and say things and to let people down gently… but he didn't know if he could do that this time.

"You don't have to lie to me."

"No. No, he's not. Believe it or not though, he's better than he was." He leads her back into the sitting room and motions for her to sit on the couch. He then sits in a chair across from her.

They sit quietly for a few minutes before he glances over smirking, "And yes, Rowen's heart is already taken and yes, he's fallen hard. I don't think he's realized it yet."

She blinks before laughing softly, "I could tell. The way he was looking at my brother. Do you think Cye…"

"Oh definitely. Though, like Rowen, he doesn't realize it yet."

"Funny. I always thought he'd get together with Kento." She trails off moving uncomfortably in her seat. "Sage, do you mind if I go make myself some tea?"

"Actually, I'd love it if you would. Cye usually has a cup before bed and I'm sure he'd love for you to fix it."

She looks over at him, a genuine happy smile crossing her tired features. "I would love too! I can see you've written something down..did you hear anything useful from your Uncle? Rowen was telling me, he helps run a large hospital?" She gets up and leads him into the small kitchen.

"I did. I want to wait for Rowen but if he's up for it, there is a way. Are you on good terms with either of your grandparents?"

"Our father's parents are the two we see more often than not. They live here in Japan. My mother's live in the UK." She explains as she sets the kettle on the stove before she goes through the teacups finding her brother's favorite. She pulls it down smiling, "He got this his last visit to the UK. He was so excited that the cup was the same blue as Torrent and it had the British Flag on it…." She turns to look at Sage. "I do have a good relationship with my grandmother. My Grandfather died when I was a child. Why?"

"She will need to help with this process in the place of your mother."

"She can't leave her home. She's unable to walk very well and needs help. Coming to the city would be impossible and-"

"You and Rowen would go to her to complete this process." Sage interjects sitting down in one of the chairs at the small table. He crosses his arms leaning back as he looks up in thought. "She would basically be saying that Rowen would be a medical guardian of some sort that could sign the papers using the family name until Cye was old enough to do it himself."

"I-Is it that easy?"

"Technically yes. Once the process was approved and completed, it would just be you and Rowen signing the forms and approving what ever is needed. He couldn't approve something without you of course but your mother would be out of the equation."

She turns around, "Would he do it?"

"Rowen you mean?"

"Yes. Would Rowen be willing to take on this responisiblity?"

"I can't see him saying no. He will do anything to make sure Cye is taken care of."

"Then let's do it." She pours the water into the teacup over the teabag and watches it steep. Her hand picks up the string and pushes it into the water a few times before she lets it sit. "Anything to make this easier on Cye and myself."

She leans onto the counter hanging her head as she exhales, "A-And anything to prevent my mother from mukking everything up in the process. She can do what she wants on the side b-but this time, I don't want her getting near my brother. He has enough to worry about without her cutting him down. I-Is there a way we can prevent her from talking to him?"

"That would technically be a restraining order."

"Without having to get legal about it?" She asked hopefully.

"We can work together and keep her away from him but legally we can put together a paper for his medical file that she's not allowed near him or to see any medical information."

"I like both those options." She digs through the cabinets before finding the sugar and starts to put a few spoonfuls into the tea. "Does he have any milk?"

"Yes, I'll get it for you." Sage gets to his feet and walks over to the refridgetaor. He pulls it out handing it to her. "Here. Once your done, take it on back. I'll be shocked if he's asleep yet. The vertigo and nausea get really bad when he lays down, sadly."

*~*

"Easy does it." Rowen helps the smaller warrior sit down on the edge of the bed. "You did good. You only passed out once while getting dressed this time." He expected some sort of response from that but instead he got silence. He sighs worried, "Are you ok?"

The other didn’t lift his head and only shrugged slightly, "I'm o-ok as I can be. I caused a fight between my mother and my sister all because my body can't behave a-and I'm fainting for some reason…" He attempts to button his pajama shirt but his hands are shaking too badly to complete the task. He groans frustrated, "I-I bloody hate this!! I can't even dress myself now. I fainted on my sister earlier as well…this is just an awful disaster." He hangs his head again, "…s-she doesn't even believe me….m-my own mother… w-why would I fake something like t-this…w-what have I done t-to.." His hands go up to his face as his shoulders shake.

Rowen reaches out and pulls him into a hug, "Y-You didn't do anything, buddy. I don't know why she's doing this to you but it ain't right. You aren't faking this and your sister didn't start the fight. She finished it and got what we needed." He feels the other try to bury himself deeper into the embrace. "It's okay, Cye. I won't let her hurt you again. I promise. No one deserves to be treated like that, no one, but especially you. You're safe here with me. We'll figure out a way to do all of this without her, ok? I think Sage figured somethin' out so don't give up on us yet."

"…w-why have you both upended your lives f-for me…?"

"Because we're your friends, Cye. We care about you. Hell we're closer than friends at this point, more like family. We survived the end of the world together, twice. I'm not leavin' ya now. If fainting is all we have to deal with, then we got this." He jokes slightly trying to get a smile out of the other. He pulls him back and reaches out wiping some tears away and pushing the red hair behind his ears. "Has to be easier than fightin' Kayura or Saberstryke, am I right?"

"…maybe.."

"And that White Armor? We used to pass out for a day after we called that thing…one of your faintin' spells is nothing compared to that or worse, Kento after taco night."

This got a small smile.

"We've got this, buddy. I meant it when I said that I'm not leaving your side. I'll be here throughout it all, so will Sage. We're going to figure this out one way or another." He gently turns the pale face up to look at him, his thumb wiping a few tears away. He places a quick kiss on his forehead pulling him into another hug. "It's going to be okay. I promise. Whatever it is, we'll go through it together."

Sayako stands in the doorway listening, the teacup in her hands. She smiles as best she can knocking on the door with her foot, "And don't forget me! You're most amazing older sister."

"S-Sayako."

She noticed that Cye didn't exactly pull away and that Rowen was quickly buttoning her brotehr's pajama shirt. "I brought you some tea. Sage that you usually have a cup before bed."

"I do. Thank you." He reaches out to take it, his hands trembling.

"Hang on, let Rowen help. You're hands are too shakey to hold it by yourself. No need to burn yourself." She smiles as she slowly hands it off to Rowen. "And don't come at me saying of course you can drink your own tea. I never said you couldn't."

Cye flushed embarrassed at being called out.

"Let Rowen help you drink it then I want you to relax." She walks around his room picking up some of the dirty clothes.

"Say, you don't have to-"

"Let me help. You and Sage do so much, I can at least collect dirty clothes." She stops in mid step and watches carefully as her brother drinks the tea. Sage had talked her into putting a light sedative into it. She had been worried about the taste but her brother was showing no sign of tasting anything weird. "Besides, my brother as always has a disaster in his room." She jokes as she carries what few clothes were on the floor out to the laundry room.

"I most certainly do not."

"Mmhmm, look at all of these shirts."

"Two. There are two shirts."

Rowen sits back holding the tea cup grinning as the two of them go at each other. He was relieved to see Cye was sounding more normal and less upset than before.

"And a pair of pants… and a pair of sweat pants."

"Oh alright, so I have a few laying around." He sips at the tea not putting up a fight as Rowen helps him drink it. His body was starting to feel heavier, sleepier… it wasn't a fainting spell that he could tell. He looked down at the tea, it was over half gone… he had managed to drink nearly a full cup of tea. A first in several months.

She stops and watches then nods to Rowen. "Cye? You ok?"

"Just…tired…." He blinks his eyes a few times before realizing what happened. "Y-You didn't…"

"Sage said it was either the sedative or using Halo. So I tried the sedative first."

"It will help, buddy. You might not wake up as many times." Rowen offered putting the tea cup down on the nightstand. "Come on, lets lay you down then we can get Sayako on the road back home."

They didn't bother to tell Cye it was just 8pm. She watches as Rowen helps her brother lay down and get comfortable before she excuses herself to give them some alone time. She takes the empty cup back into the kitchen setting it by the sink, "He drank it, all of it."

"By hmself?"

"Not really, Rowen helped. He did sound normal for a little bit, he was even joking with me." She smiles, "Then he got mad when he found out I drugged him."

*~*

"Y-You'll be back once you make sure she's safe?" Cye asks groggily as he lays back unable to fight the sedative in his system. His hand was holding Rowen's tightly as his eyes grew heavy.

"Of course. I'll join ya in bed tonight and you'll have someone to hug if the vertigo gets too bad. Just like always." The other responded smiling as he tucks the covers around the smaller body. "Just rest, buddy. I'll be back."

#ronin warriors #sayako is in this #technically track 2 #I did more research and found out its not easy to get diagnosed with POTS #so this is my way of trying to fix that

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