The Five

10. Sasuke

Takuma's wonderful lunch was a combination of sandwiches and chips. The bread was still flying around the room when the four of them came into the kitchen. He grinned widely when he noticed them and waved them on in.

"I'm not much of a cook," he said, "as Freya already knows. Sandwiches for lunch and maybe some soup for dinner. Culinary magic has never been my best work."

Addey and Freya shared a wry smile, but his words did not affect the other two. They marched to the huge table in the center of the room and took a seat in front of a plate. Freya and Akashi sat on one side, and Divinity and Addey sat on the other. The bread came to a rest on top of the stack of meat, cheese, and lettuce in front of them. There was already a slice underneath. Chips were already stacked on the plate, and cans of soda and bottles of water were sitting beside it.

"Whatever you want to drink, you can either save the other for later or send it back to the refrigerator."

"I'll send them back," Freya offered. "I need to practice my psychic powers anyway."

Everyone chose what they wanted. When they finished, there were three bottles of water and one can of soda. Divinity was the only one who had chosen water. They all looked at her strangely. Feeling their gazes, she shrugged her shoulders.

"What? My drink is water," she said defensively.

No one said a word. Takuma just shook his head. His drink was water, too. He screwed the lid off of his and took a big gulp. Then he grabbed a plate and sat at the head of the table. "Well, go ahead, Freya. Send them back to the refrigerator."

She waved her wand. "Aperio." The refrigerator door opened slowly. She took a deep breath and visualized the first bottle lifting into the air. She was flabbergasted when it floated up from its resting place. "Oh wow." She gulped. She could feel everyone watching her every move. She couldn't mess this up, or she would be embarrassed. She focused her attention on the levitating bottle and pushed it toward the open refrigerator. It moved with ease. Since she couldn't see the shelves, she envisioned it coming to rest on the shelf. Then a thought hit her. She stood up from her chair and used her hands this time. She channeled her power through her hands quite easily. She went through the motions as she lifted the last two drinks and sent them floating right into the refrigerator. She closed the door with a wave of her hand. Pride beaming on her face, she practically fell into her chair.

"You okay?" Akashi asked, rubbing his hand on her shoulder. "You look so pale."

Her hand went to her head as she closed her eyes. "I'm dizzy."

"It's because you used too much magic on an empty stomach," Takuma told her. "Eat."

She glared at him, but she didn't protest. She was hungry.

Silence fell as everyone ate, but the moment their plates were empty, the chatter began. Takuma didn't bother making them clean up after themselves. He just waited until they were all finished and cleared the table with a spell. The dishes disappeared from in front of them and reappeared in the sink across the room.

"Okay," Addey said. "Your color is coming back a little now, Freya. I was worried for a second."

"Me too. I was watching your face while you ate," Divinity said, "but I didn't want to be weird about it."

Freya snickered. "I'm fine." Changing the subject, she said, "So, how much did you guys love moon ball?"

"I've always loved it," Addey boasted. "I usually kick your butt. Something is different since your powers were unbound. You're stronger."