To Follow Ones Destiny
Prologue
By Robin Gurl

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea.

Quick Summary: I have suddenly inserted around 20 episodes right around the time when Ryo and Rowen free the others from Talpa the second time. New Armors and all that jazz. However, no OC good guys. Just the typical OC bad guys. But they aren't mary sue so it's all good. :)

"Finally the chains are getting lose! How ya doin' Sage?" Kento had been twisting around in circles for what seemed like forever trying to break his chains that held him. It was finally coming lose. Beside him hung two other boys like himself. One in colored armor and the other in a powered down version of the other two, the eldest of the group shifted and looked over at the youngest with worry. Kento looked at him as well eyes narrowing. "Man, we' gotta get outta here!"

"Don't have to tell me twice, Kento. I know that." Sage replied back glaring. A lock of his blonde hair fell over his eye. Since he was hanging he couldn't exactly move it out of the way and he rolled his eyes. "These chains are stronger than they look though."

"Cye, buddy, you got to stay awake."

The third Cye of Torrent moaned in pain and weakly lifted his head. Sea green eyes were unfocused and glazed over. His arms were shaking from the tense muscles that were throbbing as the result of him hanging from them for hours on end. His sub armor had started to blink sky blue. "Everythin' hurts." He whispered hanging his head again.

"Hang in there, Cye. I got it!" Sage grunted as his chains finally broke. He fell to the ground and landed with a loud metal clang on his feet. He reached behind him and unsheathed his sword. "Thunder Bolt Cut!" A green energy shot forward and cut Cye's chains. Cye fell to the ground, Sage catching him in his arms. "I got him."

"Hey, Hey, Sage buddy think ya can get me down as well?" Kento made a pleading look letting Sage stare up at him with an amused look. "Now come on this isn't funny." A gleam in Sage's one visible eye made Kento gulp audibly. He closed his eyes and waited for the worse only to hear his chains break and a whoosh as Sage's sword swiped over his head.

"Come on Kento, we got to get out of here before Kayura and the Warlords come in and see we're free!" Sage shouted cradling Cye in his arms as Kento got to his feet. Sage led the way running as quickly as he could, Kento following not far behind. The dark halls seemed endless and several times Kento thought they'd reached a dead end and this was going to be it. Finally they both saw light at the end of them and ran quicker to reach it.

Stepping outside Sage handing Cye to Kento knowing the youngest Ronin would want the larger warrior to hold him if he was awake. Kento took the smallest Ronin and held him close. "Which way now?" It seemed a little weird to finally be in the daylight again after being in the dark so long.

A Blue blast of light lit up the sky in a few buildings away. "You need an answer?" Sage started running towards the light. He hoped it was Rowen and Ryo. If it was he was sure he'd hug Rowen.

Rowen jumped in the air "Arrow Shock Wave!" He floated watching the yoma blow up. "Zat's it, ya tin cans. Dodge zee arrows!" The blue haired boy joked smirking as the Yoma dodged the array of arrows that were flying towards them. He suddenly saw three figures running towards them. "Hey Ryo, look 's tat Sage an' Kento?"

Ryo jumped up joining Rowen and looked where his friend was pointing. His heart sped up and a grin broke out. "Dude like how did they get out?"

"Does it mattah? Come on lets meet 'em half way." Rowen exclaimed nearly shouting with excitement. He jumped over the soldiers and made a run for it. It was them. It was their friends. "SAGE! KENTO!"

"Hey guys!" Ryo yelled as he landed in front of them. He hugged Sage before trying to hug Kento only then noticing that Kento had Cye in his arms. "Dude, what happened to Cye?"

Sage's smile disappeared and he pulled away from Rowen looking to Kento. The larger boy had tears forming. "Man it was so bad. But Cye fought for so long. He did Ryo. You'd have been proud. He didn't give up until his body just couldn't take it anymore." Kento knelt down to the ground and stroked the auburn hair. "He blacked out right when we got free."

Rowen knelt down beside Kento and Cye. His blue eyes surveyed Cye for a moment and he ran his fingers up and down Cye's body. Then he looked up smiling he turned to the others, "Don' worry he shouldn' be out much longerah." The others felt a small jolt of hope rush through their bodies.

"I say we go back to Mia's house and rest." Sage knew that he himself was aching in pain. His muscles were weak and he knew he wouldn't stand up long against Cale if he came and attacked them much less anyone else.

"Unless you know a way to get out of here, we're stuck, dude." Ryo shot down that idea in seconds. He put his swords on his back and heaved letting out a big sigh. "I want to go back to but we can't."

"We at least need to set up camp." Sage protested. "Kento and I and especially Cye need to recuperate if you want us to be any help against the Dynasty."

"I agree with Sage. Ryo and I saw a pretty good place over there. Come on we'll show you!" Rowen led the way. Hearing the footsteps of his fellow companions was reassuring. It gave him hope that they might be able to actually defeat Talpa and this time for good.

On the way over Cye's eyes fluttered open to stare blearily up at Kento, he didn't recognize who it was until he saw the orange chest plate and that unmistakable chin. "Kento?" He whispered hoarsely. "Wot 'appened? Where are we?"

Kento looked down in surprise and he felt tears well up in his eyes out of relief. "Cye! Little buddy! Guys hang on! Cye's awake!" The bearer of Hardrock sat down gently so he wouldn't jog Cye's injuries and smiled down at his best friend. "Don't ever do that me again, Cye. I thought we'd lost ya!"

Cye blushed and smiled. "It's ok Kento. I'm jus' a little weak is all."

"Cye!" Rowen knelt down beside the duo and put a hand to Cye's forehead. "No fevah, that's ah good sign, Little Fishy. How do ya feel?"

"Ah little tired but otherwise in one piece." The British Ronin replied weakly. He looked around and saw two more faces hover over Rowen and Kento. "Ryo! Sage!"

"Hey there, Cye." Ryo smiled soothingly, "Don't worry Cye, I'll pound them for hurting you."

"It's alright, Ryo." Cye laughed warily. He started to cough and curled into a ball. Kento looked up at Rowen with worry. Rowen gently uncurled Cye and felt over the subarmor.

"Cye I can't check you over until you power down." Cye bit his lip as Rowen waited intently for him to obey. "Go on." Cye closed his eyes and willed his Sub Armor away. In it's place were his jeans and sky blue sailor sweat shirt. "Dere we go. Now let me feel ya overah."

"Careful Ro-kun. Everything hurts."

When Rowen lifted the sweatshirt everyone gasped in surprise. Cuts and slashes were everywhere up and down the small boys body. Dried blood was caked all over the pale soft skin. Ryo closed his eyes trying to block out the image in front of him. How could anyone do this to Cye of all people? Cye, the innocent one who didn't want to fight to begin with. How? The temper Wildfire was famous for started to boil. There was a spot in his heart for all of his friends but for Cye there was a closer spot to his heart. The way Cye fought against evil when he wanted to do anything but. He tried to control his temper but it boiled over and he lashed out at the last people he needed to. "Why couldn't you stop them? Why? If you had then Cye wouldn't be like this!"

All four Ronins looked to their leader in surprise. They knew he'd go through a guilt trip just didn't know he'd shout at Kento and Sage in the process. Cye tried to sit up and protest Ryo's out burst. He got exactly two feet away and fell to his knees crying out in pain. Kento was beside him in and instant. "Cye you need to rest, man. Let me take care of Ryo." He put his arms around Cye's shoulders and looked up at Ryo glaring. "Listen, Man if I could have prevented what happened I would have-"

"But we couldn't," The group stared in shock as Sage got to his feet to face their leader. The swordsman stood two inches taller than Ryo. "Do you think that I wanted to hear what I heard? Do you? You weren't even there Ryo. You didn't hear what Kento or I heard. You know what I heard? I heard screams that I couldn't stop. I heard a boy in pain that I couldn't help. That noise still rings in my ears even now. And Kento did try to help. He almost knocked down the concrete pole that we were hanging from over."

Ryo looked up his eyes widening, Sage had a tear falling from his visible eye. He knew that the blonde was never one to show emotion. Especially not over Cye, usually it was Rowen he threw all of his cares on to. "Sage…I…I'm sorry.." The bearer of Wildfire hung his head in shame and tears streamed. "I shouldn't have blamed you. I'm sorry. Forgive me."

Sage ignored Ryo and knelt beside the youngest Ronin putting his hand on Cye's forehead. He closed his eyes concentrating. In seconds Cye's battered body started to glow a warm dark green. Sage felt Cye's energy flowing into his own and he tried to push it away but Cye's will was stronger and pushed back. Sage's own body was not in the best condition to be doing this much healing. He was running out of energy fast and his body was telling him to stop. He couldn't fail Cye again. He just couldn't. Once was enough. "Cye-!" Sage cried as the last of his energy was gone. The Halo armor blinked and suddenly it disappeared. Sage fell forward onto Cye dressed in his street clothes unconscious from too much energy spent.

Rowen ran over and pulled Sage away from Cye doing a quick check over. "Dang it, 'e used up all 'is energy. Kento take Cye and lay him down. I'll take care of Sage. Don't try anyting stupid like Sage 'ere though. Ok?"

Kento nodded and gathered the smallest Ronin in his arms. He leaned up against a pillar and nestled Cye as comfortably as he could be against sub armor and rocked him as though he was a child. "Only 15 and kicking the Dynasty's butt. You so rock, Cye." He smiled and nuzzled the soft hair. Cye murmured in his sleep and smiled weakly. Kento bent down and placed a kiss on the pale forehead before leaning back and drifting off to sleep as well. His first sleep in days since they were caught.

"Rowen when Sage wakes up, tell him I'm sorry." Ryo whispered shakily.

Rowen looked up and smiled. "Don' worray Ryo. I tink Sage knows how ya feel. It was just ah tense moment. No worries." The blue haired boy gave Ryo a reassuring hug then went back to getting Sage comfortable. "Go on an' git some sleep. I doubt the Warlords are dumb enough to attack us now if dey even realize their hostages are gone."

Ryo cracked a grin and nodded. "Right. They probably have no idea!" He laughed lightly and settled himself against White Blaze. White Blaze purred and nuzzled Ryo's arm. Ryo looked down and petted the White Tiger's head, scratching the soft ears. "Are you happy to, Blaze? We're all together again!" Ryo looked up to the sky. "Ancient One, if you can hear me, don't lose hope! The Ronin Warriors are back together again! And we will defeat Talpa once and for all!" Slowly he drifted off to sleep like the rest of his friends.

Sage groaned moving around on the ground. It was hard and not his bed. So that wasn't a nightmare. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. They were still in the Dynasty but at least they were free. He looked around the so called "camp site" and saw Ryo curled up against White Blaze. Kento was leaning against a giant pillar. In his arms was Cye who was curled up as close to him as he could physically get. The larger boy was snoring loudly. Sage smirked and then saw Rowen. What he saw made him laugh. Rowen was lying face down on the ground. His arms were spread out along with his legs and a puddle of drool had formed over night. "Oh Ro-kun." He had missed seeing his friends. Not that he didn't like the company of Cye and Kento. It was just those two had such a close bond that he couldn't feel close around them. Not as close as they were anyway. As best friends all five were close. But it was the same as he and Rowen. They were more than friends.

Not dating mates. But just on the level above friends. No one could explain it but it was how it was. He pulled his knees to his chest and winced when he heard Cye's hoarse heaving breathing. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he recalled the horrible torture each of them had to go through. It had been torture enough just to hear Cye's screams let alone getting tortured himself.

"That's it Halo. Try and break your bonds." Cale cackled running the tip of his sword up Sage's cheek. "You like this torture don't you? Especially when it's done to Torrent." The blonde glared and growled ready to bite and tear the War Lord of Cruelty apart if he got the chance. "Don't be so mean Halo it really ruins your personality."

Behind Cale stood Sekemet. The War Lord of Venom held up his sword and it dripped with poison. Sage felt his heart almost beat out of his chest. That was the next worst thing to hit Cye with next to fire. "What's wrong, Halo? You look tense." Cye looked at him fearfully begging for help. Tears streamed down the innocent cheeks as the poison dripped through the holes in his armor. Cye tensed up and cried out in pain. His screams echoed through the hall ways of the Dynasty. Sage had to look away. He cried silently begging for someone to save them.

"CYE! Let him go you over grown walking trash cans!" Kento shouted pulling against his bonds. In front of him Dais appeared and cackled. "Dais just you wait!"

"Wait for what Hardrock? What are you going to do? Hurt me? I'm so scared!" Dais laughed again and held out his claws. "Web of Deception!" Kento cried out in pain and writhed against the power holding him. Tears fell as he tried to bite back his screams. He didn't want to give the War Lords the pleasure of hearing him scream.

"Sage." Sage looked up from crying to see Ryo. The Leader sat down beside the blonde and the two sat in silence for about ten minutes. "Everything ok dude? I wanted to apologize for last night. I went over the top."

"It's ok Ryo. You were right. With all of the power I had I should have been able to save him. Ryo it was horrible." Sage bit his lip and looked away with embarrassment. "He was in so much pain. And you know what hurt the most? After they left us to die Cye didn't complain once."

"Sage, don't blame yourself, dude. The Dynasty are some intense enemies and I'm just thankful you three are out alive. I was beginning to think the worst. You know we could feel the pain as well? Everytime they hurt you three Rowen and I would fall to our knees in pain sometimes." Ryo put a hand on Sage's shoulder. "Cye wouldn't want you kicking yourself over it."

"I know he wouldn't. That's why I love him so much." Sage lifted his head and looked over at the Warrior of Torrent. "15 years old and kicking a Nether Realms butt. That takes either extreme courage or stupidity."

"It's courage, Sage. Courage. Cye is the one that keeps us all going. We're saving the world for people like him." Ryo smiled reassuringly. "That's what keeps me going when I get down. I just think of how he fights and I am reminded of why I am where I am."

"I'm going to go wake up Kento. I'm about to go crazy from his snoring." Sage grumbled standing. Now that he had finished his little cry he was embarrassed that he'd actually broken down in front of Ryo. His new attitude didn't throw Ryo off at all. He smiled knowing what Sage was going through.

"We don't have any food though, do you think it's safe to wake him up?"

"I'd rather have him complaining about food than snoring." Sage knelt down beside the sleeping warrior and shook him a little rougher than he wanted to. Because of this Sage should have seen and known what was coming next. Thwap! Sage got smacked in the face. He fell backwards growling. "Kento get up! Your snoring is loud enough to lead the Dynasty to us!"

"Blondie, it is to early to hear your complaining." Kento moaned sitting up and staring up at Sage with a vengeance. "Go bother Rowen. At least he can sleep through it."

"Ha Ha, very funny Kento." Sage sneered.

Both of them quieted when Cye whimpered in his sleep. He was still dressed in his street clothes and both of his tiny hands were bunched up against Kento's chest. Kento smiled down at him warmly and nuzzeled the soft hair. "Shin-kun, okiru!"

"Hanareru-!" Cye replied back in his sleep swatting as Kento tried to sit him up. "Hanareru! Tsukarekiru, Kento!"

"Baka, wake up." Kento rolled his eyes sitting Cye in his lap up right. "Stop playing hard to get along with. We're all tired."

"Is Rowen awake?" He mumbled

"No um not yet-"

"Then I'm not up yet. Oyasuminasai!" With that said Cye curled deeper into Kento's lap and in less than five minutes soft snores were emitting from the youngest warrior.

"I guess we have no choice but to wake up Rowen." Sage and Kento looked wearily over to the blue haired Ronin. Rowen was flopped over on his stomach with arms and legs spread out almost in a snow angel type form. "You or me?"

"Sorry, man, I got my hands full!" Kento quickly replied.

Sage rolled his eyes and stood up. "Yeh that's what they all say." He gulped and considered actually searching for a stick to poke the blue haired Ronin so he wouldn't have to risk his own life. Rowen of Strata was not one to mess with when it came to sleep. He seemed to need more beauty sleep then the rest of them not getting up until 4 pm if you were lucky. "Why am I always the one to have to risk my butt?"

"Because he'll only beat you once. He'd decapitate me." Kento exclaimed holding Cye closer. "I'd rather not die yet. I'm not even legal enough to drink!"

Sage rolled his eyes again and leaned forward and poked Rowen in the back. At the sound of Rowen grunting Sage hopped back and landed in a fighting stance. "Wake up Ro-chan!"

"Go 'way Sage. Ah need mah beauty sleep."

"Rowen, no beauty sleep can fix what you've got." Sage smirked placing his hands on his hips. He dodged randomly thrown rocks that Rowen somehow got a hold of then kept trying to wake up his friend. "Get up Rowen, come on."

"Hey guys what do we do about breakfast? I'm starving! I know if I am then Cye is as well!" Kento exclaimed.

"What would you being hungry have to do with Cye, Kento?" Ryo inquired grinning. "You suffer from Chronic Hunger. Cye suffers from Chronic Cooking."

"Shut up, Fire Boy." Kento glared blushing bright red. "Just because I've got someone who can actually cook for me doesn't mean you need to go out and get all jealous over me. Seriously we need some chow."

"Kento, we don't have any food here." Ryo replied softly. "So lets forget about it and not mention it unless Cye brings it up, Ok?" He looked to everyone who nodded their agreement. Right now Ryo really did wish that they had some food. He didn't know how long the other three had been without food.

"This is so not good, man. We need to get Cye some chow. If he doesn't eat something soon he's not going to be any help to us." The other three Ronin's glanced up confused. "What? Don't tell me you guys don't know about Cye."

"Know what Kento?" Sage's eyes narrowed with worry.

"Cye has such a high metabolism that if he doesn't eat something every four hours he collapses. He's been without food for four days." Kento finished the end of the sentence his voice a hoarse choking whisper. "He needs food, Ryo."

At that moment Cye sat up yawning and stretching. He looked around to see three pairs of eyes staring at him. "Um…Good Morning? Wot did I do? Somethin' wrong?" He looked up at Kento begging for an answer. "Kento wot is it?"

"How are you feeling?" Sage asked breaking the silence. He didn't know how to handle Cye now. It sounded like any movement could break Cye even more than he was. He lifted the sweat shirt gently and saw Cye's wounds had healed some what. "Good, my healing power didn't go to waste. If I were you, Cye, I'd rearmor up. Your armor can finish the healing process."

Cye fell to his knees huffing. "Kento, tell them ta stop. I can' go much longerah. I'm so tired."

"Guys, stop! Cye needs to rest!" Kento knelt down beside him and put an arm around the small shaking shoulders. "Just take it easy, buddy. Take nice deep breaths."

"Cye?" Sage knelt in front of them and put his hand to Cye's forehead. Cye moaned and lifted his face just enough so that he lifted it right into the curve of Sage's hand. "He's still has no fever." Slowly the blonde warrior continued to check Cye over. The only thing he could find was extreme fatigue. "We should take another break then try again."

Rowen plopped beside them. "At this rate we'll nevah get ta the Castle."

Cye lifted his head blushing with embarrassment. "I'm sorry. You four just go on without me. You don' need me slowin' you down."

"Are ye nuts?" Rowen grinned and patted Cye's thigh. "How will da War Lords live if dey don' git ah butt whoopin' by ya?" Cye stared blankly then groaned sleepily and leaned on the bearer of Strata's shoulder. He sighed heavily and wrapped one arm around Rowen's arm snuggling close.

"'Old me Ro-kun. 'old me." He whispered into Rowen's arm. Rowen obliged and in little to no time Strata was coddling Torrent in his lap. Both their sub armors blending together in a sea of blue and sky blue hues.

"Jus' rest little fishy.." Rowen wrapped his arms around the smaller boy's frame slightly rocking him. Infront of them Ryo, Sage and Kento were standing arms crossed and deep into conversation. He hoped they had decided to retreat for now and let Cye rest then come back.

"Ryo we can't stay here." Sage whispered in a hushed tone. "We need to get Cye back to Mia's house. This isn't fair to him. This is the sixth time in 20 minutes we've had to stop for him to rest."

"I agree with Sage. We need to take Cye home."

"I want to, dudes. But I don't know how to leave-"

"How about I help you with that Ronins? A one way trip to hell." An evil cackle responded. The three Ronin's who were standing searched the dark world around them.

"Cale! Show yourself!"

"Very smart of you three to get out of your prisons, Halo." Cale the War Lord of Corruption laughed manically then unsheathed his sword. "However it has only spared you for the chase. Now that the chase is over you shall die under the wrath of me."

"Such big talk for a guy about to get his butt sweeped across the Dynasty." Kento spat back clenching his hands into fists. "Can you fight as well or are you just full of hot useless words?"

"You seem to forget, we've caught you once, Hardrock. We can do it again. If you wish to fight I'll be honored. However, your victory will be short lived. You are all to weak to handle another battle so soon. Not even Wildfire or Strata can withhold against me."

"Wanna bet ugly!" Kento leapt in the air and took a flying kick. The War Lord stepped back and caught Kento's leg. "What? ARRGGH!" He was thrown into one of the walls of an old Dojo looking temple. He slid to the ground moaning.

"KENTO!" Sage and Ryo shouted together.

Both Warriors took a running sprint towards their opponent hoping to confuse him with a two sided attack. Instead he just laughed and helped them join Kento on the ground. Sage landed hard on his face and lifted it only to see Cale advancing on Cye and Rowen. "No- Rowen! Run! Save yourselves!"

Cale twisted his body slightly and put his hand out. Black electricity ran up Sage and he screamed in pain. "Halo when I want your advice I'll ask for it."

Rowen looked up with fear. The only way out was behind the War Lord. He was stuck. He held Cye close and growled. "You'll neverah win, Cale. Tha Dynasty will lose tha battle jus' like it did 1000 years ago."

Cale just laughed and picked up Rowen by his neck. Cye dropped out of his arms and landed with a quiet "whoomp" on the ground. Rowen groaned and reached up trying to remove the strong grip on his neck. "What's wrong? Does it hurt?"

On the ground Cye sat up shaking his head to clear it. He saw Cale strangling Rowen and tried to stop him but wavered and fell back to his knees. "Rowen! NO! Let him go!"

"Big words coming from a warrior who can't stand on his own two feet." Cale snickered. "What are you going to do to me, Torrent? Drool on my feet?"

Rowen let out a hoarse yell as Cale threw him backwards. He landed on top of Ryo who cried out in pain with him when they both smacked into one another. Cale looked behind him with approval. All four Ronin Warriors were in a heap of mangled limbs and unconscious. He didn't see Cye's eyes glowing a greenish-blue until it was to late. "You mess with mah friends. Be prepared to mess with me now." His British accent was thick and his voice was shaking.

"What is this?" A bright blue-green light exploded around Cye. Cale stepped back, sword in hand to stop what ever Torrent was pulling off. A loud clanging was heard over Cye's head and when the light disappeared Cye's sub armor was a darker and more greenish blue. "What is this?" He smirked. "A costume change? How will that help you?"

The clanging grew louder and Cye lifted his arms closing his eyes. "ARMOR OF TYPHOON DAO SHIN!" Water rushed in from nowhere and surrounded his body turning into sky blue glitter as it ran down his limbs. After the water was gone and the glitter had disappeared Cye stood there in a new armor. It looked like a fish. The scales were bright green and sky blue. They glittered in the dim light. "Tidal- Wave- Smasher!" Cye shouted thrusting his yari at Cale.

A wave of water picked Cale up and sent him flying over the temple and back towards the castle. Cye dropped to his knees heaving trying to catch his breath. "Wow..wot was that?" He heard groans coming from the pile of his friends. "Kento!" He ran over weakly and fell to his knees infront of Kento's nonmoving body. "Kento wake up!"

Cye placed his hands on Kento's chest plate and shook him. "C'mon, Kento. You got ta wake up. I beat 'em. Please." Tears started to stream down Cye's cheeks. They splattered down his armor through his helmet. He collapsed against Kento and sobbed. "No, you can't be-"

Kento groaned and sat up rubbing his head. "Man, what hit me? A truck?"

"Kento?" Cye stared teary eyed down at his friend.

"Yeh, its me little buddy. Woah! Where did that come from?" Cye didn't respond. Instead he took a flying tackle towards his best friend hugging him close. "Shhh it's ok, Cye. Hey now!" Kento laughed uncomfortably wrapping his arms around the smaller boy. "I'm ok."

"I know, just don' let go." Behind them Ryo sat up wincing, Sage and Rowen following. All three faces were contorted comically with pain. They stared confused at the small form of the stranger clinging to Kento. "I thought you were dead!" The figure sounded like Cye. But didn't look like him at all.

"Kento? Cye?" Cye pulled away and stood up looking at his friends as he smiled sheepishly. "Nice of you to wake up."

"What happened to your armor, dude?" Ryo stared wide-eyed at Cye's new armor.

"I don' know ta be exactly. Um I was trying to fight Cale and something in my head told me to call out Armor of Typhoon…so I did."

"Are you feeling ok, though?" Sage pressed.

"Actually I'm not- I think..I think I need to sit down." Cye wobbled and would have fallen if Ryo and Sage hadn't grabbed his arms and helped him sit. "Quite dizzy all of a sudden, I'm sorry for all the trouble."

"Shh, don't worry. Just keep breathing for us." Ryo soothed.

Before any of them could a thing to help Cye, the voice of the Ancient echoed through the landscape. "Ronin's you must go back and rest before fighting Talpa again. He has grown stronger and in order to defeat him you are all going to need New Armors. Torrent has already found his."

"Ancient? But..'es dead." Rowen gasped.

"Physically, Strata you are correct. Mentally I am and always will be here. Take heed to my words and leave this place. Come back when you are armed."

Ryo stood up and stared up into the empty sky. "Ancient, help us! How do we get out of here?"

"Ryo-!" Sage shouted fearfully. Ryo turned around to see Cye floating up in the air. He hung limply eyes closed, his face pale. "CYE! Why is he floating?" Cye's opened and he stared down at them. Everyone gasped at once. They were a void sea-green. The small Ronin opened his lips and tried to talk but he just convulsed in pain. A bright light shot from his armor and engulfed the Ronins.

After the battle and quick teleportation act that Cye's new armor had somehow succeeded in pulling off, the youngest Ronin was as you would think, exhausted. His eyes remained open for no more than a minute as he was carried inside Mia's mansion.

His body realized, he was safe. So it relaxed.

Ryo looked over to Sage with a worried glance when he saw out of the corner of his eye, Cye's body go limp. After all that he'd been through, it was no surprise Cye was as tired as he was. Actually in all fairness, Ryo had already decided that for the next few days unless it was absolutely dire, Sage and Kento would be joining Cye in bed rest.

He and Rowen could take care of anything that needed the Ronin's attention. Ryo just wanted, for his own sake if nothing else, to know that his three friends were safe.

"Relax, Ryo." Sage responded in his elegant fashion. His long arms wrapped protectively around the sky blue bundle in his arms. "He's just fallen asleep."

"I know," Ryo replied softly. "I just can't help but worry over him, ya know?"

Sage only nodded not having the heart to reply. The blonde was beginning to realize just how crappy it felt when you felt responsible for something that had happened to someone else. "So this is what Ryo goes through everytime we're injured in a battle," he thought to himself. He eyed the young man beside him with curiousity. "How does he do it?"

He started up the stairs, Ryo not far behind. Below in the kitchen area, Kento's voice could be heard loud and clear whining for food. Passing down the hall way to their rooms, they got to Cye and Kento's room to see the bed had already been cleared and Suki, Cye's stuffed killer whale was already in it's place on the youngest Ronin's pillow.

"Rowen's been here." Ryo jested lightly moving the stuffed sea animal to the side so Sage could lay Cye down in the cool sheets. "You know, he accepts the fact that Cye is 15 and still sleeps with stuff animals a little to well.."

A hint of a smile was seen on Sage's face as he tucked the small red head in. "You obviously haven't been to our room." Then his face went serious and he pulled out his Kaniji Orb. Sage placed his hand out palm up and the green orb floated in the air glowing a bright green.

Ryo glanced to Sage wide eyed. "No, Sage. Stop it." Ryo reached forward and yanked the orb from the air.

Sage jerked his one visable eye narrowed. "I won't be able to sleep tonight unless I attempt at healing again. Hand it back over."

Even if his tone did tell Ryo, Sage was going to kill him if he didn't give up the orb, he held it tight. "No. You're weak. Cye wouldn't want you doing this to yourself."

"What are you? My shrink?" The blonde twisted and ungracefully reached forward for his orb nearly falling off the side of the bed. "Ryo give that back!" He growled.

"Make me. I'm keeping this until you get some sleep." Ryo crossed his arms glaring right back at the swordsman.

Sage stood, straightening his button up shirt. "Fine." Before he left the room he jabbed a finger into Ryo's chest. "However," his violet eyes narrowed again. "If anything happens that I could have prevented, I'll never forgive you. Don't forget that."

Ryo watched as Sage stalked off and he shivered. "Dude, he could part of the Netherworld way to easily for my liking, sometimes."

He turned slightly to check on Cye's sleeping form one last time before heading to his room. White Blaze was already in there he purred loudly as his master walked in.

Even all the way at the back of the house where he was, Ryo could still hear Kento groaning for more food. He smirked shaking his head as he put on a t-shirt.

Life was back to Normal

End Prologue