Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction. Ronin Warriors is property of Bandai.
Copyright: ©copyright 2012 Moonrise Inn Publications

Pain of Another
Author: Zorra Reed
Beta: Valandra

Ryo looked down at the small blood-soaked body he carried in his arms. 'Why?' he thought as he suppressed the anguish he felt inside. Blinking back hot tears, he hugged the body closer and continued down the mountain's winding path.

"Ryo?" a small voice asked. Startled, Ryo glanced down at the brown haired boy he held.

"Yuli?"

"Are you okay, Ryo?" The small boy looked up at his hero, waiting for a reply.

Ryo made a sound that was a cross between a laugh and a sigh of relief. "You're the one that's hurt," he gently reminded the boy. His voice was laced with sadness but he maintained a reassuring smile for Yuli's sake.

A shadow crossed the boys face. "Oh yeah, I forgot." Ryo's eyes widened in astonishment, he looked down to say something but the boy had already fallen back to sleep. Darkness threatened to over take Ryo. His body longed for relief from the searing pain in his side and the grief in his heart. His head was swimming in an attempt to rob him of his sight and replace it with sweet darkness.

"Someone, please…help me," Ryo said, dropping to his knees in exhaustion. He gently laid Yuli down. "Guys? White Blaze? Anyone? Ancient, please help me. Yuli's dieing, I don't know what to do to help him."

"There's nothing I can do, young warrior," replied the Ancient One, materializing before the two.

"There has to be something." Ryo's pleading eyes meet the Ancient's brown ones.

"I am sorry, Ryo of the Wildfire."

"No," Ryo chocked on a sob. There was such sadness and regret in that ageless voice that Ryo could swear his heart was going to break as all hope fled.

Ryo felt Yuli stir. "It'll be okay, Ryo. Don't cry. I can be brave, just like you."

Ryo embraced the young child in a hug, whispering softly around tears. "I know."

Yuli smiled content in Ryo's arms. He drew in a last, shuttering breath that was never released. Gradually, his skin took on a pasty texture and grew chilled. It was an iciness that could only be brought on by Death himself. That dark angel had stolen Yuli's life away, posing as a passing breeze that dared to brush Ryo's tear-stained cheeks.

Ja'Ne