Cye stared after Kohaku as he hung limply from the claws of the strange reptilian creature.
"Kohaku! Kaya!" Yulie cried and ran out into the crowd to Kaya just as one of the creatures had returned to try to take Kaya who was reaching over the people around her. Cye watched as Yulie tackled Kaya then helped her up and began to run with her away to get her out of range of the creature.
"Ok, that's enough, let's do this." Ryo said and held his orb in front of him, "Armor of Wildfire!"
"Armor of Torrent!" Cye followed suit getting his own orb out of his kimono as well.
The familiar presence of armor against Cye made him feel warm and confident. Without needing any prompting his mask covered his mouth and nose so that no one would know who he was. As he emerged from transforming into his armor he didn't hesitate to jump into the crowd with Ryo as the creatures tried to come around to capture another group of people.
The people, seeing the two Ronin Warriors, surged around them like they were boulders in a fast flowing river. The adults didn't stop to think as they saw the warriors but the children seemed to try to look more closely at them until they were urged by their parents to keep moving.
Cye could hear many people whisper "the Ronin Warriors," "the Ronin Warriors are here," or "they'll save us."
"Sounds like they know who we are." Cye told Ryo, his leader in the red armor nodded, "let's not fail them then."
Taking out his swords Ryo swung them in his hands then used a running start and jumped up onto a nearby vendor stand before jumping from there towards a creature. As he swung his blades he was able to cut the creature's wing off it. Shrieked as it fell towards the ground the creature disappeared before it could hit the pavement.
Ryo looked to Cye who knew what his brother in arms was thinking. These creatures were going to be easy to beat. He looked up, now they just had to catch them.
The remaining creatures noticed what had happened to the one Ryo had taken down and they began to try to make an escape. Ryo got ready to jump after them but Cye stopped him.
"They'll take us to the people they took." He pointed out.
Ryo watched the creatures fly in the direction of the woods. With a quick nod Ryo began to give chase with Cye following closely behind.
The shrine grounds was empty now, wrappers and forgotten items decorated the ground. Decorations were ripped down or askew in different places while the lanterns offered a dim glow that seemed to be an empty reminder of the joy that had only been there a few moments before.
Cye did his best to ignore small specks of blood on the pavement, hoping that someone had just scraped their knee as they rushed out.
As they entered the trees that surrounded the shrine the dim lights began to fade until only the waxing half-moon above offered the two Ronins any light. They followed the sounds and shadows of the creatures until everything suddenly became quiet.
At one point both Ronins paused when they heard a soft growl. They lifted their weapons ready to attack when White Blaze appeared out the bushes.
Ryo let out a sigh and lowered his katanas, Cye followed suit with his man catcher.
"Don't scare us like that White Blaze, c'mon." With no further delay they continued through the trees hoping to find the creatures and the people they had taken.
Cye finally came to a stop near a thicket of bushes that nestled around a large oak tree and looked up. His eyes widened as he saw what had become of Kohaku and the others that the creatures had taken. He felt the mask on his armor slid away as he took in a deep breath.
"Are those… cocoons?" Ryo asked before Cye could.
Above them the four people that the creatures had taken were hanging upside down in what looked like cocoons. One person was completely covered in the dry looking outer shell and the only way to know a person was in there was the human shape the cocoon took. Another, high up, had everything but their barefoot foot wrapped up. The third person was in the tree across the way and had their arm sticking out their fingers twitched showing signs of life, the bracelet on their wrist matched the teenage girl that had been taken. And finally Cye spotted Kohaku who was wrapped up to his neck so that his head could stick out; his eyes were still closed as he still seemed unconscious only the flare of his nostrils let Cye know he was still alive.
"Let's get them down." Ryo said getting ready to climb up the trees, but Cye quickly grabbed his arm.
"Wait, where did those creatures go?"
They looked around and sure enough they were seemingly alone with the four cocooned people above them. Ryo reached out and slid out his katanas in case he needed them while Cye tightened his grip on his mancatcher.
The small patch of forest around them was silent, only the far distant sounds of cars and sirens could be heard in the city beyond the trees. However, White Blaze's hair was standing up; the white tiger sensed their enemy nearby his chest rumbled with a low growl.
"Maybe they fl-!" Ryo let out a noise of surprise as a creature swooped down and grabbed him by the ankle. With some luck he had kept his grip on his katanas and now was attempting to swipe at the scaled creature that held him.
Cye ducked as two other remaining creatures tried grab him as well only to miss. Twisting quickly Cye turned his weapon on the two creatures and called on the power of his armor.
"Super Wave Smasher!" Cye called and watched as water flowed in a tidal wave towards the creatures as they came back at him. They realized what was coming towards them last second and tried to bank away, only one was able to clear the blast as the other was overtaken by Cye's attack and got washed into a nearby tree trunk. With a puff of black smoke the creature disappeared leaving only two for Ryo and Cye to deal with.
Cye jumped back at the creature that had dodged his blow came back at him. Then pivoting on his heel he used his mancatcher to grab it by the tail then swing it over his head and into a nearby tree trunk. As a final hit White Blaze pounced onto the creature pinning it down, then in a puff a smoke it too disappeared.
Finally, Cye looked up above and watched Ryo manage to finally hit the creature that held him with one of his katana that glowed with a red aura from the power of Ryo's armor. The creature disappeared upon coming into contact with the blade and released Ryo with one final cry as it disappeared. The red Ronin Warrior began to tumble towards the ground.
White Blaze let out a cry as Cye moved into a position to catch his friend only to watch as Ryo grabbed onto a tree branch and came to a sudden halt. Ryo let out a grunt as he hugged the branch he got a hold of trying to reposition his katanas so that he didn't drop them.
Cye didn't hesitate to jump up into the trees leaping branch to branch until he got to the one just below Ryo and help take his brother's katana so that Ryo could pull himself up.
"Well," Cye let out a breath, "that was much easier than I imagined it going."
"We got lucky." Ryo sighed.
"Where do you think those things came from?" Cye looked up at the cocoons that were only a few branches above now.
Ryo took his katanas back from Cye and slid them into their sheaths once more. "No idea, we'll have to look into it after the authorities comb through for their investigation. For now let's get these people down."
Cye nodded and began to climb up next to Ryo to the first cocoon. Together they worked on carefully bringing the people back down to the ground. After the first person Ryo stayed on the ground to work on cutting open the cocoons while Cye went back up into the trees for the others. White Blaze stayed close to Ryo sniffing the people that his master freed from the cocoons curiously.
The climb down with the cocooned figures was awkward but luckily Cye was able to move slowly so that he never dropped down. It was also easier once he had attached his mancatcher to his back.
Kohaku was the last one that Cye got to; the branch he was on was rotted and began to bend as soon as Cye's weight was added to it. He moved cautiously towards the final bundle listening to the groans of the branch trying to be aware of any warning of the wood cracking.
When his hand touched where the cocoon was attached to the branch he let out a slow breath and lowered himself on the thin branch so that he was straddling it and began to move the cocoon towards him.
As the cocoon came closer he became suddenly aware of eyes other than Ryo and White Blaze watching him. He looked around seeing that they were still alone in the woods, and then he looked at Kohaku's face and realized that although dazed Kohaku was staring right at him. The man's cheeks were flush from being hung upside down for so long and a small bruise was beginning to form on his forehead from when he was initially grabbed by the creatures.
Cye watched as Kohaku mouthed something and suddenly Cye felt the color leave his face and his ears begin to ring. He was suddenly very aware of the cool night air hitting his lips and nose. He forgot to have his armor's mask cover his face again, even if Kohaku was in a daze he could see in the man's eyes that he recognized Cye. They stared at each other, Cye knew he wore an expression of shock and concern as Kohaku stared at him in wonder as if he were trying to figure out if what he saw was real.
"Cye!" Ryo called up cupping a hand next to his mouth. "Is everything ok up there? Do you need me to help?"
Cye sucked on his cheek for a moment then called back at Ryo not breaking eye contact with Kohaku.
"No! I'm fine, be right down." He assured the other Ronin on the ground. The sound of the branch beginning to crack and whine from his continued presence made Cye move a little quicker trying to escape before it broke.
Cye knew he was running out time to get Kohaku down and with him conscious it was going to make it harder for him to carry him down like the others.
"I'm going to cut you out of there." Cye explained to Kohaku, "I need you to grab me as soon as you are able to move your arms then I'll get your legs out. It's going to be fast."
Kohaku nodded understanding. Cye returned the nod and reached to take his mancatcher off his back. He put the side of the blade on the head of weapon against the cocoon; towards the trunk of the tree he could hear the branch cracking more from the weight of both men.
"Ok, ready? 1… 2… Go…" He tore at the cocoon quickly, hoping that he didn't accidently cut Kohaku as he did. He felt when Kohaku grabbed onto his waist as he swiped past his chest then down to the man's legs. As soon as Kohaku was free Cye let his body drop from the branch just as the branch finally broke.
All at once Cye heard Ryo calling up to him as he grabbed Kohaku to make sure the man didn't fall on his own. Cye knew that his armor would protect him from any major impact but Kohaku would have no chance to survive if he fell on his own. The sound of the branch chasing them as they fell rang in Cye's ears.
Using his one free hand Cye managed to grab a branch on the way down, he grunted as he felt the strain on his shoulder from the extra weight but he still managed to catch it and hold onto Kohaku at the same.
With a grunt of strength Cye pulled himself up towards the branch trying to get high enough for Kohaku to grab it. Kohaku seemed to know what Cye was doing and grabbed the branch once it was in reach and let Cye go. He then pulled himself up onto the branch easily like had done a hundred times before then help Cye up.
The branch was cracking and tumbling through the branches above them quicker. Without thinking Cye pushed Kohaku back into the trunk the other man let out a gasp as his back impacted the tree trunk and he shrunk down. Instinctively Cye used his body to shield Kohaku and closed his eyes.
The branch came barreling down breaking the branch they had been on only a moment ago with ease. Part of the branch as it fell past them scratched at the back of Cye's armor but didn't cause any damage.
Counting his breaths Cye waited until it slowed down from the adrenaline. Then slowly he opened his eyes and saw that he was almost nose to nose with Kohaku. He could feel Kohaku's warm breath on his lips and watch as Kohaku's pupils dilated as he too realized just how close they were to one another. Also from this close Cye could make out an old scar that ran from the right corner of his mouth and down to his jaw line, it was jagged but blend into his skin as if it had been there a long time.
Swallowing Cye leaned back regaining his footing and allowing Kohaku to straighten.
"Uh, are you ok?" Cye asked feel the heat on his cheeks bringing back to reality.
Kohaku nodded, "yea, that was exciting." He laughed softly looking up where he had been in a cocoon. Then he looked back at Cye then down at Ryo then back at Cye again. "You're a Ronin Warrior…" He stated, not with uncertainty or question but with confidence. "You're actually one of the Ronin Warriors that beat back whatever attacked Tokyo a few years ago. And you saved Tokyo back when you first saved Yulie too, didn't you?"
There was no denying it, Cye knew better to lie when he wore the armor as evidence. "Yea." He sighed.
"Cye! Cye, answer me!" Ryo was yelling up to them.
Cye looked down and realized that they were on the last branch before the ground which was only twenty feet away. The branch that Kohaku's cocoon had been on was splintered and broken in pieces on the ground. The cocoon was just an unidentifiable blob of leafs and mud on the ground.
"We're ok, we're coming down." Cye assured him and glanced at Kohaku.
"I can get down on my own." Kohaku told Cye.
Cye nodded and leaped down onto the ground and watched as Kohaku moved more slowly to not fall.
Once Kohaku joined Cye and Ryo he looked at them then at the three other people that had been abducted by the creatures, they were still all unconscious. Then he looked at the large white tiger that was next to Ryo, but he didn't seem to be surprised by his presence.
Ryo was watching Kohaku carefully waiting for his reaction. It wasn't the first time an outsider found out about them. Cye chastised himself to make a note to tell the others that they had to be more careful.
"I have a lot of questions." Kohaku finally admitted looking between the two Ronin Warriors. "Way more than my brain can sort out right now."
Ryo nodded and crossed his arms, "you might have a concussion. You need to seek some medical help before we answer anything."
"But you will answer them?" Kohaku asked generally surprised.
Cye nodded, "yes, but you must promise us that you won't tell anyone else about us. Especially Kaya, please." He hoped the tone he used showed just how serious he was about it.
Kohaku looked between them still obviously somewhat dazed; Cye knew Ryo was right about having a concussion.
Finally, Kohaku seemed to get his thoughts in order enough to answer. "I won't tell anyone… but I can talk to Yulie about it right?"
"Yes." Ryo answered shortly.
Kohaku let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes, "I'm feeling a little dizzy now." He then raised a hand as Cye tried to reach out and help him. "I'll be ok to walk a short distance. What's the plan?"
"We take you four back to the shrine; the authorities should be there by now." Ryo explained, clearly he had time to think up a plan. "We put you and the other three near the edge of the trees where they'll find you. You just have to act like you don't remember how to get back."
Kohaku let out a short snort, "I think that I can handle that right now."
Ryo nodded and looked to Cye. Moving quickly Cye and Ryo went to work placing the two women on White Blaze's back while Ryo picked up the man. Cye went to Kohaku's side to help him if he needed it.
The walk back to the shrine was slow and laborious but neither Cye nor Ryo wanted to let Kohaku to fall too far behind. Cye walked closer to him as Kohaku slowed his pace to a drag.
By time the lights of the lanterns around the shrine as well as the blue and red lights of the authorities came into view Kohaku was nearly stumbling over his feet and looked like he was about to collapse but he still refused for either Ronin to help him saying that they had to carry the others as it was.
Finally, Kohaku fell to a knee down next to small stone Shinto temple just within the grounds of the shrine. Nearby police officers were carefully searching the main temple.
Cye and Ryo placed the three other people near him, laying them on the soft grass.
"Are you going to be ok?" Cye asked, he touched Kohaku's shoulder. For some reason a knot was in his stomach as he looked at Kohaku, he accounted it towards how sick Kohaku was looking.
Kohaku breathed into his nose and out his mouth a few times before answering, "Yea, I'll be ok. You two go before anyone sees you."
Ryo nodded, "we'll have Yulie arrange a time for us to meet and talk once this all calms down."
Kohaku simply nodded not being able to talk past the dizziness anymore as he closed his eyes.
"You'll be ok." Cye promised, "We'll see you later."
White Blaze turned and disappeared into the woods first. Then Cye and Ryo turned to disappear as well, as they did Kohaku said one more thing to them.
"Thank you, Ronins. I'm glad you were here tonight." Kohaku said earnestly then turned towards where the police were getting ready to call them over.
Ryo and Cye nodded in unison then quickly jumped back into the trees to hide and watch as the police came running towards Kohaku and the others as soon as he called for them.
They both stayed until the paramedics came and took them all to the hospital. Then they leaped to the trees so that they could go out to the road on the other end and get back to their hotel.