Heart: A Ronin Warriors Fanfic

By: Malaizjan De Jesus

Author's Notes: This story was inspired by a young woman only known as 'Aleksa.' No one seems to know what happened to this young woman except that others are claiming to be this woman, and I am assuming that this is a woman, and that is simply not true. I do not know who this person is but I have thought of writing such a thing and I hope that this is almost at the standard of the other author that I mentioned.

Story Notes: I an focusing on Sage of the Halo, or in the Japanese version, Kourin no Seiji. I will stick with the American version names and armor, except for Sage. I am using the name Seiji. However the other Ronins will call him Sage. Secondly, This is part of a concept that I came up with and I am using it. This is mine and cannot be used without permission.

Chapter 11

Back at Catelyn's main palace, a large army was gathered at the gates. In the lead were all of the remaining Warlords: Angelus, Battletrex, Treyon, Vaeyon, Leigha-Shae and Ka'Lisse. Thousands upon thousands of soldiers were eagerly awaiting direction as Matriatrix came forward on foot.

"Surround the secondary palace and draw out those children!"

"Are we going to capture them?" asked Vaeyon.

"No. Destroy them all. Get me Inferno." Matriatrix turned to Ka'Lisse. "And Ka'Lisse? Kill that Date. You have access to the Crescent Sun armor and all of its power. Use it all."

"As you wish, Mistress."

With Leigha-Shae riding out ahead, everyone moved forward.

Wakarimasen…

Rowen's consciousness flowed in and out. The intense pain he's felt-felt like a horse fell on his body. Bones breaking, the pain that was set deep in his bones..

He should be waking up.

Rowen Hashiba felt different. There was a keen awareness within him. It was like he'd been living his whole life in a fog. And that fog was now lifted. He could feel each of his friends' worry for him. About the Ancient Armors. About the rescue of Catelyn and Katie.

Katie!

It all came back to him. He realized now that it took much of Katie's strength to take control of Rowen, even if it was only a few seconds. As he reached out for her within his own mind, he came up to an empty space.

He eyes snapped open and he surged forward, only to have hands slow him up. "Let go!" he said.

"Easy, Ro." That was from Sage. He kept his hand on his best friend's shoulder. "Your armor was violent. Alia thinks that'll be the only time you bones will feel broken."

"My bones did more than feel like they broke. I think a few did. Felt like a horse fell on me." Rowen looked around and noticed how everyone had their full armor on, even Sehkmet, who must've recovered thanks to Kayura.

Sage nodded.

"Feel like trying out that new armor of your?" Kento asked.

"Why?" Rowen asked.

"Because Leigha-Shae is on her way here with a crap load of people."

"I can't even test drive this armor?"

A rumble rocked the castle. A few pebbles fell to the ground.

"That's your answer." Dais left the room first, all armored up and ready.

"Check out your new bow," Ryo commented before everyone but Sage left Rowen.

Rowen picked up his bow that lay next to him. Right away, he knew there were changes to it, compared to the Strata one. This new bow was silver, with glittery stardust all over it. He turned it over, and saw that it was bent at each end, which meant it extended to become even bigger. He folded the ends out. Each end looked like a stylized star. The string was very transparent, barely seen by the naked eye. Next to him was one arrow. He picked it up, seeing the same starry pattern on it. He tapped it against the bow, just to see if anything happened.

It did.

Another arrow appeared at the stylized ends of the bow. He smiled. "I think I'm going to like this bow." Rowen looked over at Sage, who had a case full of similar arrows waiting for him.

"I think you're going to need these." As Rowen took the case from Sage, Sage left after the others. Rowen was quickly on his heels.

They were coming.

Ryo stood his ground. He and the others put some serious miles between the castle and the oncoming invaders. Mia stayed with Ina and Amari and Alecto. He so wanted to help the Ronins but without an armor, he was only a liability. But he vowed that no one would get Mia. The game plan was that as soon as Amari could no longer sense any of them to make a portal back to the ningenkai. That way, Matriatrix would not get them.

Inside, he was nervous. Rowen and Sage were on his left. Kento and Cye on his right. Kayura, Dais and Sehkmet were bringing up the rear. Eight versus thousands. It was suicide.

The odds were against them.

This war wasn't like the first in the least. Two brothers stood a chance of losing their sisters. For one, it meant the lost of a royal bloodline and shame brought down on his family for many generations. For the other, guilt for losing her again. Ryo wasn't sure if either could be saved.

But he was willing to try.

At the top of a small hill which was the near half-way mark to Catelyn's secondary castle, the evil forces of the Dynasty was coming over the it. Sehkmet was the first to notice that the newer Warlords were few.

"Their generals are missing," Sehkmet whispered.

"Maybe Cale took them out," said Cye.

"No. No way. He would have been executed," said Kayura.

"So what's the game plan?" asked Kento.

"Take them out, then head to the main palace. We have to get to Catelyn and Katie," Ryo replied.

"Um, Ryo. That may have to change." Dais pointed at the person at the far right. "There they are." Dais squinted at the person. "Something's wrong. I can't sense neither of them."

"RONINS!" came the screeching voice of Leigha-Shae. She was certainly dressed for the event. Her rainbow-colored hair had been redone, the colors vibrant. She wore a leather, one-piece, tank-style body suit with a short, gauzy skirt. Her eyes were still pulsing red, and her boots were thigh-high and glossy. From their vantage point, they saw twin, gold jewel-encrusted bracelets on each wrist and ankle. They glowed with a menacing energy. "Today, you all die!"

"What have you done with Catelyn!" Dais demanded.

"Oh mighty prince, worried about your trouble-making sister? Well, let's just say we're borrowing the body for a good friend of my mother's. This is Ka'Lisse. She holds her fate in her hands. You want her? Come and get her!"

Dais took a step forward but Sage stopped him. "Dais, I can't sense either of them. There has to be a reason."

"Yeah. Ka'Lisse is making them weaker as the minutes tick by. I'll rescue them." Dais took another step forward. Sage gently pushed him back.

"I'll do it, Dais. I swear to you, I'll get them back." Sage's armor began to glow.

"So eager for your deaths? So be it! WARLORDS…DESTROY THEM ALL!" cried Leigha-Shae.

Everyone surged forward.

Sage ran right for Ka'Lisse, not letting anyone else try for her. He sensed that Ryo was guarding his back just so he could battle the woman who was really an unknown.

Ka'Lisse went right for Sage of the Halo. She sensed the weakened Katie trying to get control of her and with a mental throw of a hand, Katie was thrown back. The small teen was as good as dead. Catelyn had a bit more will, getting rid of her would be a challenge. One she welcomed as Sage charged at her, sword drawn. Ka'Lisse moved away from the impending battle just so she had space to try out the armor she had full control over. She stopped several miles due east of the hill, so that after Halo was eliminated, she could take out the others.

Sage adjusted his grip on his No-Datchi as soon as Ka'Lisse stopped and turned to face him. He was mentally prepared for a true battle. His eyes never wavered, never left Ka'Lisse, who was now in control of Catelyn and Katie. This close up, he could feel them both, Katie far weaker than Catelyn. He waited on the cheat-start that she was going to use to win. His heart pounded much too hard, making him fear for his soul… and his sister's and Rowen's.

Rowen was now in possession of the Ancient Armor of Starjen, and the Ronins would not even have that if it wasn't for Cale. But he would not fail-the Crescent Sun Armor was coming to them as well. It would be what his twin wanted.

Ka'Lisse pulled out both sais, the metallic gold color now dull and leveled them at Sage. She wore the full armor of the Crescent Sun Armor with a mere thought, and the armor was also dull. "Are you prepared to die, Halo?"

"You wish!" he retorted.

"Prepare yourself, Ronin! Unlike the Dynasty Princess, I have full access to this armor's special sure-kill." Ka'Lisse grinned wickedly.

'Huh?' he thought to himself.

That moment of hesitation was all Ka'Lisse needed to be on Sage. She struck the first blow, which Sage felt straight through his arm. He met both sais as she attempted to get in a second blow. The two made eye contact, glaring at each other, seeing anger in those depths form the other. No words were said, just the clash of metal upon metal saying everything for them.

Time passed slowly, each trying to best the other. Sage gave no quarter as he attacked Ka'Lisse over and over again. The demon warrior that had possessed the body of his sister was able to defend against the flurry of attacks, and managed a solid crescent kick to his face, knocking Sage away and onto his rear end.

"ENOUGH! Time to die, Halo!" Ka'Lisse raised both sais to the sky, crossed above her head. "Phoenix's…Forever SLUMBER!" she cried.

The sun in the sky was once again eclipsed. A cry echoed in the sky, and down came the bird covered in flames, a creature of myth and legend, the mighty Phoenix. It swooped down toward them without any pause. At the last moment, it flew passed Sage and went to Ka'Lisse. The Phoenix flew into her. The demoness exploded.

The heat was intense coming from them but Sage held his ground, raising his arm to shield his eyes. The light was a blinding glow, too intense for anyone to look upon. When it dimmed and he lowered his arm, what greeted Sage of the Halo sent terror into his soul.

Ka'Lisse was a living fire. The skin was an orange-red color, a sharp contrast to the dull gold armor. Her eyes were flamed as well. She lowered her sais to her sides, staring at Sage. "Do you see now that all of your resistance is for not?" Her voice even changed, it was a dual voice, as if the Phoenix and Ka'Lisse now talked as one.

"If you believe that, then take your best shot!" Sage yelled. He readied himself but his mind whirled with questions. 'How could a demon summon the phoenix? If the armor has the ability, how can a shadow necromancer be allowed to be in its presence?'

Ka'Lisse raised the left said and aimed it at his left shoulder. A small, red sphere appeared and exploded on his armored left shoulder without warning.

Sage cried out in pain, backing up a few steps. His skin was singed under the armor. He glared at her, knowing he was in trouble. He readied himself for the next assault, trying to control his own fear.

Ka'Lisse smiled. She raised her right sai up in a slashing motion and lowered the left.

Two red spheres appeared on the Halo armor, one in the lower back, one on his stomach and they exploded, staggering the warrior as Sage let loose a terrified scream of agony.

Ryo's head picked up just after he took out a soldier. Its spirit was set free in a smoky fog. "Sage!" he cried and that got the others' attention.

"It can't be…" said Kento, taking out his three soldiers at once. He never heard Sage cry out in such a way. Which meant he was in some serious trouble. "Ryo, you guys hold the line! I'll go after Sage!" Kento began to make a trail through the thousands of soldiers quickly without giving anyone a chance to talk him out of it.

"KENTO! COME BACK!" cried Ryo. But Kento pretended not to hear.

"Ryo! Eyes on the task here!" cried Dais. He used his nun chucks to back Battletrex up.

By sheer will alone, Sage of the Halo remained on his feet. 'Shit! It hurts…she's burning me alive…' He raised his head to glare at her.

Ka'Lisse took several steps forward. "How does it feel to have your life in my hands?"

"Let them go!"

"The Mayan will be dead in about a day. It'll take longer for Dais' sister but once she's gone, this body is mine. All of this power-mine! But you won't be around long enough for anything else besides this!" She lowered the right sai, only to raise both in a forward, sweeping arc.

Three red spheres appeared, one on the right shoulder, once on the left outer thigh and one on the upper back, between the shoulder blades. All three exploded at once, making Sage cry out and stagger to one knee in agony. He then saw four red spheres on his armor; one on each knee, one on his chest, one on the right outer thigh. He tried to steel himself against the oncoming pain but when they exploded, he lost what balance he had left. He gave a defiant cry of pain and as he lay upon the ground, unable to move, Sage closed his eyes, knowing he was defeated, and gave in to the agony that consumed his body.

Ka'Lisse took slow, deliberate steps toward the fallen hero, her grin speaking volumes of pleasure. For more than one reason, of course. She was almost upon him when he struggled to one elbow, looking at her in defiance. She aimed both sais at him. "Any last words, Master Date?"

"Zakennayo!"

Ka'Lisse raised her sais-

And lurched forward. Drops of blood fell onto Sage's armor, who promptly fainted from his injuries.

Ka'Lisse looked down and saw the first few inches of Halo's No-Datchi blade protruding from her chest, a steady stream of blood making its way down the makeshift armor, which meant that Catelyn had taken control and shifted her out of the Crescent Sun Armor. She had been so concerned about the younger girl that she forgot about Dais' sister. The spirit left the body instantly and the Dynasty Princess took over, her blue eyes and white hair appearing. She gasped, falling to her knees.

"Catelyn!" Kento caught the princess carefully, and held her. "I'm sorry! I-I had to-"

She placed a bloody finger against his lips, silencing him. "You…you saved the ningenkai…Kento. She-she said you would." Catelyn tried to say more but coughed up more blood.

Kento took her bloody hand into his armored one. "Just rest now, little princess," he said sorrowfully. "Don't move…I'll get Dais and we'll get you all healed up, okay? Just hang on."

Catelyn gave him a fragile smile. "I already died, Kento. It's okay if I die again. She'll be back…again…soon. And…I-I'll be…at…peace." She closed her eyes and took her final breath.

Tears sprang and fell form Kento's eyes. He held the lifeless body for some time and eventually pulled the blade out of her body gently. Then a moan got his attention. He lay the body down and after securing Halo's sword, he went to Sage.

The sun-scorched burns on the Halo armor told the story. Sage needed to be healed, and soon. Kayura would be the best one for the job, but Cye had some healing power as well. Kento lift the unconscious Sage into his arms and headed back toward the others. He hoped that most of the soldiers were gone, so he wouldn't have to get into the fight. His heart was too heavy for it at the moment. He didn't know how to tell Dais that his sister was gone. Or tell Sage that his sister was gone as well.

Once Kento was out of ear shot of Catelyn's body, flames burst from the wound in her chest, covering the body in golden-orange flames. The body was lifted into the air, and the flames became feathers, glowing as the body was healed, inside and out. The minutes ticked away slowly, the feathers moving with the wind. The feathers then fell away, disappearing before hitting the ground, revealing a teenage girl in a torn pink top and ripped jeans. The body righted itself, feet on the ground. The white hair of Catelyn was gone, revealing nearly black hair in near useless braids, one missing a pink ribbon. The eyes then opened, showing bright brown eyes with lightning bolts sparking in them. The skin was slightly darker.

She went to touch her arms and clothes, as if she wasn't sure who she was. Her mouth turned into a grin, her eyes reflecting relief when she realized what had happened. "I'm free. Really free." She raised her left arm to the sky, a gold bracelet linked around with the kanji of heart, and in its center was the armor orb. "Armor of the Crescent Sun! Diya-nichi!"

Ryo struck down the final Dynasty soldier with one katana swipe and saw that Cye was running up to him, Kayura in tow. He hadn't seen Kento or Sage and he was getting worried.

Dais and Sehkmet was still within sight of him, and he felt better. Sehkmet took out Battletrex already and was taking on Treyon. Dais had Vaeyon. The twins were hard to take out. Even Sehkmet and Dais were having trouble, as old as they were.

Rowen was taking on Leigha-Shae. And holding his own against her. The two exchanged blows, and neither one seemed ready to throw in the towel. Leigha-Shae tried to lure Rowen away from the others but Rowen held his ground. He didn't not want to be in an ambush but he feared Sage was. And now Kento was missing.

When Kayura was close enough to him, he said, "Kayura, get us out of here!" His heart sank when he saw more soldiers coming their way. "Crap!"

"We're not leaving!" cried Dais, dodging Vaeyon. "Not without Catelyn!"

"ENOUGH!"

A feminine voice took everyone by surprise. With precise kicks, Dais, Sehkmet and Rowen got kicked backward to the others. All of them were on their feet in mere seconds, weapons drawn as the owner of the voice came into view.

Matriatrix.

A very young Matriatrix.

Wearing a black simple kimono, the new ruler of the Dynasty raised her hands and the ground beneath the Ronins shook. They managed to hold their ground but now they were hollowed out. The ground was etched out with a moat about three feet wide. And closing in on them was Druxton and Angelus. The others leaped from where they were and took up flanking positions around them. Then pillars sprouted up from the ground, putting the new Warlords above the Ronins.

Rowen aimed his new arrow on Leigha-Shae.

Kayura raised her staff to Angelus.

The others raised their weapons upward but knew right away that they were in real trouble.

"Kento! Wait!" cried a voice.

Kento paused in his steps and looked back.

Running at him was someone in the Crescent Sun Armor. He was ready to put Sage down and fight but he didn't sense any evil from it. As it got closer, he saw dark hair covering one eye and no weapon in any hand.

"Huh?" said Kento, confused.

"It's me, silly!" When the person got close enough, the helmet was removed. "Katie!" Her armor vanished instantly.

Katie, as she called herself now, stood before him in torn jeans and a pink top that was a bit small. Her breasts filled the shirt out quite well, in his opinion. Her long hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and long bangs covered her one eye. Her bangs were blonde now while the rest of her hair was dark brown, almost black in the purple sky. "Thank you for freeing me, Kento."

"Huh? Wait, I don't understand. You died, Catelyn."

"I'm Katerina Date," she explained.

"HOW!" Kento asked, shocked. He lowered Sage to the ground and picked up Katie in his strong arms. He whirled her around, excitement in his eyes. He was so happy to see her, to know that one of the girls survived.

Katie giggled, a soft feminine giggle that warmed Kento's heart. Kento's eyes widened in shock. "He never mentioned he had a twin! You never told me you were his twin!"

Katie opened her mouth to speak but heard the distant voices. "I'll explain as soon as we get to safety." She tapped his shoulder and he lowered her instantly. "It's my fault he's the way he is."

Kento watched her for several seconds. "I always thought he was born with a stick up his ass."

Katie giggled again, unguarded and happy. "Goodness, you know him well. Don't worry, I'm his total opposite." Katie then moved ahead of him. "We should go over there; there's a cave that can give us some protection."

After lifting Sage into his arms again, Kento followed Katie willingly; after all, he had many questions.

Kento sat on the cave floor as Katie started a fire with a flick of her wrist. Sage lay on the other side of the fire, getting warm. He didn't realize that the cave was within a hundred feet of the main fight. "So…how about those questions?" he asked gently.

Katie looked up at him. The eyes that stared at him were warm and spirited-so unlike Catelyn's eyes. She motioned for him to sit closer to her, which he did. She had torn a bit of her shirt off for a wet rag and it was on Sage's forehead. "Ok…ask away."

"How did Talpa put Catelyn in your body? I'm assuming that she had your body. And I thought you were only pretending to be Catelyn."

"Yeah…Catelyn is Dais' sister. But she was gentle and caring, so unlike her four brothers. Dais was the only one that seemed to want to keep her that way. When she was assassinated-and that is what happened to her-Talpa searched for a way to get her back. She had so much power but wasn't willing to abuse it. He wanted her power. So he found me. A Date whose power matched hers. I wasn't willing to use mine at all. And Sage was protective of me. Once he kidnapped me, I was tortured and once all of my mental walls were gone, Matriatrix and Leigha-Shae placed Catelyn's soul into my body, along with a an old apprentice of theirs to keep us in line with a powerful spell. The only way to break it was to kill my body so Catelyn could be freed as well. And Ka'Lisse isn't coming back."

"My…god. How long were you gone?" Kento asked.

"Seven long years," came her quiet answer.

"So how did you come back?" he asked.

"I had the Phoenix in my body still. Ka'Lisse ran away but it never left me. Does that explain it?"

"Yeah." Kento moved closer to her and Sage. "I know about the Phoenix unable to die." He looked at Sage. "He needs a healer."

" I know. Look what I allowed to happen to him. He would have been dead if you didn't come, Kento." Katie looked at him, tears threatening to fall. "You saved us, Kento. And my family can never thank you enough."

"Wait. Were you the one that left the scroll?"

"Yes."

Kento leaned into Katie, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Your kiss was always warm and gentle. I remember that the most." He watched Katie blush. "Can you heal Sage?"

"I don't have a strong healing ability," she answered honestly. "But I can try."

Kento held her eyes for several moments and wanted to kiss her but a high-pitched roar broke them apart, both of them looking guilty. "Hey! It's White Blaze!" cried Kento, getting up.

Katie got up as well. White Blaze stopped and stare at Katie, his teeth bared. She walked over to him carefully and placed a gentle hand on his huge head. Closing her eyes, she read his mind, seeing what was happening. Katie turned to Kento. "I have to try to heal him. My healing powers were learned. I wasn't born with them. I need you to watch our backs. I can't stop otherwise my limited healing powers will not do much at all." Katie went to the unconscious Ronin's head. She sat in a lotus position, readying herself to try and heal Sage.

"Wait! What's going on?"

"Matriatrix set a trap for them. Those new Warlords are going to attack above them. They need us three, Kento." She closed her eyes, setting set to work.

Kento loomed over Katie and tilt her head up. "I have to do this. Please don't kick me." Kento kneeled down and kissed her on the lips.

Katie was caught off-guard at first but she kissed back fiercely and the kiss made a orange-gold glow cover them. It was as if the two of them had found each other again. That remark of Kento's wasn't wrong. As they parted lips, they both saw the glow. "Looks like we're good for each other."

"As long as we don't tell Sage, okay? He doesn't need an excuse to run me through with his sword." Kento moved away from Katie.

Katie giggled softly. "He will always be my onii-chan, Kento. Don't worry-he won't do crap." Katie closed her eyes again and drew in a deep breath. She let it out slowly. "I have to warn you; I may faint from this-I've never healed before."

Kento readied his ningata. "I got your back. No worries." Kento stood in front of the fire, back to the flames as Katie placed a hand on Sage's forehead. She willed her healing powers to the surface. She glowed a bright gold color. Then the glow slowly made its way to Sage. Katie began to wince-she could feel her powers leaving slowly as she began heal Sage's burns.

Kento felt the intense power that came from Katie as her glow faintly covered the inner cave. 'She is so a Date. I wonder which twin is more powerful…That may not matter if Matriatrix attacks the others. They will need both of them.'

And he didn't notice that White Blaze had taken off.

Here are the translations...

Wakarimasen- I don't understand

Zakennayo- F*** U

Onii-chan- big brother