Disclaimer: I do not own the Ronin Warriors. I only own the original characters in this story. I'm planning on this story to be a non armor related piece of fiction. Thank You and Enjoy! Ja Ne!

Sage sitting on a bench with his back against another in the city jail.

"Hey, golden boy looks like we have company."

He didn't have to look to figure out who came when a familiar disappointed tone vibrated in his ears.

"Of all the places I thought you'd be, I never imagined I'd find you here Sage." The older man studied the two, he shook his head. What possessed his son to rebel against him in this way? Sage was supposed to be the one to carry the Date name with pride and honor, but now their family name being tarnished. "Turn around and look at me when I'm talking to you son!"

Sage stayed still as a statue. He wasn't going to give in to his father's demands. His voice was of ice when he replied, "I didn't call you."

The guy behind Sage gave a small chuckle when he saw the old man narrowing his eyes.

"I know you didn't, the prescient called me. Imagine my surprise when they told me my son is arrested for street racing, again! How could you do this to our family?"

Sage kept his focus on the wall, "I don't think you mean our family. You meant to say how could I embarrass you with being arrested by the same prescient you run? Don't you father? Besides, it is my second time being arrested for street racing. So it's no big deal."

His father fumed, "No. Big. Deal!? I can see this talk of ours is getting nowhere. I'll just leave you here for a few days to reflect on how you brought dishonor upon our family."

"If you want to leave father, then leave. I'm not keeping you here."

"Sage, if you would rather stay in jail than come home..."

Sage's voice became colder, "To where you can watch me like a hawk? So I don't tarnish the Date name any further? It's what you care about most, isn't it? The family honor, not if I'm ok. Goodbye...Father."

He could see there was no point in talking to his son. Turning on his heels he stormed out of the room and slammed the door.

The guy behind Sage chuckled more as he stood up and placed his hand upon his cellmate's shoulder, "Way to go golden boy. I didn't think you had it in you to stand up to the old man."

Sage stood up so fast and whirled around, he knocked the guy's hand right off his shoulder. Taking him by the shirt front and shoved him against the wall with his other arm back, fist clenched set to strike.

"Take it, easy golden boy, come on, let go Sage..."

"Sage. Sage!" A different voice cut through which made him whirl around as he set up to strike the person who came up to him from behind.

"Hey! Sage! Snap out of it!"

The blonde Ronin blinked when he saw who stood in front of him with their arms up in defense. "Huh? Kaye?" Sage blinked a bit more and shook his head as he cleared out the cobwebs. "Gomen. I didn't mean to react to you as I did."

Kaye lowered her arms when she watched Sage dropped his. "Where were you just now?"

'Why now? Why are these memories coming back to me? It's been so long ago. What are they suppose to mean?' Sage thought to himself. He looked towards her, "Nowhere, I was just, never mind. You were looking for me?"

'What's going on with him? He's been on edge more so than usual.' Kaye gave a small smile. "Cye asked me to find you because it's time to eat."

"I appreciate it. I guess we better hurry and get back before Kento eats everything." Sage replied as he walked up to her.

The two started their walk back to the manor, "Kento went to town in my car. He wanted to take it to the shop since it was acting up for a while now."

He looked towards her, "I could have taken a look for you, I do know about cars."

Kaye laughed a bit, "I appreciate it Sage, but I can't imagine you getting oil and grease all over your hands and clothes."

Sage smiled as he gave a slight nod, "You never know, I just might surprise you. But seriously, next time let me know and I'll take a look."

"I'll keep your offer in mind," Kaye replied as the two of them entered the manor from the back door. She watched Sage as he broke away from her to go and get cleaned up for lunch. After he was out of sight, she walked over to the fridge and pulled out something to drink. 'He's been acting so out of it for a while now. It's been a long time since he's been this distracted.'

"You noticed it too I take it," Cye stated as he was setting the table.

Kaye walked over and set her drink down and pitched in to help him finish. "I did. When I called out to him, he didn't respond right away, but when I went closer he whirled around and had his fist ready to strike."

Cye's eyes went wide when he snapped his attention towards her, "Did he?"

Kaye shook her head, "No, he didn't go through with the punch. Once he realized it was me he apologized for his reaction. I told him it was no big deal."

Cye finished with the table and stood back from it, "What has him so agitated? He's been like this for too long. It isn't like him, most of the time, Sage comes off so calm and collected."

"Hard to know. He won't talk to anyone about what he's feeling. Sage has kept to himself more and more as of late."

Cye walked towards the stove and opened it. He reached inside and pulled out the main course as he kneed the door closed. Carrying it to the table he placed it in the center. "Well, we can't push him to open up about what's going on in his head. He would pull away from us even more if we push him too much. Besides, all of us have things we don't want to talk about with one another from time to time. Right."

Kaye gave a nod, "Yeah, I suppose so."

"Besides, if Sage wants to talk, he'll do it in his own time," Cye replied with a reassuring tone. 'Who am I trying to convince here Kaye or myself? I'm concerned for Sage just like everyone else. Whatever the case, I just hope it doesn't turn out to be something serious. We've lived in peace for a long time now. We are finally getting adjusted to living regular lives for a change.'

"Cye, where are Rowen and Ryo?"

"Rowen said he would be in the study. Ryo is in the basement doing some training. You want to get Rowen and I'll get Ryo, then we can eat."

Kaye gave a nod and started on her way to the study. She knocked on the door once and then opened it as she peeked inside, "Rowen, Cye has lunch ready."

The blue-haired Ronin glanced up from the computer and smiled as he stood up, "Thanks, Kaye. You know it's too bad Kento's in town, he's going to miss out on a great lunch."

Kaye stood there with the door all the way open and smiled back as she waited for him, "You don't feel bad he's missing out on Cye's lunch, fess up!"

Rowen laughed as he walked out of the study. "You're right, it means we'll get to eat more than just the scraps."

"You're terrible," Kaye giggled as the two of them made their way to the dining room.

He smirked as he sat down at the table, "Can you blame me?" Rowen glanced around and didn't see anyone else.

Kaye shook her head, "Cye went to get Ryo from the basement, and Sage went to get cleaned up. He'll be down to join us soon."

"Ryo! Lunch!" Cye called out from the top of the basement stairs.

Ryo stopped in his training and looked up as he smiled, "Thanks Cye! I'll get cleaned up and then join you and the others in a bit."

"Sounds good. If you see Sage in the bathroom, tell him we're waiting on him too." Cye called as he pulled away and walked back to the dining room.

Ryo took off his sparring gloves and put them away. He walked over to a bench and picked up a towel as he wiped himself draping it over the back of his neck heading up to the main floor. Ryo always felt better after a training session. It helped him clear his mind. The thought of them settling into normal lives still felt foreign from their usual battling evil beings bent on world domination schemes. But in secret, he was relieved they didn't have to worry about anything close to it. The idea of what most people call a normal life was starting to feel good for a change. After a bit, he made it to his room and grabbed a change of clothes and then to the bathroom. He tried the door it was locked. "Hey, Sage are you still in the bathroom? I need to take a shower!"

Sage was absorbed in a stream of thoughts and reminiscences as he stared at himself in the mirror he didn't hear Ryo knocking, but snapped out of it when he heard Ryo's voice through the door. "Yeah, I'm coming!" He walked to the door and opened it. "Gomen, the bathroom is all yours now. I'll see you at the table."

Ryo moved out-of-the-way as he watched Sage walk by him and down the stairs. He frowned a bit, 'Sage, what's going on with you?' Ryo thought to himself as he headed into the bathroom.

'They want to ask, but they're holding back to see if I will tell them on my own. I appreciate them not pressing me about what's been on my mind. I'm not sure if I should bring them into it, these memories are of my past life before becoming a Ronin Warrior. They're my demons to conquer. Though I thought I had a long time ago, I guess not. Otherwise, why would these memories be resurfacing? They're directing me to something, but what? I guess the answers will show themselves in time.' Sage thought to himself as he made it to the table and sat down. "Ryo should be down in a bit, he's going to take a quick shower."

Cye sat down, "It's fine, we can wait for him." He glanced around the table, "Rowen, working on anything interesting?"

The blue-haired archer looked over towards him, 'When Kaye came to the study, I was chatting with someone about a few college courses which looked interesting to take next semester at the University."

Sage smirked as he glanced his way, "Rowen, it's summer break and you're already planning for next semester?"

Rowen smirked back with a slight shrug, "Well yeah, and it wouldn't hurt for the rest of you to plan too before all the good classes are taken."

Out of nowhere, Ryo popped into his seat and smirked when he saw a couple of them jump at his sudden arrival. He laughed.

"Ryo! Bloody Hell!"

Ryo laughed a bit more, "Sorry Cye, I couldn't help myself, I wanted to test out how much I've improved on sneaking from behind. I guess all the extra training is paying off, wouldn't you say?"

Cye narrowed his eyes at him, "Just you wait Ryo, you'll get yours."

The black-haired Ronin grinned as he went for his part of the main course. "I'll be waiting for it Cye, any place any time."

Cye smiled back with a small nod. He and the others followed Ryo's lead and took their portions of the main course as they ate their lunch.

After they ate and pitched in with clean up, they went into the living room and sat around the tv. Rowen had the remote in hand and turned on the news. There was a report stating a new race track was being built. "Hey! Now I bet it'll be interesting to have a new track in the city. It'll be something to go and check out sometime."

"Maybe, it'll be something different to do. It's fascinating to find out they're building it for people who would be interested in going into professional racing."

Ryo looked over at Rowen with a raised brow, "Were you interested in racing Rowen?"

Rowen shook his head, "Naw, not my thing. It's more Sage's interest...Shoot..." He realized what he said and glanced over towards the blonde Ronin who was glued to the screen. 'He didn't react to what I said just now about racing.' Rowen thought to himself as he studied him.

'No, it couldn't be...He's...' Sage thought to himself as he jerked up from his seat and grabbed the keys to his car.

Ryo, Rowen, Cye, and Kaye looked at one another in question. Kaye stood up and hurried over to him, "Hey Sage, hold on."

Sage stopped for a moment and glanced back. He didn't say anything as he waited for her to continue.

"Where are you going if you don't mind me asking?"

"To town."

"Mind if I join you? Kento is still in town with my car..."

"Come on," Sage replied as he walked out of the manor.

Kaye glanced back at the others, "I'll see you guys later." She waved to them and chased after Sage. Hearing his car's engine roar, she figured he was in a hurry and made her way out the door. Once in his car, she secured her seat belt just in the nick of time as he tore out of the driveway. 'What or who did Sage see to make him react the way he did? Was it what Rowen said about Sage being interested in racing? I haven't seen him this way since the last time we fought together. She glanced over towards him, "Sage..."

"Please Kaye, I don't want to talk about it. I know you and the others are concerned about me. But this is something I have to figure out for myself. It isn't anything any of you can do to help me. It's my burden to bear. I don't want to drag any of you into this, whatever this turns out to be. It might be something but then again it might be nothing."

Kaye thought about what he said as she settled back into her seat and stared forward. "Fair enough, but keep in mind, we have your back if you need us."

He glanced over with a small smirk, "Thanks, I'll remember." Sage turned his attention back to the road as they continued towards town.

On the side of the road, two others sat on the roof of their car watching others as they passed. "Nope, not him. Maverick, are you sure Sage is still living around these parts?"

"I know he is Reno. Don't worry little brother, the golden boy will get his. I promise you." Maverick spotted Sage in the driver seat in the car behind the next one and scrambled down to the driver's seat and revved the engine.

Reno hurried down and got into the passenger side, "How do you know it's him?"

"Because I did some digging. Found out what car he drives and where he lives, everything about him." Maverick narrowed his eyes as one hand had a death grip on the steering wheel while the other on the gear shift. "We will get our revenge." He peeled out from their parking spot and charged straight for Sage's car.

Kaye braced her hands to the dash when she spotted the car racing towards them. She felt her heart beating a mile a minute. "Sage!"

Sage's grip on the steering wheel intensified as he narrowed his eyes, "Hold on!" He saw the other vehicle charging at them had no intention of getting out-of-the-way. His adrenaline shot through him like he was on fire. This scenario brought him back to his street racing days. He felt alive, he was in his world as he increased in acceleration. The two cars were still heading for one another at top speed. Sage was brought back to the present when he heard Kaye scream as the car heading for them turned at the last possible moment and dinged the driver's backside which made him lose control of his car for a moment. He took his foot off of the accelerator and tried to regain control of his car.

The car Maverick and Reno were in whipped around and stopped as they watched Sage's car swung around and faced the other direction as it slowed to a more manageable speed. He stopped and threw it into the park.

Sage looked over towards her with concern, "Kaye...Kaye!"

Opening her eyes she looked over at Sage. Her breathing was ragged, but starting to calm down. Kaye's heart started to go back to normal. "I..I'm ok. What were you thinking?!"

"I.." Sage couldn't bring himself to explain what came over him.

Maverick drove towards Sage's car and pulled up next to it laughing.

Sage growled when he got out of his car, "Who do you think you are?"

Reno stepped out of his side and joined his brother, "Come now Sage, don't tell me you don't remember us? You should since you came close in killing my brother all those years ago."

Sage took a closer look and became pale, "Maverick...Reno..."

Maverick grinned, "Hello golden boy, it's been a while. Surprised to see us? Shocked to see I'm still alive? It took a long time, a lot of skin graphs, and physical therapy but I survived. Do you want to know what drove me to fight to live? It was the thought of you paying for what you've done."

Kaye got out of her side of Sage's car, she studied them. "Sage, what are they talking about?"

"Stay over there Kaye," Sage replied as he glanced towards her and then back at them.

Maverick and Reno glanced at one another and smirked. The brothers looked back at them. "It seems Sage hasn't told anyone of his past brother."

"Seems like it. Maybe we'll tell her all about his past life."

Sage narrowed his eyes at the brothers, "You'll stay away from her and everyone else in my life. This is between you and me Maverick, no one else needs to get involved."

"No can do golden boy. Anyone who is connected to you is involved automatically, you should know better than anyone how true it is. This is going to be so much fun to make you suffer, just like we did back in the day. But for now, we'll have to cut this little reunion short. We'll see you soon." Maverick replied with a cackle as he and his brother got into their car and drove away knowing Sage wouldn't risk going after them at the moment.

Sage took a close look where they hit his car, there was some damage but it wasn't enough to make it undrivable. They got back into his car, "Are you sure you're ok?"

Kaye glanced at him, "I was just a bit shaken but fine, no injuries. What about you?"

"I'm fine. Let's get to town so you can meet with Kento about your car. I have some things to take care of once I drop you off at the shop." Sage started the engine and took off towards town.

"Sage, this isn't over. Not by a long shot. The others and I are going to need to know the whole story. Is this what has bothered you for a while?"

Sage kept driving, his eyes stayed on the road, "In part, it isn't the whole story. But I will make sure to tell everyone everything considering now how dangerous it has become."

Kaye frowned a bit when she looked at him, "What do you mean?"

"Please, don't say anything to anyone until I get back. This must come from me."

She turned her attention back to the road and gave a small nod, "Ok I won't say anything, but they are going to wonder why your car was in an accident."

Sage turned his gaze to her, "Everything will work out, I'll make sure of it. I promise."

It's been a long time since Sage has made such a promise. Kaye didn't know what to think, but she knew this much, she trusted him they've been through so much together so if Sage says it'll work out then it will.

"Fine, but on one condition, you tell us everything. Don't you dare leave anything out of your story."

Sage gave a smile as he nodded, "Fair enough, now to get you to the shop before Kento hunts us down." He turned his gaze back to the road and continued to drive.

It took about ten more minutes to get to the shop where Kento waited for their arrival.

"Hey, about time you two showed."

"Sorry, but we're here now," Kaye got out of Sage's car. "Thanks for the ride. See you back home."

Sage waved goodbye to them and then drove out of the shop's parking lot.

Kento turned his full attention towards her, "What took you two? Why does it look like Sage's car got into an accident? Either of you hurt?"

"We're fine, we just ran into some crazy driver on the way here who thought it would be fun to challenge people to street racing."

The orange Ronin quirked a brow towards her, something was off about her story, but as of late there was an increase of more street racing since summer started. "Just as long as you two are not hurt."

"No injuries, we're both good, so anyway, what did they find out with my car?"

"A few minor things, nothing major."

Kaye kissed him on the cheek and then smiled at him, "Thanks for bringing my car to the shop. I appreciate it."

Kento grinned, "So, um..."

Kaye gave a small laugh, "How about I treat you since you took care of my car."

Kento's eyes brightened and then took hold of Kaye and lifted her into the air. "Yes!" He set her down and took a hold of her hand as they left the shop.