The Sixth Ronin Warrior
Chapter 2
My Armor of the Spirit
I slowly came around to rich smells. I clutched my silver cross around my neck involuntarily. I felt better. I opened my eyes. I was lying on a bed in a room I didn't recognize. The covers were pulled up to my stomach. I looked around, White Blaze was lying next to the bed on the floor. I moved my body slightly. AGH! The pain! It's so intense! I groaned loudly. The white tiger had risen and was looking at me with concern in his eyes. My left leg was bandaged, but the pain was incredible. My whole body ached too. I tried to sit up, but dizziness swelled in my head so I laid back down. I groaned again.
"She's finally coming around," a male voice announced. My eyes were closed tight trying to endure the incessant pain. When I opened them, I saw the Ronin Warriors and the Sailor Scouts smiling at me. They were in normal clothes. I managed a slight grin.
Sage looked at me thoughtfully, "How's the pain?"
"The worst," I said. It hurt to talk. I scowled at how much of a weakling I probably seemed like. I started to cry. Lita came around and held me as I let out my tears. White Blaze also stayed to let me know he cared.
Everyone left. "Please tell them thank you for me. I feel like such a wimp right now," I said to Lita.
"Well, you're not. You were the difference between winning and loosing today," She smiled at me softly.
I couldn't believe it. Especially with the scouts and ronins there to fight. I shook my head in disbelief.
"Don't underestimate yourself like the warlords did. You are a real fighter," Lita insisted.
"Can you help me up? I want to go outside."
She nodded and helped me out of bed. White Blaze stood by my side to make sure I fell on him and not the floor, should I fall. I cringed from the sharp pain of my leg. Lita gave me some painkillers so I could wander. "Rainbow Magic!" My staff appeared once again in my hands. I supported myself on it as I entered the living room where everyone sat. They looked at me with relief. I smiled and stood next to the couch where Mina, Raye, and Amy sat. Across the room Sage, Sai, and Ryo occupied another sofa. Rowen and Serena shared the smaller couch, while Kento sat in a chair on the left of the other couch. White Blaze, confident I wouldn't lose my balance now that I had my staff, sat near Ryo.
I headed toward the back porch. I assumed this is where the ronins lived. It was nice. The porch had a view of a lake and mountains behind it. I took a deep breath. The sight was so breathtaking. The moon was full and bright. Its reflection in the water with the stars was a brilliant masterpiece. I put all of my weight on my staff and stared aimlessly.
It was a while before I realized I had company. Rowen stood next to me staring out across the lake like I was. I looked at him.
"Beautiful isn't it?" I said.
"Yes," he replied. He looked at me and smiled. "Feeling any better?"
"Yeah, just a little drained though."
"That's okay. I'm not surprised after what you did earlier today."
"What time is it?"
He looked at his watch, "It's about ten o'clock."
"Oh jeepers! My parents are going to be worried sick!" I tried to move too quickly. I lost my balance. I gasped. Rowen caught me.
"Careful. Your strength isn't completely back yet. Take your time," he paused, "I'm sorry but..."
I interrupted him, "I know what you're going to say. The Dynasty has captured the city, am I right?"
He stared at me in disbelief. "You're exactly right."
I sighed. I continued to look out across the lake instead of at Rowen. I had a feeling he knew something about me that I didn't. I'm not sure that I wanted to know anyway.
* * *
As Rowen helped me inside for a very small get acquainted party, every one gathered in the living room. I felt strange in a room full of "superheroes" where I wasn't one. I wish my mood had been a little more joyous than it was, but then what was there to be happy about?
Rowen and I sat on the loveseat on the east side of the room. Ryo, Serena, and Darien sat on a large couch on the north side, while Sai, Kento, and Lita sat on an identical couch on the south side. (Yes, Serena's boyfriend had come as soon as heard about the attack.) Sage, Amy, Raye, and Mina settled on the floor.
For the next few hours the Sailor Scouts and the Ronin Warriors shared their individual stories. I sat back and listened, although, to my surprise, I already knew most of what they were saying. The pain in my leg hadn't subsided at all, but I had adapted to the pain so it wouldn't bother me as bad.
A bright white light flooded the room as the third ancient appeared. I stood mesmerized. It was Lady Kayura. She was looking at me. Of all the people in here, why me?!
"Because you are the wearer of the armor of the spirit," she said.
"You...read...my mind," I stuttered.
"Yes," she handed me a sphere similar to the ronins. I held it in my hands. Its warmth radiated to me its kanji.
"Love," I said aloud. The symbol began to shimmer with a light pink color on my forehead. Every one in the room stared at me in surprise.
Kayura smiled at me, "Your armor doesn't come from Talpa's as the nine armors do, but from your own soul. You created it. It is linked to you through your pure heart and respect and love for others. I have faith that you will use this power well. Its limits are the ones you make for yourself. If you have none, then the power you have is unlimited."
I couldn't believe it. So this is what Kale and Rowen knew about all along, this hidden power and armor. I nodded and held the sphere tight.
She continued, "The armor of the spirit gives you the athletic and fighting abilities you need."
She turned to the others in the room, the light around her had disappeared and she stood on the ground in front of me. "All of you are well aware of the dynasty's presence here. You are the sole hope for the world's future. Use your powers wisely and destroy the dynasty once and for all."
She disappeared. I looked up to see every one gazing at my hands. The sphere was still there. It wasn't a dream. I stood up, leaning on my staff heavily. My eyes were clouded in an emotion I couldn't shake. The warmth of the sphere had healed my wounds as soon as it had touched my hands. However, I still needed my staff, just for security.
I was just about as in the dark about my new armor as everyone else was. I needed time to meditate and think.
* * *
The Sailor Scouts were going to live here until the war was over. They had left to retrieve what they might need from what was left of their homes. The dynasty had destroyed several buildings, but left the majority of them erect.
The Ronin Warriors accompanied them because their powers seemed more effective against the enemy.
I sat in the middle of the bed that I had slept on previously. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the inner identity of my armor. I wasn't going to take any chances, I needed to control it properly before I ever called upon it for help.
* * *