Chapter 3



Ash was sobbing fiercely when Cale found her. Instantly, without regard for his orders, he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. She turned in his grip and rested her wet cheek against his shoulder, he had decided to go in a simple kimono rather than armor or sub-armor, now he was glad of his choice. He felt himself flush at the feel of her tiny body shuttering against his, his hands stroked her gently, trying to coax her to stop crying, but as he touched her, his hands found her to be curvaceous and full of all the gifts a beautiful woman would have. He never was able to tell from under her common clothes, they were big and loose against her skin, not revealing what truly was underneath. Her sobbing started anew, reminding him that he must calm her, if Master Talpa was to be pleased with the result of his mission now.

"Shush." He cooed to her, stroking her hair softly, holding her cheek against his chest. "It's all right." He whispered gently again and again as he held her and rocked her. Passers by quickly went the other direction, Cale was not one to be messed with, and to see him being gentle was something not seen at all.

Eventually, her sobbing passed, leaving her with a sniffle and a weak apology as she pushed herself away from him a little, unable to muster the strength to leave his comforting grip. "I'm sorry, forgive me for being so unthoughtful of your kindness." She said formally, her eyes downcast.

He looked down at her and smiled warmly. "What's wrong? People don't just cry for no reason?" He spoke gently to her, smiling to himself that he finally discovered that she really wasn't as strong as she pretended to be. Finally, after all this time, she was beginning to show weakness at being helpless and unable to leave the Dynasty.

"I had a vision." Ash said solemnly, her eyes meeting his, the deep vastness of their color made him hold his breath. She had eyes the color of the ocean for that moment, than they turned colder, nearly an icy shade and she looked away. But it was that one moment, that he knew, she was not something easy to overwhelm.

He blinked in surprise. A vision? The statement nearly completely passed over him when their eyes locked together. "A vision?" He asked in unison with his thoughts.

She nodded, than shook her head, completely backing away from him, and looking around suddenly. "I don't want to talk about it. It was really stupid and besides that, I have to go make someone's life hell." She stated suddenly as she turned away from him and marched back toward the castle, throwing up a quick shield around herself, masking herself from their watchful eyes.

He blinked in surprise. "Did I miss something?"



Ash marched straight past the guards, without even looking at them, she walked right past two others in the main hallway as they tried to stop her. I know he's been watching me. I can feel his slimy eyes on me all the freaking time! She growled to herself as she stopped in front of the Throne Room doors, two more guards stood in her way, weapons crossed and unmoving before her. She frowned.



* * * * * *

It was midday when Rowen finally made it to the city which Ryo and the others were suppose to meet him. He looked over at his charge, she was still sleeping off the effects of the sedative which allowed everyone to live in peace as the plane had begun to land. He chuckled a little to himself as he remembered it, his ears still rang a little from her scream. "I hope they appreciate this." He thought out loud as he pulled off of the highway and onto the long road which led to the parking lot. He could see the big dark red Durango which belonged to Ash, and could see Gen standing to the side of it, along with a few of the others. "Where's Ash?" He asked himself as he pulled up next to them.

"Hey! You made it back! Where did you land at?" Ryo asked as he looked over at Gen as she walked over to the passenger side of the vehicle.

"We had to go all the way to Akita, than drive all the way here. And that was hard." Rowen explained as he looked back at Gen. "Leave her alone, she's had a. . .rough flight."

Gen looked back at him with a suspicious flash. "I just don't know how you managed to get her on the plane." Rowen scratched his head and looked away from her doubtful eyes.

"Well, it took a lot of convincing, and than we had to have her sedated." Gen's eyes widened a little, and her brow raised in warning. "She couldn't handle the storm and the landing, so instead of having her kill all of us or make us go deaf, the stewardesses decided it would be best to sedate her. Don't worry, she should be coming out of it soon. They gave her three doses." Rowen said, his thick Brooklyn accent making him sound more guilty than anything.

She frowned at him and walked away from the car and towards Ryo again. "Hmm." She huffed as she looked back at Ryo. "So, now that we're all here, what now?" She asked him, Rowen noted the hope flaring in her eyes.

"Well, first, we have to come up with a plan. So far, we have no way of getting into the Dynasty, so there can't be a rescue just yet. . ." Ryo was saying, but Rowen, all frowning and brow furrowed, interrupted.

"Whoa! Wait. . .Rescue party? Who needs rescuing? We're all here. . .wait, where's Ash?!" Finally, he put together the missing piece. The little pale one was gone.

Gen started to tear up and turned away, Sage didn't offer any input, but Cye was the first to speak. "She was captured about three days after you left. We haven't seen nor heard of her since then. Nor have the Dynasty attacked in full swing since then. We've been trying to find a way to get into the Dynasty, but we haven't been able to find a way just yet."

Rowen gave Gen a sympathizing smile, which showed her he was really sorry and shook his head. "It's my fault. If I'd only been more on time, than perhaps we'd been able to prevent it." Gen narrowed her eyes to speak, but Ryo spoke up first.

"It's not your fault, you did your best." Ryo reassured him as he patted the other on the back.

But Gen wasn't so convinced. "What took you so long? I have you very specific directions from the Wichita Airport, how could you have messed them up?! You were suppose to be there and back!!! What took you so long?!" She demanded, Rowen blanched back from her wrath.

"I didn't get to land in Wichita. The plane was forced to land in St. Louis, but they offered us half-priced rental cars, so I didn't have to worry about having to budget my stuff after that. But it was a longer drive than I thought it would be. . ." Gen cut him off by glaring at him, but nodding her acceptance of his excuse.

"I suppose I didn't bring that into account. I suppose you didn't have much choice in the matter." She sighed, than tried to forage a smile for him. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you."

Rowen smiled back reassuringly and shook his head. "I know how much cared for her, I wish I could've been here for the fight, I would have made sure she wasn't captured." Rowen said, but noticed the look of guilt on Gen's face and everyone else's nervousness. "What?" He asked, but no one would answer him, he looked from face to face, but still, received not answer. "Cye?" He asked softly as he walked over to the shy Ronin.

Cye looked at the others and nodded, giving a tight lipped smile of uneasiness, he led Rowen away from the others to tell him. "Well, none of us were looking when she was confronted. Kento is still sure that she went with them willingly, but I think the rest of us agree that she was captured. The thing is, Gen was away from her, and so was far away, that none of us heard her cry for help before Anubis got a hold of her. She blames herself more than any of us, but we all agree that we need to get her back. She was really offish, but she was something special. I knew that." Cye cocked his head and thought for a moment.

Rowen took the advantage to ask a question. "So, they took her when no one was looking? Wow, that's just remarkable. Talpa had her pretty much handed to him on a silver platter. I just hope we've all learned a lesson from this." Everyone looked away, Ryo patted Gen's shoulder as she pursed her lips together tightly. For a moment, he thought she would start to cry, but no tears fell from those frosted chocolate eyes.

Sage looked back at the car and sighed. "Someone needs to go wake sleeping beauty. We shouldn't give the Dynasty another shot at separating us."

Ryo nodded in agreement. "Yeah, why don't you go and wake her up, Rowen?"

Rowen held his hands up quickly and shook his head. "No, thank you. I've been around her all since I picked her up. Why don't you do it?" Ryo shook his head and looked over at Kento, who was chewing on a candy bar that had somehow managed to stay hidden until now.

"Why don't you go, Kento? It'll give you good exercise, plus you're the only one who hasn't done anything useful recently." Sage remarked with a half smirk as he folded his arms and looked at the other Ronin.

Kento stood up a little straighter and huffed. "I've done plenty of useful things, haven't I, Cye?" But Cye just smiled and stayed silent. "Fine." He groaned as he shoved the rest of the food in his mouth and stalked the distance to the car. "I don't know why I should have to do it. Why can't one of them go and do it? I'm always stuck doing everyone else's dirty work!" He complained as he stepped up to the car and peeked in. "Ah! Now isn't that sweet! What are they so afraid of?" He asked himself softly, carefully opening the passenger side door and leaning in close.

Rakeal was sound asleep, she made a soft cooing sound in her sleep. Kento smiled and leaned over her, his face barely half an inch away. "Wakie, Wakie!" He said softly, Rakeal opened her eyes slowly, her lids fluttering with tiredness, but as she saw Kento's face just in front of hers, she screamed like a banshee gone mad! He jerked back in response, but not fast enough to avoid the flying fist that swung at him from the left.

It hit him hard on the right side of his face, slamming into his jaw and cheekbone so hard that he fell completely backwards, than at impact, nearly finishing a backward somersault! Already, his face was swelling and his eye beginning to swell shut. He laid there on his back in pain. "Ouch." Was the only thing he said out loud before Rakeal was out of the car and back on him, she was hitting, kicking, and screaming bloody murder.

The others were there in an instant, but still not fast enough to stop Rakeal from continuing her assault. With effort, Gen and Ryo peeled her away from the poor beaten Ronin and calmed her down. "It's alright! Relax, it's just us!" Gen told her reassuringly as Rakeal tried to regain her bearings.

"Wha . . .? Where am I? Did I make it? We didn't crash?!" She seemed happy for a moment, than looked around. "Where's Ash?" Gen looked away, and Rakeal knew instantly, the news would be bad.

Cye and Rowen bent down to help Kento while Sage laughed lightly in amusement. "Damn!" He muttered, rubbing his sore face in response. "That was one hell of a left hook!"

Rakeal glared at Kento and hissed at him. Gen frowned. "He he? Sorry." She mumbled as Gen and Ryo took her aside to fill her in about Ash.

Afterwards, Rakeal sat down on a step and stared in disbelief. "I had a feeling something like this would happen, but I didn't think it really would happen. I mean, what are the chances that she'd be in the perfect place like that, eh?" She shook her head again and sighed. "Do we have a plan to help?" There was a collective shaking of heads. "Damn. So she's there indefinitely, man. That's gotta suck!" She mumbled as she looked around her once more. "So what do we do now? You wanted me here, and now I'm here. What now?"

"That's a good question. A really good question." Gen muttered softly, locking eyes with Ryo, who raised an eyebrow at her and started to smile.



* * * * * *

Inside the Dynasty, within the safehold of Talpa's Throne Room, both Talpa and Badamon searched for Ash. It had been nearly fifteen minutes since Ash had suddenly disappeared to them. Badamon was unable to scry her out and Talpa could not touch her mentally, it was almost as if she had completely disappeared from the Dynasty. "Do you suppose she ran away? Found a way to escape the Dynasty?" Badamon asked, his eyes still, settled on the ground in front of him.

Talpa sighed, than shook his head. "I suppose she might have, but that doesn't explain why she just disappeared. . ." He paused, tilting his head to listen to a sound that caught his attention.

"I almost hope she escaped. That girl gives me a bad feeling. She just isn't natural. She shouldn't have that kind of power!" Badamon complained as he started anew his scrying for her. Talpa laughed softly to himself, but did not add to it. "I just can't find her! I wonder where that child is. . ." He was saying, but just as he finished the statement, the doors to the Throne Room exploded into shards of wood and splinters.

The two guards that were stationed outside to protect from intruders were blasted inside the room, their bodies limp as rag dolls, no sign of movement or resistance as they smashed into the walls, adding to the debris. Talpa suppressed both the urge to laugh and a sigh of relief as Ash stepped into the room, her head lowered and eyes shining an eerie shade of blue. Talpa muttered softly over to Badamon. "You just had to ask, didn't you?" Badamon gave him a desperate look as the silent creature before them approached with steady calm.

From outside, the Gathering Hall suddenly emptied out, every soldier and person inside came racing at the explosion. Talpa could not help but feel a cold chill race up his spine as her eyes met his. There was no childish look in those depths, only a deep yearning for revenge. Talpa glanced over her at the able people gathered and suddenly roared as her lips quirked up in a half-smile. "Seize her! Don't let her get away!"

Ash jumped at the loud sound of his booming voice, she jerked and spun at the sound of people rushing at her. Instantly, she began to hiss and growl, Badamon noted the actions and winced as she suddenly spun on her heels and made a straight dive for the lower air duct that was just to the left of where Badamon and Talpa rested. The duct was small, she squeezed through it fast enough though as the nearly sixteen people raced to catch her.

Badamon looked over at Talpa as he spoke. "She's navigating the air ducts now."

Talpa put his head down into his hand as Badamon shook his head and looked down after her. "Well, it was only a matter of time. I knew she'd find them eventually. Don't worry, Master Talpa, I can track her down and have her made to suffer for this intrusion." But the other shook his head and spoke to those gathered.

"You are dismissed. Do not worry, she is to quick to capture so openly." Than looked over at Badamon. "No. I will deal with her in my own time. She is still nothing more than an inconvenience to us. When she becomes to bothersome, I will destroy her myself." Badamon bowed and backed away a little.

"As you wish, Master Talpa."

Talpa looked over at him and waved. "Leave me." Badamon nodded and disappeared, teleporting back into the depths of the castle, where he might rest with his fellow Spirits. He waited a moment longer after he left to call forth Cale.



From within his room, calmly adding the final touches to his painting, he felt the soft summons in the back of his mind. :Cale.: He sighed and put his brush down, clearing out the paintbrush and stood, clothes gathering once more at his feet, he clutched the armor orb in his hand. :Cale.: His name was whispered once more in the back of his mind.

"I hear you." He answered harshly, knowing that his master could not hear. He closed his eyes and let the armor of Darkness wrap around his body. Once fully armored, he shed all but his sub-armor. "Hopefully this is not a mission." He muttered as he teleported to the Throne Room, where his master awaited him.

Talpa greeted him with an empty room and complete silence. "Cale. I have a favor I would ask of you." The others soft voice seemed to echo in the vast room, but there was no harsh or angry tone to his voice. Cale straightened and listened intently. Talpa continued. "Your young charge has decided to run away from me, I wish you go find her and return her to your chambers. I do not wish to see or hear of her for at least a week. She has brought me much grief these past few days, and want to forget about her for a while."

Cale glanced around. Grief, indeed! He thought as he noted the destroyed main gates to the room. He bowed before his master and nodded. "Yes, Master Talpa." Talpa waved his dismissal and Cale instantly teleported out. Find her. Does he know how hard that's going to be?! He thought to himself as he let his senses stretch out and search for the missing charge.

All around him, he could feel the walls, the floor, the ceiling. Sense the people in their rooms, below and above, each with a sense of purpose that fitted with the Dynasty. He reached harder, searching everywhere, inside the walls, above and below. . .Finally he stopped, and teleported towards the west wing, in the direction of his rooms. He felt a glimmer of her. She seemed to be caught between the lower and upper level. She's in the air duct! He thought in triumph. He listened for a sound of her, and caught it. "Ash? Please come out from there! Please? Master Talpa doesn't want to see you for a while, so it would be best if you just came with me." He told her as he stood in front of the duct opening. The loose tiles which held the duct made sounds as she turned around, preparing to flee away from him. "Don't you dare run from me! Trust me! I can really make you regret that choice!" He cautioned her lightly, hoping the threat would work.

"No! Go away!" Came the muffled response as she suddenly began to move.

Cale swiftly called his armor and drew his sword. With one fluid motion, he thrust it down into the soft flooring which held the air duct. He heard a muffled yelp of pain, and felt the resistence of flesh as he pushed his sword all the way down. When he yanked it back up, the sword had blood on the blade. He quickly sheathed it and pulled away the covering for the air duct. Master Talpa will have to forgive me just this once, there is no choice. He thought as he reached in and pulled out the now injured Ash. "See? If you hadn't have tried to run, you wouldn't be hurt now, would you?" She looked at him in anguish and pain. Her shoulder hung limply as blood dripped down her arm.

She just glared at him, but the anger in her eyes was seeping away, giving way to pain and sorrow. Finally, she looked up at him and whispered. "I'm sorry." Than passed out. Cale smiled as he lifted her effortlessly and carried her back towards his rooms.

She slept then, a calm sleep which had been denied to her from the beginning. The past few weeks had gone by in a blur of motion, Talpa had kept her deprived of nearly everything in hopes to break her will down. But she had held on, but just barely. When she awoke, she did so slowly, coming out of her sleep as if slowly gliding across a lakes perfect surface as to not mar it's perfection.

She continued to breathe deeply, in hopes that she might, once more, fall asleep. But while she laid there, listening to the sounds of the room, she let herself drift within the securities of Cale's down blankets. Her mind remembered all of what had happened, and her heart hurt with the force of those memories. It could not be fair to hurt so much, to be treated so poorly by complete strangers who didn't have any other purpose to do so than for sport. I must remember. I must accept what has happened, and move on. She thought, remembering what her grandfather once told her.

"When you are lost, and beaten down, you must always remember that no matter where you are, what has been done, or what you are going through, you are still in control of your life. You can either continue to fight for it, or you can lie down and die. But to fight, means to accept your short comings and to accept the damage done. This may be more difficult than simply letting them win." His words had not made much sense to her at the time, being as how she was only five, but now they did.

She let a small smile come to her lips. He always had a knack for knowing the future. Perhaps he knew what I would be going through now. Crazy old fart. She thought in good humor as she rolled over onto her back, letting her thoughts stop for a moment. I must accept my past to better my future. If I can accomplish that, than I can handle anything they throw at me! She thought as she took a deeper breath and willed herself down into the very core of her being.



At first, there was nothing, she felt nothing different, no changes at all. Than, slowly, she felt something stir, she braced for it, opened her arms to it, than finally, she welcomed it as it rushed to her. "I've missed you!" She cooed to it as it wrapped around her affectionately, she looked about her and smiled. For the first time in nearly twenty years, she was finally able to welcome her power back to her.

A swirl of colors told her of how it felt. *Good to be back!* But suddenly it pulled back, feeling the new feelings of hatred and agony inside of her. *Why do you feel such pain?* It asked in her a different swirl of colors, the whole pattern shifting and changing direction.

She gave a weak smile. "They've hurt me. I can't fight them, not without you, not without accepting who I am."

Her power seemed to give a nod and shifted color again, closing about her warmly, she smiled and held it close. *So, it is finally time? Will you accept both new and old? Welcome all of who and what you are and have now become? Will you accept that you have been used and are now a victim?* It asked her, spiraling around her, trying to comfort her as it probed her for more information on what it would assist her in.

She pursed her lips together and nodded, the final decision seemed to be harder than she had expected. All around her, her power built and grew, expanding before her in a huge creature with wings as wicked as any demons, the creature shrank and become smaller, her size. "I am ready to accept my past and my life back. I'm ready to remember." She said, her heart pounding harder in her chest.

The figure before her materialized into substance instead of shadow. She gasped as she saw her own reflection. She hadn't been out of a human shape since she decided to hide herself away from her past. In doing so, she had forgotten who and what she really was, only a vague glimmer had shone her the truth in her dreams and distant thoughts. But this was more than not human.

Cool white skin covered a small form, huge wings made of the whitest and delicate traces of silvery blue floated to her sides. Long silvery hair hung and floated as if on a breeze around her body, eyes so blue that they seemed to hold the oceans of the universe in their gaze and yet so icy they could freeze your blood with a glance looked out at her. A strong, yet delicate tail swung gracefully behind her and to the side, small spots of the palest blues and violets covered her in small strips and splotches. Her face had an almost animalistic look to it. The nose pulling out into a small muzzle and her small mouth, she knew without seeing, held four sharp long fangs.

She stood in awe as she remembered who she was, what she was. She shook her head. "The perfect one." She muttered as she let her years of hell from early childhood echo back into her mind. She nearly closed her eyes to the pain of it, but her power stopped her.

*It must come back.* It told her, her reflection touched her arms softly. *All of it. Let yourself be swept away in the past, distant and old.* She did as she was told, with her power to guide her, she had no fear of being lost.

Her eyes closed and the past came to her like rampageous rapids off a waterfall. She braced herself and took it all in, letting it drench her soul with the reminder of what was lost and long gone now. From old friends, to things left undone and unsaid. From good times to bad times, she let it all collide over her, filling her empty heart with renewed strength and resistance.

When it was over, she felt as though she had worked all her life for this one brief moment of completeness, she stood panting in front of her power. It smiled at her and patted her shoulder reassuringly. *Alright?* The colors asked. She nodded and smiled back reassuringly.

"Sure, that wasn't so bad. In fact, what they're doing to me isn't so bad at all!" She told her power, who laughed and moved closer to her.

*Trust me and beware. Things can get worse for you here. This 'Talpa' has been kind enough to watch over you, when his eye wanders, the hungry will pounce.* Her power told her with a note of caution. She swallowed hard and nodded her understanding.

"Ok." She said shortly, not trusting her voice for more.



Cale watched her sleep for nearly six hours, when he finally became tired of waiting and being absolutely silent, he stood beside her and coughed to break the silence. She jerked with a start, giving a sudden yelp of pain as her shoulder jarred, than stayed still a moment longer.

Damn! I didn't expect him to be around! She thought desperately as she felt her grip on her power subside as it went back down. Too late now, he already knows that I'm awake. She thought as she opened her eyes warily.

"Welcome back." He said softly, no threat or sound of violence in his voice. "How does your shoulder feel?"

Ash looked over at her arm as he knelt down with fresh bandage and ointment. "Oh, I think it doesn't hurt as much as it would have if. . ." She stopped as he pulled the old bandage off, she bit her lower lip to keep from crying out loudly.

He smiled. "Well, I know it still hurts you." He muttered lightly, than looked up from his work. "I have to cleanse it, or it will fester, try not to cry out. Ok?" She nodded, hesitantly. He smiled reassuringly, and than pulled free a small bottle that seemed to appear just out of no where, when he unstopped it, it had an overwhelming odor of strong alcohol.

She swallowed hard at the odor, and turned her face away from the sight of him readying to pour it on her. "Not really, but. . ." Just before she finished, he poured a small amount on her wound, she gave a small heart wrenching screech, and slapped him. *SMACK*

Cale blinked in surprise. His cheek set afire by the small woman's smack, it felt as though a full sized man had slapped him hard! Not something that he expected of a small thing like Ash. "Sorry." He apologized for her pain as he quickly swabbed away the running fluid and blood that simmered on the surface. "There, the worst part is over now, it wasn't that bad, was it?"

Ash glared at him, but shook her head. "No." She said reluctantly, he smiled anew at her, trying hard to ignore the painful burning on his cheek, now seeping into the rest of that side of his face, including jaw. "But warn me next time!" She huffed as she looked away again.

He winced while she wasn't looking and rubbed his cheek lightly. OUCH! That HURTS! He moaned mentally as he sighed and started to quickly apply the ointment to her arm before wrapping it swiftly, before the ointment dried or became contaminated. "There. All finished. Feels better, doesn't it?"

Ash looked back with wide innocent eyes, but she didn't say it did. She examined her arm cautiously and than looked at him suspiciously. "It tingles. Why?"

He had to hold back a smile. So inquisitive, I think that's what I like best about her! He thought as he chocked his head to one side and seemed to chew on one side of his lip. "Well, first of all, did you notice that the pain and sting is gone? That tingle is the painkilling herb at work. Second, it is the effect that is caused by being emphasized the herb by the alcohol."

She opened her mouth to say something, but she did not have time to form it into words. The sudden bellow of Talpa's summons called Cale and the others to him. Ash winced along with him, she knew that this summons was one to choose a warlord to fight and the others would be punished for whatever reason. "This is the reason for me not trusting and joining with Talpa." She groaned as a sudden piercing pain shot through her skull. It was a second, final warning call to those summoned.

Cale looked at Ash with sympathy. "Better come too, if you can hear that. You're being summoned."

She blinked in surprise. "Me? Whatever for? It's not like I can help you fight my friends!!!" Cale sighed and shook his head.

"Regardless, you need to come." He said as he disappeared, she stared at where he had been, and blinked.

"No." She muttered darkly as she crossed her arms in defiance; than a sudden wave of agony swept over her, she tilted her head back and screamed at Talpa, knowing that he would hear her this time. "Go back to hell you maniacal lunatic!" She knew it was a mistake the second it came out, but there was no taking it back. . .not that she would want to, in any case.



The Throne Room was dimly lit, the way the Dark Dynasty Master wanted it. Four shadowed figures stood in silence, reach nearly holding his breath to find the reason for this sudden, angry summons. Normally, one would be sent to mission, the others would be somehow punished for the failure of the last mission. Talpa had not yet showed himself, this brought a troubled thought to each of them, especially Cale. He knew that Ash, too, was summoned, and also that she refused to come to the summons. The absence of both Master and Ash brought a bolt of cold terror to his thoughts. She was literally fighting with the Dynasty Master.

No sooner than that thought came, than both suddenly appeared the lit area of the Throne. Talpa looked extremely angry, and Ash. . .she looked like she was in critical condition. Beaten and in much pain, she glared up at the Dark Master with such hatred that he felt himself shiver in response. Talpa began to speak, but Cale didn't take his eyes off of her, knowing that if she was not watched, she would disappear. "Defiance is forbidden! Punishable by the. . .the. . .worst thing imaginable! I will NOT tolerate such BEHAVIOR!" Although none of the warlords had defied their lord, they knew to whom he was speaking to. Ash.

Her glare continued to go unaffected by the harsh words of the Dynasty Master. In her mind, she scowled at Talpa, but physically, she growled, a low pitched, eerie sound which seemed to come from her throat and than dig down into her chest.

The warlords became very evident of the tension between their Master and the small Ash. But Talpa suddenly pointed towards the back of the room and yelled at her as if she were nothing more than a disobedient pet. "Shut up and stay quiet!" Her sounds increased, her growl now was fully intimidating. But before any of them could look back from their Master to her, she was gone, disappeared. "Good. Maybe she ran away." Talpa muttered softly, his aggravation very evident in his voice.

"You called us, Master?" Anubis pointed out as a long moment of silence ensued after her disappearance.

Talpa spun his wrath down on Anubis. "I KNOW I CALLED YOU ALL HERE!" He raged as he a tightly wrapped energy coil enveloped the warlord of Cruelty. He knelt on the ground, trying to stand against the weight and pain of the coils, gritting his teeth against the pain.

The other warlords took an involuntary step back, as if trying to make themselves invisible, lest their angry Master turn his wrath upon them also. But he was much calmer when he spoke next. "The Ronins had the help of another American. She, too, bares the foreknowledge of us and this different aura of the other two, both Ash and her friend back there. With the assistance of the two of them, the Ronins will become a threat, if we allow them to grow any stronger, I would like to see them annulated. . ." He was saying, but was interrupted by a soft voice in the background, which sounded like Sehkmet.

"I'm sure you would, but that's not gonna happen, is it?" Sehkmet looked around in surprise, and when he looked back at his master, flinched.

"It wasn't me! I swear it!" The Real Sekhmet plead as he looked from the other warlords faces back to his master.

"Sure it wasn't, we all know your voice, Sekhmet!" Dais muttered, a half smile of delight crossing his lips.

Anubis, who was finally able to recover from his master's wrath glared at him. "Traitorous ways are punished, Sekhmet." The others nodded in agreement.

"But I didn't say it!" He protested as Dais suddenly said the unthinkable.

"Yeah, well, I'd enjoy punishing your ass, oh yeah! And a fine ass it is!" Dais said with a seductive tone, a short whistle at the end. Everyone looked at Dais in surprise. Especially Sehkmet, whose mouth dropped to the floor.

Talpa stared at his Warlords like they'd all gone mad as Anubis gave an answer to that one. "Damn straight I wouldn't mind taking a bite out of that myself! Wow!" Anubis clamped his hands over his mouth and shook his head.

"I swear on my soul that it wasn't me!!!" Talpa looked away from them all and shook his head, looking pleadingly at Badamon.

From the darkness just behind Sehkmet, eyes glistened unnoticed by all. . .except Cale. He tried desperately to watch them without being conspicuous. While he watched in silence, the warlords began to say strange things, things that were way out of the normal for them.

Finally, as Talpa looked over at Badamon, and the others quieted down, he noticed the eyes disappear back into the darkness, he relaxed and looked away.



Sehkmet, Dais and Anubis were still trying to figure out what was going on, when Sehkmet suddenly disappeared into the darkness behind, no more than a muffled gasp.

Dais turned swiftly at the sudden absence of his standing neighbor and shrieked. "I knew it! The Boogie Man does exist!!!" His voice was very high pitched and thorough lavished with sarcasm.

Anubis could barely suppress a laugh, hiding it with his hand. They all turned to the darkness, Talpa fuming more now than ever. Again, from the other side of Anubis, gave a muffled gasp, and then that made two. Dais had vanished.