Chapter 3
By Butterfly

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"Mia..." Sage tossed and turned. It was the first time he'd slept since she was taken, but it wasn't a restful sleep. Unfortunately, visions of the night returned to him. Pictures of her frightened face, her screams, and her tears flashed before him. He called out her name time and time again. "No......You..... Leave her alone! Mia....I wont! Come back...." Sage sat up in a flash. He was breathing heavily and sweat trickled down his bare chest. Lazily he rose and made his way over to the window. He gazed outward at the full moon. Everything was peaceful. The sounds of small crickets chirping rang through his ears. He glanced to his side and noticed a bare bed. His best friend Rowen shared a room with him. "Where could he have gone?" Sage inquired out loud. He silently left his room in search of Rowen. As he passed by Mia's research room, he noticed a faint glimmer of light shine throughout the opening of the door. Sounds of typing could be heard from within the depths of the room. Sage curiously peeked through. Rowen sat in front of the computer searching all of Professor Koji's files. He wanted to get as much information as he could, about Rahucas. He squinted his eyes, and let out a groan of frustration. He dropped his head into his hands.

Rage filled his cry and he knocked over a lamp which lay next to him. Rowen swiftly ran a hand through his dark hair. Unshed tear glimmered in the little light that the fallen lamp still shed upon him. He pounded both fists upon the desk. Sage had seen enough. He quietly walked into the room. "Rowen..." He looked up to Sage, his tired eyes searching for an answer. Sage rested a hand upon his friends shoulder. But he couldn't help but feel the same emotions as Rowen. Doubt. Pain ... worry ... sadness ... anxiety ... tiredness... All these emotions pilled up within his heart. He never understood why, but Mia was always in his mind. He always shook off those feelings and acted coolly, Sometimes even cruel. He acted as if Mia was only a burden to him. Sage's eyes began to fill with tears.

Rowen watched Sage fall apart before his eyes. He always thought there was something Sage was hiding. Part of his was always distant with Mia around. Rowen himself had grown fond of the young woman. She always seemed so strong, so intelligent to him. She was never afraid to stand up for herself, and Rowen deeply admired her for that. If only he had told her how he felt. Rowen always knew that both Sage and Ryo had a thing for Mia. He had never wished to hurt any of them. He always kept his feelings inside. 'I thought it was best thing for everyone, but now....I wish I had told her. 'Rowen knelt next to Sage, their eyes meeting one another, providing a small amount of comfort.

Sage collapsed, clutching his head in his hands. Rowen frantically called out to him. "SAGE??!! WHAT'S WRONG??!! WHAT'S THE MATTER??!!!" Outside of the door, the sound of three ronins could be heard stampeding into the room. They had already transformed into their subarmor. "WHAT? WHAT'S WRONG WITH SAGE?!!" Ryo yelled. Sage let out another bloodcurdling cry. He passed out on the rug from the intense pain. The other Ronins crowding above him, trying their best to help him.



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Mia paced back and forth. 'what's taking so long? why isn't she done yet?' Suddenly Kayrua slumped over in pain. "Lady Kaurua? Are you all right." Kayrua sat up and opened her eyes. They immediately became Black and hardened. A menacing laugh made Mia's skin crawl. Rahucas appears before her, a smile plastered onto him face. "Dear lady Mia. Did you actually believe I'd let you contact the ronins? Did you actually think I was unaware of your plans? My dear," he chuckled. "I am well prepared for their arrival. That is, if they make it here alive." Mia gasped, but stayed straight face. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing how worried, and just how scared she was. He now stood beside Mia. He lifted his hand and snapped his fingers. "Kayrua!" He said in a low commanding voice. "Leave us be! I no longer require your services. Lady Kaurya stood and slowly walked out of the room. Her face still held no emotion.

"What....what have you done to her?! Don't you even care that she is your sister?! How could you do such an evil thing you monster." "My sweet innocent Mia, I am not what you think I am." He took her hand in his. "I am not evil, you must see things the way I do. I was held captive for so long. No one thought of me, alone in that dark cell, surrounded by evil. No hope, no joy, no love to comfort me. I am now free, and I will not spend the rest of my life alone. I will conquer and unit our two worlds. The Dynasty and the dimension of light will become one, and all my dreams will come true. I will have servants, followers, my sister, and my love..." He looked longingly into Mia's eyes. He took a step closer to her. "I have become quite fond of you since I first brought you here Mia. Now you will be mine, and we will rule over all.....together." He pressed Mia's body against the bedpost. His lips found their way to hers before she could move away, or even gasp. The kiss was filled with dominance, and a strong emotion. Not love, but a hate. A deep hate for all that had happened to him during his life. Mia tried with all her strength to move from his grasp, but he was to powerful. She still resisted with all her might. His teeth began to cut into her lips. He demanded entrance, But she refused. She was frozen in place, afraid of what he was capable of. All of his movements were rough and demanding. Mia began to panic. She needed to get away, to free herself from the pain of the kiss, the aching of her heart. She felt weak. She was helpless. When he finally released her, Mia fell back upon the bed, gasping for air. Her lips were bruised, swollen and slightly bleeding. She fought to catch her breath. tears formed in her eyes, but she held them back. 'I wont cry' She thought. 'I wont cry, not in front of him. I wont give him the satisfaction. I will be strong. I'll find a way back to them....to him.'

Rahucas lifted his arm and smacked Mia's face, knocking her over. "That is for resisting me! You will learn, just as the others have, that you do not resist my power! I will be back to get you in a few hours. In that time I want you to get cleaned up. I will send Kayrua in momentarily. We will be receiving guests very soon. You will soon witness the destruction of the foolish Ronin warriors." Mia still lay on the bed, clutching her face as he disappeared from the room. The tears now fell freely. Sobs racked her body. Her cheek was now red, the spot where he had hit her burned. His power was immense. Pulling her thighs up to her chest, she rest her head on her knees, crying silently. 'I can't do this much longer. Oh Ronins, please.... Don't try to rescue me. It isn't safe. He'll kill you all. Please my dear friends.'she thought. 'I'd rather die here then see you hurt.....Kento..Cye..Rowen..Sage..Ryo..dear friends please be safe.' She silently prayed for their well being.



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