Part 2
Just then the doorbell rang… Ryo turned quickly and stared at the door. His hair stayed the same but his eyes turned ice blue. The tension in the room made the hair on the back of Rowen's neck stand up. Rowen shivered and he turned from Ryo to the door. The doorbell rang again, now Ryo's hair stood up and turned the few of strands of hair gold. Ryo gulped and in a quivering whisper he said, "Their here. Sub-armor now Rowen!" Rowen put on his sub-armor and stood ready to fight. "Hold on to me, we have to get away from the house," Ryo told him. Rowen put his hand on Ryo's shoulder with a questioning look on his face but it disappeared when he looked around, they were standing in the woods. They were in an enclosure of willow trees; the branches hung low and thick. "We'll be safe here, but only for a few minutes. They will know where we are because of my power, even if I un-transformed. I don't know how but they do, don't worry Rowen I will not allow any harm to come to thee…" Ryo's voice trailed off as he used an old accent.
"Where did that thee come from?" Rowen asked.
"Hush thou's mouth or they'll find us sooner," Ryo told him looking threw the thick branches. A good 5 minutes passed and they remained quiet.
"Maybe it wasn't them Ry… you know how those sales people bug us all the time?" Rowen questioned.
"No! It was them! Now be quiet! Samurai move as quiet as a spirits soul through a summer nights darkness," Ryo explained not turning to look at him.
"If you say so," Rowen sighed.
Ryo kept watch as Rowen looked around. "Ugh… Ry?" Rowen shakily asked.
"What now Ro…" Ryo's question trailed off when he turned to look at him. A Samurai was holding Rowen, a sword was against his throat; the Samurai smiled cruelly at Ryo.
"I hope you don't mind if I play with your friend's body, after he's dead of course," The Samurai said.
"Let him go! I am the one you want!" Ryo yelled.
"And what do I get if I let him go?" The Samurai asked pulling the sword tighter to Rowen's throat.
"I… I… will give my power to you," Ryo told him. More Samurai appeared behind the first one, each smiling cruelly.
"And what else, please do go on, what else for this ones life?" Samurai asked. Ryo stood strong and looked at Rowen, his scared face tore his heart to pieces then he looked back at the Samurai and he sighed.
"And I will give you my life…" Ryo told him then his voice trailed off.
"No! Ryo! You can't!" Rowen yelled struggling to get free.
"I'm sorry Rowen but I won't let any of my friends lives be lost at my expense. Now do as you said you would let him go," Ryo yelled. The Samurai smiled and pushed Rowen to the ground and signaled for the other Samurai behind himself to get Ryo. They charged and penned Ryo to the ground in seconds, Ryo did not even try to fight back but slowly tears fell from his eyes. Rowen struggled to get up and when he saw the sight before him he used a special power the armor gave them, the power to contact other wearers of the armor.
"Halo, Torrent, Hardrock… Strata and Wildfire need help fast! Follow my light of life beam to find us. Please hurry!" Rowen begged through his mind; then he made a steady stream of dark blue light flow from his body to the sky. The beam was invisible to the Samurai but Ryo saw it and his eyes drifted to the sky as he watched the beam.
Uley had heard the commotion downstairs and had ran outside when he saw no one around that was when he seen the beam. Only the one's with pure hearts can see Rowen's Beam of Life. "Rowen's in trouble, oh where are the guys to help him?" Uley asked himself. In the city Sage, Cye and Kento were waiting on Mea when they heard Rowen's cry for help and then they looked to the sky an saw the beam. Sage pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. Quickly he wrote Mea a note telling her that Rowen needed help which meant Ryo was in danger and that they would see her back at the house. Cye put it under the windshield wiper, and then they took of running for the beam, where Rowen was waiting for their help.
Back in the willow trees Rowen watched as the Samurai beat Ryo to a pulp. Each time he would take a step forward to help the head Samurai would look at him with a smile and shake his head lightly then turn his attention back to Ryo getting beat until he gave in. Within ten minutes the guys stood beside Rowen waiting for the signal to attack. Finally Rowen gave it and they each took about five Samurai on, Rowen went after the head Samurai and tried to find Ryo. He found the head Samurai with Ryo in his arms, the Samurai had his eyes closed and Ryo's body was glowing. "No!" Rowen screamed trying to hit the Samurai but he disappeared and then reappeared a few feet away. "Drop him! And fight me!" Rowen yelled.
"Fine, once I have disposed of thee I will finish off the Prince," The Samurai answered throwing Ryo into some trees.
"Armor of Strata! Inochi!" Rowen yelled transforming into his armor.
"Thou's armor has not enough power to beat me," The Samurai smirked.
"You haven't seen me use my new powers that Ryo gave me," Rowen returned.
"Do thou's worst, no one has defeated me yet," The Samurai told him.
"I use my manners… ladies… first!" Rowen explained.
"Why you little… Hell's Fire!" The Samurai screamed shooting fire from his spear.
"Star Dust Comet!" Rowen yelled firing a bright white arrow. This went on for the next five minutes until a bright light engulfed the Samurai from behind, he was through to the ground in pain. Rowen was surprised and thought it was Sage, Cye or Kento who had helped him but it was Ryo! Ryo stood unsteadily against one of the trees that hadn't fell when he was through into them and he smiled weakly looking at Rowen. Rowen smiled back at his friend and just about put his guard down when a bright light went by his right side a hit Ryo.
"Rowen! Behind you!" Ryo screamed through the pain of the beam that was hitting him. Rowen turned to see the Samurai standing; he was smiling and seemed to be getting stronger. Rowen looked back at Ryo and saw that his hair was slowly losing its color and his eyes were returning back to their normal tiger blue. A million things raced through Rowen's mind then he figured out what that beam was doing, it was draining Ryo of his power and life. Rowen quickly glanced over to Sage, Cye and Kento; they had defeated each opponent accept one.
"Guys! Bring them over here! And fire the special powers all at once!" Rowen yelled to them. And they did just that once getting the Samurai back to back they all used their new powers at once.
"Star Dust Comet!" Rowen yelled.
"Thunderstorm Whirlwind!" Sage screamed.
"Sand Dune Crush!" Kento yelled.
"Ice Storm Bombardment!" Cye screamed. Their power hit all the Samurai and destroyed them, their lost souls screamed as they were sent to a place of ever lasting pain; no hope for peace. The beam that had been hitting Ryo slowly died and he fell to the ground. Rowen was the first to his side, and he grew pale when he saw Ryo's body. You had to bend down to see that he was breathing, and he looked so frail. Kento gently lifted Ryo off the ground and carried him back to the house. On the way back Rowen used his armor power of Life Force to steady Ryo's heart beat.
"I hope that was the last of them… I don't know how much more Ry can take of this," Sage told them as they finally saw the lights in the house. Five minutes later they walked out of the woods, Uley was standing on the front door step and Mea was getting out of her jeep.
"Damn those Samurai," Mea thought as she saw Ryo in Kento's arms. "Bring him in and lay Ry on the couch," Mea told Kento as he walked by. Kento did as he was told and then they all sat around and fell into a deep sleep.
"Ro? Come on Rowen, wake up…" A voice begged pulling Rowen to conciseness. Rowen slowly opened his eyes to find Ryo's worried face looking at him.
"Ry? Is it really you?" Rowen asked.
"Yeah, I've been waiting almost two weeks to thank you for saving me. If it wasn't for you being here when I woke up I doubt I'd be talking to you right now." Ryo explained.
"Two weeks! I've been out for two weeks!" Rowen asked surprised.
"Shh… Sage and the others are still out," Ryo whispered looking at his friends on the other couch and floor. Rowen took a good look at his friend and saw that he looked really tried, also he looked as if he'd lost a lot of weight. "It's almost lunchtime if you go in the kitchen Mea will fix you something," Ryo told him getting up to light a fire. Rowen walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table, Mea saw him and smiled.
"So your finally awake, I was starting to get worried…" Mea started but was then interrupted by Rowen.
"Is Ryo okay? He doesn't look so good…" Rowen asked looking toward the living room. Mea turned back to her cooking and didn't answer.
"Mea? You're not telling me something; spill or I'll somehow force it out of you," Rowen told her in a threating voice. Again Mea stayed quiet as she cooked. "Mea?" Rowen questioned.
With a sigh Mea's shoulders shagged. "If you look into the living room right now Ryo will have lit a fire and be sitting by it in his sub-armor. That's the only reason he's still alive right now. Ry woke up 4 days after he had that power and life drained, when I told him you guys were still out he got worried. And you know how Ryo is… when one of you guys is out like that you were he won't eat or sleep until you wake up cause Ry's afraid that if he goes to sleep, something might happen and he won't be able to help you guys," Mea explained looking at him. Rowen stood and took a step back to where he could see in the living room. Mea was right, Ryo was sitting by the fireplace, a fire lit and he was in his sub-armor. Rowen also noticed that Ryo's eyes were dropping then jerking back up as he tried to stay awake.
Rowen turned back to Mea and asked, "Why is he wearing his sub-armor?"
"Ryo's armor power is fire and by sitting by the fireplace he uses the heat from the fire to power his armor which in return gives him energy to live on. Sadly it's not every much and it's taking its toll on him," Mea answered. Rowen sat back down at the table and let his friend's image burn into his memory. Suddenly he was jerked out of his concentration by a loud thud in the living room. He and Mea both ran into the living room to find Ryo lying on the floor. Mea ran to his side, turning Ryo over she touched his face and gasped.
"What is it?" Rowen asked kneeling down beside her.
"His… his skin is cold as death but he's still breathing," Mea whispered. Rowen touched Ryo's cheek and jerked his hand away; the cold made him shiver.
"Help me get him to my jeep, I'm taking Ryo to the hospital. Rowen, you stay here in case the others wake up," Mea told him as he helped here lift Ryo and take him out to her jeep. All though she really didn't need his help because of all the weight he'd lost.
"What if Uley comes by?" Rowen asked.
"He won't, Uley is in Italy with his parents. But he does call every night about suppertime," Mea explained as she started her jeep.
"Call when they tell you something!" Rowen yelled as she drove off. Mea watched Ryo out of the corner of her eye as she drove.
"Wake up Ryo… don't die on me now," Mea said.
"I'll love you forever," Ryo whispered.
"He loves me?!?!" Mea asked herself as she looked over at him. Ryo was still unconscious; he looked so small because of the weight he'd lost. She speed up and was at the hospital in no time.
Rowen had called ahead after she'd left and as soon as she stopped the nurses ran out with a gurney. Mea was told to wait in the waiting room and that the doctor would come to get her when he knew something. And wait she did… for five stink'en hours! At 6 p.m. Dr. Jones came into the waiting room and asked Mea to follow him. Mea followed to his office and had a seat across from the Doctor. "A side from the information you gave about Ryo earlier I need some more. After examining Ryo, I've found that he's very dehydrated and malnourished. Being the minor that he is, I need to know what is going on in your household. I need to know what caused this… and if it seems to be threating his life more than it already has, I will be forced to put him in a foster home. And since his life has been threatened, he will have to stay there until he's twenty," Doctor Jones explained.
"What! No way! The friends we live with or I would never do anything to hurt Ryo!" Mea told him in a loud voice.
"Now clam down Ms. Koji, I just need the information," Doctor Jones answered.
"Okay, Ryo has been living with me almost two an a half years now. Kento Rei Faug, another guy who lives in my house and myself work for the living income. And also there are three others besides Ryo. Their names are, Sage Date; Rowen Hashiba; and Cye Mouri; we all live together, taking care of each other," Mea explained.
"Well, has someone in your household falling behind on their job to help take care of Ryo? Because it sure doesn't look as if any body is helping him?" Doctor Jones questioned.
"No, Ryo is like our brother. We would do anything for him, it's just he's very independent and doesn't ask for our help, very often," Mea explained.
"It would seem to me that if you saw something wrong you might try to help him?" Doctor Jones questioned.
"I tried but Ryo is his own person, he does what he wants and good god! He is stubborn! That's why this happened, I tried to get him to eat and drink but once his mind is made up there's no changing it," Mea told him.
"Okay then what happened to cause him to decide to do this?" Doctor Jones asked leaning back in his chair.
"Well… things that I don't want to go into detail about have been happening to him and friends a few weeks ago. Sage, Cye, and Kento are still pasted out. Rowen woke up this morning to find Ryo not looking well. Ryo pasted out in the living room and that's when I brought him here," Mea explained. Doctor Jones didn't look happy. "Please, say your not going to take Ryo away from us. After the guys wake up and they find out Ryo has been taken away against his will… first they will try to find him then if they don't find him, you will be responsible for four more deaths. And then I will sue you for every cent you have before I kill myself. After Ryo finds out what we did he will kill himself because he can't stand to be without his friends love," Mea explained.
"I will decide what to do after I talk to Ryo. For now you may go see him, Ryo has been put into ICU because of his case. The room number is 514; he was still out when we hooked the tubes up to him," Doctor Jones said showing her out the door.
Mea found the way to the room and a nurse left as she walked in. After a few minutes Ryo opened his eyes and looked at her. "Why did you bring me here? You know I hate being in hospitals?" Ryo asked.
"Rowen and I didn't know what else to do. You pasted out so quickly and we just didn't have time to think," Mea told him.
"So what'd that doc want to see you about?" Ryo questioned. She sighed and then told him.
"The Doctor doesn't think we're taking good care of you at home and since you're a minor if he sees that your life is threatened any more he will take you away from us and to you in a foster home until your twenty," Mea answered.
Sadness filled his eyes and then he said; "I don't want to leave you guys. You guys are my family, if he decides to take me away I will kill myself before he has a chance to explain why," Then a tear fell freely down his cheek.
"And how would you do that?" Mea asked.
"Pull out this IV line and this tube, whatever it's for," Ryo explained showing her the IV in his arm and one of the two tubes running into his stomach.
"Well, tell me before you do cause I want you to be sure you know what I'm about to tell you," Mea started and then she paused, Ryo looked at her a curious look on his face. "You said while you unconscious that, you loved me," Mea started.
A shocked look came to his face then he said; "I'm sorry Mea," Ryo answered looking away.
"No! No! Don't be sorry, I am, I mean I'm just shocked. But after thinking about it, I love you to," Mea finished.
An even more shocked look came to his face and then he stammered out, "You… You do?!?! Mea you don't know how much that means to me," Ryo told her. Mea smiled and blushed. "Uh…" Ryo groaned.
"What's wrong Ryo?" Mea asked.
"The room is spinning again; man I'm dizzy." Ryo whispered putting a hand on the side of his head. The next thing she knew he had pasted out again. Mea uncovered him and saw that his sub-armor had reappeared. Mea went to a store and bought ten candles. After getting back she lit them and put them at his sides, so he would start to warm up. Ryo woke up and Mea threw away the candles. About five seconds later the phone rang and Mea answered it; it was Rowen he wanted to know how Ryo was. Mea handed the phone to Ryo and as soon as it was to his ear Ryo asked how he was feeling.
Rowen chuckled and answered; "I think I should be asking you that question. But if you must know… I'm doing just fine. How are you?"
"I'm fine; I don't know what I'd do without Mea over here," Ryo told him looking toward Mea but she was asleep.
"Hey Rowen? Can you come get Mea, she's asleep and I think she'd be more comfortable in her bed or on the couch," Ryo asked with a smile.
"Okay, hey guess what?" Rowen questioned.
"What?" Ryo returned.
"The one eyed dragon wants to say something to you," Rowen answered, then he handed the phone to Sage.
"What were you thinking! Not eating or sleeping while we were out!" Sage yelled.
"You know how I am Sage, so you really don't need to ask that question. I have some bad news, the doctor that's taking care of me has talked to Mea and he told her that if he saw our household looked as if it was threating my life any more than it has he will have to put me in a foster home until I'm twenty. Is that a bunch of Bull Shit or what?" Ryo explained.
"You got that right, that is bullshit. Well as soon as Cye and Kento wake up we'll be down to see you," Sage answered.
"Thanks well I got to go, I don't want to wake Mea," Ryo told him.
"All right, Ja Ne," Sage said.
"Ja Ne," Ryo returned and then he hung up the phone. Ryo lay there for awhile wondering what his future held. "Would he be taken away from his family? Were there any more Samurai wanting his life? Could he tell the others about his past life?" The next thing he knew he had fallen asleep from the wondering. When he woke up it was dark and Mea was gone, a note was on the table from Rowen saying he hoped that he felt better and he would come by later to see him. Ryo smiled after reading the note and then he shivered. Ryo noticed that it was cold in the room, he saw a shadow in the room and the door closed. Ryo stiffened as the shadow approached him as the shadow stood beside him for a moment Ryo asked it; "Show yourself demon, who are you?"
"Now don't be making judgements about me just yet… I may be a Samurai but I want to help you. That is if you'll let me," A young voice said.
"I'll give you a chance, explain yourself," Ryo replied staring at a young man about his height with mid length brown black hair.
"My name is William, Will for short. I'm 15 and have read all about your family. When I first heard about them I was amazed by your family's power and I wanted to learn more, but after I had learned about your family and your story wasn't finished… I have to ask you why your Father and your Mother wanted to revolt?" William asked.
"Revolt? My parents didn't revolt, as you probably know I carry the power that can destroy this world or save it. When I was about 3, other Samurai came and stole me from my parents. They wanted to drain me of my power and to kill me, that way my parents would be weakened and they could control the world with my power. But my Father came to my rescue and he killed those Samurai that had stolen me, killed them because of what power they had taken from me. My Father knew that they wanted my power for evil reasons and that's not what our clan was for," Ryo explained.
"I had a dream where this beautiful woman came and told me I was to help you. She gave me this small orb that is black but if you look closely you can see a symbol. It's the symbol for Health, it glows white," William said pulling the orb out and then handing it to Ryo.
"Well… looks like Kayura visited you and she gave you a mystical armor orb. Do you have a place to stay?" Ryo asked.
"No, I was hoping you might," William answered. Ryo looked him up and down still wondering if he could trust him it was then when their eyes meet. Ryo stared into warm tiger blue eyes, the same as his own.
"I do know a place… with me, and my family. But to do that I have to convince that Doctor Jones out there that my family can take care of me," Ryo answered.
"I can help with that, since the Samurai each have special powers mine is the power of mind control," Ryo gave him a curious look and William replied; "But I've decided to use it only for good and to help you guys,"
"Good choice now since you have the power of Health, can you make me better?" Ryo asked.
"Sure," William said making a staff, similar to the Ancients staff, appear from nowhere.
"Close your eyes and relax," William instructed. Ryo did as told and William passed the staff over Ryo's body. As soon as he was done Ryo opened his eyes and got up, the tubes had been removed and he was cured.
"Thanks a lot! Now what can you do about that doc?" Ryo asked.
"It's already taken care of, now call your friend. We need a way home," William told him.
"Watch this," Ryo said and then he whistled. Ryo lead Will out of the hospital, where White Blaze was already waiting. "Hey White Blaze! Long time no see!" Ryo told the tiger with a smile.
"A tiger! Awesome!" Will yelped looking from White Blaze to Ryo. "Man… my older brother is awesome!" Will thought.
"Hop on, and enjoy the ride," Ryo said as they climbed on. White Blaze took off and Will hugged Ryo's waist tightly, Ryo looked back at him over his shoulder and smiled somehow he felt a connection to Will but couldn't place the feeling. Before Will knew it they were standing in front of a big house. "This… is where you live?!?!" Will asked amazed by the size.
"Yep, come on in I want you to meet the guys and Mea," Ryo said walking up to the door.
"Yo! Guys! I'm home and I brought a friend!" Ryo yelled walking into the house.
"Ryo!" They all yelled jumping up.
"How did you get out of the hospital? Are you okay?" Rowen asked running up to him.
"My friend helped me, and I'm just fine. No worries," Ryo answered. Cye looked past him at Will and Ryo saw his look. "This is my new friend Will; Kayura came to visit him and gave him a new armor orb. He was a Samurai but now he's decided to be on our side." Ryo explained. They each gave Will a unsure look, Will looked down at the floor. Ryo saw this and at once went to defending Will. "Now listen up! Will is on our side! If Kayura came to see him then he must be good! And we can't forget, he's the one who saved my life. All of our lives. We all know what would happen if I had been left in that hospital," Ryo told them. Will looked at Ryo with a grateful smile on his face and Ryo smiled back.
"Hey, if Kayura gave him a armor he must be good and she must have chosen him to help us defeat those Samurai. Dude it's cool to meet you, I'm Kento," Kento said holding out his hand to shake Will's. Will took his hand and they smiled at each other; the next thing he knew was all the hands were piled onto his and Kento's.
"Ryo… we don't have any more rooms in the house," Mea whispered to him.
"I can find some other place if you don't have room," Will told her quietly.
"No, there's a extra bed in my room. He can use that," Ryo answered. Mea nodded and smiled at him.
"Up for some training?" Ryo asked Will.
"You bet! I've always wanted to know what it'd be like to go up against the promised one," Will replied.
"Well… let's go outside and get it on, I'll help you learn how to use your armor," Ryo explained. They walked outside and found a nice spot in the yard to spar on. Both transformed into their sub-armor and got in their fighting positions. Everyone else watched from inside, waiting for a very intense match.
Ryo cupped his left hand and motioned for Will to come and get him. Will ran forward and tried to punch Ryo but Ryo ducked. Will tried a kick but he wasn't even close to hitting Ryo. This is the way the fight went for an hour but then Will started getting hits on his side. For the rest of the time it was pretty even then after three hours they both collapsed to the ground gasping for breath. Rowen and Sage ran out to help them while Kento and Cye brought them water. "Thanks you guys, hey Will great match man," Ryo said with a smile.
"You… better… believe it," Will gasped out.
"Maybe you to should go in and get some rest, you look wiped," Cye told them.
"Great idea, come on Will I'll show you where you can sleep," Ryo replied.
"Thanks, lets go," Will answered as they walked back to the house. As soon as they were back in the house Ryo and Will both went up stairs to Ryo's room and Ryo showed him what bed would be his.
"Thank you for all your kindness, Ryo," Will said with a yawn.
"Your welcome, and call me Ry all my friends do." Ryo told him lying down on his bed.
"Ry?" Will questioned.
"Yeah?" Ryo replied looking over at him.
"What's your real name?" Will asked.
"Rekka No Ryo Sanada," Ryo answered. Just as Ryo was about to ask Will a question he looked over at him and saw Will was asleep. Ryo smiled to himself and turned over, before he could think another thing he was asleep as well.
Down stairs Mea and the guys were talking. "I don't know Mea… all of a sudden Ryo shows up with this guy Will. He says rescued him from the hospital, not that I'm not grateful of that or any thing it just makes me nervous that he was a Samurai. And right now those Samurai are our worst enemy, couldn't he be a spy?" Sage questioned.
"That could be but I don't think so. If Ry trust him then maybe we should to, and plus if he was a enemy then why would Kayura give him a armor?" Cye replied.
"You got a point," Sage said sitting back on the couch.
"I see you have some questions about your newest ally…" Kayura said.
"Kayura!" They yelped jumping up.
"Hello again," Kayura told them with a smile.
"Can you tell us more about this guy you sent to help us?" Kento asked.
"Sure, William is 15 and as I watched the Samurai I saw that he was different in many ways. Will was constantly studying or training and when he asked the elders about things they always lied to him. He wanted to know the truth and I gave it to him that was when he asked me about Ryo. I made him promise to be on our side, which didn't take every long, and I sent him to help Ryo out of the hospital," Kayura explained.
"Are you sure he's safe?" Cye asked.
"You don't have to worry Cye; Ryo is in no danger. Because of something in his past Will won't do anything to Ryo. I have been promised not to tell you what it is but don't worry everything will be revealed in time, Goodbye my Warriors," Kayura said as she disappeared.
"What could've happened to make him change his mind?" Rowen wondered. After discussing this some more they all headed to bed. At 6 in the morning Ryo was awake and sitting on the side of his bed. He watched as the sun came over the lake, it was beautiful. Then something sparkling caught is attention, it was his locket!
"How did this get here?" Ryo wondered picking it up; "I thought I had lost this when that woman posed as my Aunt, I thought she had kept this. Guess not." Then he pulled a key out of the drawer and put it into the hole on the side of the locket and turned. The locket slowly opened and a soft melody played. On one side of the inside of the locket was a picture of a man, maybe in his early thirties. He had pitch black hair and bright tiger blue eyes, he was neatly dressed and smiling. On the other side was a picture of a young woman. She was maybe in her middle twenty's had brownish-black hair and soft light blue eyes. Tears formed in Ryo's eyes as he looked at the pictures and listened to the music, words sang with the music, this is what they said;
Everybody's got something
They had to leave behind
One regret from yesterday
That just seems to grow with time
There's no use looking back or wondering
How it could be now or might have been
All this I know but still I can't find ways
To let you go
I never had a dream come true
Till the day that I found you
Even through I pretend that I've moved on
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say
You're the one I think about each day
And I know no matter
Where life takes me to
A part of me will always be with you.
Somewhere in my memory
I've lost all sense of time
And tomorrow can never be
Cause yesterday is all that fills my mind
I never had a dream come true
Till the day that I found you
Even through I pretend that I've moved on
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say
You're the one I think about each day
And I know no matter
Where life takes me to
A part of me will always be with you.
You'll always be the dream
That fills my head
Yes you will
Say you will
You know you will, oh baby
You'll always be the one I know
I'll never forget
It's no use looking back or wondering
Because love is a strange and funny thing
No matter how I try and try
I just can't say goodbye, no, no, no
I never had a dream come true
Till the day that I found you
Even through I pretend that I moved on
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say
You're the one I think about each day
And I know no matter
Where life takes me to
A part of me will always be with you.
Will was awakened by the soft music and when he looked over all he saw was Ryo's back. He sat up and after wiping his eyes of sleep Will took a closer look at Ryo. His shoulders were shaking slightly and he heard light gasps. Will got up and put his hand on Ryo's shoulder that was when he realized Ryo was crying.
"Ryo? Are you okay?" Will asked. Ryo quickly wiped away his tears and closed the locket.
"I… I'm fine… Come down stairs when you're ready," Ryo told him walking away and as he did Ryo put the locket back on the table.
Will picked it up and looked at it, "Ry, What is this?" Will asked.
Ryo turned around at the door to his bedroom and quietly said, "Put it down. If I catch you doing anything with that locket I will kill you with my bare hands." Will set the locket back down as Ryo watched him closely. "Thank you, and do me the favor of not asking about it, please," Ryo begged. Will could only nod. Ryo smiled and then went down stairs. Will stood there for a few minutes and looked back at the locket.
"Why would my own brother kill me over this locket? What special importance does it hold in his past that I know not of?" Will asked himself. Will headed down stairs and found his way to the kitchen. Ryo was sitting at the bar in the middle of the kitchen drinking some hot tea. Mea and Cye stood at the stove cooking; Kento was hovering around them like bees to flowers. Sage was in the bathroom doing his hair and making sure that he looked perfect. Rowen wasn't anywhere in sight so that meant he was still asleep. "Are we going to train today?" Will asked Ryo.
"You bet, I won't take a day off that I don't have to until this world is safe." Ryo answered and then he sighed; "When will this world be safe? First it was Talpa and now it's those blasted Samurai. Will this fight never end? I'm so sick of fighting. When we defeated Talpa I was so happy, I thought I could live a normal life but now I have to fight again. Maybe it would be best if I just let those bastards have me…" And then Ryo's voice trailed off as he looked down. Everyone was quiet and watching him, Ryo felt their gazes so he got up and walked out the door. Everyone watched the door but didn't say a word. Then Will looked at each of their faces, pain was written all over theirs eyes and Kento's fist were clenched.
"We're all tried of fighting but none of us more than Ryo. Something is going to happen I can feel it, and it will be the last draw. Ryo has sacrificed his life 6 or 7 times to save this world and us, it's by miracles and only miracles that he's still alive," Sage explained quietly, he'd listened to what Ry had said on the bottom step. Will gulped, he hadn't realized how many times his brother might have a reason not to be here.
They ate in silence then when he was done, Will asked; "Mea do you know anything about Ryo's locket? I picked it up and he said if I ever touched it again he would kill me with his bare hands?" Will questioned.
"No one knows anything about it, Ryo gets hurt every time we bring it up so we just don't ask and wait for the time when he's ready to tell," Mea answered.
"Oh okay, thanks any ways," Will replied then he went out to join Ryo in training. And this is the way things went for the next two months, Ryo and Blair got up early every morning to train and later in the morning the guys joined them.
"Hey Will, you and the guys have been training real hard how bout you guys go into town for some fun for the day," Ryo suggested.
"Hey that would be awesome! But, what about you? Aren't you going with us?" Will asked.
"Nope, I'm going to stay here and train. I've got to be ready if the Samurai come," Ryo explained, and then he yawned.
"But you're tired to; you really need a break Ry," Will said.
"Can't see y'all later," Ryo told him and then walked out of the house. So as soon as they were all ready they left, as they drove away Will looked back toward the cliff that stood over the lake. There he saw a figure standing watching silently. It was Ryo, he was watching as they drove away, his hair slowly moving gently in the small breeze that blew.
"I want… want to be like you Ryo, brave, not afraid of anything, willing to give anything to save whatever it is your fighting for," Will thought and then he waved. Ryo smiled and waved back. After the jeep was out of sight Ryo ran into the woods to start training alone. After 2 hours of training Ryo stopped and stood still.
"I know your there… you were just waiting to get me alone so it wouldn't be so hard," Ryo murmured. A blonde Samurai appeared behind him.
"How did you know?" He asked.
"Evil can't hide from good," Ryo answered. Without another word they began to battle, after 2 hours Ryo had been hit and was down for the count, the blonde Samurai took this moment to his advantage and tied Ryo up in chains. "You won't get away with this!" Ryo screamed.
"I'm afraid I already have," He snickered.
The guys were just getting home, when they felt an evil presence. "What's this feeling?" Will asked looking at his hands, then he felt something hot glowing on his forehead. He looked to the guys; they were each looking around. Their symbols were glowing to; they could feel something was wrong.
"Something's wrong… Oh no, Ryo! It's Ryo; he's in trouble!" Rowen yelled.
"How can we find him?" Will asked.
"Follow the sense," Sage yelled as he took off running into the woods, the others followed. Somehow they were separated and Will was left alone.
"Ryo!" Will yelled.
"Why don't you drain and kill me already!" Will heard Ryo scream. Will ran toward the sound of his voice. On the way he could hear the others voices but didn't have time to yell to them. Will stopped just behind the shade of some trees and saw a Samurai standing there. He was blonde and just about as young as Will.
"I'll get him for capturing my brother, he will pay," Will sneered to himself. Slowly he stepped out and was ready to fight.
"Will? A traitor to your clan? What made you do this?" The blonde Samurai asked.
"I left seeking the truth! I was tried of being lied to!" Will yelled back.
"Will! Help me!" Ryo screamed from the chains he was imprisoned in behind the blonde Samurai. Will's opponent smiled as he saw the shocked look that came to Will's face.
"He needs my help… but what can I do? I know! My super speed trick!" Will thought and he smiled. The Samurai saw the smile and his disappeared. Suddenly Will disappeared.
"What! Where'd he go!" The blonde Samurai yelled.
"Ryo, are you okay?" Will asked breaking the chains with his bare hands.
"Thank you…" Ryo started but a snap was heard and a shock went through Ryo.
"Ryo!" Will yelled.
"Run Will! Get away from here!" Ryo screamed, he knew the evil that was about to over take him. Will didn't run, he needed to help his brother. But Ryo pushed him and he fell to the ground, after a minute had pasted Ryo stood. Will looked at his face but it wasn't the kind face he knew, the face was emotionless and the eyes glowed red.
"R…y…o?" Will questioned getting up.
"Will get your ass out of there!" Rowen yelled grabbing him and then running.
"Rowen, what's wrong with him!" Will asked.
"They've got him, Will! Listen Kayura said something happened in your past, that you found out about Ryo. Maybe that can help him," Rowen said keeping his eye on Ryo.
"That won't work… Sage! Shoot your Halo Healing!" Will yelped. Without a second thought Sage shot it. But when it was about to hit Ryo, he disappeared. "Health's Flame!" Will screamed shooting a green flame at Ryo and it engulfed him. Ryo disappeared and then reappeared but now he was facing the Samurai, he looked angry and he transformed. Without saying a word he created a ball and fired it at the Samurai. Dust swelled up and no power was felt. The gold left Ryo's hair and he swayed but quickly steadied.
"All right Ryo!" The guys cheered, all but Will and Ryo. They both knew he wasn't dead and would attack soon.
"Ryo! Look out!" Will screamed running up in pushing him to the ground as a shot came out of the dust. "Un!" Will grunted as the shot hit him in the left side of his chest. Ryo watched in horror as Will fell to the ground.
"No! Will!" Ryo screamed running to his side, Ryo kneeled down and picked his friend up into a sitting position.
"Please be alive, please!" Ryo begged. The guys ran over and stood around them, they knew they had to protect them both.
"Brother…" Will gasped out.
"Brother?!?!" Ryo asked surprised.
"Ry… my name is William… Akira… Sanada. Your father was my father, I didn't know this until… I looked into your family history. I don't know how it happened all I know is… it's true. Kayura told me so…" Will stammered out.
"I believe you, don't worry I will save your life. I felt a connection with you the first time I saw you. I will have revenge don't worry," Ryo said quietly and then laid him back on the ground.
"Sage, may I use your datchi?" Ryo asked.
"Of course Ry, be careful," Sage answered handing his datchi to him.
"Watch Will for me; make sure nothing further happens to him," Ryo told him.
"Right," Was Sage's simple reply. Ryo took the datchi and charged into the dust after the Samurai. Sounds of a fight could be heard in the dust and then they heard Ryo talking.
"After I kill you promise you will be the last! Promise you will leave my family alone! Forever!" Ryo screamed holding the nonchi against the Samurai's throat.
"I promise, now kill me…" The blonde Samurai begged. Ryo raised the datchi but then lowered it.
"Your shame should be enough, leave this place and never return," Ryo mumbled and he gripped the nonchi and started to walk away.
"See you in Hell!" The Samurai screamed as he drew his sword and stabbed Ryo through the side. After drawing back his sword the Samurai smiled. Ryo wheeled around and cut his head off. The body and head fell to the ground; Ryo turned around holding his side and walked out of the dust.
"Ryo!" They yelled as he came walking out, they were so happy to see him they didn't notice him holding his side.
"Is Will okay?" Ryo asked stopping in front of them.
"I don't think he's going to make it Ryo," Sage told him sadly.
"No, I won't lose another one. Un…" Ryo groaned falling to the ground.
"Ry! What's wrong!" Rowen screamed. Cye picked him up, noticed he was shaking, and saw the wound.
"You got hurt fighting that Samurai," He said.
"Yes, please… take me to Will's side…" Ryo begged. Cye helped him there and then sat him down.
"Ry, you said you wouldn't lose another one… What did you mean?" Sage asked watching his friend closely.
"He's my brother Sage. I won't let him die; I won't lose another member of my family," Ryo explained placing his hands on Will's chest. Most of Ryo's spirit left him to help Will. Sage caught him as he fell forward almost landing on Will. Sage pulled him over away from Will and held him up. "William… my brother… shall live now…" Ryo whispered as he felt his life slowly slipping away. Will sat up looking bewildered, but when he saw Ryo he crawled to his side.
"Sage! What's wrong with him!" Will yelled.
"He's given you most of his spirit so you would live. Ryo is dying Will, and this time there will be no way to bring him back because so much of his spirit lives in you now," Sage explained as tears slipped down his cheeks.
"No… Ryo! How could you do it? I don't want you to leave I just found you! No!" Will cried grabbing Ryo's shirt.
"You will still have me. I'm inside you, and I need a favor…" Ryo started.
"Anything!" Will yelped through thick tears.
"Watch Mea for me, stay with her so she won't be alone…" Ryo said with a weak smile.
"I will Ry, I promise Rekka No Ryo Sanada," Will cried. Ryo smiled and his eyes closed, about a minute later he stopped breathing. "Ryo!!!!!" Will's blood-chilling scream filled the early night's silence.
Kayura came to them; she kneeled down beside Will and took him in her arms. "Your brother gave his life to save you, now you must honor his spirit by protecting the one he loved. Only you can use your armor to defeat the Samurai once and for all," Kayura told him as he cried.
"I can't do it… I'm not strong enough. The only one strong enough was Ryo; he was the promised one," Will cried.
"Not any more, since Ryo's spirit lives in you; you now are the promised one. You have his power inside of you. You must do this to save this world," Kayura explained pulling him away so he would look into her eyes.
"I will… I will avenge my brother's death!" Will told her. Kayura smiled.
"Will… We will help you," Sage, Cye, Kento and Rowen said at once.
"How can you guys help?" Will asked.
"You have Ryo's spirit in you and Ryo was the keeper of two armors. The Wildfire armor and the Inferno armor, the Inferno armor can only be made when the Wildfire armor is combined with the power of our armors. And since the Samurai just keep coming back with Ryo's power destroying each one of them, we figure that you will need the combined power of that special power and that of our armor," Rowen explained.
"Thank you, I'm sorry for letting Ryo die. If I hadn't showed up this never would have happened," Will told them sadly.
"No, something worse might have happened," Kento complemented.
"I will take Ryo's body; if at all possible I will do my best to bring him back. But I must warn you he might come back as a child or an old man if we're lucky he'll come back as a baby, that way he won't have any memories of what has happened," Kayura explained, as she disappeared with Ryo's body as she left she also took Will's armor orb. He wouldn't need it sense the Wildfire armor and Inferno armor were now his.
Will whispered, "Thank You," As she left. They walked back to the house and the guys explained how the Inferno armor worked.
Mea was standing on the doorstep waiting for them. "Will! Where's Ryo? What happened!" Mea asked running up to him. Will put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"Ryo won't be coming back right now. The Samurai shot me and to save my life Ryo put most of his spirit in me. He died because he was wounded also and could not live on what spirit he had left. I'm sorry I made him do this but Kayura said she would do her best to bring him back, the only bad thing is she doesn't think he'll come back the age he died at. She is going to try her best and bring him back as a baby, that way he won't have any of the bad memories of what has happened to him in the past. Before Ryo… my brother died he made me promise to take care of you forever and that is what I'm going to do," Will explained.
"No… my Ryo, gone? Wait a minute, Ryo was your brother? But how?" Mea asked, tears quietly falling from her eyes.
"We had the same father; this was one of the many reasons I left the Samurai. No one would tell me the truth of how this came to be but when I found out I had a older brother I knew I must find him. That's when Kayura came to see me and gave me my armor," Will told them all.
"Since Ryo's spirit is in Will it means he now carries the power to transform into the Wildfire and Inferno armor," Rowen said to Mea.
"Will now that Ryo's spirit is in you, you will be expected to fulfil all his duties. What shall be the first thing you'll do?" Kento asked Will.
"I need your help to avenge my brother's death. We will wait for the right time and then attack the Samurai head on," Will answered.
"Will I love William now that my Ryo's spirit is in him?" Mea asked herself.
"If you don't want me staying with you anymore I understand," Will quietly told Mea.
"No! I won't turn you out on the street just to be forgotten!" Mea ensured him.
Will smiled at her and replied, "Thanks," When he smiled she saw the Ryo she loved in him.
"Thank god I still have some of his spirit around!" Mea thought. Slowly they walked back to the house and he took Ryo's old room. Will sat on the bed with one little lamp on and he picked up the locket that was laying on the table beside the bed. Then there was a quiet knock at the door and it opened. "You still awake, Will?" Mea whispered.
"Yes, I know it's late but I'm just not that tired right now. I was just studying Ryo's locket," Will told her quietly as she came and sat beside him.
"Can you tell me what importance it holds to Ryo?" Mea asked.
"I'll have to concentrate, wait just a minute," Will told her and then closed his eyes. After two minutes Will's eyes came opened and he looked shocked. "Man… I never would have guessed that's what happened…" Will gasped as his breath came out ragged.
"What? What did you see?" Mea asked.
"This locket was given to Ryo when he was two by his parents. When the first Samurai started to use black magic, they came and took Ryo away from his parents telling him it was for his own good. But they beat him and tried to steal his power. All along he had the locket, and in the end the end his locket saved him somehow, but I couldn't see how. It's true that his father was killed by a lion in Africa and his mother died of a miscarriage but before any of that happened things much worse plagued him. So horrible I can't describe them but I'm glad the new Ryo won't be troubled by these horrible images," Will explained. Then he used the key and the locket opened playing the special melody.
Over the next month the guys planed their attack on the Samurai. It was decided that Will would use the armor of Inferno to defeat them. And for another two months they trained intensely. One night as they all rested after a twelve-hour day of training; it was now 10:30. Mea had brought them all drinks and quietly sat reading her book when the lights flickered. It had been storming for the pass two hours but now it was getting really bad. Mea lit a fire in the fireplace and then turned out the light, the thunder crashed loudly so loud that it shook the house. And then the lightening flashed that was when the doorbell rang. Everyone looked at each other and then to the door. The doorbell rang again as the lightening flashed again. Will got up to answer the door, he opened it carefully and Kayura ran in to get out of the storm. "About time you let me in! Thought I was going to fry before I got this precious package to you," Kayura explained with a smile. They each stood to have a look at the package she was talking about. The bundle in her arms started crying and she handed it to Will. Will took the bundle and unfolded some of the blankets away until he discovered a baby's face. As soon as the baby saw his face looked down at it's own the baby smiled and cooed.
"Is this…?" Will's question trailed off.
"Yes, this small baby is the Ryo you all once knew. I have brought him back after much hard work, I pray you will take good care of him and treat him well," Kayura told them.
"We promise, no one could change us to do other wise," They all answered.
"Good, now I must be on my way. Goodbye my warriors," Kayura answered and then she disappeared.
"Well it looks like we have a baby on our hands now," Will said with a smile.
"So this is what Ryo looked like as a baby! Cute! But hardly no differences, same blue eyes and same black hair," Mea commented.
"So what do we call this kid? I mean we can't call him Ryo since Ryo's spirit is in you Will. He's your brother so why don't you name him," Kento suggested.
"Okay… what to call you, what to call you. I got it! Blair! I've always liked that name. It just sounds so cool," Will explained.
"Hey that is a cool name. I say it rocks! All in favor of naming the new little bro, Blair, say I!" Sage said.
"I!" They all cheered.
"Ioooo…" Blair cooed and they all laughed. Will had made a baby's cradle hoping Kayura could bring him back like that so he took Blair up stairs and laid him in the cradle.
"I have you back now brother… I promise to never let anything happen to you. Now you're probably tired so I'll sing you to sleep. It's a song my mom used to sing to me when I was going to sleep."
Everybody's got something
They had to leave behind
One regret from yesterday
That just seems to grow with time
There's no use looking back or wondering
How it could be now or might have been
All this know but still I can't find ways
To let you go
I never had a dream come true
Till the day that I found you
Even through I pretend that I've moved on
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say
You're the one I think about each day
And I know no matter
Where life takes me to
A part of me will always be with you.
Somewhere in my memory
I've lost all sense of time
And tomorrow can never be
Cause yesterday is all that fills mind
I never had a dream come true
Till the day that I found you
Even through I pretend that I've moved on
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say
You're the one I think about each day
And I know no matter
Where life takes me to
A part of me will always be with you.
You'll always be the dream
That fills my head
Yes you will
Say you will
You know you will, oh baby
You'll always be the one I know
I'll never forget
It's no use looking back or wondering
Because love is a strange and funny thing
No matter how I try and try
I just can't say goodbye, no, no, no
I never had a dream come true
Till the day that I found you
Even through I pretend that I moved on
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say
You're the one I think about each day
And I know no matter
Where life takes me to
A part of me will always be with you.
After the second verse Blair was asleep and Will watched him. Mea quietly walked pass his door and Will was sitting on his bed and leaning on the rail of Blair's crib. He was humming the tune that the locket played. She walked back down the steps and told the guys she thought Will's life was about to take a turn for true happiness. Then Will came down and they started discussing when to attack the Samurai. Suddenly Kayura appeared. "We should wait until Blair is older to attack the Samurai," Kayura told them.
"Why?" They all asked.
"He will be of some help to you, and I can't tell you of how many ways," Kayura said. So they waited and trained while Blair grew. They could see in many ways how the little bit of Ryo's personality had affected him. Then when he was three the dreams started. Blair shared a room with Rowen and one day Rowen was studying when he heard a lot of tossing and turning. Rowen looked over his shoulder at Blair to see him sleeping un-peacefully, he got up and was about to wake him up when Blair shot up in bed.
"Blair are you okay?" Rowen asked kneeling down beside him. Blair was crying, and he hugged Rowen tightly. Rowen returned the hug and noticed that Blair was shaking.
"Hey buddy? What's wrong?" Rowen asked.
"I'm scared, my drwem was so scary. Owen, hold me," Blair begged. So Rowen held him close for ten minutes until he'd clamed down.
"So you want to tell me about it?" Rowen questioned.
"I guess, okay, there was this big ugly man. He was real mean and hurt many people. You and the others were in my dream to. You guys fought against him, who's Rekka No Ryo? He was there and I heard his name but didn't know him. Who is he Owen?" Blair asked.
"You should wait until Will gets home and ask him. Now why don't you go outside and play with White Blaze?" Rowen suggested.
"Okay!" Blair yelled and ran down stairs and White Blaze followed. They ran into the woods to play in their secret place.
About fifteen minutes later Will pulled up and he and Mea got out smiling. They had been out on their 6th date in 2 months. "Hey you two love birds!" Rowen yelled with a smile as he ran out to meet them. Will gave him a sarcastic look.
"I'll be in the house in a second." Mea told him running around back.
"Will, I have to talk to you, bad!" Rowen gasped.
"Whoa! Slow down! Now what do you want to tell me?" Will asked as they walked in the house.
"Blair had a dream about Talpa and Ryo. He saw all of us and that makes me worried." Rowen explained.
"What! He shouldn't have any memories of his past!" Will yelled.
"I know! That's what makes me worried, why did he have that dream?" Rowen questioned. All of a sudden Mea ran in.
"Will! Rowen! White Blaze just roared! I think he and Blair are in trouble. Sage, Cye, and Kento are waiting for you two, to go and find them," Mea told them.
"Oh no! Blair!" Will screamed and ran towards the woods, with the other guys at his heels. On the way they transformed automatically. When they came to the spot where White Blaze's growls had been coming from they found him staring and growling at a Samurai. Will looked around frantic then he screamed, "What have you done with my brother!"
"I have him; he's safe… for the moment. But any quick movements and say bye-bye to the kiddy here," The Samurai answered holding a sword to Blair's throat. Even though he looked scared Blair wasn't crying but instead was watching that sword. "Now lower your weapons and surrender then I'll let the boy go," The Samurai told them. Will looked at his brother's face and slowly lowered his swords then dropped them to the ground. The guys watched him and waited for their orders.
"Drop your weapons guys," Will told them quietly.
"WHAT!" They screamed.
"Do as I say! Drop your weapons! We can't let any harm come to him. I won't lose him again," Will told them quietly.
"We understand," They whispered and then threw their weapons in front of themselves. The Samurai smiled and threw Blair into a tree really hard.
"Blair!" Will screamed running over to his brother. He held Blair tightly in his arms and tears slipped down his cheeks. Suddenly a white aura rapped around Blair's body and he was lifted out of Will's arms. "What in the hell…" Will stammered. Blair opened his eyes but nothing was there, just white. No emotion was shown on his face and he held a piece of wood that looked like the handle of a sword, it had many fancy cravings on it. The Samurai had seethed his sword but he brought it out again ready to fight.
"Bring it on little one." He growled. The wood handle glowed and then a clear light came out of it. All of the guys eyes grew wide and at first they were silent but then Will started chanting a mysterious chant about Blair and some others he did not know of, soon the others followed, they said this chant without really knowing they were saying it. This is the chant;
"Hear my warning
There are three in all
The second of which heralds your fall
Of two and six
Of one and six
Eyes of the sapphire
Eyes of the ocean
Defies your evil
Usurps your wrongs
Hair of flame
Hair of Jet
Gained a name
Lost his name
When he plays you cringe in fear
When he plays folk lose fear
The youngest of which you will forget
He will be the greatest yet
Eyes of sapphire
Hair of night
Brother Wildfire
At three he will fight."
When the chant was over Blair attacked the Samurai without making a sound.
"Where does this child get this much power?!?!" The Samurai screamed. Soon as the Samurai had landed from jumping up to avoid a tripping swing from Blair, he jumped up and kicked him in the chest. The Samurai landed on his back a few feet away. Before he had a chance to get up Blair was on top of him holding the energy sword above his black soul. Without a second thought Blair plunged the energy sword into the Samurai's black soul. The Samurai screamed as black vapors left the body and then the body turned to ashes and blew away in a small breeze.
