Thanks to the WONDERFUL people who reviewed me! I appreciate it! I'm
happy you like my work.
Az-Strawberry Bunch-o-Nuts Michii
Thanks again!
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!
CHAPTER 4 Dangerous Dreams
"Wraith!" Ryo rasped through the pain in his leg. The broken beam had fallen on and gashed his right leg along with the bookcase on the side of the room.
Every Ronin pulled out a small crystal from their pockets, each with a different color and transformed. Ryo didn't though. Yuli stood next to White Blaze away from the fighting so as not to get hurt, but not too far away. Ryo put all his weight on his left leg and opened his wings from his body; gaining the attention of everyone.
Now he flew and the Wraith jumped up getting airborne as well. It was clear that it only wanted Ryo, but the Ronins fired at it just the same.
Ryo scowled at the creature, his hair flaring. His power as a Ronin was coming to the surface, even without his armor.
It took great concentration for any of the Ronins to be able to harness even an inkling of their Ronin power without using their armor and weapons. The ancient weapons they used were merely tools to channel their power into an attack, but Ryo's mental power had heightened to such a great extent that he no longer needed his mystical katanas to bring forth the fire from his powerful armor. He could not control the full force of his armor without the actual armor on his person however.
Ryo was getting hotter as his anger raged, but he would be a much better fighter in the sky than with his armor. It would weigh him down and his leg was already not working right. The Wraith threw off his cloak to reveal his thin muscular form. It was completely unlike anything the Ronins had ever seen before. It's waist was no bigger than the width of two hands together, yet it's shoulders and torso were gigantic with meat. It had gigantic muscles, and little next to no stomach. He had only a belt with two mechanisms on it. One blocked the angels from finding him telepathically, the other was a shield that stopped all of the Ronins' attacks.
The creatures three inch long talons and claws on its feet shined with blood. Ryo glared into the black orbs on this monster's face, he assumed were eyes. He charged the thing and the Ronins assault stopped. The Wraith charged Ryo as well and Ryo used his power to create a sword of fire out of nothing to imitate his katana. When the Wraith and Ryo met at their great speeds it made a loud scream go through the winds. Ryo pushed vigorously, but neither he nor the Wraith gained any ground.
A/N: {Angels didn't much use the sword technique Ryo was trying. The sword was very unstable and wouldn't work as well as their hand, iron-cast weapons.}
They pushed apart and both breathed hard. Ryo started to sweat and charged the thing again. It maneuvered away from Ryo and clawed him with his talon. Ryo's stomach was bleeding, but Ryo didn't even reference to it. He pushed the pain out of his mind as his blood soaked into the cloth of his shirt and pants. The monster pulled one of its talons out of his hand and it extended three feet to become a fat sword.
Oh, shit! Orion! Where are you? Ryo cried fearfully.
They charged each other again and the creature pushed Ryo away and kicked him into the ground.
When the Wraith charged toward the ground, Seiji took his opportunity to slice its leg. The thing received a gash a foot long. It flew farther away from Seiji with a scream of agony, but before Seiji could enjoy his victory for long the Wraith healed the wound and charged Seiji.
The frightened Seiji was about to block, but Ryo tackled the monster. They rolled on the ground for a while until finally coming to a halt nearly fifty feet away. Ryo straddled the monster easily, then kicked off its chest after they stopped and Rowen hit the thing with a barrage of arrows that all hit and sunk into the creature. Rowen felt triumphant, but the thing pulled out the arrows and healed the wounds as it stood.
"There's no stopping this thing!" Rowen yelled as it came after Rowen. Ryo came plummeting from above and rammed the Wraith into the ground. A crater of a hole was imbedded into the ground as a result.
Ryo was kicked out of the hole they had made and thrown into the air. He was tossed to the side easily and now struggled to get up. Every hit to his body was like feeling mace the size of boulder hurled at his head. His bones strained to remain whole inside his body.
The Wraith got out of the hole slowly and looked up into the sky.
"Stop!" Orion screamed coming down on the Wraith full force. They clashed for a moment –sword on sword- but Orion was tossed off. He landed on the ground without a problem, his feet scraping the dirt another few feet back until he stopped and stared at the Wraith, fury boiling inside of him. The Wraith just disappeared and Orion sighed. He tossed his sword to the side and ran to be near Ryo.
Seiji already held him in his arms. His armor dispersed with, only his sub- armor remaining. Seiji looked up to Orion as he approached, his eyes watering. Orion fell to his knees quickly and held Ryo's head in his hand.
"Please, awaken brave warrior." Orion begged and Ryo opened his eyes to his leader's command.
"Orion." He rasped and coughed up blood. All the Ronins gathered around Ryo and, Orion, who sighed with relief seeing Ryo alive.
"You should not have attempted to take that monster on by yourself." Orion scolded, feeling very happy Ryo was still with them.
"I'm sorry, Lord. I had no time to wait for you or Zoë. It would have destroyed the house and us long before then."
Orion shook his head. "You did the right thing, I just wish you had not gotten wounded so badly in the process, my brave Cherub." Orion pulled Ryo's tight shirt out of his pants and looked over the gash on his stomach. "Is this the only physical wound?" Orion questioned Ryo.
"My right leg." Ryo rasped and forced his muscles to move and to sit up; a grimace covered his face. Seiji tried to hold him down, but Ryo sat up aside from his wishes. "Orion, where is Zoë?" Ryo pulled on Orion's sleeve. He turned to Ryo and touched their lips together smoothly. Ryo's eyes didn't widen in shock, and he didn't become angry or flustered in the least. He remained still as Orion connected with him.
Ryo closed his eyes suddenly and Seiji gasped in shock. Ryo's stomach and leg started to glow and the gash in his stomach healed itself. Orion and Ryo's lips glowed a yellow color like Ryo's wounds. Soon after Orion pulled away from Ryo and touched their foreheads together. Ryo and Orion kept their eyes closed.
"Where is she, Orion?" Ryo questioned, sternly, his voice now stronger.
"The Wraith took her when we confronted another one. No sooner had I finished with the loss of my dear angel Zoë than I heard your mind call to me. I could not let that bastard take you as well." Tears streamed down Ryo's face again, but he wasn't sad. Orion caressed Ryo's face gently, brushing away the tears.
"We must get her back." Ryo insisted.
"We will, Cherub, but I must insist you come back with me. I will not let you leave my sights any longer." Orion stood up and Ryo nodded. He stood with Seiji's help.
"What about us?" Yuli shouted from behind Orion.
Orion looked to Ryo.
"Please! Orion, I can not leave them alone with that thing knowing where they live!"
Orion nodded reluctantly.
"They must bring themselves there though." Orion insisted and Ryo nodded. Another angel came flying up to them all and landed. He bowed to one knee in front of Orion immediately.
"Master, you called?" The angel answered.
A/N: {Orion had called him telepathically.}
"Yes, now banish your wings and guide these humans to our home in their vehicles. Do not doddle!" Orion ordered sternly. The angel stood and his wings disappeared. The Ronins ran to the two cars in the garage; the angel went with them, but Seiji waited a moment longer next to Ryo.
"Will you be alright?" Seiji asked Ryo while glancing at Orion.
"I will meet you there. Go." Ryo bade him away, but Seiji wouldn't go. Orion walked up to him his wings shining a glossy white in the sun's rays. He leaned forward to Seiji and gently kissed his forehead. Seiji looked at Ryo oddly, though Ryo smiled.
"A kiss from an angel is a kiss of the best luck, and the strongest promise of life."
Seiji leaned up to Ryo and kissed him full on the mouth.
"I trust your luck more." Seiji dashed off to the garage as Ryo blushed with Orion's eyes on him.
"How could anyone trust your luck more than mine?" Orion joked and Ryo snickered, then looked up to Orion seriously.
"We should go."
Orion nodded and let Ryo fly slightly ahead of him to make sure he was alright.
*****
They reached the tall square mile of trees where tree houses sat on every timber, a while later. This is where Ryo and Orion have been living for the past two weeks though no human knows about it. It was a long way back to the area and Ryo had exhausted his power long before then, so Orion made a decision as they flew.
"Quickly, disperse with your wings and get on my back, Cherub. I will carry you the rest of the way." Orion ordered as they landed momentarily. Ryo leaned against a tree and shook his head.
"I'm fine. I don't need any help. It was just a dizzy spell." Ryo held his head then tried to take a few steps forward and fell. Orion let Ryo fall then knelt down in front of him.
"Cherub, that was an order." Orion smiled as Ryo banished his wings. Orion turned so Ryo could get on his back and he climbed on slowly. As Orion was flying Ryo stayed very quiet. The only reason he had ridden on an angels back before was because Zoë had offered and he hadn't had wings yet.
"You don't have to do this." Ryo insisted whispering into Orion's ear with his eyes closed.
"Yes, I do." Orion whispered back. "I'm not about to lose you, little Cherub." Ryo sighed. The nickname had been given to him by Orion when he had first given Ryo the gift to fly. He had declared that Ryo was a seraph, or heavenly spirit.
*****
They got there and Orion ordered Ryo to stay in bed until the morning, which seemed so far away to Ryo. An hour later, Seiji and the other Ronins arrived. Seiji asked where Ryo was immediately and Ryo finally had some company. He didn't want to rest though, he wanted to fly.
Seiji walked into the room and sat gently on the feather soft bed. He leaned forward to lavish sweet kisses on Ryo, who laid on the bed next to him. Ryo put his hand between their lips and touched Seiji's mouth.
"We need to talk." He whispered opening his eyes. Seiji was taken aback, but he leaned back and stared into Ryo's face.
"What's wrong?" Seiji asked expanding his luscious body in front of Ryo and leaning on his hand. Ryo laid on his back so he wouldn't be distracted by Seiji.
"You don't like Orion do you?" Ryo questioned closing his eyes only momentarily.
"I don't trust him." Seiji whispered.
"Why?"
"He seems to be very physical with you, and quite obviously attracted to you." Seiji grunted snottily waiting for Ryo to snap at him, but he was silent. Seiji realized Ryo was waiting for him to finish his argument. "Like when he kissed you earlier and he calls you his Cherub. What right does he have?" He couldn't really think of anything else to say.
"Orion kisses every one of the angels here on the forehead when they come to see him. Like I told you, it's for good luck. Zoë and I get his blessing more than anyone else because he sends us on the most dangerous missions and he worries about us more than any other angel. That doesn't mean he wouldn't worry about another angel as much though. If a child, or guard, a sentry, or anyone one else had been having nightmares like I, he would be just as concerned about them. He calls me his cherub, yes. He believes that my coming to be with them for whatever amount of time was a blessing in its' own. And when I saved his life and he granted me the gift of flight, that's when he started calling me Cherub. It is no crime other than love of thine brethren. He considers me a brother."
Seiji leaned closer to Ryo putting his hand on Ryo's chest and his other under his head.
"I was probably jealous. Forgive me?" Seiji whispered tiredly.
"I suppose I would have done the same exact thing, were the situation reversed." Ryo kissed Seiji's head and wrapped his arm securely around him. They laid there together, very content. Seiji fell asleep easily, but Ryo tried to stay awake. He didn't want to have another night terror. They were very brutal now and becoming worse. Sleep eventually did pull him under though and he was soon fidgeting around, scowling. Seiji awoke startled and tried to calm Ryo was soft embraces, and kisses, but nothing soothed him.
Ryo started to moan loudly, as if he were a child. Seiji took Ryo's face in his hands and kissed him roughly. Ryo awoke from the dream with a start after only a minute of horrors. He wanted to cry, but instead only kissed Seiji back harder. Their tongues intertwined and fought for rule over each others' mouth. Seiji forced his own shirt off quickly and Ryo pulled his off as well as the one under that and their chests touched. Their body temperatures rose a few degrees just from the contact of soft, smooth skin.
Seiji raised his body over Ryo's hovering intent on exploring all his companion had to offer.
When they finally broke their kiss Seiji wasted no time in moving down to Ryo's neck and leaving sweet, wet kisses all the way down its length. He nibbled the soft skin in the nape of his neck gently and licked a trail up his neck again. Ryo moaned happily filled. His hands roamed over Seiji's perfectly formed body, skimming his flawless skin, grasping that perfect ass. Seiji smiled and licked Ryo's ear lobe teasingly. He nibbled on it, pinching the soft skin between his lips. He moved higher up near Ryo's hair and inhaled the lovely sent, nuzzling his nose deeper into the long pillow of hair, intoxicated by the scent. Seiji pulled the cloth binding his hair out and ran his hands through the velvety luscious strands.
Ryo had been beautiful before, but now he was drop-dead gorgeous. Seiji couldn't get his fill of Ryo at all. Ryo took his opportunity to turn the tables on Seiji just then and kissed Seiji's torso. He licked the flawless skin while listening to Seiji gasp with pure ecstasy. Ryo found Seiji's nipple and capture it in his mouth, sucking sweetly and nibbling until the nub became a hard little pebble. He licked the skin around the nipple thoroughly before abandoning it and moving to the other side of Seiji's chest. Seiji was feeling weaker and unable to hold himself up.
Ryo wrapped his arms around Seiji and flipped him onto the bed so he was on top and he immediately attacked the other nipple with a hunger. Seiji leaned his head back into the soft pillow gasping, he arched his back into Ryo's soft mouth. Ryo realized his hair was tickling Seiji's torso and stomach and it made Seiji look so vulnerable and delectable. A gentle wind blew through the room tickling Seiji even more. Ryo watched Seiji suffer from all the torment his hair was causing and the wind on his wet skin. Seiji sat up immediately to capture Ryo's mouth in his and spun Ryo back onto the bed. It quickly became a battle of who would dominate the other.
Seiji tormented Ryo for the longest time, doing exactly what Ryo had done only agonizingly slow. He finally made his way down Ryo's stomach licking his belly button thoroughly and licking every muscle, every ligament, twice.
The sensations running through Ryo's body excited him and made every muscle tighten against Seiji's tongue. Seiji positioned himself between Ryo's legs, but before he could even touch the edge of Ryo's pants he sat up and enveloped Seiji's mouth without warning. Seiji enjoyed the kiss beyond imagination, but wondered why Ryo delayed him. Was he afraid? Of what?
They pulled away and Seiji stared into Ryo's eyes questionably. Ryo kissed Seiji's neck, sucking and licking the sensitive part under his ear. Seiji placed his arms on Ryo's shoulders. He started to talk only being interrupted when Ryo found bits of sensitive skin.
"Ryo... is someth... something wrong?" Seiji finished and Ryo grunted, meaning no. "Are you sure?" Seiji questioned and took an extra breath in his chest heaving heavily. Ryo hummed in a deep tone for, yes.
Seiji lifted his hand from Ryo's shoulder and let it wander over Ryo's chest, over his abdomen, and slowly he touched Ryo, then he gripped him tighter and Ryo froze. He didn't move and Seiji sighed pushing Ryo back onto the bed, flat. Seiji laid on Ryo's chest while staring into his eyes.
"What's wrong? Was it your dream?" Seiji wondered folding his arms, all thought of sexual activity pushed from his mind out of worry for his lover. Ryo sighed in defeat and tried to think of a way to explain his complicated dilemma.
"Sometimes I see things that will happen, or things that are happening, depending on when I sleep, but sometimes it's things that happened in the past. I once saw a woman and man kissing passionately. They were oblivious to the darkness growing around them. Two Wraiths came up behind them and tore them away from one another. They killed the woman and took the man." Ryo paused breathing heavily, but it wasn't because Seiji laid on his chest it was because he wanted to cry thinking of what he would say.
"I have seen more than once a large dark room filled with countless glass containers down a long dark row. As the dream continues, beings are noticeable inside the containers, lifelessly floating there. Some Wraith walks down the row of vials. Each glass thing was filled with water with bubbles in it. As he walks he stops to look at several individual people. One is a child from –it looked like- the mid-evil ages. She couldn't have been more than twelve. It walks some more and stops near a naked man. His body is covered with more hair than normal. The Wraith grunts something that sounds like, werewolf, and keeps walking. He passes quite a few containers then comes into view of a wall. There are about twenty yards of stairs ahead, that he walks up slowly. Six cylinders cover each wall on the stairs, then a chair at the top of the stairs with a tall shadowed figure sitting there; asleep, it looks like. The cylinders on the walls went from ceiling to floor, like all the chambers. He walks forward to see them more clearly. At the bottom of each cylinder is a rock in the form of a large plaque. He walks over to the one on the far left. The plaque says:
Centauri Net of Garranto
"I assume it was her name. She looked beautiful. She wore some kind of ancient battle uniform I had seen on some other person on the way down the hall. There is a mark on the side of her face, but its discolored because of the water. The Wraith only glances at her and walks to the next on the opposite wall. This one wasn't a cylinder though, it was a statue. A statue of a tiger. It looked as big as White Blaze only more ferocious. Its claws were longer, like its teeth and it also wore armor over its body. The Wraith continued on up the stairs until it reached the container next to the tiger. It held a tall girl with long hair reaching her back. There was a bandana on her forehead with a lot of slack in the back a little longer than her hair. Her clothes looked something like what the angels wear now. The Wraith only glanced at the other empty cylinders. He continued up the stairs and bowed to one knee in front of the sleeping shadowy figure. I saw the creatures eyes and that's usually when the night terror ends."
Ryo sighed, relieved he could finally tell someone, but he felt as if he were burdening his companion. Seiji stayed quiet throughout the story. He had no idea, Ryo suffered like this every time he slept. The room he described sounded creepy and frightening.
"Why didn't you ever come home before?" Seiji asked calm, he lightly drew circles on Ryo's abdomen with his finger.
"I suppose I felt as if my journey just wasn't over yet. Meeting all the people I did, I was fascinated and amazed. No way was I about to give all that up." Ryo stared at the ceiling remembering his time before the bad dreams.
"You could have just organized a little mission with us." Seiji whispered, feeling left out of Ryo's life.
"I don't mean to be rude or irreverent, but I was in a shell when I was around you guys. I know I seemed wild, but I really felt as if I was being controlled and sometimes it scared me." Ryo's brutal honesty hurt. He had never seemed depressed before. Seiji could have never assumed all this at all, but he knew it probably hurt Ryo to say it. He could feel Ryo's marvelous hardness against his own groin, but he assumed that taking this any further wasn't a good idea.
"Why didn't you say something?" Seiji rasped trying to keep his voice steady.
"I suppose I was like you. I never wanted to let anyone onto my weakness. I figured I could deal with it. Zoë saw the whole thing inside of me somehow. She really broke out the animal inside of me and I think I matured more because of it. I also cry a lot more than ever. It's usually when I talk to her that I cry. It makes me feel better to let it out." Ryo twined his leg around Seiji's, but Seiji looked sad.
"I can't believe we made you so depressed and you never said anything." Seiji snapped and Ryo smirked.
"Did you ever say anything?" Seiji lifted his head up, shocked at the comeback. "You've been ogling me for the longest time, but you say nothing. It was bottled up in you for so long. When I left on my journey you felt as if you'd lost your chance. When I came back you thought if you didn't say anything then I would go away forever and never return." Seiji gaped at Ryo. He had said everything on Seiji's mind and in his deepest thoughts. "You shouldn't be so shocked. I've become a lot more perceptive in my last few years. You are more readable to an open mind than you think." Ryo sat up closer to Seiji and tried to kiss him. Seiji pulled back.
He put one hand on Ryo's chest holding him at bay and he withdrew to the edge of the bed.
"I've tried to keep my feelings bottled up so I wouldn't get hurt. We had something great as friends, and I don't want to screw that up. Ryo, before we go any further, please tell me, are you going to stay with us or go?" Seiji was weighing himself on Ryo's answer. Ryo unexpectedly draped his arms over Seiji's shoulders and caressed his chest and torso.
"I want you, Seiji. You never have to worry about that not being true, because it will always be true, whether we leave each other or not. I will never purposefully hurt you and if I do in any way, you can put me back in line. If I can not get rid of these terrors that haunt me I'm afraid I will never be able to be with you or anyone ever again, though. I can't sleep at night or any time. I only hesitate with you because I do not want to ruin the moment if I fall asleep with you and start having a nightmare. I want our first together to be the most special thing. Here is perfect, but the time isn't right. I apologize and admit it is my fault..." Seiji silenced him with a teary kiss.
"We'll get rid of these terrors that haunt you and we'll be together whether you want to keep your beautiful wings or not. I'll be at your side no matter what." Seiji held Ryo as if, if he let Ryo go he would slip away forever. They twirled onto the bed completely and held each other until sleep claimed Seiji, though he fought it off desperately. Ryo dug his nails into his own shoulder, trying to keep himself awake. He held Seiji wishing they could fall asleep in each others arms without any trouble.
*****
Outside the door Orion stood leaning against the thick wood. He had been about to knock on the door when he heard Ryo's story, he had heard enough of Ryo's terrors. He had wondered what those marks on Ryo's arms were from. Now he knew and he ground his teeth together angrily. Orion called his mental power to him so he could connect with Ryo psychically.
*****
He found Ryo's mind on a large plain filled with different shades of light. Ryo floated naked on the plain in a column of gray light. This was normal to Orion. He had seen many peoples' minds.
The gray area Ryo was in was his world of being awake. When he slept he could either float into the bright white area to Ryo's left, or the black area on his right. The white area in Ryo's mind was completely locked and bound so he couldn't go in there though. Orion scowled.
The form of Ryo that was floating here naked was a sub form and only the embodiment of his mind. In Ryo's mental plain he was unclothed as well as was anyone on such a plain. Orion looked behind himself and saw his wings. His true form was shown here on this plain so his wings would of course be present. This form of Ryo had his eyes closed and just sort of floated in the gray area with a blue light glowing around him.
To his right in the black area monsters could be seen waiting to come to claim Ryo when sleep would take his physical form. This form of Ryo would have no choice, but to be taken by the monsters of evil.
Orion flew over to Ryo and, as he approached, Ryo's eyes opened and looked him over.
"What are you doing here?" He questioned in a light, calm voice.
"Ryo! The light glowing around you before was red, not blue. Is this the effects of the Wraith's blood?"
Ryo nodded, his face expressionless.
"What are you doing here?" He questioned again.
"I want to help you, Cherub. Let me help you sleep with your love for one night, with no dreams at all. You can be happy at least once with him before this battle."
"You fear I might die in the fight." Ryo stated totally calm and expressionless. Orion nodded unable to hide anything from Ryo here. Ryo's physical form shed one tear down his face. "You suggest we join our spirits for a single day so that I might be happy at least once with Seiji?" Ryo confirmed and Orion nodded closing his eyes. Ryo was silent for a while. "Very well." He whispered. "We will take two days until we leave to find Zoë, and the Wraiths. We will meet in your room in two hours. We will fuse and stay together for the rest of the night. Early morrow when I awake, we will switch back and take the rest of the day to regain our strength. You agree?"
Orion nodded feeling as if he were intruding on Ryo's personal life.
"I understand this is a great sacrifice you make here. It is very honorable of you to offer this and I appreciate it with all my being." Orion sighed. "I owe you, Orion." Ryo murmured, his eyes looking black in this world. Like his body they were probably discolored because of the Wraith's blood in his veins.
Orion's form flew closer to Ryo and Ryo looked at him blankly.
"You know I have affections for you." Ryo's form nodded. "I do this out of that love for you and the understanding that you love another. I do not wish to interfere with that love. I wish only to give you the happiness you deserve."
Ryo leaned forward in this form and kissed Orion gently, their lips touching, then he pulled back.
"Define irony: Were it not for Seiji, I would probably be with you, but were it not for Seiji, I probably never would have met you."
Orion accepted this and sighed longingly. He let his mind float away from Ryo's and back to his own.
A/N: OK... now don't hate me or anything. I have the whole story written out. I'm just distributing the chapters judging by how many reviews I get. So if you review, then I'll put out the next chapter. There's only six all together in this Part. This is Part I. Part II is twice as long and already written out as well. So just review... I personally like Part II the best; it has 13 chapters. Part I is just introductory crap, but I hope you enjoy it so far and you stick with me for the next part cause that has an awesome ending no one's expecting. *smirk*
Az-Strawberry Bunch-o-Nuts Michii
Thanks again!
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!
CHAPTER 4 Dangerous Dreams
"Wraith!" Ryo rasped through the pain in his leg. The broken beam had fallen on and gashed his right leg along with the bookcase on the side of the room.
Every Ronin pulled out a small crystal from their pockets, each with a different color and transformed. Ryo didn't though. Yuli stood next to White Blaze away from the fighting so as not to get hurt, but not too far away. Ryo put all his weight on his left leg and opened his wings from his body; gaining the attention of everyone.
Now he flew and the Wraith jumped up getting airborne as well. It was clear that it only wanted Ryo, but the Ronins fired at it just the same.
Ryo scowled at the creature, his hair flaring. His power as a Ronin was coming to the surface, even without his armor.
It took great concentration for any of the Ronins to be able to harness even an inkling of their Ronin power without using their armor and weapons. The ancient weapons they used were merely tools to channel their power into an attack, but Ryo's mental power had heightened to such a great extent that he no longer needed his mystical katanas to bring forth the fire from his powerful armor. He could not control the full force of his armor without the actual armor on his person however.
Ryo was getting hotter as his anger raged, but he would be a much better fighter in the sky than with his armor. It would weigh him down and his leg was already not working right. The Wraith threw off his cloak to reveal his thin muscular form. It was completely unlike anything the Ronins had ever seen before. It's waist was no bigger than the width of two hands together, yet it's shoulders and torso were gigantic with meat. It had gigantic muscles, and little next to no stomach. He had only a belt with two mechanisms on it. One blocked the angels from finding him telepathically, the other was a shield that stopped all of the Ronins' attacks.
The creatures three inch long talons and claws on its feet shined with blood. Ryo glared into the black orbs on this monster's face, he assumed were eyes. He charged the thing and the Ronins assault stopped. The Wraith charged Ryo as well and Ryo used his power to create a sword of fire out of nothing to imitate his katana. When the Wraith and Ryo met at their great speeds it made a loud scream go through the winds. Ryo pushed vigorously, but neither he nor the Wraith gained any ground.
A/N: {Angels didn't much use the sword technique Ryo was trying. The sword was very unstable and wouldn't work as well as their hand, iron-cast weapons.}
They pushed apart and both breathed hard. Ryo started to sweat and charged the thing again. It maneuvered away from Ryo and clawed him with his talon. Ryo's stomach was bleeding, but Ryo didn't even reference to it. He pushed the pain out of his mind as his blood soaked into the cloth of his shirt and pants. The monster pulled one of its talons out of his hand and it extended three feet to become a fat sword.
Oh, shit! Orion! Where are you? Ryo cried fearfully.
They charged each other again and the creature pushed Ryo away and kicked him into the ground.
When the Wraith charged toward the ground, Seiji took his opportunity to slice its leg. The thing received a gash a foot long. It flew farther away from Seiji with a scream of agony, but before Seiji could enjoy his victory for long the Wraith healed the wound and charged Seiji.
The frightened Seiji was about to block, but Ryo tackled the monster. They rolled on the ground for a while until finally coming to a halt nearly fifty feet away. Ryo straddled the monster easily, then kicked off its chest after they stopped and Rowen hit the thing with a barrage of arrows that all hit and sunk into the creature. Rowen felt triumphant, but the thing pulled out the arrows and healed the wounds as it stood.
"There's no stopping this thing!" Rowen yelled as it came after Rowen. Ryo came plummeting from above and rammed the Wraith into the ground. A crater of a hole was imbedded into the ground as a result.
Ryo was kicked out of the hole they had made and thrown into the air. He was tossed to the side easily and now struggled to get up. Every hit to his body was like feeling mace the size of boulder hurled at his head. His bones strained to remain whole inside his body.
The Wraith got out of the hole slowly and looked up into the sky.
"Stop!" Orion screamed coming down on the Wraith full force. They clashed for a moment –sword on sword- but Orion was tossed off. He landed on the ground without a problem, his feet scraping the dirt another few feet back until he stopped and stared at the Wraith, fury boiling inside of him. The Wraith just disappeared and Orion sighed. He tossed his sword to the side and ran to be near Ryo.
Seiji already held him in his arms. His armor dispersed with, only his sub- armor remaining. Seiji looked up to Orion as he approached, his eyes watering. Orion fell to his knees quickly and held Ryo's head in his hand.
"Please, awaken brave warrior." Orion begged and Ryo opened his eyes to his leader's command.
"Orion." He rasped and coughed up blood. All the Ronins gathered around Ryo and, Orion, who sighed with relief seeing Ryo alive.
"You should not have attempted to take that monster on by yourself." Orion scolded, feeling very happy Ryo was still with them.
"I'm sorry, Lord. I had no time to wait for you or Zoë. It would have destroyed the house and us long before then."
Orion shook his head. "You did the right thing, I just wish you had not gotten wounded so badly in the process, my brave Cherub." Orion pulled Ryo's tight shirt out of his pants and looked over the gash on his stomach. "Is this the only physical wound?" Orion questioned Ryo.
"My right leg." Ryo rasped and forced his muscles to move and to sit up; a grimace covered his face. Seiji tried to hold him down, but Ryo sat up aside from his wishes. "Orion, where is Zoë?" Ryo pulled on Orion's sleeve. He turned to Ryo and touched their lips together smoothly. Ryo's eyes didn't widen in shock, and he didn't become angry or flustered in the least. He remained still as Orion connected with him.
Ryo closed his eyes suddenly and Seiji gasped in shock. Ryo's stomach and leg started to glow and the gash in his stomach healed itself. Orion and Ryo's lips glowed a yellow color like Ryo's wounds. Soon after Orion pulled away from Ryo and touched their foreheads together. Ryo and Orion kept their eyes closed.
"Where is she, Orion?" Ryo questioned, sternly, his voice now stronger.
"The Wraith took her when we confronted another one. No sooner had I finished with the loss of my dear angel Zoë than I heard your mind call to me. I could not let that bastard take you as well." Tears streamed down Ryo's face again, but he wasn't sad. Orion caressed Ryo's face gently, brushing away the tears.
"We must get her back." Ryo insisted.
"We will, Cherub, but I must insist you come back with me. I will not let you leave my sights any longer." Orion stood up and Ryo nodded. He stood with Seiji's help.
"What about us?" Yuli shouted from behind Orion.
Orion looked to Ryo.
"Please! Orion, I can not leave them alone with that thing knowing where they live!"
Orion nodded reluctantly.
"They must bring themselves there though." Orion insisted and Ryo nodded. Another angel came flying up to them all and landed. He bowed to one knee in front of Orion immediately.
"Master, you called?" The angel answered.
A/N: {Orion had called him telepathically.}
"Yes, now banish your wings and guide these humans to our home in their vehicles. Do not doddle!" Orion ordered sternly. The angel stood and his wings disappeared. The Ronins ran to the two cars in the garage; the angel went with them, but Seiji waited a moment longer next to Ryo.
"Will you be alright?" Seiji asked Ryo while glancing at Orion.
"I will meet you there. Go." Ryo bade him away, but Seiji wouldn't go. Orion walked up to him his wings shining a glossy white in the sun's rays. He leaned forward to Seiji and gently kissed his forehead. Seiji looked at Ryo oddly, though Ryo smiled.
"A kiss from an angel is a kiss of the best luck, and the strongest promise of life."
Seiji leaned up to Ryo and kissed him full on the mouth.
"I trust your luck more." Seiji dashed off to the garage as Ryo blushed with Orion's eyes on him.
"How could anyone trust your luck more than mine?" Orion joked and Ryo snickered, then looked up to Orion seriously.
"We should go."
Orion nodded and let Ryo fly slightly ahead of him to make sure he was alright.
*****
They reached the tall square mile of trees where tree houses sat on every timber, a while later. This is where Ryo and Orion have been living for the past two weeks though no human knows about it. It was a long way back to the area and Ryo had exhausted his power long before then, so Orion made a decision as they flew.
"Quickly, disperse with your wings and get on my back, Cherub. I will carry you the rest of the way." Orion ordered as they landed momentarily. Ryo leaned against a tree and shook his head.
"I'm fine. I don't need any help. It was just a dizzy spell." Ryo held his head then tried to take a few steps forward and fell. Orion let Ryo fall then knelt down in front of him.
"Cherub, that was an order." Orion smiled as Ryo banished his wings. Orion turned so Ryo could get on his back and he climbed on slowly. As Orion was flying Ryo stayed very quiet. The only reason he had ridden on an angels back before was because Zoë had offered and he hadn't had wings yet.
"You don't have to do this." Ryo insisted whispering into Orion's ear with his eyes closed.
"Yes, I do." Orion whispered back. "I'm not about to lose you, little Cherub." Ryo sighed. The nickname had been given to him by Orion when he had first given Ryo the gift to fly. He had declared that Ryo was a seraph, or heavenly spirit.
*****
They got there and Orion ordered Ryo to stay in bed until the morning, which seemed so far away to Ryo. An hour later, Seiji and the other Ronins arrived. Seiji asked where Ryo was immediately and Ryo finally had some company. He didn't want to rest though, he wanted to fly.
Seiji walked into the room and sat gently on the feather soft bed. He leaned forward to lavish sweet kisses on Ryo, who laid on the bed next to him. Ryo put his hand between their lips and touched Seiji's mouth.
"We need to talk." He whispered opening his eyes. Seiji was taken aback, but he leaned back and stared into Ryo's face.
"What's wrong?" Seiji asked expanding his luscious body in front of Ryo and leaning on his hand. Ryo laid on his back so he wouldn't be distracted by Seiji.
"You don't like Orion do you?" Ryo questioned closing his eyes only momentarily.
"I don't trust him." Seiji whispered.
"Why?"
"He seems to be very physical with you, and quite obviously attracted to you." Seiji grunted snottily waiting for Ryo to snap at him, but he was silent. Seiji realized Ryo was waiting for him to finish his argument. "Like when he kissed you earlier and he calls you his Cherub. What right does he have?" He couldn't really think of anything else to say.
"Orion kisses every one of the angels here on the forehead when they come to see him. Like I told you, it's for good luck. Zoë and I get his blessing more than anyone else because he sends us on the most dangerous missions and he worries about us more than any other angel. That doesn't mean he wouldn't worry about another angel as much though. If a child, or guard, a sentry, or anyone one else had been having nightmares like I, he would be just as concerned about them. He calls me his cherub, yes. He believes that my coming to be with them for whatever amount of time was a blessing in its' own. And when I saved his life and he granted me the gift of flight, that's when he started calling me Cherub. It is no crime other than love of thine brethren. He considers me a brother."
Seiji leaned closer to Ryo putting his hand on Ryo's chest and his other under his head.
"I was probably jealous. Forgive me?" Seiji whispered tiredly.
"I suppose I would have done the same exact thing, were the situation reversed." Ryo kissed Seiji's head and wrapped his arm securely around him. They laid there together, very content. Seiji fell asleep easily, but Ryo tried to stay awake. He didn't want to have another night terror. They were very brutal now and becoming worse. Sleep eventually did pull him under though and he was soon fidgeting around, scowling. Seiji awoke startled and tried to calm Ryo was soft embraces, and kisses, but nothing soothed him.
Ryo started to moan loudly, as if he were a child. Seiji took Ryo's face in his hands and kissed him roughly. Ryo awoke from the dream with a start after only a minute of horrors. He wanted to cry, but instead only kissed Seiji back harder. Their tongues intertwined and fought for rule over each others' mouth. Seiji forced his own shirt off quickly and Ryo pulled his off as well as the one under that and their chests touched. Their body temperatures rose a few degrees just from the contact of soft, smooth skin.
Seiji raised his body over Ryo's hovering intent on exploring all his companion had to offer.
When they finally broke their kiss Seiji wasted no time in moving down to Ryo's neck and leaving sweet, wet kisses all the way down its length. He nibbled the soft skin in the nape of his neck gently and licked a trail up his neck again. Ryo moaned happily filled. His hands roamed over Seiji's perfectly formed body, skimming his flawless skin, grasping that perfect ass. Seiji smiled and licked Ryo's ear lobe teasingly. He nibbled on it, pinching the soft skin between his lips. He moved higher up near Ryo's hair and inhaled the lovely sent, nuzzling his nose deeper into the long pillow of hair, intoxicated by the scent. Seiji pulled the cloth binding his hair out and ran his hands through the velvety luscious strands.
Ryo had been beautiful before, but now he was drop-dead gorgeous. Seiji couldn't get his fill of Ryo at all. Ryo took his opportunity to turn the tables on Seiji just then and kissed Seiji's torso. He licked the flawless skin while listening to Seiji gasp with pure ecstasy. Ryo found Seiji's nipple and capture it in his mouth, sucking sweetly and nibbling until the nub became a hard little pebble. He licked the skin around the nipple thoroughly before abandoning it and moving to the other side of Seiji's chest. Seiji was feeling weaker and unable to hold himself up.
Ryo wrapped his arms around Seiji and flipped him onto the bed so he was on top and he immediately attacked the other nipple with a hunger. Seiji leaned his head back into the soft pillow gasping, he arched his back into Ryo's soft mouth. Ryo realized his hair was tickling Seiji's torso and stomach and it made Seiji look so vulnerable and delectable. A gentle wind blew through the room tickling Seiji even more. Ryo watched Seiji suffer from all the torment his hair was causing and the wind on his wet skin. Seiji sat up immediately to capture Ryo's mouth in his and spun Ryo back onto the bed. It quickly became a battle of who would dominate the other.
Seiji tormented Ryo for the longest time, doing exactly what Ryo had done only agonizingly slow. He finally made his way down Ryo's stomach licking his belly button thoroughly and licking every muscle, every ligament, twice.
The sensations running through Ryo's body excited him and made every muscle tighten against Seiji's tongue. Seiji positioned himself between Ryo's legs, but before he could even touch the edge of Ryo's pants he sat up and enveloped Seiji's mouth without warning. Seiji enjoyed the kiss beyond imagination, but wondered why Ryo delayed him. Was he afraid? Of what?
They pulled away and Seiji stared into Ryo's eyes questionably. Ryo kissed Seiji's neck, sucking and licking the sensitive part under his ear. Seiji placed his arms on Ryo's shoulders. He started to talk only being interrupted when Ryo found bits of sensitive skin.
"Ryo... is someth... something wrong?" Seiji finished and Ryo grunted, meaning no. "Are you sure?" Seiji questioned and took an extra breath in his chest heaving heavily. Ryo hummed in a deep tone for, yes.
Seiji lifted his hand from Ryo's shoulder and let it wander over Ryo's chest, over his abdomen, and slowly he touched Ryo, then he gripped him tighter and Ryo froze. He didn't move and Seiji sighed pushing Ryo back onto the bed, flat. Seiji laid on Ryo's chest while staring into his eyes.
"What's wrong? Was it your dream?" Seiji wondered folding his arms, all thought of sexual activity pushed from his mind out of worry for his lover. Ryo sighed in defeat and tried to think of a way to explain his complicated dilemma.
"Sometimes I see things that will happen, or things that are happening, depending on when I sleep, but sometimes it's things that happened in the past. I once saw a woman and man kissing passionately. They were oblivious to the darkness growing around them. Two Wraiths came up behind them and tore them away from one another. They killed the woman and took the man." Ryo paused breathing heavily, but it wasn't because Seiji laid on his chest it was because he wanted to cry thinking of what he would say.
"I have seen more than once a large dark room filled with countless glass containers down a long dark row. As the dream continues, beings are noticeable inside the containers, lifelessly floating there. Some Wraith walks down the row of vials. Each glass thing was filled with water with bubbles in it. As he walks he stops to look at several individual people. One is a child from –it looked like- the mid-evil ages. She couldn't have been more than twelve. It walks some more and stops near a naked man. His body is covered with more hair than normal. The Wraith grunts something that sounds like, werewolf, and keeps walking. He passes quite a few containers then comes into view of a wall. There are about twenty yards of stairs ahead, that he walks up slowly. Six cylinders cover each wall on the stairs, then a chair at the top of the stairs with a tall shadowed figure sitting there; asleep, it looks like. The cylinders on the walls went from ceiling to floor, like all the chambers. He walks forward to see them more clearly. At the bottom of each cylinder is a rock in the form of a large plaque. He walks over to the one on the far left. The plaque says:
Centauri Net of Garranto
"I assume it was her name. She looked beautiful. She wore some kind of ancient battle uniform I had seen on some other person on the way down the hall. There is a mark on the side of her face, but its discolored because of the water. The Wraith only glances at her and walks to the next on the opposite wall. This one wasn't a cylinder though, it was a statue. A statue of a tiger. It looked as big as White Blaze only more ferocious. Its claws were longer, like its teeth and it also wore armor over its body. The Wraith continued on up the stairs until it reached the container next to the tiger. It held a tall girl with long hair reaching her back. There was a bandana on her forehead with a lot of slack in the back a little longer than her hair. Her clothes looked something like what the angels wear now. The Wraith only glanced at the other empty cylinders. He continued up the stairs and bowed to one knee in front of the sleeping shadowy figure. I saw the creatures eyes and that's usually when the night terror ends."
Ryo sighed, relieved he could finally tell someone, but he felt as if he were burdening his companion. Seiji stayed quiet throughout the story. He had no idea, Ryo suffered like this every time he slept. The room he described sounded creepy and frightening.
"Why didn't you ever come home before?" Seiji asked calm, he lightly drew circles on Ryo's abdomen with his finger.
"I suppose I felt as if my journey just wasn't over yet. Meeting all the people I did, I was fascinated and amazed. No way was I about to give all that up." Ryo stared at the ceiling remembering his time before the bad dreams.
"You could have just organized a little mission with us." Seiji whispered, feeling left out of Ryo's life.
"I don't mean to be rude or irreverent, but I was in a shell when I was around you guys. I know I seemed wild, but I really felt as if I was being controlled and sometimes it scared me." Ryo's brutal honesty hurt. He had never seemed depressed before. Seiji could have never assumed all this at all, but he knew it probably hurt Ryo to say it. He could feel Ryo's marvelous hardness against his own groin, but he assumed that taking this any further wasn't a good idea.
"Why didn't you say something?" Seiji rasped trying to keep his voice steady.
"I suppose I was like you. I never wanted to let anyone onto my weakness. I figured I could deal with it. Zoë saw the whole thing inside of me somehow. She really broke out the animal inside of me and I think I matured more because of it. I also cry a lot more than ever. It's usually when I talk to her that I cry. It makes me feel better to let it out." Ryo twined his leg around Seiji's, but Seiji looked sad.
"I can't believe we made you so depressed and you never said anything." Seiji snapped and Ryo smirked.
"Did you ever say anything?" Seiji lifted his head up, shocked at the comeback. "You've been ogling me for the longest time, but you say nothing. It was bottled up in you for so long. When I left on my journey you felt as if you'd lost your chance. When I came back you thought if you didn't say anything then I would go away forever and never return." Seiji gaped at Ryo. He had said everything on Seiji's mind and in his deepest thoughts. "You shouldn't be so shocked. I've become a lot more perceptive in my last few years. You are more readable to an open mind than you think." Ryo sat up closer to Seiji and tried to kiss him. Seiji pulled back.
He put one hand on Ryo's chest holding him at bay and he withdrew to the edge of the bed.
"I've tried to keep my feelings bottled up so I wouldn't get hurt. We had something great as friends, and I don't want to screw that up. Ryo, before we go any further, please tell me, are you going to stay with us or go?" Seiji was weighing himself on Ryo's answer. Ryo unexpectedly draped his arms over Seiji's shoulders and caressed his chest and torso.
"I want you, Seiji. You never have to worry about that not being true, because it will always be true, whether we leave each other or not. I will never purposefully hurt you and if I do in any way, you can put me back in line. If I can not get rid of these terrors that haunt me I'm afraid I will never be able to be with you or anyone ever again, though. I can't sleep at night or any time. I only hesitate with you because I do not want to ruin the moment if I fall asleep with you and start having a nightmare. I want our first together to be the most special thing. Here is perfect, but the time isn't right. I apologize and admit it is my fault..." Seiji silenced him with a teary kiss.
"We'll get rid of these terrors that haunt you and we'll be together whether you want to keep your beautiful wings or not. I'll be at your side no matter what." Seiji held Ryo as if, if he let Ryo go he would slip away forever. They twirled onto the bed completely and held each other until sleep claimed Seiji, though he fought it off desperately. Ryo dug his nails into his own shoulder, trying to keep himself awake. He held Seiji wishing they could fall asleep in each others arms without any trouble.
*****
Outside the door Orion stood leaning against the thick wood. He had been about to knock on the door when he heard Ryo's story, he had heard enough of Ryo's terrors. He had wondered what those marks on Ryo's arms were from. Now he knew and he ground his teeth together angrily. Orion called his mental power to him so he could connect with Ryo psychically.
*****
He found Ryo's mind on a large plain filled with different shades of light. Ryo floated naked on the plain in a column of gray light. This was normal to Orion. He had seen many peoples' minds.
The gray area Ryo was in was his world of being awake. When he slept he could either float into the bright white area to Ryo's left, or the black area on his right. The white area in Ryo's mind was completely locked and bound so he couldn't go in there though. Orion scowled.
The form of Ryo that was floating here naked was a sub form and only the embodiment of his mind. In Ryo's mental plain he was unclothed as well as was anyone on such a plain. Orion looked behind himself and saw his wings. His true form was shown here on this plain so his wings would of course be present. This form of Ryo had his eyes closed and just sort of floated in the gray area with a blue light glowing around him.
To his right in the black area monsters could be seen waiting to come to claim Ryo when sleep would take his physical form. This form of Ryo would have no choice, but to be taken by the monsters of evil.
Orion flew over to Ryo and, as he approached, Ryo's eyes opened and looked him over.
"What are you doing here?" He questioned in a light, calm voice.
"Ryo! The light glowing around you before was red, not blue. Is this the effects of the Wraith's blood?"
Ryo nodded, his face expressionless.
"What are you doing here?" He questioned again.
"I want to help you, Cherub. Let me help you sleep with your love for one night, with no dreams at all. You can be happy at least once with him before this battle."
"You fear I might die in the fight." Ryo stated totally calm and expressionless. Orion nodded unable to hide anything from Ryo here. Ryo's physical form shed one tear down his face. "You suggest we join our spirits for a single day so that I might be happy at least once with Seiji?" Ryo confirmed and Orion nodded closing his eyes. Ryo was silent for a while. "Very well." He whispered. "We will take two days until we leave to find Zoë, and the Wraiths. We will meet in your room in two hours. We will fuse and stay together for the rest of the night. Early morrow when I awake, we will switch back and take the rest of the day to regain our strength. You agree?"
Orion nodded feeling as if he were intruding on Ryo's personal life.
"I understand this is a great sacrifice you make here. It is very honorable of you to offer this and I appreciate it with all my being." Orion sighed. "I owe you, Orion." Ryo murmured, his eyes looking black in this world. Like his body they were probably discolored because of the Wraith's blood in his veins.
Orion's form flew closer to Ryo and Ryo looked at him blankly.
"You know I have affections for you." Ryo's form nodded. "I do this out of that love for you and the understanding that you love another. I do not wish to interfere with that love. I wish only to give you the happiness you deserve."
Ryo leaned forward in this form and kissed Orion gently, their lips touching, then he pulled back.
"Define irony: Were it not for Seiji, I would probably be with you, but were it not for Seiji, I probably never would have met you."
Orion accepted this and sighed longingly. He let his mind float away from Ryo's and back to his own.
A/N: OK... now don't hate me or anything. I have the whole story written out. I'm just distributing the chapters judging by how many reviews I get. So if you review, then I'll put out the next chapter. There's only six all together in this Part. This is Part I. Part II is twice as long and already written out as well. So just review... I personally like Part II the best; it has 13 chapters. Part I is just introductory crap, but I hope you enjoy it so far and you stick with me for the next part cause that has an awesome ending no one's expecting. *smirk*