The Balance of Good and Evil

by Winter Yuy

The Balance of Power chose 6 male warriors and 5 female warriors to protect Earth. But what happens when his time to rule starts running out and the forces of evil attack head on? [Re-written as "Paradigm of Power"]

7. Meetings, Spying, and Let’s Start Fighti...

The New Edition
Chapter 7: Meetings, Spying, and Let's Start Fighting!
By: Winter Peacecraft-Yuy
Additional help from: Meilin Rae, Trowa's gal2004, and MiMeQ.
Disclaimer: Ronin Warriors are the property of Sunrise and Bandai entertainment. All other characters that you do not recognize belong to MiMe, Meilin, TG and myself.

*~*

Rekino stood in the living room; looking out the window. She stood there for a while, even after Hana had driven away. "I'm a little worried." At last, she turned back to Amaya and Josephine, who were waiting patiently. "I don't know about her ladies. She may say something that she doesn't mean to say.

"Don't worry about her, Rekino." Amaya walked over to her, setting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure that everything will be okay. She's a very strong-willed person. You know that."

"Yeah! You know that she's not going to say anything, Rekino." Josephine took this chance to pipe in. "And like you said, if she gets in a bad situation, she'll use her date as an excuse to get out of there."

"Speaking of dates," Amaya's face lit up. "Where did she get that dress? And the jewelry, and everything else? She doesn't look that pretty every day?" She looked suspiciously at Rekino.

Rekino chuckled. "Oh, that. Long story."

The two girls stared at her.

"You sure you want to hear it?"

"Well, yeah."

"Okay, you saw that guy that Hana yelled at? That was Sage. He broke in and left her roses and a card for the Gucci store downtown. He bought it all, wasn't that sweet?"

Josephine's eyes widened. "That's a lot of money!"

Rekino laughed at her.

"Well, it is! I wish I had a guy that spent that much money on me! That's so cool!"

*~*

"Mia?"

Ryo walked up the stairwell to the room that he shared with her. Knocking on the door before enter, he noted that the door wasn't locked. It was even cracked open. He stepped inside. "Mia, what are you doing?" Not receiving an answer, he walked further into the room. "Mia, where are you?"

Mia stepped out of the bathroom. "Hello. I was just tidying up the bathroom. No need to worry. Going somewhere?" She looked straight at Ryo, as if trying to read him. He better tell me the truth.

"Oh, nowhere special. I'm meeting a friend at the college. I'll be back soon." Ryo looked into his lover's eyes and frowned. She looks like she knows something. Is she hiding something from me? He impulsively pulled her closer and kissed her. "See you later?" He was halfway out the door when he stopped. "Hey Mi, how about you and me go and get some dinner when I get back? How about it?"

Mia smiled at the endearment. No. "I'd love to. I'll see you when you get back." She stood. "In that case, I think I'll take a nap." She walked over to the bed. And in that case, she added, I'll be seeing you a lot sooner then that. You just won't know it.

Ryo nodded and then left the room. When she heard the front door close, she jumped up and grabbed the outfit that she had chosen earlier. Changing quickly, she waited for the sound of Ryo driving off. Once he left, she went. She then drove toward the college, taking a far quicker route then she had originally shown to Ryo.

Wouldn't want to get caught, now would she?

*~*

Hana arrived before Ryo did. She took a seat on a bench in the courtyard and waited.

It wasn't long before he pulled up. Remaining seated, she glanced at her watch as he walked up. This had better not take long. Hana smiled at Ryo and stood when he reached her.

"So, how is everything, Hana? It seems that you've been avoiding me. Something you don't want me to know? Hana, you can tell me anything. You know that, right?" Ryo sat on the bench that she had previously occupied. "Please, have a seat."

She reluctantly sat down next to him. "I don't have a lot of time. I have a date." She smiled sarcastically at the young man. "Don't want to be late."

Ryo nodded. "I see. You look very nice by the way. Sage did a nice job picking out the dress." He saw Hana's eyebrows rise. "He told me. It's not line I've been stalking you or anything."

"I would certainly hope not," she smirked and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Now, what did you want me to talk about?"

*~*

Mia watched the two from behind a crop of bushes. "How could you?" she whispered. "Am I not good enough for you?" She looked on, her face flushing in anger. It's over. She thought vehemently. "He's dead."

Another quick glance cast her face into a forlorn light. "Wonder what they're talking about."

*~*

Ryo smiled. "I have a few questions for you, Hana. Shouldn't take that long." He added quickly as he saw the skeptical look on her face. "What is your friend's name?"

Hana caught herself when she almost jumped off the bench. "I'm sorry. I don't know who you're talking about." she looked Ryo directly in the eyes.

"Of course you do. The black-haired one. She was with you at the omelet shop. I told her that I thought I knew her, or something like that. Don't you remember?" Ryo looked straight at her.

Hana lit up. "I think I know who you're talking about. That was just some girl that was in one of our classes. We invited her to come along and eat out with us. I don't remember her name, sorry."

Ryo shook his head. "Hana, are you sure? Not a thing?"

"Not a thing. Maybe that's where you know her...from college, I mean. That's all that I can think of. Sorry I couldn't help your more." She stood up and waited for Ryo to follow suit.

"Are you positive?"

"Of course I am," she kissed him on the cheek and walked away.

Ryo cursed to himself. "Damn." She's lying. She know who that girl is, and sooner or later...I will too.

*~*

Mia saw that kiss. That action alone sent her thoughts reeling.

She's all dressed up and kissing him! I can't believe this!

Blinking away hot tears, she eased herself to the ground.

She couldn't handle Ryo cheating on her, especially since she had proof. Or that she had to hide Rekino's identity. "I don't know how long I can go on like this."

When she looked up, she noticed the empty courtyard. Remembering that Ryo had mentioned dinner later, she stood and dusted herself off. Flicking away tears as she made her way to her car, she looked at the visor with a sign.

I need a vacation.

*~*

Rowen glanced at the clock perched on the wall. It read 6:30 p.m. He sighed dramatically. Sage was still in the bathroom getting ready for his date.

And he had nothing to do tonight except stay home and read. Which suited him just fine. He was the kind that enjoyed silence, even though he often felt left out. Sage hadn't been on a real date in over two months, and in those months Rowen had become accustomed to staying at home and either watching movies or just sitting with his friend. He just didn't want to be alone. But maybe he was just being selfish.

He sighed once more and turned a page.

Too bad he already knew the ending to this one.

Sage came out of the bathroom not too long afterward. "How do I look?" Sage asked as he stood in front of Rowen. Pair of neatly ironed khaki's was teamed up with a green silk shirt and a pair of brand-new loafers. He ran a hand down one leg to smooth some of the newly acquired wrinkles.

When Rowen raised a blue eyebrow, Sage sighed. "Why do I even bother?"

"Low blow." Rowen frowned and bookmarked the page that he was reading. "Listen, you look like you normally do, Smooth and Mr. GQ. If Hana is so high and mighty like you make her out to be, then she should appreciate you for you, not your looks."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Sage replied icily. Noticing the time, he grabbed his car keys off the coffee table. "If anything happens, you know my cell. Call if you need me."

Rowen rolled his eyes. "Yes mother. Do you want me to make sure to lock the doors and not talk to strangers?"

"Very funny, Hashiba." The blond Ronin walked over to the door and twisted the knob. Before he stepped out, he turned and stared at the back of Rowen's head. "Later."

The blue-haired genius just raised one arm and slightly waved. Sage frowned and walked out the door, locking it before he left.

Back inside, Rowen sighed. Sage and he hadn't had a fight in a while, and now it seemed that Hana was already starting to cause problems between them. Rowen shook his head of the thought. "Nah." Mr. Paranoia is back.

*~*

Amaya drove down the streets of downtown Tokyo in her ocean blue Mustang GT. The soft classical music spilled out of the speakers, touching Amaya down to her soul. For the evening, she looked rather conservative. She wore a quarter-sleeved shrug over a sundress. Her face wasn't overly done and her hair hung free. The blue of the dress brought out the two purple streaks in her hair.

After she spotted the movie theater, Amaya quickly found a parking spot. Once the car was in park, she checked herself in the mirror one more time before she got out of the car. Her open-toed sandals made a soft tapping noise on the gravel. She closed her car door and swiftly locked it. Spotting Kento with his back to her, she smiled and lightly tapped him on the shoulder. "Good evening, Kento."

His whole body whipped around as his eyes caught sight of her.

She was gorgeous.

"You look great."

"Thank you. You look nice as well." Amaya's eyes took in Kento's wrinkled ensemble as well as her nose caught the hint of his cologne. She started to wonder what he would look like without the clothing and just the lingering scent of cologne, when she turned away to hide her blush. Oh Lord, forgive me for thinking such things. She folded her hands in front of her as if in prayer.

Kento raised an eyebrow. "Are you alright?"

Amaya spun and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine now. I had to ask the Lord for forgiveness, that's all."

"Why is that?"

"Oh! I was thinking...about you...in, um...nevermind." This time, Kento blushed out of embarrassment. "Now what are we watching?"

Still pink, Kento replied. "Well, I was thinking about that new Bruce Lee movie, but if you don't want to see it, that's fine." He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "We could just skip the movie and go straight to dinner. I have a surprise for you."

Amaya smiled impishly. "Oh really? What, good sir, might that be?"

"Eh he he. Well, it's not anything real fancy, but my parents want to meet you. They said that after we enjoy some time together, I should take you to the restaurant and-"

Amaya's eyes widened. "But we've just met." How could they have know in such short notice? I'm not fit to be presented to anyone like this!"

"Relax." Kento replied sweetly. "I told my mom that I had a date tonight and she insisted that I bring you to meet the family. And don't kid yourself, Amaya. You look great. Drop dead gorgeous."

"Kento, flattery will get you nowhere." Amaya said sweetly as she kissed him on the cheek. She grabbed his hand and led him the direction of the movies. "If we want to spend some time 'alone', then we could watch the movie. Besides, we can eat at your home."

Kento blushed slightly. "I don't live with my parents. I live with a friend in Tokyo."

"Doesn't matter. As long as you have a place where you belong. Right?" Amaya countered. She gazed deep into his eyes and detected the slightest hint of loneliness, but she said nothing.

Kento smiled down at her. I'd like to belong with you, Amaya. I'd like to call you mine. Hopefully, this will work. After paying for the tickets, Kento offered to get Amaya some refreshments before the movie started. While Amaya was finding a seat, Kento stood in the lobby trying to pick out some food, when a foreboding feeling hit him. He tried to shake the feeling away, but it still lingered.

As he stepped up to pay the cashier for the snacks, an evil presence made him turn around. That's weird. Kento thought. His eyes were darting left and right trying to pinpoint exactly where the feeling was coming from. That's stupid. We destroyed that a long time ago.

"Sir, you okay?" The cashier asked.

Kento had completely forgotten about the food. "Yea, I'm fine. Thanks man." He grabbed what he paid for and headed toward the door. No, I'm not okay. I hope we don't have to fight again. As he walked in, he caught sight of Amaya taking off her jacket. He grimaced. I don't want to put her in the middle of this.

Amaya turned around and caught sight of Kento walking toward her. A few seconds ago, she had felt the same evil presence from the other day. She tried not to think about it but the more she tried to block it out, the stronger it became. I'm tired of fighting. As Kento handed her a large Coke and a small bag of popcorn, she couldn't help but smile. Just calm down. Calm down and enjoy the movie.

*~*

Hana had met Sage at the Tsuru Restaurant, which was a good twenty-minute drive from Tokyo University. She used those twenty minutes to recompose herself after the meeting with Ryo. When she stepped inside the doors of the classy restaurant, she felt quite self-conscious. All eyes were on her as she spotted Sage in the left corner.

Sage, who had been looking at the menu, never saw her coming. Hana's heels made a soft clicking noise on the ground, alerting him. When he looked up, he almost face-faulted.

Wow. Sage thought. Violet eyes scanned over her body. The dress enhanced her curves, and he could tell that she was very much well endowed in the upper body region. I'm good.

Hana could smell that man from a mile away. The cologne that he wore made her want to jump up and ravage him where he sat. But I can't. She sighed and smiled when Sage stood up and kissed her hand like the gentleman he was. He pulled out the black cushioned chair for her and she graciously accepted the seat, looking over the menu.

The next hour and half was devoted to mere small talk between the two. He told her about his family and the dojo, while she was pleased to learn that she wasn't the only winner of the Miyagi National Kendo Tournament. The two ate in silence. Only the occasional question about the food was spoke between them. Just as the grandfather clock in the restaurant struck 8:45 P.M., Sage stood up very quickly. He was looking around as if he were waiting for someone to walk through the door.

Hana raised a blond eyebrow. "You look like you just saw a ghost. What's wrong?"

"I'm fine." His voice was underlined with a small quiver. I need to contact the others. "I feel a little ill, please excuse me."

"Uh, okay." Hana replied. As she watched him disappear, she sank into her chair, limp with relief. No questions about Rekino or the past. She realized that there was a higher power and that it was looking out for her.

As Hana gripped the armrests of the chair to help stand to stretch her tired legs, she stopped halfway and held her breathe. She felt so cold. She had never felt something so...evil before in her life.

No. It can't be.

*~*

After checking to make sure no one else was in the restroom, Sage reached in his pocket for his cell phone. Just as he was about to dial Ryo's cell, the phone rang. He answered it quickly. "Sage."

"We have a problem." Ryo spoke hurriedly.

"I know. I was just about to call. Where are you?"

"Downtown at a local restaurant with Mia, but it seems that we have to cancel our plans." He sighed on the other end. "She's paying. Kento called and told me to meet him at the abandoned warehouse across from the Laundromat. He's probably calling Rowen and Cye to let them know."

Sage balled a hand into a tight fist. He was tired of fighting. He wanted to be left alone. "I'll be there in five." He hung up and ran out to find that Hana was on the phone with one of her friends. He stepped out of view and tried to listen in.

"It's horrible. I can't believe that something like that still exists." She paused as the person on the other end kept talking. "Yeah, I'll call Rekino and let her know. Right...okay, bye." She hung up the phone and started to dial another number when Sage tapped her lightly on the shoulder. She jumped. "Shit, Sage. Don't scare me like that!"

He didn't have time to apologize. "Would you do me a favor?"

"Sure." Hana noticed that Sage was slightly nervous about something, but what? She smiled and took his hand. "Anything. Just name it."

"One of my friends called and asked me to meet him at the gas station down the road." I hate lying. "I think something is wrong with his car. Could you wait for me? Please? It won't take me long."

Hana was surprised by his request. But upon seeing the regret swimming in his eyes, she was taken aback. Why was that there? Was he lying to her? "No problem. I'll wait right here."

Sage smiled lovingly and embraced her. "Thank you, Hana." I'm sorry to lie to you, but it's for your own good. He pulled away from her reluctantly and ran a hand down her cheek. So soft. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

Before Hana could utter a word, Sage bent down and kissed her. "Don't go anywhere before I get back." With that, he turned on his heel and practically ran out of the restaurant.

She just stood there dumbfounded. Touching her lips lightly in awe, she stared after him in sheer awkward bliss. Where did he learn that? Her thoughts ran away with her before she realized that she needed to make an important phone call. She sat back down and picked up her phone, dialing a number to her apartment.

*~*

Rekino was trying to work on her paper, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. The glare from the television was reflecting off the screen, and the only thing she kept seeing was Orlando Bloom and his sexy body. Giving up on the paper, she decided to just pretend to be typing away.

Jo may have been slow at times, but she wasn't stupid. She knew Rekino wasn't working on her paper. She glanced at the clock and turned toward her friend. "Hey Firestarter, why don't ya' come over here and watch T.V.?"

"Can't. Working on my paper."

"Oh give me a break, Rekino. You've been sitting there for the past hour and a half watching the glare off the screen." Josephine knew her friend well enough to know that when a hot guy was on the screen, she wasn't going to turn it down.

Rekino sighed. She had been caught red-handed, and knew it. "Oh well." A little fun couldn't hurt. she stood up and walked over to the couch, sitting down beside Josephine. Just as she started to relax, the phone rang. Looking up at the ceiling, she sighed once more. Is this a sign that I should be working instead of checking out this?

"Um, are you going to get that or just stare at the ceiling all day?" Josephine's voice broke into her stupor.

"Shut up." Rekino stood and walked into the hallway. She picked up the phone from the receiver and answered politely. "Hello?"

"Rekino, thank God you answered." It was Hana. "Something's up. You and Josephine need to haul ass and meet me on top of the Tsuru restaurant."

"What do you mean?" The voice of Wildfire's Guardian held confusion. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Just as she was about to tell Hana off, they snapped open. "Be there in ten." She hung up and ran into the living room where Josephine still sat.

"What's wrong? You're as white as a sheet."

Rekino shook her head. "No time." She turned off the television and looked at her friend. "That was Hana. It seems that Evil has raised that ugly mug again." She walked over to the door and locked it.

Josephine went into the kitchen and opened a window, only to climb out. Rekino was right behind her as she closed the pane. "We're supposed to meet her and the others on the Tsuru rooftop downtown. Problem is, I don't knew where that's at."

"No problem!" Josephine crowed. "I know the location of every restaurant in the Tokyo district. Follow me." She grasped the necklace around her neck as her orange and white sub-armor formed.

Rekino laughed and wrapped a hand around her necklace as well. "What would I do without you?"

"Nothing," Jo replied as they headed South.

*~*

After he left the restaurant, Sage ran behind the building and summoned Korin's subarmor. Leaping the rooftops, he jumped down from one building in front of the warehouse Ryo had told him about. He walked around cautiously as his eyes scanned the area.

"Ryo?" Sage could hear his own voice echo through the building. As he turned one corner, a body slammed into him, sending them both to the ground. He leapt back to his feet, ready for a fight.

"Whoa, it's me."

Even in the dark, Sage knew that voice. "Rowen? What's going on?" He reached for his friend, when he noticed it. "You look like hell. What happened?"

Rowen stood up and winced. "I don't know. These demons started attacking us out of nowhere. They're strong. Stronger then anything we've ever faced."

Cye's strangled voice rang in their ears as the young Brit was thrown into a metal pillar. Sage growled and ran over to aid his comrade when one of the demons sent Kento through a wall.

He landed outside against a small hill.

A small trail of blood made it's way down Ryo's face when Sage noticed that his weapons were missing as well. He was well aware that aside from himself, Rowen was the only one left in decent condition.

As Sage was trying to help Cye stand, one of the attackers flew at him with lightning speed as he crashed into a wall, steel grips on his throat. This is no demon. It's a griffin. As he gasped for breath, the demon looked into the young man's eyes and
laughed.

"Where is he?" The griffin hissed into Sage's ear.

Sage grimaced. "Where is who?"

"The Balance."

His vision started to blur around the edges. He faintly heard Rowen call his name before one of the creatures shoved a burning sword through Rowen's left shoulder. His comrade fell to the ground, landing next to Ryo. It seemed that all of his teammates had fallen. He had to do something...soon.

*~*

Mia looked up and sighed. "Ten minutes is up. They're late."

Lady Halo sighed in disbelief. "How do you know that? You don't have a watch on."

"It's simple. The position of the moon."

Amaya raised her hand to silence the two. "They're here."

Mia and Hana raised their heads to see Josephine and Rekino jumping from rooftop to rooftop. They landed beside the young women and smirked. The three Lady Guardians looked to their leader with questionable looks on their faces.

Rekino shrugged. "Sorry we're late. Air traffic control gave us the wrong directions." She nudged Josephine lightly in the side.

Amaya nodded. "Now that you're here, I suggest that we find out where that power is coming from before something bad happens."

"Someone knock on wood!" Rekino exclaimed.

Not a minute after that was said, an explosion sounded and a blinding white flash of light followed. The Lady Guardians struggled to stay on their feet, as the ground shook violently. They leapt from the Tsuru rooftop to another as the building collapsed to the ground. The girls stared in awe and looked south, where the light had came from.

Mia sighed. "Great. Just what we needed." She looked straight at Rekino, "oh. Forgot to tell you."

"Tell me what?" Rekino asked. "We kinda don't have the time."

Lady Strata shook her head. "Ryo and I were eating at a restaurant downtown when he got a call. He told me to go home while he met the others at the abandoned warehouse across from the Laundromat."

Rekino raised her hand to stop her. "Let me get this straight. Ryo just left you to go fight? What, did you have to pay for the food too?"

Mia's green eyes lowered as she nodded, resulting in an eye roll from Rekino. "That prick."

Hana, Josephine, and Amaya shared confused glances between each other. They had no idea what those two were talking about. Mia and Rekino turned to look at the three. They had completely forgot about their other comrades standing there. They were the only ones who knew the Ronin Warriors identities.

"Why are you talking about your brother like he's in some kind of danger?" Hana looked from the two girls waiting for an answer.

Rekino sighed, "You all have to promise me that you won't freak out when I tell you this." She saw them all nod and continued. "We're the Lady Ronin Guardians for a reason. There are five men, the Ronin Warriors, who we have to protect. As you probably already figured out, I'm Ryo's guardian; Mia is Rowen's, Jo is Kento's, Mia's Cye's; and Hana, well, if I tell you, you'll probably freak out.

Hana snorted. "I will not. I've never freaked out! Tell me!" She heard Rekino whisper a name under her breath. "Who?"

Rekino sighed in defeat. "Sage's."

Hana's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really?" She grinned a smile worthy of the Cheshire Cat and rubbed her hands together. But before she could speak, another tremor shook the Earth. She braced herself. "Are we leaving or not?"

Rekino nodded. "Ladies, this is our first official mission as Lady Guardians. Please remember to buckle your seatbelts and please place your trays in their upright and locked position. Also remember to keep your facemasks down to hide our identities. Don't use our real names, but the armor names. We all good?"

"Good," the rest of the females resounded.

"Let's go," Rekino jumped from the roof and onto another as the girls followed closely behind. Please, Ancient One, don't let Ryo be hurt. I don't want to lose him.