Hey gang..here is the next chapter. I didn't mean for it to take this long. Seems real life hit me harder then I thought it would. Anywhoo have the next three chapters done so will post one a week, so that way I can write and always be a chapter or two head.

Enough of my babbling on with the story. Replies are at the bottom.

--PT

Chapter 2

Ryo walked into the small home where he lived. This was not his family, just a foster family he was staying with until a family could be found for him. He had quickly said good bye to his new friends at school, before they could ask him where he lived. He was ashamed of what his life had turned out to be, but knew that soon his time would come.

While walking home, Ryo's mind went over what had happened that day. He tried to explain this ghost of a connection he now felt with the other four boys. He could not explain it, but somehow he felt as though he had known the other boys for all his life.

Sighing to himself, he opened the front door to his home and was tackled by a large black cat. Onyx stood on stop of his chest and looked down at him purring. Laughing, he picked himself up and grabbed Onyx and quickly ran into the house. He hoped to enter the home and get Onyx into his room before his foster father Blake found out.

Ryo knew that if Blake found out Onyx was lose, he would be in trouble. Letting his mind wonder to the other times Onyx had escaped from his room, Ryo could only shudder. Quickly pushing those thoughts aside, he goes to his room and sets his books and Onyx inside and is about to leave when he jumps back in shock. Standing there is Blake, with a beer can in one hand and his belt in the other.

"Where have you been? You are late. Your chores still have not been done, and Antonia has been slaving in the kitchen all day to make you dinner and you show up late. And what did I tell you about that cat boy? Did I not tell you what would happen if I caught him out again," Blake shouted and he moved into the room.

" I am sorry sir. School was let out late, and I ended up missing the bus because of it. I will go and do my chores now. And I am sorry sir about Onyx. I do not know how he keeps getting out. I put him up before I leave every day. It will not happen again," Ryo says as he tries to get around Blake.

"You ungrateful brat. How dare you sit here and talk back to me. You will do your chores, and then I want that worthless piece of animal out of this house. And what the hell happened to your eye? You get into a fight at school today? How dare you disgrace this house with behavior like that," Blake said as he grabbed the boy. Jerking Ryo over to him, he shut the door behind him so no one could hear the screams that came from the room as Blake disciplined the child.

Sage walked with Rowen to his family's home. They always went there after school to study and to practice their kendo. Also it gave them time to be alone and not have to worry about anyone seeing them together. Sage's family knew about him and was ok with it, with the exception of Sage's grandfather. But Sage's grandfather left them alone and did not bother them much, or so Rowen thought. He never knew of the abuse that Sage went through everyday after Rowen had left for the night. But Sage knew he would never tell his Angel of such things.

Rowen walked along side Sage, unawares of the troubled mind next to him. Looking over at Sage, Rowen could only smile. He could not explain why when ever he was around his Firefly, it was as though everything no longer mattered. But his thoughts quickly turned inwards and he frowned. He could not get over the feeling of the ghost bond.

What could it mean? Was it some kind of connection linking the five of us together," Rowen thought to himself. He could not pinpoint what he felt, he just knew that it was something he needed to figure out and fast. His scientific mind would not let this problem rest until it was solved. So lost in his thoughts is he that he almost did not notice Sage stopping and looking at him with an amused but concerned look.

"Firefly, What's so amusing," the blue-haired boy asked.

"Nothing. I know your brain is running at light speed right now. Talk to me, what is bugging you?," the blonde said. Sage knew what was bothering the other boy, for it was the same thing that was weighing on his own mind.

"Just thinking. Sage, can I ask you a question?," Rowen said looking the other in the eyes. When Sage nodded Rowen went on," Have you noticed anything different about yourself today? Like some kind a bond linking us together?"

Sage did not answer right away. Instead he closed his eyes and leaned back his head, letting the sunlight warm his face. Rowen knew that this was how Sage thought before he spoke. It was as if the light was giving him the strength to speak and figure this all out. Finally Sage spoke," I have Rowen. In fact I feel it now. I have a feeling that some how we must figure this bond out, for the five of us are connected in some shape or form. I feel a great evil is approaching and the five of us are connected. How I do not know, but fear in time we will find out. The hard way."

Rowen nodded his head and sat on the grassy hill. Sage soon joined him and laying down placed his head in Rowen's lap. Both were lost in thought as to what this all could mean. Letting his fingers run through Sage's soft locks, he pondered what the other had said.

Firefly has never been wrong about his feelings or thoughts before. So could he be right? Could we all be connected in some shape and form, and are needed to defeat this evil he speaks of? What is this evil? How will we know what it is? Will it be something we can easily see or will be a hidden kind of evil, he thought to him self.

Rowen looked down and was about to ask Sage to explain what else he felt or saw, when he cried out in shock. Standing before him was a monk. Dressed in his robes and wide brim hat, which hid his face, Rowen could only wonder who this man was. Waking Sage, they both stood and faced the stranger.

"Many questions you have young Ronin. Do not fear. The answers that you seek will soon be revealed. But a more pressing matter you must attended to. You must go and help him before it is to late. You must help him or all will be lost. Follow your guide and he will lead you. I will be back my warriors, until then beware of the evil that comes," the monk said before he faded away.

Both Sage and Rowen jumped back as he faded away and in his place stood a large white tiger. The animal stared at the both of them, its topaz eyes seeming to pierce their souls. Backing away as not to scare the animal, both were confused and not sure they had just seen what had just happened.

" Firefly, what do we do? Do we follow it or run," Rowen asked unsure of how to proceed.

Sage did not answer but instead walked up to the animal and waited. The large cat moved forward and sniffed him, and letting out a large growl turned and bounded off the hill. Rowen had jumped when he had seen the animal move in on Sage, and nearly cried out when it let out its cry. But he soon found himself trying to keep up with the now running Sage and cat. Rowen could only hope that it was not to late to save who ever it was they were suppose to save, and that this was not some wild chase.

Replies:

Harry2- It is nice to see them together, and I am sorry you do not like how I am writing Sage and Rowen, but this is how I see them and that is how I am going to write them. Hope you stick around to see this through.

Princess Celestia- Wow I made a reader speechless...I am glad you have enjoyed it and hope you also stick around to the end and enjoy the ride.

Celesta SunStar - Hmm maybe we can throw some Kale/Sage drama in there for you? Would that work..and glad you like it..

Eboni- Hmm do I feel special..yeah I do. Sorry took so long on this one to update..you know how it is..Real life sucks sometimes.

Setsuna Sanada- Creepy and Cool.. never thought I would hear those two words together. LOL...glad you love. Here is more.

Hkokuryuha- Thank you. Glad you liked it. Here is more.

Zorra- Updated (