Shattered

(Inspired by Weiß Kreuz)

Written by Lord Lykouleon

Act I ~ Preservation Of Memories

+Prologue+

Letters To The Lost

Kento Rei Fuan:

This is hard for me, to do… But I feel that I must. It'd be therapeutic for me, I guess. Heh. You'd be laughing right now if you read this, the idea of me going to a shrink highly amusing, I'm sure.

You never changed… Kento-kun. Even when you're not here, you make me smile. What a gift you have with people. I was glad that you came to live with me. Even amazed, for in the beginning, I must admit, I was uncertain about the move. I was especially concerned about you and Sage. The two of you never got along, though I guess it was because you guys were too different, and not because of any ill feelings either of you might have harbored for the other. But again, I'll say it. I was amazed.

You really blew me away. How it was so easy for you to get settled in. To get used to living in a stranger's house with four other guys that you barely knew for a year (sans Rowen). You were comfortable, and that made me happy. Though, at times, I wished you weren't SO comfortable… You know what I'm talking about, young man! Having to buy a full load of groceries only on the second day was not how I had wanted to spend my morning.

But alas, it wouldn't be normal if I didn't have to shop for groceries almost every other day. Or hear the frying pan make that resonant thwapping sound against the back of your head whenever you'd steal a taste from Cye's cooking. My, you sure made mornings lively! And I'll never forget the bathroom incident with Sage. Oh, will I NEVER forget THAT one!!

The best times of my life were when you were around. But, I can say the same for the rest of the guys, now can't I?

Let me rephrase that then.

The most entertaining moments of my life always had that unique 'Kento stamp' on it. Even all the stories of you that the guys would bring back to me from school were hilarious, and I wasn't even there!! Sometimes I wish I was a few years younger. Then I could have spent more time with you in your classes. Maybe gotten to know you better. Faster. If I had known…

Domo arigatou… Kento-kun.

For all the laughs that you've given me.

Cye Mouri:

I never thought that, someone as kindhearted and gentle as you, could be a warrior… a defender of humanity. Looks can be deceiving. And regardless of what you say about yourself not being fit to wear the armor of Torrent, I believe that no one else could have worn it better. I mean it, Cye. You were the backbone of the group. Ryo might have been the leader during times of war, but you were the leader during times of peace. And that role is just as important. Always remember that, Cye. You're strong. Not in the most obvious sense of the word, but you are. And I've always admired that inner strength of yours. 

It was great getting to know you. It was even greater when I found out you cooked!! Not to mention a helpful hand around the house, unlike some other residents who shall remain nameless! I hope you didn't mind doing the chores with me. If it's any consolation, I was always happy to have your sweet personality in my company. I could always tell you anything, and you'd keep it a secret from the other guys. I remember how annoyed Ryo would get, or how Kento would fake offense when you'd leave him in the dark, or how Rowen would say we were conspiring against them. Thank you, for those intimate times we've shared. And those times of plain old gossip!! Haha! C'mon! I KNOW you had fun! You can't deny it, Cye!! I would like to refer to you as one of my girlfriends, but you might take offense.

Men like you are rare. Did you know that? I hardly find… well actually, I didn't find anyone remotely close to you. Courteous manners. Sweet personality. Useful hand. And a lover of life and everything in it. Are there more like you where you came from? You're every woman's ideal husband. And I know that if your mother saw you now and knew of what you did for the world, she'd be so proud of you. I know I am.

…It's hard to imagine you not being there every morning before I wake up, cooking breakfast for us. It's hard, not to see your smiling face… the first sight I'd see, bright and early each day. …It's hard, to imagine someone as kind and giving as you just… just not…

I'm getting carried away with myself. I'm sorry. I should only remember the good. But, there was so much of it in you that whenever you weren't in the house, I always felt that there was something missing. You always made the house feel warm and inviting. The perfect place to come home to.

If only you had.

I wish you were here to comfort me, Cye. You always had the best hugs.

Sage Date:

What can I say about the great Casanova, god's gift to women? Were you even aware of the control you had over the opposite sex? Yes I know. You wish for me to stop. I know this topic isn't one of your favorites. But I'm going to address it, because totally avoiding it would be avoiding something that is essentially a part of you, Sage. And I'm not going to miss anything in this letter.

I will confess, that when I had met all five of you for the first time, you were the one who caught my eye. Although I would say that you were a bit arrogant, like the rest of the guys during the start of the Dynasty War, you were the most mellow and reserved of the lot. Like Rowen, you had a calculating eye, but not just for the facts. You picked up on things that I didn't think anyone would, like realizing ahead of time that Dais' invitation to Amanohashidate was a trap. Your insight was impeccable, and I believe that was what saved everyone that day. Yes, I'm praising you, but don't let it go to your head. Not that you would… entirely. And here I thought you were just a pretty boy.

Haha! I never imagined that someone as sharp and bold as you would be so uncomfortable around women!! You didn't let anything phase you in battle, so I assumed that nothing did. Imagine my surprise when you came to live with me and I found out that you had a bit of a shy streak in you. Now I'm not teasing you on purpose. It's just that you surprised me. You always managed to.

I think you were the hardest to figure out. But I'd like to believe that the time we shared together let me delve a bit into the heart of the icy Sage Date. I'm glad that you warmed up to me, in your own indirect way. A small smile maybe. Or just a simple look. It was enough for me. I knew we had something special… There was no need for words.

I… want to thank you for saving my life that time up in Mt Daisetsu. Heh. You're so stubborn. I told you not to show yourself to Cale. But… a part of me was hoping that you would. It… meant a lot… for you to do that for me.

…I'll miss you, Sage. Sentimentality is not your strong point but, hey… you won't get to read this.

Rowen Hashiba:

Well, I'm on my fourth letter now. Gomen nasai, Rowen. I don't know how coherent my thoughts will be at this point…

What amazed me the most, I guess, was how double facet you were. Just like Sage, you surprised me when you started living at my house with your unbreakable early morning habit of sleeping in and your appetite, my God your appetite, that could give Kento a run for his money!! Haha. I also didn't expect you to be shy. Well, I should have known that your smarts came from years of being an accomplished genius, so it would have fit the part of you not being social. But, seeing how you lead everyone with your battle strategies and such gave me the impression of a strong, commanding character. You were firm, yet not overassertive in your authority. You never liked the spotlight, did you Ro? You always let Ryo or Sage handle the glory. Such a behind-the-scenes person you were.

But past the book smarts and that cool, calculating battle mask you wore during the Dynasty War, I could see the gentle side of you. The soft, timid you that just wanted acceptance. A place to belong.

I'm glad you found it with us. I'm glad that you made us your family.

Well, as your 'older sister' I should be strong for you. I shouldn't show weakness. I should lift you up… Tell you that everything's going to be alright…

I know you saw me fitting that role, with Sage and the others as your brothers and Yulie a younger sibling to look out for. I remembered the numerous times you tried to help me on my research, whether it be the armors or just a late night term paper that I needed to finish. Don't think that I don't know about those times when my assignments would miraculously be completed when I'd fall asleep at the keyboard. I knew it was you. Though I had a feeling you didn't want me to confront you about it.

I can imagine you blushing right now. You're such a sweet guy, Rowen. You were destined for great things. Many, great things…

Gomen nasai, Rowen… I've failed you as your older sister. I should have been there for you.

I should have been there for all of you…

Ryo Sanada:

Now I know if you saw me right now, Ryo, you'd give me a hug, no questions asked. That's the type of person you were. Although you had one of the worst tempers in the world, you had a heart big enough to make up for it. You cared so deeply and so much about the people around you that… Oh God! I wish you were here, Ryo! I'm being so selfish. I wish you were here! All of you… So that, I could say goodbye…

I'm sorry. I'll keep apologizing for all eternity, in hopes that maybe, somewhere someday, you can hear the faint whisper of my voice and know that my heart goes out to you. And to Rowen. And Kento. Cye. And Sage. To all of you. Always and forever.

You five shared a sacred bond. And yet, you were generous enough to include me in it. Me and Yulie. I'm grateful for that.

Ryo… I'll never forget all the times you've saved me. Not just me. Everyone. How you sacrificed. Suffered. Just for our sakes. See how great you were? Never convince yourself otherwise. I know you've had your doubts and shortcomings that you want to blame yourself for, but know this. I wouldn't change any part of you. None of the guys wished for you to change either. We loved you just the way you were. I'm going to keep drilling that in your head till it's permanently engraved there. You were a great person, Ryo Sanada.

Heh. White Blaze really misses you. I could hear him at night, calling to you. Can you hear him too?

I don't know what to do Ryo. This may seem odd but… I could always confide in you. Maybe because you were the first Ronin I met. Remember that day? I even saw you before that, on the news. What a sight you were! Waltzing into downtown with White Blaze like that! I think that's one of my favorite memories of you.

I guess, a lot of people do rely on you. Even me, when I know that I shouldn't. You had enough of a burden to carry on your shoulders. Though, as time grew on, and the war was behind us, I could see how bright and cheerful you were. How much you loved life. It's hard to imagine you as the Ronin leader who saved the world. Ironic how the soul of a hero emerges in the one least expected.

I wondered, at times, what kind of man you would have grown up to be. Seeing you as you were, I couldn't imagine you being anyone else except Ryo.

I guess I'll never have my chance… to meet the great man you would have become.

To the Ronin Warriors:

Sayonara… My dear friends.