It had been nearly a week, and they were running out of excuses to explain Ryo's absence.
"This is not good," Seiji sighed.
"How can we find him? I mean, I know he's defeated evil warlords and stuff before, but his guy doesn't seem to be like anyone we've ever faced."
"He's right...he doesn't seem immediately bent on total world control, though I highly suspect that is his ultimate goal."
"I guess it makes sense to go after Ryo first...the Inferno armor and all..."
"Maybe, but as I've pointed out before, he seems to want RYO, not the armor that Ryo bears."
Shin shifted nervously. "Did you guys notice anything...strange?...about Ryo?"
"No, not really."
Seiji shook his head.
Shu grinned. "What isn't strange with Ryo?"
Shin gave a weak smile.
"There haven't been any attacks."
"Maybe because he's off having his wicked way with Ryo."
Everyone jumped and stared at Yuu who was leaning casually on a nearby tree.
"Wha, what?"
Yuu grinned. "You guys can't keep anything secret, can you?"
Seiji looked at him hard. "What do you mean?"
Yuu gave him a dry look as he brushed the buds that were forming on the tree. "I've been around you long enough to get the jist of your lives. You're the 'Ronin Warriors,' whatever that may mean. I think you had something to do with the hush-hush over what happened in Tokyo, what, last year? And Ryo is gone because of the mass murderer that's been running around Tokyo, right?" Yuu gave a wry smile. "Though I had hoped he'd've had better taste than that."
Shu bristled.
Seiji was wary.
Toma was thoughtful.
Shin was concerned. "How much more do you know about us?"
"Enough," Yuu said with a shrug. "I haven't told anyone anything, if that's what you're worried about. You're still my friends. I don't betray my friends' trust."
Shin relaxed. "Okay..."
"Why don't I help you look for him?"
Seiji started. "What?"
"The murderer won't know about me, will he? I'm no one important. I can look in places where you'll be conspicuous."
Toma thought this over. "Sounds like a solid idea to me."
After a slight hesitation, everyone else agreed.
Yuu smiled happily. "I'll do my best!"
Kage sat at the fire, warming himself. True, it had been a week outside of this house, but his body was still recovering. It wasn't fun traveling the realmns without your own inner protection. Another's barriers only go so far. The arms that wrapped around him held within them a warmth all their own that seeped into every fiber of Kage's being. Kisu sat behind Kage, holding him close.
"You should be ready to go back into the mortal world soon. Your inner defenences should be strong enough by then."
Kage smiled and leaned back, nuzzling Kisu's neck. "Sounds fun. We want to bring the Ronins on our side, right? That way there's no real resistance after them, right?"
"Correct."
Kage thought as he watched the flames dance. "How?"
"Why don't you observe the Ronins first? Then we can decide."
"Don't you have a plan?"
"Of course. But I want you to agree."
"So diplomatic."
"Only because you're going to rule the world. You need to make your own decisions. I can suggest, but I can't make you do."
Kage smiled and closed his eyes.
"Tomorrow. I'll go back into the human realmn and find them, and observe. I'll decide from there."