Now that the Ronins were separated from each other, thanks to Sakura's tornado, Mia took it upon herself to find them again. And she wouldn't be successful if Talpa had anything to say about it. Using the giant screen next to him in the throne room, he watched as Mia located Ryo in the volcano. And so Talpa sent Anubis to deal with it. And also to further Sakura's education, she was made to watch the fight. Sakura watched the giant screen intently as Anubis and Ryo battled it out above the volcano that he had been transported to. As she watched the fight, standing next to her father, she felt an impulse to help Ryo in some small way. She shook her head as she continued to watch the fight with bated breath. Her heart was torn, Anubis was like her brother, and yet she had a strong want to be close to Ryo. Soon the fight was over and Anubis appeared next to her, looking angry and embarrassed that he had lost. Talpa rounded on him as soon as he appeared.

"You incompetent fool!" Talpa shouted as the other warlords surrounded him.

"You can't even take care of one of them!" Talpa roared in fury, shaking the ceiling with his rage. Anubis stared at the floor, feeling the smirks of the other warlords and sensing Sakura's apologetic look.

"I am sorry, Master." Anubis said humbly. Talpa's eyes glowed red.

"Sorry?!" he yelled. "Sorry! Sorry doesn't cut it! You will be punished for your failure!" Talpa threatened as Sakura looked to her father, hoping to plead with him on Anubis's behalf.

"Please father." Sakura said as Talpa turned an annoyed look at her. "It wasn't his fault. Ryo was in the volcano, where his armor is the strongest. Anubis was at a disadvantage." She pointed out logically. Anubis continued to stare at the floor, a small smile of appreciation on his face. He knew that she was taking a big risk sticking up for him, and Talpa could just as easily decide to punish her or both of them to teach them a lesson.  The other warlords remained quiet. They knew that Sakura would do the same if it was one of them that was in the hot seat and they waited for her father's decision. Talpa just continued to glare as his daughter as she shrank back in fear. She didn't like that look.

"That is no excuse. I will not tolerate failure!" Talpa said enraged that his own daughter was attempting to under mine his judgment, but he also knew that his daughter held a rebellious streak, and to punish her along with Anubis would not work to his advantage.

"My decision is final!" Talpa said turned back to Anubis as he sent him to the lower levels of the castle. The others stood quiet in fear as Talpa turned to them, "We can not let the other Ronins be awakened." Talpa scanned the faces of his warlords as his gaze settled upon Sekhmet.

"You, you will follow them and stop them from waking the next Ronin." He ordered.

Sekhmet bowed low. "Yes Master." He replied as he turned to leave. 

"Sakura, you will accompany him!" Talpa said as she looked at him in shock.
"Sir?" she asked.

"You will learn better if you are there. You must stay out of the way, but I expect a full report when you get back. You are the help Sekhmet in any way he asks understood?!" Talpa said. Sakura nodded humbly. Sakura walked over to Sekhmet and glanced at him from the corner of his eye, it was clear that he thought he was playing babysitter.  The two headed for the door to leave, when Talpa's voice stopped them.

"I warn you." He said darkly. "You two better not fail me!" Sakura and Sekhmet turned and bowed low.

"We will not fail you." They said as they left the room.

Sakura and Sekhmet perched on top of a rock as they waited for the Ronins. This was where Sage of the Halo was located, and they knew that Mia, Yulie, and Ryo were on their way.

"When they get here. I want you to stay out of the way understand. You father would kill me if something happened to you." Sekhmet said.

"I won't be in the way Sekhmet." Sakura said scanning the dirt roads. "There they are." Sekhmet looked where she was pointed as he jumped off the rock and prepared for the battle. Sakura stepped back into the shadows, her heart beating faster at the approaching red flash she saw of Ryo's armor.