Sakura stumbled wildly through the forest. She didn't know where she was going; all she knew was that she had to be alone. 'Why won't they believe me?' she thought to herself. 'I thought they realized by now that I was on their side' She wiped a small tear from her eye'I guess I can't blame them though. Why didn't I tell them everything when I had the chance?' Sakura came out of the forest and found herself at the edge of a cliff. Slowing down, Sakura walked over to the edge and looked down at the view. Tired from her flight she sat down, her feet dangling over the ledge. She stared absentmindedly at the empty air for a while, the wind rustling through her hair.
Ryo and the others watched as Sakura took off through the forest, Kero and at her heels. Ryo felt as if his heart would break, or had broken. She was still the enemy and apparently nothing he could do or say would change that.
"I just can't believe this." Mia said. "Sakura hasn't done anything to show that she's been against us ever since she came here."
"We heard her talking to her father, Mia." Sage said. "She was getting orders to destroy us. What other proof do you need?"
"Maybe we didn't hear all of the conversation." Cye said tentatively. "I mean we did leave before it was over."
"That isn't the point though." Rowen said. "I mean she still lied to us."
"Technically she didn't." Kento reasoned. "We never asked her specifically if Talpa was her dad."
"I wish we knew if she was telling the truth or not." Cye said softly.
"You could have known." A familiar voice said. "If you had stayed, you would have realized she was on your side."
The Ronins turned around to look at the owner of the voice.
"Ancient!" they all cried.
"What do you mean?" Sage asked. "How can you be sure?"
Ancient waved his staff and the image of Sakura and Talpa appeared before them. Sakura standing tall and defiant; Talpa looking as evil as ever. "Why don't you listen and see for yourself."
"I won't help you hurt them." The holographic Sakura said.
The image of Talpa sneered at her, "Then you will die with them as well." Then the figures vanished.
The Ronins stared in shock and humility. "So she was telling us the truth the entire time." Rowen said.
Ryo gaped at where the image disappeared. 'Sakura. 'What have I done?' he thought miserably to himself.
Spinning around he turned to the others, "Come on, we have to find her!" he yelled as he tore into the underbrush in the direction he had seen Sakura go.
The others nodded their agreement and took after Ryo intent to find their teammate.
'I can still find her!' Ryo thought to himself as he ran. 'I can still make this right!'
Sakura tears had finally subsided. She continued to stare at the valley below her when she realized she wasn't alone. Turning she saw all the warlords, plus the head of her father behind her.
"What do you want? Sakura said defiantly as she turned and stood to face them.
"We are here to give you one last chance to join us again and take back what you have said." Cale informed her.
"We are willing to forget this whole thing if you promise to never let it happen again." Dais said.
Sakura stared at them coldly, "I will never fight for you again!" she said sternly to her father. Talpa gave her a look of warning. Turning to the others she pleaded with them. "Don't you understand? He's just using you, once he's done with you he'll cast you aside."
"How dare you say that about Lord Talpa?" Sekhmet asked outraged.
"Look! There she is!" Rowen said pointing.
"And she isn't alone." Sage commented. The group skid to a halt and knelt behind the trees. Now was the time to find out the truth.
"Sakura," her father demanded. "Stop trying to change the subject, we will give you one last chance to regain your place in the dynasty. So what will it be, us or them?"
Sakura glared defiantly at them. "Them" she promptly said.
"They have disowned you." Anubis pointed out, still trying to return her to her senses. "You must listen to reason, they will never accept you as one of them; we on the other hand have always been like family to you."
"I won't fight for you any longer!" Sakura stated. "They may not accept me into their group anymore, but I won't stop fighting for what's right. And I will fight against you all by myself if I have to."
"So be it." Talpa said cold finality, "Attack!" The warlords jumped at her weapons raised. Sakura took out her own, stance ready to defend when the Ronins jumped in to help her.
"Ryo?" Sakura asked, shocked to see him there.
"Sakura, we're here. You no longer have to fight alone. From now on, you have our trust." Ryo said.
Sakura smiled, "Ryo" she said softly, as they fought back against the warlords.