Hello, I am SnowSystem, and this is my fic. (duh.) I am well aware that it's been almost two years since I last updated this story. Shameful isn't it? But I don't ever truly 'abandon' a story, especially if its been posted. The commentary on the last chapter is not exactly valid anymore with this post, but it will be when I post chapter 13, and I will do that within a week from the time this was posted. I welcome new reviews and the old. Note to my older reviewers: I'm sooooo sorry…although this doesn't make up for it.

(Ronin Warriors is the property of Bandi and Sunrise)

Chapter 12

"I don't trust him. Anubis, how are you going to go along with what some stranger says? He's the enemy!" Cale fumed as they walked.

"He is the enemy of our enemy." He replied simply. "Our duty is to our master, and if playing a part in someone else's scheme for power is the only way to serve him, then so be it."

"You sound as if you don't have a problem with this." Dais accused.

"Of course I have a problem with this! How dare you think otherwise!" Anubis growled angrily.

"So what are we going to do?" Asked Sekhmet.

"How should I know outside of going to the Mortal World?"
"Because you're the leader Anubis, you're supposed to know." Cale shot. Anubis paused in his gait to glare at him. "Humph. It seems only fitting that you would say something like that now. Any other time you'd be vying for my position as right hand, but the moment everything starts to go wrong I'm suddenly the valued and respected leader who must make all the decisions."

Cale returned the glare. "This is no time for power trips Anubis. It's your job to make the call. Personally I disagree with what you intend to do—there's no thought behind it, but it is only my place to follow."

"And I suppose you can come up with something better?"

"I'm just saying that we should reevaluate our situation before we let ourselves be lured from the Nether Realm!" Cale moved before him. "Did it ever cross your mind Anubis that this may be a trap?"

"Yes it has. But what difference would it make if it were a trap or not? Its not like we're being much help now."

"I think it's reckless."

"I think you should stop thinking. Truth or otherwise, we have to at least know."

"Know what? That you've been made a fool and you forced us to follow you?"

Anubis stepped to his subordinate, aggravation in his eyes. "We are going Cale, and that is my final word!"

"You're insane. But all right! Do as you please, we are but your humble servants." Anubis pushed passed him and began to storm on, not wishing to deal with any more cynicism. Dais watched him as Sekhmet looked to Cale.

"What?"

Sekhmet denoted nothing with a brief headshake before moving on. Dais gave Cale a glance as well before following. Cale glared at the three of them before letting out an indignant grunt. He failed to see why he suddenly became the bad guy.

It was late evening when the four men found themselves in a small wooded area just outside the appointed temple. At Anubis' suggestion, the group split to search the forest. They searched well into the night, finally meeting back at their arrival point several hours later.
"Well," Cale began condescendingly. "It doesn't take a genius to realize we've been deceived. What say you now oh fearless leader?"

"I say that we haven't searched hard enough."

"I say you have trouble accepting the fact that you were wrong. It was a fool's errand Anubis. We should return to the Nether Realm and aid our master by helping him fight that thing!"

"How do you propose to do that Cale, hmm? Take a megaphone and call it out for a showdown? Yes we must help Master Talpa, but we are of no use to him as we are now! That thing would kill us in a second, some cavalry we would be."

"Anubis, I'm trying to get you to see that being here is foolish!"

"And what I'm trying to get you to understand is that it does not make a difference if we are there or here! It will all end badly regardless, that is, if that one Soja-no has not told us the truth."

Cale sneered and looked away. "So this is what 'hoping against hope' is, how disgustingly pitiful."

"Shut-up Cale." Dais said at last. "Anubis is right. Whether we were deceived or not, I much rather be here with the chance of undoing this madness then to stand by in the Nether Realm close-minded and powerless."

"THEN WHAT DAIS, since you're so quick to jump to his aid!" Cale barked pointing at Anubis. "We've combed this entire area looking for this cave for hours on end and found nothing but leaf-litter and darkness!"

"Be still Cale." Sekhmet dictated, his own frustrations with Cale becoming apparent.

"I will NOT be still! Am I the only one here who finds this lunacy utterly absurd?" Cale returned incredulously.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Dais demanded.

"I'm in the company of madmen, that's what's wrong!"

"Then do what you will Cale, the only one 'mad' here is you. No one is forcing you to be along. You needn't follow me if that is not your desire. Keep your peace and be about your business." Anubis stated simply. Cale's face twisted into angry disbelieve.

"You can't just dismiss me! Who the hell do you think you ARE?"

"The boss."

Sufficiently humbled and embarrassed by this decree, Cale pursed his lips most indigently before turning away from him. In truth, Cale did not wish to admit his agreement with him and the others. The one thing he hated more that failing was being wrong and at the moment he was satisfying both, and feeling more than foolish for his shameless pessimism.

"Since you are still here, I assume that you've come to your senses." He heard Anubis say. "At any rate, back into the woods. I'm sure there's something that we've missed."

Cale turned back around, his body becoming hot as the gaze of the others fell on him.

"Perhaps we should wait till morning," he said in a subdued tone. "It will be easier for the rest of you." Anubis considered it for a moment.

"Very well. We will rest in the clearing till daybreak. I'm sure Master Talpa will be able to last a few more hours. Let us collect wood for a fire."