Disclaimer: Don't own them… if I did I wouldn't be driving a Focus.

Well, here it is for those of you who have been waiting to see some action. This chapter will undoubtedly have action in it.

Also, sorry for taking so long in getting this chapter up, but I've been sort of busy (who hasn't…lol). I was also trying to find a way to even out the action so it wouldn't be going overboard and monotonous.

Chapter 3

Mia's House

Kento was rummaging through the kitchen looking for spices to put on the burgers. As he grabbed a few he tossed them into his shirt holding it out like a pouch. "Let's see… some garlic powder, paprika, sage…humph…" he smiled at his lame thought. Every time he grabbed the sage he thought the same old joke over and over again; 'Do you want some sage, Sage?' As he grabbed the last of the spices he exited the kitchen and headed outside to the porch.

Kento opened the door and stepped outside. "Kento we told you not to start yet. They only left thirty minutes ago," said Rowen sitting in a plastic chair.

"I know, but there is no harm in getting everything together," he replied.

"Yes, but after you're finished all we will here from you is 'please let me cook; please let me cook,'" Ryo said making his voice high and throwing in a few hand motions mocking Kento.

Needless to say everyone who wasn't Kento laughed. Kento glared at him as he proceeded toward the grill and set the spices on one of the side shelves. He placed his hand over his stomach as it loudly rumbled; he turned around making a sad puppy face. "NO!" Rowen and Ryo yelled.

"How about to pass the time you play a game of American football or something," Mia suggested.

Football having been suggested Ryo quickly went upstairs and grabbed the football. "Great now I get my revenge on you two," Kento said clasping his hands together and grinning manically.

Rowen's eyes widened, but then went back to normal. "Ah, you'll just have to catch me first," he said flicking his wrist back shrugging him off. Ryo now exited the house, football in hand. The three of them proceeded onto the lawn and tossed the football back in forth for quick practice.

Soon the game was on and Rowen had the ball. Ryo charged him and Rowen easily jumped to the side. What he failed to notice was Kento was just a few paces behind Ryo. Rowen's eyes went wide as Kento tackled him and the two fell to the ground laughing hysterically. "Dude, you should have seen your face," Kento laughed.

"Hey guys!" Shouted Yulie jogging up the driveway.

"Hey, Yulie. Glad that you could make it," Ryo stated.

"Of course I would make it silly. I wish that I left sooner though so you wouldn't have started without me."

"Believe me, we did not start early. We're just passing time until Sage and Cye get back," Kento added pulling Rowen up.

"If we started early there would be no food left," Rowen teased with a wide smile.

"In case you forgot you're still holding the ball," Kento said as he tackled Rowen once more. Ryo called dog pile as he jumped on top of Kento and Yulie on top of him.

At Mia's Jeep

Sage turned and headed down the long dirt road that headed towards Mia's estate. He and Cye were carrying on small conversations between themselves. They told each other how and when they found their armor orbs, and also what they expected the others reaction's to be like once they saw them; that is if they hadn't acquired theirs yet. "Who's that?" Cye asked seeing a person standing in the road.

As Sage drove closer they recognized the form standing in their path. It was Sehkmet decked out in his full forest green armor. Sage stopped about a fifty feet away from him. Cye asked, "Should we get out?"

"I don't know," replied Sage. "I don't like the way he's looking at us."

"Come on out I have important news," Sehkmet said.

Cye and Sage looked at each other, and having talked it over they both stepped out of the jeep. They wearily approached him and stopped about twenty feet away. "What do you want?" Asked Sage.

"To make you squirm," he mumbled as he swiftly charged them. Aghast, Sage and Cye jumped to opposite sides ripping off their clothes revealing their sub-armor.

Sage jumped through the air at him to deliver a punch while Cye was running at him to deliver his punch. Sehkmet, however, ran toward Cye, dodged and grabbed his wrist, and threw him at Sage. They hit in mid-air and plummeted to the ground and landed with a thud. "Didn't see that coming," said Cye standing up and helping Sage up.

Sehkmet smirked at them and charged once again. Cye and Sage stood in defensive positions and waited for him. At the last instant Sehkment drew his swords and slashed at them. They barley evaded only to have Sehkmet continue his relentless assault. Sage jumped to the side and Sehkmet continued to charge Cye. "What's the matter Torrent? I thought you were stronger than this," he mocked.

Cye continued to jump backward to avoid each swipe of his deadly venom swords. He quickly found himself backed against a tree with nowhere else to go. Sehkmet swung his sword horizontally only managing to cut the three down. Cye had ducked and punched him in the stomach. Sehkmet stepped back once only to have Sage deliver a flying kick to the side of his head knocking him over about ten feet. "We're getting nowhere quick," said Sage.

"Then let's armor up. Armor of Torrent, Tao Shin!"

"Armor of Halo, Tao Chi!"

"At last, a fair fight," said Sehkmet standing up. "Now this should be worth my effort."

Cye and Sage charged; Cye thrusting his yari like a spear and Sage holding his nodatchi ready for a quick slice. Sehkmet jumped back from Cye holding up his swords blocking Sage's attack. Cye swung his yari intending to implant it in his side. After blocking another of Sage's attack he kicked him away and blocked Cye's yari with both of his swords between three blades. Cye twisted his yari and Sehkmet dropped a sword and jumped back to dodge another swipe of Cye's yari.

Sehkmet darted for his fallen sword but only to be blocked by Sage and his nodatchi. Sage swung in an upward vertical strike making contact with Sehkmet's breastplate; he stepped back five times. "Super Wave Smasher!" Cye shouted launching his sure kill.

Sehkmet dodged as Cye's sure kill continued into the forest exploding and taking down three small trees. Sehkmet charged a charging Sage and blocked his attack. They stood face to face. "Pitiful Ronin," he mocked as he knocked Sage's feet from under him and punched him in the ribs knocking him to the side. He would be feeling that in the morning.

Sehkmet reclaimed his sword and faced Cye. "Snake Fang Strike!" he shouted creating his six arm deception.

Cye's eyes went wide as he saw the lightning quick Sehkmet slashing him. Cye yelped as he was struck uncountable times landing hard on his back. His armor sizzled and melted where the swords made contact. He tried to sit up but squinted and clutched his side. He looked up and saw Sehkmet towering above him. "Now you die, Torrent," he hissed as he drew back for the final attack.

Before he could carry his attack any further he was bombarded from the side by Sage's Thunder Bolt Cut. The beam of energy carried him away back to the dynasty. Sage was now by Cye's side; he placed his hands on him and healed him. In no time at all Cye was standing up. "Thanks Sage, I'm a little sore though," he said.

Sage gave him a half smile, "that can be expected even with my healing abilities." He now had a looked at Cye with concern. If Cye was cut even in the slightest he ran the risk of being poisoned.

"I don't think any of the attacks went through my armor," he said seeing Sage's look. "Let's hurry and get back before Kento decides to eat our burgers. The two powered down to their sub-armors and limped to the jeep to continued their drive. Unknown to Cye, before Sage healed him he had a thin cut on his ribs just big enough to cause blood to ooze to the surface.

Mia's Backyard

Kento was standing at the grill in a "if your food tastes funny… don't worry it's just the poison" apron. With a spatula in one hand and a barbecue for in the other, He flipped and mashed the hamburger patties. Ryo was standing at his side helping him by handing him what he needed. Mia placed a table cloth over the picnic table and began setting it. Rowen and Yulie were further in the yard throwing a baseball back and forth. "NOOOO! Ryo, you don't put the grilling sauce on the burgers after their done! You cook with it!" Kento exclaimed taking the bottle from him causing fits of laughter from everyone.

"I know," Ryo managed to say while laughing "I just wanted to hear you get all high and squeaky like you do when you get mad."

Kento glared at him. "Doesn't Kento know that if he would just ignore Ryo he would quit?" Yulie commented after gaining control of his breathing.

"Apparently not; I don't care though cause I needed a good laugh," Rowen replied.

A few minutes passed and Kento was finished grilling the burgers. "I told you they wouldn't be back when I finished the burgers," Kento said.

"Well, we're still not eating without them," Mia argued.

"But they've been gone for three and a half hours."

"I'm sure they'll be here shortly," Rowen commented.

"If you wouldn't think about it so much you wouldn't be so hungry," Ryo added.

"I suppose," Kento said defeated. "If they don't show up soon I'm not waiting."

As if on cue they heard two car doors shut on the other side of the house. Kento's eyes widened as he smiled from ear to ear. "Kento, serve; not eat!" Ryo and Mia exclaimed.

Sage and Cye shut their doors as they heard Mia and Ryo yell at Kento. "I'll say the burgers are ready," Cye said with a smile.

"They're going to have a fit," Sage replied taking a deep breath.

"Still shook up from the battle?" Cye said raising an eyebrow seeing that Sage was nervous.

"A little."

Cye grabbed his arm and they both stopped in their tracks. He could still sense tension from inside Sage. "Liar. Even a blind man could see it's so obvious. Listen I know we just fought Sehkmet, but Satsuki was not there. There's nothing to worry about so try to remain calm."

The two stared at each other for a few seconds; Sage took another deep breath. "Thanks," he said finally almost relieved. No matter what Cye said in the back of his mind he was still nervous.

Cye released his arm sensing the relief and said with a smile, "Now let's go back there and get our burgers." Sage smiled back at him. "I'll kill you if Kento ate my burger because of you," he added as they continued their limping pace.

They approached the corner of the house and turned to proceed to the backyard. Laughter and other commotion could be heard as they neared their friends. Both Cye and Sage were trying to hide smiles failing miserably. They reached the other corner of the house and went to their friends and stopped when Rowen saw them. His eyes suddenly widened and he mouth dropped open with a look of shock. Yulie was brining out a bag of chips and dropped them when he saw the two Ronins. Mia, who finished setting the condiments on the table, started to say something but never did finish. She grabbed Ryo's arm and spun him around pointing at Sage and Cye. Both of their eyes were wide while Kento still never paid any attention to them. As usual he was too busy filling his plate. "Hey guys, why'd you stop?" he asked.

He then took notice of the two Ronins standing in green and cyan sub-armor. Like the rest his eye widened and mouth dropped; only though he did not drop his plate. "How did you…" Ryo stuttered.

"Long story, we'll tell you over dinner; I'm starved," Sage answered as he and Cye both grabbed and filled their plates.

They started their story once everyone was sitting down. They told up to the point when they separated in the aquarium and then each took their own versions of receiving their orbs. They then told about the battle with Sehkmet and they all had quizzical looks on their faces. "I thought that they switched sides during the fight with Talpa?" Ryo questioned.

"Those no good double crossers. First Talpa, then us," Kento said through his teeth.

"I don't think that's it," Rowen said. "They wouldn't have gone back just all of the sudden. Kayura would make sure of that. Something must have happened."

"Wouldn't she have told us something?" Mia added.

"That's the strange part," Ryo said. "Why didn't she?"

"Maybe she being held prisoner," Sage chimed in.

"We don't have a way into the dynasty so… I guess we wait," Ryo finished.

There were heavy sighs around the table. Yulie looked at each of the Ronins and said, "Come on guys, don't let this get you down. You'll find a way to beat them like you always do. You're the Ronin Warriors you always find a way!" Yulie's face was now beaming with a smile.

Each of the Ronins smiled; their spirits having been lifted from the little boy. "Thanks kid I needed that," Kento said placing his hand on Yulie's head and ruffling his hair. Everyone continued to eat as if the previous conversation never happened.

Laughter and other commotion could be heard as play ensued after they emptied their plates. Even Mia and White Blaze couldn't object to the fun of American football. They had been playing for about twenty minutes and everyone had lost track of the score. The game quickly turned into 'get the man with the ball' game. After the 'hut' Ryo quickly scanned the playing field for people that where open. Kento was frantically waving his arm above his head and Ryo threw the ball toward him; everyone began to chase after Kento. Kento caught the ball and quickly turned around. He saw White Blaze in a full outstretched run. Everyone stopped in their tracks and rolled with laughter as they saw Kento disappear under White Blaze. He then made them laugh more as he proceeded to lick Kento repeatedly from chin to forehead.

A while later everyone, except for Ryo who had beaten them to the shower, was gathered in the house around the television cooling off from the game. They were all watching a reality sitcom considering there was nothing else interesting. Kento looked at Cye as he was fanning himself with a piece of paper. He was drenched with sweat. They were all sweaty but not nearly as much as him. "You okay Cye?" He asked concerned.

"Yeah, just got a little too hot I think," he answered.

"You do look a little flushed," Mia chimed.

"I'll probably feel better after I take a cool shower."

"Well you better hit it before anyone else beats you," said Ryo coming down the stairs.

They all eyeballed each other. Cye and Rowen, who were the closest to the stairs, darted for the shower as Ryo quickly leapt out of the way. The two of them sounded like a herd of buffalo going upstairs and into the bathroom. "Cheater!" shouted Rowen banging on the door a couple times causing everyone downstairs to laugh.

Cye smiled and locked the bathroom door behind him. 'A cold shower will do me good,' he thought. He carefully removed his clothes to avoid the aches of soreness. He turned on the water and stepped in the shower once it was comfortable. He tilted his head back and stood for a couple minutes letting the cool water his neck and parts of his chest. 'This feels good. I feel better already,' he thought. He bent his head down and let the water soak his thick hair and run down his back. After a few minutes of this his soreness was gone and he proceeded to wash.

He turned off the water, opened the curtain and grabbed a towel and began to dry. After drying he wrapped the towel around his waist and wiped the condensation off the mirror with his hand. 'I do look better, that's for sure,' he thought examining himself in the mirror. He brushed his teeth and combed his hair and then exited the bathroom and to go to his and Kento's shared bedroom. He tossed the towel into the laundry basket in the corner, slipped on his boxers, and crawled into bed and quickly fell asleep.

Author's Notes: Like I said above, sorry I took so long. Been busy and kind of had a small writer's block. I'm trying to come up with different ideas for my story so I won't just jump right into the main plot. It is coming up really quickly though. I know it got kind of annoying with all of the "American Football" stuff, but I thought 'Hey, they're in Japan. Football is Soccer.'

Reviews:

Yakumo27: Thanks so very much. I'm thrilled that you like my story; especially the part where you got chills smiles from ear to ear. Good luck with your marching band and at school.

Firestorm: Thanks once again for reviewing. My brother also likes to read my reviews and practically jumped for joy when you said that Cye was your favorite; he's my brother's too. You two gave me an idea for a new chapter which I will leave as a small surprise; it's nothing really big, but you might like it. I didn't really hint to it, but once I post my next chapter you will be able to see what I'm talking about. I forgot to say so in my last chapter's author's notes; which is good now because I won't keep you waiting since it is going to be the next chapter.

Rogue Ronin: Thanks for the encouragement. I always like hearing people say my fic. is going places. My goal, like everyone else's', is to finish this story because I hate seeing excellent stories go to waste unfinished; especially if it is a really good cliffhanger.