Author's Note: So at this point things are going to pick up and I think chapter length will be getting longer. I am trying to give equal time to each character but there are some that I just can write better. Also the chapters are getting longer so updates will most likely be two a week, and if not then you can rely on at 1 every Monday as I promised in the beginning.
Disclaimer: I don't own either the Ronin Warriors or the Winx Club.
Chapter 8) Wisdom
It hadn't been a good night sleep for any of the Ronin, as they all had been thinking about the trouble in the air. True Kayura could get them over to the dynasty without opening a gate, thanks to the ancients staff, but it would leave her drained and would leave earth without defenders. They knew there were fairies around at least three of them, but they didn't know if they were here to fight the dynasty, would they if the ronin went into the nether realm to aid the warlords? Questions like these stew over and over in their minds. With breakfast still cooking Touma had decided to grab a shower. The steady spray of the water did help to relax him and distracted his mind as he thought about washing up instead of the fate of the warlords. He sighed as he ran his hands over his face before grabbed the shampoo. He'd just finished pouring the shampoo when a knock came on the bathroom door.
"Touma?"
"Yeah you can come in Seiji." With five guys and now two girls three bathrooms just weren't enough… They were never enough. Thankfully all five ronin had become very comfortable around each other. Fighting a war together had made them very close, even to the point where some people questioned their bonds, but it was brotherly. Touma thought with a smirk while he heard Seiji rummaging through the cabinet. Touma braced himself as he finished lathering his hair and Seiji started to brush his teeth. Oh the timing was not in his favor as he'd just started to rinse out his hair as Seiji turned the water on to cringed as the warm water turned freezing cold. Thankfully it didn't stay that way for long, and thankfully he was pretty much done with his shower. Touma stepped out and grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist before glancing at Seiji who had just finished putting his stuff away. He could see Seiji smirking but wasn't sure why till he looked for his clothes only to find his pants were in the pile. Touma turned and raised an eyebrow at Seiji. Since when did Seiji pull pranks.
"They fell in the hamper." Seiji stated still looking at Touma through the glass of the mirror. Touma frown and Seiji's smirk widened. It was strange for Seiji to joke but did happen when he was in a good mood. "Someone called you."
"You could have just said that." Touma pointed out as he grabbed his pants from the hamper. It was in here mostly for Shin and Seiji who would bring their change of clothes with them when they showered. Sometimes Ryo and Touma would do that, but it was Shu who would just throw the dirty clothes in the hamper and walked back to his room in a towel, something that shocked Nasuti the first time it happened. Touma fished around in his pocket and looked at the number. It was one he didn't know, more than it didn't match up any of the number combinations he knew for Japan. He slid open his phone and pulled up the voice mail. He started to listen to it as he was towel drying his hair but straightened up surprise taking him as the message ended. It was the greeting that surprised him and excited him the most, just the simple acknowledgement to his message and a confirmation this was the red haired girl that hadn't been afraid to befriend a strange shy boy. Seiji only raised an eyebrow as Touma shut the phone and began to head out of the bathroom.
Touma could feel Seiji rolling his eyes and was sure somewhere down the line he would be put on the same level as Shu for leaving the bathroom in just a towel. Thankfully Touma could hear everyone else downstairs so no chance of anyone knowing for now except Seiji. When Touma reached his room he quickly threw on some new clothes and tossed the old ones into a pile. He glanced at the pile and realized Shin would soon be on him to do laundry. The water warrior seemed to hate clutter, which Touma's pile of clothes was counted as. He didn't take long to grab what he needed and opened his phone again. He pressed the number to recall and listened. Of course with each ring he could feel the curious press of the others and secretly damned Seiji. Touma grinned as the ringing stopped and there was a voice.
"Hello, Bloom speaking."
"Hello, Bloom Touma. I got your message and I'm glad you guys have decided to meet us. Why don't we first meet up at the same cafe as yesterday, unless you have a car." Touma said knowing that Nasuti's home was perfect for them all to speak at.
"Okay, is there a reason we need a car?"
"Well our place is easiest to reach with a car, the walking distance is a bit much. If you tell me how many you have we can pick you up."
"We could just fly."
"I figured, but we want to keep the attention on the strange low, and our location quiet." Touma explained. Though the warlords had figured out where the ronin's lived the witches hadn't, or showed no indication they knew and that was something the ronins wanted to keep.
"... Okay, there are six of us."
"Okay, I'll be at the cafe in an hour, with a friend." Touma said and once Bloom confirmed he hung up his phone. He took a deep breath and thought about their cars. Seiji's car would be a good one to take, as it would have four open spots he just needed two more now. With things settling in his head Touma left his room and headed down stairs. He spotted Ryo, Shu and Kayura all coming in from outside from a morning practices as he walked towards the kitchen. Shin and Nasuti were casually chatting as Shin nibbled on toast and jam.
"Hey Touma, what's up?" Nasuti greeted him first, though that might have been because Shin's mouth was full.
"I'm going to need to borrow Shin from you. They want to meet up." Touma said a small smile on his face, as for them this was good news. It was something they needed after hearing about the state of the Dynasty and the unknown state of the warlords.
Shin blinked and Nasuti grinned, her looks nearly saying I knew everything would be fine. It was only a few moments later that Kayura and Ryo came into the room while Shu and Seiji continued to hang by the entrance.
"We'll need two cars, but they are willing to come here to talk." Touma said and the spirit in the room lifted immensely. Shin even manage to smile at the news as he was glad they wouldn't have to pressure the fairies.
"Why do you need two cars? Isn't one enough?" Ryo asked stepping in closer to the conversation. He wanted to argue that he should go to meet them but they all knew why Touma asked for Shin's help. His kanji was trust, and if anyone could gain the trust of these possible allies it would be Shin.
"There's six of them here." Touma answered.
"Six? So the three we've met is only a portion of the group?" Shin was amazed there were that many but then again the video Nasuti had pulled up did show a few girls.
"Or they could be a different group." Shu purposed and they knew that was a possibility as well.
"Either way, Touma you are right, take Shin and meet them. Bring them here and hopefully we can come up with a swift plan. One that will not leave the warlords alone for long." Kayura said as she placed her hand on her hip. Her hair was damp with sweat and clinging slightly to her face. Each one of the Ronin nodded and Shin stood up from his spot. He was about to take his plate to clean but Nasuti placed her hand over his.
"I've got it Shin, go on. You don't want to be late." She smiled and Shin could only return the warm gesture.
"Thank you Nasuti." Shin said and began to follow Touma. It didn't slip his notice how excited Touma seemed but then again he was also a bit hopeful. He hoped Musa would be one of the six, and he hoped this would mean they could help the warlords. Yet Touma excite seemed different from his hope and Shin paused once they were outside. "Touma?" Shin ventured hastening his step so he could stop his friend with a soft hand on his shoulder.
"Hmm?" Touma hadn't heard his name as he'd been thinking about Bloom and the chance that they'd meet like this. Yet it was Shin's touch that caught him.
"Touma, is there something you haven't told us?" Shin asked and Touma gaped only for a moment. Of course Shin would notice the small things, and how he was feeling.
"The fairy I met, her name is Bloom. I met her long ago, as a kid. That's all it is." Touma said trying to shrug it off but he saw the small smile on Shin's face. Touma hadn't had many friends before them so it was amusing to think that they would meet one of his few friends from his childhood.
"Well then we should get going. I'll follow you." Shin smiled climbing in Shu's jeep, while Touma got in Seiji's car.
~~~~~~~~(Scene Change)~~~~~~~~~~
It would be an understatement to have said that the girls were nerves as they sat at a small table in the cafe. Each had gotten a drink, and were waiting as they'd gotten to the cafe a bit early.
"What if they don't show?" Musa asked stirring her drink with a straw as all eyes turned to her.
"I'm sure they'll be here." Roxy said glancing down at the book that was under her hands. She'd brought the book she'd been given just incase.
"I agree with Roxy I'm sure they'll show up. After all they are the ones that wanted to talk with us first." Bloom pointed out but even she was nervously fidgeting with the card Touma had given her. It was hard to put their trust in a group of men after the very guys they thought they'd been close to hurt them so bad. Still Bloom was trying and kept reminding herself of the small boy who read her different stories. The boy who sat alone waiting for her, because he didn't get along with the other kids. True they'd been children barely in school but still he'd been nice then, hopefully Touma would be mostly the same. It wasn't till Bloom glanced around the shop did she see Touma and one other man.
Touma smiled to her as he was collecting two drinks. Bloom watched him hand one over to his friend and proceed to dump a ton of sugar into his own. Bloom chuckled and the girls looked up their own thoughts interrupted. Each one followed Bloom's gaze and stared at the two guys. Yet they were all wondering where the others were. There had been nine armors in Roxy's book.
"Hey Bloom, I guess these are your friends? I'm Hashiba Touma, please call me Touma." Touma introduced himself. "Can we take a seat?"
"Oh yeah sure." Bloom moved her chair over as Touma sat next to her and his friend next to him.
"My name is Mouri, Shin but call me Shin. It is a pleasure to meet you all. And nice to see you again Musa." Shin smiled his tone just as gentle as it had been when Musa first met him. When he spoke the visible tension among the girls started to dissipate each one relaxing just a bit and both men smiled. Shin could feel the high emotions between each girl, and the reluctance to trust them, and yet they weren't as closed off as Musa had been the first time he met her.
"I'm Bloom, this is Stella, Techna, Flora, Musa and Roxy." Bloom said making sure they all were introduced.
"I thought there were more of you?" Techna said eyeing the men.
"There are. They are waiting back at our home. We thought it would be a better idea to talk about the stranger matters in a less public place." Touma explained. The ronins weren't known to the public and they planned on keeping it this way.
"More importantly we didn't want to overwhelm you." Shin added and Touma glanced at him. It was a second later that Touma nodded in agreement with Shin. "I understand that you may have reservations about trusting us but you can trust us. We decided for only two to come out because we want you to be comfortable to trust that we want to help you and wish your help." Shin explained and he watched Techna and Musa break away from his gaze first. What surprised him was how Roxy not only held his gaze through his explanation but that he could feel her trusting him. He could feel her excitement, her hope and faith but it was the trust that touched him the most. Shin couldn't help but smile at Roxy, as he knew she would be the key to getting the others to open up he could feel it.
"If you still wish to speak with us, then we can take you to meet most everyone." Shin added and Touma nearly interrupted him. Yet Touma didn't he knew this was exactly why he wanted Shin, that right now it was wisest to let Shin talk.
"Most of you?" Techna echoed folding her arms and eyeing the two men with supicion. Were they trying to keep secrets, why wouldn't they all meet at once? Questions rose in the technology fairy's mind and yet Shin just gave her a reassuring smile.
"We would prefer for all of us to meet you at one time, but they are out of town. If you are willing to trust us even a bit then please come and speak with us." Shin implored as he turned his cup in front of him.
"I want to meet you, or all of you." Roxy stated and Shin and Touma watched the other eyes drift to the youngest. Roxy's hand traced over the cover and she glanced down at it before looking up at Shin and Touma. "I know I need to do what is needed to protect the people I care about. I also believe that if you've helped us that you can't be bad." Roxy reasoned and Touma's eyes flickered to the book.
"Do you mind if I look at that?" Touma asked as he gestured to the book. There was a moment of hesitation before Roxy slid the book to him. Touma smiled and nodded. He left the old book on the table and opened it with care letting Shin look at it as well. Both of them were surprised by the information before them. While there wasn't much on the current dynasty or the actual power it had there was history on it. There were notes about the first time Arago tried to take over, mentions of the ancient one.
~Touma, how could they know this?~ Shin asked mentally eyes widening as Touma flipped to the pictures of the armors.
~Not sure, but we can ask later. I think we should encourage them to leave with us before they change their minds.~ Touma pointed out before shutting the book. There were gaps in the information but the hypotheses were pretty accurate. Touma passed the book back to Roxy with a faint smile.
"I think we should leave. We can fill in the blanks better at home." Touma said and the fairies looked to one another before nodding. "Either three of you can come with me and three with Shin, or we can split up two and four.
"Three and three sounds good." Techna stated, looking to Stella and Bloom.
"Okay so Stella, Techna and I will go with you Touma, and Roxy, Flora and Musa can go with Shin." Bloom stated as they left the cafe. It was weird for all the fairies having magic suddenly be something they had to be quiet about. It was strange not being about to speak openly about it, but they listened to the request. Bloom smiled when she saw Shin actually open a door of the jeep for Roxy to get in on his side while Flora and Musa just got in by themselves. It seemed like Touma's friend was really genuinely nice and she hoped the others would be as well. Nothing was really said as Stella and Techna took the back seat while Bloom sat up front next to Touma. With the radio playing softly they started the drive back. While Touma's group was rather quiet Shin's group was a different story.
Musa couldn't help but smile at the music on the radio, while she tapped along to the rhythm listening to Roxy and Flora talk to Shin.
"So I know you wanted us to wait but how is it you've all known when to help, Musa, Flora and Bloom?" Roxy asked and Shin glanced back at her through the mirror. He thought about the question before adjusting the volume of the radio a bit.
"It's because we can feel the negative energy of the nether realm. The soldiers that have shown up are soulless beings, and are filled with the energy of the nether realm. If they appear we can feel it." Shin explained making sure he wasn't going to fast. All the ronin knew that what they did, the strength they had was unbelief to most, so he didn't want to scare off the first people who would understand it. "The other thing is the gates to the nether realm are something we can feel. It's like you're choking as the air is heavy and constricting. They dynasty doesn't care who they hurt to reach their goals. Last time animals, the forest, and the water suffered thanks to the dynasty." Shin explained his voice growing tense and disgusted when he talked about the damage the dynasty caused.
"That's horrible. The Wizards of the black circle were similar. They didn't care who they hurt when they were trying to get to me." Roxy looked down remembering everyone who suffered and even more vividly remembering Nabu's death.
"You lost someone didn't you." Shin stated and Roxy looked up at him a little surprised. "I understand. The dynasty took someone from us too. I wasn't too close to them, but I wasn't given the time to get to know them. His brother's in arms still feel the loss of him, but what he did saved someone and gave us the chance to defeat Arago."
"That sounds a lot like what Nabu did." Musa murmured sadly thinking about how Nabu still slept, or were they fooling themselves. Musa looked around to Roxy and Flora then back to Shin, and it was then she noticed while Roxy, Flora and herself felt sorrow still from losing a friend Shin did understand and there was the traces of sorrow that lingered from an event in the past.
"Ah well it looks like we're here." Shin said and while the mood was still rather somber, it lifted a touch as the girls looked out and over the large manor. Shin could only smile when he heard the soft gasps from the back seat as the dock house came into view along with the lake. Even the trees from the forest could be seen.
"It's beautiful." Flora stated and Shin hummed agreeing with her statement. When the car stopped Flora was the first one out, and was taking in the scenery while the other girls gathered around. It felt so peaceful here, and from this place she could see mountains, the forest, water and no one else around. "It's pretty secluded here." She observed as Techna, Stella, and Bloom joined her group.
"I would agree. Though I think our arrival has been noticed." Techna said pointing to a balcony where two women were standing looking down at them. While one woman went back inside the other with long dark blue hair just jumped down landing with grace and ease. As she stood from her crouched position the door opened and slowly three guys made their way out.
"Always showing off Kayura." The black haired man chuckled and Techna's eyes widened. He was the boy from the arcade and the broad shouldered man to his left was the one who had helped Stella, Ryo and Shu. "It took you guys a while, was it traffic?" He asked as he walked over to Touma and Shin.
"No, Touma needed some coffee, though I think there was more sugar than coffee in it." Shin smiled falling so easily into joking with his friends. Techna was a bit amazed as she watched them. It was strange but there didn't seem to be any tension among them, no rivalries just close friends like she was with the winx.
"Of course. Hey there, we can either talk out here or inside. Doesn't matter to us. Nasuti said she'd make some lemonade in a bit." The black haired man said as he looked to the winx. His hair was on the long end and his bangs wild and providing a strong contrast against his blue eyes.
The girls looked between each other and they had to admit being outside in a place like this felt nice. The weather was mild and the sun was shining down with only a few clouds in the sky. It was a good day to be outside and enjoy it. So when Bloom nodded Flora couldn't help the smile that spread over her face.
"I think we'd like to stay out here." Bloom said and the black haired man nodded. The winx watched as the five guys moved closer together with Shin on the far left, then was the blond man Flora and Musa knew as Seiji, in the center was the black haired man Techna knew as Ryo, next to him was Touma, leaving the broad shouldered man, Shu to the far right. The Lady sauntered over and stood just to the right of the men her hand on her hip and a smirk on her lips.
"I'm Sanada Ryo, Warrior of Wildfire. I am the leader of the ronin warriors." Ryo announced before letting the other's speak. "I know some of us have met you, though we didn't always learn names. You girls can call me Ryo."
"I'm Date Seiji, Warrior of Halo. Please call me Seiji." Seiji answered and all the girls knew why Musa called him stand offish. He didn't say much but the neutral gaze plus his tone was a bit intimidating, only Flora didn't seem bothered by it.
"I'm Mouri Shin, Warrior of Torrent, and again it is very nice to meet all of you." Shin smiled as he formally introduced himself. It was interesting having him stand next to Seiji for while Seiji was off putting to much of the girls Shin radiated warmth and peace that made someone want to relax.
"Hashiba Touma, Warrior of Strata to answer the question of what armor is mine." Touma stated though like most of the guy there was a smile on his face. It was like this meeting was bringing good new to them.
"I'm Fuan Rei Shu, but just call me Shu, Warrior of Hardrock. And it is nice to see your doing well. No one else has bothered you right?" Shu asked looking at Stella, and Stella just shook her head. "That's good. This city's nice, just every now and then there's a few creeps." He stated though the word creep was more muttered in disgust.
"Now that the boys are finished, I'm Lady Kayura, last of the Ancient clan and former leader to the nether realm. I had been trying for peace and to keep the realm separate from here." Kayura explained smirking as Shu grumbled at her, and Touma just rolled his eyes.
"What happened? I mean in the… nether realm?" Roxy asked looking to Kayura.
"Well first shouldn't you introduce yourselves?" Kayura countered with a smug smirk as Roxy looked away embarrassed.
"Kayura leave them alone." Seiji spoke up his tone strict and stern.
"Well still no fun are we Halo." Kayura answered with a hard look but Seiji didn't seemed phased. Instead he looked to the winx and waited patiently for their names.
"I'm Bloom, fairy of the Dragon fire."
"Stella, fairy of the Sun and Moon."
"Flora, fairy of Nature."
"Musa, fairy of Music."
"Techna, fairy of Technology."
"I'm Roxy, fairy of Animals." As the winx finished they watched as the ronin and Kayura looked over them and then to each other. It was finally Kayura who stepped forward a hand on her hip.
"Good now that, that is done. There is serious trouble. Three women took over the nether realm and are reviving Arago. They also are trying to open the gates of the dynasty. What's worse is my guards and the ronins allies are trapped there." Kayura stated plainly and the winx could only look between each other in shock. "The women want something called the ring of Solaria, and our jewel of life."
"The Trix… They want Stella's ring again?" Bloom echoed back thinking back to when the Trix came for Stella's ring thinking the dragon fire was in it.
"Why would they want it?" Stella asked glancing down at the ring on her finger.
"You have the ring they're looking for?" Touma asked an eyebrow raised a bit.
"Well of course, the ring of Solaria belongs to the royal family of Solaria. Ow!" Stella yelped as Techna elbowed her lightly. The glare Techna was giving spoke volumes to wanting to not tell the warriors more than needed. Plus these men were from earth and didn't know about the realms beyond magix, let alone magix. The ronin were exchanging glances with each other but said nothing. Finally Ryo nodded and Shin smiled, as if some agreement was reached but not a word was said.
"It's okay if you don't want to tell us more, all we need right now is that you have the ring, so we know to protect you." Ryo stated evenly. "We can't let those women further their plan no matter what."
"We agree, the Trix are dangerous and we've seen what they'll do with power. Maybe we could go take the fight to them." Techna suggested thinking about the times they'd gone into other realms to fight the Trix.
"No, we can. I don't have the power to transport so many without opening the gates. If the gates open then those women live and my warlords have taken risks that were pointless." Kayura stated.
"Hey now, don't start arguing." A light voice chimed in. The ronin partially parted and a woman with medium length brown hair was standing there with a tray of drinks. "Hi there I'm Koji, Nasuti. This is my home and I want you to know you're welcomed to stay here. Why don't we go in and take a small break, okay?" Nasuti asked though it was clear she was taking mostly to Kayura.
"I would rather have us work on a plan." Kayura stated but before she could say anything more Shu put his hand on Kayura's shoulder.
"Hey now don't argue with Nasuti."
"She's right, anyways. We're all tense because of meeting each other. It might be good to take a moment and just think. There must be a good way to handle this we just need time to think." Touma said agreeing with Nasuti and earning a nod from the other Ronin. "So do you want to stay here?"
"Well… We'll at least stay a little while, if that's okay." Bloom said glancing between the girls who were giving her soft smiles. All of them were unsure if they wanted to spend the night here but that was because they didn't really know the Ronin or Nasuti.
"Sure it's fine. Why don't you stay for dinner, Shin you can help me cook right?" Nasuti said walking over to the girls so they could each grab a cup of lemonade. She then took the rest to the ronin and tucked the tray under her arm. "Alright well Kayura why don't you go and rest a bit more, okay?" Nasuti pressed trying to get the Lady of the Dynasty to go sleep some more. It wasn't unknown to Nasuti that Kayura didn't rest well thanks to the worry she was feeling.
"Come on Bloom we'll give you guys a quick tour." Touma said and Ryo nodded. Seiji stepped to the side and let the group pass and stayed outside. Shu followed Shin into the kitchen and Nasuti went upstairs with Kayura. It wasn't a big tour just more pointing out where everything was. Once that was done the girls split up Flora going back outside with Roxy, well Techna and Musa found a spot the couch, Bloom had gone to the kitchen and Stella was just wondering the house looking at the old decor. It had become quiet as both groups were trying to get used to the other, and for the winx make sure they could really trust these men.
