Guardian Souls
By: Ghost of the Dawn
Chapter One: Robyn Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Rowen was having a hard time concentrating. He had been staring at the same page in his copy of "Catch 22" for the last ten minutes now. Why couldn't he get past it? Perhaps it was the environment. So familiar, yet not as cosy as it used to be. A place of his past from a time he could never take back. It had been well over a year since Rowen had been in Mia's house--or in Toyama for that matter. He lived clear up in northern Japan now which was where he worked and went to school. The blue haired scholar still had yet to declare a major which drove all his professors nuts since he was excelling in every general class.
Giving up for a while, Rowen lifted his head and tapped his chin thoughtfully. This large house just felt too empty. That's what was wrong. It was missing something. It was missing people. Rowen was staying with Mia for a few days before he headed back north to his usual life. It sure beat staying alone at his mother's apartment. Kento and Ryo were there as well. Though they were only visiting for dinner before returning to their families. Both had gone to the same college located in a city about two hour's drive from Toyama. Not surprisingly, they ended up being roommates and were apparently closer than ever now. They were planning on driving back the next afternoon.
Mia was the one cooking dinner that night because Cye was not there. He had gotten a grant to go study at some special school located on the coast somewhere. Of course, he was majoring in marine biology. Rowen wasn't even sure how far away Cye was right now. He could even be out on the ocean learning from hands on experience. Plus, Cye never did tell him exactly where the school was located.
Sage was the other one missing from the scene. The proper, obedient, dedicated son floored his entire family twenty generations down by accepting a scholarship to a business college where he was now majoring in business technology. While his mother was supportive, no words could describe how pissed his father was. Rowen still didn't even want to know what his grandfather thought about that decision. Sage's father had married into the Date family and while doing so, volunteered to help carry on the Date family dojo. He then had planned and prepared to pass it on to Sage who had, up until then, seemed like the perfect candidate to accept it. It was anyone's guess what was in store for it in the future now.
Yayoi, Sage's older sister, had practically disowned him at that point. Not that he cared. She had been critical of him since the day he was born and from what Rowen understood, Sage was actually glad of her promise never to speak to him again. Sage also had a younger sister, Satsuki, who had always been the follower in the family. About seventeen or eighteen years old now, she always tried to be just like Yayoi, but at the same time, adored and admired her brother.
Rowen was not invited over to the Date's much despite his friendship with Sage. It was because the blonde young man never liked the company of his own home and would often seek sanctuary else where. But when Rowen did get to visit, he would mainly go to see Satsuki. Rowen always loved the pretty blue eyed girl with the golden blonde curls. He loved her like a sister--maybe even more. He often joked to Sage that if she didn't find herself a man before a certain age then he would fill the position. She was only two years younger than them after all. Sage had yet to come up with any kind of comment about that.
Rowen smiled as he continued to sit in Mia's waiting room. Thinking about all these things made him feel wonderfully nostalgic. It made a small pain in his heart to know that what he had a year ago could never come back. But at the same time, it also made him excited not to know what was coming up ahead.
Thinking of the future made Rowen subconsciously frown. There was that feeling again that muddled his concentration. He didn't like it. He didn't like the restlessness stirring inside him. It felt reminiscent of a sixth sense that had been out of use since he left Toyama. It didn't feel like danger, simply like something was coming...
A raven haired young woman walked with hesitant steps towards a large house sitting in front of a lake, deep in the forest. She marveled at the size of it as she approached. It was almost like a mansion. If anyone were to pass by right then, they might have wondered what the young woman was doing there as she looked quite out of place. Even more so, they might wonder about the strange, unnatural way she was acting the closer she got to the house.
The young woman looked almost bewildered as she stepped into the driveway. As if she had no clue as to why she was there in the first place. A red jeep was parked out front with various other vehicles placed more sloppily off to the sides. She moved closer, but faltered as the door came in view.
"Are you sure about this?" the words mumbled from her mouth to fall on invisible ears.
A reply seemed to come on the wind and she stepped up on the porch. A shaking hand reached up to ring the doorbell, but she changed her mind.
"I can't do this," the dark haired woman whined. "I know they're not going to help me. Go find some other sucker to do it."
She turned on her heel and went to step off the porch when the sound of the doorbell being pushed by phantom fingers reached her ears and made her freeze in her steps. The young woman closed her eyes and her fists shook in anger. She spun around, about to tell her invisible offender what for when the door was thrown open and she stopped in surprise.
Ryo was surprised, too. It wasn't often strange, beautiful women appeared at his door. Technically, it wasn't really his door; it was Mia's. But Ryo was still surprised nonetheless.
The woman bit her lip nervously at the site of him. Had he seen her before? She had a flawless face and ivory skin. Large, dark eyes with thick lashes and black, shiny hair that fell perfectly around her face and ran like a dark river down her back.
"Yes?" Ryo asked hesitantly. "Can I...help you?"
The young beauty before him took a deep breath as if to calm herself. As she opened her mouth to speak, another face poked itself out of the doorway. Kento blinked at the young woman and instantly furrowed his brows at her.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" he wanted know.
Now Ryo was blinking at Kento. "You know her?" he asked.
"Duh Ryo," Kento replied. "Don't you? That's Min."
Ryo looked blankly at his friend.
"Miniko Hino...from high school," Kento clarified.
Ryo's expression still looked blank--save a bit more lost. He turned back to the visitor with a far off look of disbelief on his face. This was the same person? The one Sage spent most of his high school life trying to avoid? The one that always badmouthed them behind their backs at school? Who always looked down on practically everyone and made life hell for anyone she didn't like? She hardly looked like herself. Gone were the flashy clothes, the bright make up, and the scoffing looks. In their place was a very soft, very humble looking young woman. Such a transition was almost inconceivable to Ryo and he found himself at a loss for words.
"I'm sorry to bother you," Miniko spoke softly.
"So what do you want?" Kento prodded.
Miniko was taken a bit off guard with the blunt question, but managed to find her voice.
"I, uh...I'm looking for Robyn," she said quietly.
"Robyn!" Kento demanded. "Well I doubt she'll want to see you. So why don't you leave her alone?"
Miniko shot him a glare, causing her to look more like her old self. She then looked up at Ryo in hopes of getting an answer to her question. The expression on his face was unreadable.
"Robyn doesn't live here any more," he told her plainly.
"Well, I know she wouldn't live here. But I was hoping you could tell me where I could find--"
"No," Kento interrupted. "He means she doesn't live in Japan any more."
Miniko blinked at the news. Obviously she wasn't expecting that.
"She went back to the U.S." Ryo confirmed.
The dark haired young woman suddenly looked overwhelmed as she repeated the last part to herself. The two Ronins looked at each other, at a loss as to what was going through her mind. Miniko looked back at them again.
"Um, thank you," she rasped. "I--I'll be going now."
She turned and wandered off the porch and down the driveway. Kento and Ryo looked at each other again and then finally decided to close the door and let their strange visitor be on her way. Ryo shook his head as he wandered off to go slouch in Mia's reading chair while Kento snuck over to the curtains and peeked out the window. He gazed in confusion as he watched Miniko walk away.
She was acting so strangely. Currently, the unexpected young woman was walking slightly sideways and waving her hands as if having a conversation with someone who was strolling next to her. Her body posture was rigid as if her discussion with her phantom companion was quite heated.
"What do you think you're going to see out there, Kento?" Ryo called with a lopsided grin.
"Nothing," Kento insisted, pulling the curtains shut. "I was just making sure she was leaving. How on Earth did she find her way here, anyway?"
Ryo grinned. "Thinking of asking her out? You know, I remember back in our Sophomore year that you liked her."
"Shut up Ryo," Kento retorted. "You liked her, too."
Ryo just chuckled to himself and leaned back further in the chair where he was sitting. He treated this comment much like he treated anything else that fell short of saving the mortal world.
"Why don't you go back in the kitchen and flirt with Mia like you usually do," Kento had to add.
Ryo shot him a look of mock indignation. "Why don't you? You're better at it," he called back, tossing a pillow at Kento's head.
An all out pillow fight was about to erupt when Rowen appeared over the rail of the upper level.
"Hey, who was at the door?" he called.
"You don't wanna know Rowen, trust me," Kento replied.
"Who?" Rowen demanded. Both Ryo and Kento were taken aback by the urgency in his voice. For some odd reason, he was looking quite nervous.
"It was Miniko from school," Kento told him.
"Miniko?" Rowen looked just as surprised as all the others who had seen her.
He stood with a puzzled expression and then turned to head back to his studies. But suddenly, it was as if a lightning bolt had struck his brain. He snapped back around and started down the stairs--only taking a few before hopping over the banister. His landing on the floor was enough to get everyone's attention. Mia poked her head out of the kitchen just in time to see Rowen reach the door.
Urgently, Rowen flung it open and charged full speed out of the house. The other two Ronins, now greatly confused, all moved to the doorway to see what Rowen was up to. The blue haired young man raced faster than he ever had before towards the unsuspecting figure still walking away from the house.
Miniko, suddenly feeling like something was behind her, turned around just in time to see a body flying her way. Rowen flung himself at her, encircling his arms protectively around her as they both fell over. Even before they hit the ground, a shower of arrows landed all around them. Rowen grunted as he hit the ground and an arrow embedded itself into his upper arm. Miniko cried out when she saw the attack and was almost too surprised to move in Rowen's wincing grip.
"It's an attack!" Ryo cried as he and Kento immediately called on their subarmors.
"Where's it coming from?" Kento hollered.
They raced towards their fallen comrade. Kento gasped as another arrow zipped past his ear and landed a breath's distance away from his foot. He couldn't hold back a small startled cry at coming so close to being skewered. Meanwhile, Ryo had run to his friend's aid. But he did not have time to look at the wound before the small group became surrounded on all sides.
Out of the thick forest undergrowth they appeared. And down from the trees they fell like dark, heavy rain. They were men, dozens of them; dressed in black, heavy cloaks with black wraps over their faces. Each one carried their choice of assorted ancient weapons and each looked ready to kill.
Ryo and Kento stood with their backs together as they sized up their new enemies.
"So what do you say, Ryo?" Kento asked. "Do we thrash these dudes or what?"
The bearer of Wildfire narrowed his blue eyes as he looked the situation over. They were but three Ronins and surrounded. Not to mention Rowen was wounded and these mysterious ninjas looked serious.
"Looks like we have no choice," Ryo muttered under his breath.
As if on cue, a savage roar echoed through the serene forest, disturbing much of the nearby wildlife and causing the Ronins to look up.
"Yeah, White Blaze!" Kento cheered the large white tiger standing majestically on a rock above them. "You've got a fight now, boys. Let's go!"
On that mark, Wildfire and Hardrock both removed their clothing, revealing the red and orange body armor underneath.
Miniko's eyes widened at the sight of them.
"What's going on?" she squeaked at Rowen.
Strata, for the most part, was not enjoying his position. Sure he had a pretty girl pinned under him, but he also had an arrow in his shoulder. One that prevented him from even moving off her. Not to mention this particular pretty girl wasn't his most favorite in the world and they were surrounded by warriors bent on killing them all to top it off.
"Just stay still," he grunted through his teeth. Boy he wished the other Ronins would have been there.
The black clad opponents looked taken aback at the site of White Blaze as the large feline soared over them all to land in the middle with his companions. Apparently they had not planned on facing off against a wild animal such as this with their other victims.
"Well boys, what are you waiting for," Kento announced. "We haven't got all day. Let's get this fight started."
On that mark, a small battle broke out with the three Ronins right in the middle. As fast as they could close in, the warriors in black attacked. But even though they were armed and many and the young heros were unarmed and few, Kento and Ryo fended them off. Compared to armor clad undead soldiers and dark warlords, these guys were cake.
"Ryo, what's with these guys?" Kento asked as he dodged a katana from slicing off his head. An armored fist in the gut brought an end to that head hunter. "They're dropping like flies. They don't even have any special powers."
Ryo gritted his teeth as he downed to more men. They weren't from the Nether Realm, that was for sure. These were real men they were fighting. Mortals. So how did they know about them? And why were they attacking?
"Rowen," Ryo called as he heard his friend grunting behind him. He had managed to roll off of Miniko, but his arm still hurt like a beast.
"Are you going to be okay? Can you get up?"
Rowen lay on his back, panting heavily. He squeezed his eyes closed as he clutched his arm. He could feel that cruel arrow between his fingers and the blood. Of all the things to get hit by. He had known archery his whole life. Why hadn't he been smart enough to dodge or catch the blasted thing? And what was with all this pain? Did getting shot really hurt this bad?
Nevertheless, even with the pain, Rowen couldn't bear to be a burden to his friends like this. Not when they were risking their lives to keep him safe. He had to help. With all his might, he forced his mind to block out the pain and summon up his subarmor. Perhaps the skin tight armor would also help his wound as well. But alas, he couldn't do it. Rowen popped his eyes open as the summoning failed. Where was Strata? It felt almost locked away from him some how. Now, Rowen was ready to panic.
"Ryo, I can't call my subarmor," Rowen announced.
"Great, what else can happen?" Kento grunted as another fighter came after him with a spear. Man, these guys just kept coming. Was there no end to them?
"White Blaze," Ryo called. "Get Rowen and Miniko out of here. Don't let them get hurt."
The large beast who had been thrashing bad guys at his own disposal, stopped his ferocious attack and ran to the downed Rowen's side.
Miniko, who had been in a state of shock for the most part, gasped as the tiger came near.
"It's all right," Rowen gritted his teeth as he tried to sit up. "He's here to help us. Get on."
The dark haired girl remained on her knees looking from the wounded young man to the growling beast. She seemed to be waiting for something--some kind of silent direction to tell her what to do. Finally, it seemed some invisible force had thrust her forward and she jumped to action, right over to Rowen's side and looped an arm around his neck.
It was quite a task in itself just to get the much taller young man to his feet. He felt so weak. Since when did one arrow do that to a person? Men were such wimps sometimes.
With a few more grunts, Rowen was up and leaning most of his weight on White Blaze. Miniko didn't know how she was going to get him up on the giant cat's back. And more warriors were closing in. Ryo and Kento wouldn't be able to hold them off forever like this.
"Miniko, watch out!" Rowen warned as one of the assailants dropped from the treetops above them.
The young woman hardly wasted any time in turning around and giving her attacker a spin kick to the head before he could even hit the ground. While she was at it, she took down a few more with surprising speed and precision. The kind of a real warrior.
Rowen, for his part, just watched with wide eyes. He didn't recall her being THAT good back in high school at the Date Dojo. While she was fighting, Miniko had a different look, almost like a predator's. She was serious. When she was finished, Rowen nearly jumped when she turned that look his way.
"Now for you," she said lowly.
Rowen's face paled. He was hardly in any position to fight back. How embarrassing this would be. While his friends are fighting armies mere yards away, he was going to get beaten up by the high school Homecoming Queen!
"Here, step up," Miniko ordered as she crouched on the ground. Interlacing her fingers together, her palms offered a stepping stool for Rowen. "I said get up!" Miniko then barked.
Rowen instantly jumped to comply. He stepped on her hands, but Miniko was unprepared as to how heavy the bearer of Strata really was.
Man, he's so skinny, I didn't think he'd be THIS heavy, Miniko thought to herself. She grunted against the weight, but in the end, it was still to much for her.
"Good enough," she suddenly announced as she pushed Rowen forward.
With a startled cry, Rowen fell over White Blaze's back with his front end dangling over one side as his back end over the other. Miniko climbed on behind his struggling body, not giving his cries of pain and objection any mind.
"Let's go," she called to the large cat and White Blaze took off back to the house.
Rowen gritted his teeth as the tiger lurched forward. The arrowhead jumped in his flesh, as if seeking to create even more damage before it could be removed. But he held on tight as they fled and in the background, he could hear his two friends calling up their armor. He hoped they would be okay.
But it wasn't very far back to Mia's house. Just a handful of jumps and Rowen was painfully dumped on the grass in the yard.
"Ouch! What's the matter with you?" he growled as he clutched his shoulder. "Why do you have to be so rough?"
Miniko rolled her eyes as she dismounted the large cat. "Honestly, men are such cry babies."
Rowen glared at her; then looked up at White Blaze.
"Eat her," he told the tiger. "I won't tell anyone."
White Blaze looked over at the girl and for a sparse moment, Miniko was afraid he just might do it, too.
"Rowen!" a worried female voice announced.
Mia came running out of the house and down to the injured young man. Miniko instantly stepped away as Mia took control of the situation, assessing the wound.
"Look at you," Mia said as she pressed the cleaning rag she had in her hand to Rowen's wound. He instantly flinched at the touch and Mia apologetically moved it away. "What happened?"
"It's okay now, Mia," came Ryo's voice when Rowen opened his mouth to speak.
She looked up to see Ryo and Kento in full armor walking towards them.
"We were attacked, but they're gone now," Wildfire continued.
"It was so weird," Kento added. "There were these black ninja guys falling from the trees everywhere. But when Ryo and I armored up, they all suddenly ran off. Almost like they just disappeared on us."
If Mia was looking worried before, she looked even more so now. "Who were they? Will they come back?"
Rowen winced, but managed to put his good hand on her arm. "It's okay Mia, these guys surely aren't any Dynasty Solders. They're easy to handle."
"Says the guy with the arrow in his shoulder," Kento quipped. He reached down and carefully looped Rowen's good arm over his shoulder and slowly eased him to his feet. The group moved into the house and settled Rowen on the couch. Miniko was the last one in, lingering behind and staying in the corner while the others moved about and cared for their friend.
She stayed unnoticed as Mia rushed off to get some hot towels and her well stocked first aid kit. She found out it was very useful to keep a large one with the company she often had. With her gone, Kento and Ryo decided now was the best time to do the deed so she didn't have to watch.
"Ready?" Kento asked, gripping the arrow as close as he could do the wound.
"Ready," Ryo nodded, getting behind Rowen's head and gripping his shoulders to hold them down.
"Wait, wait!" Rowen protested wildly. "I'm not--"
He gave an anguished cry as the arrowhead was ripped from his flesh. Mia started crying, too. Especially since now fresh blood was gushing from the wound all over her nice furniture.
"Kento, did you have to do that right on my new couch?" she admonished Hardrock as she pushed him out of the way and took his place over Rowen. She quickly set about applying pressure to the wound. "Ryo, here, get that under him so he's not bleeding all over everything."
Ryo instantly obeyed and did his best as a hero to save the righteous apoulstry from Rowen's heinous blood.
"Gosh, I feel so loved," Rowen growled through gritted teeth.
Mia instantly told him to hush up and hold still.
Amidst it all, Kento happened to look behind him to see Miniko was still around. The former high school classmate seemed to be doing her best to look invisible and stay out of the way. Oddly enough she kept flinching as Rowen squirmed. Her hand went up to her shoulder, clutching it uncomfortably. Kento was impressed. He didn't think she had the heart enough to sympathize with Rowen's predicament. But perhaps even she was capable of feeling his pain, in a matter of speaking, and perhaps wasn't as heartless as she was made out to be.
"So," Kento announced, getting her attention. "Now that you're actually inside Min, perhaps you'd like to explain to us a bit better about what you're doing here."
She looked up at him; regret clearly written on her face that she had been noticed. Though she tried not to show it, Miniko Hino, once the most popular girl in school, was now trembling like a little kitten. How she wanted to be anywhere but here. Out in the middle of the woods, in the lair of those she had once ridiculed and belittled. Now, she was on their playing field and at their mercy. An unknown voice seemed to whisper courage to her and she took a deep breath.
"I," she stated slowly. "Was sent here to find you--Ronin Warriors."
Kento rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly as tried to make sense of it all. "Yes, yes, we know that. We were all there," he insisted.
Everyone was sitting down now; Miniko facing the rest of them. Rowen was now shirtless. It had to be cut off and now he was sitting up painfully as Mia wrapped his wound. During the treatment, Miniko had slowly explained to them, to everyone's surprise and Kento's frustration, their own fight with the Dynasty nearly four years previous. Thus getting the comment.
"What I want to know," Kento continued. "Is how you know all of this. No one was supposed to remember that this happened. And how do you know--no--What makes you think that your Ronin Warriors are us?"
Miniko bit her lip as she continued to stare at her hands. "I told you," she reiterated quietly. "It all was told to me in a vision."
"A vision, huh?" Kento looked far from impressed.
"What about Robyn?" Ryo suddenly asked, changing the subject. "You said you were sent here to find us, but when we answered the door, the first thing you asked for was Robyn. Why?"
Kento's attention was once again back on her. This answer would be good.
"I...I can't tell you," was Miniko's weak reply.
"You can't?" Kento demanded. "Why the hell not?"
"Kento, chill out," Rowen grouched next to Mia. She had almost finished with him and Rowen was now not in a very patient mood. "We're not going to get anywhere unless you back off a little."
Kento threw his friend a dark look. How could he be defending her? Miniko probably had more bad things to say about him in high school than any of the other five ronins. Why was he sticking up for her now?
Miniko must have been thinking the same thing for she had a questioning expression when Rowen looked up at her.
"You'll have to tell us more than that or we may not be able to help you."
Miniko furrowed her brows at the blue haired ronin, looking more like her old self. "I don't need your help. I didn't come here looking for protection. Even if you are a Ronin Warrior, you don't know everything. How could you even think--"
She was cut off and Kento jumped to his feet. He had heard enough.
"Shut up Miniko!" he ordered. Everyone was dead silent. Sure, Kento could be hot headed sometimes, but he had never ever blown up at a girl before; for even Hardrock had his limits. But Miniko Hino seemed to have crossed one line too many.
"What gives you the right to come out here with that attitude?" Kento continued. "That guy just saved your life! Not that you would do anything like that for any of us! You and your stupid in-group did nothing but give all of us hell for the past four years and yet this guys still takes an arrow for you. And you don't even have the manners to show him the least bit of gratitude? When will you get over yourself for once and act like a decent human being?"
"Kento, that's enough," Rowen said calmly, holding his injured shoulder.
Miniko stood still through her verbal berating, though by now, her fists were trembling. She looked as if she were going to break at any moment.
"You know, you're right," she swallowed, trying to stay calm. "I am a horrible person and I should be more grateful. Thank you Hashiba-San. I really do appreciate what you did for me. I really do, I just---"
That was as far as she could go and Miniko suddenly turned and ran out the front door, slamming it behind her. All was quiet for a moment.
"Wow Kento, college is really making you cranky," Rowen had to comment.
Hardrock just folded his massive arms and brooded some more. What a crappy break this had turned out to be.
"I'll go talk to her," Mia volunteered. She got up and followed out the door after the younger woman.
Miniko was found around the corner of the house, leaning against the brick wall. She looked up at Mia, almost unsure whether or not to treat this older woman with hostility or not.
"What?" she asked plainly.
Mia smiled at her, trying to find the right words to say. The boys knew this young woman, but she did nott. From what she had gathered from the previous conversation, this Miniko wasn't an old school friend. In fact, the two parties didn't seem to like each other one bit. Mia could hardly imagine what courage it would take to come all the way out there to confront them like this. Knowing there was a chance she would be rejected or even be thought of as crazy for what she had to say. Thinking of this girl's pluck made Mia smile.
"I'm sorry," she told the dark haired young woman. "You know the boys, but I didn't properly introduce myself. My name is Mia Koji."
"I know who you are," Miniko said softly. "And I know how you helped them. I've seen it all."
That revelation, too, was a bit surprising. But Mia kept smiling.
"Please, Miniko, is it? Please sit with me for a while."
She led the way to the back where some chairs and a table were set out on the porch. The two woman sat and looked at each other. One was in silent awe and full of curiosity. The other felt guilty, out of place, and wished she were anywhere else in the universe but here.
"It seems you and the boys didn't get along well at school," Mia opened the conversation.
Miniko blinked at her. "No. We didn't, if you must know," she replied. Only half of her conversation sounded insulted by the question. The other half of her words seemed almost laced with regret.
"Forgive me," Mia then said. "I don't like beating around the bush in conversations. I find it more prudent to get right to the point."
Miniko nodded. She had been warned about this, too. And though this Mia Koji seemed friendly enough, she knew she would be getting a good grilling from the intelligent, older woman.
"And despite your relations, you still came here," Mia then went on. "It must have been very hard for you. I admire that."
Miniko smiled a little and lowered her head. "Thank you," she replied in a low voice.
"But, that means you must have come here for a very important reason."
That statement was left hanging. Mia knew that her coming here was indeed of importance. And now that Mia had realized this, Miniko had a feeling she wouldn't be let go until she was told the reason why.
More silence settled around the two. The breeze blew between them as a silent question hung in the air. Would it be okay to tell? Could she give this woman the truth? Miniko seemed to be listening to that very breeze for the answers. Mia wasn't sure if she was imagining it, but the younger woman appeared to even get her reply.
"It's hard to explain," Miniko admitted with a deep sigh. "Please believe me, what I'm going to tell you is not information I've learned first hand. I hardly know about any of this--of the things I'm sure you have studied for years. All I know is what I've been told. And please Miss Koji," she added hastily. "Don't ask me how I know. I promise you, this information comes from a friend. Someone who wants to help. Unfortunately, I have been asked not to tell you how I came to know of this."
Mia nodded as she let the information sink in. The fact that this girl, whom the Ronins obviously didn't trust, said right out she wasn't going to tell her everything made Mia on edge. Nevertheless, she would take what information she could get. If this meant even more trouble for her friends, then she had to know whatever this young woman was willing to tell.
"I understand," she finally replied. "Please tell me what you can."
Miniko nodded and took a breath, gathering her thoughts. There was so much to tell. She herself was still trying to understand all the information she had been confronted with in such a short time. Where could she even begin?
"Do you know the origins of the armors--the five Ronin Armors?" she asked.
"Yes," was Mia's reply. "They, plus four others were once all one and belonged to a powerful tyrant called Talpa. You yourself spoke of him earlier so I'm sure you know this. And of how Talpa was defeated many centuries ago by an ancient clan leader and the armor was divided into nine parts and scattered to different bearers."
Mia couldn't help but feel weird relaying this to the younger stranger. All of this was meant to be kept secret. No one was ever supposed to know. Of course, Robyn had found out during the Nago incident, but it wasn't anything like this. Miniko Hino, an individual totally unrelated to anything having to do with the armors was now sitting in front of her; about to teach Mia on a subject she had studied almost all her life. It didn't seem fair. It didn't seem right. But Mia was going to find out all she could for her friends.
Though, she was a bit bothered when Miniko shook her head as if gently correcting a child for spelling a word wrong.
"Further back than that," Miniko guided. "Before Talpa."
Mia blinked at her. There was nothing before that. Talpa had the armors to begin with...didn't he?
"Far before the time of the Ancient," Miniko instructed as if repeating words recited to her. She really did act like this information had not come of her own knowledge, but someone else's. "Before Talpa--before this world. They existed on a world almost parallel to our own. A world caught in ancient times where the Gods made time stand still. They existed there; similar as they do here. Each one an individual with its own bearer.
"In this world, all the people knew of the armors. They were praised and kept sacred. The wearers of the armors were looked upon as saviors and gods. At least, that was of the five."
"And the other four?" Mia pressed. "They had bearers as well, didn't they? Were all the armors held by good men?"
Miniko furrowed her brows and ran her fingers through her straight, raven hair. "I'm not sure," she said sincerely. "I really don't know. I was only told about the five."
Though a bit disappointed at the lack of answers, Mia motioned her to go on.
"Um..." Miniko bit her lip, trying to figure out where to go from there. "I guess...Talpa is next. He appeared in that other world, but I'm not sure if he lived there or if he just came to it. But his goal was to steal the five armors."
"Not all nine?" Mia interrupted. "He had all nine when he came to our world."
"I don't know!" Miniko shot back. "I think he already had the four. Can I just get this out, please?"
A bit perturbed, Mia once again allowed it. This was starting to get annoying. What was this girl really doing here? Did this story full of holes really have a point? What did she want when she didn't even know all the answers herself?
"Okay, so Talpa came and tried to kill the bearers and take the armors," Miniko began again. This time she was a bit more hurried as she tried to get the rest of it out before being interrupted again. "The emperor of the land and his advisors worried about what would happen if Talpa combined all the powers of the armors and knew they had to do everything they could to stop him from getting the five.
"In the sacred temple of the armors were four priestesses--those who dedicated their lives to the armors. As a last resort, these woman were sealed by some kind of spell, I think, to the armors. They were termed the Guardians and took a vow to live their lives for one reason-- to always make sure those who held the armor's powers were good and worthy of them."
"But it failed," Mia broke in.
"What?" Miniko looked up, not expecting that remark.
"The Guardians; the priestesses," Mia clarified. "Talpa had all the armors when he invaded our world. Therefore, they failed to protect the armors."
Miniko looked at her and Mia was surprised with the reaction. She looked almost as if that comment were a personal reminder of her own failure. As if Miniko as failed herself.
"Nice story," a deep male voice interrupted the conversation.
Both women turned around to see Kento leaning against the side of the house. Ryo and Rowen were there as well.
Miniko was not pleased. "You--you were listening?" she demanded.
"Yup," Kento replied. "You can't come here blabbing about how you know things and then expect us not to listen."
Ryo put his hand on Kento's shoulder to get him to stand off.
"I'm sorry, but we had to. If it's important; if lives are at stake for any reason, we need to know."
That made Miniko calm down a bit as the three Ronins approached them.
"Did you hear all of it?" Mia looked up at the taller young men standing around her chair.
"Pretty much," Rowen replied. His right arm was stiff as he still favored his bandaged shoulder. "What do you think of it Mia?"
"I--I'm really not sure," she replied. "I've never heard of any of this. Not in any of all my years of research."
"I think it's a load of bullshit!" Kento snapped, slapping his palms on the small, round table. "Even if any of it was true, what's the point of it?"
"The point," Miniko shot back as she stood to meet Hardrock's gaze. "Is that a link between that world and ours has been torn open. Something more ancient than Talpa is calling back the armors to it. Because of this, the Guardian spell sealed to the armors is now taking affect. Four representations of the priestesses have been chosen and each of them is in great danger. As well as the armors if anything happens to them."
The three Ronins looked at her blankly. Clearly, this was all news to them. Would they have known of a sealed spell on their armors? If something like that was activated, wouldn't they have felt it?
"And you know this because..." Kento floundered for some reason to believe any of this.
Miniko sighed and slumped her shoulders. Why were men so thick headed? There was only one thing left to do.
"Because," she informed them, holding out one hand. Light energy gathered in her palm as the Ronins and Mia looked on dumbfounded. Before them lay a dark blue and very familiar energy ball in Miniko's clutches.
"I was chosen as the Guardian of Strata."
Kento raised his eyebrows. Ryo blinked. Mia placed her fingertips to her surprised mouth. Rowen promptly fainted; successfully catching the attention of everyone else.
"Oh dear," Mia fretted as she rushed to the aid of the fallen warrior. "He shouldn't have been walking around with that wound."
"It's probably my fault, too," Miniko admitted. "I shouldn't have called out his armor orb without warning him. It probably took some of his energy. I'm sorry."
Mia smiled at her as Kento and Ryo picked up Rowen's limp body between them and moved him back into the house.
Rowen made a small noise between a groan and a sigh as he came back to consciousness. He was greeted with pleasant quiet and Mia's gentle, smiling face.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" she asked with concern.
Rowen lazily looked at the wall before answering. He was upstairs in the room he was using while staying there.
"I'm okay. Where's the guys?"
"They're in the study, giving that poor girl the go around. At least Kento is. Ryo's just kind of being there. I think he's really confused over what he should do about Miss Miniko's story."
Rowen let out a breath and looked around his room some more. His thoughts were having a hard time trying to put themselves together at the moment.
"Do you think it's true?" he asked.
"I..." Mia looked away, not wanting to answer.
"Mia?" Rowen pressed, touching her hand. She suddenly looked so worried.
"I don't want to," Mia admitted. "If it's true then...then all of you will have to fight again. You five have gotten so far. You would have to give it all up again and start over just to fight."
"Mia," Rowen said gently. "The battle of the armors is not 'just a fight' and you know it. It's important and it is worth us putting our personal lives on hold to do it."
"I know. But I still don't want to believe what we just heard. Even though...I do."
"Me, too," Rowen sighed. "I had a dream, Mia. Just now. It was like seeing a memory of the armor. I saw those priestesses. And somehow in the dream, I remembered you saying how they failed. For an instant, I could feel what it was like...when the armors could not be protected.
"Something went wrong. Something about the Guardian spell that couldn't have been predicted. So it did fail and Talpa stole the armors. I felt it happen, but at the same time, I saw it at a distance. As if I could see more than just that moment. I felt the result of that failure in the long run of history and it didn't feel like something bad. It just felt like...that's what happened."
He looked up at Mia, wondering if she could follow any of his rambling. She seemed to understand as best one can. Dreams were hard to pass on when only one experiences it. Her only reply was to brush some hair from his eyes.
"Would you like me to get you anything?" she asked.
Rowen shook his head negative. "What I would like is to talk to her some more. Though I may feel secure about the past, I think we and our armors are becoming anxious about the future. That's probably why Kento is so on edge and Ryo's feeling so lost."
Mia nodded. "Come on, they're just in the study."
She slowly helped Rowen to his feet and they walked over to the small library held on the second floor where Rowen had been reading earlier before this whole mess began. Now Ryo, Miniko, and Kento were all sitting around a table, staring at each other. Mia had made tea for them earlier. Kento had not touched his. Ryo kept fiddling with his cup. Miniko took small nervous sips, wishing the broth had something stronger in it to calm her nerves. Nothing had been said for almost an hour though it seemed like so much longer for the three of them.
Everyone looked up when Rowen and Mia entered the room. Mia helped the bearer of Strata take a seat in a reading chair next to Miniko. The dark haired girl shifted uncomfortably. She and Rowen never even talked once at school, though everyone knew she had plenty of things to say about him--most of them untrue and not very flattering. Now he had just found out they were connected by some twisted roll of fate. What could he be thinking now?
Surprisingly enough, Rowen looked the calmest of them all. He had been acting oddly pacified ever since he had returned to Mia's front porch with an arrow in his shoulder. He seemed hardly bothered with the fact that he was sitting next to Miniko Hino--the bane of his best friend's existence and one of the largest tormentors of his high school career--let alone the fact that he most likely would have to be working with her in the near future.
This fact alone was really pissing Kento off.
"Damnit Rowen, don't you have anything to say!" he demanded. "She waltzes in here telling us what to do and taking your armor orb and you just sit there like a--"
"Kento Rei Faun!" Mia suddenly ordered, surprising everyone. "If you can't act like a civil human being, you can go outside until you cool off!"
Kento blinked at her for a minute. Mia crossed her arms, confirming she wasn't kidding. Kento slumped in his chair dejectedly and wisely held his peace.
"So, where do we go from here?" Ryo asked quietly. It was clear from the way he said it that it was the only question plaguing his mind for quite some time. The armors, it seemed, were being called upon again. But nothing about planetary domination had been mentioned yet, so just what was he expected to do from here?
Miniko was about to reply, but surprisingly, Rowen did it for her.
"Robyn," he said simply.
Miniko turned and looked at him.
"I wanted to ask about Robyn and why you came here looking for her," Rowen continued. "But I think I just figured out the answer. She's a Guardian too, isn't she?"
Even more so then when Mia got mad, Ryo and Kento were really wide eyed now. Boy did they feel stupid for not putting the connection together earlier. How could they have missed that one?
Miniko merely nodded at the accusation.
"Do you know for which armor?"
The reply was negative.
Rowen sunk back in his chair, letting his mind wander in thought. Two Guardians. Both were known by the five of them in one way or another. Was that why they were chosen? What decided who these Guardians were anyway? But perhaps then it was no coincidence that Cye and Robyn shared a childhood. Or that she found her way back to Japan so many years later. She would probably be the Guardian of Torrent. Rowen would bet money on it. She would have to be.
At that thought, Rowen frowned for the first time since the attack and had some real feeling behind it. Sure, it would end up like that. Cye would get Robyn and he would be stuck with Miniko. It figured.
"So why exactly do you need to find Robyn?" Ryo's voice floated out between Rowen's mental wanderings.
"Because she's in danger," Miniko admitted. "As well as the other two Guardians."
That got Rowen's full attention, as well as that of everyone else.
"Those warriors that attacked us in the forest..."
"They were after you," Ryo suddenly realized.
"They'll be after Robyn, too!" Kento exclaimed as he jumped from his chair. "So of course you didn't want to tell us this earlier! You wouldn't care at all if anything happened to Robyn, you prissy little--"
"KENTO!" Mia screamed. "I can't take this any more! GET OUT!"
All the hostility was suddenly gone.
"Mia..."
"I said OUT! I can't deal with this right now Kento! Please leave!"
Hardrock, though a bit pacified now, still looked a disgruntled as he trudged out and down the stairs. The door slammed behind him as he stomped outside to cool down.
"Now," Mia announced, turning to the remaining three. The trio was rendered speechless. None of them had seen Mia get mad before. It was a bit frightening.
"I think we should all relax and calm down for a moment while we try to think this over."
"No Mia," Ryo said humbly as he stood up. He would be the only one brave enough to tell her no after that outburst. "We don't have time to think. Robyn has no idea she's in danger. We need to get to her as soon as possible. If I asked my grandma, I'm sure she could help me put together enough money for a plane ticket."
"I'll go," Rowen volunteered. "I've got enough extra cash saved."
"And what about your other two friends?" Miniko suddenly asked. "Shouldn't they know about this?"
Rowen and Ryo both looked at her and Miniko suddenly felt very small.
"I'm sorry," she apologized in a small voice. "It's none of my business, I..."
"Let me take care of it," Mia suddenly announced. "Ryo, I want you and Kento make plans to stay here tonight while I go fix dinner, okay?"
And that was the end of that discussion as Mia waltzed off downstairs to make dinner. Miniko, a bit lost now at what was going on, looked up at the two young men. She would take care of it? Rowen and Ryo just shrugged. They had learned that when Mia said she would take care of it, she would take care of it and there was nothing more to be done.
Kento didn't come in for dinner which was unusual, even after his previous outburst and berating. Ryo had gone outside earlier to inform Hardrock they would be staying there that night. He had then come back inside alone. Miniko was also invited to stay which she accepted humbly. Dinner was spent in uncomfortable silence as expected. No one had anything more to say though millions of questions were running through their heads. The anticipation was growing by the minute. After dinner, however, nothing came of it. Rowen was getting stiffer as his shoulder started to bother him. Ryo volunteered to help clean and rebandage the wound upstairs. Mia led Miniko to a room on the bottom floor with its own bathroom where she could stay. Which was exactly where she stayed for the rest of the evening.
Shortly after dark, while Mia was cleaning dishes, a calmer Kento came in through the back door. Mia chose to ignore his entrance and continued with her chores. Kento stood there for a while before deciding he had better speak first.
"Mia, I'm really sorry," he said sincerely. "I don't know what came over me today. It wasn't like me. I don't know what to say."
Mia stayed quiet for a minute before finally responding.
"It's okay."
"I don't know what it is," Kento felt the need to go on. "Ever since that attack today, something inside me is acting up. My armor; my nerves. I feel so anxious and restless. Like I have to do something important, but I don't know what it is. So then I feel frustrated and then it just starts all over. What do I do Mia?"
"Well, for starters, there's a plate in the oven I've been saving for you."
Kento smiled sheepishly. "I was hoping you would."
Mia smiled to herself as she heard Kento go fetch his plate and then sit down at the table. He ate quietly while Mia finished with the dishes. As she scrubbed, plans were hatching in her head.
"Kento," she suddenly asked.
He looked up from his plate.
"I think I know what to do. Would you help me?"
Miniko didn't have any extra clothes with her. In fact, she didn't have anything at all. She had set out on this journey with nothing but the clothes on her body and her shadow at her back. So when Mia offered her some clothes to sleep in, she was very grateful. She had been grateful for this wonderful woman's hospitality all afternoon. Miniko had definitely been led to the right place.
Taking off her day clothes, Miniko was happy to slip into the soft, long button up shirt given her. She let out a deep breath as she sat down on the bed, dangling her legs over the edge. She slowly surveyed the room--tasteful, yet homely. It felt safe there. Safer than all the other places she had been. Why? Was it because she was away from the city and people? Or because of who was staying in this house tonight? Either way, it was relieving. And it also felt good to finally be alone.
In that instance, Miniko almost smiled to herself. But that smile vanished quickly as she felt another presence enter the room. Her shoulder's slumped as her privacy was suddenly invaded.
"Don't you ever get tired of following me around?" she asked the empty room.
Silence was her reply.
"Honestly," Miniko went on. "Is one small moment of solitude so much to ask?"
More silence. And then...
"I'm sorry..." a phantom voice replied. "Would you like me to leave?"
Miniko huffed, but did not answer. Instead she moodily pulled back the bed covers and slid inside.
"You better not have been watching me while I was getting dressed," she warned.
"I'm not that kind of person," came the serious and almost indignant retort.
Miniko smirked as she hugged her cool, feather pillow. It felt so nice to rest.
"I just hope you're happy. I came all the way out here for you. I told you they still hate me. You saw the way they treated me. They don't believe a word I say. I don't know what they're going to do with me tomorrow."
"It'll be okay," the voice replied calmly.
Miniko frowned into her pillow as she hugged it closer. Okay, will it? It wasn't okay when she started hearing a voice no one else could hear from the person no one else could see. It wasn't okay that her parents and family thought she was crazy and just about disowned her when she wouldn't deny it. It wasn't okay when her boyfriend dumped her and all her friends rejected her. It wasn't okay that she was now wandering around Toyama alone doing errands for a restless phantom no one could believe in. That was why she didn't tell Mia or the three ronins about it. They were her last resort and she couldn't have them turning their backs on her as well.
"If I have to do this, why couldn't I at least be doing this for a man that's real?" she suddenly exclaimed before pulling the covers over her head.
There was a sense of hurt surprise in the air.
"Miniko..."
"Just go away. Go away! Let me have one night's peace!"
Miniko stayed under the covers, eyes closed tightly. She could still sense him there; his presence lingering. She began to feel bad about what she said, but at the same time, refused to take it back. She just wanted to be alone now. She had been alone for a while and yet, she hadn't been alone for a long time.
Eventually, Miniko heard phantom fingers turn off the lamp at her bedside. Then, the presence vanished from the room. Miniko let out a breath and finally allowed her body to relax. She snuggled down into her feather pillow and fell into a fitful sleep; praying that tomorrow, somehow, things would work out all right.