Hey all, Crimson Flames here. What’s up? High school just started back up a few weeks ago so it's cut my writing time sorry for the delay ~Disclaimer~ I don't own the Ronin warriors or any part of the show so don't sue me. Ok now that the technical stuff is done lets begin
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Prolog:
It's 4 years after the final battle with Tulpa. The Warlords are with Kayura and aren't causing any trouble.
Cye, Sage, Rowen and Ryo are in college however Kento does take on college course but that’s it. All the guys except Kento lives with his grandmother and helps run the family dinner. Sage ,Rowen, Cye and Ryo,(and Whiteblaze) still live at Mia Koji's house. Yuli sometimes comes to visit and play with white blaze.

Now on with the story.
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Battles of the heart
Battles of the past
Battles of the soul
Battles of the pride


CH.1:

Part .1

*Click Click* Nothing on T.V except Japanese Soaps. He glanced up at the Wall clock hopefully. Rowen sighed heavy. Sage wouldn't be home for another hour, He would be at the dojo training with his father now. Ryo had a late class so if he managed NOT to get distracted by another pretty face He should be home in about 10 min. Kento would be by right when supper was being placed on the table he never missed Cye's cooking. Not that Rowen blamed him Cye was an awesome cook. Rowen glanced at the door that led into the kitchen a sweet smell coming from the stove. Cye had been home nearly as long as Rowen but Rowen knew better then to disturb him while he was cooking, Never a good Idea. Rowen sighed and again looked at the clock dang it only 5 min had passed and he was extremely bored he couldn't go anywhere be cause Ryo had the jeep He had finished his school work at school .He looked back at the T.V and sighed again, seemed he was doing alot of that lately. Rowen pushed him self off the couch with a grunt he walked into the kitchen Hesitantly.
"uh, Hey Cye what’s for dinner?" Rowen questioned lingering in the door way. Cye looked up from stirring
a large pot of food. He grinned at the blue haired boy His soft brown hair brushed aside from his face so not to get in the way of his cooking. "Hello Rowen! " He said in his normal peppy voice lined with an apparent British accent. "Nothing special just steamed rice, diced onions, tomato juice ..." the list went on and on. The extent of foods Rowen had never heard of knowing Cye that was merely the appetizer. Rowen nodded politely as if he understood his friend’s words. "That sounds great ,Cye," Rowen said offering a smile. Cye turned back to cooking.
Rowen considered the conversation ended he walked back to the living room. He laid down on the couch and sighed tiredly. Ryo should have been home by now he glanced at his watch with one opened eye almost 5:30. Sage would be home soon. Rowen smiled it seemed Sage was the only one of the 5 friends who understood him. That made a good amount of sense, Sage was a loner as was Rowen. Sage was smarter then most people thought or gave him credit for. Rowen was the known genius of the house and Sage seemed content to let Rowen shine. Rowen smiled Sage was probably the best friend he had ever or would ever have. He was really lucky until the 2 had met he had been a ture alone with split folks, his mom gone to god knows where and his dad well... Rowen shuddered the suppressed memory trying to resurface he shock the thought away. He was with the guys, now his dad didn't even know where he lived. Thank god. Rowen let his mind drift back to Sage, a much better person to think about then his family he didn't even notice he was falling asleep.

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part.2

"SAGE?! Yo man what happened???" Ryo asked in surprise hopping up from the chair he'd been sitting in he had gotten home about 20 min. ago and was just getting started on his home work Rowen had been asleep so he couldn't bribe him into doing his work for him to day. Cye came out of the kitchen where he'd been cooking hearing Ryo's surprised yell. Sage glanced up at Ryo his right eye cover by his bang like always. Today however his bang and the right side of his face was stained with blood ."I'm fine Ryo" Sage said casually unaware the wound on his forehead had reopened and begun to bleed again. Rowen awoke quickly hearing Ryo yelp. "Sage are you alright??" Rowen asked alarmed hoping over the back of the couch in one liquid smooth movement. He was at Sage's side in a split second." I'm fine Rowen" Sage assured him Rowen stubborn as always didn't believe him he gently brushed aside his blonde locks form his face to get a better look at the cut. "Sage, your bleeding what happened?" Rowen asked concern and fear in his voice. Sage looked surprised for a moment and then realized what they all must had been talking about while training he had gotten distracted and Cain managed to land a blow he thought he had patched up the wound. "It's nothing guys Cain was just fighting a little rougher then normal." Sage explained and started to walk to the bath room to get the first-aid kit Mia kept in the closet. "Who's Cain? I thought you where training with your father today" Ryo pointed out abruptly. "He's a guy I've know most my life he's dad's star pupil he wanted to see how we compared in a fight so he picked our best style..." Sage said . He spoke of Cain with a amount of anger and distaste, disgust in his voice. Every one caught the note in his voice but no one said any thing. Rowen made Sage sit down and went to work cleaning out the cut in Silence he'd ask Sage about Cain later. "Ain't your best way of fighting with swords?" Kento asked. Everyone jumped, no one had even noticed he had arrived. "Yeah swordsmanship is my best style." Sage said simply, his eyes on the much younger man treating his wounds. The stuff Rowen used the clean out his wounds burned like a son-of-a-gun but he ignored it. Rowen glanced at Sage blue eyes met with fierce violet eyes. Rowen’s breath caught. He had once described Sage’s eyes to that of a halk or falcon or some other bird of prey. Rowen tore his gaze from Sages and placed the gauze over the cut and then taped around the cut. "That should do it Sage," Rowen told him then he added moodily "Next time don't use real swords you could have lost your head... literally." Sage nodded he had better sense then to argue with Rowen he knew his anger wasn't meant toward him. "Cye supper ready??" Kento asked ending the fuss over Sage's cut." Cye laughed "Yes Kento come on everyone dinner time" Kento Grinned and Eagerly ran past Cye and into the kitchen. "Ryo stood and followed Them into the kitchen. Rowen started to go to the dinner table but stopped sensing Sage wasn't behind him. He turned. Sage was half way up the stairs. "Hey Sage" Rowen called. Sage turned painfully slow and looked lazily in Rowen’s direction he was hurting in alot more places then his head. Damn that Cain. He hated fighting him. when he spoke his voice was tired, weakly. "Yeah Rowen what is it?" Sage asked. Rowen was shocked Sage was carrying himself as if he had been attacked by Anubis and lost. Rowen spoke timidly to his friend now more alert because of the apparent pain Sage was in. "Don't you want any dinner Sage?" Rowen questions. Sage shook his head and immediately regretted his action he held to the hand rail while the world went weeeeeeeeee for a few moments and the urge to pass out or lose the little dinner he'd eaten passed he spoke. "No , Rowen I just want to go to bed" Sage saw how fearful his best friend looked. Sage assured Rowen" I'll eat later" Sage told him of course he was lying but he hoped that would satisfy Rowen. Rowen nodded. "Alright if your sure" "Yeah I'm sure" Sage said and went up the stairs toward his and Rowen's room each step was pure agony once he reached their door he managed to get the door open and walk to his bed before he passed out.
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Part:3

It was around 10:00 pm when Rowen headed up to his and Sage's Room. Rowen opened the door and found sage, laying across the bed like he had simply fallen there his bed still made up from the morning before, and he was still fully clothed he had changed into his pajamas perhaps Sage was more tired then he had told Rowen... Rowen walked over to Sage and merely watched him for a long moment he gently Rolled sage onto his back and laid him down the correct way laying his head on the pillows at the head of his bed he pulled him into a siting position pretty surprised that Sage remained asleep he was by trait a light sleeper. Rowen slipped Sage's loose fitting green T-Shirt. Rowen's Eyes widen in complete disbelief. Sage’s upper torso was covered in cuts, and bruises his normal creamy white skin was now a mixture of blue, green, purple. Damn Sage looked like hell. Rowen’s eyes lit with a fury and anger towards who ever had done this to Sage and himself for not noticing The stule hints given by Sage about him not being 100%. Rowen closed his eyes a crystal blue tear slid down his pale skin he stood and watched Sage in his sleep for nearly an hour cursing at himself for not noticing his friends pain. Rowen pulled the blanket over Sage. He brushed the bangs away from his face and for some reason he couldn't contumplate at that moment he bent down and kissed Sage on the forehead. Sage stirred but remained asleep. Rowen sat down on his bed watching Sage. When he had been beaten and abused, Sage had been there for him and to this day he felt a sense of protection and safety when Sage was around. Up to this day Sage had been the only one who Rowen had ever told about his father. And he hoped he'd never have to think of that man again. Rowen sighed and forced the thought out of his mind. He spoke gently to Sage's sleeping form "I'm sorry for not noticing your pain, my friend, I will make up for it Sage." Rowen stated warmly he laid down in his bed and dosed off once again Sage in his thoughts.

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part.4

Sage glanced up hearing his name called. School had just let out and he was heading for his father’s dojo.
Rowen jogged up to him calling his name again "Sage hold up!". Sage stopped and waited on Rowen the catch up with him curious to see what his blue haired younger friend wanted. Rowen skidded to a stop once he reached Sage and almost went head over heels he was saved by Sage grabbing his arm, keeping him from having a 1 on 1 with the concrete. "Thanks" Rowen said regaining his balance. "No problem " Sage assured him. Rowen grinned and then remembered what he wanted to ask Sage "Hey um, where ya headed?" Rowen questioned. "To the Dojo like always you know that" Sage said with a laugh. Rowen almost laughed "Ok that's a dumb question., how about this one 'want some company'" Rowen asked a hopefulness in his voice. Sage seemed startled but far from mad "Sure Rowen feel free to come. I'd like some company" Sage said with a smile Rowen had never shown much interest in his training maybe he was starting to who knows. Rowen grinned and nodded in graditude. Kind of surprised Sage didn't suspect him on something , this time he should he wanted to meet this Cain who'd hurt Sage so badly. Of course if he'd told sage that there's no way Sage would have let him come along.

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Ch.1
part.5

Rowen matched pace with Sage all the way to the Dojo which was hard because he kept jogging and running and then walking Sage told him it kept his muscles loose all Rowen knew when he got there he was gasping for breath and clinging to Sages arm the keep from collapsing. Of course Sage seemed fine and almost seemed amused watching Rowen Gasp for breath and repeat how out of shape he was. Rowen glanced up as he felt every muscle in Sage tense up. As Rowen followed Sage’s gaze he noticed a older man wearing a uniform with the same sign on it as the one Sage's uniform. Rowen realized he'd never even met Sage's dad. Hard to believe being best friends, oh well. Rowen let go of Sage's arm and begin more alert, noticing the Sage wasn't looking at the older man but the young man who followed. Rowen sensed the anger and hatred in Sage he'd never sensed before Sage truly didn't like him.

"I see you have brought a friend today, my son" The older man spoke first.
"Yes, father his name is Rowen Hashiba. He is a good friend of mine". Sage responded.

"Makes sense" The young man muttered. The young man had long red hair pulled back into a tight pony tail. He carried him self like Sage head high , shoulders back. But it wasn't the hair or the form that made Rowen take a step back it was his eyes. Cold , lifeless, brown eyes but his eyes where fierce of all so much like Sage's eyes when he was angry but more ... evil for lack of better words.
Sages eyes flashed and the soft gaze to his father turned quickly into a sharp glare of hatred aimed at Cain.
"How do you mean?" Rowen asked simply by now he was pretty good at masking fear.
Sage seemed surprised Rowen was usually quite and would almost always back down from an insult.
Cain laughed, or cackled, Either would define it.
"A scrony, wimp like you hanging out with a scrony bean pole wimp like him" Cain said looking at Rowen.
Rowen could tell Sage's anger was raising. Rowen's fear was to if ya want to be technical about it but he never showed it. Rowen remembered how bad Sage looked and his fear seemed to fade replaced by a cool, calm need to show this Cain kid up.
"If you say so" Rowen said, in his normal voice .
Sage stared at him in disbelief.
"Why are you taking his crap Rowen stand up to this jerk, or I will" Sage said his voice low the statement , was directed toward Rowen but he knew damn well Cain heard every word.
"Look at this wimp. Date! Hell even you should have better friends this nerd"
Cain said with one quick movement he shoved Rowen hard to the concrete

Sages eyes flashed. Cain had just crossed the line, beat him up fine, they where training, but bullying his best friend , hell no.

Rowen stopped sage by merely saying his name.

Sage took a few deep breaths and managed Not to beat the livin' tar out of the resident bully. He turned and pulled Rowen to his feet.

Rowen wasn't hurt, well he was but only his pride he glanced up and Cain who was smirking at him.
"Leave him alone Sage at least this wimp nerd doesn't beat up kids to get the answers to his tests I mean he's nothing like you your smart hell he'd probably lose a spelling bee against Yuli." Rowen said. Sage couldn't help but smile He knew Rowen was planing some come back to throw in Cain's face and he knew Cain's reaction.

Cain lurched towards Rowen, Sage beat him to it and shoved him roughly to the side.
Sage and Rowen both walked in side the Dojo, Sage glanced back a Cain who was getting off the dirt." Come on Cain! quit playing in the Sand we have training to do"
Cain glared at both of them as he heard them laughing about him._______________________________________________________________________


Ch.1
part. 6

Ryo glanced up hearing the door up. Rowen and Sage both came in laughing their heads off. Ryo blinked. "What did I miss?" he asked. Sage glanced up, "Oh nothin' Ryo."
He looked back and Rowen still laughing. They headed up stairs. Ryo could still hear them laughing. I still can't believe he left. Rowen you're great. Cain backed down. He wouldn't even face ...."more laughing and a door closing Ryo blinked a few times. "Ooook" he said to no one and turned back to his T.V.


Sage and Rowen were Still laughing once they reached their room, Sage Hadn't even started on his work so he picked up his back pack to get his books, Sage winced, as a sharp pain shot through up till now he'd hid his pain pretty well he could only hope his best friend hadn't noticed it.

Rowen watched him but stayed quite. Sages laid down on his bed opening his Advanced Algebra III book and began to answer question after question no longer laughing.

Rowen just stretched out on his bed and closed his eyes as always he'd done his work
in class, hell he was 17 and in college what could he say he's a genius. Rowen began to doze off and as soon as he found sleep and he could no longer ward off the dangers of repressed memories and persistent fears/ They seemed to surface at the same time flash backs of his father always beating something, usually him always with a bottle in his hand, and the fear that Rowen's father would find him ....


Sage glanced over at Rowen’s bed hearing something. Rowen was sweating pretty bad and he kept rolling back and forth restlessly on his bed. Sage also noticed that Rowen was mumbling something incoherently. Sage became much more alert when he realized Rowen was crying. Sage knew Rowen and he knew of his past. But Rowen hadn't dreamed about that in over a year he couldn't help but wonder what had re awaked his best friends fears. He put his book down and stood walking toward Rowen slowly , alertly. Rowen had given' Sage more than one black eye when Sage and woke him suddenly. Sage touched his friends forehead softly and keeping his voice low, calm, non-threatening he spoke. "Rowen, wake up, it's Sage , your having a nightmare" Sage watched Rowen's movements carefully ready to dodge a fist Rowen was stronger then most realized. Rowen's movement slowed and became more relaxed on the subconscious level he had been confronted by Sage's voice but still asleep the dreams could still reach him. Sage had learned form experience not to shake him and wake him up it scared the hell out of Rowen and he looked scared enough. "Rowen, wake up" Sage said a little louder but he kept his voice calm and gentle. The next movements where quick and sudden, Rowen sat up bolt right looking around with fear in his eyes, his breathing was rushed he seemed to see right past Sage. Sage also moved quickly he grabbed Rowen while he was facing him. Careful not to harm him but to get a good enough grip to keep Rowen from hurting him self ... or Sage. "Rowen! It's me Sage" Sage said making Rowen look at him. Rowen blinked a few times and focused on Sage's voice , a dream, just a dream. Rowen pretty much collapsed into Sage. Rowen clung to him as if he were a life line Sage held Rowen and reassured him he was safe. from clung to him and cried heavily.

"You’re safe" Sage said for the 6th time in the last 5 min.

Sage let Rowen sleep in his bed that night, Rowen woke up repeatedly but everytime he did sage was there to assure him he was safe. Rowen would later wonder if Sage ever slept that night. Sage would gently touch Rowen's face give a conforting reminder that Rowen was safe and Sage was there and Rowen usually drifted off to sleep. Sage laid next to him the whole night never once sleeping. Sage was protective, and Rowen was very glad he was. Rowen knew Sage wouldn't tell Ryo , Cye , Kento or Mia, Rowen knew Sage would keep his secret and he was eternally grateful.

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Ch.1
part 7

The next morning Rowen awoke and felt around for Sage, nothing. Rowen became alert and the fear began to resurface but before the fear could choke Rowen He felt a cool damp hand touch the side of his face. "Take it easy, your starting to hyperventilate again" Sage told him "I thought you'd sleep longer I was in the shower sorry about that" Rowen focused on his breathing and got it to slow again, Then he smiled and Rolled over to his right so he could see Sage his hair was still dripping wet and all he wore was a towel, Rowen realized Sage must have heard him wake up and got out of the shower to calm him down, Dang Sage was a true friend. "No it's ok" Rowen said once he had his breath back " I just didn't know where you were" Rowen said trying to make his voice sound normal "where are the guy's? what time is it?" Rowen asked.
Sage could tell Rowen was fronting but he didn't point it out" They guys went to school it's 12:53 pm. Sage told him. Rowen started to get up. "Why didn't you wake me up, we're late" Rowen stated. Sage pushed him back down gently. "Because we're not going, I need a break to catch up on my algebra, and you need to get some more sleep, besides we don't spend enough time together" Sage said. Rowen rolled his eyes Sages turn to front, but he had good cause .Sage was right what little sleep he got was ravaged by nightmares, and Rowen did need his rest. "Fair enough" Rowen said and laid back down "uh... mind if I stay here?" Sage was pretty sure Rowen meant Sage's bed "sure I'm not using it" Rowen smiled and blushed no way he was going to tell sage he wanted to stay in his bed because it smelled like him and he felt safe around anything that reminded him of Sage, that was way to girly, even if it's the truth. "Thanks" Rowen said and rolled back over and closed his eyes. "Hey Rowen I'm gonna finish my shower then get dressed I'm gonna go down stairs and cook us some breakfast. If you’re ok with that, feel free to come down stairs with me ok" Sage said.
Rowen smiled and nodded "sure wake me up before ya head down stairs." "Sure thing." Sage said and headed back to the bath room. Rowen noticed that he left the door open a crack no doubt to hear him. If Rowen started to freak out again.

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Ch.1
part.8

Rowen opens the fridge and gets out the milk jug and places it on the table.
Sage stood his back to Rowen flipping some eggs. Sage spoke bringing up the subject with care, "Rowen...What caused you to.... What made the memories resurface?" Sage glanced up to see Rowen’s reaction to the question. Rowen was standing on his toes trying to reach the shelf where the glasses were. Sage reached over Rowen’s head and takes down to glasses and hands them to Rowen. Rowen was avoiding the answer, and Sage knew that which is why he took hold of Rowen’s arms gently and made him look at him. "Rowen, what brought the memories back you seemed like you'd all but forgotten them" Sage said locking eyes with Rowen, Sage could see the hidden pain in Rowen's eyes and Rowen could see the worry gaze in his best friends fierce violet eyes. "You" Rowen said his voice low eyes on the ground. Sage seemed shocked. "what? Rowen I don't understand how?" Sage's voice not lined with guilt for causing his friend’s pain even if he didn't know how he did it. "Last night, when I went to bed you had fallen asleep and laid you down on your bed right and took off your shirt and I saw the bruises, and cuts, and then all these damn flash back and..." Rowen’s voice was becoming higher pitched he seemed to be loosing him self again, Sage let go of his arms and sat down in the chair "So it's my fault?" Sage asked Rowen shook his head snapping out of his spell he was at Sage's side in an instant, "No Sage it's not your fault. I mean. Aw hell for the past 6 weeks or so I've felt like I've been watched, and then ... Sage's it's a combo of different things , But Sage your the only reason I didn't lose it a long time ago, and I'm sorry for making you think you have ever been any thing but the answer not the problem" The honesty and pleading in Rowen's voice had nearly brought tears to Sage's eyes. Rowen stood pored the milk into 2 glasses and placed them on the table he put the milk back in the fridge. Sage stood and scraped the eggs from the pan to 2 plates and laid them down on the table he'd gotten the hint.
Rowen didn't need to say the words, Sage gotten the message -end of conversation-.
"So Sage how come you don't tell your dad not to pair you with Cain anymore since you two clash so much?" Rowen asked sitting down in front of Sage's plate.
Sage sat down and began to eat thinking of how to explain it to Rowen." Well you see, Cain is my age and my height and my weight he also fights much the same as me. My father thinks that since we are so much alike we should learn more moves and attacks we should 'evolve' as he would say" Sage made a face "But we're nothing alike we have one big difference.. I don't fight dirty, ...He on the other hand does"
"I'll tell you more about him later " Sage said. Rowen nodded "Fair enough" He smiled
Sage returned the smile. He picked up another piece of egg and ate it. He glances across to Rowen who was poking at the eggs with a distant look in his eyes.
"Rowen" Sage spoke to him his voice held a importance to it. Rowen looked up at his name. "Yeah?" he questioned his voice dull. "Your dad's not going to find you, and besides if he does which he's not, He'll have to get past, all of us ,Cye, Kento, Ryo, Yuli, Whiteblaze ,Mia , and ME" when he said 'me' he said it with a point like saying he's not getting past me. Rowen smiled at Sage "Thank you"

"Any time" Sage said and then added with mock force "now eat them eggs I slaved all day over a hot stove to fix that for you" Sage said and then started to laugh Rowen put 3 bites of eggs and try not to laugh but he failed and ended up laughing and spiting egg everywhere. That just made Sage laugh harder. And Rowen to laugh harder because Sage was laughing harder.