Sage raced down the long and seemingly endless corridor. This becoming increasingly difficult as Rowen faded in and out of conciseness. Sage had gotten used to the pattern that had emerged. That consisted of:
(1)Rowen passing out from pain.
(2)Then moaning, Pleading and crying in his sleep.
(3)Only to wake up and weakly struggle or attempt to struggle out of Sage's strong arms.
At this time Rowen had stopped his attempt to ward of the un seen demons that plagued him, yet he was awake. Sage kept up his long stride run doing his best not to jar his best friend. Rowen Reached up with a frail hand to touch Sage's face as if to make certain that he was not dreaming.
"Sage?“ Rowen's voice weak and pathetic soft blue orbs are fearful.
"I'm right here, Rowen. Hang on, don't leave us now."
Sage spoke, his voice soft and confronting but it shook despite his effort to calm his best friend. Sage tensed as Rowen's delicate fingers touched his face, but Sage didn't push Rowen's hand away. Rowen laid back his hand falling back his lap to rejoin it's twin. Rowen closed his eyes and looked to be resting
though he was in a peaceful slumber. Sage was no fool he could feel him pulling back not his form but his spirit, his soul, his life force. Sage sped up shifting Rowen in his arms holding him closer he could see the vortex it was no more then 300 yards away he saw no guards this reeked of the smell of a trap but he had to risk it. Sage to off at a dead run he kept whispering the same things:
"Hang in there Rowen."
"Don't leave us Rowen."
"Don't leave me Rowen."
Your my best friend Rowen you've got to hang on."
A voice alerted Sage when was 30feet from the vortex a single word, and that word was "ATTACK!" In an instant he was surrounded.

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I know mini cliff hanger~ evil grin~ keeping
reading this ch. isn't done yet.
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Kento’s blue eyes locked on Dais his weapon held with skill in his hands. Dais seemed un alarmed Wildfire had fled and with Hardrock blinded by anger this would be an easy fight. Even though his ally lay a few yards away held in his own trap. Kento was quaking with rage he’d seen how Rowen had looked in Sage’s arms he knew that he was in bad shape and there was no telling about Cye. Dais decided to anger the Ronin a bit more so his deception would have the desired effect.
“You’re gonna pay for hurting my friends!” Kento yelled.
“You have the right for your rage, Ronin. The little one put up quite a fight” Dais said smiling coyly.
Kento’s eyes darkened.
“What the hell did you do to him you bastard! ”Kento growled.
Dais smirked.
“The boys at the school did have fun with him though so something good came out of it” Dais said he could feel Kento’s rage radiating off of him.
“YOUR DEAD!” Kento screamed and begin his attack.
Dais begin to change form taking the shape of the warrior of Torrent. His eyes pleading fearful.
“Kento....help...me”.
Kento couldn’t have stopped if he wanted to as he brought his weapon a three sectioned staff that turns into nunchucks, Naginata , to bear. Ignore Dais’ tricks or Cye’s form his body shook with rage.
“Iron Rock Crusher!” Kento screamed.
Dais’ eyed widened in fear, as did Cale’s. Their screams were abruptly cut off as the section of the palace where they stood flashed orange and then black.
“AHHHHHHHHH-” Cale’s place in the darkness would be permanent.
“AHHHHHHHHH-”Dais screams were silenced forever.
As the lights dulled and returned to normal Kento stood knee high in rumble. He kicked a few rocks aside from the warlords faces verifying that they no longer lived. He glanced up where to Cye was regardless how much Cye meant to him and how much his heart begged to go to Cye he knew if Sage got in trouble he’d need help. Kento turned and took off following the path Sage
had taken.

--------------------------
another mini cliff hanger. ch ain’t done yet
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Sage stood in the center of the ‘0’ shaped ring of ‘tin cans’ that now surrounded he and Rowen.
The’0’ was getting closer and now on the inside edges were only 5 feet away from Sage and Rowen. He counted maybe 500 not that many he could handle them no problem, but that would mean laying Rowen down and leaving him defenseless, which Sage sure as hell wasn’t going to do. Even if Sage was greedy and would have left Rowen he couldn’t Rowen had latched on to Sage’s armor as best he could with what strength he had left.
“S-ge pluzs dun lt ‘um tke m-” Rowen’s garbled speak was filled with fear.
Sage pulled him closer.
“Shhhhh, Rowen I won’t let them take you back I swear. Just hang in there pal.”
Rowen was trembled and a tear slipped down his face making a single clean mark on his pale face.
The leader of the group stepped forward and with out a word swung his ax at Rowen.
Sage on instinct moved forward and turned his back to the attacker, taking the blow on the small of his back. Denting his armor in the process. Sage was knocked to the ground he ended up dropping Rowen and falling over him. Only a quick reaction by Sage kept himself from landing on Rowen .Sage struggled to catch his breath and he lay over Rowen on his hands an knees. Rowen had curled up and kept coughing badly . Sage knew he was in trouble he couldn’t fight, not and leave Rowen unprotected. The ground begin to shake and Sage dared to lift his head just in time to hear.
“Iron Rock Crusher”
Sage smiled . Good old Kento once again saving their butts but then from the opposite side of the battle field came a blinding light and those not finished off by Kento crumbled. Sage saw Anubis and Kento approaching them from opposite sides. Sage sat up and picked Rowen up again. Sage’s breath became short as he noticed his best friend was barely breathing.
Anubis and Kento reached them at about the same time.
“You must hurry my friends, Strata needs help,” Anubis said and urged them to run.
Sage was the first in the vortex holding Rowen close. Kento followed and then after guarding their exit Anubis.
----------------
Sage landed on the ground and took off away from the vortex stopping 3 feet away and laying Rowen down.
“Hang in there, buddy. You’re safe now, please please don’t leave us now” Sage begged.
--------------------------------------------
This Ch was written by Crimson Flames. Sorry for all the cliff hangers. no wait no I’m not ::evil
grin:: best keep reading.
WE DON’T OWN THE RW! , incase you were wondering.
ja-ne

Crimson Flames

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Sage landed gracefully changing into his normal attire before his now tennis shoe clad
feet hit the ground he ended up kneeing slightly to keep from loosening his balance. Sage
moved about 300 yards from the vortex and gently laid Rowen down. Rowen
immediately begin the shiver, and sob again.
“Easy Ro, I’m right here” Sage whispered as he took of his jacket and covered Rowen up
as best he could .
Even with the blanket and Sage’s coat Rowen shivered still.
Kento raced over looking worriedly at the young Ronin. His hands clenched into fists of
rage as his purplish grey eyes scanned Rowen’s trembling form. Noting each gash and
the many bruises. His face was a deadly mixture of, worry, fear and deadly rage. He glanced up seeing the ancient or rather, Anubis approach. Sage stroked Rowen’s blue hair back from his pale face his eyes shadowed with worry he could heal the more serous wounds but he didn’t have the strength to heal each wound. Sage held Rowen’s trembling hand in a comforting embrace he glanced at Anubis his eyes desperately searching for help.
“Anubis , I can’t heal all his wounds...”Sage sounded like a lost child.
The chestnut haired ex warlord nodded.
“Strata is strong of heart and body, Heal the wounds he risks death from and stand by his
side he can do the rest.” Came Anubis’ simple reply.
Sage watched him for a moment before turning his gaze to the young , nude, trembling
Ronin. The thing that worried him the most , at the time was the fact one of Rowen’s ribs
had punctured a lung, and the fact that he was sick because all of his wounds where
infected. He decided to do what he could and sat on his knee’s beside Rowen gently
removing the blanket and his coat so no martial stood between his mind and his best
friend’s weakened form.
“You need to relax, Rowen, I’m here I’m going to try and help you but you have to trust
me.” Sage whispered.
The young Rowen forced himself to stop shaking and repeatedly reminded himself he was safe. All he could mange in reply was a gurgle of blood in his lungs.
Sage held his hands over Rowen’s chest, a faint green glow surrounded Rowen’s form as
his symbol flashed to life on his head.
Kento stood close his eyes darting between Rowen who had tears of pain streaming down
his face, to Sage who was trembling and had a distorted look on his face he seemed to be
in great pain but was refused to cry out.
“Come on Sage man, you’ve got to help him...” Kento whispered.
Anubis stood by silently leaning slightly on his staff his eyes barely visible under the large hat he wore. A faint smirk was notable as he gave a barely acknowledged nod of approval before lifting his gaze skyward toward the kingdom of Tulpa.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- 2 hours later-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Sage blinked for the first time in the entire endeavor and almost collapsed. He caught himself with his left arm sitting on his side he struggled to catch his breath he glanced at Kento who was at his side looking worried he kept asking ‘did it work’,’ did it work’. Sage looked at him for a long moment before shifting his falcon like gaze to Rowen who still lay at his side.
“R-Rowen, talk to me buddy” Sage whispered placing his hand on his shoulder.
Rowen’s lungs had been healed and the infection had been gotten under control but other
then that Rowen was in the same shape. However no longer in the area of ‘near death’.
Sage struggled to get his breathing and racing heart under control.
Rowen opened his soft ,frightened tear-filled blue eyes and cautiously looked around
though it was near dusk, it was the most light Rowen had seen in weeks. He did his best to shield his eyes with his frail slider hand. He tensed immediately feeling something being draped over him and the graze of a hand on his arm as the blanket or so he guessed was pulled over him, even now as he had the first clear though he had ,had in some time the thoughts of what had happened in the past few days rushed back to him and he began to shiver desperately and start to struggle. A voice cut though his blind tears and caused him to freeze the voice spoke again.
“Easy Rowen.. It’s me, Sage, You’re all right, You’re safe.”
Rowen’s eyes widened even as he shielded his face from the annoying rays of the sun.
“S-..S-Sage” Rowen had to struggle to speak as he was still in immense pain and his
throat was swollen and dry.
Sage smiled softly.
“Yeah Rowen. It’s me and Kento, you’re ok just lie still now and rest. ”Sage whispered softly.
Rowen choked back tears and failed miserably he’d never been so relived in his entire
life. Tears slipped down his pale and slender face, he dared a glance from behind his hand, only Sage was in his line of sight and he dare not move his head to see Kento. Rowen smiled weakly as the tears continued to fall, as he watched Sage as if trying to decide if he were real or not. A golden halo (no pun intended) surrounded his best friend and made him look like an angel. Rowen smiled softly and closed his eyes accepting sleep for the first time in weeks. He felt a rough yet gentle hand brush away his tears and take his hand.

As Rowen begin to fall into sleep he could feel his two friends begin to tend to his wounds.
They where more then friends.. more than allies...they were family and Rowen was safe.

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the above portion was written by:
Crimson Flames.
Ja-ne
comments?<mailto:sagetoyamarein@aol.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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Ryo ran as fast as he could, his armor pressing him onward. He had to get to Cye. He could feel deep within himself that something horrible happened to him, and he couldn’t figure out for the life of him had what it was. All he could tell was that Cye was lost somehow..

But in what way? Ryo wondered anxiously as he barged through door after door. This whole thing stink and he was seriously getting tired of the Dynasty. He wanted to be rid of Talpa once and for all.

He ran on and on, his mind filled with worry, guilt, despair, and anger. He had caught a glimpse of broken Rowen in Sage’s arms, and the fueled his anger. It gave him the urge to continue running through the halls, with eyes full of fire.

He was getting closer and closer, soon he would be in Talpa’s throne room, and there he would make him pay. Dynasty soldiers suddenly surrounded him and he spun and hacked his way through it, cutting them down as if cutting blades of grass with a weed wacker. He was angry and no soldier was going to stop him from getting to his friend. Within in minutes, all the soldiers had crumbled into nothing, and Ryo continued onward, running faster than he had ever ran before.

He finally reached the throne room. “TALPA!” he shouted with rage. “You’re mine!”

“Oh really, Wildfire?”

Ryo looked up and suddenly came to a stop. He stood there in surprise and disbelief at Cye who stood there, imposing, holding a large sword calmly in one hand. But it wasn’t the fact that he was holding the sword that surprised Ryo. It was the fact that Cye’s eyes were pure red, and the sense of evil surrounding his body.

Talpa chuckled through Cye. “What’s the matter, Wildfire? Don’t you recognize me?” He took a step forward, and Ryo quickly backed away, too stunned to rarely think.

“What’s wrong?” Talpa laughed as he suddenly swung that large blade down toward Ryo’s head. Ryo’s eyes shot wide open with surprise and he dodged out of the way. Talpa brought the sword down again and again, trying to cut his head off with it.

Something’s not right, he thought. Why is Cye attacking me? And where is Talpa? Ryo back-flipped out of the way as Talpa swung that blade toward his mid-section. He heard laughing and decided it was time to defend himself. Somehow, he thought, Cye must have snapped, or they had completely brainwashed him. He fought with his own blades in self defense as he tried to reason with the Water Torrent.

“Cye!” he cried out as he blocked the blows, feeling the weighted pressure with each strike there was. “Please fight it! You have to remember!”

Evil laughter echoed through the room, and the possessed Torrent’s eyes glowed brightly. “I’m sorry, Wildfire.. But he can’t hear you!”

“Wh.. what?!” Ryo’s mouth was open slightly in shock. He had been hearing Cye’s voice the whole time, but now he could hear Talpa speaking through his friend. He stared into those red eyes, that sinister smile, and then suddenly knew.

“No…… Cye………”

“Yes!” Talpa laughed. “Torrent has become my new shell. Pretty effective don’t you think? I can now get anywhere I want to, even amongst you Ronins. And why? Because none of the others will suspect that Cye of the Torrent is possessed by me, making it easier to destroy all of you. And you, Wildfire are first!”

Somewhere else, in the back of Cye’s mind the small form of Cye’s spirit watched helplessly as his body was forced to do things it didn’t want to do. Time again and again, he had tried to stop Talpa, to force him out of his body, but he had been thrown back like a rag doll. Talpa was just too powerful he realized. But they had to do something. He could see that Ryo was losing his strength, and if something wasn’t done soon, Ryo would die.

“Ryo…” he said in a weak whisper..

“SILENCE!” Talpa hollered back at him. On the outer surface he was still trying to cut Ryo’s head off. Ryo ducked again. He couldn’t strike Talpa back, not when it would be Cye’s body. He could seriously hurt or even kill Cye. There had to be another way to free Cye from Talpa’s grasp but how?

He ducked again, then back flipped out of the way. From a corner of the throne room, Sekhmet watched with fascination. A cruel smile was on his lips. It was as if Torrent had betrayed his Ronin friends, but he knew that wasn’t the case. He only wondered what else Talpa planned to do after Wildfire was dead. Would he go and kill the other Ronins and get their armors? Or would he allow the Warlords some free time to the Ronins before killing them off? Sekhmet hoped son. He licked his lips in anticipation as he watched the battle, or rather, watched as Talpa in Torrent’s body tried to kill a helpless Wildfire Ronin.

Ryo ducked again and again. He really didn’t want to hurt his friend, but his temper was starting to get the best of him. He had to keep a hold of it, otherwise it would control him. He didn’t want to hurt Cye.

Ryo nearly jumped, then recovered in time to feel a hot blade slice his shoulder open. He screamed in pain, and recoiled back, using his good arm to swing his blades wildly in defense as Talpa brought his sword down again and again.

Ryo blinked. What was that? It sounded like.. like.. ‘Cye?’

Ryo frowned deeply as he continued to fight for his life. He wanted so much to help the Water Ronin, but how? He gritted his teeth, trying to figure out what to do as he had no clue whatsoever. He ducked again, and this time rolled across the floor to avoid getting sliced up again.

Talpa laughed wickedly as he made his way over to the Ronin leader. He could already tell the outcome of this battle. Soon he would have the boy right where he wanted him, and no one would be able to stop him.

‘Ryo, please,’ Cye’s British voice called weakly out to him.

Ryo snapped his head up as he jumped to his feet. Now he knew there wasn’t much time. He grabbed his swords and brought them together as he begin to spin them around. He leapt high into the air, power and heat building higher and higher.

Talpa only laughed though as he prepared to leap himself. He knew that the measly surekill of the Wildfire Ronin would not stop him.

Ryo screamed with rage. “FLARE UP NOW!!”

The attack went out with full force and he put all his power into it, sending it right against Talpa. Both Talpa and Cye screamed in agony at the same time, and the blast was enough to kick Talpa’s soul right out of Cye. Sekhmet himself had been knocked out in the process, and Cye had been thrown several feet back.

Ryo landed back on his feet, breathing hard. His eyes darted around the silent filled throne room. He quickly spotted Cye lying limply on one side on the other side of the throne room, and carefully made his way over to him. He was hesitant, fearing Talpa would still be inside his friend.

He carefully turned his friend over and stared with absolute pity at his badly wounded friend. Cye was covered with third degree burn marks from his head to his toes. His clothing had been burnt away for the most part, and he was barely breathing. Was this a trick though? Ryo wondered anxiously as he brushed Cye’s hair away from his forehead.

A flash of a light blue light from Cye’s forehead caught his attention, and Ryo stared in relief as the kanji of Trust shone brilliantly causing his own kanji of virtue to react. He carefully picked up the injured Ronin. It was time to take Cye home and reunite the Ronin Warriors. And Ryo left the castle with Cye with not so much as a glance back.

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Yes, we are almost done with this fic! Can you believe it? Aren’t all you readers happy now? Do you realize the above chapter written by me, Firestorm, was written around 3 in the morning and finished around 4:11 a.m? Oh well, you do now. *yawns* Again, Crimson Flames and I don’t own the Ronins. If we did, we’d be producing more Ronin episodes. Ja ne! Firestorm

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Alright people this epilog takes place about 9 weeks after the last Ch. I really hope you
enjoy this fic as much as I enjoyed writing it.
//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\
Sage awoke for the 5th time that night he sat up and pulled his boxers on. Sage stood and
walked over to the bed on the opposite side of his room. Rowen was curled up into a tight
ball trembling and sweat. He kept murmuring pleas and begging for freedom. On the table beside Rowen’s bed Sage counted 12 med. bottles. a few pills spread out on the table, glass of water, no doubt hot by now and a tray with an empty bowl. Rowen was healing slowly but healing just the same at least physically he was...mentally that was another story. Rowen couldn't handle being left alone for any length of time, And he was really jumpy when it came to physical contact. He seemed to only trust Sage at least when it came to touching him even if it was to change his dressings for his wounds. Sage sat down slowly on the side of Rowen’s bed careful not to shake him to wake him up. He’d been rewarded by a bloody lip the first time he attempted it.
“Hey... Rowen ... wake up man your dreaming” Sage whispered softly.
Rowen turned away for the voice he seemed to calm some. Sage reached over to the bed
side table and picked up the rag, dipped it in the warm water and gently wiped Rowen's face with it. Cooling Rowen and cleaning some of the sweat off as well. Sage spent about thirty more min. with Rowen till he calmed entirely. Sage exhaled slightly and returned to his bed his mind wondering with thoughts off the past few weeks.
-----From Sage’s memory--------
He, Kento and Ryo stood in the waiting room each head stamped up as the doctor
approached.
“Good day boys ... are you sure you wont lie down you all look tired.” The doctor’s kind
voice questioned.
“No damnit now how the hell are they?” Kento snapped the waiting was not something he dealt with graciously.
Ryo glanced over at Kento shooting him a warning glance. Kento shut up. Sage looked up form the glass of now warm water in his hand and shifted his gaze to the doctor.
“No, We are simply worried about are friends how are they?” Sage questioned.
The doctor glanced between the boys whom all looked like they had the weight of the
world on them he nodded and spoke.
Mr. Hashiba’s wounds are serious and for now he is in stable condition...He is seriously malnourished along with being in shock for the past 9 hours during the surgery to fix the
internal damage he just recently came out of the shock and had to be placed in restraints. His throat is swollen badly from not having any liquids and we have cause to believe
he was sexually assaulted. He also had several deep gashes along his body most centered
about his face and midsection, all of the wounds were infected badly we managed to clear most of it up. All in all you friend was lucky to survive.”
Sage had kept quiet though the doctor’s speech even though he heard Kento scream at the
comment of restraints and saw Ryo slump into a chair his eyes distant when the doctor said sexual abuse. All was silence for a few moments then a soft crack and then a whoosh. All eyes went to Sage as his crushed the foam cup in his hand and the water spilt onto the tile floor the split cup still held firmly in his hand.
Ryo had jumped slightly ripped from his world of disbelief and looked at Sage, the same
distant heart broken gaze he'd seen on him when Rowen had been captured and he had
felt useless. Ryo put his hand over Sage’s hand and whispered.
“It'll be OK”
Sage glanced up then at Ryo’s hand, any other day it would have been really weird but
now.. He felt like the need the contact something to focus on and remember Rowen
needed him now going into LA-LA land wasn't going to help him at any length he nodded
slightly to Ryo his normal fierce violet eyes trying to contain tears that threatened to slip
past his guard.
“I hope so...”
Kento looked back at the doctor.
“What about Cye?”
The doctor who was staring at Sage quickly looked up.
“He is in much better shape, a day or 2 in the hospital on fluids and he'll be fine just wear a cast for a few weeks”
Sage nodded
“Thank you, may we see them?”
The doctor nodded
-------------------

The next morning (after the beginning of the fic)

____________
Ryo sat at the kitchen table glad to be eating Cye’s cooking and not his own again.
“This is really good, Cye-man” Ryo said with a grin.
Cye’s eyes shimmered with the compliment.
“Thanks, Ryo!” his normal high pitched voice rang happily.
Cye and Ryo glanced up as Sage and Rowen came down the stairs. Rowen was looking
better every day most of the cuts were gone and all but a few of the gashes had scared
over. Rowen sat down at the table and smiled at all of them, then began to eat.
Kento came in carrying a large box and a small one. All eyes lifted to him.
“What's all this Kento?” Cye questioned as he moved to take some of the plates off the
table to make room to sit them down.
Rowen stood and held his plate continuing eating. Ryo and Sage did the same.
The largest box was about 3 feet by 4 feet and wrapped in Light blue paper CYE written on it. The small on was only about 3 feet long by 1 foot long this wrapped in black paper with white dots to look like the night sky ROWEN was written in Dark blue letters.
Kento beamed. Cye looked excited. Ryo and Sage looked amused and Rowen looked
confused.
“Kento?” Questioned Rowen.
“Call ‘um early Christmas, late birth day but in truth there welcome back gifts. OPEN
‘UM OPEN ‘UM!” Kento chanted.
Sage shook his head smirking at Kento’s actions you'd think he was getting the gifts.
Rowen nodded at Cye.
“You go first.”
Cye normally the first to argue nodded and quickly ripped the paper from the gift his eyes
widened and he looked like he was going to cry.
A large fish tank empty except for about 6 bags with water and exotic fish in them. Cye
looked and Kento and then gave him a hug.
“Thank you Kento, it’s wonderful!” Cye was past excited, he was ecstatic.
“Just add water” came Kento’s reply.
Rowen moved to open his eyes widened in total disbelief he was expecting something
like a math book with a note from Kento reading ‘you know sense you like math and
stuff.’ But ... he'd never expected this his ran his frail fingers on the red case, new and
never used this was his dream gift. Sure he had one but it was ragged he lifted his gaze to
the happy Ronin in orange and he lifted the Red telescope out of the box.
“Thank you, Kento” Rowen whispered.
Kento grinned.
“Well, I figured you'd like it. Ya’ know, what with you liken’ the stars and stuff.”
Rowen smiled and went up to his room, Sage trailed behind as always Sage stopped in the door way and looked back at Kento he nodded.
“You did good.” Was all Sage said as he followed Rowen up the stairs to help him put the telescope up.

~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~
WE’RE DONE!
::falls into a chair:::
I DON’T BELIEVE IT, WE’RE DONE!
Dances around with chibi dolls of Sage and Rowen.
Send all comments to Crimson Flames or Firestorm.
Crimson Flames -Sagetoyamarein@aol.com