Anubis' Destiny
By Canyon 315

Prologue
Anubis had finally been able to repent from his evil ways. With the help of the Ancient One, he survived his dark past and helped the Ronin Warriors save the mortal world from the Dynasty. But he was only there in spirit when Ryo and Herriol's White Armor killed Tulpa, for to save the last of the Ancient One's clan, he had to sacrifice himself. His days spent as the Ancient One on Earth had saved him from eternal damnation, and he now was with the Ancient One. The Ronins had put away their armors and would fully enjoy the world that they saved. But if the Ronins could defeat Tulpa and the Dynasty, who knows what evil may challenge them now.
* * * * *
"Anubis?" A strange yet familiar voice called out to him.
He recognized that voice, from way back long before his warlord days.
"Christine? But I thought you were still alive."
"I am, brother. I'm here to bring you back to Earth with me."
"But I am dead, how can you bring me back to life?"
"The same way I can transfer here and still live on Earth. Please, you must come back. A new evil's afoot."
"You need me to help the Ronins?"
"There's something different about this one. The Ronins can't detect its presence. It's been surrounding them for weeks and they've said nothing. It's not physical, more spiritual, but deadlier than the Dynasty. I was able to sense it because of our family's powers, but the Ronins are only human. This thing could take over without them knowing. We're the only ones who know but I need you there to help me. They know you and trust you."
"Alright, I will come back with you."
"Thank you Anubis."

Chapter 1
The Ronins were now living a peaceful life. They still lived with Mia, having no place else to go, and unfortunately, Yuli still lived with them. When Tulpa died, all of his captives were freed, but his parents fled to America immediately after. They thought their son had perished in the attacks, and never looked for him during their last days in Japan. Kento ran into them in the city a few days before they left, but they denied everything about having a son. Kento knew it was them, he had made no mistake, they had disowned Yuli. Whether it was Tulpa or something else, whatever it was so powerful to force parents to disown their son.
Kento went home and told Yuli and the guys what happened. Yuli tried to sneak on a plane heading for America to be with his parents, only foster care caught him, and was now waiting to be put in a boys' home. Kento loved the brat and adopted him. The Ronins questioned his sanity to his face. Kento said it was true Yuli was an annoying little brat, but he still loved him. Kento always had a special spot for children, came from his father. Everyone let him stay. The kid needed a family and the Ronins were all he had. They had taken care of him all this time, what's more? Foster care wasn't as convinced when they told them the story, but White Blaze proved to be persuasive enough to let them keep him.
A few days after Yuli came home, Christine and Anubis dressed as the Ancient were walking down the road toward Mia's place.
"Don't tell them why we're here just yet. I need time to figure this out." Christine warned him.
"Right. How were you able to bring us out of death?"
"When Tulpa first took you in as a warlord, he made you immortal for the most part. We were linked with the mind, and I shared your immortality. You lost it completely when you rebelled from the Dynasty; I was able to keep a part of it with help from the Ancient One. I gave it up to bring you back here."
"I see. What can you tell me about this new evil?"
She was interrupted by a roar of a white tiger. They had arrived at the place, and White Blaze was the welcome party. White Blaze had been wary when Anubis started hanging around claiming to be good. His sacrifice to save Kayura was convincing but what to think now that he is alive and with some strange girl? He gave them a hostile growl warning them to back off.
Christine started to walk away but Anubis' hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Stand your ground. Ryo will be out to control him."
Instead of Ryo, someone else came to his side.
"White Blaze what are you growling at now?" Mia came running around the corner, smack dab into Anubis and Christine.
Mia gasped. "Ancient One?"
Anubis lifted his hat, revealing his face. "Hello Mia."
"ANUBIS?!"
"Anubis?" Ryo came running towards Mia. "What's going on Mia? Anubis! I thought you were dead."
"I was but my sister Christine was able to bring me back."
"Sister?" Ryo and Mia said in unison. Even White Blaze seemed surprised.
"Hello." Christine said shyly.
Looks alone she was surely his sister. Twin sister to be exact. The only real difference they could see was her hair was a dark, shiny brown, instead of Anubis' fiery mane. Her face had a little bit different shape then his but it was very similar. She was tall and a little less build then him.
Something passed on both Anubis' and Mia's faces when they saw each other a few minutes ago. Christine noticed and so did Ryo; at least a slight jealous expression showed up for a few seconds was her only proof.
Apparently Anubis had found an interest while trying to escape his dark past. Ryo would surely be a contender but there were ways to make him forget.

Chapter 2
Kento, Yuli, Cye, and Sage had been shopping in the city when Ryo and Mia met Christine and Anubis back from the dead. It was the same reaction with them, but no one saw Ryo's slight pang of jealousy when he saw Anubis near Mia. It was weird having him always busting on her yet falling in love at the same time. Not so much busting now, with no evil to fight she could kick him out and he'd be on his own looking for a place for himself, not exactly a good time to be looking. The economy was shot after Tulpa attacked every time they could rebuild. Oh well, Christine thought, he busted on her but Anubis never did. He showed a slight if not more interest in her when Ryo never did. Snooze you lose, but keep on snoozing and just maybe you'll get someone else.
It was slightly hard for Christine to set Anubis and Mia up when Ryo was in the way. Anubis didn't want to get on the wrong side of his former foe. It would be easy tonight though; Ryo was dead tired and went to bed early. Now they were stuck. Mia caught Anubis on the balcony, looking out onto the forest nearby. Something was here, waiting for them to feel completely safe, when he would show himself.
"Anubis?" Mia joined him on the balcony. Without the boys around she felt safe enough to ask him what she wanted to know since he had arrived. "Why did you come back?"
Anubis turned to face her, eyes glowing. "How could I refuse a passage back here?" He put her face in his hands. "Back to you?" He inched her face closer to his.
Christine caught a glimpse of them kissing, and she could hardly keep her composure for a minute; then that feeling came back. A feeling of pure dread, something was happening, someone was gonna get it. The wind picked up an eerie chill that sent shivers down her spine.
"He's here."
* * * * *
Ryo was his first victim.
~"Wow, look Ryo, a leopard!" His father pointed to one a few feet away from the jeep. He was traveling with his father in Africa, who photographed wild animals for various magazines. As he prepared for the shot, the leopard pounced and maimed his father's body. If it weren't for the quick thinking of the driver, Ryo would have been the next victim.~
"What's wrong with him?" Rowen was the first to hear Ryo's blood-curdling screams and now witnessed his violent shakings. He, Sage, Cye, and Kento tried to wake him from his nightmare but nothing worked.
"It's Kaitan, he has Ryo." Christine announced.
"How do we get him out of it?" Cye knew it was better to ask about Kaitan later.
"Ryo! What's the matter with him?" Mia shouted, taking in his pathetic state. She and Anubis had come back to reality and heard Ryo's screams.
"Kaitan has Ryo. No time to explain now. We need to save Ryo. Anubis, copy what I'm about to do." Christine commanded.
She went into a yen meditation and mumbled, "Casu, ginzu, riki hun swun. Gin wha noriki gin shu wa!" Anubis did the same. They were inside Ryo's dream.
"Protect Ryo! Try to convince him it's just a dream!"
"What kind of power is this?!" Anubis shouted after her but it was too late. Christine had taken off. Anubis found Ryo floating downward in some black spiral. He was losing his life fast. On Anubis' command his staff changed into his Armor of Cruelty helmet.
"To arms!" He shouted as he put on the helmet. His clothes transformed back into the armor he had worn for most of his life.
"QUAKE WITH FEAR!" His signature attack destroyed the spiral as Ryo fell into his arms. Ryo's breathing was becoming regular again. Kaitan's power broken, Ryo was freed.
* * * * *
Ryo groaned slightly as he opened his eyes. He was back in his room. "It was just a dream." He mumbled before falling back to sleep.
A great sigh of relief came over the room. Ryo was safe.

Chapter 3
"Master, here is Wildfire's energy!" The hunchback walked over to his ghostly master and handed him a bottle. He walked like an ape his back was so deformed.
"I can't take it, you fool! I'm a ghost remember! I need energy to fill the body mold so I can have a body!!" Kaitan's ghost scolded.
"Stupid me." Logan injected the energy into the mold. It barely passed the knee cavities.
"We drained almost all his energy. A few more minutes and he'd be dead! It should be filled with plenty of surplus!"
"Then we must steal more." Logan looked at his strangely. He expected his master to be freaking.
Kaitan used his magic and a diagram of who was to be the next victims appeared.
"Lovely specimens. They should be chock full of energy!"
"If these five could destroy Tulpa's Dynasty then they are first on the list. The other three won't have so much to give but I found some interesting nightmares to torture them with."
"Kaitan you are pure evil!"
"When my body mold is filled I can walk in the mortal realm. With the Ronin Warriors weak with all their energy drained I shall forever have the White Armor of Inferno for my body. The mortal world will be destroyed and I shall rule a new Earth!" Kaitan and Logan laughed at their upcoming victory.
* * * * *
"What was that thing that took over Ryo?" Cye, Sage, Kento, Rowen, Mia, Yuli, Anubis, and Christine were on the balcony watching the sunrise; last night still fresh in their minds. White Blaze refused to leave Ryo's bedside until he was sure Ryo was OK.
"You seemed to know a lot about what happened Christine." Kento said.
"You're in for a big explanation Christine." Rowen replied angrily.
"Much as the Ronin Warriors protect the mortal world from Tulpa, the Star Swordsmen defended our clan from Kaitan a thousand years ago. I am the last survivor of the Star Swordsmen. Kaitan was created from the same evil sprits as Tulpa was. Tulpa considered Kaitan his brother and they both ruled the Dynasty and the mortal world. Djyn, the leader of our clan, picked a fight with him, hoping he could finish him off. Djyn was able to escape his death but he escaped after Kaitan swore he'd kill us all. Some time after, the Ancient One defeated Tulpa and transformed his armor into the nine armors. Kaitan shared the body with Tulpa; without a body his spirit could not walk in the mortal world. To carry out what he had sworn to do he invaded the clan's minds and drove us insane. Many died because of the intensity of his attacks. The Star Swordsmen had no idea how to fight him and died along with the victims. When Tulpa took Anubis in as a warlord, Djyn granted me the job of bringing Anubis back, so I was saved from dying with my fellow warriors. Anubis and I were very close growing up, and because of our closeness when Anubis was made immortal I became immortal as well. Djyn's spirit told me about Kaitan invading the mortal realm and Anubis and I were sent to help you fight him."
"So if Anubis is a part of you clan would Kaitan have it in for him as well?" Yuli asked.
"I'm not sure if Kaitan even knows that Anubis is alive. If he does, he most definitely will get him."
Mia was leaning on the railing next to Anubis. She unconsciously placed her hand over his to tell him she'd be there for him. Kento motioned to her about what she had just did. Mia realized what she had done and left it there. Kento gave her a thumbs-up. He looked forward to the day the ex-warlord would find some peace at heart and Mia was an excellent one for the job.
* * * * *
"Anubis?"
Anubis turned around at the sound of Mia's voice. He was walking alone deep into the forest. He didn't remember much about his past, not because of his age of over 450, but because Tulpa had convinced memories of his old life were irrelevant and he was only able to hold on to a few. Most of his life before he began to fight alongside the Star Swordsmen was forgotten. He wanted to find some peace to hopefully bring up some of those forgotten memories.
"What is it Mia?"
"About last night, before Ryo…"
"Yes it was intentional. I admit that during our fight to help the Ronins I developed feelings for you. I kept them in check before I died, but last night I had no control. I hope you can forgive me."
"You came back mostly because of me?"
"Yes."
"I love you too Anubis."
"Excellent. Two for the price of one!" An eerie voice echoed thru the trees.
"Mia, get behind me." The sense of evil was everywhere now. Armed with his staff Anubis was ready for battle. "Show yourself demon!"
"I can't do that just yet. For now, I will send someone in my place." The voice answered. Badamon's nether sprits and Dynasty soldiers appeared. Without warning one of the sprits entered Anubis' body and was taken away. Mia grabbed the staff. Too long had she depended on others to come and help her. She had watched many battles before and she felt she knew enough to defend herself for now.
* * * * *
Anubis groaned in pain as he lifted himself off the stone floor. He was no longer in the forest but in a stone temple of sorts. He couldn't see anything but the place felt all too familiar though he couldn't identify where he was. A box of kindling mysteriously sprouted a flame of blue fire, lighting up the room. The light flickered off the walls, alerting Anubis of where he was: Tulpa's throne room in the Dynasty!
"Welcome back Anubis. You won't be staying long this time."
No. Anubis had watched Ryo kill Tulpa. His spirit couldn't live after what Ryo had done. He lifted himself off the floor to face the voice. The armor of Inferno was in front of him with an empty face. Tulpa had taken control of the White Armor.
"You are pathetic as a warlord and Ronin Warrior. You couldn't stop me nor defeat the Ronins. You are nothing!"
"Where are the warlords and Ronins?"
"Everyone of them is dead, including the tiger, boy, and the girl."
"MIA! NO!!"
"Don't worry you'll be joining them soon enough." Tulpa lifted the Fervor swords high above his head, ready to bring them down on Anubis' neck.
Anubis could hear a faint sound of the staff clanking against armor. Its volume grew until he could hear a woman grunting as she fought against Dynasty soldiers. Mia was alive; this was one of Kaitan's tricks.
"QUAKE WITH FEAR!" His weapon passed thru the swords and armor as if it was an illusion. The room disappeared as well. "I know it's you Kaitan!" He shouted to air.
"You are one of the last members of the clan. I thought Tulpa or the Ronin Warriors had been able to save me the trouble of killing you! No matter, you and your sister will die along with the mortal world!" The space was filled with Kaitan's intensity.
In an instant Anubis was transported back to where he last was. He could only watch helplessly as a ball of energy hit Mia. The last thing she heard was Anubis' shouting her name as she fell to the ground unconscious.
Chapter 4
Anubis lightly kissed Mia's lips as she slept on her bed in her room. She had been sleeping for two days now.
* * * * *
Anubis gently lifted Mia into his arms and ran home as fast as he dared. He saw Cye outside waiting for them.
"Torrent, call the doctor! It's Mia!" Anubis shouted to him.
Cye ran into the house and knocked Sage on his rear.
He bounded onto the coffee table in the living room and quickly dialed the doctor.
"Cye, that's my lunch, ya mook!" Kento was eating his lunch in the living room and Cye now had his hot dogs with mustard on the bottom all over his shirt.
"Do shuttup Kento! It's an emergency!" Cye was silent as the doctor explained something.
"She needs immediate help! We can't get her into an ambulance! You need to come here!" Cye yelled into the phone. The doctor wanted to send an ambulance to pick her up and take her to the hospital. Every second wasted was another second closer to her death.
"What's going on Cye?" Kento's tone was softer now.
Cye covered up the phone with his hand. "Kaitan attacked Mia and she needs medical attention immediately."
Ryo entered the room and yanked the phone away from Cye. With a profane choice of words Ryo convinced the doctor to make a house call.
He came in the door five minutes later. Ryo dragged him to Mia's room where she was resting. The doctor threw Ryo out of the room and locked it.
"You'll pay for this Anubis." Ryo whispered angrily.
"Don't forget she and Yuli would be dead right now if it weren't for Anubis! When we were in the Dynasty fighting Tulpa the first time, Anubis saved them to prove he was on our side. Don't question Anubis' loyalties, because it belongs to us and especially Mia!" Kento shouted at him.
Ryo ignored him as he ran outside. Mia could never love him; he was once a warlord!
"Who's been having all the fun without us?" Rowen, feeling cocky or as I call it Lancey, walked inside the living room with Sage. Yuli was told what had happened. He was lying on the couch with White Blaze taking a nap on the floor next to him.
"Yeah, we found fifty empty Dynasty soldier armors outside." Sage said, also feeling Lancey.
"From what Anubis tells me Mia wasted them all."
"Our Mia?" They asked in unison.
"Yup, the doctor's attending to her now." Yuli thought they knew what had happened.
"Cye, what's going on?" Rowen asked.
"Kaitan attacked Anubis and Mia in the forest. Mia defended herself with Anubis' staff and wasted all the soldiers. Kaitan threw an energy ball at her and the doc says she's lucky to be alive. He doesn't know if she will stay that way. He's been here for over two hours and barely sticks his head out the door to tell us what's happening."
"Yuli's innocent ears heard Ryo's language as he convinced the doc to at least come to the house and take care of her." Kento added. "Ryo was so pissed he called him Tulpa."
'Tulpa' cleared his throat. He was done for the day. "Mia will be okay. She will sleep a lot, and I mean a lot. I advise that no one disturb her during her sleep. When she gets up she'll be very weak; it will be awhile before she gets her full strength back. Call me when she wakes up and I'll run a checkup." With that he left.
For two days White Blaze guarded her door and never left it, let's just say Ryo had some major cleaning to do. Anyone who tried to enter her room dealt with White Blaze, and not even Ryo could get in without a fight.
On the second day White Blaze let Anubis in without question. Even a tiger saw the chemistry between the two, and because he was the only one home the others would not be able to sneak in after him.
* * * * *
Mia's eyes slowly opened, seeing Anubis sitting next to her on the bed. She placed her hand on his knee.
"Anubis?" She said barely above a whisper. Anubis took her hand into his and kissed it.
"Are you alright?" He asked gently.
Mia nodded weakly. "What happened? All I remember is you disappearing with the nether sprit." Her eyes teared up at the memory. "I thought I'd never see you again."
"After I realized it was Kaitan's trick, he brought me back and fired an energy ball at you. You've been unconscious ever since. I'll always be here for you." He placed his hand over her heart. "Here as well."
Mia covered his hand with her own before she fell back to sleep.
White Blaze stuck his head thru the door, a questioning look in his eyes.
"She's alright, White Blaze. Just needs to get some rest." Anubis reassured him.
White Blaze let out a purr. He walked over to the bed and snuggled his head underneath her hand. He propped his front paws on the bedside and licked her cheek.
"Don't tell anyone until she wakes up again. She doesn't need them disturbing her. That energy ball has taken a lot out of her."
White Blaze nodded as he pulled a side of the blanket with his teeth on top of the lower half.
"You aren't…"
White Blaze nodded.
"If Ryo catches me, he'll surely have my head."
White Blaze growled lowly as if to say he could take care of Ryo. She needed him to get through this.
"Warn me when someone's coming. The wrong idea would spread rampant in their adolescent minds."
White Blaze walked outside the room, his tail swished the door closed silently behind him.
Anubis sighed as he watched White Blaze leave with a tiger-like smirk on his face.
Ryo would be furious, than again he was furious the day he came back. He crawled into the bed beside Mia and took a nice long afternoon nap.

Chapter 5
Mia smiled in her sleep; she dreamt Anubis came into her room and took a nap beside her. Her eyes opened quickly when she felt herself in someone's embrace. She turned her head and saw it was Anubis. She relaxed and snuggled closer to him. He looked so innocent when he slept; hard to believe he was once an instrument of evil. She smoothed out his hair with her fingers, sighing contently. She felt so lucky to have him back. This time, she would make sure he stayed for a long time.
White Blaze's tail going thump, thump, on her door woke her from her daydream.
"Come on ya stupid tiger, let me in! I have to see her!" It was Ryo outside the door.
"Anubis, you have to get out of here." She whispered harshly as she shook Anubis' shoulders. "Anubis!"
"Mia, you're alright!"
"Ssshhh. Go out the window and come back here thru the door. Ryo insists on coming in. I think it's time they knew I'm OK."
Anubis shimmied down the rain pipe. Mia straightened out his side of the bed as quickly as she could. She heard White Blaze's claws up the front of her door; Ryo was getting violent. He could be so childish at times, you'd think a warlord was keeping her hostage! It took Kento, Rowen, Cye, Sage, and even Yuli to hold him away from the door. Anubis ran up the stairs. "Let him in." He commanded.
They dropped him without warning. Ryo quickly rose to his feet and carefully entered Mia's room. The rest followed in suit. Mia was sleeping, at least pretending to sleep thru the racket outside.
"Mia? You OK?" Ryo ran his hand thru her hair, a gesture Anubis' eyes blazed at.
Her eyelashes fluttered before opening. "Ryo?" She said weakly.
"YOU'RE OK!!"
"Easy Wildfire." Anubis put his hand on Ryo's shoulder. Although he knew Mia was going to be OK, he still was worried about her. Ryo shot him a sharp look; why was he so concerned over her?!
"Hey girl, we were worried sick about ya!" Kento was hopping up and down. Even reserved Sage was going nutz with joy.
Although Mia was overjoyed to see her friends, it was clear she had eyes for Anubis alone.
That's it, pal. You and the Inferno. Ryo thought, he had seen enough. It was time to end their battle.
* * * * *
A week past and Mia had regained her full strength. Kaitan hadn't attacked since he attacked Mia and Anubis, and all were grateful for the break. With Tulpa, it was most everyday he attacked at all hours of the day and night. When Mia was strong enough she and Anubis spent most of their time together. Kento and White Blaze kept Ryo busy during the times she and Anubis would sneak off to be alone. His temper was an excellent fighting tool in the Dynasty but it wasn't needed here.
* * * * *
Ryo watched Anubis and Mia from the balcony, hidden as he possibly could be. His anger rose when he watched them together. It wouldn't be long before his rage took over.
"So what if Mia likes Anubis? Is that such a crime?!" Christine walked onto the balcony and addressed him in a sharp tongue.
"He once led the warlords that killed her grandfather and ruined her life. She can't love evil!!"
"Was it 'evil' who saved her and Yuli from countless attacks? Was it 'evil' who took on the role of Ancient One and helped the Ronin Warriors defeat Tulpa? Was it 'evil' who loved her during the war but kept his feelings in check until after peace was established?!"
Ryo was fuming when he realized that Anubis did love Mia back then.
"She's found someone who will make her happy. Be happy for her. Forget her and give a chance to someone who has feelings for you."
"You mean you?"
Christine nodded.
Ryo left the balcony in a huff. He couldn't stand it any longer.
* * * * *
Ryo got down to the ground quick enough to see Anubis and Mia kissing. His rage took over his whole body.
"Armor of Wildfire! Tao Jin!"
"What?" Anubis quickly pushed Mia to the side.
"That's my girl!!" Ryo shouted, the Wildfire swords in his hands.
"Wildfire, I don't wish to fight you." Anubis tried to explain.
"YOUR GIRL!?!" Mia was outraged.
"Good, it'll be easier to kill you. FLARE UP NOW!!"
Anubis used the staff to defend him from the fiery flare as best he could. Without his armor, he wasn't going to win. Pain surged thru his body. "Ryo, I'm not going to fight you!" He fell to the ground in pain, blood streaming across his face.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!!" Mia tried to stop Ryo but he just threw her hard on the ground.
White Blaze jumped on top of Ryo but Ryo pushed the tiger off easily. His anger was feeding his armor's power; the angrier he got the more strength he had.
"MIA!! ANUBIS!!" The rest of the Ronins were armed and ready to stop Ryo. Ryo pooled their energy to form the White Armor of Inferno. White Blaze tried to keep the Fervor swords from Ryo but Ryo was too quick. All he wanted to do was finish off Anubis once and for all, then punish Mia.
The staff turned into Cruelty's helmet the minute Ryo had transformed into the White Armor. The Ancient knew Anubis was not going to survive without his armor. Anubis transformed into the armor of Cruelty. Ryo was determined to finish their fight, all Anubis was going to do was defend himself.
"RAGE OF INFERNO!!"
"QUAKE WITH FEAR!!"
"THUNDER BOLT CUT!!"
"IRON ROCK CRUSHER!!"
"ARROW SHOCK WAVE!!"
"SUPER WAVE SMASHER!!"
"STAR SWORDS SCREAM!!"
"WEB OF DECEPTION!!"
"BLACK LIGHTING SLASH!!"
"SNAKE FANG STRIKE!!"
"SPHERES OF HATRED!!"
The Ronins, the warlords, Lady Kayura, and Christine, now wearing her Star Swordsmen armor, pulled their attacks to defeat Ryo. The warlords had watched the battle and now were fighting to save their friend. Their attacks had weakened Ryo considerably. He demorphed into his Wildfire subarmor. Christine shot a tranquilizer dart in his arm. He needed to calm down, he wasn't even this bad when he found out his friends were held prisoner in the Dynasty. Ryo dropped to the ground passed out.
"Mia…" Anubis walked over to her.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!!" She bolted away from everyone into the forest. She needed time to herself. Ryo went crazy with jealousy in front of her eyes, all because she had fallen in love with an ex-warlord! Ryo hurt her, her arm had a big black and blue bruise where he had slapped her as she fell. It was all so confusing, why did the Dynasty have to hurt her so much even after its fall? She sank to her knees by the riverside. She remembered her childhood days where her grandfather would take her boating a lot on this river. It seemed that the only person in her whole life who ever cared about her was him. When her parents fought and kicked her out of the house, he was there to take her away. He was the one who sparked the interest of Japanese mythology in her, and she learned under him. He had a special interest in the Dynasty and the Ronin Warriors. She would stay up half the night listening to the tales of the war fought between humanity and Tulpa a thousand years ago. He spoke so highly of Wildfire, Hardrock, Torrent, Halo, and Strata. So why did they have to hurt her?!
"Grandfather, I'm so confused. I don't know what to do. I think of the Ronins as my family. They're all I have left, but now I'm not so sure. Ryo almost killed me and Anubis, the one I love. I know he once was evil but he's different now. He's so sweet and caring, he loves me as well. Now nobody wants him around, and he and Ryo are fighting again, only this time it's over me!! What am I to do?"
"Mia, I am watching over you always." It was the voice of Grandfather. "Have faith in your love for Anubis. It will pull you thru these times. Never doubt it, or you will all perish. Ryo will realize this, but for now you must be strong. Watch out for Anubis, he needs you." His voice faded away with the wind.
"Grandfather, please don't go!"
But the voice was gone, and once again she was alone.

Chapter 6
"I knew I never should've came back. Ryo hates me, the Ronins hate me, Mia hates me, what was the point of coming back?" Anubis asked Christine. They were both on the balcony, watching and waiting for Mia to return. The stars twinkled in the night sky.
"For one thing you were being so secretive I never knew about your feelings for her until I saw it for myself! My God, you knew Ryo was jealous but couldn't tell me until he went nutz!!"
"I'm sorry, not many knew what we shared at the time, I wasn't even sure she felt the same about me. Ryo was jealous from the start, I just didn't know he was this bad."
"Now you tell me!! I better go check on the beast anyway. The dart should wear off soon." She pulled out a strait jacket. "He won't be a happy camper when he comes to."
"I'll stay here and wait for Mia. Ryo will break out of the strongest hold just to kill me."
* * * * *
"Almost done… I hate these straps! They're too confusing!" Sage complained.
"To make sure Ryo won't escape, it's gotta be tough to put on." Rowen explained.
"Mia…" Ryo struggled to get up but found himself bound. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME!!"
"So we can control this temper of yours. It almost killed someone today."
"Meant for Anubis."
Kento socked him hard in the face. "ARE YOU REALITY-IMPAIRED OR WHAT!! MIA IS ALL CONFUSED AND SHE WON'T TALK TO NONE OF US, INCLUDING CHRISTINE!! YOU'VE HURT HER AND NOW SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK!! ALL BECAUSE OF YOU AND YOUR STUPIDITY!!"
"Kento, I think you should tackle the cheesecake in the fridge." Yuli suggested.
"Not even cheesecake will stop me from teaching him a lesson in how to treat ladies!!"
Everyone was stunned. Cheesecake wouldn't stop the bottomless pit from laying off Ryo!? What was going on?
"Toss him in his room for the night. We'll see how he is in the morning." Cye ordered.
"I'LL GET YOU ALL FOR THIS!" Ryo shouted as he was thrown into his room like trash. Ryo struggled to get out of the jacket, but he heard the door lock from the outside.
* * * * *
White Blaze ran into the forest looking for Mia. She had been out here long enough. It was time for her to go home. A nearby bushed rustled with the wind. He looked behind it and found Mia asleep in a thicket. Her tear-stained cheeks was the only sign of the pain she felt when he last saw her. She looked peacefully asleep, almost as if someone was with her. He didn't have the heart to wake her. He snuggled against her, warming her freezing body with his own warm fur.
* * * * *
Mia woke up early the next morning. She mentally scolded herself for being a mook and staying out all night. Everyone must be worried sick! White Blaze stirred beside her.
"White Blaze? What are you doing here?"
'I stayed out here all night for you.'
She smiled. "Thank you White Blaze." She petted his head. "If only Ryo would feel that way."
White Blaze nudged her in the direction of home.
"Alright, let's go!" She hopped on his back and White Blaze ran home.
* * * * *
"He's some stuff! He's been out here all night?" Kento asked Christine. Anubis was stretched out on the balcony  asleep.
"Yeah, it was quite the struggle to get him to sleep, much  less leave. His body won out on sleep but he's too stubborn to move."
"Easy man. He's worried about Mia. The dude's in love."
"Heavy-duty. I wonder why though, he was always reserved. I think Anubis gave his feelings a little to quickly."
"Why do you say that?"
"In the clan before Kaitan started his attacks, Anubis loved a girl named Nasty Yagyu. It took him the longest time  for him to get past his crush into a friendship and longer still to admit love. He was always like that and since Tulpa didn't enforce human emotions, why now would he be this way?"
"It's been close to a year since we discovered Anubis was the Ancient."
"Kento, it took five years for him to get past his crush, two years to establish a friendship, and ten years to admit he loved her from the start!"
"What are you saying then?"
"I'm saying it's just odd, but we're gonna see if Doctor Koji's files have anything on her. My mind gets a little messed up when I go back that far." Rowen might've got the same theory Christine was thinking, but Kento was not Rowen by a long shot. He preferred to use his fists to break someone's  back, not analyze situations.
"Whatever. Hey look, White Blaze brought Mia back!" Kento pointed down to the too. Mia didn't acknowledge them as she went inside the house.
"Ryo's really been screwing around her mind! C'mon Anubis. We've gotta talk with her." Christine kicked him in the leg. When Anubis didn't get up she kicked him harder.
" 'Nubis! NOW!"
"I'm getting up." He mumbled as he lifted himself off the ground.
"Which of you are the oldest?" Kento asked.
"I am, by about two years." Anubis announced.
"And to think an ex-warlord was bossed around by a girl, not to mention his kid sister!" Kento laughed.
Anubis cracked a small smile, his first since the whole mess began. "Knock it off Kento."
* * * * *
"We're sorry for what happened yesterday Mia." She met Rowen, Cye, and Sage in the living room. Kento and Christine jumped down the stairs to meet her. Anubis hid shyly in the corner of the upstairs. It was because of him she ran off and spent the night cold and alone in the woods. He was the last person she wanted to see.
"It's OK, really." She told her friends. Anubis' ears perked up. "It was my fault as well for acting so childish. I had time to think it over, and I forgive Ryo for what he did."
"It may be sometime before he says the same. He's locked up in his room with a strait jacket on." Kento was not so easily forgiving.
"Whatever it takes to control him. It'll be a while before he can forget this."
He'll be stalking her if I know Ryo. He will never forgive me nor Mia. I'll protect her from him. Anubis swore silently.
Mia saw him hiding upstairs. He ran away to hide in a room.
"Anubis!" Mia shouted as she ran up the stairs. "Anubis, please stay! I need to talk to you."
Anubis walked out of the shadows into the light. His head hung in shame. "I'm sorry Mia."
"Anubis, look at me." She lifted his chin to make him face her. His eyes were full of tears and shame. Her eyes filled with tears as she saw his. "It's not your fault I ran away. I love you; that's no reason to fear you. What Ryo did, that's why I ran away. I didn't know what to do. Grandfather helped me thru it. He told me to never doubt my love for you, because it's they only thing that's pulling me thru this."
"I love you as well."
Ryo tried to knock down his door. He heard everything sick of it all. The strait jacket prevented him from escaping the room, but the door would have to be replaced eventually.
Anubis pulled Mia closer and Mia clung to him. She realized Ryo couldn't see them and feeling cocky, she kissed Anubis and if the door wasn't shut and locked Ryo would have seen it all. They didn't care; Ryo was not going to keep them apart.
Chapter 7
Christine was sitting at Mia's computer with Kento hanging over her shoulder. They searched in vain for any information about Nasty Yagyu. Christine was about to give up when Kento spotted something.
"Hold up! Click here." He instructed.
"Alright Kento! We've got something!" The hyperlink led to an article entitled "Ancient Warriors". A shortways down the list of ancient warriors there was a link leading to Star Swordsmen.
"OH YEAH BABY!!" They said in unison while high-fiving. It was profiles of all the Star Swordsmen that ever existed. Their excitement dwindled as they neared the end of the list with no sign of what they needed. As luck would have it, the last listing was labeled Yagyu, Nasty.
"Got her!!" Christine shouted with glee.
The profile consisted of a short history and a picture. Kento and Christine gasped in surprise. Nasty looked exactly like Mia!
"I was so right!"
"You never said a word about that one!"
"No offense, but considering how often Dais kicked you around by your brain cells you wouldn't believe me unless I had proof."
"None taken."
"When I thought about it some more I realized she was one of the very last to die in the battles against Kaitan. The day before she died is the day Tulpa took Anubis in as a warlord. Djyn had a mental bond between all members of the clan. When one link died, part of his human self died as well, replaced by spiritual magic. When we all are dead his human self dies and his sprit self can go back to being a sprit."
"So Djyn's not totally dead because you and Anubis are still alive right?"
"I think so. If he is consider him to be like the Ancient One. Anyways, our clan was one of the largest in Japan at the time. So by the time Nasty died, Djyn had enough power to resurrect Nasty's spirit into a host body. He could predict the future only by scraps of feelings because no one can predict what's to happen and be totally right. I guess Mia was the one he chose."
"He chose her thru a thousand years? I have a major headache just thinking about it."
Christine handed him some aspirin. "It's about to get worse. If I'm right, Yuli is one of us as well."
"Why do you say that?"
"I remember a small boy fighting with us. He lasted pretty long because Djyn didn't want a boy going fighting against Kaitan. Why else would Yuli be with us?"
"Could that be why his parents left him here? Because his destiny was to fight against the Dynasty?"
"Maybe, who knows? Shoot, maybe Tulpa ridded their minds of the memory of him or something. No one can really say with Tulpa."
A few more clicks on the mouse and they found what they were looking for.
"Good news Kento, Jin is Yuli. See?" A picture of Yuli's look-alike twin appeared on the monitor.
"OK. When are we telling them about this?"
"We DON'T tell anyone about this. They have to find it out for themselves."
"What if we need their help in battle or something!"
"Then they'll find out either before or during that time. It'll be alright, just let them figure it out for themselves."
"OK, if you say so."
"Maybe you and I could down to the Hard Rock for a dinner some night. All you have to do is keep your mouth S-H-U-T! Got it?"
"Hardrock's going to the Hard Rock!" He danced out of the room and collided with Cye.
"You sure you have brains? Nobody would be brave enough to take Kento there!"
"He'll be alright. Maybe I can sweeten the deal and have Anubis and Mia come with us."
"I'm sure Mia will love that!"
"Let's find out!" She and Cye left to go tell Mia and Anubis the news.
* * * * * *
~Sage was walking around the city streets. He passed by his favorite fruit stand and snatched the usual fruit when the stand owner wasn't looking. He'd been doing that ever since he realized he could pull a fast one and not be caught; since he was a little kid. He looked in his hand and saw he had a lime, not a lemon. Lemons were his favorites and he always made off with one. He shrugged it off and ate it anyway. He made his way to his favorite street corner. There, he was able to flirt with the girls and even make a date at times. At least one girl swooned over his looks whenever he went there. Today, he'd been standing there for over an hour and not one girl paid him any mind. A few thousand guys did though. No way! It's just a coincidence I grabbed a lime! He thought wildly. After a while he lost all control and could only watch as he walked with some guy to his apartment.~
Sage's bloodcurdling scream woke the whole house, though some decided to ignore it and go back to sleep. Mia was so surprised she fell out of bed and hurt her back. Groaning, she glanced at her alarm clock. It was 2:30 AM!
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!!" Those brave enough to stay in bed for Sage jumped out on the spot for Mia. She was angry and nobody wanted to get in her way.
She watched Kento slug Sage to wake him up. Sage still continued screaming.
"For our sakes SHUTTUP!!" Kento shouted in his ear. It didn't do a thing.
"Just bring him out back. Rowen, use arrow shock wave to wake him up. I'm going back to bed and NOBODY wakes me until noon." Christine mumbled before hopping back into bed.
Rowen did as he was told and as predicted, Sage stopped his incessant screaming.
"What's this about Sage?!" Kento was cracking his knuckles ready to pound in his face.
"I dreamt I was full-blown gay." He admitted.
Kento socked him one right in the jaw and went back to bed. That was the stupidest excuse to ruin his good night's sleep. Now that he was spoiled and had a regular sleeping pattern back, no one, nobody, and nothing was to interrupt it without a very good reason.
* * * * *
"Sage of the Halo proved to be a worthy target." Kaitan said as he watched Logan inject his energy into the body mold. "For a Ronin Warrior he was much too easy to get all this energy. Even that fool Ryo was hard to get."
"Yes master, but he has Inferno power. It will do you well in battle."
"That's true Logan. Remember to avoid Christine's energy. The slightest drop would be my undoing."
"What about her brother Anubis? What little e did get from him I put in the mold?"
"Do not worry. His armor of Cruelty once belonged to the Dynasty, as did the Ronin armors."
"I see. The boy and the girl aren't a part of the Dynasty. A lot of what is inside the mold is mostly hers."
"They'll have no effect on me. They are neutral. They will only make up my armor. Even the tiger's energy is sufficient."

Chapter 8
The Ronins laughed their heads off when they saw Kento's attire for the Hard Rock. A hippie's outfit complete with bell-bottom jeans and a frayed leather jacket.
"SURE AS SHOOTIN' YOU'RE NOT WEARING THAT!!" Christine's jaw dropped to the floor. She was wearing her usual outfit of a T-shirt and jeans. It made her feel a normal part of the mortal realm, instead of being an immortal and protecting the world from the Dynasty.
"Oh yes I am. Either that or you slap Ryo back in his jacket."
"No thanks." A few days earlier they had released Ryo after he broke down and sobbed all over the place. It was a very pathetic sight. They released him before they puked. Besides it was even harder to put it on him than taking it off. Kento still hadn't forgiven Ryo for what he had done, then again Ryo was still jealous of Anubis for what he had with Mia. Since both of them could keep it under control, they were allowed to live in peace.
"Like I said Kento, we don't know you!" Mia cracked up at Kento's attire. He looked pretty good in it though.
"Maybe Kento's a hippie." Sage suggested.
"Yeah, just as much as the flirt flirts with guys." Kento reminded him. Sage shut up quickly. He still had nightmares about it.
"Kento can't be a hippie. He has too much of a 80's-90's slang in his speech." Anubis defended Kento.
"Whatever. Just go on and enjoy it. Though I don't know how if Kento's gonna be there making a fool outta himself and Christine." Rowen tried to shove them out the door.
"Geez Rowen, aren't you being a little too pushy?"
"Just get out of here. The guys and I have plans."
Christine smiled cruelly. "Cool. Just make sure I'm around to see Mia beat the crap outta all of youse."
* * * * *
Mia drove them all in her jeep but stopped short about a block from the restaurant.
"OK you two." Mia swung around to face Kento and Christine sitting in back. "Out."
"What did we do now?"
"First up Kento, I will not be seen in public with you wearing that. This is Japan not America. It won't be so easily accepted nor ignored. Get out here and walk to the place. We'll catch up later. Then later you meet us back here and we'll drive you home."
"We told you, in the Hard Rock we don't know you." Anubis turned around from his front passenger seat. "And you," He pointed to Christine. "Don't come crying for help."
"No faith." Kento got out and slammed the door in Christine's face.
"KENTO!!"
"Ooops."
"Ooops is right." She growled as she re-opened the door and slammed it shut. Mia took off. "Why do I get myself into these things?" She asked the sky.
"Because if you didn't I'd have spilled the new armors."
"At this rate, it be better that you have told Mia and Yuli then me taking Hardrock to the Hard Rock."
"No faith."
"Call me a predicator."
* * * * *
As it turned out Christine's predication turned out correct. Kento made a pig of himself and sang along to the songs with his poor singing voice. It was unbearable to listening ears. He ordered every dish they had on the menu and got testy when the waiter told him he had enough. Christine tried to chill him out but it was no use.
Anubis and Mia laughed at them. Nobody wanted to listen when everyone told them it was gonna end up like this.
"Christine's common sense has taken a vacation." Anubis said before he took a sip of his soda. "What did you say this stuff was again?"
Mia laughed. "It's Sprite! I told you earlier. You had it before. I know it was you who've been raiding my home stash. Not even Kento knows where I hide it."
"I thought it tasted familiar."
Mia muffled a giggle as she watched Christine dealing with an angry waiter. "I don't know, something's not right."
"What do you mean?" Anubis asked softly.
"I think Christine took him here on a bribe and because he can't say or do something he's determined to get even. So he's dressing weird and really creating havoc."
"Some of it is Kento himself, but I think you're right. This hippie thing he's wearing, that's Kento's own decision all the way. Look at it this way," He turned her head towards him. "It gets us away from everyone."
"True." She whispered as she kissed him. "Uh oh."
Christine was fuming mad. "That's it. Your tail is mine Kento." She dragged him outside.
"We better get going. Christine's gonna kill him."
Mia paid the bill and brought the jeep to the appointed corner. In the car lights Anubis saw Kento had a black eye.
"Yeah I gave it to him. I would have gave him more but a cop came snooping around so be quiet Anubis!" Christine was very ticked off.
"I guess he knew what a trouble maker you were back in the clan."
"Gab gab gab."
* * * * *
They pulled up to the house about three hours after they left. Mia got out and spotted Yuli and White Blaze sitting on the lawn waiting for them.
"What are you two doing out here? Yuli, it's way past your bedtime."
"After you left Rowen kicked us out. He said I was 'too young' to be watching what they were doing. White Blaze got a little defensive and Ryo kicked him out."
"Some Ronin Warriors…" She opened the front door with her key and went inside. The place was a mess! Garbage strewn over the floor, beer bottles covered the coffee table, lucky coincidence no one was old enough to drink except Mia and Anubis, and her stereo was playing nothing that she'd allow, whether Yuli was around to hear its corrupting lyrics or not. What topped it all off was she could hear girlish giggles coming from the upstairs. Mia stormed out of the house in a rage and went back to the car.
"WHOA!!!!!" Kento screamed as he dove out of the car. He had never seen Mia so angry. Christine grabbed Yuli and yanked him into the jeep. She motioned for White Blaze to follow. Without a word Mia started the jeep and took off like a shot.
Nobody said a word when she was driving down the highway doing 90 mph. White Blaze grew farther and farther behind them. Luckily for all of them barely any cars were on the road, much less a cop car. She turned down a secluded road that went thru a forest the stopped at a lake. Anubis, Christine, Yuli, and a panting White Blaze wondered what they were doing here but didn't dare to ask. She got out of the jeep and sat on the sand, looking out over the water.
"Grandfather often came here when he was angry to calm his feelings. He said it calmed him down whenever the subject of me and my parents came into his mind. I can see he was right. It's secluded and peaceful." Mia broke the uncomfortable silence between themselves. Her voice certainly was softer now then it was back at the house. The anger had lost its rage and now the tears threatened to take over. Christine, Yuli, and White Blaze stayed where they were. They had no idea what to do. Anubis did, she needed someone who cared and he was the one for the job. He walked over to her and sat beside with his arm over her shoulder for comfort. "Tell me, what happened?"
"The house was a mess, they were drinking, someone had a girl upstairs! They purposely locked Yuli and White Blaze out of the house. I can't take it anymore…" She whispered.
Anubis took into his arms when he saw the silent tears slide down her cheeks.
"I let them stay because they're my friends and I consider them the only family I have left. As usual family doesn't care about me."
"Hard to believe they saved the mortal world from Tulpa." Yuli felt it was safe enough to sit next to Anubis.
"Shoot, the only reason they did save the mortal world was because they had you three working behind 'em." Christine followed Yuli's example, only she sat by Mia. "If it weren't for you, the Jewel of Life would still sit in its shrine in Jewel Lake. They had no clue about its existence until you guys showed up in the Dynasty with it. Heck, there would be no Ronin Warriors without you Mia."
"I think you should kick them out and make them find their own place if they want to treat you like that." Anubis said softly.
"If I do, it has to be after if we stop Kaitan."
Anubis planted a kiss in her hair. "We will."
White Blaze stretched out his body like a couch behind everyone and they all rested quietly while watching the lake and stars shoot across the sky.
Christine's light nap was awakened by someone snoring.
"Huh? Wha?" She looked over to see Mia sleeping nicely in Anubis' arms. "Oh." She poked his arm. "Hey man, we better get back home. Think you can put her in the jeep without waking her up?"
"Yeah." He did so quite nicely. "Maybe you should drive. I don't want to leave her."
"No prob." He handed her the keys. "Yuli, you riding home on White Blaze or coming with us?"
"I'm coming with you. White Blaze is tired."
"Sit up front will ya? Anubis needs the whole backseat." She smiled as she started the engine. "Listen to this baby purr. I swear if Mia wasn't sleeping me and this puppy are joyriding!"
"Better not."
"Relax, loosen up. I need no Ancient watching me all the time."
"Oh I'll loosen up alright. Just wait until tomorrow morning."
"That's the freaky part." She muttered under her breath.
* * * * *
Christine snuck her head thru the front door to make sure nobody was around. The living room was as clean as a whistle. "The boys must've done a heavy-duty job of cleaning. Kento must've been scared poopless!" She turned to Anubis. "Bring her in. Nobody's around." Yuli and White Blaze crept in after Anubis who was carrying Mia.
Yuli glanced at the VCR clock. Mia's skill with computers tangled with electronics. It was set for the right time. "It's 3 AM!" He whispered loudly.
"Let's just get into bed." Anubis carefully ran up the stairs. White Blaze followed him and poked his head into Ryo's room. The bed was made and Ryo wasn't there! White Blaze growled softly to Christine. She entered the room and saw Ryo's bed without him in it. "We'll find him in the morning." White Blaze settled down on his rug and fell asleep almost immediately. Chasing after a high-speed jeep was exhausting.
"None of the other Ronins are in their rooms either." Anubis popped his head thru the door.
"Mia settled in bed?"
"Never woke up."
"Good. I guess we got the choice of where to sleep tonight."
"Yuli already chose his spot. Look."
Yuli had fallen to the floor in the hallway in sleep. Anubis picked him up and tucked him in Ryo's bed.
"Since nobody's home but us and Mia's dead to the world anyways, hop in next to her. I know you loved the last time."
Anubis' tell-tale blush told the story. "Alright."
"I'll snuggle in on the couch. It's comfy."
The first rays of the sun hit their sleeping faces as it rose into the sky. Sleep finally found them at 4:30 AM.

Chapter 9
Christine nervously stirred in her sleep and woke up. She felt someone's presence watching her sleep, something she could not ignore. She yawn, stretched, and glanced at the VCR clock. Only noon! She looked up at the intruder and blinked in the sunlight. "Cye?"
"Yeah it's me. Come on, not even Rowen can sleep past noon."
The desire to fall back to sleep left her. "Did Rowen ever go to bed at dawn?"
"Only if he's hungover, which you are not."
"I may not have been drinking last night but man do I feel hungover." The thought dug deeper into her sleepy mind.
" 'Only when he's hungover'?! How old is he?"
"19."
"Oy vay, I'd hate to see him the minute he turns 21."
"Booze-fest."
"Total." She left the comfort of the couch and went upstairs to change. Nobody bothered to change into pj's last night. She still wore the same set of clothes she wore to the Hard Rock. She changed her clothes and took a quick shower before coming down for lunch.
"Hey Rowen, what happened last night? I mean when we got home around 3 AM the house was clean and the place was empty." Christine met him in the kitchen.
"Kento ran in the house after you guys left and told us that Mia was pissed off. We all panicked and cleaned the house spic and span. Then we put up cots and slept in the boat shed."
"Whatever. Um, about the girl?"
Rowen laughed nervously. "One for each of us."
"Shuttup, I am going to hurl." She grabbed a tuna sandwich already-made from the fridge and went to the backyard. She unlocked the cellar door with the key Mia gave her and fumbled around the wall looking for the light switch. She felt it and flicked it up. In the light she saw the fridge that contained that she'd been looking for. She jumped down the few steps leading to the floor and pulled the door open. She found the stash of Sprite Mia said she kept down here. She was welcome to it as long as she helped pay the soda bill. She found a six-pack of 20 oz bottles and took one. She opened it and enjoyed her lunch. Mid-bite she heard Ryo in the driveway with Anubis on his tail. She swallowed her tuna, grabbed her Sprite, and ran up the stairs to watch what was going on.
"Whose idea was it for last night?" Anubis caught Ryo by surprise. His voice had a hint of a rage just waiting to be released.
"All of us had our own ideas. It just clicked together."
"You knew Mia was not going to like it! So why did you do it?"
Ryo's eyes narrowed. He had a feeling Mia was involved in this.
Without waiting for an answer, Anubis jumped him and proceeded to pound the life out of him. Ryo fought back but he was no match for an enraged ex-warlord.
"I'LL SHOW YOU HOW TO TREAT A LADY BOY!!"
"LIKE YOU COULD DO BETTER?!"
"Here we go again. Oh White Blaze?"
White Blaze popped his head around the corner.
"Please separate the two knuckleheads and make sure no one finds out about this."
He nodded and pounced on the surprised Ryo. Christine dragged Anubis down to the basement and proceeded to beat him up. Based on how Ren beat up Stimpy from the Nicktoon Ren & Stimpy.
"YOU WARLORD! YOU TULPA! YOU RONIN! YOU GASH! YOU SABERSTRYKE! YOU RYO! YOU ROWEN! YOU BADAMON! YOU KAYURA!" Christine had Anubis on the floor and she slapped his face repeatedly while insulting him. With a disgusted sigh she let him get up.
"Here, have a Sprite." She tossed him a bottle.
"What was that about?"
"Mia's pissed as it is. It's not gonna help if you beat up Ryo."
"Yeah I know. What happened last night was just wrong. I know, it just felt it needed to be done."
"Hey guys? What are you doing down there?" Yuli called out from the top of the stairs.
"Hey buddy! Come on down here!"
Yuli ran down the stairs. Anubis tossed him a Sprite. He hesitated for a moment, then took a big gulp.
"Hey take it easy." Yuli felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Mia. Anubis tossed her her own bottle. "Join the gang."
"What time did you guys get up? You were missing for a few hours Anubis."
"Huh?" Yuli had no idea what was going on.
"No need to corrupt the kid any more than he is Mia." Christine laughed as she covered the boy's ears. Yuli shook her hands off.
"The Ronins were back in the house around nine. I had to get out before anybody noticed."
"Anubis!" Yuli scolded.
"Well, can't say we prolonged his years of innocence." Mia
"Ryo kicked me out of his room around ten."
"Another cruel hearted demon woke me around noon. Cye wouldn't let me sleep, even after I told him what time I finally went to bed."
They finally noticed Yuli was staring at his bottle, like he couldn't believe he had drunk some of it.
"What's wrong Yule?" Mia asked him.
"Dad always drank Pepsi and its products." Yuli whispered. Mia and Anubis frowned. To bring up his parents during the war against Tulpa brought on feelings of victory to Yuli and those unfortunate to be around him and hear his sad stories. Now that his parents had abandoned him and left without a word could hurt him worse than ever.
"He hated Coke and anything from the company."
"Yule, I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"It doesn't matter now!" Yuli's voice was filled with hate towards his parents. "They're the ones who left me! It's their fault. You're the only who cares about me Mia!" Yuli was in tears and threw himself into Mia's comforting arms. She hugged the boy close. "You're my mama now."
"Whoa, where did that one come from?" Christine whispered to Anubis. He shook his head. Even Mia seemed a little surprised. She had felt it in her heart but never thought she'd hear it from him.
White Blaze was finished with Ryo and he too clambered down the basement stairs. His nose quickly attached itself to Mia's Sprite bottle. He tried to knock it out of her hand to have a drink.
"Easy boy. Anubis, please get White Blaze his own soda."
"Ryo's not gonna like White Blaze having this stuff." Anubis pulled one out of the fridge and opened it. He handed it to Mia. White Blaze opened his mouth wide enough to swallow Yuli's head. Mia poured the soda down his throat. "Who cares what Ryo thinks is right for White Blaze. He'll be OK."
Chapter 10
White Blaze settled down on his rug waiting for sleep to call him. Ryo was
snoring away on his bed. Maybe it was the Sprite Mia had given him earlier
that kept him up, cause he was tired as heck. Suddenly a wave of sleepiness
flew over him. His head fell onto the rug and he was out like a light. His
eyes flew back open a minute later. Instead of being brown, it was blood red
in the whole eye. As if under a trance he got up and walked downstairs to the
guestroom where Yuli was sleeping.
Yuli heard his paws hit the rug as the tiger entered the room. His eyes
widened with fear when he saw White Blaze's eyes.
"RYO!!!!!" Yuli's scream surprised everyone so much they fell out of bed.
Fear was easily heard in Yuli's screams so everyone was out of bed in an
instant.
"I can never get any sleep around here!" Christine mumbled as she exited her
room.
"Imagine what it's like for me! I was used to this when the Dynasty was
around. Now that I finally get a regular sleeping pattern back, it's like the
old days." Kento complained as he followed her to the guestroom. They were
the last to arrive. Everyone else was there and donned their sub-armor, save
Mia who didn't have an armor.
The room was being torn apart as Yuli tried to avoid the mad tiger. White
Blaze chased after Yuli like a tiger living in the wild would chase after its
prey.
"STOP IT WHITE BLAZE!!" Ryo shouted at him. It had no effect. It was then
that everyone saw White Blaze's eyes and knew Kaitan had him. They
transformed into their armors and tried to restrain White Blaze while trying
to get Yuli out of there. White Blaze fought their holds and kept Yuli away
from them. He wanted to see Yuli killed.
Christine saw the kanji of wind burn bright on his forehead and a kanji ball
appeared in her hand. She immediately tossed it to Yuli, who was safely
hidden from White Blaze for the moment.
"Armor of the Wind! Tao chi!" He yelled automatically. It felt all too
familiar. After a gust of wind flew by Yuli revealed him in a yellow armor
that was sleek and not so chunky like the Ronins.
"What's going on?" Yuli had no idea what had happened to him. White Blaze
pounced on him before he could start thinking about it. He had enough sense
to hold the thought until later and tried to defend himself. He threw White
Blaze off of him and prepared his sure-kill.
"HURRICANE THRUST!!"
White Blaze was knocked to the other side of the room, then relaxed as the
sprits left him. White Blaze's eyes turned back to brown and he nodded off
back into sleep.
* * * * *
Kaitan was furious at what had happened. Logan tried to calm him down before
he destroyed everything they had worked so hard for.
"Master please! It will be OK! He's just a boy! He doesn't know how to
control his armor!"
"Jun handled it well. It took some time to get him out of the way! NOW HE'S
BACK!!" Energy shot of out Kaitan like lighting bolts destroying everything
it hit. Logan tried to protect the body mold as best he could but it wasn't
gonna last.
"If Jun is back, and he helps the Ronin Warriors MY DOMINATION OF THE MORTAL
WORLD IS OVER BEFORE IT BEGAN!!!" Kaitan had a temper worse than Ryo, if
that's possible. Logan ran away from his master, carrying the body mold with
him.
As long as Kaitan had his armor to walk in the mortal world the plan for
domination wasn't over.
* * * * *
"What's going on? Why do I have an armor?" Yuli asked Mia.
Mia shook her head. "I don't know. There is only the nine armors for the
Ronins and Warlords."
"Not nessacarily. Christine and I discovered something that you guys outta
see." Kento led them to the computer. Christine sat on the chair trying to
find the file that they had found. "Gotcha! Yuli's armor is Armor of the Wind
from the Star Swordsmen. There was a boy who looks remarkably like Yuli." She
showed them the picture. "Named Jun and he wore the exact same armor. He was
one of the last to die because Dyjn didn't want a boy going into battle
unless nessacarily."
"So how did Yuli get this kid's armor?" Ryo asked.
"We think, at least how Christine explained it to me, that Djyn put Jun's
armor into Yuli to help us fight against Kaitan." Kento explained. "Mia may
have her own armor as well. Armor of Love, worn by Nasty Yagyu."
"I'm a warrior? How can that be?" Mia was stunned
"I think you're a warrior already, just without armor." Rowen admitted.
"He's sober." Kento whispered to Christine. Christine nodded.
"It's his way of apologizing for last night. He shoved us out the door and
admitted the boys had plans for the evening. He told me about the girls too.
I'm not too sure if Mia knows about that one." She whispered back.
"She knows. She gave them a little 'talkin'-to' about it. You shoud've seen
it."
"I think I already have." She remembered what had happened after they came
home.
Mia blushed. "Thank you Rowen."
They all went back to bed. Mia found after tossing and turning for hours she
couldn't fall back to sleep, no matter how tired she felt. This new armor she
was supposed to wear bothered her. She wasn't a warrior! She could defend
herself pretty good; she had learned from the best, though whenever Anubis
taught her not much teaching happened in learning self-defense-wise. She
handled things behind the battle field, not on it!
She put on her robe and went outside to the balcony to watch the sunrise. She
wasn't alone, Anubis was already out there. He too couldn't sleep; he was too
worried about Mia wearing an armor. She couldn't have the life of a warrior,
she was too pure for that. What if something happened to her? He couldn't
fight his best if she was in danger, he couldn't fight at all. If Kaitan even
figured that out, the mortal world would be his.
"Anubis? What are you doing out here?" Mia stood right next to him. She
placed her hand on his that was resting on the railing.
She had startled him. He was justing thinking about her, worrying for her
safety and here she was. "Couldn't sleep. Same with you?"
"Yeah. I was thinking about this new armor I'm supposed to wear."
"Do you think you will wear it and go into battle?"
"I have to. It's the only way the mortal world will be saved."
Anubis sighed. "I was afraid you'd say that. I don't want you to get hurt."
"I won't, I'll have the Ronins, Star Swordsmen, you, and most of all myself
to watch out for me. I can take of myself in battle, I'll be alright."
"Of course. I'm just freakin'." She snuggled into his arms. In silence they
watched the sunrise in each other's arms. "If only I can get rid of this bad
feeling I have."

TBC...