"Lonely Heart," chapter 16

Title: Lonely Heart (Chapter 16)
Fandom: Ronin Warriors
Characters/Pairing: Ryo/Luna, Saberstryke, Sekhmet
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Not mine, anything mentioned here by name isn't mine
Warnings: Canon-typical violence
Notes: More slice-of-life/remake AU!

The ‘date’ with Luna wasn’t until tonight. Ryo was only going to a small store just outside of Tokyo to get supplies for dinner, but he still gave his reflection a look over in his bathroom’s tiny mirror. He couldn’t help but feel like he needed a haircut before he met Mrs. Watson, but Dad was away again and Grandfather was on another mission. Ryo had tried cutting his own hair once when he was young and well… now, the only blades Ryo trusted himself around were his katanas. Maybe a pony tail would be enough.

But for now, he needed to focus on getting food. He was cooking tonight and he planned to impress both Luna and her mother. After grabbing his cloth bags and tugging on his boots, he greeted White Blaze at the porch door. “Hey, boy.” He scritched the tiger’s ears and was rewarded with a loud purr. “I wish I could take you with me to the store.” Especially since the commute was faster if he rode White Blaze, but Tokyo was a city brimming with people who would understandably panic if they saw a guy riding a tiger. That had led to very long walks for whatever he couldn’t find or make at home. It also meant a lot of missed school days and getting behind in his lessons. Ryo was still on track to graduate on time only because of his friends. Cye’s sister gave him rides, even after she dropped out of med school. As for academics, Rowen caught him up on science and math. Cye and Luna helped with languages. Mia tutored him in literature and history. Sage and Kento had kept him from getting too stressed by sparring with him when he asked. He did not want to think about what would have happened if he had not met them.

“Ryo of the Wildfire.”

“Good morning, Ancient One.” Ryo smiled at the old monk. “I’m a little surprised that it took you so long to reappear. Things have, ah, gotten busy.” Less than a year ago, Ryo had thought he was the only Ronin Warrior. Now, all five of them were awakened. Not to mention Luna was an armored ninja.

“Forgive me. I’ve been… checking on some people. Much like you’ve been doing your best to watch out for your friends.” The Ancient One smiled sadly. “It must be hard, knowing that they will walk the same difficult path you chose.”

“Yeah,” Ryo admitted. He had chosen this. His friends had as well. That didn’t make it any easier when they were in danger.

“But it does mean that you will no longer be alone,” the Ancient One reminded him.

“Yeah.” His tone was cheerier this time. “Speaking of the path we chose; I should fill you in on what’s happening. Sage called me last night. Cale might be turning rogue.”

“How so?”

“Well, Sage found out while battling Cale, so his details aren’t the best.” He’d also sounded too rattled for Ryo to press. “But apparently, he’s trying to kill Talpa so he can take over. Honestly, I’d be okay with it if it weren’t for the fact that he also tried to get Sage over to his side. Mia says it might be a sign of general unrest in the Dynasty since there’s at least one rebellion going on.” Ryo huffed. “Which I would also be okay with if they hadn’t kidnapped Rowen. The whole thing is a confusing mess.”

“I see,” the Ancient One said levelly. “Then perhaps…”

“Ancient One?”

“It is nothing. Ryo, I wish I could offer you better advice than simply to protect your friends, but in these uncertain times I am afraid that’s all I can do.”

“That’s the best advice, if you ask me.” Ryo managed a grin as he knelt down to pet White Blaze some more. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep them all safe. Although if you’re feeling that guilty, you could always teleport me to the store…” The Ancient One was gone, and White Blaze’s purr sounded like laughter.

Ryo shrugged. “Well, it was worth a shot,” he said to White Blaze. He stood up to leave. He had a lot of walking to do, might as well get started.

“I’m sorry, Lord Saberstryke.” Ume didn’t dare to lift her gaze. “We failed to steal the Armor of the Strata.”

“Ume, relax. We knew it was a gamble from the beginning, and what you’ve learned about the young men wearing the Armor and their allies is arguably more valuable.”

“Yes, but—”

“I said to relax. Follow me. We’ll have some onigiri and plan our next move.” Ume obeyed her lord, but even after all this time serving Saberstryke she was always startled by how different he was outside of battle. When he was in his armor, he was a terror and the one wraith that was a match for the false Emperor Talpa. But right now, clad in a simple kimono while serving her onigiri? He was the dad of the rebellion.

“The whole fight was weird,” Ume confessed as she helped herself. “Rowen—that’s what he calls himself when he’s not Strata—is this sleepy-eyed wisp of a thing. But the moment his friends were in danger, it was like he became a different person. He saved Halo and defeated a Warlord without breaking a sweat.” The mortals had helped him. Not to mention herself and Haru. However, the brunt of the battle had fallen to Rowen.

Saberstryke nodded. “He did what was necessary to protect the lives of those he cherishes. A fitting trait for someone who awakened Strata.”

Ume frowned at his words. She wanted to protect those she cherished as well. So, why couldn’t she have summoned Strata? “We left before he could finish his sentence, but I think he also wanted us to work together.”

Saberstryke closed his eyes, one hand over where Ume knew Talpa had wounded him. “No. There is only one Armor that can fell Talpa. We were overeager when we tried to capture all of them, but after researching and reflecting, I believe a more strategic approach is called for here. I shall capture the Wildfire Armor. That Armor has an unusual ability in that it can call the others. Once I have the Armor, I will call the other four, then create the Armor of the Inferno.”

Ume nodded. She didn’t like it, but Talpa had to be stopped and they didn’t have the resources to do it alone. Poor Haru was still resting after overusing his abilities in the last battle… “I should warn you that if Rowen is any indication, the Ronin Warriors all have strong wills.”

“So do I.”

Luna had mentioned that her mother liked Italian food, so Ryo opted to get noodles and spices. He had fresh tomatoes for the sauce from his garden (that had been left at Luna’s apartment after they had coffee post-patrol last night), so he was almost done. He wondered if he should bake a cake… of course, he had no idea if Mrs. Watson liked sweet things or not.

Calm down, he tried to remind himself as he decided to skip the cake and get what he needed for garlic bread. You’re meeting her mother, you’re not proposing to Luna. He inspected a loaf of bread. Luna wasn’t even his girlfriend. But… he liked her. A lot. She was beautiful, smart, and easy to talk to. Any fears he had about putting her in danger had (mostly) put aside when she had saved his from Sekhmet’s poison. He was certain that she liked him back. So why hadn’t he done anything about it?

Because if he was wrong, she might not even want to be his friend anymore. The risk was worse than the possible reward. That, of course, was a foolish concern. After everything they had shared and endured, even if she didn’t feel the same way, objectively he knew that their friendship would last. But the human heart was not known for its objectivity, which was why Ryo had yet to confess his feelings.

However, he remembered as he paid for his groceries and left the store, both Cye and Sage were convinced that he and Luna were going to get married one day or whatever. Usually, he would dismiss that as joking but they were both powerful psychics. If anyone had a sense for how things would work out, it was them. And they kept yelling at him to tell her how he felt. Hmm.

Well, he wouldn’t say anything tonight. Luna was stressed about her mother moving to Japan. But perhaps after that he could…

Ryo’s groceries went flying as a kid on a skateboard hit him. Both of them crashed to the ground.

The kid was already apologizing he tried to help Ryo up. “Sorry, mister. I was just going so fast, and—”

“Hey, it’s fine. The only thing hurt is my pride. Although you’re pretty strong to knock someone over like that.” He grinned at the kid. “But next time, wear a helmet, okay?”

The kid grimaced. “Right.”

“Yulie!” A woman grabbed the kid by his hand. “Don’t just run off like that!”

Yulie looked up at his mother guiltily. “Sorry, Mama.”

“I know you’re excited about your skateboard, but you need to be more careful,” his mother scolded as she took his hand. “I don’t know what I was thinking, letting your father buy that thing for you…” Yulie waved goodbye as they left.

“And they have left you here, bruised and groceries strewn everywhere,” a man with shoulder-length black hair, clad in a dark kimono noted as he knelt next to Ryo. He helped him upright. “What charming people.”

“Thanks. But I don’t think you’re being fair to them,” Ryo countered. Together, they began collecting the groceries. They were beat up, but still good. “That kid did his best to help. And the mom was understandably more panicked about him crashing than some guy she’s never met.”

“You’re determined to see the best in people.” The man smiled sadly. “That’s an admirable trait, although a soft heart is only a hindrance in your mission.”

Ryo was no Sage, but if he concentrated, he could sense energies. It was a trick his mother had taught him rather than an inherited ability. “You’re from the Dynasty,” he realized. “But you’re not like the Warlords. You’re… I’ve never met anyone like you before.”

The man nodded. “I am Saberstryke, a wraith battling the false emperor Talpa. I need your Armor to ensure victory. You may give it to me of your own free will, or we can duel for it. The choice is yours.”

What was it with everyone wanting to duel suddenly? “Wait, hold on.” Ryo held up a hand. “Talpa’s my enemy as well. We should work together.”

Saberstryke’s face was stony. “That is regrettably impossible. Mortals have no place in the affairs of our realm. Especially those as gentle as you.”

“Who said anything about meddling in your affairs? This doesn’t have to be a lifelong alliance; we just have to work together to stop Talpa.” Ryo knew he was taking a risk not transforming and attacking Saberstryke. If any of his friends were in his place, Ryo would be screaming at them to put on their Armor right now. However, Saberstryke wasn’t a Warlord in his aura or his actions. He had approached Ryo, vulnerable, and offered him a choice. He suspected that while Saberstryke was willing to fight, he did not want to. Which meant Ryo needed to do whatever he could to make sure that they didn’t have to resort to violence. “This isn’t a good place for us to even talk about this. There are too many civilians here.”

“Understood. I have no desire to harm civilians in any way.” Such an immediate agreement confirmed Ryo’s gut feeling that despite Saberstryke condemning his ‘gentleness,’ he wanted to protect others as well. He wasn’t a villain from one of Kento’s animes; he was someone that they should be working with rather than against. “Where should we continue this conversation?”

“At sunset. Just outside of Tokyo. If you were able to find my energy before, I’m sure that you can do it again.” He knew the next part was risky, but he had meant it when he had said they shouldn’t go on missions alone anymore. “And I want my friend to be there. She’s not a Ronin Warrior, but she can take care of herself. And my tiger will be there also.”

Ryo waited for Saberstryke to react to the last part, but he didn’t so much as blink. “I agree to your terms. Although I request that my vassal Ume accompany me.”

… Wasn’t that the onna-musha who had tried to steal Rowen’s Armor? But Ryo supposed he couldn’t fret about that right now. “Okay.” Saberstryke nodded, then vanished, leaving Ryo to wonder just how he was going to explain this to Luna.

“So, right before we meet my mother, we’re going to fight a demon,” Luna said with a shrug. “Sounds like any other day to me.”

“He’s not a demon.” Ryo frowned. “He’s a wraith. And hopefully, we can find a way to work with him.”

Now Luna was frowning. “You do realize that he’s from the Dynasty? The same place that is responsible for what happened to your mother and my brother?”

“… I know. But I’ve also learned that the Dynasty isn’t just filled with evil Warlords. There are some that are trying to fight back against Talpa. Last time I checked, that’s something we should encourage.”

“Yeah,” Luna sighed. “Yeah, we probably should.”

“You’re saying that you agree, but it doesn’t feel like it.” Ryo kept his tone as gentle as he could.

Luna took a deep breath. “Let’s just say that I haven’t processed what happened to Billy.” Luna plopped down in an armchair in the living room she and Ryo had spent the past few days cleaning. Luna wasn’t messy, but she had wanted things perfect for her mother. Ryo had wanted to help Luna. “I mean, I get it. The Dynasty’s not some homogeneous group. But I’m not going to trust this guy just because he says he dislikes Talpa.”

“I know, and I’m ready to fight if things go sour,” Ryo assured her. “It’s just with two factions to deal with, it’d be nice if we could get the one that’s aligned with our goals on our side.” She might get mad at him for this, but… “And after all, you and I used to be on opposite sides as well until we talked to each other.”

“Hmm.” Luna gave him a look. “I seem to remember that being more about you falling down into the basement and me saving you.”

“I concede that point. However, you have to admit that even if we can get them to leave us alone, things would go easier for us.”

“Maybe.” Luna’s tone was far away.

Once again, Ryo realized this could get him in trouble, but he was so adamant about trying talking to Saberstryke, that it made no sense to not try the same with Luna. Not to mention that she was upset and he wanted to do what he could to make her feel better. “Um. My mother died on a scouting mission trying to spot the Dynasty. If you wanna talk about what happened to your brother…”

“A few months ago, I would have said no. But now, I think I actually do,” Luna sounded surprised as Ryo felt. “Let’s see. Billy was my adopted brother. Mom and Dad took him in after his biological parents passed away. He was older, so he kind of took the role of dad as well since my father died right before I was born.”

“What was he like?”

“Quiet, but friendly and curious. Really patient with Cye and me always stealing his cameras.” She grinned at some memory she didn’t share. “Which in retrospect must have been a pain, since he took his career as a photographer very seriously.”

Ryo found a stool to sit on near Luna. “My dad is a wildlife photographer. What did Billy do?”

“Oh, he worked on a lot of news stories. Sometimes I wouldn’t hear from him in weeks.” Despite the heaviness of the conversation, a smile graced her features. “But none of that mattered when he’d call me and let me know he was home.” Then the smile faded. “That’s how I found his body. He said he was home, and I rushed from school, and…”

“I’m sorry,” Ryo said immediately. “You don’t have to come along. I shouldn’t have burdened you with that in the first place.”

“No.” She touched his arm. Her hand was warm. “First off, you boys get imperiled a lot and someone has to save you. And while I have my doubts about this… if we can stop the Dynasty in ways that don’t involve putting our friends in danger, I think I can deal with an uncomfortable conversation.” She made a sound similar to a laugh. “I mean, it can’t be any worse than trying to explain everything that’s happened to my Mom, right?”

“Okay.” Ryo held out a hand. She took it and he helped her up. “Although I am a little surprised that you agreed at all. I mean, you once told me that vengeance was all you had to keep you going.”

“It was. But then one night I saved two guys and they told me the childhood friend I thought I’d never see again was waiting for me in Tokyo. The next thing I knew, I had a life again. And I had friends that I’d do anything for. I still want to make sure that what happened to Billy doesn’t happen to anyone else, but I also want to help you five.” She stepped into his personal space. “Thanks for listening and understanding. I… I’ve never met anyone who gets me the way you do.”

Ryo’s heart was pounding, but he felt calmer than he ever had in his life. It was an exhilarating feeling. “I feel the same way.”

It was their first kiss, but there wasn’t anything climatic or intense about it. Just an affirmation of the bond that had grown slowly over time.

“So… do we need to tell my mom that we’re sort of dating now?” Luna cleared her throat. “Um, maybe I’m thinking too ahead there—”

“If you’re cool with sort of dating, then I’m cool with sort of dating.” Ryo kissed her again. “And she’s your mother. I’ll go with whatever you decide.”

“I like the way you think,” Luna said with a grin. “Although Cye and Sage will never shut up about how right they were about us, will they?”

Ryo shrugged. “No, but I’m okay with that.”

Sekhmet tried not to notice how eerie the throne room felt when he was the only Warlord present. Anubis had gone rogue after learning Dais had betrayed his trust, searching all the territories so he could kill him. Sekhmet hadn’t heard anything about Dais dying yet, so he assumed (or at least hoped) that he was still in hiding. And Cale… he came and went as he pleased.

He couldn’t believe he was thinking this, but he missed the four of them together. What was the point of glorious battle if you had no one to share that glory with?

Sekhmet, Master Talpa’s spirit whispered. My most loyal Warlord. You may have the qualities necessary to become my second.

“Thank you, Master Talpa,” he said with a bow, because what else could he do? Anything other than utter deference was met with torture and/or death. Also, despite what his fellow Warlord (and subjects) thought, Sekhmet was no fool. He knew that Talpa was only paying him any attention because he was the only one who could be bothered to show up. Before, he had always spoken to the other three. Never him. “I do have one request.”

Name it.

“I wish to rescue Dais. I know that his failures are inexcusable, but his abilities are still useful. I’m sure with some persuasion, he would gladly serve you once again—” Sekhmet screamed in agony as Talpa channeled energy through his body.

Dais’s fate is sealed. We will find a new vessel once Anubis recovers his Armor.

What makes you so sure that Anubis will do that for you? Of course, he didn’t say that. Instead, he begged and pleaded for his master to give him just one more chance.

Very well. Sekhmet collapsed as the energy faded. Wildfire is meeting with one of my enemies. Kill them both.

“Of course, Master Talpa.” Sekhmet bowed again, then retreated to one of the smaller rooms in the palace. He wouldn’t have the freedom he enjoyed in his own territory, but at least he wouldn’t feel Talpa’s presence quite as strongly. He needed some space to think.

The enemy had to be Saberstryke. He was the only rebel that actually posed something of a threat to Talpa. He’d kill him, of course, and Wildfire as well. One did not disobey Master Talpa’s orders.

… He didn’t remember a lot of his life back when he was mortal. But one memory was still clear: running to the gates the instant Master Talpa told him that he could live freely if he joined him. That he’d have comrades and all the battles he wanted.

Now he was merely an extension of Talpa’s will, fighting battles he had no interest in, and all alone.

Both Ryo and Luna had transformed to meet Saberstryke in a small forest just outside of Tokyo. It had seemed like the right thing to do. Ryo found himself feeling a little awkward when Saberstryke strode to them in the same kimono he’d been wearing when he met Ryo at the store earlier that day. There was a young woman behind him. Ryo assumed that this was Ume.

“My goodness,” Saberstryke said with a grin. “I almost forgot how eager young people are sometimes.” He gazed at White Blaze. “I like your tiger. He reminds me of my friend back home.”

Well, that explained why he hadn’t been phased by White Blaze. “Um, sure.” Ryo had no idea how to begin this. “Sage of the Halo told me that you guys are fighting the Dynasty. But he also said that you don’t trust us, either. I would like to know why that’s the case since as far as I know, we’ve never met before.”

“Most of the wraiths who serve me were murdered brutally by humans.” Ryo noted that Ume’s featured hardened at those words. “The demons who have sided with us have also been shunned by humans. It’s difficult for us to place our trust in such a species.”

“Humans can be awful,” Luna admitted. “But these guys aren’t. I wouldn’t be helping them if they weren’t some of the best men I’ve met.”

Saberstryke’s attention was suddenly fixed only on her. “Young lady, would you be kind enough to tell me your name?”

“Luna Watson,” she said carefully. “You have a problem with that?”

“No. Apologies,” Saberstryke said quickly. “I have no doubt that the Ronin Warriors are good men. My vassals have informed me of Halo and Strata’s bravery in the last battle. However, I cannot in good faith allow mortals to sacrifice themselves for our war, even if their sense of morality—”

“Hold on,” Ryo said. “Who said any of this was a choice I made based on morality?”

Ume’s jaw dropped. Luna blinked un surprise. Saberstryke’s expression, however, remained neutral. “I’m… fairly sure that Ronin Warriors aren’t supposed to talk like that,” Ume managed, breaking the silence.

“Maybe,” Ryo conceded. “But I’m also not a liar. I’ll protect innocent people in harm’s way, sure. But that wasn’t why I awakened.”

“You don’t say.” Saberstryke stroked his chin. “So, why did you awaken?”

“I don’t really remember much. There was a fire, and my grandfather was unconscious.” And Ryo was filled with the dread that if he didn’t act, now, his grandfather would die, his father would lose what remained of his family, White Blaze would be alone, and his mother would be unavenged. “I do remember wanting to save my grandfather and avenge my mother. The next thing I knew, I was Wildfire.”

“You know, I was going to say that I was surprised, but that fits the pattern,” Luna added. “Rowen awakened so he could protect his parents. Cye became Torrent so that he could heal his sister. I think fighting to protect others is how Sage shows that he cares for people. The only one that really is into justice and over the top speeches is Kento.” Probably because of all the Kamen Rider episodes he watched as a kid (and now).

“And he would never give up his Armor because he sees it as a way to protect Cye,” Ryo finished. “So, we have a personal stake in your war as well. Not to mention all the invasions of our realms makes it clear that Talpa and the rest of the Warlords are not satisfied with just the Dynasty. We are more than willing to help you, but we’re not going to give up our Armors. We’re not giving up the ability to protect those we hold dear.”

Ume made a frustrated sound, hand drifting to her naginata. “Guess that means we’re back to fighting…” She stopped when Saberstryke held up a hand.

“And what of you, young lady?” His gaze was fixed on Luna. “You have no true Armor. Why are you here?”

Not quite sure why he cared, Luna thought for a moment. “I started fighting to avenge my brother. But now… now it’s to protect my friends. Don’t get me wrong, I still wanted to find his killer. However…
The reason behind his death was more than just one creep from the Dynasty. It was this Talpa and the Warlords trying to force their will on others to satisfy their greed. I can’t stop them alone, but I can with my friends.”

“We would never try to compare our pain with yours. You two have dealt with more than I can imagine,” Ryo said, placing a hand on Luna’s shoulder. “But we’re not as soft-hearted as you think. Besides, all this fighting just helps Talpa keep control. If we work together, I know we can stop him for good.”

Saberstryke almost smiled. “You are steelier than I first thought.” He took a breath. “Perhaps we could work together in some way after all.”

“That’s sweet,” Sekhmet intoned from his treetop. “However, I am the one who decides who lives and dies today.” He grinned ferally. “All of you are going to die, just so you know.”

“Seriously, of all people?!” Luna groused as she prepped her knives and Ryo got out his katanas… but they both froze as Saberstryke transformed into a terrifying Armored form and flew at Sekhmet. “Okay, I can see why he thought he could handle your Armor, Ryo.” Sekhmet flung his blades at Saberstryke but unfortunately for him, Saberstryke’s speed rivaled Sage’s. He didn’t dodge every blow, but it was enough that Sekhmet couldn’t land a hit long enough to poison him. This type of battling was frustrating no matter what, but especially for someone whose strategy depended on poisoning his target.

That was probably why Sekhmet was snarling something about how he wondered how the rebel would avoid his venomous mists as he finally landed a solid hit on what appeared to be a scarred part of Saberstryke’s armor. Stunned, Saberstryke could not escape form the mist—but then Ryo grabbed him in the air. That move saved Saberstryke, but meant that Ryo got a mouthful of the mist. Dazed, he let go of Saberstryke—but White Blaze caught him mid-fall. Luna felt panic grip her, because there was no way she could save Ryo in time—and then she saw icy winds guiding him gently to the ground. Ume smiled at Luna from behind her naginata. Luna smiled back behind her mask and dashed over to Ryo before Sekhmet could get to him.

This wasn’t the first time Luna had saved Ryo after he’d gotten poisoned, but she was still furious as she placed herself between Sekhmet and Ryo. “Don’t you have anything better to do?!”

“Yes, but Master Talpa has decreed that I bring the Wildfire Armor to him,” Sekhmet snarled. “Step aside, girl—” Whatever Sekhmet was going to say after that died off as he found himself fending off Saberstryke again.

“Luna,” Ryo whispered, then coughed. “Help me up.”

“Ryo, no, you’re hurt.”

He looked up at her, eyes intense. “Please.”

“Okay.” She didn’t say anything as Ume assisted her. Once Ryo was back on his feet, he staggered forward, weak but resolute.

“You’re not hurting my friends,” Ryo said despite his throat burning. And no matter how they had met, as far as he was concerned Saberstryke was a friend. He took a breath, channeling his desires and fury into one final strike.

“Flare up now,” he whispered, and everything around him burned.

“This is going to taste gross,” Luna warned him as she helped Ryo drink the antidote. He made a face, but gulped it down. “You should feel better soon.”

“You saved my life, Wildfire.” Saberstryke’s voice was warped from his faceplate, but there was still a hint of the gentleness from when he had spoken to them earlier.

“Yeah, I did.” His throat was still sore, but not as much as earlier. “Does that mean we’re allies now?”

“Perhaps. Please understand that I also have my personal reasons for this battle. However, rest assured that we will no longer seek your Armor.” He nodded at them both. “Wildfire, Ms. Watson.” He disappeared into the wind.

“Gee, thanks,” Luna muttered under her breath. But it was better than fighting, especially after Ryo was wounded. Speaking of… “You know, that’s the second time Sekhmet has gotten the better of you. Ryo, you have got to keep your wits around that guy.”

“Both times I was saving a comrade from his poison. If anything, my wits are at their sharpest around Sekhmet.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” Still, she kissed him.

“I’m sorry to bother you two when you’d probably like some alone time,” Ume said around a nervous cough. “But you two also saved my lord. We may not be official allies, but I do want to repay my debt.” She knelt down and pressed a stone into Ryo’s hand. “Use that to summon me. Unless I’m in the middle of a battle or whatever, I’ll come running.” She even smiled at them. “Speaking of my lord, I should leave. Farewell!” Ume vanished into nothing.

Both of them were quiet for several moments.

“So,” Ryo said slowly, “Did we actually want alone time?”

Luna burst out laughing. “Maybe later. If we hurry, we might even be able to get back home to greet my mom.”

Ryo nodded as she helped him up again. “I do need to start cooking.”

“Don’t worry about it, we’ll order takeout—”

“I made a promise. Also, I’m not much of a talker, but I’m thinking that someone who fought a Warlord and then made homemade spaghetti must look at least a little impressive to your mother. Right?”

“I would be impressed, she conceded. “But don’t forget that I’m the one that you should be worried about impressing,” Luna reminded him as they made their way back to White Blaze.

Sekhmet didn’t like being out of his Armor, but it had been damaged from that last battle. He frowned when he got the first glimpse of his ‘civilian’ clothes in possibly decades. Had he always dressed so simply? Was he the type of person that shunned fashion? Or maybe in the past he…

He supposed it didn’t matter.

“Are you really going to crawl back to Talpa?” Cale’s voice came from the shadows of the forest where Sekhmet was attending his wounds.

“Cale?!” He was relieved… and then infuriated to hear his voice. “What choice do I have? I swore an oath.”

“So did Talpa. Has he delivered what he promised you?”

No. “Cale, you could get us both killed just by asking these questions.”

“If we were in the Dynasty, yes.” Cale smiled easily as he approached Sekhmet, clad in the faded outfit he wore the few times Sekhmet had visited him at home. “But we are in the mortal realm where his powers are limited, and no current connection to the Armor. We can speak freely of my plans.”

“Hmm. And if I betray you?”

Cale gave him a look. “Then you become Talpa’s second—and he takes out all his anger on you for the rest of your miserable existence.”

“… I’ve had a taste of that,” he admitted. “I will not return to that. Very well, Wolf. Tell me of your plans and my place in them.”

Final Notes: 16 chapters in, and Yulie FINALLY showed up. ;P (Well, he had a subtle earlier cameo, but still.) He doesn’t really have a role to play in this verse, so small cameos will (probably) be it for him, sorry to say.