"Lonely Heart," chapter 19

Title: Lonely Heart (Chapter 19)
Fandom: Ronin Warriors
Characters/Pairing: Sage Date, Rowen Hashiba
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Not mine, anything mentioned here by name isn't mine
Warnings: There's nothing awful/terrible, but just to play it safe: as hinted in previous chapters, Sage doesn't have the happiest childhood of all time.
Notes: More slice-of-life/remake AU!

The first attempt at connecting failed. The images and thoughts were too intense. No matter how hard Rowen tried to focus, he couldn’t understand what was happening. Somewhere in the mess of feelings/thoughts/memories/sensations, he wondered if this was how Sage and Cye felt every day. It would explain some things concerning their mannerisms.

I’m sorry. I’ll stop.

“No,” Rowen managed. “If I’m going to help you, I need to know as much as you’re willing to give.”

I see. Very well. Let me try to make things a little more linear.

Colors and shapes came into focus. The noise quieted down. Slowly, Sage explained things to Rowen.

Winter 1988.

There was a knock on the door. “Sage?” Father’s voice was soft. “Are ya awake, buddy?”

He was now, he realized as his eyes snapped open. With a directness even being jostled from a deep sleep couldn’t sully, Sage left his futon and strode to open the door. “Yes?”

Father knelt before him; hugging Sage tight. He smelt like cigarette smoke and coffee, which meant he had just come home from work. “Do you remember earlier today, when you kept telling me to watch my back because a scary guy was going to try to kill me?”

Sage nodded. Mother had gone pale when he told Father. Yayoi yelled at him to stop trying to make them upset. Father had frowned but still gone to investigate the case regardless.

“Well, you were right.” Father gave him a weary smile. “The sleaze’s partner showed up just as we were going to make the arrest. No one else knew even knew that he had a partner. If you hadn’t given me that warning…” Sage shuddered. Father held him close.

“So, thanks, buddy.” Father ruffled his hair. “But never do that again unless someone’s gonna try to kill me, okay? You scared the wits out of me when you passed out right after telling me.”

“I’m sorry. Seeing you die in my head was scary.” But now he was only embarrassed. How could he help Father if he was so weak?

“Well, it’s over,” Father promised. “I should let you go back to sleep. You’re only six and you have school tomorrow.”

“I could miss school.” He hated school. He knew how to read and write. He could do arithmetic. His mother was teaching him swordsmanship. He didn’t need to spend hours with children who made fun of him for looking and talking differently.

“Sorry, son, but your mother would have my head.” Father kissed Sage on his brow. “I know it’s tough, but you’re tougher. And you need to have an education so you can help others.”

“… Very well,” Sage conceded. If Father thought it was important, then it was important.

Maybe Father was correct, but he still hated school. The teacher thought he was a nuisance since he would talk out of turn. He couldn’t help it if people were so loud, he needed to shout back to tell them to quiet. This meant that the teacher looked the other way when the other students teased him.

He hated it so much, that he was infamous at the school for running away. The teachers did their best to stop him, but he was fast and quiet. He was usually safe in the large forest just outside his family’s dojo/apartment well before anyone knew he was gone. Mother and Father would ask him why he hated it so much and what they could do, but every time he told them (they think I’m bad and scary, they won’t shut up, the teacher wishes I was in another class), they just frowned. Father did try, though. He even took Sage on drives when he had free time and let him talk, even if he didn’t understand a word Sage was saying. Of course, these days Father was so busy with work that those rides were few and far between.

Oh, well. He was home now, and so was Father. They could talk before dinner. Sage wanted to tell him about the amazing-looking car he saw on the walk home. Smiling at that possibility, he began to unlock the front door.

“… Maybe I should call Dad,” Mother said, her voice and spirit tense with worry. “He might know what to do.”

“Yeah, but who even knows where your dad is right now.” Father sounded every bit as tense. “I know some people who are in a similar situation to Sage. I could talk to them.”

Mother pushed her dark hair out of her even darker eyes. “I want to make sure he… really is in that situation before we do anything.”

Sage’s blood ran cold. He wanted to run away, but his limbs were frozen. His parents thought he was strange and freakish, just like his teacher and the kids at school. Did they want to send him away to this grandfather of his? He didn’t even know that he had a grandfather until now.

Father didn’t want him to leave. But Mother was thinking about it. There was no way she could not be thinking it, even if he had not heard the specific thought. If she was thinking about talking to this mysterious person about Sage, it must be because she secretly hated him and wanted him to go away. That was the only conclusion.

And that gave Sage the strength to run away. Unfortunately for him, he was so upset that he (for once) made a noisy exit, sobbing and slamming the door. This meant that his mother was able to chase him down. He was faster, but also emotional, gulping for breath. Mother was able to catch him before he made it to the freedom of the forest.

“Sage!” Mother held him tight. “What’s wrong?!”

“I won’t live with a stranger,” he snarled at her. “I don’t care if he’s my grandfather. I never met him in my life. I’ll live in the forest instead!” Animals were nicer than people, anyways. They didn’t think mean things.

“What?! No, Sage, you misunderstand.” Mom hugged him. “The last thing Father or I want is for you to leave us. We’re just worried about these—these spells you have, that’s all.” She tried combing his messy blond hair with her fingers, but all she could manage was to arrange it so he could at least see out of one eye. “And I remembered that my dad sometimes could do what you do.” She frowned. “At least I think so. I should have listened to him more when he talked about the supernatural.”

Now it was Sage’s turn to frown. “What does ‘supernatural’ mean, Mother?”

“Oh, you know, stuff that can’t be explained by science.” Mom hoisted him on her hip as they walked back to the house. “But you know what, Sage? If it upsets you that much, don’t worry about it.”

It did upset him, Sage realized but didn’t say as he buried his face in his mother’s shoulder. He knew he was weird. The kids at school kept telling him so. But he still loved Mother, Father, Yayoi, and Satsuki. He just had trouble showing it, that was all.

“Mother says you can have one snack,” Sage said she he gave Satsuki a cookie. He made a face as she made a mess, but didn’t say anything. She was only three, after all. He also didn’t want to disturb Yayoi, who was trying to study and babysit them at the same time.

He glanced at his older sister; her head buried in her book. She’d always picked on him. But lately, her words and the spirit behind them were mean. Maybe even cruel, sometimes. He had no idea why. He was just trying to help her, let her know when people were lying to her. But she was more likely to snap at him than her supposed friends.

He still loved her, and he still wanted to live here. But he did not like how she acted these days.

Satsuki, however, was the nicest person in the family. She didn’t think he was weird or wonder if they needed to call that foolish grandfather even after they had promised Sage could still live here. Mother never said it. But she was thinking about Grandfather and how to contact him. All the time. Father was worried about Sage, which made him feel bad. He really was trying to get along at school, but everyone was so mean, and he had no choice but to defend himself.

He wished Father was home more often. Maybe Sage could explain things to him. Father wouldn’t understand (no one ever did), but he would listen. But Father was always busy with work and Mother was stressed with students and Yayoi was so foul-tempered recently and he couldn’t blame them for hoping that Grandfather could take him away.

They never said it, but if they were this worried, it was just a matter of time.

He watched Satsuki smush crumbs into the rug, looking up to give him a cherubic smile as she did so. He should have stopped her, but he didn’t have the heart. She wasn’t trying to hurt anyone; she just didn’t understand. So, he’d let her have her fun. He would need to ask Yayoi if he could use the vacuum later.

If Mother and Father wanted him gone, fine. He’d run away to the forest after all. He liked the forest better than the apartment they lived in upstairs from the dojo, anyways. The forest was calm and quiet. He knew how to build a shelter and forage for food. He could defend himself. There would be no people to be mean to him.

It was more than that. The forest… he felt better every time he went there. He belonged there.

“Sagey.” Satsuki gave him a serious look (as serious as a toddler could manage, at least), wrapping her chubby hand around his fingers.

He smiled at her. “All right. I’ll stay for you.”

Yayoi stopped brushing her hair when Sage stepped into her room. “What’re you doing here?” Her tone was cross. She was always cross these days.

“Don’t go out with Haruto,” he told her. She annoyed him but she deserved to know. “He’s a creep.”

Yayoi rolled her eyes. “You’ve met him twice, Sage. I know you’re perceptive, but not even you could provide a full psychological profile on someone based on that.”

“It’s true. He’s only going out with you because his old girlfriend broke up with him and he doesn’t want to look like a loser in front of his friends. He doesn’t like you.”

“Shut. Up.” Yayoi pointed her gloss at him for emphasis before applying it to her lips. “You don’t know anything about how teenagers think, you little liar.”

Sage bristled at being called such a thing. “I know how everyone thinks. I hear them thinking all the time.” He had tried blocking them out, but it didn’t work.

“Oh, puh-leeze.” Yayoi was now applying bright purple eyeshadow to her eyelids. “That whole mind reader act isn’t cute, Sage. You’re never going to make friends if you keep lying.” She gave him a cold look. “Then again, someone with your lack of social skills is never going to have friends.”

“So?!” He balled his hands into fists. “I’d rather be alone forever than hate myself because all the kids I want to hang out with think I’m ugly and boring like you do!”

Yayoi staggered backward, grabbing her dresser for emphasis. Her rouge didn’t hide how pale she was. “I-I never thought—I mean, that’s not true at all. You’ve been reading my diary, haven’t you? I’m telling Mother.”

“I never sneak,” he said firmly. “I hear your thoughts. I know you think you’re ugly and untalented, but you’re not. You’re just insecure and take it out on others. Dating someone that mean won’t help. Please, understand me—”

“Shut up!” Yayoi’s hands clapped firmly over her ears. “Shut up, you—you freak!”

Both of them went still. Even in her worst moments, Yayoi had never called Sage that.

But now she had. And she had thought it with every fiber of her being.

“Sage,” she said helplessly. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it.” She offered him a weak smile. “Forgive me?”

Her thoughts were nothing but guilt and shame. But Mother had felt guilty and ashamed when he found out that she was considering sending him to live with a stranger… and now she was thinking it again. So was Father. It was just a matter of time until Yayoi realized that he really was a freak that didn’t deserve parents or sisters.

He didn’t want to wait for that to happen, so he bolted from the room, ignoring her pleas for him to stop.

“Sage?!” Mother was in the middle of making Satsuki dinner. Satsuki, sensing that Sage was upset, reached out from her booster seat for a hug.

“Forgive me,” he stopped long enough to beg Satsuki. “I can’t stay here anymore.”

Mother chased after him, of course. She almost caught him. But while she was an accomplished athlete, Sage was speedier, disappearing into the darkening winter woods.

He had let his emotions get the better of him, Sage realized as he tried to get a fire started. While he could take care of himself, he also had no coat and no shoes. This wouldn’t have been a problem in the summer months, but it was December and the cold was biting into his limbs. Still, he couldn’t go back. He would have to wait for Mother to leave to drop his sisters off at school and daycare and Father left for work.

Father… he hadn’t even had a chance to say goodbye. Sage wiped his eyes with his sweater sleeve (at least he had that). But he could not return home. He didn’t belong there. Yes, he loved them, but they… they…

He was alone, so it was okay to cry. Despite the cold, his tears were hot as they ran down his face. If he loved his family, why couldn’t they understand him? Maybe freaks didn’t get to be loved.

There was a rustle of dead leaves. Sage grabbed a large branch as he stood up, holding it like his kendo blade. “Stay back.”

“Peace, friend.” A monk held up his hands in surrender. “I merely wish to make my way through these woods.” He eyed Sage thoughtfully. “You are rather young to be on your own this late at night. May I ask where your family is?”

“I don’t have one,” Sage shot back. If he seemed intimidating, the monk would get scared and leave him alone.

The monk didn’t flinch. He just looked sad now. “Then we are the same.” He sat down across from Sage. “My name is Kaosu and I wish to help you. I understand if you do not trust me. So, please listen to my thoughts. After that, you can decide if you will accept my help or not.”

Sage inhaled sharply. He… he didn’t think Sage was making it all up. Too stunned by that revelation to wonder how the monk knew he could hear thoughts in the first place, Sage reached out. Kaosu was calm, peaceful, sad, and only wanted to help. And Sage was cold and tired and hungry.

“Only for tonight.”

“Of course.” Kaosu held out a hand. Sage took it as they walked away from the failed attempt at a fire. Not that he needed a fire anymore. The weather was suddenly milder than it had been even a few minutes ago. He still needed his sweater, but he wasn’t secretly afraid of freezing to death anymore.

“So, how long have you been alone in these woods?” Kaosu said, his tone mild.

“Since sunset. It’s not the first time I’ve hidden here, however.” He would run to the forest when school was too much or when Yayoi was being mean or he missed Father or Mother was too busy to talk to him. However, he had always returned home those times. Now… now he really was alone.

“Goodness.” Kaosu smiled as they kept walking. “You must be quite wise, being able to survive on your own.”

“No, sir.” He was crying again. “I’m not wise. I’m not good, either. I’m a freak and no one loves me.”

“I see. What did you do to make everyone feel that way?”

“I… I don’t know. All I do is repeat what they say in their heads.” But something had to be wrong about that or people wouldn’t react so badly.

Kaosu paused mid-stride, kneeling before Sage. “Sage, your abilities are rare and something to celebrate. Unfortunately, since they are rare many people do not understand them. And often people fear what they do not understand.”

Sage processed what the monk had told him. “That’s not wise, either.”

“It’s not.” He smiled sadly. “For someone so young, you’re quite sharp-witted.”

“I’ve been told that by my father and mother.”

“I can imagine.” Kaosu stood up, taking Sage’s hand again. “Let’s find you shelter for the night.”

As they kept walking, the woods shifted to something Sage had never seen before. There were still trees, but they had leaves (in winter). The moon was suddenly out and full, making the night bright and colors seem more vibrant than usual. He paused to hold a leaf in his hand. He could feel the life force thriving in the plant.

“I’m afraid I don’t have a shelter in the traditional sense, but the trees shall protect you from any rain. Not I expect poor weather, since it’s such a clear night,” Kaosu explained. “I have food, but I’m afraid that consists solely of nuts and berries.”

“I like nuts and berries,” Sage assured him.

“Excellent. There’s also a stream if you get thirsty. I’ll stay outside to ward off any threats, but you will not be alone.”

“What do you…” Kaosu was gone, leaving nothing behind but a bag brimming over with the aforementioned nuts and berries. Sage ate most of what was in the bag. Then he dipped his hands in the stream, sipping the cool water thankfully. After that, Sage settled down on a patch of grass, which he noted felt much softer than what grew in his front yard or his school’s lawn. He tried not to think of anything as he stared up at the stars.

And a deer stared down at him, antlers glistening in the moonlight.

Startled, Sage scrambled into a sitting position. The deer remained motionless as Sage fought to steady his breath. Once he managed to calm down a little, the deer settled down next to him. His hand was shaking, but Sage couldn’t stop himself from reaching out to pet the deer. The deer leaned into the touch, although he perked up when there was a rustle of soft grass.

“Oh,” Sage whispered as a doe and two fawns joined them. “You’re a papa deer.” A small laugh escaped him as the fawns nuzzled and licked his face before lying down next to him. The doe joined them as well.

Sage relaxed. He was safe, warm, and fed. The deer family would keep anything bad away.

He could just be.

Sage awoke to his father’s tear-streaked face. “Sage—oh, son, I was so scared—” Father, who was so brave and bright, sobbed like his heart was breaking as he hugged Sage as if he was terrified that someone was going to take him away. Mother joined him, weeping silently as she embraced them both. Yayoi and Satsuki were bawling/hugging him a moment later.

Sage blinked; brain still foggy from sleep. Hadn’t there been deer? And why did the woods look wintery again? What had happened to the monk?

… And why was there a green orb in his hand?

But right now, he had other concerns. “Mother, I know that you want to send me away.”

Mother looked at him, her face pale. “Sage, we’ve discussed this. You’re not leaving.”

“You’ve thought it.”

Mother smiled sadly. “Sage, you’re very perceptive, but I think this one time you jumped to a conclusion. Do you remember when I told you about my father?”

“A little,” he confessed.

“I thought that he might be able to help you, but he’s traveling the world. I think… I think maybe you were just so scared because of the troubles you’ve been having in school that you assumed that I wanted to send you off to travel with him.” She reached out, smoothing down his hair. “But I am so sorry that you felt that way.”

Sage frowned. “Why didn’t you just say so?”

Her smile was almost snarky now. “Because someone ran off before I could tell him.”

Dad sobbed/laughed as he held Sage even closer. “That’s my favorite guy for ya!”

“He is indeed your favorite guy, Seiji,” Mother conceded. “But I do feel that Dad can help Sage.”

Sage dug his hands into his father’s shirt. “I thought I wasn’t being sent away to Grandfather.”

“You’re not,” a sturdily-built man with snow-white hair and piercing dark eyes announced as he approached them. “Grandfather shall live with you.” He gazed down at Sage sternly. “It’s clear that my services are needed. Honestly, look at how you’ve made your family worry. That is behavior unbecoming of a gentleman.”

Father frowned. “He was upset, that happens with kids.”

Sage closed his eyes, listening to Grandfather’s thoughts. He was stern, yes. But he understood this part of him at least. He could help.

“No, Father. He’s right.” Gently, Sage pulled away from his family so he could address his grandfather properly. “If you can help me, sir, I would appreciate it.” He held up the orb in his hand. “Especially concerning this.”

Grandfather blinked in surprise, then grinned. “You’re quite articulate for a six-year-old.”

“He’s always been like that,” Mother confessed glumly. “I don’t know how, none of us are exactly wordy.“

“Fret not, Sayuri. I assure you that I am a match for your son in vocabulary, the sword, and all psychic abilities.”

“Wait.” Yayoi held up a hand. “All of the weird things Sage talks about are real?”

“Yes,” Grandfather said. “Now let us return to our abode. I am famished and wish to prepare breakfast for everyone. Rally ho!”

Training with Grandfather was the exact opposite of training with Mother. He and Mother were always doing something—sparring, practicing, cleaning. With Grandfather, Sage found himself being told to meditate all the time so he could ‘build up his shields’ or something similar. He hated it, so he tried to run away—but Grandfather was even faster than Sage was. After a childhood of living with people that were slower than him, that was a shock. So was what Grandfather said right after he caught him: “Let’s go for a drive.”

It turned out that Grandfather had a motorcycle. His emerald Kawasaki Ninja wasn’t as amazing as the sports cars Sage would study in his father’s car magazines, but it was still impressive. It also had a sidecar and a helmet that fit a six-year-old. Sage was watching the scenery zip past them when Grandpa thought, Isn’t it a lovely day?

Sage gripped the edge of the sidecar. He’d heard thoughts before, but they had always been chaotic fragments. This thought had been calm, civilized. In control. “Grandfather, how did you…”

Grandfather chuckled as they made a turn. “It’s too nice a day to talk, Sage. Try thinking it at me.”

Sage frowned but gave it an effort. How did you do that? He blinked in surprise. That had been as easy as talking. No, it had been easier than talking.

I’m psychic, like you. It’s a talent that’s been in our family for centuries, although sometimes it skips a generation. I was relieved when your mother showed no psychic abilities since it meant that she wouldn’t have to struggle the way I did when I was younger. It did make me feel quite lonely, however. Psychics usually keep to themselves. I’ve only met a few in my life. He glanced at Sage. Your path will be difficult, my boy, but I will do what I can to make you feel less alone.

I don’t know if anyone can do that. It was amazing what he could admit mentally as opposed to verbally. I feel like I’m meant to be alone.

Grandfather slowed down at the sight of a convenience store. They parked in the tiny parking lot. “No one is meant to be alone, Sage.” He helped Sage out of the sidecar. “I shall purchase snacks and drinks for us both. Although we should probably use our words while we’re in the store.”

Summer 1990

“Hey, Sage.” Yayoi wore plain clothes and her hair was up. She was ready for the long train ride to her university. “How’s training going with Grandfather?”

“Adequately.” Sage was already clad in his kendo gear. “My shields are strong enough that crowds are no longer problems.” This was good because Father had promised to take him to a race next week and this meant he wouldn’t suffer from exhaustion. “We plan to practice soon, as you may have surmised from my attire.”

“Yeah, I kinda did.” Yayoi shrugged. “I’m leaving soon.”

“I know.”

“It’s been a long time,” she continued, rubbing the back of her neck, “but I thought you might want to know how things went down with Haruto.”

“You broke up with him two years ago,” Sage reminded her neutrally as he collected his wooden sword.

“But you weren’t there when it went down,” she countered, her tone equally bland. “It was right after you ran off and he called letting me know he was on his way. I told him I couldn’t go because my little brother had run away, and he said—”

“That he failed to see how it was his or your problem,” Sage finished for her.

“Yep,” Yayoi said with a heavy sigh. “I slammed the phone on him—and when I saw him at school the next day, I told him that I never wanted to see his face again.”

“I remember.” That hadn’t gone well for Yayoi socially after that. Haruto was one of the most popular boys in school, which meant when she loudly broke ties with him, all of her ‘friends’ sided with Haruto over her. As Sage had predicted, she had wasted most of her high school days trying to impress people that were never going to think she was good enough for them. Well, after that Yayoi had focused on getting into a good pre-med program while her erstwhile ‘friends’… well, Sage had done some researching and it was safe to say that they had invested too much time in social spats in school rather than their education and/or preparing to enter the workforce.

Yayoi stared at Sage’s growing sword collection. “I just wanted to say before I leave that you were right. About those jerks in school and about being able to read thoughts.” She shrugged again as a hint of hopelessness crept into her almost formal expression. “I knew that part ever since you saved Dad’s life. I was just too stubborn to admit it. And scared.” She almost smiled. “A little brother that can read your mind is kind of terrifying when you’re a teenager.”

He put his hands in his pockets, fingers curling around the green orb he kept with him. “I would imagine.” There was no anger in Sage’s tone, but also no warmth. He loved his sister. Nothing would ever change that. But that night when she called him a freak… it hadn’t broken their bond, but it had weakened it severely. They were civil to each other, but that was it. And now she was leaving and she hadn’t even said she’d be home for breaks. This would be the last time they saw each other for a long time. Maybe forever.

“Sage, I’m sorry. For everything.”

He should have accepted her apology. He should have forgiven and embraced her as his sister before she left. He should have feigned understanding for why she would yell at him when all he wanted to do was help. But he couldn’t.

“Acknowledged. Safe travels, Yayoi.”

She left without another word, and Sage hated himself for his weakness. But… but he had a purpose. It was fine that he couldn’t talk to his sister or anyone else in his family. He could show that he loved them by protecting them.

He could accept that.

Mother eyed the orb warily. “So, Dad still hasn’t told you what this is about?”

Sage shook his head. “No. He just makes a few vague comments. And his mind is too well-shielded for me to read his thoughts.”

“You shouldn’t be reading his thoughts at all without permission!” Mother rested her head in her hand. “I know nothing about this stuff and even I know that.”

“I am aware of that. But I have to know, Mother.” This orb was the only evidence that the night the monk and the deer family had protected him was real. Also… he felt drawn to this orb in a way he had never felt drawn to anyone or anything in his life. He felt more connected to it than his own family—something he would never say out loud, even if it was true. Especially if it was true. Bitter experience had taught Sage to keep his mouth shut about certain painful truths. “That’s why I’m asking you. There must be some connection to our family. Grandfather would not have reacted the way he did if it had no value. If you know anything, I would appreciate it.”

“For an eight-year-old, you sure like talking like an old man,” Mother grumbled. “But… I remember Dad would tell me stories about a ronin who donned green Armor and could kill demons with his spirit alone. The locals feared him until he proved to them that his might was tempered by wisdom and he was accepted into their village. He married one of the girls that was intrigued rather than frightened by him, and that eventually led to where our family is now.” She poked the orb. “I only bring this up because the green color of this orb is so striking.”

“I see.” So, he had an ancestor that others thought was scary but found friendship and family through his actions. Sage could relate. Despite what everyone said, he had trouble talking. He could never get his feelings across. School was still difficult. He had learned not to say their thoughts out loud anymore but now his classmates thought his eyes were creepy, even after he’d done his best to style his bangs to obscure his gaze. But this ronin had found understanding through his actions. He wished he could do that, more than anything.

It might also help with how lately he only felt like himself if he was in a kendo match.

Autumn 1993

Father gripped Sage’s shoulders, peering into his face. “Are you okay, Sage?”

Sage nodded. “Yes, Father.” He smiled. “I’m eleven now. I won’t swoon because of a vision.”

Father closed his eyes for several moments before speaking again. “Sage, buddy, that’s not what I’m worried about. I’m worried that you might be shaken after you beat an armed man in combat.”

“No.” Why would he be? The man was a monster who was willing to kill anyone who got in the way of his crime—and in his vision, one of those people had been his father, as well as two of Father’s co-workers. So, he had stopped them before it was too late. He hadn’t killed them, which was more mercy than any of them deserved.

“Date?” A fellow detective motioned to the scene. “We need your help over here.”

“I’ll be right there, Ichijou.” Father returned his attention to Sage. “Okay, buddy. If you say you’re all right, I believe you. But make sure to speak to your grandfather about this.”

“Certainly.”

--
He wasn’t going to talk to Grandfather about this. Ever.

If he did that, he would have to explain why he ran off after a criminal with nothing but a sword… and that he had been engaging in similar behavior for roughly a month now. But he couldn’t stop. The fact that he had saved his father’s life was proof that he was doing the right thing. He couldn’t talk to people. He could never win their love like the ronin did in his mother’s story. But he could prove he cared by protecting them.

He could be himself in those moments. He couldn’t give that up. He just couldn’t.

The orb felt cold and heavy in his palm as he tucked it into a drawer for the night. He donned his kendo gear, and his blade, and once again snuck out his bedroom window.

February 1994

Sage watched the mugger flee from the rooftop. He gripped his blade as he silently pursued the thief. This was a person that had stabbed a young father just trying to protect his children. He had given him the wallet, for heaven’s sake. There had been no reason for further violence, yet he mostly likely destroyed a family for a thin, beat-up wallet.

No, Sage realized as the criminal giggled to himself breathlessly. He did it because he liked hurting others. He was a monster and needed to be stopped. The authorities would not find him in time. Sage, however, had a blade and the skills to subdue this mockery of a human being.

Meanwhile, the criminal stopped to look through the wallet, cursing as he realized there was almost no yen in it. Well, what was he expecting? He picked on the weak, someone who just wanted to keep their family safe.

Sage leaped off the rooftop effortlessly, blade pointed at the criminal. “You get one chance to surrender,” he informed him coolly.

The criminal stumbled backward, screaming. “A-are you a demon or something?!”

Sage almost smiled at that. “Perhaps.”

The criminal came at him with the still bloody knife, a cowardly move fueled by panic. Sage slashed his arm. The knife clattered to the ground as the man howled in pain.

Sage raised his blade. The gleam of the metal and fury in his pale blue eyes were the only lights in the alley. “You had a chance to surrender and refused it. Prepare to face the consequences of your actions, murderer.”

Terrified, the criminal spat out in a final attempt to die with some pride intact, “G-go to hell, you freak!”

Yes. That was what he was. A freak who could only show others that he cared by destroying any threats to those he cared for. Sage raised his blade, and…

Sage wasn’t quite sure what would have happened if his grandfather hadn’t appeared on his motorcycle and subdued the criminal with a wooden blade. He had frozen at that moment. He remained frozen as Grandfather grabbed him, tossed him in the sidecar, slammed the helmet on his head, and then sped off to the wail of police sirens.

“The father didn’t die,” Grandfather said the next morning. “The newspaper says that he was injured, but he’ll recover. The criminal was caught.”

“That’s good,” Sage said neutrally as he returned his gear and orb to his grandfather.

Grandfather glanced at the gear. “What are you doing?” He picked up the orb reverently. “Sage, you’re almost inseparable from your gear and this… object. May I ask why you’re trying to give them to me?”

“I can’t be trusted with a blade anymore.” His eyes stung, but this had to be said. “I nearly took a life last night.”

“You didn’t.”

“I wanted to!”

“If you really had wanted to, that poor slob would’ve already been a corpse by the time I arrived. I know your skill level.” Grandfather sighed softly. “I’m sorry, Sage. I should have picked up on how lonely you felt. How frustrated you were.”

“I was the one who kept it hidden, Grandfather.”

“You did,” Grandfather admitted. “You chose vengeance over mercy or justice. However, you also realize your mistake and sincerely regret it. That means that you have a choice, Sage.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re right. I can’t train a student who’ll run off at night to fight criminals in some misguided attempt at justice. However, I am eager to train someone who works to overcome their errors rather than hide them.” He held out the orb to Sage. “Kendo or fighting criminals in your own, wild way. The choice is yours, Sage.”

Despite his guilt over last night, Sage still hesitated a moment. There were monsters out there that wanted to hurt his father and innocent people. But…

“I choose kendo.” Sage took the orb back.

“Interesting. Why did you make that choice?”

“I’m skilled, but I’m only a student. I’ll never improve if I quit now. Also… I don’t think I’m as wild as I thought I was. When I had the chance to kill that man, I froze. I am just realizing that I didn’t want to kill him at all. Despite everything, he is still human and deserves a trial. I realize now that I don’t want to hurt people. I just want to protect those I hold dear.” He looked up at Grandfather. “And I know if I follow your teachings, I’ll be able to do that one day.”

The orb began to glow a gentle green. Grandfather took a step back as Sage could feel the kanji for ‘wisdom’ burning on his brow. Then everything disappeared into cherry blossoms.

When the blossoms vanished, Sage found himself in green Armor and Grandfather smiling sadly at him. “Congratulations. You have proven yourself worthy of your ancestor’s Armor, Sage of the Halo.”

The vision ended there, and that was probably a good thing since Rowen needed several moments just to reclaim his sense of self. “Wow,” he finally managed. “That was a lot for a kid to deal with.”

“No worse than any of you,” Sage simply said.

“Don’t be so sure. Although now I get why you were able to understand Kento so easily when he almost killed Sekhmet.”

Sage blinked in surprise. “No one’s ever said that I understood someone before.”

“Well, you did. And I think I understand you a bit better now as well.” No wonder that conversation with Cale had shaken him. Sage was someone who defined himself by the service he provided others. Cale had recognized that and preyed on that.

Both of them were too tired to talk or study after that, so all that was left was to clean up after dinner and prep for bed. But even as he got the guest futon out, Rowen made a silent vow to learn as much about this Cale as possible. He could not be permitted to take Sage away from them. And not just because Sage was his best friend. The tactician in Rowen realized that if someone as powerful and driven by the need to serve others as Sage was corrupted by the Dynasty, the consequences would be dire.

Final Notes: There's a 'blink and you miss it' reference to Kamen Rider Kuuga in this chapter, which I'm sure will make Kento very happy. Also, no clue why my formatting was messed up when I first posted this chapter, but hopefully that has been corrected. -_-