Title: Lonely Heart (Chapter 27)
Fandom: Ronin Warriors
Characters/Pairing: All five Ronins, Sayoko Mouri, Mia Koji, Luna, White Blaze, Cale, Dais, Anubis
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Not mine, anything mentioned here by name isn't mine
Warnings: Referenced canonical minor character death/familial death.
Notes: More slice-of-life/remake AU!

--

Mia rowed her boat to the middle of the lake where Cye was currently floating. She caught a glimpse of his expression, and she understood why he had fallen in love with the lake when he first saw it back in March. If he felt even half as peaceful as he looked, no wonder he was so eager for a dip.

“Sorry to bother you,” she shouted from her tiny boat, “but Luna and the boys are starting to get hangry.”

Cye opened his eyes slowly and then swam to Mia’s boat. “Then I guess I better get grilling.” He rested his hands on the boat, offering her an easy grin. “Thanks again for letting us basically live at your house.” That, of course, was an exaggeration. They all still had their own homes and lives. However, all of them had been coming over to Mia’s to study for exams since the house was quiet, it had a strong Internet connection, and Mia was willing to tutor them in languages and literature. This eventually led to dinners, overnight stays, and weekend visits… Mia was starting to wonder if Cye wasn’t exaggerating after all.

“Oh, shush, it’s fine.” It was everything she could have wanted, honestly. All those years when all she had was her grandfather and her books, Mia had wanted nothing more than a house full of friends. When she played with her Pixie Bunnie dolls when she was younger, she had the girls hang out at the snack shops more than fight evil… and tried to ignore the loneliness in her heart when it was time to put her dolls away and go to a school full of strangers that were wary of the weird girl who knew too much about folklore. “I love how lively the place has become. I just wish Grandfather could see this.”

“He can,” Cye promised her. “This… will sound a little strange, but one of the reasons I love it here is because I can feel pieces of my father’s spirit.” He watched the sun glitter on the water’s surface. “Probably because he spent so much time with the Professor. I can feel how happy he was when he was here.” He turned to her and smiled; eyes bright. “I can feel bits of Professor Koji’s spirit as well. And he loved you so much.”

Mia took a breath to steady herself. “Thank you. But don’t worry about sounding strange, okay? I watched you and the other Ronin Warriors throw yourselves into a cauldron of negative energy to engage in a magical battle with a demon. Nothing seems strange after that.” She didn’t want to follow up with what she had to discuss next, but it couldn’t be avoided any longer. “Speaking of that demon, have you recovered any other memories of the last battle?”

Cye sighed thoughtfully. “Nothing more than a few fragments. I remember refusing to let Ryo fight alone. I also remember being terrified of Talpa.” The weather was warm, but he still shivered. “I have never felt so much negative energy in my life. It seemed like nothing I could do would defeat such a mockery of humanity… but then I felt Ryo and Kento and Sage and Rowen, and I knew we could stop him.” He frowned. “I’m sorry, that’s all I can remember. I’m not sure if I’m even supposed to remember a battle like that.”

Mia also frowned. “What you’ve told me is similar to what the other guys remember.” She had been hoping to learn more about the white Armor, but there was only so much she could do (for now) if the young men who had crafted the Armor couldn’t remember how they had done it. “Well, whatever. Talpa’s gone. I think we’ve earned a break.”

“Yes, we have!” Cye immediately agreed. “C’mon, let’s go make some burgers!” He swam with a speed that should have been impossible for a human, yet there he was, on the dock only a few minutes later and chatting with Kento as he toweled off.

“Every time I think I have him figured out, he does something weird,” Mia said to herself. All her friends did. It was one of the reasons she liked them so much.

--

“I’m sorry that we weren’t there to help you in the final battle, Ryo.” Grandfather’s voice was weary.

“Someone had to protect Tokyo while we rescued Sage,” Ryo reminded him. “And seeing how we not only saved him but Talpa’s gone, I’d say that this was the best-case scenario.” He grabbed a light sweater—with the weather getting warmer, he didn’t need to bundle up too much to make his patrol around the cabin. “So, um, any letters from Dad?”

Grandfather shook his head. “I’ve tried calling him, but you know how he gets when he’s ‘in the zone’ or whatever he calls it.” Grandfather sighed heavily. “I’m sorry that my son is such a poor father.”

“He’s not.” Ryo was surprised by how even his tone sounded, a direct contrast to how he felt. “Some people just live in their own worlds, that’s all.”

While his tone may have been even, Grandfather must have realized that something else lurked under the surface since he didn’t push further. “Of course.” He patted Ryo’s arm. “Will you need help you’re your patrol?”

“Thanks, but no. Get some rest. You’ve had a long week.”

The night air was cool but not chilly, which was nice. Ryo had never been fond of colder weather. Of course, nothing could beat the chill of the cauldron.

“Stop it,” he whispered to himself.

Nothing was as horrible as that moment when he realized that his friends would be subsumed by Talpa unless he did something—

“Stop it.” He made his hands into fists and did his best to ignore the stinging in his eyes. “We beat Talpa. No one else died. I should be happy.”

“You don’t have to be happy,” Luna said as she and White Blaze approached him.

“Luna. How did you…?”

“I thought I’d stop by and see how you’re holding up. Your Grandfather said to look in this direction.” She grinned at White Blaze. “Having a magic tiger tracking you scent helped, too.”

Ryo made a frustrated sound as he ran a hand through his hair. “You shouldn’t have to see me like this.”

“I’m pretty sure that as your girlfriend, it’s part of the job to see you when you’re feeling low. Besides, you’ve done the same for me.” She ran a hand through his hair, gazing up at him. “Ryo, it’s okay to not be okay.”

Ryo resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “People say that until it messes up their own lives.”

“Well, it’s not messing up my life if you need time to process what you went through,” she informed him sharply. “And I know it’s not messing up the guys or Mia or even the boss. So, consider that official approval to be sad.”

“… Thank you?”

She grinned. “You’re very welcome.”

Despite his mood, Ryo found himself laughing. “I do feel better, actually. Knowing that the people that matter to me don’t mind if I’m feeling low helps.” He was just about to lean in and kiss her when there was a rustling of wind. Anubis, clad in his Armor but without his helmet, appeared before them.

“Wildfire,” Anubis said simply.

“Anubis,” Ryo said back. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to thank you. And to say farewell, at least for now.” His body language was composed. He even smiled at them. It was like talking to an entirely different person. Ryo was impressed (and a little scared) at just how much Cye’s powers had changed the ogre. “I’m sure we’ll meet again, Wildfire.”

“Oh, definitely. We never did get to finish our fight, after all.”

Anubis chuckled softly. “I have eschewed violence unless it’s in self-defense or saving another’s life. But perhaps one day, we will fight on the same side.” The was a ringing sound and Anubis vanished.

“That was the Ancient One calling Anubis back, wasn’t it?” Luna asked.

“I think so,” Ryo answered. “I guess whenever I see him again, I could ask him about it.” Of course, the Ancient One operated on his own schedule. Ryo never knew when he was going to see him… but he did trust him and whatever plans he had for Anubis.

--

Cye waved goodbye to the toddler demons (mostly feline and canine in features). The majority of the little demons were still stuffing onigiri in their mouths, but a few of the older ones did wave back. He approached Dais. “So, what’s it like finally succeeding in whisking Torrent and Hardrock to the Dynasty?”

“You were the one that kept crying about wanting to help with the refugees,” Dais grumbled as he packed some clothes away. “Then you snuck in while my back was turned.” He still couldn’t believe that Cye had slipped past his defenses like that—and that he had permitted Cye to tag along on later trips. “Of course, Kento insisted on being your bodyguard once he realized you and your onigiri were off in the Nether Realm on a regular basis.”

“We may have a truce, but Sekhmet still exists,” Kento said around a mouthful of onigiri. “And he’s never said that he’s stopped trying to kill Cye.”

Cye shrugged. “You can’t argue with Kento-logic.” Dais was fairly sure he could, but he was too tired to bother.

“Anyways,” Cye changed the subject as he began helping Dais fold the clothes, “how are things progressing with figuring out the whole ‘how do we run this realm after the tyrannical demon was killed’ thing?”

“About as one might expect. Cale refuses to budge on some things, the rebels refuse to budge on some things, and Sekhmet is Sekhmet. It’s my job to figure out where we can make some compromises. Of course, that would be easier if everyone would stop being so stubborn.”

“Feed them onigiri,” Cye suggested. “And before you get mad, sharing a meal with others can build bonds in ways that can’t be replicated.”

Hmm. The runt was smarter than he looked. “Perhaps I’ll have Sasuke make a batch.”

“There, see? Everyone will be best friends before you know it.” Cye’s expression darkened as he pushed his bangs out of his eyes. “I have a question. I know that this realm was originally intended as a place where the spirits of warriors could rest. I was wondering if…”

Dais was about to let Cye down gently by explaining that Shin Mouri’s spirit had died with no regrets and was enjoying his reward in the afterlife somewhere… but then he sensed which person Cye was referencing. “I do not know if Ryo’s mother is here. However, I will check. It will take me time due to the massive number of spirits here. After all, if there’s one thing humans like to do it’s to kill each other in war. But I swear, if she’s here, we’ll find her.”

Cye smiled at him. “Thank you. But don’t start looking until I run this past Ryo.”

“You haven’t asked him yet?”

“Not yet. I wanted to make sure that it was at least possible before I made the proposal. But now that it is, I may finally repay Ryo back for helping me learn more about my father.”

“You don’t say. Well, you two better go. It’s a school night.”

“Oh, yeah. Thanks, Dais! Your redemption arc is going really well!” Cye chirped before dashing off to Kento.

“Ugh.” Dais glared at them. “The only reason you two aren’t in a web right now is that children are present.”

“Sure, man,” Kento shrugged. “See you next week?”

“Yeah, sure,” Dais waved a hand at them grouchily.

“Hey, babe.” Kento wrapped an arm around Cye as they approached the Dynasty gates. “I just wanted to say that you’re doing really well with, well. You know.”

Cye took a breath to center himself before he spoke. “You and Sayoko asked me to try other ways to heal people before I pull their pain into my heart. So, I’m trying that.” He had wanted to take away the grief those poor children were living with. But… all that grief would have just exhausted him even with his training. Making food and playing with them seemed like a poor substitute, but their spirits had brightened nonetheless—Cye yelped as Kento suddenly grabbed him in a tight hug. “Um, Kento? You okay?”

“Yeah.” Kento’s breath was warm against Cye’s neck. “I was just really, really scared. You almost died, and then you almost died again, and—”

“Ah, I see now.” Cye hugged him back. “I’m sorry for frightening you. It was your heart that called me back after I healed Anubis and so many other times.”

“It still wasn’t enough.” Kento’s grip on him tightened. “You still almost died.” He sniffled. “I’m scared that one day you will die trying to help someone and none of us will be able to save you. And then you’ll be an angel for real and I’ll be all alone.”

“You will never be alone,” Cye promised him. “I am not fond of being told to mind my limits, especially when sometimes it seems my life is nothing but limits. However, almost dying does make you aware of certain things.” He wasn’t going to stop ending people’s pain. But he also was going to be more careful about how he did it. He couldn’t actually end the pain if he was dead. “And even if I do die before you, my plan is to become a ghost and haunt you until you die. Then we’ll go off to wherever we feel like. Feel better?”

“Yeah, actually.” Kento grinned at him shakily. “Let’s go home and have dinner.”

--

“So, you and Cye will spend the entire summer break in Miyagi?”

“Yes. We’ll visit on weekends, however. I suspect that Sayoko and Kento will also scheme up several excuses to stop by the dojo.”

“I don’t blame them,” Rowen said around a sigh. “I almost wish that I could scheme a way out of visiting New York for the summer. I’m going to miss all of you.”

“Phones exist.”

Rowen frowned. “So do time zones.”

“Well, it’s evil and I hate it, but the Internet is a possibility,” Sage conceded. “Satsuki helped set me up an e-mail account that I will only use to correspond with close friends and family.” He took out a notepad from his bookbag, neatly writing his address on a sheet of paper. He tore the sheet from the pad, folding it twice before giving to Rowen. “Here. Destroy it once you memorize it.”

Rowen unfolded the paper. “Your screen name is ‘sage_loves_swords.’ Satsuki knows you well.” They were almost at the Mouri Foundation’s building, so Rowen resolved to shred it there. “So, how are things going with Mia?”

“Well. She’s been working with some of the professors at Sengoku University to ensure her grandfather’s research is documented. I believe she also intends to apply there after graduating.”

“It is a good school.” Rowen still had some time (and a lot of exams) before he had to officially worry about college, but he had done some looking into it, and it seemed nice. It also had several good tech degrees. After waving to Aikawa, they headed to Sayoko’s office.

Sayoko was frowning at some formal-looking documents, so Rowen was not surprised when she put them aside to greet them. “Hey, you two!” She tossed the documents on her desk, striding over to them. “Shouldn’t you two be studying or doing club activities or something?”

Rowen eyed her curiously. “Why would I be? This is when I report to work.”

“Well, yeah, it was. Now Talpa has been defeated. You five can have normal lives again.”

“Sayoko, you are so stubborn sometimes,” Rowen sighed. “I didn’t start working for you just to defeat Talpa. I wanted to help you protect everyone. You’re brilliant, and it’s admirable that you want to relieve us of our burden, but everyone needs help sometimes. You need help dealing with any remaining demons, and I shall provide it, whether you pay me or not.” He paused. “Although I would prefer it if you paid me since I want some games for my computer.”

“Besides, normalcy is overrated,” Sage added.

“Indeed. I’ve lived a ‘normal life’ in the past, and it was terrible. It wasn’t until my life got weird that I found friends and a purpose.”

“Oh, Rowen.” She grabbed him in a hug. “Thanks. I don’t like the idea of you having to keep fighting, but if that’s what you want, then okay.” Then she pulled away to tousle his hair. “And I’m still going to pay you for your work! Sheesh.” She glanced at Sage. “What are you doing here?” She grinned hopefully. “Do you want a job, too?”

“No. Mia pays me more than adequately. Not to mention I’ve sworn to serve her for the rest of my life. However, in thanks for you helping to save me from Hariel, I am now willing to do some missions for you. Only sometimes, and if they don’t interfere with working for Mia.”

Sayoko clapped her hands together joyfully. “Fantastic! What’s your expected pay range?”

“As I said, Mia pays me well. However, Rowen has informed me that you have an extensive sword collection. If you’re willing to part with some of them, I’ll gladly accept them as payment.”

--

Cale was trying to find a way to agree to Saberstryke’s proposal that wouldn’t involve him having to cede his borderlands when a young woman followed by a cat demon approached him. “Well, you look busy. Perhaps I’ll return later.”

Cale frowned. “How did you get past the guards?”

“Oh, I lived here when I was a young girl,” she replied breezily. “It’s been some time, but I still remember the layout clearly. Not to mention how to cloak my presence from nosy psychics. Although it is strange being in the palace so soon after my father’s death.”

“Dais,” Cale growled. In a flash, his beloved was by his side. “I need to tell me if this girl really is Talpa’s daughter. Now.”

Dais closed his eye in concentration—then gasped in shock. “She’s telling the truth.”

The girl—Princess Kayura—smiled ‘sweetly.’ “You could have just asked.”

“If you’re planning on taking the throne, don’t bother.” Cale’s hand was on his blade. “This realm has had its fill of tyrants.”

“My lady,” the cat demon whispered. “We need to defuse the situation before it gets dire. Please cease with the jokes and explain the situation.”

Kayura’s mockery of a grin softened into something more real as she glanced at her companion. “Don’t worry.” She returned her attention to Cale, her expression now neutral. “Easy, Warlord. I’m not here for battle. Like you, I’m here to try to bring some order to this chaos. If that involves reimagining the power structure of the Dynasty, then so be it.”

“I see,” Dais said. “What would you offer?”

“The support of the Talpa loyalists—and even after everything he did, there’s enough of them that could cause you and the rebels grief if they decide to unite and cause trouble. I’m also an accomplished combatant and I’ve studied diplomacy. However, I concede I’m rather sheltered so acting on my own is unwise.”

“You don’t say.” Dais regarded her coolly. “And what happens after order is achieved? Do you betray us?”

“Oh, I’m sure big, strong men like yourselves could stop little old me.” She sat at the table opposite Cale. “But in all seriousness… my only allies are my vassal Aya and a few servants back home. I may be a princess, but I’m as vulnerable as any of you. So, I was hoping we could work together on rooting out what remains of my father’s corruption of this realm.”

Cale glanced at Dais, who nodded. She was sincere. And yet… “You would work with the men who murdered your father?”

“I was under the impression my father was done in by his own hubris when he challenged the Ronin Warriors, but sure, let’s go with that.” She sighed, letting her hand stray to her necklace, her mask falling just a bit. “And while I may mourn my father, rest assured that my politics differ from his vastly.”

--

“I cannot believe that you have zero jetlag,” Ryo said to Rowen, who was currently absorbed with his Game Boy.

“Rowen sleeps when he needs, for as long as he needs,” Luna assured him.

“Aw, man,” Kento grumbled as the crowds left the train. “How the heck am I supposed to find Cye and Sage in all this chaos…” He trailed off when he spotted a young man in a mint green yukata walking with a guy his age wearing a canary-colored cardigan (in summer) over a neon pink shirt and navy-colored jeans, topped off with a dolphin hat. “Oh, right, it’s been so long since I’ve seen them that I forgot Cye and normal fashion don’t mix.”

“You saw them last weekend,” Ryo reminded him—then scooted as Rowen ran past them to hug Sage and Cye at the same time. While he, Kento, and Luna had been lucky enough to see Sage and Cye when they took breaks from training, Rowen had been in New York almost all summer. Ryo didn’t blame him at all.

“Kento!” Cye’s face lit up as he gently pulled away from Rowen and Sage to kiss his boyfriend. “I missed you so much—” Cye yelped/laughed as Kento scooped him up in his arms.

“Babe, I am so glad that you’re home for good. So’s my appetite.”

“Ugh, I should have known.” There was no heat in Cye’s tone. “But sure, I’ll make you some dinner, caveman. But I insist that you carry me home, it was a long train ride and I’m tired.”

Kento nodded dutifully. “Your wish is my command, Prince Cye.”

“I am not—”

“You ordered Kento to carry you,” Luna reminded him. “That’s pretty princely behavior to me.” Cye groaned, but didn’t leave Kento’s arms.

“Hey, Ryo.” Cye’s tone grew serious as he gazed at his friend. “Did you read my e-mail?”

“I did. I just wasn’t sure how to respond to it. But… yes.” He took a breath and was thankful when Luna took his hand. “If my mother’s spirit is in the Dynasty, I want to find her.”

Cye smiled gently. “Okay.”

“We’ll all help,” Rowen promised. “Although Dais may not be able to provide as much assistance as he hoped to when Cye first proposed the plan. Sayoko’s been keeping me up to date concerning the curve ball Kayura threw Cale in his negotiations with the rebels.”

“You’re correct like always, Rowen,” Sage said as he linked arms with his friend. “However, I’m certain that it will work out.”

“Hunh.” Rowen blinked at Sage. “You’re not usually so positive.”

“Training in Miyagi gave me some new perspective.” He took a deep breath as they headed to Mia’s van. “The experience was life-changing. I feel like a new man.”

Kento glanced at Cye as they followed Rowen and Sage. “Do you feel like a new man after training?”

“No, I feel bored! All we did was meditate and spar and sleep in the woods with deer staring at us all the time… but I get less tired after using my abilities and realized I don’t have to swoop in and save everyone all the time, I guess.”

Kento kissed his brow. “That’s all I ask.”

“Hey, guys!” Mia waved from her spot. The van was within eyesight. “Hurry up, I want to eat Cye’s cooking!” She grinned as Sage hugged her briefly, then Rowen, then she started chatting with Cye and Kento.

“C’mon,” Luna smiled at Ryo as she took his hand again. “Let’s go home.”

Ryo smiled back. “Let’s go home.”

--

Final Notes: I’ve been working on this series since January so it’s surreal to say “And we’re done,” but… we’re done. I do have some plans for a sequel, but I want to take a break from this verse and get some other fics completed. That said, I hope to write more RW/YST fics! I don’t why this is the show that has inspired me to write the longest fic in my life (especially when the last RW fic I wrote was when I was a teenager and never published online), but I go where the story goes, I guess. I want to write more Cye/Kento and Ami/Touma especially.

If you’re wondering why Ryo is the only one who doesn’t go through a huge angsty arc: originally, he was planned to have one at the end of the story. However, it became clear as I kept plotting that nothing was going to top Sage’s arc for drama, so Ryo’s arc got nixed. Instead, Ryo got the “Starfire from the old Teen Titans cartoon” treatment with lots of little bits of development sprinkled into the narrative. When/if I do write a sequel, he’ll have a larger arc.

(One typo correction: I realized that I gave Ryo’s aunt and Kayura’s governess the same name, whoops. That’s why the governess is now named Aya. She’s also been promoted to vassal since Kayura is planning to enter the public sphere now and she’s one of the few people Kayura can trust.)

I want to thank everyone who’s read and/or interacted with this fic as well. This year has been a difficult one, so seeing that other people were reading this admittedly very niche AU made me feel less alone. White Blaze would definitely adopt you as his cub. :)