Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ Do You Remember Me? ❯ Coming around again ( Chapter 3 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

AN: I'm using the ages from the original Japanese version: Cye(Shin) is the oldest and Rowen(Toma) is the youngest. It doesn't make a huge difference in the story but I do mention it. Just so you know. Please enjoy!covered the forest floor in beautiful white paths, the branches and winter foliage snuggled into the blanket and bowed under their own snowy weight. The frozen trails that wound around the thick trees joined together in a clearing that sat on top of the edge of a cliff. It must have been a beautiful sight in fall with the trees that began again at the bottom of the ridge in full sunset colors, as well as those that stretched on top of the cliff. Now, the trees were bare, stretching their limbs toward the sky. They held their own burden of white ice as if it were a cherished cloak.as the sun broke proudly from the snow bearing clouds and touched the forest, it was transformed into a glittering picture from a story book. In a burst of color birds flew from the trees and into the magical scene. The rainbow of color flew out into the open air until only one small blue bird glided behind them. The beautiful little bird broke from the others paths and circled back, alighting on a branch of a tree that grew over the very edge of the cliff. His gaze followed the flurry of colored feathers as they disappeared on the horizon, something almost like longing emanating from the tiny body. Ruffling his snow flecked feathers the air was filled with his sweet voice as he took flight, guarding his precious forest, and waiting.awoke with a small jerk, knocking the tray in front of him up and dumping peanuts everywhere. Cursing under his breath he shot a quick glance at the sleeping Ryo next to him and swept what he could into his napkin discreetly. He soon gave up on the peanuts that seemed to slip into every crevice available, including Ryo's knapsack, and tossed the napkin back to his tray.leaned back and stared into the night. They had gotten laid over halfway through for a few hours so it would be awhile before they got to their destination, but somehow he couldn't seem to stay irritated, not with the night so beautiful. The moon was a bright orb in the deepest blue sky he had ever seen, and the city lights below peeked up between clouds to make an almost starry effect from the ground. He could understand why Rowen had always loved flying. Then the plane hit some turbulence and he was suddenly reminded why his element was earth.his tumbling stomach he relaxed into his seat and returned to looking out the window. His gaze turned thoughtful as he remember what had woken him up. The dream had been so vivid, so real he had thought he was really there. He couldn't make sense of it though. What did a little blue bird have to do with anything? He rubbed the stubble on his chin thoughtfully as he continued to stare out the tiny window. Kento soon brushed it off as nothing but his mind tryingescape to a little happier and calming moment. Settling farther down into the semi-soft seat he closed his eyes and immediately began to fall asleep.held back a yell as someone clutched his arm, yanking him out of his near sleep. His eyes flew open to be met by the hard look of twin blue eyes and a steely face.Ryo?" When the other man didn't answer Kento waved a hand in front of his eyes. " Hello? Stop it man, you're scaring me."tried to remove his arm, but Ryo was holding onto it too desperately. It was as if were he let go, one of them would disappear.Look."word was almost too soft, but Kento heard and slowly turned his head, suddenly afraid of what he might see. He caught his breath.What's happening?" Ryo whispered from what seemed like a great distance away.didn't have an answer, and if he did he wouldn't have been able to voice it at the moment, he was locked solely on the vision before him. Vision; there could be no other way to describe what they were seeing. His free hand reached up to the window of its own will, as if to touch the thing just outside. His stare took in every detail. It was Strata's armor, there was not doubt. The translucent image seemed to shimmer a bit in acknowledgment. It was surrounded by a bright ball of lighter blue energy, as it had when it flew with its bearer when he was alive. He and Ryo could only stare in astonishment as the empty face plate drew back, filling with the image of pale skin and deep eyes that may have been part of the night sky itself. The eyes lifted, meeting theirs for the split of a second before the vision vanished into the air.walked quickly out of the airport together, a mere four bags between them. For the taxi ride into the city and two blocks not one word was said between them. The years were catching up to them now. It had been a decade since they had been the same friends that had taken on their destiny and faced their fears. Now, walking together down the street after the stark reminder of what they had lost, they couldn't pretend everything was alright. It wasn't just those years that kept them quiet now, but their own thoughts.We're going crazy aren't we?" Kento blurted the question as soon as they were out of ear shot of anyone else. He may have been going crazy, but he didn't have to announce it to everyone else.No Kento, we're not going crazy." Ryo assured him, though he didn't sound to convinced himself.Then what was that?" The question was punctuated by a eccentric wave of his hands toward the still dark, starry sky.a moment Ryo only stood looking up, not answering or responding in anyway. Things had gotten so still between them that the night seemed to be alive and dancing about them. Kento nearly jumped when Ryo spoke again.We really screwed this one up Kento."Tell me about it." Kento sighed out, brushing unruly bangs from pained eyes.Battle after battle, we've come through, alive at the very least. Saved the world, did things no one believed even imaginable." He had kept his eyes to the heavens the entire time he spoke, but now he lowered his gaze to meet that of his friend. " For all that we did, and what we thought we had learned, we failed when it mattered most."We should have had this revelation years ago." Kentos voice held a cold accusation in it that was pointed at all of them. He kicked at the pavement and started walking abruptly, leaving Ryo standing in the cool air by himself.took him a second to recover from the biting words coming from Kento, but soon he was dashing to his friends side.Wait a minute, Kento." Ryo's voice wasn't defensive in the least, but then again, Kento hadn't expected a disagreement from Ryo, even if he almost wanted one.Ryo..."Just listen to me Kento, please?" After receiving a terse nod Ryo relaxed a bit and began again as they began their walk. " You remember that day?" His laugh was bitter. " 'Course you do. I'd bet it's been in your nightmares as well as mine. After the years, they faded, then disappeared altogether. We moved on with our lives, and by our own choice, drifted apart. And we blamed him for everything still." He held up a hand to stop the words he knew Kento was going to say, " Even when we knew it was our own fault. We just couldn't admit it."grunted in agreement with that statement. For a few blocks they were silently lost in their own thoughts. Old memories that were beginning to resurface from a day eleven years ago they had spent every moment forgetting. It was Ryo once again who broke through the artificial barriers they built of accusation and false happiness, his voice soft and strong, holding a warmth and pride that underlay the grief and guilt he held himself.You were the only one who stood by him Kento. I know he loves you for that." Ryo's blue gaze was kept straight ahead of him, but glancing over at him Kento could see every thing that lay within those burning orbs.He loved you too. Heh, we were the most constant family in his life. He once told me friends like us were hard to come by." The guilt that swelled in Ryo's eyes didn't escape his notice, nor the grief. A small frown tugged at his lips as he remembered what Ryo had just said. " You're talking about him like he's still alive."Maybe he is."Ryo..."You've been saying that a lot lately. Reminding ourselves are we?" Ryo chuckled while Kento shook his head, the smallest little smile appearing, and for once staying.You really believe Rowen is alive somewhere." It wasn't a question. " I. I want to believe too. But, how?"I don't know Kento. But I won't give up, not on him, or any of you. As many times as he caught me whenever I fell," he shook his head sadly, " and I let him down. You were right, we have to go back. And this time, I won't let him fall." Ryo's eyes turned heavenward in a promise that came straight from his heart.That I can believe man, that I can believe." All the ice was gone from Kento's voice now, leaving only a warmth that touched his friends soul.they walked down the deserted icy sidewalks both were acutely aware of the three missing parts of their whole. Another feeling crept over them, vying for their attention frantically. No matter how they tried they couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation; something was about to happen.We're still crazy man."kicked at the hard frame of his seat with the back of his sneaker, slouching into the cushioning in frustration. Beside him, Sage stared into the darkness of the new night, his sharp eyes piercing through the cold and black and searching for something only he could see. Cye glanced worriedly over at him as the violet eyes flickered dangerously over the same spot for the eighth time. They had been stuck here for at least half an hour already, and they didn't seem to be going anytime soon. From what they could gather the engine of the passenger train had just given out.Sage?" Cye began. " The trains stopped, the scenery isn't going to change." His tone was light and cheery, but underlying was a concern and wariness that came from the long hours of travel, and years of guilt. Unfortunately, Sage wasn't paying attention. " Though you never know, that bush might suddenly learn the hokey poky."turned toward him, a fine line of eyebrow disappearing into his hair at this revelation. He closed his eyes and sighed as he allowed a tiny smile for Cyes sake. Opening them at the huff from the next seat he smirked at his friend.Just nerves I suppose."Well, lets talk." Cye commanded. " What have you been up to the last decade?"on now Cye, we've seen each other since then. Not to mention just last week." He shuddered imperceptibly as he remembered what 'then' was.Five times in eleven years Sage, five times." A bitter bite entered Cyes voice at this statement.Hn, right."Sage shifted his stiff position, trying to ease his back from the rigid formality he was trained for. He seemed to remember a time when he relaxed and propped up his feet. "Yeah, I suppose we haven't really kept in touch."rolled his eyes. Choosing to keep quiet, rather then start a fight, he settled down with his head turned resolutely away from the man beside him. It wasn't exactly like he had the room to talk himself. Over those eleven years of separation he had made no move to bring them back together either. It had all been Kento's planning and begging that brought forth the birthday parties and little picnics. All five of them. He couldn't help but think they were all stubborn, bitter old men.both shifted uneasily in the suddenly tangible tenseness.That's not funny Mia!"men went rigid. For a moment they weren't on a stalled train in the middle of Japan, but in a cozy house listening as their hostess mercilessly teased the youngest of them. They were brought slamming back into reality when laughter floating to their ears abruptly stopped Simultaneously they turned toward the voice that had floated up the aisle and searched the empty seats around the train car.lunged out of his seat as he caught site of blue hair moving rapidly toward the rear entrance of the car.Cye wait!" Sage called after him, jumping from his own seat to catch the man by the arm. He had put the idea of the voice from earlier being who he thought it was out of his mind, letting the logical sense take hold once again, now he did the same. The only reason he was here was to make the others see sense.Let go Sage." Cye pulled against the iron grip on his biceps. " He's getting away."Who is?" Sage demanded harshly. There was a cold denial in his tone.You know..." Cye stared incredulously at him for a moment.How many times do I have to say this. He's gone. I thought we put this behind us long ago." He shook Cye slightly with each ground out word. " Why do you insist on holding onto this?" His eyes burned into Cyes. Cyes own gaze hardened. " You're chasing a ghost Cye."Maybe I am. But you're running from him." They stared each other down for seconds that seemed like hours until Cye finally fidgeted, glancing over his shoulder at the long empty doorway. Turning back to Sage the tumultuous waves in his eyes calmed only slightly, but their was more warmth in their lights. " Look, I know it isn't him. But there is something out there, maybe only our own insanity, but something." His voice rose again. "I can't just turn my back again. I did that once and lost one of the most important things ever in my life. And more."man stood taking heaving breaths for a moment, the people around them ignored and forgotten. For all the world he looked as if he was sobbing, but no tears would fall from eyes of tempest blue. The seas were raging in his eyes again for the first time in years, but still their waters were confined to their prison. His companion stood still, ice chipped violet trying valiantly to understand.Cye, please just listen to me."I have Sage, and I know what you're going to say." Cye broke his arm free from the loosened grip and straightened out, a look a sympathy gracing his features. " I'm going to chase our ghost Sage, and if I find the missing parts of me at the end, all the better."that Cye was hurrying down the aisle and disappeared out the door and into the night. It took Sage less than a minute to regain the composure he had lost in the unexpected heart to heart between them, but he was left feeling more confused about all of it. Every part of his heart wanted this all to be a bad dream suddenly, but the eleven years of life that had passed were still etched in his mind. He cursed his momentary weakness of mind. He had been taught better than this, wishing everything away. Something in him, perhaps a link with his armor, or maybe his own intuition, was telling him that Cye was right and something was happening that had nothing to do with insanity, but he had pushed that part of himself away a long time ago. Why was this happening now? Wasn't is life supposed to be different now? He had moved on, hadn't he?a hand through disarrayed golden hair he turned back toward his bags that were stowed above him, but the window was what drew his full attention. He lunged forward to grasp the top of the seat placed against the wall, eyes focused solely on the glow that illuminated his face in a blue shine. Sage's mouth opened and closed in wordless movements that failed to say as much as his eyes that, for once, were completely open to emotion. The ice in his eyes melted all at once as they watched the vision from a memory smile and lifted a hand. Then it was gone, vanished into the night wind, and Sage was left to stare at a empty piece of ground. He knew what he had seen, but he was struggling with the meaning. Sage swept his eyes over the ground again and in his minds eye he could see the boy standing there smiling that familiar smile. Taking a deep breath he let his walls fall. A smile, real for the first time in a long while, graced his fair features, albeit a bit sadly. Straightening he grabbed his rucksack and went in search of Cye.found him standing near the train steps, staring at the spot where he could guess the vision had stood a few minutes before. It appeared he hadn't been the only one stopped in his tracks by the thing. Lightly he touched his hand to Cyes shoulder, getting the other mans attention quickly.Let's go face our ghost." His voice was quite, but it held a something new in it. Belief. Hope?Alright. Let's go!" Cye's eyes were bruised from sleepless nights, but a new sparkle was in their depths, and beginning to show on the surface.Cye, it's not going to be easy..."Since when is it ever Sage?" Cye laughed kindly. It was almost like some of the false years Sage hadn't even noticed till now that had gathered on his face fell away to reveal the man underneath he had once knew.a snow covered cliff a tiny blue bird turned troubled dark eyes to the stars and let his voice sing out over the land.